A small town in Southeast Texas undergoes a remarkable series of changes when a couple of out-of-towners move in and open a tea shop in a rundown building. Everyone in Magnolia Springs is soon abuzz about the proprietors of the New Castle Gift Shop as it becomes apparent that something is unsettling about Mr. and Mrs. Aliger. A power company lineman, a police sergeant and a number of otherwise mild-mannered, country-fried characters try their hands at interpreting the strange actions and unusual behavior of their new neighbors.
Things become curiouser and curiouser as the Aligers set up shop and begin making their rounds amongst the locals. Just why have they come to Magnolia Springs and what is on their hidden agenda? Could it be that the fate of the entire world might lie in the hands of a few unsuspecting souls in a sleepy little Texas Town?
The Misguided Souls of Magnolia Springs is a fictional novel set in a small town in Texas. The characters are typical small town personalities, generally suspicious of outsiders. A new couple moves to town and opens a gift shop in an old building downtown. The people are curious, but not overly friendly at first. The town's people don't really want to like the new people. But this couple has a profound effect on everyone they meet and soon it seems that this pair of out-of-towners is involved in everything, everywhere.
As the story unfolds, it becomes quite apparent that the new people have a secret agenda, that they are not simply business owners, but up to something.
It is up tot the citizens of Magnolia Springs to decide if their new neighbors have good intentions or if there is something else going on over at the New Castle Gift Shop.
Excerpt
“He’s dead, isn’t he?” She asked quietly.
“Come sit down.”
Perry ushered her to the table and pulled out a chair. “Let me have a look at him.”
Mary sat in shock with tears streaming down her cheeks as Perry returned to kneel beside Tyler. He checked his breathing. Nothing. Heartbeat. Nothing. He laid his head against his chest. Nothing. Tyler was most certainly dead.
“Oh, Tyler! Tyler!” Aunt Mary wailed. “Oh, my God! Tyler’s dead!”
She tried to get up but fell back in the chair to bury her face in her hands. Suddenly Perry was in front of her. He pulled her hands away and looked into her agonized eyes. “Be still, Mary. Tyler will be fine.”
Mary sat perfectly still. A sense of relief washed over her.
Perry went back for the third time and knelt beside her nephew. He placed one hand on his forehead and blew into his face.
“Tyler?” He called his name softly. “Tyler! Wake up!”
Tyler blinked and then coughed and then tried to scramble up. Perry pressed one hand against his chest holding him in place.
“Don’t try to get up too fast,” he said. “You’ve suffered a bad fall.”
Tyler’s mouth fell open as he stared into the stranger’s violet eyes.
“Who the hell are you?” He asked frowning.
“Oh, Tyler, such language!” Aunt Mary fussed as she rushed across the room and hovered over him. Perry got up and gave Tyler a hand up where he stood on shaky legs. Aunt Mary was on him at once, hugging him and kissing him. He automatically wrapped one arm around her diminutive shoulders and stood staring at Perry in shock. He ran his other hand through his static-filled hair and heard it crackling.
“Tyler, Tyler. I thought you were dead,” Aunt Mary continued.
“Me, too,” Tyler admitted as he hobbled over to the table with her help and sat down.
Perry picked up the overturned chair and offered it to Mary. She stood hovering over Tyler, ignoring the chair. The stranger bent to peer into Tyler’s face.
“Hello, there,” he said. “I’m Peregrin Aliger, your aunt’s new neighbor across the street.”
“Huh?” Tyler was still dazed.
“Oh, Tyler,” Aunt Mary said as she tried to smooth down his frazzled hair “Mr. Aliger saved your life. I thought you were dead. What would I have done?”
The bulk of the collection is eight short stories that are set in yesteryear. The compilation is filled out with four entertaining fantasy pieces and three poems.
