The President and his advisors decide dissent has gone too far. A secret plan moves forward. Within three days, Homeland Security and the FBI round up 173 citizens. Agents pluck Madison and Evert Druid from the Kona check-in line at Oakland International, fly them to Manila then truck them to Olongapo. Maddy's tennis friends go into action, but a stunned public keeps silent. The media report the shocking arrests, but disasters take over the headlines. Even a favorable Supreme Court ruling doesn't help. The Druids' deaths propel this frightening, yet hopeful story.

Linda Lanterman's Beach Shorts stories represent quick, interesting reading for the beach or hot tub. As in her earlier books, Lanterman combines her insights and observations of human behavior with fishing, teaching, fun and a game. Lanterman writes about a lice-filled cloakroom, laughing with the sea and Oleanders that speak Chinese.

Lanterman's Random Shorts collection provides a variety of clipped philosophy, politics, passion and play. It's a perfect montage for our busy times. Like pieces of candy, her stories give us nuggets for thought.

Instinct deep in the human psyche surfaces when a predator strikes. A psychopath selects soft targets and begins slowly. When he widens his field from elderly women to include younger ones, women on the Hawaii's Big Island react. Collective action, made tangible by the Kona women's competitive paddling teams, inspires the victims' plot. A few wise men wait and watcdh and piece together the drama. The women didn't start this action. They defended against it. When does defensive collaboration become entrapment? Should they have waited for a murder? Was there a murder they missed, a victim they...

Linda Lanterman's Mindsight Stories represent an astonishing array of tales, something for everyone. Written among and between her novels, these stories range from short to novella-length, from a thought for the day to questions of our times. As a writer, deep-sea fisherman, teacher and public servant over the years, Linda Lanterman writes to change the world, not excape it. In "Boxes in the Attic" Lanterman reminds us to examine our presumptions no matter how fondly we hold them. Several stories remind us life is short, but beautiful. "The Ritual" shows us the experiences of two friends that...

More short stories from Linda Smoke Signals, Lanterman's latest short story collection spins stories that entertain, delight and teach. Fluid prose glides us across the Pacific, into a pocket cave and into the recesses of our minds. Love of family and friends floats along with power plays. Even a cocky raven gets into the act. Here's a book of stories you read and want more. Lanterman, a life-long educator, writer, lucky survivor and witness to her times, has an eye for details that others often overlook. The mistress of the teachable moment strikes again. What fun.