Fig stumbled a step backward. No towering devil stood before him as he had imagined … and feared. No great beast with a hideous smile of anticipation.Instead, he gazed at a female about the same height as himself. The face more alluring than any artist’s rendering of beauty could be. A petite upturned nose. Come-hither eyes. Red and sensuous lips contrasting with pale green skin. What must be the tops of wings appeared over her shoulders.

“I am Lilith, what you on Earth call a succubus. Kiss me. That will be but a first hint of what delights await when you submit your will to mine.”

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Here’s the cover reveal for book number 5 in the Magic by the Numbers series. I did not realize until it was completed that the icons taken together all contribute to make a rebus — a picture puzzle that can be translated into a word or phrase.

It is bit of a stretch, but here’s the logic.

The silhoutte is that of a demon — a succubus in fact. And in my book series what is associated with demons?  Magic, right!

The icons on the right are all clocks of one sort or another. The all have to do with time. And how many of them are there — Three right!

Put it all together and the images translate into Magic Times Three.

Yeah, yeah, very corny. But I am pleased with how things all worked out.

PS

I had announced some time ago that book 5 would be out some time early in 2019 — and the year is already more than half over. The book is finished, and I have received the print proofs from both Kindle and Ingram Spark. All that remains is to pull the trigger.

But before I do, I have decided to explore some marketing activities that might lead to greater sales.

How long will that take?  I dunno. If you have some suggestions along those lines, it would be great to hear from you.

A problem for most authors, especially self-publishing ones, is to generate exposure. Get the word-of-mouth machine enough seeds so that a following can blossom.

One of the ways of doing this is to get one’s books into libraries. There is no cost barrier for readers to try out a new discovery. And then, who knows? The rise to best-sellerdom just might happen.

As most authors know, however, getting one’s books into library is no easy thing. Local libraries are besieged by authors donating free copies of their books. There just is not enough physical space for them.

Well, that is a generalization that is not totally true. Recently, thanks to the generosity of a friend, I was able to be added to his public library shelves.

Little Free Libraries is a great idea! https://littlefreelibrary.org

The librarian keeps weird hours. To get your own copy quicker, visit one of these links:

Master of the Five Magics

Secret of the Sixth Magic

Riddle of the Seven Realms

The Archimage’s Fourth Daughter

The situation:

The truck driver should have been paying attention, but he didn’t. The bridge was old, and the clearance not all that great. Half way through the underpass,he was stuck. Going forward, even in low gear did not work. Neither did trying reverse.

The job looked like a complex one with a lot of welding equipment in order to remove the top of the cab. A long backup was already starting. The driver was on his phone explaining what had happened, when a motorist in the lane behind get the truck unstuck. How did he do it?

Input your name and email to get the free download of the solution.

Click for Solution Download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple as:
The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.
Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One every week.

If you want to see the answer to this week’s puzzle, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. On the other hand I would be delighted to receive comments on how a session of playing the game went.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.

Click for Solution Download

The situation

After so many weeks at sea in the small life raft, the rescue had been miraculous. Only one of their little party had already not survived the ordeal — found dead in the morning of the very day that help finally had arrived. Now a month later, fully recovered and discharged, Mike decided to celebrate. He went to the fanciest restaurant in town and ordered a sumptuous meal. But after he took the first bite, he shot himself.

How come?

Input your name and email to get the free download of the solution.

Click for solution download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple as:
The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.
Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One every week.

If you want to see the answer to this week’s puzzle, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. On the other hand I would be delighted to receive comments on how a session of playing the game went.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.

Click for solution download

The situation puzzle for week six is:

Sirens were heard in the distance. The highway patrol was coming. Someone had tipped them off so that daredevil could not make the jump off of the high bridge into the river. He spotted the two cars closing in but they would not get there in time. The video cameras would record everything, and he would get another successful jump into his growing list of records. Without hesitating he jumped over the barrier and formed his body into a perfect dive. Unfortunately, this time he died in the attempt.

How come?

Input your name and email to get the free download of the solution.

Click for solution download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple as:
The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.
Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One every week.

If you want to see the answer to this week’s puzzle, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. On the other hand I would be delighted to receive comments on how a session of playing the game went.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.

Click for solution download

The situration:

The traffic is snarled as usual, but the commuter does not mind. It is like this every morning. He hums along with the popular song playing on his radio. A few seconds after the tune concludes, his sense of well-being turns to rage. He rushes home and kills his wife.

How come?

Input your name and email to get the free download of the solution.

Click for solution download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple (and poor) as:

The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.

Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One roughly every week.

If you want to see the answer, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. But your experiences in playing the game are most welcome.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.

The situation:

A burglar is startled by a loud noise outside the small dwelling he is trespassing in. Before he can react, the roof bursts into flame. There are no windows, and a single door leads to the outside. It is unlocked, but despite this, the burglar burns to death. How come?

Input your name and email to get the free download of the solution.

Click for solution download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple (and poor) as:

The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.

Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One roughly every week.

If you want to see the answer, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. But your experiences in playing the game are most welcome.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.

It is morning. The caretaker performs his daily inspection of the cemetery grounds. He sees a young woman crumpled near one of the graves. 911 is called, but she cannot be revived. There are no visible marks on her.

How did she die?

Click for solution download

Situation Puzzles are ones in which the poser sets forth a, well, situation that on the surface does not make sense or has a mystery about it. These descriptions usually are enigmatic enough that one cannot merely ponder for a while and then blurt out the answer as what is going on.

Instead, the solver gets to ask the poser questions to bring more clarity to the situation. These can only be ones answered by either Yes, No, or Immaterial. The last answer is used when either a Yes or No contributes nothing to the correct conclusion. Good questions help define the direction of inquiry. For example, “Is it important that we learn the vocation of the woman?”

This brief description does not give this puzzle type the accolades it deserves. It works best with a group of solvers rather than only one, all contributing to finding the solution. A warm feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie results when everything makes sense. In my experience after a frustrating hour or so that it might have taken to solve the puzzle, someone in the crowd will say, “Let’s do another.”

When I was much younger, I enjoyed working with others on situation puzzles and started collecting them. Recently, I came across my collection. The quality of these puzzles vary. Some were as simple (and poor) as:

The police burst into the room. Fred and Marsha were dead on the floor surrounded by broken glass and water. Tom sat unperturbed on the couch, but he was not even questioned. Why not?

Others are more intriguing. Most are macabre – dealing with death by unusual means.

Anyway, I have decided to start posting the best of my collection here on my blog. One roughly every week.

If you want to see the answer, click on the button below. That will take you to another webpage from which you can download the solution.

I am not looking for comments to this and other posts of the same type that reveal what the answers are. If you email me one, I merely will not post it. But your experiences in playing the game are most welcome.

Some in my collection are popular enough that you may recollect their solutions yourself or they might show up on another site. By whatever means you get involved, my intent is to have you try the puzzles on your friends and get the same enjoyment out of it that I did.