Woodcliff Anthology
Publisher: Barred Owl Publishing
Published: 2010
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 199
ISBN-13: 9780982998632
Description: The “Woodcliff Anthology” is a collection of short stories by D.A. Blankinship. These stories introduce readers to people and places that are familiar and yet a little unusual. These stories explore some of life’s big questions, including the courage to defend the innocent, personal freedom, the meaning of justice, life in the here-after, the power of forgiveness, the misuse of gifts, and the interventions of angels.

In "Wishing for Secrets," a young boy’s desire to know more, drives him on a quest to learn life's secrets. He is tired of conversations stopping when he enters a room and he wants to be treated as a full member of the family. With his birthday just days away, he begins a mystical journey into the realm of answers for some of life’s biggest questions.
In "Jewel’s Unexpected Friends," we meet a girl living in an isolated area; her mom died when she was a small child. Her father, a cruel and bitter man, spends his life drinking. After learning wolves are nearby, Jewel becomes concerned for a stray dog and her newborn puppies. She promises to protect them from the wolves, even if her heartless father beats her. Sometimes unexpected friends make our lives better.
In "Miss Elaine’s Rescue," the Macphersons hire a woman to care for their daughter. The woman is the perfect nanny. She taught school and she has a deep understanding of the challenges of parenting. She accepts the position for very little pay; however, she has a secret reason for caring for this baby. Elaine is special in ways that will surprise her parents. Who will rescue her and insure her promising future?
In "Justice for Patricia," a gang-banger robs and assaults a woman, and threatens to kill her if she reports him. Summoning her courage, she files a report. As the months pass, her fear evolves into an all-consuming rage and all she wants is revenge. The police have done nothing, so when she learns it is possible to make things right, she begins her life-changing quest for revenge by going to a pawnshop to buy a gun
In "The Last Bet," we meet Chuck Greystone, one of the world's greatest golfers. At the top of his career, he commanded millions of dollars in endorsements. Unfortunately, booze, gambling, and despair destroyed his game and ushered him on his descent to skid row. One evening, an attorney finds him in a street mission and offers him the bet of his life. Will he win the bet or is loosing his best option?
In "The Final Defense," a judge, a jury, and an accused man assemble in a courtroom. His victims describe stalking, beatings, and cruelties that move the jury to tears. The accused man does not recognize his victims. It's a dream a nightmare; yet, he can’t wake up. His attorney begs him to try to remember—he must do something to help in his defense or all will be lost.
What could a psychic do for a politician? Senator and Mrs. LeGrand want the Whitehouse. The "Mystic’s Help" is their story of how they find the woman who can make that dream come true. She looks homeless, just some old lady begging for change; however, she knows their future and her prediction rattles the senator’s skepticism. They hire her to help arrange for the senator’s rise to the pinnacle of US politics.
What is the perfect day? In "The Arrangements," Jeff learns he has only a few more months to live. He has built a successful real estate business and now everything seems meaningless until an older man enters his office claiming there has been a mix-up at the deli and they must have swapped sandwiches. This mistake leads Jeff on a journey of re-evaluating his life and his ideas about the perfect day.