Code of Shadows Series by Carolyn Crane

** A 25k-word story - originally part of the Fire & Frost anthology ** The witches of the world ridiculed and rejected nerdy Veronica for trying to use these new things called computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and Veronica has perfected her spellcasting computer program. And as usual, she’s all alone, with nobody to share her victory with. Probably for the best—the code is far too powerful and dangerous to let out... more** A 25k-word story - originally part of the Fire & Frost anthology ** The witches of the world ridiculed and rejected nerdy Veronica for trying to use these new things called computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and Veronica has perfected her spellcasting computer program. And as usual, she’s all alone, with nobody to share her victory with. Probably for the best—the code is far too powerful and dangerous to let out. And hey, who needs friends when you can conjure virtually anything…or anybody? When Veronica uses her new powers to solve a crime, she makes powerful Chicago mafia enemies. No problem: she conjures Max, a pit bull of a cop so dangerous to organized crime that they had him killed some months back. Who better to deal with the hit men who keep coming around than a cop like Max? But tough-guy Max might be more than Veronica and her magic can handle—and he is in no mood to play lapdog to a gorgeous witch. **This story stands alone, and also serves as a prequel to Mr. Real** less

He finds the girl of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares. Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . moreHe finds the girl of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares. Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . . who looks exactly like Paul Reinhardt, the super-sexy martial arts teacher who kicked her out of class three years ago. Fighter Paul Reinhardt has good reason to hate Sir Kendall, the character he brought to life to land a part in a TV ad; he’d do anything to forget him. A cross country road trip seems just the thing . . . until Paul finds himself inexplicably drawn to Minnesota and is shocked to discover Sir Kendall - in the flesh - with the girl he’d once loved from afar. He barges into Alix and Sir Kendall’s love nest, determined to stop the madness - somehow. But is superspy Sir Kendall transforming into something more dangerous anyone can imagine? And what will Sir Kendall do when Paul and Alix finally give into their mad lust for each other? less