American Fiction Short Stories

Before he was an assassin, David Rivers was a patriot. One year after the 9/11 attacks, he serves as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan. His patrol enters the Shigal Valley, a desolate place with a fearsome reputation for enemy fighters - a reputation that David is about to experience firsthand. As the first shots ring out over the valley, David must decide between military orders and gut instinct...and in the process, discover a hidden truth about himself.

In this striking and bleak, yet luminous debut collection, Nathan Ballingrud, winner of the inaugural Shirley Jackson Award, uses the trappings of the Gothic and the uncanny to investigate a distinctly American landscape: The loneliest and darkest corners of contemporary life. Ballingrud’s stories are love stories. They’re also monster stories. Sometimes the monsters collected here are vampires or werewolves.

From the award-winning author of Chemistry comes a sharp and poignant short story that follows a young medical student working in clinical research and grappling with the realities of a future in her chosen field.

Football Erotica by Erotica Reid is a steamy short story that sizzles with tension, temptation, and fantasy. When Angie’s beautiful best friend, Christine, lands NFL superstar Devon Lassiter, Angie smiles on the outside—but inside, she’s burning with envy. Instead of letting jealousy win, Angie dives deep into her own sensual imagination… and finds a fantasy that’s hotter than any football game. 💦 Fast, fierce, and full of desire—this short read will leave you breathless. #erotica, #shortstory, #footballfantasy, #sportsromance, #blackromance, #urbanerotica, #spicyreads, #...

Is it really just a question of faith? In the wake of a devastating fire that claims her husband and shatters her dreams, Abbilene faces the harsh scrutiny of her small mill town. Reeling from her loss, she discovers her late husband's betrayals and a shocking stipulation in his will: to adopt his son, a child from a secret affair, now in a San Francisco orphanage. Tucker Manning, the town's Sheriff and Abbilene's lifelong friend, is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the deadly explosion. Amidst the rubble and whispers, Tucker stands as Abbilene's loyal ally, even as doubt shadows his...

Lost in the Crowd: Quincy and Hunter (A Westbrook High Series Short, Book #4) Quincy finally has the results of the DNA test, but now Hunter is avoiding him, ignoring his calls, disconnecting her social media, and putting him on Do Not Disturb. Quincy isn’t giving up without a fight—he's determined to get the answers he needs. He’s not ready to let go of their relationship just yet, which is why he's still keeping her secret. But wait until he discovers that Hunter has been hiding another secret that will blow his mind! Dive into this gripping tale of determination, secrets, and ...

In Mules and Men, some of the rich cultural heritage of black America is revealed and preserved. In the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston returned to her home town of Eatonville, Florida, to collect and record the oral histories, songs, and sermons, many dating back to slavery times, that she remembered hearing as a child. These highly metaphorical folktales, "big old lies", and powerful songs helped her to recover her history, and preserve an important part of American culture.

This is a small tale of a big betrayal.

With 10 stories that move from the barrios of the Dominican Republic to the struggling urban communities of New Jersey, Junot Diaz makes his remarkable debut. Diaz's work is unflinching and strong, and these stories crackle with an electric sense of discovery.

Ayesha Shetty lost her brother seven years ago, the same time she lost everything else important to her: her dreams, her fierce independence, and the man she loved. Not wanting to see her mother hurt anymore, she put her wild self away and became the dutiful daughter her mother needed and took on her brother’s role in the family business. Now her best friend’s big, fat Indian wedding is a chance to get away from her endless duties at the restaurant and maybe even have some fun (if she remembers how).

From "one of the funniest writers in America" comes a collection of stories culled from the front lines of the millennial culture wars. Rife with failing rock bands, student loans, and participation trophies,

Spoiled Brats is about a generation of narcissists - and the well-meaning boomers who made them that way.

On a snowy Christmas Eve in an unnamed American city, the archangel Michael wanders the streets. He is alone and hungry, his clothes tattered, and when he sees his face reflected in a store window, it is that of a young African American boy. Who will offer him food and shelter and who will turn him away? And when he becomes a blonde, freckle-faced child, is his fate different?

The moment I encounter the beautiful tour guide, it’s clear I'll stop at nothing until she’s mine. She’s a spitfire. Doesn’t hold her tongue for anyone, especially not me. Women fall hard for me. Not Kara. She wants nothing to do with me. Well, at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. A few of the men in the small town of Talkeetna want to be with Kara. Won’t happen. I’ll show Kara I’m the man for her.

Here, gathered in one volume, are the stories that made Clarice a Brazilian legend. Originally a cloth edition of 86 stories, now we have 89 in all, covering her whole amazing career, from her teenage years to her deathbed. In these pages, we meet teenagers becoming aware of their sexual and artistic powers, humdrum housewives whose lives are shattered by unexpected epiphanies, old people who don't know what to do with themselves - and in their stories, Clarice takes us through their lives - and hers - and ours.

Available as a value box set complete series amazon.com/dp/B07WY4R7RT (copy and paste the link into your browser) Anita Catlin has done everything in her power to care for her younger sister. Now that Georgia has come of age, however, it becomes apparent that even Anita’s best efforts on the homestead won’t be enough to secure the future she dreams of for her sibling. Determined as ever, and certain of God’s hand guiding her steps, Anita sets off to Deming, NM, to become a Harvey Girl and earn enough money to provide for her sister. Read all books in HARVEY HOUSE Historical Christian ...

The visionary writer and director of Get Out, Us, and Nope, and founder of Monkeypaw Productions, curates this groundbreaking anthology of all-new stories of Black horror, exploring not only the terrors of the supernatural but the chilling reality of injustice that haunts our nation. Featuring an introduction by Peele and an all-star roster of beloved writers and new voices, Out There Screaming is a master class in horror, and—like his spine-chilling films—its stories prey on everything we think we know about our world . . . and redefine what it means to be afraid.

At twenty-nine years the beautiful Deja Rayne has only been in three serious relationships. With her last two relationships leaving her brokenhearted, Deja never imagined herself dating, or engaged to a drug dealer. After months of being pursued, Deja could no longer say no, to Prime irresistible sex appeal or his bad boy charm. Now three years, and a baby later Deja is starting to regret her decision. Prime is spending less time with his family, and more time in the streets. What Prime doesn’t know breaking Deja's heart comes with deadly consequences. She promised herself if Prime is in ...

Amir Jackson is a sexy hood nigga who breaks all the rules. After meeting the mean and sexy as sin Nadia Jones he shows her how strong his pull up game is. One night of toe-curling sex Amir can’t get enough. What was supposed to me one night only turns into many nights of pleasure. Nadia can’t shake the sexy man who introduces her to a world of erotic pleasure. Take a ride with two strangers who enjoy a very erotic ride.

Oscar Casares' debut collection of short stories was selected as an ALA Notable book and received tremendous praise from publications ranging from the New York Times and the Washington Post to Entertainment Weekly. These nine stories follow a collection of unforgettable characters trying to get by while living in the South Texas border town of Brownsville.

Sapphire Wright has been dealt a bad hand. A week before Valentine’s, her fiancé kicks her out into the freezing cold. Two cold lonely nights she spends in front of Chandler’s Hotel. One night, her life changes in the blink of an eye. Lincoln ‘Linc’ Chandler stumbles upon Sapphire when he gets back in town from a business meeting. One look at the beautiful creation before him, and he knew he needed to help. In a short time, the two fall for each other. In this steamy, passion-filled tale, two souls will be snatched and connected. **Disclaimer** This is a short story!