American Short Fiction

“Imparting some piece of yourself—any part—is arduous and warrants some kind of commendation,” writes guest editor Wesley Morris in his introduction. Both personal and personable, the essayists in this volume use their own vulnerability to guide listeners on excursions that unfold on uncomfortable edges. From contemplating the nuances of memory to exploring the complexities of family, romance, gender identity, illness, and death, Morris’s selection of essays presents a roundup of the thinkers who masterfully grapple with the issues of our time.

He wrestled with Abraham Lincoln, invented the game of baseball, and taught Stevie Wonder how to sing. A reporter’s hunt to find and interview the oldest man in the world comes to an abrupt halt at a facility for seniors when he meets Obadiah Short, and hears the intricate, funny, and mesmerizing yarns that Obadiah weaves. The reporter instantly realizes that he has found a better story than the one he had initially been pursuing. But Obadiah’s story is more significant than the reporter could ever begin to imagine. Enjoy The Tall Tales of Obadiah Short.

🔥 A warrior king. A fearless princess. A storm of fate. Passion and power collide in a forbidden romance that will change history. On an uncharted island off the coast of West Africa, King Jahtgo, a fierce warrior, meets Princess Neeha, the bold and untamed leader of an elite band of female warriors. Their worlds clash in an intoxicating battle of passion, desire, and power, culminating in an erotic encounter that neither of them can deny. Set in the year 1245, this gripping historical romance unfolds in a world of dangerous betrayals, forbidden love, and raw ambition. As Jahtgo and ...

Queen Amira has suffered her husband's neglect and disdain since she came to be his wife. His attitude only softening the slightest bit with the birth of the two princes and heirs. With that, she has retained some of her power and love at court. But, she is still lonely and dreams of a true love of her own. Though she dare not dream it will ever come. King Deron loves women. His wife that was sent for him was barren for years. He thought he made a mistake in marrying her. He even took her lady as his mistress and had a child with her. A child that he flaunted under the queen's nose as he ...

High school sweethearts, Monica and Robert fight to save their marriage when Robert decided to take his relationship with God seriously. His new commitment to his new found faith forces Monica to feel judged and alone. Refusing to support Roberts life changing efforts, Monica becomes rebellious and negligent as a wife and mother. She is desperate to keep her unhealthy marriage and questions the God who she feels is tearing them apart.

The "Detroit Life After 15 Years" series is a gripping and raw portrayal of life in the hood. The series follows a group of friends who grew up together in the heart of Detroit and are now navigating the challenges and opportunities that come along with being young and ambitious in the city. Each book delves into the lives of these characters, showcasing their struggles and triumphs as they try to make a name for themselves in the streets. The series captures the gritty reality of life in the hood, filled with drugs, violence, and betrayal, while also exploring themes of friendship, loyalty...

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.

Book 1: Introduces 23 year old, newly divorced young woman named Layla. Before her divorce, Layla was married to her middle school sweetheart, Darren. Aside from holding down a full time job, being a student AND a mother, Layla stayed loyal to Darren until he cheated on her. Layla's best friend, Michelle convinces her that the single life isn't so bad, especially when she meets the super sexy, smooth talking Marcus; who not only gives her great conversation, but the best sex in her life. She thought she could handle a "friends with benefits" situation, but she couldn't have been more wrong....

The town of Ebonton was well on its way to being the next "Black Wall Street", For the people of that town, the goal was to live lives of peace, to raise families and build up their community. But things are never that simple for Black people it seems. A faction from a couple towns over in a place called Haron Oaks had plans for the men, women and children of Ebonton, and their plans meant a lot of bloodshed.

Minister Terrell Crutchfield of Tabernacle Baptist Church deals with life consequences when his past and present romances collide. In this African American / Black contemporary church suspense romance story, Megan Hightower, and Madeline Webster, two brazen church harlots will bring on the drama. Marital infidelity and adultery take center stage in this delightfully entertaining church tale. Sometimes in life when it rains unfortunately it pours out deceit and deception. Mixing Madeline Webster into the equation literally adds fuel to the fire. Megan Hightower and Minister's Crutchfield's ...

The "Detroit Life After 15 Years" book series by:"True Story" offers a gritty, compelling portrayal of Detroit’s transformation over a 15-year period. The series delves into the social, economic, and cultural changes in the city, capturing its struggles with urban decay, economic downturns, and societal shifts. Through a blend of fiction and real-world issues, the books paint a vivid picture of the challenges and resilience of Detroit's residents. Readers are immersed in the personal stories of individuals navigating the complexities of life in a city undergoing significant transformation...

In a gritty tale of loyalty, betrayal, and survival on Detroit's streets, Blood Ties and Street Lies follows the volatile relationship between Detroit Black and his father, Johnny, a powerful yet aging figure in the city's underground. While recovering from surgery, Johnny tests his son’s loyalty, only to uncover a painful truth: Detroit Black has been dipping into his father’s stash and pocketing the profits. Author: True Story

The American literary tradition has, in a far shorter span of time than others throughout history, achieved a glowing and glittering reputation. From its transatlantic roots it has absorbed the sons and daughters of other cultures, other lands and made them part of her own. Within this melting pot of styles, genres and wordplay one fact stands out: In the American short story, Literary tradition has a strong, vibrant and almost inclusive history, if you know where to look.

A special Christmas Collection of delightful old West romance stories all in one binge-worthy collection. A Tin Star for Christmas - A temporarily blinded sheriff! A woman secretly in love! Both set to marry someone else. Can this Christmas get any worse? Candy Cane Christmas - A grieving sibling, a man without hope and two orphans that bring them together. Viola - Angel Creek Christmas Brides - A Southern Belle looking for peace after the war - An outlaw turned rancher, determined to start over - Can two people from opposite worlds find happiness together in Angel Creek this Christmas? ...

New Easy Rawlins mysteries—original short stories from the New York Times bestselling and award-winning mystery author. As Carolyn See said in The Washington Post Book World: "God bless the day that Walter Mosley created Easy Rawlins!" This handsome collection contains six interconnected stories. Fans can now add these original stories in Six Easy Pieces to their Walter Mosley library: "Smoke," "Crimson Stain," "Silver Lining," "Lavender," "Gato Green," "Gray-Eyed Death," and "Amber Gate."

"Her immediate concern was money." So begins the first story in Manuel Muñoz's dazzling new collection. In it, Delfina has moved from Texas to California's Central Valley with her husband and small son, and her isolation and desperation force her to take a risk that ends in profound betrayal.

Living in the same neighborhood sometimes brings people together. Even when there was a time that you thought you had absolutely nothing in common with someone. Damiko was home, fresh off doing a 12-year stretch in the penitentiary. Things had changed drastically. Everybody from the old days were gone. The hood was now run by a bunch of faces that he did not recognize. He did run into two recognizable faces from the days of old though. Mack and Armani. They were not actually friends back in the day, but being the last of a dying breed bought the three together. The three were feeling the ...

A grieving mother makes a spreadsheet of everyone she’s lost. Elsewhere, a professor develops a troubled intimacy with her hairdresser. And every year, a restless woman receives an email from a strange man twice her age and several states away. In Yiyun Li’s stories, people strive for an ordinary existence until doing so becomes unsustainable, until the surface cracks and the grand mysterious forces—death, violence, estrangement—come to light. And even everyday life is laden with meaning, studded with indelible details.

In the gritty streets of Detroit, the game has changed, but the players remain the same. "Detroit Life After 15 Years: Volume 3" plunges you back into the heart of the city where loyalty, betrayal, and survival are the only currencies that matter. As old rivals resurface and new alliances are forged, the stakes have never been higher. With each move, the line between friend and foe blurs, and the consequences of every decision become deadlier.This volume continues the gripping saga of those who have lived by the hustle and survived the streets, now facing the ghosts of their pasts and the ...

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.