Humor Short

In this unforgettable work of fiction, Donald Ray Pollock peers into the soul of a tough Midwestern American town to reveal the sad, stunted, but resilient lives of its residents. Spanning a period from the mid-'60s to the late '90s, the linked stories that comprise Knockemstiff feature a cast of recurring characters who are woebegone, baffled, and depraved - but irresistibly, undeniably real. Rendered in the American vernacular with vivid imagery and a wry, dark sense of humor, these thwarted and sometimes violent lives jump at the listener with inexorable force.

In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself—quite convincingly—as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day.

This book was previously published as “Watching His Wife” by Reba Bale. He’s about to share his wife with another man. The only question is which of them will enjoy it more? Marc and Bella are heading for divorce if Marc can't get his jealousy and insecurity under control. As a last-ditch effort to save their relationship, the couple attends a “Resuscitate Your Marriage" retreat at an adults-only resort. When psychological tests show that Marc secretly longs to relinquish control, he decides to share his hot wife for the night. His fantasies resonate with Bella, a natural ...

Writing brilliantly and profoundly about class, sex, love, loss, work, despair, and war, Saunders cuts to the core of the contemporary experience. These stories take on the big questions and explore the fault lines of our own morality, delving into the questions of what makes us good and what makes us human.

The village that Time ignored. A tale of swans, local myths, and mayhem. A year in the life of the not always sleepy Somerset village of Blackney Foloren. Separated from the outside world by the infamous Somerset Levels, Blackney is a place which the modern world has overlooked for centuries, where the inhabitants conduct themselves to their entire satisfaction but not a great deal usually happens. However, they are about to have their feathers seriously ruffled, as this tale takes flight with several rather peculiar goings on. As with any small village, there is a pub, a shop, a church, a ...

Hollister Daily has a mission. It's been his mission since his best friend's father gave him the task: Keep Fitzie out of trouble! Sometimes, that's easier said than done. When Fitzie gets a bee in her bonnet to turn an old furniture store downtown into a theatre, Hollie, Miss Minnie and the gang are all behind her. Fitzie is the guiding light during the building's renovations and agrees to star in the musical that will open the place to the public. It's all Hollie can do to keep up with her -- until she disappears. Then it's up to Hollie to throw on some drag and take Fitzie's place in the...

Bestselling authors Candace Ayers and Kym Dillon bring you SHORT "lunchtime quickie" reads—condensed romances intended to be read in under 2 hours! Welcome to Mystic Hollow where wildest dreams (trust me, they do get wild) come true. As Alpha of Mystic Hollow's bear shifter clan, duty dictates my every move. When the Shifter Council responds to our declining population by enacting the BfB (Brides for Beasts) program, the guys are pretty excited to be introduced to human females. I am too, until I fall head over heels for the program coordinator who makes it very clear she is not one of ...

Do not let Etgar Keret deceive you. The Israeli writer who's worked in film, illustration, animation, and radio, is a storyteller in all senses of the word. Like a conman, he'll promise you a simple story and then the next thing you know your emotional reserves have been completely emptied. It's a literary bait and switch, and he'll get you every time.

You've got to feel a bit sorry for veteran attorney Delbert Drunge. Poor Delbert was disbarred by the Iowa Attorney Discipline Board for pooping his pants while trying to close a real estate deal. Delbert was too humiliated to fight the adverse ruling. Then he meets Jake Taalsma who just suffered a similar fate by the same panel of young litigation lawyers. Jake's sin was passing out at his desk and spending a week in hospital. The two old boys join forces and fight the callous legal bureaucracy which determined that a health crisis was grounds for dismissal from the legal profession. ...

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel Lincoln in the Bardo and the story collection Tenth of December, a 2013 National Book Award Finalist for Fiction. Talking candy bars, baby geniuses, disappointed mothers, castrated dogs, interned teenagers, and moral fables - all in this hilarious and heartbreaking collection from an author hailed as the heir to Kurt Vonnegut and Thomas Pynchon.

Twenty-plus intimate sci-fi stories from the heights and depths of the fractal universe. The stories you’ve dreamed of; the people you crave to meet; or would love to be. The aliens who’d make you shiver, or laugh. The huge risks of guiding your spacecraft here, or there. The adventures you’d have if only you had the nerve… Or the utter romance of doing that… The lighter side; the humour of orbital disasters and alien conflicts; the perils of ill-advised time-interference; the sheer romance of null-gravity love; the terrors of a leaky hull; the fear of a bullying boss when ...

Three urban fantasy mystery novellas in one volume: I’m Ivy Weiss, the Stone Whisperer. Though most part-demons in the Demon Underground have incredible powers, like dream walking, fortune-telling, or phasing through matter, I just talk to rocks. But somehow, I end up taking on the most difficult tasks... Sapphires & Souls When a seer makes a vague prophecy that says I am the only one who can save “Selene’s son” and prevent widespread bloodshed in Colorado Springs, I reluctantly head to Colorado to check it out. With the help of my snarky hellhound, a water demon, a vampire, and a ...

I Never Dreamed There was a Rugged, Handsome Mountain Man In My Future… But in the Mountains of Montana, I get my Second Chance at love... and so does he. Rylie Mills’ life is about to change forever: A vacation fling becomes insta-love in the nth degree? I never dreamed this could happen to me. Ever. It was the last thing I ever expected, especially since I came on this mini-vacation telling myself over and over that I wasn’t here for any reason other than to relax and recharge I can’t shake the feeling that I belong in the city, not out here in the Montana mountains, and I have a ...

Bestselling authors Candace Ayers and Kym Dillon bring you SHORT "lunchtime quickie" reads—condensed romances intended to be read in under 2 hours! Paranormal passion only a shifter can deliver. Let the games begin! When I'm offered a get-out-of-jail-free card, I take it. All I have to do is pop out a pup for money. One minute I'm entering some weird mating ceremony. The next, a hot hunk with bulging biceps is claiming me. Men only ever want one thing from me. And, hey, I'll give it. It's in my contract. But this wolf daddy wants more. I don't do love or affection. I don't even know how. ...

Snowed in with Santa's hottest helper. Shall I share my toys? ‘Tis the season for charity gift-giving. A freak blizzard leaves me and my SUV full of Christmas gifts snowbound in Mystic Hollow. Enter Tavion, a sexy wolf pilot who volunteers to fly me to LA to spread holiday cheer. Tavion's skilled hands guide more than the plane. His kisses hold worlds of promise. But it’s when he calls me his fated mate that my icy heart melts. Too bad he’s one man I can’t have. It really is too bad. Because resisting Tavion's charms? That may take a Christmas miracle. This is a SHORT, feel-good, ...

Here for the first time the stories and short novels of the war with the Outs are collected into a novel-length chronicle. The Outs had mental powers they could use to make humans see illusions and convince them to change sides. Obviously, they were unbeatable - until some troublesome humans found their Achilles' heel.

Her husband lost a bet – but her boss gets the prize! After fifteen years of marriage, my husband and I are always looking for ways to keep things interesting. So when I suggest a risky bet for the biggest football game of the year, my hubby is all in. Fortunately for me, my team wins, which means I get a ‘hall pass’ to have one night of passion with my silver fox boss. I’m worried about how my husband will react to the idea of sharing me with another man, but it turns out, he’s into it. Totally into it. And after one incredible, scorching hot night with my billionaire boss, my ...

Sam has a new life. But his past hasn't gone away. There's a new woman at Sam's cabin, and she's not here for dinner. Attorney Anna Halwell is tall, blonde, and here to tie up some loose ends with Sam's divorce. And truth be told, she's not happy about it. Neither is Sam. And he has a feeling this isn't going to be the last he sees of Anna. Lucky for him, he has Lily and Jasmine to help get him through the tough days. Their harem is now living together, and they're going to need each other more than ever. Stress is creeping up on all three of them, but they know a good release for that... ...

WANTED: ONE LIFEGUARD WHO DOESN'T MAKE ME CRAZY Brooke Lawson's fresh start at Seabreeze Cove has one major flaw: Zane "The Beast" Carter. He's arrogant, bossy, and has biceps that should be illegal in the state of Florida. Oh, and he's her new partner. HELP NEEDED: PARTNER WHO FOLLOWS THE RULES Zane doesn't need assistance—especially not from the sassy rookie who knocked his rescue can into the ocean on her first day. She challenges everything: his authority, his technique, and his ironclad rule against mixing business with pleasure. WARNING: HIGH RISK OF DROWNING (IN FEELINGS) When a ...

Bernadette didn't smoke. The fire couldn't have been an accident! Oh boy, the gray-haired knitters are at it again. Of course, they are. It's been way too long since they 'solved' a mystery. But the investigator determined the fire at the craft store was caused by an unattended lit cigarette. Arson isn't even a remote possibility. Except the owner Bernadette didn't smoke and now she's dead. When Bernadette's granddaughter asks me to look into the matter, the knitters practically cheer. They are on the case! But is there even a case? Or are we seeing murder and arson where there's merely ...