Modern Short Stories

Seizing the Tiger It’s 1996 and Alex the Pirate hates having his smuggled goods ripped off on the high seas. Colonel Le, another pirate, got the drop on him and he is vastly outgunned in his wooden-hulled tongkang in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. Le smirks as he steals Alex’s valuable cargo and powers away to leave Alex and crew drifting on their damaged craft at sea. Alex and his friend Diego know that vengeance is a dish best served cold. Le will pay for his treachery—the hard way. And maybe they will seize the cutthroat’s prize boat—the one they call the Tiger. The first ...

In a city where darkness reigns and the sun is nothing more than a fading myth, Edward dares to question what others blindly accept. Day after day, his world remains shrouded in shadow, the truth buried beneath obscure theories. With the unwavering support of his future wife, Edward embarks on a dangerous search for answers. But as he digs deeper, he realizes that questioning the darkness comes at a price. Will he awaken those around him—or be silenced forever?

Things are getting serious at the Society for Magickal Heritage. An ancient legend has plans for Ves, and Ves has plans for just about everything else. It’s time to take on the ultimate challenge—and hope for the best. What could possibly go wrong? Well, everything. As usual. But if old magick is going to survive in the modern world, it’s no use being cautious. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and Ves is giving it everything she’s got. But can she handle the cost? And can the cost handle her?

The Disappeared: Stories of Friends Lost to Shadows is a gripping collection of modern thriller and horror tales where the familiar vanishes in the blink of an eye. From high-tech VR worlds that trap souls, to art installations hiding sinister realities, to wilderness trails where entire people vanish behind illusions, each story explores the terrifying moment when a friend slips beyond reach—and may never return. G.J. Fene masterfully blends psychological suspense, technology, and supernatural fear, crafting haunting narratives that keep readers questioning what is real. Perfect for fans...

A crew of experienced astronauts nearing the completion of a 20-year mission in space discover that their ship is being followed by an unknown craft on their way back to earth. In this science fiction novelette, the crew debates an impossible decision on whether to lead the craft back to earth and risk all of humanity, or veer off into space to protect the earth but ensure their own demise. Short story/novelette 13,000 words Science fiction From 13 Acorns-Modern Short Stories for Thoughtful Adults

"Some rules are meant to be broken... and some temptations are impossible to resist." ELA: I've scrubbed floors and scoured pans to earn this chance at becoming a pastry chef on the luxurious Celestial Odyssey. One wild night with a mysterious older stranger was supposed to calm my nerves before starting my new job. Instead, it may have ruined everything. Because my new boss? He's the commanding chef who rocked my world last night. PHILIP: My kitchen is my kingdom, and I rule it with exacting standards and an iron fist. But when my new pastry chef trainee walks in wearing a crisp uniform ...

When a mole exposes most of the bureau’s undercovers, two FBI agents are forced into a fake marriage. Laura O’Conner is a fresh-faced rookie; Robert Mills is a hardened disabled veteran sidelined due to a previous injury. They both hate each other’s tactics, yet they can’t keep their eyes off each other. Not only do they have to work together to bring down a notorious crime family, they must also remain professional and not let their feelings get in the way. However, their love can only be withheld for so long before they both submit to their feelings.This instalove enemy to lovers ...

Mad scientists have never had it so tough. In super-hero comics, graphic novels, films, TV series, video games, and even works of what may be fiction, they are besieged by those who stand against them, devoid of sympathy for their irrational, megalomaniacal impulses to rule, destroy, or otherwise dominate the world as we know it. It’s just not fair. So those of us who are so twisted and sick that we love mad scientists have created this guide.

This is a story from the Canterbury Tales I: Modern Verse Translation collection. Chaucer's greatest work, written towards the end of the fourteenth century, paints a brilliant picture of medieval life, society and values. The stories range from the romantic, courtly idealism of "The Knight's Tale" to the joyous bawdy of the Miller's; all are told with a freshness and vigor in this modern verse translation that make them a delight to hear.

Where is Wendy? Leading a labor strike against the Lost Boys, of course. In Jane Yolen's first full collection in more than 10 years, discover new and uncollected tales of beloved characters, literary legends, and much more. A Scottish academic unearths ancient evil in a fishing village. Edgar Allan Poe's young bride is beguiled by a most unusual bird. Dorothy, lifted from Kansas, returns as a gymnastic sophisticate. Emily Dickinson dwells in possibility and sails away in a starship made of light. Winner of the 2018 World Fantasy Award.

Nikki is tired of being single, childless, and unhappy. At thirty-five, she ready to start a family, and offers her best friend a chance to be her baby daddy. Her plan goes according to plan, however, what she didn’t expect was to catch feelings for him… The Proposal is a steamy BWWM interracial romance. This short story is 4,400 words and is for mature readers only.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride… Shelby: It’s my 30th birthday, not that anyone seems to remember. Instead, everyone is focused on my brother Sam’s wedding. I’m happy for him, but still. This will be the sixteenth time I’ll be a bridesmaid since my college graduation, but at least this time I get to be maid of honor. Only that means I have to walk down the aisle with him. Jagger, my brother’s best friend and my lifelong crush. If that isn’t bad enough, he’s brought his model girlfriend. It seems I can’t win. Bringing my best friend, Chip, seems like a good idea until he...

19 short stories from the deep end. (Contains some salty language and subject matter--reader discretion advised.)

A dangerous wave of madness is sweeping across a city. A young girl becomes the conduit for a haunted house. An abandoned theater is the gateway to a darker world. Do you believe in ghosts? You will. This collection of the best stories from award-winning NoSleep horror author Kyle Harrison will have you questioning your sanity while you keep the light on while listening to the book.

Ashely Williams is down on her luck. Swimming in debt, her baby daddy won’t pay child support, and broke, her life wasn’t going anywhere. It wasn’t until she meets a sexy Irish man on Saint Patrick’s Day, when her life turns around. Luck of the Irish is a steamy interracial BWWM romance. This short story of 4,400 words is for mature readers only.

Previously published as "The Bloody Slipper" by Arla Jones. Get ready to shift gears into a magical world! When a mysterious sleeping curse hits Prince Charming's father's castle, the enchanted affliction spreads far beyond the medieval walls. Modern-day household items from coffee makers to cars lie in slumber, their engines dead, victims of the witch's dark magic. Prince Charming must navigate this strange new world, teaming up with a mystical beast, a fiercely loyal band of dwarfs, and a pinch of magical fairy dust. Together, they embark on a heart-pumping quest to outsmart the wicked ...

Detective stories existed for centuries before the concept of the detective itself—amateur or professional— was fully formulated, and tales of mystery and intrigue have been thrilling readers since ancient times. The Lock and Key Library is the classic overview of the history of the mystery genre, at once a rousing listen for fans of the unsolved and unknown as well as an essential literary resource for those seeking to understand the roots of modern pulp fiction. This volume is sure to delight and enthrall armchair detectives and fans of classic mysteries alike.

After her stepmother throws her out, Elle needs her horse to survive. Who is this handsome man who took her horse and is now calling her a thief because she took it back? She's not a thief. He has two horses, why does he think he also needs hers?

The "man of property", Soames Forsyte, has mellowed with the passing of the years until, in his old age, he is a patient and benign figure, guarding with especial tenderness the welfare of his daughter, Fleur. But all his watchfulness and devotion are powerless to avert tragedy when Fleur revives her old love affair with Jon Forsyte on Jon's return to England with his American wife.

This volume of short essays and other pieces by C. S. Lewis is part of a larger collection, C. S. Lewis: Essay Collection and Other Short Pieces. In addition to his many books, letters, and poems, C. S. Lewis wrote a great number of essays and shorter pieces on various subjects. He wrote extensively on Christian theology and the defense of faith but also on ethical issues and the nature of literature and storytelling. Within this audiobook is a treasure trove of Lewis' reflections on diverse topics.