Modern Short Stories

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.

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 ...

Each of the best-selling writers represented in Legends II return to the special universe of the imagination that its author has made famous throughout the world. Whether set before or after events already recounted elsewhere, whether featuring beloved characters or compelling new creations, these masterful short novels are both mesmerizing stand-alones (perfect introductions to the work of their authors) and indispensable additions to the epics on which they are based.

After unexpectedly coming home to find a “Dear John” letter from his girlfriend, Daniel feels the calling for a fresh start—packing all his belongings in the car and taking a road trip out west hoping to rediscover what is essential to life. When his car breaks down in the mountains of Wyoming, he walks for several miles in search of assistance. After stopping at the first home he passes, he meets an old hunting guide and dog trainer named Kurt, who generously welcomes him in and offers to let him stay until the mechanic shop reopens after the weekend.

The Forgotten Warnings: Lessons We Ignored A Myth-Inspired Horror Anthology They told us not to stray from the path. Not to speak certain names. Not to touch what was buried. We didn’t listen. In this haunting collection of first-person horror stories, The Forgotten Warnings reimagines ancient myths, folklore, and cautionary tales through the eyes of those who ignored them—and suffered the consequences. Each story is a confession from the edge of madness: a streamer haunted by his own reflection, a researcher seduced by sentient code, a wanderer who finds forbidden fruit beneath the ...

I.L. Peretz, the acknowledged "Father of Yiddish Literature", captured the essence of Eastern European Jewish life. He wrote of the magical quality of kindness, and the bitter fruits of blind faith.

13 Acorns is the debut work of up-and-coming American author G. Edward Martin. It is composed of twelve original short stories written in multiple genres beneath the umbrella of philosophical fiction. Each unique story addresses one central idea or moral question, with each story being akin to a single acorn—something small or simple with the potential to grow enormous. The False Treeing Hound- Daniel, a lost young man, abandons everything and sets out on a road-trip headed west.

Words of a Feather is a stunning collection of Short Stories, Poems and Sketches from author, Robert E. Kearns. There's something inside for every taste, and Words of a Feather comes packed with hours of reading pleasure. Replete with entertainment, there is sure to be laughs, tears, spills and thrills. Satisfying pleasures of the mind, Words of a Feather is a book you'll want to read again and again.

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 ...

Lisa Johnson isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day, until she is surprised with a bouquet of roses from a secret admirer. Once she finds out who he is, she falls head over heels for him in this holiday instalove steamy romance. This short BWWM interracial story is 3,000 words long and is for mature readers only!

Gripping and compassionate, Land of Big Numbers traces the journeys of the diverse and legion Chinese people, their history, their government, and how all of that has tumbled—messily, violently, but still beautifully—into the present. Cutting between clear-eyed realism and tongue-in-cheek magical realism, Chen’s stories coalesce into a portrait of a people striving for openings where mobility is limited.

Best-selling urban fantasy and paranormal suspense author M.D. Massey welcomes listeners back to the world of the Junkyard Druid for his third short story collection. Blood Bound includes "Voodoo Ball", "Prince Mark's Price", and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do".

Reader reviews for Alice Crowley's HOT writing: "I LOVED THE IMAGINATION OF THIS AUTHOR!" ~Satisfied Kindle Reader "FIVE STARS!" ~Multiple Fans In this 3,000 word short, a married woman and her husband are taken on a deep and powerful journey into the world of erotic infidelity. Lonni has a new toy -- her husband bought it for her and she loves it! When the toy becomes sentient though, and begins to speak to her, she is very afraid. Now a bounty hunter shows up, and saves her from being consumed by her obsession with technology by taking and demanding her awaiting flesh. When the husband ...

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...

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.

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.

In the modern world, life lessons are not always as black and white as who wins a race between a tortoise and a hare. Modern Day Fables features eleven lessons for us adults, we who face challenges that present a palette of grays in which the morals are often more gritty, trampled on, hard fought, hard won, and not always glorious. In these eleven fables, travel the subterranean world of lessons not oft told because they are challenging to the status quo, and championing of the individual who stands alone amid the world around us. Decide what you think, who wins and who loses, who stands ...

During the day when there is a break in the day’s labor or in the evenings when the sunlight is waning, stories are told from Texas porches. Although these are usually short stories, they can be long, and thus continued at the next porch sitting. They contain humor, sadness, suspense, mystery, philosophy, and instruction about the human condition and, in general, the journey of living. The storytellers find the rhythm of life for themselves, and the listeners hear valuable lessons and truth. Tales from the Texas Timberlands, Volume 1 celebrates this storytelling about East Texans with ...

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.

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