Scottish Short Stories

'A fantastic writer.' Donald Ray Pollock 'Nigel Bird is fast becoming one of the top writers in his genre.' Luca Veste DIRTY OLD TOWN is the debut collection from the prize-winning writer Nigel Bird. His brilliantly observed slices of life allow us to visit places we may not normally choose to enter and to walk a few miles in the shoes of others. Though his tales have darkness at their core, they are also full of a heart and spirit that one rarely finds in the world or ‘noir’ or ‘crime-writing’. There are 9 stories here: Drinking Wine (Spo-Dee-Oh-Dee); Dirty Old Town; Sea Minor; ...

After crossing paths with a banshee in Ireland, Samantha Moon and the gang continue their whirlwind European tour... Next stop: Loch Ness. Sam books a two-hour tour of the infamous Loch with her friends and family. And even makes a Gilligan's Island joke or two. However, fun and games end when Allison accidentally sends the boat back in time... Seventy million years back in time, when plesiosaurus ruled the Loch. However, these gentle giants don't quite rule the Loch; indeed, something bigger does. Something nasty, huge and hungry. It's going to take all of the gang's combined skills to not...

From the royal wedding to boring airplane companions, Samuel Beckett to Margaret Thatcher, "senior moments" to life as a waitress, Maeve's Times gives us wonderful insight into a changing Ireland as it celebrates the work of one of our best-loved writers in all its diversity - revealing her characteristic directness, laugh-out-loud humor, and unswerving gaze into the true heart of a matter.

When three modern women find themselves in medieval Scotland, they must use their wits and strengths to fight ancient foes. With the English, witch hunters, and the church after them, these futuristic ladies navigate the murky waters of falling in love with a broody highlanders while adjusting to their new lives and protecting that they now hold so dear.

Andrew Lang (1844-1912) was a poet, novelist, and literary critic. He created the enchanting world of fairyland inhabited by characters like the snow-queen, the mermaid's son, ogres, dwarfs, monsters, magicians, and giants. The Pink Fairy Book contains 41 tales from Africa, Japan, Scandinavia, and Europe. They range from familiar stories like "The Snow-Queen" and "The Fir-Tree" to the obscure tales of the Tanuki. This collection contains stories like "The Cats' Elopement", The "Princess in the Chest", "Snowflake", and more....

This enchanting collection of stories gathers together legends from across Scotland in one special volume. Drawn from The History Press' popular Folk Tales series, herein lies a treasure trove of tales from a wealth of talented storytellers. From the Spaeman's peculiar advice and a laird who is transformed into a frog, to a fugitive hiding in a dark cave and the stoor worm battling with Assipattle, this book celebrates the distinct character of Scotland's different customs, beliefs, and dialects, and is a treat for all who enjoy a well-told story.

Terry Pratchett has earned a place in the hearts of listeners the world over with his best-selling Discworld series - but in recent years he has become equally well-known and respected as an outspoken campaigner for causes including Alzheimer's research and animal rights. A Slip of the Keyboard brings together for the first time the finest examples of Pratchett's nonfiction writing, both serious and surreal: from musings on mushrooms to what it means to be a writer (and why banana daiquiris are so important).

As identical twins, Bothan and Calum MacNachton share a bond stronger than most brothers, one forged by a terrible secret. Rumors and dark tales have been whispered about their clan for centuries. For they roam the Highlands at night, driven by a savage hunger that can never be sated. Their only hope lies in marriage to Outsiders, mortal women whose pure blood will weaken the hold of their eternal curse.

Young Alice leads an ordinary sort of life until, one day, she follows a rabbit down a hole and embarks on a series of adventures with some of the most weird and wonderful characters anyone has ever encountered! She soon discovers that nothing is ordinary in Wonderland, least of all the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat, the Duchess, and the Mock Turtle.

This is the second collection of short stories relating to the fictional sea-sprayed Canadian village of Avonlea. Anne Shirley appears in a few, but most concern other characters from the Anne Shirley series, including Diana Barry and members of the Meredith and Blair families. Published in 1920, these tales of hidden hopes and cherished dreams are sure to enchant fans of Anne of Green Gables.

Three for the price of two. For the first time ever, a handy collection of the first three novellas in the Scottish Werebear series. Titles include An Unexpected Affair, A Dangerous Business, and A Forbidden Love.

A gripping collection of over 50 of the greatest short stories written by great British writers. 1."The Missing Years" by Barry Pain, 2. "His Brother's Keeper" by W. W. Jacobs, 3. "A Madman's Manuscript" by Charles Dickens, 4. "The House of Cobwebs" by Barry Pain, 5. "Old Fags" by Stacy Aumonier, 6. "A Long-Ago Affair" by John Galsworthy, 7. "August Heat" by W. F. Harvey, 8. "The Dabblers" by W. F. Harvey, 9. "Rose Rose" by Barry Pain

When shipwrecked Viking Iver awakens on a beach, he is astonished to find that he has been well cared for by Audra, who is the first woman ever to show him kindness. He never expects to lose his heart to the gentle-spirited Englishwoman, but as he soon learns, life is full of pleasant surprises. Taken by a Viking is a steamy M/F, first time, short story.

Halloween means parties and the local residents association are planning a get-together at the Queen Languoreth to celebrate Halloween. However, with everyone out in the street at the same time, this opens the window for a gang of cat-phobic robbers to come in and take advantage. Leger and Ginger have overheard the men planning the robbery in an alleyway but can they uncover the identity of Gus and Andy in time? Meanwhile, a local man has discovered the body of a cat who looks just like Leger and taken the body to Annabella for burial. Annabella isn't sure it's really Leger who has died but...

Ria: a Southern girl from Raleigh who studied design in Philadelphia and stayed in New Jersey to work. Now she's thinking maybe it's time to move back home. Andrew: a Scottish architect who came to America for a few years with his parents when he was young and then stayed when tragedy struck. Maybe the time has come to return to his roots. Ria, a free spirit, and Andrew, a disciplined Scotsman. What happens when they meet and realize they've unexpectedly found that elusive 'other' they've each been wishing for? Publisher’s Note: Enjoy this sweet romantic short story which is just the ...

This collection brings together stories by Edith Wharton, Katherine Mansfield, Wilkie Collins and Marcel Proust, with forays into the supernatural and the comedic by Sabine Baring-Gould and Saki. Be them funny or moving, all stories are beautifully read by Harriet Walter (Atonement, Netflix’s The Crown), Juliet Stevenson (Bend it Like Beckham, The Enfield Haunting), Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Pride and Prejudice, Billy Elliot) and Rosalind Ayres (Titanic, Outnumbered).

Elizabeth Gaskell, famed author of Cranford, is cherished for her incise social observations and portrayals of the changing nature of English life through the Industrial Revolution of the Victorian era. In Cousin Phillis, Paul Manning has only recently left home to work on the railway line for the dashing Mr Holdsworth. Lodging with an Independent Minister on the outskirts of London, he becomes acquainted with his distant cousins, where he is delighted to meet his genial relations, and not least his cousin Phyllis

Satisfied with the result of his first investigation, Leger has settled back into his old life of chasing tabbies, playing with his Labrador room-mate, Bob, when they are alone and recreational catnip use. However, a burglar is at work in his street and Leger's curiosity leads him to witness the theft of three expensive tropical fish from his neighbour's home. Putting his personal feelings for the fish aside, Leger has to break the law himself and endure a white knuckle ride across town in his quest to track down the thief and he will stop at nothing to bring him to justice! The Leger - Cat...

In present-day Scotland, not everyone is who they appear to be. Shifters have been hiding in plain sight for generations. But the status quo is no longer sustainable. More and more bears are breaking the rules and pairing up outside their species. Continue your affair with the Scottish Werebears with the last three books in the series; A New Beginning, A Painful Dilemma, and A Second Chance.

It's the start of a new year, full of possibilities and potential, but Annabella is stuck at home with flu and Leger is happy to sleep on her lap while she recovers - but when he finds two crimes are committed within minutes of each other, his detective instincts kick in. While Hugh braves blizzard conditions to help out at the scene of a hit and run, Leger finds an elderly man has been beaten and left for dead. Wondering if the two crimes could be linked, Leger struggles to piece the events of that day together and is hindered by meddling humans, freezing conditions and the disappearance ...