Short Days

There's a fine line between lust and love. Aidan: I had the best Christmas last year. No family drama, just me, French wine, and the curvy blonde I met in a bar. Bliss. No names, no phone numbers, no presents, no strings attached. It was her idea. I swear. What's a guy not to like? I bet you think I hit the jackpot! I didn't. Because six weeks later I only think about her and haven't looked at another woman since. I believe I'll never see her again until I meet her at the airport on Valentine's Day. She runs away from me. Again. She can run all she wants, but I'm determined to find her and ...

Short stories by Kalin Ringkvist that are (mostly) not science fiction, each with an introduction by the author. In the Name of Justice - A 14 year old who tries methamphetamine for the first time and witnesses a suicide for which he is soon blamed. Canned Air - A rebellious and foul-mouthed fourth grader and his inhalant addicted mother try to decide if they want to ditch his grandfather's funeral for some mother-son bonding. Foreman at a Racism Factory - It's not easy developing the implants that will orchestrate the next race war. Both Sides of the Story - Two children watch their ...

An all-new collection of eight "Vampire for Hire" short stories featuring everyone's favorite vampire detective, Samantha Moon! It’s all inside, including: Vampire Requiem - Samantha Moon gets up close and personal with her dead ex-husband’s mistress, Nancy, who might be a woman who knows too much. Moon Love - Sam and Kingsley Fulcrum set their sights on a romantic weekend getaway to Big Bear, California, only to find themselves on the hunt for a runaway boy. Moon Musings - Sam is back and... blogging? Turns out the vampire mama has a lot to say on the subject of life, death, and ...

Let the secret history of the world be told - of the alien virus that struck Earth after World War II and of the handful of the survivors who found they now possessed superhuman powers. Some were called Aces, endowed with powerful mental and physical prowess. The others were Jokers, tormented by bizarre mind or body disfigurements. Some served humanity. Others caused terror. And now, 40 years later, as a gang war between the Shadow Fists and the Mafia rages out of control in the streets of Jokertown.

Short Shorts 6 is the latest collection of shorter short stories. This grouping shares a common theme of losing bets or losing at stripping and drinking games. Like the previous edition, which was solely focused on embarrassing situations, this one will include that aspect as well. I keep saying this is likely the last compilation in the Short Shorts series, but the allure of penning very short stories always returns. Will this be the last one? No idea. These nine stories were written solely for this project, the plotlines coming from various sections of my ideas file. A woman makes a bet ...

Greatest Sports Stories Ever Told: Over 100 Short Stories of Larger-Than-Life Sports Heroes – a spellbinding anthology that invites you to embark on an exhilarating odyssey through the rich tapestry of modern sports history. Prepare to be captivated by over 100 short stories that celebrate the indomitable spirit of sports heroes who have left an indelible mark on the world of athletics. Within these pages lies a carefully curated selection of narratives that encapsulate the essence of the sports world's most iconic moments. From triumphant underdogs toppling towering adversaries to ...

From the writer who brought you "Punching Babies: a how-to guide" comes Pen the Sword! Most writers fall into one of two categories: Plotter or Pantser. So which type of writer are you? Plotters enjoy an order of logic and prefer writing their stories by the guiding maps of their outlines with every chapter detailed so they know the destination before their journey to a finished novel. Pantsers enjoy a chaos of emotions and prefer writing by the seat of their pants with every chapter a new discovery along their journey to a finished novel. Regardless which type of writer you are, this ...

Emilia The Valentine’s Festival was supposed to be my fresh start. Instead, I find myself caught in a snowstorm of danger and desire. When my booth collapses and a rogue shifter threatens my life, Dax—a gruff, brooding bear shifter—saves me. His protective nature stirs something deep within me, but his icy walls and the darkness chasing us make me wonder: can I trust him with my heart when I barely understand the magic that ties us together? Dax I’ve spent years avoiding the chaos of fated mates, burying myself in duty and solitude. But when I save Emilia, a human with a quiet ...

From its launch in 1920 until its demise in 1951, the magazine Black Mask published pulp crime fiction. The first hard-boiled detective stories appeared on its pages. Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Erle Stanley Gardner and John D. MacDonald got their start in Black Mask. The urban crime stories that appeared in Black Mask helped to shape American culture. Modern computer games, films, and television are rooted in the fiction popularized by “the seminal and venerated mystery pulp magazine” ( Booklist).

Join Imani, Tommy, and Maya on their most magical nature adventure yet! When Maya discovers four mysterious bottles in her grandmother's attic—each containing water from Earth's most precious places—the three friends are transported to an enchanting world where nature itself needs their help. Perfect for young readers aged 6-9, this captivating children's fantasy adventure combines environmental education with magical storytelling. ✨ What Makes This Book Special: • Educational Adventure: Children learn about water conservation, soil health, clean air, and forest protection through ...

In each section of Michael Cunningham's new book, we encounter the same group of characters: a young boy, an older man, and a young woman. "In the Machine" is a ghost story which takes place at the height of the Industrial Revolution, as human beings confront the alienated realities of the new machine age. "The Children's Crusade," set in the early twenty-first century, plays with the conventions of the noir thriller as it tracks the pursuit of a terrorist band which is detonating bombs seemingly at random around the city.

Grace had never been more terrified...the pain was relentless. Nothing in her life prepared her for this. She desperately needed somewhere safe...someplace she could hide. Someone she could trust with her life. It was dark...and getting darker. Ronan Hendricks didn’t recognize her voice. Not family...not friends. Probably not an enemy. But he didn’t need the years he’d spent as a detective to recognize what he did hear... Fear. In a desperate moment of hope, a single number saved her life. Then a complete stranger opened his home offering safety yet Grace knew danger surrounded them.....

When Rip Van Winkle disappeared in that old colonial tale, was his over-worked wife suspected of murder? What about Cinderella—did she get on in the castle like everyone said, or was that fairy tale just fiction? These questions and more in the mystery of faulty expectations and quirky twists. Stories include: EVER AFTER: When the fairy tale ended long before intended, Cinderella wasn’t the only one without a happily-ever-after. ALL THE LUCK: Things went from good to perfect when she won a honeymoon trip with a raffle ticket . . . except for what happened next—is she suspect, or ...

Praise for Alice Crowley's writing: "I LOVED THE IMAGINATION OF THIS AUTHOR!" ~Satisfied Kindle Reader "FIVE STARS!" ~Multiple Fans In this searing, savory short erotic romance title, two lost souls are united as one by the powers of nature's magnificent magic. Janie just lost her husband Tim, who was an avid surfer, to a shark attack. Now her husband's bad boy surfer twin has moved into the house with her, because he can't afford his own place. Soon Janie learns that the universe is conspiring for a round two, and that the two brothers who shared a womb are one in the same in every way -- ...

It's not just how much time you have with your kids, but how you spend that time that matters in the life and legacy of a family. No Regrets Parenting focuses on the simple truth that the long days of busy parenting race quickly by and, looking back someday, the years with kids will feel far too short. Written by renowned pediatrician, celebrated author, and distinguished parenting expert, Dr. Harley Rotbart, No Regrets Parenting, Updated and Expanded Edition helps parents readjust their perspectives and priorities.

What’s the best lie you’ve ever told? I lied to my mother to stop the endless questions about finding “the one.” It worked—until she asked me to bring my imaginary boyfriend to my parents' 25th wedding anniversary party. On Valentine’s Day. Ugh, right? But here's where it gets interesting. My little white lie led me straight to Cupid’s Kiss dating service... and back into the arms of Johnny Brooks, the sexy owner who just happens to be my high school crush. Johnny was more than willing to help me out with my little predicament, but there’s a catch: he’s not just offering a...

Alice Haddison hunts monsters. The kind that get up after she shoots them. It's not a great hobby, but it's the one she's got. She's good at it because she's had so much practice. They always seem to come to where she is. She can put them down so hard they stop getting up. The local police are not happy with Alice and her hobby, they arrest her a lot. But Alice has friends in high places, they want her out there and attracting monsters for them. It makes for a crowded schedule. Follow Alice on her busy day of monster hunting!

Twas two weeks before Christmas and all through the North Pole, things were not normal like they had been in years past. Mrs. Claus was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Santa when the news came that the world was hit with COVID! No one knew anything about COVID...or what it meant. Whatever COVID was, it meant business and it didn't care who or what was in its path or way. Because of COVID people were required to work from home, schools were closed, and churches could not hold their weekly services. For all intents and purposes, Christmas had been cancelled and the world was coming to ...

A short read cozy mystery with a twist... Dive into a twisty whodunit cozy mystery set in Cloverville on St. Patrick’s Day! Come join the town’s thrilling annual hunt for the hidden Leprechaun Emeralds, only this year, the joy turns to dread when renowned jeweler Liam O'Brien is found murdered in his shop. Step into the shoes of Detective Annie Murphy and unravel clues while interrogating quirky suspects like Liam’s mysterious brother Seamus, his struggling business partner Maggie, and rival jeweler Sean. It’s your chance to crack the case! Can you solve the St. Patrick’s Day ...

Anyone who has ever gazed up at the sky or stared out of the window knows something about birds. In this fun, eye-opening and inspiring book, award-winning nature writer Simon Barnes paints a riveting picture of how birdwatching has framed his life and can help us all to a better understanding of our place on this planet. How to be a Bad Birdwatcher shows why birdwatching is not the preserve of twitchers, but one of the simplest, cheapest and most rewarding pastimes around.