A baker's dozen of stories, some very short, some quite long, of times past, present or possible future, ranging from an imagined childhood, through adolescence and maturity, to old age, death and beyond. Mostly optimistic and light-hearted though with an occasional touch of the weird or macabre.The loss of a child's pet leads to grief but eventual acceptance; two stories offered to a magazine raise questions of which is fact and which is fiction; the tale of a wise and beneficent Empress with a surprising origin is recalled through her gift of a child's bauble; showing off to impress a girl has grim results; the romance between a mediaeval serving-maid and the page of her lord's best friend interacts through a roughly-executed fifteenth-century portrait with present-day occupants of the same castle; machinations in the rivalry between two church choirs, and their involvement with a murdered Russian oligarch, climax in the resolution of a long-standing quarrel; an ancient musical instrument passes through a succession of modern families until it reaches the player for whom it is destined; misunderstandings by an over-confident novice missionary, stranded in the wilds by the illness of his mentor, lead to horrifying blunders; an elderly man, reminded by a simple melody of his youthful infatuation with a friend's sister, revisits the site of a 1920s house-party associated with her and at last achieves peace; the psychological significance of a particular recurrent dream is recognised after many years; a curious ring given by a French aristocrat to his executioner during the Terror proves surprisingly helpful; and a deceased author, entertained by the characters in one of his uncompleted stories who have finished it themselves, is finally reconciled with a long-lost love. Views: 758
Madame Lambert meets American diplomat Dexter Jones. Dedicated to her official work, the widow resists romance while becoming intrigued with the charming diplomat as he escorts her to salons across the Left Bank cultural scene. Romance ripens into commitment as momentous events unfold as the French attempt to face the Ethiopian crisis while countering the Nazi threat in the German Rhineland.In the darkening years of the 1930s, the beautiful Madame Lambert meets American diplomat Dexter Jones at the Quai d’Orsay. She works on the staff of French Premier Pierre Laval. Dedicated to her work, the austere widow resists romance while becoming increasingly intrigued with the charming diplomat as he escorts her to political and literary salons across the vibrant Left Bank cultural scene. Romance ripens into enduring commitment against a backdrop of momentous historical events as the French government attempts to contain the Ethiopian crisis at the League of Nations while countering the rising Nazi threat to remilitarize the German Rhineland.Madame Lambert witnesses first-hand the British-French diplomatic meetings between Premier Laval and British foreign secretary Sir Samuel Hoare that collapse in controversy over ending the Italo-Ethiopian war. Shortly afterwards, she is in the room when the French government bogs down with indecision over responding to Hitler’s march into the Rhineland, the key to preserving France’s alliances with its East European allies. Cameo appearances by Colonel Charles DeGaulle, André Malraux, Sylvia Beach, Adrienne Monnier, André Chamson, and journalists Genevieve Tabouis and Pertinax. Views: 758
Sixteen-year-old Ned Scoletti is travelling north on a Greyhound bus from Fort Pierce, Florida to Spaulding, Massachusetts, to visit Aunt Josie. Problem is, his mother’s identical twin sister died when Nick was just a toddler. Or maybe not.In the not too distant future, a new golden age begins when mankind literally buries its past. An Internet video achieves wide circulation and records how mankind disposed of its problems. Views: 758
A 15 minute 3 character play,somewhat Faustian in nature. The story revolves around Robert a young, gifted flamenco guitarist from Manchester, whose soul is wanted by two angels. Both offer him what he wants, but which path will he take?Is spirit given to us? Are some people more soulful than others? Why if this is, is it so?Read on to find out what path Robert takes.The post apocalyptic world is both a hostile and beautiful place. Follow the adventures of nomadic clans, hidden worlds and the observing remains of a once untouchable technological threat. Both sides of every dilemna have answers for each other, but will they be able to overcome their fears of one another?Beautiful digital illustrations and dialogue woven by the master airbrush illustrator Paul Knipfer. CE Publishing's primary cover artist. This is his first big adventure into the sequential panel world. Views: 758
Things during the Great Depression of the 1930s were much different than they are today. Men, soon known to everyone as hobos, threw themselves at the mercy of the residents of the towns and villages they traveled through looking for increasingly scarce work. These short stories tell their story through the eyes of one of the rural people who fed them.Hobos became the face of the Great Depression for the people who lived on small family farms in the rural areas of our country. These farms were mostly self-sufficient. The farmers practiced living locally long before it became the fad it is becoming today with things like the hundred mile challenge. They raised their own animals, cows, chickens, pigs; grew their own fruits and vegetables; and heated their homes with woods cut from their own woodlots. For many of them, helping others was the natural thing to do when less fortunate strangers came knocking of their door.These short stories share the events that happened to one family in central Nova Scotia told through the eyes of writer's mother as she remembered and related them forty years later. The stories are presented as fiction, but each contains a kernel of truth as its central theme. These are stories I heard so often, that indeed the characters seem like Hobos I Have Known. Views: 757
They fell in love when their past wouldn't have allowed them to. Two friends crossed the boundaries of a horizon where only a few had gone. Those who survived vowed never to return again. Will the future be kinder?They fell in love when their past wouldn't have allowed them to. Two friends crossed the boundaries of a horizon where only a few had gone. Those who survived vowed never to return again. When Ricah met her thesis mentor,Juffy Howe, in college, she never expected to fall in love. But she did.Unknown to both of them, they both shared a past that has not ceased to gnaw them until the present. With such a potent emotion for one another, they attempted to get over and heal themselves from the past only to realize, they cannot forget. Will the future be kinder? Views: 757
A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts. Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist. Views: 757
Single mother Queenie Hayes struggles to support her two young children and tells them stories of a world filled with sunlight instead of concrete, a world called the Veldt where magical creatures abound and her family roams free. As a social worker threatens to break Queenie's family apart, the Veldt offers her family a chance to escape if she can find the courage to reach for it.Single mother Queenie Hayes struggles to support her two young children and tells them stories of a world filled with sunlight instead of concrete, a world called the Veldt where magical creatures abound and her family roams, free from the trials of the real world. As a social worker threatens to break apart Queenie's family, the Veldt offers her family a chance to escape if she can find the courage, and imagination, to reach for it.The Scent of Sunlight is a fantasy short story by Annie Bellet. Views: 757
A much-loved wizard takes a vacation to rural, fantastical Indiana, where he finds getting away from his work is harder than he thinks.This book includes five short stories of travel into the unknown. Based on current thinking and science theory on the edge of science fact, step into the realm science future. Adventure into the science, danger and mystery of dimensional travel with realistic characters and believable situations that lead to mysterious and perhaps startling conclusions.In The Catcher a local animal control worker is confronted with a dangerous animal killing in the neighborhood. His investigation brings our main character face to face with a beast from the past and the time traveling animal handler that lost him in his time frame. The Romeo Project tells the story of a university science lab experiment that goes wrong. As the dust settles, government agencies want the research to continue and paves the way for further experimentation into dimensional travel. Real characters, conflicts and emotions revolve around cutting edge science fiction.The One That Got Away is a lighter, humorous look at a couple country friends that experience a failed inter-dimensional abduction.Stealing Time lets the reader challenge their personal ethics as our main characters are confronted with situations that challenge theirs. Financially struggling, after creating a machine that opens a tunnel to the past, opportunities arise that could solve all there problems. What would you do?In Bloodline a time traveler is taken into his own past and given a chance to relive his life. What changes and paths would one travel differently if given the opportunity? Views: 756
For centuries magical beings have hidden in the darkness, waiting. Long ago an ancient race hid a powerful weapon on Earth, and now word has spread that it’s on the verge of being found.For centuries magical beings have hidden in the darkness.Long ago an ancient race hid a powerful weapon on Earth, and now word has spread that it’s on the verge of being found.Its Summer 2045, and twin sisters; Grasiella and Tatiana Najera have no idea that their family holds a dark secret. It’s not until after they arrive at their grandmother’s home on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai that they discover they will have to keep a magical war from irrupting, and somehow keep peace between a Race that is ready to step out into the light. Views: 756
The High Sheriff of Huntingdon, A Very Bad Man, has arranged to marry a young nun in order to get a coveted piece of land. He never expects to fall in love with her, or to let her tame his wicked ways, but with the interference of his mother, the witch, he’s in for a big surprise.
Inspired by the Sheriff in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, it goes to prove there’s a hero in everyone. Views: 756
Olympia Octavia Penelope Smith hates her name. Of course, changing it to something else is out of the question, but no one said anything about nicknames. So one morning, Olivia sets out to find a nickname. What she ends up with and who provides it is the most surprising thing of all.Six-year-old Olympia Octavia Penelope Smith hates her name - all three of them. Of course, finding something else would require an okay by her mom and dad, and that's not something they are likely to support. But nothing can stop her from finding a nickname. So one morning, Olivia sets out to find one. Something short, easy-to-remember, and just right for her. Join Olympia as she visits neighborhood friends in her search for the perfect nickname. This is an "Anytime" story for children because it isn't just for reading at bedtime, but it's great for any time. Views: 756
A short story depicting the moment two strangers attempt to outrun an attack threatening to wipe out an entire busy city business centre.Lucifer grows restless. A sense of unquiet gnaws at his ether. He seeks something. Something more....Lusting for the power to create worlds and to rule races inferior to his own, Lucifer trains the Malakim in the art of swordcraft, unknowingly preparing them to aid him in his attempt to usurp King Elyon’s throne. Bearer of a sword that can slay a spirit-lord, Lucifer grooms Michael, his favored lieutenant, as his second-in-command. But Michael starts unraveling the mystery behind the secrecy, and is forced to choose between his comrades and loyalty to his King.History and fantasy collide as the ultimate struggle between good and evil rises in this 20,000 word novella, Dawn of Shadows, the first installment in the epic supernatural Christian fantasy, Prophecy of the Heir. Views: 756
A collection of four fantasy stories. "Struck by Beauty" - Mika is forced to do the unthinkable. "Homecoming" - Carra returns home to confront her past. "Blythe's Vengeance" - Blythe seeks vengeance on the sorcerer that destroyed her hometown. "The Desire of Selkies" - Salena discovers that humans will do anything to get what they desire.Local pub owner Jemima Jane Ericson is living a lie. She’s been in love with her best friend Ethan since forever. But he fell in love with another woman, married her, and despite their tempestuous relationship and decade old divorce, JJ knows Ethan’s heart is still down for the count. And friendship is better than nothing, right?Single dad and Jumbuck Springs chief of police, Ethan Weston, hits the pub the night his ex-wife remarries and announces she wants custody of their daughter. When he wakes the next morning to find himself in JJ’s bed he’s mortified that they’d crossed a line they should never have crossed. Until JJ’s abusive ex, Shane, shows up at her door and Ethan claims he and JJ are engaged to protect her.Both are stunned by the unravelling of their normally sane lives but suddenly it makes sense – JJ gets a deterrent and Ethan gets the respectability of a wife for any custody claims. But when JJ’s life is threatened, Ethan is forced to confront feelings that may just run much deeper than convenience… Views: 756
When Detective Sergeant Harriet is working the night shift in a backwater town in Ireland, she doesn't expect to arrest a fully blown cowboy, bruised and belligerent. She digs into his story and faces up to some home truths of her own.A Why-Done-It.1,989 Words. Includes chapter 1 of The Story of Plan BDetective Sergeant Harriet is working the night shift in a backwater town in Ireland. In the interview room, she is surprised to see a fully blown cowboy, bruised and belligerent.“It was three hours past sundown,” he says. He describes, “some no good wastrel whooping it up with a lady.” Then he clams up like a clenched fist. He will say no more in front of “a lady.” I almost look around for one but he means me. She digs the truth out of him, and in getting him to acknowledge his influences, finds some truths out about her own.Please note: This is a COMPLETE short story, 1,989 words. I think one of the reviewers has the wrong end of the stick. At the end of the short story is the first chapter of my full length novel. You can skip it if you like! Views: 756
