Twenty-five year old, Satoshi Hayashi, the pianist for the Japanese pop-group, Aomori refuses to give up hope that his close friend Shaundra Yoshida has perished in a killer earthquake and tsunami in the Miyagi Prefecture of Japan. Hundreds and maybe thousands of lives have been reported lost, but Satoshi feels that he would know if Shaundra was dead. Over the last year they had this special bond. He knew when she wasn’t feeling well or when she was in a frisky mood. If she were dead, he’d know it, and he didn’t give a damn what the other members of Aomori thought. He was going to find her if that was the last thing he did. Depressed and despondent over the loss of his wife, Shaundra, Ichiro Yoshida turns to alcohol to console his troubled mind. He neglects his looks, doesn’t want to write another song, and he sure does not want to go on a scheduled tour of Europe that has been arranged by their boss. Shaundra was his life. Why can’t anyone see that he stopped living the moment she disappeared? And why had she walked out on him just hours before leaving for Aomori’s China tour? Was she that unhappy with their marriage? Or had some other man captured her fancy and taken her away? He doesn’t know what the future has in store for him, but he won’t stop trying until he finds out the answers. Views: 753
It's 500 years in the future, and humankind has finally made contact with alien species, thanks to the opening of a bizarre portal near Titan. Philippe Trang is in charge of Earth's first diplomatic mission to the aliens. He must keep both humans and aliens in check as he uncovers layer after layer of dangerous mystery in this sci-fi adventure!"Trang is a clever return to the social sci-fi of yesteryear."—The New Podler Review of Books. Award-winning writer Mary Sisson brings you the tale of Philippe Trang, the first human diplomat assigned to a mysterious alien station. Haunted by a recent mission that went very wrong, Trang realizes that not everyone on Earth would like his mission to succeed—and the aliens have some nefarious agendas of their own. As he tries desperately to keep everyone from killing each other (not to mention him), strange forces threaten to destroy his very mind! If you like character-driven stories that feature a blend of drama, tragedy, comedy, and action—such as the works of Joss Whedon or Charles Stross’ Laundry Files novels—and you don't mind some really bad language, read Trang today! (107,900 words/370 pages long.)About the Author:Mary Sisson is an award-winning writer, editor, and journalist. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English and American Language and Literature from Harvard University, and she has a master’s degree in Journalism from New York University, where she received the Edwin Diamond Award, the department’s highest honor. She has contributed to award-winning books ranging in topic from terrorism to food to history to technology. None of this means she’s actually any more qualified to write about aliens and space Marines than the next person, but she carries on regardless. See what’s she’s up to by visiting marysisson.com! Views: 753
A love triangle snaps during a midnight frog hunt...Mitchell and Jake both love Gina, and they work out their differences on the dark river.A canoeing novice, Mitchell listens intently as Jake tells him, "The drop over the dam ain't very high, but don't ever underestimate the power of the river. Seems like every year someone goes over for one reason or another. Most of the time they get drunk and fall asleep and drift too close. By the time they wake up there's nothing they can do. "There's a hell of an undertow beneath the dam, and anything that goes over ends up getting pounded to pulp. Usually they never even find the body. It just disintegrates. Once in a while the river spits up a corpse, and it turns up near Kansas City, all tangled up in fishin' line." Jake crushed his beer can, and dropped it into the bottom of the canoe. "Gimme another." Views: 752
This essay reveals how our brains adapt to painful situations by taking comfort in illusions. By finding fulfillment in beliefs and dreams, we have "normalized" a way of life that is not sustainable. Our eventual survival requires a way of life based on intimacy. Finding comfort in the moment, we would no longer be dependent on dreams, and thus also on the "truths" by which we hope to realize themChilling in parts, bittersweet in others, 'Life and Death on the Tracks' is a dark short story that documents an ageing train driver's slow demise and the troubles of his anguished wife. Harold has spent his entire working life on the tracks and once his railway line runs into financial trouble, so does Harold. The decline of the railway line unnervingly and unceasingly goes hand in hand with the decline of the man. When the inevitable comes to pass and the line closes for good, the seriously ill Harold goes missing. Mary struggles in the wake of her loss, unable to properly grieve. Adding to her distress, rumours emerge of a ghostly presence roaming the railway tracks in the days and weeks following Harold’s disappearance. Reported sightings of an ethereal figure standing on the footplate of a phantom locomotive cannot escape Mary’s attention, and although she initially attempts to dismiss the rumours as wild speculation, a product of vivid imaginations, an all consuming doubt remains. The story climaxes as Mary decides that she must know the truth behind Harold’s vanishing act. Mary’s last act is to head down to the railway line as she must investigate the supernatural rumours for herself. Views: 752
A Reunion Story follows Sam Lancey as he returns home for his 10-year high school reunion. He finds a mysterious list of "to-dos" that remind him who he used to be, and point him in the direction of who he is today.Upon returning home for his 10-year high school reunion, Sam finds that things haven't changed too much in his old town. The neighbors still tend to their garden and give a friendly hello as he drives down the street, his father leads a quiet life since his mother's passing, and the girl next door is still a frustrating enigma. But then Sam finds a list in an old hiding spot. The author of the list is a mystery, but the items are clearly tasks that Sam needs to accomplish. Who wrote this note, and what will Sam find when he finishes the list?Minor language may be inappropriate for children under 13.Leave a review when you're done, if you feel so inclined -- thanks! Views: 752
The self interviews in this collection originally appeared in the Montage: Cultural Paradigm (Sri Lanka) from September 5th-25th, 2011. Focusing on three films directed by Norman Reedus in 2006, each self-interview is an exploration of cinema, philosophy, and the conscious and unconscious mind in creation and reaction to art.Mystery writer Violet Carsten has spent most of her life behind the pages of a book, either reading one or writing one. When she inherits a house in the city she ends up getting much more than she bargained for! Through some amazing coffee, a real life mystery, an overprotective older brother, and a little bit of pepper spray, she finds the man of her dreams. Will she take a chance on love or will old fears keep her heart locked up tight? Views: 752
As the last Keeper of the vile Crone's Stone, 17 year-old Winsome Light has inherited a terrible legacy - for Satan's mistress does not take kindly to thieves. She wants her powerful stone back and the only one left to hide it is Winnie. The problem is: no one told her!The Crone is coming to take back what's hers and Winnie had better be ready... This is no fairy tale.As the last Keeper of the vile Crone's Stone, 17 year-old Winsome Light has inherited a terrible legacy - for Satan's mistress does not take kindly to thieves. She wants her powerful stone back and the only one left to hide it is Winnie. The problem is: no one told her!The Crone is coming to take back what's hers and Winnie had better be ready... This is no fairy tale.The first in the Sacred Trinity series, this story is now free to celebrate the release of book 2 'The Hidden Key.' Views: 752
Four pieces of Flash fiction about romance, love, mystery and being betrayed.Great for a quick read!Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Wood's life is turned upside down when her boyfriend kills himself the day after she dumps him.Blamed by the townsfolk of Broadwater and ostracized by her friends is bad enough. But the fallout from dealing with her mom's increasingly frequent psychotic episodes sends her fleeing to New York City to live with her aunt, a Wicca High Priestess.Alyssa doesn't believe in magic, not any more.She has a new life to lead: a new BFF in Seth and a major crush on Ronan, the sexy geek saxophonist who tutors music at her high school.Can she leave her old life behind or will the ghosts of the past continue to haunt her? Views: 752
That Affair at Elizabeth by Burton Egbert Stevenson Views: 751
Such previous landings of mermaids as have left a record, have all a flavour of doubt. Even the very circumstantial account of that Bruges Sea Lady, who was so clever at fancy work, gives occasion to the sceptic. I must confess that I was absolutely incredulous of such things until a year ago. But now, face to face with indisputable facts in my own immediate neighbourhood, and with my own second cousin Melville (of Seaton Carew) as the chief witness to the story, I see these old legends in a very different light. Yet so many people concerned themselves with the hushing up of this affair, that, but for my sedulous enquiries, I am certain it would have become as doubtful as those older legends in a couple of score of years. Even now to many minds. Views: 751
A book of poetry with 15 poems on the topics of love, romance, joy and heartbreak.A book of poetry with 15 poems. Themes include: love, romance, searching for love, joy, and heartbreak. Each poem is written from the heart. Views: 751
Ella is trying to fill the long, monotonous days of her summer vacation when she discovers sunlight pouring through a hole in the brick of her cellar. Intrigued, she chips away at it to find the source of the light, which leads her to a princess who is in peril. Will Ella be able to save her and her kingdom from disaster?Ella is a bored, inner-city girl trying to fill the long, monotonous days of her summer vacation. As she keeps a promise to her mother to clean the cellar, she discovers a crumbling brick behind an old trunk. Even though it’s raining outside, sunlight pours through the opening. Intrigued, she chips away at the brick to find the source of the light.To her astonishment, she finds another land beyond her cellar wall, gripped in the freshness of spring. In the land of Neo, she makes new, unusual friends, discovers breathtaking beauty, and learns of Kosmeo who will guide and direct her during all of her adventures.She discovers Kosmeo has brought her here for a purpose. Princess Onyma must choose a suitor who will eventually rule all of Neo. Many of the citizens of Neo are threatened during this perilous time of choice between good and evil. Can Ella save this beautiful kingdom from disaster?THE CRUMBLING BRICK is in the tradition of C.S. Lewis's and George MacDonald's fairy tales. Views: 751
Roberto Thomas is from old world Earth. He was born to human parents deep in the Amazon jungle. Roberto is not of the human race even though he was birthed by a human women. Roberto has many secrets and many legends to discuss about his species. Roberto must feed on blood. His preference is not for humans but he will take a human life if it becomes necessary for his survival.Armis is a planet which allows survival of many species from across the galaxy. Some of the races which survive on Armis are Dhampirs, Imoogis, and Humans. Armis had its own life forms called the Micas which had to adapt to the influx of all types of beings from around the galaxy. How did other species arrive at Armis? What was done to bring life to Armis and at what cost. A planet with a unique atmosphere must have its own secrets to bring so many unusual life forms to its shores. There are some who say that Armis is not just a planet but a living breathing life form of its own.Book 1: Midnight Oasis Roberto Thomas is from old world Earth. He was born to human parents deep in the Amazon jungle. Roberto is not of the human race even though he was birthed by a human women. Roberto has many secrets and many legends to discuss about his species. Roberto must feed on blood. His preference is not for humans but he will take a human life if it becomes necessary for his survival. Roberto’s story and how he came to be on Armis will keep all readers spell bound for many hours. Views: 750
Into the picturesque village of Le Faouet, situated in the very heart of Brittany, there drove one morning in the month of May a lady whose spreading grey cloak and the thick veil that covered her face failed to hide her remarkable beauty and perfect grace of figure. The lady took a hurried lunch at the principal inn. Then, at about half-past eleven, she begged the proprietor to look after her bag for her, asked for a few particulars about the neighbourhood and walked through the village into the open country. The road almost immediately branched into two, of which one led to Quimper and the other to Quimperlé. Selecting the latter, she went down into the hollow of a valley, climbed up again and saw on her right, at the corner of another road, a sign-post bearing the inscription, "Locriff, 3 kilometers." Views: 750
An ordinary girl has to face with the fact that He not only left her, but cheated on her...When Robert and Richard Johansson, III explore new surroundings in the Rocky Mountains they meet a Mountain Troll in the hills above their home. Armed with the troll queen's own machinations to infiltrate and learn whether the human race of the 21st century is ready to interact with faerie folk again after centuries apart, the little troll becomes an adopted brother to the Johansson family, and discovers more than he expected about what it is to be human.During the course of their interaction, Robert realizes that someone from an entirely different culture, even a non-human one, can be as close as a brother. But in the end, when it is time to return Kile to his troll family and to collect the real Little Ricky, they face a serious threat from the goblins of the high peaks of the Rockies. With the help of family and friends from the small town of Maple Springs, the two Troll Brothers make their way back to the troll city and reunite both families.Troll Brother includes a cameo by the Institution for the Preservation of Magical Artifacts (IPMA). The IPMA was first introduced in the short story, "The Old Silk Hat: A Frosty the Snowman Prequel", which is offered for free. Views: 750
