A dozen mostly light-hearted 2000-word stories on varied themes – humour, whimsy, calamity, sentiment, skulduggery, retribution, reparation, shadows of the past – with some narrative threads between them and an occasional touch of the shaggy dog.A long-severed connection is happily renewed in old age; called to meet a demanding associate, a traveller finds someone quite different; after an elaborate dream regressing to childhood memories, a letter in real life brings an alarming suggestion of premonition; an enterprising off-comer has a remarkable effect on an isolated rustic community; duped into an unwarranted assassination, a conscientious vigilante resolves on reparation for the death; chance encounters bring the fulfilment of a dying child’s dearest wish; past activities lead to involvement with the affairs of a Russian oligarch; the security check on a guest to the re-marriage of the Russian’s widowed daughter leads to the discharge of an onerous obligation; a persistent romantic’s disastrous history comes to a strange conclusion; the inspiration of a fantasy film-maker proves to have a surprising source; remnants from long-past conflict bring a tragic end to attempts at entertaining passengers from a stranded cruise liner; discovery of ancient cave-art in a northern valley arouses great expectations. Views: 260
Dahlia Sabin has been killing vampires most of her life, that is until, she meets one in particular that needs her help. See Pool of Crimson through Patrick's eyes. Four short stories that give you a glimpse into his perspective. See the Blushing Death as Patrick sees her.On Halloween night, unsuspecting visitors at one of the greatest vacation spots in the world are about to be scared to death.Jesse Alexander, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, accepts a job in a small, costume store, in Mt. Dora. It was the perfect job in the perfect laid back, little town. On his own for the first time, he is looking forward to being able to relax in the calm and quiet of his new surroundings and seriously consider the direction of his future.Working at Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store was uneventful. It was the ideal position. He was the only employee, and his only encounters with his boss were via email or instant message. However, with only seven days before Halloween, Jesse finds himself sucked into a race against time and wizardry.The Secret Society of Seven Sorcerers is missing one of its elite members and is in the process of seeking a replacement -- one truly worthy member for its inner circle of elders. A dangerous and mad wizard has escaped from prison, murdered everyone that can identify him and is interviewing for the coveted membership position in the Society.Beifar Mahgo, Special Agent from the Department of Magical Investigations is in pursuit of the elusive demented wizard, and all clues lead to Jesse. Jesse’s encounter with the Special Agent disrupts his peaceful existence and forever changes his view of reality and normalcy. With the threat of being framed for murder, and the lives of thousands threatened with imminent annihilation, Jesse is thrust into the midst of the mission to apprehend the crazed wizard and teams up with agent Mahgo. Jesse Alexander must believe in himself, trust in the unimaginable and face the unexplainable. However, in the world of magic, nothing is ever what it seems. Views: 260
As the oldest of Kay's daughters, Mary feels it her obligation to protect her sisters who crowd the tight hallways of the trailer they call home. Mother Kay's husband regards Mary and her sisters with dangerous eyes, and Mary feels the footsteps of Belle creeping up behind her. Mary knows that if she cannot protect her sisters that Belle will discard her spirit to make whatever stand Mary cannot.Mary cannot deny that danger crowds whatever space in her trailer not occupied by one of her many younger sisters. She is old enough, and weary enough, to recognize the terrible appetite burning in the eyes of her mother's most recent husband. Mary might wish to ignore the peril, but old dame Queenie burns Belle's favorite, clove cigarettes, plays Belle's favorite songs, decorates the children in Belle's favorite costume jewelry. Mary understands that Queenie has no faith that she can protect her younger sisters, and Mary knows Queenie follows all the steps to summon Belle. And Mary knows there is no room for the both of them. For if Belle arrives to fight where she cannot, Mary understands how her soul will be cast outside to flutter in the chill wind. Views: 260
The Dark Temptation of the Soul. A Vampire Tale. Season 1: Episode 1. The Diary of Gabriel Von Erlach.This vampire tale, written as journal entries, is the prequel to 'The Dark Salvation of the Soul' --which we shall be re-writing and publishing. Some readers might find some of this work prosaic, although we feel the story does get more flowery, erotic, and darkly romantic as it progresses. It is partly gothic romance and partly vampire fantasy fiction. We do hope you will enjoy it for whatever it is worth. Views: 260
Berk opened his agency so he could use his magic talent for finding things. On the day he expanded his parameters to include missing persons he was presented with two cases that stymied his talent. In the days that followed more women went missing without a trace, and a serial killer, The Skinner, began leaving more dead bodies on the streets of the city of Agrippina. Views: 260
Nicholas arrives too late to warn his friends, but just in time to witnesses the bloody end of the revolution. With all hope lost he sets out to wreak his own retribution, at the almost certain cost of his own life.A targeted individual, with a special purpose, discovers the horrors of psychotronic terrorism, cloning, and white slavery in the southern United States, where the slave traders wield ties to law enforcement over the population. Another targeted individual is taken under mind control and forced into white slavery. A junior level member of a human trafficking cartel, who has stalked both of them, obtains access to victims of human trafficking for obeying orders.Victims of the psychotronic systems face synthetic telepathy, seizures, electromagnetic shocks, and automation control under a veneer government with an underground white slavery culture.This Illuminati horror novel is not for the squeamish. Views: 260
Now settled in the canyon, John and the his Ladies are trying to settle down, but the world keeps interfering. So once again join John and his crew of wild cats as they survive and thrive in the new world that is life in America. Views: 260
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes three classic stories in her Stanislaskis family saga. TAMING NATASHA When Spence Kimball sets eyes on Natasha Stanislaski, he's thunderstruck by the intensity of his attraction. While the former ballet dancer turned toy shop owner has a fiery temperament that keeps most men safely at bay, Spence can't seem to resist her. But he isn't sure Natasha would be interested in a single father. He'll do whatever it takes to tame Natasha's fears...and show her how to love again. LURING A LADY Nothing in Sydney Hayward's background of wealth and privilege had prepared her to take the helm of her grandfather's business. Her new responsibilities leave no time for complications. Sydney learned the hard way that she could never trust anyone, but her tenant Mikhail is hard to resist. She doesn't have room in her life for romance — but Mikhail... Views: 260
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format—a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. Views: 260
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee, a leading cancer physician and researcher, selects the year’s top science and nature writing from journalists who dive into their fields with curiosity and passion, delivering must-read articles from a wide array of fields. Views: 260
A little known backwater of the history of the Great War is vividly rendered by a great story-teller - the central characters and events of this book are based on fact, but their surroundings and experiences are richly drawn from the author's imagination and detailed research. **
Review
'A war-torn farce worth waiting for' The Independent 20091123 'Now Alex Capus has added another layer to this strange episode in a sideshow of the first world war, with a wonderful fictionalised account of what the Germans did while Spicer pranced about in his skirt.' -- Giles Foden The Spectator 20091214
About the Author
Alex Capus is a journalist and the author of several novels, including Léon and Louise. Views: 260
