“As our vision becomes more global, our storytelling is stretching in many ways. Stories increasingly change point of view, switch location, and sometimes pack as much material as a short novel might,” writes guest editor Elizabeth Strout. “It’s the variety of voices that most indicates the increasing confluence of cultures involved in making us who we are.” The Best American Short Stories 2013 presents an impressive diversity of writers who dexterously lead us into their corners of the world.
In “Miss Lora,” Junot Díaz masterfully puts us in the mind of a teenage boy who throws aside his better sense and pursues an intimate affair with a high school teacher. Sheila Kohler tackles innocence and abuse as a child wanders away from her mother, in thrall to a stranger she believes is the “Magic Man.” Kirstin Valdez Quade’s “Nemecia” depicts the after-effects of a secret, violent family trauma. Joan Wickersham’s “The Tunnel” is a tragic love story about a mother’s declining health and her daughter’s helplessness as she struggles to balance her responsibility to her mother and her own desires. New author Callan Wink’s “Breatharians” unsettles the reader as a farm boy shoulders a grim chore in the wake of his parents’ estrangement.
“Elizabeth Strout was a wonderful reader, an author who knows well that the sound of one’s writing is just as important as and indivisible from the content,” writes series editor Heidi Pitlor. “Here are twenty compellingly told, powerfully felt stories about urgent matters with profound consequences.” Views: 917
On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory. Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak. When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her? Views: 916
The never-before-told story of the journey behind THE BRONZE HORSEMAN, now in print for the first time.
From the author of the celebrated, internationally bestselling BRONZE HORSEMAN saga comes a glimpse into the private life of its much loved creator, and the real story behind the epic novels. Paullina Simons gives us a work of non-fiction as captivating and heart-wrenching as the lives of Tatiana and Alexander.
Only a few chapters into writing her first story set in Russia, her mother country, Paullina Simons travelled to Leningrad (now St Petersburg) with her beloved Papa. What began as a research trip turned into six days that forever changed her life, the course of her family, and the novel that became THE BRONZE HORSEMAN. After a quarter-century away from her native land, Paullina and her father found a world trapped in yesteryear, with crumbling stucco buildings, entire families living in seven-square-metre communal apartments, and barren fields bombed so badly that nothing would grow there even fifty years later. And yet there were the spectacular white nights, the warm hospitality of family friends and, of course, the pelmeni and caviar.
At times poignant, at times inspiring and funny, this is both a fascinating glimpse into the inspiration behind the epic saga, and a touching story of a family's history, a father and a daughter, and the fate of a nation.
'Amazing book! Thank you Paullina for sharing your experience with us all!'- Kiki, Goodreads Views: 916
Nathaniel Philbrick, the bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea and Mayflower, brings his prodigious talents to the story of the Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution.
Boston in 1775 is an island city occupied by British troops after a series of incendiary incidents by patriots who range from sober citizens to thuggish vigilantes. After the Boston Tea Party, British and American soldiers and Massachusetts residents have warily maneuvered around each other until April 19, when violence finally erupts at Lexington and Concord. In June, however, with the city cut off from supplies by a British blockade and Patriot militia poised in siege, skirmishes give way to outright war in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It would be the bloodiest battle of the Revolution to come, and the point of no return for the rebellious colonists.
Philbrick brings a fresh perspective to every aspect of the story. He finds new characters, and new facets to familiar ones. The real work of choreographing rebellion falls to a thirty-three year old physician named Joseph Warren who emerges as the on-the-ground leader of the Patriot cause and is fated to die at Bunker Hill. Others in the cast include Paul Revere, Warren’s fiancé the poet Mercy Scollay, a newly recruited George Washington, the reluctant British combatant General Thomas Gage and his more bellicose successor William Howe, who leads the three charges at Bunker Hill and presides over the claustrophobic cauldron of a city under siege as both sides play a nervy game of brinkmanship for control.
With passion and insight, Philbrick reconstructs the revolutionary landscape—geographic and ideological—in a mesmerizing narrative of the robust, messy, blisteringly real origins of America. Views: 915
Marina leads her life centered in the goal of having good grades. After summer vacations, a new school year starts, and it reveals itself full of news: Lucas is the main one. Simultaneously, Marina’s cosmos is completely turned upside down with a series of unexplained accidents. What’s happening? The answers will introduce the world to the Lost Ones.Seventeen-year-old Marina leads a monotonous and comfortable life, centered in the goal of having good grades to get into university. After summer vacations, a new school year starts, and it reveals itself full of news: Lucas is one of them. The mysterious figure of the student awakens her attention, despite the dark aura that surrounds him. Later, Joshua joins their class and a flurry of contradictory feelings plagues Marina, confusing her to the point of not knowing which path to take. What if she makes the wrong choice?Simultaneously, the cosmos of the girl gets completely turned upside down with a series of unexplained accidents that seem to want to put an end to her existence. What’s happening? The answer is an unexpected revelation that will introduce the world to the Lost Ones.This is the first volume of the Lost Ones trilogy, a series in which heart and reason conflict. Sometimes, what we wish we could have is not the best for us. But what if what we are told as not good for us is exactly what we need? Living involves taking risks, sometimes too serious. Views: 915
Ned, Winceham, Lernea and Parcifal, along with Theo and Bo the bunny finally reach Tallyflop atop a giant oak floating in space in search of Theo's people.They'll have a touch of bad luck with what passes as law in a truly neutral pirate haven and before they know it, Theo goes missing, the crystal has been stolen and Bo abducted.Ned, Winceham, Lernea and Parcifal, along with Theo and Bo the bunny finally reach Tallyflop atop a giant oak floating in space in search of Theo's people.They'll have a touch of bad luck with what passes as law in a truly neutral pirate haven and before they know it, Theo goes missing, the crystal has been stolen and Bo abducted.Someone wants them dead, and tries more than just once. Searching for clues about Theo, his crystal, Bo and the woodkin elves, the party splits up as time is running low and the danger keeps growing.Theo discovers the power of Rho and a dear friend while the alien horrors from their earlier adventure have a name: the Ygg. They also have a plan, and two mysterious people with an agenda want to stop them.This is Book II of the "Party of Five" series of fantasy novellas. Views: 915
At twenty-eight, Matt Sky has the perfect life. He has a beautiful girlfriend, a massive inheritance, and four national bestsellers -- all penned under his airtight alias, M. Pierce. At twenty-seven, Hannah Catalano is a train wreck. Her boyfriend is a deadbeat and her job is abysmal. Matt and Hannah meet online as writing partners. Their relationship is safe, anonymous, and innocent. . . Until Matt sees a picture of Hannah. Hannah's picture sparks an attraction Matt is powerless to ignore. When circumstance brings Matt and Hannah together, the strangers begin a love story that's passionate, poignant, unforgettable, and unstoppable. Views: 915
This is the prelude to the RON series of stories. The Ron series is a group of stories where Ron is the main character. He lives in a housing development where all the houses are connected by an underground tunnel system and the heating and cooling ducts have viewing ports whereby Ron can look out into the houses of the residents…I hope you enjoy reading these stories...All families have secrets, but some secrets are deadly. In this adventurous treasure hunt, two families’ secrets collide across generations and continents. One family is from the Matabele people defending their very existence and the other from the colonial 'intruders' intent on domination of a wild land. Rumours of a great treasure of diamonds, buried deep in the African bush has swirled around the Braughton clan for generations and an old painting holds clues to these secrets no one understands ... although many have tried.Loves, courage and loyalties are tested across a century of intrigue but James and Tara Braughton decide to solve the family riddle by travelling to southern Africa at a time of political change. Clues left them by Great Aunt Nellie who recently died point them in the direction of the treasure. But they discover more secrets on their journey from comfortable southern England to an untamed and unpredictable southern Africa, where the world of Mlimo, the Matabele spiritual leader still reigns for some.James & Tara are drawn into a dangerous chase, pitted against a proud enemy they neither know of nor comprehend. They soon discover disturbing truths that could either change lives – or end them. Views: 914
"In search of a truth that may be my undoing." With elements of greek mythology woven into a fast-paced action-driven plot with surprises around every corner, Ignited is the first in a young adult paranormal romance series about finding first love while surviving devastating truths.Seventeen year old Kris Young is on the run from a throng of superhuman golden-eyed freaks hell-bent on seeing her dead, and she doesn't know why. Good thing she has her guardian angel to protect her...sort of.Kris is aided by Nathan, the mysterious man that ends up being anything but angelic when he rescues her for the fourth time in fourteen years. Even if the handsome hero illusion is shattered by his harsh treatment of her, he knows how to fight this strange enemy and is determined to keep her safe at all costs. As the body count rises in their wake, Nathan introduces Kris to a world in which not everyone is human and the battle lines between good and evil are clearly drawn. Kris's piece in the puzzle is something neither is aware of and, as they uncover the truth, neither is prepared for what they find. Overcoming twists and revelations that shatter both of their lives, they discover that nothing is as it seems and nothing, least of all their hearts, are safe. From debut author, Desni Dantone, Ignited is the first novel in a tale of first love, mystery and adventure that will introduce you to an exciting new world as Kris discovers how she fits in it Views: 914
Episode #3 series "Nocturnal"Grace Elmond is one of the best known authorized necromancers in Tejarak,owner of an exclusive clinic which is increasingly lacking patients. When, on top of this, one of her employees dies in a misteryous way that looks like an attempt to frame her, she decides to take matters in her hands, and finds herself involved in more than she bargained for.Tamesis always thought that she knew her destiny and she was determined to be the absolute best Resurrector there was.But Fate had different plans. On her first heal, Tamesis runs into two mysterious men, and one of them changes everything for her.Tamesis cannot stop thinking about him or dreaming about him. Then, when the work of the Resurrectors is threatened the man returns and sets Tamesis on a path that opposes everything she was raised to believe.Something has twisted the beliefs of the Resurrectors, causing them to stray from their path and become extremists. They were supposed to save those who still had noble work to do, but instead insist that everyone deserves to live until old age.Now she needs to accept the role she was destined to have, that of the Angel of Death, healing those she can and reaping the souls of those who must die. The war between Resurrectors and those who protect the Balance is heating up. Views: 913
The Syrup Bandit is the next installment from Book of Legends, a series of made-up folktales. This story takes place back when trains were the main way to travel. The hero of the story is Sack Harrum, a polite and courteous young man who accidently robs a train, and the gruff young girl who witnesses the whole thing and demands half of the loot."A compelling and well-paced story that made me eager for the next volume." "I was hooked from the start and can't wait until the next installment. I hope the author is a fast writer." Javin Cox was dead . . . or at least he should be. The last thing he remembered was touching off a Suitcase Nuke strapped to his back, hoping to take out an enemy compound of “Toads” who’d invaded earth and decimated all her cities. His Special Operations team had survived the initial invasion and were fighting a guerrilla war -- a last ditch effort to buy earth time to regroup. Javin had hit the ‘det’ switch, felt the blast, saw nothing but white . . . everywhere. And then he heard voices, talking about him as if he weren’t there. Until he’s swallowed up in a dark tunnel and realizes he’s moving incredibly fast. Javin awakens on a jungle planet, naked, no memory of who he is or where he came from, and facing a giant green lizard who wants him for dinner. From one scrape to the next, Javin crosses this odd landscape finding he can speak the language like a native and knows things; things about science and technology, that are far beyond this planet or its people. But that’s not all. The natives seem to know him too. You see, they think he’s Mulda’ fi, a Promised One, who has been sent to save their world from evil domination. There are pictures, legends, even statues of him all around . . . and Javin is sure he’s never been here before! It also turns out he has an enemy, who looks just like him, with powers he can’t even begin to imagine. Or maybe he can, if he can just get his “lucky marble” – which turns out to be much more than it seems – to work. Javin's special ancestry makes him the ‘One’ (or maybe One of Two) who can save all the races in the galaxy from being snuffed out. The problem is he knows nothing about it. And the Guardians, who are supposed to watch over things, can’t tell him anything because they’ve got problems of their own. Views: 912
A new season approaches. . . .
Now that Kallik and Yakone have decided to join Toklo and Lusa on the rest of their journey home, the four bears head toward warmer territories. Spring is coming, and Toklo and Lusa are overjoyed to be away from the ice, surrounded by green forests and flowing rivers once again.
But the forest brings unique challenges for the polar bears, Kallik and Yakone. As they struggle to continue on, they know that each step is taking them farther from the ice. Have they made a mistake, straying from their natural home?
Soon Toklo also grows desperate to leave the struggles of their journey behind. As the group pushes toward the mountains where brown bears roam, Toklo must decide whether to see the quest through to the end . . . or to start a new life on his own. Views: 911
Please note: This is not a full retelling of Flat-Out Love, but rather a companion piece with select FOL chapters, and it is meant for readers who know the story very well.
You saw geeky, damaged, loveable Matt Watkins through Julie's eyes in FLAT-OUT LOVE. Now go deeper into Matt's world in this FLAT-OUT MATT novella. Live his side of the story, break when his heart breaks, and fall for the unlikely hero all over again.
Take an emotional skydive for two prequel chapters and seven FLAT-OUT LOVE chapters retold from his perspective, and then land with a brand-new steamy finale chapter from Julie.
Author's Note: Two chapters, The Sleepover and Keep Going, contain more mature content than Flat-Out Love (Keep Going, in particular), and were written based on reader demand. They wouldn't have fit in well with the original Flat-Out Love, but given that this is a fan-driven companion piece, I think they work. While the content here is upped a bit, the scenes are tastefully done. (So, you know sorry to those who wanted lewd and graphic.) Views: 911
Perdita’s life has gone back to normal in all of the worst ways, while Nathan doesn’t even recognise himself anymore. Still, they’re both trying to make do the best way they know how.
But when they finally catch sight of that flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, Vin plays his final, most deadly, hand. Views: 910
For centuries the Four Lands enjoyed freedom from its demon-haunted past, protected by magic-enhanced borders from the dark dimension known as the Forbidding and the profound evil imprisoned there. But now the unthinkable is happening: The ancient wards securing the barrier between order and mayhem have begun to erode—and generations of bloodthirsty, monstrous creatures, fueled by a rage thousands of years in the making, are poised to spill forth, seeking revenge for what was done to them.
Young Elf Arling Elessedil possesses the enchanted means to close the breach and once more seal the denizens of the Forbidding in their prison. But when she falls into the hands of the powerful Federation’s diabolical Prime Minister, her efforts may be doomed. Only her determined sister, Aphen, who bears the Elfstones and commands their magic, has any hope of saving Arling from the hideous fate her captor has in store.
Meanwhile, Railing Ohmsford—desperate to save his imprisoned brother—seeks to discover if his famed but ill-fated ancestor Grianne is still alive and willing to help him save the world . . . no matter the odds or the consequences. Views: 909
