A collection of eight short stories themed on love, death and the boundaries between. Previously published and new unpublished stories exploring aspects of human dying from the murdered to the beautiful. The stories cover tragedy, horror, humor and poetry.A collection of eight short stories themed on love, death and the boundaries between. Previously published and new unpublished stories exploring aspects of human dying from the murdered to the beautiful. The stories cover tragedy, horror, humor and poetry. Some extracts: 'Art is not about harsh reality; it's about embellishment, hiding the truth. And eternity. Once painted a flower remains forever in bloom, a cornfield forever in sun. A woman's face forever beautiful.' 'He wasn't lying right. As he fell his right arm had twisted behind and caught underneath making him lop-sided. Sliding my surgical gloves on my hands I pulled his arms out so they spread in the usual position. Like Jesus on the cross the Standard had described a previous body, but it wasn't. These guys got nowhere near a cross. They were meat on the slab.''The boy stands and Jani's finger tightens on the trigger ready for the kill. But once upright he doesn't move, standing stock-still, arms by his sides. Jani once again trains the cross hairs on the face. The eyes are filled with defiance now, chin up. The boy slides his feet together then, slowly, lifts his arms out from his side, holds them wide and open, palms forward. A smile breaks on his face and he lifts closed eyes to the black sky. ''Daily I have visualized Cameron in front of me, tasted the saliva building in my mouth as my finger pulls the trigger. I watch him hit the ground, limbs splaying at odd angles, the plastic smile on his face, gone forever. They grab me, those around him, wrench the gun from my hand and wrestle me to the ground. I stay calm among the panic. My task done.''My name is Finn McIntyre. Finn, short for Finnegan. My eyes are different, the left one green, the right, a soft speckled brown, the color of walnut cake. From the age of twelve I read poetry and science journals and held a recorded IQ of 141 - the same as Benito Mussolini. Smart but weird, that's what kids at school used to say of me. Smart, but too goddamn weird. They only knew the half. ''When his world changed, Archie Middleman was sitting quietly on a garden bench thinking about petunias. The sun bathed his face, a breeze cooled his skin, a bird-feeder in the tree above swung gently under the force of a departing sparrow. A brief heaven for a weary gardener. As he looked up at the flight of the bird the summer sky exploded filling the air with bright vanilla light and a soft familiar two-word greeting fell like an axe through his skull.' Views: 606
Ever had a bad day at the office? Of course you have! Fortunately for most of us, things look up when we leave work behind. However, the enigmatic Detective Sgt Jim Hodder has turned failure, controversy and infamy into an art form. Through a series of humorously, dramatic episodes, he excels at wrestling failure from the jaws of success with increasingly damaging and far reaching consequences.Present day Tyneside and Northumberland provide the setting for ‘The Sweet Smell of Rain’ the début novel by former Detective Ian Douthwaite. We follow the daily exploits of Detective Sergeant Jim Hodder, a man who is battle-weary, downtrodden and careworn, and whose countless shortcomings lead him into an endless cycle of confrontations with criminals, victims, colleagues and indeed, the world in general. A man nearing the end of his service, he is not so much resistant to change, just tired by it. Hodder has seen the wheel re-invented so many times, that the pedestrian pace of life that the was planning for his impending retirement seems positively appealing. However, due to his inability to turn a blind eye, an uncontrollable urge to act impulsively whilst trying to appear to be in control of any situation, he sets a precedence at digging deeper, darker holes from which he has to extricate himself with unremitting regularity.When we first meet Hodder he is interviewing Dean Parks, a low level thorn in the side, who is in custody for a serious sexual assault. Hodder erroneously thinks that the case is a mere ‘stroll in the park’ and that matters will be wrapped up in no time. However, Parks would prove to be quite a formidable opponent showing himself to be manipulative, cunning and more than just a little bit evil. Furthermore, Hodder did not factor in the influence of Parks’solicitor the tweed clad, whisky swilling Francis Randall-Ord, a man with many ‘connections’, not all of whom would meet with the approval of the Law Society. However, as with all things Hodder, things rarely go smoothly, and against orders, he is soon very deeply immersed in an investigation that may have serious consequences not only for himself, but also for those closest to him. Throw into this mix the internal politics of a busy C.I.D. office, a boss who is constantly on his back, a crumbling marriage and two opposing Crime Lords, both of whom want Parks for different reasons. To this potent brew, add backstabbing, double dealing with more than a hint of corruption. And all this before Hodder even leaves the office! ‘The Sweet Smell of Rain’ is written with a gritty realism and a darkly dramatic but understated humour. Featuring some of the regions’ most iconic landmarks, the story is populated with numerous memorable characters and situations. Hodder’s North East is not one you are likely to find in any guide book.. However, one question remains: ‘ Is this another situation that a Police Officer can’t make any worse’?· © 2015 Ian Douthwaite · Designed by Themes & Co · Views: 606
Stories set between the fall of the Galactic Empire and the birth of the Federation of Humanoid Planets. The Star Nations learn to be independent from the mighty Sire, which sometimes brings in anarchy (tyrants, dictators, gangsters and other criminals).The stories included:Arica of Silvania (5207)The daughter of the queen meets space pirates and loses one arm.Runaway (5209)Abused Yash seeks refuge in anonimity and vanishes from the Star Nations.Psychometrist (5209-5010)ESP can help GP officers to find criminals, but can't prevent them from falling in love.Mirabilis (5213-5214)The Perfects City diesn't like imperfect outsiders – imagine one of them becoming their king!Brothers (5215)Secondary character goes home after meeting Shan-leo and Dadina.Looking for Home (5217)Lyssa leaves SETH World, heartbroken, to find love on Xi-kong.Haunted by Shadows (5220)Former slave and... Views: 606
Take nothing for granted... Serve and protect. That's what Sheriff Teague Castro promised the good people of Bartell County, Georgia. But when he reunites with his first love, his supporters suddenly wonder if he's too distracted to uphold his sworn commitment. When Jenny buys an expensive house Teague could never afford on a sheriff's salary, small-town gossip runs wild. If he can't take care of his own family, is he fit to protect a whole county? Until his job is secure, Teague presses pause on his love life. But when a crisis calls him to the front line, it triggers memories from a tragic case still haunting him. Only this time, Jenny's life is on the line, and the confrontation could quickly turn Teague's forever into never. Views: 606
These three shorts are from a pile of numerous stories that I’ve written, which I call my raw story collection. The stories that I have in my raw story collection are the stories I wrote for fun and have since done little to no editing. Many of the stories from my raw story collection will probably never be published. But I guess I should never say never.Hi readers,I have these stories posted on my website, but wanted to offer them as an e-book. These three shorts are from a pile of numerous stories that I’ve written, which I call my raw story collection. The stories that I have in my raw story collection are the stories I wrote for fun and have since done little to no editing. Many of the stories from my raw story collection will probably never be published. But I guess I should never say never. I hope you enjoy these brisk little stories.**********Tiny Town KurtsAfter twelve years, Parker Porter returns to his hometown to check on his little sister. He is met with a ghost town, a house in disrepair, and the undead. **********ManKindA hit man who discovers that his latest hit is not human.**********It's a Numbers GameTwo brother's. One doesn’t want to share an inheritance that they will one day inherit from their parents. The other just wants to survive.********** Views: 606
In the First Seven Weeks while Kurma solidifies her stronghold among the higher-ups in Alexandria and is granted immunity in the city, Santino must outsmart Kurma and think of a way to ensure his Phantoms longevity. All the while, the Raptors continue to hunt Phantoms and the Phantoms continue decreasing the human numbers. Who will have complete control over the city of Alexandria? The city is rKurma, an ambitious seventeen year old, is now the leader of all Raptors: territorial, winged creatures that feed on Phantoms. Santino, her ex-boyfriend and mortal enemy, still leads the carnivorous Phantoms against the humans of the city in Alexandria. Then, another player shakes things up for Kurma and Santino and demands the rights to the entire city and the Phantoms' hunting grounds.In the First Seven Weeks while Kurma solidifies her stronghold among the higher-ups in Alexandria and is granted immunity in the city, Santino must outsmart Kurma and think of a way to ensure his Phantoms longevity. All the while, the Raptors continue to hunt Phantoms and the Phantoms continue decreasing the human numbers. Who will have complete control over the city of Alexandria? The city is ripe for the taking and the Raptors and Phantoms race against time for prime real estate and influential political figures. Will humans prevail over Phantoms with the help of the Blue K’s, or will Santino and his gang of Phantoms finally wipe out the human race, once and for all?Here is the second installment of Blue K Dynasty: A story of two new species, Raptors and Phantoms, and their home, the mega-city of Alexandria. Views: 606
The night Quin Kincaid takes her Oath, she will become what she has trained to be her entire life. She will become a Seeker. This is her legacy, and it is an honor.
As a Seeker, Quin will fight beside her two closest companions, Shinobu and John, to protect the weak and the wronged. Together they will stand for light in a shadowy world.
And she’ll be with the boy she loves–who’s also her best friend. But the night Quin takes her Oath, everything changes.
Being a Seeker is not what she thought. Her family is not what she thought. Even the boy she loves is not who she thought. And now it’s too late to walk away. Views: 606
It started with a simple request for Tony Peay to pretend to be her man for the evening. The problem was Tony enjoyed the role so much of pretending to be her man which led them to his hotel room, where he became a very real lover.And he wanted the rest of what she had cooked up in the menu in her head. Together, they created the perfect menu for loving. Views: 606
Warm up with the couple who started it all. Dominic and Abby are gathering everyone for Christmas—Corisi style. This holiday NOVELLA is a heartwarming visit with the whole Legacy gang. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll want to read the series all over again. Views: 605
I don't think I told youBut I would give my lifeTo hold youIf only once Could you ever allow itSince I can't do it...Now that...The miles we have between usAren't any shorterBut only seem to keep usWishing so much it's hurtingAnd can we get through the next few monthsTil it could happenBefore I lose my mindAnd I findIt's not somethin I could have andIt's not somethin openI don't think I told youBut I would give my lifeTo hold youIf only once Could you ever allow itSince I can't do it...Now that...The miles we have between usAren't any shorterBut only seem to keep usWishing so much it's hurtingAnd can we get through the next few monthsTil it could happenBefore I lose my mindAnd I findIt's not somethin I could have andIt's not somethin openBut so difficult that all this pain And all this hopingIs all in vainAnd I don't think I can take itBecause my heart is so slowly breakingAnd I need so badly to hold youIs that something that I told you Views: 605
A dark and disturbing thriller of one man's deadly rampage to rescue a young girl from human traffickers by the author of Lakeside Murders. A former mercenary and paramilitary in some of the most terrifying organized fighting groups in the world, Harry Carver stops at nothing to hunt down those who do him wrong. Born American but living in Britain, Carver is protecting Lynn, his vulnerable ward and her daughter, Irene. But when both go missing, he learns the shocking truth: Irene, young and beautiful, has been sold into modern-day slavery. Sigmund Dark is the illustrious and Machiavellian owner of an elite prostitution ring, with syndicates in London, Paris, and all other major cities of Europe. Sitting atop his constructed throne in an elaborate Carcassonne palace, Dark thinks he is impenetrable and infallible. But he hasn't planned for the fury of Harry Carver. An expert fighter and detective, Carver skates his way around... Views: 605
