Just in time for the release of the final book in the Virals quintet comes a riveting short story that takes us back to the beginning.
A dazed Tory Brennan steps off the plane in Charleston. Reeling from the recent death of her mother, and nervous about meeting her dad for the first time, she could hardly be less excited at the prospect of starting this new chapter of her life. With its balmy weather and relaxed Southern atmosphere, South Carolina feels like a foreign country compared to Tory’s native New England. But her worries begin to fade once she lays eyes on rugged, mysterious Morris Island, and three quirky boys who are as lively and curious as Tory herself. Maybe—just maybe—this new home has something wonderful in store for her after all.
In this glimpse into the world of the Virals before they became Virals, sometimes what seems like an ending is only the start. Views: 763
"Walmart to Wolf House: Sonoma County Essays" is a collection of writing from 1983-2015. It's concerned with family, Jack London, shopping at Walmart, beer, cancer, Bonsai, writing, impact craters, Homer Simpson, and Marathon running. Rob Loughran has published 23 books and over 300 articles in national magazines. Twenty-nine of those articles are collected in "Walmart to Wolf House".Agent Cosgrove gave one simple instruction; keep the door closed. Dayton and Maribelle try their best to adhere, but time was never on their side. What awaits on the other side of the door? Why wait? Panic and fear can lead a person to terrible mistakes. Views: 763
Brent Grimes has risen through the ranks of his fraternity to become Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Shortly afterwards, he's summoned to his frat's headquarters in Chicago, where he'll be briefed on their latest plan for his district. But what Brent doesn't know is his frat's course of action in Newark, will change his life forever.Brent Grimes has risen through the ranks of his fraternity to become Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Shortly afterwards, he's summoned to his frat's headquarters in Chicago. While there, he'll be briefed on their latest plan for his district and others around the country. But what Brent doesn't know, is there's a part of this insidious plan involving him, he's not aware of. And this part of the plan, will not only change his relationship with his frat, but it will change the course of his life forever. Views: 763
Clayton is a nerdy teen who is constantly bullied by his peers at Gladeway High and too unappealing to win the affections of his high school crush. But a wristwatch belonging to his grandfather might change all that forever...Clayton loathes going to school and being bullied every day by Blaine Jansen, the star athlete at Gladeway High. Most days Clayton wishes he could either be invisible or attractive enough to win the heart of his long-time crush, Maddie. One day while sorting through his deceased grandfather’s belongings, Clayton finds an old wristwatch that might make his wishes come true…PLEASE NOTE: Carpe Tempus is a short story aimed at young adults. Views: 763
The early fiction of one of the nation’s most celebrated writers, Truman Capote, as he takes his first bold steps into the canon of American literature
Recently rediscovered in the archives of the New York Public Library, these short stories provide an unparalleled look at Truman Capote writing in his teens and early twenties, before he penned such classics as Other Voices, Other Rooms, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and In Cold Blood. This collection of more than a dozen pieces showcases the young Capote developing the unique voice and sensibility that would make him one of the twentieth century’s most original writers.
Spare yet heartfelt, these stories summon our compassion and feeling at every turn. Capote was always drawn to outsiders—women, children, African Americans, the poor—because he felt like one himself from a very early age. Here we see Capote’s powers of empathy developing as he depicts his characters struggling at the margins of their known worlds. A boy experiences the violence of adulthood when he pursues an escaped convict into the woods. Petty jealousies lead to a life-altering event for a popular girl at Miss Burke’s Academy for Young Ladies. In a time of extraordinary loss, a woman fights to save the life of a child who has her lover’s eyes.
In these stories we see early signs of Capote’s genius for creating unforgettable characters built of complexity and yearning. Young women experience the joys and pains of new love. Urbane sophisticates are worn down by cynicism. Children and adults alike seek understanding in a treacherous world. There are tales of crime and violence; of racism and injustice; of poverty and despair. And there are tales of generosity and tenderness; compassion and connection; wit and wonder. Above all there is the developing voice of a writer born in the Deep South who will use and eventually break from that tradition to become a literary figure like no other.
With a foreword by the celebrated New Yorker critic Hilton Als, this volume of early stories is essential for understanding how a boy from Monroeville, Alabama, became a legend in American literature.
Praise for The Early Stories of Truman Capote
*“Succeeds at conveying the writer’s youthful rawness . . . These stories capture a moment when Capote was hungry to capture the rural South, the big city, and the subtle emotions that so many around him were determined to keep unspoken.”—USA Today*
“A window on the young writer’s emerging voice and creativity . . . Capote’s ability to conjure a time, place and mood with just a few sentences is remarkable.”—Associated Press
“[Capote’s early] stories are special. Not just because they give a glimpse of an author finding his voice; or for the traces of his masterpieces. But also because they stand in their own right as lovely vignettes of the lives of the lonely, broken and troubled. . . . If you consider they were written when he was a child—aged between eleven and nineteen—then they become breathtaking in their precocity, craftsmanship, simplicity and the tenderness he became renowned for.”—The Independent (U.K.)
“These ten-plus stories were written when Capote was a teenager and young man and will shed light on his subsequent work while remaining sharply observed pleasures in their own right.”*—Library Journal
“[A] gathering of the great American prose stylist’s earliest pieces, published for the first time . . . Students of both Capote and the short story will find this instructive and entertaining.”—*Kirkus Reviews*
From the Hardcover edition. Views: 762
In August of 1952, the town of Ashley and all its residents disappeared without a trace. There were no clues, no answers and no evidence... Until now.Who killed Hollywood legend Ava Montez, once known as the most beautiful woman in the world? The murder has been unsolved for over forty years. But that's about to change, when the New York Reader's reporter, Rae Collins, is assigned to do a story on the life and death of Ava Montez.Four of the original suspects, the director, the housekeeper, the best friend and the husband are still alive and are in their seventies. The murderer, who has felt safe all these years, is now threatened by Rae’s interviews with the suspects. And she’s already getting too close.The only way to prevent being caught and sent to prison for life is to murder again. And Rae is to be the murderer’s next victim!Chuck and Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii. They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year. Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990. Views: 762
On the continent of Triska, a sect is at work to release a violent dragon from an ancient prison. To forewarn Triska of this threat, the gods send down a prophecy: the only hope to stop the release of the dragon lies in Princess Josephine. Supported by Matthias, wizard from the east, Josephine embarks on a journey that tests her loyalties and reveals a far greater threat lies beyond the horizon.On the world of Erithia and the war - weary continent of Triska, an ancient sect is at work. Its aim: to release a violent, malevolent dragon known as Sikaris from its ancient prison. If freed, the creature will rain death and destruction on to the nations of the world on a scale not seen for hundreds of years.To forewarn the world of this impending threat, the gods send down a prophecy: the only hope to stop the release of the dragon lies in a young princess, Josephine of Aralia, who alone can wield a power strong enough stop Sikaris from being freed. But it is an untamed ability Josephine has fought hard to suppress, after she killed her mother in an uncontrolled outburst. It is a power she hates more than anything.Intercepting the prophecy, Mahalia - secretive and controlling land of wizards - send one of their most promising men, Matthias Greenwald, to persuade Josephine to embrace her power to reseal the dragon's prison before it is too late. But not all is as it seems with Matthias and if Josephine’s task were not hard enough, the sect has also learned of the prophecy and has unleashed forces to stop them from succeeding, including an insane assassin with a personal vendetta, determined to kill Josephine at all costs. Together Josephine and Matthias must embark on a journey that tests their beliefs and loyalties, throws trust into question and leads them to discover that a far greater threat lies just beyond the horizon. Views: 762
Meet Charlie, an older man who is set in his way. Daily walks to the grocery store, followed by an afternoon glass of wine with his neighbor, Vera, is how he enjoys spending his days. However, Charlie's reclusive lifestyle suddenly changes when a video of him goes viral. Wine With Charlie reminds us that love can be found at any age.Meet Charlie, an older man who is set in his way. Daily walks to the grocery store, followed by an afternoon glass of wine with his neighbor, Vera, is how he enjoys spending his days. However, Charlie's reclusive lifestyle suddenly changes when a video of him goes viral. It starts when a teenage boy recognizes him at the grocery store, and something tells that him his granddaughter, Maddie, might be behind his sudden fame. Wine With Charlie is a quick read story, that reminds us that love can be found at any age. Views: 762
A warrior sworn to kill or die trying…
A woman going through a deadly transformation…
Can they reach safety together?
Or have both of them been Targeted for death?
Emily Brooks is just an unremarkable girl living a boring existence--she teaches kindergarten, has a small house on the north end of Tampa, and tries not to envy her sister's perfect life. But Emily holds a remarkable secret within--one that won't stay hidden much longer. She is about to become something and someone completely different--that is, if she lives long enough to undergo the transformation.
Tragar is a Beast Kindred with tragedy in his past. Pain and loss have driven him from the Kindred way of life and into a new career--that of a deadly Verrak assassin. The Verrak take an oath to kill every target they contract for or die trying. Now Emily is in his crosshairs but the moment he gets close enough to her, his sharp Kindred senses tell him something is different about this particular target. Emily is a Khalla--a rare female who some say embody the essence of the Goddess herself. She is a treasure beyond compare. Tragar is well aware that his own choices have left him unfit to serve her but at least he can protect her until he can find someone worthy on his home planet of Rageron.
But there are dark forces in their way. Tragar's oath to kill can not be broken lightly. And there is a shadowy figure rising from the darkness who wishes to claim Emily's life. Can the fallen warrior guide and protect Emily to the place she truly belongs? Or will he die trying? You'll have to read Targeted to find out. Views: 761
A new series of short stories in HM Ward's Sexy Ferro World
When billionaire Sean Ferro crosses my path it's my job to destroy him. His crimes are horrific and there's no way I'm letting him walk away from them. Whether he wins or loses in court is irrelevant. I'll destroy any chance he has at a happy life when this is over, whether he lands in a jail cell or not.
The arrogant bastard is more beautiful than I thought. He sits there, day after day, closed off and quiet. Dark hair pushed out of his face, and those blue eyes staring into space, unseeing.
I assist the prosecution and twist his silence into apathy, steadily twisting the image of a broken man into a disturbed monster. I destroy him completely well before the end of the trial. Society hates him. And so do I.
But one night will change everything. One chance encounter shows me my mistake. This isn't something I cant change, so I offer the only thing I know he needs--me.
Genre: New Adult Romance
Type: Short stories, meant to be read in one sitting Views: 761
Have you ever gone out to buy a Christmas tree because you knew it would cheer you up? Well, young Luke, an introvert, did so and got more than he could have imagined. This story is a bit magical, a bit humorous and a bit romantic.Have you ever gone out to buy a Christmas tree because you knew it would cheer you up? Well, young Luke, an introvert, did so and got more than he could have imagined.The divorce papers had been signed seven weeks earlier and a lonely, shy person like Luke needed some help. He did receive help from a special Christmas tree. He left the security of his home to seek an adventure and awakened his heart along the way with the aid of a most peculiar companion. There is a rural family that takes him in and shares their past experiences with a similar companion. This story is a bit magical, a bit humorous and a bit romantic. The artwork for the cover is a cartoon and conveys the cheer of a Christmas tree story but, the story characters are real humans. Views: 761
The truth shall set you free.
My name is Calla Price and I’m drowning.
My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I’m being pulled under by secrets.
Can I trust anyone? I don’t know anymore.
The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.
I’m entangled in the darkness.
But the truth will set me free.
It’s just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.
Are you scared?
I am. Views: 761
The Andersons seem to be the average American family living the dream, but their daughter Cindy knows only too well the dark secrets even the most perfect of veneers, can hide.Five short stories taking a darker look at the Christmas period. In this time of overwhelming Xmas cheer, constant barrage of festive music & films, television filled with adverts demanding the perfect Christmas, these stories offer an alternative. Take a break from the festivities, settle down by the fire, and read these five stories. Ideal for a cold, dark, silent Christmas night. THE SNOWMAN Peter is a troubled young boy, the victim of a merciless bully. The only escape is the yearly visits of his brother at Christmas. His brother won't be coming home this Christmas. Killed in action. Facing a bleak future alone, Peter has only one option left. Continue the tradition, in memory of his brother. Build The Snowman. THE CHRISTMAS REVOLUTION Kap is an elf working nightmare shifts in Santa's workshop. Unable to take it any more, Kap sets in motion a plan to escape from his slavery. Can he lead a revolution that will free the elves from their evil oppressor - Father Christmas? A DOG IS FOR LIFE A deadly new flu epidemic hits Britain. Transmitted by man's best friend. The message goes out. Kill your dog or you will die. Can Fred, a miserable old alcoholic, murder his only friend to save his own life? THE CHRISTMAS TREE An ancient being awakens to find itself imprisoned by an inferior race. WINTER'S BRIDE In a village of eternal summer, a young girl discovers the horrible price paid to keep winter at bay. Can she escape the fate chosen for her that leads only to a cold, dark future? Views: 761
In this book, Andy Marr brings us into the world of one of a lost soul in search of the unexpected a character of many surprises. Full of action and mysteries, Fio is the story of a broken man trying to explore a world he knows so little of.Fio is a bitter-sweet glimpse of Fyodors life, a big adventure all his own. At once joyous and exciting, this story offers a chance to see the world through Fyodors’s eyes. Views: 761
Canadian superspies Agent Diamond and Charming Guy are back! This time they are present at an Easter egg decorating fundraiser when a crime is committed. It's up to our intrepid duo, with help from a few fetishists, to save the day. Despite the title, this is a very chaste story.When Judge Rosswell Carew makes the gruesome discovery of two corpses on a river bank in the Missouri Ozarks, he's plunged into a storm of deadly secrets that threaten both him and his fiancee, Tina Parkmore. Unsatisfied with the way the authorities are conducting the investigation, Rosswell, who's always nurtured a secret desire to be a detective, teams up with an ex-con, Ollie Groton, to solve the case before the killer can murder again. Rosswell uncovers a maze of crimes so tangled that he must fight his way to a solution or die trying Views: 760
