Apollyon's Saint Descendants of Salem

The tenth part in the Apollyon's Saint series. The suicidal writers society continues to torment Gabriel as he tries to return to humanity. Upon his return, Gabriel finds himself imprisoned by Templars, and sent on a ship to the Vatican where he meets the descendants of Salem.Whether they are spirits of the departed or figments of an overactive imagination, ghosts are a staple in fiction. Storytellers have portrayed ghosts as scary, friendly, or annoying across many genres. Now, eight authors offer their own interpretations of ghosts through a collection of short stories that will appeal to fans of horror, fantasy, or young adult fiction.“Deathwatch” by Katie French - Teenage sisters Charlotte and Georgie stumble into a robbery, and their normal life gets flipped upside down. Worse, when the clerk kills one of the robbers, his face is covered in a supernatural swarm of bugs. Charlotte must be hallucinating. It's the only explanation for the terrible things she's seen. Everyone calls the clerk a hometown hero, but Charlotte's not so sure. Then a dead girl appears in her mirror with clues to the truth, and Charlotte learns there's more horror to this world than she ever expected.“Tides” by Sarah Dalton - Andrea wakes with sand on her feet. She is sleepwalking down to the sea every night, but remembers little more than a vague recollection of a boy who lives on the beach. With an absent father and a mother who would rather walk along the coast than look after her daughter, Andrea struggles to get by. She’s haunted, but from a memory, or a spirit?“Shadowspirit” by M.A. George - On a good day, Henta Mourngard is stalked by dreadspirits and netherphantoms, a living magnet for creatures of the afterlife. On a bad day, she finds herself communing with a demon of the underworld—worse yet, interrogating one—in a desperate attempt to track down the shadowspirit who has been her guide since infancy. Demons don’t take kindly to interrogation. And the search for a missing shadowspirit leads to places the living daren’t tread (lest they no longer qualify as living). ‘Tis unfortunate for Henta that today is not a “good day”. “The Little Girl” by Jamie Campbell - Sixteen-year-old Penny is moving house… again. Starting out in a small town, she is hopeful this time will be the last. As long as the little girl doesn’t follow her, she will be rid of her past hauntings. The only problem is, the little girl won’t let her go and now she is about to grow stronger than ever before.“The Ghost Below” by Ariele Sieling - White Rabbit gets sent to run cables in the bowels of the spaceship as a punishment. While working, she discovers that the ship's ghost might be more than he seems.“Slave Runner” by H.S. Stone - Malika and her sister are captured by slave traders but receive an unexpected gift of freedom when their captors encounter a deadly gathering of ghosts. The sisters escape to a nearby village, where they learn that the new sanctuary isn’t as safe as they thought it would be, and ghosts aren’t what they most need to fear.“Farewell Ohana (A Ghostly Mini-Wave)” by Sutton Shields - Maile Lahela is under attack by someone in the Kauai Camp for the Curiously Creepy. When she awakens one morning unable to see, her peculiar, yet loyal friends decide it’s time to escape the institution—something that’s never been done. But before they can leave, Maile has a mission of her own…one that could cost them their lives. Farewell Ohana is a short, fun-filled, emotional prequel to the events occurring in Overfalls, Wave Two of The Merworld Water Wars series by Sutton Shields.“Ghost Girl” by Susan Fodor - Zoey Saunders has her future mapped out, but an accident brings her life to an untimely end. In her new state of being, Zoey feels compelled to seek justice for her death and bring healing to her family who have become a shadow of their former selves. But what constitutes justice and will getting even ever be enough to replace the life she lost?
Views: 743

Curtain Cape

2009 3rd Place Winner, John Marsden Young Writer’s Award. This is a tale of two troubled youths as they travel the road equipped with nothing but some food, a gun and a bag of bullets. Delirious, wild and sometimes frightening, Curtain Cape puts you right alongside misguided Victor and his reluctant brother as they journey through a broken world of petty crime, dreamy wolves and stolen cars.2009 3rd Place Winner, John Marsden Young Writer’s Award. This is a tale of two troubled youths as they travel the road equipped with nothing but some food, a gun and a bag of bullets. Delirious, fast-paced and sometimes frightening, this award winning short story puts you right alongside misguided Victor and his reluctant brother as they journey through a broken world of petty crime, dreamy wolves and stolen cars. Created by David Bobis, the author of Child and I Keep Getting F****** Robbed, Curtain Cape is yet another example of the writer’s uncanny ability to craft highly entertaining short stories that resonate with you much after being read.
Views: 741

Breaking Her

From internationally bestselling author R.K. Lilley comes a scorching new series with melt-the-pages tension and all-consuming angst. It’s love, it’s war and it’s Scarlett and Dante’s story. DESTRUCTION. BETRAYAL. RUINATION. TRUE LOVE. Breaking Her Book Two in the Love is War Duet. This is the conclusion of Scarlett and Dante's story. SCARLETT He had done it again. Ravaged me. Burned me. Broke me. Given me air, only to leave me gasping, writhing. But then something changed. Something that terrified and excited me both. Something that utterly destroyed me. Something that made me whole again. DANTE Our love was cursed from the start. She didn't know it but I did. All she knew was that I'd lied to her, betrayed her. Done unforgivable things. Unavoidable things. Yes, I had broken promises as surely as I had broken her heart. But, just as every war has casualties, and every lie has consequences–every bastard has his reasons.
Views: 737

Plenty of Time

Tim, a technician who provides maintenance on a super-secret time machine, steals an unauthorized trip into the past to try and save his recently deceased fiancee, unaware of the effects this seemingly innocent event will have on the world.What is the price of a soul?For Annalise it's simply a matter of getting what she wants and having the means to go about it. What she wants is revenge for the death of her father. The means to go about it... well that's where things get a little more complicated.He's ancient, all powerful, and his motivations are as murky as his morals. Still, he was her father's weapon of choice and Annalise knew her father to be a man of honesty and integrity.The price is worth it.
Views: 732

Apollyon's Saint The Beginning

After failing to commit suicide Gabriel heads out in search of death. Instead of death he finds the king of lies himself, Apollyon. Using sang real, Apollyon traps Gabriel immortally in a religious war. The grail reveals the sins and dark secrets surrounding Gabriel and his hometown. But why did Apollyon choose Gabriel to be his saint, in the war with the heavens and earth?Martin West is a new believer looking forward to his new life in Christ, but he’s having a hard time convincing the people from his past that he’s changed. His parents still don’t trust him, and his friends think he’s pretending. He wants to prove himself, but it seems like all his efforts backfire. Martin tries to help his best friend Max, who’s struggling with a powerful addiction, but none of his words come out quite right. Martin truly wants his family and friends to hear what he’s trying to say. Is anybody listening?
Views: 732

Sealed With a Kiss

A billionaire, an emerald lake, and a lifetime's worth of happy endings. USA Today Bestselling Author, Leeanna Morgan, brings you a heartwarming Christmas story of unconditional love, its challenges, its risks and most of all, its rewards.John Fletcher is used to living his life on the edge. He’s an ex-Navy SEAL and the owner of one of the most successful security companies in the world. When his daughter asks for the one thing he can’t give her, it breaks his heart. Rachel McReedy isn’t impressed with John Fletcher’s money, fast cars or jet-setting lifestyle. What she cares about is Bella, his eight-year-old daughter. She might not have had the type of life Bella has, but she knows what it’s like to be left on her own. Rachel is determined to show John the error of his ways, but she isn’t prepared for what she’s about to discover.When a threat to John’s life turns deadly he will do everything he can to keep his daughter safe—even if that means saying goodbye to the one person who could have changed his life forever.Discover the magic of Emerald Lake in the first book in the Emerald Lake Billionaires series. All of my series are linked. If you find a character you like in one book you could find them in another story. If you would like to find out when my next book is published, please visit leeannamorgan.com. Thank you for your support. Happy reading!Other Contemporary Romances by Leeanna Morgan:(All Series Linked)The Montana Brides:Book 1: Forever Dreams (Gracie and Trent)Book 2: Forever in Love (Amy and Nathan)Book 3: Forever After (Nicky and Sam)Book 4: Forever Wishes (Erin and Jake)Book 5: Forever Santa: a Montana Brides Christmas novellaBook 6: Forever Cowboy (Emily and Alex)Book 7: Forever Together (Kate and Dan)Book 8: Forever and a Day (Sarah and Jordan)The Bridesmaids Club:Book 1: All of Me (Tess and Logan)Book 2: Loving You (Annie and Dylan)Book 3: Head Over Heels (Sally and Todd)Book 4: Sweet on You (Molly and Jacob)Emerald Lake Billionaires:Book 1: Sealed with a Kiss (Rachel and John)Book 2: Playing for Keeps (Sophie and Ryan)Book 3: Crazy Love (Holly and Daniel)The Protectors:Book 1: Safe Haven (Hayley and Tank)Book 2: Just Breathe: (Kelly and Tanner)Book 3: Always (Mallory and Grant)Book 4: The Promise (Ashley and Matthew)Book 5: Coming Home (Mia and Stan)Book 6: The Gift (Hannah and Brett)Book 7: The Wish (Claire and Jason)Book 8: Falling (Emma and Sean)
Views: 731

Broken News

It is an account of a man reading a terrible news while having a cup of coffee on his new couch. The story portrays the agony he goes through.It is an account of a man reading a terrible news while having a cup of coffee on his new couch. The story portrays the agony he goes through. A Short story.
Views: 730

Wrecked

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.” Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide. The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive. Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.” Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “the Hammer.” Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat. Lorrie knows that Hunter is the exact type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas. As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked? WRECKED RESCUED (WRECKED BOOK TWO: Coming Early 2014)
Views: 730

I Killed Santa

I Killed Santa is a series of short Christmas stories by author Brian Lovestar. With his unique twisted sense of humour, come and enjoy a Christmas like no other before... in Paris... space... and Shotton Colliery! The stories serve as an interquel and sequel of sorts to his existing novels 'Dream Myself Alive' and 'Pop Tarts', as well as a prequel to his forthcoming novel 'Honey Spunk'.I Killed Santa is a series of short Christmas stories by author Brian Lovestar. With his unique twisted sense of humour, come and enjoy a Christmas like no other before... in Paris... space... and Shotton Colliery!The stories serve as an interquel and sequel of sorts to his existing novels 'Dream Myself Alive' and 'Pop Tarts', as well as a prequel to his forthcoming novel 'Honey Spunk', coming soon in 2016.
Views: 728

Pivotal Moment

Creeg is a reptile, a dinosaur, and a junior assistant in the Ministry of Science. Creeg works for the Minister of Science, Vraag, and Vraag has a plan, a dangerous plan to assume power, a plan that could change everything, for ever.Coral and her sister thought they were playing a game, but you never know what a hurricane will stir up.Coral and Pearl’s vacation is not the same this summer. Their father isn’t with them, and Hurricane Sandy has left the little shore town battered and worn. Coral invents the mermaid game as a distraction until the sisters meet a local boy who knows all about the ocean. It turns out that not even he is prepared for the strange wonders a hurricane can bring up from the deep.
Views: 725

Kindred Soldiers

Kindred SoldiersA short story by John A. FergusonSet in a very distant future where Earth is locked in a war with an Alien race called the Seridians.Garret Kayne is a young soldier returning from frontline action. On his route home he discovers a lifeless Seridian transport ship drifting in Human controlled space. Garret must investigate to discover the truth behind this ship.A short story by John A. Ferguson In war there are no real heroes, just men and women fighting for survival. Garret Kayne is a young Foot Soldier returning from a mission behind enemy lines. On his journey home his transport ship encounters an enemy vessel lost in Earth Controlled space. Although tired and exhausted Garret is forced to investigate the mystery of this ghost ship. Kindred Soldier is a short story set in the future where Earth is locked in a conflict against an alien race called the Seridians. As Garret explores the enemy ship he starts to encounter things which make very little sense and soon he realises he faces an opponent who is every bit is equal. A note from the author: 'Kindred Soldiers' was been based on a character I had been developing for a novel. The novel will eventually explore the relationship between Earth and the aliens called Seridians in far greater detail. As I started to work on the plot and characters, I realised that there was a vast potential story that could be explored. I had to start creating a history of the Earth from the point of view of a far distant future. The novel I am working on at the moment features an older Garret Kayne. However, as I started to explore some of the flaws in the nature of this man I realised I had to start to make a very credible back-story to allow myself to understand him better. This short story forms a small but important part in his own background and character development. Please enjoy and all feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
Views: 724

Foreigners

Two short stories:In far-flung mysterious China, two foreigners discover the secrets of The Temple Heavenly Falsities despite the language barrier. In South Africa, Trishnen returns home to find so much, yet so little has changed.The Temple of Heavenly Falsities: We went as far as the car would take us. It had been a hot, drowsy drive. I stretched, then stared up at the vertical cliff-face which housed the temple. To our left, a thin stream of spray gave away the waterfall pummeling at the sandstone crack.“Can you see the stairs?” asked Alan as the taxi hastily pulled away. “Too late to ask the driver,” I sighed. Wasn't this always the case? Ill thought-out not-quite-spontaneous trip to go find some fabled temple. It had taken long enough to find a taxi-driver who understood our poor Chinese and who could read PinYin.Strive: The plane banks over the Bluff then, with its landing gear out, bypasses the city and Umhlanga. Mount Moreland sugar-cane fields, a pale reminder of their past, flash by. A small bump, and they are cruising towards the new terminal--King Shaka Airport. He's last off the plane, uncertain of what to expect. He's been away for so long; had alienated himself from his friends and family--glad to have escaped the only town in the world whose main street ends in a river...
Views: 722

Fighting Redemption

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn't stop him wanting the one thing he can't have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. She's the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself. At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won't let go. Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can't live without her. But sometimes love isn't enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can't be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what's left. This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself. This book is recommended for 18+ due to adult language and themes. Please note: K McCarthy is an Australian author and Australian spelling, language and slang has been used in this book.
Views: 717

The Chronicles of Heaven's War: Hell Above the Skies

“A Blood Moon rises! For too long we have hidden from reality, fearing the loss of our past should we attempt to find our future. No more! Our day of infamy has arrived. A spark has ignited our universe and set it ablaze. From those ashes has grown a force that will crush the League of Brothers and drive it from our Realm! The decision has been made! Today we go to War! Phoenix rises!”“A Blood Moon rises! For too long we have hidden from reality, fearing the loss of our past should we attempt to find our future. No more! Our day of infamy has arrived. A spark has ignited our universe and set it ablaze. From those ashes has grown a force that will crush the League of Brothers and drive it from our Realm! The decision has been made! Today we go to War! Phoenix rises!” Tears flowed down the new king’s face as she thought of her sister, Darla, hoping beyond hope the woman might still live. This time her opponent had gone too far. There was no longer any place for negotiation. Their day of infamy had arrived. Mihai Astron, king over the Children’s Empire, had raised her fist, declaring absolute and total war with no hope of treaty or armistice. From the flames and ashes of this coming holocaust would rise only one power to rule over Heaven, Earth, and Hell - one power to rule the universe, either to its ending hour or coming glory. The Third Fleet was shattered, Admiral Euroaquilo’s heroic rescue attempt of the Shikkeron sounding his demise and the fleet’s ruin as a fighting force. But they had won, beaten the enemy back, saved the Shikkeron and its precious living cargo from capture, or had they? What of the imperial frigate, Shikkeron? Gone it was, ship and crew, swallowed up in the cosmic dust of space. Mihai shrugged. It mattered little now. She had raised her fist to the god of war, declaring the time of the world’s ending. Already her battle fleets hovered above MueoPoros, those invasion forces protected by Navy and Marine sky ships swarming the planet’s surface, engaging a ruthless enemy with no intention of surrender. In her mind’s eye, she could already see the great slaughter and the ruin of body and machine, smell the blood and gore of battle, the burning cordite and charred flesh. Had she not witnessed it so many times before, but always as the soldier faithfully obeying another’s commands? This time Mihai had raised the banner of war, declared the unholy hour of death and destruction. Now others led the charge into the slaughter, into the meat-grinder of damnation...
Views: 714

The Last Dragon

A short story as told in the novel "Song of the Ice Lord".The Colony is in disarray. Jorr, a young and headstrong dragon, is too big to control and will not think of anyone but himself. Reluctantly, the Colony exile him. Alone and with no-one to look out for him, Jorr must go his own way - but he is the biggest dragon in the world. How hard can it be?Elizabeth details of suffering from a virus that changes her into a Great White Shark while living on Mars. She details about fighting the virus and trying to survive to be Human.
Views: 713