A pair of ultra short stories, almost flash fiction, exploring the murky, ambiguous world of Kathryn Blake through the eyes of two of her associates.John Marchant and Pavel Tomeckova, first introduced in contemporary thriller Viennese Waltz, take centre stage to tell stories of their own.In Scorpion Dance John describes little job in which, for once, he upstages his flamboyant partner, whilst in Hook in the Heart Pavel has another opportunity to explain, as he once explained to Kathryn Blake, how a certain raw recruit first came to the attention of his arm of the service. Views: 565
*Shortlisted in the 2014 Tod Hunter Literary Award.* This is a short story about an Indigenous Australian art teacher, frustrated by bereavement and the loss of her heritage in an ever changing world. This is a modern, contemporary literary piece set in Perth, Western Australia,.A short story about an Indigenous Australian art teacher, frustrated by bereavement and the loss of her heritage in an ever changing world. This is a modern, contemporary literary piece set in Perth, Western Australia. The narrator explores inter-cultural issues and taboos, the financial exploitation of indigenous artists and the 'one style' only of Aboriginal art in the global marketplace. It also touches on indigenous and non-indigenous spiritually, In this story, the narrators feelings of anger and loss are healed through art and friendship. The characters are fictional.This story is written by a non-indigenous writer who does not wish to fall into the 'apartheid of literature' that is often, but not always, prevalent currently. At the same time, all attempts have been made to treat indigenous peoples in this story with respect and understanding of their social and historical issues and they have been acknowledged and and their assistance sought before publication. Views: 563
Ryder Hilton gets a job as a body guard after his father refuses to give him any more allowances. Tess Oliver is a multi-million selling popstar, Ryder finds himself falling for her. Even though, he discovers he is madly in love with his room mate Jo.Ryder Hilton gets a job as a body guard after his father refuses to give him any more allowances. Tass Oliver is a multi-million selling popstar, Ryder finds himself falling for her. Even though, he dicovers he is madly in love with his room mate Jo. Views: 563
Mila was about to learn the hard way that easy money has a price that comes with it. When put in danger, she had to make the choice to give up her lucrative practice or put her friends and family in further danger."Leave by the back door. Weave your way home. Be careful and don't be followed. They are out there but it appears they do not know who you are or where you are at this moment. I got their license plate number. I'll make some calls. I know someone on the force who owes me a favor. Keep in mind that they could find out who you are at any time. It only takes one student to spill the info."Before they left, they each called home and tried to act as if nothing was wrong and to advise their parents that they were downtown and would be home shortly.The trip home took them almost an hour before they felt they it was safe. "Mila, call me if you hear anything, anything at all. This is a nightmare." Views: 560
A short story about a donkey with an attitude who hassles a small town and shakes the authority of Church and State.Born the daughter of a gentleman but now an innkeeper's niece, Lily loses hope that her true love, an officer in His Majesty's Navy, will return to claim her as his bride. When his ship returns home, she must choose between risking shame and ridicule by running to him, or waiting like a lady for him to come to her...if he still wants her. Views: 560
A beautiful world comes at a price... The Blemished is the dystopian debut from Sarah Dalton. Mina Hart is Blemished and that takes away her rights.In a world filled with stunning clones Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes are worthless and that takes away her rights: her right to an Education, her right to a normal life and her right to have a child.Mina keeps a dangerous secret which she never thought she could share until she meets Angela on her first day at St Jude's School. But their friendship is soon complicated by Angela’s adoptive brother Daniel. Mina finds herself drawn to his mysterious powers and impulsive nature. Then there is the gorgeous clone Sebastian who Mina is forbidden from even speaking to…The Blemished is a frightening take on a fractured future where the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control of Britain. It will take you on a ride filled with adventure, romance and rebellion. Views: 560
Joseph Holly knows the truth: Work is rarely as dull as when you are eighteen years old and in love. ‘The Devil eats Coleslaw’ is a working day in Joe's life, which sees him trapped in a supermarket with strange customers, ex-teachers, daydreams, bad ideas, Sonic Youth, The Replacements, and an overwhelming need to see his girlfriend,Diane.Joseph Holly knows the truth: Work is rarely as dull as when you are eighteen years old and in love. ‘The Devil eats Coleslaw’ is a working day in Joe's life, which sees him trapped in a supermarket with strange customers, ex-teachers, daydreams, bad ideas, Sonic Youth, The Replacements, and an overwhelming need to see his girlfriend,Diane. It is a story about a young man's private battle with boredom and with keeping his head together, as he tries to get to the end of his shift. Views: 559
In youth you'd lay awake at night and scheme... Views: 559
Orla was lured to Underhill via a candy stand, lands wrapped in ribbon, and given an out via the agreement of the autumn king. She bribes him with candy, and things do not go to plan.
At a winter fair, Orla is lured by the scent of fudge to a stand that seems separated from the traffic around it. After some polite chatting, she snags her mitten on a gingerbread house, goes to disentangle it... and finds herself sitting, wearing a ribbon for clothing, and spectral instructions on how to get home are glittering on the wall.
Looking for the autumn king is a strange thing to do in heels and a fetish outfit, but when she finds him, asking him to send her home is first and foremost on her mind. He agrees, but he is going to take his time. He does not say why.
Their evening devolves into chess, fudge, and foreplay. Suddenly, Orla thinks that three days might not be enough.
Back home with no memory of her time in Underhill, she finds herself crying at strange times. It isn’t until she goes to arrange a donation to the museum she works for that she remembers what she’s missing. Views: 559
Brought onto the investigation to explore all the leads no one expected to pan out, Officer Morgan finds himself on the trail of the mysterious and elusive Dolls. It's a lead that takes him into a world far stranger and more real than he had ever imagined and into something far more dangerous than he had bargained for.Officer Morgan never expected to find anything like this when he joined the investigation. No one had anticipated the big gangs and mobsters leaving town, or that the occult community would start handing out strange warnings. Finally they cornered some of the areas criminal middle men, only to find that the two groups were saying some strangely similar things. "Something big is coming into town. Lay low or get out." Then the bodies started to pile up. Morgan has started poking around where no one else thought there were any answers to find, and found himself in the middle of something far stranger and more dangerous than he could have imagined. Views: 558
