When Brett pays his weekly visit to his mother at her retirement home, he’s annoyed to see a vase of agapanthus – now a weed in their new home – next to her bed. But his protests set off long suppressed memories for her. As Brett’s wife Suzie asks: is Mom confusing or confessing?If you've enjoyed this free short story, please rate it and leave a review. Thanks, Jonathan.When the one thing you live for is taken from you, do you let it go or do you fall? Jade, like any other student at Brushwood High, awaits the start of the school year with a certain measure of dread. Worse, she is being threatened by a voice that only she can hear—a voice that lurks at the edges of her awareness, haunting her and warning her of something unknown. She has always been able to count on her two best friends, Claire and Nate, but can she confide in them now? About this? Would they even believe her? Life takes a turn for the better when she meets Avan, a darkly handsome new student who, somehow, seems to drown out the voice and make her feel at ease. But Jade soon comes to realize that good things don’t last forever. When everything spirals out of control, she is shattered by something she never saw coming. Dazed and despairing, she must now overcome tragedy and embrace her true existence and a new but dangerous love. Will she be able to save herself and those she loves, before it’s too late? Or will she let the surrounding darkness consume her? Views: 645
Tyler lives with his dad in an old house. They are not alone. A female presence manifests itself ... bleeding, screaming.Tyler lives with his dad in an old house. They are not alone. A female presence manifests itself ... waiting in the shadows, behind doors, under the roof ... Is she a stranger, hiding in a crawlspace, or in the attic? Views: 645
Bob is your average, successful American that has done everything right. He lived the American Dream, but slowly everything comes crashing down. His reality is shattered and he becomes unglued. This novella follows his dangerous path.Robert Malcolm Jr. was the typical American , living the American dream. A self made man, who had pulled himself up and had reached a very comfortable position, Bob was also the nicest person you could meet. Then things go horribly wrong. Bob gets a divorce, loses his job and the American dream turns into the nightmare. With nothing to hold his belief system intact and with no one to turn to, Bob slowly becomes unglued. Bob was always the nice guy and always did the right thing, even if it hurt him. But sometimes, life throws at you circumstances that are beyond your control. Circumstances, that all your belief systems cannot explain away. Bob was faced with such circumstances and being Mr. Nice guy did not help him in any way. All the stress bottled in, finally surface, transforming Bob into a very dangerous and disturbed individual. Views: 645
A free standalone digital short, a teaser involving one of the members of the Morpheus Initiative, taking place after THE PHAROS OBJECTIVE and before THE MONGOL OBJECTIVE. A desperate search for something hidden in the Grand Canyon leads to a descent into the secret archives under the Smithsonian.A short novel about three boys seeking a spy in Britain in 1940. Set in Cornwall, two boys are held by a German pilot until he escapes by U-boat. Guessing that he was helped by a collaborator they use various methods to search for him. Views: 645
In rural Indiana, the underground mines that once held coal and iron ore have become killing grounds. In two counties, five corpses have been discovered. Their deaths appear accidental, from drowning or suffocating in flooded and abandoned mines. But local authorities, including Chief Shaunda Lynch, have uncovered evidence suggesting they've all been murdered. Assigned to the case as Federal Agents, Detectives Jack Murphy and Liddell Blanchard take charge of the investigation. Shaunda's proven herself more than capable of policing her jurisdiction and resents the intrusion of male authority figures. As Jack digs deep into the case, he discovers the victims have checkered pasts. But no matter who believes the killings are justified, someone still has to pay for the crime . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "Rick Reed's books have an edge that only a man in law enforcement, working in the field, can bring to life." -... Views: 643
When she plays Chopin, Kyong thinks of her fingers as ten individual Olympic athletes. Today, she discovers what it takes to win gold.The inspiration for my stories draws from my novels and family tales of settlers who journeyed to the American frontier in the 1800s. Their accounts, passed down through the generations, paint pictures of courageous and adventurous people—a hearty lot—who had perseverance, self reliance, and, despite dangers and fears of the unknown wilderness, overcame their misgivings. Most were not famous or widely celebrated, yet they carved out homes, farms, and a life on the frontier, and, in the process, created a great nation. They are heroes in my eyes.From my research, I better understand the plight of early Native Americans. They were ultimately swept aside by the oncoming tide of settlers, despite being fierce and resourceful. There came a time for compassion by the conquering invaders. Too many times, it did not occur. Unavoidably, the stain remains a part of America’s legacy.Thank you for reading my short stories and novels. Richard PuzHere are other books for your review ~Novels in the Six Bulls Series ~Six Bulls-The OhioansRafting from Ohio to Missouri down the big rivers of America, pioneers load their families and possessions on flatboats, seeking a new life on the American frontier. Adventures abound during their exciting and dangerous trip.The CarolinianAbraham learns how to be a man during the Battle of New Orleans and applies those principles on his tobacco plantation in North Carolina. Shunning slavery, he moves his family west. Their adventures produce a riveting account of pioneer life in the wilds of a new country, while battling the ever-present Hooker, the slaver.AvengeThe theft of prized horses sets a young man on a journey of adventure. On the trail of the last outlaw, he roams the vast wild American frontier, following the murder and rapist, as they clash in an epic battle of wits. Only one can survive.Short Stories ~AbrahamYoung raw-recruit Abraham is exposed to the terror of war during the Battle for New Orleans. A frontiersman provides the wisdom to help him become a hero.Arkansas StormPioneers on flatboats are towed by a steamboat when they run into a storm that threatens their lives and the loss of all they own.Beanblossom CreekChief Black Hawk’s men are on the warpath and Captain Custis Cauley and his militiamen are waiting. The battle that follows is epic.Captain Jonathan BuzzardBrazen and courageous, the captain takes on the five outlaws threatening a pioneer’s family—exciting and action packed!Danny BoyWhimsical and humorous, a riverbank tavern is the setting for pioneers quenching their thirst after their long wagon train journey to Indiana. It’s a roaring good time, until a fight breaks out to enliven the evening.NewtoniaSettlers on the frontier are caught between warring armies as the Civil War rages. In the midst, human compassion is extended.SmokePrairies are one of God’s greatest gifts, but these can also be deadly. Pioneers take desperate measures to save everything they have created.Sourdough Wind MineThieves are stealing gold ore and come face to face with the “enforcer.” Deep underground in the mine, the encounter plays out among flying bullets.StainThe government’s Indian Removal Act of 1830 is being implemented and farmer James Stinson and his family are in the cross hairs. This is one of many tragic stories about Indian displacement in the 1800s and remains a stain on American history. Roaring RiverBushwhackers ambush two men, killing one. The survivor leads a posse to track down the band of killers, leading to an epic battle.RunawayTobacco plantation owner Alvin Tolle is confronted with a split-second decision that will effect the rest of his life.Three BellsSettlers prepare for war with Chief Black Hawk and his warriors on remote farms in Indian. What happens one fateful night changes them forever. Views: 643
“Folk-lore tales and legends replete with the superstitious beliefs and wild imaginings of the Norse fishermen.” -The Dial “The student of folk-lore will be delighted with these gloomy legends…All have a wildness and fierceness quite in keeping with the stormy coasts and seas they belong to, and are told with great effect, and without losing much in translation.” -The Spectator “Deserving of being styled a wonder-book among wonder-books, since it is composed of some of the wildest and most fantastic stories of sorceries and strange elemental creatures that Scandinavian literature contains…but the whole book is full of delightful imaginations, and in a congenial spirit.” -Saturday Review CHAPTER I. THE FISHERMAN AND THE DRAUG II. JACK OF SJÖHÖLM AND THE GAN-FINN III. TUG OF WAR IV. "THE EARTH DRAWS" V. THE CORMORANTS OF ANDVÆR VI. ISAAC AND THE PARSON OF BRÖNÖ VII. THE WIND-GNOME VIII. THE HULDREFISH IX. FINN BLOOD X. THE HOMESTEAD WESTWARD IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS XI. "IT'S ME!" Views: 643
Luther Cross has been through Hell—literally. Born of a mother he watched die, conceived as part of a demonic ritual, and raised by monks after being saved by a mysterious, murderous individual, Cross now makes what living he does through confidence schemes…and the death of demons.Pro Se Productions goes to Hell and back with the debut of its newest Single Shot Signature Series. Author Percival Constantine introduces readers to the enigmatic, inexplicable Luther Cross.Luther Cross has been through Hell—literally. Born of a mother he watched die, conceived as part of a demonic ritual, and raised by monks after being saved by a mysterious, murderous individual, Cross now makes what living he does through confidence schemes…and the death of demons. What led to a school shooting in a small town, and why is there a mystic component involved? The spirits of the victims call out for help, and only Luther Cross can answer their cries. Views: 643
Mike and his squad launch a rescue for Trip, but nefarious forces have aligned against them. He marshals his team together, but will it be enough?Etna Station and everything Mike cares about is on the brink of collapse. All will be lost unless Mike can convince his team to heed the crazed warnings of an old friend.Against all odds, they must make a dangerous journey, leaving all at the mercy of a familiar foe who won't rest until the world is brought to its knees.Will the universe regain balance? Or will fate finally be sealed against our heroes? Find out in the pages of what may be the most action-packed chapter of the Zombie Fallout saga thus far. Views: 643
A terrifying nightmare, stranded by the side of the road, chased through the woods by demonic patchwork monsters.Three freinds travelling home from a concert in Seattle fall victim to a flat tire. But that's only the beginning of their trouble as one of them soon goes missing by the side of thr road and the other two reluctantly enter the woods to find him.But what they find will take them deep into their worst nightmares as they are chased by terrifying creatures bent on devouring them.Soon, the last one will have to enter a mysterious mansion set back in the forest. What Dark Secret will be discovered when he enters...A Doll's House. Views: 643
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. Views: 643
What if your life depended on the attention span of a teenage boy?Paddy Lee, a mollycoddled sleepwalker, mopes about in a backwater town. But then the soul-gorging Blackgum lay siege and begin to pick off his schoolmates and loved ones. Only an irritable moth-mage and Platto - his attack-calculator and semi-smartphone - will stand with Paddy to oppose oblivion. And the Blackgum strikes aren’t random. To save his family and his town, the distracted daydreamer must concentrate long enough to unmask and confront the most fearsome monster of all: the Zealtor. For Paddy Lee is a Scattersmith. Though he’d rather wait for his life to come out on DVD. A plot-driven tale told with wit, the novel features an unstable world of Forgers (creators/discoverers), Ferine (wild beasts/plants), Passengers (couch potato-drones), Witches (priests of lapsed gods), Helpers (object-spirits), and an eccentric supporting cast, including a gluttonous French horn, a multi-headbanging Giant, a guard budgie, a lovesick pinball machine, a school of psychotic piranha-stamps, a poltergeist-puddle, a plesiosaur, Manticore twins and a bullmop. If you like Darren Shan, Derek Landy, Eoin Colfer and Daniel Handler, check out The Scattersmith. Views: 643
