Dead Limbs and Leaves

This is a collection of a variety of short short stories, and essays that may stir and warm your hearts. Although they may be short, they still bring a powerful message and an enduring ending. The stories are fun with plots that takes the reader on a journey of words fulfilling a message unto an enjoyable evening of reading. It is a short book with high hopes.Sophia's Garden is a short story about a young woman's look at life and her possible death. When family members are faced with the unknown, paralized by the inability to do anything but watch a loved one go through painful challenges, how does she teach them to live while looking at her own demise? What this short, poignant story might show you may change your life and those who love you if you are face insurmountable odds.
Views: 481

The British Army in Northern Ireland 1975-77

Over the past several years, Ken Wharton, himself a former soldier, has been prolific in his coverage of the Troubles, which spread their tentacles far from the streets, and fields of Northern Ireland. Over 4,000 people died in or as a consequence of them and it cost the lives of over 1,300 British soldiers - a fact which is unacknowledged by the MOD - and the lives of over 300 policemen and women. This is Ken’s sixth book about the period and he draws on meticulous and detailed research, first-hand testimony of the soldiers who trod the same streets as himself, and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the near 30-year period of murder, violence and civil war. The first-hand accounts help us to understand and examine the fears of the young soldiers who patrolled the dangerous streets of the Ardoyne and New Lodge, of Andersonstown, Turf Lodge and Ballymurphy and of the Creggan in Londonderry and the Derrybeg in Newry. He looks at the Loyalist paramilitaries and treats their sectarianism and mindless murder with the same contempt with which he treats the Republicans. He does not mince words about the Irish-Americans and their political stooges in the US Government, judicial system and the ordinary ‘7th generation Irishmen of the American East Coast.’ This is a book not just for soldiers, but for anyone who wishes to look back and try to understand the madness inflicted upon several generations of innocent Irish and British people. In years to come, historians - both social and military - will reflect on this period of insanity with a greater knowledge than hitherto. If you wish to know how it felt to be an innocent sectarian victim, or an off-duty soldier or policeman or a young lad from Leeds, Liverpool or London hard targeting through the Lower Falls, then this book is a must read.
Views: 466

Troubled Waters

Troubled Waters is a collection of stories that enhance some of the many troubles in our life. We all at some time or another get carried away with life’s tide, allowing it to take us out deeper than we want to go. The enrichment of the stories may calm the waters, to be still, and encourage you in the storms of your life.SHORT CREEK – Thirty years ago there was a random series of murders around Short Creek. One of the victims had disappeared and never heard of again. The other four victims laid in wait for their killer to be revealed. But, the tracks finally lay cold and the murders were turned over to a cold case file. Then one day, out of the blue, Short Creek revealed its hidden secret which opened the case unto a new revealing beginning bringing the haunting truth to the surface.WEB OF DECEIT – Katherine lay to rest her father, Wilson Ward. Her mother had already passed and her brother had drowned a few years earlier, but his body was never found. She inherited the Ward fortune and became a very wealthy woman. Not long after that, she met the man of her dreams (so to speak). After they got married they moved to Judd Island to live at their resort house on the beach. The web of deceit that unfolds takes an unforgettable twist which webbed more and more deceit throughout the story. Katherine’s best friend, Rachel, teams up with her for revenge can be bitter or sweet. But finally in the end one would take the loss and the other the world. (The love of money is the root of all evil.)FOURTEEN NEW SHINY PENNIES – Sometimes we reach out for the stars, but maybe grab the moon. Who really knows? There are times we believe the moon was hung for someone else until our lucky break comes. True, Debra wanted to be a songwriter and live in Nashville. She carried this dream all of her life, since she was a little girl. In time the door opens and she follows her dream along with its hardships and trials. Her struggles would not only bring an untimely burden that would change her life forever. But, it would warm the hearts of many who listened. Set free with her number one hit, she grabbed the moon and ran with it.TABLE FOR THREE – Jimmy Allen and Bobby Joe had grown up together. They were the best of friends. They had just graduated from high school. Jimmy had been drafted to go to Vietnam. Bobby was going off to college. It is amazing how Becky Anne, a new girl in town, had waltzed into their life. In time a table for three would develop into a struggling, unsure friendship. Becky loved them both. Or, did she? But, she could only have but one or none at all. The developing scenario that unravels throughout the story lays a hurtful and tragic ending with a sad twist.THE AUDREY MOORE SCANDAL – Outside Baton Rouge in 1945 the influential politicians had gathered with a big party for Richard Ryan Rodgers. He was up for the position as a State Supreme Court judge who Audrey was deeply in love with. At that time Audrey was at the top of the high class rollers in the political world. She had it all, power and wealth, but not the man of her dreams. She had made Richard what he was today. But, he was married now and what they once had was over. Kenneth Shields, also a friend in the threesome, was in love with Audrey. But, she didn’t know it. Then an unexpected life changing thing happens. Audrey becomes pregnant and because she was not married she was looked down upon by her peers. This took her high profile status with all her political friends. Kenneth reaches out to help her. He’s the only friend she has left. Even her daddy disowned her. But, in the end, love finds a way and victory becomes a sweet song of the heart.
Views: 454

Tickle Box

Tickle Box is a fun and moving collection from Bobby’s Children’s Stories Collection. It will tickle your fancy and cause your belly to jiggle from a ha, ha, ha and hee, hee, hee. It will definitely make your grin become a smile.Chase Ransom is a high tech garbage man, and proud of it. He should be. Garbage of the future is a valuable commodity, and mining old landfills is big business. But he isn't the only one in the business. One of his mob-connected competitors is getting in his way. Now Chase must teach him a lesson if he wants to stay on top.Also Included in Space and Waste, Anthology #1 (ISBN 9781476008561) and Anthology #3 (ISBN 9781476122038)
Views: 438

Thistles and Thorns

Thistles and Thorns is the third collection of stories by Bobby A. Troutt. The stories take you through New Orleans, Charleston, South Carolina, to Windle, Missouri. Each story has its thistles with a pretty bloom along with the thorns of life. Life has its thorns dressed in pretty flowers. Even the prettiest roses have thorns.MASQUERADEWhen a wealthy retired businessman and his wife moved to New Orleans it opens a whole new world for them, some for the better and for the most the worse. From Bourbon Street, Mardi Gras, and the encounters of a call girl turns the story into blackmail and murder. In this twisted and turnabout triangle of a love story and the surprises to come afterward can’t be taken back. As time passes, the story deepens with more secrets and that in the end unlocks the truth with the encounters of suspense that opens hearts unto hope.BAY POINT ISLANDWinfred Scott, a self-made millionaire living off the coast of Georgia, engages a secret of the family that in the end will bring happiness and sorrow to his daughter, Cheryl. The discussion he had made will intrigue another division of the family that will cost them dearly. His actions will lay dormant until the end and the final uncovering of the past of the long ago secret will bring a surprise ending that will unlock another secret from long ago. Secrets sometimes come out and may be deadly. They may get the best of you. WAGES OF SINA serial killer is on the prowl in Charleston, South Carolina. His victims are from the gay community. A driven rage drives the killer in this series of murder. Tormented and driven by his hurt from an abusive childhood he tries to share his pain with others by a killing spree. The gay community is haunted and terrorized by the killing. As the story unravels, the police started to move in. The twisted turns and the surprising new evidence bring the truth out that had been hidden for years. But, by the new awakening of the truth, then end is near with double trouble.THE CAW OF THE CROWBenjamin Morris is a young reporter who has been assigned to write a story on the Legend of the Caw of the Crows. The story takes place in Stonehollow, Tennessee in Carol County in 1953. The mystery opens when three roughneck men, troublemakers, rape and kill a gypsy women and her husband one night not far from town. The moon was full and a dark shadow now hung over the town. The men had been drinking and what started out to be a little fun turned into murder. But as the story unfolds the revenge is bittersweet as the will crows take the revenge for the gypsies on the town and the three murderers. The unexpected haunting of the birds drive the townspeople in fear and death and the death of the three men will be the only hope for a payday. The crows are driven by the scent of the blood of the gypsies and they will not stop until the three men have paid with their lives.WEEPING WATERSIn Windle, Missouri in 1927 in the community of Weeping Waters, Grady Pedigo has received his new mail order bride. He was the happiest man on the face of the earth. Things took off good for them. Everything was fine until his new bride takes up with a traveling salesman name Joseph, a nice looking young man with black wavy hair and dark eyes. The affair, you may say, drove Grady insane. Driving him with rag, fury, and not to mention the haunting of the weeping waters. Rose, his wife, became pregnant and this sort of dampened his fury because he thought it may be his. But, as the wild fire romance continued on, Grady came up with a full proof plan that would free him once and for all. But, his revenge was costly. However, he was willing to pay the price. To this day no one has ever seen Rose of Joseph again. Stories are told and people have talked that she left with Joseph, her lover, and disappeared somewhere. But, did she?
Views: 434

Distant Star: Episode Two - Far Future

Distant Star was an experiment to make a Show like "Twilight Zone" but with absolutely no budget. Now they are published here for anyone to enjoy and do with what they will."Far Future" Considers the possibility of a life after a frozen death, but what will we have to do to earn it?Nankichi Niimi is undoubtedly one of Japan's most highly regarded writers of fantasy fiction. Book 3 of Tales from a Japanese Dreamland is an introduction to Niimi's writing through one of his most famous children's stories. Mama fox only wants the best for her little one, so when the cold winter arrives and her precious boy needs some mittens, then she knows what she must do. The only problem is that she is afraid and her legs won't take her any further. So her son must go on his own. The highlight of this delightful children's story is the beautiful description of the foxes' journey through the snow covered woods during the middle of the night.Buying Mittens is also available in Books 2 & 5 of the series Tales from a Japanese Dreamland.Nankichi Niimi was born Shohachi Watanabe in what is now Handa City, Aichi Prefecture, on July 30, 1913, with the year 2013 marking 100 years since his birth. It was recently estimated that over 60 million people have read Gon the Fox which he penned at just 17 years of age. Although Niimi went on to write a large number of poems and short stories, such as Buying Mittens, Grandpa's Lamp and When the Thieves Came to Hananoki Village before his death from tuberculosis at age 29, Gon the Fox is undoubtedly the most famous and well-loved of all his works, and perhaps the most famous Japanese children's story of all time. About Little J BooksHi, my name is Paul and I started Little J Books because I personally wanted to be able to read more of these kinds of Japanese stories in English, especially in ebook form. By putting these stories into an ebook format they will be available for anyone to access anywhere in the world, forever. If you know of any other Japanese stories like these that it is hard to get your hands on (because they are sold out or just too expensive), please let me know.
Views: 432

When Autumn Falls

When Autumn Falls is a mix of average people, their lives and places. It will bring you comfort and enrich your heart. It will awaken your memories of times past, strengthen you and drive you at the same time. You will be encouraged to meditate on tomorrow. Words are only lost whenTAYLOR’S CHILDREN’S SCHOOL AND ORPHANAGEWhat appears to be a freak accident not far from the orphanage in time develops into a full scale search for some lost children that have been missing for years. The story leads you through old secrets, a love story, murder, and will enhance your ending into an unforgettable truth. Old secrets never die; they live in the haunting memories of people’s minds.PORTLAND 16 MILESOnce the strawberry capital of the world, Portland is known for its bright red strawberries that lay in the fields ripe for picking, but so does someone else after a body is found in one of the fields. The story starts to unravel into a time long ago. Forgotten by many, the truth of the past haunts the town again. When the blood runs off and begins to wash away it reveals the red berry. The taste becomes sweeter as the truth unravels, freeing you into the flavoring of the plot of the story.3019 FLAT ROADAt the end of Flat Road, Kimberly’s house stands tarnished with secrets and haunted by ghosts. Her stays there take her on a moving journey in her mind and out of a real world unto a make believe world of fantasy. It winds her thoughts and steals her memories into a tormenting few weeks. Is it real or not? The reader holds the key. The answer is in the words. The lives of a few hold in the balance or is it too late? In the end a secret is revealed that justifies the truth of it all or does it?STILL SMALL VOICEWhen two young girls are forced to leave home, their lives will never be the same. But in the end it turns out for the best. While on the way to Nashville, Tennessee their hearts ache, their eyes cry, and all seems so hopeless. But, the Lord, unknowing to them, has made a way for them. When a secret blessing happens it heals their hearts and dries their eyes. That which they lost is gone forever. It is remolded and remade into a Godly blessing. The truth will set you free.DUCK, DUCK, GOOSEWhen a spree of murders begins to take place, an outsider of the town appears to be the killer. Three men take it upon themselves to bring the judgment for the murder victims. They are so sure of themselves. They come against the outsider only to push it too far and an innocent man dies. But who is the killer. Is it a stranger passing through, or is it one of the three? Will we ever know?
Views: 431

Leftover from the Holidays

Leftover from the Holidays is a selected gift from Bobby’s children’s classics. These stories are bouncing off the wall with fun twists and turns that children will enjoy. The gift is perfect for the holidays. (See also Giggles Holiday Stories by Bobby A. Troutt, published by Goose River Press)An adult fictional, short story about a man's journey of self-empowerment and discovering life. When he experiences a life changing event he re-evaluates his life and pushes himself to the limits. Throughout his journey he finds himself through past, present, and future events. The story provokes an emotional roller coaster, only to conclude that the ending is the beginning and beginning the end.After you have enjoyed this free ebook, the author would love your feedback!
Views: 396

Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a mixture of thoughts and words to bring some new stories to your heart. The challenging plots and characters will lead you unto some fresh ideas that will enhance your joy of reading. The collection of stories will entertain you with second guessing and make you wonder. Life can be bitter or sweet and our trying times can sometimes push us further than we want to go.DARK HOLLOW CREEK/RETURN TO DARK HOLLOW CREEKThe surprising twists of the story come alive when a bus load of strangers are stranded in a snow storm and take lodge in an abandoned inn. While there, their lives begin to unravel as the storms moves on. The strangers intertwine with their own problems touching the lives of the others which create a surprising finish in their snowbound prison. Finally, they are set free and are on their way to go on with their lives. But, they have made a vow to each other to return to Dark Hollow in ten years for a reunion. FALSE WITNESSA judge picks up a prostitute hitchhiking in Mississippi. He had killed his wife and has her in the trunk of the car. He hires the prostitute to be a false witness to cover up his wife’s murder. The judge has everything worked out with his money and influence. All the prostitute has do is lie. Will it work? He seems to think so. What about you? All she has to do is just lie.DOUBLE TROUBLEWhen Tommy has an affair with another woman and she ends up pregnant, his wife Kimberly is haunted by his infidelity which later on leads to divorce. Revenge may seem sweet at times, but it can be bitter. When Tommy finds out that Kimberly is going to inherit some big money, he doesn’t want a share he wants it all. He then creates a plan to have her stalked, scared and murdered if that what it takes. He hires a set of twins to get the job done. (Double Trouble), do I need to say anymore. In the end, you will find an impressive conclusion which may be rewarding.ON THE CORNER OF PERRY STREETOn the Corner of Perry Street is a little different type of story. On the corner of Perry Street is a bus stop. Throughout the story, all different kinds of people catch the bus there. The bus stop is the only one in town and it is headed out of town. The bus riders who come that way have a lot to say as they wait for the bus.BRIDGE OVER MCKINLEY COUNTY RIVERA young couple and a child’s life are determined on the McKinley Bridge. Their lives will be changed forever by a man with a jealous rage and a lot of anger in his heart. Lives are turned around and changed forever through an incident that just happened. We all have done wrong. We all pay for our wrongs, but it is sad to say innocent players will suffer. Whether we know or believe it, our lives touch the lives of others sometimes without us knowing it.
Views: 354

As Time Goes By

Alice Taylor brings the reader with her on her 80th birthday year. Alice had a big birthday on the horizon, the village was about to celebrate many milestones, and she had just received the gift of a book focusing her on the art of living well. So she decided to write about her year as it unfolded, to keep a journal of the big events, and record the twists and turns normal life brings to all of us in just one year. But 2018 turned out to be far from normal, with storms, snow blizzards, blistering sun, severe drought and water shortages. She describes the challenges of all these dramatic weather changes. Alice began the year wondering how she would feel about reaching eighty. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was just another milestone on a journey that is still varied and interesting. Here she writes about these feelings, and the many pleasant and challenging events of her eightieth year.
Views: 339

Giggle Book One

Giggle Book One is a select collection of Bobby’s Children Stories that children can read themselves or their parents can read them to them. It’s a giggle and not a laugh. These simple story lines are filled with surprises and twists that lead to a laugh, which is a good thing because laughter is good for the soul. The stories are rewarding but to the point.The PA is a humourous short story about the world post-apocalypse (PA). It is 1182 words.
Views: 321

In Times of Quitting

Dwell not on the past that has come and gone or the future of tomorrow. Live humbly from day to day and when night falls, rest. God is still in control.In life, we all go through hardships and troubles. Hopefully, in this collection of writing you may find an answer to help you deal with them. If not, keep looking up, seek the light at the end of the tunnel, reach out and let your cries be heard.
Views: 315

The Fall of Autumn

The Fall of Autumn is a special variety of short stories with surprising twists of murder mysteries. The stories enhance the readers in unexpected events that bring them to unexpected conclusions. The stores are enriched with moments that will take the readers to surprising and twisted heights.THE RAG MANThe Rag Man is a story that will turn hearts and water eyes. One person sometimes can hold the key to a blessing for someone else.THE TRIPLE CREEK MURDERIt was a 40th year class reunion at Triple Creek Park. Several classmates met early that morning for coffee and donuts. The reunion went good and everyone enjoyed it. But, one of the classmates was reported missing and was later found murdered. Who did it and why?I SEE YOUI See You is the sequel to Eli’s Cry. Who would have thought the retired FBI agent, Brandon, would think he would ever have to face a killer from his past. The warning from Eli came in the nick of time.HIDE-AND-SEEKWhen a convict is on his way to a new trial, the prison van is involved in a wreck and the convict gets away. Murders at a nearby campground flare up and the police are in a frantic search to find the ex-con who was last seen near the campground. Two murders have already happened. Will there be more before he is found?2:00 AM2:00 AM is a detective story of murder with bizarre twists. Who did it and why will lead to a surprising killer. 2:00 AM opens with the mystery of a murdered homeless man and then unravels a cold case from the past.THE EDGE OF NIGHT TO THE LIGHT OF DAYThis is a love story of two people who were childhood sweethearts. Will race, war and unpredictable and unstable times keep them together or will it drive them apart? Time will tell.AUTUMN HARVESTA simple two week vacation to Mexico was all that is was supposed to be. However, an unexpected twist occurs in the gulf. As the twist unravels as the story goes on will in the end bring another surprising twist.APT. 3 ACROSS FROM APT. 4Jonathan and Deborah first met in the hallway of an apartment building. Their friendship became a bonding relationship that would last a lifetime.WITCHER’S LAKEA weekend retreat at Witcher’s Lake for Ricky and Crystal Hartley was a chance for them the get away for a while to enjoy a second honeymoon. But, little did they know, it would be far from that. On the way, they are involved in a car wreck which turns their weekend in to a bizarre twist that unravels an old secret from Witcher’s Lake past.THE RIVER’S EDGEWhen two boys were playing along the river’s edge, they find the body of a dead woman. It opens up a bizarre story of twisted events. As the detectives search for a homeless man they think is linked to the murder, another body is found. As the detectives work on the two murder cases, the killer is revealed with a surprise ending.
Views: 296

Distant Star: Episode One - In The Twilight

Distant Star was an experiment to make a Show like "Twilight Zone" but with absolutely no budget. Now they are published here for anyone to enjoy and do with what they will."In The Twilight" concerns and Civil War soldier and a person he meets who seems alien, but may not be so different after all.Witness a first-person view of a changed world. A solitary survivor hides in a mountain above the city, living in a trailer with the door and windows duct-taped shut. Outside, the air is poisoned with a virulent disease that has killed off most humans. Those who lived have become something else. Something that hunts and kills. Survival in this new world comes down to two, simple rules: stay quiet and protect the air. It's an obsessive and regimented life, but one day a visitor comes up the mountain that threatens everything.Part I of a can't-miss series. Part II out now.
Views: 252