Some loves don't end with the relationship but burrow deep into the heart, live there hidden and silent for years, then one day for no clear reason emerge with a voice--a story to tell, a moment in time to recall and honor.Men's literary short fiction by Hosho McCreeshIn “Taco Fairy” we wonder what will $2 get you at a nearby tacqueria? Answer: A world of stupid trouble.“Say, What Ever Happened To Vidal Sassoon?" explores the sexual politics of business trips, and free hotel shampoo.*Mentioned in TORO Magazine (Canada)

Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev she announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.

Madame Lambert meets American diplomat Dexter Jones. Dedicated to her official work, the widow resists romance while becoming intrigued with the charming diplomat as he escorts her to salons across the Left Bank cultural scene. Romance ripens into commitment as momentous events unfold as the French attempt to face the Ethiopian crisis while countering the Nazi threat in the German Rhineland.In the darkening years of the 1930s, the beautiful Madame Lambert meets American diplomat Dexter Jones at the Quai d’Orsay. She works on the staff of French Premier Pierre Laval. Dedicated to her work, the austere widow resists romance while becoming increasingly intrigued with the charming diplomat as he escorts her to political and literary salons across the vibrant Left Bank cultural scene. Romance ripens into enduring commitment against a backdrop of momentous historical events as the French government attempts to contain the Ethiopian crisis at the League of Nations while countering the rising Nazi threat to remilitarize the German Rhineland.Madame Lambert witnesses first-hand the British-French diplomatic meetings between Premier Laval and British foreign secretary Sir Samuel Hoare that collapse in controversy over ending the Italo-Ethiopian war. Shortly afterwards, she is in the room when the French government bogs down with indecision over responding to Hitler’s march into the Rhineland, the key to preserving France’s alliances with its East European allies. Cameo appearances by Colonel Charles DeGaulle, André Malraux, Sylvia Beach, Adrienne Monnier, André Chamson, and journalists Genevieve Tabouis and Pertinax.

Persephone Stone, consultant turned corporate avenger seeks to avenge the injustices carried out on a daily basis by today's corporate warriors. Helped by her friends Isaac Ben Meissen and Reg Blake, she takes on the task of finding and punishing a clever and narcissistic fraudster turned murderer. Dealing out justice, and then crossing the line into retribution, Persephone is forever changed.In this book you will see how a simple insurance fraud spirals out of control, turning a small-time larcenist into a calculating killer. As Persephone's new friend Reg gives her the opportunity to put this right, she finds out that corporate avenging can be every bit as dirty as the crimes and criminals she is pursuing. It takes all she has to remain true to her cause. Helped by her best friend Isaac, the top hacker with links to the mysterious Jewish criminal underworld, she finds the villain and avenges his victims in the only way that really counts.She throws Reg a bone – who doesn’t want to get back at the human resources director? Hopefully this will keep him interested enough to keep giving her the cases from his ‘too hard basket’.Gripping, amusing and challenging, this first book will make you think about what really goes on behind boardroom doors in the cities of this world. You will be dying to read about the next piece of mayhem and murder Persephone uncovered in the construction industry.

Five ghost stories. A witch figure comes to life to exact revenge. A boy conceives a ghoulish sacrifice. A mysterious stranger picks up a hitcher. A corpse reaches out from beyond the grave. An initiate spends the night in a haunted house.These five ghost stories are certain to give you goose bumps. "The Attic Man" tells about a strange presence in the attic that terrorizes two boys. In "The Unlucky Thirteen Club," a nervous man must spend a night in a haunted house for his initiation. "The Corpse's Wife" takes place in the nation's capitol during the years of plague following the Civil War. A hitchhiker earns his fare by telling ghost stories in "The Ride With the Stranger." And "The Witch" recounts a Halloween figure that comes to life to exact a centuries-old revenge.

When our hero touches the face of evil, he resolves to fight. But he discovers when you fight fire with fire, everyone and everything gets burned, and there's nothing left to save.He knew better than to believe it could make a real difference, but he wanted to make oppression just a bit more expensive. So with the help of some friends, he hits back, and they succeed beyond their wildest dreams. Unfortunately, he paid an even higher price than those he was fighting, and almost lost his own soul. The biggest adventure of all was winning it back.

Opaque Window is a book of poems touching on Politics, Greed, Hypocrisy, Parenting, Love, Hope, and maybe some Aliens.Opaque Window is a selection of poems that have crossed through the fabrics of my mind onto paper or pixilated lettering on a glowing monitor. Some of these works are old, some are new. I would like to believe my art is timeless, and that these poems will carry validity through the ages. This short anecdote of literary pleasure can be paired with a steaming cup of coffee, a crisp Chianti, or an entire bottle of rum. I know that they pair well, because as a writer, especially a poet. Drinking is in the craft. I hope that you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed writing them. Shoot me a review either negative or positive. This book is free, so what I ask is more vital and expensive- your precious time. Thank YouKurt T Thomson

Creole gentleman Remy Pigeon has a gift, or a curse. He can touch objects and read the past from them. He prefers to stay away from trouble, but when an attractive red-head with a serious problem and a supernatural secret wanders into his house on a hot summer day, Remy knows that trouble has just found him."Flashover" is a paranormal mystery short story.The Floyd sisters are Lynda, age 13, Cheri, age 11 and Sinda, age 8. They are amateur detectives who live with their mother. The girls seem to find themselves in sometimes scary situations which call for them to become sleuths. Lynda tries to be the responsible one while Cheri and Sinda bicker a bit like sisters sometimes do. They pull together when they need to or the situation calls for it. In Tips for the Beginning Detective, the Floyd sisters offer advice to others who may find themselves in scary or unknown situations. The girls also include a mini-mystery for the reader to solve using their newfound detective tips.

Long ago certain people of the world were given the power to communicate, merge with and control the spirits so they could protect the good heart creatures of the world. As before throughout time they have come close to defeat at the hands of the dark powers and now again they must make a stand risking all they love for the greater good.Join Caleb, Mace and Lydia the last spirit warriors left in their region as they fight to keep themselves and the noble creatures of light safe from the dark clans and it's leaders. With a little time and less training then the warriors before them they hope to find the legendary tunnel of light so they can not only win but survive, can they find it in time or will they fail losing to the leaders that seem to know what they will do before they do it? Fighting for love, honor and happiness they will give all they have for the good of the world.

Little Bad Wolf is a wolf with a mission. Her mother had been killed and her father is in prison. Her mission is to get him released. To do this she must convince the Judge he is not dangerous. That should be easy. The hard part is that she must start by learning to speak human language. This is the story of her adventures.Little Bad Wolf's parents loved nothing more than dancing to the songs of Elvis Presley. They were unusual parents for wolves but had a very happy family until the day when everything went wrong. That day her mother was killed and her father was put in prison for nothing more than being a wolf.Little Bad Wolf now had a mission: to get her father released from prison.To convince the Judge he was not dangerous. That would be easy. The hard part was that she must start by learn to speak human language... but Little Bad Wolf was not the sort of creature to let impossibility stand in her way.

The four short stories included in this ebook were selected as finalists for the Best Short Stories of 2013 Award and were published during the month of December, 2013. Fans, well-wishers, and reading enthusiasts have selected this years top short story from among these distinguished finalists.Dear reader,The four short stories included in this ebook were selected as finalists for the Best Short Stories of 2013 Award and were published during the month of December, 2013. Fans, well-wishers, and reading enthusiasts have selected this years top short story from among these distinguished finalists. The results of this readers-choice poll are as follows:1. Dreamer by Janae Schiele2. Bliss by Vanessa Rasanen3. Out of the Shadows by Katrina Umland4. Facing Memories by Deanna WiseburnI hope you enjoy these stories as much as I, our judges, and all the wonderful readers at justinblaney.com did. Your friend,Justin BlaneyEditor of justinblaney.comPS, I included one of my own short stories as a bonus, fifth story at the conclusion of this volume. This is the first in a series called Isfits, which you can discover more about at isfits.com

A collection of the first twenty updates from the serial fantasy fiction "Enzi's Irregulars" as part of a weekly writing challenge. This tale follows the adventures of five unusual mercenaries and their struggles to survive and thrive in a world full of people who would be more than happy to see them dead.A collection of the first twenty updates from the serial fantasy fiction "Enzi's Irregulars" as part of a weekly writing challenge. This tale follows the adventures of five unusual mercenaries and their struggles to survive and thrive in a world full of people who would be more than happy to see them dead.Raw and unedited, this series was updated weekly for 80 continuous unbroken weeks. No edits or tweaks were allowed, the author had to complete a narrative taking any potential past writing mistakes into consideration, trying to avoid writing himself into a corner. This series gives a taste of the author's voice and the fantasy world of Doulairen.

An alien spy discovers a plot to convert the sages of the galaxy to the cult of the Living Darkness. Thwarting the plot becomes a desperate fight for survival.Swords and guns, magic and technology, human and inhuman collide in a terrible Galactic War. The peace that follows proves an unsettling calm. The alien Ambiguous Clarity is an agent of his people's Ministry of Vigilance. He recruits the war heroine Vain Glory for a mission to thwart a sinister plot. Ironically, Ambiguous Clarity is answering an invitation to his own doom.

"The Ugly Duckling" is a short story about a young girl who for years thought she was the ugly sister. She never saw herself as the pretty one. She was always awkward and very different from her older sisters and never stood out. It took her freshman year in college away from the shadow of her sisters to find the beauty that has always been there.Mutual global wellbeing clashes up against conservative international business-as-usual climate change policies. In a speculated near future, a consortium of High Impact Climate Change Countries opts to leverage geoengineering, the artificial cooling designed after natural volcanic eruptions, when negotiating climate change agreement with the rich countries of the OECD. As drones threaten anyone on the ground with Hellfire missiles, and as the political agenda heats up, the HICCC consortium selects Vince the story telling engineer and Tami the British Bangladeshi paleoclimatologist to inform Canada of their selection as a go between messenger.

On an alien world of giant insects, Rover strives to be like every other drone and mate with the queen. When he isn’t able to perform his drone duties, he struggles for acceptance and finds friendship and love in an unlikely place—among humans.On an alien world of giant insects, Rover strives to be like every other drone and mate with the queen. When he isn’t able to perform his drone duties, he struggles for acceptance and finds friendship and love in an unlikely place—among humans. Along Rover’s journey he finds he holds a key to helping humans overcome their infertility on his planet and offers a solution for uniting his people with the newcomers to his world.“The Day of the Nuptial Flight” is a 10,000 word science fiction novelette originally published in Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

A Novella, not a full book-length novel. Who would have thought that a night of babysitting could change her life forever?Since his little sister bit her in November, Matt Johnson has kept her alive. Only Natalie could have a hot guy climb through her bedroom window every night and have it mean absolutely nothing romantic.Who would have thought that a night of babysitting could change her life forever?Since his little sister bit her in November, Matt Johnson has kept her alive. Only Natalie could have a hot guy climb through her bedroom window every night and have it mean absolutely nothing romantic. Natalie works hard to hide her crush on Matt because the last thing this newly-turned vampire needs to deal with is a broken heart. Her insecurities about Matt come to a head when the mothers insist on them going to the Valentine's dance together. Will this Valentine's Day suck worse than all her previous Valentine's days?******Excerpt“Thanks,” I told him. “You’re getting good at solving my problems.”“That’s me,” he said, lifting the bottle to refill our glasses. “Synthetic blood deliveryman, fashion consultant, parental advice provider…”“Good friend,” I said. I wanted more, but I couldn’t exactly say, “Slurpalicious hottie." I mean, I didn’t have the guts.******Valentine's Day Sucks is a 16,000 word novella which would be approximately 62 pages in print. Your download will include a three-chapter excerpt of Stirring Up Trouble, a young adult novel currently available at all major retailers.

Karen has been a medium for a long time and she’s seen it all. Until now. A late night phone call summons her to a stranger’s house to help with what she thinks will be a routine haunting, but Karen is unprepared for what awaits. A young man’s life hangs in the balance as Karen faces the toughest—and possibly final—case of her career.The Legend of Brandice May. (43,500 words) A longer tale for kids around 10 -12 plus, telling of a young cat burglar with a difference. Fit, adventurous, 10 year old Lawrence has spent the last year faithfully searching for his lost kitten Lucy. When his admirable efforts pay off, he finds himself caught up in a mysterious plot involving ancient magic. For spoiling these crazy plans the evil Brandice May remains determined to wreak revenge on them both. Our two heroes fight a dangerous witch’s coven, rescue a sickly peasant girl, save the weird land of dream and visit strange, far off worlds. The kind, thoughtful pair make powerful friends on the way too, but how will Lawrence and the rather special Lucy stop the unnaturally old evil forever?

The Spring Issues are about spring, and the holidays in spring, and events of this season. This Spring 2014 issue contains writing by: Kerry E.B. Black Kat MagnoliRichard CottonSumiko SaulsonHaven MaloneShirley DentonJacqueline DriggersThe Writer's Muse Page is a group started by Richard Cotton where writers can share with and support one another. Any writers are welcome to join this group. The Writer's Group Smashwords Account was set up by Sumiko Saulson for the group to create a place to publish the quarterly free periodicals by the members of the Facebook Group. There are nearly 1000 writers on the Writer's Muse page. This Spring 2014 issue contains writing by: Kerry E.B. Black Kat MagnoliRichard CottonSumiko SaulsonHaven MaloneShirley DentonJacqueline Driggers

Javan, a decorated general and military instructor, once swore an oath to his friend, King Orvan, that should he ever be needed he would answer the call. Now, Orvan is insane, taking advice only from his dog, and he has called Javan and his three best warriors to go on a suicidal mission to retrieve a magic orange petal from the Giant Kingdom, with only a chimpanzee named Mr. Prickles to aid them.King Orvan of Dargod has been cursed with insanity, passing all sorts of crazy laws and taking advice only from his dog. But when he calls for his oldest friend, a former general and military instructor, and his three best warriors to go on a mission to find a magic orange rose petal, they soon find out that this mission is not only legit, but is vital to the survival of their kingdom. On their way they encounter obstacles such as an insane wizard, drunken oafs and their hideous mother, zombies, enemy soldiers, and a giant princess who makes them into her living dolls, and their only hope seems to Mr. Prickles, the chimpanzee that King Orvan insisted that they take along.

Installment one of four. This South Street Mob series is based on a successful FBI mob investigation in Philadelphia led by Charles “Bud” Warner, (Frank Murray) which drew national media attention and a personal commendation from Attorney General, Janet Reno. In this installment Mafia Kingpin, Scarponi, returns from prison and puts Frank Murray squarely in his cross hairs.At only 14 years old, John Malcolm finds school tough taking every hit on the chin (literally). John finally retaliates and the bully ends up violently injured. This attack causes John to go on the run making life even more difficult. On the run - John barely makes it out of his home town when a friendly stranger takes him in. With no escape John endures things that are far beyond imagination and holding onto hope keeps him going, or does it? “A bone chilling short story.”About the AuthorGareth Parker - educated at a military boarding school, always telling stories and with a proved vivid imagination finally decided to put pen to paper to create thrilling short stories for eBook readers. Parker - now enjoying the Welsh life in Cardiff works for a blue-chip company, even though he's always on the go spends his spare time enduring creativity for others to enjoy.

Chris Lawler was born into a military orientated house hold and his Officer Father forces him to join the Army that leads to the SAS. He goes on to Join the French Foreign Legion. To later find himself in Vietnam and later Angola. Eventually joining the Royal Marines and serving in Northern IrelandChris Lawler was born into a military orientated house hold, on the colourful Island of Singapore. where his Officer Father was serving at the time. Which led to a very strict up bring by his Father. Although later Chris was go a little further in recalling that his Father believing he was running the house hold like a military regime. As Chris was certain he thought he was ordering recruits around, when he was ordered to do things. He was forced to join the Army, which turned out to be the start of a complete military way of life. As he went on to join other units, that took him around the world. After a short courtship he was married and started a family. Sadly, there are times when the family spent a lot of time apart, and a major tragedy changed his complete way of life that eventually lead to crime. However, he was later to joined the French Foreign Legion, and travelled to Africa. While later he travelled to Vietnam, Angola. Eventually ending up in the Royal Marines and Northern Ireland.