A collection of short stories and micro fiction. Fantasy. Horror. Comedy. There is a tale for everyone within these pages. Featuring 10 short stories and 10 micros, these quick reads are perfect when you only have a few minutes.The sound of breaking glass wakes Colin and brings him downstairs. But what he finds in his living room is not a burglar. It's just a boy called Joe who is really much too sad to be any kind of danger. Joe is also much too drunk and talkative to be a comfortable companion for Colin. And that's when the boy begins telling the story of what brought him to the Colin's house; describing the events of the days and weeks before and the significance of the heart-shaped locket that he holds in his hands. It is only then that Colin realises just how much he has in common with the painfully lost young man he is talking to.The eighth part of the Diamonds collection of short stories and a sequel of sorts to both ‘The Devil eats Coleslaw’ and ‘The Graveyard’, 'Hello Emptiness' is a story of grief and hope, and how sometimes we can find help from the least likely person in the least likely of circumstances.

After a near death experience in Afghanistan, Andy Chavez, a United States Marine, is informed of his wife's deportation into a drug infested area of Mexico. Disregarding a warning from the American government, Andy decides to cross the border alone. What he will face next will change his life forever.This book contains six of the eighteen fairy tales from Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book (1889). The stories have been rewritten sentence by sentence to make them accessible to 21st century American children. The 6 stories include Toads and Diamonds, Beauty and the Beast, Snow-white and Rose-red, Why the Sea is Salty, Felicia and the Pot of Carnations, Hansel and Grettel.The great beauty of Andrew Lang’s Blue Fairy Book, originally published in 1889, is that it brought together many different fairy tale traditions. There are stories written by Charles Perrault and Mme d’Aulnoy, collected by the Grimm brothers and Asbjornsen and Moe, and translated from the Arabian Nights. It is a very rich collection of fairy tales.However, the stories are written in a language that is outdated and in places inaccessible to modern American children (and even their parents). To remedy this problem, I have thoroughly edited half of the stories contained in Lang`s book, keeping the stories as intact as possible, while revising every sentence so the stories can once again be read with pleasure by children.

The spaces between the connect and the disconnect are in concert when a young psychiatric intern, Doctor Pierce, faces the many challenges that the state run institution of Westwood presents to him. There he meets Paige, a frail and catatonic patient, that changes both of their lives forever. Through cryptic passages and heavy metaphor, the story unfolds to a bewildering and unnerving ending.The spaces between the connect and the disconnect are in concert when a young psychiatric intern, Doctor Pierce, faces the many challenges that the state run institution of Westwood presents to him. There he meets Paige, a frail and catatonic patient, that forever changes both of their lives. Through cryptic passages and heavy metaphor, the story unfolds to a bewildering and unnerving ending.

Emma doesn't know what's worse; the voices screaming in her head or the shadows hunting her.Monsters haunt her dreams, but humans are her worst nightmare...Just as Emma Kincaid came into some disturbing empathic powers, she lost her mother in a car crash. She is also pretty certain she's being followed, maybe even hunted. But, is it the shadowy creatures that haunt her nightmares or the mysterious guy, shrouded in darkness, who just enrolled at Jefferson High?

Shasa and her siblings, who have water based super powers, are dragged into the fight against the Inimicus, a team of super villains. The only problem is, they don't know exactly who the villains are...Shasa is sick of living on an island. Sure, it might be an island in the Atlantic Ocean, but when your only friends are your brothers and your sister, life can be tedious.Especially when you’re forbidden to leave. Having trained for years to hone her elemental super powers alongside her siblings, Shasa wants to escape Aqua Island and use her water based skills to help people. But before she can, Shasa is dragged into a fight: a dangerous battle between good and evil, one that the Ventus Trio are already engaged in. But when Niyol and his sisters arrive on Aqua Island, a massive revelation changes everything. And Shasa doesn’t know who to trust…Taking place three weeks after the events of Ventus, Aqua is an action thriller that pits one team of superheroes against another: but who will triumph?

One Christmas Eve night, Stephen Swift prepares to end his life. In the process, he not only finds a reason to live but also learns that love is the greatest power of all. A hauntingly-beautiful Christmas short story.Arnold Cheek is a big city P.I. and his world is just like ours… except for one thing. In Arnold’s world, the fungus is a little more aggressive – mushrooms grow through bedrock and cement, and vinegar washes are the only things that keep mold from springing up on human skin. While investigating the disappearance of a girl, Cheek finds himself caught in a web of confusion and deceit, where his own actions and thoughts can’t even be trusted, and the everyday horrors of his life and his world are nothing compared to the horrors he’ll find in the Nursery.A detective/horror short story. Approximately 7,000 words.

The Games are Forever! It���s one thing to Qualify and Compete��� Now she must Win. Gwen Lark, nerd, geek, and awkward smart girl, is one of the few lucky teenage refugees to escape the extinction-level asteroid barreling towards Earth and reach the ancient colony planet Atlantis. Now she must compete in the brutal and deadly Games of the Atlantis Grail to save everyone and everything she loves...

Scarred. Scared. Alone. Can sixteen-year-old Shawna Stone overcome her inner suffering and transcend the past? Shawna spent her first 16 years in Vegas, learning to handle anything from a Vegas hustle to skipping out on rent. Damaged, she's survived . When her mom abandons her with only a bus ticket, she ends up on a CA horse ranch with a grandmother she's never known. Can they heal each other?Scarred. Scared. Alone. Can sixteen-year-old Shawna Stone overcome her inner suffering and transcend the past? Shawna has spent the first sixteen years of her life in Las Vegas and learned to handle anything from a Las Vegas hustle to skipping out on the rent. Damaged inside and out, she's survived with a tough, hardened attitude. When her mother abandons her, with only a bus ticket and the name and number of stranger to call, this troubled , desperate teen finds herself on a California horse ranch with Kay Stone, the steely, youngish grandmother she's never known. Kay overwhelms Shawna with rules and daily barn chores, and Shawna baffles Kay with her foul-mouthed anger and shrugging indifference to everything--except the maltreated horse on the ranch next door. But it's worse than even Kay suspects: Shawna's driven to cut herself by Monster, that strange voice inside her head. Kay struggles to keep the ranch going and fears that unless she helps this girl, she could lose her last living family member.As this unlikely pair struggles to co-exist, will they overcome their suffering and transcend the past? Blurbs from authors:“Sliding on the Edge is the compelling, courageous chronicle of one girl—destined to be a no one—who fights back against her secret grief and pain and finds her life.” Judy Gregerson, author of Bad Girls Club“C. Lee McKenzie’s extraordinarily moving novel accomplishes a rare feat: It manages to be a coming -of-age story for both its troubled teen protagonist and the grandmother who takes her in. But Sliding on the Edge’s beating heart is Shawna Stone: a girl you can’t help rooting for, even when she doesn’t see much point in rooting for herself. Readers won’t likely forget her.”Dan Ehrenhaft, author of The Afterlife and Tell It to Naomi

The Family Reunion has been described as the Walton family meets Stephen Leacock. It is a collection of vignettes and character sketches woven together around a family reunion. Put your feet up and be ready to chuckle – A light read for the whole family.The Family Reunion has been described as the Walton family meets Stephen Leacock. It is a collection of vignettes and character sketches woven together around a family reunion. Put your feet up and be ready to chuckle – A light read for the whole family. You will find yourself reading to the family at the dining room table or at your next family reunion. The author says "They are stories and personal characteristics that I see in myself and in others. They are simply the launching platform buried between truth and fiction."A must read, family fun book, to be shared around the fire or the dining room table for all to enjoy - young and old.> I just finished "The Family Reunion". What an uplifting and warm piece of literature. I could not put it down. I simply devoured it. Thanks so much.

Tawana Saunders is writing the great American novel. Problem is, six months into the project, she’s only got a rough draft plus three lousy paragraphs.Last weekend I was looking through my computer. Over the years I've written short stories on whatever subject that interested me at the moment. Here is a sample for you to enjoy. In the properties of each file I found the earliest date recorded on my present computer and listed it. I included it for your information only. I only did minor editing to clean up the stories. I only ask one thing. After you read these stories, please go to the end of the book and click on the link and let me know how you liked each story. A simple GOOD, BAD, TERRIBLE, QUIT POLLUTING THE INTERNET WITH E-BOOKS, or any other comment will let me know which type of stories you like. I don't aim to please, because I write for my enjoyment, whether you like them or not. However, I do listen and sometimes change my mind.Back before I knew about e-books I took a writing course online. One of the questions asked was my goal to get published. Because I knew that the publishing houses controlled writers, I replied that I wanted to collect a thousand rejection slips. The instructor praised me for my attitude because she said that many aspiring writers gave up after rejections by the print publication houses. I failed because I only collected seven before I discovered online publishing at Smashwords. No use banging my head against a brick wall where someones else's preconceived ideas limit my freedom of expression.

For a long time I had seen this coming. Her soft tender kiss, and the whisper in my ear. The night was cold, so her breath was like fire. I awoke to realise I was seeing the future again. A flash fiction about the burdens of knowing the future.This is a collection of fiction stories of various subjects designed to entertain you. From being stranded in a raging flood, to escaping pending nuptials, to an attack by civilians with a "strange" illness, plus more. This is a great read for an afternoon.

One will betray her.Still reeling from the events of Greece, the hunters find themselves targeted by demons and werewolves. As they try to figure out who has marked them for assassination and why, Shanna learns more about who the mysterious figure Diana was, and about the people she is hunting alongside. After the dust settles, they will never be the same again.Gish Heart is in trouble. At 35, her small public relations firm has dwindled to nothing. She has a mortgage, a car, debt and a penchant for independence. Now, she is forced to seek work in the "real world," say what she's "supposed" to say and do what she's "supposed" to do. She is not pleased. What's more, she's pretty sure she's falling for her recruiter, a friend from college and a sympathetic listening ear.

After he found a black orb, Rey found himself in another world called Spheria, a world where their civilization shaped by magical orb called Sphere. Unexpectedly he involved in a mission to investigate a mysterious incident in the West Rim, a land in the west of Ishtar Kingdom. There he found that the old enemy began to rise and bring the old terror with him.It all began when Rey found a black crystal ball inside the old relic. Taken out of the blue by the mysterious power of the crystal, he finds himself in the world called Terra, a world where the civilization shaped by magical orb called Sphere.Two decades have passed after the fall of the Dark Lord and Spheria at the time of peace since then. But now the unknown menace spreads in the Kingdom of Ishtar, on the west a mysterious army called Phantoms swept one village to another, took their peoples and leaved the place into desolation. His unexpected meeting with Scarlett, a royal guardian, has brought him into a mission to investigate this mysterious incident. Along with Aska of the Volk Tribe, a tribe who can transform into wild beast and Eorin, a girl skilled in crafting magic they went into a dangerous journey; hunts by assassins and dragon rider, fought against Gargantua, an abominable giants from nameless realm and battles against the Phantoms.On the journey they found that the old enemy began to rise and the old horror will spread upon the world.

Tuck is a battle assessor, using his mecha to evaluate damage dealt after his army completes a battle. The latest fight was on an unfamiliar planet against a lot of under powered Amazons. What secret does he find buried under all those bodies? Why won't his AI work right? And what in the world is a rainbow?Tuck is a battle assessor, using his mecha to evaluate damage dealt after his army completes a battle. The latest fight was on an unfamiliar planet against a lot of under powered Amazons. What secret does he find buried under all those bodies? Why won't his AI work right? And what in the world is a rainbow? There's only one way to find the answers to these mysteries; you have to dive into the 1st issue of The Miserable Planet by Jacob Lindaman.

Atla's training was far from complete when he was recruited by Pevan to help her rescue her brother. Now he's got to find a safe route through the Second Realm to the Court of the Children of the Wild, and along for the trip is Chag Van Raighan, still the most wanted man in the First Realm.A modern adaptation of Aesop's Fable The Lion and The Mouse. Neil is a typical high school freshman. He follows the rules and hangs out with his friends. Neil also has a bully problem. Dennis is a senior with some anger issues. Dennis likes to make Neil's life hellish. When Dennis gets into some trouble of his own, it's up to Neil to help him out.

But he was born with a heart of black and the face of nightmares, and he absolutely refused to drag Tilula into the scrutiny of the public eye. On the other hand, if it weren’t for his ugliness and his desire to escape the outside world, he wouldn’t have met Tilula in the first place.It was not beauty that saved this beast...Once upon a time, there was a prince such as no prince had ever been before. He lived away from all other mortal men and women, never loved and never loving. Then his story unfolds.This is a beloved fairy tale, told and retold throughout the centuries in so many ways and forms. Read once again the story of how love conquers all, even a black heart.

A short story about a white envelope, a man, and a boy. Designed as a 'coffee cup' read - just long enough to read over a cup of coffee.A dark future awaits...After a decade of storms, disease, drought, and riots, the US conquers its troubles by militarizing its government. Old democratic allies in Europe respond uneasily to the change.in 2055 Arinna and Michael Prescot are just two of the many former soldiers sent to foreign embassies in the hopes of strengthening faltering US alliances. But as the US becomes embroiled in new internal terrorism, its agents in Europe are offered intimidation and lies rather than explanations. And the price of seeking the truth to events back home is steep.As the growing conflict in the US threatens the peace of Europe and tips the world toward World War III, choices of loyalty need to be made - if Michael and Arinna can determine who to trust and if the price of their help is worth the cost. Global events hinge on a few individuals as an apocalyptic war threatens Europe, and no one is more unprepared than its potential saviors.Stories from the War consists of eleven interlinked short stories that are a prelude to the military dystopian thriller trilogy Friends of my Enemy.Set in Europe, this near future fiction series of novels unfolds through the intersecting lives of a small handful of people and explores adult themes, both dark and hopeful, of friendship, romance, and family, including how these influences direct everyday choices which ripple outwards to impact governments on the verge of an apocalypse. Because not all influence is good, and not all decisions can be made in time.What readers are saying:“Part one of what appears to be an interesting tale of tangled relationships and covert happenings in a future earth torn asunder with riots and natural disasters. Strong characterization and believable scenarios coupled with a setting that is thought provoking and entertaining. I want to read the next one. Check this story out!” - J.Williams 4 stars“Autumn has done it again. This book will grab you and carry you from beginning to end without a moment of boredom. Think of the quotation "The Enemy of my enemy is my friend" and you gain some insight into the substance of the story. I normally like Fantasy Adventure, but this novel was a great walk through something a little different. Can't recommend it enough.” - Victor 5 stars

Poetry that moves. Poetry that inspires from the master of prose.This is a story of a young boy (Bill) growing up under the influence of his grandfather (Grampy). Bill's dad travels for his job and Grampy becomes a role model for Bill. Bill learns many lessons from his grandfather. He learns about everything from fishing to religion to dying. Grandfather teaches Bill the same values he taught his father years earlier. Enjoy this light hearted look at the adventures of a young boy and the things he learns as he matures.

Bella has a problem - she's started seeing shadows, hearing thoughts and experiencing things that are just beyond the realm of what's normal. Not only that, but she has attracted the attention of a bad group of people.This is the first episode in the Invisible series, a series of supernatural Christian that will introduce you to a group of extraordinary people who possess extraordinary abilitiesBella has a problem - she's started seeing shadows, hearing thoughts and experiencing things that are just beyond the realm of what's normal. Not only that, but she has attracted the attention of a bad group of people.This is the first episode in the Invisible series, a series of supernatural Christian novellas and novels that will introduce you to a group of extraordinary people who possess extraordinary gifts. Each of these individuals must choose whether to use their gifts and abilities to fight the forces of darkness, or join them and wreak havoc upon the world.

Mrs Philpots owns the corner fruit and vegetable shop. One day she discovers that a bad bunch of grapes are ruining her window display. She throws the bad bunch into the rubbish bin in the rear yard. By the magic of the moon light the grapes come to life. Tosh, Harry Bob and Pip set about returning to their home land. The Land of Grapes.Breaking into peoples houses they becomeTHE GRAPE ROBBERSMrs Philpots owns the corner fruit and vegetable shop. One day she discovers that a bad bunch of grapes are ruining her window display. She throws the bad bunch into the rubbish bin in the rear yard. By the magic of the moon light the grapes come to life. Tosh, Harry, Bob and Pip set about returning to their home land. The Land of Grapes. Breaking into peoples houses they become,THE GRAPE ROBBERS to survive.The King of the Grapes is displeased by their actions and orders his troops to search for them and return them, home to him. But will Ned and his troops find them as the bad bunch are washed into the sewer and almost eaten by a rat.This the first story

The Davis kids have acquired land and a cattle ranch from their Civil War injured father. Trying to make the ranch profitable the Davises notice some of their cattle disappearing. After seeing strange things on their ranch such as Indian arrows and unknown riders the Davises believe there is more to the disappearance of their cattle then what they initial thought.The Davis kids have acquired land and a cattle ranch from their Civil War injured father. Trying to make the ranch profitable the Davises notice some of their cattle disappearing. After seeing strange things on their ranch such as Indian arrows and unknown riders the Davises believe there is more to the disappearance of their cattle then what they initial thought. As Bub and A.J. track down the supposed thieves Soph guards their small stone house that was passed down by their folks. Things start to heat up when they have confrontation with their neighbors the Farlands. After a showdown on the land the Davises know they are in for a bloody resolution.