A 16 year old girl has disappeared. The police believe she is a runaway. Her parents believe she has been taken and is being held against her will. When the parents enlist the services of Frank Rozzani, a former police officer turned private detective, a series of events begins to unfold that implicates a popular local pastor and the religious stronghold of the ultra-conservative community.A 16 year old girl has disappeared. The police believe she is a runaway. Her parents believe she has been taken and is being held against her will. When the parents enlist the services of Frank Rozzani, a former police officer turned private detective, a series of events begins to unfold that implicates a popular local pastor and the religious stronghold of the ultra-conservative community. Frank Rozzani, a transplant to Jacksonville, Florida from Syracuse, New York, must find the young girl despite the obstacles launched at him from the local police and others whose interests may be compromised by his investigation. Frank enlists the help of his associate Clifford “Jonesy” Jones to find the girl, uncover the conspiracy, and stay alive. While solving the case, Frank must deal with the demons that drove him from Upstate New York causing him to leave traumatic memories and his children behind.

Ailing Harvey Morgenstern tries to convince Jerry Weizman that his time machine can allow return to Rachel Rosen, dead in mysterious circumstances long ago and loved by the two young men. But doesn't Harvey want to expose his once rival to the rays of the machine that are killing its inventor? And why does Jerry try to sabotage the return to Rachel? The answers to these questions are startling.Harvey Morgenstern promises miracles but the dying genius’ so-called time-machine is anything but impressive : a dusty old black-and-white TV in the basement stuck on one channel and showing a table-leg out of the 1930’s, the ghostly image of a conversation between two long-dead women, a pair of dogs in ancient endless copulation.Harvey promises better things to his penniless assistant and former friend Jerry Weizman : a way to slow down time and project oneself back to loved-ones, above all back to Rachel Rosen, dead in mysterious circumstances half a century earlier, and loved by the two young men.Jerry is slowly sucked down into Harvey’s obsession. He too seems to voyage back to the time of their youth. But how much of their visions are subjective distortions due to drugs, alcohol, yearning or growing mental unbalance? Why has Harvey hired him after decades of estrangement following Rachel’s death? Isn’t it to expose him to the rays of the time machine that are killing its inventor? Why does Jerry try to sabotage return to Rachel?All those questions. And at the end startling answers.Harvey Morgenstern promises miracles but the dying genius’ so-called time-machine is anything but impressive : a dusty old black-and-white TV in the basement stuck on one channel and showing a table-leg out of the 1930’s, the ghostly image of a conversation between two long-dead women, a pair of dogs in ancient endless copulation.Harvey promises better things to his penniless assistant and former friend Jerry Weizman : a way to slow down time and project oneself back to loved-ones, above all back to Rachel Rosen, dead in mysterious circumstances half a century earlier, and loved by the two young men.Jerry is slowly sucked down into Harvey’s obsession. He too seems to voyage back to the time of their youth. But how much of their visions are subjective distortions due to drugs, alcohol, yearning or growing mental unbalance? Why has Harvey hired him after decades of estrangement following Rachel’s death? Isn’t it to expose him to the rays of the time machine that are killing its inventor? Why does Jerry try to sabotage return to Rachel?All those questions. And at the end startling answers.Harvey Morgenstern promises miracles but the dying genius’ so-called time-machine is anything but impressive : a dusty old black-and-white TV in the basement stuck on one channel and showing a table-leg out of the 1930’s, the ghostly image of a conversation between two long-dead women, a pair of dogs in ancient endless copulation.Harvey promises better things to his penniless assistant and former friend Jerry Weizman : a way to slow down time and project oneself back to loved-ones, above all back to Rachel Rosen, dead in mysterious circumstances half a century earlier, and loved by the two young men.Jerry is slowly sucked down into Harvey’s obsession. He too seems to voyage back to the time of their youth. But how much of their visions are subjective distortions due to drugs, alcohol, yearning or growing mental unbalance? Why has Harvey hired him after decades of estrangement following Rachel’s death? Isn’t it to expose him to the rays of the time machine that are killing its inventor? Why does Jerry try to sabotage return to Rachel?All those questions. And at the end startling answers.

A short story about a chance encounter with the devil.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.

Beneath Thailand’s veneer of smiling people and luxury hotels lies a dark underworld. Drugs, prostitution, and robbery await the throngs of hapless tourists who visit the country on holiday. Sukhumvit Road is a pleasant location in Bangkok to visit by day, but at night the filthy underbelly floats to the surface, engulfing those who dare to venture into its sleazy alleyways.Beneath Thailand’s veneer of smiling people and luxury hotels lies a dark underworld. Drugs, prostitution, and robbery await the throngs of hapless tourists who visit the country on holiday. Sukhumvit Road is a pleasant location in Bangkok to visit by day, but at night the filthy underbelly floats to the surface, engulfing those who dare to venture into its sleazy alleyways.Raid on Soi 5 is a 1,000-word short story thriller about the corruption and treachery of those who deal drugs to tourists on one of Bangkok’s most notorious streets.

Set in a future of space travel, the last remaining 'Lorien Harp', the heart of an alien tree, has been torn from its quiet domain. A priceless instrument, the harp finds its way into the hands of an old music teacher. There, the remnant of a destroyed world awakens to the warmth and love shared between a disenfranchised old man and his troubled protege.Under the quiet eaves of an alien forest, the last remaining 'Lorien Harp', the heart of a great Sergao tree, has been ripped from its sanctuary and sold to the highest bidder.On a far distant space station, a juvenile takes advantage of a distraction, to steal a rich passenger's luggage, only to discover he has taken a priceless instrument.Blood has been spilt for the harp, and will be again but in the space between greed and passion, tenderness and brutality, there is music and love.

This is a collection of short stories - some are true, some are fabricated, and some are wild exaggerations.Contents:Empty Shadows,A Lot of Bull,Brother and the BB Gun,Fishing with Dad,Flasher on the Mountain,Saving Mom’s Life,Man in Restaurant,My Son the Construction Engineer,Learning the ABC’s and Counting,Mom Doesn’t go Fishing With Dad Anymore,Watching the Buffalo10 horror stories that will not give you sleepless nights. They include ghosts, zombies, werewolves and other scary creatures all woven into daily events. Like trick or treat, first day of school or walking through the woods. Each story can be read within five to ten minutes and are meant for young adults and teens. The contents include1. Trick or Treat?2. The Demon with my Brother's Face3. Lake of Bones4. The Forest of Death5. Dead Mine6. The Haunted Book7. My Teacher's Grave8. Let's Play Hide and Seek9. Painting of the Dead10. The Haunted Doll

A Wyoming blizzard. A crashed car. Haloke's only six years old, but there's no one else. Her father's dead. Her mother's clinging to life. She draws deep within her, to her Arapaho and Navajo roots, to set out to find help.Twenty years later, it's Haloke's younger half-sister, Johona, who desperately needs help. She'd been knocked unconscious and then brutally raped. Johona desperately holds ...A Wyoming blizzard. A crashed car. Haloke's only six years old, but there's no one else. Her father's dead. Her mother's clinging to life. She draws deep within her, to her Arapaho and Navajo roots, to set out to find help.Twenty years later, it's Haloke's younger half-sister, Johona, who desperately needs help. She'd been knocked unconscious and then brutally raped. Johona desperately holds onto the hope that Deputy Logan can find those who are responsible. And maybe - just maybe - her sister would be able to return home from deployment overseas to spend Christmas with the family.The lives of Haloke, Logan, and Johona are entwined by fate, just as are the lives of those on and off the reservation. And the story has just begun ...* * *Wyoming Vision is book one in the Arapaho Vision Quest series. In general, Lisa's novellas are written without explicit intimacy or violence. As such they are suitable for teens and up. That being said, this specific series does center around one young woman's recovery from rape and those who would have concerns reading about that should be alerted.Half of all proceeds from this series benefits battered women's shelters.

Searching for The Silent Lady is a tale of magic and mayhem, set in a desolate world, devoid of something that only Ellie has the power to bring back.Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? Go on a journey with Ellie, a young orphan girl, as she tries to find her real home. Searching for The Silent Lady is a tale of magic and mayhem, set in a desolate world, devoid of something that only Ellie has the power to bring back.

Victor is a scientist whose tragic past confronts him at a seance, where the one friendly face is a cat.A children's fable. The local farming community is focused on this year's village fete vegetable competition and Mr Plum, the farmer, thinks he is in with a good chance to win. But his prize parsnip has other ideas. Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence, or will the parsnip learn that it's important to be grateful for who you are.

They have been lurking in the shadows for untold years, waiting for the chance to burst free. Only the ragged few, held together by the charismatic Connor, have seen the signs and dare to stand up against Them, the undead. In this battle, no one leaves unscathed.The day Connor cornered me in the library, I thought he was cracked. The day he covered my walls with crosses and filled my apartment with garlic, I thought he was psychotic. The day he killed someone on the floor in my living room, I had no choice but to believe. This is my last confession, the story of the years we spent hunting Them and the mistakes we made. This is my memorial to the people we lost. This is my realization of the importance of Proof.They have been lurking in the shadows for untold years, waiting for the chance to burst free. Only the ragged few, held together by the charismatic Connor, have seen the signs and dare to stand up against Them, the undead. In this battle, no one leaves unscathed.

Total Bull is a hard-working fellow from the big Cow City. But for all his hard work (a wife, a mortgage, a car) he feels like something is just missing from his life. So he decides to go on a journey of discovery. Along the way he meets the mythical and mysterious Buffalo civilization.Baumgartner P.McMasters III, is an executive business-man's caveat. Having a large office, a Condo and other riches, only one thing, he is a druggee. He'd sell his blood for a nickel bag. Then one day, he has to make a decision, when his drug-seller threatens to go public for not paying him on time. He decides to cut all ties, and leave it all behind. He shows up, a year-later in worn and tattered-clothes, and sits alone in a diner somewhere in AZ with a nap-sack full of his own old-mementos. Then, he reads.. What will become of him, and what if anything will save him.

Sold to an aggressive recluse, Max still manages to see the good in life - and his captor. Shotgun Handle Beat is a story of unreciprocated loyalty and the struggle to understand your place in a world that beats you down.After their near fatal meeting at Chalk farm underground station, where Matt escaped using his photographic memory of the tunnels and sewers of old London. Sue was given a fake passport by General Wilson and helped on her way to meet Matt again. (Chronicles of Revenge, the beginning) Sue Young was hurtling through London on the back of a high powered Fire blade, she was heading for a flight for India to meet Matt and tell him her secret, that she was carrying his baby. Commander Featherstone from MI5 had sent men to tail her and Matt’s friend Abhay made sure they didn’t make it. Sue would now follow Matt and Wolf as they searched for the last two remaining men who had killed his two sons. Matt’s keen senses told him that somehow he was being lead, the reason could only be his ultimate death, but by who was still a mystery to him not that he cared anyway. His life was of no importance revenging his sons were and would always be his final goal no matter what the cost. Sue would learn a lot more about him plus have many death defying experiences and come to understand that killing to defend your own is easier than she would had ever thought before. After leaving Abhay they headed for Kathmandu, he had information that Steve Butler was there and with revenge in his eyes and death in his heart they drove on.The confrontation with Butler showed her another side to the troubled man that was Matt North, Sue would shed many tears some in sorrow and some in joy. Taking a cape sized ship they now head for Costa Rica and a final battle with Ed Barker. Sue would learn more about Matt’s past as they travelled on, the return bare knuckle fight with Ray Smith, how he and Wolf met and about his now dead wife Linda and how they became a couple. Matt contacts an old friend Alfie O an arms dealer and quarter master for non-official organisations, he sends him a list of what he needs to be waiting for him when he arrives at the port of Lemon. Alfie said he could organise transport form India by ship, what he doesn’t tell Matt is that there would be a ship to ship transfer involved.Matt and Wolf had done a ship to ship before and hated them so much he swore he’d never do one again, until now his need for revenge always overrode anything even his own life. After his near death ship to ship Matt meets up with Alfie O and to his surprise some old friend is waiting, Along with Mary Weston. Mary Weston was someone Matt never believed he’d see again and never thought for a moment she’d blackmail him. Some days into their journey Matt finds that his old friend has terminal cancer and there only wish is that Matt will give their girls the cash, a promise he will try to keep.The battle with Barker was epic and deadly, the flight back to civilisation had many deadly moments and to Matt’s complete disbelief things take a very strange turn. Back in the UK Matt meets up with Mary Western again in Regents Park. There is one last and strangely unbelievable twist for him, looking up at the top of a block of flats Sue notes his face change she’d seen that look and knew it meant trouble.In the cross hairs of a high powered rifle aimed by an expert marksman is Matt’s head and the shooter whispers. “Got yer, now you’re mine.” As his finger tightened around the trigger.

A short story focused on three people, one tragedy, and one foggy night on a bridge. Lucky People is a story of great loss and overwhelming guilt.A short story in three chapters Three people stand on a bridge on a foggy night. They're all there for the same reason, and all brought there by the same event. Their stories are far different from each other's, and yet they all go through equal trauma. Lucky People is a story of guilt, survival, and three people's great hardship.

The Iberian Empire is bent on destroying Kanze Zenjiro's kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him. Zen embarks on a dangerous quest to save his people. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six guns. Can he survive the Wild Land long enough to protect his country?The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

A beautiful and heart-rending short story about the slave called Yona and a huge Calliston, set on the world of Dirt. Yona is cold, as are the others, but with the help of a stranger, they escape from confinement and flee across the continent of Bind on a huge beast. This fantasy tale is set during the same period as the events in Dirt, series one, but can be read on its own.A beautiful short story about the slave called Yona and a huge Calliston, from the World of Dirt.Yona was cold and so were all the others. Shut in a freezing room in a hall buried in a gorge in the North Hoar Ridge, she knew she had two possible fates: She would die here or be forced to work in the mines. That much they knew.But then, as those around her were beginning to succumb to the cold, a young man smashed down the door and told them they were free.So begins the incredible tale of Yona and the Beast as the slaves escape across the huge continent of Bind on an incredible Calliston, a giant beast.This short story relates what happens to a few characters that we met briefly in Dirt, book one of the Dirt Fantasy Epic. But you do not need to read the main books to enjoy this small offering. It is completely standalone and can be read on its own.

Kayla Covington is the one to hire to find and recover what you have lost. She thought she had seen and heard it all, that was until she was hired to infiltrate a secret society to uncover their secrets and steal their prized artifact. Now the only question that she cares about is, will she make it out of this alive?Kayla Covington is a Private Eye for all occasions on the alien world of Pheros. She is the one you hire to find what you have lost, to glean information on a rival to use against them, or to discreetly remove something that could cause embarrassment. She thought she had seen and heard it all, that was until she was hired to infiltrate a secret society to uncover their secrets and steal their prized artifact. Now the only question that she cares about is, will she make it out of this alive?

Featuring a nice mix of real life humorous stories, spoof satirical material, and some just plain silly stuff. It's Free by way of an introduction to new comedy writer Paul's work. The author is influenced by UK comedian's Spike Milligan, Michael Bentine & Tony Hancock whilst retaining his own unique writing style! So if English humour is your thing worth a peep at.When birthed into the world as the son of the great Mendac LeAnce, miraculous feats are expected from you. Mendac was the Fifth of Five, making him the final hero in the Of Five—a five-part series of fairy tales that stretches over 1,500 years.Bryson, unfortunately, was given the impossible task of following in his dead father's footsteps. And after sixteen years of mediocrity, the only time people notice him is to ridicule his existence. The world has given up on Mendac's son.But there are two people on Bryson's side: a stone-faced, lifelong best friend who's never expressed an emotion in her life, and a secret-riddled man who has taken care of Bryson since his father's death. They're his rocks. He has learned to appreciate and lean on their friendship, regardless of their more mysterious sides … even if those mysteries put Bryson's life in jeopardy.Things are looking up for the young LeAnce as the new school year at Phesaw begins. He receives a letter informing him of his induction into the recreation of the Jestivan, an elite group of students that had only existed once in the school's history—a group his father was once a member of thirty years prior. Its formation presents the opportunity of new friends for Bryson. But when ten highly talented students come together, there is bound to be conflict.Warring personalities and competitive attitudes are minor hurdles, however, considering the fact that warring kingdoms are more pressing. A 1,500-year war boils over as a traitor turns his back on his realm, threats of a dangerous king rising from the ashes begin to surface, one of the Jestivan goes missing, and someone close to Bryson is hiding something with more regard for the thing being protected than Bryson's life.The Jestivan must develop camaraderie, and do it fast. Otherwise, they're going to have to force it. And that can end in devastation.

A short and mysterious story.“The Orion Ghost” is a fast paced adventure story. Twelve year old Jennifer and her twin siblings Jack and Claire fly to the Atlantic coast of France to spend their summer holiday in a rambling chateau with their artist Aunt Isabelle. When they meet two French children and their dog, who live in an ancient nearby lighthouse, their adventures begin. They discover an old map and a huge, ancient key hidden in the pocket of an 18th century greatcoat. The children set out to decode the map and search for treasure hidden by the original owners of the chateau who were forced to flee from Paris at the time of the French Revolution. While unravelling the 18th century mystery, the children are unwittingly caught up in another much more dangerous one. Will Jennifer find out the identity of the ghostly girl who has haunted her since her arrival in France? Will the children escape from the clutches of a gang of criminals? And why does the star constellation of Orion seem to be guiding all their actions?About the authorOlivia Rogers grew up in Australia. She now lives in London and the Atlantic coast of France where “The Orion Ghost” is set. She has previously published text books for college students and is currently writing the next Jennifer Jeffries adventure which is set in Paris France.