In this immediate gratification world we live in the popularity of short stories, flash fiction and poetry is experiencing a growing audience daily. The short story allows the author to become a storyteller without the cumbersome requirements of continuity, lengthy character dialogue or back stories. Additionally the short form is often used as a trial for the story that is slowly brewing inside the mind of a writer.
This Group Giveaway has expired
Battle at the River: A Mercerian Short Story
Battle at the River: A Mercerian Short Story Paul J Bennett
An enemy commander. A skilled tactician. Only one can be victorious.
The Norland raiders are at it again. When the Baron of Bodden splits their defensive forces, Sergeant Gerald Matheson thinks that today is a day like any other, but then something is different. At the last moment, Gerald recognizes the warning signs, but they are outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and out of luck. How can they win this unbeatable battle?
Battle at the River is a stand-alone short story set in the World of Merceria that incorporates characters from the Heir to the Crown Series. If you like intense battle scenes and unexpected plot twists, then you will love Paul J Bennett's tale of a soldier who thinks outside the box.
The Norland raiders are at it again. When the Baron of Bodden splits their defensive forces, Sergeant Gerald Matheson thinks that today is a day like any other, but then something is different. At the last moment, Gerald recognizes the warning signs, but they are outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and out of luck. How can they win this unbeatable battle?
Battle at the River is a stand-alone short story set in the World of Merceria that incorporates characters from the Heir to the Crown Series. If you like intense battle scenes and unexpected plot twists, then you will love Paul J Bennett's tale of a soldier who thinks outside the box.
Great cover and blurb!
The Unbelievable Death of Joseph Goldberg
The Unbelievable Death of Joseph Goldberg Oliver Franks
A darkly comic collection of fantastical short stories.
Joseph Goldberg is the wrinkled old man you see wrapped up in a fraying scarf and dusty trilby hat, hobbling along the seafront promenade in the dead of winter. He’s grizzled, cynical, bitter, and swears like a trooper. In his defence, he didn’t lead the life he wanted, and his closet is full of skeletons. But then, one cold day, something amazing happens. Something so mind blowing, Joseph hardly knows what to do with himself.
This book includes The Unbelievable Death of Joseph Goldberg, plus three other short stories.
Joseph Goldberg is the wrinkled old man you see wrapped up in a fraying scarf and dusty trilby hat, hobbling along the seafront promenade in the dead of winter. He’s grizzled, cynical, bitter, and swears like a trooper. In his defence, he didn’t lead the life he wanted, and his closet is full of skeletons. But then, one cold day, something amazing happens. Something so mind blowing, Joseph hardly knows what to do with himself.
This book includes The Unbelievable Death of Joseph Goldberg, plus three other short stories.
Complete filth. I loved it.
The Mermaid's Garden
The Mermaid's Garden Andrew McCollough
A short tale of loss, grief, revenge, and self-torment.
Tomiko was a bored Tokyo office worker until she met Sanji. She couldn't tell whether he was stalking her or falling in love. But after years alone, Tomiko longed for something more. Sanji was perfectly wrong for her and their tumultuous relationship ended tragically.
Now, transformed into a mermaid and bound to her grotto under sea, she longs for revenge. Only Sanji's death can release her. Will she ever have the chance for vengeance or will she be trapped forever under the sea?
Tomiko was a bored Tokyo office worker until she met Sanji. She couldn't tell whether he was stalking her or falling in love. But after years alone, Tomiko longed for something more. Sanji was perfectly wrong for her and their tumultuous relationship ended tragically.
Now, transformed into a mermaid and bound to her grotto under sea, she longs for revenge. Only Sanji's death can release her. Will she ever have the chance for vengeance or will she be trapped forever under the sea?
Stargazer Lilies or Nothing at All
Stargazer Lilies or Nothing at All Stephen Lomer
Stargazer Lilies or Nothing at All is a collection of short stories that has a little something for everyone. See what life is like for the poor mother of an insufferable perfectionist in the title story. Find out what's to be done to save the hipsters in "So Ten Minutes Ago." Enjoy an updated take on the Goldilocks story in "Trouble Bruin." Ponder how our choices define our lives in "The Haunting of Flattop Harris." Stand in the shoes of a young nurse trying to save the tiniest of lives from a city's destruction in "Wallflower and Casanova."
PLUS! "Royally Screwed," the story that serves as a prequel to the novel Typo Squad.
PLUS! "Royally Screwed," the story that serves as a prequel to the novel Typo Squad.
Halloween House (Short Story)
Halloween House (Short Story) Rowan Rook
A woman named Emma finds her annual Halloween rendezvous with her former lover, Clyde, interrupted. She has an important choice to make before dawn. (A 1,500 word short story.)
The first few pages suck you in and then you can’t stop reading.
Captivating from the beginning. Always leaves you wondering what happens next. Until the very last paragraph, where the surprise twist...
This book plots nicely and has a great atmosphere. I love the central character Mason Mild.
This is my kind of book
Eerie and compelling! Can't wait to read!
The School Report: Before We Were Tsars
The School Report: Before We Were Tsars Simon Northouse
A humorous look at school reports of yesteryear when teachers could speak their mind without fear of retribution, litigation or trolling.
If you grew up in the 50's 60's 70's or 80's then you will laugh-out-loud as you recognise this school world and some of the cruel but fair, teachers in it.
A companion short story to the full-length novel "Arc Of A Shooting Star".
Excerpt:
"Gordon shows good intent at navigating the classroom door, but after that—well, it's a race to the bottom. When I asked him who was the British Celtic Queen who rose up against the Roman invasion of ancient Briton he replied, "Janis Joplin" I rest my case." Mr Fructose.
If you grew up in the 50's 60's 70's or 80's then you will laugh-out-loud as you recognise this school world and some of the cruel but fair, teachers in it.
A companion short story to the full-length novel "Arc Of A Shooting Star".
Excerpt:
"Gordon shows good intent at navigating the classroom door, but after that—well, it's a race to the bottom. When I asked him who was the British Celtic Queen who rose up against the Roman invasion of ancient Briton he replied, "Janis Joplin" I rest my case." Mr Fructose.
I like the bold red cover!
Americana
Americana Charles Harvey
Poems can be reflective or reactionary. In a reflective mood, the poet comments on past events. His or her voice may be calm, wistful, and longing. They are preservers of the moment. When poets put on their reactionary mantle, they are more vocal and want to move themselves and others to action In this small collection, Harvey has both the reflective voice and the force of the reactionary.
Viewing the Vietnam War, race relations, and the cultural renaissance of the 1960's and 1970's through the prism of a child's eye shaped Harvey's views and points of view. The poets Allen Ginsburg, Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, and Ai shaped his voice.
Viewing the Vietnam War, race relations, and the cultural renaissance of the 1960's and 1970's through the prism of a child's eye shaped Harvey's views and points of view. The poets Allen Ginsburg, Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, and Ai shaped his voice.
I can't wait to read this. Even just the description makes me laugh!
Weird Trips
Weird Trips Mike B. Good
Mike Good loves Mother Nature. Mother Nature does not love him back. A collection of nine hilarious stories features his travel adventures to exotic islands, coral reefs, and lush jungles—i.e., the tropical Third World. Low budget home of Tarzan, untreatable diseases, and maniacal drivers. Also, carnivorous plants, poisonous snakes, venomous insects, cannibals, and headhunters!
Mike encounters volcanoes, torrential storms, lightning strikes, enraged villagers, vengeful oceans, vengeful hangovers, port city muggers, even a KGB spy. The road was lined with bad hotels, inedible food, sinking boats, crashing planes, lots of victims… Then there were the buzzkilling drug laws.
How does a free spirit lacking common sense travel the world and make it back alive? Read Weird Trips and find out!
Mike encounters volcanoes, torrential storms, lightning strikes, enraged villagers, vengeful oceans, vengeful hangovers, port city muggers, even a KGB spy. The road was lined with bad hotels, inedible food, sinking boats, crashing planes, lots of victims… Then there were the buzzkilling drug laws.
How does a free spirit lacking common sense travel the world and make it back alive? Read Weird Trips and find out!
Great cover.
I love the world of the wacky...wacky places and wacky characters. In the first story, a character suggests finding a beach town without a port...My kind of stories
Ghost Hunters Part One by S. H. Marpel
Ghost Hunters Part One by S. H. Marpel Living Sensical
It started with a dream.
In it, John Earl Stark solved the problem of a ghost he met. Or did he? It was a dream, after all.
The next day he meets two women who visit his cabin, arriving out of the blue, literally. (Well, one arrived with pitched black darkness which filled his cabin and made her cough.)
These two have an offer for Stark. All he really wanted was to enjoy the small cabin and solitude so he could write his detective stories.
These ladies had another offer - to help them solve the reasons ghosts don't move on. Plenty of new inspiration for stories, decent pay, won't interrupt his writing schedule.
Of course, he could die doing it...
In it, John Earl Stark solved the problem of a ghost he met. Or did he? It was a dream, after all.
The next day he meets two women who visit his cabin, arriving out of the blue, literally. (Well, one arrived with pitched black darkness which filled his cabin and made her cough.)
These two have an offer for Stark. All he really wanted was to enjoy the small cabin and solitude so he could write his detective stories.
These ladies had another offer - to help them solve the reasons ghosts don't move on. Plenty of new inspiration for stories, decent pay, won't interrupt his writing schedule.
Of course, he could die doing it...
I've read alot of postive reviews for this book. Adding now to my TBR.
A great alien world to explore. Imaginative and fun to read.
From the opening pages, the reader gets drawn into a world of intrigue and suspense. The writer continues to hold your attention without fail, don't miss this one, it reads like a binge-worthy show on Netflix!
This has to be a good book. The title alone makes me want to open the book.
Wow! Can't wait to read this!
The Last Storyteller Collection of Back Porc...
The Last Storyteller Collection of Back Porch Ramblings & Surges of Sensibility Jim Hirtle
At length, the Storyteller finally spoke, "There is a story or two, (perhaps many more) inside each of us. To awaken these stories, to breathe life into them, to have them rise above the confines of one’s mind, requires little more than imagination. A commodity rich in abundance yet seldom appropriated" Jacob A Jessup, The Last Storyteller.
"The Last Storyteller A Collection of Back Porch Ramblings & Surges of Sensibility”, by poet and short-story author J Hirtle carries the reader on a journey setting sail from his back porch and ending with an awe-inspiring story of a homeless man and a young boy who learns the dark truth of bigotry and racism. Along the way, the reader will laugh, cry, fall in love and beg to sleep with the lights on. "The Last Storyteller" is the perfect book to read
"The Last Storyteller A Collection of Back Porch Ramblings & Surges of Sensibility”, by poet and short-story author J Hirtle carries the reader on a journey setting sail from his back porch and ending with an awe-inspiring story of a homeless man and a young boy who learns the dark truth of bigotry and racism. Along the way, the reader will laugh, cry, fall in love and beg to sleep with the lights on. "The Last Storyteller" is the perfect book to read
The Long Night (Short Story)
The Long Night (Short Story) Rowan Rook
Two weeks ago, the sun went down and never came up. Bay stares through her apartment window - longing to see the first suggestion of sunrise, longing for answers, longing to see her girlfriend Cass come home - but all she sees is a single candle flickering across the street. One half of her yearns to run to this sign of life; the other clings to the safety of home. After all, anything could happen if she opens up the door to the darkness outside. (A 1,600 word short story.)
The first few pages suck you in and then you can’t stop reading.
Captivating from the beginning. Always leaves you wondering what happens next. Until the very last paragraph, where the surprise twist...
This book plots nicely and has a great atmosphere. I love the central character Mason Mild.
This is my kind of book
Eerie and compelling! Can't wait to read!
The Hooman Probe by C. C. Brower
The Hooman Probe by C. C. Brower Living Sensical
When Sue crash-lands back on Earth, she didn't know what to expect. What she found was a telepathic wolf pack, capable of reasoning and the dominant life form on the planet. They were in a fight for survival with the feral species of wolves, as well as the remnants of humankind.
In the first part of this, Sue learns to communicate and to travel with the pack as they fight and escape from the hunting ferals. In doing so, she fights alongside Tig, the hunting pack leader, to save both their lives.
What she wanted was to get back to the moon base to rescue her family. She didn't know how bad the collapse was.
But before she can get anywhere, she has to prove to the sentient wolf pack that she can be trusted. This means a "probe." Something no human has survived.
Claim Your Copy Now.
In the first part of this, Sue learns to communicate and to travel with the pack as they fight and escape from the hunting ferals. In doing so, she fights alongside Tig, the hunting pack leader, to save both their lives.
What she wanted was to get back to the moon base to rescue her family. She didn't know how bad the collapse was.
But before she can get anywhere, she has to prove to the sentient wolf pack that she can be trusted. This means a "probe." Something no human has survived.
Claim Your Copy Now.
I've read alot of postive reviews for this book. Adding now to my TBR.
A great alien world to explore. Imaginative and fun to read.
From the opening pages, the reader gets drawn into a world of intrigue and suspense. The writer continues to hold your attention without fail, don't miss this one, it reads like a binge-worthy show on Netflix!
This has to be a good book. The title alone makes me want to open the book.
Wow! Can't wait to read this!