Modern Short Stories

After unexpectedly coming home to find a “Dear John” letter from his girlfriend, Daniel feels the calling for a fresh start—packing all his belongings in the car and taking a road trip out west hoping to rediscover what is essential to life. When his car breaks down in the mountains of Wyoming, he walks for several miles in search of assistance. After stopping at the first home he passes, he meets an old hunting guide and dog trainer named Kurt, who generously welcomes him in and offers to let him stay until the mechanic shop reopens after the weekend.

Each of the best-selling writers represented in these selections from Legends II returns to the fantasy universe he or she made famous throughout the world. Whether set before or after events already recounted elsewhere, whether featuring beloved characters or compelling new creations, these masterful short novels are both mesmerizing stand-alones - perfect introductions to the work of their authors - and indispensable additions to the epics on which they are based.

Lisa Johnson isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day, until she is surprised with a bouquet of roses from a secret admirer. Once she finds out who he is, she falls head over heels for him in this holiday instalove steamy romance. This short BWWM interracial story is 3,000 words long and is for mature readers only!

Bianca Taylor has one goal. Make it to the pros. She works night and day for that dream. Every morning she wakes up early to shoot the basketball in the gym. Every morning was the same until Seth Williams walked in the gym. The sexy shooting guard, captured her attention and now she can’t keep her hands off him. March Madness is a steamy sports BWWM romance. This interracial short story is 3,400 words long and is for mature readers only.

What happens when Western fantasies collide with Eastern reality? Dive into four riveting tales of romance, deception, resilience, and revolution in modern Ukraine. Foreigner’s Guide to Ukrainian Women and Other Stories offers a sharp, satirical, and deeply human lens into love and life across borders. Based on both fiction and real-life events, this bold collection pulls back the curtain on Eastern Europe’s untold dramas and romantic entanglements. 🧳 1. Foreigner’s Guide to Ukrainian Women Johnny Best is a tech millionaire tired of California’s hollow glitter. Hoping to find ...

An excellent collection of creepy ghost stories from some of the most notable names of early horror fiction, including: “The Willows” by Algernon Blackwood, “The Shadows On The Wall” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, “The Messenger” by Robert W.Chambers, “Lazarus” by Leonid Andreyev, “The Beast With Five Fingers” by W.F. Harvey, “The Mass Of Shadows” by Anatole France, “What Was It” by Fitz-James O’brien, “The Middle Toe Of The Right Foot” by Ambrose Bierce, “The Shell Of Sense” by Olivia Howard Dunbar, and more!

Each of the best-selling writers represented in these selections from Legends II returns to the fantasy universe he or she made famous throughout the world. Whether set before or after events already recounted elsewhere, whether featuring beloved characters or compelling new creations, these masterful short novels are both mesmerizing standalones - perfect introductions to the work of their authors - and indispensable additions to the epics on which they are based.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, unique tales inspired by traditional literary forms appeared frequently in socialist-leaning British periodicals, such as the Clarion, Labour Leader, and Social Democrat. Based on familiar genres, these stories were meant to entertain readers of all ages - and some challenged the conventional values promoted in children’s literature for the middle class. Acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen brings together more than 40 of the best and most enduring examples of these stories in one beautiful volume.

A cozy Christmas, Christian romance about faith, love, hope, and redemption. Facing a national scandal that wasn’t her fault, Meredith escapes to Holly Springs, a small mountain town in Georgia. The picturesque town provides the perfect Christmas background where Meredith can hide, but she wasn’t expecting to meet her neighbor, Emory. Emory tries to help Meredith get settled, but she refuses his kindness when their discussions lead to God. When Meredith finally realizes she has feelings for him, it could be too late. Will Meredith find her way back to God? Will she find love in the ...

Mimei Ogawa, a prolific author of short stories nearly 100 years ago, is considered to be one of the founding figures of modern Japanese children’s literature. He has also been called the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan because of how his works were influenced by Andersen. This collection contains a fresh, modern translation of one of Mimei Ogawa’s most famous works, "The Mermaid and the Red Candles", as well as several other stories that have never been translated and published in English before.

Versailles, 1682: a city of the rich, a living fairy-tale, Louis XIV's fever dream. It's a place of opulence, beauty, and power. But strip back the lavish exterior of polite society, and you'll find a dark undercurrent of sexual intrigue and vicious gossip. Nobody is safe here - no matter how highly born they are. No one knows this better than Madame Marie d'Aulnoy. Each week, a rogue group of intellectuals gather at her Parisian home to debate, flirt and perform Contes de Fées - fairy tales - that challenge the status quo, at a salon that will change the course of literature forever.

Restless Tiger A Long short Story Alex and Diego are busy smuggling contraband north across the sea to Vietnam and Cambodia and bringing refugees south across the Gulf of Thailand in early 1998. They find that running a fleet of twelve boats is hard enough, but piracy is rampant on the water. They are also hijacking ships at sea to liberate them of their cargo and turn a profit. And then there is their old scourge, the Frenchman, back on the attack. They have to teach him a lesson and exact revenge for murdered crewmen in the last nasty sea encounter. But how? The third of a collection of ...

Royalty...it was more than just a word to her. It was her life. But not for long. Marlie loved her family dearly, even when she didn’t like them very much. But their life wasn’t the life she wanted for herself. Maggie had always fulfilled her responsibilities, she’d always done exactly as she was expected to...she knew no other way. Until now...until after reading a letter from her father suggesting she visit her niece and learn how to do as she pleased every once in a while, including the joy of eating pizza at her slightest whim. The last thing Maggie expected when she showed up at ...

Let yourself be swept away by these classic tales of hope and courage!!

- Classic tales (short stories and poems) of hope and courage from the 19th and 20th centuries

Annotated for modern listeners

The third entry in the Classic Tales series, joining "Classic Tales of Horror" and "Classic Tales of Christmas"

For adventure fans of all ages, these stories are guaranteed to intrigue, delight, and sometimes take you by surprise!

In this instance you might have bitten more than you can chew. I'm a little worried about you; you see, not everyone can handle this epic madness and trust me, this madness was not created for everyone. The team at SpookyNinjaKitty sent out 10 copies to supposed horror fans for feedback and by the very next day, six had dropped dead from heart attacks, three committed suicide and the last one has never seen again.

Do you ever wonder if there is a gnome living in the hole at the bottom of the old tree in the park? Have you ever felt like you weren't alone while in the woods? Did you know that elves are responsible for many of our day-to-day occurrences? If your mind ever fills with these kinds of questions, then these modern fairy tales are for you!

A dangerous wave of madness is sweeping across a city. A young girl becomes the conduit for a haunted house. An abandoned theater is the gateway to a darker world. Do you believe in ghosts? You will. This collection of the best stories from award-winning NoSleep horror author Kyle Harrison will have you questioning your sanity while you keep the light on while listening to the book.

Dark Matter is an anthology of estranged tales that were written for the fans of all things weird and bizarre. Some of the stories are recounted rumors of a forgotten past, while others are fortunes told of a distant and horrific future. All of the legends within this collection share a single common element: madness.

Seizing the Tiger It’s 1996 and Alex the Pirate hates having his smuggled goods ripped off on the high seas. Colonel Le, another pirate, got the drop on him and he is vastly outgunned in his wooden-hulled tongkang in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. Le smirks as he steals Alex’s valuable cargo and powers away to leave Alex and crew drifting on their damaged craft at sea. Alex and his friend Diego know that vengeance is a dish best served cold. Le will pay for his treachery—the hard way. And maybe they will seize the cutthroat’s prize boat—the one they call the Tiger. The first ...

A sequel to Being Here, this audiobook illustrates how life can be easy and will support you if you let it. Your day-to-day experience of living can literally transform so that accomplishments come naturally, and things you have strived to change dissolve all on their own. From Brooklyn and Kansas City to Zurich and Hong Kong, join storytellers from around the world and spark instantaneous transformation in your own life.