Modern Short Stories

After the sudden loss of her husband, Ruth is left with nothing but her mother-in-law Naomi and a broken heart. With no future in the city they once called home, Naomi decides to return to her small hometown, hoping to find solace in familiar faces. Ruth, refusing to leave the only family she has left, makes a bold choice: she will leave everything behind to follow Naomi and start anew. As Ruth struggles to rebuild her life in a tight-knit community, she crosses paths with Boaz, a successful and respected business owner. Ruth is drawn to his quiet strength, while Boaz can’t help but ...

Hannah Smith has it all—an incredible career, a loving husband, and a close-knit group of friends. But despite their picture-perfect life, Hannah and James are hiding a painful secret: they’re struggling with infertility. As Hannah watches her colleagues and friends celebrate pregnancies, her hope slowly fades. Even her once rock-solid marriage begins to crack under the weight of unfulfilled dreams. In the midst of her heartache, Hannah turns to her faith, making a desperate promise—if blessed with a child, she will dedicate their life to serving others. Just when she least expects it...

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.

Within the first Modern Madness collection, Gateway to the Grotesque, the modern-day dark-hearted master of horror Tim Chizmar introduced the world to his quality tales of terror. Now, in The Screaming Virgins, he seeks to usher in a brand-new group of masterful storytellers to shock, disgust, and scare you out of your mind!

This was the book that launched a genre. Modern fantasy collections trace their lineage back to Lord Dunsany, and this was his first work that today's listeners would recognise in tone and settings.

Many of O. Henry’s stories describe cultural issues of the day, and many incorporate themes relevant to our modern times. This anthology was specially selected for this purpose. It includes the story performances and introduces the telling of each story by describing its relevance and explaining some of the references that might not be familiar to modern-day audiences.

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 ...

In a bustling modern metropolis ruled by power and ambition, Esther Rodriguez never expected to be thrust into the limelight. Working as a mid-level executive, she’s used to flying under the radar—until a city-wide competition for the position of mayoral spokesperson catapults her into a high-stakes political arena. But as Esther navigates the city's elite, she uncovers a dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by Gabriel Collins, a ruthless executive with a vendetta against her community. When Esther discovers Gabriel’s plan to exploit the most vulnerable citizens and frame her in the ...

In a city crumbling under the weight of corruption and greed, one woman rises to lead the charge for justice. Deborah, a brilliant CEO known for her integrity and wisdom, is thrust into a battle against a powerful conglomerate that has a stranglehold on the city's economy and its people. With small businesses collapsing and political leaders turning a blind eye, Deborah takes matters into her own hands. Teaming up with Barak, a hesitant politician unsure of his ability to fight such a formidable foe, Deborah mobilizes a diverse coalition of activists, journalists, and community leaders. ...

This one-of-a-kind treasury brings together the talents of nearly two dozen best-selling middle-grade authors - including Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, and Jennifer A. Nielsen - who have created original short stories and modern-day fairy tales based on the lives and dreams of children they have met who all have two things in common: They have very big hopes and dreams, and they are all cancer patients.

Like the timeless parables of Jesus, these contemporary stories seep into your consciousness, shift your viewpoint, and reveal insights into the rhythms of life's occurrences. Embark on an unforgettable journey across the heartland of America with "A Test of Character in Royal Swirls," the second volume of "Spirit-Filled Parables for Modern America." This visually stunning collection of 19 soul-stirring parables is brought to life by over 100 vibrant, full-color images that seamlessly blend the mundane and divine. In these pages, you'll traverse the rich tapestry of the American experience,...

Love Under the Big Top a Love Inspired Romance Circus life killed her mother will it destroy Tiffany's first love too? Readers who enjoy sweet love stories filled with romantic intrigue, family drama, and good old-fashioned jealous rivalry will be entertained by Roxanne's clean romance books. After the tragic death of her mother Tiffany blamed the circus and her father. Their relationship reaches the breaking point when she's shipped off to boarding school. Years later her father's illness forces Tiffany to leave school, return home and make life-changing decisions. Will Tiffany help her ...

What links a café in Antarctica, a factory for producing electronic tracking tags, and personal spacecraft? They're among the multiple venues where award-winning writer Tania Hershman sets her unique tales in this spellbinding debut collection. This audiobook, adbridged from the original collection, is read by the author, Tania Hershman.

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is Washington Irving’s famous short story of the Headless Horseman that is now part of American culture. - Accelerated Reader AR Quiz No. 7115 BL 11.0 AR Pts: 3.0 -The language of almost two hundred years ago has been extensively modernized -End notes, interpretation, and discussion of major themes follow the text -Biographical information on Irving included -Every effort has been made to keep the story as close to the original as possible -Modern readers will better understand and appreciate one of the first truly American short stories. For more short ...

“The Most Dangerous Game” (1924) is the Richard Connell short story that continues to fascinate readers with its suspense and action. This is the original story—only word order and difficult vocabulary have been updated. Biographical information, end notes, and analysis of the major themes follow the text. AR Quiz No. 8634 EN Fiction Upper Grades - BL: 5.3 - AR Pts: 1.0. For other short stories in easy to understand modern English search the web for “George Lakon.”

There once was.... A woman who loved her husband's cock so much that she began taking it to work in her lunchbox. A man who made films without a camera, which transfixed his estranged daughter. A couple who administered electric shocks to each other, to be reminded of what love is. A world where you wake up one day and notice that, one by one, people are turning blue. Startling, wry, beguiling and emotionally charged - the stories in Modern Times might be reminiscent of Lydia Davis, Angela Carter and Daisy Johnson, but they are also unlike anything you've heard before.

A collection of short stories from such favorites as Wilkie Collins, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Rudyard Kipling are joined by others written anonymously in this anthology which will have you scratching your head and listening just a bit longer to discover the key to the mysteries.

Bristle Rey just moved to town. She's trying to find a fresh start and leave behind a crappy home life. She's landed in Valor, WY and has found a job. Now she just needs to find an apartment and she'll be all set. Instead, she finds Wild. Becket “Wild” Wilder got his nickname as a joke. He’s never been reckless, never been crazy. Until he lays eyes on Bristle Rey. Then all bets are off. Let’s get Wild. This month 24 of your favorite short and steamy authors have come together to bring you a new motorcycle romance each day! The Men of Valor are more than ex-military bikers – they ...

Come Together: Bi Ménage Multiplayer Amber is a stressed out pharmaceutical sales rep—peddling her drugs to healthcare facilities and shaking her money maker so people can stay healthy. But, Amber likes to play games. On the weekends, she gets motel rooms and posts hook-up invitations on adult social sites. But, there’s a catch: the guys have to do each other before they can do her. Does that sound fair? Amber thinks so. Warning: this short story is meant for mature adult readers. It features graphic depictions of group sex, ménages, male on male and males on female. The story ...

Inspired by classic books like The Little Prince, these delightful fables follow a variety of charming animal characters as they embark on fantastical yet profoundly relatable quests.