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Mystery
(Fic)
The Devil's Mansion
by Barry B. Wright


Formerly: 'The Diary' it has evolved into a full length novel filled with action, murder, romance, surprise, and intrigue with lots of twists and turns. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Alan

Alan Henderson hated his grandfather. But his grandfather, Sir Reginald van der Helsing, wasn’t the only one he had come to hate. He fired a pebble at a passing bird but missed. An inaudible profanity quietly rumbled beneath his breath. A larger stone was chosen, and he reloaded his slingshot. His eyes followed his next prey. Aim readied, he waited patiently.

The turret in which he stood, an architectural feature of the family estate home, provided a lofty vantage point and unhindered solace...





Crime
(Non-Fic)
Marco: A Powerful Man
by Cynthia Ann Garcia

Chapter X; 10
-An abundance of Diamonds-

    Chapter X; 10

-An abundance of Diamonds-

 

   The diamond rock comes in many shades of colors; along with a certain value regarding the type of color of shade it naturally inherited. This rock is a unique and rare rock. It can be expensive depending on the grading scale of the diamonds.

 

There are 23 grades starting with the most expensive grade D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z. The cara...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Once Upon A Snowflake: Once Upon Astixus Book 1
by Hazel Spectre

Eira Sullivan, a professional Ballerina, has been running from her ex-fiance for two years, and now she's hiding out in her best friend's apartment until he leaves her alone. That is, until a random g ... More ▼


Names and Pronunciations for Book 1

Names and Pronunciations of Characters in the world of Astixus

Note: This page will be in each book, and will contain all names of places and people in the book (Will update as first draft continues)

Kingdoms:

Eadeorial - Aye-dare-iel

Fenix - Phoenix

Lorcanus - Lore-cane-us

Cravash - Cruh-vash

Crane - Crayne

Book 1 Characters:

Eira - Eye-ruh

Syris - Cyrus

Alayya Vorenehs - Uh-laya Vore-eniz

...





Romance
(Fic)
Behind the Veil
by Andromeda Kaine

In the year 2123, the fate of Earth and the future of humanity balances on the victory of a century old war between Earth and an evading alien species called Raezor’s. The Federal Alien Defense Forc ... More ▼


Chapter 1

A series of loud bangs startled Syndel from her sleep. “Get up rookie, Raezing time.” Eclypse’s deep voice yelled from the other side of the chrome door. Syn glanced over at the holographic clock on her nightstand that read, 02:35:56 Thu 13 Oct 27. 

“Fucking Raezors,” she groaned, wiping the sleep from her eyes. Every single time she got some sleep, it never failed that someone would interrupt her.

Syn pushed herself from the warm confines of her bed an...





Romance
(Fic)
Unexpected Love!
by Keith Slater

Rachel is free! Recently divorced she is determined to prove herself in her fine arts studies. An inner restlessness takes her to Rome and the meeting of new friends. Even so, she wonders: Will s ... More ▼


Chapter 1

“Alone! Rachel, you’ve been alone for nearly eighteen months,” her inner voice kept reminding her.

 

“You were married for eight years. Your marriage to John ended in divorce. You had no children even though you tried. You know that the zip had run out of your relationship - the tender romantic spark had blazed and died. You were living together like sister and brother.”

The inner voice intoned the mantra again:

“Alone! Rachel, you’ve...





Memoir
(Non-Fic)
SHARING MY LOVE OF LIVING IN GERMANY: A Black American Woman's Experience
by CORA ANN

Born in New Orleans, La., I joined the Army in 1977 to escape an abusive husband. My best assignment was in Heidelberg, Germany in 1979. I had two small daughters. After many tours in Germany during t ... More ▼


Losing my bright blue wallet
The honesty of Germans never ceases to amaze me.

I went to Penny Mart, one of my favorite stores in my town. After parking my car, I took my blue wallet out of my purse to get a one-euro coin for a shopping cart. Then, I went into the store to shop with my blue wallet in my hand.

As I browsed items in the first aisle, several rows with jars of honey caught my eye. I placed my blue wallet in an empty on a shelf next to the jars of honey to look at the array. After choosing a jar of dark honey, I continued down the aisle to the dairy and meat secti...





Autobiographical Fiction
(Fic)
A Cheap Education
by Dr. David D. Schein

A coming of age fiction based on fact story. In 1970, A kid from the wrong side of the tracks wins a full scholarship to an Ivy League college in Philadelphia. He learns that education from the street ... More ▼


Prologue

The Spring of 1969 was a tense time for a variety of reasons. The oldest of seven children in a military family in Norfolk, Virginia, the Vietnam War was a dominant factor for Aaron. The high school experience had been a blur. His parents always pushed getting into college, but as neither had attended college, they could do little to prepare him. They were also in no position to provide financial support.

The good news was that his strong grades and academic activities had landed him offers of admi...





Autobiographical Fiction
(Fic)
No Malice Intended
by Lorene Albers

This is Stephanie’s story. The story of an ordinary stay at home mom, living an ordinary life in small town USA. But not everything is as idyllic as it seems. Out of nowhere, life changes drama ... More ▼


Prologue

 LORENE ALBERS                                                                 

 

 

NO MALICE INTENDED

PROLOG...





Speculative Fiction
(Fic)
All Over Again
by Cathy Cade

Set in a future world evolving (again) after apocalypse. Friends who grew up together are expected to settle together in the village, until one meets someone else. A tale of spreading sophistication a ... More ▼


Prologue: Before

The old world had been here before. It had survived annihilations and apocalypses, each time moving on to rest and regenerate. Its inhabitants had been less fortunate.

Each civilisation’s prophets and scientists had foretold a variety of endings for their world, depending on the information available at the time (and sometimes on their funding). Predictions included alien invasion, meteor collision, solar cooling, global warming, exhaustion, pollution, fire, flood, famine, war, pestilence…<...





Horror
(Fic)
A Tale of Shadows: A collection of creepy short stories
by Tiffany S. Doran


A collection of creepy tales that may just make you question everything. Be sure to sleep with the lights on after this one...You never know who, or what, may be peering in at you in the dark. "Sounds interesting!"

A Shrouded Staircase

This is gonna be a great time!" I said to my best friend.

It was time for our fall break at college. We were both anxious to head home and experience Thanksgiving with our friends and family, and of course, each other. Michael and I both lived in the same town, on the same block, and in the same houses we grew up in as young boys. After all these years, neither of our families wanted to move or saw a need to do so.

I could almost taste mom's turkey and dressing now. College meals, at least...





Coming of Age
(Fic)
Liberty and Harper
by Nancy Klann-Moren

This story begins with the chance discovery of a diary. It's a coming-of-age-story about two young women's paths toward realizing their future as activists. Over fifty years separate their compelling ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Liberty and Harper

A Novel

By

Nancy Klann-Moren

 

"The biggest victory is that we did fight...

That we came together and we fought.

And that we have that history to build on."

                                   ~ Kipp Dawson

...





Thriller
(Fic)
Behind Closed Doors
by Garin Demirjian

In the small town of Leavonville Virginia, Kelly meets what she thinks is finally the love of her life. Bryan is the new town Sheriff and sweeps Kelly off her feet. Everyone in town falls in lov ... More ▼


Chapter 1

 Chapter 1

“Kelly, you need to answer the question,” Chief Deputy Kurt Theodore Robinson said. 

The woman looked around the room, hungrily taking in every detail as if looking for answers. Or reassurance. She didn’t seem to have an understanding of what was going on or why she was there at the police station. Not able to focus on one thing for more than a few seconds, her eyes were wild, and she kept biting her bottom lip so often that it bled. The...





Historical Fiction
(Fic)
Bridie
by Susan Woerner

In the mid-1800's, a group of Pennsylvania coal miners were convicted and executed for crimes they may not have committed. They were known as the Molly Maguires. This story, though, is about the women ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Mary Clare McAllister lay Black-Eyed Susans on her husband’s grave. Today was shimmering – a bit of a surprise for October. She could smell windfall apples in the air and thought how she and Danny had gathered them last fall. She had taken a bag of them to Bridie who made an apple pie for her and Dannie. Bridie always seemed to have a bit of lard, flour, and a sugar lump and when you combine those rare items with apples you came out with pie. A perfect apple pie, so good Mary remembered watch...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Boy Who Could Be A Hero: The Ancient Magic Book Series, Vol 3
by Evelyn Frederick Moll

The boy who could be a hero...Josh Sparkins...discovers a portal in time. Lured through the portal by a beautiful voice, he finds himself with people who will be sailing with Christopher Columbus. Th ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

         Josh Sparkins stretched as he sat on the edge of his bed. Getting back into a morning routine on the first day of his sophomore year proved harder than he thought it would be. A backpack, notebooks, pens and assorted folders covered the top of his Gramps’ antique desk, along with a new IPad. He was grateful his parents finally realized he needed to get into the electronic age.

   &...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Price of Blood: A Dark Fantasy Novel
by Virginia Rose

The life of a beast hunter is often short and bloody. But in Victoria Boucher's case, it is eternal. After a vampire supremacist cult wiped out most of her kingdom and left her with a savage curse, sh ... More ▼


Chapter 1
Lost and Found

Victoria grunted as her feet hit the ground. She steadied herself against her horse, glad to be out of the saddle. The ride back into town had been a long, slow, and bumpy trek through the forest. Riven snorted and nudged her impatiently towards the hitch outside the storefront near the water trough. She patted his flank, taking hold of his reins and tying him to the hitching post. While he drank, she unloaded the rabbits she had strung on the back of the saddle and headed into the butcher shop.

Th...





Religion
(Fic)
From The Valley Of Archor To The Door Of Hope: A modern retelling of the story of Hosea
by Kathryn Posey

This is tale of a wild, broken, and desperate girl who was transformed by the grace of God and His deep love. Her journey is one of aching pain and resentment that had her wrapped in chains, holding h ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Euphoria burst through the numb edges of Parker’s mind. Finally. The booze and pills were starting to take full affect. She breathed in a sigh of relief. Parker stretched her arms wide and fell back on the bed behind her. She reached out and grabbed the blanket around her, studying the colorful fabric. She could hear the shower running in the bathroom. He wouldn’t be long. Anxiety rose up inside her. She knew she didn’t have enough money to pay for the oxy. She lied and said she was goo...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Aradia's Diaspora: Book One
by Susan Woerner

What if you found yourself in a different world? One in which your ancestor was attempting to enslave the inhabitants of that world? Would you kill her and risk your own annihilation? Or would you joi ... More ▼


Author's Note - 2023

Aradia’s Diaspora - Author's Note - 2023

I’m reactivating Aradia’s Diaspora because I want to work on it... eventually. I began it in 2018 through ChapterBuzz.

...





Autobiographical Fiction
(Fic)
Aurora
by Madara Ranmuthugala


Transnational love in a post-pandemic but racially motivated world. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Aurora. I can see her in my mind’s eye now. Beautiful long black hair gently falling down her back, a sharp nose and chin in profile as she looks out towards the speaker at the piano, alabaster skin, the full lips that are definitely capable of a beautiful pout, and those thin long fingers that can give so much sensual pleasure.

She listens with rapt attention to the black British man giving a powerful performance with his poems and piano playing, and I look around at the audience. The women...





Literary Fiction
(Fic)
Bits and Pieces: Poems and Short Short Stories
by Cynthia A. Jensen


Bits and Pieces is a book of Poetry and Short Stories I am writing during my time at writingspace.org and other stories I've written previously. "Sounds interesting!"

Rush
A Super Quick Short

She ran as fast as she could. The library was only a couple of blocks from the middle school, but it was due to close in a few more minutes. Her backpack almost tipped her over from it violently shaking with her rushed movements.

She approached the front door and swung it open. Going up to the front desk, she asked, almost out of breath, where the romance novels were located. After the librarian pointed, the girl ran to the section and froze. There were aisles of books. It was imperative she find t...





Mystery
(Fic)
Murder at the museum
by Shirley Holder Platt


A murder only a ghost can solve. But what's a ghost supposed to do when no one can see her? "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

I am a ghost. Not sure how it happened. All my life, people told me I'd go to heaven, hell, or purgatory as soon as I died. Come to think of it, maybe this is purgatory. I do seem to be suspended. Not much to do as a ghost. I can't effect anything on the living plane, which rules out haunting. I tried it, believe me, I couldn't scare you if I wanted to. So what is there to do? Not much. Everything is shades of gray, and not in a sexy way. I guess of everything I miss color the most.

I was an artist...





Paranormal
(Fic)
Pareidolia: A short paranormal story
by Shirley Holder Platt

The only chapter

Since college days, Maura had wanted to retire comfortably and early, with her health and pocket book in excellent shape. That part of the plan worked out for her by her fifty-fifth birthday when she was offered a "package." Her long, boring, underappreciated years spent plugging away in a windowless, cheerless office paid off with little fanfair. The human relations employee offered an ample pension, medical insurance, retained stock options to her on an unanticipated but otherwise typical Tuesday. Plus...





Inspirational
(Fic)
Children of Muyumu: The pull of shared ancestry
by John T. Njovu

After a life threatening accident, Lolita, embarks on a pilgrimage from Brazil to Africa Richard Godwin is about to go into an old people home in UK. He goes off to Africa for a last holiday. The two ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Two men wearing khaki uniforms briskly walked through the tall grass and bushes towards the sound of wailing. A startled nightjar looked up as the torch lighted the path where it sat. It gracefully rose and silently flew out into the darkness enveloping the village. There were sounds of dry leaves and grass bursting and crackling along the path as small night active dwellers of the Savannah run away from the light. The sound of wailing got louder and was followed by what sounded like a rap of lamentation...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Ravenwood Manor
by Cheri Goodwin

Ravenwood Manor is a beautiful,breathtaking sight. Bay windows encompassed with that is greener than limes glistening in the sun. The Manor has been in the Woods family for over 4 generations. The dau ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

 

Ravenwood Manor was always a joy to be at. You were always entertained wherever you were.Raven always loved to attend the parties because she could be whoever she desired. Her mother would always tell the most eloquent stories about their home and Raven would always be fascinated by them. One night while listening to her mother Raven asked her mother,"Where are we from?"Victoria replied,"We are from a beautiful family that...





Romance
(Fic)
Kane: Beg Me
by Tiffany S. Doran

Allison Montgomery, quiet, well mannered, always follows the rules at the office of Kane and Levi, the most successful law firm in the county. But will Allison always be mild mannered once Markus Kan ... More ▼


Chapter 1

The morning sun was warm on Allison’s face as she made it to the office. She walked to her desk and tucked all of her belongings in the bottom drawer. As she began arranging all of her things, the door opening caught her attention. In walked Markus Kane, one half of the most successful law firms in the county. “Kane and Levi.” He was tall, tanned skin, dark hair, and hazel eyes. The suits that he wore couldn’t do any justice to hiding the muscles she was sure, was hiding underneat...





Literary Fiction
(Fic)
Welcome to My Garden
by Barry B. Wright

“Welcome to My Garden” is multi-themed in its content. Short stories are a venue for discovery. As a writer, they provide a wonderful playground to experiment and to learn. The value of words and ... More ▼


Chapter One
The Decision

Four hours he had made her practice! Four goddamn hours! Until she defiantly screamed out: “Papa! I don’t want to be a ballerina! I will never be one! Do you hear? Never!” Stomping her foot, she crossed her arms tightly across her chest and purposely took on a belligerent stance.

The room flooded with anger so palpable it almost smothered her with its intensity. Attempting to flee ahead of him, she lost as he caught her in mid-flight and began to shake and hit her.

Too ...



PUBLISHED BOOK!



Fantasy
(Fic)

Buy!
Thief, Acolyte, Consort
by James Robert Paige


Catt Zago used to be a thief– now she is trying to make a fresh start in a new city. She didn’t plan on stealing a monarch… but she didn’t plan on falling in love either. Buy a copy!

City

Catt Zago climbed up on the roof of a shack next to the Caravan Depot and surveyed her new surroundings.

It was a beautiful morning in the cursed city of Great Bakak. The rising sun cast striking shadows on the mountains behind the city, and the sky above the vast desert was clear and crisp.

She could see big marble temples and palaces on the foothills. To the west she could see geometric patches of green, the vibrant contrast to the reds and browns of the desert were a welcome sight, althoug...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Jade Queen: Heroes of Azaeria
by Virginia Rose


:) "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
An Urgent Letter

Early summer was Ishaada’s favorite time of year in Euridean. The eastern garden of the White Hall exploded into life and color. Fruit trees were full of ripe cherries and apricots. There were bushes of berries intermixed with all the different flowers and shrubs, filling the air with their sweet fragrance in the heat of the day. As she and her handmaidens made their way through the flower garden, she would take a few cuttings here and there and tuck them in the basket. The other women were laughin...





Thriller
(Fic)
Mommy Time
by Cynthia A. Jensen


A woman finds comfort in the company of dolls. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

MOMMY TIME

Then

           She was so happy. Having her first baby at the age of seventeen didn’t phase her at all. Her mother was so pissed, but she didn’t care. Mother was only mad because the baby would be another mouth to feed. But she could breastfeed for a year, maybe longer if she needed to. The father of the baby left town after she broke the news to him. He didn’t want to be a father again, much less accused...





Fantasy
(Fic)
WOODH World: Hunter
by Stacy Jensen


Cara is a demon hunter/assassin who gets a request for help from a man desperate for someone to help his sister. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Hunter

She’d only been sent to Chicago once before. Last time, luckily, she was able to collect money and was able to finish the job without bloodshed. This time, she didn’t feel lucky. She had the idea that the debtor wasn’t in a situation where he could pay. The debt was large, and had been delinquent for awhile. The man that her spotter had been following, and the places that he frequented were not the kind of locations that screamed he had a lot of cash to spend.

This particular even...





Historical Fiction
(Fic)
Berlin to Munich: Angel Maker Series
by Barry B. Wright

Chapter One
1923

In the poverty-stricken neighborhood where the Gruener family lived, tuberculosis was a well-established part of life. But in the fall of 1918, something new visited their Frankfurt community that remained until 1920. It began as a fever and sore throat. Headaches, body aches, cough and nose bleeds were common. Doctors advised their patients to take up to 30 grams of aspirin per day. For some, this regime appeared to work as their symptoms improved. Days would pass before this mysterious manifestation re...



PUBLISHED BOOK!



Historical Fiction
(Fic)

Buy!
Carthage Atlantica: An Alternate History
by Brandon Pilcher


In the wake of the Second Punic War, the ancient Carthaginians establish a new colony on the shores of North America. Buy a copy!

Chapter One
Landing

200 BC, in an alternate timeline

The deckhouse door slammed open as the navigator barged in, his russet-colored face soaked with sweat. "Baal-Hammon be praised, we've sighted land at last!"

Isceradin's cup of wine slipped down from his grasp as he took in the sailor's words. It took his wife Arishat's lightning reflexes to catch it before it could shatter on the floor. Not that he would miss it too much if it did break and spill, since the liquid was well over halfway to turn...





Horror
(Fic)
nothing
by no one


there is nothing to this. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

1

 

I drop to my knees as an iron banded barrel flies over my head, smashing into the brick wall of the alley, as the dust clears you can see where the bricks have crumbled under the impact. One of the iron bands is lodged in the wall, with a fragment or two of wood still hanging from a couple of rusty nails. that makes four of those things, it’s thrown in my general direction, I’m not sure it is aiming for me. I very much doubt it's even aware I’m following it; the bar...





Paranormal
(Fic)
Ruff Justice
by Carol Tierney


A female werewolf hunts down bad guys when the law can't or won't "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

I fucked up so bad.  Last night I killed a man. He deserved it right enough, I just wish I knew what to do now.

I was born a monster and even though I have stuck rigidity to the golden rule I always knew this could happen.

We’re so much better at controlling our inner wolves these days.  Most of us are perfectly capable of living as normal people, albeit people with strangely demanding metabolisms.  It’s over 50 years since scientists worked out that shifting, even ...





Romance
(Fic)
Cinder-Cookie
by Tiffany S. Doran

Victoria Bronx wants to purchase a brand new building on the lower end of town to fulfill her dreams of owning her own bakery, but a corporate giant, Bradley Parson, moves in and threatens to tear it ... More ▼


Chapter 1

The alarm rang loudly against the silence of the dark room. Groaning, Victoria Bronx rolled over and laid her hand hard against the off button. She longs for her snooze button but it no longer works. She rolled onto her back and pulled the covers over her head. Victoria hasn’t ever been a morning person. Her mom had to start waking her up as a child about an hour ahead of time just so she would have time to procrastinate before she got up.

“What are you going to do when you grow up, Vic...





Children's
(Fic)
SleepyTime Bigfoot
by Tiffany S. Doran

Even Bigfoot needs to sleep too! After the long day of hunting and foraging for food is over and there is no one else in the woods to play hide and seek with, Bigfoot settles in for a long nap. Join u ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Bigfoot, Bigfoot, time for bed

Bigfoot, Bigfoot, rest your head

Your time for play is done and through

Take off your shirt, your socks, and shoes

Climb in the water and splash,splash,splash

All squeaky clean, we’ll be done in a flash.

Time to brush your teeth until they’re sparkly and white

Here comes daddy Bigfoot, don’t forget to tell him good night

So much fun you both have had, now it’s time for bed but don’t be sad





Chick Lit
(Fic)
Last of the Big Time Spenders
by Cindy Davis

The entire Moore clan is celebrating Thanksgiving at Old Man Thompson’s barn. Though Joy’s not blood-related, they insist she be a part, which makes sense since, months ago, she uncovered the murd ... More ▼


Chapter 1
Only the Good Die Young

Chapter One

It’s nearly midnight. The Thanksgiving celebration has been rocking for hours. The turkey carcass sits like a vociferous wart amid the near-empty bowls of veggies and stuffing on the long row of buffet tables in Old Man Thompson’s barn. Every member of the Moore family is in attendance. I know. I hear you asking what I’m doing here as I’m not related to anyone in Uncertain, Florida let alone the Moore clan. The answer is that they wouldn’t take no for an an...





Adventure
(Fic)
Winter's Divide: Episode One
by Steven Smith


Life is hard in the Scandinavian settlement of Leikskalar. But despite the cold and bleak conditions, some people were born to lead even in the dead of winter. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Hunt

Morning frost had turned the grass into sharp shards, the branches of the trees were frozen rigid, and water had turned as hard as stone. Barely a living thing would venture out into this freezing wilderness, sources of food and water were now minimal, until this bitter winter would pass. 

A deer had braved the cold morning, the air was thick with each of its shallow breaths, alert to the surrounding woods, cautious that dangers may still be present. Its eyes darting from side to side, somethi...





Young Adult
(Fic)
Nina's Demons
by Marian Holland


Nina despises public speaking. So she did what any shy teen in debate class would do-summon a demon. To say her life changes after that is understatement of the year undebatable. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Thunder echoed throughout a valley of rural homes. The sky was dark and filled with even darker clouds. Lightening promised its appearance by spitting across the sky. Rain is coming soon. 

An old teenager stood by the window, watching. It was almost time. Taking utmost care not to wake her parents or younger sister, she dashed to the cabinet, scooped two handfuls of yellow candles and set off into her living room. Placing them all in a circle, she lights them one by one. Fumes rise to the ceil...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Twice-Crowned
by John Alleyn

In a world not quite our own, young Alexandra is driven into exile before she can take her mother's place as queen of her city. Alone but for a single devoted guardsman, she travels to the Athens of P ... More ▼


Chapter 1

In late morning, a procession set out from the gates of the city.

As always at festival time, the people were in their finest, especially the aristoi who led the procession. Noblemen wore white kilts with elaborate embroidery in blue or crimson, leaving their torsos and most of their legs bare. Their dark hair fell to their shoulders, some in braids, some left in loose cascades of curls. Their beards were carefully trimmed and teased into elaborate curls. Those who were young and fit strod...





Coming of Age
(Fic)
When everything changed (working): Life had been steady, happy, the same. Until it wasn't.
by Sparks Jackson


Penny had lived a normal happy life with her parents in the north of England until a visit to her Uncles one summer changed everything for her and turned her outlook on life upside down. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1 - The trip down

Chapter 1 – The trip down. 

It started out just like any other day where we were going away to visit family.

I opened my eyes and felt the day light on my face, light beams streaming through the crack in the curtains warmed my cheek as I lay still in bed.  Familiar sounds thrummed their way to my ears, mum in the kitchen, radio on chatting away, pots being moved about, breakfast was being prepared as usual.  The clatter of Simon’s claws on the tile floor a...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Man of the Daggers
by Adam Wright

Feran Stormweather is a dark mage. His family has held off the forces of the Army of Radiance for generations. After Feran sacrifices everything he holds dear to keep his people safe he must go into h ... More ▼


Chapter 1
The Cool of the Shadows

Feran Stormweather knelt, closed his eyes, and felt rich, damp, soil beneath his fingertips. He inhaled and thought of shadows, the cool shade, and protection from the light. A cool energy surged through him. Light and the heat from it blistered the skin, scorched the earth, blazing across Ardor, not caring what it burned away or who it left as a heap of ash. It was the ever-present danger to the people of The Daggers, the city Feran called home. 

He eased his dagger from its sheath with his f...





Crime
(Fic)
Caroline
by Philip Cumberland


A Private eye based in the Cambridgeshire Fens. He has been hired to investigate two different cases. "Sounds interesting!"

1

 

Chapter 1

What was I doing in Caroline’s bed?

Slowly, as I woke the memory of the night before fought its way into my mind. Staggering out of The Scutcher's Arms at gone midnight, eventually locating my bicycle propped up against the bus shelter. I wasn't sure then whether my undercover enquiries had been that successful.

Waking up in Caroline's bed let alone her house was still a mystery to me, the team of blacksmiths hard at work in my head stopped me thinking about...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Gilded Knights: Heroes of Aezeria
by Virginia Rose

With a chaos-worshipping cult and dragons threatening the world, and the world's supposed hero organization crumbling from within, Seida Mauvir can only do what any woman in her position would; go rog ... More ▼


Chapter 1
Run

The streets of the market district were heavily crowded, and filled with a deafening blend of voices. As Seida slowly made her way through the rabble of shoppers, she kept an ear out for any interesting news. If there was one thing the city of Kall was good for, it was gathering gossip. Thus far, she’d managed to gather quite a bit of useful information by simply passing through the crowds throughout the day. 

Perhaps the most intriguing bit of gossip she had gathered was the recent stri...





Historical Fiction
(Fic)
The Old World: By the Hands of Men, Book One
by Roy M. Griffis

A soldier fights for his soul in the trenches of France. A field hospital nurse battles death every day. When duty and honor are not enough of a reason to go on in the hell of a world at war, love giv ... More ▼


The Casualty Clearing Station

The new girl was peering about the tent when Charlotte and Kathleen stumbled in at the end of their shift that July day in 1917. The work itself was exhausting—twelve hours of standing, bending, folding, feeding, bandaging, debriding, cleaning, and sterilizing; only to repeat it all again. Add to that the effort of presenting cheerful countenances to the hundreds of wounded men they passed each day, and it may be understood that their labours were truly Herculean.

Giving a smile to men w...





History
(Non-Fic)
kənˈspirəsē: Conspiracy theories about U.S. Government
by Marcus M. McGrew (MMM)


This is a thought provoking attention grabber. None of this is original writing just information and research. "Sounds interesting!"

Executive Order 13603
Martial law

Federal Register

Vol. 77, No. 56

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Title 3—

The President

Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012

National Defense Resources Preparedness

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C.&nbs...





Mystery
(Fic)
When Silence Screams: An Arthur Nakai Mystery
by Mark Edward Langley

Arthur Nakai a visitor on his doorstep at White Mesa. Melanie Manygoats arrives on a cold winter’s day seeking his help locating her missing daughter. Arthur accepts and soon finds himself wading th ... More ▼


Chapter 1

WHEN SILENCE SCREAMS

An Arthur Nakai Mystery

MARK EDWARD LANGLEY

Copywrite © 2021 by Mark Edward Langley

Published in 2021 by Mark Edward Langley

Cover design by Zena Coffman

Author photo by Brittany Ghezzi

CHAPTER ONE

 

 

April Manygoats’ eyes flickered briefly, projecting snippets of images upon the canvas of her slowly awakening mind. As her consciousness sharpened, her eyes focused on the overwhelming darkness that surrounde...





Horror
(Fic)
TALES FROM HELL II: Hell's Bells Are Ringing Again!
by Bert LaVey

With the popularity of TALES FROM HELL book one, I am back at the old PC digging into the dark, dark recesses of my "Don't Go In There!" mind to bring you a new set of horror stories for a C ... More ▼


Chapter 1
"Hell Bells Are Ringing Again!"

There was Big Mr. M, and two other rather angry looking guys in the room. I was visiting my friend who stayed with his grandmother and sort of in the wrong place at the wrong time!

Big Mr. M was easily the town's No 1. Gangster and no one liked standing in front of him for obvious reasons.

A person stood in front of Big Mr. M either for Big Mr. M to tell them what to do, which was never what you wanted to do, or to pay him money, and if you owed him money you better believed you better h...





Thriller
(Fic)
Starrbodies
by Cynthia A. Jensen


A man kidnaps a fitness guru to help his depressed sister lose weight. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

STARRBODIES

Chapter One

 

 

           “Merry Christmas, Man,” my brother, Todd, said as he walked in my bedroom carrying a breakfast tray. My given name is Amanda, but he calls me "Man" for short. On it was an overflowing plate full of eggs, hash browns, toast, and bacon. There was coffee with plenty of cream and sugar, and a large glass of orange juice. My name was Amanda, but Todd usually called me by ...





Memoir
(Non-Fic)
Memoirs of a Dacia: The Super Woman Next Door
by Dacia M Arnold


The life journey of author, mother and US Army Veteran, Dacia M Arnold "Sounds interesting!"

Part I. Seek and You Will Find

“Show me your War Faaaaaace!!!!” screamed a drill sergeant high in the guard tower overlooking our company of army trainees. They called us “privates”, as this was the rank most of us wore. Entry Level, but likely just to be demoralizing referring to us as an alias to genitalia. Better than seamen I guess.

The drill sergeant’s voice was amplified by a bull horn and even the distortion couldn’t hide the smile from his tone. On the ride over, I overheard a hand ful...





Chick Lit
(Fic)
The Kiss
by Shirley Holder Platt


A collection of short stories and an occasional poem "Sounds interesting!"

The Kiss

A short story, to brighten your day:

"The Kiss"

Sometimes, a kiss is just a kiss. This wasn’t one of those times. I’d been watching Marcus for years, ever since he saved me from bullies in the schoolyard when we were in fourth grade. I was one of the poor kids. My mom dressed me in hand me downs and clothes she found at garage sales. She cut my hair and would have made my underwear if she knew how to sew. My shoes had holes in the soles. Marcus wasn’t like me. His daddy owne...





Chick Lit
(Fic)
Wandering Among the Stars
by Wendy Ogilvie

When Wanda Mikos’ ambition of being a celebrity personal trainer in Los Angeles becomes a reality, she is soon reminded of her dad’s advice ‘be careful what you wish for’. An unfortunate inc ... More ▼


Chapter 1
LA Jail

I arrived in Los Angeles four weeks ago and here I am in jail. I should mention why I’m here - not jail, LA I mean. I am a Personal Trainer to the stars. Well that's a slight exaggeration but that was my dream when I entered the Main Event Competition at home in England. The event is run by Move Makers Gym, based in LA. Their trainers work with the Hollywood elite and the winner of the competition would get to work in their gym for three months. I didn't win but I came close; Patsy and Rae, who own...





Romance
(Fic)
Beyond the Deep Water
by Karla Martinez

More than a romance, there is a message I want to give to anyone who can relate to the feelings of the main character. Camille Laitner is beautiful and elegant but a clear example that beauty does ... More ▼


Fears

The sun shines brightly in the middle of the blue sky. Heavenly.

The countryside is always sunny, blue, and radiant, thanks to the sun that touches everything with life. Landscapes are full of pasture, which looks like a yellow ocean of buttercups when they bloom to its full wonder. This is what Camille enjoys the most about springtime. The season of rebirth and restart.

This is the perfect time to feel the gleaming sun on her skin, burning it enough to give her a little color, which also hel...





Poetry
(Non-Fic)
A Coffeeshop Memoir
by MasifFirrahz

Faintly whispered half drunk confessions admitted quietly inside of a dimly lit abandoned coffeeshop after the midnight hours night after night slowly sipping hot Gingerbread Lattes trying to get sobe ... More ▼


Index

Prologue

#1 – Coffeeshop Confessions #1

#2 – Coffeeshop Confessions #2

#3 – Coffeeshop Confessions #3

#4 – Coffeeshop Confessions #4

#5 – Coffeeshop Confessions #5

#6 – Coffeeshop Confessions #6

#7 – Coffeeshop Confessions #7

#8 – Coffeeshop Confessions #8

#9 – Coffeeshop Confessions #9

#10 – Coffeeshop Confessions #10

#11 – Coffeeshop Confessions #11

#12 – Coffe...





Romance
(Fic)
Anchor Bay: Stormy Love
by Nancy Vaughn

Lily Brighton was widowed the same day her husband delivered the divorce papers. Tom Chambers ex-wife is an alcoholic who doesn't understand the concept of divorce means she is on her own. Plus someth ... More ▼


Chapter 1
Stormy Love

Mid-August Anchor Bay, Maine

CHAPTER 1

Lilly Brighton pulled in behind the moving truck stopped in front of her new residence. It wasn’t a new house, but it was new to her. The quaint, two-story cottage style, typical of southern coastal Maine, was a far cry from the rambling ranch house she sold when she left Arlington, Texas. The movers rolled up the large door at the rear of the truck, pulling out rolling carts and dollies and began unloading. It didn’t take long for them ...





Mystery
(Fic)
Sunnyvale: Sequel To "Pins and Needles"
by Barry B. Wright

A rural community is turned upside down with the influx of extremists bent on creating a white ethno-state, the murder of a highly respected police officer, and the fetishism of a person willing to ki ... More ▼


Chapter One
Waiting Until Dark

His approach to the bedroom window is stealthier than previous visits. Though unintended, he had killed. The local newspaper and media reports had put the community on edge. Respected and above suspicion, much was at stake during each intrusion, but a sexual fetish was the driving force. A branch snapped. Frozen in place, only heartbeats marked the passage of time. Finally feeling safe, he drew closer to her home. Huh! The lover’s car is parked in the drive. The light went out in the bedro...





Crime
(Fic)
The Dead of Knight
by Viktor Slater

The death of a wealthy British diplomat on the London Eye, a body discovered at Buckingham Palace, and a terrorist shooting in central London lead to the dark secrets of a family. Secrets that must be ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Young Kelly Jones looked longingly at the playground. It wasn’t far away, but it might as well be a million miles away. Instead, she was stuck in the boring queue with Mum and Dad. It was her first-time visiting London, visiting England even, and they seemed to have been standing in queues all day.

There was a queue for the underground train. When they finally got on, it was hot and horribly claustrophobic in the summer heat. Then they’d had to queue for the Natural History...





Adventure
(Fic)
The Story of Prince Arsalan the Famous [Amir Arsalan Namdar]
by Dariush Ahmadzadeh Rezvani

The story is published in three volumes in English and Arabic. Dating back to the 11th century, the story is about a young prince, who starts traveling around the world, who sees a picture of a pre ... More ▼


Chapter 1

The Story of Prince Arsalan the Famous [Amir Arsalan Namdar] (Volume I of III)

Introduction:

The Story of ((Prince Arsalan the Famous[1])) is one of the most famous novels in Persian folklore. This story was told to King Naser al-Deen of The Qajar Dynasty by his storyteller - Mirza Mohammad-Ali Naqeeb Al-Mamalek. At that time, King Naser al-Deen's daughter - Fakhr od-Dowleh - sat behind the half-open door of the room. She then wrote the stories carefully...





Memoir
(Non-Fic)
Plunge: One Woman's Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary
by Liesbet Collaert


A 30-year-old nomad seeks adventure and freedom at sea, but finds herself at odds with love, work, immigration, weather, and health as she navigates the world and her relationship. "Sounds interesting!"

Prologue
Mid-ocean

For the last ten days, my sweetheart and I have been stuck on our 35-foot sailboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Except, there is nothing pacific (or sweet) about this ride, this life, anymore.

Mark steps into the cockpit and cracks his head on the sharp edge of the doorway – again. He lets out a yell of agony. Our floating home had briefly gone airborne and landed with a smack and a groan back into the turbulent sea.

“We’re putting this boat up for sale the m...





Literary Fiction
(Fic)
AKIN
by Robin Murarka

AKIN follows a young boy named Aydan who lives in a small village in the desert. The story takes place in an ancient, archaic past, and follows him as he ventures into the world around him, often refl ... More ▼


Prologue

Long ago, Parus, there was a man named Samad. He lived in a village not unlike ours, although his village was larger and further into the desert. It was surrounded by sands as far as the eye could see.

"The village and its occupants grew up together in close proximity. It was organized by a group of elders who made decisions that affected the entire village. They relied upon a well and farmed the arid land. All were known to each other.

"Samad had a son, and his name was Ionus. Samad adored ...





Memoir
(Non-Fic)
Looking Back
by Leon Stevens


A short story featuring a different perspective on significant life events. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

“I wish that I could smile, but then I look back at each receding mile.” –from I’m Sorry by Leon Stevens

 

I remember seeing my childhood home disappear behind the climbing tree. As my sister and I got older—and braver—we would climb higher through the prickly, sappy branches until reaching the point where you could feel it sway. We had built forts in it, each one a bit better than the last, but each with its own problems. The branche...





Historical Fiction
(Fic)
The Butterfly Necklace: A Magical Time Travel Story
by A. C Paradiso

Allie inherits a butterfly necklace from her grandma and magically travels back in time to when her grandma was a teenager in the 1950s. Allie and her best friend Holden must figure out how they trave ... More ▼


Chapter 1 - The Pink Lace Shoes

If you had told me last year, that a box of my grandma’s old belongings would change my life forever. I wouldn’t believe you. I would tell you that nothing extraordinary happens here in my hometown of West Linn, Oregon.  Now everything has changed and this is my story of how it all happened.

   Last year (2015) in mid-May my best friend Holden James Finch asked me to our junior prom. Neither of us had dates, nor were we ever the type for the perfect prom experience. I had...





Satire
(Fic)
You Can't Blame That On Me
by Larry Thompson

These are stories that I wrote in response to things that happened in my life while I wasn't in my right mind. Some of them are lies! Yeah, I know, that's outrageous, but, I'm an author. I make thing ... More ▼


Title Page

  

 

 

 

 

 

You Can’t Blame That On Me!

 

 

 

 

by

Larry K Thompson

 

TEXT EDITED BY

       DAVID OSTERHOUT

...





Romance
(Fic)
Regina Della Mafia
by K. M.

As the new Donna of the Luciano Crime Syndicate and the New York mafia, Marsia has a lot to work through. One thing she didn't expect? Three hot as hell CIA operative infiltrating her organization and ... More ▼


Prologue

A group of men sat around a conference table in a dimly lit office space in Paramus, New Jersey. The group of four were unnervingly large and fit. A slideshow of brutal murders was playing, each body more grotesque and disfigured than the last. Heads were stuck on spikes in front yards with their tongues and eyes missing, mutilated bodies hung from street lamps in abandoned alleyways and entire rooms of men were displayed with their throats slashed and bodies riddled with bullet holes. 

The el...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Waveborn
by Mikayla Whitaker

The small coastal town in South Carolina was supposed to be a chance at a new life. It wasn't supposed to turn her whole world upside down. When a merman named Delmare arrives she must choose to prote ... More ▼


Chapter 1

I slammed the door of my truck with more force than I intended as the rhythmic sound of my caution lights blinked a soft orange, shining stark against the deep blue hue of the truck's exterior. I cursed under my breath as I grabbed the spare tire and tools from the back of the truck, hurling it all over the side and rolling the tire over to the front near the driver's side. I sighed, dropping the toolbox with a loud thud as I followed after it, getting down on my hands and knees as I placed the jack unde...





Children's
(Fic)
You, me and the Bubblegum Tree
by Tiffany S. Doran

Join me as we meet a curious little boy whom has been given a task by his mother to use his imagination. Follow him on his magnificent travels as he goes in search within the brinks of his imagination ... More ▼


Chapter 1

I was sitting outside with my mom one day and she told me to think of a land far away. So I moved closer to her and closed my eyes real tight, I thought and I thought, with all my might. I saw a bright sunny day filled with birds in flight, the breeze blowing trees and the sand so white. A shack by the shore selling knick-knacks in three's and beside that sat a bubblegum tree. I opened my eyes and told her what I'd seen, how the breeze smelled salty but the sand was clean, about the shack by the shore se...





Fan Fiction
(Fic)
Back to Donkey Island: A fan tribute to Monkey Island
by Gilbert Gallo

A terrible curse ruined your royal wedding, placing your soul into your pirate grandfather's body. To lift it, you must lead a crazy crew through countless hilarious challenges in this adventure inspi ... More ▼


The cursed maiden

The [b]curse[/b] weighs like an unbearable burden on you.

*line_break

This body you're [i]in[/i] is a torment and a mockery: it does not belong to you, nor does the hateful name associated with it: [b]"Guy"[/b].

*line_break

You want your former body and your former life back and you are ready to do whatever it takes.

*line_break

After a terrifying journey aboard a rickety coffin-shaped boat, you finally come to the heart of Scuffle Island’s rotten swamp: the skul...





Inspirational
(Fic)
Never Judge A Book By Its Cover
by VirgoWriter20


Life, Love and Substance Abuse "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Be Careful of What You Ask For..

 

I remember as a kid we all couldn’t wait to be grown. To our friends we talked about what we would do, who’d we become and how we would be in personality as moms and wives and usually after we were chastised by the elders in our family and put on punishments I can remember crying and sobbing and mumbling under my breath that “I couldn’t wait to be grown” and in my mind I couldn’t wait ...





Thriller
(Fic)
The monster I've become (working title)
by Steven Derwin


Growing up in the eighties and nineties. Daniel has to navigate life at the hands of an abusive father, the loss of a loved one, and a deadly mistake. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
The End

The rancid smell of stale urine and weed hung in the air. You could tell that nothing had been done with the house since the eighties maybe even the seventies other than being a refuge for local junkies and squatters. The carpet was damp and rotting away at the corners. It was old and thickened with years of dust, grime, and dirt, littered with little balls of rolled up tin foil, used syringes and empty aerosol, and beer cans that were gathering dust among the stains and rat droppings. The odd used condo...





Autobiographical Fiction
(Fic)
Fish Business
by GB Rangoon


It's a story about entrepreneurship, opportunities, decisions that along with happenstance decide where your life leads you. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Chapter 1* *

The Restaurant

Georgia moved from table to table taking orders and refilling coffee cups. She talked and joked with the customers, most of whom she knew by first name. 

“Hi Fred”

“ Hi Georgia.” Fred responded putting his menu back between the wall and the napkin holder.

How’s Anthony? He must be getting big.”

“He’s fine. Pretty soon he’ll be riding on your school ...





Crime
(Fic)
The Midnight Call
by Jode Millman

Could you ever suspect that your mentor was a cold-blooded killer? Attorney Jessie Martin couldn’t– at least not until she answers the midnight call. Late one August night, her mentor/conf ... More ▼


Deleted Chapter
Meet Miri Shtern, MD : Psychiatrist to a Killer

Miri Shtern’s eyes were wide open, staring straight ahead. Her hands firmly gripped the handle of the Smith and Wesson revolver. Her feet spread apart to stabilize her slight frame, she took aim at the target and squeezed the trigger in rapid succession until she’d discharged the six chambers. Spent shell casings pinged as they bounced upon ground around her boots.

 Twenty-five yards away, the bullets pierced the heart of her target, a paper silhouette of a life-size human being. S...





Fantasy
(Fic)
OSKAR: A Rock Opera For Children
by B. L. Peterson

A young Black man goes around telling people he is from Mars and he has an extremely important message for the people of the earth: It is of a grave matter but he forgot what it was! So to humor their ... More ▼


Chapter 1 - Oskar Arrives

"An unenlightened man is like a man in a cave with his hands bound.

He is looking at the wall and seeing the spot of light from the entrance to the cave which is behind him.

You step into the dark cave, out of the light and try and tell the man there is more to his life than this.

But he exclaims almost like a madman that "He sees the light! He sees the light!",

looking at the beam of light on the wall...





Science Fiction
(Fic)
Taking Power: Book Five of the DiaZem Series
by Dacia M Arnold


THE FINAL BOOK!!!! "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Valerie

Valerie Russell took four long strides towards her new captor and punched him square in the jaw. Needle like pain erupted in her hand and shot through to her elbow. The impact, no doubt, broke more than one bone. Tears blurred her vision. Rage boiled in her chest releasing a battle cry of pain, frustration, and targeted hate. She pulled back again and took another swing. This time Tony blocked her arm and maneuvered to hug her into him. Valerie screamed and thrashed against his arms, fighting with e...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Cat's Lair
by Mary Judge-Hubard


The Queen of the witches must find and destroy an evil sorceress and her army of killer zombies, in order to save the world from total destruction. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 2- (Revised)
Plane Ride

The Airplane rides

  Margo hands the air hostess both plane tickets. Cleo sits quietly next to the window seat in first class. Margo looks around the airplane cabin. No witches here. It has been only six hours since Cleo had been awakened. Her energy force had clearly not been deciphered yet? The airplane glides down the tarmac and takes off the end of the air strip.

  Cleo wakes up refreshed. For the first time in at least twenty years her legs felt strong, in fact, ...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Progenies of the Great Apocalypse
by Justin Thoby

The world is freezing. Once idyllic Elistar is cast into war and endless winter. Old kings and new are forced to put the bloodfeuds of the past behind them for the survival of all. And high above, ... More ▼


Prologue: Sleeping Stars

The road was composed of ribbons of starlight. It rose up away from the world into the vast emptiness beyond, ancient as the distant suns that cast it, winding out of sight in every direction through the darkness. The horse raced across the plane of the star system, sure of its direction, heading outward, away from the warmth and the light. There was only a single world in this system worth mentioning. Further out were dead worlds, small and frozen and dark, hidden from the sun's blessed light by...





Horror
(Fic)
Pray for Night
by E.T Hanson


A desperate cop and a pack of werewolves try to find common ground in their mutual hunt for a serial killer terrorizing San Francisco. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Luther

It was the last Tuesday before Christmas, and the halls were peppered with art projects full of trees, presents and snow, which was funny to Luther since it never snowed in San Francisco.

That’s what he thought of to distract himself as he ran onto the first floor of Miraloma Elementary School.

When he reached the first floor, Luther nearly slammed into two of his teachers. There was his English teacher, a strange man named Mr. Webb. Mr. Webb always wore his hair long and often came to...





Mystery
(Fic)
Killing Time In LA: A James St.James Mystery
by Kenneth Lawson


1949 LA. James St.James is pulled into the investigation of a a professors wife who has been shot. The Husband confess. But the facts don't add up. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1: Day One Thursday. June 9, 1949

The smell of coffee woke me up.

I followed the smell into the kitchen. Where  Brenda stood at the stove frying up some bacon and eggs.

“Smells good hun.” As  I  headed for the bathroom. I came back into the kitchen a few minutes later partly dressed. Taking my usual chair at the small round kitchen table. I poured myself a cup of coffee.

 By now Brenda had finished the frying and handed me a plate of food.

 While we ate  I turned on the sm...





Literary Fiction
(Fic)
Flash Fiction Collection
by Jo Hawk

Tall tales, snippets of conversations, general musing or dark thoughts from a disturbed mind, all retold in a few words. What ideas lurk in the corners of a writer's imagination? You can find out in a ... More ▼


Repeating History

I took the stairs, two at a time, stuffing my gun into its holster as I tried to ignore the heavy strap digging into my shoulder. It was early, and I prayed as I approached her apartment.

“Please, be awake.”

Closing the door softly, I listened. Someone was in the kitchen. Relief washed over me as I peered around the doorjamb. Her small, frail frame bent over the sink. The house-dress hung on her like a worn rag, and white nurse shoes appeared too big for her thin leg...





Romance
(Fic)
Sweet Desire
by Imogen McKenzie

Claire's flatmate is forever late with her share of the rent, but what will Emma do to avoid paying out money she doesn't have? Claire soon finds out that her flatmate has a weird infatuation with the ... More ▼


Chapter 1

It was Friday evening, and it had been a long day at work, Claire couldn’t wait to get home and crack open the bottle of wine she had brought from the shop. The stresses of the week had simply zapped poor Claire of energy, both physically and mentally. She took the lift up to the 7th floor and made her way to the luxury apartment that she shared with her friend Emma. Problem was, Emma was a party animal, and her drinking habits often caused disputes between the pair, she would arrive home late, bri...





Coming of Age
(Fic)
Growing Up Girls
by Deanna Greenway


The coming of age of a shy young girl and her journey through independence. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
Summer

Mama hung up the phone and called my name, “Sara?”

At 10 years old, I come running when mama calls my name. As the middle child, I have a bossy older sister and a whiny six-year-old sister. Despite my efforts to keep everyone happy, it rarely works out. I ran into the living room so fast; I felt my feet slipping on the freshly waxed hardwood floors. Pushing dark bangs out of my face, I answered, “Yes, Mama?”

“Your Aunt Meg asked us to come for a vi...





Spirituality
(Non-Fic)
Journey Through Lockdown: A Christian devotional for uncertain times
by Jenny Young


My personal reflections on Level Five Lockdown as a Grandmother in South Africa. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

25 March 2020

Virtual World

 

On Sunday we attended virtual church. Well, it wasn’t quite virtual reality – if you compare it to some games where you wear a helmet and wield a sword, but it was not real church. It was watching videos pre-recorded or selected by our leaders for us to watch at home with possibly a small group. Like video games, there are limits and restrictions. One of the restrictions is my knowledge of technology but the most notable difference is the l...





Speculative Fiction
(Fic)
Zipacna's Legacy ~ Jade
by Cindy Davis


An eight-year-old boy awakens Jade's shocking asset: her seer and healer’s ability. Good thing because she's just inherited a school for advanced spiritualism. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

“Older and wiser voices can help you find the right path,

if you are only willing to listen.”

~ Jimmy Buffett

 

One

Jade French stepped from the cab transfixed by the tangled mass of vines that nearly obliterated the hotel’s wide front porch. The web seemed even more overgrown than when she was here two months ago. But it sent a heady aroma—not too sweet, not too herbal—into the mid-morning air and helped erase some of the uncertainty rolli...





Biography
(Non-Fic)
DEVIL 63, Vietnam Gunship Pilot
by CWO 2 Sims and Larry K. Thompson, LTC (Ret.)

CWO Sims wants it understood from the beginning: he was no hero. He tells his story from the training that began at Fort Wolters, Texas, and continued through Fort Rucker, Alabama. He tells his story ... More ▼


Devil 63 Title Page

DEVIL 63,

Vietnam Gunship Pilot

 

By

CWO 2 Richard Sims

     As told to

      Larry K. Thompson

________

 

 

 

...





Mystery
(Fic)
Love, Or Something Like It
by L. K. Thompson, LTC (Ret.)

Stunned by the discovery that General Jagwi has not only escaped from his prison, but has been able to return to Korea, Team Reliant is forced to mobilize, seek out the General, and take him down.The ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Front matter:

Love,

Or Something Like It

 

Love, or Something Like It

This novel is a Team Reliant series, Book Four

Businesses, brands, places, products, names, and other Marca Registrada referred to in this book are used fictitiously and are the property of the respective trademark holders. There is no association express or implied between the author and any trademark holder. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting t...





Literary Fiction
(Fic)
Bowled
by Nicki vanK

The lives of two women (the beautiful, wealthy late 50's Lizzie and downtrodden early 30's Aurora living on the street)become connected through family violence. The local bowling club somehow becomes ... More ▼


Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the middle of the night Lizzie woke. Her eyes half opening, trying unsuccessfully to adjust to the dark. She moved her hand marginally – just enough to feel if he was still in the bed. He was. She expected he would be asleep after last nights drinking, but she listened hard to hear if his breathing was steady.

When she was sure he was asleep, she quietly slid out of the bed, padded round and felt for the familiar door handle.

She didn't go into the en-suite, instead w...





Crime
(Fic)
First Kill
by Paige Shoop

Emily moved in to a new place. She becomes injured and is forced to stay home. To occupy her time she spies on the neighbors. Jeremy is an interesting. What does he do on those long days away? Will sh ... More ▼


Chapter 1

It was the first time I killed a man. I know killing is wrong. But, killing someone who has done more wrong than right I believe needs to be dead, right? Was I really wrong to kill him? It just had to be done. 

I sat in the enclosed room with the two detectives, Detective Johnson and Detective Quinn for an hour now. I was in shock of what happened. I felt if I told them they wouldn’t believe me. They stood in silence for a moment. A video camera was pointed toward my blood stained f...





Horror
(Fic)
Assassinato Selva: (Murder Jungle)
by Steven Smith


Four friends go on a mystery sight-seeing holiday, they take a dreadful twist through a vast South American jungle, a jungle which it is soon apparent has far too many secrets. "Sounds interesting!"

Prologue

It was late in the night, 1.50am to be precise. A woman sat in the darkness of her apartment living room, her legs resting up on the settee, her back against two large cushions. A white laptop resting upon her thighs was the only real source of light, the subtle light from the screen gave a gentle glow on her face, she stared hard at the screen biting the thumbnail on her right hand. A quick gaze to her left hand and a debit card was clenched tight between her fingers, she quietly read out the long numbe...





Mystery
(Non-Fic)
You did this to yourself: America's plight
by Marcus M. McGrew


In this particular genre we take a deep dive into America's good, bad and ugly bits. No holds barred eye opening look at where we have evolved as a United States. "Sounds interesting!"

The forgotten 13

So yesterday I took a gander at Executive Order 13603 and my brain would not shut off. The next few minutes I'd like to try and paint a picture for you all and where I think we're headed but before I do that I'd like to set the tone by posting the following:

The 13th amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States, passed the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on January 31, 1865. On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submittin...





Romance
(Fic)
Never Far Away
by Patricia Elliott

*Published by Clarendon House Publications in their Rapture Anthology* Ryan Jenkins was once a happy husband and father, but a tragic accident took his wife from him; and now, all he can do is wish ... More ▼


Chapter 1

*Published by Clarendon House Publications in 2018 in their Rapture: The Inner Circle Writer's Group Romance Anthology 2018*

------

"Daddy, Daddy!" Jessa, Ryan Jenkins' whirlwind of a daughter, shot into his office, her red pigtails flying. "I saw a mermaid."

Picking up his six-year-old bundle of energy, he set her on his lap. "Did Ms. Peterson put on The Little Mermaid again?"

Every day he had to listen to her ocean-going adventures, despite the fact that he hated the water. It n...





Coming of Age
(Fic)
Orion's Unveiling
by Odell Scott

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

           

           

           Orion clutched the bench in the changing room. His protective suit, a flattened lifeless skin waited for him. The yearly exam was complete. Odds were this was the last time he goes through this. Now, the wait for results. He smoothed back his brown hair and crept into his protec...





Science Fiction
(Fic)
The Second Body
by Terence Kuch

In the future, it's possible to have a second body - another you - a buddy, a guy to go to work for you when you just don't feel like it, to take risks you might not want to ... but the mysterious com ... More ▼


Back Story 2

[a piece of back story for the novel: The Origin of Anne]

Eric Danegold, a bioscientist, and his wife Lisa, want children. However, he is sterile owing to an earlier lab accident, and she had been advised by a physician that it would be dangerous for her to conceive, owing to an inherited health problem.

They discuss adoption, but want “their” children, as Anne Danegold later put it. They first decide to take his DNA and grow a “junior,” a clone. Then if ...





Humor
(Fic)
Life in the time of Covid19: Or, how to declutter your home
by Shirley Holder Platt


Short story poking fun at being quarantined. "Sounds interesting!"

Short Story

We were doing everything they told us to do. We washed our hands relentlessly. We stayed home and ordered take-out. We started having our groceries delivered. We even had plenty of toilet paper stocked up and stowed away under the sinks. I had always dyed my own gray hair and had a couple of boxes in the cabinet.

Of course, my hair grew into a shag. Not like the old Farrah Fawcett do, more like Phyllis Diller. That was one downside, but really, a rubber band fixed that pretty easily. I'd never been...





Romance
(Fic)
Hook, Line, and Sinker: Hart Brothers, Book One
by Shirley Holder Platt


A man born to privilege. A woman who worked her way up from poverty. One promotion on the line. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Zeke stood in the parking lot staring at the back of Darlene’s car. His brothers were on either side with their arms draped over his shoulder. The men remained silent until the car turned a corner and could no longer be seen. The neon sign for Rainy Daze Café buzzed in the humid, dawn air. Crickets called to one another. The sun’s light was just filling the sky with yellow rays. Inside the café, patrons watched through the plate glass windows. Some shook their heads, others whispered to the...





Fan Fiction
(Fic)
Two Harts are Better than One: The Rest of the Story
by Elizabeth M. Bradshaw


Hart to Hart season 5 opener is a fan favorite. What happens after the proposal to bring the fans back to the pilot? "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

Married. Jennifer’s head was spinning with the amazing turn of events. She had been headed from London to New York, trying to figure out what on earth had made Jonathan Hart turn on her so fast when she found herself detained by a detective for the second time. Before Jennifer could object, they were riding a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London. The fact she was now engaged to the very man who had her arrested made her head spin. The last 48 hours had been an unbelievable roller coas...





Fantasy
(Fic)
The Gods' Own
by Alexis Cunningham

Street conjuror Yasha Alukov wants only one thing, to get even with the rival who put him in prison but when he's released he discovers Djisi City's magical underworld overrun by demigods--and all of ... More ▼


Chapter 1
Preach on, My Brother

‘Remember my brothers, we are the gods own chosen soldiers,’ Preacher hollered, arms raised toward the cafeteria roof. ‘For we have been granted great gifts that we might use them for their glory—‘

‘Get off the Pit damn table.’ Four-Fingered Djan was not a fan of Preacher’s rousing oratory. He threw a stale bread roll at Preacher’s head from the end of the long table.

Preacher snatched the baked projectile out of the air, a snarl twisting ...





Romance
(Fic)
Moon Dance: Lover's Moon Series, Book 3
by Shirley Holder Platt


A woman who wants to dance. A man whose art is hidden away. Two people with a chance to become more together than they are apart. "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1 - Miles

Party goers swarmed around me, laughing, drinking, dancing. I stood still, dead on my feet, wishing I could be home in bed. Tiny lights in the trees twinkled overhead. I wondered who had climbed up into those tall limbs to hang them. The walkway shone with the remains of the water used to wash it clean. My head pounded along with the music, and I felt alone and forlorn. I was determined to finish college that year, so I was taking twelve hours. Three of that included a correspondence course, but still. P...





Fantasy
(Fic)
Sasha's Journey: Book One of the Transition Series
by Sheri Conaway

All her life, Sasha had been part of a close-knit community. So why did her parents suddenly uproot her to move to the middle of the desert where they were unwanted outsiders? Why did the locals hate ... More ▼


Chapter 1

The blazing desert sun offended Sasha with its efforts to raise her mood above abject misery. The voices in her head had been getting louder, but each carried the same hostile message: “Go back where you came from, Girl. You and your family aren’t welcome here.”

Sasha trudged blindly along the now-familiar sidewalk towards the white and yellow clapboard house which was nearly as forlorn as Sasha, surrounded only by Joshua trees and hard-packed sand on the outskirts of town. She s...





Romance
(Fic)
Unexpected Happiness
by Cassie


An unexpected happiness found, leading to immeasurable heartache when HE leaves to join the military.. will they're love survive this "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1

‘I’m so sorry, I hate that I’m hurting you, but I’m going to hurt you more if I don’t leave now” and just like that I was awake and sobbing. It had been almost a week since he took away the happiness, he just so easily gave me only a few months before and I couldn’t stop reliving the hurt. I never thought that when people told me I would find the person I wanted to give my whole heart to when I was least expecting it, that it was true, but 6 months later, when it...





Autobiographical Fiction
(Fic)
FROM THE MOON TO THE EARTH: AS ABOVE SO BELOW
by Anthony Poindexter


A combination of lists covering different aspects of the Earth, past and present "Sounds interesting!"

Chapter 1
The Zodiac

CHAPTER 1

THE ZODIAC

“The twelve signs of the Zodiac lay down twelve different “paths” of life… Every sign has its own manner of expression, birth in a higher and in a lower sense, and it depends on the person which options to take and how to use them.”

Karen Hamaker-Zondag,

author of Astro-Psychology

ARIES: (March 21-April 20) Ruling planet is Mars. Its symbol is the Ram. Aries basic momentum is Beginnings. They are arrogant, brusque, independ...





Spirituality
(Non-Fic)
In Search of a Soulful Life
by Al Duncan

A tale of courage. Leaving a long conditioned uncomfortable comfort zone with an intention of connecting with like-hearted people. From the Himalayas to rural South East Asia, prepare for an enlighten ... More ▼


Intentions set. Shift unfolds

“If the darkness is followed by the light was simply a belief of the ages.

Then what if the light was ever present.

But our perception remains one of illusionary shadows.

Who decided the shadows were real?

Was it you?

Or was it programmed?

Even then, what if we could perceive it all as a gift,

Then what would it become?

Light.”

He flicked on the bedside lamp. Scrambling for pen and paper.

Wow what a bizarre dream.

He scrib...



PUBLISHED BOOK!



Science Fiction
(Fic)

Buy!
Apparent Power: Book One of the DiaZem Series
by Dacia Arnold


A dormant gene awakens... And so does a rising world government. Valerie Russell is the key. Does she save her husband and son? Or humanity? Buy a copy!

Chapter One

The electricity flew from her fingers to the shower door handle. Valerie Russell yanked her hand back. The shock had not hurt, but the burst of light caught her off guard. She reached again, slowly. This time, nothing happened, and she stepped into the shower. The water flowing over her face was satisfying in that it woke her senses far better than her alarm. Startled out of her thoughts by her husband clearing his throat, she took a breath to tell him what had just happened when he cut her off.

&l...



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