About The Short Story Emporium:
Discover a collection of 8 stories that become more compelling and engrossing one after the other…
Genres such as horror, crime, historical fiction, literary fiction
America Under Siege
About America Under Siege:
After the assassination of Winston Churchill, the new U.K. government parlayed peace talks with Nazi Germany. With no need to guard his Atlantic and North Sea wall, Adolf Hitler was able to accelerate his plans to invade Russia and it then opened the door to attack America and Canada. The United States was vulnerable, they were not ready for war, their navy was inadequate and their military was not prepared to face the onslaught of over a million trained, battle-hardened troops.
How was America and Canada going to defend themselves against superior forces who had now conquered all of Europe?
‘America Under Siege’ contains twists and turns as President Roosevelt, contrary to the advice of his war lords, decides to trust unverified, clandestine messages that had the potential to save the country.
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Doodle Duke
About Doodle Duke:
In the bustling world of corporate power plays and high-stakes business deals, Olivia Hartman reigns supreme. As the youngest female executive at her prestigious firm, she’s known for her sharp mind, relentless drive, and unwavering dedication. But beneath her steely exterior lies a heart yearning for companionship. Olivia’s only joy comes from her loyal labradoodle, Charlie—a charming, brown doodle that was surrendered to the local Edinburg pound.
Unbeknownst to Olivia, Charlie is no ordinary dog. He is, in fact,Duke Charles Ashford, a nobleman cursed by an envious sorceress to live as a labradoodle until he can earn true love’s acceptance in both his canine and human forms. For years, Charles has navigated his new life, awaiting the day someone might see beyond his furry exterior to the man trapped within.
One fateful evening, Olivia stumbles upon an antique shop while walking Charlie. Drawn to a peculiar, shimmering locket, she purchases it on a whim, unaware of its magical properties. As she places the locket around her neck, a series of strange events begin to unfold, gradually revealing the truth about her beloved pet.
With the help of the enchanted locket, Charles finds himself able to intermittently transform back into his human form. He must now navigate the delicate task of revealing his true identity to Olivia without scaring her away. As Olivia starts to piece together the mystery, she is both shocked and intrigued by the handsome Duke who emerges from her dog’s familiar eyes.
As they embark on a journey to break the curse, Olivia and Charles discover a deep connection that transcends appearances. Their partnership blossoms into a romance that challenges Olivia’s preconceived notions of love and loyalty. Together, they delve into the secrets of Charles’s past, confront the sorceress who cursed him, and explore the possibility of a future beyond the confines of magic and corporate life.
Doodle Duke is a modern retelling of Swan Lake, blending elements of fantasy and romance in a heartwarming story about breaking curses, finding true love, and embracing the unexpected. Through trials and enchantments, Olivia and Charles must prove that love is not just about seeing with the eyes but understanding with the heart.
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Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism
About Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism:
Where love heals and animals speak—a journey of connection, compassion, and transformation.
Eleven years in the making, Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism features 45 true and heartwarming stories about animals and their role in the life and evolution of a gifted energy worker and shamanic healer. A compelling blend of personal narrative, spiritual insight, and practical perspective for anyone interested in the healing power of animals and energy work, this inspiring collection of tales featuring dozens of black and white photographs by the author is brought together here in one place for the first time.
In Tails of a Healer, readers will share in Rose’s journeys filled with touching encounters, humorous anecdotes, and profound reflections on life, death, and the healing journey. Whether it’s the tender moments of fostering abandoned animals, the unexpected miracles of energy healing, or the amusing escapades of cats and spiders, Rose’s stories resonate with authenticity and wisdom, reminding us of the profound bond that exists between humans and the animal kingdom.
Inside Tails of a Healer readers will find:
• Heartwarming stories chronicling the author’s transformative journey from graphic designer to Reiki healer and shamanic practitioner
• Insights into the author’s experiences with animal communication, fostering kittens, and helping fearful dogs find peace through energy work
• A perspective on holistic approaches to healing, including Reiki, shamanism, and compassionate animal care
• Humorous anecdotes and heartfelt moments that celebrate the wisdom and resilience of animals
• Essays on topics such as spirituality, the pet food industry, and building stronger bonds with animal companions
• And more…
Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism brings readers into a world where the extraordinary is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
“What I do for a profession may seem exotic, but the emotions and perceptions portrayed in these stories are universal. I share my experiences because I think people are hungry for validation of what they already know at a deep level, namely, that there is more to this world than meets the eye. It is my hope that this book will help people regain the sense of wonder and awareness they enjoyed as children—and the belief that they, too, can connect with animals and the world in magical ways.”—Rose De Dan
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Sulla’s Fist: A Novel of the Roman Legion (The Sertorius Scrolls Book 5)
About Sulla’s Fist: A Novel of the Roman Legion (The Sertorius Scrolls Book 5):
A crumbling republic. A foe with political ambitions. A dedicated soldier, husband, and father desperate to protect all he loves.
Rome, 90 BC. Quintus Sertorius is tired. Weary after eight years of warfare in Greece, the decorated hero longs to reunite with his family and repair their frayed bond. But no sooner has he returned than Rome is thrust into war again. This time, the attackers are their closest allies, the Italian tribes surrounding them. To make matters worse, Sertorius learns his son has joined the legion under the command of a scheming rival looking to exert leverage.
Sertorius confronts spies and traitors within his own ranks who are loyal to the Italian cause. As he and his companions raise a new army to protect Rome, they endure supply line sabotage, widespread poisonings, and betrayal on all sides.
As Italy collapses into warfare, will Sertorius wrestle victory from the jaws of devastating defeat?
Sulla’s Fist is the breathtaking fifth book in the Sertorius Scrolls historical fiction series. If you like tenacious protagonists, impeccable research, and gripping glimpses into the past, then you’ll love Vincent B. Davis II’s war-torn saga.
Buy Sulla’s Fist to battle enemies without and within today!
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Neck Pain: Short Stories
About Neck Pain: Short Stories:
A collection of stories that reminds us rock bottom is a place worth visiting. Dark yet hilarious, this uncompromising debut is a fine blend of thinking and drinking, degeneracy and philosophy, a twisted journey from the barstool to the grave.
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The Thirteenth Child by Mark deMeza
The Thirteenth Child by Mark deMeza
The Thirteenth Child – Synopsis
On 16 May 1940, the day of his seventh birthday, Hannes is excited to watch the German Army roll into Amsterdam. He is the youngest of the Kisch family, respectable, middle-class Dutch-Jewish citizens.
The Nazi’s quickly introduce regulations which marginalize the Jews, excluding them from ever more walks of Dutch life. As the Final Solution is launched, hundreds of young Jewish men are rounded up at gunpoint in Jonas Meijer Square. Henrik, Hannes’s elder brother escapes.
In the Kisch family home, parents Franck and Elizabeth endeavour to maintain a normal life. Franck, a university professor, joins the Jewish Council, but wrestles with accepting the ever-increasing horror of their situation.
Leo Blumensohn struggles to survive and support his fellow inmates at the rapidly expanding and apparently safe Jewish refugee camp of Westerbork in the Drenthe region of the country; and at the hard labour camp of Mauthausen in Austria the ‘stairs of death’ await those unfortunate enough to be transported there.
These transportations are the catalyst for Rachael, Hannes’s adult sister and Henrik to join the Dutch Resistance. Rachael meets 2 other Jews and Johan van Hulst, a Dutch Protestant, and works with them to save hundreds of babies and young children from deportation. This includes smuggling forged documents in prams, printing fake IDs, and tense escapes e.g., running with children alongside moving trams, shielded from the sight of the SS.
Henrik begins a romantic relationship with Jacoba, one of Rachael’s fellow Resistance workers, and assists the partial evacuation of a Jewish psychiatric hospital and the release of 39 prisoners from a detention centre. Finally, he takes part in the assassination of a Dutch collaborator, leading to the killing of the target’s wife. Whilst fleeing, Henrik is captured and sent to Mauthausen. At the top of the ‘stairs’, Henrik grapples with an SS soldier and falls to his death, taking the soldier with him.
Elizabeth and Hannes are smuggled to the hidden village of Vierhouten, a group of wooden huts in a dense forest sheltering around 100 Jews. Franck agrees to follow shortly afterwards. One night a Bounty Hunter (a Dutch civil servant paid a bonus by the Nazis for arresting Jews) calls at the Kisch home, steals the remainder of their money and fatally shoots Franck.
Bored, Hannes goes for a walk, but by chance is spotted by an SS soldier who is hunting in the forest. Everyone must flee, but Elizabeth falls and is badly injured. She urges Hannes to run. She is found by the SS and shot dead. Hannes escapes.
Rachael is arrested in Amsterdam, sent to Westerbork and, about to be deported, is surprisingly reunited with Hannes. The novel concludes with Rachael and Hannes, together, crammed in a cattle truck bound for Auschwitz, unaware of what awaits them.
Van Hulst survives the war, but is plagued by the thought that he could have saved ‘just one more child’ from deportation. This unknown infant would have been the thirteenth child.
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Her Heinous Defloration
About Her Heinous Defloration:
TRIGGER WARNING!!
This book contains Authorial Violence & Character-Imposed: Graphic violence, Psychological violence, and Suicidal ideation.
A contemporary tale of gothic fiction, describing the fall of a woman’s beauty and the rise of her heinous fragility.
Following the night of her blood-stained body in the dark sky, Pooja, the resident of the Mumbai city finds herself entangled between the shades of life and death. She finds herself frozen cold and dead to demand altruism for any human being present in her life, except her ally. Her heart begins wandering in the jungles of justice for her sufferings, but all she holds onto is a release, away from the human’s shelter in her life.
She leaves her family and begins her journey in the cold gothic culture somewhere close by, from the scene of her traumatic fall from rise. She seeks herself away from the judiciary of death, from the trap of emotions for years, living alone in the vengeance of that brutal night… Until, one day, her ally, her emotional saviour meets the end of her three-year-long, loveless life. Not with death, not with suffering but with an unfortunate new chance. Love.
The chance of love, which placed death in their hearts following the night of a December bonfire. What really happened that night? Who was Pooja, the sixth sense of Mumbai’s uncensored protests? Who was her ally, whom people commotion as her suffering? And of all, what was the unfortunate chance, who was the unfortunate chance, hiding in these clouds?
A suspense tale worth describing the cents of gothic cravings, motifs, romanticized past living, and women in distress!
“Notion to the unapologetic ravish who seeks rape culture over human culture… this book will be savoured by the readers of dark fiction.”
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Inn Dreams by April Tompkins
About Inn Dreams by April Tompkins:
Karen Grace has just realized her life’s dream of buying an old motel to renovate — by herself. How hard can it be? But money slips through her fingers fast and she’s forced to find a job in town, where she meets the love of her life. Then the real trouble begins. She begins finding her belongings destroyed, ominous messages scribbled on her walls, an effigy planted behind her property. It’s clear someone doesn’t want her in town and they’re going to make sure she leaves.
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MEGASTAR by R. J. Eastwood
About Featured Book: MEGASTAR by R. J. Eastwood
With a twist of fate and a bit of kismet, nineteen-year-old Addison Stone stumbles upon solace when he discovers his extraordinary singing voice that brings him international fame and fortune. As he climbs the ladder to musical acclaim, he finds he is unprepared for his success. His memories remain tethered to his turbulent childhood having been raised by a mentally unstable mother who was abused as a child herself and has passed her demons onto Addison leaving him emotionally scarred.
But amidst the blinding lights and thunderous applause, Addison falls in love with a young woman named Hanna and she with him. As Addison’s star continues to rise, soon there is a deafening silence as he loses Hanna’s love to his addiction to his new-found fame and fortune. Emotionally crushed, he vows to win her back.
Journey behind the scenes through the ups and downs and demands of international stardom as “MEGASTAR” takes you on a captivating odyssey.
This Fiction book is available in these Formats: eBook, Print
Mariner’s Haven: Waves of Change by Serena Bayfield
Mariner’s Haven: Waves of Change by Serena Bayfield
In the enchanting coastal town of Mariner’s Haven, where the sun dances on the ocean’s surface and whispered secrets ride on the salty breeze, a captivating tapestry of lives unfolds. From the weathered docks to the charming cottages, the heartbeat of this picturesque town thrums with the joys, sorrows, and triumphs of its unforgettable residents.
Discover the indomitable women who serve as the backbone of the community, their strength and resilience holding together not only their own lives but the very fabric of the town itself. Meet the dreamers whose hearts yearn for distant horizons, even as they remain tethered to the familiarity of home. Immerse yourself in the lives of the locals, their bonds as unbreakable as the ships that grace the harbor.
Against the breathtaking backdrop of golden sunsets and the relentless rhythm of the waves, witness love blossoming in unexpected places, friendships tested by the tempests of life, and long-buried secrets threatening to shatter the tranquil veneer of this coastal haven.
In Mariner’s Haven, prepare to be swept away by the captivating tales of a town where family dynamics are as complex as the tides, where resilience is forged in the face of adversity, and where the promise of small-town romance is as alluring as the siren’s call. With each turn of the page, the ebb and flow of life in this enchanting town will reveal the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, as constant and powerful as the waves that shape its shores.
Dive into this mesmerizing beach read, perfect for a summer escape or any time you yearn to be transported to a world where the extraordinary can be found in the everyday lives of a small coastal town.
Serena Bayfield emerges as a captivating new voice in literature, skillfully weaving tales of small-town family life and enduring friendships that resonate deeply. Discover the enchanting world of Mariner’s Haven: Waves of Change and experience heartfelt storytelling at its best.
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Love, Taylor Made by DW Davis
Love, Taylor Made by DW Davis
Ren left North Carolina to live with his aunt and uncle in New Hampshire to escape a dysfunctional blended family. Now a college freshman, he must learn to deal with the coed life and the drama it brings. Like so many young men his age, his decisions about love are often made in haste and just as often lead him into a quagmire of second-guessing and regret. Of the three girls he meets, one puts him firmly in the friend zone, one is in love with the idea of being in love with him, and one truly cares. But how is he to know who his heart truly longs for?
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Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author’s Website.
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Calm in Chaos: Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals
About Calm in Chaos: Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals:
Unlock the power of mindfulness to navigate the storm of modern life and emerge stronger than ever.
In the fast-paced world of modern professionals, finding peace and balance can seem impossible. Calm in Chaos: Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals is your essential guide to integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, even amidst the most demanding schedules. Discover practical techniques and insightful wisdom designed to help you stay centered, focused, and resilient.
Explore the scientific benefits of mindfulness, learn effective meditation practices, and find ways to love what you do while shining as a positive force in the world. From handling difficult people to embracing open-mindedness and nonattachment, each chapter provides actionable steps to transform your professional and personal life.
Inside Calm in Chaos readers will find:
Practical meditation techniques to cultivate focus and emotional resilience
Insights on how to love what you do and find fulfillment in your professional life
Strategies for being a positive influence in your workplace and beyond
Guidance on leading with open-mindedness and nonattachment in the face of challenges
Techniques for handling difficult people and navigating conflict gracefully
Practices for self-love and self-care to maintain balance and well-being
Strategies for thriving in adversity and finding growth beyond challenges
Tools for focusing on the bigger picture and maintaining perspective
Practices for cultivating positivity and resilience in the face of setbacks
Guidance on navigating the aftermath of job loss and finding new opportunities for growth
And much more
Whether you’re facing adversity, navigating job loss, or simply seeking a deeper sense of purpose, Calm in Chaos offers the tools you need to thrive.
Are you ready to break free from the cycle of chaos and reclaim control over your life? Get your copy today and begin your journey towards a more mindful, fulfilling life.
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The Blood of Tokyo
About The Blood of Tokyo:
An American travels to Japan. He befriends a local salaryman. They plan to one day undertake an ambitious challenge: a lap around Tokyo’s Yamanote Line. Thirty stops. One drink at each stop. Today is the day, Hiroto.
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The Neophyte
About The Neophyte:
THE NEOPHYTE chronicles the unusual and breathtaking coming of age of a young man from the backlands of Georgia. From the safety of the Convent of the Righteous Path to the risky nightspots like The Fetal Attraction and The Ice Palace, we witness his metamorphosis into manhood.
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The Oberllyn Origins: Prequel to The Oberllyn Generations
About The Oberllyn Origins: Prequel to The Oberllyn Generations:
In the beginning, the kidnapped ancestors of the Oberllyn’s had to rescue themselves from slavery in a strange land. How does someone travel from the freedom of tribal lands to Scotland and back again generations later with their integrity unblemished? Who were the true barbarians, the colonists or the native peoples? Travel back with us to the time when trees were tall, the settled country was being invaded by refugees from a failed civilization, and two young people made the best of a terrible situation. They founded a dynasty. However, their first task was survival.
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Moonlight Beach – Murder and Magic by Yurie Kiri
Moonlight Beach – Murder and Magic by Yurie Kiri
Moonlight Beach near the rich and sleepy town of Rancho California has been the scene of a series of either brutal murders or shark attacks. One night, two more people are murdered on a cliff overlooking the beach and now organs are missing, organs that could have been used in a transplant operation to save a person’s life. Was it another random killing, murder for hire or an attempt to extract a much-needed organ? Would someone really sacrifice a stranger’s life to give a loved one another chance at life? Rancho California’s leading venture capitalists want to start a company that provides human organs to people in need of transplants; could one of them be responsible? Then there’s a local group of witches who’ve seen and done a lot of strange things, first hand. What role do they play? Victims or perpetrators?
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Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author’s Website.
Visit the Author’s Facebook Fan Page.
Refuge from the World (The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 1) by Kim McMahill
About Refuge from the World (The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 1) by Kim McMahill:
Ashley McPhee arrived in Beartooth with her mom, Sara, when she was three years old. Ever since Ash can remember, life has been simple. She enjoyed a carefree childhood, tending honey bees with her mom and spending time with her best friend, Caleb Solomon. But, life in their isolated, mountaintop community is changing.
After learning of the government’s plan to use a geoengineering process to cool the planet, Ash and Caleb realize they need to take a more active role in the community. Along with fear for how the process will impact their food supply, Ash learns her mom’s health is failing.
Sara doesn’t want Ash to face an uncertain future alone, so nudges her and Caleb toward marriage, drastically changing their relationship in a very short period of time. They embrace the challenges of learning about love, dealing with tragedy and grief, protecting their community from deadly predators and ruthless neighbors, and experiencing epic adventures while trying to find solutions to a rapidly changing environment and deteriorating world.
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Monochromatic Mind
About Monochromatic Mind:
This book is an invitation to embark on a journey into the limitless expanse of the human imagination. In a world with technology and inundated with preconceived notions of possibility, this book serves as a beacon, reminding us of the boundless potential within our minds. It is a celebration of creativity in its purest form. Through a collection of imaginative micro-stories, readers are transported to worlds both familiar and fantastical. Every story is accompanied by striking black-and-white photographs, serving as visual prompts to ignite the creative spark within. As renowned photographers eloquently express, there is a certain magic inherent in black-and-white imagery. Far from being restrictive, monochrome photography allows for a level of abstraction that transcends the confines of reality, inviting readers to explore realms of fantasy and emotion beyond the limitations of color. The book urges us not to passively consume the stories fed to us by the world but to actively engage our imaginations to tear down the barriers of what we believe to be possible and to embrace the unknown with open arms.
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Somewhat Satisfactory: When Love And Truth Are Set Free (Midlife Secrets Series stand-alone reads)
About Somewhat Satisfactory: When Love And Truth Are Set Free (Midlife Secrets Series stand-alone reads):
Claire’s life is jam-packed with work, family, sports and friends. She doesn’t have much time to think about the future until her best friend drags her to a fortune-teller. From then on, Claire begins to question her life’s purpose, her career, her marriage and even her sexuality.
Her self-questioning quickly turns to self-doubt when she ventures outside her comfort zone and meets a talented musician. Their budding friendship becomes so intoxicating that it turns into a life-changing experience for Claire.
Desperate to discover if she’s having a temporary midlife crisis, or worse still, losing her mind, she tries everything from seeking professional help to online forums to make sense of these new, unwanted revelations. She becomes terrified of the possibility of following her heart.
Will Claire find the courage to trust her gut instincts? Is her marriage of eighteen years worth saving? Or is the underlying urge to live with truth and honesty worth risking everything?