Urban Short Stories

In the labyrinth of narrow alleyways, amidst the symphony of distant sirens and nearby laughter, there lies a pulsating heart that many know, but few truly understand: the hood. A place as infamous for its challenges as it is for its unyielding spirit, the hood isn't just a geographical location; it's a tapestry of stories, dreams, and struggles woven together by its denizens. "Short Tales: Straight From The Hood" is an exploration of these stories—some tragic, some triumphant, all authentic.

From cakes to stakes, a celebration of everyone's favorite bloodsucking subculture by a baker's dozen of favorite authors. Each of these 13 original stories offers a fresh and unique take on what birthdays mean to the undead. From Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse attending a birthday party for Dracula to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden battling bloodsucking party crashers, these suspenseful, surprising, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous stories will ensure paranormal fans will never think of vampires or birthdays quite the same again.

Werewolves, vampires, witches, voodoo, Elvis - and weddings An "ordinary" wedding can get crazy enough, so can you imagine what happens when otherworldly creatures are involved? Nine of the hottest authors of paranormal fiction answer that question in this delightful collection of supernatural wedding stories.

"Bath Water" is a salacious short story that delves into the past of its main character, Nanaya, as she reminisces about a time when she was exceptionally beautiful in her youth.

Men were so enamored with her that they would make extravagant offers, including drinking her bathwater, as a testament to her allure. Nanaya's recollections of this era are marked by a blend of nostalgia and a sense of the absurdity of the attention she received.

A collection of strange, wonderful, sad, romantic, and weird tales about what happens when the underdog bites back. The latest book from the "master of wit and satire" - a collection of surreal, subversive, and satirical tales.

A modern romance short story about teenagers from two minorities. They meet at an afternoon job. Both are poor and underprivileged. She balances his anger, and he provides safety and security. This short story of a relationship ended before its time.

New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight revisits the world of Guardian and genetically engineered Temporal Enforcers Dona and Alerio, who combine their talents - and fight their passions - as they investigate a time-travel murder spree. USA Today best-selling author Jennifer Ashley continues her Shifters Unbound series as Bear Shifter Cormac is determined to take single mom Nell as his mate, despite her objections - until her sons are endangered and she desperately needs help.

Fortune hunter Billy Newman is not a man of great strength or physical courage. Like a young Johnny Depp, he gets by on his wit, wiles and good looks. And he’s had quite a good run—striking gold in the Philippines and buying his very own island in the South Seas. . . . But there’s trouble in paradise, and Billy’s in the thick of it. The island’s crops are failing. The island’s people are dying. And the island’s owner—Billy—is taking the heat. Why? Because he’s angered the 75-foot-tall big-boss god of the island.

Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an antiques and curios shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them and along with her business partners Teag, who has Weaver magic, and Sorren, a 600-year-old vampire, they get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.

Welcome to the horrific and poetic world of Sam Stone, where angels are stalking the undead and a vampire becomes obsessed with a centuries-old werewolf. Terror and lust go hand in hand in the disturbing world of the Toymaker, and the haunting Siren's call draws the hapless further into a waking nightmare. Here are 14 chilling short stories from the Queen of Vampire fiction. This collection includes a bonus story, "Walking the Dead", which does not appear in the printed edition.

A mother and her daughter come to the remote Orkneys to grieve and find themselves instead dealing with a ghostly Viking legend. A Dark Ages king doesn’t realise his wife carries another man’s child and she is desperate for him not to find out. A young woman, who has spent her whole life hiding her supernatural strength, discovers on the eve of her wedding that she is Odin’s daughter. Sir Percival’s sister finds herself trapped in a castle of bloodletting sorcerers with only her sexuality as a weapon.

Orion struggles to provide a memorable Solstice celebration while keeping his pack safe from an influx of outsiders. Will surrendering to the old magic of the desert solve his problems or lead his entire pack astray?

As a half demon, Cole Masters has been living a life with two sides. With every use of his Hellfire gift, he's brought closer to the monstrous Halfling within. He's spent years working with guns and killing for money, all to avoid the addictive corruption of his power and sedate the creature's need to destroy everything it touches. It's always been a temporary fix, but what he needs is a way to get this demon off his back for good....

In the heart of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, famine grips the land, forcing desperate animals to make a harrowing choice—kill their own mothers for sustenance. However, a wise and clever dog named Odibo devises a plan to save his mother and bring hope to the animals. In "The Dog Who Took His Mother to Heaven," witness Odibo's unwavering love and determination as he embarks on a perilous journey to connect the mortal world with the realm of the gods, defying fate and forging a bond that transcends life and death.

Eine Apokosmos LitRPG Kurzgeschichte mit Louie dem Corgi und Tony dem Vampir.

Before writing the Conan stories, Robert E. Howard wrote an alternate history of the world that included the origins of the various races and countries that formed the background of his most famous heroic character. This history shows where the Cimmerians originated and the tribes they fought to establish their kingdom. How did the backward skin-wearing Picts overrun an empire? The answers are here. Fans of the Conan stories will enjoy this grand view of the history of the Hyborian Age.

This volume covers H.P. Lovecraft's "apprentice years" - roughly the first half of his literary career, the half written before his return to Providence in 1926. Every story written for publication under his own name is included in this volume, from 1917 through 1925.

In Book One, four witchy friends find their way back to each other to defeat an enemy, the Shadow who hunted their parents, with the help of the Gargoyle that has protected their family for centuries. Now, in this bonus short-story, Morgan is faced with using her new power as a witch and discovers she has a special affinity for one particular wand. Now, she just need to face her fear of magick.... But can she learn in time to save them all?

Logan Braxton faces impossible odds as he attempts a coup against the powerful Alpha of the Texas Pack - his brother, Richard. Ruled by terror and violence, the pack is crumbling and none are powerful enough to challenge the alpha. Logan will risk his life, his honor, and his place in Lycan society to save those dearest to him.

"Dancers in the Dark" is set in the Sookieverse and features Sean and Layla. Dancer Layla Rue Le May's childhood prepared her to handle just about anything, including her aloof partner, Sean McClendon, a 300-year-old, redheaded vampire. Even so, when she somehow acquires a stalker, Layla Rue is surprised to find that Sean is the only one she can trust.