Short Story Smorgasbord

Searching for your next favorite story?

Look no further! These indie authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new short stories. All reads less than an hour!

Nightmare Storm by Sahara Foley

Crossed Wires by Bill Friedrich      The Blood of Our Daughters by Kendra Lisum      Memoirs of a Snowflake: A Short Story by Joe Vasicek

Reincarnated by CherAnn Wright      Free to a Good Home by Katherine Matzen      A Season for Skullduggery by Rachel Ford

Deceit by Judy Hutson      Of Gods and Globes by Lancelot Schaubert      The Bionic Boy of the Union by Melanie Bokstad Horev

Bloody Justice: A Short Story by J.M. Wight      In These Dead Days by Colleen Brown      Losing Lucian & Invisible, A Short Story Sampler by KA Stefana

AND  MORE

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March 2024 Free eBooks – 16th to 31st

My flowers from last year.  I can’t wait to get more planted but we still have a few more months to go.  Though it’s nice to hear the robins back at my feeders.  In fact, I’ve been hearing a woodpecker.  Hasn’t been one around for the past several years.  NICE. 

And the other day, I saw the chipmunk that lives under my patio.  I’m glad to see he/she survived the winter.  There’s got to be a big nest of them under there as it moved in over 5 years ago.  But, I only see the one.  Of course, how would I know which one it is.  LOL.

Like the beginning of March, these books will be in Kindle Unlimited.  Enjoy. 

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The Other Murder Book Tour & Giveaway – 3/11 to 3/25

Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.

 

The Other Murder

by Kevin G. Chapman

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

A sleek, gripping thriller that raises important questions about truth and justice.” ~Kirkus Reviews

FINALIST – – 2023 CLUE AWARD

Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.


For disgraced cable news producer Hannah Hawthorne, covering the shooting of a pretty NYU sophomore is a chance for redemption. When the story snowballs into a media circus, Hannah’s reporting fans the sensationalistic flames and earns her acclaim. The tragic murder, seemingly the result of random urban gun violence, prompts protests and vigils that further magnify the story.

Meanwhile, Paulo, a reporter for a small online neighborhood newspaper, is following the other murder in Washington Square Park that same night – a Hispanic teen. He discovers an unexpected connection that is political dynamite. When Hannah and Paulo team up, they uncover disturbing facts, leading them to question everything they thought they knew. Their reporting also leads them to the man who might be the killer.
When the story is ready to explode, the truth may be hotter than anyone can handle. Breaking the next scoop could ruin Paulo’s paper and wreck Hannah’s career – and it could get them both killed.

If you like David Baldacci’s page-turners, Michael Connelly’s cops, and Sara Paretsky’s quirky characters, you will love The Other Murder.

What readers are saying:

With intelligent characters and believable dialogue, Chapman has managed to create a riveting whodunit that also speaks volumes about social issues plaguing the justice system. . . . The social issues are skillfully woven into the narrative, making readers seriously consider these problems even when they’re immersed in conversations with possible snitches and the chaos of climactic shooting scenes.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“Haunting, chilling, and heroic . . . a must-read novel.” ~Chanticleer Book Review (5-star “Best Book”)

Chapman once again knocks it out of the park.” “The author did a superb job of developing all the essential players.” ~Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Chapman’s attention to building a fast-paced story filled with satisfyingly unpredictable twists and turns creates a memorable, compelling saga. . . .

Worthy of a top recommendation.” ~Midwest Book Review

The Other Murder will grip you from the start and keep you reading through all the twists and turns until the surprising end.” ~ReadorRot.com

Magnificent.” “An excellent story, it is a must read for mystery-suspense/thriller lovers!”

~InD’Tale Magazine

The story is a mystery that kept me involved as the different pieces of the whole story came to light. But there is also a side story that sent my thoughts off on tangents, pondering the press, what we can and should expect from them. Chapman’s story ought to get us all thinking.”

~Big Al, Big Al’s Books & Pals (5-stars)

The writing is gorgeous, the narrative is filled with realism and mystery, and the action moves in unexpected directions.” ~The Book Commentary (5-stars)

Absolutely chilling. It’s a gripping and harrowing storyline! A great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in.”

~Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews (5-stars)

A captivating story with a thought-provoking premise.” ~Bookpleasures.com

Fans of a ‘whodunit?’ mystery will love trying to piece together this mystery. . . . With its suspense, mystery, and twists, this book is a must-read.” ~ Georgia Lyonhyde for Reedsy Discovery

Amazon * Audiobook * B&N * BookShop.org * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

 

 
 

Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (CLUE Award finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, ( Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit. In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year). Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$30 Amazon

 
 
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#Crystals101 – March Birthstone Crystal

March has two different crystals designated as it’s birthstone.  Aren’t you lucky. 😁 

The first one is Aquamarine, and one stone that most people will have heard of.  High quality Aquamarine is a bit more costly then your standard crystal.  The above is an Aquamarine bracelet I bought last year.  Just because I HAD TO have it.  

Aquamarine’s name is Latin and means seawater, which makes sense if you have any inkling about names and such.  The ancient sailors swore that it helped calm the wave and kept them safe.  I wonder how many bodies are at the bottom of the ocean with Aquamarine trinkets on them?  🤔

This crystal was also thought to bring happiness to marriages and is given as a 19th wedding anniversary present.  Speaking of gifts, in 1936 the government of Brazil gave First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a dark blue rectangular step cut aquamarine that weighed 1,298 carats.  Yikes!  Most be nice to be in politics.  

The 1,298 carat rectangular step-cut aquamarine in art deco box gifted to Eleanor Roosevelt from the government of Brazil in 1936 is one of the largest April birthstones.

 

The second crystal for March babies is the Bloodstone, which is part of the Jasper family.  Though it’s not as beautiful to look at as the Aquamarine, Bloodstones have very distinct patterns which can be pleasing to the eye.  There are two variations: Dragon Bloodstone or Africa Bloodstone. Personally I like the Dragon Blood better than the African Blood.  

This crystal used to be known as Heliotope,, which in ancient Greek, meant to turn the sun.  They thought if you place the stone in water it would turn the sun red.  Later, Bloodstone was attached to the crystal for religious significance.  People thought the red represented the blood of Christ while he hung on the cross. 

Some of the metaphysical properties attributed to this March crystal include increasing strength, giving invisibility, (I’ll take some of that), and preserving your health and youth.  Today, many people think of Bloodstone as a lucky charm, and prized by athletes to grow stronger.  In India, they’ll crush the crystal into a powder and used as an anaphrodisiac.    Oookay.  I guess.  At least they’re leaving the rhino horns alone.  

So, there you have.  Two very different crystals for you March babies.  Happy Birthday. 

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My Book Review of Nite Fire: Flash Point by C.L. Schneider

Book Description:

A single act of compassion turned her from assassin to fugitive in the blink of a dragon’s eye.

For nearly a century, Dahlia Nite has defended humanity with her shapeshifting abilities. She works in secret, hunting what lurks in the dark, burying the secrets that could destroy them all.

But when a rash of gruesome murders sheds light on what should remain in the shadows, her limits are tested. Ancient conspiracies are in danger of being exposed, awakening humans to a reality steeped in legend—one more terrifying than they could ever imagine.

As Dahlia straddles the line between solving the crimes and concealing their shocking circumstances, the mystery deepens. Each new murder lifts the veil higher. Each new clue leads her to the one place she thought to never go again: home.

Flash Point is the award-winning first book in the Nite Fire Series, an immersive mash-up of urban fantasy and murder mystery with shapeshifters, dragons, and parallel worlds.

My Review:

I found this book / series through a book tour featured on a blog I follow.  The cover was enticing and the blurb sounded good, so I picked it up.  I’m glad I did.  I’ve read a lot of books over the years about dragons, but never a dragon-shifter.  So, this was going to be an interesting read. 

I really enjoyed Dahlia Nite’s character and I thought she was very well written.  It was easy to fall into the story with the developed side characters, the world building, and descriptions.  Even the antagonist was easy to see as the horrible, terrible, sick villain she was. She loves inflicting pain in the nastiest of ways. 

Office Evens has me intrigued.  Yes, we do learn about PART of his past, but it still doesn’t explain how he seems to know things.  I  can’t wait to see what gets revealed about him in the coming stories.  

What I didn’t like, which drew me out of the story, were all the ING words.  Almost every sentence starts with them and ended up making me grit my teeth.  A decent editor would nip that in the bud.

This was a very enjoyable read, and I intend on reading the rest in the series.  If you love paranormal, supernatural creatures with a mystery woven through the story, you’ll want to read this book.  I give it 4 stars.

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Featured Free eBook: Charlotte Watson and The Missing Bullet by Maureen Gil

A haunted legal thriller

A mystery thriller, featuring attorney Charlotte Watson and the ghost of her ex-husband, John.

Meet Charlotte Watson, a criminal defense attorney in Conoy County, Pennsylvania. She’s haunted by her dead ex-husband, John, who only shows up if she’s on a date or her client is innocent.

And she needs to solve the case of the missing bullet before her client gets sentenced to death row.

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Featured Free eBook: Saving Sahara by Ravyn Wilde

Sahara is dying. Damian can save her, but is living worth the price?

This Victorian Vampire Novella is part of the Creatures of Myth Series and gives us a tantalizing glimpse of the ancients.

Creatures of Myth have existed through the ages—and continue into the future. Some Creatures are born into the supernatural world, and some are created in Magic and pain. There are blood-drinkers, shifters, and Others steeped in myth and lore.

In Creatures of Myth—the heroine finds a soulmate—even if she isn’t looking for one. The magic is real, and each book offers a happily-ever-after love story… and a plot with a little thrill of horror and madness. All of the books are hot, some are scorching, and very often the heat is magical.

Saving Sahara is part of Ravyn Wilde’s racy paranormal series, Creatures of Myth. This supernatural adult romance is filled with snarky humor and sexy bloodsuckers. Come play with the Creatures of Myth and fall in love with something Wilde!

These books contain lots of laughter, a few tears, steamy sex, and plots with a touch of terror. They deal with mature situations and have adult language. This series is intended for those 18 and up.

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Featured Free ebook: Ghost of a Chance by Natalie Pearce

What’s a ghost to do when the guy of her dreams doesn’t even know she exists? Literally.

A spooky love triangle with a difference!

Elle’s been stuck haunting her share house for the last four years. Being dead is frustrating enough, but when her newest housemate sets her sights on Elle’s longtime crush, Dean, she reaches her limit.

She needs to get her ghost on and break these two up before she becomes the ultimate third wheel!

Or worse, Dean moves out…

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It Came From … Book Tour & Giveaway – 3/5 to 3/12

The only book to completely examine the origins of classic fantasy films by including an in-depth examination of the source material and its author, the screenwriter’s contribution in adapting it, and an analysis of how that combination resulted in the production of the final film.

It Came From…

The Stories and Novels Behind Classic Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction Films

by Jim Nemeth and Bob Madison

Genre: Film History, Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction

 

How many times have you said, the book was better? And how many times was that actually true?

The cinema of the fantastic has benefitted from literary adaptations on a level unlike any other genre. With such brilliant authors as Mary Shelley, Robert Bloch, Pierre Boulle, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert Louis Stevenson to choose from, it’s no surprise that fantastic film shares its pedigree with literary fiction.
But do films never live up to their literary inspirations? Or are some movies just … better than the books that inspired them?

Join genre critics Jim Nemeth and Bob Madison for a rule- busting examination of 21 classic – and not so classic – horror, fantasy and science fiction films, and the classic – and not so classic – books that inspired them.

It Came From…The Stories and Novels Behind Classic Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction Films will delight legions of movie buffs along with devoted readers of cherished fantastic fiction.

BearManorMedia ebook * Amazon Paperback * B&N * Smashwords * Goodreads

By day, Jim Nemeth is a technical writer within the fields of computer software and biotechnology.

As a professional writer, in 1993, Jim won 1st Prize in a national magazine’s short story writing contest for which novelists Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch were judges. Winning held special meaning for Jim, as Robert Bloch remains his favorite writer and main literary influence. Jim has had essays, articles and reviews printed in a variety of magazines, including Filmfax, Mad About Movies, and Scary Monsters.

A long- time community activist, Jim is particularly committed to the causes of animal rescue and breast cancer research.

It Came From…: The Stories and Novels Behind Classic Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction Films is his first book.

Born and raised in Chicago, Jim now lives with his husband in historic Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Website * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Poison Dart Book Tour & Giveaway – 2/28 to 3/28

Some tales don’t want to be told. They’re shrouded in the dark and cloaked in danger. Sensible people leave those mysteries well enough alone. But not Debbie Bradley. After all, that’s how she makes her living.

 
 

The Poison Dart

Debbie Bradley Crime Mysteries Book 2

by Geri Dreiling

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

An overdose. A drug bust. A captive of the cartel. When fates collide, who will survive?

The ripple effects of an overdose send shock waves through a community.
A sweeping drug bust upends lives, exposing the cartel’s deep reach into the Midwest.
A quest for a better life threatens to destroy a family.
As Debbie Bradley digs deeper into each story, startling connections emerge. When fates collide, who will survive?

What readers are saying:

“The narrative contains the right blend of mystery, crime scenes and action. It is one of those books that keeps one glued until the very end.“

“Dreiling relies more on intelligent conversations, on the proper and strategic use of lies, and on wordplay“

“Grab or download a copy, curl up with a blanket on the couch, and enjoy this good read and solid, accurate, crime story with interesting twists and turns.“

“With a talent for plot creation, patiently unwinding the threads of all angles, and never lacking for excitement, Dreiling is an author you will want to read time and time again.“

**On Sale for Only .99 cents until March 1st!!**

Amazon * Left Bank Books * Bookbub * Goodreads

Crime Beat Girl

Debbie Bradley Crime Mysteries Book 1

A girl is dead. A boy is locked up. Can Debbie Bradley discover the truth before more lives are lost…maybe even her own?

A series of deadly shootings. An outbreak of stolen cars. When journalist Debbie Bradley returns home to St. Louis, the summer crime wave has started. And she’s in the center: A witness, a reporter, a target.

Debbie’s reasons for leaving behind her promising career in Washington D.C. were complicated. Her mother, a prominent lawyer, was diagnosed with cancer. Her engagement was cooling. When she got offered a job in St. Louis that she hadn’t been looking for, Debbie recognized an opportunity. Or an escape.

But she didn’t expect to come home and see a girl die. Debbie never planned to investigate a boy behind bars. And she didn’t anticipate colliding with hostile cops and wary politicians.

As her work gains attention, Debbie gathers enemies. Will her assignment to cover the St. Louis crime beat be her last?

What readers are saying:

“Intense crime story full of unexpected twists and turns” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

“Gripping crime story…with deep themes and highlighting very real problems” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

“A page-turner, engaging the reader from the first page to the last” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

 
 

Geri L. Dreiling is the author of Crime Beat Girl, the debut novel in the Debbie Bradley Mystery series, which received seven book awards. She is also the author of Erasing the Past. Dreiling is an award-winning journalist as well as professor and lawyer. She lives in St. Louis.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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