Contemporary Voices in Fiction
'Contemporary Voices in Fiction brings together the diverse landscape of contemporary storytelling from the metaphysical to the personal, the unspoken to the audacious. The vast range of human experience is captured in this collection, comprising prominent themes and motifs into tales that appeal to readers of all ages. Together, these stories show that fiction is more than mere entertainment; it deepens our understanding of ourselves and others. Each story in this collection invites readers to pause, reflect, and engage thoughtfully. The collection honours the timeless ability of fiction to challenge, educate, and alter our perception of reality through these stories.
The Winterkeepers Gift
In a land once gripped by an unending winter, the stories of Veridia whisper of frost that could silence entire kingdoms and of a guardian whose heart was colder than the deepest snow. Kaelen the Winterkeeper has ruled for centuries, bound to an ancient power that demands isolation and unwavering duty. His realm is beautiful yet merciless, a world sculpted from ice where warmth is a distant memory. Mortals fear him, legends warn of him, and no one has ever dared to stand in his path until Elara.Elara is a baker from a humble village, a woman whose life revolves around simple joys: the heat of her oven, the comfort of sweet spices, and the fierce love she holds for her sister, Lyra. When a cruel fate steals Lyra into the clutches of the frozen north, Elara refuses to accept loss as her destiny. With nothing but her courage and her devotion, she ventures into the heart of the eternal frost, determined to bring her sister home.Her arrival in the icy domain of the Winterkeeper sets into motion a chain of events that neither of them could have foreseen. Elara sees not a heartless immortal but a lonely soul carved by centuries of solitude. Kaelen sees not a fragile mortal but a woman whose warmth could challenge the very essence of his power. What begins as a confrontation soon becomes a delicate unraveling of truths as they learn that the greatest battles are not fought with magic but with the heart.As the land begins to thaw, old secrets rise, and the fragile bond between them is tested by destiny, sacrifice, and the unforgiving pull of mortality. Elara must choose between saving her sister and protecting the love she never expected. Kaelen must confront the impossible decision between his eternal duty and the fleeting beauty of a life shared.Their choices will reshape Veridia forever, transforming a frozen kingdom into a world reborn through love, hope, and the courage to change what once seemed unchangeable.If you believe in stories where love defies the impossible, where magic blooms from sacrifice, and where the warmth of a single heart can shift the fate of an entire world, then this book awaits you.Begin the journey now and let the thaw begin. Don't be left out !
Kisses From A Killer
The Kisses Series is a dark, emotionally charged crime-thriller saga that follows Detectives Myrna Watkis and Dessa Simms through a sequence of murder cases tied together by chilling symbolism and long-buried secrets. Each installment features a standalone investigation, but beneath every case runs a deeper narrative thread: the legacy of violence, the power of memory, and how trauma shapes the choices people make. The "kiss" motif, from chocolate wrappers to metaphorical marks left on victims, acts as the signature that links these crimes across the years, revealing that nothing in these cases is random. As the detectives peel back layers of evidence, they confront their own shadows, dangerous pasts, and the thin line between justice and vengeance. Book 1: Kisses From a Killer introduces the detectives and the first case. Book 2: Kisses From the Dead expands the world and the consequences of the past.
Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide
Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide gathers a vibrant selection of family-friendly one-act scripts, each celebrating holiday traditions from Western and Eastern cultures. Under the editorial guidance of American playwright Danah Lassiter, the book showcases diverse voices from around the world, each offering a unique lens on celebration while sharing universal themes of joy, togetherness, and tradition. With small casts of six characters or less, these imaginative shorts are ideally suited for small theatre troupes, classrooms, and community programs eager to honor cultural diversity on stage.Selected from hundreds of submissions to Kinsman Quarterly's global playwriting contest, these scripts were chosen by a dedicated review team for their originality, cultural richness, and performance-ready appeal. The collection proudly features the Grand Prize winner, Russell Nichols, alongside runner-ups Maya De La Torre and Melanie Payne, whose works anchor this anthology with exceptional storytelling and memorable characters. Whether for a school performance, community events, or intimate theatre production, Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide invites audiences to experience the beauty of holidays that connect us all.
Woven Bliss
The unnerving character of Hazel appears to turn the lives of Jacqueline and Jason upside down... No one could foresee the outcome.... This Woven Bliss, they surrounded themselves with was about to crumble....Will they be able to get back to normal and sustain their loving relationship they once had, or will the hauntings of Hazel prevent that... Will they survive.... The hurdles of Hazel's obsession... become infectious as she tries to cling to her desired ownership....As the tides of time that bind together, the memories of those gone still sit there... Their presence will not be forgotten... For the joy and pain that come together, it's the joy that finally wins through, it has the strength to.... This third novel captures the very essence of tragedy but will the Gibson family recover from such tragedies, and its bereaved presence to a new light, a new way of life....
What You See May Not Be
What You See May Not Be is a multi-character perspective into the mind of a strange man named Dave. Throughout this work of fiction, the reader will be immersed in the mind of a man whose favorite movie is Silence of the Lambs, and he finds inappropriate places in which to quote and enact this movie. As with all of Reid Matthias's novels, the gamut of emotions are felt: humor, pain, sadness, tragedy, and deep introspection into what makes human beings tick.As the story unfolds, Dave gathers people around him like bees on honey. Wherever he goes, he creates community, while at the same time, his mysterious nature makes people wonder who he truly is and why there seems to be shrouded secrets surrounding him. Dark things. Uspoken things.When his fiancee's daughter becomes sick, Dave's world is turned upside down, and Dave's plummet into the depths of his past reveal unimageable tragedy. Where will it end?
Loyalties
Loyalties presents an intense examination of how a community reacts when its sense of order is threatened by suspicion. Instead of focusing on who committed a wrongdoing, it reveals how quickly people protect their own reputations and how easily judgment shifts when status is at stake. Power is treated as something fragile, constantly maintained through silence, agreement, and the willingness to look away. Individuals become more concerned with how they appear to others than with fairness. Accusations force everyone to reveal what they value: safety, social standing, or personal integrity. When conflict grows, each person chooses whether to align with truth or with convenience. The idea of loyalty becomes distorted into obedience, where defending certain individuals matters more than doing what is right. Private doubt clashes with public behavior, exposing how easily influence shapes opinion. The story reveals that prejudice can drive decisions, pushing people to defend the familiar rather than consider justice. Ultimately, the work challenges the idea that loyalty is virtuous, showing that unexamined loyalty becomes a barrier to honesty, courage, and accountability.
Together Yet Alone
'Through the lives of Raj and Reema, a newly married couple trying to balance love, duty, and family expectations, this book shows the hidden truths of Indian marriages. Their story begins with joy, rituals, and dreams - but once the celebrations end, real life slowly brings quiet changes. The smiles fade into silence, and the happiness turns into small sacrifices that no one talks about.Each chapter shows how many couples live like this - together, yet emotionally distant. Using real stories, research, and honest reflections, the book talks about the unseen loneliness in marriage, the pressure on women to adjust, and the roles that society forces on both partners.It also reminds us that silence is not always peace, and compromise is not always love. Many people stay in marriages that look happy from the outside but feel empty inside.Still, there is hope. Through Reema's journey of self-discovery, the book shows that awareness, communication, and self-respect can bring back balance and real connection.In the end, Together Yet Alone asks one simple but powerful question: Can two people truly stay together if they forget who they really are?
A Lady, A Kiss And Two Idiots
This book was born from too much imagination, quite a few plot twists, and just the right amount of chaos - fitting, considering the title. It began with a wild idea: a practical-romantic fusion featuring Melicia, the bold survivor of a man's world; Keith, the introverted gentleman who still believes in loyalty, sincerity, and quiet love; and Ryan - the chaos in Keith's life, the friend who brings headaches but stands firm when it truly matters.Keith found love, but she wasn't what he expected. In fact, she was more than he could handle. Out of his league, unpredictable, dangerous in all the wrong and right ways - yet she liked him for exactly who he was. A simple man with a simple lifestyle, content with routine, honest intentions, and a quiet heart.Melicia, a con artist who married wealthy men, took their money, and moved on to the next target, shattered Keith's peaceful life with cinematic mayhem - car chases, dangerous men, stolen heirlooms, schemes, cons, hiding, running, and every twist you'd expect in an action movie. Keith's world flipped the moment she walked into it. He and Ryan were swept into the madness, but Keith stood by her through every mess, and Ryan - being the loyal idiot he is - stood by Keith.They might be idiots in the real world, but together, they survived. Together, they followed Melicia into danger and somehow crawled out alive, proving that even fools can be heroes with the right woman leading the way.To my friends and family - your patience deserves a medal.And to the readers: thank you for picking up A Lady, A Kiss, and Two Idiots. These characters are chaotic. They're flawed. They make terrible decisions. But they love fiercely - and so did I while shaping them into the versions you meet in this book.This story exists because you're here, willing to go along for the ride.
Count Julian A Tragedy
Count Julian: A Tragedy unfolds as a powerful tragedy rooted in Spain's turbulent past, exploring themes of honor, vengeance, and moral conflict. The narrative opens in a scene charged with emotional intensity, where the central figure faces the anguish of past choices and the deep sorrow surrounding his family's fate. His conversation with the Metropolitan of Seville exposes the depth of his guilt and his burning resentment toward the nation's ruler, whose actions have brought personal ruin and national disgrace. This tension between private pain and patriotic duty drives the drama forward, transforming an individual's anguish into a reflection on loyalty and the cost of justice. The play intertwines personal betrayal with political turmoil, portraying the devastating impact of pride and corruption. Through its eloquent dialogue and tragic realism, the work captures the hero's descent into moral conflict while examining the thin line between righteousness and revenge, ultimately revealing the destructive power of passion when justice is clouded by grief.
Windows
Windows examines how ideals can fracture when confronted with real human vulnerability. It presents a household that believes itself guided by reason and moral clarity until the arrival of a troubled outsider exposes the fragility of those convictions. Daily routines give the impression of stability, yet behind polite exchanges lie impatience, disillusionment, and a growing awareness that certainty is far easier to maintain when untested. Conversations inside the home reveal competing beliefs about personal responsibility, compassion, and the limits of patience. The family debates the value of principles while quietly fearing the consequences of living by them. The outsider's presence forces each person to reassess comfortable assumptions, revealing how quickly judgment replaces empathy when reputation or privacy feels threatened. Ideals become strained under the weight of inconvenience, and lofty claims about integrity dissolve into tension and blame. The work ultimately suggests that clarity is not achieved by viewing life through abstract values, but by acknowledging the complexity, weakness, and desperation within ordinary human decisions.
Lovers' Vows
Lovers' vows examines the moral and emotional complexities surrounding love, duty, and social order. The play delves into the conflict between personal desire and societal constraint, portraying how individuals struggle to reconcile affection with honor and convention. Set against the moral backdrop of class divisions and rigid expectations, it portrays the journey of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the restoration of justice. The work explores how compassion and truth can transcend the limits imposed by birth and reputation, offering a reflection on the redemptive power of sincerity and moral courage. Through moments of tension and revelation, the play critiques hypocrisy and prejudice, illuminating how genuine virtue often arises from adversity. The narrative's emotional depth lies in its depiction of loyalty, maternal love, and the courage to confront societal wrongs. It becomes both a domestic and social drama, emphasizing the enduring strength of conscience and the triumph of emotional honesty over social pretense.
The London Prodigal As It Was Played By The King's Majesties Servants
The London prodigal as it was played by the king's majesties servants depicts the downfall and redemption of a misguided youth whose reckless choices strain his family bonds and social standing. The play unfolds around themes of repentance, familial duty, and the moral consequences of indulgence. The story begins with an anxious father lamenting his son's wasteful behavior, setting a tone of both concern and irony that threads through the narrative. As deceit, vanity, and misjudgement steer the young man toward personal ruin, the plot contrasts moral weakness with enduring parental hope. Through moments of conflict, humor, and eventual self-realization, the play mirrors the tension between vice and virtue, exposing the temptations that accompany wealth and youth. At its heart, the work highlights the restorative power of forgiveness and the enduring faith in one's ability to change. Blending moral instruction with comedic undertones, the piece captures an age-old reflection on human frailty and spiritual renewal through lessons learned from folly and forgiveness.
Horizon Of Freedom
The Sci-Fi Space Opera Novel with Fer and Yve continues to a new level.A force created long ago is ready to reunite.Distinguished by green or blue eyes surrounded by a dark hue, they are the Elite Force.On a remote planet in the Galaxy, the reunion is imminent-the conditions have been set.Fer returns to this world to locate and awaken these extraordinary beings.Another adventure is about to begin.Are you part of this group?This is an awakening call!
The Galactic War
Continuation of the Sci-Fi Space Opera NovelsThis next chapter in the saga tells the story of how Fer lived through those distant years-and how Eve was there too, though their paths never crossed as lovers at that time.When I was just a boy-young, yet already deeply aware of the world around me-my favorite space opera novels finally arrived on the big screen.Of course, it was Star Wars.The moment those starships roared across the screen, something stirred inside me: a strange, unshakable fascination.It wasn't just fiction. It felt... familiar.The Dark Side order.The spaceships.The rebellion.The planets.The alien races.Have you ever felt that eerie sense of d矇j? vu-like you were not just a spectator, but a soul remembering?Are you ready for more? For a story that might change how you see reality itself?Join the adventure... and don't expect to think the same way ever again.
Tamburlaine The Great Part I
Tamburlaine: The Great Part I portrays the epic rise of a formidable conqueror whose boundless ambition transforms him from a humble shepherd into a symbol of ruthless power. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil and shifting alliances, the play explores how the hunger for dominance both creates and destroys empires. The story begins in a fractured Persia where internal disputes among rulers mirror the instability that allows Tamburlaine's ascent. His brilliance in warfare and magnetic personality draw followers as he challenges established authority and reshapes territories through calculated aggression and charisma. The capture of a foreign princess adds emotional contrast to his relentless quest for greatness, revealing the tension between love and conquest. Through its grand language and dramatic intensity, the play examines the psychological dimensions of ambition, questioning whether power elevates or corrupts those who grasp it. The work ultimately becomes a reflection on destiny, human limitation, and the perilous allure of absolute control over nations and fate itself.
A Family Man
A family man follows a strict head of household whose certainty in structure and rules begins to unravel when the people within his home challenge the life he tries to control. The narrative opens with him considering the possibility of a public honor, convinced that his authority extends not only over his household but into the larger community. The home appears orderly, yet tension grows beneath the surface. A silent restraint surrounds his partner, who reacts to his decisions with quiet endurance. Their desire for freedom, identity, and dignity confronts the rigid structure that defines their father's worldview. Each conversation reveals how tradition can become a cage when it refuses to adapt. The work shows the emotional cost of holding onto control and the pain that arises when love becomes a demand rather than a choice. Ultimately, the play examines how families fracture when authority refuses to listen and how growth requires letting go.
Revelation
A God-Dilemma ChronicleA world suddenly awakes to the death of its entire Muslim population (REMOVAL); versus a world awakening to the survival of only the Muslim population (REVELATION). How will each new world react to the loss of 1.7 or 6.3 billion people overnight? Are these God-events or man-made, and will there now be world peace, or chaos?Revelation: The atmosphere in the streets was odd, and many people were crying and looking to the heavens, kneeling on prayer mats, beseeching Allah, thanking Him, asking for signs. However, their actions were not in fear but thankfulness. What was going on? 'What is happening?' Ali asked an old man nearby who was smiling but also had tears running freely down his face. 'Allah has delivered us. The infidels are all dead. He took them away during the khamsin. All of them died in their sleep, ' he said, wonder clear in his voice. 'Are you sure? All of them?' 'Yes, the army and police have checked. Every infidel in this land has been taken by Allah; maybe all over the world too.' Ali stared at the man, looked around at the scenes of joy, and wondered if the people were crazy.For 15-year-old Charlie, in northern England, the deaths of his neighbours, friends, and way of life hit hard. But not as hard as the loss of his girlfriend, football team, internet, television, and school life. It was all very well for the four million Muslim population of the UK to own the wealth of the nation, but there were too few people left alive to run the country.What kind of a life was this going to be, and especially for his non-devout family?But in India, Ex-General and now President of India, Sabal Kalil, and his Pakistani counterpart, Ghulam Asif, come to a power-sharing deal that is breathtaking in its scale and vision. For them it is time to consolidate their opportunity to become the new superpower in the world, no matter what the new Caliphate of Mecca decrees, or how Indonesia-Malaysia expands its territory. Opportunity only knocks once, and for Kalil, even his allies will be surprised by his ambitions.
The Two Noble Kinsmen
The two noble kinsmen presents a story where loyalty and affection collide, testing the limits of honor and personal desire. The narrative begins within a ruling court preparing for a celebratory union when a group of grieving figures arrives, pleading for justice after a devastating conflict. Their appeal leads to renewed confrontation and the capture of two noble prisoners whose bond is defined by deep mutual respect. While held in confinement, both encounter a figure whose presence reshapes their priorities. What once united them begins to fracture as admiration turns into longing, and longing becomes rivalry. The work explores how powerful emotions can blur duty, turning friendship into conflict. Freedom becomes both a physical goal and a metaphor for release from inner turmoil. Through shifts in fortune, misunderstandings, and unexpected alliances, the story examines how individuals struggle to choose between loyalty to another and loyalty to themselves. The play reveals that noble intentions can still lead to painful outcomes, suggesting that honor and love do not always coexist peacefully. Ultimately, the narrative reflects how emotional battles can be as defining and transformative as any external war.
The Plays Of W. E. Henley And R. L. Stevenson
The plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson brings together a series of dramatic works that blend psychological conflict, moral inquiry, and social observation. Among them, the play centred on a respected craftsman who conceals a life of crime stands out as a powerful study of duality and human weakness. The narrative moves through an atmosphere of tension, where public duty and private desire collide, creating a portrait of a man torn between his outer respectability and inner corruption. Through vivid dialogue and emotional intensity, the story exposes the strain of living two lives within a society governed by rigid moral expectations. Scenes featuring family ties and civic responsibility serve to heighten the conflict, reflecting themes of ambition, deceit, and the slow unraveling of conscience. The play's depiction of hidden vice beneath polished virtue becomes a broader commentary on hypocrisy and moral disintegration, transforming social respectability into a mirror for the darker truths of human nature.
Twelve Nights of Starlight
When the sky fractures into shimmering light on a quiet winter night, Mira knows her life will never be the same. For years, she has felt an unexplainable pull toward the stars-an ache buried deep in her chest, a whisper tugging at the edges of her dreams. But nothing prepares her for the moment the Starlight Veil opens before her eyes, revealing a being both extraordinary and impossibly familiar.Kael is unlike anything Mira has ever encountered-an ethereal guardian bound to a dimension of pure luminosity, existing between time, memory, and fate. His presence is radiant yet haunting, his existence a paradox: he remembers every star he has ever touched, but nothing of the human heart he seems drawn to.For twelve nights, as the Veil opens again and again, Mira and Kael are pulled into an intimacy that defies reason. Their connection deepens through shared visions, emotional resonance, and the unmistakable echo of a bond that feels older than the cosmos itself. But each encounter brings new revelations-some wondrous, some devastating. The Veil is unstable. The worlds are shifting. And forces older than galaxies are watching.As Mira uncovers forgotten truths about her past and Kael struggles against the fading boundaries holding him to his realm, both must confront a terrifying question: Are they meeting for the first time... or finding each other again?When cosmic laws tighten and ancient energies awaken, Mira faces an impossible choice-let Kael disappear forever, preserving the balance between realms, or break the rules of creation itself for a love that was never meant to exist.Haunting, romantic, and filled with breathtaking imagery, Twelve Nights of Starlight is a luminous tale of soul-deep connection, multidimensional wonder, and the fierce courage it takes to choose love in the face of destiny. Perfect for fans of star-crossed romances and atmospheric fantasy, this novel will pull you into a universe where emotion is magic and love is written in the constellations.If you're ready to lose yourself in a cosmic love story that lingers long after the final page, get this book now.
A Florentine Tragedy La Sainte Courtisane
A florentine tragedy: La sainte courtisane is a collection of dramatic works that examines the interplay of desire, morality, and human passion through richly poetic language. The first play delves into the destructive power of jealousy, betrayal, and unrestrained longing, portraying the tension between personal honor and overwhelming emotion. It highlights how ambition and desire can drive individuals toward confrontation and tragedy, illustrating the fragility of social and marital bonds. The second piece contrasts earthly allure with spiritual yearning, exploring themes of repentance, inner conflict, and the pursuit of transcendence. Through allegorical dialogue and symbolic encounters, the plays probe the complexities of human emotion and moral choice, reflecting the tension between indulgence and restraint. Both works are marked by lyrical wit, aesthetic sensibility, and philosophical undertones, emphasizing the consequences of passion and the moral dilemmas that accompany human relationships. The collection captures the paradoxes of beauty, love, and desire while offering a meditation on the transformative, often destructive, power of human longing.
The Well Of The Saints A Comedy In Three Acts
The well of the saints: A comedy in three acts is a dramatic exploration of perception, beauty, and human illusion framed within the simplicity of rural life. Through humor and irony, the play examines how vision, both literal and metaphorical, can distort understanding rather than clarify it. The narrative follows two blind beggars whose contentment in darkness is disrupted when they are granted sight, revealing the unsettling reality behind their imagined world. Their awakening becomes a reflection on how people construct beauty and meaning from ignorance, and how truth, when uncovered, can bring pain instead of enlightenment. The play's dialogue intertwines lyrical wit with moral depth, presenting a study of human vanity, pride, and vulnerability. Its pastoral setting amplifies the tension between spiritual faith and worldly perception, capturing the fragile balance between illusion and awareness. With a mix of satire and compassion, the work portrays blindness as both a curse and a refuge, questioning whether seeing truly brings understanding.
The Puritan Widow
The puritan widow examines the intersection of grief, social convention, and the pursuit of renewed purpose within a rigid moral structure. The narrative presents the emotional journey of a widow and her family as they navigate expectations of propriety, remarriage, and independence after loss. Through its exploration of mourning and societal judgment, the work reveals how individual emotions are often constrained by collective moral codes. The contrast between sincerity of sorrow and external pressures to conform exposes the fragility of human conviction when tested by public scrutiny. The widow's steadfast devotion to memory is juxtaposed with the impatience of others who value appearance over sentiment, reflecting broader tensions between faith, hypocrisy, and the social theater of virtue. Subtle comedic undertones balance the gravity of the central conflict, illustrating the contradictions of a culture where piety and desire coexist uneasily. Ultimately, the work becomes both a reflection on personal fidelity and a quiet critique of moral rigidity within an evolving society.
The Ardent Unit
The Ardent Unit is no ordinary school. Hidden from the world, it trains children with extraordinary talents, shaping them into operatives who can face dangers most adults cannot survive. Each student is chosen for something unique, and something dangerous.Within the sprawling, shadowed mansion, every lesson tests their skill, every secret carries weight, and every mistake can be deadly. Silent hackers, fierce fighters, cunning negotiators, each must learn to trust the others, even when trust could be their downfall.Amid the danger, hearts still beat. Jack knows the pull of quiet, forbidden love, and he is not alone. Romance and longing thread through the lives of other students, giving them strength, hope, and sometimes heartbreak.Mystery lurks in every corridor, alliances are fragile, and battles are not just fought with fists or weapons, but with cunning, loyalty, and courage. In the Ardent Unit, childhood is a luxury, survival is never guaranteed, and love may be the most dangerous risk of all.
Megan - My Home
Between the venerable halls of Oxford, the sunlit shores of the Mediterranean, and the forward-looking campuses of Stanford, a young man searches for what the world calls home - and for a love that might finally complete his heart.Along his journey, he meets souls who teach him to dream, to hope, and to endure. Friendships, longing, fleeting passions - each encounter draws him closer to an answer that always seems just beyond reach. Until he discovers that home is not a place found on any map, but a presence in the heart of a woman named Megan.Megan - My Home is a moving novel based on a true story - a journey across continents, emotions, and memories. It speaks about love, identity, belonging, and the courage to find peace within oneself. A book for readers who believe in passion, purpose, and the beauty of the human soul.
You Can't Leave & Other Stories
You Can't LeaveA weekend away in the countryside. A quick stop en route to grab a drink. But for Amy and Lisa, the return journey home is when the nightmare begins.Not Long Now Daniel's finding growing up tough. Adam lives on the floor above him and sees everything. But as life on the council estate deteriorates, and the authorities choose to do nothing, time is running out.Another TimeWhile Hannah's return home was expected, Zoe's sudden arrival leaves everyone in shock. She shouldn't be there. Later Hannah will be faced with a hard decision and Zoe's hoping she'll give her one last chance.You Should Have Listened When Matthew finds himself in prison, his world falls apart. If only someone had listened.The Note That Changed EverythingRecruited by a local gang, Connor's future is looking bleak. One day a school detention might be his only way out.Do I Know You?An unexpected call. 'I like the way you've done your hair tonight - it really suits you...' and the line goes dead. But this is just the start. While Melissa is repeatedly told not to worry, no-one is aware that someone from her past is planning on being with her very soon.
The Wild Duck
In the shadowed corners of a seemingly ordinary household, the weight of family secrets and moral dilemmas unfolds with haunting precision. This five-act play, set against the evocative backdrop of 19th century Norway, captures the essence of personal identity struggles and the intricate web of human relationships. Rediscovered after being out of print for decades, Alpha Editions proudly presents a restored version for today's and future generations, offering a fresh lens on this timeless piece of Norwegian literature. As the drama unravels, theatre enthusiasts and literary scholars alike will find themselves immersed in a narrative that echoes the psychological depth of Anton Chekhov and the intense realism of August Strindberg. This edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, inviting readers to explore the Scandinavian setting with renewed curiosity. The play's exploration of truth and illusion resonates profoundly in our contemporary world, where the search for authenticity is more pertinent than ever. Whether you're a casual reader seeking an engaging story or a classic-collection buyer looking to enrich your library, this work offers a compelling glimpse into the human condition. With its vivid portrayal of life's complexities, it remains a significant piece of literary history, bridging the past with the present in a way that is both enlightening and enduring.
The Legacy
I was sitting in my armchair in the lounge, I was warm and comfortable. Next moment I was on a private aircraft, confused, with no answers. Then I was looking up at a tall glass building. Why am I here? Somebody was playing games with my mind. I was lonely, but felt I was here to put something right. But what? Come with me into a fascinating dream, taking me totally out of my comfort zone. Come and meet Shirley. Look into her big brown eyes. She seemed to understand.
Saving Iris
Eighteen year old Lyla Pierson spent her life preparing for one moment-her Flowering Day Ceremony, a centuries-old tradition where her parents present her with five carefully chosen suitors-men of influence, charm and good-looks.Tradition demands she chooses one to marry, a match that promises safety, security and the kind of love she's always dreamed of. But on the morning of her wedding-her little sister Iris, disappears.Wanting to call off the ceremony, Lyla's father pleads for her to continue, promising Lyla, her sister will be found. With her family torn apart, and desperate to save her sister, Lyla might have to go through more than just the ceremony, she might have to risk everything.
In Between the Silence
A kidnapping. Ingrid Brenner goes missing on a sunny Sydney day. Fifteen years later she is found in appalling condition on a farming property. Her mother is relieved but is faced with the damage done to Ingrid and the difficult task of teaching Ingrid to live again.
Drama Start
Drama Start: Me, My Family and My Community offers a rich collection of drama games, movement activities, and imaginative stories that help young children explore the world closest to them, who they are, who they love, and where they belong. Through simple, playful drama techniques, children act out everyday experiences, celebrate family relationships, and discover their wider community. Each activity is easy to follow, developmentally appropriate, and designed to build confidence, cooperation, communication, and emotional understanding. Ideal for early childhood educators, primary teachers, after-school facilitators, and anyone working with young children, this book provides ready-to-use ideas that support identity, belonging, and social development through creative play. Whether children are role-playing family routines, exploring community helpers, or expressing their own feelings and stories, this resource makes learning meaningful, joyful, and connected.
The Storm She Left Behind
The Storm She Left Behind isn't just about loss-it's about what remains when the worst has passed. It's about the people who stand with us in the wreckage, the laughter that returns in whispers, and the moment we realize that surviving the storm is only the beginning. Caught between who she was and who she's becoming, Lily must face her past head-on while learning to live again in the chaos of the present.
The Day Our Paths Almost Missed
Two souls move through life convinced that fate has nothing left to offer them-until a series of near-encounters begins to pull them toward a truth neither expected. Set against the quiet hum of a bustling city, this suspenseful romance follows two strangers whose lives brush dangerously close, again and again, without ever fully meeting. Each near-collision leaves behind a spark, a lingering question, and an unsettling sense that something-or someone-is quietly rewriting their destinies.When a mysterious incident forces their paths into alignment, they are thrown into a whirlwind of emotion, doubt, and magnetic connection that neither can explain. But as secrets come to light and hidden motives surface, the line between love and danger blurs, pulling them deeper into a story where every choice matters and every silence holds a clue.This gripping tale blends emotional intensity with heart-stopping twists, exploring what happens when destiny refuses to be ignored. It is a journey of almost-moments, missed chances, and the powerful force that finally brings two drifting hearts face-to-face-at the exact moment when everything is at stake.A love story built on tension, mystery, and the haunting question: What if the one meant for you was always just one step away?
My Hamster's a Genius
When Ben is given a pet hamster, he's underwhelmed: until the hamster (which he has already unfortunately named 'Stinky') turns out to be a genius - a genius who helps him with his homework. Ben's sudden improvement at school attracts the suspicion of his family - and the attention of his teacher, the horrible Beardy McCreedy. When Ben smuggles Stinky into school one day, for help with a test, the results are disastrous. But when Ben's house is burgled, Stinky can identify the culprits. And together, one boy and his hamster make a plan to trap the criminals and save the day.
Gossamer
Some fairies should stay at the bottom of the garden. It began as an innocent game. In 1917, two young British girls experiment with a camera and capture images of themselves with dancing fairies. They are playing a joke - but no one is laughing.Their photographs attract the attention of the two most famous men in the world - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.Here at last is proof that the spirit world exists. In an England devastated by World War 1, these fairy photos offer hope that a link to "the other side" is possible and that millions of grieving families can "contact" their lost sons.Now the girls, Elsie and Frances, find that their joke has backfired with terrifying consequences. Conan Doyle elevates them to the status of living saints while Harry Houdini is grimly determined to expose them as frauds. Soon all four are entangled in a fairy-spun web of gossamer, a web from which there is no escape.What really happened at Cottingley Glen? Sixty years later an MI5 agent urgently needs to uncover the truth. However not all fairies are as kind as Tinker Bell, and he suddenly discovers that the bottom of the garden can be a dangerous place indeed.
Once Upon a Time in Kermarch
Alan and Tessa Smith always dreamt about moving to France. Alan had even spent long evenings struggling with his aging 'Teach Yourself French' cassettes. But, the time was never quite right.When they retire it looks like the perfect opportunity to rent a house large enough to invite their three children, Mike, Jackie, and Paul, together with their families to stay for an extended family holiday. Though they are demographically similar, their children have different ideas regarding what makes for a perfect holiday. This means compromises all round.Can Alan and Tessa find the right mix to keep everyone happy? Can the disparate groups gel? Is the small village of Kermarch ready for this Anglo-Saxon invasion?
Pink Pants
Pink Pants is a gripping, emotionally rich story about identity, resilience, and the quiet courage it takes to truly become yourself.When Anya steps into the bustling world of St. Mary's Hospital as a foreign-trained nurse, she carries more than a stethoscope and a suitcase-she carries fear, ambition, and the hope of building a new life far from home. But blending into London's fast-paced medical landscape proves harder than she imagined. Judgment lingers in hallways, expectations press on her shoulders, and loneliness becomes a familiar companion.Her boldest act of rebellion? A pair of bright pink pants. What begins as a simple confidence trick quickly transforms into a symbol of her fight to stand tall in a world determined to shrink her. Through demanding shifts, cultural missteps, hard-won victories, and the healing power of connection, Anya slowly discovers that true strength isn't about perfection-it's about authenticity.As she evolves from a guarded newcomer into a compassionate leader, her journey touches colleagues, patients, and eventually, her own heart. The woman who once hid behind color now leads with purpose, empathy, and unshakeable self-belief.Pink Pants is for anyone who has ever started over, questioned their worth, or dared to bloom in unfamiliar soil. It is a story of growth, courage, culture, vulnerability-and the beautiful, messy process of becoming whole.If you love heartfelt, character-driven stories about transformation, identity, and the quiet triumphs that shape a life...This is the book you've been waiting for.✨ Get this book now and step into Anya's unforgettable journey of courage, color, and becoming.
The Keeper's Weakness
In the quiet town of Briar Hollow, secrets linger longer than the morning fog-and one secret is about to change everything. When a guarded librarian crosses paths with a mysterious newcomer whose charm hides more than he lets on, a slow-burning connection sparks between them. But every moment of tenderness is shadowed by an undercurrent of danger neither of them can ignore.As their hearts intertwine, strange events begin to unfold-whispers in the night, missing items, footsteps that stop just outside the door. The past they've both tried to outrun resurfaces with chilling precision, threatening to tear apart the fragile trust they're building. Desire pulls them closer, but fear keeps them on edge, trapped in a fragile dance between passion and peril.When the truth finally begins to unravel, they discover that someone has been watching... someone who knows their weaknesses, their vulnerabilities, and their deepest fears. And this time, love alone may not be enough to save them.Suspenseful, intoxicating, and emotionally gripping, The Keeper's Weakness is a tale of romance pushed to its limits-where every heartbeat could be a warning, and every kiss might be the calm before the storm.
Secret Notes and Stolen Glances
In a city full of hidden desires and whispered secrets, a chance encounter sparks a connection neither of them can ignore. It starts with a fleeting glance across a crowded room, a brief smile that lingers longer than it should, and a set of mysterious notes that appear in the most unexpected places. Each message teases, provokes, and draws them deeper into a game of discovery-one that is as thrilling as it is dangerous.As curiosity turns to obsession, every stolen moment becomes charged with tension, and every secret carries weight. They find themselves entangled in a delicate dance between passion and caution, unsure who can be trusted or what the next note might reveal. The closer they get, the more the past they've tried to forget threatens to surface, shadowing their budding connection with danger and doubt.When the truth behind the notes and glances finally emerges, it challenges everything they believed about love, trust, and fate. Suspenseful and emotionally charged, Secret Notes and Stolen Glances is a gripping tale of romance pushed to the edge, where every heartbeat counts, every glance hides meaning, and every secret could change their lives forever.
Favor
Favor is a two-act, 5-actor play with music, inspired by a true story: HANSEL HALS, a young Dutch vaudeville performer and immigrant to Germany in the 1920s, achieves resounding success on the German stage for his role inThe Merry Widow operetta, and works hard to become a major player in the German cinema. His ascension as an increasingly popular movie star parallels the inexorable rise of the German Third Reich, and he soon gains the admiration of the powerful Reich hierarchy and of the Chancellor himself. As he and the culture that adores him face increasingly fraught political and moral choices, can HANSEL HALS, as an acclaimed artist, make a principled stand, and potentially jeopardize the success of his career and his livelihood, or will he make compromises and succumb to the compelling allure of fame, fortune, and favor? What motivates our choices? Political ideology? Religion? Personal philosophy? And what do our choices cost us . . . in the end?
When Rich Meets Real
In a world of wealth, power, and polished facades, a chance encounter sparks an unexpected connection that defies everything they thought they knew. One comes from a life of privilege, surrounded by luxury and carefully curated appearances. The other navigates the world with raw honesty, resilience, and a heart that has learned to guard itself. When their paths collide, the result is a magnetic pull neither can resist.What begins as curiosity soon evolves into a dangerous game of desire, secrets, and temptation. Every meeting, every glance, every conversation carries the weight of unspoken truths and hidden agendas. As walls are broken down and barriers challenged, the thrill of attraction is matched only by the suspense of discovering just how much risk lies in opening up to someone who lives in a world so different from their own.But in a story where wealth and reality clash, trust becomes fragile, and hearts are at stake. Every choice matters, and every revelation could change the course of their lives forever. When Rich Meets Real is a gripping, suspenseful romance that explores love, risk, and the fine line between appearances and authenticity. Passion and danger intertwine in a tale you won't be able to put down.
The Mindful Marathon
In a fast-paced world where stress and chaos seem inevitable, a journey begins-one that challenges the mind, body, and spirit. The Mindful Marathon: A Journey to Mental and Physical Wellness takes readers on an inspiring path where discipline meets self-discovery, and endurance becomes a tool for transformation.This is not just a story about running; it is a guide to cultivating balance, resilience, and mindfulness in every aspect of life. Through personal anecdotes, practical strategies, and thoughtful exercises, readers learn how to listen to their bodies, quiet their minds, and embrace the small victories that build lasting wellness. Each chapter blends motivation with reflection, showing how mental clarity and physical stamina are deeply interconnected, and how achieving one can profoundly enhance the other.Along the way, challenges arise, setbacks test commitment, and moments of doubt tempt even the most determined. Yet, every stride forward becomes a lesson in perseverance, patience, and the transformative power of self-care.Rich with insight, encouragement, and practical tools, The Mindful Marathon is more than a book-it is a companion for anyone seeking to navigate life with strength, awareness, and purpose. This journey proves that wellness is not a destination, but a marathon worth running.
He Wrote Me into His Dreams
When a reclusive novelist finds inspiration in the most unexpected place, a quiet life spirals into a whirlwind of longing, mystery, and danger. It begins with a letter-unsigned, poetic, and strangely intimate-describing dreams that feel too vivid to ignore. Each new note reveals pieces of a world that blurs the line between imagination and reality, drawing its recipient into a story that feels eerily personal.As an undeniable connection grows between the writer and the unseen stranger, tension simmers beneath every word exchanged. The dreams deepen. The shadows lengthen. And the whispers in the dark begin to echo things no one else should know. What starts as a creative spark becomes an intoxicating pull neither can resist, even as their lives twist into something far more complicated-and far more dangerous.When strange occurrences begin to mirror the scenes written on the page, the writer realizes someone is watching, guiding, and perhaps controlling the unfolding story. Desire and fear collide as the truth teeters between obsession and fate.Suspenseful, passionate, and hauntingly atmospheric, He Wrote Me into His Dreams uncovers what happens when fantasy bleeds into reality-and when love becomes the most thrilling mystery of all.
Romeo and Juliet
This handsome hardback presents one of the most influential plays ever written, Romeo and Juliet, featuring gold cover embossing gilded page edges. Written between 1591 and 1595, Romeo & Juliet is one of Shakespeare's greatest and most popular plays. Set in Verona, Italy, it has been performed across the world and inspired numerous other artistic works - from music to ballet and film - as well as entertaining countless generations of theatre-goers. Filled with some of Shakespeare's most beautiful and beloved lines, this tragic tale of star-cross'd lovers will resonate with people of all ages. This elegant pocket hardback edition has real collector's appeal, based on the First Folio with facsimile of Shakespeare's signature on the title page, gold gilded page edges and beautifully designed endpapers. Part of the Arcturus Ornate Classics series this book makes wonderful gift for any lover of classic literature and theatre. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound editions of iconic literary works across history. These compact, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and make the perfect gift.
Mirrored Reflections
Opposites attract and Chad and Sierra are that. Chad is destroyed on the outside by a suicide bomber while Sierra is damaged on the inside by human trafficking. They are each other's reflection of who they are. Beautiful yet damaged by life.While Chad struggles with his PTSD and Sierra struggles with the Complex Trauma from her past, they are there for each other. Along with God's help, they will do whatever it takes to see the other survives. (warning: explicit language and situations)"I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
