The Last Arcadian by Z.S. Joseph revolves around Addy, a birthday girl whose only major problem is coming to terms with an impending transition to boarding school and the pressure that comes with it. As her day proceeds with friends Eli and Luka, strange occurrences...

Taking Flight: Short Stories of the Unexpected by Jacques Sardas presents a collection of original tales that, while connected in different ways through a character named Avi, can be comfortably read individually, which is how I approached the anthology myself. These stories include Longevity, in...

The Mission and Three Other Stories by Don Pizzarello is a collection of stories that depict characters ensnared in their situations. They explore themes of faith, friendship, love, and identity. In The Mission, a follower is troubled with a test of deceit, free will, and...

The Christmas Letter by Pat Wahler is a heartwarming short story that beautifully weaves themes of friendship, loss, and the power of love. The novella follows Zoe Kendrick, a new mathematics teacher struggling with a heavy emotional burden. Her friend Viola is gravely ill, and...

Cold Moon: Prequel to the Cursed Heir Series by Corina Douglas maps the beginning of a journey into the unknown, the path paved with intrigue, violent acts, revenge, lies, love, heartbreak, and resilience. Eleanor is a young woman who was abruptly taken from her home...

Kerry ONeal's Obscure Reality is a collection of short stories that offer some deliciously dark and eerie storylines. Cleaner Man presents the life of a sin eater whose practices lead to supernatural consequences. Is That You? tells of the unsettling behavior of a grieving boy...

Town and Country is an enthralling collection of short stories by Carl Parsons. These tales are set in the Mid-Ohio Valley in America and feature a colorful array of characters. An old man returns to his hometown where he grew up, hoping to reconnect with...

Stephen Deck’s Land of the Story Tellers: 24 Stories and 7 Poems is a diverse and captivating anthology that pulls the reader through various experiences, periods, and emotions. The book’s long journey to publication feels like the culmination of an author’s dedication to observing life...

Smuggler's Love is the third book in the Reese Daniels Smuggler Series by T.D. Wilson. It's been a few months since Reese Daniels, a smuggler and transport pilot, was blackmailed by Sergeant Maya Walker of EDF Security into infiltrating the Almora Cartel. Now Gideon and...

Trio: 3 Tales of Dark Urban Fantasy by Phillip Johnson is a collection of stories that explore grief, identity, and existential questions. They have science fiction and supernatural elements, with tales of immortal beings, interdimensional ships, and time travel. The first story, Aaron’s Last Day,...