Stories

With thieves and crooks finding new ways to dampen the glorious shopping experience, a hero emerges. He lives by the moral code of exchanging goods and services, and he will uphold it. Fast and nimble, he is a blur to customers. Villains tremble at the sight of him.

He is Retail Ninja.

Inspired by Jan Hutchinson’s prompts for National Poetry Writing Month 2023.

As I said somewhere else, I won’t manage to write a poem a day this April. The start was delayed, as I didn’t want to bore you with unimaginative rants giving righteous indignation and certain occurrences too many words and importance.

Poems for National Poetry Writing Month - April 2023

A series of poems exploring friendship.

Marc Wynn has accompanied his beloved aunt to estate sales for years, but he's never found anything he couldn't live without-until he meets Sawyer Calhoun. Sawyer wastes no time in revealing his romantic interest in Marc, but their promising first evening ends badly with Sawyer as adamant about broadcasting his sexuality as Marc is about hiding his. But when Sawyer hires Marc to restore his grandfather's house, their intense attraction grows into an emotional connection neither can resist. During the renovations, surprises come to light, and Sawyer must face his past when a tragedy threatens Marc's livelihood.

After a challenging week at work, a night out drinking at The Humpback sounded perfect to Banner Hoyt. The following morning, at the Coast Guard station’s barracks, Banner feels energized but fuzzy on the previous evening’s events. It takes some time to recall everything and even longer to realize that night had changed his life forever.

A short novel in ten chapters.

As Ravello slumbers under the grey skies of winter, Gianni and Angelo try to come to terms with looking after their new foster son Sami. Gianni is trying his best, but Sami seems more attached to two local boys who took care of him in the summer.

Meanwhile, teenager Marco’s carefully controlled home life unravels when his father uncovers a truth he has been trying desperately to conceal.

Following the loss of his boyfriend in a tragic accident, Rich is left in a state of limbo, unable to process or control his emotions. When reaching out to his wealthy, secretive uncle for legal advice, Rich's state leads him to actions he'd never thought possible; and down a rabbit-hole that will change the course of his life forever.

Seven years ago, Jase awoke with the mystical power to heal people—and no memory of his past. The only clue: the number forty tattooed on his arm. Driven by a mission he doesn’t understand, Jase follows his visions to those he’s meant to save. He is convinced that the fortieth person he’s drawn to is the key to finally learning the truth.

Social worker Lucas Jacobson’s job is to protect Macy. So when Jase shows up claiming he’s there to heal the child, Lucas is wary.Then Macy is abducted, and Lucas has no choice but to trust in Jase.

But Jase is certain of one thing: if Macy dies, a dark fate awaits them all.

A Wednesday Brief Holiday Short Story