Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 18: A Last-Minute Replacement

'Jordana sat in her cubicle with her headphones on. She’d spent the day storming through a packed workload; presently she was editing her latest podcast and flitting occasionally to a second monitor to write up the key topics for the corresponding web article. In the video she was interviewing a Trinidadian police officer named Jonah via Skype. The piece was also to be accompanied with a detailed retraction. It absolutely pained her to write this, seeing as she’d had no input into the original article. But she had recommended Rubin, the junior writer responsible. Mr O’Malley was livid when the news had reached him. He’d jabbed his finger and raised his voice and pounded his hairy fist on his desk.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 17: A Suspicious Greenhouse

' “Oh, bloody hell,” Olek grunted across the breakfast table. “Twelve across… Starts with ‘B’. Five letters, ‘sacred fig tree’.” “Bodhi,” Victoria replied almost instantaneously. “B-O-D-H-I.” “Ah. Perfect.” Olek scribbled it down. Although he loathed asking for help, this was the final word and he was satisfied he’d never have guessed it. He flicked back to the start—reading the newspaper was his reward for completing the crossword. Some reward, he soon reflected; even the broadsheets had descended into a cavalcade of doom-mongering and hidden agendas these days.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 16: A Riotous Distraction

'The last few weeks in the new mobile abode had not been without their minor hurdles and difficulties for Marcus and Mathilda. They had sometimes forgone warm showers, been forced to abruptly move on in the dead of night (mostly because of Marcus’s paranoia), and the toilet situation left something to be desired. Despite all this, they were elated to be experiencing one of those rare and elusive things: a warm and dry English summer. With gorgeous blue skies and resplendent countryside as their backdrop, the two had clocked up the miles in what could best be described as continually high spirits—high being the operative word. If he had to sum up their journey thus far in one word, Marcus would have said: liberating.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Chapter 15: An Ugly Associate 'Zach could feel the pressure building in his temples as he collapsed onto the sofa in the tour bus. Like a petulant toddler, he leaned forward to swipe the stack of tabloids off the coffee table—the assortment he’d ordered Val to buy after overhearing his name on British radio. Tom had stood silent in the room for ten minutes, simply allowing the enraged artist to vent. All the while the musician’s phone was continually vibrating on the counter. “Honestly, I’m absolutely done with this shit.” “What do you mean? Done with what?” “Everything. They’re setting me up. This is all one massive conspiracy.” Zach shot up and started to pace back and forth.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 14: A Diamond Strategy

'Gabe had adored the three weeks he’d lived with Patrice. He could not remember the last time he’d stayed at a single location for such a prolonged period of time. The eccentric South African had been so impressed by Gabe’s early-morning handiwork—and the resounding success of the operation—that he’d treated the boy like family ever since. Patrice was conspicuously vague when asked exactly how well the hack had gone. Ah, perfect implementation, he’d said. Let’s just say it’ll keep us fed for quite a while. This was as illustrative as he would get. The last answer in particular had made Gabe feel so secure and included that he decided not to probe any further. Patrice had, after all, done all of the work, and the boy was satisfied that his minor role in the process was so appreciated.

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 13: Advice from a Kiwi

'The anger steadily simmering in Cee’s subconscious differed from the way it’d felt a few weeks ago. It had contorted now, warped into something deeper, settling into a kind of sickened resentment, a wounded disbelief that her husband could be so callous. It’s my job, Cee, he’d said to her. If they need me in New York, I can’t just refuse them. What do you expect me to do? How about showing a little backbone? she’d snapped at him. How about explaining to them that your daughter is clinging to life and every single day is precious?'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

For your listening pleasure!

Special guest Jayne Love joins Daizi and April this week as they each read and discuss their unique flash fiction stories around this episodes writing prompt: Summer Holiday. You get to listen to three unique stories written exclusively for Bare Books. 

Download and listen. Let us entertain you in true Bare Book's style. Maybe you'll be tempted to write a flash fiction story of your own. The next writing prompt is The Scam, 500 to 1000 words if you are feeling compelled to put pen to paper. 

Get writing and be a part of this season's flash fiction, you'll find the writing prompts on our social media along with the deadlines for submission. You could guest host on a future podcast with your own flash fiction story.

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 12: A Rudely Rescheduled Conference

'“I’m fine, dear,” Olek muttered. He looked down to find his hand had turned black, charred like a piece of meat left too long on a grill. He concealed it in his trouser pocket and continued to trail Victoria down the glorious emerald field, unable to keep up. An enormous white canopy was ahead of them, and beautiful orchestral music rippled through the rolling hills. There were hundreds of smiling faces. “C’mon, Olek. We’re going to miss the whole thing.” “I’m right behind you.” His legs were leaden poles, the very act of lifting them was becoming impossible.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 11: An Unreturned Watch

'Jordana groaned as she tossed her mail on the kitchen counter. She’d been safely home in Canada for three hours, and her gratitude had already disappeared. Five days the guy had promised her. Five days. Of the influx of nonsense posted through her door, the one item she was counting on signing for had not been delivered. And there were no missed delivery slips in her previous post; all she’d been welcomed with was a slew of bills and unwanted pamphlets. She was clearly mistaken in assuming that her luck would change after her wretched spell in the US. I knew it was bad idea, she thought to herself. She could have arranged for one of several qualified horologists in Canada to fix it. Their fees did not seem so extortionate now.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction

Bare Books presents Ending Samara by J W Voyce and read by Daizi Rae.

Find out more about J W Voyce here >> http://jwvoyce.com/

Chapter 10: A Half-Paid Debt

'Marcus ended the call, fighting a fierce impulse to vomit. It took him several minutes to overcome the trembling in his legs. Although his heartrate had resumed its normal pace, his stomach remained unsettled as he reread the article on his phone—the man wasn’t lying. Frantically, he’d started to gather stuffed bags of his belongings, running outside with them through the back door of the house. He had no time to defend his behaviour to Mathilda. She just stood by door watching him pass her, seemingly waiting for an explanation.'

You can find our flash fiction anthology on Amazon.

Submit your book for a possible future review to [email protected]

Big thanks to Sydney Strong for the musical interludes. Find them on Instagram @syd_extinction