Download Popular Authors Audiobooks in Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

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Title: Scoop Away

Subtitle: A Sweet Cozy Mystery

Author: S. Y. Robins

Narrator: Sheila Stasack

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-16-15

Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Amber Dearing is living her dream - she's finally the owner of her own brand new ice cream shop and she's got the chance to make it a huge success. Everything is riding on the Cow & Moon launch going as planned. With all of Amber's life savings poured into the business, she has no plan B. But when, on the day of the official launch, a women drops dead in the middle of store, Amber is not only in danger of losing her business - she is a prime suspect.

Taking matters into her own hands, Amber decides to investigate the case herself. She needs to clear her own name, and she needs to save the business she has worked so hard to start. When she meets Ryan, the cute barista/manager of a competitor's store, Amber really has to put her instincts to the test. Could Ryan be the one to blame, or is Amber not seeing what is right in front of her nose?

Members Reviews:

Sweet Read

Amber is having the grand opening of her Ice Cream Shop and hasnât had a break. Just as she sits down to eat a bite, a customer falls to the ground dead. Not the best way to celebrate a grand opening. Knowing that she is not at fault and that if she doesnât clear her name and that of her store fast, she will be put out of business before it even gets going Amber decides to investigate the murder.

This is a good quick read. Nice twist when you discover who it was and why. I have enjoyed these quick stories.

Reviewed by Cryssy ï

Definitely recommended, with the caveats I mentioned.

As advertised, this is a very short story, more like a first chapter of, or prologue to a novel or series. There were a few typos, but overall, the writing was good. There isn't a lot of room for character development in such a short work, but the author did manage to convey a sense of the characters' personalities.

The premise was good, but the execution was shallow, which is understandable in a short story. The characters' ages, some of their actions, and the settings, for example a barista, seemed geared to appeal to an adolescent or young adult audience. I've read children's and young adult books that had universal appeal; I'm not sure how to explain the difference, but this story did not strike me as having that universal appeal. It was well written and definitely had the bones of an excellent series, but needs some additional work to appeal to a broader audience.

This was a perfectly clean read and it had a conclusion; no cliffhangers here.

I am judging this story on what it is. I wouldn't reread it and I wouldn't read other books in this series, unless the author tweaked her style enough to have broader appeal. As a cute, well written short story, geared to a young audience, however, it is an excellent work. On that basis, I recommend it to the targeted audience as long as it is free or part of a larger work. The quality is worth paying for, but the size isn't, in my opinion. Other readers may not share my opinion, but I won't pay for a single short story.

Definitely recommended, with the caveats I mentioned.

Cute!

I am not necessarily a short story reader, but I saw this and thought it looked cute. It was a cute story with a couple of editing errors and name switches in certain places, but all in all, it didn't take distract me from the story.

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Title: Recollections: Gunsmoke, Wildcats, and the Day I Whooped the TV Preacher

Author: William H. Joiner Jr.

Narrator: Wes Elliott

Format: Unabridged

Length: 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-09-15

Publisher: William H. Joiner Jr.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

An audiobook of short stories recalled from a life lived on the edge.

Members Reviews:

Took me back to things I'd forgotten about

What did you love best about Recollections: Gunsmoke, Wildcats, and the Day I Whooped the TV Preacher?

Narration was a familiar sound.......having grown up in a large family in the Texas panhandle.

Would you recommend Recollections: Gunsmoke, Wildcats, and the Day I Whooped the TV Preacher to your friends? Why or why not?

Absolutely. A slice of Americana that is slowly fading away.

What about Wes Elliotts performance did you like?

It felt like he and I were talking.....no fancy stuff. Very believe able.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Joiner and Elliott have a bright future.

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Title: Indian Tales and Others

Author: John G. Neihardt

Narrator: Robin Neihardt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-09-15

Publisher: Skyyrim Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Before Black Elk Speaks, before his epic poem "A Cycle of the West", John G. Neihardt wrote many short stories that found favor with readers and critics. Among his best were the 17 collected in Indian Tales and Others in 1926. "The Singer of the Ache", considered Neihardt's highest achievement in short fiction, portrays young Moon-Walker's quest for supernatural powers achieved at a price.

Other Indian tales include "The Look in the Face", one of many about a social outcast; "The White Wakunda", about a Christ figure; "The Mark of Shame", concerning murder as a violation of the natural order; "Vylin" and "Mignon", moral fables about Indian-white marriages; "The Last Thunder Song"; and "Dreams Are Wiser Than Men".

Other stories, set on the frontier, are "The Scars", "The Nemesis of the Deuces", "The Revolt of a Sheep", "The Parable of the Sack", "The Art of Hate", and perhaps Neihardt's most popular tale, "The Alien", in which a fur trapper makes a pet of a she-wolf, with unexpected consequences. "The Red Roan", a ghost story, and "Beyond the Spectrum", about a man who may have stepped outside his body permanently, bring to a peak the strain of the supernatural that is apparent throughout the collection.

Members Reviews:

Interesting collection of stories ...

Good narration, interesting stories but I struggled a bit to see how they fit together and/or the point of some of the stories.

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Title: Blood Stories

Author: Douglas Light

Narrator: Douglas Light

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-17-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Violence, love, and a torrent of blood. A man wakes in a grimy hotel to find his marriage has ended but not in divorce. An orphan discovers he has a sister and a grisly family secret. And the loss of an infant son drives a man back to his brutal, bad ways. From the Manhattan's Lower East Side to the west coast of Africa, the seven noir stories in this riveting collection cut to the core of what makes us human - and what makes us killers.

Members Reviews:

Masterful Story Collection!

This new collection of short stories from Douglas Light burns with talent, rage and wit. Light is a master at using a character's suppressed feelings to reveal a darkness of the soul that longs for freedom and love. Artfully paced and surprising at every turn of the page, this is that rare set of stories that will haunt you in an enjoyable way.

Five Stars

Loved this book. Loved these original stories. I found this book through word of mouth. Glad I did.

A MUST READ!

The newest work by Douglas Light,"Blood Stories" is definitely a shoo-in in all aspects.Starting from the first story is clearly engaging and profound.The stories have an eerie and dark element to them,which made me look forward to each and every page.This book is a no-doubter if you are into horror and enjoyable literature.

Five Stars

These stories are both utterly gruesome and completely relatable: you'll be appalled and you'll see yourself.

Great collection!

Fun, engaging stories and really great writing. This guy knows how to tell a story.

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Title: Sisters, Strangers, and Slaughter

Author: Ashlee J. Schultz

Narrator: Tara Ochs, Fleet Cooper

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-23-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Sisters, Strangers and Slaughter is a psychologically thrilling collection of short stories focusing on the remote and inchoate hollows of the human condition. Each of the three stories features a narrator battling inner separateness, an arcane secret that threatens an otherwise healthy existence. In their suffering, the subjects are unable to tell physical pain from its mental shape. Ashlee Schultz's debut collection is a guided journey through the depths of the human mind, revealing demons that will shock even the bravest of readers.

Members Reviews:

Superb read.

The authors first work was simply spellbinding and I could not put it down. I can't wait for her next work. Hard to believe this is her first attempt at writing. The stories read as if written by an accomplished professional. Keep writing Ms Schultz, you certainly have a bright career in front of you.

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Title: Stories to Read While Driving

Subtitle: Kill the King and Other Tales

Author: Jim Heskett

Narrator: William Coon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-08-15

Publisher: Jim Heskett

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

If the cabbage man doesn't arrive soon, another meal will slip by and the king will still be allowed to exude foul breath from his lips. While the pastry chef and the royal food taster plot in the kitchen, the butcher keeps a close eye on their plans. And don't forget the sausage-lipped prime minister...he's got a secret buried in that mustache, no doubt about that.

Thus is the thrilling quagmire of regicide and culinary espionage of Kill the King. Listen on for this darkly comic tale and eight others, if you dare....

You'll find a mix of suspenseful action-packed short stories such as:

The tale of an assassin out to kill his target: his former high school rival.

Or quirky and funny stories:

The tale of three washed-up and mostly-useless superheroes trying to save the life of a choking man at a deli.

And tales of the absurd:

The debut author whose great literary work becomes turned into something horrible by a reality TV-loving focus group.

Members Reviews:

I really wanted to like this...

With the title of this book being as amusing as it is, I really expected to like this.

My first disappointment was at the long, overly descriptive characterizations of each character. After our introduction, most of our protagonists have either a dragged out pompous conversation or overly long stream of consciousness. After having these overly long discussions (or thoughts) the story quickly reaches its (usually very obvious) climax and for the most part, abruptly ends thereafter. But the 'amusement' doesn't end there. There are silly questions after each story. Not my idea of funny. I think it was supposed to be? If it's not... then I don't even know where to go with this.

To sum things up, I personally didn't care for the style of writing or humor but I can certainly see it being funny to many other readers and listeners. After all, humor is subjective. I would recommend checking out the sample if you are considering purchase.

I enjoyed the narrator and would certainly like to listen to more of his narrations.As for the author...I am curious to see how his novel-length stories fare for me. I have a feeling that I would like those better than the short stories.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the writer, publisher or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Stories to read while Driving

A fun short stories narrated nicely by William Koon.These go by fast,pay attetion!I was given this book for a fair and honest review.

Witty stories from all over

Where does Stories to Read While Driving rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Right up near the top!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stories to Read While Driving?

The confrontation between the family and the dogwalker. This is really baiting me to give the rest of that away.

What does William Coon bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

He gives it a great amount of personality and his voice allows the humor to come through.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I listened to it in two sittings so it's about as good.

Any additional comments?

I received this for free in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the humor and the wide variety of subject matter.

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Title: More Stories for the Heart

Subtitle: The Second Collection

Author: Alice Gray

Narrator: Alice Gray

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-06-15

Publisher: christianaudio.com

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

A sequel to Stories for the Heart, More Stories for the Heart offers up over 100 stories that hug listeners' hearts and encourage their souls. This treasury of timeless tales, written by some of the best Christian communicators today, offers a wealth of compassion and love certain to minister to multiple generations. Listeners will find themselves sharing these uplifting tales in conversation and letting the stories' wisdom inspire their thinking. These are stories that will add flavor to their views - and will be carried in their hearts. Whether heard during peaceful moments spent cuddled up by the fire, during moments basking in the sunshine, or during read-aloud family times with loved ones, More Stories for the Heart is certain to encourage the soul.

Members Reviews:

The book was a little dirty. I am enjoying some of the stories

I ordered this book thinking I was getting a new one. There was notes stuck in the book and an address to a beach condo or house. It had chocolate on one of the pages. The book was a little dirty. I am enjoying some of the stories.

A must read.

Beautiful heartfelt stories. A must read. I enjoyed these stories very much. I could read them over and over again.

Wow a great collection of great heart stories.

Wow, so many great stories and it really is powerful and helpful to share with others. Thanks for putting it together.

Five Stars

great book

Just what I needed

This is a great primer for anyone who has to deliver a sermon. The stories are arranged by subject: compassion, love,, motivation, encouragement, etc. They are brief and to the point, and make a great basis for delivering a particular message. I will be getting the other editions in this series.

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Title: Charlie Martz and Other Stories

Subtitle: The Unpublished Stories of Elmore Leonard

Author: Elmore Leonard

Narrator: Will Patton, Mark Bramhall, George Newbern, Tish Hicks, Nick Toren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-18-15

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

When Elmore Leonard died in 2013, he left behind a 60-year legacy of crime novels that, through their trademark wit and grit, transcended genre fiction. He also left behind a treasure trove of unpublished early stories.

Their razor-sharp dialogue and headlong pacing reveal a master who honed his craft from a young age.

Largely written during his years as a copywriter at a Detroit advertising agency, these stories find Leonard exploring far-flung locations, from the bars of small-town New Mexico to a military base in Kuala Lumpur. They also introduce us to unforgettable Leonard characters, some of whom - like ageing lawman Charlie Martz and weary former matador Eladio Montoya - star in his other works but were born in these pages.

Leonard's early work has all the hallmarks that made his later novels sparkle: gripping plots, an innovative and exhilarating approach to language, and a knowing appreciation for what makes everyone - from gangsters to gun molls, from detectives to damsels - tick.

Whether embodying an extra on a movie set in Spain or a desperate man out for vengeance in Detroit, these stories are endlessly entertaining - finding humanity in hardscrabble places and reminding us why Leonard is so sorely missed.

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Title: Green River Ghost Stories: Green River Crime & Horror

Author: David Bain

Narrator: Curt Campbell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 06-02-15

Publisher: a/a Productions

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

David Bain (Death Sight, Gray Lake) presents six tales of small town supernatural horror.

"A Pleasure to Burn" - A movie star comes home to literally burn down the past.

"Faith: A 9-11 Ghost Story" - A priest discovers he can perform a singular miracle for souls who died at the Trade Center.

"The Trunk: A Killer Ghost Story" - There's supposedly a dog's ghost in the trunk of the car. A ghost can't bite, can it?

"Dark Blue Shadows: A Children's Ghost Story: A Campfire Tale" - Don't speak of...no, don't even THINK of the dark blue shadows....

"That Enveloping Darkness" - What if you couldn't remember anything that ever happened inside the house you're supposed to housesit?

"A Letter to the Ghost Hunter "- A novice ghostbuster will need more than a little help with this particular haunting....

Members Reviews:

Well read story..

Would you listen to Green River Ghost Stories: Green River Crime & Horror again? Why?

I probably wouldn't listen to the whole thing again. The voice work was good but the stories were not what I was expecting, or really what I was hoping for. I will say that of them, the best two had to be Dark Blue Shadows and Making Ghosts. Dark Blue Shadows is something you can share with your kids...

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked Making Ghosts, it was interesting.. There were a couple of the stories that started off with the potential to be grand tales of suspense and horror from the house on a lake, but ended up being disappointing for their brevity..

What about Curt Campbells performance did you like?

His voice is clear and easy to understand, his character voices actually made me laugh... I enjoyed the story the more for it, in some cases his voice was the redeeming quality of the experience... I will note that his voice is distinctly masculine, even when he tries for not to be...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

There are worse ways to kill your time...

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience with an audio book since I was a very young kid, I could see it becoming a good way to commute.. this book however I would reserve for maybe the 14 year olds...

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Title: Coup de Foudre

Subtitle: A Novella and Stories

Author: Ken Kalfus

Narrator: Richard Davidson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-26-15

Publisher: Audible Studios for Bloomsbury

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The explosive new collection by the celebrated author of Thirst and PEN/Faulkner Award finalist Pu-239 and Other Russian Fantasies, Coup de Foudre is the kind of groundbreaking work of literary invention Ken Kalfus' fans have come to expect.

The audiobook is anchored by the full text of the provocatively topical title novella that appeared in Harper's, a sometimes farcical, ultimately tragic story about the president of an international lending institution accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper in a New York hotel. Recalling recent news events with irony and compassion, Kalfus skewers international political gridlock and the hypocrisies of acceptable sexual conduct. In "The Moment They Were Waiting For", a murderer on death row casts a spell granting the inhabitants of his city the foreknowledge of the dates they will die. In "v. The Large Hadron Collider", a judge distracted by the faint possibility of an adulterous affair must decide whether to throw out a nuisance lawsuit that raises the even fainter possibility that the entire Earth may be destroyed. "The Un-" is a nostalgic story of a young writer's struggles as he tries to surmount the colossal, heavily guarded wall that apparently separates writers who have been published from those who have not.

Varying boldly in theme, setting, and tone, the stories in Coup de Foudre share Kalfus' distinctive humor and intellect, inextricably bound with high literary ambition.

Members Reviews:

A master of the short story form...

Ken Kalfus has become one of my favourite writers since I first read Equilateral, his brilliantly written take on the Mars sci-fi story. His collection of short stories about Soviet Russia, PU-239 and Other Russian Fantasies, confirmed my first impression, while also letting me know that he is a true master of the short story form. So I was primed to love this new collection, which consists of a novella and 15 short stories. And I'm pleased to say that the book lived up to, perhaps exceeded, my high expectations.

The novella-length title story, Coup de Foudre, is a barely disguised imagining of the recent Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal (when the leader of the International Monetary Fund and possible candidate for the French Presidency was accused of having sexually assaulted a chamber-maid in a Manhattan hotel room). In Kalfus' hands, it becomes a compelling examination of a man so intoxicated by power and his own superiority that he feels he is above the common morality. Landau, the Strauss-Kahn figure, narrates the story in the form of a letter to the maid. There is much here about the then political situation, with Greece teetering on the brink of financial meltdown and a real possibility of a domino effect across large parts of Europe; and, in his arrogance, Landau believes only he can save Europe and his downfall is Europe's also. But monstrous though Kalfus paints him, we also see his concern in principle for the poor and less advantaged of the world. He recognizes the maid's positional weakness as an immigrant who lied to get entry to the US to escape from a country where women are still treated abominably and where female genital mutilation is still routinely practised, and is sympathetic to her situation, while not allowing that sympathy to interfere with fulfilling his own desires.

The story is extremely sexually explicit, but not pruriently.