The Donut Man by Ruth Schmeckpeper is a heartwarming later-in-life romance about two longtime friends who discover that love is worth waiting for.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “The Donut Man” written and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul. 

📖 About the Story

“The Donut Man” by Ruth Schmeckpeper is a heartwarming contemporary small-town romance about friendship, timing, and second chances at love. When Bud, the beloved donut delivery man, announces he’s selling his shop and moving closer to his daughter, café owner Jackie fears she’s about to lose more than her Tuesday and Friday visits. In this tender story of later-in-life romance, two longtime friends discover it may not be too late to turn ordinary mornings into something extraordinary.

✍️ About the Author 

Ruth Schmeckpeper is a Wisconsin author who loves writing stories rooted in small towns, strong coffee, and the faithful rhythms of everyday life. She believes some of the sweetest love stories happen later than expected — and often begin as friendship. When she’s not writing, she’s encouraging fellow authors, hosting The Short Story Lounge, or spending time with family (and her dog, Lucy).

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “The Donut Man” © 2021 by Ruth Schmeckpeper. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Preschool teacher Grace is racing against time to raise desperately needed cash in “A Nickel for Your Heart” by Elizabeth Daghfal. 

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “A Nickel for Your Heart” written and read by Elizabeth Daghfal.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.

📖 About the Story

“A Nickel for Your Heart” by Elizabeth Daghfal is an uplifting story of preschool teacher Grace who’s doing everything she can to collect much needed cash. But she’s running out of time…  

✍️ About the Author 

Elizabeth Daghfal loves weaving realistic stories that meet you right where your heart needs hope. Sometimes her stories are lighthearted, sometimes more serious, and sometimes they're a bit of a laugh at ourselves. But the one common thread? They’re authentic people trying to figure out how to live life faithfully. Because she knows—sometimes we wear the superhero cape…and sometimes we can’t find our shoes.

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “A Nickel for Your Heart” © 2025 by Elizabeth Daghfal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Episode Title: “A Ruby Red Perspective” by Sandy Kay Slawson

"Did I die and go to heaven?" Sergeant Joseph Wallace wrestles with discouragement about his injuries until a compassionate volunteer changes his perspective.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “A Ruby Red Perspective” written by Sandy Kay Slawson and read by Elizabeth Daghfal.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.

📖 About the Story

“A Ruby Red Perspective” by Sandy Kay Slawson is a poignant piece of historical fiction set in a 1953 VA hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. As the Korean War drags on, Sergeant Joseph Wallace wrestles with frustration, pain, and uncertainty about his recovery. When Ruby, a compassionate volunteer in striking red velvet shoes, enters his room, their candid exchange challenges his bitterness and shifts his outlook. This tender story explores healing, humility, and the unexpected ways hope can walk through a hospital door.

✍️ About the Author

Sandy Kay Slawson is a Christian Historical Romance writer, novelist, blogger for the Timeless Love newsletter, contributor to Mom Q’s Tips for Moms, Spark Flash Fiction, and Guidepost. Whether writing fiction, non-fiction, devotions, or in her relationships and routines, Sandy’s desire is to honor the Lord Jesus by pointing others to His everlasting love and truth.

Author Links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “A Ruby Red Perspective” © 2026 by Sandy Kay Slawson. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Gone Fishing by Suzanne Montgomery is the story of a peaceful fishing trip that turns dangerous when a sudden storm sweeps across the lake.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “Gone Fishing” written by Suzanne Montgomery and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.

📖 About the Story

“Gone Fishing” by Suzanne Montgomery is a gripping contemporary short story about courage and family. What begins as a peaceful fishing trip with two grandfathers and their grandchildren turns dangerous when a sudden storm sweeps across the lake. As wind and waves intensify, they spot a sailboat capsizing in the distance and must decide whether to attempt a daring rescue. In this heartfelt story, family rises to the occasion, proving that bravery and love often go hand in hand.

✍️ About the Author

Suzanne Montgomery is an award-winning author and practicing Family Physician for over thirty-five years. She resides on a mini-farm in the East Tennessee mountains, caring for a menagerie of cats, dogs, bees, and chickens with her husband, Tim. Together they have six grown children and seven grandchildren.

Author Links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “Gone Fishing” © 2026 by Suzanne Montgomery. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Classroom Cupid by Leslie Kirby DeVooght. When torrential rains drive a mouse into a classroom, golf coach Tye Collins is called in to rescue a flustered substitute teacher and her students.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “Classroom Cupid” written by Leslie Kirby DeVooght and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.

📖 About the Story

“Classroom Cupid” by Leslie Kirby DeVooght is a charming contemporary romance set in a small-town high school where old feelings resurface in the most unexpected way. When torrential rains drive a mouse into a classroom, golf coach Tye Collins is called in to rescue a flustered substitute teacher and her students.

What he doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with the girlfriend he once lost. In this sweet second-chance love story, a simple classroom mishap becomes the spark for rediscovering what never truly faded.

✍️ About the Author 

Award-winning author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. In 2017, Leslie was first published in Spark Magazine and fell in love with writing romantic flash fiction. After placing in the top ten, Leslie’s flash fiction story, Avoiding the Bouquet, was published in the 2018 Writer’s Digest Anthology of Short, Short Stories. A few months ago, her book Taking A Second Shot became a Publisher’s Weekly Best Seller.

Leslie’s newest book released April 30, A Girl’s Guide to Having It All. It is book three in the Magnolia bluff series that includes Stealing Magnolias and How to Sparkle!

Author Links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “Classroom Cupid” © 2026 by Leslie Kirby DeVooght. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Morty’s Farewell by Carrie Hachadurian  is the hilarious story of a young family gathering to say goodbye to Uncle Morty.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “Morty’s Farewell” written by Carrie Hachadurian and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.

📖 About the Story

“Morty’s Farewell” by Carrie Hachadurian is a hilarious contemporary short story. A young family gathers to say goodbye to Uncle Morty—but Mom can’t stop worrying about her five-year-old son’s ability to sit still through the service. Her fears prove justified when the yo-yo tucked in his pocket becomes the center of an unforgettable funeral fiasco. What begins as a solemn occasion quickly unravels into a series of laugh-out-loud mishaps.

✍️ About the Author

Carrie writes historical Christian fiction and dabbles in contemporary fiction. With moments of levity and dashes of wisdom, she pours her heart on every page. Her goal is to guide others toward Christ and remind them that even life’s struggles, laughter is a gift worth clinging to.

Carrie is not yet published but is represented by Cynthia Ruchti with Books and Such Literary Management.

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “Morty’s Farewell” © 2026 by Carrie Hachadurian. Used with permission. All rights reserved

The Passover Lamb by Carolyn Jacobs is a moving piece of biblical fiction that follows a shepherd whose life was forever changed.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share “The Passover Lamb” written by Carolyn Jacobs and read by Elizabeth Daghfal.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.

About the Story

“The Passover Lamb” by Carolyn Jacobs is a moving piece of biblical fiction that follows a shepherd whose life was forever changed the night the angels announced the birth of Jesus. As a boy, Tobiah witnessed the glory outside Bethlehem—but in the years that followed, others mocked his story and questioned his faith.

Now, as the Passover Lamb is slain in Jerusalem, Tobiah finds himself once again at the center of history. In this powerful resurrection story, he discovers that the promise proclaimed in the fields so many years ago was only the beginning.

✍️ About the Author

Carolyn Jacobs, a card-carrying "Bible study junkie," loves exploring the history and archeology of Israel to infuse her writing with authenticity and depth. Her first novel, The Pride of Babylon, is set at the dig of ancient Babylon in 1917. Ana, an archeologist, imagines what life in Nebuchadnezzar's court would have been like for Daniel while she uncovers Babylon's secrets.

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright “The Passover Lamb” © 2026 by Carolyn Jacobs. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Love, Vanessa by Pamela G. Baker is a charming historical romance set in 1910, where one misplaced letter changes two lives.Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share "Love, Vanessa" written by Pamela G. Baker and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper and Elizabeth Daghfal.

If you enjoyed today’s story, would you take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible? Your support helps listeners discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.

📖 About the Story

"Love, Vanessa" by Pamela G. Baker is a charming historical romance set in 1910, where one misplaced letter changes two lives. After immigrating from England to New York, Vanessa Sommers writes a heartfelt note of thanks to John Jones for his kindness during her transatlantic voyage—but her letter reaches the wrong man.

Through handwritten letters and unexpected providence, this epistolary love story reveals how romance can bloom in the most unlikely places.

✍️ About the Author

Pamela G. Baker writes mysteries and speculative fiction from a Biblical worldview. A child of God, wife, mother, writer, and retired software engineer, Pamela weaves inspiration from real-life experiences into her stories.

Her books, Message Sent Through Time and Chasing Time, are available now. Mending Time, the conclusion of the trilogy is expected in spring 2026.

An avid reader, Pam also enjoys performing in community theater, singing in her church choir, and traveling via ships, planes, trains, and automobiles in that order of preference.

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright

"Love, Vanessa" © 2024 by Pamela Baker. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Over the Moon by Elizabeth Daghfal. All Madison wants is a trouble-free weekend. But her cow and her grumpy neighbor apparently have other plans. 

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share "Over the Moon" written and read by Elizabeth Daghfal.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.

📖 About the Story

Over the Moon is a lighthearted tale of heavy proportions—in the shape of a cow. All Madison wants is a trouble-free weekend. But her cow and her grumpy neighbor apparently have other plans.

✍️ About the Author

Elizabeth Daghfal loves weaving realistic stories that meet you right where your heart needs hope. Sometimes her stories are lighthearted, sometimes more serious, and sometimes they're a bit of a laugh at ourselves. But the one common thread? They’re authentic people trying to figure out how to live life faithfully. Because she knows—sometimes we wear the superhero cape…and sometimes we can’t find our shoes.

Author links: 

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright Over the Moon © 2022 by Elizabeth Daghfal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Welcome Home, Otis Brown by Ruth Schmeckpeper is a moving Christmas story of estrangement, repentance, and grace.

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement.

Today we’re honored to share Welcome Home, Otis Brown written and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.

If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  

📖 About the Story

Welcome Home, Otis Brown is a moving Christmas story of estrangement, repentance, and grace. After years away from his family and his faith, Otis slips into the back pew of his childhood church on Christmas Eve, unsure whether a man with his past deserves forgiveness. As familiar carols fill the sanctuary and the message of Christ’s saving love echoes through the night, Otis must decide whether he is willing to believe that redemption is meant for him.

✍️ About the Author

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary grace. She’s currently working toward publication of her contemporary Christian novels while sharing short stories that echo her heart for faith, friendship, and restored love. When she’s not writing, Ruth delights in encouraging fellow authors and connecting with readers who cherish hope-filled fiction.

Author links:

🎙️ About Your Hosts

Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.

👉 Subscribe  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.

Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.

👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.

💙 About The Short Story Lounge

The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.

📌 Copyright

Welcome Home, Otis Brown © 2024 by Ruth Schmeckpeper. Used with permission. All rights reserved