Found 3562 the penguin book of the modern american short story pdf Stories

“I believe that now is the time to ask how much you knew or think how much you knew about your fiancée and the late husband-to-be".
Husband? I wished that he would quit using those words and just be quiet, though I suppose it was better than a fuck mate. As to what I knew about Gregory, I really didn’t know much. We had a deal limiting how much we shared; and how involved we were before we could have got into that arranged marriage. It had never sat well with me, but there it was.
“I knew a lo...

When Mae, a poor girl and a common thief tries to steal from the pockets of Alpha Alcot, the most fearsome and dangerous man in the entirety of Black Wolf pack, she gets caught and the only way she can be spared from her punishment is to work as a servant in the Alpha's Quarters. One thing she does not know is that this dangerous man is infact, the anonymous stranger whose letters had comforted her during her bad days.
Now, with Alcot's scarred face and heart, his dominating mother, a power th...

They say I’m a promising witch, but my magic is a disaster…
I wish I could keep my sorcery skills from running wild. When one of my spells misfires and destroys the town’s defense against the very monsters we were sent to protect them from, the fed-up guild banishes me to the Enchanted Academy. One last chance to salvage what’s left of my career as a witch by honing my craft.
The coursework is challenging, but I can’t help but be distracted by a brainy mage and a mysterious shifter. Not to...

When there're four of them, and one of me, we can’t have any secrets.
I need to focus on improving my magic. And having four delicious men can make things complicated. Especially when Kyler is distracted by a mysterious friend from his past who is revealing all of Kyler’s secrets, some of which I wish I didn’t know.
Meanwhile, Archmage Edius is making moves, and if we don’t study hard, he’s going to best us. Maybe he already has. At the Fall Festival, a mass poisoning screams of his evil h...

Hidden identities, unexpected enemies, and a mysterious new mentor—all three will test the relationship between me and my men in year three at the Enchanted Academy.
When the academy is attacked by a dangerous chimera and her hoard of minions, it’s time for my men and I to dig deep and up our game with a semester of field training.
I’m having trouble focusing, because I can tell Oliver is keeping something from me.
But my new mentor challenges me to be better. Stronger.
Just when I n...

When Braedon and I catch a glimpse of the future, I see the evil Archmage Edius destroying the world, but Braedon sees my death…
In order to gain Supreme status, my mates and I are transported to a new academy where we hope to master the five elements of magic.
But the sinister Archmage invades my dreams and robs me of my self-confidence.
Before I know it, all the progress I’ve made at the Enchanted Academy vanishes, and I’m back to functioning as a remedial level witch.
If we’re abl...

She thought it was just another high-stakes con. A rich heir. A perfect lie. One more dangerous seduction before disappearing with millions.
But Valentina never expected what she encountered with Adriano De Luca—the mafia heir who doesn’t just kiss like a storm—he kills like one too.
Adriano lives by a brutal rule: kill for less than a lie. When Valentina steps into his world under a fake name and a flawless seduction plan, she becomes the one game he refuses to lose. But beneath the heat and s...

Harper Cole has been preparing her whole life to become her pack’s next Alpha. When her father gives the title to her youngest brother, Harper will proposition a fellow Alpha with a fake marriage, hoping to reclaim her position as heir.
Asher Black, Alpha of the Rising Moon Pack, is struggling to lead his Pack and get rid of his controlling uncles when he is offered a strange proposition from a beautiful young wolf. As Harper and Asher fight to secure their positions, their fake relationship wi...

“Stay with me this time. Forever!'
She is breathtaking. She is his fated mate. He adores her, craves her, desperately wants to keep her with him.
But for some reason, she remains mysterious and elusive.
Alpha King Enrick has asked her this question several times over the past five years. But every time he woke up after a blissful night together, he was alone in bed.
He never knows in advance the time and day when she returns. His beautiful goddess, she suddenly appears before him, more often...

Lily is a beautiful woman who was forced to divorce her husband. Ryan, her husband, wanted to marry his former lover. Because of his parents' wishes, the two of them were finally matched. But after Lily's father died, Raynold immediately filed for divorce. Unknown to him, Lily was pregnant with their child.
When the divorce had taken place, Lyly's ex-boyfriend came to propose to her. Because the father's property was still in the hands of the ex-husband, the two of them, along with Lily's biolo...

Kenna McIntosh never planned on coming back to Giggle Water Creek.
But when her beloved grandfather vanishes without a trace, she's forced to return to the hometown she fled fifteen years ago—only to find that the town isn’t just strange… it’s downright haunted.
Her childhood friends are hiding secrets. The plumbing system is possessed. A leather-bound book written in Latin is missing—and someone—or something—wants it found.
As if that’s not enough, her dead mother’s ghost is back and angrier ...

"He was supposed to protect me. Instead, he sold me to the highest bidder."
Seventeen. Broken ribs. A forced marriage.
Sold to the Italian Mafia by the man who was supposed to love her unconditionally—her father.
Nevaeh thought pain ended when her mother died. She was wrong.
Now property of a criminal empire, her freedom is a fantasy… until a rival mafia intercepts her fate. The French Mafia never planned to save a girl like her—but now that she’s in their hands, Nevaeh must navigate a brutal...

She's wounded. He can't let her die. They find more than help in the nearest town.Rhys decides to abort their mission and seek a healer. This puts them on a path to intersect the scourge of the land.Not at full strength, Kiera confronts her father. But will it be with words or her sword?As the Curse approaches its climax, the brothers realize they must combine their abilities to escape with their lives.

"Peace you have a girlfriend remember" Dennis said stopping him from kissing her any further
"I know" he replied and made an attempt to kiss her again but she stops him
"And you remember am different" she added
"I love you that way" he assures her and kissed her before she could stop him again
Dennis knows she is different, she is not like every other person and have some strange powers, after running for years hiding away from unknown killer who killed her mother Dennis met with Peace a bri...

Blurb
Lila Hartwell, a famous actress, loses everything to a vicious lie and betrayal from people she trusts.
Desperate and alone, she makes a deal with cold billionaire Garrett Blackthorn: a marriage of convenience to save both their reputations.
But as they work to clear Lila’s name, old secrets and new enemies threaten their plan.
With danger closing in, can Lila and Garrett trust each other enough to survive? Or will their fake relationship crumble under the weight of revenge, fami...

I poured my heart into Leo’s next song, only to have him mock my lyrics in front of the whole school.
The next morning, he woke up in my body… and I woke up in his.
Now he has one month in my volleyball trials to earn a scholarship spot, while I must master his guitar, voice, and stage swagger for the “Battle of the Bands” that’ll get him signed.

In a vast universe filled with strange races and unfathomable power, Emrys finds himself thrust into a relentless battle for survival. As races clash for dominance, Emrys awakens a mysterious ability that grants him powers beyond imagination, transforming him into a key player in this cosmic conflict.
His home world, Xyron, stands on the edge of ruin, invaded by countless races from distant worlds. In this post-apocalyptic realm, survival demands blood and sacrifice. Emrys must fight fiercely, ...

Who doesn't know of Damien Stone? The beast himself! The name Stone was said to fit him perfectly because it's suits his ruthless, cold and aggressive attitude.
Many haven't seen him but they knew once you do they is no going back! You surely are a dead being no matter what specie you are.
The aura surrounding him was powerful marking him out among all men, he's a beast, a ruthless and heartless beast who rule over Snowpack.
Damien isn't just like any typical werewolf or Vampire...he's a ...

A fateful meeting in deep space.A journey to a distant world to hunt the ultimate game: Dragons.Two young soldiers search for a lost family heirloom.Honeymoon bliss turns into a fight for survival on a remote moon.The Champion of Light battles the Champion of Dark to determine the fate of the universe.Tales of Adventure is a collection of five science fiction and fantasy novelettes and novellas: Passing in the Night, So You Want To Be A Dragon Slayer... , Grandfather's Pendant, Delphinus, and Th...

Trying to hide herself from the banquet she didn't ask to attend, Amara escapes to the balcony only to find a terribly handsome man smoking there. She ends up spending a passionate night with him. His touches leave her craving for more, but despite trying everything she can't find him. Well...that's until she is married to his younger brother.
After being denied of the affection and attention she should receive as his wife she finally caves into her brother-in-law's touches. As sinful as it is, ...

Kate has been the perfect girl everyone admires, she is everyone's favorite and she has been everything you could ever ask for especially her childhood best friend, Ezra but one unexpected event happened that made everything fall apart... she found out that her dad is having an affair with Ezra's mom which caused them to fall apart from each other at such a young age... fast forward to when they grew up, they saw each other once again and many things have already changed with Ezra and after seei...

When fate deals a cruel hand, survival becomes the only option. For Alessia "Lexi" Thompson, that means donning a waitress uniform to cover the mounting medical bills of her precious six-year-old daughter, Emily.
But the harsh realities of her new life are only exacerbated by the constant harassment of the restaurant's shady clientele. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, a familiar face appears in the restaurant. In walks Dominic "Dom" Rossi, her ex-boyfriend, and sweeps her off her feet-...

Monica , a mistreated Omega at the hands of her stepbrother, faces judgment and abandonment from her Alpha mate, Conrad. Seeking solace, she turns to the Governor, finding refuge from the nightmares of her past. Together, they embark on a vengeful mission to make Conrad pay for the pain he caused and seek justice for the Governor's deceased wife. Monica devises a plan to seduce Conrad and earn his trust, but the question remains: will her love triumph? Can she truly make him suffer and face his ...

~Riley~
New name, new look, new life. I've been careful to keep my past at bay. The last thing I needed was the stranger with those calm discerning eyes to cross my path. I must avoid him at all costs, even if he haunts my dreams and sends waves of heat across my skin. My focus is survival, not lust. Not even if he ignited a longing I'd never thought possible.
~Draven~
A mission. Find the missing girls and bring the perpetrator to justice. The retributive kind. I've grown used to the shado...

"Sophie Patterson. Don't you dare walk away from me." Logan's menacing stare bore at me. I suddenly didn't feel drunk anymore. I sobered up quickly.
"What, Logan? You're gonna tell me that you suddenly love me again? That you're here to sweep me off my feet? Please! I didn't need you all this time, and I don't need you now." He clenched his jaw, fisting his hands.
"Enough. Stop being so damn stubborn. You know I do. I love you. I never stopped loving you, Sophie. It was always you."
I left...

“You will not sleep until you are finished with AGENT ZERO. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. The description of the action scenes transport us into a reality that is almost like sitting in a movie theater with surround sound and 3D (it would make an incredible Hollywood movie). I can hardly wait for the sequel.”--Roberto Mattos, Books and Movie ReviewsIn this much-anticipated debut of an epic spy thriller series by #1 bests...

“Thriller writing at its best. Thriller enthusiasts who relish the precise execution of an international thriller, but who seek the psychological depth and believability of a protagonist who simultaneously fields professional and personal life challenges, will find this a gripping story that's hard to put down.”--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Any Means Necessary)“One of the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and will keep you hooked from the beginning. ...

“When you think that life cannot get better, Blake Pierce comes up with another masterpiece of thriller and mystery! This book is full of twists and the end brings a surprising revelation. I strongly recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that enjoys a very well written thriller.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Almost Gone) LEFT TO DIE is book #1 in a new FBI thriller series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO FEAR (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 4).When a body turns up floating beneath the frozen Charles River, the Boston Police summons its most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black—to close the case. It doesn’t take Avery long, however, to realize th...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.Homicide Detective Avery Black has been through hell. Once a top criminal defense attorney, she fell from grace when she managed to get a brilliant Harvard professor off—only to watch him kill again. She lost her husband and her daughter, and her life fell apart aro...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO HIDE (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 3).Bodies are being found in the outskirts of Boston, their corpses burned beyond recognition, as the police realize a new serial killer is roaming the streets. As the media converges and the pressure is upped, the Boston ...

From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a heart-pounding new mystery series.In the cornfields of Nebraska a woman is found murdered, strung up on a pole, the victim of a deranged killer. It doesn’t take long for the police to realize a serial killer is on the loose—and that his spree has just begun.Detective Mackenzie White, young, tough, smarter than the aging, chauvinistic men on her local force, finds herself called in grudgingly to help solve it. As much as the other officers hate to a...

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) HOMECOMING (A Chloe Fine Mystery) is book #5 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller O...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense—the AVERY BLACK SERIES—which continues here with CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6), also a standalone novel. The series begins with CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)—a free download with over 200 five star reviews!A woman turns up dead in her own apartment, locked in her closet, her body craw...

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery) is book #1 in a new psychological thriller series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller O...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense. In CAUSE TO RUN (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 2), a new serial killer is stalking Boston, killing his victims in bizarre ways, taunting the police with mysterious puzzles that reference the stars. As the stakes are upped and the pressure is on, the Boston Police Dep...

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO SAVE (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 5)—the final installment in the Avery Black series.In the epic finale of the Avery Black series, serial killer Howard Randall has escaped, and the entire city of Boston is on edge. Women are turning up gruesomely murdered, and eve...

Freya Rose has an epic fight ahead of her, but she's ready for it. Coming up against fallen angel Azael isn't going to be easy, but with her pack of hybrids beside her, she feels confident that victory will be hers. But as we know from past experience, nothing in Freya's life ever goes to plan, and I have a feeling that now is going to be no different.
In this fifth episode of the Freya Rose series, we meet some new fantastical characters, and we lose some much-loved ones too. With plenty of dr...

Warning: Contains strong language, smuts, abuse and some really explicit content, please read at your risk. "Let go of me…" Arabella said. She grimaced, shaking her head. "Do you think I would let you go so easily?" He questioned, then tutted. Sandro's nostrils flared as he sniffed her hair wrapped in his hands, Vanilla and Strawberry. The innocent yet naughty scent he remembered her with. "That would never happen, Cara Mia." Arabella gasped as Sandro pressed his body into hers. She moved to...

After Martina Martinez and Benjamin Walker's breakup, paparazzi captured photos of the business tycoon entering the Walker family mansion with a mysterious woman late at night.
This caused a stir, and this wealthy family was bombarded by various media outlets.
During a phone interview, the gossip reporter asked, "Miss Martinez, how do you feel now that Mr. Walker has a new girlfriend?"
Martina held her painful forehead and looked towards Benjamin, who was adjusting his suit by the floor...

"What is love!? Carmen did you just mention that!?" With his speaking of rage and burning in anger; he asked.
"Yes... I have always do— I love you" she mouthed with her words stressed.
"You can try and ignore me if you can... Only if you know how eager I am and how badly I want to tame you". With those promising words from her which left a dark creepy smile on her face; she walked out.
"Love did she just call it? Did she think I will fall for that shit? If only she knew how much love is a wea...

I’m a new grad human in huge debt, and cheated by my Omega bf.
When I got wasted in a bar, I didn’t expect to have the best sex ever.
And the very next morning, I also didn’t expect to wake up and find my ONS hookup was my bf's Alpha billionaire BOSS….
How things are going to turn out after I accidentally became his 5yo daughter’ live-in nanny?
How did this happen? How did I wind up finally becoming employed, only for it to turn out that my new employer was the same person who I ...

Getting pregnant by her boss after a one-night stand and suddenly leaving her job as stripper was the last thing Serena had hoped for, and to make matters worse he is the heir to the mafia.
Serena is calm while Christian is fearless and outspoken but somehow the two have to make it work. When Christian forces Serena to go through with a fake engagement she tries her hardest to fit in the family and the luxurious life the women live while Christian is fighting as hard as he can to keep his famil...

“You must understand something, little mate,” Griffin said, and his face softened,
“I have waited nine years for you. That’s nearly a decade since I’ve felt this emptiness inside me. Part of me began to wonder if you didn’t exist or you’d already died. And then I found you, right inside my own home.”
He used one of his hands to stroke my cheek and tingles erupted everywhere.
“I’ve spent enough time without you and I will not let anything else keep us apart. Not other wolves, not my drunken ...

Fiona, a perfect Luna, is left heartbroken when she discovers her fiancé has cheated on her. In an impulsive act of revenge, she orders a call boy for a night of wild passion. As the sun rises the next morning, she leaves cash behind and slips away, believing she's had her sweet revenge.Little does Fiona know, her life is about to take a jaw-dropping turn when she finds herself pregnant after the passionate night with the call boy. Amid the turmoil and crisis of her unplanned pregnancy, she acci...

Why Tech Billionaire Artemis Rhodes would post such a thing?!
*"Everyone is talking about the hashtag that just went viral in less than a few hours. Nevertheless, this girl has become a mystery everyone wants to solve. In fact, we have pictures from several people who have seen the girl in person."*
The screen of the phone is small but I catch several pictures of me flashing on the screen. This can't be happening!
You know that panic attack I had been pushing down? Well, that thing comes bac...

What exactly does it mean to be his bride?
Every year, in each of the seven villages that made up the great Kingdom of Ignas, a Choosing Ritual was conducted. During this Chosing Ritual, one of the ladies in the village would be chosen to be the dreaded Dragon King's Bride.
No one knew exactly why the ritual was being performed every year or what happened to the brides that had been chosen in the past.
Was he turning them into slaves?
Feeding them to his dragon?
Or was he... feeding ...

Play the BDSM game with the mafia triplets
"You were ours from the second we set eyes on you."
"I don't know how long it's going to take you to realize that you belong to us." One of the triplets said, yanking my head back to meet his intense eyes.
"You are ours to fúck, ours to love, ours to claim and use in any way we want. Isn't that right, darling?" The second one added.
"Y….yes, sir." I breathed.
"Now be a good girl and spread your leg...

Book 1 - The Rise of Alpha Ryder
Alpha Ryder is not your typical alpha. He was adopted into the Dark Moon Guardians Pack by the former alpha and luna who were unable to have children. Most pack members resisted him becoming alpha because he had no blood ties to the pack. Ryder was tramatized as a pup by his birth parents. Due to his past he's shy and uncomfortable around new people, especially women.
When he meets his mate Zoe he finds a strength he never thought he had. His pack troubles ...

"Your highness, this is my daughter, and I offer you my loyalty." At a fancy party, I hid in a corner and watched my father, an alpha, bend over to speak to the prince on the throne, while my sister, Bernice, wore a tight, glamorous dress, sit at the prince's feet and show him a charming and smug smile. It was a reception for the Prince and for my sister to be his mate. "My Girl, I got you." My Cousin's disgusting voice sounded. A chill ran down my back. "You can't get it off," he said, reaching...