A Pocket Full Of Wry

During my career I have flown all over the world, so have sat for ages in airports waiting for the damn planes to arrive or depart. It was during these useless, yet precious hours, that I began writing my short stories: in ÔGullibleÕs TravelsÕ I describe some of my misadventures. Some stories are unashamedly Ôchick litÕ, while others are more worldly. A few are personal and true, while some are deliberately condensed within a 60 or 100 word limit. In one story I write as a child to describe events during WWII: I have also included one childrenÕs story. The surprising details of ShakespeareÕs bequests in ÕWillÕ are totally accurate. In ÔEyes of HopeÕ I describe the emotions of a girl of Turkish and Greek Cypriot origin during and after the Turkish Invasion of 1974. I wrote ÔKoala CountryÕ on my way home from Australia while another story describes the feelings of a frustrated and jealous colleague of Bridget Jones. Like conspiracy theories?ÔThe Death of NapoleonÕcontends he was murdered.

Brisbane writer's group, Women on Oxford, bring you their inaugural collection of ironic tales and poetry set to engage your emotions. An aggrieved wife plots revenge on her cheating husband with unintentional consequences...two little old ladies unwittingly aid and abet a crime...a 'wannabe' serial killer looking for attention is blamed for a crime he didn't commit...a doctor trying to save the world inadvertently contributes to its demise... a young English immigrant in Australia can't find an honest welcome mat...an estranged wife discovers freedom in new beginnings...love is found in unexpected places... These and many other scintillating tales will move you through laughter and tears, then send shivers down your spine.

You could say my sisters and I are hot-blooded bluebloods with a flair for fashion—and for solving crimes. But things have NOT been going well for us Blackbirds: Emma has busted out of a very exclusive clinic. Libby’s hormones are in overdrive from selling paraphernalia for Potions and Passions, a company that promises its customers full satisfaction. And I’m still dating mobster’s son Mick Abruzzo, which keeps me in a permanent tizzy. At least, nobody in my vicinity has been knocked off lately. Oops—looks like I spoke too soon… A TEMPEST IN A C-CUP Nora’s next journalistic assignment: the unveiling of the most miraculous bra in fashion history. But before Nora can hand in her uplifting story, her boss is found shot execution-style and trussed up in expensive panty hose—an Abruzzo family trademark. Now Nora must find the killer before her innocent lover takes the rap. That means shadowing the most glamorous suspects in Philadelphia—including a bad-boy designer, a former child star, a high-strung ad exec, and a pair of luscious twin models. Though Nora’s accustomed to upper-crust murder, cross your fingers for the Blackbird sisters, because this time, high society has never seemed so low-down dirty.

Betsy Burton, one of the owners of The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, shares anecdotes from throughout the history of the store, discussing employees, author visits, and the joys and challenges of running an independent bookstore, and including reading lists in a range of subject areas.

Here are twelve stories from thriller writer Howard Losness, beginning with the tale of a man who refuses to act his age. You'll read about the deal he makes with a Mr. Sattan in return for his youth and the consequences thereof. Then there is Harm, who is living the good life with his wife and family, until the arrival of a letter announcing an additional member that he hadn't counted on, or even knew about. Charlie finds his dream girl and marries her, only to give everyone at the wedding reception the surprise of their lives. And then there is Paddy O'Toole, a gangster wannabe. Wait until you read what fate has in store for this fool. No collection of short stories would be complete without a 'Who done it'. In The Butler Did It, you'll discover Howard Losness' version of not one butler, but a plane full of them. In each of Howard Losness' short stories you will find yourself drawn into the lives and dilemmas that his characters create for themselves.

A world list of books in the English language.