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In his book: “Questions And Answers About Islam”, Wael El-Manzalawy is discussing many major issues: the presence of the God, the necessity of religion, the truth about the Christ, woman in Islam, the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims……etc. Did Islam spread by the sword? Is Islam the religion of terrorism? Using the technique of imagined dialogues, Wael El-Manzalawy answers these questions and many other questions.
Wael El-Manzalawy is an Egyptian writer. He writes articles and short stories in Arabic and English. His articles and short stories were published at many newspapers, magazines and web sites.
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About This - Part 1, is the first in a series of “Movie Novellas” brought to you by veteran filmmaker Lawrence Bridges. This new kind of reading experience, serialized in short chapters, was created specifically for the Kindle. The About This series captures in words the type of nuanced observations we see in our favorite films: touching and emotionally complex moments between characters, witty and memorable dialogue, sex, violent gripping situations, humor, diversion, cleverness, musical departures, suspense, mystery, general excitement and cliff hangers at the end of each chapter enticing you to read more. Bridges’ simple and easy to read style puts your mind in place of an observant lens… all you need to bring is your imagination.
Only weeks after arriving in Los Angeles from a small town in the Midwest, aspiring singer and harpist JEANETTE MAY takes a temp job as a receptionist for failed entrepreneur, JOHN MOORE, at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California. Jeanette came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in indie music, and to escape her unhappy small town past: a violent stepbrother, her father’s death, her mother’s illness and death soon after, a listless boyfriend, and a series of hopeless jobs. She struggles to keep her dream alive by playing small clubs in Los Angeles. She plays against the pain of these memories, trying to defeat them with sheer defiance and force of will, but will audiences take her seriously? Does anyone care about a thin girl from Pawnee, Illinois, who plays a harp and sings with a freaky novelty voice: the voice of a young child? During the first hour of her first day on the job, Jeanette almost gets fired. She despairs of her confinement in the bland technical world of JPL. She feels starved for inspiration. She feels she will never overcome the difficulties in her past and now, having traveled all this way for her dream, she questions her decision to leave home. Little does she know circumstances surrounding John Moore’s involvement with a private space probe funded by Islamist separatists will change her life and music career forever.
Parts 2 and 3 are also available for download from Smashwords and the Kindle Store.
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A follow-up to 2006’s Single, Cassingle is a new collection of stories by Jim Hanas that originally appeared, individually, in Fence, McSweeney’s, Bridge: Stories & Ideas, and Twelve Stories.
Toronto’s Eye Weekly recently wrote of Cassingle, “No matter the cut, this is writing that speaks American, in all its complexity.”
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Imagine Murakami’s Norwegian Wood, transported to Eastern Europe.
The day the Berlin Wall came down, Jennifer returned to England, A subtle dream one doesn’t want to wake up from (Authonomy) abandoning her week-old daughter, Szandi, to grow up on a Hungarian vineyard with 300 years of history. Now 18, Szandi is part of Budapest’s cosmopolitan art scene, sharing a flat and a bohemian lifestyle with her lover and fellow scupltress, Yang. She has finally found her place in the world. Then a letter arrives that threatens everything, and forces her to choose once and for all: between the past and the present; between East and West; between her family and her lover.
Songs from the Other Side of the Wall is a coming of age story that inhabits anti-capitalist chatrooms and ancient winecellars, seedy bars and dreaming spires; and takes us on a remarkable journey across Europe and cyberspace in the company of rockstars and dropouts, diaries that appear from nowhere, a telepathic fashion mogul, and the talking statue of a bull
(7 votes, average: 9.29 out of 10)
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Xanta Claus is a hilariously funny, fresh story guaranteed to brighten your holiday season. David Kringle, Santa’s brother, realizes his destiny is to start his own fairy tale, Xanta Claus, which starts where his brother’s ends. The new fairy tale is an extension of the family business, but is different in every way! David is a slender, handsome man with a quick wit and a certain charisma with the ladies. He is hopeful he will find the one, even after searching for over a thousand years! He believes it can still happen since his brother found Mrs. Claus (Claire) and he is as big as a house! David had found a niche in life as an author writing about the family business with titles such as “Elves Gone Wild”, “One Reindeer You Don’t Want to Pet”, “What Happens at the North Pole Stays at the North Pole” and others. Despite these less than flattering views of the North Pole, Kris and Claire supported David in all his endeavors – that doesn’t mean there isn’t restitution! The Council of Fairy Tales approves the Xanta Claus charter for a one year provisional trial. Immediately the race is on to prove the new South Pole based fairy tale can make a difference in the world. The success of Xanta Claus relies on the edgy elves appointed by the Elf Union, a rookie reindeer team and their strict trainer, an inexperienced head elf, a cantankerous plant foreman and the rest of a colorful, hilarious cast of characters. Their journey is sure to become part of your holiday season for years to come.
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In May 2009, Editor Unleashed and Smashwords partnered to sponsor The Flash Fiction 40 Contest. Any writer could post a story of 1,000 words or fewer on the Editor Unleashed forum, and the members would get a chance to read and rank all of the stories.
More than 280 writers took up the challenge and posted a story. It was a dynamic experiment in what is quickly becoming the new wave of publishing: crowd sourcing and open review. Both the forum members and editors who made the final cut chose the same story as the Grand Prize winner—a dark, astonishing piece of magical realism titled “Fairy Tales” by Laurel Wilczek. You can read about Laurel and her inspiration for her flash fiction in profiles on both Editor Unleashed and at the Smashwords Blog.
In this anthology, you’ll find “Fairy Tales” as well as 39 other winning stories from the Flash Fiction 40 Contest. These stories encompass every genre—from literary to horror and beyond—and are 40 outstanding examples of the rapidly evolving flash fiction form. Savor the stories one at a time or spend a few leisurely hours reading the collection in whole. I know you’ll enjoy reading these 40 great flash fiction pieces as much as I did.
-Maria Schneider, Editor Unleashed
(1 votes, average: 10 out of 10)
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What do you do when your world collapses? When the people you love fail you? Catherine Jennings arrives in a remote village on the Hokianga harbour in New Zealand hoping to start a new life. But she drags the past with her, plunging Chris and his wife Anna into a nightmare of old secrets and sudden death. Anna must untangle the truth about Chris and Catherine before she can and face the future.
Praise For Things We Can’t Untie
Amazon Top Reviewer
Crisp, well crafted, and mature. First the language comes alive, then the characters and the plot - always a telltale sign of elite writing. Because, there is art here, the reader gets to first live inside the language: then become engaged in the narrative. Both are cozy places to live in this well-told story. Unhurried conceptual space is thus provided for the reader’s mind to roam around in. Pace becomes an independent variable. Indeed, there is no need to worry about any structural elements here at all, for the narrative is in the deft hands of a craftsman. The descriptions are exacting; the feel is high quality. This writer can make any story interesting.
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This is a story of love, murder, social climbing, and class privilege set in 1940s New York, a city peopled not only by fictional characters but also by the real celebrities of that time. When the showgirl Ann Arden meets Billy Grenville, heir of a New York high society family fortune, it turns out to be love at first sight. They get married, but Ann has to face her indomitable mother-in-law Alice, the patrician matriarch who strongly disapproves of the union. Ann starts her difficult social ascent, which is suddenly interrupted the night she shoots her husband and kills him, claiming that it has been a terrible accident. But even if Alice Grenville has no doubts that her son was deliberately killed, she nonetheless uses all her influence in order to save the family reputation by ensuring her daughter-in-law’s acquittal. From this moment on the Grenvilles and their upper-class friends build up a protective wall around the tragedy and, as a result, the two Mrs Grenvilles find themselves bound together in a solid conspiracy of silence that they will have to pursue for the rest of their lives.
A Must for Anyone Who Goes to Black Tie Balls in New York
This book, like the author’s book “People Like Us” is a fascinating fictionalized account of the Billy Woodward murder in 1955 by his social climbing wife. The book includes a magnificent account of how Ann Woodward lived with her guilt and ostracism for twenty more years until she and, separately, her offspring finally committed suicide. For New York City residents who are even mildly interested in the New York social scene and its various “levels”, this book is a must. It is better than “Bonfire of the Vanities” and crosses the span of four decades, making it a sort of epic novel. Note that William Woodward the 3rd just committed suicide on May 2, 1999 bringing the real-life story to a close, except for the fact that his wife is contesting his will which said that she should get nothing of the vast unlucky fortune.
–Allen MacCannell, Amazon.com
Gossipy and fun
A quasi-fictional book, this is a delicious story about the higher echelons of New York society in the 1940’s and 50’s. It was inspired by the real life of Ann and William Woodward, and William’s murder in 1955 by his wife. She was acquitted of any wrongdoing. But the murder’s way besides the point here. The fun of this book is the insider view of those high society circles. Dunne, a writer for Vanity Fair, dishes about these folks with a giggle and takes great pleasure at exposing them and their snobbish ways. The main focus is Ann Grenville (Woodward), social climber extraordinaire, who sets her sights on Billy and his money and his lifestyle. She’s a showgirl and his family wants nothing to do with her. Once they marry, she schemes constantly as to how to get accepted in those tightknit circles that usually don’t take kindly to outsiders. And she does get eventually get included, even if she’s talked about behind her back. The parties and the hobnobbing and the backstabbing all escalate and get out of hand, of course, and lead to one fateful night. A fun, gossipy, mindless read — I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was.
– Fanoula Sevastos, Amazon.com
(1 votes, average: 6 out of 10)
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Fall Love tells the intertwined stories of four twenties-something artists and professionals adrift in the bad old pre-AIDS New York of 1980. From a summer of love through an autumn of deceit and regret, we follow the lives of Althea, Jeanne, Paul, and Bryce from self-sacrifice to self-knowledge. We watch them as they travel in and out of the city, to Block Island, Connecticut, Mississippi, and Florida. Within the city, we are taken through public schools in Harlem and the far-flung reaches of the Bronx and Brooklyn. We learn about modern dance and theater companies in downtown Manhattan, and experience the contrasts of a life in a penthouse and a studio apartment.
“In the novel, Whitehouse sets up a classic scenario of the travail of a fledgling artist who seeks a critique of his work in a new form by his peers… Her poetic handling of language and of sensuous detail is superb: in her descriptions, especially, of the intimacies of lovemaking, she is at the same time graphic and subtle, provocative and sensitive; in her portrayal of the unspoken emotions - about death and its aftermath, of fear, of pride, and of hurt - she conveys powerfully the cruel effects of all those coincidences of life.”
Anne Whitehouse’s website
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A handsome, sixty-something Kansas sheriff, Jesse Smith, pulls over a 1955 pink Cadillac for speeding. No sooner has the sheriff sent the driver on his way with a speeding ticket and a warning—when something about the caddie begins to bother him.
He has an eerie feeling that the car he stopped might be none other than Elvis Presley’s pink Cadillac—one of the most famous 50s icons in the world! As luck and timing would have it: because his computer was down that day, Sheriff Jesse was unable to run a search on the vehicle. Not that it would have mattered: the Caddie’s driver, J.J. Fitzgerald, one of the slickest automobile ’specialists’ on the planet, had covered all of the bases.
What do this southern sheriff, the car thief disguised as an Elvis impersonator, the Japanese Yakuza, the Mafia, a locked metal briefcase, a couple of beefy goons and a washed-up investigative journalist on the brink of a major breakthrough…all have in common?
A Pink Cadillac!
But not just any pink Cadillac. We’re talking about what might well be the most valuable car in the world. After all, the gleaming pink showpiece was a young man’s gift to the most important woman in his life. It didn’t matter that Gladys Presley had never learned to drive. The pink Cadillac symbolized the fulfillment of a loving son’s earnest promise to his mother in the midst of their direst poverty: “One day I’m gonna buy you a new Cadillac!”
Hop aboard the rollicking roller coaster ride of Glen Bonham’s new novel, The Elvis Interviews, and hang on! In these riveting pages, fact and fiction collide to bring you a ‘must read’ novel for any Elvis enthusiast who has ever asked themselves that burning question…could it be possible?
The Elvis Interviews is an enjoyable “must read” for any Elvis enthusiast who has asked themselves that burning question…could it be possible?
– R. O’Brien, Manager
Collingwood Elvis Festival
You don’t have to be an Elvis fan to thoroughly enjoy Glen’s book. I couldn’t put it down! The Elvis Interviews has “Best Seller” written all over it!
– Lois A. Siler
(1 votes, average: 10 out of 10)
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Tristan Steyn has two dreams. To represent his country in international competition and to grade as the youngest nidan in the history of his karate club.
When be becomes involved in a violent encounter with the brother of a fellow karateka, he fully expects to be dropped from the National Team selections. But Tristan is stunned when his mentor, Shihan Dean Stander, exacts a much harsher punishment.
Hurt and angry, Tristan goes from being bright and hard working to sullen and difficult almost overnight. But, as friends and family begin to give
up on him, tragedy strikes and Tristan is forced to re-evaluate his life and show a strength of character he didn’t know he possessed.
But is it too late to redeem himself in the eyes of his hero?
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Introverted and shy, 14-year-old Leah Nells has lived her life alone, with only books to keep her company. As she starts 9th grade, she finds herself lost within the complicated social universe of high school — especially when she falls in love with a boy from her class. Under pressure from her parents, her classmates, and the whole noisy world, can she become the girl she wants to be?
Leah looked at her parents, lost in their own fantasies, and decided that the three of them were a pretty pathetic family - but she wasn’t sure who was more pathetic: the dateless girl spending the night of the big dance by herself in her bedroom, or the parents who foolishly believed a boy would arrive on their doorstep with flowers, a limo, and a promise to rescue their daughter from her solitude.
-excerpt
(2 votes, average: 5.5 out of 10)
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The Spring tells the story of eight friends approaching the end of their senior year of high school. Preparing for graduation should be an exciting time, but as they look forward to college, fall in and out of love, and just try to survive their last days of high school, they discover the old bonds of friendship that held them together are falling apart. Can their teenage friendships survive their final steps toward adulthood? It’s a little bit angsty, a little bit funny, a little bit philosophical, and a little bit romantic.
Stacey muttered, “But I hate this school, and this city, and the sooner I leave, the better. I want to start over in a new place. I haven’t . . .” her voice trailed off and she looked away from Jason, hoping instead to find her words among the falling raindrops. “Do you ever feel like you aren’t the person you’re supposed to be? That you could be a different person - and have a better life - if things had been just a little different?”
- excerpt
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 10)
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1539- In a remote Spanish outpost, one man holds the secret to the greatest treasure and deadliest secret in human history.
Utah, Present Day Cave paintings in a newly-discovered Indian site provide evidence that Christ visited the New World. Or do they?
Dane Maddock returns in another unforgettable adventure! When Dane rescues beautiful archaeologist Jade Ihara , he joins her on asearch for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. Cibola takes the reader on a journey across the American southwest, where the ruins of the mysterious Anasazi hide deadly secrets, creatures long-forgotten lie in wait, and foes lurk around every corner. Dane and his partner “Bones” Bonebrake must decipher clues from the fabled Copper Scroll, outwit their enemies, and be the first to unlock the secret of Cibola.
Jeremy Robinson, author of Kronos and Antarktos Rising, says “Cibola by David Wood is a page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!” .
Robert Masello, author of Blood and Ice and Ritual, says “Ancient cave paintings? Cities of gold? Secret scrolls? Sign me up! Cibola is a twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!”-
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 10)
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In this, the debut novel from creative mind Teel McClanahan III, we follow the stories of a young man trying to write his own debut novel. Faced with the added challenge of trying to complete a novel in only one month, he pours himself literally into the process. But are his attempts at fiction hitting a little too close to home? As he tries to live on one side and write on the other, he finds that the line between imagination and reality may not exist at all.
Will he finish his novel in time? Will he end up with the woman of his dreams? Will he choose to anchor himself in reality, or lose himself in his own fiction? And which of these would really be the better outcome?
Contains some mature content.
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Harriet Bishop, Doctoral student at Dartmouth, discovers odd behavior in the price of coffee on world exchanges. She suspects someone’s illegally cornering the market. But instead of notifying the authorities, she has a unique response that draws her into a firestorm of thrilling action. From the White Mountains of New Hampshire, to the beaches of Brazil, ‘Etty’ tries to stay alive.
“What is your name, son?” Clorice asked sincerely.
“Ernesto, Mr. Clorice. The President did not appreciate your condescending tone tonight. You should take more care. He is a powerful man.”
They stopped to lean on a section of rail. “But I know a young girl who has him doing anything she wants. What power is there in that?” Clorice and Milpeau laughed together.
Ernesto objected. “Your lack of respect is repulsive.” He puffed hard on the glowing cigar. Clorice returned a mocking smile to Ernesto’s taut frown.
Milpeau stepped back from the railing and moved behind the guard. He reached into his side pocket to grip a tobacco aerator, a foot long thin metal shaft with a handle at one end and a pin-sharp point at the other. While the guard looked down to tap the ash from his cigar, Milpeau felt the debilitating force of Clorice’s stare and knew what he must do.
– Excerpt
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