Top 50 Stories, by Weekly Downloads

Graham Reaper is a young boy growing up in West Georgia. Follow him as he grows up, finds love, and becomes a man. He earns his nickname and more. Caategories and tags will be added as the story progresses.

Evolution
Caleb Connor's life is out of control: understatement! An extraterrestrial space ship crashed on his campsite, and an ancient, ethereal alien took up residence in his head. He doesn't get along with the alien, partially because the alien thinks he landed in a defective human. The Army investigates the crash, and the General in charge has more plans than just protecting the country. Throw in a pretty doctor and a hole in the fabric of creation... Yep. Very out of control.

Country Roads
After spending his young life traveling with his musician father, Charlie Nelson has roots for the first time. Living with his mother in a small Appalachian town in western North Carolina, Charlie struggles to find his place in this new world, which isn't without challenges. Living in poverty, dealing with bullies, and having no friends, Charlie's new life is anything but a fairytale. If it were up to Charlie, he'd stay at home and play his guitar... but life doesn't always give us what we want

Paul McAllister wants nothing more than to put the wars, cancer, and death of his wife behind him as he numbly glides into his final years doing the only thing he still enjoys - selling weapons and his services as a gunsmith on the gun show circuit of the American southwest. Driving down the road in the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico Paul loses consciousness while returning home from a gun show. An hour later, he awakens, finding himself swept away on the tides of time.

Dexter James is fed up with his job. For ten years he has put in long hours, worked for jerks, and received no rewards for a job well done. Then one day he says no to a temporary promotion. The fallout of that one little action will change the world.

She's young, exotically attractive, smart, rich, strong, and energetic. It would appear that she has everything necessary to be supremely happy, but appearances can be deceiving.

John Taylor
In his time at the FBI, Taylor has only failed one job, capture the assassin Chelsea Marsh, also known as Bonnie. Last time they tangled, she faked her own death and escaped, and Taylor has been looking for her ever since. Which is why he's so surprised when she contacts the FBI and asks to be brought into witness protection in exchange for turning on her past employers. The catch? She wants Taylor to fly to Venezuela to bring her back.

Mike lives through "interesting times" that follow when terrorists bring the 'War On Terror' to the United States. "This was what he was fighting to preserve — mothers taking their children to the park where they could play without fearing for their lives. {[I hate the fact that I can find no way to deal honorably with dishonorable people. I find it disgusting that in order to save what I value most, I must lower myself to their level.]}"

The novel follows a 14-year-old orphan who has lost her father and is recovering from fragile health.

A fire destroys a farm in Virginia, so the family is moving west. Except the youngest is too ill to travel when it's time to leave. The boy and his grandmother stay behind to follow later. It takes so long for him to recover the two don't go west, and find local employment. A decade later rising political problems cause the young man and his grandmother to make a decision about their future. They'll go west, but it isn't that simple, or an easy journey. Written in US English - 72,700 words.

"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens is a classic coming-of-age novel that follows the life of Pip, a poor orphan, as he grows up, makes mistakes, and learns hard truths about wealth, love, and identity.

Jason started out as a farm boy and ends up owning a fleet of spaceships. This is his story. / (Reviews)

A Story in the Anthony Carter, Family & Friends Universe
On a rainy spring day, Ellen Trilby, the daughter of Major George Trilby and his wife Siobhan, both dear friends of Harriet Carter, appears on Anthony Carter's estate, asking for shelter to escape an unwanted suitor. Wary of the Carters' son Richard at first, they grow together through a tragedy and danger, but they must overcome a cunning enemy and their own insecurities before they can become a couple. This continues the Anthony Carter stories.

In a kingdom torn apart by war and political intrigue, William Whitton must navigate a treacherous landscape of political machinations and conflict following the death of the King. Sent to war by his stepfather the young prince learns the harsh realities of leadership and the toll of conflict on both soldiers and civilians. Back in the capital, the new king, begins to impose oppressive laws to limit the power of the barons and consolidate consolidate power, pushing the kingdom toward Rebellion.

A story in the Lucky Jim Universe
Despite his family's insistence that he is the next incarnation of Lucky Jim, Jim Reynolds, sixth great-grandson of his namesake, isn't so sure and isn't sure he wants to be. Each time he thinks that he just might be, something happens to make him sure that he's not. While this is a stand-alone story, numerous references will make more sense after reading "Lucky Jim 1." This story also adds bits of new information about the original Lucky Jim. When he finally accepts the moniker, his life veers

With Charles L. Harness, in a high-stakes world where skill and strategy determine survival, brilliant minds confront ethical dilemmas, technological marvels, and unforeseen threats.

Story of the life of a young man starting life in 13th century England. His dedication earns him an offer to become a Knight and unexpectedly a noble. Follow his rise to power from a favorite of the Earl he serves. See how his interest in new and better ideas serves him as he works to improve the lives of his subjects, and battles forces threatening England and her allies, rewriting history his own way.

Ed discovers he can see and hear ghosts. After that everything changes. He helps ghosts or helps others with help from ghosts.

Benny Baker went from being a smarter than average, fourteen year old kid, to being a super genius. It was an overnight transformation in which his speech patterns become more precise, his mannerisms became muted, and his opinions matured. He has a chance to make things right, but he's not sure what that means.

Sequel to "Masi'shen Stranded" -- Michael Hawthorne and Dee'rah evolve to become ambassadors seeking to link two worlds across the galaxy. Earth recognizes the chance for global peace, but a corrupt American president threatens them all with nuclear nightmare as a ploy to rule the nation. Old enemies become allies, and old alliances fall apart. Will humankind survive to achieve a future in the stars?

Evolution
The only hope humanity has to meet the Aliens, on an even footing, is with US resources, so Scotty must win the Presidency. Preparing for Aliens aren't the only challenge the host/Companion cadre face. Robert Branch (AKA Abdul Ali Hassan) is loose in the world, and he is inhabited by a Demon, the antithesis of Companions. Branch and his Demon escaped to Syria in 2012, and began organizing groups of Saddam Hussein's officers and fighters. The power behind the throne of ISIS is evil incarnate.

Roy Burke has been too occupied building his construction business to go looking for a wife. So his secretary and mother join forces to push him along. No-one expects the chaos that results.

When, in the course of human events, a Government of a Nation has forgotten that it is founded and predicated upon the singular sentiment, We the People, it becomes necessary for Men and Women of good conscience to stand tall and remind those who govern on behalf, by forbearance, and at the will, of We the People; that the law of the land is specified in the Constitution of these United States.

Evolution
Most of the Connor clan hosting Companions have moved to Texas. It has been a year since the fateful space ship crash. The ethereal alien that survived, opening a portal allowing more Companions into this universe, has been finding ways to protect the hosts. General Branch is still at large. When Branch resurfaces with terrorists, he is focused on revenge. A kidnapping causes a different portal opening, and the beings that enter this universe are not the benign Companions that Caleb knows.

Cal Otis had finished his to-do list, but wasn’t ready for bed. TV wasn’t cutting it, either. He decided to wander down the street to the club near his apartment he’d never been to. It would be the best thing he ever did …

A Story in the Anthony Carter, Family & Friends Universe
When 18-year-old Anthony Carter, lowly second mate in a small schooner, and Harriet Lambert, the young, arrogant daughter of a Royal Navy admiral, barely survive a shipwreck, they recognise each other's mettles. A short-lived romance ensues, but it takes years and great perils and pains for them to find happiness together. A romance set during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Masi'shen crash-landed on Antarctica 2,000 years ago. Their ship lies under the ice on a volcanic island. It has been detected by a spy satellite. The U.S. government, the Russian mafia, and a volunteer rescuer race to get there first.

A story set in the Post Sickness world of Phoenicia
It has finally happened: Terrorists have unleashed an unstoppable virus upon the world. Only a very small percentage of humanity has survived. Gavin Thompson, unsatisfied with the prospect of just surviving makes plans to restore civilization as quickly as possible. This is his story. (This version is a bit longer and slightly modified from the version on SOL)

He was an Irish cop from the toughest part of Manhattan. She was a Cheyenne maiden from the Montana High Country. He rescued her from some very bad men. In return, she mended his broken heart. The whole improbable story plays out against the panorama of the Civil War and America's relentless movement West. There's a bit of a twist at the end. But who doesn't like surprises?

A man just out of university inherits a trust in the USA. He has to live in the house it owns, but first he has to make it liveable. He also has to worry about some old feuds in place in this rural valley in the Appalachian mountains. He has to survive his first weeks in the mountains, and in doing so he finds a wife and partner for life while they deal with old feuds and the local weather. Set in Australia.

If happiness was measured in money there would be very few millionaires. This is a story about Dan Parker, a young man who starts his life as an adult with the odds stacked against him. Follow his journey of self discovery as he tries to achieve happiness. His story might make you wonder if you live next door to a millionaire. {Edit cleaned and reposted by TeNderLoin}

This story is fiction, but not the facts. Information from Sumerian translations are true. Hindu texts of battles in space...true. Einstein's brain autopsy proved that he used more of his brain than other humans. How is that possible? How do men get flashes of genius, and why doesn't everyone function at that level of ability all the time? Why did the Dark Ages happen, and why does mankind seem to be sliding that direction again? This story is fiction, I hope. / (Reviews)

A young man struggles to with morals and staying alive in a post war shelter.

“Do you really think James Bond was born James Bond? Or was he actually born Joey Numbnuts and then changed it after he became Double-Oh-Seven? How do you get to be James Bond? Where do you start? And how do you leave? How does James Bond retire? What happens when he runs out of spies to catch? Does he go back to being Joey Numbnuts?”

A Christmas Story
Generally speaking being a granddaughter is defined by genetics, but sometimes it's due to circumstances driven by fate.

An Unwanted Visitors Story
Twelve years after Earth's first encounter with aliens, they receive a return visit. Only this time, they aren't stranded and helpless. Young Otis Becker finds himself with access to information he can't explain, yet has to convince the world he can save them from alien enslavement. Hopefully Earth learned its lessons the last time. This is a slow story, so give it a chance to kick into gear. The sequel to "Stranded".

A Story in the Spider and Fly Universe
There's an adage in the British armed forces, never volunteer for anything! Especially when you're drunk! But, just sometimes...?

A Rivers Region Story
A young man with a unique heritage that guides his destiny has to deal with many hard issues starting with the murder of his father while 10 years of age. We follow his life for the next decade while he works to survive, protect his heritage, and fight the man he holds responsible for his father's death. He's more than what he seems, and strives to meet all his responsibilities. Set in Australia.

Long trips, new attacks, growing pains, spies in their ranks, and increasing violence between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups, stretch Paul and Anna's resources in every direction and at every turn. With the help of their family and friends, new and old, they race against time to complete their plans before the incessant drum beats of war begin in the east.

An angry young man grows up to be an angry middle-aged man. Now he's stuck in a dead-end job, married to a woman that detests him, and has children that don't even know him. A close encounter with death makes him realize that he deserves more than what life has dealt him thus far. Can he get it? Concluding Chapter has been posted. Enjoy! }:-) / (Reviews)

An Army veteran is accused of rape and murder. He didn't do it, but fighting the system is a losing proposition. So what's a man to do?

A powerful exploration of duty, identity, and transformation, it follows a decorated military leader whose mission takes an unexpected turn.

In 1843 16-year-old Lewis Clark kills one of the two sons of Mr. Tyler, the richest man in Fayette County. He also takes the blame for killing his other son. Given Tyler's reputation as a vengeful and violent man, Lewis flees for his life. This is the story of his escape and his adventures. Another of my fantasy histories.

Lachlan Quinn is a PTSD-ridden finish-carpenter. He wants to build ordinary simple life. But his past catches up to him. As if worrying about a traumatized little 9-year-old shapeshifter wasn't enough. He has to deal with an inheritance he doesn't want, a town full of witches who hate him, and an ancient Hag who is trying her hardest to kill him How will a cursed legacy, a house in a sentient forest, and a beautiful stone-cold shape-shifting Panther help him deal with things.

Now married, Paul McAllister and Anna Jaramillo McAllister, continue building their fledgling Estancia into the refuge they've dreamed of. Where family and friends can live a life safe from the violence of daily life in the wilderness of the New Mexico Territory. Building levees, planting crops, cattle drives, digging for gold, and advancing the use of existing technology rapidly become intertwined with ferreting out robbers,kidnappers, and murderers.

John Taylor
Borders, Bombs, & Betrayals! When a devastating explosion destroys a border crossing using expired and supposedly destroyed US Army C4, Taylor and Whitaker are sent to investigate. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a sinister plot involving drug smuggling, sophisticated bombings, and disturbing ties to someone in the Department of Defense. From the El Paso stretch of the U.S./Mexican border to the dangerous underworld of Ciudad Juarez, Taylor and Whitaker navigate a t

A story in the Lucky Jim Universe
The adventures of 16-year-old Jim Reynolds start in 1856 Virginia. When his family and several others head west to settle near Council Bluffs, his adventures continue, becoming more numerous and earning him the moniker Lucky Jim. Follow Jim as he grows into a leadership role that he feels unqualified to hold, until finally forced to test both his leadership ability and his luck. A "fantasy history."

You Can't Go Home Again. Henry Brewer's life has fallen to pieces. His NFL dreams disappeared years ago and now so has his life in the NYPD, along with his soon-to-be ex-wife. Forced to return to the small West Virginian town he grew up in, Henry comes face to face with his past, seeing it through the eyes of an adult. As if this wasn't hard enough, he must figure out who he is now and what he wants at the same time. Is it possible to reinvent yourself as an adult?

It started like a schoolboy's dare and nobody took it seriously. It was the start of the end of the world.

A collection of children’s stories and fairy tales written and illustrated by Katharine Pyle.