Book picks similar to
Hardware River Stories by Alyson Hagy


american
covered-and-read
graywolf-press
short-story

A Thug Valentine In Brooklyn: A Short Story


Quardeay - 2019
    It is a day meant for lovers and the lustful. No need for games or regrets, whatever it will be, will be. Harlem is a feisty chick with a heart as big as the city she’s named after. While she considers herself strong willed, even they can fall weak sometimes. Harlem’s weakness is Saynt Williams, a ruthless drug dealer that’s anything but what his name describes on the streets of Brooklyn. Despite the desperate pleas of her worrisome father, the rebellious Harlem finds herself head over heels and is seemingly willing to risk it all for Saynt. However, a mysterious thug enters the picture and begins vying for Harlem's attention. This may just be what Harlem needs to break free of the captivating hold that Saynt has on her. Seoul Harris is the opposite of Saynt in all the ways that matter and has Harlem questioning everything she thinks she knows. With Valentine’s Day approaching fast and her back against the wall, will Harlem find love with a Saynt? Or will she ultimately find herself 'Seoul' snatched in this gritty, yet sexy hood romance?

A Boss Valentine In Atlanta: An Urban Fiction Novella


Tiece - 2019
    And is also one of the best African American Urban Fiction novellas available. And now it’s here for your reading satisfaction. In this short story you’ll take an unforgettable ride with the national bestselling author Tiece, another great storyteller under Cole Hart Signature. Her writing is smooth and she know's how to make her characters come to life. **Warning** This is not your typical Urban romance, dope boy, thug love, or kingpin savage book. Heart pounding. Edge of your seat. Women's Fiction. Street literature. Cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jonas Garcia is living his best life. He’s one of the greatest in his field, along-side his first cousin Dr. Deshawn Diego. Unlike Deshawn who is a happily married man, Jonas is a certified bachelor with thoughts of never settling down. However, an unexpected incident causes him to pause for a moment when he comes face to face with the mysterious Peach Kingston. Will Cupid finally pierce one of his arrows through Jonas’s cold heart? Peach and Jonas have a lot in common, being that neither is willing to give their hearts to another. Peach has her own issues that she has managed to maintain, as much as possible. An unforeseen encounter with Jonas instantly touches something in her soul, which causes her to rethink everything she ever doubted about love. But, Peach has a huge secret that she’s trying to let go of. Will this be the one thing that Jonas isn’t prepared for? Deshawn has any and everything he wants and needs, including the love in his marriage. With a wife like KeeKee, he can’t go wrong. She’s everything he could possibly ever want in a woman, but when infidelity strikes in the worse way, will they be able to weather the storm? Find out if Love prevails or fails in this addictive short story that’s sure to have you all up in your feelings.

Christmas In The Trap: Memphis Style


Shania B. - 2018
    Bankz is the Santa Claus of the hood in Memphis and his ruthless reputation precedes him. Trapping isn’t the only thing he’s caught doing this holiday season and his girlfriend Taylor soon finds out. Although Bankz is proud of how his strategic drug organization serves major weight, and the power he’s snatched over the years, he can’t escape his fate. He is surrounded by people he thought he could trust, and someone is testing his street cred. Bankz can’t and won’t allow this to happen. Taylor Shaw is the loving girlfriend of Bankz. Her man has been there for her through it all, but the closer it gets to Christmas the more she begins to realizes it’s NOT the most wonderful time of the year. Taylor has never been one to make decisions based off of street gossip, but she discovers the streets know more about the man she loves than she does. Taylor wants to forget about everything and have some fun before Christmas, but fun takes a tragic turn and her life will be changed forever. Can the holidays be filled with love, laughter and fond memories for Bankz and Taylor, or will they inevitably have a Christmas In The Trap: Memphis Style? A Christmas that has no peace and joy but conflict and misery? Hit these Memphis streets to find out in this African American Urban Fiction Tale.

Christmas In The Trap: Atlanta Style


Twyla T. - 2018
    Street King. Strong. Respected. Intelligent. Accurately describes Hassan, specifically known as Lil Hot or Hot, but now, a new title is being added to the list that takes his life on a whirl spin. Hot is thrown into fatherhood when one of his jump-offs abandons her baby with him, claiming it’s his. Not only unprepared for a baby, Hot finds himself in another foreign territory that he had no intentions of going down—love. Plus, street life in Atlanta starts wreaking havoc as he deals with personal struggles. Will Hot survive the streets long enough to embrace a baby and love? Find out if Hassan’s best Christmas gifts are the ones he didn’t know he wanted in this sultry African American Urban Fiction novella, Christmas In The Trap: Atlanta Style.

Christmas In The Trap: Birmingham Style


K. Larry - 2018
    No mother. No father. No siblings. Remo was destined for failure from the very beginning. In spite of, he was determined to beat the odds. Just as things begin to look up for him, an accident sends him crashing into The Plug; The man with more jewels than kings and more money than corporate America. One simple mistake puts him in a position that he never thought was possible. Will he succumb to the demands of the streets? Or will he stand in his own greatness? Mahlia is young, hard working, beautiful, and ready for love. She has her cousin Amelia by her side and they are more like sisters so Mahlia has no problem confiding in her ride or die. When jealousy rears its ugly head, the cousins are faced with drama out of this world. Will the bond that Mahlia shares with Amelia stand in the way of love? Or will true love win? They say Christmas is the season for magic, so come take this crazy ride in The Magic City as K. Larry brings nonstop drama, love, deceit, and betrayal in this sultry African American Urban Fiction Novella.

The Gift of a Child


Donna K. Weaver - 2018
    She and her two young children must now face a holiday season filled with so many reminders of what they've lost. But when a coworker who’s raising his young nephew moves next door, Rae discovers that the support of a good friend, and the gift of a child, can bring back some of the joy of the season.

Christmas In The Trap: Miami Style


Zarkia - 2018
    For Mariah, Miami became her new home and fresh start after she was forced to flee her home state and leave behind her children and mother. Just when things start looking up, Mariah loses her job and quickly finds herself faced with a situation beyond her wildest dreams. She’s forced to make a quick decision that will leave her battling not only her mind, but her heart as well. Take a wild ride down I-95 South and enjoy the beautiful winter weather down in the M-I-A in this steamy, hot African American Urban Fiction Novella.

Short Stories of Charles Bukowski


Charles Bukowski
    

Fake Boyfriend


P.G. Van - 2019
    The guy she had a crush on in school is her mother’s best friend’s son who will also be at the party. She got over her school crush years ago, but she knows everyone will be giving her pitiful looks at the party and wedding that follows, which is the main reason for her to want to skip all the events. She can’t believe her luck when she finds out the handsome stranger who offers to give her a ride to the farmhouse is actually willing to attend the party as her boyfriend—her fake boyfriend. What happens when she needs to live the lie for more than just the one pre-wedding event and has to bring the fake boyfriend to the wedding? Is the handsome stranger willing to be part of the charade? Note: Fake Boyfriend is a short, contemporary romance.

Running From The Shadows (Deep Ridge Bay Series Book 1)


Faith Blakely - 2021
    

Chahti Hoon Tumhe


Sundari Venkatraman - 2018
    It is with great effort that the busy twosome builds a relationship……and then the villain strikes*A shorter version of this story was published before in the anthology Matches Made in Heaven

Valentine Rush: A Holiday Teaser


Stephanie Nicole Norris - 2019
    But when neither of them can shake memories of their love together, that fight turns into an uninhibited passion that could ignite a fire and reunite them for a lifetime.

The Heart of a Broken Story


J.D. Salinger - 1941
    

A Dust Bowl Tale of Bonnie and Clyde: A Short Story


James Lee Burke - 2014
    One night, a carload of strangers appears on the Hollands' property, carrying the air of incipient danger underneath a veneer of pleasantries. Weldon finds himself inexplicably drawn to the group of trespassing vagabonds—who, despite being camped out on a hidden riverbank in the middle of nowhere, drive the most expensive automobile that Weldon has ever seen. In the unbearable, rainless heat of a Dust Bowl summer, Weldon will find himself mixed up in an encounter with the infamous bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde—an encounter that changes the course of Weldon's life…and history itself. Rich with criminal and social history of the American West and a young boy’s struggle to become a man, “A Dust Bowl Tale of Bonnie and Clyde” is just the beginning of Weldon Holland’s story.

Vampire Vultures


John Fahey - 2003
    Published posthumously, this volume rounds out the life of the legendary guitarist and composer, providing more backstory behind his creative ferocity. The stories provide a personal view into decades of his poignant insights into life and music.