Free Short Stories Series

Romy was an orphan at 17 when both of her parents died from disappointment or a broken heart. Forced to move to rural Klagenfurt from urban Vienna, she feels full of hatred against the world. The only thing that keeps her going is her desire to invent something regardless of the implications. But she has one setback after another. And there was an inventor's show taking place back in Vienna. Can she finally create something, anything in time for the show? This is a free fantasy steampunk-inspired short story based on the characters in the Amazi Chronicles. The focus of this story is how a female teenager in late 19th century Austria became started on her path of becoming a competent inventor.

A craving for off-world coffee leaves Judy and Diana tracking down a business that is giving away free money. Is this offer really a means to those needing a financial helping hand or is it something more sinister to ensnare them further? It is all just another day in the office for the Dysfunctional Corporate Research Institute! (DCRI). This is a prequel to the Corporate Intent Series.

Olivia Plymouth is a young fashion consultant/entrepreneur that does a lot of international travel. Overconfident but a little lost, she manages to take on her assignments with much enthusiasm and good humor. As the story opens, she is making a unique dating video that perhaps gives too much information about her tastes (favorite singer -- from Mauritius, favorite drink -- cocoa, favorite handbags -- large and much more). The reader is taken into a delightful flashback where we see Olivia running her fashion show in the Bahamas and the aftermath. As she recovers from the demands of the runway, she meets a seasoned traveler that shares with her the dynamic philosophies of Joyous Travel and Choosing the ‘Wrong' Suitcase. She also receives predictions of her future which sets the circumstances of the first book where she solves another family’s mystery and creates an innovative fashion show in Northeast Brazil.

These two very special short stories are a thank you gift to the readers that supported the author's effort throughout the year. This includes: * Why I document -- A reader wants to know why a particular prolific author is so keen on getting out technical documents. He meets the author and learns about their motivation. * First concert -- A chance encounter of two souls results in an impromptu musical outpouring of songs from the heart.

This second edition includes extensive revisions. It includes a new story. Each day we find ourselves in a state of imbalance in a world of impermanence. These new traditional Buddhist-inspired stories provide various ways to right ourselves when there is no ground under us. These include: 1) Gain and Loss. What would we do if we had the secret to personal happiness in our hand and then we lost it? 2) The Device. Our feelings change to a mechanical contraption changes over time. 3) Protest. Can excluding ourselves from and showing our displeasure with the world lead to happiness? 4) Hungry Ghost. A life trapped in mental captivity makes a choice leading to freedom. 5) Transient. While roaming as whim dictates, how do we find meaning to our lives? 6) My dinner with Ananda. If you could meet the Buddha's attendant that attended or knew the details of all of his instruction, what would you ask? (New) 7) Offering. A brief Qi Gong prayer from the Olivia Plymouth series.

Every day we face moments of imbalance due to our thoughts and feelings, These Mahayana Buddhist-inspired stories show how we can return to calm and peace to counter our stress-free lives. The stories include: A Teaching from the Tenzo -- Dogen's advice on cooking is a recipe to dealing with life. Hasten Slowly -- Milarepa's saying as an approach to daily living. Told in prose format. Bodhidharma and the Emperor - A powerful person wants confirmation that they have done good with all of their donations. But not all spiritual leaders provide the desired reassurance. Bodhisattva Vow -- The interplay of abundance and scarcity, helping ourselves and helping others, plus reality and awakening. All told through the eyes of a service window employee. Heart Sutra -- The popular and often misunderstood text as a story Deep Listening -- Listening, being present, and solving problems.