It’s the spring of 1984 in British Columbia, and life is just getting exciting for Esha. A secret that looms over her family has reinforced her proud resistance to her family’s Indian identity. However, one day changes everything, and Eshas well-thought-out rebellion is put to the test. In the blink of an eye, she is forced to step up and fulfill her father’s last wish, taking her thousands of miles away to a place she never dreamed of visiting: India. Forced to follow traditions she has denied her whole life and fighting the temptations of an unlikely love interest, Esha must now confront her new reality. As she comes to understand her heritage, she also becomes a victim of the highly unstable political climate in 1984 Delhi. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has just been assassinated, political tensions rise, and now only one chant can be heard: Blood for blood. Esha must fight to survive the three days of brutal chaos that erupts throughout Delhi in the aftermath of the prime minister’s assassination.

About the Book: The famous novelist Orhan Pamuk has said – “I read a book one day and my whole life was changed.” StoryMirror has been instrumental in changing the lives of people by providing a unique platform for writers and readers alike. Storytelling or reading stories – transitions one into another realm, to explore various shades of human emotions. Each story teaches us something, makes us ponder and provides an opportunity for some soulful reflection. In this hectic and monotonous life, a storybook can help us dream, make us believe in fairies, keep us lively, give us hope and some stories can even give us the courage to deal with our day-to-day problems. It is rightly said by George Saunders, “When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you.” It is a difficult task to choose a handful of stories from the plethora of interesting content on StoryMirror but the very best stories have been selected and brought to you by the means of this book. They are a result of the hard work and determination of promising writers. The writers have questioned their imagination and desire for writing and presented to us their most imaginative, engrossing, fascinating and gripping creations. This collection of short stories will provide an opportunity for the readers to access the best stories and also bear ample evidence to the vast corpus of work on the StoryMirror website. We hope it touches your heart and soul. Hope you have a great reading experience!

It's the spring of 1984 and life is getting exciting for young and beautiful Esha. However, one day changes everything, and she must fulfill her father's last wish, taking her to a place she never dreamed of visiting: India, where she also becomes a victim of the unstable political climate.

Life under a Moonlit Sky is a whimsical romp with new life and experiences. The story includes miracles, discovery, making animal friends, solving dilemmas, and showing acts of kindness. It was designed with word pictures to stimulate imagination and enable readers to think of stories of their own. Many a parent enjoys the end of the day, sharing a story before bedtime. This may be the very story that may finish their day with a smile to share.

“In a world where we are so often dividing ourselves into us and them, this book feels like a kind of magic, celebrating all beliefs, ethnicities, and unknowns.” —The New York Times Book Review Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets Roswell by way of Laurie Halse Anderson in this astonishing, genre-bending novel about a Mexican American teen who discovers profound connections between immigration, folklore, and alien life. It’s been three years since ICE raids and phone calls from Mexico and an ill-fated walk across the Sonoran. Three years since Sia Martinez’s mom disappeared. Sia wants to move on, but it’s hard in her tiny Arizona town where people refer to her mom’s deportation as “an unfortunate incident.” Sia knows that her mom must be dead, but every new moon Sia drives into the desert and lights San Anthony and la Guadalupe candles to guide her mom home. Then one night, under a million stars, Sia’s life and the world as we know it cracks wide open. Because a blue-lit spacecraft crashes in front of Sia’s car…and it’s carrying her mom, who’s very much alive. As Sia races to save her mom from armed-quite-possibly-alien soldiers, she uncovers secrets as profound as they are dangerous in this stunning and inventive exploration of first love, family, immigration, and our vast, limitless universe.

In the enchanting world of Regency-era England, where the opulence of high society entwines with the constraints of societal roles, lies a tale of hidden desires and forbidden romance. Welcome to 'Under the Moonlit Masquerade,' a captivating story that unfolds against the backdrop of an elegant masked ball, where secrets are cloaked beneath elaborate disguises and true identities remain shrouded in mystery. Our protagonist, Lady Elora, is a reluctant debutante weighed down by the expectations of her aristocratic lineage. Longing for a taste of freedom beyond her gilded cage, Elora finds herself drawn to a tantalizing proposition: a masked ball, an event that promises to whisk her away from the suffocating confines of her societal role. As she steps into the realm of anonymity, Elora transforms into an alluring stranger, liberated from the stifling expectations of her family and the watchful eyes of high society. Under the magical moonlit sky, she encounters a mysterious masked stranger equally determined to keep his true identity veiled from the world. Amidst the swirling dance of masks and emotions, a forbidden romance blooms, blurring the lines between duty and desire. As Elora and her masked companion share stolen moments under the moon's tender gaze, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, their connection deepening with each passing heartbeat. But society's watchful eye is unyielding, and the risks they take threaten to expose their clandestine love, subjecting them to judgment, scandal, and shattered expectations. Faced with the disapproval of family, the whispering censure of gossiping elites, and the persistent pursuit of a jealous suitor, Elora and her masked love must navigate treacherous waters to keep their forbidden romance alive. As the clock strikes midnight, the masquerade draws to a close, and Elora must make a choice: abandon her heart's desires and return to the confines of society's expectations, or take a daring leap and embrace love, no matter the consequences. Join us on this mesmerizing journey as we delve into the delicate dance between duty and desire, the beauty of love's unyielding spirit, and the transformative power of the moonlit masquerade. Will Elora and her masked stranger find the strength to defy norms and seize their chance at happiness, or will they be forever bound by the constraints of society's dictates? Find out as the pages turn, revealing a tale that captures your heart and leaves you yearning for love under the moonlit masquerade.

When Travis and Rebecca marry, rumors quickly spread that he has done so only for her dying father's ranch. Confused and convinced that Travis can never truly love her, Rebecca strikes out on her own. She disappears to make a new life for herself in a town far away, but her friends there are few, and life is hard. When desperate circumstances drive Rebecca home to Travis, she can see the change in the man she left behind. In her absence, he has grown from a rough-hewn cowboy to a confident rancher. Still, her wounded heart is hesitant. Is she more afraid to love—or to be loved?

The Moonlit Path is an anthology of writing by figures from throughout the spiritual world on the dark feminine. Known variously as Lilith, Kali, the Black Madonna, Morrigan, Guadalupe, and Tara, the dark feminine appears in many cultures and throughout the ages. "It is only by embracing her,"writes Murray Stein in his preface, "that we can learn intelligent tolerance of paradox, tough-minded respect for important differences, and compassion for the alien other in our midst."

Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write. Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come? As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love. Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

A boy's coming of age early this century in a village in Wales. A tale of poverty, failed strikes, death, madness, and refuge in religion. The late author was a poet and journalist.