Showing results by narrator "Michael Lyons" in Literature & Fiction

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4th July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, a town synonymous with the earlier Salem Witch Trials. It was instrumental in Hawthorne’s later use of American Gothic and dark romanticism in his writing. Hawthorne’s short stories were first published in magazines but in 1837 were collected and published as ‘Twice-Told Tales’. A steady literary career still did not come his way and so he worked in a good position at Salem’s port and married the love of his life Sophia Peabody. Finally, in 1850 came spectacular literary and commercial success with ‘The Scarlet Letter.’

Step into the heartwarming traditions of the holiday season with The Spirit of Christmas by Edith Houghton Hooker. This timeless story celebrates the true meaning of Christmas—kindness, generosity, and the joy of togetherness. Set against the backdrop of a snowy Victorian Christmas, the tale brings to life the magic and warmth that define the holiday spirit, reminding us of the beauty found in simple acts of love and community.

In The Haunted House, Charles Dickens weaves a captivating tale of mystery and the supernatural, set in a remote, abandoned mansion. The story is part of a collection that features a group of people coming together to recount ghostly encounters and eerie experiences in the haunted house. With each chapter revealing a new chilling narrative, Dickens expertly explores themes of fear, the unknown, and the darker side of human imagination.

Julian ‘Jilly’ Tetanich is a retired mafia contract killer who now owns a Pittsburgh bar full of colorful characters and whose best friend happens to be a slightly lapsed fantasy football-loving Catholic priest. When rogue Archangel Uriel descends from above with his God Squad sidekicks, they try to enlist Jilly to perform one more hit and save his immortal soul. All Hell breaks loose as the forces of good and evil prepare for this comedic showdown. Jilly will have to decide whether he should stick to his guns or dust them off one last time.