A series of dark, fantasy paranormal tales, for readers who enjoy horror and thrills In this collection of short stories, animals on a local farm drop dead without warning. Two new lovers open up to each other about their insecurities. A newly-wed young man discovers his husband harbours a dark secret that he's been keeping from him for the last ten years. And a Home Help arrives one morning to find her client has been murdered especially for her to find. ...And More!

The two wealthy farmers -- Parley the porter -- All for the best -- Tom White -- Pilgrims -- Valley of tears -- The strait gate and the broad way.

What happens to rural communities when their traditional economic base collapses? When new money comes in, who gets left behind? Pushed Out offers a rich portrait of Dover, Idaho, whose transformation from “thriving timber mill town” to “economically depressed small town” to “trendy second-home location” over the past four decades embodies the story and challenges of many other rural communities. Sociologist Ryanne Pilgeram explores the structural forces driving rural gentrification and examines how social and environmental inequality are written onto these landscapes. Based on in-depth interviews and archival data, she grounds this highly readable ethnography in a long view of the region that takes account of geological history, settler colonialism, and histories of power and exploitation within capitalism. Pilgeram’s analysis reveals the processes and mechanisms that make such communities vulnerable to gentrification and points the way to a radical justice that prioritizes the economic, social, and environmental sustainability necessary to restore these communities.

Robert Bloomfield's 'Rural Tales, Ballads, and Songs' is a collection of poems that vividly depict the beauty and hardships of rural life in late 18th-century England. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Bloomfield's work stands out for its detailed descriptions of nature and the daily struggles of the common people. The use of ballads and songs adds a lyrical quality to the poems, enhancing their emotional impact. In the literary context of the Romantic era, Bloomfield's writings provide a valuable insight into the pastoral tradition and the significance of rural themes in English literature. His work has influenced later poets such as John Clare and William Wordsworth, who praised his authentic portrayal of country life. Robert Bloomfield, himself a self-taught poet and laborer, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in rural Suffolk. His intimate knowledge of the countryside and its inhabitants shines through in 'Rural Tales, Ballads, and Songs', giving readers a genuine glimpse into the world he knew so well. Bloomfield's passion for capturing the essence of rural life and the beauty of the natural world is evident in every poem he penned. I highly recommend 'Rural Tales, Ballads, and Songs' to readers who appreciate poetry that celebrates the simplicity and profundity of country life. Bloomfield's heartfelt verses offer a poignant reflection on the human connection to nature and the enduring spirit of rural communities.

“An interesting literary journey back in time, capturing — within the breathtaking stories — the joys and sorrows, thrills and disappointments of growing up in rural Punjab.” “Bhupendra’s stories bring out the simplicity, sensibilities, vibrancy, languor, humour and irony in lives from the Punjab countryside.” “Countryside Tales is the closest you can get to the Malgudi Days of Punjab.” “Bhupendra’s powerful narratives transport the readers back in time to that place and situation, where they become a part of the action and emotion. One can visualise the scenes so clearly that the feeling is of actually being present there.” “Great memories narrated with utter simplicity. Bhupendra really has an amazing talent for bringing alive the people he writes about — and that too with crystal clear precision.” “Bhupendra Dogra exhibits a great skill of transmuting personal memories into an impersonal and universal art. While reading the stories, I felt like a toddler once again in the company of my young and muscular dad, working in the fields in the village.” “Bhupendra’s stories capture the mood and aura of a bygone era perfectly. They remind me of R.K. Narayan’s short stories especially Swami & his Friends!” “Bhupendra is an amazingly gifted writer… a master story teller who is unbeatable in narrating and converting simple incidents into interesting stories.” “A raconteur par excellence.” “Bhupendra’s relationship with his father must have been very very special. His abiding love for his father peeps through every word he writes about him.” “Intensely engaging, some of the best short stories that I have ever read in my life.” “Bhupendra Dogra’s stories are fine examples of creating interesting artistic constructs out of some banal or commonplace experiences, interspersed with a subtle sense of humour and a mild critique of typical middle class Hindu family ethos and ethics.”

Think you know what rural America is like? Discover a plurality of perspectives in this enlightening anthology of stories that turns preconceptions on their head. Gracie sees a chance of fitting in at her South Carolina private school, until a “white trash”–themed Halloween party has her steering clear of the rich kids. Samuel’s Tejano family has both stood up to oppression and been a source of it, but now he’s ready to own his true sexual identity. A Puerto Rican teen in Utah discovers that being a rodeo queen means embracing her heritage, not shedding it. . . . For most of America’s history, rural people and culture have been casually mocked, stereotyped, and, in general, deeply misunderstood. Now an array of short stories, poetry, graphic short stories, and personal essays, along with anecdotes from the authors’ real lives, dives deep into the complexity and diversity of rural America and the people who call it home. Fifteen extraordinary authors—diverse in ethnic background, sexual orientation, geographic location, and socioeconomic status—explore the challenges, beauty, and nuances of growing up in rural America. From a mountain town in New Mexico to the gorges of New York to the arctic tundra of Alaska, you’ll find yourself visiting parts of this country you might not know existed—and meet characters whose lives might be surprisingly similar to your own. Featuring contributors: David Bowles Joseph Bruchac Veeda Bybee Nora Shalaway Carpenter Shae Carys S. A. Cosby Rob Costello Randy DuBurke David Macinnis Gill Nasugraq Rainey Hopson Estelle Laure Yamile Saied Méndez Ashley Hope Pérez Tirzah Price Monica Roe

WINNER OF THE SIGURD F. OLSON NATURE WRITING AWARD “Blending family memoir and environmental history, Kendra Atleework conveys a fundamental truth: the places in which we live, live on—sometimes painfully—in us. This is a powerful, beautiful, and urgently important book.” —Julie Schumacher, author of Dear Committee Members and The Shakespeare Requirement Kendra Atleework grew up in Swall Meadows, in the Owens Valley of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, where annual rainfall averages five inches and in drought years measures closer to zero. Her parents taught their children to thrive in this beautiful if harsh landscape prone to wildfires, blizzards, and gale-force winds. Above all, the Atleework children were raised on unconditional love and delight in the natural world. But when Kendra’s mother died when Kendra was just sixteen, her once-beloved desert world came to feel empty and hostile, as climate change, drought, and wildfires intensified. The Atleework family fell apart, even as her father tried to keep them together. Kendra escaped to Los Angeles, and then Minneapolis, land of tall trees, full lakes, water everywhere you look. But after years of avoiding her troubled hometown, she felt pulled back. Miracle Country is a moving and unforgettable memoir of flight and return, emptiness and bounty, the realities of a harsh and changing climate, and the true meaning of home. For readers of Cheryl Strayed, Terry Tempest Williams, and Rebecca Solnit, this is a breathtaking debut by a remarkable writer.