A New York Times Notable Book: The idiosyncratic genius of Padgett Powell shines through in nine stories that bend the conventions of short fiction. Padgett Powell's literary stage is a blurred vision of the American South. His characters are bored, sad, assured, confused, deluded, and often just one step away from madness. The stories they populate are madder still, delivered by a voice enthralling and distinctive. Whether he's chronicling a housewife's encouragement of adolescent lust, following two good ol' boys on their search for a Chinese healer, or delving into the mind of an unstable moped accident survivor as he awaits a hefty settlement check, Powell revels in the irregularities of the mundane. His people occupy bar stools and strip clubs, pickup truck cabs and mental health clinics, looking for love, drugs, answers. According to the New York Times Book Review, "Mr. Powell is like a fabulous guest at a dinner party, the guy who gets people drinking far too much and licking their dessert plates and laughing at jokes--for which not a few of them will hate themselves in the morning."

A New York Times Notable Book: The idiosyncratic genius of Padgett Powell shines through in nine stories that bend the conventions of short fiction. Padgett Powell’s literary stage is a blurred vision of the American South. His characters are bored, sad, assured, confused, deluded, and often just one step away from madness. The stories they populate are madder still, delivered by a voice enthralling and distinctive. Whether he’s chronicling a housewife’s encouragement of adolescent lust, following two good ol’ boys on their search for a Chinese healer, or delving into the mind of an unstable moped accident survivor as he awaits a hefty settlement check, Powell revels in the irregularities of the mundane. His people occupy bar stools and strip clubs, pickup truck cabs and mental health clinics, looking for love, drugs, answers. According to the New York Times Book Review, “Mr. Powell is like a fabulous guest at a dinner party, the guy who gets people drinking far too much and licking their dessert plates and laughing at jokes—for which not a few of them will hate themselves in the morning.”

She never anticipated that her most unconventional research subject would be an extraterrestrial being, nor did she expect to develop romantic feelings for him. Cecilia Stone's primary focus is on science rather than romance. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she saves a silver-haired stranger who insists he is from a different planet. Amir, with his enigmatic nature, captivates Cecilia unlike anyone or anything she has encountered before. As she delves further into Amir's enigma, she realizes a surprising revelation: her emotions are at stake. Trapped between the excitement of exploration and the allure of romantic interest, Cecilia faces a crucial decision-will she dare to take a chance in pursuit of the truth, or is the ultimate revelation in discovering a soulmate? In a realm where science intersects with emotion, can love triumph over the uncharted? Prepare yourself for a captivating and unconventional romance that is both thrilling and unforgettable. Ideal for enthusiasts of gradual romantic development, unconventional female protagonists, and love narratives infused with cosmic elements.

Alienation of Affection: A Stellar Love Story is a relatively short tale about zombies, brainwashing, alien invasions, and the love life of Morgan Grace. Join Morgan and her friends in battling gruesome aliens who find humans tasty.

She was alien but not very alien. From that first moment Walt saw her as she looked up as she walked past the construction site, he knew she was alien but thought of her the way he thought about human women. That was a mistake--a really, really bad mistake.