True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

He was willing to do anything.

Talk about anything, they said.

She hadn’t ever done anything.

You can do anything.

In this heartwarming collection, thirteen Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

He was willing to do anything.

Talk about anything, they said.

She hadn’t ever done anything.

You can do anything.

In this heartwarming collection, thirteen Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

He was willing to do anything.

Talk about anything, they said.

She hadn’t ever done anything.

You can do anything.

In this heartwarming collection, thirteen Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

He was willing to do anything.

Talk about anything, they said.

She hadn’t ever done anything.

You can do anything.

In this heartwarming collection, thirteen Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Benny's coming hadn't changed anything—or had it?

With a new foster kid joining Alex Carson's family, everyone is prepared for changes. So when Benny slips into the tight-knit group with barely a ripple, the family is at once surprised and delighted.

But beneath the surface, deeper waters are stirred as Alex finds herself at odds with Jess over his jokes on the unsuspecting and gullible Benny. Will Jess's teasing and her own insecurities separate Alex from her brother? Or can a surprising source teach them a needed lesson in love?

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end...

Just weeks after his first encounter with the treatment's...unusual side-effects, it's Brady's turn under the needle again. Rachelle seems confident he can use his new powers for good, but Brady isn't so sure. How do you stop crime with super senses anyway, especially when the world doesn't know your secret?

With the team at his back, Brady makes his first foray onto the streets, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Oh, and did he mention it didn't seem that easy in the first place? Will Brady find a reason to stick with the project, or is this all a dead end?

What difference can one little tree make?

Old Marley is determined to make a proper celebration for young Sonny, Christmas tree and all, but new problems seem to rise at every turn. When the boy takes matters into his own hands, will their plans end in disaster? Or will the elusive tree finally open the door to a true Christmas blessing?

A sinister threat. A shocking betrayal. A single rose.

Jan has poured her grief over her brother's death into finishing his work—crippling the terrible system they'd unknowingly helped to build. But when a strange gift beckons her to seek out Kevin's betrayer, will she find the answers she needs? Or will hate and anger shatter everything she holds dear?

Come on an adventure! Within these pages you'll find yourself battling with faeries against evil, waking on an unfamiliar planet, fighting for survival after an apocalypse, having the strangest conversation with aliens half your size, uncovering mysteries, opening doors to other dimensions, and so much more!

Edited & Compiled by YA author Rachael Ritchey, these short stories are a compilation of entries to the ASF Short Story Contest by seasoned and new authors across the globe. While style and culture vary widely across these adventures, one thing will stand out: the resilience of the human spirit.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

"Dearest Paul...do tell me what I should do!"

With her adored older brother away in the West, Lucy is hovering on the brink of despair. How can she ever stay cheerful and good without Paul's help and guidance?

Paul knows the answer to his sister's troubles, but convincing her is another matter. When their letters prove too slow to prevent calamity, can he lead her to his own source of help?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages...

The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday...

Click for full description

Everything was falling apart.

In everything give thanks.

Everything works together for good.

Jesus is my everything.

In this heartwarming collection, twenty-one Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

How'd I ever be the great man Ma wanted if I didn't take time for my lessons?

Everyone knows that Dan is destined for greatness. But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

Was it even possible to fix this mess?

Still reeling from the sudden wreck of her career, the last thing Julie wants to do is visit her brother in juvenile detention. But when Colton’s plight brings her face to face with her own failures, Julie’s well-ordered world is rocked to its core. Is there any way to get her life back on track? And what will she do about Colton?

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Bryson was finally home and safe—wasn't he?

All Madison wants is to be with her brother, whose recent brush with death has made him more precious to her than ever. But despite repeated assurances that he's fine, an undercurrent of tension leaves her wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Alone with Bryson on her first night home, can Madison find the truth behind the shadows that lurk in her brother's eyes? Or will he succeed in shutting out the help he needs most?

Ten children. Two families. One chance.

Convincing onlookers that her best friend Mikyah Byrd is truly more like a brother seems like a never-ending task to Jenna Denton. But when calamity strikes the Byrd household, her family's help becomes more crucial than she ever imagined. Will the Dentons' love and commitment be enough to keep their unusual family intact? Or will a perfect storm of troubles separate them forever?

If only I could start the day over...

Kale Greene’s life was never perfect, but his last few days with the Taylor family have been better than most. Or they were until today. Now he’s ruined everything, and for more than just himself.

When yet another attempt to make things right falls through, will it mean a fitting end or a new beginning? Can anything fix a day that’s gone so completely wrong?

How far can a promise reach?

Since aging out of the foster care system, Stephen's life has gone from bad to worse. As he wrestles with a bleak present and a grim future, an unexpected encounter with a girl and her kitten changes everything. But will his improvised rescue end in disaster, or does God have other plans?

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

Twenty-five short reads inspired by themes from the Christmas story

Celebrate the true spirit of the season with this collection of five-minute holiday stories. Perfect to pair with your morning coffee or binge-read while curled up with a favorite blanket on a snowy afternoon!

From a stately mansion to a rough barn, from a cheerful fireside to a lonely mountain road, from a chaotic church pageant to the grim aftermath of war, no heart is without its burden. But no trouble is too deep to be touched by the light of love and the warmth of Christmas.

Can anything save her from the trial ahead?

Hannah Reeve knows her cousin’s coming engagement ought to be cause for joy, but Beatrice’s cruel thrusts and the secrets of her own traitorous heart threaten to ruin more than just her composure. Will Hannah find a way to keep her serenity while the kindest man she knows offers his hand to her greatest tormenter? Or does this dreaded evening have something else in store?

"Oh, what change a day can make!"

Lucy's life has never looked brighter than since her recent engagement, and she pours out her raptures as usual in letters to her older brother. But clouds are gathering beyond her vision, and her commitment is soon to be tested in ways she never expected.

When the storm unleashes its fury, can Paul help her find her way? Or will her chance for happiness be lost forever?

He was willing to do anything.

Talk about anything, they said.

She hadn’t ever done anything.

You can do anything.

In this heartwarming collection, thirteen Christian authors weave tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings...

Click for full description

Was Danna the only one I'd been blind to all these years?

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

“Hope,” I thought. “What a small word for such a big thing.”

The broken world groans. Oh, for a beacon of light! Where is something to live for—to kindle the spark of excitement, to calm the heart, to impart love, joy, and peace—and perhaps to shine the light of God’s glory on earth as in heaven?

Hope....

Click for full description

What secrets lie hidden among the stars?

Ten-year-old Riley Dixon is eagerly anticipating his first spaceflight, even if his dad isn't keen on adventure. But all his exciting dreams for the future are knocked off course when a frightening medical emergency puts their trip on pause.

As he adjusts to life on the busy Etzio spaceport, Riley begins to suspect that there's more to his dad's choices than he knows. But when a surprising encounter brings to light a shocking past, can Riley choose the right course for his future? Or will secrets and silence ruin everything that matters most?

What will it take to guard her dearest treasure?

Blenwyn Osheen is no stranger to hard work and trouble, but the children's fascination with their father's anxious forebodings is a problem she doesn't know how to solve. And so is the kind surgeon who insists on treating her like an equal instead of a servant.

When a particularly disastrous day rocks their world, is there anything Blenwyn can do to protect the family she loves as her own? Can she somehow stop the children's headlong rush into danger? And when a hand is reached out to help her, will she choose to trust her head or her heart?

What will it take to move beyond her mission?

Jaelyn Rolfe has grown up with a singular purpose: to end the reign of a brutal dictator and rid the world of her father's terrible legacy. But victory comes with a price, and she soon finds her role in the plot spawning consequences no one anticipated.

Caught unexpectedly between her training and her heart, will Jaelyn find the strength to chart a new course? Can a girl so skilled at deception ever truly earn trust? And when a sudden blow threatens her hard-won triumph, will everything she's fought for be lost forever?

Honoring the Love of the Savior

Agape. Eros. Philia. Storge

All forms of love… Seize the Love pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing love. A love that honors God even as the reader flips the pages to find the story of a dying request, a random encounter, finding proof of God’s love, reunited siblings, caring for others, finding hope, love among the hard and easy, and more stories...

Click for full description

Honoring the Freedom of the Savior

Freedom. Liberty. Independence.

All forms of freedom have a cost. Seize the Fight pulls readers into an anthology of stories all showing freedom. An Army veteran crashing at his sister’s with hidden pain, a lieutenant returning home from overseas, siblings celebrating the Fourth even in the midst of turmoil, and many more stories all show a form of freedom and the fight it represents in some way...

Click for full description

Friends. Faith. Family.

Anne-Marie sits vigil beside a hospital bed as David battles through his own weakness to help a friend. Cassidy tries to hold out hope for her missing groom while Rob pushes himself to the limit to prove something to his brother. Jake receives comfort from an unexpected source as Nate attempts to make the best of a bad bargain and Tsara struggles to find her place in a dark and cruel world.

Humor, hope, and healing fill the pages of these seven stories, each less than 2,000 words.

True excellence comes with a price...

Eva has never doubted her coach's ability, but a startling conversation leaves her mind racing with questions. Are the girls' suspicions true? Why won't Alexei let her compete? And how can she learn to be her best without a better coach?

When her preoccupation leads her into danger, Alexei steps in, and Eva is forced to make a choice. Will she follow a fleeting dream or embrace the lessons her coach can teach?

Three boys. One choice. No turning back.

Peyton is a rising star in the church who is well on the way to reaching his biggest dreams. Levi is a pastor's son struggling to live up to his faith under pressure from all sides. DaVonte is a kid from the wrong side of town who would be content if he and his friends were just left alone.

When an act of violence presents a sudden decision, each boy's answer will shake the community to its core and shape its future forever. Love and truth face off against fear and pride in this modern extension of one of Jesus' best-known parables.

Heroes? In these bodies? You've got to be kidding!

All Brady Owen wants from this highly experimental research program is a chance at normalcy, away from the crushing migraines that dominate his life. So when he wakes in the lab with the ability to hear distant sounds, see through walls, and sense microscopic particles with his fingers, his fractured world tips on its axis.

Brady's temporary enhancements land him among a ragtag band of young chronic illness warriors for whom the treatments have had similar effects. But how can a guy be a hero when some days he can't even lift his head from the pillow? And why would God give him a gift that's not even his to control?