Dark Days: Novellas of Revenge and Redemption

by Steven Pajak

Genres: Psychological Thrillers; Supernatural suspense

Synopsis

Revenge and redemption are dishes best served cold...
Even the best of us have a darkness inside, lurking beneath the surface, ready to be exposed like raw nerve endings. Most days, we hide it well. But sometimes, on those dark days, when all that we fear comes for us, the repressed darkness spills into the world, and only revenge will satiate. On those long nights when sleep evades, your mind churns, reminding you of your dirty deeds of the past. We must all make amends on judgement day and hope for redemption. Dark Days is a superb collection of six previously published novellas of revenge and redemption from Steven Pajak that will expose the inner darkness within and the moral choices that may lead to redemption for the damned.

A Second Chance
Convicted of manslaughter, Thomas Donavan is released from prison and determined to make his life count. He finds hope and an unlikely friendship with Donny, the old man who runs Second Chance, a halfway house for parolees. Thomas' dream is to keep his head down, do his time, and finally make a better life for himself. Unfortunately for Thomas, his past comes back to haunt him in a horrific showdown with someone who feels Thomas needs to pay the ultimate price for his sin.

At The Core Lies Darkness
After a devastating diagnosis, Nick Sawyer learns he has only two months to live. Nick’s search for answers leads him to St. Michael’s church and Father Thomas May, who tells Nick to have faith and look to God for answers. Though his faith in church and God has waned, Nick is desperate to live, and prays for a miracle. During the night, Nick is visited by Raphael, the angel of healing, who grants his prayer. But everything has a price and miracles are no exception. In this dark tale of life and death, Nick must decide if living is worth sacrificing his soul.

Ghosts of the Past
Thirty years after his parents died in a car crash and his sister mysteriously disappeared, Richard Bower spots a woman in a restaurant he believes is his sister. He confronts her, but she denies knowing him at all. However, a note left behind—written in his sister's script and signed with her childhood nickname—proves otherwise. Desperate to find his sister in hopes of learning answers that can unlock his mysterious past, Richard enlists the help of all his contacts as attorney to find her. Each clue leads him one step closer to revealing his shrouded past but also one step closer to danger.

The Mortality of Morris Meridian
World War II Veteran Morris Meridian has lived a long, distinguished life—as a soldier, loving father, and doting husband—but he won't live through the night. As he lays dying, he finds himself face-to-face with an ageless man from his past, who forces Morris to recall haunting memories and a terrifying offer he might not be able to refuse.

Murder, Inc
Davina is good at biding her time, waiting for the right moment to help desperate women find salvation from their abusive partners. Davina knows how it feels to be beaten and abused. She is part of Murder, Inc., a group founded by survivors of domestic abuse, who use their network and skills to help other women escape from bad situations. The price for their salvation: pay it forward one day and help others in their time of need. But Davina’s motives for helping free women from the bonds of their abusers may have a much darker intention.

The Long December
Nora Cooper, accomplished scholar, prestigious college preparatory school administrator, and devoted wife and mother, falls into deep despair after she is unceremoniously fired. Her life-long struggle with depression leads to suicide. This fateful decision drives her daughter, Mandy, to take matters into her own hands and will show no mercy to those directly or indirectly involved in her mother’s demise.

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Release date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Sinister Smile Press, LLC

Print pages: 296