The Short Story Lounge

Episode 6: Classroom Cupid by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

Episode Title: “Classroom Cupid” by Leslie Kirby DeVooght Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “Classroom Cupid” written by Leslie Kirby DeVooght and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper.   If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.   📖 About the Story “Classroom Cupid” by Leslie Kirby DeVooght is a charming contemporary romance set in a small-town high school where old feelings resurface in the most unexpected way. When torrential rains drive a mouse into a classroom, golf coach Tye Collins is called in to rescue a flustered substitute teacher and her students.   What he doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with the girlfriend he once lost. In this sweet second-chance love story, a simple classroom mishap becomes the spark for rediscovering what never truly faded.   ✍️ About the Author  Award-winning author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. In 2017, Leslie was first published in Spark Magazine and fell in love with writing romantic flash fiction. After placing in the top ten, Leslie’s flash fiction story, Avoiding the Bouquet, was published in the 2018 Writer’s Digest Anthology of Short, Short Stories. A few months ago, her book Taking A Second Shot became a Publisher’s Weekly Best Seller. Leslie’s newest book released April 30, A Girl’s Guide to Having It All. It is book three in the Magnolia bluff series that includes Stealing Magnolias and How to Sparkle! Author Links: * Newsletter Signup: https://lesliedevooght.com/contact/ [https://lesliedevooght.com/contact/] * Amazon Author Page / Book Link: https://tinyurl.com/2w9z3p8z [https://tinyurl.com/2w9z3p8z] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliedevooght/ [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedevooght/]   🎙️ About Your Hosts Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.   👉 Subscribe [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/orm6j6miin]  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.   Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.   👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.   💙 About The Short Story Lounge The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.   📌 Copyright “Classroom Cupid” © 2026 by Leslie Kirby DeVooght. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Episode 5: Morty's Farewell by Carrie Hachadurian

Episode Title: “Morty’s Farewell” by Carrie Hachadurian Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “Morty’s Farewell” written by Carrie Hachadurian and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper. If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.   📖 About the Story “Morty’s Farewell” by Carrie Hachadurian is a hilarious contemporary short story. A young family gathers to say goodbye to Uncle Morty—but Mom can’t stop worrying about her five-year-old son’s ability to sit still through the service. Her fears prove justified when the yo-yo tucked in his pocket becomes the center of an unforgettable funeral fiasco. What begins as a solemn occasion quickly unravels into a series of laugh-out-loud mishaps.   ✍️ About the Author Carrie writes historical Christian fiction and dabbles in contemporary fiction. With moments of levity and dashes of wisdom, she pours her heart on every page. Her goal is to guide others toward Christ and remind them that even life’s struggles, laughter is a gift worth clinging to. Carrie is not yet published but is represented by Cynthia Ruchti with Books and Such Literary Management.   Author links: * Website: https://carriehachadurian.com/ [https://carriehachadurian.com/] * Facebook Group: https://www.instagram.com/carriehachadurian/ [https://www.instagram.com/carriehachadurian/] * Amazon Links: https://www.facebook.com/carriehachadurianauthor [https://www.facebook.com/carriehachadurianauthor]   🎙️ About Your Hosts Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.   👉 Subscribe [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/orm6j6miin] to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.   Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.   👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.   💙 About The Short Story Lounge The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.   📌 Copyright “Morty’s Farewell” © 2026 by Carrie Hachadurian. Used with permission. All rights reserved

“The Passover Lamb” by Carolyn Jacobs

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “The Passover Lamb” written by Carolyn Jacobs and read by Elizabeth Daghfal.   If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible. Your support helps others discover clean short stories that refresh the soul. About the Story “The Passover Lamb” by Carolyn Jacobs is a moving piece of biblical fiction that follows a shepherd whose life was forever changed the night the angels announced the birth of Jesus. As a boy, Tobiah witnessed the glory outside Bethlehem—but in the years that followed, others mocked his story and questioned his faith. Now, as the Passover Lamb is slain in Jerusalem, Tobiah finds himself once again at the center of history. In this powerful resurrection story, he discovers that the promise proclaimed in the fields so many years ago was only the beginning.   ✍️ About the Author Carolyn Jacobs, a card-carrying "Bible study junkie," loves exploring the history and archeology of Israel to infuse her writing with authenticity and depth. Her first novel, The Pride of Babylon, is set at the dig of ancient Babylon in 1917. Ana, an archeologist, imagines what life in Nebuchadnezzar's court would have been like for Daniel while she uncovers Babylon's secrets.   Author links: * Website: http://carolynjacobswrites.com/ * Facebook Group: Digging Into Truth with Carolyn Jacobs [https://www.facebook.com/groups/582808214253051] * Amazon Links: The Pride of Babylon [https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Babylon-Carolyn-Jacobs-ebook/dp/B0FGK4DRCR]   🎙️ About Your Hosts Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page.   👉 Subscribe [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/orm6j6miin] to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.   Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem.   👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.   💙 About The Short Story Lounge The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.   📌 Copyright “The Passover Lamb” © 2026 by Carolyn Jacobs. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Episode 3: Love, Vanessa by Pamela G. Baker

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share "Love, Vanessa" written by Pamela G. Baker and read by Ruth Schmeckpeper and Elizabeth Daghfal. If you enjoyed today’s story, would you take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible? Your support helps listeners discover clean short stories that refresh the soul.   📖 About the Story "Love, Vanessa" by Pamela G. Baker is a charming historical romance set in 1910, where one misplaced letter changes two lives. After immigrating from England to New York, Vanessa Sommers writes a heartfelt note of thanks to John Jones for his kindness during her transatlantic voyage—but her letter reaches the wrong man. Through handwritten letters and unexpected providence, this epistolary love story reveals how romance can bloom in the most unlikely places.   ✍️ About the Author Pamela G. Baker writes mysteries and speculative fiction from a Biblical worldview. A child of God, wife, mother, writer, and retired software engineer, Pamela weaves inspiration from real-life experiences into her stories. Her books, Message Sent Through Time and Chasing Time, are available now. Mending Time, the conclusion of the trilogy is expected in spring 2026. An avid reader, Pam also enjoys performing in community theater, singing in her church choir, and traveling via ships, planes, trains, and automobiles in that order of preference.   Author links: * Website: https://pamelagbaker.com/ [https://pamelagbaker.com/] * FREE Short Story [https://tinyurl.com/MSTTOLS] Receive a short story by subscribing to her newsletter for writing updates, book recommendations, and pictures of her adorable rescue mutt.  * Amazon Book Links: Pamela G Baker [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pamela+g.+baker&crid=1YN23D86P4ANL&sprefix=Pamela+G.+%2Caps%2C145&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_10]   🎙️ About Your Hosts Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page. 👉 Subscribe [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/orm6j6miin]  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.   Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem. 👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.   💙 About The Short Story Lounge The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.   📌 Copyright "Love, Vanessa" © 2024 by Pamela Baker. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Episode 2: Over the Moon by Elizabeth Daghfal

Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share "Over the Moon" written and read by Elizabeth Daghfal. If you enjoyed today’s story, please take a moment to follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple or Audible.  Do you know someone who would enjoy this episode? We’d be grateful if you shared it with them.   📖 About the Story Over the Moon is a lighthearted tale of heavy proportions—in the shape of a cow. All Madison wants is a trouble-free weekend. But her cow and her grumpy neighbor apparently have other plans.   ✍️ About the Author Elizabeth Daghfal loves weaving realistic stories that meet you right where your heart needs hope. Sometimes her stories are lighthearted, sometimes more serious, and sometimes they're a bit of a laugh at ourselves. But the one common thread? They’re authentic people trying to figure out how to live life faithfully. Because she knows—sometimes we wear the superhero cape…and sometimes we can’t find our shoes.   Author links:  * Newsletter:Subscribe [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] to join Elizabeth’s reader family for monthly encouragement, book recommendations, recipes, and much more. (Plus get a FREE story!) * Website: https://ElizabethDaghfal.com [https://elizabethdaghfal.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethDaghfalAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethDaghfalAuthor]   🎙️ About Your Hosts Ruth Schmeckpeper writes contemporary and contemporary romance stories filled with grace, second chances, and the quiet ways God restores hearts. Her stories are encouragement wrapped in words — the kind that linger long after the last page. 👉 Subscribe [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/orm6j6miin]  to join Ruth’s reader family for monthly encouragement and book recommendations.   Elizabeth Daghfal writes stories of raw struggles, real hope, and a splash of wit. Her characters aren’t perfect. They’re authentic, struggling with doubts, fears, cravings, and sometimes just plain clumsiness—inspiring true-to-life tales that shine light in dark places and hope in the mayhem. 👉 Join Elizabeth’s reader family [https://books.elizabethdaghfal.com/8k6pz63bgz] where you’ll receive messages of hope, plus author and recipe recommendations.   💙 About The Short Story Lounge The Short Story Lounge is a podcast featuring clean short stories written by new and seasoned authors. Each episode offers a quiet space to slow down and listen. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a story. New episodes will air the third Thursday of each month.   📌 Copyright Over the Moon © 2022 by Elizabeth Daghfal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.