The Short Story Lounge

Preschool teacher Grace is racing against time to raise desperately needed cash in “A Nickel for Your Heart” by Elizabeth Daghfal.  Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “A Nickel for Your Heart” 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 “A Nickel for Your Heart” by Elizabeth Daghfal is an uplifting story of preschool teacher Grace who’s doing everything she can to collect much needed cash. But she’s running out of time…     ✍️ 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 to join Elizabeth’s reader family for monthly encouragement, book recommendations, recipes, and much more. (Plus get a FREE story!) Website: https://ElizabethDaghfal.com Facebook: 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  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 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 “A Nickel for Your Heart” © 2025 by Elizabeth Daghfal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.  

Episode Title: “A Ruby Red Perspective” by Sandy Kay Slawson "Did I die and go to heaven?" Sergeant Joseph Wallace wrestles with discouragement about his injuries until a compassionate volunteer changes his perspective. Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “A Ruby Red Perspective” written by Sandy Kay Slawson 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 “A Ruby Red Perspective” by Sandy Kay Slawson is a poignant piece of historical fiction set in a 1953 VA hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. As the Korean War drags on, Sergeant Joseph Wallace wrestles with frustration, pain, and uncertainty about his recovery. When Ruby, a compassionate volunteer in striking red velvet shoes, enters his room, their candid exchange challenges his bitterness and shifts his outlook. This tender story explores healing, humility, and the unexpected ways hope can walk through a hospital door.   ✍️ About the Author Sandy Kay Slawson is a Christian Historical Romance writer, novelist, blogger for the Timeless Love newsletter, contributor to Mom Q’s Tips for Moms, Spark Flash Fiction, and Guidepost. Whether writing fiction, non-fiction, devotions, or in her relationships and routines, Sandy’s desire is to honor the Lord Jesus by pointing others to His everlasting love and truth. Author Links: Website: https://sandykayslawsonwriter.org Newsletter Signup: https://sandykayslawsonWriter.org/subscribe Newest Short Story “Cowboy Up”: https://BookHip.com/STTHTJR   🎙️ 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 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 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 “A Ruby Red Perspective” © 2026 by Sandy Kay Slawson. Used with permission. All rights reserved

Gone Fishing by Suzanne Montgomery is the story of a peaceful fishing trip that turns dangerous when a sudden storm sweeps across the lake. Welcome to The Short Story Lounge, where stories offer rest, hope, and encouragement. Today we’re honored to share “Gone Fishing” written by Suzanne Montgomery 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 “Gone Fishing” by Suzanne Montgomery is a gripping contemporary short story about courage and family. What begins as a peaceful fishing trip with two grandfathers and their grandchildren turns dangerous when a sudden storm sweeps across the lake. As wind and waves intensify, they spot a sailboat capsizing in the distance and must decide whether to attempt a daring rescue. In this heartfelt story, family rises to the occasion, proving that bravery and love often go hand in hand.   ✍️ About the Author Suzanne Montgomery is an award-winning author and practicing Family Physician for over thirty-five years. She resides on a mini-farm in the East Tennessee mountains, caring for a menagerie of cats, dogs, bees, and chickens with her husband, Tim. Together they have six grown children and seven grandchildren. Author Links: Website: https://suzannemontgomery.com/ Newsletter Signup: The Storyteller’s Corner One of her short stories has been published in What Our Patients Have Taught Us: Physicians Reflect on Lessons Learned about Life, Themselves and their Profession   🎙️ 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 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 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 “Gone Fishing” © 2026 by Suzanne Montgomery. Used with permission. All rights reserved      

Classroom Cupid by Leslie Kirby DeVooght. 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. 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/ Amazon Author Page / Book Link: https://tinyurl.com/2w9z3p8z Instagram: 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  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 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