A strange collection of stories about unsettling encounters, unexpected consequences, and the people—and things—we never quite see coming.

A restless presence inhabits a nineteenth-century brownstone. A poker game takes an unexpected turn. A father and daughter risk everything for freedom beyond a forbidden border. An intrusive neighbor watches too closely. A Christmas visitor arrives to an unsettling surprise. And an old love returns after ten years, reopening wounds and what-ifs best left buried.

Darkly humorous, romantic, eerie, and occasionally tender, these six stories explore what happens when unexpected company finds its way through the door—and what happens when you can't quite get rid of it.

Reader Note: This collection contains mature themes and unsettling situations.

About the Author

Carolyn G. Cullen writes romantic suspense and short fiction. Her stories have been recognized in competitions hosted by Globe Soup, Not Quite Write, and the Loudoun County Public Library. The Brownstone was also read on a bonus episode of the NoSleep Podcast. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.

Details

• Author: Carolyn Cullen
• Title: Unwelcome Company: A Strange Collection of Stories
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 42
• ISBN: 979-8-9977201-0-0
• Publisher: Poplar & Prose
• Publication: 2026