Paper Cut Hearts by A.M. Khalifa, book coverFinalist · 2014 Foreword INDIES Book Awards

Short story collection · London · Rome · Cairo · New York · Silicon Valley

Paper Cut Hearts

Breathtaking, suspenseful and sensual stories of reinvention, redemption and retribution.

Ebook · Kindle · Paperback

What is Paper Cut Hearts about?

Paper Cut Hearts is a collection of suspenseful, sensual short stories by A.M. Khalifa, set in London, Rome, Cairo, New York and Silicon Valley and tied together by one enigmatic thread. It was a finalist in the 2014 Foreword INDIES Book Awards (Short Stories, Adult Fiction).

In London, a Syrian woman is tormented by forbidden lust for her Jewish neighbor. In Rome, an Italian housewife desperate to get rid of her husband strikes a deal with the devil, but can the devil be trusted?

In Cairo, a jealous husband plots to murder his cheating wife — in the same apartment block where a journalist and his family are preparing to enter Interpol’s witness protection program after exposing the ruthless organ trade mafia.

In New York, a United Nations employee is threatened by the shadowy father of his girlfriend with a punch to the gut that opens a window to an impossible future, and to the men who meddle with fate behind the scenes. And in Silicon Valley, what was meant to be a humble high school reunion of geeks and jocks turns into a story of revenge as old as time itself.

What is the one enigmatic thread tying all these events together?

What readers say

Every review, in full

“A.M. Khalifa has a wonderful style, very captivating, engaging and strong. His stories are page-turning and action-packed, and I would read anything by this author, whether it's my preferred genre or not. Originally, I had read the story, "The Jewish Neighbor," when it was available as an ebook. It was so gripping, I absolutely had to read more by this author and wanted to have "The Jewish Neighbor" in print because it was that good. As a fan of love stories, my favorite in this collection are the first three, "The Egyptian Affair," "The Italian Laundromat," and of course, the story that prompted me to buy the book. (Not that "The Egyptian Affair" is a love story, but the plot is based on love and the crazy things it can cause us to do.) The final story, "The Iraqi Nurse," ends with a cliffhanger, and I sincerely hope the author will turn it into a full-length novel. I want to know what happens next! Highly recommend. If you don't buy this book, you're missing out!”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“My favorite new author. Honestly , I rarely had the opportunity to read such exquisite style, variety of characters, extremely well defined and with page turning anticipation , exciting story lines all so different , yet almost giving you the intimacy of being part of the story. I can't wait for "The Iraqi Nurse" and "The Bunker" to appear in print. This little teaser just have you anticipate the extraordinary talent Mr. Khalifa is offering you. Thoroughly enjoy his writing . Please, don't miss his page turner " Terminal Rage". Hoping it will soon become a movie. The sequel, " Terminal Deception" is in the making. Can't wait!”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“I so enjoyed Terminal Rage by Khalifa, and wanted more. I must say I am not a big fan of short stories, I usually enjoy more developed stories and characters, but I am so glad I read this collection. Each story was different and compelling and although the stories are short, the characters and circumstances were wonderfully developed. I will recommend this book to everyone just so I will have someone to discuss the stories with. Can't wait for more from A M Khalifa”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“A friend recommended this book to me, and I just could not put it down. Great read. A collection of, very well written, short stories that alternate love, feelings, ego, rebirth, inner thoughts, social reactions, fears, distrust and discontent. There is a great element of surprise in each story, which is far from predictable. Hands up to the the author.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“Cuts through your heart, stays in your soul.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“Excellent short stories with lots of psychological understanding of the male and female souls alike. Highly recommended although not a kid's reading :-)”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“Beautifully written, deceptively simple stories of life and love that always contain a twist. What would you do? Can you even begin to empathize with someone in that situation? It's not the person you think you know, but you don't. It's the stranger you think you don't know, but who is a reflection of you.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“A. M. Khalifa is a powerful writer with a creative, sometimes suspenful twist. Everything he authors is more than worth the read.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“An amazing collection of short stories, each with a criminal and gripping in it's plot. Not one had an obvious ending, in fact, I'm waiting now for the conclusion of the last. An interesting insight into people's private lives in various venues around the world and their struggle to escape danger or difficult situations. I couldn't put the book down as each story made me want to read the next. Well worth a read.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“Khalifa is the master of "twist", diabolically complex with a deceptive simplicity, the author takes us in a journey of suspense that makes you suspect your neighbors, friends and who knows even family. Brillant!”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“These stories are just great. I actually just picked it up by chance and read the first story in the train. I did not put it down until I had finished them all. Great writing and really culturally interesting storytelling. Highly recommend it!”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“A sensual collection of international short stories that will leave you craving for more.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“…Each story is so captivating on its own i could not put the book down. The connection you build with each character is so strong and soon I feel part of their lives and struggles, but also their successes and ultimately their triumphs…… Great job AM Khalifa.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“.. paper can hurt much more than a stab in the ribs, is on the right path to enter into the world of those stories. Very interesting collection of short stories, masterly written by Mr A.M. Khalifa. All around the world, from Egypt to Italy, from London to Egypt, from there to the USA, and there and everywhere. Always adorned with love and hope, corporeal actions and reactions, every one of those stories is captivating in its own kind. Very elegant circumscribed bodily entertainments, jealousy, abuse, misleading signs, the void in hearts and bodies – hope and betrayal, and even mental violence hidden as beneficial! – everything and so much more You can find in this book. It is a voyage around the World, but also a dive into the hearts and brains of women and men in a lot of ways, good and evil. Try it – I personally found it very illuminating.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

“If you are looking for something a little different, besides a long story or novel, this is the book. These short stories are all wonderful. Once you read them, you will crave more.”

Amazon reader review · ★★★★★

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Updated 2027 edition · ISBN 978-1-940387-05-5

Questions readers ask

Which stories are in Paper Cut Hearts?

Nine stories: The Egyptian Affair, The Italian Laundromat, The Jewish Neighbor, Crushed, Extraction, The Virgin, The Writer, The Bunker and The Iraqi Nurse.

Is The Italian Laundromat part of this collection?

Yes. The Italian Laundromat appears in Paper Cut Hearts and is also available on its own, in English and in Italian as La Lavanderia Romana.

Has Paper Cut Hearts won any awards?

Paper Cut Hearts was a finalist in the 2014 Foreword INDIES Book Awards, in the Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category.

When was Paper Cut Hearts published?

Paper Cut Hearts was first published on October 6, 2014. The current edition is the updated 2027 edition.

Is Paper Cut Hearts suitable for all readers?

The stories are sensual and suspenseful, with adult themes. Recommended for adult readers.

More by A.M. Khalifa

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