Karen lives next door to an old lady named Mrs. Porter. Mrs. Porter wears long black robes and has wild grey hair. Her black cat is named Midnight. No wonder Karen thinks Mrs. Porter is a witch! Mrs. Porter is having a meeting at her house. Karen is sure the meeting is for witches. Are the witches going to cast a spell on Karen? Or will she be brave enough to send them away - once and for all?

"An easy and light read, especially for young sci-fi mystery lovers." Kirkus------------------------------"Despite its part in the larger series, The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter makes a fine read all on its own, although a reader will most certainly crave the sequel to find out if Zeddy gets his father back." ForeWord Clarion"In a world where caffeine is distributed only by terrorists and 1000-SPF sunscreen isn't strong enough, scientists long for a discovery that will restore Earth to a greener state. However, the International Government likes to think it has everything under control, especially since it issues twenty to thirty new laws each day to keep its constituents current."Six-year-old Zeddy, whose "IQ is off the charts," soon finds himself racing to avoid capture when his physicist father, Zane, goes missing. His mother, Zadie, suspects that the International Military Police have taken Zane, but Nimueh, the ancient Lady of the Lake, believes that he's in a parallel universe in a neighboring constellation. She also believes that young Zeddy, with a "brain that is exceptionally rare," is the key to saving Earth."The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter is a charming tale told in the tradition of A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle. Like young Charles Wallace, who is misunderstood by his teachers and peers, Zeddy finds himself alone and forced to "hide as much as possible in front of others." His only friend is a zutterfly made of dark matter, which proves to be a significant clue to finding his father. Other classic tales influence this story as well, such as The Man of La Mancha, The Count of Monte Cristo, and some King Arthur legends."The postapocalyptic setting is filled with fascinating social reforms, such as newly engaged couples being required to take parenting classes and the International Military Police kidnapping gifted children in order to force them into government service. The story's technologies have plausible explanations, like the transporter device that was supposed to get Zeddy's father to Zamira (a dark-matter planet) or the pretty crystal that contains dark energy."At times, Zeddy's dialogue is overly mature for his age, but his adult-like speech patterns might be attributed to his high IQ. Still, the character's adventures are appropriate for his tender years, like chatting with a dark-matter butterfly, believing in Nimueh's magical gifts, or convincing a nervous professor to divulge information about Zane's last experiment. These scenes are paced in short chapters, making them just the right length for young children with shorterattention spans. Although six-year-olds aren't likely to have the reading abilities to tackle this story, it would make excellent bedtime reading with a parent's help. Even teens might be amused by all the high-tech explanations and the challenge of solving the author's mystery."Known as Holy Ghost Writer, the author has placed clues about his/her identity throughout the series. The first reader who figures out the author's identity will earn a $1,000 reward. Despite its part in the larger series, The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter makes a fine read all on its own, although a reader will most certainly crave the sequel to find out if Zeddy gets his father back." ForeWord Clarion review

A tourist steals a tin heart from a church in Venice. The theft is unseen - but strange happenings suggest the heart is taking its vengeance. A ghost story in the style of M R James.When Scott moves in with his best friend, Dan, things change in ways he never imagined. Surrounded by Dan's friends, he lives a life of glorious drunken creativity, quite unlike anything he's known before. The problem is that he also finds himself falling for Rebecca, Dan's girlfriend. Then Dan leaves unexpectedly and the little mysteries of his life are revealed, heightening their feelings for each other and sowing the seeds of tragedy, guilt and sadness.'Bonfire Blues' is the third part of the Diamonds collection of Short Stories. A prequel to both 'Bewilder' and 'Heart over Head over Heels', it is one man's love story to his twenties, a love story to friends loved and lost, and, above all to the woman he didn't dare love.

The men in Robin's life have never been anything but pushers and users. Tony's intrusion into her exhausted world both infuriates her and intrigues her. Does Tony have a chance to break through the wall of ice Robin built around her heart?To Robin Bartlett, men were nothing more than violent users. After a hair-raising childhood, Robin and her two younger half sisters battled simply to survive. Determined to give her sisters a very different life from that of their mother; to never have to rely on a man for anything, she worked two jobs and put them both through college, while accepting help from no one. Her heart had turned to ice and she had no use for men or God.Antonio “Tony” Viscolli had grown up on the streets, homeless. At seventeen, he entered a downtown church with the intent of casing it, but found himself on his knees at the altar. After being fostered by the youth minister, Tony followed God’s leading and eventually became a very successful and powerful businessman. In a fallen world, he was a gem.When Tony bought the restaurant where Robin bartended, she immediately resented his intrusion into her well ordered, but exhausting, life. She suspected his offering her special attention and constant kindness was merely his way of expecting something from her in return, something she wasn’t willing to give.Tony knew God had led him to Robin. Would she ever allow herself to trust him? Could she ever allow herself to trust God? Or would the winter of their tragic youth rise from the shadows of the past and freeze any chance at happiness?

Aaron was reluctant to get involved in the University Mad Scientist Society. But perhaps it was just what he needed to win back his girlfriend (and in the process stop the hijacking of the whole space-time continuum). You have to read this book now to make sure it hasn't already happened!Mad-Sci-Soc? It used to be a University club, a crazy one, but then it morphed into something else. Something that was not quite definable and definitely crazy. How do you solve all the problems facing civilisation: cyborgs out of control, super-powered vigilantes hogging the digital channels and keep your girl happy? There may be a parallel universe that did not start in New York, 2123; a universe that does not start with Mad-Sci-Soc and a broken fridge. But that is always the problem with disturbances in the space-time fabric; nothing makes sense except to the time traveller.

The Ministry of the Eye and Ear wages a war of espionage and assassination that the elves of the Blessed Court may live in peace. When the rival Uncanny Court threatens the balance of power, a questing agent is called to action. She must assassinate the dark elf ambassador to the City of Peace, but discreetly.Dame Aylith the High Elf is a questing agent in the Ministry of the Eye and Ear. Adventurous by nature, she uses her prowess to serve and protect those who would live in peace. The dark elves of the Uncanny Court are exiles bent on war and vengeance. When a dark elf ambassador initiates a scheme that would entice the dwarves to neutrality, Aylith is tasked with assassinating him. Unfortunately, she must do so in the City of Peace, thus, she must be discreet. Aylith's problems worsen when her little sprite friend insists on helping.

This story in the "Wessex Tales" collection—"Julia" (Story 11)—is sequel to "The Face in the Floor" (Story 10). It was Julia’s parents who commissioned their villa's magnificent mosaic floor in the previous tale; as a child, she watched the master-mosaicist lay it. As "Julia" begins, Julia is a young woman angry at life, angrier at expectations, and resisting marriage. (circa 335 CE)Another gem from the Japanese maestro of storytelling Kenji Miyazawa. Gauche plays the cello in the town orchestra, but he needs to do a lot better if he wants to keep his place. He realizes he is going to have to practice every spare moment if he is going to improve in time for the big concert. But will that be enough? Just when he is getting into his rhythm a visitor drops in - and then another. This beautiful short story (around 5,000 words) by Kenji Miyazawa explores themes of passion and music. Is there music in nature? Can there be music if there is no passion?

Earthrise is out of control and heading the wrong way. The command structure has collapsed and gangs are starting to roam the space station. If that wasn’t bad enough Jennifer has betrayed Mathew’s trust, and the fox has been given permission to look after the chickens.Sycko is a loser: he can never hold on to a job for more than a few weeks, he’s got no girlfriend, no one knows how he scraped through school and he’s just been fired again. But when his friend Judas, who realizes that Sycko has his final pay along in cash, takes him to a seedy bar that also runs a brothel upstairs, Sycko gets into a chance encounter with Jeremiah, Master of the Temple. Master Jeremiah decides to take Sycko to his Temple where he has the chance to completely change his life. Little does Sycko know that lurking beneath the attractive surface of the Temple dark secrets are hidden. Suspenseful, sinister and dark humor capture the frightening reality of a young man descending into religious fanaticism.

David has a flat tire 10 miles from his sister’s home and lab in the desert. It’s dark, cold, and David soon has a Close Encounter of the Third kind that has romantic possibilities. Truly a long, long, long, distance relationship.Part of my "Snack Readings"; novelettes that can be read in an hour or so. Watch for more!David, a medical Doctor, leaves from a weekend visit at his sister and her husband’s home, also their global warming research center, in the desert, twenty-five miles from the nearest highway. While driving the down twenty-five mile, sand-packed road to the highway, he has a flat tire 10 miles from his sister’s home. It’s dark, cold, and David soon has a Close Encounter of the Third kind that has intergalactic romance possibilities; truly a long, long, long, range romance.Part of my "Snack Readings"; novelettes that can be read in an hour or so. Watch for more!

A quirky collection of seven short short stories of about 1000 words. Strange with dusting of sci-fi, these quick reads offer a brief escape into imaginary worlds with absurdity, excitement, and possibly a laugh. Or two. Three's a stretch. Warning: If a woman named “Aunty Ida” approaches you and offers a solution to your problem, doctors recommend running. Quickly.A quirky collection of seven short short stories, each about 1000 words or so. All strange with a light dusting of sci-fi, these quick reads offer a brief escape into imaginary worlds with fun, excitement, and possibly a laugh. Or two. Three might be a stretch. Warning: If a woman calling herself “Aunty Ida” approaches you and offers a solution to your problem, doctors recommend running. Quickly. Whatever direction she’s not in.Caution: Don’t try any of the proposed solutions at home, as they’ve been found to be scientifically absurd.Note: Imaginary animals may or may not exist. How should we know?

A demon child is born.Arcona is assaulted and bullied every day by her fellow villagers, even her own mother regularly throws harsh words and beats the poor girl. Arcona’s mistreatment finally hits the peak and she is forced to flee the village in which she was born. Her time in the wild sharpens her instincts, and her demonic powers grow. No longer is she the weak and docile child she once was.A demon child is born.Arcona is assaulted and bullied every day by her fellow villagers, even her own mother regularly throws harsh words and beats the poor girl. Arcona’s mistreatment finally hits the peak and she is forced to flee the village in which she was born. Her time in the wild sharpens her instincts, and her demonic powers grow. No longer is she the weak and docile child she once was. It was time for revenge! Join Arcona on her ascent to power, see the evil that takes hold of her, and understand what it means to be a demon. Revenge is Arcona’s prologue to the upcoming Leros of the Underworld series.

Using the combined Philosophy of Zen, Shinto and Confucianism, this book can be applied not just to Martial Arts but all areas of life. The book demonstrates you have to be committed completely to all the areas of life that you participate in.Nowadays life is not so simple that we can pursue just one way at a time. We are taught at school so many different ways that we cannot live in just one singular vision and give all our body and mind to just one aim. Today we have to work and pursue social lives out of work time and still try to fulfil aims and be satisfied within. We all can’t get to the top, but be assured the top can’t survive without other levels. They are no better and no worse. We don’t all have natural abilities and many have to work harder and in different ways to achieve their aims and obtain as high a level as is possible and therefore be satisfied they have achieved what they can.

In the future, Nuclear War has ravaged the planet. Beset by hurdle after hurdle, Slade Meechan crosses the world to fulfill his government-issued mandate. But what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? Slade will have to use all of his skills and all of his connections to stay ahead of the one who wants him dead. But is there more to the story?The first book of a bold new trilogy by up-and-coming author A. J. Leavens. In the future, Nuclear War has ravaged the planet. Slade Meechan, an Emissary for iCorps embarks on a Delivery to find Randy Herman - a man who's escaped from a Penal Territory. Beset by hurdle after hurdle, Slade must reach his Target before time runs out. His journey sends him far from his home, and into a land outside the Government. Accompanied by a loyal and mischievous Diplomatic Corps officer, and an array of mechanical gadgets, Slade crosses the world to fulfill his mandate. What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? Slade will have to use all of his skills and all of his connections to stay ahead of the one who wants him dead. But is there more to the story?

When Julianne writes a violent role in her play for her shy crush Leslie, she imagines she's letting him act out his secret desires. But the character she writes turns out to be more than her awkward classmate can handle and her words lead to tragedy. As the narrative peels back to reveal other angles and the layers of storytelling unravel around them, only one question remains: Who is The Author?Ever have one of those days when you aren't sure which side of the pen you're on? When Julianne writes a violent role in her play for her shy crush Leslie, she imagines she's letting him act out his secret desires. But the character she writes turns out to be more than her awkward classmate can handle and her words lead to tragedy. As the narrative peels back to reveal other angles and the layers of storytelling unravel around them, only one question remains: Who is The Author? From the author of The Love of Three Oranges, The Author is the Winner of the 2001 Julia Fonville Smithson Memorial Prize and the 2001 West Branch Literary Prize for Fiction.

Pineapple Sam has left the laidback days of surf and sand in Hawaii for the war riddled jungle of Vietnam. Delve into this nightmare from the perspective of Sam’s heart-wrenching firsthand account.Pineapple Sam finds himself thrust from safe and secure Marine boot camp into the jungles of Vietnam. Daydreams of a better time with friends and lovers in Hawaii intertwine with the death of a country at war with itself. Follow Pineapple Sam and his military brothers as they embark on a journey through the hell that was the Vietnam War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the history of the world, as seen through the eyes of one Marine who was there. Open the pages to Killing Peace and be prepared for a 100 percent authentic look into the mind and life of a highly trained Marine, a man trained to kill or be killed, all in the name of forcing communism out and making room for supposed freedom and justice. Perhaps if you take a look at the Vietnam conflict from Sam’s perspective, you’ll have plenty of questions of your own.

Three years ago, a sudden darkness covered the Earth. Everyday, people fight to survive. One person turned the tides and now, he must find a way to free himself from his own lie to stay alive.It was a time darkness covered the Earth. Fear, loss, and pain we a part of everyone's lives, regardless of who or where they were. People fought to survive against an invading force that seemed to have no weakness. One individual, a bitter young man who lost everything including his soul over the those horrid years, continues to help others stay alive. Until that fateful night when he turned the tides of the war, everything changed. Now, he must endure the truest nature of his regret and free himself from the lie he created... and stay alive.

Four short stories and a novella set in 'The Apostrophe Universe' - a place where only the starborn have privileges common to the west and the mudfoot, those born on Earth, work in scientific and engineering jobs maintaining the lifestyle of the starborn. The stories range from Christmas with a broken family to cloning a boy's father after he is sentenced to death. Great stories for sci-fi fans.This is a collection of short stories and one novella. All are science fiction set in a world called 'The Apostrophe Universe.'Gravity before NewtonThis is the story of a man named Futter who dreams of becoming a scientist yet is thwarted at every turn by real life. One day when working in his professional garage he is hit on the head with a lug nut and has an epiphany about the science of fate. As he calls it, Fate before Futter is like Gravity before Newton. It existed, but took a unique mind and a knock on the head by an apple to bring the science to the world. His plan goes disastrously wrong costing him everything.A View Without SeasonsThis is the story of a man raising his young daughter by himself. Her mother has taken a job on another ship and is doing important scientific work that will change all of humanity forever. Yet when the man hears that his ex-wife's vessel will dock with his on Christmas day, he takes the opportunity to have his family together and to celebrate the antiquated holiday in the old fashioned way. It is a look at Christmas from the point of view of a society that has moved beyond Earth and faith.Lomonosov's DriftWhen a geologist finds a beautiful rock while mining for solid methane he takes it back to his wife. When she hosts a party for potential clients of her engineering firm some clients begin to believe the rock has supernatural healing powers and should be shared with the entire ship. When the couple disagree with the consensus of the ship they are forced to leave, heading out into the void alone.The Storm FishersThe novella that gave the book its title. This is the story of two young men who attend Faraday University on Mars and are assigned to different places on the spaceship for their intern year. One a brilliant physicist the other a struggling mathematician, they drift in opposite directions until they discover the injustice in the system of space travel that the solar system uses. Together, and with new friends, they set out to regain what is theirs both physically and legally.Sheep BiteWhen a man is convicted of unethical science he is condemned to die, his wife, a geneticist, takes a sample of his DNA to produce a clone of him that will help her raise their son. When the ship she works on discovers what she has done disaster strikes and all of their lives are changed forever.

Excerpts from the Velvet Paw of Asquith novels, the infamous international jet-setting adventures of Oscar Teabag-Dooven, involving greed, espionage and the odd foray into professional cheese-shaping.Consider a world inhabited with only cats and dogs: a society recognizable as our own, but with its eccentricities being the norm, rather than the exception. A world where the charm of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind In the Willows meets the exotic world of Ian Fleming’s Bond. A world where fluffy just got dangerous. These are the Velvet Paw of Asquith Novels, also known as the Dooven Books: welcome to the genre of New Fable.The books follow Oscar Teabag-Dooven, a secret agent who believes he's more poet than spy. He finds training brash and clinical, with far too much shouting and not enough singing. But triumphing over villains and thwarting their garish plans isn’t easy when unable to do much more than rhyme one lot of words with another. Nevertheless, he succeeds with the help of the characters he meets and a courage that arises when he believes it cannot.

Twenty Four WeeksEpisode 18- "Twenty Nine"Quinn gives Judd an unexpected and early birthday present… The show starts to move in a different direction… A tragedy cancels counselling…“Just so you know,” she says, looking at me now, “if I wasn’t fighting you now, I’d be crying. He helped us when we were unhelpable.”“That’s not a word.” “You can be an ass sometimes, you know that?”Twenty Four WeeksEpisode 18- "Twenty Nine"Quinn gives Judd an unexpected and early birthday present… The show starts to move in a different direction… A tragedy cancels counselling…“Just so you know,” she says, looking at me now, “if I wasn’t fighting you now, I’d be crying. He helped us when we were unhelpable.”“That’s not a word.” “You can be an ass sometimes, you know that?”“I think you’ve told me a few times before.”Still reeling from the shock of discovering his wife's infidelity, Judd Altman learns that he has lost his father and will be one himself. His soon to be ex-wife, Quinn, is pregnant with his child.After almost losing the baby, Wade (Judd's old boss and Quinn's lover) realizes the truth about himself and his relationship with Quinn and leaves her. Judd, in the face of Quinn's situation, forgives her, but cannot reconcile their marriage.With nothing but a stolen Porsche, Judd drives to Maine with limitless possibilities. A man with nothing has nothing to lose, and a man with nothing to lose can do anything.Twenty Four Weeks begins with Judd's time of reflection in Maine and his eventual decision to return to New York City, to take back the life that has been so cruelly taken from him. Sometimes humorous, this bitter-sweet tale is full of hope, love and forgiveness.With characters and back story based on the novel "This is Where I Leave You" by Jonathan Tropper, Twenty Four Weeks is set after the events of the movie of the same name.

The End of Imagination brings together five of Arundhati Roy's acclaimed books of essays into one comprehensive volume for the first time and features a new introduction by the author. This new collection begins with her pathbreaking book The Cost of Livingpublished soon after she won the Booker Prize for her novel The God of Small Thingsin which she forcefully condemned India s nuclear tests and its construction of enormous dam projects that continue to displace countless people from their homes and communities. The End of Imagination also includes her nonfiction works Power Politics, War Talk, Public Power in the Age of Empire, and An Ordinary Person s Guide to Empire, which include her widely circulated and inspiring writings on the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, the need to confront corporate power, and the hollowing out of democratic institutions globally."