Has a bee ever fallen into your shirt? Or has a spider crawled up your trouser leg? And while you were jumping around wildly and tearing at your clothes to get rid of the intruder, were you mortified when you couldn’t find it anywhere, leaving you to obsess about where it might be? ‘The Cockroach’ is a short and mischievous story that takes that horror to a higher and more uncomfortable level.Code of the Fates, is a science fiction & fantasy story that chronicles the adventures of the unlikely hero Captain, in the post oil age. Thousands of years into the future, world scientists compete to improve the human animal with woolier and keener traits from the animal kingdom. The fate of humanity's free will hangs in the balance when a potential mind-control weapon is implanted in the brain of a young man nick-named Code-E. To curb the potential world dominating power of a few greedy multinationals, the Fates create a hero out of a beer brewer, launching an adventure of vampire battles, banking revolutions and water rights wars.129,000+ word count / 155 pages depending on the reader. This novel is book 1 of the 2 book ode to impossible mini-series. Release date goal for book 2 is 2014.

When a Hungarian immigrant out to live the American Dream rents a room to a private detective with his own aspirations, voodoo and demon chickens must follow, right?They do in Author Nikki Nelson-Hicks’ A CHICK, A DICK, AND A WITCH WALK INTO A BARN, the first in Hicks’ Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series featuring her original character, Jake Istenhegyi, The Accidental Detective.When a Hungarian immigrant out to live the American Dream rents a room to a private detective with his own aspirations, voodoo and demon chickens must follow, right?They do in Author Nikki Nelson-Hicks’ A CHICK, A DICK, AND A WITCH WALK INTO A BARN, the first in Hicks’ Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series featuring her original character, Jake Istenhegyi, The Accidental Detective.When Jake Istenhegyi inherited a used bookstore in New Orleans, he thought he had finally found a haven. Thousands of miles away from the political unrest in Budapest as well as his mother’s Gypsy clan, that had hounded him since he was a boy. Here, he could hide away and spend his days reading and drinking coffee in peace and quiet.Then he rented out a room to Barrington “Bear” Gunn, WWI vet and aspiring gumshoe who dreamed of living the life of his detective pulp heroes. Bear bartered his services to people in very low places and, in the end, pulled Jake down with him, enrolling him in a business that never goes out of business: fighting evil.Jake never wanted adventure or mystery. He’s always been allergic to things that go AAAARGH in the night. They make him break out in blood. And not always his blood.A CHICK, A DICK, AND A WITCH WALK INTO A BARN by Nikki Nelson-Hicks. The first installment of the JAKE ISTENHEGYI, THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE Pro Se Single Shots Signature Series.

Written by an 11-year old, the book is about the capers of a family visiting a farm for the first time. Taking their dog along makes for some interesting twists in the tale.A rollicking account of parents taking their children to visit a farm for the first time - written by an 11 year-old South African city girl. The children and their dog gets into scrapes, meets different people, and discover new things on the farm - and a few other things besides.

Gently revised stories from two favorite books for Sunday reading: Parables From Nature, and Agathos and The Rocky Island. This is a book for a young person to read alone; a family or parent to read aloud; Sunday school teachers to read to the class; and even for grownups who want to dip into the fascinating stories of the past all by themselves. Can you discover the hidden meanings?Once upon a time there were two favorite books for Sunday reading: Parables From Nature, and Agathos and The Rocky Island. These books contained all sorts of short stories, usually with a hidden meaning. In this illustrated book is a selection of the very best of these stories, carefully retold to preserve the feel of the originals, coupled with ease of reading and understanding for today's readers.Discover the king who sent his servants to trade in a foreign city; the butterfly who thought her eggs would hatch into baby butterflies; and the two boys who decided to explore the forbidden land beyond the castle boundary. The spider that kept being blown in the wind; the soldier who had to fight a dragon; the four children who had to find their way through a dark and dangerous forest. These are just six of the nine stories in this collection. Oh, and there's also one about a rocky island!This is a book for a young person to read alone; a family or parent to read aloud; Sunday school teachers to read to the class; and even for grownups who want to dip into the fascinating stories of the past all by themselves. Can you discover the hidden meanings? You don't have to wait until Sunday before starting!

When she was 11, Lucy McCall’s life changed forever. Her mother died, and her older sister Maddy fled their tiny hometown in pursuit of Hollywood stardom. Five years later, Lucy’s life is about to change again. Dream turned reality, Maddy’s returning to rural Eaton, Washington to premiere her newest romantic comedy, the aptly titled Small Town Girl.When she was 11, Lucy McCall’s life changed forever. Her mother died, and her older sister Maddy fled their tiny hometown in pursuit of Hollywood stardom.Five years later, Lucy’s life is about to change again.Dream turned reality, Maddy’s returning to rural Eaton, Washington to premiere her newest romantic comedy, the aptly titled Small Town Girl.Not only is Maddy a movie star, she married the biggest movie star in the world – action hero Jack Ford. The Hollywood power couple claims membership in the Church of Lucentology – a controversial religion as well known for a roster of big names as for the whispers of human rubble left in its wake.Lucy’s father, Senate, is no fan of Lucentology, or the stranger he believes Maddy has become under the poisonous influence of the Church, and its unsettling leader, Horace Walton. Senate hasn’t forgotten the promise he made his late wife: he’d always protect their girls, no matter what it took.An intimidating personal security detail accompanies the Hollywood visitors, helping mitigate the crush of press and enamored public descended not only upon the tiny farming community, but camping literally across the street from the McCall’s front door. All of this is more than enough to throw Lucy’s life into turmoil, but then the unthinkable occurs during the post-premiere party. Explosions rock the posh country club and in all the mayhem…a kidnapping occurs. While the Hollywood visitors begin an intensive, secretive, and increasingly frantic search for one of their own, Lucy begins piecing together what happened in the days leading up to the attack, and soon realizes she might be her sister’s best and only hope of being saved.

In this story, park ranger and martial artist Joshua Rogan has to use all of his abilities to catch a murderer who's been evading capture for two years, a man who is the ultimate woodsman and jungle fighter.A short ebook featuring Joshua Rogan: World champion Karate, Ninja and Parkour expert and a walking lethal weapon, doubles as a married Yosemite Park Ranger to avoid unwanted publicity. He spends his spare time with the remaining Native American Indians in the valley, absorbing their forest survival, tracking and fighting techniques. He’s continuously confronted with dangerous situation that only he can solve.In this story, Joshua Rogan has to use all of his abilities to catch a murderer who's been evading capture for two years, a man who is the ultimate woodsman and jungle fighter.

Between life and death lies fate.COULD YOU WATCH A LOVED ONE DIE TO SAVE THEIR LIFE?"Dawn had lost count of the number of times she’d lived through this. Every time it hurt as much as the time before. Eventually, she thought that she must become immune to the events, and that her heart wouldn’t shatter into a thousand, million pieces—But it always did.""Between life and death lies Fate"What would you do if the thing most precious is taken from you in a terrible moment? What would you do to change fate?A tragic accident takes Dawn's only child Tommy right before her eyes. The following surreal days are filled with soul-destroying grief and moments she never wants to live again until, inexplicably, Dawn finds herself back again, living that day. It's a second chance. But changing fate is not as simple as it first appears. Time is not Dawn's ally.Kylie's life hasn't turned out quite as she'd planned. At twenty, she's over her dead-end supermarket job and her life is a mess. Her boss is on her case, her ex-boyfriend won't stop harassing her, and all she wants today is to drive across town and cry on her best friend's shoulder. As she leaves the supermarket parking lot, she picks up her cell to send a message. It's a decision that will change her life forever.A thrilling story of hope, forgiveness, and the mysterious journey of two people whom Fate has destined should meet. Another dark tale with a twist from award winning author Susan May, Back Again (the short story) will delight fans of Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and lovers of psychological thrillers. By the author readers are naming the next Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) and the female Stephen King.BACK AGAIN IS A 45 PAGE DARK THRILLER SHORT STORYPRAISE FOR BACK AGAIN"Compelling and masterfully written." Anne Frasier NY Times bestselling author"From the very first chapter you know you're in the hands of a real writer." Sarah Kernochan, Best selling author & Academy Award Winning Screenwriter"Compelling off the first page. You can feel the pulse!" Caroline Kepnes, NY Times Best Selling author of 'YOU'"Well-written. Thought-provoking. Highly recommended." Peg McDaniel-Amazon"I recommend this book to fans of time travel, parents, and those who think texting and driving are okay. Please, read this story!" Chris Mentzer, author of the Askinar Towers"It is a story not easily forgotten." L. Frier-Amazon"A MUST READ novella that will tug at your heart!" Ana Medina-Amazon"A well written and haunting story that the reader will not soon forget." Evie-Amazon"Heartbreaking and, yet, wonderfully told." Tamara-Amazon

An empath high school student in Saitama, Japan is influenced to use his abilities to solve crimes by a quirky, self-driven photographer girl. Their success inspires her to start a club the likes of which no high school has ever known.He carries the secrets of people. Everything that scares you, saddens you, or delights you, chances are, he already knows. Eiichi Kozuka is an avoidant, chain-smoking, second year student attending Aki Guro High School, a school with more problems than it lets on. He has a bad attitude, and a worse reputation. In truth, he just wants to be left alone, because he carries a secret of his own…Eiichi is an empath. He can read and feel the emotions of others, at all times. It may sound convenient – however, this ability comes with its own headaches, quite literally.They get worse when Eiichi meets a curious and energetic photographer named Noda, who pulls him into one harrowing scenario after another, while he must use his abilities to get them out.

'Loose Leaves' is a new collection of poetry by Elaine Peake. Enjoy!In a world ruled by corporate interest and a ruthless meritocracy, a young woman is thrown into the path of profoundly disruptive events. What at first seems like an unlikely but ordinary mugging quickly turns into a desperate plight across worlds. The perpetrator, a victim of circumstance, drags with him not only the promise and threat of another parallel world, but also a deep and subtle menace from the shadows of the Path.This first chapter is a short introduction into the world of the Paths and the Multiverse.

A young lass unwittingly helps a vengeful demon while simply trying to reclaim the shreds of her lost life. In this prequel to “Chloe’s Guardian,” discover the untold story of how Horatius came to be in the unscrupulous hands of the murderous Angus MacKay, and what the Maiden of Balvenie did to drive him there. The mysterious machinations in play that fateful night are finally revealed!Jean Dixson, a heartbroken but resilient Scottish lass, survives horrific tragedy but loses everyone dear to her. While she struggles to cope after a violent assault, imperious men assert they have the authority to decide her fate at the same time that scheming demons fight for the right to claim her soul. With the loss of faith and a hardened heart, she is cast into realms she no longer believes exist. Follow her as she encounters the Celestials who introduce her to the Unseen Realm, and discover how her choices impact not only her, but the many people—especially Chloe—who will come after her in the continuing saga."The Raid of Balvenie and the Maiden Who Survived" is the prequel to the adventures of Chloe and her friends in the Nephilim Redemption Series. This “story before the story” now brings new insight and understanding to the events which lead up to the opening scenes of “Chloe’s Guardian.”For established fans, characters that you’ve come to know in the trilogy appear with new clarity, with secrets revealed that have only been hinted at before. With this thrilling release, learn the untold story of what brings about that fateful night in “Chloe's Guardian” at Dunnottar Castle when the murderous and demon-possessed MacKay holds Horatius’ fate by the blade of his deadly sword.For those readers new to the series, you’ll meet both delightful and frightful players who you’ll see again in the adventures of Chloe, providing you with a head start on the exciting three-book series.

I am an Occupational Therapist. Twice, I have injured myself, giving me a different perspective of my profession. This is my account of sitting on the other side of therapy. I would like this book to serve as education on the importance of Occupational Therapy services.Somebody gets his computer home, takes it out the box, plugs in and sees if it will work. This is the start of the story. And it is one that so many people know from their own lives. Really, this story is one of record. And it is for so many people like the character in this book who got a computer home just like that.

**Sisterhood in all its drama, hilarity and tears is at the heart of *New York Times* bestselling author Kristan Higgins's thoroughly captivating new novel, featuring the wit and romance that readers have come to expect from the much-loved creator of the Blue Heron series...** Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily-ever-after business, yet somehow she's still involved in her ex-husband's life. In fact, Owen's new wife may—inexplicably—be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn't helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll be able to bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life…and hopefully make one of her own. Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren't in Rachel's nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny's surprise. Rachel points to their parents' "perfect" marriage as a shining example, but to protect her sister Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship­—and reveal a secret about their family she's been keeping since childhood. During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs…and the strength to keep hanging on.

The perfect gift for fans of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels and HBO’s Game of Thrones: a collection of wicked one-liners from the incomparable Imp of Casterly Rock, fully illustrated by Jonty Clark! “My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind . . . and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge.” The jealous masses of the Seven Kingdoms may call him Halfman, but none have ever accused Tyrion Lannister of being a halfwit. His golden tongue has saved his skin slightly more often than it has landed him in mortal peril. Now, this special illustrated volume preserves his most essential knowledge for future generations, featuring time-tested guidance on such varied subjects as . . . The art of persuasion “The best lies are seasoned with a bit of truth.” Fine dining “A little honest loathing can be refreshing, like a tart wine after too much sweet.” The fair sex “The young ones smell much better, but the old ones know more tricks.” Royal politics “Crowns do queer things to the heads beneath them.” Common ailments “A sword through the bowels. A sure cure for constipation.” At once charming, insightful, and ruthlessly irreverent, The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister is short on pretense and overflowing with finely crafted gems—just like the man himself.

When powerful real-estate tycoon Nero Golden immigrates to the States under mysterious circumstances, he and his three adult children assume new identities, taking 'Roman' names, and move into a grand mansion in downtown Manhattan. Arriving shortly after the inauguration of Barack Obama, he and his sons, each extraordinary in his own right, quickly establish themselves at the apex of New York society. The story of the powerful Golden family is told from the point of view of their Manhattanite neighbour and confidant, René, an aspiring filmmaker who finds in the Goldens the perfect subject. René chronicles the undoing of the house of Golden: the high life of money, of art and fashion, a sibling quarrel, an unexpected metamorphosis, the arrival of a beautiful woman, betrayal and murder, and far away, in their abandoned homeland, some decent intelligence work. Invoking literature, pop culture, and the cinema, Rushdie spins the story of the American zeitgeist over the last eight years, hitting every beat: the rise of the birther movement, the Tea Party, Gamergate and identity politics; the backlash against political correctness; the ascendency of the superhero movie, and, of course, the insurgence of a ruthlessly ambitious, narcissistic, media-savvy villain wearing make-up and with coloured hair. In a new world order of alternative truths, Salman Rushdie has written the ultimate novel about identity, truth, terror and lies. A brilliant, heartbreaking realist novel that is not only uncannily prescient but shows one of the world’s greatest storytellers working at the height of his powers.

Sang Sorenson dreams of what life might be like for her in the Academy, but joining isn't as easy as simply writing an exam or passing an interview. She'll need to pull the team together to get them on her side in order for it to work, which is harder than it sounds. The boys will do anything to protect her, which, for some, means keeping her out. But that’s not all that’s going on in Sang’s complicated life. After a shocking revelation, Gabriel Coleman splinters himself off from everyone, avoiding not just his Academy team, but even going so far as to avoid Sang. Desperate to bring him back and get him on her side, Sang digs deep into his past to try to discover a way to reach out to him. His truth is riddled with tragic events, but with the help of Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Luke and North, she might be able to reach out to him before envy and despair drag him too far down to be saved. The Academy, Deeply Bonded

In the stories that make up Oblivion, David Foster Wallace joins the rawest, most naked humanity with the infinite involutions of self-consciousness--a combination that is dazzlingly, uniquely his. These are worlds undreamt-of by any other mind. Only David Foster Wallace could convey a father's desperate loneliness by way of his son's daydreaming through a teacher's homicidal breakdown ("The Soul Is Not a Smithy"). Or could explore the deepest and most hilarious aspects of creativity by delineating the office politics surrounding a magazine profile of an artist who produces miniature sculptures in an anatomically inconceivable way ("The Suffering Channel"). Or capture the ache of love's breakdown in the painfully polite apologies of a man who believes his wife is hallucinating the sound of his snoring ("Oblivion"). Each of these stories is a complete world, as fully imagined as most entire novels, at once preposterously surreal and painfully immediate.

A woman returns from the dead with disastrous results for the family who loves her.... An old-fashioned barbershop is the site of a medieval ritual of bloody terror.... During a post-apocalyptic Christmas celebration, a messenger from the South brings tidings of great horror.... From a ghostly Civil War battlefield to a combat theme park in Vietnam, from the omnipotent brain of an autistic boy to a shocking story of psychic vampires, journey into a world of fear and mystery, a chilling twilight zone of the mind.

How do you save the United States President from himself? What if the President is incompetent to deal with the greatest crisis of all? Jack Ryan never thought he would have to ask those questions as, the world order changing, he prepares the ground for the Middle Eastern peace plan that, at last, might be the one to work. But too many groups have invested too much blood. Shunned by their erstwhile Soviet sponsors, increasingly isolated by the realignment of the Mideast, these terrorists have one more desperate card to play, requiring a degree of ruthlessness never before seen. With one terrible act, the world is plunged into an instant nuclear crisis -- and the floundering President is plunged into the ultimate nightmare. Forces collide. Shots are exchanged. What had seemed to be an isolated and horrible incident appears to each side as the incendiary mischief of the other. With the world poised on the brink of nuclear war, Ryan and his FBI counterpart, Dan Murray, frantically seek a solution before the chiefs of state lose control of themselves -- and the world.

From New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger comes a new novel in the world of the Parasol Protectorate starring Prudence, the daughter of Alexia Tarabotti. When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

Now in paperback, a stirring historical novel from the author of *One Thousand White Women* When Ned Giles is orphaned as a teenager, he heads West, hoping to leave his troubles behind. He joins the 1932 Great Apache Expedition on their search for a young boy, the son of a wealthy Mexican landowner, who was kidnapped by wild Apaches. But the expedition's goal is complicated when they encounter a wild Apache girl in a Mexican jail cell, victim of a Mexican massacre of her tribe that has left her orphaned and unwilling to eat or speak. As he and the expedition make their way through the rugged Sierra Madre mountains, Ned's growing feelings for the troubled girl soon force him to choose allegiances and make a decision that will haunt him forever. In this novel based on historical fact, Jim Fergus takes readers on a journey of magnificent sweep and heartbreaking consequence peopled with unforgettable characters. With prose so vivid that the road dust practically rises off the page, The Wild Girl is an epic novel filled with drama, peril, and romance, told by a master. This is the novel your reading group will be talking about long past your discussion!

Taking his inspiration from biographical facts, novelist Colum McCann tells the erotically charged story of the Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev through the cast of those who knew him: there is Anna Vasileva, Rudi's first ballet teacher, who rescues her protégé from the stunted life of his provincial town; Yulia, whose sexual and artistic ambitions are thwarted by her Soviet-sanctioned marriage; and Victor, the Venezuelan street hustler, who reveals the lurid underside of the gay celebrity set. Spanning four decades and many worlds, from the horrors of the Second World War to the wild abandon of New York in the eighties, Dancer is peopled by a large cast of characters, obscure and famous: doormen and shoemakers, nurses and translators, Margot Fonteyn, Eric Bruhn and John Lennon. And at the heart of the spectacle stands the artist himself, willful, lustful, and driven by a never-to-be-met need for perfection.