When Brian Duffy, an ageing soldier of fortune, is recruited in Venice by a strange old man to work as a bouncer in Vienna at an inn where the fabulous Herzwesten beer is brewed, everything seems straightforward. But his journey is far from it. Pursued and attacked from all sides, guarded and guided by creatures of myth, Duffy is no sooner in Vienna than the city is besieged by the turkish armies if Suleiman. And it becomes apparent that Duffy's presence is no accident and that it is up to him to preserve the West until the drawing of the dark. . .

The Tailor of Gloucester was first published in 1903 and tells the story of a poor tailor trying to survive in his freezing workshop over a hard winter. He has a terribly important commission to complete for the Mayor of Gloucester's wedding on Christmas Day but is ill and tired, and before long is running out of food and thread, as well as time! How will he possibly complete the beautiful coat and embroidered waistcoat? Luckily, there lives in the dresser, some very kind and very resourceful mice who set about helping the poor tailor with his work. Not only are they exceedingly helpful, but they are also, luckily, far far too clever for the tailor's sly cat, Simpkin. The Tailor of Gloucester is number three in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books, the titles of which are as follows: 1 The Tale of Peter Rabbit 2 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin 3 The Tailor of Gloucester 4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny 5 The Tale of Two Bad Mice 6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher 8 The Tale of Tom Kitten 9 The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck 10 The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies 11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse 12 The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes 13 The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse 14 The Tale of Mr. Tod 15 The Tale of Pigling Bland 16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers 17 The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan 18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles 19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson 20 The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit 21 The Story of Miss Moppet 22 Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes 23 Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

(Short Story, just over 2,000 words) A war in the future. Heavy AI and self replicating machines.(Short Story, just over 2,000 words) A war in the future. Heavy AI and self replicating machines.Personally, I think there could be a plot here. So ya never know, maybe this will be the one I go back to in a few years and mine it for a novel or six. As always, I would love to get feedback and constructive criticism of all types.

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) is one of the most famous French writers in history, known for his historical novels of swashbuckling adventure. Dumas’ work, including The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After, are still widely read in classrooms throughout the world and remain entertaining upon rereading. Dumas’ works were serialized, as he was a magazine correspondent and journalist. Also among Dumas’ best adventures is The Count of Monte Cristo, which is now a staple of Western classrooms and has been made into many movies. 

When Jacob is given an old teapot for Christmas, he is dissapointed. He soon finds it holds a magical Genie inside that grants him three wishes. In all the excitement, he quickly learns that you should be careful what you wish for.This is my first children's story written for my boys, Jaden and Dylan. I've recently decided to tone down my writing so it can reach a broader audience. I hope you enjoy!

*Homeland and Other Stories* offers comic, often heart-warming but always true to life tales told as only the author can, creating a world of love and possibility that listeners will want to take as their own.

In the small town of Grace Valley, California, it's hard to keep secrets - so how much longer will June Hudson hang on to hers?

The book tells the story of two boys who start on one adventure, but due to a rather exciting discovery in a tower, end up on a completely different adventure. What happens to them? Can they find their way back? Dare you join Andrew and Stuart as they discover The Tower Bridge?ADVICE: Suggested audience 6 plus. Written originally for children, but adults may enjoy it just as much.Saraqael hadn’t intended to fall in love with Kate. It shouldn’t have even been possible. His kind didn’t experience emotion, and they certainly weren’t supposed to become attached to humans.When he discovers that Kate’s dying and there’s nothing he or her human doctors can do for her, Saraqael realizes how deep his feelings for her run. And he understands just how far he’s willing to go to save her.He vows to search until he finds a way to save her life. With the help of his best friend, Quincy, he embarks on a quest spanning the Estilorian plane…a quest that will forever change the future of his kind.

When Taylor begins her freshman year of college at VanCamp University, she finds that there is more to the staff and students than meets the eye. While trying to adjust to her new life on campus, she finds herself in a world where fairy tales and reality collide, where gargoyles and leprechauns mingle with humans and vampires, and where nothing is as it first appears.Constantly moving as she grew up, Taylor had learned the hard way how to blend in wherever she went. But when she moves to VanCamp University for her freshman year of college, she immediately finds herself at the center of attention of nearly everyone she encounters. From the charismatic and mysterious Evans twins, to her quirky, clingy roommate Hannah, it seems that the people in Taylor's new college life have no intention of letting her be the wallflower.It's not just blending in that Taylor has to worry about, though. At VanCamp University, there is more to the staff and students than meets the eye. While trying to adjust to her new life on campus, she finds herself in a world where fairy tales and reality collide, where gargoyles and leprechauns mingle with humans and vampires, and where nothing is as it first appears.And as she discovers the truth of her own unusual heritage, Taylor learns that fairy tales are just the beginning.

Michael's in his final year at High School: last thing he wants is to spend Saturday helping his snobby mother on her charity market stall. But maybe this could be the smartest move he'll ever make!Michael's still uncertain about his sexuality, surrounded at school by unfeasibly confident girls and bullying macho boys he feels utterly alone. When, helping his mother on her charity stall, he spots a young Romanian busker, he's struck by someone who appears even worse off, or is he? Could it be that this enigmatic young musician holds the key to Michael's future?

Bride-to-be KiirstiAan and her mother are planning a wedding almost completely via email. To break the boredom of the back-and-forth online exchanges, KiirstiAan challenges her mom to write a book recounting the wedding disasters she's been witness to. Mom says ok, if KiirstiAan will proofread. The disasters are unbelievable. Will something disastrous also happen at KiirstiAan's wedding?Because of their busy schedules, engaged KiirstiAan and her mom have chosen to plan the wedding almost entirely via e-mail. The minutia of all the details being exchanged becomes somewhat cumbersome, so while they’re planning, and to break the monotony of the endless back-and-forth online exchanges, KiirstiAan reminds her mother of a number of outrageous wedding disasters her parents have witnessed, and that her mom has already shared with her. She suggests that her mom write a book about all the nuptial disasters to which she’s been witness. With some trepidation, her mom says ok, IF KiirstiAan will proofread each and every one of them. With whole-heartedness, the bride-to-be agrees. Thus, while the e-mail wedding plans continue (with no small amount of stress), KiirstiAan’s mom recounts some of the most unbelievable wedding disasters that have ever been told. Was each wedding truly a disaster? Oh, yeah. Or, was it? And, more importantly, can KiirstiAan avoid these and any other monumental mishaps in her own wedding?

"As it was in the days of Noah,so it will be ..." - Matt 24:32A Bible story ...... a Greek myth ...... and a treasure hunt!Put it all together, and you have a recipe for fantasy explosion!In a dusty attic there lies the means by which to access another world. A sunken world long unvisited by man. There is a choice to be made between good and evil, a choice that could alter the very existence of mankind, as it did once before. An ancient evil no less potent with the passing of time is ready to be unleashed on the world of men once again and yet there is hope. Hope, that is, if the right choices are made.Eli didn’t care about much. In fact his continued existence depended on not being put in a position to care about the greater outcome of life around him, which had stolen from him what he loved most in life, his family. Now his family consisted of an unlikely pairing of misfits, who make up the crew of his salvage ship, Celestia’s Prize. He needs money, if he hopes to keep up with the payments on his ship and the avoidance of the life he once lived on land. His wish is to remain at sea away from the world and the painful memories of his past. Those in desperate need of money are not known for wise decision making so when Eli catches the hint of a Civil War era treasure fleet enroute for England from the beleaguered Southern Confederacy, in a desperate bid to buy the allegiance of the English Crown into joining in on the side of the South, he’s more than intrigued by the salvage opportunities to be had. The treasure fleet disappeared, but now, thanks to research and some speculative instincts, he now has the key by which to find it. At least he thinks so, but treasure, so often illusive, weaves a tale of a different nature. A tale of greed and enslavement by one’s fellow man and the gateway to a possession that chains the soul and unleashes hell.

Jack Bishop avoids a second trip to the altar until his first wife and her maid of honor close in on him, posing a dilemma.Timing. Bad timing. Married too young, married before all the possibilities can be explored, Jack and Carol Bishop part ways but after the raw wounds heal become friends. Meanwhile, Jack maintains a perpetual letch for Lorna, Carol’s bridesmaid. Years later he discovers she always felt the same about him. Bad timing: now she’s married. Time had brought about another change in Carol’s life, a second husband cut down prematurely, leaving a sadder, wiser and strangely more alluring widow. Jack’s consoling takes a decidedly physical turn: now he can't get enough of Carol. She holds out for marriage and Jack, not getting any younger, accedes . . . only to learn Lorna’s a free woman. Bad timing.

To prove her innocence of crimes against her own son, King Edward, Emma of Normandy must walk barefoot over nine scalding ploughshares and come out unscathed.Set in the Dark Ages of Engla-lond, the "Last Tales of Mercia" are ten short stories featuring real historical figures and characters from the "Sons of Mercia" series. Though strongly connected to the series, they can be read independently.Support for right-wing populism in Europe has steadily gained attention from media and policy-makers over the past decade. Most of this attention, however, has been focused on the core supporters of right-wing populist parties (RPPs) – the members and the street activists – at the expense of the topic of this publication, the ‘reluctant radicals’. These are our main protagonists: the soft, uncommitted supporters of RPPs. They are crucial for two straightforward reasons: the reluctant radicals are the bulk of RPP support as well as those who can most easily be brought back to the mainstream, thereby depriving RPPs of their main electoral base. This publication is the first of a series produced within Counterpoint’s project ‘Recapturing Europe’s Reluctant Radicals’. Our aim here is to draw an accurate portrait of these voters by exploring the characteristics of the reluctant radicals in ten European countries, with a particular focus on France, Finland and the Netherlands. We aim to critically test some common assumptions – in particular, that right-wing populism is the preserve of disadvantaged young men – as well as outline the contours of the political and cultural context in which the data needs to be interpreted. The result is a better understanding of the diversity of the support for these parties as well as a more accurate reading of the context in which they arise – the histories, traumas, memories, resentments and fears that drive the choices of the reluctant radicals.

It's part of the Halloween anthology "Eye Candy". In this story Tara Sivec gathers the Holiday family together one last time as they try to make this ghostly holiday one to remember—or one they’d rather forget…

When Darryl discovers a homing pigeon with a broken wing, things look bleak - after all who wants a pigeon with a broken wing? But Darryl has never had a pet - and he is determined to keep her. Soon his patience is rewarded and Cherokee starts to fly again. But then a more menacing struggle begins - with someone whose secret knowledge of the pigeon's past threatens to separate Darryl from his beloved Cherokee forever.

In the first of the epic series of humorous fantasy short stories, Trallis the Warrior sets off on his quest for loot, excitement, and something good to eat. When he finds the greatest sword in existence right at the start of his journey, he's delighted! He could never have guessed that by the end of it all he would have soggy pants and a chance of slight brain damage.In this first episode of Trallis the Warrior's epic saga, the man who describes himself as a "freelance warrior" sets off on his quest for loot, excitement, and something good to eat. When Trallis finds what is perhaps the greatest sword in existence right at the start of his journey, he's obviously rather delighted! He could never have guessed however that by the end of it all he would have soggy pants and a chance of slight brain damage. All in a day's work though for our dear warrior!"Trallis the Warrior and the Sword of Unimaginable Power" is a humorous fantasy short story by author Jack Thomas. It is the first installment of "The Ridiculously Epic Saga of Trallis the Warrior".

(Please note, this is Volume 2.)Scott Cunningham is a vampire just trying to make a living. After all, being undead isn't cheap. There's rent to pay, blood to buy, and child support due; it's an eternal treadmill. You would think it would be terribly boring, but as Scott is finding out, unlife as a lawyer in rural Tennessee is anything but.Miranda Row is committed to raising her daughter, running her company, and avoiding men. Yet, no matter where she looks, her past continues to haunt her. Dr. Zach Shannon is inescapable, exasperating, and compelling. He sparks hope for the future with love and a family. He pushes her to work through the pain and see herself as whole. However, when her past becomes a present threat, will she have the strength to love, or will someone die?

Welcome to the last issue of the year! Featured in this issue are: author, Olivia Stark, NanoWrimo stories by Tish Thawer, JA Clement, Lynn Rush, Erin Danzer, a sneak peak into the Christmas Lites anthology by Cambria Hebert, Amy Eye and Jenn Pringle, Poetry by Jamie Danzer, Denny Marshall, Thomas Michael McDadeWelcome to the last issue of the year! Featured in this issue are: author, Olivia Stark, NanoWrimo stories by Tish Thawer, JA Clement, Lynn Rush, Erin Danzer, a sneak peak into the Christmas Lites anthology by Cambria Hebert, Amy Eye and Jenn Pringle, Poetry by Terra Kelly, Jamie Danzer, Denny Marshall, Thomas Michael McDade, Short stories by Matthew Wilson, Melynda Fleury, Amy Eye, and book reviews by Cambria Hebert.If you would like to contribute to January's issue, please send in all material by December 23 to [email protected].

It's 2010, and science has yet to discover how to harness electrical power. The music industry is everything you'd expect: ruthless, conceited, avaricious, shallow—save for only one difference: there is no way to amplify the human voice. Doctor John Doe has discovered a revolutionary new process to transform aspiring musicians into Singers. But at what cost?We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at our shoes.It's 2010, and science has yet to discover how to harness electrical power. Amongst the young people, the music industry is everything you'd expect: ruthless, conceited, avaricious, shallow—save for only one difference: there is no way to amplify the human voice. Doctor John Doe has discovered a revolutionary new process to transform aspiring musicians into Singers. A few are brave enough to risk everything for fame and fortune—but at what cost?