Paradon: The Unexpected Chronicle follows the story of two brothers. Circumstances and unfortunate factors set these two on a collision course. This showdown will mark the end of the chronicle and a new beginning.SynopsisThis is a chronicle set in a world called Paradon. It is a tale of two brothers, Allan and Elis, the sons of a great king. The narrative begins with a massive battle that heavily impacts the world, including people’s mindsets and core values. The aftermath of war urges people towards a somewhat peaceful but uncertain future, and this is the world that the two brothers grow up in. But due to circumstances and the varied characters of the brothers, the two travel down different paths. These paths eventually lead them to clash with one another. Allan walks down a more positive and sanctioned path, groomed for power since birth, loved by his father and having lasting favour of the people. Elis takes a darker route and falls under wrong guidance. Elis’s perceptions are coloured by his own ambitions, and his father’s greater love for his brother. These trajectories carry Allan and Elis though childhood, their teenage years and into young adulthood, finally culminating in conflict. Throughout their experiences, Allan and Elis form friendships and make enemies. Intense battles signal endings and beginnings in the story, paving the way for further confrontation, shaping the young adulthoods of the brothers before their own collision with one another. Qualities such as friendship and love are valued and embraced in this story by the characters. However, qualities such as intrigue, jealousy, hatred compromise relationships between characters and further escalate tensions.Events lead to a final showdown between the two brothers, the main protagonists. This showdown decides their future and marks the end of the chronicle.

The Ice Wars of Dominia is the final volume in the Evilution series. A century has passed since the cataclysmic events of 2045. Climatic change has accelerated, and ice covers most of the planet. All Earth inhabitants are gradually forced into a narrow band of habitable domain, known as the Temperate Zone. A clash of nomadic and indigineous cultures is inevitable, fuelled by a species in orbit.DANGEROUS DANA involves chasings, fistfights, chokings, stalkings, arrests, jail time, prison time and a series of murders. Dana has a violent temper. She is known for hardly ever smiling. She believes in revenge and will go after her target. At night, she would dress in a disguise like a black hat, black jacket, black scarf around the bottom of her face, black gloves, black pants, thick black shoes and dark shades when she stalks and follows her victims.Dana is not the kind of person who goes around looking for trouble, but if it happens to come her way or any member in her family’s way, she will become a psychopath and respond with violence. Dana fights like a boxer and believes in fighting fire with fire. Is she a savior, or is she a psycho? Is she a vigilante, or is she a homicidal maniac?

(1600 words) When Ray found the old shack in the back of his new property, curiosity, or something more, lured him in. When he saw what was in there he realized his life depended on getting out.Once upon a time there were three children who meant to save the world.The first, and the oldest of the three—and whose name was Flannery—knew this on arrival: the world was in terrible trouble. The Great War, still less than seven years past, had left the world in a darkness that for all the optimistic political rhetoric—and the noble aims of the League of Nations—never quite lifted and which was soon to return fully fledged with a small mustache and renewed violence.The second child—whose name was Heather, and who was the youngest of the three—arrived in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in December of 1950, just a little over five years after the Second World War finally ended, and on the very day that her sister Flannery left Ridgefield for her painful and prolonged audience with death. When in her seventh year, Heather’s Irish Catholic father beat her younger brother senseless with his fists, and then killed him by tossing the lifeless five-year-old boy down a set of stairs—deemed an accident by the local Irish Catholic investigator, and grandly forgiven by the local Irish Catholic priest—Heather knew that evil roamed freely in this world and that God seemed to turn a blind eye. She did, however, not remember that she was meant to give God a hand.The third child, Gabriel, was born on the 9th of August, 1945. He took his first breath the very instant that the atom bomb over Nagasaki, Japan, detonated. He was later to muse that his first lungful of air contained the souls of 40,000 Japanese children. He (like Heather) had no notion about his purpose on this Earth until one summer morning when 40,000 dust motes, shimmering in the slotted sunshine of an abandoned attic (where a man recently had hanged himself), suddenly began to sing.Then there was the fourth child: Netoniel.Siblings all.:Gabriel was half-way up the dilapidated ladder. The day was Saturday and the date was July 23rd, 1960. The time was a little after ten in the morning. The rungs showed evidence of age or rot or both so he proceeded up them slowly, taking care to place his feet close to the sides where they would be the strongest. The ladder groaned softly under his weight, but didn’t seem to mind him.A perverse curiosity had brought him here. A few years ago—no one had been very specific about exactly when—a man had hanged himself in this very attic. If the truth be told, Gabriel didn’t know that for a fact, he hadn’t even asked his parents or other such authority to confirm it, but it was rumored, and quite widely—common knowledge, as it were—especially among the kids (and as yet he was not much more than one himself).So, in essence, a fact.

Llungruel linger in the lom fields around the village. The llungruel is a feared lizard, whose bite brings ravaging fever that drives the mind wild. Malek and Elloch hate the creature, but they must bear the poisonous lizard to grow a sustaining harvest. But after the llungruel kills a brother, Malek and Elloch vow to destroy the lizard, and so discover secrets more bitter than the choking lomMalek and Elloch's village has not hungered since the gray men and their gray ships transformed the surrounding swamps into fields by planting the lom seed onto the land. Though a prevalent and hardy staple crop, the lom is also bitter. The llungruel lizard, with its venom that turns its victims' minds wild, multiplies in the fields and plagues the villagers depending upon the lom. Malek and Elloch vow to destroy the llungruel after they must witness a brother succumb to the lizard's poison. They vow to ignore any of the gray men's rules that prevent them from banishing that fearful creature. Their quest will unveil bitter truths, and demand further sacrifice, before a more delicate balance can be rediscovered to bring relief from the llungruel hissing in the field

Having run out of hours in his work week, Adam, a grizzled old trucker, is determined to spend his two days off at home with his wife Lil, rather than by himself three hundred and fifty miles away. Risking a hefty fine, Adam heads for home. Most professional drivers know, good conversation can be the best way to pass the time and keep you alert. Hoping for pleasant conversation he picks up a hitchHaving run out of hours in his work week, Adam, a grizzled old trucker, is determined to spend his two days off at home with his wife Lil, rather than by himself three hundred and fifty miles away. Risking a hefty fine, Adam heads for home after dropping off his load of produce. As most professional drivers know, good conversation can be the best way to pass the time and keep you alert. Hoping for pleasant conversation he picks up a hitch hiker, but soon realizes he will have to settle for the next best thing, a heated debate. The two of them spar off verbally on a wide range of Christian beliefs but ultimately end up on the one belief common to most religions of the world. Exposing the origins of this belief and how it has misdirected humans from the start, they explore further to find an, unorthodoxed yet God inspired salvation plan for all aspects of humanity. In The Eden Conspiracy, author Clayton B Carlson takes a fresh approach to the mystery novel genre. Leaving the espionage and murder mystery behind, Clayton focuses his attention to the mystery of faith. On what foundations do Christians secure their faith? Do they use doctrines and traditions they have accepted as true? Or do they search Bible scriptures to find and prove where God may lead? This story peals layers of assumptions off of some basic Bible truths, revealing firm bedrock where your faith can stand strong. The Eden Conspiracy may be of interest to believers from all faith backgrounds, as it explores a belief common to all religions of the world and one that has transcended all generations. Religions have long promised some sort of an afterlife awaiting people. Most religions teach that people have an immortal soul, or spirit, that is innate within them, a force they are born with and will live on after their earthly body dies. Spiritually minded people may be shocked when they discover where the Bible claims this belief originated. Shrouded in mystery, few have recognized the truth that is now laid bare in The Eden Conspiracy.

This is a story collection of shorter, flash fiction pieces that I hope you will enjoy. It is a dramatic, literary collection whose theme explores the situations involving racism in the south.In 16th STREET the story takes you to the night before the notorious bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960s in which six little black girls were killed. This is a fictitious exploration of one family's memory of their child who was killed.THE SUMMER POOL is a chilling piece, which explores the dynamics between older and newer generations in the south and their approach to the issue of race. A young woman is faced with an older woman's racism and has to find a way around it so that her newly acquainted friends can take a dip.In MALAS HIERBAS, an old, gentile woman of the south deals with her husband's death and the ever-changing world around her. She is confronted by the changing times when her gardener takes ill and she has no one else to hire, but a friend of her housemaid's who is also Latino.

**From the author of the international bestseller *The Outsiders* comes a "stylistically superb" novel that "packs a punch that will leave readers of any age reeling" (SLJ, starred review).  ** Rusty-James is the number one tough guy among the junior high kids who hang out and shoot pool at Benny's. He's proud of his reputation, but what he wants most of all is to be just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. Whenever Rusty-James gets in over his head, the Motorcycle Boy has always been there to bail him out. Then one day Rusty-James' world comes apart, and the Motorcycle boy isn't around to pick up the pieces. What now? Like Hinton's groundbreaking classic *The Outsiders*,* Rumble Fish *was adapted into a movie by Francis Ford Coppola and remains as relevant as ever in its exploration of sibling relationships, the importance of role models, and the courage to think independently.  This edition includes an exclusive Author's Note. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A *School Library Journal* Best Book of the Year A *Kirkus Reviews* Editor's Choice "Sharper in focus and more mature in style than Hinton's *The Outsiders*." —*Booklist* "Hinton, on her own turf, is still unbeatable." —*Kirkus Reviews* "S.E. Hinton is a brilliant novelist." —*Publishers Weekly* **

Annabella Baker has always lived a normal life with a loving family. She had dreams of going to college and becoming a dancer. But the summer before her senior year, the life she knew is ripped away from her, and she’s left wondering if it ever really existed in the first place. Six months later, Annabella is living an entirely different life. The loving family she had no longer exists, and the girl who dreamed of being a dancer can barely walk. She spends most of her time getting into trouble and living in denial over what happened. One night she takes things one step too far and is left dealing with the consequences. Put under house arrest, Annabella can no longer run away from her problems. With the help of her cute, sweet neighbor, Luca Benton, she rediscovers the girl she used to be, and finally learns the truth about what really happened that horrible day that changed her life forever.

A New York Times and Washington Post notable book, and one of the Financial Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Slate, Mother Jones, The Daily Beast, and BookPage's best books of the year An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is the remarkable story of a young man haunted by a great loss; of dreams and nightmares that have unintended consequences for the world around us; and of a journey into the past that is necessary to mend the present. Here Haruki Murakami—one of the most revered voices in literature today—gives us a story of love, friend­ship, and heartbreak for the ages.

Lurching from the cappuccino bars of Notting Hill to the blissed-out shores of Thailand, Bridget Jones searches for The Truth in spite of pathetically unevolved men, insane dating theories, and Smug Married advice ("'I'm just calling to say in the potty! In the potty! Well, do it in Daddy's hand, then!'"). She experiences a zeitgeist-esque Spiritual Epiphany somewhere between the pages of "How to Find the Love You Want Without Seeking It" ("can self-help books really self help?"), protective custody, and a lightly chilled Chardonnay.

The year is 1906, and America is segregated. Hatred and discrimination plague the streets, the classroom, and the courts. But in Washington D.C, Ben Corbett, a smart and courageous lawyer, makes it his mission to confront injustice at every turn. He represents those who nobody else dares defend, merely because of the color of their skin. When President Roosevelt, under whom Ben served in the Spanish-American war, asks Ben to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in his home town in Mississippi, he cannot refuse. The details of Ben's harrowing story--and his experiences with a remarkable man named Abraham Cross--were passed from generation to generation, until they were finally recounted to Alex Cross by his grandmother, Nana Mama. From the first time hear heard the story, Alex was unable to forget the unimaginable events Ben witnessed in Eudora and pledged to tell it to the world. Alex Cross's Trial is unlike any story Patterson has ever told, but offers the astounding action and breakneck speed of any Alex Cross novel.

How is love possible when all is lost? Werewolf Homer Prinze wants nothing more than to complete his assignment and get out of the wasteland that is the city. The dragons have destroyed everything, but a cry catches his attention. Before he knows it, he has met his mate. She needs his help and he is going to give it to her. Camille is no one's idea of great mate. Pregnant and alone, she is scarred and not looking for a companion in the hard world in which she lives. But when Homer needs her, she will risk everything to bring him home.

Katy Evans returns with a sexy novella, the final installment of the unforgettable love story that began in Manwhore. What lies ahead for Chicago’s most envied couple, Malcolm Saint and Rachel Livingston? Sparks flew between them in Manwhore. Separated by deception, they felt the intensity and heat of their attraction turn up in Manwhore +1. Will Chicago’s wealthiest and most notorious player finally settle down, or will one woman never be enough? Find out in Ms. Manwhore, the ultimate conclusion to their electric, breathtaking story.

In BEFORE DAWN (Book #1 of Vampire, Fallen), Kate, 17, hates her life. An outcast in her own family, who doesn’t understand her, she is hated by her more popular and beautiful sister, and despised by her controlling mother, who favors her sister over her. Kate’s only solace is her friends and her smarts. But even with that, her life seems destined for a dead-end—especially when her mother announces she will have to stay back from college to pay for her sister’s tuition. But one day, all that changes. On her 17th birthday, one of the popular boys falls for her. At the same time, a mysterious new boy, Elijah, arrives at her school, and their connection is undeniable. All seems to be turning her way—when a terrible accident turns her life upside down. Kate is supposed to die. But on the verge of death, something happens, something which keeps her alive, which transforms her into something she was never meant to be. In the twilight between life and death, Kate becomes something no one has ever been before.

Leah Westfall, her fiancé Jefferson, and her friends have become rich in the California Territory, thanks to Lee’s magical ability to sense precious gold. But their fortune has made them a target, and when a dangerous billionaire sets out to destroy them, Lee and her friends decide they’ve had enough—they will fight back with all their power and talents. Lee’s magic is continuing to strengthen and grow, but someone is on to her—someone who might have a bit of magic herself. The stakes are higher than ever as Lee and her friends hatch a daring scheme that could alter the California landscape forever. With a distinctive young heroine and a unique interpretation of American history, Into the Bright Unknown strikes a rich vein of romance, magic, and adventure, bringing the Gold Seer Trilogy to its epic conclusion. Includes a map and an author’s note.

The last place Suze Simon expects to find herself during Valentine’s Day is a cemetery. But that’s what happens when you’re a mediator – cursed with the “gift” of communicating with the dead. That’s how Suze has ended up at the graves of a pair of NCDPs - Non-Compliant Deceased Persons – whose drama didn’t end with death. It’s Suze’s job to make sure they move on—for good. But the NCDPs aren’t the only ones with problems. The reason Suze is spending her Valentine’s Day with the undead instead of her boyfriend, Jesse, is because he’s having so much trouble adjusting to life after death . . . not surprising, considering the fact that he used to be an NCDP himself, and now his girlfriend busts his former kind for a living, while he tries to cure his kind of what used to ail him. Can Suze use her mediating skills to propose a mutual resolution, and bring all these young lovers together - including Jesse and herself - especially on the night Saint Valentine declared sacred to romance? Or will she end up alone—and possibly undead—herself?

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Sophie Kinsella's Wedding Night. Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer–and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope–and finds love–is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

Caleb Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness, returns with a contemporary, edge-of-your-seat thriller featuring Dr. Trajan Jones, a criminal psychologist—and the world’s leading expert on the life and work of one Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, the hero of The Alienist, in whose brilliant but unconventional footsteps he follows. In the small town of Surrender in upstate New York, Trajan Jones, a psychological profiler, and Dr. Michael Li, a trace evidence expert, teach online courses in profiling and forensic science from Jones’s family farm. Once famed advisors to the New York City Police Department, Trajan and Li now work in exile, having made enemies of those in power. Protected only by farmhands and Jones’s unusual pet cheetah, the outcast pair is unexpectedly called in to consult on a disturbing case. In rural Burgoyne County, a pattern of strange deaths has emerged: adolescent boys and girls are found murdered in gruesome fashion. Senior law enforcement officials are quick to blame a serial killer, yet their efforts to apprehend this criminal are peculiarly ineffective. Jones and Li soon discover that the victims are all “throwaway children,” a new state classification of young people who are neither orphans, runaways, nor homeless, but who are abandoned by their families and left to fend for themselves. Two of these throwaways, Lucas Kurtz and his older sister, cross paths with Jones and Li, offering information that could blow the case wide open. As the stakes grow higher, Jones and Li must not only unravel the mystery of how the throwaways died, but also defend themselves and the Kurtz siblings against shadowy agents who don’t want them to uncover the truth. Jones believes the real story leads back to the city where both he and Dr. Kreizler did their greatest work. But will they be able to trace the case to New York before they fall victim to the murderous forces that stalk them? Tautly paced and richly researched, Surrender, New York brings to life the grim underbelly of a prosperous nation—and those most vulnerable to its failings. This brilliant novel marks another milestone in Caleb Carr’s triumphant literary suspense career.

Like an elegantly chilling postscript to The Metamorphosis, this classic of postwar Japanese literature describes a bizarre physical transformation that exposes the duplicities of an entire world. The narrator is a scientist hideously deformed in a laboratory accident–a man who has lost his face and, with it, his connection to other people. Even his wife is now repulsed by him. His only entry back into the world is to create a mask so perfect as to be undetectable. But soon he finds that such a mask is more than a disguise: it is an alternate self–a self that is capable of anything. A remorseless meditation on nature, identity and the social contract,* *The Face of Another is an intellectual horror story of the highest order.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude. Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But Mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined. Sepora's gift may be able to save Tarik’s kingdom. But should she risk exposing herself and her growing feelings for her nemesis?

Time is running out for Thomas Ward. His final battle against the Fiend is drawing near, and the Spook's apprentice has never felt more alone in his task. Isolated and afraid, the Fiend is set to send the greatest of his servants against him - Siscoi, a Vampire God more ferocious than anything he has yet faced. Tom must risk his life to prevent the evil beast from entering this world, even as he learns that the final destruction of the Fiend may involve a sacrifice more terrible than he can imagine...