This brilliant novel with universal resonance tells the story of three people trying to survive in a city rife with the extreme fear of desperate times, and of the sorrowing cellist who plays undaunted in their midst. One day a shell lands in a bread line and kills twenty-two people as the cellist watches from a window in his flat. He vows to sit in the hollow where the mortar fell and play Albinoni’s Adagio once a day for each of the twenty-two victims. The Adagio had been re-created from a fragment after the only extant score was firebombed in the Dresden Music Library, but the fact that it had been rebuilt by a different composer into something new and worthwhile gives the cellist hope. Meanwhile, Kenan steels himself for his weekly walk through the dangerous streets to collect water for his family on the other side of town, and Dragan, a man Kenan doesn’t know, tries to make his way towards the source of the free meal he knows is waiting. Both men are almost paralyzed with fear, uncertain when the next shot will land on the bridges or streets they must cross, unwilling to talk to their old friends of what life was once like before divisions were unleashed on their city. Then there is “Arrow,” the pseudonymous name of a gifted female sniper, who is asked to protect the cellist from a hidden shooter who is out to kill him as he plays his memorial to the victims. In this beautiful and unforgettable novel, Steven Galloway has taken an extraordinary, imaginative leap to create a story that speaks powerfully to the dignity and generosity of the human spirit under extraordinary duress. From the Hardcover edition.

With prose that is every bit as raw, intense and bitingly honest as the world it depicts, Barry Hines's A Kestrel for a Knave contains a new afterword by the author in Penguin Modern Classics. Life is tough and cheerless for Billy Casper, a troubled teenager growing up in the small Yorkshire mining town of Barnsley. Treated as a failure at school, and unhappy at home, Billy discovers a new passion in life when he finds Kes, a kestrel hawk. Billy identifies with her silent strength and she inspires in him the trust and love that nothing else can, discovering through her the passion missing from his life. Barry Hines's acclaimed novel continues to reach new generations of teenagers and adults with its powerful story of survival in a tough, joyless world. Ken Loach's renowned film adaptation, Kes, has achieved cult status and in his new afterword Barry Hines discusses his work to adapt the novel into a screenplay, and reappraises the legacy of a book that has become a popular classic. Barry Hines (b. 1939) was born in the mining village of Hoyland Common, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Leaving Ecclesfield Grammar School without any qualifications, Hines worked as an apprentice mining surveyor for the National Coal Board before entering Loughborough Training College to study Physical Education. Working as a teacher in Hoyland Common, he wrote novels in the school library after work, later turning to writing full-time. If you enjoyed A Kestrel for a Knave, you might like The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories by Jack London, published in Penguin Classics.

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, high school senior Malia Sanders watches as her world of prep-school perfection crumbles and her brother enlists in the army. Worried and alone, Malia seeks refuge through her friendship with Safiah, a devout Muslim girl. A story of love and friendship, Safiah’s Smile presents a friendship in its most unexpected form and a lesson of courage in the face of fear.Mike lands at Kansai Airport in Japan confident but ill prepared for his introduction to his new home. A sequence of events forces Mike on a Journey lasting all day and all night around Osaka. where he Meets Mark, Jon and Jeff and other interesting and colourful characters along the way. They quickly discover the urban soul of Japan and learn enough in one day to last the rest of their time in Osaka. Then join them on the second part of their journey that rips them from the innocent comfort of their humble beginnings and thrusts them forward ten years into the realities of life as a foreigner in the heart of Osaka, Japan.

Synopsis:Anne Daniels has a secret to tell you. Come on an adventure with her to the sunshine in Tampa, Florida, a business trip where her path crosses with the man of her dreams, Alex, a carefree artist. Follow Anne to a beautiful Florida beach hidden from the world where she discovers true love, but not without a twist that changes her heart forever. Have you experienced true love?Synopsis:Anne Daniels has a secret to tell you. Come on an adventure with her to the sunshine in Tampa, Florida, a business trip where her path crosses with the man of her dreams, Alex, a carefree artist. Follow Anne to a beautiful Florida beach hidden from the world where she discovers true love, but not without a twist that changes her heart forever. Have you experienced true love?Praise for "A Brush of Love":- "It will leave you pondering life." - Amazon Reviewer- "Wow! I have read this a couple of times..." - Barnes & Noble ReviewerOne of the 11 stories included in the collection "From Vegas With Blood."

Noel Winters is lonely this Christmas. Lonely, despite being overcrowded by friends and family, which he would prefer to label as associates. This is a tale of a lazy procrastinating youth who is no longer young enough to pull that lifestyle off.Disillusioned with himself as much as the outside world, he draws inspiration from his younger adopted sister, Hannah.Noel Winters is lonely this Christmas. Lonely, despite being overcrowded by friends and family, which he would prefer to label as associates. This is a tale of a lazy procrastinating youth who is no longer young enough to pull that lifestyle off.Disillusioned with himself as much as the outside world, he draws inspiration from his younger adopted sister, Hannah. Hannah is a nine-year-old self-proclaiming Jew, which means little more than a recent pork abstinence. She has a wide-eyed passion for life, a bright optimistic light in the shadow of Noel’s pessimism. The season of joy is full of questions for Noel. Where is life leading me? Do I follow? Are cigarettes really that costly? Am I a drunk? Should I be sober before trying to answer these questions?Amazon reviewers"It is not often that a book has the ability to both make me laugh out loud and bring me to the verge of tears; this book had that capability." "Perfect Christmas gift for those who question the tradition!""Parts read like early Nick Hornby while the protagonist with his disconnection and confusion of modern life felt like someone out of Douglas Coupland novel, yet it still felt fresh and new. It moved easily from serious, to funny ,to touching, all in all I highly recommended it.""I read the book in two days, and found it hard to put down. Absolutely brilliant."

The Glassheart Chronicles is a short story anthology written by a talented cast of Paranormal YA authors: Fisher Amelie, J.L. Bryan, Courtney Cole, Wren Emerson, Amy Maurer-Jones, Tiffany King, Nicole WilliamsThe Glassheart Chronicles is a short story anthology written by a talented cast of Paranormal YA authors. Fisher Amelie (author of The Leaving series), J.L. Bryan (author of the Paranormals series), Courtney Cole (author of The Bloodstone Saga), Wren Emerson (author of the Witches of Desire series), Amy Maurer-Jones (author of The Soul Quest trilogy), Tiffany King (author of the Saving Angels series) and Nicole Williams (author of the Eden Trilogy) come together in this captivating anthology to each write a short story about a character from their already existing novels. This lively group of authors shine in this anthology. If you enjoyed the following books: Jenny Pox (J.L. Bryan)The Understorey (Fisher Amelie) Fated (Courtney Cole) I Wish...(Wren Emerson) Soul Quest (Amy Maurer-Jones) Meant To Be (Tiffany King) Eternal Eden (Nicole Williams)Then you will love these short stories, each of which provides a further look at the characters you have already grown to love.

It’s Molly’s first Christmas without her husband, which might explain why she’s shown up at her mother’s nursing home, desperate for a visit. When a chef busy preparing Christmas brunch overhears and invites her into his kitchen, the two make Christmas a little less lonely…This 3,960-word short story is 21 pages long.Miriam Cait seeks love, or rather, her friend seeks it for her. Her friend’s latest date suggestion is refused on account of his dark eyes. There’s something not quite right with them, and Miriam soon finds out why when he comes knocking on her door, and knocking her out.Miriam wakes up from the confrontation with more than just a headache. Shackles cover her ankles and wrists, and she’s on her way to being auctioned off to a bunch of self-proclaimed dragon lords. It all seems too fantastic to be real, but as the evidence starts mounting against sanity Miriam realizes she may be in deeper trouble than she thought.

Continuing the adventures of Simon and Alex from the best-selling book, Hat Trick, this free story follows the boys into college. The boys have settled into their freshman year playing hockey for the University of Michigan. After an outdoor game, the two break away from their teammates to enjoy time alone under the magical Christmas lights.Continuing the adventures of Simon and Alex from the best-selling book, Hat Trick, this free story follows the boys into college.The boys have settled into their freshman year playing hockey for the University of Michigan. After an outdoor game, the two break away from their teammates to enjoy time alone under the magical Christmas lights.

First published in Redbook in 1975 to enormous acclaim, this O. Henry Award winner sold 100,000 copies in paperback. Swimmer in the Secret Sea is the poignant story of how a man and a woman endured the shock and anguish of their newborn baby's death.

Trouble brews when it's discovered the King of England's betrothed is of black African descent.German Princess Charlotte-Sophia was just 17 when she arrived in England to meet her betrothed King George III for the first time. We're told of the pomp and circumstance of this auspicious meeting; the nobility in attendance, and why it was so vitally important the 21-year-old king fulfill his duty to God and country by marrying Charlotte who by all accounts was a German princess of no less than 72 quarterings. The royal painter sent to her remote duchy to paint her portrait was the only Englishmen to see her before her arrival. From his portrait the young king evaluated her against the portraits of three other German princesses. We should assume George found her portrait pleasing. Later reports tell us that upon their meeting noted above, he was so smitten he gave the order the wedding was to be held the next day, which it was. Fast forward 100 years: the son of long-time adviser to Queen Victoria, Baron Stockmar, MD, is reviewing his father's private writings and happens upon this description of Queen Charlotte:The Queen Mother (Charlotte, wife of George III.): 'Small and crooked, with a true Mulatto face.'Say what...?The word had the same meaning then as it does today – the child of one white and black parent -- which is to say, Dr. Stockmar, long-time adviser to Queen Victoria, thought her grandmother was of black African descent – so much so, in fact, he purposefully used the word “true” and capitalized the M in mulatto so this astonishing secret would be known to all posterity. “A Face of a True Mulatto” fills in the gaps. It names the black African father of Charlotte and details exactly how he seduced the German duchess who gave birth to a mulatto girl who goes on to become “The Great-grandmother of all Europe.” This nick is not entirely mine. I borrowed it from the one given Queen Victoria (Charlotte's granddaughter), a sovereign whose nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent earning her the nickname “The Grandmother of Europe.”

Laura Jessop is less than impressed when Detective Inspector Dave Jenkins arrives to investigate the discovery of a dead body on her school’s sports’ field.Laura is Headmistress of a large girls' school in Newcastle and any hint of a scandal could ruin its reputation. DI Dave Jenkins reminds Laura of Columbo, the bumbling and untidy TV detective. She has little faith that the inspector will understand the need for discretion but when she decides to help him by carrying out her own investigations she doesn't appreciate how it will change her life. Always one to see the best in people, she is shocked by some of the secrets she uncovers. This is the first in a series of Laura Jessop novels.

When Morton Sandback returns to River Heights to read from his latest book at his daughter Julia's bookstore, they are both surprised when her gift to him, a rare first-edition copy of his first book, disappears.

Priscilla Alexander needs to get away from her stressful job as an advertising executive in San Francisco. In addition, her soon-to-be-divorced mom has moved into Priscilla's small condo. Priscilla has come to realize that sometimes escape is the only option."Jetting Away" is a short story prequel to "Outback Love," a contemporary romance novel set in the Australian Outback.Priscilla Alexander needs to get away from her stressful job as an advertising executive in San Francisco. In addition, her soon-to-be divorced mom has moved into Priscilla's small condo. Her mom means well, but her hovering is driving Priscilla crazy. When Priscilla reads a magazine article about vacationing in the Australian Outback, she knows that's where she needs to go to find herself. As Priscilla has come realize, sometimes escape is the only option.Priscilla has been dreaming about meeting a to-die-for hunk in her travels. Will she find the man of her dreams in the Outback?This is a short story prequel to "Outback Love," a contemporary romance novel set in the Australian Outback.

Curiosity has gotten Thomas Kindercook in a world of trouble. Literally! When Thomas opens a book and unwittingly casts a spell that whisks him away to a land of fantasy, an adventure begins that will change Thomas' destiny forever.A mysterious spell is hard at work for a second time, and Thomas Kindercook is its latest victim. Hurled into a dangerous world by one spell, trapped by yet another, Thomas must find the one person who may know how he can return home. With obstacles such as a haughty dragon princess, and a gabby dragon prince he may never find his way. In the shadows, another evil lurks which has no intention of ever letting Thomas leave the land again.

Every six months, Amber and her friends head off to the beach for a night of drinking and fun. But their plans soon change with what appears to be a horrific accident. Things soon turn from bad to worse. And the question that remains is; was the death of their friend an accident?Or is there someone else isolated with them, picking them off one by one?Now includes an Urdu translation of Inchoate.InchoateSet in prehistoric North America, this tells the story of how a delinquent time traveler calls the first Board Meeting in History and inadvertently incurs the wrath of all his bosses. He is put on trial but is he all he seems?Henry's CarIn this hilarious sci-fi story, a Royal Time Traveler from the 16th Century develops a taste and talent for for stock-car racing.Ordo Lupus and the Temple GateWhy is a notorious religious cult of assassins keeping him alive?His teenage daughter is viciously murdered in Lyon by a long-forgotten biblical monster. A former WWII MI6 agent, our hero is suspected of her murder by the police and his divorcing wife.With supernatural powers of foresight he goes on the run to clear his name. He has only one friend - a historian and member of the modern Knights Hospitaller but with his help he embarks on a white-knuckle ride to salvation.In Paris a witch servant of the mysterious Catholic assassin sect Concilium Putus Visum seduces him during his quest for the secret weapon of the Cathars. If he can solve a puzzling set of clues to find the weapon, he might kill the monster and save his marriage.But why do the assassins and the monster seem to be protecting him?Lovers of Dan Brown's evocative mix of mystery and history will love this Occult Thriller - a dark and powerful tale.Too Bright the SunA man afraid of his own soul!Seeking revenge for the death of a friend ten long years ago, Major Jake Nanden has pursued his own personal demons with an almost religious fervour through life and through battle.He is a soldier so highly decorated that his fame reaches far beyond the desolate moon Io where he is stationed. His victories in the Jupiter Wars are hollow though, for he is a man scared of his own soul.His life seems to be a trap from which he cannot escape. His is the Replicant Company, and replicants are despised by all.Likened to a cross between Blade Runner and Paths of Glory, you simply must read this beautifully constructed, intensely dark and powerful Science Fiction tale-with-a-twist if you love Phillip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov.Ordo Lupus and the Temple Gate - from the author:I had been pursuing a theological interest in the Cathars; first though reading a number of books by Henry Lincoln and later an interest in Monségur and the Rennes-le-Château, near where the lost treasure of the Cathars is said to be hidden. The Cathars were an ancient sect who came to prominence and were ruthlessly persecuted by the Catholics in the 1300s, mainly in and around the Languedoc Region of France. They believed that the Christian god was really Rex Mundi, or 'God of Earth.'The second theme I wanted to get into my novel was the gothic. The themes of blood, death, eroticism, sex and transcendence are all things that I desire in a good novel. My influences were Kate Bush, The Mission, Lord Byron, John Keats (The Eve of St. Agnes is a particularly favourite poem of mine) and to some extent Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Sex and death are the themes that everyone seems attracted to.A year before I started this work, I read both Dan Brown and Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. These books were certainly an influence on me. Like him I have been fascinated for many years by the rumour or myth that Mary went to France and that Jesus had a descendant. Like him and many others, I speculate that the Cathars did in fact smuggle a great treasure out of Monségur castle, under the noses of the Royalist besiegers. I couldn't resist a climax to my novel that took place in one of the world's greatest Gothic masterpieces. But you will have to read the novel to find out where ...Grab your copy today!

Denver FBI Book #0.5 The High Price Of JusticeSpecial Agent Liam Conners is the only witness to his neighbor’s abduction: the Chloroform Killer has struck again.But when his neighbor, Andrea James, returns from a business trip, they realize the killer’s mistake—her sister has been abducted in her place.Special Agent Liam Conners is the only witness to his neighbor’s abduction: the Chloroform Killer has struck again.But when his neighbor, Andrea James, returns from a business trip, they realize the killer’s mistake—her sister has been abducted in her place.Now the killer is coming for Andrea, and Liam and his partner are the only ones standing in the way. Can they catch the killer and protect the target?A Christian Romantic Suspense

Sapphire Adams, an inquisitive young programmer who suffers from social anxiety disorder. Thrust into a world where she is compelled to face her fears, she must adjust her long held beliefs and do things she never thought possible. Although forced to keep family secrets that she doesn’t understand, her family past is shrouded by an obscurity she yearns to decipher but…. The truth has a price...Kuzimu, where the mungu population is closely monitored and disturbances of the peace are by no means tolerated.Keep calm…Keep the peace…Listen to authority…Or you’ll find yourself doing so, whether you want to or not…Surrounded by mystery, Sapphire Adams, is an inquisitive young programmer who suffers from social anxiety disorder. Thrust into a world where she is compelled to face her fears, she must adjust her long held beliefs and do things she never thought possible. Although forced to keep family secrets that she doesn’t understand, her family past is shrouded by an obscurity she yearns to decipher but…. The truth has a price... Can she pay it...?This is the first installment of the nine (9) episode series, The Rejected of novella length, (approx. 20,000 words each 92 print pages). Each episode will be published biweekly. I hope you enjoy!

Nahath and Jalam, two young soldiers in the Philistine army, learn through experence that the God of the Israelites expects respect. They watch as their High Priests and Commanding Officers try to handle the Israelites Ark of the Covenant.Based on I Samuel 4 from the BibleNahath and Jalam, two young soldiers in the Philistine army, learn that the God of the Israelites expects to be treated with respect when the Philistine army take possession of the coveted Ark of the Covenant. There are problems everywhere the Ark is taken. The trouble is so serious the people wonder if they will even survive.Based on I Samuel 4 from the Bible

In this short story, Christie, a relapsed alcoholic, faces her first Christmas apart from her children. As she window-shops for gifts her ex-husband won’t allow her to give, she finds a family huddled around a fire in the alley behind the store. If she wants to offer help, she must face her own fractured heart.Built during the sixteenth century, the majestic turreted stone clad fortress of the Montgomery's stately residence sits next to the River Dale, which meanders its way gently passed the estate as it flows slowly towards the sixteenth century church and the ancient village of Sunny Dale, in the distance. Rodney the gardener is tending the estate's award winning roses, and appears to be everything a woman could ever want in a man; tall, handsome, clean shaven, caring, helpful, charming, a good listener, friendly, witty, always immaculately dressed, but above all, exciting. Penelope thinks so, as she has agreed to marry him. So does Lady Montgomery. After all, no other gardener has taken the time to help her with her own personal pride and joy, her very own hidden garden. But Lord Montgomery is not so sure.