Sam and Elsie have overcome some of the fears and awkwardness of carving out a new life for themselves. How could either of their homes, the places they shared with their former spouses, allow for something new and untethered to the past? The painful decision to break from the familiar to allow the new is hard to make.What is a home? It is a familiar base that protects you, provides for you, while making great demands on you as time goes on. The servant slowly becomes more of a master. Letting go of the past is a frightening thing, which is as it should be. That keeps us from racing into uncertainty with too much risk. But too much reliance upon a past home prevents a new one from having a chance to form. We push our children out of their nest as part of our parental duties. Who, then, will push us out when we are the only one in the nest?

LoiTar was a happy dragon until his soul was stolen and placed in a mechanical replica. His escape was wasted when he broke down in the midst of the desert. To top it off, he is revived by none other than one of the mechanical blacksmiths who stole his life. Struggling to find peace in his new and strange life, LoiTar has yet to imagine what might happen to him next.Alexa's 13th birthday is coming up but this year something unexpected is going to happen. Alexa's father had died when she was born and all she knows was that a tree had fell on he's car when he was driving. But what she doesn't know is that he was cursed and on her 13th birthday the curse is passing on to her. On her birthday she is trying everything to stop the curse.Will she make it out surviving and saving her family? Or will the curse get the best of her....

A man loans his lawnmower to the Devil and must make a trip to Hell to avoid a fine by the Homeowner's association. An extremely boring person negotiates the release of his chicken nugget (which contains the secret to universal peace, prosperity, and happiness) with some extragalactic aliens. A frustrated writer launches her manuscript into deep space, igniting a fierce war in the stars.A loving father and good neighbor ventures into the depths of Hell to retrieve his lawnmower from the Devil himself, or else face a fine by the Homeowners Association. A spectacularly boring man finds the secret to universal peace, prosperity, and happiness in his chicken nugget. A frustrated writer launches her manuscript into deep space in a desperate hope of getting published on another world, accidentally causing an interplanetary war in another galaxy. All these short stories and more from the author of Mister Mercury.

My name is Mark Nine. I woke up in Tokyo, but I don’t know how I got here. I think I’m being followed.Word count: 2222 | Full-size page count: 3 | Estimated reading time: 12 minutesShort story in which YOU are the monster, as you roam your lair killing and eating all who enter. That is until he shows up.Inspired by the sword and sorcery fantasy gaming books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. A story told as if YOU are the monster.If you read this story then why not leave me a review to tell me what you thought. Any feedback (be it good or bad) is always most helpful.

When Teanne Carr is given a stone that was long thought lost, and pledged to return it to its rightful owner, a series of events lead to the destruction of a secret treaty, and a union between divided lands that will challenge a law that has existed for hundreds of years."What's come over me? I sit all alone in this dark desolate castle with no one to talk too. I find myself overcome with fear of leaving this dark place to see the outside world. I've been cooped up inside these castle walls for so many years. I can't remember what day it was let alone the year.One night when the Count was reading a book on ghosts, the Count caught a glimpse of something in the corner of his eye that frightened the willies out of him. It was a Black Cat with blazing red eyes. The Count was already afraid of what lies beyond the castle walls that he didn't need a Black Cat to reassure him of that. The cat leaped from the window sill onto the ground and headed to the front door of the castle. This was the biggest mistake the Count ever made in his life by letting the Black Cat in his castle. Once the castle door slammed behind him and the Black Cat entered the Count's lonely dark castle would never be the same.All that lies ahead for the Count was insanity and death. You think to yourself what harm could come from a little Black Cat but I tell you this Black Cat isn't your ordinary household pet. This Black Cat is from the depths of Hell that no one in their right mind would want to encounter. See what Hell lies ahead for Count Drac Von Stoller. You won't believe it. I dare you to read on?

Promise - Short Stories from Promise GooddayThese scorching short stories are taken from the novel Promise Goodday. Pete the serial rapist/killer meets his fate in an abandoned amusement park in the The story "End of the Line." In "Goose Steps" you meet Promise, sassy yet innocent and unaware of the fate about to befall her. It all converges later in the searing heartbreaking novel.Few people can claim to have a perfect relationship (and those who do are probably hiding something). The romance between young lovers Chase and Ariel has had its fair share of set-backs too. There’s Chase’s notorious womanising, for one, not to mention an ex-girlfriend and her businessman father – a man with dubious connections to say the least – neither of whom you’d be advised to cross if you could help it. The fact that Ariel is mute can’t help either (she hasn’t spoken a word in her life, though doctors can’t figure out why).But despite everything, Chase and Ariel are back on track. And Dilon – Chase’s closest friend since they were boys together at school – couldn’t be happier for them. So why have the police hauled Dilon in for questioning? What has Chase been up to now?

Cane Matthews has found his dream girl. Unfortunately, she is his girlfriend’s twin sister. * The End of the Line is a prequel story to Arcadia’s Gift."Top 5 Indie-Published Books You Haven't Read, But Should." - Examiner2058. As the struggle for dwindling resources plunges the world into chaos and "Mindlink" technology opens cyberspace to the masses, injured soldier John Raimey is transformed into a powerful bionic warrior known as a Tank Major to retrieve the King Sleeper: a computer hacker so powerful on-line, he can decimate government infrastructure, subliminally persuade the masses, and even kill."A truly disturbing book that also somehow manages to be hard to put down, THE NORTHERN STAR: THE BEGINNING has a solid story with good characters, and so much suspense, both plot-suspense and moral suspense, that it reveals itself as something far more cerebral than any giant-fighting-robots story generally ever is." - IndieReader.com"I was treated to an old school, science-fiction romp . . . The characters are complex creations that grow and evolve throughout the story . . . " - The New Podler Review of Books"I was pulled in by the characters and their interaction. Mike creates a varied cast of people, and, just as in real life, sometimes it is hard to tell the villains from the heroes." - Alex McGilvery, Celtic Frog Reviews"It's not often that you find new SciFi writers who are able to crank out page turners on their first go. This is one of them." - FuriousFanBoys.com"The writing itself is splendid . . . darn close to perfect." -SammyTheBookworm.com

A short collection of poems from Charles W Harvey. This collection captures the spirit of the 1960's and takes us through the 1990's. They are terse, funny, and bluesy. But most important the voice is real.Introduction to AmericanaPoems can be reflective or reactionary. In a reflective mood, the poet comments on past events. His or her voice may be calm, wistful, and longing. They are preservers of the moment. When poets put on their reactionary mantle, they are more vocal and want to move themselves and others to action In this small collection, Harvey has both the reflective voice and the force of the reactionary. Viewing the Vietnam War, race relations, and the cultural renaissance of the 1960’s and 1970’s through the prism of a child’s eye shaped Harvey’s views and points of view. The poets Allen Ginsburg, Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, and Ai shaped his voice.Excerpt:New York!Herds of humanity Graze on street corner slop and ride in the belliesOf silver worms beneath city guttersStreet people are ragged and unfashionably stinky.Everyone else is fashionably ragged.“Andy” sells me a beaded sweater off an old lady’s dead shoulders.A roguish Puerto Rican painter copiesA Robert Colescott painting as his own black creation.Got all dressed up to go to the theatre in Harlem.Got there stinky and hot--Harlem,Who bombed it?Noise all night long in Brooklyn.No ugly people live in New YorkEveryone is Cafe' au lait. Tall boy with five inch hairSits wide legged on the sub in baggy trousers.His throat is stiff with defiance, But his darkEyes linger in mine for a moment.Everything is for sale in New YorkEven a hug from daddy long legs.

A twisted comedy of pseudo psychology, country music, and recreational boating... Unbalanced country music fan, Andy Mowf, has been listening to his hair stylist instead of his psychiatrist. Andy, his stylist, and two other friends head into the woods, anticipating a light-hearted weekend of camping.Paula Kasper had dropped out of the Psychology program at the University of Texas in her junior year to open a hair salon south of Downtown Austin. An hour of hairdressing and scalp massages usually obliterated her clients’ inhibitions, and they unburdened themselves of their most intimate dilemmas. Sudsy-haired, jabbering customers declared to Paula, “That was splendid advice you gave me!” Years of flattering feedback and profuse thanks for her faux wisdom nuggets had inflated Paula’s sense of competency, and she was deluded into thinking she was equally effective as the licensed professionals. She cut Andy Mowf’s hair every week, and had become his sounding board.

In this fast, funny tale, a thirteen–year–old boy in the Wonder Years era searches for cool. Can he live up to his big brother's rep? Tastes a little like Stand By Me, A Christmas Story, and The Wonder Years. Previously published in The Write Side Up.In this fast, funny tale, a thirteen–year–old boy in the Wonder Years era searches for cool. Can he live up to his big brother's rep? Tastes a little like Stand By Me, A Christmas Story, and The Wonder Years. Previously published in The Write Side Up.

After returning to Earth, Jeremy and Maren take a trip to Leviathan Island where two love triangles collide in the Bermuda Triangle. Will they find romance--or the green-eyed monster? Follow the Haze-crossed lovers as they discover whether the devil they know is better than the ones they don't. Prepare for the pending Apocalypse and watch prophesy unravel in this thrilling sequel.Apollyon, the Angel of the Bottomless Pit, is being hounded by demons. After returning to Earth, Jeremy and Maren take a trip to Leviathan Island where two love triangles collide in the Bermuda Triangle. Will they find romance--or the green-eyed monster?Follow the Haze-crossed lovers as they jump out of the frying pan and into the submarine, pay a heavy price for the company of a hermit, and discover whether the devil they know is better than the ones they don't. Prepare for the pending Apocalypse and watch prophesy unravel in this thrilling sequel to Jeremy Chikalto and The Hazy Souls.

Every story has a beginning. Even Walker's. He wasn't always sitting here... talking to you. He never had a reason before. He doesn't have a reason now-- except they make him. So he talks. You listen. This is how falling for a girl with an evil boyfriend cost him his life.Start at the beginning... You want to know how it all began. How I fell for her? How I started to love...? You want to know how I met Oliver Weston. How I grew to hate him? Why I did what I did? You want to know how it all began? Because every story has a beginning, doesn't it? Even mine. Especially mine. I loved her. I still do. And I hated him. Still do. So this is it. The start. My 'in the beginning'. This is how an average guy from Oklahoma ended up here... talking to you. It all started innocently enough. I needed a place to live. Jordan needed a roommate. It hit me out of the blue. I only wish it had ended differently. But we will get to that later. Start at the beginning... are you sure you are ready?

Sixteen year old Kaley Thorne is awkward, a little clumsy, and has a crazy mother. But nothing compares to the lengths she would go to in order to protect her secret songbook.Please note: This is a short story. Flash fiction is a fun and quick read to introduce you to the series, not a full length novel.The songbook of secrets.Sixteen year old Kaley Thorne is awkward, a little clumsy, and has a crazy mother. But nothing compares to the lengths she would go to in order to protect her secret songbook.With the school talent show fast approaching, Kaley must decide what is more important: protecting her secret or winning the prize money?In a high school that is full of song-worthy moments, can Kaley overcome her greatest fear? Or will she decide that her secrets are still worth protecting?Also in the Secret Songbook Series:Love SongsBreakup Songs (Coming Soon)

In a castle that lies outside of a town something evil lurks in the shadows. No one knows it's there for sure, but there are stories. But there are those that ignore the stories and have made this old run down castle into their own play ground.Marco, Carla, and Sammie, have played at the castle many times without seeing anything, but when people start going missing the castle holds the secret.In a castle that lies outside of a little town something evil lurks in the shadows. No one knows it's there for sure, but there are stories. But there are those that ignore the stories and have made this old run down castle into their own play ground.Marco, Carla, and their friend Sammie, have played at the castle many times without seeing anything, but when people start going missing the castle is where the town's people cast their sights. The children ignore the stories and their for ignore the danger. But on a particular day they decided to visit the castle like they always do, they will find themselves running for their young lives.

We are the last ones left on Earth. We live in the Wasteland. We live underground. Hidden from the Red Giant. Some of us live in Wonderland. These are the lucky few, the wealthy elite. But regardless of where we live, we all want the same thing. Because we are all waiting. Waiting to leave. Waiting to escape this doomed rock… Life is simple… there is only one thing to do… Survive.We are the last ones left on Earth. We live in the Wasteland. We live underground. Hidden from the Red Giant. Some of us live in Wonderland. These are the lucky few, the wealthy elite. But regardless of where we live, we all want the same thing. Because we are all waiting. Waiting to leave. Waiting to escape this doomed rock… Life is simple… there is only one thing to do… Survive. Survive the Wasteland. Survive the Sun. Wasteland Wonderland is a thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi adventure. It is a short novella, approximately 26,000 words in length.

Sanders McGee is a man on the edge. When a lightning storm hits San Diego and his kids are threatened he pulls himself together. As Sanders tragically finds out, however, lightning doesn’t have feelings…or does it?With the death of Yoshika Funakoshi, Jamie Raleigh now lives his greatest fear . . . standing before the elders of the Funakoshi clan to petition for leadership. But telling his clan the truth about her death—that she was killed by a mutated wizard on an alien world—prompts a challenge against his leadership by an old rival. What is the leader of Adventure willing to do to keep the leadership of the Funakoshi within its founding family?This short story takes place after Gateway to Thera.

In order to distance himself from his past, a down and out young man named Michael relocates to Brooklyn. He works doing odd jobs as he forges new relationships. He is particularly close to his boss Danny, and Sara, his crippled daughter. As he repairs a ceiling in a convent, Michael discovers a clue to locating a priceless artifact from Europe's Dark Ages. His life takes a 360 degree turn.In an attempt to distance himself from his devastating past, a down and out young man named Michael relocates to Brooklyn. He works doing odd jobs as he forges new relationships. He is particularly close to Danny, his boss, and Sara, his crippled daughter. While repairing a water damaged ceiling in a convent, he discovers a clue to locating a priceless artifact from Europe's Dark Ages. He experiences many harrowing twists and turns as he travels through Ireland and France culminating in Zurich. His life takes a 360 degree turn during the process.

Requiem. In this flashback story set in 1973, Isis is called to the Theta House by her sorority sisters who want her to step down from her leadership role the Senior Grand Mother. With her mortal alias Andrea Robinson being 98-years-old,and Isis being immortal, they fear that if she continues on with the organization her secret may be revealed, and their mission compromised in the Black community.Requiem. In this flashback story set in 1973, Isis is called to the Theta House by her sorority sisters who want her to step down from her leadership role the Senior Grand Mother. With her mortal alias Andrea Robinson being 98-years-old,and Isis being immortal, they fear that if she continues on with the organization her secret may be revealed, and their mission compromised in the Black community.Coming to terms with her aging secret identity, Isis realizes that she has to start making plans to get her human affairs in order. As she lays down her life of her alias in the mortal world for her friends, Isis comes to realize that she has to have faith in the women she taught to build on the foundation she established and pass it on to the next generation of Theta sisters

In this compact and insightful book, Mark James - Head of Technical Support for ESET UK, one of the world's leading Antivirus and Internet Security companies, lays out in simple and clear steps, how your business can ensure its IT infrastructure remains safe and secure whenever your devices access the Internet. A must-read for all types and sizes of business.The number one vampire law was broken. Nosferatu has set Eura Falton to find the culprit with an impossible deadline. Trained as an assassin, and one of the best in her field, she is far outside her depth with a target that is stronger, faster, and deadlier than her. Will she find the rogue before panic sweeps across the city, or will she join them and succumb to the bittersweet taste of power?