The Girl on the Boat features red-haired, dog-loving Wilhelmina "Billie" Bennet, and the three men, a long-time friend and admirer of Billie, a lily-livered poet who is engaged to Billie at the opening of the tale, and his dashing cousin, who falls for Billie at first sight. All four find themselves on an ocean liner headed for England together, and typically Wodehousian romantic shenanigans ensue.

The Council for Exploration Into Worlds Unseen believed there was more to reality than the Empire had taught them—but when they came a little too close to the truth, tragedy ended their work, leaving the terrifying and beautiful world behind their own still hidden.As he lays dying forty years later, one of the last Council members entrusts an ancient relic to an orphaned young woman.The Council for Exploration Into Worlds Unseen believed there was more to reality than the Empire had taught them—but when they came a little too close to the truth, tragedy ended their work, leaving the terrifying and beautiful world behind their own still hidden.As he lays dying forty years later, one of the last Council members entrusts an ancient relic to an orphaned young woman named Maggie Sheffield: a scroll that will reveal the truth at last. Along with the Gypsy Nicolas Fisher, who hears things no one else can, Maggie sets out on a journey across the Seventh World to deliver the scroll to a group of rebels in the east.But the price of truth may be too high: for Maggie and Nicolas are tearing at the Veil between the seen and the unseen, between good and evil, between forgotten past and treacherous future. Monstrous forces are already on their trail.And when the Veil grows thin enough, it’s anyone’s guess what may come through.Worlds Unseen is the first book in The Seventh World Trilogy.

Blatty's debut book, based on series of comic articles written for The Saturday Evening Post, about his experiences in the Middle East. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Short Story. The tale of a very beautiful young girl, who discovers that beauty can bring its own problems. When she is kidnapped by a cruel witch who envies her, she finds that no one has the courage to help her escape, except for the boy who loves her. This short story is loosely based on a Native American folk tale.He's the most popular guy in school and she's the biggest nobody. One night, and one mistake, will change both of their lives forever. For the last four years, Danni Singer’s had a crush on Darren Jacobs. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know she exists. That’s because he’s one of the most popular guys in school, and Danni’s a nobody. That’s the way it is and the way it’ll probably stay. At least that’s what she thinks until a car accident suddenly changes everything. Darren loses his arm, leaving Danni to wonder if she could still have feelings for him. Determined to find out, and perhaps driven by a morbid sense of curiosity, Danni visits him in the hospital. It turns out his arm isn’t the only thing he’s lost. All of the friends Darren once had are no where to be found. Danni knows the pain of being an outcast all too well, and she reaches out to Darren. In the days and weeks that follow, their unlikely friendship blossoms in to an even more unlikely romance. Being in love is never easy, but for this pair it’s harder than most. Still struggling to accept the loss of his arm, Darren sometimes pushes her away and they end up fighting a lot. When she isn’t fighting with Darren, she’s dealing with the jealousy of her friends and the pressure of always trying to convince Darren his disability doesn’t change her feelings for him. This definitely isn’t what she imagined when she dreamed of dating Darren Jacobs. The truth is this is better. Despite the disagreements with Darren and the fights with her friends, Danni and Darren have a real love for one another. Sometimes things don’t work out the way you think they will, but they always work out!

“The Holiday Collection” is the second anthology of short stories from the Indie Eclective: A group of nine authors crossing genres. These holiday-themed stories range from serious to humorous, and all express the sentiments of the season in their own “Eclective” way.“The Holiday Collection” is the second anthology of short stories from the Indie Eclective: A group of nine authors crossing genres. These holiday-themed stories range from serious to humorous, and all express the sentiments of the season in their own “Eclective” way.In many traditions, the cold of winter is perfect for curling up and spending time with family. We cordially invite you to spend some time with ours. (Curling up is optional.)Alan Nayes—St. ClawsEver made a wish? Ever wished you hadn't wished what you wished? Matt Haskel has.Lizzy Ford—Snow WhisperersWinter brings the holidays…and snowmen, the quick-witted snow creatures that drive Sandy crazy every year. Until one is turned into a human—and tries to win her over.Julia Crane—Saving GraceGrace is an Empath with a problem—she’s chosen to work for the largest department store in New York City during the holiday season. Dealing with other people’s issues has destroyed her sense of the Christmas spirit, until a chance encounter with a special boy changes her mind.M. Edward McNally—O Cactus Tree, O Cactus Tree"How beautiful thy...green arms full of prickly spikes."P.J. Jones—Fred’s Best ChristmasFred’s determined not to let mental illness stand in the way of his ‘best Christmas’. When painful childhood memories threaten to ruin his day, will his friends be able to help him overcome his fears?Talia Jager—Fresh SnowOrphaned and alone, Chloe is hit by a car on Christmas Eve. What she doesn't know, is the woman who did it needs love as much as Chloe. Together, they will remember the true meaning of family and Christmas.Shéa MacLeod—Let’s RideZala Lei's bid to stop a dangerous criminal leads her to Omicron 5 and a very special box of surprises. She can only hope that what she finds in the box is enough to stop evil in its Santa posing tracks.Jack Wallen—A Very Shero ChristmasDickens gets a smack upside the face with a size-12 Blahnik in A Very Shero Christmas.Heather Marie Adkins—The Darkest NightBefore there was Christmas, there was Yule—the Winter Solstice. For modern-day witch Mena McGinty, it may still be the season of rebirth, or at least second chances.

In a dystopian future, humans huddle together and fight the zombie-like feeders, who rule the night. A group of young people are thrown together in this post-apocalypse world and must learn to become warriors, despite the destruction all around them.When most of the world's population transform into super predators with a taste for flesh, the remaining survivors huddle together and try to start again by carving out an existence in the wasteland. With the night belonging to the feeders, however, it seems only a matter of time before humanity is driven to extinction.As Matt and Sally wander through the empty landscape, they meet others who vow to fight and reclaim the world from the evil beasts who were once human. When a girl is discovered who may have powers to resist the creatures, the survivors know that they must protect her at all costs.Desolation Boulevard is an action-packed thrill-ride in a bleak, disturbing future where humans are number two in the food chain. You'll be wishing they were just zombies.(While this book is fantastic, it is not to be confused with the movie "Desolation of Smaug")

When Karen's class wins a real live turkey, they plan to make him the star of the school's Thanksgiving assembly. But when the big bird runs away from Karen's house, she's off on a wild turkey chase!

A hurricane is blowing toward Connecticut, and Karen is fascinated to watch the weather reports about the storm that shares her name. Hurricane Karen hits and leaves its mark on Stoneybrook, including tearing down a beloved old tree.

Eighteen-year-old Eli discovers a shocking secret about his life and his family while working for a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose specialty is genetic engineering.

A humorous retelling of Genesis from Eve's pole dancing to "Skippy" Noah surfing to Hagar in a french maid outfit and more.A humorous retelling of Genesis from Eve's pole dancing to "Skippy" Noah surfing to Hagar in a french maid outfit and more. Each chapter is a condensed scene making the flow pleasant and easy to follow. Weighing in at just over 10,000 words, this short novella allows you to breeze through the beginning of time in an afternoon, perhaps even saying to yourself, "I didn't know it happened like THAT."

You live with your grandmother’s home on Mars when suddenly the holoset in your room comes to life and it displays a presentation to the people of a distant star nation called Trena. A terrible disaster is about befall Trena. You see your father for the first time in many years. You runaway from home to be with him. The real advebteeure begins when you join him.You live with your grandmother’s home on Mars when suddenly the holoset in your room comes to life and it displays a presentation to the people of a distant star nation called Trena. A terrible disaster is about befall Trena. As the images show what is about to occur on Trena, you see your father for the first time in many years. Wondering if he’s been on Trena, you see your long lost father being presented to Trena, several dozen light years away, as he is appointed to lead the evacuation of the planet Trena. The planet will be destroyed due to an asteroid field that is disturbed. Your father has been missing for five years and now you know where he is. The next morning after you see your father on the news, you make a decision to join him. Upon her arrival on Trena Jill learns that she is not the military brat she has thought she was. Her father is the last surviving heir of the Hazelton fortune, and the majority stock holders of EBio, the company that her ancestors founded, to create bio engineered humans. As she tries to understand being the richest teenager, not just on Trena; but possibly the universe, she experiences the evacuation of Trena. Before it is all over she becomes a queen in her right.

This is the story of a family of the 'best' people, living in Gibbsville, Pa. Three generations of the Chapin family are portrayed with intimacy and uncompromising clarity. Many other people at all levels of the social ladder are portrayed as well, and what they do and say to one another is often shocking.

The first e-publication of The Royalties, a collective of Australian writers who have come together to create new models of publishing for writers worldwide.The Royalties is a writers' collective founded by Sue Woolfe, Bem Le Hunte, Libby Hathorn and Louise Katz, a group of much-published Australian women novelists who decided to come together to create precedent for innovative new publishing models that will benefit all Australian writers in an international marketplace.We are not particularly tech-savvy, but we all feel the urgency to participate in rapidly changing publishing structures. With current technology there is a real opportunity for writer-centric models to replace traditional legacy publishing models and promote a true renaissance in literature.With publishers nervous and bookstores closing, it's become clear to all of us that this is the time for writers to ride the times, take the risk and claim greater rights to their words. And who, we ask, would take control in these formative moments of opportunity, if not the writers themselves?We are all actively involved in experimenting with our literary work and the way that it is produced, distributed and marketed, and we'd like to share this experiment with other writers. If you're a writer you can join us in this experiment, share in our experience and reach out to a wider community of national and international readers.

A young boy’s search of finding his grandfather through the world of swords, sorcery, and imagination, only to discover that he needs to make a decision to save an unknown universe or a family that does not accept him.What if I told you that there is a cure for most mental disorders? Think about it-- a world without depression, phobias, bipolar, or any other disorders. However, the answer lies within the hands of a thirteen-year-old boy and his missing grandfather.An admirer of the written word, Traveler Sands spends his days living in the moments of his books. However, he later discovers that his strong imagination would be the secret to saving two worlds. One day, he uncovers a magical mirror that sends him to a medieval-like world, a world that is devastated by war and greed. Traveler learns about the evil elder and his plans to amass his army by producing powerful creatures to crush the resistance. The key to the evil elder’s strategy is the creation of mental disorders in the various minds of the inhabitants of Earth.As Traveler’s adventure continues, he makes his way to a small part of the realm that is unaffected by the decadence. He comes across the truth of his grandfather’s legacy. This prompts Traveler’s decision to fulfill his role by becoming a part of the resistance, which turns out to be a league of knight-like wizards. Ultimately, Traveler is then conflicted with his choice when the evil elder captures his family’s minds.

When Lorrine runs off with a wild mage, she leaves behind a woman in tears, whose shattered life may not be worth repairing. Will Kama recover? Will Lorrine ever grow up and recognize her own feelings? Or will wild magic bring an end to them all...Summer has set in the small coastal town of Breezewater, Georgia, and nineteen-year-old Sarah Towson has returned home from college in California. In the midst of her fresh return, she finds her family and friends are much adjusted to life without her. On the other side of town, Joel Sealet, who went to high school with Sarah, uncovers a sad truth about his own family. And unlike the high school valedictorian, Joel stayed close to home, a place he has discovered might be suffocating him.While neither is looking for love, the two meet and discover that the Earth revolves no matter what others do to them. And this one summer... Sadly, they'll have to let it go.

Parts one through three of the epic space opera, The Final Flight of the Phaseship Lelantos, now updated and in a single collection.The beginning and end of love, Sands and Jade are pulled apart by circumstance, to be united again only when it's too late.Written while dealing with her father's illness, this first book reflects Ophelia's struggles faced with her father's disease and the threat of his death through her childhood and teen years.

Kyralie has been an orphan all her life. When she reaches 18 and is no longer able to stay with the foster parents she was raiseed by, a mysterious call comes and offers a job for Kyra Regardless of the location in the middle of nowhere. Now she's stuck, living with people she doesnt know and an ancient secret better left unspoken...After the death of a student at an Auckland school over a creation verses evolution disagreement a teacher at the school enters into a wager with another teacher that she can prove creation. The story follows her efforts to locate the biblical Garden of Eden and thereby prove creation rather than evolution.

Max told Stephen that the next time he laid a finger on his sister, it would be the last. Turns out Max is a man of his word...Halloween finally arrived and it was Mary's sixteenth birthday. Mary's parent's finally decided she was old enough to have a sleep over at their house. But she was only allowed to have two of her best friends spend the night after the party. Mary called Kathy and Kim to see if they would stay and have a sleep over at her house. Kathy and Kim both agreed and said that they would have a great time together being that they were all best of friends. Mary hung up the phone and said "This is the best day of my life. I'm going to turn sixteen today and I finally get to date boys."

This story tells the tale of Princess Amara who comes from Land Kingdom and her encounter with Prince Triton who hails from the Ocean Kingdom. Their friendship is developed as they accept each other for who they are.Princess Amara is the daughter of a king in Land Kingdom and faces difficulty living with her step-mother and step-sister Alena who treat her like a maidservant. She meets Prince Triton in one their family picnic trips and friendship is born between Triton and Amara. However, Alena likes the handsome Prince Triton, who will become the Princess of the Ocean Kingdom?

A sample story from the collection of 13 stories in Short Shorts & Longer Tales. A deaf mute aboriginal artist loses a canvas on which he has painted his life. Though he knows where it is, and he can see it, he can't touch or reclaim it. But his ancestral upbringing means he can't leave it behind, so he remains in the vicinity to be near it, passing his time waiting an opportunity.The sample story, "An Artist's Freedom", is merely to give an appetizer from the collection of 13 stories in "Short Shorts & Longer Tales." The sample story tells of an aboriginal deaf mute who loses a canvas on which he has painted his life. Though he knows where it is, and he can see it, he can't touch or reclaim it. But his ancestral upbringing means he can't leave it behind, so he remains in the vicinity to be near it, passing his time waiting for an opportunity to reclaim it. The story earned a 4th placing in the NZ Writers' College nationwide competition in 2010. The full collection is widely varied in location including Japan, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand; varied in nature from wonderfully witty, superb suspense and seriously sad tales. Varying in length from 1,000 words to a 15,000 word novella. Easily readable without a dictionary by your side.

Mix a ship out of control and an active oil rig, and then stir gently with a hurricane. With luck nothing, but when you don't have luck you have something interesting. Then add in the fact that it's almost a mile deep in the ocean. A short story of what could be, and maybe someday will happen.NASA helps SETI locate the origin of an extraterrestrial radio signal to a human habitat on the far side of the moon. These human inhabitants have lived in a subterranean cave system for millions of years. Their social structure is very unlike that on Earth. Differing from the usual adventure stories dealing with aliens, this science fiction narrative is serious, short and precise and has a novel presentation of technology, philosophy and ideology. The narrative is blended in a mix of interesting concepts for readers of all ages with an interest in science fiction and philosophy. The really remarkable and singular feature of the book unravels as the soft and gentle mannerisms underlying the basic nature of these aliens come to light in the later hapters.