Bowen is transported into one of his favorite video games. He has to complete a level to get back before bedtime. Can he do it?Bowen has always wanted to go into a video game and really play it. Tonight he gets his wish as he is transported into one of his favorite video games. He has to complete a level in order to get back home before bedtime. Can he do it?

A young man escapes a life of crime to journey out west and start a new life under an assumed identity.In the 1800s, a young man escapes a former gang by robbing them and running west to start a new life. Under an assumed alias, he poses as the town doctor and tries to fit in to the wild frontier. Soon enough, his old life catches up to him and he's forced to defend the towns folk who have taken him in as family against the old gang who wants to kill him and get their money back.

Sally doesn’t have any friends. What she does have is a little brother whom she loves and had swore to protect from their downtrodden mother and drunken father, but Sally is only a child herself, and when she can’t do what needs to be done she turns to the only friend she can make.Sally doesn’t have any friends. What she does have is a little brother whom she loves and had swore to protect from their downtrodden mother and drunken father, but Sally is only a child herself, and when she can’t do what needs to be done she turns to the only friend she can make.No-one knows what Peter is. Devil, Angel, manifestation of a frightened girls’ imagination. Whatever he is, he loves Sally and he’s been waiting in the attic for her to finally realize he’s there for her. Only her.

What if today, was really tomorrow? Read this chilling tale of a man, who has lost his time.Lost time is the second story in the Tales From The Backwoods series. It is a short tale of a man struggling to sort reality from something else. Is it an elaborate hoax involving everyone he knows, or has he truly lost days at a time without any recollection of the Lost Time? Please enjoy this short tale and watch for more to come. Thank you for reading ~Backwoods~

A father must protect his family from monsters he thought were only in the movies. When a tragedy strikes help is offered from an unexpected source. But is the help worse than the tragedy? Monsters are real. Werewolves stalk their prey and vampires hide in the shadows in this story about a family facing horrors.Chris Hixon's family is being hunted by a monster he thought was only in movies and old legends. His son carries a talisman that is sought by one of the oldest werewolves in the world. And he will stop at nothing to get it. When tragedy strikes his daughter, he is offered help from a strange source. A centuries old vampire is willing to help. But is the cost too high?This Novella is the first in a series.

Do you remember happiness ? I do,just - so why is sadness dogging my tracks ? I know how wrong I've been,but I just want to take off out of here.Oniria CityThe Alfa had appeared in the Oniria City after a long time. His absence turned the city in a dark place where passersby passed were no able to perceive, that today bears his real name, was where the Alpha was born.Oniria again become to be the promised city for the abstract concept that some call God, and others just simply want to mention like the promised city, where in the first hung a sign said: "Someone who valued itself always takes time to read, but have to be willing to bow to the ignorance."

After Jaden is rescued from being kidnapped by the Darclonians in book 1, he wakes up in a virtual under water city on a planet called Xenos that is in the Andromeda galaxy 2.3 million light years from Earth. Bellona (his new Bio-mechanical alien friend) informs Jaden of everything that has taken place and he learns about a chain of events that is unfolding for Earth.After Jaden is rescued after being kidnapped by the Darclonians in book 1, he wakes up in a virtual under water city on a planet called Xenos that is in the Andromeda galaxy 2.3 million light years from Earth. Bellona (his new Bio-mechanical alien friend) informs Jaden of everything that has taken place and he learns about a chain of events that is unfolding for Earth.While on Xenos, Jaden plays in the Andromedian’s futuristic gravity games; flies around the planet without a body by using nanoeyes; observes the planet’s gravity tides; wars; joins a space team; races in (EIS) exoskeleton intergalactic spaceships and plays a virtual game of chess with alien pieces.Bellona befriends Jaden and is his personal escort while he is a guest on Xenos. Bellona unintentionally develops a special interest for Jaden (Bellona used to be a carbon life form in her past life). She tries to understand his Catholic beliefs and explains her people’s long history on religion, technology and why he is there.Even though ten years has passed on Earth, Jaden’s human body has only aged a few weeks. He misses his family, friends and girlfriend back on Earth. Jaden’s travel to the Andromeda Galaxy sets off a chain of events for Earth. Jaden learns of a Darclonian mother ship leaving from another part of the Milky Way Galaxy and heading towards Earth. There are conflicts in the Andromedian elder council on whether it is too dangerous for Jaden to return to Earth by himself.The Andromedians pack Jaden full of prototype organic nanotechnology called nanodrones. The nanodrones run Jaden’s body like crewmembers on the Star Trek Enterprise. The quadrillions of nanodrones BIO-engineers his body, brain & DNA from a Homosapien to a BIO-Sapien.__________________________________Prologue BIO-Sapien books 1-6A young man by the name of Jaden is abducted by benevolent aliens, bio-engineered to superhuman levels and sent back to Earth years later to stop an alien invasion.150,000 years ago Darclonians began on an experimental dark energy/dark matter weapon that works only with carbon based life forms. The organic subject would eventually die.100,000 years ago Darclonian probes sought out thousands of planets with life on them that could develop into intelligent life forms. The probes fired Quadrillions of Nanomoles into Earth's atmosphere seeking intelligent life. The Nanomoles hid inside of the modern Homosapien brain and studied humans for thousands of years. The Nanomoles recorded our feelings, memories, emotions, experiences and DNA from generation to generation.Today the Nanomoles await a signal from a Darclonian mothership to begin it's 84 hour three stage countdown.Jaden's bio-engineered body is the key to perfecting the Darclonian's weapon of mass destruction. Jaden becomes a super hero unlike anything ever created before. The rebirth of science fiction begins.

Simply Shorts Too is another compilation of short stories. These mystical, mysterious stories offer a variety of plots and interesting characters, all with their own unique twist.The world of the supernatural is a place of intense horror and blood-chilling danger. Dark, twisted monsters stalk among humanity from the shadows, seeking only to devour us.Seems like somebody should make some money from all that, right? Enter Eric Margrave, semi-professional monster hunter (He'd be a professional, but they really don't have a certification process for this sort of thing.). When the things that go bump in the night start actually knocking on the door, he's the one who serves them their walking papers... for a nominal fee. Prices negotiable. No demons, please.In this short, Eric has taken on a job from the residents of a little town in the middle of nowhere, who find themselves with a minor case of the next town over disappearing. To some this would be a sign it was time to pack up and leave the diner; to Eric, it just means time buckle down and make a quick buck doing what he does best: The judicious application of extreme violence. Just another day at the office.

The RIFT Saga begins here. In the ruins of what was once North America lays the Covenant, a nation forged by the iron will of the Moon people. Every year a number of girls and boys at the age of eighteen are selected for Service to the State, and those who complete their Service, may become citizens. But the Covenant is rotten to the core, and once you see the truth there can be no turning back.RIFT - The new dystopian trilogy book 1 from the author of the Exodus Trilogy. The RIFT Saga begins here. In the ruins of what was once North America lays the Covenant, a nation forged by the iron will of the Moon people, who descended from their dusty refuge on the Moon after the Fall. The Moon people are wealthy, ruled by a strong government who protects its citizens from the dangers from outside their borders. Their greatest achievement is having learned the secret of immortality, and every citizen has the opportunity to live nearly forever if they choose to, a life of riches and abundance. The English are the descendants of the original inhabitants of this place, and they live very different lives from that of the Moon people. They only live to serve the greater good, and citizenship is something few have the opportunity to earn. At the age of fifty all non-citizens are subjected to mandatory euthanasia. In order to maintain a sustainable society, they are told. Every year a number of girls and boys at the age of eighteen are selected for Service to the State. The brightest and most talented are sent to become Students. The strong, the fighters and the athletes become Janissaries, a band of soldiers protecting the northern border from the enemies of the Covenant. The Wardens, a secretive organization known to operate far to the west, near the Rift, which makes up the border to the wastelands, sometimes choses one or two initiates, but nobody knows what becomes of them. And then there is the Corpus, where the whip rules and backs are bent. Those who complete their Service, may become citizens. And although they will never be equal to the Moon people, they will have access to all the riches and opportunities granted by the Covenant leadership to its citizens. And life.As Sue is nearing Selection Day, she secretly hopes to be chosen, despite having to leave her mother and brother behind. She doesn't crave glory or wealth though. A man or woman with citizen status can do a lot of good, and although few return to their home towns, Sue hopes to return to give her family a better life on the other side of Service. But the Covenant is rotten to the core, and as she begins to learn its secrets, Sue must question everything she has always taken for granted. Soon she will find herself in dire peril, for she has seen the truth and there will be no turning back after that... This science fiction dystopian trilogy is set more than two centuries after the events of Exodus, in a future dystopian society forged from the ashes of global disaster. "Mr. Christensen has absolutely found his genre, and I hope he keeps the stories coming!""I read the Exodus Trilogy and I see in RIFT an author who has stepped up a level."

Dr. Zito lives only with his creations, Ernie and Oliver. In Ernie, the doctor has created a universal donor, a clone ready to give Dr. Zito any part should one of the doctor's organs fail. In Oliver, the doctor has created a robotic surgeon, ready to harvest from Ernie any flesh the doctor may need. Only, the doctor never anticipated the friendship that forms between his clone and robot.Ernie lives knowing that his death could fall at any moment. Ernie's mortality is linked to Dr. Zito's health. Only a clone, Ernie can voice no objection when the obese doctor partakes of another bourbon after another rich meal. Ernie has no right to encourage the doctor to seek even a little exercise to help strengthen Dr. Zito's failing heart. Ernie is only a clone, only a commodity, only a closet of organs and parts maintained in the best of health to be ready to save Dr. Zito from the health emergency arriving perhaps next year, next month, or next week. Ernie rebels against the purpose endowed by his creator, however, when he makes a new friend in the world of his online adventure game. Ernie suddenly cares for his tomorrows. Only Ernie must convince the robotic surgeon and guardian named Oliver that a clone deserves an opportunity to at least meet the face behind a game's avatar if a clone does not deserve a future of his own.

Daea is nine years old, loves candy, hates school, and just became a vampire. Awakened into a new world, she is whisked away from her comfortable Los Angeles home to a scenic capital city, where danger and adventure can manifest on any given night. With supernatural Gifts, she and her teammates fight monsters and solve mysteries in an ongoing battle against the Suffering.Abby Rose is a smart and capable member of the Vanguard. She also waits tables at the O Motel Bar & Grill between her shifts of zombie killing. When a strange and viscous series of murders closes in on her home, she finds herself fighting side by side with members of the VIG—vampire increment guard. Abby soon gets close to one of their leaders, Ethan Sterling, a tall, dark and handsome vampire. Loss is prevalent in this world, but can Ethan and Abby find their way, and avoid the loss of love?

This is the story of a unique yet beautiful friendship between a little Polish girl and her pet cow. The two form a special bond and become inseparable until the little girl's family is forced to flee Poland as World War II is set to begin. Johanna must leave her farm and her pet cow behind.Johanna is the 2nd youngest of 8 children living on a farm in rural Poland in the 1930s. She loves animals but due to her family's financial constraints, she has never been allowed to have a pet. She forms an unlikely friendship with a small cow on the farm and soon the two become inseparable. On the verge of World War II, Johanna and her family must flee Poland and their farm to seek refuge in Canada. Brokenhearted, Johanna is left to deal with life in a new country and wondering about the fate of her best friend.

Serina K. is back! When Mrs. Doyle’s famous Doodle Soup recipe is stolen from the time capsule that was buried on the elementary school campus, Serina takes it upon herself to solve the case. As the case progresses, she embarks upon a journey of self discovery and learns the value of true friendshipSerina K. is back. Her quest for fame is back as well. However, things have changed since her last adventures in Introducing Serina K., Ph.D. and Future Famous Person. Her best friend, Autumn, has moved to Chicago with her parents to start a new soup company. Sara, Serina’s cousin, quickly fills the void as Serina’s new best friend.All is well until Mrs. Doyle’s famous Doodle Soup recipe is stolen from the time capsule that was buried on the elementary school campus. Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, Serina takes it upon herself to solve the case. As the case progresses, she embarks upon a journey of self discovery and learns the value of true friendship.

The Cult of Daeva believe that a set of twins will be born upon the Winter Equinox during a lightening storm occurring within a blizzard around the time of the witching hour. Are Andrew and Andrew McKinley the twins of the prophecy or is their mother simply insane enough to do whatever it takes to make them the prophecy?Amanda McKinley is a devout follower of the Cult of Daeva upon finding out she was due on the Winter Equinox she began to earn favor within the cult.....even more so when it became clear that she carried multiples. She was desperate to have them in the early morning hours so that she could deliver the children of the prophecy. For her unhinged desperation to birth the children she almost lost them all. Are the surviving children, Andrew and Andrea McKinley the children of prophecy or is Amanda's insane logic turning them into monsters she cannot control?

Enter a world of dark seduction and powerful magic . . . enter Atlantis . . . Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian’s touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure . . . until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom. The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she’s inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior’s arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire . . . Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there’s one thing Shaye doesn’t know . . .

A brief vignette, and one that I wrote mainly to understand Amelie and Oliver’s relationship. This was written very early on, between Glass Houses and The Dead Girls’ Dance … It was also before I’d thought about Bishop, or even much about Myrnin, although I already had the broad strokes of his character in mind. This little scene was written to help me understand how these very long-lived, somewhat disinterested characters would see these teenagers who’d defied them … and it also gives us a bit more about Shane’s father, since I was beginning to write that book and had a feeling for what was coming. The characters changed over time, developed more depth and richness and personality, but I think the outlines are there in this story, and the sense of their long view of things. This was originally posted as part of the Captain Obvious ‘hidden content’ on the Morganville website.

It is the end of days… With no memory of how she left one existence for another, Mika spends her days serving those who need her without the benefit of guards. Unlike her fellow Sisters she was never in love with any of those who ever worked with her. Until five contractors show up to fix the Sisterhood. They are not battle ready… Neil, Wayne, Gordon, Ren, and Lennon are not trained guards. They have no idea that their destiny is to be with Mika, far away from the island paradise where they were raised. But when she needs them, they will discover what they were born to do and awaken a destiny in Mika that will change the world forever.

Tragedy has struck His Majesty’s Aerial Corps, whose magnificent fleet of fighting dragons and their human captains valiantly defend England’s shores against the encroaching armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. An epidemic of unknown origin and no known cure is decimating the noble dragons’ ranks–forcing the hopelessly stricken into quarantine. Now only Temeraire and a pack of newly recruited dragons remain uninfected–and stand as the only means of an airborne defense against France’s ever bolder sorties. Bonaparte’s dragons are already harrowing Britain’s ships at sea. Only one recourse remains: Temeraire and his captain, Will Laurence, must take wing to Africa, whose shores may hold the cure to the mysterious and deadly contagion. On this mission there is no time to waste, and no telling what lies in store beyond the horizon or for those left behind to wait, hope, and hold the line.

I wrote this account one year after I'd found Hannah dead. I thought I'd managed to erase all traces of that night within myself. But I was wrong. Every night when I tried to sleep, I'd close my eyes and see her again, exactly as I found her, hanging from a pine tree by an orange elctrical cord, her neck twisted like a tulip stem, her eyes seeing nothing. Or else that was the problem. They'd seen everything. This mesmerizing debut, uncannily uniting the trials of a postmodern upbringing with a murder mystery, heralds the arrival of a vibrant new voice in literary fiction.

Nowhere is Patricia Highsmith's affinity for animals more apparent than in The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murder, for here she transfers the murderous thoughts and rages most associated with humans onto the animals themselves. You will meet, for example, in "In the Dead of Truffle Season," a truffle-hunting pig who tries to whet his own appetite for a while; or Jumbo in "Chorus Girl's Absolutely Final Performance," a lonely, old circus elephant who decides she's had enough of show business and cruel trainers for one lifetime. In this satirical reprise of Kafka, cats, dogs, and breeding rodents are no longer ordinary beings in the happy home, but actually have the power to destroy the world in which we live.

The Stone Diaries is one ordinary woman's story of her journey through life. Born in 1905, Daisy Stone Goodwill drifts through the roles of child, wife, widow, and mother, and finally into her old age. Bewildered by her inability to understand her place in her own life, Daisy attempts to find a way to tell her story within a novel that is itself about the limitations of autobiography. Her life is vivid with incident, and yet she feels a sense of powerlessness. She listens, she observes, and through sheer force of imagination she becomes a witness of her own life: her birth, her death, and the troubling misconnections she discovers between. Daisy's struggle to find a place for herself in her own life is a paradigm of the unsettled decades of our era. A witty and compassionate anatomist of the human heart, Carol Shields has made distinctively her own that place where the domestic collides with the elemental. With irony and humor she weaves the strands of The Stone Diaries together in this, her richest and most poignant novel to date.