Space Viking is a science fiction novel written by H. Beam Piper and is set in his Terro-Human future history. It tells the story of one man's search for his wife's murderer and its unexpected consequences. The story was originally serialized in Analog magazine. Background Ten thousand refugees from the losing side of The Big War (The System States War of The Cosmic Computer) fled far beyond the boundaries of the Terran Federation and colonized the planet Excalibur. By the beginning of Space Viking, they had expanded to a handful of Sword Worlds (so-called because they are named after legendary swords) and had grown to a total population of three and a half billion, organized in a feudal system of kingdoms, duchies, and other small states, ruled by frequently-warring noblemen. Despite their isolation and the political instability, the inhabitants managed to retain a high level of technology, including space flight. One day, a starship rediscovered the Old Federation. Civilization had collapsed, presumably due to the war; many of the planets had regressed to varying stages of semi-barbarism. Taking advantage of the situation, "Space Vikings" (reminiscent of Norse vikings) proceeded to raid the poorly defended Federation worlds over the next three hundred years for loot.

A plump little meadow mouse is always an inviting target for hungry hunters in the Green Meadows. This certainly should give Danny Meadow Mouse enough cause for concern; but lately, he's been worrying about something else — his short tail! In fact, he wants so much to have a different tail that he almost forgets to take care of the one he has.Danny spends much of his time avoiding the likes of Hooty the Owl, who drifts effortlessly above him in the open air; Reddy Fox and old Granny Fox, who stalk him as he races through snow tunnels; Mr. Blacksnake, who silently slithers after him through the grass; and other pesky predators.Youngsters will enjoy reading and listening to the adventures of the plucky vole and his friends as they explore Farmer Brown's orchard, the Old Briar-patch, and the enchanting world of the Green Forest. The text has been completely reset in large, easy-to-read type and Thea Kliros has adapted six black-and-white illustrations from the originals by Harrison Cady.

Gentle reader, I was born upon the water—not upon the salt and angry ocean, but upon the fresh and rapid-flowing river. It was in a floating sort of box, called a lighter, and upon the river Thames, at low water, when I first smelt the mud. This lighter was manned (an expression amounting to bullism, if not construed kind-ly) by my father, my mother, and your humble servant. My father had the sole charge—he was monarch of the deck: my mother, of course, was queen, and I was the heir-apparent.

There’s only really one thing you can do when you escape from a madman; run.You just gotta hope he doesn’t catch up to you!Jaclyn has always known her family was unusual. Her mother is a witch and her father, well, he's been dead for almost 600 years. On her 23rd Halloween, family secrets will be revealed that change everything.(1st in the Season of the Witch series)

A short story: one young man turns to crime, but later has an encounter that will forever change the course of his life.A short story: one young man turns to crime, but later has an encounter that will forever change the course of his life. This story is one of forgiveness and redemption - showing how there is always hope, no matter the odds.The story amounts to 4000 words but allows readers to sample the author's work for free.

The last patches of snow, even in the most secluded gulches, had been licked up by the mounting sun; the waters of Coyote Creek had returned to the confines of the stream bed; in places a suggestion of green was making its appearance about the bases of grass clumps, and cottonwood buds were swelling. Four men sat on the bench before the bunkhouse of the H.C. ranch; one was braiding a belt, another whittling and two more, hats over their eyes to shield them from the brilliant light, joined in the desultory conversation from time to time.

Dutch and Tulip are in love and famous because of it. Yet they've never even kissed. As the world's largest Dutch kissing couple, Dutch and Tulip are the larger-than-life version of the cute little statues you see in people's yards. But when a storm damages Dutch, Lily Mein knows she must save them and her dream of marrying beneath the 57-foot couple.Dutch and Tulip are in love. And famous because of it. Yet they've never even kissed. As the world's largest Dutch kissing couple, Dutch and Tulip are the larger-than-life version of the cute little statues you see in people's yards. For decades, Dutch and Tulip have stood at the entrance to the town park, blessing couples as they married under their loving eyes. They are Holland, Indiana's claim to fame. But when a storm damages Dutch, the small town considers selling the aging couple. Discovering that Dutch and Tulip are in danger, Lily Mein knows she must save them and her own dream of getting married beneath the 57-foot couple. Problem is...not everyone wants Dutch and Tulip saved. Even bigger problem...Lily has no groom. Oh sure, she's found one; he just doesn't know it yet.

In this deeply affecting novel Scott O’Dell envelops the reader in the heroic world of the conquistadors—a world that is at once somber and many-colored. Though they may have been ruthless, these steel-helmeted young men of Spain lived their lives on the very edge of eternity with style and uncommon courage.

Betsy was in love. From the tips of her toes to the top of her pixie-like brown hair, every fiber of ber being seemed to vibrate with a special kind of joy. But the focus of her admiration was seemingly unaware of her...as a woman, that is. Unknown to Betsy was the fact that her young professor was quite aware of her.Although raised by single metahuman parents, Stephanie, Rael, and Lance weren’t prepared for the sudden and shocking event that thrust them into a night of upheaval as they cope with their metamorphosis into superhumans. The meteor shower that altered the heroes also mutated many others in Metrocity, causing a scene of chaos at Iron Cross General Hospital as Lance and Stephanie are captured by law enforcement, and Rael must free them.The friends join the Homeland Extraordinary Response Organization (H.E.R.O.) and seek to stop a mutant named Shrinker as she gathers new supers to build an army of bloodthirsty mutants in her plan to cause anarchy. Her evil squad kidnaps normal humans to feed those mutants, and it becomes a race against time to find the anarchists before they murder the people.While searching for the villain's base of operations, the group must learn their powers and overcome the problems associated with telepathy, a strong blood thirst, and strength capable of crushing steel under one’s fingers. They also begin to take part as heroes in the city, and discover that having powers is not as easy as it appears - in heroic actions or in normal life.H.E.R.O. – Metamorphosis is the first novel in a growing series of action-based superhero novels based on the Metrocity division of H.E.R.O. It acts as the introductory novel to the supers and how three of the main characters fight crime and deal with disasters in the city. The novel leads the way into the H.E.R.O. series as a growing roster of H.E.R.O. agents take part in various events and disasters.H.E.R.O. – Metamorphosis is a full-length novel of approximately 122,000 words.The ongoing series currently consists of these novels (as of early 2012):H.E.R.O. - MetamorphosisH.E.R.O. - New MarketsH.E.R.O. - Rise and FallH.E.R.O. - Dark ResearchH.E.R.O. - HordeH.E.R.O. - ParagonH.E.R.O. - Dossier I (Illustrated Guidebook - due Apr/May 2012)“I'm half way through the last book, Horde ... the characters have become like friends and I don't want to leave them. Thank you, Kevin, for writing this series. I felt like a kid again reading it. The series can be summed up in one word, ‘FUN.’” - Dale R. Bille“… I just couldn't stop flipping the pages of HERO.This book is smoothly written. It flows well, and although the story isn't groundbreaking, it has its own brand of charm. It has all the cool super hero stuff you want, and the 3 main super heroes are very well fleshed out. Their internal dialogues and character development are really what gives this book a (super) leg up on other similar novels.” – Gregory Ciallella“This was fun to read, and if you're a twenty-something then you'll enjoy the characters and their relationships. Action like X-men, romance like Twilight, bloodier than both but nothing too serious.” – Geeky guy

Visions of another dimension usher a young woman through an adventure of immorality, virtue, and self-discovery.Seventeen-year-old Alexis has visionary dreams that take her to Avalon, the realm of faeries.She discovers this other world is real, and it is where she was created. Switched at birth, Alexis is a changeling, simply disguised well to fit in with humans. Through a vision, she learns of her derailed heritage and about the day she was born, when the worst kind of evil killed her mother.This evil is now after Alexis, and a prophecy insists she is the only one who can stop it. As she plans the creature's demise, it spends its time terrorizing both humans and faeries. To complicate matters, Alexis falls dangerously in love with a depraved faery. One who is close to the evil she is trying to stop. She feels connected to both worlds, and also to both dark and light. Struggling with who she is while deciding how to fulfill the prophetic claims, Alexis must choose a sacrifice to stop this abomination -- be it human, fae ... or even herself.

When Argus Kirkham disappears, his older brother Alex returns to the city of his youth to join in the search, but finds himself instead at the edge of a baffling mystery he can neither see nor begin to understand, in this fourth and final re-mix of the Dragon City series.Welcome to the Stone Age! Flint Dog is the story of a ten-year-old boy, Youngest. He has just two dreams — the first is to be a Hunter like his big brother and his father, and his second is to have a new dog of his own, after his beloved White Tail dies. Both dreams are fulfilled in the form of misshapen lump of flint — the flint dog of the story’s title. On the way Youngest has several adventures concerning baskets, caves, a mammoth and a menhir.Flint Dog, set in France, has been very carefully researched. It brings to life a period in our history that is often neglected. Suitable for 7-13 year olds - young readers who are ready to be stretched.

Nominated for the 2013 "Best Sugar Shock Novel" award, Best Male Character, and Best Cover! Sometimes, even the gods can't change their fate...When Karly moves to Las Vegas, she happens to run into Zeus Drakos, owner of the new hit resort and casino in town. Over time she will discover that there's much more to him that what lies on the surface. Will she be able to handle the truth?Nominated for the 2013 "Best Sugar Shock Novel" award, Best Male Character, and Best Cover! From #1 Bestselling Genre author Kamery Solomon comes ZEUS, the first book in her much loved The God Chronicles series."Oh-Em-Gee!!!"~ Jeannette Medina, I Heart Books“I can't wait to read the next one!”~ Sam Pearce, Amazon Customer“It is the perfect start to what is sure to be a fantastic series.”~ Random Museomy"This was my most ABSOLUTE FAVORITE book that I have read in a long time… I was unable to put this book down from beginning to end and I definitely want more."~ Lisa Markson, Paranormal Bookworm"I couldn’t put it down! It’s one I want to carry around with me everywhere so in those spare moments waiting on someone or something I can escape back into it... This is a beautifully written story that I highly recommend! In fact I already have to all my family and friends. "~ Brenda Anderson, Naughty Bits Book Reviews“Loved this book!!!”~ Delphina, Delphina Reads Too Much“I literally couldn’t put it down!”~ Tigerakp, Amazon Customer“PLEASE READ.”~ Stellak, Amazon CustomerBlurb:Sometimes even the gods can't change their fate...Vegas is not where Karly had imagined herself to be at this point in her life.She was supposed to be living in California, soaking up the sun and enjoying the life of an artist. Instead, she's just moving out of her parent's house and going to a school that could loosely be called her second choice. When she meets Zeus Drakos, owner of the new hit casino and resort in town, he seems just like every other jerk guy out there. How was she supposed to know who he really was?

Dor agreed to act as King of Xanth so long as Trent was gone for a week. But the weeks passed and Trent did not return. Dor knew he had to rescue his king but with no magic powers, how could it be done...? From the Paperback edition.

Runa expects to live her entire life isolated in the woods until she meets Thorkell the Tall. She tries to conform to society through a traditional marriage, but at a very high cost to them both. The Lost Tales are ten short stories set in Viking Age England (and related areas). They introduce the characters of the novel, "Eadric the Grasper," but each story stands alone.**A short story**Brooke writes "LEAVE THIS PAGE BLANK" on the inside of her yearbook so her best friend has a place to sign. But after the book is passed around at school, she finds that someone else has written there first. The handwriting is bizarre and unrecognizable, and instead of well-wishes for the upcoming summer, the message contains a creepy warning. Brooke wants to believe it's all a joke... but her growing sense of dread is making her think otherwise.

Ensign Brahma is the newest member to join the Starship Victory on her mission of peaceful exploration. The crew is nice enough, but he still feels isolated from them because, while the rest of the crew come from just about every species and culture in the galaxy, humans, Gamar, the Symphony of Life, Sparta and more, they are all still limited corporeal beings and Brahma is a space god.Perhaps his abilities and insights can help the Victory on her latest mission...The Starship Victory is en route to check the technology level of a primitive world on the outskirts of the Galactic Union, but finds only a burned out cinder. A strange energy signature emanates from the planet below. Can the Victory face down whatever strange force destroyed this planet?Also along for the ride are Engineering Chief Golem, a neurotic alcoholic android, Security Chief Kylie Hayes, who is tough as a neutron star, and the Executive Officer Elorg, a man from a race of musical cyborgs. Can the crew of the Victory discover the shocking secret behind the graveyard world below them?Find out in the first episode of the Starship Victory saga!

A collection of poetry written 1988-2008, many began as English class exercises in college. Exploring love in all its forms and passion, life and death.A kid who discovers he's the Emperor of the Supernatural World!12 year-old Max has never felt like he belonged at school or in his family. But one day, he is whisked away to a supernatural world where he discovers the very features that make him unique help him survive and even to claim his birthright as the Emperor of Occultoria, the government of the Supernatural World. With his wits, some magical abilities and some friends to assist him, Max must reunite all the rebellious parts of the strife-ridden Occultorian Empire to restore the balance of and keep the peace between the Natural and Supernatural Worlds.His first task is to force the Queen of Purgatorio into submission. As Max steps into the eerie land of wailing ghosts, he discovers that part of growing up means being courageous and confident - even when he doesn’t feel it. An inspirational story of growing up, belonging and believing in yourself, the Crown Prince of Occultoria is the first in a children’s coming-of-age series that combines elements of mystery, adventure, fantasy, thrillers, romance, magic, enchantment and the supernatural.

A collection of stories about a frightening world inhabited by people dehumanized by the daily threat of nuclear war and postwar survivors deformed by its results. From the Trade Paperback edition.

When an accountant for a high tech company is accidentally transported to an alternate dimension he finds himself carried along on a series of amusing escapades. Short on descriptive passages yet long on humor and ingenious ideas. A quick read for those who like light fantasy.Marlin Clamor is not 'the Master of Intrigue'. He is a bean counter for an advanced technology company. While his company is infiltrated he is locked in a chamber that sends him out of this world and out of his mind. When he arrives at his destination he no longer knows himself as Marlin Clamor, but instead believes that he is 'the Master of Intrigue'. A talking tree starts Marlin on his journey to discover where he is and why he is there. The power of a king is being usurped and a dragon is being framed. High spirited twins, a master swordsman, a smoking hot redhead and a greedy monarch all come to Marlin's aid. Can Marlin and his new-found friends change this situation and bring the perpetrators to justice? Or is he merely a delusional accountant being haplessly dragged into humorous adventures? You'll find out in "The Master of Dimensional Intrigue."

The world is running out of water and Sami's father has disappeared. Everything is bad. Then everything changes. Brian, alien from the planet Adonae, arrives and becomes Sami's only friend. When the government orders the aliens rounded up, Sami and her frenemy, Alejandro, save Brian. But they need to get him back to Adonae, while running from police, parents, and a very dangerous goon.Sami Lightfoot is not so thrilled about her life in Paradise, Arizona. To begin with, there is the sixth grade, which is, well, school. Then there is the fact that the world is running out of fresh water, making everything drab, difficult, and scary. Worst of all is that her astrophysicist father has disappeared. Without a trace. So now it’s just Sami and her over-worked mother, and a big hole in her humdrum world. Then an alien boy named Brian—one of fifty-seven refugees from the (supposedly) doomed planet of Adonae—is plopped down in the seat beside her at school. And everything changes. Brian may be an alien, but he is soon the only friend Sami’s got. When the fear-mongering business tycoon, Todd Rover, blames the country’s problems on the aliens, the government orders them rounded up. But Sami and her frenemy, Alejandro, are definitely not going to let that happen to Brian. They spirit him away. But that is not enough, of course. They need to get him back to the safety of his home planet. Outsmarting police, parents, and a relentless and dangerous goon named Mr. Sombra, is one thing. But finding a way to transport Brian back to his home planet is something else. A big something else. All of this would be quite enough adventure for anyone. But, as it turns out, it is only the beginning for Sami.

A spy has a package to deliver. He is not sure of the contact. Her hair is light brown, not blonde. Her green sweater is not solid, it has yellow triangles. What should he do? They are meeting in a honky tonk dance hall.. She asks him to do the Turkey Trot with her. It is close to the password.A spy has a package to deliver. He is not sure of the contact. Her hair is light brown, not blonde. Her green sweater is not solid, it has yellow triangles. What should he do? They are meeting in a honky tonk dance hall.. She asks him to do the Turkey Trot with her. It is close to the password.He returns to his table and sips on his beer. She appears at his table again to dance a Paul Jones. After dancing with other women, he makes up his mind when the whistle blows and she has his hand.

Jael is an average teen girl with over-protective parents, an unrequited crush on the hottest guy at school, & a best friend she shares everything with. Until her parents let her in on the secret they’ve kept for nearly 16 years… Jael is the Chosen One. Born to be a vampire slayer, her destiny was written in the Book of the Shunned. She's been chosen by God to set the Amish free from vampires.With tongue firmly in cheek and genuine Amish-made stakes at hand, The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy sets off like a bat in the belfry. Jael the vampire slayer is ready to kick some serious bloodsucker butt. Seriously.Move over Buffy – there’s a new slayer in town! Raised in the desert of Nevada, and destined for the Minnesota Loon Lake Amish Community, Jael Shetler is the Chosen One. Trained by her uncle and father in twenty-one different forms of hand-to-hand combat – she also throws a knife with the speed of a bullet, and is accurate to within two centimeters of a cold, dead heart with her crossbow – she is a bloodsucker’s worst nightmare.Her parents, forced to leave their plain and simple upbringing to escape the clutches of the new Bishop – an ancient and powerful vampire with plans to use the Amish Community as his own personal Jamba Juice – raise and train their daughter to continue the fight begun thousands of years earlier by another Jael, and to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of the Shunned.Soon Jael is turning sweet sixteen and then … all hell will break loose.This is author Barbara Ellen Brink’s first foray into the world of Amish and Vampires – both of which scare her – but it won’t be the last. Watch for the 2nd book in The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy… Shunned