"Tolkien meets C.S. Lewis somewhere between Mordor and the wardrobe"-Steve Trinward. When a cursed sword turns up in Shalahem, the fulfillment of a stream of ancient prophecies is set in order. A motley crew of warriors...a betrayer among them...a wicked ruler...a land of immortals...a blossoming romance...and one lost to a mortal condition. The ultimate story of good vs evil. Quirky characters"Tolkien meets C.S. Lewis somewhere between Mordor and the wardrobe"-Steve Trinward. When a cursed sword turns up in Shalahem, the fulfillment of a stream of ancient prophecies is set in order. A motley crew of riders is formed. Their mission is to take the sword to the Immortal King that he might destroy the evil ruler, Darvan, a king cursed by the Immortal King years ago when he sought to usurp his throne. Only an Immortal king holds the power to kill Darvan and there remains only one immortal king. But an ancient prophecy has foretold of a betrayer among the close knit group, one who wants the sword of power for himself because the sword renders its possessor undefeatable and offers him standing among Darvan's ranks. Their journey takes them to far reaching places and they discover that the evil king has been busy at work oppressing villages and cities with his dark knights, men cursed with the rotting of their flesh. Now, they must also try to become deliverers to these oppressed people. Their mission is a dangerous journey and the dark riders and other evil presences of Darvan's kingdom complicate their mission. a rider is taken captive, it becomes apparent that they will have to go to Quadar, the land of Darvan, a dark and cursed land. As frustrations arise among the group, so do tensions. But for their mission to be successful, they must work together. An ancient prophecy also spoke of one arising who becomes a keeper of the sword, a task no one would want because the sword has a persuasive pull to it, a destructive power. In the midst of the conflict, there is a budding romance...and another lost to a mortal condition. A story filled with quirky characters including knights, a princes warrior, wizards, giants, vikings, Earthdwellers, sorbs, and more. The ultimate story of good vs evil. Strong characterization. Epic in every way.

When artist Kitty Sullyard draws a strange symbol in her toy panorama, she doesn’t expect it to be life threatening. Tossed into a situation she never asked for, she learns the hard way who not to trust.When artist Kitty Sullyard draws a strange symbol in her toy panorama, she doesn’t expect it to be life threatening. Tossed into a situation she never asked for, she learns the hard way who not to trust. After Kitty mysteriously disappears, Nathaniel Bexley has only a single clue with which to find her. It’s something only he would know. Will he be able to decipher the secret message she’s hidden in a drawing, or will Kitty be doomed to the hands of her kidnappers?

Marjorie Knight is not new to magic but when she is thrown into a world of magical people, she must fight to stay afloat in a world of dangerous beasts and more dangerous people.Kennedy Riser never thought that she'd want to go back to her boring life in the suburbs of Villa Chica. But, after all was said and done, she found herself wishing that she could return to her former Freak Girl status and continue to lead her once inconsequential life away from demons and shadows and overgrown insects from hell. But, fate had other plans for her and now she had to hide, to run away from everything that she knew and thought she hated. The one good thing that came out of it, a fire that burned at the pit of her stomach ignited by electric blue eyes and a crooked smile.Shadow Riser is the first book in Deborah Barreto's Shadow series.

What would you do if your novel came alive?When Your Novel Strikes Back is a silly story made up of nonsense, random thoughts, and character torture.Heather, Ally, and Ayesha were just three aspiring writers who wanted to write the next great novel. Little did they know that the computer they were using to write it on was no ordinary computer. This computer brought stories to life!Now their creations are roaming the streets, they're being dragged into the story they created, and the only way to stop what's happening is to complete the novel.With the help of the handsome Daniel Evans - a five novel veteran - and the characters they created; Heather, Ally, and Ayesha try to work through every obstacle the computer throws at them, while trying to finish what they started.When Your Novel Strikes Back is a silly story made up of nonsense, random thoughts, and character torture.

A young boy growing up in a medieval world finds himself torn between the duties of his religious cast and a forbidden dragon that befriends him. The boy discovers more questions than answers the more time he spends with the dragon and studying with his masters. Answers can only lie beyond the forbidden mountain that overshadows the village—Black Rock, the home of the beast itself.Book 1 of The Forbidden Scroll series. A young boy growing up in a medieval world finds himself torn between the duties of his religious cast and a forbidden dragon that befriends him. The beast is nothing like the village elders have taught—acting more like friend than foe—yet to be found with it would mean expulsion from the village. The boy discovers more questions than answers in his studies as an apprentice. His confusion deepens the more he visits the dragon that defies all his masters teach. The answers can only lie beyond the forbidden mountain that overshadows the village—Black Rock, the home of the beast itself.

Story about an Alien stopping by earth while his wife and her sister goes shopping at Pluto. And then changes the life of Phillip, a severely depressed human being who is probably a bad representative of the Human race... then again maybe not.Phillip is depressed. His wife has left him with nothing him and his dog, Gravy, with only a few relatively useless possessions. He is contemplating all his morose options for his existence when the door bell rings ...

Life manifests as an ovegrown, petulant baby, whilst melancholy flirts dangerously with an identity crisis.Michael Tomatoes, artist, sculptor and manic-depressive, is a man at pains to discover the nature of self, even if that means being someone else. A tool of fate, he sticks his fingers in the electric socket of life and wonders about suffering and loss. Is his obsession with numbers the result of a robotic condition, metal under the skin, or a paranoic attempt to decipher the intricacies of a more mundane and human predicament? That is: breathing, sucking in and blowing out all those other selves that compose a reality at once familiar and strange.

Elmo C. Dombroski, aka the Spook. His mistress of the dark, Eleisha Mountcastle . . . Boston, a city of grace and charm . . . and murder, of course. The cops think he's a little weird . . . and they're right. But his telepathic skills sometimes come in handy when there's a killer lurking about. A wealthy, connected family has vanished and the Spook is put to a deadly test.THE HOUSE AT HULL is another great mystery read from the pen of Karl Tutt, author of the GHOSTCATCHER collection and the DIABLA series. This is his eleventh book on SMASHWORDS. It weaves a tale of murder and intrigue that shocks and satisfies the palate of the reader who feasts on mayhem. New characters and a new setting give it some different twists, but the emphasis is still on the exciting and unpredictable.

An isolated, frail old man trapped in his apartment. What possible threat could he pose to the sociopaths next door? Except Brendan has his wife's foolish bravery to live up to ... This oppressive horror is part of a suite of short science fiction, urban fantasy and horror stories by BP Gregory, each its own little maelstrom of human suffering and longing.An isolated, frail old man trapped in his apartment. What possible threat could he pose to the sociopaths next door? Except Brendan has his wife's foolish bravery to live up to ... The author was always fascinated by what could be contained in a brief moment. This oppressive horror is part of a suite of short science fiction, urban fantasy and horror stories by BP Gregory, each its own little maelstrom of human suffering and longing.Submerged can be enjoyed alone or as part of Orotund: Collected Short Stories Volume Two, which is also available in print.

Had Princess Bethany known by the end of the day she would be a slave, traveling into her enemy’s territory, she might not have gotten out of bed.Had Princess Bethany known by the end of the day she would be a slave, traveling into her enemy’s territory, she might not have gotten out of bed. Bethany had been raised as the youngest daughter of the last king to stand against King Wolfric’s raging armies, but now she finds herself with a rope wound around her neck, marching into Wolfric’s territory, with no concept of what might lay ahead of her.Meanwhile, Wolfric’s pet knight, Sir Erin Caldry, journeys into the mountains to discovery the results of an unplanned attack on the enemy princess’ caravan. Who will buy a slave like Bethany, without any notion of hard work? What will Sir Caldry find in the mountains? Will the two ever meet?

They've taken on the grocery store, gone head-to-head with Santa and the Tooth Fairy. They've even challenged democracy itself. Now John, Chris and Erik of the best-selling Dumb White Husband short stories will join forces to battle the undead. Do these three men have what it takes to survive when the dead rise from their graves? They're kind of dumb. So probably not. It all begins on a Monday...They've taken on the grocery store. They've gone head-to-head with Santa and the Tooth Fairy. They've even challenged democracy itself. Now John, Chris and Erik of the best-selling Dumb White Husband short stories will join forces to battle the undead.Well, join forces is being pretty generous. Especially since they hate each other. That's why the HOA forced them to bowl together in the first place. So, let's say they're thrown together and forced to survive the zombie apocalypse. Do these three men have what it takes to survive when the dead rise from their graves? They're separated from their families. They're forced to work together. They're kind of dumb. So probably not. It all begins on a Monday--the first installment in the Dumb White Husbands vs. Zombies mini-series.Part 1 of Dumb White Husbands vs. Zombies.Also available in the collected edition Dumb White Husbands vs. Zombies: The Zomnibus including the 6 stories Dumb White Husbands vs. Zombies: Monday - The Weekend.

In Our Dream is a series of short writings - not poetry. There are humorous pieces and those of a serious nature. The two main themes of these writings are love and life after death. These short pieces will make you smile, laugh, maybe cry, or hopefully provoke you into a moment of serious reflection on life; maybe you will identify with some of the statements found in 'Loneliness' or 'Love'.In Our Dream - a collection of Love II is a series of short writings - not poetry. There are humorous pieces and those of a serious nature. The two main themes of these writings are love and life after death. These short pieces will make you smile, laugh, maybe cry, or hopefully provoke you into a moment of serious reflection on life; maybe you will identify with some of the statements found in 'Loneliness' or 'Love'. Enjoy the love filled text of each writing, they are for you.

I am Custard. I'm 11 years old and have created a treasure-hunt game. Read my paranormal-investigation notes and figure out the clues hidden within the text of the notes. These clues will lead you to a special stone hidden somewhere in the United States. If you find the stone, report it on the website (including the code engraved on the stone), and you will be paid reward money. It's free to play.My name is Custard Marks. I am an 11-year-old boy. I am the creator of CustardQuest.The game is pretty simple. I travel around the country investigating paranormal events and unexplained phenomena. Just read my investigative notes and figure out the clues hidden within the text of the notes. These clues will lead you to unique stones hidden somewhere in the United States. If you find a stone, report it on the website and include the code engraved on the front of the stone, and you will be paid via Paypal whatever the pre-announced reward amount is for that particular CustardQuest. The reward money will be relatively small at first and will increase as the number of participants increases. The smaller reward amounts will also allow me to conduct frequent CustardQuests. New CustardQuests will be released periodically, usually every few months.The notes are about 8-10 pages long and are written in plain English -- no ciphers or codes, but maybe a word game or two. Sounds easy enough, right? Good luck.

Die for love. How many poems, how many romantic fantasies these words have been able to elicit. But when a cruel fate makes them real, then languid yearnings become a grotesque, delirious reality. The protagonist is left the hard task of finding a meaning to what fate has reserved for him. To come out a winner, standing on his feet, or with his legs stretched forward.Blue Boy Crumpets lives with his family in the land of clouds. No one from the land below can see Blue Boy, but he can see them. He loves watching the children play, and longs to go there. One day, his cousin tells him a secret. "You can go to the land below. I will show you how if you dare to go." Blue Boy is afraid, but his desire to visit the land below is greater than his fear. So he jumps on a snowflake and tumbles downward. Down and down he goes, fearing for his life as one snowflake after the other melts, and then he lands on the perfect snowflake that carries him safely to his destination. What he encounters on the land below is not at all what he expects. Instead of children, there are tiny men with pointed ears and funny hats. And he has to work! Blue Boy is no stranger to work, so he does his best to do a good job. He even has a lot of fun. But he soon becomes homesick. Will he ever get home again?

The second volume of random poetry I've written from 2006 to 2011, covering love, sex, hate, angst, frustration, and longing of the soul. The first in a set to be released.Experience time travel and romance in this novella for mature young adults.Virgil was ready to risk danger crossing the prairie to find his father and a fortune in gold. After the long wagon journey to Colorado, his difficulties should have been over. But they were only beginning. Soon he would find himself among among mammoth hunters and falling in love.During his puberty rite, Virgil was given a vision. But now there's danger. Will he live to make his vision real or perish in an age when humanity is extinct? This time travel romance is intended for adults and mature young adults.

Archibald is clouded and hungover on his start to the day. He misses vital clues around him about the dangers which are waiting for him outside of the house. They are dangers which have all been put in place by his wife Janet, who is looking forward to finally having the perfect life without him around. Thanks to her local crime consortium connections, all it will take is the push of a plunger.After another night of heavy drinking, Archibald fails to notice some important clues around him as he faces up to the daily grind again. They are clues which would have warned him of impending danger. His wife Janet however, is feeling on top of the world with everything in place to take care of some important household business. But her devious master-plan to make sure that Archibald never finds his way back home again fails dramatically because of extenuating events.

When a group of young people are sent by their church to clean up an old bible camp in the mountains, none of them knows the secrets of the tragedy that happened there decades earlier. Meeting with the camp’s caretaker, they soon learn some of the tale, but it’s only when night falls and death strikes that they discover true pain and terror.When a group of young people are sent by their church to clean up an old bible camp in the mountains, none of them knows the secrets of the tragedy that happened there decades earlier. Meeting with the camp’s caretaker, they soon learn some of the tale, but it’s only when night falls and death strikes that they discover true pain and terror.As they are slain one by one, those left struggle to survive, racing through the camp and the woods while searching for safety.But when axes fall and hatchets are slung, throats cut and heads removed, can any hope to live through the night?(an Eight Hour Fiction Challenge story)Full series:Bible CampBible Camp 2Bible Camp 3Bible Camp 4Bible Camp 5Bible Camp: The Collection

Before the holidays, the entire town is buzzing about the incredible toys Mr. Oddley makes. Why? Because his creations defy laws of physics; they appear magical: his flying discs return no matter where you throw them, spring toys climb up as well as down stairs, and more. Not everyone is happy about the toymaker's success, and that becomes a big problem for him and for our three young heroes.In book two of the Legendary Adventures of Maggie Golden series, Maggie, Molly, and Tim are back in an exciting new adventure: Mr. Oddley's Toy Shop. Right before the holiday season, the entire town starts buzzing about Mr. Oddley, the owner of an old rundown toy store, and about the incredible toys he makes. But why? Well, because his creations appear to defy the laws of physics; they work in a way that is magical: flying discs that always return no matter where you throw them, spring toys that climb up as well as down the stairs, and so much more. But-- is it magic or is something else going on? No one seems to care how it's done, though, and Mr. Oddley and his creations become an overnight sensation. The huge crowds of people that regularly line up outside his store couldn't be more delighted. But not everyone is happy about the toymaker's success, and that turns out to be a big problem for him and for our three young heroes. I'll meet you later at the toy shop. It's located at the corner of Memory Lane and Chance Street. But wear comfortable shoes. We'll probably be standing on line for a long, long time.

After he gets shot from the same guy who killed his team, Joey wakes to find the city he always knew taken over by the two people he was trying to take down. Will Joey make it out alive to be the one to save his city and friends? Or will he scream and crumble internally as he takes a bullet to his head?Joey's world turned upside down after witnessing the executions of his lifelong friends. Then things start to get chaotic when someone from his childhood returns and causes more tension and forces him to remember painful memories from his past, while, at the same time, he tries to stay strong and remain intact for his friends. But after he gets shot from the same guy who killed his team, Joey wakes up to find that Ryan has been elected Mayor, and that Kyle is right there helping him. Will Joey make it out alive to be the one to save his city and friends? Or will he scream and crumble internally as he takes a bullet to his head?

Living in Africa can cause some humorous situations, these are some short stories about such situations that came my way. In some I can only describe myself as the initiator, not intentionally!Life is filled with adventure, from having to share a deep-drop toilet with various creepy crawlies in the middle of the night, to flying airliners kept in the air by prayers and flapping wings. There are ghosts in the desert, and funerals at sea that can go wrong, there are scores to be settled and bombs to be ducked! There are the heart sore of disappearing pets, and the pain of hunting the unknown, there is a life to be lived!

Our world has long been protected by "The Ring" - a benevolent secret society of witches and conjurers dedicated to the continuance and well-being of humankind. Now, in the face of impending climatic disaster, the Ring has uncovered a conspiracy potentially more destructive than any it has ever had to contend with. For eons, the mages of a neighboring universe have been looting the Earth of ideas, innovations and technologies - all the while manipulating events and creating devastating catastrophes for their own edification. And unless the brazen piracy is halted, our planet is certainly doomed. Aboard a modified city omnibus, a raiding party of adepts is dispatched to Arth, the stronghold of the interfering Pentarchy - a world ruled by magic, ritual and unbending tradition. And while the Inner Ring on Earth battles spies, traitors and the terrifying sendings of an evil, would-be queen, a motley group of commandoes launches a cynical attack on the virtue of the great citadel of Arth - determined to conquer the mighty fortress through internal dissension, psychological sabotage and kamikaze sex. But ultimately the destiny of two separate universes is in the hands of a trio of unlikely champions: a dotty old Earth woman, caretaker to many cats and a bizarre, simianlike familiar...a rebellious heir to the Pentarchy, whose birthright enables him to perform astonishing feats...and Zillah, a beautiful but troubled young mother who unknowingly possesses the wildest, strangest, and most powerful magic of all. A Sudden Wild Magic is a breathtakingly original, consistently delightful blend of fantasy and SF - a surprising, funny and warmly human adventure of wars, worlds and otherworlds that signals the dazzling emergence of a major new talent in the literary field of the fantastic.