Grim Island has a dark history of being shunned by many and being used as a dumping ground for bad apples by the colonists for centuries. But today, Grim Island has a normal thriving community; on the surface.Shrouded in fog, Grim Island used to be shunned and used as a dumping ground by the early American colonists to rid themselves of undesirables. An island home to ghosts, monsters and practitioners of Dark Magic. But now, for school teacher Lacey Rodriguez and her detective boyfriend, Jamie MacLeod, Grim Island is home. Unfortunately, Jamie seems to be losing interest in their budding romance. Either that, or he loves her so much, he’s keeping away to protect her. Making matters worse, Jamie’s new partner on the island police force, a woman with a dark secret, seems determined to steal Jamie away. Lacey and Jamie have secrets too, but then most of the people stuck on Grim Island do. Secrets that refuse to stay buried and have a bad habit of coming to life in the dark.Note: This is a romance and suitable for readers 18+ due to graphic language and sexual content.

TV reporter Morpurgo visited the West Bank and befriended a Palestinian boy named Said. Said does not speak. He makes kites. Morpurgo's poignant account of the experience about how Palestinian and Jewish children live with the Wall is a message of dreams for peace and hope for all children.

The Hunted is a Prequel Novella to Blood of a Werewolf and the blood series. Bonus content included. Devon and Blake have been running from hunters most of their adult lives. They're used to life on the run - so much so that they've got it down to a science. Meet our brother duo before they venture to California and meet up with their destinies in the shape of the O'Rielly sisters.The Hunted is a Prequel Novella to the Blood Series Books starting with Blood of a Werewolf. As an added bonus the first ten and a half chapters of the first book are included with The Hunted. Devon and Blake have been running from hunters most of their adult lives. They're used to life on the run - so much so that they've got it down to a science. Meet our brother duo before they venture to California and meet up with their destinies in the shape of the O'Rielly sisters.

A Storm announces the beginning of the changes to a world that had for nearly a thousand years the victim of the struggle between the two great powers. The imperial capital is the theater of these changes, one of his officers that the man that will receive from four angelic figures a child, in which is the hope of freeing the planet from an ancient and dark threat.Volunteers translator needed!!!This is a free preview. The Stones of Talarana I - The Shadow of the Tyrant is the first novel of an italian epic fantasy saga. A Storm announces the beginning of the changes to a world that had for nearly a thousand years the victim of the struggle between the two great powers: the Empire of Selthon on one side and the Kingdom of Naren other. In the middle, separating them, the great Central Ocean. The imperial capital is the theater of these changes, one of his officers that the man that will receive from four angelic figures a child, in which is the hope of freeing the planet from an ancient and dark threat.PLEASE SUPPORT!!! Volunteers translator needed for full edition of the novel! You can contact the author through his blog (see Author's page for contacts)

Something dark and evil lurks within the university's walls at the Bosnian University of Management. Keith Swanson, a new finance professor, must combat this evil, and rescue his Serbian girlfriend.I’m a U.S. finance professor and was excited to teach at the Bosnian University of Management, located in the heartland of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I went there to make a difference. My future was looking bright. I fell in love with a Serbian woman and just finished teaching my first semester. But one winter night, my girlfriend had disappeared. And no one could help me. I went to search for her and unraveled quite a mystery in the land of blood and honey.I’m a U.S. finance professor and was excited to teach at the Bosnian University of Management, located in the heartland of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I went there to make a difference. My future was looking bright. I fell in love with a Serbian woman and just finished teaching my first semester. But one winter night, my girlfriend had disappeared. And no one could help me. I went to search for her and unraveled quite a mystery in the land of blood and honey.My name is Keith Swanson, and this is my adventure.

This is the story of Peter Pan’s last trip to The Neverland, and it begins the evening Alice returns home from Wonderland. Advisory-The Queen of hearts succeeds at taking off heads.This is the story of Peter Pan’s last trip to The Neverland and it begins the evening Alice returns home from Wonderland. Advisory-The Queen of hearts succeeds at taking off heads.This was my final project for my children's literature class. The assignment was to write a story that combined characters from more than one story. I combined the characters and settings originally created by J. M. Barrie (Peter Pan) and Lewis Carol (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). My goal was to pull Peter Pan out of his perpetual "syndrome" and give him a more promising ending

Barnaby Rabbit lives in Orange Blossom Wood with his mother and best friends; Peter Partridge, Philipa Pheasant and Harry Hedgehog. In these stories for young children, Barnaby meets the Big Bad Badger, the Pesky Fox and Father Christmas.Barnaby, like a true friend, is always there to lend a helping hand.As he does with his earlier novels, Burnham takes his time in skillfully creating his characters so that by the end, the readers know them inside out, down to their raw hearts. Some characters suffer a transformation; others don’t; but each word and action count and stay true to them, making them distinctive. Most fascinating about this story is the mind-splitting moral debate that goes on inside Charlie’s mind at every second as she tries to fight her uncle from totally controlling and brainwashing her like he’s already done to his family. ... Charlie’s story ... pulls the reader in, and this reviewer was anxious to see what was going to happen to her — and whether or not she’d end up having a happy ending like she deserved. Jeremy’s character, while also sympathetic, is somehow less interesting than Charlie, who is obviously the star of the show. The hypocrisy and evil of religion and conservative governments is a recurrent theme in Burnham’s novels, such as On a Darkling Plain and The Many Change and Pass. Other questions explored in the novel include what it means to be a good Christian and the role of women in Christianity. If you’re interested in fiction dealing with social issues, this is an author whose works you’ll definitely want to read. — Mayra Calvani

Three very short science fiction stories. Each is only around eight hundred words.This story is fiction, however it is based on a collection of events that actual happened to me or some of my musician friends during my 50 years in the music industry.The story takes you back to the late 50's and through to the early swinging sixties, when the musical world suddenly awoke to the sounds of a new musical revolution that was emerging from all parts of England. Johnny Morris and the Convertibles were part of that revolution that took them on one hell of a wild ride, as they slowly made their way to the top of their profession. While enjoying the brighter side of life along the way, they often fell victim to the darker side, that lay in wait, and in the end, it became their undoing.This is a personal account of how Johnny Morris remembers his rise and fall.

The Uninvited presents...Blood Beasta novella by Mark MacKenzieYou are a powerful beast that has awoke from an ancient slumber and now you are very, very hungry..... for human flesh!A product of the horrors of the First World War, "Pumpkin and the Pocket Watch" follows a dog through the ruins of an unknown European City under invasion. Severely malnourished, scarred and infected, Pumpkin does what she can to stay clear of the shadows, artillery barrages, and any form of, regardless of nationality, Humankind - for all humans are monsters of war and chaos. And yet, there is a spec of light within the infinite space of darkness that is Our species.

Timothy the Talking Cat made me publish this. I'm so very, very sorry.Camestros FelaptonFrom Cattimothy House comes the apex of Military Science Fiction anthologies. Edited by the outspoken and fearless Timothy the Talking Cat, one of America's foremost political philosophers and one of the aspiring leaders of the future, There Will Be Walrus contains stories of adventure and excitement but also insightful essays into the nature of war, politics and the a brilliant take down of the evil presented by squirrels.If you value good old fashioned science fiction with actual stories, if you hate squirrels, if you value people speaking the TRUTH to you, then this the book for you.Yours, united in the struggle against squirrelsTimothy the Talking Cat

Jordan Parker becomes an obsession for William, a man who believes she is the only being on the planet that can save him. When Jordan goes on the run, it culminates in a bloody massacre where Jordan is the sole survivor. Mr. Parker, the father who abandoned her before she was born is forced to acknowledge Jordan and bring her into a world filled with magic, wonder and danger.Jordan Parker becomes an obsession for William, a man who believes she is the only being on the planet that can save him. When Jordan goes on the run, it culminates in a bloody massacre where Jordan is the sole survivor. This forces Mr. Parker, the father who abandoned her before she was born, to appear and bring her into his world— a world filled with magic, wonder and danger. Through him, Jordan will learn the secrets of her birthright, what makes her power special and why she has suddenly become a pawn in a deadly war for power.

Arinze wades through a series of religious setbacks through childhood in Christian South and adulthood in Muslim North that cost him childhood friends in disturbing circumstances. In his internalised grapple with his experiences, he loses his grasp on reality as he wages war against his entrenched views.This book uniquely describes the life of many an everyday Nigerian child and the forces at work in their development. It also paints a clear economic picture of the political and ethnic diversity that moulds Nigeria especially in recent democratic times. Like Joshua Said is the story of a Nigerian child growing up in the grip of poverty, ignorance, superstition and religious chaos. Arinze wades through a series of religious setbacks through childhood in Christian South and adulthood in Muslim North that cost him childhood friends in disturbing circumstances. In his internalised grapple with his experiences, he loses his grasp on reality as he wages war against his entrenched views.

A small town girl survives San Francisco after she hits a cat and falls for a handsome veterinarian.When 23-year-old Leah Newland accepts a job in San Francisco and runs away from her small-town Illinois life, she expects things to change for the better. What she doesn’t expect is to lose her job, adopt a cat she hit with her car, and fall for a sexy and seemingly unavailable veterinarian. Suddenly, going back to the Midwest seems better than surviving San Francisco.

A novella. Life is rough, unlife can be even more difficult, especially when you're a zombie with bad luck. Follow Bob as he deals with all sorts of trouble. This is not your average zombie novella.Our animal friends do fun, amazing, and silly things. These poems ask why our animal friends do such things. As you read each small poem, imagine what their answer would be or think of new questions of your own.This booklet includes the children poems: Zippy Dragonfly, Young Elephant, Giggling Hyena, and Slithering Snake

Join Kaltor Stratagar in a desperate struggle of magic, steel and intrigue. An ancient evil stirs, seductive and relentless. Witness a battle of the spirit where the goodness of a man's heart wields more power than the strength of his arm, but only the skill with a blade can keep a man alive. Here in Shaylis, even damned souls can find friends in the most useful and unexpected places…An ancient evil stirs in the hills beyond Shaylis. The damned soul's influence touches rich and poor alike, twisting the people against their fellows and coating the streets in terror.As if surviving his assassin training weren't a tall enough task, now Kaltor Stratagar faces a race against time. The creature's strength grows by the hour, compelling more souls to her cause. If Kaltor doesn't find a means of breaking her hold upon the minds of men, Shaylis will fall. Join Kaltor Stratagar in a desperate struggle of magic, steel and intrigue. Witness a battle of the spirit where the goodness of a man's heart wields more power than the strength of his arm, but only the skill with a blade can keep a man alive.An even greater threat awaits Kaltor within the protective walls of Shaylis itself, for even damned souls can find friends in the most useful and unexpected places…Dive into The Assassin's Rising Series, S. B. Sebrick's riveting epic fantasy world of adventure, mystery, and intrigue.Don't delay!

After a stellar career in the Army, Major General Jack Hastings finds himself wearing a new uniform...the orange jumpsuit issued by the Oklahoma City Jail. A young woman has been brutally murdered and Hastings' prints are all over the crime scene. General Hastings has something that a Mexican drug cartel wants. And they will do anything to get it.Jack Hastings is in a heap of trouble. Following a stellar career in the U.S. Army that began at West Point and ended with his retirement as a Major General, he now owns a small arms manufacturing company located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mesquite Manufacturing builds a unique weapon that has caught the eye of certain nefarious groups below our southern border. Mexican drug cartels usually get what they want. But, when General Hastings refuses to sell his product to them, a young lady friend of the General’s ends up dead. With his footprints and fingerprints all over the scene, and his admission that he had been there, Major General Jack Hastings has a new uniform… the orange jumpsuit issued to him by the Oklahoma City Jail. He also has a wife who has found the end of her rope.Now General Hastings has his flaws, but is murder one of them? Attorney Sally Stillwell is faced with defending the General against a mountain of circumstantial evidence tipping the scales against her. Harry Kincaid and the upper echelons of U.S. Intelligence have other interests in the case. Once again, it’s Kincaid against the bad guys. And there are a lot of bad guys.

Book 2 in the Passion in Paradise series Morgan Brown owns Paradise Resort, a sexy, Caribbean getaway for the sexually adventurous. Painful memories from her past prevent her from enjoying the erotic pleasure to be found at the resort she loves, but she's determined others should be allowed to express themselves freely. Love hurts, literally and figuratively, and she wants no part of either sex or romance. Tony Marino is a freelance reporter assigned to do a story on the resort and its mysterious owner. He finds a gorgeous redhead with a mind for business and a body made for wicked pleasures. She's also hiding something--some painful secret that he sets out to uncover. What starts out as a simple week-long business arrangement ends up much more as Tony helps Morgan exorcise the ghosts of her past and revive her sexual desires. Hot passion and the romance of a lifetime ensues, leaving them both wondering if they've found paradise with each other.

Noele, faerie princess of D'Naath, is destined to wed Garick, the Elvin king of Winterland. Their union will strengthen their territories against the evil wizards. Happy with her carefree life in the woodglen forest with her sisters, Noele is loath to have that freedom taken away. But her enigmatic fiancé wields considerable sexual power and she finds him hard to resist, even though he alone will make the decision to keep her or cast her aside after their marriage. But physical attraction is not enough for Noele to give up her heart. She must be able to tap into Garick's emotions. His will is strong, though, and she's unsure of her own powers to attract and hold him. The beautiful faerie wields a power of her own, the power to touch Garick's heart, to make him experience unimaginable erotic delights. Though Garick doesn't care for the magical hold his new bride has on him, he can't deny his awakening emotions for the beautiful princess. Two hearts destined to be together must fight not only the evil wizards, but their feelings for each other. Yet love is tied to fate, and some ties cannot be broken.

From the author of the beloved #1 New York Times bestseller Wicked, the magical story of a toymaker, a nutcracker, and a legend remade . . . Gregory Maguire returns with an inventive novel inspired by a timeless holiday legend, intertwining the story of the famous Nutcracker with the life of the mysterious toy maker named Drosselmeier who carves him. Hiddensee: An island of white sandy beaches, salt marshes, steep cliffs, and pine forests north of Berlin in the Baltic Sea, an island that is an enchanting bohemian retreat and home to a large artists' colony—a wellspring of inspiration for the Romantic imagination . . . Having brought his legions of devoted readers to Oz in Wicked and to Wonderland in After Alice, Maguire now takes us to the realms of the Brothers Grimm and E. T. A. Hoffmann—the enchanted Black Forest of Bavaria and the salons of Munich. Hiddensee imagines the backstory of the Nutcracker, revealing how this entrancing creature came to be carved and how he guided an ailing girl named Klara through a dreamy paradise on a Christmas Eve. At the heart of Hoffmann's mysterious tale hovers Godfather Drosselmeier—the ominous, canny, one-eyed toy maker made immortal by Petipa and Tchaikovsky's fairy tale ballet—who presents the once and future Nutcracker to Klara, his goddaughter. But Hiddensee is not just a retelling of a classic story. Maguire discovers in the flowering of German Romanticism ties to Hellenic mystery-cults—a fascination with death and the afterlife—and ponders a profound question: How can a person who is abused by life, shortchanged and challenged, nevertheless access secrets that benefit the disadvantaged and powerless? Ultimately, Hiddensee offers a message of hope. If the compromised Godfather Drosselmeier can bring an enchanted Nutcracker to a young girl in distress on a dark winter evening, perhaps everyone, however lonely or marginalized, has something precious to share.

The six stories in Haruki Murakami’s mesmerizing collection are set at the time of the catastrophic 1995 Kobe earthquake, when Japan became brutally aware of the fragility of its daily existence. But the upheavals that afflict Murakami’s characters are even deeper and more mysterious, emanating from a place where the human meets the inhuman. An electronics salesman who has been abruptly deserted by his wife agrees to deliver an enigmatic package—and is rewarded with a glimpse of his true nature. A man who has been raised to view himself as the son of God pursues a stranger who may or may not be his human father. A mild-mannered collection agent receives a visit from a giant talking frog who enlists his help in saving Tokyo from destruction. As haunting as dreams, as potent as oracles, the stories in After the Quake are further proof that Murakami is one of the most visionary writers at work today.