Heart of the Empire is the first episode in a series of action and character driven steampunk adventures featuring Lady Jessica and The Black Diamonds.Short in length, each episode is designed to be standalone: though they are linked by an overall story arc which will develop as the 'season' progresses.London, 1889.Lady Jessica McAlpin is the commander of The Black Diamonds, the Great British Empire's covert monster-hunting division.With her crew of criminals, misfits and desperadoes, Lady Jessica soars above the land in the airship HMS Zephyr, tracking down the diabolical foes of the Empire.When rumors surface of a vampyre nest in the heart of the Capital, Lady Jessica and her companions are sent to investigate. What they discover is more terrible than their worst imaginings, leaving them shaken, scarred and in some instances changed forever.Heart of the Empire is the first episode in a series of action and character driven steampunk adventures featuring Lady Jessica and The Black Diamonds.Short in length, each episode is designed to be standalone: though they are linked by an overall story arc which will develop as the 'season' progresses.Lady Jessica will return in Episode 2: Troubling Times.

Tickle Box is a fun and moving collection from Bobby’s Children’s Stories Collection. It will tickle your fancy and cause your belly to jiggle from a ha, ha, ha and hee, hee, hee. It will definitely make your grin become a smile.Chase Ransom is a high tech garbage man, and proud of it. He should be. Garbage of the future is a valuable commodity, and mining old landfills is big business. But he isn't the only one in the business. One of his mob-connected competitors is getting in his way. Now Chase must teach him a lesson if he wants to stay on top.Also Included in Space and Waste, Anthology #1 (ISBN 9781476008561) and Anthology #3 (ISBN 9781476122038)

The Spirit Tree cleanses the souls of the newly dead but an evil soul has tainted it and its Guardians, twisting them into something evil.When Michael's mother becomes a restless spirit, he and his friend James are determined to heal the Tree any way they can! With the help of Billy Blin, a Guardian who escaped the taint, they battle their way to the Tree even when the forest itself fights them!When Michael’s mother dies he is startled to see her ghost at her own funeral. When he sees her again just as a dark shadow engulfs her he realises that something is wrong. His grandmother explains that the Spirit Tree that stands in the forest has the power to cleanse all souls before they go on to Heaven but it has become tainted somehow. This taint has affected all the forest guardians and the other fairy folk making the woods a very dangerous place to be in. But more unsettling is that souls are now unable to get to Heaven and wander the forest.Determined to save his mother’s soul Michael and his friend James enter the tainted forest where they soon meet one of the forest guardians. Billy Blin looks the same age as the human boys and has managed to remain untouched by the taint. He promises to help them reach the Tree as this will also help his own people to return to normal.They follow Billy as he guides them through the forest while they are pursued by the King's Huntsmen and the Queen's Court determined to stop them. Even the very trees are against them!

“The reason for my life, and the reason for my death. I want you to write about it, I want you to give reason to it Amy. Tell me what reason there is to it all.” A flash fiction about a girl, and what she learns from her friend.Welcome to Sky Valley, Georgia—a scenic town set in the heart of Rabun County, full of lush trees, greeneries, mountains, and nice people. It is paradise on earth; a place that you’d aspire to come home to. But gasp some of the people really aren’t every nice and this seemingly serene place has secrets hidden within. After spending seven years in Paris, Emmy is back in Sky Valley to set up her own wedding gown store and help her father, famous coffee shop owner and restaurateur Troy Byrne, with one of their coffee and pastry shops, Time for Coffee. Emmy realizes that not everything is what it seems anymore, and that a lot has changed since she left. Take for instance her good, old friend Annabeth Meyer, who’s now getting married to her ex, Matthew Mills. It was a whirlwind romance, they said, and Emmy has to design her own gown for her, and she has to help with the festivities, too. But there are other things that Emmy has to know… There’s also Audrina, her dad’s assistant, who seems to be a nice girl but is known to have a temper, and Tripp Meyer, Annabeth’s dad whom Emmy has always hated. How will they affect Emmy’s life now? A then there’s Daniel, one time boyfriend, and the person whom Emmy considers as the love of her life. But does he still feel the same? Or does he already have someone else? More so, what would happen now that Emmy is back? Will they be able to rekindle the fire in their relationship, or has it fizzled out for good? And is there even a future for them Emmy has no plans of staying in Sky Valley forever, but with the change of events, she knew she had to stay. Two days after marrying Matthew, Annabeth died in front of Emmy, and it’s up to her to make sure that the real culprit gets caught. But how would she do that when the police think that she’s one of the suspects? And how would she be able to find out who the real suspect is when it seems like the people around her have their own motives to kill Annabeth? The Sky Valley Mysteries Book 1: Coffee, Cupcakes, and Murder is a novel that will get you hooked. From finding out who killed Annabeth to knowing her secrets and the secrets of the people around her, join Emmy in this spine-tingling adventure of all sorts and realize that people, good or bad, have their own stories. Read Coffee, Cupcakes, and Murder now! It’s a novel that you certainly shouldn’t miss.

At age 16, Henry Crosson's entire life has been turned upside down. A tragic accident lands him at the mysterious Drury Manor, where ghostly children play in the halls, voices call up from the well, and people keep dying. Slowly, Henry begins to realize this may be no coincidence after all. There is an evil, ancient presence lurking about the property. And it's been waiting for him.Henry Crosson is only sixteen years old, but his entire life has just been turned upside down. After a tragic accident, his uncle Milton sends Henry to live at Drury Manor, a mysterious estate run by the eccentric Esau Drury. Almost immediately, Henry begins to suspect that things are not right in the cavernous old house. Esau's young son keeps speaking of the ghosts of dead orphans, even as the pitter patter of little feet keeps Henry up at night. A disembodied voice calls to him from the bottom of an old well. The elderly maid knows a little too much about him and his family. As the pieces begin to come together, Henry realizes that perhaps it was not an accident that drove him to Drury Manor after all. It seems an evil, ancient presence lurks there. And it has been waiting for him.

When the grandmother she never met falls into a mysterious coma, Siobhan Kelly comes unwillingly to the Green Mountains of Vermont with her family. She thinks the hardest thing she'll face is being the new kid at the local high school and getting used to a place so different than California But the family secret she has yet to uncover will lead her on an adventure beyond her wildest dreams...When the grandmother she never met falls into a mysterious coma, Siobhan Kelly comes unwillingly to the Green Mountains of Vermont with her family. She thinks the hardest thing she'll face is being the new kid at the local high school and getting used to a place so different than California (what the heck is a creemee stand, anyway?). But the family secret she has yet to uncover will lead her on an adventure beyond her wildest dreams ...This short is the prequel to my novel A Little Magic

There were three of us, three archangels, sent to Earth to protect one human girl... but we failed, and she died. At first, I thought that we made a mistake, but there are no mistakes in my world. And the girl? I am certain that she will eventually return. I will wait for her, and the next time she returns to this planet, I will be ready to help her carry out her destiny.There were three of us, three archangels, sent to Earth to protect one human girl. This girl was a gift to all angels. We needed her, so that we can walk among the humans - to learn from them, to live as one of them... but we failed, and she died. At first, I thought that we made a mistake, an error in judgment, but there are no mistakes in my world. And the girl? I am certain that she will eventually return. I am Michael. I am an immortal. I will wait for her, and the next time she returns to this planet, I will be ready to help her carry out her destiny.

In a world like ours but different, five individuals walk their own paths, eventually all paths cross and a deeper plot emerges. This novella is Book One of A Tale of Tales and it introduces the reader to the Radiant Order World. Follow as they all realise that all they see, may not be all there is to be seen... Read about struggle, fate, despair, passion...A Tale of Tales Book One, Advent, contains: A Tale Of One: This is the first short story in Advent and it introduces the reader to a major event within the Radiant Order multiverse. It is the story of one individual's experience, as he observes and contemplates his environment but with every action there is a reaction... What will be the outcome of his experience...A Tale Of A Paradox: This is the second short story in Advent, which highlights the struggle between The Travellers and The Orion Confederation. A planet in turmoil, struggling to remain and endure, seeks help from the race of Travellers. One Traveller hears the call and journeys to the source, offering aid as best as she can and this is her story.A Tale Of Perception: This is the third short story in Advent and like the previous three, it introduces the reader to the Radiant Order multiverse. This story is set in a future, fictional Earth and it focuses on Shade, a soldier of The Brethren, whose perception of reality is altered by a curious encounter.A Tale Of Awakening: This is the main story in Advent and the events in the previous stories lead to this one, even if the relationship isn't immediately apparent; the connection will become increasingly apparent, as the story of this collection evolves. This story, set in Earth's future, follows Ayotola Johnson; a Neoman who has survived an attack on his family and his search for answers.A Tale Of A Champion: This is the final short story in Advent and it introduces a new character, who is from a world called Aleia. Follow his story as he fights alongside his kin, to defend their home and all that they hold dear; using all manner of weapons that they possess.All five stories are bridged by The Watcher, The Witness, a sentient being who tells these tales from multiple perspectives as it has observed. Download Advent and enter the Radiant Order multiverse as a newborn Traveller and learn what it means to be one... Read about a struggle that transcends space, time and dimensions.

Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a named beast. whose personal tale is told above the beast's picture.On the world of Cerra Sevatia, animals are more than mere beasts. The people of Cerra are humanoid beings with the characteristics of animals. They range from the mountainous, bull-like Akoans to the diminutive, mouse-like Mateesh. But even among the Mateesh, Tina van Schtoffen stands short. Though a highly regarded wizard attached to the guild of magic known as the Council of Stars, Tina is only six inches tall.When the city of Likonia, precariously founded in the dragon territory of Maldavia, is attacked by monsters called “Dragon Eaters,” Governor Harkon Keldo requests aide from the Council of Stars. The wizard’s guild, which has a favorable relationship with Maldavia, had originally objected to the establishment of the encroaching settlement. But since these “Dragon Eaters” threatened both Likonia and the dragons, the leader of the guild sends Tina to assess the situation.Tina’s initial impression of the Likonians is an unfavorable one. Able to move through the city undetected, she discovers both their distrust for wizards and little reason for her to trust Governor Keldo. But news of a wounded Maldavian nearby takes her away from the city to where she meets with the dragon. He reveals as much as he can about the “Dragon Eaters” to Tina and gives her a place to begin her investigation.After returning to the city, Tina enlists the help of Kravek Rivakian, an Akoan from the eastern hill country whom she encountered when she first arrived. Suspicions concerning the origin of the Dragon Eaters are raised by a trail laden with traps, a shipment of magical reagents which arrived in Likonia before Tina, and the information gathered from the Maldavian. When the truth comes to light, she must use her wits if she hopes to defeat the monsters and save the Maldavians, the city, and herself.

One fateful night on a new job, a death guide meets a young girl that may change her own death forever.Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever.Inspired by the works of Tim Burton and Neil Gailman, and in the style of Children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

What would it have been like to be the unknown man of Gadarenes roaming the tombs naked and ravaged by demons? What was it like the moment it all changed?Reading time: 18-20 minutes.Leuco the Hawk is a former Guardian-turned-outlaw still trying to escape form his dark, mysterious past. He is driven by his quest for redemption and the burden of protecting his people. When the old fellowship of heroes threatens the realm with civil war, he finds himself thrust into a violent struggle against his former allies who now want him, and those he cares for, dead.Also caught between the opposing forces are Leuco's idealistic protégé Bo, a young reformed pickpocket aspiring to follow in his mentor's footsteps; Ruse, the brooding prince of Veredon burdened by the sins of his tyrannical father; Nephia, the exiled princess of Valinon turned devil-may-care adventurer determined to reclaim her father's throne from a death-worshiping cult; and Maria, the forest's outcast half-elf guardian and reluctant protector of her human kin.The Guardians of Valinon is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy filled with dark magic, wicked monsters, and high adventure. This full-length novel is ideal for fans of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain and Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

A note is left at the door by quick footsteps containing an address. Splints follows it to learn there's more than just crime bosses and thieves in Brooksend, but the supernatural as well.A note is left at the door by quick footsteps containing an address. Splints follows it to learn there's more than just crime bosses and thieves in Brooksend, but the supernatural as well. Charles Splints is an aging detective kicked from the force years ago. The people of Brooksend still know he's the one to turn to when they have a case, so he keeps his office open just in case a beautiful woman walks in looking for a cup of coffee. (First appearance: Blissfire)

On her 11th birthday, Princess Rebecca goes on a magical adventure to find four charms and save her family and friends from the Wicked Witch's spell, which has turned them into stones. She will need the help of a wise frog; face the perils of the dangerous path; win the favour of the Lucky Clover;and decipher the message of the key, if she's to achieve her mission before sun set.It is Princess Rebecca's 11th birthday and she's about to become an apprentice and start her training as proper ruler and guide to her people. Princess Rebecca is worried and unsure, as she feels she's neither brave or smart enough to do a good job, but soon finds out that becoming an apprentice is the least of her problems. All her family and friends have been turned into stones by the Wicked Witch and she has until sunset to find the four magical charms that the witch is after. In a one day adventure, Princess Rebecca will have to find a wise frog, face the perils of the dangerous path, try to win the favour of the Lucky Clover and decipher the mysterious message of the key that opens from the inside, before is too late and her loved ones stay as rocks forever.

We live in a world of the intellectual justification. By succumbing to his intellect, the most im-portant tool God provided man to facilitate him on his wandering on Earth, he managed to turn it into a tool for his annihilation. He ignored his spirit, and so the intellect became a curse that eventually is going to bring his downfall and his demise.This free short story is a prelude to the events of "The Prometheus Cycle: the Star, the Sword, and the Mirror" and focuses on two characters from the novel. In this story, the Legion and the Navy has set to rid the Southern Seas of pirates and organized crime but find foes more than their match.

During the latter half of the 25th century, at the climax of Terrace exploration into the outer clusters of their home front spiral galaxy, a distressing behavior crept its way inward from the farthest star clusters. A mysterious force dubbed the Rot by Terrace explorers was killing whole worlds, eating them from the inside. On a space station near the edge of the galaxy, Terrace watched.Tom is desperate to have a granny. His best friend, Declan, has two grannies, and Tom is determined to find one for himself and his little sister, Amy. Tom also wants to learn to tie the laces on his new lace-up shoes and he thinks a granny will be able to teach him.How will Tom find a granny?Will he find a granny?And will he find a granny who can teach him to tie his shoe-laces?Here Comes Granny Ticktock is an easy-listening story for 3 - 5 year-olds, made colourful with simple illustrations. It is the introduction to the series of stories featuring Granny Ticktock - the accident-prone granny who, in future stories, will always get stuck in small spaces with hilarious consequences.

For Preventing Immigrants And Refugees From Being A Burden And For Making Them Beneficial To The Economy. Written for the Universal Improvement of Australia by Jonathan Twit.A young adult paranormal romance from bestselling author C.M. Stunich...Sylvia's parents have just dropped a bomb on her.A big one.A colossal one.When they told her she could open an early Christmas present, she never expected ears and a tail, especially not connected to her person. Sylvia is just fine with being boring, thank you very much, and she would certainly prefer not to spend Christmas howling at the moon.With the most important date of her life tied to the holiday, Sylvia's going to have to decide if she should tell her high school sweetheart the truth: I'm a werewolf.***A WEREWOLF CHRISTMAS is a 24,000 word novella from International Bestselling Author C.M. Stunich. This is a fun, campy young adult romance with a paranormal twist and a whole lot of Christmas cheer. Plus, it has a happy ending and can be read all by itself for a complete story or continued with A WEREWOLF NEW YEAR'S.ALSO BY C.M. STUNICH (and her pen name, Violet Blaze)-Real Ugly (FREE! A Rockstar Romance)"A WEREWOLF CHRISTMAS" EXCERPT“Sylvia, on Christmas Day, when the sun goes down, when the moon is full—”“I'm going to turn into a werewolf and howl at the moon?” I joked. Both of my parents stared at me like I was nuts. But not in the way that you might think. They weren't giving me a look that said I was being silly or rude or anything of the sort. They were looking at me like I'd guessed right. That was the strangest part of it all. “Um, hello?” I asked as they continued to stare in silence. Without another word, my mother stood up and unbuttoned her skirt. “Mom?” She dropped it to the floor. I continued to wait, expecting some kind of explanation. Was this a joke? It had to be, right? It had to be. Had to be. Had to … My mom slipped off her camisole, and I wrinkled my nose as I caught sight of her lacy bra. Nasty. Mom wears lingerie? That is just gross. When she started to take that off, too, I looked away and stared at the pile of presents like they were the only things in the room. I had to think that way, you know, or I'd be scarred for life, too.“Sylvia,” my mother said, but I wouldn't look at her. I didn't want to see my mom naked. For any reason. “Look at me!” Her voice was garbled, low and deep, not like her at all. I snapped my attention back to my mother and found … something. A melding, shifting, shaking mass of skin and fur and all sorts of craziness.I screamed.“Sylvia,” my father soothed as I scrambled back across the white carpet and slammed into the Christmas tree. A shiny, red bulb fell right off the branch and smacked me in the head. I hardly noticed. My mother was melting, growling and changing into a monster right before my eyes. It was unbelievable.I kept screaming.

Scarred at a young age, Dominique Maksylov, Royal Prince of Russia, has lived a reclusive life. As a musical prodigy, his music has wide reach into the world, but few ever see his face. He never ventures into polite society, but when he dis-covers he is the only heir to the Earldom of Harriss, he goes to one ball. And that one ball, was enough to change the direction of his life forever. But how could he possibly have known that other person— the other half of his whole—would not only need his help but threaten his very existence? She didn’t know how hard it would be to love the broken. Isabelle Hartwell’s mother just sold her to the Beast of Russia. He’s mean, tem-peramental, and the most virile, handsome man she has ever encountered. But he has a secret, one he’s willing to die for and he refuses to let anyone in. Will she be able to reach his heart before it’s too late? Find out if love prevails in this regency retelling of how Beauty tamed the savage Beast…

Angel Kane has always known who her family was and why she was hidden away from them in New Orleans. Now on the run, the last thing she wants is anything that could potentially get in the way of the plan she’s made for herself. That is, until she walks into a truck stop in New Jersey and encounters Parker Liberty—the wolf fate has picked out to be her perfect mate. Parker Liberty hasn’t uttered a word in almost forty years. Not since the horrible day he watched his father murder his mother on the island of Westervelt. He ignores his inner wolf and contents himself with expressing his inner emotions through his tattoos. But when a pair of witches almost kill Angel, he will return to Westervelt to save her. Westervelt is under constant attack by Kendrick. It is questionable whether the Westervelt pack can even survive the week. Angel and Parker’s arrival will either turn the tide of the war or end them forever.

Maybe it was better when she couldn’t remember who she was supposed to be… Single-mom, Kendall Madison has a lot on her plate. Her ex-husband wants back in the picture, her three children have all developed super-natural powers, and the love of her many lives wants to have another go at their forever. She has a team to lead and homework to manage. The shadows are growing in strength and the battle she was brought back to life to fight has begun. How is a woman supposed to manage all of that and not fall apart? Kendall needs to figure out how to cope or the entire world will fall apart. Or maybe it already has and was always meant to. If she can find the missing phoenix there will be a chance…the only problem is no one has seen it twenty years…

Douglas Sherbrooke, Earl of Northcliffe, is a man besieged. He must have an heir. Thus, he must first provide himself with the requisite bride. Alexandra Chambers, youngest daughter of the Duke of Beresford, has loved Douglas Sherbrooke since she was fifteen. Unfortunately, it is her sister, the incomparable Melissande, he wishes to wed. But life never ladles out what one expects, and Douglas finds himself wed to the wrong sister. If having an unwanted wife isn't enough, he is also plagued by The Virgin Bride, a ghost that is reputedly seen in the countess's bedchamber. Does the willowy phantom really appear to Douglas? Does she speak to him?

A Mastyr Vampire. A beautiful fae-slave. Trapped in a fortress. Can love bloom in the midst of a nightmare? Mastyr Vampire Griffin hates his enslavement in Margetta’s fortress. He sought death a thousand times because of it, but was denied when the Ancient Fae brought him back repeatedly, forcing him to train her evil army. When a beautiful fae-slave, Sandra, tells him to live, he begins to believe his life could have more meaning than a tortured existence in Margetta’s hidden army camp. But will his growing love for Sandra put her at even greater risk? Sandra has served the Ancient Fae as her slave for thirty years after an Invictus attack destroyed her family. Sent to work in Margetta’s fortress, grief for the loss of her husband and young son have dominated her heart. When Mastyr Griffin arrives, however, she begins to see that love can exist even in the midst of a nightmare. But when she reaches out to the solitary mastyr vampire, the dangers of fortress life threaten her at every turn, especially when she discovers she’s one of the most coveted women in the Nine Realms: a blood rose.