When a young maiden, upon whom every luxury in life has been bestowed, is sent away upon discovery that she possesses an ancient power that she did not even know existed, her world is shattered. She can only dream and hope that this is just the beginning of one of those books of love and adventure she so adores.As she finds herself swept away into the enchanted caves that are said to be the only safe place for her,she learns that no place is safe except that which we make so ourselves.Will a dashing knight come to rescue her?Will she ever return home to the people and the life she so loved?In this short story excerpt from Sorrow’s Twin Sister:Book 3 of The Healer’s Creed Series,a tormented young girl struggles to understand her power,to control it.Can any goodness arise from this curse or is she no more than the monster her beloved uncle declared her to be?

After the untimely death of his mother, seventeen year old Corey Evans is uprooted from his San Francisco home and finds himself in a small town of people who remain blissfully ignorant to the world beyond their borders. However, beneath the exterior of perfectly aligned tract houses and well-manicured lawns, a tattered web of dashed dreams, wounded souls and dark secrets lays quietly in wait."Sadie Stories" is a virtual peephole into the lives of the denizens of the idyllic village of Sadie, Connecticut. Focusing primarily on gay teenager Corey Evans, a Seventeen year old import from San Francisco who relocates to the small town after his Mother's untimely death and finds himself a little more than startled at the bizarre reality that encompasses Sadie; a town of perpetual happiness and blissful ignorance regarding anything beyond it's boarders. However, beneath the exterior of perfectly aligned tract houses and well manicured lawns, a delicate web of personal eccentricities, dashed dreams, wounded souls and dark secrets lay quietly in wait. During that last magical summer, on the cusp of adulthood, Corey finds himself an unwitting harbinger of change, as his very presence rocks the very delicate balance they cherish. Treasured friendships are forged and consequentially challenged, the ties that bind families, once thought impenetrable, are torn, and decisions are made that will change the course of lives forever. Chronicling that period in our lives when we each find our crossroads, Sadie Stories offers a unique glimpse into the very real events that mold us as human beings, offering distinctive portrayals of Men and Women, both young and old, from all walks of life- ultimately celebrating the tenacity of the human spirit.

When a priceless native artifact is stolen and those guarding it are mysteriously murdered, the United States government turns to the one team who always catches the bad guy - Brady Carmichael and the poodle of mass destruction, Fifi.From the pen of KJ Hannah Greenberg comes this chapbook of new poetry. Fun, insightful, and lyrical, Fluid and Crystallized focuses primarily on challenging and, only secondarily, on pleasing. This chapbook uses words’ color and texture to provoke interpersonal mindfulness. “Risk,” not “peace,” makes these pages heuristically valuable.What’s more, Fluid and Crystallized, tries to cheer on, to shepherd, and to whisper softly not only about success, but also about failure. This collection shares cautions as well as an appreciation of the scenery.About the Author:KJ Hannah Greenberg, who only pretends at being indomitable, tramps across literary genres and giggles in her sleep. She worries less, however, about linguistic beasts that roam at dusk than about bold fiends that smile and gulp up writers during broad daylight.In the beginning there were Watercolors, 1979, a musical, and Conversations on Communication Ethics, 1991, essays. Following a tour of duty in academia and then decades dedicated to parenting, there are: Oblivious to the Obvious: Wishfully Mindful Parenting, French Creek Press, 2010, essays, A Bank Robber’s Bad Luck with His Ex-Girlfriend, Unbound CONTENT, 2011, poetry, and Don’t Pet the Sweaty Things, Bards & Sages Publishing, 2012, short fictions. In the future, there will be, b’eH: Supernal Factors, 2012, poetry, The Nexus of the Sun, Moon and Mother, 2013, essays, and Oh Your Goodness!, 2013, essays.https://kjhannahgreenberg.net/"Such a galloping, rollicking poet she is. She rolls words from denotation to connotationright through to playful upsetting of conventional usage carts."--Deirdre Kessler, poet and award-winning author of the Brupp series.

Can men truly know and experience peace? Can nations? Can families? Follow one man's quest for unity, justice and a better existence.What causes brother to rise up against brother? Can men, nations, and families ever experience true unity and peace? Will racism and hatred finally be eradicated? War often seems to be man's answer for settling disputes and thwarting evil. Perhaps the best solution to our conflicts doesn't reside in this world. When a Civil War chaplain finds himself dodging death-stamped mini balls and dismembering shrapnel, he realizes there is a better way, a final, lasting hope.

What lurks beyond outer galactical space? Our ancestors mysterious ancient Allies, who instead of settling in systems, chose to travel further into the dark beyond the galaxy.Or new enemies,and monsters beyond our comprehension.Sophia Armitage is a decent girl from a good family. They have worked hard to end up on ‘the right side of the tracks’ in the central north island town of Hamilton in New Zealand. But things are never quite what they seem and as a dreadful secret begins to eat away at her, life at the failing high school in the north of the city starts to horribly unravel. Finally pushed too far by a group of girls whose only purpose in life is to make her existence a misery, Sophia is forced to fight back, ending in disastrous consequences. To make matters worse she is befriended by Dane McArdle, the alpha male of their poisonous little group, unleashing a whole host of trouble onto Sophia’s head. Their families are so different and yet who gets to decide which side of the tracks is the right side and once you’ve landed on the wrong side, what will be the cost of crossing back over?

A real estate developer acquires a spooky old house. Everything is quite normal, he keeps telling himself, though it won't sell and he doesn't like being there alone...Preston Cunningham has just been rescued from a group of North Vietnamese Army regulars in Cambodia where his helicopter made an emergency landing in forbidden territory - known as "over the line."Following an operation to repair his broken eye socket, teeth, ribs and third degree burns, he is under the care of Lieutenant Linda Villani who is assigned to Preston for the duration of his (30 day hospitalization).She nurses him back to health, but not before falling in love with him. She suggests that Preston work for her father at his construction company in San Francisco. In the meantime however, Linda is engaged to an engineer in her dad's firm ten years her senior.While recouperating, Preston is informed that he has been considered for The Medal Of Honor based on his conduct as a POW. Preston Cunningham a sergeant, and Linda a lieutenant are prohibited according to military rules from fraternizing. Her commanding officer turns a blind eye and deaf ear to their budding romance.On the day he is to leave the hospital and Lieutenant Villani behind it is a sad departure, but both look forward to fostering their relationship. This author will release additional chapters as short stories from the novel "Orphans Of The Mourning."

Children book. Young Gordon becomes obsessed with the idea a finding gold. In Savannah, Georgia, gold stories are just as numerous as ghost stories: the town used to be visited by pirates. This is a tongue-in-cheek short story (5800 words) told by Gordon himself. You will be surprised by what he found.Is this a book for you? It is about the dream of a boy. The mom is a nurse and always concerned with insect bites and viruses, including HIV. The dad is a prof and always tries to teach math at any moment of the day. His best friend is a Jewish businessman who works in construction. The great-aunt Bessie has had so many husbands that the kids believe that she has been married 82 times. There is also a dog, Backrub, whose business is to steal slippers.

Years have passed since an all-out civil war devastated Russia. A young survivor returns to the ruins of what had been her home as part of a team researching the aftermath of the final day. But What they encounter there is something no one could have predicted - something lives in the radioactive ruins, wanting answers, and possibly even revenge.Years have passed since an all-out civil war devastated Russia. The last day of that war saw a nuclear exchange that left millions dead. A young survivor returns to the ruins of what had been her home as part of a university team researching the aftermath of the final day and its effect on the environment. But it is not just the environment that has been altered. What they encounter there is something no one could have predicted - something lives in the radioactive ruins, wanting answers, and possibly even revenge. It is down to this one survivor to do something drastic and finally lay to rest the ghosts of the past.

Molly only takes chances while driving. Life burned her, and she isn’t ready to open herself up to new wounds. Louis, Lou for short, knows more about the woman than she likes. He’s supposed to be her muscle to facilitate an aircraft engine exchange. It’s a business trip into the wilds of Alaska that has them cooped up in a truck for days. Where will their road talk take them?Molly only takes chances while driving. Life burned her, and she isn’t ready to open herself up to new wounds. Louis, Lou for short, knows more about the woman than she likes. When she discovers Lou crewed with her dead husband, Molly wonders how much Davis Lee told his shipmate about her. He’s supposed to be her muscle to facilitate an aircraft engine exchange. It’s a business trip into the wilds of Alaska that has them cooped up in a truck for days. Where will their road talk take them?

'Why has there never been a King of all the World?' From this question follows a fable of foolishness, realisation and redemption. A Greater Kingdom is a short tale of growing up and discovering what is important in life.When Concetta Pianto sang her Il dolce suono, the people on Bokeem slowed to listen. But no one ever asked why she sang so often. “Nor did they query the vibrant bruises, tracked downward from her face to her limbs.” Background Music is a woman’s story of societal denial and private suffering—though the pain is not Concetta’s alone. There are others. A cross-dressing teen, a dutiful wife, and a mutt named Red-eyed Blue suffer, too. But no one ever asks—Why?

The new cold war has arrived with new players joining the affray. The second book in the Litchfield family series finds the mountains and natural gas fields of Turkmenistan acting as the catalyst in these shifting sands. Praise for Michael"Impressive action scenes" Kirkus Reviews"The moral ambiguity of Lichfield is refreshing" San Francisco Book ReviewThe new cold war has arrived. With new players joining the affray. The second book in the Litchfield family series finds the mountains and natural gas fields of Turkmenistan acting as the catalyst in these shifting sands. In Japan, a new Prime Minister seeks to make his mark, in order to reclaim his nation’s place in the world. In North Korea, a man considered to be a peacemaker plots and schemes to take power of the South. In China, a civil servant moves his instruments around the world to enable him to challenge the might of the United States. When Sir Thomas Litchfield is forced by the President of the United States to help him bring peace to the world’s longest conflict in Korea little does he know that decisions made long in the past, in the corridors of power are about to bear fruit and bring the world to the brink of oblivion. The Devil’s Playground is a story of passion, conflict, greed and naked ambition that follows both the allies and foes of peace as the reader joins Thomas on his journey to protect those he loves and is charged to lead while he walks the tightrope of keeping both his “masters”, old and new happy in the aftermath of his doomed attempt to revenge the woman he loved all those years ago.

In a city plagued by amnesia, Antoine earns a comfortable living as a prompter to the rich and powerful. He knows his time of privilege is short. Amnesia is contagious and growing in virulence. When a shady government agent offers him an amnesia cure in return for feeding scripted lies to his clients, Antoine has to choose between his values and everything else that makes him who he is.In a city plagued by amnesia, Antoine’s powers of memory earn him a comfortable living as a prompter to the rich and powerful, who are slowly losing their minds. He knows his time of privilege is short. Amnesia is contagious and growing in virulence. Complicating matters, someone is altering history books and tampering with archives, so that even healthy citizens no longer have an accurate record of the past. When a shady government agent asks Antoine to feed scripted lies to his clients instead of their own true memories, he is faced with a dilemma. An amnesia cure has been found and Antoine can have it if he’ll play the government’s disinformation game and help change humanity's understanding of their shared past. The alternative is the slow erasure of his lifestyle, his memories, and ultimately himself.

Clarisse Davies is by far the hottest girl in Scott's 1957 high-school class. No one but the school stud, Jay, seems to even have a chance with her. Yet when Scott's friends realize he can perfectly imitate Jay's voice, they come up with a plan that will give him the opportunity to kiss Clarisse. But at what price?How would you walk the plank? Would you weep and beg? Or suffer the consequences of your actions in silence? A boy stows away on a ship in search of his father.A short story.

It will enable you to make the right decisions when it comes to commercial properties. After you have read this book, you will be able to successfully choose a commercial property for your real estate business.The eBook Commercial Real Estate Finance, by Winston Rowe & Associates discusses the fundamentals of the different types of commercial property, the various options that are included with properties and the capabilities that you will have as a commercial property investor. It will enable you to make the right decisions when it comes to commercial properties. After you have read this book, you will be able to successfully choose a commercial property for your real estate business. This book will help you to figure out everything that has to do with commercial properties. Also included with this book are different ideas on what you can do to make sure that you are getting the best financing possible. You will be able to truly enjoy the opportunities that come along with financing and with the different options that you have. You will need to make sure that you can secure financing but it is not a cut and dry experience for everyone. The tips that are included with this book will give you the best chance at getting financing.

The entire Shadow of the Moon series in one complete package! Detective Maria Selena’s nights were just like her days, long and boring. That is, until she answers a midnight call about a suspicious person and meets a mysterious stranger with yellow eyes. His alluring gaze and sensual bite lead her down a path of seduction and lust that threatens to engulf both halves of her life, the light and the dark.

Ashton Wolfsbane, Earl of Gyles, has taken a vow of celibacy after blaming himself for his sister in laws death. After a failed suicide attempt, he's dedicated his life to bring justice to the weak making it his personal vendetta to be the death dealer to the wicked, also known as The Grimm Reaper. He denies himself lusts of the flesh and is known throughout London because of his ability to kill effortlessly and without emotion, that is until he meets Princess Sofia, a woman hell bent on making him forget all his reasons for denying himself the one thing he's always craved---love. After rescuing the fair damsel, he thinks his job finished, that is until he discovers he's to be the Princess's escort throughout London until she's safely married. It wouldn't be such a hardship, except the Princess has made him an offer he can't refuse. Show her passion, real passion. Four weeks of giving into the desire he's suppressed for so long--four weeks of bliss and then they'll go their separate ways. But things aren't always what they seem, and when rescuing a damsel, or making a deal with her, one must always be prepared for the consequences. Seven Royal Guard, a Beast, a kingdom in chaos, and a girl as pure as the driven snow...Will they find their Happily Ever After?

Siren Ménage Everlasting: Erotic Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, HEA] Having twin newborns is a dream come true for Nate Wright, Callie Sheppard, and Zane Hollister. Having two babies who don’t sleep at night is a nightmare for their love life. They all love Charlie and Zander, but they’re missing something. Callie feels unsexy and more like a mom than a wife. Nate and Zane love their wife, but they’re not sure how to reach her. Her marriage out of control, Callie worries she might lose them. But her husbands have a plan to change all of that. It involves spending some time in the Talbot guesthouse. Deep in the night in Bliss, this threesome will get their groove back.

Imagine a future in which the sport of boxing has gone high-tech. Human boxers have been replaced by massive humanoid robots. And former champions of flesh-and-blood are obsolete . . . . Richard Matheson's classic short story is now the basis for Real Steel, a gritty, white-knuckle film starring Hugh Jackman. But "Steel," which was previously filmed as a powerful episode of the original Twilight Zone television series, is just one of over a dozen unforgettable tales in this outstanding collection, which includes two new stories that have never appeared in any previous Matheson collection. Also featured is a bizarre satirical fantasy, "The Splendid Source," that was turned into an episode of The Family Guy. Richard Matheson was recently inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Steel demonstrates once again the full range of his legendary imagination.

The magnificent title story of this collection of fairy tales for adults describes the strange and uncanny relationship between its extravagantly intelligent heroine--a world renowned scholar of the art of story-telling--and the marvelous being that lives in a mysterious bottle, found in a dusty shop in an Istanbul bazaar. As A.S. Byatt renders this relationship with a powerful combination of erudition and passion, she makes the interaction of the natural and the supernatural seem not only convincing, but inevitable. The companion stories in this collection each display different facets of Byatt's remarkable gift for enchantment. They range from fables of sexual obsession to allegories of political tragedy; they draw us into narratives that are as mesmerizing as dreams and as bracing as philosophical meditations; and they all us to inhabit an imaginative universe astonishing in the precision of its detail, its intellectual consistency, and its splendor.