Charlie gets much more than he bargained for when he breaks into a house across the street from a construction project he's working on. All he is looking for is some drugs to carry on his dependency, but he finds that sometimes dangers lurk where you least expect them.A SHORT STORY: With extra bonus chapter from "The Steel Van Man"Derry Brown looks through an otherworldly lens. In Derry's warped sense of reality, a mundane architectural review takes place in a bleak future ruled by high-tech racing. With the executive assistant protesting the race sponsors in the hallway, and a spectacular crash taking place between a marker and an eraser on his whiteboard, Derry has to try to maintain his sanity long enough to ask the most important question: Is spending money on this code change worth saving twelve cents?Start your engines, it's meeting time.

An FBI agent is sent back to Montana where he was raised to find out who murdered two Indian surveyors who were surveying for a casino. As he delves into the problems at White Peak he finds murder, corruption and greed.Note: the first addition had some name confusion Gordon/Morgan. In order to keep the stories free, I do not hire editors.Have you ever tried to change the minds of ‘good folks’ when they're half convinced the swift application of a rope will solve all their problems? Thing is, to Gideon, the prospect of being hung counted as a bothersome inconvenience. Maybe he was just too busy fending off the Rivers's attempts to help him to take notice of such things.Drinking water, deep breaths, standing upside down-- nothing will change the fact that life is full of hiccups. Gideon's life is more full than most. This story is Intelligent & insightful in a way that holds true, not only for its loosely American West setting, but for today's coffee drinking Joe as well. Told with a 'sitting beside you on the couch' feeling, this is a 'clean' read. Though 1st in the RIVERS series, titles can be read independently.

Across the galaxy, humans are at war with a merciless enemy. The Dieya Corps' planetary warden on the medieval planet of Ravar discovers the enemy's covert operation. Cut off from outside help, he must rely upon the strong swords of two of Ravar's best-known mercenaries to stop the coming invasion. Are swords, cunning and human courage enough to turn the tide?Across the galaxy, humans are at war with a merciless enemy bent on annihilation of the human race. Created by the Human Alliance League, the Dieya Corps of planetary wardens protect evolving worlds from contact with advanced civilizations. On the medieval planet of Ravar one such sentinel discovers a covert operation controlled by the human race's most deadly enemy. Cut off from outside help, he must rely upon the strong swords of two of Ravar's best-known mercenaries to stop the coming invasion. Are swords, cunning and human courage enough to turn the tide?

Thrust into the perilous and magical land of Terratir, Lauren Marriott and her brother, Zach, must harness the power of ancient relics to defeat the maniacal Warlord and find their way home. But in the end, does she have the strength to leave such a thrilling place and the man who stole her heart?Everyone thinks she's crazy. And maybe she is. But Lauren Marriott knows her journey into Terratir happened. It was real, and she's writing all down in frightening detail.She has no patience for her brother Zach and his passion for stupid computer games until she finds a mysterious pendant in his room, pulsating with magical power. Lauren wants it, not realizing it's a portal between this world and one of monsters, sorcerers, and dangerous quests.Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined what she'd find in the terrifying world of The Warlord—death at every turn, but also a love stronger than time itself.In order to escape Terratir, Lauren, Zach, and their newfound friends, must complete the impossible quest for the Eye of Tanúb, a relic of immense power, which The Warlord has already stolen for himself.

For Casey and Susan, things didn't come easily. Their romance took some getting used to, living in Los Angeles was hectic and raising 2 boys was down-right insane. After being told by her therapist to vent through her blog, Cassie begins to realize that some of her biggest stressors were life's most precious gifts. 'Blog of a Lesbian Mom' is a soft-hearted reminder of just how important family is.MEET JOHN MILTON.He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from. He goes on the run, seeking atonement for his sins by helping the people he meets along the way. But his past cannot be easily forgotten and before long it is Milton who is hunted, and not the hunter.1000 YARDSThis 17,000 word novella is an introduction to John Milton, the most dangerous assassin in the pay of Her Majesty's government.Milton is sent into North Korea. With nothing but a sniper rifle, bad intentions and a very particular target, will Milton be able to take on the secret police of the most dangerous failed state on the planet?

Anyone would think that a bookish spinster with bad eyesight has had her share of bad luck. But when accidents begin to happen at the worst possible time, Isha Elmwood spots the man behind the mischief: Mr. Bad Luck himself. Trouble is, she's the only one who can see him. Isha must find a way to stop this handsome knave without subjecting herself to the worst luck of all: losing her heart.Anyone would think that a bookish spinster with bad eyesight has had her share of bad luck. But when "accidents" begin to happen at the worst possible time, Isha Elmwood spots the man behind the mischief: Mr. Bad Luck himself. Trouble is, she's the only one who can see him. Isha must find a way to put a stop to this handsome knave without subjecting herself to the worst luck of all...losing her heart.

This is the culminating project of an afterschool writing program in which children were allowed to just create.A Tale of Romance is a traditional story of romance, yet a new take on the Troubadours.Really, it is boy meets girl, but with one or two twists. A wonderful love story. And one that might have a happy ending. The reader will see if they do live happily ever after or they don’t. They might. The story has a would-be lover who talks about politics and is a general boor. How can he keep his girlfriend he adores? Perhaps by reinventing himself. Or is he never really going to change and always be a boor.

'It's like walking downstairs to the kitchen, but for dad and me, we can walk to the kitchen, say five days ago, or five days from now. We simply walk down the stairs and go to the room we want.' The story of the time left over between a time traveler, and his mother.The feasts! The pageants! The coconuts! Fromsday is here and Klondaeg is invited. Join Klondaeg as he visits the land of the frog-people to attend a festival in honor of Fromdon, God of Coconuts. But all is not well in the frog-lands, where a monster has disrupted the proceedings and threatens to pull a family apart. Can Klondaeg save Fromsday? Find out in this very special episode of Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.

In this installment of BOOK OF LEGENDS, we meet up with a young girl named Paradise, who becomes hopelessly lost in the woods. A terrible snow storm is on the way. Not only that, but a dreaded tree wolf is right behind her--hungry for his supper. Will Paradise make it out of the forest alive? Or will the tree wolf get her? If she does make it out alive, will she still have to go to school?In this installment of BOOK OF LEGENDS, we meet up with a young girl named Paradise, who becomes hopelessly lost in the woods. A terrible snow storm is on the way. Not only that, but a dreaded tree wolf is right behind her--hungry for his supper. Will Paradise make it out of the forest alive? Or will the tree wolf get her? If she does make it out alive, will she still have to go to school?Follow Paradise through this quick adventure filled with snow storms, tree wolves, and hot apple cider (plus a cameo from young John Milton, future poet).

In the future, when corporate mercenaries attempt a hostile takeover of the First World Government, the technology they hijack turns against them and instigates the awakening of robot consciousness.Nicolas, a once successful author, now struggles to make a comeback. His agent pays him and unexpected visit, and triggers a series of things that start to go terribly wrong. A past as grave as Nicolas' is best left undisturbed.

Shawn Anderson is the Chief Deputy Sheriff for the county he was born and raised in. With his father as the Sheriff and his brother a Sargent, the Anderson reputation is well known. The one thing no one knows about Shawn is that he is a vampire. Until he becomes the target of a frame job. With the help of his fellow officers, it's a race against time to find the murderer and clear his name.Sometimes we get caught up in talking and forget that God gave us two ears with which we can hear each other. God also gave us spiritual ears that He uses to communicate with us. God is a relational being. That means that He created us so that we can have a relationship with Him, our Creator. But sometimes we fill our lives up with so much noise that we drown God’s voice out. In order to hear God, we need to be tuned to Him. If we don’t practice this “tuning in” process, it can go way out of whack. It disappoints God when we go through our lives without actually listening to Him and He desperately wants to communicate with us. Even when we go to prayer, we don’t listen. We usually have a list of requests for Him, so we talk to Him instead of listen. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with talking to Him. In fact, He wants us to talk to Him. But sometimes He just wants us to listen

The world is divided between the green new economies and the old fossil fuel economies. The green economies move against Australia quickly and decisively. With millions of refugees heading north, a small group tries to turn the situation. Andrew and Phil are recruited by Kylie. The two futures face each other. It is a showdown with the whole future of the planet at stake.Set in Melbourne, Australia, climate change is an everyday reality. Water is scarce, and food has to be imported. The green economies have reached the end of their patience. Now they have decided to shut Australia down. Colin is charged with destroying Kylie’s group. He has already killed several of Kylie’s group. Andrew and Phil are at a loose end. It is too late to flee the country. Andrew is recruited by Kylie into the group. As the situation deteriorates, a desperate fight begins. They are drawn ever tighter into the conflict. 2023 is a thriller in the world of active climate change. It is not just environmental catastrophe that is center stage. It is the battle between the two economies. All proceeds from the sale of 2023 are donated to charities promoting renewable energy.

My Florida Idyll. For the first time, the Black Centipede's closest friend and most implacable opponent, the mysterious and deadly Mary Jane Gallows, pulls back the shroud on her life in her own words. Thrill to her surreal encounters with Ponce De Leon, Cotton Mather, Professor James Moriarty, Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, Mary Pickford, H. P. Lovecraft, and her father, Jack the Ripper.The pioneer of what has come to be known as Psychedelic Pulp brings his mix of madness and adventure to digital singles. Chuck Miller, the creator of The Black Centipede introduces The Fabulous World of Zenith, a new and original series that will examine the world of the Black Centipede, Vionna Valis, Mary Kelly and Doctor Unknown Junior from a variety of strange and oblique angles. The first episode in Miller’s series focusing on the city in which his characters live and die takes a look into The Journal of Blood Mary Jane: My Florida Idyll. For the first time, the Black Centipede's closest friend and most implacable opponent, the mysterious and deadly Mary Jane Gallows, pulls back the shroud on her life in her own words. Thrill to her surreal encounters with Ponce De Leon, Cotton Mather, Professor James Moriarty, Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, Mary Pickford, H. P. Lovecraft, and many others-- including her father, the diabolical genius known as Jack the Ripper

Visit www.puddlestory.weebly.com for more.Birch loves her garden. Her sanctuary is the nearby forest. She understands that solid connections can be made over meals, and adventures can happen at any moment, especially when there are cats involved. Come, listen to the Trees with her.Puddle is a tale for the curious, the lover of plants, and the healer inside each of us. It is for those of us who notice the little details, such as reflections upon tranquil water. Here is a story that celebrates the power of stories, and knows that solid connections can be made over meals, especially woodland-foraged meals.Birch loves her garden. Her sanctuary is the nearby forest. She understands that adventures can happen at any moment, especially when there are cats involved. When she witnesses a boy crawl from a puddle that wouldn't cover a toad, she suspends her disbelief in order to see his side of the tale.Get your feet wet with Birch and Puddle as they travel to worlds by way of the reflections upon puddles. Prowl with Caht, the cat who spells its name with an h, and arrange necessary... encounters.. with Nimupara, the Watcher of Worlds. Dance all night with the Trees, as they share their stories and their secrets. And listen to the land.Join the fireside for conversations concerning science and magic (which is often science that has not been explained yet). Review facts, and wonder about wonderful perhapses. Celebrate life, love, joy, health, healing, and the nonjudgmental approach to life that is common among trees.

Whodunit is an amusing detective story about how a parrot helps to solve the Barlow murder, as well as the stolen diamond necklace case. Cookie does this by learning to say, -Barlow did it, Barlow did it, Cookie wants a biscuit. And as you'll discover she is right up to a point, but not entirely right, as someone else also had a hand in the murder.When Ruth, the office cleaner, discovers that the detective she is now working for is trying to solve the Barlow murder, as well as the stolen diamond necklace case, she feels obliged to tell them what she knows. But as she is afraid of being implicated, instead of telling them what she knows, she enlists the help of Cookie, the African Grey parrot, by teaching her to say -Barlow did it.An amusing detective story about how the parrot helps to solve the case.

Koby and his friends can't wait to return to Hollow Point High School for their senior year. They have access to a lodge; a place to hold their social festivities. Swimming, Relaxing; sounds like paradise, right? Paradise turns to horror as someone begins killing the students one-by-one. Can the killer be stopped in time or will the lodge become the final resting place for this group of teenagers?Koby and his friends can't wait to return to Hollow Point High School for their senior year. Koby's best friend, Chad, is given the keys to his dad's endearing lodge, which is buried deep within Hollow Point woods alongside a beautiful, tranquil lake. They're supposed to use the lodge for studying and the serenity that comes with it. However, Koby, Chad and a group of students instead use this as a place to hold their social festivities. Swimming, relaxing, kayaking, fishing. Sounds like paradise, right? Paradise soon turns to horror as someone begins killing the students one-by-one. Can the killer be stopped in time or will the lodge become the final resting place for this group of teenagers?

Christmas in Biddermouth On Sea never runs smoothly no matter how much the inhabitants plan otherwise. This year its' a burst pipe, a pantomime dilemma and a breast feeding riot.,It's Christmas in Biddermouth on Sea and the inhabitants of this small English seaside town are getting ready for the BIG DAY only as usual the lives of Maureen, Beattie and their friends and neighbours never run as smooth as they would like. This collection of short stories follows them through the run up to the climax of the festive season.including a breast-feeding riot, the traditional Mince Pie Eating Competition and a burst pipe that threatens to ruin the Biddermouth On Sea nativity scene.

A man's journey after becoming wealthy beyond his dreams and losing love. His journey is seemingly lonely, until we find out he was never really alone after he returns home.Sam wins the lottery and asks Natali to marry him and run away to see all the hidden beauty the world has to offer. He wants her by his side through all the great and secret adventures he can dream of with his new wealth. She denies his proposal so he goes it alone, only to return fifty years later. that's when the story truly begins.

This is a short story about the author and his college mates. The author usually sees no need to attend christian fellowships but one day he's cornered by his buddy's girlfriend and cannot just decline the invitation.This is a short story about the author and his college mates. The author usually sees no need to attend christian fellowships but one day he's cornered by his buddy's girlfriend and cannot just decline the invitation. the author never misses to go clubbing every Friday with his bottle friends. When he finally attends this one fellowship, a new perspective of everything dawns on him...Enjoy!