The Slug Rebellion is a humorous, non-serious, science fiction novel, primarily for young adults. It tells the story of an alien crash-landing on Earth (quite predictably), what it did once it got here, how our annoying planet has changed it, and what it does when its old race and problems finally catches up with it.The Slug Rebellion is an 86,000 word humorous, non-serious, science fiction novel, primarily for young adults. It is comprised of a prologue (because every good book has a prologue), ten intermediate chapters and an epilogue. Each chapter is split into several scenes, with each being told from the first-person perspective of one of the three main characters. The story is technically based in Australia, but it could be applied anywhere.The novel deals with how an alien manages to crash land on Earth. Once here, it decides that it needs to blend in, in order to survive. The novel actually begins twenty years later, where a homeless teenager named Ethan is attending a school for severely financially disadvantaged children. At this school, Ethan's best friend of several years is an eccentric student named Matthew. Unbeknownst to Ethan, however, Matthew is actually the very alien that crashed on Earth two decades ago (wouldn't be a good story if he wasn't), who has diverged quite significantly from the ‘normal’ way of his race.It's during their friendship and attendance at the school that Matthew's past life begins to catch up with him. Despite his attempts to conceal the truth, Matthew is soon visited by a group of his autocratic and militaristic race whose mission is to rescue him and bring him back to his home, so that he can continue to fight in their ongoing war. Once he learns that Earth may actually be in danger from their enemy, however, he rebels against the command – a decision that has great ramifications – and decides to stay and try to defend the Earth. This is when Ethan learns that, due to his extensive isolation, Matthew is not entirely sane anymore.The majority of the book is told from Ethan's perspective as he learns about the Slugs, Matthew's former race, and their enemy, the Cyborgs. Most of the story deals with the interactions between the diverse set of characters, and how their completely alien natures means that they live very different lifestyles to what Ethan would consider normal. In this way, Ethan – and thus, the reader – learns about the different cultures, ideologies, lifestyles, and anatomies of the two other alien species, and how they differ from his own.The Slug Rebellion tells a general story of an ancient conflict between two spacefaring nations, and how such a long exposure to warfare has shaped their respective ideologies and outlook on life. However, it is also about the vast differences in evolution and culture that occurred between species from different planets, how they view each other, and how they are changed once exposed to another form of sentient life.As previously stated, however, this is a somewhat humorous, somewhat serious work, so if you're looking for deep philosophy or hard-core science fiction, look somewhere else. Well, there is a little bit.[Note: You will notice that the Prologue is written in an uncomfortable, strange, and grammatically incorrect way. This is purposeful and is the only section of the novel written in this way. You may also notice slight grammatical differences between the characters’ viewpoints; this is also purposeful.]

Is the year 2022, the nations of the world imposed a tax on breathing as a measure against climate change. To avoid problems with the breathing police: “The Archons” some citizens have decided not to talk ever.Is the year 2022, the nations of the world imposed a tax on breathing as a measure against climate change. To avoid problems with the breathing police: “The Archons” some citizens have decided not to talk ever.Michael is one of these people. But this afternoon, Michael must decide: if breaking the law by telling his girlfriend that he loves her, or respect the system, and lose the woman he loves for ever.

What if we took our political leaders' rhetoric seriously? What if we implemented their dodgy policies in real life? In this chilling parable, the User Pays doctrine is examined as applied to a typical Australian family.A tale of gryphons, snow-dragons, elves, dwarves, dragons and men. An evil elf-mage is haunting the frozen wastelands in the north. Hinfane the tavern-keeper finds unlikely allies in the mysterious creatures that come on the first night of the new moon to collect the mead that she leaves out for them. You can fight an elf, and it seems that you can win. But elves are not so easy to kill... Hwedolyn the gryphon ends up going on a quest, barely believing in the purpose of it himself, not knowing how it will end. This is the first in the Gryphonomicon Gryphon-Dragon histories, a saga that spans generations and tells of the battles between gryphons and dragons and the rise of Aerae, Princess of the North, Empress of the South. An epic heroic fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, David Eddings.

A brand new SUV, a set of keys and a petty thief. Tower can't resist temptation when he illegally claims his dream vehicle and drives off into the night, only to get carjacked. The nightmare continues when he and the carjacker are followed by the police, and Tower has to decide which of the two he's more afraid of . . .Uncharted Frontier returns with our February-March 2014 issue! This is an Open Themed issue, so you will find creative works of all kinds within these pages. Richard Lawrence continues his incredible Merlin Saga!First time appearances by: Maurice R. Beaulieu III with his story, The Last Library in the WorldChristopher Barnes with his poem, Fun Not FairHolly Day with her story, Sam The RatJames Field with his story, Sluggish Bullet

Thieves steal gold ore and come face to face with the “enforcer.” Deep underground in the mine, the encounter plays out among flying bullets in the darkness.The inspiration for my stories draws from my novels and family tales of settlers who journeyed to the American frontier in the 1800s. Their accounts, passed down through the generations, paint pictures of courageous and adventurous people—a hearty lot—who had perseverance, self-reliance, and, despite dangers and fears of the unknown wilderness, overcame their misgivings. Most were not famous or widely celebrated, yet they carved out homes, farms, and a life on the frontier, and, in the process, created a great nation. They are heroes in my eyes.From my research, I better understand the plight of early Native Americans. They were ultimately swept aside by the oncoming tide of settlers, despite being fierce and resourceful. There came a time for compassion by the conquering invaders. Too many times, it did not occur. Unavoidably, the stain remains a part of America’s legacy.Thank you for reading my short stories and novels.Richard PuzHere are other books for your review ~Novels in the Six Bulls Series ~Six Bulls-The OhioansRafting from Ohio to Missouri down the big rivers of America, pioneers load their families and possessions on flatboats, seeking a new life on the American frontier. Adventures abound during their exciting and dangerous trip.The CarolinianAbraham learns how to be a man during the Battle of New Orleans and applies those principles on his tobacco plantation in North Carolina. Shunning slavery, he moves his family west. Their adventures produce a riveting account of pioneer life in the wilds of a new country, while battling the ever-present Hooker, the slaver.AvengeThe theft of prized horses sets a young man on a journey of adventure. On the trail of the last outlaw, he roams the vast wild American frontier, following the murder and rapist, as they clash in an epic battle of wits. Only one can survive.Short Stories ~AbrahamYoung raw-recruit Abraham is exposed to the terror of war during the Battle for New Orleans. A frontiersman provides the wisdom to help him become a hero.Arkansas StormPioneers on flatboats are towed by a steamboat when they run into a storm that threatens their lives and the loss of all they own.Beanblossom CreekChief Black Hawk’s men are on the warpath and Captain Custis Cauley and his militiamen are waiting. The battle that follows is epic.Captain Jonathan BuzzardBrazen and courageous, the captain takes on the five outlaws threatening a pioneer’s family—exciting and action packed!Danny BoyWhimsical and humorous, a riverbank tavern is the setting for pioneers quenching their thirst after their long wagon train journey to Indiana. It’s a roaring good time, until a fight breaks out to enliven the evening.NewtoniaSettlers on the frontier are caught between warring armies as the Civil War rages. In the midst, human compassion is extended.SmokePrairies are one of God’s greatest gifts, but these can also be deadly. Pioneers take desperate measures to save everything they have created.StainThe government’s Indian Removal Act of 1830 is being implemented and farmer James Stinson and his family are in the cross hairs. This is one of many tragic stories about Indian displacement in the 1800s and remains a stain on American history. Roaring RiverBushwhackers ambush two men, killing one. The survivor leads a posse to track down the band of killers, leading to an epic battle.RunawayTobacco plantation owner Alvin Tolle is confronted with a split-second decision that will affect the rest of his life.Three BellsSettlers prepare for war with Chief Black Hawk and his warriors on remote farms in Indian. What happens one fateful night changes them forever.

Victoria Owens’s life takes a sudden turn after she receives an unexpected chain letter about her upcoming high school reunion. She’s quick to dismiss the letter and focus instead on her busy day, amidst a preoccupied husband and eleven-year-old-daughter. But the letter is only the beginning of a series of anonymous gifts, each more bizarre than the next, which shed light on a past long forgotten.Victoria Owens’s life takes a sudden turn after she receives an unexpected chain letter about her upcoming high school reunion. She’s quick to dismiss the letter and focus instead on her busy day, amidst a preoccupied husband and eleven-year-old-daughter. But the letter is only the beginning of a series of anonymous gifts, each more bizarre than the next, which shed light on a past long forgotten. Suspicious of her newfound admirer, Victoria soon finds herself trapped in a dangerous game of vengeance and betrayal, where her survival hangs in the very balance with every move that she makes.

After the last woman on Earth dies and the moon breaks in half, the male survivors begin to question love, masculinity, and fate. Later, a civilization on the moon begins to rebuild after decades of civil war. Three other stories chart the progress of a boy and his father on their multi-year journey from rural, 1960s Alabama to a war-torn Vietnam and ultimately to the moon.Life on Other Moons is the debut fiction collection from Roger Market. It was first published in simultaneous limited editions in May 2013 (paperback and handmade). It is now being released for the first time as an e-book.The collection opens with "Stopping to Talk to Porch Lights When the Moon Is Not Enough." After the last woman on Earth dies and the moon breaks in half, the male survivors begin to question love, masculinity, and fate. The story centers on the question "What does it mean to be a man in a world without women?" In the title story, "Life on Other Moons," a civilization on the moon begins to rebuild after decades of civil war. Three other stories chart the progress of a boy and his father on their multi-year journey from rural, 1960s Alabama to a war-torn Vietnam and ultimately to the moon.But the moon does not dominate every story.In "Don't Mind the Bunny," a little girl's disability becomes apparent through the objective viewpoint of a stuffed bunny. "Love the Shoes" chronicles the first meeting of a father, after a long stretch in prison, with his teenage son. In "The Paper Man," a society of primitive but powerful women encounters the first man to enter its gates in decades.While the book's eleven stories are linked in unexpected ways, they do not necessarily take place in the same version of reality. The characters in Life on Other Moons are united in their common search for a home, a functional family, a sense of self.Will they find peace?The author invites you to interact with him on social media using the hashtag #LifeMoons, as well as through e-mail. Details are at the end of the book.

This small tale takes you through a few people you meet in Annan's trilogy. Though it is centered around Ariel and Toshi's love, you get a feel more for other people vital to Annan's world and the SIA. Be warned, there is mermaid sex.Ariel is left to save her love, Toshi, after a failed spell leaves him helpless and stuck as something not human and not merman. Her need to save him brings her to the steps of a mythical being and gives readers a glimpse of what is happening at the SIA outside Annan's troubles. Enjoy a small visit to the mermaid world, hidden below the depths of our ocean's.

Cookie, a beautiful sixteen young girl, persuades Dave and two of his friends to steal a jewelry box from her step-mother's bedroom. A weird Peeping Tom neighbors witnesses the boys running out of the house. What happened inside her bedroom is one of the mysteries of Splitting Nines - a revenge thriller with twists.Aside from their kind of unusual names, the sister and brother team of Mophie and Picholas are pretty much your average 6-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, who live in a pretty average town. But outside of their town--well, nothing is pretty average at all. For example, just a hop, skip and a jump away is a wonderful place called the Kingdom of the Magic Horses. And way down the river is the Kingdom of Bleh, ruled over by the evil Queen Blunderpuss. She has super magic powers, a lot of hang-ups, and a nephew who's a big bully and who's very happy helping her try to make everyone else very unhappy!Can these two meanies take a wonderful event like a visit to the park, and turn it into a gigantic, yucky disaster? Will Mophie and Picholas find a way to outsmart them? Come along, and let's find out! (The Adventures of Mophie and Picholas series is intended primarily for children ages 4 to 9.)

Join Simon Smithers and Claire Calthorpe as they investigate a mystery at Stagnant Swamp State School involving a missing trophy; some small, muddy footprints; and several suspicious library books. Cartoon illustrations.Along the way you will be terrified by Mrs Blanchings in her crystal-encrusted spectacles! You will feel your stomach churn at the description of Mr Creechley's ear wax! You will be moved to tears when Mr Merriwether treads on the juiciest monster pickle ever! And you will laugh out loud when Simon and Claire face mortal danger! In here, you will find an unrivalled collection of disgusting, decrepit, selfish, difficult and unpleasant people all getting up to no good whatsoever. Luckily, not all of them will come out of it alive!!!The author, Professor Nigel Peasbody, esq is an eminent historian whose writing has been compared to that of Lemony Snickett. Suitable for children and adults who like well-crafted language and an intelligent, funny, fast-paced, action-packed story with a complex plot and interesting characters. Includes numerous cartoon illustrations by Sharon Rowe to keep everyone entertained.

Part 3 of the Last Enemy, where the world order unravels following the ill-managed prohibition of Telomerax in the public domain, that sparks revolts and conflict on a worldwide scale. The team of Louis Picard endures bitter losses, fighting to avoid the collapse of mankind triggered by the environmental disasters of war.“The last enemy to be destroyed shall be death”, wrote St. Paul in his letters. But what if someone has already managed to defeat it? Thirty-four years have gone by since an ingenious biochemist, named Louis Picard, invented the ultimate anti-aging drug in 1981, that is known as Telomerax. Louis was obliged to form a selected group of technology entrepreneurs, finance mavens, and secret service professionals to help strategically spread knowledge of the drug. The discovery of Telomerax carried obvious dangers with it, eventually leading to the collapse of society and the near-extinction of mankind, in the ruthless war that broke out. Survivors set out to design a new society, specially designed for the half-gods that individuals were becoming. An action-packed and thrilling apocalyptic novel, “The Last Enemy”, brings to light many issues that we face today, from the clash between the power of the state and the right of citizens, to respecting our limits and controlling the human drive to push ourselves beyond those very limits.

A story of an intelligent young school girl who desired to know more about the animal kingdom. Nature’s twist tells the beginning of life in the animal kingdom and the cordial relationship among the animals. The animal kingdom continued to be in its perfect state until it was faced with the inevitable challenges of life.Nature’s twist is an exciting story of the animals’ world and its influence on the human’s world. It shows a young mind journey into the animal world. It tells the story of the intelligent humans and their relationships with the lower animals’ world. It reflects the exquisite beauty of the animal world and the inevitable events of life. It reveals the mystery behind the survival of animals on earth and the struggle between the strong and the weak ones for the essentials of life.

Make no bones regarding the trials of leading a more sober life where passion is concerned, it is a hard won battle in each of the seven ages of a mere human's life. Of course, by no means is any warring age to be considered less than another, but in the third - find the words for a lover past.Find it, and more, in this collection of semi-autobiographical sets.Make no bones regarding the trials of leading a more sober life where passion is concerned, it is a hard won battle in each of the seven ages of a mere human's life. Of course, by no means is any warring age to be considered less than another, but in the third - find the words for a lover past. One whom undoubtedly sighed with fire in a woeful ballad made to you before the night descended completely.Find it, and more, in this collection of semi-autobiographical sets that put different voices to an ever changing state of emotion.

Chapter Four of the serial, Keeping It In The Middle, an equestrian love story.As Van recovers from her hospital visit, a thunderstorm floods the town. Pete and Aiden, the two other pros hired for the spring polo season, arrive and the living conditions in the house get a little crowded.Warning: Content NSFW.Chapter Four of the serial, Keeping It In The Middle, an equestrian love story.As Van recovers from her hospital visit, a thunderstorm floods the town. Pete and Aiden, the other pros hired for the spring polo season, arrive and the living conditions in the house get a little crowded.Warning: Content contains sexuality.

Dog Farm examines the dilemma of radical terrorism through a dog's perspective. It observes the reaction, over-reaction, and politically correct under-reaction of western society in the face of a resurgent threat.How far will you trust? How far should you trust? Where is the line drawn between goodwill and self-preservation? Between sharing the Gospel of Christ or protecting one's family?Dog Farm examines the dilemma of radical terrorism through a dog's perspective. It observes the reaction, over-reaction, and politically correct under-reaction of western society in the face of a resurgent threat.How far will you trust? How far should you trust? Where is the line drawn between goodwill and self-preservation? For the Christian, it goes a step further. Which is the greatest responsibility; sharing the gospel of Christ, or protecting one’s family? Dog Farm explores the choices made by a young Border collie in an attempt to find a balance in a dangerous world.

A tale of high fantasy, with guns, swords, magic, and anything that makes the heart beat faster. Follow the lives of individuals that live and breathe the romances of the past and excitements of the future, all of who live in the shadow of the Goddess, Axiatés, destined to create a second sun for the earth.5 YEARS AFTER HIS BROTHER'S MURDER...James seeks revenge.Jim and Jessica narrowly escaped the city of Chicago with their lives only to be held at gun point once they reached Memphis. Now Jim is looking at everyone as a potential traitor when he realizes that someone within his organization has double-crossed him. Bridgeport syndicate man Don Carson sees a weakness and wants in on his south side empire --and Jim Money out.With his family, business, and his own life at risk, Jim's reunited with James who has now grown into a young adult man who hungrily seeks revenge in light of his brother's death 5 years ago.Jim wants to stay alive to keep his family safe.James seeks to avenge his brother's death. Can Jim survive the syndicate, double-crossers, kidnappers, and James's volitile behavior to keep his family and himself alive?JAMES IS THE FOURTH INSTALLMENT OF THE JIM MONEY STORIES.Here are the other stories in chronological order:Bon Appétit EscapeOn the RunJamesBUSTED: a Prequel to the Jim Money StoriesABOUT THE AUTHOR:Former professional poker player Glenn Gamble is an author from Chicago, IL who doesn't have one of those inspiring stories where he goes to the state penitentiary to discover his gift for writing amazing stories. Instead, he worked on his craft during long romantic dates at Starbucks and Panera Bread with his laptop and a story. His inspiration came from friends who encouraged him to pursue his dreams to become a writer. Without a prison sentence, Gamble has managed to pen A Thousand Chances, Bon Appetit, Escape, On the Run, James, and Busted; and is currently writing future installments of both the Jim Money and Darius Blaylock Poker Series.In his spare time, Gamble likes to watch Chicago Bulls games, drop twitter bombs from the sky, slam facebook with status updates, and bet on low-stakes rat and roach races taking place in various public housing project apartments across the United States.

Life is way too short to sit around worrying and wondering what might have been. Sometimes you've just got to take control. This is a story of a man who did just that.Long, long ago, deep in the Burmese jungle—on the long eastern shore of what was to be called Lake Indawgyi but which was then named for Ei-vu, the spirit of long, sweet water—there lived two tribes:The Mera, and the Lasi.Their lands, as large as any among the scattered jungle peoples of their time, with the long lake as their western borders, also bordered each other, Lasi’s to Mera’s north and Mera’s to Lasi’s south.The Lasi and the Mera, for as far back as legend could reach, had always been mortal enemies, and so they remained.When Ea-pe created Thanai, the first man, this first man founded the Mera tribe. When Ea-pe created E-u, the first woman, she joined Thanai as his Mera bride and wife. This is what all Mera children were taught by their Yaj-Hate and his helpers.The Lasi children, on the other hand, were taught that all Lasi stem from Thanai and E-u who were the very first Lasis and who would ever be the father and mother of their tribe. This was so because Ea-pe himself was Lasi. So preached the Lasi Yaj-Hate and his helpers.The Mera children were also taught, over and over, that anyone who said that Thanai and E-u were not of the Mari tribe, or that they were not the founders of the Mari tribe—always referring to the Lasi, though not saying so openly—were evil and in the grim power of Bilu, the hungry ghost who cast no shadow and who ate children. It was a long-established and well-known fact among the Mera that all Lasi were under Bilu’s spell, and that many Lasi children were eaten by Bilu each year.Yes, so the Mera children were taught, and they were taught to be grateful that they were born Mera children and not Lasi children, or they might be dead and eaten by now.Were the Lasi to lay down their weapons and acknowledge the Mera as their betters, and were they to pay tribute to Mera’s excellence and superiority in all endeavors, then, perhaps, Bilu would stop eating Lasi children, but not before then.This is what the Mera children were taught.The Lasi children, however, all knew that all Meras were really nothing but Ngoyamas disguised as humans, cannibal demons that wished for nothing more than a sumptuous meal of Lasi child. And if they did not behave, the Meras would sneak into their village at night and carry them away for dinner.And so, back and forth, generation after generation, went the tribal teaching of their children.These children, whether Mera or Lasi, unless bitten and killed by vipers or other poisonous creatures, eventually grew up, all with both fear and hatred in their hearts, along with an unease at living so close to such evil enemies.And all male children, once grown—unless selected as Yaj-Hate helper, a great honor—took up weapons and protected their borders and maimed and killed their enemy as needed, and all female children grew up to have children of their own to whom they passed on these eternal lessons about the Lasi or the Mera.There was another tale, one whispered among those whose will to fight had begun to fade, a tale frowned upon by the Yaj-Hates of both tribes, a tale that told that when Ea-pe created the world and all beings in it, Thanai and E-u were neither Lasi nor Mera, but of another tribe so ancient that no one can remember its name. But these were just ramblings of the too-old-to-fight. Or so said the both the Lasi and the Mera Yaj-Hates. Don’t listen to these fools. They know nothing. And they will soon walk the path, anyway.

Brad Norton, a young barrister at the Sydney Bar, watches helplessly as a lying cop sends his client to prison. He gets a chance for revenge when defending a client accused of murder. To save his client, he must expose the dirty cop and finger the true killer in the middle of the trial. That will require a glittering display of forensic cunning. Is he up to the job? He will soon find out.Claws and whiskers! A spirit of uncertainty and unrest has settled upon the Cougar village. Cheshire Cougar, the brave and noble Marquis of Cougars, has been brought back from the Battle of Eastern Pass on a travois. The leader of the Cougar clan has lost his ability to smell out those enslaved to the dragon and the Council is scared. Just as the residents of the forest valley are adjusting to the return of the Marquis of Cougars, Cheshire turns the social world upside down by appointing Nurse Leana Longclaw to be his assistant and second in command. Will Cheshire be able to battle his inner demons? Will Leana be able to face her fears? Or will an accidental trip to the human realm make them lose the battle to confession?

Five feet two inches of slick repartee, near-purple hair, and poetic imagination, twenty-year-old Rune hasn't been in Manhattan for very long. But she's crafty enough to have found a squatter's paradise in an empty TriBeCa loft, and a video store job that feeds her passion for old movies. It's a passion she shares with her favorite customer, Mr. Kelly, a lonely old man who rents the same video over and over. The flick is a noir classic based on a real-life unsolved bank heist and a million missing dollars. It's called **Manhattan Is My Beat**. That's the tape Rune is picking up from Mr. Kelly's shabby apartment when she finds him shot to death. The police suspect a robbery gone wrong, but Rune is certain the key to solving the murder is hidden somewhere in the hazy, black-and-white frames of Mr. Kelly's beloved movie. But as Rune hits the mean streets of New York to find answers, she gets caught up in a dangerous adventure more chilling than anything Hollywood could dream up. As her story draws to its terrifying conclusion, Rune's final close-up may include the killer of a co-star. *From the Paperback edition.*