The finding of a diary dramatically changes the life of someone else. A strange story with a surprise ending which most readers will not see coming.Book is about a 30 minute read. Reviews are always welcome.The golden age of freedom withers across the Solar System as independent colonies fall under the dominion of Barbary and Sons, a ruthless cartel run by a 24th century cross between Genghis Khan and the CEO of Walmart.One man rises in opposition. Rork Sollix raids Barbary's cargo ships for fun and profit, along with his lovestruck teenage servant Lala Fevari and his ragtag crew. Just days from death, betrayed by his own men and on the run, Rork tries to safeguard Lala on Earth. But Barbary kidnaps her, throws Rork in a bleak Delhi prison and aims to make the young girl pay for Rork's crimes.

Cassiea never thought returning a necklace would get so complicated. Because of that one decision, she discovered that the necklace held a powerful magic that other magical beings would stop at nothing to get a hold of. Destined to be the keeper of this magic, she must fight to keep herself and everyone she loved alive.Cassiea never thought returning a necklace would get so complicated. Because of that one decision, she was transported to a world, hidden from Earth by the Elvains. They were magical beings who, for centuries, been waiting for her to appear. They told her that she was the reincarnation of an evil witch name Keya. And the necklace, she thought she had found by chance, held the witch's magic. A magic that was the source of Keya's powers and what had turned her evil and ultimately her death. Cassiea was not thrilled to learn that she had inherited the evil witch's magic and that other magical beings would stop at nothing to get a hold of it. One in particular, was Keya's sister, Nara, whom wanted the powers for herself and to avenge Keya's death. Now Cassiea's ordinary life became extraordinary. And all she wanted to do was to go home to her quiet, comfortable and normal life. But the Elvains insisted that her destiny laid with them. Destiny. A word that Cassiea never gave much thought to. A word that never held any meaning to her became the bane of her existence. As she struggles through the acceptance of the keeper of this magic, she had to fight her way out of Nara's grasp while keeping everyone she loved safe and to prevent herself from becoming evil like Keya.

Andy and Gail were salutitorian and valedictorian respectively. Their task was to encapsulate 4 years of high school at graduation into a memorable 20 minutes. With a lot of soul searching, help from others, and the student body, the commencement speach became something no one would soon, or ever, forget.Graduation from high school is something that most of us go through. It marks a rite of passage, a transition. Two students, one with the highest cumulative average and the other with the strongest political achievements, were tasked by a new and progressive principal to make this day unforgettable. So what was it that those who leave high school remember most after 5, or 10, or even 20 years later? That they found out, and crafted a ceremony that most of us can only wish we had. Whether you have fond or bitter memories of the high school experience (most of us are a mix of both), GRADUATION DAY will touch you.Thank you for considering this for your reading. I hope it will mean something to you.

INFECTED FREAKS is a survival horror thriller that tells the story of “Abraham Heinz,” a washed up man attempting to survive the zombie apocalypse in the Rocky Mountains. INFECTED FREAKS focuses on gut wrenching choices and highlights the agony of survival.A FATHER CAN CLING TO HIS MORALS AND DIE, OR DO EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO SURVIVE!INFECTED FREAKS VOLUME ONE: FAMILY FIRST Armageddon began the day Red Dead entered the solar system. Fear leads to blame, blame leads to choosing sides--and both sides have bombs. Civil War in America turned into a worldwide conflict, leaving the planet in a new dark age. Nothing has stirred about in the ravaged mountains for two years. Abraham's heart is broken save the fading hope of bringing his lost children home. He sets out without a destination searching for signs of life--what he finds is something infected. Living husks riddled in fungus and straight out of a nightmare threaten the region. No one knows if the infected freaks are some sort of zombie created in a lab or something alien related to the approaching red planet. Where do you go when everything in the world is destroyed? Who do you trust when each survivor is a wolf in sheepskin? And how do you stop something you know so little about?For Abraham Heinz, understanding that help isn't on the way is the first step in the long journey to finding peace in a world, so cold. Survival is going to take him beyond moral limits. Hell on Earth is here in Jason Borrego's survival horror adventure--INFECTED FREAKS.VOLUME 1: FAMILY FIRSTAbraham's nightmare has just begun...The alien fungus appeared right after the cryptic planet Red Dead stained the sky much like a distant moon. The cordyceps fungi has transformed much of humanity into mindless puppets--something straight out of a nightmare. Is the infection alien or something created in a lab? One thing is certain--the closer Red Dead draws to Earth--the more powerful the infected freaks grow. As the emotion thriller builds, Abraham is transformed into someone he tried to forget. He wages war on anything living and dead if it means protecting his family. He will stop at nothing to keep his loved ones safe.

The Poison Lotus Book 1. In ancient Japan, as a Shogun engages in civil war against his brother, a ninja working as a bodyguard is called to protect his surrogate family.Spring 1927. Godfrey and Antoinette are officially an item. That doesn't stop the suave and debonair Eddie Ryerson though. Back from Toronto for a visit, Eddie has his eye on the young women of Wainwright – and Antoinette is in his sights. Meanwhile, Antonia is having a real dilemma getting her choice of treasurer elected for the Wainwright chapter of the Catholic Women's League and Isaac loses a dear friend.

Oskar Frei, Fissure Class Space Knight and overly energetic employee of the intergalactic police force known as Libra. The collateral damage he causes on a daily basis makes him almost not worth hiring, but after saving a planet from a Varaxian Worm, Libra sends him a personal request. Against his interests, however, Libra is sending someone to make sure he plays it safe.Join Captain Charlie Crumble and his elite squadron of soldiers as they battle their way through the Alpha-Omega missions. As the Second World War rages all around them, the men separate themselves as they pursue their classified assignment. Their target? A madman of incredible intelligence, with an appetite for the strange and unusual, and pure hatred for the human race. His twisted projects thwart the team as they endeavour to track him down, and right now a pack of savage, mutated Nazi-werewolves are hot on their heels. Blood is everywhere, the death toll is high, and things couldn’t get much worse. That is until the sky rips open and Billy Random appears…

Shonna Wells is a Slayer, one of a group of teens that carry Triune Power, protecting innocent lives and fighting the evil that inflicts misery on the children of earth. Living in a small town in Massachusetts where spooky legends are impossible to ignore, Shonna never imagined that she would be involved in one of the most evil plots ever devised by Belial himself to destroy her family.Shonna belongs to a cohort of teens called by Yesher to fight evil and protect the children of earth. Endowed with Triune Power, armed with swords of hallowed metal and spiritually wise beyond their years, the Slayers face off with Belial's wicked minions to demonstrate Yesher's sovereignty in their small Massachusetts town.The battle becomes very personal when Shonna's widowed mother unknowingly marries a Familiar Spirit who has taken on the human form of Ian Corbet. Distracted by her own developing relationship with fellow Slayer, Jake Hannaford, Shonna struggles to maintain her focus on rescuing her mother from Ian's nefarious plot, even if it means personally killing her new stepfather...or die trying.

Scott Drake is alone in a hotel room and there is no escape. He can walk out at any time but there is no getting away from the past, from his guilt, from himself and the fear of losing someone that he loves all over again. ‘Fading Polaroids in Reverse’ is a series of snapshots of moments and memories in Scott’s life, and is the sixth short story in the ‘Diamonds’ Collection.‘Sarah was completely different to the women he'd known since his records started selling. She was real and that made her an exception to the boho posing and tragic gracelessness of everyone else. That was also what made missing her even more terrible. So, most of the time, he avoided thinking about her. It was much easier to silently destroy all the women who could never compare to her…’Scott Drake is alone in a hotel room and there is no escape. He can walk out at any time but there is no getting away from the past, from his guilt, from himself and the fear of losing someone that he loves all over again. ‘Fading Polaroids in Reverse’ is a series of snapshots of moments and memories in Scott’s life, and is the sixth short story in the ‘Diamonds’ Collection that also includes ‘Bewilder’, ‘Heart over Head over Heels’, ‘Bonfire Blues’, ‘Lily Green’, and ‘The Devil eats Coleslaw’.

A poignant journey that began with a search for inner peace and lead to betrothal to the King of Kings.Lady Waiting is a treasure chest of precious poems, reminiscences and meditations from the pen, or more precisely the heart, of Christine Secretan.  You will find no camouflaged messages, carefully concealed and hidden away in this volume of writings. On the contrary, in Lady Waiting Christine bares her soul and brings us into her personal, private world in a most intimate fashion. Through her journal-like recollections she shares not only her joys and victories, but also her struggles, disappointments, fears and forebodings.Christine has discovered the healing balm known as honesty and it is this precious gift she passes on to her readers. But she doesn’t stop there. Christine is no pessimistic poet leaving us in depression and despair. Throughout her writings there is woven the wonderful theme of hope, that is the product of faith.

A small girl, racked with persistent and paralyzing anxiety, shows us that our perceptions of the world are far narrower than we could ever imagine. In fact, the world we experience is but a veneer over the real world. She alone holds the perceptive ability to see what we cannot. And perhaps warn us, should the need arise.Emmella is an anxious girl. She worries about the things most of us ignore or take for granted. She believes she can see things very few people can, experience events and causal relations before they even occur. Her mother is patient with her, trying to empathize and manage Em's anxiety. She assumes her daughter will grow out of this phase; but what she's about to realize is that maybe there's much more to Emmella's perceptions than just mere anxiety. And maybe it's time she start taking Emmella's observations a little more seriously.

A collection of short stories, each different, yet all enjoined by the thread of Hope. Love, sadness, elation, sorrow, and most every nuance in between are presented in these tales certain to make you think, and, assuredly, feel.Acacia is a power hungry witch. Working for the dark side she is desirous to find her ex-coven sister and bring her to their side. She has recently been initiated to become Kalerian's power equal, giving her the ability to steal others magick, and find the object of her desire. She will now become a hunter of Freedom fighters and the Children of light. Doing the bidding of Kalerian, she will be forced to do things and prove herself in ways that just may break her.

Our Dachshund heroine in this story is Goldi, a longhair wheaten Dachshund. Their parents give Identical twin daughters PJ & CC 'Goldi' as a housewarming gift when they buy their first home together. This story takes us through the hilarious adventures of a puppy and two young ladies juggling jobs and sharing responsibility for her care.The preoccupation stage of our existence, determines our type of evolution, and future. Preordain is a cosmic inter global and intergalactic glow-flow of every critical and relative performed actions and inaction. Everyone plays and intricate role, whether ying or yang, everyone that ever existed, contributes to our stepping stone relay future, of our earth, and off course the universe.

Silvio, jeweler and gemologist, leads a life of serene and reassuring. The fate, however lies in wait; when it is involved in a series of events that deprive him of affects and of control of everyday life, search for a way out becomes his matter of concern. Against the background: Bologna (North Italy) late nineties. Narrative essential with some adventure."A diamond is forever" says a well-known slogan.Silvio Rhodes had two precious diamonds called "Ele".He lost them both, he will find them?Ele: pure diamond he had carved after a year of study, the best gift received from his father Jeweler with store in the center of Bologna (North Italy). Ele: this is the Eleana's nickname; she is wife of Silvio, daughter of Victor, the watchmaker, pure and simple, a Mediterranean beauty, with so much selfless love for all, especially for the unfortunate nephew Eriberto. On Christmas Eve, in jewelry stone, Silvio is robbed of diamond Ele. He is upset and it takes a long time to find peace of mind and the desire to work. Eleana is a great comfort to him.In the following months Eleana lives the drama of Eriberto, for her as a child. The nephew has a brain tumor. This trauma leads to depression Eleana. She needs to take care of and accepts the help of Verter, the doctor, the only friend of Silvio.Silvio feels lonely and frustrated, he speaks with Stephanie, beautiful woman, wife of Verter, and the two spend a night in the house with him. The next day, surprise! Eleana back home and finding traces of meeting two, her equivocal behavior of Silvio. She abandons them.Silvio is desperate, also has an accident with the expensive car, the sample loses and gets hurt. Only Verter helps him. They mast is to find Eleana.They discover the Eleana project: Escape, a center for traumatized by the loss of loved ones, and they find the traces to find Ele.Diamond Ele is found but Silvio does not feel joy, has matured and decided to auction Ele to have the funds to implement the Eleana project, hoping for his return.

THE POLARIS AND OTHER STORIES is a collection of short stories ranging from suspense to fantasy. These stories, created by author Joshua Jackson are designed to take readers on a ride through the lives of multiple characters. Readers will learn about the fantasy world of The Polaris, the relationship between a horse and a fox, and a man who wakes up and believes his wife is missing.THE POLARIS AND OTHER STORIES is a collection of short stories ranging from suspense to fantasy. These stories, created by author Joshua Jackson are designed to take readers on a ride through the lives of multiple characters. Readers will learn about the fantasy world of The Polaris, the relationship between a horse and a fox, and a man who wakes up and believes his wife is missing."The Polaris" is a fantasy world ran by "King Darvo." After many years of battling in war, Darvo finally becomes king and renames the kingdom "The Polaris" as it sits under the north star. After many years of violence, Darvo makes his kingdom a land of peace and love. People no longer settle things with violence or hate. Citizens of the kingdom help each other build homes and make food, children play without a care in the world. It seems as if there is finally peace in the world. However Zull, a member of the kings staff does not like this new world. Zull fought along side Darvo for years and believes Darvo has changed for the worst and becomes jealous of Darvo. Will Zull try to become the new ruler? Will Darvo have to fight in one more war to insure peace in the world?"The Fox and the Horse" is a story of love and even a little drama. Farmer Jack learns of love and friendship when he sees his beloved horse Lucky become friend with a energetic fox. With not wanting any more animals, Jack turns away the fox every time he sees him. After seeing how his actions change Lucky's behavior, will Jack decide to allow another animal on the farm?"Lost" is a story of drama where Tony wakes up to find that his wife missing. He begins to search before a big snow storm hits Denver. As he searches he finds out the truth about his wife and his memory loss. However, after finding the truth, Tony still wakes up every day looking for his wife. Will Tony ever get his memory back?

Was the Hudson Family destined to live in the shadows of the past? Or would luck shine on the newest generation? The answer lies at...* The End of the Rainbow* Rain's precious daughter, Summer, is about to turn sixteen. Her future lies wide open before her and she carries her mother's wise advice close to her heart: life is hardship, but above all, life is hope. Like all girls her age, Summer dreams of growing up and making her own life, of falling in love and finding her soul mate. But a devastating tragedy will force Summer to stare into the cold eyes of adulthood long before she is ready. She will learn very quickly about hardship -- but what of hope? Is she as strong as her courageous mother? Or will she crumble? All her life, Summer has lived on the Virginia estate where the Hudson family's secrets have lurked among the shadows for generations. Now it is time for Summer to discover secrets of her own. Some she will keep. Some she will share. Some will force her to flee the only place she has ever called home. And some will haunt her for the rest of her life....

The exquisitely crafted stories in Anthony Doerr's acclaimed debut collection take readers from the African coast to the pine forests of Montana to the damp moors of Lapland, charting a vast physical and emotional landscape. Doerr explores the human condition in all its varieties-metamorphosis, grief, fractured relationships, and slowly mending hearts-and conjures nature in both its beautiful abundance and crushing power. Some of his characters contend with tremendous hardship; some discover unique gifts; all are united by their ultimate deference to the mysteries of the universe outside themselves.

Something sinister is at work in Hyde River, an isolated old mining town in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.Something evil. Under the cover of darkness, it strikes without warning, taking life in the most chilling and savage fashion. The latest victim, nature photographer Cliff Benson, was brutally killed while camping in the mountains. With little hard evidence to go on, Sheriff Les Collins closes the case, chalking it up to the work of a rogue bear - just like so many other unsolvable deaths and disappearances that have plagued Hyde River over the years. But wildlife biologist Steve Benson refuses to let the cause of his brother's death remain a mystery. He is joined in his investigation by attractive, auburn-haired Sheriff's Deputy Tracy Ellis. She has grown up in Hyde River. She's seen enough things swept under the rug by local law enforcement to know that something's amiss. The harder townsfolk are pressed for information, the more they close ranks, as if sworn to secrecy. It is only when Steve gains access to old letters and diaries of the town's forefathers that he begins to peel away the layers of mystery surrounding Hyde River. Steve and Tracy are drawn closer to each other and to the town's terrible secret. What they discover is a predator more terrifying than anything they had imagined and a town in the grip of unspeakable evil. Once again best-selling author Frank Peretti has crafted a spellbinding novel filled with tension and suspense crescendoing to a peak of raw-edged terror that will keep you breathless. This is masterful storytelling at its very best.

With the bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail she brought to her acclaimed Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett, grande dame of the historical novel, presents The House of Niccolò series. The time is the 15th century, when intrepid merchants became the new knighthood of Europe. Among them, none is bolder or more cunning than Nicholas vander Poele of Bruges, the good-natured dyer's apprentice who schemes and swashbuckles his way to the helm of a mercantile empire. Winter 1474 finds Nicholas exiled in the frozen port of Danzig, Poland. His Machiavellian exploits in Scotland have cost him friends and family--not to mention countless riches. As the ice melts, temptations arise. Will he assist the Muslim Prince Uzum Hasan against the Turks? Will he lose himself among the secret, scented gardens of the Crimea in the arms of a close friend's bride? As Nicholas pursues his future, his estranged wife, Gelis, seeks the truth about his past, only to discover the secret identity of his latest comrade in arms--a tantalizing ghost from the past poised to deal him the crowning death blow. Shimmering with detail, alive with intrigue, Caprice and Rondo is Dorothy Dunnett's quicksilver evocation of a world where joy is fleeting, love is unexpected, and truth the rarest commodity of all. From the Trade Paperback edition.

A genetically enhanced fighting force may be humanity’s only hope in this novel by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of *Star Wars: Heir to the Empire.* Decades after a successful invasion of Earth and the Terran Democratic Empire by the Ryqril—hostile, leathery-skinned aliens—resistance fighter Allen Caine is training for an undercover mission. He will assume the identity of an aide to the senate—part of the government that colludes with the invaders. But when the mission begins earlier than planned, Caine finds himself stuck on the off-planet outpost of Plinry with no idea of what awaits. He’s responsible for the most important mission undertaken by the resistance in twenty years, and when the operation goes awry, Caine’s only hope is to locate Plinry’s so-called blackcollars—the elusive, martial arts–trained guerilla force whose wartime resistance efforts are legendary. With his life and the freedom of everyone in the TDE on the line, Caine’s success will depend on whether or not he can find them. . . .

Doctor Proctor, Nilly, and Lisa take a sporty approach to saving the day in this fart-tastically funny adventure from New York Times bestselling author Jo Nesb?.When a Russian billionaire robs the Norwegian Gold Reserve and melts the last remaining gold bar into the Premier Soccer League trophy, it?s up to Doctor Proctor, Nilly, and Lisa to recapture the precious prize. But after a failed break-in attempt at the billionaire?s subterranean gold-melting lab, and with the Norwegian Gold Reserve Inspection in just three days, the only way to retrieve the trophy is to win it back. Hoping to prevent national panic and uproar, Nilly and Lisa join the Rotten Ham soccer team to try and lead the hopeless underdogs to victory before time runs out. And with the use of Fartonaut Powder, along with a handful of Doctor Proctor?s other wacky inventions, they just might have a chance!