An evil scientist has done something that no man had ever thought possible. He discovered the existence of the soul . . . and that was only the beginning.This is the story of an evil scientist who has done something no man as ever even imagined they could. Spending years working at a chemistry lab, selling stolen equipment and chemicals to people who would pay him a high price, this evil scientist slowly became more and more evil, and so he became the perfect person to discover the existence of something that people have wondered about for hundreds--even thousands--of years, because once the knowledge was acquired, it would take someone who wasn’t afraid to do what needed to be done in the name of science. What was this discovery? The Soul.

Todd Williams’ retirement is cut short when he discovers a mutilated corpse near his beachside home in Myrtle Beach. In a note left on the body, the killer vows to strike again each day. As the bodies pile up and body parts go missing, Todd teams up with a local detective to put together the pieces of a puzzle that will lead them to a shocking discovery about the killer’s true intentions.Sid Sharp is a lonely guy. If only the beautiful Miss Emma Lavender from the post office with whom Sid has secretly been in love with for months, would notice him, he would be a happy man. One busy morning at the post office, a funny kind of fate intervenes for Sid and Emma in this quirky, Roald Dahl inspired frog prince retelling.

Short story, 14 pages. O'Neill moves to Brisbane and opens a karate studio. Suffering from insomnia when Azure leaves him, he seeks help from a psychiatrist, expecting to meet "some old git who looks like Sigmund Freud". Dr West turns out to be young and beautiful. Bit by bit he begins to transfer his affections to her. By the time Azure returns, he's become obsessed with Dr West. 4,350 words.Short story, 14 pages. Michael O'Neill moves to Brisbane, where he opens a karate studio. Suffering from insomnia when partner Azure leaves him, he seeks help from a psychiatrist, expecting to meet "some old git who looks like Sigmund Freud". Dr West turns out to be young and beautiful, and bit by bit he begins to transfer his affections to her. By the time Azure returns, he's become obsessed with Dr Adrianne West. 4,350 words.

Destiny is a word that implies the future is already written. Yet Destiny often has roadblocks to make a traveler decide which way to turn. Destiny can be a trickster also, hiding the right path in a dream. Dreams, sleep's dessert, normally fleeting and then forgotten. Forgotten. No, Destiny's design is not always clear and sometimes it takes a child's gift to light the way.We have conclusive proof in this issue that the May issue was more than just a fluke because we have yet another month's worth of fantastic science fiction and fantasy stories to deliver. This issue has some great surprises, too. While some seem to fit into traditional genres, such as alien invasion, fairy grove visitation, and haunting ghosts, there are also a few that defy description. For instance, what genre covers a botanist who finds more than he bargains for while searching for Ghost Orchids? There's a story that seems to be a general dystopia until you realize it's dealing with the most dystopic medium of all: reality television. And of course, how do you classify a story where the language changes as the story progresses?Now perhaps you can see why we're so proud of these stories.Of course, being the narcissistic sociopaths (say that ten times while drunk) that we are, we couldn't just let the fiction writers have all the fun, so you'll also see a few writing tips from me and the Editor-in Chief, Mike Cluff, near the end of this issue. They involve vehicular manslaughter and malicious fairy hit squads, so at least they should be interesting.Fiction Vortex publishes science fiction and fantasy short stories from writers around the world. All stories in this issue appeared on the FictionVortex.com site during the month of June 2013.

Jake Granger and William "The Tech" Allison voyage into a brave new world filled with strange narrow escapes and sudden unexpected attacks. What are the supposed to do? Their escapes are getting more difficult to achieve with each attack. The pursuit by the opposition will not stop. How many times can two men narrowly escape before they are trapped or killed?Jake found an unexpected, bizarre site on his computer. He called his buddy, a computer friend, to help him understand what was happening on his computer. He didn't know what was about to happen. Jake's comfortable life at home ended. Understanding would take longer. Jake Granger and William "The Tech" Allison both understand the nature of an ever changing world. Or thought they did. Experiencing a series of world rocking truths redirects their lives into danger through a rapidly changing reality coupled with a sobering decrease in the odds of their survival. Old beliefs are red flagged. Old truths are sidelined. Plans spiral out of control. Life is becoming a little too exciting. The pursuit by the opposition will not stop. Escapes get stranger and more difficult to achieve. Finding time to seriously discuss what is happening to them is difficult when privacy is impossible. Every communication and every action is monitored, recorded, and studied. Efforts to kill, capture, or obliterate these two not-so-ordinary guys reach out from every open and hidden corner of their expanding universe. They don't know all the players. They don't understand how any of this has happened. They think they understand, they don't. Answers hide in the past, the present, and in a distant future. Can the one entity who knows the truth communicate the answers needed to anyone else? Can it be done without telling all the watchers? Can it be done without changing the future of a world? Two determined friends, become working colleagues, and deal with what comes at them. They are fighting and hoping. Hoping survival is in their deck of cards. Doubts and more questions mount with each new attack. Is anyone reliable? Safety is an old cherished memory. Did it ever exist? Danger is their new life. Death and disaster are their new reality. Jake and William are both gifted, They do not recognize or understand that they are gifted, or what their gifts may be.

In this musical novella, a mobster's son named Vincent Masoli and a talented guitarist from the projects nicknamed Freeway form a band that channels the late great Jimi Hendrix and wows pop-weary fans. Dozens of original song lyrics.The dangers of the plains draw even closer as Kaela and Wade near the promised refuge of Sanctuary. In the meantime, Kaela is forced to reassess just who she can and cannot trust.The Outcast and the Survivor is a chapter-series that follows Kaela, a princess of the mythical kingdom of Kalepo. After her father's sudden death, Kaela is exiled from the kingdom by her older sister Mariam, who claims their father's throne within moments of his passing. By being made an outcast, Kaela is forced not only to say goodbye to her homeland, but also to all of civilization. Kalepo is known only to itself, meaning that Kaela should expect to find a world devoid of humanity beyond the kingdom's borders, but because of something her father whispered to her on his deathbed, she knows that there is more out there, a world of dark secrets for her to discover. The Outcast and the Survivor is released one chapter at a time at the start of each month. There were times in the past when writers would release stories as a series, often for newspapers or magazines. It's not much different from TV series in that each chapter often has its own sort of conclusion, though the larger story is not completed until the end. The series is being written with the intent of ending it at chapter 36, which is scheduled for December of 2017, though this could change as the story develops.

Starting over is never easy, especially if you are a young girl from the Scottish Highlands. Kicked out of her home, Molly Fraser accepts the opportunity to lay down roots in the Canadian wilderness. Violence and struggle meet her at every turn! She may be young, but events prove her to be more brave and powerful than any man.Starting over is never easy, especially if you are a young girl from the Scottish Highlands. Poor Molly Fraser has seen too much in her short life. Kicked out of her home, Molly accepts the opportunity to lay down roots in the Canadian wilderness. Violence and struggle meet her at every turn!Events make our heroine grow up much too fast. Ocean travel causes a tragic death, nine months at York Factory on Hudson’s Bay lead to open rebellion, and the evils of alcohol plague Molly as she continually comes to the defense of her family. Ultimately, Molly deals with terrible loss during the horrific Battle of Seven Oaks between the North West Company and The Hudson’s Bay.The Canadian Highland takes the reader on an odyssey from the Highlands of Scotland, across the ocean to Hudson Bay, and finally to the promised settlement of Red River. Taking place from 1812-1816, The Canadian Highland is a story of courage and resilience in the face of adversity and struggle. Molly may be young, but events prove her to be more brave and powerful than any man.

“Teddy Bear”, Is the fifth story in a series At the Crossroads. Events presented here are not necessarily true, but almost possible. Everything depends on the imagination of the reader. Those, who do not believe in anything, will not like this book and it is directed not to them. But someone who has at least partially awakened imagination, can understand what is going on without asking questions.“Teddy Bear”, Is the fifth story in a series At the Crossroads. Events presented here are not necessarily true, but almost possible. Everything depends on the imagination of the reader. Those, who do not believe in anything, will not like this book and it is directed not to them.But someone who has at least partially awakened imagination, can understand what is going on without asking questions. Such readers I appreciate the most and to them At the Crossroad is dedicated.Stories will appear free of charge, every month or so, until the end of the book. I cordially greet all readers.Author

No one knew when the endless bloodshed and grindingly futile toil of the trenches would ever end. Then a miracle came from a source totally removed from even the most fantastic of dreams.No one knew when the endless bloodshed and grindingly futile toil of the trenches would ever end. Then a miracle came from a source totally removed from even the most fantastic of dreams.In 1916 the first British conscripts were called up to the British Army. The war had become a series of attritional battles and British manpower was being sapped. Men of all types were called up, but what they found on the battlefields of France and Belgium, was somewhat different from what they had expected.This book is the first in the Royal Zombie Corps series. Approximately 25,000 words long, it is written in British English.

Eric Loan, in an anonymous city, struggles to make a new life for himself. Lonely and rejected, he takes refuge in Brief Pose’s cutting-edge advertising campaign: a clothing catalog that uses pheromones to beguile its readers. The fantasy of escape seems better than the harsh reality of the city until Eric starts to hallucinate past traumas.Eric Loan, in an anonymous city, struggles to make a new life for himself.Lonely and rejected, he takes refuge in Brief Pose’s cutting-edge advertising campaign: a clothing catalog that uses pheromones to beguile its readers.The fantasy of escape seems better than the harsh reality of the city until Eric starts hallucinating past traumas.He's not the only one affected. A rash of riots, murders, and suicides breaks out. It is up to Eric and his new community of revolutionaries to save the city, the nation, and the rest of the world from Brief Pose’s hubris.

Alexandra is of elven nobility with responsibilities and privileges, but all she wishes to do is visit the woods of her ancestors for some peace and quiet. One day her ride is interrupted by the appearance of a human man who offers to lead her back to the far-away estate of her father after her horse throws her. She grudgingly accepts and learns that the human’s family has an ancient contract with her father, one that holds more than just land as a thank-you for past services rendered. Elven Desires is a sensual stand-alone short story in the Lovers of Legend series. The series features romances between mortal women, and gods and men of legend.

In this sexy erotica anthology, three hot authors reel you in with sizzling novellas about alpha heroes who will do anything to get the women they want -- even kidnap them! Bestselling author **Sherrilyn Kenyon** presents "'Captivated' by You," the second sexy story in her series featuring the Bureau of American Defense. Rhea Stevenson is a "BAD" agent who has just been handed her most challenging assignment. She must go undercover as a dominatrix to bring in a deadly terrorist. The only upside is that her fellow agent, "Ace" Krux, whom she has long desired, is her training partner. Almost immediately the roles of master and slave are wonderfully blurred and Rhea and Ace unleash a wealth of hidden desire. From bestselling romance author **Melanie George** comes "Promise Me Forever," the story of Savannah Harper, who has finally put her breakup with pro-football player Donovan Jerricho behind her. But when Tristan comes home to Mississippi on the eve of Savannah's wedding, he still wants her. And when he carries her off and holds her hostage, Savannah's surprised to find that the desire's deliciously mutual.... From **Jaid Black** comes "Hunter's Right," the fantastical story of Corporal Ronda Tipton of the U.S. Army, whose chopper goes down in the Arctic Circle. The only survivor of the crash, Ronda happens upon a hidden civilization of Vikings -- where she must face the bridal auction block. Only Nikolas Ericsson, the man who found Ronda, can save her by claiming her as his own according to sacred rights. But will she and this primitive brute give in to the sparks made when their worlds collide? Sensual and playful, these three novellas will carry you away!

Two telepaths investigate the newly discovered world of Shkea, where every native inhabitant, and an increasing number of human colonists, worships a mysterious and deadly parasite. Winner of the 1975 Hugo Award for Best Novella. Other short stories in this collection: With morning comes mistfall The second kind of loneliness Override Dark, dark were the tunnels The hero Fta Run to starlight The exit to San Breta Slide show

Darkover, planet of wonder, world of mystery, has been a favorite of science fiction readers for many years. For it is a truly alien sphere--a world of strange intelligences, of brooding skies beneath a ruddy sun, and of powers unknown to Earth. In this novel, Marion Zimmer Bradley tells of the original coming of the Earthmen, of the days when Darkover knew not humanity. This is the full-bodied novel of what happened when a colonial starship crashlanded on that uncharted planet to encounter for the first time in human existence the impact of the Ghost Wind, the psychic currents that were native only to that world, and the price that every Earthling must pay before Darkover could claim him for itself.

Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction, by Joseph Conrad, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics: New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works. One of the most haunting stories ever written, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness follows Marlow, a riverboat captain, on a voyage into the African Congo at the height of European colonialism. Astounded by the brutal depravity he witnesses, Marlow becomes obsessed with meeting Kurtz, a famously idealistic and able man stationed farther along the river. What he finally discovers, however, is a horror beyond imagining. Heart of Darkness is widely regarded as a masterpiece for its vivid study of human nature and the greed and ruthlessness of imperialism. This collection also includes three of Conrad’s finest short stories: “Youth,” the author’s largely autobiographical tale of a young man’s ill-fated sea voyage, in which Marlow makes his first appearance, “The Secret Sharer,” and “Amy Forster.” Features a map of the Congo Free State. A. Michael Matin is a professor in the English Department of Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. He has published articles on various twentieth-century British and postcolonial writers. **

In 1956, Time magazine called Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll "just possibly the dirtiest American-made motion picture that has ever been legally exhibited." The taut, vivid drama of a voluptuous child-bridge, who refuses to consummate her marriage to an older, down-on-his-luck cotton-gin owner in Tiger Tail County, Mississippi until she is "ready," has gained in humor and pathos over the years as society has caught up with the author’s savagely honest view of bigotry and lust in the rural South. But Tennessee Williams was first and foremost a writer for the stage, and this reissue of his original screenplay for the Elia Kazan movie of Baby Doll is now accompanied by the script of the full-length stage play, Tiger Tail, developed from that screenplay during the ’70s. The text, which incorporates the author’s final revisions, records the play as it was produced at the Hippodrome Theatre Workshop in Gainesville, Florida, in 1979.

Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise–even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will's friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights–but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?

A full-length, standalone romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Archer's Voice. Kira Dallaire is desperate. Some challenges in life seem too hard to overcome. With little money, and even fewer options, the quick-witted and vibrant twenty-two-year-old needs to reinvent herself. Known for her generous heart and impulsive personality, she devises a survival plan, possibly her most outrageous idea yet. Grayson Hawthorn is losing hope. Some obstacles in life seem too hard to overcome. Betrayal definitely being one of them. With limited capital, and dwindling resources, he is attempting to resurrect his failing family vineyard, a self-imposed vow seemingly destined to fail. That is until a young woman enters his office with an outlandish, unexpected proposition impossible to refuse. What begins as a temporary business arrangement, soon evolves into more as vivacious, spirited Kira challenges detached, arrogant Grayson to want more from life. To want more for himself. But as their wills clash and fiery passion ignites, they'll realize that sometimes the past creates walls too difficult to climb, and that lies and deception rarely precede a happily every after. As Kira and Grayson race toward their destiny, they will discover that some vows are meant to be broken, and others are worth risking everything for . . . even your very own heart. THIS IS A STANDALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY LIBRA. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

The nine stories and one poem collected in this volume formed the basis for the astonishingly original film “Short Cuts” directed by Robert Altman. Collected altogether in this volume, these stories form a searing and indelible portrait of American innocence and loss. From the collections Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?, Where I’m Calling From, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, and A New Path to the Waterfall; including an introduction by Robert Altman. With deadpan humor and enormous tenderness, this is the work of “one of the true contemporary masters” (The New York Review of Books).  

Under the hot desert sun nothing is quite as it seems. Howard Ingham, an American writer, is sent to Tunisia to gather material for a movie, a love story too sordid to be set in America. But his director fails to arrive as scheduled and the erratic mails bring news of infidelities and suicide. Ingham, for reasons obscure even to himself, decides to stay on and work instead on a novel. Gradually, however, a series of peculiar events, a hushed-up murder, a vanished corpse, and secret broadcasts to the Soviet Union, lures him inexorably into the deep, ambivalent shadows of this Arab town; into deceit and away from conventional morality. And when Ingham finds an accomplice to murder, or perhaps something more, what is in question is not justice or truth, but the state of his oddly quiet conscience.

There danger in the wind, scandal in the sand--and Nancy's about to discover where the bodies are buried! Behind the rustic charm of beautiful Block Island lurks an ugly secret... a secret worth killing for. The mystery began when Nancy joined grad student Barb Sommers on her summer fieldwork--and made a deadly discovery. Nancy may be able to help Barb, bu there's nothing she can do for fisherman Tom Haines, victim of murder! Haines was not a nice guy. An operator and a hustler, he was always on the lookout for a big score. But he got in too deep and paid with his life, leaving behind an island full of suspects. Now it's Nancy turn to stir up the waters... and she's sure to stir up trouble. A killer's on the loose, and Nancy's swimming with the sharks!