In TREACHERY, Janus learns from his enemies how he may save humanity with his unique gift. Features a unique take on time travel. In FORSAKEN, under the event horizon, the family confronts Father's sins, and a beguiling foe. In COUNTLESS, Jake detects thousands of distant worlds, and humanity builds a telescope large enough to photograph them. What will we discover, and what will it cost usTwo original science fiction short stories and one extended science fiction full-length story preview, including a new and unique take on time travel.In TREACHERY, Janus Thaddeus, Squadron leader in humanity's final battle of survival, falls planetside when his fleet is wiped out by orbiting atomic blasts. He is rescued by the intelligent Salamander aliens who wiped out his fleet. Salamander Commander Xenon advises him: "...you appear to be the only human gifted with the ability to merge into an alternate timestream." Salamander Assistant Commander Idan claims that Janus' human family remains alive, despite everything Janus' eyes told him. Janus is offered by these, his enemies, a chance to save his race, by way of his unique gift.In FORSAKEN, under the Event Horizon, Timothy imposes a surprise deathbed penance on Father, and the family faces a beguiling foe.In COUNTLESS (development snapshot), Jake chances on a way to discover thousands of extrasolar planets, and wields his newfound fame to persuade citizens of the world to build a ten-billion dollar orbiting telescope, to photograph distant worlds. What will humanity discover, and what will it ultimately cost them?TREACHERY and COUNTLESS (development snapshot) are written in fountain screenplay format, while FORSAKEN appears in traditional prose format. Each penned by a student of master screenwriter and independent filmmaker Richard Dutcher, they bear Hall's unique perspective from a vantage of scientific curiosity and religious ethics. The screenplays are themselves exemplary of the simple art and craft which all screenwriters should apply to the trade. Claims Dutcher of his students: "You can compete with the best of them."Also featuring fine space matte cover and interior artwork by Hall, and an introduction to fountain screen format for readers, with Hall's rationale for screen format to be the new standard of electronic fiction and publishing.

This story is about a girl named Cassie who loved her Grandpa. Grandpa Jack was a very sage man who had a way of telling stories about his beautiful young bride, Ms. Annie. Young Cassie was always ready to hear the wonderful stories that Grandpa told. Grandpa had a very unique way of bringing his stories to life, but Cassie had a way of making them real.Cassie, a young girl of ten was fortunate to have her Grandfather Jack living with them. Grandpa and Cassie did as much together as possible. Cassie could not remember her Grandmother Annie, but that was alright, because Grandpa Jack had a way of keeping her with them no matter where they were. He had so many wonderful stories to tell Cassie about his beautiful young bride and in his way of telling his stories, you would think that Grandma was always with them. The three of them would go fishing together and they always had a wonderful time. Cassie had a way with her thoughts that brought life to everything her imagination could hold.

The destiny of a person is in most cases well planned and executed but for Leonard his life and destiny was twisted by abuse and the inner fight between the light of good and the darkness of the curse of his father’s sin. Leonard’s choices in life are guided by his passion to right the wrongs of his father’s life. The question then is will his destiny end up destroying him?Leonard a little boy was born in so much hate and pain. His father was the rapist of his mother and his mother the abuser of this little boy. He grow-up in a house where his Grandma was his only guiding light and Jillian, his adopted mother, loved him with all their hart. Leonard battled the darkness in his life and worked hard to change his life to overcome the curse and legacy of his father. Leonard became the change he wanted to see in the world with his destiny becoming twisted and intertwined with deceit and death. Would he be able to change the circle of abuse and death or would everything be in vain. This story is written to give hope and show people that by becoming the change you want to see in the world that your legacy my just save that one person that will change the world.

In this offbeat satire, a high priest living in ancient Egypt’s Golden Age reluctantly comes to grips with the distracting elements of modern life and its impact on religious devotion during the grand exposition of his kingdom’s most sacred holiday.In this offbeat satire, a high priest in ancient Egypt’s Golden Age reluctantly comes to grips with the distracting elements of modern life and its impact on religious devotion during the grand exposition of his kingdom’s most sacred holiday. Through his own earnest introspection and supportive advice from Pharaoh Ramses II, will our high priest recapture his passion for his own role in religion and regain an appreciation for its workings?

Jamie just wants to buy a little dope, make some money before his dad finds out. Unfortunately, that means he has to deal with freaks like Lyle...A "coming-of-age" story, with a twist (more like a sheepshank).Jamie is about to enter the murky world of drug-dealing, which means he has to associate with crazies like Lyle.One night in the life of a young man about to step over the line...and has no idea what awaits him.A cautionary tale...that also happens to be funny as hell.

A confused firefighter. A distraught new bride. A police detective and a coroner with an unsolvable mystery. And one terrified man, torn from his reality. Is there any chance for Chance Bellamy to escape his otherworldly captors and find Summer once again? Can the power of love bridge the unfathomable distances of space and time? Find out, in Pod N.A mother awaits her son's visit in the nineteenth century before his life - and her life - will change forever. A short story of a mother's love and belief in her son's future greatness, you will walk away smiling, learning about a little known woman in American history that enabled a nation's greatest change with her belief in literacy and love of a son... who wasn't even her real child.

A New World in Embryo Public Law 10927 was clear and direct. Parents were permitted to watch the genetic alterations of their gametes by skilled surgeons . . . only no one ever requested it. When Lizbeth and Harvey Durant decided to invoke the Law; when Dr. Potter did not rearrange the most unusual genetic structure of their future son, barely an embryo growing in the State's special vat-the consequences of these decisions threatened to be catastrophic. For never before had anyone dared defy the Rulers' decrees . . . and if They found out, it was well known that the price of disobedience was the extermination of the human race . . .

Dead Man's Walk is the first, extraordinary book in the epic Lonesome Dove tetralogy, in which Larry McMurtry breathed new life into the vanished American West and created two of the most memorable heroes in contemporary fiction: Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call. As young Texas Rangers, Gus and Call have much to learn about survival in a land fraught with perils: not only the blazing heat and raging tornadoes, roiling rivers and merciless Indians but also the deadly whims of soldiers. On their first expeditions--led by incompetent officers and accompanied by the robust, dauntless whore known as the Great Western--they will face death at the hands of the cunning Comanche war chief Buffalo Hump and the silent Apache Gomez. They will be astonished by the Mexican army. And Gus will meet the love of his life.

Delve into the stories from Amy Tan's life that inspired bestselling novels like The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement and the new memoir, *Where the Past Begins* Amy Tan has touched millions of readers with haunting and sympathetic novels of cultural complexity and profound empathy. With the same spirit and humor that characterize her acclaimed novels, she now shares her insight into her own life and how she escaped the curses of her past to make a future of her own. She takes us on a journey from her childhood of tragedy and comedy to the present day and her arrival as one of the world's best-loved novelists. Whether recalling arguments with her mother in suburban California or introducing us to the ghosts that inhabit her computer, The Opposite of Fate offers vivid portraits of choices, attitudes, charms, and luck in action--a refreshing antidote to the world-weariness and uncertainties we all face today.

Mrs. Louise Mallard, afflicted with a heart condition, reflects on the death of her husband from the safety of her locked room. Originally published in Vogue magazine, “The Story of an Hour” was retitled as “The Dream of an Hour,” when it was published amid much controversy under its new title a year later in St. Louis Life. “The Story of an Hour” was adapted to film in The Joy That Kills by director Tina Rathbone, which was part of a PBS anthology called American Playhouse. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

James Patterson's bestselling Middle School series heads Down Under! Life is finally starting to look up for everyone's favourite troublemaker, Rafe Khatchadorian. No bullying, zero girl dramas, rising grades – the whole tamale. And when Rafe wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia, he can't quite believe his luck. That is, until his dreams of beaches, surfer chicks and cuddly koala bears go horribly wrong. Australia isn't exactly the island paradise Rafe imagined. And nobody mentioned the zombies! Can a group of social misfits show Rafe a different side of Australia and encourage him to be the great artist he was born to be? Or will Rafe's plan for holiday revenge end up being his worst idea ever?

"A warm-hearted, readable story, crammed with lively incident and remarkable characters." THE ATLANTIC David Harper was an orphan, loney and impoverished. But his longing to embrace the world that abandoned him was stronger than the harsh realities. And even though he's a con man and petty thief at a carnival, he still dreams. For it was there that David learned about love and about women--all of whom taught him the riches of himself. Here is a rich segment of American life--a magic blend of longing and wisdom, saltiness, simplicity, and compassion.

When Theo agrees to print a traveling showman's pamphlet, he only thinks of the money it will bring in. Instead, it sets off a chain reaction that results in the smashing of the press and the murder of his master. Caught on the wrong side of the law, Theo must flee the city. Soon, he has teamed up with the traveling showman Count Las Bombas (who is actually a con artist) and his servant. The trio is soon joined by Mickle, a clever, strong-willed girl with a mysterious past. Performing feats that astound and amaze, the motley crew falls into a trap set by Chief Minister Cabbarus, who is determined to wrest power from the grief-stricken king. Now they must not only save themselves-they must save the kingdom...

Includes: The Last Vampire Black Blood Red Dice As to blood - ah, blood, the whole subject fascinates me. I do like that as well, warm and dripping, when I am thirsty.... Alisa has been in control of her urges for the five thousand years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive. Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray, suddenly there is more at stake than her own life....

It is the week before Christmas and Dr Kay Scarpetta has offered her services pro bono to New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. But in no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of dramatic and unsettling events. She is asked live on the air about the sensational case of Hannah Starr, who has vanished and is presumed dead. Moments later during the same broadcast, she receives a startling call-in from a former psychiatric patient of Benton Wesley’s. When she returns after the show to the apartment where she and Benton live, she finds a suspicious package - possibly a bomb - waiting for her at the front desk. Soon the apparent threat on Scarpetta’s life finds her embroiled in a deadly plot that includes a famous actor accused of an unthinkable sex crime and the disappearance of a beautiful millionairess with whom Scarpetta's niece Lucy seems to have shared a secret past….

When Nancy Drew receives a valuable moonstone as a gift from an unknown person, she is amazed and puzzled. But it is only the first of several startling events in this complex mystery that challenge the ingenuity of the pretty sleuth. Why are the Bowens--a missionary couple who recently returned to the United States--having so much trouble finding their missing seventeen-year-old granddaughter?

"Seek not your destiny, for it is seeking you." In the wake of personal tragedy, two people meet on a humanitarian mission in Peru. Christine is a shy, unadventurous woman whose fiancee broke off the engagement only a week before the wedding, and Paul is a former emergency room doctor whose glamorous lifestyle, stellar reputation, and beautiful fiancee are cruelly snatched from him one fateful, snowy Christmas Eve. Deep in the Amazon jungle, against a backdrop of poverty and heartbreak, they must confront their deepest fears and, together, learn to trust and love again.

Three groundbreaking novels from the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Famer and SFWA Grand Master. Babel-17: Rydra Wong is the most popular poet in the five settled galaxies, capturing the mood of mankind after two decades of war. Now, a new weapon has been unleashed against humanity. Random attacks strike without warning, tied together by broadcast strings of sound. In that gibberish, Rydra recognizes a coherent language. To save her people, she must master this strange tongue, but the more she learns, the more she is tempted to join the other side, in this Nebula Award–winning novel. Nova: The year is 3172. Two political families—the Earth-based galactic conglomerate Draco and the Pleiades Federation of the Von Ray Clan—vie for ultimate power. Both want to control the market for Illyrion, the element that makes interstellar travel possible. When a star implodes, tons of the priceless fuel is discovered floating in the wreckage. Now, in a race to claim it, Lorq Von Ray leads a crew of ragtag misfits into the heart of a dangerous nova . . . Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand: Subjected to the Radical Anxiety Termination procedure, Korga is transformed into a dim-witted slave. Now known as Rat, Korga serves many masters—until the Cultural Fugue, a critical mass of shared knowledge, destroys his homeworld. Marq Dyeth is an “industrial diplomat,” who travels between worlds solving problems that come with the spread of “General Information.” Brought together by the organization known as the Web, Rat and Marq find themselves manipulated by an entity determined to control the flow of information.

A smart, tight, provocative techno-thriller straight out of the very near future—by an iconic visionary writer Some people call it "abyss gaze." Gaze into the abyss all day and the abyss will gaze into you. There are two types of people who think professionally about the future: foresight strategists are civil futurists who think about geo-engineering and smart cities and ways to evade Our Coming Doom; strategic forecasters are spook futurists, who think about geopolitical upheaval and drone warfare and ways to prepare clients for Our Coming Doom. The former are paid by nonprofits and charities, the latter by global security groups and corporate think tanks. For both types, if you're good at it, and you spend your days and nights doing it, then it's something you can't do for long. Depression sets in. Mental illness festers. And if the "abyss gaze" takes hold there's only one place to recover: Normal Head, in the wilds of Oregon, within the secure perimeter of an experimental forest. When Adam Dearden, a foresight strategist, arrives at Normal Head, he is desperate to unplug and be immersed in sylvan silence. But then a patient goes missing from his locked bedroom, leaving nothing but a pile of insects in his wake. A staff investigation ensues; surveillance becomes total. As the mystery of the disappeared man unravels in Warren Ellis's Normal, Dearden uncovers a conspiracy that calls into question the core principles of how and why we think about the future—and the past, and the now.

From extraordinary highs - patronage by the Medicis, friendship with Galileo and, most importantly of all, beautiful and outstandingly original paintings - to rape by her father's colleague, torture by the Inquisition, life-long struggles for acceptance by the artistic Establishment, and betrayal by the men she loved, Artemisia was a bold and brilliant woman who lived as she wanted, and paid a high price.

A cultured city scarred by war. . . . An eastern émigré with scars and secrets of her own. . . . A young woman claiming to be a Russian grand duchess. . . . A brazen killer, as vicious as he is clever. . . . A detective driven by decency and the desire for justice. . . . A nightmare political movement steadily gaining power. . . . This is 1922 Berlin. One of the troubled city's growing number of refugees, Esther Solomonova survives by working as secretary to the charming, unscrupulous cabaret owner "Prince" Nick, and she's being drawn against her will into his scheme to pass a young asylum patient off as Anastasia, the last surviving heir to the murdered czar of all Russia. But their found "princess," Anna Anderson, fears that she's being hunted—and this may turn out to be more than paranoia when innocent people all around her begin to die.