The big transport plane flew out of a cloud just as the sun appeared over the flat horizon of the desert to the east. The rolling hills over which the clouds hung low smoothed out as they met and merged with the flat wasteland. A row of trees, the only ones in sight, lined one edge of a rectangle even flatter and smoother than the land near by. A long, low building near the trees, with two small airplanes in front of it, identified the rectangle as an airfield. Before the transport reached the field, another slid out of the cloud. Suddenly swift fighter planes darted past them, swept low over the airfield with machine guns splattering their bullets over the hard earth, the two small planes, and the low hangar. They circled swiftly, just as a third transport appeared from the clouds, and roared past the field, on the far side of the line of trees. Long streaks of white smoke poured from them, falling lazily and billowing into man-made clouds as dense as those in which the planes had recently been flying. In five minutes the smoke screen was a wall twenty feet thick and a hundred feet high.

Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty (1867) is an American Civil War novel by veteran John William DeForest.In contrast to much of the Civil War fiction that had gone before it, Miss Ravenel's Conversion portrayed war not in the chivalric, idealized manner of Walter Scott, but as a bloody and inglorious hell. Though William Dean Howells praised DeForest as a "realist before realism was named",most critics[who?] have argued that the Romantic elements of his plot mix poorly with the otherwise admirable realism of the battle scenes. The novel is often cited[by whom?] as a possible influence on Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, though the evidence that Crane had read the novel remains inconclusive.

15 year-old Axel is kidnapped to places unknown and meets someone he never expected to see.15 year-old Axel lives happily with his mother until he is kidnapped and taken to places unknown and he must find his way back home.

A glossary of foreign expressions to supplement the Solar Wind and Shooting Star series.This is a glossary of foreign expressions to supplement the Solar Wind and Shooting Star series.

Sandra Bullock, married to her husband for eleven years, finds slinky lingerie in his sock drawer and decides there's only one way to solve the problem.While doing the laundry, Sandra Bullock finds a woman's bra in her husband's sock drawer. Her first thought is to pack her bags and leave her philandering husband but instead plans to do away with the home wrecker in the most unusual way.

Humans have evolved to their present form in a few million years. And they have risen to prominence in just a few thousand; a mere speck in earth’s unfathomable timeline. Are we the first to gaze into the heavens contemplating our fate? Here, I present a short tale pondering the shortcomings of sentience. Once upon a time, sixty-five million two hundred and forty-two thousand years ago...Note: This book was previously released as The Christmas Wedding Scheme.When Nash Sinclair sees Lady Julianna holding their newborn nephew in her arms, he decides it is time he took a wife. Julianna, however, insists only a man who slays dragons would suit, and since dragons don't exist, neither does her ideal beau. Not one to turn away from a challenge, Nash enlists the aid of his nieces and nephews in a scheme sure to win Lady Julianna's heart.

One mistake cost Iguru his career, his pride and his very identity. Now an outlaw, he's after one thing: to reclaim it all, even if he has to change history itself. There's just one thing standing in his way: a beautiful blond who holds the keys to the past in his hands.Iguru Halk, space pirate, was once a great scientist and respected man, but one mistake cost him his career, his pride and his very identity. Iguru would do anything to reclaim it all, even change history itself. Now he's on the hunt for a mysterious ship that could help him clear his name, but he's not the only one searching. Kira, an enigmatic man who lives on a planet with no name, wants the ship for his own machinations. They form an uneasy truce, but as their relationship starts to grow, Iguru finds himself on the brink of making the same mistake twice, which could be his undoing or his greatest chance at redemption.

Exclusive Charley Davidson Short Story featured in the December newsletter.

He is a mer-prince, she is the mermaid princess that his family orders him to marry so that their kingdoms unite. Grom dreads this arrangement, until he meets Nalia — both beautiful and smart, she's everything he ever wanted. But just when their connection grows deeper, tragedy strikes. Legacy Lost is a prequel story to Anna Banks' debut novel, OF POSEIDON.

It was meant to be a simple delivery run, dropping a datachip off as a favour. But when the favour is for the information broker Haphazard, it is never simple, as Braeden Wolf finds out.Favours is the third episode in the Braeden Wolf Short Story collection.A humorous retelling of Genesis from Eve's pole dancing to "Skippy" Noah surfing to Hagar in a french maid outfit and more. Each chapter is a condensed scene making the flow pleasant and easy to follow. Weighing in at just over 10,000 words, this short novella allows you to breeze through the beginning of time in an afternoon, perhaps even saying to yourself, "I didn't know it happened like THAT."

Jim Money bites off more than he can chew when he goes to collect a gambling debt. He's beaten, shot at, finds out that his girlfriend is involved with his best friend, and is forced to work with a woman he despises all in one day.In trying to discover what is going on, a more sinister truth is brought to light.Jim Money just wants his money back from Chuck. Chuck refuses to pay it back, and when Chuck's hardened brothers show up, Jim is forced to back down as shots are fired as he narrowly escaped danger.Jim calls his best friend Steve to go collect from Chuck. Meanwhile, Jessica explains to Jim that although she loves the money he makes from illegal gambling and hustling, she wants a normal life free of the dangers associated with his lifestyle. After spending years building his gambling empire, Jim is reluctant at first, but he thinks about it awhile and decides to take a gamble. Besides, he would have a loving wife, and a stable family life free of the criminal elements that haunt him. He realizes that he could have that with Jessica. But before Jim could tell her, she receives a phone call and shuts Jim out.THE NEXT DAY...Jim receives a phone call from Carla, Steve's wife. She insists that her husband and Jessica are having a fling. Jim denies that Jessica or Steve would do that to him, but he humors Carla. He picks her up and they go to Jessica's house. But when they arrive, they are greeted with a more sinister truth.Will Jim Money get the wife and family life that he wants, or is he biting off more than he can chew?THIS IS THE FIRST 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 Stories

Flynn is making every effort to stay in control of his hot temper, while River feels more content than she's ever been. Together the two of them make big plans for the future, but powerful secrets lurk in the shadows, ready to threaten their happiness.

Short Story about the American frontier in the 1800s. Prairies are one of God’s greatest gifts, but these can also turn deadly. Pioneers take desperate measures to save everything they have created.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. In too many instances, it did not occur and remains a part of America’s legacy.Thank you for reading my short stories.Richard Puz

From the collection Dreamin’ Dreams; A short thriller in 2,ooo words.The letter said; You knew in your heart that this day would come, and I only hope that we can part with dignity. By the time you get this letter I’ll be far away, starting a new life somewhere else. I want nothing from you, so you’ll never hear from me again.'Unfortunately, Richard Mann didn't know how fatally true that was!When the twins' pen-friends Gerry and Laura arrive for a week in not-so-sunny South England, the responsibility is once again Harley's. Her mum and stepdad are far too busy preparing for the new baby, and even Charlie is up to just about anything other than chores and orientation.At the same time, Kitty runs wild in the house with older brother Zak away at the study centre, and Aimee is a continual gale of emotions. Harley's almost glad to be one hyperactive sibling down for the week.Will she check her priorities before he realises?

The conclusion to USA Today bestselling author Terri Anne Browning's The Lucy & Harris Novella series. **

This book is about a trans perspective on various social issues trans people often face. It is written for both trans people and other people interested in learning about trans lives. It is based on the author's own experiences as well as the many stories of real life trans people she has come across over many years.This book is about a trans perspective on various social issues trans people often face. It is written for both trans people and other people interested in learning about trans lives. It is based on the author's own experiences as well as the many stories of real life trans people she has come across over many years.There were three aims in the writing of this book: to provide a picture of what trans lives are really like to interested non-trans people, to stimulate discussion in the trans community on some important issues we face, and to hopefully inspire some trans people to think about these issues.Of course, not every trans person wants to be a pop star (actually the title is supposed to be tongue in cheek). However, the issues dealt with in the book are equally applicable to trans people wanting to pursue their dreams in a wide variety of life settings.