Dr. Gilbert Zhen did not just want to visit death's door. He wanted to stick around for awhile.Life in the Stone Age was hard for Karg and his tribe. They couldn’t go into the lower forests because of the predators there and that meant they had to stay in the cold mountains where food was scarce. Then during a hunting trip Karg came across a hidden valley with all the food, water and wood they could ever want. And there were none of the dangers of the lower forests. He was planning to move his family to the valley when he witnessed a sun being born on the ground. It rose into the sky and became a roiling black cap on a growing black stem and reminded him of a mushroom. Karg didn’t realize it but the future of his people was about to change and not necessarily for the better. He’d found a Kthpok nuclear test range and the Kthpok had just discovered that humans were living in the mountains bordering their most sensitive facility.

A naturopathic doctor develops an herbal memory-enhancement formulation for his Alzheimer's patients that gives him more than he expected. He soon learns that an inability to forget can be far worse than an inability to remember.Yasmin Naylor should be happy. She had a wonderful summer. She is joining the Varsity cheerleaders this year, and her boyfriend, David, is a true gem. Unfortunately, Yasmin is anxious about this year and about life. She's trying to control her fears, but she can't help but think things are going to fall apart.Nicole Lawson is pretty unhappy. Though she is a parent's dream, she feels alone. She enjoys spending time with her best friend, Yasmin, but sometimes that isn't enough. Nicole wants to be known, liked, and befriended by her peers. She wants a boyfriend and the teen life she sees on TV. Now that she's officially sixteen, Nicole is allowed to date. She has her sights set on Kenneth, but she's much to shy to approach him. Can Nicole be the person she wants to be?Anya Dorn is bored. Her family moved to Virginia from Florida. Though her stepfather is alright and her new stepsister is adorable, Anya is nervous about being in a new school and a new place. When Anya meets David, the attraction is instant. Unfortunately, David has a girlfriend. Anya, never one to back down from what she wants, decides to go after David. Will she be able to break Yasmin and David up?

contemporary romance, new adult

A road trip offers some unexpected life choices for Justine and her husband when they meet some out-of-this-world travelers. Every decision has a consequence, would they regret theirs?It was a Listener's job to put the dead to rest, no matter whose dead they were.~*~*~*~The Listener’verse is second world/high fantasy universe with a semi-medieval frontier setting. It’s a low-magic universe in which the dead can talk and Listeners—well, they listen. This short story is a snippit from the backstory of a reoccurring character from the series, written as a faux-'DVD extra'.

A thief gets more than he bargained for when he decides to steal a ring from a dragon's hoard. Short story.He was created for only one person. She was never supposed to be the One.It is 1988, Clear Lake, Texas. Lilly Garcia is not looking forward to her senior year of high school. She is a shy, studious, band geek with a non-existent social life, who lives out her romantic fantasies through the fictional characters of her books. But all that changes when she issues a spur of the moment invitation to a strange, new student.Charlie isn't happy about returning to Earth and he resents having to attend high school to blend in. His father has been recruited for another mission to spy on the Earthans and make sure they have no idea of the existence of the Sentrian civilization. The Sentrian leaders are not only paranoid and disdainful of the Earthans, but also controlling and suspicious of their own people. Almost every aspect of a Sentrian's life is under the supervision of the State. Their religious beliefs are the one exception. Sentrians do not have free will, and all the people believe in the existence of God. Their belief that God chooses your soul mate is their most sacred law. While on Sentria, Charlie never found his chosen, and when he develops an attraction to an Earthan, he is torn. Should he ignore his feelings for Lilly, feelings he knows are wrong, or should he pursue a doomed relationship with the only person who has ever mattered to him?Lilly finds Charlie interesting. They have a lot in common, especially their love of books. She's falling for him, but there's something off about him, something she can't explain. When she becomes an involuntary witness to his supernatural abilities, Charlie is forced to admit he is not from her world. Lilly is fearful at first, but soon realizes she wants to be with Charlie no matter what.Unfortunately their happiness is threatened when a Sentrian from Charlie's past is put in a position of authority over him. Evelyn, a power-hungry elite, believes it is her duty to make sure all the Sentrian youth comply with their strict code of laws. Almost immediately she becomes suspicious of Charlie and his contact with the Earthan girl, Lilly. After tracking Charlie's movements, Evelyn's worst suspicions are confirmed. A relationship with an Earthan is considered blasphemy and Charlie must return to Sentria to go on trial for his moral crimes. This leads Charlie and Lilly to a desperate choice: accept the decision of the Sentrian rulers and never see each other again, or risk everything to stay together.

Of Wanting and Rain is a collection of over one hundred and sixty love poems spanning three years of work by poet Paul Hina. In his follow-up to 2007's Such Deliberate Loveliness, Hina continues to explore the richness of man's desire using playful imagery and unique, impressionistic language.The gateway has been shut and broken for hundreds of years. A fired apprentice, a local witch, bookseller, the witch of the mountain and a native witch attempt to re-open it before the apprentice dies trying to.

A short story:A toddler tries to negotiate the perfect Halloween costume in spite of her limited communication skills.Contains the first chapter of the author's novella, Thaddeus Whiskers and the DragonA short story:A toddler tries to negotiate the perfect Halloween costume in spite of her limited communication skills.Contains the first chapter of the author's novella, Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon

Agent 33 of the Psecret Psociety recounts a strange dream about someone who he has never met over rooftop beers in Charlotte. A 2200-word short story.Agent 33 of the Psecret Psociety recounts a strange dream about someone who he has never met (Ted Maize) over rooftop beers in Charlotte. But, was it really just a dream? Was it his dream? Did someone put a chip on his brain? What thoughts are really his? A 2200-word short story.

A high fantasy story about a housewife who goes on an adventure to find her lost neighbor and comes in contact with creatures and humans who turn her life topsy-turvy.A woman gets her kids off to school, cleans the house, and then sits down to read the next high fantasy book from her favorite author when a scream from next door interrupts her tranquility. She proceeds to investigate and realizes the neighbor's screaming is emanating from the forest behind her property. She ventures into the forest and finds more than the next door neighbor. This short story of high fantasy is the fifth installment of the author's Ten Random Sentences Series wherein the author crafts a short story that is based on and includes ten random sentences that were submitted by his readers during a contest on his Facebook page.

Erin Hunter's New York Times bestselling Seekers series continues in the fifth book in the Return to the Wild story arc. With its thrilling blend of action and suspense, this epic animal fantasy is perfect for fans of the #1 nationally bestselling Warriors series. Toklo, Kallik, Lusa, and Yakone are determined to reach Great Bear Lake in time for the Longest Day Gathering. Even Toklo, who has already claimed a new territory in the mountains, has promised to stay with them until Lusa has found a home of her own. But when Lusa is unexpectedly separated from the others, she must face her past—and make a decision about her future.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series introduces readers to the Oracle Queen in this riveting prequel e-novella. Triplet queens born on the island of Fennbirn can be many things: Elementals. Poisoners. Naturalists. If an oracle queen is born, however, one with the gift of sight, she’s immediately drowned, extinguishing her chance at ever taking the throne. But that’s not how it always was. This cautionary practice started long ago, with Queen Elsabet—the legendary, and last, oracle queen—whose reign was tinged with blood and horror. Paranoid, ruthless, and utterly mad, Elsabet’s mistrust led to the senseless slaying of three entire houses of innocent people. At least, that’s the unchallenged tale carried down from generation to generation. But what really happened? Discover the true story behind the queen who, though born with the gift of sight, could not foresee her swift and sudden fall from power . . . until it was too late. Fans of the Three Dark Crowns series will be enthralled with Queen Elsabet’s genesis, riveted by her madness, and compelled by her tragic—and bloody—reign.

Shortlisted for the 2017 OLSN Northern Lit Award An Ojibwe boy runs away from a North Ontario Indian School, not realizing just how far away home is. Along the way he's followed by Manitous, spirits of the forest who comment on his plight, cajoling, taunting, and ultimately offering him a type of comfort on his difficult journey back to the place he was so brutally removed from. Written by Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author Joseph Boyden and beautifully illustrated by acclaimed artist Kent Monkman, Wenjack is a powerful and poignant look into the world of a residential school runaway trying to find his way home.

Alternate Cover Edition can be found here The end of "Aladdin of the Lamp" finds the cunning Aladdin ruler of a great kingdom. Now, many years have passed.... Life as the king of Agrabah is never boring, especially when the dashing Sinbad the Sailor requests a ship to save his kidnapped wife. Aladdin, never one to run from danger, agrees to help and accompanies Sinbad as they set sail to accumulate enough treasure to ransom the sailor's wife. Soon they run afoul of zombies, sirens, demons, nymphs, evil djinns, and a dastardly plot to take over his kingdom. But Aladdin has a few tricks up his sleeves...including one very magical lamp. From bestselling authors Piers Anthony (Xanth) and J.R. Rain (Vampire for Hire), Aladdin Sins Bad is the second in a fantastical series set in the enchanted world of the Arabian Nights.

Anderson Lake is a company man, AgriGen's Calorie Man in Thailand. Under cover as a factory manager, Anderson combs Bangkok's street markets in search of foodstuffs thought to be extinct, hoping to reap the bounty of history's lost calories. There, he encounters Emiko... Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. One of the New People, Emiko is not human; instead, she is an engineered being, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the decadent whims of a Kyoto businessman, but now abandoned to the streets of Bangkok. Regarded as soulless beings by some, devils by others, New People are slaves, soldiers, and toys of the rich in a chilling near future in which calorie companies rule the world, the oil age has passed, and the side effects of bio-engineered plagues run rampant across the globe. What Happens when calories become currency? What happens when bio-terrorism becomes a tool for corporate profits, when said bio-terrorism's genetic drift forces mankind to the cusp of post-human evolution? Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers one of the most highly acclaimed science fiction novels of the twenty-first century.

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07CJPCBJV. ‘You don't deserve a sister…’ When Lizzy Beresford discovers a threatening letter addressed to her, the words on the old, tattered paper chill her to the bone. But who sent it? Living in pretty cottage in a quiet country village, Lizzy’s never made any enemies in her life… Except her sister. Lizzy hasn’t spoken to Emma in years. Not since the argument which tore their relationship apart. Would her sister really want to cause her harm after all this time? As Lizzy receives more disturbing messages, she begins to doubt those closest to her – her boyfriend, her best friend, her neighbours. Because the mystery sender seems to know everything about her. And after a series of malicious incidents, it’s clear they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed her life. Lizzy knows she must confront her sister. But can she trust her? And will she realise the shocking truth, before it’s too late? From the bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this utterly addictive psychological thriller will have you gasping at every twist and will make you question everyone you know. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book is for you. What readers are saying about Shalini Boland: ‘Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn't see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Oh my. A captivating unputdownable evocative emotional twisted thriller. Oh that ending... OMG that ending did NOT expect that. It blew me away…’ Read Along With Sue, 5 stars ‘Wow, wow, wow! What a fantastic book! The book starts with a bang… from page one and believe me, it doesn’t let up throughout the book and keeps you gripped until the very end!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars ‘Hooked from the very first page... I was left staring open-mouthed at the last page because I just couldn't believe what I just read… left me both speechless and wanting for more.' It's All About Books, 5 stars ‘OMG. What a phenomenal book! I read this book in 24 hours because I could not put it down.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘WOW... captivating... I could not put it down… worth more than 5 stars and has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I have read so far.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘5 Brilliant Stars. Wow what an ending! This book pulled me in from the very first paragraph... I just finished this and I am still shock... fabulous from first paragraph to last!' Audio Killed the Bookmark, 5 stars ‘OMG!!! The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and instantly set my teeth on edge! Don’t forget to read to the very last word though because that ending… WOW, completely unexpected!!<

The sheriff's son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything-friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy's only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn't speak up. Nobody believed her the first time-and they certainly won't now-but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear. With a shocking conclusion and writing that will absolutely knock you out, Courtney Summers' new novel All the Rage examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women in a culture that refuses to protect them.

Zombie Fallout It was a flu season like no other. With fears of contracting the H1N1 virus running rampant throughout the country, people lined up in droves to try an attain one of the coveted vaccines. What was not known, was the effect this largely untested, rushed to market, inoculation was to have on the unsuspecting throngs. Within days, feverish folk throughout the country, convulsed, collapsed and died, only to be re-born. With a taste for brains, blood and bodies, these modern day zombies scoured the lands for their next meal. Overnight the country became a killing ground for the hordes of zombies that ravaged the land. This is the story of Michael Talbot, his family and his friends. This is their story a band of ordinary people just trying to get by in these extra-ordinary times. When disaster strikes, Mike a self-proclaimed survivalist, does his best to ensure the safety and security of those he cares for. Book 1 of the Zombie Fall-Out Trilogy follows our lead character in his self-deprecating, sarcastic best. What he encounters along the way leads him down a long dark road always skirting on the edge of insanity. Can he keep his family safe? Can he discover the secret behind Tommy's powers? Can he save anyone from the zombie Queen - a zombie that seems by all accounts to have some sort of hold over the zombies and Mike himself? Encircled in a seemingly safe haven called Little Turtle, Mike and his family together with the remnants of a tattered community while not fighting each other, fight against a relentless, ruthless, unstoppable force. This last bastion of civilization has made its final stand. God help them all.

A story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in 13th century Southern France. As crusaders sweep through the country, destroying all those who do not follow their religion, Bertrand risks his life to warn others of the invasion. As a troubadour, Bertrand can travel without suspicion from castle to castle, passing word about the coming danger. In the meantime Elinor, a young noblewoman, in love with Bertrand, leaves her comfortable home and family and becomes a troubadour herself. Danger encircles them both, as the rising tide of bloodshed threatens the fabric of the society in which they live.