The piano has seen better days. But the wood remembers the old tunes, remembers love and affection. Can Betty find her way back to happy times? Does the music still have its charms? Or are some things better off left quiet?The only thing Betty has left of her deceased husband is the old piano. It's not enough. But music has its ways, and when the piano starts to play on its own in an empty room, old memories are brought back all too clearly, memories of happier days, of love and sunshine.Betty needs to get those days back - but she is not the only one who remembers, and trying to bring back the past has unseen consequences.

What do you do if your new teacher is making your sister's life a misery? For Lint, the answer is obvious. You get rid of them. But Lint's new teacher is determined to stay put. And if Lint can't get rid of the teacher, he has an awful feeling his sister will be the one leaving, for good.Stone Age school boy Lint has a very happy first day back at school! Clan Chief Ghun has forgotten to appoint a new teacher. Eventually Clan Chief Ghun realises his mistake and appoints a teacher who puts a stop to all the fun. It's not long before the boys decide to take matters into their own hands once more. But this time, it's going to be a real battle, as the new teacher is strong, smart, armed and dangerous!

Sumi saves the day on a very special day for the GunnersClay Thompson is an American writer based in a small English town outside London, where he enjoys a comfortable lifestyle with Claire, a recent love interest. After years of enjoying good fortune, Clay experiences a calamitous setback that threatens his livelihood and even his new found relationship. Desperate to get his life back on track he seeks out a renowned local gypsy to “fix” his recent misfortune. Clay’s encounter pays dividends that exceed his expectations...at a price. Will Clay successfully navigate through this maze of a nightmare? Or will he find out...When you dance with the Devil, the music never ends.A paranormal thriller Inspired by true events

Lisa Molin is a freelance Swedish assassin working for the Russian mafia in Europe. Lisa travels to Interlaken in Switzerland to carry out an assassination contracted for the Russian mafia in Zurich. There is a difference to this kill. The man due to be assassinated has put this hit on himself and he wants to spend the day with Lisa before she kills him.Lisa Molin is a freelance Swedish assassin working for the Russian mafia in Europe. When a male assassin can’t do the job the Russian mafia sends in Lisa. Her favorite method of execution is the garrote and she also uses the Japanese jutte which is a foot long bar of solid iron with two hooks on the side that can be used to rip flesh and dislocate joints. She is an expert in taekwondo and has killed many men that way. In Korean “tae” means to strike or break with the foot and “kwon” means to strike or break with the fist and she is an expert at both. She is the last person that more than 120 men have seen before they departed this Earth and usually they departed the planet by extremely violent means.Lisa Molin travels to Interlaken in Switzerland to carry out an assassination contracted for the Russian mafia in Zurich. There is a difference to this kill. The man due to be assassinated has put this hit on himself and he wants to spend the day with Lisa before she kills him. She is meeting him in the Japanese Gardens next to the Hotel Interlaken at dawn. There will be nobody about at that hour. Should she just dispatch him in the Japanese Gardens or should she acquiesce to his wishes and spend the day with him. Read on and find out.

A story of marriage, divorce, a piano, and a different, yet justified, kind of emotional catharsis. No pianos were harmed in writing this story. Originally appeared in the collection, Special Editions.collection of 14 stories, perfect for the Holiday, along with bonus material. Collection includes, The Bainbridge Witch, The Vampire Bureau, Ol’ Jack, Witch’s Brew, The Dress’s Curse, Retribution, Trapped, The Dragon’s Claw, Hide and Seek, A Prank Gone Too Far, Temptations, Dare, Ageless and Reverie, A Graystone Manor Short.Bonus Material gives you free sample reads of Progeny, The Second Wave: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale, Blood Lust and Undead Ahead, a collaboration of stories by Lisa McCourt Hollar and Jeffrey Hollar.

An old man dies in a public and very strange suicide–or was it murder? Jeff Cramer must figure out which, fast. Nothing about this case appears normal and it could get very dangerous, very quickly.The game of Life has a way of sneaking unusual plots on us that change life’s direction. It must be played out like the last act of a Broadway play. There is no blueprint and the outcome is uncertain, the players are all there waiting to play their part while anticipating the next move. Most players don’t see what's coming and reject the concept. If they were asked, it’s just Life playing games

Crony capitialism has lead to the end times in this story featuring an all disabled cast who must fight for their lives in a dying world with only one bleak unspecific called "The Fix", but for all anyone knows it's glorified euthanasia. Legless Pre-Op Transwoman Michelle must decided whether or not to take her own life faced with the horrors of the dying world and the impossibility of transition.Crony capitalism has lead to the end times and it is up to an atheist hispanic man named Clark, a one handed white catholic named Isaac, a suicidal legless pre-op transgender named Michelle, and their native american friends the crippled Piet and the blind Raven to do the only thing that one can do in the end times. Attempt to survive the Apocalypse in the worm of an airborne virus no one is immune to brought on by greed, GMOs, and Right Wing politics.Weekly listening to their radio for food drops and any chance at repairing the world. One day the group hears about a mysterious substance known as The Fix, what it does, when it will drop, if they'll still be alive when it does, and if that can save the world currently unknown to them. All they can do is try to survive until a brighter day comes, if it ever will.A sensational Sci-Fi book that young adults of all ages will adore. The young will love the deep connections the characters feel for one another and the older will love the political and environmental subtexts. Written by HawlSera aka Jessica Nichols-Vernon, one of the prolific writers of the long time standing furry writing group "The Transformation Story Archive"

***NEW YORK TIMES* BESTSELLER** The FBI doesn’t believe it. The Governor wants the problem to disappear. But agent Judy Maddox knows the threat is real: An extreme group of eco-terrorists has the means and the know-how to set off a massive earthquake of epic proportions. For California, time is running out. Now Maddox is scrambling to hunt down a petty criminal turned cult leader turned homicidal mastermind. Because she knows that the dying has already begun. And things will only get worse when the earth violently shifts, bolts, and shakes down to its very core. **Praise for *The Hammer of Eden*** “Follett ratchets up the Richter scale of suspense.”**—*USA Today*** * * “Peerless pacing and character development . . . *The Hammer of Eden *will nail readers to their seats.”**—*People *(A Page-Turner of the Week)** “The thrills hit unnervingly close to home in Follett’s latest white-knuckler.”**—*San Francisco Chronicle*** * * “Riveting . . . taut plotting, tense action, skillful writing, and myriad unexpected twists make this one utterly unputdownable.”**—*Booklist *(starred review)** *From the Paperback edition.*

***New York Times* bestselling author Jasinda Wilder presents the conclusion to Madame X’s erotic saga of discovery.** *My name is Madame X. My heart is torn in two. And now I have to choose...* Caleb is everything to her: lover, caretaker, the man who gave her life meaning when she had none. But as she seeks the truth about herself and her past, she discovers that unravelling Caleb’s web of lies might very well be impossible. Logan is everything she never knew she wanted: freedom, joy, and a passion she couldn’t anticipate. But is Logan’s love enough to save her from herself, from Caleb, and from the tumultuous truth of her past? Caught between two equally compelling and seductive men, X must make the ultimate choice. But there’s more at stake than just her heart...

The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction. “Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,” declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, “would be doing the world at large a favor!” It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later—when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman’s study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe. This edition is part of the Agatha Christie Mystery Collection leatherette-bound set.

'When I go out to sit on the veranda and gaze, I sem to be always conjuring up visions of the past' The Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973 c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalries between the Emperor's consorts, with sharp criticism of Murasaki's fellow ladies-in-waiting and drunken courtiers, and telling remarks about the timid Empress and her powerful father, Michinaga. The Diary is also a work of great subtlety and intense personal reflection, as Murasaki makes penetrating insights into human psychology her pragmatic observations always balanced by an exquisite and pensive melancholy. In his illuminating introduction, Richard Bowing discusses what is known of Murasaki's life, and the religion, ceremonies, costumes, architecture and politics of her time, to explain the cultural background to her vivid evocation of court life. This edition also includes an explanation of Japanese names and dates, appendices and updated further reading. Translated and introduced by RICHARD BOWRING

The Rules of Employment for The Distinguished Academy of Governesses: Always remember your station; after all, you are higher than the house servants but certainly not a member of the family. Be sure to maintain a disciplined schoolroom and to take your meals on a tray. And never become too familiar with the master of the house... Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as England's most proper governess, a woman who has never taken a misstep socially -- or romantically. So, on the surface, she seems perfectly suited to accept the challenge of reforming English-born Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad. But the ruggedly handsome man has no desire to be taught manners. He has glimpsed an uninhibited beauty hiding beneath her prim exterior, and he'd much rather spend his days -- and nights -- instructing her in the ways of love. And when ardor erupts between them, Charlotte learns the pleasures of desire and Wynter the passions of the heart, but before they can love both must first master the rules of employment.

She's young, sassy, and heartbreakingly innocent. And her sensational career is headed for the stratosphere with a million-dollar movie deal and an explosive encounter with the man every woman in America wants. But long-hidden secrets surface with her waking passions, forcing her to flee her lover, her family—even her own fame. From a cloistered convent childhood in France to New York, from Hollywood to Paris and on through the squalid back streets of Europe, Fleur Savagar will set out in search of the woman she's yet to be... a woman willing to risk and dare… willing to face deception and betrayal... willing to learn the grown-up rules of love. Read the poignant and ultimately triumphant story of a young woman determined to make her own way in a world glittering with money, ambition, and revenge.

Welcome back to the brash, brutal new world of the twenty-fifth century: where global politics isn’t just for planet Earth anymore; and where death is just a break in the action, thanks to the techno-miracle that can preserve human consciousness and download it into one new body after another. Cynical, quick-on-the-trigger Takeshi Kovacs, the ex-U.N. envoy turned private eye, has changed careers, and bodies, once more . . . trading sleuthing for soldiering as a warrior-for-hire, and helping a far-flung planet’s government put down a bloody revolution. But when it comes to taking sides, the only one Kovacs is ever really on is his own. So when a rogue pilot and a sleazy corporate fat cat offer him a lucrative role in a treacherous treasure hunt, he’s only too happy to go AWOL with a band of resurrected soldiers of fortune. All that stands between them and the ancient alien spacecraft they mean to salvage are a massacred city bathed in deadly radiation, unleashed nanotechnology with a million ways to kill, and whatever surprises the highly advanced Martian race may have in store. But armed with his genetically engineered instincts, and his trusty twin Kalashnikovs, Takeshi is ready to take on anything—and let the devil take whoever’s left behind.

Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. The mantra is good enough for the Marines; it’s good enough for me. Improvise . . . Near the top of the world, I fight for my life against my opponent, Sebastian Stark. He has the upper hand in strength, but I have the cunning to turn the tables on him. I battle the elements, my demons, and him until Stark and I manage to strike a deal to ensure freedom for us both—and the women we love. Adapt . . . Being alone comes naturally to me. I’ve spent most of my life alone. Sharing my experiences, opening up to another human being, developing a relationship—all these things are foreign to me. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even meant to be. Overcome . . . I’ve been away from Lia for far too long, yet I still have commitments I must keep. When I make my way home, I will tell her I have decided to end the life I have led and move on to become the man she needs. I can overcome my demons; I must. But will Lia be willing to wait?

Art and his family are invited on a fantastic free holiday to the exotic Asteroid Belt in a remote part of space near Mars. Taking the train they arrive to discover that nothing is quite as it seems - the hotel slips curiously back and forth through time and the guests behave rather strangely too. What is behind these bizarre goings on? It s up to Art Jack Havoc and his sister Myrtle against her will to get to the bottom of things. But the giant sand clams and man-eating starfish which roam freely nearby are nothing compared to the True Enemy which is cunning sinister and almost unstoppable and may resemble a hat ...

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way. Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

Penny Lane Bloom, founder of The Lonely Hearts Club, has never loved Halloween. Her dad’s a dentist, so she’s never been allowed much in the way of candy. And forget being a witch or a ghost or a superhero–Penny is always one of the Beatles, along with the rest of her family. But this year, she’s got the Club, and the support of an amazing group of girls who all have each other’s backs. So when someone tries to ruin Halloween for one member, the Club sets out to prove revenge is a dish best served en masse.

A deadly invasion of a far-future ecologically ravaged earth. A terrible secret discovered in a ruined city. Earth is no longer ruled by humans, but by the species they uplifted. Creatures called fleshdogs are their emissaries, and humanity must fight this implacable enemy or face extinction. Balzac must confront monsters and more trying to find his lover. And when he does find her, will the price be too great? This novella is part of Jeff VanderMeer’s cycle of far-future stories, which culminated with the critically acclaimed novel Veniss Underground. As an added bonus, this e-book also includes two extras: an incomplete story set during the same time period as “Balzac’s War” and VanderMeer’s original afterword to the UK edition of Veniss Underground, shedding light on the original creator of the creatures that take center stage in “Balzac’s War.”

Enter the Emerald Circus and be astonished by the transformations of your favorite tales. Ringmaster and internationally bestselling author Jane Yolen (Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Lightship) spins modern fantasy classics in tales that go well beyond Wonderland and Oz, down the rabbit hole and back again. Where is Wendy? Leading a labor strike against the Lost Boys, of course! It’s time to go back to—and beyond—the treasured tales you thought you knew: The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and many more. Ringmaster and internationally bestselling author Jane Yolen (Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Lightship) spins modern fantasy classics for delighted readers. A girl blown away from Kansas returns as a sophisticate with unusual gymnastic abilities. A talented apprentice, forging her first sword, is suddenly left to the mercies of Merlin. Alice’s infamous nemesis has jaws and claws, but also lacks the essential: a sense of humor. Witty and bold, and unexpected, these tales go well beyond the rabbit hole and back again. Table of Contents Andersen’s Witch Lost Girls Tough Alice Blown Away A Knot of Toads The Quiet Monk The Bird Belle Bloody Merciless Dame Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown A Gift of Magicians Rabbit Hole Our Lady of the Greenwood The Confession of Brother Blaise Wonder Land Evian Steel Sister Emily’s Lightship

Bellatrix White had loved Cameron Harrison for as long as she could remember. He was her best friend and her closest confidant, and she knew one day he’d be her forever. Then he broke her heart. After five years of complete silence between them, the motorcycle club they grew up in comes under attack, giving Cam the opportunity he needs to work his way back into Trix’s life. Because while Trix was nursing her broken heart, Cam was realizing exactly what he’d given up. They fall into a relationship easily, but when new tragedies mix with old memories, neither of the lovers are prepared for the fallout.