Jake Ramsey fights nightmares and loneliness, living alone, flying helicopters to Louisiana’s offshore oil rigs. When a young girl mysteriously enters his life, she brings with her a connection to his past.Jake Ramsey flies workers to oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Flying helicopters is all he’s ever done for thirty years in the Army then in Louisiana. He lives alone in middle age, suffering from depression as a border-line alcoholic with no family and few close friends. His isolation stems from a recurrent nightmare as a young Army Ranger and pilot when his best friend was killed through Jake’s bravado. As a deplorable hermit, Jake’s life reverses when a young woman emerges claiming to be the daughter of his dead buddy. She transforms him and renews the joy of living after decades as a derelict. His life reforms through her inspiration and forgiveness. It’s all a shockingly effective illusion to steal his life-long investment in gold bullion coins. While discovering the girl’s charade, Jake meets and falls in love with a woman who was also fooled by the girl. Death and destruction follow as he chases the girl, only to find that she was manipulated by a maniacal killer.

*When a plague isn’t all that kills…* As a lethal plague sweeps through the land, Ani Mells is shocked when she is unexpectedly captured by the governor’s wardens and forced to submit to a test for the deadly Scourge. She is even more surprised when the test results come back positive, and she is sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned refuge—and quarantine colony—for the ill. The Scourge’s victims, Ani now among them, can only expect to live out short, painful lives there. However, Ani quickly discovers that she doesn’t know the whole truth about the Scourge or the Colony. She’s been caught in a devious plot, and, with the help of her best friend, Weevil, Ani means to uncover just what is actually going on. But will she and Weevil survive the Scourge—and the gorvernor’s wardens—long enough to make their escape and expose the cruel plan?

Captain Winters leaves the clean, safe ships of space to descend into the underworld of ancient Mars. An old lover that has fallen under the sway of the old Queens, and Shanga, the going back drug that reverts those of Earth to their bestial nature. Winters knows that naked and defiant she might not resist her own atavistic urges, but is willing to risk all for Jim.A Gender Switch Adventure.Getting stood up on Valentine’s Day has taken Molly Mack places she never would have dared to go… After Molly Mack’s deadbeat boyfriend dumps her on the most romantic day of the year, Molly finds herself pushed to the edge—and in a tight spot. The only rescuer for miles around is her grumpy, laconic—and piping hot—neighbor, Dave Jenkins. Before long, Molly and Dave have struck enough sparks to bring the fire department running. Now the question is, Does Molly still want to be rescued? Or is she exactly where she wants to be? Length: 6,000 words, or about 30 pages.

Jahrra and her friends are about to embark upon a very important mission: to steal the flag of their nemesis, Eydeth, in a city-wide game of Conquer the Castle. Will they be able to outwit and out-maneuver their other classmates in order to win the grand prize, a day off from school? Conquer the Castle is an adventurous, and sometimes humorous, short story from the world of Oescienne.Jahrra and her friends are about to embark upon a very important mission: to steal the flag of their nemesis, Eydeth, in a city-wide game of Conquer the Castle. Their schoolmaster has decided to put on a war game to see if his students have what it takes to survive the real world and Jahrra can't wait to begin the battle. Armed with small crossbows and paint-tipped arrows, she and her classmates will wage war upon one another as they try to capture each other's banners. But Jahrra isn't after just any banner; she wants the golden flag that belongs to Eydeth and his teammates. Will Jahrra and her team be able to outwit and out-maneuver their other classmates in order to win the grand prize; a day off from school and the utter humiliation of their shared enemy? Or will the twins once again make Jahrra the laughing stock of the whole school? Conquer the Castle is an adventurous, and sometimes humorous, short story from the world of Oescienne.

Sky Ghosts: The Night Before is a short standalone story, serving as a free preview to the Sky Ghosts series. A crossover between Urban Fantasy and Action Comedy, it features a strong female protagonist and her best friend, on a mission to destroy an enemy gang.For centuries, Sky Ghosts have been hiding their differences from humans, living among them in secret. Their powers, skills, and the gift of flight turned them into the best protectors the human elite could ever have. But for every one of them who believes in fair work and duty, there are ten more who use their power to prey on the weak and avoid justice. They're called Sky Beasts, and the war between them and the New York Sky Ghosts Headquarters has reached a fevered pitch.Patricia aka Pain is known as the “kill first, ask questions later” kind of girl. An urban legend at twenty-one, she helps to secure the Headquarters’ future in her own way - by slaughtering Beasts in between working bodyguard jobs. When a certain gang leader resurfaces on the gloomy Brooklyn outskirts, she makes a plan, which includes her big sword, her best friend, and good old improvisation.There’s only one minor detail - it all sounds too good to not be a trap.What reviewers saySky Ghosts is for those who enjoy- Fantasy novels not centered on romance- Secret organizations and assassin fantasy- Themes of brotherhood, duty, and honorYou may like it if you're a fan of- Suicide Squad and Deadpool- The Avengers, Buffy, and all things Joss Whedon- The A-Team, X-Men, and ArrowWarning: the book contains strong language, graphic violence, and unhealthy doses of black humor

Kiethara, a descendant from a long line of powerful guardians who have been charged to protect a magical forest, is forced to face her mother’s killer and the greatest threat magic has ever faced: Gandador. As she fights to hone her skill and control her emotions, the fate of the forest—and the world—faces the most peril it has since the dawn of time.Are you ready? Kiethara considered chiding the voice for breaking her concentration, but the annoyance that should have been there was missing. Then, pausing in her climb, she considered the question.It seemed…so familiar. She felt that someone had asked her this before. Was she ready? Prepared? Kiethara pursed her lips at the wave of déjà vu. Well? she demanded.Kiethara shrugged and pulled herself up another foot. She did not remember what she was supposed to be ready for.The voice's anger at her ignorance and lack of interest was so strong that it shook Kiethara. The potent emotion was like a slap in the face, sparking her own emotion and memory.Are you ready…Ready for Gandador? Ready for the fight? Ready for…This.At the sound of the voice, Kiethara was thrown off the cliff face. She had been right. As she fell, the images around her shattered like glass, breaking into rugged pieces.Right before she hit the ground, she heard the voice whisper:Are you ready for the end? ***Kiethara, a descendant from a long line of powerful guardians who have been charged to protect a magical forest, is forced to face her mother’s killer and the greatest threat magic has ever faced: Gandador. As she fights to hone her skill and control her emotions, the fate of the forest—and the world—faces the most peril it has since the dawn of time.

Alex Mason is back again, this time to go out of school! He is going to see some crazy, but true, things. He is going to ride on the back of a dragon and a giant eagle! This time hunting for a man and his deadly silver whistle, which could kill thousands of people in seconds...This is an 11 page short story:Steven just witnessed his beloved dog tear out the throats of his two best friends. It gets even more surreal when the dog explains to him why he did it.

Lucy, a Lynx kitten, escapes from her wildlife refuge with her best friend Penny the Puffin. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her Aunt Maude, who lives in the wilds of Alaska. Lucy discovers that that life in an urban environment is not the same as living in the fields and mountains. This story is about wild animals trying to adapt to a new environment.Lucy, a lynx kitten, lives at the Green Ark Sanctuary with her family. Lucy’s mother’s stories of her Aunt Maude’s travels into the wilds of Alaska, fire her imagination. She dreams of having her own adventures with Penny the Puffin, her best friend. The two escape from the Sanctuary, into the big, urban world. City living is not what Lucy had imagined. Can the two adapt to this new world? Lucy not only faces challenges, but she also learns something new about, her friend, Penny the Puffin. This is a journey, of discovery, for the young and the young-at-heart.

They went through terrorists in the Philippines, terrorists in Afghanistan and human traffickers but God brought them to His treasure for their lives.Arthur, Marci, Taylor and Ramon had spent six years at the feet of their mentor, Tom Dandridge. They learned from him a deep and abiding faith in God and His Word. The day they celebrated Tom's home going, they sensed his mantle settling on them somewhat like Elisha did when Elijah was taken up to Heaven. Arthur left for the Philippines. Tom had trained him in spiritual things, Diego had trained him in martial arts. He would need both when he came face to face with the leader of the latest terrorist group. This group favored the traditional method of caning as the manner of dealing with those who opposed them. Their leader's cane was razor laced and deadly. Marci had decided to continue to pursue her college education to become a research physicist. It is at her college that she met Brian. Their paths seem to be crossing in a common manner. Was he the one that God meant for her to marry? Could he save her from a human trafficker disguised as a college professor? Taylor and Ramon had become close friends during Junior and Senior High School. This was unusual because Taylor had professed her hatred for men because of her drunken and abusive father. They joined the Army National Guard hoping to become snipers. It seemed that the Army's rules against female snipers was iron clad. However, a Brigadier General whom Tom had befriended showed up the day of Tom's home going and changed everything. The opportunity came with a price. The duo would have to become the sniper bait that would draw the terrorists out into the open. The four of them would have to work through heartache, uncertainty and danger like they had never seen. Their faith in God and His Word brought them through it all. In the end, God honored His faithful servants and brought His treasure into their lives.

Morph, My Story, is a short story about a girl from Oklahoma. On a trip to the Florida Keys sponsored by Make a Wish, she gets the chance to swim with dolphins, both wild and captured. It's a week of new experiences for a girl that never saw the ocean before and this magical trip marks the start of a new chance at life.Morph, My Story, is a short story about a girl from Oklahoma. On a trip to the Florida Keys sponsored by Make a Wish, she gets the chance to swim with dolphins, both wild and captured. It's a week of new experiences for a girl that never saw the ocean before, and the start of a whole new life that nobody imagined (except for maybe her surprisingly wise grandma). The story is told from the point of view of Kara, a teenager facing more challenges than the typical girl. A disease has hardened and deformed her skin making her the subject of unwanted stares when in public. As she competes against her increasingly inflexible exterior the simple act of smiling hurts. She lives her life within a very real shell and in the Florida Keys she gets the chance to break out in a fantastic way.

Sir Horace is about to turn five hundred years old! Araminta and Wanda need to find him the perfect gift. Araminta finds an ancient sword in a grotto hidden under her haunted house—and it should be a cinch to get it. But she wasn't planning on the nasty surprise of a portcullis-trap and a rising tide in the grotto. Will Araminta and Wanda make it to Sir Horace's birthday party?

Like Isaac Asimov and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. combined. Thought-provoking. Exciting. Sentient cyberts co-exist with Bios. Ninety percent of the Bios live in a fantasy world Inside, ten percent live in the dark reality Outside. One percent of the ten percent are fighting a losing war with the artificial intelligent menace running the planet. Is this the end of the world or the beginning of a new one?"In Makr's Shadow" (formerly Harry's Reality), humans now called Bios could only fail. Harry Bolls and his new found friends make a difference. Harry Bolls sees through illusion and dreams of truth. The worlds of reality, fantasy and Cyber will never be the same. Had the human race rebelled or unified in some way there might have been hope. Now, saving the world rests on a pampered and helpless people who can hardly survive Outside the fantasy world created by the artificial intelligence in charge. Outside, society has splintered. One group wants to co-exist, another wants to be left alone, and one group even worships the artificial intelligence as a god. Harry, the Insider, can see through SensaVision illusions, and has nightmares in a world where that is supposed to be impossible. Is he the one to change the world?What will the world become?"In Makr's Shadow" reads like an Isaac Asimov and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. novel combining, action, suspense and fun. Thought-provoking. Exciting. Shaw's characters are dynamic and real. They are as flawed as humanity with fears, anger, regret and arrogance, yet heroes emerge. All that seems lost, is not lost.

Abbie and Bendigo Joules, teenagers on a farm in east Texas, share three days canoeing down a creek in the Big Thicket. For Ben, it involves a high school project on memory. For Abbie, it's a chance to spend time with her older brother, doing what she loves the most--canoeing. For both of them, it's a lesson on wilderness living and their connection with the animals that live there.The seventh in a series of fourteen books by Abbie Joules about her brother, Bendigo, as they grew up on their hard-scrabble farm in east Texas. In this episode, Ben uses the excuse of a high school psychology project on memory to justify a three day canoe paddle down Big Sandy Creek in the Big Thicket wilderness. Abbie, who loves to canoe and adores her older brother, needs no excuse. Together they test themselves as they attempt to remember everything they see, and as the days go by the wilderness tests their ability to live off the land. In the end, they learn more about themselves than they ever thought they would, and gain a new appreciation for the creatures they share the world with.

This was a time when Spain was revered, feared, and hated in the easterly seas; when the devil had no color, no name, and no flag; and when the only thing needed to summon hell on earth (or sea) was a Spaniard and his sword. Accompanied by his faithful foster son, Íñigo, Captain Alatriste accepts a job as a mercenary aboard a Spanish galleon. The ship sets sail from Naples on a journey that will take them to some of the most remote-and wretched-outposts of the empire: Morocco, Algeria, and finally to Malta for a stunning and bloody battle on the high seas that will challenge even the battle-hardened Alatriste's resolve. Now seventeen, Íñigo is almost ready to leave Alatriste, his foster father and fellow soldier. But will age and experience bring wisdom, or is he likely to repeat many of his mentor's mistakes?