Never a dull night in the ER for Dr. Jared Dean, especially when he sees the woman of his fantasies beating the crap out of the largest man he has ever seen, only to have her escape before he even gets to ask her name. Kara realizes the gorgeous doc is now in danger of retribution from the Godfather wannabe, so she immediately assigns herself the arduous task of guarding the hard body of Dr. Dean until she can figure a way out of the mess. Jared is only too happy to accommodate the woman of his dreams, even if he doesn't take her seriously. Anything to have her close at hand. . . and in his bed.

Michaela Stevens has just died but, she wonders, can a gay lady get to heaven and if so, should it be like this? Should the heavenly host be that way? And is there a place in heaven for so many baked beans? Short story at about 4,500 words - no adult content but some light swearing so I'd rate it at a PG.British humour and spelling.When Tammy Miller is forced to live in Ashville Manor, she quickly learns that nothing is quite as it seems. “A vampire?” Tammy said slowly, not really sure how to make sense of it. He didn't look like anything she had read about. His skin was a little too pale, but so was hers. He didn't have weird looking eyes or fangs. She reached out and pressed her hand on his chest. His heart was beating just like hers. Dante watched her reaction, he knew she was checking him out. Trying to figure out if he was about to jump her and suck her body dry. He wasn't like that, that was just fiction written in books by people who had no idea about real vampires.Her hand moved from his chest and gently touched his hand; his skin wasn't cold. He was definitely living and not dead. Weren't vampires Immortal?? She leaned a little closer. “You're not dead!”

Skyla Messenger’s days are numbered. With an angelic Faction War riding on her shoulders, and her mother’s newfound need to cozy with the enemy, Skyla also has to deal with the fact someone close to her has openly deceived her. Skyla learns that sometimes in life, and in love, things aren’t always what they seem.

On the continent of Triska, a sect is at work to release a violent dragon from an ancient prison. To forewarn Triska of this threat, the gods send down a prophecy: the only hope to stop the release of the dragon lies in Princess Josephine. Supported by Matthias, wizard from the east, Josephine embarks on a journey that tests her loyalties and reveals a far greater threat lies beyond the horizon.On the world of Erithia and the war - weary continent of Triska, an ancient sect is at work. Its aim: to release a violent, malevolent dragon known as Sikaris from its ancient prison. If freed, the creature will rain death and destruction on to the nations of the world on a scale not seen for hundreds of years.To forewarn the world of this impending threat, the gods send down a prophecy: the only hope to stop the release of the dragon lies in a young princess, Josephine of Aralia, who alone can wield a power strong enough stop Sikaris from being freed. But it is an untamed ability Josephine has fought hard to suppress, after she killed her mother in an uncontrolled outburst. It is a power she hates more than anything.Intercepting the prophecy, Mahalia - secretive and controlling land of wizards - send one of their most promising men, Matthias Greenwald, to persuade Josephine to embrace her power to reseal the dragon's prison before it is too late. But not all is as it seems with Matthias and if Josephine’s task were not hard enough, the sect has also learned of the prophecy and has unleashed forces to stop them from succeeding, including an insane assassin with a personal vendetta, determined to kill Josephine at all costs. Together Josephine and Matthias must embark on a journey that tests their beliefs and loyalties, throws trust into question and leads them to discover that a far greater threat lies just beyond the horizon.

Lube up, dear reader, because this is the story that happens when the Muse starts talking dirty to you. This is a ten minute fellatio for your mind - sloppy and in your face. This is…What if the ancients were wrong? What if the delicate, graceful, vestal Muses were nothing more than dirty, divine whores looking to score some creativity from us mortals? What if they wobbled from Mozart to Proust to Da Vinci to Canaan, with their togas lopsided, eyes bloodshot, rubbing themselves against genius like cheap harlots?

The blood of the Moon God runs through Chandi's veins. Her king has sent her to the underwater palace of the Solars, to spy on them during the uneasy alliance. Chandi wants nothing more than proof of Solar treachery so she can go home. But as the Solar Naresh shows her the wonders of his underwater world, she finds herself forced to choose between her people and her heart.The Lunar King bargained his daughter away in marriage to end generations of war between the two dynasties of the Skyfall Isles. The King sends his niece Chandi along as handmaid to his daughter. Chandi has two tasks: watch over her cousin, and spy on the Solars. The Solars cost her everything she cares about, and now she wants nothing more than proof of their treachery so she can go home.She knows little of spying, but the blood of the Moon God running through her veins gives her powers mortals can’t match, powers that let her slip into places she’s not supposed to be. Of course, the more she uses her powers, the faster she becomes a lunatic.When she discovers a Solar soldier, Naresh, watching her, she decides to return the favor and stick close to him. But as he shows her the wonders of the domed underwater city, she begins to realize the Solars are not what she thought. Soon, she’ll have to choose between loyalty to her people and her own heart.

This is a short story of the League Files from the Keeper Library. Scott thought that he was helping out his small town by changing history for the better. This may seem like a good idea to you and me but the Keeper League knows better. What should have been a routine observation of a dormant Keeper becomes an introduction to the Keeper world for Scott.This is a short story of the League Files from the Keeper Library.Scott thought that he was helping out his small town by changing history for the better. This may seem like a good idea to you and me but the Keeper League knows better. What should have been a routine observation of a dormant Keeper for Emily, becomes an introduction to the Keeper world for Scott.

When an old acquaintance offers Aprestine a deal, one that could help her turn the tide in the approaching war between the city of Ezeth and the rest of the realm, she can’t help but accept. But that acceptance comes at a cost, one that she might not be willing to pay… Not if she loses her life in the process.Aprestine is losing her magic. On the run from the magic catchers that continuously chase her, she only has one option: to get hold of the black jewel that is being held inside the great castle of Ezeth. Getting hold of the jewel is going to be a problem in itself, a problem that she can’t solve on her own. When an old acquaintance offers her a deal, one that could help her turn the tide in the approaching war between Ezeth and the rest of the realm, she can’t help but accept. But that acceptance comes at a cost, one that she might not be willing to pay… Not if she loses her life in the process.

Foreva’ alone.For “Eva” alone.The only way to love ... is to conquer your fear of it.FROGS OF THE DARK RIVER.This is one of a series of character interviews from The Flame Before Us. This interview is with Hekanefer, formerly a Mitsriy scribe attached to a military unit stationed in Gedjet and part of the army responsible for defending the province. He is now living in Shalem. If you like the interview and extract, The Flame Before Us is available as a full-length novel.The Flame Before Us:Conflict and commitment in the shadow of a city's downfallThe raiding ships have come before, but this time it is different. This time the attackers are coming to stay. The great kings and their vassals collapse as the newcomers advance.Walk with refugees, migrants, and defenders of the land alike, as they struggle to create a different way of life beside the ruins of the old. Can alliance, commitment and love survive the turmoil?

**In this gripping page-turner, an ex-agent on the run from her former employers must take one more case to clear her name and save her life.** She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn't even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning. Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They've killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon. When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it's her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous. Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of. In this tautly plotted novel, Meyer creates a fierce and fascinating new heroine with a very specialized skill set. And she shows once again why she's one of the world's bestselling authors.

Luke Riley is lost. His mother's recent death has set Luke and his family adrift. Even though his father, twin brothers, and their three Bloodhounds are search and rescue volunteers, they have been unable to rescue themselves and become a family again. The summer after sixth grade looms in Luke's mind as a long, lonely three months where the only thing he can look forward to is watching The Weather Channel. Luke is fascinated with the weather, but since his mother's death in a storm, he is also terrified. Even the promised 13th birthday present of a Bloodhound puppy fails to lift Luke's spirits. He would rather have a different breed - a petite Papillon, but his father insists he get a Bloodhound. When Luke decides to get the Bloodhound from Willajean, a dog breeder who owns Storm Watcher Kennel, he works out a deal to help at her kennel in exchange for the expensive dog. Thrilled to have a summer with a purpose, Luke befriends Willajean's daughter, Megan and together they plan how Luke can get a Papillon puppy instead of a Bloodhound. But nothing seems to work as they struggle with stubborn fathers, summer storms, unhelpful siblings, and hidden guilt. Can one little white dog really save both families? For ages 9 to 14

Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations. But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind ... and Suze happens to be in the way.

A quest to fulfill a lifelong wish turns into an adventure rife with magical creatures and arduous tasks and puns, of course when New York Times bestselling author Piers Anthony revisits the enchanted land of Xanth In Xanth, everyone has a talent. But that doesn t mean everyone loves his talent, and no one understands that better than Hapless. Endowed with the ability to conjure any instrument he wants, Hapless could be an extraordinary musician if only he could play a tune that didn t fall ear-piercingly flat. His one desire is to find an instrument he can play and maybe a girlfriend or three. But like music, women have never been his forte. When the Good Magician hears about Hapless's desperate desire, he sends the young man on a quest to find the elusive Isis Orb, a magical talisman that could fulfill his wish. But the mysterious Egyptian goddess for whom the orb is named guards the enchanted object and won t let anyone see it let alone use it. Setting out to achieve the impossible, Hapless meets an eclectic mix of creatures that join him on his journey. Like the musically challenged Hapless, they all have wishes they hope the Isis Orb will grant. But the only way they can control the orb is to capture the five totems from the regions of Xanth: Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and the Void. Together, this motley crew will heroically fight dragons, a six-headed griffin, and even a beautiful, seductive water gorgon who tries to rain on Hapless s parade. With its thrilling exploits and endless humor, the newest addition to Piers Anthony s beloved Xanth series is sure to keep readers enthralled. Isis Orb is the 40th book in the Xanth series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order. "

It started with a bus crash. Daisy Appleby was a little girl when it happened, and she barely remembers the accident or being brought back to life. At that moment, though, she became one of the first subjects in a covert government program that tests a drug called Revive. Now fifteen, Daisy has died and been Revived five times. Each death means a new name, a new city, a new identity. The only constant in Daisy's life is constant change. Then Daisy meets Matt and Audrey McKean, charismatic siblings who quickly become her first real friends. But if she's ever to have a normal life, Daisy must escape from an experiment that's much larger--and more sinister--than she ever imagined. From its striking first chapter to its emotionally charged ending, Cat Patrick's Revived is a riveting story about what happens when life and death collide.

Innkeeper's daughters Adele and Eleda are mirror twins - identical twins whose looks are reflections of each other's, and their special talents are like mirrors, too. Adele is a Safe-Keeper, entrusted with hearing and never revealing others' secrets; Eleda is a Truth-Teller, who cannot tell a lie when asked a direct question. The town of Merendon relies on the twins, no one more than their best friend, Roelynn Karro, whose strict, wealthy father is determined to marry her off to the prince. When the girls are seventeen, a handsome dancing-master and his apprentice come to stay at the inn, and thus begins a chain of romance, mistaken identity, and some very surprising truths and falsehoods.