Zorro meets The Count of Monte Cristo in this dazzling, action-packed novel from the author of the Artemis Fowl series.

A dark vision of the end of the worldThese two short stories will twist and torment your mind as you unravel the paradox within them. A desperate dash to save a life, realizing one’s own fate, and a man mentally snapping at life’s issues: these stories dive into the dark side and may keep you up at night.When star pilot Jael rebels against an abusive captain and flies the "mountain route" through the Flux, she dismisses a legend claiming that dragons lurk waiting for unwary riggers. But appear they do, challenging Jael to a fight to the death. This story appeared originally in the anthology Dragons of Darkness, edited by Orson Scott Card. 9000 words, plus excerpt from the novel that followed. "Though All the Mountains Lie Between" formed the seed of two novels, Dragons in the Stars and Dragon Rigger, both published in print by Tor Books. They are available in the omnibus Dragon Space (in the author's edition, available on Smashwords), or individually (in E-Reads editions, available in most other ebook stores).

When a powerful woman's soul is stolen, private detectives Indal and Molon (werewolves) must race to solve the mystery--before the victim dies, and her soul is destroyed by the monster responsible.Indal and Molon are private detectives in Phoenix, Arizona--except Indal is a chronomancer werewolf, and Molon is an anthropomorphic wolf. Together they make a great team, with Indal covering for Molon's wolf face with a variety of excuses.When they receive a strange email from an employee at Southvista software, claiming that his boss's soul has been stolen, they are plunged into a strange mystery involving supernatural powers, and beings from other worlds.Now they must unravel the mystery, before the stolen soul is turned to nefarious uses by a ruthless criminal who will stop at nothing to accomplish his goals. Can Indal and Molon stop him, or will their wolfish natures get the better of them?

Elliot and Daiko prepare to go and ruffle some corporate feathers on Jaret's behalf. His secret weapon? A Classic car with a soul... Storm clouds gather as we enter the Deck's second hand. For fans of character driven urban fantasy.Elliot and Daiko prepare to go and ruffle some corporate feathers on Jaret's behalf. His secret weapon? A Classic car with a soul... Storm clouds gather as we enter the Deck's second hand. For fans of character driven urban fantasy.(...Back cover write up...)The city of Neppon drifts through the shallows, where the walls circling the mortal realm are thin. Here the daemons gather out of the surrounding night, drawn by its promise of candle flame warmth.As the election for the city's mayoral office approaches, one man stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. His reputation? A bastion for everything that is good and honest, in a world beset from all sides by horrors. But Jaret Roscan carries a secret. A secret that could bring ruin to his political career, and chaos to his beloved city.One person carries the key to his salvation. The question is, will they come forward in his hour of need?Harlem's Deck; a story in instalments. Keep your hand close to your chest...

Chesrie and Kelcie lost their mother when they were young and had to find their own way to survive, becoming thieves, but years of such dishonest living have worn on their consciences, particularly Kelcie's, so they've been saving up to start over in the mountains. All they have left is some work among the islands of the Dead Seas, though one isolated island might prove the end of their journey.Chesrie and Kelcie lost their mother when they were young. Without a father to turn to, they had to find their own way to survive and became thieves. But several years of such dishonest living have worn on their consciences, particularly Kelcie's, and so they have been saving up to move far away into the mountains and start over. All they have to do is finish a string of robberies along an archipelago just off the western coast of Eretsfel. One strange island that lies on the western edge of the archipelago, however, has much more in store for them than they could possibly anticipate.

From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the legend, you know only half the truth. Now the mesmerizing sagaconcludes. . . . As a devastating hurricane approaches, as the benighted creations of Victor Helios begin to spin out of control, as New Orleans descends into chaos and the future of humanity hangs inthe balance, the only hope rests with Victor's first, failed attempt to build the perfect human. Deucalion's centuries-old history began as the original manifestation of a soulless vision-andit is fated to end in the ultimate confrontation between a damned creature and his mad creator. But first they must face a monstrosity not even Victor's malignant mind could have conceived-anindestructible entity that steps out of humankind's collective nightmare with powers, and a purpose, beyond imagining. "From the Paperback edition."

Multiple Hugo Award winner Vernor Vinge's first full-length novel As a mud-spattered youngster, Tatja quickly realized she was different from the stone-age primitives with whom she grew up. Her insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge could not be quenched among them; she had to explore and learn more about the strange world she lived on. She finds the bastion of all culture, arts, entertainment and history for the entire planet, the seven-hundred-year-old science fiction magazine Fantasie, which is produced entirely aboard a gargantuan floating vessel the size of a small city. But despite the printing presses, sail-powered vessels, and mind-expanding technology, Tatja is still dissatisfied. Rising through the ranks, she finds that the people on the enormous barge are just as unintelligent as the primitives she grew up with. But others have come to the planet who not only challenge her intelligence, but offer her a tantalizing opportunity to uncover answers to mysteries that have long plagued her. But with opportunity comes risk. And if she acts unwisely, she could bring doom to the only world she knows.

Fallen Billow should be in college like most of her friends, but instead she’s raising her brother and working as a housekeeper at a vintage local hotel. It’s back-breaking work, but not nearly as challenging as fending off unwanted advances from the hotel’s owner. Thomas McHugh is fighting for our country, across the globe and decades before Fallen Billow was even born. So there’s no way they’re soul mates. There’s no way he can be desperate to see her, hold her, kiss her. Except there is. Is it a dream when he inks his name on her skin? Is it a delusion when she puts her hands on his face and says she loves him? Nothing has ever felt more real. Fate has etched paths for Thomas and Fallen that even time cannot touch. A Purple Heart proclaims Thomas’ valor and bravery. And his death. But Fallen dares to dream of the impossible. She wants Thomas to stay. Just stay. A tribute to all who have served our country, this novel honors the impossible beauty of love and the endless power of hope. Come open your heart and celebrate the many facets of bravery with Fallen and Thomas.

Her mother named her Esperanza Salvación - Hope for Salvation. But when a girl works as an escort for Colombian cartel in the ghettos of Spanish Harlem, there wasn’t much hope, or salvation. Hope’s telepathic ability keeps her a step ahead of ruin, but her unusual gift attracts the attention of a psychotic vampire bitch. Trapped in a Manhattan penthouse with the psycho, she thought she was dead meat. Her survival lies in the hands of Vampire Master Enrique. He seems to respect her, perhaps even care. As a measure of protection, he makes her his personal Bloodslave. Helplessly addicted to his bite, Enrique rules her every moment. As always, Hope must adapt to survive. Swept into the decadent nightlife of Manhattan's elite, she falls in love with Enrique and prays someday he may grow to love her, too. But is it simply a relationship of convenience? Is she nothing more than a concubine desperate to satisfy his nightly demands for blood and sex? And forever in the background is the fear that one day the cartel boss she abandoned will hunt her down to collect on old debts.

The author has discovered for us in this volume the present stopping place of that famous raconteur of dear comic memory, the late Hieronymous Carl Friederich, sometime Baron Munchausen, and he transmits to us some further adventures of this traveler and veracious relator of merry tales. There are about a dozen of these tales, and, judging by Mr. Bangs' recital of them, the Baron's adventures on this mundane sphere were no more exciting than those he has encountered since taking the ferry across the Styx. Mr. Bangs proves himself well worthy of the task of reintroducing this merry old wag to modern fun-lovers, and in selecting from the tales the Baron has related to him he has chosen with an eye to the humorous which is unfailing in its clearness and keenness of perception. (Review from Book News, V. 20, 1902)

In her first ever story collection, Jansson revealed the clarity of vision and light philosophical touch that were to become her hallmark. From the good listener who begins to betray the secrets confided to her, to vignettes of a city storm or the slow halting of spring, these stories are gifts of originality and depth.

aqua (n) - water, used in compound names, or substances in water. synthesis (n) - The combining of elements into a unified entity. aquasynthesis (n) - a combining of worlds within a pool of water; an anthology of short stories from Splashdown authors:Fred Warren, Caprice Hokstad, P.A. Baines, Adam Graham, R.L. Copple, Travis Perry, Mike Lynch, Keven Newsome, Kat Heckenbach and Ryan GrabowEdited by Grace BridgesNarrated by Walt Staplesaqua (n) - water, used in compound names, or substances in water. synthesis (n) - The combining of elements into a unified entity. aquasynthesis (n) - a combining of worlds within a pool of water; an anthology of short stories from Splashdown authors.Gizile follows her mysterious teacher, Tok, as they look into the ice of an ocean pool to contemplate a series of strange and mystical visions: astonishing tales of technology and transcendence, aliens and elves, space and time, dragons and demons, prophecies and scriptures, humor and horror, the gifted and the enslaved, virtual and supernatural reality, insanity and inspiration.Dive into the creations of the Splashdown wordsmiths. Visit the edges of story worlds you love already, and taste their delights if you are new to Splashdown's universe.With short stories from Fred Warren, Caprice Hokstad, P.A. Baines, Adam Graham, R.L. Copple, Travis Perry, Mike Lynch, Keven Newsome, Kat Heckenbach, and Ryan Grabow.

Wrongly acused of rape by Queen Cynethryth, Oswald, one of King Offa's finest champions, flees into exile.Learning that Cynethryth plots to bring down her husband's kingdom with the aid of the Red Dragon, Oswald leads a small band of outlaws across war-torn Dark Age Britain in a desperate quest for the only weapon that can kill the monster threatening their land...Wrongly acused of rape by Queen Cynethryth, Oswald, one of King Offa's finest champions, flees into exile.Learning that Cynethryth plots to bring down her husband's kingdom with the aid of the Red Dragon, Oswald leads a small band of outlaws across war-torn Dark Age Britain in a desperate quest for the only weapon that can kill the monster threatening their land...The long-lost Sword of Wayland!The Sword of Wayland is the first in the Wayland Saga trilogy.

A ruthless pirate propelled 200 years into the future learns the true meaning of happiness from his captive dolphins.Rémi, a dolphin disappears. His friends fear pirates kidnapped him and seek the help of Wizard Rubidjad. On his advice, the sea creatures gather information about the strengths and weaknesses of their enemy. Together they devise an ingenious plan to free Rémi. Fate intervenes when Captain Malo finds himself owing his life to sea creatures and he makes a pact with them. The sea creatures carry out their pledge and Captain Malo learns much from their wisdom. Rubidjad discovers the Captain has a secret past and a time warp could explain many things.

Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet. Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desperate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?WHAT READERS SAY5 stars – “Very well written with characters readers will love. A fantasy adventure on elemental powers, with plenty of romance along the way. I highly recommend this book.” (LadyDestinyRose, Book Blogger)5 stars – “Super-hot mix of Fire & Ice. This is Paranormal Romance at its best! This book has everything you can want and more.” (Azia, Reader)5 stars – “The true power of this book is the emotional depth of each character, the interactions and especially the dialogue. I can't wait for the next one!” (Booklover Reviews)5 stars – “One of those books you just can't put down; the author has a way with words that draws you into the main character's world and holds you till the very end!” (Paula, Reader)5 stars – “It was like a raging inferno of a roller coaster. As I read through the book I kept guessing.” (Jason T., Author)BOOK DESCRIPTIONIf you’re playing with fire, prepare to get burned – or to fall in love.Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet. Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desperate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?FIRE TRILOGYBook 1: Playing with FireBook 2: Dancing with FireBook 3: Living with Fire