Ace of Diamonds, The

      Nona Mae King
     Ace of Diamonds, The

Setzer is bored with life after Kefka's demise. Until he meets a lady who embroils his life with mystery, passion, and a myriad of things that Lady Luck apparently doesn’t want him to have.*(PG-13; this is a work of fan-fiction; events take place after those of Final Fantasy VI)Setzer Gabbiani.Ship captain. Gambler. Lover of women and the feel of the wind in his air. Years ago he loved and lost. Determined to never again feel the agony of despair, he loves all women no matter their walk of life. But should they begin to clamor too much for his presence, he weighs anchor.Before the war he experienced a passionate affair with the region’s star of the operatic stage. After the war, the desire to re-introduce himself into her life builds . . . and then he meets fellow ship captain, Maree. Her black hair and sultry curves goad his passions to life once more, and she welcomes the intensity of his attentions.But when a friend stumbles into a dire emergency, he is thrust into the path of suspicions that lead him to an unexpected introduction.*(PG-13; this is a work of fan-fiction; events take place after those of Final Fantasy VI)

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    Dydeetown World

      F. Paul Wilson
     Dydeetown World

What is left on earth after all the good people go? A bizarre mix of Clones and Urchins inhabit what is left of civilization as the Last Detective in the World operates in an underworld where crime pays. The original novella, Dydeetown Girl, is a Nebula Award finalist.

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    Crypto-Punk

      George Traikovich
     Crypto-Punk

Kids are disappearing at Bixby Elementary, and no one knows why. But that’s only the second strangest thing happening inside the crumbling inner city school.Kids are disappearing at Bixby Elementary, and no one knows why. But that’s only the second strangest thing happening inside the crumbling inner city school.Who’s responsible? That’s just what Drew and the rest of the Zero Avenue brats want to know, but are they ready for what they’ll find? Because finding out means unraveling the threads of a conspiracy that blurs the line between myth and science, and between friends and enemies. Because finding out draws them into an adventure that tests their character, and their loyalties to each other. Seeing Harley selected for the Vice-Principal’s Special Studies program triggers Drew’s suspicions—and his jealousy. Digging deeper, he traces the program’s tangled roots to clandestine research carried out during WWII. Driven by their sense of loyalty, Drew and the rest of the brats follow the program’s long shadow from the war’s twilight, to the present day and the abandoned amusement park where they get one last chance to right a wrong decades in the making.

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    Eden Legacy

      Scott Toney
     Eden Legacy

Thomas, the young King of Havilah, is drawn to a forest beyond his lands. Here he discovers seven figs, fruit from the long forgotten Eden.In the land of Cush, Princess Lilya suffers under the rule of her father, until the day when young King Thomas of Havilah invites her away to his lands. There, she hopes to find peace she has never known. But Thomas has been drawn to a foreign land, to figs he hopes are from Eden and the Tree of Life. When he eats them to heal his wounds things change within him, distorting him in ways he could not predict. Now Lilya must make a decision. Does she stand by Thomas's side or act to dispel the evil consuming his soul? Amidst this world Lilya has befriended a dragon. There are secrets within the beast that could determine all their fates.

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    Mirror, Mirror

      Valerie Gaumont
     Mirror, Mirror

This is short story about a woman who buys a magic mirror in a junk shop and ends up with more than she bargained for.Short story in which YOU are the monster, as you roam your lair killing and eating all who enter. That is until he shows up.Inspired by the sword and sorcery fantasy gaming books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. A story told as if YOU are the monster.If you read this story then why not leave me a review to tell me what you thought. Any feedback (be it good or bad) is always most helpful.

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    TDX2 - Too Dull To Die

      Dani J Caile
     TDX2 - Too Dull To Die

Guido's dead, but he hasn't lived yet. Will he get a second chance? Or will Satan have his evil way?Dull Guido has kept himself out of trouble (and life) for 34 years 5 months and 14 days, only to die on the night before he finally has his first big adventure, a world cruise. Graham Reader, the Grim Reaper, tries to help him navigate the world 'up above', only for Guido to find out that there are worse things than death.

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    Elephants and Castles

      John Patrick
     Elephants and Castles

How can a school boy be Britain's most wanted terrorist? Thirteen-year old Elvis moves to his step-father's crumbling London home and is confronted by apparitions from the Black Death of 1665. Somehow he's got to get them back to where they came from, but in the process he catches plague himself and ends up in hospital. Soon half of London is sick and police track the illness back to Elvis's door.A group of random strangers are invited to take part in a mysterious lottery with an intriguing premise. Twenty-seven accept the offer.But what begins as an unusual social experiment quickly descends into something much more sinister. The contestants receive more than they bargained for, and the dark side of human nature reveals itself.As the lottery spirals into a life-and-death struggle for survival, Alice Kato is left searching for answers. How far are ordinary people willing to go to win this extraordinary amount of money? Is there anyone she can trust? Is there any way out?And just who exactly is pulling all the strings?Everyone has their price. Most just don't know what it is yet.

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    Marked in Flesh

      Anne Bishop
     Marked in Flesh

For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community... Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically. But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

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    Rescued

      Margaret Peterson Haddix
     Rescued

"Rescued," an e-short story related to the Missing series, will be available August 5. "Rescued" provides a bridge between RISKED and REVEALED Return to the world of The Missing with an original e-short story! Katherine and Jonah have just saved the Grand Duchesses Anastasia and Maria, as well as their brother the tsarevitch Alexei Romanov. Although the Romanovs are devastated that they lost the rest of their family, they are happy that they still have each other and are safe. But they weren't the only ones saved: Leonid, Alexei’s faithful servant and friend, was also whisked away to the time hollow. Will he be able to accept his fate?

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    The Empire of Ashes

      Anthony Ryan
     The Empire of Ashes

For hundreds of years, the Ironship Trading Syndicate was fuelled by drake blood–and protected by the Blood-blessed, those few who could drink it and wield fearsome powers. But now the very thing that sustained the corporate world threatens to destroy it. A drake of unimaginable power has risen, and it commands an army of both beasts and men. Rogue Blood-blessed Claydon Torcreek, Syndicate agent Lizanne Lethridge, and Ironship captain Corrick Hilemore, spread to disparate corners of the world, must rely upon the new powers and knowledge they have gained at great price to halt its forces–or face the end of all they know.

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    The Falling Woman

      Pat Murphy
     The Falling Woman

Elizabeth Waters, an archaeologist who abandoned her husband and daughter years ago to pursue her career, can see the shadows of the past. It's a gift she keeps secret from her colleagues and students, one that often leads her to incredible archaeological discoveries and the realization that she might be going mad. Then on a dig in the Yucatan, the shadow of a Mayan priestess speaks to her. Suddenly Elizabeth's daughter Diane arrives, hoping to reconnect with her mother. As mother, daughter and priestess fall into the mysterious world of Mayan magic, it is clear one will be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice.

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    The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

      Julie Andrews Edwards
     The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles * was the second children’s novel ever written by Julie Andrews, the beloved star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music*. Perfect for young readers who love whimsical stories about magic! The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals—the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"—apart from and forgotten by people. But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland. With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king. Only by skill and determination were the four travelers able to discover the last of the really great Whangdoodles and grant him his heart's desire. The novel was originally published in 1974. This edition includes a foreword by Julie Andrews.

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    Autumn Bones

      Jacqueline Carey
     Autumn Bones

Fathered by an incubus, raised by a mortal mother, and liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, Daisy Johanssen pulled the community together after a summer tragedy befell the resort town she calls home. Things are back to normal—as normal as it gets for a town famous for its supernatural tourism, and presided over by the reclusive Norse goddess Hel. Not only has Daisy now gained respect as Hel’s enforcer, she’s dating Sinclair Palmer, a nice, seemingly normal human guy. Not too shabby for the daughter of a demon. Unfortunately, Sinclair has a secret. And it’s a big one. He’s descended from Obeah sorcerers and they want him back. If he doesn’t return to Jamaica to take up his rightful role in the family, they’ll unleash spirit magic that could have dire consequences for the town. It’s Daisy’s job to stop it, and she’s going to need a lot of help. But time is running out, the dead are growing restless, and one mistake could cost Daisy everything…. . .

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