Imagine a future in which the sport of boxing has gone high-tech. Human boxers have been replaced by massive humanoid robots. And former champions of flesh-and-blood are obsolete . . . . Richard Matheson's classic short story is now the basis for Real Steel, a gritty, white-knuckle film starring Hugh Jackman. But "Steel," which was previously filmed as a powerful episode of the original Twilight Zone television series, is just one of over a dozen unforgettable tales in this outstanding collection, which includes two new stories that have never appeared in any previous Matheson collection. Also featured is a bizarre satirical fantasy, "The Splendid Source," that was turned into an episode of The Family Guy. Richard Matheson was recently inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Steel demonstrates once again the full range of his legendary imagination.

The magnificent title story of this collection of fairy tales for adults describes the strange and uncanny relationship between its extravagantly intelligent heroine--a world renowned scholar of the art of story-telling--and the marvelous being that lives in a mysterious bottle, found in a dusty shop in an Istanbul bazaar. As A.S. Byatt renders this relationship with a powerful combination of erudition and passion, she makes the interaction of the natural and the supernatural seem not only convincing, but inevitable. The companion stories in this collection each display different facets of Byatt's remarkable gift for enchantment. They range from fables of sexual obsession to allegories of political tragedy; they draw us into narratives that are as mesmerizing as dreams and as bracing as philosophical meditations; and they all us to inhabit an imaginative universe astonishing in the precision of its detail, its intellectual consistency, and its splendor.

She's a soldier - Noemi Vidal is willing to risk anything to protect her planet, Genesis, including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she's a rebel. He's a machine - Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel's advanced programming has begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator, and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he's an abomination. Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they're not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they're forced to question everything they'd been taught was true.

A secret pact. A reluctant hero. A twist of fate. Dylan McBride has one goal—to make Heaven Lewis his wife. Yet the soul connection they share isn't everything it seems. Something is interfering with his ability to sense Heaven's emotions, causing their empathic link to fluctuate. After a mysterious package arrives with an equally disturbing message, Dylan's fears become reality. Someone wants to erase Heaven from his life. Layne is hell-bent on making things right with Heaven…for Dylan's sake. Agreeing to be her friend is part of his plan. The overwhelming need to be near her isn't. When Dylan enlists his help in protecting Heaven, Layne is torn between his duty to his friend and his desire for a woman he can never have. After all, Heaven is Dylan's fiancé. Heaven is adjusting to her newfound abilities only to discover they're evolving. As if psychic powers aren't enough to process, a truce with Layne ignites a connection that burns her soul-deep. Sensing his energy is only part of her dilemma. Someone is making threats on her life, threats that will unravel more than Heaven's happiness. They'll expose a family secret that may alter her destiny. What the Heart Needs is the second installment in the Soulmate Series. If you like alluring romances with suspense, soulmates, and supernatural twists, you’ll love Kelli McCracken’s compelling take on love, fate, and destiny. Buy this entrancing romance today!

To test of the power of God, an insane triad of malevolent aliens decides to become so evil that God himself will have to stop them. They have already destroyed their homeworld, an entire solar system, and most of their own race. Their next target: Earth! In addition to advanced science mankind can only dream of, the Mordri Three have the unique ability to forever alter skin, bone, and muscle with a simple touch. Once this powerful touch was used only for healing, but the Mordri Three use it as a weapon, literally turning people inside out, mutating them in front of their horrified loved ones, or seeding them with cancer. Scott St. John is mourning the painful death of his beloved wife when he is struck by a golden arrow of light--a fragment of the soul of Harry Keogh, the original Necroscope--and gains powers he does not understand. Soon after, a mysterious, beautiful woman begins appearing everywhere he goes. She warns him to keep silent--about what, he does not know--and keeps trying to tell him something critically important, but each time, she vanishes before she can fully explain. And Scott begins to dream of a very unusual Wolf, who begs Scott--in human speech--to rescue him before the hunters come. A fledgling Necroscope, a telepathic Wolf, a beautiful woman from beyond the stars, the ghost of Harry Keogh, the best of E-Branch's psychic fighting forces, and a dead girl who is not yet ready to seek her just reward must defeat three impossibly strong, psychically gifted monsters whose touch literally melts flesh from bone.

It all began in 1946, when the bizarre, gene-altering Wild Cards virus was unleashed in the skies over New York City. A virus that created super-powered Aces and bizarre, disfigured Jokers. Now, thirty years later, the victims face a new nightmare.

A government scryer's life is a prison until she discovers the ultimate secret language. This poignant near-future tale examines the boundaries between love and freedom.THE HEART'S DESIRE is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.A government scryer's life is a prison until she discovers the ultimate secret language. This poignant near-future tale examines the boundaries between love and freedom.THE HEART'S DESIRE is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.About the author: Early life as a military brat gave Carolyn Kephart an appreciation of nomadic lifestyles, a fascination with world cultures, and close-up insights into the warrior mentality and its manifestations, all of which influence her work to a discernible degree. She loves things that nourish the spirit and widen the mind.Kephart's epic fantasy THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC combines and expands her critically acclaimed duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER. Her latest novel is QUEEN OF TIME, contemporary magic realism that puts a Roman/Mayan spin on the Faustian bargain.

Timmy can't seem to get a break. First, his parents are destroying their marriage and in the process victimizing him. Second, he's got a monster under his bed, stuck there as a result of him losing a story duel with Joshua. Unfortunately Joshua doesn't want to waste time anymore with someone incapable of creating a truly terrifying virtualized story. Timmy isn't worthy. Or is he?Please note: Contains a short romantic story (approx. 16 pgs) and two 3-chapter samples of the author's other works. Joseph and Danni were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a flash-hot affair one Christmas weekend. When their paths cross again on another snowy Christmas Eve, fate gives them a rare second chance. Can they push beyond past hurt and finally find a home with each other for Christmas?Reviews for Home for Christmas:From Linda/A Good Night ReadIf you only have a few minutes for a quick read, this would be a good book to chose. Thanks Carol Burnside, for the perfect bedtime read. (Amazon, 5 STARS)From Ashantay/ A Christmas Wish Come TrueThis is a quick read, well-written and evocative. The characters are well-defined and easy to like and cheer for. A wonderful story to bring a quick lift to your day or to help diminish holiday season stress. Highly recommended. (Amazon, 5 STARS)From BlueEyes / Sweet Second ChanceExcellent writing, I love second chance romances and this one was a great quick read.-- (Amazon, 5 STARS)From SurferGirl / ExcellentExcellent for a short story. I will check out her other books. I like an author who knows how to write well and gets it done..-- (Amazon, 5 STARS)From Amazon customer/very shortThis was a cute Christmas story,very short and the character development was good for a twenty minute read. (4 STARS)

High school quarterback and reluctant hero, Jake Gunn, hates the spotlight, the idea of predestination, and the sudden, debilitating anxiety attacks that threaten his social interactions. Becoming one of the Ten Immortals, eternal guardians of the light, after the last game of the season was the last thing he wanted.High school quarterback and reluctant hero, Jake Gunn, hates the spotlight, the idea of predestination and the sudden, debilitating anxiety attacks that threaten every social interaction. Becoming one of the Ten Immortals, eternal guardians of the light, after the last game of the season was the last thing he wanted. Events unfold shortly after, that challenge Jake’s beliefs and carry him and his friends towards a showdown with forces threatening to unleash a demon and begin Armageddon.

than thirty thousand years before MATHION, this is the story of Azgharáth the Betrayer. Born to a family of nobles but treated as a pariah, Azgharáth begins to plot, and exact, revenge on his family by waging a three thousand year war that will ravage his father's once-beautiful kingdom.Within is a fine blind of poetry stuffed with friendship, love, spirituality, uplifting, self awareness, and laughter for the soul. Love Opens the Valley of Emptiness is a six part poetry book. Daniel Lynn Ferguson is now offering book one in four parts free. book one part one will soon be followed by book one part two, and then part three, and four; followed by book 2-6. Dan has been writing ever since his early teens. He's won many awards, and has traveled much. MFA in the visual arts, U of I, Urbana Champaign Il. "I've been known to write with anything i can get my hands on. Ink-pins are everywhere in my home and car. I thank the people and Mother-Nature who've inspired me to transform my experiences into poetry." "Writing, painting and drawing have always been a passion... a way to keep myself sane, or balanced." Peace and Love to all... Daniel Lynn Ferguson

Sarah is thrilled beyond words when she receives an assignment to return to Central Texas—the birth place of the first mission of love. On this trip, she is to find a companion for Tom’s mother, Allison. Will sweet Allison survive Sarah’s attempts at matchmaking? Can a widowed pastor’s wife find happiness again?Sarah is thrilled beyond words when she receives an assignment to return to Central Texas—the birth place of the first mission of love. On this trip, she is to find a companion for Tom’s mother, Allison. Will sweet Allison survive Sarah’s attempts at matchmaking? Can a widowed pastor’s wife find happiness again? Even though she’s more experienced now, Sarah continues to cause mishaps—and this time they aren’t all by accident! Allison is in for a ride of a lifetime.* Sarah Does it Again is a free, complimentary short story to the Sarah series by Gay N. Lewis. If this glimpse into Sarah’s antics makes you smile, please consider looking up her full-length novellas, as listed: Sarah: A Mission of Love, Sarah: Laney’s Angel, Sarah and the Widow’s Mate, and Sarah and a Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island, plus multiples novellas. All guaranteed to bring a chuckle and lighten your heart!*

Jane Madison has a problem. Or two. Or three. She’s working as a librarian, trapped in a job that can't pay what she's worth. She has a desperate crush on her Imaginary Boyfriend. Her grandmother is determined to reunite her with her long-absent mother. And now, she finds out she's a witch-complete with a sassy familiar and a domineering warder who must (try to!) keep her in line.AUTHOR'S PREFERRED EDITION!A humorous paranormal romance by USA Today bestselling author Mindy Klasky.Jane Madison has a problem. Or two. Or three. She’s working as a librarian, trapped in absurd period costumes and serving up expensive lattes in an effort to keep her employer’s budget in the black. She has a desperate crush on her Imaginary Boyfriend, a professor who uses her library. Her doting grandmother is determined to reunite her with her long-absent mother. And now she’s been told she isn’t getting a well-deserved raise—instead, she can live for free in an ancient, dusty cottage on the library grounds.When Jane settles into her new home, she discovers a hidden chamber lined with books—a world-class collection on witchcraft. She begins to read, never suspecting she has the power to work actual magic. Her first spell awakens a smart-mouthed feline familiar. Her second makes her irresistible to men. Those magical workings draw an overbearing astral enforcer, David Montrose. Will magic solve Jane’s problems? Or only bring her more disasters?The Washington Witches Series includes:Girl's Guide to WitchcraftSorcery and the Single GirlMagic and the Modern GirlCapitol MagicSingle Witch's Survival GuideJoy of Witchcraft"Dreaming of a Witch Christmas"Categories:Fiction > ChicklitFiction > Chick-litFiction > Fantasy > Comic FantasyFiction > Fantasy > GenieFiction > Fantasy > Urban FantasyFiction > Romance > Comic RomanceFiction > Romance > Contemporary RomanceFiction > Romance > Humorous RomanceFiction > Romance > Light RomanceFiction > Romance > Paranormal RomanceFiction > Romance > Urban FantasyFiction > Romance > Romantic ComedyFiction > Light Women's FictionFiction > Women's FictionSimilar Authors:Deanna ChaseAngie FoxTonya KappesKristen PainterRobyn Peterman041517

Every man has a past, none more so than Draven Reinhardt. Abandoning his old life to settle down as a villager, he struggles to fit in, let alone hold down a job. When opportunity offers the much needed coin, Draven is torn between a promise and a purpose.But, what’s one last job if you’ve already got blood on your hands?‘I’ve traded my old enemies for just this one…’ The axe thundered home. ‘I miss the old ones.’Every man has a past, none more so than Draven Reinhardt. Abandoning his old life to settle down as a villager, he struggles to fit in, let alone hold down a job. When opportunity offers the much needed coin, Draven is torn between a promise and a purpose. But, what’s one last job if you’ve already got blood on your hands?‘From Man to Man’ is the story of how one man can change – or not – for the best. Prequel to the upcoming novel ‘It Began With Ashes’, the short (6400 words) introduces the reader to a world of suspense, intrigue, and action.BONUS MATERIAL:Exclusive preview chapter from ‘It Began With Ashes’.

When a woman vanished in Adelard Odd’s room, the resultant scandal closed the asylum at Quartersoake permanently. In 1925, nearly twenty years after Odd’s death, Lewis Spender and Roger North are willing to brave the room’s evil reputation in order to discover the truth.In this novel by W.S. Lacey, appalling things happen to wonderful people and at least one person goes in want of an umbrella.The first in a series of stories about the darker side of the life of fairies.

An ordinary boy, Ryan, is unwillingly sent on an adventure that puts the fate of the world in his hands.The magistrates rush to Goodman Asher's cabin. For Asher's daughter has warned her village that her father's obsession with the mirror tempts wicked magic. Rumors and fables have lured Goodman Asher off of the good path, and so the magistrates rush towards their neighbor's cabin to plead with Goodman Asher to relent from his folly. They will give Goodman Asher a choice, an opportunity, before putting that cabin and its master to flame.