Second Officer John Blake can't believe his eyes as his friend and fellow officer arrives to greet him out of sleep mode. The unusual thing is he is supposed to be dead.Second Officer John Blake can't believe his eyes when Dave Calloden meets him as he exits sleep mode aboard the star ship. Dave seems the same but for one thing, John was told by the computer that Dave had died earlier.

When the chips are down, and they certainly are in these desperate times; friends and family stick together. Julie finds this out in an unlikely fashion. As the economy is crumbling around them, people are forced to make hard choices as to where they want to make their stand. They also must choose who to stand by. Julie's life is about to change, but not without a little help from a friend.When Victor Frankenstein crafts his infamous creature in Mary Shelley’s masterpiece, he creates something that is a patchwork not only of men but of ideals, of emotions. Out of many, he is one. Indeed, this anthology you read now is something similar, though I do say quite a bit more pleasant to encounter than the fruit of Victor’s labors!What precisely does the word creature conjure in the imagination? Something frightening? Something unknown? The authors of the stories you are about to read had this question to consider and not one of them came up with exactly the same answer as another of their collaborators. The initial reaction to such a question might be to recoil, to think of something unsettling or scary. But then one must consider the creature itself. How does it react to its state of being? It’s surroundings? Does it enjoy killing men or does it loathe violence? Is it predator or prey? Do humans simply fear it or try to combat the creature themselves?It’s the reaction that makes the creature, not the state itself of being an outsider to mankind. You will read in these pages about various supposed monsters, and they all behave differently. The creatures in these stories are everything from horrifying killers to sympathetic lovers to misunderstood beings trying to fit into human society, each one with its creator’s personal stamp placed upon it. This anthology was born out of a desire to come together as authors, out of a sense of community, and the reader can certainly feel this as well. Despite the occasionally-gruesome or unsettling subject matter, this is a labor of love, we promise!The idea to create a compilation was posed by author B.C. Sirrom on the Paranormal and Horror Lovers group on Goodreads in May of 2012. The idea took off immediately, with eight writers contributing to the work and several others offering to help with editing and cover art. But what was to be the topic of such an anthology?After much deliberation, the topic of creatures was chosen, an emphasis placed on the unique and the cultural. The rules were simple: the story must be in the paranormal or horror genre and between five and ten thousand words. While mature content was allowed, it was not required, and contributors had to be willing to assist with editing. With the ground rules in place, the authors set out to craft their tales.This specific topic is one that not only fit the overall theme of the group itself, but also one that allowed the authors room to breathe, room to create and thus, room to craft a collection of well-fitted stories that will entertain, thrill and horrify.No matter what the word ‘creature’ initially brings to mind for you, the reader, that is only the beginning

When Arabella and Mariana Gray are presented with an invitation to assume residence in their landlord's grand country estate, a decision must be made. It isn't as simple a matter as it seems.The Invitation is bonus material—the first five chapters of the original version of Cry of the Peacock—reworked to be told as a short story.Arabella and Mariana Gray are presented with an invitation to assume residence in their landlord's grand country estate. Mariana considers it the opportunity of a lifetime, while Abbie fears being beholden to her landlords, toward whom her parents had long held resentment.When the invitations is refused, and the sisters go instead to live with an aunt in London, will they regret their decision or find purpose to their lives they had never expected to know? The question is the same for both sisters. The answer, however, is vastly different.The Invitation is bonus material—the first five chapters of the original version of Cry of the Peacock—reworked to be told as a short story.

FPM comes visiting with her pre-conceived notions on male nudity and female nudity, with hilarious results.They had the perfect life. They shared the same dreams. They envisioned the same future. But then their jobs got in the way. Their communal interests parted company. They gradually grew apart. After an accidental discovery caused by a simple fast food delivery, things changed dramatically. His suspicions about his wife have now become an undeniable reality. The result? A marriage is in trouble. A life together may be coming to an end. It is time to make a move.

Get Ready for a dramatic visual. Get Set for the authors’ film treatment based on their novel, The Architecture of Time. Go for this rollercoaster read.As a fealinn, Eilwen has a natural affinty to nature, but when one of the tempermental eagles of Gaspar leads her to a hole the eagle's True-bonded Eaglekin has fallen into, Eilwen puts old animosity aside to try and save him.

When Nell Sely moves from sleepy Dorset to Hampstead she leaves behind a childhood of dull teas and oppressive rules for the freedom of the big city. Naive and only nineteen, she becomes embroiled with the wayward John Gaunt and falls in with London's bohemian crowd. In this city of seductive, shifting morals, smoke-filled jazz-clubs and glamorous espresso bars, Nell must master her new found independence and learn to strike her own course.

Climate Change is a Young Adult Romance about the sweetness of first love challenged by the surges of passion, the complications of jealousy and the determination to leave your mark. (First chapter only)Eighteen year old Australian, Jessica Jones is an intelligent, focused and career driven environmentalist. Her sole aim was always to use her life to make a difference. But when celebrity heart throb Jayden Boral chose Jessica out of a crowd, her controlled life was whisked away.This one act of fate and Jessica’s innovative and outspoken ideas, attract the attention of Jayden’s Manager and quickly finds her a part of The Boral PR team. She is also shoved overnight into the lime light of the media and scandal.This provides Jessica the perfect platform to spread awareness on climate change.Meanwhile, her personal climate changes from all work and no play, to the starring role in a turbulent love triangle between her chivalrous bodyguard Rowan and the fun and magnetic Jayden.With the mysterious death of her father, the murder of her loving maid and the vacant support of her estranged mother, Jessica discovers the value of friendship, trust, the reliability of self determination and the valuable lesson of never judging a book by its cover.Climate Change is a Young Adult Romance about the sweetness of first love challenged by the surges of passion, the complications of jealousy and the determination to leave your mark.

Hi, I’m Astra Norte and I’m a Space Cadet. Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard all the jokes. Anyway, this is the first of my space logs, and I have to tell you, it’s been a pretty scary voyage so far. I mean…Uh? What do you mean, let ’em read it for themselves?…Oh, oka-a-a-ay. Sorry, people, but I have to go. Just read and enjoy. Okay?Hearing voices in your head in any world, even Feregana, isn’t considered normal. But hearing the voices of ferrets? Definitely cause for concern. So when Stefi discovers the voices she’s heard her whole life aren’t spirits or her own crazy mind but ferrets of all things, it’s no surprise her life becomes a whole lot stranger.The timid Gemmie and gruff-yet-sensitive Maya soon tell her of a disturbance descending on their world, a disturbance only an utterly unprepared Stefi may be able to prevent. Armed with only a kitchen knife and the seemingly useless gift of communicating with ferrets, what’s a girl to do? Run away from home to seek help and answers from misfit members of Feregana’s divided races, of course.The problem is, her eventual companions, outcasts like her, could hardly be considered normal. There’s Ifaut, an immature and obsessive princess from the Furosan race, along with her latest “pet”, Sansonis of the Kalkic minority; Rhaka of the dog-like Otsukuné; and Cédes, a ghostly blind Furosan prophetess with a (very literal) fiery temper.Yet in their journey to find who or what wants to end Feregana, Stefi and her new friends soon discover that few things are certain in a world heading inexorably towards war and perpetual twilight. But what is certain is that Stefi’s gift is capable of overturning the humans' Church of Kardin, which will do anything to stop her and her friends. And that, as Cédes has seen, their journey can end only in Stefi’s untimely death.

When Andy and his brother Marty move to Pine Ridge, they notice strange things about the town: the playgrounds and local pool are deserted, and there’s the mysterious disappearance of a boy thirteen years ago. Then there’s Bob the ice cream man. He appears when they least expect it and disappears just as quickly. Marty's happy about Bob’s speedy service, but Andy knows something isn't right.When we made it to the top of the hill, we came down hard on our brakes.What are you …“Marty! No!” I called out, powering down on the pedals again.“What is he doing?” Kalisha screamed, riding right behind me.Marty didn’t even turn to look at me. Instead, I saw him step up casually into Bob’s van behind a little girl. Then the doors to the back of the van slammed shut. The van began to take off down the street, the music pounding.In our effort to catch up, we passed Marty’s scooter; it was lying on the footpath along with a skateboard and skipping rope.It was then that I realised the truth.When Andy and his brother Marty move to Pine Ridge, they notice strange things about the town: the playgrounds and local pool are deserted, and there’s the mysterious disappearance of a boy thirteen years ago. Then there’s Bob the ice cream man. He appears when they least expect it and disappears just as quickly. Marty might be happy about Bob’s speedy service, but Andy knows something isn't right. Then Marty is kidnapped. It’s up to Andy and his new friend Kalisha to stop Bob and save Marty and the others from his terrifying plan. The closer they get to saving Andy’s brother, the more horrifying truth is revealed about Bob and the missing boy from long ago...

A boy genius invents a machine to change the world, but ends up accidentally shrinking Santa Clause.Trevor isn't your average 2nd grader. He is a brilliant young inventor that makes a variety of things, from goo bombs to portable microwave rays. This time Trevor has invented something that he says, "...will change the world." But, when he uses this invention, something even he didn't expect happens. Something that might not change the world, but it will change Trevor and his friends forever. Follow Trevor, with his friends Mike and Adam, on a crazy adventure that no one was expecting.

Living & working with her family at Renaissance festivals makes every day a new adventure for Glenna Tate. Especially when Glenna receives the gift of a pendant & is able to visit Otherworld, the realm where the magic & myths woven by the Renaissance players comes to life! Mystery ensues when an important item is stolen. Can Glenna find the item and become the hero Otherworld needs to survive?Glenna's life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of Renaissance festival vendors, Glenna's days are filled with magic and medieval reenactments as she travels the faire circuit with her family. Then one day, Glenna's life changes forever. With the help of a pendant, she discovers Otherworld. An enchanted realm, Otherworld is the land in which all of the myths and magic woven by the Renaissance players comes to life!Suddenly, Glenna is thrust into a quest filled with danger and deception when Atterberry, a great and powerful magician in Otherworld, needs help recovering a stolen item.Can Glenna find the item in time? Can she summon the courage to become the medieval hero the residents of Otherworld expect her to be? And perhaps most importantly, can she juggle both her life in the real world and her life in Otherworld without damaging either?

What if the people you were taught about in Sunday School were suddenly just a group of high school students themselves? All just trying to survive their teen years like you? What if dealing with sex, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure and bullying was an everyday struggle for them too?The first book in the Edensville High Series introduces you to Adam Grace. He's your average looking, typical 16 year old male student, but with extremely good grades. His only downfall and achilles heel, if you were to ask his best friend and fellow scooter ride David King, is that Adam has to live in the shadow of his perfect older brother Joshua and the fact that he's had a crush on the head cheerleader, Eve St. Clair, since they were in Kindergarten. The only thing is, Eve only remembers Adam as being the kid who sniffed crayons and ate glue back then. Her sights are set on more dangerous and exciting adventures and they've all got to do with the bad boy, Lucian Black, who transferred in sophmore year. Join Adam as he is catapulted into complete chaos when his home is turned into the house party of the year after cunningly being deceived into giving Lucian Black his dad's house keys. Ride the tumultous wave of Adam's struggle as he wakes the morning after with a very naked Eve and unable to remember what happened. Experience the uncertainty as he tries to makes sense of it all while trying to capture the heart and attention of Eve St. Clair, hold onto his faith in God and survive social death once his dad finds out about the party and the fact that his precious, candy apple red F450 is missing.

"Walmart to Wolf House: Sonoma County Essays" is a collection of writing from 1983-2015. It's concerned with family, Jack London, shopping at Walmart, beer, cancer, Bonsai, writing, impact craters, Homer Simpson, and Marathon running. Rob Loughran has published 23 books and over 300 articles in national magazines. Twenty-nine of those articles are collected in "Walmart to Wolf House".Agent Cosgrove gave one simple instruction; keep the door closed. Dayton and Maribelle try their best to adhere, but time was never on their side. What awaits on the other side of the door? Why wait? Panic and fear can lead a person to terrible mistakes.

Elindo is from the planet Esplanar but becomes a ghost on Earth when his space ship crashes. Like all ghosts, he needs to pass through to The Other Side but the officers at The International Ghost Office will not help him because Earth is not his home planet. A chance meeting with a phantom who offers to help him might be the only way out...A short story suitable for readers of all ages.Elindo is from the planet Esplanar but becomes a ghost on Earth when his space ship crashes. Like all ghosts, he needs to pass through to The Other Side but the officers at The International Ghost Office will not help him because Earth is not his home planet. A chance meeting with a phantom who offers to help him might be the only way out...