a novel by Corey MeslerLydia and Mark are left with incredible new physical abilities after an accident with experimental chemicals during a high school field trip to a pharmaceutical company. With the limitations of these abilities, they discover that they’re not beyond human reach, but their lives are changed—perhaps forever.The two become separated; Lydia is whisked away by a government official, while Mark is offered a job with the wealthy owner of the pharmaceutical company. The two men thrust the pair into a world they never knew existed, full of gifted people with powers like their own. The opposing ideals of the two sides drive Lydia and Mark into a swirling confrontation with one other and with their respective groups, one that will force the two to question the consequences, motivations, and nature of their actions and abilities.

Cleveland was darker without him. They shut the subway down when he left. I remember his voice in my ear, whispering. "Don't let it consume you." Well, I guess I did. I guess it happened, because here I am.He always said he'd come back.He told me to transform, and so I did. I became a satellite burning up in the atmosphere. Even when we were apart, I left my lungs in his room so I could smell him. Never mind all that.I listened to the sounds of the train, passing and passing, my skin cells dividing, peeling back in the dark, balls of white hot gas and debris, veins unwinding and untangling into a single line, leading from me to Wyatt, red light fibers connecting his aorta to my superior vena cava.We rotated, umbilical tether twisting in the vacuum of space, tumbling toward each other in the dark with the stars around us already dead.

The author of this book, Rebecca Hammett, is ten and this is her first book. It is a lively, humorous story about teenage Sapphire and her friends. It will appeal to girls who like spending time with their friends, doing gymnastics, trying out nail polishes, clothes and make-up, or girls who have ever dreamed about joining a circus!It contains laughter, drama, emotion - and fun!As the United Kingdom's monster hunting bureau, the Caerleon Order will go after any paranormal creature that becomes a threat to Sovereign, Church, and Country. However, it serves as a defensive paramilitary organization, not an investigative agency, so it normally ignores cryptids, creatures whose existence have been suggested but are not yet recognized by scientific consensus, unless they go on a rampage.The Beast of Exmoor is a famous legendary phantom big cat that haunts the moors of Devon and Somerset in southern England. Reported sighting became national, then international news starting in the mid-seventies, but except for some wild deer and farm animals, it had never attacked a human being, so far as anyone knew.However, during the latest rash of sightings and animal maulings, a little farm girl has disappeared, rumored to be a victim of the Beast. In response, the Queen has ordered the Caerleon Order to hunt it down and destroy it. Sir Differel Van Helsing has decided that the best tactic would be to deploy snipers around the area, with herself as one of them, using farm animals as bait to lure it into rifle range.She has every reason to believe her plan will work, given time. But what she and no one else can know is that she is hunting the wrong monster.

Tate Halloway lives life to the fullest. She had a rough childhood and a rougher adolescence. Now that she’s away at school and on her own for the first time in her life, nothing can hold her back from making the most out of every single day. Well, just that one thing. But she refuses to think about it.Tate Halloway lives life to the fullest. She had a rough childhood and a rougher adolescence. Now that she’s away at school and on her own for the first time in her life, nothing can hold her back from making the most out of every single day. Well, just that one thing. But she refuses to think about it. And why would she, when life is so much more fun when you’re living it, experiencing every little thing. When she bumps into Bridger Wright, a childhood friend that was both a bully and a serious crush, she starts to see that not everyone thinks like her. She’s always had a thing for Bridger, but the guy she catches up with is a far cry from the little boy that used to put toads down her dress and pull her ponytails. She knows there’s more to Bridger than this sulking, disconnected version of him and she’s bound and determined to pull it out of him. Bridger Wright has been spurned in love more than once. He always seems to trust the wrong girls and end up with a broken heart. He’s tired of it. And he has resolved himself to a life without love. He believes he’s better off, if only he could convince Tate too. Tate bursts into Bridger’s life like sunlight through clouds. She’s vivacious, energetic and adventurous. But she’s not without secrets. Just as Bridger starts to open up to her demanding presence and the feelings he can’t seem to deny, his trust is broken again. Bridger and Tate are forced to face each other and the pain of their past. Neither wants to face their demons and deal with their hurt, but neither can deny the depth of their feelings for each other. Their brazing love will take work and sacrifice. Both are capable of giving to each other. Both will have to decide whether or not it’s worth it

Holden Harris is locked in a prison of autism, bullied by kids who don't understand his quiet, quirky ways. Ella Reynolds, star of the school drama production takes an interest in Holden after she catches him listening to her rehearse for the school play. Will friendship, faith, and the power of song be enough to unlock the miracle that Holden needs?

Breakfast turns into the dissolution of a relationship, while heroin and hope collide in a gritty part of town.Youth, murder, infidelity, small clothes, green curry, and the acceptance of brothers intersect to form an exciting new collection of ten short and flash fiction pieces from the author of the novel A Butterfly Came to Rest.Breakfast turns into the dissolution of a relationship, while heroin and hope collide in a gritty part of town.Youth, murder, infidelity, small clothes, green curry, and the acceptance of brothers intersect to form an exciting new collection of ten short and flash fiction pieces from the author of the novel A Butterfly Came to Rest.Our Path is Paved in Echoes searches for commonality in disparate lives where joy, sadness, hope and redemption collide.

Cousin Elk is a short story of a man named Elk who had a vicious temper that led to troubling times in the lives of the Woodward family and the Young family. Based on a true story, Cousin Elk will transport you back to a time when life was much simpler and slower. Though it is a tale of reminiscence, there are twists and turns throughout the story that lead to an unexpected ending.Found in an old shoebox, this exercise in academic satire features the section in which an obscure medieval author travels with Geoffrey Chaucer and the pilgrims to Canterbury, as Chaucer chronicled in The Canterbury Tales. Leopold LaPied was there, although he did not make it into the Tales. Included is an afterword, commentary, and updated afterword.

A humorous book for children (ages 8-12 years).It's down to teenager, Sally, to save her home before the Sign People have their evil way. The whole of the west Cornish coast is relying on her. By the way, Sally is a seagull. So? What’s wrong with that! Seagulls are people too, you know.And who is that mysterious dog? Who knows! Who cares! Sally does and she's determined to uncover the truth.Sally began life ten years ago in Cornwall. I was planning on relocating to France but meanwhile was renting a cottage that would become awash with worms every time it rained.That’s perfectly all right except it happened inside the house!I typed the first line. Ask me how long one can stare at a monitor before going cross-eyed and I can answer that. I turned my head to look out the window and witnessed what would become the inspiration for the rest of my story. Outside on the lawn was a dog gobbling up the bread I’d left out for the gulls! And I thought only my cat did that.Snuggle down and enjoy yourself reading all about my girl and her escapades.Happy reading,Rosie.

Gabriel Joshua has risen from the Makoko slums of Lagos, Nigeria, to become an internationally acclaimed speaker on African poverty, the economy, terrorism, corruption and fraud. But being a hero for some means becoming an enemy to others who see him as a threat to their own power. An African thriller.At age fourteen Femi Akindele, an orphaned street-boy from the Makoko slum in Lagos decided to call himself Pastor Gabriel Joshua. Unqualified and self-taught and now in his mid-forties Gabriel has become a highly acclaimed international speaker on African affairs, economics, terrorism, corruption, fraud and the widespread poverty and economic migration that results. But Gabriel soon discovers that popularity never guarantees solutions or support for change. Together with his loyal, boyhood friend Tunde Oyedepo who, aged thirteen, became Solomon, Gabriel’s long ambition has been to create an alternative society funded by private donations and profits from their own company, Solomon Trading. But the area he has chosen for his economic experiment lies on the poverty ridden but dangerous northern borders of Nigeria and, if he is to achieve anything and attract investment, it’ll need defending from the ongoing terrorism that still plagues the area. With the US, UK and other Western powers still unwilling to help, Gabriel again decides to do it himself with a small, private army run by an ex British SAS soldier. But then Gabriel receives notice of an international arrest warrant falsely alleging fraud, corruption and money-laundering by Solomon Trading in connection with a big Nigerian government contract. This is followed by the murder of Solomon Trading’s London-based manager. In an attempt to understand what is going on and who is behind it, they employ the services of London-based international commercial crime investigators Asher & Asher. What Mark Dobson from A & A uncovers is a mixture of corporate politics – Russian and French – and a highly-organised group of wealthy and corrupt individuals already financing a terrorist operation (the COK) with one purpose in mind – the overthrow of the democratically elected Nigerian President and the establishment of a vast, new West African state. What stands in their way is the widespread popularity of Gabriel Joshua, the recently elected Nigerian President Hamed Massoud Azazi. and the newly appointed head of the Nigerian State Security Service, Colonel Martin Abisola. With the story covering events in London, Washington, Cairo and Nigeria, “An Honourable Fake” is a powerful follow-up novel to Terry Morgan’s “The Malthus Pandemic” and the second in the Asher & Asher series.

Isla is sure nothing will happen when a Halloween seance try to contact her mother’s spirit. But the séance receives a chilling reply: SHE IS NOT DEAD.Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family's history. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.Isla was content to let her father keep his secrets, but now she can’t stand the touch of iron and her dreams are developing a life of their own. Seventeen-year-old Isla Blackman only agrees to participate in a Halloween séance because Dominic, an old crush, wants to. She is sure nothing will happen when they try to contact her mother’s spirit. But the séance receives a chilling reply.SHE IS NOT DEAD.Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family history he never discusses. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master her new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.

Ash Magazine Issue 2 has art and stories byAndrew Dimitrov,Nikole Klinkhammer,Tony Gill,Tammie Painter,Eartha Forest,Will Schmitz,Devon Amato,Brett Cihon,Patrick Logon,Elizabeth J. Sparenberg,JazzMinh Moore,Erin Kassidy,Kayla Himmelberger,Nicholas Utke,Allison Wilde,Adam Roberts,Anna Palmer,It is published byLord HaywireAsh Magazine is a magazine dedicated to exposing people to unknown writers and artists.Ash Magazine Issue 2 has art and stories byAndrew DimitrovNikole KlinkhammerTony GillTammie PainterEartha ForestWill SchmitzDevon AmatoBrett CihonPatrick LogonElizabeth J. SparenbergJazzMinh MooreErin KassidyKayla HimmelbergerNicholas UtkeAllison WildeAdam RobertsAnna PalmerAsh Magazine is published byLord HaywireAsh Magazine Issue 2 was edited by Jenn Waterman

If we can look to the future with hopefulness, we can live with dignity. Miranda has known this her whole life, and she recounts in her diary a summary of her life up to the age of fifty-one. Tragedies bring her low time and again, yet she carries on, not with superhuman strength, but with the resilience that dignity gives a person. No adult-only content. ~2,000 words.With hope, we can accomplish what seems impossible at first. This is the diary of Miranda, born into humble circumstances, and brought low time and again by tragedies in her life. Yet she never gives up, for the simple reason that hopefulness has been a central part of her character since she was a child.At the age of fifty-one, Miranda begins keeping a diary for posterity. The first entry is a summary of her life up to that point, and what she plans to do thereafter in her remaining years. Hope is a recurring theme in her life, as she returns to the well of her childhood learning time and again in order to find the will to carry on. We all benefit from the Miranda's in our midst, and without them, there might well be no hope for any of us. Hers is a life with authentic human dignity.No adult-only content. ~2,000 words.

What Maisie Knew is a novel by Henry James, first published as a serial in the Chap-Book and (revised and abridged) in the New Review in 1897 and then as a book later that year. It tells the story of the sensitive daughter of divorced, irresponsible parents. The book is also a masterly technical achievement by James, as it follows the title character from earliest childhood to precocious maturity. What Maisie Knew has attained a fairly strong critical position in the Jamesian canon. Edmund Wilson was one of many critics who admired both the book's technical proficiency and its judgment of a negligent and damaged society. When Wilson recommended What Maisie Knew to Vladimir Nabokov, the author of Lolita, Nabokov said he thought the book was terrible. F.R. Leavis, on the other hand, declared the book to be "perfection." The psychoanalytic critic Neil Hertz has argued for a parallel between James' narrative voice and the problem of transference in Freud's Dora case. Henry James, OM (15 April 1843 – 28 February 1916) was an American writer who spent most of his writing career in Britain. He is regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James. He is best known for a number of novels showing Americans encountering Europe and Europeans. His method of writing from a character's point of view allowed him to explore issues related to consciousness and perception, and his style in later works has been compared to impressionist painting. His imaginative use of point of view, interior monologue and unreliable narrators brought a new depth to narrative fiction. James contributed significantly to literary criticism, particularly in his insistence that writers be allowed the greatest possible freedom in presenting their view of the world. James claimed that a text must first and foremost be realistic and contain a representation of life that is recognizable to its readers. Good novels, to James, show life in action and are, most importantly, interesting. In addition to his voluminous works of fiction he published articles and books of travel, biography, autobiography, and criticism, and wrote plays. James alternated between America and Europe for the first twenty years of his life; eventually he settled in England, becoming a British subject in 1915, one year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916.

The Jinx Inc. treasure-hunting company has a new mission - to find the 'cave pearls' rumoured to exist in the bottom-most cavity of an ancient cave. But first, mission leader Caleb Peach has to find an expert consultant. An ex-Navy SEAL, Caleb is used to getting his man but Dr Claire Cassidy, archaeologist extraordinaire, is proving hard to pin down. Only after he tracks her down on her fishing holiday and proves that Jinx Inc. is an upstanding, responsible company does the she sign on the dotted line. The attraction is immediate but Caleb and Claire are very different people. He's buttoned up and goes by the book and still carries a lot of bitterness because of a painful past. She's a free spirit and truly self-sufficient and independent, yet she's not opposed to the possibility of love in her life.With Claire's help, along with the assistance of Cajun Healer, Tante Lulu, Caleb and his family reconcile. At about the ame time, adventure and hilarity abound as the crew of Jinx Inc. begin the search for and find the fabled cave pearls.

Have you ever seen something that wasn’t really there? Heard someone call your name in an empty house? Sensed someone following you and turned around to find nothing? Hallucinations don’t belong wholly to the insane. Much more commonly, they are linked to sensory deprivation, intoxication, illness, or injury. People with migraines may see shimmering arcs of light or tiny, Lilliputian figures of animals and people. People with failing eyesight, paradoxically, may become immersed in a hallucinatory visual world. Hallucinations can be brought on by a simple fever or even the act of waking or falling asleep, when people have visions ranging from luminous blobs of color to beautifully detailed faces or terrifying ogres. Those who are bereaved may receive comforting “visits” from the departed. In some conditions, hallucinations can lead to religious epiphanies or even the feeling of leaving one’s own body. Humans have always sought such life-changing visions, and for thousands of years have used hallucinogenic compounds to achieve them. As a young doctor in California in the 1960s, Oliver Sacks had both a personal and a professional interest in psychedelics. These, along with his early migraine experiences, launched a lifelong investigation into the varieties of hallucinatory experience. Here, with his usual elegance, curiosity, and compassion, Dr. Sacks weaves together stories of his patients and of his own mind-altering experiences to illuminate what hallucinations tell us about the organization and structure of our brains, how they have influenced every culture’s folklore and art, and why the potential for hallucination is present in us all, a vital part of the human condition.