The first book in a brand new trilogy from the author of the Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies. When the two-hundred year war between the kingdoms of Vania and Landsing ended the Landsingers were left in triumphant possession of Vania's rich coal and coast territories. When young King Troven assumed the throne of Vania thirty years later, he was determined to restore her greatness, not through waging another assault upon their traditional enemies, but by looking in the opposite direction and colonising the wild plains and steppes to their east. Over the next twenty years, cavalry forces manage to subdue the rolling plains formerly wasted on nomadic herders and tribesmen. Troven's campaign restores the pride of the Varnian military and to reward them, Troven creates a new nobility that is extremely loyal to their monarch. Beyond the grasslands lies the current frontier of Varnia, the heavily forested Barrier Mountains, home to enigmatic Specks: a dappled, forest dwelling people, unable to tolerate the heat and full sunlight of the plains. The new settlers find the Specks slightly dim-witted and overly placid, and yet strangely difficult to control. There are tales that they are 'blood-drinkers' and their nature worship of ancestral trees has presented difficulties for those who wish to harvest the forest's exotic timber. They also harbour strange diseases, ones that cause the Specks little more than a week or two of discomfort but which frequently kills those settlers and soldiers who fall victim to it. For that reason, prolonged contact, and especially intimate contact with the Specks is judged both fool-hardy and disgusting. Nevare Gerar is the second son of one of King Troven's new lords. Following in his father's footsteps, a commission as a cavalry officer at the frontier and an advantageous marriage await him, once he has completed his training at the King's Cavalry Academy. Views: 40
For one thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the Furies--elementals of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Metal. But now, the unity of the Alerians hangs in precarious balance. The First Lord of Alera has fallen in his efforts to protect his people from the vicious attacks of their enemies. Now, the fate of the Alerians lies in the hands of Tavi, a young man who must use all of his courage and resourcefulness to save his people--and himself. Views: 40
ISABEL DALHOUSIE - Book 2 Nothing captures the charm of Edinburgh like the bestselling Isabel Dalhousie series of novels featuring the insatiably curious philosopher and woman detective. Whether investigating a case or a problem of philosophy, the indefatigable Isabel Dalhousie, one of fiction’s most richly developed amateur detectives, is always ready to pursue the answers to all of life’s questions, large and small.In this delightful second installment in Alexander McCall Smith’s bestselling detective series, the irrepressibly curious Isabel Dalhousie gets caught up in a highly unusual affair of the heart.When Isabel is asked to cover for vacationing Cat at her delicatessen, Isabel meets a man with a most interesting problem. He recently had a heart transplant and is suddenly haunted by memories of events that never happened to him.The situation piques her insatiable curiosity: Could the memories be connected with the... Views: 40
Filled with heartache without being maudlin, this contemporary novel about life and love in a small town debuts Lesley Crewe, Cape Breton's most original new literary voice. Lesley's writing is fresh and funny, and her portrayal of the Cape Breton spirit- strong and wry in the face of adversity- is unwaveringly authentic. As is Lexie: not since Bridget Jones has a heroine been so well drawn and so totally lovable- hang-ups, insecurities, annoying mother and all.In creating Lexie, her sprawling extended family, and their community, Lesley Crewe restores the humour that the best literature of the Island is missing- that teasing, biting, whip-smart style that simultaneously stings and tickles. With her charming combination of hometown warmth and savoir-faire, Lesley is sure to entertain and inspire her audience, who will do well to sit up and pay attention to this rising star of mainstream women's fiction. Views: 40
DESERT DEATH TRAP.
The American Ambassador assassinated. President Mendanike dead in an "accidental" plane crash. His beautiful widow held prisoner. A ruthless, devious man named Abu Osman plotting to overthrow the new government. And Colonel Mohammed Doosa, head of the Russian-style secret police, with his own murderous plans…
AXE might have let the small North African republic boil in its own bloodbath if it hadn't been for "Cockeye" — the stolen missile, the deadliest weapon in NATO's nuclear arsenal. Killmaster's assignment: walk into this desert hell, alone, find the missile — and destroy it.
He didn't have much time. He had exactly SIX BLOODY SUMMER DAYS! Views: 40
Detective Inspector Hideo Aoki learns that his case against ex-Governor Tamaki--one that he has been building for months-- has been dismantled. Rattled by this directive, his life begins to spiral out of control, fueled by his obsession over the case, heavy drinking, and several repercussions too close to home. In an effort to help the emotionally unstable Aoki, the police department sends him to a remote Japanese mountain retreat.What was supposed to be a relaxing stay for the recently suspended investigator instead becomes a hotbed of suspense. Soon, familiar faces, furtive glances, secret dinner conversations and lurking secrets make Aoki realize that the guests at the Kamakura Inn are not unrelated. It becomes clear that something beyond coincidence has put them together; politician, banker, suspended detective, and an elusive Go master who manipulates Aoki like his game board pieces. A sudden snowstorm traps the guests together just as Aoki begins to... Views: 40
Chloe's identical twin sister Zoe wants a favor. She needs Chloe to dress up in her work clothes and meet an important client, pretending to be her. There's just one problem, Zoe isn't an investment banker as she's led everyone to believe-she's a dominatrix and her work clothes include a leather bustier, thigh-high boots and a feathered mask. There are three rules, according to Zoe-Don't lose control of the situation, don't have sex with the client, and never take off the mask. Shy, retiring Chloe has no idea how to go about dominating anyone. But that won't be a problem for long because the 'client', Mark Jacobs, is a hot alpha male in a black leather mask of his own who prefers to take the lead when it comes to sex. Soon Chloe is breaking all the rules for one night of forbidden passion but when she decides to take off her mask and asks Mark to do the same, she has no idea that the black leather he wears conceals a dark secret that may change her life forever. Views: 40
Land. Money. Cattle. All part and parcel of the Big Sky business in New York Times bestseller B.J. Daniels' MCCALLS' MONTANA. The McCalls have been sworn enemies of the VanHorns for generations…until now. Black sheep of the family, Brandon McCall, has zero to lose by crossing the property line. His own father can't fault hard work—no matter the employer. But fraternizing with a female VanHorn is out of the question. Except this woman is already in a heap of trouble. Anna Austin is determined to find out what happened to her past, her parents…only, someone else wants those secrets to remain buried. With Brandon by her side, only certain death can stop her pursuit.Anna Austin is determined to find out what happened to her past, her parents…only, someone else wants those secrets to remain buried. With Brandon by her side, only certain death can stop her pursuit. Originally published in 2005. Views: 40
In this uneven sequel to Ballantyne's Recursion , humans can live on as digital clones or "personality constructs" of themselves, leading multiple lives in the numerous matrices of 23rd-century cyberspace and enjoying equal rights with their physical compatriots. Like the first series entry, this novel interweaves several story lines concerning the dubious existence of an omnipotent artificial intelligence known as the Watcher, who controls the Environmental Agency, the organization in charge of all aspects of the digital and physical worlds. With the help of a geisha-garbed agent (and her numerous digital clones), a woman seeks asylum from a cyberspace killer determined to repeatedly torture and murder her digital incarnations. Meanwhile, on a remote planet in the physical world, a social worker investigates a series of artificial intelligence suicides that may hold apocalyptic implications. Though Ballantyne writes with engaging authority about high-concept technological novelties, the three protagonists often come across as self-parodies, spouting clumsy and predictable exposition that grinds the tale to a halt during what would otherwise have been memorable climaxes. This is a shame, because the inventive plot, which interweaves such staples of the genre as dilemmas of free will, memory and identity, contains enough mind-bending twists and double-crosses to satisfy most cyberpunk fans. After rescue from a trap set at work, Helen is displaced in time. She is now a personality construct, or PC. Her caseworker, Judy, tells her that PCs have the same rights as atomic humans but that for the past 70 years, Helen has been running illegally on the Private Network for the pleasure of customers playing powergames. Helen vows to help Judy hunt down the head of the Private Network. Meanwhile, Justinian, a therapist for troubled PCs, is assigned to an extragalactic world where a several AIs have committed suicide for no apparent reason. It's a strange world of Schroedinger boxes, which become fixed in location only when someone looks at them, and unbreakable black velvet bands, which appear out of nowhere and shrink away to nothing. As Helen and Judy discover Private Network secrets, and Justinian slowly unravels the ever-stranger AI suicides mystery, their stories converge upon a terrifying conspiracy to hide the truth of an outer universe. Ballantyne's pacing and world-building skills make this all engaging and a bit creepy. Regina Schroeder Views: 40
