One boy's journey to help his village becomes a quest to save the kingdom. Features a fearsome new beast in every book!Floods. Starvation. Fear. This is what awaits the people of Avantia's coast if Tom and Elenna cannot stop Sepron the Sea Serpent. The huge and terrifying beast lurks in eerie waters. All the fish have fled and no boats dare to pass.Tom and Elenna meet a mysterious stranger who may hold the key for tracking down the monster. But as they set off in a rickety rowboat, Tom can't help but wonder if they'll succeed so easily this time. . . . Views: 17
What next? And other impossible questions With a hefty dose of humour, the reader is encouraged to consider the impact of what we do today on how the future might look. While the book isn’t didactic, and is often jocular, Williams makes it clear that whether or not the human race survives, and in what shape, is something that we have to imagine and work towards. *** Here we are, poised at the brink of the future, as we have always been, about to enter heaven or hell. Which will it be? Most commentators relish the latter, probably because hell sells, but many of history's bold predictions of doom are today jolly japes for the optimists. We haven't starved or blown ourselves up. Maybe time won't shake off climate change so easily. When Robyn Williams ponders the future he has the benefit of 36 years' experience of presenting science for the ABC. In Future Perfect, Williams considers the possibilities for communication, science, God, transport, cities, sex, innovation, work and people. There's conjecture mixed with scientific analysis, sure, but that's the point. This book costs less than $20 and it's probably fair to say it contains all the stuff Williams can't shoehorn into his shows, so we have the paperback equivalent of an invigorating monologue over the kitchen table. Williams taps his network of esteemed buddies for expert analysis and draws on material published in New Scientist, Nature and The Economist. But when he writes about the benefits of putting his radio show back-catalogue online or how the plot of a previous novel of his has proven to be prophetic, then we're not so much dealing with a book "which conjures up the possibilities before us", like it says on the back, as a book which is part ideas, part entertainment, part rant. Is Williams entertaining? Sometimes, definitely, but not all the time. When he confesses to writing radio scripts on a typewriter because it forces him to be succinct, the obvious response is, why not use it to write your book? And as for the multiple digs at George W. Bush and John W. Howard, well, anyone can do that – and everyone does. Some of his conclusions are worth it: the e-revolution will make us less human by putting barriers between us; some science should be incorporated into every university degree because science is essential to life; everyone should have a go at being boss to counter a trend towards psychopathic bosses; and there should be practical sex classes at school. Want to know more about that last one? Buy the book! Views: 17
Detective Inspector Erlendur is enjoying his summer vacation shut up in his apartment, reading one of his favorite missing-persons stories, when a skeleton tied to a Russian listening device is uncovered. Erlendur takes over the investigation with his usual dogged and obsessive style. No one else really cares about a murdered missing person who might have been a spy, but Erlendur refuses to give up his quest, even if it means digging into Iceland’s socialist past. Erlendur’s enigmatic and irascible former boss, Marion, becomes more than a voice on the phone, as Erlendur, after learning that Marion is seriously ill, begins to visit him. The development of the series characters helps move along the leisurely investigation and keeps the reader engaged. The missing-persons theme and the exploration of Icelandic history and society remain the trademarks of this outstanding series.
Caution — British spelling. Views: 17
Slavomir Rawicz was a young Polish cavalry officer. On 19 November 1939 he was arrested by the Russians and after brutal interrogation he was sentenced to 25 years in the Gulags. After a 3-month journey to Siberia in the depths of winter he escaped with 6 companions, realising that to stay in the camp meant almost certain death. In June 1941 they crossed the trans-Siberian railway and headed south, climbing into Tibet and freedom 9 months later in March 1942 after travelling on foot through some of the harshest regions in the world, including the Gobi Desert. First published in 1956, this is one of the world's greatest true stories of adventure, survival and escape. Views: 17
Steeple Martin amateur detective Libby Sarjeant's friend, and sleuthing partner, psychic investigator Fran Castle, suspects that there is something suspicious about the death of her aunt in a nursing home. When Fran's long-lost relatives turn up and seem either unconcerned or obstructive, Libby and Fran are sure something is wrong, particularly as the will is missing. As usual Libby needs little persuasion to start investigating, even if she doesn't see herself as Miss Marple. They discover surprising links to Fran's own past but, as the murders multiply and the police take over, can the amateur sleuths keep on the trail?About the AuthorLesley started writing almost as soon as she could read, and filled many exercise books with pony stories until she was old enough to go out with boys. Since she's been grown up, following a varied career as a model, air stewardess and disc jockey, she's written short fiction and features for a variety of magazines, achieved an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Wales, taught writing for both Kent Adult Education and the WEA and edited the first Sexy Shorts collection of short stories from Accent Press in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign. She lives on the Kent coast. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The phone on the landing began to ring. Fran had given up thinking it might be for her months ago and made no move to answer it, knowing that her downstairs neighbour would be there before her anyway. Sure enough, she heard Dahlia's broad voice, as distinctive as her broad hips, in cheerful conversation with the unseen caller. 'Miz Castle. Phone, Miz Castle.' Surprised, she pushed herself away from the table. Most people used her mobile, except, she remembered, as she went downstairs, cousin Charles. 'Charles?' she said, as she lifted the grubby receiver. 'How did you know it was me?' He sounded surprised. 'You're the only one who calls me on this number,' said Fran. 'Where are you? I thought you were going to see Aunt Eleanor today?' There was a short silence. A muffling blackness descended on Fran and she dug her nails into her palm hard to force her mind to clear. 'She's dead, isn't she?' she said. 'Fran, you're scaring me,' said Charles. 'First, you knew it was me, second, you knew she was dead. What's going on? Were you down there today?' Fran took a deep breath. 'No, of course not. I told you, you're the only person who rings me on this number, and I doubt if you'd have rung to tell me how she was as I'm going myself tomorrow.' 'You won't go now, surely?' 'No? Oh, I suppose not.' Fran frowned. 'But I've already made arrangements to stay with an old friend. I might as well go down.' 'Why don't you go and stay on the night of the funeral instead? I assume you'll go to the funeral?' 'When is it?' 'Not sure yet. I'll give you a lift if you like.' 'Thank you, I'd appreciate that.' 'I'll ring you nearer the time, then, shall I?' said Charles, sounding more normal. 'Yes, great, Charles, but you haven't told me what happened. When did she die? What was it? Heart?' 'I suppose so, but no one seems to know. Barbara got there first today and was actually sitting with her without realising she was dead.' 'Who's Barbara?' 'Remember I told you? My sort-of cousin? Barbara Denver.' 'Oh, right. Yes. Well, Eleanor was quite old, wasn't she?' 'Over 90. She -' 'Don't say it,' Fran jumped in quickly. 'Please don't say she had a good innings.' 'No clichés allowed, eh?' said Charles, sounding amused. 'Sorry. It's so belittling. But how awful for you all. Especially Barbara.' 'Well, yes. She wasn't too happy. Anyway, I thought I ought to let you know.' 'Very kind of you, Charles. Thank you. And I'll give you a ring later in the week, shall I?' Views: 17
Fiction from Crossroad Press authors Al Sarrantonio, Tom Piccirilli, Gerard Houarner, Steve Rasnic Tem, and Chet Williamson. Ten stories, five novel excerpts. A wonderful introduction to the author's works with links to their digital works. Views: 17
Widower Marie Koeppler and her grown daughter Beth reluctantly return to the Mennonite community Marie abandoned twenty-three years ago. Soon after their arrival in Sommerfeld, a series of mysterious thefts raises the community's suspicions against the "outsiders." Can Marie prove their innocence, or will she be forced to flee once more? Henry Braun thought he'd gotten his love for Marie out of his system, but soon begins to wonder if she's stolen more than his heart. When it's all said and done, can Henry and Marie let bygones be bygones, or has their love been doomed from the start? Bygones is book 1 in the Sommerfeld Trilogy. Other books in the trilogy include Beginnings: Book 2 and Blessings: Book 3. Views: 17
When terrorists launch an attack on Army bases throughout the U.S., Net Force must partner with Army Intelligence and the National Guard to take down a cunning opponent who just might be one of them. Views: 17
