A WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEARFrom the author of A Million Nightingales ("a writer of exceptional gifts and grace"--Joyce Carol Oates) comes a luminous new novel about the forces that tear families apart and the ties that bind them together.Fantine Antoine is a travel writer, a profession that keeps her happily away from her Southern California home. When she returns to mark the fifth anniversary of the murder of her closest childhood friend, Glorette, she finds herself pulled into the tumultuous life of Glorette's twenty-two-year-old son--and Fantine's godson--Victor. After getting involved in a shooting, Victor has fled to New Orleans. Together with her father, Fantine follows Victor, determined to help him avoid the criminal future that he suddenly seems destined for. On this journey her father will reveal the wrenching secrets of his past, and Fantine will be compelled to question the most essential choices she's made in her life. Views: 429
Invading Earth was going to be a cinch, the Triomed scout decided. But to make certain he must study its inhabitants—as one of them!Invading Earth was going to be a cinch, the Triomed scout decided. But to make certain he must study its inhabitants—as one of them! Views: 429
Mildred A. Wirt was an American author. She is best known for her work on the early Nancy Drew series. Views: 428
In this fascinating chronicle of the California Gold Rush written in 1918, American writer, Steward Edward White, gives an historical view of those early days of the mid-19th century, and the many challenges of the formation of a new frontier: incoming population, law and order issues, greed and power, political differences, successes and failures. White shows how quickly San Francisco grew from a population of a few hundred into a center for commerce, wealth, and politics. He writes of the Spanish days of early California, the 1846 Mexican War, and follows the movement of the Mormon population on its trail westward, and the challenge to create a civilized, law-abiding society. In Linda Pendleton’s new Introduction, we learn who Stewart Edward White was and the legacy he left of his many fiction and nonfiction books following his death in 1946. An explorer, conservationist, naturalist, and big game hunter, his love for nature, conservation, and adventure were to become very much a part of his literary works over his long literary career. Several of his nonfiction works are classics in the exploration of the paranormal and communication from the spirit world. He wrote with passion, whether about the adventures beyond the veil or about adventures in nature and the earthly frontier. Views: 428
In this second book of twelve year old Tania's adventures, a love-struck Tania has the idea that the world would be a better place if EVERYONE was happily in love. She pursues this goal with her usual tenacity, turning the whole world's secret services upside down, causing international incidents and not doing the health of her parents much good either.Love is Just a Moment. So live it...Rebecca knows she’s not a coward—after all she was brave enough to embark on the trip of a lifetime, a student exchange program to Italy, alone—but try telling that to the crippling anxiety that has hounded her whole life and followed her all the way to Europe, making her feel like just as much of a social outcast here as it did back home. Now the dream vacation is turning into a slow ordeal, but she’s not ready to give up just yet…As her time abroad draws to a close, Rebecca makes one last effort to face her fears and strikes out on a journey to the magnificent island of Sicily. She doesn’t know what she’s looking for or what she expects to find but she’s determined to make a change that lasts. And then she meets him.Thoughtful, deep, spontaneous, and above all drop-dead gorgeous, Piero is the kind of guy Rebecca would usually run a mile from just to save herself the embarrassment of screwing up. But this time is different. Piero believes in making the most of life, living in the moment, and with him Rebecca has finally found someone she can be herself around. But Piero’s quest to live life to the full comes with a price. Impelled by belief in a destiny of revenge, he has travelled to the island to face down the men responsible for the death of his father, many years ago—and time is already running out.Love is Just a Moment is a New Adult Romance novella by author Taylor Hill. This edition also includes the first four chapters of her novel “Romeo of the Streets” as a free sample. Views: 428
Spoil, defiant Tanae would like nothing better than her father to leave her alone and let her do what she wants to do despite his warnings that her life could be in jeopardy. One night, she sneaks away from home, but before long she's in the hands of a strong powerful kidnapper who would like nothing more than to ring her neck.Take a very ordinary, very unhappy 14 year old boy, Phoenix. He's bored by school, hates his step-father, feels like he has no control over his life. In fact, the only things he does like are computer games and martial arts.Add a smart, miserable 14 year old girl, Jade. She's the youngest of seven girls; teased and picked on; a misfit; her own mother doesn't get her. All she likes is books and botany.Throw both these kids into a computer game - 80AD - AND into their avatar's bodies. Phoenix and Jade aren't 14 year old kids any longer. They're 17 year old warriors, confused and trapped in an ancient world of warfare, magic and death. They're stuck in 80AD Britain To Phoenix, it's fun - a gamer's dream come true. To Jade, it's a nightmare. In order to get home, they have to play out Level One of 80AD. They have to find the Jewel of Asgard. To do that, they must face murderous thieves, creatures of the Dywyllwch Brennau, uncanny powers of the Druids and the might of the invading Roman army.Can they master their new bodies and survive in Iron Age Britain?Can they beat the Romans to the Jewel and win Level One?Will they make it home or will they be defeated by their arch-enemy, Feng Zhudai?If he wins, they are stuck in 80AD forever - but is that so bad?Cover Art by Jason Seabaugh of Avatar Art Views: 427
Eight complex stories illustrative of the author's belief that "a story must tell itself," highlighted by the high art style of the famous title novella.From the Trade Paperback edition. Views: 427
Raymond Fisher Jones (15 November 1915 – 24 January 1994) was an American science fiction author. He is best known for his 1952 novel, This Island Earth, which was adapted into the eponymous 1955 film. Views: 427
The next chapter in Edward M. Lerner’s InterstellarNet saga is a startling adventure of Second Contact, up-front and in-person. Humanity is about to discover that meeting aliens face to face is very different—and a lot more dangerous—than sending and receiving messages.Good fences, said the poet, make good neighbors … and interstellar distances made very good fences. Or so we thought.... Earth and its interstellar neighbors have been in radio contact for a century and a half. A vigorous commerce in intellectual property has accelerated technical progress for all the species involved. Ideas, riding on radio waves, routinely cross interstellar space-almost like neighbors chatting over the interstellar back fence. But there is a way over, or under, or around, almost any fence. Sooner or later, when we least expect it, the neighbors, friendly or otherwise, are going to pay a call....InterstellarNet: New Order chronicles the startling events of SECOND Contact, upfront and personal, as humanity discovers that meeting aliens face to face is very different-and a lot more dangerous-than sending and receiving messages.Praise for InterstellarNet: Origins from Gregory Benford, author of Timescape: "Edward Lerner takes us from a first SETI detection to full scale interstellar net economics, with thrills along the way. No one had thought through what a working interstellar net would be like. Lerner has the professional heft to make sense of it, tell a story, and make us care. Good stuff, told in clear, quick prose. A groundbreaking job!" Views: 427
Almost a year after the death of his wife, former high-tech executive Ian finds a letter that will change his life. It contains Kate's final wish-a plea for him to take their ten-year-old daughter, Mattie, on a trip across Asia, through the countries they had always planned to visit. Eager to honor the woman they loved, Ian and Mattie embark on an epic journey, leaving notes to Kate in "wishing trees" along the way, and encountering miracles large and small. And as they begin to find their way back to each other, they discover that healing is possible and love endures-lessons that Kate hoped to show them all along... Views: 427
Alex Horne loves words. He loves them so much, in fact, that he's gone on a mental safari and invented some of his own ... all he needs to do now is get them into the dictionary. But, as Alex discovers, gaining entry into the official lexicon takes more than just a gentle word in the ear of the editor. Evidence is required -- Alex needs what the dictionary authorities call a 'corpus' of examples, hard data showing that his new words are in widespread and long-term usage by people other than just him and his mum. So a corpus he resolves to create, no matter what obstacles he might meet on the way. This is the ridiculous story of one man's struggle to break into the dictionary. From covert word-dropping on Countdown to wilfully misinforming young schoolchildren, Alex tries it all in his quest for word-based stardom. Does he succeed? Exactly what is a 'mental safari'? And are you already using one of Alex's words without realising it? You won't regret spending your hard-earned... Views: 426
Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.
When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart. Views: 425
