The Soviet Union won the Cold War. The Russians were a little smarter than they were in our own world, and the United States was a little dumber and a lot less resolute. Now, more than a century later, the world's gone Communist, and capitalism is a bad word. For Gianfranco and his friend Annarita, a couple of teenagers growing up in Milan, life in a heavily regimented, surveillance-rich command economy is just plain dreary. The eventual withering-away of the state doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. Annarita's a hard-working student and a member of the Young Socialists' League. Gianfranco is a lot less motivated--but on the other hand, his father's a Party apparatchik. The biggest excitement in their lives is a wargame shop called The Gladiator, which runs tournaments, and stocks marvelous complex games you can't find anywhere else. Then, abruptly, the shop is shut down. Someone's figured out that The Gladiator's games are teaching... Views: 54
This exciting debut novel tells the story of one young woman who's willing to take a chance on the right man—almost. . .Twenty-something public relations gem Jules Jackson has everything in her life under control, and that's exactly the way she likes it. She's got no problem handling two jobs, her crazy friends, and her difficult mother. But she's just about given up on men—until she meets fine Germaine Williams...Straight-up catch Germaine is eager to prove his worth to Jules, and she falls hard. But it's soon clear Germaine's keeping at least one big secret. And the deeper Jules digs, the more her balancing act, and her romance, begins to crumble. Now Jules can either turn to her faith and open her heart to love—or risk getting it broken. . ."Christian fiction fans will love this book! Man Enough For Me has heaping helpings of faith, prayer and redemption. I expect that readers will be clamoring for more from Rhonda Bowen." —Tiffany L.... Views: 54
Artist Tate Eresby has accepted the unusual sights and sounds of Golgotham, New York's paranormal underworld. But her relationship with witch-lord Hexe, the current heir to the Kymeran throne, is full of tension. Hexe's Uncle Esau is an anti-human activist who believes Tate is a human enemy of his race. But Tate's time in Golgotham has left her more than human... Views: 54
When Daniel arrives in Himmelstal -- a private Swiss psychiatric facility -- to visit his twin brother Max, he has no idea what's in store for him. He finds himself unquestioningly accepting Max's plea for help and the brothers swap places in order for Max to take care of some business. All he claims to need is a couple of days in the outside world to settle his debt. But soon Daniel realizes Max isn't coming back, and that the clinic is far from a place of recovery. Struggling to get anyone to believe who he really is, Daniel finds himself trapped in a cruel and highly secretive prison: this is no sanctuary, it's a living nightmare . . .Review"Hermanson builds up a tension that appears increasingly Kafkaesque and claustrophobic...THE DEVIL'S SANCTUARY shapes up to be a contemporary gothic horror, with characters straight from the totalitarian wax cabinet and with an unexpected lunatic running the show....a chilling pageturner." (Gunder Andersson, *Aftonbladet* )"The claustrophobic atmosphere is perfect...I wish there was a way to stay in the suspenseful state. It's simply exquisite." (Tidningen Vi )"She knows better than most how to combine the thought-provoking with the suspenseful...THE DEVIL'S SANCTUARY is both important and entertaining." (Gefle Dagblad )"Extremely well-written with a skilfully structured plot, solid characters and vivid settings." (Göteborgs-Posten )"A well-executed suspense novel...If you enjoy high quality suspense literature you should definitely read THE DEVIL'S SANCTUARY." (Dagens Nyheter )"I'm hooked already from the first page. The atmosphere that builds is hard to resist. Even when I have finished the book the sinister mood lingers." (Kommunalarbetaren ) About the AuthorAn author and journalist, Marie Hermanson published her first book in 1986. Her novels are huge bestsellers in Scandinavia, and Musselstranden (Clam Beach) is considered a modern classic, with over 250,000 copies sold. Mannen under trappan (The Man Under the Stairs) was adapted into a TV drama in 2009. She lives in Gothenberg, Sweden. Views: 54
He was my therapist.She was my client.He's the person I lean on and turn to.She's the person who brings me relief when there seems to be none.He makes me smile and laugh when anxiety and depression consume me.She helps me breathe when depression is choking me.I don't know how to live without him.I don't know how to be honest with her.Are we driving each other mad? Views: 54
The King’s Harem: The country of Tavamara is renowned for its famous Market, its decadent wines, the harsh climate in which it manages to flourish—and the infamous concubines kept by the members of the royal family. King Shahjahan’s harem is especially well known, for the men who comprise his harem come from all walks of life—a jaded court musician, a shameless pirate, a quiet monk, a prisoner of war, and a young horse trainer, all brought together by the devotion and love they share for their King.
This volume also contains three additional stories:
Knight to Rook: Displaced by war, Rook makes a home in the Great Desert where his cousin Cordelia has become Princess. Once a strategist of unmatched ability, famous in the armies of his homeland, he spends his days in the Desert adrift and alone. With no way to use his skills, and held in contempt for his inability to use a sword, Rook can only watch and wait for a chance to prove he belongs amongst the Sons of the Sands.
Everything You Need: Though he left the Desert years ago, and is set to become the next Advisor to the King of Tavamara, Ikram spends most of his days feeling slightly out of place, living a life of civility and calm that is hard to accept after a lifetime in the brutal, blood-soaked Sands. Eager to get away from the palace for a time, he braves the famous Market and finds far more than the soap which he had been seeking.
The Jewel of Tavamara: Fahima has always been the lesser sister; younger, plainer, too smart, too independent, and interested solely in the temples. She wants nothing more than to see her beautiful, popular, older sister married off to King Shahjahan so that she might return to her temples and be left in peace. But then her sister commits the ultimate taboo, and in order to save her family’s lives Fahima must take her sister’s place—though she was never meant to be Queen, and could never hope to truly catch the notice of the handsome and compelling Shahjahan.
Note: Everything You Need and The Jewel of Tavamara are het stories. Views: 54
