A powerful new novel about an ordinary family facing extraordinary times at the start of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
China, 1957. Chairman Mao has declared a new openness in society: “Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.” Many intellectuals fear it is only a trick, and Kai Ying’s husband, Sheng, a teacher, has promised not to jeopardize their safety or that of their young son, Tao. But one July morning, just before his sixth birthday, Tao watches helplessly as Sheng is dragged away for writing a letter criticizing the Communist Party and sent to a labor camp for “reeducation.”
A year later, still missing his father desperately, Tao climbs to the top of the hundred-year-old kapok tree in front of their home, wanting to see the mountain peaks in the distance. But Tao slips and tumbles thirty feet to the courtyard below, badly breaking his leg.
As Kai Ying struggles to hold her small family together in the face of this shattering reminder of her husband’s absence, other members of the household must face their own guilty secrets and strive to find peace in a world where the old sense of order is falling. Once again, Tsukiyama brings us a powerfully moving story of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with grace and courage. Views: 714
Learning the painful secrets of her past, Kiera must understand why the truth had been kept from her. When confronting Murphy, Kiera soon discovers he has been keeping his own terrible secret. With Kiera’s and her friend’s past lives coming back to haunt them, Jack Seth tells her, she must discover the identity of the hooded photographer if she is to push her life back and save those she loves. But is the photographer linked to Murphy's past? If so, can they be trusted to help Kiera like Jack says they can? Views: 714
Blood is power. Since the world froze and the humans died off, blood has become scarce. There’s barely enough to sustain the vampire population, even though their masses have dwindled. Many vampires are reduced to the measly few drops of blood rationed to them by the Regent, which is enough to keep them alive, barely. It’s survival; an undesirable existence. Before the world froze, before the humans slaughtered each other in their wars, blood was ample and rich. The odds of feeding from an infected human, one with weakened blood, was rare, but now it is normal. Every human within the palace walls is anemic. Though they tried, the Regent was not able to curb the severity of the disease. Their humans became sickly, growing weaker and weaker until they were so fragile that a single scrape could kill them. The weakened blood means an unstable source of food, but there have been other repercussions—things no one saw coming. As time passed, fangs retreated, reflections appeared, and light was no longer destructive. Vampires can now walk in the full sunlight without turning to ash. Too many generations have passed. Many vampires cannot remember a time when blood flowed richly, when vampires did not have to abstain and endure a slow starvation. One human can change everything. One human can restore the old ways and return vampires to their former glory—Kahli—but the girl escaped. Blood is power, and the vampire who finds Kahli first will have all the power. Views: 714
Lauren helps a stranded leprechaun who then grants her a wish, which is that her wonderful dog Coco can talk. When the evil leprechaun king finds out he sends leprechauns back to undo the spell. Join Lauren as she and Coco battle and match wits with the best the leprechaun king can muster. Enjoyed by all ages.Lauren and her lovable dog Coco live in Sydney, Australia which is on exactly the other side of the world from Ireland. Pillosh, a nasty little leprechaun gets stuffed in Lauren's mother's luggage at Dublin airport and wakes a day later to find he could not be any point further from his home and becomes homesick, which is fatal for leprechauns. Lauren helps him out by agreeing to mail him to Ireland, but not before she makes him cast a talking spell on her best friend, Coco. When Pillosh returns to Ireland the leprechaun king is outraged and sends leprechauns back to Sydney, at great risk of each developing the homesickness themselves, to undo the spell. Coco, Lauren and her unwitting Mom and Dad foil every attempt until the final climactic chapter. Views: 714
"The most winning junior detective ever in teen lit. (Take that, Nancy Drew!)" *—Midwest Children's Book Review*
Sammy thought she'd seen all the weirdness her town had to offer—and then she met Justice Jack, Santa Martina's very own superhero. Well, really he's just a guy in spandex and a mask who rides around town on a dirt bike, hoping to find some crime to fight.
The old folks in town think he's wonderful. So wonderful that they've asked him to track down Sammy's neighbor Mrs. Wedgewood, who seems to have disappeared—along with a lot of other people's cash. Sammy's friends think Justice Jack is funny and cool. Billy Pratt's even auditioning to be his sidekick! But Sammy thinks he's kind of . . . lame. He's more of a showstopper than a crime stopper. And when a real mystery comes along, Sammy finds herself right in the middle of it. . . .
The Sammy Keyes mysteries are fast-paced, funny, thoroughly modern, and true whodunits. Each mystery is exciting and dramatic, but it's the drama in Sammy's personal life that keeps readers coming back to see what happens next with her love interest Casey, her soap-star mother, and her mysterious father.
From the Hardcover edition. Views: 714
Adopted as a baby, Giles grew up with every privilege. Encouraged by his best friend -- and secret crush -- Oz to seek out his birth mother, he’s appalled to discover she’s loud, lower-class, and calls him Wayne! Giles needs to learn good breeding has nothing to do with who your parents are.Adopted as a baby, Giles Frobisher has grown up with every privilege. Encouraged by his best friend—and secret crush—Oz to seek out his birth mother, he’s appalled to discover she’s loud, lower-class, and insists on calling him Wayne!Giles’ snobbier-than-thou, none-too-faithful boyfriend Hugh is equally horrified, and Oz, who’s always been secretive about his own family, starts acting very strangely.It seems Giles is about to learn that good breeding has nothing to do with who your parents are! Views: 714
Evergreedy Squeeze is a wealthy banker, out of touch with the age of austerity. At Christmas he receives visitations from three spirits, who attempt to show him the truth of his situation.Will he heed their lesson?Apologies to Charles Dickens for this affectionate homage to his famous story in his bicentenary year.A group of random strangers are invited to take part in a mysterious lottery with an intriguing premise. Twenty-seven accept the offer.But what begins as an unusual social experiment quickly descends into something much more sinister. The contestants receive more than they bargained for, and the dark side of human nature reveals itself.As the lottery spirals into a life-and-death struggle for survival, Alice Kato is left searching for answers. How far are ordinary people willing to go to win this extraordinary amount of money? Is there anyone she can trust? Is there any way out?And just who exactly is pulling all the strings?Everyone has their price. Most just don't know what it is yet. Views: 714
The Sonoran Desert in the American Southwest is a place of extremes and contrasts, of beauty and death, of independent spirits and lost souls, of fresh starts and exiles.Three short stories, three different genres, all set in the Sonoran Desert, each with characters in exile of one form or another. One author with a unique perspective and voice.The Sonoran Desert in the American Southwest is a place of extremes and contrasts, of beauty and death, of independent spirits and lost souls, of fresh starts and exiles.Three short stories, three different genres, all set in the Sonoran Desert, each with characters in exile of one form or another. One author with a unique perspective and voice.Cordelia lives alone in a shack miles from civilization, somewhere no one can find her except for a very determined suitor. Raymond shows up every twelve years to consummate his marriage to the bride he'd claimed at her birth. Every twelve years, Cordelia fends off his unwanted advances – by killing him. The smell of death precedes his arrival each time, unless the sweet scent of a freshly fallen 'DESERT RAIN' masks his approach. Horror Bound magazine honored this award-winning story in its 'Best Of 2008-2012' edition. Denny has lost everything in the recession. His business. His Scottsdale home on the side of a mountain with swimming pool and four-car garage. His ambition. His wife. With nothing left to lose but an injured foot, his sanity, or his life, he heads out on a hundred-mile 'DESERT WALK' to find Hope.When the sun goes down and the scorching heat cools down to an uncomfortable swelter, bored teenagers gather to spend the 'DESERT NIGHTS' out by the power lines, drinking beer, hooking up, arguing over the best rock bands of all time. Maybe shoot at some rattlesnakes and jackrabbits. Nothing could possibly go wrong here.What others are saying about SONORAN DREAMS:"Robb Grindstaff is a master storyteller!" —Maria Grazia, Horror Bound Magazine"I don't think there is any genre Robb Grindstaff can't conquer. Some writers excel at characterization, others at plot, and still others are best known for their unique prose style. Robb is a triple threat, and any book with his name on it is bound to be a great read. —S.P. Miskowski, author of Knock Knock"Robb Grindstaff has a wicked sense of humor, a keen eye on the human psyche, and impeccable timing. His prose crackles and doesn't waste a syllable. These stories turn the desert Southwest of Cormac McCarthy into a carnival funhouse." —Pete Morin, author, Diary of a Small Fish"Robb's talent for creating real-life characters and bringing us into their lives is extraordinary, but what marks him apart from so many others writing today is how American his voice is—Robb's writing amuses, charms and yet, when you least expect it, can still challenge and shock." —Alexander McNabb, author, Olives: A Violent Romance"Robb Grindstaff's seamlessly written stories are full of strong characters, rendered with wit and subtlety. Stories unfold gently, judgments are never made, and the reader is left with a story that resonates long after the book is closed. His writing reminds me of John Irving (The World According to Garp; A Prayer for Owen Meany). " —Phillipa Fioretti, author, The Book of Love Views: 714
The most traumatic disaster in modern history. The short, explosive story of a boy and his life changing quest to save his father.Long, long ago in a land at the edge of a desert that howls against the walls of the village, a poor young boy named Samir is sent to work for a strange old man who stays up all night listening to the stars. In his curiosity to find out why, Samir stumbles upon a secret and is swept up in an epic journey across the ancient world. It is up to him and his brother Hamdan - with a lot of help from Munira, the camel - to deliver a very special treasure to a king and perhaps rescue their land from disaster. Can they overcome thieves and a sandstorm to reach their destination in time?This imaginative reconstruction of the tale of the Magi will appeal to children aged five and over, and draws on real astronomical research into the real Christmas Star. The story is set in the ancient Middle East, in which region the author lived for many years - although at a much later date, of course! Views: 714
Social media undertaker Kendall Barber has discovered something about his new subject - an email set up to be sent after his death. What is in the email - and why is his client, the dead man's brother, so eager to find out?This short story is a mini-sequel to the crime novella 'The Obituarist', but it can also be read as a stand-alone story.Social media undertaker Kendall Barber has discovered something about his new subject - an email set up to be sent after his death. What is in the email - and why is his client, the dead man's brother, so eager to find out?This short story is a mini-sequel to the crime novella 'The Obituarist', but it can also be read as a stand-alone story. Views: 714
The shortest and sweetest Morpheus Tales Special issue yet! From the creators of Morpheus Tales Magazine, the UK's hottest new genre fiction magazine, comes the Morpheus Tales Flash Fiction Horror Special issue! The nastiest, most violent, insane, and horribly horrific Special Issue yet!Are you looking for a dialogue-rich, action-packed, romance-driven book series that will make your heart race from beginning to end? Meet Book #1...Seventeen-year-old Jake Rovert has never known the feeling of a broken bone or a lasting scar—he’s a healer, one of very few in the world with this rare gift.Joining an elite group of Gifted Ones from his high school, Jake is quickly propelled into a life of secrets and training to enhance his gift. He becomes the healer they have been waiting for.They didn’t expect him to fall in love.He didn’t expect to be forbidden to be with her.And no one expected him to risk it all to get her back.Download this book now and join Jake and Anna in this world full of adventure, passion and purpose. Views: 714
Newt Run is a town that shouldn't exist, a town of artists, drug dealers, miners and steam. It’s a town at the center of a broken universe, and broken universes have the bad tendency to fall apart. In this tale, a homeless man takes it upon himself to find out why so many pigeons are turning up without their heads.Newt Run is a town that shouldn't exist, a town of artists, drug dealers, miners and steam. It’s a town at the center of a broken universe, and broken universes have the bad tendency to fall apart.Newt Run is also a novel, but the world of Newt Run was much too large to fit inside a single book. These short stories, or 'modules', extend this world, probing into its deepest, smallest secrets. In 'Dead Birds', a homeless man takes it upon himself to find out why so many pigeons are turning up without their heads. Views: 714
A boy finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that reaches far into space and time. A race called the Guardians have been a part of society to 'keep the peace.' When his grandfather gives him a mission, he goes on a wild adventure to find the truth about the Guardians while befriending one along the way. Together they must fight against powers beyond their comprehension.From the 15 year old first-time-author Christian Gutierrez comes a psychological thriller An average boy living in a world that is populated by mysterious beings called the Guardians. They 'keep the peace' in the world, have absorbed the government, shut down militaries, and guard every street. But little is known about them, how did they get here? why are they here? The boy's life takes a dramatic turn when his grandfather tells the truth about who he really is. The boy along with a Guardian whom he befriended goes on a dangerous and spellbinding adventure to reveal the truth about the Guardians and prevent the global genocide soon to come. Views: 714
A courageous sacrifice for a noble cause? Or a craven suicide pact as part of a massive conspiracy? This is the story of one man, one life with every detail pre-planned, and one perfect example of absolute power corrupting absolutely. And it'll make you think twice the next time you step into the voting booth...FIND OUT EVERY SCHEME OF THIS DIABOLIC SYSTEM. DONT BE IGNORANT OF IT. IT IS DECEPTFUL, IT IS HEARTLES, IT IS EVIL WHEN MEN REAPS WHERE THEY DID NOT SOW. DIPLOMATIC BAG, IS THRILLING, EXPOSITARY, EDUCATING.WATCH OUT HOW YOUR MONEY BECOMES OTHER PEOPLES PLEASURE-DONT BE DECIEVED, KNOWDLEGE IS POWER. KNOW EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONEY LAUNDRY SCHEME CALLED ADVANCE FRAUD 419 FROM THIS DIALOGUE MOVIES- DONT PLAY IGNORANT OF IT... WATCH OUT NOW. Views: 713
Melienda, an immortal being, is hunted by her ex-lover because she broke the Law. The battle has raged for a millennium. But now it may come to a grisly end unless Melienda can outwit the beast that can devour her life force – the only way an immortal can truly die.It’s raining in Port Isabel and everyone’s indoors except Larry Monkey, a brilliant young chimp deeply troubled by the past. He wanders the winding laneways of the old stone town to be alone. And it’s a good thing, because trouble’s brewing and he might be the only one able to stop it. Flossy Fairweather, a remarkable girl with courage beyond her years, has seen something lurking in the shadows too and goes to investigate, sword in hand. It could be a trap and if the pirates are back they’ll want revenge. But Flossy’s not afraid because she’s amongst friends, mostly anyway.By the end of the next ice age, all that remains of the once great, world-spanning human civilisation are myths and ancient, inexplicable artefacts lying at the feet of melting glaciers. Thanks to the red-hot Heat Tree reefs that keep the ice at bay, the lands above the Gulf of Mexico are some of the few places still warm enough to support life. On the western shores of the Gulf is Port Isabel, a town conceived and built by owls who mysteriously vanished hundreds of years before without even bothering to say goodbye. The animals that live there are industrious, peaceful and vegetarian; except for those that aren't, which is where all the trouble starts.Mark Douglas Stafford is an award winning writer living in Sydney, Australia. His novels, fables and short stories are adored by children and adults alike. Views: 713
