There's a certain intimacy about the word "embedded." I don't know who coined it embedded, part of the action, eyewitness news on the front line. Embedded became a term used by the media and military to describe correspondents who were carried to war.If you want the facts, go to the history books, but if you want to know how it felt to report Trafalgar turn the page and read the log.There's a certain intimacy about the word "embedded." I don't know who came up with it, but once it was in common usage, we talked about it endlessly in the pub. Embedded, being there, part of the action, eyewitness news on the front line. Embedded became a term shared by the media and the military to describe correspondents who were carried to war as an extra mural member of a fighting unit, journalist as warrior, and it was hoped, certainly from the military standpoint, that this symbiosis, a new quirk on the old Stockholm syndrome, would rub off on the reporters and ensure that coverage swayed towards the soldiers' point of view. Sure there was huffing and puffing over journalistic integrity and freedom of the press, but if you wanted to go to war there was no better way than embedded.You see the Vietnam War had taught the military a hard lesson. If you have newsmen running around the combat zone, left to their own devices, reporting the kill count as it happens, blood baths like Mi Li Four, then the public appetite for the conflict diminishes in direct proportion to the tv footage of body bags coming home. So if you couldn't muzzle the media, then the next best thing was to get them on board, get them embedded, in the hope that the old adage that it is better to have your critic in the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in, would pay dividends.Not that the military were less than sanguine about the prospect, Imagine how it would have been if there had been reporters embedded at The Somme filing eyeball accounts from the trenches of soldiers eating rats to stay alive, and the criminal lunacy of officers ordering troops over the top into machinegun fire.But those kind of considerations didn't cloud the judgement a couple of centuries ago when the spectre of invasion from across the Channel loomed large, and Napoleon Bonaparte summoned the combined naval strength of France and Spain into the largest battle fleet the world had ever seen; when the course of history hung by a thread. When the nation turned to one man, already hailed as a national hero, to save the day. So this is the story. With all the journalistic technique, the breakneck speed of instant communication technology and the clamour for on scene reporting; with every morsel of the action devoured to satisfy the voracious appetite of twenty four seven rolling news I can tell you what transpired when Nelson set sail for the great sea battle off Cape Trafalgar because I was there, embedded with the fleet.My name is John Pretty, naval correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, and with the benefit of hindsight I have collected all my pieces, the news columns, the features, the e-mails, the tapes and scribbled shorthand notes, into a chronological sequence, translated the arcane patois of the eighteenth century tar into the modern idiom to give you a feel of how Trafalgar played in the press. If you want the unalloyed facts, go to the history books, but if you're curious to know how it felt to report Trafalgar then as Mark Twain put it, turn the page, read the log. Views: 587
This is life, not a rehearsal...When River auditions for a part in an inter-school performance of Romeo and Juliet, she finds herself smitten by Flynn, the boy playing Romeo. River believes in romantic love, and she can't wait to experience it. But Flynn comes from a damaged family - is he even capable of giving River what she wants? The path of true love never did run smooth... Views: 587
This is a short story from author P. Edward Auman about the origin of Frosty's old silk hat and has been dedicated to Emilie Parker and the other nineteen children of the Sandy Hook Elementary, Conn. tragedy.This story is a heart felt explanation of how the old silk hat gained its magical properties through the experiences of love. It may be shared with your children and loved ones.The Old Silk Hat placed upon Frosty's head is immortalized in story and song. But this short story details the history behind the silk hat and how it came to be infused with life-producing magic. Follow the progression and the changing of owners of the silk hat as it factors into the lives of several men during their lives and relationships before granting Frosty life. The story can be considered general audience and is a heart-felt tribute to the children of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy on December 14th, 2012. It was written in direct response to the tragedy and home coming of Emilie Parker to Ogden, UT for her funeral, as author P. Edward Auman contemplated how best to honor the children and bring comfort to their family and friends as well as his own. Several books were nearing prepartion for publication in 2013 as the author had not previously published any of his works he has written in the last twenty-five years. But none of them captured the essence of why our children's lives touch each of us so strongly. Ideally, the story may be read with your children in about thirty to forty minutes, and may best be used during the Christmas Holidays. However, it is written in such a manner that it may appeal to all denominations and faiths as well. It is the one story that brought the author to tears even during the course of writing it. Views: 587
Charlotte de Ney is as noble as they come, a blueblood straight out of the Weird. But even though she possesses rare magical healing abilities, her life has brought her nothing but pain. After her marriage crumbles, she flees to the Edge to build a new home for herself. Until Richard Mar is brought to her for treatment, and Charlotte’s life is turned upside down once again. Richard is a swordsman without peer, future head of his large and rambunctious Edger clan—and he’s on a clandestine quest to wipe out slavers trafficking humans in the Weird. So when his presence leads his very dangerous enemies to Charlotte, she vows to help Richard destroy them. The slavers’ operation, however, goes deeper than Richard knows, and even working together, Charlotte and Richard may not survive. . . Views: 587
Every one knows the demon inside may never die, but does that mean it was always there? following deanna in rather unusual life while she's finding out that shes a vampire.Among losing friends finding out no one is who they say they are, and the fact that friends may really be enemy's is that really the least of her problems?Deanna never really expects much from her life, you know the normal high school stuff, drama, breakups, ect. but when she starts to change in strange ways she might find out that even shes not who she thought she was. She has some major decisions to make if shes not careful she could end up dead. she has to know who to trust because in a world of secrets its like glamour was placed over your eyes, so you see what you want to. Views: 587
“Catch me and you can have me.”He studied her eyes. “‘Have me’ meaning…”“Have me for the night.”“For the purpose of…”“For any purpose you want, although I’ve got a pretty good idea what that purpose will be. Even virgins aren’t that dense.”___________________Formerly titled Hale's PointWhile house-sitting at a waterfront estate, sweet, straight-laced Harley is stunned by the arrival of her employer’s supposedly dead son, an Alaskan bush pilot with a bad boy rep who’s been wounded in an airplane crash. Coming home after years of estrangement—and a stint in prison—to make amends with the old man is difficult for Tucker, but not half as difficult as keeping his distance from the super-sexy but virginal Harley while they share the house, awaiting his father’s return.Having given up on the idea that he’ll ever fully heal from his ravaged leg, Tucker balks when Harley urges him to swim as physical therapy—until she adds a unique incentive: “Catch me and you can have me.” Her certainty that he’ll never be able to swim that fast evaporates when he embarks on a rigorous training regimen, determined to claim her as his prize. But when she unearths the dark secret in his past, will she still be willing to pay up when the time comes?The Black Sheep, formerly titled Hale’s Point, is a full-length, professionally edited novel that is Book 1 of the North Moon Bay contemporary romance series, but can be read and enjoyed on its own. It was honored with Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award.“Harley and Tucker are unforgettable characters and this is an unforgettable story.” RomEx Reviews“Passionate, playful, powerful!” The Literary Times“Patricia Ryan creates a richly blended texture of passionate desire and tender love to keep our hearts aflame through each and every page.” RT BookReviews“An amusingly tender and emotionally poignant glimpse into the souls of two people wounded by the very ones who should have nurtured them.” Affaire de CoeurContemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense by Patricia Ryan: (Other authors have started publishing in this genre as “Patricia Ryan,” which has led to confusion. Any full-length contemporary novel that is not on this list was written by someone else.)Hot City Nights BooksA Burning TouchDeep in the NightArm CandyNorth Moon Bay BooksThe Black SheepThe Marriage ArrangementMy Best Friend’s GirlSingle TitlesPure and SimpleGood to be BadAbout the Author: Patricia Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen romances and mysteries, including the #1 national bestseller Still Life With Murder, written as P.B. Ryan. A RITA® winner and four-time nominee, she is also the recipient of two RT BookReviews Awards. Subscribe to her newsletter by visiting patricia-ryan.com. Views: 587
What should a straight high school junior do when he learns a gay guy in his grade has a crush on him?When JJ Brockwell stops a group of jocks from bullying comic book nerd Milton Katz, he finds himself the object of Milton's misplaced affection. JJ wants to be his friend, but Milton wants more.JJ has a girlfriend named Maggie, who wants to wait before having sex. JJ respects this, but he's 16 and cold showers only go so far. Maggie thinks Milton's crush on her boyfriend is cute, but that doesn't help with JJ's problem.All Milton wants is JJ, and all JJ wants is Maggie. How can they find a solution to this impossible triangle? Views: 586
A man of nature searching for wonders. A land of magic and splendour. A tale of love and hope and sorrow. The Grey Elk recounts the wondrous tale of the magical guardian of the woods.Naran Jasar travels to a distant land where he encounters an enchanted land with wondrous people. Untold adventures and hardships await him that will test his courage, resolve, and kindness. Prepare for a tale of love and hope and sorrow. The Grey Elk recounts the wondrous tale of the magical guardian of the woods.The Grey Elk is a 3,000 word fantasy short story that honors the time old tradition of bardic tales and fables. Views: 586
An answer to the greatest ‘locked-room’ mystery of all time,What happened to the Princes in the Tower?A book by Mike Voyce doesn’t do just one thing at once; take each strand at the depth you like. Just read it for a very pacey and original story; covering the abduction of the Princes, the arrest of Hastings and Rivers, the Buckingham Rebellion, the Tower of London, the History and the characterShakespeare called his play ‘Richard III’ a tragedy. Its centre is the disappearance of 12 year-old Prince Edward and 10 year-old Prince Richard, the sons of King Edward IV, from the care of their uncle, King Richard III. Shakespeare and history accuse Richard of murdering the Princes, within months of their father’s death, in April 1483, but in each century since, starting in the 1490s, there have been dissenting voices.By 2012 many millions of words have been written about what happened to the Princes, yet no-one has ever offered a satisfactory or complete explanation, at least not until now. The problem with the explanation is it has magic at its heart, the magic of the necromancer, and historians won’t allow themselves to believe in magic.Amongst all the fantasy of Horror and Sci-Fi on our bookshelves there is room for a little medieval High Magic; the more so since it may be true.The author and narrator does undertake psychic investigations, as mentioned in the book. The Arthur Findlay College at Stansted Hall, where the story opens, is a World centre for psychic studies and mediumship. Does it matter whether The Necromancer is a true story or fiction? If you accept there is no such thing as ‘single-pointed reality,’ there are many different realities, that miracles and other impossibilities are a good deal more common than people think, and that what people believe is what really matters; you may conclude simply The Necromancer is a good story.Because this is an interactive eBook you have free access to the full text of three important books of history, not to mention the Odyssey, two major books on magic and many other materials. In all there are 54 hyperlinks to relevant pages on the Internet.Leave historical authority and extended backgrounds to the hyperlinks. They allow you and the author to get on with the story in all its twists and turns. The strengths and weaknesses of historical figures are shown; the character of the little known Thomas Nandyke, the necromancer, is brought to light and brought to life.If you’re hooked, and you will be, Parts II & III go on to put right the world we live in, they deal with King Louis XI and bishop Morton; Part III restores Hastings and Rivers, not to mention the Princes, of whom there are three, including Richard III’s own son.As is usual with Mike Voyce, this story stands on the boundary between Truth and Fiction; it’s as true as you want it to be. If you take the insights into the nature of realities, the ‘After Word on Truth,’ right at the very end of the whole book, will clear the mists which still seem to cloud our own world. Views: 586
The next chapter in the adventures of the Scarburg family... What if it is November 22, 1963 once again, but this time JFK survives his assassination rendezvous with Lee Harvey Oswald? In this exciting, time-traveling, sci-fi adventure the Scarburg family time-travels to Dallas, TX in an attempt to change Earth's destiny. This time President John F. Kennedy must die!!Volume 1 in the Alcantaran series.Ron Calvin, Tik Michi and Gusissi 'Gus' Ugde Ghaolh were kidnapped from their separate planets by the Bugs. They were forced to work as slave laborers on the Bug's mother ship where they formed a unique partnership. Each partner has unique talents that complement the others. This creates a synergy where the partnership is stronger than the sum of its members. They form a friendship with another kidnapped being on the mother ship who teaches them to fly the ancient space ship the 'Galactic Antiquarian'. The Bugs found the 'Galactic Antiquarian' floating in space and have spent years trying to get it open to learn its secrets. The trio learns how to open parts of the ship and escape from the mother ship on the Galactic Antiquarian with a minimum of fuel, air, water and food. They must use their unique talents to unlock more of the secrets of the ancient space ship so they can restock these essential supplies while avoiding recapture by the Bugs and their allies. The Bugs want the ancient space ship back badly and are pulling no punches to get it back. Are the secrets of the ancient ship enough to help them to restock and avoid capture? How will the Alcantaran ghosts fit into the puzzle? Will the secrets or the ghosts help them find their three home planets somewhere in the midst of the trillion galaxies in the universe? Alien Abduction is the first book in the series "The Alcantarans". Views: 586
Werewolves are disappearing all over the country, and nobody's quite sure why. Kyla was forced to leave behind everything she cared about when her parents' ranch went bankrupt. With all of her friends and her boyfriend so far away, she isn't sure she'll ever feel as comfortable in this new life as she did in the old. Unaware of the danger, reclusive werewolf, Camille, couldn't be happier to make the new girl feel right at home in the small farm-town of Tranquility, California. By the time Kyla realizes there's something hiding out in the dark, watching her, she's unwittingly stepped into the crosshairs of a dangerous werewolf. Original target? Camille. Can the girls take down the threat before they become the latest victims of his deadly game? Views: 586
Written in the final days of Roth's life, it is a novella of sparkling lucidity and humanity. "Fallmerayer the Stationmaster" and "The Bust of the Emperor" are Roth's most acclaimed works of shorter fiction. Views: 586
Pristine offshore islands, coastlines ruined by casino hotels, and Gulf of Mexico waters is the setting for intrigue, horror, and quick death. A must read for any aficionado of the Mystery/Thriller genre.Jay Leicester (pronounced "Lester"), a retired airline pilot now running his own investigation firm, is sent a client by his old friend Guy Robbins, an attorney on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The client is a horribly disfigured young female marine biologist who is Director of a research lab on Cat Island, twelve miles off the coast of Gulfport. Her disfigurement is the result of an attack by a tiger shark during a dive to the wreck of a World War Two German submarine sank during the war by the U.S. Navy off the coast of Chandeleur Island.During a two year recovery period the scientist becomes convinced the attack was orchestrated by someone who wanted to steal the formula for a shark repellent being developed at the research lab. The repellent, if perfected, would be worth billions of dollars. How a pelagic shark could be used to attack a specific diver in the open ocean becomes the enigma behind the investigation of this mystery thriller.One of the most enigmatic characters is the marine biologist herself. Annatoo Yillah, a direct descendant of Polynesian parents, is as strange as she is intelligent. A woman who, though educated in the west, believes she is an ancient God of Tiburon - a shark god. Other characters in the work are: Anna Yillah's two research assistants, George Lenoir and Vickey Fourche, brilliant graduate students from Mississippi State University, who worship and learn at the feet of their mentor; Susan Weems, a lifelong friend and former colleague of Anna Yillah, enters the scene with a bizarre tale of love and friendship; a career criminal and shrimp fisherman, Bob Sabado, who is tied to the lab by unrequited love. Then we meet Hebrone Opshinsky, one of those unforgettable characters that linger on in our mind forever. An "in-country" Viet Nam soldier trained as a silent killer and put back on the street after the war without any indoctrination in how to adjust to a peaceful society. A man who is more deadly than all the sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and lives among the underbelly of the shrimp fishermen along the docks of the Mississippi Coast. Finally, we meet a Police Detective and a Chief of Police who could not be more different in their investigative techniques. Both think Jay Leicester may be responsible for three murders and an attempt at a fourth.After meeting with Anna Yillah and conferring with Guy Robbins, Jay takes the case and accompanies her to Cat Island. Understanding why a brilliant research scientist could believe an attack in the open ocean by a shark could be purposefully accomplished is the first priority. He learned quickly that not only was it possible, but that it was exactly what had happened.With hundreds of visiting scientists rotating on and off the island doing research, the list of possible suspects seems insurmountable, but soon is narrowed to a select few. To expose the antagonist Anna and Jay recreate the original dive on the German submarine. It goes horribly wrong resulting in a ghastly death and failing to reveal a murderer. Starting over, Leicester finds an unlikely ally in an original suspect. This assistance leads to the discovery of the killer, but not before another innocent life is lost, and Jay is confronted with his own mortality.Pristine offshore islands, coastlines ruined by casino hotels, and Gulf of Mexico waters is the setting for intrigue, horror, and quick death. A must read for any aficionado of the Mystery/Thriller genre.There are 10 ebooks in the Jay Leicester Mysteries Series by JC Simmons:Blood on the VineSome People Die QuickBlind OverlookIcy Blue DescentThe Electra FilePopping the ShineFour Nines FineThe Underground LadyAkel DamaThe Candela of Cancri Views: 586
I had always heard that Hollywood could be a most magical place, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined or been prepared for what I was about to experience!A family trip to Hollywood would be exciting all by itself. Anyone with a love for the movies or movie stars might even expect such a trip to be magical! But unless you were completely out of touch with reality, you would never expect the unusual and amazing adventure the Gilleand Family found on their summer vacation.This is a delightful, imaginative tale of what surprises might await someone with a heart full of dreams, a spirit of adventure, and eyes to see past the barrier of our natural world.Come along on this fantastic journey through the magic of Hollywood. Views: 586
