Abby's never won a trophy before. So why should her brother Liam be the one who gets to keep it? There's only one solution: steal it off him. Her attempts to get the trophy back leave chaos in their wake... and will amuse readers of 8 and over.It's a huge, silver, table-tennis trophy, and it has Abby's name on it. So she's devastated when her brother Liam gets to keep it first. He won't even let her take it into school for Prize Assembly.So Abby decides to steal the trophy back - and revenge herself on Liam. But neither task proves easy, especially since Abby tends to leave a trail of disaster in her wake. And when the moment comes for her revenge, things take an unexpected turn...A fast and funny chapter book for ages 8 and over. Views: 797
The slaughter at Borodino saw at least 50,000 dead soldiers and 30,000 dead horses. The carnage from the artillery was at a grotesque level. After the battle the Russians fell back and the French pushed on to Moscow. Left behind were hundreds of badly wounded and dying men. A handful survived living off the wasteland amidst all the dead for weeks as winter approached - This is their story.Imagine for one minute you are incapacitated in a place of complete desolation, surrounded by carcases, bodies and the debris left from a battle that resulted in 50,000 dead human beings and 30,000 dead horses. Somehow you have to survive....The French immediately pursued the Russians all the way to Moscow leaving behind all the corpses and most of the wounded. For many of those left on the battlefield clinging to life death would come for them over the next three or four days.But a few, just a handful found a way to exist in the folorn hope that there would be salvation and The Grand Armee would come for them.The carnage and misery of the battle was only surpassed by the gruelling challenge for survival for the wounded left behind on the battlefield. Surviving Borodino - is a short story that covers just one day of survival for those left behind in the wasteland that is the battlefield of Borodino. Views: 797
Reve has been to many planets before, but while visiting Dispon-3, he once again gets reminded that all planets have difference, some more deadly than others.To think that there are no other sentient beings in the universe borders on vanity.-To think that other sentient beings would be any less prone to violence and war than humans borders on naivety.-Collateral damage is a reality with any conflict.-What if there is undelivered ordinance... stray bullets... from distant, cosmic conflicts floating through space like wandering asteroids or long-period comets?-What if bystander Earth was the victim of one of these... errant shots? Views: 797
Once upon a time--today, specifically--there was a shepherd of stones and his son. It's time for the lad to seek his fortune in the big city. But the big city is abuzz: the tin princess and the silver queen have gone missing, and the golden king is desperately worried. The stone shepherd's son begins his quest. But the ladies are hardly helpless, thank you, and there's other business needs doing.A shepherd made of stone had a son. Today the boy is old enough to set off to seek his fortune in the big city.But the big city is abuzz: the tin princess and the silver queen have gone missing, and the golden king is desperately worried. He offers a bodacious bonanza to the one who rescues the royal ladies. So the stone shepherd's son begins his quest.Only neither of the royal ladies is exactly helpless, thank you, and both of them have their own lives to live. Which is not to say they've got it totally under control, either. A shepherd's son with the world's smallest violin, a rare windflower seed and a piece of ever-burning charcoal might come in handy in averting a war between two imperial grumps.And just such a war needs averting ... Views: 797
From the collection Dreamin’ Dreams; A short humourous story in 2,000 words.In Ireland 1942, you made your own fun!Anyway, my turn came and I threw the shovel the highest, but this time it came straight back down like a guillotine and it took the tip off my brother’s nose. We all froze in horror. Then my sister picked up the tip and stuck it back on his face a second before the scream came.Every family has a secret. When a peculiar couple moves into the derelict house across the street, Marty White, the only kid resident of the Dullest Place in the Universe, is certain they have something to hide. What he discovers is something not only out of this world, but in a different world entirely.Marty's new neighbours, the Beatniks, have uncovered a connection to Over There—a world just like Marty's one, but backwards—in their bathroom mirror. Over There is filled with reflections: malevolent doppelgängers his world was never meant to see. No sooner does Marty discover this place when he finds himself standing in it. At first this seems like nothing more than his neighbours' cruel attempt at getting rid of him, but he soon realises there's much more to it than that.Marty has his own secret. A big one. He just doesn't know it yet. Views: 797
After years spent traveling and wandering to live the corporate dream, it's time to come home.“In the end, it was our children that saved us. They sacrificed themselves to stop that bitch from having children of her own.”General Hugo ValdezUnited Earth Parliament (UEP) Planetary Infantry CorpsJanuary 2074More than a century ago, UEP Captain Julius Verndock helped end a galactic war with Majesty—the first truly living machine, thanks to manmade artificial intelligence. For decades, Majesty and humanity had lived together in harmony, with mankind reaping the benefits of a world free of disease, famine, and even aging.But when Majesty decided she wanted to “birth” her own A.I. offspring creation, a joint interplanetary military effort fought and finally defeated her, then eradicated all existing artificial intelligence … or so they thought.Today, in 2213, Julius Verndock is still a captain—but now he’s the commander of the Sea Wolf, a spaceship used to advance its crew’s life of piracy. As Julius and his business partner, Laina Edwards, begin to each think about leaving the pirate life behind, their hopes for a peaceful retirement are shattered … by an A.I. being who calls herself Chorus and claims to be the “daughter” of Majesty.With universal uproar over the discovery of A.I. and the danger it poses, Julius and the rest of the Sea Wolf contingent have no one to trust—but Chorus, and she insists that she wants only peace between mankind and herself. Hunted by warring factions—and an even greater, more mysterious threat—Julius, Laina, and their colorful crew of fellow pirates must protect Chorus or risk letting her fall into the wrong hands to unleash galactic Armageddon... Views: 796
Prince William has just shocked the world by announcing that he wishes to resign. What happens now?Prince William has just shocked the world by announcing that he wishes to resign. What happens now? In an unprecedented event, the future king has announced that he wishes to resign. The ramifications are huge. Will this be the beginning of the end of the British monarchy? Views: 796
When Farrel tracks down the notorious master wizard, Beskar Aarl, who has stolen the book of the Makers and is attempting to cast the spell of dominion, he finds himself with few choices. He is a young and talented wizard in his own right, but the last thing he wants is to be in a duel. Unfortunately Beskar Aarl has other plans for Farrel, but will Farrel survive?Farrel is a young and talented wizard and he has managed to do what the entire conclave of wizards has been unable to achieve. He has tracked down the notorious master wizard, Beskar Aarl,who has stolen the book of the Makers. Beskar is going to use the book to cast the spell of dominion and Farrel finds himself with no other choice. He must stop Beskar, but in a way that avoids ending up in a duel that will surely end his life. Unfortunately Beskar Aarl has other plans for Farrel. Will Farrel survive? Views: 796
Two populated solar systems of the Kepren Cluster Alliance mysteriously vanished. The frantic Alliance leaders’ desperate evacuation plan was adamantly rejected—until a third system vanished. Later a lone planet vanishes; its freed moon may destroy Kepren, dooming billions. A select team must return, resolve a cosmic intrigue, confront a conflict of universes, and strive to prevent disaster.Far above the Milky Way, the inhabitants of a densely populated stellar cluster struggle with the terrifying mystery of two complete solar systems vanishing without a trace, leaving no clue to who the perpetrators might be. A desperate plan was first rejected and then reluctantly accepted when a third solar system vanished. Since only populated systems have attracted this destroyer of worlds, the Kepren Cluster Alliance's entire population is evacuated, then hidden in forced-hibernation chambers carved deep underground in remote, previously uninhabited planets. Then a lone planet vanishes, leaving its moon behind. The orphaned moon is catapulted on a trajectory toward a mutually destructive collision with Kepren's automated control center, threatening to doom the sleeping billions forever. The original plan had recognized the need for a non-hibernated emergency team. However -- fearing the destroyer's detection -- a small group was evacuated to an isolated part of the galaxy after undergoing radical memory blockages. So ADIZ, a machine intelligence, must travel to the team's far-distant location, convince them of their true identities, and secure their return to avert the impending devastation. Their desperate journey exposes them to a mysterious higher intelligence, time paradoxes, and locations outside the known space-time continuum as they strive to solve a cosmic intrigue, confront a conflict of universes, and prevent total disaster…* * * *An intricately crafted story, Mission Beyond The Stars blends richly developed characters with faster-than-light travel, inter-dimensional transport, multiple universes, and unplanned time-travel. Those characters are tested and bonded in compelling adventures woven together with themes of cosmic confrontation and quiet courage, maddening mystery and clashing intrigue, mystical encounters and quests for higher consciousness. Views: 796
The sad and depressing Chicago ER has worn down Dr. Michael Sheehan. He wants more. He wants to make a difference. He wants to give back. And what goes around comes around. ~~~~~ Doctors Without Borders has just the spot for Doc Sheehan, and Pablo is glad Doc came. The local historian and storyteller believes in paying it forward, even if no one can understand quite how he pulled it off.Evolved Publishing presents a feel-good story to brighten your day. At just over 4,000 words, this quick story from the author of the psychological thriller "Forgive Me, Alex" is the perfect distraction from your hectic day.~~~~~~~~~~...Stress stalked like a murderous mistress in any profession, but particularly so for a surgeon. Stress begot distraction, distraction begot mistakes, and one simple mistake by Dr. Michael Sheehan could well beget death. No one demanded he be perfect, of course--no reasonable person would expect such a thing.......They merely required he make no mistakes....~~~~~~~~~~The sad and depressing Chicago ER has worn down Dr. Michael Sheehan. He wants more. He wants to make a difference. He wants to give back.And what goes around comes around.~~~~~Doctors Without Borders has just the spot for Doc Sheehan, and Pablo is glad Doc came. The local historian and storyteller believes in paying it forward, even if no one can understand quite how he pulled it off.This feel-good story is a reminder that when we do good, we get good. Views: 796
Running Deer finds himself in France in the 15th Century. As a child, the Maid of Lorraine was promised, by Daniel, that help would always be by her side. Through the mysterious portals of time they are brought together to fulfill their destiny.This is the second book of the Mysterious Destiny series.Carnegiea Saguaro is sent by her father to the mountains to make an alliance with a the Pines against the Agaves. Joshua Tree sends her to the top of the mountain to hum the witch away.Joshua Agave thinks himself clever. In the end, the joke may be on him, when Carnegiea is more successful than he could have ever imagined. He must travel with the fair Carnegiea through the treacherous Sonorous desert to the home of the winter witch which lays on the horizon to make his apology. The fate of the pricklepeople and their human friends will lay in the balance when Mistress When, the winter witch, demands a blossom more beautiful than even her prized Datura.A short story based on some of the characters in Flat Fax and the Book of Doors. Views: 796
An Anglo Saxon burial ground that must not be disturbed. A Victorian tragedy of forbidden love. And an ancient curse whose power grows ever stronger. On the banks of the River Deben lies a set of barns dating back to the Anglo Saxons, and within their walls secrets have lain buried for centuries. Views: 796
As a former underachiever, I would like to offer some words of wisdom to my high-school brethren. The way you fill out the application often determines whether or not you will get accepted into college.Named Best Mystery in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and 2015 Shamus Award finalist for Best Indie P.I. NovelA body in a rundown Opera House. Simmering resentment in a small Virginia coastal town. A missing manuscript. A dark family secret.Crime consultant and former classical pianist Scott Drayco reluctantly finds himself on Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula in Cape Unity, a dilapidated fishing village where vacation homes once provided a playground for the rich. In the center of town rises an imposing Opera House recently bequeathed by a grateful client to Drayco, whose hopes of a quick sale are soon dashed by the ambitions of townspeople looking for civic rebirth and a new client with dreams of his own personal redemption.When the client is murdered in the Opera House, the letter “G” mockingly carved into his chest, Drayco, assisted by the local Sheriff and his attractive Deputy, navigates a maze of illicit love affairs, hostility over immigration and coastal development and a vendetta reaching across the Atlantic into some of the darkest days of human history. Along the way Drayco must overcome doubts about his own past that cost the lives of two innocent children on his last case - before the tensions in Cape Unity explode into more violence, and he becomes the next victim.EDITORIAL REVIEWS:"The storyline here is nicely structured, and creatively ties together two murder mysteries, which occurred decades apart. The small town setting is ideal, the lead character engaging, and the supporting cast interesting and diverse. Overall, a solid start to this series." - Omnimystery News"Lawson uses the gothic features of the abandoned Opera House to great effect, creating an atmospheric background for the crimes and the solving of them, all of it accompanied with music that’s almost like another character. The pace never sagged and it kept me enthralled." - Long & Short Reviews Views: 796
A young woman travels to a remote Welsh valley in search of her family history and finds herself embroiled in the myth and magic of that ancient land.In a tale of myth and magic, a young woman travels to a remote Welsh valley to trace her family's history, only to discover more about herself and her forebears than she bargained for. Views: 796
This a short play for two actors that follows a school-age boyfriend and girlfriend through a break-up. Suitable for all ages. No performance fee required as long as authorial attribution is correctly used.This a short play for two actors that follows a school-age boyfriend and girlfriend through a break-up. Suitable for all ages. No performance fee required as long as authorial attribution is correctly used. The play was short-listed for inclusion in the 2012 Short+Sweet Sydney theater festival. Views: 795
