A dark witch dynasty. A malicious, immortal undersea place-spirit. Eternal guardians who wagered their souls to protect Charleston. Omens of impending disaster have the city on edge. Tremors warn of earthquake risk, while a potentially catastrophic storm gathers strength over the ocean and heads for land. A last-man-standing promise among elderly veterans creates a dangerous inheritance involving an imprisoned, wish-granting goblin. A sea captain and a swashbuckler worked blood magic to protect Charleston from an ancient evil with a spell that bound their souls and their descendants to the task, but danger looms as its power fades. The head of a witch family wants artifacts and secrets—and he'll do anything to get them. Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles and Folly, an antique and curio store where her touch magic helps get cursed and haunted objects out of the wrong hands. More than once, she and her allies have saved... Views: 515
A short story about a young man who enters an English monastery in search of a better life and ends up trapped in time.At some point in the continuum of life comes the realization that one is indeed mortal. The phrase, “today is the first day of the rest of your life”, slowly becomes more poignant. Finally, the concept of one’s days being numbered becomes a constant companion. This story relates an experience of a man caught up in the end-game. Present day demographics would suggest that a number of readers would have more than a passing interest.William Gardner is proving himself to be a wordsmith of some note. THE QUESTIONER is an easy read with bountiful and beautifully manicured dialogue. He is also the author of the well-received fictional novella, A TALE OF TWO LEGACIES. It too is available on Smashwords. Views: 515
Blake Walker left behind the ATF when the drug cartel he was hunting cost him the life of his fellow agent, and fiancee. Now, two years later, he's working with his brothers at Walker Security, but he's living fast, hard, and wild, until he reaches the ultimate high...revenge. He's one meeting, one woman, away from being inside one of the money laundering shells the cartel operates. Their two will paths collide. Two people who will do anything, including sleeping with the enemy, to avenge or save someone they love. But what if everything isn't as it seems and the enemy isn't the enemy at all? Can these two broken people drawn together by their sizzling hot attraction see beyond their pain and their need for vengeance Undoubtedly, they will face the ghosts of their pasts, but will those ghost destroy them or forever bind them? Views: 515
The Empire is on the brink of war...the City Watch and the Imperial Guard regularly exchange blows...and what did the palace maid hear that meant she had to die?...Welcome to Highport!When Emperor Frederick decides that a parade should be held to honour his return to Highport, Captain Thomas Winterburne of the City Watch knows that things are going to get busy. But, when he also learns that the peace talks with Queen Ysabel of the Commonwealth have broken down he smells even more trouble brewing. Not only that, when he is called to investigate the murder of an apparently innocent serving girl he soon discovers something more sinister going on, something so big that it threatens the very fabric of the Empire. And what's more...only he can stop it. Views: 515
A bike ride at the beginning of the summer break turns into a fantastic, sometimes terrifying, weird and wonderful adventure for twelve-year-olds: Samantha (Sam) Craig, Ben Cooper, and Tommy (Frog) Scott.A bike ride at the beginning of the summer break turns into a fantastic, sometimes terrifying, weird and wonderful adventure for twelve-year-olds: Samantha (Sam) Craig, Ben Cooper, and Tommy (Frog) Scott.Finding a chalice made of gold behind a waterfall, the three pals are transported to a different dimension, into a world where all manner of surprises and dangers lurk at every turn.Like it or not, the trio have been chosen to return the long lost chalice to the Keeper-in-Waiting, and only by fulfilling the mission will they have any chance of returning to their own world.The Chalice of Hope is the embodiment of all that is good, and must not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Dark One, for fear of evil spreading unchecked throughout Allworlds.Accompanied by two fairies, Figwort and Speedwell, (Fig and Speedy), Sam, Ben and Tommy set off on what proves to be a perilous journey through many lands, and are joined by Gorffin, (Gorf), a giant hairy troll from the Desert of Storms.Now numbering six, they venture into the unknown, having to face constant dangers and overcome many ferocious creatures and strange beings. Views: 515
Kate no longer runs in the field with her loyal dog Gyp. Gyp worries for Kate's exhaustion. Gyp sees how the color fades from his beloved master. He knows how Kate sweats through sleepless nights. Gyp suspects a terrible sickness gripping Kate, and he fears the family cat Isis holds a terrible secret from him, one which Gyp is determined to learn no matter if he has to shake that cat apart.Gyp is a champion of a loyal dog. Gyp closely follows each of his master Kate's commands. Together, they are a team, and Gyp loves nothing more than running through the training field and pleasing Kate with his cunning and speed. But when a sickness grips Kate so that they can no longer take the field, Gyp will brave even the family's ancient, temperamental cat Isis to learn what can be done to bring health back to his Kate. Gyp will not flinch before that cat's eyes, and the dog will complete any challenge, or pay any cost, to pull Kate back upon the green fields. Views: 514
Please note this is a 5,000 word/20 page short story. Susan feels an incredibly strong attraction to Mike, London’s most successful property developer, she’s never felt this way before but she tries to deny her feelings because of his reputation as a womanizer. When he also admits he has a dark secret she knows it’s best to walk away but she can’t when his confession leaves her breathless.Dark Tales of FantasyWhen evil things happen to good people there never is a happy ending!An Anthology of magic and mayhem.Set in a world of Dark Sorcery, where sacrificed life brings forth the vilest of magic.And Creatures of Chaos, bent on destruction, subvert the morals of good.In the end, Evil Things will happen to Good People. Views: 514
Barnaby Rabbit lives in Orange Blossom Wood with his mother and best friends; Peter Partridge, Philipa Pheasant and Harry Hedgehog. In these stories for young children, Barnaby meets the Big Bad Badger, the Pesky Fox and Father Christmas.Barnaby, like a true friend, is always there to lend a helping hand.As he does with his earlier novels, Burnham takes his time in skillfully creating his characters so that by the end, the readers know them inside out, down to their raw hearts. Some characters suffer a transformation; others don’t; but each word and action count and stay true to them, making them distinctive. Most fascinating about this story is the mind-splitting moral debate that goes on inside Charlie’s mind at every second as she tries to fight her uncle from totally controlling and brainwashing her like he’s already done to his family. ... Charlie’s story ... pulls the reader in, and this reviewer was anxious to see what was going to happen to her — and whether or not she’d end up having a happy ending like she deserved. Jeremy’s character, while also sympathetic, is somehow less interesting than Charlie, who is obviously the star of the show. The hypocrisy and evil of religion and conservative governments is a recurrent theme in Burnham’s novels, such as On a Darkling Plain and The Many Change and Pass. Other questions explored in the novel include what it means to be a good Christian and the role of women in Christianity. If you’re interested in fiction dealing with social issues, this is an author whose works you’ll definitely want to read. — Mayra Calvani Views: 514
Mel Dobson’s a demon who’s used to flying solo, particularly when on a time-travel gig. He’s been stood-up by his assigned IMC-partner from the heavenly realms; been stuck all week doing KP in the culinary bowels of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. No surprise then, that days ago his attitude had already taken a nose dive of hellacious proportions.Now, Mel “to hell with cooperation” Dobson’s devised his own plan.But why would the lowliest of Afterworld operatives risk going off script, risk taking his assignment into his own two suddenly very pudgy hands, especially - for starters - the potential wrath that could rain down from the powerful angel that he’s expecting to land, any moment, in D.C.?Simple. Because even demons like Mel know things about this particular IMC target, a former U.S. President...one Abraham Lincoln. He knows things that most egotistical earthbound humans, even in the Information Age, don’t. Unless, that is, those humans are part-time Sherlocks. And go off their usual spoonfed earthly “scripts.”Mel knows, for example, from the early 1850’s onward ol’ Abe held his mentor Henry Clay’s view on emancipation: that both the Union and the black slaves throughout it would be best served by “re-colonization,” and not simply to their homeland – Africa – but specifically to Liberia, the country created decades earlier by freed American blacks. Now, he’ll make use of that knowledge and more.No surprise that a demon with a discipline problem would go out on a limb to accomplish his and his heavenly partner’s assignment...and with a most unexpected political twist. Views: 514
Much to his regret, Gordon McKenzie eats canned soup for dinner.Betrayed - Alternate Ending gives Brook the chance to retaliate against her antagonists from the popular novel Betrayed. This is not a stand-alone publication, but starts at Chapter 49 of the novel Betrayed and then takes the tale in a new direction, with an entirely different ending. Written especially for readers of Betrayed, this alternate ending explodes with drama and suspense, and contains scenes not included in the original novel. To understand and appreciate Betrayed - Alternate Ending, the original novel must be read beforehand. Summary: After being abused for several days, Brook escapes into the snowy wilderness, where her captors assume she will perish. Then their victim shows up on the news months later, very much alive. They don't intend for her to stay that way. "I loved the original novel, but the alternate ending blew me away!" ~Randi Canning, Reviewer Views: 514
The collection of Seki City folktales called “The Love of a Silver Fox” became very popular in Seki when originally published in Japanese. Readership and popularity has since spread.This collection was created by local writers who have studied the legends, old tales and fairy tales about and relating to Seki.The collection of Seki City folktales called “The Love of a Silver Fox” became very popular in Seki when originally published in Japanese. Readership and popularity has since spread.This collection was created by local writers who have studied the legends, old tales and fairy tales about and relating to Seki. The writers wrote down the stories which have passed from generation to generation orally in Seki since long ago.This time, in order to help educate our children who live in an international society, a five-volume series of the “Love of Silver Fox” collection has been published in English…To make this five-volume series, Mr. Darvin Babiuk, who worked for Seki City Hall as an Assistant English Teacher (AET) from 1991-1994, tackled the problem of writing an English verstion that Japanese students of English could understand… Views: 514
Jesse Ellsworth is just another girl who's mission was lost in translation. Her story isn't a complicated one, but that doesn't make it happy. We've all known of a girl like Jesse Ellsworth..“The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four” is the second thrilling adventure of the “Jenny In Space” series. This episode continues the heroic efforts of a 13-year-old named Jenny Thompson. In episode one, a mysterious housekeeper named Relli is hired to bring order to a household in chaos. Relli quickly becomes Jenny’s devoted friend, plus one more complication; she is able to predict the future. Relli reveals visions that change Jenny's life forever. "I see the name 'Jenny of Earth' emblazoned across the cosmos,” Relli tells Jenny. The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four is the first step in fulfilling Relli’s outlandish prophesy. While delivering water from Earth, Jenny and Born are kidnapped and held for a ransom of water, the most precious commodity in our area of the galaxy. While a hostage, Jenny forms a special bond with a creature that initially terrifies her. Naming him 'Grakar', Jenny and her battle snake fight ravenous Rachars on their way to saving the Treech race from extinction. Share in the laughter and friendships Jenny forms and the bond of respect she unconsciously forges between her and a worthy race of beings that live in the depths of Spacemark Four. Views: 513
Faery tales are real--they just haven't happened yet. Halley Starr finds out the truth when she loses her heart with a curse. Now she has to get it back from that dirty faery who stole it from her, but first, she must fight against the seven rules of the faery kingdom thatmortals must never break But if Halley wants her heart back again, she can’t worry about the rules.Faerytales. They're real . . . they just haven't happened yet.Halley Starr finds out the truth when she loses her heart with acurse. Now she has to get it back from that dirty faery who stole it from her,but first, she must fight against the seven rules of the faery kingdom thatmortals must never break No trespassing sacred faery territory Don’t ever say thank you Using a faery’s given name is a no-no Resist all faery music Never break a promise to a faery Reject all faery food And never, never fall in love with a faery But if Halley wants her heart back again, she can’t worry about the rules. Views: 513
