In the blink of an eye, all human life disappeared, except for myself. A short story.Jesse Winter is a smart, young staffer at City University of New York who has a knack for finding himself at the center of controversy. As an expert handler of disputes among faculty, students, and partners of CUNY (not to mention the general public), his instinctive negotiation skills make him a valuable asset; but they also make him a juicy target for those with an axe to grind. When a group of students from CUNY's award-winning—and highly controversial—investigative journalism program uncover an elaborate, decades-old lie that underpins the massive wealth and clout of a Polish political family, Jesse's life begins to unravel. Views: 303
This book is to be written and updated during the month of November as part of National Novel Writing Month:For six teenage boys the opportunity to get what their hearts desire for the measly price of a bad dream is a temptation that they can’t resist.-I've been working on this again....“The Haeven Collection” is a series of four short stories set in semi modern times. Only through genre are the stories in any way connected and each one has a beginning, a middle and an end. The stories give the reader and inside look at the world that each of the characters live in and comes from as well as a look at how they interact with said world and each other in the individual stories.The Haeven Child-When a witty and temperamental young witch is forced into a situation not of her making and beyond her control, she must traverse the terrible waters of family life and child rearing.Kitten-Running away from home sounds like a good idea, but not when you’re and Skin Changer with major daddy issues and a dead mother. An adolescent Skin Changer runs away from home with her mother’s skin after she dies, her father is looking for her and he is not happy.150-One hundred fifty years is a long time to be with someone you hate, especially if that person is your sire and he controls your very life. A “young” vampire is stuck with the creature that changed him into a monster of the night and his rebellious attitude will not be tolerated.Diner-A diner is such as non-threatening place. However, when a meeting between to associates is cut short because of a joke, the other two men try to keep it together and take the intrusion with grace and poise. Views: 302
The Iberian Empire is bent on destroying Kanze Zenjiro's kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him. Zen embarks on a dangerous quest to save his people. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six guns. Can he survive the Wild Land long enough to protect his country?The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness. Views: 302
An old friend with a terrifying secret suddenly appears in Bradley's life. What has been happening to her, and can it be stopped?7600 words.An old friend with a terrifying secret suddenly appears in Bradley's life. What has been happening to her, and can it be stopped.A science-fiction tale. Views: 302
This is a collection of short, and some not so short, stories that involve the undead as well as a wide variety of very unpleasant things.This is a collection of short, and some not so short, stories that involve the undead as well as a wide variety of very unpleasant things.Some of the unpleasant things include mentally deranged psychotic clowns, someone being pushed from a very tall building, a giant six foot tall fluffy pink talking bunny that a man discovers in his kitchen at 2:47 in the morning, an elderly deranged man who believes he's a ninja, a vacation near Albuquerque that ends very tragically, and many other things.Southwestern Road Trip picks up immediately after the events portrayed in Valley of Death- Zombie Trailer Park. It features appearances by Deputy Bo Autry, Sheriff Guiteriz and finally explains what became of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Keith Dudley. This story marks a major change for me, in that the reader get to decide how it ends; Horribly or Very horribly.The Fall of Bayonne is actually more of a novella than a short story and chronicles the events that led to an undead outbreak that occurred during a prison revolt. My personal favorite scene is when the execution of a very bad man goes about as wrong as possible and it turns out being dead doesn't mean much.Waking at 2:47AM does not involve zombies, but is filled with many unpleasant things. A father discovers nightmares are more than they seem, and sometimes they do come true.Chef's Surprise may seem like just another murder case, but when it ends with undead and psychotic clowns it's anything but ordinary.Disgusting Campfire Tales was written principally for those critics and reviewers that have complained my stories are too gross and disgusting. (which they are)Fortunate Cookie takes a peek at an unloved girl who discovers the end doesn't mean that everything is over. Views: 302
The second book about the Littlest Dragon who has the biggest and best ideas. Familiar family stories for beginner readers. Two more stories about the Littlest Dragon who is the tenth child in the Dragon family. With nine older brothers, No 10 has to be ever more resourceful to get what he wants. In the first story, he is determined to get to the breakfast table before his brothers, so he can get the freebie gift from the cereal box. After three attempts, he manages it, with the help of a feather duster and 9 pairs of tickly toes. In the second story, the Littlest Dragon is left at home while his older brothers go to the big dragons' swimming pool. In his resourceful way, the Littlest Dragon wins the day when the only pool open that day, is the one for younger dragons. With plenty of repetition and alliteration, this book is perfect for children who are just able to read on their own. Hugely popular with Year 2s throughout the UK. Views: 302
"A giant may not overcome a giant, but the giant who steps on a thorn may tumble down the mountain."When a young city on the edge of dragon territory is attacked by monsters that even the dragons fear, Tina van Schtoffen calls upon old friends and new allies in order to save the people. But along the way, she discovers that she is not the first wizard to have been there.On the world of Cerra Sevatia, animals are more than mere beasts. The people of Cerra are humanoid beings with the characteristics of animals. They range from the mountainous, bull-like Akoans to the diminutive, mouse-like Mateesh. But even among the Mateesh, Tina van Schtoffen stands short. Though a highly regarded wizard attached to the guild of magic known as the Council of Stars, Tina is only six inches tall.When the city of Likonia, precariously founded in the dragon territory of Maldavia, is attacked by monsters called “Dragon Eaters,” Governor Harkon Keldo requests aide from the Council of Stars. The wizard’s guild, which has a favorable relationship with Maldavia, had originally objected to the establishment of the encroaching settlement. But since these “Dragon Eaters” threatened both Likonia and the dragons, the leader of the guild sends Tina to assess the situation.Tina’s initial impression of the Likonians is an unfavorable one. Able to move through the city undetected, she discovers both their distrust for wizards and little reason for her to trust Governor Keldo. But news of a wounded Maldavian nearby takes her away from the city to where she meets with the dragon. He reveals as much as he can about the “Dragon Eaters” to Tina and gives her a place to begin her investigation.After returning to the city, Tina enlists the help of Kravek Rivakian, an Akoan from the eastern hill country whom she encountered when she first arrived. Suspicions concerning the origin of the Dragon Eaters are raised by a trail laden with traps, a shipment of magical reagents which arrived in Likonia before Tina, and the information gathered from the Maldavian. When the truth comes to light, she must use her wits if she hopes to defeat the monsters and save the Maldavians, the city, and herself. Views: 302
Part 2 of a serial.Moriarty Jackson heads to Kuroyama Junior High School and prepares to take on the toughest class in town in his pursuit of the stolen alphabet cards.Part 2 of the ABCs.Moriarty Jackson heads to Kuroyama Junior High School and prepares to take on the toughest class in town in his pursuit of the stolen alphabet cards. He's certain he'll find what he seeks there and save the day for the lovely Miss Takahashi- but could things really be that easy? Views: 302
Just when the women of Read Wine are ready to say their new bookstore is a success, someone reappears to get revenge. Trixie, Sally, and Cora are enjoying the success of their bookstore/coffee shop/wine bar, Read Wine, and planning for Cora's upcoming wedding when they start receiving hang up calls. At first, they chalk it up to a wrong number, but soon the caller reveals himself. It's Stephen and he's making good on his threat. He wants his money back. The fact that the police confiscated it doesn't matter to him. He wants it back and he's given them a deadline. A deadline they need to meet before anyone else ends up dead. Finding out Cora's fiancé isn't who he says he is a shock, but his alter ego might come in handy to get Stephen to leave them alone. But with this much money at stake, will he? Or are they in danger? Do you love cozy mysteries with quirky, strong female leads that just can't keep their noses out of... Views: 302
An intrepid young woman in pre-World War 1 Scotland, who prefers science to matrimony, discovers a world of incredible secrets her late father was keen on hiding from her. Clockwork Nessie is a short story featuring steam-powered inventions, monsters, pirates and handsome scientists.An intrepid young woman in pre-World War 1 Scotland, who prefers science to matrimony, discovers a world of incredible secrets her late father was keen on hiding from her.Clockwork Nessie is a short story featuring steam-powered inventions, monsters, pirates and handsome scientists.Previously published in Conquest Through Determination anthology. Views: 302
The R.M.S. Titanic is the ship of dreams, and for Ophelia, it might also be the ship of miracles...Miss Ophelia Ashby wants nothing more than end her unwanted engagement before its too late. In comes the Duke of Hastings, Henry Spencer, the man who broke her heart. Ophelia was all plans to stay away from him, but he has other ideas in mind. And well, he's always been rather irresistible.Oddly, seven year-old Ali’s family all live in different places! Ali and her older brother are boarded out in two separate homes during the week. Their mother lives in the San Fernando Valley in a little house that Ali and her brother visit on weekends, and their father is in show business and always away “on the road”. Ali’s prayer each night is to bring her family together, “where we could all live in the same place, all week long.” One magical day, Ali’s father tells his family to sell the house and move to New York City where they can all live together. Has Ali’s prayer come true? Ali’s vision of having a family that looks like the images in her Dick and Jane school book do not necessarily come to pass; she finds their lives in New York City much more like her favorite book, “Alice in Wonderland.” Views: 302
After four years away from home and tribe, Akari returns to her village to find that while some things have changed, others have not. She must now embark on a journey to find her place among the people she wished to forget. A journey far more important than the one she returned from where old enemies lie in wait and a new, more dangerous one remains just beyond the horizon.This is the first book in the MI.E. trilogy.It tells how Jack first lands a job in the Secret Agency M.I.E, and the problems that he and the Professor face, and solve!A hilarious and intelligent read for any age group. Views: 302
Revisiting the terrain of her acclaimed novel NW, The Embassy of Cambodia is another remarkable work of fiction from Zadie Smith.
'The fact is, if we followed the history of every little country in the world -- in its dramatic as well as its quiet times -- we would have no space left in which to live our own lives or apply ourselves to our necessary tasks, never mind indulge in occasional pleasures, like swimming . . . '
First published in the New Yorker, The Embassy of Cambodia is a rare and brilliant story that takes us deep into the life of a young woman, Fatou, domestic servant to the Derawals and escapee from one set of hardships to another.
Beginning and ending outside the Embassy of Cambodia, which happens to be located in Willesden, north-west London, Zadie Smith's absorbing, moving and wryly observed story suggests how the apparently small things in an ordinary life always raise larger, more extraordinary questions.
'Its range is lightly immense... a fiction of consequences both global and heart-rendingly intimate' Guardian
'Smith serves up a smasher' Independent
Playful... unexpected and absolutely right... Skips to a beat all of its own' Times
Praise for NW:
'A triumph . . .modern London is explored in a dazzling portrait . . . every sentence sings' Guardian
'Intensely funny, richly varied, always unexpected. A joyous, optimistic, angry masterpiece. No better English novel will be published this year' Philip Hensher, Daily Telegraph
'Absolutely brilliant . . . So electrically authentic, it reads like surveillance transcripts' Lev Grossman, TIME Views: 302
Part 1 of a 3 part series...Haven't You Ever Wondered Why You're Here?Father Phillips did. He felt a deepening despair growing within his tired soul as his constant prayers seemed to be ignored. Now he wishes they had been...Part 1 of a 3 part series...An ancient secret has been hidden from you. Knowing this secret will open your eyes, but once open they will never close again.A priest who, already suffering at the tendrils of his own doubts, gets drawn into a world of mystery and a covert darkness that permeates our society after discovering a hidden letter in the depths of an old church. A successful trader who works for a city bank seems to have it all, but if you were to scratch beneath the surface, a secret burden tearing at him, becoming too much for him to bear would emerge. Finding himself at the point of despair he asks for answers. Unusual doors begin to open revealing truths that make him wonder if his burden has just increased. Every door opened slams tightly shut as he walks to the next. Once making the decision to open the first, he rapidly realises that there is no going back. Maybe the decision had already been made for him.Like many others, one man is struggling to see the purpose of life in the rat race. Trying to find a better way is consuming his daily thoughts, but why does the system seem so geared up to stop it?Could the appearance of a mysterious stranger link the lives of these seemingly unrelated individuals? The world is changing faster now than ever before. While we marvel at almost daily technological breakthroughs and bask in the copious amounts of readily available information, most of us are oblivious to these signs and to an ancient force that gradually increases its control over us. A dark storm is coming. Are you ready? Views: 302
Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.
Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.
Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.
Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves To Kill a Mockingbird as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.
The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache. Views: 301
