When two Prophets die on the same day, their powers are passed on to the next generation. Unfortunately, the wicked ern set out to capture those new Prophets, and their numbers are too strong to be opposed. But Barrin Iylin, a poor farmer whose son was born on that fateful day, will have to face an army to save the life of his son.A dark conspiracy takes the lives to two Prophets, and their impressive powers have been passed on to another generation. The remaining Prophets have left the Tower to seek the two infants who will replace their fallen allies, but so are the wicked ern seeking the children, and no one is quite sure why. The world is rocked as the battle spreads across the land, and no one seems able to stop it.Meanwhile, in a tiny farming village, Barrin Iylin is left to raise his new son alone when his wife dies in childbirth. Such a task would be hard enough, but Barrin soon finds out that the ern are targeting his son and any others born on the same day. Could it be that his son is one of the new Prophets? And whether or not he is, how can a poor farmer hope to protect the boy against an army? The sweeping adventure of The Eighth Power begins here, with a heartbroken man who never thought nor desired to be caught up in a war, and yet can do no other if he wants his son to live. Views: 279
When Oz Blackstone is offered a major role in a cop movie shooting in Edinburgh, he cannot resist taking centre stage. And Oz has had a brief liaison with Susie Gantry, a beautiful and self-possessed business woman, that is turning into something much more long term. It all looks like a bowl of cherries until ex-lover Alison Goodchild turns up asking for a favour. When he finds Alison's business partner murdered in her flat, Oz can't help but suspect he's been set up. And when he discovers a trail of intrigue leading to the cast of the star-studded movie in which he is performing, those cherries begin to taste very rancid indeed...Review“A fine mix of procedural and intrigue.” -- Library JournalFrom the PublisherQuintin Jardine offers plenty of treachery and carnal intrigue in this first–rate mystery series featuring private investigator Osbert “Oz” Blackstone and his alluring partner Primavera Phillips. Views: 279
"Sacrifices must be made; battles will be lost. It is always this way in a quest for change."In the near future, Earth's oil reserves are depleted. Nations grapple to find an alternative energy source. Terrorists race for control over world resources. And the Syndicate—a conglomerate of allied intelligence agencies—struggles to maintain peace.Syndicate operative Juliet Arroway and her best friend, Mariam, a progressive Saudi princess, are tasked with hunting down terrorists and putting an end to the global energy war, the same mission that cost Juliet's father his life. But when multiple terrorist attacks result in devastating losses, including the death of Juliet's longtime boyfriend, and the Syndicate begins to suspect that Mariam's family is somehow involved, Juliet must rise above her heartbreak to discover the truth.In her quest, Juliet is paired with Graham—a dashing yet arrogant FBI agent—and embarks on a dangerous journey... Views: 279
Patrick Pennington is out of control, and seems to be heading for disaster. But when he meets Sylvia, he feels like his world has been turned upside down. Penn's seventeenth summer could be the most memorable of his life . . . Views: 278
You ever thought about applying for a job you see in the paper. Ever wonder what psycho might be lurking behind the innocent words. A bloody thrill ride into a world of murder and madness. Leave sanity at the door. You've just walked into something you won't survive.It’s Volume 4 of TIW shorts! The fourth collection and possibly the last of totally pointless exactly 500 Challenge and exactly 200 Weekend Quickie flash fiction stories/scenes word nonsense (plus a few specials, relays, newsflashes from the TIW blog and collaborations) to entertain you while doing whatever you do when reading. For myself, it was a long and tricky half year in The Iron Writer. Through troubles and difficulties, there was always the TIW Challenge waiting for me.I hope you enjoy these short snippets just as much as I enjoyed writing them, and thanks again to Brian and all the other Iron Writers for allowing me into their community…I wouldn’t. Views: 278
Moses Chikati is a teenage boda-boda driver in the Kenyan interior, struggling to provide for himself and his younger sister, Rosy, at a time when the world is going through unprecedented turmoil. Circumstances bring Moses into contact with people on four different continents as he finds himself embroiled in some of the most significant events in earth's history.This is the final book in the end-time trilogy by David Mckay. Like the other two books, "Survivors" and "Listening", "Destroyers" covers roughly the same period in Earth's history, but in a different location through the eyes of a different person.This book looks at world events from the perspective of a poor, handicapped teenager living in a remote village in Kenya.For Moses, the major events of the world are of little consequence except as they relate to his daily needs; but in the process of trying to get ahead he finds himself traveling the world and even playing a key role in events that shape history.Will success bring him happiness? Or will it destroy him?There is something of Moses Chikati in each of us. Views: 278
In A SEA OF SHIELDS, Gwendolyn gives birth to her and Thorgrin s child, amidst powerful omens. With a son born to them, Gwendolyn and Thorgrin's lives are changed forever, as is the destiny of the Ring. Thor has no choice to but to embark to find his mother, to leave his wife and child and venture away from his homeland on a perilous quest that will have the very future of the Ring at stake.
Before Thor embarks, he unites with Gwendolyn in the greatest wedding in the history of the MacGils, and he is given the honor he has always dreamed of when he is inducted into the Silver and becomes a Knight.
Gwendolyn feels a looming danger to the Ring, and furthers her plans to rescue all of her people in the case of a catastrophe.
Erec receives news of his father's illness, and is summoned back home, to the Southern Isles; Alistair joins him on the journey, as their wedding plans are put in motion. Reece, despite himself, falls in love with his cousin, and when Tirus sons find out, they set in motion a great treachery. And Romulus, in the Empire, discovers a new form of magic which may just destroy the Shield for good. Views: 278
Young orphans Ethel, Blanche, Harry, and Nannette Eldon have suffered much since the loss of their parents -- their British father after a prolonged illness and their mother suddenly over the shock of her husband\'s death. Now these youngsters are sent across the Atlantic to live with their uncles in Philadelphia. Ethel, who is eager to do her share to support her brother and sisters, takes a job running a shop, and she and Blanche become engaged to cousins Stuart Ormsby and Percy Landreth. The boys bring their brides home to Pleasant Plans, and Mildred gains a daughter. Views: 278
Years ago, Saparen fought off an ern attack to protect those born on a particular day – a day that made them possible heirs to the power of the Prophets. One of those boys was Ayrim Iylin. Now the ern are trying something new: sneaking into the town as assassins, and it appears that someone is letting them in. Ayrim at last must leave the Baron’s protection to face his enemies directly.Several years ago, the city of Saparen fought off an ern attack in order to protect a few children who had done nothing to have earned the wrath of the ern except that they were born on a particular day – a day that made them possible heirs to the power of the Prophets.Ayrim Iylin, though proven to not be a Prophet, has grown up under the guidance of the Priests and the Thanes, all of whom are on constant guard against the ern. He seeks as normal a life as he can manage – from learning the art of farming, faith, and warfare. But now the ern are using a different and more subtle approach – sneaking into the town as stealthy murderers instead of attacking directly as an invading army. To make things worse, it appears that someone is letting them in.For the first time, Ayrim must step out of the shadow of the Baron’s protection to face his enemies directly. To protect himself, he must at last join the battle.The Eighth Power continues as the search for the two new Prophets continues, the war between Aeresan and Fahlin rages, and the power of the Void begins to consume the land. Views: 278
Jeff was always like a magnet to the people in society living on the fringe. After compiling a collection of acquaintances that not only seemed bizarre but dangerous as well he decided that a move out of town to the peaceful country was just the answer. But Pyle’s Trailer Court proved to be anything but peaceful. That'swhen things got really strange.Jeff was always like a magnet to the people in society living on the fringe. After compiling a collection of acquaintances that not only seemed bizarre but dangerous as well he decided that a move out of town to the peaceful country was just the answer. But Pyle’s Trailer Court proved to be anything but peaceful. To start with, it was located directly across the highway from Les Birds – one of Wisconsin’s most notorious strip clubs – where the action from the stage inside tended to move outside to the parking lot and strippers settled their disagreements with their fists, as patrons cheered them on. His neighbors in the surrounding trailers turned out to be as strange in their own ways as many of the people Jeff had left behind in the city. Jeff’s neighbor Jenny claimed that she had been abducted by aliens that took her up in their spaceship just to fool around a little. He also had a raccoon – Mr. Fats – that had taken a personal dislike to him and had made it an objective to make Jeff’s life miserable. And Jeff was being bullied by a woman that moonlighted as an Elvis impersonator from the taco plant where he worked. But, worst of all, he had incurred the wrath of a notoriously evil family – the Wormters – that were known to be so cruel that they carried around a dog that they had raised in a glass jug, like a pirate ship in a bottle. Can Jeff stand up to all the bullies in his life and live to tell the tale? Read The Wormters by J. T. Pearson and find out. Views: 278
For fans of Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson & the Olympians comes the second book in Adam Rex's acclaimed Cold Cereal Saga, about three kids who must save the world from the diabolical schemes of an evil breakfast company.
Scottish Play Doe and his friends may have escaped from the clutches of the evil Nimue, but they're not out of the woods just yet.
The Goodco Cereal Company's quest to take over the world is quickly gaining momentum: it has already started to sell cereals containing the magical chemical Intellijuice and, what's worse, has kidnapped one of the world's most important public figures, the Queen of England, and replaced her with goblin impersonators.
When Scott and the others learn that Goodco is holding the real queen captive in a magical other-England, they decide to pass through a rift in the time-space continuum and rescue her—and hopefully convince the faeries to stop the invasion that will bring about the end of the world as they know it. Views: 278
After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.
Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction. Views: 278
In ages past, a boy was born to meet a destiny and task that no other could. With the rise of the sorcerers and evil Kings, the land became wretched with evil and avarice. He then embarks on a precarious journey that will take him into adulthood, and beyond what any normal man can become. Merlin the Legacy follows Merlin's unknown beginnings that have been always shrouded in mystery...Merlin felt the slight kick of a boot in his side.“Come on you lazy bugger! Time to get off your backside and 'play' knight.”Merlin tried to cover his eyes from the dawn sun, and then Darius noticed something,“My God boy, why are you sweating so? What were you doing last night?”Merlin sat up wiping the sweat off his forehead. It was no surprise to him, he always greeted morning with sweat dripping off him, but he knew better than to tell Darius of his dreams.“I've always been like this, it's nothing.”“Well, in any case, while you've been lazing around, I've already been out to find you a stick you can use as a sword. It's about the right size for you. Here you are.”Darius tossed the stick at Merlin, forcing him to catch it clumsily.“Right then! First lesson, grip the sword like this.”Darius showed Merlin the classical grip and then what he called “the crazy b******” grip. A one handed grip that allowed the wielding of two weapons, as the heavy sword would be strapped to one hand with some leather cord, while the other was free to grab, strike or take up another implement of pain.“But for now, because you're such a green beginner and all, we'll just concentrate on the basic grip and strikes. I just wanted you to know how truly dangerous I can be.”Merlin raised his eyebrows as Darius got into his guard stance,“Follow me, there's a good lad!”Merlin mimicked Darius' each move. The stances, the strikes and the parries. He didn't really understand them, but after an hour, he could do them on command.“Right then,” Darius rubbed his forearm across his brow, “now I am going to attack you. Hard.”Merlin felt his stomach turn.“Parry one!” Darius shouted as he ran toward Merlin with his broadsword in a downward striking movement, with a devilish laugh.To his own surprise, Merlin instantly brought the stick up into the right position.Darius began to strike across Merlin's body,“Parry two!”Merlin again, blocked it. With Darius stopping just before his blade made contact.“No bad, not bad at all. We may make a knight of you yet.”Darius saw that what Merlin was lacking in strength, he made up for in speed and agility.“Now, attack me.” Ordered Darius.Merlin didn't want to. The look of that blade Darius was now wielding with gusto and a devil-may-care-look in his eyes, told Merlin it was the last thing he wanted to do.“Aren't you hungry Darius, don't you think we should eat.”Darius put his guard down and leaned on the sword for a moment,“Come on boy, don't be a coward, what would that girly of yours think if she saw you now? Think she'd be impressed?”Merlin felt a spark inside him grow, a spark that ignited an ember that would go on to become a furnace in future years. Taking a swing a Darius, Darius hopped backward to avoid it easily... Views: 278
From the fun of the fair to the depths of hell, experience sixteen more curses in this sequel to the bestselling Cursed: An Anthology. A blend of traditional and reimagined curses from fairy-tales to Snow White, from some of the best names in fantasy.BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FORTake a trip to a terrifying carnival and uncover the secrets within, solve a mysterious puzzle box and await your reward, join a travelling circus and witness the strangest ventriloquist act you’ve ever seen.In this follow-up to the bestselling Cursed: An Anthology, you’ll unearth curses old and new. From a very different take on Snow White, to a new interpretation of The Red Shoes, the best in fantasy spin straw into gold, and invite you into the labyrinth.Just don’t forget to leave your trail of breadcrumbs…Featuring stories from:Joanne HarrisNeil GaimanJoe HillSarah PinboroughAngela SlatterM. R. CareyChristina... Views: 278
