Kill the Competition...The Dead Weight, a dark, vengeful short story. Neil's girlfriend betrayed him. Again. Time to move on. He's dumping her things and starting anew, but there's one person in his way. No matter. He's ready for a fight, and why not? He's won many, many times before...Evil was about to fall upon the Delany estate that Mike and Samantha could never have imagined. It was Halloween and Samantha`s contractions were unbearable so her husband rushed his pregnant wife to the hospital to deliver their new bundle of joy.Mike stayed the night in his wife's room with their new baby, but as they slept an unforeseen force came in their room that was about to change their lives forever, when they both woke in the morning. Morning came, and Samantha was discharged from the hospital, and time for their new baby to be raised in their new home. It wasn't until after little Johnny turned 6 years of age that things around the Delany Estate turned deadly. The first sign that Johnny had the mark of the beast was June 6. It was the 6th month, 6th day, and Johnny was 6. All the numbers represented 666. Views: 269
Every summer Maria and her husband, Bob, went to their little house in the Italian village of Supino, and every year it was a new adventure. Only in Supino would you find a pizzeria in a sheep pasture, a seafood restaurant hidden in the woods, or an electrical cord draped from one balcony to the next so neighbours could share power. In Supino, they celebrate the first figs of the season; host watermelon, azalea, and artichoke festivals; and take pleasure in the magical view of the stars in the summer sky.Written with humour and heart, Summers in Supino is Maria Coletta McLean's memoir of these summers with Bob, as she becomes accustomed to the town her father grew up in and the peculiarities of the people who live there. Cousin Guido argues with their neighbour over who can plant a grapevine and therefore reap the harvest. Villagers debate whether one neighbour can trade the installation of some terra cotta tiles and the use of a pizza oven (he has yet to build)... Views: 269
The orks are a savage race who live short, hard lives. From the moment they are born to the day they die, life is a struggle for survival and honor.Tooth & Claw is about the coming of age ritual of a young ork boy who wants to become a brun. But to join the ranks of the adults, he must first prove his worth by taming the most dangerous creature in their world.For thousands of years the Dúranaki have lived in relative obscurity, sheltered within their Twilight Forest on the far side of nearly impassible mountains. Ejected from his homeland, T'vance assumes a western name and explores a world few Dúranaki ever see. He soon finds himself in the middle of a conflict that threatens not only the strange land he visits, but casts a spectre of doom even on his own homeland.Five short stories chronicle his journeys. Views: 269
In Cory Doctorow's wildly successful Little Brother, young Marcus Yallow was arbitrarily detained and brutalized by the government in the wake of a terrorist attack on San Francisco―an experience that led him to become a leader of the whole movement of technologically clued-in teenagers, fighting back against the tyrannical security state.
A few years later, California's economy collapses, but Marcus's hacktivist past lands him a job as webmaster for a crusading politician who promises reform. Soon his former nemesis Masha emerges from the political underground to gift him with a thumbdrive containing a Wikileaks-style cable-dump of hard evidence of corporate and governmental perfidy. It's incendiary stuff―and if Masha goes missing, Marcus is supposed to release it to the world. Then Marcus sees Masha being kidnapped by the same government agents who detained and tortured Marcus years earlier.
Marcus can leak the archive Masha gave him―but he can't admit to being the leaker, because that will cost his employer the election. He's surrounded by friends who remember what he did a few years ago and regard him as a hacker hero. He can't even attend a demonstration without being dragged onstage and handed a mike. He's not at all sure that just dumping the archive onto the Internet, before he's gone through its millions of words, is the right thing to do.
Meanwhile, people are beginning to shadow him, people who look like they're used to inflicting pain until they get the answers they want. Views: 269
The second in a series of free anthologies that will showcase quirky, ironic, whimsical and unusual fantasy stories from writers around the world.The second ebook in a proposed series of free anthologies that will showcase quirky, ironic, unusual, absurdist and philosophical fantasy stories from new and established writers around the world. These anthologies will attempt to present the sort of work that lies outside and beyond the conventional genres and labels of fiction. This issue contains a previously unpublished story by David Gerrold, author of the 'Trouble With Tribbles' episode for STAR TREK. Views: 269
Book #1 of The Verona Trilogy. Three teens from an almost-Utopian 24th century society are kidnapped back in time to 14th century Verona Italy. There the teens have two choices. Adapt to the marsh medieval ways or - die! This is a real twist on a the dystopian themes, where medieval history and sword fights meet artificial intelligences and time travel, with a hint of Romeo and Juliet thrown in.With an average of over 4 stars in reader ratings, THE VERONA TRILOGY is a little-known time-travel gem. To entice you to try out this series, the author is offering the first book in the series for only 99 cents. Here’s what the series is about;THE LENS AND THE LOOKERBOOK #1 of The Verona Trilogy:Young Adult, Post-Dystopian FictionIt’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s), have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.Series Overview:The Lens and the Looker is the first book of The Verona Trilogy. It’s followed by The Bronze and the Brimstone and The Loved and the Lost. The series takes readers along on the life-changing journey of three 24th century teens. While the three protagonists appear quite immature in the first half of The Lens and the Looker, this is not a series aimed exclusively at young teens. Lory Kaufman says he writes for readers 13 to 113, (and precocious 12-year-olds) This is borne out by the fact that about half the readership of the series is adult.What many readers say they love about this series is its wonderful mix of science fiction (the future) and historical fiction (the past). While there’s time travel, there are also sword fights, and while there are detailed descriptions of ancient technologies, the story also includes many colorful characters who just happen to be artificial intelligences. There’s allusions to a Romeo and Juliet love story and also characters who have murderous intentions toward the lovers. And the setting? Many readers are praising the accurately described historical setting of 14th century Verona Italy, where much of the story takes place. Views: 268
An Australian love/war story set during the last few weeks of Australia's part in the Vietnam War.It is late in 1971 in Vietnam and the Australian Army's contribution to the war is nearly over. Mark Ross, a transport company driver, is given the seemingly innocuous assignment of delivering two female personnel, one a local, the other a young American, to their respective destinations in and around Saigon. Ross is looking forward to unloading his passengers and enjoying some unexpected R and R in the big city.But when the exigencies of war, and some of the political intrigue behind it all, intrude to change his plans, Ross's easy-going attitude receives a serious jolt. The experience takes a toll and as well as that, he must come to terms with his feelings for his new American friend and the circumstances of their sudden if inevitable parting. Views: 268
Etta is worried about her brother, Jamie. The doctors can find nothing wrong with him, but he is getting weaker by the day. At breakfast one morning, he seems to have lost it completely: In a voice as pale as his face, he said, 'I think I can see a ghost.' However, when they all turn to look, sure enough, materialising on the window seat is a girl about Etta's age, wearing a beautiful Victorian wedding dress. Etta has to get off to school, she has no time for this, but she is about to discover that time has a whole new significance. She and her ghost companion have no choice but to work out what is going on before Jamie is lost for ever . . . Views: 268
Dr. Cindy Shahi is resigned to being mateless, but her inner jaguar has needs that must be sated. An encounter with a deliciously sexy stranger is the perfect chance for a night of no-strings primal passion.
Elias was content to be a lone wolf until the moment he laid eyes--and much more--on Cindy. Their intense attraction can mean only one thing: the mating call. And when it becomes clear someone isn't happy about their budding relationship, all of Elias's protective instincts go on high alert. He'll do anything to keep Cindy safe--and convince her that he intends to claim her as his own, no matter what. Views: 268
Sahra was on the opposite side of the station to Ore Processing when it blew up. She already had enough troubles with an overcrowded home, never enough food, the constant threat of death… and the whole being a slave thing. The humans need a saviour, rebels keep exploding the wrong places, and she needs a better source of income to feed her family.She's humanity's best hope.Hevun help them all.Sahra was on the opposite side of the station to Ore Processing when it blew up. For a tunnel rat and a slave, this means nothing but trouble. But for Sahra, that's just the beginning.Her people need a Saviour to lead them to freedom, but no such person dare volunteer with the Masters' guns ready to fire at all times. What harm could there be in doing a few things to help the Saviour finally turn up?As it happens… quite a lot.Between lockdowns, angry masters, the mistaken actions of the Rebels, angry sibs, and more rules in home and at work, Sahra has enough to deal with.But when she returns to an area that should have killed her the first time, Sahra discovers… something… special.Can she get the Rebels to listen to her when she can barely speak?Can she help the Saviour arrive at last?Can she find enough food for her family (Nineteen members and counting) every day?And, more importantly, can she trust her brother to keep his big mouth shut?She's humanity's best hope.Hevun help them all. Views: 268
Fujin. Disciplinary Committee member and Seifer Almasy's right-hand. Five years ago, Seifer and Garden saved her from her twisted past. Now she must come face-to-face with her inner demons to save the Garden Network from an unknown terrorist threat.Only one problem: she must act like a woman in love.*(PG-13; this is part of a series; events take place after those of FF8)His world and plans are disintegrating. Will the north woods be enough to heal this man’s pain? A short-short story of the future, past, and present. Views: 268
After some pestering from his daughter, Caleb goes to pay Evie a visit. He finds her without her memory and at the mercy of the latest threat in her life. With no other clear choice, he takes her home where he’ll protect her with every claw and fang in his possession. Third in the series following Anticipations, this is told in Caleb’s point of view. It's time to find out what HE feels about Evie.After some pestering from his daughter, Caleb goes to pay Evie a visit. He finds her without her memory and at the mercy of the latest threat in her life. With no other clear choice, he takes her home where he’ll protect her with every claw and fang in his possession. It isn’t easy to ignore the complicated history he shares with our favorite witch. Answering her questions about the past forces him to face his feelings on the same subject, the forbidden desires he isn’t too sure he can keep hiding. Third in the series following Anticipations, this is a short story told in Caleb’s point of view. Book 2.5 in the series, book 3 coming soon. Views: 268
A Tales Of Correndrum Novelette - Cassian is the most promising alchemist's apprentice in Correndrum. When his master sends him to find the rare ingredients needed for an experiment, Cassian enlists the beautiful harvester Sera as his guide to a remote mountain forest. He soon learns that there is more to Sera than he suspected, and an unusual magical gift leads them both on a grand adventure.A Tales Of Correndrum Novelette (16,700 words) - Cassian is the most promising alchemist's apprentice in Correndrum, but his daily routine of scrubbing flasks and drying herbs is not the adventure he had in mind when he began his studies. When Master Linus sends him out to find the rare ingredients needed for a grand experiment, Cassian leaps at the chance to get out of the lab. He enlists the beautiful harvester Sera as his guide to a remote mountain forest.Cassian soon learns that there is much more to Sera than he suspected, and she shows him the secrets and the beauty of the world outside the city.The two encounter a wandering magician deep in the woods, out on a quest of his own. The strange old man gives them a rare magical gift that leads to a greater adventure than either of them had expected! Views: 268
When James Caffery moves across the country a week before the start of senior year, his whole life changes. An old lamp buried in an alley can help him summon the ghost of a girl who died last year. But his new friend has problems of her own; reapers are after her. If he wants to keep her around, he’ll need to track them down, fast. The problem? James has just one clue: reapers never smile.All James Caffery wanted was to finish high school in the city where he grew up. But when his family moves across the country a week before the start of senior year, everything changes. Instead of having tons of friends and being on the varsity basketball team, James is now stuck hanging out with the nerdiest kid in school.With no one at school to talk to and both of his parents still at work, James decides to take the long way home. In a back alley, he finds an antique lamp buried in a pile of trash. He lights it, and realizes he can summon the ghost of a girl who died the year before. When he learns that she went to his new school, James is convinced that he’s not only found a new friend, but someone who can help him connect with the kids in his new school. But his new friend has problems of her own. It’s not long before he learns that reapers are after her, eager to capture the spirit that’s been evading them. Now, if he wants to keep his friend around, he’s going to have to track down the reapers before they can find her. The only problem? James knows exactly one thing about them: reapers never smile. Views: 268
The first three thrillers in the stunning David Raker series - for the first time in one unique bundle Chasing the DeadOne year ago, Alex Towne's body was found.One month ago, his mother saw him on the street.*One week ago, David Raker agreed to look for him.*He'll wish he hadn't.*Mary Towne's son, Alex, went missing six years ago. Five years later he finally turned up - as a corpse in a car wreck. Missing persons investigator David Raker doesn't want the work: it's clearly a sad but hopeless case of mistaken identity brought to him by a woman unable to let go of her son. But haunted by a loss of his own, Raker reluctantly agrees.The Dead TracksSeventeen-year-old Megan Carver was an unlikely runaway. A straight-A student from a happy home, she studied hard and rarely got into trouble. Six months on, she's never been found. David Raker knows what it's like to grieve. He knows the shadowy world of the lost too. So, when he's hired by Megan's parents to find out what happened, he recognizes their pain - but knows that the darkest secrets can be buried deep. And Megan's secrets could cost him his life.VanishedFor millions of Londoners, the morning of 17 December is just like any other. But not for Sam Wren. An hour after leaving home, he gets onto a tube train - and never gets off again. No eyewitnesses. No trace of him on security cameras. Six months later, he's still missing. Out of options and desperate for answers, Sam's wife Julia hires David Raker to track him down. Raker has made a career out of finding the lost. He knows how they think. And, in missing person cases, the only certainty is that everyone has something to hide.But in this case the secrets go deeper than anyone imagined . . .Tim Weaver is the author of four David Raker novels: Chasing the Dead and The Dead Tracks were followed by Vanished and the most recent Never Coming Back.'Weaver's books get better each time - tense, complex . . . written with flair as well as care' Guardian'Weaver has delivered another cracking crime thriller' Daily MailTim Weaver was born in 1977. At eighteen, he left school and started working in magazine journalism, and has since gone on to develop a successful career writing about films, TV, sport, games and technology. He is married with a young daughter, and lives near Bath.** Views: 268
