Enter a unique world where creatures and powerful beings, thought to be legend, become reality. Shadows begin to cloud Ambros as the world's very existence hangs in the balance. The malevolent Malekim will destroy Ambros as he seeks ancient quarry. A very old Archmage, Bene, confronts him - it's his family who hold the balance. Malekim has them marked for death through the Warlord called Lodestok.Enter a unique world, where creatures and powerful beings, thought to be the stuff of myths and legends, become reality. The Rox, Mages, Dragons and omnipotent entities known as the Unseen Ones, dimly seen through the mists of time, now, in the Third Age, see the world of Ambros is threatened. Ochleos Rox’s prophecy, from long ago, now has dreadful meaning. Shadows begin to cloud Ambros as the world's very existence hangs in the balance.Malekim, a powerful, malevolent mage, will destroy Ambros as he seeks ancient quarry. To help achieve his ends he enlists a man of legendary cruelty, the Churchik Warlord Lodestok, who will build an empire ruled by Warriors and serviced by slaves. The future of Ambros looks bleak indeed.Ancient Archmage Bene, confronts overwhelming dark forces. It is his daughter’s children who are the unwitting instruments of balance. In the fight against destructive forces, their only weapons are unrecognized talents that may help them survive overwhelming odds, in a world torn apart by the Warlord’s violence. As well, Malekim marks all but one of the children for death. Who will survive? Will ancient creatures and powerful beings once again become active on Ambros and ensure the balance and survival of their chosen species? Views: 823
Biggs Darklighter; Hero of the Rebellion, one of the original members of Rogue Squadron and the bestfriend of Luke Skywalker. Witness his life, adventure and heroism the way it has never been told before. From the author that gave you the fan fiction Artoo Detoo: Droid of a Kind (Volume 1), we present to you; Star Wars: Biggs. Enjoy reading and May the Force be with you all, always.Aka Bradley. A quiet part of the little-known universe. A dimension frequented by only an allusive few. Where vast plains and picturesque meadows are inhabited by relatively innocent, although odd creatures. Where the hustle and bustle of town life has gone on conservatively for countable days... and then some. But when Billy, a rugged fourteen year old from Yorkshire, arrives all-of-a-sudden, and hooks up with Cetra, the quirky redheaded girl with detachable appendages, what one might call “all-Hell” breaks loose. Now, all Billy wants to do is find a way home, but the self-imposed guardians of Bradley; those known as Humps – big, ugly and gross – have other ridiculous and humiliating plans for him. Strike up an adventure to rival his own imagination, to which Billy and his newly acquired team of travellers will stumble upon the answers to age old questions, not just relating to Bradley, but to the universe, and Earth itself.Ride alongside Billy as he traverses the Plain of the Fourteen Pillars, ultimately endeavouring to make his way home, and having a grand-old-adventure in the process. Meet quirky, charismatic, and humorous characters along the way, guiding Billy through this strange land. Be a part of their journey as they learn to rely upon one another. Feel their fears, love, jealousy and mistrust. But also join in the laughter and fun as meaningful friendships grow within the confines of a group who as individuals lacked any real purpose or direction to their lives. Plain of the Fourteen Pillars is a fun ride; and it is only the beginning of Billy’s adventure.... Views: 823
Selected poems by J. Berchman Bernard Stewart“Mr. Stewart’s poems reveal a new luminary incarnation of the ancient but ever-present Celtic bardic tradition. With an astonishing variety of voices and styles, his mastery of words and images provides an exhilarating and scintillating experience of a rare and unique poetic power, not to be missed.”Dr. Joseph GrossHerein are selected poems by J. Berchman Bernard Stewart. These poems were created over ten years in relative isolation; hence, this is the first public exhibition of Mr. Stewart's poetry.Most of the works took 1,000-6,000 hours, yet a few fell like ink drops from the pen and appear here almost unaltered from their original drafts.They range from "closed form", metered, to looser internal rhyme. They are in all styles, from imagist to jazz. Some are romantic, some solemn, some a bit silly, and one a touch scary.These works are concise and speak clearly.Above all else, the goal of this poet is to move the reader with "a thing of beauty," which "is joy forever." Views: 823
Botany professor CB Oldenberger is approaching age 50 and he’s not happy about it. He even considers getting a facelift. Join CB in a slightly madcap escapade that includes organized crime, a beautiful spy, the Chinese triad, and a series of events that remind him that what is important is not so much how you look, but how you live.This book could be subtitled a “A Male Midlife Crisis Transformational Journey Romantic Action Adventure.” It features a college professor who isn’t keen on getting older. The young, energetic people that populate the university remind him daily of how quickly life is passing, and how rapidly he seems to be approaching old age. He even considers getting a facelift. As he puts it, “Why not look as young as you feel!” Fortunately, he realizes that cosmetic surgery is not the answer, and looks to other alternatives. His search leads him to believe that what is missing in his life is adventure, novelty, and excitement--something he intends to remedy by taking a trip to Europe. As soon as he steps foot on the plane, the action picks up and continues to increase until he finds that adventure often comes with price. It can cost you your life. Join Professor CB Oldenberger as he learns one of life’s most important lessons: it isn’t how you look, it is how you live Views: 823
At long last, Dawn's mother and Mary Anne's father have decided to get married! Views: 823
From the author of the Finlandia Award-winning novel Troll: A Love Story, The Core of the Sun further cements Johanna Sinisalo’s reputation as a master of literary speculative fiction and of her country’s unique take on it, dubbed “Finnish weird.” Set in an alternative historical present, in a “eusistocracy”—an extreme welfare state—that holds public health and social stability above all else, it follows a young woman whose growing addiction to illegal chili peppers leads her on an adventure into a world where love, sex, and free will are all controlled by the state.
The Eusistocratic Republic of Finland has bred a new human sub-species of receptive, submissive women, called eloi, for sex and procreation, while intelligent, independent women are relegated to menial labor and sterilized so that they do not carry on their "defective" line. Vanna, raised as an eloi but secretly intelligent, needs money to help her doll-like sister, who has disappeared. Vanna forms a friendship with a man named Jare, and they become involved in buying and selling a stimulant known to the Health Authority to be extremely dangerous: chili peppers. Then Jare comes across a strange religious cult in possession of the Core of the Sun, a chili so hot that it is rumored to cause hallucinations. Does this chili have effects that justify its prohibition? How did Finland turn into the North Korea of Europe? And will Vanna succeed in her quest to find her sister, or will her growing need to satisfy her chili addiction destroy her?
Johanna Sinisalo’s tautly told story of fight and flight is also a feisty, between-the-lines social polemic—a witty, inventive, and fiendishly engaging read. Views: 822
A ship burns, sinking into the dark sea. There is only one survivor—a child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries her power deep, convinced it caused the deaths of those she loves.But when her secret is revealed, all that can save her is her song. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be: the most powerful witch ever born.A ship burns, sinking into the dark sea. There is only one survivor—a child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries her power deep, convinced it caused the deaths of those she loves.But she can’t run from who she is. And when her secret is revealed, the only thing that can save her is her song. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be: the most powerful witch ever born. Views: 822
Bizarre and terrifying dreams lead a man to a lonely coastal town in the middle of the night. What will he discover on The Steps At Silloth?A free Lovecraftian short story. 3400 wordsBizarre and troubling dreams lead our narrator on a night-drive to Silloth on the Cumbrian coast-line. What he finds on The Steps At Silloth will make him question his past and its implications.This is a free weird short story [3400 words] in the Lovecraftian tradition. Previously published in "Cthulhu Cultus #11" magazine, now available for free. Any feedback is most welcome and appreciated. Views: 822
Welcome to the Provinces. This anthology contains 6 flash-fiction stories set within an engaging steampunk sci-fi style world. You will meet key players in my upcoming novels, both heroes and villains, as they struggle through important moments in their lives. These backstory snapshots help lay the groundwork for things to come. This is an excellent introduction to my work. Enjoy the journey!Welcome to the Provinces. This anthology contains 6 flash-fiction stories set within an engaging steampunk sci-fi style world. You will meet key players in my upcoming novels, both heroes and villains, as they struggle through important moments in their lives. These are backstory snapshots that help lay the groundwork for things to come in the larger books.If you enjoy these shorts, then you will most definitely enjoy the books to come. I will do my best to fill my stories with adventure, danger, intrigue, love, and betrayal, putting my own personal twist on the themes of steampunk and science-fiction and develop engaging characters and storylines. This is an excellent introduction to my work. Enjoy the journey! Views: 822
Greegs & Ladders is a wildly exciting tale of three oddball characters romping around space and time. Equal parts social satire and fun loving adventure, Greegs promises laughs, a few mildly intelligent and/or interesting observations, & several run-on sentences. You'll also get to find out what the hell Greegs are, and how life on Earth came to be, and the meaning of it all (at no extra charge.)Greetings Earth creatures. This book has been dropped off on your planet for the purpose of... well, for you to read it. I'm not sure if you'll like it, I might not if I was you. I'd wager many of you won't be big fans. The investment banking community will especially be... put off by some of what is contained here. An advanced copy was sent to your virtual place of worship 'Reddit' and met with mixed results. While spending nearly a full day on the front page, many Earthlings voiced their stern displeasure with the book. Many others found it lovely. I'm not sure who I'm more concerned for. Either way this is a book I only meant to help with. I know sometimes books, words and ideas can make you humans angry; but then again, pretty much everything seems to do that. In the end, just remember it's only words in a book. Can't we all just get along and go for a swim instead? Views: 821
Chloe is a private investigator hired to find a missing painting. Chloe's brother and his hot, new partner are detectives in the Rapides Parish Sherriff's Department keep getting in her way. They don't slow her down but the person shooting at her does. But doesn't stop her from her task. Chloe's adventure is funny to everyone but her.Chloe Babineaux is a private investigator from central Louisiana with an aggravating cop brother who has a hot, new partner who apparently doesn't understand English. The words 'stay away' confounds him. Chloe is hired to find a missing painting. No problem if the painting hasn't been missing for long. Problem: It's been missing for 100 years. She digs her heels in and hunts for the elusive painting. Her family she can avoid the person shooting at her is harder to do.Chloe's adventures are funny, intriguing and will keep you turning the pages.Chloe Babineaux Private InvestigatorChloe Babineaux In Over Her Head Views: 821
Burton & Swinburne return in a new series! The Beast is coming. History will be remade. Since the assassination of Queen Victoria in 1840, a cabal of prominent men-including King George V, HRH Prince Albert, Benjamin Disraeli, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel-has received guidance from the Afterlife. The spirit of a dead mystic, Abdu El Yezdi, has helped them to steer the empire into a period of unprecedented peace and creativity. But on the eve of a groundbreaking alliance with the newly formed Greater German Confederation, scientists, surgeons, and engineers are being abducted-including Brunel! The government, in search of answers, turns to the Afterlife, only to find that Abdu El Yezdi is now refusing to speak with the living. Enter the newly-knighted Sir Richard Francis Burton, fresh from his discovery of the source of the Nile. Appointed the king's agent, he must trace the missing luminaries and solve the mystery of Abdu El Yezdi's silence. But the Beast has been summoned. How can the famous explorer fulfill his mission when his friends and loved ones are being picked off, one by one, by what appears to be a supernatural entity-by, perhaps, Abdu El Yezdi himself? Views: 821
Kalli Hardford is forced to leave her home in the US to attend an elite music college in the UK when she is accepted on scholarship. There she meets the members of Data Venia, a group on campus focused on excellence. When Kalli's scholarship is put at risk she must choose between friendship and getting ahead. All of the members of Data Venia must face their past to start their careers.Jack Swan Adventures - The Time Travel Disasters.This is the second in the series of 'Ridiculous Comedy' short stories about the misadventures of Salisbury, England's talking swan. The ten short stories deal in a humorous way with many of today's pressing problems. From corporate corruption and genetically modified food, to the distinct possibility of cosmic catastrophe from a rogue asteroid. The book comes with 14, colour, full page, photo-composition illustrations, that leave the reader no doubt that Jack Swan, is no ordinary talking fowl. The time travel stories deal with the Mark Twain's account of two lost steamers in Nicaragua to Albert Einstein's secretive trip to Panama in 1933. There is also the farcical story of a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake at London's Royal Albert Hall, except with a real lake and real swans - this just screams that a disaster will happen and Jack Swan never disappoints. Many historic facts are woven into the tales and many Jack Swan readers feel these weird story's inevitably must become a hillarious movie. As the British comedy team Monty Python used to say: "And now for something completely different." Views: 821
Srebrenica Massacre: a fairy story for grown-ups based on the official Dutch army report on the Srebrenica massacre. When the killer lambs’ supply of soft tissue toilet paper runs out, the outlook for the goats is ominous as the Big Bad Wolf closes in.Srebrenica - the Dutch soldiers’ contemptuous name for Srebrenica was Goat Country, scene of one of the worst massacres in post-war Europe. The United Nations persuaded the Muslims in Srebrenica to disarm, having first assured them that they would be protected by the Dutch Army. Result: up to eight thousand Muslim men were massacred by the Serbs. This fairy tale is inspired by the official Dutch Army report on the events in the Srebrenica enclave – it is all there in the report, right down to the last piece of soft tissue toilet paper. Views: 821
A short story set in the DEATHLESS universe!Jolly must go under the sands of the Vegas desert to confront his past.When love is no longer enough, positivity seems unreachable. Brian is indeed flawed beyond his own understanding, but he longs for nothing more then to hold his wife once more. Though he constantly fights his impulsive indifference, he pushes himself, in one final moment, to prove to her that he can be the man that she deserves. Views: 821
