An armchair cosmologist through the three decades of the golden age of astrophysics, I developed my own model little by little, but also with a lot of help from the alternative ideas brought to light by other writers, some of the deeper and harder to sift through writers who nevertheless offer amazingly imaginative visions that are not limited by the accepted theories of modern day science, if theAn armchair cosmologist through the three decades of the golden age of astrophysics, I developed my own model little by little, but also with a lot of help from the alternative ideas brought to light by other writers, some of the deeper and harder to sift through writers who nevertheless offer amazingly imaginative visions that are not limited by the accepted theories of modern day science, if they can posit plausible alternatives. In Hegel's Philosophy of Nature, he said we look into the nature of the physical world around us to examine the nature of god, to better understand the mysteries manifest all around us, to show us more about the mystery that we are made up of; so it's irresistible to look at the pioneering and penetrating visions of the universe from today's space telescopes, and to wonder for the first time in the history of humanity about the sky in ways never imagined.I think when we study the grand visions of cosmologists on what the universe is, how it's made, where it's going, it isn't necessarily about reality; of course it makes efforts to map back to reality, but we are as much studying humanity's imagination as we are the relation of the components of the universe. It's not necessarily a study of the universe as much as it is a study of visions of the universe in mankind, and the changes possible to these visions based on the unprecedented science of today.But one other reason I think the study of the object called the universe is important, though it is admittedly a very different size species of organism than our peers, is the holographic idea that we are all microcosms of the macrocosm; the study of flow has made it clear that there are principles that span space and time in this universe, and from the star to the stellar mass black hole to the super massive black hole and the quasar core of the HLIRG's (hyper luminous infrared galaxies), and right back down to human beings, there is a nature to the flow through time, a presence of grace in that flow, and an all-permeating mystery. The more clues we can get, at any scale, allow us to better model and predict all the other scales, to light up aspects of thick dark reality that were hidden from all the shamans and sorcerers of the past millennia. Views: 806
From author Andrew Fukuda comes The Trap, the explosive finale to The Hunt trilogy―perfect for fans of The Hunger Games!After barely escaping the Mission alive, Gene and Sissy face an impossible task: staying alive long enough to stop an entire world bent on their destruction. Bound on a train heading into the unknown with the surviving Mission girls, Gene, Sissy, David, and Epap must stick together and use everything they have to protect each other and their only hope: the cure that will turn the blood-thirsty creatures around them into humans again. Now that they know how to reverse the virus, Gene and Sissy have one final chance to save those they love and create a better life for themselves. But as they struggle to get there, Gene's mission sets him on a crash course with Ashley June, his first love . . . and his deadliest enemy. Views: 806
The year is 1546.
Europe lives in fear of the powerful Islamic empire to the East. Under its charismatic Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, it is an empire on the rise. It has defeated Christian fleets. It has conquered Christian cities.
Then the Sultan sends out an invitation to every king in Europe: send forth your champion to compete in a tournament unlike any other.
We follow the English delegation, selected by King Henry VIII himself, to the glittering city of Constantinople, where the most amazing tournament ever staged will take place.
But when the stakes are this high, not everyone plays fair, and for our team of plucky English heroes, winning may not be the primary goal. As a series of barbaric murders take place, a more immediate goal might simply be staying alive… Views: 806
After losing her older brother in a violent robbery, wedding gown designer Bianca Bradshaw refuses to date men with criminal ties. She's never been tempted to cross that line—until Sergei.
The Russian behemoth works as an enforcer for mob boss Nikolai Kalasnikov and fights as his champion in the underground bare-knuckle circuit. Sergei is absolutely the last complication she needs in her life—but he's the only man who makes her body ache with desire.
And right now she needs his help.
When he learns some creep is bothering Bianca, Sergei Sakharov vows to protect her at all costs. He's been trying to get close to the plus-sized beauty for months but she rejects him at every turn. He's determined to show her that he's worth more as a man than his criminal connections.
But Sergei's loyalty to his family—both blood and criminal—put him at odds with the future he wants with Bianca. He has to choose—the woman he desperately loves or his loyalty to the man who saved his life.
Because the darkness of the underworld he inhabits is about to spill into Bianca's life and the hardest choice may be the only one that allows him to protect her… Views: 806
When Zack convinces Zoey to sneak out of line and go looking for Walt Disney's frozen head, he never imagined that they'd actually find it.And Zoey never imagined that Zack would take it home.Over 4 dozen color images. Zack & Zoey Save Walt's Brain is approximately 25,000 words (similar in length to Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and contains no cursing or strong language.When Zack convinces Zoey to sneak out of line and go looking for Walt Disney's frozen head, he never imagined that they'd actually find it.And Zoey never imagined that Zack would take it home.Over 4 dozen full color images formatted for both color and B&W eReaders. Zack & Zoey Save Walt's Brain is approximately 25,000 words (similar in length to Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and contains no cursing or strong language. Views: 806
The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.
It went out with a bang.
Goodbye normal.
Hello dark and eerie.
While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late?
http://us.macmillan.com/deathdoomandd... Views: 806
Nothing defines a life more clearly, than its use of power. As more details about the Novacula are revealed, the picture of the conflict and its antagonists comes into focus. Crim and Denek's actions are placed into context, suddenly framing them with astonishing consequences as the two troopers continue to apply their own peculiar reasoning to survive in a world beyond their knowledge.The PA is a humourous short story about the world post-apocalypse (PA). It is 1182 words. Views: 806
Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours…because that’s what I do. I want. My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy. I’m Spencer Blackwell…And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Views: 806
When Alison closes up her fashion boutique for the night, a chance encounter with Peter, the security guard, changes her life forever.Peter is used to people looking straight through him, but when Alison engages in conversation he's faced with the dark realisation that she is just like him.A short ghost story with a heartwarming twist.Petty differences and jealousies between shires has led to raging battles with no end. Until the wizard Whitmoor concocts a potion to end all wars for good. Unfortunately he is shot by an arrow as he adds the last ingredient and falls into his cauldron to disappear for ever. But there is no stopping the spell, and a magnificent beast arises, a ferocious dragon that puts an end to the battle. But this beast has an appetite for roast cattle and a penchant for midnight runs over villages. Soon all the people of the shire are afraid to leave their huts to plow their fields and raise their animals. The shire is starving and the King's coffer is getting low. Thirty-five Knights have tried and failed to destroy the dragon, will Knight Morgan of Fairwinds be the thirty-sixth casualty? Views: 805
Being turned into a vampire is a real bitch, but the ordeal doesn't end when you're cured. For someone like Eile, it can be just the beginning.... This is a short story.When Eile was turned into a vampire, her partner Sunny and their mentor Medb hErenn moved heaven and earth to find a cure, with the help of their nemesis, Dr. Mabuse. Unfortunately, that was not the end of her ordeal.She must now come to terms with what she did, and find a way to assuage the terrible guilt she feels concerning what she did, despite the fact that she had no control over her actions. Views: 805
A personal view of East-West relationship built from real life experience and filtered via the interpretation tools of Mimetic theory of Rene GirardYasmin Naylor should be happy. She had a wonderful summer. She is joining the Varsity cheerleaders this year, and her boyfriend, David, is a true gem. Unfortunately, Yasmin is anxious about this year and about life. She's trying to control her fears, but she can't help but think things are going to fall apart.Nicole Lawson is pretty unhappy. Though she is a parent's dream, she feels alone. She enjoys spending time with her best friend, Yasmin, but sometimes that isn't enough. Nicole wants to be known, liked, and befriended by her peers. She wants a boyfriend and the teen life she sees on TV. Now that she's officially sixteen, Nicole is allowed to date. She has her sights set on Kenneth, but she's much to shy to approach him. Can Nicole be the person she wants to be?Anya Dorn is bored. Her family moved to Virginia from Florida. Though her stepfather is alright and her new stepsister is adorable, Anya is nervous about being in a new school and a new place. When Anya meets David, the attraction is instant. Unfortunately, David has a girlfriend. Anya, never one to back down from what she wants, decides to go after David. Will she be able to break Yasmin and David up? Views: 805
A new Newsflesh novella from the New York Times bestselling author that brought you Feed, Mira Grant.
Post-Rising Australia can be a dangerous place, especially if you're a member of the government-sponsored Australia Conservation Corps, a group of people dedicated to preserving their continent's natural wealth until a cure can be found. Between the zombie kangaroos at the fences and the zombie elephant seals turning the penguin rookery at Prince Phillip Island into a slaughterhouse, the work of an animal conservationist is truly never done--and is often done at the end of a sniper rifle. Views: 804
Set in the late Georgian era, Elizabeth Bailey’s traditional historical romance features an unconventional heroine with a rebellious spirit who runs headlong into adventure.[Contains FREE BOOK offer]Threatened with a pistol by the young lady discovered in a deserted mansion, Major Gerald Alderley is instantly intrigued. Who is the beautiful intruder? And why does she disguise herself as a nun? What circumstance has thrust her into an enterprise both foolhardy and dangerous? The girl’s French accent places her with the émigrés from across the channel, except that Mademoiselle insists she is English.Set on unravelling the mystery, Gerald begins a relentless pursuit, hunting down every possible clue - much to the indignation of Mademoiselle. When her life proves to be in danger from the villainous émigré Valade, Gerald has his work cut out. For Mademoiselle Melusine, engaged in a desperate battle to prove her true identity, believes she is well able to take care of herself and is determined not to be rescued. Views: 804
Before Snow White fled...she fell. SNOW FALLS is a brief window in to the events that led to Snow White's legendary escape from the huntsman.Before Snow White fled...she fell. A mirror is unveiled, a young woman is corrupted. A great king falls prey to a mysterious illness and war sweeps through the land. These are the events that set the stage for EVERMORE: THE RYLAKIAN HEIR. Views: 804
Some people want it all, and think they know everything. Oh how wrong they are!Ashden Jaybanks,15, is relieved as he hammers the tack into his final rescue notice. It will no doubt lead to ridicule and bruises from Oscar, but what’s new? And if it saves a soul or two, he can quit in good conscience. Yes, it’s time to give up and concentrate on his mother whose mind has all but gone and whose terrors rule her. It’s also time to grow up...in this world. His plans are thwarted when a strangely forgettable red head witnesses his movement through the gateway under the fig. No-one has ever been able to see his comings and goings to the Timefold before. Could she be the same as him? But why can’t he recall ever seeing her before? Alone in her hideout, Elanora, 13, has been watching Ashden; curious as to how the most bullied kid in school can stand so confidently amongst the roots of the spectral fig when everyone else is scared to death of it. Especially her. When he finally reveals that he can see souls in animal replicas and that she has an unsurpassed ability to create such souls, Elanora refuses to let him keep her from her destiny. She must be taken to see the rescued ones and will join his mission to save them. And that may happen...if Ashden can remember her in the morning. Views: 804
