Fan favorite ex-Amish occult detective Levi Stolzfus, the star of Ghost Walk and A Gathering of Crows, returns in two novellas of demons and monsters! The Witching Tree In the woods of Pennsylvania there is a clearing with only one lone tree in the center. And from that tree, there comes only death. Levi has been brought in to investigate the mysterious killings. In doing so, he must face a force much older than mankind—an evil that will threaten to take his life and faith. The Last of the Albatwitches There's an old legend about the forest surrounding Chickies Rock — how it's the home to a reclusive race of Sasquatch-like creatures known as the Albatwitches. But after a recent murder, Levi suspects there might be some truth to the stories. Now he must race against both the Cryptid Hunters reality television team and a squad of private security contractors from the mysterious Globe Corporation, to unravel the source of the legend and determine what manner of monster has turned the forest into a killing ground. Views: 647
The Noble Hustle is Pulitzer finalist Colson Whitehead’s hilarious memoir of his search for meaning at high stakes poker tables, which the author describes as “Eat, Pray, Love for depressed shut-ins.”
On one level, The Noble Hustle is a familiar species of participatory journalism--a longtime neighborhood poker player, Whitehead was given a $10,000 stake and an assignment from the online online magazine Grantland to see how far he could get in the World Series of Poker. But since it stems from the astonishing mind of Colson Whitehead (MacArthur Award-endorsed!), the book is a brilliant, hilarious, weirdly profound, and ultimately moving portrayal of--yes, it sounds overblown and ridiculous, but really!--the human condition.
After weeks of preparation that included repeated bus trips to glamorous Atlantic City, and hiring a personal trainer to toughen him up for sitting at twelve hours a stretch, the author journeyed to the gaudy wonderland that is Las Vegas – the world’s greatest “Leisure Industrial Complex” -- to try his luck in the multi-million dollar tournament. Hobbled by his mediocre playing skills and a lifelong condition known as “anhedonia” (the inability to experience pleasure) Whitehead did not – spoiler alert! - win tens of millions of dollars. But he did chronicle his progress, both literal and existential, in this unbelievably funny, uncannily accurate social satire whose main target is the author himself.
Whether you’ve been playing cards your whole life, or have never picked up a hand, you’re sure to agree that this book contains some of the best writing about beef jerky ever put to paper.
From the Hardcover edition. Views: 647
EARTH 2788 - The Earth Girl Short Stories
A collection of eight prequel stories, set in the distant future of the Earth Girl trilogy (Earth Girl, Earth Star, and Earth Flight)
In the year 2788, people use interstellar portals to travel between over a thousand colony worlds scattered across six sectors of space, each with their own contrasting cultures. On the rich worlds of Alpha sector, you aren’t considered fully adult until 25, while the frontier worlds of Epsilon sector expect a girl to marry at 17. Clan centred Beta sector is notoriously permissive, while Deltan worlds consider it shocking behaviour to kiss in public. In Kappa sector, the military battle to make new worlds safe for colonization, while Earth is a semi-abandoned ruin.
Each story features one of the characters from the Earth Girl trilogy. Eight people, with eight very distinctive backgrounds and problems, all destined to get caught up in one girl’s fight for acceptance. A fight that will change Earth forever.
Cover art by Alex Storer/ http://www.thelightdream.net/
EARTH 2788 – Short story. Jarra trespasses on forbidden ground.
ALPHA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Dalmora’s sheltered life is about to change.
BETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. Lolia’s marriage is falling apart.
GAMMA SECTOR 2788 -Short story. Krath’s life is literally on the scrap heap.
DELTA SECTOR 2788 – Short story. Fian’s father is planning his future for him, but Fian has his own ideas.
EPSILON SECTOR 2788 – Short story. On a frontier planet, Amalie is considering possible husbands.
KAPPA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. As he hands over a new world to its first colonists, Colonel Riak Torrek plans to retire.
ZETA SECTOR 2788 – A novelette. The heroic Major Drago Tell Dramis has finally found something that scares him.
This set of stories is no longer on the author's website but is now available worldwide in a range of ebook formats as well as paperback. Views: 647
A young man responds to the needs of his country and leaves home to head for a training camp in the armed forces. Initially he is stationed only fifty miles from home, but it wasn't long before he ended up at the other end of the country. The unit was on the edge of a beautiful village, and it wasn't long before the new recruits got to know the local countryside and its residents.A young man responds to the needs of his country and leaves home to head for a training camp in the armed forces. Initially he is stationed only fifty miles from home, but it wasn't long before he ended up at the other end of the country. The unit was on the edge of a beautiful village, and it wasn't long before the new recruits got to know the local countryside and its residents. The shy young soldier found himself attracted to a girl from the village. The vagaries of war ensured that they would be separated, but they pledged that they would keep in contact whatever happened.These were days when people had little control over their destiny, and they had to have faith that better times would emerge. But life could be cruel, and setbacks were always lurking around one corner or another. Willpower and tenacity were important assets when one had to play the hand they were dealt, as exemplified by this young couple. Even then, there were unexpected pitfalls. This wartime romance is a perfect example. Views: 647
Tyler Pressley has just lost her marketing job… on Thanksgiving, no less. When Cliff, the owner of the failing diner next door, offers her a free dinner, she accepts… neither of them expecting how grateful they’ll be for what happens next.How far would you go to escape your own personal teenage hell? Would you run away, break away from everything you know—even your own body? Alex Robbins, Brooke Saunders and Maryanne Hemlock could not be more different, yet they all have something in common—deep and soul-searing pain. They are also all students at Streep Academy, a boarding school just one step away from juvie, where they've come to complete high school. In the forbidden attic of the old Victorian house-turned-residence, the girls discover the diary of Connie Harvell, a young woman who was confined and abused there some 50 years ago. In the end, Connie’s attic prison couldn't hold her—not completely. She found a way out. At least a dark part of her did. And after reading her diary, the girls discover they can escape at will too. A terrifying, thrilling flight from their bodies and their troubles. But God help them, their pain isn't all they leave behind when they join with the night. And God help anyone who’s wronged them... Views: 647
A lost and found notebook has new entries. A series of flash fiction.Bumble Jacket Miscellany: a miscellany for poetry and fiction, a biannually published literary magazine, has been created with the purpose of publishing the best poetry and short fiction, regardless of style, genre, or approach. In this Winter 2011 issue of Bumble Jacket Miscellany: Go to the race tracks, have a little wine with your breakfast, and overhear a conversation between the ghosts of Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn in this winter's issue of Bumble Jacket Miscellany. Views: 647
Chloe believes in fairy tales….The does in the herd have shunned The Mate, thinking of it as little more than an arranged marriage. But Chloe thinks the idea of being fated to someone forever is romantic. So excited about The Mate, Chloe can’t wait until the night of the ceremony, and heads out in the forest in search of her mate.Cane’s tired of running….Everything in his life has ended badly, and there was only one place left that felt like the right place to go: his family’s cabin outside of Colorado Springs. Cane had been dreaming of the forest, and something much more primal that was begging to be let out. When Cane aims his rifle at a doe in the forest, he has no idea she’s exactly what he’s been looking for. Views: 647
In a future world where an oppressive government has created a new Dark Ages, Chandler was born with a unique moral intelligence that allowed him to understand instinctively how to communicate with an artificial intelligence that no one else had yet understood.Our hero stumbles into a secret society that introduces him to a world of high technology that the government has tried hard to keep secret. In the process, he develops a unique level of cooperation from the singular artificial intelligence entity used by everyone. His talent for moral discernment is a perfect match for how the AI works. While addressing some of the same kinds of adventure as other Science Fiction works, this book approaches from a different moral perspective entirely. It addresses some of the questions of human religion without clinging to materialism, but also with very little reference to what has come before. The first in a series, this and the following volumes provide background, belonging to the same universe as The Chronicles of Misty by the same author. Views: 647
After a violent encounter with Alfonzo Marcelo a local drug leader in Rio de Janeiro, Detective Rodriquez is left emotionally scarred.Three years on, Rodriquez stumbles upon a clue that will set him on a pulsating collision course with Marcelo once more. Only this time, the stakes are much higher. Rodriquez must choose whether he keeps the oath he swore to his wife or become what he is not.After a violent encounter with Alfonzo Marcelo a local drug leader in Rio de Janeiro, Detective Rodriquez is left emotionally scarred. Three years on, while investigating another homicide, Rodriquez stumbles upon a clue that will set him on a pulsating collision course with Marcelo once more. Only this time, the stakes are much higher. Marcelo is working with the untouchables, Cartel capos and corrupt government officials who will stop at nothing to protect their investments. Detective Rodriquez has one ally though, his best friend the Secretary of Security for the City of Rio Miguel Almeida. Miguel, a former cop turned business man is well connected and influential. He too harbors a secret he is determined to keep from Rodriquez until the right time. Faced with adversaries on every side, Rodriquez must choose whether he keeps the oath he swore to his wife or become what he is not. Views: 647
1931- Brock Stone returns from places unknown to claim an inheritance an unravel a mystery his grandfather left behind. Stone and his companions set off on an action-packed adventure where enemies lurk in the shadows and the past comes to life. Mysteries, thrills, monsters, and more in David Wood’s adventure, Arena of Souls. Views: 646
She’s a grad student inexperienced in love. He’s a charming negotiator with a colorful past. Insecurities threaten their relationship when she decides to take a chance on the heartbreaker.Ashlynn Peters is ever the optimist when it comes to love, but even she's surprised to cross paths with a real-life Prince Charming. Her childhood crush is back in town, and he's more handsome than she remembers and also more intriguing than any man she’s ever dated.Ashlynn finds herself falling hard for Jeremy, only to discover he's not the perfect guy she thought he was. Will she choose to look past Jeremy's tarnished armor or give up on finding her happily-ever-after?Inspired by the author's own love story, this romantic novella will have you laughing, dreaming, and wondering if fairy tales really do come true.*NOTE* 'Taking A Chance On The Heartbreaker' was formerly titled 'Straight To You'. This story was edited and re-released with a new cover for your reading pleasure. Views: 646
