Inspired by the horror stories of Poe, this is a tale of man dogged by the curse of a perished lighthouse keeper.What Grant Smith loses at seven is much more than his father. He loses his faith, his happiness—his identity. The years turn him into a man without reason. At eighteen he is just as lost as when he was a child. All he wants is happiness. One day it is found in the form of a girl named Chelsea. She is damaged much like him. They fall in love.Grant is a man haunted by things he has always avoided. Despite a new sense of happiness he can’t escape the darkness that was born within him. It manifests in the form of a father now transformed by his own demons.In a dream he frenetically claims happiness. But, the father with a monster attached mocks him for it. The truth he doesn’t want to face is that he is not happy. Or if he is, he fears it is only temporary.And it is…The war that started after 9/11 branches off into others; the president who promised change is reelected; a once bright future has become something bleak. The Draft is put back into effect.On a day when two explosions paint the sky in Baghdad, Grant unleashes his darkness. Every choice has a consequence. His is unimaginable.His father’s death left him a man without reason. The war leaves him a man changed for the worse. He knows of his darkness. He let it free. And now it threatens to take away everything he loves… Views: 578
This tale of missing children and mythic monsters is “a fantastic novel in every sense of the word” (Karl Ove Knausgård ).
Summer 1978. A young boy disappears without a trace from a summer cabin. His mother claims he was carried away by a giant. He is never found.
Twenty-five years later, another child goes missing. This time there’s a lead, a single photograph taken by Susso Myrén. She’s devoted her life to the search for trolls, legendary giants known as stallo who can control human thoughts and assume animal form. Convinced that the fabled beasts are real, she follows the trail of missing children to northern Sweden. But humans, some part stallo themselves, have been watching over the creatures for generations, and this hidden society of protectors won’t hesitate to close its deadly ranks.
Mixing folklore and history, suspense and the supernatural, The Shapeshifters is an extraordinary journey into a frozen land where myth bleeds into reality.
“Spjut has accomplished the masterstroke of writing convincingly about the existence of trolls and other mythical creatures in the Nordic forests . . . all this unfolds in a language that captures the everyday reality we know so well, with such precision and exquisite style that the words seem to sparkle on the page.” —Karl Ove Knausgård, author of My Struggle
“A fun, cunning crime thriller . . . If you enjoy the novels of Michael Koryta or Tana French’s The Secret Place . . . you might eat up The Shapeshifters.” — Chicago Tribune
“Spjut turns Scandinavian mythology upside down in a shades-of-gray world built for lovers of fantastical suspense.” — Publishers Weekly
**ReviewAn On-the-Watch-for Summer Read from the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch "A fun, cunning crime thriller...If you enjoy the novels of Michael Koryta or Tana French's The Secret Place...you might eat up The Shapeshifters."
— Chicago Tribune “A fantastic novel in every sense of the word…not only because Spjut has accomplished the masterstroke of writing convincingly about the existence of trolls and other mythical creatures in the Nordic forests, but also because all this unfolds in a language that captures the everyday reality we know so well, with such precision and exquisite style that the words seem to sparkle on the page.”
—Karl Ove Knausgård “Spjut turns Scandinavian mythology upside down in a shades-of-gray world built for lovers of fantastical suspense.”
— Publishers Weekly "This spooky novel is great for open-minded mystery/thriller readers who enjoy a bit of genre blending as well as fantasy fans."
— Library JournalAn On-the-Watch-for Summer Read from the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch
( Saint Louis Post-Dispatch ) "A fun, cunning crime thriller...If you enjoy the novels of Michael Koryta or Tana French's The Secret Place...you might eat up The Shapeshifters."
( Chicago Tribune ) “A fantastic novel in every sense of the word…not only because Spjut has accomplished the masterstroke of writing convincingly about the existence of trolls and other mythical creatures in the Nordic forests, but also because all this unfolds in a language that captures the everyday reality we know so well, with such precision and exquisite style that the words seem to sparkle on the page.”
( Karl Ove Knausgård ) “Spjut turns Scandinavian mythology upside down in a shades-of-gray world built for lovers of fantastical suspense.”
( Publishers Weekly ) "This spooky novel is great for open-minded mystery/thriller readers who enjoy a bit of genre blending as well as fantasy fans."
( Library Journal ) From the Back Cover
“A fantastic novel in every sense of the word…not only because Spjut has accomplished the masterstroke of writing convincingly about the existence of trolls and other mythical creatures in the Nordic forests, but also because all this unfolds in a language that captures the everyday reality we know so well, with such precision and exquisite style that the words seem to sparkle on the page.”
—Karl Ove Knausgård
Summer 1978. A young boy disappears without a trace from a summer cabin. His mother claims he was carried away by a giant. He is never found.
Twenty-five years later, another child goes missing. This time there’s a lead, a single photograph taken by Susso Myrén. She’s devoted her life to the search for trolls, legendary giants known as stallo who can control human thoughts and assume animal form. Convinced that the trolls are real, she follows the trail of missing children to northern Sweden. But humans, some part stallo themselves, have been watching over the creatures for generations, and this hidden society of protectors won’t hesitate to close its deadly ranks.
Mixing folklore and history, suspense and the supernatural, The Shapeshifters is an extraordinary journey into a frozen land where myth bleeds into reality.
“Spjut turns Scandinavian mythology upside down in a shades-of-gray world built for lovers of fantastical suspense.” — Publishers Weekly
Stefan Spjut was raised on the rural islands of Mälaren. He served with the Lapland Ranger Regiment and studied art, literature, philosophy, and journalism at Stockholm University. He lives in Stockholm with his two children. Views: 578
There are towers, there in the dark under the yellow sin. Huge towers, where all your burdens are held, just waiting for you to be ready to face them. You have a sword, and your memory. Whether that is enough is up to you. Views: 578
Forever is a new monthly science fiction magazine that features previously published stories you might have missed. Each issue will feature a novella, author, two short stories, and cover art by Ron Guyatt. Edited by the Hugo and World Fantasy Award winning editor of Clarkesworld Magazine, Neil Clarke.Our thirteenth issue features a novella by Mary Robinette Kowal ("Kiss Me Twice"), a novelette by Vandana Singh ("With Fates Conspire"), and a novelette by Peter Watts ("Collateral"). Views: 578
The inspiring story of three Poor Indian Graduate Students (also called "PIGS") who arrive in America with little concept of the challenges they will face. Based on true experiences, the novel depicts the struggles, hopes, love, friendships, success, and the indomitable spirit that resides in the hearts of immigrants who strive to make a better life for themselves and those they love.The inspiring story of three Poor Indian Graduate Students (also called "PIGS") in their early twenties who arrive in America with little concept of the challenges they will face as they make their way in a strange new land that offers both extraordinary opportunities and devastating heartbreak. Vijay was only a boy when his father heroically lost his life during the 1993 Hindu-Muslim riots in Bombay. From the time of his death, Vijay knew that he would travel to America one day in order to fulfill his father's dreams. But he never could have imagined that America might have its own plans for him, or that the dreams he had for himself could change so unexpectedly. For Lakshminarayanan, coming to America was both an escape from the fate that awaited him in India and an opportunity to save his family from an impoverished life that threatened their very survival. He had to make his plans work no matter what the personal cost, as his future was not the only one at stake. Raj was reticent about his past, secretive about his present, and never discussed his future. But he was certain of his destiny, and every decision in his life up until this point had been made with a singular goal in mind, a goal that had nothing to do with earning money, obtaining an education, or building a successful career. But all he had was a faded photograph, a CD of grainy images of 9/11, and admission to a prestigious American university. He wasn't sure it would be enough, but he couldn't turn back now. The lives of these three boys become immutably intertwined as they embark on a journey that will alter their beliefs about themselves and each other, and irrevocably change the lives of those around them. This is a story of struggles, loss, hope, love, friendship, success, and the indomitable spirit that resides in the hearts of immigrants who share a common ambition, endure a common struggle, and strive to make a better life for themselves and those they love. Views: 578
The Tarot Code offers a completely new vision of the true sense of these extraordinary figures. They are, in fact, a precise hidden Language, able to communicate with human beings without words. In order to understand them, one must be aware of the existence of a Coded Structure, Codes and Laws which allow us to establish a connection with this great timeless Wisdom. To interpret the Tarot, then, means to give Voice to a thousandyearold Alphabet, which manifests in the formation of sentences in all ways similar to speech as we know it. Views: 577
malpractice, medicine, lex artisCurrently, despite scientific progress, medicine is more complex than several centuries, its exercise is not free of mistakes, with occasionally fatal. Medical malpractice, adverse events related to iatrogenic ethical conduct of a doctor, and a good doctor-patient relationship protects you from any claims; today there are companies in the US dedicated to train health personnel to apologize and show empathy. This work detailing errors in various medical specialties: anesthesia, surgery, neurology, critical and transfusion medicine among others. The violent patient and negativity to accept therapeutic maneuvers are disturbing elements of medical practice. Autopsies are useful for correct diagnosis and determine true. Views: 577
Nuclear war has made it so that no person is able to live above ground. This caused humanity to all live beneath the earth’s surface, down in the tunnels built in preparation for a nuclear attack. The men who used to call themselves Americans find the existence difficult but bearable. Their predicament has them yearning for other possibilities. Will they find them?Nuclear war has made it so that no person is able to live above ground. This caused humanity to all live beneath the earth’s surface, down in the tunnels built in preparation for a nuclear attack. The men who used to call themselves Americans find the existence difficult but bearable. Their predicament has them yearning for other possibilities. Will they find them? Or will they be doomed to live in tunnels forever? Views: 577
When Robyn (a famous author) decides to write her masterpiece, she’s amazed to find how fast the words are flowing onto the page. But when she visits a small town in Wales to get some inspiration, things take a turn for the worse. Will she finish ‘The Crickley Bay Chronicles’?Character Building is a short story, also available in the Grown By The Wicked Moon collection by Jessica Grace Coleman. When Robyn (a famous author) decides to write her masterpiece, she’s amazed to find how fast the words are flowing onto the page. But when she visits a small town in Wales to get some inspiration, things take a turn for the worse. Will she finish ‘The Crickley Bay Chronicles’? Or will her ambitions just be too big this time? Want a Free Book? How About Two? The first book in my Little Forest paranormal mystery series, The Former World, is available for free from Smashwords, so why not check it out now? If you sign up to my mailing list at www.jessicagracecoleman.com, you can also get the second in the series, Memento Mori, absolutely free, as well as the opportunity to hear about my new releases and exclusive Readers’ Group competitions. How’s that for a bargain? Views: 577
Santa Claus is coming to town…
Feline mates and best friends shouldn’t hold secrets close to their chests, yet Camryn O’Sullivan is convinced something is going on with her shapeshifter man, Ry Coppersmith. Their lovemaking has dwindled to almost nonexistent and she’s tried everything from sexy lingerie to bluntness but nothing breaks the sexual drought.
Life on the planet of Viros is everything Ry has ever wanted. He has a beautiful mate, two cute children and many close friends, yet all is not well in his world. Problems—nagging personal concerns—abound. This time last year, he and his crew visited Camryn’s home planet of Earth and celebrated Christmas. They have their memories, yet they aren’t the same, and he knows Camryn misses her twin brother. A Christmas-tinged diversion might help while he struggles to subdue the complications messing with his head and his relationship with Camryn. Views: 577
I was just your normal teenager. Okay not normal after all I am a dragon. I was just trying to make it through high school when my parents decided to spring some horrible news on me, proving that parents just don't understand. They say I'm the chosen one but I can't even catch a cab! Let alone save my dragon kingdom! Are they crazy? Do they really think I can pull this off? I guess we'll see.I'm not what they had in mind when they were writing about heroines. I'm lazy, I'm not very useful, and oh yeah I'm fourteen. Yet, somehow little old me is supposed to save the dragon kingdom and be this great leader. Imagine how my face looked. You guessed it shocked. I'm completely convinced that my parents have gone off the deep end but then of course I could do this and be great. I could rock the dragon kingdom. Or I could just eat lunch. I'm still figuring out. Not sure what to do but I do know that I'm not ready to face whatever it is they expect me to face. I'd rather go to school and believe me that's saying a lot. Views: 577
MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Pearla prances around the house Hassan's hustle built, carelessly sneaking around with her past while being financed by her present. She's playing a dangerous love game. And someone is watching. Meanwhile, Hassan sits behind the iron bars of Rikers Island contemplating how to deal with all that he has on his plate. Bimmy, his right-hand man and trusted advisor, wants him to take action. After yet another attempt on her life, Pearla realizes it's time to grow up and choose the right man if she hopes to live happily ever after in The House That Hustle Built. Views: 577
After killing the men who tried to steal her father’s research, Juliet—along with Montgomery, Lucy, Balthazar, and a deathly ill Edward—has escaped to a remote estate on the Scottish moors. Owned by the enigmatic Elizabeth von Stein, the mansion is full of mysteries and unexplained oddities: dead bodies in the basement, secret passages, and fortune-tellers who seem to know Juliet’s secrets. Though it appears to be a safe haven, Juliet fears new dangers may be present within the manor’s own walls.
Then Juliet uncovers the truth about the manor’s long history of scientific experimentation—and her own intended role in it—forcing her to determine where the line falls between right and wrong, life and death, magic and science, and promises and secrets. And she must decide if she’ll follow her father’s dark footsteps or her mother’s tragic ones, or whether she’ll make her own.
With inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman’s Daughter trilogy is about the things we’ll sacrifice to save those we love—even our own humanity. Views: 577
