In election year 2048, candidates are media celebs. Campaigns are game shows. TV networks have merged with political parties to run "quality" candidates. A Government agency assures everybody plays by the rules using an advanced neural network and robots as enforcers. A Nobel physicist discovers technology-driven fraud that even the media parties don't suspect—and ends up on a neural-net hit list.The Media Candidate is a rigorous, high-tech, action-thriller novel studying the merger of politics and the media, set in the presidential election year 2048.Politics in the mid twenty-first century has evolved to political game shows they call elections and to multimedia hype, sex, and trivia that sustains and embodies society. These are the icons of the reawakening of the American spirit of political participation. But behind this facade lurks an age old establishment sired by opportunities that aggressive humans have seized in every generation and in every fold of the social fabric.This social revolution mirrored a dazzling technology upheaval, an eruption which engendered a new player in the Government’s bureaucracy: an advanced neural-network computer. Trained to serve, to be a neurocrat, it transmuted into a clandestine monarch. This super computer contrived its own Boolean paranoia and a ruthless strategy that served it well against humans. Only a pair of humans struggled to understand it—its creator and a hacker. But neither had the insight to fear it.The computer lives at COPE, the Committee for Political Equality, a powerful Government agency formed by the first US President from one of the new “media parties.” COPE’s function is to maintain “a level playing field” for the political process, thus tightly controlling the political arena. Sherwood is a sinister and brilliant engineer turned spy and behavioral scholar. He teams with another nerd, the same hapless hacker who is on a collision course with the neural network, to tackle one of the most sensitive jobs at COPE—debugging COPE’s most efficient enforcer of the new century’s “disciplined democracy”: a cunning spider robot.The insightful neural network discovers the benefit of commanding such arachnids. COPE may control the masses, but the real master of this media republic controls COPE, and does it with such finesse that no one even suspects it … at least no one who lives.The tragic hero, Dr. Elliott T. Townsend, enters this strange world after a career buried in the depths of a high-energy physics lab. He encounters Guinda Burns, a beautiful, young, and naive worker for the CBS Republican Party, and they find themselves opposed by COPE and its enforcers and confronted by Sherwood. But Sherwood stuns Elliott with his insight that human nature is immutable, and that society has evolved very little despite harsh cosmetic changes.Elliott overcomes robotic spies and spider assassins, but he is not a leader, he is just a fossil of a bygone era, just as Guinda is a loyal daughter of her century. The ultimate question Elliott confronts is—does anyone care? Views: 710
Mira receives a bill from her credit card company with massive charges she claims she never made. The mystery really begins when she learns that all signs point in her direction after all.It’s hard enough to just be a teenager these days, but when Emma’s parents move her and her younger brother, P, out of the city and into an old run down house in the country, her world is turned upside down. Not only does she have to leave her friends behind and start at a new school, but her parents are making her help them restore the old house. Things start to look up, however, when she finds a journal belonging to a girl that once lived in the house. Emma learns of a magic book, hidden somewhere in the house, that has the power to transport her and her friends back in time. With the help of her brother, P, and Zack, the cute boy who lives next door, they find the book and the adventure begins. They travel together from one time period to another, meeting famous people, seeing history up close and trying to get themselves out of some sticky situations. At first, the journey is exciting as they face new challenges and even make new friends, but as the kids begin to get homesick, they realize that they are stuck in a perpetual time warp. Will they ever get home? Views: 710
In downtown Chicago, Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her roommate Quinn Collins to question how well she really knew her friend. Meanwhile, in a small town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us. Views: 710
Neil Black is a run-down assassin desperately looking for his magic hit - the one hit on a drug lord or a dictator that might save thousands from addiction and oppression. So when he glimpses that magic hit in the form of a big time mob boss, he takes the chance and gets his dream hit, not realizing his family will get caught in the crossfire.Neil Black is a run-down assassin desperately looking for his magic hit - the one hit on a drug lord or a dictator that might save thousands from addiction and oppression. So when he glimpses that magic hit in the form of a big time mob boss, he takes the chance and gets his dream hit. He doesn’t, however, predict the horrific cost that his parents and younger brother may have to pay after he succeeds. Now it’s up to Neil and his fellow assassin Trecheon Omnir to use all their skills and knowledge to fight the coming storm – before Neil’s family become the mob’s next victims. Views: 709
Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary–known as The Library of Congress to Hushlanders–the seat of Evil Librarian power. Without his Talent to draw upon, can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians once and for all? Views: 709
Into Focus, the first entry in the Focus urban fantasy series, sends readers head-first into a world of wizards, shapeshifters, and terrorist plots.Into Focus, the first entry in the Focus urban fantasy series, sends readers head-first into a world of wizards, shapeshifters, and terrorist plots. For someone who can look like anyone he wants, espionage is easy. Set in modern-day America, Into Focus brings you along for the ride as Rick Torin, skinchanger and freelance spy, infiltrates a corporate mercenary office building full of armed guards and secrets. He’s supposed to steal some information, but finds a lot more than he bargained for, and is faced with a choice: let thousands die, or do something about it. Fans of The Dresden Files will love the humor and action in this novella, a story of intrigue, magic, and espionage. Who hired Rick? What are their intentions? Can Rick figure out who is behind a plot to kill thousands? Buy Now and Find Out What Happens Next... Views: 709
Two teen Princesses must leave their majestic and envied island of Artinia in search of their little sister, who may or may not have been kidnapped by a gang of raiders. Will they be able to find her? Or is she gone forever?Two teen Princesses must leave the majestic island of Artinia for the first time and embark upon an island hopping adventure (via canoe) to find their little sister, who may or may not have been kidnapped by enemy warriors.Throughout the journey, the sisters become fascinated with and humbled by the uniqueness of each island; and thus try to create peace among the islanders- something that have never before existed. However, their main motive is always to find their sister before it is too late. Will they be able to?Young girls will learn a lot from the powerful issues of: love, loss and betrayal, portrayed in the story. They will also fall in love with its fun and whimsical nature; as well as the unique island setting. Views: 709
In the days just before the rise of the Internet a music scene begins in the small Midwestern city of Terre Haute, Indiana and the local club owner has a fierce vision of the town becoming the next Seattle. But there is a long way to go for these scruffy upstarts. Some obstacles: a big-time music journalist with motivational difficulties, antics of the musicians and a politician out to make a nameIn the days just before the rise of the Internet a music scene begins in the small Midwestern city of Terre Haute, Indiana and the local club owner has a fierce vision of the town becoming the next Seattle. But there is a long way to go to get from a haven for scruffy upstarts to international fame. Some of the obstacles: a big-time music journalist with motivational difficulties, the antics of the musicians and their fans, a politician looking to make a name and the club owner’s own personal drive. Throughout it all, the music flows, but will that be enough? Views: 709
In the war-ravaged England of 1940, Charlotte Bromley is sure of only one thing: Kitty McLaughlin is her best friend in the whole world. But when Charlotte's scientist father makes an astonishing discovery that the Germans will covet for themselves, Charlotte is faced with an impossible choice between danger and safety. Should she remain with her friend or journey to another time and place? Her split-second decision has huge consequences, and when she finds herself alone in the world, unsure of Kitty's fate, she knows that somehow, some way, she must find her way back to her friend. Written in the spirit of classic time-travel tales, this book is an imaginative and heartfelt tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship. Views: 709
Sometimes when you get what you want, you realize it isn't what you really wanted.A grain of sand wants to be something else. After becoming a beautiful pearl, the grain realizes it was happier as a grain of sand. Views: 709
Sandy asks the Russian Princess the one question she’s not supposed to: Why do you sleep?For the princess and her siblings are cursed to sleep endlessly, ruling through the granting of magical swan feathers that lead to an answer. And so Sandy is led from her life in Victorian London to one of mystical lakes and swan maidens – yet discovering the curse’s source could result in her own death"One thing about living in New Orleans I never could stomach...all the damn zombies." That seems to be the popular sentiment as the wild decadence and splendor of the Crescent City is underlined with the very real threat of a zombie apocalypse. In OCCUPATION, two best friends struggle to survive in a post-Katrina New Orleans in which several of the city’s residents have turned into mindless, ravenous zombies. Largely ignored by many in the city/state legislature, the city’s residents are forced to defend themselves against a mysterious epidemic that has many baffled as to the true nature of its origin.Now on the heels of a city swept in the madness and hysteria of both Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl, two friends race against time in a last ditch effort to discover the truth behind the cause of the virus before it is too late. OCCUPATION is a funny, insightful and haunting story bringing a new twist on zombie folklore. Views: 708
Ariana Colla is a queen among her people. As one third of a ruling triumvirate she has power and prestige, but she believes she has never let it go to her head. Her power as a politician is matched only by her power to wield fire with her hands and mind. She and her society are refined and sophisticated.
Raja Sin is also a ruler of his people, but they are very far from being refined. Arianna considers him and his people barbarians. Savages that have vexed the Saren people with war and bullying.
But that’s supposedly all in the past. There is peace now between the Sarens and Sin’s people. But that doesn’t change the hard feelings left behind by war and it doesn’t change Ariana’s opinion of Sin.
Sin feels just the opposite. He finds everything about Ariana to be fascinating and exciting. In fact, ever since the conclusion of their peace talks he has been unable to erase her from his thoughts. She is in his mind and in his blood like a fever that won’t break. It drives him mad until he is compelled to take drastic action.
Sin and Ariana are two opposite sides of a coin, the same but different. They each want what’s best for their people, and they each have trouble seeing issues from the other’s perspective. Can Raja Sin get Ariana to see things his way? Or are they destined to remain worlds apart? Views: 708
In a hauntingly perfect neighborhood only known as Woodbridge, Merci is at odds with himself, everything and everyone around him. As he struggles with life as a self-doubting yet somehow confident and sarcastic success to the people around him, his life changes when he meets a beautiful girl under the lamp lit streets of Primrose.In a hauntingly perfect neighborhood only known as Woodbridge, Merci is at odds with himself, everything and everyone around him. As he struggles with life as a self-doubting yet somehow confident and sarcastic success to the people around him, his life changes when he meets a beautiful girl under the lamp lit streets of Primrose. This book is only for those brave enough to face the truth, because the truth can sometimes hurt. Views: 708
Jenny and Bobbie are trapped in a massage parlor and hunted by a howling, growling, salivating werewolf hungry for their flesh.Jenny and Bobbie, two of the hottest women you could ever meet, are working the night shift at the Blue Tail massage parlor on the outskirts of town. But after the full moon arises a creepy stranger arrives and they suddenly find their themselves hunted by a terrifying creature who is hungry for their hot flesh. Views: 708
This Book which has 50 differently titled Poems , is actually volume 8 of the Book titled – Life = Death – Poems on Life , Death ( 1200 pages ) .This enigmatic collection of poems explores and equates the boundless possibilities of life and death and delves into each intricate inexplicability of survival. Parekh's roving philosophical eye brings the unconquerable richness of life to the fore and yet at the same time explicitly highlights the veracity of 'death' as the absolute certainty of every existence. The poet joyously celebrates the occasions of both life and death with equal panache in each poetic stanza sewn with the uncanny mysteries of this Universe. The poems within immortalize both life and death as the ultimate victories and the two most contrastingly amazing and divine sides of creation. Catapulting the reader to the threshold of ultimate ecstasy; they bring about an impromptu twist with the closure of breath and what lies beyond. This charismatically woven collection of poetic verse would equally enamor the narcissist as well as the simple humanitarian to the core.This book is a humble attempt to enlighten the readers with the equality of life and death-and to live in both of them to the most unparalleled fullest. Embracing only the religion of humanity, as the Lord has commanded every living being on earth. You cant die in life and cant live in death-each of these components are irrefutably equal in every respect and should be worshipped with due obeisance. Views: 708
