A young Hungarian woman confronts her family's past in an engrossing quest for a stolen painting.When Anika Molnar flees her home country of Hungary not long before the break-up of the Soviet Union, she carries only a small suitcase – and a beautiful and much-loved painting of an auburn-haired woman in a cobalt blue dress from her family's hidden collection.Arriving in Australia, Anika moves in with her aunt in Sydney, and the painting hangs in pride of place in her bedroom. But one day it is stolen in what seems to be a carefully planned theft, and Anika's carefree life takes a more ominous turn.Sinister secrets from her family's past and Hungary's fraught history cast suspicion over the painting's provenance, and she embarks on a gripping quest to uncover the truth.Hungary's war-torn past contrasts sharply with Australia's bright new world of opportunity in this moving and compelling mystery. Views: 516
It is a story about robin Ruby and Dimond the kitten who are best friends and the adventures they go on through the seasons. Camilla Louise wrote this story when she was 6 ½ years old. The Robin and the Kitten 2 is currently a work in progress.We hope your child will enjoy reading it as much as our daughter enjoyed writing it!Long before written history, when mankind was still spreading across the globe, one island was home to a race very similar to mankind. The People followed five spirits, one for each tribe: Earth, Metal, Animal, Plant, and Sun. As mankind spread and came to The Isle of Light they threatened to upset the delicate balance The People held most dear. So the High Priest of Airon, god of the sun and chief of the spirits, called together the kings of the five tribes.The Roses of Airon tells the story of how The People come together to work powerful magic to save their realm from invaders, and from dark spirits that threaten to consume them.This is the prequel to the upcoming series The Rose Garden by Casia Schreyer. Views: 509
A tale of two very different sisters whose 1890s voyage from London into remote outback Australia becomes a journey of self-discovery, set against a landscape of wild beauty and savage dispossession. London in 1891: Harriet Cameron is a talented young artist whose mother died when she was barely five. She and her beloved sister Sarah were brought up by their father, radical thinker James Cameron. After adventurer Henry Vincent arrives on the scene, the sisters' lives are changed forever. Sarah, the beauty of the family, marries Henry and embarks on a voyage to Australia. Harriet, intensely missing Sarah, must decide whether to help her father with his life's work or to devote herself to painting. When James Cameron dies unexpectedly, Harriet is overwhelmed by grief. Seeking distraction, she follows Sarah to Australia, and afterwards into the outback, where she is alienated by the casual violence and great injustices of outback life. Her rejuvenation begins with her friendship... Views: 508
A collection of short fiction; psycho-horror, supernatural, fantasy and psychotic behaviour.This is a contemporary Neo-Gothic horror story set deep in the heart of Florida's dark, foreboding Everglades. At its core, it’s a modern day morality tale wrapped in the Neo-Gothic genre. The story takes place near Lost Man’s River. Yes, there really is a Lost Man’s River. Want to speculate how it got its name? The story involves the ongoing clash between modern, agnostic view of reality and the native superstitions of past. One of those schools of thought loses. Big time. It has been compared to the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King.It’s a quick, fun read, but you may want to leave the lights on when you go to bed. Views: 497
The TankTops are short stories or extracts from longer books where you can be introduced to the author’s writing style, and see if you are interested in reading more of his books. We call them TankTops because they’re smaller than normal books. And of course, when you go in the “think tank”, you can read them in one sitting without making people mad at you for taking too long.A young man lands himself in jail in an unfamiliar town only to find himself incarcerated with a mysterious woman and a whole lot of destiny. Views: 492
When Fortune McCall is asked to look into possible arsons of tenement buildings in the worst part of Sovereign City, Fortune gives the duty to his cousin Tracy Scott. As brick and steel burn around her, Tracy confronts corruption, deceit, and a madness most heated.From the waterways of Sovereign City and the explosive imagination of author Derrick Ferguson comes a Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series of digital singles featuring characters from Ferguson's The Adventures of Fortune McCall! Tales of Fortune is a recurring series of stand alone tales that will spotlight the team of friends that work side by side with Fortune McCall in his sanctioned crusade to save Sovereign City from its criminal element. From the decks of McCall's floating casino, The Heart of Fortune, to the darkest parts of Sovereign itself, the men and women who support McCall in his fight against evil now shine on their own in Tales of Fortune!The debut story in this series, For Violent Fires that Soon Burn Out, focuses on Tracy Scott, McCall's cousin and probably the second most dangerous person on the Heart of Fortune. When McCall is asked by the head of a local organization to look into possible arsons of tenement buildings in the worst part of Sovereign, Fortune gives the duty to Tracy. With her own prejudices as well very negative feelings about playing detective, Tracy takes to the streets of the city to learn who is striking out at Sovereign's poor and helpless. As brick and steel burn around her, Tracy finds herself confronting corruption, deceit, and a madness most heated. For Violent Fires that Soon Burn Out, the first digital single in Derrick Ferguson's Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series- The Tales of Fortune! From Pro Se Productions. Views: 490
In this sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Dr. Van Helsing and co. chase a newly resurrected Count Dracula onboard the RMS Titanic.Evil never dies.In this sequel to Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula, a weakened Count Dracula is back from the dead and making his way to America onboard the R.M.S. Titanic. Unfortunately for him, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, Arthur Holmwood, and Dr. John Seward have discovered his plans and have assembled to destroy him once and for all. Their game of cat-and-mouse turns to a race against time after the Titanic strikes an iceberg and begins to sink. Now the three men and the monster are locked in a life and death struggle not only against each other but also against the rising water. Views: 485
A young pastor explores the best path for his future ministry. His worldview is shattered by conversations with the Apostles John and Paul, as well as Christian leaders, from businessmen to pastors, from America to China. Restoring the “strategery” of the corporate Church to God’s original plan in Scripture is never easy, but it’s encouraging to hear from the voice of the past.A young pastor explores the best path for his future ministry. His worldview is shattered by conversations with the Apostles John and Paul, as well as Christian leaders, from businessmen to pastors, from America to China. Restoring the “strategery” of the corporate Church to God’s original plan in Scripture is never easy, but it’s encouraging to hear from those who have faced similar questions in their own times. The biggest, hardest to swallow, and most helpful truth he found was where the business world and the Church in China found agreement: the difference between pastors and clergy. Views: 458
25 of the best short stories published on the web in 2009/10--chosen by the editors of ChamberFour.com, a website dedicated to making reading more enjoyable and more rewarding. Includes a wide range of stories from great online lit mags. This anthology is DRM-free and free to download. Find a complete table of contents, a PDF version, author bios, interviews, and more at Chamber Four.~BOOK ONE~ Sara is a Guardian, an elite human warrior trained to battle the races of Rhea, but she soon finds herself on a quest to save them when their afterlife is invaded by a powerful, mysterious race called the Pelasgians. In the journey that follows, she will see a side of the Rheans never before seen, and discover that the Pelasgians are a much greater threat than anyone can imagine.Vampires, mummies, werewolves and other creatures of mythology are reimagined as various races who must join forces to confront an ancient evil. Views: 444
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. Views: 433
Great Pyramid, rival priests, romance with a harem (perhaps royal) woman, and jealous Queen prey on God-king Khufu. In parallel to Khufu’s labors, Mehi labors to absolve his family’s crime by self-sacrifice as a pyramid worker. The crime also burdens his love for An-khi, a governor’s daughter who aspires to be governor herself. Will Mehi save Khufu from his enemies, including Mehi’s own brother?Great Pyramid, jealous Queen, rival priests, ambitious princes and drought all prey on God-king Khufu. Frightfully, his most potent protector is a mere commoner, Mehi, the son of a tomb-robber.Khufu’s external trials are the nomad invasions and regicide attempts conspired by the priests, his gold treasury’s depletion he requires to perfect his pyramid, and his Queen’s sterility that extends into Khufu’s romance with Theormi, a harem woman. As a result, Theormi embarks on her own path to prove her royalty.Yet Khufu’s inner and ultimate battle is with his own kingship. While his desire for Theormi proves his humanity, Egypt’s people require his divinity. The God-king’s divine magic raises the annual Nile inundation, irrigates the ribbon of Egypt’s farmland, and feeds his people who would otherwise starve in the desert that creeps in on all sides. But when the Nile doesn’t rise in this year of the novel’s setting, Khufu searches for the magic in his body, apparently abandoned like love has abandoned him. Do the Gods disfavor him against protecting his people as they have in, or perhaps because of, his quest for human love? In parallel to Khufu’s labors, Mehi labors to absolve his family of its crime by self-sacrifice, physically and mentally, on the pyramid. The crime also burdens his love for An-khi, a governor’s daughter. In the course of the year, propelled by the Nile’s seasons of inundation, harvest and drought, Mehi’s brother enters as a rival for An-khi’s love. Meanwhile, she aspires to be governor herself. By year’s end, will Mehi save Khufu from his enemies, including Mehi’s brother? Views: 422
From top surgeon...To single dad?Before nurse Elene Lowe's best friend died, Elene agreed to raise her baby daughter, Aimee, and is now traveling to Italy to find Aimee's dad—sexy surgeon Mattia Ricco. Mattia is shocked to discover he's a father, but the sparks flying between him and Elene soon ignite an irresistible attraction. With Elene and Aimee's life back in New Zealand, they're worlds apart, unless Mattia can give them both a reason to stay."Ms. Mackay has delivered a superb medical romance in this book about healing and family; and where the chemistry between this couple was strong from the moment they met...."— Harlequin Junkie on Surprise Twins for the Surgeon"Ms. Mackay writes some really good medical romances and this story was such an interesting and riveting read...."— Harlequin Junkie on Baby Miracle in the ER Views: 421
The tall, lanky Missourian leaning against the corner of a ramshackle saloon on Locust Street, St. Louis, Missouri—the St. Louis of the early forties—turned his whiskey-marked face toward his companion, a short and slender Mexican trader, sullenly listening to the latter\'s torrent of words, which was accompanied by many and excitable gesticulations. The Missourian shook his head in reply to the accusations of his companion. "But he was on thee boat weeth us!" exclaimed the other. "An\' you lose heem—lak theese!" the sharp snap of his fingers denoted magic. "Thar ain\'t no use o\' gittin\' riled," replied Schoolcraft. "How in tarnation kin a man keep th\' trail o\' a slippery critter like him in these yere crowds? I\'ll git sight o\' him, right yere." "That ees w\'at you say," rejoined the Mexican, shrugging his shoulders. "But w\'at weel I say to le Gobernador? Theese hombre Tomaz Boyd—he know vera many t\'eengs—too vera many t\'eengs—an\' he ensult le Gobernador. Madre de Dios—sooch ensult!" He shivered at the thought. "W\'en I get thee message, I tr-remble! It say \'Br-ring heem to me—or breeng me his ears!\' I am tol\' to go to Señor Schoolcr-raft at Eendependence—he ees thee man. I go; an\' then you lose heem! Bah! You do not know theese Manuel Armijo, le Gobernador de Santa Fe, my fren\'—I tr-remble!" "You need a good swig, that\'s what you need," growled Schoolcraft. "An\' if ye warn\'t a chuckle-head," he said with a flash of anger, "we wouldn\'t \'a\' come yere at all; I told ye he\'s got th\' prairie fever an\' shore would come back to Independence, whar I got friends; but no—we had ter foller him!" He spat emphatically. "Thar warn\'t no sense to it, nohow!" The other waved his arms. "But w\'y we stan\' here, lak theese? W\'y you do no\'teeng?" "Now you look a-here, Pedro," growled the Missourian, his sullen gaze passing up and down the slender Mexican. "Ye don\'t want ter use no spurs on this critter. I ain\'t no greaser! If ye\'ll hold them arms still fer a minute I\'ll tell ye somethin\'. Views: 420
