The eleven stories in Designer Genes showcase the latest volume in this intriguing science fiction that explores intriguing future possibilities in biotechnology, ranging from stories of imminent technology reflecting issues that are already controversial, to stories that feature drastically altered worlds. Most of the stories are domestic dramas in which ordinary people are trying to get on with their everyday lives in circumstances that are altering in confusing ways by the year or by the day. Most of them have an element of comedy, because the human predicament is essentially comic, and most of them sound a powerful note of optimism, or at least of hope, because, the world being what it is, biotechnology is the one realistic source of optimism and hope that we have, if we are to come through the present ecocatastrophe relatively unscathed. Great, thought-provoking entertainment by a major SF writer! Views: 35
London, The Year of Our Lord 1600. Leonidas is a dragon shifter, a century into his allotted five, and he's entranced by Master Shakespeare's theatre and the comely and lusty women of London's bankside. But when he finds a witch in the practice of her art in clear view of the stage, he must act... for dragons are the keepers of the peace between the mortal and immortal realms. But never has duty been so sweetly sexy and delicious to the touch as a witch whose very skin sparks pleasure. He becomes lost in his bed, breaking his own cardinal rule—never seduce a woman for more than a night. As one pleasure-drenched night bleeds into the next, he runs afoul of a danger he ought already know... never cross a witch. Of Bards and Witches is a short standalone backstory of Leonidas Smoke, prince of the House of Smoke, from the bestselling Fallen Immortals series. It contains flaming HOT dragon shifters and sexy... Views: 35
ORIEL I am an angeling of the light, born to love and protect... Humans have breached the barrier between the mortal and immortal realms, threatening war between them, yet I'm sent to Guard one of the scientists helping to push their technology forward. An angeling's place is not to question the angels, but I fear this might bring the End of Times. Not to mention that other Guardians have already fallen from the sin of Lust, and my charge is as beautiful as any in angelkind. But it's her soul that draws me inexorably closer... for she's broken, and it's the kind of wound I was born to fix. ELIZABETH I've dropped everything do to secret science on an amazing project... I was only sixteen when cancer stole my father. A few months later, my mom was taken by a car crash. I vowed to fulfill their dreams for me—to do great science like my father—and I've spent the last... Views: 35
I AM BECOME DEATH, THE DESTROYER OF WORLDS ALLY WESTER struggles with her newfound powers in the white magic. But her power has drawn notice, and dark creatures desire to claim her for their own. ARRAN BELPHON has vowed to protect Ally Wester. And it will take everything he has to defend her - his strength, his heart, and even his life itself may be the price. MARUGON is the last of the Warlocks, the greatest wielder of black magic ever to walk under the sun. Now, at last, he possesses what he has long sought, and his true work can begin. And the TOWER OF ENDLESS WORLDS shall burn... Views: 35
Meet The Pan of Hamgee: coward, unwilling adventurer and, by some miracle, K’Barth’s longest surviving outlaw. He just wants a quiet life so working as getaway driver is probably a bad career move. Then he falls in love at first sight with a woman he hasn't even met who comes from an alternative reality. That’s when things really begin to get complicated.Meet Ruth Cochrane: she’s the Chosen One, destined to play a pivotal role in saving K’Barth from a cruel dictator. She’s never heard of K’Barth, though. She’s a public relations executive from London and she’s totally unaware of the chaos about to hit her life.Meet Lord Vernon: power hungry psychopath on the brink of world domination. He wants to cement his hold on K'Barth by kidnapping the Chosen One and forcing her to marry him. Only one person is standing in his way: someone who doesn’t even realise it, The Pan of Hamgee. For The Pan, and Ruth, that’s a deadly problem.Written in British English with some light swearing: Suggested cinema rating, PGRunner up in 2011 Wishing Shelf AwardsAwarded Awesome Indies Seal of ApprovalAwarded IndiePENdents seal of approval.INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORQ – So, tell us about the K'Barthan series. What makes it special?A – K’Barth hasn’t always been called ‘K’Barth’ but it’s been with me since I can remember. My brain has always been off with the fairies and I suppose it was only a matter of time before I began to write about where it went. Once I started, the response to the characters, from readers really kept me going. The Pan of Hamgee is a very reluctant hero; someone who is aware of the risks he is taking and human – ie scared – about being brave. A lot of teenage boys like him and he has as many fans among the girls, and their mums. In Ruth I wanted to create someone pragmatic, sensible and grounded. She’s not going to lose a shoe and fall over, so the hero has to go back and help her, and they both get caught by the monster. She’s a strong female protagonist who is a bit more of a hero than The Pan, frankly – to start with at any rate. I think he catches her up as the story unfolds.Q – Should the K’Barthan Series be read in order?A – The character development – and some of the technology – will make the most sense if it is. That said, the short story prequel can be read any time.Q – What will readers enjoy most about The K'Barthan Series?A – Hopefully the laughs, the romance – where it appears – the fast pace and the action – especially the flying car chases – and I hope they will like its deeper side.Q – Do you have a target reader?A – Officially, young adults and teenagers. Now that it’s complete the series is certainly proving popular with teens and young adults and I had my teenage nephew in mind when I wrote them. However, I firmly believe that all the best books for teenagers appeal equally to their parents, which is why I also wrote it for me. Thus far – if the people who contact me are anything to go by – it appeals to a certain type of person across the board. The oldest fan of the series I know of is in his 90s and the youngest is 10. Views: 35
Scrooge Is Looking For A Taxi In this modern retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is looking for a taxi to get home on Christmas Eve. But he will get the ride of his life, as he is walked through his past, his present and his future to end up a changed man. Set in modern day Athens, this science-fiction version of the classic ghost story is guaranteed to make you smile. Views: 35
