Runaway Odysseus: Collected Poems 2008-2012

A collection of all of James Welsh's poems from 2008 to 2012.Hilbert SpaceHilbert Space, a very special region of the universe, is a rather unique place. Inhabited by dozens of space faring civilizations and spanning hundreds of systems, it is home to thousands of stories worth telling. While the laws of physics, which lead to the rest of space being quite dull and boring for the most part, are acknowledged here, Hilbert Space is known to find many workarounds, loopholes, and compromises that ensure that it is a dangerous, yet also extremely entertaining domain. Pirate TheoryIn this short story, former smuggler and renowned adventurer Peppita and her crew decide to transport one last passenger, before seeking out bigger challenges. However, this one job turns out to be more involved than anyone could anticipate. In order to succeed, Captain Peppita must learn to think like a pirate, find out what true wealth really is, and discover which chemical substances are suitable for close-quarters combat.
Views: 786

The Adventures of Splot, the Floating Pink Blob

Join Splot, the Floating Pink Blob as he travels on adventures to fight evil! In this collection, he’ll go up against an evil mantis, a mischievous mushroom, a hooligan hermit crab, an octopus, and a shinobi snowball. Does the young pink blob have what it takes to battle these foes? Read on to find out!Join Splot, the Floating Pink Blob as he travels on adventures to fight evil! In this collection, he’ll go up against an evil mantis who wants to take over a castle, a mischievous mushroom who challenges Splot to a treasure hunt, a hooligan hermit crab who wants to steal a young clam’s birthday cake, an octopus who challenges Splot and a frog to battle it out for some treasure, and a shinobi snowball who steals a princess. Does the young pink blob have what it takes to battle these foes? Read on to find out!
Views: 781

The Gene

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies—a magnificent history of the gene and a response to the defining question of the future: What becomes of being human when we learn to "read" and "write" our own genetic information?The extraordinary Siddhartha Mukherjee has a written a biography of the gene as deft, brilliant, and illuminating as his extraordinarily successful biography of cancer. Weaving science, social history, and personal narrative to tell us the story of one of the most important conceptual breakthroughs of modern times, Mukherjee animates the quest to understand human heredity and its surprising influence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates, and choices. Throughout the narrative, the story of Mukherjee's own family—with its tragic and bewildering history of mental illness—cuts like a bright, red line, reminding us of the many questions that hang over our ability to translate the...
Views: 777

Hiding From Seagulls

Tommy started believing in impossible things the day he caught a bus along with a man curiously dressed as a live size teddy bear. What followed was the most bizarre journey of his life.Join Tommy and his reluctant friends on an adventure as they meet, elephant men, talking owls, the Man of Christmas, and many more. All whilst being chased by a Duchess who knows their deepest personnel secretsTommy started believing in impossible things the day he caught a bus along with a man curiously dressed as a live size teddy bear. What followed was the most bizarre journey of his life.Join Tommy and his reluctant school friends on an adventure as they meet, elephant men, talking owls, the Man of Christmas, and many more. All whilst being chased by a Duchess who knows their deepest personnel secrets
Views: 763

Make Believe

Gemma sat alone in her bedroom, her favorite teddy bear “Gruff” in her arms. Other toys were positioned on the bed as she played her game "Make Believe" exchanging secrets in a world of her own. A new baby brother changes everything but he took a lot of getting used to.In a time before Knight Graham adventured for the three magical artifacts, a magical kingdom named Daventry was ruled by King Edward.The king ruled with his beloved wife using the three magical treasures which were the all seeing mirror, the all mighty shield and the always full chest.But bad times are upon Daventry as it becomes a Kingdom in Distress, as evil entities spawn their own plans.This book was written by King's Quest fans (the game series which were created in the late eighties), to King's Quest fans, as a prequel to the game series, this book enrolls the events which led to the first King's Quest.Please visit my site and subscribe for any future updates, news and freebies: daventrytales.com
Views: 757

Runway Girl - Romance Short Story

She's the new hottest runway model in Milan, Paris and New York. He's the most saught after photographer in Italy. Victor Sheldon her agent hires him for the spring Italy fashion show week. Both of them are single and looking for someone to make their hectic lives complete. Can they work together without falling for each?John has to reevaluate his life when his hopes for working with his older brother in a construction business is dashed when Rob is killed in action. Lucy has to reevaluate her life when her career is stolen from her and she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant by Rob's friend Nick, who is also killed in action.Before dying, Nick makes Rob promise to find and help Lucy. Rob extracts a promise from John to try to help Lucy if he doesn't make it back and John feels that it is his duty, a brother's duty, to honour his late brother's promise to his late friend.When John finally tracks her down, she isn't what he expected. Underneath her piercings and tattoos is a vulnerable woman who is dealing with some real hurt. Unfortunately for him, John is what she expects, at least at first. Stern, rigid, judgemental and far too conventional, she dismisses him as being like all the other 'good Christians' she'd ever encountered.Prodded by the Holy Spirit through a sermon on Corinthians and feeling duty bound to honour his brother's last request, John's heart is softened toward Lucy until he can see past the odd jewellery in her face.Lucy, also prompted by the Holy Spirit although not recognizing the source, finally accepts that her choice is between bitter loneliness and taking a risk that the friendships she is being offered are genuine.
Views: 755

The Forbidden Window (Hiding from Seagulls Book 2)

Tommy, Simon, Madeline, Rob and the Man Bear are back for a second “old school” adventure. When Tommy loads a cassette tape into an old computer he is transported back to the world he accidentally destroyed. Reunited with his friends they must put aside their personal differences and problems as they head into battle against the brave Count Douglass.Tommy, Simon, Madeline, Rob and the Man Bear are back for a second “old school” adventure. When Tommy loads a cassette tape into an old computer he is transported back to the world he accidentally destroyed. Reunited with his friends they must put aside their personal differences and problems as they head into battle against the brave Count Douglass. Nature spirit Yallery Brown tells them they can go home after the battle, but can he be trusted? And what is behind the forbidden window? The Forbidden window is the second book in the Hiding From Seagulls series.
Views: 748

The Sexual Compass

Social science fiction with a sprinkling of humour. Gay to straight or straight to gay? Would you change your sexual orientation if you could? When the scientists gave a large dose of insulin to the mice in their food, a number of the mice began to engage in same-sex sexual activity.Social science fiction with a sprinkling of humour. Gay to straight or straight to gay? The story was that some scientists in Edinburgh had carried out experiments on mice. When the scientists gave a large dose of insulin to the mice in their food, a number of the mice began to engage in same-sex sexual activity. Would you change your sexual orientation if you could? How does sexuality and sexual orientation actually work? These are the questions facing a group of young people living in the North of England. Along the way, they confront issues of sexual role, family breakdown, social isolation and what's going on in John's fridge - you name it. "I find this story a fascinating read, as Mr Reed manages to give his characters a kind of complexity that feels real in many ways." -Hot Sauce Reviews“Despite its short length, Reed presents the reader with a complex, well-realized characters, and interesting questions to think about. It makes a statement about social activism, sexual identity, the role of the media, and the desperation some people feel to be accepted.” - David L. Felts, SFReader"A quick read that makes you laugh as much as it makes you think. " - A BookLikes reviewer"What an odd, short, minimalist thought piece. I enjoyed it." - A Goodreads Reviewer"I have never read a story quite like this. Often authors don't dive into touchy subjects like this one, but Michael Reed did an excellent job!" - A Goodreads Reviewer"This book brought a lot of questions to mind." - A BookLikes reviewer
Views: 746

Each Other

Each Other: A Novel is the story of Annie Cunningham, a Union spy during the (American) Civil War and the complications created against the backdrop of her love affair with Warren Dodd, a Confederate Captain. Beginning and ending in 1891, the novel wraps around a story of Annie and Warren through the events of 1862 in northern Virginia.Each Other: A Novel is the story of Annie Cunningham, a Union spy during the (American) Civil War and the complications created against the backdrop of her love affair with Warren Dodd, a Confederate Captain.Beginning and ending in 1891, the novel wraps around a story of Annie and Warren through the events of 1862 in northern Virginia. Historical events are woven through the story and fictionalized for the novel. As the story unravels, we learn that Annie and her sister Sarah, encouraged by the Abolitionist movement in their native Massachusetts take great risks to join the spying effort after the death of their youngest brother, one of the war's early casualties. An herbalist and healer, Annie works in extreme conditions as a nurse in a nearby hospital, mainly as an attempt to work her way into the adjacent prison to arrange an escape fo the Union captives there. Set in a slower time, Each Other and the historical events that create a backdrop for this work of fiction, remind us that we are who we are because of one another. The themes in Each Other still ring true todayas the characters and events of the book express the themes of life during war, personal freedom and conviction, empowerment and connection across Time.
Views: 739

Dead Sprint

This fast paced short story follows an ex chemist in a zombie infested post apocalyptic world. The challenges are many as he faces not only the undead, but also the National Guard, the painful memory of his lost lover, and most of all, his obsession with making nitroglycerin.The Anomaly Hunters saga begins here!When high school seniors Cynthia Crow and Calvin Beckerman set out to investigate the disappearance of Cynthia’s little sister Emily, they aren’t prepared for the surprising twists and turns that await them. They soon find themselves under the tutelage of Robert May, an elderly anomaly investigator who believes that Emily’s disappearance is connected with a string of bizarre and possibly paranormal tragedies stretching back two hundred years. The group’s dogged pursuit of the truth uncovers shocking secrets and terrible crimes, and brings them face-to-face with a mysterious force that will change their lives—and the world—forever.A 98,000-word novel.
Views: 710

Dream Catcher - Romance Short Story

They say when you lose someone you love, you can wish them back in another person… This was the case for me. My name is Cody and this is my story about a wish for love to find me. My story takes place in a small ranching town in North Dakota called Twin Rivers where ever body knows everybody. One day when I was least expecting it a special girl walked into my life.On the surface, the galaxy seems peaceful. Humankind prospers from the Capital World to the far reaches of The Corridor. But to those who can see the signs, it's clear something is wrong. Long, dark fingers are pulling strings inside the military, making clandestine deals with enemy states, and fulfilling some dark design.Calvin is an intelligence agent working for the Imperial government. He's young, his methods are unorthodox, but he gets results. So when a former military hero steals a warship and goes rogue--threatening to start a war, Calvin is sent to eliminate him.But as he chases his prey across the stars, he realizes they are both pawns in a shadowy chess game that shakes kingdoms, divides empires, and threatens civilization everywhere. And if he is to uncover the mystery and expose the conspiracy he must confront--and embrace--the darkest elements of the galaxy and throw himself, his career, and everyone he loves into the line of fire.
Views: 707

The Rain Fairies

The Magical world of the Rain Fairies brightens Amy’s life when her mother passes on the secrets from her own childhood.There is no reason to be afraid of a thunderstorm.The Magical world of the Rain Fairies brightens Amy’s life when her mother passes on the secrets from her own childhood.There is no reason to be afraid of a thunderstormThe Rain Fairies story is in conjunction with.Crusty the CrabThe White UnicornsThe MermaidsCroaky the FrogMrs SpiderThe Mischievous Elves
Views: 686

Strip Tease Fantasy - Romance Short Story

Cindy Miller is a conservative business executive by day with a secret after five fantasy that she wants to pursue. Her husband tells her to get the idea out of her head and that no one will give her a second look.She has been going to amateur strip night but wants to take her fantasy to the next level with a man that will totally fulfill it. She meets Andre one night and wants him to be the oneAfter years in Boston and a year of working for herself as a contract consultant and adjunct professor, unemployed Dr. Anne Conner is ready to return home to work in her field as a marine biochemist and research scientist. With money running low, Anne jumps at the chance to interview for her dream job as a research scientist with the world famous Stanford Enterprises research company.When she makes the final round of interviews, Anne decides to combine her time in Seattle interviewing with a vacation trip to her family's inn on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. The last thing she expected was to run into her childhood friend and object of her teenage dreams, Ben Carlson, who is on the island for his sister's wedding. Nor did she plan on the passion that erupts between them. Is their relationship only a vacation romance as they agreed from the beginning or will it turn into something more when Anne moves back to Seattle?Just as Anne begins to hope for more, the unthinkable is revealed. Ben is none other than her new boss. Worse yet, he thinks that she only used him to get the job.
Views: 679

The Mermaids

Three Short Stories. Story 1. There was danger for the mermaids when divers came too close to their palace.Story 2. The mermaids enjoy their trip to a shipwreck where they collect pearls from the oysters to make beautiful necklaces.Story 3.Tinka the dolphin is caught up in a fishing net but his life is saved thanks to the mermaids and the Swordfish family.As I waited impatiently for the bell to ring, to signal the end of the school day, the thunderous rumblings in the distance grew steadily louder. With each passing minute, the sky became darker and darker, until it was so dark day had almost turned into night. Undaunted by the prospect of having to endure a full-blown thunderstorm on my way home, I listened for the bell to ring. It was late, the school bell was late, I was sure of it. Then it rang, it rang so loud I almost jumped off my chair, in fright.
Views: 661