• Home
  • Science Fiction & Fantasy

To Read or Not to Read

'The Hour of the Time' is a short story by Vincent Hobbes. It was first published in 'The Endlands' (Jan. 2011) Gunter von Strauss owns a small bookstore. He carries something for everyone’s taste. He also carefully inspects each book, making sure they are safe to read. Who knew that choosing the wrong book could carry such a consequence."The Game..." makes for strange bedfellows. Local gangster Dante (Jack Boy) knows more than anybody how dangerous and ruthless the streets can be. But against his better instincts allows himself to fall for a local female gangster named Alinna. Considered to be somewhat of a competitor to Dante because she leads her own all female crew. Alinna too, is very well aware of the dangers that come with letting feelings get in the way of business. But like Dante, decides to embrace the attraction anyway. That however proves to be a mistake. When she discovers Dante is two-timing her with a female gang unit officer. But unlike what she has with Dante, this relationship is more about lust and power. Or better yet the officers lust for it. While both get pleasure from this arrangement, she also gains intel. Which lead to major busts that fuel her quick ascension within the department. However her world is suddenly rocked when she discovers she's pregnant with Dante's child! Now they have something that binds them together forever... and something that complicates not just her job but also Dante's relationship with Alina! But with Alina being onto Dante's cheating ways, and the officer being willing to eliminate any and all threats to her burgeoning career. Not to mention the threat of the streets discovering Dante's Serpico ties. Could he end up losing everything in the end?
Views: 622

The Minority Report

In the world of The Minority Report, Commissioner John Anderton is the one to thank for the lack of crime. He is the originator of the Precrime System, which uses precogs--people with the power to see into the future--to identify criminals before they can do any harm. Unfortunately for Anderton, his precogs perceive him as the next criminal.
Views: 622

Nemesis

In the twenty-third century pioneers have escaped the crowded earth for life in self-sustaining orbital colonies.   One of the colonies, Rotor, has broken away from the solar system to create its own renegade utopia around an unknown red star two light-years from Earth:  a star named Nemesis.   Now a fifteen-year-old Rotorian girl has learned of the dire threat that nemesis poses to Earth's people--but she is prevented from warning them.   Soon she will realize that Nemesis endangers Rotor as well.   And so it will be up to her alone to save both Earth and Rotor as--drawn inexorably by Nemesis, the death star--they hurtle toward certain disaster.
Views: 622

Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls

It has always been John Omally's secret ambition to become a rock star. In his youth he mastered air guitar and wardrobe-mirror posing, but he lacked that certain something. Talent. But at last an opportunity has arisen for John to get into 'The Industry'. A band called Gandhi's Hairdryer are looking for a manager, so all John has to do is persuade them that he is the new Brian Epstein. It should be a piece of cake. But - and there's always a but - there is something rather odd about this band. Something other-worldly. It might be the lead singer, whose voice has the power to heal. Might she be an angel, perhaps? Or could she be the Devil in disguise? Because, after all, the Devil does have all the best tunes. And this is Brentford. In this, his final offering of the twentieth century, Robert Rankin returns to the town of his birth, the friends of his youth and one of the loves of his life: Rock Music.
Views: 622

Leviathan

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.
Views: 622

Face in the Water (A Short Story)

Jerusalem, 1989: After his best friend dies of a drug overdose, a Georgia Tech student walks away from his life, eventually winding up in the ancient and narrow streets of Jerusalem during the first Palestinian Intifada. An early short story written by Charles Sheehan-Miles, author of the surprise indie bestseller Republic: A Novel of America's Future.Jerusalem, 1989: After his best friend dies of a drug overdose, a Georgia Tech student walks away from his life, eventually winding up in the ancient and narrow streets of Jerusalem during the first Palestinian Intifada. At the crossroads of most of the world's major religions and conflicts, Charles merely wants to submerge himself in work and discovery of a different culture, but every step takes him back toward himself.This is an early short story written by Charles Sheehan-Miles, author of the surprise indie bestseller Republic: A Novel of America's Future. Originally written in 1989 while the author was living in the Old City of Jerusalem, this is the first time the story has been released to the public.
Views: 622

City of the Beasts

Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold is about to join his fearless grandmother on the trip of a lifetime. An International Geographic expedition is headed to the dangerous, remote wilds of South America, on a mission to document the legendary Yeti of the Amazon known as the Beast. But there are many secrets hidden in the unexplored wilderness, as Alex and his new friend Nadia soon discover. Drawing on the strength of their spirit guides, both young people are led on a thrilling and unforgettable journey to the ultimate discovery. . . .
Views: 622

Bat Out of Hell

Book Four in the Crimson Ops Series. New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Series the Crimson Ops! Part of the Immortal Ops World! Operative: Blaise Regnier Special Operative Blaise Regnier feels the darkness he carries within creeping up on him. With centuries under his skull-studded belt, this immortal vampire has seen a thing or two in his day. Not to mention he's become something of an expert at hiding his worries and emotions behind dark wit and black leather pants. It's just a matter of time before his inner demon holds all the cards, and then he'll be the next threat his teammates need to hunt to protect mankind. As it turns out, someone has that task well in hand, and she's not playing games. Too bad an old enemy has resurfaced, wanting to end their sizzling romance before it can even get started.
Views: 621

Home on the Ranch: Texas Wedding

A wonderful mistake?Renata Boone has found that it's not easy being single when every other Boone in Stonewall Crossing, Texas, has found true love. But one night with a gorgeous stranger leads to one big surprise: Renata is pregnant! And then she gets another surprise: Ash Carmichael, her baby's daddy, has returned to town as the newest veterinarian at her brothers' animal hospital.Ash is still grieving the loss of his wife. He also needs to be a dad to this baby, so proposing to Renata makes perfect sense. But Renata won't settle for a loveless marriage. Ash doesn't know if his heart will ever heal enough to love again—yet each day he spends with Renata has him wondering if one night can truly change everything...
Views: 621

Murder Can Be Fun # aka A Plot for Murder

Brown’s novel about an ex-reporter who, disenchanted with his career writing a radio soap opera, looks to create a new show, dubbed “Murder Can Be Fun,” and change genres. Things get dicey when killings happen, using our hero’s unpublished scripts as a template.
Views: 621

Gideon

They're called the Nightwalkers--proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them--necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal... AS A HEALER, HE KNOWS HER BODY. BUT IT'S HER HEART HE WANTS. For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons--and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious--and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people--and Magdalegna nearly their victim--Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life... Every night holds secrets.
Views: 621

Helium Heart

SHORT STORYA young man must face the first real tragedy in his life, the loss of his best friend. Like Marley & Me but told from a kid's perspective. Get out the tissues before you start reading.A young man must face the first real tragedy in his life, the loss of his best friend.
Views: 621

Dragon Bones

Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward, the new lord of Hurog, is sure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones could prove to be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possess them.
Views: 621