Mike is hanging out at a bar with friends one night when he runs into an old flame. A tragic short love story, set to a jukebox soundtrack.Every housewife needs an alias. Donna Stone has one--and it happens to be government-sanctioned.Oh sure, you need to be ruthless to take on Russian mafia bosses, rogue dictators, and terrorists set on destroying the world. But it takes real killer instincts to survive suburbia. Try juggling the fifth grade phone tree during a shootout with skinhead arms dealers, or driving carpool while being chased by Chinese double agents.Donna’s life wasn’t always this complicated. Five years earlier she was just another woman with two preschoolers, a baby bump, and an adoring husband: Carl, with whom she lived happily ever after in a McMansion in the Orange County, California community of Hilldale. But Donna’s life was changed forever the night she delivered her baby: Carl’s car blew up on the way to the hospital.Turns out Carl was a “hard man”—an assassin—for the black ops organization known as Acme Industries. The hit on Carl was carried out by the Quorum, a terrorist cell he was tracking. The Quorum’s motto: “Show me the money.” Governments and corporations do as they’re told—or suffer bloody consequences.Carl left something behind that the Quorum wants badly. To protect herself and avenge Carl’s death, Donna joined Acme. Whereas her hostessing skills rival Martha Stewart’s, her marksmanship is second to none.A good thing, too, because the Quorum has planted a sleeper cell in Hilldale. For Donna, that’s too close for comfort. Will she be able to save her family before the Quorum blows up Los Angeles?Acme’s way of flushing out the Quorum is by “bringing Carl back from the dead.” But terrorism makes strange bedfellows--and brings new meaning to that old adage “Honey, I’m home…”*Not her real name."Adorable is not usually the word that comes to mind with a title like The Housewife Assassin’s Handbook, but it was just what I needed to pull me out of my reading doldrums. From the handy little homemaker/assassin tips at the beginning of each chapter to the thankless job of being a single parent with catty neighbors, this book hits all the right notes. Donna works for the good guys, Acme Industries, undercover by taking down drug lords and terrorists with a matter-0f-fact attitude while worrying about making it to her carpooling duties.Granted, the book ended with a hook that made me want to immediately get the next one, which is always a smart move and I was excited to see that there are actually 11 books in the series (including a prequel). I now want a week at the beach to read them all. Think Alias meets Desperate Housewives meets The Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Live a little, add some spice to your life, give this little book a try and give yourself a reason to smile. I know I did and now I’m completely smitten." -- Barbara Vey, BarbaraVey.com Views: 681
Zach Hilyer is in trouble. Hil is good, one of the best field operatives in the Thieves' Guild. The problem is, he can’t remember when it all went wrong.Blackmail, murder, betrayal and the highest bounty in history set the Thieves’ Guild at the centre of a conflict that threatens to spark a galaxy-wide war.The almost mythical Thieves’ Guild has no qualms about playing both sides of the line, manipulating and exploiting the ever-present rumblings of discontent between Earth and Winter. No one messes with the Thieves’ Guild. Except someone just did.Zach Hilyer is in trouble. Taking a package from A to B always gets more complicated when A doesn’t want to lose it and C will pay and do anything to get their hands on it. Hil is good, one of the best field operatives in the guild. Problem is, he can’t remember when it all went wrong.After crash landing on a planet with no memory of his last assignment, Hil discovers that his handler is dead and someone’s put a price on his head. Injured and alone, he has no choice but to go rogue from the guild, fight to clear his name and wreak revenge on the people who set him up.Blackmail, murder, betrayal and the highest bounty in history set the Thieves’ Guild at the centre of a conflict that threatens to spark a galaxy-wide war. Views: 681
Sometimes a gal's gotta go what a gal's gotta do… even if that involves big girl panties and a very sexy dragon-man…A bounty hunter with her eyes on the prize, Jenna's to do list includes making obscene amounts of money, pizza and ice-cream at the weekends, and world domination. It does not include an asshole of a space rat, or a black hole. It especially did not include a planet in the ass end of beyond where everything is out to eat her. Or a sexy alien who she'd really like to— But, she's a big girl. She can deal. What she didn't count on was him…Stranded on a backwater planet, he's given up on rescue and his gods. Just. He doesn't expect the answer to his prayers to be a tiny, soft alien with curves that make his mouth water…Former favourite of a dead tyrant, Ranaar has been left out to die on a planet so far from the space lanes he might as well be on the edge of the universe. The planet is... Views: 681
During the yearly ritual for the Cireara, protectors of the standing stones, Sila’s big sister will make an extraordinary sacrifice. When during the ritual the yellow haired men attack, the future of Sila’s people and of the standing stones is seriously jeopardized. The story is inspired by the Avebury stone circle and the West Kennet Long Barrow burial mound.For the first time Sila will attend the yearly ritual in honour of the Cireara, protectors of the standing stones. During this ritual her big sister Ava is about to make an extraordinary sacrifice. When the yellow haired men attack, the ritual and the future of Sila’s people is seriously jeopardized. Will they manage to protect the standing stones and the Cireara?This story is inspired by the Avebury stone circle and the West Kennet Long Barrow burial mound. Views: 681
A dim memory becomes her only chance to save her nephew, but she will need the most terrifying of help. Krampus.
When Leda was a child, she was taken to a land of glitter and soft voices and told she was there to stay. In a rush of confusion, a creature appeared and demanded that she and others be handed over.
In the blink of an eye, she is back in her bed, but she remembers the creature, she remembers being taken, she remembers everything.
The day her nephew went insane, she had her suspicions, and when she ran a test, she knew. He had gone naughty right before the holidays, and she was the only person who knew why. She had a mission. She had a goal. She had to go talk to a monster known for abducting children. Views: 681
The Origami Dragon and Other Tales is a collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories. Featuring 'The Origami Dragon', the story of a strange young boy who is confronted by a destructive magical paper dragon, 'Mr Sunshine' in which a dour supernatural agent serves as the last line of defense in a shadowy and secret war, and many others.NASA helps SETI locate the origin of an extraterrestrial radio signal to a human habitat on the far side of the moon. These human inhabitants have lived in a subterranean cave system for millions of years. Their social structure is very unlike that on Earth. Differing from the usual adventure stories dealing with aliens, this science fiction narrative is serious, short and precise and has a novel presentation of technology, philosophy and ideology. The narrative is blended in a mix of interesting concepts for readers of all ages with an interest in science fiction and philosophy. The really remarkable and singular feature of the book unravels as the soft and gentle mannerisms underlying the basic nature of these aliens come to light in the later hapters. Views: 681
A missing puppy. A secret gang. And a ninja who is on the case. She's a cat. She's a ninja. She's a cat ninja. Miko likes relaxing at the teahouse, but she also likes wielding a katana. And using her throwing stars. And practicing ninjutsu. When her friend Sukoshi the field mouse comes calling with a new case, Miko agrees to investigate. But the sinister plot goes deeper than a missing dog. Can Miko solve the mystery before it's too late? If you like talking animals, stealthy ninjas, and beating up bad guys, then you'll love The Cat Ninja. Perfect for fans of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Redwall by Brian Jacques and The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, along with other fantasy series including The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. Views: 680
A magnificent epic of cataclysmic upheaval and heroic love in a breathless age of mythic wonders
It was a time of legend, when the last shadows of the mighty Roman conqueror faded from the captured Isle of Britain. While, across a vast sea, bloody war shattered a peace that had flourished for two thousand years in the doomed kingdom of Atlantis.
From the award-winning author of THE DRAGON KING TRILOGY comes a majestic tale of breathtaking scope and haunting beauty. It is the remarkable adventure of Charis—the courageous princess from Atlantis who escapes the terrible devastation of her land—and of the fabled seer and druid prince Taliesin, singer at the dawn of the age. A story of an incomparable love that joins two astonishing worlds amid the fires of chaos, and spawns the miracles of Merlin . . . and Arthur the king!
TALIESIN
“Reminiscent of C. S. Lewis . . . Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal Views: 680
When hyper-intelligent mathematician David is forced to confront his own mortality, his coveted manuscript on the ‘Proof of absence paradox’ threatens to die with him. Desperate to salvage his life’s work, he realizes that his exceptional mentee and protégé, Naila, could hold the key to the salvation of his manuscript and theorem—but their strained relationship may not allow for that.When hyper-intelligent mathematician David is forced to confront his own mortality, his coveted manuscript on the ‘Proof of absence paradox’ threatens to die with him. Desperate to salvage his life’s work, he realizes that his exceptional mentee and protégé, Naila, could hold the key to the salvation of his manuscript and theorem—but their strained relationship may not allow for that.Consumed by doubt and plunged into a bewildering darkness, David is offered a glimpse into a vast interconnectedness, the likes of which outstretch his human comprehension and challenge his theorem. As nature, faith and science intertwine, David gains insights which transport him far beyond his original manuscript. Views: 680
Lexa’s life has been a fight, but now, an alpha from her past has offered her protection and safety with the help of two others. For her daughter’s safety, she will pay their price. Views: 680
This is an alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B007HLT2UE.
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ELLE CASEY, brings readers Book 2 in the YA Urban Fantasy WAR OF THE FAE Series.
Follow Jayne Sparks, the (still) potty-mouthed seventeen-year-old and newly changed elemental fae and her friends -an incubus, a daemon, a green elf, a water sprite and a pixie- as they struggle to find their places in the Light Fae community of the Green Forest and prepare for the upcoming battle against the Dark Fae.
Content Warning: Mild violence and significant foul language within. Meant for older Young Adult readers (age 15+).
WAR OF THE FAE SERIES READING ORDER
The Changelings (War of the Fae Book 1) *Free ebook at most retailers
Call to Arms (War of the Fae Book 2)
Darkness and Light (War of the Fae Book 3)
New World Order (War of the Fae Book 4)
After the Fall (War of the Fae Book 5 - Formerly titled Clash of the Otherworlds, Book 1)
Between the Realms (War of the Fae Book 6 - Formerly titled Clash of the Otherworlds, Book 2)
Portal Guardians (War of the Fae Book 7 - Formerly titled Clash of the Otherworlds, Book 3)
Time Slipping (War of the Fae Book 8)
Dragon Riders (War of the Fae Book 9) *Coming soon
Winged Warriors (War of the Fae Book 10) *Coming soon*
About this series: A reader fan recently set up a blog dedicated to casting the actors for the War of the Fae movie. No, it is not in production to be made into a movie, nor have I sold the rights to anyone for the movie. But just in case I ever do, my fans will be sure the casting director has a complete line-up ready! Check it out: ellecasey.com/WOTF_Movie Views: 680
Paolo Bacigalupi's debut collection demonstrates the power and reach of the science fiction short story. Social criticism, political parable, and environmental advocacy lie at the center of Paolo's work. Each of the stories herein is at once a warning, and a celebration of the tragic comedy of the human experience.
The eleven stories in Pump Six represent the best Paolo's work, including the Hugo nominee "Yellow Card Man," the nebula and Hugo nominated story "The People of Sand and Slag," and the Sturgeon Award-winning story "The Calorie Man." Views: 680
Winner of the prestigious Gold Dagger Award in the U.K. for the best mystery of 1999, this complex literary thriller may be one of the most satisfying suspense novels to come along in some time. Robert Wilson has written several political thrillers, most of which are set in West Africa, but they are, alas, largely unavailable in the U.S.
In A Small Death in Lisbon, the narrative switches back and forth between 1941 and 1999, and Wilson's wide knowledge of history and keen sense of place make the eras equally vibrant. In 1941 Germany, Klaus Felsen, an industrialist, is approached by the SS high command in a none-too-friendly manner and is "persuaded" to go to Lisbon and oversee the sale--or smuggling--of wolfram (also known as tungsten, used in the manufacture of tanks and airplanes). World War II Portugal is neutral where business is concerned, and too much of the precious metal is being sold to Britain when Germany needs it to insure that Hitler's blitzkrieg is successful.
Cut to 1999 Lisbon, where the daughter of a prominent lawyer has been found dead on a beach. Ze Coelho, a liberal police inspector who is a widower with a daughter of his own, must sift through the life of Catarina Oliveira and discover why she was so brutally murdered. Her father is enigmatic, her mother suicidal; her friends were rock musicians and drug addicts.
The reader is treated to a wonderful portrait of Lisbon in the aftermath of the 1974 revolution that ousted Salazar from power, and the scars from that conflict are still close to the surface for the citizens of Lisbon, including Coehlo and his colleagues. We also see World War II in a slightly different manner from that to which we are accustomed--through the eyes of the Germans and the Portuguese. The pace of the book is leisurely but compelling as the events of 1941 and those in 1999 merge in an extraordinary climax Views: 680
