This is a collection of nine flash fiction “prologues” for the book Heart of the Raven, the fifth novel in the Amaranthine vampire series. These stories are not intended to stand on their own, but as a supplement to the novel.Meet Cyrpus, Neil, Sadihra, Wolfe and others as they go about their business not knowing that their actions may have consequences that will echo for a lifetime.This is a collection of nine flash fiction “prologues” for the book Heart of the Raven, the fifth novel in the Amaranthine vampire series. These stories are not intended to stand on their own, but as a supplement to the novel.Meet Cyrpus, Neil, Sadihra, Wolfe and others as they go about their business the day before Heart of the Raven opens. None of them know that their fates will soon become intertwined, or that their seemingly unimportant actions may have consequences that will echo for a lifetime to come. BONUS: read the first chapter of the Heart of the Raven. Views: 629
The world lies devastated after the massive oil crisis that was described in LAST LIGHT. Human society has more or less entirely broken down and millions lie dead of starvation and disease. There are only one or two beacon communities that have managed to fashion a new way of living. Jenny Sutherland runs one of these groups. Based on a series of decaying offshore oil-rigs - for safety - a few hundred people have rebuilt a semblance of normality in this otherwise dead world. But as her and her people start to explore their surroundings once again, they start to realise not every survivor has the same vision of a better future than their catastrophic past. There are people out there who would take everything they have. War is coming, and the stakes are truly massive... Views: 629
The world will end unless two lovers agree to be separated for eternity. This quick read of a little less than 7,000 words by veteran romance writer Florence Witkop deals with what happens when one of those lovers learns the terms... and refuses to abide by them.Kiethara is a descendant from a long line of powerful guardians who have been charged to protect a magical forest since the dawn of time. She prematurely took the place of her mother—the previous guardian—after she was defeated by a man known as Gandador; now, young Kiethara is forced into a position of power and danger. The Spirit of Aaron, the forest's first guardian, awakens to train her legendary powers, all the while hiding unknown truths and secrets of her past. When Gandador returns to destroy the reign of the guardians and rule the forest himself, he brings into the forest a whole new world, and Kiethara must keep in check her overwhelming emotions and experiences in order to control her magic and save the forest.Wickedly dark yet extremely moving, The Guardians of the Forest explores the burdens of responsibility and the prospects of failure. Kiethara must protect the world's source of power while developing her own, but guarding it becomes difficult when she finds herself kidnapped and taken out of the forest she is bound to protect. This YA novel draws true-to-form parallels with a normal fifteen-year-olds life. Readers experience how Kiethara bears the weight of an entire world on her shoulders in a humorously sarcastic tone, relying on the friends she makes and the love she discovers to ease the fear of failure to deliver what she has been born to accomplish. Views: 629
They were the perfect servants—they were willing to do everything for nothing. The obvious question is: How much is nothing?They were the perfect servants—they were willing to do everything for nothing. The obvious question is: How much is nothing? Views: 629
"The trouble with cat people is that they cater and spoil the little beasts.You have to be firm. Set limits." Or so Dylan, a deaf writer in Ohio, believes when he accepts an invitation to cat-sit for a friend in Brooklyn. But Milord is no ordinary cat, and what should be a blissful week in the city soon turns into interspecies war. A humorous story by Sandra McDonald, who is owned by many cats."The trouble with cat people is that they cater and spoil the little beasts. You have to be firm. Set limits." Or so Dylan, a deaf writer in Ohio, believes when he accepts an invitation to cat-sit for a friend in Brooklyn in return for a week's free lodging. Soon enough he realizes Milord's no ordinary cat. Not only does he need extraordinary catering to his every whim, but he's very adept at making his displeasure known if Dylan doesn't obey. Soon the two are at war--and only one can win. A humorous story by the award-winning author Sandra McDonald, who herself has many cats. Views: 629
The great anthology of short novels by the masters of modern fantasy.
Robert Jordan relates crucial events in the years leading up to The Wheel of Time in "New Spring."
Ursula K. Le Guin adds a sequel to her famous books of Earthsea, portraying a woman who wants to learn magic, in "Dragonfly."
Tad Williams tells a dark and enthralling story of a haunted castle in the age before Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, in "The Burning Man."
Terry Pratchett relates an amusing incident in Discworld, of a magical contest and the witch Granny Weatherwax, in "The Sea and Little Fishes."
Third volume of the three volume mass market reprint of the first Legends anthology Views: 628
'I'm working on a novel intended to express the feel of England in Edward III's time ... The fourteenth century of my novel will be mainly evoked in terms of smell and visceral feelings, and it will carry an undertone of general disgust rather than hey-nonny nostalgia' – Anthony Burgess, Paris Review, 1973 The Black Prince is a brutal historical tale of chivalry, religious belief, obsession, siege and bloody warfare. From disorientating depictions of medieval battles to court intrigues and betrayals, the campaigns of Edward II, the Black Prince, are brought to vivid life by an author in complete control of the novel as a way of making us look at history with fresh eyes, all while staying true to the linguistic pyrotechnics and narrative verve of Burgess's best work. Views: 628
Five deliciously dark stories.A man seeks revenge.Another aspires to rule the world.A Dark Warrior appears on Earth.Just where did that little demon dolly come from?A young girl prays for death, becoming more than she bargained for.Our lives are determined by relationships, some fleeting, some lifelong. But most are in between. Some relationships are made good, some go bad. We are often left wondering how and why some things changed. The searching, the learning, the discovery sometimes of yourself, if you really look. Through this we can experience the extremes of emotion which can make the middle ground so hard to find. But unless we have been to the dark valleys, we will never learn that we can soar in the sun above the highest mountains like an eagle. Views: 628
Set in the 1820s, The Tale of the Vampire Bride is sure to thrill fans of vampires of literary past with its lush, gothic atmosphere and terrifying spectacle. All Lady Glynis Wright ever wanted was the freedom to live life as she pleased, despite her aristocratic parents' wishes for her to marry into wealth. But her fate is far more terrible than an arranged marriage when her family becomes prisoners to one of the most fearsome and powerful vampires of all time, Count Vlad Dracula. Imprisoned in the decrepit castle in the Carpathian Mountains, Glynis’s new life as a Bride of Dracula is filled with bloody feasts, cruel beatings, and sexual depravity. There is no hope for escape. Vlad Dracula has elaborate plans to use her familial connections in England and she has become his favored pawn. Even more terrible is the bond of blood between them that keeps Glynis tethered to his side despite her deep hatred of him. It’s only when Vlad Dracula takes Glynis to the picturesque city of Buda on the Danube River and she meets a mysterious vampire in the darkened city streets, does she dare hope to find love and freedom. Views: 628
The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Cyrano De Bergerac team up to rescue Napoleon's wife.When the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte is kidnapped by the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask, whom can he trust to get her back? The Broken Bards of Paris! What three men, despite deformity and unrequited love, will unite to become a trio of heroic troubadours? The Broken Bards of Paris! When France is in peril, who will sing the songs, fight the throngs, and right the wrongs? The Broken Bards of Paris! Join Cyrano De Bergerac, Quasimodo the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Erik the Opera Ghost in their first daring ensemble adventure! With special appearances by Voltaire, Joan of Arc, and Napoleon himself! Views: 628
