Billy Jensen thought he'd completed his last job for the Russian mob, but Petrovski knows there is always one more debt to pay...3044 word short storySome adult languageUpdated version 7/23/2013 Views: 191
Truce brings hope. A nameless slayer erases it. Can Linc save his family for good?As peace seems overwhelmed by random acts of suburban violence, Linc Freemore must stop an unknown murderer and save his wife and son. One killer becomes many, a conspiracy larger than he could conceive.As the tipping point of war is breached Linc must fight for his life, for his family and for his virtue.Apocalyptic Science Fiction Story. 67 pages (16.626 words)Oil To Ashes Part 2, 'Truce'Truce brings hope. A nameless slayer erases it. Can Linc save his family for good?As peace seems overwhelmed by random acts of suburban violence, Linc Freemore must stop an unknown murderer and save his wife and son. One killer becomes many, a conspiracy larger than he could conceive.Linc already gave his son's childhood to the company. For a better life. Is that lost too? As the tipping point of war is breached Linc must fight viciously for his life, for his family and for his own virtue.Contains Graphic Violence. Views: 191
The first ever collection of Iain Banks' short fiction, this volume includes the acclaimed novella, The State of the Art. This is a striking addition to the growing body of Culture lore, and adds definition and scale to the previous works by using the Earth of 1977 as contrast. The other stories in the collection range from science fiction to horror, dark-coated fantasy to morality tale. All bear the indefinable stamp of Iain Banks' staggering talent. Views: 191
A collection of poems composed by the late Edward Robertson. Spanning a period of some 40 years the imagery and emotions expressed will be familiar to some, create new insights for others and hopefully provide pleasure to all who read them. This posthumous work has been compiled by his family as a lasting tribute and to make his works available to the many lifelong friends who have requested it.The animal kingdom needs to outdoor its princess; she must wear a new smock, but they need Ananse—the banished weaver.... Inspired by Ghanaian folktale... Views: 190
Yanko White Fox is used to expectations. Since he was a small boy, his father has expected him to become a powerful mage and redeem his family’s honor. Even if his heart was elsewhere, Yanko always accepted his responsibility. He’s learned all he can about magic, practiced to become powerful, and fought great evil to free thousands of imprisoned people. But it’s not enough. Prince Zirabo tasks him with claiming a new land for their nation and keeping it out of the hands of all those who covet it. Even though Yanko has a few good friends to help him, he’s daunted by the enormity of the task. But securing the continent and turning it into a lush farmland may be the only way to end the civil war at home and bring peace to people who are hungry, beleaguered, and divided. Yanko will have to use all of his power and draw upon everything he’s learned to succeed and bring peace to his war-torn nation. If he can’t, he’ll lose his home, his family, and all that he loves. ** Views: 190
Timothy lived a life only a psychopathic sociopath could enjoy and understand. When he was bitten on the first day of the zombie-apocalypse he turned the tides on a single-minded virus he affectionately called Hugh. Together they terrorized a city before seemingly meeting their untimely demise. Nobody could have foreseen his resurrection. Tim's close call with death has done nothing to temper his missions in life, to live, to eat and to rule the world. Tim is back and he's an asshole. Views: 190
A war is coming, a battle that will stretch from the prehistoric forests of the ancient past to the cutting-edge research labs of today, all to reveal a true mystery buried deep within our DNA, a mystery that will leave readers changed forever . . .
In this groundbreaking masterpiece of ingenuity and intrigue that spans 50,000 years in human history, New York Times bestselling author James Rollins takes us to mankind’s next great leap.
But will it mark a new chapter in our development . . . or our extinction?
In the remote mountains of Croatia, an archaeologist makes a strange discovery: a subterranean Catholic chapel, hidden for centuries, holds the bones of a Neanderthal woman. In the same cavern system, elaborate primitive paintings tell the story of an immense battle between tribes of Neanderthals and monstrous shadowy figures. Who is this mysterious enemy depicted in these ancient drawings and what do the paintings mean?
Before any answers could be made, the investigative team is attacked, while at the same time, a bloody assault is made upon a primate research center outside of Atlanta. How are these events connected? Who is behind these attacks? The search for the truth will take Commander Gray Pierce of Sigma Force 50,000 years into the past. As he and Sigma trace the evolution of human intelligence to its true source, they will be plunged into a cataclysmic battle for the future of humanity that stretches across the globe . . . and beyond.
With the fate of our future at stake, Sigma embarks on its most harrowing odyssey ever—a breathtaking quest that will take them from ancient tunnels in Ecuador that span the breadth of South America to a millennia-old necropolis holding the bones of our ancestors. Along the way, revelations involving the lost continent of Atlantis will reveal true mysteries tied to mankind’s first steps on the moon. In the end, Gray Pierce and his team will face to their greatest threat: an ancient evil, resurrected by modern genetic science, strong enough to bring about the end of man’s dominance on this planet.
Only this time, Sigma will falter—and the world we know will change forever. Views: 190
Worlds of If\' was a three-time winner of the Hugo Award for best science fiction magazine. \'Worlds of If\' discovered many talented writers who would go on to dominate genre fiction. Here are more than 250,000 words of some of the best stories ever published in its pages.\'The Snowbank Orbit\' by Fritz Leiber\'The Victor\' by Bryce Walton\'Breeder Reaction\' by Winston Marks\'Turning Point\' by Alfred Coppel\'Masters of Space\' by Edward E. Smith & E. Everett Evans\'Cultural Exchange\' by Keith Laumer\'The Lonely Ones\' by Edward W. Ludwig\'The Kenzie Report\' by Mark Clifton\'The Very Secret Agent\' by Mari Wolf\'Irresistible Weapon\' by H. B. Fyfe\'In the Garden\' by R. A. Lafferty\'The Eyes Have It\' by James McKimmey, Jr.\'Trees Are Where You Find Them\' by Arthur Dekker Savage\'The Real Hard Sell\' by William W. Stuart\'Waste Not, Want\' by Dave Dryfoos\'The Last Supper\' by T. D. Hamm\'Letter of the Law\' by Alan E. Nourse\'Sweet Their Blood and Sticky\' by Albert R. Teichner\'The Last Place on Earth\' by Jim Harmon\'Quiet, Please\' by Kevin Scott\'Service with a Smile\' by Charles L. Fontenay\'Time Fuze\' by Randall Garrett\'The Skull\' by Philip K. Dick\'The Ordeal of Colonel Johns\' by George H. Smith\'Incident on Route 12\' by James H. Schmitz\'Brink of Madness\' by Walt Sheldon\'Love Story\' by Irving E. Cox, Jr.\'Navy Day\' by Harry Harrison\'The Anglers of Arz\' by Roger Dee\'Assassin\' by J. F. Bone\'Probability\' by Louis Trimble\'Sjambak\' by Jack Vance\'Deadly City\' by Ivar Jorgenson\'The Mightiest Man\' by Patrick Fahy\'Mutineer\' by Robert J. Shea\'And That’s How it Was, Officer\' by Ralph Sholto\'No Shield from the Dead\' by Gordon R. Dickson\'Seven-Day Terror\' by R.A. Lafferty\'I\'ll Kill You Tomorrow\' by Helen Huber\'Security Risk\' by Ed M. Clinton, Jr.\'Confidence Game\' by James Mckimmey, Jr. Views: 190
To save the world and our future, Sigma Force must embark on a dangerous odyssey into an ancient past whose horrors are all too present in this page-turning thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins that combines cutting-edge science, historical mystery, mythology, and pulse-pounding action.
For eons, the city of Troy—whose legendary fall was detailed in Homer’s Iliad—was believed to be myth, until archaeologists in the nineteenth century uncovered its ancient walls buried beneath the sands. If Troy was real, how much of Homer’s twin tales of gods and monsters, curses and miracles—The Iliad and The Odyssey—could also be true and awaiting discovery?
In the frozen tundra of Greenland, a group of modern-day researchers stumble on a shocking find: a medieval ship buried a half-mile below the ice. The ship’s hold contains a collection of even older artifacts—tools of war—dating back to the Bronze Age. Inside the captain’s cabin is a magnificent treasure that is as priceless as it is miraculous: a clockwork gold map imbedded with an intricate silver astrolabe. The mechanism was crafted by a group of Muslim inventors—the Banū Mūsā brothers—considered by many to be the Da Vincis of the Arab world—brilliant scientists who inspired Leonardo’s own work.
Once activated, the moving map traces the path of Odysseus’s famous ship as it sailed away from Troy. But the route detours as the map opens to reveal a fiery river leading to a hidden realm underneath the Mediterranean Sea. It is the subterranean world of Tartarus, the Greek name for Hell. In mythology, Tartarus was where the wicked were punished and the monstrous Titans of old, imprisoned.
When word of Tartarus spreads—and of the cache of miraculous weapons said to be hidden there—tensions explode in this volatile region where Turks battle Kurds, terrorists wage war, and civilians suffer untold horrors. The phantasmagoric horrors found in Homer’s tales are all too real—and could be unleashed upon the world. Whoever possesses them can use their awesome power to control the future of humanity.
Now, Sigma Force must go where humans fear to tread. To prevent a tyrant from igniting a global war, they must cross the very gates of Hell.
Review
Rollins...marries nail-biting action with a highly imaginative premise...This is a thoughtful, nonstop thrill ride that's an exemplar of an escapist page-turner." -- Publishers Weekly *Starred Review*"Rollins takes his readers to hell...spins an entertaining thriller." -- Kirkus Reviews"Sigma Force roars back into action...Rollins is a master of the genre, able to sweep us up and carry us along until he brings the story to a riveting conclusion." -- David Pitt, BOOKLIST
From the Author
JAMES ROLLINS is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. Known for unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets, Rollins' knack for breakneck pacing and stunning originality has been hailed by critics and embraced by scores of millions of readers around the world.The Critics RaveThe New York Times says that his "roguish charm comes from his efforts to persuade readers the story is credible [through] real-life sources for his novel's science, history and geography." Rollins' rare blend of action, suspense, and knowledge was also mentioned by the Huffington Post, which stated that "After Crichton passed away in 2008 he clearly passed the baton to James Rollins, who like Crichton, is a renaissance man."NPR calls his work "adventurous and enormously engrossing..." and the New York Journal of Books had this to say: "If you're a fan of smart, entertaining adventure fiction, this is your summer beach read writ large....All the science, all the history, and all the locations are masterfully intertwined. The characters are multi-dimensional. And the story is, well, a corker."The Story Teller's StoryAs a boy immersed in the scientific adventures of Doc Savage, the wonders of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and pulps such as The Shadow, The Spider, and The Avenger, James Rollins decided he wanted to be a writer. He honed his storytelling skills early, spinning elaborate tales that were often at the heart of pranks played on his brothers and sisters.Before he would set heroes and villains on harrowing adventures, Rollins embarked on a career in veterinary medicine, graduating from the University of Missouri and establishing a successful veterinary practice. This hands-on knowledge of medicine and science helps shape the research and scientific speculation that set James Rollins books apart.Explosive Page-Turning AdventuresThe exotic locales of James Rollins novels have emerged as a hybrid between imagination, research, and his extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. Recent jaunts include book tours and stops across the country and several European nations to give talks, seminars, and media interviews.In recent years, much of James' travel has involved meeting readers in small and large groups, at writing and fan conferences, and even aboard seagoing "seminars." James' mentoring and coaching skills have made him a sought after writing instructor and guest speaker for workshops, symposia, conventions, and other forums throughout the country.James Rollins is the author of nine thrillers in the bestselling Sigma Force series (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, and The Eye of God); six individual adventure thrillers; and the Jake Ransom middle grade series (Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow, Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.)
From the Inside Flap
To save the world and our future, Sigma Force must embark on a dangerous odyssey into an ancient past whose horrors are all too present in this page-turning thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins that combines cutting-edge science, historical mystery, mythology, and pulse-pounding action.For eons, the city of Troy--whose legendary fall was detailed in Homer's Iliad--was believed to be a myth, until archeologists in the nineteenth century uncovered its ancient walls buried beneath the sands. If Troy was real, how much of Homer's twin tales of gods and monsters, curses and miracles-the Iliad and the Odyssey--could also be true and awaiting discovery?In the frozen tundra of Greenland, a group of modern-day researchers stumble upon a shocking find: a medieval ship buried a half mile below the ice. The ship's hold contains a collection of even older artifacts--tools of war--dating back to the Bronze Age. Inside the captain's cabin is a magnificent treasure that is as priceless as it is miraculous: a clockwork gold map with an intricate silver astrolabe embedded in it. The mechanism was crafted by a group of Muslim inventors--the Banū Mūsā--considered by many to be the Da Vincis of the Arab world--brilliant scientists who inspired Leonardo's own work.Once activated, the moving map traces the path of Odysseus's famous ship as it sailed away from Troy. But the route detours as the map opens to reveal a fiery river leading to a hidden realm underneath the Mediterranean Sea. It is the subterranean world of Tartarus, the Greek name for Hell. In mythology, Tartarus was where the wicked were punished and the monstrous Titans of old imprisoned. When word of Tartarus spreads--and of the cache of miraculous weapons said to be hidden there--tensions explode in this volatile region where Turks battle Kurds, terrorists wage war, and civilians suffer untold horrors. The phantasmagoric horrors found in Homer's tales are all too real--and could be unleashed upon the world. Whoever possesses them can use their awesome power to control the future of humanity.Now Sigma Force must go where humans feat to tread. To prevent a tyrant from igniting a global war, they must cross the very gates of hell.James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma Force series has been lauded as one of the "top crowd pleasers" (New York Times) and one of the "hottest summer reads" (People magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds,scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets--and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. He lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
From the Back Cover
TIMELESS PRAISE FOR THE SIGMA FORCE SERIES"Another guaranteed crowd-pleaser...Rollins has truly embraced his claim on being the heir to the best of Michael Crichton." -- BOOKLIST (starred review) on Crucible"Superb and scintillating...Rollins shades Crucible with equal measures of science and speculation, mixed in typically brilliant fashion and propelling him...to exclaim the mantle of the greatest action-adventure writer of this or any generation. -- PROVIDENCE JOURNAL on Crucible"Bone-Chilling." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review) on The Demon Crown"Riveting...Plot Revelations keep coming and the pace never slows." -- WALL STREET JOURNAL on The Demon Crown
About the Author
James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 20 million copies sold. The New York Times says, "Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together," and NPR calls his work "Adventurous and enormously engrossing." Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets--and does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning suspense. A practicing veterinarian, Rollins has pursued scuba, spelunking, and other adventures around the world, and currently lives and writes in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Views: 190
Duped with a spa day, Billa finds out that she is the chosen offering to an ancient being from the stars. The massage wasn’t that good.
Billa has made her way with menial tasks to get her from world to world. She has learned to defend herself against other crewmen and switches ships when she needs to.
Her latest ship is unremarkable, but they have a two-day layover, and Billa wants to spend some of her transport money. She has made arrangements at the only hotel in town that would take reservations and had a spa. Spa days are what she lived for.
Billa runs into an ancient rite and finds herself with a starring role in the festivities. When a drake emerges from a hole in space and tries to take her as his tribute, the offering makes a run for it, with temporary success. Views: 190
