Get tricked. Get trapped. Get trained. Get free? The legend begins!Ryan, Erin, Kris, and Jason are heroes defined by the villain, unwitting assistants in a cataclysm brought about by an old man who calls himself... Devidis. The four modern, international teens awaken deep within a jungle canyon, a prison in the post-apocalyptic empire established by the tyrannical Devidis. Surrounded by danger, the four Elementals quickly embrace their new-found super-powered control of the elements--wind, fire, water and stone--under the guidance of Sensei, an imprisoned freedom fighter who believes that Devidis' near omnipotence is a clear sign that the world is a persistent illusion in the mind of its evil emperor. And so the Elementals are forced to come of age in an increasingly hostile land. Though supernaturally capable, they are faced with a frightening possibility: are their hopes, goals, powers, friends, enemies, surroundings and selves... all an illusion? It's "Final Fantasy meets X-Men" as worlds are torn asunder! Views: 774
People told Professor Hugo his taste in furniture sucked. That could be because a vampire is occupying his ottoman. Will the professor give in to "the magic of her charms," or can a "cat of many colors" convince him he needs a makeover?My intention is to send across the message of how discrimination occurred in South Africa in those days and reminding human kind the challenged that one had to face in those days. My particular inspiration to write about the prejudice that took place in South Africa came from my past nanny, Dora. She had worked for and taken care of a wealthy Jewish South African family for over three decades throughout the Apartheid era. One day without much notice, they decided to leave the country, leaving her with no pension. This family was very close to her heart, as she had raised their three children and was left heart-broken. She needed a job and my family needed a domestic worker. Dora came in one Monday morning for an interview. I was one year old at the time, and she told my mother that she would be prepared to clean the house but she felt she was too old to take care of me. We agreed to Dora’s conditions and our family was so happy, as she was an amazing worker and a phenomenal, principled person. With time, Dora quickly fell in love with me and could not wait to see her little “Dudu” (in this case it was me) every morning. I would literally run into her arms every morning. I feel that I have many principles today, because of the qualities that she taught me about life. Sadly Dora passed away with cancer in 2006, but has always retained a special place in our hearts. This book is dedicated to her, and describes the harsh times that non-whites had to face during the Apartheid era. I based the fictional story on real events as I thought it would be the best way to communicate the historical occurrences to readers. I used fictional characters but included some real people that made significant differences in the Apartheid such as Nelson Mandela. My purpose in using fictional characters was to create an emotional connection between the readers for them to comprehend the difficulties that different characters had to face. The book is also intended to educate the readers about South Africa and the 20th century of the Apartheid era. I have written the division of chapters by using different character voices. I have written it in two character perspectives, as I want to express both sides of Apartheid, the white side and the non-white side. The main characters are Dora and Danie, which express both sides of the Apartheid system. The story is about a sixteen year old black girl that lives in Soweto with her mother Anesu. Anesu takes care of the white Coetzer family that lives in Boksburg, Johannesburg. In the family, she takes care of a sixteen-year-old boy named Danie that initially is influenced by the white racist society to believe one way until he meets Dora. This event changes his perspective about Apartheid and leaves him in a conflicted situation. Dora however believes that she can make and must make a change. Her friends Hector Pieterson and Kimone Lesendi, convince her that together they can change a law by peacefully rioting in front of the Department of Bantu Education. Nevertheless things swiftly change directions, and the situation gets out of control. Views: 774
Part 1 of the Space Cadets Series:Two hundred years ago, aliens came to earth. They abducted millions of people and then told the rest that they were going to evaluate humanity over the course of the next several hundred years. If the earthlings didn't measure up to their standards, they'd be back to eliminate them.So guess what humanity has done since then: They geared up for war.Part 1 of the Space Cadets Series:Two hundred years ago, aliens came to earth. They abducted millions of people and then told the rest that they were going to evaluate humanity over the course of the next several hundred years. If the earthlings didn't measure up to their standards, they'd be back to eliminate them.So guess what humanity has done since then: They geared up for war.As an orphan, Jack Peterson was born into servitude. He may one day serve as a Marine, but he has to get through camp first.When the class has a chance to board a real warship, he has no idea what to expect.As soon as they arrive, everything goes horribly wrong.Book 1 of 4 (35 pages) Views: 773
In the future, Nuclear War has ravaged the planet. Beset by hurdle after hurdle, Slade Meechan crosses the world to fulfill his government-issued mandate. But what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? Slade will have to use all of his skills and all of his connections to stay ahead of the one who wants him dead. But is there more to the story?The first book of a bold new trilogy by up-and-coming author A. J. Leavens. In the future, Nuclear War has ravaged the planet. Slade Meechan, an Emissary for iCorps embarks on a Delivery to find Randy Herman - a man who's escaped from a Penal Territory. Beset by hurdle after hurdle, Slade must reach his Target before time runs out. His journey sends him far from his home, and into a land outside the Government. Accompanied by a loyal and mischievous Diplomatic Corps officer, and an array of mechanical gadgets, Slade crosses the world to fulfill his mandate. What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? Slade will have to use all of his skills and all of his connections to stay ahead of the one who wants him dead. But is there more to the story? Views: 773
As parts of everyday life begin to fade away, one teacher struggles to keep a semblance of normality for the teenagers in her classroom. But what can she teach to students who know they will one day be the final remnants of mankind? THE LAST TEACHER is a story about realizing which lessons are most important in life.A Great De-evolution short story.Clay Thompson is an American writer based in a small English town outside London, where he enjoys a comfortable lifestyle with Claire, a recent love interest. After years of enjoying good fortune, Clay experiences a calamitous setback that threatens his livelihood and even his new found relationship. Desperate to get his life back on track he seeks out a renowned local gypsy to “fix” his recent misfortune. Clay’s encounter pays dividends that exceed his expectations...at a price. Will Clay successfully navigate through this maze of a nightmare? Or will he find out...When you dance with the Devil, the music never ends.A paranormal thriller Inspired by true events Views: 773
James Macklin Chase was a poor Pennsylvanian who dreamed of making it rich in California. But at the turn of the century, the money to be made was in oil, citrus, water rights, and the railroads. Mack would have it all, if he had his way. And along the way, the men and women he met, the passion he found, the enemies he made, and the great historical figures like William Randolph Hearts, Leland Stanford, and Theodore Roosevelt, he encountered, helped bring glory to the extraordinary century.
"Riveting...CALIFORNIA GOLD strikes pay dirt....This sweeping epic is a dynamite tribute to the sheer pluck of one man who scorns all obstacles. He instills vibrancy in all his characterizations."
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
A Literary Guild Main Selection Views: 773
Melvin, in a marriage he can't get out of, finds a vampire under his stairs and works out a deal that he hopes will unburden him from his obnoxious wife. What happens proves to be less than he'd hoped for.The Flip Side was born in the back isles of a retail store during a slow night at work. From there the series grew into a grand scale adventure that would take over a year to flesh out and create. This issue marks the close of the series and I want to thank all the people who gave their time to read the story. I hope that the ending to this adventure is found to be satisfactory!Summary:"It has all come down to this! Starla Knight and the other survivors of the Alliance shuttle crash must face off against Kujaens and corrupt Protectors as they fight for their chance at rescue, however, the news of an approaching comet means that living long enough to be rescued may not be possible. The final issue of The Flip Side series is a mad rush of action and a thrilling conclusion!!!" Views: 772
In a future where people must live underground to survive, some must pay the ultimate sacrifice in order the human race to continue to exist. The banished are sent above ground so the rest of the community can thrive. Resources become the biggest hardship the colonist face and eventually it will all run out. How will humanity survive when life above ground is next to impossible?In this very short story by Rish Outfield, Wyatt is given a magical ballpoint pen, but its power is limited. Cover art by Jonathan Wilson. Views: 771
Dane must make the ultimate decision: Kill to retain his immortal dragon form, losing the woman he loves in the process... or face a powerful foe as a weakened mortal.Dane needs to feed. Desperately. His guide sends him a new victim, a woman named Athens who wants death’s deliverance. There’s just one problem: as a dragon, Dane would die too if he consumes the life force of one with no will to live. In an effort to make her suitable, Dane forges a bond he never wanted. Now he must face an ancient enemy in his weakened state, and make the ultimate decision: Kill to retain his immortal dragon form, losing the woman he loves in the process... or face a powerful foe as a weakened mortal. Views: 771
A descendant of Ceres, goddess of the harvest, was dumped a year ago by her fiance. Bad idea, be careful around a goddess! Now he wants to reconcile but nothing is simple where goddesses are concerned. Or is it?This short story was the inspiration for the novel Earth Legend. In it, a descendant of Ceres, goddess of the harvest, was dumped by her fiance. Not a good idea if your fiancee is a goddess! Now, a year later, he wants to reconcile but nothing is simple where goddesses are concerned. Or is it? Views: 770
Micro-Man is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Forrest J. Ackerman is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Forrest J. Ackerman then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. Views: 770
Sharrow was once the leader of a personality-attuned combat team in one of the sporadic little commercial wars in the civilization based around the planet Golter. Now she is hunted by the Huhsz, a religious cult which believes that she is the last obstacle before the faith's apotheosis, and her only hope of escape is to find the last of the apocalyptically powerful Lazy Guns before the Huhsz find her.
Her journey through the exotic Golterian system is a destructive and savage odyssey into her past, and that of her family and of the system itself. Views: 770
When Paha Sapa, a young Sioux warrior, "counts coup" on General George Armstrong Custer as Custer lies dying on the battlefield at the Little Bighorn, the legendary general's ghost enters him - and his voice will speak to him for the rest of his event-filled life.
Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer's ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa's long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people's sacred Black Hills.
In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people's legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the Jefferson face. Views: 769
Podkayne Fries, a clever Martian maid with dreams of becoming the first female starship pilot, is delighted to join her diplomatic uncle on an interstellar journey. But her uncle's power makes her a political target. Views: 769
After being thrown out the window of his luxury apartment, science fiction writer Allen Carpentier wakes to find himself at the gates of hell. Feeling he's landed in a great opportunity for a book, he attempts to follow Dante's road map. Determined to meet Satan himself, Carpentier treks through the Nine Layers of Hell led by Benito Mussolini, and encounters countless mental and physical tortures. As he struggles to escape, he's taken through new, puzzling, and outlandish versions of sin--recast for the present day. Views: 769
