There is a place that shouldn’t exist. But does. And there are creatures that shouldn’t exist. But do. Welcome to a land where all of your dreams and nightmares are very real—and often deadly. Welcome to Everworld.
There are some things that you know you’ll never do. And though you may dream of riding a winged horse, or speaking to a dragon, you pretty much know it isn’t going to happen. Unless, of course, you find yourself in Everworld. David, Christopher, April, Jalil, and Senna are in Everworld. And even though they’ve found Senna, the person they thought would be their ticket home, Everworld holds onto all of them even tighter than before. Now they have to find out why.
But not before another encounter with the surreal. David and the others have been called back to Olympus to help the gods battle Ka Anor, and the fastest way to get there is by boat. Unfortunately, Neptune, ruler of Everworld’s seas, doesn’t like trespassers. Now David and his friends are about to discover the lost city of Atlantis… Views: 758
New York Times bestselling author Dan Wells continues his popular John Wayne Cleaver series in Over Your Dead Body.
John and Brooke are on their own, hitchhiking from town to town as they hunt the last of the Withered through the midwest--but the Withered are hunting them back, and the FBI is close behind. With each new town, each new truck stop, each new highway, they get closer to a vicious killer who defies every principle of profiling and prediction John knows how to use, and meanwhile Brooke's fractured psyche teeters on the edge of oblivion, overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of dead personalities sharing her mind. She flips in and out of lucidity, manifesting new names and thoughts and memories every day, until at last the one personality pops up that John never expected and has no idea how to deal with. The last of Nobody's victims, trapped forever in the body of his last remaining friend.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. Views: 757
What we do for one another is a mystery.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. Views: 757
Somehow, for all my outward pretence of cold-eyed professionalism, all my insistence that writing is simply a job like any other, I’ve discovered to my surprise and chagrin that there’s more than that going on around here, that I write as much out of karmic necessity and some inescapable inner need to rededicate my own skills constantly to my—what? My craft? My art? My profession? I wrote these stories because the only way of earning a living I have ever had has been by writing, but mainly, I have to admit, I wrote these stories because I couldn’t not write them. Well, so be it. They involved me in a lot of hard work, but for me, at least, the results justify the toil. I’m glad I wrote them. Writing them, it turns out, was important for me, and even pleasurable, in a curiously complex after-the-fact kind of way. May they give you pleasure now too.
—Robert Silverberg, from his Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction
Our Lady of the Sauropods
Waiting for the Earthquake
The Regulars
The Far Side of the Bell-Shaped Curve
A Thousand Paces Along the Via Dolorosa
How They Pass the Time in Pelpel
The Palace at Midnight
The Man Who Floated in Time
Gianni
The Pope of the Chimps
Thesme and the Ghayrog
At the Conglomeroid Cocktail Party
The Trouble with Sempoanga
Jennifer’s Lover
Not Our Brother
Gate of Horn, Gate of Ivory
Dancers in the Time-Flux
Needle in a Timestack
Amanda and the Alien
Snake and Ocean, Ocean and Snake
The Changeling
Basileus
Homefaring Views: 756
Kaela and Astor are tossed into the unknown as the Necromancer uses the world stone to send them across the stars in hopes of saving Eliana before it is too late.Kaela and Astor are tossed into the unknown as the Necromancer uses the world stone to send them across the stars in hopes of saving Eliana before it is too late.The Outcast and the Survivor is a chapter-series that follows Kaela, a princess of the mythical kingdom of Kalepo. After her father's sudden death, Kaela is exiled from the kingdom by her older sister Mariam, who claims their father's throne within moments of his passing. By being made an outcast, Kaela is forced not only to say goodbye to her homeland, but also to all of civilization. Kalepo is known only to itself, meaning that Kaela should expect to find a world devoid of humanity beyond the kingdom's borders, but because of something her father whispered to her on his deathbed, she knows that there is more out there, a world of dark secrets for her to discover. The Outcast and the Survivor is released one chapter at a time at the start of each month. There were times in the past when writers would release stories as a series, often for newspapers or magazines. It's not much different from TV series in that each chapter often has its own sort of conclusion, though the larger story is not completed until the end. The series is being written with the intent of ending it at chapter 36, which is scheduled for December of 2017, though this could change as the story develops. Views: 756
The story of one warrior family—Admiral Lujan Ansellic Sergey, his wife Captain Darcie Dartmuth, and their son Tristan Sergey—who are caught at the fulcrum of interstellar politics and the demands of their military duty. Wrenched apart and scattered across the galaxy by the brutalities of war, they face capture, torture, coercion, and epic space battles to be reunited.The story of one warrior family—Admiral Lujan Ansellic Sergey, his wife Captain Darcie Dartmuth, and their son Tristan Sergey—who are caught at the fulcrum of interstellar politics and the demands of their military duty. Wrenched apart and scattered across the galaxy by the brutalities of war, they face capture, torture, coercion, and epic space battles to be reunited. Only then do their most devastating challenges begin. Having been separated by decades of time as well as lightyears of distance, each of them must confront his or her own internal demons to make their family truly whole again, and to defeat a new and more insidious threat to their civilization. Between deadly special operations missions and scenes of deep-cover political intrigue runs a thread that proves how much one family can accomplish with patience, forgiveness, trust, dedication, and unity of purpose. Views: 756
Now in a single volume...all of Crouch's Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite novels that lead up to his and J.A. Konrath's thriller STIRRED...
THICKER THAN BLOOD: The Complete Andrew Z. Thomas Trilogy (Desert Places, Locked Doors, and Break You), is now available in a single ebook featuring a goldmine of killer bonus features, including the never-before-released alternate endings to both Desert Places and Locked Doors, which together comprise the length of an additional novel.
DESERT PLACES: A Novel: "Greetings. There is a body buried on your property, covered in your blood. The unfortunate young lady's name is Rita Jones. In her jeans pocket you'll find a slip of paper with a phone number on it. Call that number. If I have not heard from you by 8:00 p.m., the police will receive an anonymous call. I'll tell them where Rita Jones is buried on your property, how you killed her, and where the murder weapon can be found in your house. (I do believe a paring knife is missing from your kitchen.) I strongly advise against going to the police, as I am always watching you." Andrew Z. Thomas is a successful writer of suspense thrillers, living the dream at his lake house in the piedmont of North Carolina. One afternoon in late spring, he receives a bizarre letter that eventually threatens his career, his sanity, and the lives of everyone he loves. A murderer is designing his future, and for the life of him, Andrew can't get away.
LOCKED DOORS: A Novel: Seven years ago, suspense novelist Andrew Thomas's life was shattered when he was framed for a series of murders. The killer's victims were unearthed on Andrew's lakefront property, and since he was wanted by the FBI, Andrew had no choice but to flee and to create a new identity. Andrew does just that in a cabin tucked away in the remote wilderness near Haines Junction, Yukon. His only link to society is by e-mail, through which he learns that all the people he ever loved are being stalked and murdered. Culminating in the spooky and secluded Outer Banks of North Carolina, the paths of Andrew Thomas, a psychotic named Luther Kite, and a young female detective collide. Locked Doors is a novel of blistering suspense that will scare you to death.
BREAK YOU: A Novella: Following the events of Desert Places and Locked Doors, Andy Thomas and Violet King are hiding out in the wilds of northern Canada, where Violet has a four-month-old son and a burgeoning romance with Andy. On a cold, rainy night at their cabin in the woods, the promise of an idyllic life that seems just around the corner is shattered when a man from their past, a monster of pure malevolence, returns. What he has in store for them will challenge their understanding of evil and stretch the fibers of their love to the breaking point.
This 220,000-word ebook is absolutely loaded with content, including 2 full-length novels, a 20,000-word novella, an introduction, forewords to every book, an afterword, the short story, "Ginsu Tony" upon which Desert Places was based, the never-before-released 100-page alternate ending of Desert Places, the never-before-released 140-page alternate ending of Locked Doors, and more. This is everything written by Blake that you need to read in advance of the release of Blake's and J.A. Konrath's upcoming collaboration novel, Stirred. Views: 756
Start two different series based on the beloved fairy tale but never as it has been told before.Beauty of the Beast series:1. Alba: Prequel focuses on Alba who later becomes known as Pluck as she starts her journey at age six.2. The Mystic Rose #1 Part A: The story of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. What if the woman was the one turned into the creature?Start two different series based on the beloved fairy tale but never as it has been told before.Beauty of the Beast series:1. Alba #0 Beauty of the BeastA very short teaser for the Beauty of the Beast series. This prequel focuses on Alba who later becomes known as Pluck as she starts her journey at age six.2. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A: The Flower, The Sword, And The KissThe story of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. What if the woman was the one turned into the creature?On the planet Terra when recorded history began, Man coexisted with the Necroms. Necroms were intelligent catlike humanoids. The dawn of this period was known as the First Age of Magic. In the Second Age of Magic, a war broke out between Man and the Necroms and by the middle of the Second Age, Man was nearly wiped from creation. Those who survived fled Wellspring and journeyed across the sea into the unknown, finding new homes and creating fortified domains. In the Third and final Age of Magic, Man established five island kingdoms: Commery, Fletching, Morgog, Swelldom, and Hort.In the First Age of Metal, Man turned from the lost art of magic to the might of weapons as they discovered iron then steel. Large armies were created, and Man fought amongst themselves, forgetting the Necroms into myth. For generations the wars continued until an arranged marriage between the two strongest kingdoms of Commery and Morgog ceased the bloodshed, and so Man established the first Emperor and Empress and the tradition of Amalgamation. When both the Emperor and Empress of the Five Kingdoms died, the two strongest kingdoms' heirs married and crowned a new dynasty, and so began the Age of Amalgamation.During this age, a witch placed a curse on a girl named Pluck. The curse had been meant for a boy, Prince Edward of Fletching, for stealing the Mystic Rose. Pluck transformed into a Necrom with the Kiss, Edward's first kiss as her only redemption. The Kiss wouldn't be an easy task since showing her face meant her death.AaBack A Dark Fantasy Fairy Tale series:3. AaBack's Grimm #1 Tale Of Two Worlds: The Wizard, The Battle Mage, And The WerewolfBased on the Grimm short story series. The fairy tales you know with a wicked twist.A woman, Jane, who seems out of place in her own world is transported to a world of fairy tales. All is not happy endings, for the world of AaBack's Grimm holds a dark and deadly secret for Jane.In our world, Jane has lived life as if a curse has been on her her entire life. As an artist, she has created artwork of many fairy tale characters, but her favorite is the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. When she enters the World of Grimm, Jane comes across the Beast, and she's instantly struck with a need to help him. What Jane doesn't understand is that his curse is nothing like the ones in the fairy tales.4. AaBack's Grimm #2 Friends Reunited: The Janus Beast, The Rose Beauty, And The Cursed DucklingJane finds that the World of Grimm is more frightening and dangerous than she first believed. She meets the Beast from Beauty and the Beast and discovers the curse that is on him is nothing like anything she could imagine. Views: 755
Bucking for a promotion is tough, but if you really want it, hire a ninja assassin.A surreal and psychotic romp in the first person perspective. The VP is looking to make CEO, but Anderson from downstairs wants it too and he may have hired a ninja to gain the edge.This is a fast past short story filled with dark humor. Views: 755
Travel with young Christian as he sets out on a difficult and perilous journey to find the King. Solve the optional puzzles and riddles along the way, and help Christian reach the Celestial City. Then travel with his friend Christiana and her young brothers who can sometimes be a bit of a problem.Travel with young Christian as he sets out on a difficult and perilous journey to find the King. Solve the optional puzzles and riddles along the way, and help Christian reach the Celestial City. Then travel with his friend Christiana and her young brothers who can sometimes be a bit of a problem.Be warned, you will meet giants and lions -- and even dragons! There are people who don't want Christian and Christiana to reach the city of the King and his Son. But not everyone is an enemy. There are plenty of friendly people. It's just a matter of finding them.Are you prepared to help? Are you sure? The journey can be very dangerous! As with our book Mary Jones and Her Bible, you can enjoy the story even if you don't want to try the puzzles.This is a simplified and abridged version of Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition, containing illustrations and a mix of puzzles. Older readers, including adults, will find the same story told in much greater detail in Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition. Views: 755
Sam, a half-fae Void, is ostracized by her own people, much less the humans who control her home—the Illinois Mystical Reservation. Packed into the Reservation with vampires, werewolves, faes, and mages alike, Sam does her best to travel below the radar, but when her only friend asks for her help she can’t say no. Her work to solve a fae’s murder brings her to the forefront of vampire politics.Sam, a half-fae Void, is ostracized by her own people, much less the humans who control her home—the Illinois Mystical Reservation. Packed into the Reservation with vampires, werewolves, faes, and mages alike, Sam does her best to travel below the radar, but when her only friend asks for her help she can’t say no. Her work to solve a fae’s murder brings her to the forefront of vampire politics, and changes her life forever. Views: 755
The world wears computerized contact lenses that control technology with the blink of an eye. But behind each pair of contacts, there are two sets of eyes: those of the wearer and those of Newsight. “2084” is a young adult tale of two teens immersed in a dystopian world. Inspired by George Orwell’s “1984”, the novel follows two teenagers through an oppressive, dystopian world.The world wears computerized contact lenses that control technology with the blink of an eye. But behind each pair of contacts, there are two sets of eyes: those of the wearer and those of Newsight.Newsight Incorporated became a household name when they released their debut product: Lenses. Now, Newsight is more than a household name…they’re IN the household. They see everything their customers see, and with their virtual reality simulations, they even know what their customers think. They’ve created an Orwellian surveillance society, but not everyone is content to be watched. A teenaged boy named Vincent - a Senator’s son - and his friend Jessica - a Newsight developer’s daughter - begin to unravel the corporation’s plot, but not before their parents are taken, and their worlds are ripped apart.“2084” is a young adult tale of two teens immersed in a dystopian world. Inspired by George Orwell’s “1984”, the novel follows Vincent and Jessica on a journey to free their families of the technology that enslaved them. Because of our own struggles with privacy and data management, Engel’s dystopian society is a blend of science fiction and science fact.Reviews from early readers“First-time novelist Mason Engels gives us a vision of a bleak future even more oppressive than that of George Orwell’s 1984… The author tells a good story of Vincent and Jessica’s adventurous flight from the disintegrating society” - Angie Boyter"What a refreshing read! 2084 is not your typical young adult dystopian novel. The first chapter, alone, quickly separates it from traditional apocalyptic fiction to engage the reader in a new line of thinking about the future and our government's role in a free society. If you don't read anything else this summer, read 2084. Well worth your time." Kim West Views: 755
It happens to all of us ... our ride breaks down and we have to pull over and fix the damn thing. It even happens to astronauts, although in the case of spacecraft it does at least mean that the passengers cannot be terrorised by the owner into getting out and pushing.It happens to all of us ... our ride breaks down and we have to pull over and fix the damn thing. It even happens to astronauts, although in the case of spacecraft it does at least mean that the passengers cannot be terrorised by the owner into getting out and pushing.The astronaut had landed his crippled craft on an alien surface filled with all the terrors of the unknown (and the slightly less scary terrors previously encountered). Luckily, this hero has no problems, as the locals are mostly harmless, and anyway the Space Exploration Corporation has strict policies about getting eaten on remote planets. One of the locals, however, decides to make contact. Views: 754
In a future set in a world ravaged by burning rain and roaming monsters those protected in the cities have long ago left the Outsiders to fend for themselves. Only Malik Ramsey and the rest of the Rose Circle attempt to aid those struggling to survive despite the fact that they have a policy of not getting too involved. All that changes the night they discover a girl trapped in a house of flames.This is the story of two 12-year-old boys who were best friends growing up on the mean streets of the Kensington section of Philadelphia. It chronicles their friendship and the conflicts that they faced. It also tells the remarkable, untold true story of how Babe Ruth came to their local parish to play in one incredible baseball game. On a September day in 1923, Babe Ruth was whisked away from the Yankees game to play charity baseball to raise money to pay off the debt for their field. That day would forever change the lives of these two friends.Coming of age in the era of prohibition two young boys find themselves facing the many challenges and dangers of the inner-city. Their love of baseball is their guiding light and source of hope. The improbable events that unfolded during Babe Ruth’s appearance at Boger Field have been lost in baseball history. From the moment Babe put on the Ascension of Our Lord Parish uniform and took the field against the Lit Brother’s team baseball folklore was made. Views: 753
Perfect for old fans and new readers alike, High Stakes (Wild Cards) delves deeper into the world of aces, jokers, and the hard-boiled men and women of the Fort Freak police precinct in a pulpy, page-turning novel of superheroics and Lovecraftian horror.
After the concluding events of Lowball, Officer Francis Black of Fort Freak, vigilante joker Marcus "The Infamous Black Tongue" Morgan, and ace thief Mollie "Tesseract" Steunenberg get stuck in Talas, Kyrgyzstan. There, the coldblooded Baba Yaga forces jokers into an illegal fighting ring, but her hidden agenda is much darker: her fighters' deaths serve to placate a vicious monster from another dimension. When the last line of defense against this world weakens, all hell breaks loose, literally....
The Committee in New York sends a team of aces to investigate. One by one, each falls victim to evil forces--including the dark impulses within themselves. Only the perseverance of the most unlikely of heroes has a chance of saving the world before utter chaos erupts on Earth.
Edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin, High Stakes features the writing talents of Melinda M. Snodgrass, John Jos. Miller, David Anthony Durham, Caroline Spector, Stephen Leigh, and Ian Tregillis. Views: 753
