A bloodthirsty dictator tries to change his behavior to please a small baby that has floated down from the sky and been declared an omen of the gods.A bloodthirsty dictator tries to change his behavior to please a small baby that has floated down from the sky and been declared an omen of the gods.…"Penance!" cried the witchdoctor, so the portly dictator was forced to get on his hands and knees and play horsey for an hour, much to Millicent’s delight. She gave him a big, sloppy kiss.He pardoned a number of political opponents and tribal enemies, and hoped no one noticed when they were quietly hunted down and dispatched by his security forces in the dead of night."You’re not trying," said the one of many wives."It’s difficult," he conceded, and played horsey again…Baby is a story from The World Is Round, available now.A great philosopher's masterwork is unravelled by a duck, an influential talk show host begins executing his guests, and a baby enchants a murderous African dictator in this collection of seventeen short stories. A work of poignant satire and extraordinary imagination, The World Is Round is always weird, sometimes bleak, and frequently hilarious. Views: 453
A baker's dozen of stories about wives, lovers, mothers, publishers, teachers, petty criminals, pigeons, and fossils of flesh and stone, with settings ranging from the towering Sierra Nevada to the flatlands of Indiana.When dance academy student Emilee must spend the night on a haunted stage as a part of a hazing ritual, she is terrified. For as long as she could remember, she has heard stories about the dancing mannequin with a silver, rust covered mask that prompts young ballerinas to dance in the middle of the night. When they want to stop, he snaps their bones, starting at their ankles and moving on to their necks. Still, Emilee is a logical person. She knows that there is no such thing as ghosts. After a man dressed in black wearing a silver mask comes on stage, she thinks that it is just enhanced hazing meant to frighten her. She is determined not to be humiliated and begins to dance with him. Only too soon she realizes her masked partner was not a part of the school hazing ritual. She has two choices, dance all night and suffer or let him snap her joints, one by one. Views: 451
Lunch Time Surprise is the conversation between a young married woman and a stranger in a lift that has stopped between floors. The stress the encounter has on them both and her husband on the other side of the lift door leads to an unsuspected twist in the tail.After a daring robbery, Lauren, a professional thief and sometimes mage, finds himself on the run from the monstrous Devildins as he tries to warn others about the invasion. Unfortunately, the one person he has to convince happens to be the person he just robbed.This story is one of many in the Tales from Another Place (TFAP) story universe. Views: 445
They've called him the Lord of Thieves, but Marlon Kurtz’ latest job, to steal a Terran Confederate Battlecruiser, is pushing even his boundaries. On the most alien of planets, with a wary Navy in his way, Kurtz must stage the biggest heist in the history of mankind.They’ve called him the Lord of Thieves, but Marlon Kurtz’ latest job, to steal a Terran Confederate Battlecruiser, is pushing even his boundaries. On the most alien of planets, with a wary Navy in his way, Kurtz must stage the biggest heist in the history of mankind.The Gift is the first official tie in story of the Shallow Space universe. 'The Gift' sets the scene for the upcoming Alpha release of the upcoming computer game 'Shallow Space'. Learn more at www.shallow-space.com Views: 430
Crooked Words is an eclectic collection of short fiction in pursuit of the many different shades of what it means to live queer.A young transgender magician travels the world on a quest for a mystical talking sword. A witch wonders why her would-be lovers can’t date her the old-fashioned way. A cross-dressing man meets a suit-clad soul whose gender defies definition. A non-binary zombie wishes ze were the hero in science-fiction stories. A genderqueer manservant tries to save her mentally-ill lover with a deck of tarot cards. A boy looks at himself in the mirror and ponders the fear of telling his family that his name isn’t Susan. Crooked Words is an eclectic collection of short fiction in pursuit of the many different shades of what it means to live queer. Views: 429
Whimsical Words and Dramatic Affairs; A Book of Badly Written Poetry is a small collection of rhymes and creatively-penned thoughts by author (and comic artist) Katrina Joyner. These poems span from the horribly cheesy writings of a 16 year old teenager to the deeply-wounded wails of an abandoned single mother.Erin's life takes a turn for the western when she sees a man sitting on a horse in the middle of a quiet street one morning. Intrigued, she watches as he drives a small herd of horses through the neighborhood. Although she grew up in the area, Erin has never seen this guy before. Erin continues with her day, but she can’t get the image of that cowboy out of her mind. Spurred by curiosity and a desire to get back to riding horses, she sets out on a search. She discovers the Tipped Z Ranch, and the cowboy she meets there will change her life. Views: 417
After the Isis Saga. Before the Temptation of John Haynes. A new beginning for the Harbinger of Death.Mortally wounded by the goddess Isis in a thrilling final battle, the demon E’steem is transported to a mysterious palace. After she recovers from her injuries she learns that Lucifer, Lord of Hell has saved her life. Impressed by the treachery she participated in to attain membership among his Elect, the Prince of Darkness promotes her to position of autonomy in his Legion. However, E’steem soon learns not to trust the subtle politics transpiring around her when dealing with the father of lies.The Politics of Hell details what happened to E’steem in between Isis and The Temptation of John Haynes. In this short story readers will learn how she somehow she recovered from near death and how she met Lucifer. A bridge between books, it’s meant to tie up any loose ends in Isis and set up the future storyline for The Temptation of John Haynes. Views: 417
This E-book is a collection of short stories following the darkness within and without basic human nature, showing us how big and how small our worlds truly are. Grim tales of the unknown and a magnifying glass on the people we may be standing right next to. Chillers, Thrillers and adventures abound, but are you ready for what lies beneath the Depths?Through blackened vistas, the world appears dark and dreary. In truth, those windows are clear and truthful though. Does this mean the dark recesses of our world hide some sinister truth yet to be discovered? Is there something sinister right alongside us that we do not see? In “The Depths,” we hear the chilling final tale of Oscar Lindström, a deep sea analyst. While diving in the Baltic Sea, he discovered something neither he nor anyone would be prepared for…but what did he find?In “A Normal Life,” Calvin DeRue is invited to a neighbor’s Bar mitzvah, yet something is amiss. Someone in this party is hiding their true intentions and the devil is in the details. Who are they and what sinister truth are they hiding?Finally, in “Just a Talk,” Donovan Lemarr is in for the shock of his life. One simple day at work belies a world of trouble at home. Worse for wear, how will Don handle the struggles he isn’t prepared for? Views: 414
A gap in the Bible.. a second Saviour - the three days after the Crucifixion, and before the Resurrection. Found to have risen shortly after his death, Jesus spent the next three days with Satan, when Satan was still favoured by God before he was cast to Hell. The reader discovers Satan sought to save Mankind from God, and how all was not good in Heaven at the time.. told by the Holy SpiritThere is a gap in the Bible – the three days after Jesus was taken down from the Cross, and before his Resurrection. This story is about those three days. Scripture has Jesus rising from the dead on the third day – instead, in Double Christ we find Jesus rising shortly after being taken down from the cross. The reader follows his movements during the next three days where we learn Jesus spent most of his time in the company of Hassatan – or Satan as he is known today, but Satan when he was still favoured by God as his Chief Adversary, before he was cast from Heaven. The reader discovers Satan was Mankind’s greatest champion, and of how all was not good in Heaven at that time. A story told by the Holy Spirit (Paraclete), God's partner, in her words… Views: 408
COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE FALLIn time, the whole world will be a graveyard, a charnel pit for billions. In time, a tiny few will be all that remains, fighting back against the terrible, rotting "greys" until none are left. In time, the Dark Judges will rule unquestioned over an empty world.But before the end of Deadworld must come the fall... Views: 404
THE POLARIS AND OTHER STORIES is a collection of short stories ranging from suspense to fantasy. These stories, created by author Joshua Jackson are designed to take readers on a ride through the lives of multiple characters. Readers will learn about the fantasy world of The Polaris, the relationship between a horse and a fox, and a man who wakes up and believes his wife is missing.THE POLARIS AND OTHER STORIES is a collection of short stories ranging from suspense to fantasy. These stories, created by author Joshua Jackson are designed to take readers on a ride through the lives of multiple characters. Readers will learn about the fantasy world of The Polaris, the relationship between a horse and a fox, and a man who wakes up and believes his wife is missing."The Polaris" is a fantasy world ran by "King Darvo." After many years of battling in war, Darvo finally becomes king and renames the kingdom "The Polaris" as it sits under the north star. After many years of violence, Darvo makes his kingdom a land of peace and love. People no longer settle things with violence or hate. Citizens of the kingdom help each other build homes and make food, children play without a care in the world. It seems as if there is finally peace in the world. However Zull, a member of the kings staff does not like this new world. Zull fought along side Darvo for years and believes Darvo has changed for the worst and becomes jealous of Darvo. Will Zull try to become the new ruler? Will Darvo have to fight in one more war to insure peace in the world?"The Fox and the Horse" is a story of love and even a little drama. Farmer Jack learns of love and friendship when he sees his beloved horse Lucky become friend with a energetic fox. With not wanting any more animals, Jack turns away the fox every time he sees him. After seeing how his actions change Lucky's behavior, will Jack decide to allow another animal on the farm?"Lost" is a story of drama where Tony wakes up to find that his wife missing. He begins to search before a big snow storm hits Denver. As he searches he finds out the truth about his wife and his memory loss. However, after finding the truth, Tony still wakes up every day looking for his wife. Will Tony ever get his memory back? Views: 400
When J’s car breaks down outside the village pub Ruth the landlady has no reason to disbelieve his explanation that he was just passing through. They have an instant attraction to the other. Whilst he waits for his car to be repaired J tells Ruth of his career and background. Then the details of his job begin to change and Ruth starts to wonder if J has another reason for staying in the village.Kit needed a new start from her past. She escaped an abusive relationship and traveled from place to place for two years in fear of her ex boyfriend, Gabe, from finding her. Along her way she stops and makes an unexpected friend with a waitress, Tiffany. She feels at home in this small town and being able to have a new friend and a fresh start she feels like she has found what she was looking for. She finds a new love interest with a strong man, Steven, and they soon become lovers. But will the past come back to haunt her? Will she be able to make it out alive this time? Views: 399
A couple of dozen poems about a particular relationship, a particular planet, and a personal grab bag of memories and dreams.It's quiz night at the Red Lion - time for The Circleto pit their wits against the rest of the regulars......and each other.The sound of wedding bells is, most definitely, in the air!The story continues in the novella, Breaking Waves, and the In The Stars Part II (Cancer-Sagittarius).* * * * *In The Stars follows 'The Circle' of friends through a full year, with each episode covering the period of time indicated by the zodiac sign from which it takes its title.'Gemini' is the sixth episode of In The Stars, released in May 2014. For those readers unfamiliar with the series, 'Capricorn' (episode one) re-introduces the main characters, so you could pick it up from here and perhaps catch up with the previous books later (I hope you will!).The full novel of In The Stars Part I (Capricorn–Gemini) is also available for purchase as a paperback and ebook.* * * * *Some things are just meant to be, or sometimes it seems that way. Like old uni pals inexplicably moving to your hometown, or realising that your childhood best friend is the love of your life, or landing a star role in a hit TV series that could well be your autobiography.Fate, karma, written in the stars, or just bizarre quirks of coincidence?For better or worse, the events of the next six months will push the friends to the limits. For The Circle can expand and contract, but it is always whole; eternal.Set over the first six months of a year of The Circle, In The Stars Part I explores the day-to-day lives of nine friends from high school who are now it their late thirties, following them through celebration, loss, illness and life-changing decisions.What readers say about the Hiding Behind The Couch Series:"The remarkable characterisation in these novels is what makes them for me.""This story reminds me of my favorite movies about friendship and relationships.""Few authors have explored the depths of longtime friends within a group, or 'circle' the way Debbie McGowan has!""I have a love-hate relationship with Debbie McGowan's Hiding Behind the Couch Series. I love to read them, I HATE it when they're over." Views: 394
Part 2 of All the Days of John Mann. Continues the story begun in The Stolen Days of John Mann. Choke survivor John Mann and ally Gunner travel a long and treacherous road in their search for David and revenge on the traffickers who took him. Can they outrun the unseen net that tightens around them? Danger, betrayal and death are the common coin, Mann's ability to kill or cure the ultimate prize.Part 2 of All the Days of John Mann. Continues the story that began in The Stolen Days of John Mann.Preacher John Mann is the only known survivor of exposure to the choke, the virus that has decimated humanity. As society struggles to survive and rebuild, Mann and his uncertain ally Gunner leave Keen in her brother's safekeeping while they continue on the trail of the missing boy David. Their road is full of treacherous turns that can only lead them into brutal conflict with a gang of Russian traffickers.While Doctor Russell's relentless pursuit of Mann brings her closer to her quarry, unseen, the Government's net draws ever tighter around them all.Suffering a crisis of faith, Mann is all too aware that his very existence puts all those he would hold close at risk.'His faith seemed to diminish by the mile the further he moved away from Keen, like fuel dripping out onto the road from a cracked tank.'When danger, betrayal and death are the common currency, John Mann's potential as a weapon or as the source of a vaccine is the ultimate prize that all would profit by but which he won't easily surrender. Views: 393
