Best of
Science-Fiction-Fantasy

2013

Michael Vey: The Electric Collection


Richard Paul Evans - 2013
    But in truth, Michael is extremely special—he has electric powers. And he’s not the only one, either…Join Michael, Taylor, Ostin, and the rest of the Electroclan as they use their powers and wits to prevent a dangerous organization from achieving its sinister goal of global domination. This boxed set includes Michael Vey, Michael Vey 2, and Michael Vey 3.

Talon of the Silver Hawk / King of Foxes / Exile's Return


Raymond E. Feist - 2013
    Feist. This bundle includes the complete Conclave of Shadows.The bundle includes: Talon of the Silver Hawk (1), King of Foxes (2), Exile’s Return(3).Evil has come to a distant land high among the snow-capped mountains of Midkemia.Among the Orosini tribe, every boy must undergo the traditional manhood ritual in order to understand his place in the universe and discover his manhood name. Kielianapuna must survive on the remote mountain peak of Shatana Higo until the gods grant him his vision. But Kieli has already waited for four days and nights, and now he is cold, lonely, despairing, and very, very tired…When he is woken by the terrifying sensation of sharp claws piercing his skin and finds a rare silver hawk upon his arm, it is such a disorientating moment that he is not sure whether it has even happened, or whether it was a vision.Returning to his home, nameless and still a child, Kieli stumbles upon devastation. His village is being burned, his people slaughtered. Although it means certain death, Kieli throws himself into the battle…Against all the odds, he survives, alone of all the Orosini, who have been cut down where they stand: every last man, woman and child.A distant voice echoes in his mind: Rise up and be a talon for your people…The visitation of the bird on Shatana Higo was indeed his naming vision. He is a boy called Kielianapuna no more. Now he is Talon of the Silver Hawk, a man who must avenge the murder of his people, whatever that may take…

Vaz


Laurence E. Dahners - 2013
    Despite his inability to relate to others, Lisanne married him in admiration for what she perceived as shy intelligence. However, she’s been disappointed by the way he’s settled for working as no more than a glorified lab tech with a low salary. Adding to their problems, Vaz and Lisanne have two teenagers who are typically surly, embarrassed by their parents, but whom they want to send to college—if only they can find the money. When Vaz is fired from his job as a researcher, but then discovers a means to achieve “cold fusion,” a technology which could solve the energy crisis and their financial difficulties, virtually no one believes him, least of all his family. In fact, the only people who do believe are the ones who are trying to steal the technology from him...Turns out, if you’re a genius, such problems may not be as bad as they seem.

Life Reader


K.M. Shea - 2013
    She was entirely unprepared for a chilly reception from her teenage coworkers, the tyrannical library director, and the poor state of the library.The already difficult assignment turns dangerous when magic abusers threaten to destroy Saint Cloud unless they are given the hidden cauldron. If Raven wants to complete her mission and save the library, she’ll have to work with the library staff members—including the mischievous Montamos brothers—and use her taboo magic that she has kept hidden for years: the ability to read things to life.

Flight of the Nighthawks / Into a Dark Realm / Wrath of a Mad God


Raymond E. Feist - 2013
    Feist. This bundle includes the complete Darkwar Trilogy.The bundle includes: Flight of the Night Hawks (1), Into a Dark Realm (2), Wrath of a Mad God (3).A new evil threatens Midkemia, its web stretching from the deepest criminal underworld all the way up to the highest seats of power in ancient Kesh.In the middle of the night on Sorcerer’s Isle, the powerful sorcerer Pug is awakened from a nightmare that portends destruction for all of Midkemia. A vast army of alien invaders is heading to Midkemia, an army so formidable that even the might of the Tsurani Empire might fall before its fury.

Skulduggery Pleasant #1-2


Derek Landy - 2013
    It’s one book… and twice the awesome.Book 1: Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior. Oh yes, and dead.Book 2: Vengeous. Dusk. Sanguine. Three of the deadliest killers alive are in town to resurrect an unstoppable creature of horrifying power… and only Skulduggery and Valkyrie stand in their way.

The Road To Sevendor: A Spellmonger Anthology


Terry Mancour - 2013
    O! The wizards weep and witches leapOn the Road To Sevendor!The adepts smile, footwizards beguile,On the Road To Sevendor!Gleaming castle, enchanted mountainSkyward spires, dancing fountainsMore magi than a man can count onThe Road To Sevendor!The very first Spellmonger anthology! Contains the full and complete versions of the previously-published short stories The River Mists of Talry, Victory Soup, and The Spellmonger's Wedding! But wait! There's MORE!Also contains FOUR PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED SPELLMONGER STORIES! You'll get: "The Wizard of Birchroot Bridge""The Secret of Westwood Hall""The Road to Sevendor" and"The Iron Ring"! All for ONE LOW PRICE!So while you're waiting for Spellmonger Book 4, enjoy a few of these scraps from the Spellmonger's table, and enjoy the fantasy world of Callidore - where they put the evil back into medieval!

The Shadow Quintet


Orson Scott Card - 2013
    This set contains Orson Scott Card's Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant, and Shadows in Flight.At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

The Spellmonger's Wedding


Terry Mancour - 2013
    But along the way down the river he stops to buy a bag of smoke and discovers that he might be receiving some unexpected guests at his wedding. After everything he's been through, he's not about to let his bride's one perfect day be ruined. And he's willing to start a peasant's rebellion to protect it, if he has to.With the power of the Witchsphere now in his hands, and with the help of family and friends, he can't take a chance that something will go amiss -- because he's worked too hard for it, fought too long for it, and because you just can't get your deposits back easily in a feudal economy. Join Min as he, Pentandra, Alya, Tyndal, and the rest of his family contend with unexpected guests, welcome and unwelcome, in this prequel to Magelord!

A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume 1


Sharon Lee - 2013
    Seventeen short tales of the Liaden Universe® brought together for the first time. Space opera and romance on a grand scale in a galaxy full of interstellar trading clans. The nationally best-selling Liaden Universe® novels are treasured by space opera aficionados for their wit, world-building, strong characterizations, tender romance, and edge-of-the-chair action.Since 1995, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller also created shorter tales, illuminating additional facets of the Liaden experience. Here is a vast tapestry of tales of the scouts, artists, traders, priestesses, sleight of hand magicians, andpilots who fill the Liaden Universe® with the excitement, action, and romance that readers of the hit series have come to adore.Contents:To cut an edge --A day at the races --Where the goddess sends --A spell for the lost --Moonphase --Pilot of Korval --Breatha's duty --The wine of memory --Certain symmetry --Balance of trade --A choice of weapons --Changeling --A matter of dreams --Phoenix --Naratha's shadow --Heirloom --Sweet waters --

Rides a Dread Legion / At the Gates of Darkness


Raymond E. Feist - 2013
    Feist. This bundle includes the complete Demonwar Saga.The bundle includes: Rides a Dread Legion (1), At the Gates of Darkness(2).Ten years after the cataclysmic events of Wrath of a Mad God, Midkemia now faces a new danger thoughts buried in myth and antiquity…A lost race of elves, the Taredhel or ‘people of the stars’, have found a way across the universe to reach Midkemia.Hard pressed by a ravaging demon horde, what was once a huge empire has been reduced to a handful of survivors. The cornerstone of Taredhel lore is the tale of their lost origins on the world they simply call “Home”. They are convinced that Midkemia is that place. They are coming to reclaim it, and they intend to let nothing stand in their way.Pug and the Conclave, however, soon realise it’s not the elves, but the demon horde pursuing them that presents the greater danger…

Goddess Test / Goddess Interrupted / The Goddess Legacy / The Goddess Inheritance


Aimee Carter - 2013
    Kate Winters had gone from a girl whose mother was dying to the Queen of the Underworld. Join Kate on her life-altering journey and meet the powerful, compelling gods who test her every step of the way.Bonus!Includes a signed poster of THE GODDESS TEST.

Ember


Liz Schulte - 2013
    After all, one doesn’t just walk away from the life he lived unscathed, but the longer Hell waited, the more Olivia let down her guard. She believed maybe happily ever after was possible—he knew it wasn’t. But when Baker shows up beaten and bloody on their doorstep with a message, all hope evaporates. The jinn make Holden an offer he can’t refuse: convince Olivia to free them all and the jinn will fight Hell alongside them. However, if their past has proved anything, it’s that the jinn cannot be trusted. When Olivia starts hearing a voice that no one can identify and Baker isn’t acting like himself, he is forced to make a decision. With Heaven staying hands off, Holden considers accepting the jinn’s offer behind Olivia’s back. One thing is clear, with their lives and the lives all those they hold dear at stake, something has to be done. If it were as easy as Holden going back to the jinn, he would do it in a heartbeat, but Hell wants more than his soul this time—they want Olivia’s too.

The Three Wise Guides


Terri Reid - 2013
    Mary O'Reilly is shot in the line of duty and discovers, with the help of three very wise ghosts, what her new gift is all about.

Dark Serpent


Kylie Chan - 2013
    But rather than providing a clear path to their long hoped-for marriage the answer could tear them apart forever. Emma will be forced to betray either John, her beloved Xuan Wu, or her past and birthright. To make matters worse, John’s celestial home at Wudangshan is under attack from the Demon King. Can John find the Emma he knows and love, and save Wudangshan from demonic destruction?

The B-Team


John Scalzi - 2013
    But when a high-profile diplomat goes missing, Abumwe and her team are last minute replacements on a mission critical to the Colonial Unions future. As the team works to pull off their task, CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson discovers theres more to the story of the missing diplomats than anyone expected...a secret that could spell war for humanity.

d6


Robert Bevan - 2013
    It includes the following titles: Cave of the KoboldsZOMBIE ATTACK!!!Orcs, Bears, and AssholesShipfacedDungeon CrawlThe Creep on the BorderlandsIf you've already purchased all of these books, there is nothing new for you here. If you haven't yet purchased any, you can save a few bucks by buying this collection. If you've only purchased some of these already, you'll have to do some math.

Steelheart Chapter Sampler


Brandon Sanderson - 2013
    Summary: At age eight, David watched as his father was killed by an Epic, a human with superhuman powers, and now, ten years later, he joins the Reckoners-the only people who are trying to kill the Epics and end their tyranny.

Pittsburgh Backyard and Garden


Wen Spencer - 2013
    Today, we're tackling a common garden pest, the strangle vine." Hal Rogers grinned at Jane Kryskill's camera and motioned for her to pan right with the slightest tilt of his pith helmet."No way in hell," Jane murmured.

The Missing Collection: Found; Sent; Sabotaged; Torn; Caught


Margaret Peterson Haddix - 2013
    But when sinister messages start to suggest an unimaginable secret in his past, Jonah and his sister, Katherine, are swept up in an adventure greater than time itself. Because Jonah isn’t just any kid—he’s one of the famous missing children from history. And if he and his friends can’t fix the past, then the future—and the present—are in grave danger…Ideal for newcomers to the series and loyal fans alike, this collection of the first five books in The Missing series includes Found, Sent, Sabotaged, Torn, and Caught.

Digital Divide


K.B. Spangler - 2013
    Her old life in Criminal Investigation Command hadn’t been easy, but she had enjoyed it. Now, as the first cyborg liaison to the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police, Rachel is usually either bored senseless or is fighting off harassment from her coworkers. When she and her partner, Detective Raul Santino, stumble into a murder investigation with ties to Rachel and the other cyborgs, she realizes their many enemies will not allow them to quietly pick up the pieces of their lives.

Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern


Todd McCaffrey - 2013
    The pioneering science fiction author behind the Dragonriders of Pern® series crafted intricate stories, enthralling worlds, and strong heroines that profoundly impacted the science fiction community and genre.In Dragonwriter, Anne’s son and Pern writer Todd McCaffrey collects memories and stories about the beloved author, along with insights into her writing and legacy, from those who knew her best. Nebula Award–winner Elizabeth Moon relates the lessons she learned from Pern’s Lessa (and from Lessa’s creator); Hugo Award–winner David Brin recalls Anne’s steadfast belief that the world to come will be better than the one before; legendary SFF artist Michael Whelan shares (and tells stories about) never-before-published Pern sketches from his archives; and more.Join Anne’s co-writers, fellow science fiction authors, family, and friends in remembering her life, and exploring how her mind and pen shaped not only the Weyrs of Pern, but also the literary landscape as we know it.Contributors include:• Angelina Adams• David Brin• David Gerrold• John Goodwin• Janis Ian• Alec Johnson• Georgeanne Kennedy• Mercedes Lackey• Sharon Lee and Steve Miller• Lois McMaster Bujold• Elizabeth Moon• Charlotte Moore• Robert Neilson• Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett• Robin Roberts• Elizabeth Ann Scarborough• Wen Spencer• Michael Whelan• Richard J. Woods• Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

How To Be Dead


Dave Turner - 2013
    He’s in love with his work colleague Melanie and his only friend Gary is a conspiracy theory nut. His life is going nowhere until he has a Near Death Experience - though Death thinks of it as a Near Dave Experience. He discovers gifts he never knew he possessed and a world he never dreamed existed. A world where the Grim Reaper is a hard drinking, grumpy Billy Joel fan and the undead are bored, lonely and dangerous. How To Be Dead is the first part in a three novella series that tells the story of Death and his office staff protecting humanity from ghosts, zombies, vampires and medium-sized apocalypses. After a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.

Rourk


Julia Crane - 2013
    During a routine mission in Afghanistan, he crosses paths with a dark supernatural creature—a d'jinn. His world gets turned upside down when the unthinkable happens: Keegan, his one true love, is kidnapped by an evil d'jinn. The d'jinn is seeking revenge for the death of his brother at Rourk's hands.Fueled by fear over the potential loss of his wife, Rourk has only one thought—embrace the rage.

Midkemia: The Chronicles of Pug


Raymond E. Feist - 2013
    

Eight Million Gods


Wen Spencer - 2013
    The next day, she put on her mourning clothes and went out to meet her best friend for lunch to discuss finding a replacement for her love interest.Nikki is a horror novelist. Her choice of career is dictated by an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that forces her to write stories of death and destruction. She can't control it, doesn't understand it, but can use it to make money anywhere in the world. Currently "anywhere" is in Japan, hiding from her mother who sees Nikki's OCD as proof she's mentally unstable. Nikki's fragile peace starts to fall apart when the police arrest her for the murder of an American expatriate. Someone killed him with a blender.Reality starts to unravel around Nikki. She's attacked by a raccoon in a business suit. After a series of blackouts, she’s accompanied by a boy that no one else can see, a boy who claims to be a god. Is she really being pursued by Japanese myths—or is she simply going insane?What Nikki does know for sure is that the bodies are piling up, her mother has arrived in Japan to lock her up for the rest of her life—and her novels always end with everyone dead.At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

The Sun Wolf and Starhawk Series: The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic


Barbara Hambly - 2013
    Gifted with courage, strength, and the intelligence to know when to fight, Sun Wolf is the greatest mercenary in a land overrun by war. With his first lieutenant, Starhawk, at his side, he has laid waste to countless cities, taking the best of their treasures for himself, and distributing the rest among his bloodthirsty crew.Then a woman comes to him, an emissary from the town of Mandrigyn, a lush port city recently sacked by a powerful, mad wizard of unmatched abilities. She offers Sun Wolf untold riches for the use of his army, but the captain is not fool enough to wage war against a magician. He refuses her offer, but that is not the end of it. The women of Mandrigyn can be very persuasive.In "The Witches of Wenshar," to harness his newfound magical powers, Sun Wolf must cross the desert in search of a witch who can teach him the ways of sorcery. Accompanied by his lieutenant, Starhawk, he travels across the forbidding desert to the land of Wenshar, where witchcraft is said to flourish. There he seeks out a witch with powers far beyond her years, who is rumored to have mastered the ancient art of white magic. But when he and Starhawk finally reach her, there is evil in the air--an evil against which all their might is useless. Sun Wolf must learn to harness his newfound powers--or be taken by this sinister trap.In "The Dark Hand of Magic, "Sun Wolf must use his immature magical powers to rescue his old army from an evil wizard's curse. A string of rotten luck has befallen his old crew's latest campaign, and they have begun to suspect a curse. Their arrows break; their food rots; their tunnels cave in. They have heard rumors of Sun Wolf's magical abilities, and beg for his help. But when he goes after whatever is targeting his men, he finds himself up against the deadliest force he has ever encountered.

The Sinners' Garden


William Sirls - 2013
    Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger. As Andy's mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy's pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store. As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive Summer Santa, Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill. The identity of the gardener surprises them all and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.

Rogue Genesis


Ceri London - 2013
    Two worlds. The chains of command only stretch so far. He’s a conduit to alien invasion. A security threat. To the same country he swore to defend from its enemies. Enemies both foreign and domestic. Hard to tell the difference once his growing powers unleash the ancient truth. Time to go rogue.Niall Kearey is US Air Force. Special Forces. His job to save lives. On Earth. Not on Astereal, a world across the universe. He’s not insane. Except the hazy threads of a childhood dream keep intruding on his life. Creating havoc. The reason he’s alive beyond all reasonable expectations. And now these aliens won’t be denied. To the humanoid telepaths of Astereal, Niall’Kearey is legend, a military leader in a war dating back to ancient times. Now dark stars are tearing Astereal apart and prophecy says he can save them. From an apocalypse.On Earth, Niall’s growing psychic abilities have attracted unwanted attention, exposing his family to danger. A rescue attempt results in catastrophe. His secret is out and his life shattered. Then, with alien invasion a real threat, the US government designates him a security risk as a secret political conspiracy seeks to control both him and this first contact with extra-terrestrials.Niall is torn between protecting his loved ones, saving an alien race, and his duty to Earth, but when history opens his eyes to the full potential of his latent powers, he finally confronts the disturbing scale of his dilemma. It’s time to go rogue. The mission? Human survival.

The Rule of Knowledge


Scott Baker - 2013
    This could be the break he s been longing for. But as he and his wife drive through the cold North Carolina night to catch their flight, their car slams hard into something exploding from the bushes. From that moment, a mind-bending mystery unravels.A strange package seems to be the key. Breaking the seal, Shaun discovers a bundle of ancient documents written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. But there is something else amongst the pages; a book, seemingly sealed airtight for millennia, written in perfect English, telling a story that will change history.Soon Shaun discovers others are after the book . . . and they won t let anything stand in their way. A debut action thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you have all the answers.

The Shadow Constant


A.J. Scudiere - 2013
    Should it ever have been built? The lure of the find behind the loose hearthstone at Hazleton House was too great. The schematic excited Evan, Reenie and Ivy for different reasons but it is Kayla who actually begins building it. Her ability to focus to the exclusion of all else is just one of the effects of her Asperger's. The scribbled initials E.W. were merely a curiosity until it's discovered they belong to Eli Whitney. But strange footprints and disturbing visitors let Evan know that the theft of his sister's prize schematic isn't just a coincidence. It becomes obvious that the generator has no apparent power source. And Eli Whitney was only the first to die because of the machine. Soon they realize their enemies are much bigger than they had imagined and the threat the device poses could topple an empire. The secret now threatens those at Hazleton House. Who is trying to stop them? Winner: Booky Award for BEST Thriller & Suspense Book 2013 Winner: Booky Award for top 12 books of 2013 Finalist: Beverly Hills Book Awards for New Fiction and Suspense 2014 Finalist: Eric Hoffer Best Book Award 2014 Silver Medal: Indie Excellence Award for Mystery/Suspense 2014

House of Steel: The Honorverse Companion


David Weber - 2013
    Orbital characteristics of key planets, regimental order of the Royal Navy, backstory on the history and drama of the Star Kingdom's birth and early days; you'll find it all here, thoughtfully arranged by the Bureau 9 Weber research group, and overseen by David Weber himself.

Give the Devil His Due (The Sanheim Chronicles Book 3)


Rob Blackwell - 2013
    Quinn O'Brion and Kate Tassel, two small-town journalists, became the Prince of Sanheim and used that power to defeat a serial killer.In Band of Demons, Quinn and Kate battled a new threat, two legendary creatures who had already destroyed everyone in their path. But Kate and Quinn's victory came at a heavy price. In Give the Devil His Due, Kate's only hope to save Quinn is to trust the man who took him from her. Don't miss the epic finale to the trilogy that has readers raving about its great characters, plot twists and deft combination of urban fantasy, mystery and suspense.The Lord Sanheim rules forever...

Extraction


Kevin Hardman - 2013
    Having previously received aid from a young psychic named Rudi, Jim feels obligated to return to the favor and rescue her from the federal facility where she’s being held.But breaking into a top-secret, heavily-fortified government installation is never walk in the park, especially when said installation has top-of-the-line security systems, trigger-happy guards, and its own team of formidable supers. It will take a bold and audacious plan to get Jim - and the friends who volunteer to help him - inside.Unfortunately, breaking in is only half the problem (and the easy half, at that); they also have to break back out…

Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again


Simon Okill - 2013
    The tall blond aliens known as The Elders must protect their pets - Bigfoot - in so doing they have chosen The Guardian to take on this massive task. But becoming The Phantom Bigfoot has its perks for this notorious prankster, scallywag, and local celebrity. Duane lets off steam by inflicting ludicrous pranks on the local Beaverites. To his dismay, a teenager with the same prankish ways disappears. Can Duane keep the Tribe of Bigfoot a secret and protect the forest as the authorities search for the missing teenager? Or will the alien Elders come to regret their choice of Protector and banish Duane from the forest forever?

The Star Brotherhood (AGU: SC Intelligence #1)


Thomas DePrima - 2013
    The team, introduced in Book 4 of the A Galaxy Unknown series, and with small roles in subsequent books, is now featured in their own story as this AGU: SCI series kicks off. This story is a mix of low-tech and high-tech as shootouts in saloons and city streets vie with spaceship chases and space battles to dominate the pages of this book. Space Command Intelligence operates to the full width and breadth of Galactic Alliance space— and sometimes beyond. Intelligence gathering is a dangerous profession, and most agents operate alone, or with a single partner, but there are exceptions. Trader Vyx, originally a lone field agent, was saddled with two information gatherers when he left the Gollasko Colony, but mutual bonds of respect soon grew between the three men. When two female operatives were rescued from Tsgardi slavers by Vyx, Byers, and Nelligen, SCI temporarily assigned the women to Vyx's team. Now, years later, the team is still together, and operating as one of the most effective groups in SCI.With the defeat of the Uthlaro Dominion, their former territory has fallen into anarchy. Space Command doesn't have adequate resources to bring the region under control while facing other enemies on multiple fronts in Regions One and Two, so SCI agents have been sent in to do what they can.Trader Vyx and his team are on the planet Bleadalto, two hundred light-years from Uthlarigasset. Their mission is to assess the situation there and learn everything they can about the slavery problem, but the once out-of-control-violence situation on Gollasko seems like a tea social compared to everyday life on Bleadalto. Within hours of arriving on the planet, Vyx is forced into a gunfight with a Brotherhood thug. The large crime organization is not pleased.

The Keeper: A Brilliant Darkness Story


A.G. Henley - 2013
    He knows that means the Scourge can’t hurt her while she gathers fresh water for her people. He knows how to wield his bow and arrow to take out the revolting flesh-eaters when they swarm around her. He’ll motivate her, distract her, do anything he can to keep her working. And most important, he'll make sure his people get every drop of their share of the water she collects. Peree knows his duty is to his people and his people alone, and not to the Water Bearer.What he doesn’t know is that he's falling in love with her.This companion story to THE SCOURGE (Brilliant Darkness, #1), a 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist, stands alone for new readers and allows series fans a glimpse of the first few days of Peree and Fenn's relationship from Peree's Lofty point of view.Recommended series reading order:THE SCOURGE THE KEEPER: A Brilliant Darkness StoryTHE DEFIANCE THE GATHERER: A Brilliant Darkness StoryTHE FIRE SISTERS

Entangled


Casey Odell - 2013
     Take a sneak peek into the life of Farron when he was Sin de Reine, The King's Shadow. Short story. Approx. 23,000 words.

Hope Reborn


S.M. Stirling - 2013
    With Center's vast fund of knowledge and strategic calculating abilities, Raj could defeat the barbarians threatening to engulf the Civil Government, and start Bellevue on the road back to the stars. But the Governor, to whom Raj has sworn absolute loyalty, nourishes a paranoid envy and mistrust that grows with every victory. Can even a battle computer of the Galactic Age be enough to counter the fury of Raj's enemies . . . and the treachery of his ""friends""?A young hero overcomes implacable foes to lead a planet fallen into a dark age back to the high point of its lost technological civilization.At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (DRM Rights Management).

Hatch


James Stevens - 2013
    It should have been easy, but it wasn't. When the sun rose after the hatch, he had made an enemy of the most powerful man in the kingdom, and he would soon learn that was the least of his problems!

Cazadora (Dakota del Toro, #1)


Julia DeBarrioz - 2013
    When she’s almost fired from the Preternatural Control Team for bringing in a mark who tests to be human she knows something is rotten in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her 1965 Beetle is stolen, and a werewolf ransacks her house looking for drugs she doesn’t have. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Dakota enlists the help of Diego de Gama, all-too-handsome gallery owner and vampire revolutionary—who may or may not have designs on her immortal soul. Somehow, the disappearance of a teenage narco princess seems to tie in to it all. Hot on the trail, Dakota is led into the mysterious world of Changelings, a counterculture who likes to pretend they are were-creatures. It’s all fun and games until someone loses their heart—pulled still beating from their chest. The heat turns up at a Halloween masquerade at Kama Luna, a nightclub for the things that go bump in the night. Ready to face a wicked witch of the Amazon and her whip-wielding consort, Dakota ties on her mask and straps on her guns. She’ll show these beasties how she earned the name la Cazadora, or die trying.

Heart of the Wolf, Part One


Cheree Alsop - 2013
    As the prince’s bodyguard, Fade puts his life on the line to thwart threats to the crown. Fade’s disguise is simple until he finds the one thing that can break his carefully constructed walls, a pair of beautiful green eyes that reflect the loss and loneliness concealed within his heart. The only problem is that the eyes belong to Edric’s sister, a princess who is already betrothed to Fade’s worst enemy.

How Dark the World Becomes


Frank Chadwick - 2013
    His parents came to this rock figuring to make it big, only to find that they’d been recruited as an indentured labor force for alien overlords known as the Varoki.Now a pair of rich young Varoki under the care of a beautiful human nanny are fleeing Peezgtaan, and Sasha is recruited to help.  All things considered, he’d rather leave the little alien lordlings to their fate, but certain considerations—such as Sasha’s own imminent demise if he remains—make it beneficial for him to take on the job. But Sasha discovers his simple choice has thrust him into the midst of a political battle that could remake the galactic balance of power and save humanity from slow death by servitude.  Now all he has to do is survive and keep his charges alive on a hostile planet undergoing its own revolution. But it’s the galaxy that had better watch out.  For now the toughest thug in Crack City has gotten his first taste of real freedom. He likes it, and wants more. The stunning debut of a nonstop science fiction noir thriller from legendary game creator Frank Chadwick.About How Dark the World Becomes:“How Dark the World Becomes is a crackling debut novel that speaks of great things to come! It's whip-smart, lightning-fast and character-driven—in short it has everything required to be totally satisfying. Highly recommended." –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of Assassin’s Code“. . . [a] far off, hard scrabble intergalactic underworld . . . fast-paced intergalactic adventure full of far-flung alien intrigue.”—Astroguyz " . . . thrilling space adventure . . . I was reminded of Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict novels and Mark L Van Name's Jon & Lobo adventures."—SFCrowsnest

The Spinoza Trilogy


J.R. Rain - 2013
    Now armed and dangerous, she sets out to hunt down the very thing that destroyed her life. That is, until she disappears. Spinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He's good at what he does. Damn good. But he's also a recovering alcoholic and a royal mess. Hired to find Veronica, Spinoza won't let his personal demons—or demons of any kind—get in the way of finding the truth about the missing girl. Now following a bizarre set of clues that leads him into stranger and stranger territory, Spinoza is about to come face-to-face with something legendary...and something hungry for blood.THE VAMPIRE WHO PLAYED DEADTwo years ago, a woman is murdered in cold blood. Now a son she'd given up for adoption returns to claim his inheritance. To verify his claim, a DNA test is ordered. Except there's one problem. Her grave is empty. Now hired to find the missing body, Spinoza will follow a set of clues that leads him to the unthinkable, a world of nightmares and dreamscapes. A world inhabited by the living and the dead.THE VAMPIRE IN THE IRON MASKSpinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He's good at what he does. Damn good. But he's also a recovering alcoholic and a royal mess. Now determined to redeem his troubled soul, Spinoza won't let his personal demons—or demons of any kind—stop him from finding the missing. In this third and final Spinoza mystery, a worker at a popular medieval dinner theater hires Spinoza to find out the identity of one of his co-workers, a co-worker who's never been seen without an iron mask...and who just might be a real prisoner. Spinoza's new client hints that the man in the iron mask is being held without his consent in the bowels of the dinner theater, a forbidden area for the other employees. When Spinoza attends Medievaland, posing as a guest, he doesn't count on bumping into someone from a previous case, nor can he ever forget what he finds when his investigation takes him past his own life tragedy and brings him face-to-face with the vampire imprisoned in the iron mask. But is the vampire someone he should rescue, or fear?

The Journey of the Marked


Rebecca P. McCray - 2013
    The mark invites death.On a distant planet, Eros thrives in the Human settlement he calls home. Raised to follow his grandfather's noble footsteps, he studies the details of each species that co-exist here. But when his sixteenth birthday arrives and the mark appears, he's called to fight, which changes his life forever. Forced to abandon his home, the mark makes him the hunted. He's attacked the night he arrives in the city. A tough, street fighter named Kenrya saves his life. When they join others on the same journey, her cynical attitude drives a wedge between the group. Given the perils facing them, can they put aside their differences and trust each other long enough to survive? Discover this epic adventure where an individual's unique abilities can change the course of the future.Finalist in The 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards

The Rise of Robin Hood


Angus Donald - 2013
    A legend is born in this short-story prequel to Angus Donald's masterly series The Outlaw Chronicles, perfect for devoted fans and newcomers alike.

Exiles: The Uplift Storm Trilogy


David Brin - 2013
    

Vero Rising


Laurice Elehwany Molinari - 2013
    But he never could have predicted the truth--or how much his life was about to change.Soon after his twelfth birthday, Vero learns he is a guardian angel and is abruptly transported to the Ether, the spiritual realm that surrounds the earth. Yet before he can be counted among these fierce warriors, Vero must learn to master his growing powers, competing with other angels-in- training and battling demonic creatures known as maltures as well as mythical creatures such as the leviathan.Until his instruction is complete, Vero needs to alternate between the Ether and his regular life. If he survives training and accepts his destiny--a destiny he did not choose--he must leave everything behind, including his family and the life he loves. Meanwhile, an evil is growing--the maltures are rising, and Vero appears to be their target.

Bound by Wish and Mistletoe


Kat Bastion - 2013
    Ever.Aggravated by shallow-hearted pursuing lasses, Robert Brodie, commander of his clan’s elite guard, has foresworn scheming women. Forever.When magick transforms Brodie Castle into a Christmas wonderland, the two despondent souls find solace in a most unexpected place . . . each other’s arms.Amid a whirlwind of escalating events, Susanna’s traumatic past threatens Robert’s ability to protect the one woman meant for him. In a harrowing moment, as her fears and demons coalesce, will hope, faith, and love be enough to save them?*** PLEASE NOTE ***Scorching (explicit) sex scenes.Fire extinguisher highly recommended.

Double Blind


Tiffany Pitts - 2013
    She should probably be worried about that but honestly, he's been in trouble since the day he learned the words "Trust Me". In fact, if it weren't for his roommate, Carl, she would gladly leave him to his fate.Carl is a good guy, even if he’s a bit of a dork. Okay, a large slice of a dork. Possibly the entire cake. But he wants to help, as does his merry band of geeks; which is how Deli finds herself in middle of Hong Kong with the King of the Dorks, running from creepy guys with slicked back hair and shiny black guns.Back at home, Carl’s friends aren’t faring nearly as well. All they had to do was monitor the situation and feed Deli’s cat while she was gone. How could that possibly end in bloodshed? There is a simple answer, of course, but no one ever thinks to ask the cat.

The Balance of Power (The Balance of Power, #1-3)


Brian Rathbone - 2013
    When the darkness of her visions comes to pass, no one is prepared, and the fate of humanity will rest in her hands.

Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World


M.G. King - 2013
    Followed by a reckless little brother and his ex-best friend, Colin stumbles into an ancient city of trolls trying to catch up to the 21st century. But old grudges die hard and an out-of-date troll war is about to pick up where it left off two hundred years ago. It's a contest of brains against brawn in this perilous adventure of friendship, courage, and bringing home the ones you love.

McSweeney's #45


Dave Eggers - 2013
    There have been hardcovers and paperbacks, an issue with two spines, an issue with a magnetic binding, an issue that looked like a bundle of junk mail, and an issue that looked like a sweaty human head. McSweeney’s has won multiple literary awards and has had numerous stories appear in annual �best of” anthologies.

The Wrath of the Orphans


Chris Philbrook - 2013
    In idyllic New Picknell nearly nothing happens, and when their day to day routine is interrupted by a skirmish between an invading patrol of the dead from The Amaranth Empire and a defending force from Varrland, their world begins to come undone.With international war looming on the horizon New Picknell becomes the center of quite unwanted attention, and the twins have their world shattered. With nothing left to lose, they set out on a mission of vengeance that will take them to places they'd never dreamed of visiting, discovering mystical powers in The Way that will change their lives forever, and revealing dark knowledges best left undiscovered.Written by the author of the internet phenomenon Adrian's Undead Diary, The Wrath of the Orphans is the first book in a sprawling dark fantasy epic trilogy that is sure to thrill, charm, and disturb.

Hero's Journey


J.J. Cook - 2013
    The Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade’s newly adopted Dalmatian puppy, Hero, is missing. Stella believes he just wandered away from her cabin and got lost. But despite posters and searches by the fire brigade and spotty sightings by locals, there are no leads, and the furry fire fighter has yet to return. Stella is already worried with a series of progressively dangerous arson fires plaguing Sweet Pepper. And oddly enough, Hero’s appearances are coinciding with the fires. Now with the help of the ghost of Sweet Pepper’s former fire chief, Stella will have to dig up some clues if she hopes to find the pup before he’s lost for good—and find the arsonist before someone loses a life. Includes a preview of the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery, Playing with Fire

Schism


Michael Phillip Cash - 2013
    Struggling with his identity, nineteen year old Prince V'sair must harness the power of the elusive Fireblade, the secret to a warrior's heart, in order to overcome his uncle Staf Nuen's lust for supremacy. Will the energy of the Elements guide the young prince to his true destiny or will Staf Nuen conquer Darracia?

Ice Phoenix


Sulin Young - 2013
    Unaware she is being observed, Terrana goes about her quiet life on a remote tropical island without a care in the world. Her most demanding task is to lob coconuts from treetops, and her only enemy is her annoying brother. This idyllic life changes forever when she is wrenched from her home and transported to Sector One, an area in Space teeming with powerful beings and mind-blowing technology. Terrana slowly comes to terms with her new existence until she learns the sector is being threatened by a long forgotten alien race. Then she is thrown into epic manga-esque battles and is forced to face some truths about herself.

Ghost Memory


Maer Wilson - 2013
    She broke someone’s nose, embarrassed her fiancé, Thulu, and now a dead guy is on her doorstep. Although seeing the dead is not unusual for the young medium, since she and Thulu regularly deal with the supernatural. Thulu can find anything that's lost and the amnesiac ghost is missing money, along with his memory.Peter Swanson used to stash money throughout his San Francisco home. Now he can’t remember his hiding places, and his aging partner needs the money. That’s not normally a problem for Thulu, but some of the money is missing from the house. Thulu and La Fi must broaden the search for cash long gone, and that could prove tricky in more ways than one.“Ghost Memory” is a Modern Magics Story set in the Relics universe. Bonus Material includes Chapter 1 from the novel, Relics.

The Enchanted Castle


Marc Secchia - 2013
    Little does she imagine the powerful forces lurking in this jagged volcanic wilderness; forces that could tear the Kingdom of Sheba apart.Kalcha, the Wasabi leader, has prepared a deadly trap, an evil sorcery rooted within the castle the King has chosen for his fortress. Kalcha is massing her warriors and her giant hyenas, intent on annihilating the Sheban forces.As the Wasabi attack it is left to Shioni to show the way with courage and the conviction of her heart. Can she overcome the wrath of a lion, outwit the treacherous Captain Dabir, and defuse General Getu’s inexplicable hatred? With the help of her friends Mama Nomuula, Princess Annakiya, and the fiuri Azurelle, Shioni must uncover the hidden secrets of the Enchanted Castle before Kalcha destroys all she holds dear.Experience the myth and magic of ancient Sheba in this truly African adventure. Includes original illustrations by the Ethiopian artist Senait.

Exile


Rachel Starr Thomson - 2013
    Page-turning, suspenseful Christian fantasy on the border between earth and spirit. When Tyler fishes the girl out of the bay, he thinks she's dead.She wishes she was.For Reese, life ended when the supernatural entity called the Oneness threw her out. For Tyler, dredging Reese out of the water means life is nothing he thought.In a world where the Oneness exists, nothing looks the same. Dead men walk. Demons prowl the air. Old friends peel back their mundane masks and prove as supernatural as angels.The Oneness changes everything.And getting Reese home, making her One again, will change Tyler—and his roommate, Chris, whose connections with the Oneness have been buried most of his life—forever.EXILE is the first book in The Oneness Cycle, an urban fantasy series of spiritual warfare novels. If you love page-turning suspense, heart-pounding plotting, and fiction that unveils truth, this series is for you.Warning: The Oneness Cycle will make you think, challenge your perceptions of the world around you, and call you to take your place in the battle of good vs evil. Not for the faint of heart!Download Exile free and begin the adventure! Life-Changing, Inspirational Christian Fiction: From the Author Hey, my name is Rachel Starr Thomson. I love Jesus and believe wholeheartedly in the power of fiction to change our lives. While nonfiction may teach us something, fiction allows us to experience it. When we’re experiencing truth, beauty, struggle, and triumph, we find our lives enriched and deepened by what we read.That’s why I write. I want my readers to discover depths of truth about themselves, about the world, and about God that stretch and inspire them. My stories are always clean, but I don’t shy away from hard questions and honest characters.Whoever you are, I believe in you. I believe your life has immeasurable worth. I believe you were personally handcrafted by a loving Creator with a vision and purpose for your life. I believe your struggles, your dreams, and your hurts matter. I believe you walk a path no one else does, one that is intended to benefit the world.I hope you’ll enjoy what you read and come back for more. Most of all, I hope that through my stories, you’ll forge a new depth of connection with the God who truly loves you. Genre-Bending Christian Fiction: Biblical, Historical, Suspense, Fantasy, Paranormal, Visionary—Always Lyrical, Always Christian, Always Changing the Game Readers would be forgiven for asking what genre exactly Rachel Starr Thomson writes. Her work is described as spiritual, visionary, biblical, fantasy—and literary, poetic, and anchored in the real world. Always a clean read, her books are suitable for teens but have the depth, beauty, and characterization to keep adults riveted.They include:The Seventh World Trilogy (Worlds Unseen, Burning Light, Coming Day): Classic Christian fantasy in the style of C.S. Lewis. Great for teens & all readers of inspirational fiction.The Prophet Trilogy (Abaddon’s Eve, Comes the Dragon, Beloved): Best described as biblical historical fantasy. Set in a world based on ancient Israel, these books follow four believers in a time when judgment is coming.The Oneness Cycle (Exile, Hive, Attack, Renegade, Rise): Readers call them spiritual warfare fiction. They’re Christian urban fantasy, paranormal, suspense novels—but they’re also real world in their impact.

Dragons and Dreams: Bedtime Stories


Becca Price - 2013
    “And for every single night of every single year of those three thousand four hundred and ten years, I've slept on my treasure. It’s how dragons sleep. It’s how dragons have always slept.” And he closed his eyes with a snap.Then he opened one eye cautiously.“What’s a bed?”Brave princesses, grumpy dragons, princes competing for a kingdom, and children seeking answers to age-old questions. These six modern fairy tales include stories for pleasant dreams, and stories for stirring thought. They are just the right length for bedtime reading. Each is a gem that will delight the entire family.

Atonement, Tennessee


Teagan Geneviene - 2013
    “Ralda” was betrayed until trust became a theoretical concept. So it’s a dream come true when she buys an old estate, complete with historic cemetery. Okay, she isn’t excited about the cemetery, but she’s strangely drawn to the estate. Atonement, Tennessee, a quaint town, seems like the perfect place for her. However, her new life isn’t quiet. The house is full of antiques. Some have extraordinary properties — a brass bed causes strange dreams, and a mirror shows the truth of who you are. A mysterious neighbor secretly watches over the graveyard. There’s more to him than meets the eye, but what? Then there’s Gwydion, owner of Fae’s Flowers. She stubbornly resists her feelings for him. Ralda suspects that people are drawn to Atonement to, well — atone. She wonders what sins led her there. However, her ancestress made the mistakes. Atonement is home to more than humans. Supernaturals go there too. Some have fallen far. This urban fantasy, seasoned with Celtic mythology, comes with a side-order of mystery. Are you sad to see the “Sookie Stackhouse” stories end? Make a visit to Atonement, Tennessee!

The Collected Short Stories


Dana Stabenow - 2013
    This genre-spanning collection of 16 short stories features familiar characters like Kate and Jim, Liam and Wy, and Bill and Moses, but also ranges farther afield than many readers will expect, leaping from modern-day Anchorage to 22nd-century Mars to the fantasy kingdom of Mnemosynea. Remarkably disparate, but indisputably Stabenow, whose fertile imagination is anything but predictable.Titles in this collection: "Nooses Give," "Conspiracy," "Under the Influence," "Wreck Rights," "Cherchez la Femme," "Siren Song," "The Eyak Interpreter," "Any Taint of Vice," "On the Evidence," "Missing, Presumed…," "The Perfect Gift," "Gold Fever," "Cheechako," "No Place Like Home," "Justice is a Two-edged Sword," and "A Woman’s Work."

Myths of the Mirror


D. Wallace Peach - 2013
    Twenty years past, they fought for the freedom of the valley’s dragons … and lost. Imprisoned in the stone lair, the captive dragons beat their webbed wings and thrash serpentine tails. They tear their flesh and batter their bodies against the black bars of their cells, iron grating against iron. The once peaceful creatures howl, tormented by spine and spur, their fury matched only by their despair. Treasa, the daughter of exiles, seeks the secrets of a hidden past and a father she never knew. Gifted with visions, she glimpses pieces of years long lost and a veiled future that only raises more questions. The dragons visit her dreams, laden with contradictions that tear at her heart—for one day she sails in unfettered flight, her arms thrown wide, and the next she writhes in tortured darkness, desperate to be free. The lair’s black-garbed riders sense the dragons’ growing savagery. Yet Conall longs to grasp their power, to subdue them and soar. He will endure the reek, filth, and terror of the lair to earn his right to fly. With a heart encased in steel, he masters the weapons of compliance to see his will done. At the cost of the woman he loves. Then, a curved talon rends flesh and dragon scale, rattling against white ribs. Blood falls like rain and the world shifts. Treasa and Conall must decide who they are and what they stand for. Thus the battle for the dragon soul begins again. Alliances form, old myths are revealed, and new myths are born. *** Myths of the Mirror may be read as a stand-alone coming of age fantasy novel appropriate for young adult readers or as the first book in an epic adventure that stretches from the small village of Taran Leigh and the mountains of the Mirror to the Anghard Archipelago in the western sea. Conall and Treasa face a world where wealth and power rule. Fear is the weapon of choice, and cruelty is tolerated for a pocket of gold. It’s a world that forces a choice—indifference, complicity, or defiance—each choice defining the core of who they are and who they will become. The dragons of Taran Leigh, souls of grace and beauty, hang in the balance. Will they descend into the howling violence of terror and pain inflicted upon them by their tormentors? Or will they fly free, the creatures they were born to be? With each book, the stakes rise and far more than the dragons’ souls lie at risk. “The nervousness he felt upon mounting the dragon had ebbed, and he stroked its back, almost affectionately. He sensed a growing bond between them, a grace in their flight as natural as breathing. There were times when he glided over green fields, gazed into the weave and texture of leaves, that he released the reins and simply let the dragon fly. In those rare moments, he felt a profound sense of peace and deeply free.” –Myths of the Mirror.

One's Aspect to the Sun


Sherry D. Ramsey - 2013
    She isn’t the only one desperate for that information.The explanation might lie with her geneticist mother, who disappeared over sixty years ago, but even if her mother is still alive, it’s proving to be no small task to track her down in the vast, wormhole-ridden expanse of Nearspace. With the ruthless PrimeCorp bent on obtaining Luta’s DNA at any cost, her ninety-year-old husband asking for one last favor, and her estranged daughter locking horns with her at every turn, Luta’s search for answers will take her to the furthest reaches of space–and deep inside her own heart.

The Cutting Room The Complete Season


Edward W. Robertson - 2013
    Known as Primetime, its criminals break into the pasts of other worlds, far beyond the reach of conventional police.Blake Din is the top agent of the Cutting Room, the group tasked with stopping these trespassers. After a mission to undo the murder of a young boy, he uncovers extensive damage to another world's timeline. Cyber-age corporate gangsters are altering their past and killing anyone who might expose them.Along with his rookie partner Vette, Blake tracks the group back to the Old West. The mobsters mean to use the past to seize control of their future. But Blake's investigation exposes a far-ranging conspiracy. For the first time, it isn't one of the other Earths under attack. It's Primetime.____The Cutting Room first appeared as a six-part serial novel. This is the full book-length collection.

Embracing the Darkness


Laura M Morgan - 2013
    This series, especially the first novel, will immerse you in a world filled with dark places and even darker beings. They are not human, and do not act the way you and I act, or think the way you and I think, so please be ready for some controversial themes and for me to push the boundaries! Please be aware that this novel depicts explicit sexual relationships between consenting adults, including romantic suspense, and may not be suitable for those under the age of 18.Young Cate Rose's seemingly normal life is shattered by the revelation that her father is the Devil. She then leaves her old, human life on Earth behind and goes to Hell, where the Dark Princess must then discover her own path while embracing her darkness and finding the right balance for both her humanity and her dark prowess. Her strange world is turned upside-down even further as she is emotionally exploited and scarred by further events that sweep her in different directions, and into the arms of very different lovers, all of them powerful beings that dominate both her and the world around her. The Dark Princess's tumultuous existence has many twists and turns in store before she eventually takes control of her life and follows her own path at last, but which one will she choose, and to whom will it lead?

Dark Heresy Core Rulebook


Tim HuckelberyDan Abnett - 2013
    Players take on the role of defenders of humanity and embark on hazardous adventures into the dark heart of the 41st Millennium. As an Acolyte of an Inquisitor, you’ll serve at the front line of a great and secret war to root out dangers that imperil all of humanity.The 448-page, full-color Dark Heresy Second Edition Core Rulebook contains everything you and your friends will need to serve the Emperor in the Askellon Sector. Rules for character creation, combat, and adversaries are supplemented by informational source materials that will help Game Masters bring the Askellon Sector and its horrors to life. The Dark Heresy Second Edition Core Rulebook can be used to enjoy enjoy standalone adventures and ongoing campaigns in the grim future of the 41st millennium.

The Dark Citadel


Jane Dougherty - 2013
    Even in Providence, city of eternal night, there are rebels. Deborah refuses an arranged marriage and runs. But more is at stake than her unhappy future. Her destiny is to become the catalyst that brings down the whole corrupt edifice and its creator—Abaddon, dark angel of the bottomless pit. Deborah runs to find her mother, the legendary Green Woman, who is drawing a host of dreams and heroes from the Memory of the world to defeat the evil that thrives in Providence. But the Green Woman’s strength is failing—she needs her daughter to take up the burden.In the apocalyptic wasteland outside the city, Jonah, another runaway, is waiting—to give Deborah his help, then his heart. Together they brave the terrors of the desert. Together they believe they can change the world.A girl, a boy, and a pack of wolf-dog pups search for the Green Woman, but Abaddon has set horrors on their trail that not even courage and boundless love can defeat.The Dark Citadel is the first volume of The Green Woman series, an epic story of evil, heroism, bravery, treachery, hatred, and the invincible power of love.

The Strange Demise of Titus Endor


Dan Abnett - 2013
    However, after a bout of unfortunate events and even more unfortunate decisions, Titus finds himself at the backwater edge of the galaxy, tracking an elusive heretic that will bring about his strange demise, a very strange demise indeed...Originally published in Hammer and Bolter: Issue 1

Planetary Assault (Star Force Series)


B.V. Larson - 2013
    Each tells the story of a planetary invasion by men on a do-or-die mission. "An Army of One" by B. V. Larson (a novella in the Star Force series) – One man attempts to stay neutral…and fails. The Macros are invading from the skies. The only nanotized man who isn’t officially part of Star Force learns how hard it can be to avoid an interstellar war."First Conquest" by David VanDyke (Book #1 of the Stellar Conquest series) – In 2115, EarthFleet sends its best warships and bravest Marines on a one-way trip to conquer an alien star system, to win or die trying."Cyborgs!" by Vaughn Heppner (a novella set in the Doom Star series) – The Space Marines are in the Oort Cloud, racing in their insertion pods to the frozen planetoid of Tyche. Alone in the dark, outnumbered and outgunned by the cyborgs waiting for them on the methane-ice surface, the hour of desperation has arrived.

The Masque of Vyle


Andy Chambers - 2013
    When a troupe of these deadly warrior-performers discovers a dead Craftworld festering in the webway, they are determined to find the one responsible and exact punishment. Using the ancient craft of their Shadowseer, the trail of destruction leads the troupe to the Sable Marches, a fringe realm of the dark eldar. With several possible suspects of this heinous crime, the Harlequins decide to draw out the guilty one by staging the Masque of Vyle for the archons, a performance that will expose the truth and lead, fatally, to the perpetrator.The Masque of Vyle is archaic ritual performance, used to lure out the guilty to face the fickle justice of the harlequins. Amongst the Dark Eldar however, there are plenty of guilty souls. This tale gives a fascinating insight into both the splinter realms of Commorragh, and the enigmatic rituals of the Laughing Gods followers.

Dining Out Around the Solar System


Clare O'Beara - 2013
    Before long they're onto the hottest stories in London. DEATH CAUSED BY CAFFEINE In their future, Stansted Airport has been converted to a space shuttle base and Londoners are recruited to mine the asteroids. AHOY NEPTUNE! ESTUARY BOMBS TO BE CLEARED While exploring the other planets, we found that they were all inhabited. Now those people are coming to Earth and looking for work. They're also opening ethnic restaurants in central London. THE SMOKING GUN Befriending immigrants makes Donal and Myron unpopular with some, while their investigative reporting lands them in trouble with wealthy organisations, criminals and the Home Office. Their romantic prospects are compromised. But you can't keep a good team down, especially when they report for London's Eye, and they've got every book ever digitised at their disposal.... STOWAWAYS FROM SATURN

Across the Event Horizon


Mercurio D. Rivera - 2013
    He first burst onto the scene in 2006 with “Longing for Langalana”. Featured in Interzone, “Langalana” won the magazine’s readers’ poll for best story of that year and became the first of many pieces to gain honourable mention in Gardner Dozois’ Year’s Best anthology. Since then, Mercurio’s work has appeared regularly in Interzone, as well as such venues as Asimov’s, Nature, Black Static, and Solaris Rising 2. In 2010, his story “Tu Sufrimiento Shall Protect Us” was shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award and gained honourable mention in Ellen Datlow’s Year’s Best Horror.Across the Event Horizon contains the very best of Mercurio’s work to date; fourteen stories selected by the author himself, including “Langalana” and “Tu Sufrimiento”.“Tu Sufrimiento Shall Protect Us… is one of the most atmospheric, disturbing and thought-provoking short stories I have ever encountered.” – SF Signal “Few writers in SF depict aliens quite as alien as Rivera does.” – Colin Harvey“I was blown away by Mercurio D. Rivera’s “The Scent of Their Arrival”; it’s the finest story I’ve read for some time.” – Gareth D Jones.“Brilliant… exciting… On my Hugo shortlist.” – Sam Tomaino, SF Revu

Jasmine The Jewel Orchard


Ellie O'Ryan - 2013
    A servant claims that there is no fruit to be found in all of Agrabah Jasmine heads to the market to figure out what has happened. When a trail of beautiful amethysts leads her to the royal orchards, she discovers that all the fruit and water have been turned into sparkling, shimmering jewels At first it seems a beautiful sight, but with no fruit to eat or water to drink, the people of Agrabah can't survive. Jasmine and Aladdin must figure out how to reverse the spell that has been cast upon the orchards before it's too late.

Bringer of Fire


Jaz Primo - 2013
    When his treatment center is destroyed in a massive explosion all hell breaks loose! While struggling to control his strange new abilities, he’s targeted by powerful corporations, terrorists, and the FBI. But when an assassin targets Logan’s family he shifts into high gear with a vengeance.Bringer of Fire is an action-packed thriller that sweeps you up from the first chapter and carries you off!

One Foggy Night


Jake Bible - 2013
    Foreshadowing events to come, One Foggy Night is a prequel short to DEAD MECH. Get a peak at Masters, Harlow, Jay Rind, Bisby, Stanislaw, and the Rookie years before their fates are sealed. Blood, sex, action, murder, and moonshine- in the Wasteland anything is possible! Jake Bible lives in Asheville, NC with his wife and two kids. He is the author the Apex Trilogy (DEAD MECH, The Americans, Metal and Ash), Bethany and the Zombie Jesus, Stark- An Illustrated Novella, and the forthcoming YA horror novels Little Dead Man (November 2012) and Intentional Haunting (2013). Check out Friday Night Drabble Party every week! Free drabbles for all!

M'tak Ka'fek (The T'aafhal Inheritance)


Doug Hoffman - 2013
    Book three of the T'aafhal Inheritance trilogy finds Earth in a desperate battle for survival and Capt. Jack Sutton stranded 1500 light-years from home. After the narrow escape from Sirius at the end of book two, the crew is split—the majority returning to Earth with Gretchen and Ludmilla, while fewer than a score are trapped aboard an ancient T'aafhal battle cruiser, the M'tak Ka'fek. Traveling far across the Orion Arm through a wormhole to escape a near nova strength explosion, Captain Jack finds himself far from home in a spaceship that is almost out of fuel. Jack and his band of buccaneers are forced to fight for double dealing aliens to get the antimatter they need to return home. During their absence, Ludmilla, TK, Gretchen, Billy Ray and the rest are forced to defend a ravaged Earth. The Dark Lords pummel Earth's survivors while, in a race against time, Jack and crew race to refuel the M'tak Ka'fek. Will they find what they seek in time to return home, defend Earth, and save the ones they love?

Degrees of Delusion


Lindsay Buroker - 2013
    Fortis must choose between betraying his captain and comrades or firing on the very men he once dreamed of joining.

The Regent's Gamble


A. Payne - 2013
    Now he protects the fragile balance between the mundane and supernatural realms. The job is easier said than done, even with the aid of a sultry half-dryad who possesses unique talents of her own. Crumbling truces test boundaries of the new ruler and his elite wizards as they are swept into a treacherous game of loyalty and betrayal. A sinister enemy forges deadly plans for the city of New York, and it will stop at nothing to achieve its wicked desires. In a world where demons whisper seductions into mortal ears and fae prey upon the desperate with underhanded deals, fate thrusts an ordinary young woman and her child into the center of a building storm. In Manhattan, trolls lurk under more than bridges, gentle nature spirits become killers overnight, and necromancers raise the dead to benefit their insidious plots. To save New York City from ruin, the lives of four strangers must intertwine. If they cannot defeat their own inner demons, then all is lost and the forces of Hell will triumph.WARNINGAdult content and mature situations. Not recommended for readers under 18.

Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire


Paul Ramey - 2013
    Edmund. Determined to offer the very best tours, Edgar volunteers at the local library on Saturdays, where he secretly digs through old town documents for interesting historical tidbits.Among his recent discoveries is the name of a man who seems to be missing from the official town records. Edgar’s curiosity deepens the further he digs — if he didn’t know better he could swear the mysterious figure had been intentionally removed from St. Edmund’s history. But it’s when two members of the local historical society forcefully tell him to mind his own business that he begins to realize he’s stumbled into something very, very big.St. Edmund’s cemetery manager, Corinthian Harknell, has been Edgar’s confidant and father figure for some time, and the curious mystery of the missing man seems to have whetted his appetite for a good adventure as well. Corinthian knows Edgar better than anyone, and instantly picks up on the chemistry between Edgar and high school acquaintance Shelby Emerson, whose curiosity draws her deeper and deeper into Edgar Wilde’s compelling world of Victorian garb, cemetery iconography and passion for mystery.Together, the three find themselves on a tantalizing quest involving centuries-old clues hidden around St. Edmund, a forgotten witch trial, and a mysterious book of spells — the Lost Grimoire — that promises untold power to the one who wields it.

Sheppard of the Argonne: Alternative History Naval Battles of WWII


G. William Weatherly - 2013
    He must tackle the demons in his mind and the painful, lingering, injuries he suffered when Japan attacked on December 7th. McCloud’s been tapped to command the U.S. Navy’s latest capital ship, the Argonne, in the early phases of World War II. He needs to follow his new orders while keeping his fears secret. A commander’s life isn’t easy; McCloud faces a host of challenges and decisions as he assumes total responsibility for the ship and crew. He’s aware that his every move, behavior, and decision influences the men he leads in battle; for it is their performance as the sum total of the ship’s character that is the weapon deciding outcomes. Carefully researched to accurately depict the U.S. Navy during World War II, Sheppard of the Argonne follows the exploits of Sheppard McCloud during a hypothetical war at sea. It presents rare insight into the command of a capital ship at war, showing how it tests the captain’s leadership as enemy submarines and aircraft attack, culminating in that rarest of historical actions, a gun duel between capital ships."

Schism


Nicholas C. Rossis - 2013
    Again.The prequel to the Amazon best-selling series, Pearseus.If you like dark epic fantasy with a sci-fi twist, then you'll love Pearseus: Schism, the novelette that lays the back story to the series that has reached #1 on Amazon.It's New Year's Eve, the year of 2099, but the distinguished guests aboard the Pearseus won't get to countdown seconds; soon they'll be counting bodies and survivors after the spaceship's crash landing on another planet.The good news? The planet is seemingly hospitable both in resources and in terms of the natives' attitude towards earthlings.The bad news? They might have come on this planet bare of possessions, but what they haven't been able to shed are the shortcomings of their human nature. Will that be the sole threat to a unified future, or is the new land and its first inhabitants not as innocent as they look?

A Perfect America


Peter Meredith - 2013
    He's an Inquisitor, a man who makes a living rooting out and executing those people who have been charged with treason. Guilt or innocence mean little to him--he has quotas to fill after all. Yet when he unwittingly stumbles upon a secret involving someone high up in the new American government, he becomes a target himself. Unfortunately for Phil, there's nowhere to run that the government can't find him. In the year 2122, in the perfect state of America, the government owns everything...from the shoes you wear, to the apple you eat, to your next door neighbor. The government owns everything and is everything. Under these conditions Phil can trust no one but the man he's slated to murder next.What the readers say about A Perfect America:"A Perfect America is the rarest thing: a perfect dystopia.""Prepare to be scared for your future...""...a very scary place. In this world, humanity has been replaced by conformity."

Finn Finnegan


Darby Karchut - 2013
    Gideon Lir: a legendary Celtic warrior with a bit of a temper of his own.Secretly, these blue-collar warriors battle the hobgoblins infesting their suburban neighborhood...when they are not battling each other.Finn (not bleedin' Finnegan) MacCullen is eager to begin his apprenticeship. He soon discovers the ups and downs of hunting monsters in a suburban neighborhood under the demanding tutelage of the Knight, Gideon Lir. Both master and apprentice are descendents of the Tuatha De Danaan, a magical race of warriors from Ireland. Scattered long ago to the four corners of the world, the De Danaan wage a two thousand year old clandestine battle with their ancient enemy, the Amandán, a breed of goblin-like creatures.Now with the beasts concentrating their attacks on Finn, he and his master must race to locate the lost Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan, the only weapon that can destroy the Amandán, all the while hiding his true identity from his new friends, Rafe and Savannah, twins whose South African roots may hold a key to Finn's survival. Armed with a bronze dagger, some ancient Celtic magic, and a hair-trigger temper, Finn is about to show his enemies the true meaning of "fighting Irish."

Whispers


Heath Stallcup - 2013
    Some loves were never meant to be. Some loves are cut short by the evil of others. When Sheriff James Tolbert and his fiancé were killed by a malicious rancher and his cutthroat minions, nobody could expect that the very passion that fueled their love would be the same passion that fueled ghostly revenge. When grave robbers unearth Sheriff Tolbert's tomb searching for Old West relics, a vengeful spirit is unleashed on a small Texas town hellbent on revenge. If those responsible couldn't be made to pay, then their progeny would, and they would pay in the most bloody and horrific manner the spirit could dream of. Can modern day law enforcement stop a spirit destined to fulfill an oath made in death? Even when aided by a Texas Ranger and UCLA Paranormal Investigators, how can they stop something that is already dead and buried?

Monster Pulse 1: Heart's Birth


Magnolia Porter - 2013
    Now she and her friends are in for the adventure of their lives as they try to keep their monsters secret and safe, fight off a sinister organization, and solve the mystery of how and why this happened.Monster Pulse is a young adult-friendly series: part creepy sci-fi adventure, part quirky coming-of-age. Join the colorful cast and cool creatures on a journey that's only begun.

Zombie Battle: Complete


Jacqueline Druga - 2013
    This book contains the entire series: Outbreak, Integration, Invasion, War and SurviveA mysterious virus emerges after a meteor lands near a remote village in Peru. Authorities brought in to investigate discover the horrific virus, not only kills, but it reanimates its victims, turning them into the walking dead.Believing they have contained the outbreak, samples of the contagion are brought to the United States via infected military and other victims. The virus breaks boundaries and the infection spreads initiating the ground invasion of the War against the Undead.The war begins as the numbers of the undead increase and civil unrest begins. The fate of the world hangs in the balance as it is not only man against the undead, but man against man.

Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman


Daniel Wallace - 2013
    Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman explores the remarkable creative process behind the movie and showcases the exceptional concept art that shaped its unique visual style. From the stark alien vistas of Krypton to the down-to-earth warmth of Smallville, this book uncovers the intensive world-building process that makes Superman’s universe both thrilling and believable. Also featuring in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, and candid on-set photography, Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman is the ultimate insider’s look at one of the most electrifying movies in recent memory.MAN OF STEEL, SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s13)

The Whitechapel Demon


Joshua Reynolds - 2013
    It is now 1920, and the title and offices have fallen to Charles St. Cyprian. Accompanied by his apprentice Ebe Gallowglass, they defend the battered empire from the forces of darkness.In the wake of a séance gone wrong, a monstrous killer is summoned from the depths of nightmare by a deadly murder-cult. The entity hunts its prey with inhuman tenacity even as its worshippers stop at nothing to bring the entity into its full power... It's up to St. Cyprian and Gallowglass to stop the bloodthirsty horror before another notch is added to its gory tally, but will they become the next victims of the horror guised as London's most famous killer? In the tradition of William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki the Ghost-Finder, Josh Reynolds presents the Adventures of the Royal Occultist. Join Charles St. Cyprian and Ebe Gallowglass as they race to halt the workings of a sinister secret society and put an end to the monstrous manifestation in THE WHITECHAPEL DEMON!

Horse of a Different Color


Howard Waldrop - 2013
    Dick is our homegrown Borges (as Ursula K. Le Guin once said), then Waldrop is our very American magic-realist, as imaginative and playful as early Garcia Marquez or, better yet, Italo Calvino. . . . You never know what he'll come up with next, but somehow it's always a Waldrop story."—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post"Waldrop subtly mutates the past, extrapolating the changes into some of the most insightful, and frequently amusing, stories being written today."—The Houston Post"The most startling, original, and entertaining short story writer in science fiction today."—George R. R. Martin"It always feels like Christmas when a new Howard Waldrop collection arrives."—Connie WillisHoward Waldrop's stories are keys to the secrets of the stories behind the stories . . . or perhaps the stories between the stories everyone else knows. From "The Wolfman of Alcatraz" to a horrifying Hansel and Gretel, from "The Bravest Girl I Ever Knew" to the sixth Marx brother's story of a vaudeville act tracking down the Holy Grail, this new collection is a wunderkammer of strangeness.Howard Waldrop, born in Mississippi and now living in Austin, Texas, is an American iconoclast. His highly original books include Them Bones and A Dozen Tough Jobs, and the collections Howard Who?, Night of the Cooters, Other Worlds, Better Lives, and Things Will Never Be the Same. He won the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards for his novelette "The Ugly Chickens."

The Danish Scheme


Herb Sakalaucks - 2013
    In addition to a new version of this story, which had previously been published in the Grantville Gazette, Eric Flint has added a short story which provides a view of the same events from Magdeburg. What does the Stearns administration make of all this? A worthy addition to the 1632 series, the first of a series of new books published under the imprint of the "Ring of Fire Press." to make available stories and information which there simply isn't time for in Baen's publishing schedule. These stories were simply too long to be included in any of the paper anthologies published by Baen Books. At the same time, we felt it would be useful (and hopefully popular) to put them together in unitary volumes so that people who want to re-read them, or read them for the first time, don't have to hunt for them scattered over a number of separate issues of the magazine.

There's No Happy Ending


Tiffany Scandal - 2013
    Bodies are melting, buildings dissolving and it's only a matter of time before the world completely disintegrates.Despite the world rotting away, lovers Isobel and Dresden are fighting for the future, and their wedding day. Unfortunately, the rotting world isn't their only challenge. Dresden's mother is a wealthy woman with powerful secrets who wants only the best wife for Dresden, and Isobel isn't it.Dresden's mother has him kidnapped and held hostage so he'll not only miss his wedding, but alters him so he'll survive the rotting world and live with her forever.It's up to Isobel to search the apocalyptic world for Dresden while he fights his mother's mansion of horrors. If luck is on their side, Isobel and Dresden may be able to find one another before the world completely disappears.

Secrets in Time


Alison Stuart - 2013
    He must help her understand why he has travelled from the midst of civil war to the quiet English countryside of the twentieth century. But is falling in love with him destined to end in heartbreak? Jessica knows he must return to his own time and face certain death in battle. Why has Nathaniel been sent to find Jessica? Can their love survive a bloody battle…and overcome time?

Bone Welder


Greg Kishbaugh - 2013
    But now a desperate stranger has ventured to this timeless wasteland in search of the monster. Not to hunt or kill him like all other men before him. No, this man has come seeking the monster's help. In the darkened alleyways of Chicago, terrible experiments in bringing the dead back to life are again underway, filling the streets with soulless, undead wretches. And the only one who can stop the dark experiments is the creature who first crossed the threshold of death all those many years ago. A creature forged from the charnel house itself, brought to life through the burning pain of electricity. Stitched together from corpses coughed from their graves. With his new companion, the creature known as Frankenstein's Monster returns to the world of man. A world that hates and reviles him. To battle the horrifying results of his own dark legacy.

A Very British History: The Best Science Fiction Stories of Paul McAuley, 1985 – 2011


Paul McAuley - 2013
    From sharply satirical alternate histories to explorations of the outer edges of biotechnology, from tales of extravagant far futures to visions of transformative challenges of deep space, the showcase the reach and restless intelligence of a writer Publishers Weekly has praised as being 'one of the field's finest practitioners.' Stories include: 'Little Ilya and Spider and Box' 'The Temporary King' 'Cross Road Blues' 'Gene Wars' 'Prison Blues' 'Children of the Revolution' 'Recording Angel' 'Second Skin' 'All Tomorrow's Parties' '17' 'Sea Change, With Monsters' 'How We Lost the Moon, A True Story by Frank W. Allen' 'A Very British History' 'The Two Dicks' 'Meat' 'Rocket Boy' 'The Thought War' 'City of the Dead' 'Little Lost Robot' 'Shadow Life' 'The Choice' 'Searching for Van Gogh at the End of the World' 'Karl and the Ogre'

Zamira and The World of Z


Holy Ghost Writer - 2013
    After Zeddy relates dreams of travelling back in time, he and his mom, Zadie survive many adventures on a strange island in the Bermuda Triangle. There they meet and discover that The Count of Monte Cristo is Zeddy's grandfather while being attacked by Dragons and children Zombies, including uncharacteristically, Merlin. They rescue King Arthur, The Count of Monte Cristo and restore Merlin's sanity with the help of The Professor, Zachary Zenith. Along the way they encounter an entertaining version of Sherlock Holmes and even his side kick, Dr. John Watson.

Death in the Time of Ice


Kaye George - 2013
    The dark seasons are becoming longer and the mammoth herds are fleeing south. When the tribal leader is found stabbed to death, the new leader thinks Enga did it. Expulsion and certain death loom. Enga must find the murderer to save her tribe -- and herself.

Parcel


Austin Quinn - 2013
    His past is a distant memory of a faded dream, and his future is anything but certain. After waking in a prison made of ice, he’s kidnapped and thrown into the strange, timeless city of Parcel. Nera worked hard to bring honor and recognition to her family’s ludus. Some of Parcel’s most fierce gladiators can be found training under her roof. She demands complete obedience from her slaves, and her eccentric nature yields only to her insatiable desire for anything, or anyone, who defies the norm. When she sees a frail young boy with abnormally blue eyes being sold in the Forum, she cannot resist.Years passed, and Leo had finally started to fit in when a horrific accident in his master’s gravity bay changed everything. Not even the strongest of fighters, ones who’d trained at the highest levels, could’ve survived it, but somehow he did. Now he must face a whole new set of dangers, and only time will tell if he’s strong enough to survive.

Dead Special Edition Perspectives vol. 1


T.W. Brown - 2013
    Late one night, his world is tipped on its side as the dead began to walk. He slowly gathers a group of other survivors and, together, they brave the horrors of a Dead world. Every choice seems to yield as many consequences as it does rewards. He struggles with decisions made as well as opportunities lost as he finds himself in the unlikely role of leader. With a group that includes an Army doctor, a five-year-old Hispanic girl, a convicted murderer, and a teen girl who seems far better equipped to deal with the situation...Steve does his best to stay alive and one step ahead of the grasping hands of the walking dead.... ***This is a compilation of the first three books in the Dead series: Dead: The Ugly Beginning, Dead: Revelations, and Dead: Fortunes and Failures. Each special edition also contains close to 10,000 words of additional material requested by you... the listeners! This special edition allows you to sink into a Dead world with your favorite people and not be "distracted" by those long absences as other stories intrude and get in the way.