Now, in this revealing volume, nineteen leading philosophers open a window on the inner life of atheism, shattering these common stereotypes as they reveal how they came to turn away from religious belief. These highly engaging personal essays capture the marvelous diversity to be found among atheists, providing a portrait that will surprise most readers. Many of the authors, for example, express great affection for particular religious traditions, even as they explain why they cannot, in good conscience, embrace them. None of the contributors dismiss religious belief as stupid or primitive, and several even express regret that they cannot, or can no longer, believe. Perhaps more important, in these reflective pieces, they offer fresh insight into some of the oldest and most difficult problems facing the human mind and spirit. For instance, if God is dead, is everything permitted? Philosophers Without Gods demonstrates convincingly, with arguments that date back to Plato, that morality is independent of the existence of God. Indeed, every writer in this volume adamantly affirms the objectivity of right and wrong. Moreover, they contend that secular life can provide rewards as great and as rich as religious life. A naturalistic understanding of the human condition presents a set of challenges--to pursue our goals without illusions, to act morally without hope of reward--challenges that can impart a lasting value to finite and fragile human lives. Collectively, these essays highlight the richness of atheistic belief--not only as a valid alternative to religion, but as a profoundly fulfilling and moral way of life.

    Church, school then a little more church was her life. She wasn’t the girl to get asked on dates or even have a lot of friends. She mainly kept to herself until she was noticed by the one guy she had been dreaming about since she hit puberty. Deon was a force that Jess had no choice but to allow to come in and sweep her away. He was too charming, too handsome, and too tempting. He didn’t have rules and he didn’t let Jess’ young age stop him from getting what he wanted, which was her. Jess fought him off for as long as she could but finally gave in. Her life seemed to change overnight. She became confident. She was able to get the clothes that she wanted and be the girl that other guys liked and females wanted to befriend. Deon was her king and she just wanted to make him happy. She went against her parents’ wishes and everything she believed in to be with him and she would have taken on the world for him if she had to. He gave her everything she ever wanted and she found herself so wrapped up in him that she could see nothing else. Her fairytale soon turned into a nightmare once she learned she wasn’t the only girl he was loving. Next were the fights and the drama. Trying to leave Deon became a war that she wasn’t prepared to fight. What do you do when someone you love so much hurts you? How can you leave them when you can’t even go a day without them? Love is many things but it should never hurt. For Jessenia her life was nice until it wasn’t. She fell in love with a man that really didn’t love her at all and the battle to get back to herself wasn’t going to be an easy one. He said he loved her and she believed him. His type of love was pain most of the time and she started to bleed his love right out of her until one day she noticed the love was gone. To leave Deon, Jess has to find herself and find her strength. Will she succeed or will she forever be wrapped up in a man that really loves no one but himself? Heart of Stone by Mz. Lady P Heart of Stone is a short story that digs into the mind frame of Stone Williams. A heartless, ruthless, and abusive womanizer.K'Yonnah Kyles is his much younger girlfriend who thought she had met her Knight in Shining Armor, but in reality she was dancing with the devil and sleeping with the enemy.Not being able to take it anymore, K'Yonnah decides to do what's best for her. In the process, she'll find out secrets that Stone has been keeping from her. She will have to come to grips and face the fact that Stone never had any good intentions for her or her heart. Will she be able to get out of his clutches or is it too late for her to save her life from the heartless nigga known as Stone.Love Don't Have to Hurt by Lucinda John Aimee's dreams of a professional dancer had to be placed on hold when her father died of cancer. Living paycheck to paycheck, Aimee works to help her mother pay off her debts, take care of her brother, and attend a few classes at a community college. When Aimee's best friend, Shanice presents her with the idea of dancing at a strip club for extra money, she meets Lucas. A punch, slap, and a few kicks is how Aimee can explain her abusive relationship with Lucas. The guy that is suppose to be her safe haven, is the one that is causing her the most pain; physically and emotionally. Aimee feels obligated to stay with Lucas because of how he changed her and her family's lives, but when things turn fatal, will Aimee learns that love is not suppose to hurt? Or will it be too late?Fatal Attraction: The Love I Once RememberedHave you ever been deeply in love? Enduring so much because you thought things would get better? Or because you felt your good days, outweighed your bad? Well here's a story about a young lady dealing

    At a glance, it bears few similarities to any place we know and inhabit. But upon closer examination, the differences between this complex virtual reality and our own might not be as vast as we think. In “How You Play the Game,” author and philosopher Charlie Huenemann looks philosophically at the game of Minecraft (“What is the point of this game? How does one win? Well, this depends on what you want to do”) and grapples with the ethical conundrums, existential crises and moral responsibilities of the virtual realm. From the Overworld to the Ender Dragon, Huenemann offers an entertaining, insightful and often hilarious examination of Minecraft and the strange worlds—both virtual and not—surrounding it.Charlie Huenemann is a Professor of Philosophy at Utah State University. He writes for 3quarksdaily, and has published several books on the history of philosophy.Cover design by Adil Dara.

    This collection includes 8 traditional British mystery novels: A COIN OF EDWARD VII THE SOLITARY FARM HAGAR OF THE PAWN-SHOP RED MONEY THE BISHOP'S SECRET THE GREEN MUMMY THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB THE MYSTERY QUEEN

     Featuring eleven brand new, never before seen urban fantasy stories from bestselling, award-winning authors, Urban Magic will take you on a series of exciting adventures in worlds full of magic. All proceeds from sales of this anthology will go to the American Library Association Disaster Relief Fund, which helps libraries recover after natural disasters.

    Marine Staff Sergeant Cree Novak has one objective in mind, winning back the love of Jaxon Alexander, the one one woman he can't forget only to have his career get in the way one more time.Alana Mitchel is turning thirty and feeling depressed. Best friend Kellan travers decides to show her that being more than friends is just what she needs in Fight For Me by Kelley Nyrae.Pamela Leigh Starr's Collide undercover DEA agent Yancy DeWolf is after Ambria Soublet when she grabs a Mardi Gras trinket that plunges her into danger and Yancy has to save her. Mardi Gras in New Orleans will never be the same again.Reese Green applies for a Big Brother for her son and gets more than she bargained for when martial arts expert J.T. Austin shows up at her doorstep in Champion by Eve Vaughn.

    All by women.When you were little, you had a nanny. A nanny only you could see.There are clumps of dark hair in the swimming pool. Curling around your toes, slowly tugging you down."The Love Simulator" shows your perfect life with 'The One'... which turns out to be your worst nightmare.DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS brings you 46 tales of terror from the depths of the female mind. Pull up a chair and listen to the horrors of murderous femme fatales, fiercely protective mothers, and daughters who realize their childhood isn't quite what it seemed.Hundreds of backers on Kickstarter brought this anthology to life, through a successful campaign that raised several thousand dollars. Our authors have won awards, written bestsellers, and gained international popularity on the 13 million subscriber forum NoSleep.Daughters of Darkness is guaranteed give you nightmares you'll never forget. Read... if you dare!

    Three beloved authors bring you heartwarming classic tales that are the perfect way to celebrate this special time of year. Shepherd Moon BY ROCHELLE ALERSTragedy forced Rhianna Campbell to run away from the small town of Shepherd. Years later, she returns to find her former fiancé's brother resents her for leaving after his brother died in a Christmas Eve accident. Can Emery Sutherland find a way to forgive Rhianna? And will they both find peace and maybe something more this holiday season…together?Wishing on a Starr BY ADRIANNE BYRDYears ago, Gia Hunter's husband was killed in combat, so she was forced to give up their infant daughter, Starr. In a twist of fate, Starr's adoptive father, Daniel Davis, and Gia have a chance encounter while Christmas shopping. Their attraction is immediate, but complications arise because Starr has been searching for her biological mother. Will there be a future together waiting under the tree for this would-be family?A Christmas Serenade BY JANICE SIMSCallie Hart is having a hard time being grateful this Thanksgiving. She just lost her job in Atlanta, and while traveling home to her family in Charleston, she gets a flat tire. Out of nowhere, a tall, handsome stranger appears to help her. After thanking him, Callie doesn't expect to see him ever again. But Callie's mother has a plan to keep her daughter close to home�and that plan includes the gorgeous stranger that Callie cannot forget….

     The White Tiger Shifter Series is full of magic and dangers as women with magical abilities pair up with white tiger shifter guardians. The code of mystics and the Order of Guardians forbids romantic entanglements, but nature doesn’t follow their rules. As different pairs risk their lives to protect loved ones, each other, and a nation, romance is almost inevitable. Book 1 – Callie’s Guardian Book 2 – Iris’s Guardian Book 3 – Alexis’s Guardian Book 4 – Freya’s Guardian With over 30k per story, you will be rooting for the characters to overcome the danger to find their HEA. AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is a stand alone paranormal romance with an HEA. This ebook contains mature themes and language, intended for 18+ readers only.

    Sixteen remarkable stories. One blockbuster space opera collection. Welcome to Galactic Frontiers, an epic anthology of space opera and military science fiction stories! From the far reaches of space to the interiors of the human soul. Journey to dystopian futures where humanity fights for survival beyond Earth against overwhelming alien forces. Travel to the galactic fringe where you either kill and get paid or die and stay broke. Experience the ethereal wonders and tragic consequences of godhood. Discover the awe of outer space and coming face to face with the unknown. Featuring contributions ranging from bestselling authors to up and coming writers, the stories in Galactic Frontiers will exhilarate and captivate, taking you to new universes and beyond! “Lori’s War” by CJ Carella “Space Cadets” by HJ Lawson “Battle Beyond Earth: Liberty” by Nick S. Thomas “Retreat: A Pike Chronicles Short Story” by G.P. Hudson “Daughters of Ayor” by David R. Bernstein “Bloodbag Suppressors” by Justin Sloan “Crash Landing” by Ken Lozito. “The Teardrop that became a Torrent” by Rachel Aukes “The Forever Family” by J.N. Chaney “Rift” by Amy DuBoff “The Embrose Contract” by C.C. Ekeke “The Trenches of Centauri Prime” by Craig Martelle “Plenty” by Jenetta Penner “Planetstrider” by Chris Fox “Tombstone” by Jay Allan. First published in 2012. “Last Survivors” by Michael G. Thomas

    The price we paid for becoming intelligent was to become painfully ignorant of the difference between good and evil.Adi, a 10-year-old boy, works together with two old philosophers as they try to unravel the prophecy of a promised King. With insatiable curiosity, Adi must work with the wise men as they rationalize with each other on why and how humans became intelligent. Together they attempt to answer some of the most profound questions related to existence. Does evolution end with human beings or is there an ‘Overman’ who can reach evolution’s pinnacle? Will this Overman be able to define values for humankind?Centuries later a young boy promises his mother that he will always uphold the love that she has taught him. It is a promise that drowns him in the nectar of the gods. Krish grows up to be an engineer and joins a team of scientists as they try to create artificial consciousness in a machine.Krish soon realizes that he has a bigger fight on his hands. A fight to preserve love in a desolate world. His quest for true love ultimately leads him down a path where he comes face to face with a fearsome snake delivering a kiss of death.Humans have come a long way by questioning the nature of objects around us and pushing the limits of our intelligence, but it’s now time that we ask the greatest question yet: when does intelligence transcend to become consciousness?

    A raucous eruption of language and a showcase for the best essayists of our time, The Outlaw Bible of American Essays chronicles American history and measures the boundlessness of dissident thought.

    It includes short gems from many of his teachings made popular in such books as The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium, as well as on subjects such as religion, politics, peacework, and human rights.

    Thirteen Stories about the Depik—what they were and where their society goes from here! It’s the Twenty-Second Century. Humanity has taken its first steps into the galaxy, and we’ve found ourselves in a vast playground of alien races, environments, and cultures. As the newest players on the universal stage, though, our position is readily apparent—we’re at the bottom of the food chain. But we’ve found new allies. The Depik are feared across the galaxy as the ultimate assassins, but when an attack on their home world devastates their society, the survivors are scattered across the galaxy. As humanity helps bring their civilization back together, though, how do the remaining Depik adults put their society back together and teach the young kits and kitas about what was lost? Stories. Not only are stories told to educate, but also to help the young Depik make sense of their place in a galaxy that is so much bigger than they are. Enter now the world of the assassin, as these peerless killers decide how to make their way forward, and thirteen amazing authors imagine the paths these Hunters will take. With stories by: Jody Lynn Nye Jonathan P. Brazee D.J. Butler Mark Wandrey Terry Mixon Kevin Ikenberry Kevin Steverson Jamie Ibson Jon R. Osborne Joseph Capdepon II Casey Moores Kacey Ezell Marisa Wolf

    I never thought I’d end up dating a billionaire. Penelope Wells is about to start her last semester in college and dreams of working at a large tech company in San Francisco. When her best friend and roommate, Nicolette, scores her an internship interview at RandomMeetX, a multibillion-dollar singles app, she couldn’t be more thrilled. But when she goes in for her interview, her life changes forever. Blake Hunter is the CEO of RandomMeetX and a misogynistic billionaire who craves control and power. When he sees Penelope in his building, he’s strangely mystified, even though she isn’t the plastic type he usually goes for. After all, she’s a plain Jane and his usual type is pumped full of silicone. He proposes something to Penelope that she knows will change the course of her future. All her needs will be taken care of—if she takes care of all of his. With her bank account running low, she agrees, but quickly finds out Blake’s needs involve handcuffs, blindfolds, and lots of handprints on her ass. Seduced by You: Blake Hunter has never been able to take no for an answer. When Penny doesn’t return his text messages or calls, he can’t help but feel an undying, nagging urge inside of him to talk to Penny, who at this point doesn’t feel ready to say a word to him. When she goes out on a date with a new man, though, and runs into Blake on a date of his own, she can’t help but feel backed into a corner—literally. After talking to Blake and thinking it over, she decides to do something to him that she never thought was possible. She’s going to give him a piece of his own medicine and use him just like he used her. It’s only when she starts to redevelop her old feelings for him that she knows she’s in way too deep, and she knows that her lies may hurt things all over again. Loved by You: After confessing her deceit to Blake, Penny has no idea what’s going to happen to their relationship. Will he take her back and understand why she lied to him and used him, as he once used her, or will he say goodbye forever and give up on what they had? As they begin to patch things up, an opportunity to meet Blake’s parents arises, and it’s through that meeting that Penny finds out why Blake is the way he is, and discovers the story of the woman who shaped him into the emotionally distant serial playboy she first met. But can their relationship survive and stay the same after she finds out about his past?