But with Enforcers in hot pursuit, Special Agent EAFY584 can only escape by crashing her stolen starship out of hyperspace into an uncharted solar system. Fortunately for her, the planet called Earth has a human population. Unfortunately for them, standard Enforcer procedure is to sterilize any planet where a spy might be hiding. WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN DISASTER IS COMING AND NOBODY CARES? To outward appearances, Effie is a typical human teenager. She claims it's part of her undercover work on another world. Whether that's true or not, the disguise works. When she tries to warn the government the world is in danger, no one takes her seriously. The only person who will listen is a lonely old cowboy and he’s already at death’s door. Maybe if she plays her cards just right, his help will be enough. HONESTY MAY NOT BE THE BEST POLICY Effie knows that the Enforcers will arrive sooner or later, so she does everything in her power to be up front with the government. She admits she's an alien, she admits she's from outer space, and tells everyone she wants to help. But who listens to a young woman about a potential alien invasion? JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE WON'T LISTEN DOESN'T MEAN THE THREAT ISN'T REAL. Effie has no choice, she must prepare for battle. She goes into the global marketplace and sells her technology, a little here, a little there. She'll get ready for the bad guys on her own. But that is just step one. Step two means taking the fight to the Enforcers' home system. After all, if you are going to stand up to a bully, you better be ready to finish the job. And if that means dragging Earth into an interplanetary war, they'll have to get used to it.

    Now in witness protection, she’s working hard to adjust to a life devoid of the things she used to be passionate about. When she meets the smart and beautiful Emily Sinclair, Cade feels hopeful about her new life, but she learns no matter who she pretends to be, she can’t deny the pull of her past.Emily Sinclair is settling into her role as district attorney and she’s ready to find a love interest to share in her success. Cade Kelly captivates her from the moment they meet, but she discovers that despite their undeniable attraction, Cade will challenge her at every turn. What will happen when Emily learns Cade isn’t who she thought she was, and worse, when they wind up on opposite sides in Emily’s first big case?

    The very sharpest edge of any military throughout history. Now, they face their greatest challenge yet. Undead, mutations, monsters, all the things no-one ever believed could happen are here in the pages of SNAFU: Black Ops. Read tales from existing bestselling series by Jonathan Maberry, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Hank Schwaeble, John O'Brien, and James Lovegrove, along with some of your SNAFU favourites in this collection of the very best stories by the very best writers of military horror. Full list of contributors: Jonathan Mayberry & Bryan Thomas Schmidt (A Joe Ledger/Rot & Ruin crossover novella) RPL Johnson Richard Lee Byers James A Moore & Charles R Rutledge Alan Baxter Christine Morgan John O'Brien (A New World novella) Tim Marquitz & J M Martin Kirsten Cross Hank Schwaeble (A Jake Hatcher novella) Seth Skorkowsky Lovegrove & Sharps (A Pantheon series novella) Nicholas Sansbury Smith (An Extinction Cycle novella)

    The turbulent political weather of the twenty-first century generates anxiety and makes it difficult to know how to react. Olivia Laing makes a brilliant, inspiring case for why art matters more than ever, as a force of both resistance and repair. Art, she argues, changes how we see the world. It gives us X-ray vision. It reveals inequalities and offers fertile new ways of living.Funny Weather brings together a career’s worth of Laing’s writing about art and culture, and their role in our political and emotional lives. She profiles Jean-Michel Basquiat and Georgia O’Keeffe, interviews Hilary Mantel and Ali Smith, writes love letters to David Bowie and Wolfgang Tillmans, and explores loneliness and technology, women and alcohol, sex and the body. With characteristic originality and compassion, Funny Weather celebrates art as an antidote to a terrifying political moment.

     You'll giggle when an EMT reveals his/her most prized possession, shake your head at some of the RIDICULOUS behavior seen in the emergency room, and you'll relate to the frustrations and joy healthcare workers across the globe express in their submissions. Special sections within this volume include: That Darn Cat, DOGgonit!, As Heard on the Scanner, and many more.

    Knox: When cute college student Will gets accepted into a prestigious study abroad program, he thinks he's finished with the hard part. But standing in his way is one last requirement - a physical from the campus doctor - and Dr. Stevens isn't letting him go without first giving him a very thorough examination.Keep It on the Down Low by Veronica Bates: Richard, a married man, has lusted after his guy friend for some time. But after a few beers, and implementing his super secret seduction plan, he failed tremendously at resisting his friend's charms. Both become desperate for each other, and also desperate for a wife-free place for sex. Will they be able to keep their clandestine romance on the down low?The Soldier and the Spy by Aubrey Watt: In the moment of truth, I cannot kill him. He is the enemy, a spy, and I should have pulled the trigger when I saw him. But I cannot. He is beautiful, and I am lonely, and we are both of us trapped in the middle of a battle that does not matter. Now we are traitors, but at least we have each other.Pumping Teen Iron Cock by Lula Lisbon: Former nerd Drew is now a buff 19-year-old college athlete who has a huge crush on sexy jacked Gabriel, university coach and trainer. What he doesn't know is that Gabriel's been watching the tight teen's physical progress with interest, and the older man plans a steamy seduction after the lunchtime gym rush is gone! Shy virgin Drew quickly discovers that there's more than just heat in the sauna!Watching My Neighbor by Jessi Bond: When he catches a glimpse of his handsome neighbor in the nude, Craig's left confused, aroused and questioning his sexuality. But how far is a straight guy willing to let his attraction for another man go?Banging the Boss 2 by Victoria Scarlett: James' employment under Roland has been uneventful ever since their original meeting when Roland screwed him senseless. When Roland calls him in to his office to demand more sex, James isn't too shocked. But he doesn't expect Roland's arch nemesis to be in the same room, much less having to service Roland without his rival finding out.Frat Boy's First Lust by Julianne Reyer: Tony had always watched his fraternity brother Rick from afar, but when he finds himself alone with Rick after sharing a drunken bond, he might just get his chance to make a move...Guardian Anal by Violet Jessamy: Everyone has a guardian angel, but Keith has a more intimate relationship with his angelic protector than most people. Despite the life-threatening danger that calls the angel to his side, the two of them make time to get to know each other very well indeed. His angel goes above and beyond his calling in order to heal his human charge's heartbreak with tried-and-true mind-blowing sex.Hiking Hookup by Stella Hayne: When Bill and Jack reconnect for a hike years after college, neither of them know what to expect. Stranded in a forgotten cabin during a storm, the two young men experiment with unspoken urges on a night that may change their lives forever.Billy's Cock by Noelle DeVeere: Jon needs to get back into shape, and his friend Billy is more than willing to show him how. But when Billy inadvertently shows Jon his best feature, soon both men will be pumping more than iron!Warning: this collection of short erotic fiction features explicit descriptions of hot gay sex, group sex, authority figures abusing their power, voyeurism, and several first gay times, and may lead to one-handed reading.

    Bitten and dumped, BBW Alicia Morgan has experienced a lot of heartbreak in her life. She longs to find her forever man but she’s afraid to take another chance on love. When temptation comes calling in the form of two hunky alphas she has to fight off her lustful feelings. FURbidden He’s 22 hot, sexy and fully loaded. She’s 32, curvy, divorced and tempted! But he’s her best friend’s little bro and forbidden! BBW wolf shifter Evie Allen has just gone thru a messy divorce and is looking for a “sensible guy”to love. But the young, hunky bear shifter Chad has his own passionate plans in mind for her. FURgiven He’s a rich, hunky bear shifter. She’s a beautiful, curvy mom of two. And when they meet – the heat level sizzles off the charts! BBW Stacy Winston is struggling to support her 14 year old twins. When the opportunity to enter a marriage lottery comes up, the gorgeous bear shifter thinks it may be the solution to her problems. FURocious(Menage) Oohlala! Angel aka Angie Wade is a sweet slice of heaven to hunky bear shifters Kyle and Monty in this blazing hot menage! BBW auction reseller Angel Wade is fed up with Kyle Collin’s roaming eyes. The delicious ‘Bite Me Bar’ bartender is just too hot for his own good. When her handsome new online friend Monty Lawrence comes to town to meet her, she is ready and open to love. FURgotten 1 Hot Rich Dude + 1 Pretty BBW = Nail Biting Romance! Chloe Roberts has a secret. A big one…she’s Chloe Roberts not her twin sister Courtney Roberts. BBW Bite Me Bar bartender Chloe Roberts is having a normal day shopping at the mall when the hottest guy on the planet, wolf shifter Drake Roma, grabs her sweet body from behind. FUR: Complete Edition features all 5 Sexy in Fur spicy standalone BBW paranormal romances with covers. The collection includes lots of sexy scenes and language. Enjoy!

    With contributions from twenty witchy femmes, queer conjurers, and magical rebels, Becoming Dangerous is a book of intelligent and challenging essays that will resonate with anyone who’s ever looked for answers outside the typical places.From ritualistic skincare routines to gardening; from becoming your own higher power to searching for a legendary Scottish warrior woman; from the fashion magick of brujas to cripple-witch city-magic; from shoreline rituals to psychotherapy—this book is for people who know that now is the time, now is the hour, ours is the magic, ours is the power.

    These twenty original stories tell of scary futures, magical adventures, and the joys and heartbreaks of teenage life. Featuring New York Times bestselling and award winning authors along with newer voices: Garth Nix, Sofia Samatar, William Alexander, Karen Healey, E.C. Myers, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Ken Liu, Vylar Kaftan, Sean Williams, Amal El-Mohtar, Jim C. Hines, Faith Mudge, John Chu, Alena McNamara, Tim Susman, Gabriela Lee, Dirk Flinthart, Holly Kench, Sean Eads, and Shveta Thakrar

    But these faery stories have a magical twist--every one has an LGBT theme The genre's top writers spin stories of coming out and growing old, of identity and loss, and of hardship, with a focus on youth and beauty, the love of the dance, wild passion and decadence, and the drama of vengeance and spurned love.Contents:A faun's tale / Tom Cardamone --A scent of roses / Catherine Lundoff --The wand's boy / Richard Bowes --A bird of ice / Craig Laurance Gidney --Charming, a tale of true love / Ruby deBrazier & Cassandra Clare --Three letters from the Queen of Elfland / Sarah Monette --The kings of oak and holly / Kenneth D. Woods --Detox / Elspeth Potter --From asphalt to emeralds and moonlight / Aynjel Kaye --The price of glamour / Steve Berman --The coat of stars / Holly Black --How the ocean loved Margie / Laurie J. Marks --Isis in darkness / Christopher Barzak --Touch / M. Kate Havas --Attracting opposites / Carl Vaughn Frick --The faerie cony-catcher / Delia Sherman --Exiles / Sean Meriwether --Laura left a rotten apple and came not to regret the cold of the Yukon / Lynne Jamneck --Mr. Seeley / Melissa Scott --Year of the fox / Eugie Foster --Ever so much more than twenty / Joshua Lewis --Mr. Grimm's fairy tale / Eric Andrews-Katz.

     In this deeply funny (and, no kidding, wise and poignant) book, Rakoff examines the realities of our sunny,  gosh­ everyone-can-be-a-star contemporary culture and finds that, pretty much as a universal rule, the best is not yet to come, adversity will triumph, justice will not be served, and your dreams won’t come true. The book ranges from the personal to the universal, combining stories from Rakoff’s reporting and accounts of his own experi­ences: the moment when being a tiny child no longer meant adults found him charming but instead meant other children found him a fun target; the perfect late evening in Manhattan when he was young and the city seemed to brim with such pos­sibility that the street shimmered in the moonlight—as he drew closer he realized the streets actually flickered with rats in a feeding frenzy. He also weaves in his usual brand Oscar Wilde–worthy cultural criticism (the tragedy of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, for instance). Whether he’s lacerating the musical Rent for its cutesy depic­tion of AIDS or dealing with personal tragedy, his sharp obser­vations and humorist’s flair for the absurd will have you positively reveling in the power of negativity.

    Each story offers a new perspective on events readers have speculated about for years. For new readers, it offers an introduction to the characters Romantic Times calls "two of the most memorable heroes in fantasy." Professional and amateur art provided by Flewelling's fans accompany Glimpses' stories, as she honors the dedication and devotion her fans have given her over the years. "Glimpses is full of treasures like Lynn Flewelling's deceptively easy and addictive storytelling, her vivid and engaging characters, and the amazing and heartfelt illustrations. This book is a must have for fans of Lynn's Nightrunner books, and if you haven't started the series yet, then Glimpses will leave you eager to discover more about Seregil and Alec, their adventures and the unique and fantastical world that the pair inhabit." -Suzanne McLeod, Spellcrackers.com series "It's hard to imagine a lovelier gift to fans than this exquisite collection of gorgeously illustrated short stories. Flewelling indulges her loyal readers with these graceful glimpses 'between the lines' of the long-running and immensely popular Nightrunner series." -Josh Lanyon, Adrien English Mysteries and the Holmes & Moriarity Mysteries "An unmissable short story collection from Flewelling. Set in the Nightrunner universe Glimpses captures Flewelling's characters at formative moments in their various timelines. Some of the stories fill in details that I've been waiting on for years..." -T.A. Moore, The Even Series "Glimpses is a terrific collection, lovingly illustrated, a gift to all of us who love the Nightrunners. This rocks." -Patricia Briggs, Mercy Thompson Series

    The secret admirer.The fake relationship.The matchmaker.From stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that’s been there all along, ten of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favorite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will swoon for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding, and serendipitous.Contributors include Elise Bryant, Elizabeth Eulberg, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Marissa Meyer, Sandhya Menon, Julie Murphy, Caleb Roehrig, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Abigail Hing Wen.

    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….

    Screenwriter, director, and star of the acclaimed film Me and You and Everyone We Know, Miranda July brings her extraordinary talents to the page in a startling, sexy, and tender collection.