A female officer who is attacked in the line of duty must protect her own husband from his worst impulses in this short story, first published in The Blue Religion (Michael Connelly, ed.) and recognized as one of 2009's Best American Mystery Stories (Jeffery Deaver, ed.).

    A collection of science fiction stories written by acclaimed author Poul Anderson.Poul Anderson is best known for sci-fi adventure stories in which larger-than-life characters succeed gleefully or fail heroically. Anderson's also famous for writing 'Call Me Joe' (not included in this volume) which featured the premise of a paralyzed man whose mind is remotely controlling an alien body. This same theme also appears in James Cameron's 2009 movie "Avatar" – similar enough that some reviewers are calling for Anderson to receive some form of credit.Included in this volume:Story One: Duel on SyrtisBold and ruthless, he was famed throughout the System as a big-game hunter. From the firedrakes of Mercury to the ice-crawlers of Pluto, he'd slain them all. But his trophy-room lacked one item; and now Riordan swore he'd bag the forbidden game that roamed the red deserts ... a Martian!Story Two: SecurityIn a world where Security is all-important, nothing can ever be secure. A mountain-climbing vacation may wind up in deep Space. Or loyalty may prove to be high treason. But it has its rewards...Story Three: The Valor of Cappen VarraWe have said that there are many and strange shadows, memories surviving from dim pasts, in this fantastic universe of ours...Story Four: Industrial RevolutionEver think how deadly a thing it is if a machine has amnesia—or how easily it can be arranged…Story Five: The Sensitive ManOne man stood between a power-hungry cabal and world mastery--but a man of unusual talents...These are the original and unabridged versions of these classic science fiction treasures. A must-have for fans of classic sci-fi!

     Lucy is new to the area. Adventurous and up for fun, she is just the girl to take ‘loving thy neighbour’ to a steamy new level. Enter the object of her desire – her deliciously attractive neighbour, Melody. Fit, friendly and oozing sex appeal, Melody is every girl’s fantasy, but is she ‘one of the girls?’ or just a flirty tease? This is a tale to get your heart racing and change the way you view that sexy neighbour down the hallway forever. Who knows, it may inspire you to borrow more than a cup of sugar yourself. After all, sharing is caring… This is a 3500 word erotic short story. Warning: Contains graphic language and f/f sex.

    The private, sexy bar owner was content in his life and excited to move forward with his new business project. There was just one problem--he'd never been able to forget about that kiss...or about her. For her, everything had fallen apart...Shelby Kellan was once confident in knowing who she was and what she wanted. But recent events caused the gorgeous, blue-eyed beauty to barely recognize the woman she saw when she looked in the mirror. She knew she needed a fresh start. Could she do it with his kiss still lingering on her lips?Eighteen months ago, Levi and Shelby shared the perfect kiss. Now, he wanted more, but would she be able to give that to him after already losing so much?Secret KissAdam Dorsey was used to living a life of deceit and falsehood both professionally and personally. The former CIA operative—with an extremely high IQ—was ready for a quieter, more authentic life. Enter Jane, a gorgeous and adorable hazel eyed beauty that complicated his plan. No matter what she made him feel, he knew that he had to stay away from her for fear of damaging more than just her innocence…Jane Marshall always believed in the power of positive thinking and all that could create. She felt accomplished in her career, and was blessed with great friends and family. And yet, she questioned whether or not there existed a man that would be able to unleash and explore her inexperienced heart…until she laid eyes on Adam.Will Adam be able to let go of his past and accept Jane for the genuine soul she truly is? Will Jane be able to navigate through never before had feelings? Are there some things that are even beyond the control of two highly intelligent people? Discover the truth in …Secret KissMagic KissHe’d lost his best friend…Logan Dorsey left the military and his job as an undercover detective, but he still couldn’t shake the nightmares that haunted him. The only thing that had ever silenced the horrors for the chiseled former Marine was the one woman that was untouchable for so many reason…She’d lost her husband…Emma Locke wrote romantic stories for a living despite the fact that her happily-ever-after had been taken away years ago. The gorgeous, blue-eyed, twenty-six year old widow and single mom had nothing in her life to connect her with the love and heat she needed to write about. Nothing to inspire that kind of passion...except the one man that was off limits.They say time heals all wounds, but can it also be enough to grow new love?Lucky KissLucas “Lucky” Dorsey was at the top of his game in the world of MMA, and his nickname…well, let’s just say the ladies couldn’t get enough of the tattooed bad boy. But then…he met her…As the first female firefighter in the Hope Falls Fire Department, Deanna Bishop was focused on making a fresh start in her new town. She was ready to put out fires with the rest of the boys, but the beauty with emerald eyes was never ready for the fire he’d started in her heart… She brought him back to life, and he wanted more. He filled her with passion, and she wanted to run. Will Deanna be able to open her heart and let someone fight for her? Will Lucky be able to prove that a Lucky Kiss could lead to more than just that…Christmas Wish - NovellaBright lights…Fame…Wealth…Kyle Austen Reed had it all, and his devilishly handsome good looks were known to steal hearts on and off the screen…Fired…Evicted…Caring for a special needs child…Aurora Rose&rsq

    Naomi Evans, the ordinary kindergarten teacher, a devoted mother of two and wife to her loving husband, Tyree, never would have imagined falling for a fine ass street king.Naomi and Tyree have been together since their freshman year in college and he is all that she knows. Three years of marriage to the love of her life seemed perfect… At first. She made the money, he stayed at home with the kids. To many it seems that they are living the New American Dream and to Naomi there is no greater feeling than being with her family.However, that all suddenly changes once she meets a sexy thug named Marquise who desires Naomi from the very moment he lays eyes on her. With just the flash of that million-dollar smile, his cocky attitude and irresistible lips, Naomi becomes intoxicated in Marquise and lets him seduce her on the very first night of their meeting. Ashamed and guilty for stepping out on her husband, Naomi tries her best to forget her encounter with Marquise, but as life continues to throw him in her path, she finds him harder and harder to resist. Marquise suddenly opens Naomi’s eyes to a world of pure ecstasy that she never knew existed, as he pushes her beyond her limits. Limits that Tyree could never dare to reach. Naomi is now torn between the only life that she’s ever known and the life that she has now become so addicted to. And to make matters worse, she begins to drift away from her family in order to get her daily fix with her new addiction. But that isn’t even the best part… Her new addiction has no idea about his competition waiting for Naomi to come home every night. So how will he react to finding out that Naomi Evans isn’t the sweet, single, innocent but freaky girl she made herself out to be?Only time will tell…

    If by reading this story, we can critically examine our relationship with social media and reset it, the objective of the book would be partly met.Satvik, Sandeep and Ashok are three college friends meeting in Goa after a 25-year gap. While reminiscing about their college days, they discuss the craze of social media these days. They chance upon an idea of creating ‘Paybook’ – a new social media app that pays the users for their engagements. The app becomes an instant hit. This, however, also unfolds a series of events that take the friends to the unchartered territories.

    His ability to solve cases straddled the border between genius and second sight. He'd won every commendation his department offered, and his peers either cherished his ability or hated him for his success. But Chief Detective Corus, with his iron will and laser wits, was never moved by any of that, as long as he had a case to solve. Then his dog died. A good cop unhinged by the nihilistic significance of an old dog's departure must now struggle to piece his worldview back together in time to solve the murders he let slip through his fingers during his season of failure. He begins with the murder of an entire family at a ski resort. With every clue gone cold can Corus re-establish order in his world, despite hateful co-workers, corrupt officials and murderous villains? Or is the crushing chaos destined to overwhelm him?

    The war is raging across Europe and twenty-three-year-old Grace is devastated by the loss of her husband, Brian, at Dunkirk after only a year of marriage. Her secretary job at a law firm keeps her mind from dwelling on her sorrow but when her boss, James, enlists in the air force Grace is left without work. Alongside her best friend, Helen, the two young women join the War Office in a move that will change their lives forever. As Grace throws herself into the war effort, she must find the courage and strength to start her life over and find love again.

    Until the most inappropriate man in London asks her to dance. After a scandalous waltz that sets the gossips’ tongues wagging, the next morning, the man shows up in her family’s drawing room and announces his intentions to court her. Captain Ethan Dorrill dresses like a pirate, irritates her to the point of madness, and kisses like her heart’s desire.Snow Queen Mary LancasterThey call her the Snow Queen…for no man can thaw her frozen heart.Lady Alba Snowden lost her first love when she was seventeen. Since then, no man has touched her heart – until the summer she encounters wild, fun-loving Russian Prince Yuri Volkov, who is visiting London with the Tsar.The Highlander’s Unexpected Bride Tarah Scott & KyAnn WatersShe intended to stop a scandal…not become one.Lady Alison has a penchant for mischief. How else could she end up in the bedchamber of the notorious rake Viscount Weston? She expected to rescue her foolish cousin, instead she finds herself engaged…and embroiled in the devious exploits of sex slave traders.Dreaming of a Gentleman Summer HanfordMiss Rebecca Wycliff knows her place in the world, that of a poor relation beholden to her relatives for any scrap they care to award her. Still, she holds a secret dream for more, one that would see her tossed out on the streets, penniless, should her wish be uncovered.Not Another Nob Anabelle AndersFamily rivalries are no match for love.Neither is who they say they are. He thinks she’s a lady and she thinks he’s a gentleman. Even so, the seeds of romance are planted when they meet over a broken carriage and a small dog.Lord Keeper Tarah ScottA midnight race for freedom leads Victoria Hockley, the Countess of Lansbury, to a churchyard deep in the Scottish Highlands. But not even hallowed ground can save her from the devil who’s pursued her from England, or from the furious Scot who swears to protect her.The Maid of Inverness Rose FairbanksDespite Douglas Randolph’s attempt to avoid Society and his responsibility as the future Duke of Inverness, news he is has inherited the dukedom reaches him deep in the Highland hills of Scotland. That problem pales into comparison to the wager he makes with the man known as The Marriage Maker. Sir Stirling James swears he can find suitable husbands for four ladies directly descendant from Robert the Bruce. Little does Douglas know he is to be the first groom.One Last Promise Amy CorwinLove defies all obstacles to unite childhood friends...Bespectacled and plain compared to her two sisters, Martha Stainton cherishes no expectations, except, perhaps, to one day become a doting aunt. After the death of their beloved father, Martha and her two sisters must leave their home and become dependents of their aunt in London.Marrying the Belle of Edinburgh Lisa BoeroA foul murder, a beautiful widow, and one man who will risk everything for love.On a dark and lonely road, a masked gunman ends the life of the dashing Lord Carlyle. Distraught but determined, Helena, the bewitching Belle of Edinburgh, reenters London’s glittering society bent on tracking down her husband’s murderer.Lady Victoria’s Mistake Amy CorwinA dangerous rogue or a businesslike gentleman—what’s a lady to do?Lady Victoria’s parents have issued an ultimatum: marry or remain a spinster—forever. They have even prepared a marriage list of four eligible bachelors. The only problem is that none of them makes her pulse race. No one does, until she meets John Archer, a rogue her parents have forbidden her to see again.

    Will Summer Daize be able to help Steele, or will her secrets make matters worse?

    When Phoebe Summers moves to an idyllic Cornish cottage, dark deeds from the past quickly begin to cast sinister shadows across the present...

    Learn how the drama all began in this prequel to the wildly popular novel, Been So Long.Mona-Lisa followed her boyfriend, Corey, to college with dreams of building a stable future with him and leaving her troubled past behind, but a chance meeting with a handsome stranger threatens to derail their relationship and send her right down a path she has tried to avoid.

     After Allie Garrett's great Aunt mysteriously passes away, Allie inherits the Barrell Inn and it's mysterious clue finding cat, Pixie. When Pixie turns up a clue, she also turns the entire town upside town, uncovering a secret that's been hidden for years. This quirky cozy mystery is full of twists, turns and memorable characters as well as a hunky handyman that turns all of the heads in town. The Heather's Forge Cozy Mystery Series includes all six books: * Green with Envy * Choked Up * Straight Through the Heart * Hounded to Death * Inside Out * Under the Family Tree This fun cozy mystery is full of amateur female sleuthing but does not include graphic violence, sex or swearing.

    But that’s before she’s reacquainted with one of her former classmates, who is no longer the geek she remembers. And who adds a whole load of extra complications to the mix.

    The NP had done remarkably well in elections in four states. It was the party’s heroic return. It was an even larger triumph for the Dalal family, who had survived several calls for their ouster from party leadership. The fireworks started at 11:59 and four bottles of champagne were uncorked, as the ‘Nationalists’ and few staff members watched the night sky from the garden below.BOOM. Huge explosions razed most of 10, Lokpath, the entire Dalal lineage reduced to body parts and blood splatter on the grass. Though the explosion was restricted to the property, the tremors would soon be felt throughout the country.Naresh Mistri was woken up at 1:08 a.m. His national security team had reached his residence. The PM saw the news on TV. Even BP’s staunchest supporters would suspect the party. First the dreadful electoral performance and now this! It could be the biggest threat to his political career. As the world’s gaze would firmly be on Mistri, would he lose his greatest asset of all, public opinion?The IB and RAW had more often than not failed to provide intelligence on such attacks. And there was no ‘national’ police force that could investigate and solve this crime and bring the culprits to justice quickly. No, the PM had to turn to someone else. He said, “I want ISSCO to investigate this.”Realising that India needed an agency like the USA’s FBI, Russia’s FSB, and UK’s MI5, which could work with surprise, speed, and intensity, Mistri had three months ago approved ISSCO, a covert, privately run but government-funded intelligence and security organisation. He had told ISSCO they were to do everything that IB, RAW, DIA, NIA, and NSG said couldn’t be done, and do it better, faster, and quieter.