But we don’t know the half of it.Yet.MY ship was raided. And now I’m owned by a monster.He saw me. Felt me. And claimed me.I became a pet.His property.I never broke under the lash.The pain only made me stronger.I’m determined that I will win.He will yield to the desire I bring out.His will is my command.His words are my truth.Some may think that he broke me.Other’s will think I’ve tamed him.You know what?I don’t care.All I know is this.I’ve won the love of this monstrous alien warlord.He makes me feel like someone treasured.Rather than something used.This giant brutish beast…Who has stolen a little piece of my soul.Has merged it with his own.Monster explores a much darker and grittier side of the Athenaverse. It can be read as a standalone, but it still shares the same universe that you’ve found in other books. Themes in this book should be approached with caution.

    But mercs of all species know that if you head to southwest Houston, near the Starport, there’s a particular run-down strip mall that looks like it’s been abandoned for years. The glass door second from the south end of the strip is plastered over on the inside with blue paper, and the faint golden outline of a rampant lion is the only clue. The door is locked, of course, and beyond the door is nothing but a darkened hallway with a downward slope and a slight curve to it. Once you follow this curve far enough, you are greeted by two very large, very well-armed Lumar. “Welcome to the Lyon’s Den,” the larger of the two says without a translator, and without a trace of an alien accent. “You know the rules?” Welcome back to the Four Horsemen universe, where only a willingness to fight and die for money separates Humans from the majority of the other races. Edited by bestselling authors and universe creators Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy, “Tales from the Lyon’s Den” includes eighteen all-new stories in the Four Horsemen universe by a variety of bestselling authors—and some you may not have heard of…yet. Want to know what it’s like to do search and rescue while a battle is going on or what to do with that new manufactory you just won in a card game? Better learn the rules to the Lyon’s Den…and then step inside! Inside, you’ll find: Preface by Chris Kennedy “The Devil in the Pit” by Mark Wandrey “A Job to Do” by Quincy J. Allen “For the Honor of the Flag” by Doug Dandridge “Lucky” by James P. Chandler “Shit Day” by Marisa Wolf “The Charge of the Heavy Brigade” by Chris Kennedy “The Bottom Line” by Michael J. Allen “Midnight Diplomacy” by Tim C. Taylor “Desperta Ferro” by Eric S. Brown & N.X. Sharps “The Deadly Dutchman” by Kevin McLaughlin “The Felix” by RJ Ladon “The Heart of a Lion” by Terry Mixon “What Really Matters” by Chris Winder “Headspace and Timing” by Robert E. Hampson “Return to Sender” by Benjamin Tyler Smith “Grunwald” by David Alan Jones “The Quiet Was Fine” by Jake Bible “A Mother’s Favor” by Kacey Ezell

    The cyborgs of the clandestine military unit Cyber Operations are the only force preventing galactic domination by a terrorist mastermind. These Men of Mettle are saving the galaxy (and the girl) one mission at a time. Cyborg Protector (Men of Mettle 1)When cyborg Brock Mann is ordered to protect a planetary ambassador, he discovers she’s the woman from his past who almost ruined his life. He’ll do his duty, but he won’t fall in love with her. Cyborg Protector was previously titled Stranded with the Cyborg.Cyborg Rogue (Men of Mettle 2)Cyborg Kai Andros’s mission is to infiltrate a terrorist’s space station, get the intel, and get out. His orders said nothing about rescuing Mariska, the enemy’s innocent daughter. Now Cyber Operations and the terrorists are on their tail. Cyborg Rogue was previously titled Mated with the Cyborg.Cyborg Boss (Men of Mettle 3) Ex-Cyber Operations field agent Dale Homme who runs a secret spaceship factory has developed a sixth sense for smelling trouble. When lllumina applies for a job, he knows in minutes everything about her is false. Common sense says send her packing. His gut says she needs his protection. Cyborg Boss was previously titled Captured by the Cyborg.Cyborg Heat (Men of Mettle 4) Amanda Mansfield is a cyborg with something to prove. Sonny Masters is a former thug turned cyborg with nothing to lose. The only thing more dangerous than teaming up for a suicide mission is falling in love. Cyborg Heat was previously titled Trapped with the Cyborg.Cyborg Mate (Men of Mettle 5)Future empress Julietta never intended to fall in love with a Terran man while visiting Earth. Leaving to fulfill her responsibilities on her home planet opened up a hole in her heart that could never be filled. When March Fellows, now a cyborg, unexpectedly shows up on the eve of her arranged marriage, she and March are thrust into a political conspiracy that threatens her empire and their lives. Cyborg Mate was previously titled Claimed by the Cyborg.Cyborg Rescuer (Men of Mettle 6)Hostage Solia waits for death at the hands of vicious predatory aliens when Cyber Operations agent Guy Roarke disobeys orders and charges in. Can he overcome the guilt of past mistakes in time to save her life? Cyborg Rescuer was previously titled Rescued by the Cyborg and published in Pets in Space 2: Embrace the Romance.Cyborg Commander (Men of Mettle 7) Billionaire cyborg Carter Aymes devotes his wealth and time to saving lives. When he hires Beth O’Shea, a courageous woman with connections to his past, the attraction is immediate and strong. As their relationship heats up, so does the urgency to capture a terrorist mastermind before he can unleash a stealth weapon at a critical planetary summit. With millions of lives at stake, Carter discovers that stopping the attack may require sacrificing Beth’s life. Will Carter be able to rescue her, or will his new love be the one person he can’t save? Cyborg Commander was previously titled Hunted by the Cyborg.

    Clarke Award and 13 authors who have been shortlisted, as well as non-fiction from thrice-winner China Miéville and former judge Neil Gaiman. Contents: Introduction Golgotha – Dave Hutchinson The Monoliths of Mars – Paul McAuley Murmuration – Jane Rogers Ouroboros – Ian R MacLeod The Escape Hatch – Matthew De Abaitua Childhood’s Friend – Rachel Pollack Takes from the White Hart – Bruce Sterling Your Death, Your Way, 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! – Emma Newman Distraction – Gwyneth Jones Dancers – Allen Stroud Entropy War – Yoon Ha Lee The Ontologist – Liz Williams Waiting in the Sky – Tom Hunter The Collectors – Adrian Tchaikovsky I Saw Three Ships – Phillip Mann Before They Left – Colin Greenland Drawn From the Eye – Jeff Noon Roads of Silver, Paths of Gold – Emmi Itäranta The Fugue – Stephanie Holman Memories of a Table – Chris Beckett Child of Ours – Claire North Would-Be A.I., Tell Us a Tale! #241: Sell ’em Back in Time! by Hali Hallison – Ian Watson Last Contact – Becky Chambers The Final Fable – Ian Whates Ten Landscapes of Nili Fossae – Ian McDonald Child – Adam Roberts Providence – Alastair Reynolds 2001: A Space Prosthesis – The Extensions of Man – Andrew M. Butler (non-fiction) On Judging The Clarke Award – Neil Gaiman (non-fiction) Once More on the 3rd Law – China Miéville (non-fiction)

    Deadly Secrets. Unforgiving Darkness… Fall head over heels in love with this set of fantasy tales. Steeped in Greek, Norse, and Asian Mythologies, 8 bestselling authors bring you stories brimming with adventure, unexpected twists, and following the pursuit of true love. When it comes to the gods, passion doesn’t always follow the rules. Grab your copy today. Fans of paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and reverse harem will devour this collection of exclusive stories. Every complete novella contains steaming hot alphas, strong sexual themes / language with a satisfying HEA. Adults Only! Some stories contain dark themes. This set includes stories from: C.R. Jane Mila Young Eva Chase Joely Sue Burkhart Helen Scott Erin Bedford Yumoyori Wilson Elle Cross

    A dark ritual turns a woman obsessed with supernatural powers against the people who love her most. A possessed TV proves that old B-Movie monsters can still terrify an unsuspecting audience…Scare Street’s roster of authors brings you eleven new tales of supernatural horror, in one blood-chilling volume. This macabre collection of short stories is guaranteed to get your pulse racing, and send shivers down your spine.Each deliciously dark tale will haunt your dreams, and keep you reading long past the witching hour. But wait…What was that noise? Did something move in the shadows?Just keep telling yourself… it’s only a story.

    Some Like It Hexed by Angie Fox Potions, parties and more. Demon Slayer Lizzie Brown expects the biker witches Halloween celebration to be crazy, but she doesn’t count on a recruitment event at the local senior center. Or dark forces brewing under the surface. When a witch is struck with a mysterious curse, Lizzie fears the party may be over for her and her friends. Ghosts in the Graveyard by Liz Schulte Katrina has been feeling a little lost lately. Her coven is falling apart, the guy she likes is more distant than ever, and she doesn’t feel overly connected with her magic anymore. With Halloween coming up, she desperately needs her friends, sans men, plus some direction in her life. Gathering the remaining coven members (with one addition), she is determined that they will forget their troubles, honor those that they have lost, and look to the future, but an uninvited guest has a different plan—one that could kill those she holds most dear. With the help of a handsome stranger dressed as Jack the Ripper, she will do everything in her power to save her friends and this night from ruin. Spirits of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase From New York Times bestselling author Deanna Chase, Spirits of Bourbon Street. It’s Halloween on Bourbon Street, and white witch Jade Calhoun is ready to party. But when a sexy spirit traps everyone in the past, she’s forced to forgo the cocktails in order to save those she loves...again Charmed and Dangerous by Rose Pressey Halloween LaVeau hopes that she can finally relax and have a good time at The Bubbling Cauldron's annual Halloween bash. Being the leader of the Underworld isn't as easy as Hallie thought. All the Enchantment Pointe witches have gathered for a night of treats, but no tricks. When Hallie's best friend Annabelle is accused of messing with another witch's magic, Hallie must conjure up her sleuthing skills before all of Enchantment Pointe falls under a spell gone wrong.

    This edition also comes with twelve exclusive postcards. A must-have gift edition for all Whovians!To celebrate the arrival of Peter Capaldi on to our screens as the newly regenerated Doctor, this collection of Doctor Who short stories, each written by a different author, now includes an extra, brand-new twelfth adventure as part of the 12 Doctors, 12 Stories paperback anthology. Offering the perfect addition to the top-selling series, the twelfth story, 'Lights Out', has been penned by self-professed Doctor Who fan and best-selling female sci-fi writer Holly Black.Contents:A Big Hand For the Doctor by Eoin Colfer sees the First Doctor in pursuit of a gang of Soul Pirates in Victorian London. Missing both his left hand and his beloved granddaughter Susan, his quest to retrieve them promises a journey into a land he may never forget...The Nameless City by Michael Scott, who puts his own inimtable spin on the Second Doctor. When Jamie McCrimmon gives the Doctor a mysterious book, he has no idea of the danger contained within its pages. The book transports the TARDIS to a glass city on a distant world, where the Archons are intent on getting revenge on the Time Lord for an ancient grudge.The Spear of Destiny by Marcus Sedgwick follows the Third Doctor and Jo Grant on a quest to track down the magical spear of Odin. Caught in a vicious battle between two Viking tribes, the Doctor stop the spear getting into the wrong hands before it's too late.The Roots of Evil by Philip Reeve, joins the Fourth Doctor and his companion Leela on an adventure on a massive tree space station known as the Heligan Structure. Little do they know that the tree has been asleep for centuries, dreaming of vengeance against a man in a blue box... Tip of the Tongue by Patrick Ness is a Fifth Doctor adventure about a strange new craze for Truth Tellers, which is sweeping through the kids of small-town America. While the Doctor and Nyssa investigate the phenomenon, they discover the truth behind the Truth Tellers is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined...Something Borrowed by Richelle Mead. The Sixth Doctor and Peri attend a wedding on the planet Koturia and discover the return of a formidable old foe, whose genius matches the Doctor's. Can he outwit this villain, save Peri and stop the wedding in time?The Ripple Effect by Malorie Blackman. When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Seventh Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the Dalek's have become a force for good, and their once battle-torn planet is now a universal centre of learning. But how long can peace last...?Spore by Alex Scarrow, who puts his own twist on the Eighth Doctor in a terrifying tale about an alien pathogen that attacks a small town in the Nevada desert. As the population is reduced to a seething mass of black slime the Doctor realise it is the same virus which almost annihilated his entire race, the Time Lords...The Beast of Babylon by Charlie Higson. A young girl called Ali sees a silver orb fall from the sky and soon learns it's her ticket to seeing the universe. Desperate to retrieve the mysterious object, the Ninth Doctor lets her join him on a dangerous trip to ancient Babylon, where he must battle a giant Starman for the fate of the Earth.The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage by Derek Landy, joins the Tenth Doctor and Martha on a planet that looks exactly like Earth, but is full of fictional characters from Martha's childhood. Together they must solve the mystery of who has created a world of books before their story concludes.Nothing O’Clock by Neil Gaiman, is a terrifying tale about a race called the Kin. Thousands of years ago, the Kin were imprisoned for their crimes by the Time Lords. But the Kin were patient and deathless and, when Gallifrey fell, they escaped. Now the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond are all that states between the Kin and fate of the universe.Lights Out by Holly Black. The Twelfth Doctor is sucked into a murder investigation on the International Coffee Roasting Station, the most caffeinated place in the universe. A killer is on the loose; one who only emerges in the dark. Can the Doctor solve the mystery before the lights go out forever?

    Just a far-fetched bit of science fiction “hocus pocus.” But is it? With today’s giant leaps forward in technology and biotechnology, with people constantly surrounded by sophisticated yet invisible communication networks, and with a rapidly increasing understanding of the brain’s inner workings . . . is it so hard to imagine that we might be able to develop direct mind-to-mind communication? Or might it not be the case that evolution alone, in the right circumstances—if not on this planet, then on others—could give rise to creatures with telepathic abilities? This collection of fourteen stories explores the ramifications of a future where telepathy is real. From that first glorious moment of discovery, to the subsequent jealousies and class divisions, to the dangers of weaponization and the blessings of medical miracles, The Telepath Chronicles promises to take you inside the creative minds of some of today’s top science fiction authors.

    Humans can last days without food. Humans will walk for days on broken bones to get to safety. Humans will literally cut off bits of themselves if trapped by a disaster. You would be amazed what humans will do to survive. Or to ensure the survival of others they feel responsible for. If you're hurt, if you're trapped, if you need someone to fetch help? You really want a human. Twelve authors provide their perspectives on human ingenuity and usefulness as we try to find our place among the stars. From battletested to brokenhearted, humans are capable of amazing things. Humans Wanted shows not only what we are, but also how awesome we can be.

    There's a greater emphasis than usual on Golden Age writers (just the way it came together) -- but we have one original story as well, a posthumous collaboration with H.B. Fyfe, finishing a really terrific but not-quite-done tale he had been working on before his death. It's a bit reminiscent of James Tiptree, Jr.'s best work -- but predates Tiptree by a couple of decades. And we have novels by Robert Silverberg, Frederik Pohl & C.M. Kornbluth, Murray Leinster, E. Everett Evans, and Donald Wollheim...not to mention part 2 of our serialization of Tony Rothman's mammoth 2013 novel, Firebird. And a ton of great short stories. 36 works in all, more than 1900 pages of great reading!ANGELS IN THE JETS, by Jerome BixbyA CODE FOR SAM, by Lester del ReySTAR SHIP, by Poul AndersonTHE WELL-OILED MACHINE, by H.B. FyfeJACK OF NO TRADES, by Evelyn E. SmithTHE GRAVITY BUSINESS, by James E. GunnDOOMSDAY EVE, by Robert Moore WilliamsMASTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, by Robert SilverbergFALCONS OF NARABEDLA, by Marion Zimmer BradleyNEW LAMPS, by Robert Moore WilliamsTHE PIRATES OF ZAN, by Murray LeinsterOUT OF THE IRON WOMB!, by Poul AndersonLATER THAN YOU THINK, by Fritz LeiberTHE PLANET MAPPERS, by E. Everett EvansAFTERGLOW, by H.B. Fyfe and John Gregory BetancourtSHIPPING CLERK, by William MorrisonCONTAGION, by Katherine MacLeanTHE LIGHT ON PRECIPICE PEAK, by Stephen TallTHE LUCKIEST MAN IN DENV, by Simon EisnerON THE FOURTH PLANET, by J.F. BoneBIMMIE SAYS, by Sydney Van ScyocSWEET TOOTH, by Robert F. YoungSEARCH THE SKY, by Frederik Pohl and C. M. KornbluthSTAR, BRIGHT, by Mark CliftonHOT PLANET, by Hal ClementTWO WEEKS IN AUGUST, by Frank M. RobinsonTHE ALIEN, by Raymond F. JonesBODYGUARD, by Christopher GrimmJAYWALKER, by Ross RocklynneSECOND CHILDHOOD, by Clifford D. SimakOF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS, by William TennPOLLONY UNDIVERTED, by Sydney Van ScyocDELAY IN TRANSIT, by F. L. WallaceA GIFT FROM EARTH, by Manly BanisterONE AGAINST THE MOON, by Donald A. WollheimSpecial Feature: FIREBIRD, by Tony Rothman [Part 2 of 3]If you enjoy this volume of classic stories, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the 270+ other entries in this series, including science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, adventure, horror, westerns -- and much, much more!

    Travel to the enigmas of science and time…travel to the altered states of the mind. Stories by upcoming and established cyberpunk/sci- fi authors, curated by Roy C Booth and Jorge Salgado-Reyes. This anthology represents the very first publication of science fiction by Indie Authors Press.

    Flip-flops are optional. All of your favorite hilarious Fun Stories gathered together in one place! Plus, extended versions of many of your laugh out loud favorites. PRAISE FOR FUN STORIES: “The offbeat & heartwarming humor kept me turning pages due to its rollicking adventures in every chapter. Your friends, loved ones, and co-workers will enjoy it too." "It's very funny and on point observational humor” “Has me laughing from beginning to end” "Similar to Dave Barry, Eric Idle, and Stephen Colbert's humor" “This guy's funny and charmingly off the wall” "Always thought coffee could get me through the midweek blues, but this blows it out of the water" "I love Fun Stories. Fantastic!" "Awesome stuff, really enjoyed the horse names. Great read." "Excellent and hilarious material here" INCLUDES ALL OF THESE AND MANY MORE: "Chick-fil-A Makes Me Feel Like Leonardo DiCaprio" "The Least Amount of Fame Possible (Old MacDonald)" "Cub Scout Dropout" "Not the Next Carrie Underwood" "Bigfoot Popcorn" "Gatorade For Your Soul" "Shamelessly Suggestive City Names" "I'm the Freakin' Michael Phelps of Googling" "Alright, Alright, Alright!" "Mind Game of Thrones" "Happy Friday (Mr. Pee Man)" "Clown Commuter Award" "How NASA Thins The Herd" "Crunchy Roads, Take Me Home" "Good Folks, Bad Coaching" "Ultimate Waitress Revenge" "Battle of the Bands" You'll be smiling for hours as the pages turn themselves. Three Fun Stories books have hit #1 on Amazon Humor. Five audio tracks from this book have hit the top 10 on the iTunes comedy chart. Click to download the book and start the fun! Need more info? If you enjoy the humor of these folks, you'll love reading Fun Stories Greatest Hits: Dave Barry, Dilbert, David Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, Carl Hiaasen, Christopher Moore, Jim Gaffigan, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jerry Seinfeld, Eric Idle, Erma Bombeck, Sebastian Maniscalco, Mindy Kaling, Jen Lancaster, Amy Lyle, The Far Side, Kevin Allison, Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Sloane Crosley, Jimmy Fallon, Steve Martin, Judd Apatow, Adam Mansbach, Justin Halpern, Reader’s Digest, Dad Jokes, Garfield, Saturday Night Live, Friends, and The Office. Download Fun Stories Greatest Hits to start your next comedy adventure! Enjoy Fun Stories video posts at www.facebook.com/FunStoriesSeries. Get a free Fun Pack at www.mentalkickball.com. HUMOR, HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT, PARENTING & FAMILIES, PARODIES, SATIRE, ESSAYS, SHORT STORIES, CELEBRITY & POPULAR CULTURE, COMEDY, CULTURAL, ETHNIC & REGIONAL, CARTOONS, JOKES & RIDDLES, MEN, WOMEN & RELATIONSHIPS, TRAVEL, POP CULTURE, RADIO, TELEVISION, PERFORMING ARTS, FUNNY BOOKS, HUMOR ESSAYS, FUNNY SHORT STORIES, FUNNY MEMOIR, HUMOR MEMOIR, FUNNY BOOK CLUB BOOKS, FUNNY ESSAYS, HUMOR BOOKS, HUMOROUS BOOKS, GIFTS FOR DAD, FUNNY GIFTS, LAUGH, LAUGH OUT LOUD, FUN, FUN, FUN, MORE COWBELL COWBELL

    Can one laborer put a stop to the Monral's scheme before Tolar's advanced technology is exposed to the Trade Alliance?

    Or that was the way it used to be. Three hot brothers enjoy their work and each other's company, taking advantage of nearby parks for camping and fishing expeditions. But things go awry on a camping trip for Christian, the eldest brother, and that sets off a chain of events that leads each brother on an adventure of keeping the town safe from the dark shifters and finding their mates! If you like paranormal romance with danger, action, and heart-pounding romance, then you won’t want to miss The Holbrook Brothers Shifters series. Grab your copy today! Wild Temptations When a trip to the great outdoors goes horribly wrong, a small-town ER nurse soon finds herself with more than she can handle. Christian Holbrook is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing weekend of fishing with his brothers, complete with their usual jokes about his lacklustre love life. But when he discovers a mysterious cave hidden deep among the trees, the creature that lurks within changes his life forever. Libby Grimes is an ER nurse in a small country town. Tasked with the stressful job of caring for her wheelchair-bound mother, her long days and sleepless nights are haunted by the strange disappearance of her father. She knows he wouldn’t abandon them – but all her clues led to dead-ends. When Christian checks into her hospital, her mystery takes a new turn. Libby soon finds herself drawn to him. As their feelings grow, can Libby she help Christian overcome the darkness forming inside him? Or will his new powers be her end? Finding the Wolf Two artists brought together by a dangerous world of wolf shifters. Eric Holbrook lived for the perfect shot. He dedicates his life to the moments when everything is flawless and the planets seem to align. But growing up in small-town America, he struggles to break from his future of hometown newspapers and an ex happily married to his boss. When his chase for the perfect picture drives him toward secrets he never thought possible, he soon ends up thrust into a dangerous world of shifters. Misty Miller finds herself once again in her hometown, miles away from her art career in Chicago. Finding refuge in clay, wire and metal, she hopes the country setting will breathe inspiration into her work. But when Eric lands on her front porch, her art soon falls to the sidelines. Through the fur and fangs, Misty finds herself clawing to keep him grounded – and struggling to make sense of the new reality that has revealed itself to her. As their bond strengthens, will lust and discovery be enough to see them through the fear and danger that the shifter world brings? Or will Eric’s drive end up being more than just the death of his career? A Dangerous Curiosity She’s a big-city girl with a dark secret. He’s a small-town guy destined to become a wolf shifter. Brighton Holbrook had everything planned for his future – a good education, a family company, and supportive brothers. But when his brothers begin acting strangely, he becomes determined to find out what they’re hiding. And when he discovers their secret, there’s no going back. Lily Tucker is a city girl, groomed to take over her family’s business. But when her grandmother falls ill, she’s forced to travel to a small country town to care for her – and to protect her family’s dark secrets. She expected a quiet, boring town, but it soon becomes anything but when Brighton walks into the bar. He’s handsome, wild, and the spark between them is instantaneous.