It also inspired us to come out with a delightful article, the ‘Indian Masketeers’, exploring Indian culture through its various masks. We also have ‘Dotty and the Albino Dragon’, the First Prize winning story in the Tinkle Original Story Competition. Moving on, we have three popular characters this issue, Shikari Shambu, Kalia the Crow and the Defective Detectives. Shambu goes on a rollicking ‘Jumbo Adventure in Assam’ while the Defective Detectives have a spine-chilling experience in ‘The Horror’. As for Kalia, can you imagine him, Chamataka and Doob Doob playing together? If you can’t, you should check out ‘Let’s Play a Game’. Next, enjoy a fun story by a reader, ‘Show Business’ in our Fan Fiction segment along with ‘Pranav’s Dadi and the Karate Kid’, where Dadi tries her hand at karate! And to wrap it up we have two diverse stories about two brave men who refused to give up. So check out ‘A Mighty Will’ and ‘No Crazy Ideas’. Enjoy!

    But when the murder weapon shows up in his closet, he's forced to run. Strange phone calls from the true killer lead him to Seattle WA in order to find him and ask him why.

    He's at work and will have to trek through rough neighborhoods and rural areas, and do things he never dreamed of. Walking through Southern California will stretch his skills, knowledge, and preparation to the limits. Will he survive this catastrophe of biblical proportions? Will he make it home to his family? Will his family survive until he arrives home? What will he find if he does make it? This is the story about the worst type of natural disaster and a man who will do whatever it takes to make it home to the ones he loves. A story of despair and resilience, failure and triumph. If you like the book, and even if you don't, PLEASE take a moment to rate it and leave a review. I welcome all constructive feedback as I intend to write more books and the feedback will only help me become a better writer. Thank you for taking the time to consider, and hopefully read, my book.

    Her father, determined to improve the family’s lot, relocates to Georgia.Ezekiel Salter scrimps to buy a ticket in Georgia’s 1807 Land Lottery, wins, and he and his impoverished family head west to newly-created Murcheson County.Prominent since colonial times, the Underwoods foresee the growing demand for cotton and acquire extensive acreage in newly-opened lands in central Georgia. Dispatched by his father, Jacob Underwood begins construction of Poplar Grove plantation.And, the slave known as Gant, his wife and daughter, Lucey, have no say as to their destination…the highest bidder will decide for them…and if the family remains intact.Spanning over fifty years, Murcheson County chronicles the four families’ fortunes against the backdrop of the most turbulent time in American history.An epic saga of slavery, emancipation, war and hardship, Murcheson County will remain in your heart long after the winds of war have stopped blowing.

    Where we don't, we read, we ask, we learn and then, we solve! What happens when there are no answers though? When nobody in the world knows! When we see the need to invent Gods even if we can't discover Him. Through a string of poems, the author narrates such an experience with his non-verbal and autistic daughter, Enya. What started as a week of babysitting for him soon became a seeking to change her into 'normal'. But, that seeking ended up transforming the seeker!The narrative in the form of poetry touches upon the revelation that comes out of desperation of not finding an answer at all and therefore, the thoughts getting tired of themselves and the mind taking a back seat. In that silence, the author says, things become clear and all aspects of life show their inter-relation! The intellect gives way to the intelligence, the body and mind as 'me' gives way to the world as 'me'! The mind map once seen, one starts to see the true nature of the 'me' and that perspective and clarity make everything clear and possible in life...

    Feisty heroines. Sweet, swoon-worthy stories.5 full-length standalones in one complete set.Everything I NeedCharley Meadows has lost nearly everything she loves. Needing to calm her mind and get away from the heartache, Charley abandons the place she’s always called home. 

But she never expected to have her newfound peace disrupted by Wes Blackman. 

Snowboarder extraordinaire turned business owner, Wes has been putting in hours to keep his company as the industry leader in snowboard production. With a board launch on the horizon, Wes finds himself back on the mountain. 

What he hadn't expected to find was a mysterious girl with a battered heart. 

Charley is afraid to take a risk and open her heart, knowing tragedy may strike again. 

Wes wants the opportunity to prove that no matter what happens, he'll always be there to pick up the pieces.Everything I HaveEmme James lives in darkness. 



Ever since her abusive relationship ended in heartbreaking tragedy, she's kept herself secluded to protect herself and those she loves. Unfortunately, Emme's plans to remain unattached fall apart the moment Zane Cunningham sets his sights on her. 

A professional snowboarder at the top of his game, Zane does not need a distraction. But when Emme walks into his life, he can't fight the pull he feels toward her and will take her any way he can get her. 

Emme struggles to resist Zane's persistent efforts to turn their friendship into something more and finally gives into the attraction between them. 

But just as Zane brings light and laughter into Emme's life, her trouble finally catches up to her. Zane promises he'll keep her safe, no matter the cost. 

Because he knows that if he can't, Emme may be lost in darkness forever.Everything I WantWhen starry-eyed dancer, Monroe Archer, met professional snowboarder Xander Stone, she believed she'd found the man of her dreams. Searching for her fairytale romance since she was a little girl, Monroe goes after what she wants. 



Stone is a grief-stricken man. At a young age, he learned that forever doesn't exist. Ever since, he's been a tortured soul just going through the motions. 


Monroe is devastated to learn that Stone wants nothing more than friendship. But just as she tries to move on, he realizes his attraction to her isn’t so easily denied. Powerless to resist her any longer, Stone starts something with Monroe knowing he is incapable of giving her forever. 



With her sweet and charming disposition, Monroe sets out to heal the wounds left on the heart of the man she loves. But it isn't long before Monroe realizes that sometimes those that love you most are the ones that hurt you the worst. Everything I LoveNikki Drake was just a little girl when she experienced her first heartbreak. Many years and several betrayals later, she's learned that life is what you make of it. Though she’s been resilient in the face of her past, it has affected one small part of her. 

Nikki refuses to give her heart to anyone ever again. 



Luke Townsend is a man most women dream about. Underneath his tall, handsome exterior, he's charming, compassionate, sensitive, and loyal. A dedicated snowboarder, Luke knows what it means to work hard for what he wants. And what Luke wants is Nikki. 


After sharing his feelings and being rejected, Luke walks away, vowing to find a way to win her heart. 

But once Nikki finally hands her heart over to him, Luke shatters her world with the truth.Everything I GiveTis the season…Life over the last ten years for the Blackman Boards crew has been better than any of the couples could have imagined. But with the holidays approaching, the women are struggling to get through the madness of Christmas plays, cookie baking, wish lists, tree shopping, and decorating while the men are desperate to soak up every ounce of affection they can get from their wives before the kids are officially on winter break.To top it off, everyone needs to do a little Christmas shopping. It’s anyone’s guess who’s going to win the award for the best gift this year. But when the big day arrives, it’s clear to see that the bonds of friendship and family are what matter the most and have given everyone a Christmas to remember.

    Races operating within their own planetary systems are to be left alone until they begin to develop the ability to travel at FTL (faster than light speeds). When the ability to travel at FTL becomes apparent, one of the members of the Federation is nominated to help ease the newcomer through the Galactic citizenship process. Unfortunately, not all the galaxies systems belong to the Federation, and some of those systems are much less than friendly. The last several decades have seen the development of war like societies that systematically loot developing planets. They take the water, and other precious resources, including slaves, leaving the remaining native inhabitants a barren planet. Without resources the population simply dies a slow death. The Egolari are here because we, meaning the people of Earth, happen to possess a skill set and an aptitude that is critical to the needs of the Federation. The major problem within the Federation is that virtually all the members have, for centuries been living in peace. They have developed a society that is not well suited to counter the growing violence presented by the nonaligned races. In short, they have no way to protect themselves, let alone protect the fledgling races just arriving on the galactic scene. Enter Earth. Of all the emerging races to become future galactic members, one has a superior potential to face the violence threatened by the nonaligned races. You guessed it, Humanity. The Federation realized that to continue to function as an organized galactic society, they would have to develop a military arm that could provide the Federation and emerging systems the protection of a fleet of space vessels and marines. Humanity was the race most capable of leading the development of that military organization because we had not progressed so far that our war like tendencies had begun to erode. Although we were not yet ready for galactic membership, we were a necessity that could fill the need, thus we were getting a crash course in how to travel the galaxy, protecting ourselves and the Federation with the full expectation that we would go where no human has gone before, and kick some alien ass.

    

    Local friendships and bonds of loyalty that she and her family formed during their gradual renovation of their once derelict farmhouse have now deepened. The children, both hers and her neighbours', are now adults and the close-knit community celebrates and prepares for the new generation. The wedding festivities and banquets are beautifully described in mouth-watering detail and the tastes and smells of Lot-et-Garonne seem to float from the page. An unforgettable and enriching story of Ruth and her family, and their continuing love for their home in the sunflowers.

    Biography

    Important, so inspiring... Please read this book" -Sonny Moore, Recording Artist "There are very few ways to get inside the mind of a lyricist. One way is through reading their diaries, the other through sleeping with them. Eric's book is the more entertaining of the options. It's a raw look inside the heart and mind of a rock 'n' roll spiritualist whose struggles with love (Chaplin) and versus the world (Keaton) are laid out bare like an exhibitionist on a double-dare." -Mike Shea, Founder, AP Magazine "Coma Therapy" is the sound of a powerful new voice in contemporary American literature. Victorino's brand of punchy prose often draws comparisons to the likes of Charles Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson. This debut collection of poems and short stories draws a dangerously thin line between the heartwarming and the horrifying... Eric Victorino then mischievously walks that line all the way to the last page. Defiant, triumphant, hopeful and wise.

    But behind the closed doors was a story of drugs, orgies, physical and sexual assault, and constant fear...Book voyeurs who are able to tackle tough subject matter will love this tale." --Kim Cantrell True Crime Book Reviews~~~~~~~~~~BESTSELLING, AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, SHERRIE LUEDER'S GRIPPING TRUE STORY OF A SON AND DAUGHTER'S PAINFUL MEMORIES AND FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL WHILE GROWING UP IN AN ABUSIVE HOME IN THE SUBURBS OF DENVER--THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR MOTHER'S MYSTERIOUS DEATH--AND RELENTLESS QUEST FOR JUSTICE. This book is the first to explore the mysterious death of Janyce "Janny" Hansen, a former top model from Denver, Colorado. She, along with her husband and children, live in an upscale home in the suburbs. The community sees an affluent, glamorous family. The reality is far different. An abused wife who can't let go. A husband who beats and sexually assaults his adopted children--while running gambling and prostitution businesses from their home. In the early morning hours of September 21, 1984, her husband returns home to discover her lifeless body in his Mercedes convertible parked in the garage--or so he says. Her family is led to believe she committed suicide. Now, 25 years later, her son and daughter set out to prove their mother was killed by her husband, a successful real estate developer rumored to have strong ties to city officials and underworld crime. Many believe the investigation into Janny's death was a cover-up--starting with the coroner's office--and that her husband got away with murder. As their investigation continues, they are led to believe their suspicions are true. Especially, since evidence increases almost daily and points to only one killer--Janny's husband.

     A secret cargo is headed for Japan. The Japanese High Command has entrusted it to a veteran destroyer captain - the best in the Imperial Navy - and he will stop at nothing to see that it reaches its final destination... Carrier-based dive bombers could not stop it, nor could the guerilla-commandos of the Philippine Islands. Now, the submarine Wolffish is the last ditch hope of the Allied Command. Still shaken by a recent tragedy, and desperately low on fuel, torpedoes, and morale, the war-weary submarine and her eighty-man crew must pull together to track down and destroy the cargo before it reaches Japan, and changes the course of the war...

    Joining forces, their group heads toward Walter’s cabin and the promise of a new life. But mother nature has other plans. When your life is in danger, can you summon the courage to fight? Madison and Tracy think they’re safe at a cabin in woods. But a chance meeting with a stranger reveals how vulnerable they really are. Faced with an unpredictable threat, the pair must defend their new home, even when the odds are stacked against them. The end of the world brings out the best and worst in all of us. Dangerous wild animals, hidden traps on the road, and violent strangers combine to push everyone to the limit. If Walter and Colt can’t make it back home in time, Madison and Tracy might not survive. It’s a battle against nature and man that only the strong will survive. The EMP is only the beginning. The Hope Trilogy comprises books seven through nine in the After the EMP series, a post-apocalyptic thriller series following ordinary people trying to survive after a geomagnetic storm destroys the nation’s power grid.

    Manish Chawla is too selfish to be bothered about his wife’s happiness. It’s watching her sister’s closeness to her new husband that actually opens Saloni’s eyes to the lack in her life. Aarav Chopra hasn’t looked at another woman since he fell in love with the seventeen-year-old Saloni. The nine years in-between seem to disappear when he sets eyes on her again at her sister’s wedding. But this time round, his love stretches to include her son too, as Mitesh holds not just Aarav’s finger but also his heart in his little hand. Things come to a head when she flees Chicago to return to Delhi along with her baby son Mitesh.Life throws Saloni and Aarav together as she goes to work in his group of companies while awaiting her divorce. The attraction is as powerful as ever! But Saloni is absolutely clear that she wouldn’t be tied to a man ever again. Will Aarav be able to convince her otherwise?