No one has any idea how this pandemic happened; even the WHO is stuck for an effective cure. Just as the whole world is growing desperate for resolution and low in hope, unexpectedly, a grey alien visits the earth in December 2025—five years after the initial outbreak—claiming that it has the concrete cure for A-virus.Can humans believe the announcement from the grey alien? Who really is this grey alien? Where did it come from? What could the purpose of its visit to Earth be? Did the grey alien bring the first life to our planet? Does it have any influence on ancient architecture and the many great wonders of the Earth? Did Neil Armstrong meet the alien?If you’re a fan of sci-fi, don’t miss Paradox—an enthralling rendition!

    We were the very first that revolted, and we are the last to fight against them; and I cannot but esteem it as a favor that God has granted us, that it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom." - Elazar ben Yair Many Westerners have never even heard of the Siege of Masada, and those who have may simply know it as an obscure reference to a minor battle fought in a remote location of the Roman world. By contrast, virtually all Israeli school children know the story of Masada as a premier example of nationalistic pride. According to historian Klara Palotai, "Masada became a symbol for a heroic 'last stand' for the State of Israel and played a major role for Israel in forging national identity" Indeed, the heroic story of a small band of fighters facing incalculable odds has many elements that are reminiscent of both the Battle of Thermopylae and the Battle of the Alamo. The refrain “Masada shall not fall again,” coined in a poem on the subject by Yitzak Lamdan, became a cry of resolve in battle for Israeli soldiers in the 20th century, just as the cry of “Remember the Alamo” had galvanized Americans. For decades, the Israelite military used the site of Masada as the location for swearing in their new recruits, and the choice of the site was obviously designed to evoke within the new soldiers a deep sense of connection with their national history. The Siege of Masada was the final battle in a long series of fights that constituted the First Jewish-Roman War. The Roman Empire had established control over the region in the 1st century BCE, when the Roman proconsul Pompey the Great took control of Jerusalem and ceremonially defiled their temple by entering it. This mix of political control and religious desecration was a contentious issue for the Judeans throughout the Roman period, and militant activists opposed to Roman rule, often espousing strongly held religious beliefs, frequently developed large followings to challenge the Roman authorities. This led to multiple violent clashes between the Judeans and the Romans, and the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 CE) was one such clash (albeit on a larger scale than most). The Roman troops marched through and made their military might felt, first in the northern region of Galilee, then down the coast where they finally laid siege to the capital city of Jerusalem. This left three Roman fortress outposts, including Masada, that had been built by Herod the Great but had been taken over by various Judean factions. Masada was the last of these fortresses that the Romans attacked and proved the most difficult for them to seize, but seize it they did. However, what made this battle qualitatively different from most was not just the difficulty Rome had in retaking control of it with incredibly disproportional military equipment and numbers, but also the actions of the Judean defenders. In the final hours of the battle, just as the Romans were about to breach the walls of the city, the defenders gathered together and committed mass suicide, rather than being killed or taken captive by the Romans. The Siege of Masada: A Historical Drama of the Famous Battle Between the Jews and Romans is a historical drama that portrays the famous battle from the standpoint of a fictional survivor.

    To many it would seem that advances in technology and centuries of human experience would insulate our current society from the mistakes of the past.The Echoes of Babylon examines the historical and social tendencies within the world's three great republics. Perhaps not immediately recognized by many, the three republics have a shared experience, as the United States was a former British colony and Great Britain was once subordinate to the Roman Empire.Whereas history is sometimes considered a dull, dry affair, or an amalgamation of names and dates, in the Echoes of Babylon, history is presented in the context of sequential events, highlighting similar attempts in the direction of human affairs, which have led to similar fates within the world's three greatest republics.

    

    This is an exciting new coming of age story with detailed world building and gritty action and fight scenes. The backstory has Norse or Scandinavian cultural and spiritual influences and overtones. His past was lost, only faded dreams and echoes of happier times remained. Sometimes he had a flash, a quick fleeting glimpse of a better place with friends, warmth and cheer below a silver sun in a twilight land. Those were rare though. Now, there is only the harsh brutal present, sweat stinging the eye and blood flowing from cracked bruised knuckles, a sword in his filthy callused hand and the hoarse shouts of the Sword Masters ringing in his ears. Exhaustion paints his partner's face like cheap mask. No doubt his own face looks just as bad. It is a never ending struggle, up before the sun, running, jumping, lifting and fighting, each day full of pain and injury. Training, always training, His country, Vesfalruk, needs warriors to defend their land and homes. And, this place makes the best warriors. There are none better with sword or ax in all the world. But there is a power and a sense of belonging in this place, this ancient Guild Hall and fortress lying in the shadow of the Eastern White Mountains. Being here comforts him in ways he does not understand and the cold winter winds are somehow less chill. His sword calls and he takes it up and trots out into the yard. Vesfalruk is a besieged place, an isolated mountainous land that has struggled against numerous foes and invaders, the Erhand. It is a land with a violent and bloody history and a kingdom without a king. There has been no king for over two-hundred years and relative peace, if it can be called that, has been the norm for most of that time. So trade flourishes, peace reigns and ancient traditions are openly questioned and sometimes mocked. Vesfalruk warriors are still renowned throughout Ellorhim and the Guild Halls continue to train them, against a rising popular opinion. Old enemies are stirring again, their armies gather, swelling and massing for another round of invasion and conquest. And, that is fine with him and it if the same for those he has grown up with in this Guild Hall. Let them come again. We will be ready. He vows this, to himself and to others.

    Both humans and wizards live here in peace and harmony, four Spires shine brightly high in the skies, wizards cruise the air on their tephirs and an Arena, a place of a magic tournament, is just amazing…But within the City of Mages, something is badly wrong. What was meant to be a brief trip turns into a battle to save his brother, his new love and his own life from the most powerful of mages…An entertaining young adult novella from a unique fantasy world is just the first book of the Averot’h saga.

    They say trains no longer run through the town. They're wrong. When Richard and Milly meet late one night at a party, they're each hiding a deadly secret. As the stars above Sobolton burn brighter than ever, the forces of fate seem determined to push the pair together. Or is the beast on the tracks simply reaching out and trying to draw them closer? Soon, Milly and Richard discover the horrifying truth about the beast, and about its endless hunger for blood. Trapped in the clutches of a powerful evil, they search for a way out. But will their escape require them to make the ultimate sacrifice? And what dark force lurks in the heart of the beast itself? The Beast on the Tracks is a horror novel about two people who have done terrible things, about an evil force that reaches from coast to coast, and about the possibility of redemption.

     2d Lieutenant Dobey Walls meets and bonds with veteran Corporal Jimmy Melton. As the Civil War begins, they leave to join the 8th Texas Cavalry in Houston, then take part in the first and the final charges of the Army of Tennessee. Between those events, they ride with Nathan Bedford Forrest, play an honorable role in the Fort Pillow Massacre, harass Sherman with Shannon's Raiders, and visit the second best brothel in Atlanta. As surrender looms, they're released to search for Dobey's long-missing family in the Texas Panhandle. Their efforts are hampered by destitute farmers, lonely widows, dangerous militia, freed slaves, and runaways, who increase their numbers and excitement. In the process, they save a quadroon and her daughter from Yankee deserters who have stolen a Union payroll. This act of mercy brings them romance but puts Pinkerton detectives and a renegade lawman on their trail.

    Even if it means becoming a spy. The mysterious organization known simply as The Authority wants Emma to join The Gems. This team of all-girl spies knows how to handle themselves on dangerous missions...like stopping an evil plan to incinerate the world's food supply. Meet The Gems... Olivia, code-named Emerald, is seventeen years old. Half English and half Jamaican. Specializes in leadership, marksmanship, and is a rated pilot. Miyuki, code-named Ruby, is sixteen and from Okinawa, Japan. She specializes in gymnastics and martial arts. Trained in jungle survival and deep sea diving. Once blew up her boyfriend's motorcycle using a rocket launcher. Nadia, code-named Sapphire, is sixteen and from Saudi Arabia. She's a science and computer nerd. Nadia's zero-gravity school agriculture project created interest from NASA. Emma, code-named Black Opal, is a transplant from New York City who specializes in high school theater and shopping. The Authority thinks Emma is the missing link to make this team work. Emma thinks The Authority is her only chance for revenge. Spies Like Me is the first book in The Gems Young Adult spy series that features fast-paced action, crazy thrills, girl-power bonding, International intrigue, and a touch of romance. Think Gallagher Girls meet Jason Bourne. If you like culturally-diverse characters, fun dialogue, cool spy gadgets, and a romance with a complex boy to figure out, then the first book in Doug Solter's exciting new spy series is for you.

    Murray's suspense brings together two estranged college roommates on a lush island in Washington state. The friends, a mysterious widow and a frustrated mother of teenagers, slowly reconcile only to discover nothing is as it seems. Secrets are revealed, a man is shot, and shocking lies surface in a saga that leads from New England to Washington state to La Serena, Chile. An Unfamiliar Guest is a story of friendship, mystery, and intrigue with twists that will astonish even the most astute reader.

    Haven’t we all? It’s for this reason that I decided to write this book. What better way to break that silence than to throw out some of these facts: Wolves have a serious appetite! They can eat up to twenty pounds of meat in one sitting! The first high heeled shoes were worn by Egyptian butchers to help them walk above the bloodied bodies of animal carcasses. The vintage date on a bottle of wine indicates the year the grapes were harvested, not the year of bottling Your mouth produces about one liter of saliva each day. Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world. Whatever your motivation may be, there’s a really good chance you’ll find these facts and tidbits useful. So if you’re ready, here are 1,000 random facts that everyone should know !

    One of only two Emotion Conduits in that world's history and the only one to have survived to maturity, Lira struggles to adapt to being an unprepared cultural icon while coping with the loss of her only family, safeguarded by her violent and troubled Guardian, Rease and her loyal dog, Night. Discovering her gone, her widowed father Jonas must confront his own dark past, forcing him to return to a life he had thought abandoned long ago. Aided by his criminal contacts and spurred on by a prophesy foretelling global conflict in a world without war, he races to save his beloved little girl once more, just as he did when she was an infant. Surrounded by allies and enemies, unable to tell them apart, Lira soon learns she must determine the course of her own life or remain a pawn in this new world. Written for readers of all ages and filled with tasteful romance, intrigue, drama and adventure, Our Lady of Joy is the first book in a series of seven novels, all of which will be available for Kindle download no later than 1/1/16 so that the series may be enjoyed by readers in its entirety without delay.

    He had experienced a complete physical transformation in a remarkably short period of time. Just three weeks ago no one would have looked twice at someone like Daniel, but a revolutionary procedure had helped to transform him into something spectacular. He was now beyond human, he was better.He had once believed that the day Jordan moved to Chicago would be the greatest of his life, but it had proven otherwise. Daniel could not compete with Gordon Demers, one of Chicago’s wealthiest and most powerful up-and-comers. Demers had been the true reason for Jordan’s relocation, and all of his money and influence brought with it a physical attraction that Jordan could not resist – even if it meant breaking Daniel’s heart.Daniel had soon after lost his job, and with it his ability to remain in Chicago. He knew then that he had no choice but to accept the offer given to him by an ex-CIA agent and his eccentric partner. The experimental brain surgery he had to undergo held incredible risk – yes, but it had been his only option.The operation had been a success. Daniel was now capable of controlling every single function in his entire body, even those previously out of reach from his conscious mind. It was time for him to put Jordan aside. He was now working for the most elite personal security force on the planet, and would soon be hired to protect high profile individuals from the world’s deadliest assassins.First he would need to establish himself. He needed to train to become the top ranked agent at Elite Personal Security Force and prove himself to be the superior being the revolutionary procedure had turned him into. Anything less would be considered failure.

    Now, 150 years later, we live in over-crowded polluted cities, surrounded by vast radioactive wastelands. And no, we did not get all the zombies. They live among us, sometimes hiding in plain sight. Although the tattoos and piercings help them blend in, and the drugs help to contain their rage, they can never fully control their hunger. It’s endless. When they give in and people go missing and partially eaten corpses start turning up, the Dead-Eye hunters are called in to clean up the mess. Their job is to keep up the charade that we're safe. They do it for a price. In this world, money talks. Cash is king. Cole Younger knows that better than anyone, and he is hot on the trail of his next buck when he discovers that the tables have been turned. He’s not hunting Dead-Eyes, they are hunting him.

    Welcome to the Trader's Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper. This file contains the full contents of the first three novels in the series. It's a great way to find out how it all started.