A war breaks out and the peaceful Gaea are no match for the brutality of the Holyan soldiers or the sheer destruction of the Holyan mages. Having no defense against the Holyan magic, the desperate Gaea hatch a plan to create a weapon capable of stopping the Gaea advance, before the weapon can be put to use, the Gaea are routed and their people were taken as slaves. Rae’al’nor was that weapon but was too young to be of any use and was taken as one of the slaves. As Rae’al’nor grows up, he is adopted by a Holyan noble and given the name Ray Riverdale. Ray was content in his life until the evil of mages is so strong he cannot ignore it any more. Join Ray as he remembers his purpose in life and transforms from prey to the Mage Slayer.

    Yet the fragile balance between church and state lies shattered. The specter of civil war haunts the ravaged land - and a specter more fearsome still. The demon, though defeated, was not destroyed. Now its vengeful spirit has found sanctuary at the very heart of the Abellican Church. As the elf-trained ranger Elbryan Wynden presses north to reclaim the Timberlands from retreating goblin hordes, and his companion, Pony, mistress of gemstone magic, turns south to the civilized streets of Palmaris, they find themselves caught up in a power struggle to decide the fate of all Corona. Condemned as heretics, the two heroes are hunted by dangerous enemies. The leader of the Church boasts a mastery of gemstone magic that rivals Pony's proven might. And the Abbot's right hand, the Bishop of Palmaris, has claws so sharply honed by hate and magic that no man - or ranger - can withstand their killing stroke. Then an unexpected twist of fate forces Pony to make a harrowing choice, one that may doom the world to demonic domination.

    They need to find their friends a safe place to hide out - somewhere that dangerous horse thieves will never find. But where?These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series.

     See how they each conquered and held the rich, fertile kingdoms of the Stormlands, Dorne, and the Reach, and just why it is that the families of Game of Thrones are eager to avenge themselves on one another. Here is the story of how Orys Baratheon founded House Baratheon through fury and the fire of dragons and how that house eventually produced the Kings Robert and Stannis of the beloved series. Why is it that House Martell hates the Lannisters and all of the other Houses fear dealing with them? How did House Tyrell come to command the richest and greatest armies of all Westeros from their lowly origins as stewards? Game of Thrones: A Family History Volume II has all of these answers and more!

    Completely indifferent, he leaves his mother to invite all the most suitable candidates to a house party at Winsdale Park, promising to choose one of them as his duchess. Returning home after several days of pre-nuptial carousing, Eli falls from his horse and badly injures his head. His life is saved by a mysterious woman who fascinates and enthrals Eli.Athena Defoe and her young twin sisters are hiding from their past in a tumbledown cottage on Eli’s estate. Athena refuses to place her trust in Eli, but he is equally determined to repay her by protecting her. To do so he must first discover what or whom she is so afraid of. With attention focused on her by the duke’s interest, Athena’s whereabouts becomes known and danger visits her quiet corner of Hampshire.Caught up in the whirl of his mother’s entertainments, Eli must race against time to save the woman he’s fallen in love with, even if she isn’t duchess material…

    After being kicked out of a Catholic orphanage when it is discovered that he is of Jewish descent, a confused and deeply distraught Frankie turns to a life of crime, the only life he knows, and he’s good at it. Frankie quickly makes a name for himself and becomes one of New York’s most dangerous men, ruling the city with an iron fist and indulging in his passion for sex, power and the best things life has to offer—regardless of whether they’re for sale.In Stiletto, Cesare Cardinale is an amoral, aristocratic Italian playboy—an entrepreneur and race car driver who wants for nothing—whether it’s fast cars, beautiful women, or orgies of debauchery. Cesare, however, has two dirty secrets: First, he has a penchant for violence that borders on the sadistic and sociopathic; second, he owes his extravagant life to a Sicilian Mafia don, creating a seemingly perfect relationship—as he leads a double life as a Mafia assassin.“Robbins’s books are packed with action, sustained by strong narrative drive, and are given vitality by his own colorful life.” —The Wall Street JournalThe Harold Robbins Organized Crime Double includes: Never Love A Stranger and Stiletto.

    Brandy is a gold digger with a capital G! She doesn’t care whose man she sleeps with or goes after. Money was good and business was great until she decides to plot and scheme to set up the wrong person. Tip becomes pregnant, but by who? Her long time boyfriend or the Jamaican man who used to pimp her? Tracy is a good girl gone bad. She is head over heels in love with her first love. She doesn't know about his other life until its too late. Diamond is in love with her high school sweetheart and their relationship is great until she falls for someone else. When Brandy’s diary is found what will happen to their friendship? Will there friendship be able to stand through all the trials and tribulations life throws at them?

    Small but beautifully formed pieces of Shaun Micallef.

     With her trusty French Bulldog, Stanley, by her side, Kiki buys on old fixer-upper and has big dreams of turning the home into a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, the old home, known as Agua de la Vida, is more work than she anticipated. When a sexy contractor gives her an estimate to restore the place, Kiki is in a quandary - she is attracted to the blond, blue-eyed hunk, but repelled by the money he estimates a restoration of the house will eat up. What's a girl to do? Trace Rocklin is that sexy contractor. Or, at least, that's what he pretends he is. The truth is that Trace was a CIA assassin, now returning to his home town to try and forget that part of his life by going to work in the family construction business. But trouble follows him, even as he falls for the owner of a derelict old house. Soon, Kiki is in danger and Trace is drawn back into the world of intrigue he's trying so hard to forget. In order to save Kiki, and himself, he must temporarily return to that job he's trying to forget - he must become that assassin again. It's flirty fun with a hint of terror in Pasadena, California as Kiki and Trace fall in love, and Trace must reconcile the deadly part of his past once and for all. The Fountain is a stand alone contemporary novella linked to the de Lohr Dynasty

     Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection If You Liked School, You'll Love Work.

    

    She shares with her father a love of America, his ideals, and his dream for the future. But she wants more to be the first female president.Golden boy Richard Kane was born into a life of luxury. The scion of a banking magnate he is successful, handsome, and determined to carve his own path in the world-and to build a future with the woman he loves. With Florentyna's ultimate goal only a heartbeat away, both are about to discover the shattering price of power as a titanic battle of betrayal and deception reaches out from the past-a blood feud between two generations that threatens to destroy everything Florentyna and Richard have fought to achieve.------After years of great sacrifice and deep personal tragedy, Florentyna Kane’s has finally become the first woman president in America. But on the very day that she is sworn into office, powerful forces are already in motion to take her life.The FBI investigates thousands of false threats every year. This time, a reliable source has tipped them off about an assassination attempt. One hour later, the informant and all but one of the investigating agents are dead. The lone survivor: FBI Special Agent Mark Andrews. Now, only he knows when the killers will strike. But how can he alone unravel a ruthless conspiracy—in less than one week? The race to save the first woman president begins now…

    But a few brave souls struck out into that desolate wilderness, desperate to free themselves from the restrictions of the civilized world…KING OF THE MOUNTAIN: Nathaniel King doesn’t need much incentive to escape the confining, bustling city of New York. When his uncle starts spinning tales of a great treasure hidden in the wilderness, Nathaniel finds the lure of the West impossible to resist. Nathaniel’s trail leads from danger to danger, and into the uninhabited Rocky Mountains. If he can survive, Nathaniel will unearth a treasure far more valuable than he ever imagined.LURE OF THE WILD: Nineteen-year-old Nathaniel King and a rugged mountain man named Shakespeare McNair are headed to a rendezvous of trappers and fur traders in the Rocky Mountains. But hostile Utes and Blackfeet Indians pursue them relentlessly, determined to have their scalps. Despite the protection of a friendly band of Shoshone, Nathaniel and his companion risk the loss of their freedom…and their lives.

     Society offers little to educate the public or de-stigmatize the problem of addiction.I Love You More is distinct and unique from other books on the market on addiction as it is meant to be an emotional education on the family systems affected by addiction using three, fictional short stories, all with very different endings.These three powerful stories have common threads of hope, pain, mistrust, grief, worry, change, acceptance, belief, and the constant presence of varying levels of sanity across a broad spectrum.I Love You More offers insight into the various perspectives and experiences of family members who have dealt with the harrowing disease of addiction.  The goal of this book is to be the conduit that allows you to enter the body and mind of a substance abuser and their family, to see the world through their eyes as they navigate their way through one of the most heart-breaking and gut-wrenching hardships they will ever face.The author, Blake Cohen, is a recovering alcoholic and addict himself for multiple years. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a Certified Additions Professional.  He currently works in the field of substance abuse treatment in the position of National Outreach Manager. Blake’s role allows him to be of assistance to families, and their loved ones, as they begin their journey into recovery. Blake is also a public speaker using his experience and education to help bring understanding to the public regarding the disease of addiction.From mothers to fathers to siblings to aunts and uncles to grandmothers and grandfathers, as well the individuals struggling themselves, these stories contain emotional tidbits from the author’s years in the treatment field, interviews with families, and his own personal experiences.The hardest thing for a person to do is watch a loved one slowly kill themselves while you standby; unable to do anything about it.  For the family, addiction is frustrating, heart-wrenching, exhausting and time-consuming.  It can lead to bouts of anger followed by bouts of hysteria.  It can leave you bed-ridden and paralyzed by insurmountable sadness and depression. Although we cannot make our loved ones better, we can learn to take care of ourselves through it all. This book is emotional support for anyone and everyone whose lives have been touched by addiction.

    Billy Dexter is the point man, the finisher. For years they were the most sought-after hit team in the country.Until Dex stopped killing.But when the woman he loves is in trouble, Dex discovers that murder is an easy habit to return to—for him, it’s as natural as breathing.A short story from the author of THE BLADE ITSELF and GOOD PEOPLE.* This story appears in the collection SCAR TISSUEMarcus Sakey is the author of four novels, three of which are in development as feature films. He has been nominated for or won an Anthony, Barry, Macavity, Strand Critic’s Circle, Reader’s Choice, Crimespree, Dilys, Crime Shot, Romantic Times, and ITW Thriller Award. Praise for Marcus Sakey: "The new reigning prince of crime fiction." - Chicago Tribune "An astoundingly good writer." - San Jose Mercury News "Crime drama for the 21st century." - National Public Radio