Be they straight-up monsters or nightmares behind a human mask, they track us and they kill us. Sometimes, they play with their food, where death would be a kindness. But there is hope. There are those who search out the monsters, those who hunt the hunters. These are their stories. ********* Featuring 13 stories of military horror by some of the best known and emerging writers in the genre. 1. Apex Predator -- N. X. Sharps & Tim Marquitz 2. Two Birds, One Stone -- Evan Dicken 3. Non Zero Sum -- R. P. L. Johnson 4. Only Stones -- Christine Morgan 5. That Old Black Magic -- James A. Moore 6. Ngu Tinh -- D. F. Shultz 7. Warm Bodies -- Kirsten Cross 8. The Bani Protocols -- Rose Blackthorn 9. Hungry Eyes -- Seth Skorkowsky 10. The Secret War -- David W. Amendola 11. Outbreak -- V. E. Battaglia 12. Droch Fhola -- Brad C. Hodson 13. Bonked -- Patrick Freivald

    From exploring an empty house with dreadful secrets to the account of an eccentric children’s ayah and from vengeful animals carrying a spirit to a bunch of anxious children in a stark landscape—these are some of the most interesting stories about the supernatural. Selected and compiled by Ruskin Bond, this collection includes stories by authors like Rudyard Kipling, Algernon Blackwood, R.L. Stevenson and Alice Perrin, among others.

    With a record-breaking football season and several scholarship offers in his pocket, he can write his own future. But Dillon has a secret, something he’s never told the rest of his team. Even his best friends don’t know. They might not understand. They might overreact. Now the secret is out. Maybe that’s why Dillon just woke up in the trunk of a car. And maybe that’s why Dillon is about to go through something Just Like Hell.

    Now Sophia’s alone, and she can’t help but wonder. Will the magic be gone, or will this year’s love be even stronger? Brew a cup of tea, grab a Christmas cookie, and prepare for a treat. You won’t want to miss this one!

    Maloney delivers a lightning-fast thriller that puts America’s top operatives on a collision course with Russia’s deadliest weapon . . .   DARK TERRITORY   The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest rail line in the world. But for Dan Morgan’s daughter Alex, it could be the shortest trip of her life—and the last. After taking out a sadistic North Korean officer, she boards the train to make her escape. But she’s not the only passenger with a hidden agenda. Dan Morgan has two choices: save his daughter before fighter jets blow up the train. Or stop a madman from annihilating the world. Either way, this train ride is a one-way ticket toward disaster—and the last stop is World War III . . .   Praise for Leo J. Maloney and His Novels    “The new master of the modern spy game.” —Mark Sullivan   “Everything a thriller reader wants.”—Ben Coes   “Dan Morgan is one of the best heroes to come along in ages.” —Jeffery Deaver   ”Fine writing and real insider knowledge.”—Lee Child    “Everything a thriller reader wants.”—Ben Coes   “A ripping story!”—Meg Gardiner   “Rings with authenticity.”—John Gilstrap

    Would she ever find hers?From Jingle Bells to Wedding Bells: Not wanting to just settle, Deidre makes a drastic decision. But is it the right one?Sudden Impulse: Tannis was Miss Predictable. Maybe shaking it up a bit would get his attention.Fountain of Love: Three years later Jennifer was back to ask forgiveness and get some closure. Would long buried hope be satisfied?

    From Brian W. Aldiss' eerie look at a mysterious creature hidden for centuries, to S.P. Somtow's tale of passion and dismemberment in Thailand, to Katherine Dunn's examination of a bizarre affair -- here are spectacular Frankenstein stories transcending time and place. - Introduction and selected filmography by Leonard Wolf.- Featuring Kurt Vonnegut's classic story "Fortitude," plus tales by Brian W. Aldiss, Isaac Asimov, Loren D. Estleman, and Charles de Lint.- Originally released in trade paperback by Dell Publishing -- out of print for more than 5 years!CONTENTSIntroduction: The Lord's Apprentice (The Ultimate Frankenstein) - essay by Isaac AsimovNear-Flesh by Katherine DunnSummertime Was Nearly Over by Brian W. AldissThe Creature on the Couch by Michael BishopFortitude by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.Monsters of the Midway by Mike ResnickDreams by F. Paul WilsonEvil, Be My Good by Philip José FarmerA Writ of Habeas Corpus by Chelsea Quinn YarbroThe State Versus Adam Shelley by Benjamin M. SchutzChui Chai by S. P. SomtowI, Monster by Loren D. EstlemanThis Icy Region My Heart Encircles by Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie TemMad at the Academy by Esther M. FriesnerLast Call for the Sons of Shock by David J. SchowVictor by Karen HaberPart Five by Garfield Reeves-StevensFrankie Baby by Joyce HarringtonPity the Monsters by Charles de LintThe Last Supper and a Falafel to Go by George Alec EffingerSelected Filmography (The Ultimate Frankenstein) by Leonard Wolf

    Then again, her rules have never gone up against Cash Campbell. Her charming CEO boss has a way of looking at her that makes her feel as though she’s the center of his universe, and their constant flirting increases the heat whenever their eyes meet. His attention makes for an addictive, yet tricky situation. But Cash likes to keep things light and simple. He doesn’t make promises he can’t keep, and maintains enough space to move fast in the boardroom—as well as in his love life. However, there’s something captivating about his assistant’s direct honesty that has monopolized his attention for almost a year. The problem is, he knows she’ll never date the boss…and he really needs this job. Even if he could date her, she likes things orderly and his life and problems are anything but. When the two attend a wedding in the dreamy ocean town of Indigo Bay, they begin to wonder why they ever bothered following the rules. Because sometimes breaking the rules is the best way to discover the love of your life. Author note: Make sure you check the last page of your copy of Sweet Holiday Surprise to find out how to claim your exclusive extended version of this sweet romance—including a bonus heartwarming ending.

    Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 takes you from the Pocono Mountains to sunny Florida, and as far away as Portugal. Curl up with your favorite hot beverage and enjoy this sweet romance boxed set that’s sure to put you in the mood for Christmas. Mona Risk, In Time for Christmas Dr. Sylvia Reynolds promised to be at her parents’, in time for Christmas dinner, but her priorities change after she meets a motherless baby and her gorgeous uncle. Beate Boeker, Unique Christmas Chiara hopes to spend a solitary Christmas all by herself. But when a man jumps through her office window to save her from an accident, things spin away—beyond her wildest dreams. Christine Bush, Christmas with the Cat Lady Carly is happy living alone in her mountain house with her cats. Can the handsome author who rents a room over the Christmas holidays change her mind? Lyn Cote, Loving Winter At her cousin’s wedding, Winter Woodard, owner of her family’s garden center, isn’t expecting to meet her match in local football coach, Clay Dixon, (she isn’t IN to sports!) but he stands by her through a holiday season fraught with unexpected setbacks. Denise Devine, Once Upon a Christmas Small town girl returns home to find love and success, but can she outlast the mistakes of her past? Raine English, Christmas in Walnut Creek Will a Christmas blizzard reunite a couple and give them a second chance at love? Jean C. Gordon, A Team Macachek Christmas Sparks fly from a Christmastime reunion of motocross racer Jesse Brewster and his ex-girlfriend Lauren Cooper. But is it the wrong time for their love? Shanna Hatfield, Saving Mistletoe A stubborn cop, a hotshot attorney, and a little girl determined to see her father need a miracle to make this holiday season jolly and bright. Milou Koenings, The Gift of Yesterday When Bailey returns to Green Pines to open a pastry shop, Joe Hudson sees all his Christmas wishes coming true—if only he can convince her to risk her heart again. Josie Riviera, A Portuguese Christmas The holidays—like love—can sneak up on you. And sweep you away like a riptide. Roxanne Rustand, A Christmas in Montana Kristen Weatherby goes to Montana to get her late grandmother's house ready to sell, but finds much more than she bargained for: a house she can't let go, a charming mountain town, and a handsome veterinarian who just might steal her heart. Magdalena Scott, A Cowboy for Christmas Hannah Kincaid is in love with Jacob Hollingsworth, and will overcome her fear of horses and his bossy brother Michael to get a Christmas happily-ever-after with the cowboy of her dreams. Kristin Wallace, Loving You at Christmas Annaliese Matheson is convinced she’ll never love again. This Christmas will become the opening act for her holiday happily ever after. Merrillee Whren, Puppy Love and Mistletoe Can a little girl and a fluffy black dog bring a reluctant couple together in a Christmas miracle?

    He has a secret that could drive any woman away. Can they find a love to overcome it all? A Sweet Western Romance from #1 Best Selling Author Emily Wood Kate is a widow who watched her whole life go up in flames. With nowhere else to turn, she heads west to live with her aunt and start a new life for herself and her daughter. As she struggles to provide a new life for her daughter, she finds herself attracted to man who has vowed to never love again. Can she overcome her lack of faith and trust someone enough to find love again? A Gentle Love is a clean western romance from #1 Best Selling author Emily Woods. If you like clean, historical fiction about women who must overcome tragedy in order to love again, you will love this sweet romance! Buy A Gentle Love and get lost in another sweet western romance today. Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

    Early in his career, he came up against the Soviet Union's deadliest agent three times, finally killing the man in a flooded tunnel beneath the ruins of a castle in Portugal.Years have passed. The Russian's brother, Kurshin, a Spetsnaz operator twenty-five years younger than McGarvey, vows revenge. He and McGarvey are both shadowmen--living between the real world, and the world of the deep cover spy and assassin. To get McGarvey's attention, Kurshin desecrates the grave of the American's wife. McGarvey pits himself against the Russian--the man of vast experience versus the bold young man who believes he is invincible. The mano a mano begins at Arlington Cemetery and moves across Europe, from the baccarat tables of Monte Carlo to the same the Portuguese castle where the Russian's brother was killed so many years ago. Only one shadowman will be left standing.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    There's no better gift than the thrill of a holiday romance...With snow falling over the redwood forests, secluded Virgin River is the ideal place to spend the holidays. Each year, the close-knit community gathers in the town square to decorate and light a massive tree. Carols are sung, hot chocolate is shared--and this time a surprise is left under the Christmas tree!When the folks of the town discover a box of adorable puppies abandoned under the tree, they call on local vet Nathaniel Jensen for help. The puppies are the talk of Virgin River, but it's Nate's budding romance with Annie McCarty that really has tongues--and tails--wagging.originally published as part of That Holiday Feeling

    Patterson's fundamentally serious but playful literary style. Patterson writes like the love child of Henry Miller and Mary Karr, with all the contradictions that implies -- a philosopher who thinks best over a glass of fine wine; an ex-Catholic still haunted by the image of the Crucifixion; an irreverent political satirist whose patriotism flies the flag of another iconoclast, Thomas Paine. Patterson grew up with a foot planted in each of two worlds -- one in Washington DC, the Capital of the Empire as he calls it, where the wheels of power spin, and one in rural Ontario, where his Canadian mother insisted the family spend their summers. His father, one of the wizards of twentieth century newspaper publishing, introduced him to the city's wheels of money and power, which he would later navigate as an entrepreneur, starting his first business at 20. But those Canadian summers introduced him to a different world - one where a cedar strip boat was better than any car, and where the ghosts of those who'd previously inhabited the family's island house floated out over the water of Lovesick Lake. It is those two worlds that blend in this collection, in reflections both serious and playful, on what it means to be a man, an artist, an iconoclast, a patriot, a lover, as the 20th century rolls over into the 21st.

    Jack encountered Gilbert Chesterton’s Father Brown tales a few years later and they ultimately became the prime influence in his science fiction. The issue with Father Brown was never a question of who committed the murder, but rather what in heaven’s name is going on here? Why does an astronaut, in “Cathedral,” sacrifice her life to collide with an asteroid that she knows poses no threat to the Earth? Why does a scientist who’s designed an actual working AI in “The Play’s the Thing,” hide what’s he’s done? How is it that the lives of two people working at Moonbase in “Blinker” depend on a quasar? In “Lucy,” Jack shows us why sending automated vehicles to explore the distant outposts of the solar system may not be a good idea. And in “Searching for Oz,” an alternate history story, how things might have been if SETI had gotten what it was looking for. He describes our reaction in “Listen Up, Nitwits,” when a voice begins speaking to us, apparently from Jupiter, in Greek. And in “The Lost Equation,” a Holmes adventure, we discover who really was first to arrive at e=mc2. Jack also provides two episodes, “Maiden Voyage” and “Waiting At the Altar,” from Priscilla Hutchins’ qualification flight; and an effort by a sixteen-year-old Alex Benedict, in the title story with his uncle Gabe and Chase Kolpath’s mom, Tori, who are trying to understand why a brilliant radio entertainer, lost in the stars when his drive unit suffered a malfunction, never said goodbye. These and fourteen other rides into odd places await the reader.

    The stories have a point: they remind us that courage and clear-thinking in the midst of great danger go hand in hand and are the keys to survival. Not only is cowardice disgraceful, it is frequently lethal. Includes: Triumph of the Boon; The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck; Dr Blanke's First Command; Counterpunch; USS Cornucopia; December 6th; Rendezvous.