Sixteen remarkable stories. One blockbuster space opera collection. Welcome to Galactic Frontiers, an epic anthology of space opera and military science fiction stories! From the far reaches of space to the interiors of the human soul. Journey to dystopian futures where humanity fights for survival beyond Earth against overwhelming alien forces. Travel to the galactic fringe where you either kill and get paid or die and stay broke. Experience the ethereal wonders and tragic consequences of godhood. Discover the awe of outer space and coming face to face with the unknown. Featuring contributions ranging from bestselling authors to up and coming writers, the stories in Galactic Frontiers will exhilarate and captivate, taking you to new universes and beyond! “Lori’s War” by CJ Carella “Space Cadets” by HJ Lawson “Battle Beyond Earth: Liberty” by Nick S. Thomas “Retreat: A Pike Chronicles Short Story” by G.P. Hudson “Daughters of Ayor” by David R. Bernstein “Bloodbag Suppressors” by Justin Sloan “Crash Landing” by Ken Lozito. “The Teardrop that became a Torrent” by Rachel Aukes “The Forever Family” by J.N. Chaney “Rift” by Amy DuBoff “The Embrose Contract” by C.C. Ekeke “The Trenches of Centauri Prime” by Craig Martelle “Plenty” by Jenetta Penner “Planetstrider” by Chris Fox “Tombstone” by Jay Allan. First published in 2012. “Last Survivors” by Michael G. Thomas

    But vampire Taurin Veris is determined to prevent Kristin from discovering the supernatural creatures who call the Castle home, even as he finds himself distracted by the intense attraction he feels for the woman who could expose them all.

    An astronaut struggles to adapt to life back on earth; a young man discovers he is going blind in a foreign city; a retired plastic surgeon uncovers old wounds; and two lovers become unexpectedly intimate. Each tale in K J Orr’s moving collection is charged with the irrepressible human urge to connect in the face of disorientating change.With exquisitely cadenced storytelling, Orr introduces us to worlds and places that are both familiar and askew. Her landscapes are instantly recognisable, yet tinged with a lingering sense of uncertainty. The result is a wonderfully diverse and captivating debut from a rising literary talent.

    Gran was the heart of Christmas and Eden hasn’t embraced the spirit of the season ever since losing her. In fact, she’s lived a fairly reclusive life other than her job as a vet’s assistant at The Country Vet practice. When a stranger shows up at on Eden’s doorstep one stormy evening, she is shocked to discover the handsome man is none other than her childhood friend, Brady Shepard. He’s all grown up now and gorgeous. Now a veterinarian, Brady is taking over the practice for his ailing grandmother, Vicky Shepard, who happens to be Eden’s boss. As Eden and Brady begin to work together, Eden’s heart begins to open up to the spirit of the season…and to Brady.

    . . Quench your insatiable thirst for terror at a bar where the drinks are abominable and the patrons never leave. Relive the infamous, harrowing Middle Passage that brought millions of African slaves to America, but this time with a spellbinding twist. . .Lie Your Deepest Fears. . .From scenes of pulsating ecstasy to unspeakable tragedy, surrender yourself to a world inhabited by bizarre sex cults and violent gangs. Meet the malevolent entities that feed on human misery in the midst of a hurricane's wrath. Endure a sweltering summer on a swamp inhabited by mischievous spirits intent on possessing the most innocent within their slimy grasp. Submit to the tantalizing temptation and the irresistible pull of the unknown in eighteen stories that will illuminate the horrors within--and without. And whatever you do, don't turn off the lights. . ."Showcases the best in horror and suspense by noted African American writers." --"Library Journal "on "Dark Dreams""Funny. . .horrifying. . .the end is always unexpected. . .a book worth reading if you like looking over your shoulder or peering into dark corners." --"The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers "on "Voices from The Other Side: Dark Dreams II""Strong. . .a volume whose universal human themes will resonate with many readers." --"Publishers Weekly "on "Dark Dreams"

    She needs some of that magic to rub off when she meets charming P.I. Gareth Cavendish, who delivers some unexpected news. The Wedding Kiss Rose Martin is the owner of Rose Chalet. She's so busy planning weddings for everyone else that she doesn't realize her own special someone has been by her side all this time! Sparks Fly Businessman Will Scott only agrees to a feng-shui design consultation to be polite. He thinks the whole thing is hocus-pocus—until he gets to know interior designer Angelina Morgan and his no-nonsense demeanor falls under the magic power of love.

    Contains the Writers of the Future Award-winning story "The Vampire Shortstop" and 11 other tales of magic, romance, and the supernatural, including the Makers series in which children control the essential forces of the world. Includes "The Boy Who Saw Fire," "In The Heart of November," and "Invisible Friend."Nicholson is the author of 12 novels, including The Red Church, Drummer Boy, Disintegration, and The Skull Ring. With J.R. Rain, he wrote the urban fantasy Cursed! Look for his other story collections THE FIRST, MURDERMOUTH: ZOMBIE BITS, CURTAINS: MYSTERY STORIES, and ASHES. As L.C. Glazebrook, he writes the paranormal romance series OCTOBER GIRLS.

    There have been hardcovers and paperbacks, an issue with two spines, an issue with a magnetic binding, an issue that looked like a bundle of junk mail, and an issue that looked like a sweaty human head. McSweeney’s has won multiple literary awards, including two National Magazine Awards for fiction, and has had numerous stories appear in The Best American Magazine Writing, the O. Henry Awards anthologies, and The Best American Short Stories. Design awards given to the quarterly include the AIGA 50 Books Award, the AIGA 365 Illustration Award, and the Print Design Regional Award.Which is to say: We're not sure what the thirty-ninth issue will bring, but as always, we remain optimistic about its prospects.

    I never thought I’d end up dating a billionaire. Penelope Wells is about to start her last semester in college and dreams of working at a large tech company in San Francisco. When her best friend and roommate, Nicolette, scores her an internship interview at RandomMeetX, a multibillion-dollar singles app, she couldn’t be more thrilled. But when she goes in for her interview, her life changes forever. Blake Hunter is the CEO of RandomMeetX and a misogynistic billionaire who craves control and power. When he sees Penelope in his building, he’s strangely mystified, even though she isn’t the plastic type he usually goes for. After all, she’s a plain Jane and his usual type is pumped full of silicone. He proposes something to Penelope that she knows will change the course of her future. All her needs will be taken care of—if she takes care of all of his. With her bank account running low, she agrees, but quickly finds out Blake’s needs involve handcuffs, blindfolds, and lots of handprints on her ass. Seduced by You: Blake Hunter has never been able to take no for an answer. When Penny doesn’t return his text messages or calls, he can’t help but feel an undying, nagging urge inside of him to talk to Penny, who at this point doesn’t feel ready to say a word to him. When she goes out on a date with a new man, though, and runs into Blake on a date of his own, she can’t help but feel backed into a corner—literally. After talking to Blake and thinking it over, she decides to do something to him that she never thought was possible. She’s going to give him a piece of his own medicine and use him just like he used her. It’s only when she starts to redevelop her old feelings for him that she knows she’s in way too deep, and she knows that her lies may hurt things all over again. Loved by You: After confessing her deceit to Blake, Penny has no idea what’s going to happen to their relationship. Will he take her back and understand why she lied to him and used him, as he once used her, or will he say goodbye forever and give up on what they had? As they begin to patch things up, an opportunity to meet Blake’s parents arises, and it’s through that meeting that Penny finds out why Blake is the way he is, and discovers the story of the woman who shaped him into the emotionally distant serial playboy she first met. But can their relationship survive and stay the same after she finds out about his past?

    For Lily and Jack, that moment comes when their baby daughter, home alone with Lily, pulls a pot of boiling water off the stove and suffers terrible burns. It is an accident, but the state suspects abuse and takes temporary custody of the child.To win her back, Lily and Jack must prove to strangers that they are good parents and that their daughter belongs with them and their two sons. They must convince others even as they struggle to once again believe it themselves...even as they begin to fall away from each other just when they most need to be together.Rachel Basch's remarkable debut is an eloquent and touching story about family and individuality, guilt and blame, and how love can fail us or save us, often to our great surprise. It is a book to be cherished, a rich novel that will linger in every reader's mind and heart.

    Thirteen Stories about the Depik—what they were and where their society goes from here! It’s the Twenty-Second Century. Humanity has taken its first steps into the galaxy, and we’ve found ourselves in a vast playground of alien races, environments, and cultures. As the newest players on the universal stage, though, our position is readily apparent—we’re at the bottom of the food chain. But we’ve found new allies. The Depik are feared across the galaxy as the ultimate assassins, but when an attack on their home world devastates their society, the survivors are scattered across the galaxy. As humanity helps bring their civilization back together, though, how do the remaining Depik adults put their society back together and teach the young kits and kitas about what was lost? Stories. Not only are stories told to educate, but also to help the young Depik make sense of their place in a galaxy that is so much bigger than they are. Enter now the world of the assassin, as these peerless killers decide how to make their way forward, and thirteen amazing authors imagine the paths these Hunters will take. With stories by: Jody Lynn Nye Jonathan P. Brazee D.J. Butler Mark Wandrey Terry Mixon Kevin Ikenberry Kevin Steverson Jamie Ibson Jon R. Osborne Joseph Capdepon II Casey Moores Kacey Ezell Marisa Wolf

    Whether or not she killed him is not the question, because she was found soaked in his blood. What her high profile defense team must prove is that she acted in self defense. But as the case unravels and her raunchy, violent and greedy lifestyle is exposed, Jewels doubts if she'll ever see the light of day again. To make matters worse, she desperately tries to prevent her dirtiest marriage secrets from being exposed. First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder has all the raw, explicit and jaw dropping gore that fans have come to expect from Reign. Read at your own risk.

    His mother, Charlotte, is surprised to see Ricky is all grown up and as fine as can be. She is instantly attracted to him, and quickly learns that he is attracted to her too. Because of their age difference and the fact that Ricky is her son's best friend, they keep their relationship a secret. Until they get caught. When the secret is out, things take a turn for the worse, and Charlotte is forced to make a tough decision. Will she give up her man to keep her son or lose her son to keep her man?

     DEADLY MESSENGERS Nobody's listening, so he'll just keep killing.Three massacres in the same city, the same month. Two detectives discover a link that can't possibly exist. One journalist unwittingly holds the answers. Zero clues to a killer who sends a deadly message.Kendall's usual freelance work consists of fluff magazine pieces until she scores an interview with the survivor of a horrific mass killing. Seven people brutally murdered with an axe at a cafe, with the killer left dead at the scene. She’ll soon discover these killings are part of a plan far greater than just these crimes. Someone is sending a message and soon many more will die. BEHIND THE FIRE What if all that stood between us and hell was a match?An ordinary couple stand accused of a heinous crime. They're the last people you'd expect to save the world. Are they criminals, heroes or completely insane? Or maybe all three?Something terrifying has led Bobby and Emily to leave their two young children with a sitter while they embarked on a crazy fire-bug spree. That something was an incredible secret they'd promised to protect. Inspired by true-life headlines, this is the tale of the random appearances of frightening black things, and one couple's battle to protect their town from these dangerous and hellish creatures. BACK AGAIN Between life and death lies fate and one hell of a fightA single mom struggles with unexplained lost time. An angry young woman makes a fatal mistake, taking them on a collision course that will shatter their lives to pieces.Since childhood, Dawn has "lost time." She awakens in strange places, far away from her last memory. Now she's just trying to be a good mom to her son while fearing another blackout episode. Kylie is over her dead-end job and has just been fired. As she drives from the supermarket lot, she picks up her cell to send a text. In the next terrifying moment, she’ll realize the gravity of her mistake when Dawn’s and her destinies collide.

    No man is harder than police chief Theodore Graves, and no man is more determined to keep his uncle's ranch in the family instead of being sold to developers—but one woman might be. The ranch was coowned by Jillian Sanders's uncle, and she's just as resolved to stay on the ranch. The only problem is she and Theodore fight like cats and dogs. And their uncles' wills stipulate that in order to keep the land, they must be married…  FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!  Texas Wild by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson Megan Westmoreland needs answers about her family's past, and Rico Claiborne is the man to find them. But when the truth comes out, will Rico offer her more than a shoulder to lean on?