TWICE THE CHILL - Two SHORT Horror Stories by Rachel A OlsonFAMILY DINNERSometimes it's hard to believe there really are creatures that go bump in the night. Bey had spent his entire life running through the woods and never once saw anything to convince him there were creatures worth fearing. When his littler sister, Chensei, whines about the trip home at night, Bey only mocks her. Until she dTWICE THE CHILL - Two SHORT Horror Stories by Rachel A OlsonFAMILY DINNERSometimes it's hard to believe there really are creatures that go bump in the night. Bey had spent his entire life running through the woods and never once saw anything to convince him there were creatures worth fearing. When his littler sister, Chensei, whines about the trip home at night, Bey only mocks her. Until she disappears beyond the treeline.I, PONTIANAKEveryone hates and fears monsters, except for when you’re the monster. I never asked for it, and honestly I can’t say I’ve really enjoyed it. But I am what I am, and I can’t change it. Hell, I can’t even control it. My name used to be Anastasia, and I am a Pontianak.

A short story about Dave, an ordinary guy who gets fed up with magazine and TV adds for products nobody needs. It’s time to take things into his own hands! Armed with two beers from different brands and a WWII Beretta he drives down to the local supermarket to rescue the consumer.“... and if you call in the next ten minutes, we’ll include a premium quality stainless steel bottle opener, free of charge.” “Hello. Dave speaking. I’d like to order ten bottles. That’d be all.” “Ten bottles. OK sir and congratulations. You qualify for our special offer, the premium quality stainless steel bottle opener.” “Thanks, I just want the bottles please.” “But sir, this is a special opportunity.” “Yes, I know. I just want the bottles, please. I don’t need a bottle opener.” “Yes sir, we will send you ten bottles, but I would like you to reconsider our special offer.” “Just the bottles please.” “Sir, we have to offer you the bottle opener. It’s the company policy sir.” “Thanks for the offer but I just want the bottles please.” “Yes sir, we will send you the bottles, but since you called ten minutes before the end of the advertisement we would like to offer you our unique bottle opener.” “Look man, just send the bottles, OK? I don’t need more junk in my apartment.” “Sir, what we offer is premium quality. A stainless steel bottle opener with a deluxe metal finish. ” “So why does stainless steel need a metal finish for? Just send me the bottles please.” “But wouldn’t you...” “No. Are you listening to me. Send me the stupid bottles and... You know what, forget about it. I don’t want the bottles anymore.” Dave hung up the phone: “Man I need a beer. So scientists still wonder how alcoholism develops?“

The purpose of this book to inform the readers about the process of dealing and overcoming adversity, helping athletes deal with their injury and readers who aren’t familiar with college sports to be informed or for those who would like to learn more about the effects of injury and the recovery process.The purpose of this book to inform the readers about the process of dealing and overcoming adversity, helping athletes deal with their injury and readers who aren’t familiar with college sports to be informed or for those who would like to learn more about the effects of injury and the recovery process. I will assume the role of the hypothetical basketball player who encounters an knee injury during one of his matches. Through this hypothetical player I will explain the problems, challenges and obstacles that the player has to overcome in order to play once again without the fear of being injured again.

In most fantasy stories, questing and dragons are normal, as well as wizards, witches and princesses. This story is no exception. But what happens when the wizard doesn't want to be there, the witch is a boy, and the princess is very foreign? Follow Coju, Emrys, and Moon on their journey from the secret wizard tower in the mountains to reason with a dragon-and everything in between.Short North - Book 1A simple story about moving past the terrible things that life throws at you and finding happiness on the other side.Months after his breakup with a long-term boyfriend, Jacob Pierce is still more than a little fragile, he has withdrawn from life, his friends are concerned and even he knows that something needs to change. With the encouragement of his friends and a nudge from the newest member of Jacob's small circle, he agrees to sign up for a film based photography class.Elijah Fall, a widowed photography teacher, is exactly the man to bring Jacob back to life. But, while Jacob may have found the man of his dreams, will Elijah, someone who has lost everything once, be willing to risk his heart again?

Mutiny, murder and mayhem on the first circumnavigation of the world. With the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan's great voyage coming up, this is a chance to see what it was really like. The dangers were not just from storm and tempest, risk of the unknown and mutinous crew but, even more insidious, the machinations of corrupt priests back home.It's 1518 and the Catholic Church is under attack from a man named Martin Luther while the Spanish Empire extends its bloodthirsty rule across the world against the wishes of arch-rival, Portugal. The Line of Demarcation divides the world between Portugal and Spain but no one knows on which side the fabulous Spice Isles lie; least of all the inhabitants of those islands. Only one man has the knowledge, experience, talent and determination to settle the question: Ferdinand Magellan, hated both in Spain and his native Portugal. Antonio Pigafetta, former ambassador of the Holy See to the royal court of imperial Spain, casts his lot with a captain set up to fail. Himself beset by religious conflict, Pigafetta has no idea what he is letting himself in for. Mutiny, murder, shipwreck, and wars of religion are only part of it but Pigafetta retains his humanity and loyally serves the Captain General to the end.

Ella finds out a secret about the butterflies; her best friends. She escapes into a paradise of butterflies, but when she finds out that they are dying off right when migration is starting it is up to her to find out what is going on. The sequel will be "Dancing With Devils" which it should be out in the following months and it will be a full NOVEL! This is just a prequel, kind of.Ella finds out a secret about the butterflies; her best friends. She escapes into a paradise of butterflies, but when she finds out that they are dying off right when migration is starting it is up to her to find out what is going on.

The United States is fraught with turmoil and unrest unlike anything it has ever experienced before. Across the land true loyalists and patriots strive to find the solution to the ills that plague America. Finally, one lone individual, born into a family that has dedicated itself to serving at the highest level possible for any American, discovers the one solution he knows will be the answer.The United States is fraught with turmoil and unrest unlike anything it has ever experienced before. Political lines have been drawn on various levels and it seems as though soon a new war will be fought within the boundaries of these United States, but will it be more like the Civil War or the Revolutionary War? No one is completely certain. Across the land true loyalists and patriots strive to find the solution to the ills that plague America while the nation's top politicians seem hell-bent on enslaving the citizens they took an oath to protect. Finally, one lone individual, born into a family that has dedicated itself to serving at the highest level possible for any American, discovers the one solution he knows of a certainty will be the solution.

Lady Araminta Ambleforth has been looking forward to her outing. Sadly, her brand new phaeton breaks, and Araminta decides to enjoy the fine afternoon and walk home rather than wait by the dusty roadside. If only one handsome gentleman after another didn't distract her along the way. Will one of them steal the lady's heart? This Regency short story was originally written as a round-robin story.Lady Araminta Ambleforth has been looking forward to her outing to Maidstone from the moment she'd thought of the idea yesterday. Sadly, it looked as if her journey would end almost before it began. Her brand new phaeton disabled, Araminta decides to enjoy the fine afternoon and walk home rather than wait by the dusty roadside. If only one handsome gentleman after another didn't distract her along the way. Will one of them steal the lady's heart?This Regency short story was originally written as a Round-Robin serial from some of your favorite authors on our website, www.harlequinhistoricalauthors.blogspot.com.

That Affair at Elizabeth by Burton Egbert Stevenson

The Gloved Hand by Burton Egbert Stevenson

Technology is everywhere; in almost everything we do, everything we see and everything we have there is some form of technology. Think, for a moment, what life would be like without technology. How would you communicate? How would you live? Where would you live? When it comes down to it, technology is responsible for our present. This then stems the question: how will technology shape our future?I don’t even remember hitting the ground. I remember the hyper drive cutting out and I remember the jet engines failing as I tried to land this old crate. But I don’t remember the damn thing hitting the surface of the planet. I suppose that’s what I get for stealing it in the first place. But I just couldn’t work for those jerks for another second. I open my eyes to be met with a belting headache. One so bad it feels like I’ve been out on the drink last night, and I’ve had a very good time. Shame that isn’t true. I’m starting to wish this had all been a dream. My back hurts like I’ve snapped every one of my vertebrae on the way to the floor and all of my muscles are burning in pain.

In this new series we're paying tribute to the classic theater experience. We're pairing up two great, similarly themed tales and giving them to you in one easy-to-enjoy bundle. Just like at the box office these adventures are meant to be enjoyed in a single sitting.Tonight's "Action" double feature: "Welcome Home Asshole""Death Waiver"In this new series we're paying tribute to the classic theater experience. We're pairing up two great, similarly themed tales and giving them to you in one easy-to-enjoy bundle. Just like at the box office these adventures are meant to be enjoyed in a single sitting.Tonight's "Action" double feature starts off with one man's attempt to return to his hometown and troubled past and it's called, "Welcome Home Asshole."Our second story finds us smack dab in the middle of the world of mixed martial arts, organized crime, and one man's attempt to do what is right for the only person left on the planet that he loves.

Dare she risk her heart with him —All over again?ER doc Brenna Williamson was heartbroken when her fiancé, paramedic Hunter Ford, left her behind to support his demanding parents. Now adrenaline junkie Brenna chases thrills but keeps her heart safe! Until Hunter, now a single dad, walks back into her life... Working together once again sets her pulse racing. There's still chemistry between them, but dare she risk that this time he'll stay — forever?"The way this story started had me liking the hero and heroine immediately, as there's such a deep attraction between the pair...." — Harlequin Junkie on The Italian Surgeon's Secret Baby"Overall, Ms. MacKay has delivered a superb medical romance in this book...the chemistry between this couple was strong from the moment they met and kept getting stronger the more time they spent together; the romance was delightful and had me loving these two together...."— Harlequin...

The enchanting Jingera trilogy concludes with a heart-rending story of love and the callous twists of fate.Back in 1957, nine-year-old Zidra Vincent met Jim Cadwallader for the first time. Fourteen years later, their bond of friendship - forged during a childhood in the beautiful coastal town of Jingera - is still strong. But is friendship all they dream of?Jim is now a respected war correspondent in Cambodia, though he has plans to come home for good. because there is something very important he wants to say to Zidra.Zidra, meanwhile, is an ambitious reporter at the Sydney Morning Chronicle, and the seeds of a major story have just landed in her lap. Life is looking good, if only she could share it with the man who knows her best.Then, while at work in the newsroom one morning, Zidra catches sight of a wire service bulletin. A story out of Cambodia. The body of a Western journalist has been discovered near Phnom Penh.And her world collapses around her ...

This is a science fiction short story about the end of our civilization, and the beginning of a new one. In the story, small mysterious creatures resembling dragons appear all over the globe, with unexpected results for us. This is not a sword-and-sandals adventure tale but a work of ideas. "The Dragons" takes an unsparing look at where humanity is now and offers a different vision for our future.Look around you. Do you like what you see? Are you satisfied with our political leadership, with the business class, with all those who have their hands on the levers of power? Are you content with the current order of the world? Perhaps you aren't. Perhaps you are quite definitely not satisfied. In fact, when you think about the myriad of serious problems that humanity currently faces-- climate change and the ongoing wholesale destruction of nature, economic stagnation, growing inequality and disenfranchisement, ethnic and social discord, armed conflicts and the nationalistically-fueled threat of greater bloodshed to come-- you are filled with despair, and anger. Despair, because with every passing day these issues seem to be growing more grave, more intractable, more pressing. Anger, because those who are responsible for guiding us toward a better, more sustainable world, for creating the conditions in which justice, prosperity, and opportunity might flourish...are not. Our leaders are failing us, of this can be no doubt. But beyond their failure lies an even greater burden of accountability. Like it or not, this the world we have made. In the future its achievements and missteps will be laid at our doorstep and no one else's. So if we don't care for the direction things seem to be heading in, it is up to us, the people, to change it. That's what this story is about: people taking the reins of the world back into their own hands to create a better society, one strong enough to last our time, and worthy of bequeathing to our children. And yes, the story is also about dragons, as well as a very special kind of magic! Read this tale if you cannot help but feel that somehow,somewhere, civilization-- the whole kit and caboodle-- has taken a wrong turn. Read it if you believe that neither the system we live under now nor its human proxies will ever be capable of putting us back on a truly democratic, sustainable path. And read "The Dragons" if, despite the undeniable gravity of the challenges facing us, you still have hope, and wouldn't mind coming by just a tad more.