Date: 2010-2020

The Elements of Sorcery

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The Elements of Sorcery
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Contains: SORCERER’S CODE, SORCERER’S CRIME, SORCERER’S BLOOD, SORCERER’S WAR, SORCERER’S TRUTH

No matter what you want to learn, everyone has to start somewhere.

Edar Moncrief is a sorcerer: one of an elite few who can control manna, the life force of the world, using only his mind. When he trips over the body of an Arbiter—an elite warrior-monk with powers not so unlike his own—in the streets of Elenia, Moncrief must race to solve the murder while a literal sword hangs over his head.

And that’s just the beginning.

Within these pages are five novellas following the adventures of Edar Moncrief as he discovers the deepest truths of the power that he wields, his triumphs and downfalls, his perfect moments… and his greatest mistakes.

These are the Elements of Sorcery.

All Hail Our Robot Conquerors!

All Hail Our Robot Conquerors!
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RRRAWRRR!!! ZZZZZZTTTTT!!! ZZZZAAAAPPPPP!!!

The robots of the 50s and 60s science fiction movies and novels captured our hearts and our imaginations. Their clunky, bulbous bodies with their clear domed heads, whirling antennae, and randomly flashing lights staggered ponderously across the screen and page and into our souls—whether as a constant companion or as the invading army threatening to exterminate our world.

We can never return to that innocent time, where the robot overlords could be identified by their burning red eyes or our trusty robot sidekick would warn us instantly of danger—

Or can we?

With a touch of nostalgia and a little tongue-in-cheek humor, here are fifteen stories from today’s leading science fiction and fantasy authors that take us back to the time of evil robot overlords, invading armies, and not-quite-trustworthy mechanical companions.

Join Julie E. Czerneda, Brandon Daubs, Tanya Huff, Brian Trent, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Jason Palmatier, Jez Patterson, Gini Koch, Lauren Fox, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Philip Brian Hall, Rosemary Edghill, R. Overwater, Helen French, and Seanan McGuire as we step into the future with a nod to the past. Hold on to those stun guns. You may need them!

The Void

The Void
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In the deepest reaches of space, on a ship that no longer exists, six travelers stare into the abyss . . . and the abyss stares back.

Man has finally mastered the art of space travel and in a few hours passengers can travel light years across the galaxy. But, there’s a catch—the traveler must be asleep for the journey, and with sleep come the dreams. Only the sleeper can know what his dream entails, for each is tailored to his own mind, built from his fears, his secrets, his past . . . and sometimes his future.

That the dreams occasionally drive men mad is but the price of technological advance. But when a transport on a routine mission comes upon an abandoned ship, missing for more than a decade, six travelers—each with something to hide—discover that perhaps the dreams are more than just figments of their imagination. Indeed, they may be a window to a reality beyond their own where shadow has substance and the darkness is a thing unto itself, truly worthy of fear.

CANNIBAL KINGDOM

CANNIBAL KINGDOM
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Deep in an Indonesian jungle, a careless tourist releases an ancient evil that has lain dormant for centuries. Appearing as a virus, completely without symptoms and seemingly benign, Trident quickly infects the world’s population. Silently it waits, counting down to the moment when it will reveal its true, terrifying nature.

It is only weeks before the presidential elections, and Garrison Fox, a decorated Marine and devoted husband and father, is almost assured of a return to the White House for a second term. As the campaign nears its final days, the First Family finds itself scattered across the U.S.

At an Ohio rally and across the globe, Trident suddenly unleashes its horrible power, transforming unsuspecting people into merciless killers driven to feed. When an infected Secret Service turns on him, President Fox is forced to flee across an America plunging deeper into savagery with each passing hour.

In Atlanta, a CDC researcher will work against her own mortality in an effort to stop an extinction-level event. In Pennsylvania, a newly commissioned second lieutenant is hurled into a war for which he was never trained. And moving east toward a secure mountain bunker, President Fox must find a way to save his family, his country and his own life…if he’s not already too late.

Omega Days

Omega Days
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“Readers who enjoyed The Strain Trilogy, by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, will find plenty to satisfy them here.”—San Francisco Book Review 
When the end came, it came quickly. No one knew where or exactly when the Omega Virus started, but soon it was everywhere. And when the ones spreading it can’t die, no one stands a chance of surviving.

San Francisco, California. Father Xavier Church has spent his life ministering to unfortunate souls, but he has never witnessed horror like this. After he forsakes his vows in the most heartrending of ways, he watches helplessly as a zombie nun takes a bite out of a fellow priest’s face…
University of California, Berkeley. Skye Dennison is moving into her college dorm for the first time, simultaneously excited to be leaving the nest and terrified to be on her own. When her mother and father are eaten alive in front of her, she realizes the terror has just begun…
Alameda, California. Angie West made millions off her family’s reality gun show on the History Channel. But after she is cornered by the swarming undead, her knowledge of heavy artillery is called into play like never before…
Within weeks, the world is overrun by the walking dead. Only the quick and the smart, the strong and the determined, will survive—for now.

VampCon

VampCon
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ntroducing
the Reluctant Vampire…
Is Jonathan Stoker a descendant of Bram Stoker, the author of vampire
novel, ‘Dracula’? He neither knows nor cares. What matters is that a powerful vampire
thought it would be a great joke to turn a man with that name.
Years later, Stoker lives on as the reluctant vampire, only emerging from the dark
shadows to suck nonlethal quantities of blood from helpless drunks. He’s on the
run from vampire kind, and hiding from his own mortal son who believes him
dead.
Each vampire has a unique ability based upon how they lived their mortal life.
Stoker smoked cigars and now he can hold his breath for an exceptionally long
time. Big deal! Scared and ashamed, he keeps to the shadows.
But he isn’t useless; nor are his powers as weak as he thinks. Stoker is part of a
prophecy and that prophecy is about to come true at the VampCon…
VampCon: a murderous congregation…When Stoker is visited by the blind vampire sorceress, Ariel Lockhart, his days of
isolation are over. Ariel  summons  him to the VampCon in Boston, a high stakes meeting
of the most powerful vamps in America. Powerful factions are studying  ancient myths and unlocking the key to the
creation of vampire kind… and to their ultimate destruction.
VampCon — it’s a cut-throat summit, a power struggle, a
murderous congregation set up by an insane vampire leader who must be obeyed.
VampCon — is where Stoker begins to learn his destiny, and the
true nature of his unique vampire power.
VampCon —  it’s a trap!
— no one in; no one out. It’s filled with bloodthirsty vampires and one mortal
— Stoker’s son.
Can Stoker, Lockhart, and a small band of troublemakers defy fate and prevent a
nightmare from coming true? It doesn’t seem likely, but Stoker’s little band
are the world’s only hope.

If you’re tired of Twilight fan fiction and second-rate Anne Rice copyists, read
VampCon for the very best of original dark urban fantasy.

Glimmer Vale (Glimmer Vale Chronicles

Glimmer Vale (Glimmer Vale Chronicles
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On the run from their past, swordsmen Raedrick Baletier and Julian Hinderbrook search for a place of refuge where they can start over.

That search sends them through a remote mountain valley called Glimmer Vale, where unbeknownst to them, dark forces threaten the population’s lives and fortunes.

With their hopes of quiet passage through the Vale dashed, and facing a deadly conflict against overwhelming odds, Raedrick and Julian will need all of their wit, courage, and skill just to survive, let alone prevail.

Fans of sword and sorcery will enjoy this fast-paced tale of redemption set in a world of valor and magic.

The Fortress in Orion (Dead Enders Book 1)

The Fortress in Orion (Dead Enders Book 1)
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The Democracy is at war with the alien Traanskei Coalition. War hero Colonel Nathan Pretorius has a record of success on dangerous behind-enemy-lines missions, missions that usually leave him in the hospital. Now he’s recruited for a near-impossible assignment that may well leave him dead.

At the cost of many lives, the Democracy has managed to clone and train General Michkag, one of the Traanskei’s master strategists. Colonel Pretorius and a hand-picked team must kidnap the real Michkag if they can, assassinate him if they can’t, but no matter which, put the clone in his place, where he will misdirect the enemy’s forces and funnel vital information to the Democracy.

Against the odds, Pretorius, along with Cyborg Felix Ortega, computer expert Toni Levi, convict and contortionist Sally “Snake” Kowalski, the near-human empath Marlowe, the alien Gzychurlyx, and Madam Methuselah – the Dead Enders – must infiltrate the Fortress in Orion, accomplish their mission, and escape with their lives.

The IX (The IX Series Book 1)

The IX (The IX Series Book 1)
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Soldiers from varying eras and vastly different backgrounds, including the IX Legion of Rome, are snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing, and transported to the far side of the galaxy.

Thinking they have been granted a reprieve, their relief turns to horror when they discover they face a stark ultimatum:
Fight or die.

Descendants of the Wolf (Descendants Saga)

Descendants of the Wolf (Descendants Saga)
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Yngvar, son of a powerful Norman jarl, thought raiding a glorious profession. He dreamed of the Viking ideal, sailing to distant shores and battling honorable foes. Laden with gold, he would return home in glory. The same life of adventure that his grandfather, Ulfrik Ormsson, experienced awaited him.

It proved a false dream.

Along with his cousin and best friend, Yngvar discovers a world unlike the sagas of the great heroes. He encounters murder and treachery. Raiding is nothing more than merciless theft. True riches remain elusive and sea kings dominate the waves.

Yngvar trusts to his honor and courage to carry him. Yet powerful enemies swarm all around him. Fate guides him into the teeth of a clash between two of history’s mightiest jarls. He will require all his cunning and daring to survive.

So begins a new saga of Viking adventure and war. Join the shield wall once more and witness the fierce history of the Norsemen.