The Folding Knife


Book Description

A new stand-alone novel from the acclaimed author of the Engineer Trilogy and The Company. Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic is an extraordinary man. He is ruthless, cunning, and above all, lucky. He brings wealth, power and prestige to his people. But with power comes unwanted attention, and Basso must defend his nation and himself from threats foreign and domestic. In a lifetime of crucial decisions, he's only ever made one mistake. One mistake, though, can be enough.




The Shadow Saint


Book Description

Thieves, dangerous magic, and a weapon built with the power to destroy a god clash in this second novel of Gareth Hanrahan's acclaimed epic fantasy series, The Black Iron Legacy. "This is genre-defying fantasy at its very best... Insanely inventive and deeply twisted" (Michael R. Fletcher). Enter a city of spires and shadows . . . The Gutter Miracle changed the landscape of Guerdon forever. Six months after it was conjured into being, the labyrinthine New City has become a haven for criminals and refugees. Rumors have spread of a devastating new weapon buried beneath the streets - a weapon with the power to destroy a god. As Guerdon strives to remain neutral, two of the most powerful factions in the godswar send agents into the city to find it. As tensions escalate and armies gather at the borders, how long will Guerdon be able to keep its enemies at bay? "A groundbreaking and extraordinary novel . . . Hanrahan has an astonishing imagination" (Peter McLean). The Shadow Saint continues the gripping tale of dark gods and dangerous magic that began with Hanrahan's acclaimed debut The Gutter Prayer.




Scheming Heart


Book Description

Scarlett I don't want to lie to him. I really don't. First of all, he's hot. Really hot. I know I swore off gorgeous men for the rest of eternity, but Tenn Sawyer has me questioning all of my choices. At least, any choices that mean I can't have him. Second, he isn't just hot, Tenn is bossy and domineering and patient and his smile makes my panties melt. And that was all before he kidnapped me. After... I have no reason to trust him. There's too much at risk to follow my gut. One mistake and I'll lose everything. But with Tenn, I can't seem to help myself. Tenn I knew she was trouble the second I lay eyes on her. Okay, it took me two minutes to figure it out. At first all I saw was a gorgeous woman I needed to get to know. Preferably naked. Five minutes later, everything changed. Scarlett isn't just a woman I want, suddenly she's my lifeline, the only thing keeping me from a murder charge. And if that isn't complicated enough, every other word out of her mouth is a lie. She needs my help. She won't trust me enough to ask. Every moment we're together binds us until I can't imagine not having her, even with all of her lies between us. When she finally comes clean, and I understand what's at stake, I'm not worried about going to jail. I'm too busy trying to keep us alive. Scheming Heart is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It's third in The Hearts of Sawyers Bend series, featuring the Sawyer family of Sawyers Bend.




This Scheming World


Book Description

This classic work of Japanese literature is considered the masterpiece of Japanese novelist Seken Munasanya. This Scheming World (Seken Munasanyo) was published in 1692, one year before the author’s death. It represents the culmination of Saikaku’s perceptive genius, and in structure, is one of the most consolidated of all his works. Most of the stories are told as incidents or episodes relating to New Year’s Eve, when in those days it was the custom to balance all debits and credits for the year. Saikaku portrays his characters with so lifelike a touch that, even though three centuries have passed since his time, it seems as if they were our contemporaries. Decidedly inclined towards the debtors, Saikaku has them slipping off to the homes of their favorite mistresses, leaving town on “sudden” business trips, or becoming actors for the day in order to deceive the ever–persistent year–end collectors. Some of his characters are successful, while some are beset by even more troubles in trying to avoid the collectors. The episodes are always frank, often with humor, and occasionally pathetic. But more than anything else, the seventeenth century day–to–day way of living by the commoners comes vividly to life.




Spoiled Wife: Scheming Husband is Awesome


Book Description

Wife loves money only does not love me, how to do?The black god pursued his wife online. The god of all people helped him attack. He doted on his wife and beat up her face in a high-profile manner.The white lotus covered her face as she ran, while the green tea * * * self-consciously retreated ...Miss Lu said: "Hubby face-smacking scum is too empowering, life suddenly became a little lonely."The man smiled lovingly. "It looks like it's time to give birth to a baby for your wife to play with."




Lamentation


Book Description

This remarkable first novel from award-winning short fiction writer Ken Scholes will take readers away to a new world—an Earth so far in the distant future that our time is not even a memory; a world where magick is commonplace and great areas of the planet are impassable wastes. But human nature hasn't changed through the ages: War and faith and love still move princes and nations. In Lamentation, the first entry in the Psalm of Isaak series, an ancient weapon has completely destroyed the city of Windwir. From many miles away, Rudolfo, Lord of the Nine Forest Houses, sees the horrifying column of smoke rising. He knows that war is coming to the Named Lands. Nearer to the Devastation, a young apprentice is the only survivor of the city—he sat waiting for his father outside the walls, and was transformed as he watched everyone he knew die in an instant. Soon all the Kingdoms of the Named Lands will be at each others' throats, as alliances are challenged and hidden plots are uncovered. The Psalms of Isaak #1 Lamentation #2 Canticle #3 Antiphon #4 Requiem #5 Hymn At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.




THE HIGH AUCTION


Book Description

In the near future, a machinist, a monk, and a mesmerizer are looking for the Source of the universe, but among the ancient scriptures, they only find the devil ... Few humans in the future find the secrets of what words and sounds can do, for the Apocalypse and war have led them to evolve in mind and physique. Two of them end World War III with just a four-minute speech. Some say they did mass hypnosis. Others say it was their voice and will. Fifty years later in South Asia, KUSHA, a twenty-three-year-old machine-geek with social awkwardness and amnesia, tries to get the Devil’s Book with secrets of voice. But her idol of voice and everyone's beloved war heroes, YUAN and RUEM, are also after it for power. In a society that worships the evolved High Grades with voice, how you speak and which words you talk with is important. As someone who finds all solutions in books, Kusha thinks the secrets in the three-foot-long ancient book will teach her to speak mesmerizingly. She believes it will help her evolve. So, she decides to attend the auction where the book will be sold. But there's a problem; powerful High Grades want the book too. They want to code fate, rewriting the material world. They are undead, immortal mesmerizers. And being a philosopher, Kusha admires their ethics while she must fight them—the fight that starts with the book. The fight creates a chain reaction leading her to an epic journey. About the Series: THE HIGH AUCTION: WISDOM REVOLUTION is a book of genre-bending Adult Sci-fi-Fantasy series "The Machinist, The Monk, And The Mesmerizer Chronicles." Here, you'll find Metaphysical magic built around philosophy and spirituality. You'll find ancient mysteries, archaeological adventures, and, most importantly, you will meet some characters. Its inspiration was from myths/truth (read the word you prefer) of all religions where humans evolved to Sufis, Rishis, Sannashis, Monks, and sometimes, Gods. Example: Shiva Purana in Hindu epics where Sati evolved to Goddess Parvati and splits into Kali to destroy the evil is a prominent example. You'll find diverse cultures, sexuality, and faith in this series. Enjoy. What the Critiques and Reviewers are saying about it: "GEM PROSE ... YOU WILL FINISH THIS BOOK ONCE YOU START ..." "EXCEPTIONALLY THOUGHT-PROVOKING ..." "RELATABLE ... YOU KEEP NODDING AT EVERYTHING ..."




The Etched City


Book Description

Fleeing the ghosts of their violent past, two former revolutionaries - the roguish, rakish Gwynn and the taciturn Raule - escape from the ruined and deserted Copper Country to the tropical city of Ashamoil. As they salvage new lives from the rubble of the old, they discover that the ghosts of the past are also the ghosts of the future. 'Scenes among the most mystifying and astonishing I have found in a fantasy' MICHAEL MOORCOCK, Guardian 'A brilliant first novel' Locus




Already Dead


Book Description

A contemporary noir, Already Dead is the tangled story of Nelson Fairchild Jr., disenfranchised scion to a northern California land fortune. A relentless failure, Nelson has botched nearly every scheme he's attempted to pull off. Now his future lies in a potentially profitable marijuana patch hidden in the lush old-growth redwoods on the family land. Nelson has some serious problems. His marriage has fallen apart, and he may lose his land, cash and crop in the divorce. What's more, in need of some quick cash, he had foolishly agreed to smuggle $90,000 worth of cocaine through customs for Harry Lally, a major player in a drug syndicate. Chickening out just before bringing the drugs through, he flushed the powder. Now Lally wants him dead, and two goons are hot on his trail. Desperate, terrified and alone, for Nelson, there may be only one way out. This is Denis Johnson's biggest and most complex book to date, and it perfectly showcases his signature themes of fate, redemption and the unraveling of the fabric of today's society. Already Dead, with its masterful narrative of overlapping and entwined stories, will further fuel the acclaim that surrounds one of today's most fascinating writers.




On Edge


Book Description

An expos of the corrupt practices centering around the sport of figure skating offers insight into the 2002 Russian gold medal scandal, revealing how such factors as judge drug abuse, vote swapping deals, and sexual affairs are determining the outcomes of careers and key competitions.