If a rocketship dies,?who?wins? The world’s most advanced rocket company suffers a catastrophic explosion that?becomes a publicity disaster. Within hours, the new CEO Matt Toscano learns he faces much deeper trouble than a public relations problem— The California Governor plans to destroy him. Suddenly mankind’s best hope of better space travel lies on the water, with the BrainTrust. Fortunately Dash Ambarawati, the BrainTrust’s most brilliant researcher, has studied rocket science since childhood. With her help, Matt stands a chance. But Dash brings trouble with her. Matt and Dash find themselves with a host of enemies on their heels, including the Russian Union Premier and the American President for Life. The race is on. One way or the other, this race will end in a?Crescendo of Fire. Meanwhile, An itty bitty ninja gets her fondest wish.?An ex-commando squares off with a Red Princess. And a retired project director toils quietly behind the scenes. Kidnappers, oligarchs, politicians, dictators, princelings—outwitting them is not just a job, it’s an adventure.? And all in a day’s work…on the BrainTrust. Scroll back to the top, and click “Read for Free” or “Buy Now” and kick back for a thought-provoking, action-packed adventure that will have you staying up all night reading to discover the truth!

WHEREVER YOU LOOK, LIFE AND DEATH STARE YOU IN THE FACE. Born from the fertile imagination of bestselling author Michael Anderle Fountain of Youth, or Valley of Death? One missile fired at Earth. One political decision could change the future of mankind when apocalypse happened. Fighting hard, multiple countries band together to successfully?pause?the apocalypse. Now, we have the future of mankind growing in the Sahara Desert, and we need hard, smart people to pull out the secrets. So what did the military want with?Dr. Christopher Lin? By the time his helicopter ride was on the ground, he wasn't a ZOO virgin any longer. The government needs the best of the best military and scientific minds working out how to pull the secrets from the ZOO, while keeping the deadly fauna and flora in check. There is one major problem, the ZOO is transforming too quickly, and they didn't even have the basic information from the Bio-Domes on what went wrong. First Lieutenant Doctor Emma Kemp needed another brain to help her get inside the ZOO and retrieve vital information for the world. Only one small problem, the ZOO doesn't want to give up its secrets. ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE ZOO? ---- Join?Dr. Christopher Lin?as he learns about the ZOO, how to stay alive and the opportunities that being a part of the ZOO has brought humanity. The future is looking interesting and humorous,?except for the death part.

When there is money, there are people trying to keep it all to themselves. Can a person survive not only the ZOO, but people hoping they will die? Born from the fertile imagination of bestselling author Michael Anderle… ?Dr. Christopher Lin has to go into the ZOO a third time, but will it be the last? He has been played by the one person he was hoping to save. Sometimes, the ZOO is too much for one man to handle. Even with a team, it is highly questionable if the unsaved care to be enlightened. By the time Chris figures out the true danger, he has to make a decision that will change his future. In the end, will Chris choose to save his friend? Will the potential sacrifice be worth it? ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE ZOO? ---- Join?Dr. Christopher Lin?as he learns about the ZOO, how to stay alive and the opportunities that being a part of the ZOO has brought humanity. The future is looking interesting and humorous,?except for the death part.

SOMETHING IS INSANELY WRONG IN THE ZOO. Born from the fertile imagination of bestselling author Michael Anderle… BUT WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Wallace is not unstoppable, and the ZOO is more than willing to demonstrate that to him personally. Hall has information about Kemp, and he wants Wallace to bring her back alive. Given his leftover doubts from his conversation with the German ambassador, will Wallace follow orders? Dr. Christopher Lin has his own data about Kemp, and he is coming back without permission. There are plans within plans for the ZOO. Can Hall accomplish his secret goals while getting rid of Wallace, who has become a problem? Inside the ZOO, it feels like the calm before the storm. In the Sahara, one should be worried. Inside the ZOO, one should be curled into a fetal ball, whimpering in fear. ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE ZOO? ---- Join?Wallace?as he enters the ZOO, learning how to stay alive as he protects others from the alien entity known as the ZOO. The future is looking interesting and humorous,?except for the death?part?

Winner of the Virginia Prize for Fiction A young American on a vacation trip around India with her boyfriend, steps down off the train for a bottle of water at Shambala Junction, only to find herself stranded at the town with no phone or money, she has to rely on the kindness of strangers... A journey into the heart of India, Iris is forced to question her beliefs and values and to learn what really counts.? "... a refreshingly original viewpoint on the traditional ‘coming of age’ story, brimming with powerful women, a complex society and fundamental human truths laid out in all its gritty beauty.”? -SkyLightRain “An enlightening and enjoyable read. As much a cultural exploration as it is a love story, the book is a remarkable webbing of different viewpoints. Mukherjee is able to translate captivating realities to a wide audience through pulsing characters, with a natural story-telling ability that is inviting and enlightening.”? -Windy City Review “My hat is off to you for making Shambala Junction a compelling, suspenseful novel that illuminates the personal and social consequences of corrupt adoptions.” - Umberto Tosi author of Ophelia Rising and contributing editor of Chicago Quarterly Review “… fluid prose that takes firm hold of the plot to produce an invigorating, engaging, and dynamic story.”? -World Literature Today “A truly engaging and lovely read, Shambala Junction is a book that tugs at the reader’s morality while at the same time telling a truly inspiring coming-of-age story.”? -9/10 – Star2.com ?“Shambala Junction takes hold of you and leads you with absolute confidence into one of the most extraordinary journeys any of us ever embark on: the discovery of India.”? -- Barney Norris, author of Five Rivers Met On A Wooded Plain ? About the author Dipika Mukherjee made her debut as a novelist with Thunder Demons (Gyaana Books, 2011), long-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize. She won the Platform Flash Fiction competition in April 2009. She has edited two anthologies of Southeast Asian short stories: Silverfish New Writing 6 (Silverfish, 2006) and The Merlion and Hibiscus (Penguin, 2002). Her first poetry collection, The Palimpsest of Exile, was published by Rubicon Press in 2009. Her short stories and poems have appeared in publications around the world, including World Literature Today, Asia Literary Review, The South Asia Review, Del Sol Review and Postcolonial Text among others, and have been widely anthologised. She curates an Asian/American Reading Series for the Guild Literary Complex, Chicago. Dipika holds a doctorate in English (Sociolinguistics) from Texas A&M University. She has taught language and linguistic courses in China, India, the Netherlands, United States, Malaysia, and Singapore and now teaches Sociolinguistics at Northwestern University and is Faculty Affiliate at the Equality Development and Globalisation Studies (EDGS), Roberta Buffett Centre for International and Comparative Studies. She lives in Chicago with her husband and they have two sons. ? Reviews “This vividly written, courageous book… a refreshingly original viewpoint on the traditional ‘coming of age’ story, brimming with powerful women, a complex society and fundamental human truths laid out in all its gritty beauty.” --SkyLightRain “An enlightening and enjoyable read. As much a cultural exploration as it is a love story, the book is a remarkable webbing of different viewpoints. Mukherjee is able to translate captivating realities to a wide audience through pulsing characters, with a natural story-telling ability that is inviting and enlightening.” --Windy City Review “My hat is off to you for making Shambala Junction a compelling, suspenseful novel that illuminates the personal and social consequences of corrupt adoptions.” --Umberto Tosi author of Ophelia Rising and contributing editor of Chicago Quarterly Review “… fluid prose that takes firm hold of the plot to produce an invigorating, engaging, and dynamic story.”? --World Literature Today “A truly engaging and lovely read, Shambala Junction is a book that tugs at the reader’s morality while at the same time telling a truly inspiring coming-of-age story.”? --9/10 – Star2.com About previous books: “Dipika Mukherjee uses vibrant imagery and brutally honest observation to create a humanistic portrait of a modern nation still coming to grips with its past.” --City Weekend (Shanghai) “Longlisted for the Man Asian Prize in 2009, Mukherjee’s novel is not unlike Miguel Syjuco’s IIustrado, which won the prize in 2008. Both are grim state-of-the-nation novels based in East Asia, written by peripatetic authors. Both have lead characters who leave relatively comfortable lives in the United States of America to travel back to the troubled East and tragic pasts.” Paperback Pickings, The Telegraph

SHORTLISTED FOR THE POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE Next Lesson is a new play by Chris Woodley, about the challenges of growing up gay.? In 1988, 14-year-old Michael comes out as gay. Later he returns to the same school as a teacher. In the background: the notorious Section 28 of Thatcher’s Local Government Act, which prohibited schools from “promoting homosexuality” and divided teachers and parents. The narrative of the play spans from 1988 to 2003. Ideal for drama students, colleges, amateur theatre groups, local theatres. Publishing to coincide with LGBTQ History Month, February 2019. Reviews 'How has being queer in the classroom changed over the pastthirty years? This informative play is your revision guide.Next Lesson is one school play that you won’t want to miss.'***** ‘A Masterpiece’ – Gay Times 'Section 28 was one of the most hateful pieces of legislationbrought in by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Next Lesson byChris Woodley looks at the knock-on effects of this legislationin the same school between 1988 and 2006. It’s funny, movingand heartwarming stuff. This excellent play is a great reminderof how fear and oppression can cause untold damage amongstvulnerable teenagers and that with love, honesty and unity wecan overcome the curveballs life throws at us.'***** ‘Incredible’ – attitude 'Definitely worth going back to school for.'**** – DIVA 'The first thing to say about Chris Woodley’s play NextLesson is that it is very good. An A+, 10 out of 10, top marks,gold star and any other educational phrase that can beapplied to 75 minutes of how relationships work: motherto son, teacher to pupil, friend to friend and lover to lover.'**** ‘A+’ –Boyz 'What Woodley has achieved in his debut play is remarkable…Next Lesson is informative without being didactic, telling avery personal story as well as having clarity of the world atlarge, all the while wearing its heart on its sleeve.'**** ‘Remarkable’ –Female Arts 'Brought in by the Thatcher regime, Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act forbade local authorities from promoting homosexual relationships as equal to heterosexual ones. This hated piece of legislation created confusion and caution in schools, undoubtedly prevented teachers from addressing homophobic bullying, denying lesbian and gay pupils appropriate sex and social education. Chris Woodley’s excellent play charts the education system through those years, creating lesbian, gay and bi characters from both sides of the classroom and staff room.'**** ‘Highly entertaining’ –British Theatre 'This short production touches on a number of key issues that affected countless people within the LGBT+ community (and their loved ones), not just in the wake of Section 28 but throughout history. ‘Next Lesson’ is an educational piece devoted to the examination of this vital part in legal discrimination’s history, and will be eye- opening to many who perhaps did not know about this law and its damaging legacy.'**** ‘Impressive’ –West End Wilma About the author Chris Woodley is an actor, writer, teacher and co-founder of Hyphen Theatre Company. Chris trained as an actor at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.As a writer, his credits include: The Soft Subject (A Love Story) (Assembly Hall), Bedtime Story (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Next Lesson (The Pleasance) and co-writer for My Boyfriend Jesus Christ (Karamel Klub) and When The Lights Went Out At Christmas (The BRIT School).His recent theatre credits include: KATE (Greenwich Theatre), You Should Be So Lucky (Above The Stag), Walking: Holding (The Yard), From Russia, For Love (Theatre Deli), An Enemy of the People (New Diorama), The Gay Naked Play (Above The Stag), This Child (The Bridewell Theatre) and Rainman (Karamel Klub).Television credits include: Extras.

The Gosport Ferry occupies a special place in people's lives. Day in, day out, it calmly plies back and forth across Portsmouth Harbour, and though the ferries themselves may have changed over the years - from steam-boats with open decks, where passengers were exposed to the elements, to the comfortable diesel craft of today with their heated saloons - they are still the source of familiar stories, handed down through the generations.In this fascinating book, you will read dozens of those stories, contributed by people from Gosport, Portsmouth and further afield. Of the ferry that got lost in the fog, of the man who misjudged the leap from the pontoon and ended up in the water, of the pile of bicycles on the bow, of the Dockyard matey who met the girl of his dreams on board, of getting a stiletto heel stuck between the boards of the pontoon, of seeing down into the engine-room below, and even of the dog that travelled on the first ferry every morning - on his own - to go to Portsmouth Meat Market for a bone.Many recall the 'Floating Bridge' too, with its clanking chains, and although no-one is alive today who remembers the days of the 'wherrymen' who used to row customers across the Harbour, their names and their legacy live on.

Do you enjoy the timeless music of Elvis Presley? Were you one of the millions of fans around the world who mourned the iconic singer's untimely death? Do you think you know all about the man dubbed 'The King of Rock and Roll'? Then what better way to pay tribute to your all-time favourite artist than with The Ultimate Elvis Quiz and Fact Book? Elvis Presley is one the most well-known and best-loved singers of the last century, receiving worldwide acclaim and leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable, bestselling hits that continue to be played to this day. This book covers Elvis' early years as a young performer, his rise to fame, musical influences, family and personal life, acting career and eventual transformation into a global megastar. It also details his troubled later life and the events leading up to his premature death, at the age of 42. With 300 questions and 200 fascinating facts about the people and places that shaped the life of one of the most enduring and groundbreaking entertainers in the history of popular music, this is a book that Elvis fans of all ages will want to own.

Would you like to improve your general knowledge? Do you need to gen up for a pub quiz night? Are you keen to challenge your family to find out who knows the most about different subjects? Whatever your interest in The Ultimate General Knowledge Quiz Book you are certain to have fun tackling the 500 questions inside. In which US state is the Hanging Railway Bridge above the Arkansas River? What type of fastener did Walter Hunt invent in 1829? In October 2015, which England football player broke Sir Bobby Charlton's 49 goal record? These are just some of the questions to be found in this book. Dip inside to check your answers and discover more. All areas of general knowledge are covered including film and television, music, history, science, geography, art and literature, sport, inventions and much more, so there is something for everyone, young or old. Packed full of facts, this book is an excellent and quick way to improve your knowledge of the world. So, it's time to get your thinking caps on.

Grandma's stories, ';would always start in the place where we were,' and so it is with Unusual Places. Human remains are concealed in the Greenwich Tunnel in a world where London is a prison; a market is the setting for sexual and sensual awakenings; a professional picnicker finds love. Louise Tondeur's stories skip along, rich with detail and musical prose, only to trip us up with turns and surprises: the unusual lurks in the most ordinary of places.

For the last 150 years, every Londoner, tourist, and visitor uses the tube to explore and enjoy London. But behind the facade of ox-blood brick buildings and colourful diagrams lies a wealth of history and interesting facts. This book tests your knowledge in this area with 250 questions (and answers) about this incredible network.

Are you the world's biggest Jcat? Can you prove it? This excellent quiz book has 100 questions about the world's greatest boy band. What is George's favourite film? How tall is JJ? What's Josh's favourite TV show? Who is Jaymi's biggest inspiration? If you knew the answer to those, wait until you get to the hard ones... and if you didn't, this book has all the answers for you. Show your friends you know everything there is to know about Union J!

When Conrad Jones helps the police identify an occultist symbol carved into the chest of a murder victim, he attracts the attention of a Satanic cult who believe themselves to be human vampires. He writes a book about them exposing how far reaching their influence is and they desperately want to silence him. Hunted by the cult and by the law, he has no choice but to become the hunter.... A gritty, violent thriller based on recent true events.

A fantastic collection of 16 classic legends from ancient mythology, compiled by American essayist, editor, critic, and lecturer Hamilton Wright Mabie.

William Morris' classic novel News from Nowhere has been enjoyed by readers around the world for 120 years.A soft science-fiction, this is an exploration of socialist ideas, following the story of William Guest, a man who falls asleep after a Socialist League meeting to find himself waking up in a future socialist society.

"e;Do you trust me?"e;When Anna's dirt bike pulled up alongside late one summer's evening, Harry grasped the opportunity to escape the city and his troubles, but he never imagined the mysterious girl would lead him across the galaxy to another world.Transported via the Ring of Stones to a planet reflecting a visionary Earth, the friends embark on an intricate pursuit of the truth about what really happened to their missing parents, all the while struggling to remain one step ahead of the sinister Authorities.

After his parents are killed, George, the Orphan Crow, starts a new life among the lively creatures of Blossom Valley and the enchanting butterflies that live there. But all is not as it seems... an evil ladybird, envious of the butterflies' beauty lures them to a remote place with a wicked plan in mind. George becomes suspicious and flies out looking for them. But is he too late? Has the wicked ladybird already put her plan into action? This original, intriguing story is mainly told by the colourful characters that make up the community and will fascinate readers of all ages.

Sherlock Holmes, the world's "e;only unofficial consulting detective"e;, was first introduced to readers in A Study in Scarlet published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. It was with the publication of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, however, that the master sleuth grew tremendously in popularity, later to become one of the most beloved literary characters of all time.In this book series, the short stories comprising The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes have been amusingly illustrated using only Lego(R) brand minifigures and bricks. The illustrations recreate, through custom designed Lego models, the composition of the black and white drawings by Sidney Paget that accompanied the original publication of these adventures appearing in The Strand Magazine from July 1891 to June 1892. Paget's iconic illustrations are largely responsible for the popular image of Sherlock Holmes, including his deerstalker cap and Inverness cape, details never mentioned in the writings of Conan Doyle.This uniquely illustrated collection, which features some of the most famous and enjoyable cases investigated by Sherlock Holmes and his devoted friend and biographer Dr. John H. Watson, including A Sandal in Bohemia and The Red-Headed League, is sure to delight Lego enthusiasts, as well as fans of the Great Detective, both old and new.In this story Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the curious discovery of a blue carbuncle in the crop of a Christmas goose abandoned by a man during a scuffle with some street ruffians. Holmes makes a series of deductions concerning the owner of a tattered old hat recovered along with the goose and thus sets out on the trail of the audacious thief who stole the precious stone five days previously.

"e;Mr. Holmes is an amateur, Hopkins."e; Lestrade was smiling around the stem of his pipe as he spoke. Hopkins could hear it. "e;Not a man who works well in teams, he. He still trusts Dr. Watson not to lie to him... and Dr. Watson's pulled some whoppers to save his skinny neck in the past."e; Lestrade was still smiling. "e;Not that that's not the most interesting thing about those fellows. I could tell you some stories about them, Stanley... oh, I could tell you stories...'"e;. Meet Sherlock Holmes through the eyes of his fellow lodger once again... and meet both through the eyes of the Yard - especially those who saw them the most: Inspectors Lestrade, Gregson, and Bradstreet. From Montague Street to a supposedly straightforward case of smuggling in Cornwall, Scotland Yard saw more than the disconcerting and dazzling private detective; it also saw an admirable and steadfast British soldier who shared their need for justice. Doctor John Watson may call himself unremarkable, but the Yard would disagree...

Part One of a record breaking three-volume collection, bringing together over sixty of the world's leading Sherlock Holmes authors. All the stories are traditional Sherlock Holmes pastiches. This volume covers the years from 1881 to 1889, including contributions from:John Hall, Hugh Ashton, Adrian Middleton, David Marcum, Jayantika Ganguly, Denis O. Smith, Amy Thomas, Kevin David Barratt, Luke Benjamen Kuhns, Summer Perkins, Deanna Baran, Shane Simmons, C.H. Dye, Mark Mower, Derrick Belanger , Daniel D. Victor, Steve Mountain, Stephen Wade, John Heywood, Will Thomas, Daniel McGachey, Martin Rosenstock, Craig Janacek, (and a poem from Michael Kurland). The authors are donating all the royalties from the collection to preservation projects at Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's former home, Undershaw.

Part Two of a record breaking three-volume collection, bringing together over sixty of the world's leading Sherlock Holmes authors. All the stories are traditional Sherlock Holmes pastiches. This volume covers the years from 1890 to 1895, including contributions from: Ann Margaret Lewis, Vincent W. Wright, William Patrick Maynard, Matthew Booth, J.R. Campbell, Robert V. Stapleton, Sam Wiebe, Jeremy Branton Holstein, Bill Crider, Peter Calamai, Lyndsay Faye, Marcia Wilson, Jack Grochot, Bert Coules. Christopher Redmond, Mike Hogan, Carl Heifetz, Wendy C. Fries, Dick Gillman (and a poem from Carole Nelson Douglas).