Stephen B Pearl

An Ancient Terror Stalks the Land Ray McAndrues' life has fallen apart since his relationship with Cathy imploded. Each day is a constant reminder of what he had as Cathy parades her new boyfriend. Juggling all of life's responsibilities has stretched Ray thin. The friendships of Kama and Jessy have kept him on an even keel until a brutal animal attack sends Jessy to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, placing her spirit in peril of being consumed. Whatever had attacked Jessy has now set its sights on Cathy. Ray has no choice but to discover and end the threat once and for all. Unfortunately, the creature is older and more powerful than Ray could have ever imagined. There's only one choice, destroy the Lycanthrope or die to protect those he loves.

What would life be like if things had been different? Trying to answer this question, The Dance features stories that traverse multiple universes to explore the way our choices and fate affect the directions of our lives. "... it'll blow your mind... remarkable anthology... you won't want to miss a single one of the... stories... in The Dance." Paul Levinson, Author. "...explores the limitless possibilities created by the tiniest change. Ranging from silly to serious, from random to designed, there's something for everyone in this anthology." Zilla Novikov, Author. AUTHORSStefan JacksonMoira H. ScottBruno LombardiDavid GerroldAngelique FawnsMark A. RaynerRoxana NegutRosie SmithJeff ProvineShirley MeierHugh A. D. SpencerStephen B. PearlEli P.K. WilliamRachel RosenIra Nayman Kellee Kranendonk

Ryan and Rowan narrowly escaped United Earth Systems "justice" at the Switchboard Station. Together with their new crew, now they must take relief supplies and personnel to the place of Ryan's nightmares, Murack Five. While tensions run high and secrets abound with the crew and passengers, the entire operation is plagued with issues that seem like more than bureaucratic red tape, and could threaten their safety.Back in Sun Valley, Gunther continues recruiting cloned e-entertainers toward winning their freedom. The focus group for the show based on Ryan and Rowan's escape leaves the set region to find their lives turned upside down. When tragedy strikes, leader Medwin's pain and anger hardens into resolve, and he starts to think that playing within the system isn't as effective as taking out his vengeance personally.Decades of scheming have brought CEO Michael Strongbow's plans to fruition, but will it be enough to free clones and grant them equal rights?On two sides of the galaxy, the battle for freedom wages on. The freedom to love, to live, to know the truth, protect those close, and make one's own choices defines every moment of every life. Perhaps the only way anyone can be free is in stories.This edition of the book has been formatted to be easier for adults who live with dyslexia to read. Includes greater line and character spacing, non-justified text, and bold type instead of italics for emphasis.

Ryan and Rowan narrowly escaped United Earth Systems "justice" at the Switchboard Station. Together with their new crew, now they must take relief supplies and personnel to the place of Ryan's nightmares, Murack Five. While tensions run high and secrets abound with the crew and passengers, the entire operation is plagued with issues that seem like more than bureaucratic red tape, and could threaten their safety.Back in Sun Valley, Gunther continues recruiting cloned e-entertainers toward winning their freedom. The focus group for the show based on Ryan and Rowan's escape leaves the set region to find their lives turned upside down. When tragedy strikes, leader Medwin's pain and anger hardens into resolve, and he starts to think that playing within the system isn't as effective as taking out his vengeance personally.Decades of scheming have brought CEO Michael Strongbow's plans to fruition, but will it be enough to free clones and grant them equal rights?On two sides of the galaxy, the battle for freedom wages on. The freedom to love, to live, to know the truth, protect those close, and make one's own choices defines every moment of every life. Perhaps the only way anyone can be free is in stories.

Escaped e-entertainment star Rowan McPherson and her liberator, retired Space Forces Captain Ryan Chandler, have arrived at the Switchboard Station, the central hub of the Galactic Republic. The alien-administered sectors of the station provide sanctuary, as long as Ryan and Rowan keep out of United Earth Systems territory.However, Rowan's health is deteriorating, and only advanced human medicine can save her. Docking in the felinezoid sector and boarding with old friends, Ryan searches desperately for medical facilities outside of the human-controlled parts of the station. Prejudice against clones makes the task harder, as well as obsessive and dangerous foes intent on retrieving Rowan for the studio, or killing her, whichever is easiest.Meanwhile, back on the set of Angel Black, the truth about the clones' existence comes to light. Working in secret, they begin recruiting outside their show's cast, and even their own enemies, as they plot rebellion.The light-years-long arm of the law is treading closely on all the clones' heels and they will have to step carefully in their battle to be free.

E-entertainments provide viewers with a complete VR experience through clones of historically famous actors. Created solely for entertainment, they believe their worlds and adventures to be their real lives. When a character is scheduled to be killed off, an e-entertainment technician decides to take matters into his own hands.

The time has come for an ancient viking heist. Upon the sea there is a horn that blows and summons a kraken to destroy all ships. The horn is being blown by your enemy, the forces of vile Hakon. Thus, your jarl sends you on a heist. Steal the horn before it blows again. On this mission the party will discover both cruelty and wonder. Can they steal the horn of the kraken from fortified Winchester, or will they die trying?Based on Stephen B. Pearl's novel Horn of the Kraken, this is the second in a series of brand new Adventures for the Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok role-playing game.An Adventure for 6 Dwellers of level 10-11

The cerebral interface has revolutionised society. Need a ride? With a thought the cab is on its way. Want an adventure? Enter a VR 5 computer game nearly indistinguishable from reality.Amanda arranges for her Big Sisters Program little sister, Rachel, to spend a day gaming as a fourteenth birthday present. Amanda never suspects that her insane ex-boyfriend, Jim, will use a computer virus to trap her and her companions in the game.A pleasant diversion becomes a life and death struggle as her party seek a way to come back to the real world without triggering a program that will cause nanobots to rip their brains to shreds. To complicate matters, in the game scenario the adventurers have been transformed into cats. Will the party survive? Will Amanda admit that Rachel's older brother, Tyrell, might just be her future? Will the computer virus Jim used to trap them become a cyber plague that could kill thousands?

Oil reserves depleted. Society collapsed.A few places cling to modern technology. For everywhere else, there are the Tinkers.In southern Ontario, Novo Gaia uses sustainable energy to support its citizens in comfort. From there, Novo Gaia sends Doctors of Applied General Technology, tinkers, into the Dark Lands to install everything from solar stills to televisions-and make a profit.After twenty years as an E.R. nurse, Tabitha "Tabby" Drivensky's failing marriage sent her into the tinker program and the open waters of the Great Lakes. While fulfilling her Coast Guard service obligation, she rescues a boy named Andy Camble from a sinking ship.Andy turns out to have vital information on Packer, a pirate captain who has been plaguing the Great Lakes for generations in an ancient, nuclear-powered submarine. Using Andy's intelligence, Tabby sets out ostensibly to scout out a new aquatic tinker route along Lake Huron but secretly assigned by Novo Gaia to find and put an end to Packer once and for all.

Oil reserves depleted. Society collapsed.A few places cling to modern technology. For everywhere else, there are the Tinkers.In southern Ontario, Novo Gaia uses sustainable energy to support its citizens in comfort. From there, Novo Gaia sends Doctors of Applied General Technology, tinkers, into the Dark Lands to install everything from solar stills to televisions-and make a profit. Brad Cooper is a tinker on his route in Guelph when he finds himself at the epicentre of a plague outbreak. Stranded without support in a tenuously-held quarantine zone, he must use his limited medical training in a desperate search for a treatment against an insidious relic from an age of excess. Meanwhile, fuelled by panic, other townspeople caught within the quarantine zone conspire to sabotage relief efforts. Distrusted by the people he's trying to help, hampered by political rivals, under-supplied, over-worked, and with his own risk of infection increasing, Brad seems to be fighting a losing battle as the casualties mount...

"...this is a highly enjoyable read...I would recommend it to everyone...excellent storytelling..." Sequential Tart Alcina's world is falling apart. Driven into poverty by her husband's unrelenting pursuit of the custody of their son, Alcina does whatever she can to keep her son from ending up in the arms of a man who would like nothing better than to turn son against mother. Markus lost his parents in a horrific accident endemic across his world. Areas of chaotic magic grow like cancers, destroying anything and everything in its path. Through years of illegal research and experimentation, Markus believes he has found a cure for his world, but to do so, he must travel to another world before the authorities catch up with him. Desperate for a peaceful life with her son, Alcina turns to magic, imploring ancient deities. What she does not expect is a strangely dressed man, speaking an unknown language, suddenly appearing before her. Is this the savior the Gods have sent her?

"...exciting...fast paced...you are going to enjoy Nukekubi." - Sizzling Hot Books"Incredibly original Stephen Pearl reinvents the urban fantasy genre " - Karen Dales, Award Winning AuthorA new drug named Terror has hit the city streets, claiming its victims by causing them to die of unspeakable horrors.Ray McAndrues, a lifeguard by profession, is not what he appears, for he can sense energies and perform magic. While doing a favour for his girlfriend and fellow mystic, Cathy, Ray discovers exactly what is causing the gruesome deaths of innocents when he witnesses a friend succumb to Terror's destructive effects.Horrified, Ray believes he is the only one who can stop this ancient evil, for a Japanese goblin - a Nukekubi - has come to feast upon those Ray cares about.In his pursuit, Ray is joined by two allies who have come from Japan to hunt the Nukekubi. With Toshiro and Kunio, Ray discovers he does not have to fight alone. Will Ray be able to find and destroy the Nukekubi before it can consume him and those he loves?