The short stories in this book I wrote over the last twelve years. Although I feel in my comfort zone with thrillers and horror, I experimented with a variety of genres, including romance, children's tales, and comedy. Some of these stories have been published in anthologies, but I feel I needed to include them. From tales of blackmail, murder, revenge, supernatural, mystery, fantasy, reincarnation, horror, comedy, and the holocaust, I believe I have most genres covered. Volume II will follow shortly. Thank you for sharing my dreams and I hope you enjoy.
A witty, insightful, and delightfully snarky blend of pop culture meets memoir meets real-life Devil Wears Prada as readers learn the stories behind twenty-five years at Vanity Fair from the magazine’s former deputy editor “Dilettante offers the best seat in the house into the workings of one of the great cultural institutions of our time.”—Buzz Bissinger, New York Times bestselling author of Friday Night Lights Dana Brown was a twenty-one-year-old college dropout playing in punk bands and partying his way through downtown New York’s early-nineties milieu when he first encountered Graydon Carter, the legendary editor of Vanity Fair. After the two had a handful of brief interactions (mostly with Brown in the role of cater waiter at Carter’s famous cultural salons he hosted at his home), Carter saw what he believed to be Brown’s untapped potential, and on a whim, hired him as his assistant. Brown instantly became a trusted confidante and witness to all of the biggest parties, blowups, and takedowns. From inside the famed Vanity Fair Oscar parties to the emerging world of the tech elite, Brown’s job offered him access to some of the most exclusive gatherings and powerful people in the world, and the chance to learn in real time what exactly a magazine editor does—all while trying to stay sober enough from the required party scene attendance to get the job done. Against all odds, he rose up the ranks to eventually become the magazine’s deputy editor, spending a quarter century curating tastes at one of the most storied cultural shops ever assembled. Dilettante reveals Brown’s most memorable moments from the halcyon days of the magazine business, explores his own journey as an unpedigreed outsider to established editor, and shares glimpses of some of the famous and infamous stories (and people) that tracked the magazine’s extraordinary run all keenly observed by Brown. He recounts tales from the trenches, including encounters with everyone from Anna Wintour, Lee Radziwill, and Condé Nast owner Si Newhouse, to Seth Rogen, Caitlyn Jenner, and acclaimed journalists Dominick Dunne and Christopher Hitchens. Written with equal parts affection, cultural exploration, and nostalgia, Dilettante is a defining story within that most magical time and place in the culture of media. It is also a highly readable memoir that skillfully delivers a universal coming-of-age story about growing up and finding your place in the world.
After years of serving his country, Sin reclaims his life and forms the Ares Infidels MC, with like-minded military brothers. They decide his home town of Tenillo, Texas is the perfect place to build their futures. By forming a club where they get to make the rules and determine what orders to follow.Him and his brothers think life is going great, until a conversation with the new Chief of Police and Times Served MC president, Boss. That's when they discover their town is in crisis. One that none of them plan to let continue. They join forces to make sure it doesn't.However, Sin is blindsided almost immediately by the beautiful Lyric, a high school teacher fearing for the safety of her students. She's looking for someone to help her. One meeting and she becomes Sin's enticement, his universe.As Sin works to convince her to give this former Navy Seal turned biker a chance, more crimes and shady dealings come to light. Ones that show Tenillo is in more trouble than any of them first imagined.Again, and again, danger finds them and their allies and Lyric seems to be at the center of it. Sin, the Ares Infidels, and the Time Served guys battle to protect their town, their loved ones, and their futures.Sin and Lyric's tale may end in happily ever after for them, but the trials and tribulations are far from over for these two clubs or their town. They have a town to rescue. And they'll bring the fury of the Ares Infidels down on anyone who gets in the way.
American Library Association "Best Books for Young Adults" From the author of Ender's Game, an unforgettable story about young Alvin Maker: the seventh son of a seventh son. Born into an alternative frontier America where life is hard and folk magic is real, Alvin is gifted with the power. He must learn to use his gift wisely. But dark forces are arrayed against Alvin, and only a young girl with second sight can protect him. Includes an excerpt of Orson Scott Card's new novel, THE LOST GATE! The Tales of Alvin Maker series Seventh Son Red Prophet Prentice Alvin Alvin Journeyman Heartfire The Crystal City At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
For ten years, Sharon Beekmann trusted the ""spirit guides"" that promised her fulfillment. By the time she discovered their frightening, true identity, it was too late--they had taken control of her mind . . . tormenting her, attacking her sanity, pushing her to the brink of suicide. But in her darkest hour, Sharon discovered a Savior powerful enough to free her from the evil that threatened to destroy her. In Enticed by the Light, Beekmann describes her descent into spiritism and her fierce battle as a Christian convert pitted against terrifying, unseen forces. More than electrifying reading, Enticed by the Light is a revealing look at New Age practices . . . and a remarkable testimony to the liberating power of Jesus Christ. ""Caught in the insidious trap of New Age deception and danger, Sharon Beekmann's journey to freedom is an incredible story of hope, encouragement, and a way out for those still trapped."" Quin Sherrer, author of Miracles Happen When You Pray Sharon Beekmann's personal story provides a much needed message of both alarm and hope. Her shout of warning says that seeking spiritual experience apart from the absolutes of God's Word is a sure road to deceived bondage. Her message of hope assures that the darkest spiritual bondage can be broken when Christ is embraced and darkness is renounced."" Dr. Mark I. Bubeck, International Center For Biblical Counseling ""Numerous people in the West are searching for meaningful spiritual experience by contacting ""angels"" and ""spirit guides."" Sharon Beekmann's story tragically illustrates that not all spirits have our best interest in mind. The good news is that the Lord Jesus Christ offers deliverance and freedom from their deceit and tyranny."" Dr. Clinton E. Arnold, Professor of New Testament Talbot School of Theology ""Sharon Beekmann is a committed Christian who attends our church faithfully and serves Christ well. Sharon has unusual discernment with regard to the spiritual pitfalls of a fallen world. I believe that through this book, the light of Christ will shine on many."" Dr. James S. Dixon, Senior Pastor Cherry Hills Community Church Highlands Ranch, Colorado ""Sharon Beekmann's Enticed by the Light is a psychologically perceptive description of occultism's magnetism for a troubled youth and a moving account of the Lord Jesus Christ's power to liberate a young woman from it. This well-written true story is as intriguing as a novel. ""The book both alerts dabblers in the occult to the dreadful dangers of deceptive ""spirit guides"" and realistically depicts the liberating power of the Holy Spirit-illumined Scriptures presented by understanding, caring people. ""This compelling book vividly illustrates why friends and relatives may become involved in occultism, what they may be going through, and how to help them. Its unique integration of psychological and theological insights should enhance the ability of counselors, pastors, teachers and students to minister for both preventive and restorative purposes. Dr. Gordon R. Lewis, Senior Professor, Denver Seminary Sharon Beekmann is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In addition to writing, she teaches books of the Bible at local churches and conducts seminars on biblical demonology. She is General Editor and contributor for the forthcoming Masquerades of Satan: A Handbook on Biblical Demonology.
A CLASSIC OF LGBTQ LITERATURE THAT HAS BECOME A CULT SEN-SATION! THE HEROES OF THIS ENCHANTING GROUP HAVE BEEN ENJOYED BY MILLIONS OF READERS WORLDWIDE! Adapted on TV (BBC), Limited Se-ries (Netflix), Theater...and now in graphic novel form for the first time! San Francisco, 28 Barbary Lane, Anna Madrigal runs a boarding house. She wel-comes people who have nowhere else to go: the misfits. This matriarch is known for her unending kindness and her superb marijuana crop. The novel starts with the arrival of Mary Ann Singleton, a prudish, naïve, young woman who escaped her dull Ohio hometown for San Francisco. She settles in with her other fellow tenants: Michael “Mouse,” a personable young gay man, Brian Hawkins, an incor-rigible Don Juan, and Mona Ramsey, a young hippyish bisexual.
"You're everything I never even thought about wishing for."After serving time in prison for killing a man, Boss is mostly content with his life in small town Tenillo, Texas. He's got his friends, his brothers from the club, his job working for his mentor, and pets who welcome him home at night. A single offhand comment to some friends changes his entire life. One glance at Jenn, and it changes even more. From inmate to in love, Boss is on a roller coaster that's got no chance to slow down. He'll work together with his MC and the friends they've made in the Ares Infidels MC to clean up the town they live in and avenge the attack on his mentor, Pop. At the same time, he's falling head over heels for the pretty woman in the fancy aprons who tastes like oranges and heaven. An unhappy marriage sends Jenn on a cross country journey to find her happiness. After landing in Tenillo, she makes a comfortable home there. Since she doesn't have children and never will, Jenn opens her heart to any stray that needs her love. Between working in her coffee truck and taking care of her menagerie of animals, there's not much time for anything else in her life until Boss comes along. Rather than pull her away from what she loves, he stands beside her and becomes part of it. When Jenn is targeted by some of the unsavory characters that Boss has vowed to get rid of, she's got to fight to save herself. Two people who, at first glance, don't seem to have much in common find out that they're more alike than they'd imagined, and realize that there is such a thing as happily ever after as long as you're both willing to work for it.
HER ONLY OPTION IS DEATH Sue Quentin has reached the end of her rope-she's desperate, and there's only one way out. Her plan doesn't include falling for Tony, the mysterious hit man she hires. He listens when she speaks and somehow convinces her that maybe her problems aren't entirely insurmountable. He even thinks her little potbelly is sexy. So he's a werewolf--everyone has flaws! Sue enjoys being coddled by Tony, and, for his part, Tony likes the way Sue moans when he touches her. She begins to think she and Tony might have a shot at a future together, despite his unorthodox profession . . . and even though she doesn't know his real name. But when Tony's enemies-not all of whom are fully human-decide Sue makes a perfect target, will Tony risk letting his darker side out during the day to save her?
Even the best laid plans can fall apart when opposites attract?Adaira Ferguson made a mistake. In her defense, it was an honest mistake. After all, how was she to know that the dangerously attractive man she imprisoned was an earl and not a spy? Her good intentions don't mean anything to him, though. He's out for revenge. And if he has his way, she'll become the thing she hates most-a prim, proper, and boring lass. But if he thinks she's going to give in without a fight, he's got another thing coming?Roark, the Earl of Clarendon, values control and propriety above all else. Matters of the heart are of no interest to him. His ill-fated marriage rid him of any romantic notions he'd ever had. So taking his vengeance on the free-spirited Scottish hoyden who falsely imprisoned him will be simple. The unwanted feelings she stirs him? Well?those are infinitely more complicated.Caught between revenge and the dictates of proper society, can Adaira and Roark find the happily ever after they never knew they wanted? Or are they destined to remain at odds forever?
What if Belle's mother cursed the Beast? As Old as Time is the third book in a new YA line that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. When Belle touches the Beast's enchanted rose, memories flood through Belle's mind—memories of a mother she thought she would never see again. And, stranger still, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful enchantress who cursed the castle and all its inhabitants. Shocked and confused, Belle and the Beast will have to unravel a dark mystery about their families that is 21 years in the making.
