Showing results by narrator "Eric Michael Summerer" in All Categories

The sound of the gavel crashing down has my life flashing before my eyes. Learning to play ball. Falling in love, marrying an incredible woman, and starting a family. Becoming a starting pitcher for the Indianapolis Lightning. Everything I ever wanted . . . Until I struck out. The same success that gave me the life I dreamed of, took it all away. I'd do anything for a second chance, even throw the perfect pitch.

Life in Joriah isn’t exactly easy . . . especially since it’s only been two years since Edwin Maxlin fell out of the sky and crash-landed in this strange, magical world. Still, despite some near-fatal challenges, he’s managed to make pretty good use of his time. Drawing on his innate blend of curiosity and perseverance, he’s learned spellcasting, forged alliances, and even formed a motley crew of adventurers with whom to journey. Unfortunately, not all of Edwin’s exploits have been positive, and a particularly nasty blast from his past has unexpectedly reappeared.

Skharr DeathEater, the Barbarian of Theros, has not only gotten married, but he also has a child on the way. Unfortunately, the lands he and his wife acquired are rife with issues. Skharr doesn't know how to do anything except take matters into his own hands. Will he be able to do that when his wife is as deadly as he is and not in a good mood? Eventually, someone must figure out what is going on in the north and Skharr is the right Barbarian for the job.

The bards of Waterdeep remember the past. Or do they? Even as they sing their ballads, a mysterious spell is changing their memories. Danilo Thann, Harper and would-be bard, sets out to uncover the mystery. In this quest, his closest companion is his deadliest enemy, the rogue elf Elaith Craulnober. At stake is not merely the future of Faern but also its past.

When Timothy finally found work as a tester for a popular online MMORPG, his lifelong dream was fulfilled. And now, he earns money (and pretty good money, at that) just for doing what he loves - playing a beautiful and realistic computer game. But he isn't some typical run-of-the-mill player, like the millions of others. Timothy is truly capable and talented, and stands out from the crowd. In fact, the faceless masses consider him far too lucky and successful.

Welcome to Waterdeep: Here, everything imaginable is for sale. Even dreams can be purchased if one is willing to pay the price. So when the sale of dream spheres threatens the life of his newfound half-sister, Danilo Thann joins forces with Airlyn Moonblade to uncover the source of this deadly trade. Their search leads them into the dark heart of Waterdeep, and to personal secrets that could destroy them both.

Jason Crane thought his life was back to normal. The Headless Horseman had been defeated, his guardian, Hadewych Van Brunt, was presumed dead, and he had finally inherited the Pyncheon Legacy, worth more than $100 million. But there's more than just one murderous and vengeful ghost in the world, and the Pyncheon family has its own dark past. Now, Jason must learn the origins of his fortune, the reasons for its strange conditions, and the deadly consequences of breaking them.

The pace of modern life leaves little time to truly connect with our partners, yet the need for good communication is greater than ever before. This book of strategies will teach you how to communicate effectively through structured practices. You'll learn simple ways to keep the lines of communication open, become a better listener, understand and avoid your own and your partner's triggers, and solve common problems. The methods in this book will help you to build your communication skills in a safe and deliberate way.

The great hunt is over. In the end, Timothy managed to keep his invaluable prize. A victory? Perhaps. But glory and adrenaline are very powerful narcotics, and tolerance builds quickly. Once deprived of them, life immediately becomes gray and bleak. What's more, his beautiful lover is beginning to transparently hint that she could find herself a more interesting beau. What is a talented player to do in this case? The solution suggests itself: rush headlong into the most dangerous adventures, taking risks and walking the blade of a knife.

One night. One time. No last names. Max, teaching me everything he knows here. And everything he knows there too. Because the man who rocked my world isn't just an anonymous hookup: he's my new professor.

What is it like for a small flap-eared goblin herbalist to play the role of the Dark Sovereign, the main antagonist for Boundless Realm's hundreds of millions of players? What is it like to find one's self the standard bearer for an army of man-eating giants, cyclops, skeletons, ghosts, and other hellspawn, who don't give a damn about their modest little ruler? Our hero didn't desire such an unenviable fate, but there is no way back now. But the longer he plays, the better he understands that he is just a pawn in someone else's game.

When Rick Lamplugh reports for work at the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch on New Year's Eve, he has one goal: to learn as much as possible about the ecology of the Lamar Valley and how wolves fit in. He has three frigid months to explore on skis and snowshoes, to observe with all his senses, and to listen to and talk with experts. Lamplugh's story takes you with him as he watches winter-hungry elk and bison migrate to the Lamar Valley to graze. Wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions stalk the grazers while eagles, ravens, and magpies wait to scavenge.

When Eric catches sight of Creek Bend, Wisconsin's most famous missing person, his mundane morning of running errands rapidly erupts into a chaotic search for mysterious, hidden places scattered throughout his own hometown. Along the way, he'll have to deal with strange monsters, a murderous cowboy, and a curiously intimidating man in a pink shirt

Here are four stories derived from the same universe as the Koban series. Listening to the series is not required to understand and enjoy these stand-alone tales. Australian Krall: A fully gene-enhanced Kobani woman finds herself trapped in total darkness and underground, pursued by hundreds of slavering, semi-sentient, maniacally aggressive, and hungry aliens. Walk with her on the dark side!

We live in an incredible period in history. The computer revolution may be even more life-changing than the Industrial Revolution. We can do things with computers that could never be done before, and computers can do things for us that could never be done before. But our love of computers should not cloud our thinking about their limitations. The AI Delusion explains why we should not be intimidated into thinking that computers are infallible, that data-mining is knowledge discovery, and that black boxes should be trusted.

In these edgy, unexpected tales, a body-hopping mercenary avenges his pet elephant, and an orphan falls in love with a sentient starship. Fighters ally to power a reality-bending engine, and a swamp-dwelling introvert tries to save the world - from her plague-casting former wife.

The problem with court politicians is their ability to stab someone in the back, repeatedly. Skharr DeathEater, the Barbarian of Theros, friend of dwarves and emperors, is a liability. The mysterious Dealer in Whispers and Death has let it be known in the right ears he can kill Skharr DeathEater. For a hell of a price. The Dealer has never failed to kill their target in over the two hundred years of their existence, and they love a good challenge.

Henshaw Tarley has been subdued, and New Valley is now all mine to develop! My plans are clear. First, I need to secure alchemical ingredients for Cynthia, my resident alchemist, so we can start making and selling potions. Second, I must find a wand maker to broaden the range of items we offer in the shop. Then, there's the issue of that magical tattoo parlor I want to set up… For that, I will need someone to teach me the basics of tattooing so I can gain a rank or two and make full use of my new ability.

Ryl, the phrenics, and their meager army make for the security of the Erlyn Woods. As the cost of freedom continues to mount, their hold remains tenuous at best. New additions to their army present unexpected complications and danger. Choices that will define the future of Damaris hang in the balance. The army from Cadsae Proper marches in their wake. Control, coveted for ages will not be ceded willingly. Or without a fight. Outnumbered by thousands, Ryl is forced to choose between defending the tributes or reclaiming a friend, stolen from their midst.

1988 doesn’t end well for me. In just one week I turn thirty, get fired from my day job, and lose the role of Ophelia to a younger actress. But Jessica Abraham does not give up on her dreams without a fight, and I manage to score a part at a theater outside Boston. But when I learn that my costume could be taken from Cosmo’s Don't columns, I'm not so sure this career move will work, because I won’t be able to rely on my carefully managed physical charms. Only my craft will count.