Showing results by narrator "Charlie Albers" in All Categories

Provocative and controversial, socially conscious and politically charged, wildly imaginative yet deeply grounded, the thirty-two never-before-published stories, essays, and poems in The Last Dangerous Visions stand as a testament to Ellison’s lifelong pursuit of art, uniting a diverse range of science fiction writers both famous and newly minted, including Max Brooks, Edward Bryant, Cecil Castellucci, James S. A. Corey, Howard Fast, Patricia Hodgell, Dan Simmons, Robert Sheckley, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Mildred Downey Broxon, and Cory Doctorow, among others.

Today Candy Cane Hollow smells like butter and bravado. I'm helping at the Elvish Culinary Guild's grand induction and tasting, and Gilbert, our house-elf at Claus Cottage, has made the finalists' bench with his prized mince pie. Then the celebrity headliner takes one bite of a showpiece pie and drops. Guild security locks the doors while city police sweep the kitchens. Whispers fly: a rival with a temper, an apprentice with something to prove, a sponsor with money on the line, a producer who prefers ratings to recipes.

Lady Frances Rowley is no ordinary debutante—feisty, intelligent, and determined to forge her own destiny, she faces an unwanted marriage that threatens to bind her to a life she dreads. With her options dwindling, Frances turns to the one person she swore never to ask for help: her scandalous childhood friend, the Duke of Hargate, Johnathan Seton.

Ruby Campbell isn't daunted at the prospect of working as a nanny for the notorious Barclay Rothchester. She’s warned he’s a strict control freak, but she’s sure she can soften him up. Barclay Rothchester lost his wife three years ago. Of course he’s never going to find someone to replace her role, the one she did so perfectly. He’s sure its not going to be hippy-dippy Ruby with her sass and rebellious ways. Ruby is determined to give his daughters the Christmas they deserve. Now if only she can tolerate their father long enough to make that happen.

In the heart of Yorkshire, where rolling hills and grand estates whisper secrets of old, Lady Eden Thornton finds herself caught between duty and desire. The spirited daughter of an Earl, she is content with her idyllic country life, far removed from the frivolities of London society. But when her brother's best friend, the brooding and enigmatic Marquess of Blackwood, returns from abroad, her world is turned upside down.

Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers is a celebration of Neil Marshall’s debut soldiers versus werewolves movie. To coincide with the 20-year anniversary, it takes a deep dive look behind the scenes at the cult classic. As well as a full retrospective, you will find interviews with the cast and crew, original shot list, excerpts from the script and more. Encompassing the tone of Dog Soldiers, Sausages is the perfect companion to this fan-favourite film. Includes a foreword from genre icon Joe Dante and afterword from legendary director John Landis.

Once, Abrielle was a privileged daughter coveted for her bearing, her breeding, her wit, and her beauty. But when her stepfather is denied his rightful title and the wealth that accompanies it, Abrielle finds herself suddenly disgraced. Only one man would still have her: the oafish and grotesque...

Lily Farnsworth is a resourceful lady. As well she should be, her father has spent years dragging the family's estate from the edge of ruin and she's always had to make do with little. A proper season and the gowns to go with it seem entirely out of reach. That is, until Lily discovers she has a particular skill at piquet. Pound by pound, she gathers the funds to pay her own way. Her aunt is delighted to play host in her modest London house and squire her niece to parties. All are certain that one season will be enough to see Lily married well and with the means to help her sisters.

Shy but magically talented, Princess Carabosse only wants to help her people as they face the looming threat of the Warlock King and his daughter, Aurora. Aurora was gifted from infancy with fairy blessings that make her the most lethal magic-user the world has seen in centuries...and she wants Cara’s kingdom.

It isn't how chef Bridget "Bunny" MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the eighteenth century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night.

For all fifteen years of her life, Pauline de Pamiers has witnessed an attack on her family, friends, and faith. It's the early thirteenth century and the Pope and King of France are conducting a Crusade against the Cathars; the only crusade on European soil and against another Christian sect. As a member of this sect in France that sits outside the dominant Roman Church, Pauline is an outsider: young, but independent and bold.

For years Melchior, the youngest son of the Fate Atropos, has thought of nothing but vengeance against his mother - Death. A prisoner in his own castle, the Prince of Darkness is trapped in her wicked web, despite the fact that the Gods are on his side. He's been learning dark magic as a way to protect himself and his people from the cruelty of their Queen... with limited success, and the only way he's managed to leave the castle is by promising his mother that he'll find a bride and give her a grandchild.

Thea Morell, Georgian heiress and eligible lady, is not normal. At least, that's what she has come to believe. She loves nothing more than spending hours at the study of natural history, collecting fossils, insects, dead fish, bones, and even the odd spider. Up to now, she has held off her mother's entreaties to marry, but this year may be her last chance to make a good match and the pressure is mounting.

Amelia Cole—Lia for short—is one of the first women studying abroad at Oxford University in the 1920s. Finally free from her overbearing Brooklyn parents, she finds a welcome sense of independence in British college life. Lia quickly falls for Scarlett Daniels, an aspiring actress and hardheaded protester. Scarlett introduces her to an exciting gender-equality movement with high stakes. But when their secret love clashes with political uprising, their relationship is one of the casualties.

MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen is Winston Churchill's last hope to convince his government to let him mine the coast of Norway to prevent Hitler from reaching the iron ore reserves that will fuel the Nazi war machine. The proof Churchill needs is to be found in a beef processing plant in the coastal town of Kolding, Denmark. The strategy is simple. As the army gears up for the invasion, food supplies will move with them, and Churchill will be able to chart their path to the coast as they prepare to invade Norway.

This New Year, Summer Brookes isn’t making resolutions—she’s making a change. Tired of the cold, her soul-crushing accounting job, and a life that feels stuck, she stumbles across a forgotten diary from her 13-year-old self. Its pages are filled with the optimism of youth, big dreams, and an obsession with her first love, Jamie Reynolds. Realizing she’s drifted far from the life she once dreamed of, Summer does the unthinkable: she books a last-minute one way flight to Tenerife to track down Jamie, trading grey skies for golden beaches and the promise of adventure.

Rachel is struggling. She’s navigating the loss of her best friend, she’s left heartbroken by her ex-boyfriend, and she’s recently been made redundant by her employer. So the impending holiday season is the last thing she wants to think about. Then her rich sister suggests that Rachel dog-sit her spaniel, Humphrey, in her luxurious country house in a quaint village in Surrey. However, Rachel is soon manipulated into caring for her elderly Grandpa Eric, too.

When her teenage son gets into trouble with some very dangerous people, Natasha knows they need to flee the city. But where can they go? Out of the blue, she receives an inheritance that seems the answer to her prayers. A distant relative has left her a house, deep in the countryside. Soon after they arrive, local builder Henry offers his services. Natasha's happy to hire him, but quickly realises there's something odd about Henry—he doesn't respect boundaries and acts like he's one of the family.

Candy Cane Hollow is aglow with festive cheer as the town prepares for its beloved Nutcracker Stroll—a magical evening where homes and businesses open their doors to showcase dazzling Nutcracker displays, complete with cinnamon-scented treats and snowflake-topped cocoa. This year, the event is extra special. It's Holly's first public appearance as Mrs. Claus, and her sister August has poured her heart into organizing the stroll to perfection.

My name is Alicia, and I am a psychopath." All I want is the chance at a normal life. Josslyn is still in my head, and she has forgiven me ... mostly, but my stalker will not leave me alone. He has found me and is willing to do anything to get Josslyn back. I know what I must do now. My stalker must die if I am ever to be left alone, but things have a way of changing unexpectedly. Everyone is against me ... except Josslyn ... and for the first time, we must work together to rid ourselves of those who wish us harm.