Showing results by narrator "Michael Ryan" in All Categories

The waters rose, submerging New York City. But the residents adapted, and it remained the bustling, vibrant metropolis it had always been. Though changed forever. Every street became a canal. Every skyscraper an island. Through the eyes of the varied inhabitants of one building, Kim Stanley Robinson shows us how one of our great cities will change with the rising tides. And how we, too, will change.

Rome, 268 AD. In an age of tyranny and turmoil, an eternal love story ignites a revolution. Valentine, a once-fearsome warrior reborn from the brink of death, sheds his violent past for a new destiny inspired by his blind lover, Agatha. Amidst the ruthless rule of a merciless emperor, Valentine undertakes a clandestine mission: to unite lovers in secret ceremonies, defying imperial decrees that threaten to obliterate the Christian faith.

On a war torn Earth, the mighty Nova Alliance is the last defense against the treacherous Coalition. At the heart of this defense are the Engines—formidable, genetically enhanced soldiers. Under the command of the legendary Captain Akira Hayashi, the elite Shadow Squad has defended the frontlines for years. But just as victory seems imminent, the Coalition strikes hard, targeting the very sites meant to heal the wounded planet.

On a war torn Earth, the mighty Nova Alliance is the last defense against the treacherous Coalition. At the heart of this defense are the Engines–formidable, genetically enhanced soldiers. Under the command of the legendary Captain Akira Hayashi, the elite Shadow Squad has defended the frontlines for years. But just as victory seems imminent, the Coalition strikes hard, targeting the very sites meant to heal the wounded planet.

The dungeon—Cal—knows exactly how much their power has increased and is working daily to become exponentially more powerful. His schemes are becoming more complex and his dungeon—his body—more deadly. Dale works to subvert the plans of the dungeon, but his opponent is onto him. Hearing a voice in his head distracts him in critical moments requiring him to fight his mind even as he battles deadly creatures. Unbeknownst to both, their fight is not with each other—it’s for the continuation of their lives.

Gia I'm a monster, disguised as a princess. Only Lyot has seen pieces of what lurks beneath the circus prodigy, and some shadows are too dark for even my best friend to handle. Gale Shepard, on the other hand, is just my kind of nightmare . . . Lyot I'm in love with a beautiful monster. Just...

Rule number one: Never steal from a mobster. Rule number two: If you break rule one, don't agree to be his fake wife. And the golden rule? Don't fall for the ruthless, irresistible mafia king who now calls you his. Because when you break all these rules, you're left with a shattered heart, a secret child, and years of hiding from the man who thinks you're buried six feet under. Self-preservation was never my strong suit. Marco Barrone wasn't just another mark. He was a predator in Armani, with eyes like winter steel and a smile that promised ruin. Dangerous. Magnetic. Lethal.

Powerful necromancers are on the move, and the dungeon has become a battleground. Without his faithful Wisp, Cal's mind slips—he begins creating traps and monsters that go against his already loose morals. A direct threat from an unexpected force causes Cal's mind to stabilize, but he doesn’t know for how long. Using every resource at his disposal, he works to keep his mind clear while he funds a search for his lost companion. When others fail him again and again, Cal takes matters into his own hands.

The necromantic armies are on the warpath and nowhere is safe—even the sanctuary of the flying dungeon has been threatened. The leadership of nearly all the sentient races has been wiped out, and only the people most suited to repelling the advancing darkness have an intact monarchy. Cal learns quickly that the primary threat is not the far-off war, but the actions of those entrusted with protecting the population. As it turns out, the idea of using a flying dungeon as a war machine is very tempting indeed.

Eric Carter has a lot on his plate. He's hunting the Oracle of Las Vegas, a literal talking head that manipulates the future to make its prophecies come true. But it has a new trick. It can change the past, too. Now Jazz Age Los Angeles is invading the present. Long gone buildings suddenly restored, decommissioned Red Car trains appearing on paved over tracks, miles of the city changing back to orange groves. Throw in a hundred-year-old doomsday cult, time magic, and a terrifyingly powerful spell to raise the dead and it makes for a busy week. 

After a two-year drought, the Kerrigan ranch is dry as a bone and as dusty as a honky-tonk bible. On the brink of ruin, Kate Kerrigan hires the rainmaker Professor Somerset Lazarus, who promises salvation — in the form of a deluge. Kate is desperate enough to try anything. But when four angry gunmen show up, ready to lynch the phony rainmaker for swindling them out of their money, the Kerrigans have to choose sides fast — before the bullets start to fly. 

When I pulled into Snow Tip Falls, there was nothing about it that made me want to stay. It’s a beautiful small town, but if you stop running, your problems have a way of catching up with you. However, when tragedy strikes, it’s hard not to help. And when the person needing help is a chiseled football player with brooding eyes, dimples, and an endless desire to protect me, I’m reminded of the other purpose of my trip, to have a one night stand that finally rids me of my gay v-card.

The world watches the sky with trepidation. The insanity of Xenocide knew no bounds, and all will soon suffer the effects he had planned for a millennium. Though none know what is to come, they all know it isn’t going to be easy to survive. The Master has a plan, one that can give the world at large a way to escape the onrushing desolation. It may be on the bleeding edge of morality and what he needs might prove too difficult to secure, but The Master asks for trust. Cal and Dale both have their role to play as the world hurtles toward destruction. 

Why Shakespeare? What explains our continued fascination with his poems and plays? In Living with Shakespeare, Susannah Carson invites 40 actors, directors, scholars, and writers to reflect on why his work is still such a vital part of our culture.

I know it shouldn’t matter what people say about me. But when my parents told me that I would never find love because I liked guys, I was willing to do anything to prove them wrong. So, when the most romantic guy ever asked me to marry him, I had to show him to them immediately. Was I moving too fast? Because as soon as I scored him an invitation to one of our obnoxious family get-togethers, he called things off. Now, I need a fiancé to replace the one I thought I had or my parents will think they were right about me all along.

n the darkest days of the Civil War, Neville Goldsmith set the world on fire. As Captain for the Union Army, he marched with General Sherman through Georgia, setting homes and cities ablaze with sadistic glee. For Goldsmith, starting fires was a lifelong obsession. And when the war ended, he set his sights on the great American West—to burn it all to the ground. Years later, Luke Jensen learns about a series of fires wreaking havoc from the Dakota Territory to Kansas.

As sleepy as Buffalo Peak's been, legendary marshal, Elwood "Firestick" McQueen, and his deputies "Beartooth" Skinner and "Moosejaw" Hendricks never expected a couple of drifters to wake it up—by kidnapping two lovely ladies in town. Hardly the sharpest quills on a cactus, these dim drifters call it courtin'. Firestick doesn't see it that way. Now the woman snatchers are heading for West Texas with their reluctant brides-to-be—and unwittingly plunging trackers Firestick and Moosejaw headlong into a rescue.

There’s a storm brewing in Oklahoma Territory, and this time, it’s deadly serious. Local cattle ranches are being targeted by Texas rustlers—and the only man who can keep it from turning into a bloodbath is U.S. Deputy Marshal Will Tanner. The newly married lawman hates to leave his beautiful bride Sophie, but duty calls—for better or worse. In Tanner’s experience, it’s usually worse. An unexpected confrontation with outlaws is just the bloody beginning. Then an escaped convict catches wind of the fact that Tanner killed his brother. Now Will’s really in the crosshairs.

There are many great books that go into the mechanics of skiing. There are many great "how to" books that dictate how you should ski. But are there any books that help guide the skier in their thinking towards skiing? Ski philosophy is not a prescription to how everyone should ski, but instead offers guidance on achieving the most fluid and efficient movement patterns used by the best ski professionals and recreational skiers out on the slopes

"You're mine now, Sofia. To protect. To cherish. To punish." His whispered words sent shivers down my spine. One day, I'm a struggling single mom designing suits. The next, I'm claimed by New York's most ruthless mafia don. Angelo Pirelli Jr. steps in when a rival threatens everything I love. But his protection comes with a price I'm not sure I can pay. I try to resist. God, do I try. But Angelo's touch sets my world on fire. One reckless night changes everything. Now there's blood on my hands and a secret in my belly.