Showing results by narrator "Grant Cartwright" in All Categories

The most terrifying thing that you can possibly imagine is your own body in the hands of a monster. Or worse, in the hands of another human being. In this definitive anthology of body horror selected by a World Horror Grandmaster, you'll find the unthinkable and the shocking: a couture designer preparing for an exquisitely grotesque runway show; a vengeful son seeking the parent who bred him as plasma donor; a celebrity-kink brothel that inflicts plastic surgery on sex workers; and organ-harvesting doctors who dissect a living man without anesthetic.

As humans compete for work against faster, cheaper, and smarter technology, the flood of AI-generated information undermines traditional expertise, eroding essential skills like writing, analysis, and decision-making. Despite these challenges, AI presents immense opportunities for those who master its intricacies, such as driving innovation, improving efficiency, and creating new markets. Can we thread the needle balancing the immeasurable benefits with the profound risks that AI presents to our future? 

Great ideas, concepts, and initiatives seldom break through the sea of business mediocrity. As a senior international leader with more than 30 years of corporate experience, Hamish Thomson has discovered that true transformation and breakthrough comes from personal insight-derived not from intellect or technical mastery, but from experience and observation of real-life occurrences. It's Not Always Right to Be Right offers unique business and leadership insights, teachable models, and practical advice on what one needs to do differently to achieve desired results. 

War Transformed provides insights for those involved in the design of military strategy, and the forces that must execute that strategy. Emphasizing the impacts of technology, strategic competition, demography, and climate change, Mick Ryan uses historical and contemporary anecdotes to highlight key challenges faced by nations in a new era of great power rivalry. Just as previous industrial revolutions have advanced societies, the nascent fourth industrial revolution will have a similar impact on how humans fight, compete, and build military power in the twenty-first century.

To me, that's all Lucian Aston is—a highly sophisticated, posh Englishman who stars in my daydreams. Mostly because of the way he views me as a loud, boisterous, no-nonsense surgical nurse he's stuck touring London and Paris with up to the day of his groundbreaking surgery. Until then, we've got a lot of downtime to kill. So, it's only natural that I put my best foot forward to get to know him a little better. Problem is Lucian has no intention of taking a single step in his fancy wingtips to meet me halfway. That is until we strike our deal.

In a few minutes of overwhelming violence the Council's air-dreadnought fleet has destroyed Fiz Gorgo's defences. Xervish Flydd, Irisis and their allies have been condemned to die in a brutal aerial spectacle designed to reinforce Chief Scrutator Ghorr's power and majesty. Nish is their one remaining hope. But Nish is trapped in a burning watchtower, and hunted by both the scrutators and his former lover, Ullii, whose twin brother he accidentally killed.

Rydian Holt is nothing, nobody. Just another human from the streets of Talamh. Or at least, that's what he thinks - until his mother is caught up in a fledgling resistance group. Branded a traitor and sentenced to fight in the arena, now Rydian must face hardened gladiators in single combat. To survive and advance through the ranks, he'll need the help of an enigmatic weapons master - and more than a little luck.

Zaina thought she could run from her secrets, but they have finally caught up to her. She's willing to risk her life for those she loves, but even that might not be enough to stop what's coming. Einar has finally let down his guard, but when the woman he trusts takes off in the middle of the night with his people's only hope for a cure, he realizes what a mistake that was. They have been living under the shadow of the same monster for longer than either of them realize. But it's up to them to decide whether that makes them enemies or allies.

Benji: Crafting swoon-worthy happily ever afters is literally my day job. Being a quirky introvert with an overactive imagination, underwhelming social skills, and a few pounds overweight, I'm no leading man. My best friend, though? He's total cover model, call the plumber because I just flooded my basement material. He's also outgoing, charismatic, free-spirited, and basically the best guy ever. I may know romance, but I'm no dummy when it comes to reality. I'm nothing special. And the truth is, a guy like Darren would never fall for someone like me.

In QE44, Andrew Charlton exposes the rift that will shape our future progress versus planet; rich versus poor. Who, then, will save us? Charlton shows there are two leading candidates: economists and environmentalists. Each says they know what is best for our grandchildren. Yet environmentalists see economists as merchants of greed with a blind faith in markets. And economists see environmentalism as an indulgence for the middle class of richer nations; those who enjoy the lifestyle afforded by economic growth, but take its source for granted.

As the Synth-Hastur begin to exterminate life in the Milky Way, the crew of the Deus Ex faces the monumental challenge of stopping their advance. Yet, as they embark on their mission, they discover the galaxy they once knew has undergone unexpected changes. An old adversary resurfaces with an agenda that will turn the Galactic Federation itself against them. On the run from everything they've ever known, grappling with hidden truths and conflicting loyalties, the shakedowners with a knack for the unconventional embark on a journey to safeguard the galaxy.

The ferocious warrior race, the Merdrun, have finally succeeded in invading the beautiful world of Santhenar, in the culmination of a plan they’ve been working on for 10,000 years. But they have only 55 days to build the Sapphire Portal, the greatest tower in the history of the Three Worlds, and put their dreadful plan into effect. Karan, Llian and their dubious and untrusting allies have only 55 days to destroy the reborn summon stone that gives the Merdrun their power.

Life in the undersea Kingdom of Mayim is even more brutal than the one Mel has lived on land. Worse, her sisters are still at the mercy of Madame while she is trapped a world away. Helpless. Ari may be her only hope, if she can get past the lies he tells and the secrets he keeps. Meanwhile, Aika and Zaina are headed to take down the monster who raised them, but there are no good choices where Madame is concerned. They might be able to plan the perfect attack, but not without a price. After all, can you really slay a beast without becoming one yourself?

Sharing remarkable experiences from the world of professional surfing, Christo Hall offers a unique perspective on how we operate under pressure. Beyond the Break tells the story of a man finding his path in life—and the surf lessons along the way that shaped his attitude for entrepreneurial success. From big waves in Hawaii to swimming with sharks in South Africa, Christo reveals an intimate glimpse inside the mindset and lifestyle of a pro surfer. 

A marriage that could save them both. A truth that might destroy them. And a choice that will break her heart. All Aika ever wanted was a family—until hers was standing on opposite ends of a war. Trapped between her loyalty to a monster and her love for a man who despises her, she must decide who she's willing to lose. And who she's willing to betray.

Rydian Halt has defeated one of the immortal Alfur, the alien species that has ruled over humanity for generations. With newfound power burning in his veins, for a brief moment, anything seemed possible. Freedom for himself, for his people, for all of Talamh. Until the Haze struck. Now cast into the wildlands of Talamh, Rydian struggles for survival—and his very sanity. Each time he uses his new power, the Haze threatens, tearing at his mind. But without its aid, Rydian won't last a day against the beasts that stalk him.

Felicity discovers the "Atlantis stone" while scuba diving on the southeast coast of Australia in a treacherous area known as "the ship's graveyard". Her diving is part of her research into the fabled "mahogany ship", a wreck sighted on the beach by early White Australians. She meets Benjamin as a result of her love of diving. He is an indigenous Australian, but past traumas have caused him to disown his aboriginal heritage.

In From Ideas to Impact, Michael Sheldrick delivers an inspiring and insightful discussion on how to implement social impact by driving policy change.

With the recent generative AI boom, organizations are investing more resources into adapting artificial intelligence into their workloads, making the demand for AI skills higher than ever. With Microsoft Azure leading the pack with services for developing and deploying AI solutions, professionals looking to break into this field would be wise to start their journey by getting certified as an Azure AI Engineer. But Azure's AI-102 exam isn't a piece of cake.

A young girl comes to live in the slums of New Delhi. It is a place of danger where street gangs rule. Through the initiative of a blind beggar, she is taken to work in the home of a rich businessman and his dysfunctional son. There, she observes a world of education and privilege - a world that is out of her reach. But danger still stalks her. A kidnap attempt forces her to flee to her childhood home in the tropical backwaters of Kerala - a land of wooden boats, fishing, and elephants. But she cannot hide forever.