Virtual Light

NEW YORK TIMES bestseller 2005: Welcome to NoCal and SoCal, the uneasy sister-states of what used to be California. The millennium has come and gone, leaving in its wake only stunned survivors. In Los Angeles, Berry Rydell is a former armed-response rentacop now working for a bounty...

Science Fiction Stories 1 is a gripping science fiction anthology that takes readers on a journey through the unknown, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic worlds, and thrilling adventures in space. Explore the Unknown Embark on a mission in "Rising" where a lone survivor scours a devastated world, driven by a dream of rebuilding civilization. Witness the eerie events in "In The Grip" as a military officer navigates the cultural complexities of an alien world. Experience the haunting "The Spires Of Sapporo" where remnants of an ancient civilization hold secrets that could alter ...

In this classic work, Alasdair MacIntyre examines the historical and conceptual roots of the idea of virtue, diagnoses the reasons for its absence in personal and public life, and offers a tentative proposal for its recovery. While the individual chapters are wide-ranging, once pieced together, they comprise a penetrating and focused argument about the price of modernity.

Rydell is on his way back to near-future San Francisco. His job has him convinced that his career is going nowhere, but his friend Laney, phoning from Tokyo, says there's more interesting work for him in Northern California. And there is, although it will eventually involve his former girlfriend, a Taoist assassin, the secrets Laney has been hacking out of the depths of DatAmerica, the CEO of the PR firm that secretly runs the world and the apocalyptic technological transformation of, well, everything.

Lightning should’ve ended Marcus Shaw. It didn’t. It made him the rarest thing on campus—a storm-caster who can fuse powers with others. Beneath Fenwick lies Spellbound Academy, a covert program where gifted freshmen train while rival agencies close in. Marcus joins an unlikely crew—Elena the strategist, Sage the theory prodigy, Kira the half-fae shield, and Derek, the rock-steady “reality anchor.” Together they unlock collaborative casting—magic that multiplies when they connect—and it terrifies the establishment. A ruthless handler, Victor Ashford, is recruiting in public ...

I moved across the country to go to Dogson University to experience real life, not the sheltered existence I led through high school under the thumbs of my ultra-religious parents. Drinking, partying, the works… but what I never expected was to feel the way I do about my new dorm neighbor, Jack. I’ve never had a girlfriend before. Never even cared. So why is it this intimidating frat-boy rock climber has gotten such a hold of me? He’s the kind of guy who would’ve kicked my ass in high school, but instead, he loves doing something else to it. It’s all just for fun, but how can we ...

In the year 2038, there’s only one destination that can play host to the world’s wealthiest adventure seekers: the Pengalaman Island Resort and Virtual Reality Theme Park. Located on a private South Pacific island, guests here live out their wildest fantasies in custom-made virtual reality simulations while also enjoying the usual amenities of an exclusive five-star getaway. All is relatively breezy until famed billionaire and avid guest, Mr. Wagner, goes missing within a virtual simulation. His only hope? A daring rescue led by Derek Ambrose and his ragtag search party.

Indigo Taylor-Anderson thought she had it all — until her husband's betrayal shattered her world. With newfound courage, she walks away from a life of mistreatment, leaving everything behind. Indigo finds herself navigating the tough streets of Philadelphia, facing challenges only the truly resilient woman can endure. Amidst the trials, she meets Quesnel "Quest" MacQuoid, a former drug lord freshly out of a decade-long imprisonment. Like Indigo, Quest returns to a life stripped of familiar comforts and support. Drawn together by their shared struggles and a need to rebuild, Indigo and ...

Entrepreneurs often suffer from "superhero syndrome" - the misconception that to be successful, they must do everything themselves. They are not only the boss but also the salesperson, HR manager, copywriter, operations manager, online marketing guru, and so much more. It's no wonder so many people give up the dream of starting a business - it's just too much for one person to handle. But outsourcing expert and "Virtual CEO" Chris Ducker knows how you can get the help you need with resources you can afford.

The Hendricks family has long known that it’s wise to be careful what you wish for...dark family secrets have a way of finding their way to the light. Unfortunately, enemies usually aren’t too far behind. Grace had never been more terrified...the pain was relentless. Nothing in her life prepared her for this. She desperately needed somewhere safe...someplace she could hide. Someone she could trust with her life. It was dark...and getting darker. Ronan Hendricks didn’t recognize her voice. Not family...not friends. Probably not an enemy. But he didn’t need the years he’d spent as a...

She swore by science. Now, an ancient hunger claims her. Dr. Selene Carter built her life on logic. As a brilliant pediatric oncologist, she battles death with science, not miracles. But when an impossible recovery rocks her sterile world, and a dying child whispers a terrifying prophecy, Selene’s rational mind shatters. Because the monsters she thought were fiction are horrifyingly real—and they’re coming for her. Hunted by malevolent forces she can’t comprehend, Selene is thrust into the shadowed underworld of London. Her only protector is Adrian Luthair, a powerful, ancient ...

Tierra Thompson has a chip on her shoulder and an ax to grind. She was born in the hood, and at twenty-one she has grown tired of calling it home. After hustling and being hustled by the dealers around the way, the hard truth is setting in and Tierra has to decide if she is willing to sell her soul to escape the grittiness of the streets. Nichelle Martin and Tierra have been best friends since childhood and used to be partners in crime until Nichelle lucked up and became wifey to Renaldo Renny ONeal. Renny is known in the borough of Queens, as being the man who is making all the paper. With...

Victory Over Vice & The Seven Virtues Two of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's best-selling books have been brought together in one special collection. The first part of this book is a collection of engaging sermons from this Emmy award-winning and New York Times best-selling author that will encourage the reader to better understand that the seven deadly sins can be overcome. Using the seven last statements or words spoken by Jesus Christ from the Cross on Calvary as a backdrop, Archbishop Sheen will address matters concerning various addictions and patterns of habitual sin. He will use his ...

I was asleep when the world burned. Zain Stone is a rising star at tech giant Thanatos Industries, developing the technology to stop death. But when the building comes under attack, he risks life and limb to protect his research. When he wakes in a cryo chamber, twenty years into the future, everything has changed. The world, which once valued technology so much, has come to despise it. And the girl who woke him up–the beautiful Amy, with strawberry blonde hair and a sweet disposition–might be a cyborg he designed himself. Soon, Zain finds that it’s not just that he needs to survive ...

Previously published as Milf - Naughty Neighbors by Nina Sestina. After Mona caught her husband cheating for the third time, she finally ended it. He was immature, irresponsible, and finally out of her life for good. As soon as the divorce was settled, she went on a two month vacation for rest and recovery. She wasn't interested in dating,she just wanted some decompression time to relax. After that was over, she returned home and met her new neighbor Ryan. He was tall, chiseled, handsome, mature, and successful. He was also 15 years younger than her. That didn't stop her head from turning ...

The Complete Guide to Peptides: Unlocking the Secrets to Health, Healing, and Longevity Are you curious about the transformative potential of peptides and bioregulators? Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate learner, or an expert, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to explore these cutting-edge compounds for enhancing health, promoting healing, and optimizing performance. Peptides and bioregulators have become game-changers in the fields of regenerative medicine, anti-aging, muscle recovery, immune support, and hormonal balance. This book simplifies ...

Lio Aetos is the Young Aristocrat and heir apparent to a legendary Greek sect, a prodigious talent born and bred for glory. Solus is a slave, a disgraced patrician from the fallen city of Rome with nothing to his name. They're as different as the East is from the West. Yet both of them hunger—to cast off the threads of Fate they’ve been given. To reach for a higher purpose. In this world of ruined empires and long-forgotten gods, the Young Aristocrat and the Son of Rome share an unyielding conviction.

Should love have an expiration date? Like most women, C.C. June desired to be a good wife and mother. But she discovered being a devoted wife was not enough. She invites readers into her world to share the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood to her years as a devoted wife. Despite betrayal, she has handled abandonment with bravery and grace throughout her life. While in the struggle to keep faith alive in her once loving marriage, she is forced into some life-altering situations; especially one she never saw coming until it was too late. In this unpredictable tale of love,...

A sweet, precocious child, the death of Jennilee’s mother, Cynthia McRae Lee, changes her life forever. Only four and a half years old when her mother is brutally murdered, Jennilee’s whole world is turned topsy-turvy overnight. No more happy, laughing child. No more inquisitive, talkative youngster. Jennilee becomes silent and withdrawn. Most folks in the small, close-knit town of Chinquapin Ridge blame the changes on the shock of her mother’s death. A few suspect the truth, at least some of it. All their suspicions don’t come close to the horror her life rapidly devolves into. ...

Have you ever sensed that mainstream science only scratches the surface of how light—and the universe—truly works? What is light? boldly revives the once-dismissed idea of a “luminiferous ether,” revealing a fascinating framework for understanding light, space, and reality itself. In clear, accessible language—no physics PhD required—this book dares you to question foundational theories and reignite your sense of wonder. By blending historical insights with fresh scientific perspectives, you’ll discover: A Forgotten Concept: Why the idea of the ether was abandoned—and why ...