A Malevolent Connection

Despite suffering a few initial setbacks, the former Beatrice Hyde-Clare has settled into her new position nicely.Thanks to Lady Abercrombie's machinations, she has secured the admiration of society and finally earned the respect of her staff. Even the lessons in defending herself, which her husband, the Duke of Kesgrave, insists she take if she wants to continue in her dangerous avocation, are going well. Save for the dreaded pineapple chunks chef André insists on putting in her beloved rout cakes, everything is perfect.But then she learns from a most unlikely source that Kesgrave's malevolent uncle is scheming to destroy her happiness. Determinedly, she resolves to meet the threat head on-a plan that immediately goes awry when the duke asks her to allow him to handle the matter.Stand idly by while dark forces muster?Well, no, Bea can't possibly do that-especially not when the villainous relation winds up bludgeoned to death with a candlestick.

Alfred Bester's first science fiction novel since The Stars My Destination was a major event—a fast-moving adventure story set in Earth's future. A band of immortal—as charming a bunch of eccentrics as you'll ever come across—recruit a new member, the brilliant Cherokee physicist Sequoya Guess. Dr. Guess, with group's help, gain control of Extro, the supercomputer that controls all mechanical activity on Earth. They plan to rid Earth of political repression and to further Guess's researches—which may lead to a great leap in human evolution to produce a race of supermen. But Extro takes over Guess instead and turns malevolent. The task of the merry band suddenly becomes a fight in deadly earnest for the future of Earth.

Warren Jenkins Carswell, an unlit cigar clenched between his teeth, was pacing the Oval Office. Seated around his desk were Bruxton Linley, Donald Fallon, Chairman of the National Committee, Vice-President Alston Gordon, and John Stanley, Gordon's Chief of Staff. "The money's flowing to them from all sectors, Mr. President," Fallon was saying. "From individuals, and from both small and large businesses. They've raised almost twenty mil already, and the election's still eleven months off. They've even been making inroads among the rank-and-file members of the Teamster's Union." "What have we raised so far?" Carswell returned to his desk and sat. "We're still paying off our debt from the '94 elections. Six million to go before we break even," Fallon responded bleakly. Carswell's eyes darted from Fallon to Linley and back. "If they keep goin' like this, they'll make big gains in the House." "Might even take over the Senate," Gordon observed dryly. Carswell noted that the blood had drained from Gordon's face. Al's worried. He's been a politician for over thirty years and he expects to be president after I finish my second term. But for that to happen, I have to first win a second term. "Suspenseful novel of international intrigue." -Paul B. Cora, author of Yellowjackets! The 361st Fighter Group in World War II " all the elements of a true thriller-suspense, travel, sex, religious dogma, romance and adventure." -Armin Jaeger

In this dark fantasy romance, a powerful young woman must face the destructive truths of a forgotten past if her kingdom has any hope of a future. It's 1921 in Camelot City, and King Arthur is still missing. Not that nineteen-year-old Birdie Smith, the Siren Thief, much cares. She's too busy getting arrested. Only the machines are allowed to use magic according to the king regent. To clear her name, Birdie will have to help a fallen knight, Sir Gawain, save the king by listening for a shattered sword's song that only she can hear. And she'll have to find it before Mordred, a handsome traitor from a past Birdie doesn't want to remember, can enslave the seven United Kingdoms with his mark. Ensnared in a world where machines control magic, dark secrets abound, and forbidden romances await, Birdie is unsure whom she should trust, even her own heart.