Alma Alexander, a scientist by training, crafts novels that delve into profound existential questions. Her work explores the nature of divinity, the immortal soul and its salvation, the essence of what it means to be human, and the impact of confronting the unknown. Alexander masterfully weaves themes of faith, identity, and transformation through compelling narratives that prompt readers to reflect on their own place in the universe. Her writing reveals how humans encounter the stars and find themselves irrevocably changed.
Set in Val Hall, a sanctuary for retired third-class superheroes, the narrative explores the lives of extraordinary individuals seeking peace after the chaos of the Great War. Each character possesses unique abilities, from mind-reading to time-bending, and their stories reveal the struggles and triumphs of aging heroes. This refuge offers a space for connection and reflection, showcasing the profound experiences of those who once wielded great power. Through their tales, the book delves into themes of legacy, identity, and the search for solace in twilight years.
Before the age of the Internet one of these people might never have known the other existed.In the early days of the World Wide Web,tenuous cyber-connections might never have solidified into more than shared electrons.They were separated by oceans lapping shores of different continents, and by an almost unbridgeable gap of years.Impossible, improbable, unlikely... and yet something drew two people together anyway. Call it love. Call it fate. They found one another against all the odds, they reached out, they touched, they held on. It was strong. It was going to last forever.But forever is shorter than it used to be.
Anghara Kir Hamaheir to an ancient throne, holder of a perilous gift called Sight, one who serves the dangerous and powerful Old Gods... and then sweeps them away as the Changer of Days Red Dynan, King of Roisinan, slain in battle, leaves as his only legitimate heir a nine-year-old girl . When his bastard son Sif takes the crown for himself the rightful heir to Roisinan is forced to flee for her life. Anghara runs from one danger into the next... until she steps into the path of her destiny, and learns her true powers in the mysterious land known as Kheldrin, the Twilight Country. Forever changed by her sojourn in Kheldrin, Anghara returns to Roisinan to be met with betrayal, imprisonment, and a bitter loss of everything that she has worked so hard to understand and achieve. Anghara returns to Kheldrin to seek healing... and finds the full flowering of her fate, a transformation into the mythical Changer of Days, a bridge across the ages who makes her shattered world whole again.
The narrative invites readers into a whimsical realm filled with enchanting characters and vivid imagery, including witches, princesses, and monsters. It explores themes of adventure and discovery, leading to both familiar and uncharted territories. The journey is marked by elements of magic, such as silver coins and shadow swords, alongside tales of loss and joy. This book serves as a gateway to a world where stories come alive, urging readers to unlock the door to their imagination and embark on a captivating adventure.
Fire, fire burning bright, warm my toes, light my room. Burn my fingers or waft my prayer to heaven.Summer in the southern hemisphere is Fire time. Managed fire can be a blessing, clearing out choking undergrowth and removing pestilent rodents. Out of control fire is a different entity altogether. In the summer of 2019/2020 nearly the entire continent of Australia burned. Half a billion animals lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat and agricultural land was scoured. Some of the fires were human caused. Others were the result of climate change—humanity’s greedy exploitation of resources—and decades of drought.Even after the fires are out, the land still suffers.From Suzanne Newnham’s strange look at how a person who hears fire perceives the conflagration, to Jack Dann’s and Ann Poore’s evocative poems to tales of wonder and outrage, and Sivlia Brown’s and Narrelle M. Harris’s poignant hopes for a better future, this anthology demonstrates the agony of a continent, but it also shows bits of dark humor and hope among the devastation.B-Cubed Press always donates a portion of each sale to charity. For this book that highlights Australian authors and authors with strong ties to the Antipodes, we will donate to WIRES, NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.
Exploring a society where Were creatures live alongside humans, this omnibus delves into themes of fear, prejudice, and discrimination. The collection includes three interconnected novels—Random, Wolf, and Shifter—each highlighting the struggles and resilience of these beings in a world that both mirrors and diverges from our own. Through gripping narratives, the stories reveal the complexities of coexistence and the challenges faced by those who are different.
There is a story behind every word. There is a word behind every story. Some concepts require a single word in other languages but paragraphs to explain in English.There are times when it is impossible to have a direct translation of something, to understand an idea at once simple to one mind and unutterably impenetrable to another-except through the bridge of story, through a literal journey into another language, another culture, another mind. The 14 stories in this book are bridges made of words-crossing into language landscapes of Japan, of Sweden, of France, of Portugal, of Tierra del Fuego-glimpses into the worldview and the mindset of cultures different enough from our own to produce a single word that encompasses a world of concepts. Translating the untranslatable. "I love Alma Alexander's writing. Reading one of her stories is like having a beautiful and intense conversation that you walk away from realizing that you've learned something you didn't know about yourself." - Leigh Grossman, author of The Green Lion and The Lost Daughters, creator of "Sense of Wonder"
On the eve of the end of the world, 20 December 2012, five friends meet in Spanish Gardens, the cafe where they had celebrated their college graduation twenty years before. Over Irish coffees, they reminisce
This anthology presents a diverse collection of short stories that explore the experiences of migrants, immigrants, and refugees. Each narrative delves into the emotional and social challenges faced by individuals navigating displacement, identity, and belonging. Through speculative fiction, the authors creatively address themes of hope, resilience, and the search for home, offering unique perspectives on the human condition in the context of migration.
Gathering some of the finest tales from Alma Alexander's "Triads" series, this collection showcases her talent for weaving compelling narratives. Each short story presents unique themes and imaginative plots, reflecting the depth and creativity of an accomplished storyteller. "Weight of Worlds" offers readers a substantial selection of engaging fiction that highlights Alexander's skill in crafting diverse and thought-provoking stories.
