A Fixer faces the most challenging Fix of his life as he heads to the frozen north to meet a holiday staple, but can he actually complete the task? A bounty hunter in the remote fringes of the galaxy finds that blaster bolts and boots to the chest aren't all they are cracked up to be. The gallant Knight Justice and his cowardly (yet trusty) talking steed Byron face off against their greatest foe: Baleful the Black Knight. In a realm torn apart by war, a deserter seeks to make a better life for himself, only to find himself drawn back into the fray against his will to protect his lover. Plus five other science fiction and fantasy tales to sink your teeth into. Bloody Knuckles (and other tales) is a collection of science fiction and fantasy short stories from T.W. Anderson, author of Echoes of the Past, Volume I in the Saga of Lucimia.

In his four-volume series Return to Neveryeon, Hugo and Nebula award-winner Samuel R. Delany appropriated the conceits of sword-and-sorcery fantasy to explore his characteristic themes of language, power, gender, and the nature of civilization. Wesleyan University Press has reissued the long-unavailable Neveryeonvolumes in trade paperback. The eleven stories, novellas, and novels in Return to Neveryeon's four volumes chronicle a long-ago land on civilization's brink, perhaps in Asia or Africa, or even on the Mediterranean. Taken slave in childhood, Gorgik gains his freedom, leads a slave revolt, and becomes a minister of state, finally abolishing slavery. Ironically, however, he is sexually aroused by the iron slave collars of servitude. Does this contaminate his mission -- or intensify it? Presumably elaborated from an ancient text of unknown geographical origin, the stories are sunk in translators' and commentators' introductions and appendices, forming a richly comic frame.

For John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner, there was one simple rule in politics: “You’ve got to bloody your knuckles.” It’s a maxim that applies in so many ways to the state of Texas, where the struggle for power has often unfolded through underhanded politicking, backroom dealings, and, quite literally, bloodshed. The contentious history of Texas politics has been shaped by dangerous and often violent events, and been formed not just in the halls of power but by marginalized voices omitted from the official narratives. A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles traces the state’s conflicted and dramatic evolution over the past 150 years through its pivotal political players, including oft-neglected women and people of color. Beginning in 1870 with the birth of Texas’s modern political framework, Bill Minutaglio chronicles Texas political life against the backdrop of industry, the economy, and race relations, recasting the narrative of influential Texans. With journalistic verve and candor, Minutaglio delivers a contemporary history of the determined men and women who fought for their particular visions of Texas and helped define the state as a potent force in national affairs.

Why are we so obsessed with fighting? There's an old saying: No bar ever cleared out because somebody ran inside and said "Everybody come outside! There's two guys getting along in the parking lot!" Unarmed combat has enthralled audiences since the dawn of time. It's primal. Visceral. Immediate. And often, necessary. Bloody Knuckles collects a variety of two-fisted tales and real life reports that explore every aspect of the fight game. The underground, the amateurs, the pros, and the faded glory of aging warriors. Open the cage door and step inside.

This 1979 American Book Award nominee contains five interlocked stories that tell of the slave Gorgik in a long-ago land, and a masked swordswoman narrates an astonishing feminist creation myth.

Set sail for high-seas intrigue with "The Dealings of Captain Sharkey" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Join Arthur Conan Doyle as he spins thrilling tales of adventure, piracy, and treachery on the open ocean in this captivating collection. As Conan Doyle navigates the perilous waters of the high seas, immerse yourself in the world of Captain Sharkey, a notorious pirate whose exploits strike fear into the hearts of sailors everywhere. Explore the thrilling escapades and daring schemes that define life on the open sea. But amidst the swashbuckling action and pulse-pounding suspense, a deeper narrative emerges: the complex motivations and moral dilemmas faced by those who live life on the edge. Prepare to be captivated by Conan Doyle's masterful storytelling as he delves into the psyche of pirates and privateers alike. Hook: Will Captain Sharkey emerge victorious in his quest for fortune and glory, or will his past sins come back to haunt him? Experience the thrill of the high seas and the clash of rival captains as you journey alongside Captain Sharkey and his crew. With each twist and turn, you'll be drawn deeper into a world of danger, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. Join Captain Sharkey on a quest for riches and redemption in "The Dealings of Captain Sharkey." Will you embrace the call of adventure and set sail for fortune, or will you succumb to the temptations of the pirate's life? Discover the timeless allure of maritime adventure in this captivating collection of tales from the master of suspense, Arthur Conan Doyle. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or simply a lover of thrilling tales, "The Dealings of Captain Sharkey" promises to transport you to a world of high-seas excitement. Are you ready to embark on a swashbuckling adventure with Captain Sharkey? Order your copy of "The Dealings of Captain Sharkey: Arthur Conan Doyle's Tales of High-Seas Intrigue" today and set sail for adventure on the open sea. Hoist the sails and join the crew. Purchase your copy now.