Two Thrilling SF Books in One An unseen invasion: the ultimate threat... When a mysterious spacecraft is uncovered in the North Carolina mountains, agent Pat Vogt's life begins to look increasingly alien. Betrayed by her own government, she's forced to unravel a conspiracy that holds implications for existence on Earth...and beyond. Years later, Vogt returns to find the mountain town of Waynesboro fostering secrets much darker than she'd ever imagined. Even her closest ally, Dr. Allen Pritchard, withholds crucial information, and his desire to mend a painful past may jeopardize the human race. Who is genetic engineer Fredic Homlin, and what connection does the Biogentrix Corporation's chilling technology touted as the 'play dough of life' represent? Can one headstrong woman reveal the truth in time, or will something else be sown? Beginnings is the shifting shape of much that lies ahead... And A new physique. An old façade... In light of what she's seen, former ufologist Pat Vogt is reluctant to conceal the nature of Allan Pritchard's seeming nephew. TJ isn't as he appears, and the boy's history could mean a bleak future for mankind. Are Pat and Allan instilling humanity or nurturing a malevolent force? Would the true monster be borne by betrayal? As TJ learns to harness his powers, the stakes mount ever higher. Meanwhile, hidden away in a backcountry cave, another lifeform is growing...exponentially. With the help of a shadowy benefactor known only as 'Aeo', Doctor Homlin's plans have received new breath. Soon to emerge is Val, a hungry incarnate that won't rest until its progenitor's vision becomes reality. Ex-operative James Stepp may hold the key to salvation, but how much responsibility can be entrusted to a mercenary...? Building upon its own powerful predecessor, Book II of O.J. Bradford's FreeForm Series thickens the plot, dials up the tension and doubles-down on a rallying cry for excellence in modern SF. Readers that hope to be whisked away, prepare for a brisk abduction.

A race against evil . . . and time — Delivering a simple truth can be the most courageous act — — Exposing evil rulers is a game of life or death — Led to the brink of destruction by its corrupt POTUS, Amberica is bleaker than ever. Who could hope to unseat Oscar Wellian, a fascist who wields the full force of martial law? Plenty are willing to try, but only one entrant has what it takes to give Oscar a run for his ill-gotten gains. Enter Angeline Tarkington . . . the people’s final hope. Despite her heart of gold and concrete ideals, it won’t be easy. Is Tarkington’s integrity enough to combat systemic corruption and heal a hemorrhaging nation? An amalgam of corporate interests known as ‘The Triumvirate’ will stop at nothing to silence her, and Tarkington can’t expect victory without sacrifice. Tarkington’s ability to transform those around her will be put to the ultimate test, as new allies may mean the difference between victory and defeat, but will they join her? In any case, she’ll need to tread very carefully. Unmasking a monster will be an invitation to an all-out duel with the nation as the prize. With The Fringe Candidate, Brad Swift offers readers a picture of untold possibilities. The Amberica series is visionary fiction from a dreamer’s apex—dark and doubly daring for its optimistic soul. Pick up your copy today and begin to hope for a better future today! Early Reviews: Are You Kidding Me! Terrific and timely political fiction laced with humor. In 2020 one candidate for the Presidency could change everything The Fringe Candidate, by Brad Swift, is inspired by Marianne Williamson, a candidate in the 2020 elections against Donald Trump for the Presidency. While this is a fictional story, it is 100% on the mark with regards to the state of America’s political system, showing without apology or pulling any punches, that it has clearly been hijacked by those with money and power. Knocking you out of your sox. I simply had to smile a number of times what with the naming convention followed in the naming of the major characters. Oscar Wellian? Orwellian allegorical in nature? However thinly disguised the naming convention, there is no disguising the fact that The Fringe Candidate is a major political commentary on American elective procedures. If judging on the first book, The Fringe Candidate, the Amberica series is going to knock a whole lot more readers out of more than just their sox. You'll laugh, scream, throw the book, cry, and who knows what else? I mean, let's face it, the names are... well, they're not very well disguised. The President who tweets constantly, with the Orwellian (clearly) name and complex (also clear)... The complete unknown who comes from nowhere to take on the fight to win the Presidency... there's so much to dissect here, it's hard to really get into, and without spoilers? Yikes! The Power of Truth and Desire I loved the intrigue and the ease with which the story flowed, first. Secondly, I liked how what seems impossible can become possible. I think we all need models of that in our lives, certainly, I do. Most of all I enjoyed seeing how the love or desire for something can make a huge difference in one's life. Laugh, curse, and a good story to enjoy This is very closely tied to our election process, for better or worse. A good insight into what happens behind the scenes. It will make you laugh, piss you off and make you want to read it. Enjoy and vote. A great read I really enjoyed this story and the way that it gave a look at what our government is doing. The editing was done very well throughout the book, to me it was more worth read and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

Following on Well Played 1.0, this book is full of in-depth close readings of video games that parse out the various meanings to be found in the experience of playing a game. Contributors analyze sequences in a game in detail in order to illustrate and interpret how the various components of a game can come together to create a fulfilling playing experience unique to this medium. Contributors are again looking at video games in order to provide a variety of perspectives on the value of games.

VBA is the Key to Automating Your Work and Reusability in AutoCAD... ...and Mastering AutoCAD VBA unlocks the secrets to VBA programming, teaching you everything you need to know to write macros, customize your interface, and even develop independent applications that will speed your work and enhance your results. Written specifically for AutoCAD users, this book is filled with detailed examples that often walk you through the manual approaches to tasks, then show you—step by step—the VBA techniques that can get you there faster. Coverage includes: Creating, debugging, and editing code using the Visual Basic Editor Using variables and constants to store information Writing code using AutoCAD object properties, methods, and event procedures Repeating sections of code and designing code to be run conditionally Creating drawings from macros Automating tasks with templates and VBA macros Developing Windows applications to interface with AutoCAD Adding new menu commands to your AutoCAD environment Setting grid and snap spacing from a macro Combining primitive solids using union, intersection, and subtraction Creating solids using extrusion and revolution Performing hidden-line removal and rendering Creating ActiveX controls for exchanging data with other applications Using AutoCAD 2000i's Internet features to upload/download web files Readying drawings for the Internet using the "Publish to Web" wizard Using hyperlinks in drawings that lead to local or Web

Microsoft's .NET initiative created drastic changes in the Visual Studio line of products, and as a result a lot of Visual Basic developers feel like they are beginners all over again. Special Edition Using Visual Basic.NET will offer in-depth explorations of new features so that both experienced programmers and novices will feel comfortable making the transition to .NET. Although a major portion of the book is devoted to Internet applications, the book covers more general topics than many other books. Features of Visual Basic that will be explained include database access, controls, and best coding and practices. These features will be explored in detail, with extensive use of example programs and screen captures.

Get Down to Business—Maximize Your Efficiency with Office 2003 Written for business-minded and experienced Office users, this task-oriented guide goes directly to the bottom line, revealing optimal ways to perform critical, challenging tasks. After fifteen years of teaching people how to be more productive with Office, Courter and Marquis know users' FAQs and understand the way you use Office—as an integrated suite rather than as a collection of separate applications. In Mastering Microsoft Office 2003 for Business Professionals they skip the basics and focus instead on precious time-saving techniques that help you streamline your day-to-day activities. Inside, you'll learn how to: Manage schedules, tasks, contacts (Outlook) Build and deliver convincing, animated presentations (PowerPoint) Create documents collaboratively (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Streamline mailings and messaging (Word, Outlook, Access, Excel) Produce complex publications such as manuals, proposals, and contracts (Word, Binder, FrontPage) Publish documents on the Web (FrontPage, Excel) Organize and secure documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Build robust, foolproof workbooks (Excel) Design and develop data sources (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) Create templates for repetitive tasks (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage) Construct user input forms (Outlook, FrontPage, Word) Dissect data, and then present it in compelling ways (Excel, Access) Tweak Office to fit the way you work (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Use macros to do more with Office (Word, Excel)

A Two Book Combo An unseen invasion: the ultimate threat... In book one, FreeForm: Beginnings When a mysterious spacecraft is uncovered in the North Carolina mountains, agent Pat Vogt's life begins to look increasingly alien. Betrayed by her own government, she's forced to unravel a conspiracy that holds implications for existence on Earth...and beyond. Years later, Vogt returns to find the mountain town of Waynesboro fostering secrets much darker than she'd ever imagined. Even her closest ally, Dr. Allen Pritchard, withholds crucial information, and his desire to mend a painful past may jeopardize the human race. Who is genetic engineer Fredic Homlin, and what connection does the Biogentrix Corporation's chilling technology touted as the 'play dough of life' represent? Can one headstrong woman reveal the truth in time, or will something else be sown? Beginnings is the shifting shape of much that lies ahead...an alien attack of a different sort. Orrin Jason Bradford's style has been compared to the "early works of Dean Koontz and the late great Michael Crichton." Freeform: Beginnings is the first novel in the action-packed, sci-fi Freeform series. If you're a fan of fast-paced sci-fi novels with exciting storylines and unforgettable characters including a female protagonist that kicks butt, get your hands on this thriller by Orrin Jason Bradford! (Previously published as Freeform.)In book two, FreeForm: Reborn A new physique. An old façade... In light of what she's seen, former ufologist Pat Vogt is reluctant to conceal the nature of Allan Pritchard's seeming nephew. TJ isn't as he appears, and the boy's history could mean a bleak future for mankind. Are Pat and Allan instilling humanity or nurturing a malevolent force? Would the true monster be borne by betrayal? As TJ learns to harness his powers, the stakes mount ever higher. Meanwhile, hidden away in a backcountry cave, another lifeform is growing...exponentially. With the help of a shadowy benefactor known only as 'Aeo', Doctor Homlin's plans have received new breath. Soon to emerge is Val, a hungry incarnate that won't rest until its progenitor's vision becomes reality. Ex-operative James Stepp may hold the key to salvation, but how much responsibility can be entrusted to a mercenary...? Building upon its own powerful predecessor, Book II of O.J. Bradford's FreeForm Series thickens the plot, dials up the tension and doubles-down on a rallying cry for excellence in modern SF. Readers that hope to be whisked away, prepare for a brisk abduction. Scroll to the top of this page and place your order today!(Previously published as Freeform Reborn.) The FreeForm series includes: FreeForm: Crash (a prequel) FreeForm: Beginnings FreeForm: Reborn FreeForm: Resumed FreeForm: New Birth FreeForm: New Power FreeForm: New Earth