Bücher veröffentlicht von Espec Books

There are creatures lurking in our world. Obscure creatures long relegated to myth and legend. They have been sighted by a lucky-or unlucky-few, some have even been photographed, but their existence remains unproven and unrecognized by the scientific community.These creatures, long thought gone, have somehow survived; creatures from our nightmares haunting the dark places. They swim in our lakes and bays, they soar the night skies, they hunt in the woods. Some are from our past, some from other worlds, and others have always been with us-watching us, fearing us, hunting us.These are the cryptids, and Systema Paradoxa tells their tales.***In an ongoing effort to thwart the villainous Order of the Sanguine Hand, Agents Lydia Wainwright and Keilah Holliday of Her Majesty's Bureau of Preternatural Affairs journey to the remote Congo to investigate a potential threat of unknown origin, identified only as Crimson Whisper. Embarking upon the airship, the Grand Enterprise, they are soon beset by strange encounters, including a most unexpected attack resulting in more questions... and three corpses, fortunately not their own. Will they be in time to foil the Order's nefarious plans? Or even escape the jungle alive? Brace yourself for another harrowing Wainwright and Holliday Adventure.

Innovation Goes Rolling Along, But Who Keeps the Engines Running? In the midst of war and a changing world, you seldom hear tales of the dedicated souls that keep ingenuity and progress moving. The mechanics who not only hear the music of the machine but can tear them down and put them together again better than before. Those who love to get their hands dirty figuring out how things work, those without whom progress would grind to a halt. That changes now. We give you Grease Monkeys: The Heart and Soul of Dieselpunkwith stories by: David Lee Summers, Aaron Rosenberg, John L. French, Heather E. Hutsell, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Ken Schrader, Misty Massey, James Chambers, Derek Tyler Attico, Maria V. Snyder, and Bernie Mojzes.

Once Upon a Time... ...tales of wisdom and warning were passed from one generation to the next. Tales of humble makers and ruthless nobles, of helpful fae and evil tricksters. Tales of making and unmaking, caution and magic... classics that still echo in our hearts and memories even to this day, told from old, cherished books or from memory at Grandma's knee. Oh yes, tales have been told... but never quite like these. Journey with us through the pages of Grimm Machinations to rediscover timeless truths through lenses polished in the age of steam. With tales by James Chambers, Jeff Young, David Lee Summers, Christine Norris, Gordon Linzner, Bernie Mojzes, Cynthia Radthorne, Patrick Thomas, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and Michelle D. Sonnier.

Life and Death and All Points In BetweenCrows have seen it all, and though they haven't always lived to tell the tale, still they play their part. We bring you ten tales inspired by the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, paying tribute to his undying fascination with mankind's decaying state, both mental and physical.In conjunction with the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, we bring you stories by Aaron Rosenberg, David Lee Summers, Judi Fleming, Dana Fraedrich, James Chambers, Jessica Lucci, Doc Coleman, Michelle D. Sonnier, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and Ef Deal. Introduction by Levi Leland and Virginia Poe of the Beyond the Oblong Box Podcast

Humans and elves, dwarves and gnomes, wizards and warriors all live and do business in the thriving, overcrowded port city of Cliff's End, to say nothing of the tourists and travelers who arrive by land and sea, passing through the metropolis on matters of business or pleasure-or on quests. The hard-working, under-appreciated officers of the Cliff's End Castle Guard work day and night to maintain law and order as best they can.A fire in the neighboring city-state of Barlin has resulted in hundreds of refugees pouring into Cliff's End, forcing the creation of a new neighborhood-Albinton, which everyone calls "New Barlin"-and a new police precinct-Phoenix Precinct. Violence against the refugees is on the rise. Lieutenants Danthres Tresyllione and Torin ban Wyvald are called to the latest act of brutality, which has resulted in a vicious murder. But what appears to be a simple hate crime turns out to be far more complicated, as Danthres and Torin's investigation leads them to corruption in the Castle Guard-and in the castle itself!An all-new adventure of the Cliff's End Castle Guard!

There are creatures lurking in our world. Obscure creatures long relegated to myth and legend. They have been sighted by a lucky-or unlucky-few, some have even been photographed, but their existence remains unproven and unrecognized by the scientific community.These creatures, long thought gone, have somehow survived; creatures from our nightmares haunting the dark places. They swim in our lakes and bays, they soar the night skies, they hunt in the woods. Some are from our past, and some from other worlds, and others that have always been with us-watching us, fearing us, hunting us.These are the cryptids, and Systema Paradoxa tells their tales.***Life and Death and Family Secrets...Sheridan Cascaden faces more than memories when she receives a call in the darkest hours summoning her home. Sent away five years prior to safeguard her from the evil that claimed her mother, Sheridan hasn't been back since. She returns to find her home in a disturbing state and her father straddling the Veil, with no explanation of what happened. Not only must she deal with her own demons, but she will have to delve into his if she is to unlock the mystery and save Papa's life. But where lies the line between truth and madness among the shifting shadows? And can Sheridan navigate it before it's too late... for both of them?

Eighteen stories that span from the near future to the far, from next door to the deeps of space. Meet aliens who struggle to determine if we are a threat or equals. Discover what really makes us happy. Join the war effort to free the outer planets. Find out how far a man is willing to change to gain a true talent. Uncover the gift and the danger of memories.Includes the Writer's of the FutureTM award-winning "e;Written in Light."e;

When a fresh new face catches Trevor's eye and she later turns up dead, no one sees a thing. Or do they? As the cream of society look on their host with speculation, his protests of innocence fall on jaded ears.

The crew of the interstellar colony vessel Arachne is roused from artificial hibernation, as an alien boarding party takes them into custody to answer for the deaths of tens of thousands of sentient beings.

Humans and elves, dwarves and gnomes, wizards and warriors all live and do business in the thriving, overcrowded port city of Cliff's End, to say nothing of the tourists and travelers who arrive by land and sea, passing through the metropolis on matters of business or pleasure-or on quests. The hard-working, under-appreciated officers of the Cliff's End Castle Guard work day and night to maintain law and order as best they can.This volume brings together ten pieces of short fiction-some previously published, some brand-new for this book-featuring the Castle Guard: new cases for Lieutenants Torin ban Wyvald and Danthres Tresyllione to solve, as they deal with animated furniture, a hrancit demon, a closet spewing filth, a senile dragon, and more. Plus one of Lieutenant Iaian's old cases comes back to haunt him, Lieutenants Dru and Hawk investigate a massacre committed by a vampire, the survivors of the heroic quest from Dragon Precinct return (and get into trouble), and the untold story of Danthres and Torin's first case together is finally told!Ten adventures of the Cliff's End Castle Guard!