From the award-winning author Matt Dymerski comes a connected anthology of thirty stories that delve deep into the existential agony of our technological era. Tales told with a unique blend of science fiction and horror explore what it means to be human and vulnerable in the face of threats larger than we can comprehend. Headlining this anthology is A SHATTERED LIFE, winner of Story of the Month for January 2018, and 7th ranked story of all time on reddit.com/r/nosleep at the time of this publication. A Shattered Life is the story of a man with a very unique affliction: something horrible and unknown has broken his life into pieces around him, and he must find a way to stitch his days back together before time runs out. Following that are twenty-seven tales woven into the fabric of the life of one man as he grows up and struggles to find his purpose while the evil of μ¬ßμ slowly spreads throughout the world. His is a land filled with horrifying creatures rising on one side and society steadily going mad on the other. From the author who brought you the Best Series of 2012 and the Best Story of 2017, A SHATTERED LIFE AND OTHER STORIES will leave your heart pounding and your mind questioning everything you've been told.

Horribly abused by his mother, Van eventually goes in search of his father. When he finds him, his life is radically changed. His father works for the FBI, and has contacts to a covert group, run by the Old Man, that goes after the worst of the worst criminals. Van is recruited to join both -- and does. Van handles every job he's sent on with cold efficiency, letting nothing stand in his way of gaining the information he seeks and stopping his foes. Eventually, he's offered a team of his own within the Old Man's organization. He accepts, with one caveat -- none of them can be female. Because of his mother, the only woman he has ever trusted is his handler, Makie. His attitude takes a hit when he meets Ginna, a cop, while on a job for the Old Man. When it's over, much to the shock of everyone involved, he requests that she be added to his team if she's willing -- which she is, as long as the organization can promise to keep her young son safe while she's on assignments. Ginna fits in well with the team, and though she is appalled at some of the tactics Van uses to gain information, she finds herself attracted to him. Can she break through the walls he's erected around his emotions? If so, then what? Only time will tell.

What happens to one's soul when a child dies? A moving story of denial and depression taking the reader inside the complexities of a marriage shattered by the devastating loss of their only child. Kim, a psychotherapist and Mark, an emotionally distant actuary build layers of protective defenses around them in order to survive. But when Kim receives a diagnosis of cancer, her unhealed pain rises to the surface. Kim embarks on an exploration of her Midwestern ancestors to find answers to the "why me" question. Starting with a diphtheria epidemic in the late 1800s to her current practice as a psychotherapist, she seeks understanding of the person she has become. Following Kim and Mark through doctor's visits, chemo drips, long nights, and even longer days, the story chronicles the grueling process of chemotherapy, as well as the complicated dance of a marriage in crisis. As Kim's treatment progresses, so too does her relationship with Mark, and the layers of emotional pain begin to peel away.

Shattered Lives bears witness to the lives of children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and highlights the effects of early traumatic episodes. Chapters take the form of letters to a child capturing their life experiences, hugely impacted by sexual abuse, parental substance misuse and loss, leading to feelings of shame, and worthlessness.

When your partner betrays, what are the first steps to picking up the pieces of your shattered heart? Many unsuspecting people wake up every day to discover their loved one, the one person whom they are supposed to trust completely, has been living a life of lies and deceit because they suffer from a disease-sex addiction. This is a disease shrouded in secrecy and shame. This is your go-to-guide for what to do when you discover your partner is a sex addict. Each chapter is based on frequently asked questions by partners such as: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Is This Going to Get Better? How Do I Set Boundaries and Keep Myself Safe? and What Should I Tell the Kids?

In Healing a Shattered Soul, Mindy Corporon invites readers to join her search for inspiration and hope after domestic terrorism took the lives of her father and son. Headlines about the attack circled the world. Now, Mindy takes readers inside her family's struggle, the support of their faith community and her commitment to courageous kindness. A popular speaker, teacher and writer, Mindy has dedicated her life to encouraging kindness, faith and healing in congregations, companies and communities. Among the programs she has co-founded with this vision are the Faith Always Wins Foundation and Workplace Healing, LLC. She has traveled widely to lead workshops and speak at conferences, and also works with online events. She explains that she wrote this book "for those who are seeking inspiration; for those who are searching for a glimmer of hope and faith; and for those in need of necessary, supportive relationships, even in the hardest times." In his Foreword, best-selling author and pastor the Rev. Adam Hamilton writes, "Mindy Corporon's story helps us understand how one survives tragedy, and says to the reader, 'If Mindy can survive this, and can do what she has done, then surely I can survive the adversity I face and can bring something good from it.' " The book's Preface is a heart-felt appeal to readers from another mother who suffered a tragic loss to domestic terrorism in recent years. Susan Bro is the mother of Heather Heyer, killed in Charlottesville, Virginia. In her Preface, Susan writes, "Mothers lose their children to violence every day, and yet many have no time to grieve and receive little to no public support or attention. We must hold space in our hearts and minds for them as we continue to overcome hate with love. People say, 'Love always wins.' I say that is true when we practice that love in meaningful ways that make a difference. I see Mindy Corporon as one of those mothers doing exactly that. We never want other mothers to experience the pain and loss of losing a loved one, especially a child, to hate. I am honored to call Mindy Corporon my friend. Her book offers hope in a time of pain, pointing the way forward with faith and love. Read it and be encouraged to find your own way forward through pain and loss."

On Saturday, Dan went down a law office located at San Gabriel with Mei. The female lawyer wearing a pair of glasses and was tall and slim, she handed them a few legal forms to sign, meantime the lawyer asked them, "Do you need to prepare a contract for provisions on how child and property will be handled after your divorce is settled?" They shook their heads and Mei echoed, "We don't have our own property in the United States, our daughter will be taken care by her father financially and I trust him. You don't need to write an agreement." Mei glanced at Dan after she ended her answer, Dan nodded. "Okay, your case is pretty simple, I believe your dissolution of marriage will be approved by the court quickly," said the lawyer. Soon they stood up to shake hand with the lawyer and then stepped out of the law office. Dan parked his car in the underground parking lot in the office building, Dan didn't press the button of underground parking lot but the button of the first floor lobby after they entered into the elevator. "You pressed the wrong button," Mei said and was reaching over to turn on the button of underground parking lot. Dan stopped her with his hand and echoed, "I didn't press the wrong button, I would like to show you to a place outside this building." "Where?" Mei asked. "When we get there, you will know, it is very close to this building." After they walked out the office building, they turned right on the local street. In a couple of minutes, they stopped in front of a small gray building with different business signage attached over square windows. Mei followed him, and they entered into the building and were heading to the very end of the hallway on the first floor. They stopped in front of the unit and the entry door attached a sign "Petrel Travel Agency." The door was left open, a couple of customers were seating there to talk with travel agents across them at the tables. "Why do you take me here?" Mei asked. Dan smiled and said, "Before you go back China, I want you to join a tour group to visit some sceneries in the East Coast." "No, I don't want to go, I'm not in a good mood to go." "Please face the reality, at least you don't have time to visit U.S. recent years once you go back China for your new position. Please take the last chance enjoying major scenic spots in the East Coast." Dan's repeated suggestions seemed to sway Mei, she checked the shelves by the wall, a number of tour brochures were lined on shelves. She skimmed different brochures but had no ideas where she should go. Dan had been checking these travel brochures carefully, he took each of these travel booklets to read its details. "This tour fits your schedule," Dan handed one brochure to Mei. "This is a 5 day tour to the East Coast, the tour starts in New York city next Monday and you will visit Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston and Niagara Falls at Canada border. You will fly back LA next Friday." Mei's eyes turned to the booklet, "Let me see," she took the brochure from Dan's hand. Mei stared at the brochure for a few minutes and responded, "The tour looks good to fit my schedule." Dan relaxed and echoed, "All right, I'll book your tour now." When one customer just left, Dan stepped forward and sat on the chair opposite a middle-age female travel agent. Mei sat on the other chair next to him. The agent looked up and asked, "How may I help you, Sir?" Dan took the brochure out of Mei's hand and put it on the table, "Please help me book this tour." The agent caught the brochure and glanced at it, "Okay, I still have the vacancy for the tour. How many people join the tour?" "Just one, it's for my ---,"Dan's throat was stuck and felt he would almost say a wrong word. After the

Heather Davediuk Gingrich applies years of counseling experience to the sensitive task of treating complex traumatic stress disorder (CTSD). Writing for pastors and counselors who have not received training in complex trauma, Gingrich integrates current trauma therapy research with discussions of prayer and spiritual warfare.

A Mother's Journey From Grief to Belief. A Guide to Help You Through Sudden Loss.

Fated to destroy the world. Determined to save it. My name is Xal and I live in the dims, a walled prison where my people are kept by our cruel masters until we are needed to fight once more. One member of every family must answer the Call, for our blood bears the magic of a demonic god and all the terrible power that brings. We march to war against the Fomori, an unstoppable army of giants, and their behemoths. If we do not, then our families are put to death. The Hasrans use us as cannon fodder and worse. They used up my father, and he never came home. Die resisting. Die fighting. My choice isn't if it happens, but rather how I sell my life. If by some miracle I survive, I will be granted entrance to the Imperial Academy where every noble house will vie to architect my end. They cannot allow the void-blooded to live. They cannot allow us to thrive or to gain more magic from the bodies of other dead gods. They cannot allow us to win. They fear the rise of another dreadlord. And they are right to fear. I will pull down an empire, and that is just the beginning. Shattered Gods is based on the Magitech Chronicles pen & paper RPG, and takes place in the same universe. If you're a gamer, litRPG fan, or just want to see the stats for the characters in the book, come join us! Link is in the book or check us out at magitechchronicles.com.