Showing results by narrator "Ryan Burke" in All Categories

Wonderbook has become the definitive guide to writing science fiction and fantasy by offering an accessible, example-rich approach that emphasizes the importance of playfulness as well as pragmatism. The book features sidebars and essays from some of the biggest names working in the field today, including George R. R. Martin, Lev Grossman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, and Karen Joy Fowler. For the fifth anniversary of the original publication, Jeff VanderMeer has added writing exercises, creating the ultimate volume of inspiring advice.

Drake needed a new start, and the small farm on the outskirts of the kingdom seemed like the perfect chance. Just one problem: he doesn't know the first thing about farming. He's also not sure how to deal with the giant, magical rooster that lives on his farm. But it's a fresh start, and Drake intends to make the best of it. Daily chores, a slew of monsters, and a haunted garden are one thing, but when his past catches up to him, Drake will have to learn to juggle his new responsibilities, a budding social life, and a secret that could cost him everything.

The Florida coastline has been ravaged by hurricanes. Food supplies and electricity are dwindling. Oni-Agent infested creatures prowl the flooded streets in search of prey. But they aren't the only evil that plagues people struggling to survive the brutal conditions. Dom and the Hunters travel to post-apocalyptic Miami to investigate rumors of human trafficking. Opportunistic cartels and other nefarious organizations seek to carve out a piece of the region for themselves. The Hunters navigate the criminal underworld to put a stop to these horrific groups.

In the new edition of this fascinating book, a book that has appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, Slashdot.org, Lifehacker.com and in the New York Times, best-selling author Scott Berkun pulls the best lessons from the history of innovation, including the recent software and web age, to reveal powerful and surprising truths about how ideas become successful innovations - truths people can easily apply to the challenges of today.

In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers - and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen - Confessions of a Public Speaker provides an insider's perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It's a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes.

Aran awakens in chains with no memory. He’s conscripted into the Confederate Marines as a Tech Mage, given a spellrifle then hurled into the war with the draconic Krox and their Void Wyrm masters. Desperate to escape, Aran struggles to master his abilities while surviving the Krox onslaught. Fighting alongside him are a Major who will do anything to win, a Captain who will stop at nothing to see him dead, and a woman whose past is as blank as his own.

Navy SEAL Brendon O’Neil spent the past decade executing dangerous missions across the globe. He never expected to be deployed in his own country. A biological weapon has hit much of the world - including the United States. People are turned into twisted creatures hellbent on destruction. As the country tumbles headlong into utter collapse, O’Neil leads a team of SEALs fighting to defend America against the devastation sweeping city after city.

Attorney Cameron Thorne is thrust into a bloody tug-of-war involving secret societies, treasure hunters, and keepers of the secrets of the Jesus bloodline. Joined by Amanda, an enchanting British researcher with secrets of her own, Cam races around New England with only two choices - unravel the 600-year-old mysteries encoded in the ancient artifacts, or die trying.

The Cipher ran the universe with its game-like rules, and it has chosen Cullen, an exiled bounty hunter, to be the method of its return. He's given a quest to free a telepathic mother and son from wrongful imprisonment. If he can break his targets out of prison, they'll have to level up, learn new skills, and hunt down the prophecy's clues. All while facing down berserkers and EMP-hurling tigers, in a jungle that offers no succor.

A soldier returning from war is supposed to be a time of peace and relaxation. But that just isn’t the case for Lost Lord Max Fowler. The weight and responsibility of his title push Max to new challenges, larger battles, and more magic. There’s always a threat around the corner, especially as winter nears and monsters start to surge, renowned organizations start to show their true colors, and those who wish to destroy start looking for targets.

The dragon-boy once known as Vetch has returned to his homeland of Alta to reclaim his birthright, only to discover that Alta is under the thrall of evil Priest-Kings. Gathering troops of dragon riders by his side, Vetch raises an army in the sanctuary of the desert to rid his land of both war and magical domination once and for all.

Kiron has secretly gathered an army of dragon riders to seek refuge in the abandoned desert city they have named Sanctuary, where they join with other dragon riders to rid their world of both war and magical domination. But now it is time to build a new society in Aerie: an ancient city that seems to have been designed for dragon riders and their dragons.

Humanity faces extinction. A few stubborn governments fight back, caught on the defensive. But even their concerted efforts may not be enough to stem the tide of the biological weapon sweeping the world. As people succumb to this genetically engineered weapon, they devolve into weaponized monstrosities hell-bent on destruction. But humanity hasn’t breathed its last breath yet. Those that are determined to vanquish these abominable creatures and the fanatical organization behind them still fight.

Microsoft project veteran Scott Berkun offers a collection of essays on field-tested philosophies and strategies for defining, leading, and managing projects. Each essay distills complex concepts and challenges into practical nuggets of useful advice, and the new edition now adds more value for leaders and managers of projects everywhere.

In Morocco, tourists and merchants once packed the winding alleys and expansive markets of Tangier. Now there are only Skulls. Captain Dominic Holland and the Hunters pursue the mysterious organization responsible for the Oni Agent straight into the ravaged city. But something more frightening than anything they’ve encountered awaits. Across the Atlantic, Colonel Jacob Shepherd is tasked with delivering a key enemy scientist to the United States Government. But no journey at the end of the world is without disaster. Faced with a mission derailed by catastrophe, Shepherd must make an impossible choice to save his country—and the world.

Captain Dominic Holland and his group of covert operatives are charged with uncovering the whereabouts of the fleet and stopping them before they reach land. On a mission that takes them around the crumbling strongholds of Europe, they uncover a plot more sinister than they could have possibly imagined. With few resources and little time, Dom and his Hunters put their lives on the line to save the world from utter destruction. But even that may not be enough.

Mankind's outer colonies are disappearing. Without warning. Without a trace. Fleet command chalks the attacks up to pirates, but Captain Dryker of the UFC Johnston isn't buying 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.

I am the reincarnation of a dark god. I cannot escape that now. The prince of demons come again. And I am hunted. The Fomori have a prophecy about my return, and have been so kind as to dispatch the Morrigan herself to slay me. She's even forging a special divine sword. Their armies of beastmen and giants march upon Hasra, and the ailing empire is in no shape to hold. They need new troops. They need us. My friends and I are being sent off to the other Catalysts we control to gain more magic so that we can resist the Fomori advance.

Congo already faced the extreme ravages of war before the outbreak. Deep within the militia-controlled jungles, Captain Dominic Holland and his covert group, the Hunters, follow a lead in a desperate race to uncover who is responsible for the biological weapon turning humans into the monsters known as Skulls. But what they uncover may be far more dangerous and frightening than they ever expected. Back in the US, a lost member of Dom's team faces a relentless tide of Skulls alone. The fate of the Hunters and their mission may rest in his hands.