Product Description
A Fantasy Medley features the superlative storytelling abilities of four diverse authors:

In Zen and the Art of Vampirism, Zoe Takano, the only vampire in Toronto, a city filled with supernatural creatures of Kelley Armstrong s Otherworld, finds her place in the hierarchy threatened by two interlopers.

Riding the Shore of the River of Death returns us to the world of Kate Elliott s Crown of Stars. Kareka, daughter of the begh of the Kirshat, hunts to take a man s head. It is her last opportunity to prove herself as a man or else she will find herself restricted to the role of woman and wife in the clan forever.

Robin Hobb revisits her Farseer world in Words Like Coins. Mirrifen, a failed hedge-witch s apprentice who has married to find security finds that threatened by a severe drought and the appearance of a pregnant female pecksie.

C.E. Murphy takes us to frozen Moscow in From Russia, with Love. Baba Yaga s daughter is a barmaid at a dive when Janx and Eliseo Daisani walk in. They discover, as they compete for the girl s affections, that Baba Yaga has plans for Janx and that her beautiful daughter had merely been the bait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

It's like a really great issue of F&SF, from the old days
I picked up a copy of this set of four short stories from the library because I have become part of the "I will read anything by Robin Hobb" fan club. And I'm glad I did, because the short story (nominally in the same universe as her Assassin universe, but really it could be in any generic "magic works" land) demonstrates all the qualities of a Hobb novel on a smaller scale: wonderful characters, an intriguing problem, and a non-obvious solution. In this case, it's an under-taught hedge witch trying to cope with a difficult situation and a new-to-her magical being.

You certainly don't need to know anything about Hobb's earlier books. Also, unlike her novella (in another story collection) about the founding of the Rain Wilds, it doesn't add any "Oh THAT explains it" information for those of us who are in love with that particular world. Quite simply: a fun story, well told, great diversion. That's enough.

To my joy, I found that the three other stories in the book are equally charming. That's rare in any short story collection; usually I expect at least one to be a disappointment.

As with Hobb, the authors revisit worlds that they created in longer works. (All also have female protagonists, which may or may not be intentional.) Kelley Armstrong writes about a vampire in modern-day Toronto, based on Otherworld; Kate Elliot returns to Crown of Stars for a story about a woman struggling with gender roles; C.E. Murphy -- well, maybe her tale about Baba Yaga's daughter is standalone. In any case, I hadn't read anything by these other authors before (or at least it's been a long time; Kate Elliot seems familiar, though that particular universe is not) and I can comfortably assert that none of them require previous knowledge.

It's an enjoyable collection of short stories. Recommended.

Short but superb
What a great group of authors to come together in one book. Two stories of high fantasy and two urban fantasy authors weave their tales in this short little appetizer of a book.

I have to agree with the previous reviewer that Robin Hobb's "Words Like Coins" was the strongest story of the 4 - probably why it was last in the book. C.E. Murphy's "From Russia with Love" re-introduces Daisani and Janx from her Negotiator series and pits them against the great Baba Yaga and her daughter. Kelley Armstrong's "Zen and the Art of Vampirism" is true KA style with a strong female lead, and a dash of humor to temper the macabre. Last but not least is Kate Elliot's "Riding the Shore of the River of Death" - the longest story in the book. I think I would have ranked this story higher if I had read more of her other works and was more familiar with her world. Still, an engrossing read.

All in all, the only thing keeping me from rating this 5 stars is the fact that it is so short!

A Fantasy Medley edited by Yanni Kuznia
I liked three of the four stories contained in "A Fantasy Medley", edited by Yanni Kuznia and with stories by Robin Hobb, Kelley Armstrong, C.E. Murphy, and Kate Elliott.What I didn't like was the hardback price for less than 150 pages of reading!Tsk, tsk.

Kelley Armstrong provides "Zen and the Art of Vampirism" which was quite a darkly humorous tale of a pacifist vampire and her non-violent battle to defend her city against two interlopers.23 pages.

"Riding the Shore of the River of Death" by Kate Elliott is apparently set in her 'Crown of Stars' world.I confess that I haven't read Elliott's series and that may be why I found this story the darkest, and most disappointing.A tale of a woman who risks everything to escape an unwanted life.39 pages.

A cold and witchy tale about friendship and betrayal, "From Russia, with Love" by C.E. Murphy gives a different look at the Baba Yaga myths.25 pages.

Robin Hobb completes the foursome with "Words Like Coins".For me, the best of the bunch and a wickedly tight tale that almost reads like a current Aesop offering.Right and wrong, and influence vs reality.34 pages.

I'm not sorry I read "A Fantasy Medley".It's certainly quite different from the 'normal' offerings by the authors I'm familiar with.It is, however, darker fantasy than I'm used to reading.It's also, as I said before, irritatingly short for the cost. ... Read more

Product Description
A compilation of 12 short stories by various writers, covering the fields of scientific futurism, speculative fiction, science fiction, and space fantasy (SF4). Twelve unpredictable adventures into the future. Indulge yourself with various styles and sub-genres, from comedy to post-apocalyptic. Dive into the unknown on the wings of those who dare to forecast it or simply imagine what is to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Sci-Fi Almanac 2009
I really enjoyed all of the stories in this annual (not least my own, of course!) and would reccomend it to anyone who loves sci-fi. It's great to see different people's ideas about the future and what else is possible, and these short stories are fantastic to lose yourself in for a few minutes each. The whole project is very well put together by Bob Bello, (who deserves a mention for his doggedness, if nothing else!), and it's a quality collection of engaging stories. Highly reccomended!

Sci Fi Anthology
Bob Bello has cobbled a great anthology together using a combination of new talent with a couple of old pro's thrown in for good measure.
A great way to get maximum use out of a comfy recliner on a rainy day.
Tom Cooke - author MEMOIRS OF BEAR: Nueces Means Nuts.

A Refreshing Change
As a science fiction conceptual consultant for a US publishing company I get to see and read many sci-fi stories, shorts and full-length. This clever collection showcases some great new faces and some more experienced ones. It really is refreshing to find a collection that includes work that breaks away from many of the stereotypesof modern sci-fi and in many cases breaks new ground in the telling of some of wonderfully entertaining tales. I particularly liked 'The Harbinger'. Highly recommended.

Brian L Porter
Author, A Study in Red - The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper
Winner, the Preditors & Editors Best Thriller Novel Award, 2008

Science Fiction! Expect the unexpected!

I think we have an interesting collection of short stories along with superbly crafted artwork. It was a joint effort you see. Let me introduce myself. My name is Carole Gill and I am one of the lucky authors published in SCI-FI ALMANAC 2009. I was delighted working with Bob Bello (Editor-in-Chief) in adapting my sci-fi short story "Aftermath" into "The Harbinger" for this innovative publication. It's quite an honor working with Bob--he is so committed to encouraging writers and artists in the sci-fi genre. His global network at Ning-dot-com has provided us with a great opportunity to showcase our work and co-publish in collaboration with professional and freelance illustrators. I am delighted to be a part of his team, and I am definitely going to submit for SFA-2010, which now has become an International SF4 Competition in the categories of Scientific Futurism, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Space Fantasy (SF4), including all kinds of sub-genres, touching bases with fantasy and historic fiction in the areas of time travel, as explained on the extensive and well-built website. If you decide to participate, I wish you good luck! You won't regret it, the exposure is enormous!
I hope that everyone who reads this book will be delighted with what they find there. Enjoy the adventure, folks, because the possibilities are endless in science fiction! The sky is no more the limit--the Multiverse is!

Sci Fi Short Stories
The Authors have truly used imagination, understanding of science, and a connection to what the reader wants.I was captured by each story, and I look forward to more from these Authors in the near future! ... Read more

Product Description
Weber Univ., Ogden, UT. Textbook presents a comprehensive introduction to the theory, practice, and management of performance and quality improvement processes in healthcare. Provides a basic background in performance improvement philosophy and methodology for healthcare practice today. Previous edition not cited. Softcover. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Seamus Elliott, Dervla Murphy, David O'loughlin, Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan, David Mccann, Paul Kimmage, Pat Mcquaid, Martin Earley, Mark Scanlon, Ciarán Power, Paul Healion, Paídi O'brien, Daniel Martin, Sé O'hanlon, Sam Bennett, Louise Moriarty, Paddy O'callaghan, Stephen Gallagher, Paul Mcquaid, Lawrence Roche, Paddy Flanagan, Siobhan Dervan, Heather Wilson, Geraldine Gill, Brian Nugent, Mike O'donaghue. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 135. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Vuelta a España Overall (1988) Points class 4 times (1980, '85, '86, '88)16 StagesParis-Nice: 7 consecutive wins (1982-1988) UCI Road World Cup (1989)Tour de Suisse: 2 winsMilan-Sanremo: 2 winsParis-Roubaix, 2 winsLiège-Bastogne-Liège, 2 winsGiro di Lombardia, 3 winsCritérium International, 3 times John James 'Sean' Kelly (born 24 May 1956) is an Irish former professional road bicycle racer. He was one of the most successful road cyclists of the 1980s, and one of the finest classics riders of all time. From turning professional in 1977 until his retirement in 1994, he won nine monument classics, and 193 professional races in total. He won Paris-Nice seven years in a row and the first UCI Road World Cup in 1989. He won the 1988 Vuelta a España and had multiple wins in the Giro di Lombardia, Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Other victories include the Critérium International, Grand Prix des Nations and smaller tours including the Tour de Suisse, Vuelta al País Vasco and Volta a Catalunya. Kelly never won the world championship, although he came close against Greg LeMond in 1989. Kelly was first to be ranked No.1 when the FICP rankings were introduced in March 1984, a position he held for a record six years. In the 1984 season, Kelly achieved 33 vict...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1298490 ... Read more

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This new textbook from AHIMA presents a comprehensiveintroduction to the theory, practice, and management of performanceand quality improvement processes in healthcare organizations of allkinds. Numerous examples and case studies from real-life healthcaresettings bring home the importance of quality in healthcareservices. Healthcare information management students will find thetextbook’s unique programmed approach to the subject easy to useand understand. Students will also gain hands-onpractice applyingthe analytical and graphic tools used in performance and qualityimprovement. Student projects are integrated into the chapterdiscussions, which range from designing specific improvement projects,to ongoing quality monitoring, to managing quality improvementprograms and staff. An instructor’s guide is provided to educatorsin an on-line format through the AHIMA Learning Institute. Theinstructor’s guide includes supplementary materials specific tohealth information management and lesson plans applicable to students in two-year and four-year HIM programs. ... Read more

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Ice ShowDancing WatersNew York's Greatest Summer Show ... Read more

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Chapters: Bump Elliott, Rich Rodriguez, Bo Schembechler, Mike Murphy, Bennie Oosterbaan, Fritz Crisler, Elton Wieman, Fielding Yost, Lloyd Carr, Gustave Ferbert, Gary Moeller, Harry G. Kipke, George Little, Langdon Lea, Frank Crawford, Frank Barbour, William Mccauley, William Ward. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 132. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Chalmers W. "Bump" Elliott (born January 30, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played halfback at Purdue University (19431944) and the University of Michigan (19461947). Elliott grew up in Bloomington, Illinois, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a senior in high school and was assigned to the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Purdue University. He received varsity letters in football, baseball, and basketball at Purdue, before being called into active duty in late 1944, serving with the Marines in China. After being discharged from the military, he enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1946 and joined the football team for whom his brother Pete Elliott played quarterback. In 1947, he played for an undefeated and untied Michigan football team known as the "Mad Magicians", led the Big Nine Conference in scoring, won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the Conference, and was selected as an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. After graduating from Michigan in 1948, Elliott spent ten years as an assistant football coach at Oregon State, Iowa, and Michigan. He was appointed as Michigan's head football coach in 1959 and held that position until 1968, leading the team to a Big Ten Conference championship and Rose Bowl victory in the 1964 season. For a period of 21 years from 19701991,...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=3096875 ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Epoca, published by Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA) on March 13, 2000. The length of the article is 3915 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: EL DIA DEL PERDEDOR.(Estados Unidos)(TT: Day of the looser.)(TA: United States)
Author: Paco Ochoa
Publication: Epoca (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 13, 2000
Publisher: Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA)
Page: 86

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