Books published by publisher Misque Press

Have you ever wondered where the Easter Bunny comes from? How old he is? And how he happened to become a talking rabbit with a fondness for chocolate eggs? Here is the legend of Peter Cottontail…AUTHOR’S NOTE: I figured that there was one thing missing from usual Easter stories, and that was a large army of baby-eating goblins. This is a holiday story in the tradition of Tolkien’s Letters From Father Christmas. Younger children enjoy hearing it read aloud, and the language and length is appropriate for middle grade readers—and adults who have always wondered about the secret epic origins of the hero who became the protector of Easter.EXCERPT:Chapter OneLong ago, before light bulbs or sliced bread, people lived in houses made of wattle and daub—which is just a fancy way of saying sticks and mud. They cooked their food over a hearth—which is just a fancy way of saying, an open fire. Dragons and goblins roamed the earth in those days, sowing terror and destroying whole villages. At one point, indeed, the goblins, who usually stayed in their cavern kingdoms below the earth, decided to conquer the upper world too. Armies of pointy-teethed, green skinned monsters poured across the land, burning houses, stealing everything from spoons to horses, and even eating babies.So it happened that one spring day, a mother and father with a new baby worried how to protect their child. Goblins attacked their village, taking every child they could. The mother and father hid their baby in a basket and ran to the river. They gave him the only gift they had, which was a single egg. They wrote his name upon the egg: PETER.They placed the basket in the river, and let it float away. They cried and hugged each other. Then goblins arrived with swords and crossbows, and captured them. But their little baby was safe.Kind river fairies guided the floating basket swiftly past the burning villages of that ravaged land. The basket floated all the way to a magic forest, which was ruled by elves. Even goblins on their bravest days did not dare enter the forest of the elves....

Even little kids know that eating poop is yucky!What they don't realize is that if they don't wash their hands after they use the potty, they could be doing something that will make them sick, just like eating poop. This book uses fun, vivid and simple examples to remind kids to always wash hands before they eat, cook, play with their toys or touch anything, even their own eyes and noses!

This is a collection of ten stories--one novelette, one short and eight very short stories, plus a bonus story which is an excerpt from a larger work. Dragons, angels, vampires and elves.... They have one thing in common, the magic and the miracle of Christmas. From The Dragon and the Angel “I am actually an angel,” she told them all. She spoke grandly, feeling very important and grown-up, like a real angel. Maybe even an archangel! “And your kindness to me has made it possible for me to give you a treasure, a miracle…”But nothing happened.The little angel blushed as pink as a rose. How embarrassed she was to have failed to give a miracle to the kind villagers! Her hosts looked at her curiously. “What is that child up to?” Fredegund asked Thilderbert.From The Christmas Palm“I hope I will be decorated in gold!” said Cedar.“I hope I will be decorated in silver!” said Fir.“I hope I will be decorated in red and green!” said Pine.“I don't care how I'm decorated,” said a voice from far above all the rest, “as long as I can be a Christmas tree.”From The CaptiveMr. Vorst stomped over to the picnic table. He snatched the toy from Benjamin’s hands.“Please, Mr. Vorst, it’s not done yet…”“Another stupid car, cheap plastic, rubber and paint…. I could buy one ten times better at the store. You keep promising me magic, elf. I want magic!”“Soon, Mr. Vorst, soon! I told you, my magic is strongest on Christmas Day!”From A Measure of Rice (Inspired by a true story.)Mrs. Kwon stared at the small amount of food and despaired.Better at least one of us survive.As soon as her husband left the room, Mrs. Kwon took one measure of rice from her bowl and added it to her husband’s bowl.From A Vampire CarolHis thirst had not been quenched. If anything, it was stronger than before. He sensed that the more he drank, the stronger his thirst would become, and also the more powerful he would become. Part of him yearned for that power. Part of him screamed inside.He rummaged inside his suit jacket, which he still wore from the night of the Christmas office party. The picture was still there, Bradley sitting in front of the tree. Alex stared into those blue eyes. Then he noticed that his thumb left a bloody print on Bradley’s knee. Alex’s hands, his chin, his neck, his shirt, were covered in Gary’s blood. He had more of Gary’s blood on him than Gary had left in him. Alex’s hand shook so hard he dropped the photo.I can’t go home, he realized. Ever.

Courage & Honor.Romance & Passion.Magic & Science.We’ve included many genres of speculative fiction in Hero & Heroine Magazine. You’ll find everything from Hard Science Fiction to Steamy Paranormal Romance, from Steampunk to Time Travel, from High Fantasy to Urban Fantasy. All the stories, whatever the subgenre, have Happy Endings, or at least Happy For Now endings… and although not all the stories include a love story, any that do end Happily Ever After.“Over the Hills and Far Away,” by Douglas KolackiA powerful curse can become an even stronger blessing.He didn't know what he was in for when he married a movie actress' doppelganger in a magical land. But this will be the least of his worries when their greatest threat emerges from the woods...Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal, 3,600 words“An Orc at the Ball,” by Michael StephensAn Orc goes to the Spring Ball…When Scagie an Orc of the Bog decides to go on her own to the Spring Ball, what she finds on the dance floor is more than just a boring High Court ceremony.Genre: Urban Fantasy / Young Adult, 6000 words“Attack on Vetanium,” by Tracy FalbeA surprise attack.Dreibrand and Miranda are nurturing settlements in Nufal. Shan, the king of the rys, has recently redeemed this land that had been left in ruins for thousands of years. To everyone’s shock and horror, two tabre rise from a long hibernation. They are the sole survivors of an ancient war with the rys, and they have come for revenge….Dreibrand and Miranda are the hero and heroine of The Rys Chronicles. At this point in the saga, they are nurturing settlements in Nufal. Shan, the king of the rys, has recently redeemed this land that had been left in ruins for thousands of years. To everyone’s shock and horror, two tabre have risen from a long hibernation. They are the sole survivors of an ancient war with the rys, and they have come for revenge. Genre: Epic Fantasy, 4,100 words“The Speed of Love,” Deborah WalkerLove is patient…They move at a different pace than humans. What can bridge the gap?Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Flash Fiction“The Corn Maiden,” by Tara MayaA woman without memories…but not without a past.The childless couple had always yearned for a child. Then they found a lovely, fragile maiden in a field and took her in. But she is not like other young women…Genre: Epic Fantasy / Flash Fiction“The Falcons of Narabedla,” by Marion Zimmer BradleyFlung into the far future…In 1957, Mike Kenscott, a veteran of the Korean, is back home in the Sierra Nevada mountains, trying to re-adjust to civilian life, when he suddenly finds himself flung into the far future. To the people of this era, when two suns shine in the skies of Earth, Mike is known as Adric, master of the Crimson Tower, warlord and conqueror.Mike’s only chance to return to his own identity is to find the Keep of the Dreamer. To do that he must determine who is friend and who is foe, evade the terrible falcons of Narabedla—whose touch can enslave a man’s mind—and possibly start a revolution.But the biggest battle will be inside his own mind—because the real Adric wants his body back…Genre: Retro Future / Science Fiction, 12,0000 words“First Steps of a Hero,” by Judith RookHe has a lot to learn…Escaping from the local bully is part of David’s life, but when the bully threatens his sister, the peaceable young school-leaver must turn into a hero as best he can.He needs help, and he gets it – from an enigmatic man who lives in a parallel dimension. But with the man comes a danger which could threaten the safety of Earth, and only David can deal with it.He needs help, and he gets it – from an enigmatic man who lives in a parallel dimension. But with the man comes a danger which could threaten the safety of Earth, and only David can deal with it.Genre: Urban Fantasy / Young Adult / Paranormal, 27,000 words

What is seen on Halloween?A small black cat, a tall witch hat,and a vampire bat! BOO! What was THAT?An adorable introduction to Halloween, with simple, bright pictures and rhymes. Kids love the pirate with a hook hand, a princess with sparkly shoes and the haunted house with a monster… MOUSE?!This book is 20 illustrated pages long. DRM is not enabled.

One guide you can share with with your whole reading group. Would you like book recommendations for you book club, with hundreds of questions about bestselling young adult series? Because the only thing greater than reading a good book is sharing it with a good friend… Get book recommendations Connect with friends Fall in love with a new book boyfriend! Read the young adult books your favorite movies are based on Vote for which young adult book you’d like to be made into a movie Start discussions about things that really matter to you Share favorite quotes and passages Laugh until your sides hurt 50 Bestselling YA Books - 25 Top Young Adult Series - Over 750 Discussion Questions This will help you if... You're in a book club at your school, university, or online... and you'd really like something else to discuss besides whether you "liked" the book or not. You'll find every book has 10 thought-provoking discussion questions aimed at young adults. You love Young Adult books... even though you're not a teen. You might even be (gasp) a mom. So what? True love is forever young! In addition to the 10 basic questions, there are 5 more sophisticated "adult" questions that dig deeper. You write reviews on a book blog or make video reviews of books, and you'd love to have an easy template to get you started to really make your reviews stand out. You're a student in need of a study guide to help you come up with meaty book report topics. You're a parent or teacher who wants to read and discuss the books that are at the top of the Young Adult charts. The questions here are probing yet non-judgmental. Bestselling Young Adult Fantasy Books Recommended: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins MockingJay - Suzanne Collins Divergent - Veronica Roth Insurgent - Veronica Roth Incarnate - Jodi Meadows For Darkness Shows the Stars - Diana Peterfreund Legend - Marie Lu Prodigy - Marie Lu Graceling - Kristin Cashore Fire - Kristin Cashore Initiate - Tara Maya Taboo - Tara Maya Sacrifice - by Tara Maya Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas Falling Kingdoms - Morgan Rhodes Poison Study - Maria V. Snyder Magic Study - Maria V. Snyder Fire Study - Maria V. SnyderTwilight - Stephenie Meyer New Moon - Stephenie Meyer Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer Team Human - Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan City of Bones - Cassandra Clare City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare City of Glass - Cassandra Clare City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare The Iron King - Julie Kagawa The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa The Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa The Iron Knight - Julie Kagawa Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlBeautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl Beautiful Chaos - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl Beautiful Redemption - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl Pivot Point - Kasie West 15 Minutes - Jill Cooper Mind Games - Kierstan White My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century - Rachel Harris Waterfall by Lisa Bergen The Emperor's Edge - Lindsay Buroker Dark Currents - Lindsay Buroker Deadly Games - Lindsay Buroker Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross Lady of Devices - Shelley Adina Soulless - Gail Carriger

It's amazing how much fun kids can have looking at cats...especially the big cats, like lions, leopards and panthers! Each majestic kitty is labeled with the common English name and the Latin name. Included:Black PantherBobcatCheetahClouded LeopardJaguarJaguarundiLeopardLynxOcelotSnow LeopardTigerTigrinaWhite TigerDaddy LionMommy Lion and CubsThis book is 16 illustrated pages long. DRM is not enabled.