Destiny is a word that implies the future is already written. Yet Destiny often has roadblocks to make a traveler decide which way to turn. Destiny can be a trickster also, hiding the right path in a dream. Dreams, sleep's dessert, normally fleeting and then forgotten. Forgotten. No, Destiny's design is not always clear and sometimes it takes a child's gift to light the way.We have conclusive proof in this issue that the May issue was more than just a fluke because we have yet another month's worth of fantastic science fiction and fantasy stories to deliver. This issue has some great surprises, too. While some seem to fit into traditional genres, such as alien invasion, fairy grove visitation, and haunting ghosts, there are also a few that defy description. For instance, what genre covers a botanist who finds more than he bargains for while searching for Ghost Orchids? There's a story that seems to be a general dystopia until you realize it's dealing with the most dystopic medium of all: reality television. And of course, how do you classify a story where the language changes as the story progresses?Now perhaps you can see why we're so proud of these stories.Of course, being the narcissistic sociopaths (say that ten times while drunk) that we are, we couldn't just let the fiction writers have all the fun, so you'll also see a few writing tips from me and the Editor-in Chief, Mike Cluff, near the end of this issue. They involve vehicular manslaughter and malicious fairy hit squads, so at least they should be interesting.Fiction Vortex publishes science fiction and fantasy short stories from writers around the world. All stories in this issue appeared on the FictionVortex.com site during the month of June 2013.

Sparks fly in this fun, romantic Regency!The marquess she loves to hate...or the man she can't resist? Farmer's daughter Charlotte Greenacre regrets attending a matchmaker's party when she has to spend it avoiding her enemy, Lord Robert Overby! Until she learns that the handsome widower is not the villain she thought—and that after his unhappy marriage, he doesn't want a new wife. It should mean she can now relax in his company...if it wasn't for the irritating flare of attraction between them!From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.Matchmade MarriagesBook 1: The Marquess Meets His Match

A FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION IN PARADISE! Shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados, pirate hunter William Greenacre is ready to surrender to the seductive pull of the sea when an angelic figure dives to his rescue. Except this angel is none other than Mia Del Torres—and she's a wanted woman! To escape imprisonment, Mia must set sail with Will on his mission of revenge and help track down her brother, the formidable Captain Jorge Del Torres. By rights, she should hate Will, yet below deck their passion ignites. But when the hunters become the hunted, will their newly forged connection be enough to save them both?

Ready to marry for dutyUntil his old love returns... Running into old friend Lady Emma Westcombe at a London ball is pure delight for Captain Guy Fitzgerald—and pure torture! He's carried a flame for her for years. But Guy is duty-bound to marry well to save his family from destitution, and a bride has already been selected... He has one week to spend with Emma before he must propose to someone else. But will it ever be enough?From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

Step back in time and experience the grandeur and romance of a previous era as Harlequin® Historical brings you three new full-length titles in one collection!This boxset includes: A HOUSEMAID TO REDEEM HIMby Laura Martin(Regency)Exiled gentleman Richard Digby has only returned home to check on his ailing father. Keeping his distance from intriguing housemaid Rose while they're living in such close quarters is a challenge he didn't foresee! A PROPOSAL TO PROTECT HIS LADYby Elizabeth Beacon(Regency)Max has done everything he can to forget about his first love, Georgia. Now, five years after she wed another man, widowed Georgia is standing outside Max's home, in desperate need of a convenient marriage! THE VIKING AND THE RUNAWAY EMPRESSby Sarah Rodi(Viking)Viking guard Destin is tasked with delivering the Emperor's...

From the critically acclaimed author of Float comes a new whirlwind adventure about a pair of kids who must break all the rules of time travel, perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and John David Anderson. Regan Fitz and Elliot Mason have been enemies since they started training to become Glitchers—people who travel through time to preserve important historical events. But everything changes when they find a letter from Regan's future self, warning them about an impending disaster that threatens them and everyone they know.Will they be able to set aside their past in order to save the future?

Returning from IndiaTo a forbidden liaison...Joshua Ashburton hasn't seen his brother for years and heads straight to his London town house. A ball is underway filled with the cream of society, including one Lady Elizabeth Hummingford. Captivated by her vitality and sparkle, he's shocked to learn she's all but engaged to his brother! It's a loveless, convenient match, but how can Josh persuade her she's chosen the wrong brother when he's set to return abroad?From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.The Ashburton ReunionTwo estranged brothers find each other and two special women to love!Book 1: Flirting with His Forbidden Lady

Fans of the Percy Jackson series and John David Anderson will love this sequel to the acclaimed novel Float, in which inconveniently invisible Hank must find a way to save Camp Outlier from a saboteur—and win the camp-wide challenge.Hank, Emerson, and their friends have returned to Camp Outlier for another summer of fun and shenanigans. Hank won't let his RISK (Recurring Incident of the Strange Kind) factor of inconvenient invisibility stop him from having the best summer ever, even when it starts mysteriously turning people and objects around him invisible too. But between his invisibility and an internet celebrity joining their cabin, camp clown Hank is struggling to maintain his spotlight.Hank knows that if he can win the camp-wide challenge for his team, all eyes will be back on him (or, at least, on where everyone thinks the invisible kid is standing). But as the finish line approaches, it becomes clear that someone is trying to...

Goonies meets the humor and heart of Gordon Korman in this new adventure full of nonstop action and spot-on humor from the critically acclaimed author of Float.The McNeil family has always been professional hoaxers—tricking bystanders into believing they're seeing legendary creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Unlike the rest of his family, twelve-year-old Grayson hates hoaxing and wants nothing to do with the business—even when the McNeils land a huge job and must pull off four sea monster hoaxes in a week.But when things go disastrously wrong and Dad and Gramps go missing, Grayson and his brother, Curtis, are the only people who can finish the job and save their family.

A Christmas miracle rescue!But dare she wish for more?A Scandalous Australian Bachelors story. Wrongfully convicted and transported to Australia, Alice Fillips is saved from public flogging by wealthy landowner George Fitzgerald. Working as a domestic servant at his farm feels worlds away from her old life. But as the connection between her and George boils over, she's torn between her fear of trusting anyone...and the tantalizing glimpse of the fresh start this man could offer...Scandalous Australian Bachelors miniseriesBook 1 – Courting the Forbidden DebutanteBook 2 – Reunited with His Long-Lost CinderellaBook 3 – Her Rags-to-Riches Christmas"An intricately woven romance which takes the reader on an enchanting journey." — Chicks, Rogues and Scandals on Reunited with His Long-Lost Cinderella by Laura Martin""Ms Martin has created a...

From the darkest of shadows... After a year wrongfully imprisoned in an asylum, Louisa Turnhill can't believe it when Robert, Lord Fleetwood, arrives to rescue her. As her new guardian, he's there to take Louisa to his London town house--and a different life. ...to the dazzling swirl of the ton Thrust into an unknown world of debutantes and balls, Louisa starts to put her trust in Robert. But his life is tainted with darkness, too. With society's eyes upon them, will they ever be able to shake off the secrets that once lurked behind locked doors?

Emma Knight's wish list: Realize a lifelong dream to travel to the magnificent Egyptian desert. Locate an undiscovered tomb by following her father's ancient map. Avoid all men, especially charming ones - experience tells her they're the most dangerous! Emma needs a guide to fulfil her quest, but treasure hunter Sebastian Oakfield is the last person she would choose! He's charming, he's arrogant and his roguish grin makes Emma want to throw caution to the wind. Maybe one night of pure indulgence should be put on her wish list after all...  

A marriage of convenience...or desire? The Earl of Burwell needs a wife! The woman who broke Daniel's heart has been blackmailing him, so to protect his son from the horrors of illegitimacy, he must find a rich bride... Temporarily posing as her heiress cousin, plain, poor orphan Lizzie Eastway knows her popularity is due only to her supposed dowry—no one could ever love the real her. And disclosing her true identity seems heartbreakingly impossible when Lizzie sees the spark of genuine desire in dashing Lord Burwell's eyes!

An excellent student...In the art of flirtationCaroline Yaxley has always been in love with her best friend, James Dunstable, Duke of Heydon. After years of waiting for him, she's finally admitted defeat and decided to find a husband. James suggests she practice her nonexistent flirtation skills on him, which seems like a good idea—until she must pull away to avoid a shattered heart. Their pretend attraction has begun to feel alarmingly real!"What a book, I'm in love... My goodness, I am feeling all hot and bothered... Ms. Martin has created a beautiful story that has real heart and lots of love, her writing is full of passion for the story and the character's."—Chicks, Rogues and Scandals on Reunited with his Long-Lost Cinderella "She immerses readers in the world and scandals of the ton with realistic settings, authentic dialogue and twists and turns that keep the action moving."...