Empress Wu was stunning in her beauty, in her ruthless elimination of rivals (including sons and daughters), and, most important, in her discernment.Wu Zetian was esteemed for appointing capable officials throughout the realm, and she implemented reforms that improved standards of higher education, gave some status to women, and democratized the recruitment of candidates for official posts by eliminating the requirement that they be nominated by someone within the establishment.

Cynthia just wants to go home and have dinner after a hard day's work—accounting for her Earth employer and adjusting quasar links for her secret off-world employer. But others are eyeing the planet, and they have plans of their own. Cynthia may not get dinner after all.

Lightning flashes. Another child disappears...Zorka Circus's big top roars with laughter and cheers, but when it moves on, children vanish.Circus Security Chief Rurik suspects a killer hides among the performers, but they close ranks—they've always viewed lightning-scarred Rurik as the monster. He must find the culprit before anyone else disappears and his home is destroyed by the murders.Into Zorka Circus comes the Skomori clan, despised as gravedigging ghouls. A o...

In a world rising from the ashes of global disaster, one woman must navigate a web of intrigue to uncover the truth behind a controversial figure.First there was the Setback.Then came the Clawback.Now we thrive.Rubi Whiting, a member of the Bounceback Generation raised free from the troubles of the late twenty-first century, works as a public defender helping individuals with anti-social behavior. That's how she met Luciano Pox, a firebrand who ...

L. X. Beckett's Dealbreaker is the thrilling sci-fi sequel to Gamechanger, perfect for fans of Neuromancer and Star TrekRubi Whiting has done the impossible. She has proved that humanity deserves a seat at the galactic table. Well, at least a shot at a seat. Having convinced the galactic governing body that mankind deserves a chance at fixing their own problems, Rubi has done her part to launch the planet into a new golden age of ...

I grew up in an unhappy family, which confused me about life. No family joy. No support. No confidence. It seemed everything pushed me into a struggling world. I became extremely sensitive and unstable.At a young age, I always thought about the meaning of my existence and wanted to write a book, but the choice of the topic was uncertain. Until recently, digging into my family history helped me make the decision. A book about my family history over four generations during a cruel an...

Grandma Moon discovered a peculiar taro named Mon in her garden, who could make crops grow during a drought and turn lead into gold. On top of that, the taro claimed to be her son! Their peaceful life was soon interrupted by jealous neighbors and a greedy magistrate with great ambitions. Mon entered the magistrate's service to protect his mother and the village, and in turn, found something unexpected for a taro—true love!Follow Mon's unusual journey and find out how a little taro ...

My Nuong's life had been neatly packed inside a gilded cage. Up until recently, My Nuong had no idea how powerless she felt, but there was one place in which she still had dominion, and that was her heart. What started as a fancy daydream made its way into My Nuong's reality when the sheltered girl fell for a mysterious boatman who played his flute on the sea.The boatman, Truong Chi, loved her from afar, and upon meeting in person, fell in love with My Nuong all over again. My Nuon...

Hana is troubled by the drought overtaking her village. With her grandmother falling ill, the young girl leaves the village to find answers. On the way, she meets a tree spirit that inhabits her teddy bear, Sora. The two then discover the reason for the drought ravaging the land: the kappa. These water sprites don't like humans and have grown to despise them even more when the river became polluted from the villagers' carelessness. The Kappa King diverted the river flow and vowed to destro...

A love that brought down a nation. Trong Thuy and My Chau never expected to find true love in the midst of their alliance marriage. However, family and country demanded loyalty when betrayal and ambition threatened to destroy their peaceful lives. Despite attempting to remain together, their union was only possible in the world beyond the veil.People say this tragic tale is just a legend, but the remnants of their love remain in modern day through every pink pearl found on Vietnam'...

The handsome Cao brothers were said to be as indistinguishable as two drops of water. When the elder married Miss Luu, the younger naturally tagged along. However, once their similarity caused a misunderstanding and strained marital felicity, brotherly love turned to resentment. The inseparable pair parted ways.In the end, love always prevail but their reunion was bittersweet. The brothers and Miss Luu would forever be immortalized for their loyalty and love--the love between broth...

Le Loi's exploits to repel China's Ming forces from Dai Viet (a territory that is part of present-day Vietnam) is well known throughout history. However, history often overlooks that his fiery will for freedom from oppression was also backed by the Will of Heaven. Le Loi and his rebels did not fight the Mings alone. The magic sword called Thuan Thien—a loan from the Dragon King, Long Vuong—played no small part in that victory.Those in later dynasties would come to see this as ficti...