Maxima Library

A new alternate history of America from the author of The Peshawar Lancers, the bestselling novel the Chicago Sun-Times called “a pleasure to read” and Harry Turtledove hailed as “first-rate adventure all the way.”

1945: An ex-marine has discovered a portal that permits him to travel between the America he knows-and a virgin America untouched by European influence. 21st century: The two realities collide…

In Lammas Night a young weaver of spells is persuaded to bide a while in a small village, to make their village spells and keep the Dark at bay. As part of their persuasion, the villagers have given her the house of her predecessor. Not knowing that his spirit lingers there, she unwittingly breaks the spell that laid him. Now, a half-seen phantom courts her. He is either her lover for all time, the only she will ever know- or a wicked spirits' seeming, the aim of which is to entrap her in a fate unspeakable.

Will she call him to her or banish him forever? Now is the time of choosing, the Witching on Lammas Night. Magic Dark and Light are in perfect balance. She begins the casting of her spell....

Stories include:

"Introduction" by Josepha Sherman

"Lammas Night" by Mercedes Lackey

"Hallowmas Night" by Mercedes Lackey

"Harvest of Souls" by Doranna Durgin

"The Heart of the Grove" by Ardath Mayhar

"Miranda" by Ru Emerson

"Demonheart" by Mark Shepherd

"Sunflower" by Jody Lynn Nye

"Summer Storms" by Christie Golden

"A Choice of Many" by Mark Garland

"The Captive Song" by Jospha Sherman

"Midsummer Folly" by Elisabeth Waters

"The Mage, the Maiden and the Hag" by S.M. Stirling and Jan Stirling

"The Road Taken" by Laura Anne Gilman

"A Wandering of Wizard-Kind" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

"Circle of Ashes" by Stephanie D. Shaver

"A Choice of Dawns" by Susan Schwartz

"Miranda's Tale" by Jason Henderson

"Lady of Rock" by Diana L. Paxson

"Before" by Gael Baudino

Need a Job, Go to Mars… or the nearest space station or colony world. But what kind of career opportunities will you find on the ever-expanding frontiers of space? And how many alien beings will be vying for the same positions? To discover some of the possibilities, check out Space, Inc., and such entertaining and original tales as:

“Attached Please Find My Novel” — Sometimes you found tomorrow’s best-sellers in the most unexpected places…

“The Siren Stone” — Their mission was to blow up an asteroid before it could destroy a space station and its entire population, but nothing could prepare them for what they discovered when they rendezvoused with this giant piece of rock…

“Come All Ye Faithful” — Finding a real congregation on Mars wasn’t going to be easy — in fact he had to admit it would be a miracle if it ever happened…

This is a landmark anthology of four original novellas by the reigning masters of alternate history. Set in different eras, different places, and different times, these forays into “what might have been” showcases the stunning breadth and far-reaching possibilities the genre represents.