Jessica Amanda Salmonson – författare

Forced to betray her lord, a disgraced samurai fights to regain her honor In the fabled land of Naipon, there is no warrior more feared, no samurai more respected than the legendary Tomoe Gozen, whose twin blades can change the course of any battle. After years of service to Lord Shigeno, she is about to renew her oath of loyalty when the sky darkens and a cry of rebellion comes from the hills. Possessed by an evil wizard, the peasants are marching against their master. Tomoe holds off the wave of pitchfork-wielding farmers for as long as she can. Finally, the battle overwhelms her, and the greatest samurai in Naipon falls dead.   She awakes in hell, on a slope lined with bloody corpses. After an eternity of fighting, she reaches the summit and finds herself in the chamber of a wizard who restores her to life. She is alive—but now she must do his bidding. Her honor has been shattered, but Tomoe Gozen will do whatever it takes to win it back.

An “excellent” A-to-Z reference of female fighters in history, myth, and literature—from goddesses to gladiators to guerrilla warriors (Library Journal). This is an astounding collection of female fighters, from heads of state and goddesses to pirates and gladiators. Each entry is drawn from historical, fictional, or mythical narratives of many eras and lands. With over one thousand entries detailing the lives and influence of these heroic female figures in battle, politics, and daily life, Salmonson provides a unique chronicle of female fortitude, focusing not just on physical strength but on the courage to fight against patriarchal structures and redefine women’s roles during time periods when doing so was nearly impossible.   The use of historical information and fictional traditions from Japan, Europe, Asia, and Africa gives this work a cross-cultural perspective that contextualizes the image of these unconventional depictions of might, valor, and greatness.

For the sake of an enchanted sword, Tomoe revolts against her father In all of Naipon, there is no samurai more famous than Tomoe Gozen. Her skill with the blade is legendary, her honor unquestioned, and evil men everywhere fear her name.   No challenge is too great for Tomoe, but she is not ready for marriage. When her father announces that he has arranged a match for her—one that will mean laying aside her sword—Tomoe responds as she always does when her life is threatened: she draws her twin blades.   After fighting her way out of her father’s house, Tomoe meets Azo Hono-o, a female samurai who plans to make a name for herself by killing Tomoe Gozen. Tomoe convinces Azo to join forces with her, and together they set out across Naipon in search of a golden sword, which they will use to carve a place for themselves in a man’s world.

Tomoe turns to religion to escape her past, but destiny is not through with her yet The young girl crashes through the underbrush, desperate to escape the cackling soldiers at her back. After catching her in a tryst with a local farm boy, they intend to execute her for her sin. She runs for as long as she can, finally collapsing outside a shrine where a traveling nun sits with her flute. When the soldiers arrive, the nun sets her flute aside, drawing a legendary sword. She kills the men easily and sets the young girl free. Though she tried to avoid it, Tomoe Gozen has shed blood once again.   After countless battles and endless wandering, this legendary samurai has renounced Bushido and taken the oaths of a wandering nun. But though she disguises herself as a mendicant, trouble will find her still. Tomoe must engage in one last fight—this time for the sake of her soul.

Here is a grab-bag collection of great fantasy stories -- modern and classic, adventure-filled and serious, funny and sad -- by authors whose work you may already know, or may be discovering for the first time. Included are:

THE COPPERSMITH, by Lester del ReyDOGS QUESTING, by John Gregory BetancourtOF WITHERED APPLES, by Philip K. DickYELLOW EYES, by Marylois DunnSEA TIGER, by Henry S. WhiteheadTHE BLACK TOWER, by R. H. BarlowTHE SHADOW FROM ABOVE, by R.H. BarlowTHE FLAGON OF BEAUTY, by R.H. BarlowTHE SACRED BIRD, by R.H. BarlowTHE TOMB OF THE GOD, by R.H. BarlowGIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, by Mack ReynoldsDREAMTIME IN ADJAPHON, by John Gregory BetancourtA LEGEND OF LANTH, by Robert W. LowndesTHE SIREN, by F. AnsteyMORRIEN''S BITCH, by Janet FoxALLIANCES, by Janet FoxGATHER ROUND THE FLOWING BOWLER, by Robert BlochAFRAID OF HIS SHADOW, by Dorothy Donnell CalhounTHE DAUGHTER OF THOR, by Edmond HamiltonTHE WALTZ, by Morris W. GowenWHITE LADY, by Sophie Wenzel EllisCARILLON OF SKULLS by Lester del Rey and James H. BeardTHE LAST GUARDIAN OF RU ISHTL, by John Gregory BetancourtSKULLS IN THE STARS, by Robert E. Howard

If you enjoy this ebook, don''t forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more of the 260+ volumes in this series, covering adventure, historical fiction, mysteries, westerns, ghost stories, science fiction -- and much, much more!

Weirdbook #32 presents a selection of great fantasy and horror tales by current and upcoming masters of the genre. Included are:

Childhood''s Dread, by Taye CarrolThe Other Neighbors, by Daniel DavisRare Air, by Mark SladeThe Children, by J.E. ÁlamoThe Radiant Boy, by Kevin WetmoreThe Whisperer in the Woods, by Peter SchranzSweet Oblivion, by Andrew DarlingtonAn Unsolicited Lucidity, by Lee Clark ZumpeBlack Carnival, by Bobby CranestoneThe Howard Family Tradition, by P. R. O''LearyHell in a Boxcar, by Scott A. CuppJorōgumo, by Kelda CrichClay Baby, by Jack Lee TaylorThe Corpse and the Rat: A Story of Friendship, by Joshua L. HoodGetting Thin, by DJ TyrerMaybe Next Door, by Richard LaPoreContainment Protocol, by Leeman KesslerUnder a Rock, by Lori R. LopezThe Children Must Be Hungry, by L.F. FalconerThe Road to Hell, by Kevin L. O''BrienMaggot Coffee, by Roy C. Booth and Axel KohagenvBaby Mine, by Marilyn "Mattie" BrahenIn Blackwalk Wood, by Adrian ColeMy Longing to See Tamar, by Jessica Amanda SalmonsonGust of Wind Made by Swinging a Blade, by Molly N. MossNecromancer''s Lair, by Chad HensleyThe Helm, by Chad HensleyEx Arca Sepulcrali, by Wade GermanThe Laughter of Ghouls, by K.A. OppermanOde to Ashtoreth, by K.A. OppermanThe Necro-Conjuring Sorceress, by Ashley DiosesWhat Dark Gods Are Friends to Me? by Chad HensleyScarlet Succubus Shrine, by Frederick J. MayerPenelope, Sleepless, by Darrell Schweitzer

When Cthulhu calls . . . W. Paul Ganley answers! This volume collects a treasure trove of Cthulhu Mythos and dark fantasy stories -- all told, a baker''s dozen -- by the World Fantasy Award-winning editor of WEIRDBOOK magazine! The 13 stories featured are:

ANCIENT EVILOTHERS, WHO ARE NOT MENESSENTIAL SALTESI AM HUMANWORMSFALLOUTTHE VAULT OF KARNUNNATHE GREAT HEROIN THE TEMPLE OF PHTHATHNEEMEMORYFORERUNNERS OF DOOMTHE CUBE OF XANXES: Part One—The Finger of XanxesTHE CUBE OF XANXES: Part Two—The City of Joy

Features an introduction by Darrell Schweitzer