After carving a place for itself among the struggling powers of 17th century Western Europe, the "out-of-time" modern town of Grantville, West Virginia must fight for its life against Dark Age domination. Alternate history master Eric Flint returns in top form with an epic addition to the multiple New York Times best selling Ring of Fire series. A cosmic accident sets the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia, down in war-torn seventeenth century Europe and a new nation is forged. Now when United States of Europe ally King Gustavas of Sweden invades Poland, the U.S. of E. is dragged into a full-scale European war against ruthless opponents. Meanwhile Mike Stearns, wily and courageous leader of the up-time West Virginians, has been turned out of office in an election. But, like Churchill (before and after him) Stearns is not done yet. He's determined to stoke the fires of democratic rebellion in Saxony near the main front, and thus keep the young nation he founded, and once led, out of the hands of medieval tyrants-tyrants who would like nothing better than to wipe those troublesome upstarts from the future off the timeline and go back to the bad old days of oppression and serfdom.

First Time in Paperback for This Exciting Installment in the New York Times Best-Selling Ring of Fire Series- The Most Popular and Best-Selling Alternate History Series. The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century Europe, but a new force is gathering power and influence: the United States of Europe, a new nation led by Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and the West Virginians from the 20th century led by Mike Stearns who were hurled centuries into the past by a mysterious cosmic accident. While the old entrenched rulers and manipulators continue to plot against this new upstart nation, everyday life goes on in Grantville, the town lost in time, with librarians, firefighters, and garbage collectors trying to make do under unusual circumstances. And what better place for an undercover spy from France than working with the garbage collectors, examining 20th century machines that others throw out, and copying the technology (though he wishes one device-the paper shredder-had been left behind in the future). There are more sinister agents at work, however. One of them, Ducos, almost succeeded in assassinating the Pope, but his plan was ruined by quick action by a few Americans. Now, the would-be assassin not only has a score to settle, but has also decided on two excellent targets: Grantville's leader Mike Stearns and his wife Rebecca... .

Tom, we're having a problem with the gyro-stabilizer, said Mark Faber, gray-haired president of the Faber Electronics Company. "Hope you can find out what's wrong." The eighteen-year-old inventor accepted the challenge with a smile. "I'll be glad to try, sir," he replied. Bud Barclay, a dark-haired young flier and Tom Swift Jr.'s closest friend, chuckled. "If anyone can get the bugs out of your new invention, genius boy here will do it!" The two boys followed Mr. Faber and his engineers to a wooden building which was tightly guarded. Inside, a secret rocket-telemetering device was mounted on its test stand. "As you know, Tom," Mr. Faber began, "the usual conditions of rocket flight will be -" He broke off with a gasp of astonishment as the whole building suddenly began to shake.

Welcome to Wananelu: Caught between the ’Gades and GlobeTran, their only choice is to fight for the freedom of Africa In a deadly race to strike before the ’gades secure the savannah and wipe out the New SUN resistance, Reya, D’Shay, Jaym, and a handful of other rebels launch a daring mission to infiltrate Wananelu, Chewena’s capital city. Desperate to free the country from GlobeTran’s corrupt control, they seek out allies and information that could help the resistance finally return power to the people of Africa. Once inside Wananelu, the blender rebels must evade robotic attack hounds, identity-scanning dragonfly drones, and Globe-Tran city cops at every turn. But avoiding capture and torture in the ‘Snakepit’—a treacherous prison where no one leaves alive—is more difficult than Reya, D’Shay, and Jaym ever imagined. Can they take down GlobeTran and secure their freedom once and for all? Praise for the Blending Time Series: “For some great action, this can’t be beat.” —Kirkus Reviews “[In the Blending Time Series], issues of social justice are seen through the lens of high-speed, cinematic action.” —Booklist