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Waking up dead has its perks. An outcast, Raeden, had always lived on the fringes of society. So when she mysteriously vanished, her absence went unnoticed, much like her life. Little did anyone realize that her absence was the result of her death. But death has its own sticky consequences. It not only takes away a person's life but also clings to their memories and emotions. As Raeden's soul departed, it left her with a choice: recover her memories and find closure or remain a restless spirit forever. For most, the decision would be a no-brainer. But Raeden? Well, she's never been one to shy away from a challenge. With two reapers assigned to her case, she's catapulted back into the mortal world. Now, Raeden must navigate the intricacies of the living while grappling with her own mischievous ambitions. After all, who says a dead girl can't have some fun along the way? But this isn't your typical murder investigation. Raeden's journey unveils a treacherous web of secrets lurking in unexpected places, and a convoluted tapestry of dark humor. In the midst of her quest, she finds solace and companionship with the reapers, Booker and Sonja. These otherworldly beings, who are already entangled in a romantic relationship, become unexpected allies in Raeden's twisted fate. As they unravel the wacky circumstances of her demise, Rae's journey is laced with her own unique challenges. Panic disorder, Autism, and ADHD dance their way into the mix, adding an extra layer of complexity to her already adventurous life. Through wild encounters, perilous situations, and unexpected twists, Raeden's vibrant spirit shines as she navigates the realms of the paranormal. So buckle up and prepare for a tale that blends dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and a dash of dark humor. Join Raeden as she embarks on a journey that will make you laugh, gasp, and fall in love with her resilient spirit. Discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and embrace the enchanting chaos that accompanies life, death, and everything in between. Indiana Jones meets The Librarians. |
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A deadly infection. Seven Strangers. The fight for survival begins... Jake didnât think his night could get worse, but that was before his train stops deep underground and zombies attack and things go from worst-day-ever to run-for-your-life terror. Liv is good at running, mostly from other people straight into a bottle of vodka. But as chaos erupts on the city streets, depending on others may be her only chance at survival. London is gone. The world has ended. In the chaos that remains, seven strangers fight to escape the city. But as they navigate this new and dangerous world, they soon discover that surviving the apocalypse means confronting their deepest fears and making impossible choices. How We End is a heart-pounding diverse story with a character driven plot that explores how societal collapse forces ordinary people into extreme situations and reveals the lengths theyâll go to survive in a world gone mad. Will they make it out alive, or will they become just another casualty? |
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Alter Ego by Kate Sheeran Swed Hollywood days. Vigilante nights. To the world, she's a star. To the league of heroes who raised her? She's a liability. Mary's got a penchant for gadgets, a resume packed with criminal-busting credentials, and a reckless streak that tends to land her in trouble. So when a potential recruit blazes a trail through a local bar--literally--Mary blows off league protocol and whisks the girl off to HQ. But Mary's heat-of-the-moment rebellion endangers her family when the recruit's father shows up; more blowtorch than human, he's got a vendetta against the league and powerful investors to back him up. Instead of letting Mary help, the league banishes her to a stint of camera-courting under the guise of her celebrity secret identity. But Mary's got no intention of benching her grapple hooks; she chases her own leads through a web of secrets that threatens to unravel her history with the league. As conspiracies pick her family apart, Mary must question everything she's been raised to believe--and what it really means to be a hero--before her fiery enemy sets his sites on the rest of the world. ALTER EGO is a twisty superhero saga for fans of Umbrella Academy and Renegades. |
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Parting Shadows by Kate Sheeran Swed Raised by a heartsick AI, she's programmed to kill. And desperate to flee. After growing up on an isolated space station, Astra dreams of solid ground. But with an AI guardian plugged into her head--and her nervous system--it's not like she's flush with choices. In fact, she's got just one: use her training to carry out the rogue AI's revenge. Her first mission? Assassination. When her target flashes a jamming device that would guarantee her escape from the AI's grasp, Astra sets out to steal it. But the AI's plans are more dangerous than she suspected. Corrupted by heartbreak, the wayward computer is determined to infect the star system with a new order of digital tyranny. Astra's been raised to care for no one but herself. Now she'll have to decide if she's willing to trade the star system's freedom for her own. Parting Shadows is a far-future take on Estella Havisham's journey in Great Expectations, and the first installment in Kate Sheeran Swed's Toccata System novella trilogy. |
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*This novella originally appeared in Daughters of A Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology*Harlem, 1917After spending half her life pretending to be something she's not, performance is second nature for cabaret owner Bertha Hines. With the election drawing near and women's voting rights on the ballot, Bertha decides to use her persuasive skills to push the men of New York City in the right direction.Chef Amir Chowdhury jumped ship in New York to get a taste of the American Dream, only to discover he's an unwanted ingredient. When ornery Amir reluctantly takes a job at The Cashmere, he thinks he's hit the bottom of the barrel; however, working at the club reignites his dream of being a force for change. His boss, Bertha, ignites something else in him.Bertha and Amir clash from the start, but her knowledge of politics and his knowledge of dance force them into a detente that fans the flames of latent desire. But Bertha has the vice squad on her tail, and news from home may end Amir's dream before it comes to fruition. With their pasts and futures stacked against them, can Amir and Bertha hold on to their growing love? |
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**Let It Shine originally appeared in The Brightest Day: A Juneteenth Historical Romance Anthology. This version features the original story, as well as a bonus short story, No Valley Low.*** Sofronia Wallis knows that proper Black women donât court trouble by upending the status quo, but itâs 1961 and the Civil Rights movement is in full swing. Sofieâs spent half her life being prim, proper, and reservedâas if that could bring her mother backâbut the nonviolent protests happening across the South bring out her inner agitator. Ivan Friedman has devoted his life to boxing, loving the finesse of a well-delivered punch and the penance of receiving one. His family escaped from Europe before the horrors of WWII, and Ivan decides to help fight injustice in their new country, even if it goes against all his instincts as a fighter. When Ivan and Sofie meet, they realize that their pasts are intertwined andâwith the sparks that fly between themâperhaps their futures will be too. With everything in their society lined up against them, will Sofie and Ivan be able to beat the odds? Or will their chance at love be destroyed by the tumultuous times they live in? |
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A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving. This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nickâs brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nickâs latest one-night stand, the one he canât get out of his mind. Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps heâs good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg⊠|
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Nera has been fascinated by dragons all her life. Now, as a Rift Rider Lieutenant, her chance to see them up close has come. The appointment to spend five years as an escort to the human ambassador seems like the ultimate honour and gift, but the dragons she studied in training don't come anywhere close to the reality awaiting her inside the Dragonlands. Elder Khennik kin Blazeborn Clan Sunlord has no interest in humans. Thanks to the Cloud Curse that their kind brought down upon the Overworld, Khennik's kin are close to losing their ancestral desert homelands forever. When he's assigned as a delegate to the humans upon their arrival, he can't believe his bad luck. Unlike some dragons, he has no wish for more power or responsibility, but he can't seem to avoid collecting them. From his desperate kin to his nervous aide, right along to the useless humans, Khennik dreams of the day when he can return to his desert home. Regardless of personal dreams and opinions, both humans and dragons are about to learn that they often have more in common than they might think or wish. And when trouble descends, the true friends you can count on have little to do with species â and everything to do with spirit. |
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Song of Jade: Red Wolf by C. R. Collins "The world is wide and full of wonders" Fleeing her country in order to save it, Princess Jade of Sharren discovers a greater threat. SONG OF JADE: RED WOLF is a standalone DRAGON AGE prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Contains adult themes and situations and spoilers for Riverâs Roar |
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Mistletoe & Mishigas by M.A. Wardell Beauty and the Bear: Can these opposites fake their way into something real? Sheldon Soleskin should be having a horrible day. Even though heâs been unexpectedly transferred to a new school right before the holidays, has only one day to set up his new classroom, and just discovered his twin sister's been hiding an invitation to his ex-boyfriendâs Christmas Eve wedding, heâs still ready to take on the world with a smile on his face and a skip in his step. Theo Berenson just wants to be left alone to his custodial duties. But when the chipper new first-grade teacher needs help moving furniture the Sunday after Thanksgiving, he's forced to do something he detests. Help. To make matters worse, Theo's overbearing parents are coming for Hanukah in a few weeks, and he's told them he has a boyfriend. Except he doesn't. Because who would want to date an oaf like Theo? Working together, these opposites discover they might be able to help each other out. Agreeing to be each otherâs dates, they become friends as they practice for their upcoming events. But when all the rehearsing starts feeling a little too real, and both men's pasts come roaring back to haunt them, will they be able to pull off the ultimate holiday masquerade? |
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Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell Love: Not as easy as ABC. They were supposed to keep things casual. Whoâd expect theyâd be schooled in love? Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvinâs life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself â his school needs him to win. Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvinâs focus starts to slide. Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right? As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his schoolâs future on the line, nowâs not the time for anything complicated. Education has always been Marvinâs world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process? With Olanâs past and Marvinâs present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now heâs forced to consider what he wants out of love. Will Marvin chalk the relationship up to experience? Or can they revise their story into a textbook romance? |
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Sweetness Bled and Brindled by S.L. Dove Cooper Jewel has spent his entire life making himself as small and invisible as possible. His healing magic is rare, powerful and dangerous. If he could, heâd spend his days caring for wounded animals or those unable to afford a physician. His older brother, the crown prince, has a far different use in mind for Jewelâs powers, however. He would much rather Jewel use his magic to extract information from captures spies, or simply torment whoever Henry chooses. Briar is here to rob the royal treasury. The youngest prince was little more than a mark, but sheâs grown fond of Jewelâs gentle nature. She doesnât have the heart to tell him that sheâs nowhere near as good as he believes. When tragedy strikes and Henry makes his move, Jewel will finally have to face his brother, or lose himself forever. |
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The Siren's Song by Katelyn Brehm A woman whoâs lost everything. A demon without a care. And a chance encounter that sparks an unwanted passion.Lena Sommer canât win. Her marriage is a failure. The yoga studio she founded no longer needs her. And she just lost her grandma, the only family sheâs ever known. Alone, grieving, and determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past, she tries to ignore the advances of a rakish singer she meets on the beach. But his carefree nature is infectious, and his mesmerizing voice proves too seductive to resist.Elias Georgiou has it allâa loving family, the endless ocean, and, most importantly, his independence. Constrained by nothing but the pursuit of pleasure, the last thing heâs interested in is a relationship with any of the countless admirers he charms with his song. Until he meets Lena, and a future with the resilient and courageous woman becomes more tempting than freedom.Can Lena learn to trust herself and Elias in the face of past betrayal? Or will the enchanted song of a consummate bachelor ruin all hope for a future filled with love? |
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The Art Collector by Katelyn Brehm A quiet art historian. An irresistible demon. And an insatiable hunger neither can escape. Madelyn Frye enjoys her simple, drama-free life, even if it means there's an empty seat next to her on the couch at night. But when her firm lands a lucrative contract to appraise the paintings of an infamous mansion with a storied past, her comfortable routine is upended by the handsome and mysterious millionaire who owns it. For over a century, Thomas von Dreiss has resigned himself to a solitary fate, refusing to let his hunger transform him into a monster. But he never expected the art appraiser who shows up at his door to test his unshakable restraint. Her brilliant mind and kind heart rekindle long forgotten hopes and set his carnal needs aflame. Will Madelyn risk shattering her safe and predictable world to be with Thomas? And if she does, will Thomas's dark secret destroy their chance at a happily ever after? |
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Spark of the Divine by Louise Holland SAVE THE GODS. SAVE THEIR REALM. As a Divine, Mae wields her strange gifts quietly as a mercenaryâuntil a simple rescue job sees the crew uncover a plot to steal divinity from the gods themselves. When the god Mae serves is attacked, she must restore their power before the seven realms are thrown into chaos. The first instalment in fantasy series The Kalaraak Chronicles, SPARK OF THE DIVINE follows a group of reluctant heroes on a quest to save a god while the fate of the realms hangs in the balance. Will they each find what they desperately seek, or will secrets of romance and betrayal break them apart? Can they work together to defeat an evil their realm has never seen? Is it the strength of the god that matters⊠or the belief of the Divine? |
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The Beautiful Decay by Veo Corva The sequel to Books and Bone. What do the dead have to fear? Something strange is happening in sleepy subterranean Tombtown. Necromancers are disappearing. The crypt is changing. And crimson fungi are spreading. Usther is seeking purpose, so when the goddess of undying calls on her to investigate an unknown threat to the crypt, she jumps at the chance. She is lost and lonely and determined to do something. Ree is searching for her missing mentor. An archivist and shapeshifter, she knows the crypt better than anyone, but she soon discovers that it is fast becoming unfamiliar to herâand dangerous to everyone she loves. For Tombtown to survive, Usther and Ree will have to face nightmarish mushrooms, self-righteous paladins, and their own traumatic pasts. Because whatever is happening has something to do with the traitorous friend theyâve both been trying to forget for eight years. Chandrian Smythe. |
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A Librarians-and-Necromancy Fantasy with Small Town Charm in a City of the Dead The others believe in blood and bone. Ree believes in books. She manages the libraries and draws maps for the denizens of her hometown, a secret society of necromancers hiding in a sprawling underground crypt. Though they look down on her for not practicing their craft, Ree has bigger ambitions than raising the dead. Sheâs going to resurrect therianthropy, the ancient magic of shapeshifting. Or at least â sheâll do it if it really exists. And if she can find the books that prove it. But Smythe, a chatty historian from the world above, stumbles into the crypt and takes a curse meant for Ree. Now she has to find a way to save him, keep the townsfolk off her back, and convince her necromancer parents that shapeshifting is a viable career path. Ree is certain that if she and Smythe combine their scholarly skill sets, theyâll find the right books to solve their problems. But Reeâs search for power might put the entire town in danger, and her father and the other townsfolk want Smythe dead lest he reveal their home to a world that hates them. |
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Herald of the Witchâs Mark by Kellen Graves Saffron finally has the one thing he's always wanted: a chance to attend school. To be able to do so alongside Prince Cylvan, even while glamoured as a high fey and pretending not to know one another, Saffron is eager to finally experience the education he's always dreamed of. But the expectations of being a perfect fey lord are suffocating enough, and are only made more difficult as the unfettered rowan magic in his body runs wild. Outside of the emotionally-charged nosebleeds that come whenever he's overwhelmed, he's able to keep the magic subdued--until one unfortunate confrontation outside of the school, where it manifests in the form of a nightmare he never thought he'd have to witness again. He desperately needs help understanding how to control his new magic, but there's only one person he knows who can offer mentorship: the stranger who appeared in his hospital room after the events on Ostara. Between acting a high fey, pretending to be courted by Cylvan as strangers, the unexpected difficulties of attending school for the first time, and managing the ancient magic running wild in his veins, Saffron has no choice but to trust Ryder Kyteler who can skip through the veil with ease, and who has been gathering disenfranchised humans to teach them arid magic on the outskirts of Avren for years. Otherwise, the new, violent manifestation of Saffron's magic may hurt the people he cares about most. |
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[The magic is goneâŠor is it?] Lucian is a jaded flirt and professional bard who knows all the old songs about sorcery. When he meets Corwin, a shy mage who can still use magic despite the Drought, Lucian finds his desire growing with each passing dayânot just for answers, but for Corwin himself. Sparks fly as they find themselves passionately entangled in adventure and each other. But learning the true origin of the Drought and the Key to ending it comes at a price that their bond may not survive⊠|
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Environmental scientist, Zoe Antosâs world has forever been changed. When a mysterious illness sweeps across the globe, the Arrow Equilibrium is only too happy to place the blame on Zoe. Injured and on the run, the only thing that matters now is survival. But at some point, survival isnât enough. Zoe is determined to stop running and find a way to live in this new world. As a new community grows around her, so does the danger. The Arrows wonât stop till she dead, regardless of the collateral damage. Separated from his fiancĂ©, Cole Wilborn finds himself a prisoner of the Arrows. His parents are determined to make him see things their way, even if it means completely breaking down his spirit in the process. Unable to get to Zoe, he is committed to keeping the Arrows off her trail. With the help of his older siblings, he plays the part of dutiful son while gathering information to make his escape. Cole will soon learn that freedom may have consequences he never imagined. Zoe and Cole must find a way to turn the tide in their favor before it crashes down and pulls them under. |
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Shadow's Debt by Danni Williams Dragon shifter Simone just wants to be left alone. But a debt owed by her father to vampire lord Andre Silversbane will disrupt Simoneâs future. Add to that a crazy vampire King who thinks Simone is the key to a major artifact and it will be all that she can do to stay alive. Simone is happily anticipating starting a new life in Chicago when life drops a bombshell on her. Her father owes vampire lord Andre Silversbane a debt and has given her to him. Now Simone has to learn to survive among the Nightshade vampires as the new Lady Silversbane. And, survive a plot by the Mad King Rapheal, who wants her to retrieve an artifact that should remain hidden. When tragedy strikes, Simone will have to make a decision that will change the world as she knows it or destroy it. |
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Prophecy Trilogy: New Moon (Prophecy Series Book 1) by Liz Bullard Step into a captivating realm of destiny and redemption in 'New Moon.' Join Eli, a Zodian warrior haunted by the aftermath of a devastating battle, and Talia, a water warrioress struggling to mend her shattered marriage. As they navigate a world of elemental magic and treacherous challenges, Eli is tasked with finding the Chosen One, Tabatha. Will she be the cure to his darkness and the savior in this land of fighters, or will she turn away from destiny and fail to reach her full potential? |
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The Fine Line Between Us by Ruth Miranda Jayal Hasen has never had a one night stand, or taken someone home for sex - he's just not that kind of man. Not with his past. But when his best friend introduces him to internationally acclaimed model Lu HaoRan, the attraction is immediate. The chemistry between them is such that, contrary to his character and all the fears he still can't shake, the two end up in bed. And though it was supposed to be just a one-night-stand, Jayal finds himself entertaining unexpected thoughts of something else... Lu HaoRan isn't looking for a relationship - he doesn't believe that's in the stars for him. Not with his life. But after spending the night with Jayal Hasen, he can think of nothing else, the memory of what took place becoming the buyoy he turns to when under stress. After weeks of trying to fight his growing obsession with a man he hardly knows and has never seen again, he's ready to throw caution to the wind and do all he can to meet Jayal again. Still, a fine line stands between them, one that's made of everything they hide from one another, secrets that threaten to break them apart, even before they come together. With neither finding the courage to cross that line, they risk losing each other without ever meeting again. Who will take the first step? |
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Non-Player Character by Veo Corva Not all fantasy worlds live only in our imaginations. 32-year old Tar feels like a Non-Player Character in their own life. Theyâve been utterly sidelined by their anxiety and they spend all their spare time playing video games. Then they get invited to play Kin, a tabletop role-playing game their friend swears will change their life. And it does, but not in the way Tar expects. Friendship, it turns out, is even better than escapism. But what none of them knew was that it would change their life a second time. Because the world of Kin is real. And the whole party soon discovers that changing your setting doesnât change you. Non-Player Character is a cosy, queer portal fantasy for adults featuring a non-binary autistic protagonist and their found family of fantasy-loving nerds. |
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MOONLIGHT Book I: Dusk by Beau Van Dalen Ilragornâs history never lies. The obedient ones live. The traitors always perish. In daylight, Indigo Sarte is the perfect daughter, a future student of the Healing Arts. In the shadows, he is a master of forbidden alchemy, ruthless and cunning, all in the name of fulfilling his wish for true freedom. Indigoâs sights are set on The Academyâa prestigious establishment where aspiring alchemists are taught to master gifts inherited from their birthrights. But Indigo is recognized as a woman amongst his peers, and The Academyâs rules are clear: Women heal. Men fight. Disobeyâdie. |
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Moon-Bright Tides by RoAnna Sylver The night sky is very dark without a moon, and there hasn't been one for decades. Without one to govern the oceans, it falls to Riven, reluctant sea-witch, to sail out alone every night across the midnight ocean to cast a spell to call in the tides. She hates it. Hates the moonless dark, hates the endless deep, and hates the fact that without a witch to sing in the tides, sea and land alike would fall to ruin. Riven faces her worst fear every night for years - until she meets a mermaid. Her new friend is lost, starving, and just as lonely as she is. And now that they've found one another, neither of their nights on the midnight sea will be the same. |
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A Good Rush of Blood by Matt Phillips A mother's sins haunt a teenage runaway in this scorching mystery of criminal conspiracy, street-level justice, and unlikely courage. Creeley Nash has been running her entire life. That includes running drugs for a wannabe kingpin. On a drug run to Palm Springsâthe town where Creeley escaped her no-good mother as a teenâsheâll encounter a sun-drenched facade beneath which lurks a web of dark secrets. A Good Rush of Blood follows Creeley as she unravels the mystery of her estranged motherâs murder conviction. Peopled with bent cops, grizzled reporters, hardened drug dealers, eccentric sidekicks and sexy librarians, this sweaty, fast-paced neo-noir finds stellar noir scribe Matt Phillips (Countdown, Know Me from Smoke) at the apex of his dirty, lethal game. |
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How to steal a demon's heart and get away with it by Devi Letalis Dante, a single father and demon hunter, has already completed multiple curious adventures in his life - from the elimination of minor demons to tracking down undead sheep. When he meets bloodthirsty Lariza and her inscrutable companion Layla as part of a new job, he becomes embroiled in a conflict with powerful demons. But the protection of his son has priority, even if he has to go to hell for him. And so a journey into a sphere where millennium old law prevails begins. This gripping urban fantasy novel takes the reader deep into a world where demons and human shadow beings live side by side. A story with plenty of action, tension, and dark humour - where anything is possible. |
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It Haunts the Mind and Other Stories by Nick Roberts Nick Roberts delves into the darkest corners of the soul, where horror meets raw emotion. Dive into the chilling depths of the human psyche with Nick Roberts, the acclaimed author behind bestsellers like The Exorcistâs House and Anathema. Presenting a collection of fifteen tales, It Haunts the Mind masterfully weaves horror with raw emotion, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. From the malevolent presence in âSally Under the Bedâ and the eponymous âIt Haunts the Mindâ to the raw brutality of âThe Nooseâ and âThe Bitter End,â Roberts showcases his unparalleled ability to terrify. Yet, itâs not just supernatural dread that lurks in these pages. Stories like âThanks for Sharingâ and âThe Weeping Windâ delve into the very real horrors of addiction and grief, while âThe Paperboyâ and âVoodoo Bayâ introduce monsters that defy reality. John Durgin, author of The Cursed Among Us and Inside The Devilâs Nest, praises the collection, stating, âCome for the horror, stay for the heartbreaking emotion that bleeds into every page... It Haunts The Mind is that damn good.â James Aquilone, a Bram Stoker Award-nominated editor and writer, warns of the collection's potency: âNick Roberts has an uncanny ability to scare the bejesus out of readers... Highly recommended if you donât want to sleep in the dark again.â Perfect for aficionados of horror short stories, suspenseful tales, and narratives that explore the human condition, It Haunts the Mind is a testament to the power of storytelling, blending supernatural terror with the very real demons that haunt our lives. Whether you're drawn to tales of possession, substance abuse, or coming-of-age horror, this collection promises to both terrify and move you in equal measure. Proudly represented by Crystal Lake PublishingâTales from the Darkest Depths. |
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Bryan and Ellie Stockton hope they left behind their demons when they move to their idyllic new home in southern West Virginia. Above all, they want a fresh start for their young son, Derrick, who witnessed the tumultuous first years of their marriage â years that were rife with substance abuse, rage, and resentment. Their bright hope for the future is darkened when a child disappears from their neighborhood. The couple becomes suspicious of a reclusive resident with a degenerative brain disorder. Strange events begin to happen in their house just as Derrick tells them about a new friend who visits him at night. Their son may be acting out from the trauma he endured, or he could be the obsession of something much more sinister |
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The discovery of skeletal remains opens old wounds in a quiet Midwestern community decades after multiple young women had vanished without a trace from the area. Russell Stander returns to the wooded site of his big sisterâs crude burial filled with foreboding and hoping for closure. But, near the grim visage known locally as Skull Rock, more badly decomposed human remains are soon discovered. Gunnar, a Norseman settler, comes face to face with the evil that slaughtered his family. To save his clan, Gunnar undertakes a harrowing odyssey across the untamed wilderness of North America. Desperate to stay one step ahead of the malevolent force that stalks him. Two men, born a thousand years apart, their destinies bound together by a timeless evil. Can either man unravel the mystery of the monstrous thing lurking unseen before it consumes them and everyone they loveâŠ? |
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For a group of middle-aged friends, the trip into the forest was supposed to be simple. All they had to do was find a place to set up their criminal enterprise, and all of their financial problems would be solved. But now, night is falling, and with the darkness comes something else. Something fast. Something ferocious. Something... with teeth. From best-selling, award-winning horror writer Brian Keene comes a vicious new novella WITH TEETH |
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The Girl in the Corn by Jason Offutt Beware of what lurks in the corn. Fairies donât exist. At least thatâs what Thomas Cavanaughâs parents say. But the events of that one night, when he follows a fairy into the cornfield on his parentsâ farm, prove them wrong. What seems like a destructive explosion was, Thomas knows, an encounter with DauĂ°r, a force that threatens to destroy the fairyâs world and his sanity. Years later, after a troubled childhood and a series of dead-end jobs, he is still haunted by what he saw that night. One day he crosses paths with a beautiful young woman and a troubled young man, soon realizing that he first met them as a kid while under psychiatric care after his encounters in the cornfield. Has fate brought them together? Are they meant to join forces to save the fairyâs world and their own? Or is one of them not who they claim to be? |
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Our Own Unique Affliction by Scott J. Moses Our Own Unique Affliction is the story of Alice Ann, a dejected immortal who longs for her life in the sun. Navigating guilt, loss, family, meaning, murder, and all that comes with the curse of living forever. An existential bleak, quiet until it's not, hallucination on duality, rife with fangs, empathy, blood, and grief. "Unexpected and grim, Scott J. Moses' Our Own Unique Affliction is the most inventive and bombastically gruesome vampire story I've read since The Light at the End by John Skipp and Craig Spector. An exquisitely written meditation on grief, family, and trauma told with such empathy and care. I feel broken after reading this book, and I applaud Scott for obliterating my soul with such grace and tenderness." - Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes "Scott Moses writes from a place of pure empathy, the result of which is a story that pulls the reader in with deceptive ease, putting them through the emotional wringer, culling fear from every page. A tightly written fever dream of bloodlust and family ties, grief, rage and the eternal hunt." - Laurel Hightower, author of Crossroads and Below "Moses gives us not only complicated and relatable characters, but also cinematic scene-setting coated with pathos and grit. Our Own Unique Affliction forces readers to face that often circumstance is the only thing separating us from the monsters." - J.A.W. McCarthy, Shirley Jackson Award nominated author of Sometime Weâre Cruel and Other Stories "Moses tenders a vampire's origin and fate in the skin of a mood-soaked tragedy, embraced by bloody nights and unyielding regrets. Fans of Paul Tremblay's The Pallbearers Club should sink their fangs in before sunrise." - Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth "An interesting psychological twist on the vampire narrative. Definitely a fun read." - Charlene Elsby, author of Hexis, Psychros, Menis |
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When Dex is chased by Billie and his gang of hooligans into the old Ellis manor, he didnât think that things could get any worse. But when an ancient dinosaur is released from the confines of the crate it was imprisoned in and begins brutally eating everyone in its ravenous path one by one, the young man was clearly mistaken. Now with his back hopelessly against the wall, he enlists his best friend Henry in order to make a last ditch stand against the bloodthirsty beast from another time AND the maniacal Billie and his gang of thugs as well. Who will survive and what will be left of them? Prepare to be pulverized by prehistoric horror galore in Dino-Gore! |
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A Glimmer Of Silver by Juliet Kemp âA Glimmer Of Silver, from @booksmugglers, is bloody brilliant. A really interesting, well told, fascinating piece of ecological fiction. Plus, one pronoun for all, and it's xe!â â D Franklin "a warm and delightful SF YA novella - it reminds me in the best way of what it might be like if Robin McKinley wrote science fiction." â Stephanie Burgis "A Glimmer of Silver reminds us that, sometimes, the most potent barriers exist not between species, but between ourselves. But in its insistence that these barriers are not insurmountable, it speaks to the possibilitiesâand the hopesâof translation and coexistence, at the meeting points of sentience." â Gautum Bhatia, Strange Horizons |
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A Starbound Solstice by Juliet Kemp A festive space queer romance that will melt your heart and warm your exosuit. Linn and xyr crew are halfway through their long journey from Earth to Cetalla; what better time to celebrate a solstice? Bid farewell to Sol and hello to a new homestar. Traditions around mistletoeânot to mention Linnâs totally non-existent crush on xyr crewmate Tayeâhave nothing to do with it. Explaining paperchains to xyr alien crewmate and plotting present-giving keeps Linn busy enough, but then something goes wrong with Heron, the shipâs AI. Tracing the cause to a giant hullbreach onto needlespace, Linn and Taye have no idea what to do about it, or the stranger who came through it. Can they save their ship and get to their new home before the pressures of needlespace damage Heron beyond repair? And is Linn ever going to get that kiss under the mistletoe? "This is such a sweet science fiction holiday story set on an interstellar ship, with just enough natural tension to be fun but with an overriding message of hope and kindness and a real feeling of light - just perfect for the theme of a solstice celebration." â Stephanie Burgis, author |
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The City Revealed by Juliet Kemp The city of Marek is newly independent from their neighbour Teren â but Selene, representative of Teren, has threatened to return, and this time, with sorcerers and demons in tow. Last year, the sorcerers of Marek narrowly defeated a single Teren-summoned demon; how might they fare against a dozen or more? Meanwhile, the common people of Marek grow increasingly fervent in their own demands for representation â for a say in how the city is run, and for whom it is run. Marcia, Fereno-Heir, agrees with the Lower City; they deserve a better say. But the Council wonât hear of it â then Selene arrives to make good on her threat. Marcia must convince the Council to believe in Selene's magical threats, whilst her sorcerer brother, Cato, rushes to build some sort of defence. Because if Terenâs demons can pass the Cityangelâs wards, itâll be the end of them all. âThe City Revealedâ is an absorbing fantasy set in a richly imagined world. A lovingly drawn and diverse set of characters struggle both personally and politically with the consequences of their own and othersâ actions, and strive for cooperation without sacrificing principles. A thoroughly satisfying read. â Una McCormack, New York Times bestselling science fiction author. âEminently satisfying epic fantasy where the personal, the political and the magical are multilayered and interlocked.â â Juliet E. McKenna, Author of the Green Man series and the Tales of Einarinn series. |
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Office Politics: A Story of the Apocalypse by L. R. J. Allen Richard is the last man alive. He has survived the super-flu known as Shaking Stevens when the rest of the world perished. He has survived when his family has not. He has survived with no survival instincts. He spends his days rummaging through the remnants of society as loneliness and anger set in. That is, until, his wanderings lead him back to his place of work. It is familiar, it is comforting, it is routine. Until, one day, his desk-phone rings. From the author of Among Other Things comes a tale of survival and hope in the most dire of times, and what a man must do to remain sane. Includes two previously unpublished stories Keep off the Grass and Coin Toss at Acheron Station |
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The Rising Flood by Juliet Kemp "Fantasy politics with real nuance and believable uncertainty, characters whose richness and depth has developed over three books, and a growing threat that starts pulling together threads across the series make The Rising Flood a fantastic read, while Marek is a textured place that is a joy to return to.â â Malka Older, Hugo Award finalist author of the Centenal Cycle series There's darkness in the heart of Teren. Refugees, fleeing demons unleashed by the Academy, arrive in Marek; but Marek, dreaming of independence, is increasingly unstable. Marcia, Heir to House Fereno â expecting a child and with her relationship in ruins â battles to manage threats internal and external, while rebels from the lower city demand change in rabble-rousing pamphlets, and Marekâs two remaining sorcerers, Marcia's brother Cato and her ex-lover Reb, struggle to train more. Teren's many demons threaten, and no one is ready. Menaced by the distant capital, by dissension from within, and by out-of-season storms rampaging across the Oval Sea by nature itself â will the rising flood lift all boats? Or will they be capsized? |
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Shadow And Storm by Juliet Kemp The sequel to The Deep And Shining Dark. Marcia wants to make changes in Marek after the events of the summer, but now distant Teren is making a play for political power in the city. Meanwhile, Tait, a young Teren sorcerer on the run, sees Marek and its cityangel Beckett as a place of safety; which will be true only until Beckett discovers there's a demon chasing Tait. Are the demon and the machinations of the Teren Lieutenant connected? Are Marcia's political goals worth the risk of facing down a demon? And can Marcia's sorcerer brother Cato avoid getting involved? "Shadow and Storm is an absolute delight to read, the literary equivalent of sinking into the embrace of a dear friend. Warm and cosy but never short on adventure and intrigue, Kemp's second entry into this series won't disappoint. The characters are real, full of depth, and richly drawn, and you'll wish you had even more time with them by book's end. A fantastic read!" â Rivers Solomon, Locus, Tiptree, and Lambda Award finalist |
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The Deep And Shining Dark by Juliet Kemp "A rich and memorable tale of political ambition, family and magic, set in an imagined city that feels as vibrant as the characters inhabiting it." â Aliette de Bodard, Nebula-award winning author of The Tea Master and the Detective "A novel thatâs one part high fantasy, one part political fantasy, and one part old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery â without the swords or the lack of realistic diversity to which old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery was often prone." â Liz Bourke, Locus |
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The Sweet, the Spooky, & The Terrifying by Rachel Ann Hubert Three short stories for every aspect of Halloween. One sweet. One spooky. And one terrifying. Included in this book: Alone Together (The Sweet): The story of a college student determined to ostracize himself from everyone else around him. When he gets an unwanted guest for the night though, he'll soon see that being invisible isn't all that bad. And that sometimes it's worth stepping outside your comfort zone and shushing that negative voice inside your head. The Monster Within (The Spooky): Jules is starting over in a new town, new house, new everything. But this town isn't all it seems. While she tries to start fresh, memories from her previous life start trickling in. What is she running away from? And what is running away from her... The Ouroboros (The Terrifying): It started as a tickle. A tickle that became an itch. And itch at the back of his throat that not only could he not ignore...but that he could not escape |
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A Ritual of Bone by Lee C. Conley 'Only valour and steel can stand against the rising dead' Arnar is a land of warriors, its people as stalwart as the stones themselves. In a land of dark forests and ancient hill forts, a forgotten evil is awoken by curious minds. The Great Histories and the Sagas say nothing of this evil, long passed from the memory of even the studious scholars of the College. For centuries, the scholars of Arnar have kept these records and preserved the knowledge and great deeds of a proud people. The story of these peoples forever chronicled in the Sagas of the Great Histories. But now the evil spreads and the dead walk in its wake, terrible creatures roam the night and even the spirits are restless. The Dead Sagas could perhaps be the final chapters of these great records. Many threads entwine to tell this Saga, interweaving the tales of those who played their part in the search for answers and ultimately their fight for survival. Amid plague, invasion and terror, the inexorable rise of the dead sends a kingdom scrabbling to its knees. This dark fantasy epic combines dark malign horror and gritty survival adventure as the Dead Sagas unfold in a world where honour and renown is all, where beasts and savages lurk in the wilderness, and where sword, axe and shield is all that stands between the living and the grasping hands of the dead. |
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The Cursed Among Us by John Durgin It has been twenty years since the serial killer known as The Black Heart Killer terrorized the town of Newport in 1979. Life mostly returned to normal after the killer was captured. All the townspeople have to do is stay out of the woods where the bodies were abandonedâtheir chests ripped open, and their hearts torn out... Howie Burke and his friends decide rules are meant to be broken. Thatâs what fifteen-year-old kids do. On a beautiful fall day, they decide to go out in the woods to film a horror movie when they stumble across a mysterious grave. What they donât know is that they are about to release an evil on the town unlike anything in their home-made movies. They will soon uncover the secrets of the Black Heart Killer, and what it truly means to be cursed. Praise for The Cursed Among Us "Hidden graves, black magic, town legends, and intrepid teenagers - this one has it all, in bloody spades. Durgin's debut manages the impossible: a punchy and gripping horror-thriller sprawled across two decades, crafted with dark obsession and drenched in nostalgia for the golden years of supernatural slasher films." - Felix Blackwell, author of Stolen Tongues âA remarkably malevolent debut that will leave you reaching for your talisman. Durgin takes all the right risks and proves nobody is safe in this impressive coming-of-age novel about a small town with a dark past.â - Joshua Marsella, author of Hunger For Death âThe Cursed Among Us is a horror novel with its heart in the right placeâready to be ripped out! Containing surprising and sometimes stunning emotional depth, this homage to â90s B-movies and supernatural documentaries explores the agony of growing up and holding onto friendships when the world seems determined to rip everything you love apart.â - Joseph Sale, author of Dark Hilarity "The Cursed Among Us' is a coming-of-age, small town horror blast, one that I think a lot of people will really enjoy." Steve Stred, Splatterpunk-Nominated author of Sacrament and Mastodon. |
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Now, and the Hour of Death by Karen Lykkebo Five short tales of the eerie, tragic, and macabre. Three friends venture into an abandoned church, unaware the foundation is haunted. An expert in the occult is asked to remove a presence from the beach. Two survivors of the zombie apocalypse watch a final sunset together. Two lovers will do anything to keep their home and love safe. A serial killer is on the loose, but his step is watched by more than his victims. |
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The Knight of the Moon by Gregory Kontaxis John, the Long Arm, leads a life as a bounty hunter at the Three Heads. His name has spread far and wide across the north while plenty of gold weighs down his pockets. Just when everything seems to be going well for him, a group of soldiers order him to take on a new mission. This time, his task is to track down a very dangerous manâa knight who rejected his oaths, turning his back on Gaeldeath and its ruler. Will John choose the way of honour and devotion or will be succumb to his unquenchable thirst for wealth? As part of âThe Dance of Lightâ series, âThe Knight of the Moonâ is a novella which takes place seventeen years preceding the events of âThe Return of the Knights.â |
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They say you never forget the first time you die. Toronto Police Service Detective Finsbury Gage knows this better than anyone. Now that he's gone digital, he sees his death every time he closes his eyesâhe and his wife, smeared across the highway after a malfunctioning bit-head ran them down in a stolen urban assault vehicle. Fin hung together long enough for the Second Skyn recovery team to rescue his fading thoughts from his ruined body and implant them in a custom-grown bioSkyn. His wife wasn't so lucky. Finsbury's been gifted a second chance, but the only thing keeping him from blowing his plastic brains out is that 2.57 seconds of vivid memory running on repeat through his head, the one that contains a instant's glimpse of his killer's face. The police couldn't find the man responsible, and now the only evidence is locked up in Finsbury's brand new mind. Driven to find his killer, Finsbury falls into a dangerous underworld of hackable minds and enhanced bodies, where death is cheap, and memory all that matters. But once he's tasted the power of living at the speed of light, able to predict seconds into the future, how will he ever go back? And once he's relaxed his grip on humanity, how far will he let it slip in the name of finding justice for the woman he loves? Finsbury's going to find the man who stole his future, no matter what he has to do. Or what he must become. |
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The Last Feather by Shameez Patel Papathanasiou South African born, debut author brings a threat-and-danger, hidden-world fantasy with touches of Suzanne Collins which fans of VE Schwab or Sarah J Maas will love. Twenty-two-year-old Cassia's sister is dying, and she doesn't know why. Cassia wakes up in another realm to find her missing best friend, Lucas, who knows how to save her sister. Lucas is part of a community of Reborns, people who were born on earth and after death, were reborn in this realm with magical abilities. The original beings of the realm, the Firsts, rule over them. To keep the Reborn numbers manageable, the king of the Firsts releases a curse to cull them. Cassia needs to break the curse before her time runs out and she is trapped there forever. |
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The Eternal Shadow by Shameez Patel Papathanasiou South African born, debut author brings a threat-and-danger, hidden-world fantasy with touches of Suzanne Collins which fans of VE Schwab or Sarah J Maas will love. After returning to her realm, Cassia continues to use the magic sheâd discovered in Selene. Little did she know, that wasnât allowed and because of it, sheâs abducted by the king. Luckily, Prince Lochlan is still living in the castle pretending to be under the kingâs command. After Lochlan frees Cassia, they all need to flee Selene to escape the king and find allies elsewhere. But in this new realm, all the inhabitants are afraid of the dark where a shadow is lurking, feeding upon them. With nowhere else to go, they have to choose, either they face the king or this eternal shadow. |