But despite riches, fame, and his own wedding to look forward to, Sir Minalan cannot merely ignore the rapt attention a band of aggressive goblins seems to be giving one particular tree . . .

    He has defeated another Ottoman army and won back his throne for the third time. Confident in his victory, he is unaware of the events about to unfold and the plans Lucifer has for him.Prequel to the vampire arc of The Dracula Chronicles series.

    And a lot less funny. But this is it.And it will come down at midnight, Irish time, on the 22nd [December 2012]..."Somewhere in the distance, a train rattled on its tracks. Liam sat in his kitchen with the curtains drawn, the lamp on the table casting its searing eye over his handiwork. It was the size of a shoebox, and wooden. Heavy. Inside were things he did not, could not, understand. There were gears and levers and finely balanced cogs and symbols painstakingly etched into it all. He didn’t know what they meant, didn’t know what they were for, but he had seen them in his head for as long as he could remember. Transferring those symbols to metal and wood, after all these years, was... well, it was wonderful. It was a relief. It was like he’d been tense his whole life, every muscle knotted and his teeth gritted and his eyes screwed shut, and now suddenly he was relaxing, and a strange sort of euphoric calm spread through him.

    Most... but not all. These few who stand against the darkness are the Warders, men who fight demons and square off against all kinds of creatures from the pit with only their brothers-in-arms and their lovers-their Hearths-to strengthen them in the unending battle of good versus evil. Sinnerman (June 2011), Nexus (October 2011), and Cherish Your Name (December 2011) were previously published individually in eBook format by Dreamspinner Press.

    J. ParkerTumbling Nancy by Ian R MacLeodTo Be Read Upon Your Waking by Robert Jackson BennettThe Puce Whale: A Lucifer Jones Story by Mike ResnickColumn: Notes from the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong: The Sky is (Probably) Not Falling

    You’ll find classic works, hidden gems, and new commissions featured on the site throughout the month. Bookmark the Poetry Month index for easy reading.On this Saturday we’re featuring a new composition from Catherynne M. Valente, “What the Dragon Said: A Love Story.”

    What do these all have in common? Why, they're all in Melanie Fletcher's RANDOM REALITIES, a compilation of ten speculative fiction tales that cheerfully romp across space and time (not to mention a wide variety of genres).Featuring an introduction by the award-winning writer Jana Oliver, RANDOM REALITIES includes a disturbing take on the future of acting ("Star Quality"), a bubba-heavy paranormal black comedy that was included in the 2007 Nebula Award nominee long list ("The Padre, the Rabbi, and the Devil His Own Self"), and a flamboyant riff on 50's space opera that predates Captain Jack Harkness by two years ("Lusts of the Cat Queen: a Dash Manning Adventure").In addition to previously published material, RANDOM REALITIES also includes two never-before published stories; a dark look at a loveless queen ("All on a Summer's Day"), and two dear friends spending their final days together ("The Quiet Sound of Bees).

    Even if it turns out LD may be the key to saving the world—or destroying it. Soon Jake and Lily are on a perilous quest through Always October, a land populated with monsters.Perfect for fans of Bruce Coville's beloved books, such as Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, the Unicorn Chronicles series, and My Teacher Is an Alien series.

    At her side - Corrick, a centuries old spirit bound by a spell to protect whoever wears an ancient magic amulet.

    Getting caught by a wizard is even worse. "One more job" meant that Crow, a notorious thief, could retire with Tarsha, the woman of his dreams, but "one more job" may just mean his life.When he sets out to abscond with that last brilliant treasure and seek a life of ease and pleasure with the jewel of his heart, Crow seriously underestimates his mark, the Baron Duzayan. Under threat of death by poison, Crow is coerced into stealing an improbable, mythical prize. To satisfy the wizard's greed and save the life of his lady love, he must join forces with Tanris, the one man he has spent his entire career avoiding.But what's a man to do when stealing that fabled prize could level an empire and seal his fate?From a dungeon black as night, to the top of a mountain peak shrouded in legend, a man’s got to do what he must.Until, of course, he can think of a better plan…