Best of
Paranormal-Mystery

2014

Grim Tidings


Amanda M. Lee - 2014
    Well, actually, she’s having a bad life -- not that she's complaining. Okay, she's totally complaining.After being laid off from her secretarial position, she has no choice but to join the family business, and now she’s a full-time grim reaper. That’s right. She collects and transfers souls to the hereafter.Cool, huh? Not quite.On the second day of her new job, Aisling (literally!) stumbles over a dead body that’s not on her list and the stakes are suddenly raised because, when a name isn’t on the list, that means someone stole it (and that's never a good thing). Aisling’s family, which consists of a tempestuous father and four overbearing older brothers, are hot on the case – but the answers they’re coming up with aren’t exactly soothing. It seems a contingent of wraiths have descended on the area, and they’re not just dangerous for unsuspecting souls and the general populace. The Grimlock family is at risk, too. If that weren’t bad enough, Aisling finds herself inexplicably drawn to Detective Griffin Taylor – the police officer who considers her a murder suspect. Oh, and she's a wraith-magnet -- although, truth be told, she's more interested in Detective Taylor. Aisling is determined to prove that she has what it takes to be a great reaper – even if it means risking her life and proving her father and brothers wrong when it comes to her competence level.When things finally become clear, will Aisling survive long enough to make things right? Or, will she fall prey to the wraiths and the individual controlling them?

Ice and Steel PEEPs 9.2


Alexie Aaron - 2014
    PEEPs Lite – More story, less filling. Some stories just need to be told; anyway, that’s what the voices in my head keep telling me. As I prepare for the next full length “Haunted Series” novel (available in the Spring of 2014), I can’t help wanting to tell you a couple stories in between. These novellas fall after “Something Old,” the ninth novel in the “Haunted Series.” I hope you enjoy them. Alexie AaronPEEPs Lite 9.2 “Ice and Steel:”Naomi Seeley woke at three am to a chorus of moans and screams coming from the walls of her posh condo. Was the plumbing protesting the brutal Chicago winter? Were the icicle-draped eaves moaning for spring? Or was Naomi’s past reaching out to hurt her?As a favor to Alan Jefferies (“The Garden”) Mia and Audrey step in to consult, and after one of the residents is attacked, they recommend that PEEPs do a full investigation. PEEPs barely get unpacked when one of the team is attacked. Whatever has permeated the steel of the building wants them and the residents to leave, but why?Join Mia, Murphy and PEEPs as they investigate what really is going on in the walls of the Uptown in the PEEPs lite novella 9.2 “Ice and Steel.”

Checking Out PEEPs Lite 9.1


Alexie Aaron - 2014
    PEEPs Lite – More story, less filling. Some stories just need to be told; anyway, that’s what the voices in my head keep telling me. As I prepare for the next full length “Haunted Series” novel (available in the Spring of 2014), I can’t help wanting to tell you a couple stories in between. These novellas fall after “Something Old” the ninth novel in the “Haunted Series.” I hope you enjoy them. Alexie Aaron PEEPs Lite 9.1 Checking Out: Are all rules made to be broken? And if so, what are the consequences? Burt has just broken his number one rule in paranormal investigating, never hunt alone, and he’s regretting it. The ghost hotel, the Dew Drop Inn, has been serving the lost travelers of southern Wisconsin for decades. It provides a bed and breakfast to the lost and weary traveler then disappears the next day never to be seen by the guests again. Burt has been interested in this urban legend for quite some time. He caught the scent of the fabled ghost inn and took off without out informing his fellow Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners, and now he’s missing. Fortunately, his obsessive method of tracking the B&B has left a trail of muffin crumbs for Mia, Murphy and the PEEPs team to follow. Will they find him in time or will Burt become a permanent guest of the hotel and not be checking out? Join the team as they investigate the Dew Drop Inn in the PEEPS Lite novella 9.1 “Checking Out.” Coming in February 2014 PEEPs Lite 9.2 “Ice and Steel.”

Tales Around the Jack O'Lantern: A Mary O'Reilly Short Story


Terri Reid - 2014
    Set ten years before Mary moves to Freeport, this novelette offers five unique ghost stories that will leave you checking over your shoulder just to make sure no one “uninvited” is in the room with you. Happy Halloween!

Vampire for Hire: First Eight Short Stories


J.R. Rain - 2014
    Rain. Included in this collection is Samantha Moon's Blog, and three bonus scenes."Teeth: Fang's Story" - What happens when a child is born with a rare throwback gene, a gene that produces two exceptionally long teeth?"Vampire Nights" - Samantha Moon meets someone unexpected on a late night trip to Denny's, someone who seems to know all her secrets and has all the answers."Vampire Dreams" - Samantha Moon sets out to find the answer to a mysterious, haunting dream...a dream in which sees a young woman die, over and over again. What she discovers, what she finds out about herself, will challenge everything she believes...and shed light on what she's becoming."Halloween Moon" - Samantha Moon is about to confront a monster of the worst kind—a killer who preys on the innocent. A killer who lives just down her street..."Vampire Gold" - Samantha Moon takes on a dead man's riddle...and soon finds herself on the hunt for real buried treasure."Blue Moon" - Samantha Moon is about to meet some very unexpected in a local Starbucks...someone who looks hauntingly familiar."Dark Side of the Moon" - Samantha Moon gets in touch with the creature inside of her and takes a trip beyond where she's ever gone before, deep into the revelations of her inner self, and into the black vastness of outer space. She risks everything to discover just how powerful she is, and finally connects with a deeper truth inside of her—a truth that will unlock something unexpected and powerful."Samantha Moon's Blog" - A vampire and mom writes her first blog...and reveals all.Also included are three bonus scenes/outtakes from AMERICAN VAMPIRE and VAMPIRE DAWN.

The Countenance Trilogy Boxed Set


Addison Moore - 2014
    The last thing Laken Stewart remembers is the oncoming car, then bursting through the windshield. Two months dissolve without her knowledge and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers who not only profess to know her but insist she’s someone else entirely. Laken discovers her long dead boyfriend, Wesley, has been thrown into this alternate world as well. He is quick to inform her she suffered a horrible fall and that her memory hasn’t fully returned. According to Wesley the other life she had—her name, her family, they were simply a side effect of her brain trauma. In her quest for answers she meets Cooper Flanders, the son of her psychiatrist who readily believes every word she says. Laken Stewart knows she died on that hot July afternoon, but now she’s alive—or is she?

A Haunting is Brewing


Juliet Blackwell - 2014
    But when a young man is killed after spending the night in the house, and the mannequins in the attic start to come to life, it’s clear that this is serious paranormal activity. Maybe this time, a real witch is needed.Recommended by a mutual friend, vintage clothes expert Lily Ivory arrives to offer her help with the mannequins. Armed with Lily’s spells and Mel’s know-how, the two women must figure out the cause of all of the ghostly commotion—before Mel’s renovation project turns into even more of a deadly haunt…Includes a preview of the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery, Keeper of the Castle.

Flashes: Tom


Tim O'Rourke - 2014
    Charley is still convinced that what she has seen in her flashes proves that Kerry's death was no accident but the work of a serial killer.

Flashes: Charley


Tim O'Rourke - 2014
    After the death of her best friend, Charley's flashes become more intense as she sees images of the murder of a teenage girl. But how will Charley ever convince Tom Henson, the new detective in the town of Marsh Bay, to believe she can help him solve the case? ** Part Two releases 1st May **

Flashes: Kerry Part Three


Tim O'Rourke - 2014
    Not only is Charley seeing the murder of Kerry Underwood in her mind, she's also receiving a series of haunting text messages from her. Can Kerry lead Charley to the killer from beyond the grave?

Closed at Dark


Rob Blackwell - 2014
    But can Soren save the boy in time?For Soren, the case is personal. The boy's father was John Townes, Soren's best friend who died in a supernatural attack several years earlier. Soren will do anything to save John's son, but he must act fast. Because the kidnapper has a mission of his own, and he's willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way...A prequel to the full-length novel The Forest of Forever, Closed at Dark is a self-contained novella that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves urban fantasy, mystery and suspense.

Kiss the Witch Goodbye: A Nick Gibson Novel


Lisa Olsen - 2014
    Nick Gibson and his pretty witch, Annaliese, as he tries to balance police work with premonition. Kiss the Witch Goodbye draws us into the gritty world of rock with a local band that's hit it big. But with fame comes misfortune, as someone is killing their fans and the evidence points to lead singer, Jax May. Ready to defend her old boyfriend with her last breath, Annaliese champions Jax's innocence - despite the fact that he's experiencing frightening blackouts and missing time. FBI Agent Natalie Fox is closer to the case than she'd like to let on, and does her best to convince Nick of the singer's guilt.Is Jax simply a local boy made good or a vicious killer? Will Nick choose cold hard facts or rely on his instincts to guide him to the truth? Will Annaliese be able to use her special talents to prove Jax innocent and find the real killer before it's too late? As more victims surface, the truth might be darker than either of them believe possible.Editorial ReviewAll our old favorites are back, Sergeant Nick Gibson and his team, Annaliese Cross and her witchy friends, and I especially enjoyed reading about how their relationships have deepened over the year since the first book took place. Nick's daughter Veronica stole every scene she was in, and it was great to see her getting involved in the case. We've also got some new characters, Special Agent Natalie Fox (or Special Agent Foxy as Nick likes to think of her) is there to cause a little trouble between Nick and Annaliese, barging her way into the investigation and his personal life with equal bluntness. As if that wasn't enough friction, Nick's also got to contend with Anna's ex - rock star Jax May who is "dark and dangerous, and very, very sexy", and just possibly a serial killer. With Agent Fox bending Nick's ear and Annaliese's devotion to her old friend, they find themselves on opposite sides of the investigation. Love them or hate them, they certainly muddy the waters of this murder mystery and kept me on my toes whenever I thought I had this one figured out. No one is what they appear to be, and there is a darker explanation for the murders than at first glance. As usual, Ms. Olsen delivers a taut crime procedural peppered with the supernatural, offering as much character development as she does drama. She's light handed with the magical touches, keeping it on the believable side rather than going for a lot of flash. This is another stand alone mystery, enough of the loose ends wrapped up to be satisfying, while leaving the door open for another in the series. You don't have to have read Pretty Witches All in a Row before you pick this one up, but there were definite spoilers to the first book in this one, so if you're going to read them both, best to start with that one first.

Darkly Wood


Max Power - 2014
     The book tells of supposedly terrible events which have occurred in the Wood that overlooks the village. What begins as an innocent stroll with her new admirer up by Darkly Wood soon turns into a nightmare for young Daisy, one from which it seems impossible to escape. The line between reality and fantasy soon begins to blur, as a fledgling love affair is tested in the most terrifying circumstances. Swept up in her emotions, the young girl soon discovers that while sometimes love is all you need, sometimes Love is not enough. There is something wrong up in Darkly Wood, and soon Daisy has to fight to save more than her life. This spine chilling love story builds momentum and maintains excitement and pace right to the astonishing and jaw dropping climax. Along the way stories from the book 'Tales of Darkly Wood' help reveal the strange truth behind the mysterious Wood high on the hill above Cranby. If you like a thrilling ride and enjoy storytelling at its best, Darkly Wood will keep you on the edge of your seat and lead you into a wonderful world of storytelling all at the same time.

Death's Dark Horse


Ruby Loren - 2014
     Her younger sister, Jo, has been spotted hanging around Witchwood’s vampire population and their parents are sure she’s getting herself into trouble. But when January tries to intervene, Jo gallops off in a cloud of dust. Literally. Now all she wants to do is play bass guitar, bake cakes, and find her sister again, but trouble always seems to find her. It’s probably something to do with her other job as a vampire slaying, bounty hunter. When January is instructed to kill someone a bit too close to her heart, will her feelings interfere with her ability to terminate her target?

Covens and Cocktails


Angie Fox - 2014
    Some Like It Hexed by Angie Fox Potions, parties and more. Demon Slayer Lizzie Brown expects the biker witches Halloween celebration to be crazy, but she doesn’t count on a recruitment event at the local senior center. Or dark forces brewing under the surface. When a witch is struck with a mysterious curse, Lizzie fears the party may be over for her and her friends. Ghosts in the Graveyard by Liz Schulte Katrina has been feeling a little lost lately. Her coven is falling apart, the guy she likes is more distant than ever, and she doesn’t feel overly connected with her magic anymore. With Halloween coming up, she desperately needs her friends, sans men, plus some direction in her life. Gathering the remaining coven members (with one addition), she is determined that they will forget their troubles, honor those that they have lost, and look to the future, but an uninvited guest has a different plan—one that could kill those she holds most dear. With the help of a handsome stranger dressed as Jack the Ripper, she will do everything in her power to save her friends and this night from ruin. Spirits of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase From New York Times bestselling author Deanna Chase, Spirits of Bourbon Street. It’s Halloween on Bourbon Street, and white witch Jade Calhoun is ready to party. But when a sexy spirit traps everyone in the past, she’s forced to forgo the cocktails in order to save those she loves...again Charmed and Dangerous by Rose Pressey Halloween LaVeau hopes that she can finally relax and have a good time at The Bubbling Cauldron's annual Halloween bash. Being the leader of the Underworld isn't as easy as Hallie thought. All the Enchantment Pointe witches have gathered for a night of treats, but no tricks. When Hallie's best friend Annabelle is accused of messing with another witch's magic, Hallie must conjure up her sleuthing skills before all of Enchantment Pointe falls under a spell gone wrong.

Freak Show


Patti Larsen - 2014
    With help from medical examiner Dr. Rachel Hunter, Gerri realizes this is no ordinary killing. While she might not want to call in over-eager anthropologist Dr. Kinsey DanAllart, the detective is forced to trust her friend's expertise in symbology, even though doing so means admitting "weird" things might be happening in Silver City. As the three friends unravel the mystery of the dancer's death, one thing is made absolutely apparent--something isn't right in their new hometown. And someone is doing everything they can to make sure the truth doesn't come out.In Silver City, sometimes friendship can be murder.Welcome to the first Nightshade Case, a series of twenty-one episodes in twenty-one weeks. Please note: this episodic series is based on the television show model, with screenwriting notations and shorter formats. There will be a complete mystery each week, with cliffhangers only occurring in the full season story line.

Whispers of War


Eric R. Asher - 2014
    While they all take place in the Vesik world, you'll find some of them aren't told from Damian's perspective. It was a lot of fun writing through another character's eyes. Working from different points of view really helped bring the world to life for me. You'll meet the Old Man, and the blood mage, Elizabeth, who plays a role in the events leading up to Destroyer Rising.-Whispers of War - A Vesik Short Story-Black Friday - A Vesik Short Story-Year's End - A Vesik Short Story-When Destiny Calls - A Vesik Novelettewww.ericrasher.com

Lost


Jami Brumfield - 2014
    In episode one, Cassie and her ghostly best friend, Abel, help a girl save her family from a jealous boyfriend. In the process her own family is destroyed. To make matters worse, her well-built stable world is turned upside down when secrets are revealed that affect her and Abe. Tragedy will strike again, and a savvy sexy detective notices an uncomfortable pattern with Cassandra O’Grady… people keep dying around her.In future episodes, Cassie will learn to better manage her ‘gift’, and with help from some unlikely sources her life will eventually become stable again, with small detours to help those souls stuck on earth pass on.

Mistletoe Meltdown


Rachel Rawlings - 2014
    Self proclaimed Scrooge, Maurin Kincaide accepts the challenge and tackles the yuletide with all the determination she would a Council task. But not everyone is brimming with holiday cheer. A blood coven threatens to bring the holiday festivities to an end. Can Maurin stop the dark magic before the clock strikes twelve, signaling the solstice?

Paranormal Keepers


Jen Naumann - 2014
    Or so I once thought.After a fateful night before my junior year that starts out as innocent goofing around with friends, strange shadows and mysterious noises seem to be everywhere and I’m starting to think something sinister was let into my life. When my boyfriend is brutally murdered, the police write it off as a freak accident, deciding my “strange” testimony is given under duress. I know whatever got to Gavin wasn’t human and I refuse to stop looking until I find his killer, even if it proves once and for all that there are monsters living among us.With the discovery that ghosts, mothmen, witches, vampires and all supernatural beings are real, Harper Young finds herself amidst a complex bundle of unseen heroes who call themselves “Keepers," sworn to protect the secrets of the paranormal creatures that walk this earth. As she tries to understand what’s so special about her that she’s able to break an old Keeper law and attend Guardare Academy, Harper has a baffling vision of kissing a mysterious guy before a blade is brought down on him. Before she can get a handle on her future, she becomes central to a battle between the questionable “heroes” and the evil she’s been training to fight, leaving her to wonder if there’s any way to change the fate that has been foretold before it’s too late.

Destiny


W.J. May - 2014
    May, C.M. Owens, Chrissy Peebles and Cheryl Davis.Book One: Rae of Hope by W.J. MayHow hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?Fifteen year-old Rae Kerrigan never really knew her family's history. Her mother and father died when she was young and it is only when she accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Guilder Boarding School in England that a mysterious family secret is revealed. Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter? As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.Book Two: Treasured Secrets by C.M. OwensHer blood paints her a target, whereas his marks him the enemy, but together they could be the key to changing it all…Aria Weislen fought hard to stay in her rainforest home deep in the heart of South America, but she was forced to go back to the states to join the rest of her family. Grayford, Massachusetts is almost the polar opposite of her sweet jungle escape, but it does have one thing her old home never offered… Tallis Verdan. The sight of him leaves her unbalanced and almost incoherent.Stolen glances and accidental grazes leave her with a fever almost every time. But his mixed signals get her high one second before leaving her to plummet the very next. In a world full of secrets, looks can be deceiving. Even her own reflection has been hiding the truth of what’s to come.It doesn’t take long to realize why Tallis sends her on such highs and lows. His blood, his ties, and his secrets rival hers. And when the reality Aria has known shatters to make way for the fantasy she never believed, it all spirals out of control.It’s her they want, but he’ll stand in the way…*Warning: This is book one of a four book series.*Book Three: Crush by Chrissy PeeblesHis precious touch could prove deadly…When Taylor Sparks moves from New York City to Big Bear Lake, California, her life is forever changed when she meets a hot guy with winter-blue eyes named Jesse. Their attraction is instant, the chemistry undeniable. But sadly, things aren't adding up. Taylor wonders what her 'crush' is hiding. When her new friend, Fred tells her his suspicions about Jesse being a paranormal creature, Taylor laughs. But when Fred turns up dead, she believes every warning he ever told her.Taylor is shocked to learn that Big Bear Lake isn't just glittering lakes, towering pines, and breathtaking mountains...there's more...way more than meets the eye.Will Taylor dive into a paranormal world she knows nothing about? To be with the one her heart can’t live without? Book Four: Destiny Begins by Cheryl DavisBefore twins, Cora and Viola, can fulfill the destiny that fate has laid out for them, Angelica and Thomas must overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of their mating.They’d met as young children and were pulled together then but fate kept them apart for years even though they attended the same schools all of their lives. With their parents hating each other and having forbidden them to even talk to each other, it’s a shock when they find out that destiny has chosen them to be together.

Midnight Desire


Shari Nichols - 2014
    Alex will stop at nothing to catch a killer, including recruiting notorious felon, Willow McCray, to work for the agency. While under his guard, the lines between duty and passion become blurred with the red-haired beauty. His penchant for justice and deep-seated hatred of witches makes a future together seem impossible.But he’s not ready to let her go. Now he’ll risk more than his badge to keep her alive.If only Willow can vanquish the evil surrounding them and give Alex what he wants—before she loses her heart and even her very soul in the process.

Dead Voices (A Bridgeton Park Cemetery Book)


Ophelia Julien - 2014
    Because although both Cassie and Michael are receiving messages, as young Aaron Jacoby says, Dead voices are hard to hear.

Eye of The Storm: Eilida's Tragedy


Elle Klass - 2014
    Her head and body covered in bloody gashes and fresh bruises. Sunshine forms an immediate interest and digs into her life. After learning her identity, Eilida, she pokes around her hometown where she is mistaken for Eilida. Soon Sunshine’s world crashes. Everything she loved begins to fade. She trades in her skirts and heels for jeans and sneakers. A ghost avails itself to her and a man with eyes dark as coal stalks her dreams and waking nightmares. Her fiancé worries as he can’t wrap his mind around her transformation yet refuses to let go. Time ticks down as their wedding date approaches on the anniversary of a day that changed Eilida’s life forever…