Checks off all the boxes on the “you should run far away” checklist. Best friend’s new stepbrother. Broody. Hot as sin. Mysterious past. Pissed off at the world. Everyone says he’s trouble. Parker even has the leather jacket for crying out loud. I can’t take my eyes off him, though. When he’s in the room, I can feel his gaze on me at all times, heating me from within. All I wanted to do was come home for the holidays and spend Christmas with friends and family, before I had to go out in the real world and put my degrees to use. We’re polar opposites. There’s no way it would ever work between us. But, the first time he touches me, and electricity blooms across my skin, I know one thing… All I want for Christmas is him.

    The remarkable reality of this wondrous character is not what you might expect: it is a perilous adventure full of the kinds of frightful and extraordinary things you read about in farfetched novels authored by dusty old professors with extremely vivid imaginations. The difference here is that this is not fantasy. Through an extensive, quite dangerous and very expensive venture I have catalogued all the details; thus it is in the following pages that I am able to present, quite faithfully, an accurate narrative of the birth and marvelous triumph of that indomitable spirit who has, through the ages, been the bearer of gifts and magic for young and old and who will always be the greatest champion of that most miraculous of holidays which happily never fails to fall on the 25th of December. Before I continue, however, I must provide a clear warning: the true story of Santa Claus is perilous, indeed. There are no frolicking reindeer, no jingling elves, no tidy ribbons or bows... Santa was a hero, and as such his tale is epic. So if you want to avoid being frightened nearly out of your wits then do not proceed. But if it is your wish, I respectfully give you the true story of Santa Claus.From internationally bestselling author B.C.CHASE comes an imaginatively fantastical take on the man in red featuring fiery dragons, swashbuckling swords, and of course elves. This not-to-be-missed tale of courage, determination, and selfless love has been critically acclaimed as an instant classic destined to be passed down for generations to come.This tale is allegorical in the spirit of The Chronicles of Narnia.

    he was gone. Lane has loved Pierce, her best friend's brother, since she was in braces and pigtails, but he never knew she was alive. For years she endured being treated like just another kid sister, all the while wishing she could catch his attention, but knowing it would never happen. Pierce was too cool, too mature, too... everything! It was no wonder he left their hometown behind and never came back. Pierce watched Lane grow up next to his sister, never thinking twice about her until one very specific Christmas, when his thoughts became anything but brotherly. Scared by his feelings, he stopped coming home, keeping himself away from temptation. But when Lane agrees to a blind date for a Christmas Ball, Pierce realizes this just might be his chance. Can the magic of the season and the power of mistletoe help him in his cause? Or have Lane's girlish fantasies been left in the past? If you enjoy quick, swoony romances, then this series is for you! "Mistletoe Magic" is the first in a series of short, sweet Christmas stories that are "All About the Mistletoe". Follow Lane and her friends as they find love where they least expect it. The books can be read in any order. Check out the rest in this heartwarming series: Mistletoe Magic Mistletoe Mayhem Mister Mistletoe Mistletoe Mistake Mistletoe Memories Mistletoe Maverick Other books by Laura Ann The Overnight Billionaire Bachelors Her Billionaire Boss Her Billionaire Chef Her Fake Billionaire Boyfriend Her Billionaire Gardener The Billionaire's Best Friend Middleton Prep (Contemporary Romance with a Fairy Tale Twist!) A Home for the Ugly Duckling The Librarian and Her Beast Ms. Cinder's Prince Waking Ms. Briar A Date for the Goose Girl Running from the Wolf Ms. Frogg's Hidden Billionaire Saving Ms. Gothel A Billionaire for Ms. Snow Goldilock's Misunderstood Billionaire

    And she has plenty of reasons to be hopeful, she’s going to marry the man of her dreams, Jack Stone, seven days after New Year’s Eve. However, as family secrets are revealed in hidden letters and two unexpected guests turn up on the doorstep, Jess is left wondering whether her life will ever be the same again. Can Jess and Jack still experience a peaceful festive season that they had imagined or are there some problems that even Christmas can’t fix?

    Lavery comes a collection of darkly mischievous stories based on classic fairy tales. Adapted from his beloved "Children's Stories Made Horrific" series, The Merry Spinster takes up the trademark wit that endeared Lavery to readers of both The Toast and his best-selling debut Texts from Jane Eyre. The feature become among the most popular on the site, with each entry bringing in tens of thousands of views, as the stories proved a perfect vehicle for Lavery’s eye for deconstruction and destabilization. Sinister and inviting, familiar and alien all at the same time, The Merry Spinster updates traditional children's stories and fairy tales with elements of psychological horror, emotional clarity, and a keen sense of feminist mischief.Readers of The Toast will instantly recognize Lavery's boisterous good humor and uber-nerd swagger: those new to Lavery's oeuvre will delight in his unique spin on fiction, where something a bit mischievous and unsettling is always at work just beneath the surface.Unfalteringly faithful to its beloved source material, The Merry Spinster also illuminates the unsuspected, and frequently, alarming emotional complexities at play in the stories we tell ourselves, and each other, as we tuck ourselves in for the night.Bedtime will never be the same.The daughter cells --The thankless child --Fear not: an incident log --The six boy-coffins --The rabbit --The merry spinster --The wedding party --Some of us had been threatening our friend Mr.Toad --Cast your bread upon the waters --The frog's princess --Good fences make good neighbors

    Werewolves. Vampires. Mummies. Satanic cults. Unspeakable cosmic horror. Andersen Prunty welcomes you to Twin Springs, Ohio, in his latest collection of horror stories.

    Cinders, Vanessa Craig, Tara Crescent, Eva Greer, Helen Karol, Ellie Masters, and Tess Summers prove this holiday season that being naughty can feel so nice. Miss Me, Baby by Ava Alise Holiday Tease by Golden Angel Rejoice by Aidy Award Quarterback in the Sack by S. Cinders The Office Christmas Party by Vanessa Craig Waiting for you by Tara Crescent Welcome to Submission by Eva Greer Cold Feet, Mistletoe, and Margaritas by Helen Karol Broken Pieces by Ellie Masters Christmas Desserts by Tess Summers Join us this holiday season giving back to those around us. All proceeds from this anthology will go directly to adult literacy.

    The question is: How do you stop something that you can't see? AN ANCIENT DISEASE re-emerges in the heart of New York City—a deadly bacteria that gave rise to the Black Death. Maggie De Luca, an epidemiologist who is fighting her own demons, works to uncover clues to contain the disease, but is always one step behind—her fate determined by the flip of a coin. Microbiologist Michael Harbinger believes he can make a vaccine that can stop the disease, but to do so would require an elusive plant that only grows in a remote region of the Amazon. With the help of J.D. Stallings, a paleoanthropologist, and Samantha Boutroux, a bacteriologist, they set out to find the plant that holds the key before the Red Death pandemic grips the world—or has the First Horseman of the Apocalypse, Plague, already opened the gates to our final annihilation? The mother of all plagues is back . . . Let the death toll begin . . . “RING AROUND THE ROSIE, POCKETS FULL OF POSIES, ASHES . . . ASHES . . . WE ALL FALL DOWN.” Praise for The Red Death"The Red Death is a bone chilling look at a worst case scenario plague outbreak. You’ll want to keep some hand sanitizer and a medical mask nearby as you enjoy this pandemic medical thriller." --Jennifer Jackson, Indiestoday.com*"It is a story that is chilling because of how easily we could see this happening today. Excellent read." -- Terri, Mayhem and Magic*"The Red Death is a thrilling tale of a deadly pandemic. Recommended." --Robert D. Yee, Monster Librarian*"What scared me the most about this book was that it could happen in real life. There is always a threat of a pandemic sweeping the country and then the world — scary stuff." --Jolie, Read With Me *What Amazon reviewers are saying:*"Even better than the first part of The Stand." *"Gripping"*"This is the best pandemic novel I have ever read."*"A very plausible story line! SCARY!"* "Read this, you won't be disappointed."*"It was hard to put down." --Amazon.co.uk reader*"Loved every minute of it."*"That the book is extremely well structured only adds to the intensity."*"This book had engaging characters, lots of action and a good plot."*"The characters were believable." --Amazon.co.uk reader*"I will be looking out for more by this author."*"...expertly written characters and a story structure that keeps the reader on edge."*"If you like books of this genre I am sure you will enjoy this one."*"...being invested in the characters and wanting them to live is what drives a lot of the reader's drive to keep going to the next chapter."*"Pulls you into a story of people, and life. ."*"The first instances of the spread of the disease were unusual and gave the start of the book a slightly different twist." --Amazon.co.uk reader*"...Birgitte Märgen is able to write each person with a distinct voice and personality so no two people feel the same; no matter how long the reader spends with that individual." * Plague, Medical Thriller, Pandemic, Thriller, Fiction, Medical Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Action & Adventure

    Arriving in Pineford, it’s everything she’d ever hoped for and more.But she’s in for another surprise, because Thomas has left her with one last request: if she completes his Christmas wish list of festive activities, her chosen charity will receive a big donation. Or so Sharmila thinks.…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacyLittle does she know, she’s set to inherit Thomas’s estate too, much to his nephew Zach’s disbelief. Determined not to see his family’s legacy left to a stranger, he’s come to Pineford to do whatever it takes to stop Sharmila from fulfilling that list.When Sharmila and Zach meet, neither are prepared for sparks to fly. For Sharmila’s sworn off love, and Zach doesn’t trust her. But with every passing wish they find themselves growing closer. And amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, Sharmila can feel her heart opening up to Zach. But when she learns he’s been keeping a secret from her, can Sharmila forgive him and get the happy-ever-after she’s always wished for this Christmas?

    Do you love Unexplained, cryptic, and intriguing & mysteries? Why was a man found in the same spot he disappeared, but 4 years later, with a hole in his head that no surgeons could explain, and what did this have to do with a séance, doppelgangers, and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln? Why did a man write the Fibonacci sequence as a clue and tell a stranger he was “Looking for the Beast,” before he disappeared in the barren plains of a desert? Why did five boys run from their car into the snowy wilderness, to certain death, yet not try to save themselves, at all? They found food but did not eat it. What were they running from? And why? Who are Hecate? And what did they have to do with people disappearing in the countryside of England? How did an introverted lady die on the top of an ancient fairy mound, on a remote island: her face locked in an expression of terror? Why did a man die of fright atop a coal pile after disappearing for days, and why could no scientists identify the strange ointment found on his body? Where had he been? And what had happened to him? How could a man be found after a plane crash, lying on a moor, with no injuries at all; yet his body had not been there when the plane had crashed and searchers had combed the area multiple times looking for him. Also featuring an in-depth investigation into the strange death of Elisa Lam, found dead in a water tower on the top of a hotel roof in LA. Who were the two men who came to see her, and what was in the mystery box they gave her?  Steph Young has appeared on national radio shows and podcast including the UK's The Unexplained, and Coast to Coast Am, talking about many of these mysteries of the Unexplained, which are her passion... These stories are some of the most intriguing, enigmatic, and ultimately unfathomable & unexplained true tales I have ever come across and they continue to fascinate and completely puzzle me. Join me for some true tales of Unexplained mysteries of the most cryptic kind. In this book are strange and baffling true stories of unexplained mysteries, and the cast of characters who star in them. Stories of unexplained mysteries that yearn to be solved. All of these strange and curious stories, I have written about over the last six years, across a number of my previous books. They continue to intrigue me, and while some of my readers may be familiar with some of these cryptic tales, there are many who are not, and I present them once more, in longer and far more extended format, with deeper delving into the strange and mysterious events and the central characters who feature in them, caught in the whirlwind of these strange unexplained mysteries… which still have yet to be solved.

    But after a year of searching, he has given up hope of finding the right woman. Anticipating a quiet Christmas with his mother, Roland is frustrated to learn she has organized an entire house party to help him find a bride. Cassandra Bell arrives for the house party with her twin sister Vivian, who has set her heart on winning a proposal from the eligible Mr. Hastings. But when Vivian grows ill, she begs Cassie to switch places with her and keep the other conniving ladies away from Mr. Hastings. Cassie reluctantly takes on the role of her poised and proper twin, but things become much more complicated when Roland begins to take an interest in the spunky and unconventional Cassie...PROMISE ME AGAIN by Annette LyonSecret wedding plans. A powerful brother who will go to any lengths to stop them. Can love truly conquer all? Miriam and Jacob have loved each other for as long as they can remember. They want to wed, but Jacob's older brother Norman forbids it. Deciding to do so secretly without his blessing, Miriam and Jacob make plans to marry on Christmas Eve at a church several hours’ journey away. Despite their efforts, Norman’s long reach finds them. Miriam’s love is tested to the very limit when she is forced into a devil’s bargain with him. She agrees only to spare Jacob pain, but can their hearts find their way back to each other no matter what—or who—stands in their way?A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Jennifer MooreThe war is over, but Lucy Breckenridge’s plans for a perfect Christmas are ruined when Captain James Stewart brings news that her father will not return in time for the holiday. Determined to not miss yet another Christmas with her father, Lucy starts on a journey for London with her trusty maid and manservant. Learning they have gone, James follows, hoping to stop her before she discovers the true reason for Colonel Breckenridge’s absence. Along the way, the two join in local holiday celebrations and learn that families have flaws, friendship requires trust, and Christmas traditions can be created in the most unexpected places.

    However, most of the individual stories will be released separately. **Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors each bring you a sexy night of romance, fun and a little magic. ‘Tis the season for falling for the right guy!Two people stuck in an elevator, snowed in, on an all-night bus trip, locked in a store... Can a magical fruitcake be the special ingredient they're all looking for? **‘Tis the season for giving, too!**20% of the proceeds will be donated to the hunger relief organization Feeding America December 25: “Scrooge You” by MK SchillerChristmas is the worse time of the year for Eva. It’s nothing but a reminder of her tragic past. To make matters worse, her boyfriend invites his entire family over…so she goes into total Scrooge mode.When three ghosts visit her, will she be able to remember the joy in her heart and the true meaning of Christmas?December 26: “Unexpected Daddy” by Gemma BrocatoShe let him go to pursue his dreams without telling him she was pregnant. Five years later, he’s back in town and her secret’s out. Can they get over past hurts to seize a future for their small family?December 27: “The Meant to Be Girl” by Tawdra KandleWhen Ashley Webbar meets Zane Fletcher, the new lawyer in Burton, it's insta-lust . . . but she soon realizes he's already smitten with someone else, even if Zane himself doesn't seem to know it.Ashley is so busy matchmaking that she might miss out on her own happily-ever-after . . . if something or someone doesn't intervene first. This just might call for a Christmas miracle.December 28: “For One Night Only” by Carrie ElksWhen two strangers are stranded at a rest stop in the middle of Nowheresville—thank you, Mr. Bus Driver—they’re forced to spend the night together. Not that it’s exactly a hardship, thanks to the sizzling chemistry between them. But when morning, and rescue, comes, they both find themselves asking one question. Will they see each other again, or was their connection for one night only?December 29: “Best Friends for a Night” by Alice GainesEvery year, Steve has been cheering up his army buddy’s widow with popcorn and zany movies on the anniversary of her husband’s death. Will a little holiday magic make Steve and Hannah more than friends?December 30: “Entwined” by Kristi RoseDonovan survived combat, but can he survive being stranded over Christmas with the girl of his dreams? He swore he’d stay away from his best friend’s kid sister years ago, but after a near-death helicopter crash, this sailor knows second chances don't come around often. Loving Bailey would mean risking not only his friendship but his heart. And that would be one wound that would never heal.December 31: “Rekindled” by Stacy FinzThe last place Branna and Drex want to spend New Year’s Eve is stuck on a broken-down elevator, together. They’ve finally put their divorce behind them and don’t want to open old wounds. But fate and a fruitcake step in, making them question whether love could be better the second time around. January 1: “New Year’s Negotiation” by Kate AllentonWhen Detective Elizabeth Cross’s high school crush and star of all of her what-ifs shows up at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve ready to take her on a trip down memory lane, she’ll have to decide if this is a second chance at having her happily ever after or the start of another broken heart.January 2: “Playing House” by Kim GoldenCassie Delk isn’t having the best holiday season. With her ex-husband about to get remarried, she’s not very excited about still being single. The last thing she expects is for a second chance at love to turn up on her doorstep.January 3: “Book of Love” by Cd BrennanHey, wait a minute, Mr. Postman! Where's your Christmas spirit?Nothing infuriates Melanie more than the one-armed, ex-army hunk who chucks her mail at her book shop door. When Nick delivers a special package at the end of the day, she's ready to give him what for. Except a blizzard strands them together, and the fruitcake delivery sparks magic between them instead. Now, Melanie isn't sure what she wants to give him—a piece of her mind or all of her heart.January 4: “A Winter Wonderland” by Rebecca HunterComing face-to-face with her first love after ten years is a reminder of everything Selena left behind when she moved from Delilah’s Cove. And an evening with Jace is even more dangerous when mixed with a little magic… January 5: “Wild Honey” by Sarah HeggerTwo people who couldn’t be more different. One elevator, a dark and stormy night, and a magical, bourbon-laced fruitcake. What could go right?

    Nestle down for a joyride of unparalleled mistletoe mischief as multiple award-winning author Kat Bastion unveils five brand-new multicultural romantic comedies in… Half-baked Holidays.Delicious chaos as romance and yuletide collide.Family chaos erupts as former high school crushes toss mischief into their first Christmas in… So NOT a Silent Night A sweet volunteer bedecks herself in Christmas trimmings to lure a dreamy firefighter in… Enticing Wrapper Number 9 A Wharton MBAer ditches her trying family for a spontaneous Hawaiian yoga instructor in… Give Me a Christmas Break Two daring college students engage in breaking and entering—a personal baking contest—in… Half-baked Holiday When besties con their way into the ultimate party, a law student finds herself caught in… Billionaire Bash New Year’s Crash Half-baked Holidays: A Romantic Comedy Holiday Collection, five original romantic comedies…So NOT a Silent NightEnticing Wrapper Number 9Give Me a Christmas BreakHalf-baked HolidayBillionaire Bash New Year’s Crash

    . . All Hallows’ Eve . . . Samhain . . . Día de los Muertos . . . the Day the Dead Come Back . . . When the barriers between the worlds are at their weakest—when ghosts, goblins, and grisly things can cross over into our dimension—then for a single night each year the natural becomes the supernatural, the normal becomes the paranormal, and nobody is safe from their most intimate and terrifying fears.The Mammoth Book of Halloween Stories brings you a dark feast of frightening fiction by some of the most successful and respected horror writers working today, including Ramsey Campbell, Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Helen Marshall, Richard Christian Matheson, Robert Shearman, Robert Silverberg, Angela Slatter, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many more, along with a very special contribution by award-winning poet Jane Yolen. Here you will encounter witches, ghosts, monsters, psychos, demonic nuns, and even Death himself in this spooky selection of stories set on the night when evil walks the earth . . .

    With themes reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, Thomas Ligotti, and Bruno Schulz, but with a strikingly unique vision, Padgett's work explores the mystery of human suffering, the agony of personal existence, and the ghastly means by which someone might achieve salvation from both. A bullied child seeks vengeance within a bed's hollow box spring. A lucid dreamer is haunted by an impossible house. A dummy reveals its own anatomy in 20 simple steps. A stuttering librarian holds the key to a mill town's unspeakable secrets. A commuter's worldview is shattered by two words printed on a cardboard sign. An aspiring ventriloquist spends a little too much time looking at himself in a mirror. And a presence speaks through them all. Contents: Introduction by Matt Cardin The Mindfulness of Horror Practice Murmurs of a Voice Foreknown The Indoor Swamp Origami Dreams 20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism Infusorium Organ Void The Secret of VentriloquismEscape to Thin Mountain