Book picks similar to
Hollow Pit by Tim O'Rourke


tim-o-rourke
werewolf
missed
mystery

Blood & Sawdust


Jason S. Ridler - 2012
    But nothing prepared him for Milkwood: a fat, ugly bastard who could take a beating like a government mule, but never, ever won. So when Malcolm risks his life to discover Milkwood's secret, he convinces the fighter to stop being a punching bag and to go for broke in the local tournament. Only problem? A beautiful woman called Lash who needs Milkwood for her own purposes, and a fouler creature on her heels known only as Dizzy Colt. But for Malcolm and Milkwood? Hell, it’s just another day of Blood and SawdustPRAISE FOR BLOOD AND SAWDUST!"With wicked, playful prose that blends the best of pulp with the supernatural, Jason Ridler’s Blood and Sawdust creates an unholy, hell-raising hybrid, the kind of tale Christopher Moore and Jim Thompson might swap after a long night of drinking, trying to one-up one another with acerbic absurdity." Joe Clifford, Author of CHOICE CUTS and JUNKIE LOVEPRAISE FOR THE WORK OF JASON RIDLER!"An exciting new writer." Lucius Shepard, multiple-award-winning author of HANDBOOK OF AMERICAN PRAYER. “Jason Ridler is kind of like a bull rider who’s tossed a saddle on a Tiger tank, and he’s riding that bucking sucker for all he’s worth, because, hey, no one told him that he couldn’t do it, did they? So here he is, the Man in the Barbed-Wire Straitjacket." Norman Partridge, Award Winning Author of DARK HARVEST. "Jason Ridler’s work is intense and taut, with incredible characters and plots that keep your mind buzzing long after you’ve reached the final page." Trent Zelazny, author of TOO LATE TO CALL TEXAS, and FRACTAL DESPONDENCY. ABOUT THE AUTHORJason S. Ridler is the author of BLOOD AND SAWDUST, the Spar Battersea thrillers (DEATH MATCH, CON JOB and DICE ROLL), the short story collection KNOCKOUTS, and has published over fifty stories in such magazines and anthologies as Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Brain Harvest, Chilling Tales, and more. His popular non-fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Dark Scribe, and the Internet Review of Science Fiction. A former punk rock musician and cemetery groundskeeper, Mr. Ridler holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. Visit him at twitter at http://twitter.com/JayRidler, Facebook ,http://www.facebook.com/Ridlerville, or his writing blog, Ridlerville, atwww.jsridler.com

Passion Awakened


Valerie Twombly - 2017
    The version Passion Awakened is no longer available.**She’s fated to break his curse. He’s destined to kill her.CURSEDWith his clan trapped and starving, vampire Andrei Vladimir will stop at nothing to save them. But an ancient curse compels him to waste precious time hunting the vile creatures he creates every time he feeds. With the clock ticking, he weaves a trap to lure the fated female who can save them all.FATEDSonia Covaci doesn’t believe her grandmother’s visions of the future. But when a purchased trinket brings dreams of a mysterious stranger, her small town American life threatens to spin out of control. Sensing he is in danger, she does the unthinkable and boards a plane for Romania.Sonia follows her fate. Andrei moves in for the sacrifice. Never did he imagine the female destined to break the curse would become the woman he couldn’t afford to lose.

Captured


S.J. Harper - 2014
    He’s a Werewolf. Their mission is redemption.Emma Monroe is a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now she works for the FBI and is on temporary assignment in Charleston. Solving this next missing persons case could be the key to ending her ancient curse—unless the temptation that’s her new partner gets in the way.Zack Armstrong is a Werewolf. Tall, dark, and dangerous, he currently works for one of the bureau’s elite Child Abduction Rapid Deployment teams. In many respects the man is every bit as mysterious as his secret and perilous past. But there are two things he’s certain about, that he’s going to get his man and his woman.When Zack finds himself suddenly shy a partner and a third child goes missing in Charleston, Emma goes from consultant to CARD team member in the space of a few hours. The abductions of the first two boys ended in murder, an outcome that neither Zack nor Emma can abide. As they race against time to track down the kidnapper and rescue the latest victim, they find themselves fighting something just as treacherous—a growing attraction that can’t be ignored or denied.

Wicked Werewolf Night


Lisa Renee Jones - 2011
    A werewolf after her pleasure.Nico Moore is the leader of of The Werewolf Society's elite Royal Guard. Aylia Richardson is the witch who calls to the beast in Nico, but destiny has also made her the keeper of a gift that threatens the very existence of his race. To destroy this gift will destroy this woman...the only one he has ever dared to call 'mate'.Note: This series is actually a continuation of characters and plotlines from the 'Vampire Warden' series; and is not a true beginning to a new series.

Living Covenant: The Complete Series


Amanda M. Lee - 2016
    From murderous professors to tan vampires and all of the wolves, witches and sphinxes they can shake Zoe’s magic fingers at along the way. They’ve survived it all. Now, five years after leaving Covenant College, Aric and Zoe are leading a quiet life hidden away from potential enemies and old friends. All of that changes when a familiar face from the past shows up needing help. Zoe and Aric are due for a change, and they’re going to get just that in this exciting new trilogy. Follow the most powerful mage in the land as she navigates the horrors of evil minds and power-hungry megalomaniacs – even as she tries to plan a wedding and secure her happily ever after. This three-book omnibus includes every installment of The Living Covenant Trilogy, including Rising Covenant, Dark Covenant and Eternal Covenant.

A Bit of Bite


Cynthia Eden - 2011
    But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.Originally part of an Entangled anthology.

Ready to Were


Robyn Peterman - 2014
    Ever.I was a top notch Were agent for the secret paranormal Council and happily living in Chicago where I had everything I needed – a gym membership, season tickets to the Cubs and Dwayne – my gay, Vampyre best friend. Going back now would mean facing the reason I’d left and I’d rather chew my own paw off than deal with Hank. Hank the Tank Wilson was the six foot three, obnoxious, egotistical, perfect-assed, best-sex-of-my-life, Werewolf who cheated on me and broke my heart. At the time, I did what any rational woman would do. I left in the middle of the night with a suitcase, big plans and enough money for a one-way bus ticket to freedom. I vowed to never return. But here I am, trying to wrap my head around what has happened to some missing Weres without wrapping my body around Hank. I hope I don’t have to eat my words and my paw.***This novella originally appeared in the Three Southern Beaches collection released July of 2014. This is an extended version of that story.

Christmas In Dark Moon Vale


Tessa Dawn - 2017
    Back Blurb Marquis Silivasi is an Ancient Master Warrior in the arcane house of Jadon: a clan of lethal vampires living in the Rocky Mountains. Known to be harsh, unyielding, and socially inept, he and his iron core yield to only one person--his destiny, Ciopori Demir. The beautiful, ancient princess can bend Marquis's will--and melt the vampire's heart--with nothing more than a crook of her finger. She owns the keys to his soul. Only this year, at Christmas, she has gone too far...She has meddled in vampire-human affairs.She has plotted behind Marquis's back.And she has disturbed his fragile peace by offering to host a Christmas Eve Gala at the couple's private estate, which is secluded for a reason...It is time to teach the female a lesson -- Marquis is still the master of his domain!A serene, picturesque valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains; an internal family squabble, boiling to the surface; and a Christmas Eve feast, hosted by creatures of the night who don't eat, can't cook, and rarely socialize with humans...What could go wrong?

Dancing


Laurell K. Hamilton - 2013
    But Anita isn’t exactly plain vanilla—and neither is her love life. So it takes a special kind of courage to attend a barbecue thrown by her friend Sergeant Zerbrowski. Walking into a backyard full of cops and their families with wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel both looking gorgeous on her arm won’t be easy, even with almost-four-year-old Matthew Vespucci to break the ice…Anita is determined to have a good time with her family, just like everyone else. But it doesn’t take long for tensions to rise among the adults and kids. And Anita will learn that gossip and innuendo can be just as dangerous as anything the undead can throw at her…Includes a preview of Affliction, the new Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novel.

Ancient Legends: The Complete Collection


Jayde Scott - 2012
    The attraction to her new boss, Aidan McAllister, is instant, sizzling. But sexy Aidan keeps some deadly secrets. He's a vampire with a dangerous past, and a strong craving for both Amber's blood and her ability of talking with the dead. But can she trust him with her life?In Book Two, Beelzebub Girl, fallen angel Cassandra wasn't supposed to fall in love with Dallas. Trouble is, she's Lucifer's daughter and Dallas is mortal, an easy target for her enemies who can destroy her by killing the mortal soulmate. But where Cass comes from, losing one's twin flame is a fate worse than death...Will chaos-loving Cassandra find a way to save herself and Dallas from a terrible curse with a revengeful killer wracking havoc in Hell in her quest to get the one thing half the paranormal world desires?In Book Three, Voodoo Kiss, Sofia Romanov won't stop until she finds out the truth about her sister's mysterious death. On a trip to Brazil, Sofia's powers as a voodoo priestess from a previous life are unleashed. Now someone's after her. Between trying to find out the truth, battling the affections of a striking demon, and bringing someone back from the dead, Sofia's task to save herself from trouble is easier said than done when her past is catching up with her.In Book Four, Dead And Beyond, Amber Reed is bestowed with the ability to see ghosts…not by choice though. When a friend disappears, the only person Amber can confide in is handsome Shadow warrior, Devon. But can she trust him when his race’s fate depends on finding the one thing Amber’s trying to protect?In Book Five, Forever And Beyond, an ancient legend tells the story of a mirror that was once shattered into four fragments. Amber Reed is a struggling necromancer on a mission: help vampire Aidan stop the prophecy and protect the innocents from the inevitable fate that will befall them should the wrong faction win. When bodies begin to pile up, Amber realizes she’ll have to be quick before everything she ever loved is taken from her forever…In Book Six, Shadow Blood, Amber Reed would have called herself an ordinary girl in an ordinary world…until she moves to Scotland and is pushed into a world she never knew existed by the sexy and daring McAllister brothers, unable to withstand its perils. Aidan McAllister, the irresistible leader of the Morganefaire brethren, has what he's always wanted: the girl of his dreams. His love for Amber is getting stronger, but for all his wants and needs, there’s a price to pay. As a mystery draws them deeper into the heart of an intricate organization ruled by shifting allegiances, Amber realizes she’ll have to choose between her one true love and doing the one thing she swore she’d never do: break the rules by taking someone’s life.BONUS: Rebecca’s Rising

Naked City


Ellen DatlowJohn Crowley - 2011
    In Jim Butcher’s ”Curses”, Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs. In Patricia Briggs’ “Fairy Gifts,”, a vampire is called home by magic to save the Fae who freed him from a dark curse. In Melissa Marr’s “Guns for the Dead”, the newly dead Frankie Lee seeks a job in the afterlife on the wrong side of the law. In Holly Black’s “Noble Rot”, a dying rock star discovers that the young woman who brings him food every day has some strange appetites of her own.Featuring original stories from 20 authors, this dark, captivating, fabulous, and fantastical collection is not to be missed!Contents:Curses / by Jim Butcher --How the pooka came to New York City / by Delia Sherman --On the slide / by Richard Bowes --The Duke of Riverside / by Ellen Kushner --Oblivion by Calvin Klein / by Christopher Fowler --Fairy gifts / by Patricia Briggs --Picking up the pieces / by Pat Cadigan --Underbridge / by Peter S. Beagle --Priced to sell / by Naomi Novik --The bricks of Gelecek / by Matthew Kressel --Weston walks / by Kit Reed --The projected girl/ by Lavie Tidhar --The way station / by Nathan Ballingrud --Guns for the dead / by Melissa Marr --And go like this / by John Crowley --Noble rot / by Holly Black --Daddy longlegs of the evening / by Jeffrey Ford --The skinny girl / by Lucius Shepard --The Colliers' Venus (1893) / by Caitlín R. Kiernan --King pole, gallows pole, bottle tree / by Elizabeth Bear.

Cursed


T.L. Brown - 2011
    The violent acts shroud the harbour town in mystery and fear. In a town where doors are left unlocked and everyone knows everyone else, Aimee James, the unlikeliest of them all, finds herself the next target. But as the stakes get higher and her body gets weaker, Aimee discovers there are worse things than dying. There is something called cursed. This is the YA version of The Devil's Roses.

Alejandro's Sorceress


Alyssa Day - 2014
     He's a warrior, hardened by years of protecting his town from vampire attack. She's a garden witch who sees the world in shades of sunshine and delight. Opposites don't only attract, they go supernova in this sizzling tale of magic and mayhem. [Author's note: this novella - 84 pages, 22,000 words -- was originally published in the Dark & Deadly: 8 Bad Boys of Paranormal boxed set, so if you have that one, you already have it. Thanks!]

Blood in Her Veins: Nineteen Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock


Faith Hunter - 2016
    Read about the first time Jane put the pedal to the metal in “The Early Years,” and the last thing a werewolf will ever see as Jane delivers justice in “Beneath a Bloody Moon.” Get a searing look into the pasts of some of the series’ best-loved characters: Beast in “WeSa and the Lumber King,” Rick LaFleur in “Cat Tats,” and Molly Everhart Trueblood in “Haints.”   In the brand-new “Cat Fight,” the witches and vampires of Bayou, Oiseau, are at war over a magical talisman—and Jane must figure out how to keep the mysterious artifact out of the covetous hands of the Master of New Orleans. And in the never-before-published “Bound No More,” Jane welcomes a visit from Molly and her daughter, Angie, who is about to prove she’s the most powerful witch in Everhart history....   From the Big Easy to the bad bayou, from the open road to a vampire’s lair—with Jane Yellowrock, it’s always a given: have stakes, will travel.   *New York Times Bestselling Author Kim Harrison

True Colors


Thea Harrison - 2011
    Preventing your possible murder? Even better.Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she's just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim. Product WarningsThis book contains a hot police detective, a violent murderer on the hunt, and a heroine that can blend in anywhere...