Growing up under the watchful eye of the hateful Matrons is hard for spirited, feisty Hetty, but she lives in hope that she'll find her real family one day, and have a real home.These three inventive, gripping and moving tales from one of our most beloved storytellers have captured the hearts of thousands of young readers. Follow Hetty as she leaves the Hospital, seeks work as a servant girl, searches for her mother and father, and finally decides where her future lies . . .

    Four Sensual Stories. Four Page Turners.FOREVER WICKED: A Wicked Lovers Novella by Shayla Black: Billionaire Jason Denning and Gia Angelotti had nothing in common but a desperate passion... Until a second chance proved that forever could be theirs.CRIMSON TWILIGHT: A Krewe of Hunters Novella by Heather Graham: Jane Everett and Sloan Trent must find the truth behind a murder—and the secrets of the living and the dead—before they find themselves bound for eternity in the darkness of a historical wrong and their own brutal deaths.CAPTURED IN SURRENDER: A MacKenzie Family Novella by Liliana Hart: Bounty Hunter Naya Blade never thought she’d step foot in Surrender, Montana, again. Especially since there’s a warrant out for her arrest. But when Deputy Lane Greyson puts his wits—and cuffs—to good use, can he convince her that true love really does exist?SILENT BITE: A Scanguards Wedding (A Scanguards Vampire Novella) by Tina Folsom: Newbie vampire Oliver Ralston and Ursula Tseng are finally tying the knot. But in the midst of all the chaos, a stalker lurks and threatens to tear them apart, causing Oliver to risk everything to marry the woman he loves.Every Dark Nights tale is breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic.

    

    In Heart of the Highland Wolf a modern werewolf laird and a beautiful red female werewolf enter into an intrigue involving the laird's secretive clan, an ancient relic, and a romance novel. Has this wiley female met her perfect hero? In A Howl for a Highlander the driven Duncan MacNeill has left his highland home to chase a thief into a tropical paradise. When he meets lone wolf and botanist Shelley Campbell on Grand Cayman Island, he'll discover just how tempting paradise can be.Scottish Cearnach MacNeill and sexy little American werewolf Elaine Hawthorn collide, quite literally, on a foggy Highland road in A Highland Werewolf Wedding. Now they're stuck with each other while they wait for help to arrive, and it's going to be a delightful, steamy and devilishly funny wait.She's never been to Scotland, but when werewolf Colleen Playfair learns she must spend a year and a day in the highlands learning to manage her new estate, she's up for the challenge. But she did count on the stubborn Grant MacQuarrie whose clan has been managing the castle for the last three centuries and will do anything it takes, including taking Colleen to bed, to convince her that nothing needs to change in A Hero of a Highland Wolf."Spear combines captivating characters, gripping mysteries, and all-consuming love stories." -Fresh Fiction"With just enough wolf detail and werewolf lore, this action-packed story crackles with mystery, adventure, violence, and passion." -Library Journal"Romance, adventure, and a paranormal twist...If you like your werewolf stories with a bit of a bite, then pick this series up now." -Night Owl Romance (Reviewer Top Pick)

    Discover courageous characters fighting for justice and order. Journey between kingdoms of dragons and lands of anarchy as tales of magic and mayhem unfold.

    Over 2000 pages of awesome reading! Her blood is fire…and she’s going to burn the whole place down... Amber’s life on the Fringe is simple. Serve those above her, keep her highly unpopular opinions to herself, and above all…don’t stir things up. Unfortunately, for a girl with fire in her blood, that’s not easy. On the day of Collection, when all towns across the Fringe give tribute to those they serve, Amber’s world turns upside down. A dark secret from her past is revealed, and her sister taken into a life of slavery. Suddenly, Amber finds herself setting off on a perilous journey she never anticipated, venturing to the heart of the ruling city of Olympus with her best friend, Jude, to get her sister back. Facing great odds, and men and women of strange and mystical power, Amber must quickly adapt to survive. And, more importantly, save those she loves. Will she succeed in reuniting her family, or fall into darkness? The Chosen is set within a dystopian future that is unlike anything you’ve read before. Prepare to lose yourself in a fantastical world where nothing is quite as it seems. Included in this collection: 1. The Chosen 2. Trial of the Chosen 3. Blood of the Chosen 4. March of the Chosen 5. War of the Chosen 6. Fall of the Chosen 7. Rise of the Chosen 8. Fate of the Chosen

    Whether fictionalizing his dramatic exploits as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II or concocting the ingeniously plotted fables that were dramatized on television as Tales of the Unexpected, Dahl was brilliant at provoking in his readers the overwhelming desire to know what happens next—and at satisfying that desire in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable.In this collection:-A Fine Son-Death of an Old Man-Parson’s Pleasure-Poison-The Hitch-Hiker-The Wish-Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat-Dip in the Pool-The Landlady-Skin-Lamb to the Slaughter-Man from the South-The Way Up to Heavan-The Umbrella Man-Taste-The Swan-William and MaryFilled with devilish plot twists, his tales display a tantalizing blend of macabre humor and the absurdly grotesque. Dahl’s creations amuse and shock us in equal measure, gleefully reminding us of what might lurk beneath the surface of the ordinary.

    D. Robb Celebrity in Death Her career in homicide has taken her into the darkest depths of New York City’s underground—and sometimes Lieutenant Eve Dallas feels more comfortable in those kinds of places than in the high-rise, high-society world of her billionaire husband, Roarke.But while she’s no party girl, she’s managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating the debut of The Icove Agenda. This time it’s Eve, not Roarke, who’s a guest of honor, since the film is based on one of her famous cases. Her partner, Peabody, is practically giddy over rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty. Eve, on the other hand, is more likely to roll her eyes than have stars in them. But she has to admit it’s a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin.Not as unsettling, though, as seeing K. T. Harris, the actress who plays Peabody—drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director’s luxury building. Talented but rude, and widely disliked, K.T. had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. She clearly liked being the center of attention. Now she’s at the center of a crime scene—and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop. Delusion in Death It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks, complained about the boss, maybe hooked up with someone for the night. Until something went terribly wrong.At first it was just a friction in the air. The noise intensified. The crowd seemed oppressive. Some sharp words were exchanged, some pushing and shoving. Then the madness descended. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things—monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics makes its report, the mass delusions make more sense: it appears the bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive people into temporary insanity—if not kill them outright. But that doesn’t explain who would unleash such horror—or why. Eve’s husband, Roarke, happens to own the bar, yet he’s convinced the attack wasn’t directed at him. It’s bigger than that.And if Eve can’t figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it’s airborne....

     And yet, there is an attraction, undeniable, to the vampire archetype, whether the pale European count, impeccably dressed and coldly masculine, yet strangely ambiguous, ready to sink his sharp teeth deep into his victims' necks, draining or converting them, or the vamp, the count's feminine counterpart, villain and victim in one, using her wiles and icy sexuality to corrupt man and woman alike... Edited and introduced by acclaimed anthologist John Joseph Adams (Wastelands, The Living Dead), By Blood We Live gathers together the best vampire literature from the preceding three decades, authored by many of today's most renowned writers of fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror. Contents: (Author, title (type, year of first publication, beginning page in print edition))01 - Neil Gaiman, Snow, Glass, Apples (short story, 1995, p3)02 - Anne Rice, The Master of Rampling Gate (novelette, 1984, p13)03 - Harry Turtledove, Under St. Peter's (novelette, 2007, p33)04 - Tad Williams, Child of an Ancient City (novelette, 1988, p43)05 - Michael A. Burstein, Lifeblood (novelette, 2003, p75)06 - Barbara Roden, Endless Night (short story, 2008, p88)07 - Garth Nix, Infestation (novelette, 2008, p106)08 - Carrie Vaughn, Life Is the Teacher (short story, 2008, p120)09 - Nancy Kilpatrick, The Vechi Barbat (short story, 2007, p134)10 - Kristine Kathryn Rusch, The Beautiful, The Damned (short story, 1995, p148) 11 - David Wellington, Pinecones (short story, 2006, p161)12 - Norman Partridge, Do Not Hasten to Bid Me Adieu (novelette, 1994, p165)13 - Sergei Lukyanenko, Foxtrot at High Noon (short story, 2008, p180)14 - Michael Marshall Smith, This Is Now (short story, 2004, p189)15 - Nancy Holder, Blood Gothic (short story, 1985, p199)16 - Jane Yolen, Mama Gone (short story, 1991, p204)17 - Joe Hill, Abraham's Boys (short story, 2004, p209)18 - Tanith Lee, Nunc Dimittis (novelette, 1983, p224)19 - Gabriela Lee, Hunger (short story, 2007, p240)20 - Caitlín R. Kiernan, Ode to Edvard Munch (short story, 2006, p250)21 - L.A. Banks, Finders Keepers (short story, 2008, p256)22 - Brian Stableford, After the Stone Age (short story, 2004, p275)23 - Kevin J. Anderson, Much at Stake (short story, 1991, p286)24 - Elizabeth Bear, House of the Rising Sun (short story, 2005, p297)25 - Lilith Saintcrow, A Stand-Up Dame (short story, 2008, p302)26 - Kelley Armstrong, Twilight (novelette, 2007, p316)27 - Eric Van Lustbader, In Darkness, Angels (novelette, 1983, p333)28 - Barbara Hambly, Sunrise on Running Water (novelette, 2007, p355)29 - Bruce McAllister, Hit (short story, 2008, p372)30 - Ken MacLeod, Undead Again (short story, 2005, p385)31 - Robert J. Sawyer, Peking Man (short story, 1996, p388)32 - Ben Lumley, Necros (short story, 1986, p396)33 - Catherynne M. Valente, Exsanguinations: A Handbook for the Educated Vampire by Anna S. Oppenhagen-Petrescu (short story, 2005, p409)34 - Charles Coleman Finlay, Lucy, In Her Splendor (short story, 2003, p415)35 - John Langan, The Wide, Carnivorous Sky (short story, 2009, p426)36 - Stephen King, One for the Road (short story, 1977, p464)37 - Ross E. Lockhart, For Further Reading (By Blood We Live) (essay, 2008, p477)

    After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

    It's been ten years since he left the woman he loved behind to make a name for himself, and now he's bound and determined to claim her once and for all. But Charlotte Munroe has no desire to welcome home the Prodigal Son with a fatted calf. The bitterness of Dane's betrayal runs deep, and she has no plans of letting him back into her life. Especially since she's trying to protect the son Dane isn't aware exists from heartbreak, since she's sure he's only going to walk out of their lives again. THOMAS Cat Randolph is the best cat burglar in the world. But when a job goes wrong and she's shot, it's Doctor Thomas MacKenzie that comes to her rescue. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder to keep secrets when you're risking the life of someone you love. Thomas MacKenzie knows Cat is keeping secrets, but getting her to trust him with them is a slow and steady process. But time isn't on his side. Convincing Cat to stay in Surrender, Montana is harder than he could have imagined. He just has to make sure that their lovemaking is more addictive than the adrenaline rush she craves. RILEY Riley MacKenzie is one of the world's leading experts on Egyptian artifacts. But when Maggie Lawrence walks into his life with a priceless stolen artifact and bad guys on her trail, he has no choice but to whisk her away to the safety of Surrender, Montana. Maggie Lawrence takes one look at Riley MacKenzie and sees everything she's ever craved and always avoided when it comes to men: Adventure. And she knows it's only a matter of time before she falls prey to his seduction, especially since she's trapped with him during one of the worst snowstorms Montana has seen in years. But when the enemy finds them, Maggie's confronted with a past that could destroy her love for Riley forever. COOPER Claire Drexel has loved Cooper MacKenzie since she was fourteen years old. But being ten years older, he's never seen her as anything more than a kid sister. So she decides to take matters into her own hands. It's not a secret that Cooper is a heavy player in the BDSM scene, and Claire decides what Cooper needs is the perfect bottom to his top. Only she gets more than she bargains for. Cooper MacKenzie can't believe his eyes when he sees little Claire Drexel sitting on the lap of one of the most dangerous men he's ever met. The fool. She's just walked into the middle of a drug investigation at one of the premier BDSM clubs in the state, and one wrong move could blow the cover he's been developing for the past three years. He has no choice but to intercede and claim her as his own, but facing the consequences of his actions might be more than even he's bargained for. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Grant MacKenzie is ready to settle down and start a family. The only problem is the one woman he's interested in doesn't seem to be ready for the long haul. But fate lends Grant a helping hand in getting exactly what he wants under his Christmas tree.

    Winston K. Marks (1915-1979) is one such unjustly forgotten author.Included here are 12 science fiction stories, published between 1953 and 1959, representing some of his best work:THE WATER EATER (1953)UNBEGOTTEN CHILD (1953)…SO THEY BAKED A CAKE (1954)BACKLASH (1954)TABBY (1954)BREEDER REACTION (1954)FORSYTE'S RETREAT (1954)MATE IN TWO MOVES (1954)THE TEST COLONY (1954)BROWN JOHN’S BODY (1955)THE MIND DIGGER (1958)THE DEADLY DAUGHTERS (1958)If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the more than 100 other entries in the series, covering science fiction, modern authors, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!

    No matter what your age, you'll love reading excerpts from these buzzed-about books: Delirium: The Special Edition by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, The Selection by Kiera Cass, and Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley. For the teen in all of us—a collection of fabulous reads.

    Jonah failed to protect his brother and now lives with unbearable guilt. Ryan is handsome and creative on the outside but the victim of a decades-old secret he doesn’t even know he’s hiding.And their women...Jade seeks refuge at her best friend’s ranch to escape the humiliation of being left at the altar. Melanie is a beautiful and brilliant psychiatrist but is shattered over a patient’s suicide. Ruby is a strong police detective determined to bring the most heinous criminal she knows—her own father—to justice.

    Bite into this collection of shifter romance stories of desire, seduction and true mate love by NY Times, USA Today and national bestselling authors.Cyrus - Kenzie CoxCyrus Doucet used to be the bad boy, the one all the girls wanted...all of them except one, the girl next door. Claire Erickson's always been the good girl. But now she's in trouble and the only person she can turn to is her outlaw neighbor.Forbidden Bear - Harmony RainesJoel has met more than his mate. Mia is most certainly his match too, the way she handles her bike, and that skin tight leather catsuit, what more could a bear want? Even if she is a wolf!Cross - Elle ThorneA former Shifter Council Enforcer hell-bent on being left alone finds his plans go to hell in a hand basket when he has to help a curvy spitfire on the run from the mob.Andre - V. VaughnNessa has no interest in the broody bass player, Andre, until he opens his mouth to sing with her. When she helps him write the song of their hearts, she discovers their love is more than beautiful music, but Andre's a polar bear shifter and the only way to be with him is to change. Forever.The Billionaire Shifter's Virgin Mate - Diana SeereHe's a wealthy playboy bear shifter with an enormous appetite for women. She's a virginal pre-med student with no time for nonsense. And then they hear The Beat, an old myth about fated mates that Derry can't believe...but can't ignore.Bait This! - Tasha BlackBillionaire bear Derek Harkness is always in control. Until he meets a curvy witch who takes him out of his element. When the you-know-what hits the fan, Derek and Hedda will have to work together if they want to get out of Copper Creek alive.Damage Report - Mandy M. RothWeston just wants to return to his solitary life off the grid where he can drop off the radar of those looking to kill him. Then news reaches him of a woman in danger and he can't help but rescue the damsel in distress, especially since she is his future. But it's been too long since he's seen to his manly needs, and way too long without shifting, so one small stop on the way shouldn't interfere with fate too much, right?Tempt me Cowbear - Liv BrywoodRecent divorcee Donna is on a mission to indulge in each of the seven deadly sins, beginning with a trip to the Curvy Bear Ranch's cooking class. She gets more than she bargained for when she finds Brody, a sexy cowboy with a scorching hot body. Brody thinks the curvy blonde bombshell, his bear insists is their mate, is totally wrong with her filthy rich, self-absorbed seductive ways. They both have to decide if their recipe for love is worth a chance.