Book picks similar to
Blood Ties by M.D. Massey


urban-fantasy
fantasy
magic
junkyard-druid

Flashback: The Morrigan


James A. Hunter - 2016
     Yancy Lazarus—bluesman, gambler, mage, and professional fix-it man—has been working for the Guild of the Staff for over twenty-five years. Handling ugly problems no one else wants to touch. Mostly by breaking things, blowing ’em up, or otherwise meting out Guild-sanctioned justice, Rambo-style. His next assignment will be his last. A Guild operative, with a headful of dangerous secrets, has gone missing inside the court of the High Tuatha De Danann: ye olde Irish gods of badassery. Yancy—along with fellow wet-works man James Sullivan and Judge Ailia Levchenko—is dispatched to retrieve the missing operative or, barring that, make the perpetrators behind the operative’s disappearance pay a steep, bloody price for crossing the Guild. But with pissed-off godlings gunning for him on every side, a little kidnapping might be the least of Yancy’s worries. The Guild investigators are gonna have to navigate the murky waters of court politics, ferret out a traitor, and devise a way to put the kibosh on an inter-dimensional invasion if they want to avoid being murdered horribly. And even if they do get to the bottom of the diabolical mystery, nothing will ever be the same, because one of their number isn’t coming home …

Fireblood


Carmen Caine - 2017
    I, Naz Beauchene, was the first, official family dud. Born into a long line of illustrious shifters of the feline variety, my family fully expected me to blossom into a panther or maybe even a cherished lioness. They got neither. Not even one spark of magic stirred my blood. But then one day, a handsome Nether Reach Keeper crashed through the door where I worked as an imp trainer...and everything changed. Approximately 15,500 words

A Defender Rises


T.R. Cameron - 2021
     The Mist Casino sits just above a kemana with an interior that would make a ghost feel right at home. Of course it does.After all, Magic City has to compete with nearby Vegas. A different kind of magic.Ruby is just back from University for the summer, catching up with an old friend when everything changes with a BANG! A series of small blasts are exploding all around her. Chips are flying through the air. Someone wanted to announce their arrival in town. But who?Ruby is about to get drawn into a battle for control of Magic City. They just made the fight personal. Is the Ebon Dragon Casino next?Will Ruby’s secrets get in her way?What waits at the end could change her life forever, if she survives the journey.For action, magic, snarky banter, martial arts, mystical creatures, and high intrigue, take a vacation to Magic City!

A Prison of Worlds


Daniel Ruth - 2014
    Not that he has anything against humans, after all, some of his best friends were human, however, it's just not for him. Now thrown out of his own reality he has to find a way to break his bindings and find a way home. Although he is an accomplished psychic Derek realizes that perhaps this may be the wrong skill set to bring to bear on ancient magics and devilish dragons. Now he has to explore the very building blocks of magic to take control of his destiny. Unexpectedly, while he's taking control, events occur that may lead to the end of the world as we know it. Mad mages, hordes of demons and unfortunate explosions follow him as he attempts to save the world. Which begs the question, what does happen after the apocalypse?

Gemini Cell


Myke Cole - 2015
    But when he sees something he was never meant to see on a covert mission gone bad, he finds himself—and his family—in the crosshairs. Nothing means more to Jim than protecting his loved ones, but when the enemy brings the battle to his front door, he is overwhelmed and taken down.It should be the end of the story. But Jim is raised from the dead by a sorcerer and recruited by a top secret unit dabbling in the occult, known only as the Gemini Cell. With powers he doesn’t understand, Jim is called back to duty—as the ultimate warrior. As he wrestles with a literal inner demon, Jim realizes his new superiors are determined to use him for their own ends and keep him in the dark—especially about the fates of his wife and son…

The Shadow of Mist


Yasmine Galenorn - 2009
    As a selkie, she kept much of her life a secret, even from her good friends the D’Artigo sisters. But now a dark presence from her past has found its way across the ocean, in the form of a man obsessed with possessing her. With the D’Artigo sisters’ help, Siobhan must stop him before he destroys everything she loves.Includes the never before published short story Vanished As well as a preview of Yasmine Galenorn’s Otherworld novel, Autumn WhispersShadow of Mist previously appeared in Never After

Urban Allies: Ten Brand-New Collaborative Stories


Joseph Nassise - 2016
    E. Murphy—are paired together in ten original stories featuring their favorite series characters.Urban Allies brings together beloved characters from two different urban fantasy series—Peter Octavian and Dahlia Lynley-Chivers, Joanne Walker and Harper Blaine, Joe Ledger and Agent Franks, Sabina Kane and Ava—in ten electrifying stories. Combining fictional worlds in one dual adventure, each of these stories melds the talents of two high-profile authors, many working together for the first time—giving readers a chance to see their favorite characters in an imaginative and fresh way. Edited by acclaimed bestselling author Joseph Nassise—who is also a contributor—this outstanding collection showcases the brilliant storytelling talents of some of the most acclaimed fantasy writers working today, among them seven New York Times bestselling authors, two USA Today bestselling authors, and multiple Bram Stoker Award winners. Contributors include: Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden • Carrie Vaughn and Diana Rowland • Jonathan Maberry and Larry Correia • Kelley Armstrong and Seanan McGuire • Joe Nassise and Sam Witt • Steven Savile and Craig Schaefer • David Wellington and Weston Ochse • Stephen Blackmoore and Jeff Somers • Catie Murphy and Kat Richardson • Jaye Wells and Caitlin Kittredge

Last Call: A TempleVerse Anthology Book 1 (TempleVerse Anthologies)


Shayne Silvers - 2018
     Collins—Quinn’s prequel novella to the Phantom Queen Diaries. Beerlympian—Gunnar’s bachelor party. Get ready for some shenanigans… You might need a drink just to comprehend the insanity. Motherlucker—Feathers and Fire #4.5 / Phantom Queen Diaries #3.5 Coming-of-age can be an awkward time in any young person's life. Hormones flair. Hair grows in weird places. Wrestling becomes foreplay. But at no point in any would-be adult's life is the transition more obvious than the 21st birthday—an American tradition as rich as drinking to celebrate other cultures. But for some, this transcendent experience is rockier than others.For Aria and Sonya, weredragon sisters and birthday girls, it's about to be downright turbulent.Head out for a night out on the town with Callie Penrose, Quinn MacKenna, Othello, and the Reds as they do their best to break the "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" adage by taking on the leprechaun mafia, hitting on Johnson Beaver, avoiding were-strippers, donning Dorian Gray's clothing line, robbing a bank, and drinking everything they can get their hands on, of course. If these girls thought Lady Luck was on their side, they should have known better.Because in Vegas, the House always wins... Collins—Phantom Queen Diaries #0—prequel novella Every story has a beginning, but not every story has a happy ending. When you live in Boston, you make peace with that, or you find another town. A softer, gentler town. But Quinn MacKenna—a black magic arms dealer just coming into her own—isn't a soft, gentle person, and Boston suits her just fine. Which is why, after getting caught up in the middle of a kidnapping case, she sticks around for a night of blood and mayhem guaranteed to give her new nightmares.Walk with Quinn as she and her old friend, Jimmy Collins, reconnect, forging a new bond of friendship under fire, even as their very beliefs are put to the test. Prepare yourself for wizardry and ritual, for victims and violence. For walking corpses and cleansing fire. Prepare yourself for the worst of what Quinn's world has to offer.Because when the things that go bump in the night come out to play, sometimes you have to bump back... Beerlympian—Nate Temple #5.5 There comes a moment in every man’s life when he chooses to settle down with the love of his life. To put all those childish games and hobbies away to focus on building the rock-solid foundations of a true, everlasting, committed relationship—marriage.Gunnar Randulf, the Alpha werewolf of St. Louis and Nate Temple’s best friend is ready to make that plunge. But before the wedding bells chime…It’s bachelor party time.Join Nate, Alucard, Achilles, and the Minotaur as they rip through New Orleans on a last-ditch effort to ruin Gunnar’s life—erm, remind him why he loves his fiancée so much—with a Stag Night scavenger hunt marathon that introduces them to ungodly amounts of alcohol, mermaids, major felonies, Nicolas Flamel, ridiculous drinking rule

Hired Killer


Michael Anderle - 2020
    "In your case, though, I will be your FBI handler, taking care of you and getting you anything that you need to get the job done." Special Agent Niki Banks paused, narrowing her eyes at Taylor. "What?" Banks asked. "No lewd remarks about that? Something about handling, or how I'm going to take care of you?""Nah, I thought you would do a better job of it than I ever could," Taylor replied. "Besides, I'm only after empty relationships that have no meaning, where we both go away happy, so there's no need for any handling like that. From you, anyways.""So, what does that make me?"Taylor paused to take a bite from his food, which consisted of some bacon and syrup-covered waffles. "A toxic attitude with delusions of awesomeness in high heels and a need to feel dominant all wrapped up in an attractive gift package that smells like a body that's been left out to rot in the Zoo for a week."Banks' eyebrows shot up. "Excuse you?"Another bite of his food from his plate was taken before he continued. "I'm sorry, do you need me to make it more specific? Here, try this one then. You look like Eva Longoria, except more brawn than brains, probably can't spell Latina and obviously you don't care about showers. Which is okay; the government only wants you for your brawn anyway." Banks narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, I smell like the three cretins you needed me to get rid of for you. Between the stench of fear and gasoline, I guess that does make for a pretty foul smell."Taylor shrugged. "I showered at least."Banks scowled at him. "You're a jackass.""Correction," Taylor said with a grin. "I'm a jackass that can kill - what did you call them? Cryptids. A jackass that can kill Cryptids that's living here in the US, no less. "Oh, great," Banks grumbled. "And here I am, stuck with a Jason Momoa wannabe Cro-Magnon Neanderthal with slightly better dental hygiene and a god-complex." She sighed. "I don't get paid enough for this shit."His name is Taylor McFadden, survivor of 83 trips into the ZOO. Now, he's retired, and yet his country needs his skills to save people in the country he calls home.Can he build a company, put down roots and still bring the pain when the FBI calls?When they tag him as The Cryptid Assassin, they weren't wrong. For monsters that go bump in the night, he is death incarnate. Go up and click 'Read for Free' or 'Buy Now' and learn how one messed up soldier is America's greatest asset in the ongoing war against the Alien Goop. NOTE:  There is cussing in the book. In fact, there is a LOT of cussing in this book.  There are consenting adults having sex (mostly behind closed doors) and a cynical ex-soldier just wanting to build a business in Sin City. Not that Sin City... Las Vegas!

Southwest Nights


Kal Aaron - 2021
    One spectacular incident proved them wrong. Now men and women of power flaunt their supernatural abilities openly, using them for both good and evil.Sorceress Lyssa likes her reality TV and strawberry ice cream, but her day job of hunting down rogues and criminals doesn’t leave her much time for either. And that’s when she’s not worrying about containing a powerful and dangerous spirit forced on her.Paranoia is her other hobby, and it’s hard to burn away all evil in the world when she’s not sure if she’s working for the good guys. There’s also the small problem of people from her past popping up and trying to kill her.When gangsters surprise her with powerful artifacts on what should have been a routine mission, Lyssa is drawn into an investigation that threatens to upend what she thinks she knows about her past.With two enchanted guns and an attitude, this is one sorceress who isn’t going to let anyone stand in her way.

Mercy Killer


T.S. Paul - 2019
    That was Genevieve Vogel's take on life. Those that break her personal code of justice are doomed to an untimely death. She's a killer and a good one. Accidental death is her specialty. Working as a nurse she's seen the best and the worst of humanity and doesn't care for it. The paranormals of the world have more honor than humans do in her eyes. They are the true victims. When the man who she's dreamed of killing comes into her hospital she has to decide his fate. But paranormal forces beyond her control are watching and the choice she makes will change her life forever. **Set inside the world of the Federal Witch Universe this new series is darker, grittier, and more adult than previous series. This book contains adult language, violence, and a few adult situations.

Shadow Born


Jasmine Walt - 2016
     Brooke is no stranger to the supernatural. In Chicago, vampires are just as prevalent as drug lords, and infinitely more bloodthirsty. So when her partner and fiancé dies in a mysterious fire while chasing down a lead in Salem, she suspects something dark and otherworldly is at play. Blessed with the ability to see into the past by touching inanimate objects, Brooke transfers to the Salem PD, hoping her talent will help her get to the bottom of things. Between dodging assassination attempts and being stonewalled at every turn, the going is tough. Add in a mysterious fae club owner with secrets of his own and a personal grudge against her, and it becomes nearly impossible. If Brooke wants to play in the supernatural sandbox, she’s going to have to roll up her sleeves and get dirty. But how many people will have to die for Brooke to discover the truth about her fiance? And is she even ready to know? Find out what lurks in the SHADOWS OF SALEM by pre-ordering SHADOW BORN, the latest Urban Fantasy hit readers are comparing to Karen Marie Moning and Patricia Briggs.

Penumbra


Nazri Noor - 2018
    Transformed in death, Dust awakens to the eldritch mysteries behind the grit and glamor of the city of Valero – and to the wellspring of dark magic that lives inside his very bones.

The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters


Sierra Dean - 2011
    Secret McQueen needs to find two in one night. Of course, it’ll mean pulling off the impossible—find and kill a displaced rogue vampire without disrupting the first promising date she’s had in ages. As a werewolf hybrid used to walking a fine line of survival in the vampire world, though, Secret eats impossible for breakfast.Somewhere between hello and the first round of drinks, Secret makes her move. Her target, Hollywood’s biggest star, shouldn’t be hard to spot. Just look for swarms of fans. Except every time her vampire liaison, Holden, helps keep her mission on track, her date runs further off the rails.Either Holden has a hidden agenda, or he knows more than he’s letting on about her quarry. One way or another, Secret is determined to get her man, and meet Mr. Right. Or die trying.Warning: This book contains a sword-wielding assassin whose barbs are sharper than her blade, a vampire with serious brooding issues but a skilled tongue, and an A-lister with a bad habit of eating his fans.The 2017 second edition contains minor wording tweaks but no story tweaks from the 2011 original.

Supers - Ex Succubus: Featuring Death Girl and the Ladies


Jamie Hawke - 2019
     When I first met my ex-succubus, as she insisted I call her in spite of that little saying, it was on a rainy day. I saw a flash of light in the sky, blinked to get a better look. Bright lights from my side. A horn honking. A woman screaming. Join me, I'll tell you the rest. Basically, this ex-succubus comes along, ropes me into a whole ordeal that involves fighting off her old team of supervillains or aliens, whatever you want to call them. Just the two of us? No way in hell! We had to form a team, first, and what a team! But I won't spoil the fun for you, friend. Read on. Enjoy. And if you aren't familiar with harem elements in a story, well, sit down... you might get light headed. Try not to drool. Want a free follow-up story? Join the newsletter! www.subscribepage.com/AuthorJamieHawke