From the War of the Ring, Tolkien’s epic battle of good versus evil, to The Battle of the Blackwater, George R.R. Martin’s grim portrait of the horror and futility of war, these fantastical conflicts reflect our highest hopes and darkest fears, bringing us mesmerizing visions of silver spears shining in the sun and vast hordes of savage beasts who threaten to destroy all that we hold dear.Now acclaimed editor John Joseph Adams is sounding the battle cry and sixteen of today’s top authors are reporting for duty, spinning never-before-published, spellbinding tales of military fantasy, including a Black Company story from Glen Cook, a Paksenarrion story from Elizabeth Moon, and a Shadow Ops story by Myke Cole. Within these pages you’ll also find World War I trenches cloaked in poison gas and sorcery, modern day elite special forces battling hosts of the damned, and steampunk soldiers fighting for their lives in a world torn apart by powers that defy imagination.Featuring both grizzled veterans and fresh young recruits alike, including Tanya Huff, Simon R. Green, Carrie Vaughn, Jonathan Maberry, and Seanan McGuire, Operation Arcana is a must for any military buff or fantasy fan. You’ll never look at war the same way again.CONTRIBUTORS:Elizabeth MoonTobias Buckell & David KlechaMyke ColeJonathan MaberryGenevieve ValentineDjango WexlerYoon Ha LeeWeston OchseMyke ColeAri MarmellTanya HuffCarrie VaughnTC McCarthyGlen CookSimon R. GreenSeanan McGuireLinda NagataAt the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).About John Joseph Adams:“John Joseph Adams has become one of those editors who I know will put together something I will love to read and know that the book I’m about to purchase isn’t going to let me down.” —Wil Wheaton “Merits a place on fantasy fans’ bookshelves.” —Publishers Weekly, on Epic: Legends of Fantasy“A genuine triumph. . . . [A] ‘must buy’ for every sci-fan you know.” —Romantic Times, a “Top Pick” for February 2013, on The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World DominationJohn Joseph Adams—called “the reigning king of the anthology world” by Barnes & Noble.com—is the bestselling editor of many anthologies, such as Under the Moons of Mars: New Adventures on Barsoom, Brave New Worlds, Wastelands, The Living Dead, The Living Dead 2, By Blood We Live, Federations, The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and The Way of the Wizard. He is a two-time finalist for the Hugo Award and a three-time finalist for the World Fantasy Award. He is also the editor and publisher of Lightspeed Magazine, and is the co-host of Wired.com’s The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast.

    . ."Join four of your favorite authors for tales of Christmas romance to remember forever."Our First Christmas," Lisa JacksonMegan Johnson's marriage is over—or so she thinks. When her husband Chris lands in the hospital, fighting for his life, she remembers the unexpected joy of their first Christmas together."A Ranger for Christmas," Mary BurtonThe holidays bring painful memories for history professor Marissa Thompson. Agreeing to help Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper solve a case offers the perfect distraction. But as danger threatens, the joy of love has never been more tempting."A Southern Christmas," Mary CarterReporter Danielle Bright is heading home for the holidays to write up a feature story about Christmas down south—and possibly win back her ex. But Sawyer, the sexy photographer along for the ride, is determined to jingle her bells."Christmas in Montana," Cathy LambFamily is the ideal antidote to getting fired, but Laurel Kelly isn't prepared for the changes at home in Montana—or the fact that her college boyfriend Josh Reed now owns the family land. But a blue Christmas could be the perfect surprise for a holiday to remember.

    He is a man consumed by violence, guilt and the desire for revenge. When his ex-partner asks him to track down a missing girl, Parker embarks on a grim odyssey through the bowels of organised crime to a unique serial killer: The Travelling Man.In DARK HOLLOW, Private detective Charlie Parker embarks on a nerve-shredding manhunt and closes in on his prime suspect. But someone else is tracking them both.Parker's empathy with the powerless victims of crime is growing ever stronger. It makes him a natural choice to investigate the death of Grace Peltier in THE KILLING KIND - a death that appears to be a suicide. Genial killers Angel and Louis join Parker again as he descends into a honeycomb world populated by dark angels and lost souls.In THE WHITE ROAD, a black youth faces the death penalty for rape and murder; his victim, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in South Carolina. It is a case with its roots in old evil, and old evil is Charlie Parker's speciality. Evil men from his past unite to exact a terrible revenge on the private detective.

    New World. New Species.In the depths of the bayous lives a secret race of puma shifters. The creation of a powerful magic, they have lived in peace until the threat of extinction drives them to seek the world beyond their homelands. Now the Pantera must discover the answer to their dying magic and halt an ancient enemy before it can destroy them all. RAPHAELThe brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. PARISHUntamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them.BAYONCharming, drop-dead gorgeous Hunter Bayon is thirsting for revenge on the enemies who slipped into the Wildlands and attacked Ashe and her vulnerable child. Pledging to track down the cowards, Bayon goes on the hunt, pursuing the humans to a nearby town. But searching their shabby hideaway, he makes a discovery that shocks him to his very soul and might very well destroy the heart of the Pantera.JEAN-BAPTISTETattooed and pierced, sexy Nurturer Jean-Baptiste has been living in utter isolation. His cat is out of control, and the only thing that soothes the beast is a rare mineral he keeps inking into his skin. Until he meets her: Genevieve Burel. The beautiful and buttoned-up female puma is unlike anyone he's ever met. She makes his cat purr, and he knows he must possess her, mate with her. TALONAfter the tragic death of his parents when Talon was young, he’s dedicated his life to protecting the Pantera. To the strikingly gorgeous man, loyalty and honor mean everything. So it’s no surprise that he’s determined to treat Isi Rousseau as the enemy. If the elders believe she is a danger then he will do whatever necessary to prevent her from destroying his beloved Wildlands. But discovering the delicate beauty sleeping in his bed, Talon discovers his noble intentions wavering. The female, with short, jet black hair streaked with blue, and a pair of dark eyes, might act tough, but it’s obvious to him that she’s as desperate as he is for a place to call home. More importantly, her presence is helping keep Ashe and her baby alive. XAVIERThe drop-dead gorgeous leader of the Geeks, Xavier has one goal: find the human male his enemies seek. Devoted to his work, and to the Pantera, there is nothing that can distract him from accomplishing his goal.

    And when Slaughter created detective Will Trent she broke the mold. While displaying an uncanny knack for reading people, solving puzzles, and cracking cases at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Detective Trent navigates the varied relationships with the women in his life: vice cop Angie Polaski, supervisor Amanda Wagner, partner Faith Mitchell, and Dr. Sara Linton. This gripping eBook bundle contains five novels in the Will Trent series, including:TRIPTYCHFRACTUREDUNDONEBROKENFALLEN“Karin Slaughter is one of the best crime novelists in America.”—The Washington Post “Crime fiction at its finest.”—Michael Connelly“Slaughter writes with a razor. . . . Better than Cornwell can ever hope to be.”—The Plain Dealer“Slaughter will have you on the edge of your seat.”—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

    With only a single gold piece to his name–a gift from a nomad chieftain who claimed it carried magic–Krispos heads for the imperial capital, Videssos, and into a world of peril and possibility. KRISPOS OF VIDESSOSKrispos’ reign as emperor of Videssos shows every sign of being brief and very bloody–for trouble is brewing. Civil war has erupted, and as rebel troops take the field against the untried emperor, outland raiders are sweeping down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. How long can Krispos hope to keep head and crown together?KRISPOS THE EMPERORA strange heresy has taken root in the land and soon dissent flares into open revolt as Krispos faces his greatest challenge: To save his empire from tearing itself apart, he wages an evermore desperate war against an implacable foe, setting brother against brother and father against son.

    Especially Eve Dallas, the homicide detective who has made a name for herself solving the most challenging cases, including those in this collection of books 26-29 in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series...STRANGERS IN DEATHSALVATION IN DEATHPROMISES IN DEATHKINDRED IN DEATH

    BRIMSTONE:A body is found in the attic of a fabulous Long Island estate. There is a hoofprint scorched into the floor, and the stench of sulfur chokes the air. When FBI Special Agent Pendergast investigates the gruesome crime, he discovers that thirty years ago four men conjured something unspeakable. Has the devil come to claim his due?DANCE OF DEATH:Two brothers. One, top FBI Agent, Aloysius Pendergast. The other, Diogenes, a brilliant and twisted criminal. An undying hatred between them. Now, a perfect crime. And the ultimate challenge: Stop me if you can.BOOK OF THE DEAD:A talented FBI agent, rotting away in a high security prison for a murder he did not commit. His psychotic brother, about to perpetrate a horrific crime. A young woman with an extraordinary past, on the edge of a violent breakdown. An ancient Egyptian tomb about to be unveiled at a celebrity-studded New York gala, an enigmatic curse released. Memento Mori.

    Since then, nothing has been the same. Follow the Cardwell family as they band together to overcome murder, mayhem and a family imposter.

     "funny, sexy and hot!" 5 stars Chase Hawks and his half-brothers Clay, Cole and Caleb Russell discover that falling in love sometimes means accepting things you didn't believe were possible. ** Originally published from Ellora's Cave Join Chase Hawks and his half-brothers Clay, Cole and Caleb Russell as they discover that falling in love sometimes means accepting things you never thought possible. Chase'n'Ana Chase Hawks had a good handle on life. Between his small spread in Arizona, his success on the rodeo circuit and a bevy of beautiful women always available to satisfy his urges, he figured he had control over his life. Then fate intervened. He ran over a woman. Literally. Hit her with his truck. Ana Stillwater had no control over her life. She’d skipped out on an abusive husband with three hundred dollars, a car that was on its last leg and a hawk named Fergi. She figured life couldn’t get any worse. Then it did. Her car breaks down in Arizona and if that isn’t enough, she gets hit by a truck. Which brings up the question: Just what happens when a rational, down-to-earth rancher hooks up with a quirky new age witch who can give him a hard one with just a look and likes to dance naked under the moon? Molding Clay: Clay Russell had plans, Big plans. First he was going to win the Nationals in bull-riding, then he was going to start his own spread and breed horses. But his family had other plans. They roped him into leaving Arizona and taking on the job of getting a struggling ranch in North Carolina back on its feet. He didn’t expect it to be something beyond his ability. He also didn’t expect Rusty Blackhawk to be a woman. Or a witch. Rusty had no choice but to take the Russell’s offer and partner up with them. She had to hang onto her ranch and this was the only way. She wasn’t expecting to like Clay Russell. She sure wasn’t expecting to want him. Neither of them expected the passion that would explode between them, or the danger that would threaten their lives. They were both in for surprises. Scout'n'Cole Cole had no trouble attracting women. The Russell men were all blessed physically, and Cole was no exception. However, finding a woman who could match his passion for the wilderness as well as ignite passions of a different kind in his life was the problem. Scout Windrider knew that love wasn’t for her. She’d yet to encounter a man who took her breath away, and figured it was just as well. What man would want to hook up with a woman who spent most of her life in the wild, tracking mountain lions? Neither of them could have foreseen being paired in a no-kill hunt turned deadly would force them to confront an explosive attraction hot enough to consume them with its heat. Faced with a murderous madman intent on exacting revenge against the Windrider family, Scout and Cole take a leap of faith with each other, and discover something relegated to myth and legend prove to be true, that will touch their lives in a way that will change them forever. Conn'n'Caleb Single and lovingit! That’s Caleb, the only Russell man not yet hitched, and that’s fine with him. Life’s good—if a little predictable. Until a little lady drops out of the sky and into his kayak, nearly drowning him in the process. But getting wet is the least of his problems.

    Collecting A White Arrest (1998), Taming the Alien (1999) and The McDead (2000) for first U.S. publication, this omnibus showcases the investigations of the aging Chief Inspector Roberts and the brutish Detective Sergeant Brant, with the assistance of the unlucky-in-love Woman Police Constable Falls. They don't always solve their assigned crimes, but know perfectly well if they can nail the occasional major criminal-"the white arrest"-they'll be able to keep their jobs. Among numerous subplots, they pursue a serial killer stalking England's winning soccer team, a vigilante gang hanging drug dealers and a hit man known as "The Alien" because he whacked a victim engrossed in the video of that movie with a baseball bat just as the monster pops out of John Hurt's chest. But quieter moments, such as Brant's visit to his home county in Ireland, are just as interesting.

    Honest Illusions Private Scandals Hidden Riches True Betrayals Montana Sky

    Then a stranger arrives and offers to bring the children back to life. He wants money, of course, an extravagant sum, but more importantly, but for each child resurrected, one villager must voluntarily offer his life... In David Liss’s “A Bad Season for Necromancy,” a con man on the margins of eighteenth-century British society discovers a book that reveals the method for bringing the dead back to life. After considering just how far he would go to avoid bringing his violent father back, he realizes the real value of this book. Instead of getting people to pay him to revive their departed, he will get people to pay him not to...In “Pipers” by Christopher Golden, the Texas Border Volunteers wage a private war against drug smuggling by Mexican cartels in a modern-day South Texas town, complete with an indestructible army of the risen dead...In “Alive Day” by Jonathan Maberry, a US Army sergeant must dive into the underworld of modern-day Afghanistan to try and barter for the release of his team, never dreaming of the horrors that await him...

    But his greatest test will come when he returns to Earth. Relativity means that everey time he returns home after a few months' tour of duty, centuries have passed on Earth, making him and his fellows ever more isolated from the world for whose future they are fighting.FREEWhen Mandella returns for the last time he finds humanity has evolved into a group mind called Man. Living a dull life in an autocratic and intrusive society, missing the certainties of combat and feeling increasingly alienated, the veterans plan an escape. But when their ship starts to fail, their journey becomes a search for the unknown.PEACE2043. The Ngumi War rages, fought by 'soldierboys', indestructible machines operated remotely by soldiers hundreds of miles away. Julian Class is one of those soldiers, and for him war is truly hell. But he and his companion, Dr Amelia Harding, have discovered something that could literally take the universe back to square one. For Julian, the discovery isn't so much terrifying as tempting...

    It isn't easy to take over the world. First you need the scheme. Then you need the muscle. Then you need to come up with a system for ruling six billion people and keeping them fron revolting. It takes a certain kind of man to take over the world. Scaramouch Van Dreg, however, is not that man. But he has one thing going for him. He has his arch enemy, Skulduggery Pleasant, chained in his dungeon, and the only person who is coming to save him is the skeleton detective's 13 year old sidekick. What could possibly go wrong?