Book picks similar to
The Boy by Rayne Havok
horror
dark
short
standalone
Prosper's Demon
K.J. Parker - 2020
But they don’t die, and we do. Equilibrium.The unnamed and morally questionable narrator is an exorcist with great follow-through and few doubts. His methods aren’t delicate but they’re undeniably effective: he’ll get the demon out — he just doesn’t particularly care what happens to the person.Prosper of Schanz is a man of science, determined to raise the world’s first philosopher-king, reared according to the purest principles. Too bad he’s demonically possessed.
Abattoir
K. Larsen - 2019
He made me feel what it's like to be alive and opened my eyes to what the world truly is. I'm nothing without him and he knows it because he's nothing without me. His words are often full of praise, of need, yet I know he deserves better. I need him. I can't live without him. I'll adjust to what he wants. And maybe, when he's ready, he'll show me just how much he needs me too. BishopBefore him, I lived my life with such rigidity that my shoulders were perpetually riddled with knots. I followed a strict code. He's sweet and young and sees the world through a different lens which helps me relax. The rules I abide by are important for many reasons, but he makes me do things I normally wouldn't. Things I shouldn't, but saying no to him is not something I seem to be capable of. To help him learn, I teach him the rules and punish him as needed. They say love knows no bounds. That it doesn't judge and it isn't biased, but can it survive his recklessness and my proclivities?
The God Engines
John Scalzi - 2009
The Bishopry Militant knows this -- and so, when it needs a ship and crew to undertake a secret, sacred mission to a hidden land, Tephe is the captain to whom the task is given. Tephe knows from the start that his mission will be a test of his skill as a leader of men and as a devout follower of his god. It's what he doesn't know that matters: to what ends his faith and his ship will ultimately be put -- and that the tests he will face will come not only from his god and the Bishopry Militant, but from another, more malevolent source entirely....
Rich Boys vs. Poor Boys
Devon Hartford - 2019
Turns out they'll throw me to the wolves like so much trash and I'll never see it coming.I was dumb enough to let them use me for their dirty schemes and wicked games, but still they betrayed me. Ripped my heart out and shredded it in their cruel claws.If it wasn't for those three beautifully vicious Rich Boys standing by my side in my darkest hour, I'd be going to prison.Actual prison.Tried as an adult because I just turned sixteen.Because of me, a war is brewing between the Rich Boys and the Poor Boys and I'm caught in the middle. It would be insane for me to stay all four years.But I can't leave.I ran away from my shattered past to get here.There's no going back now.* * * Rich Boys vs. Poor Boys is a full-length reverse harem high school bully romance with an HEA at the end of the series. This is book 1. Like in real life, the teenagers in this story frequently use graphic language, some underage drinking does occur, and there are some consensual sexual situations.
Sour Candy
Kealan Patrick Burke - 2015
They take walks in the park together, visit county fairs, museums, and zoos, and eat together overlooking the lake. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. Some might say he spoils his son by allowing him to set his own bedtimes and eat candy whenever he wants. Some might say that such leniency is starting to take its toll on the father, given how his health has declined.What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life.
His Obsession: A Dark Billionaire Romance
Ann-Marie Davis - 2020
If you are sensitive in any way, please use discretion.
Stranger Danger (I am Legion)
Michaelbrent Collings - 2020
he knows you’re dying to learn.Legion is a teacher. An avenging angel. A murderer.A madman.Raised in the underground hideout of an insane father, he searches for those who keep secrets and sins. Then he teaches them how to leave those mistakes behind. Even if it means killing them to do it.Because sometimes murder is the cost of a proper education.That's why, when he comes to a neighborhood in the grips of a vicious gang war, he knows the time has come to teach.Soon Legion - and his imaginary brothers, Water and Fire - are caught in the middle of a vicious fight for control of the Downs, the worst part of a city on the verge of anarchy.Legion is facing enemies on all sides. Hundreds of men will stop at nothing to capture or kill him.Legion will teach the lessons. And the students will never forget, no matter how long - or short - their lives may be.The students are ready.And the teacher will never stop.
Right to Life
Jack Ketchum - 1998
They also seem to know where she lives, where she teaches, where she was born, who her lover is—even where her father plays golf on the weekends. They tell her about a mysterious worldwide Organization devoted to white slavery and what happens to those slaves who try to run away. What happens to their families and those they love.That's what Sara is now. Their slave.They show her what happens if she tries to disobey.She sleeps in a coffin-like box in the basement.She's fed according to their whim. Abused according to their whim.They involve her in a brutal murder.That's just the beginning. Because Stephen and Katherine Teach have terrible plans for Sara.And her baby.Like his novels Joyride, Stranglehold, The Girl Next Door, and Cover, Right to Life is a descent into madness and human evil which is all the more harrowing because it's based on fact. Sara's ordeal really happened to somebody just like you and me and it's one that is vividly rendered. So consider yourself warned. This is disturbing, graphic writing.Not for the timid.Like life.
For You (Coming Home To The Grove Book 5)
Hope Ford - 2020
He’s off-limits.At least that’s what I’ve always told myself.Then when he comes back into town, he keeps showing up just when I need him.My ex-husband is causing problems, threatening to take my daughter.And I feel like I’m about to lose it all.I know I should figure this out on my own, but Bart’s not having it.He’s taking matters into his own hands.Welcome to Forest Grove. It’s a small town in the hills of Tennessee where everyone knows each other and love always prevails.For one reason or another, the people may leave, but they each return to find love and romance in this small town with a big heart.Coming Home to the Grove is a series of interconnected, stand-alone small-town romance stories. Each book promises a sweet, steamy, happily ever after.
Rage
Kimberly A. Bettes - 2011
At thirteen, he's already endured the pain of losing his father and the agony of living with a step-father who hates and abuses him. At school, Brian suffers even more torment, delivered by bullies who seem to enjoy making his life miserable. The only bright spot in Brian's life is Carly, the girl on whom he's had a crush for years. As his relationship with her evolves, so do the problems at home and the confrontations at school. A distressed Brian retreats further into himself, hiding behind the wall he's built as protection from the cruel chaos around him. Eager to be free of his troubles, Brian fights to be heard in a world that won't listen.A 60,000 word novel plus bonus material.For mature audiences only.
The Degradation of Shelby Ann
Emma Cole
But beyond acquiring the skill and poise to pull off being a trophy wife, she would discover that all is not as it seemed.With the honeymoon over, the dirt and grime seeped through the loving facade to reveal the monsters that lie beneath.Dark and depraved, this series will twist in ways you won't see coming to reveal an anti-hero in disguise, dirty deeds in plain sight, and shocking secrets that will leave you cringing inside.18+ for mature content. RH as the series progresses. Warning: dark content, violence, drug use, dub/noncon, multiple gender pairings, plus some things I won't spoil yet, but aren't for anyone with reading restrictions.
Loving Luke
Van Cole - 2020
HarleyFor years, hockey has been my only love, with occasional straying with nameless girls.And yet, no one made me feel that special something, until that fateful night happened.My team captain and I met up at the bar after a victory.We had one too many and I woke up in his room; naked, hungover and thirsty as hell.I’m just not sure if it’s only water I’m so thirsty for.LukeIt all started as a bet, a harmless bet.No one was supposed to get emotionally attached.But, it turns out it was his first gay experience and, now, I can’t wrap my head around it.I’m too old for this.Much older than him and I’m supposed to know better than to fall for a younger guy.Loving Luke is a standalone Gay First Time Hockey Romance with a HEA and NO cheating!
Such Small Hands
Andrés Barba - 2008
She is different from the other girls: at once an outcast and object of fascination. As Marina struggles to find her place, she invents a game whose rules are dictated by a haunting violence. Written in hypnotic, lyrical prose, alternating between Marina’s perspective and the choral we of the other girls, Such Small Hands evokes the pain of loss and the hunger for acceptance.
Ellie (Curvy Girls Can, #5)
Sadie King - 2020
I’ve had a crush on him ever since I can remember.
But this body wasn’t made to run. The training is grueling, the other runners are mean, and every time I see Brennan I’m hot and sweaty, and not in a good way.
But I’m determined to finish, no matter what the cost.
BrennanI’m back from the military to look after Mom, and I’m at a loose end. When I set up a charity fun run in Dad’s memory, one of the perks is getting to spend time training with Ellie Smith.
She’s smart, she’s funny, and she may just be running away with my heart.
Ellie is book five in the Curvy Girls Can series. Short, sweet and steamy insta-love stories about women with big curves, big attitudes, and big dreams and the alpha men who are man enough to love them.High heat, oh so sweet, and always with a happily ever after. Each book in the series is a standalone. No cliffhangers.
The Despair of Strangers
Heather Topham Wood - 2021
After ending her engagement to a liar and cheater, she left everything behind, moving into a new apartment and changing her number. She didn’t expect to feel the words reach inside her, picking at scars never likely to heal.I miss everything about you and I won’t move on. I can’t move on…The messages kept coming, telling a story of loss that made Alyssa’s pain feel small. When she answered the texts, she formed a bond with Derek. Derek who was not writing to Alyssa at all, but trying to deal with his grief by sending messages to his dead fiancée.All day today I was surrounded by people and I felt absolutely empty. Like when you went away, you took all of me with you….Derek and Alyssa became friends first, then something more developed—a connection that felt like love, but one that left them both scared, uncertain of second chances. Alyssa wanted a future with Derek, but she wondered when Emily’s ghost would finally let him go.