Not all the visitors to ‘Second Hand Rose’ are alive. Rose owns a shop called ‘Second Hand Rose’. Not all of the customers are alive; some are ghosts that ask Rose to help them with their unfinished business. Kate works with Rose and doesn't know anything about the ghosts until Rose asks for her help. Kate has a young child and doesn't want ghosts hanging around her, so she says no to Rose. But then something happens and Kate has no choice but to help the first ghost that needs her assistance. In this first book, Kate helps a ghost who got into trouble because he just couldn't resist a final bet.

    Contains spoilers for the Broken Empire trilogy. 5 of the stories have previously been published in anthologies, Contains the short story 'Sleeping Beauty' that is also sold separately. A total of 43.000 words or just over half the length of Prince of Thorns.Cover by Pen Astridge.Index:A RescueSleeping BeautyBad SeedThe Nature of the BeastSelect ModeMercyA Good NameChoicesThe SecretKnow Thyself

    But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices.

    over one million words of divinely (and diabolically) inspired fantasy, adventure, and romance.Join the freshest voices in urban fantasy and paranormal, New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors, on unique journeys to heaven, hell, and worlds beyond.

    Vampire Princess Katarina Volholme D’Transylvania didn’t kill her stony, passionless husband, but she’s not shedding too many tears, either. That is until her father arranges another marriage for her three days after the funeral. She’s tired of being used, ignored and married off. And so she runs…Royal Bodyguard Fionnlagh MacLaomainn doesn’t know much about the maverick princess on the lamb. He just needs to bring her back in time for the wedding. But when he manages to capture her on the back of his Harley, their wild ride takes them to places neither one of them could have ever imagined. But will a night of forbidden passion be enough to kindle true love? Originally published in the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2

    Moreau to Dr. Doom, readers have long been fascinated by insane plans for world domination and the madmen who devise them. Typically, we see these villains through the eyes of good guys. This anthology, however, explores the world of mad scientists and evil geniuses—from their own wonderfully twisted point of view. An all-star roster of bestselling authors—including Diana Gabaldon, Daniel Wilson, Austin Grossman, Naomi Novik, and Seanan McGuire ... twenty-two great storytellers, all told—have produced a fabulous assortment of stories, guaranteed to provide readers with hour after hour of high-octane entertainment born of the most megalomaniacal mayhem imaginable. Everybody loves villains. They’re bad; they always stir the pot; they’re much more fun than the good guys, even if we want to see the good guys win. Their fiendish schemes, maniacal laughter, and limitless ambition are legendary, but what lies behind those crazy eyes and wicked grins? How—and why—do they commit these nefarious deeds? And why are they so set on taking over the world? If you've ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’re in luck: It’s finally time for the madmen’s side of the story.Between each chapter falls a single-page essay by the editor, by way of introduction to the story ahead; they have titles of their own, but all contain spoilers, so are not listed here (they can be found on the Internet Science Fiction Database if desired). All individual works in this anthology are in short story form, with the exception of Diana Gabaldon's 80-page Outlander novella, and unless otherwise noted, were first published within. CONTENTS Foreword - Chris Claremont, The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination: Original Short Fiction for the Modern Evil Genius (p9)01 - Austin Grossman, Professor Incognito Apologizes: An Itemized List (p16)02 - Harry Turtledove, Father of the Groom (p28)03 - Seanan McGuire, Laughter at the Academy: A Field Study in the Genesis of Schizotypal Creative Genius Personality Disorder (SCGPD) (p38)04 - David D. Levine, Letter to the Editor (p52)05 - Jeremiah Tolbert, Instead of a Loving Heart (2004, p59)06 - Daniel H. Wilson, The Executor (p68)07 - Heather Lindsley, The Angel of Death Has a Business Plan (p83)08 - Dave Wolverton (as David Farland), Homo Perfectus (p96)09 - L.A. Banks, Ancient Equations (p108)10 - Alan Dean Foster, Rural Singularity (p123)11 - Genevieve Valentine, Captain Justice Saves the Day (p133)12 - Theodora Goss, The Mad Scientist's Daughter (2010, p142)13 - Diana Gabaldon, The Space Between (2012 Outlander novella, p161)14 - Carrie Vaughn, Harry and Marlowe Meet the Founder of the Aetherian Revolution (p245)15 - Laird Barron, Blood and Stardust (p261)16 - L.E. Modesitt Jr., A More Perfect Union (p276)17 - Naomi Novik, Rocks Fall (p289)18 - Mary Robinette Kowal, We Interrupt This Broadcast (Lady Astronaut short story, p298)19 - Marjorie M. Liu, The Last Dignity of Man (p306)20 - Jeffrey Ford, The Pittsburgh Technology (p328)21 - Grady Hendrix, Mofongo Knows (p341)22 - Ben H. Winters, The Food Taster's Boy (p357)

    everyone has gone home hours ago.As Harold prepares to close up the office, he receives an email from someone claiming to be Stephen King.

     When the Demon bargains for one night of her pleasure...no one loses. Vetis, the Demon of Corruption, is bored. It’s too easy to tempt humans into committing horrible acts and the appeal has worn thin. He’s restless and seeking distraction...until a gambler offers to settle a debt by submitting his wife for Vetis’s use. One tiny glimpse of the rage in Amara and the absolutely sexless way she endures his sensual touch, and Vetis has his challenge. He’ll make this woman enjoy the carnal pleasures of sex. The bargain is struck. One night. Of HER pleasure. And the debt will be paid. Ill-used by her husband, Amara believes she is doomed, for she has no pleasure within her, her innocence forfeit long ago. But as Amara’s body awakens with sinful desires and carnal longings, hope begins to blossom that pleasure is within her reach. Demons never fail and the challenge is on. Vetis knows with the right sensual persuasion the debt will be paid in pleasure, however he doesn’t bargain on falling in love. Warning: this erotic romance novella contains m/f/m sex, light bondage, and smokin' hot demon sex This is a 25,000 word erotic paranormal romance novella featuring Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world. The Demons Unleashed series features a paranormal post-apocalyptic world of Demons who have been trapped beneath the earth’s crust for over a thousand years and who now struggle for power over the Fae, their mortal enemies, who cast them into their prison. When the Demons broke free of their confinement, the world was destroyed, electrical systems fried, and Human society was thrown back into the pre-industrial age. Demon romance, Fae enemies, and Humans just trying to survive. Other books in the Demons Unleashed series: To Summon A Demon (Demons Unleashed #2) The Demon’s Seduction (Demons Unleashed #3) The Demon’s Deception (Demons Unleashed #4) The first three books are also available as a box set, Demons Unleashed (Volume 1 – 3) REVIEWS FOR THE DEMON’S BARGAIN: 4 Flames = Smokin' Hot from Demon Lovers Books and More http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co... Dark, haunting and sexy, THE DEMON'S BARGAIN is one treat of a tale.... 4 out of 5 stars from The Romance Reviews! http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v... The Demon's Bargain is a very hot torrid read.... 4 - a pack howl and 4 Alarm Fire from Bitten By Paranormal Romance http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.... 3.5 stars from Romance Novel Junkies! http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com/Bo... ACCOLADES FOR THE DEMON’S BARGAIN: **Nominee of Best Erotic Paranormal Romance-Angel and Demon of 2011 at The Romance Reviews (www.romancereviews.com)

    It’s a time where he becomes a man. It’s a time that brings many changes. But Isaac’s sixteenth birthday brings him more changes than most. He is not quite himself and suddenly his friends don’t seem so much like friends anymore. By the end of the party, Isaac will not just change from a boy into a man, but into something else entirely. GROWING PAINS CAN BE HELL… From Bestselling Author of Horror & Suspense, Iain Rob Wright "Iain Rob Wright scares the hell out of me." J A Konrath "A Master of the Modern Horror Tale." Matt Shaw, author of Sick B*stards "Cuddle up to this novel and it might rip your throat out." David T. Wilbanks - Co-author of Dead Earth: The Vengeance Road "One of the BEST horror books I have read in YEARS!" - Eric S. Brown, author of Last Stand in a Dead Land "Wright has achieved a hell of a lot with this novel, pulling together an enjoyable and quite light-hearted apocalyptic romp" - DREADLOCKSMILE "I found myself identifying with and rooting for some of the characters while being disgusted by others. I'd definitely look up Iain Rob Wright's other works" "Iain Rob Wright brings true excitement to the horror genre, with wholly original stories and characters to route for." - Ryan C Thomas, author of Hissers, Rating's Game, and Origin of Pain

    A man finds his remote cabin being terrorized by a woman who only says the same three words over and over... Billions of miles from Earth, a computer must make a difficult decision about a spaceship's last surviving crew-member... As she struggles to look after her dying daughter, a mother notices strange noises in the house... In the ruins of a planet ravaged by alien invasion, a young girl must decide whether to fight, or to simply try to stay alive... After moving into a new house with her parents, young Cally Taylor realizes that perhaps one of the previous occupants never left... On a remote mountain road, a woman comes face to face with a dead, frozen woman in a wrecked car... The Vampire of Downing Street and Other Ghost Stories contains the new stories The Vampire of Downing Street, The Decision, Pets, Frozen Charlotte, When Ghosts Dream and Let Me In, as well as a revised version of Tenderling.

    The carnival is about to begin, and the show is to die for... Grab your ticket and take a seat. The ringmaster’s opening act? A creature showcasing its bloody feat.There are haunting spirits with much to tell. Tales of torture and screams straight from the burning flames of hell.Tick-tock goes the time, seconds passing by as you slowly lose your mind.Watch.Wait.Listen.Evil is coming, and it’s striking from behind.Horror and fear, like filth on your skin it clings,Question is, are you brave enough to endure…The Carnival of Strange Things?

    stories of evil and cunning, written by today's women you should fear. Includes tales from Kelley Armstong, Rachel Caine and Sherrilyn Kenyon, writing in their own bestselling universes.Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery will take the classic tropes of tales of witchcraft and infuse them with fresh, feminist perspective and present-day concerns--even if they're set in the past. These witches might be monstrous, or they might be heroes, depending on their own definitions. Even the kind hostess with the candy cottage thought of herself as the hero of her own story. After all, a woman's gotta eat.Bring out your dread.From TI 9781789090345 HC.

    It is a place of contradictions—the bright lights mask the peeling paint; a carnie in greasy overalls slinks away from the direction of the Barker’s seductive call. It is a place of illusion—is that woman’s beard real? How can she live locked in that watery box?And while many are tricked by sleight of hand, there are hints of something truly magical going on. One must remain alert and learn quickly the unwritten rules of this dark show. To beat the carnival, one had better have either a whole lot of luck or a whole lot of guns—or maybe some magic of one’s own.Featuring stories grotesque and comical, outrageous and action-packed, Carniepunk is the first anthology to channel the energy and attitude of urban fantasy into the bizarre world of creaking machinery, twisted myths, and vivid new magic.RACHEL CAINE’s vampires aren’t child’s play, as a naïve teen discovers when her heart leads her far, far astray in “The Cold Girl.” With “Parlor Tricks,” JENNIFER ESTEP pits Gin Blanco, the Elemental Assassin, against the Wheel of Death and some dangerously creepy clowns. SEANAN McGUIRE narrates a poignant, ethereal tale of a mysterious carnival that returns to a dangerous town after twenty years in “Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea.” KEVIN HEARNE’s Iron Druid and his wisecracking Irish wolfhound discover in “The Demon Barker of Wheat Street” that the impossibly wholesome sounding Kansas Wheat Festival is actually not a healthy place to hang out. With an eerie, unpredictable twist, ROB THURMAN reveals the fate of a psychopath stalking two young carnies in “Painted Love.”

    Aliens. The occult. Zombies. Starships.This baroque collection of stories explores the darkness that waits ahead of us, from the monster lurking around the next corner to sweeping dystopian visions of the future. It includes multiple stories by J.L. Bryan, three drabbles by Michael Crane, two shorts by Amanda Hocking, the entire "Day of Sacrifice" novella by S.W. Benefiel, and additional contributions from paranormal/horror authors Joel Arnold, Robert J. Duperre, Vicki Keire, and Daniel Pyle.

    Using the suit that gives her the ability to fly and turn invisible, she takes photos of superheroes in combat with their deadliest enemies. Some of Meg's subjects aren't exactly delighted with her work. Cougar and his sidekick Lynx, for example, find themselves the butt of the late-night talk show circuit because of one of Meg's photos.They decide to take erotic revenge, and soon Meg finds herself in a delicious hero sandwich. Candy for her Soul by Sheri Gilmore: There's a reason mama always said not to take candy from a stranger. Natalie Pesqua accepts candy from a persuasive stranger, never guessing she's traded her soul to the devil. In exchange for her soul, he grants the desire of her heart: two men to fulfill her every erotic fantasy. Love wasn't part of the bargain. Fortune's Star by Morgan Hawke: In the heart of the Imperial Stars, past and future collide, as ghosts converge in battle for a fortune-teller's soul ... on Port Destiny Station. Luxi Emery was perfectly happy with her position as the receptionist for Armored Media Corp. Then her hidden talent for seeing the future awakened--and exposed a black-mailing con-artist haunted by a malevolent ghost. It was a lose-lose situation, and Luxi had only a single shred of hope. Her future awaits on Port Destiny Station. A future intertwined with Amun, the handsome diplomatic telepath, and Leto, a ghost-haunted cyborg with very human carnal appetites. If they can resolve a few ...intimate ... details. Yet a darker future is chases Luxi: they are not alone, and Leto's is not the only hungry ghost. [Publisher's Note: This book contains BDSM themes and content, menage, and same-sex sexual practices.]