Book picks similar to
Minstrel's Bargain by Richard Ayre
horror
horror-fiction
really-long-reads
minimal-socially-redeeming-value
Boy in the Mirror
Robert J. Duperre - 2015
There’s never been anything normal about Jacqueline; not during her time in foster care, and certainly not in her new hometown of Mercy Hills. With rumors of actual monsters in the woods, the popular kids taking an unhealthy interest in her, and the revealing of her own dark past, all Jacqueline wants to do is run away forever with Mal. Too bad he’s trapped in the mirror. But when she learns the ancient forces of the town want to destroy everything she loves, the race is on to free the boy in the mirror, because he just might be the only one who knows how to stop them. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This book was originally released under the title, "The Mirror of Souls."
Hellenica
Jonathan Maas - 2013
The sole remaining functional province, Hellenica, decides to act. They build the Academy and are about to recruit 16 young gods with the hopes of training them to police this world.The HorsemenOf these 16 young gods, four have strange powers that the Academy might not be able to control. Kayana Marx, Gunnar Redstone, Tommy Alderon and Saoirse Frost aren’t like normal gods, and their abilities stem from the Monotheistic times. But if Hellenica has any hope of holding this world together, they will have to teach these four to exercise their powers to their fullest extent, even if it might bring everything to an apocalyptic end.
Eden
Michael Robertson - 2014
Standing in the control room, there to take over the running of it from his father, Mark quickly realises this is more than a handover. He's about to find out that Eden has secrets. Dark secrets. Secrets that reveal the truth about the apocalypse. Secrets that change the way he looks at his father forever. Secrets that change the way he looks at everything forever. What the reviewers say about Eden: “Eden is deep, dark, and thought provoking.” “The plot and pacing are wonderfully constructed, and the characters’ emotions come through incredibly clearly.” “… stop wasting time reading the awesome reviews, grab this book, and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!” “It ran the gamut of emotions; anger, surprise, shock and heartbreak. I was in tears at the end of the story.” “Two thumbs up!” “You need to read this, like, now.” “I could not have asked for a better glimpse into this under-utilised facet of the zombie apocalypse.”
The 13
M.M. Perry - 2017
If only her ship can make it there.Naomi has finally figured out how to permanently fix a deadly malfunction in the Magellan's engines. A sister ship is willing to give her the part she needs to get safely to their new home. But everything goes awry when the sister ship goes dark without warning.Mike is an obedient soldier. He's done his duty and kept the civilians safe on the Magellan. He thought he was the perfect soldier. Then he met Naomi and his world came crashing down.Mike and Naomi will travel to the Tereshkova together to learn what catastrophe has befallen their sister ship. What they find out in their journey together chills them to the bone. If he can't save the civilians left on the Tereshkova, Mike doesn't know how he'll keep Naomi from falling to a similar demise.
Trapped
Randolph Lalonde - 2016
Some time later, mankind is slowly regaining control, destroying artificial intelligences by any means but leaving a chaotic, lawless galaxy behind as a result. Aspen has found a new home with the crew of the Cool Angel, a mercenary ship, unaware that she will soon be back in the hands of her old masters and will have to fight for her freedom all over again. From the author of the best selling Spinward Fringe series, this new novella promises adventure, drama and space with swagger!
Genetic Imperfections
Steve Hadden - 2012
But despite his sacrifices and prayers, he helplessly watched him die. On that day his heart hardened, and he embarked on a path of cynicism, materialism and self-indulgence. Now, at forty-five, he's ready to collect the payoff for selling his soul when he takes Rexsen Labs public. Propelled by the pending FDA approval of CGT, the first genetic cure for leukemia, he's on the verge of becoming Newport Beach's newest billionaire. But his dream suddenly becomes a nightmare when his jet crashes into the Pacific Ocean. While David miraculously survives, he loses control of Rexsen to his ruthless wife, Priscilla, her scheming brother, and her Wall-Street-cover-boy lover. Meanwhile, Rexsen researcher Tori Clarke discovers a fatal flaw in CGT, and becomes the target of a deadly cover-up to save their multi-billion dollar payday. Framed for murder and on the run, David joins forces with Tori to regain control of Rexsen, fix CGT, and save a young girl's life. Trapped between the authorities and the company he helped build, David risks everything to give meaning to his second chance at life and his only chance for love. Genetic Imperfections is a story of redemption uniquely packaged in the thriller genre. It's a story about how the fundamental goodness in one man can be buried by tragedy and replaced with bitterness and greed--and how the path to redemption reveals itself in mysterious ways. According to the National Institute of Health, there are over sixty clinical trials for cancer using gene therapy underway in the US--there are none underway to treat greed.
Beyond Death
Deb McEwan - 2014
A family secret. A psychic awakening. What should be the best night of Claire Sylvester’s life turns into the worst. But what can be worse than death? Discovering those you love are in danger, and you’re the only one who can save them? Having to watch them suffer? Or not knowing what to do? As she learns to come to terms with her strange new world, will love and hope give Claire the strength to overcome her fears and do what must be done?What will be her final destination? And will she get a second chance?Beyond Death is the first book in Deb McEwan’s Afterlife series. If you love supernatural thrillers about love and loss, and death and destruction, with a hint of dark humour, this is for you.“A humorous yet thought-provoking idea of the afterlife. This book will have you laughing out loud at one juncture and bring a tear to your eye at the next. If you liked Being Human and enjoy British satire, then you'll love this!” Amazon Reviewer“A really gripping read, couldn't put it down once I started. So many twists and turns. Before I finished I ordered the next two books in the series.” Amazon Reviewer“With so many supernatural tales on the shelves it’s hard to find something genuinely original yet Beyond Death fits the description well, with author Deb McEwan bringing a distinctive new voice to this ever-popular genre.” Book Viral Fans of 'Being Human' enjoy the Afterlife series which comprises four supernatural thriller books:Book 1: Beyond Death Book 2: Beyond LifeBook 3: Beyond DestinyBook 4: Beyond PossessionBook 5: Beyond LimitsBook 6: Beyond Sunnyfields (Coming Soon)My other books:Unlikely Soldiers Book 1 (Civvy to Squaddie)Unlikely Soldiers Book 2 (Secrets and Lies)Unlikely Soldiers Book 3 (Friends and Revenge)Unlikely Soldiers Book 4 (Murder and Mayhem)Court Out (A Netball Girls' Drama)The Island Dog Squad Series (inspired by our wonderful rescue dog Sandy):Sandy's StoryAnother Crazy MissionPeople Problems And for children:Jason the Penguin (He's Different)Jason the Penguin (He Learns to Swim)
The Lost Children Trilogy Complete Box Set: Forgotten, Remembered, Reborn
Krista Street - 2017
This box set includes: Forgotten, Remembered, & Reborn. Over 950 pages of contemporary fantasy, intriguing mystery, and heart-wrenching romance. Sure to please mature YA* and adult readers alike.
Forgotten memories. Mysterious tattoos. Supernatural abilities.Four months ago, Lena woke up in a dark alleyway with no recollection of who she is. The only clues to her past are a mysterious tattooed symbol and a supernatural power: the ability to see evil in people. While struggling to regain her memory, she follows a guiding instinct to a small Colorado town.There she finds other young men and women with similar stories, similar tattoos, and a multitude of superhuman powers. Among them a man she's intensely attracted to, yet with no memories of him, she has no idea why.As Lena and the others explore their powers and try to figure out who and what they are, they make a frightening discovery. Those who know the answers to their questions are hunting them. And if they find them, these superhumans may not survive.Readers have called The Lost Children trilogy, "the best books I've read this year!" and Forgotten was heralded a, "most highly recommended" read by Readers' Favorite Book Reviews. Don't miss out on this epic series!*YA Readers - please note these books contain MODERATE sexual content.
Lowcountry Punch
Boo Walker - 2014
Reddick leaves Miami for Charleston, SC, hoping a return to his roots will heal a wounded heart and the guilt of killing a friend. The sleepy and sultry city of Charleston is filled with echoes of the Old South: genteel playboys, society debutantes, and quiet cobblestone streets. But as Reddick will soon discover, there’s danger lurking under her charming veneer. When a movie star’s death shines a national spotlight on Charleston’s underground cocaine trade, he must go undercover to find the main supplier and shut him down. As a hurricane bears down on the port city and the DEA gets ready to spring its trap, Reddick must contend with more than he ever could have imagined.
Brash and bold, TA Reddick is a hero you won’t soon forget. Lowcountry Punch is an action-packed novel that will have you on your knees begging for more.
Earth Seven: And the History Department at the University of Centrum Kath - a Science Fiction Satire
Steve M. - 2017
The final megalomaniac is dead. The universe stepped back from the edge of extinction. The intergalactic war between the forces of Good and Evil versus the rest of us is over. Fortunately the rest of us won. Welcome to the universe once we’ve conquered the urge to control everything or else blow it up. But even a universe at peace is still a very dangerous place. 22 years ago a spaceship crashed on Earth Seven. One of the boys that found the wreckage is on the cusp of uniting the planet under his rule. By convention, all planets in contact quarantine are called Earth and given a numerical designation. For example, if you are reading this on Amazon, you are on Earth Five. The war taught us that we can never let barbarians loose in the universe again. Earth Seven is thousands of years from joining the Federation. They are at a medieval level of development and have met none of the contact criteria. Allor heals the sick with alien technology and they love him for it. Allor promises to end the religious wars. His sister runs an informant network and collects the severed heads of his rivals. His mother has created a religion to worship him. Oh, dear. Koven Modi, a rookie field historian, is sent to investigate the use of advanced comms technology on Earth Seven, a Prim-3 planet. Koven is well-armed, well-trained and well-scared. War is constant on Earth Seven. His goals are simple. Don’t get killed and don’t get dumped by his girlfriend. Staying alive may be easier. Under other circumstances, Allor and Koven would be good friends. But their roles make them enemies. Calcus Majoris has deteremined that there is a 62.37% probability that Earth Five will self-destruct. Read Earth Seven before your planet blows up Your money back if your planet self-destructs before you read my book. Cursing: Yes Imaginary Sex: Yes Satirical Viewpoints: Overwhelmingly
No Time
Bonnie R. Paulson - 2017
With too much at stake, Cady might make the wrong choice…Why would you want to survive while the rest of the world is gone?Grab this thriller and jump into the apocalypse. Hold your breath! Paulson will take you for a ride.
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Dark Isle
David Longhorn - 2016
But when he starts researching the long-dead English writer, Monty Summerskill, he quickly discovers that truth is stranger than fiction. Turns out Summerskill's ghost stories were based on horrifying reality. One that caused the author's shocking death. Mark's journey takes him to dark places, where he finds himself haunted by a ghost from his troubled childhood. But that's nothing compared to the terrors that await as he heads towards the Dark Isle, where the solution to an ancient mystery lies. Something far more terrifying than any ghost is on his trail. Awakened after decades of hibernation, it is deadly, unstoppable and hungry. Hungry for blood.
Earthbound
Mari Collier - 2013
The two become friends and comrades, their fates forever intertwined. They find themselves together in the prairies of 19th century Texas, the bordellos of Civil War-era New Orleans, to Prohibition in the 1920s, the Great Depression, and the vastness of space.But will they survive hardships through history, the enmity of their southern neighbors and the Civil War, to be able to return to his home planet and exact his revenge?
Amazon Sci-Fi Western bestseller
Praise for Earthbound:
★★★★★"Well written and thoroughly researched, with realistic characters and events. I could not put the book down" - Laurie Ann Davis, Amazon Review
★★★★★"A great story with memorable characters, but to me the most fun was the historical aspect of it. Mari has done her research." - Mark R. Hunter, Amazon review
★★★★★"I don't usually read western-themed books but this book breaks the mold, blending western, historical, and sci-fi / paranormal all into one. It was spellbinding." - James Johnson, Amazon review
Earth's First
M.J. Caan - 2013
Maura Riley learns this the hard way after a fateful first contact with an alien being that literally fell from the stars. She finds herself thrust into a world of shadowy government operatives, vengeful alien factions, and mutated human beings that suddenly have the ability to act on their darkest, most deprave desires. War is coming to Earth. War in the form of an invading alien horde known as the Anisari, that is bent on dominating or destroying our planet. They are seeking their lost property, the very being that fell to Earth and caused the massive genetic changes occurring on our world. After first contact, human beings are evolving into something that can either save our world, or hasten its destruction. Maura and her friends have to decide if they want to be Earth's defenders or give into the savagery and lust that their newfound mutation allows them to explore. Book one in the dark and gritty science fiction series Earth's First is not to be missed. All three books in the Earth's First saga are available for purchase, or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!