Elrod's picked 15 of her favorite short works for this multi-genre collection spanning 15 years of publication.Also included is a never before published VAMPIRE FILES story, featuring her urban fantasy vampire PI, Jack Fleming!Each story has been polished afresh for this anthology, with pages of new material added.More information -- and previews of the stories! -- may be found at her website vampwriter-dot-com.Titles:1. A Night at the (Horse) Opera (Vampire Files, Fleming)2. The Breath of Bast (Vampire Files), Ecsott)3. Bossman (Original mystery, no vamps)4. Slaughter (Vampire Files, Fleming & Gordy)5. The Devil's Mark (Original historical vampire)6. You'll Catch Your Death (Vampire Files)7. Izzy's Shoe-In (Historical mystery introducing Izzy DeLeon, fearless girl reporter)8. The Quick Way Down (Vampire Files, Fleming and Gordy)9. The Scottish Ploy (Original romance/mystery)10. Grave-Robbed (Vampire Files, Fleming)11. The Company You Keep (Vampire Files, Gabriel Kroun)12. Death in Dover (Jonathan Barrett before he got vamped, historical mystery)13. Drawing Dead (ALL NEW VAMPIRE FILES, Fleming)14. King of Shreds and Patches (Hamlet from a different point of view, mystery)15. Fugitive (Science fiction/space opera)16. BONUS STORY! The Wind Breathes Cold (Quincey Morris: Vampire)

    John never dreamed his epic summer as a smokejumper would end with a harrowing plane crash and turn him into an invalid. He wouldn’t have survived without brave fellow smokejumper Hannah Butcher. In fact, he probably fell in love with her that night. Hannah Butcher knows that without CJ, she would have failed her rookie summer. She admired him long before the crash, but lost her heart to him during their terrifying survival.A winter storm awakens their memories—and fears…Six months later, a mutual friend’s wedding throws Hannah and CJ together again, and their romance is stirred to life. But when a blizzard detours them, and they run off the road, they’ll have to face their darkest fears to survive. A Christmas story about the miracles that happen when the weather outside becomes frightful.Deadly Night, Silent Nightby USA Today Bestselling Author Margaret DaleyRevenge. Sabotage. Second Chances. Widow Rebecca Howard runs a successful store chain that is being targeted during the holiday season. Detective Alex Kincaid, best friends with Rebecca’s twin brother, is investigating the hacking of the store’s computer system. When the attacks become personal, Alex must find the assailant before Rebecca, the woman he’s falling in love with, is murdered.The Wonder of His Loveby USA Today Bestselling Author Kimberly Rae JordanNoella Crawford knows exactly what she wants in a man, and it’s not Finlay Kinnaird. But in spite of Noella’s best efforts to keep Finn at arm’s length, the man is determined to prove he’s the one she needs. As the Christmas season approaches, will Noella let her heart lead the way? Or will past hurts keep her from experiencing the wonder of love?Calm and Brightby USA Today Bestselling Author Autumn MacarthurMaddie Hughes knows her charming but unreliable ex-husband will once again disappoint their son with broken promises this Christmas. But Brad’s changed. He’ll do whatever it takes to win her back. Even working in her grandmother’s quirky Huckleberry Lake gift shop. Can they allow God to heal their broken marriage and broken hearts before his career tears them apart?Heavenly Peaceby USA Today Bestselling Author Lesley Ann McDanielChristmas is just around the corner, but widowed mom Valerie is too stressed to enjoy it. When the tag her son picks off a Giving Tree leads her to a handsome stranger named Jake, a request for a miracle might be just what they both need to restore their joy.Wish You Joyby USA Today Bestselling Author Jan ThompsonChristmastown USA has a new CEO. But owning a majority share of the holiday-decorating company makes no difference for Cyrus Theroux if the other 49 percent hates Christmas. Cyrus prays for a miracle to get through Christmas with his reluctant business partner…A Husband for Hollyby USA Today Bestselling Author Marion UeckermannHolly Blume loves decorating people’s homes, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to play house. Believing a house is not a home without a woman’s touch, there’s nothing Reverend Christopher Stewart would like more than a wife. But what woman would consider him marriage material, with an aging widowed father suffering from Alzheimer’s to look after? Can Christopher reform Holly’s heart while she redesigns his home?Maid for Marriageby Bestselling Author Susette WilliamsHer parents disinherited Zelina Zervos after she refused to honor their arranged marriage to a man she hadn’t seen since they were children. Drake Giannopoulos had his own reservations about marrying a virtual stranger, but his wounded ego isn’t about to let him take no for an answer.

    Where darkness never abates, and your deepest fears are just a few steps away. Travel to an old house in the country where something hungry waits just beyond the treeline. Watch as a young woman, whose life hangs in the balance, receives a visitor from the afterlife. Or, journey across an ocean on a romantic voyage that ends in the deepest kind of horror. This dark collection of the macabre is sure to chill the bones of even the most stalwart horror aficionado.

    Looks like something for everyone...There's even an alien puppy.Contents: * Introduction (The Newcomer) (2016) • essay by Alasdair Shaw * Tithe (2016) / short story by Griffin Carmichael * Exodus (2016) / short story by Alec Hutson * First Bonding (2016) / short story by Tom Germann * Ice Dreamer (2015) / short story by J. J. Green * The Nanny (2016) / short story by Cindy Carroll * Right Hand (2016) / short story by Jonathan C. Gillespie * What Make Is Your Cat? (2016) / short story by Richard Crawford * Kaxian Duty (2014) / short story by Cherise Kelley * Lessons Learned (2016) / short story by J. Naomi Ay * The Humra (2016) / short story by Laura Greenwood * The Hawk of Destiny's Fist (2016) / short story by James S. Aaron * Repulse [Two Democracies: Revolution] (2016) / short story by Alasdair Shaw .

    He was best known for his 'Deathworld' and 'Stainless Steel Rat' series. He was nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Sideways Awards. He was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2004. This omnibus edition of his work includes four complete novels and six short stories. Both of his best known series, 'Deathworld' and 'The Stainless Steel Rat' are represented herein. Hours of science fiction delight await you in this five hundred page omnibus edition of some of his finest work.

    Sexy. Sassy. There’s so much to love. Don’t miss out on this massive collection of romance stories by best-selling author Summer Cooper and Scarlet Wilder! Included in this boxset:A Chance To LoveSomebody To LoveNot Mine To LoveFirst Love: A Single Dad Second Chance RomanceElemental Love: A Single Dad Second Chance RomanceAccidental Love: A Single Dad Second Chance RomanceLosing ItRisking ItWanting ItFeeling It10 standalone, heartwarming, panty-melting stories with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA. Scroll down and see what our swoon-inducing heroes have to say about their special ladies... A Chance To Love A cheating husband. Divorced with a young daughter. My heart died a little when I heard the news about Dana. When she picked him over me, I left. I know now I should have stayed and fought for her. I only hope that it isn’t too late… Somebody To Love She smells so good… and I want her all to myself. I knew that the first time I met her. But she’s clearly been hurt before by a**holes like me. I have to convince her I’m not like them. But if my plan fails, I’ll lose everything. Not Mine To Love She’s stalking me, I swear. Saying hello to her was a mistake. Getting to know her was an even bigger mistake. I should have kept my distance. I shouldn’t be thinking about her in that way. But it’s too late, now she occupies my most private thoughts... First Love Naked. That was the first time I really saw Elle, that I took any notice. I saw her vulnerability and I soon realized she had been bullied. I wanted to protect her right there and then. I wanted to run away with her. But that’s not something the dutiful son of a billionaire should do. Elemental Love The help. As much as I hate that word, I hate her even more. I hate that she’s in love with my little brother. I hate that she’s so good with my son. I hate that she’s the best at what she does. I hate her so much that I want to rip her clothes off and punish her… Accidental Love When I chose to adopt Lily, I closed the door on romance. Then I saw Eva again. The girl that once felt so right in my arms. The girl that ghosted me without a word. It’s been seven years but apparently, time doesn’t heal all wounds. I want her to feel the hurt she caused me. Losing It Definitely maybe. Eris has turned into a stunning woman that I can’t take my eyes off. She wanted me then and still wants me now. The thing is... she’s my best friend’s sister. She’s kind of woman you marry. She’s the kind I stay the hell away from. Risking It Women. Booze. Parties. That’s pretty much my life as a jock. But seeing her again stirs up memories. I remember the time I dragged her lifeless body out of the water. I remember the feeling of almost losing her… And desperately wanting to never feel that again.

    Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

    A novelist with more than 25 books written, he has also written more than 50 short stories, and many of these are collected in the books The Nightmare Chronicles, Wild Things, and this collection, Night Asylum. He is currently writing several short stories and novelettes toward a new collection of short fiction to come in 2013.Look for other books by Douglas Clegg:The Children’s HourGoat DancePurityDark of the EyeThe WordsWild ThingsNightmare HouseBad KarmaRed AngelNight CageMischiefThe InfiniteThe AbandonedThe NecromancerIsisThe Hour Before DarkYou Come When I Call YouNaomiThe Nightmare ChroniclesThe Machinery of NightBreederThe Attraction

    Led by Brazilian guide Diogo and a contingent of mercenaries, the husband and wife team trek into the jungle to investigate.The trail of dead monkeys leads deep into the rainforest and the group fractures when Mic describes seeing a fifteen-foot spinosaurus prowling the forest. Despite the defections of their guide and two guards, the scientists track the dinosaur in search of answers.The horrors they discover quickly turn their mission to one of survival as the team fights monsters of the past… and the unknown.

    My sister was not most little girls.Inside you'll experience intimate first hand accounts of modern day murders, kidnappings, and violent revenge. Other stories are heart-warming with whimsical mysteries, gothic fairy tales, and supernatural monstrosities.

    Nesbit, Diana Wynne Jones, Gahan Wilson, and other literary luminaries. Sales of Unnatural Creatures benefit 826DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students in their creative and expository writing, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

     Bringing you festive treats and Yuletide chills: Mark Tufo, Amy Cross, Mark Allan Gunnells, Mark Cassell, Lex H. Jones, Chris Miller, Steven Stacy, James Matthew Byers & Kevin J. Kennedy We hope your Christmas is both wonderful and terrifying.

    This short story was originally published in Joe Hill's collection 20TH CENTURY GHOSTS.

    Be sure to go to a friend’s house to read them, because you won’t want to be alone, and whatever you do, don’t walk home by yourself! Come read about a most unusual resort house in Washington’s Palouse country—then read about the strange Yellowstone Fog and the secrets it holds—come along to mysterious Alaska where an archaeologist makes a find he wishes he hadn’t—find out if a human can outwit a bloodthirsty Bigfoot by climbing high in a tree—visit a unique house set in the Utah desert—then climb high on Canada’s highest peak, Mt. Logan, where something malevolent awaits you. Another great book from Rusty Wilson, Bigfoot expert and storyteller—tales for both the Bigfoot believer and those who just enjoy a good story.

    . .But instead she opened the door to HellRomantic novelist Mandy Freeman thinks all her dreams have come true when she becomes the new owner of Summer Cottage, the former home of her idol, bestselling author Ellen Grace. With her new life starting and love on the horizon, Mandy's future is looking bright.But as Mandy begins to learn, all is not as it seems at Summer Cottage. As a series of increasingly disturbing and sinister events forces her to delve into the mysterious past of its former owner Ellen Grace, Mandy finds herself caught up in a horrifying nightmare that threatens to destroy her sanity . . . and perhaps claim her life.