Follow Mira's story as she faces life as a single mother, wrestles with the constant call of the ocean to her mermaid nature, and joins an all-male salvage team who is less than thrilled to have her. When my mother died, I ran to the ocean like a coward. Its cradle of salt puckered my memories and withered my sorrow like a grape drying in the sun. I had cheated grief and was foolish enough to think I had gotten away with it.When Nathan died, I couldn’t run away. No matter how much I flinched, bending toward the Atlantic the way ivy strains for rays of light, I could not leave. Grief was back to take what belonged to it for the time it was allotted. I had everything I wanted a few short years ago. My mate. My daughter. A home, a family. It made my head spin to think how much could change so suddenly. I mused, wondering later if I was the only mermaid to ever walk fully through the five stages of grief. But I had my daughter.Targa had yet to turn, the color and shape of her fins were yet to be revealed, but she would. I had been so sure of it then. Siren genes are passed from mother to daughter, without fail. Young legs melded into a shimmering virgin tail in response to a salty sea. But Targa didn’t turn in response to ocean water, not the first time, not any time after that. Something was wrong. I shoved my fear down deep into some dark corner where Targa would not see it and said with a smile that we’d just have to keep trying. I had turned at the age of three, but if there could be late-bloomers in the human race, why not ours too?Her fifth birthday came and went, still she hadn’t turned. Concern sent its barbs into me like a thistle, then it rooted and grew.Targa and I had weekly late night secret swims in the Atlantic, which had once been fun but were now polluted with expectation and suspense. Coaching sessions (my idea), where I attempted human psychology exercises I’d found in outdated textbooks at the library; guided visualization, breathing techniques, and even a failed go at hypnosis. The memory of her skinny little frame sitting in a bathtub containing more salt than water (Targa’s idea) is still enough to fill my eyes with moisture.I don’t know exactly when she lost hope, but she hid it expertly, patiently participating however I asked.I ignored the creeping thoughts that whispered in my mind; she didn’t even like water, didn’t really want to go for swim, couldn’t hear the ocean calling her. I would shove the thoughts away violently, excusing them as nothing but my own anxiety. It was ridiculous. A daughter of a mermaid who disliked the ocean. Impossible. When I muzzled those fears, I became aware of others of a different kind. Not my own, but hers, for me.She could see the want in my eyes. Whatever mechanism bees and dogs used to smell fear, Targa had it for despair. She could sense it on me, reeking like cheap perfume. Her eyes dipped in desperation, her obvious desire not to disappoint me sliced through me like a white-hot blade from heart to gut. She thought she was my tormentor. The realization struck like a hammer and gave me the strength to do what was needed: Let it go.The ocean could call. I’d let the smell of it crucify me, the sound of its waves crash against me, echo through me, call me, beg me.Targa’s need and my love for her was greater. If she never turned and I was locked in a land-cycle for the rest of our lives, so be it.So be it.

    

    His dragon Gloriox is determined to help him heal, but when their travels bring them to the land of Chamenos, they find that trouble has gotten there first. Gloriox’s niece has been captured, and every other dragon is gone.With their newfound friends Ziggy and Rosa, Pieter and Gloriox will need to scour Chamenos in order to find Gloriox’s niece and face the tyrant king, who’s determined to find the first dragon’s bones and will show no mercy in achieving his goals. Yet, there’s more to the tyrant king’s dark magic than it seems, and Pieter may be the only one who can stop him.Things won’t be so easy with dark spirits in the air and Pieter’s overwhelming fear of losing his companions to unnecessary violence. Some battles must be fought, though, no matter how much Pieter longs for safety. If he can’t overcome his fear of action, his hesitation could be just as deadly as any evil spell.Danger lurks while ancient powers sleep, but if the powers awaken, Chamenos – and the world – will pay the price.

    These aging giants, calling themselves the ‘freakin’ old guys’ are hard-working leaders in their respective fields and have a menagerie of skills to show for it. But what starts out as a dream quickly turns into a nightmare.With these guys, the action never stops.While preparing to set sail, they have a run in with a teenage troublemaker that plagues the locals. The son of a senator, Sean has no respect for authority and is a little lost. The FOGs come from an era where a little rough handling never hurt anyone, and so strike a deal with Sean’s mother to have him sail along with them. She agrees, hoping that two weeks of hard work alongside six respected, intelligent men will get Sean turned around. Things quickly take a turn for the worst when the six small boats get caught in the crossfire of a mafia drug deal. It soon becomes clear that some of the group’s members may be hiding secrets and past lives from the others… Suddenly, the six boats are caught in an odd fog bank, and when they come out the other side, things are not as they seem. Their radios and compasses no longer work and time seems to have lost its way. Where are they? Things quickly start to defy the accepted order of things. Suddenly dropped into their own Odyssey, they fight against strange creatures and demi-goddesses as they try to find a way back home. Together, they must navigate this strange new land. Caly’s Island is a rip-roaring pseudo-fantasy thriller of a modern quest to conquer the unknown amongst seas of turmoil. Dick Herman retired from the US Air Force in 1983 with the rank of Major after serving for twenty- one years. He has flown over 200 combat missions himself and was stationed in Vietnam, West Germany and Great Britain. He has flown the F-4 and C-130 and received five medals, including the Bronze Star. He and his English-born wife now live in Fair Oaks, California. He is the author of several aviation thrillers from Endeavour Press.Venture Press is a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We are committed to the discovery and rediscovery of immensely talented authors in the SFF genre, and continue to push boundaries in search of great literature. Join us as we venture across universes and unknown landscapes – past, present and future. Sign up to our newsletter: http://bit.ly/1LUVI4n Follow us on Twitter @venture_pressFacebook: http://on.fb.me/1NnFow7

    The vampire world is divided: there are the Ko-eks, defenders of a continued peaceful co-existence with humans, and the Apophi who want to end the age of human domination; to claim the daylight and to take control of a world they see as rightfully theirs. A war is brewing between the two factions; a war Dea's blood is prophesized to start.Seventeen year old Dea must fight to survive in a world where even the hunters are hunted and where she is the prize. Dependent on a Coven of deadly but beautiful blood-drinkers, she begins to unravel the mystery of her past. At all costs, they must keep her out of Apophi hands. The future of the world depends on it.Set in and around modern-day London, Blood Omen Book I: The Vampire Wars follows Dea through an exciting four weeks of twists, turns, heartbreak, horror and surprises.Let the darkness draw you in… http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Omen-Bo...

    Beahm is the author of

    This file contains Part One of the book only, which is 20,000 words.In RESURRECTED (Book #1 of the Vampire Legacy), 16 year old Scarlet Paine finds herself changing in mysterious ways. She is becoming sensitive to light, able to read peoples’ thoughts, and is faster and stronger than she’s ever been. She doesn’t understand what’s happening to her, and tries to ignore it. But she can only dismiss it for so long.Caitlin Paine, her mom, knows too well what’s happening to her daughter. She underwent the same transformation to vampire once, centuries ago. But now, in the present day, as a mere human, she has no memory of it. All she has is the journal she found in the attic—her mysterious vampire journal—telling of her exploits in another time and place, and of the vampire race being eradicated. But was there one exception to the rule? Could it be that Scarlet, her daughter, is the last remaining vampire on earth?As Scarlet tries to fight who she’s becoming, she also tries to fight her intense feelings for Blake, a boy in her grade who she has a crush on. She can’t tell, though, if he’s into her, and with the big Halloween dance just days away, the pressure is on. She would do anything for Blake to ask her. But Vivian, the meanest of the popular girls, is also on Blake’s radar, and she’ll do anything to make Blake hers—and to make Scarlet’s life a living hell.Luckily Scarlet has her own clique of friends to back her up, including her best friends Maria and Jasmin. They, too, have guy troubles—but it isn’t until Sage appears, the mysterious new boy, that her friends become obsessed. Scarlet finds herself attracted to him, too—and is surprised when it is her, of all the girls in the school, that he pays attention to. But her mind is set on Blake, at least for now, and she continues to hope he’ll ask her to the dance.Just when it seems that Scarlet has what she wants, her body changes. Soon it may be impossible for her to be near her fellow humans. Soon, she may have to choose between her desire to live and her desire for love.Book #2 in the series, CRAVED (Book #2 of the Vampire Legacy), is now also available.“Grabbed my attention from the beginning and did not let go….This story is an amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the very beginning. There is not a dull moment to be found.”--Paranormal Romance Guild {regarding Turned}“A great plot, and this especially was the kind of book you will have trouble putting down at night. The ending was a cliffhanger that was so spectacular that you will immediately want to buy the next book, just to see what happens.”--The Dallas Examiner {regarding Loved}“Morgan Rice proves herself again to be an extremely talented storyteller….This would appeal to a wide range of audiences, including younger fans of the vampire/fantasy genre. It ended with an unexpected cliffhanger that leaves you shocked.”--The Romance Reviews {regarding Loved}Morgan Rice is the #1 Bestselling author of THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, an eight-book series which has sold over 100,000 copies and has been translated into six languages. Morgan is also author of ARENA ONE, the first book in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic action-thriller trilogy.

    But Melanie’s group isn’t the only one who wants it. A militia who are determined to capture Nate take over her base of operations, forcing Melanie, her family, and her friends to flee into the unforgiving wasteland.Beyond the walls, the outside world continues to spiral into darkness. With enemies on their trail, Melanie’s only hope for survival is to keep moving… or sacrifice Nate for the good of the group. After all, they can’t run forever, and she can’t deny that caring for Nate is slowing them down…Hunted and on the run, the threat of sickness and injury hangs over their heads. Their journey will take them through savage territory, populated by desperate people who will do anything to survive. If her ragtag group can’t find a new shelter, tragedy will claim them all.But when a team member goes missing, Melanie is forced to make a choice: keep moving forward, or risk it all to make a stand…

    She shouldn’t ache for him. She shouldn’t believe him. Claire has given up hope of remembering her past. When the wickedly handsome William walks into her life, she can’t look away. In a world where nothing feels familiar, he does. William knows her secrets, but he carries secrets of his own. Cold skin… Overwhelming power… He’s a vampire. And still, Claire is drawn to him. She can’t help herself. Every rational part of her mind screams for her to stay away, but her heart disagrees. William claims he holds the key to her past, though his knowledge comes at a hefty price…her life. Or worse...her heart. *Notes: Claire and William's story continues in Immortal Memories Part 2. Due to mature content, this book is intended for audiences 18+.

    A shift in the balance of power. And one reject.Malik Demonbreun, the rejected heir of the Southern Vampire Realm, is thrown in the center of a deadly controversy, which may cost him his life. Again.Malik sleeps during daylight and drives a wrecker at night. When his father forces him to return home, he becomes the focus of a deadly bid for a change of leadership within the realms. With no idea who is friend or foe, Malik searches for a way back to his disavowed life. But each step he takes moves him closer to his father's throne. A throne that Malik has never wanted.He had no claim to riches in the reject life. But at least he wasn't living in a sick game of fifty ways to kill a vampire. He never thought he'd miss licking the blood from the seats of wrecked vehicles. One thing was for sure, rich or reject, Vampin' Ain't Easy.Start this gritty and humorous series, Legend of the Vampire Reject, with Vampin' Ain't Easy by Kimbra Swain, author of the Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen series. This is book one of four in the series plus a prequel which can be found in the Urban Magic Anthology.

    

    He meets with an accident that changes the course of his life. It also changes him physically. He is now able to see the broken dreams, the pain and the time of death of any person with a mere physical touch. When he touches Simi, he learns that destiny has something bad in store for her. But destiny takes a sharp turn. In saving Simi, he becomes the cause of Raghu and Ishita’s accident. It is painful but it is a lesson that opens many doors for Arya.

    

    But the woman barely looks like his wife, and she’s going by a different name. Worse, she’s obsessed with another man and memories of a life she’s lived in a place called Nocturne House. As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions. Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood. In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.