17-year-old Jamie Ray hasn't had it easy. Her father died the day she was born and her mother, Laura, struggled to raise her alone. For the first four years of her life, she was poor but only knew love. Enter Owen Granville and life at the hands of an abusive drunk who took his anger out on Jamie and her mother. When her mother dies, Jamie runs and heads South to become someone new.It had been only a matter of hours since her mama had been laid cold in the ground and Jamie Ann Ray wasn’t letting the grass grow beneath her feet. With her mother’s “Do Over” coffee can stash, a hastily packed bag, and a freshly- grown spine, she made tracks before she could feel the sting of her step-father’s hands or the lash of his tongue again. For nearly all of her seventeen years, Jamie and her mother had worn the stamp of his mean streak. Over Mama’s dead body, she made them both a promise—no more. Leaving the damp and bitterness of the Northeast behind, along with all traces of the girl she used to be, she lands south of the Mason-Dixon Line. A home, a job, and a few good friends later and the girl who was once invisible becomes Dixie Mason, trailer queen, someone meant to be seen. Add a sweet, down-home boy with a healthy dose of Southern pride and some of it is bound to rub off. This time, when the past comes knocking at her door to nip her in the butt, Dixie’s is ready to bite back. For any girl who has felt alone and very small with problems that are too big, Dixie proves everyone has what it takes, even if it means backing up and starting from scratch. Just dig down deep in your heart and find out who you’re meant to be. Take a walk in Dixie’s shoes in Deep in the Heart of Dixie and enjoy watching a young girl coming into her own. As an adopted child, I’ve had a great deal of practice imagining my beginnings and who else I might have been.The love of reinventing myself comes to play in each character and scenario that comes to fruition in my stories. I look forward to sharing them with you. Views: 515
When love drifts into his life, danger isn't far behind.Sam Mayne's life is as dull as the dishwater in his small-town Montana diner, and that's just how he wants it. Quiet, uneventful, safe from his shadowy past. The breezy young drifter who answers his help-wanted ad makes him uneasy in ways he dare not examine too closely. Except he can't help but be pulled in by Jay Colby's spunky attitude, endless stories, and undeniable sex appeal.Fresh off yet another romantic disaster, Jay doesn't understand his attraction to the taciturn line cook, but there's no fighting the chemistry that lands them in bed together. Where Sam's subtly dominant streak takes command, and Jay delights in discovering the pleasures of his submissive side.Safe in the assumption their relationship is temporary, neither lover holds back when the heat is on. Until Sam's deadly past catches up with them with a vengeance, forcing him to drop the life he's built, pick up his lover, and run. As... Views: 515
Piper, the daughter of the exiled prince, returns home to be faced with the political strife that sits solely on her inexperienced shoulders. If she is to choose the right heir, she must face her every friend and foe before her time is up, unsure of who is for her and who isn't.Why did I ever take our time in exile for granted? Did I even understand what would happen upon our return to the city? Did I think the Prime Minister would welcome us home with open arms? Would he let us put someone of ours on the throne? Even the King couldn't protect us from that man if he tried.Well, he didn't and when push comes to shove, I am left with the burden of finding the heir Father failed to reveal to me. I still have too much to lose. I just haven't realized how much yet. Views: 515
Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the I. S. and FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth: a human hate group is trying to create its own demons to destroy all Inderlanders, and to do so, it needs her blood. She's faced vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more, but humanity itself might be her toughest challenge yet. Views: 515
Lore of the Underlings continues. In this episode: While on nightwatch for his fallen friend, the beautiful vell Arrowborne, Fyryx Hurx reveals much about the people he leads -- the Treasured of Syland -- a chosen folk cast long ago into the internal exile of an unforgiving wilderness by the clever and farseeing Semperor. Of himself he reveals much as well, as he ponders a new threat from without.Welcome back to Lore of the Underlings, a trail of tales to the end of things, and maybe a bit beyond.The lore continues. In this episode: While on nightwatch for his fallen friend, the beautiful vell Arrowborne, Fyryx Hurx reveals much about the people he leads -- the Treasured of Syland -- a chosen folk cast long ago into the hard internal exile of an unforgiving wilderness by the clever and farseeing Semperor.Of himself the man Fyryx reveals much as well, as he wanders the past to ponder a new threat -- strangers from without, three foreigners armed with uncomfortable tales. Can his boyhood memories help him now?Lore of the Underlings is an epic poetry series from John Klobucher's lands of Lore. It's a bittersweet saga of gold and shadow told in classic style -- with old-world words but new-world wit. Fun for fans of puns and lyrical tongues![Second revision] Views: 515
Lacerant Plainer’s new short story is set in the near future, and with its fast-paced action, dystopian world and warring humans and aliens it ticks all the boxes for a near-perfect first contact tale.Dylan crouched against the wall. He listened carefully for any further sound. His alertness was vindicated by the whoosh of a vehicle passing by, its air cushion blowing out an immense amount of dust and debris.Making himself as small as possible, he froze into a ball, waiting for the vehicle to pass. The sound continued and then there was an explosion, as someone fired at the wall where he had been hiding. He managed to somersault away from the wall as he smelt the ozone an instant before the blast. He crawled away slowly, moving an inch at a time. The commander of the flying vehicle scanned the area again. The psi-scan showed a human in close proximity, but it seemed to be wounded.Lacerant Plainer’s new short story is set in the near future, and with its fast-paced action, dystopian world and warring humans and aliens it ticks all the boxes for a near-perfect first contact tale. But is it? Or is there another point of view to the destruction of Earth, the concept of war and the perspective of aliens? Read this cracking account of the interaction between humans and Xylex, and the implications of greed, short-sightedness, violence and judgments. Views: 515
This is a metafictional preview of a metaphorical tale of a metrosexual angel trying to stop a metaphysical apocalypse.Gabriel is an iPod-totting archangel obsessed with crossword puzzles and human souls. God is the Creator of Everything who misquotes platitudes and who is set on destroying the world. You are a hot, large-breasted dear reader. Angels Don't Cry is a sacrilegiously satirical short story about divine disappointment and angelic hope. Views: 514
A homesick hero, a pair of friendly rivals, a triumphant bridegroom, and a golden maiden populate the pages of this treasury, a collection of awe-inspiring stories from Finnish mythology. Assembled by educator James Baldwin, a specialist in adapting ancient narratives into captivating prose, these 38 entrancing tales are drawn from the oral traditions of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.The Kalevala spans many ages, from the beginning of the earth to the remote past, long before its legends were sung and chanted in humble homes and grand palaces alike. Its tales of heroes and gods center on the fate of a sampo, a highly prized and jealously guarded magical artifact. J. R. R. Tolkien was much influenced by this fantasy cycle of the Far North, and readers of all ages continue to fall under its spell. This edition of the beloved classic features four magnificent illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. Views: 514
Stan returns to law school after narrowly escaping the United States Marines Corps and court martial for the murder of his drill sergeant. He thinks law school should be a snap after the ordeal he has just endured, but he is wrong and quickly finds himself mired in a web of intrigue and deception that threatens both him and his family.After being discharged from the United States Marine Corps, Stan ends up in Dallas where he intends to finish law school. In the spring of 1976, while attending SMU, he is recruited into the Republican party, elected county chairman, and finds himself helping President Gerald Ford in his campaign against Jimmy Carter. The campaign is marred, however by an untimely FBI investigation into the financial dealings of a major party contributor, Brad Thornton.The investigation unleashes an avalanche of misfortune beginning with the alleged murder-suicide of Stan’s friend, Rob Shepard, his wife Cindy and their three children and culminating in the resignation of two Republican candidates for the 67th District’s state representative seat. Stan, who can’t believe his best friend could have murdered his family, launches his own personal investigation to clear Rob’s name. When the investigation turns up new evidence that threatens members of a powerful Mexican drug cartel, Stan becomes the target of Cartel thugs and hit men. Undaunted by these threats, Stan enlists the help of a resourceful classmate, Paula Waters, and a law professor, Harry Hertel (aka Snake) and undertakes a dangerous mission to extract a key witness held by the Cartel at a Mexican resort. Still saddled with the responsibly to field a candidate in the 67th District Stan recruits his assistant, Kristina Tenison, for the job. Kristina is reluctant to run as no woman has ever been elected to this office since Reconstruction, but when Stan agrees to be her campaign manager, and promises her she’ll win, she reluctantly enters the race against the veteran incumbent, Ron Wells. But as the election draws near and she still finds herself lagging in the polls, she wonders if she hasn’t made a big mistake and questions Stan’s continued assurances that she’ll win. Views: 514
There has been a shooting, but the victim and the shooter says it is an accident. But Sheriff Lou Kent isn't buying their story. Yet, he can't figure out why these two friends have a conflict that involves a gunshot wound.In the small town of Moulton, Sheriff Kent was more interested in the two men who robbed the McRay Jewelry Store on Main Street until he gets a call that an ambulance was requested at Emit Allen's house. His friend Angel Thompson has shot him. Now Lou must untwist their story to find the underlying cause of their tale. Then Angel makes a mistake and everything becomes very clear to the sheriff. Views: 514
NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of LOSING IT, Cora Carmack says,"Before reading TEMPTATION'S HEAT, I wouldn't have thought it possible to create a paranormal romance with great characterization, interesting relationships, and strong world-building in only seventy pages. I'm happy to say Michelle Zink definitely proved me wrong! Scarlet was the ultimate kick-ass heroine. Rowen Black was nothing short of sinful, and I am so relieved that the Shadowguard world is continuing as a series. To put it simply: Worth. Every. Penny."
When Rowen Black is assigned to the elite unit of angelic assassins known as the Shadowguard, he thinks his biggest challenge will be overcoming his less-than-stellar reputation. But that’s before he meets his match in Scarlet Montgomery.
Beautiful, strong, and with a temper to match Rowen’s own, Scarlet is focused on the Shadowguard and her possible future as its leader. She’s become an expert at keeping her personal life separate from the Guard, all too aware that as the boss’s daughter, fellow warriors see her not as someone to be respected, but as someone to be protected.
Avoiding entanglements gets a lot harder when Rowen saunters into the room. Rowen puts the bad in "bad boy." Their connection is hot, visceral, and instantaneous.
When the pair are assigned to a joint investigation, they come face-to-face with their undeniable attraction, forcing Scarlet to consider that the connection is not only physical, but a destiny written in the halls of time. Views: 514
And the scream keeps coming…... Don't miss Volume Two of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent's unique and fascinating Soul Screamers series.
MY SOUL TO KEEP
Aside from the whole "I scream when someone is about to die" thing, Kaylee Cavanaugh's life has gotten better. She's getting to know her dad, doing okay in school and has a hot new boyfriend who understands her in every way. Until the hellion Avari starts tempting everyone with an exotic new drug—demon's breath….
MY SOUL TO STEAL
Now on shaky ground with Nash Hudson, Kaylee is taking their relationship easy. But then Sabine—Nash's ex—storms into their lives. She's determined to get Nash back and there's nothing she won't do to remind him of what they had. And since Sabine has special abilities of her own, Kaylee is headed into a battle she's not sure she can win….
REAPER —First time in print!—
Though Tod Hudson died two years ago, thanks to his job as a Reaper he's never had to move on or let go of his family—no matter how much Nash would like him to! But few people know about how he came to accept the job of claiming souls…. Views: 514
