Christmas 1815.
Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…
A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There's the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another....the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her...a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude...a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays...
Contents:
Prologue by Jo Beverley
My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne
A Scottish Carol by Susan King
Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice
In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney
Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott
A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick
Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverley
Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie Views: 816
Ekaterina wants to be taken seriously by the men of her village, so she sets out to hunt the greatest prey of all, the legendary Firebird. On the way she encounters three strangers who give her the gifts she needs- for a price. This short novella, inspired by Slavic folklore, also includes the short stories British Gods and Saturday's Child.This book features three complete stories and one poem from Strange Matters, a collection of short fantasy stories by Bret Allen.About the Firebird:Ekaterina wants to be taken seriously by the men of her village, so she sets out to hunt the greatest prey of all, the legendary Firebird. On the way she encounters three strangers who give her the gifts she needs- for a price.This short novella, inspired by Slavic folklore, is a symbolic fable about the importance of choosing wisely and keeping sight of the things that truly matter.About British Gods:Two strange figures watch the violence of the London riots unfold and do what they can to help, as only forgotten gods can.A humble nod to my favourite author, Neil Gaiman. This short story is based on British folklore in the modern-day style of American Gods.About Thornback:A poem about the humble hedgehog, seen through my eyes.About Saturday’s Child:Henri discovers that his afterlife is going to be even more dangerous than his first life, when he meets a predatory and beautiful stranger.This very short story is set in the world of ‘Sleepwalkers’, a setting of my own creation. In this case, I give a glimpse of the plight of a newly deceased spirit.Feel free to read these stories before checking out the full collection- Strange Matters- 20 stories and poems of fantasy, myth and magic!These stories contain some mature themes. Views: 815
The last thing Cara Halpern expected to do at the office Christmas party was fall in love. But that’s exactly what happens when she goes looking for a hiding space after her boyfriend humiliates her and finds a lovelorn admirer in the mood to confess instead. And what’s a Christmas party for, if not to humiliate yourself – or fall in love?Thrust into a war she did not choose, Sarah Fanum yearns for simpler times. Times when all she had to worry about were bad crops or bad weather. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Set in 1776, my short story, A Christmas Crossing describes the night that changed the course of the Revolutionary War. It is not your typical Christmas story, but one that has affected every fabric of our lives as an American. I was inspired to write A Christmas Crossing after visiting Yorktown, VA. I have always been enamored by the Revolutionary War and wanted to share my love for history with my love for Christmas. I hope you enjoy it. Views: 815
If one must flirt...flirt with danger.
Lessons in the art of espionage aboard Mademoiselle Geraldine's floating dirigible have become tedious without Sophronia's sootie Soap nearby. She would rather thwart dastardly Picklemen, yet her concerns about their wicked intentions are ignored.
Who can she trust? Royal werewolf dewan? Stylish vampire Lord Akeldama? Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way. Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster. Views: 815
'Lobster Boy' is an inspirational and compelling story of adventure and survival set against the savagery of nature and life as the underdog, from Rodman Philbrick, the award-winning author of 'Freak The Mighty'. Views: 815
On the outside, there's Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement.
On the inside, within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there's Amber, locked up for so long she can't imagine freedom.
Tying their two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls' darkest mysteries…
What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve—in this life or in another one?
In prose that sings from line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other. Views: 815
Running from the police should never be a game, but for the rich in the 23rd century it’s just that. Until Justin Ferry the third finds out that money cannot always buy you power.Queen Merran Cadieux believes her parents to be alive and held captive in the Deadly Spray Forest. She asks her friend, Grace Tallon, to risk everything and venture upon a quest that would change Mistasia forever. Views: 814
Ephron has vital skills to ensure security and growth of their tribe. Zohar plans to use Ephron and his sister as peace children in arranged marriages. Marauding enemies and rising waters threaten the homelands of fellow Hittites but no one wants to sacrifice autonomy just for safety, food, clothing, and shelter. Tensions rise.They need strength, unity, and prosperity.Ephron's father Zohar chooses him to lead their family. He not only has vital skills to ensure the security and growth of their tribe but he is still unmarried. Zohar plans to unite the Hittite tribes using Ephron and his sister as peace children in arranged marriages. Marauding enemies and rising waters threaten the homelands of fellow Hittites but no one wants to sacrifice autonomy just for safety, food, clothing, and shelter. Family patriarch Heth's arrival might settle the unrest, but when he does not appear, his representatives find rising tensions and a need for desperate action to show strength, unity, and prosperity. Ephron can't force Shelometh, his intended bride, to marry him. Will she make his tireless work pay off, or destroy his future and her own? Views: 814
If you are hungry to discover Father's will in your life, here is an opportunity to understand how you can - not omitting the reality that we need to know God's will in everything concerning our lives, including our marriage, educational and spiritual issues. Hungrily go through this account of Bill's and finally find yourself taking Jack's words to heart.This story captures the marriage, educational and spiritual life of a young university student who was caught in a deep longing to find God's will for him. In his school days, it became important as life, especially when his fiancee, Catherina Bordeaux seemed to see him as a jinx. Suddenly he meets Jack who equips him on the reality of God's will beyond the self-will if the fallen man. In the process of this gradual change, what would Bill's ideas about life lead him into? And would God's will really be his fiancee, Catherina, or his very close friend, Donna? Quickly find out! Views: 814
Peta has been living in London and having a great time. Then, she finds herself heading home to Australia, as her parents have gone missing whilst bush walking near the town of Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains.Peta has been living in London and having a great time. Then she finds herself heading home to Australia, as her parents have gone missing whilst bush walking near the town of Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains.Unsure what to do, as the search continues for her parents, Peta does manage to uncover some very interesting information about her family and finds out that, people are not always what they seem. Views: 814
James Moody wants nothing more than to rebuild a quiet life in the living world with his resurrected girlfriend Karla. But she has given up on life and would rather she and James exist as free souls in the after lands. When Karla disappears, James, despair restored, regains his ability to pass to the now war-torn and turbulent after lands as he searches for Karla across the realms of the dead.James Moody has grown weary of the after lands, and wants nothing more than to rebuild a quiet life in the living world with his resurrected girlfriend Karla. He only wishes Karla felt the same. But she has long given up on life and yearns only to build a future with James as Freesouls in the Liminality.James' bliss prevents him from joining her on her frequent excursions to the after-realm. But then horrible things start happening to their friends in the UK. James remains blocked until one morning Karla disappears out of the blue.Despair restored, he can once again travel to the Liminality, where he discovers that the Seraph overlords of Penult have launched an all-out campaign to drive all rebel souls back where they 'belong' in the tunnels of Root. James joins the resistance while again being forced to search for Karla across two realms. Views: 814
An apprentice magician on a Mediterranean pirate galley, Saul is learning the art of controlling demons. Pursued by the armies of Rome, his shipmates fight to retain their freedom, while Saul struggles with oppression at the hands of his master. When even demons are bound in chains, can a young man make himself truly free?The Serial Flash Fiction Novel: Newcomer is about Cali, a woman who finds herself in a capsule in the middle of the forest with no memory of how she got there, and only spotted memories of her life beforehand. She is radically different now, physically, and the world seems to have changed around her too. Just where is she? Is any of it real? Or are her memories of her previous life false, instead? Can they both be real? How is that possible?Newcomer describes a world that spans time and involves a war between two distinct ideologies.People who witness the events call it a "war in heaven," though the accuracy of this description remains to be seen. There are many other stories occupy the same world, but many of them take place in different places and time. They will all connect in the end. Views: 813
Laiturilla hän istui penkille, jolle äiti ei ollut istunut. Metro oli syöksynyt asemalle saman tien. Äiti oli viskannut penkin alle kengät ja käsilaukun, sitten hän oli ollut poissa.
Sofi Oksasen uutuusromaani on maaginen kertomus Normasta, joka joutuu vaaraan harvinaisten ominaisuuksiensa vuoksi. Norma kietoutuu petoksen ja paranoian verkkoon, josta hänen on pyristeltävä irti. Views: 813
Captain Wingclipper and 234 contract an unusual virus prompting Elwood and Rodeena to look for a rare antidote.Jack is a Clownfish that will say yes to any dare, no matter how sillyor crazy it is. When Ozzie the Octopus dares him to steal a tooth fromthe Great White Shark, Jack starts swimming down to his lair....The story ends with a great lesson about friendship that all parents will love.- Beautiful illustrations with many humorous scenes.- Rhyming lines help engage your child and sustain interest.- Your child will love to read this story over and over.Pick up your copy today! Views: 813
Kira can see right away that there's something strange about her new school, but what do a book of fairy tales, a ridiculous prophecy, and a secret portal have to do with her? Find out as you follow Kira through her first day of high school in the short story that launches the new "Tales from Seelie High" collection.Kira can see right away that there's something strange about her new school, but what do a book of fairy tales, a ridiculous prophecy, and a secret portal have to do with her? She'll find out on her first day of high school. "Tales from Seelie High" is a collection of young adult fantasy short stories that follows Kira and her friends as they explore the unusual, and possibly magical, heritage of their town. This edition also includes a short prologue and bonus character interview that were originally published on the author's website. Views: 813
