The Bloodstone Papers: A Novel

      Glen Duncan
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Switching seamlessly between the chaos and bloodshed of 1940s India and the multicultural mélange of twenty-first-century Britain, Glen Duncan's sublime new novel finds love in both. Ross Monroe is a boxing railwayman with a weakness for get-rich-quick schemes. Kate Lyle is a headstrong young woman desperate to escape a sexually predatory household. Both are Anglo-Indians, members of a race that helped turn the wheels of Empire for years. But Empire days are numbered, and as India sheds its colonial skin, the young lovers must face their own tryst with destiny. In twenty-first-century England, Owen Monroe is writing this story of his parents' lives in an effort to avoid the problems in his own: lost love, relentless libido, dreams of death, and a world full of headlines he can't understand and doesn't want to. But keeping past and present apart isn't as easy as it seems, and before long Owen is deep in the one story he never wanted to tell.... Epic in its scope yet never losing sight of the telling, gorgeous detail, The Bloodstone Papers is an extraordinarily rich and beautiful read that manages to ask the big questions without fuss and to accept that the big answers aren't always what we want to hear.

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    Ghost Hope

      Ripley Patton
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Olivia Black does not feel safe. Nightmares plague her sleep and haunt her days. If she has to endure one more minute stuck in a safe house in rainy Portland, she's going to lose it. When Mike Palmer sneaks off to find her sister Kaylee without her, it's the last straw. She has to do something. Then Palmer's hackers find the Dome on a satellite feed: dark, abandoned and smack in the middle of the Oregon desert three hundred miles from where it started. If they can reach it before anyone else, they can crack the computer systems and access every piece of information on PSS the CAMFers and The Hold have ever collected. But in order to do that, Olivia must return to the origin of her fears in a race against all the forces that have ever pitted themselves against her. She must unravel decades of deceit to reveal the true origins of Psyche Sans Soma to the world at last.

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    The Lost Ones

      Christopher Golden
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Bestselling author Christopher Golden brings his epic, innovative trilogy, the Veil, to an astonishing conclusion as the mythic realm of heroes and monsters becomes the site of humanity’s last—and greatest—showdown.In the world of the legendary, every myth and folktale is real. That is what Oliver Bascombe learned on the other side of the Veil, where humanity's legends have hidden away for centuries. But even legends have legends, and Oliver has learned of a prophecy that many believe he and his sister, Collette, have come to the Two Kingdoms to fulfill. Before they can discover the truth, the Bascombe siblings must help to stop an apocalyptic war that threatens to destroy the Two Kingdoms, unravel a conspiracy, and prevent a powerful sorcerer from severing the world of humans from the realm of the legendary forever.But first Oliver will have to plot an escape from an impregnable palace dungeon where he and his allies have been imprisoned . . . for regicide.As old heroes and friends ally themselves for one last battle, even older enemies stand arrayed against them. Is humanity ready to face its legends head-on? For Oliver Bascombe, the price may be dearer than even he could ever imagine.

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    A Chill In The Blood

      P. N. Elrod
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A delicious new novel of the The Vampire Files -- in which our undead detective finds himself caught in the middle of a Chicago gangland war!Take a bite out of the newest Vampire Files!A delicious new novel of the The Vampire files--in which our undead detective finds himself caught in the middle of a Chicago gangland war!"Excellent . . . The story shifts easily between comedy and mystery . . . clever and refreshing!"--Booklist"Entertaining . . . Echoes of Hammett and Chandler abound, but the novel succeeds in its own right."--Publishers Weekley"Fun . . . plenty of action [and] quirky characters."--Locus A brilliant blend of mystery, horror, comedy, and historical fiction

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    Del

      Jon Sindell
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Del, a young city gardener, must rely on a simple good nature to deal with thorns botanical and human. By the author of The Mighty Roman and the short story "Lawrence."In this story by the author of The Mighty Roman, previously published in the magazine THEMA, a young city gardener must rely on a simple good nature to deal with thorns botanical and human. With bonus "Peanuts" reference.

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    Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms

      Mark Whiteway
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On the planet Kelanni, life is cheap. An ruthless invader, backed up by Keltar enforcers is compelling the native populace to mine "lodestone", a substance that contains infinite power. The only ones that can stop him are a young girl with a fiery disposition, a former Keltar, a failed revolutionary, a musician and the mysterious creature Boxx, who seems to speak only in riddles.Finalist - 2010 Foreword Book of the Year Award.A white-hole portal from another universe rains so-called lodestones onto the surface of the planet Kelanni - a substance with unlimited power. With the aid of the fearsome Keltar enforcers in their flying cloaks, the Kelanni are being forced to mine the stones. Shann, an orphan with a fiery disposition, witnesses a battle between a Keltar and a stranger bearing a similar flying cloak. She tracks down the stranger, and learns of the technology behind the Keltars' power, joining him on a mission to free the slaves and cut off their supply of lodestones. Meanwhile Keris, a Keltar, is sent on a mission to track down the rebels. She is attacked by a flying creature and saved by the enigmatic Chandara. At their Great Tree, she learns that a mysterious "Prophet" is out to destroy the Kelanni people. Their only hope is a powerful instrument hidden in the distant past. Pursued by Keltar, the party will encounter bizarre creatures, ancient technologies and terrifying dangers. Finally, they must seek to cross a massive storm barrier in order to reach the other side of their world, where a world-shaking revelation awaits.

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    Aspen Allegations - A Sutton Massachusetts Mystery

      Kasi Blake
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A ROMANTIC YOGA MYSTERY INFUSED BY NATUREMorgan has become settled in her quiet life in Sutton, Massachusetts. Her peaceful morning yoga routine is assisted by her cat, Juliet. In the evening she guides her kayak across the placid surface of Lake Singletary. Everything is in its place.When Morgan stumbles across a dead body in the shadowy depths of Sutton Woods, her stability is knocked askew.A ROMANTIC YOGA MYSTERY INFUSED BY NATUREMorgan has become settled in her quiet life in Sutton, Massachusetts. Her peaceful morning yoga routine is assisted by her cat, Juliet. In the evening she guides her kayak across the placid surface of Lake Singletary. Everything is in its place.When Morgan stumbles across a dead body in the shadowy depths of Sutton Woods, her stability is knocked askew. Jason, the ranger who comes to her aid, provides a steady rock of support. The death seems at first an accident, but Morgan knows in her heart that a delicate strut of life has fallen out of balance. As Morgan and Jason delve into the mystery, still waters are stirred. Danger billows from the depths of Purgatory Chasm, from the twisted histories that stretch back decades. Can they unravel the tangled skeins before the past catches up with them?All author's proceeds of this series benefit battered women's shelters.Aspen Allegations is the first novel in the award-winning Sutton Massachusetts Mystery series. It is followed by Birch Blackguards.All novels in the Sutton Massachusetts Mystery series are written in a boots-on-the-ground, chapter-a-day format. On November 1st, author Lisa Shea went to the Sutton woods, hiked through them, and then that evening she wrote up the actual sights and sounds of that visit. That was Chapter One. The same process held true for each subsequent day and location. By November 30th the book was laid out. Each book captures a moment in time; as a whole the series shows the progression of events, news, and nature in Sutton over the years.Lisa has lived in Sutton for nearly two decades and strives to craft stories which transport readers to her beautiful town. She offers a glimpse into Sutton's combination of centuries-old history and a modern, sliced-through-by-a-busy-highway existence. Lisa visits the actual locations mentioned in the story, experiences the atmosphere, and then infuses those rich colors, trilling bird-songs, and pungent fragrances into her story in a richly descriptive manner reminiscent of Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Then toss in an ample seasoning of local culinary delights, and this is the world of the Sutton Massachusetts Mystery Series!

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    Lovely

      Allison Liddelle
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What if you had the chance to go back and change everything? The chance to alter one day, one evening, that would set the stage for your entire life? What about ten times? Ten times to take the same instant and mold it until you make it right, or horribly wrong...What if you had the chance to go back and change everything? The chance to alter one day, one evening, that would set the stage for your entire life? What about ten times? Ten times to take the same instant and mold it until you make it right, or horribly wrong... Alice Hawkings was given that chance, to either ultimately save her own life or end it. In ten tries, she has to decide to live or die. But she doesn't know she has the chance, and she's not sure she wants to give life a fair chance to change her mind.

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    Once in a Blue Moon

      John Krissilas
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Once in a Blue Moon is a spy novel in the vein of Ian Fleming's James Bond series, delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense and intrigue of the highest order. With high-speed chases on both land and water, the silent infiltration of a heavily guarded embassy, and insidious, deadly enemies, Once in a Blue Moon is a spy-thriller that will engage readers of all kinds.A thrilling espionage adventure starring Jonathan Smythe, Once in a Blue Moon is a spy novel in the vein of Ian Fleming's James Bond series, delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense and intrigue of the highest order. After escaping a doomed ocean-liner off the coast of France, Agent Smythe of the Echo Echelon must follow his only lead: Petrov, a Russian general turned arms-dealer, and his deal with the devil. With high-speed chases on both land and water, the silent infiltration of a heavily guarded embassy, and insidious, deadly enemies, Once in a Blue Moon is a spy-thriller that will engage readers of all kinds.

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    Daja's Book

      Tamora Pierce
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Four friends. Four elements. A world in the balance. When Daja is exiled by her people, the Traders, she embarks on an epic adventure which will forge her fate in fire. While at Gold Ridge castle to the north of Winding Circle, Daja and the three other mages-in-training who have become her friends develop their unique magical talents as they try to prevent a devastating forest fire from consuming everything in its path.

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    The Sea Sprite

      Ruth Ryan Langan
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The Cyprian and the Bluestocking! Lucille and Susanna Kellaway are as unalike as twins can be! Lucille is a dedicated scholar and Susanna is a high class courtesan. When Lucille agrees to occupy Susanna's house for a few weeks to help her sister claim an inheritance, she scarcely expects to tangle with the enigmatic landlord, the Earl of Seagrave...

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    Kiss at Midnight (The Shades of Northwood 4)

      Wendy Maddocks
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Being a ghost isn't as much fun as it sounds. Given that Katie had to die to become one, it wasn't exacxtly on her list of ambitions to begin with.As if learning how to cope with being dead wasn't enough, one of her dead brothers is stalking her, intent on taking her into the Dead World. Her boyfriend is trapped there but he's been dead for centuries and even he's scared of something there...With slick black hair, tortoise-shell glasses and a penchant for cheap Merlot, Roxy Parker is a sassy new female detective … except she’s not strictly a detective. Rather, she’s a writer with a taste for the morbid and mysterious—and this time her little sideline may get her in way over her head …In the first book of the Ghostwriter Mystery series, Roxy is hired to ghostwrite the life story of department store heiress Beatrice Musgrave. Beatrice has promised Roxy a secret worth writing about, but before she gets the chance to tell all, the socialite is found ripped to shreds at the bottom of a cliff. The police say it's suicide but Roxy knows better—there are too many people looking way too relieved. And so she embarks on an investigation of her own. From the posh suburbs of inner-city Sydney to remote outback Australia, Roxy finds herself lured into a web of deceit where time has healed no wounds and no one is who they appear to be. One thing, however, is crystal clear: chasing headlines can be a deadly occupation. Roxy must also act fast—there's a menacing stranger threatening her life, a handsome best friend growing increasingly impatient, and her mother is really starting to get on her nerves. Killer Twist is a fun, fast-paced adventure for anyone who loves a good cozy mystery with a little wine swilling and fashionable accessories on the side.A Word of Caution About the Language This story is set in Australia so you may come across some unusual colloquialisms and cursing. Both are an everyday part of our vernacular but I apologise for any confusion or offence; it is not intended.

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    Pirates of the Storm: Stranded In Time Book 1

      Fletcher Best
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Jeff Greene is enjoying his vacation on the Western Caribbean island of Roatan when a freak storm transports him back in time to the 17th century. Jeff takes up with a band of pirates led by the infamous Captain John Coxen as he searches for a way back to his own time in this roller-coaster ride of high-seas adventure, bloody swashbuckling, secret romance, and mysterious forces of nature.Welcome to the Beginning of the Stranded In Time Series!Jeff Greene is enjoying his vacation on the Western Caribbean island of Roatan when a freak storm transports him back in time to the 17th century. Jeff takes up with a band of pirates led by the infamous Captain John Coxen as he searches for a way back to his own time.Part Pirates of the Caribbean and part history-based time travel science fiction, the story takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of high-seas adventure, bloody swashbuckling, secret romance, and mysterious forces of nature.The book has something for everyone - at least everyone who likes a good pirate story (that's everyone, right?). There are battles at sea, sword fights, gun fights, fist fights, pirate talk (yar!), treasure, lusty pirate wenches, sex, drunken debauchery, sharks, exotic locales, and even a bit of pirate captain wisdom.Parents are advised that this book contains depictions of violence and sexuality and contains some profanity. While not overly explicit, it is not intended for young children. At the least, this book would probably be considered "PG-13" material and at times may lapse into an "aaaahhRR" rating!Prepare to set sail with Jeff Greene and the crew of the Wandering Wench and get started reading Pirates Of The Storm now!

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    The Lawyer

      Andy Marlow
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Jonathan is a powerful, successful lawyer, with a six-figure salary and a beautiful wife. Yet when she unearths a ghost from the past, he finds himself re-evaluating his entire existence. This short story is a tale of hope, which shows that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.Welcome to McKenna Ranch!Meet Brody, Callie, Mercer and Parker—the four siblings in the clan of James McKenna, a Montana rancher. Growing up on the ranch was a great life, until Callie and Parker’s mother passed away, leaving James a widower. It wasn’t long, however, before he remarried, bringing stepmother Liz into their lives, along with her son, Brody. Soon, James and Liz added a new McKenna to the family, when daughter Mercer was born.Brothers and sisters are prone to disagreements and this Brady Bunch family of step, half, and full siblings is no exception. As they grew up on the ranch, they learned values that stuck with them throughout their lives—even though they may live apart as adults. But there is one thing that will bring them all back together. Their father’s only wish.Beginning with a short prequel novella that tells the story of James McKenna and Liz Caldera, and how they came to blend their families, these stories put you on the McKenna Ranch near Yellowstone National Park. This series leads off with Jan Scarbrough’s Brody, with Maddie James’ Callie to follow, while the siblings begin the long road home. These sweet to sexy stories give you a glimpse into Montana rodeo and ranch life, and of course, provide lots of contemporary cowboy love and romance.The Montana McKennas: Prequelby Jan Scarbrough and Maddie JamesThe Long Road Home:Brody, Book One, by Jan ScarbroughCallie, Book Two, by Maddie JamesParker, Book Three, by Maddie JamesMercer, Book Four, by Jan Scarbrough

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  • 548

    Aristocratic Thieves

      Richard Dorrance
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Little Jinny Blistov is a gangster who arrives in the US in the unheated hold of an Aeroflot cargo plane. He meets, make enemies of, then friends with, the aristocratic Gwenny and Roger June of Charleston. It isn't long before he convinces them to steal artifacts from warehouses of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Then Stirg, a Russian billionaire and adversary of theirs, objects.Little Jinny Blistov is a second tier gangster who arrives in the US in the unheated hold of an Aeroflot cargo plane. He meets, make enemies of, then friends with, the aristocratic Gwenny and Roger June of Charleston, South Carolina, America's most beautiful town. It isn't long before he convinces them to steal artifacts from warehouses of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. They get huge shipping containers of the stuff back home, at which point Stirg, a Russian billionaire and old adversary of theirs, objects. The two parties meet one evening out on the waters of Charleston harbor, and it isn't pretty.

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    The Princess and the Privy

      Berin Stephens
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All Myrick wants to do is join the army of Fringolia so that he can slay dragons and rescue princesses. If only it were so easy."Sherman Zahd" is an antiwar satire set in San Francisco schools in the early days of the Iraq War. The story is loosely based on Sheherezade. The humor is closely based on George Bush and the like. The story has previously appeared in Mobius, Write Side Up, and Pulse. The author appreciates the opportunity to expand the story's reach by furnishing a free ebook edition to kind readers.

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