The Gift

      K. Lynne Duvall
     The Gift

Larry is a odd sort of kid who hates his father. William is an odd sort of man who hates life. What happens when William meets Larry, and how will it change both of their futures?Separated from his friends one fateful beer-party night, college student Peter Orbus stumbles upon a pale young woman in the park. He feels a strange connection to the shy young woman, a connection made stronger when he gives her his favorite sweater and she disappears into the night with it. His search for both leads him into the depths of the dark woods that cover the park where he finds a hidden world of the undead, vampires. It’s a world he must keep secret if he hopes to survive until midterms.But all secrets hold a price. A shadowy terror arises in the sleepy college town and attacks his fellow students. All evidence points to Peter being the culprit, so he must enlist the help of his newfound companions to clear his name and stop the creature before it destroys everyone.

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    The Answerer: A Modern Tale Of The Tuatha De Dannan

      Joseph H.J. Liaigh
     The Answerer: A Modern Tale Of The Tuatha De Dannan

A kidnapping to a magical kingdom, five murders, and the theft of a magical sword of legendary power; young Irish policeman, Sean MacCarthy, is going to have an interesting day.The Answerer is a sword of legendary power. It is hidden when the Normans overrun Ireland only to be found, amidst much bloodshed, nearly a thousand years later. The Tuatha De Dannan retrieve the sword and take it to Tyr na nOg for safe keeping but there are still those in our world who want its power and there are those of the De Dannan who would give it to them. There is bloodshed, murder and theft and even the mighty De Dannan need help. Together, Declan of the Tuatha De Dannan and a young Irish policeman, just out of the Templemore Academy, Guard Sean MacCarthy, must bring a murderer to justice and, most importantly, find out what happened to the sword. Of course, the Answerer may not want to be locked away.

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    Gauche the Cellist and Other Stories

      Kenji Miyazawa
     Gauche the Cellist and Other Stories

Nankichi Niimi & Kenji Miyazawa are undoubtedly two of Japan's most highly regarded writers of fantasy fiction. Book 2 of Tales From A Japanese Dreamland contains four stories by Kenji Miyazawa and one story by Nankichi Niimi. In addition to the title story, this book also includes Kenji's much loved The Restaurant of Many Orders and Niimi's Buying Mittens. A wonderful collection.Nankichi Niimi & Kenji Miyazawa are undoubtedly two of Japan's most highly regarded writers of fantasy fiction. Book 2 of Tales From Japan contains four stories by Kenji Miyazawa and one story by Nankichi Niimi. In addition to the title story Gauche the Cellist, this book also includes Kenji's much loved The Restaurant of Many Orders.Gauche is a hopeless musician and he's always being yelled at by the conductor. It's not because he doesn't try, it's just that there is something lacking in his music. And now the orchestra is preparing for a big concert so if Gauche doesn't improve in a real hurry he's going to be in big trouble. One day a strange cat turns up holding a tomato in his mouth and then all sorts of strange things start to happen to Gauche.A Story with a MessageThe underlying theme in Gauche the Cellist is admitting our weaknesses and recognizing our strengths. It is not easy to admit when we are doing something wrong, especially when we are putting in so much effort. But if that effort is being applied in the wrong place, then it is almost impossible to achieve the goals that we have set ourselves. Admitting to ourselves that we've been doing something the wrong way is the first step to achieving our dreams. And in the same way, it is also important to recognize the things that we've been doing right, and take pride in what you have achieved up until now.The Nighthawk StarThe nighthawk has a hard time of it. He's got a face like a mud pie, he gets teased by all the other birds and he has to put up with bullies. Hans Christian Andersen was a great inspiration to Kenji and you will recognize something of the Ugly Duckling in this story, but the setting and the finale is classical Kenji, making this story a standout favorite amongst many Japanese readers.Wild Pear (Yamanashi)A surreal tale about a family of crabs on the bottom of the river. The amazing descriptions of life under the water will leave you with a truly new perspective on the world. An extremely well-crafted fable, with a profound underlying message.The Restaurant of Many OrdersThis is perhaps the most famous of Kenji's short stories and one of his personal favorites, as it was the title story of his one and only self-published collection of short stories. Two hunters go on a hunting trip in the country and end up completely lost. Luckily they come across what appears to be an extremely popular restaurant…but everything is not as it seems.Buying Mittens by Nankichi Niimi Mama fox only wants the best for her little one, so when the cold winter arrives and her precious boy needs some mittens, then she knows what she must do. The only problem is that she is afraid and her legs won't take her any further. So her son must go on his own. The highlight of this delightful children's story is the beautiful description of the foxes' journey through the snow covered woods during the middle of the night.

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    Into the Woods (Anomaly Hunters, Book One)

      J. S. Volpe
     Into the Woods (Anomaly Hunters, Book One)

An Anomaly Hunters book. Teenagers Calvin Beckerman and Cynthia Crow unofficially investigate Cynthia’s little sister Emily’s disappearance. They soon join forces with Robert May, an elderly anomaly investigator who is convinced the disappearance has paranormal aspects. The group's hunt for the truth uncovers a mysterious force that will change their lives--and the world--forever. 98,000 words.The Anomaly Hunters saga begins here!When high school seniors Cynthia Crow and Calvin Beckerman set out to investigate the disappearance of Cynthia’s little sister Emily, they aren’t prepared for the surprising twists and turns that await them. They soon find themselves under the tutelage of Robert May, an elderly anomaly investigator who believes that Emily’s disappearance is connected with a string of bizarre and possibly paranormal tragedies stretching back two hundred years. The group’s dogged pursuit of the truth uncovers shocking secrets and terrible crimes, and brings them face-to-face with a mysterious force that will change their lives—and the world—forever.A 98,000-word novel.

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    Shadows

      Robin McKinley
     Shadows

A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles Beauty, Chalice, Spindle’s End, Pegasus and Sunshine Maggie knows something’s off about Val, her mom’s new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he won’t have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. But—more importantly—what are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggie’s great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago. Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. He’s from Oldworld too—and he’s heard of Maggie’s stepfather, and has a guess about Val’s shadows. Maggie doesn’t want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage. In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie’s discovering the world will need both to survive.

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    The Horror in the Museum

      H. P. Lovecraft
     The Horror in the Museum

“H. P. Lovecraft has yet to be surpassed as the twentieth century’s greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale.” –Stephen King “Lovecraft’s fiction is one of the cornerstones of modern horror.” –Clive Barker Some tales in this collection were inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, others he revised, two he co-authored–but all bear the mark of the master of primordial terror. The Horror in the Museum–Locked up for the night, a man will discover the difference between waxen grotesqueries and the real thing.* *The Electric Executioner–Aboard a train, a traveler must match wits with a murderous madman. The Trap–This mirror wants a great deal more than your reflection. The Ghost-Eater–In an ancient woodland, the past comes to life with a bone-crunching vengeance. AND TWENTY MORE STORIES OF UNSPEAKABLE EVIL From the Trade Paperback edition.

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    Soul Eater - Borders Only

      Michelle Paver
     Soul Eater - Borders Only

SUMMARY: Torak has survived the summer and his heart-stopping adventure in the Seal Islands. He and Wolf are together again. But their reunion is all too short-lived.As mid winter approaches Torak learns the worst from the White Fox clan - Wolf has been snatched. In a desperate bid to rescue him, Torak and Renn must brave the frozen wilderness of the Far North. They tread a deadly dangerous path as they step into a world of deceit, treachery and lies and come face to face with the the most powerful and feared mages alive. Cruel Thiazzi, the Oak Tree Mage, Seshru the Viper Mage, beautiful and manipulative, and Nef the gruff Bat Mage - here too is Eostra, the mysterious Masked One - all of them bound by their desire for all creatures to bow before them.Under the dark wings of night Torak confronts vengeful ice bears, mistrust, broken promises and a terrifying evil.Another step is taken on his quest to destroy the Soul-Eaters, but with it comes the burden of an utterly chilling secret of his own...

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    Nightmare City

      Andrew Klavan
     Nightmare City

Tom Harding only wants the truth. But the truth is becoming more dangerous with every passing minute. As a reporter for his high school newspaper, Tom Harding was tracking the best story of his life—when, suddenly, his life turned very, very weird. He woke up one morning to find his house empty . . . his street empty . . . his whole town empty . . . empty except for an eerie, creeping fog—and whatever creatures were slowly moving toward him through the fog. Now Tom’s once-ordinary world has become something out of a horror movie. How did it happen? Is it real? Is he dreaming? Has there been a zombie apocalypse? Has he died and gone to hell? Tom is a good reporter—he knows how to look for answers—but no one has ever covered a story like this before. With the fog closing in and the hungry creatures of the fog surrounding him, he has only a few hours to find out how he lost the world he knew. In this bizarre universe nothing is what it seems and everything—including Tom’s life—hangs in the balance.

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    Virtual Virgin

      Carole Nelson Douglas
     Virtual Virgin

She’s Like a Virgin . . . Simulated for the Very First Time For a red-blooded male, Las Vegas offers a virtual smorgasbord of temptation: sexy showgirls, vampy vampires, zombie starlets, you name it. But paranormal investigator Delilah Street isn’t worried about losing her man to these vixens. Especially when the one woman with a soft spot for the guy also has a hard-shelled exterior. . . . She’s a robot—or a CinSim, to be exact—a near-perfect simulation of the silver-metal robot Maria from the classic science fiction movie Metropolis. Part innocent teenage actress, part depraved sex goddess, the new Maria is hooked on Delilah’s partner, Ric, who raised her from the dead. She also happens to be the perfect secret weapon for a demonic drug lord. Which could be one hell of a problem. Delilah’s not the jealous type, but this tin-can temptress must be stopped—even if it forces Delilah to forge a dangerous alliance with her wicked mirror-twin, Lilith. If robo-girl goes ballistic, every player in Vegas loses. . . .

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    Eternal Beast

      Laura Wright
     Eternal Beast

A Taste of Blood Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life—and rules his thoughts and desires… After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender—she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray—the male whom destiny claims is her mate…

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    The Darke Toad

      Angie Sage
     The Darke Toad

The evil Dom Daniel is up to something with the Port Witch Coven, and he needs Simon Heap’s help. Is Simon ready to do his master’s bidding? And in the state that Dom Daniel is in, how will he fare against the nasty—and ever entertaining—Port Witch Coven? A novella that takes places between the stories told in MAGYK and FLYTE.

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    Goddess Legacy

      M.W. Muse
     Goddess Legacy

Legacy is an average teen with a crush on Adin, the hottest guy in school. Her life is typical, normal even, until she learns her mother is a Greek Goddess and she is changing into one too. Legacy a goddess? Um, yeah. Right. But when she meets the new guy in town, River, she discovers the truth of her heritage, and the legacy she wants just might not be the legacy she is destined to have.Legacy Kore is an average seventeen year old with your basic insane crush on the hottest guy in school... rather Adin Shepard was the hottest guy in school before he graduated a couple of weeks ago. Now it's summer vacation and she's not sure when she'll get to see him again. Until he shows up at her surprise seventeenth birthday party. Cue saliva glands--it's time to drool.But her giddiness is cut short when her guardian delivers an emotional blow, telling Legacy her mother hadn't died when she was baby, but that she'd left for Legacy's protection all those years ago. After the initial shock, she expects some story about how her mother was in the Witness Protection Program or something else just as crazy, but when she's told that her mother is a Greek Goddess and that Legacy is changing into one too, she thinks her guardian needs a trip to a mental hospital. Legacy a goddess? Um, yeah. Right. And her BFF is the Easter Bunny.While trying to make sense out of something that was impossible to believe, Adin asks Legacy out on a date. She is thrilled that her fantasy might become a reality, but when she meets the new guy in town, River, she discovers everything isn't always as it seems, and the legacy she wants just might not be the legacy she is destined to have.Order of Goddess Series:Goddess LegacyGoddess SecretGoddess SacrificeGoddess RevengeGoddess BaredGoddess Bound

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    The Hidden Land

      PAMELA DEAN
     The Hidden Land

The five cousins are still trapped in the Secret Country, and must play their parts. When the King is poisoned, Ted-Prince Edward-must take the throne, even though he has no idea how to rule a country, battle magic, or inspire followers.  Soon enough he will have to do all three because the Country is on the verge of war with the treacherous Dragon King.

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    Feyland: The First Adventure

      Anthea Sharp
     Feyland: The First Adventure

(Short story prequel) High-tech gaming & ancient magic collide when a computer game opens a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie.Jennet Carter never thought hacking into her dad’s new epic-fantasy sim-game would be so exciting… or dangerous. Behind the interface, dark forces lie in wait, leading her toward a battle that will test her to her limits and cost her more than she ever imagined.A free short story prequel to the FEYLAND trilogy - award-winning Urban Fantasy! High-tech gaming and ancient magic collide when a computer game opens a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie. Jennet Carter never thought hacking into her dad’s new epic-fantasy sim-game would be so exciting… or dangerous. Behind the interface, dark forces lie in wait, leading her toward a battle that will test her to her limits and cost her more than she ever imagined.

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    A Shard of Ice - Chapter Sampler

      Alivia Anders
     A Shard of Ice - Chapter Sampler

THEIR SOULS, REAWAKENED.THEIR POWER, UNMATCHED.THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNING.THEIR SOULS, REAWAKENED.When 13-year-old Lilix Morgan is found alive and floating on a bed of ice at sea, everyone counts it a miracle. Kidnapped nearly four weeks earlier, she remembers nothing of her mysterious abduction. When she tries to remember what happened, she hears only a melody – a faint and delicate set of notes, strung together in a tune she doesn’t understand. THEIR POWER, UNMATCHED.A year later and desperate to put the lingering nightmares of her past behind her, Lilix crosses the country to enroll at Baelmorte Academy, aiming to become the violinist she once dreamt of. Things seem to be finally going well, and Lilix settles into a routine of sheet music and inspiration among new friends.Then the dreams start. The melody and night terrors she thought she’d left behind return with a vengeance, threatening to ruin her fragile version of normalcy. Then an unlikely ally tells her that she isn’t alone. That there are others just like her, fighting to hide their own shocking truths from coming to light. That they know who she is, and what she’s been through. Now, accompanied by four other girls, Lilix discovers her nightmares are larger than a single trauma; they’re a window to a hidden part of her soul, a place of immense power with a destiny that cannot be ignored. THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNING.With this knowledge comes a new and frightening reality. For Lilix has been reawakened to stop an age-old enemy, one thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. Trapped by her destiny, Lilix is torn between what feels right and what she remembers. Her memories tell her of a star-crossed love waiting to be reunited, of friendships and trust broken in the past. But can she save that love when reality brings her an enemy, and an evil that will be the undoing of them all if they don’t destroy it?

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