Exiled and shamed Grace rises above her new station in life to become a hero.Branded a witch and exiled after a dishonorable display at the king’s annual tournament, quiet Grace Hilren is forced to uproot her life of luxury as a lord’s daughter and move to the slums of the port city, Glenbard. But Grace carries a secret. Though trained to be a fine lady, she also learned to handle a sword and has made it her mission to eradicate evil and injustice where she finds it. Even in exile, Grace continues her work under the given name of Death Dealer. Her nightly deeds bring her to the notice of the self-proclaimed King of Thieves, Marcus. When the king’s power is threatened by a rival named Mac, the Death Dealer unwittingly becomes a pawn in the struggle between thieves for control of the lower city. The game becomes dangerous as Grace realizes she may not be able to best this usurper.

Alvilda, an Elvish sorcerous, travels with a Necromancer's soul imprisoned within her own. The Necromancer know it's only escape is through her death. So he hatches a plan to free himself as she makes her way through a dense forest.Ash Magazine is a magazine dedicated to exposing people to unknown writers and artists.Ash Magazine Issue 2 has art and stories byAndrew DimitrovNikole KlinkhammerTony GillTammie PainterEartha ForestWill SchmitzDevon AmatoBrett CihonPatrick LogonElizabeth J. SparenbergJazzMinh MooreErin KassidyKayla HimmelbergerNicholas UtkeAllison WildeAdam RobertsAnna PalmerAsh Magazine is published byLord HaywireAsh Magazine Issue 2 was edited by Jenn Waterman

This issue of Fiction Vortex introduces some new subgenres that we haven't published before, including fractured fairytale, high fantasy, steampunk, and space western.Fiction Vortex publishes two new science fiction and fantasy stories each week. All stories in this issue appeared on the site during the month of July 2013.Science fiction and fantasy are such broad genres that they mean something different to every person you ask. Well, except for literary snobs; they're remarkably uniform in their opinions of genre fiction. It seems to me that they wouldn't pass muster with their beloved Holden Caulfield, but maybe that's a conversation for another day. The diversity of subgenres is what makes sci-fi and fantasy so cool (aside from lasers and spaceships, dragons and wizards, psychopaths and world destruction, etc.). There's something for nearly everyone.We strive to show this breadth of ideas in our stories, which is why we're so excited about this issue. It continues our trend of publishing great fiction, but it also introduces a few new subgenres that we haven't published yet. We've got our first truly high fantasy tale, our first fractured fairytale, our first steampunk story, and our first space western.That's enough subgenre to kill a Tartellonelionicate Mega-Aardvark.So sit back and enjoy the smorgasbord of science fiction and fantasy. And don't forget to pat your back on our behalf. No, pat your back, not our behalf. We don't like it when people touch our behalf, anyway. You're the reason we do this, and the reason we're still going. So thanks for your support, and look for more great fiction next month.Fiction Vortex publishes two new science fiction and fantasy stories each week. All stories in this issue appeared on the site during the month of July 2013.

**From the author of *Naughty Bits*, “one of the best authors of erotica,”* comes *Naughty Wishes Part IV: Soul*, when the hunger for ultimate fulfillment between three young lovers comes to a breathtaking climax...** It’s everything their hearts desire—but Samantha, Geoff, and Chris crave even more. With their feelings for one another out in the open and explored beyond their wildest dreams, other questions must be faced. Is it really love they feel? Or have they just been blinded by a relationship as intense and extreme as it is so profoundly intimate? For Sam, Geoff, and Chris the world of Dominance and submission is more nuanced than they imagined, and they are far more vulnerable than they believed. Now, while looking for answers to a lasting happiness amid their deepest emotional and sexual needs, Sam, Geoff, and Chris discover how much innocence they’ve yet to shed. Because they’re about to make a play for the most unrealized fantasy of all...true love. **Includes a teaser for *Unrestrained*** ** ** **Praise for Joey W. Hill** “This is one hell of a writer.”—Angela Knight, *New York Times *bestselling author “Everything Joey W. Hill writes just rocks my world.”—Jaci Burton, *New York Times *bestselling author “When a reader asks me to recommend an author that authentically relays the Dom/sub relationship with all of its physical and emotional facets, my first response is always Joey W. Hill.”—Fiction Vixen *Risqué Reviews **

Alternate cover edition for 9780440337843. Five hundred years ago, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar was felled by a powerful spell, and trapped in an enchanted slumber. He was hidden by faithful clansmen, who were determined to keep him safe from a prophecy of doom. American tourist Gwen Cassidy has come to Scotland to escape (for a week or two at least) from her humdrum life in the States. She's also hoping to find a man to relieve her of her virginity, since she seems destined to spend her life alone. When she tumbles into the arms of the sexy Highlander, awakening him from his enchanted slumber, she's swept into the 16th century by his absolutely unforgettable kiss. When she started this trip, Gwen was only hoping for a roll in the heather, and a few good memories -- not a life in the past. But she finds little time for boredom or regrets as she's caught up in treacherous plots that have little to do with bringing her handsome Highland laird to her bed. Kiss of the Highlander is an engaging time-travel romp.

Dina DeMille may run the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, but she caters to a very particular kind of guest… the kind that no one on Earth is supposed to know about. Guests like a former intergalactic tyrant with an impressive bounty on her head, the Lord Marshal of a powerful vampire clan, and a displaced-and-superhot werewolf; so don’t stand too close, or you may be collateral damage. But what passes for Dina’s normal life is about to be thrown into chaos. First, she must rescue her long-distant older sister, Maud, who’s been exiled with her family to a planet that functions as the most lawless penal colony since Botany Bay. Then she agrees to help a guest whose last chance at saving his civilization could bring death and disaster to all Dina holds dear. Now Gertrude Hunt is under siege by a clan of assassins. To keep her guests safe and to find her missing parents, Dina will risk everything, even if she has to pay the ultimate price. Though Sean may have something to say about that!

The War That Wizards Dread Across the mountains called Dragon's Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world's beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman's hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings...

Highly praised anthology of 100 years of Finnish literary fantasy. The latest volume in the Dedalus European fantasy series, this anthology of short stories includes a wide range of texts covering the period from nineteenth century until today. The richness and diversity of the stories reflects the long tradition of fantasy in Finnish literature, ranging from the classics to experimental literature, from satire to horror. This is the first collection of Finnish short stories of its kind and almost all are translated into English for the first time. It includes work by the leading Finnish authors Aino Kallas, Mika Waltari, Arto Paasilinna, Bo Carpelan, Pentti Holappa, and Leena Krohn as well as contributions by the rising stars of Finnish fiction.

Trapped within the dead city of Marandur, Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain must escape both merciless barbarians and the pitiless Imperial Legion. Beyond those dangers lie the mightiest and most unforgiving powers in the world of Dematr: the Great Guilds that rule the world with iron fists. Mari's Mechanics Guild and Alain's Mage Guild have always been enemies, but they are united in wanting to kill their rogue members before Mari can fulfill the ancient prophecy of being the one who will finally overthrow their power. Mari and Alain must risk those dangers because halfway across their world lies a place where truth has long been hidden. A place that could explain why their world's history begins abruptly, with no hints of what came before. A place where they might learn how the Mechanics Guild came to control all technology and how the Mages manage to alter reality temporarily. A place that might tell them how to achieve a task that appears to be impossible. Never before have a Mage and a Mechanic worked together, and their combined talents offer their only hope. But she and Alain must first survive the deadly and implacable Assassins of Altis.

While developing a new system to maintain the town's defenses, genius student Claire Danvers discovers a way to use the vampires' powers to keep outsiders from spreading news of Morganville's "unique" situation. But when people in town start forgetting who they are-including the vampires-Claire has to figure out how to pull the plug on her experiment before she forgets how to save herself. . . and Morganville.

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny… Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one. But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster. When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive.  

He twisted away, but her hands were still there. Burning him. Whispering across his chest like wind over water. He shivered. He sweat. He gasped for air but inhaled only her scent. He reached for sanity and found his fingers entangled in short, satiny hair. He opened his eyes and found them captured by hers. Huge, dark, innocent. Imploring, hot, sexy eyes, staring down at him as he lay trembling with desire on his bed. And he knew he was lost. He lifted his arms, slid them around her small body to pull her down to his chest. Parted his lips to taste her succulent mouth. . .

Grandfather Henry clutches his granddaughter, his Sunflower, close as armies prepare to turn his village nestled in the valley into a battlefield. The roses still bloom no matter that the surrounding hills are so dry, and Henry knows the village defenders will once more rise to protect them. Only, Sunflower must know the dark, and bitter, tale of their defenders’ origins.The roar of cannons and the crack of rifles whistle over Sunflower's village as the frightened child clutches her grandfather. Sunflower's grandfather assures her that the legends regarding the defenders of that village nestled between the hills are indeed true, that the village's defenders will rise from the dust and destroy those who descend from the hills seeking to harm the blossoms that provide such uncanny color in a land teeming with dust. But the grandfather holds no detail of his story back from his Sunflower, aware that even his granddaughter must know the truth of those monsters she wishes would rise from the dirt.

A traveler arrives in Farbank with information leading to ancient runestones that are said to have great mystic powers. Mesmerized with intrigue, Thorik and his parents venture out to find the treasure which will end up costing several lives to acquire.This short story is the prequel to the start of an Epic Fantasy Adventure series that will lead you on a journey like none before.A traveler arrives in Farbank with information leading to ancient runestones that are said to have great mystic powers. Mesmerized with intrigue, Thorik and his parents venture out to find the treasure which will end up costing several lives to acquire.This short story is the prequel to the start of an Epic Fantasy Adventure series that will lead you on a journey like none before. All new creatures and species inhabit this unique landscape as events unfold before your eyes that will change the civilization of the Kingdom and the Altered Creatures forever. This fast-paced character-driven series is filled with magic and mystery.Series Synopsis: The Brothers of War were the twin heirs to the Mighty Dovenar Kingdom. Now weakened by the great civil war, which the twins unleashed upon the land, both brothers are nowhere to be found. Outside the kingdom’s safe harbor and strong fortress walls, the Altered Creatures are prepared to conquer the kingdom in its leaderless and weakened state. The magical Alchemists have chosen sides with the Altered Creatures and against the few E’rudites who still honor the prior regime. Word of the vulnerable people has made it to the three demons that rule the Underworld, Land, and the Air, who have all decided to join the battle for their own supremacy. The future looks bleak for the civilized lands. Yet, there is one young hunter who believes he can still save the Kingdom. These are the tales of this individual and his friends whose very faith in their values challenges the vast domination of the naturally powerful. The land’s destiny is in Thorik’s hands, while his confidence in himself and conviction to his beliefs will define his own fate. Join Thorik on the ultimate journey to save the world from those who strive to control it.

From the world of the "On Dark Shores" series.The world is burning. Country after country has fallen to the Ice Lord's armies. Cities lie devastated; whole peoples are slaughtered. A mixed band of survivors on the Skral Islands must put aside centuries of difference to fight together & as the final battle begins the young, weak and maimed must form the last defence against his final dark victory.From the world of the "On Dark Shores" series...The world is burning.Country after country has fallen to the terrifying Ice Lord and his armies. Cities lie devastated and whole peoples have been slaughtered. A mixed band of survivors collects on the Skral islands for one final stand. Hopelessly outnumbered and with nothing left to lose, these refugees must put aside centuries of difference to fight together. As the final battle begins and warriors clash on the Skral plains, the young, weak and maimed must form the last defence against the Ice Lord's final dark victory. But time is running out, for the Ice Lord is coming and there is nowhere to hide.