The first collection of short fiction from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jeffrey Eugenides Jeffrey Eugenides’s bestselling novels have shown him to be an astute observer of the crises of adolescence, self-discovery, family love, and what it means to be American in our times. The stories in Fresh Complaint explore equally rich­­—and intriguing—territory. Ranging from the bitingly reproductive antics of “Baster” to the dreamy, moving account of a young traveler’s search for enlightenment in “Air Mail” (selected by Annie Proulx for Best American Short Stories), this collection presents characters in the midst of personal and national emergencies. We meet a failed poet who, envious of other people’s wealth during the real-estate bubble, becomes an embezzler; a clavichordist whose dreams of art founder under the obligations of marriage and fatherhood; and, in “Fresh Complaint,” a high school student whose wish to escape the strictures of her immigrant family lead her to a drastic decision that upends the life of a middle-aged British physicist. Narratively compelling, beautifully written, and packed with a density of ideas despite their fluid grace, these stories chart the development and maturation of a major American writer.

Puente del Norte -- the last place on earth Maddy Lambert had expected to find herself. Yet here she was in the middle of Central America in an embattled guerrilla camp on a mission impossible. She'd come to get her dying father, whose ideals had carried him far from home and won him the title of El Patron -- the Saint. She'd crossed a country at war only to be told that he didn't recognize her as his daughter... to find him guarded by the infamous Jake Murphy -- the man who'd stolen her girlish heart and still had the power to stir her deepest passions. Maddy, the rescuer, found herself in deadly danger. On Jake's orders she'd been taken prisoner. And as the air around her rang with intrigue and gunfire, she had little time to learn who was friend or foe, who the enemy was, and who the love was that she'd crossed a continent to find.

In the next book in Molly Harper’s Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series, Libby (a widow-turned-vampire) struggles with her transition, and finds out it sucks to be the only vampire member of the PTA… Widow Libby Stratton arranged to be turned into a vampire after she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. It wasn’t the best idea she’s ever had, but she was desperate—she’s not about to leave her seven-year-old son to be raised by her rigid, overbearing in-laws. On top of post-turning transition issues, like being ignored at PTA meetings and other mothers rejecting her son’s invitations for sleepovers, Libby must deal with her father-in-law’s attempts to declare her an unfit mother, her growing feelings for Wade—a tattooed redneck single dad she met while hiding in a closet at Back to School Night—and the return of her sire, who hasn’t stopped thinking about brave, snarky Libby since he turned her. With the help of her new vampire circle, Libby negotiates this unfamiliar quagmire of legal troubles, parental duties, relationships, and, as always in Harper’s distinct, comedic novels, “characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews).

Before the curse, there was a promise. A prequel to the bestselling Tiger’s Curse series, this much anticipated novella recalls the beginning of Ren and Kishan’s story. Before Kelsey there was a girl, raised by a villain, whose love for a hero changed the course of history. Trapped under the thumb of her abusive and powerful father Lokesh, Yesubai struggles to keep her own magical abilities secret while evading his dark powers. When Lokesh promises Yesubai to the prince of a neighboring kingdom, she becomes the central pawn in his plot to destroy the ruling family and take power for himself. Yesubai is trapped by her father’s threats and desperate to protect the man she comes to love, but she knows that any decision she makes will have dire consequences. As dark forces gather around her, Yesubai must decide if she’s willing to reveal that somewhere deep within her she has the power to change everything.

Rose has always been different. Since the day she was born, it was clear she had a special fate. Her superstitious mother keeps the unusual circumstances of Rose's birth a secret, hoping to prevent her adventurous daughter from leaving home... but she can't suppress Rose's true nature forever. So when an enormous white bear shows up one cold autumn evening and asks teenage Rose to come away with it--in exchange for health and prosperity for her ailing family--she readily agrees. Rose travels on the bear's broad back to a distant and empty castle, where she is nightly joined by a mysterious stranger. In discovering his identity, she loses her heart-- and finds her purpose--and realizes her journey has only just begun.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with Immortal Beloved a breathtaking new romance, and the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy. Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past. The Immortal Beloved continues with Darkness Falls, available now, and Eternally Yours, available November 2012,

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they are more than you dream. As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn't have much power. That's okay--she knows what happens to kids who do. Like Michael Merrick. He's an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy, dangerous, and completely off limits. At least according to Emily's family. But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily's family doesn't just want her to stay away from him. They want him dead. Praise for Brigid Kemmerer and The Elemental Series "Magic, suspense, and enough twists to keep you reading until sunrise. An incredible start to the series!" --Award winning author Erica O'Rourke "Overflowing with action, snappy dialog, and hot guys--The Elemental Series will take your breath away." --Kim Harrington, author of Clarity "Plenty of romance and non-stop action. . ..Elemental is the new series to watch." --Inara Scott, author of The Marked 12,000 Words

A short story for dog lovers, this touching memoir of a shelter dog shares his experiences in his own voice, taking readers from his days of abuse, to the shelter, to a home filled with love. Follow him on this extraordinary journey and fall in love with a new hero.

Halloween LaVeau is descended from a long line of witches. Yes, her name is Halloween. The cosmic universe is definitely playing some kind of sick joke on her. She's the ultimate witch cliché, complete with a black cat and spooky house. Thank heavens she's missing the warts and flying broom. When Halloween inherits her great-aunt's manor, she decides to put the house to good use as a bed-and-breakHalloween LaVeau is descended from a long line of witches. Yes, her name is Halloween. The cosmic universe is definitely playing some kind of sick joke on her. She's the ultimate witch cliché, complete with a black cat and spooky house. Thank heavens she's missing the warts and flying broom.When Halloween inherits her great-aunt's manor, she decides to put the house to good use as a bed-and-breakfast. Her first guest is the sinfully good-looking Nicolas Marcos, but he's not here for the continental breakfast. Halloween discovers a ratty old book in the attic. It's written in an unfamiliar language. Halloween soon learns this is not an ordinary spellbook. The tome brings her a new talent, but her new skills come with a catch. When a rival witch comes after the book, Halloween doesn't know who to trust-the sexy vampire who says he wants to save the day, or the warlock who says he can destroy the book once and for all.

[Siren Everlasting Classic: Erotic Cowboy Romance, BDSM, sex toys] Stefan Talbot let Jennifer Waters run from him once. He knew she was far too young for him, but he kept a watchful eye on her, protecting her from afar. When she's arrested for a crime she didn't commit, Stef knows the time has come to get close again. Jennifer ran from Bliss only to find herself in hot water in Dallas. She's longed to return to Bliss, but not in handcuffs. The only thing she longs for more than her mountain home is the man she ran from--Stef Talbot. In the middle of the Winter Festival, Stef and Jen find themselves fighting for their love and their lives because danger has followed them back to Bliss. ** A Siren Erotic Romance

Christophe has always known he was different. Born to a wealthy French family, he has never told anyone that he is frequently thrown through time and space to visit with ghosts and other terrifying creatures. But now he knows he is an Outsider and moreover that he has a soul mate somewhere out in the world waiting for him. When his brother is taken, he heads to Maine to search for help, never expecting that his love is the woman he has lusted after for years. Ruby lived her childhood on the run and her adulthood trying to make sense of the strange things that happen to her. Now, she’s with the Outsiders but she is still unsure if she’ll be able to step up when it’s her turn to fight the evil seeking to destroy them all. Together, Ruby and Christophe will change the fates of the Outsiders. Or die trying.

Madison Avenue advertising executive Julie Gaffney is on th lookout for a good man and a love that will last forever. But heroes are few and far between in New York City, and--after one too many disastrous blind dates--Julie has all but given up. Then, while chaperoning a children's birthday party in a suburban medieval theme restaurant, Julie suddenly falls into a cold faint...and awakens in fabled Camelot, face-to-face with the greatest hero of them all--the legendary Lancelot. Behind the suit of armor is a man of deep passion and sensuous masculinity, a loyal knight who is about to be ensnared in a web of royal deception that will tarnish his name for all time. Entranced by his azure eyes and mesmerizing voice, Julie realizes she has a mission to fulfill. Only she can divert the tragedy that dooms Camelot...and Lancelot. But in saving the kingdom and the knight she has come to love, Julie puts her own heart in great peril....

Three short stories of paranormal romance… “Pack” brings you a tale of a lost hiker and her encounter with some very frightening–and sexy–wolves. A female werewolf helps a sheriff track down a killer “In Sheep’s Clothing.” A woman must repay her family’s debt to a shapeshifting magician in “Grace of Small Magics.” Please note: Each of these stories previously appeared in print in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance. This is a collected e-book edition of Ilona Andrews’, Jeaniene Frost’s, and Meljean Brook’s contributions.

**Read the action-packed finale of the USA Today bestselling Red Stone Security series! He broke her heart.** Graysen’s betrayal nearly destroyed Isa a year ago. Now that she’s working for Red Stone Security, she’s managed to piece her life back together after a rough year and a broken heart. Then he appears back in her life and makes it clear he’s not going anywhere until she gives them a second chance. A chance she refuses to take. Now he’s back to claim what’s his. Graysen’s never gotten over Isa and he knows he never will. It’s his fault she walked away, but he can’t seem to let her go. He quit his job with the CIA and called in every favor he had to get hired by Red Stone Security just to be near her again. But Isa doesn’t care that he’s desperate to make things right between them—she wants nothing to do with him. He doesn’t blame her, but he’s not willing to give her up. When they’re cornered by lethal terrorists, everything changes. Graysen and Isa will have to find a way to work together if they want to survive. Only then will he be able to convince her to claim the chance at happiness the past stole from them. Red Stone Security, #15 Length: 58,000 words Author note: All books in this series can be read as stand-alones.

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away. Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…