Dead to Me
Annie Anderson
(Grave Talker, #1)
Publication date: September 29th 2020
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

There are only three rules in Darby Adler’s life.

One: Don’t talk to the dead in front of the living.
Two: Stay off the Arcane Bureau of Investigation’s radar.
Three: Don’t forget rules one and two.

With a murderer desperate for Darby’s attention and an ABI agent in town, things are about to get mighty interesting in Haunted Peak, TN.

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EXCERPT:

My life would be a lot easier if the dead in this town would just cooperate. Maybe it was the living. They never seemed to cooperate, either.

I hefted one eyelid by sheer force of will and spied the time on my alarm clock. That alarm clock was just for show. No one—not even me—used them much anymore. Lately, it was there so I didn’t have to look at the time on my phone. Said alarm clock was blinking 12:00 at me.

The power had gone out sometime since I’d fallen into bed. Figures. It didn’t matter that I lived in a nice neighborhood. Mother Nature was a testy woman on the best of days, but in the spring in this part of the country? She was downright spiteful.

The knock—well, more like pounding—on my front door rattled through my house again, which was what had woken me up from a very deep, much-needed sleep in the first damn place. I knew that insistent cop-knock. J was pounding on my door like the badge-wielding tool he was. Granted, I, too, had a badge, but I wasn’t the jerk accosting his door at oh-butt-thirty in the morning.

Groaning, I peeled myself from my oh-so-soft mattress and stomped to my door, yanking it open before J could splinter the wood.

“What?” Yeah, it came out more like a bark, but it wasn’t even dawn, and I was in no mood.

Instead of saying anything at all, J waved a to-go cup of coffee in my face as a peace offering. I fell on the caffeine-laden cup like a junkie, sucking down the brew like my life—or more accurately, J’s life—depended on it.

Only after the cup was half-drained did I let him pass the threshold into my living room. Shuffling past me, he plopped onto my overstuffed sofa like he owned it. He didn’t, but Jeremiah Cooper, AKA, J, was my best friend—hell, my only friend—and he’d spent many a morning, evening, and afternoon on that couch.

J wasn’t the only person sitting there, but he paid exactly zero attention to the slightly see-through dead man perched right next to him, lounging on the cushions like the Queen of Sheba. J—and everyone else in my life—couldn’t see him.

No one could.

No one but me.

Author Bio:

Annie Anderson is a military wife and United States Air Force veteran. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she is a southern girl at heart, but has lived all over the US and abroad. As soon as the military stops moving her family around, she'll settle on a state, but for now she enjoys being a nomad with her husband, two daughters, an old man of a dog, and a young pup that makes life... interesting.

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PRIME VECTOR: The Immortal Oath (Season 1)
Diana A. Hicks
(Prime Vector Series, #1)
Publication date: June 1st 2020
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction

If you like immortals in space, romance, and fast-paced thrilling action, you’ll love Prime Vector!

PRIME VECTOR, Season 1

During a routine tour to Earth, first-year cadet Catita witnesses the murder of her immortal twin. To unravel the mystery behind her sister’s death, Catita will have to assume her sister’s identity and join the dreaded Forever Queen’s immortal army.

Tek, a mercenary from Earth, has finally found a way to save his sister from a terminal illness. That is, if he’s willing to pull the heist of his life: kidnap the Martian princess in return for his sister’s cure. But the princess has a mission of her own and leaving Mars isn’t an option.

As both Catita and Tek struggle to do right by their loved ones, their paths cross and they soon find themselves in the middle of a century-old feud to control the virus that gives its host immortality.

Season 1, Ep 1 – The Immortal Oath
Season 1, Ep 2 – The QEC Trials
Season 1, Ep 3 – The Titan Orbiter
Season 1, Ep 4 – The Girl in the Labyrinth
Season 1, Ep 5 – Letters to Elizabeth
Season 1, Ep 6 – Wela’s Prime Secret
Season 1, Ep 7 – The Leader of the Loyalists
Season 1, Ep 8 – The Sentient Being

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EXCERPT:

Tek disappeared into the dark storage room. A gust of wind lashed down the narrow hallway, carrying a small trace of his scent—a mix of ocean breeze and sweat. Smiling, I stared at the dilapidated red door, breathing him in, memorizing every detail.

Downloading to Earth hadn’t been a mistake. I was glad to have met him. The guy from my dreams had turned out to be way more than I thought. He was brave and kind. The best part was he didn’t die today, as he had in my nightmares. I made a mental note to ask Ry if she was sure she’d never seen him. Why else would Tek be in my head? Ry messed with my thoughts on a daily basis. Maybe Tek had been a residual afterthought.

Immortality and the virus had been around for over one hundred years, but we still didn’t know everything about it. Ry and I were Wela’s guinea pigs. Since we were little, she’d been impressed by how well Ry’s compulsion worked on me. She figured it had to do with the fact that we were twins.

“First-year,” Captain Weston called out to me.

Time to go home, but first I had to deal with the consequences of everything I’d done tonight—sneaking out of the Epoch, riding in a vehicle next to Ry, sailing across the bay with Tek, and saving Ari. No, I wasn’t sorry at all for any of it. I wasn’t sorry for wanting more. I pursed my lips to chase the grin off my face before I turned to face Captain Weston and Ry.

Mak had already left the bar, and all the commandos kept busy outside searching the marina. At least we were alone in here, and I wouldn’t be getting my ass chewed out in front of Ry’s entire unit. Thank the Titan for small favors.

The wide gash on Ry’s temple dripped with her silvery blood. It glittered and bubbled before it healed completely. The process was so fast it was as if I had imagined her wounds, though looking around the room, I knew that wasn’t the case.

Ry stood tall, oozing strength and confidence. Her shiny hair draped her shoulders, framing her pink cheeks as if her face were a work of art. After tumbling around the dirty floor of the bar fighting Mak, Ry should be covered in cuts and scrapes, but she wasn’t. Captain Weston and my sister made quite a pair—flawless, impossibly beautiful, and lethal.

Captain Weston’s intense blue eyes under thick brows regarded me with the same disdain as the rest of Ry’s unit. He pressed his lips together, and his strong jaw flexed. For a beat, I imagined running my hands through his blond hair. It looked so soft and shiny, like strands of gold. Suddenly, it didn’t seem so bad to be killed by someone as handsome as him.

Wait, what? What the hell?

Author Bio:

D. A. Hicks is the alter ego of Diana A. Hicks, an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband.

Connect with D.A. Hicks on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

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Chasing Wind
Kaira Karmakar
Publication date: September 17th, 2020
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

A touching story set in India, Chasing Wind is a tale of two girls breaking barriers of class, distance, and time to forge an unforgettable friendship.

When twelve-year-old Siya travels from New Delhi to a small mountain village, she expects a relaxing summer vacation with her grandmother. A girl from the mountains quickly changes her plans for a lazy holiday. Pari is everything Siya isn’t: loud, carefree, and adventurous. She climbs over walls and rolls down hills without a second thought.

They come from different worlds. Siya’s city family has a housekeeper, a cook, and a driver; Pari’s dad cooks for Siya’s grandmother. As the girls share adventures in the forest and village, their worlds quickly intertwine. But all too soon, their time together ends, and Siya returns to the city. They never forget each other and keep in touch through letters—until their friendship is tested by a tragedy neither of them expects.

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BOOK TRAILER:

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EXCERPT:

Summer of 2012

The fiery sun casts its warm rays across the bustling city, and it feels hotter than the inside of a stove. The dryness in the air stills the trees that usually sway along with the cheery wind. The marigolds, no longer nourished and appealing, have crisp petals the color of umber. It hasn’t rained for days, and now the parched leaves are covered in layers of dense dust and thin cobwebs. I can hear the sharp noises of rustling leaves and wheels skidding on the road echo in the bedroom. I’m relaxing on Mom and Dad’s comfy bed, right under the gushing air vent, watching my favorite TV program when Mom comes marching into the room.

“Siya, do you know where my wallet is?” she channels her dark eyes on me. Her shiny black hair reaches below her shoulders, bouncing as she trots around the bed. After looking under the pile of house-decor magazines on her table, her eyes are drawn back to me as she impatiently waits for a response.

“No,” I say, tilting my head back to the large TV screen.

“I kept it on the bed around an hour ago before you started watching TV,” she says, placing her hands on her hips, “right on top of the blanket.

Are you sure you haven’t seen it?” I shake my head.

“Yes, I’m sure. I don’t know where it is.”

“The pizza delivery man is standing outside our house, and I really need to pay him, or he might just leave.”

My friend Lila is coming over for lunch, so Mom ordered pizza for us to eat.

“I really don’t know where your wallet is. It wasn’t on your bed when I sat entered the room.”

Mom lifts up the fluffy blanket beside me and sighs after she pulls out her wallet from under the blanket.

“There it is,” I say, watching Mom’s face turn into a slight frown as she furrows her eyebrows. She presses her lips together.

“Lila’s mom said that Lila will be here in half an hour. Remember to get dressed on time.”

“Okay,” I mutter, so that Mom will stop troubling me.

“And turn off the TV in five minutes. You’ve already watched a lot of TV today.” She walks out of the room, leaving the door a little open even though she knows it annoys me. I’m in the middle of the best scene in the episode, and I cannot let anyone ruin it for me.

Author Bio:

Kaira Karmakar is a high school student. She developed a passion for writing as a young child and has been crafting stories about her own life and the characters in her imagination ever since. When she is not writing or reading, Kaira enjoys painting, sketching, and playing the piano.

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A Vampire’s Spell
Marie-Claude Bourque
(The Order of the Black Oak – Vampires #1)
Publication date: September 24th 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

A VAMPIRE’S SPELL: A Slow-Burn Urban Fantasy Romance

Meet the Order of the Black Oak: a powerful order of modern-day warriors fighting evil to protect the ones they love.

Son of an ancient vampire and a legendary French witch, guilt-ridden Mont-Royal Immortal Valerian St-Amand must team with a powerful New England witch to protect his city from a crazed scientist seeking immortality. But as his well-guarded heart softens for Maisie Thibodeau, their quest to eradicate true evil from the streets of Montreal destroys any hope of everlasting love.

If you love loyal tough guys with hearts, satisfying slow-burn paranormal romance and safe Happily Ever Afters, then the Black Oak World is for you.

“5 stars – Fantastic series of action, magic and awesome romance. You will fall in love with the characters and feel you are right with them.”

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EXCERPT:

A creature. Val tightened his fist.

She hadn’t said the word, he had. But he knew that was what witches and warlocks thought of him and his brothers.

And while he couldn’t care less about the opinion of others, he was expecting more from her. But no, she was only here to study him.

As he grimly stood in the Sanctuaire’s chapel, he watched her pour over a giant paper map of the city. She had stretched it over the altar, bordered it with five black candles and speckled the surface with anvil dust mixed with bone powder. A handful of railroad spikes and the hypodermic needle that had pricked Emmeline lay at the center.

His mind was on the witch instead of whoever had been after his blood.

He just couldn’t let it go. A future high priestess. Sounded like Marianne Thibodeau had forgotten to mention a few things about her granddaughter.

It shouldn’t matter. Really. Already her essence was fading from his veins. The gentle touch a waning memory.

Yet here she stood above the map. Her jet-black hair tied into a loose braid fell over one shoulder, the thick strand ending just at the tip of her breast. The small and high curve was much too defined under the small black t-shirt. The fabric of her top thin enough that he could make the outline of a small push-up bra.

Stop it, diable! Focus on the job. His balled fists and pained breath didn’t go unnoticed.

“You need to feed, Valerian.” Father Grégoire was right beside him, a heavy hand on his shoulder while his eyes went from Val to Maisie. The priest knew exactly how the immortal felt, the woman drawing both a surge of lust and hunger deep within him. His insides twisting and growling.

Val lifted a defiant chin at his friend. “We have time.”

Author Bio:

Marie-Claude Bourque is a Seattle-based author of gothic paranormal romance and the winner of the American Title V award with her first novel ANCIENT WHISPERS.

Her writing features modern-day fantasy skillfully weaved into infinitely romantic supernatural stories between smart strong women and complex passionate heroes.

Happily Ever After always absolutely guaranteed!

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Sleeping With Shadows
Rachel Hailey
Published by: FyreSyde Publishing
Publication date: September 22nd 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Once The King of Nightmares, Ashe lost everything when he was betrayed. Released from prison, he’s got one goal: Stay Free. To make that happen he’ll have to rescue the girl who stole his crown while saving the court he’d rather see burn. But he can’t do it alone. He needs Callie.

Abused, neglected, and finally shunned by The Court of Light, Callie is done with court politics. It’s just too damned bad Ashe doesn’t care. He’s arrogant, manipulative, and dangerous. Everything she’s been taught to fear. It would be so easy to hate him, but the sadness in his gaze calls to her heart, and his touch awakens her own darkness. She has never wanted anyone more.

Callie is Ashe’s darkest desire, but to earn his freedom and prevent the destruction of humanity, she must embrace the destiny that will keep them apart. But is the safety of the world worth losing the kind of love he’s only dreamed of?

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EXCERPT:

THE SOFT KNOCK STAYED HER HAND. SHE LOOKED AT THE ALARM clock blinking in her palm as if the sound had somehow come from the object.

Before she could respond, the door swung open. The light from the hall illuminated Ashe. Callie’s mouth ran dry.

His shirt off, jeans unbuttoned and riding low on his hips, he looked like an advertisement for lust. Her eyes roamed over his perfect chest, following the swirling tattoos that curled down deliciously defined abs and continued under the denim waistband.

Her pulse jumped as he came toward her. Only then did she remember she was naked, not that she cared. She dropped the alarm clock, it bounced from the bed to the floor.

She ignored it. She only had eyes for Ashe. She bit her bottom lip as anticipation zinged through her body.

“Can’t sleep,” Ashe stated, his deep husky voice made her heart beat faster.

“No,” she whispered, still poised on her knees in the middle of the bed.

“You?” He stalked further into her room, as graceful as a hunting cat, and ten times more sensual than any human.

This would be amazing.

He stopped at the edge of the mattress and folded his hands behind his back.

“Not so much,” he replied.

“Need help?”

“That’s my line,” he said but didn’t move from his spot.

She laughed softly. “Then come help me.” She crooked her finger at him and watched with appreciation as his chest moved, sending muscles rippling.

“Lay down.” The strain in his voice was so erotic. Excitement building, she did as he bid. “Close your eyes.”

She should have expected him to be demanding. She grinned, loving it. Her sheet landed over her body before his hands deftly moved around her form, tucking her in so the sheet hugged the curves of her body.

His hands lingered, sending goosebumps cascading across her skin. The bed dipped as he leaned over her.

Callie moved her head so she could watch behind slitted eyes as he hovered.

“We have to sleep.”

Sleep was the last thing on her mind.

He brushed his fingertips across her lips, making her shiver. As his index finger lingered against her bottom lip, her mouth fell open, and she captured the digit between her teeth. He hissed in pleasure. Emboldened by the sound, she closed her lips around his finger and swirled her tongue around the tip. She tasted victory as she heard his breath speed.

She nipped him playfully before letting go. He growled, causing her to giggle.

“We really need to sleep.” Ashe’s eyes were glowing, and she could feel the beat of his magic. “You said that already.”

“I know.” Ashe leaned closer, his lips parted.

“Kiss me,” Callie whispered.

“That would be a bad idea.” His eyes seemed to grow brighter.

Author Bio:

Rachel Hailey was born and raised in the South. She's all about that nerd life and in between writing she's dedicated herself to raising the next generation of nerds.If she's not online or staring at a book she can usually be found at the local game store rolling dice, shuffling cards, or planning her next cosplay.

Her childhood was most prominently shaped by the works of R.L. Stine, Stephen King, Anne Rice and the Brothers Grimm.

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Out of the Ashes
Tansey Morgan
(The Hellbound Hellion, #1)
Publication date: September 20th 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Fresh out of Hell and into the arms of angels. For a demon, nothing could be worse.

When a bunch of cultists drag me out of Hell to be their promised, demonic slave, I don’t have a choice but to slash their throats and claw my way to freedom. But the fight leaves me weak, and wounded I fall into the hands of the only thing worse than cultists.

Angels.

An overprotective guardian without a flock to watch over. A zealous lightbringer forced to pick sides. A lusty warrior hungry for a good… fight.

Escape is impossible. Each of them alone has enough power to destroy me utterly. Except they don’t. Turns out I’ve fallen into a warzone, angels are murdering angels, and I might be the answer to their problems.

Only I’ve got problems of my own. I have a demonic overlord to hunt down and kill for selling me like cattle. But first I have to shake the angels off, if I could only resist the pull of their bodies.

Out of the Ashes is a sizzling, enemies to lovers with sharp teeth and even sharper plot twists! If you’re looking for a fast, exciting read, then look no further – scroll up and pre-order now!

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Author Bio:

Tansey Morgan is an up and coming author of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels with a twist. Having published 11 novels in less than that many months, Tansey has quickly made a name for herself in the space. If your kind of books have magic, danger, strong, powerful females, and more hot guys than you could sink your teeth into in one sitting, then you've come to the right place!

If you want to keep in touch with Tansey and find out when her new books are ready for release, join her Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tanseymorgan

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Resistor
C.E. Clayton
(An Eerden Novel (Eerden 1, Ellinor, 1))
Publication date: October 1st 2020
Genres: Cyberpunk, Fantasy, New Adult

Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.

As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?

But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.

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EXCERPT:

THIS WAS not the first time Ellinor Olysha Rask found herself bound and chained, and she very much doubted it would be her last. This was the longest she had ever been incarcerated, however.

Ellinor leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, though it made no difference in the pitch black. She wiggled against the rough wall, never getting comfortable. The restraints clamped over her wrists chaffed at her skin. She lost count of the days she’d been locked in the rank cell, but she supposed it didn’t actually matter how long she’d been there, only how much longer she’d be staying.

She sighed loudly, her patience long gone. Not that she had been blessed with an abundance of composure to begin with, but her restraint had diminished considerably since Misho’s death.

Heaviness settled on her chest and shoulders as she imagined Misho’s disapproving tsk at her current predicament, and her chin started to quiver. Gritting her teeth, she knocked her head against the bumpy wall to focus her thoughts. She always lost control when she thought about Misho Shimizu, and she didn’t want to lose what little control she had left. She needed to conserve her energy.

For what? There’s no telling how long I’ve been here, or who took me. Time to stop waiting.

She hadn’t recognized who grabbed her, or how they had gotten the drop on her. She had been drinking, of course, but no more than usual. One minute, Ellinor was meeting with a contact who had information about the Ashlings she was hunting. Ashlings who needed to answer for what was done to Misho. The next? She couldn’t remember. The air—her own power!—had betrayed her. Everything went white and hazy, and a fog rolled over her memories.

She sat up straighter against the wall, breathing deeply, ignoring the aches and pains of her cramped muscles. Whatever had happened, poisoning or a knock over the head, had left her weak. Concentrating had been a chore, let alone summoning her magic. She knew she wasn’t at full strength, but better to do something than continue to wait around for whoever had nabbed her to remember they had her locked away.

Ellinor had heard of humani, beings like her, who were strong enough in air magic to blow apart buildings, and who had the skill to dismantle the most intricate of machines without destroying any of the delicate parts. Ellinor had never been that strong, nor that finessed with her talents. She had enough of the talent to make her someone most would shy away from, and it had been more than enough for her job. Using the air, she could turn otherwise fatal blows from knives or projectiles away, and coupled with her own abilities for creating mayhem, her magic had served her well, or well enough, until Misho died.

Then her power turned her into someone, something, most didn’t want to talk about. Someone the remainder of her family distanced themselves from. She lived only to avenge Misho.

The seersha, though . . . now they would have no trouble using wind to blow apart this cell, no matter how far underground they’d have to pull the air. They’d be able to use that same current to wrap themselves in an impenetrable force field then simply sail away like some cocky bird.

That didn’t mean she couldn’t cause some trouble, though.

Author Bio:

C. E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. After going the traditional career route and becoming restless, she went back to her first love--writing--and hasn't stopped. She is the author of young adult fantasy series, "The Monster of Selkirk", the creator of the cyberpunk Eerden Novels, and her horror short stories have appeared in anthologies across the country. When she's not writing you can find her treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, social media presence, and newsletter, can be found on her website: https://www.ceclayton.com/

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Mistress of Death
Kathryn Trattner
Publication date: August 22nd 2020
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

Love. Death. Revenge.

In the city of Telum, at the edge of a dying empire and divided by superstition, anything can be had for the right price.

Gabriel Mercer, raised in the shadow of the most famous assassin the city has ever known, wants nothing more than to make a name for herself. Taking a solo contract from an up and coming politician seems like the best way to make it happen.

The night Matthew, a police officer with a spotless record, discovers Gabriel unconscious his world changes. On opposite sides of the law the pair strike up a bargain that becomes harder and harder to keep as their attraction grows.

When the city starts to burn Gabriel will put everything she’s gained at risk for a chance at revenge. Even if it means her future going up in smoke.

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EXCERPT:

The curtain dropped, intermission bell ringing. A storm of rustling fabric filled the cavernous room. Men and women stood, talking and laughing, in imitation of the performance.

A waiter knocked and entered the box. “Would you like champagne?”

“Yes, we’ll take it here. A bottle of the ’84.”

“Of course, sir. I also have a message for the young lady.” The man paused, waiting for Mercer’s approval. A nod and then a cream envelope was produced, pulled from a pocket with a twist of the wrist. The server held it in Gabriel’s direction.

“Thank you.” Gabriel took it, running a gloved hand over the surface; warm, soft the way only expensive paper could be.

“I’ll be just a moment, sir.”

Gabriel waited until the door shut before looking at Mercer. He smiled.

“I warned you he’d be here.”

“He wasn’t when the curtain went up.”

“No,” Mercer sighed, crossing his legs as he turned to face her. “Open it, see what the man of the moment has to say to the woman of tomorrow.”

She smiled, meeting his gaze, but it faded when she saw his expression. “What is it?”

He shook his head. “Open it before he returns to his box. It’s better not to have him see your reaction.”

Gabriel shot a look across the room. Royce’s box stood empty, the little golden door open. Hesitating over the envelope, she felt the weight of it in her heart. It was a line, and once crossed she would not be able to return.

“I know you don’t like him,” Gabriel began, turning the paper over in her hands, “but he’s very powerful. If you want me to be someone of consequence, I could make a worse choice.”

“This said by the woman he drugged and tried to keep against her will.” Mercer snorted, leaning back in his chair.

“I could have handled—”

“You would have become a pawn overnight, a puppet on silk strings. He is flame, you are moth. This cannot end well for you.”

The constant argument between them warmed, heating to spill over into the box. Since that night, one of failure in his eyes, all roads led here. Nothing had been settled and both tried to pretend their world remained unchanged; their relationship, not quite father and daughter, not Master and apprentice, teetered, ready to fall into some unplumbed depth.

The champagne came, nestled in a bucket of ice with glasses so thin they could cut air. The waiter uncorked the bottle, all quiet professionalism, and poured before leaving. The theater around them buzzed as people came back from the reception area and the bar. The boxes on either side remained empty; the most important one, across the room, waited for its occupant.

Sipping champagne, rolling it around in her mouth, Gabriel bit words back. There was anger, resentment. After all this time, all the training, she expected his trust. He should trust her to do the right thing. But every move she made he questioned, each thought and action policed.

She watched him pull his cigar case out, a gift from her several years before. No engraving, no words of love, just the solid gold, heavy in his hand, and kept close to his heart. He pulled a lighter from his pocket, putting flame to the slim cigar.

“May I?” Gabriel extended a hand. He raised an eyebrow but passed it without a word.

Minutes passed, the room filling, and Gabriel drank one, then two glasses of champagne, the conversation between herself and Arno Mercer over. The letter lay in her lap, the lighter balled in a fist against her thigh. She tapped a foot, waiting.

Royce returned to his box; she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. The final bell for the attendees to take their seats echoed, voices hushing.

Gabriel set the glass down, eyes on her hands, refusing to look across the room. Flicking the lighter open, watching the flame jump to life, she lit the edge of the cream envelope. The fire caught, eating heavy paper. A burst of warmth against her skin, the feeling of power as the little blaze grew. She felt watched, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.

“You’ve caught his attention,” Mercer said, pouring himself another glass. “What do you plan to do with it? Let it burn your fingers?”

“I won’t be a puppet.”

Watching the paper turn to black ash, Gabriel dropped the remnant in the ice bucket. She focused on the curtain; the orchestra tuned, the first strings of music coming from the pit. The lights dimming, she could feel Royce like a hole in her cheek. “But in a year, I want the Left Bank to recognize me as the Mistress of Death. If you don’t want me to go to him, you must help me. Or why else have you spent your life training me?”

Mercer nodded, reaching out to grasp Gabriel’s hand. He’d never touched her growing up, never hugged or kissed her cheek. He had not even held her hand until last week, when he’d pulled her from Royce’s house.

“Gabriel, Mistress of Death. In a year, the entire city will know you.”

Author Bio:

Kathryn Trattner has loved fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology all of her life. Her hands down favorites have always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the story of Persephone and Hades. When not writing or reading she's traveling as much as possible and taking thousands of photos that probably won't get edited later. She lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful partner, two very busy children, one of the friendliest dogs ever, and an extremely grumpy cat who doesn't like anyone at all.

Want to hear about the latest release? Sign up for my newsletter Magical Mundane Madness at kathryn.substack.com

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The People We Meet Along The Way
Beth Rinyu
Publication date: September 17th 2020
Genres: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Would you be able to grant the same forgiveness to someone else that you’re so desperately seeking yourself?

Jillian O’Rourke’s marriage died long before her husband’s tragic accident. Years of battling with infertility and demanding careers melted their once solid relationship. Bearing the burden of guilt over his death, Jillian gets lost in despair and a series of what ifs. But one chance encounter with a stranger, changes everything. Now being faced with newfound knowledge and a painful decision, Jillian must push past her anger, learn to forgive and open her heart in ways she never could’ve imagined. As she comes to grips with the devastation of her past, she learns to embrace the possibility of a future she never thought possible. A bittersweet story of love, forgiveness, and the unexpected destiny that is sometimes handed to us in life from the people we meet along the way.

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EXCERPT:

“I just wish you didn’t hate me so much.” I concentrated on the coffee in my cup as I swirled the wooden stirrer round and round.

“I don’t hate you,” I said, focusing my attention back to him. “I hate what we did. I hate that I let it define who I was for so long, and I hate that I hurt someone I cared about so much because of it. But I don’t hate you—you were just one of the many cracks in my life.”

He creased his forehead. “I don’t understand.”

I gazed at him long and hard, finally fearless of the shame the man staring back at me conjured up inside of me. He held no control over me, and he never had. I stood up and pushed my chair in as he sat there waiting for an explanation. “And I wouldn’t have expected you to. Goodbye, Jonathan.”

Author Bio:

Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Creative Writing. There was always something about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen - or in today's world a touch of the keyboard. I love creating deep characters who you will love or love to hate.

My life is not as interesting as my books or the characters in them, but then again whose life is? My happy place is a seat by the ocean with my feet in the sand or on the busy streets of New York City. You will more than likely find one of these places as the setting for most of my books.

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