Showing results by narrator "Jake McAskill" in All Categories

These stories wrestle with the experience of loss—of loved ones, of relationships, of a sense of self, of health—and forge a path to hope as characters fight their way forward. From bestsellers and SPFBO finalists to rising voices, 13 exceptionally talented authors explore the many facets of grief and healing through the lens of fantasy and sci-fi.

It started as a dare that led to a steamy kiss. Trisha Hartman never expected to end her birthday night-out throwing herself in the path of a bullet to save a man she doesn’t even know. Alexander Westerfield is blown away by a fiery moment with a beautiful stranger. Considering she hurried off right after, he convinced himself the woman had no further interest. Then she does something quite heroic that causes him to desire her more.

As the only princess in the Shadow Court, Sinna has lived a painfully sheltered life. She knows her dream of becoming a ruthless Hunter—those charged with killing the fated mates of anyone in her court—will never be more than just a dream. An opportunity arises when her own mate is revealed to be the King of the Blood Court. Now Sinna's only hope of proving herself is to infiltrate the enemy court, seduce, and slay the Vampire King, and hope that her immortality holds out longer than his.

When Sarah McCready finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman on the same day she loses her job, she goes home to Boston to start again. Nothing changed in her old neighborhood, except the creepy house next to hers. Someone reclusive and mysterious is renovating it. Too bad he isn't the friendly type. After decades of endless war, Cillian Darragh is tired of bloodshed. Determined to re-integrate into the Morrigan Brotherhood, he means to let go of his hatred and master his bloodlust. Fixing up the family home seems like a good start.

When Leigh Austen's husband died in the jungles of Vietnam, her world collapsed. But two Halloweens later, she's ready to begin living her life again—starting by making amends with a longtime friend. Charming Dublin expat Michael Kelly runs the most popular Irish pub in Southie. But no crowd of high-tipping revelers has ever been as welcome a sight as that of Leigh walking through his door. Hiding his heart—and his bloodlust—from her was difficult enough when she was married. Now? It's impossible.

Margie Murphy is fifty-two and doing just fine on her own, thank you very much. She never needed, nor wanted a man. After all, they have only ever hurt or left her. Between Amelia, the niece she raised to adulthood, and her viral YouTube channel that reflects her colorful personality and skills in the kitchen, Margie has everything she ever needed. Almost. After three years, Frank Campbell, is still grieving the wife he lost to cancer. His sons want him to grow and heal, and urge him to downsize and move out of their family home.

Kingdom Cold follows the impulsive, teenage princess, Charlotte, as she attempts to murder her betrothed. But an arranged marriage is only the beginning of her problems. Her kingdom faces total destruction at the hands of Merlin and Lancelot, leaders of power-crazed Camelot and the only one Charlotte can turn to for salvation is the very man she tried to kill.

Rhett harbors a secret crush on autumn-loving Amelia, but one embarrassing incident in high school is enough make the two of them actively avoid one another for the rest of their lives. That is until ten years later when a dying fall festival and decades-long cold case inexplicably bring them together. Amelia takes over the annual North Louisiana fall festival and hopes to give it new life. With the help of her best friend and coworker, Beth, and her feisty Aunt Margie, she’s well on her way to making the event one like the city has never seen before.

I always knew I was different, but I never knew why. My name is Aiden Cross, and if you asked me a month ago if this type of thing existed, an academy for the exceptional, I’d call you a liar. The supernatural exists, and apparently, I’m one of them. It’s in my DNA, just like all of the other students here at the academy. I thought it was cool to be around others like me, but it turns out that this school is like high school on steroids. The classes are tough, the exercises are brutal, and to top it off, I’m at a major disadvantage because I can’t access my powers at will.

A student on a Dox-induced rampage ripped through the academy grounds in order to get to me. Dozens were hurt, myself included, but with the help of my friends, I was able to put an end to the chaos. After I recovered, I noticed that my powers are no longer working like they should. Dr. Kresnik and Mr. Hoover said that everything’s fine, but for some reason, it hurts to channel my energy, and when I summon my flames, it’s barely an ember. Everyone thinks I’m a hero because of what I did to stop that attack, but I don’t feel like it. If anything, I’m afraid.

Seventeen-year-old Holly wants nothing more than full bellies for her family on Christmas. Instead, she's whisked away and tasked to compete against eleven other girls in a series of Christmas-themed contests to win the heart of the reclusive prince.

My name is Valerie and I’m a traitor . . . At least, that’s what the Valkyries tell me when I arrive in purgatory. I can’t remember, so how the hell can I prove my innocence? In the meantime, the Valkyries are training me to help them keep the darkness at bay, but I’m pretty sure they got the wrong girl.

Nova has lived all her life in The Garden, an island that floats above Earth, undetected. Her secret friendship with the Prince changed to something more and all that stands in the way of the life she’s been dreaming of is her Totem Ceremony–an age-old rite that assigns one of four elements she'll spend her life protecting. When Nova's ceremony goes horribly wrong, she's placed in a fifth Totem located in the Underworld. Humiliated and cast out, her only hope is to convince her true love’s arrogant, moody brother that there’s been some kind of terrible mistake.

I promised myself I wouldn’t trust Valerie again. Not after I watched her betray us. Not after she disappeared. I had no indication that I’d ever see her again, so when she waltzed back into this realm, without remorse or an explanation, I swore I would treat her the way she deserved—like the traitor she is. But dammit, I can’t resist her. Never really could. The only thing left is to follow her to the very end of the world.

Led by King Arthur, Camelot is closing in, and war is only a matter of time. The question is: can Charlotte protect her daughter while it rages? Morgana’s mysterious power is stronger than ever, and ambitious forces wish to harness it for the battlefield.