The Love Lie Kay Marie (The Love Match, #2) Publication date: September 24th 2024 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
A city girl. A country boy. A fake engagement in front of 10 million viewers. What could possibly go wrong?
To some people, a proposal in the Maldives would be an absolute dream. To Samantha Peters, it’s a certifiable nightmare. Because she’s pretending to be her identical twin sister on the set of a massively popular reality TV show and her potential fiancé is an annoying (and annoyingly sexy) cowboy who refuses to let her win a single argument. When a moment of temporary insanity leaves them accidentally engaged, they have no choice but to figure it out together.
Their plan is simple. Spend a week in paradise sharing the same bungalow so the producers don’t catch wind of the truth. Break up as soon as the cameras go down. And live happily never after.
There’s only one problem. Between jet skis, yacht tours, romantic dinners, and sunset parasails, these two opposites constantly at one another’s throats start to see each other in a new light. Maybe Sam is more than a workaholic with an iron heart. Maybe Cooper isn’t just a cocky cowboy with a restless spirit. But no matter how big the attraction between them grows, the rules are set. They absolutely cannot fall in love. Right?
The Unhoneymoonersmeets Flawless in this standalone second installment of The Love Match series, perfect for fans of fake engagements, enemies to lovers, cowboy romances, forced proximity, opposites attract, only one bungalow, reality television, tropical locations, and dual POV!
Kay Marie is hosting a giveaway via her Instagram!
Check it out @KayMarieBooks!
Author Bio:
Kay Marie writes swoony romantic comedies with a touch of spice. Her books are full of humor, heartache, and, of course, a HEA! Under the name Kaitlyn Davis, she also publishes YA fantasy. Publishers Weekly has said, “Davis writes with confidence and poise,” while USA Today has recommended her work as “must-read romance.”
The Master of Midnight William Michael Davidson Publication date: May 10th 2024 Genres: Adult, Thriller
Finding bodies is part of the job for Detective Otto Haines, but when a victim’s limbs are found in two public parks miles apart from each other, he is utterly confused. Most speculate that it must be some sadistic killer, bent on mutilating his victims and leaving his “calling cards” behind in the ghostly hours of the night.
And there are problems along the way. As Detective Haines tries to hunt down this killer, he must also deal with his rookie partner, Serena Grimm, while trying to keep a secret from his past out of the spotlight. As the trail to the killer becomes a labyrinthine search with shifting suspects and no end in sight, the impossibly horrific nature of these crimes forces Otto to reconsider everything he has known about good and evil.
Otto Haines climbed out of his black Dodge Charger and noted the time. It was nearly one o’clock in the morning. The crime scene tape had already been set up and blocked off a section of Marina Vista Park. Crime scene technicians worked beneath the ocher-colored glow of streetlights and the briny ocean mist that rolled in from Marine Stadium, only a stone’s throw away.
Officer Dave Hemelrick of the LBPD greeted Otto as he strode toward the perimeter.
“Finally made it, huh?” Dave asked. “And no partner tonight? Already scared off the rookie?”
“She’s on another call,” Otto said without telling him the full story: two incidents had been called in, nearly back-to-back. The other was a few miles away, in front of Wilson High School. It was unusual, for sure. Two homicides called in minutes apart from each other was an aberration. Otto couldn’t remember another instance of it.
“Any witnesses here?” he asked, and Hemelrick’s expression darkened as he cleared his throat.
“We got two. One homeless, probably on drugs. We have a young woman too. She’s the one who called it in. Finishing up questioning now.”
“Good. I’d like to speak with both—especially the woman. Have them wait.”
“Will do.”
“Any ID on the victim?”
A similar, grave expression passed over Hemelrick’s face. The flashing lights of the emergency vehicles reflected in his large, dark eyes.
“No, no ID. Not much of a body either.”
Otto understood what Officer Hemelrick meant only a few moments after showing his badge to several officers along the perimeter and ducking below the crime scene tape. Where Otto normally would have found a body—shot, stabbed, or strangled—there was only an arm on the sidewalk, mere inches from the grass. Nothing more. For a moment, it didn’t look real. While a technician snapped photographs of the scene, Otto bent down to examine the grotesque sight.
There was a very small splatter of blood on the sidewalk near where the arm had been severed, which was just below the elbow. It appeared to be a grisly, jagged dismemberment; if this were a horror movie and not a crime scene, Otto might have guessed the arm to have been bitten off and spat onto the grass by some foul creature.
He was able to determine a few things. This appeared to be a male. Thick arm. Dark hair. Caucasian. It took him a moment to note by position of the thumb that this was the left arm. The fingers were ringless.
“Where’s the rest of him?” Otto asked without turning around. When Hemelrick didn’t respond, Otto turned to him.
“That’s what I’m saying. That’s all we’ve got.”
Author Bio:
William Michael Davidson lives in Long Beach, California. A believer that “good living produces good writing,” Davidson writes early in the morning so he can get outside, exercise, spend time with people, and experience as much as possible. He is a writer of suspense and speculative fiction. If he’s not writing, he’s probably at the beach.
Expect the unexpected when it comes to love under the Aurora skies.
In the frosty mayhem of the Alaskan film set for Everybody Loves Polar
Bears, accident-prone Macy Applegate catapults herself into a hilarious
array of mishaps better suited for a blooper reel. As Macy dreams of
stardom, she reluctantly works with Nick Westwood, the grumpiest and most
arrogant assistant director this side of the Arctic Circle—a man who
irritates her more than a stuck zipper in a sub-zero wind chill.
Beneath Nick’s stoic exterior lies a mysterious secret, and the only thing
more challenging than Alaska’s winter is these two trying to get along for
longer than a commercial break. Macy is a walking disaster in matters of the
heart, and Nick is fed up with shallow relationships. But fate has a
penchant for mischief when Nick transforms from Macy’s nemesis to her
off-screen hero, chipping away at the permafrost around her heart. Should
she give this guy a chance or continue wishing on the magical aurora
borealis for perfect love?
In this hilarious romantic comedy, where polar bears play supporting roles
and love takes center stage, Macy and Nick navigate a situation as
unpredictable as Macy’s on-set blunders. If you swooned through The Proposal
and chuckled at The Hating Game…and if you have a soft spot for polar
bears…get ready for laughter in this heartwarming tale of unexpected
love!
Enemies to lovers
Celebrity romance
Grumpy sunshine
Strong woman, alpha male
Forced proximity
Polar bear love
Snowbound Alaskan cabin
Northern lights
Polar plunges
About the Author
LoLo Paige is an award-winning author in both romantic comedy and romantic
suspense. She’s been honored with several awards, including an RWA
chapter award for her romantic comedy, Hello Spain, Goodbye Heart. Irish
Thunder and Everybody Loves Polar Bears are her recent rom-coms published in
2024. Her romantic suspense books have topped Amazon bestseller lists in the
U.S., Canada, and Australia, and Publishers Weekly has featured her books in
their Booklife section. Her second book, Alaska Inferno, was a finalist for
best indie romance in the 2022 Kindle Book Review Awards.
Drawn to Murder Sarah Vernon Publication date: January 31st 2024 Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery
Sam Green is a newly minted art school graduate, excited to attend her first artist residency. But the pretty, serene Vermont surroundings soon turn sinister.
After a few months spent looking for the right project, Sam has landed a dream opportunity: three blissful weeks of working at a beautiful artist residency program in remote northern Vermont. But almost as soon as the residency begins, strange things start happening. Eager to settle into her work and make new friends, Sam tries to ignore the vaguely sinister feelings trying to warn her that something is afoot. But when a body is discovered, Sam can’t ignore what’s going on any longer.
If she has any chance of getting out of here – alive – Sam will have to figure out who the killer is.
I jolted out of my daydreaming, looking up at the dark-eyed, even darker-haired man across from me at the table. From the intensity of his expectant stare, you’d think we were plotting world domination, not playing a simple getting-to-know-you game. If you could call revealing unexpected or odd facts about yourself a game. Everyone was just trying to one up each other in achievements, fame or outright weirdness – because this was a group of artists, after all.
“Uh, sure. I’m Sam. Samantha, but everyone calls me Sam,” I said, stumbling over my words and sure that my cheeks were as bright red as they felt. Whatever I had been planning to say was instantly forgotten. Was there anyone who actually enjoyed these kinds of introductions?
“I’m here from Boston,” I continued. “I just graduated from school in the spring and I’m…taking a kind of gap year at the moment. I primarily work in ceramics and sculpture, especially miniatures.” I paused, willing anyone else to make a comment or ask a question, anything to save me from having to think of an interesting fact to share. What was there to say that was appropriate for this group? I grew up in New York? I have a cat named Paul? I once tripped over the body of a dead famous sculptor who’d been poisoned?
There were polite smiles around the table, which I returned, slightly nodding my head, signaling that I was done with my intro. I was saved from further humiliation-by-spotlight by the woman on my right, who moved her wheelchair closer to the table so everyone could see her.
“I’m Tony. Tonya, but everyone calls me Tony,” she said, throwing a small smile my way. “I’m here from LA, where I make immersive installations that challenge viewers’ perceptions of their interactions with, and limitations within, the physical world.” Tony waited a beat, tilting her chin as if daring any of us to ask the obvious question. There were more polite smiles, although I noticed about half of our group were studiously avoiding eye contact.
Unfortunately, only Eliot took the bait. “What inspired you towards that kind of work?” he asked with a kind of forced obliviousness. I didn’t think any of us needed more of an introduction to Eliot: over the course of the previous twenty-four hours since we’d gotten to the Winterbrook Artist Residency, he’d made himself known as the type of pompous, arrogant artist that gives the rest of us a bad name.
“Well, Eliot,” Tony said, returning his tone. “I’ve used a wheelchair since I was a kid, after a spinal injury. So after all these years experiencing a very different side of the physical world, I thought I’d give other people the chance to have a similar view.” The pair politely smiled at each other (although, one did have to admit – and admire – that Tony’s smile had more than a hint of crocodile to it) while the rest of us avoided engaging. “But if you’ll forgive me, I think I’ll actually head up to bed now,” Tony said, wheeling away from the table. “It was great to meet all
of you!” she called cheerily as she turned towards the door, her wheelchair making an unmistakable bumping motion over Eliot’s foot as she left. I couldn’t help but grin.
Author Bio:
Sarah Vernon is an author and artist based in Massachusetts, where she writes the Triple-Decker Mystery Series.
Art of the Chase Jennifer Giacalone Publication date: October 9th 2023 Genres: Adult, LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
When a notorious art thief surfaces, warring detective exes reunite for the hunt. A second-chance lesbian romantic suspense that fuses the fine line between love and hate.
Six years ago, the “Fabulous Gustave” slipped the grasp of Agent Fleur van Beekhof, making off with a priceless artwork…and Fleur’s beautifully ordered life. Suddenly the cool, pragmatic Europol detective lost her detective partner and wife, her rising career, and her control, thanks to the addictive lure of cards.
When a new Italian art theft bears all the markings of Gustave’s taunting style, Fleur is put back in the field, because no one knows him better. She jumps at the chance to correct the mistake that ruined her life. The hitch? She has to work with her fiery ex-wife.
Where Fleur is by the book, Renata skirts the rules, leaps into danger, and looks frustratingly hot while doing it.
As Fleur and Renata chase flamboyant Gustave around Europe, will their case push them back into each other’s arms, or shatter what’s left of Fleur’s heart?
“It really is odd that Gustave went for this painting, isn’t it?” Fleur said.
She closed her laptop and stretched her long frame out on the bed, allowing herself to relax into nostalgia despite herself.
“It did occur to me.” The sound of a lighter flicking and Renata taking a drag off a cigarette followed. “It seems like something he’d take if he specifically wanted us to chase him, you know? It’s easy enough to find out that I have a particular relationship with Artemisia’s work.”
“You’re saying it feels personal?”
“I guess I am, yes. But didn’t it always with him?”
Fleur and Renata had spent nearly a year chasing him all over Europe. Four thefts in that time, and each time the games grew more byzantine, more public. He had found in Fleur and Renata some sort of favorite adversaries and would often leave taunts aimed squarely at them.
“I suppose it did. Like the typewritten note he sent after the Cezanne in Amersfoort?”
“He complimented my jacket.” Renata sounded newly annoyed by it.
“The cashmere Prada? It was beautiful.”
“Of course it was, because I don’t wear shit. But it was very creepy, you know?”
“Don’t worry. When we do catch him, I’ll rough him up a bit for you.”
Renata chuckled again. “You would deny me the pleasure of doing it myself?”
Fleur was still feeling a little loose from the wine. “Oh, forgive me. I would never want to deny you pleasure.” It slipped out sounding suggestive, and she hadn’t intended it to, but a stubborn little voice in her said Don’t youdare apologize.
Author Bio:
Jen Giacalone is a former rock star, a graphic artist, a parent, a baker, amateur plumber and a timelord. She toured much of the east coast of the U.S. as a musician in her 20s, spent her 30s in corporate boardrooms of fortune 500 companies as a graphic artist, and in her 40s, became a published author.
She’s the author of the novel “Loud Pipes Save Lives,” published by Carnation Books, about a damaged detective pursuing a gang of vigilante lady bikers, and the current romantic suspense, “Art of the Chase,” a tale of a divorced detective couple thrown back together to pursue a notorious art thief who has come out of retirement. She writes whenever she can and when she can’t, she’s thinking about writing: novels, screenplays, poetry with clever heroines, ill-advised romance, arts, and usually some weaponry.
Discover the enigmatic secrets of Carter’s Grove, a seemingly ordinary logging town that harbors extraordinary mysteries.
Malevolence: The Curse of Carter’s Grove
The Curse of Carter’s Grove Book 1
by Robert Hazelton
Genre: Paranormal Horror
Discover the enigmatic secrets of Carter’s Grove, a seemingly ordinary logging town that harbors extraordinary mysteries.
Gabriel Carter arrives to attend the funeral of his estranged father. He left as a child, though the call of home has always piqued his curiosity.
Special Agent Teagan Walsh arrives to assist the local police in unraveling a perplexing murder investigation that has left the town in turmoil. But Carter’s Grove has many dark secrets, and she’s only scratched the surface.
Meanwhile, Joe “Spontaneous” Santino seeks to uncover the truth behind the small town horrors. Armed with a successful ghost hunting YouTube channel, he fully intends to unearth mysteries better left alone.
As the Curse of Carter’s Grove takes hold, these visitors will find their lives changed forever.
Join us on this journey of suspense, intrigue, and revelation, where the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary blur, and the destinies of these individuals intertwine in ways they could never have imagined.
Robert Hazelton has been writing short fiction, novels and music his entire life. As the founding member of Deadly Nightshade Botanical Society and a long time member of the band Abney Park, he has traveled extensively and performed countless shows in exotic locales.
Robert writes in a variety of genres but keeps drifting back to modern fantasy/horror. He considers Elizabeth Moon, Frank Herbert, and Steven Pressfield to be his biggest influences.
Rocket: My life pretty much took a hard left a year ago when I first met
Lemon. She’s wise beyond her years and as abrasive and sarcastic as
they come. The second she busts my VP’s balls — literally — I know
I’d never be able to forget her. A year later I’m still
infatuated with the vicious woman. When she runs off to charge hell with a
water pistol, I’m right behind her wondering how we’re gonna get
out of this one alive. But I have a smile on my face and a determination to
give this woman anything she wants. Even if it means some things in my club
are going to have to change.
Lemon: Look. This is supposed to be all about how Rocket caught my eye and
I decided I wanted him but there were obstacles and…
phfffffff… Forget all that. What you need to know is when people are
stupid, they need a kick in the… Crap. I’m not supposed to
swear here. Grrrrr! Anyway, this is where I come in. Grim Road needs fixing.
I’m not exactly qualified to do club… garbage, but Rocket?
Yeah. I might have decided I’ll keep him, so… I’m great
at whipping people into shape. Grim Road, meet Lemon. See me, love me,
MF’ers.
Rocket: Just pass me the beer and popcorn…
WARNING: Rocket includes scenes of graphic violence and adult situations
including that may be triggers for some readers. There’s also a
protective hero, a determined heroine, and eventual happy ending. No
cheating, as always.
Excerpt
Copyright Marteeka Karland
I looked around, making sure I had a handle on our surroundings. If things
went south, our best bet was to get back in the truck and do our best to get
the hell outta Dodge. I had no idea if the thing was bulletproof — knowing
the Iron Tzars, there was every possibility it was — but we’d have to
keep our heads down and book it as hard as we could. If I ran over someone
in the process? Fuck ‘em.
“Get that look off your face, girl.” Rocket stepped closer to
us, his gaze focused squarely on me. “We ain’t gonna pounce on
you. You’re here to let Scarlet get anything she wants that she left
behind, and to talk to Sunshine and Rainbow.”
“We’re here to take Sunshine and Rainbow with us,” I
snapped before anyone could say anything else. “Not leavin’
‘em here.”
“You will if they don’t want to go.” Rocket didn’t
raise his voice or even look angry. His features were mild. Reasonable
even.
“Scarlet’s their guardian now. They’ll go where she
says.” I stuck my chin up. I thought I heard Mars groan, but I
didn’t dare take my gaze from Rocket to make sure.
“They’re old enough to make up their minds what they want to
do. If they don’t want to leave Grim Road, I’ll look after
them.”
“Not on your fuckin’ life.” I bared my teeth at Rocket
who looked amused. Which just pissed me the fuck off. “How ‘bout
I wipe that smug grin off your fuckin’ face.”
That got a couple chuckles from the members of Grim Road nearby.
“That one’s askin’ for a whoopin’, Prez. You gonna
teach her some manners?”
“Yep.” Rocket crossed his muscled arms over his massive chest.
He wore jeans and a leather cut without a shirt under it so he showed off a
lot of muscle and tattooed skin. “Just not now. She ain’t old
enough.”
“Like fuck you are.” I took a step toward Rocket, fully
intending to give him more of what I’d given him last night but Mars
held out his arm to prevent me from going around him.
“Just calm down, Lemon. He’s baiting you.”
“Lemon?” Bear barked out a laugh. “Her name’s
Lemon.” It wasn’t phrased as a question.
“You got a problem with that, fuckwit?” I ignored Mars. I knew
they were baiting me. Of all of Scarlet’s protectors, I was the weak
link and they were testing my boundaries and how far they could push
me.
“I got a problem with your mouth. Maybe there’s somethin’
else you could do with it.”
“Bear,” Rocket growled, his facial expression changing like
someone had flipped a switch. “She’s underage.”
“Yeah?” I plowed on, ignoring Rocket. “Try it. See what
body part you lose, you freak.”
Bear leaned forward in my direction but didn’t actually commit to
taking the full step. Then he pointed at me. “Your day’s comin,
lil’ bit.”
I sneered, looking the big man up and down like a princess eyeing a filthy
peasant who’d been mucking out the pig barn. “Not from
you.”
“Can we please get a move on?” Brick actually raised his voice.
That was new. Usually, he just growled or snarled and everyone jumped to do
his bidding. Well, everyone except Serelda. He never used his growly voice
with her.
“Sure. Soon as the Neanderthal gets the fuck outta the way.” I
gave Bear a cheerful wave.
“Glad that one’s leavin’,” he muttered as he
stepped back. “Someone needs to teach her some manners.”
“I only use manners with people who earn that respect from
me.”
“Which is to say no one.” I thought that was Smoke, but the man
didn’t know me that well. OK, so maybe he did. ‘Cause yeah.
Manners were for pussies.
About the Author
International bestselling author Marteeka Karland leads a double life as an
erotic romance writer by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife by day.
Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in
spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable
heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful
ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are
speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight
entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that
elicit a sigh from her readers.
Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka’s latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don’t forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka’s beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.
Abandoned Horrors. Deranged Souls. A Deadly Survival Story.
In the chilling new horror novel, “Urbex Predator,” by Jens Boele, a group of intrepid urban explorers embarks on what they believe to be a routine trip to an abandoned barracks in the middle of nowhere.
As a relict from the Cold War era, they are a popular destination for photographers, influencers, and adventurers. A place that is closely guarded and harbors a multitude of risks. But it’s not just the derelict buildings that pose a danger.
Nela and her friend Tess venture to the eerie ruins to complete their photography thesis, only to find themselves relentlessly pursued through the darkened corridors by a group of ruthless thugs.
Zander, Yelka, her sister Vivien, and her manager Damon set out on a photo shoot, only to be unexpectedly cornered by a gang of depraved youths. As night descends, the boundaries between life and death blur, and the group is forced to confront the darkest corners of their own souls.
In the face of danger, will they fall victim or rise as hunters in the shadows?
Inspired by early works from literary giants like Jack Ketchum and Richard Laymon, “Urbex Predator” promises readers a heart-pounding journey through the realms of fear and survival, where every turn reveals a new nightmare. Yet, this spine-tingling narrative is not just the product of imagination; it’s also a reflection of author Jens Boele’s real-life experiences as an Urban Explorer, who spent many years venturing into the very places he describes in his book.
“However, that’s the shortest way!” Out of the corner of his eye, Zander Regan watched the rest of the group with his arms crossed.
“Are you telling me that I have to crawl through a bush and then climb over a wall for a photo shoot? Really?” Yelka handed Vivian her sneakers. She was carrying her flip-flops in her right hand, like she was carrying a purse. Vivian’s outfit for the trip to the abandoned barracks was far from practical, especially her choice of hot pants and a spaghetti-strap top.
“I must admit, Yelka,” added her manager Damon, “I’m quite irritated about this location too. Isn’t there an official entrance to the site?” He lifted his sunglasses and glanced at Yelka and Zander, eyebrows raised.
Zander ignored Damon’s gaze, pretending to check his watch. Vivian and Damon were already starting to get on his nerves. This could have been a fun trip, but he was used to their behavior. It was likely that one of them would become dramatic at the slightest opportunity. The other sure bet was that Yelka would try to appease her sister, his pretty Yelka.
Oh, if only she knew how much he desired her …
“Zander really tried everything, Viv. This is the fastest way to the barracks—and your photos.” She smiled. “You’re going to look more than gorgeous, darling sis. The barracks make an impressive backdrop, right, Zander?”
There she was again, Yelka with her velvety voice and twinkling eyes that made his legs feel weak. Zander didn’t understand why Vivian, not Yelka, was the Instagram model. It was like a joke.
I am a model on Instagram.
Yes, and I’m a mercenary in Call of Duty.
“Isn’t that right, Zander?” repeated Yelka.
“Huh? Oh yes,” Zander stuttered as if he had been caught in a lie. “The barracks were abandoned after German reunification and have lain fallow ever since,” he explained. “The area is in the middle of a 6,000-acre woodland and consists of barracks, a civilian settlement, and a military hospital. All areas are separated from each other, but are supposed to be connected by underground bunkers …”
“For fuck’s sake, can you please wake me up when he’s done with his monologue?” Annoyed, Vivian glanced at Damon.
“Viv, please.”
“6,000 acres is pretty darn big,” Damon hooked in. “I hope we don’t have to trek for miles through the woods. Tonight we have to post our stories, and by tomorrow morning the pictures. And our designers still must retouch them before.”
“This is the fastest way. We’ll be there in half an hour,” Zander meekly assured.
“I’m supposed to spend another half hour …”
“Get down! Down!” shouted Zander and Yelka at the same time.
As they walked along a dirt path next to a weathered stone wall, a car approached.
Author Bio:
Jens Boele, a veteran media designer in the entertainment industry, brings over two decades of cinematic expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jens embarked on his writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication of his debut book, “Sunshine,” in 2015. This was followed by “Hurensohn,” and his latest spine-tingling creation, “Urbex Predator.”
Jens is a genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. His narratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens’s storytelling brilliance lies in his fascination with the criminal mind; his villains are always profoundly human, offering readers a chilling examination of the psychological aspects of the criminally insane.
Jens sets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the gritty authenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues his narratives with a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic thrills with contemporary intrigue, resulting in an immersive reading experience that resonates with both vintage enthusiasts and present-day readers alike.
Jens Boele’s latest endeavor takes his work across borders, as “Urbex Predator” becomes his first book to be translated into English. A globetrotter with deep connections to the United States, Jens’s passion for exploration and his international perspective, nurtured by family and friends in the US, shine through in his writing, offering readers a captivating blend of horror and cultural diversity.
Two remarkable women are inextricably linked by a power far greater than anything Europe has ever seen.
Storm Surge
The Stormsong Trilogy Book 2
by Stephen A. Reger
Genre: Historical Fiction Adventure
As the Thirty Years’ War enters its second year, Bohemian Protestants continue their rebellion against the Catholic Hapsburg dynasty which has ruled the German states with an iron fist for more than three hundred years. Like the rest of Europe, this once great empire remains divided along multiple fault lines; and across Europe, various religious sects social classes, and nations continue to battle one another in a war of unprecedented scope and savagery.
Already caught up in this massive conflict are two very beautiful but very different women. Lady Atlantis Vanessa von Stormsong, the only child of a wealthy Catholic Archduke, has known a life of power and privilege; meanwhile, Sarlatova, a poor Protestant who lives among thieves and outlaws, knows practically nothing of her past. These two strangers seem to have nothing in common except for a strong faith in the same God.
But as their paths cross again and again, and as they try to navigate a world dominated by violent and powerful men, these two remarkable women begin to realize that they are inextricably linked by a power far greater than anything Europe has ever seen.
Legend is often truer than history and always more interesting.
-anonymous
Everything you have ever been told about history is a lie. All of the history that you learned from kindergarten to college has been a carefully crafted series of falsehoods and fabrications, all
designed to keep you from knowing the truth. I should know. For more than three decades, I was a teacher of history (American, European, World), and during that time I was an accomplice (before and during the fact) to a vast conspiracy to shield you from the truth – and the truth is far different from what you thought you knew. In fact, the role of the spiritual, supernatural, and (dare I say) magical has always been far more prevalent in and pivotal to history than you have ever been taught.
But I am retired now, and I intend to use whatever time I have left on this mortal coil we call Earth trying to destroy the intricately woven web of deceit that I helped build. I’m going to peel back the curtain, as it were, and reveal to you the far more interesting, infinitely more complex and chaotic, and (at times) terrifying truth about who we are and how we got here.
I begin with the strange but true tale of what really happened in the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years War of the seventeenth century. Prepare to be illuminated and incensed that this was all kept from you for so long.
Or, perhaps, it would be better to use this.
Prologue
Between 1154 and 1184, eager to restore the Holy Roman Empire to the position it had once occupied under Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa (also known as Frederick I) launched six different campaigns into Italy. History has recorded that those campaigns, combined with his participation in the Third Crusade (1189-1192), were Barbarossa’s attempts to expand the size and influence of the Holy Roman Empire, reconquer the Holy Land following Sultan Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187, and restore law and order to the various and disorganized German states. In reality, however, it was neither land nor riches nor holy relics that Barbarossa sought. In reality, he had come to the conclusion that, hidden within Europe and the Middle East, were scores of “devils and deviants” – practitioners of the dark arts.
Shortly after he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV on June 18, 1155, Barbarossa, while still in Rome for the coronation, summoned to Saint Peter’s Basilica all of the patriarchs of an incredibly powerful (and incredibly secretive) German family – the Stormsongs. At that place and time, Barbarossa granted the Stormsongs hereditary title to an extremely powerful order that would serve as his personal army. The Stormsongs would be rich beyond the dreams of avarice, but they would also be indebted to serve as Barbarossa’s “truest protectors of the faith and empire.”
And so, it began. For more than 460 years, the Stormsongs faithfully, and quite violently, defended the Catholic Church, the Holy Roman Empire, and the German monarchy against all enemies (foreign and domestic, real and perceived). But little did Barbarossa know that the same practitioners of the dark arts the Stormsongs were meant to shield his empire from were, in fact, alive and well within the Stormsong family. And by the dawn of the seventeenth century, the order of Stormsongs had grown both darker and more powerful, while the Holy Roman Empire they allegedly still served found itself surrounded by powerful enemies – and on the brink of collapse.
Stormfront
The Stormsong Trilogy Book 1
The year is 1618, and the Christian world stands, once again, on a knife’s edge. The once great Holy Roman Empire, like most of the rest of Europe, is divided along religious, political, and economic lines – pitting Catholics against Protestants, princes against monarchs, and the rich against the poor. And a war unlike anything Europe has ever seen is growing increasingly inevitable…
Destined to be caught up in the coming conflict are two very beautiful but very different women. Lady Atlantis Vanessa von Stormsong is the only child of a wealthy Catholic Archduke, while poor Šarlatová is a Protestant thief who knows practically nothing of her past. These two strangers share a strong faith in the same God, but their respective attempts to find peace in a world dominated by violent and powerful men will lead them straight into the abyss of a war that will tear Europe apart for the next thirty years.
After teaching AMERICAN, WORLD, and EUROPEAN history for thirty years, Stephen A. Reger is spending his retirement writing about what the history textbooks leave out. Stormfront is his debut novel. He currently teaches American Literature in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resides with his wife, Amy, and his two sons, Jacob and Caleb.
