New Releases by Alethea Kontis

Tief unter dem Meer, in den heißen Schluchten der Welt, schließt eine unglücklich verliebte Meerjungfrau einen verhängnisvollen Pakt: Sie verkauft ihre Seele für Beine - und die Hoffnung auf ihre große Liebe. Doch an Land stößt sie auf eine dunkle Wahrheit: Sie kann nur überleben, indem sie Blut trinkt. Doch statt bei ihrem Prinzen landet sie auf einem Piratenschiff - und ihr Hunger wird täglich größer. Während ihr Hunger wächst und ihre Menschlichkeit schwindet, kämpft sie gegen die Zeit, um ihren Seelenverwandten zu finden, bevor er einer anderen das Jawort gibt. Aber wird er sie dann noch erkennen? In ihrer düsteren Neuinterpretation von "Die kleine Meerjungfrau" beleuchtet Alethea Kontis die Bedeutung von Seelenverwandtschaft und welchen Preis die wahre Liebe fordert - und zeigt, dass nur Leid ein reines Herz in ein Monster verwandeln kann. Aus dem Amerikanischen von Helga Köller

Sunday Woodcutter ist die siebte Tochter einer siebten Tochter. Womit sie nicht nur eine riesige Familie im Schlepptau hat, sondern sich auch damit herumschlagen muss, dass die Geschichten, die sie in ihr Tagebuch einträgt, in Erfüllung gehen. Als sie im Zauberwald einem Frosch begegnet, der sich nach ihren Geschichten erkundigt, entwickelt sich eine einzigartige und kostbare Freundschaft zwischen den beiden, die rasch magisch wird. Eines Abends küsst Sunday den Frosch zum Abschied und verwandelt ihn damit unbewusst zurück in Rumbold - den rebellischen Kronprinzen von Arilland, den Sundays Familie verachtet. Der Prinz kehrt in sein Schloss zurück und kündigt einen königlichen Ball an, zu dem er alle geeigneten jungen Frauen des Landes einlädt. Rumbold hofft, dass Sunday sich in den Mann verliebt, der er jetzt ist, und nicht in den Frosch, der er einst war. Sunday fühlt sich sehr zu dem Prinzen hingezogen, den sie kaum kennt. Aber welche Geheimnisse sind in seiner Vergangenheit verborgen und auch in ihrer? * Sunday Woodcutter is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. Not only does that come with an enormous family, but the things she writes in her journal also have a tendency to come true. When Sunday meets a frog in the Enchanted Wood who asks about her stories, the two develop a unique and precious friendship that quickly deepens into something quite magical. One night, Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold-rebellious crown prince of Arilland and a man Sunday's family despises. The prince returns to his castle and announces a royal ball, inviting every eligible young woman in the country. Rumbold hopes to make Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is and not the frog he was. Sunday does feel a strange, strong attraction to this prince she barely knows. But what other twisted secrets might lie hidden in his past...and hers?

When Friday Woodcutter stumbles upon seven sleeping men in her sister Sunday's palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he's meant to be her destiny. But these exiled royal brothers are cursed-along with their sister, the mute kitchen girl Rampion-to be swans by day. Amidst a kingdom in chaos and a castle flooded with refugees, can Friday's unique magic find a way to break the spell? In this delightful third book in the Woodcutter Sisters series, Alethea Kontis invokes a few fine-feathered fairy tales-featuring "The Wild Swans," "The Goose Girl," and the Armenian folktale of Queen Anahit-to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. Because where there is kindness, there is strength... This 2024 edition of DEAREST now includes the previously unreleased Chapter 20 (both book and audiobook have been updated!)

Featuring stories of pulse-pounding, blood-curdling revenge from Leanna Renee Hieber, Claire Low, Dotti Enderle, Jeremiah Dylan Cook, Will McDermott, Sara Martinez, Scott Pearson, Rob Nisbet, Serena Jayne, Katya de Becerra, Carmen Gray, Michael Joseph Tharnish Roby, Charles R. Rutledge, Melanie Schubert, Heath W. Shelby, Bryan Young, Alethea Kontis and Liz Holliday.

Would you kill for your art? Would it kill for you? A painter who kills with blood-tinged pigment. A tattoo artist with a dark past who treats with demons. A sculptor on Venus who carves his life's history into ice at the cost of his sanity. A ceramic vase that might avenge the life of a murder victim. A haunted song that drives listeners to kill. Art surrounds us. It entertains and nurtures. And for some it can do far more. It can protect a family over generations or bridge the boundary between the realms of the living and the dead. It can be a curse or a boon, a path to riches or to damnation. In Artifice and Craft , speculative fiction authors Lyndsay E. Gilbert, Laura E. Price, Adam Stemple, Brian K. Lowe, James R. Tuck, Briana Una McGuckin, Jordan Davidson, James Maxey, Madeline Dau, Joel Armstrong, C.E. Murphy, Mark Painter, Alex Bledsoe, Alethea Kontis, Gerri Leen, and Jelena Dunato craft tales of art and artistry that are shaded with the supernatural, tuned to the fantastic, and glazed with the unexpected. So listen, watch, admire. But don't touch, and don't turn your back. Because these works of art are far more than they seem.

Fairy tales are as old as time, and yet... In Shattering The Glass Slipper, fifteen talented authors take on these age-old tales and transform them into bold and brave new visions. Discover worlds where the Seattle Space Needle acts as Rapunzel's tower; where seven princesses plot their own rescue from the fae; where a magic mirror is connected to an app on your phone...and shows you more than you may be able to handle. Get hired by a giant to climb beanstalks, each with its own problem to solve...or by the Goblin King to turn Tweets into gold. Hunt a firebird for a single feather. Use the internet to find a prince for a princess. And more! In each of these stories, there is a thread of the familiar, spun by magic or technology into something new to achieve the improbable and, often, the impossible. Through ages past and into the future, our writers are traveling roads less traveled with characters that are light, dark, and always unpredictable. Join Marie Brennan, Lucia Iglesias, Alyse Winters, Rebecca A. Demarest, R.J. Blain, Miyuki Jane Pinckard, Rachel Swirsky, Angela Rega, Alethea Kontis, Y.M. Pang, Patricia Bray, Cat Rambo, Rhondi Salsitz, R.Z. Held, and José Pablo Iriarte as they turn Happily Ever After inside out!

The Castle of Horror Anthology is back with a brand-new collection of stories intended to curdle the blood and freeze the heart! This time the theme is love-- family love, romantic love, dedicated love, obsessive love, but what they all have in common is a misstep, a slide into the uncanny. Featuring stories by Alethea Kontis, Tom Waltz, Scott Pearson, PJ Hoover, Steven Philip Jones, Will McDermott, Mike Owsley, Lewis Figun Westbrook, Frazer Lee, Teel James Glenn, Liz Holliday, and Jeremiah Dylan Cook. Welcome to the wing of the Castle of Horror we reserve for Love Gone Wrong.

Dreaming of a magical world? Your wish is our command! These sixteen fairytale retellings from bestselling authors will sweep you away into enchanted lands where wishes have the power to change lives. With wistful twists on Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and more, you'll be enthralled by these all-new tales. Just be careful what you wish for... INCLUDES: The Dust Wish - Alethea Kontis A prince attempting to win the hand of a princess is helped by an enthusiastic boy, a snarky maid, and a wish-granting dust bunny. Ashes to Ashes - Phaedra Weldon Bounty Hunter Cynder's latest job is to hunt down a Djinn who refuses to fulfill his third wish. Not quite believing in such things as Wish Givers (especially Fairy Godmothers), Cynder's world capsizes when she discovers what that third wish is all about. Wallina - Nikki Jefford A beautiful orphan is adopted then imprisoned by marriage-minded trolls, sorcerers, and faeries in this magical adventure. Wicked Winds - Kasey Mackenzie Dorrie Gale's been a ball of anxiety since her mother was ripped away from her arms by a Kansas twister, never to be seen again. When wicked winds return over a decade later only to sweep her away, Dorrie's forced to believe that her mother's storybook tales are actually true. The Fairest Shop of Them All - Shawntelle Madison A tyrannical duchess makes a dark wish, for her to have the fairest hat shop of them all, but an orphan shopkeeper with mystical goods stands in her way. Immortal Wish - Colleen Gleason Lyla Harris lives at the bottom of the Sea in the city of Atlantis…but she knows there’s something else up there. When she makes a wish to learn more, a whole new world opens up for her. Unseen - Christine Pope After the end of the world, an invisible benefactor comes to Janna Sayers’ aid. But will her curiosity about her mysterious guardian be her undoing? First Snow - Alexia Purdy In the dead of winter, Jonna is saved from the cold by an unlikely ally. She's determined to rescue her family from the clutches of an ancient witch who rules the desolate frost lands and turns trespassers into statues of ice. The Dreamer’s Curse - Rachel Morgan When a wish bargain with the Godmother goes wrong, Cress winds up cursed to an eternal slumber. But a potion that gives her the ability to travel through dreams may be the key to her escape. The Lady of the Lake - Julia Crane What would an otherworldly creature want more than anything? To be mortal, of course. The Lady of the Lake might have bitten off more than she could chew. The Wishing Thorn - Jamie Ferguson Leah never believed in her Irish grandmother’s stories about trees granting wishes, but after having her life turned upside-down, she decided to see if the stories were real after all. She chose to make her wish of a blackthorn: the tree of warfare and ill omens, and the keeper of dark secrets... Woven from Pure Starlight - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson Caitlin’s glamour-infused hair has kept her from living a life of her own since the death of her mother. When a stranger arrives in the magical forest near her home, Caitlin gets a chance at friendship, love, and the most important thing of all: freedom. Last Wish - C. Gockel Once upon a time there was no death. Spirits walked among humans, and giant game sustained them. But as the world changed, something worse than death came to the world. Heart of the Forest - Anthea Sharp Pursuing an enchanted creature into a magical forest, a prince discovers that his heart’s desire isn’t what he thought… Pin Oak’s Wish - Kay McSpadden Pin Oaks knows her Grandmother Blue can grant wishes, but she’s never needed one until now. It’s 1952, and the young mountain healer wants her grandmother to help her become a real city woman—and to find her true love before he ships out for Korea. Wish Upon a Straw - Devon Monk One magical gold spinner, one kingdom full of dragons... KEYWORDS: Once Upon A Time, Fairytale Retellings, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Coyote, Arthurian Myths, Celtic Folklore, Historical Fantasy, Faeries, Fae, Elves, Genies, Royalty, Short Story Anthology, Fantasy Anthology, Short Stories, Magic, Enchantment

A military attack drone turned shepherd. A train on the London Underground evolving into something new and wondrous. A troupe of robotic actors struggling to find meaning when the audience has disappeared. Explore the myriad ideas of what happens when out-of-date and abandoned technologies are given a second life—one that takes them in a new direction, far outside their intended programming and beyond their original purpose. My Battery Is Low And It Is Getting Dark features fourteen stories of quiet hope, heartbreak, creation, and death from fantasy and science fiction authors Dana Berube, Merc Fenn Wolfmoor, Jacey Bedford, Anthony Lowe, Chris Kocher, Brian Hugenbruch, William Leisner, José Pablo Iriarte, Alethea Kontis, Kari Sperring, Edward Willett, John G. Hartness, Alexander Gideon, and Stephen Leigh. You may never look at your smart speaker the same way again.

Twenty dark and ghostly faerie tale retellings from the NYT, USA Today and internationally bestselling authors in the award-winning Once Upon Anthologies series! Push open the creaky cellar door and prepare for chilling re-imaginings of Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks, Rapunzel, and Bloody Mary. Or breathe a sigh of relief with brighter twists on The Little Match Girl, Hansel & Gretel, and The Bremen Town Musicians. But beware! Blood and revenge, creepy haunted houses, and evil magic lurk within the pages. Are you brave enough to venture in? A HUNTER’S MEMORY OF WINTER - Annie Bellet Ka is a hunter for hire. She'll kill anything, for a price. When her latest client wants her to kill a legendary being, she's up for the challenge. But this job will require more than just a bullet... for her prey is already dead... HAUNTED - Kay McSpadden The old Bayer house might be haunted, but that doesn’t keep the little golden-haired girl from going inside—again, and again, and again. FAERIE SONG - Anthea Sharp The Pipers have rid the city of vermin, but their music hides a dark magic that only one courageous girl can break. FORGIVEN: A Djinn Wars Story - Christine Pope Celia Graham might have survived a deadly plague, but that didn’t prevent her from becoming a ghost doomed to haunt her opulent home for all eternity. The situation becomes even more complicated when she encounters an unexpected house guest…. WHAT MAGIC LIES BENEATH - Shawntelle Madison Long ago, a bog witch killed Everbelle’s brother. Now the memories of him haunt her—as well as his ghost. An opportunity arises to fix the past and bring everyone inner peace, but is Everbelle willing to sacrifice herself in the process? THE GHOST OF BEILSTEIN CASTLE - Alethea Kontis From a riverside castle in post-war Germany, a tormented young American widow recounts her ghostly adventures with a dead bride, a fiery-eyed hellfrog, and a lost treasure. SNOW WHITE BETWEEN TIME - Julia Crane Once the cursed apple has been eaten, Snow White awakens in a strange land. The sun and moon have disappeared, and her only friend is a red-eyed wolf. She must find a way to return to her former life or be forever stuck between worlds. QUEEN JOANNA.- Kate Danley Thrust into a loveless marriage of state, Queen Joanna discovers her new palace is home to dark secrets. When a ghostly face in the mirror confronts her with a dire warning, she must discover if she has been struck by madness... or awakened a curse. RAPUNZEL DREAMING - Yasmine Galenorn Sometimes beauty—and the obsession with that beauty—doesn’t fade. It just transforms with time… WHAT TALES SPECTERS TELL - Kasey Mackenzie Amelie Baudelaire faces off against the cruel Necromancer who saved her life two years earlier. Now that the life and soul of her most precious prize of all—her firstborn child—hangs in the balance, she’ll show her villainous savior just how much he’s underestimated her. THE DEVIL’S DUE - Melissa Marr Never cross a devoted sister, especially one fond of sword fights and sea-faring. THE BREMEN SHIFTER BAND - Debra Dunbar Geriatric shapeshifters in an assisted living facility discover with the help of Elvis’ ghost that they’re never too old to Rock and Roll. THE BANSHEE OF LIATH WOOD - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson In order to keep his home, Kye of Haebach Heath must enter one of the most haunted places in all of Eile in order to free a maiden from her dark curse. THE GHOST QUEEN – Nikki Jefford When the King of Gloria offers gold to anyone who can present him with the fairest bride in all the kingdoms, two young necromancers resurrect the loveliest woman to have ever lived. Can they fool the king and his entire kingdom? IMMORTAL PORTRAIT - Colleen Gleason When Frost Elite escort service's Shep arrives to meet a new client in the hills of Hollywood, he poses for a photograph with his client's camera. Unfortunately, this simple portrait taken by Mr. Dorian Gray might just mean his death... TO BE REMEMBERED - Jamie Ferguson After her brutal murder centuries ago, Ilona became a nyavka. She haunts the forest with her newfound sisters, luring men into the woods—and to their deaths. And then one day a young man comes into the forest on a mission that catches Ilona by surprise. THE SOUL CAGES - Phaedra Weldon When her treasure is stolen, the vengeful Sea Goddess destroys the country's ships and takes the souls of their crews. Only one woman can save them, but will she succeed, or be damned to live in the Sea Goddess' palace forever? ELLA AND THE HAUNTED HOUSE - Sarra Cannon Descended from a long line of ghost hunters, Ella is forced to spend her birthday in a haunted house with her horrible stepmother and stepsisters, but the night is redeemed when a handsome stranger arrives. THE THORN KING - Alexia Purdy Haunted by the ghost of his best friend, Riley decides to search for her once more. Heading through the scorched rose gardens where she disappeared, he finds himself in the domain of a malevolent creature cursed by a dark magic ready to claim him as well. LITTLE FLAME - Devon Monk Avens is not powerful, she is not a witch. But she is the last hope to save the world. Don't miss all the Once Upon Anthologies! Once Upon A Curse, Once Upon A Kiss, Once Upon A Quest, Once Upon A Star, Once Upon A Ghost, and coming in 2021 Once Upon A Wish! KEYWORDS: Ghost stories, fairy tales, retellings, ghosts, spooky stories, haunted house, witches, fantasy anthologies

Jump into the waves, and enter the world of Faerie! On a rock by the shore sits a mermaid fair Dreaming of her lost lover as she combs her hair Kelpies, and selkies, and the great snakes of the sea All stop and listen as she sings of a love never to be For the sailor she saved from those dark, storm-tossed waves Got back on his ship, and sailed away Now the mermaid's alone, with broken-hearted dreams And far, far away the sailor stares out at the sea Fifteen stories about mermaids, kelpies, and other magical water creatures. What if the Loch Ness monster is more than a myth? Where did the Lady of the Lake go after leaving Avalon? Can a mermaid ever truly leave the sea, and follow her lover to land? This collection includes fifteen tales about sirens, kelpies, mermaids, sea monsters, naiads, and other enchanted creatures of the water. Enjoy the magic and wonder of these watery tales of Faerie!

From the bestselling authors of the award-winning Once Upon Anthologies, the next fabulous volume is here! Revisit your favorite faerie tales, masterfully retold in science fiction settings with delightful, and sometimes chilling, twists. What if the Twelve Dancing Princesses were undead clones? What if the witch in Hansel and Gretel was an AI-sentient house? Are you ready for the Three Little Pigs… in space? These fourteen tales will entertain and inspire you, and you’ll never see your favorite faerie tales quite the same way again. Grab your copy of Once Upon A Star, and don’t forget the other anthologies - Once Upon A Curse, Once Upon A Kiss, and Once Upon A Quest - for more magical retellings! ESCAPE: A Liza Roth Adventure - Anthea Sharp A princess on the run and her feline companion find adventure - and danger - on Starhub Station in this story based on the Icelandic fairy tale Kisa the Cat. TRUE.LOVE - Alethea Kontis In this futuristic retelling of Sleeping Beauty, a gamer hacktivist tries to take down the world’s largest matchmaking site…and stumbles on a side quest he never bargained for. BLOW YOUR PLANET DOWN - Shawntelle Madison After the Wolverine Horde nearly destroyed her home world, Commander Cressida Van Der Snout is prepared to use the Horde’s greatest weapon to exact her revenge. She wants to bring them to their knees, but a single wolverine stands in the way of both her revenge and her heart. THE CYRANO SOLUTION: A Gaian Consortium Story - Christine Pope The daughter of one of Gaia’s richest oligarchs gets more than she bargained for in her new husband in this retelling of “The Frog Prince” (with just a dash of Cyrano de Bergerac for good measure). ONCE YOU WISH - Evelyn Snow A con man who loves only what he can steal. An orphan girl with big dreams. A prince with something to prove and no fairy godmother to be found… BY THE LIGHT OF A DISTANT STAR - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson When Estrelle’s marriage to Prince Damryn of Kaul is thwarted by a deceitful enemy who steals her identity and leaves her for dead, Estrelle must rely on the kindness of others, and trust the courage within her own heart. VASILILA AND THE HORSE OF POWER - Jamie Ferguson Vasilisa finds a feather from the legendary firebird and, against the advice of her horse, takes it to the Tzar in the subterranean enclave their people have lived in for millennia. She hopes to be rewarded, but instead is given a choice between accomplishing an impossible task, or exile—and certain death—in the harsh, storm-swept lands aboveground. ECHO - Nikki Jefford Built by a handsome young mechanic, Echo is a cyborg who dreams of experiencing the world as a human in this Pinocchio inspired retelling. DEADLY DANCE - Kasey Mackenzie Miriana never expected to be murdered repeatedly after refusing an evil prince’s marriage proposal. Now saddled with eleven undead clone-sisters who spy for the murderous prince, she’s going to save the day with her forbidden soldier lover—or die trying - one final time. THROUGH TIME AND SPACE: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale - Julia Crane Neither time nor space can keep Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf from crossing paths. THE STAR DRAGON'S CURSE - Alexia Purdy Haunted by a malevolent celestial entity, Creedence must discover its connection to the dying forest aboard the decaying space vessel, The Star Dragon. ZATARRA - Phaedra Weldon His enemies not only took his life and everything he held dear, they took his humanity as well. LOXLEY- Sarra Cannon In a dystopian world where citizens log into The Realm online to escape from their dark reality, one hacker fights to make a difference as she goes in search of a rare artifact. CANDY HOUSE - Kay McSpadden After the AI of Earth rise up and destroy most of humanity, Hans and Greta survive by living off the grid. That is, until they find a house in the woods that makes them an offer they can’t refuse. Read more fabulous fairytale retellings from these authors! ONCE UPON A CURSE - 17 Dark Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A KISS - 17 Romantic Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A QUEST - 15 Tales of Adventure KEYWORDS: Fairy Tale Retellings, SF Romance, Space Opera, Dystopian, Russian Folktales, Genetic Engineering, Cyberpunk, AI, GameLit, Marissa Meyer, Lunar Chronicles

There’s something out there in the dark. There’s always something watching. There’s always something reaching for you. Always. And sometimes there’s someone you can call. Someone you can hire. Someone who knows these dark streets and back alleys. Someone who knows how things work in this part of town. Private eyes who are often as dark as the things they hunt. Investigators who know how to look in the shadows for the things that go bump. Good guys but not always nice guys. Hardboiled Horror collects fifteen original tales of noir mystery shot through with elements of horror and the supernatural. Occult detectives, paranormal investigators, seedy P.I.s, amateur sleuths and ghost hunters tackle the cases no one else can handle. The killer lineup includes Heather Graham, Kevin J. Anderson, Rachel Caine, Scott Sigler, Seanan McGuire Alethea Kontis, Jonathan Maberry, Chris Ryall, Dana Fredsti, Jim Beard, Jacopo della Quercia, John Gilstrap, Jon McGoran, Josh Malerman, Max Allan Collins & Matthew V. Clemens, Lois H. Gresh and Nancy Holder. Edited by New York Times bestseller and five-time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry.

Once upon a time, a princess was born with hair as black as ebony, lips as red as blood, and skin as white as snow. After the huntsman and before the dwarfs-while she was all alone in that great forest-the princess met a demon. He was hunting unicorns. And what bait could better snare his prey than the fairest of them all?This is the secret tale that the princess never shared with the world. This is the true story.

Fifteen brand new fairytale twists from bestselling and award-winning authors. With inspirations ranging from The Ugly Duckling to Snow White, and everything in between (including trips to Camelot and Oz), these fabulous tales are full of adventure, magic, and a touch of romance. WEST OF THE MOON by Annie Bellet When her twin brother sacrifices his freedom to save their starving family, Lina embarks on a quest through a magical forest to save him and restore their fortunes. A BELL IN THE NIGHT by Evelyn Snow For Stevie Silver, waking the beautiful boy in the glass box is only the beginning, as her mysterious past catches up with her. MISTRESS BOOTSI by Anthea Sharp A girl sets out to seek her fortune - and luckily, she has a clever cat for a companion… WHITE ROSE by Phaedra Weldon Jack Frost must find his true love and save her from the Snow Queen’s icy shards before he loses her - and his chance at humanity - forever. THE GOBLIN AND THE TREASURE by Alethea Kontis Out-of-work soldier Kira Kobold is handpicked by the High Wizard Zelwynn to go on a quest. Her companions? A growly ogress, a surly dwarf, a dimwitted troll, and an overly optimistic goblin. This wasn’t exactly the quest she was looking for… THE RUINS OF OZ by Alexia Purdy The Land of Oz was the last place Thea thought she’d find herself after falling through her mother’s enchanted mirror. If the stories she’s been told are real, why is the Emerald City in ruins? A TOUCH OF GOLD by Rachel Morgan When Tilly helps two strangers escape from danger, she becomes part of their quest to keep a powerful magical ability out of the wrong hands ... MAGIC AND MACHINERY by Jamie Ferguson Maude works with machinery, not magic. Can she find a way to escape the magician’s grasp and free her beloved brother? BLOW YOUR HOUSE DOWN by Nikki Jefford In a brave new world, three wizards journey through wild shifter territories to find somewhere to begin anew. BANE AND BALM by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson When the stream providing healing water to Claire’s sick aunt dries up, she must venture into the dreaded Dorcha Forest, where she discovers a stranger willing to risk his freedom in order to help her on her quest. CAT WHITE by Kay McSpadden He thought he was following the music, but a white cat led him to realize life held more adventure than he’d guessed. KING ARTHUR AND THE CHALICE OF LIFE by Julia Crane Camelot may be at peace, but betrayal and death lurk within the mists surrounding it. FEAR OF FALLING by Shawntelle Madison Cast from her griffin’s nest, Ireti is forced into the cruel world of the ground-walkers below. Before she can fly, Ireti must find the strength to walk, and the key to acceptance lies in an undiscovered place—between two worlds. THE MERROW’S GOLDEN RING by Sara C. Roethle Ailios was taught to never believe a promise from one of the Faie, but that doesn’t stop her from doing it anyway. TAKE MY MONSTERS by C. Gockel In the wilds of the barbarian north, Roman slave Margusa meets a warrior enchanted and enslaved by an Elf Queen. To set him free, Margusa must first confront the monsters within herself... Don't miss all the Once Upon Anthologies! Once Upon A Curse, Once Upon A Kiss, Once Upon A Quest, Once Upon A Star, Once Upon A Ghost, and coming in 2021 Once Upon A Wish! KEYWORDS: Fairy tale retellings, Arthurian fantasy, Snow White, Celtic myths and legends, magic, urban fantasy, The Snow Queen, Puss in Boots, bestselling authors, fantasy anthology, twisted fairytales

Heather Hayden has everything a young witch could desire: beauty, money, popularity, and exceptionally strong magical powers. Too bad she's also got a dysfunctional family that couldn't care less about her and a Head Witch who's watching her every move. Heather has no idea what she wants. But she's pretty sure it's not some low-rent cat shifter boy from goddess-knows-where, despite the fact that their paths keep crossing again and again...and again.Owen Liddell is in big trouble. A hundred years ago, a descendant of Arachne tricked him into staring into the eyes of the Great Sphinx, leaving him bespelled into the form a cat. Now Arachne's sisters have found him again and placed one of their own as a substitute teacher at Harmswood. And if that weren't bad enough, destiny got involved, tangling his heart up with the most popular witch in school: his best friend Kai's sworn enemy. Can Owen escape the evil spider sisters, thwart the spell, rescue the girl, save his friendship and pass his finals all before Zombie Prom? It seems unlikely. But unlikely things are known to happen in Nocturne Falls...

A is for Akri, and B is for…barbecue! Learn the Alphabet Simi-style! Join everyone’s favorite adorable little demon from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters® as she explores the alphabet in her own unique and colorful way in this delightful new children’s book. Simi is one of the most recognized and adored characters from Kenyon’s Nick Chronicles® and Dark-Hunters®. Now you can join her for a thrilling adventure unlike any other as she explores the world of Dark-Hunter® while learning her alphabet. This picture book showcases the imaginative artwork of the Dabel Brothers and the artist Juno, and features all your most beloved Dark-Hunter® characters, including Acheron, Menyara, Nick, and even some of the villains. Menyons of all ages will be enchanted by this brilliant new look into the Dark-Hunters® universe. It’s the Simi book fans have been clamoring for, and one they can enjoy with their kids for generations to come!

The nine holiday stories in this collection:Have Yourself a Merry Little Alien by Fiona RoarkeDraeken and Stella Phoenix are celebrating Christmas in Nocturne Falls with a festive holiday party in their new vacation home. Each has a big surprise for the other, but all's fair in love and secret Christmas presents. Right?The Wizard's Mistletoe Magic by Jax CassidySent on a holiday gift giving mission, Kearney Maclachlan, wizard and royal bodyguard, reluctantly returns to Nocturne Falls where a fateful encounter with intuitive street artist Kaia Wyntir takes them on a journey to reclaim past memories and truths that may finally melt a warrior's frozen heart. Unexpected miracles lead to everlasting love, all thanks to a kiss under the mistletoe.A Dragon's Christmas Mayhem by Kira NyteFirestorm dragon Zareh is a Christmas virgin, but that doesn't stop him from doing his best to conjure up the perfect holiday celebration for his beloved lifemate, Kaylae. The fact she's keeping something from him is tearing him apart. Their ancient enemies could strike at any time, bringing with them menace and mayhem. But that's a tangible enemy. Can their love overcome some unexpected Christmas mayhem of the personal kind?The Mistletoe Misstep by Wynter DanielsPsychic hairdresser Amethyst Powers wants to keep the peace in her quarrelsome family, even if that means dating the wealthy vampire who could help her father's fledgling business. She'll get over the great guy she really likes. Superhuman mechanic, Dustin can't believe his luck. When the purple-haired siren who broke up with him gets stuck, he helps her out. They share an intimate dinner, and one amazing kiss. But is she willing to buck her family's wishes in the name of love? Sometimes all it takes is one part mistletoe and one part luck.The Psychics Say I Do by Candace ColtCousins Brianna Putnam and Jess Callahan are headed to the altar to wed the handsome falcon-shifter Ford brothers. But when the brides' plans run amok, even their psychic powers can't undo the chaos. The entire town pitches in to help, but will it be enough to pull off their Christmas dream weddings?The Meddlesome Misadventures of Merri and Bright by Alethea KontisFairy Merri Larousse never intended to become one half of a famous prankster/matchmaking duo with winter elf Polaris Brighton. Little did they know, the best match they would make would be their own!The Sorcerer's Christmas Miracle by Cate DeanTami Bennett came to Nocturne Falls to help her best friend, Lidia. It was supposed to be temporary - until she laid eyes on Jack Cross, sorcerer. As much as she wants to deny it, she's falling for him. When Lidia's werewolf fianc� is in trouble, Tami asks for Jack's help. She knows that if he succeeds, she could lose her only excuse to stay - and lose the one man who has come close to stealing her heart.The Witch's Snow Globe Wish by Larissa EmeraldWhen a letter is delivered by mistake to clairvoyant witch Telia Kraft, she must return it to its rightful recipient, a handsome vampire neighbor, the very guy she had dated over the summer until he dropped her without a word. Jake Newburg is shocked to learn of his brother's upcoming Christmas wedding in Nocturne Falls and rashly asks Telia to accompany him to the event. For once, he needs to stop second-guessing himself.Magic's Frost by Sela CarsenLonely werewolf Dima Samarin looks forward to watching his favorite winter elf every morning at the Hallowed Bean. He rescues her unfinished novel from the perils of spilled cocoa, and becomes her hero. Elin Bergstrom's day job is at Santa's Workshop, but she secretly writes sci-fi novels on the side. She accepts Dima's invitation to the Christmas Ball, but when their date gets derailed by a drug deal gone bad, this elf isn't about to stay on her shelf. Sometimes a werewolf can use a little helpful frost magic to win the day, and save their date.

Everybody knows that goblins and fairies can't be friends. But that never stopped Tinker and Bell. Bellamy Merriweather Larousse isn't like the other fairies at Harmswood Academy, with her giant wings and their magical dust. "Southern Bell" works as a barista at The Hallowed Bean to help pay her tuition and remains active on the cheering squad, despite her insistence on associating with the unpopular crowd. Every day is sunny in Bellamy's world and every cloud has a silver lining. The only way to upset Bell's stalwart optimism is to threaten one of her misfit friends...or try to take one of them from her. Unbeknownst to everyone--including him--outcast Ranulf "Tinker" Tinkerton is about to be named heir to the throne of the Goblin King, making him ruler of his fellow Lost Boys and the labyrinthine city they inhabit. Now that the time has come for Tinker to leave Harmswood behind, will he be brave enough to share his feelings for Bellamy? It's no secret that he's held a torch for her since the fourth grade, but no matter how long they've been friends, goblins will always be allergic to fairies. Or will they?

Like many paranormals of Greek descent, Kai Xanthopoulos will not know her true nature until her young powers fully manifest. Unlike her parents--and much to the dismay of her stray cat best friend--Kai has chosen not to spend the rest of her life at the diner in Nocturne Falls. She takes a job at Delaney's Delectables instead, a decision that puts her directly in the path of a fugitive werewolf that could change her destiny... Finn Kincaid is cursed. Literally. Accused of murdering his pack-brother, beaten and left for dead in the woods, he runs to Nocturne Falls to seek sanctuary with the one cousin who successfully got out of Tennessee: Ivy Merrow, the sheriff's wife. On his way there, he's drawn off course by a girl with no idea how much power she possesses, both within herself, and over him. Together, Kai and Finn must find a way to break the curse and fight their fate, without destroying each other--and their future--in the process.

Tales of guardian spirits and divine powers by Seanan McGuire, Ken Liu, Alethea Kontis, Laura Anne Gilman, Scott Edelman and more. Guardian spirits. Divine presences. Demonic powers. Ghosts. The concept of "genius loci" is indeed an ancient one, found in nearly every human mythology. Genius Loci is a huge anthology of 31 all-new fantasy and science fiction stories drawing on the rich tradition of place-as-person. Within its pages, the authors present stories of sentient deserts, beneficent forests, lonely shrubs, and protective planetary spirits, highlighted by the fantastic art of Lisa A. Grabenstetter and Evan M. Jensen., and edited by Jaym Gates.

Join Trix Woodcutter on an epic new animal-filled adventure! Fey magic and animal magic: that troublemaking imp Trix Woodcutter has both, if not the ability to use them to their full potential. While traveling with his companion—the golden girl Lizinia—to see the King of Eagles, Trix is sent a vision of the Faerie Queen, who is in desperate need of his help. An evil sorceress has stormed Faerie and trapped all the fey magic under the Hill, leaving the Faerie Queen powerless! Trix’s talent for communicating with animals is desperately needed…but before he braves the wild world of Faerie he must arm himself, with nothing less than the bow and arrows of a god. With the help of his gilded companion, her ghost-cat godfather, a blind brownie and a sister or two, the Boy Who Talks to Animals must befriend a mischievous leprechaun, best a wolf, and journey into the depths of Faerie to restore order and free the fey magic before the imbalance destroys the world. Trix and the Faerie Queen is second in The Trix Adventures and sixth in the Books of Arilland Series. Fans of the Woodcutter Sisters: Desperate to know what happened to Saturday and Peregrine after they found Trix at the end of HERO? Here’s your chance!

In the fairy tale realm of Arilland, stories are told at children's bedsides--and not the stories you think you know. Tales of Arilland is a collection of fairy tales, presented in the magical topsy-turvy way that only Alethea Kontis can do. Discover the story of Bluebeard's first wife ("Blood From Stone"), what really happened to Snow White in those dark woods ("The Unicorn Hunter"), how dangerous the Little Mermaid might have been ("Blood and Water"), and just how far Little Red Riding Hood was willing to go ("Hero Worship"). Included in this collection is "Sunday," the original novelette that inspired the award-winning novel Enchanted, as well as "The Cursed Prince," the previously untold history of Prince Rumbold of Arilland...and more. Woodcutter enthusiasts will rejoice at this opportunity to delve into the secret worlds beyond Kontis's intricately woven fantasy novels. If you are not a fan yet, you will be!

Thirty-three science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories grab readers by their emotional cores to star deep into the source of our humanity and inhumanity. Well-known authors like Ken Liu, Genevieve Valentine, Catherynne M. Valente, Lavie Tidhar, and Alethea Kontis, along with newer voices, sketch surreal pasts, presents, and futures full of characters with familiar and outsized desires and fears. "The Book of Apex Volume 4" collects the original fiction from Hugo-winning editor Lynne M. Thomas's first fifteen issues at the helm of "Apex Magazine," which included two Hugo Award nominations for the magazine. Table of Contents: "The Bread We Eat in Dreams" by Catherynne M. Valente "The Leavings of the Wolf" by Elizabeth Bear "The 24 Hour Brother" by Christopher Barzak "Faithful City" by Michael Pevzner "So Glad We Had This Time Together" by Cat Rambo "Sweetheart Showdown" by Sarah Dalton "Bear in Contradicting Landscape" by David J. Schwartz "My Body Her Canvas" by A.C. Wise "A Member of the Wedding of Heaven and Hell" by Richard Bowes "Copper, Iron, Blood and Love" by Mari Ness "The Second Card of the Major Arcana" by Thoraiya Dyer "Love is a Parasite Meme" by Lavie Tidhar "Decomposition" by Rachel Swirsky "Tomorrow's Dictator" by Rahul Kanakia "Winter Scheming" by Brit Mandelo "In the Dark" by Ian Nichols "The Silk Merchant" by Ken Liu "Ironheart" by Alec Austin "Coyote Gets His Own Back" by Sarah Monette "Waiting for Beauty" by Marie Brennan "Murdered Sleep" by Kat Howard "Armless Maidens of the American West" by Genevieve Valentine "Sexagesimal" by Katharine E.K. Duckett "During the Pause" by Adam-Troy Castro "Weaving Dreams" by Mary Robinette Kowal "Always the Same. Till it is Not" by Cecil Castellucci "Sprig" by Alex Bledsoe "Splinter" by Shira Lipkin "Erzulie Dantor" by Tim Susman "Labyrinth" by Mari Ness "Blood from Stone" by Alethea Kontis "Trixie and the Pandas of Dread" by Eugie Foster "The Performance Artist" by Lettie Prell Cover art provided by Julie Dillon.

An intoxicating blend of fairy tale magic, lively wit, and romance spice up this companion novel to Enchanted.

When Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week, kisses an enchanted frog, he transforms back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--a man Sunday's family despises.

Perfect for classrooms! “An alphabet book with attitude.” — Booklist It’s chaos! It’s pandemonium! And it’s definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar’s colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis’s snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own.