Best Selling Books by Alethea Kontis

All the fairy tales ever known are blended into one delicious novel, spiced with humor and sprinkled with true love, by the "New York Times"-bestselling co-author of "The Dark-Hunter Companion."

In her third book about the delightful Woodcutter sisters, Alethea Kontis masterfully weaves The Wild Swans, The Goose Girl, and a few other fine-feathered fairy tales into a magical, romantic companion novel to Enchanted and Hero.

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.

An updated and revised edition celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of this cult classic memoir! Once upon a time, a young girl walked into a world of wonder and delight. But that''s not where this story starts. The young woman published a nationally recognized children''s book and edited a star-filled collection of stories to benefit the tsunami relief effort. But that''s not where this story ends. Meet Alethea Kontis, whose life is an adventure that tears through these pages like a hurricane of inspiration. Carrot-a-day cancer cures and Murphy as a guardian angel (yes, that Murphy, the guy with all those irritating laws) are just a part of the daily routine for the Incredible Whirlwind of Beauty and Dynamite, the force of nature masquerading in human form. Through essays, poetry, and commentary from family, friends, and famous authors alike, a world of Blood Oaths and road trips, broken hearts and mended cars, comes alive with the strength of one woman''s conviction that the world is there to be befriended. You have now been introduced. Let your adventure begin.

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

Annaleigh Elizabeta Morales did not expect to die tonight. She did not expect to meet Death. She did not expect to become an angel. She certainly did not expect to screw it up so badly. Fans of Arilland will enjoy this dark, bloodstained tale of a slightly misguided angel with her heart in the right place.

Never reap a harvest sown with blood. 150 years ago, in Haven, Kansas, a witch was burned at the stake. This October, in Haven, Kansas, a boy plays a prank on his big sister. Suddenly, crows fill the skies, a female scarecrow plagues the town, and teenagers are dying left and right. Amidst the violence, strange things keep happening. Lora Townsend discovers a secret room behind the wall of her bedroom, in which a dark and foul Book of Shadows has been hiding for over a century. The book belonged to an ancestor who documented the spells and stories of the strange woman he loved...a woman the town later killed for practicing witchcraft. There are whispers on the wind. The death toll is rising. And Lora and her family seem to be the center of it all. They must call upon Lora''s small knowledge of magic to help them. Will they be able to take the town back from the witch, and can they manage it without losing their lives in the process? Lois Duncan meets Joss Whedon in this literary slasher for the twenty-first century!

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!

Meet a poodle who can doodle oodles and oodles of noodles in this hilarious Level 1 Ready-to-Read by bestselling and award-winning author Alethea Kontis! Do you doodle? I do doodle! Does your poodle doodle? My poodle doodles oodles. Kids and adults will love reading along with this silly story about a poodle who can doodle oodles and oodles of noodles!

Consider this handbook your education. Hunter 101. And don''t go thinking you got off easy just because there''s not a pop quiz at the end. This is the good stuff. The real deal. In here you''ll find out all there is to know about being a Dark-Hunter. Now for the disclaimer: This book is mutable. It goes with the wind. It changes more often than the mind of a sixteen-year-old Gemini with a closet full of clothes and a date in an hour. Don''t be surprised if you open it up for the thirty-five thousandth time and find something old, something new, something borrowed or. . .well you get the point. Curl up in a comfy chair with some millennium-old scotch and feast upon the informative banquet I have prepared for your enjoyment. Welcome to your new life. ---From the Dark-Hunter Companion

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!

Tired of being last when the alphabet family lines up, Z demands equality and causes an uproar among the other letters--with chaotic and amusing results!

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.

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

What happens when gaming is your life? Explore the fast-paced world of GameLit in these stories by bestselling, award-winning authors. Gain levels! Win fat loot! And hang on as these tales take you from a grim dystopian world to a fantasy landscape where nothing is quite as it seems... True.love - NYT bestselling author 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. Husk - Stephen Landry Adventure, excitement, the never ending thrill of discovering new worlds in an ever expanding sci-fi setting. All fun and games until you find yourself crashing with a bout of amnesia on an unknown alien world with no escape, and mystery down every corridor. Battle Mage - USA Today bestselling author Pauline Creeden Can a clan master control a player both in and out of the game? Jordan Park loves the sub-levels in his favorite game, Battle Mage. But when he sees someone important from his past suddenly show up in the game, he wonders if she is there because of her own choices, or if she’s controlled by someone else. The only way he can discover the truth is by fighting a battle highly stacked against him. The Anchoring - USA Today bestselling author Alexia Purdy In a futuristic America, a sixteen-year-old hacker turned Robin Hood, Tatiana Miramar, has lived her entire life in a wheelchair. She awaits the possibility of winning a lucrative lottery for a functioning body. After meeting a captivating stranger in the addictive, online virtual game called Red Herring, she’s given the chance to change her life for a steep price. Tales of Inadon 1: The Disc - Avril Sabine, Storm Petersen and Rhys Petersen When all actions have repercussions, it isn''t really a game… Carissa has felt lost since the death of her mother. Learning about the Guardians Of The Round Table and Inadon has her alternating between hope and disbelief. Dark forces, a role-playing game style world, magic and being able to make a difference. No wonder she can''t quite bring herself to believe it''s real. What’s in a Username? - Angel Leya When gamer girls Maddy and best friend Amber run into Maddy''s crush while playing the hot new MMORPG, Power, Maddy decides hiding behind her guy Avatar is the perfect way to get close to said crush--without all the stupid awkwardness that usually ties her tongue and unties her shoelaces. But when she suspects her best friend has eyes for the same guy, their gaming suffers... and there''s more at stake in the MMORPG than anyone realizes. 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. Shade and the Secrets of Summer Camp - USA Today bestseller Marilyn Peake Shade and her best friend Kai attend summer school before starting their freshman year at a college for magically gifted students. Shade is a Ghost Whisperer, with an ability to help ghosts move into the afterlife. When she is contacted by a ghost within a virtual reality game, summer camp stops being fun and games and turns instead into something deadly serious. Real Challenge - USA Today bestselling author Anthea Sharp Sometimes, the true challenge isn’t what you think… Top-rated gamer Spark Jaxley has made it to the World Championships, ready to give the competition her all. The stakes are high, the gaming is fierce, and her entire future is riding on the outcome. In the end, will she make the right choice? KEYWORDS: litRPG, gaming, MMO, World of Warcraft, Trapped in a Game, Ready Player One, Gamelit, Virtual Reality, Shirtaloon, Isekai, portal fantasy, He Who Fights With Monsters

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

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

Fifteen tales tinged with darkness, where vampires and werewolves roam and familiar fairytales take on overtones of blood and vengeance. (Note: Some of these stories are not suitable for sensitive readers.) The Blue Fairy Hunters Guild - Phaedra Weldon Joining the Blue Fairy Hunters Guild is just the first step in finding the Nightshade who made him a Puppet all those centuries ago. Revenge is the goal, but lies and truths revealed show his past has a very different tale. Silvereyes and the Three Wolves - Nikki Jefford Werewolf reporter Justin Slinger covers the dramatic court trial of Kingdom v. Silvereyes. Will the vampire Ada Silvereyes be found guilty of first-degree burglary and property damage? River Daughter - Annie Bellet The tale of a woman who is the last in a long line of magical women, and the lengths a mother will go to not only to protect her child, but also her legacy. The Girl Who Cried Vamp - Christine Pope Hedgewitch Selena Marx is usually ready to believe six impossible things before breakfast. But even her credulity is strained when the new kid in town is full of strange stories, each one wilder than the next. The Ugly Daughter - Donna Augustine The Ugly Daughter follows a scarred and ridiculed girl named Winni. All she dreams of is a future where she’s accepted, but her true destiny is more than she could’ve imagined. Spider to the Fly - Kate Danley "''Will you walk into my parlour?'' said the Spider to the Fly." The famous poem by Mary Howett gets a lush retelling by USA Today bestselling author Kate Danley. Except there''s vampires. Princess of Salt - Anthea Sharp A daughter is cast out, but can she win her way back to forgiveness through the simple art of cooking? The Huntress - Sara C. Roethle When an old woman is killed, a vampire hunter is sent to find the killer. Only she isn’t hunting vampires. No, the lone vampire around wants a lot more from her than blood. Yelf Reviews for Jaqueline’s Beanstalk Cafe - Kay McSpadden Everyone’s a critic, especially on social media, and especially in Fairy Tale Land. Even Jacqueline’s Beanstalk Cafe lives for good Yelf reviews! Marusia and the Monster - Jamie Ferguson Kara never stays too long in any one place, and never allows anyone to get too close to her. It’s just too risky—she never knows ahead of time what the monster inside of her might make her do. But Kara didn’t expect to fall in love… Twisted Cinderella - Julia Crane Cinderella has had it with being pushed around. Instead of taking the high road, Cinderella embraces the darkness in this twisted tale. Faefrost - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson When her best friend is taken by a woman the wild animals call the Frost Witch, Tegan of Eile will stop at nothing to get him back. Cat in Combat Boots - C. Gockel Tenryu has two big problems. The solution is very small. Blood and Water - Alethea Kontis A faithful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” only she’s a vampire. And there are pirates. Breadcrumbs - Sarra Cannon Despite trying to create a new life for herself after the disappearance of her brother, Gretel is pulled back into the dark world of vampire hunting when she catches sight of the man who first lured them into the woods as children. Read more fabulous fairytale retellings from these authors - available in print and digital at all online retailers! ONCE UPON A CURSE - 17 Dark Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A KISS - 17 Romantic Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A QUEST - 15 Tales of Adventure ONCE UPON A STAR - 14 SF-Inspired Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A GHOST - 20 Eerie Faerie Tales ONCE UPON A WISH - 17 Dreamy Faerie Tales KEYWORDS: Fairytale retelling, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Puss in Boots, Red Riding Hood, short stories, Fantasy Anthology, paranormal, vampire, fae, faerie, short bites, dark fairytales, revenge, horror, werewolf, monster, ghoul

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.

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.

While putting on a Halloween pageant, the alphabet mixes things up with some spooky, and funny, results.

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.

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

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!

Things that never were, things that might be, and things that may yet come to pass... Within these pages, New York Times bestselling author Alethea Kontis creates worlds of delight and despair, whimsy and wickedness. This colorful menagerie will transport you to the magical and dangerous places you always knew might exist, once upon a time.

"In a world where monsters and fairies roam the backyard, one gnome seeks to save his true love from an experiment gone terribly awry! You will find within the pages of this book the diary entries of one Dr. Harry Gnome, mad scientist. Here there be sock monkeys. You have been warned." One crazy spring, NY Times bestselling author Alethea Kontis and Eisner Award winning artist Janet K. Lee created an illustrated twitter serial about Dr. Harry Gnome, a pint-sized mad scientist with the luck of Victor Frankenstein. Dr. Gnome''s diary is chock full of rabbits, ray guns, zombies, and sock monkeys. Before there were Dapper Men and Fairy Godmothers, there was Harry Gnome.

Join the Little Witch and Wizard on their magical journey of friendship and knowledge! Each delightful poem chronicles the adventures of the Little Witch and Little Wizard as they discover what works (and what doesn''t), while also learning some important lessons about life.

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.

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.

Some time in 2006, two writers spoke in hurried whispers... what could cause the wretched insomnia that had taken them over, compelling them to write words of horrors never seen, only imagined? What could keep them from finishing their works, from containing the monsters within, from binding them with one simple word? How could they find their way out of the darkness they called home...into a darkness of release at Morpheus'' hands? An idea was born that night. It grew into one monster after another until finally it has broken free.

On the way to her wedding, brave and clever Princess Sabine falls into a Glass Mountain, where she is trapped with a crotchety, smelly man she calls "Old Rinkrank." The two form a unique, unlikely friendship while working to escape. Alethea Kontis''s take on this classic Grimms'' fairy tale is a dark, yet optimistic story of magic, mystery, and love.

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...