Being a fairy princess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The Changeling Returns
by C.R. Merrill
Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy
I hate being the new girl every school year. This time, the ‘queen bee’ of Parfrey’s Glen High School has decided I’m the enemy. Her mistake. Because like it or not—and it’s definitely not—I have powers, dark powers. I’ve tried to deny them, but they are getting stronger…
Fay Smith was three years old when she was kidnapped by the two queens of the Unseelie Court. For twelve years, she’s been moved from city to city to avoid suspicion, wanting nothing more than to belong somewhere and be normal. But she can’t remember anything about her real life, real home, or real family.
Soon she’ll be called to cast off her mortality and become a dark fey like her captors, serving on one of the three thrones of the Unseelie Court, trapped in an eternal power struggle with Mab and Titania. To escape, Fay will have to control her change from human to fey and defeat the two queens.
But she’s going to need help, which means she’ll have to make a truce and establish ‘frenemy’ status with the girl who hates her.
Christine Merrill wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. During a stint as a stay-at-home-mother, she decided it was time to “write that book.” She could set her own hours and would never have to wear pantyhose to work! It was a slow start but she slogged onward and seven years later, she got the thrill of seeing her first book hit the bookstores. Christine lives in Wisconsin with her family.
When engaged to the son of the alpha, Emma is told not to expect fidelity. Wanting more from life she flees the only pack she’s ever known to try and rebuild her life on the other side of the state. Only to find there is more to her abilities than meets the eye. The wolves in her new home are fighting a war, each faction wants Emma and her budding magical abilities on their side.
Will Emma stay out of the fight? Will her fiancé track her down? Is there anyone Emma can trust?
Gretchen spawned in the Puget Sound region. After some wandering she returned there and now lives with her husband and the daintiest Rottweiler on the planet. When not drowning herself in coffee, as is custom in the Greater Seattle Area, Gretchen can be found at her day job or sitting at her desk in the home office, flailing her arms as she dictates to her computer.
Now a college student, Joey is finding college life comfortable. But studies prove to be more difficult than facing down a horde of black dogs. Struggling with her average life now that the supernatural world has been opened before her, Joey is constantly distracted. Pulled between wanting the standard life of a college student, and the allure of the paranormal. Unfortunately, Portstown has been quiet since the “Great Hunt” of last year, that is until a random fire on campus occurs, and people start going missing.
Disregarded as a student prank, Joey brushes the incident off until she catches Gwen looking into it. Why would one of the guardians from the mysterious Warner family be looking into a silly student prank?
More questions arise when fires start popping up all over campus, and Joey’s dreams turn violent under the control of the Dream Conductor with their twisted intentions. Gathering the group back together Joey must figure out what is happening to the missing people, who is starting the mysterious fires on campus, and what does the Dream Conductor want all while conquering finals. Will Joey pass this semester or will she fall into her deepest fantasies?
“Lineage is a remarkable, unique, and delightfully scary novel that is sure to keep readers guessing right until the very end—and even long after the book is closed.” Originally critiqued by a member of the Authors Talk About It team.
Joey Morris has spent her young life moving around the country with her constantly absent mother until finally ending up in the small college town of Portstown, Pennsylvania. Here history is thick in the air and Joey discovers that her family has long reaching roots in the town, dating back to the very first settlement. Because of her heritage she is welcomed into the group of the other founding families, and quickly becomes one of the popular girls in school. After over a year of the good life and Homecoming just days away, Joey is thrown into a terrifying new reality. Happening across a violent black dog with glowing red eyes, and a handsome stranger that puts his life on the line to save her only to stick a gun in her chest moments later. Now people are dying in Portstown, people close to Joey and she doesn’t understand why. Will Joey have anyone left after she discovers the truth about her past?
Cameron Davis is a man from another life, for years he has been focused on his mission. The drive that keeps his soul locked inside a physical body, staving off the reaper. That all changes when he is given the task of protecting Joey and stopping the attacks. This girl makes him weak and brings up memories of a past he left behind nearly a century ago. What secrets lie beyond his contract with the elusive Warner family, and why does this girl need protecting?
“Cameron, why do you call me dove,” I asked, ready for disappointment.
“Because, you bring my soul peace.”
Lineage is a young adult novel but is recommended for readers 16+ due to violence.
J.N. Sheats is an artist turned author. Living in Maryland with six wild cats, and her husband, J.N. spends her days designing book covers and teasers for other authors. At night she is at the mercy of her demanding characters, and their wild fantasies.
Dark Paranormal Fantasy is her preferred genre of writing, but anything is game. Maybe even a lovely romance novel or two in the near future.
When not writing, designing, or drawing, J.N. spends her time doing a host of other activities. Including: gardening, jewelry making, cooking, and watching far too much television.
Encounter a date with death, paranormal happenings, a second chance at love, dark voodoo, and a cursed bayou, all while taking a trip to the beloved New Orleans.
The Hidden Secrets of NOLA
A mixed Paranormal & Supernatural Anthology
with stories by
Laura Daleo, Rhonda Bobbitt, Fern Miller, Preston Allen, Savanna Loy
In 1718, La Nouvelle Orleans was founded and later became the beloved New Orleans. World-Renowned for its distinctive music, delicious Creole cuisine, unique dialects, and annual festivals it is a place that so many adore, but could there be more that we don’t know? Have things happened that we aren’t supposed to know? Join the minds of these five incredible authors as you explore the hidden tales of Nola. Encounter a date with death, paranormal happenings, a second chance at love, dark voodoo, and a cursed bayou, all while taking a trip to the beloved New Orleans.
Stories featured in the set:
My Name Is Death by Laura Daleo
Genre: Supernatural Fiction
I am sometimes called the Grim Reaper or the Angel of Death. I prefer the name Death. It’s stylish and modern and fits perfectly with my Armani suits. A robe, a scythe, or skeleton are not my style, particularly when releasing one’s soul.
The Ghost of Toulouse Street by Rhonda Bobbitt
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
It’s the day before Rose’s birthday, and things are starting to get strange. Her grandmother has left her a special gift, that may put her into danger. Is she imagining someone following her? Or is there something sinister following her?
Bidding Up Knox by Fern Miller
Genre: Steamy Second Chance Romance
Kara
I am done with men. After so many chances, a relationship isn’t in the cards for me. Especially with my ex-Knox McCord-the billionaire business guru who ended things without a proper goodbye all those years ago.
But when he shows up at my charity date benefit auction, old feelings emerge and I will do anything to keep them from breaking free.
Knox
I just need one chance to make things right. So I do what any sensible man would-place myself up to be bid on at a charity date benefit auction. Kara Oliver just doesn’t know she will place the winning bid. Date acquired. Target loaded. All I got to do is make her fall back in love with me . Should be easy. Right?
Crossed at the Café by Preston Allen
Genre: Magic Realism
Modeste is a very powerful voodoo priestess, but when she bumps into a stranger at a coffee shop, she’s brought to her knees. Who is this mysterious woman, and why was she able to have an impact on one of the strongest manbo’s in New Orleans?
Borrowed Bayou by Savanna Loy
Genre: Clean Sci-Fi Romance
Estelle Laguerre loves her family and loves her city, but after a century of playing the part of murderer to unsuspecting men, she has had enough.
How much longer can she continue following the guidelines of the curse her family inherited? Will a chance encounter change everything?
Laura Daleo is a multi-genre author, known for her Immortal Kiss series. She is a native of San Diego, California, and now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her two dogs, Rose and Cooper.
Rhonda Bobbitt grew up in a small town in East Texas and currently resides in Illinois. Mother of 4 wonderful children and grandmother of 5 amazing grandchildren. Rhonda is a published photographer and loves to travel. In her spare time she loves to read , horror and dystopian being her favorite genres. This is Rhonda’s first published story.
Fern Miller comes from a small town in Tennessee. Growing up, the school library was her favorite place to escape. From mysteries, romance, action, and fantasy books grew a desire to become a person who’s imagination bleeds on paper.
In her downtime, she plays with her children, enjoys murder mysteries, and cooking.
Preston Allen loves to travel and can almost always be found trying the best iced latte at the local coffee shop of wherever he is visiting. He loves collecting oddities and is always on the lookout for something witchy.
Savanna Loy is an award winning and best selling multi- genre author. Her dystopian debut, ReSet, was released in October 2022 and she has jumped head first into the world of being an author. Even with the highs of lows, she is loving every minute of it. Her full time jobs consist of Foster/Adoptive mom to six kids under the age of 9, wife to a traveling RN, church secretary, Social Media Marketer, Book Coach, Bernedoodle breeder, and now author.
Believe me, I don’t mean to make light of people who suffer PTSD. Anyone who has gone through any type of traumatic situation probably has it I know I do from several incidences that happened to me over the years.
Still, what about books? Yep, I’m pretty sure they can.
What brought this topic up for me was that I’d just finished reading a story that our Norns book club decided to read together. It popped up in one of my book tours on my blog and I thought it looked interesting. A prehistoric thriller about dinosaurs? What’s not to like?
Well, people being eaten alive in very graphic, horrifying detail. That’s what. 🤣😂 You can read my review of Cretaceous Canyon.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve read a lot of graphic, gory books over the years, but this one really got to me. I think it’s our primal, innate fear of being eaten alive. I’m sure we’ve all had nightmares about being chased and torn apart by some HUGE monster. At least I have. Several times.
But my reaction got me thinking about other titles I’ve read that left a PTSD kinda effect on me And there’s only two other ones I can think of.
The first one that came to mind was my own book: It Lives in the Basement.
Since I used to do a lot of walking in the dark to catch my bus, this one freaked me out with the sewer grates alongside the curbs. I kept waiting for something to leap out at me. Thanks, Bob. *glaring at him through the veil.*
This one is about first contact with aliens and some of them are nasty. Remember me talking about walking to the bus in the dark? Well, one of the aliens is called a Feeder, and you don’t want to step in it or you die a slow painful death. The thing is though, you can’t see it until you’ve already stepped in it. Walking across the parking lot was a real joy as I kept a wary eye out for an unseen Feeder. 🤣😂
Do you think a story can give you PTSD? If so, what ones have you read that left their mark on your psyche?
Australia’s outback hides a mysterious canyon. Hidden deep within is a forest of pine tree that dates from the Cretaceous Period. A megacorporation sends in a team of experts to research this canyon for botanical riches.
The expedition enters a no-man’s land formed 100 million years ago when Australia was still attached to Antarctica, and dinosaurs ruled the super-continent. But the canyon has more prehistoric and dangerous species than anyone could have possibly imagined.
Trapped and terrified, unarmed and unable to communicate topside, the team’s extraction deadline is six long hours away.
The frantic race for survival is on.
MY REVIEW:
Wow! All I can say is can you get PTSD from a book? LOL.
Readers talk about a roller-coaster of a ride, but this one takes the cake. I have to admit, I was ready to DNF the book during chapter two as it was so slow. But once, they get on the helicopter, WHOOSH, down we go on that first huge incline of the roller coaster.
This is definitely one of those couldn’t-put-down stories, but there is so much adrenaline being pumped through the body, you just have to take a breather.
That being said, as for the characters themselves, Sheldon did an amazing job getting into each of their heads. Maybe a bit too much. Everyone of them was so flawed, it was hard to like any of them. And that ‘s what made the story so slow at the beginning. I feel like Alistair wasn’t the way to start the story. And the one character I did relate to got killed right away. SIGH.
And the ending is the type where you, as the reader, have to decide whether she made it or not. So, there is an unresolved question. Plus, a lot of improbabilities that make you question the whole plot of the story.
Still, this story feeds into our innate fear of being eaten alive. So, if you love gore and dinosaurs, you’ll need to read this book. I give it 4 stars.
The Theocracy of Izirm is losing a war against dragons. While the Bishops scramble for a solution, the holy city of Kequm faces a more immediate crisis: the murderous mage, Nightingale, has escaped prison and only one person can stop her.
Lark is a devoted follower of the Scholar god who searches for adventure around every corner. Ever since apprehending Nightingale three years ago, they’ve done whatever they can to forget the hole she ripped through their heart, and can think of nothing worse than facing her again. But when Nightingale’s meddling leaves Kequm vulnerable, Lark has no choice but to act.
A whimsical New Adult fantasy adventure set in a queernormative, mysterious world begging to be explored.
“Well, you have armour. It’s the lyre and the goose that have me a bit confused.”
The Dragon War has left its mark on everyone, and Reverie Rosetia is no exception. After her brother is struck down in a skirmish, it is on her to take up the family legacy of greatness – no matter what her plans might have been before that. She must find his sword and bring it home.
With no better place to start her search, Reverie arrives at the Collection, an isolated place full of magical oddities and artifacts. Soon after her arrival, the eclectic visitors to the Collection and its owner find themselves trapped inside. A magical force has broken free and is determined to break them, one by one. Can Reverie solve the mystery of how their attacker manifested and put it right before it is too late?
Reverie meets adventurers Lark and Wren as the trio are trapped in this claustrophobic and irreverent fantasy mystery, which may have more to do with Lark and Wren’s chase than they think…
Aimee Donnellan is an author of whimsical queer fantasy for new adults. She is proudly bisexual and on the aromantic spectrum, and loves to write bisexuals even more chaotic and disastrous than herself.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her fiancè — who helps her write and worldbuild — and dreams of dog ownership when not playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons.
