paranormal – ghosts & haunted houses

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Summary: When the family business is death, how does one help a spirit find the love they lost who’s already on the other side to keep them from doing harm to those on this side?

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Summary: Scotty and Jay continue their work for the Celestial Council and Lucifer, investigating cases that don’t fall under purely good or purely evil standards. It’s time for them to return to the Human Realm as a fully bonded, balanced pair when unforeseen events begin to spiral out of control. The murders of a cherub and a lesser demon in Limbo hint at something sinister, but is the culprit from the Celestial Realm or the underworld? What are the ramifications one way or the other? Without warning, Jay gets a promotion in the underworld that swings the balance of power to the point where it could break their bond. Will it break their hearts at the same time? This book of original paranormal fiction is the second book in the spinoff series from the universe of Dearly & the Departed. It is approximately 30,000 words in length and ends happily.

Word Count: Click here to reveal55753 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Damien is a 14-year-old orphan who has spent his entire life in foster care, and one day makes a shocking discovery-he is a vampeal, a being born of both vampire and human lineage. In addition, Damien is also dealing with his romantic feelings for a young man named Brian. Following a kiss that leads to him being kicked out from an overly religious foster home, Damien finds himself abandoned on the streets, only to find himself in a perilous situation involving a vampire. Brian, overwhelmed with guilt, sets out to locate Damien the following night, only to fall victim to the vampire himself. Now, it falls upon Damien and Patrick-Damien's newly assigned caseworker-to rescue Brian from impending danger. In the second installment, we witness Damien securing a more permanent residence outside the foster care system with Patrick and his twin brother Matt. He is now enjoying a budding romantic relationship with Brian; however, Brian is grappling with losing his memories of that fateful night, until he starts having haunting nightmares of a vampire and a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows... Amidst this turmoil, Damien struggles with the fear of disclosing his true vampeal identity to Brian. Will they both be able to share the truth of themselves with one another? In the third installment, Damien's past resurfaces, unwilling to remain buried. As Brian approaches his eighteenth birthday and prepares to return home, the unsettling events of the night at the warehouse continue to haunt them. When rumors of a pair of ghosts sighted near the Ohio River prompt Damien, Pat, Brian, and a friend from Pat's past to investigate the paranormal activity, it becomes clear that all paths lead back to the red-haired vampire and their mysterious hooded friend. Will the gang succeed in aiding the restless spirits to find solace, and unravel the secrets that lie ahead?

Word Count: Click here to reveal18628 (Click here to hide)

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Summary: In the third installment, Damien's past resurfaces, unwilling to remain buried. As Brian approaches his eighteenth birthday and prepares to return home, the unsettling events of the night at the warehouse continue to haunt them. When rumors of a pair of ghosts sighted near the Ohio River prompt Damien, Pat, Brian, and a friend from Pat's past to investigate the paranormal activity, it becomes clear that all paths lead back to the warehouse and the red-haired vampire and their mysterious hooded friend. Will the gang succeed in aiding the restless spirits to find solace, and unravel the secrets that lie ahead?

Word Count: Click here to reveal54000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Zeke Hanson hunts things in the night. He learned about hunting from his dad until his murder forced Zeke into foster care. Outgoing & with an easy charm, Zeke keeps his emotions safely hidden--especially his ever-deepening love for his foster brother/bestie, Ian. Ian Clark is a smart, intuitive young man with his own tragic past. He’s adored Zeke since their first night as roommates. Zeke's warmth and kindness made the foster home feel safe. Ian's platonic feelings for Zeke have grown into love and physical yearning. When their foster sister is murdered, Ian abandons his plans to attend community college & instead joins Zeke on his hunting travels. They can't stop human monsters, but they can fight supernatural ones. Hunting together & dealing with dangerous situations deepens their bond. Hiding their true feelings is nearly impossible, but the risk of rejection and abandonment is scarier than any monster. When Zeke’s life is at risk, Ian must make a choice. Will they admit their love or will it---and Zeke---perish?

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Summary: Life for Kenny Somerton had just begun. Recent college graduate who snagged his dream job and had been sent to attend a business meeting in New Orleans. A place at the top of his bucket list. What was even more fortuitous was this year his birthday fell during Mardi Gras. How could he not fly in a few days early to celebrate? The streets were packed, and the bars filled to the brim. It took forever to get through the line to get a drink, and by sheer luck, he snagged a barstool at the same time. Ah, now he could relax and listen to the band play. Their sound was so surreal, so alluring, and Kenny swayed to the music. Shadow Wraith. The name ghosted through the air and there he was. Banjo. An unforgettable first time. Though one sultry night was not enough with Mister Right. Hot Nights in the Big Easy is a multi-author collection of stories written during our author retreat. So sit back, relax, and enjoy New Orleans with our boys.

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Summary: Etienne Tremblay has lived more than four lifetimes, and as the head of The House of Tremblay, he takes his responsibilities seriously. One hot night, a chance encounter with a human male takes away Etienne’s unneeded breath. The man is beautiful and friendly, and he quickly becomes Etienne’s latest obsession. The problem: The beast inside him—who can become uncontrollable at times—is obsessed as well, and he refuses to allow Etienne to ruin it for them by adhering to his prissy, outdated goody-two-shoes ethics. One night while out for a run, Ryker DeWitt nearly takes down a man who is taking out the trash from a restaurant. Unable to get the man out of his thoughts, Ryker returns to the scene of the crime to get a better look at the guy. When Etienne joins him and his best friend for dinner, Ryker is smitten and agrees to an invitation for a nightcap. What Ryker doesn’t know is there’s a very good chance he might become the nightcap. How strong is Etienne’s hold on his beast? What happens when Ryker meets Etienne’s twin? Why does it seem that everywhere Ryker turns there’s a Tremblay to greet him? The Big Easy swelters in the summer. Are you ready for the heat? Hot Nights in the Big Easy is a multi-author collection of stories written during our author retreat. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy New Orleans with our boys.

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Summary: After their daughter was bullied at school, Kyle and Alejandro decided to make a fresh start and move into a beautiful new cul-de-sac development. As they take up residence, the family enjoys seeing the community come to life. But when lights flicker, shadows lurk, and small objects disappear, they begin to doubt their sanity. When Alejandro and many of their neighbors are struck down by a strange sickness that defies explanation, the family starts to question their recent life change. Feeling trapped they speak with their new neighbors, learning they aren’t alone in the haunted neighborhood. Who do you turn to when the authorities can’t offer any assistance or protection? How do you fight against a sinister force that is older than time? Can Kyle, Alejandro and the rest of the occupants of Golden Hills Court survive or will this nightmarish ordeal destroy them?

Word Count: Click here to reveal113803 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Tragedy struck one night, leaving Nathan with a permanent limp and a curse—the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. For six years, Nathan’s done everything he can to avoid them. But a persistent ghost, Alan, haunts Nathan every chance he gets until Nathan reluctantly agrees to reunite him with his fiancé for a chance to find peace. A turn of fate and a stolen CD brings Erik into Nathan’s life. Erik is everything Nathan believes he doesn’t deserve. But Erik is Alan’s lost love. Now he must untangle the threads of Alan’s death while hoping to keep the newfound love of his life. Will Nathan decide to expose his supernatural burden, or let Alan wander without rest forever? Love and trust hang in the balance as Nathan confronts the ghosts of his past and the man who threatens to shatter the wall guarding his heart.

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Summary: When the family business is death, how does one handle a dark spirit set on annihilating those who stand in his way of misguided love? Keir Dearly, the owner and sole proprietor of Dearly & Son Funeral Home, has married the love of his life and is ready for the next step—a family, or the idea of one. With the impending battle for the Human Realm, is it fair to bring a child into such danger? Dashiell Clegg-Dearly plans the honeymoon that was postponed after his and Keir’s New Year’s Eve wedding. While basking in the sunshine of the Mexican Riviera, an annoying man inserts himself into Dash and Keir’s good time, turning up when they least expect him. Dash can’t get a good read on the man, seeing his aura flash from dark to light, which is confusing and frustrating for the ever-evolving Key. Thane Nyxon has been told he could be the driving force for domination of the Human Realm and sent to pave the way for the Goddess of Darkness, Nyx, to begin her reign over humans before taking on Lucifer in a battle for the soul of humankind. Sadly, Thane hasn’t been given all the details about what he’ll be up against in his quest to separate the Gatekeeper and the Key. Will Keir and Dash accept the heartfelt offers to assist them in pursuing a family? Can Dash discover who sent Thane and learn to battle the forces that have targeted him and his husband? Can Keir learn to accept additional help at Dearly & Son in preparation for family time? As the fight for control of the Human Realm begins, Dash learns some disturbing information. Will it influence the way he fights the forces of evil to save his soulmate?

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

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Word Count: Click here to reveal87400 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Genderfluid, Genderqueer (Click here to hide)

Summary: A winter storm blows through Salem, Massachusetts, setting young witch Alexander MacBeth on a perilous path to adulthood as his dying mother gifts him an heirloom and pleads for him to use it to survive. To do so, he will need to perfect his inherited witchcraft to protect himself from those who want him dead. In his journey to adulthood, he falls in love with dashing nobleman Crispin Nottingham. Abandoned by Crispin and pursued by the Puritans, he finds he must harness the wind to assist his escape and flee his homeland aboard a pirate ship led by the handsome captain, Henri the Twisted. Struggling against distrustful pirates, an evil witch, and his continued longing for Crispin, Alexander sharpens his magical skills and falls into a romance with Henri. Chaos and danger confront him at every turn, even as he searches for love and belonging. A new sail on the horizon may signal hope or more danger than ever before—if Alexander can survive to meet his future.

Word Count: Click here to reveal67000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Pansexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: In 1594 the Dark Earldom of Crofton was created by one of the most powerful vampire sires to have walked the Earth. Now Ben Redbourn needs to take his seat at the Vampire Council as the 3rd Dark Earl of Crofton, whether he likes it or not. Under investigation, Ben has to contend with Senior Warlock Ashley Niven invading his home. But there is more hidden at Crofton Hall than Ashley could have imagined with Ben having a demon valet, an elf secretary, and a werewolf in the archive. Tempers are raised and sparks fly in all the wrong ways until a spell misfires and the tension shifts in a different, passionate, direction which has Ben and Ashley fighting to ignore their instincts. Subterfuge is the first in a paranormal gay romance series. Come and experience a darker side of Crofton Hall.

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Summary: Since Bran Tanda started working at the morgue, his life has changed. He’s spent most of his life denying his necromancer abilities, but now he knows there’s no other choice but to embrace it and learn as much as he can about it. No matter how much he hates it. Jordan Amid is becoming more comfortable being around the dead. But they still overwhelm him and terrify him. The coldness and the heavy emotions he associates with being near a spirit are nearly too much for him to take. But for Bran, he’ll try. Bran and Jordan soon realize there is more going on than they understand, and even Janis isn’t sure how to handle what she knows is coming for them. Mysterious markings continue to appear and unless they can learn more from the journals Bran finds at his house, there may be no hope for anyone.

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Summary: When the family business is death, how does one help a homeless vet find the daughter he lost to leave her the only thing he has to give? Keir Dearly, the sole proprietor of Dearly & Son Funeral Home, is riding a high like no other. He and Dashiell Clegg have taken another step in their relationship, and life is as close to perfect as it can get. That is until Keir wakes one morning in a strange house. Where is he, and who are all the people who seem to know him—especially his pregnant wife? What’s happened to the life he can’t remember? When a homeless Army vet lands on the slab, the man’s spirit is confused and unaccompanied, giving the impression that things are heating up in Heaven and Hell. The vet asks only one thing: find his daughter to give her the very few physical assets the man has, including a Bronze Star. With Keir MIA, Dash is tasked with trying to find the girl, though Horace has no information to aid the search. As Dash’s gifts continue to develop in preparation for the upheaval of life on the human plane, he’s in no position to fight the onslaught of evil without his Gatekeeper. No one knows when it will happen, but they’ve been assured it will be epic. And now, there’s a vampire?

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Summary: Seeing spirits is one thing, but feeling the pain of their death is an experience best left alone. Restless spirits, a ghost dog, and two men connected to the spirit world. What could go wrong? Bran Tanda works at the hospital morgue despite the fact he can see and hear all the spirits that tend to congregate there. He wants to help them, even if they terrify him with their aggressive tactics to get him to acknowledge their existence. Jordan Amid is Bran’s assistant. He’s reluctant to interact too much with the dead since he can feel all the pain from their death and the confusion they’re left with. But he’s drawn to work there with Bran, and his ghost dog Buddy. Bran and Jordan are thrown into a world where things are changing, and without their help everyone will suffer the dead. Stronger together than separately, they’ll both need to face their fears and find the strength they’ll need to fight the evil forces that threaten them and all of humanity.

Word Count: Click here to reveal38000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Aromantic, Bisexual, Demigender, Demisexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: RISE (noun / verb) Eight definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell: 1) An upward slope or movement 2) A beginning or origin 3) An increase in amount or number 4) An angry reaction 5) To take up arms 6) To return from death 7) To become heartened or elated 8) To exert oneself to meet a challenge Rise features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

Word Count: Click here to reveal62000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay, Lesbian (Click here to hide)

Summary: Indiana Jones meets The Magpie Lord in this suspenseful MM Victorian era romance from award-winning author Stephanie Lake. Tormented by nightmares, and fighting to maintain his sanity, Kit Asplin struggles to keep his business afloat. He might sell the occasional ancient artifact to make ends meet, but he never mixes business with pleasure. And he certainly does not have time for an inexperienced, prickly Englishman with a flirty sidekick. Everything Dylan Mansfield holds dear is in jeopardy. If he doesn’t find a specific sacred object for his mentor, he and Bertie will lose their positions, and the only family they know. Their future lies in the hands of a man for hire, who seems a rather shady character. Can Dylan trust Kit who trades in stolen artifacts and secrets? And if that’s not enough to cause Dylan angina, the object he must uncover and take to England has alternate plans. His Tomb Raider is the first book in the Magic of the Lost Temple series. If you like charming characters and rich plots, you’ll love this page-turning historical romance by award-winning author Stephanie Lake. Discover this must-read paranormal series today! “Stephanie Lake gives us appealing characters, fun storylines, and crisp prose. I especially enjoy the skill she uses with her historical settings. Her stories are perfect when I need an escape from the here and now.” – Kim Fielding, award-winning author of The Bureau series. “Bold, sensual historical settings that immerse you in the experience and characters that bring the past startlingly to life.” – Amy Lane, award-winning author of Fish out of Water series.

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Summary: Try a small taste of three paranormal series featuring different creatures of the night. Ghost hunters, vampires, and gargoyles, all with their stories to tell. Each of them hoping to somehow find their other half in the strange world they live in. Ghost Hunted: Proving ghosts are real is something Jason Thomas had always dreamed of. Visiting the haunted places, he’d been obsessed with since he was a kid, and playing amateur ghost hunters with his best friend Wade, is a passion that’s only grown. As the years passed, Jason's fascination with ghosts was too big to contain, and he'd drag Wade along to different haunted houses or hotels, always hoping to see an actual ghost. Wade Rivers has always loved spending time with Jason, even if it meant he'd have to endure another creepy, supposedly haunted location. Before he knew it, Wade's feelings for Jason deepened from friendship into something more. Unfortunately, so did his fear of the places Jason wanted to explore. The chance to spend a weekend alone in a famous haunted house was too much for Jason to resist, and almost too much for Wade to endure. He knew going to the deserted house was everything Jason had ever dreamed of, so Wade tried to put his fears aside. But when strange things start to happen, admitting to Jason how he feels suddenly isn't the scariest thing Wade will encounter. A friends to lovers, paranormal romantic thriller. Burning Addiction: Brennan Clayton lived a life of privilege and comfort, until experimenting with drugs in college led to him quitting school to live the life of an addict. His days are spent doing odd jobs for cash to pay for his habit. One night, he overdoses and nearly dies. Doctor Lucas Martel works nightshift in the emergency room at Eureka Hospital. He’s reclusive and brilliant at his job, and he’s all too aware that not everything in Eureka is as it seems. He’s also a vampire, one who chooses to blend in with humans rather than feed on them. Something strange is happening to the homeless and addicts on the streets of Eureka; many have gone missing or ended up dead, and others have overdosed on drugs so strong, no human cure can counteract them. Not normally concerned with human tragedies, the vampires can’t stand back and let this play out, or they risk exposing their world to the humans. Brennan must face his demons, and Lucas will discover many things about himself, and what he believes to be true: a seedy underground of rogue vampires and drugs that must be stopped, at any cost. *Warning: contains references to drug use and abuse. Stone Under Skin: Ankit has lived many lifetimes. Once, long ago, he was made of stone, and marked with symbols and sigils meant to safeguard him and allow him to protect and serve others. He’s a living gargoyle now, cursed to live as a human; always watching, at all times aware, and constantly searching for his fated one. While walking home from his job as a librarian, Ethan Lewis is beaten and robbed. Ankit stumbles upon him, and instantly recognizes him as the man he’s fated to. He helps him back to his apartment, and after tending his injuries, watches over him. Fate has woven their lives together for centuries, but in every lifetime, they could never live freely, or love each other as Ankit has often dreamed of. To change their destiny, they’ll fight together with other gargoyles, and a young watcher, who is unaware of the tremendous power she possesses. This will be the last battle against their creator, and they’ll either die fighting for their freedom, or survive to live the life they’ve always yearned for. MM Paranormal Fantasy (Includes book one from The Valley Ghosts Series, The Consortium Trilogy, and the Stone Series.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal90000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Alan I haven't been out with a guy in the last two years. Partly because I'm a gay elementary-school teacher in a fairly small, conservative town. Partly because I'm a sorcerer, and dating ordinary humans only leads to trouble. Sleeping with one though? That's doable, so when my birdbrained familiar Sunny lines up a tall, muscular firefighter for me, I'm not going to say no. Just once, though. Maybe twice. I don't need more trouble in my life. Jason I don't regret moving back to my hometown and my big family. Well, not much. I'm not out to them, and I miss the anonymity of the big city, but I like the local fire house and the slower-paced life. Still, when I see my niece's teacher, Mr. Hiranchai, in gray sweatpants talking to a mini-parrot on his shoulder, something inside me (or maybe something in front of me) perks up and says "I want that one." I can't have an actual boyfriend, but I sure wouldn't mind getting laid, and Alan's slim, dark-haired, smart-assed style rings all my bells. It's no surprise we turn out to be great together, even if my job and his responsibilities make it hard to find time. It is a surprise when I realize I want more than just an occasional night. But some weird fires out in the brush keep us firefighters hopping, and when this strange carnival comes to town and lands me with a pair of magical doll shoes, life gets truly confusing. There's more to Alan than he's telling me, and I'm getting a bad, bad feeling about all this. Magic Burning is a story in the Necromancer universe, 60 years after Marked by Death, and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a snarky, matchmaking bird, a lonely young teacher, and a gay firefighter finally coming out to his large family.