horror

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Summary: In this anthology, claw machines aren’t just beacons for lost dollars and frustration, packed with cheap toys that rarely make it home with us. The claw machine is a game, a curse, a tool, even a drug-induced metaphor. It has omens of death, portals to other dimensions, plushies that aren't what they seem, eggs filled with wishful thinking, society's view on perfection, and so much more. Claw Machine is a collection of stories, with a special introduction, written by 18 established and emerging authors. Their unique speculative stories and dark fiction will grab and pull you in. Unlike the arcade game, you'll definitely walk away with something after reading these stories. Stories by Angela Yuriko Smith, Angelique O'Rourke, Beth Cook, Curtis C. Chen, Elle Mitchell, Erik Grove, J.B. Kish, Katherine Quevedo, Laura Burge, Marianne Xenos, Mark Teppo, Pia Baur, Sarah Walker, Simone Cooper, Summer Olsson, Valerie Geary, Wes Mitchell, with an introduction by Will Errickson. Edited by Elle Mitchell.

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Summary: The 15 short stories in the new collection by K.G. Anderson tackle the classic science fiction query: “What if this goes on?” Her answers span magic realism, humor, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Each story is firmly rooted in the familiar present and moves seamlessly into a very near political future—chilling in most cases, but darkly humorous in others. Stories include: “A Sign of the Times”—A Seattle protestor is tried under the new Corporate Personhood laws “Wishbone”—An elderly woman faces euthanasia under the Age Equity Act designed by her politician grandson “The Bodies We Carry”—A young widow bankrupted by medical bills joins a “death camp” protest in front of the mansion of an old college friend who is now a healthcare CEO “Unwanted Visitors”—Seattle is declared a “terrorist zone” and the new Federal Security Agency comes calling “Yoga for Protesters: A Field Guide”—Advice for combining political fury with physical fitness “The Right Man for the Job”—Summoned by desperate Democrats, the ghost of Lyndon B. Johnson returns to haunt the Trump White House “Unnoticed”—The teenage daughter of frightened immigrants demands her native identity

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Summary: Some ghosts aren't meant to stay buried. Fourteen years after her best friend's murder, Joss Evans is tormented by unanswered questions, until a mysterious encounter brings her face-to-face with Elena Lewis, a woman who knows far more about that fateful night than she should. But Elena's secrets come with their own dangers. As unexplained supernatural events begin to unfold around them, the two women find themselves drawn together by forces beyond their control. The tension between them grows with each new discovery. Realizing they can’t combat these forces on their own, Joss and Elena enlist help from the Hypatia Coven. They work together to confront the danger lurking at every turn. With the past and present colliding, Joss and Elena must decide what's more dangerous: the ghosts they're chasing or the desire threatening to consume them both. Some truths are worth any risk—even if they frighten both the living and the dead.

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Summary: Joss Evans thought joining the Hypatia Coven would give her answers about her mysterious abilities. Instead, it's only raised more questions. Plagued by blackouts and terrifying visions, Joss struggles to control powers that even the most experienced witches can't comprehend. Her past—particularly the blood on her hands—has made her an outsider among those who should be her sisters. Only witches River and Indigo stand firmly by her side. When evidence suggests a demon is hunting Joss for her unique psychic gifts, the fractured coven reluctantly seeks help from Claire, a demon hunter with her own complicated history with the Hypatia Coven. As tensions rise and loyalties blur, Joss finds unexpected solace in her growing connection with Abigail, a powerful witch who sees beyond her broken edges. With dark forces closing in, Joss must decide: Will she surrender this new imperfect life, or fight for her place in a world that both fears and needs her power? Some sacrifices leave scars. Others leave nothing at all.

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Summary: Rob Chambers and half-brother Josh Edenfield have succeeded in destroying the portal linking Land’s End Island to the dimension of the Other Gods. Expecting to die in the process, both are surprised to discover they’ve survived but are now stranded in a hostile dimension where the laws of physics don’t apply and the ocean and sky blend in an eye-blinding scarlet. There’s a chance of escape if they can find another portal back to Earth. All the brothers have to do is find it while avoiding the giant tentacles in the ocean and the amorphous creatures roaming the sky

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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?

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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?

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Summary: Special Agent Kerri Elias joined the Boundary Guards to escape the haunting memories of her past, dedicating her life to battling the enigmatic Black-eyed Children—creatures that masquerade as innocent kids to snatch unsuspecting victims. But when her partner vanishes before her eyes, Kerri’s world shatters, thrusting her into a dark labyrinth of betrayal and deception, where not all of humanity’s enemies bear the Children’s deep obsidian gaze. As she navigates this perilous new reality, Kerri finds herself thrown together with a shaky crew: her boss, Hank Stillwell; the fierce deputy, Danielle Tauriac; the handsome yet secretive newcomer to the Guards, Aaron Vincent; and the scrappy Louisiana native Dr. Will Daigle, who suspects he may be in way over his head. With the threat of the Black-eyed Children looming ever closer, Kerri is unnerved by a chilling note left for her in the New Mexico desert. Is she the key to humanity's survival—or the next target? As alliances shift and secrets unravel, Kerri must confront the darkness within herself and the sinister forces that threaten to consume everything she holds dear.

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Summary: When Shea Ashcroft refuses the queen's brutal order to gas a rioting crowd, he's exiled to the border with an impossible task: overseeing the construction of the largest defensive tower in history. Drakiri refugees hate and fear the tower—it mirrors one from their past that opened a gateway to an unimaginable threat.

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Summary: Accompanied by his sister, an adult Robbie Chambers returns to Georgia to claim the inheritance left him by Drexl von Dorff. Rob has no idea of his heritage, nor why a stranger left him a fortune, an island, and a deserted mansion. A meeting with Joshua Edenfield brings both clarity and more confusion as he learns Joshua is not only his half-brother but of the supernatural heritage both young men possess. As Rob learns more about the von Dorffs, he’s bombarded by eerie dreams and frightening waking nightmares that interfere with his growing attraction to Josh’s sister, Anna. Soon he realizes he’ll be unable to stop the Other Gods from returning unless someone takes drastic and terminal steps. Rob has no choice but to enlist his half-brother’s aid in preventing transdimentional beings from returning to Land’s End Island.

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Summary: Two-year-old Robbie Chambers has a problem. Since he was born, creatures no one else can see have appeared to him. They speak in a secret language, and lately what they say is disturbing, especially the entity calling itself Robbie's father. Robbie isn't aware of how he was conceived to bring imprisoned beings from another dimension into this world. He doesn't understand of the love triangle existing between his mother, Dr. Daniel Walker's, and Drexl von Dorff, nor of how his mother has left their Georgia home in an attempt to save him from his heritage. Lisa Chambers believes she's at last found happiness with Daniel Walker, and protection for her son. Robbie loves his mom and his new stepdad but "Daddy" says Dr. Daniel Walker is dangerous. He has to die. Is Mommy going to become a widow for the second time?

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Summary: Arkham and surrounds aren’t the only places the Other Gods have visited. In the waters off the coast of Georgia, a sleeping behemoth is chained to the ocean floor. On an island off that same coast, a believer struggles to open the doorway bringing the unknown gods back to this dimension. When an automobile accident kills Robin Chambers and brings his widow to Dr. Daniel Walker’s care, the stage is set. Lifelong enemies, the doctor and the master of Land’s End Island are rivals for Lisa Chambers’ body as well as her love, for she and her unborn child are the key to opening the doorway to the Dark World.

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Summary: The South is being invaded…by vampires. That’s nothing new, but Vlad Chemare isn’t some angst-filled paranormal hero longing for his soulmate, nor does he sparkle like stardust in the night. He’s up-to-date, travels by jet, and is seeking revenge. Armed with an unlimited credit card and a Kevlar vest, Vlad’s out for blood—specifically, Baslo Rigla’s—for burying him alive as punishment for leading a revolt back in the 15th century. With the vampires of Georgia and their American defiance of tyranny rallied around him, he not only has his army but the local werewolf population volunteers as his K-9 Corps. As the fight begins, with the city of Savannah the battleground and the entire world the prize, Vlad is faced with something he didn’t expect…his feelings for mortal Meredith Swanson. Will his love for Meredith get in the way? After all, a woman’s just a woman, but revenge is a dish best served cold, and six hundred years can make for some pretty chilly morsels.

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Summary: The King is dead…Long live the King! Vlad Chemare is learning the hard way what it means to be king of the vampires, as well as the responsibilities required of a man about to be married. His current ordeal? Meeting his future in-laws. In the midst of betrothed Meredith’s wedding plans, an assassination attempt puts a crimp in the proceedings, sending Vlad, vampiric Southern aristocrat Sebastian Blackthorne, and Dusty the werewolf tracking down the mysterious killer before he succeeds in his mission. To further complicate matters, Roman Florescu once again appears in Meredith’s life with some startling news for Vlad. Vlad manages to take it all in stride, but learning that Baslo Rigla may still be alive, after seeing his enemy’s ashes swept out to sea, may be a little more than he can handle. If a destroyed vampire is able to return from oblivion, there may be only one thing the new king can do…and that will require a sacrifice he doesn’t really want to make.

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Summary: An unprecedented heat and humidity has fallen upon the city of Bridges. People are dying. Crops are failing. And the Inventors can't find the cause. With all she's learned in our previous chapter, Jacqui has what she needs to unravel the conspiracy against the Four Families. The plans that her old nemesis Jack Diamond has set into motion are all that stands in her way. She's ready to stop him. Warning: Bad language, alcoholism, mental illness, animal abuse/death, smoking, gun violence, rioting, infidelity, sexual situations. This series centers a crime family and is intended for adults. This is the eleventh chapter of a 13-part serial novel: * The Jacq of Spades * The Queen of Diamonds * The Ace of Clubs * The King of Hearts * The Ten of Spades * The Five of Diamonds * The Two of Hearts * The Three of Spades * The Knave of Hearts * The Four of Clubs * The Jack of Diamonds <-- you are here * Book 12 coming March 2026 * Book 13 scheduled for March 2028

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Summary: At first it seemed like a storybook romance— A famous rock star disappears. Twenty-five years later, a former fan discovers he’s still alive. They fall in love and marry and he takes her to the ranch where he’s hidden for a quarter of a century—but there the love story degenerates into a tale of horror. Once Travis Brandt, aka Hildebrand, brings Melissa to his ranch in the Nebraska sandhills, everything takes on a sinister tinge. Travis’ assertions as to why his former marriage was destroyed, and his decision to disappear at the height of his career sound false to his new wife, as does his refusal to have children. When Melissa discovers she’s pregnant in spite of her husband’s careful attempts to prevent it, she learns Travis’ secret—the story of a youngster from Nebraska who became the idol of millions but wanted more; of a young man who bartered his soul to the Powers of Darkness in return for fame. Hildebrand wanted it all and got it, and now, Travis, Melissa, and their new family must pay the price for his sins!

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Summary: There are three certainties in modern life: death, taxes, and infuriating customer support. Even when you’re dead, you can’t catch a break. Ainlay Harrison is surprised to wake up as a ghost – and even more surprised to be onboarded into the AfterLife™’s most exciting project: hauntings. After a simple typo leaves Ainlay stranded at the wrong address, the only option is to correct the mistake – but that means going through the most feared and hated monster on either side of the grave: a customer service chatbot. Some things never change … and fighting through undead bureaucracy is enough to make anyone want to die. Will this blasted chatbot be enough to drive Ainlay to end it all? Or is there some way to drill some sense into this infernal bot? This tongue-in-cheek satirical novelette pokes fun at the gruelling realities of customer support and bureaucracy. Ainlay vs Infernal Support is a fun and witty read that’s perfect for fans of the TV series Ghosts and If Found, Return to Hell by Em X. Liu.

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Summary: All who live shall die, but few can plan for that transition. Life's greatest mystery and most practical companion. The meeting with death is inevitable, the transition unknowable. What lay beyond could be tormenting, enlightening, blissful, or nothing of note. The death mages of Miurag spend their lives observing death's transition in others, most preparing to one day meet their own. Privy to unique perceptions most would deem mad, their motives and choices beyond the veil are anyone's guess. The stories included: The Deathless Rises – An extraordinary desert sorcerer manages to outlive his Elven family and takes the hubris of life into the Nexus. Devour the Oracle – A young Ma'ab woman learns all she can in the slum and slavery of her birth, knowing her death will germinate a new age of enlightenment. At the Crossroads – A former monk pledges to an old death mage in an isolated tower. He's where he needs to be but cannot yet see when. The Herald Returns – Miurag's newest Deathwalker returns to the Nexus. This time, he takes his body with him. Harrowed's Breath – A young Guildsman returns to his homeland as one of the spirits he once worshipped, now seeking an elusive peace post-mortem. Tales of Miurag: Death is a same-world anthology expanding the Sister Seekers series by A.S. Etaski. This is not a standalone work. These stories follow established characters from previous books and are best read between Sister Seekers Book 8 and Book 12. This book contains spoilers and references to events in Tales of Miurag: The Desert as well as teasers for future novels in Sister Seekers.

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Summary: The highly anticipated second installment in the award-winning Alex McKenna Series, this LGBTQ teen paranormal is perfect for fans of  the series Stranger Things, and Goosebumps! No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be. Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven. The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children. Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late?

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Summary: Dave Varine is the host of Ghost Search International, a reality show verifying or debunking sites of supernatural activity. Nouvel Espoir plantation is called the “Most Haunted House in New Orleans. Visitors claim to have seen things but when asked for details, they become very close-mouthed. Now, the Louisiana Historical Society wants David to certify the house, abruptly abandoned in the late 19th century, is really haunted. David and his cameraman, Red Murtrey, will spend two weeks at Nouvel Espoir, observing and recording any supernatural phenomena. It sounds like a run-of-the-mill assignment, almost a vacation, but as soon as the doors are shut and locked, and they’re alone in the old house, everything changes. Skeptic David can’t explain the sights he sees or what he hears. Nor can he rationalize the visions he has of a handsome young man bearing an uncanny resemblance to himself, a young man who calls out to him for help…and it’s best not to be in the gallery with its full-length portraits after dark. Nouvel Espoir is giving up its secrets, hidden since the Marquis Vaurien’s descendants abandoned their home, and Dave and Red are the unwilling recipients of those well-kept skeletons in the Vaurien closet, whether they want to be or not.