To a master alchemist like Addie, impossible is just another word for challenge. When a fiery explosion destroys the Alchemica, the premier alchemy institute in the United States, she’s left with nothing. No home, no colleagues, and no memory. Learning what happened seems impossible, but she still has one strength, and in her opinion, it’s the only one she needs. She hasn’t forgotten a thing about alchemy. Addie brews a potion to restore her lost past, but remembers only the flames of the Alchemica’s destruction—and a man among the ashes. A man with the elemental power of fire, who just happens to be the leader of the magical community. He might know what happened, but getting him to tell her will require some…creativity. The magical aren’t fond of alchemists. Some say it borders on hatred, but Addie isn’t one to back down from a challenge, even if that challenge happens to be a man who can turn her to ash with a thought.

‘The Lust for Blood’ is a collection of thirteen grisly short stories written by the author Charmain Marie Mitchell. The stories range in size from 1,400 words to 9,800 and focuses on the complexities of the human mind (with a couple of supernatural tales thrown in for good measure). There is nothing so complicated as a human being and sometimes nothing so horrific! Contents: A Passion for Death – Never published before. A new twist on an old tale. Beecham Manor – Never published before. A ghostly tale from Cornwall. Sometimes Sacrifices need to be made – Previously published story Review:By DiogenesThis is a very short tale, but nicely put together. It shows how the craving for fame can unbalance the impressionable mind. The Stalker – Previously published story. Review:By Angel Marie JobeI really liked it the way the drama and suspense keep going and going it was one of the coolest books I’ve read in a long time By Karen MassariThis piece did not come across as a short story, it was more like a bold painting. My heart is still racing from reading it. Punishment Time – Previously published story. Review:By Ethel BarkleyCourious insight into the mind ! Abuse at any level can have deep seated and lasting consequeses. Punishment Time delves into the hatred that can result from such action. All should read as I did after downloading from Amazon.com to my Kindle Fire Scorned – Never published before. A tale about when love goes wrong. The Vampire Requiem – Previously published story. Review:By Robin E ListonWhen 252 year old Edward Manning falls in love with Maria, a beautiful young lady, he decides that he can’t live without her, and plans to tell her that he’s a vampire. If his love is rejected, Edward will end his long, lonely life. How will she react? Will she choose to spend an eternity with him, or reject him? But, as fate would have it, their lives are intertwined in an unexpected way. This short story by Charmain, allows us a brief look into the life of a modern day vampire. When Edward finally decides to reveal himself to Maria, and shows her the “face of a true vampire,” her reaction causes an event that will catch you by surprise.I look forward to reading more stories by Charmain Mitchell. The Rape of Suzy J – Never published before. Chilling tale of rape and murder. Cyber Scream – Never published before. A story about misplaced jealousy. Tudor Witch – Previously published story.Review: By Lord D. M. Prosser (UKLet me say straight away that Charmain Mitchell is an expert at description. By the time I’d heard how Kezziah looked I had no problem in visualising her.By the time I’d finished the story and had read the description of what acts she had to perform I wasn’t sure I’d ever sleep again.This book ‘Perpetual Hell’ manages in it’s few short pages to cram in more than many full novels do but believe me the heroine is not someone you’ll cheer for. Despite the great love she’s meant to hold all I could remember was that her smile didn’t reach the eyes.I’m certainly not sure I’d want a youngster reading this but no doubt they’ve all heard worse at hallowen. I am sure though that most young adults will enjoy the style of this young writer and the fifteen minutes of pure hell the reading gives them. The Man in the Mirror – Never published before. Tale of a fragmented mind. Food for Thought – Never published before. A tasty tale of fear. The Beings – Never published before. A story of a blood lust that will consume the world. Throughout her life, Charmain has wanted to become an author, but family and business commitments stood in the way and her writing consisted of a few short stories on the rare occasion that she had time to write them. In late 2012 a freak accident finally allowed time for Charmain to indulge in her passion for writing. website: www.charmainmariemitchell.com or blog: http://CharmainMitchell.blog

The world needs a hero nastier than the fiends that plague it …. The fate of humanity rests on a pair of unlikely champions, Venir and Melegal. Determined to destroy the insidious race of fiends, the underlings, Venir sets out on a one-man crusade. Wielding an alien-crafted war axe, he ventures deep into the wasteland’s jungles, uncovering a heartbreaking catastrophe. A village destroyed by the underlings awaits him. The women and children are gone, snatched by the dangerous menace. Now, the bloodiest rescue missions of all time calls for the ultimate weapon of power that requires a will of iron, brawn, and courage. With time running out, it’s up to Venir to defeat the perilous brood of pillaging murderers and save the innocents before it’s too late. Dive into this short introduction to the bestselling Darkslayer series that is barbaric thrill ride longer than the Lord of the Rings over 1 million words long This series has everything dungeon and dragons lovers could ever hope for in an EPIC ONE-OF-A-KIND SWORD AND SORCERY FEAST that you will never forget! This short is only a small sample of the tumultuous action that offers bold heroes, villainous sorcery, deadly dwarves, orcs, brute ogres, gnolls, underlings, giants and dragons battle in this fast-paced, action-packed fantasy fest.  SCROLL UP AND GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY! Content Advisor: This series does not include explicit language or sexual content. A galloping ride for teenagers and up.  What Reviewers are saying about The Darkslayer Series: ★★★★★ Awesome intro to the series. Never a dull moment in Bish! If you like classic heroes doing what heroes do, start this series. Reading the Darkslayer series has been the most fun reading I’ve ever had. Y.E., Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ The Darkslayer is a badass of few words. – Ron Baker, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ This book was a fun old school barbarian tale. The main character is not a barbarian specifically, but essentially he is the classic warrior that overcomes his enemies with giant muscles, iron will, and pure rage. – Nicolas Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ Exceptional Read.If you’re a fan of the Drizzt novels or tales told in The Forgotten Realms, then this book series is definitely for you. – Matthew Kirkton, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ Everything a guy wants in a book. My girlfriend just got me back into reading and she kept trying to get me to read Twilight, 50 Shades Of Grey, etc. Needless to say I didn’t make it pass the first chapter of either. I thought reading just want for me, but now I know I just needed to find the right kind of book. The Darkslayer is that book. If you enjoy fantasy & action movies like Lord of the Rings you’ll feel right at home. The pacing is spot on, I couldn’t put it down. It’s full of action, and has comedic moments to break up the mayhem. The characters are colorful, and the author does a good job portraying how warfare takes its toll on a warrior both physically and mentally. I can’t wait to get into the rest of the series.– Josh Rock, Amazon Reviewer

A SAMPLER OF ALAN BAXTER’S DARK FICTION Horror, crime, and dark fantasy. Four complete stories and the opening chapters of six longer books from Alan Baxter’s extensive back catalogue. Featuring one full novella (“Out On A Rim” from The Gulp), three entire short stories (“Crow Shine” from Crow Shine, “Simulacrum of Hope” from Served Cold, and “The Normandy Curse”), plus the opening chapters of six longer books: Devouring Dark, Hidden City, Bound, Manifest Recall, Primordial, and Blood Codex. “Alan Baxter is Australia’s master of literary darkness.” – This Is Horror “Alan Baxter can take horror from gonzo to heartbreaking in an instant. Good stuff… Alan Baxter can write like a m***********.” – Gail Simone, best-selling author of DC’s Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and more “Alan Baxter is an accomplished storyteller who ably evokes magic and menace.” – Laird Barron, author of Swift to Chase “Baxter delivers the horror goods.” – Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World “Alan Baxter is one of the best horror writers in the business.” – Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Turtle Boy, Kin, and Sour Candy “Step into the ring with Alan Baxter, I dare you. He writes with the grace, precision, and swift brutality of a prizefighter.” – Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat and The Pandora Room “Alan Baxter’s thrillers have complete anatomy—muscles, brains, guts, and heart.” – World Fantasy Award-nominated author, Anna Tambour “Alan Baxter delivers a heady mix of magic, monsters and bloody fights to the death. Nobody does kick-ass brutality like Baxter.” – Greig Beck, Internationally bestselling author “Alan Baxter’s fiction is dark, disturbing, hard-hitting and heart-breakingly honest. He reflects on worlds known and unknown with compassion, and demonstrates an almost second-sight into human behaviour.” — Kaaron Warren, Shirley Jackson Award-winner and author of The Grief Hole “…fantastic storytelling in the vein of Neil Gaiman or Alan Moore, but with a merciless black streak…” – Spooktapes “…if Stephen King and Jim Butcher ever had a love child then it would be Alan Baxter.” – Smash Dragons “Alan’s work is reminiscent of that of Clive Barker and Jim C. Hines, but with a unique flavour all of its own.” – Angela Slatter, World Fantasy, British Fantasy and Aurealis Award winner “Baxter draws you along a knife’s edge of tension from the first page to the last, leaving your heart thumping and sweat on your brow.” – Midwest Book Review

This short novel first appeared in an anthology released by Cemetery Dance publications. Kealan Patrick Burke edited. The main character was to have a brief encounter with a wise old man named Johnny Divine, who lived in a town called “Brimstone Turnpike,” the title of the anthology. That character would then to be given one object that would impact the outcome of the story. The writers were free to invent everything else. In award-winning author Harry Shannon’s entry, Sam Kenzie is an LAPD cop who can’t escape his obsession with a serial killer due to demons of his own. Shannon played by the rules, but his ending is both stunning and disturbing. “Behold the Child”, by Harry Shannon, is the perfect mix of classic Noir and the supernatural. A maverick, burned-out cop haunted by his last city case ignores advice and a “wrong” turn en route to his retirement gig in the isolated desert town of his youth. It’s dark, brooding, and reminds us that unfortunately, not everyone takes advantage of divine second chances.”-Shroud Magazine “This eerie collection includes five chilling tales with a common motif—a deserted highway with a ruined gas station where an old black man gives a traveler a special gift that could change his or her destiny. From Thomas F. Monteleone’s story of a reporter’s collision with the truth (“The Prime Time of Spenser Golding”) to Harry Shannon’s depiction of a detective’s journey into darkness (“Behold the Child”), these tales delve into the realm of nightmare and wish fulfillment.”-Library Journal “Master craftsmanship.”-Cemetery Dance “Shannon is a writer who is never afraid to walk into the shadows and drag the things living there kicking and screaming into the light.”-Brian Keene “Harry Shannon takes age-old themes and gives them a new and fearsome bite. Vividly realized, his writing is controlled, assured, and filled with the kind of spooky atmosphere that used to make you hide your head under the bedcovers on wind-wracked nights.” – Tom Piccirilli