Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Read online

  The Cards of Life and Death © 2011, 2015 Colleen Gleason

  Fallen © 2010 Erin McCarthy

  Shadow of Danger © 2013 Kristine Mason

  THE STORM AND THE DARKNESS © Sarah M. Cradit 2013

  Indigo Dawn © 2015 by Barbara Justen Hisle

  Logan: A Knight World Novel © 2015 Carpe Luna Publishing

  Lotus Petals © 2014 by Gina Drayer

  Evenshade © Kathryn LeVeque

  Fallen @ Erin McCarthy

  All rights reserved.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Copyright

  The Cards of Life and DeathAbout This Book

  Free from Colleen Gleason

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  EPILOGUEThe Shop of Shades and Secrets

  The Gems of Vice and Greed

  About Colleen Gleason

  Updates

  FallenPrologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty- One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Looking for more?

  Shadow of DangerPrologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Other C.O.R.E. Titles Available by Kristine Mason

  About Kristine Mason

  The Storm & The Darkness1- ANA

  2- NICOLAS

  3- ANA

  4- FINNEGAN

  5- ANA

  6- ALEX

  7- JONATHAN

  8- ANA

  9- FINNEGAN

  10- JONATHAN

  11- ALEX

  13- ANA

  14- JONATHAN

  15- ALEX

  16- FINNEGAN

  17- JONATHAN

  18- NICOLAS

  19- AUGUSTUS

  20- NICOLAS

  21- ALEX

  22- NICOLAS

  23- JONATHAN

  24- ANA

  25- FINNEGAN

  26- JONATHAN

  27- ANA

  28- NICOLAS

  29- ALEX

  30- AUGUSTUS

  31- JONATHAN

  32- FINNEGAN

  33- OZ

  34- ANA

  35- AUGUSTUS

  36- OZ

  37- ALEX

  38- FINNEGAN

  39- ANA

  40- JONATHAN

  41- ANA

  42- FINNEGAN

  43- NICOLAS

  44- ALEX

  45- OZ

  46- FINNEGAN

  47- NICOLAS

  48- JONATHAN

  49- NICOLAS

  50- ANA

  51- ALEX

  52- OZ

  53- JONATHAN

  54- NICOLAS

  55- ANA

  56- FINN

  57- OZ

  58- JONATHAN

  59- NICOLAS

  60- JONATHAN

  61- AUGUSTUS

  62- ANA

  EPILOGUE- ANA

  THE STORM AND THE DARKNESS was the prequel to The House of Crimson & Clover series. Dive into the secretive, ancient powerful world of the Deschanels and Sullivans in this bestselling Paranormal Southern Gothic saga that New York Times Bestselling Author Christopher Rice calls “modern gothic with fierce smarts.” EXCLUSIVE OFFER: For a free Crimson & Clover e-book of your choice, sign up for my newsletter: [insert newsletter link]

  Indigo DawnChapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  A note from Elle

  Also by Elle J Rossi

  Witch HuntChapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chatper 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Rachel Rawlings

  Lotus PetalsONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  More from Gina Drayer

  Logan: A Knight World NovelChapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

/>   Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  BOOKS BY GENEVIEVE JACK

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  COMING SOON

  EvenshadePROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The American Heroes Series contains the following novels:

  Kathryn Le Veque Novels

  About Kathryn Le Veque

  THE CARDS OF LIFE AND DEATH

  by Colleen Gleason

  ABOUT THIS BOOK

  * * *

  “I never pegged you for a New-Ager.”

  Diana stifled a shriek and whirled, dropping the book. “You startled me,” she said to the man standing there. Despite her shock, she noted his height (tall), his brown eyes (twinkling with humor), and his face (chiseled and incredibly handsome). The moisture evaporated from her mouth and sprang to her palms.

  “I can see that.” He had bent down to retrieve the book. “Hmm...The Tarot Explained.” He straightened and offered it back to her. “Your aunt would be astonished.”

  Diana didn’t take the book. Instead, she stared at him. Had they met? At the funeral, maybe? But then suddenly his voice and easy smile connected with her memory. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, at once recognizing Ethan Tannock. She couldn’t help that her tone was unenthusiastic.

  And what else would he expect, having walked into her house uninvited twice?

  He had shaved and cut his hair, and although it added years to her estimate of his age—he was definitely mid-thirties—it did wonders for his looks. His shorn face was very attractive, with high cheekbones and a firm, square jaw. It made his eyes look bigger and darker, and his lips, which had settled into a sort of smirk, were no longer hidden by mustache overgrowth.

  She swallowed hard, feeling suddenly at a loss in the presence of this tall, attractive stranger—who’d been in her house twice. Somehow now, especially in this small, crowded space, he seemed more intense, with more presence and confidence.

  * * *

  Before you read on, sign up for announcements, new release info,

  contests and giveaways

  from Colleen Gleason:

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  The first book in the International Bestselling

  Gardella Vampire Hunters Series

  * * *

  THE REST FALLS AWAY

  Download!

  “Sophisticated, sexy, surprising!”

  — J.R. Ward

  “Colleen Gleason’s irresistible…series is deliciously dark and delightfully entertaining.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “Gleason’s publishing debut turns vampire stories—and romances—on their ear.”

  —Detroit Free Press

  Beneath the glitter of dazzling nineteenth century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil…

  Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long ago taken control of the world.

  In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous moonlit streets, Victoria’s heart is torn between London’s most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her dark, dangerous duty.

  And when she comes face-to-face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make a choice between duty and love.

  This is a five-book series about Victoria Gardella, Vampire Hunter. The series should be read in order to avoid spoilers. The series is:

  The Rest Falls Away

  Rises the Night

  The Bleeding Dusk

  When Twilight Burns

  As Shadows Fade

  ______

  Praise for The Gardella Vampire Hunters Series

  "The Rest Falls Away, Gleason's publishing debut...turns vampire stories--and romances--on their ear with a decidedly dark, decidedly unsentimental Regency heroine who stakes the undead with the best of them."

  -- Detroit Free Press

  "The undead rise to great heights through Gleason's phenomenal storytelling. She creates a chilling world with the perfect atmosphere of fear and sexual tension."

  -- Romantic Times

  "Gleason keeps upping the ante with each novel, weaving the characters around her readers with each engaging conversation and narrative, every stage set of all the appropriate gothic gloom and melting beauty.”

  -- Book Fetish

  "...Above all, the writing is what recommends this book most. Gleason's writing is sharp and taut, which makes for excellent action sequences, and a plot that travels quickly from the start. The writing strength alone gives me ample reassurance that this potentially plot-heavy series is in the right hands. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment."

  – Smart Bitches Love Trashy Books

  "The undead rise to great heights through Gleason's phenomenal storytelling. She creates a chilling world with the perfect atmosphere of fear and sexual tension."

  -- Romantic Times

  "Gleason keeps upping the ante with each novel, weaving the characters around her readers with each engaging conversation and narrative, every stage set of all the appropriate gothic gloom and melting beauty.”

  -- Book Fetish

  Download!

  PROLOGUE

  Damariscotta, Maine

  He crept silently into the house, aided by the light of the full moon. It streamed though the windows like a beacon, casting everything with a film of blue-gray.

  There wasn’t a sound but the distant lapping of water against the lakeshore and the barest rustle of breeze through the trees.

  Such a remote area.

&n
bsp; So convenient.

  He smiled to himself as he passed through the kitchen. Only hours before, the old lady had pressed tea and cookies and a delicious chicken salad sandwich upon him at that very table.

  She’d been delighted to see him—and he’d actually enjoyed their visit quite a bit. Belinda Lawry was an interesting and amusing old woman, if not a little batty. People actually believed she could tell the future by looking at a deck of Tarot cards. Absurd, but entertaining nonetheless.

  He’d humored her, of course. He knew how to charm old ladies. Especially when he needed something from them.

  It was too bad things had to go this way, but a man had to do what a man had to do. His jaw tightened with determination and his fingers curled into their palms. Soon, his troubles would all be over.

  A complacent smile on his face, he continued silently down the hall. When he caught sight of a shadow slinking from beneath a table, he crouched immediately to greet the cat in case it had the tendency to yowl at night-time visitors.

  He’d made friends with it and its companion, and tonight he’d come prepared with tuna sandwiches in order to distract them.

  Nothing could go wrong, for this was his one and only chance to set things in motion.

  Crouching in the hall, he offered a sandwich to the cat. No sooner had he opened it from its plastic wrap than the second feline appeared, also interested in the delicious-smelling food.

  He left them there, delicately eating their treat, and slipped into the old woman’s bedroom.

  Her soft snores told him she was dead to the world (he grinned silently at this appropriate metaphor) thanks in part to the doctor, who’d considerately prescribed a strong sleep aid. Not only was she deeply asleep, but her face was upright, and her arms safely beneath the blankets.

  It was almost as if she were making it easy for him.

  He moved quickly and with efficiency, snatching up an extra pillow next to her on the bed and shoving it over her face.

  Belinda jolted beneath the onslaught, but he was kneeling over the blankets, pinning her in place as he pressed the goosedown pillow onto her nose and mouth…holding it, holding it…pressing harder, harder, harder.

  Come on, come on, he thought silently, as the old biddy struggled and jolted beneath him like a fish out of water.

  Then suddenly, she was still.

  Breathing heavily, he held the pillow over her face a few more minutes just to be sure.