Melissa McShane

Alison Quinn, Countess of Waxwold, is content with her bookish life-until she's summoned to be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Tremontane's mother for six months. Even the prospect of access to the Royal Library doesn't seem enough to make up for her sacrifice, but Alison is prepared to do her service to the Crown. What she's not prepared for is Prince Anthony North, Queen Zara's playboy brother, who's accustomed to getting what he wants-including the Countess of Waxwold. When the fallout from an unfortunate public encounter throws the two of them together, Alison has no interest in becoming the Prince's next conquest. But as the weeks pass, Alison discovers there's more to Anthony than she-or he-realized, and their dislike becomes friendship, and then something more-until disaster drives Alison away, swearing never to return. Then Alison is summoned by the Queen again, this time to serve as Royal Librarian. A threat to Tremontane's government, with her treasured Library at stake, draws Alison into the conflict...and into contact with Anthony once more. Can they work together to save the Royal Library and Tremontane? And can she open her heart to love again?

Servant of the Crown

Elinor is an Extraordinary, and the only one in England capable of wielding fire in over one hundred years. As an Extraordinary, she is respected and feared, but to her father, she represents power and prestige for himself. Mr. Pembroke, having spent his life studying magic, is determined to control Elinor and her talent by forcing her to marry where he chooses, a marriage that will produce even more powerful offspring. Trapped between the choices of a loveless marriage or living penniless and dependent on her parents, Elinor takes a third path: she defies tradition and society to join the Royal Navy. Assigned to serve under Captain Miles Ramsay aboard the frigate Athena, she turns her fiery talent on England's enemies, French privateers, and vicious pirates preying on English ships in the Caribbean. At first feared by her shipmates, a growing number of victories make her truly part of Athena's crew and bring her joy in her fire. But as her power grows and changes in unexpected ways, Elinor's ability to control it is challenged. She may have the power to destroy her enemies utterly--but could it be at the cost of her own life?

The Extraordinaries #1

Burning Bright

Helena Davies just wants a job that will get her out of her parents' basement. Abernathy's Bookstore is disorganized, out of the way, and smells funny, but it pays well. By the end of the first day, Helena has a dead boss, an unexpected promotion, and the news that she is now a part of an endless war against creatures from another reality.

The Book of Secrets

In 1812, Elinor Pembroke wakes to find her bedchamber in flames-and extinguishes them with a thought. As an Extraordinary, gifted with powerful magical talent, she is respected and feared, but her father intends to control her and her talent by forcing her to marry where he insists. Trapped between the choices of a loveless marriage or living penniless and dependent on her parents, Elinor takes a third path: she joins the Royal Navy. Assigned to serve under Captain Miles Ramsay aboard the frigate Athena, she turns her fiery talent on England's enemies, vicious pirates preying on English ships in the Caribbean. At first feared by her shipmates, a growing number of victories make her truly part of Athena's crew and bring her joy in her fire. But as her power grows and changes in unexpected ways, Elinor's ability to control it is challenged. She may have the power to destroy her enemies utterly-but could it be at the cost of her own life?

Telaine North Hunter, Princess of Tremontane, is beautiful, spoiled, flirtatious, and the center of fashionable society throughout Tremontane. She's also a spy. As an agent of the Crown, Telaine uses her high society connections to gather information for her uncle, King Jeffrey. But when an overheard conversation reveals a sinister plot centered on the Baron of Steepridge, Telaine must pose as a common Deviser in the distant frontier town of Longbourne to uncover the truth. Fresh from her glittering world of the palace, Telaine is completely unprepared for rural life. She must conceal her identity not only from the townspeople, but from the suspicious, corrupt Baron as well. Her only assistance comes from Mistress Weaver, a local woman with an agenda of her own, and Ben, the handsome young blacksmith who reaches out a hand of friendship when others turn away. As the days pass with no success in sight, Telaine's pretense becomes real, and her growing attachment to Longbourne and its people comes into conflict with her mission. She can't keep up the lie forever, but when the truth comes out, will she face it as the Princess-or as an agent of the Crown?

Agent of the Crown

Zara North, Queen of Tremontane, has the ability to unconsciously heal herself, a magic that also keeps her from aging. Faced with the reality that public knowledge of her magic could destroy her family's dynasty and cost them the Crown, she faked her own death and set out to make a new life for herself, far from the capital and the family she loved. Never settling anywhere for long, Zara became an exile in her own country. Now, sixty years after her "death," Zara's ageless face forces her to leave her home yet again. Wanting something different from the quiet life she led for decades, she sets sail for the distant continent of Dineh-Karit, reclusive and alien. When unexpected catastrophe strikes, it strands Zara and a handful of her fellow voyagers in the jungles of Dineh-Karit. Far from civilization, their only guide a reluctant Tremontanan expatriate who has his own reasons for being there, the castaways struggle for survival and to return home. But Zara, entrusted with a secret by a dying man, finds herself caught between the woman she has become and the Queen she used to be. As an implacable enemy bent on retrieving the secret, a mysterious magical object, draws ever closer, Zara realizes her companions' survival depends on her ability to lead them as she once did a nation. With an identity and a magical secret she still cannot reveal, Zara discovers depths in herself she thought were long gone--and gains a future she never expected.

Voyager of the Crown

London, 1812. Sophia Westlake is an Extraordinary Seer, gifted with the ability to See past, present and future in Dreams and Visions. When she accuses a prominent politician, Lord Endicott, of embezzling from the Army, her Dream is "proved" false and she is disgraced, her reputation ruined. Furious and desperate, Sophia takes the only course left to her: she sets out to discover Lord Endicott's criminal enterprises and bring him to justice. Sophia's allies are few, but loyal. Cecy, her best friend, supports Sophia in her quest, while her cousin Lady Daphne, an irrepressible Extraordinary Bounder, is always ready for a challenge. And always watching her is the mysterious Mr. Rutledge, who claims to be interested in Sophia's friendship-and possibly more than that-but who has an agenda of his own. But as Sophia delves deeper into prophetic Dreams, Cecy and Daphne begin to fear for Sophia's health and sanity. Driven to collapse by her frequent Dreaming, Sophia is forced to reevaluate her motives: does she want Lord Endicott brought to justice, or is it revenge she seeks? Sophia's Dreams and Visions are leading her to just one place: the destruction of Lord Endicott. But the cost of her vengeance may be too high-and may demand the sacrifice of her own life.

Wondering Sight

Willow North is a thief, and despite her secret magical talent for sensing worked metal, she has never wanted to be anything else. But when her former fiancé appears on her doorstep with the eight-year-old King of Tremontane in tow, she is drawn into the political conflict surrounding the boy King's ascension. His uncle, a powerful Ascendant with the magic of manipulating the elements, murdered the old King and intends to kill young King Felix. Willow intends only to take the boy to safety, but as the days pass, she finds herself increasingly attached to Felix and unwilling to leave him once he's safe. But the pretender to the Crown has a long reach, and as his men close in on the fugitives, it seems nowhere may be safe.

Pretender to the Crown

Calcutta, 1813. Lady Daphne St. Clair, who as an Extraordinary Bounder is capable of transporting herself anywhere in the world with a thought, has longed to serve in the Army for years. But an unexpected weakness at the sight of blood makes her responsible for a good man's death in battle. Unable to serve on the battlefield, Daphne is sent to India to be transportation for the Governor-General's wife and children. In disgrace, Daphne fears she will never achieve the fame and glory she has worked so hard for. A chance encounter with Captain Phineas Fletcher, attached to the Honourable East India Company as a troubleshooter and investigator, leads to Daphne being given a new opportunity: help Captain Fletcher discover the truth behind a series of strange occurrences in the town of Madhyapatnam. Daphne is willing to do anything to restore her reputation, even something as small as Captain Fletcher's investigation. As the days progress, her attachment to the members of the team grows deeper, as does her growing attraction to the captain. But as Daphne and Captain Fletcher dig deeper into the mystery, the truth turns out to be much more sinister than anyone imagined. Dark currents run deep beneath the pleasant surface of Madhyapatnam, and the echoes of a twenty-year-old story threaten not only the Company's rule over the town, but the safety and well-being of everyone in it. Soon only Daphne's talent and courage stand between Madhyapatnam and the evil that threatens to overwhelm it.

Abounding Might

Exile of the Crown

Imogen, warrior of the Kirkellan tribes, has never wanted to be anything else. But when the long war between the Kirkellan and the country of Ruskald ends, the terms of the peace treaty require Imogen to be married to the vicious King of Ruskald for five years. Confined to his freezing city, forbidden to fight, Imogen sees nothing but darkness in her future-until the arrival of Elspeth North, heir to the Crown of Tremontane, brings three countries to the brink of war and sets Imogen free. Now, sent to be the ambassador of her people to Tremontane, Imogen faces new challenges as she struggles to maintain her warrior's identity in a world of glittering ballrooms and foreign customs. As a diplomat, Imogen discovers skills she never knew she had-as well as a forbidden attraction to the handsome and charismatic King Jeffrey North. But when war once again threatens not only Tremontane but her own people, Imogen must decide: is she the warrior, the diplomat-or something greater?

Rider of the Crown

Sherwood Smith

P. Djèlí Clark

Intisar Khanani

Joyce Chng

Rachel Neumeier

Andrea K. Höst

Raf Morgan

Casey Blair

Magic--danger--and the thrill of the chase!Experience the rush of racing across rooftops with thieves--or the desperation of fleeing an assassin who knows you a little too well. From the fish market of a tropical island sultanate, to the monster-filled alleys of a steampunk London, to a land where souls take different forms as they rise or fall through the layers of the world, this collection of chase scenes and vignettes set in nine distinctive worlds will leave you spellbound.Find unexpected allies, unshakeable enemies, sudden twists and turns, and always the swiftness of the chase--whether you're on the hunt, or racing for your life.This sampler includes an exclusive bonus scene set during the events of Tea Set and Match by Casey Blair, available for free online, and a scene from an unpublished novel by Rachel Neumeier not available anywhere else. The excerpts by Intisar Khanani, Raf Morgan, P. Djèlí Clark, Sherwood Smith, Joyce Chng, Melissa McShane, and Andrea K. Höst are from longer works that are available for sale at all major retailers.

Scenes from 9 Fantastic Stories

Swift the Chase

In a world very much like our own Victorian England, the country of Dalanine is at war. The implacable, unstoppable Despot has been pushing northward for over a year, conquering everything in his path with military and magical force, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake. For Evon Lorantis, Dalanine's most promising young magician, the war represents the same kind of work he's always done, inventing and developing new spells for his country's defense. But as good as he is, he's still stumped by the mystery the government's department of Home Defense brings him: a rash of spontaneously occurring fires, hotter than any natural force can produce, melting stone and vaporizing flesh wherever they strike. Home Defense believes it's a weapon that will finally defeat the Despot. And they want Evon to harness it. In investigating the problem, Evon discovers these fires are no accident; there's a magician behind them, a woman using the fire to prosecute justice on her own terms. Evon sets off on a journey across Dalanine to track down this rogue magician, hoping to persuade her to turn aside from her vigilante crusade to serve her country, afraid of finding only a madwoman at the end of his quest. But the woman he does find is nothing like he expected, the mystery far greater-and older-than he'd imagined, and the secret of the fire more potent than anyone could have guessed. As Evon attempts to untangle fact from myth, what began as an assignment becomes a challenge that will require every ounce of magical ability he has-and will irrevocably change the course of his life.

The Smoke-Scented Girl

Helena and the oracular bookstore Abernathy’s stopped an attack by the alien invaders’ human allies and destroyed their attempt at a second oracle, giving the Wardens much-needed victories. Now, after months of fighting a defensive war, the Wardens plan a direct assault on the enemy stronghold. But as the battle approaches, Abernathy’s has other plans. The oracle directs Helena to contact four ordinary people with extraordinary talents whose abilities will change the course of the war. Convincing them to join the fight challenges Helena’s persuasive powers to the extreme. If she fails, it will mean the deaths of thousands—including those Helena loves most.

The Book of War

Helena Davies just wants a job that will get her out of her parents’ basement, but by the end of her first day at Abernathy’s Bookstore, she has a dead boss in the basement and the news that she is now a part of an endless magical war. Abernathy’s is the world’s only living oracle, and Helena is now its custodian. Without any training, she must navigate her new world and find a place for herself within it. But there’s still a murderer on the loose—and Helena might be next on his list.

Paladin of the Goddess Ginnevra Cassaline and her companion, the werewolf Eodan, want to teach people the truth about how good werewolves turn their backs on the Goddess's enemy, the Bright One. But as a new challenge arises, they must temporarily set aside their personal quest. Men and women are going missing in the city of Uparde, including Ginnevra's aunt, a retired paladin, and Revered Parenogne, leader of Uparde's religious community. When Ginnevra receives responsibility for solving the mystery, the task draws Ginnevra and Eodan deeper into the secrets at the heart of the city. Between their conflict with someone intent on getting credit for finding the lost, and the ongoing interference of a mysterious woman apparently gifted with the Goddess's power, can Ginnevra discover the truth before time runs out for all the missing?

The Second Book of the Dark Goddess

Missing By Moonlight

As a paladin of the Dark Goddess, sworn to protect humanity against the Goddess's evil sister the Bright One, Ginnevra has dedicated her life to fighting monsters, especially the werewolves who are the pinnacle of the evil goddess's creation. But when a fatal confrontation seems to put her under the Goddess's condemnation, Ginnevra must leave her paladin company to discover why. In a village plagued by monsters on the edge of civilization, Ginnevra believes she understands what she faces. But when she meets a werewolf who challenges her understanding of who monsters really are, the encounter tests her faith to its limit. And when she learns the truth about the monsters attacking the village, she must choose between doing her duty and forging a new path-one that may condemn her forever.

The First Book of the Dark Goddess

Silver and Shadow

Dawna Raver

As the custodian of the oracular bookstore Abernathy's, Helena has faced any number of challenges in learning her new role. But when the store begins giving out false prophecies, Helena comes up against her greatest challenge yet: how can she fix Abernathy's when she doesn't truly know how it works?Armed only with a few special talents and her desire to protect her magical charge, and with the assistance of her best friend Viv, her reluctant assistant Judy, and the enigmatic and handsome Malcolm Campbell, Helena must navigate the treacherous depths of the magical world, where secret enemies lurk behind illusions capable of fooling even the most powerful of magical entities. Helena is the only one who can see past those illusions, but will her abilities prove strong enough to save the oracle?

Colour Wielders

THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE DRAGONS OF MOTHER STONE A new year brings new purpose to Lamprophyre and Rokshan as they continue in their quest to find and defeat their mysterious enemy, the ancient dragon Sardonyx. But when a prophecy commands the ecclesiasts of Tanajital to climb dragons' most sacred mountain, Lamprophyre must discover the truth behind the god Jiwanyil's intent-an intent that may mean the destruction of humans and dragons alike. With animosity between dragons and ecclesiasts rising, and Sardonyx's threat looming, Lamprophyre and Rokshan will need every advantage to defend against the day when an ancient evil wakes. She is coming. And the skies will burn.

Melissa McShane

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