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Those Who Dwell in Darkness
Regular price $25.99 Save $-25.99The hunt for a serial killer leads a vampire agent to uncover a terrifying conspiracy in this dark urban fantasy by the author of the Hellequin Chronicles.
Vampires and humans live side by side thanks to an uneasy peace maintained by the Assembly. As an Arbiter for the powerful organization, Miles Watson is authorized to act as judge, jury, and executioner for anyone—living or undead—who breaks the law. But now Miles is up against a threat more sinister than anything he’s seen in his centuries as a vampire.
A criminal network in London is offering wealthy humans the chance to become vampires without the Assembly’s consent. When the process goes disastrously wrong, the Boss wants to eliminate any trace of the fiasco. But a rogue enforcer refuses to play along, and trouble quickly escalates out of anyone’s control.
As Miles sets off searching for the illegal vampires, he finds himself on the trail of a monstrous serial killer. The twisty investigation takes him from London’s deadly underworld to the rural backwaters of the Pacific Northwest—where an even more devious criminal enterprise threatens all of vampire-kind . . .
Known for his terrifying tales of urban fantasy, author Steve McHugh goes even deeper into the shadows with this noirish vampire thriller, which masterfully combines suspenseful plotting and intricate world-building.
The Pilgrims of the Damned
Regular price $24.99 Save $-24.99A vampire and a journalist team up to stop a witch on a rampage in the third book of this urban fantasy from the bestselling author of the Hellequin Chronicles.
Undead investigator Miles Watson has seen his share of violence, but after his last case left a trail of dead bodies in its wake—some of which had belonged to people he actually liked—he’s decided to take a break from policing the tenuous peace between vampires and humankind. Unfortunately, the powers that be aren’t keen on him going off the grid, and the new mission they bring to his door isn’t the kind that’s easily ignored.
It seems a rogue human has his hands on some powerful chaos magic, and he’s strayed right into the midst of one of the most dangerous lands in the world: Maine. It’s filled with deranged, hungry desolates and has become a hotbed for political squabbles between various powerful factions. The former US state is exactly where you don’t want a newly minted—and very homicidal—witch running amok.
Now Miles will have to venture into seriously dangerous territory to play babysitter to the one witch who can bring monsters to justice. Because if the menace isn’t stopped soon, the consequences for humans and vampires alike could be apocalyptic.
Pairing quick-witted dialogue and unparalleled world-building with classic noir and horror elements, The Pilgrims of the Damned is the edge-of-your-seat continuation of a series that will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go until the very last page.
A Deliberate Act of Violence
Regular price $23.99 Save $-23.99An undead investigator hunts a recently turned vampire with a lust for violence in this dark urban fantasy from the author of the Riftborn series.
The peace between humans and vampires balances on a knife’s edge, ready to descend into murderous chaos at any moment. It’s up to the Assembly to discreetly clean up conflicts and track down criminals before bloodshed becomes a cause for concern. That’s where Miles Watson comes in. As an Arbiter, he has free reign to find, adjudicate against, and punish perpetrators. And he operates just far enough outside the law to make sure those who break it get what’s coming to them.
But even with unlimited scope and centuries of experience, Miles’s latest case has his back against the wall. A series of murders are sweeping through the streets of London, and all evidence points toward a new, young vampire as the perpetrator. The only problem: the vampire in question is also the son of a very powerful businessman backed by the Assembly.
Now Miles must navigate not only the Assembly’s usual red tape but also a twisted web of politics, underground crime, and dangerous alliances to stop the villain before the body count gets too high—or the powers that be catch wind of what he’s up to.
Bestselling author Steve McHugh blends the best of horror with classic detective noir in this unforgettable continuation of the blood-curdling adventure that began with Those Who Dwell in Darkness.
At Poupon's Table
Regular price $19.99 Save $-19.99Peter Mayle’s A Good Year meets Sideways in the delightful debut novel from a James Beard Award–winning American wine merchant, the renowned Kermit Lynch.
Known as the man who introduced rosé to the US, legendary wine importer Kermit Lynch is as lauded for his writing as he is for his impeccable taste in wines of every variety and vintage. His thoughtful, witty notes on the subject led to the modern nonfiction classic Adventures on the Wine Route, which has been hailed as “one of the finest American books on wine” (The New York Times) and was recently celebrated with a twenty-fifth-anniversary edition.
In his debut novel, Lynch presents Kendrick Thomas, an easygoing American wine merchant happily residing in Provence. Ever eager to visit old friends and enjoy all the gastronomic pleasures available in France, he often finds himself on the doorstep of Henri Poupon. Built as ruggedly as a boxer, thick of finger and feature, Poupon is as physically untamed and earthy as his skill as a chef is delicate and exquisite.
In the vein of Peter Mayle, Kendrick and Poupon set off on a road trip: eating, bickering, laughing, and of course, sampling wine both good and bad. From troublesome business associates to Poupon’s shady ex-girlfriend to an appalling new cell tower tarnishing the local tranquility, At Poupon’s Table is a riotous jaunt through the French countryside that always circles back to food—and of course reds, whites, and everything in between.
“Kermit is a legend in the wine business, and in this book he offers us a peek into that secretive world. I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to learn the tricks of the trade. But more than that, this is an ode to a vanishing way of life, where every day is an opportunity to drink wonderful wine and eat beautiful food. The food and wine descriptions are so vivid you can savor every drop and taste every bite. I don’t think I'll ever eat another hamburger without thinking about the one in this book.” —Ruth Reichl, New York Times–bestselling author of The Paris Novel
“A lilting paean to the slow daily delights of eating and drinking well . . . It’s a book of terroir, exuding the particulars of its vividly rendered place. The text is peppered with food descriptions so detailed that they are almost recipes and wine pairings so carefully chosen that it’s hard not to salivate.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“The detailed depictions of wine, food, and landscapes evoke deep sensory pleasure . . . A fun, atmospheric novel.” —Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Adventures on the Wine Route
“One of the finest American books on wine.” —Eric Asimov, The New York Times
“This book deserves to stay in print forever!” —Alice Waters
“One of the pleasantest and truest books I’ve ever read.” —MFK Fisher
“Kermit Lynch is certainly an expert, but his book . . . is also a great pleasure to read. I enjoyed it more than any other wine book I have read.” —Roald Dahl
“The best book I’ve ever read about wine. Kermit Lynch is as brilliant a writer as he is a taster, and his quest for authentic wine is more relevant than ever.” —Jay McInerney
“In Kermit Lynch’s small, true, delightful book there is more understanding about what wine really is than in everything else I have read.” —Victor Hazan
Secrets, Serpents, and Superpowers
Regular price $27.99 Save $-27.99When the super average play with superpowers, all of Earth becomes a gameboard, in the first book of this thrilling superhero fantasy adventure.
Nate Mercer had every intention of leading a perfectly normal life in a drastically altered world. A decade ago, the sky filled with thousands of blinking lights, causing completely average people to suddenly develop incredible superpowers. Known as Augments, these gifted humans have only brought destruction as they engage in global battles for control. Nate wanted nothing to do with the chaos, but when he’s caught in an Augmented fight, he has no choice but to join the ranks—or be left for dead.
Because it turns out Nate is a system-picked member of the Tenth Wave of Augments. He’s been gifted a personal AI, a choice of more than 47,000 powersets, and a chance to become one of the strongest Augments to play Infinite Ascension, the most exciting game on Earth. As he joins others in gaining abilities, completing missions, and defeating biker gangs, he’s left with two big questions: In a time of mind-blowing technological revolution, why is the biggest advancement yet being kept a secret from the world? And just who is really behind all of it in the first place?
When Nate accidentally finds himself in the middle of a secret conspiracy brewing behind the game’s mechanics, he discovers there’s much more to being an Augment than just superpowered brawls. Encouraged to let loose, wreak havoc, and win fabulous prizes, he’s about to learn that every battle with a supervillain is a lesson, every mistake is a stepping stone to greatness, and—if he keeps his tights fresh, his mask on, and his true identity secret—he’ll eventually find out exactly what he’s ascending to. That is, if he can survive long enough . . .
The first volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Tropes include: wrong place wrong time, secret identity, and reluctant hero.