Matthew S. Cox

Five months after becoming a Vampire, Sarah Wright's unlife has gone back to relative normal-until demons start coming out of the woodwork. Before graduating high school last June, she never imagined she'd wind up staying at home with her parents and siblings. Now, she savors every minute she has with them. Her friends juggle school and jobs, leaving precious little time to hang out with her mostly nocturnal schedule. A vampire's hours aren't exactly awesome for spending time with tween-age siblings either, but the family has adjusted to her undeath. The other paranormal weirdness she seems to attract? Not so much. When Halloween rolls around, Sarah's all too happy to take her siblings trick-or-treating. But this year, the holiday has more than costumes and candy in store. On the night the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, a small army of demons spills forth to play havoc in Cottage Lake. Harmless pranks soon take a malicious turn, forcing Sarah to scramble in search of where the creatures are coming from-hoping to stop them before someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, Harper Cody stressed out over finding the right college-now, she'll be thrilled if she makes it to her eighteenth birthday. Unexpected nuclear war destroyed the world she knew along with her dreams for a future. Violent thugs took away her parents and home, sending her fleeing into the ashes with her traumatized little sister. Following her best hope for survival, she chased a rumor of safety in the mountains. Evergreen, Colorado turned out to be the shelter she'd hoped for. There, her patchwork family could make the best of the world left behind. However, their new home came with an unexpected twist: to keep her father's shotgun and protect her sister, sweet, introverted Harper had to join the militia. Safety is relative in the aftermath of societal collapse. The mountain town may have avoided the worst of the atomic blasts, but danger still surrounds them: unstable people, starvation, cold, disease... and something or someone creeping about late at night, stalking the most vulnerable among them.

Mina Barrett is the CIA's best defense against the Dominion. She's young, charming, intelligent, motivated... and she's a vampire. Twenty years ago, vampires revealed themselves to the world. Society hadn't expected them to be real at all, much less a species entirely separate from humans. The government feared hostile foreign powers would also seek to exploit their psychic talents, and put out a call for recruitment. After a childhood spent in isolation, Mina saw a chance for adventure and signed on the dotted line. Unlike the Dominion, she doesn't feel humans are inferior creatures and works to stop others of her kind from enslaving them. A deep cover asset discovers information that vampires want to keep out of human hands. The CIA sends Mina in to bring him-and his information-out alive. But the Dominion has their sights set on the secrets buried for centuries beneath a Siberian glacier... secrets that could reshape the world. ★★★★★ "The story is a nice mix of urban fantasy themes but does not get mired in the same old boring vampire rolls. Yes, this is a vampire book, but it brings enough new and/or underused ideas to the table that it is refreshing. The character development is well done, and we get a good insight into the main characters in the shorter length if this novel. The book is around 200 pages and moves along quickly with very little material that I would consider superfluous." ―Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "Broken Ice had a very savvy, intelligent female protagonist. From the opening chapters, the storyline is riveting, and the action non-stop, as Mina moves from assignment to assignment as an undercover operative. Interesting world building." ―Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "Catches you at the start and leaves you wanting more. Get it you will LOVE IT " ―Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "This is a fresh new take on Vampire fiction and it really hooked me I love the world and the characters so much I truly can't wait to read more of this series Or even this world " ―Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "Great new series about a feisty vampire who works for the CIA, her human colleague/boyfriend and an older sister who is a spy for the bad guys. Great read. Looking forward to the next book." ―Amazon reviewer

After my mother died in a fire, I never expected to wind up facing federal charges of arson and wire fraud. A careless error on the part of the authorities was all it took to ignite a cascading series of cover-ups and misdirection that landed my father and I in prison, fighting to prove our innocence. From the night I first received a bizarre midnight call from a police dispatcher miles away, to the day of our conviction, I suspected my father and I were the victims of a chain of events too bizarre to be imagined and too deliberate to be simple ineptitude. The whole situation reeked of contrivance, and would have been comical if not for my mother's death. The judge sealed the conspiracy when he gave us both life-without-parole sentences despite no evidence tying us to the fire. We were never charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, or even assault. To regain our freedom, I hired the best, most unwavering and tireless attorney I could find―me. After poring over mountains of evidence, transcripts, and subpoenas from my jail cell, I unraveled a web of dysfunctional half-truths and outright lies the US Attorney used to convict us. My father and I are the only two men in the history of the United States to be sentenced to life-without-parole in Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, and later exonerated. This book is the story of my ten-year battle.

Book 16 in the bestselling "Vampire for Hire" series To save a child, Samantha Moon would go to the end of the Earth-even past it to alternate dimensions. At long last, she's learned the truth behind her vampire sire and why he turned her. But with that comes a revelation about an ancient evil that preys on innocent young witches. Turns out, Sam has a unique connection to the fiend, but it might not be enough to help her find the monster. Of course, it's not like she doesn't have all the time in the world... That changes when the Red Rider abducts a ten-year-old girl, intending to devour her unusually strong magic. Sam cannot bear the thought of such a young child experiencing a death so gruesome. Her need to destroy a monster who could do such things to the innocent does something she never imagined possible... for once, she and Elizabeth will work together. To make matters worse, the witch-hunter isn't even on Earth. With precious little time remaining, Sam must track down a killer into worlds that stretch the imagination... worlds beyond belief and dreams. A little girl's life depends on it. MOON MASTER, Red Rider, Part 2, is the second book of an epic two-part paranormal mystery adventure set within the Vampire for Hire series.

When an angel returns to Earth, millions will die. A being born of darkness bends the Angel to his will, intent on covering West City with a rain of fire. The authorities close in on Archon, forcing him to act in haste. His meticulous plan to seek sanctuary for psionics in deep space frays at the seams, providing the perfect venue for a demon to reshape the world. Seven individuals-The Awakened-fight for their place in a society unprepared for them. One discovers the light within and risks everything she loves to help others. One learns she lives a comfortable lie, but chooses a painful truth. One gives himself to darkness in hopes of saving the only family he has left. One struggles with anger, trying to fit into a civilization that never wanted her. One searches for absolution from the harshest judge of all-himself. One will do anything it takes to protect his people....and One just wants to watch the show.

A move to the small town of Spring Falls, New York is the perfect cure for Mia Gartner's horrid commute. However, her new home isn't quite empty. She adored working in fine art restoration, but a two-hour ride each way got old fast. When her husband found a house for sale at a suspiciously low price, they jumped at it. Mia expected chemical contamination, a fixer-upper, or termites, so when the problem turned out to be persistent rumors of haunting, she set aside her worries. Adam hoped the place would propel his parapsychology hobby into a career. Upon first sight, the innocuous suburban house filled Mia with dread. Adam had long maintained she had a psychic gift, but if she believed him, that would mean something terrible and dark once happened there. Soon after their arrival, unexplained events prove the rumors are more than wild stories. A childlike spirit attaches itself to Mia, seeming harmless and so very lonely. Alas, she fears the ghost may not be as innocent as it seems.

In the wake of a twenty-year war, the people of Lucernia struggle to believe their former enemies aren't demon-loving savages. However, that's easy compared to the more alarming change: accepting their nation now has two queens. Many citizens in a land devoted to the God of Purity view the love between Kitlyn and Oona as unnatural, but the young women have earned guarded acceptance in the wake of their heroic deeds. Alas, unrest stirs in the shadows. Worse, Oona thinks the Talomir family line is cursed. All who have worn the crown before her have met with untimely deaths. Much work lies ahead for the new queens in helping the kingdom recover from a conflict older than its rulers. The people are restless and hurting, trust in the crown is tenuous, and the king of Evermoor demands reparations. That two women should love each other may be the last little piece to hurl the nation into rebellion. Mysterious forces attacking towns close to the border with Evermoor stoke tensions even further, threatening a relapse to war. Their crowns not even warm, Kitlyn and Oona set off to find the source of the raids and stabilize the nation... hoping to stay ahead of an ancient curse.

God's will be done. After eleven years as a priest living by these words, Father Antonio Molinari never imagined who would teach his strongest lesson of faith-a vampire. As a member of a secret order within the Vatican, he investigates and debunks supernatural events. A case of possession brings him to the French countryside, where two local clergy offer him the chance of a lifetime. They claim to have captured a vampire, and beg his expertise in helping them study the fiend. When their monster turns out to be a little girl, cursed to spend eternity hiding from the sun, he cannot bring himself to destroy her. The priests, mistaking his compassion for diabolism, panic, and his efforts to protect an innocent child prove fatal. He awakes caught between light and darkness. Hunted by the Church he once served as well as the fiends he once destroyed, Father Molinari clings to his faith there is still room for him in God's plan. But God is quiet, and the darkness tempting.

Once again safe at home, Emma clings to the comfort of family and tries to put the fright of the Banderwigh behind her-but deeds, even good ones, often have consequences. With a new reality of spirits and magic open to her, Emma feels a strong connection to Widowswood. She means to make good on her promise to the Spider Queen, bringing a monthly supply of silk in trade so humans cease their trespass upon the forest. A guild of thieves infiltrates the quiet town, lured by the incredible value of enchanted spidersilk flowing so freely from the forest. At first, they don't realize the source is a ten-year-old girl, but once they learn, they'll do anything to control her. Stuck between protecting her family and protecting her forest, Emma draws courage from her grandmother's stories and makes a choice-that could cost her life.

Harper Cody used to worry about the SATs or a getting a new laptop for Christmas... but now, she only wants to keep her little sister alive. At 5:59 a.m. early in September, life as she knew it came to an end with a nuclear flash ninety miles away in Colorado Springs. For two months, her family sheltered in the basement of their home, surviving on whatever canned goods Dad could scavenge. Passing evacuees told of a safe haven in the mountains, but her father refused to leave. He thought their home was safe... until a gang of looters kicked in the door. Four years ago at thirteen, Harper won trophies for competition shooting, but killing a man pointing a gun at her is nothing like nailing targets at a range. Hesitation cost her parents' lives. With no other options, she grabbed her little sister and ran away from the only home she'd ever known into a world she no longer recognized. The promise of safety in Evergreen gives her hope, but unless the girl voted sweetest in her class can find the nerve to kill, Harper-and her kid sister-are as good as dead.

Book 3 in the bestselling Winter Solstice series Back home from her first mission, Solstice confronts a scarier problem than a lizard the size of a garbage truck: immortality. She won't exactly live forever, but ten thousand years isn't much different. In the blink of an eye to her, everyone she loves will be gone. Being the only elf in the world is a lonely future, but at least she has her cat to talk to. Good thing he talks back. Solstice doesn't have too long to mourn as someone thoughtfully sends a magical assassin to take her mind off the family she'll eventually lose. She's fairly certain the Ordo Sanguinem Aeternam didn't summon it since they're far too inept for elder magic. Before she can figure out where it came from, her friend Jade asks for help investigating a stolen mummy. Upon discovering the mummy stole itself, she realizes New York is about to have a serious problem of the ancient kind if she doesn't deal with it fast...and someone powerful still wants her dead. Between an out-of-control mummy and a magical assassin, outliving her family is the least of Solstice's worries.

Lieutenant Kirsten Wren has encountered Harbingers before-shadowy entities that claim ghosts with dark souls-but they don't usually follow her home. At long last, life is somewhere approaching happy. Her adopted son has put his past behind him and she's even finally trusted herself enough to start a romantic relationship. Best of all, no corporations or demonic creatures have tried to kill her in a whole month. Dead gang members start turning up, victims of murders with ritualistic overtones. Division 1 files them away as low priority due to their policy of letting the street trash clean itself up. However, when additional killings occur with obvious supernatural causes, Kirsten officially takes jurisdiction. In the midst of her investigation, a Harbinger attaches itself to her. The chilling ramifications of that become clear once she discovers the area's most feared gang has developed a working relationship with the Abyss. If she doesn't act fast, all of West City will become a hellscape.

Sarah Wright doesn't think something as minor as death should get in the way of her future. With the worst summer of her life behind her, it's time to start focusing on her education. An immortal vampire-even if she is still new at it-pursuing a degree may or may not be a waste of time, but it at least it's a way to keep up an illusion of sanity. Soon after classes start, a mysterious presence trapped at the school attaches itself to Sarah, and her hopes for a normal college year evaporate. Sensing a lost soul in need, she decides to help. Unfortunately, this particular lost soul belongs to an ancient sect of mystics who aren't at all happy about letting them go. Worse, they aren't beholden to Aurelie's decree. Protecting her parents and siblings from the 'supernatural crap' falls entirely on Sarah's shoulders. One wrong move and her worst nightmare will come true: losing the only thing she can't un-live without-her family.

Emma tries to balance her newfound abilities as a druid with only being ten years old. Chores and having to go inside before dark leaves only a few hours a day to save the forest―or at least her home town. Strange magic plagues the people of Widowswood Village. None of the adults take it seriously, as the effects are short-lived and whimsical. Emma suspects something darker is going on, having listened to Nan's tales of night pixies who aren't as nice as the Silverbells. Convinced someone or something wishes ill upon her home, she decides to do what the adults won't. Amid the chaos, the daughter of a wealthy gem merchant, goes missing. Emma's father and the entire Widowswood Watch spend all their time searching for the abducted girl. Worse, a bully blames Emma for the girl's disappearance, but after dealing with a banderwigh and the silk thieves, he doesn't scare her at all-until he turns violent. Emma knows everything is connected, and isn't about to let a mean-spirited older boy stop her from protecting her home.

Brooklyn Amari doesn't ask for much, only the ability to make it through life without destroying the universe. Working as a firefighter is her true calling, satisfying her deep, primal draw to the flames. Immunity to burning courtesy of her half-extraplanar ancestry makes her the city's best weapon against disaster of the incendiary kind-not that anyone knows about it. She's trying to keep her nature a secret, since magical creatures aren't allowed inside major population centers... and most people probably wouldn't react well to a demon. Even a half-demon. Since her psychic abilities are out of the bag, the Arson Investigation Unit calls on her for all the 'weird ones' no one else wants to touch. When they can't explain an apparent case of spontaneous human combustion, they bring her in to track a deadly arcane arsonist. She's happy to help, but unfortunately, some not-quite-angels abduct someone she cares for. They need Brooklyn to destroy the mortal world as it's in the way of their interdimensional war-but even if she does what they want, everyone she loves will die.

For most twelve-year-olds, being kidnapped is terrifying. For Althea, it's only Tuesday. Her powers of healing make her a precious commodity in the Badlands, a place where the strong write the law in blood. For as long as she can remember, she has lived either as a possession or a goddess. Althea contents herself with captivity as long as she can help others, even those who killed to own her. After three whole months in the same village, the friendship of a young warrior makes her feel almost like a member of the tribe rather than a prisoner. Alas, raiders seize her yet again. For the first time in six years, being stolen hurts. Following a reluctant escape, she questions if she should dare risk using her powers to defend herself, and those she has come to love. Her attempt to return to the tribe leaves her lost and alone and, for the first time in her life, trying to stay free. Alas, two threats far beyond her experience to understand also hunt her. One wishes to use her for his grand scheme-and one wants to destroy her.

Ten-year-old Emma doesn't believe in faerie tales or monsters that secret children away in the night-until she meets one. She lives in a quiet village at the edge of Widowswood with her parents, her Nan, and her little brother, Tam. Ready to abandon the whimsy of childhood, she finds the boredom of chores comforting and Nan's fanciful bedtime stories silly. One morning, a wan and weary older girl staggers out of the woods and sets the entire town aflutter with whispers of a child-stealing monster lurking in the forest. Nan tells her of the Banderwigh: a dark soul who feeds on sorrow and drains the life from children's tears. Darkness comes calling on Emma's happy home, threatening the reality to which she desperately clings. The impossible becomes more and more real, forcing Emma to reach inside herself for the ability to believe. Her family depends on it.