In this free Rizzoli & Isles short story from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen, author of The Silent Girl, a bizarre death comes with a supernatural twist. Homicide cop Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles have seen their fair share of mortal crimes, but the death of Kimberly Rayner may qualify as inhuman in more ways than one. When corpse of the emaciated seventeen-year-old girl is discovered next to an empty coffin in an abandoned church, mysterious bruises around the throat suggest foul play. Caught fleeing the scene is the victim’s closest friend, Lucas Henry, an equally skeletal, pale teenager who claims he’s guilty only of having a taste for blood—a craving he shared with Kimberly. But the victim’s distraught father doesn’t believe in vampires, only vengeance. And now, another life may be at risk unless Rizzoli and Isles can uncover the astonishing truth.

In a future world of deadly solar flares and cloned dinosaurs, an investigative journalist sets out to uncover the truth about an urban myth: the Laundress of Silver Lake. As he wanders the banks of the lake he discovers some mysteries are better left unsolved.A short story from our Orbits sci-fi/fantasy line.

One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account from the unique perspective of an active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces commander, an unparalled warrior with multiple deployments to the theater who has only recently returned from combat there.Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, all laced with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters—from whom they seized an impossible victory.Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike—the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.From the Hardcover edition.

Whirlwind Redemption by Debra CowanWhen a bullet left Quentin Prescott's spine and spirit shattered, he broke up with first love Zoe Keeler so he wouldn't be a burden. Now Zoe must burden him. She needs a fake fiancé to get her inheritance. Could this be Quentin's chance for redemption?The Maverick and Miss Prim by Lynna BanningSchoolteacher Eleanora Stevenson and her pupils are heading for safety after a renegade Indian attack when they stumble into the camp of gruff, trail-roughened Matt Johnson. From the glint in his eye and her body's tingling response, Eleanora suspects the trouble's just beginning....Texas Cinderella by Judith StacyKnowing she'll never tie the knot herself, Molly Douglas is content organizing other people's ceremonies. Adam Crawford is planning a wedding—for his brother—but Molly makes such an impression, he's seriously thinking about having one himself!

Psychologist Lottie Morgan knows something is wrong when she starts reliving memories of a lover she’s never had. At first, she attributes them to fever-induced dreams. But when the fever disappears and the visions don’t, Lottie thinks she may need therapy of her own.Then she meets Galen. Their first encounter is as intense as it is eye-opening, and Lottie is unprepared for the fire Galen arouses in her. His revelation that they shared a passionate relationship thousands of years ago explains the memories and entices Lottie into wanting to learn more about her past. Her decision, however, comes at a price. Galen may hold the answers but he could destroy the devoted, lifelong relationship Lottie has with her current lover, David.As parallels between both of her lives emerge and the memories escalate, Lottie becomes caught between two lifetimes, two men, and long-buried deceptions that present an opportunity to right previous wrongs. Unless Lottie repeats her past mistakes.Sensuality Level: SensualReview"If you had the chance to do it over - what would you do? Inventive, original and thought-provoking, this mystically romantic mystery will instantly intrigue fans of MJ Rose and Michelle Moran." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity-winning author of The Other Woman"From Lottie’s psychology practice to David’s elite commando team, from modern military operations to ancient kingdoms in the Sahara, In This Life brings together evocative mysteries and fascinating lovers who should never have met . . . nor parted." --Laurie Schnebly Campbell, author of Wrong Twin, Right Man"A wonderful read! In This Life gives the reader an intricate weaving of brilliantly evocative memories of ancient Egypt and hard choices that have to be made in the present. A compelling look into the hearts and souls of the characters. --Jenny Andersen, author of Loving Luke and Reckless Promise"An awesome story that ties love and passion in the modern world to past lives in ancient Egypt. It’s so suspenseful, in so many ways, that I had to stop reading to give myself time to calm down - and then I picked it right up again and kept going till the end. Can’t wait for more from Terri Herman-Poncé!" --Barbara Monajem, award-winning author of Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil and Tastes of Love & EvilAbout the AuthorTerri Herman-Ponce is a communications manager by day and a storyteller by night. Born on Long Island, New York, she absolutely adores red wine, the beach, Ancient Egypt, sunrises, and the New York Yankees-though not necessarily in that order! Terri is a member of Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and Mystery Writers of America. You can read about Terri and her stories at http://terriponce.com/.

From advice columnist Meredith Goldstein, a dazzling, romantic, and emotionally resonant YA debut about a teen science whiz in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who tries to crack the chemical equation for lasting love and instead wreaks havoc on herself and the boys in her life.

DAYTIME FRIENDS...NIGHTTIME LOVERS?He was the one man she trusted, her best friend—and now he was her lover. Ellie Bennett shivered as she remembered last night. Sully had looked at her with such need and longing.... She'd seen—she'd felt—the passion behind his legendary control and known they would never be just friends again. But why wouldn't he admit it?Sully groaned at the memory. For years Ellie had been his only weakness—a temptation he'd protected and hidden. And now she'd brought him to his knees—and nearly blown his cover. Because Ellie didn't know that, for Sully, deception was his stock-in-trade.But she was about to find out....

Suzanne Butterfield wanted what her friend Tonya had; a man who knew how to control her life, worship her body and make her submit. Of course it helped that Tonya’s man was an Alpha of his werewolf pack, built like a tank, and tall as a mountain.Dominic Hazelfield, a vampire king and dragon shifter, was a true master not only to his vampire kingdom, but in his BDSM club. By opening this club, Dominic believed he would finally find his true blood mate, that she would just walk into his den and submit her body and soul to him to care for.Archer Morganthe- Clan leader of the Florida Everglades Vampires - was a loner; only his right hand man knew of his longing for Dominic. When he finally had him within reach, Archer found himself surrounded by Dominic's allies as well. He didn’t know how he was going to survive with so many around him, but somehow he would live to protect his mates.Granger Iceshard—or as many called him, the Ice Man, listened to no one, claimed no clan. Always a ladies’ man, Granger was confused by his body’s overwhelming desire towards the men around him. The only problem was when he was confused, it made him dangerous.Blair Wellworth was a Vampire warrior and wizard, and could shift into any animal. Only his family knew of his secret, but when danger threatened one of their Kings, Blair opened his closed heart for the love of his companions.As danger loomed closer, the five came together, not only to protect each other, but also to prepare for what the Goddess of Vampires, Empusa, has warned them about - the war between good and evil.

The holidays are here, and Molly, Amanda, Shawn, Peichi, and Natasha have never been busier. With school, volunteering, parties, and more orders for Dish than they've ever had before, the girls are swamped. And things get even more complicated when holiday secrets turn into holiday lies. No one knows why Amanda and Natasha are acting so strangely, but the truth must come out—including the big secret that Natasha has been hiding for years.