Showing results by author "C. S. Johnson" in All Categories

Saturn. The Ringed Planet. Harbinger of ideas and wonder. The planet that gave birth to the modern era of science envisioning the myriad of multi-colored rings circling the planet, one of the reasons for the invention of the telescope, and the second largest in our solar system. These are the stories of Saturn, the great Titan. Tales of time, age, and endings.

Nightmares slither from the shadows in Scare Street’s latest spine-tingling collection. Thirteen tales of the macabre await in this chilling new volume - a never-ending stream of ghosts, ghouls, and other horrors to haunt your dreams.

Could you live a perfect life, knowing someone else took on all your pain and despair? Skyla has always lived a perfect, happy life - just like everyone in her community. Even if there are brief moments where she is certain she has experienced pain and regret, those moments are brief and quickly forgotten. But when Aiden, Skyla’s next-door neighbor, reveals the truth of the community and their perfect lives, Skyla is faced with an unexpected choice regarding her future. Will her actions lead her community to a better life? Or will she doom them all?

Long before she took up the title of Starry Knight, Raiya Cole knew she was different. Ever since she survived the car crash that killed her parents, the truth about her supernatural powers - and her destiny as a fallen Star - shaped her life, preparing her for a battle she knew would come one day. With the help of Grandpa Odd, her beloved mentor, Raiya works to maintain control over her power and train as a Starlight Warrior. But the battle she prepared for is not the first one she must face.

After a lifetime of failure and half-hearted successes, Edith Hennessey is far from content with her life—but she's still grateful to at least be alive. When her best friend and next-door neighbor, Martha Davidson, is found dead, Edith strives to think of a way to honor her passing.

Sixteen-year-old Hamilton Dinger leads a charmed life. He's got the grades for the top of the class, the abilities of a star athlete and Tetris player, and the charisma to get away with anything. Everything seems to be going along perfectly, including his plans to ask out Gwen Kessler, as he enters into tenth grade at Apollo Central High School.

As if Hamilton Dinger needs any more frustration at the moment. Not only has he accepted his duty as a Starlight defender, he's got swim meets to prepare for, his little brother to babysit, and an annoying new girl in his class. Plus he's got his 'mentor' dragon, Elysian, on his back every chance he gets, and his 'co-defender,' Starry Knight, urging him to quit the superhero business after every battle.

There's nothing worse than a long ride in the car with AB, or so Kallie thinks as they head off to the Fairview Mountain Rehab Center to pay a visit to Trevor Darlington. But once they arrive, she finds there are some things that are indeed worse than Abuela-Blanca's kami-nazi driving—such as running into Azure, her fashion designer from Model Middle America. Only he's not Azure—or is he? There's nothing "Azure" about the pasty-faced, non-makeup-wearing man who shares Azure's face. Kallie's more than certain it's a twin thing, even as he begs her to keep his devastating secret.

Orpah Abraham has always been a woman who's had the world against her. After working hard and doing her best to appeal to all the right people, she's learned the full value of persistence and perseverance. But now that Martha Davidson—her one true rival for the coveted title of Pie Queen, and the one woman she'd never been able to win over—is dead, and her friends and family are asking questions, Orpah finds her career and reputation on the line. For her, it's time to draw a line in the sand—and cross it herself. It's time for No More Miss Nice Pie.

Garland Morris is an easygoing guy—eager to please, quick with a smile, and always interested in a good gamble. For years, he's enjoyed his job at the First Bank of Fairmont, especially since it provides him the stability he needs to be a little adventurous when it comes to hedging his bets. But when Charles Piper and Orpah Abraham, Fairview's most respected judge and one of Alabama's most prominent media figures, approach him, each asking for a "special request" regarding the bank's financial records, Morris finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Upon their return from a largely disappointing trip to Florida, Kallie and AB are both expecting a slow week. However, their expectations are quickly subverted when AB finds out there are still more radioactive doughnuts out in the city—and one's been eaten by none other than Officer Max Powers, the same man who'd helped Kallie the night of her Model Middle America audition. And when Officer Powers becomes his greatest fear—a man with nothing left to lose, wildly desperate to enact vengeance against his brother's killer—Kallie and AB have new, unpleasant questions to answer.

Kallie once looked forward to the Spring Fling, the one dance allowed at Cuttingham City High School. It was too easy to dream of Blake Turner as her perfect date.... But now, thanks to her deal with Abuela-Blanca, they’re spending the weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, attending the “retirement gala” for Zina “ZZ” Morozova--one of the last and youngest inductions to the KGB.

The first time I fell in love with Princess Mele was when I saw her smile, and I fell in love with her the second time the moment I heard her sing.

Kitsuneko has always done her best to honor her duty. As a young fox-cat changeling, she was conscripted into slavery by King Dario and Queen Arianna of Toulacoeur to serve as the surrogate for Princess Cari, their daughter who was kidnapped 17 years ago. But when Kiro, Cari's younger brother and the heir to the throne, proclaims his love for her, Kitsuneko is torn between her duty to the kingdom and her desire for the virtuous prince. And when Kiro's kisses leave her breathless, Kitsuneko finds herself—and the kingdom—in mortal danger.

What makes a book sexy? I’m not talking about erotica per se, but what is the difference between a book you eagerly devour and a book you slum your way through? While there are individual exceptions, the most objective difference between a good story and a downright terrible one is simple—it all comes down to the writing. It’s either good writing, and we can forgive the technical flaws a little more easily, or it’s bad writing, and bad writing is just bad. Good writing is more than just good writing. Good writing is sexy.

Known as the dark-skinned princess from the southern colonies—formerly the kingdom of Marula—Ebony is no stranger to hardship and loneliness. Forced into royal servitude after the death of her father, Ebony resolved to keep her head held high despite her sorrow—no matter how much vitriol she endured from her stepmother, Varyes, queen of Pommier. As the queen’s son, Prince Rion, helps to piece her broken heart back together with his love and kindness, Ebony begins to hope she will one day find a new home for herself.

Charles Piper has been a respected judge in the small town of Fairmont, but there is little he can do to sway the courts of public opinion. When Martha Davidson's marriage fell apart, he was quick to offer her his help, and she was quick to return his kindness with his favorite chocolate pie—and that's when the town's whispers began to swirl....

Aerie St. Cloud spent her life under the regime of the United Revolutionary States, working toward the day she would earn her place in the Military Academy at New Hope—and the affection and acceptance of her family unit. But when she is accidentally captured by the fearsome space pirate, Captain Chainsword, Aerie finds herself in the center of conflicts between her worlds and her heart.

Life in the United Revolutionary States has never been easy for Aerie St. Cloud. Recovering from recent injuries and unable to recall the last few weeks of her life, she feels haunted by a growing absence in her memory. Stepping out in search of the truth, she is determined to get the answers she seeks—even if they only bring her more pain.

Aerie and Exton are still at war with the Revolutionary States, but there is much to celebrate. Now that they are together again, Aerie finally has what she's always wanted: a loving home. But her past, and her parents, are far from letting her move on with her new life. When Merra escalates the war with her treachery, Aerie is faced with an impossible choice: save her mother or betray Exton. With the fate of the planet on the line, Aerie and Exton know their decisions could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Can they pay the price that war—and true love—demands?