Showing results by narrator "Hollis McCarthy" in All Categories

When Pepper teaches a class at the Southern School of Magic, she expects a run of the mill experience. But when a gaggle of mean teachers invades her classroom, Pepper is on high alert. These women are nasty and they make no bones about disliking Pepper. Pepper does her best to stay far away from them, but when one of the witches is murdered in broad daylight, everyone's a suspect, including Rufus Mayes, who's moved back into town.

Lady Phoebe Killigrew is appalled by the scandalous country parties her new neighbor, a war hero marquess, is holding at his estate in Moonstone Landing. She has every intention of keeping well away from him—until a governess arrives at her door with his two nieces. They are mere children and cannot possibly reside under the same roof as that dissolute. When she storms over to demand he reform his ways, or she will not give them over to him, she is unprepared for the feelings he stirs in her, for her heart understands his nieces are not the only ones in need of rescuing.

Maxi’s life is about to change, but not in the way she expects...Maxi Stevens is at a crossroads. Things between her and James haven’t been the same since their kids left the nest. When she finds proof that indicates he may have strayed, she strikes out on her own. James’ infidelity has a silver lining, though. Maxi can finally do all the things James wouldn’t approve of like pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming an artist. But everything is not as it seems. James wants Maxi back and will do anything to win her over.

Murder hits a little too close to home for bakery owner Lexy Baker when a grim discovery is made in Jack's - her homicide detective husband - basement. With Jack as the main suspect, Lexy has to turn up the heat and find the real killer while still trying to whip up the perfect meringue cookie recipe for the Brook Ridge Falls Desserts contest. 

When Lady Henley Killigrew's father dies and his title of earl passes to a not-so-friendly cousin who wants her and her two younger sisters out of their elegant London townhouse, she takes them to Moonstone Cottage, a lovely manor house they inherited from a maiden aunt in the Cornwall seaside village of Moonstone Landing. But their funds are limited, and the new earl is a stingy guardian who will not loosen the purse strings to allow her to properly maintain herself and her sisters in their new home. The only way to save them all is for her to marry.

Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.

A fatherless wizard is no match for royalty. So Beneban, shaken by loss, leaves his noble lady, Laraynia, for a dangerous quest. With the Grand Lar and Trog as his traveling companions, he journeys to the remote Ogdol homeland on the far western shore of Larlion. Magic sword in hand, he battles many perils along the way. It seems that the black wizard Ztavin’s evil magic is gone, but who is threatening the Ogdol throne?

Andie always wanted something more than small-town beach life. That’s why she worked so hard at her prestigious career as an antique appraiser in New York City. She does have one regret, though: She never got to make that one big important antique find of a lifetime. Now that her mother’s illness has brought her back to Lobster Bay, it’s unlikely she ever will. But even though she appreciates spending time with her aging mother and loves that she’s reconnected with her sister, Jane, Andie needs something more.  

A gripping and empathetic work of reportage, Free reveals what awaits them and the hundreds of thousands of others who are released from prison every year: the first rush of freedom followed quickly by institutionalized obstacles and logistical roadblocks, grinding bureaucracies, lack of resources, societal stigmas and damning self-perceptions, and the sometimes overwhelming psychological challenges. Veteran reporter Lauren Kessler, both clear-eyed and compassionate, follows six people whose diverse stories paint an intimate portrait of struggle, persistence, and resilience.

Caina Amalas has found the lost relics of Iramis, but with the relics comes deadly peril. For Grand Master Callatas is ready to work his terrible Apotheosis, and all he needs to unleash the dark power of the nagataaru is the Staff and the Seal of Iramis...once he takes them from Caina’s dead hands. Yet if Caina and Callatas do not work together, they are doomed.

Investigative reporter Grace Callahan’s mother disappeared over 20 years ago. The mystery of what happened that night has haunted her all her life. Determined to uncover the truth after finally getting her first clue, she travels to an Irish island renowned for its folklore to meet with an expert on Celtic mythology. But that clue leads her to a different story, one she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams, and one that the islanders will do anything to stop her from telling.

Caina Amalas cheated death and escaped certain doom. So did her mortal enemy, the sorcerer Cassander Nilas. Now the city of Istarinmul teeters on the brink of civil war and sorcerous annihilation. Unless Caina summons all her bravery and cunning, Cassander's dark spell will kill millions of people. Starting with the people she loves.

Commanded to the far north to capture his friend, the rebel Lar Tor, he longs instead to be in Larlingarde. There, his Forest Lady love, Laraynia, has become heir to the Grand Lar, using all her powers to thwart the evil wizard who strives to kill her uncle and take her prisoner. Beneban, his magic sword and his troops fight many foes in his quest to rejoin her, but even their combined magics may fall short. In her darkest hour, Laraynia finds a possible ally in an enemy enchantress. Can she win the aid of the mysterious vardraken queen and her winged, ice-breathing beasts?

It’s Pepper Dunn’s first Halloween in magical Magnolia Cove, Alabama. She can’t wait to experience all her home has to offer—haunted houses, real ghosts, great fried food. And for one night, regular folks are invited to enter this town of witches.

CAINA is trapped in the ruins of an ancient necromancer's tomb. Unless she escapes the lethal trap, there will be no one to stop Grand Master Callatas from unleashing the Apotheosis. KYLON is desperate to save Caina's life. The deadly Red Huntress is coming for Caina, and only by the sacrifice of his own life can Kylon save Caina from the Huntress's blade.

When Julie Green’s ailing grandmother asks her to arrange one last party at the old Inn she used to run, Julie can’t say no even though the last thing she wants is to leave the city for middle-of-nowhere Vermont. Even worse, Cozy Holly Inn is in disrepair, there’s a persnickety cat hiding in the basement and the family of grinches who own the competing inn down the street seem determined to ruin her chances of success.

Kristen Woodward has moved back home to run her family Christmas tree farm. Everything is great...except her mother and brother seem to be keeping a secret from her. Not only that, but the new guy across the street, Mason, owns a store that sells artificial trees. Will artificial trees cut into her farm’s Christmas tree sales? Even worse, she has to compete with Mason to win the coveted job of decorating the skating pond.

We live on a planet infested with humans. They are a pernicious species, yet undeniably clever and capable—even if the reasons behind their actions are often incomprehensible to us felines. But while it is true that there have never been so many primates on Earth, in reality, they are quite simple to teach using well-practiced domestication techniques, such as loud vocalizations, strategic nighttime alarms, and selective displays of affection.

Flung down a mountain and into adventure as he escapes his evil master, a young wizard takes on a quest that will force him to use all his powers and his magical sword to save the kingdom and the woman he loves, even at the cost of his own liberty.

Pepper Dunn is ready to celebrate New Year's. She’s been hard at work creating a potion for the annual potion-making contest. All she must do is present her creation. Pepper’s plans go awry when a sorceress claims she can turn a witch into a toad—all she needs is a volunteer.