""You like it darker? Fine, so do I," writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life--both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King...

"A frustrated general in Napoleon's army, billeted with one of Berlin's finest families. Elisabeth, a passionate young woman living in that house. The young man with whom she locks eyes through a window as he's engaged in a sexual encounter at the momentNapoleon makes his grand entrance. An entrepreneur in New World exotica, whose house is the setting for the tryst. A slave from Suriname, Mr. Hendrik, with his resentful white American companion, who...

When the long-ago fortune tellers they created in third grade start popping up in the most unexpected places during the summer before seventh grade, three former best friends -- Millie, Nora and Bea -- see this as a sign to finally reconnect and reunite.

For Gabby Darwin, working as a paralegal for one of the most famous criminal lawyers in Chicago was a full-time job. J. D. was demanding, and never gave Gabby a thought - until the unforeseen happened and they were on a secret mission to Central America to track down terrorist kidnappers. There, Gabby saw J. D.'s wildest, most dangerous side. She found out about his mercenary past, and saw real hunger for her growing in his dark, indulgent eyes. And...

"The latest in the New York Times bestselling Cork O'Connor Mystery Series follows Cork in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries. The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking...

Stanton Rourke lives life on the edge. The steely mercenary is dangerous in every way ... especially to Clarisse Carrington's heart. She and Rourke were playmates as children, but she's not the innocent girl he once knew. When tragedy robbed Clarisse of her entire family, her life was changed forever. Besides, she's a grown woman now, and there are secrets that hold her back from succumbing to her pursuer. As she struggles to keep her distance, sparks...

"The war is on...Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella: an organization that has declared war on the League. They rule the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrify it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk's enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren. Sumi Antaxas is one of the...