May 15
Rose Petal Graves (Lost Clan #1) by Olivia Wildenstein
Ancient secrets cannot remain buried forever.
Founded two centuries ago by an aloof and powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly, so I rushed home.
Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.
As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, Cruz, the new medical examiner, arrived. I should have felt relieved, but how could I? He was unnervingly handsome, glowed like a human firefly, and knew absolutely nothing about examining dead bodies.
But, he did know what killed my mother…or rather who.
Founded two centuries ago by an aloof and powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly, so I rushed home.
Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.
As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, Cruz, the new medical examiner, arrived. I should have felt relieved, but how could I? He was unnervingly handsome, glowed like a human firefly, and knew absolutely nothing about examining dead bodies.
But, he did know what killed my mother…or rather who.
Sammy Jo Smith inherited her kick-ass strength from her gypsy ancestors, but you’d never guess it by her Jimmy Choo high heels. By day she’s a maid of honor planning her older sister’s extravagant wedding. By night she’s a champion fighter who competes in dangerous, unregulated MMA matches against older boys. She’s got to find the money somehow for her sister’s fancy reception and Swarovski crystal dress!
Sammy Jo lives for intrigue and excitement. But in her world, the exciting can soon turn deadly. After beating up some local thugs to save rich boy Gregory, she ignites the contempt of a gang of ruthless criminals. Sammy Jo may be strong, fast, and tough in heels, but this time she’s met her match. She’s a target, and the men after her are nearly as dangerous as her forbidden love for Gregory. As Sammy Jo races to make the final arrangements for her sister’s big day, she can’t resist the urge to sneak off to defend her reputation in the MMA ring. Nor can she seem to shake the evil call of the magpies, which her superstitious Granny Kate won’t let her forget: One for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, and four for a death.
Smart, thrilling, and filled with everything from secret fight clubs to gypsy folklore to first love, Fighter Girl is an empowering story about how difficult it is to play the part people expect of us, and how often good intentions can go horribly wrong.
Sammy Jo lives for intrigue and excitement. But in her world, the exciting can soon turn deadly. After beating up some local thugs to save rich boy Gregory, she ignites the contempt of a gang of ruthless criminals. Sammy Jo may be strong, fast, and tough in heels, but this time she’s met her match. She’s a target, and the men after her are nearly as dangerous as her forbidden love for Gregory. As Sammy Jo races to make the final arrangements for her sister’s big day, she can’t resist the urge to sneak off to defend her reputation in the MMA ring. Nor can she seem to shake the evil call of the magpies, which her superstitious Granny Kate won’t let her forget: One for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, and four for a death.
Smart, thrilling, and filled with everything from secret fight clubs to gypsy folklore to first love, Fighter Girl is an empowering story about how difficult it is to play the part people expect of us, and how often good intentions can go horribly wrong.
For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.
Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.
It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.
Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.
It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.
Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.
And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.
Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?
For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.
And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.
As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.
And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.
Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?
For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.
And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.
As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.
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