The Flame and the Flower

A beautifully crafted, gently funny and surprising debut novel set at the end of the 20th century, an arresting depiction of the dangers of privileged and desultory lives.The first time that Gordon meets Annie they make love in a park. Soon afterwards, on the 44th anniversary of D-Day, they are married. Gordon, though American-born, has never had a home; instead, he led a life of barren privilege, travelling through the capitals of Europe with his mother. Over the course of a year in London, Gordon and Annie construct an idea of married life for themselves, until their long-delayed honeymoon finally takes them to Venice. But once there, the city’s brilliance seems to distort rather than illuminate, and the story gathers an almost unbearable intensity before — in a single act of absurd but devastating vilolence — their bubble is pricked and the emptiness at the core of their gilded lives revealed

The Sweet Scent of Blood is the first book of Spellcrackers, a sexy, sassy new series guaranteed to spice up your reading life, and perfect for fans of Kim Harrison.

Genevieve Taylor is a Sidhe, one of the noble fae, and she’s unusual, even in present-day London where celebrity vampires, eccentric goblins and scheming lesser fae mix freely with the human population.

Genny is a rising star at Spellcrackers.com, where she finds the ‘M’ in magic – and that invariably leads to mischief, malice and – too often – murder.

Spellcrackers.com is affiliated to the Witch Council, whose ancient tenets prohibit any contact with vampires. Genny also works as a volunteer at a clinic which treats victims of vampire attacks. Then there’s her extra-curricular activity, extracting vulnerable fae lured by the local fang gangs. Genny certainly doesn’t wants any closer involvement with the vampire community. But when Mr October, one of the hot calendar pin-up vamps, is accused of violently murdering his girlfriend, Genny’s called on to repay an old debt and prove his innocence.

And that means consorting with some of the sexiest vamps in London!

About the Author

Suzanne Mcleod has been a cocktail waitress, dance group promoter and barmaid at Coventry City Football Club (the last despite having no love for the beautiful game; she had to pay the rent somehow!) After years in retail management, she started writing. The Sweet Scent of Blood, the first of the Spellcrackers.com series, is her first novel. She lives with her husband and rescue dogs in Bournemouth.

Some friendships fizzle out. Rachel and Clara promised theirs would last forever.

They met in high school when Rachel was the shy, awkward new girl and Clara was the friend everyone wanted. Instantly, they fell under one another’s spell and nothing would be the same again. Now in their late twenties Rachel has the television career, the apartment and the boyfriend, while Clara’s life is spiraling further out of control. Yet despite everything, they remain inextricably bound. Then Rachel’s news editor assigns her to cover a police press conference, and she is shocked when she arrives to learn that the subject is Clara, reported missing. Is it abduction, suicide or something else altogether?

Imagine discovering something about your oldest friend that forces you to question everything you’ve shared together. The truth is always there. But only if you choose to see it. In Colette McBeth’s Precious Thing.