A vampire princess with a death wish… As the daughter of the King of Assassins, Adina knows better than to trust anyone, especially family. When her grandfather, Sujani, summons her from exile, he gives her two choices: remain an outcast and on the run from her own murderous father, or play the pawn and apprentice to the most powerful vampire in the world. But to train with him, Adina must agree to coexist with her sworn enemy, Sir Elrich, the general who helped slaughter her village. A dark knight with a dangerous secret… Sir Elrich fears the other vampires will discover his greatest shame: as a human, he ordered the invasion that massacred Adina’s beloved city… and family. Held captive by his own regrets, he longs for absolution from the woman he tried to save on that fateful night nearly a century ago. If Adina finds out who he really is, she’ll introduce him to Final Death without a second thought. A race on the verge of extinction… Trapped in a deadly chess match between her vengeful father and cunning grandfather, Adina must decide if she can trust Elrich, not only with her life, but with her heart. And the longer Adina spends with him, the more she realizes that he's not the monster she thought him to be. If the knight has his way, they’ll all escape with their unlives. But if her grandfather can’t harness her magical life force in time to balance the deific energy he seeks to resurrect, it will result in a cataclysmic extermination of the entire vampire race. Castle of Blood and Secrets is a thrilling paranormal fantasy exploring found family, morally gray characters and forgiveness.

A Horror short story set in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Universe. Guests are arriving at the ancient castle of Mhurghast, summoned by the reclusive Count von Koeterberg. They expect a grand feast, and something more... The ambitious Baron expects to inherit the Count's wealth; the wife of a broken swordsmith hopes to revisit happier times; the fallen priest prays for a chance of recovering his faith. Seven families, each with their own dark secrets. Each with their own hidden agenda. Each marked for revenge. Doomed to discover the depths of horror and despair, it is not a night of revelry that awaits them, but a night of unprecedented terror. Son will turn against father and daughter against mother, as daemonic evil descends upon Mhurghast.

The "Gothic" style was a key trend in Italian cinema of the 1950s and 1960s because of its peculiar, often strikingly original approach to the horror genre. These films portrayed Gothic staples in a stylish and idiosyncratic way, and took a daring approach to the supernatural and to eroticism, with the presence of menacing yet seductive female witches, vampires and ghosts. Thanks to such filmmakers as Mario Bava (Black Sunday), Riccardo Freda (The Horrible Dr. Hichcock), and Antonio Margheriti (Castle of Blood), as well the iconic presence of actress Barbara Steele, Italian Gothic horror went overseas and reached cult status. The book examines the Italian Gothic horror of the period, with an abundance of previously unpublished production information drawn from official papers and original scripts. Entries include a complete cast and crew list, home video releases, plot summary and the author's analysis. Excerpts from interviews with filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors are included. The foreword is by film director and scriptwriter Ernesto Gastaldi.

The exploitation film industry of Italy, Spain and France during the height of its popularity from 1960 to 1980 is the focus of this entertaining history. With subject matter running the gamut from Italian zombies to Spanish werewolves to French lesbian vampires, the shocking and profoundly entertaining motion pictures of the "Eurocult" genre are discussed from the standpoint of the films and the filmmakers, including such internationally celebrated auteurs as Mario Bava, Jess Franco, Jean Rollin and Paul Naschy. The Eurocult phenomenon is also examined in relation to the influences that European culture and environment have had on the world of exploitation cinema. The author's insight and expertise contribute to a greater understanding of what made these films special--and why they have remained so popular to later generations.

In the tradition of Edward Eager and E.L. Konigsburg, a novel about the excitement—and the dangers—of wishing. Tess and her brother, Max, are sent for the summer to their aunt’s sleepy village in the English countryside, where excitement is as rare as a good wifi signal. So when Tess stumbles upon an old brass key that unlocks an ornately carved gate, attached to a strangely invisible wall, she jumps at the chance for adventure. And the world beyond the gate doesn’t disappoint. She finds rose gardens, a maze made of hedges, and a boy named William who is just as lonely as she is. But at William’s castle, strange things begin to happen. Carnival games are paid for in wishes, dreams seem to come alive, and then there's William's eerie warning: Beware of the hawthorn trees. A warning that chills Tess to the bone. In a magical, fantasy world that blurs the line between reality and imagination, readers are left to wonder exactly what they’d wish for if wishes could come true. Perfect for fans of Half Magic and The Secret Garden—and for anyone who's ever wondered if magic is real. For the further adventures of Tess and Max, be sure to check out Amy Ephron's Carnival Magic! Praise for The Castle in the Mist: “Bursting with imagination and warmth, Amy Ephron’s first novel for young people is a magical book in all ways.”—Holly Goldberg Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s "This beautiful story’s quiet, peaceful tone nicely evokes both the serenity of country life and the haunting magic of the castle, and the emotional heft of Tess and Max’s separation from their parents, as well as their strong bond, keeps the tale firmly grounded in reality. Perfect for middle-graders who love classic fantasy."—Booklist "Rich description of the castle along with an elaborate map at the book's beginning and an illustration at the end enhance the fantasy world....A sequel is suggested; beguiled readers will hope it happens."—Kirkus Reviews "There are scenes...that are transcendent in their beautiful, ethereal descriptions [in this] uplifting novel about family and connection."—BCCB "A slightly darker, updated take on magical realism classics such as Edward Eager’s Half Magic and E. Nesbit’s The Enchanted Castle."—School Library Journal "A near-perfect 9....This book defies gravity because it’s hard to put down!"—Time for Kids, kid reporter "Ephron renders this magical world with such assertive beauty that readers of all ages, who are fortunate enough to believe in the power of magic, will enjoy immersing themselves in the roller-coaster fun of these stories, and come to trust, even if for a short time, that in this 'alternate universe' it is possible for us to come together and 'touch the sky.'"—Jewish Journal

Michael Louden is an ever-so-average nice guy, neighbor, friend--except he wants to kill. He's the next door serial psycho, Jack the Ripper in Willy Loman's well-shined shoes.

Castles. Just the thought of them sends excited shivers up your spine. You wish you could have lived hundreds of years ago to see what they were like--to see if the legends of jousting knights and murdered princes were true. But you've got the next best thing--you and your friends have won a trip to Ravensford, an English castle, and you're spending the whole week there!