When laughter collides with fear… Where humor meets terror, new heroes emerge. Whether laughing, or questing, or simply trying to survive, fate calls to the worthy. They answer only if they dare. Because daring to find light inside darkness, braving the mysteries beneath the surface of reality, brings reluctant champions to the fight. A fight for good. A fight for the luckless. A fight to protect the world. And when the jesters ring their bells, the dangers begin. Spooky humor and creepy thrills fill this entertaining new collection of six original contemporary fantasy stories from bestselling author Kat Simons. Including an all new Destiny Cats novella, and a brand new Friday’s Curious Shop story. keywords: Dark fantasy, Urban fantasy, paranormal urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, humor fantasy, short story collections, demons and devils, witches and wizards, dragons and mythical creatures, series urban fantasy, urban fantasy magic, magic and mayhem, monsters and demons, heroes and warriors, myths and legends, spooky season stories

A collection of six contemporary fantasy stories. Large Print Edition

Tread carefully through haunted dales where fairies dance… For when the Fae are about, magic and mischief run free. Wild, unpredictable, neither friend nor fiend. Fairies cross the boundaries between light and dark, taking the unwary on rides through the impossible. The deadly. And here, at the crossroads, in a shop, by a field, the Fae awaken terror and hope. Only the brave, or the luckless, dare tangle with these immortals. Hoping to survive the night. Hunt the fairies. If you dare. Myths, legends, and haunting tales dance through this collection of seven all new spooky contemporary fantasy stories from bestselling author Kat Simons. Don’t miss this latest in the Haunts and Howls series, including a brand new Cary Redmond novella. keywords: Dark fantasy, Urban fantasy, paranormal urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, short story collections, fairytales, Fae urban fantasy, Faery fiction, Fairy fantasy, Irish myths and legends, Irish fairies, Irish fairytales, demons and devils, witches and wizards, dragons and mythical creatures, series urban fantasy, urban fantasy magic, magic and mayhem, monsters and demons, heroes and warriors, myths and legends, spooky season stories

A store for the curious. Enter if you dare… Riley’s new job at Friday’s Curious Shop provides a steady paycheck and her bosses supply a steady stream of sandwiches. More than she expected from the dusty secondhand shop located off a side street in Queens. She doesn’t know how her bosses make money, not a lot of customers seem to come through the door, but Riley keeps busy with dusting and rearranging the shelves, her head down, content with the work. When costumers do come into the shop, though, they always seem to be a little…odd. Like the man with the strange smile who sets off her alarm bells instantly. Outwardly, a normal man, looking for a perfectly normal item. A jester’s hat. A very specific jester’s hat.But Riley’s sure that’s nothing to worry about. Even if the man gives her the creeps and the situation feels weirdly dangerous. What could be dangerous about a jester’s hat? In Friday’s Curious Shop… Author’s Note: This story is also published in the collection HAUNTS AND HOWLS AND JESTERS BELLS. keywords: Urban fantasy, paranormal urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, magic fantasy, horror fantasy, short story collections, demons and devils, witches and wizards, urban fantasy magic, magic and mayhem, monsters and demons, myths and legends, paranormal fantasy, dark fantasy

Fighting an alien invasion requires a good appetite… I’m an out of work dog walker who never expected to confront the end of the world in my lifetime. Especially not when that end of the world comes in the form of an alien invasion. Who expects that to happen for real, right? But there you have it. Aliens. Invading Earth. And only a rough band of us humans to defend the entire planet. With the only weapons we have. If we can stomach using it. Author’s Note: This story is also published in the collection HAUNTS AND HOWLS AND JESTERS BELLS. keywords: Contemporary fantasy, paranormal, alien invasion, humorous alien invasion, science fiction, short story, short story collections, action adventure, science fiction short stories, dolphins and bugs, aliens vs humans, humorous paranormal aliens

Winter brings a dangerous transition for this witch. As the winter solstice approaches, Riana faces the final of three transitions. The ceremony brings a wealth of dangers. All necessary for a practicing witch. If she makes her way through a lifetime of heartaches and triumphs and disasters, she’ll come out the other side to a new life. But if she fails, she risks unleashing banked power. Power always burning inside her. Power that could destroy everything, and everyone, she holds dear. A quiet cabin alone, with only the spirits of her past and present to accompany her into the future. Facing personal demons. Riana risks everything to keep those she loves safe. Author’s Note: This story is also published in the collection HAUNTS AND HOWLS WHERE DEMONS DWELL. keywords: Urban fantasy; paranormal urban fantasy; contemporary fantasy; paranormal fantasy; magic fantasy; short story collections; demons and devils; witches and wizards; urban fantasy magic; monsters and demons; myths and legends; winter solstice; crone magic; witch magic; psychic fantasy

Don’t turn your back on the paintings… Anne Reynolds shows up at crime scenes that baffle the police. Her specialty, and history, in art forgery make her an easy choice for investigating a murder at the Museum of Small Art. But she hasn’t been called in because of her art skills. The body on the gallery floor has a story to tell. A story drenched in blood. Sprawled beneath a painting steeped in demonic lore. And only Anne can get the dead to talk. A touch. One touch, and she sees everything. But seeing everything in the strange Everyman’s Soul painting opens secrets that haunt. And screams for murder. Author’s Note: This story is also published in the collection HAUNTS AND HOWLS WHERE DEMONS DWELL. keywords: Urban fantasy; paranormal urban fantasy; contemporary fantasy; paranormal fantasy; dark fantasy; horror fantasy; murder mystery; paranormal mystery; crime fiction; haunted paintings; cursed art; psychic murder mystery crime fiction; magic fantasy; short story collections; demons and devils; witches and wizards; urban fantasy magic; monsters and demons; myths and legends