Showing results by narrator "Diana Croft" in All Categories

The Spy Series Short Stories Collection introduces the listener to the characters of The Shadowing London Series. These short stories introduce you to the children of the characters from The Spy Series. But unlike their parents, they face challenges much closer to home.

Nathan and Alec Black weren’t always spies for the War Office. But when a simple mission goes dangerously wrong, they must prove themselves and show they have what it takes to be an operative.

The Seven Lands of Velspar put their faith in the Intercessors, a psychic priesthood responsible for the purification of the spirit. Where passion flares, they soothe its intent. Those who cannot be soothed are cast out, their spirits destroyed by fire.

Lady Emily Black is used to getting her way. As the daughter of the Duke of Lofton, she’s grown accustomed to privilege and comfort. So when an ordinary shopping trip turns deadly, Emily is forced to adjust to the truth of what it means to be the descendant of a family of spies.

Miss Jane Black enjoys a comfortable position in society. As the daughter of a respected genteel farmer and former agent for the War Office, Jane has had the pleasure of planning a future filled with domesticity and quiet reflection. But when her dying grandfather swears her to a dangerous promise, Jane’s expectations are shattered.

There are worse things than death. The Nephilim have a new enemy. Belial, the Fallen Angel who brings destruction and madness, has a foothold in the present, and he refuses to leave without a fight. However, the Nephilim are determined to root him and his agents out and destroy his influence for good. As his malevolent presence casts a sinister shadow, Gabe and the team embark on a perilous quest. Their journey uncovers more of his powerful jewels, hidden temples, and ancient lineages, and threatens to unleash supernatural chaos.

Midsummer is approaching and Avery, Alex, and the White Haven witches, are making plans to celebrate Litha, but everything stops when paranormal activities cause havoc. Smuggler's gold is found that dates back centuries, and a strange chain of events is set in motion; Newton needs magical help. The witches find they are pitted against a deadly enemy, and they need the Cornwall Coven. But not all are happy to help—a few members have never accepted White Haven, and their enmity puts everyone in danger.

Shadow, a deadly fey warrior with little patience for mortals, ends up stranded in White Haven after her ride with the Wild Hunt ends in disaster. Gabe is one of seven Nephilim, newly arrived from the spirit world where they have been trapped for millennia. He has a violent history that haunts him, and a father he wants answers from—if he ever finds him. They all have skills that mere mortals don’t—superior strength, agility, speed, and dubious morals that give them flexibility in their work.

As an agent of the Society for Magickal Heritage, I, Cordelia Vesper, have an important job: rescue endangered creatures, artefacts, books and spells wherever they are to be found. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to keep British magick alive. So we rescued a valuable book from a long-lost library, only it proved to be unusually... chatty. And it's got a foul mouth, too. What manner of weird magick is this? Somebody else thinks it's pretty interesting, too. Ancestria Magicka, they call themselves. Brand new. Big trouble.

As Samhain approaches, worlds collide. A Shifter family arrives in White Haven, one of them close to death. Avery offers them sanctuary, only to find their pursuers are close behind, intent on retribution. In an effort to help them, Avery and Alex are dragged into a fight they didn’t want but must see through. As if that weren't enough trouble, strange signs begin to appear at Old Haven Church. Avery realises that an unknown witch has wicked plans for Samhain, and is determined to breach the veils between worlds.

When an arcane artefact is stolen from the Order of the Midnight Sun, Shadow and Gabe are hired to track it down, pitting them against a new enemy. The search leads them across the country and tests their resources—and their faith in each other, as fey and Nephilim discover this world is as tricky as the life they left behind. Harlan, desperate to help, finds himself at war with JD, and suddenly alliances are under pressure. No longer able to trust The Orphic Guild, Harlan is faced with a dilemma that forces him to make choices he never envisaged.

Nahum thinks he’s accompanying Olivia on a simple retrieval for The Orphic Guild, but finds something far more sinister. Relics connected to the Fallen. Relics that can send people mad and incite violence. But he hasn’t the time or resources to deal with them now. The Nephilim are spread thin. JD needs an artefact to unlock the Emerald Tablet, and a team are sent to Egypt to steal it.

Lexi is a regular girl trying to survive middle school and mind her own business, but someone is targeting her. She keeps finding nasty notes on her locker in between classes. The most likely culprit is the new kid in school, Alexander.

Things are getting serious at the Society for Magickal Heritage. An ancient legend has plans for Ves, and Ves has plans for just about everything else. It’s time to take on the ultimate challenge—and hope for the best. What could possibly go wrong? Well, everything. As usual. But if old magick is going to survive in the modern world, it’s no use being cautious. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and Ves is giving it everything she’s got. But can she handle the cost? And can the cost handle her?

This collection of fantasy short stories are from the three winners of Remastered Words 2018 audio anthology, including a tale from one of our judges, Ian Whates with "Return to Arden Falls", which was first published in “Legend”, an anthology released in 2013 in honour of David Gemmell. There is a definite theme running through this year’s tales of the soldier’s passage; whether it be returning home to family, revisiting past battlefields, or taking the treacherous path into unknown realms and through bloody battlefields.

Maverick Hale, the alpha of the Storm Moon Pack, has worked hard to put his past behind him. However, when a man is killed in their territory, his injuries bring back memories he'd rather forget. Especially when a witch arrives who was directly involved in his parents' death, challenging everything Maverick thought he knew. Maverick has to find his brother. With the killer still on the loose, the Storm Moon Pack must act quickly, or more will die.

Tim thinks Harriet broke up his sister’s marriage all those years ago. His sister’s enemies are his enemies. When his niece runs away to Harriet’s house, he knows he has to get her back before his sister finds out. But that means talking with Harriet. As they work together to console Niamh and get her home safely, Tim and Harriet become increasingly attracted to each other. But with attraction comes guilt. Can they overcome their respective loyalties and give in to love?

Tracey is a tech millionaire. Burned out and fed up of people needing her all the time, she retreats to a rural English village. All she wants for Christmas is a of bit space. Dumped by the woman he was about to propose to, Vinnie is spending Christmas alone in a cozy cottage for two. All he wants is to hide away and lick his wounds. Alone. When Tracey gets caught in a blizzard, the only place she can take shelter is Vinnie’s cottage. Can two snowbound people stop being grumpy for long enough to feel their attraction to each other?

Since her father's sudden death, all Evie wants is comfort and security for her family, especially from dragon cagers. The two-tongued serpents are said to take the shape of a man, woo their ill-fated victims, and then devour them whole. But no one ever told Evie she could be kindred to the creatures. When Evie is framed and exiled, a cager called Lachlann discovers her roaming in the barren dragon country. Now, while being hunted by the same slayers seeking his magic-imbued heart, Evie must put her trust in Lachlann and seek out his clan for help.

It took her 20 years to build up her business. He works for the competition. What is she willing to risk to get a second chance at love? Jack left Sue when she was 18 and no one else has even come close to taking his place in her heart. Twenty years and plenty of hard work later, Sue is too busy running the local bakery and fighting off competition from the new bistro in the village to have time for romance. Jack finally returns to the village he grew up in. Seeing Sue rekindles feelings he thought were long buried.