Amy Laurens

Claire knows where to find the people reported as 'missing under suspicious circumstances'. Unfortunately, telling the authorities means Claire risks taking the blame for the disappearances. Infuriating. Instead, if Claire wants to see justice in the world, her future-telling tea speaks (metaphorically) crystal clear: Claire must rescue the people from the mysterious, other-worldly cave at the end of the street herself. Of course, she never factored an other-worldly job offer into the equation... A modern-day twist on Hades and Persephone, in a world where belief controls the outcome of... everything. For readers who love a no-nonsense protagonist doing what needs to be done.

Where shadows whisper and magic thrives - explore the extraordinary.Dark tales and luminous adventures collide in Darkness & Good, an anthology that invites readers into worlds of peril and possibility. Experience thrilling narratives where fae conspiracies entwine with human fate, sci-fi futures grapple with timeless dilemmas, and fantasy legends come alive. Written with wit and imagination, these stories are a must-read for fans of speculative fiction that lingers in the mind and heart.

Every year, the town of Linderch gathers to watch the Ice Cream Crown Skating Races, a series of trick races skated on a pond of magically deep-frozen ice cream. This year, fourteen-year-old George intends to win. If he loses, his family loses their house. George's biggest challenge? His year off, with no practice. Or so he thinks.Because this year, something sinister simmers, a dangerous mystery founded on a long-running grudge that stands to jeopardise everything... A fantasy-mystery for anyone who loves magic - and would fight to protect it.

Six stories written during April of 2020, April Showers draws together the fantastic made ordinary, and the fantastic in the ordinary. These rainy-day stories celebrate moments of peace amid chaos, the value of family, and the extraordinary adaptability of the human spirit.

To the casual observer, the light shines spectacularly, bathing the skyscraper in the middle of an oaken nowhere, setting windows aglimmer as the sun sinks toward the horizon. To Tristan, however, the bittersweet light both fills him with indescribable joy as his magical talent weaves it into gold - and with deep despair.Because his talent? Everyone wants it.Once, he sacrificed everything to the fae for protection. But a surprise visitor turns his life upside down. When everything you thought you were fighting for turns out false, what comes next?Tristan must decide...A modern-day fairy tale for fans of Olivie Blake and Maggie Stiefvater, if they were to write stories in Elfhame.

Every year, the town of Linderch gathers to watch the Ice Cream Crown Skating Races, a series of trick races skated on a pond of magically deep-frozen ice cream. This year, fourteen-year-old George intends to win. If he loses, his family loses their house. George's biggest challenge? His year off, with no practice. Or so he thinks.Because this year, something sinister simmers, a dangerous mystery founded on a long-running grudge that stands to jeopardise everything... A fantasy-mystery for anyone who loves magic - and would fight to protect it.

Six magical fantasy stories of transformation.In Which Leaves Are Common Sense: No one tells you what to do when your hiking buddy has a sudden attack of lunar-cy and turns into a werewolf three days before the full moon. Annoying at any time, but on a hike with temperatures falling fast? Potentially fatal...Tims Testing Day: Lunchtime at the Tims Compound, and the test that determines the direction of Tim's life for the rest of forever happens any minute now. Nerves jitter - but you can't prepare for a test when all it does is see you for who you really are.Familiars Need Enrichment Too: Sick to death of imprisonment in the castle, Bystar the ferret demands a reprieve. For enrichment, you know. Of course, there's such a thing as too much enrichment...Had Kafka Been A Teenaged Girl: At four o'clock in the afternoon, Stella wakes up from her nap. As a ladybeetle. A Rottweiler-sized ladybeetle, still somehow in her lacy nightgown. How on earth can she explain this to her family - preferably before they swat her?A Plague On Both Your Colonies: Remm pines for the love of his life, Jillian, but separated by family feuding, they struggle to overcome the odds as the invading forces of the Helio march down upon the world...To Walk One Path Alone: It's hard to tell directions in the Realm, but Saefda knows which way to go. Until something - someone - interrupts her path, waylaying her mission and transforming her allegiances in the fae world foreve

Why do werewolves transform with the moon? When did mermaids get their tails? What sinister history underpins the goblin? Uncover the answers to these questions-and more -in this collection of seven essays from award-winning author Amy Laurens. First published in the critically acclaimed Aurealis magazine, these essays explore the mythological basis of seven of the most popular paranormal creatures of all time to uncover the symbolism that ensured their immortal popularity. Fairies may not look the same now as in ancient Celtic Ireland-but the role they hold sheds just as much light on what our culture finds important now as it did back then A friendly, informative read for anyone curious about the history of our favourite pop-culture creatures, pick up your copy now and come discover the origin of PARANORMAL species

In 2022, Amy faced the most challenging decision of her life: stay in the job she knew and loved as a high school English teacher, making a difference in the lives of teens, but continue to risk her relationship with her friends, her family, her health - and her own children? Or leap into the unknown? Amy's choice resulted in these poems, as she processed her way through grief into joy on the other side. For everyone who knows what it takes to change the world, one baby step at a time - and a reminder to all creatives that changing the world starts first with changing you.

Wrestling with insomnia leaves Harry desperate enough to do the unthinkable: summon a demon for assistance. Naturally he gets more than he bargained for in this two-for-one deal that leaves him fighting for an unexpected ally's life. Of course, unexpected allies sometimes bring unexpected gifts, as well... A quirky urban fantasy tale about making friends in surprising places, for readers who appreciate moral shades of grey.

The sun sinks toward the horizon and sweat drips down Dave's face as he waits by a deserted road for something-or someone-unknown. This job interview? Not quite matching his expectations. But then again, in the middle of a war between human and fey, why would it? And with his fridge and bank account both running low, Dave hardly cares about asking questions. Until he realises what his prospective employers want him to do. Then he just wants to know how the hell they think he'll survive. A classic urban fantasy tale from Aurealis Award-winning author Amy Laurens, don't miss Recruitment