Liana Brooks

Meet Meredith Kriesmas, forensic accountant who sharpens numbers the way killers sharpen knives-Chicago's very own Grim Reaper of the business world. Whole divisions close in her wake, and her clients pay handsomely for it. But ten minutes into a three-day weekend, Merri craves a new job to sink her teeth into.A call from an old friend saves Merri's sanity. Can she visit the winter wonderland at Cozy TV studios-known for its heart-warming holiday movies-and take a look at the books? Horror movie mill Slasher Corp just bought the studio-and Cozy might not make it to the final credits.Merri must dodge the mistletoe, dismember the finances, and disappear before dawn-all while avoiding the Cozy Curse, where no one gets off set single.No problem there. For Merri, business always comes first. At least, until she meets hot horror hipster CEO Seth Morana, and uncovers the secret he hides...A sensual stand-alone paranormal romance for everyone who believes people should be loved exactly as they are.

Matron Rus, stern but kindly head of the orphanage, is vexed. A child is gone. Justice missed roll call--again--and this time, she can't find hide or hair of him on the orphanage grounds. She desperately wants him to give up his search for the family that abandoned him, to let himself belong here. But raising Justice takes more wisdom than she could ever have imagined. A wistful story about the importance of family and belonging, for everyone who knows--or can imagine--the complications of raising children. Science Fiction / 1700 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Young Sophie dreams of being an artist. Of painting her mother's dreary, monochrome existence with color. But art? It's the one thing forbidden by her mother.Can clandestine art lessons lead Sophie to finding her dream--and her true self? A whimsical story about longing for your place in the world, not matter what the cost. Contemporary Fantasy / 1500 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

The king announces a ball in order to end the war. His subjects? Overjoyed. Marian? Determined to stop it. Her sponsors need the war to continue. Looks like sabotage will feature at the top of tonight's menu. A Cinderella retelling for everyone who ever wondered why Cinderella wanted to marry the prince in the first place. Fractured Fairytale / 1900 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Meet Venus, Goddess of Love and Romance. Not the goddess of self-restraint. And certainly not the goddess of patience.That causes a problem when the desk clerk loses her hotel booking and Venus considers changing her title to Goddess of War. It would look pretty bad if the Goddess of Love failed at her own relationships, after all. A sassy, light-hearted story about the real meaning of love and romance. Romantic Fantasy / 1300 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

She plays in the meadow, the only place safe to cry about her mother's death. He finds her there, the wide-eyed boy, thrown by his horse, lost in the woods. She guides him home, in the process finding the road out of her grief--and a friend. But then she discovers his true identity. And everything changes. A hopeful fairy tale retelling for people who still believe in the transformative power of love.Fairytale Fantasy / 1100 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Rowena Lee lost the man she was supposed to marry, and with him, any hope for a happy future in the war. Now, five years later, with a suspicious kind of peace brokered between the sides, Rowena lives a half-life in emotional isolation. Neither her former enemies nor her crew have any use for her, and her only joy comes from her new job training cadets--something made difficult lately by Commander Silar's constant, irritating presence. If he got out of her way for just three seconds, she could actually do her job. Commander Hollis Silar came out of the war a hero, the golden boy who could do no wrong. Romance came easily too: easy come, and easy go. But Rowena? Challenging. Like trying to flirt with a rock. Especially since shouldn't associate with her in the first place. As politics heat up on Malik IV and factions begin to draw battle lines, an unknown enemy forces Rowena and Hollis into an uneasy partnership. Love is a battlefield, and on Malik IV, war is in the air. A sensual enemies-to-lovers romance for everyone who believes in the power of one strong woman to change the world.

No one survives Dark Dale. But when the demons summon, she goes--with her swords, and daggers, and iron-capped boots. The compromise to her independence chafes. But the pay? Worth it. And they better pay. Or she'll make them rue the day they called her. For readers who are practical, well-armed, and ready for any challenge--or who wish they were. Swords & Sorcery / 1500 wordsWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Del hates Christmas. As a child, she spent too many Decembers on the streets after her parents abandoned her. As an adult, the enforced family focus, the clients who see the holidays as an excuse to get gropey, and the mistletoe her well-meaning colleague Maureen hung over her work desk just seals the deal: December sucks.If only it could stay Halloween for a couple of months instead. Del loves the excuse to slay monsters, the spooky atmosphere--and of course, the werewolves. Because everyone knows werewolves make the best lovers... Pity they're not real.When Maureen conjures up a list of eligible bachelors for the holidays and insists Del take her pick, Del does the only reasonable thing: she lies. And when nosy office Grinch Rafael Kane asks who the lucky fellow is, Del announces it to the whole office: she's getting a dog. So now, the first item on Del's holiday to-do list? Find a dog. Fast. Because if she doesn't, nothing will protect her from Maureen's list of Miami bachelor rejects. A charming, sensual romance for everyone who believes in found families, happily ever after--and werewolves.

The light of the city proper never reaches the under-city, past the jackal-headed guardians who keep the riffraff out. No one goes to the under-city willingly. No one except Rion, scion of the Tahtali house. If found, it might cost him his life. But if he stays away, it may cost him a whole lot more. A sweet romantic tale about the truest power in the world--love. 1200 words / Romantic Fantasy Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Ravaged by war, the solar system has one hope left: the Dauphin terraforming project and its leader, Dr. Jeff Koenig.Jeff might have been saddled with Dr. Bella Lawson, whose tantrums would make anyone want to vent their oxygen, but failure? Not even an option. No matter what the cost. A space exploration story about the true spirit of humanity, and what it takes to survive against the odds. 4600 words / Space Exporation/Natural Disaster Science Fiction Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

A free groom and a half-price ring bearer with every wedding gown purchase: the perfect solution to Lisa's relationship problem. Now she just has to choose the right groom. Ah, what the heck: why not spring for a custom-made? Because this time, Lisa's getting the best her money can buy. A light-hearted contemporary science fiction for everyone who's ever loved revenge stories. 2500 / designer human science fiction Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.