V. J. Banis - Free Library Land Online

A Family Affair: A Novel of Horror

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:36:44 +0200

Jennifer's dream vacation in sunny Portugal has suddenly turned into an unending nightmare! The two brothers she encounters are bound by the same strange family heritage: a fascination with fire. Jennifer is attracted to both Neil and Philip Alenquer, but one of them is lying about the tragedy that has taken place in their castle overlooking the Atlantic. Philip claims that Neil had set the blaze that killed Neil's young wife after he'd discovered her in Philip's arms. Neil maintains that Philip had started the blaze, and he fears that Philip's insane pyromania is putting all their lives in danger. Jennifer doesn't know which of the brothers to believe, but when the villa she's staying burns to the ground, she knows that she's become the next target of an obsessed killer! A thrilling gothic suspense tale.

Darkwater

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:08:01 +0200

In the mysterious bayou country of Louisiana, Jennifer Hale, orphaned and destitute in the wake of the Civil War, arrives at Darkwater full of hope, but the cold reception she receives alarms her. So do the screams of Alicia, the dying mistress of the plantation, who appears to be suffering from a psychosomatic illness that causes her to choke uncontrollably. Perhaps even more frightening is Jennifer's dangerous attraction to Walter Dere, her handsome employer. But her fear is forgotten when Alicia's death frees Walter to propose to Jennifer. Then Jennifer begins developing the same symptoms as Alicia. In desperation, she remembers Alicia's ravings about voodoo magic. Can she learn to protect herself from this violent curse? Or will the evil presence at Darkwater lead her to a fate worse than death itself? A first-rate romantic suspense novel.

Color Him Gay: The Further Adventures of the Man from C. A. M. P.

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:36:44 +0200

Steve thought to cut in on the source of blackmail money that Dingo Stark was paying the boys who wanted to COLOR HIM GAY but his hatred took him too far. As his screams drift through the still air, it's up to the debonair secret agent, Jackie Holmes, that Man from C.A.M.P., to arrive in time to save the day!

A Westward Love

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:12:18 +0200

Claire Hayes was an Englishwoman with pale blonde hair and dark, burning eyes. Soon she was crossing the wild, wide American continent. Its roughness would strengthen her, and five men would help make her a woman: Peter, the husband drawn to prayer and the golden California sun; Morton, the trapper who saved her life and wanted full payment; Lone Eagle, the tall chief who bought her, loved her, and gave her his child; Don Hernando, the Spanish-American aristocrat; and Camden Summers, the fearless half-Indian, half-English scout. And always there was Claire, surviving them all! "A master storyteller." —The Nashville Banner. "The master's touch in storytelling." —Publishers Weekly. "V. J. Banis is a national treasure. His stories are filled with believable characters and situations, and are meticulously researched. I couldn't put this one down!"—Robert Reginald.

The Watercress File: Being the Further Adventures of That Man from C. A. M. P.

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:03:52 +0200

That debonair Man from C.A.M.P., Jackie Holmes, is back once more! This time the crusader for gay justice is thrown into the most fracturingly funny escapade of his career, being joined by an unbelievably incompetent household of characters, who go by the code name of WATERCRESS, and who insist on helping him with his (barely) dangerous mission. And in process we encounter the antics of such individuals as the straightlaced CIA agent, Craig Mathews, Aunt Lily, Aunt Nasturtia, Aunt Marigold, Honeysuckle the pianist, the gigantic Gladiola, and the very strange Nick. Of course, Jackie always winds up on top in the end. Sounds like business as usual for this ever-C.A.M.P.-ish series! First publication in 45 years.

The Scent of Heather

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 08:03:53 +0200

Maggie came with her sister Rebecca to Heather House, to recover from the drowning deaths of their two husbands. They thought a few months in the country would be wonderful therapy. But the house seems to be haunted by the ghost of its one-time owner, Heather Lambert, who (it is said) waits in the tower room for the return of her errant husband. And when Maggie discovers the portrait of Heather hidden in the cellar, the woman from the past seems to come alive for her. She sees someone just out of the range of her vision, and she smells the scent of heather in the air... Another thrilling tale of romantic suspense by a master storyteller.

The Astral

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:53:39 +0200

Shot while trying to prevent the kidnapping, murder, and brutal despoilment of her thirteen-year-old daughter, Southern California book editor Catherine Desmond has a "tunnel-of-light" experience. "There is something only you can do," the spirits tell her, and she is returned intact to her former life—or is she?When she recovers, Catherine finds herself gifted—or cursed—with astral projection, and to her dismay finds herself linked psychically with her daughter's murderer. But he too can project himself, and while she searches for a way to bring the brutal killer to justice, he begins stalking her as well, setting in motion an ethereal cat-and-mouse game, with life—and death—hanging in the balance...

The Green Rolling Hills

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:47:28 +0200

Here's a potpourri of great new stories from up-and-coming West Virginia writers, edited by well-known author V. J. Banis.The anthology includes:"The Reckoning," "Metamorphosis," and "The Thief" by Bev Rees"Rosie and Mac," by Sally Brinkmann"Dear Ann Landers: Excerpts from a Novel in Progress," by Craig Tucker"AIDS Diaries - Francel," "Day Lights, Night Lights," and "Hob Knobbin'," by Eve Birch"Pappy's Angels," "Big Easys," and "A Wildwood Flounder" by Leigh Horne"The Azalea Quartet: An Excerpt from a Novel in Progress" by Trish Rudder"The Child Bride of Lester Cooley," "The Shiny Black Car," and "Love in a Lobster Pot," by Calvert Estill"Harai," by Christine Kaye"Precious Child: A Memoir of Healing" by Wanda R. RiggleAlthough the regional flavor comes through in every page of this book, many of the stories could be set in any milieu and still be successful. Good writing—and good reading!