[WATTYS 2024 SHORTLIST] Lucan Thurst, an alchemist shackled to his obsessions, seeks the unattainable: immortality. In the heart of Burnell Academy he toils away--pieces of himself lost until the line between human and other is blurred beyond recognition. Meanwhile, long-time friend and scientific rival, River Kim, believes death is not the body's end, and a heart stopped may yet beat again. Nearing the completion of his medical degree, River intends to prove immortality lies not in elixirs but in the resilience of flesh. As their friendship fractures around them, the two men must learn to work together in order to achieve their goal. Both keen on being the first to alter the course of medical science. Both utilizing one another's secrets to their own advantage. But, when those secrets are whispered into the dark, Lucan and River will learn a harrowing truth: it is the dark that always listens. For fans of dark academia: Frankenstein, The Secret History, The Haunting of Bly Manor

Juliet Adair moved to Pine Falls, Colorado for a reason. The small town is full of werewolves. Hopefully the kind that will keep out of her business as long as she keeps out of theirs. Unfortunately, one wolf seems to have formed a grudge against the new librarian, and wants nothing more than to see her pack up and move along. Roderick Jameson doesn't trust Juliet. She's an outsider, but more than that, she's hoarding secrets. As the leader of the Pine Falls werewolf pack, it is his job to keep his people safe. Any knowledge he doesn't have is dangerous. But the woman scoffs at his intimidation tactics, and she somehow convinces him to install a state-of-the-art security system in her house when his goal was to drive her away. Doesn't help that his inner wolf is lovesick for the fiery greeting card crafter. These two enemies find their animosity flaring hotter until the thin sheet of paper between loathing and longing goes up in flames. But if any kind of lasting connection can be formed, both woman and wolf will need to learn to trust despite the betrayals that lurk in their past. The same shadows that become solid, threatening their future. *Note: This is book 2 in the Wolves of Pine Falls series and it has spoilers for book 1, Claws & Crochet. But this story can still be read as a standalone!

Zoey Gunner never visits Pine Falls, Colorado, her mother's mysterious hometown. But when Zoey's estranged grandmother passes away, the crafty crocheter volunteers to venture into the unknown to clean out the woman's cabin. Besides, she needs some distance from a set of lovingly overbearing brothers. A chance to prove her independence. But when an unclear flyer lands Zoey and her balls of yarn in the middle of a motorcycle club's bar, she becomes tangled with the residents of Pine Falls. One handsome biker in particular seems hell bent on tying her up in knots. Warner Jameson wants Zoey. She smells like the perfect mate with a side of maple syrup and her laughter is the sweetest sound he's ever heard. When the woman appears in the Dark Moon Riders' bar toting a bag of crafts and showing no fear toward the mass of intimidating bikers, it's all Warner can do to keep from kneeling at her feet. The problem is, not only is Zoey an out-of-towner, she's human. And he's...not. Unwilling to let his supernatural secret ruin his happiness, Warner decides to show Zoey just how lovable a monster can be. It helps that she needs rescuing a time or two. But what start out as unlucky accidents, soon become clear actions of sabotage against the woman he's falling for. Someone in Pine Falls doesn't want Zoey sticking around. Asking her to stay is dangerous but leaving means a broken heart... *Note: this story has not been professionally edited. Sorry for any typos!