The Emerald Lake Asylum is not a place most desire to go. Nineteen year old, Skylenna, however, made a promise that she must keep. Once hired, she only has one purpose—prove to the council that barbaric treatments, such as waterboarding, scalding baths, and beatings, are no longer the answer. But that all takes pause when she meets the source of terror in the asylum. A patient with a split personality—on one side, he’s the bloodthirsty genius, Dessin. On the other, a hidden persona that is buried deep in his subconscious.When Dessin is caught in an attempted cell break, he faces execution if Skylenna can’t bring out his core personality and reveal his humanity. She has ninety days to save his life, and the only way to do that is to let him consume her into his world of moves, counter-moves, and master puppeteering.With each passing day, their bond deepens, a forbidden attraction forming against her best judgments. Little by little, Skylenna uncovers the sinister secrets of his past that turned him into the monster everyone else fears. And Dessin proves to have one weakness despite the terrifying, indestructible persona he presents to the world: her.Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements. Check trigger warnings before reading It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.Trigger Warnings (misrepresentation and some triggers will be corrected in the revised edition): gratuitous violence, depression, suicide, torture, domestic violence, eating disorders, hallucinations, misogyny, poisoning, sexual assault, pedophilia, romanticized mental illness, gore, death of a loved one, child abuse, decapitation, female oppression, hostage situation, body shaming, panic attacks, incest, rape, child sexual assault, emotional trauma, child sex trafficking

The Pawn and The Puppet (The Pawn and The Puppet series)

Skylenna has left the Chandelier City, The Emerald Lake Asylum, and the twisted societal restraints of women to run away with the patient everyone fears. Dessin.As they hide in the unchartered forests surrounding the city, Skylenna learns that the mystery of the infamous Patient Thirteen is far from over. There are still the missing pieces of her past and a master plan that relies on Skylenna trusting Dessin with blind faith. And with each dangerous situation comes a new alter, a new personality to meet, a new man that deepens her attraction.It isn't until they run into unexpected allies and ancient colonies of the forests that they learn of a reason to go back to the asylum willingly. But Skylenna doesn't have the luxury of obtaining her old conformist position. This time around, she must accept a new role as the twelfth patient of The Emerald Lake Asylum.Simulated drownings, force-feedings, whippings, and life within the torturous cage of Demechnef. Skylenna begins to wonder how much of this game she'll be able to endure.Will Dessin prove she means as much to him as he does to her? Or is the master merely playing with his marionette?Disclaimer: This book contains explicit content and dark elements and may be considered offensive to some readers. Check trigger warnings before reading. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.This is a dark dystopian society that is intended to be problematic. Please note that this is a fictional world and in no way reflects on the author's personal beliefs. We will see the society grow and correct its moral compass over the series.This book contains: gratuitous violence, depression, mention of suicide, gratuitous torture, eating disorder, hallucinations, misogyny, mention of pedophilia, romanticized mental illness, gore, mention of child abuse, decapitation, female oppression, hostage situation, Stockholm syndrome, degradation, starvation, brainwashing, body shaming, sexually explicit scenes, and religious trauma.

The Master and The Marionette

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.. Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. . Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life—or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she believed. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing. . Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending…even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final decision between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

First-Time Caller (Heartstrings)

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!“Good Spirits is an absolute knockout. A new Borison book feels like coming home in the best way. She's truly in a league of her own.” — Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of IcebreakerThe USA Today bestselling author of Business Casual, B.K. Borison is back with a whimsical new holiday romance—this time with a magical twist—that will have everyone falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past.He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm, this swoony romance is B.K. Borison’s best yet!A touching holiday readPerfect for fans of uplifting winter romancesA delightful Christmas gift

Good Spirits: A Magical Paranormal Holiday Romance with an Irish Ghost, Unexpected Connections, and a Christmas Carol Twist (Ghosted Book 1)

His extraordinary debut, Those Across the River, was hailed as “genre-bending Southern horror” (California Literary Review), “graceful [and] horrific” (Patricia Briggs). Now Christopher Buehlman invites readers into an even darker age—one of temptation and corruption, of war in heaven, and of hell on earth… And Lucifer said: “Let us rise against Him now in all our numbers, and pull the walls of heaven down…” The year is 1348. Thomas, a disgraced knight, has found a young girl alone in a dead Norman village. An orphan of the Black Death, and an almost unnerving picture of innocence, she tells Thomas that plague is only part of a larger cataclysm—that the fallen angels under Lucifer are rising in a second war on heaven, and that the world of men has fallen behind the lines of conflict. Is it delirium or is it faith? She believes she has seen the angels of God. She believes the righteous dead speak to her in dreams. And now she has convinced the faithless Thomas to shepherd her across a depraved landscape to Avignon. There, she tells Thomas, she will fulfill her mission: to confront the evil that has devastated the earth, and to restore to this betrayed, murderous knight the nobility and hope of salvation he long abandoned. As hell unleashes its wrath, and as the true nature of the girl is revealed, Thomas will find himself on a macabre battleground of angels and demons, saints, and the risen dead, and in the midst of a desperate struggle for nothing less than the soul of man.

Between Two Fires

Laurel just wanted to survive college, keep her father fed, and fly under the radar.Delivering pizzas was supposed to be the safe kind of side hustle, until the night she witnesses a murder at Ashford House, the most elite and secretive fraternity on campus.Now she’s a prisoner of The Order, a blood-bound society that controls everything from politics to police. They rule with ritual, obedience, and violence, and they’ve decided Laurel doesn’t get to leave.At the center of it all is Carrson Ashford, heir to the powerful Ashford legacy.Cold. Commanding. Infuriatingly magnetic.Under the rules of The Order, he “bonds” her, marking Laurel as his.Body. Mind. Soul.But Laurel isn’t here to be claimed. Not without a fight.To save her father and her future, Laurel must navigate a twisted realm of initiation rites, brutal secrets, and a bond that may destroy them both.In this world, there’s one rule: obey or die.But love doesn’t follow rules. And neither does Laurel.★ Dark academia meets Southern Gothic in this emotionally intense, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, morally gray, twisted college romance filled with secrets, violence, and impossible love. Perfect for fans of Penelope Douglas, LJ Shen, Shantel Tessier, and Sierra Simone.EARLY PRAISE FOR PRETTY VICIOUS“Infinity stars! Truly. OBSESSED!” — Sarah P., ★★★★★“Pretty Vicious is hands down THE BEST Secret Society/College Dark Romance! I was giddy the whole way through.” — AmesChicReads, ★★★★★“If you want possessive love, violence, and chemistry that could burn a city—this is it.” — Holly L., ★★★★★“The tension is dark, dangerous, and absolutely delicious.” — Dawn G., ★★★★★“The tension and secret-society vibes were strong. And the spice was DEFINITELY there. YUM!” — LatinaMom, ★★★★★“He makes her stronger and she breaks down his walls.” — Amanda U., ★★★★★“The first and only book where I have literally kicked my feet and giggled!” — Justina, ★★★★★“A mix of dark mystery, forbidden love, and danger that keeps your heart racing. I can’t stop thinking about it.” — Akku, ★★★★★“Original, layered, and deeply atmospheric. This book balances darkness and softness SO well.” — Julie W., ★★★★★“Complex, flawed, magnetic characters… romantic, yes, but also full of teeth.” — Alisha H., ★★★★★“Devoured it in 24 hours and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year.” — Janeen T., ★★★★★“One of the best books I’ve read all year!” — Kaitlin S., ★★★★★“Forbidden romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers—all wrapped up in a delicious bow.” — Stella G., ★★★★★“Dark, emotional, and addictive in the best way.” — Kaitlin K., ★★★★★“I could yap about this book for hours. I’m already telling everyone about it—and I can’t wait to force them to read it!” — Holly, ★★★★★“A beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and utterly engaging story.” — Lily, ★★★★★“A heroine who inspires you without even trying. I adored her resilience.” — Mandy S., ★★★★★“I would give it six stars if I could. Hit the nail on the head with everything I look for in a book.” — Sam T., ★★★★★

Pretty Vicious. The Order. Book One: Obey: A Southern Gothic Dark Academia Romance

“From the book’s chillingly creepy setting, which previously appeared in The Sun Down Motel (2020), to a nerve-jangling plot that effectively borrows from a mix of genres to the writing itself, which shimmers with a dazzlingly sharp sense of wit, everything about St. James’ latest is done to perfection.”-Booklist (starred review) Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home.Strange things happen in Fell, New York. A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For the Esmie siblings—Violet, Vail, and Dodie—the final straw was the shocking disappearance of their little brother. It started as a normal game of hide-and-seek. The three closed their eyes and counted to ten while Ben went to hide. But this time, they never found their brother—he was gone and the ongoing search efforts turned up no clues.As their parents grew increasingly distant, Violet, Vail, and Dodie were each haunted by visions and frightening events that made them leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years.And now after two decades running from their past, it’s time for a homecoming. Because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared. If the ghosts of Fell don’t get to them first.A Box Full of Darkness is another propulsive thriller from the author of The Broken Girls and The Book of Cold Cases, a surprising horror story from a writer who is “particularly gifted at doling out twists” (The New York Times).

A Box Full of Darkness

Listen up! Humans are kinky!Kink has been around as long as humans have existed, but comes with an astonishing amount of myths and misunderstandings. This is a sex-positive, shame-free guide to kink for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned kinksters.This book delves deep in every corner of the kink sphere. It jumps headfirst into the foundations of powerplay, at the differences between kink and fetish, and gives you the low-down on all kinds of bondage and impact play styles, while putting mental and physical health at the forefront. Whether you want a 101 in flogging safely, to plan a roadmap for experimenting with different kinds of niche play, or to learn how to explore what your desires and boundaries are in a fun, consensual and trauma-informed way - this is the guide for you.With kink exercises, journal prompts, worksheets and agony aunt letters, this has all the practical tools you'll need for a spicy, shame-free kink journey.

Kink Curious: A Guide to Exploring Your Kinks, Dispelling Shame, and Staying Safe

He laces his fingers into my hair and slowly draws me in, his powerful hand gently threaded into the wet strands. I whimper, from fear more so than pain. It doesn’t hurt. But each word is enunciated as he warns, “Do. Not. Ever. Steal. From. Me. Again.”Corliss Bell would do anything to bring her older sister, Aven, back to life. She’d give up her dreams of being a professional ballerina. She’d resign herself to never leaving the small seaside town of The Pins. Hell, she’d even make a deal with a demon. After all, demons are masters of death.When a town mystic tells Corliss there’s a demon living nearby who may be the key in returning Aven to life, she’s emboldened by the idea of getting her beloved sister back. Corliss sneaks into the demon’s dilapidated mansion to beg for his help. But instead of finding him, she discovers a pair of enchanted red ballet slippers and steals them. The demon comes to reclaim what is his but finds Corliss and the slippers hopelessly intertwined. He imprisons her in his mansion, forcing her to dance for him every evening as punishment for stealing. Far from a helpless captive, Corliss begins working out a plan to bring Aven back to life, as soon as she can convince the demon—Orrin—to help her.Hauntingly beautiful, with lush prose and a vividly creepy atmosphere, A Dance With Death is a compulsively juicy read that will wind its way into your psyche. Part horror, part magic—this is the gothic love story you didn't know you were missing.

A Dance With Death (The Three Bells Trilogy, 1)

In this new romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Letizia Lorini, a crime podcast host must solve a chilling serial killer case while navigating an unexpected romance with her mysterious next-door neighbor.Scarlett Moore doesn’t do romance. She’s made a name for herself narrating gritty crime fiction on a local podcast. But when her boss hands her the reins to the network’s romance show, Scarlett finds herself neck-deep in swoony love stories on top of her usual murder plots. Then someone begins reenacting the chilling crimes she discusses on air, down to the last twisted detail. Determined to protect her small town, Scarlett launches her own investigation. But the line between reality and fiction blurs even more when Rafael Gray—the brooding bad boy who disappeared five years ago—unexpectedly returns. Suddenly, her life reads like a romance novel filled with every trope she used to mock, with Rafael playing the dangerously irresistible lead. He's perfect in every way...except last time, he broke her heart, and now he’s the prime suspect in the string of brutal murders. Will this be the love story she never saw coming, or is it a killer kind of romance?

A Killer Kind of Romance

This Is Not a Test

#1 New York Times bestselling author Isabel Ibañez makes her adult debut with a gorgeous, historical, and romantic fantasy perfect for fans of One Dark Window and Ever After. A lush tale full of enemies-to-lovers tension, whimsical magic, villain romance, and slow-burn desire, set in an enchanted, perilous Florence where forbidden power could ignite a war.“Truly radiant.” Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark WindowLOVE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS MAGIC.As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence’s most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden.Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family's mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence’s walls.The Pope’s war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope's obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her ― or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war.“This book will carve itself into your heart and never let go.” Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling authorRead if you love:· Enemies to lovers· Forced proximity· Villain romance· Whimsical, atmospheric magic· Slow-burn tension· Moral graynessThis stunning luxe edition includes a gorgeous cover printed over foil with a custom two color map endpapers, pink gilded ends, and a full foil custom case stamp. While supplies last!

Graceless Heart

Boneyard Picnic

Hi ghouls, I’m Natalie Meagan, artist and reviewer of weird books/media. Welcome to my boneyard picnic, where we can sit and enjoy stories that appeal to both our morbid nature and our heartstrings. 

Weirdo Book Club

During this phase, we're reviewing manuscripts and deciding which book we want to publish. At the end of this phase, we offer an author a book deal.

Consideration

As the manuscript goes through several phases of editorial work, the cover and interior design takes place, while format decisions about paper stocks and printing treatments are made.

Editorial & Design

While the books are on press, the pre-order links go live and the marketing campaign ramps up with waves of review copy mailings to media and influencers.

Pre-order

The finished copies have released on the book's publication date. Go give it some love!

Published

bookshop

amazon

Natalie

My name is Natalie Meagan and I love to read. I also occasionally review books on my YouTube channel, Weirdo Book Club. My favorite genres are horror, morbid nonfiction and just weird books in general. I especially love when a book can seamlessly marry two conflicting things like dark and light, creepy and cozy, weird and warm, sadistic and sweet. Thanks for stopping by, we are going to have a lot of fun.

I read a lot, I talk a lot. This just makes sense.


Welcome to my Boneyard Picnic. I'm Natalie Meagan aka Weirdo Book Club, a queer artist & mood reader from Tennessee. I have a special interest in darker stories of all genres and I love to yap about books. Thanks for stopping by!