The Things That Fly in the Night explores images of vampirism in Caribbean and African diasporic folk traditions and in contemporary fiction. Giselle Liza Anatol focuses on the figure of the soucouyant, or Old Hag—an aged woman by day who sheds her skin during night’s darkest hours in order to fly about her community and suck the blood of her unwitting victims. In contrast to the glitz, glamour, and seductiveness of conventional depictions of the European vampire, the soucouyant triggers unease about old age and female power. Tracing relevant folklore through the English- and French-speaking Caribbean, the U.S. Deep South, and parts of West Africa, Anatol shows how tales of the nocturnal female bloodsuckers not only entertain and encourage obedience in pre-adolescent listeners, but also work to instill particular values about women’s “proper” place and behaviors in society at large. Alongside traditional legends, Anatol considers the explosion of soucouyant and other vampire narratives among writers of Caribbean and African heritage who in the past twenty years have rejected the demonic image of the character and used her instead to urge for female mobility, racial and cultural empowerment, and anti colonial resistance. Texts include work by authors as diverse as Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, U.S. National Book Award winner Edwidge Danticat, and science fiction/fantasy writers Octavia Butler and Nalo Hopkinson.

Tayler Star is a typical high school student. She goes to her classes, has a few friends, and she has her parents and two brothers. She doesn't like her homework or her P.E. class very much. One evening, while in her room, she spots a purple-colored object fall from the sky to the woods near her house. She quietly leaves her house and goes to the woods to see if she can find out what it is. So, what does she find there? What happens to her? She makes several new friends and goes on some different adventures than what you'd ever think a 17-year-old high school student would go on. When reading The Things That Appear at Night, you'll find that the plotline takes some unexpected turns and twists. As you get further into the book, you won't be able to stop reading to find out what happens at the end.

The Naughty ListDeck the halls with white-hot passion! Donna Kauffman Naughty But Nice Businessman Griffin's never believed in luck. . .until sassy-sweet small-town baker Melody turns his world around. Except there's a catch: There's no way he'll be able to build his empire and hold on to her. His new "lucky charm" could destroy all his dreams. . .or make this Christmas better than he ever imagined possible. . . Cynthia Eden All I Want for Christmas Good girl toy inventor Christie takes a walk on the naughty side when she sparks a no-strings fling with Santa--actually, sexy cop Jonas in a Santa suit. She loves her new "bad girl" persona, except as the holidays approach, she starts falling, and hard, for this known' "love 'em and leave 'em" ladies man. . . Susan Fox Tattoos and Mistletoe Charlie returns to her hometown to fix up her aunt's B&B, but she doesn't count on LJ handling the renovations. Nerdy LJ pined for her in school, but now he's grown into the town's hottest bachelor. Charlie's been burned before and won't let him get close. But LJ's determined to break down her walls and make her dearest Christmas wish come true. "Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare." --Janet Evanovich "I dare you not to love a Cynthia Eden book!" --Larissa Ione The Night Before Christmas 'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house, things are definitely stirring. . .because if you're going to wait up for Santa, you might as well have some very sexy company. . . The Night Before Christmas White Knight Christmas by New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster Snowed Under By Erin McCarthy Ms. Humbug By Jill Shalvis I'll Be Home For Christmas By Kathy Love Seducing Scrooge By Katherine Garbera The Good Girl's Guide To A Very Bad Christmas By Kylie Adams Yule Be Mine Sparkling days, crackling fires, long steamy nights. . .Christmas is all about making memories. In four delicious tales of seduction and romance, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings you all the pleasures of the season--and then some. . . Booker Dean knows exactly what he wants for Christmas: his next-door neighbor, Frances Kennedy. And he's got a gift planned for her that involves lots of delicious unwrapping. Officer Parker Ross hates Christmas, while Lily Donaldson lives for it. But he's willing to be converted, especially when Lily is the one doing the persuading. Sergeant Osbourne Decker suspects pet psychic Marci Churchill is barking mad, but she's also a knockout. And when she's accused of stealing a donkey from the local nativity scene, he can't stop thinking about frisking her. Furious at her cheating fiancé, Beth Monroe decides to enjoy a payback tryst with his gorgeous best friend, and finds that revenge is best served hot and sweet. . .