Alastair Stone Chronicles Series by R.L. King

SAFE AS HOUSESIt’s hard enough for Alastair Stone to keep his two lives—powerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professor—separate without an old friend asking him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it’s an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean.Only it isn’t... moreSAFE AS HOUSESIt’s hard enough for Alastair Stone to keep his two lives—powerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professor—separate without an old friend asking him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it’s an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean.Only it isn’t. A malevolent spirit is reawakening in the basement, imprisoned between dimensions and intent on escape. If it succeeds, countless people will die. Worse, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free so they can control it for their own sinister purposes. They’ll do whatever it takes—including seducing Stone’s young apprentice and using him against his master—to get what they’re after.With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit’s secrets. But even if he does, he fears that his own power won’t be enough to send it back. less

NOWHERE TO RUN, NOWHERE TO HIDE Dr. Alastair Stone, Occult Studies professor and powerful mage, is walking off a breakup in San Francisco when he encounters a desperate woman preparing to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. She can't stop hearing voices and seeing her stalker ex-boyfriend--a man she's certain hasn't left his home in the Midwest. She's sure she's going crazy. Stone doesn't believe it... moreNOWHERE TO RUN, NOWHERE TO HIDE Dr. Alastair Stone, Occult Studies professor and powerful mage, is walking off a breakup in San Francisco when he encounters a desperate woman preparing to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. She can't stop hearing voices and seeing her stalker ex-boyfriend--a man she's certain hasn't left his home in the Midwest. She's sure she's going crazy. Stone doesn't believe it. Convinced something supernatural is behind the manifestations, he's compelled to investigate--which marks him as a target as well. Before he knows what's going on, he's drawn into a web of murder, illusion, and jealousy that threatens not only the woman's life, but his own. When he finally discovers the truth about the stalker, the only way to stop the attacks is to take the fight to its source--knowing full well that if they do that, he and the stalker's victim could be walking into a deathtrap. TURN TO STONE is a standalone novella in the Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices and two standalone novellas: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone less

Evil Hides in Plain SightA disturbed child.A horrific act.A monstrous supernatural conspiracy.All over the Bay Area, ordinary people with no history of violence are committing bizarre, brutal crimes. Others are disappearing without a trace. The only thing the cases have in common is they have nothing in common.Alastair Stone has no idea what kind of rabbit hole he's falling down... moreEvil Hides in Plain SightA disturbed child.A horrific act.A monstrous supernatural conspiracy.All over the Bay Area, ordinary people with no history of violence are committing bizarre, brutal crimes. Others are disappearing without a trace. The only thing the cases have in common is they have nothing in common.Alastair Stone has no idea what kind of rabbit hole he's falling down.Joining forces with a young man searching for his runaway sister, Stone discovers a network of odd homeless people, a series of strange symbols, and an insidious enemy pulling the strings behind the scenes.What do you do when you discover an extradimensional plot threatening the safety of the entire world—but you can't reveal it because literally anyone on Earth could be involved? less

Evil Enters Through Darkest DoorwaysIt's been less than a month since Alastair Stone discovered a monstrous supernatural conspiracy to take over our world one mind at a time.The battle in San Francisco struck a major blow—but it didn't eliminate the threat.Not even close... moreEvil Enters Through Darkest DoorwaysIt's been less than a month since Alastair Stone discovered a monstrous supernatural conspiracy to take over our world one mind at a time.The battle in San Francisco struck a major blow—but it didn't eliminate the threat.Not even close.Where do the Evil come from? How did they get here? What do they want?As Stone and his friends dig deeper into these questions, they make a shocking discovery about the nature of the Evil—and what happened to open the door from their dimension to ours.Pursued by ruthless enemies and aided by unlikely allies, they begin a desperate cross-country race from the wilds of West Virginia to the dark neon wonderland of Las Vegas.Only they have a chance to stop the Evil at its source before it’s too late.But is Stone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to do it? less

Evil Wants to Watch the World BurnThe portals are closed.The Evil have lost their pathway between their home and ours.No longer must humanity fear extradimensional bodysnatchers with a thirst for pain and terror pouring in to wreak destruction on Earth.So that means Alastair Stone and his friends can take a break, right?Yeah—maybe not.True, no more Evil are coming through. But a lot of very powerful, very angry ones are still stuck on our side... moreEvil Wants to Watch the World BurnThe portals are closed.The Evil have lost their pathway between their home and ours.No longer must humanity fear extradimensional bodysnatchers with a thirst for pain and terror pouring in to wreak destruction on Earth.So that means Alastair Stone and his friends can take a break, right?Yeah—maybe not.True, no more Evil are coming through. But a lot of very powerful, very angry ones are still stuck on our side.And now they’re desperate enough to put aside their differences and work together.Stone’s got one last chance to stop the Evil before they unleash their devastating plan and kill thousands of innocents.But this time, he’ll have to put more than his life on the line to make it happen. less

UNACCEPTABLE LOSSESAlastair Stone knew it would take a big sacrifice to end the Evil’s hold over our world. He was ready to make that sacrifice—but he expected it to be his life.Never in his worst nightmares did he think it would be his magic.Despairing and grief-stricken at the loss of the abilities that defined his existence, he’s on the fast track to self-destruction when a dear friend convinces him to take a desperate last chance... moreUNACCEPTABLE LOSSESAlastair Stone knew it would take a big sacrifice to end the Evil’s hold over our world. He was ready to make that sacrifice—but he expected it to be his life.Never in his worst nightmares did he think it would be his magic.Despairing and grief-stricken at the loss of the abilities that defined his existence, he’s on the fast track to self-destruction when a dear friend convinces him to take a desperate last chance. He heads to Las Vegas to find the only man who might be able to help him, but instead finds some old allies in dire need of his own help with a deadly—and very magical—threat.Stone’s answer to nearly every problem has always been magic—but that’s off the table now. All he’s got are his wits and his courage to keep himself and his friends alive. Can he put aside his pride and bitterness long enough to prove there’s more to him than magic? less

An Ancient Evil is Bound in BloodWhen his friend Jason Thayer disappears after heading to his home town to attend a wedding, the only clue Alastair Stone has is a cryptic phone message about "something weird" Jason saw shortly before he vanished.Stone travels to the picturesque tourist town where Jason was last seen and is soon caught up in a horrific web of murder, malevolent magic, and a mysterious and ancient force that's resurfaced even more powerful than ever after a long dormancy... moreAn Ancient Evil is Bound in BloodWhen his friend Jason Thayer disappears after heading to his home town to attend a wedding, the only clue Alastair Stone has is a cryptic phone message about "something weird" Jason saw shortly before he vanished.Stone travels to the picturesque tourist town where Jason was last seen and is soon caught up in a horrific web of murder, malevolent magic, and a mysterious and ancient force that's resurfaced even more powerful than ever after a long dormancy.What is it, how is it connected to the town and its residents, and why has it returned now? What does it want with Jason?Alone and without his usual resources, Stone must find a way to defeat the malignant entity before it cuts a swath of death across the town—and before it uses its insidious powers to destroy Stone's reputation, his livelihood, and his life. less

STRANGE ATTRACTIONS With Jason and Verity in southern California, Alastair Stone quickly discovers he misses his best friends and favorite confidants far more than he expected to. It isn't long, though, before he's got some new matters to occupy his mind: a student who may have fallen under the influence of a magical cult leader, and a budding relationship with a sexy, intelligent, and stunningly beautiful woman who's everything he never dared to dream of... moreSTRANGE ATTRACTIONS With Jason and Verity in southern California, Alastair Stone quickly discovers he misses his best friends and favorite confidants far more than he expected to. It isn't long, though, before he's got some new matters to occupy his mind: a student who may have fallen under the influence of a magical cult leader, and a budding relationship with a sexy, intelligent, and stunningly beautiful woman who's everything he never dared to dream of. As his connection with his new lover grows ever deeper, Stone is drawn into a dangerous web of dark magic, an ancient, malevolent grimoire, and plans within plans that could lead not only to his own destruction, but those of his beloved and his student as well. Pursued by a terrifying duo who are immune to magic, Stone must unravel the purpose of the grimoire and defeat a powerful enemy before it's too late. But what will he do if he's forced to choose between his own student and the woman he loves? less

HEART OF THE MATTER When a police detective approaches Alastair Stone to consult on a grisly occult-related murder, he initially considers it nothing more than an intriguing puzzle to fill a few dull late-summer hours. But then the detective becomes a victim, and the murderer begins taunting Stone, daring him to discover the truth before more of his friends join the list of targets... moreHEART OF THE MATTER When a police detective approaches Alastair Stone to consult on a grisly occult-related murder, he initially considers it nothing more than an intriguing puzzle to fill a few dull late-summer hours. But then the detective becomes a victim, and the murderer begins taunting Stone, daring him to discover the truth before more of his friends join the list of targets. As he delves deeper into the case, Stone soon learns that the murderer isn't human—and has committed similar crimes in the past. Why has it resurfaced again after all these years, and how can Stone stop something that can move without a trace? Aided by a devout young woman with secrets of her own, an elderly researcher, and a cat with a bizarre connection to one of the victims, Stone must call up new depths of courage as he tracks the killer to its horrific lair. But when he finds it, will he be strong enough to destroy it? less

DARK DESIRES Alastair Stone and fellow professor Edwina Mortenson go together like punk rock and patchouli. So when an unwilling Stone is “volunteered” to participate in a paranormal TV reality show with her, neither of them is thrilled about it—even if the ghost town they’ll be filming in is supposedly the site of a powerful curse... moreDARK DESIRES Alastair Stone and fellow professor Edwina Mortenson go together like punk rock and patchouli. So when an unwilling Stone is “volunteered” to participate in a paranormal TV reality show with her, neither of them is thrilled about it—even if the ghost town they’ll be filming in is supposedly the site of a powerful curse. As if dealing with Mortenson, the show’s overbearing producer, and its prima-donna star weren’t bad enough, Stone soon uncovers evidence that the town’s curse is very real—and it’s resurfacing again, more deadly than ever. Miles from civilization, cut off by a freak storm and a washed-out road, Stone must race to find the origin of the curse and stop it before it settles its malignant grip over everyone in the town. Meanwhile, Jason and Verity head off to tackle their first case on their own in Las Vegas, where a search for a missing family man takes them down a dark path—and leads Verity to make a desperate choice that forces her to question everything she thought she knew about her magic. less

TRIAL BY FIREAfter fifteen-year-old Alastair Stone is caught performing magic at his prestigious boarding school, he can hardly believe his good fortune: not only isn't he punished, but his father arranges a trial apprenticeship—three years early—with one of the most powerful mages in all of Britain. He'll have a month to prove himself, or he'll be packed back off to school... moreTRIAL BY FIREAfter fifteen-year-old Alastair Stone is caught performing magic at his prestigious boarding school, he can hardly believe his good fortune: not only isn't he punished, but his father arranges a trial apprenticeship—three years early—with one of the most powerful mages in all of Britain. He'll have a month to prove himself, or he'll be packed back off to school.But when Alastair arrives at his new master's vast, remote country house, he soon finds that his teacher's draconian style and exacting standards aren't the only challenges he'll have to face to pass his trial. The house holds deadly secrets, and not all of his master's staff are on his side. There's also the matter of the village girl he can't stop thinking about...All this is bad enough—but when events spiral out of control, unleashing a murderous enemy to stalk the dark halls of the manor, Alastair is left as the only line of defense against a potential bloodbath. Can a barely-trained, fifteen-year-old mage on his own use his wits and courage to save not only his life, but his master's? less

SINS OF THE PAST Alastair Stone has barely begun to recover from the death of a friend when he’s rocked by yet another—this time someone who was closer to him than his own father. It looks like natural causes...but a grief-stricken Stone isn’t convinced. As England’s magical community comes together to mourn the shocking loss, Verity meets a group of powerful female practitioners who offer to teach her potent new magical skills—a group whose leader seems strangely familiar... moreSINS OF THE PAST Alastair Stone has barely begun to recover from the death of a friend when he’s rocked by yet another—this time someone who was closer to him than his own father. It looks like natural causes...but a grief-stricken Stone isn’t convinced. As England’s magical community comes together to mourn the shocking loss, Verity meets a group of powerful female practitioners who offer to teach her potent new magical skills—a group whose leader seems strangely familiar. And meanwhile, Stone’s shocks have only begun as new revelations come to light—revelations that point at horrific acts from his past, cast chilling new suspicions upon the accident that killed his father, and prove that everything he thought he knew about his dead mother was wrong. As Stone uncovers more terrifying secrets from the earliest years of his life, the darkness in his past at last catches up with him. To save those he loves and prevent some old enemies from committing a monstrous act, he’ll have no choice but to make sacrifices of his own. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone less

PLAY A DEADLY GAME Alastair Stone needs a break. He’d gladly trade a big chunk of his newly-acquired fortune for a few uninterrupted weeks of rest, but that’s not going to happen. On top of dealing with his new magical status and a relationship heading in unexpected directions, he soon learns the bombshell revelations about his family aren’t even close to over yet... morePLAY A DEADLY GAME Alastair Stone needs a break. He’d gladly trade a big chunk of his newly-acquired fortune for a few uninterrupted weeks of rest, but that’s not going to happen. On top of dealing with his new magical status and a relationship heading in unexpected directions, he soon learns the bombshell revelations about his family aren’t even close to over yet. As if all that weren’t enough, an ancient and malevolent set of magical game pieces has resurfaced, leaving a trail of murder and mayhem in its wake. Stone must join with some unlikely allies, including a mundane cop and an all-female vigilante gang, in a desperate race to gain the upper hand before thousands of people are dead. In this game, losing is not an option. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices Game of Stone and two standalone novellas: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone less

POINT OF NO RETURN Alastair Stone, determined to harness enigmatic mage Trevor Harrison’s potent power source, takes a desperate chance—he travels to the dimension where it originates, hoping to convince Harrison to teach him its secrets. He should have expected things wouldn’t go as planned... morePOINT OF NO RETURN Alastair Stone, determined to harness enigmatic mage Trevor Harrison’s potent power source, takes a desperate chance—he travels to the dimension where it originates, hoping to convince Harrison to teach him its secrets. He should have expected things wouldn’t go as planned. Stranded without his power in an exotic, unfamiliar world rich in magic and ruled by tyrannical practitioners, Stone knows his only chance of getting his magic back is to find Harrison--a man who has good reasons for not wanting to be found. But first, he has to stay alive long enough to do it. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices Game of Stone Steel and Stone and two standalone novellas: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone less

WILD MAGIC Things are looking up for Alastair Stone. He's just moved into his new house, Jason's opening his investigation agency, and best of all, the University has finally hired a new professor for the Occult Studies department. Carefree days never last long for Stone, though. The smart, sexy new professor turns out to have secrets—dangerous secrets... moreWILD MAGIC Things are looking up for Alastair Stone. He's just moved into his new house, Jason's opening his investigation agency, and best of all, the University has finally hired a new professor for the Occult Studies department. Carefree days never last long for Stone, though. The smart, sexy new professor turns out to have secrets—dangerous secrets. When he agrees to help her track down a powerful magical artifact, Stone is drawn into a deadly conspiracy involving a mysterious and reclusive clan, alchemical mayhem, and crimes even more horrific than either of them suspected. And as if all that weren’t enough...his cat has started talking to him. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices Game of Stone Steel and Stone Stone and Claw and two standalone novellas: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone less

HERE COMES THE GROOM... "Just don't ship me off to another dimension." Not the typical thing you need to tell your best man when he's planning your bachelor party. But Jason Thayer isn't your typical groom. And Alastair Stone isn't your typical best man. When a mellow party-train journey to Lake Tahoe with some buddies turns into a surreal mind trip with no exit in sight, Jason will need to use all his wits to find his way out of the madness. Grab a drink and party on, Jason... moreHERE COMES THE GROOM... "Just don't ship me off to another dimension." Not the typical thing you need to tell your best man when he's planning your bachelor party. But Jason Thayer isn't your typical groom. And Alastair Stone isn't your typical best man. When a mellow party-train journey to Lake Tahoe with some buddies turns into a surreal mind trip with no exit in sight, Jason will need to use all his wits to find his way out of the madness. Grab a drink and party on, Jason. You're in for the ride of your life. Boys' Night (Way) Out is a standalone novella in the world of the Alastair Stone Chronicles. It takes place following the events in the novel The Madness Below. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices Game of Stone Steel and Stone Stone and Claw The Seventh Stone Gathering Storm House of Stone Circle of Stone The Madness Below and four standalone tales: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone Devil's Bargain Stone for the Holidays less

THE TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH After a bad breakup, all Verity Thayer wants is to spend the next few days moping in her apartment, eating chocolate, and hoping the Universe will leave her the hell alone for a while. That lasts until a mysterious note arrives in her mailbox: Your mother didn’t die of cancer.
 And your father isn’t who you think he is. With her brother away with his fiancée and Alastair Stone on the other side of the world, Verity sets off on her own to track down the note’s sender... moreTHE TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH After a bad breakup, all Verity Thayer wants is to spend the next few days moping in her apartment, eating chocolate, and hoping the Universe will leave her the hell alone for a while. That lasts until a mysterious note arrives in her mailbox: Your mother didn’t die of cancer.
 And your father isn’t who you think he is. With her brother away with his fiancée and Alastair Stone on the other side of the world, Verity sets off on her own to track down the note’s sender. But finding the secrets of murder and betrayal buried in her past isn’t the worst part. Someone doesn’t want her to know the truth—and they’re willing to kill to make sure she never learns it. An Unexpected Truth takes place following the novel The Madness Below and the novella Boys' Night (Way) Out. Don't miss the rest of the series: Stone and a Hard Place The Forgotten The Threshold The Source Core of Stone Blood and Stone Heart of Stone Flesh and Stone The Infernal Heart The Other Side Path of Stone Necessary Sacrifices Game of Stone Steel and Stone Stone and Claw The Seventh Stone Gathering Storm House of Stone Circle of Stone The Madness Below Boys' Night (Way) Out (novella) and four standalone tales: Turn to Stone Shadows and Stone Devil's Bargain Stone for the Holidays less

Finding The Way Home Can Be DeadlyIt starts with an article from Jason's crank file. Some campers have discovered an unconscious "space alien" in the wilds of Colorado.Every mention of the story quickly vanishes from the internet--but not before Alastair Stone gets a look at the single, blurry photo.The "space alien" looks tantalizingly familiar...Stone's going to need some heavy-duty help to get her back where she belongs. Help he doesn't even know how to reach... moreFinding The Way Home Can Be DeadlyIt starts with an article from Jason's crank file. Some campers have discovered an unconscious "space alien" in the wilds of Colorado.Every mention of the story quickly vanishes from the internet--but not before Alastair Stone gets a look at the single, blurry photo.The "space alien" looks tantalizingly familiar...Stone's going to need some heavy-duty help to get her back where she belongs. Help he doesn't even know how to reach. And things get even more complicated when he discovers how she got here—a revelation that catches the interest of yet another powerful friend.To make this right, Stone must not only walk a tightrope between two brilliant, potent, and relentless allies and their competing goals, but also keep them from finding out about each other.And finally, at long last, he's about to learn some truths about himself that make everything that's come before look trivial by comparison.If he survives the experience, his life is about to get very interesting. (less) less