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Alastair Stone Chronicles #1.6
Devil's Bargain
“A witch wants my baby!”
Tamara Huntley is as mundane as they come. A suburban mom with two young children, her life revolves around her family, her job, and the comforts of home. So when her estranged, wild-child sister comes to her, begging for help and claiming a witch murdered her husband and wants to steal her baby daughter in payment for a long-ago oath, Tamara thinks she’s gone crazy.
Until she turns up dead, and the baby vanishes without a trace.
If Tamara’s going to get her niece back, she’ll have to expand her worldview fast. She’ll also need some expert help. But where can a normal, practical woman find help dealing with an evil witch?
Fortunately for her, aid is closer than she thinks. Who better to give button-down Tamara a crash course in things that go bump in the night than Stanford occult studies professor Dr. Alastair Stone? At least he can offer some tips, even if she’s sure he can’t help her any other way.
Because magic isn’t real…right?
Welcome to the spooky side of the street, Tamara. Hope you survive the experience.
Devil's Bargain is a short, standalone novel in the world of the Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series.
Tamara Huntley is as mundane as they come. A suburban mom with two young children, her life revolves around her family, her job, and the comforts of home. So when her estranged, wild-child sister comes to her, begging for help and claiming a witch murdered her husband and wants to steal her baby daughter in payment for a long-ago oath, Tamara thinks she’s gone crazy.
Until she turns up dead, and the baby vanishes without a trace.
If Tamara’s going to get her niece back, she’ll have to expand her worldview fast. She’ll also need some expert help. But where can a normal, practical woman find help dealing with an evil witch?
Fortunately for her, aid is closer than she thinks. Who better to give button-down Tamara a crash course in things that go bump in the night than Stanford occult studies professor Dr. Alastair Stone? At least he can offer some tips, even if she’s sure he can’t help her any other way.
Because magic isn’t real…right?
Welcome to the spooky side of the street, Tamara. Hope you survive the experience.
Devil's Bargain is a short, standalone novel in the world of the Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2019
75 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
69 books331 followersR. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 20, 2019
Devil's Bargain: An Alastair Stone Chronicles Novella (timeline: between books #1 and #2)
by R.L. King
I'm not sure I've ever given a Stone Chronicles a 5 star rating. Because of that, I'll tell you why right away. This was a simple magic story. One mage, one witch, one "mundane" and no bigger/badder whatever who couldn't be destroyed or overpowered. In this book, Stone manages to win the day with his brain. Yes, there is magical action. Yes, there is danger galore. Yes, the proofing and editing were top notch. Yes, the plotting and pacing was great. Yes, the characters were consistent and believable. What was different was the Stone didn't need helpers, or some extra-dimensional strength to win the day -- just his regular magic and a sharp brain.
It's not that I mind Verity and Jason -- they're okay. But King's reliance on them, instead of Stone, to carry the day makes one wonder why Stone is considered such a badass mage. I'd love to see more of the novels and stories follow this novella's lead. More Stone. Less the rest of the crap.
by R.L. King
I'm not sure I've ever given a Stone Chronicles a 5 star rating. Because of that, I'll tell you why right away. This was a simple magic story. One mage, one witch, one "mundane" and no bigger/badder whatever who couldn't be destroyed or overpowered. In this book, Stone manages to win the day with his brain. Yes, there is magical action. Yes, there is danger galore. Yes, the proofing and editing were top notch. Yes, the plotting and pacing was great. Yes, the characters were consistent and believable. What was different was the Stone didn't need helpers, or some extra-dimensional strength to win the day -- just his regular magic and a sharp brain.
It's not that I mind Verity and Jason -- they're okay. But King's reliance on them, instead of Stone, to carry the day makes one wonder why Stone is considered such a badass mage. I'd love to see more of the novels and stories follow this novella's lead. More Stone. Less the rest of the crap.
January 16, 2019
Loved it!
A very good short story written in first person with the client telling the story of seeking Stone's help.
The only thing I didn't like about the storywas the bad guy got off easy and literally got away with murder.
A very good short story written in first person with the client telling the story of seeking Stone's help.
The only thing I didn't like about the storywas the bad guy got off easy and literally got away with murder.
January 17, 2019
Another Great Stone Story
Another great Stone story by a great author. I was hesitant at first as the story starts through the eyes of someone else. I shouldn't have worried....it was great.
Another great Stone story by a great author. I was hesitant at first as the story starts through the eyes of someone else. I shouldn't have worried....it was great.
February 14, 2019
Loved it!
I enjoyed the story, who’s perspective is from a mundane outsider’s view of Stone’s world. It’s just perfect for a novella, nice and tidy but it leaves room for expansion.
I enjoyed the story, who’s perspective is from a mundane outsider’s view of Stone’s world. It’s just perfect for a novella, nice and tidy but it leaves room for expansion.
January 16, 2019
Great, quick read.
Is it wrong to be even more in love with Alastair Stone? I loved this novella and would highly recommend it.
Is it wrong to be even more in love with Alastair Stone? I loved this novella and would highly recommend it.
January 18, 2019
Interesting!
This was quite a bit different from the usual Stone novels. Regardless, it was well written, interesting and entertaining.
Can't wait for the next one!
This was quite a bit different from the usual Stone novels. Regardless, it was well written, interesting and entertaining.
Can't wait for the next one!
February 25, 2019
I really liked this story!
A courageous mundane housewife rescues her dead sister's baby from an evil which with the help of Alistair Stone. A fascinating tale!
A courageous mundane housewife rescues her dead sister's baby from an evil which with the help of Alistair Stone. A fascinating tale!
March 25, 2019
Interesting perspective to read from the victim's point of view. Great short story.
June 14, 2023
Devil’s Bargain
Very interesting plot in this book. Dr Stone as always has a great resolution to the problem of baby Emma.
Very interesting plot in this book. Dr Stone as always has a great resolution to the problem of baby Emma.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews