Prodigal Series by A.M. Arthur

At eighteen, Ethan Wilde left his stifling, rural hometown of Kingston, North Carolina, and he never looked back. But something has always been missing from his life, he isn’t sure what—or who. Twelve years later, an article about the bizarre murder of a childhood friend lands in his inbox, and an instinct deep inside of Ethan insists he return to Kingston... moreAt eighteen, Ethan Wilde left his stifling, rural hometown of Kingston, North Carolina, and he never looked back. But something has always been missing from his life, he isn’t sure what—or who. Twelve years later, an article about the bizarre murder of a childhood friend lands in his inbox, and an instinct deep inside of Ethan insists he return to Kingston. He only plans to stay in town for a few hours, but at the funeral, he runs into a man he never expected to see again: his former-best-friend and lover Jesse.
 Rooted in Kingston by forces he can't explain, Jesse couldn't leave with Ethan twelve years ago, but he doesn’t regret it. Ethan is free to live his life, while Jesse remains behind, protecting a terrible secret—a secret that began when he and five others were only nine years old. They were taken into the woods, and no one knows what happened. And only Ethan has ever left Kingston—but now he’s back, and Kingston isn’t letting Ethan leave a second time.
 After twenty dormant years, the evil that wanted them is back and it's collecting the souls who defeated it once before. Ethan and Jesse's love is as powerful as it ever was, but are they strong enough to save each other a second time? Note: This book was previously published under the same title. No significant changes have been made. less

Love thaws the coldest heart. At fifteen, Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael are sure their fledgling relationship can survive any heartache or hardship—until a spring canoeing trip ends with Lee in the hospital and Roman missing. With his memories of that final, tragic trip gone, Lee spends the next ten years building a life around the river where he lost Roman, existing on the hope that one day he’ll find a clue as the fate of his first love... moreLove thaws the coldest heart. At fifteen, Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael are sure their fledgling relationship can survive any heartache or hardship—until a spring canoeing trip ends with Lee in the hospital and Roman missing. With his memories of that final, tragic trip gone, Lee spends the next ten years building a life around the river where he lost Roman, existing on the hope that one day he’ll find a clue as the fate of his first love. During a late March snowstorm, Lee finds a stranger wandering the road and offers him a ride. Lee’s shock and confusion at discovering this stranger is Roman, older and confused by his long absence, is fast tempered by relief and joy. But Roman isn’t back to stay, and as they work to repair the fractured pieces of their past, the emerging truth of the night Roman disappeared may be the one thing that their enduring love cannot overcome. less

Best friends Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael have been inseparable since childhood, and at fifteen, realize they mean so much more to each other. But not everyone in their small, upstate New York town is happy about their fledgling romance, and during a spring canoe trip, Roman goes missing during a supposed accident Lee can’t remember... moreBest friends Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael have been inseparable since childhood, and at fifteen, realize they mean so much more to each other. But not everyone in their small, upstate New York town is happy about their fledgling romance, and during a spring canoe trip, Roman goes missing during a supposed accident Lee can’t remember. Heartbroken by the loss, Lee spends the next ten years rooted in place, building a life around the river that took his heart away, and obstinately searching for any sign of his lost love.

 During a winter snowstorm, Lee sees a stranger on the side of the road in board shorts and a t-shirt, and he risks bringing the man home. But beneath the shaggy hair and beard is Roman. His Roman. Ten years older, but alive and well, and in Lee’s house. Roman’s reappearance, however, has a time limit, and as Lee works to recover all the memories he lost, one thing becomes frighteningly clear: as scary as the supernatural might be, sometimes human beings are the most horrifying villains of all. Note: This story was previously published under the same title. No significant changes have been made. less

Grayson “Gray” Jones has spent his entire adult life trying not to be seen, not to be noticed, and simply existing day to day. Trying to ignore the fact that he can’t remember anything about his life prior to turning fifteen. All he knows is survival. The day before his thirtieth birthday, Gray wakes up to find his brown eyes unexpectedly a vivid blue—and tiny flashes of memory start to return. He grew up in a now-abandoned Pennsylvania town called Chosenone, and that town is calling him home... moreGrayson “Gray” Jones has spent his entire adult life trying not to be seen, not to be noticed, and simply existing day to day. Trying to ignore the fact that he can’t remember anything about his life prior to turning fifteen. All he knows is survival. The day before his thirtieth birthday, Gray wakes up to find his brown eyes unexpectedly a vivid blue—and tiny flashes of memory start to return. He grew up in a now-abandoned Pennsylvania town called Chosenone, and that town is calling him home.
 Ravaged by an underground fire, no one lives in Chosenone anymore, and during Gray’s explorations of the old buildings, he’s shocked to run into his childhood friend Ian. He and Ian shared everything growing up, even their birthdays. But while Gray’s life post-Chosenone was one of inexplicable hell, Ian grew up to become a decorated police officer. And Gray hates cops. But some force drew them home to finish a ritual that began fifteen years ago, and this time, Gray wants to finish it once and for all—even if it costs him his own life in the end. less