The Charm Collector Series by Melissa Erin Jackson

This is a short prequel story that takes place before Diabolical Sword, book 1 in The Charm Collector urban fantasy series.Camila Fletcher has made a career out of finding missing people. Despite being a full-blooded human, she’s often contacted by members of the fae population hiding amongst mundanes. When a young fae girl asks for help finding her sister, Camila is thrust into an investigation that involves much more than one missing girl …Please note that this is a low-romance series... moreThis is a short prequel story that takes place before Diabolical Sword, book 1 in The Charm Collector urban fantasy series.Camila Fletcher has made a career out of finding missing people. Despite being a full-blooded human, she’s often contacted by members of the fae population hiding amongst mundanes. When a young fae girl asks for help finding her sister, Camila is thrust into an investigation that involves much more than one missing girl …Please note that this is a low-romance series. The prequel’s spice level is at zero. less

A sentient sword. An artifact collector. A whole world of trouble.My name is Harlow Fletcher, and I’m a charm collector.As the daughter of bounty hunters, I know more about the criminal underbelly than the average citizen of Luma, California. But when Dad’s work got him killed, and Mom went on the lam, I swore off the profession for myself... moreA sentient sword. An artifact collector. A whole world of trouble.My name is Harlow Fletcher, and I’m a charm collector.As the daughter of bounty hunters, I know more about the criminal underbelly than the average citizen of Luma, California. But when Dad’s work got him killed, and Mom went on the lam, I swore off the profession for myself. Instead, I use my knack for finding rare artifacts—namely illegal magic-laced weapons—to sneak into criminals’ homes after the police have carted them off for their latest infractions. Once I’ve helped myself to the contraband, I sell it to the highest bidder.While looting my latest victim, I find a gorgeous sword. I immediately regret my decision to steal it. The weapon is alive. It’s lightning-quick, has an anger management problem, and refuses to be left behind. Days later, I count my lucky stars when it takes off on its own.In less than twenty-four hours, the police are at my door accusing me of murder. While pleading my case, the diabolical sword floats into my apartment, covered in blood. Now we’re on the run, with bounty hunters and government-trained feline shifters hot on our trail. Proving my innocence is going to be a hell of a lot harder with the sentient murder weapon by my side—especially when I might be next on its hit list … less

Secrets are more valuable than gold.KaydaKayda Verdan and Harlow Fletcher have been ride-or-die best friends since they were teenagers. And yet, when Harlow’s life hits the skids after she steals a sentient dragon sword, she doesn’t seek Kayda’s help. Harlow ghosts her friend altogether under the guise of keeping Kayda safe.Kayda is not amused. When Harlow leaves Luma and Kayda behind, Kayda is downright angry... moreSecrets are more valuable than gold.KaydaKayda Verdan and Harlow Fletcher have been ride-or-die best friends since they were teenagers. And yet, when Harlow’s life hits the skids after she steals a sentient dragon sword, she doesn’t seek Kayda’s help. Harlow ghosts her friend altogether under the guise of keeping Kayda safe.Kayda is not amused. When Harlow leaves Luma and Kayda behind, Kayda is downright angry. As the Collective and their trained werecats try to track Harlow down, they turn their sights on Kayda, propelling her into an adventure she never expected. An adventure that reveals a secret group threatening Luma’s veil magic—and the lives of everyone who resides within the hidden magical city.~ ~ ~HarlowHarlow and Caspian Blackthorn left Luma to let the dust settle back home. While enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation, they strategize their search for the origins of the sentient sword. The road trip leads them to a black-market auction where fae are selling dangerous items to fae and mundanes living outside the hubs. When Harlow and Caspian get their hands on a treasure chest that was extracted from a sunken pirate ship, they uncover not just a piece of the sword’s past, but the Collective’s.The treasure they find is more valuable than gold—treasure that powerful fae would kill for. And without magical friends to call for help, Harlow, Caspian, and the sword will have to fend for themselves. So much for a relaxing vacation … less

The shadows have eyes.Returning to Luma after being promised their records would be wiped clean had been a no-brainer for Harlow and company. Especially when the only requirement for hub society reintegration was to meet with Sorceress Rhiannon at the Collective’s Tower to share intel about vampires, ferals, and Lachlan Shade’s potential master plan. Yet within minutes of crossing the veil, Rhiannon postpones their appointment due to a brewing faction war among the sorcerers... moreThe shadows have eyes.Returning to Luma after being promised their records would be wiped clean had been a no-brainer for Harlow and company. Especially when the only requirement for hub society reintegration was to meet with Sorceress Rhiannon at the Collective’s Tower to share intel about vampires, ferals, and Lachlan Shade’s potential master plan. Yet within minutes of crossing the veil, Rhiannon postpones their appointment due to a brewing faction war among the sorcerers. This welcome reprieve is dampened by a pack of werecats barricading Harlow, Caspian, Camila, and the sword in Caspian’s house until the foursome is given the all-clear to visit the Tower.Worried their side won’t win the war—thereby landing Harlow and Caspian back on Luma’s Most Wanted list—the pair is determined to prove they’re worth more to the Collective outside a jail cell. They believe the key to the worrying surge in portal activity and a window into Lachlan’s schemes both lie somewhere near Lake Nacimiento—the same lake connected to the sword’s dormant twin.Their impending escape only grows more complicated when Zander Welsh drops the bomb that his days-old bite from a hybrid is infected. Rumors are already swirling that hybrid vampire bites have begun turning fae—a feat previously thought impossible. In the rare instances that a fae survives the transition, their magic mutates into something unholy. Harlow and Caspian must find a cure for Welsh’s blood-poison before it kills him—or, perhaps worse, turns him into a monster unable to discern friend from foe. less

Sometimes your best ally is your worst enemy.Harlow, Camila, and Caspian finally head to the Collective’s Tower. Though Sorceress Rhiannon bought them some time, stalling time is over. The sorcerers need each of them for different reasons, but all three fear that once they walk in, they’re not getting back out.For years, Felix Turner has been searching for the truth about Naomi West’s murder and how it’s tied to the death of Nelson Fletcher... moreSometimes your best ally is your worst enemy.Harlow, Camila, and Caspian finally head to the Collective’s Tower. Though Sorceress Rhiannon bought them some time, stalling time is over. The sorcerers need each of them for different reasons, but all three fear that once they walk in, they’re not getting back out.For years, Felix Turner has been searching for the truth about Naomi West’s murder and how it’s tied to the death of Nelson Fletcher. When someone from Naomi’s past returns to Luma with a new lead, Felix is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all.Kayda’s guilt over failing Kessler has given her a bit of a savior complex. When another remote hub is attacked by ferals, she refuses to let more innocents suffer on her watch. Diving headlong into this new mission, however, sends her far from home—and reveals that the Shades’ influence has reached far beyond Luma.Renata Bernard had no skin in this game only days ago. Hells, she hadn’t even known the game was being played. Now, not only has she been pulled into a scheme Lachlan Shade hatched while in exile, she’s also been pegged as the key to his success. She never would have thought being a scientist was this dangerous.Pulled away from friends and family, they all must forge connections with monstrous new allies—from sorcerers to aves to vampires—because everything leads back to Lachlan Shade.The Shades’ leader has finally returned to the earthen realm, eager to begin The Restoration. The Collective thwarted his efforts decades ago, but now, with his own monstrous allies and their feral minions on his side, he’ll reshape the world … or take it down with him. less