Doomed Romances: Strange Tales of Uncanny Love

Love is not always easy, and it may require sacrifices. This collection of stories explores the darkest aspects of romance, from classic horror to modern twists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2024
Publisher: British Library Publishing

A prophecy threatens a volcanic upheaval for a star-crossed pair.

In the depths of a prophecy, a chilling warning looms over a star-crossed pair, foretelling a volcanic upheaval that could tear their world apart. The stars seem to align against them, as their destinies intertwine in a tragic dance of fate. The very essence of their love seems to be a catalyst for this impending disaster, and they are powerless to stop it. As they face the impending doom, they realize that no sacrifice is too great, and that blood will be shed in the name of their love. With hearts heavy with sorrow and determination, they bid each other farewell, knowing that they must part ways to save their world from the impending volcanic eruption. As they close their eyes for the last time, they pray that their love will endure, even in the face of the greatest adversity.

A forbidden rite binds a dark arts dabbler to a phantom bride.

In the shadows of the night, a dark arts dabbler performs a forbidden rite, binding himself to a phantom bride. The bride, a ghostly presence, is drawn to the dabbler's power and seeks to possess him. The dabbler, consumed by his desire for knowledge and power, welcomes the bride's embrace, knowing that it will lead him to greater heights of darkness. Together, they embark on a journey of forbidden love, exploring the depths of the supernatural and the mysteries of the afterlife. The dabbler's obsession with the occult grows stronger with each passing day, and he is willing to do anything to keep his beloved bride by his side. However, as they delve deeper into the dark arts, they discover that there are consequences to their actions, and that they may be paying a price that is too high to bear.

A barstool chancer invites a devilish retribution on the dance floor.

In a seedy tavern, a barstool chancer sits at the corner, sipping on his drink and observing the people around him. He is a master of manipulation, able to charm his way into any situation and extract what he wants. Tonight, he has set his sights on a beautiful woman, who has caught his eye across the room. With a quick smile and a smooth line, he approaches her and offers her a drink. The woman, unsuspecting of his intentions, accepts the drink and begins to chat with the chancer. As the night goes on, the chancer grows more confident, and he begins to dance with the woman. He moves with grace and precision, captivating the woman with his charm. However, as the dance reaches its climax, the chancer reveals his true intentions. He lunges forward, grabbing the woman and dragging her to the dance floor. With a devilish grin, he begins to dance with her, his movements growing more erratic and violent. The woman tries to fight back, but the chancer is too strong, and he throws her to the ground. As the crowd gasps in horror, the chancer stands over the woman, his eyes filled with malice. He whispers in her ear, "You brought this on yourself, you filthy whore. Now, you will pay the price." With that, he strikes her, and the woman falls to the ground, lifeless. The chancer walks away from the tavern, leaving a trail of blood and chaos in his wake. The woman's body is left on the dance floor, a reminder of the dangers of trusting strangers.

Indulging in the strangest eddies of literary love, this new anthology bids you enter a doom-laden yet irresistibly seductive corner of the Weird.

Welcome to the strangest eddies of literary love, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur and the line between good and evil becomes indistinct. This new anthology invites you to enter a doom-laden yet irresistibly seductive corner of the Weird, where the darkest desires and passions are brought to life. From the bewitching classics of Mary Shelley, Wilkie Collins, and Angela Carter to the twisting modern pieces of Nalo Hopkinson, Tracy Fahey, and V. Castro, this collection offers a diverse range of stories that explore the strange and fascinating world of love.

In "A Prophecy Threatens a Volcanic Uprising," a star-crossed pair faces a volcanic upheaval that could tear their world apart. Despite their love, they realize that no sacrifice is too great, and they must part ways to save their world. The story is a testament to the power of love and the sacrifices that it demands.

In "A Forbidden Rite Binds a Dark Arts Dabbler to a Phantom Bride," a dark arts dabbler performs a forbidden rite, binding himself to a phantom bride. The bride, a ghostly presence, is drawn to the dabbler's power and seeks to possess him. The dabbler, consumed by his desire for knowledge and power, welcomes the bride's embrace, knowing that it will lead him to greater heights of darkness. Together, they embark on a journey of forbidden love, exploring the depths of the supernatural and the mysteries of the afterlife. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the price that one must pay for their desires.

In "A Barstool Chancer Invites a Devilish Retribution on the Dance Floor," a barstool chancer invites a devilish retribution on the dance floor. The chancer is a master of manipulation, able to charm his way into any situation and extract what he wants. Tonight, he has set his sights on a beautiful woman, who has caught his eye across the room. With a quick smile and a smooth line, he approaches her and offers her a drink. The woman, unsuspecting of his intentions, accepts the drink and begins to chat with the chancer. As the night goes on, the chancer grows more confident, and he begins to dance with the woman. He moves with grace and precision, captivating the woman with his charm. However, as the dance reaches its climax, the chancer reveals his true intentions. He lunges forward, grabbing the woman and dragging her to the dance floor. With a devilish grin, he begins to dance with her, his movements growing more erratic and violent. The woman tries to fight back, but the chancer is too strong, and he throws her to the ground. As the crowd gasps in horror, the chancer stands over the woman, his eyes filled with malice. He whispers in her ear, "You brought this on yourself, you filthy whore. Now, you will pay the price." With that, he strikes her, and the woman falls to the ground, lifeless. The chancer walks away from the tavern, leaving a trail of blood and chaos in his wake. The woman's body is left on the dance floor, a reminder of the dangers of trusting strangers.

These stories are just a glimpse into the strange and fascinating world of love that awaits you in this new anthology. Indulge in the darkness, the passion, and the strange, and let these tales transport you to a world where love knows no bounds.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 129 x 190 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780712355551