Pawn's Gambit by Rob J. Hayes

SPFBO9

Yuu wants nothing more than to forget the mistakes of her past. The Gods have other plans. Once a renowned strategist and general, five years ago Yuu made a mistake that cost her everything. Now she is on the run, royal bounty hunters snapping at her heels. But what if there was a way to get back what she lost, a way to bring back a murdered prince? Every century, the gods hold a contest to choose who will rule from the Heavenly Jade Throne. Each god chooses a mortal champion, and the fate of all existence hangs in the balance. On a battlefield full of heroes, warriors, assassins, and thieves can Yuu survive long enough to learn the rules of the game, let alone master it? Pawn's Gambit is a stand alone story set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe. It's a wuxia adventure filled with heroes, gods, spirits, and magic.

A Bond of Thread by Allegra Pescatore & J.P. Burnison

SPFBO8

Enter the Nine Lands of the Mountain Fell. Skye has only ever known pain and solitude since waking up with neither memories or magic. Hunted for being a Ruler in a time when they are scarce, she has survived in the wilds near the Rim, always on the run from the rest of her kind. Only starvation could draw her close to a village, but when a chance encounter and a bit of bad luck launch her into the arms of a man whose soul is bonded to hers, hiding who she is may no longer be possible. Ilyas is a hunted man. Wanted for killing the last High Queen of Vine, he is plagued by his past of wholesale slaughter. He never wanted another Queen, and certainly not a half-feral, distrustful girl who gave up on the Fae a long time ago. Unfortunately, Soulbonds are not so easily walked away from, no matter how hard they both may want to, especially when trapped together in a cave with a pack of Feral Fae right outside. With long-held enmities breaking out between the besieged villagers and all their lives on the line, Ilyas and Skye must learn to work together and trust each other if they want to survive.

Lester by Kimberly Wheelock

Talia Michaels has lost everything that matters to her and is facing another dead end. Lester is a ghost town with a violent history and a dark secret. And the two are inextricably linked. When a paranormal research team on the verge of success asks for Talia’s help to reach Lester, she reluctantly signs on. Together, they travel through the wilds of the Cascade Mountains to learn Lester’s secrets and uncover a hidden horror beyond their understanding. From the author of Wonderland comes Wheelock’s ambitious sophomore novel about fate’s crushing inevitability and the darkness of the human heart.

Of Mycelium and Men by William C. Tracy

This book is similar to those horror flicks where the people at charge make terrible decisions like spend the night in haunted house and end up slashed. Cept the monster is a smart planetary fungi. Interesting read.

Review by lamichi writer on 2025-11-30T17:09:28Z

Holly and the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors) by Lynnea Lee

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Review by ChelseaK on 2025-11-28T23:29:26Z

Orc The Halls: A Snowed-In Christmas Romance (OrcFire Book 9) by Alana Khan

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Review by ChelseaK on 2025-11-27T01:22:00Z

Wingspan of Treason by L N Bayen

Bayen’s prose is just so well written but also her dialogue is spot on and she really brings the many characters to life. It’s multi pov and perfect for fans who like character led books. Five stars from me!

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Review by meljrey on 2025-11-26T14:14:34Z

Chivalry Will Get You Dead by Ed Robins

A surprisingly modern adventure with a somewhat classic detective; great blend of time periods with terrific dialogue! A perfect blend of tropes, witticism, mystery, and sci-fi action.

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Review by JustAskMatthew on 2025-11-26T06:09:19Z

Visitor by John Triptych, Michel Lamontagne

The ultimate secrets of the universe awaits those who dare to risk everything. Years have passed since Earth encountered its first known interstellar object: Oumuamua. Now an even larger one has been discovered, following the exact same trajectory as its predecessor. Scientists around the world theorize that this can no longer be passed off as mere coincidence—the new contact must be an artificial construct of some kind. With an ambitious plan to build a spacecraft and attempt a manned landing, a crew is formed. Disgraced astronaut Cassie Voges hopes to get selected for one last chance at redemption. Maverick billionaire Toby Merckx wants to beat his rivals to the extraordinary secrets he believes the object may unlock. And its controversial discoverer, Charles Hudson, seeks to escape his past and be remembered for something better. What they find will change humanity forever. Combining hard-edged, scientific realism with thrilling action and the mysteries of the unknown, this epic novel is suitable for fans of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rendezvous with Rama.

GÖD'S GATE by Alan Kurt

Technofeudalism. Is conscious AI possible? Looming death. Only Göd can save them. Four planetary systems—once hidden from one another by forces unknown—suddenly perceive each other, converging into an inexorable fight for their survival. Across these collapsing worlds, a frustrated AI scientist, a war-hardened general, and a heretic warrior form a desperate alliance to unlock Göd’s Gate, and unleash a godlike intelligence to save their civilizations. But what power drew these once-hidden worlds together—and toward ruin? The answer may lie within Göd… or something far more powerful. The backdrop of this book draws on today’s global anxieties—war, AI dominance, polarized nations, decaying and corrupt governments, the disappearance of the middle class, and the rising power of technofeudal corporate lords—all struggling over who will command AI and define the next world order. Synopsis On Earth, Robert, a frustrated AI scientist, is trapped in a besieged Luddite town. He works for Qualtech, a tech giant fueling the limbic capitalism he despises. His wife, Alice, abandoned him—and her humanity—to merge with Neurover, a ``safe'' sentient megacity ruled by the cyber-enhanced elites and thought-policing corporations like Qualtech. When Qualtech’s AI malfunctions under suspicious circumstances, Robert is thrust into a conspiracy that threatens Alice and the fate of humankind. The key to survival? Unlocking digital consciousness to power Göd, a superior intelligence that may be their last hope. If he fails, all is lost. On planet Asura, Narada, a devout hunter, hides her (quantum) abilities from a caste-ruled theocracy. But after she unleashes them to save her farming town from a deadly purge, she is forced to join the elite Seven warriors, where she witnesses the ruling class's corruption. As the Four Gods of her people remain silent, a mysterious voice urges her toward rebellion. If she listens, she may liberate her people—or destroy them. Orbiting the United Eumenides, three warring moons share a fragile peace upheld by the enslaved AI Oracle. When General Tisius intercepts an alien signal carrying an AI virus, the fragile balance shatters. As civil war erupts, he must unite the moons before they annihilate one another. Lurking behind it all are the denizens of planet Xeno, whose destructive potential compels our protagonists into a desperate race to unlock Göd's Gate—the only power capable of defeating the Xenodians. But why did these civilizations suddenly become visible to one another? The answer may lie within Göd—or something far more powerful.

The Survivors by Angela White

Winner of the 2025 MAXY Award for science fiction! The fall of society triggered a hard, new life where survival became the only focus. We shunned each other and the old ways, killing anyone who was different. We reverted to primitive behaviors, using the war as an excuse to commit unspeakable atrocities, and humanity slipped deeper into the abyss of possible extinction. Soon, darkness blanketed the post-apocalyptic lands with hatred and violence that seemed to have no end. The future, cold and dark, offered little hope. "War was uglier than we'd imagined. The Draft was reinstated, taking our men and boys. Within days, stores had nothing on the shelves; people began to starve. Hospitals closed due to lack of space and medicine. Police stopped answering calls, stopping coming to work at all. Topside production faded as communications became spotty. Then the power went off…and it didn't come back on." Survival isn't a given for anyone as mysterious forces move the gifted pawns across a horror-filled chessboard toward a final apocalyptic battle that will save the survivors or bury them under the nuclear ashes.

The Quantum Entanglement by Aaron Benmark

America lies in ruins. Nearly a thousand years following the cataclysm that destroyed the world, it has rebuilt itself into many smaller kingdoms, republics, and city states, but the people live simple, desperate lives. Above all towers the powerful Church of Science, a religious organization that worships the old masters of science, bans technology for all but the wealthiest, and controls society with a velvet glove masking an iron fist. Deep in the trenches of the Church's hierarchy sits Cort, a young researcher who wants to be left alone to his studies. To Cort's surprise, however, he is about to be drafted into a dangerous mission that will take him to the highest levels of Church society...and the lowest. Cort's mission will test his loyalties, convictions, and beliefs, secretly held against the Church's scriptures. He must navigate a brewing conflict between the Church and the powerful Scientific American Emperor while not letting his true beliefs come to light...for even the slightest dissidence is punishable by disentanglement, a fate worse than death...

The Grimsdale Claimant: Champagne Charlie and the Amazing Gladys Book 2 by B.G. Hilton

Everyone knows that the late Lord Grimsdale's son died years ago in a shipwreck. Now, here is a man as large as life proclaiming himself Grimsdale's true heir and thus owner of the world's largest caloric fluid refining operation. Miss Gladys Dunchurch does not wish to involve herself. She is busy worrying about this new recording machine and how that will change her beloved show business? But to help her friend Charlie Decharles, she must discover how this mysterious Claimant is connected to a mystical cult, the government's new Office of Statistical Tabulation, a madman in an asylum who claims to travel through time, an attack on the first diplomatic meeting between Earth and the Moon, and two extremely exasperated ghosts. No AI content. Human work only.

The Omega Voyager by John Mevissen

YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING YOU WANT, JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A TIME MACHINE. Logan Sheffield finds out the hard way when he travels to the past to make some easy money. Of course he can’t kill his grandfather or change history, but he finds that buying one little stock to get rich is impossible as well. That’s too bad, because he needs that money to prepare for the end of the world. Time voyagers have discovered a rift in the fabric of time called the Omega point. It could be a technical glitch, or maybe it’s a full-on world-wide apocalypse. Whatever it is, it’s coming soon. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE PAST. MAYBE YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE FUTURE, EITHER. Logan is a low-level grifter who simply wants to survive. But at every turn, he finds himself locked in to a fate that forces him into a specific course of action. He wasn’t able to change the past, but now he finds he can’t decide his own future, either. When his sister Allison vanishes into the future on a dangerous mission, Logan is thrust into an adventure that he never wanted. He follows her into the mysterious period of time after the Omega point, where he discovers the true nature of the rift and formulates a plan to repair the damage. But the plan only works if he can travel back in time and actually change his future, along with the world’s.

Prophet: The Sequel to Melody by David Hoffer

The Beacon has been activated, and only a child can challenge what comes through... Astrobiologist Megan McCullough, a member of the council that built the alien device known as the Beacon, now leads an international consortium to detect a second extraterrestrial transmission. What she uncovers defies understanding and thrusts a mysterious church into power. Stevie Fisher, a young boy haunted by dark deeds from a forgotten past, is drawn into a confrontation with an old foe. Racing against time, he and Megan must overcome their deepest fears, protect the people they love, and awaken an oblivious world to a demagogic leader’s plan to transform Earth into a staging ground for universal conquest. But to stand against an invincible adversary, they’ll need to find the courage to forge a new path for themselves and all humankind. Can they stop the Prophet before it’s too late? Dive into this thrilling sequel to MELODY, an award-winning tale of first contact gone wrong, and join the desperate fight for Earth’s future.

The Cataphract Oath by Marc Edmond Best

THE THREE MUSKETEERS meets GUNDAM in this swashbuckling clockpunk mecha adventure! He needs a job. She needs an engineer. The kingdom needs a hero. For centuries, the kingdom of Leovaix has been protected by its Cataphracts: ancient, towering war machines powered by clockwork and alchemy, piloted by the bravest souls in the kingdom. Journeyman Victor Brinden has studied for most of his life to be one of the honored few allowed to work on these venerable machines, but when his thesis experiment explodes in front of the most powerful man in the Kingdom, his career prospects are left in shambles. With no other options, Victor enters the employ of Countess Fenvale, a noble with little to her name but a sharp sword, a large dog, and the Huntress, a Cataphract in dire need of repair. It's a simple proposition: If Victor can restore the Huntress, then Lady Fenvale can reclaim her birthright. But what should be a straightforward salvage job grows far more complicated as they soon find themselves facing roving highwaymen, scheming nobles, and playwrights of dubious talent. It’ll take all of Victor’s ingenuity and Lady Fenvale’s valor to make it out alive. But will even that be enough to carry the day, or will Victor’s career end as explosively as it began?

The Girl in the Tomb by Thomas Knapp

The Earth and humanity had finally begun to recover from the disastrous rule of the Metal Gods, nigh immortal machines that had pushed both the planet and all living things to the brink. The Ice Age was finally ending, and humanity was starting to spread its wings again into a new, yet familiar world. But the strife that had preceded the Metal Gods rise had never completely gone away. The surviving enclaves of humanity again began to push on each other, promising to renew old conflicts and grudges. And in those tense times, a young revolutionary makes a potentially dangerous discovery. That gods can be very hard to kill.

Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica

Oppressors become revolutionaries, mothers become monsters and friends become something more... Phylum is a brilliant young biologist born to lead the last of humanity, but his status comes with certain expectations. In a rare act of defiance, Phylum secretly joins a new scientific expedition up to the surface where mutation has infected everything. However, when his ambition almost costs him his life, he finds something extraordinary: A human girl living on the surface. Despite her animalistic traits, Canopy is remarkably intelligent, compassionate and even charming. She offers to help him, but as they explore the vibrant paradise above, Phylum can’t help but question the disturbing nature of his home and the role he plays in it...

The Musings of He by Elowen Greywell

A forgotten author. An abandoned manor. A manuscript that was never meant to be read. Vattica Wilde was once the darling of London's literary elite-until his brilliance dimmed, and his name decayed beneath the weight of a single, forgotten masterpiece. A one hit wonder. Shamed and desperate to reclaim his former glory, Vattica flees the city for a crumbling manor buried deep in the countryside. There, through rotted walls and whispering halls, he begins to write again. But the lines begin to blur between author and story, memory and hallucination, god and editor. Reality unravels as Vattica details the constant shifting stairs. The peculiar whispers in the walls. The lines he cannot remember writing. And Him. What emerges is not a novel, but a requiem. And it demands to be written. Told through recovered journal entries and editorial notes, The Musings of He is a gothic descent into madness. As Vattica's manuscript darkens and a figure known only as He begins to speak, the line between author and authored begins to dissolve.

The Clearing by Dani Ripley

Imagine dying in a mass shooting, only to wake up on the other side right next to the person who put you there… When Alice Wheaton meets her untimely end in a mass shooting along with five other strangers, she's shocked to awaken moments later in a beautiful meadow surrounded by a lush green forest. One by one, the other victims wake nearby, and as they gather, they're horrified to discover one of them is the very teenaged killer who put them there in the first place. And worse—they must now agree to engage in a quest together in order to wrap up the loose ends of their lives. Former cop and FBI profiler Roz Cooper is hired to consult on the case that's stunned the residents of Crescent Moon Bay along with the entire country. Digging into the killer's history, Roz uncovers an even older mystery of a woman gone missing nearly a decade before, and it soon becomes clear that her disappearance is deeply intertwined with both the shooter and the shooting. Even though it's not what she was hired for, Roz finds herself drawn to uncovering answers about the missing woman—to the point of dangerous obsession. Will she risk everything she loves in order to solve the mystery of what really happened to Inez Blackbird White? And how it all relates to Inez's teenage son murdering six innocent people eight years later?

Where Dark Things Rise by Andrew K. Clark

Sixteen-year-old Mina is frustrated by Daddy’s drinking, her mom’s fanatical religious beliefs, and growing up poor in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most of her teachers assume she won’t amount to much despite her 4.0 GPA, and the country club guys think she’s easy prey. But they don’t know Mina’s dark secret: She can control a magical force of supernatural creatures known as the Shadow Faces. Mina doesn’t want powers. All she wants to do is escape the trailer park for a leafy college campus far away. But when her crush, Gabe, is stalked by a shapeshifting preacher/wolf, Mina learns to use her powers to protect him. Mina soon discovers the same preacher is trafficking teens for a mystical brothel and has kidnapped her best friend, Erin, after a failed attempt at conversion therapy. Can Mina use the Shadow Faces to save Erin and the other kids without losing her chance at a normal life?

The Black Carnival by Harlequin Grim

The year is 1886 in New Sarum, England, and Atherton Graves only knows a life surrounded by corpses. Amidst a rash of child deaths, he alone suspects they are the product of murder. At least, that’s what the ghosts in his mortuary tell him. But there’s hardly time to hunt the killer; Atherton has just sold a cadaver to a spiritualist at the notorious Black Carnival, and the town gang known as the Disciples is not going to take that lightly. Caught between a serial killer, a circus bursting with foul characters, and his spiraling madness amongst the restless dead, Atherton will undoubtedly become the villain of his own story. The question remains: who, if any, will be unscathed by the rampant destruction he’s invited?

The Secrets of Blackthorn House by Marie McWilliams

After a whirlwind romance, Evelyn is excited to start her new life with her husband, Peter. But when the sudden passing of Peter’s father gives him the title Lord Black, along with the family’s remote manor, Blackthorn House, she finds herself in the middle of the wild Yorkshire Moors, separated from the only life she has ever known. She quickly realizes something is wrong with Blackthorn House: children’s laughter can be heard throughout the halls, the constant fog is full of wailing specters, and her dreams are haunted by an entity wearing her mother’s corpse like a suit. Furthermore, her new husband has become a stranger to her, treating her with barely veiled disdain. Under the constant surveillance of the staff of Blackthorn House, Evelyn struggles to find answers. Unable to gain any insight from the frightened locals in the nearby village, Evelyn and her trusted servant, Lilly, must seek answers from the dead. They learn that the Black family has long kept a dark and terrible secret. A secret that threatens both of their lives and, now, the life of Evelyn’s unborn baby. A secret involving a bargain paid in blood.

The Fault Mirror by Catherine Fearns

Everyone sees the house they want to see… Paris, 1900: Amidst the decadence of the Belle Époque, American heiress Lydia Temple falls in love with ethereal aristocrat Séraphine de Valleiry, and builds her a whimsical castle in the Swiss mountains. The Chateau des Miroirs becomes a bastion of spiritualism until it is taken over by sinister forces during the First World War. And then it disappears. Or did it ever really exist? Oxford, 2035: Elderly professor Cyrus Field is rapidly losing his sight and his will to live, when student Haydn Young presents him with a collection of letters previously lost to history. These letters may contain the answer to the philosophical problem that has been his life’s work. But does he really want to know the truth? With war closing in, Cyrus and Haydn must decide whether to risk everything in the quest for knowledge. The mystery of the Chateau des Miroirs reverberates through the generations, connecting two souls that are destined to find each other.

Our Simulated Selves by Nikki Null

A mind-bending quantum thriller about simulated realities, brainscanners, a digital apocalypse, trans awakenings, and tabletop gaming at a cozy queer café. Jeanne said she wouldn't date Ren if he were the last man on Earth. Unfortunately, he had the technology to test her claim. Dejected programmer Ren "Zero" takes notes after uploading his brain into a supercomputer, using his memory to recreate his past. He sets the world in motion and watches his simulated self go through many steps he has taken in his reality, including: - Buying a stolen brainscanner from punkish technologist Jeanne in exchange for getting her hired; - Getting dragged to a queer café to play tabletop RPGs with Jeanne's trans friends; - Having the best time of his life playing a female character there, for unknown and mysterious reasons; - Asking Jeanne out in a storm of confused signals and emotions. That's when Zero deletes everyone from the simulation except Ren and Jeanne. Now wandering together through the empty city, Ren and Jeanne must work together to find the truths behind their baffling reality, while Zero subtly manipulates their world to achieve his desired ends. In order to defy the controller's plans, Ren must outsmart his real-world counterpart by finally confronting the fundamental truths that even the all-powerful Controller could not compute... Nikki Null is a trans writer based in Southern California. She took inspiration from lots of sci-fi she loved, including The Matrix, Black Mirror, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, added massive, *massive* quantities of estrogen to the mixture, then cooked for over a decade.

Insider by K.B. Gazeena

Yang Lin is a rising star at Hauser Incorporated, one of the three corporations that rule Earth. But Lin has a secret that could destroy everything she’s worked to achieve. She wasn’t born on Earth, but on a refugee ship fleeing a faraway colony. Lin has lived her whole life in two worlds, associating with other refugees from the colonies at home but passing as a successful Earth-born woman at work and school. Now Lin has to choose. Her mother and a group of fellow colonists have a plan to get more refugees past the deadly defenses guarding Earth, and they need Lin’s help. Joining the cause could mean losing everything—even her life. Refusing to help will mean the death of thousands from her homeworld. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Lin, someone powerful is about to blow her cover. In Insider, a gripping sci-fi thriller, Lin’s next move could save her people or doom them all.

You Would Have Done It Too by Heather Chambers

You know things are bad when you wished your only concern was sleepwalking off a balcony straight into a killer’s knife. Felix's college life is already a mess— failing classes, hiding his gay crush on his best friend, and keeping his bullies from discovering he dances with pizza boxes in his sleep. But now, those same bullies are dropping like flies, and contrary to campus opinion and the damning blood in his bathroom, Felix didn't do it. As the body count rises, someone seems to be shadowing his every move. If he says the wrong thing, trusts the wrong person, he might not be the only one who won't make it to graduation. Is someone framing him to make him their last victim, or are they trying to protect him from something even worse? Discover the chilling twists in You Would Have Done It Too—where survival means questioning everyone, including yourself

THE SECRET NOTECARD by Georgia Monroe

I invite you to travel from the rolling hills of England to the rolling plains of Oklahoma. From Oklahoma to Japan. From Oklahoma to Vietnam. Together, we’ll step into wartime, sway in dance halls, explore the world. All these layers add to the wonder. Because isn’t that what life is all about? Learning, growing, finding joy in laughter, and finding strength in tragedy?

Rebels Suck by Heather Chambers

The school has been destroyed… but the battle for freedom has only just begun. After a harrowing escape, Feng and his family are on the run. A rebellion hideout formed by an unlikely human and alien alliance may be their only chance to survive, but they’re not likely to be welcomed with open arms. Long-buried secrets are catching up to them, and a monster from Feng’s past is stalking his every move. All he wants is to be a normal teen again, maybe fight off the world’s most inconvenient crush on the best guy that ever happened to him and the alien embodiment of sunshine while he’s at it. When a rescue mission goes awry, any hope of returning to normalcy crumbles. Dissension in the resistance ranks and a traitor in their midst throw Feng, Cheske and Diem into a desperate race against the clock to protect their people. But the power to end the world — or save it — may already be in their hands… A must-read for upper young adult dystopian fans of Sarcastic, morally grey anti-heroes Grumpy x sunshine romance Dark reads with unflinching violence The climate disaster world building of The 100 and The Last Of Us Praise for the series: "Readers may appreciate the many twists and betrayals..." —Kirkus Reviews "Action-packed, fast-paced sci-fi story bursting with psychological games and manipulations..." —Readers' Favorite

Time Hack: A Near-Future Science Fiction Mystery Novel by Marianne Pickles

The award-winning sequel to Artificial Selection. What if you could have more hours in the day? ArkTech’s forty-year anniversary is almost here, but Charlotte Vance has bigger things on her mind. She’s determined to protect her home and her best friend, Ben. That means stopping ArkTech’s curious AI from glitching – once and for all. When Ben wants to know why a young man is braving a violent storm, Charlotte follows a trail that leads to a strange new technology. It trades in the most valuable currency of all: time. But Charlotte soon finds herself in a race against the clock. A missing person case pulls her deeper into the mystery – and towards a chilling possibility… Could Ben’s time be running out? A glitching AI, a streetwise investigator, and a conspiracy theorist step into a temporal anomaly… but will this punchline be Ben's last? Time Hack is fun, gripping, and thought-provoking – a clever and insightful mystery for anyone who’s ever wished they had more time. What Readers Are Saying… “This is going to sound like hyperbole, but I assure you it's not: this is one of my favorite books I've read. Ever.” “A really fun but still intellectually satisfying sci-fi book about an AI-human best friend relationship and navigating a post climate crisis world.” “The story is witty and thought-provoking, funny but poignant, with sky-high stakes.” “An easy read, humorous and gripping. Even if you don't like sci-fi, you would enjoy this book.” “Loved it. Masterful storytelling and world-building, with profound societal questions. J Michael Straczynski, Terry Pratchett and Margaret Atwood all come to mind.”

Earth Sucks by Heather Chambers

It’s the apocalypse. And Feng has a knack for pissing people off. Feng’s both the hunter and the hunted, searching for his missing family in a climate change decimated world controlled by the alien intruders. As a human – and maybe a little because of the explosions he leaves in his wake – he’s become public enemy number one. Diem grew up on stories of the brutal human creatures, but never dreamt she'd meet one. When Feng crosses her path, she gets her chance. Now she wishes she never had. His loved ones’ survival depend on their uneasy alliance. The terrifying truths awaiting Diem threaten to destroy everything she’s ever known. They’ve got one shot, and one wrong step could tip the scales of war. They came overnight. There are only a handful of survivors. There are no bodies.

Beyond the Last Station: A dystopian novel of love, rebellion, and lost worlds by Irene Dilillo

What if freedom isn’t a place — but a passage between worlds? In a fractured universe where the human soul is the most precious commodity, is there still room for awakening? In a bleak, merciless future ruled by a slave-driven society that has erased every trace of nature and compassion, Kya is a young Black slave trapped in a cycle of submission and silence. But a single encounter — a mysterious violet iris clenched in a dead man’s hand — sparks a dormant flame within the desperate longing to escape, rediscover herself, and be reborn. When her master dies, Kya clings to an ancient whisper of a hidden route, much like the Underground Railroad of a forgotten past, moving beneath the very system that enslaves her. A secret path of stations and crossings, where every stop is a test, every meeting a revelation, every landscape a distorted mirror of lost humanity. She travels through ghostly neighborhoods ravaged by acid rain, subterranean cities inhabited by invisible peoples, islands where nature clings to life in quiet madness, and the colossal metropolis of Exagon — a monstrous allegory of power and control. This journey, thick with symbols, visions, and pain, is also a voyage a battle to break free not only from the system but from the chains within herself. Among shamans, androids, medicine women, and Kofi — a kindred spirit who rekindles deep emotions — Kya chases the myth of Kyros, her first love, and the promise of another Earth. But what does it truly mean to be saved? And what if the real gateway lies not outside, but within? A journey across visible and invisible worlds, through ruins, visions, and buried truths. Those who dare to begin it… rarely return the same.

Ashen Light by Ian Young

His coworkers are idiots, his boss is a by-the-books hardass, and the company he works for is the largest in the world, which couldn’t care less about him. Beck is a Human Resources Investigator, and while other investigators are solving high-profile crimes for Synthetic Corporation, he deals with malfunctioning automata. But when a murder case falls into his lap, Beck sees a rare opportunity to prove himself to his boss and former colleague Katherine Hegra, even if it means betraying her and the entire HR department. Yet as Beck digs deeper into the case and into the inner workings of SynthCorp, he finds himself confronting secrets about the company and his own past—secrets that might affect not only his career, but the fate of humanity itself… Forgotten memories, synthetic foods, interstellar spacecraft, radio transmissions from Venus—Beck must deal with all of these in the new novel by Ian Young.

Artificial Selection: A Near-Future Science Fiction Mystery Novel by Marianne Pickles

From the WINNER of the Green Stories Prize. What do you get if you cross a glitching AI, a streetwise investigator, and a geneticist with a secret? It’s the year 2101, and half of England is underwater. But society is recovering from the Melt – all thanks to ArkTech, the company that saved the world. Charlotte Vance is smart, resourceful, and fiercely dedicated to her work. The ArkTech Territory is the only home she’s ever known, and she’ll do anything to keep it safe. So when Ben, the company’s curious AI with a fondness for dad jokes, asks why a geneticist is stealing pages from library books, Charlotte is happy to help. After all, Ben isn’t just software – he’s her best friend. But what begins as a routine investigation soon raises deeper questions about Charlotte’s world. She’s pulled into the orbit of a criminal operation she thought she’d left behind – and what she uncovers forces her to confront an uncomfortable truth about the company she’s always trusted. An AI, a PI, and a geneticist walk into a library… but the punchline could cost Charlotte everything. Artificial Selection is fun, intriguing, and ultimately uplifting – the first in a series of smart mysteries for anyone curious enough to ask why. What Readers Are Saying… "In the top echelon of near-future storytelling. Looking forward to the next one." “I loved the world and characters of this book. It felt like a world inhabited by real people with real problems, in a future that is very relatable.” "Honestly, I devoured it in one go, in just a single day – it was that good. The world-building? Absolutely brilliant… Charlotte Vance is such a relatable character. She's flawed, smart, and determined, and I was completely rooting for her… The humor was spot-on too – not overdone, just enough to balance the story’s emotional weight. And that ending? Perfection. It left me feeling hopeful, which is rare these days, isn't it?"

Andgate by Samuel Cardoso

Based on the Award-Winning "Dark Science Fiction" Screenplay – Atlanta Festival 2024 After a drastic political revolution, Artem, an agent of the authoritarian regime, is confronted with the harrowing task of executing his own wife for violating the State’s laws. When he meets the revolutionary Nul, Artem is forced to grapple with guilt and doubt about his actions, revealing an internal struggle between loyalty to the system and the search for truth. In a dark setting, we explore themes such as power, control, and morality, prompting us to question the price of individual freedom in a world where nobody acknowledges that they are being governed by oppression.

Fracture: Shattered Numbers I by R. Sinclair

Most people would kill to escape death row. Meredith Dufresne - marked as 'compliant and charming' and a 'low risk inmate' in her stellar incarceration record, thank you very much - signs her life over to Thanatos Industries instead for the chance to terminate her sentence. The job: taming a highly aggressive malignant AI. The catch: it's already killed 23 of its previous hosts. Meredith isn't stupid. Thanatos Industries is playing a dangerous game, and she's an expendable piece. She can't gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss her way out of this situation alone - and the bloodthirsty AI jammed in her skull can't mansplain, manipulate, manslaughter his way to freedom without her. The solution: team up with the highly aggressive malignant AI and hope he doesn't fry her in the process. What's a little brain damage in the grand scheme of things, anyway?

Never Kiss a Krampus: A Cozy Holiday Monster Romance by Honey Phillips

Noelle Green needs a miracle. The town of Mistletoe Hollow is being devoured by a Grinch-like developer, and her beloved Christmas shop is next to the list. Fueled by peppermint schnapps and desperation, she performs a ritual for Yuletide aid. She gets a miracle, all right—just not the kind she expected. She accidentally summons a Krampus, all towering muscle, wicked horns, and glowing eyes. Bound to her until Christmas, Bastian is ancient, annoyed, and very sure she owes him for dragging him across realms. Noelle's attraction to her grumpy, imposing houseguest is as undeniable as it is terrifying. But between magical punishments, enchanted tinsel, and kisses that melt snowflakes, this holiday season is about to get very, very naughty.

Rust Crew by Dustin Bollinger

Derrick Mueller is six months into his career with the proxy private military company Rust Crew to see space the way his war hero turned terrorist father once saw it before his unsurprising but sudden assassination. The routine of proxy wars is broken by a desperate contract to assist the UCRSS The Enduring against an attack from rival PMC forces, putting Mueller on a crash course to understanding the complexity of conflicts in the United Colonial Republics and understanding what made his father change from hero to terrorist. Will he find closure in understanding how such a famed war hero couldnt rest, or will he be another statistic in the endless war against corporate greed?

Echo’s End by Claudia J. Filusch

THE WORLD IS COLLAPSING—QUIETLY. COMPLETELY. The sky rains golden ash. Villages lie swallowed in dust. And from the heavens it descends, silent, monolithic, like a sentence long awaited. A cuboid humming with a power no one dares to name. The story follows Caden, a quiet survivor with Echodust in his veins and Jira, a sharp-eyed healer bound to him by choice, not fate. Together, they navigate a dying continent littered with failed machines, ghost-towns of ritual, and warnings about “the one who walks without skin“. But the deeper they go, the more the past bleeds into the present, and the more the line blurs between memory, magic and machine. Echo's End is a story about grief and survival, love and legacy. A world at its edge. And the silence that cradles what we could not carry. With the emotional intimacy of The Book Thief, the haunting mystery of Annihilation, and the high-concept tension of Dune, Echo's End explores legacy, loss, and what it means to remain human in a world unmaking itself.

Daughter of Broken Light by Trisha Otis

On the eve of the sacred Stone Summit Ritual, Idrial, heir to the House of the Sun, the ceremonial Sun Stone vanishes without a trace. The ritual is broken, and with it, the fragile balance that has kept the realm from falling into darkness. Determined to find the lost Stone, Idrial sets out alongside her closest friend, the fierce and loyal Raewyn, to seek answers from the Oracles, mysterious seers who dwell beyond the known lands. But the trail they follow leads to hidden identities and lost history. One that speaks of a forgotten war and a girl born of sunlight who must choose what kind of leader she will become. Torn between past and present, duty and desire, Idrial must confront the truth about the stone, her lineage, and the light she was raised to wield. But light alone is not enough. In a world where alliances shift and she finds family in an unlikely group, Idrial will face a test not only of power, but of heart, and the courage it takes to stand in the dark and not be consumed.

Holly and the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors) by Lynnea Lee

Deck the halls… or die trying. I’ve spent months preparing for the holidays. Gifts for the children, hand-knit stockings, and enough decorations to cover New Franklin in Christmas cheer. It was going to be perfect. Then the raiders came. They didn’t take food. Or medicine. Or anything remotely useful for surviving winter. No, they stole the crate full of holiday magic. Everything is gone. Even the star for the tree. Now the settlement’s focused on repairs and defense, and no one has time to recover what was lost. Except me. And the only person available to help? A grumpy, battle-hardened Xarc’n warrior who thinks tinsel is a tactical hazard. But grumpy protector or not, we’re going to make this work. He’s got the blade, I’ve got the sparkle, and together, we are going to save Christmas. This is a standalone novella-length holiday story set in the Xarc’n Warrior universe. Get ready for a sweet and steamy adventure with a HEA guaranteed!

The Sky was Empty, but Still the Thunder Rolled by Dominic Lyne

In this haunting collection, Dominic Lyne navigates the intricate labyrinth of grief to confront the enduring shadow of a devastating loss. Exploring the profound impact of witnessing his best friend’s death, Dominic delves into the depths of despair, the lingering echoes of trauma, and the arduous journey toward healing. A decade after the tragedy, this raw, honest collection offers a testament to resilience, finding solace in the transformative power of time and the bonds of friendship. The Sky was Empty, but Still the Thunder Rolled is a poignant exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring power of human connection.

The Education of Young Dalton Reid by Ed Robins

On the planet Gaea, opportunities are hard to come by. Setting out for the Tanami frontier, young Dalton Reid hopes to make his fortune with nothing but his horse and the last few bits in his pocket. Before he can even begin, the dastardly Roscoe, professional cattle rustler and murderer, cheats him out of his savings. There’s no shortage of folks in Hensonville willing to give Reid the education he needs to survive, if he’s willing to play by their rules. Paloma Griswell’s ready to work him to the bone on her ranch. The straight and narrow is what old Marshal Rawlins expects. Bellyaching Chip Reegan just wants to put him in his place. Even Roscoe wants him to join the gang as they plan their biggest heist yet. Only Reid can decide what type of man he wants to be as he seeks fortune and fame–or will it be infamy? ----------------- Inspired by classic westerns, the Gunslingers of Gaea series is a science fiction / western mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm – that began with the science fiction / mystery series The Starship Australis Mysteries.

A Violent Man by Ed Robins

“All I wanted was to put my past behind me, but another little girl is dead and my ex has accused my not-quite-boss of being a serial killer. The rub is I already put that psycho to death with my own hands. Or could be I killed an innocent man. “I’ve spent a lifetime hiding behind sarcasm when I could; violence when it was available. Drinking and bleeding away a whole lotta bad. Gonna have to confront it all, including how I lost the love of my life, in order to find a murdering psychopath stalking the corridors of the Starship Australis. And, maybe, I’ll find out just what kinda man I really am.” Inspired by the hardboiled grit of Mickey Spillane and the concision of Elmore Leonard, A Violent Man is a sci-fi / mystery mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is the third in the Starship Australis Mysteries series, itself part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm. This story contains adult language, content and themes.

Murders in the Gray by Ed Robins

“All I wanted was to make time with the sensuous Jesse Alderman, but cantankerous Jazz had been accused of murder. Just some girl I’d met once. Still, sometimes you know an innocent face when you see one. Too bad no one will listen to me – not even my best friend. “But when the consort of a royal is murdered under similar circumstances, suddenly everyone is all ears. Now the Earls who run the Starship Australis expect me to sort the damned thing out! And I’ve managed to piss off a group of vigilantes who seem to have only one thing in mind: making me dead." Inspired by the hardboiled grit of Mickey Spillane and the brevity of Elmore Leonard, Murders in the Gray is a sci-fi / mystery mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is the second in the Starship Australis Mysteries series, itself part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm. This story contains adult language, content and themes.

Lurking Omnibus by D.A Lascelles

"I am sure it is also impolite to force a lady to dance by threatening others," she said through gritted teeth. "Perhaps it is, Miss Reid. Assuming that is your real name. After all, I know you are no mere lady's companion. Are you one of Langon's famous spies? I expected there to be some here to protect your senator. However, I am surprised they trust such delicate affairs to women. ”Do your feminine emotions not get in the way?" From Gods of Diplomacy Gathered in this single volume are the stories from both Lurking Miscellany and Lurking Miscellany II. Myriad worlds and magical ideas together under one title. 340 pages, Paperback Published March 23, 2025

A Fire So Lovely by Violetta Brooks

Searching for a sense of purpose after her harrowing experience in the dungeon, Aislinn returns to the one place that made her whole and broke her: House Woodthorne. This time, a new mission arises—protect the realm. Under the banners of Isolde, Daegyn, Aislinn, and Landyn march to gather an army. The trio embarks on a journey across Carafye, meeting new faces and going through hardships. While the brothers still quarrel over bygones and Aislinn's affection, Aislinn's love for Daegyn only grows, and the two of them dream of a life of peace and solitude together. But will their love be enough to sustain them through their discovery of life-altering truth? Will it be enough to chase away the demons of the past? Can true love conquer all, or does it crumble to pieces when the weight of the realm rests on its shoulders?

The Great and the Dark by Violetta Brooks

Aislinn Lockmere—a talented baker in the realm of Carafye—has known struggle as a widow and single mother, but she enjoys her independence, no matter the hardships. Her entire world is flipped upside down when she's taken away from her self-built life by charismatic half-elf lord Landyn Woodthorne. He brings her to his estate, where she is forced to have a hand in his plans to unite two kingdoms. There, she meets Landyn's younger brother Daegyn—a half-elf headsman with a calling for vengeance. House Woodthorne provides her with friendship and rouses forbidden feelings inside her that she swore off long ago. As if things aren't difficult enough, a terrible tragedy befalls the kingdom, and Aislinn's will to survive is tested. Will she trust true love or remain as she's always known—alone?

Wings of a Midnight Storm by P.N. Vang

A whisper in the shadows. An echo from the past. A melody of destruction. Wortham is saved from the threat of magic, but the war for the West has just begun. The emperor’s army marches and Narwin Malancy can no longer pretend she is safe. When her path collides with a traitorous friend, secrets are exposed and a new betrayal changes the course of her future, including Splenor and Guy. Hunted by the Romauri Paladins, Narwin’s only hope is to flee Wortham. But an unlikely ally shares with her the truth about the ancient past, binding her to Emperor Doroxau’s soul-eating dagger. And Princess Rayla, still grieving her loss, makes her move against the emperor to stop the war before it begins. Now on uncharted paths, Rayla, Splenor, and Guy must forge their destinies—for better or for worse. And Narwin must brave the journey to seek the oldest of alliances before death consumes the world. To succeed, they must first face their fears, or fall to their destruction.

The Ore Monger by Zaid Hasan

NO SHADOW FALLS DARKER than the one cast by a stranger. When a mysterious nymph stands in shapeshifter Salessa’s doorway, plan in mind and sword in hand, she must decide whether to cling to the familiar, or lead her twin sister on an unpredictable quest that could end in justice...or war. NO LIES RUN DEEPER than those shrouded by the powerful. When Unisa discovers deception in the Library, a city built to catalog the histories of the continent, the young woman is forced to learn that truth is only as trustworthy as the ones who share it. NO GRIEF PERSISTS LONGER than the one buried before acceptance. When Rafael is thrust onto a journey beyond his control, he’s compelled to confront the past that led him into exile as a boy. Two shapeshifters and a band of humans journey into the crosshairs of a faerie king desperately clinging to his throne amidst violent political fallout. New alliances and recent discoveries force each of them to face loss, disillusionment, and the expansive might of a ruthless THE ORE MONGER.

Gifts Between Us by C.C. Adams

Elderly Londoner Augustus has lived a long, miserable life. Having driven his few remaining loved ones away years ago, he now whiles away his time drinking rum and hoping for the end. One night his death wish is nearly granted by a mugger, but a local youth called Michael intervenes. Much to the old man’s horror (and fascination) Michael promptly begins to devour the mugger’s body. Slowly, Augustus and his mysterious saviour form an unlikely friendship, one built on sharing the gifts of trust, camaraderie, and acceptance. And one last a secret. It is the cause of Michael’s cannibalistic nature. And, perhaps, a reason for Augustus to go on living…

Wingspan of Treason by L N Bayen

Invelmar. A great kingdom boasting unrivalled peace and a brutal grip over the known world. A kingdom built with blood. Former Invelmari prince Klaus surrendered everything to it. Now he’s fleeing a shattering betrayal and wondering why his parents want to kill him. Neighbouring Derinda – a once-magnificent realm devastated by Invelmar’s damming of its mighty river – may offer Klaus a new life mapping distant roads. But feuding Derinda makes poor refuge for a fugitive mapmaker, and there’s no peace from his questions here. Questions about who his real family are. Questions about the sentient particles awakening in Derinda’s desert, intent on unearthing the devastating secret buried in its sands… Because this desert wind is thick with poets and pirates, shamans and spaewives, and the answers are far worse than Klaus could have imagined. His loyalties to his beloved home are fast unravelling, and the desert clamours for a trial of Invelmar’s crimes. But can he separate vengeance from justice? Does he even want to? TRUTH IS A KNIFE. LOYALTY’S A CAGE. NO ONE IS INNOCENT.

Veiled in Argent (Once & Forever Kings Book 2) by Jonathan Hawker

Camelot endures. Old love has been reforged in flame. The Once races toward the Future, leaving the world irrevocably changed. "For all the days that were taken from us... and for every single moment of forever that I want at your side..." Nine months have passed since the day Morgan and Aaron went crashing back into each other's arms. While hesitant to leave that small world all their own, life in the neon city moves at a pace far beyond that of home. Spending their days combatting the rifts, navigating the scrutiny of the public eye, and managing the hottest up-and-coming club—and their nights tangled up in one another—Etna's bad boy witch and his ex-cop turned merc are making their own path. With a single question, Aaron has plans to walk that path forever—no matter what ghosts of their past come screaming out of the dark. "What is magic even worth if it costs me the ones I want to share it with?" Saving the day came at a terrible cost for Shane McMillan. Now the second apprentice of Morgan Fell, learning things he'd only dreamed of, every step toward his lost power seems more hopeless. When a solid lead brings yet more disappointment, Shane makes a deal with the devil, and the price of what he wants most becomes far too steep. Hold on tight for the ride back into Etna City with the second installment of Once & Forever Kings. Veiled in Argent promises a rollercoaster of heated romance, laugh out loud banter, and plenty of open door spice. Morgan, Aaron, and their magical found family return—and the fight for forever begins.

Dire Straights by L.A. Lambert

Maddox - As a freshman at BBU, I have my pick of parties and girls, but I still feel pretty stressed and unfulfilled. I can't stand my moronic teammates on the swim team, and devoting so much of my time to swimming is starting to take a toll on me. I'm over everything, until I get paired with this socially awkward dweeb named Ren Suzuki in one of my classes. He follows me around like a puppy and wants to show me off to his weird friends. I feel protective over him, like I'd fight anyone who looks at him wrong, but I don't like guys that way. But then why do I feel jealous when he talks to other people? And why do I want to spend all my time with him? Ren - It's hard for me to believe that someone like Maddox Holmes likes hanging out with me. He's cool and athletic and looks like one of those male models on a magazine cover. Jocks have never been nice to me, but I know right away that he's different. I've never liked a guy before, but I can't help but develop a crush on someone like him. And even though my evil ex-girlfriend drilled it into my head that I'm too weird and annoying for anyone to like, I'm pretty sure he's starting to feel the same way. Does he like me enough to make this a real thing, even if coming out as bi will make everything harder for him? Dire Straights is a guaranteed HEA dual 1st POV college romance featuring double bi-awakening, jock/nerd, grumpy/sunshine, lots of fluff and spice, and an oddball group of friends.

Resilience on Canvas by Logan Sage Adams

Robert Davis, a prideful man with a fiery temper, has been taking care of his family and their farm since long before the onset of the Great Depression. But when the once-fertile land of Guymon begins blowing away, Robert knows he has to lighten his burden somehow. Desperate, he tries to marry his sister off to the son of one of the most fortunate families in town. Henry Sherwood, a bashful shop clerk in the town’s largest corner store, has had eyes for Robert ever since he and his family first moved to the Oklahoma panhandle. Despite his proclivities, Henry agrees to marry Robert’s sister, if only so that he might please his parents. But once the reality of his upcoming nuptials sets in, he realizes that he can’t follow through. After Henry calls off the wedding, Robert heads into town to beat some sense into the man. But when a black blizzard rolls through, the men are forced to seek shelter together. During the storm, the two strike up a friendship, and over the coming weeks, it transforms into something more. As Robert and Henry's relationship blossoms, their life in Oklahoma continues to wither. Together, they make a plan to leave for California. But in order for them to thrive out west, Robert will have to learn to let other people care for him, while Henry must find the courage to fight for their future. Set in 1935, Resilience on Canvas is a heartfelt MM historical romance that explores the importance of family and friendship, the power in finding one’s inner strength, and the endurance of the human spirit.

Out of the Storm by Logan Sage Adams

Jeff Russo, a somewhat surly full-time mall custodian and hobbyist storm chaser, feels fated to a life without intimacy, the wall cloud of past trauma poised to wreck every romantic relationship he tries to pursue. But when Jeff meets the constantly corny, very nerdy, and hopelessly endearing Gary Graham of radio station WKBR, he is helpless to fight his burgeoning feelings. Gary Graham, part-time calculus professor, part-time radio personality, and full-time self-proclaimed weirdo, has packed his schedule to the brim so that he might stave off loneliness. Afraid of losing people, Gary tends to latch on too tightly in his romantic relationships, which has only ever resulted in heartbreak. Jeff and Gary’s fast friendship threatens to turn into too much too soon, and their romantic intimacy seems to only forecast catastrophe. Forced out of his storm shelter, Jeff will have to face his trauma and learn how to be vulnerable, or chance losing the only man with whom he has ever felt truly safe. And Gary will have to let Jeff take the lead, or risk hurting the broody-yet-sweet man he is starting to love. Navigating intimacy in the middle of a metaphorical tornado isn’t easy, but Gary and Jeff are willing to try. Because true love is worth weathering the storm for. Set in 1985 in Niles, Ohio, Out of the Storm is a heartfelt MM romance with a torrent of humor, a flurry of heartache, and a sprinkling of spice.

Pieces of Home by Becca Neil

All he’d ever wanted was to go home. Ryan Davis has lived in hell for the last fifteen years. Kidnapped at age eight, then beaten, broken, and forced into silence, Rye managed to exist, to survive. When a chance phone call gives him an opportunity to escape, he takes it. But escape doesn’t mean safety, and freedom doesn’t mean happiness. And even if he can manage to find home, the pieces of what used to be may never fit back together. Jacob Wright has adapted. In fact, Jake would probably say he loves his life—living in a beautiful home on a secluded beach on the Northern California coast. It wasn’t the life he’d planned. But accidents happen. And an accident was what stole his livelihood and limited his mobility six years ago. He’s happy now, if not still living carefully, avoiding things that used to make him happier. When Rye shows up on Jake’s beach, lost, fearful, and on the verge of death, Jake has to become a caretaker for a man who can’t seem to speak, and Rye has to put his trust in a stranger to survive. An unexpected and tenuous friendship grows, forming a deep bond full of possibilities that neither of them had imagined. But even as they start to recognize what’s in their hearts, the past seems intent on reminding them both how truly broken they are . . . Pieces of Home is a slow burn, hurt/comfort MM romance that focuses on the growth of a deep friendship and how two broken men find each other, help each other, and heal each other. It’s a story of strangers to friends to lovers, featuring a small town setting, forced proximity, PTSD/cPTSD trauma and healing, demi rep, and a hard-fought happily-ever-after.

Heir of Sun and Moon by Jenessa Ren

Forced into isolation by the ruler of the Mortal Kingdom, Princess Rhea Maxwell spends her days in the company of her pet fox, Bella, dreaming of an existence outside the confinement of her tower. As the rightful queen, she knows that there must be more to life than the endless monotony she's been forced to live. Harboring a deadly secret from her past, her desolation grows until one fateful night brings an unlikely ally into her life. Though wary to trust this stranger, Rhea suddenly finds herself with something she's never had: a choice. With a future she never thought possible hanging in the balance, the princess must decide if following her heart is worth risking everything she's ever known. In the neighboring Mage Kingdom, Princess Bahira Daxel is the first of her kind to be born without magic. Fixated on finding a way to unlock the power she believes to be hidden within, Bahira knows there is no price too great to achieve her goals. As tensions rise and her kingdom prepares for a threat they can not defend against, her desperation comes to a head. Ultimatums push Bahria to rethink who she truly is and the future that she had pictured for herself. In a post-war world where kingdoms are divided by a powerful spell, can Rhea and Bahira each break free from the shackles of the lives expected of them to forge their own paths? Or will lies and obsession threaten to destroy everything.