Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack

SPFBO10

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy. Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies. With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society. Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him.

Beneath the Gods' Tree by S. Kaeth

Amanah knows all-too-well the dangers of catching the attention of the upper class of Arruk. Using her position as a guard to steal secrets of healing and help other lower class people means she works hard to remain unnoticed. Fellow guard Taunos is boisterous, laughing, larger than life–and always around. He attracts attention as easily as breathing, which makes being associated with him dangerous. Better to stay far away, regardless of her attraction to him and his easy calm. But when Amanah inadvertently insults a magistrate, she must flee the city to avoid his vengeance. She takes a last-minute job escorting a pair of noblemen to another town–a job Taunos is also hired for. Along the way, she’s forced to reveal her stolen healing skills to keep the small group alive, and finds more support from Taunos than she ever would have dreamed. His confident charm becomes hard to ignore as he sees her as no one else has, even when she’s doing her best to be invisible. But opening herself to romance might be as dangerous as the wildlife and bandits they face in the wilderness, and pursuing her dreams of becoming a healer could attract the ire of those in power. This book has: so much banter; strong sibling relationship; strong friendships; friends-to-lovers (low steam); gay side characters; main character anxiety rep; diverse cast with immersive worldbuilding; action and adventure, wilderness survival style; low fantasy (none of the main group displays clear magic on page); single PoV, third person past tense

No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin

SPFBO9

We are the stories we tell ourselves...even the lies. The Thief, a great spirit, and her descendants have abused their ability to steal magic for centuries. When Kaylo starts to hear the song of other people’s magic, he must learn to hide from his people as well as the invaders. A gift or a curse, Kaylo may be able to save his people from the Gousht Empire that claimed their land with this stolen magic.

 Eighteen years later, Kaylo still prays to the spirits, but not out of loyalty or love. He knows better than to rely on those selfish bastards for anything. While hiding in the forest from his foolish acts of rebellion, he encounters a girl, Tayen, being pursued by two soldiers of the empire. Against his better judgment, he risks facing the consequences of his past to intervene.

 When Tayen attempts to run off seeking vengeance for her family, he offers to train her to wield her magic and a blade. If he can’t convince her to relinquish her need for vengeance and stave off the demons of his past, he’s going to get them both killed.

Jack of Thorns (Inheritance, 1) Reviewed by konstance author

Combine the creepiness from The Magicians with nature-magic, a flower shop, the pain of addictions, and you get the beginning of a good series.

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Not Your Bargain (Not Your Adventures Book 2) Reviewed by konstance author

A cozy-esque adventure with D&D vibes, but make it a jaded old man waiting for the end of the world. But even shorter: two old guys on their last adventure.

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The Hunter Reviewed by indyman book blogger

The Hunter is a great debut into epic fantasy with excellent character work, strong worldbuilding, and a long yet fun journey which makes it a fantastic read.

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Reverence Reviewed by JudeintheStars book blogger

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In Which a Demon King Does Not Have a Romantic Interest in His Human Gardener Reviewed by Booksthatburn book blogger

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This Is How Immortals Die by Nicole Hidalgo

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, unleashed a life-changing apocalypse that reshaped the world and cursed humankind with immortality. Now injury, old age, and death mean nothing. Until the Soul connects with its Twin. Once true Love is found, immortality is lost. The Priestesses of Aphrodite exist to hunt down and send those blessed souls to Aphrodite’s Golden Palace in the afterlife. They are devout and efficient… if only a little blinded by the lustre of gold and the taste of blood. Carys Epistro’phia, an infamous Priestess, will go to great lengths to put her hands on a chest with fifty thousand gold coins. Including turning a blind eye to Twin Souls who rule over an isolated island and are willing to hire her unique skills to bring their daughter back home. Princess Ishana, a fragile and naive girl who has never died before, is Carys’ key to the treasure… as long as she arrives home with her soul intact. But in this sacrilegious contract, not everything is as it seems, and sometimes the heart has its own schemes.

Reverence by Milena McKay

Two ballerinas. Two fates. One stage. It's the carefree '80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she's royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems… Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims… What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!

This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me by Sienna Eggler

Despite constant setbacks, from giant carnivorous plants to fetch quests disguised as life lessons, Meike quickly adapts to life in Glasend. Armed with their growing knowledge of magic, and a thirst for adventure, Meike and friends turn their sights to the neglected Silverstone Mine. But there’s more than gold and silver lurking in its depths… Trolls and kobolds haunt the area, having run out the miners and ransacked the nearby village of Ashfort. Abandoned by their own country, the citizens are desperate for any help they can get. But as the gang comes to find, there’s a reason many have failed to liberate the mine… This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me is the second book of the Last Train Home series, a portal fantasy in a queer normative world.

The Threads That Weave by Sienna Eggler

Tormented by memories of past lives and a general distaste for structure, Sloane dropped out of a prestigious magic college to find themself. During their travels, they came across a curious little creature: a chatty spider that fit snugly in their hands. Unbeknownst to Sloane, this wasn’t a harmless garden or cellar spider. The spider had a craving that mere flies couldn’t quench. It demanded blood and flesh, and when mice failed to suffice, moved on to bigger and dangerous prey. Sloane appeased it as best they could, but as the spider rapidly shot up in size, turned their focus from butcher shops to farms. Together, they concocted a plan to “solve” a manifested loss of cattle. The spider got a steady supply of food, and Sloane got street cred as a “monster slayer”. “What could possibly go wrong?” – Famous last words of any irresponsible pet owner. So now Sloane has a very real infestation to contend with, along with suspicious rangers and wannabe hunters edging in on their turf. “…I’m gonna need a bigger boot.”

The Candid Odyssey by B. Johny

The Candid Odyssey is a captivating travel memoir and a philosophical journey into self-discovery. Join the author on a transformative eight-week solo trip across India, exploring not only its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures but also the deeper questions of life, happiness, and purpose. This book is a unique blend of travel, philosophy, and self-help, offering readers an opportunity to explore both the outer world and the inner self. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to live a more meaningful life.

The Revenge of Captain Vessia by Leslie Allen

Claire Vessia's been sentenced to death. The last survivor of a ship of would-be-pirates captured by the navy, she's been accused of all of their crimes. She will die for it. Determined to go out with her head held high, her plans for a stoic execution are thrown out the window when a highborn lady offers her a chance to escape the noose... if she pays in vials of her own blood. But she is betrayed. Hung from the gallows and buried at sea, she rises amidst the waves as a Vampyri, an undead monster. Without a clue of where, or even what she is, and only a terrible hunger to guide her, it's only when she consumes a person trying to help her that she begins to understands what's been done to her. Swearing revenge against the noble woman that turned her, the nation that accused her, and its people that killed her, Claire makes an oath that she will hunt down anyone under the navy's flag, and carve a blood-strewn path on her quest for vengeance. But when the perfect chance to strike takes the form of the child of her maker - Claire must ask herself how far she's willing to go for justice.

In Which a Demon King Does Not Have a Romantic Interest in His Human Gardener by Rori Thornton

Demon King Jurao returns from his successful thirty-year Union Campaign and discovers something amiss - the castle gardens have a secret caretaker. Using his authority over the sentient plants, he discovers the gardener is... a human! But after hearing the man out, Jurao decides to appoint Braelin as the official Royal Gardener for all his hard work. Now he just needs to figure out why everyone seems to believe he is romantically interested in the human...

Mountain of Light by Jena Bowers

Fast-paced, thrilling, and full of twists, Mountain of Light is a high-stakes heist novel where the robbery leaves you questioning - who are the real criminals? A classic heist peppered with morality conflicts, for fans of Portrait of a Thief, the Ocean’s heist series, and The Feather Thief. The target: priceless jewels stolen centuries ago, now hidden in plain site. Come along for the ride with an elite crew of international thieves as they pull off the cultural heist of a lifetime and unearth centuries-old secrets that reveal the complicated future of art repatriation. The Mountain of Light, the “most infamous diamond in the world,” has been an integral piece of England’s Crown Jewels for the last 170 years. But that changes tonight - the eve of the coronation of the U.K.'s new King, William V. Vigilante thieves are determined to return this jewel to the rightful owner but will they be able to navigate centuries-old transgressions of colonialism and complexities of art repatriation?

Healer's Blade by Kyrie Wang

2023 Page Turner Book Awards - FINALIST 2023 Wishing Shelf Awards - FINALIST A healer on the run. A rebel knight after her heart. Will she betray him to save the England she loves? Eighteen-year-old healer Aliwyn is consigned to solitude after medical failures leave her alienated from her village. With a rebellion against William the Conqueror rumbling on the horizon, she longs to practice her medicine in peace. But when she agrees to hide an orphaned Norman girl, Aliwyn is plunged into the bloody war over the fate of England – a war she’s done her best to avoid. A daring escape from enemy arrows entangles her with the young rebel leader, Tobias, and she is swept into a world of rival factions and secret alliances. Faced with the insurgent army, she must make difficult choices about treating those she despises. Worst of all, Tobias's compassionate nature turns her perceptions of the enemy upside down. After she unravels the fiery secret underpinning the rebel army, Aliwyn is challenged to take fate into her own hands and save England from sweeping destruction. Can she find the courage to fight for what she believes? And can she resist the magnetic charms of the man she’s vowed to defeat? Step into a riveting & magic-free YA fantasy adventure with an authentic historical setting and irresistible slow-burn romance. Set in medieval England rocked by the early introduction of gunpowder and populated by Celtic-inspired tribes, Healer’s Blade is a page-turning read that’s perfect for fans of alternative history. If you like stories with high stakes, political intrigue, and nail-biting action but prefer them to be free from language and sexual content, grab Healer's Blade today!

Crossed Over by Santana Knox

From international best-selling author Santana Knox, comes an LGBTQ, women’s fiction, coming out story like nothing you’ve ever read before. A tale that grips the hearts of those who failed to see eye-to-eye with a parent, and anyone who’s ever denied the truth about themselves. Nia da Silva is dead… Dead serious about moving on from her past, from roller derby, and the traumatic injury that was a crushing blow to not just her body but her mind. Running away from her problems wasn’t the fix she had hoped for. Five years later, she returns to the town that left her with permanent scars. Healing her physical wounds was the bare minimum. She’ll finally have to face herself, and rediscover who she’s always been beneath the lies she’s worn like shredded fishnets over bruised knees. Pretty crossovers, and strong thighs won’t be enough to champion through her problems. Especially when they challenge who she may be at her very core. Crossed Over is a Sapphic, coming out story about healing, facing your fears, and becoming the hero you once needed for yourself. Please check content warnings, this story features adult themes and language that may not be suitable for readers under 18.

The Edge of a World by JD Rivers

A monster lurks under Otar's skin. It has destroyed lives and Otar lives in fear when it will escape his grasp again. But he isn't the only thing that seems out of place in this world: a mysterious ancestor, the Ancients, left behind nothing but ruins and questions. After the monster causes a tragic accident, Otar chooses to travel the Seven Lands to find answers instead of being executed. But time is running out. When the summon for a newly discovered ruin comes, it's his last chance to clear his name. On his journey he faces down slavers looking for easy money, and his former lover - who still makes his heart beat faster. Then the excavation site finally reveals the truths about the Ancients, and it becomes clear that something bigger lurks in the shadows. Otar's connection to his monster could save them all from a catastrophe - but will he be willing to sacrifice it all? The Edge of a World is a Fantasy Sci-Fi story about self-discovery, destiny, and paving your own path.

The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

An impulsive word can start a war. A timely word can stop one. A simple act of friendship can change the course of history. Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god. He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person. He has never once touched his lord. He has never called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation. One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday. The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world.

Anathema and Tidbit by Stephanie Barr

Rejected even by her own kind, Anathema, the albino dragon, always thought she’d live her centuries alone until, on a whim—on a compulsion—she rescued a tiny black kitten from certain death. She could never have guessed what his companionship would mean for her. More, she could never have predicted the impact sharing her life with him would have on her and so many others. Or the powerful persona lurking in that tiny feline morsel she called Tidbit.

The Companion by E.E. Ottoman

New York, 1948 After years of trying to break into New York City’s literary scene, Madeline Slaughter is emotionally and physically exhausted. When a friend offers her a safe haven as the live-in companion to reclusive, bestselling novelist Victor Hallowell she jumps at the chance to escape the city. Madeline expects to find rest and quiet in the forests of Upstate New York. Instead, she finds Victor, handsome and intensely passionate, and Audrey Coffin, Victor’s mysterious and beautiful neighbor. When Victor offers her a kiss and the promise of more Madeline allows herself to become entangled even as Audrey is also claiming her heart. The only problem is that Audrey and Victor are ex-lovers with plenty of baggage between them. As Madeline finds herself opening up and falling in love with both she starts to wonder, can there be a future for all three?

3 Strikes: Finding Love in Forbidden Places by Cody Draco

In 3 Strikes: Finding Love in Forbidden Places, Cody Draco delivers a raw and haunting memoir of self-discovery, forbidden love, and the ache of unrequited affection. This evocative journey traces Cody’s tumultuous relationships with three pivotal figures in their life: a childhood stepbrother, a charismatic but unattainable boss, and a former high school teacher. Each “strike” exposes the vulnerability, passion, and longing that shaped Cody’s identity, from constant changes of residence to navigating the complexities of mental health and sexuality. Told through a blend of brutally honest prose and strikingly intimate poetry, 3 Strikes explores the pain and beauty of loving those who can never fully love you back. With themes of self-acceptance, heartbreak, and resilience, this memoir is a profound reflection on the trials of queer love and the courage it takes to bloom into yourself—rooted in your own truth, even when love remains just out of reach. For readers who are drawn to deeply personal narratives, 3 Strikes is a powerful reminder that some of the most transformative relationships are the ones we never quite forget, their echoes remaining etched in our hearts and minds for eternity.

Far Flung by Utunu

On the harsh, barren planet of Sands, in the small settlement of Oasis, live three young companions: the inseparable fennecs Bori and Tuther, and their best friend, the hyena Samna. Bori is psionic—and on the distant planet of Verdant, psionics are fervently sought. When the two planets are in conjunction, a shuttle journeys between them, bringing needed resources to Sands and hoping to take gifted psionics back to lush Verdant in return. The shuttle’s imminent arrival signifies opportunities for Oasis, but for the trio it instead evokes dread. For if Bori is chosen, he’d be taken from his dearest friends and the only home he’s ever known. Bori would be broken without Tuther. Tuther would be broken without Bori. And Samna? All he can do is help make their remaining days together a little brighter.

All In by Russell Isler

What dies in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Vampire playboy Eddy Fry has spent years living it up, so to speak, in Las Vegas. In all those decades, not once has he met another of his kind. Until tonight. Eddy learns that, not only are there other vampires out there, the one after him is older and much more powerful than he is. As if that wasn't bad enough, she’s got a small army of supernatural creatures at her beck and call. In a flash, she’s muscled him out of the casino he calls home and left him with an offer he can’t refuse. Out-gunned and out of his depth, Eddy will need to find his own allies, allies who know their way around this whacked-out supernatural world he’s been ignoring for so long. Otherwise, he might just see his first sunrise in years…

Agent. Mother. Other. by Sharn Lee

An ex-covert agent. A loving mother. An unknown power. Rachel’s tranquil life on the terraformed planet of Tir-na shatters when her twenty-year-old son vanishes without a trace. With no ransom demands or clues, she must confront her past and re-enter the treacherous world of the Agency she once abandoned. In a high-stakes race against time, Rachel relies on her deadly agent skills and unlocks forgotten powers, embracing the shocking truth of her past. From the plant-covered solar-punk city of Crayn to a nomadic metropolis built upon colossal wheels, relentlessly rolling across The Wastes, her unwavering love drives her to unimaginable lengths. As the seconds tick away, can Rachel rewrite her destiny and shield her family from an impending threat? Will her rekindled abilities be enough to save her son, or will they be her ultimate downfall? Prepare for a pulse-pounding journey of sacrifice, redemption, and the indomitable spirit of a mother fighting against all odds. Secrets will be unveiled, alliances will be tested, and in the midst of peril, the true impact of the past will be revealed. If you crave thrilling science fiction tales featuring kick-ass women protagonists, rife with covert agents, corrupt corporations, secret bases, underground societies, drug dens, and deadly drone bots, then prepare for an exhilarating ride unlike any other. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where love knows no bounds and danger lurks at every turn.

Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski

The Princess Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer meet Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass in this Breton legend-inspired fantasy debut brimming with wry humor, epic adventure, and an irresistible romance. Lilac Trécesson is a prisoner in her parents' castle after a most wicked secret was revealed on the eve of her fifteenth birthday. Years later, her Accession looms upon her father's decision to abdicate, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobles bent on snatching her throne, she prepares for the worst… Until a letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, containing a curious offer to banish her curse forever. She begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande, only to find herself cornered by a bloodthirsty barkeep who demands her help in exchange for protection against the even deadlier forces of the woods. With only the protection of her inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—Lilac must find the impious enchantress and return in time to claim her crown. Pity the fool to underestimate the girl with subpar blade skills but the spite to make up for it. This is the tale of a cursed princess, A crestfallen killer, The town that wants them to burn, And the witch who can save them both.

Accrue's End: Affliction by E.R. Smo

His parents were heroes, and now he may get his chance to be one. Whether he’s ready or not. When Kyo’s godfather is infected by the corruption-a spreading affliction that turns people into murderous shadow monsters, he goes to the only mages who can help. But the duo are not the kindly healers they appear. Kyo stumbles upon the victims of their manipulation and necromancy magics, and during the confrontation, the pair vanish with his godfather as a hostage. Desperate to reclaim his family, Kyo gives chase, but his first encounter teaches him he won’t defeat them alone. With the help of an anxiety-ridden cleric, a runaway princess, a fatherly stowaway, and a ten-year-old with the power to summon gods, he sets out to stop the mages before they turn the entire world into living dead and ravenous shades.

Corsair by Henrik Sorenson

In the blood-red skies of Calx, survival is a fleeting hope... Welcome to a world where the sun never rises, a planet torn between burning wastelands and frozen voids, where life clings to the thin Terminator strip, and death is an ever-present shadow. In this hostile environment, biological automaton T-β 63177 awakens from its cold slumber to perform its relentless tasks in a landscape of ice and fire, driven by duty and devoid of emotion—until something changes. When a fellow automaton is crushed by the treacherous ice, 63177 begins to experience something new: a flicker of life beyond its programmed existence. As strange memories stir and the ice-bound world reveals its darkest secrets, 63177’s fate spirals into chaos. Meanwhile, in the far reaches of space, Kalaiapi, an elite Corsair of the Confederation, finds herself locked in a deadly pursuit across the nebulae. On the trail of a mysterious Primus dreme, Kalaiapi is a deadly predator, relentless and cunning, until her prey escapes to a backwater planet. But this is no ordinary chase. As Kalaiapi closes in, she discovers the dark purpose behind the Primus ship's mission and the terrifying forces at play that could unravel the very fabric of the Confederation. What she finds will shake her to her core, testing her sanity, her loyalty, and her understanding of reality itself. Corsair is a gripping tale of survival, rebellion, and discovery set against the backdrop of brutal planetary landscapes and star-spanning wars. As biological constructs struggle with newfound sentience, and a lone warrior confronts the shadow of a galactic conspiracy, all will face choices that will determine the future of worlds, perhaps even the galaxy itself. For fans of science fiction and space operas, this novel is packed with pulse-pounding action, mind-bending twists, and profound questions about identity, free will, and what it means to be alive. Will Kalaiapi find the strength to stop an impending galactic war? Can 63177 break free from its preordained fate? Find out in Corsair, a novel where worlds collide, allegiances are tested, and the line between machine and human blurs.

Blood Red Nails: The Guardians of Iohiri Series Book 1 by L. Joyce

“Iohir, the land of the dead and the living. You will take me there, right?” The world is full of creatures of myth and legend, as well as alternate universes where the dead can reside, where ghosts can mate with the living. Known simply as Ghost Mates, one of them is about to take the world by storm. Asho Woodward, the autistic heir to the Woodward family, never thought he would find himself becoming a Ghost Mate, much less Mating with the ghost responsible for the crimes and murders that have happened over the last several decades in his town. Already dealing with his life and himself, Asho was not prepared for the events to come as a result of his Mating… ones that would change his life forever and likely threaten those he loves. And, he will need more than his Mate’s help to save himself and those he loves, or else everything he knows will be destroyed.

Code red by Talia Cantrell

Forty years ago, the last standing city on Earth, known as Wonderland, changed. A corrupt government has taken control of the citizens through fear. Alice has lived quietly, careful to avoid any issues with the Red Party. A single night on the town changes everything. Alice will stop at nothing to save the people she loves. The Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, March Hare, and Caterpillar lead the Resistance, and now Alice must contend with the Red Party and her growing feelings for four men.

A Memory of Song by Scott Palmer

In a dying land, the armies of the dead hold sway. And those who rule them are more god than human. James Culdaine, the last heir of the Northern Throne, was just a young man when the armies of the South murdered his parents and subjugated his lands. He has never forgotten those responsible, nor has he forgiven. He has spent the last ten years living in isolation with The Feldarra; a sacred Northern clan of fierce warriors, led by the fearless Wulfee who, still reeling from the loss of her own children, finds new meaning in protecting what only family she has left. Now, an ancient order of warlocks has returned to the North, singing dark songs composed of blood magic that null the elements and threaten all that is living. With nature depleted and the Southern armies returning to the North, James struggles to embrace the unique power he has long tried to repress; the ability to commune with the spirits of the dead. In the bitter heart of a growing war, with the world dying around them, James and Wulfee desperately seek answers, vengeance, and a way to save the ones they love... No matter the cost. Fires refuse to burn. The skies are thirsty and breathless. The earth won’t eat its rot... Welcome to Ardura.

The Rarkyn's Fall (The Rarkyn Trilogy #2) by Nikky Lee

They survived mancers. They survived monsters. They survived the Storm. With the mountains behind them and Illredus on the horizon, they thought the hardest part of the journey over. They were wrong. Outlawed and on the run, Lyss struggles to control her new and volatile magic. A magic that will destroy her. Her only hope: Find the last remaining witch to tame it. Her only clue: Buried in Illredus. City of mancers. Capital of the Empire. Together, she and Skaar descend into Illredus’ underbelly and discover a warren of illegal magics and the monstrous legacy Lyss’ father left behind. As truth, loyalties, and magic clash, Lyss must decide how far she’ll go to exact justice in her father’s name… And how far she’ll fall to rule the power inside her once and for all.

A Blend of Magic by Kate Kenzie

A witch cannot exist on potions and tea alone. Hiding in the shadows, staunch singleton Willow Anderson is content running her successful business, The Enchanted Emporium. With Christmas days away, she’s eager to exchange selling bespoke tea blends and spells for extended bubble baths and binge-watching festive movies snuggled next to her Maine Coon, Vincent. Nate never usually runs away from his problems, but drunk and disorientated, he finds himself in a small fisherman’s cottage in the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. After discovering his girlfriend’s affair, he is in no rush to return to the City. His wish for time alone in a Christmas-free zone comes true until an uninvited feline guest arrives. Neither Nate nor Willow want company, especially from each other, but they have little choice when concussion means they must spend at least twenty-four hours together. Sparks fly and not just the romantic kind. When darkness from Willow’s past returns and threatens to destroy all she has worked for, pursuing a love affair is the last thing she needs. With meddling ghosts and a teenage apprentice with her own matchmaking agenda, love and change are in the air. But can Willow face her fears, and the past, to capture the happiness she deserves?

The Woods Kept Silent by Blair Weeks

Sixty-seven years ago, a young girl vanished without a trace at Camp Rockatchee. Within a month, another girl tragically drowned. Sydney Wilkerson’s grandmother, Ginny Hunt, was a camper at the time, but Sydney never learned all the details. As a kid, she loved to hear her grandmother’s stories about the brighter, happier days of her teenage years. Most of all, Sydney loved playing among the Washington pines that surrounded her grandmother’s home, just yards away from the shuttered, decaying campgrounds. She barely knew about the local rumors that the camp owner dabbled in the occult. She had no idea her grandmother was once friends with bothmissing girls. But when news of Ginny’s death transfers the estate to Sydney, she learns there’s more to her inheritance than a forest and long-lost memories. In fact, Ginny has left her a treasure hunt—a game that takes her deep into the vast forest, with mementos hidden in secret places. At first, Sydney assumes it’s a loving way to say goodbye. She settles into her new life and befriends the handsome but brooding neighbor who inherited the former camp. But as she starts to question what her grandmother is trying to reveal—or rather, what Ginny once tried to hide—Sydney begins to fear what awaits her at the end of the hunt.

Legend by A.J. Calvin

War has come to Novania as brothers fight brother for control of the throne. Colin is an unyielding and ruthless ruler without remorse for the atrocities he has committed. He has disowned his half-brother, for Andrew is dragon-kind. He has exiled Alexander for bearing the Mark of the Magi. He forced Thomas to flee under vague threats of assassination. Now his brothers have gathered allies in order to oppose him. Oppressed Novanians have rallied to their cause, the Corodan have gathered, and even magi from the Southlands have offered their unique talents in the fight. The kingdom burns and the blood of thousands is spilled. Under Colin’s command is a man as ruthless and cold as his king: Robert Claybourne, whose sole motivation is to annihilate the magi – and any who choose to support them. After seeing the power Andrew is capable of, Claybourne makes it his secondary objective to slay the last of the dragon-kind as well.

Serpentus by A.J. Calvin

Dispatched to Stone Hill to oversee the city’s defenses among nebulous rumors of the Shadow Council’s threat, Owen Greenwaters must rely on the city’s guard and its natural defenses to protect the citizens. But when an army of mythical hooded ones bolstered by a sea serpent and the Soulless arrive in the wake of a terrible storm, he knows there is little he can do beyond hope the walls hold – and pray to the gods he and Stone Hill’s people will survive. They are outnumbered, outmatched, and without magical support. Owen is the only knight present in the city. They will be overrun. The Soulless are merciless and rarely take prisoners, but Owen and the survivors of Stone Hill are exceptions… And some fates are worse than death.

Harbinger by A.J. Calvin

The Novanian king has gathered an army in the north with the intent to make war upon the magi. He has exiled all three of his brothers. Andrew and Alexander fled to the Southlands, while Thomas escaped into the hostile northern highlands, the land of Novania’s ancient foe, the insectile Corodan. While Alexander prepares to face Colin’s army in the south, Andrew makes the perilous journey through Novania to seek Thomas’ whereabouts and offer what aid he can. Traveling at his side is Rynn, a powerful mage with the ability to manipulate and form ice. When they fail to locate Thomas after days of searching, Andrew is forced to seek the aid of the Corodan. He has a long and bloody history with their people, and was responsible for the death of their previous Hive-queen. Uncertain if the Corodan will cooperate, but faced with no other hope of locating his brother, he ventures into the heart of the Corodan lands. Without Thomas, the brothers have no hope of overthrowing Colin and his tyranny. Without Thomas, Novania will continue to execute innocent citizens simply for bearing the Mark of the Magi. Without Thomas, the kingdom will be lost.

The Scrivener's Apprentice by Michelle Salsbery

Words have power. Especially hers. When slave-girl Levila Day is sold to a city scrivener, the last thing she expects is to gain magic powers. But her new master not only frees her and offers to teach her his trade, he bestows on her mystical ink that only she has the innate power to use. With this ink, Levila can create detailed illusions of events real or fictional--even places she's never been and people she'll never meet. Levila doesn't know how dangerous her magic might be or how to control it. Seeking answers, Levila and her master must journey overland, braving perilous and magic-riddled lands in hopes of reaching Jhast, the distant town where dwells a half-crazed hermit priest--the only person who might have the knowledge Levila needs. If Levila can reach him before her own power dooms her as it did her father.

Domestication by Shannon Knight

In an eat or be eaten world, domestication is a death sentence. When Janie chose the isolated sheep farm, she knew her husband would hunt her down. What she didn’t expect was Rob and Howard. Rob rules the farm with the same domination tactics she uses to train dogs, while Howard believes only human supremacists think humans should be treated any differently than other animals. Janie inadvertently jumps out of the frying pan and into the fire. She wishes to leave her old self behind. She wants to transform. Will she devolve into meat, metamorphose into a monster, or transcend beyond her domesticated limitations?

The Neons by Dylan Wiseman

A girl has gone missing—nothing unusual for the corrupt, crime-filled megacity of Xi, where biotechnical mods make everyone as unique and dangerous as their imaginations allow. Soon enough, no one will remember that the girl ever existed. At least, that’s what Chance believes, until a duo of ambitious bounty hunters snatch him from his mundane day-to-day in the slums and introduce him to the shiny, secretive world of Xi’s rich and powerful. Meanwhile, in the city’s sparkling high-rises, a pair of siblings witness a murder and are forced into the violent bowels of the city, hunting for answers as they are hunted by a killer. A hard-punching, fast-paced cyberpunk fantasy, The Neons follows an ensemble cast of unlikely heroes as they untangle the wires of a twisted mystery and uncover a reality inhabited by cybernetic deities, android angels, and the resurrected demons of their own past lives.

It's Only A Little Death by Shane Blackheart

Being dead never felt so good... Silver's memories are gone, but that's the way death usually goes. You wake up by the Styx, you realize you're dead, you pick a name, and you pay Charon for a ride across the river. If you have nothing of value to give, Charon deals in other currencies too — including ones of the flesh. Silver soon finds themself sitting on a bed in a strange room. They're given a diary, which is the most important thing they now own, and a peer support worker, Ifris, who's less than stellar about the job. Silver isn't prepared to go through the stages of grief for their own death, but they're even less ready for the deal they made with Charon: Recover their memories and the reason they died in record time, and they get to avenge their murder. There's one problem; the only way to trigger memories is to create a shock to the system, which is easily attained by having an explosive climax at the hands of the beasts that hold Silver's life story.

Incorrect Eyes by Andromeda Ruins

Be Not Afraid Those three words have haunted me my entire life, and now I'm close. I know I am. I'm close to finding out the truth behind the words, the truth behind the Seraphim. The closer I get to uncovering the truth, to proving that the Seraphim are real, the further my mind slips. I can't sleep - can't dream - without seeing them. Life has become difficult all of a sudden and I know it's tied to them. I just have to keep going, keep learning, keep discovering. Everything will be better once I complete my research... Incorrect Eyes is a psychological religious horror involving paranoia, angels with too many eyes, and the least mentally stable protagonist I’ve ever written. Please read with caution.

Blackburn Station by Karen Lucia

Blackburn Station is dead. Jane watched the destruction of her home. Her friends and family, gone. The community of Blackburn Station wiped from the galaxy. Trapped in the confines of her escape pod, she forced herself to take in the totality of the space station’s destruction time and again. Blackburn Station had always operated outside of Union control. After the attack on the station, nobody but scavengers looking for a payout came to pick up the pieces. Returning to Blackburn is the last thing Jane should want to do, but it is all she can think about.

Ben the Dragonborn (The Six Worlds) by Dianne E Astale

Few people know the location of a mysterious school where heroes of the past train those who belong to the future. Ben Taylor only learns of the school’s true purpose when he is sent to the Principal’s office to talk about his fear of water. Miss Templeton gives him a simple test to see if he is a Chosen of the Guardian. That very day Ben is sent through a portal to a watery world of mermaids and monsters. “Has a mistake been made?” This is the question on everyone’s mind, including Ben’s. Ben’s only chance of success depends on discovering the secret of his own true self in a terrifying world where nightmares come to life.

Fields Of Blood: The Horse Lord Book 1 by Arthur Drake

All Eadmaer ever knew was a life of slavery, little did he know he had the makings of lordship in him. Eadmaer has never known anything other than service to the trolls. He fetches them food, tends to the beautiful four legged creatures they call "chattel", and tries to keep his people from caving in under their rule. He sees no other way for survival other than to keep the peace with his temperamental and often cruel masters. There is little the trolls fear...except strange creatures from the north. One day while tending to a wounded troll, Eadmaer sees one of these creatures, except far from being a beast out of a nightmare it looks strangely familiar. Eadmaer's curiosity is piqued and he will not rest until he discovers the mystery of the creatures from the north, and with that, perhaps the secret to defeating the trolls and freeing his people. But the trolls will not relinquish the secrets of the north so easily. And soon after the encounter, they're moving Eadmaer far away from his village and his people, as well as the potential mystery that could save them. Will Eadmaer be able to find out what secrets lie in the north? How to win his people's freedom? And maybe even how to defeat the trolls in combat? Or will he end up lost while his people are crushed? Fields Of Blood is the first book in The Horse Lord series by Arthur Drake. A sword and sorcery dark fantasy series. Fans of grim fantasy with plenty of action and adventure will find much to enjoy in this tale of heroism. Go with Eadmaer as he fights against seemingly impossible odds and discovers the secrets of his land...and of himself. Pick up your copy of this tale filled with heroic action, horrifying monsters, and cure your boredom today.

Stillborn (Childe of Woe Book 1 by Fauster Kent

Iris, servant of the Light, is beset by thieves upon the road. Broken and blinded, abandoned by her god, her family, and her friends, she finds solace in a dark new calling. 'Stillborn' chronicles the harrowing and tragic tale of Iris's death and rebirth as an avatar of mercy and vengeance.

A Story Spun in Scarlet (Tales of Wonder and Woe) by Renee Dugan

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY... AUDRA JASHOWIN is a storyteller without a purpose. When all the tales in the land of Mithra-Sha lost their endings, Audra fled from her family's rejection and the only home she ever knew. Now, with a sense of veiled danger haunting her heels and her life as devoid of direction as her stories, she arrives at long last in a city of fresh starts and second chances. There, she finds an adventure greater than she ever dreamed. JAIK GRISSOM might be the key to bringing back the power of all stories. A simple farmhand with a way around weapons, Jaik possesses more than a sharp wit that sets Audra's soul aflame. He's a natural amplifier with the talent to breathe life into her tales...into all the tales in Mithra-Sha. Chased from their comfortable lives by a stroke of ill luck on a fateful night, Audra and Jaik embark on a journey for answers-through the wilderness and over the raging sea, to the heart of storytelling itself. Along the way, the strange bond between them deepens as they begin to uncover a mystery that lurks beneath all the broken tales, written in the shroud of their own unlikely pasts. To mend the fractured stories in Mithra-Sha, Audra and Jaik must learn to embrace what lives at the core of their own stories: the bravery and brilliance, the loyalty and love, and the purpose and power they both harness-together and apart. And they must face a terrible truth penned between the pages of their quest...a tragedy that will change the course of history and rewrite the ending of their tale forever.

The Aetherfire Conflict: The Dragons of Shadowhold Book I by Jordan Fox

The Dragons of Shadowhold Book 1/3: The Aetherfire Conflict A Tale of Power, Betrayal, and Timelines Unraveled The war against the sylphs has been raging for 113 years. Emerging from the unknown, the wind elementals descended upon Hiraeth with a force unseen and unheard of. They overpowered & slaughtered its inhabitants, seizing control of every last magical spring. Lord Uriel Faldar, bearer of the Black Dragon’s power, stands as the last bastion against King Vanen Shih’s tyrannical sylph army. Amidst the turmoil, Uriel finds an unexpected bond kindling, a romance as surprising as it is powerful. Yet, in the shadows, a new menace stirs, casting a shroud of uncertainty and dread. As this saga of betrayal, sacrifice, and Passionate love unfolds, the lingering question is: Will Uriel be able to save Hiraeth, or will he fall victim to the machinations of gods and kings? The Dragons of Shadowhold is a spellbinding epic that melds magic, loyalty, and fractured timelines. Brace yourself for a battle for survival that transcends mortal bounds. This is the only trilogy that will have a closed door option available (no spicy scenes, just romance). The bottoms of the covers have an open door or closed door to ensure you have the correct version. The Dreaming Lands is more of an umbrella term for a large project that spans across multiple dimensions. You won't need to read the outside books to get the full story, but they have their own interesting storylines that all tie in to the main plot.

The Dragon Magic (The Origin Cycle Book 1) by James Wheeler

In a perilous world that is destined to become magical, its heroes rise. Aether walks a precarious path, his future in the hands of an unscrupulous aristocracy that can cast someone like him aside without blinking. Still, he forges ahead, driven to make something of himself, to earn the love of a young noblewoman who should, by the traditions of their people, remain forever out of his reach. When the unthinkable happens, Aether’s friends, the only family he has, must figure out how to put together an unprecedented expedition to rescue him. And Aether faces an even more daunting challenge; surviving the ancient homeland of his people, which for the last two centuries has been the perilous domain of several invasive species of dragon. Can his friends find a captain daring enough, and a tracker freethinking enough to help them mount an impossible rescue? Can Aether harness mysteries about the dragons that have puzzled his people for centuries? And if Aether does survive, and is able to grasp the power of the dragon magic, then what will befall those who made the corrupt decision to sacrifice him?

Take Back Magic (Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker) by Casey Blair

Earth's magic was stolen. She's taking it back. All Sierra Walker has ever wanted is magic, but the powerful mage who trained her as a child betrayed her, sending her back from a world full of magic to modern-day Seattle. So when he comes to her a decade later, Sierra glimpses an opportunity: She steals his wand, and with it, she begins to steal back magic—for everyone. In magical combat Sierra's a force to be reckoned with, but she's still on her own, her access to magic handicapped, with an entire world of mages now trying their best to kill her rather than share power. So when Nariel, a dangerous demon lord, offers his assistance, she can't say no. But she also knows better than to trust her life, and her magic, to anyone else ever again—no matter how he ignites a part of her she'd thought long lost. But as they race around the world to bring magic back while fighting for their lives, Sierra realizes there may now be two things she can't bear to lose. Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker is a fast-paced, action-packed urban romantasy series spanning the modern world and also other worlds full of magic, with a shadow-wielding demon boyfriend and a heroine who never quits no matter the odds and just goes harder as they fight to change the universe for everyone. Expect the heat level to escalate dramatically in each book.

SOS HOTEL: Luxury to Die For by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash

My big secret is out. Adam Vex may be a tiny bit not human. But it’s not so bad. Just so long as Gideon Cain doesn’t find out. It’s probably best if I keep my head down and stay out of trouble, especially after our ‘accident’ at the vampire chapel. But one little date won’t hurt. We deserve some time off. And what can go wrong at a fancy dinner? It’s not as though we’ll become tangled in a corporate plot to exploit Lost Ones in brutal fights to the death for entertainment, during which we attempt to free the fighters, only for the evening to end with me riding an enraged werewolf through the restaurant, and have the entire escapade viewed millions of times online resulting in all of San Francisco asking: What is Adam Vex? Why would any of that happen?! My name is Adam Vex and I'm your host at the SOS HOTEL, where we offer luxury to die for (Luxury not guaranteed). * Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find kinda unsettling. The books also contain the BEST F*CKING DEMON there ever was, the worlds most useless vampire who has a weird-ass thing for Swedish furniture, and a 100% human (not sus) who is super nice and deserves to have nice things.

Creatures that Breathe (Vengeance and Vows Book 1) by M.L Chambers

When prey ensnares predator, everyone burns Burdened with power ... He is known only as the Spymaster. A male with no name, no face, certainly no conscience. He thrives in the shadows as the realm’s foremost secret stealer. Emotion is something he discarded years ago, making him one of the most clear-eyed, ruthless, and least known members of the Kingsguard - a band of deadly warriors cursed to crave revenge. Charged with survival … A lesser creature on the brink of extinction, Leni’s dealt with onerous males her entire life, sold by her father, betrothed to a depraved prince, forsaken by the king. Now, with an enemy hot on her tail, she seeks the only immortal capable of protecting her, not knowing how intensely she’ll be drawn to the steely spymaster. Neither can resist the desire searing between them, but every second spent together edges them closer to a fate far worse than death … Featuring a tormented anti-hero, a cunning heroine, and a tangle of powerful creatures in a world where Zeus and his children are always watching, Creatures that Breathe is the first of an interconnected series with a happily ever after.

Fair Market Value (The Body Shop Book 1) by Hailey Edwards

Forgot to feed your goldfish before your untimely demise? Need to jot down a will? Say a goodbye? See the Grand Canyon? Then come visit us at The Body Shop, where unfinished business is our business. Mary Frances Talbot—Frankie—is a necromancer, probably. Hard to say since she never met her parents. She can see the dead, talk to the dead, and a few other things that aren’t strictly legal. It’s fine. No worries. As long as she doesn’t get caught. The whole not getting caught thing was going well until Samuel Harrow blew back into town wearing a Savannah Police Department uniform. He might be a witch, but he hates magic. He’s not a fan of Frankie either. Which explains why he’s her ex. When Frankie’s less than legal side gigs result in dead vampires, she knows she’s in trouble. Big trouble. And that’s before Harrow offers to help. With him waving a Get Out of Jail Free card in her face, Frankie doesn’t have much choice but to accept. But that doesn’t mean she has to forgive. She’ll certainly never forget him breaking her heart or turning her over to the police or... Yeah. They were doomed from the start. Something tells her this investigation will be too.

First Contact: America by Matt Turner

What happens if First Contact doesn't go the way we want? A religious American family set's off on a delightful weekend away. Mom and daughter embark on a girl's getaway, while Father and Son have a guy's weekend. Just as the two pairs are starting their little vacations, aliens unexpectedly descend upon Earth; making First Contact. The family's torn asunder and their idyllic weekends take an unexpected turn as they grapple with this otherworldly encounter. The aliens come bearing ominous messages. Are they friends or foes? A family, torn apart, embarks on an adventure that tests their physical and mental fortitude, as well as their faith. Will they find unity once again?

Hall of Shadows by Mariah Stillbrook

In the quiet life of Tess Moreau lies a remarkable power—her touch revives ashes, defying nature's laws. When she uncovers a mysterious book linked to her grandmother and a witch's coven, her journey begins. Guided by a cursed deck of oracle cards, Tess delves into The Hall of Shadows, a realm crafted by her ancestors. With each dimension traversed, she uncovers her true lineage—a descendant of mythical beings. As Tess's humanity wanes, her destiny beckons. At journey's end, she faces a choice: preserve or destroy the hall. In a tale of magic and identity, Tess's odyssey may end, but her legacy is just beginning—a testament to the power within us all.

Motherly Stones by Merlina Garance

Rish and Toni have been friends almost all their lives – despite Rish’s life long crush on her. When one day, Toni shows up excited to have been appointed to appraise the abandoned castle on Paicrich Island, off the coast by which Rish lives, he has a bad feeling and offers to go with her. Little did they expect the castle to have a life of its own… A dark, mysterious romance with bisexual and a-spec representation.

Paris at Nightfall by Merlina Garance

In an early 20th century Paris emptied of its population and surveilled by the army, two men are trying to survive. Would that include falling in love? Jules has been surviving off of preserves he scavenges out in the city when he leaves his hideout at night. He never knew why one day, the Army hauled the whole town’s population into vans and evacuated the city. He only knows he’s the only one left behind. Or so he thought. When he runs into a blond aristocrat with nice hands on an outing, his world is turned upside down once again... The ebook is only available, for free, through the author's newsletter.