The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue

When her uncle dies at sea, a third child with no place in society undergoes a ceremony to house his spirit and take his role, diminishing the family’s loss. But her uncle’s spirit hasn’t settled the way it’s supposed to, and will not content itself with shore-bound business. Her uncle’s spirit insists, angrily, that it was not just a storm that killed him and wrecked his ship, not a rogue wave; it was an unthinkably large monster. Then his lover comes knocking with news of an adult son who has set sail along the same shipping lane, and dead uncle and living niece must work together to save a son neither of them knew existed.

Smoke: A MC Biker Fake Dating OTT Reverse Age Gap Short Dark Romance by Julia Stone

He agreed to be her fake boyfriend to protect her. Now he won’t let anyone else touch her. Bunny: Unwanted love letters began showing up in my work locker, increasing in frequency the longer I ignored them. I’m not interested in the man leaving them. Not even a little. There is only one biker I’ve ever wanted. Smoke. He’s gruff, gorgeous, and he looks at me like I might be trouble he can’t afford. Which is ridiculous, considering I’m the one asking him to pretend to be my boyfriend to deter this stalker of mine. It should be simple. A little convincing touch, a few possessive glances, maybe a kiss or two if we have to sell it. Except Smoke doesn’t touch like he’s pretending. He treats me like I’m really his. The longer I stay by his side, the more I find myself unable to decide what I fear more: my stalker or the end of this act. Smoke: Bunny is sunshine in a world that runs on sin. She flirts like she was made to ruin men, laughs like she doesn’t know the damage she does, and looks at me like I’m the one thing she can’t resist. That should scare me less than it does. I’ve spent my life gambling, taking risks, playing games I know I can win. But Bunny is different. She gets under my skin and makes me want things I never planned on wanting. So when she asks me to play her boyfriend, I say yes before she can ask another man to sweep her off her feet. Now her stalker thinks she’s taken. The problem is, I’m not sure I know where the game ends anymore. When Bunny is cornered, and I finally decide to claim what’s mine, everyone will learn the truth. I’ll never let anyone take her from me. Steelwood MC - Meadow Falls features darker themes throughout. Each book can be read in any order, and all conclude with a happily ever after guarantee!

Persuader by Amy Campbell

When the enemy comes calling, this outlaw spitfire will gamble her freedom to save her friends. Vixen Valerie dreads her past. After more than a decade of life on the run, she fears the charade is over. When an enemy nation threatens to attack the outlaw mage’s chosen homeland, she’s desperate to stop them. Teaming up with her friends, Vixen travels deep into Confederation territory on a dangerous mission. But with a clandestine foe doubling down on their every move, Vixen fears that she and her friends have been dealt a bad hand. Will Vixen’s magic be the royal flush needed to save her friends, or will they be doomed by a losing bet? Persuader is the exciting fourth book in the weird western fantasy series Tales of the Outlaw Mages. If you like LGBTQ representation, magical cowboys, pegasus, and found family then you’ll love Amy Campbell’s sweeping adventure. Buy Persuader and saddle up for a fantasy ride unlike any other today!

The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette (The Four Kingdoms) by Melanie Cellier

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Review by ChelseaK on 2026-07-19T14:29:22Z

Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

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Review by ChelseaK on 2026-07-17T14:49:28Z

Last Dragon on Mars (Dragons on Mars Book 1) by Honey Phillips

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Review by ChelseaK on 2026-07-17T14:44:30Z

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness: A Cozy Fantasy Thumbelina Retelling (Enchanting Confections Series) by Gabrielle Landi

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Review by ChelseaK on 2026-07-17T14:40:57Z

How to Survive This Fairytale by S. M. Hallow

Spellbinding, beautiful and unexpected. Uniquely written in 2nd person, this book is emotive, heart-wrenching and felt fresh even when steeped in so many well-known fairy tales. I won't forget this book for a good long while.

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Review by catfacegargoyle on 2026-07-14T14:59:46Z

Charms and Cinders: Inspired by Cinderella (Fairy Tales of Sherwood) by Amanda Thompson

A servant with secrets, just trying to survive. Once upon a time, Émeric Valcour had a noble inheritance. Now he has a mop, a cat, and a raven with opinions. Forced into servitude in his own home by a scheming stepmother and her cruel sons, Émeric keeps his head down, his secrets close, and his smile in place—because kindness costs nothing, and survival requires it. His secret? A forbidden gift for speaking with animals, which he uses to smuggle the desperate and the magic-touched out of a kingdom that would sooner see them dead. The last thing he needs is to fall for a mysterious girl in the forest who asks too many questions. A princess with no time, looking for a momentary escape. Princess Geneviève has spent her life learning to be graceful, patient, and obedient. She's mastered exactly one of these—and it certainly isn't patience. Her father is ill, her coronation looms, and the weight of a crown she never asked for grows heavier by the day. Sneaking out for rides in Sherwood Forest is her only escape from a court closing in around her—and she doesn't expect to find a dirt-smudged stranger who turns out to be worth coming back for. A stolen moment in the forest—and a chance neither expected to find. But the kingdom of Caelvarron is changing. Magic is stirring. When a royal ball becomes the stage for long-buried conspiracies, Émeric and Geneviève must trust each other with the truths they've been hiding. Because some stories don't end at midnight—they're only just beginning. Charms and Cinders is a no-spice fairy tale retelling for readers who love their Cinderella stories with a gender flip, a sarcastic cat, and a happily ever after worth fighting for.

The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette (The Four Kingdoms) by Melanie Cellier

Hanna knows all about hard work. For years she’s labored to complete her apprenticeship and become a pastry chef. Driven from her home once before, she’s willing to endure whatever it takes to keep her position in the palace kitchens of Northhelm. But when she finally has a chance for all her dreams to come true, everything goes wrong. In danger of losing both her future as a pastry chef, and the man she’s loved for years, Hanna will have to decide if she’s ready to fight for herself, as well as for Stefan. The Coronation Ball is a novelette of approximately 15,000 words that follows Hans’s sister after she flees Rangmere to build a life in Northhelm. If you enjoy clean romance, adventure and intrigue, then try the books in The Four Kingdoms series now! Each book can be read as a standalone story, however, for greatest enjoyment, they should be read in order. The Four Kingdoms Reading Order: The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (Book One) The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (Book Two) The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red (Novella) The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (Book Three) A Midwinter's Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince (Novella) The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (Book Four) The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Book Five)

Oops I Fell for the Biker Next Door (Oops I Fell for the...Next Door Romance Series) by Julia Stone

Small-town girl meets the boy who broke her heart by leaving—now he’s back to claim it. Riot: I’m not here to stay. Just long enough to get my mother out of the cabin and into assisted living. Then I’m gone, happy to leave my past life behind once more. That was the plan—until Zoey appeared. The girl next door. All grown up. Still looking at me like I’m the guy I used to be. Lucas is dead. Riot is what’s left—and I’ve done too much to ever deserve someone like her. Someone sweet and innocent. So I try to keep my distance. My efforts are futile. She shows up anyway. Sweet smiles. Homemade desserts. Dinner invites I shouldn’t accept… but do. One week. That’s all I wanted to stick around for. Now I’m thinking I’m not leaving—not unless she’s riding out with me. Zoey: My first crush. The boy who left without a word. He’s back—but he’s not that boy anymore. Lucas is covered in scars and secrets I can feel but don’t understand. Riding a motorcycle and sticking out like a sore thumb, I should stay away. Instead, I find reasons to be near him. Because every look lingers. Every touch burns. And the closer we get, the harder it is to stop. He doesn’t plan on sticking around, so I should keep my distance. Too bad I don’t have the strength to do so. The boy I loved is gone… but the man he’s become? He’s the one I can’t resist.

Oops I Fell for the Hockey Player Next Door (Oops I Fell for the...Next Door Romance Series) by Annee Jones

🔥 I was not supposed to be naked in my neighbor's hot tub. But his place sat empty all summer, and a girl can only resist a hot tub for so long. Then the owner showed up. Pro hockey player. Mountain-man beard. Shoulders that make thinking difficult. Very unhappy to find me in his water. He makes me a deal I can't refuse. Now I'm cooking for him, sharing his hot tub, and praying he never finds out why I'm really hiding up here. 💋 🔥 Hockey player next door • Enemies to lovers • Forced proximity • Open-door heat • Guaranteed HEA Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🔥

My Big Fat Texas Wedding (Wedding Season Series) by Annee Jones

🐾 JULES — I photograph pets for a living. Pampered ones. Diamond collars. Chanel carriers. I know what I'm doing. I did not know what I was doing when I said yes to shooting a wedding in Frognot, Texas. Four hundred guests. A ranch full of animals nobody warned me about. A bride with ideas. And Dutch Lovett — best man, horse rancher, and the most annoyingly attractive man I've ever met — watching every single thing go wrong with a grin on his face. Nothing about this weekend is going according to plan. Especially him. 🤠 One chaotic Texas wedding. One city girl in way over her head. One cowboy who likes her best when she's a mess. 🔥 Opposites attract • Fish out of water • Forced proximity • Guaranteed HEA Hot, hilarious, and bingeable in one sitting. 🐾

The Caring and the Cursed (The Intertwined Tales): Puss in Boots and Snow White & Rose Red Retelling by Amanda Thompson

A cursed prince. A miller's daughter who is willing to do anything to save her family. Are they the only hope to save their kingdom? When Crown Prince Alexander is cursed into the form of a cat, he fears all is lost. Little does he know that when he stumbles upon two sisters he has found his sweetest and bravest companions. Eirwen loves her family deeply and is willing to enter into a loveless and miserable marriage for their sake. Neither she nor her younger sister, Rowan, will inherit the mill so this is how she can do her part. When a talking cat scares them both, Eirwen is afraid that evil has come to destroy her family. But is he really an evil cat, or is it possible there's more to meet the eye with this new furry friend? And is he someone she could have a future with and not be miserable? Can these two sisters aid the talking cat in facing off against the evil that is plaguing their country, or are they all doomed for more curses? Two Intertwined Tales. One Happily Ever After. The Caring and the Cursed is a sweet clean retelling of Puss in Boots and Snow White & Rose Red and part of the Intertwined Tales series. The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairy tale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

The Stepsister and the Slipper: A Retelling of Cinderella (A Villain's Ever After) by Nina Clare

What if the prince fell in love with the stepsister? Lady Charlotte needs a rich husband, and fast. Good thing she has plenty of beauty and charm, with no foolish ideas of love to get in the way of her plans. When the chance to catch the wealthiest, most eligible bachelor in the kingdom appears, she will do everything in her power to win such a prize; even if she must break a few hearts along the way. But in the end, it is her own heart that's troubled. Perhaps true love really does exist, but if so, it’s not with the man she has caught… The Stepsister and the Slipper is one of twelve short novels in A Villain's Ever After, a collection of standalone stories featuring villainous twists on some of your favorite classic fairytales. Read the series in any order for magical adventures . . . and fall in love with villains as you've never seen them before. Who said villains can't have happily-ever-afters?

The Seamstress and the Pea: Princess and the Pea Inspired Fairytale Retelling (Whelvendow Fairytales) by Megan Rose Walker

Eleanor is a hard-working seamstress with an inherited distrust of nobility. She doesn't have time for frivolity or a flirtatious prince, especially if she wants to save enough money to visit her mother's grave in the neighboring kingdom. When a dress fitting for the queen begins with a torrential rainfall and ends with an unexpected proposal from Prince James, her world is turned upside down. Eleanor is the prince’s last hope to avoid an undesired marriage with the rival kingdom’s princess. In exchange for a one month pretend engagement, he will pay her more than enough to finally travel to see her mother’s grave. Despite her father’s disapproval, she accepts James’s offer and is thrust into a world of formal gowns, doting servants, and pompous royalty. The jilted princess and her arrogant brother are determined to get rid of Eleanor, and she and James must rely on one another to counter their hostility. As she spends time with him, the lines between flirtatious acting and genuine affection blur. Amid her struggles with the royals, internal and family conflicts also arise, fighting to overpower her and the blossoming feelings she has for James. Can Eleanor overcome the cruel advances of the rival royalty as well as her own prejudices? Will she choose love when everything is on the line? This is a cozy no-spice romantasy tale inspired by the Princess and the Pea fairytale. Although it is a prequel to events in The Wisp and the Prince, it is meant to be read second.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars (Once Upon A Rhyme Book 6) by Abigail Manning

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... How everyone wonders where you are? Princess Lyra of Bellatring is the sparkling diamond of her family. She’s polite, intelligent, beautiful, and the perfect match for the neighboring prince who is looking to unite their militaries. But even the brightest jewels can still possess flaws, or in Lyra’s case, armfuls of scars. Lyra secretly spends her evenings tinkering with magic stones under the starlight. Though the temperamental stones lash out and leave behind their marks, it’s nothing that can’t be concealed with a strategically planned wardrobe. The real difficulty for a princess is acquiring magic stones, unless you have a stone-smuggling friend who delights in climbing your tower walls every night. Stirling is a man of many names, if you can call him a man. His crooked leg, mismatched eyes, and lack of sanity tend to get him labeled as anything but human, though he takes pride in his complicated reputation. When Stirling senses danger for Lyra, he doesn’t hesitate to recommend that she marry the powerful prince who could keep her safe–until the wedding doesn’t come soon enough. Both Lyra and Stirling are captured by power-hungry magic hunters, in search of the notorious inventor. The only problem is, their captors aren’t certain who is who, giving Stirling the chance to claim yet another name... The inventor. Will Lyra’s true identity be uncovered? Or will Stirling’s lie leave them wondering what you are? Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on Once Upon A Rhyme sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

Trials and Command: A Retelling of The Tinderbox and The Princess and the Pea (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 5) by Erin Halbmaier

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻-𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿. Keenan left home to watch out for a young woman searching for her friend. But when bandits attack, leaving them separated, Keenan is left lost and wounded, stumbling through the woods in search of help. Princess Sakura needs a titled husband to inherit the throne. Since a prophecy declared her the future bride of a common soldier, she only has a few months until her brother is named heir in her place. But it’s hard to find a husband at all in an isolated castle. When an injured young man staggers up to their door, the queen offers him the chance to prove he is a “true prince” and so marry her daughter. Sakura believes their guest has enchanted the queen…until her mother confides a plot that will guarantee Sakura the throne. All she has to do is make Keenan fall in love with her. But he doesn’t trust her or her mother – and the key to her crown might be too powerful to give up. Fans of Brittany Fichter and Melanie Cellier will love this clean fantasy romance retelling of The Tinderbox x The Princess and the Pea. With forced proximity, layered secrets, and a baby dragon, Trials and Command (Book 5 in The Roumaterra Chronicles) delivers wit, heart, and a quest that will keep you turning pages.

Boots and Roses: A Retelling of Puss in Boots and Beauty and the Beast (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 6) by Erin Halbmaier

Liesl is determined to find the man who broke her heart. Getting trapped in a cursed valley with a dangerous ogre isn't part of the plan. Tobias gave Liesl a rose and a reason to hope – then chose to search for the missing princess instead. When she discovers he’s vanished without his beloved cat, concern overrides her hurt. Something is wrong, and she’ll track him down to ensure he’s safe…and to demand the answers she deserves. Beast has no memory of who he is, only a desperate need to complete a task the valley’s magic won’t let him leave to finish. When Liesl appears with a familiar cat at her heels, fragments begin to surface – memories of a life he can’t quite grasp. Believing Beast knows something about Tobias, Liesl risks getting close to him. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to see him as a monster. But Beast’s mission will cost him any future with Liesl. And if he tells her why, someone else will pay the price. Some secrets have to be kept. Even if that means losing the woman he loves. Fans of K.M. Shea and Melanie Cellier will love this clean fantasy romance retelling of Puss in Boots x Beauty and the Beast, where quiet connection, magical mysteries, and impossible choices take you on an emotional journey. Pick up Boots and Roses and fall into a cursed valley where the truth can be dangerous – and love demands everything.

Arrows and Gems: A Retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 4) by Erin Halbmaier

A runaway princess. An honorable outlaw. A crime that hasn’t been paid. Princess Helena has always struggled to belong. When she wakes from her twelve-year enchanted sleep, she tries to adjust to the changes in her life. But her childhood sweetheart’s marriage and the council’s plan to choose her husband push her too far. Cap just wants to protect his friends and return the throne to the missing crown prince. But the unlawful regent has accused the crown prince of murdering the king, and Cap’s status as an outlaw makes it hard to investigate. He’s wary of the woman he believes has been sent to trap him, but she has a way of slipping past his defenses. And he’s afraid she might be another sign that he shouldn’t trust his own judgment. Can Helena and Cap work together to reveal the true murderer? Or will their insecurities and secrets destroy everything they care about? Arrows and Gems is a clean, no-spice retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red. It is book four in The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

Once Upon A Bear: A Cozy Fantasy Goldilocks Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

An illegal herbwitch, a man turned bear, and the curse keeping them apart. Guinevere has spent years hiding her illegal magic, healing on the sly with enhanced salves and tonics. Life in her tiny cottage making potions by firelight is quiet and lonely, but it keeps her safe…even if it’s hard to buy food sometimes. Gideon Rendon is tired of being a bear, but with silence woven into his curse and anyone who sees him trying to kill him, he’s run out of hope. When Guinevere discovers his secret, he begins to feel hope for the first time in years–but the curse is taking over, and he’s spending more and more time as a bear. As Guinevere stitches his wounds, helps with his brother’s injury, and attempts to break his curse before he loses his humanity, the line between healer and patient begins to blur. But with Gideon’s noble family and Guinevere’s dangerous secret between them, falling in love might be a risk neither of them can afford. Once Upon A Bear is a cozy fantasy romance inspired by the Goldilocks fairy tale, full of grumpy sunshine vibes and wound tending, and the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone, young adult romance is a clean and wholesome retelling of a beloved story or fairytale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic. While Once Upon A Bear is the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles series, each couple has their own romance with a happily ever after that can be read in any order. “You are always fit for human company,” she said. “Because whether you are in your human form or not, you have a human soul, and that is what matters.”

Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

A café owner, her former love, and the curse between them. Thea Greene has no time for nonsense—especially not from her overly charming landlord who delivers flowers “for the building” and thinks a smile can fix anything. She’s too busy running her business, finding an apprentice, and reminding herself that falling for Nat again is only asking for him to break her heart once more. Nathaniel Alder wants nothing more than to fix his relationship with Thea, which is difficult when she won’t talk to him. When a wand-wielding maniac turns him into a cat—whiskers, tail, and all—in front of the Cozy Cat Cafe, it’s a blessing and a curse. Being with Thea as a cat isn’t what he planned, but it's more time and attention than she gave him before. Can Nat break the curse he’s under and convince Thea that he’s worthy of her trust, or will their second chance at love turn out the same as the first? Once Upon A Cat is a Frog Prince fairytale retelling and the fourth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness: A Cozy Fantasy Thumbelina Retelling (Enchanting Confections Series) by Gabrielle Landi

A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line. Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll. Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected. Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned? A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

A Dwelling of Dragons: A Cozy Fantasy Romance (Healer of Dragons Book 2) by Gabrielle Landi

A dragon healer who wants a quiet life, the shopkeeper destined to lead, and the hidden village that changes everything. Caring for injured baby dragons was all Celia Carrington wanted to do, but when she followed her favorite baby into the mountains, she discovered a hidden village of frail, illegal magic users. Unfortunately, she’s burnt out on healing humans, and the idea of them depending on her is terrifying. When Darian Emberlin learns that his dragon bond ties him to the village's future, he's faced with a responsibility he never wanted. While the dragons may believe he's meant to lead, Darian isn't convinced he's the right man for the task, and his bond to Celia feels stronger than his bond to the village. With a shaky community depending on them, can they face the destiny neither of them asked for and build a home among the dragons, or will their fears keep them from reaching their full potential? A DWELLING OF DRAGONS is the second book in the HEALER OF DRAGONS cozy fantasy romance trilogy, with a closed door, wholesome romance, fated mates, dragon riding, a hidden mountain village, and a grumpy, burnt out healer discovering that facing your fears is worth it.

A Hearthful of Hatchlings: A Cozy Fantasy Romance (Healer of Dragons Book 1) by Gabrielle Landi

A grumpy hermit healer, the boy who will do anything to make her smile, and the injured baby dragons they care for. After being blamed for a tragedy she couldn't prevent, healer Celia Carrington fled to the mountains and built a life caring for injured baby dragons. Since no one believes dragons exist, her world is warm, cozy, and quiet--until it's no longer a secret. When shopkeeper Darian Emberlin finds the baby dragon hidden in Celia's shopping basket, his chivalry--and curiosity--insist he offer to help her. Celia may say she wants him to leave her and the hatchlings in peace, though he suspects he's just too much for her grumpy heart...but that was before they discovered he could understand the dragons. As Celia and Darian care for the dragons, their growing bond kindles something neither expected--hope. But in a world where magic is illegal and dragons are merely a legend, can the bond they forge withstand the flames? A HEARTHFUL OF HATCHLINGS is the first in the HEALER OF DRAGONS cozy fantasy romance series, with fated mates, dragon riding, and a reverse grumpy sunshine romance with a golden retriever man and the strong woman determined to ignore the fact that he falls first.

Monsters and Mocha: Inspired by Frankenstein (The Haunted Brew Series) by Sarah Beran

One a monster becomes... Darby Shelton’s future is bright—as a top graduate from the Mavorian Academy of Science and Magic, she now holds a prestigious and highly-sought after surgical internship with the famous Dr. Fransten. Sure, he might treat her more like a secretary than a fellow professional, but how can she complain when she gets to learn from the best? And unlike her other teachers, he doesn’t seem to mind that she spends the rest of her free time tinkering with gears and cogs, searching for connections between the medicine she loves and the machines that captivate her imagination. But war throws a shadow over her future, and a battle fought a little too close to home sends her on a completely different course. The wounded soldiers are brought to their hospital, among them a captain who had sacrificed life and limb to protect his comrades. Dr. Fransten might not think him worth treating, but Darby can’t leave him to suffer. It takes everything she knows of magic, metal, and medicine to save him, but at what cost? If the Guild of Medicine finds out, she could lose her position. Her mentor promises to shield her, but when a series of strange and unnerving accidents target both her and the recovering captain, Darby is left to wonder: In saving a man, has she somehow created a monster? Monsters and Mocha is inspired by Frankenstein and is part of The Haunted Brew series. A collection of four cozy and spooky tales inspired by myths, lore, and legends, it is sure to bring you just the right amount of chill for your autumn evenings.

A Bond of Ice and Sunshine (Tales of Eukarya) by Sarah Beran

The Snow Queen meets King Thrushbeard… As the crown prince of the tiny, coastal island of Kysta, Frederick had many expectations surrounding his future marriage. He had expected it to be an arranged, political match with a neighboring country. He had expected that the union would be weighed down by social and economic consequences. When his childhood friend and playmate, Princess Eliza of Nedra was announced as his intended, it was a pleasant surprise, but not unexpected. What Freddy didn’t expect was the sudden icy temper and stone cold stares that Eliza has been gracing him with since the announcement. He also never expected to be left at the altar. Twice. But if there’s one thing Freddy knows, it’s that not even the coldest ice can withstand the sun. He’s willing to cross the whole of Eukarya to bring her back, and he’s determined to melt his way into the icy princess’s heart…even if it means risking frostbite to his own.

The Silent Night: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Sarah Beran

Twas the hour after midnight and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the owls. And Holly. Holly is no stranger to the night. Her unique position means that the still hours in the darkest parts of the night are when most of her work gets done. It’s not completely silent—she has Parliament to thank for that—but it does get a bit lonely. Not even the letters from her faithful correspondent can completely fill the empty space, and it’s only a matter of time before she loses even those. Dominic Klause has watched as, year after year, the winters in Weihnacht grow longer and colder. The nights are dark, food is scarce, and his fellow countrymen are desperate for a miracle, but too proud to accept charity, leaving Dominic no choice but to hide his attempts at helping them under the cover of darkness. But his resources are limited, and not even the brilliant suggestions of his friend Joy can change the fact that it will require the riches of a king to continue his charitable efforts. As Deus Natus Eve approaches, Dominic turns his attention towards the one place that could solve all his problems—the abandoned castle of the former king. But all is not as it seems behind the towering holly hedges that surround the castle, and Dominic encounters more than he bargained for. When the unexpected gift of love is dropped into his lap, will Dominic find the treasure he seeks? Or will it be lost to the silence of the night? This book is a part of The Christmas Chronicles, a collection of festive novellas filled with clean romance, chilly weather, and cozy adventures.

Ice Dragon's Heart (Dragons on Mars Book 2) by Honey Phillips

All she wanted was to be left alone. Now, he's her only chance for survival. Jaz came to the Martian pole for solitude, not company. Especially not the company of a seven-foot-tall alien who just turned her mining rig into a scrap heap in a fit of primal rage. Ajar is a creature of ice and fury, a dragon awakened from a frozen tomb, wounded and cornered. And thanks to the blizzard of the century, he's her new roommate. As Jaz reluctantly nurses him back to health, his defensive rage gives way to an unexpected vulnerability. She sees the lost soul trapped within the scales, and her hardened heart begins to melt. When a corporate hunting party arrives to claim their prize, Jaz and Adjar forge a desperate alliance. He may have destroyed her past, but he’s the only one who can protect her future. A sweet and spicy sci-fi romance perfect for readers who love forced proximity, wounded heroes, and a love that thaws the coldest of hearts.

Last Dragon on Mars (Dragons on Mars Book 1) by Honey Phillips

She was looking for answers. She found a legend. Dr. Alina Falkner is a scientist. She believes in data, in logic, in the cold hard rock of the Martian landscape. So when impossible energy readings lead her deep into a newly-opened cavern, she expects a geological anomaly, not the last echo of an ancient world, awakened by advanced human technology. He is dangerous. He is impossible. And he is her secret to keep. He was born in darkness. She was his first light. Born from a fusion of cyborg blood and the planet's dormant DNA, Rhyx is a newborn in a warrior's body, and the brilliant, gentle human who found him is the first thing he has ever known. Trapped together by a raging dust storm, she becomes his fierce, consuming passion. He will do anything to keep her, even though the world outside their sanctuary threatens to tear them apart. A ruthless scientist, obsessed with both Alina and her secrets, is pursuing them both. As the hunt intensifies, Alina must choose between the career she's dedicated her life to and the impossible male she's fallen for. But when you’re hiding the last dragon on Mars, the price of discovery isn't just loss—it's extinction.

Perfect Pucking Orc: An Orc Hockey Romance (The Orc Hockey League) by Honey Phillips

He controls everything—except her. As captain of the Emerald Enforcers, Tarmek Stonefist is disciplined, controlled, and ruthlessly organized—on the ice and off it. Chaos has no place in his world. Then free-spirited artist Edie Anderson crashes into his carefully ordered life and turns it upside down. She’s impulsive, emotional, and completely uninterested in schedules. She challenges him. Tempts him. And the more he tries to regain control, the faster he feels it slipping away. Perfect order. Perfect chaos. Perfectly pucking dangerous. The Orc Hockey League is a cozy-spicy monster romance series where fierce orc athletes rule the ice, rivalries run hot, and love hits harder than a body check. Each book can be read as a standalone and ends with a happily ever after.

Never Invite a Vampire to Dinner (Wrong Move, Right Monster) by Honey Phillips

Love was never part of the menu. Penelope Harrington loves bringing people together. So when the mysterious owner of Blackthorn House returns to Black Harbor, she invites him to dinner. She doesn't expect him to accept. She definitely doesn't expect him to be a vampire. Or to keep accepting her invitations. After centuries of carefully avoiding attention, Julian Volkov wants nothing more than a quiet life. Then Penny barges into his world with themed dinner parties, endless questions, and a determined belief that no one should eat alone. Unfortunately for Julian, saying no to her proves impossible. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for Julian to stay hidden—and the harder it becomes to imagine a future without the woman who keeps trying to feed him homemade garlic bread. But when a paranormal podcast starts digging into the secrets of Blackthorn House, Julian's carefully constructed life begins to unravel. Suddenly, the woman who invited him to dinner may be the only person who can protect both his secrets and his heart. A steamy standalone paranormal romance featuring a vampire hero, a sunshine foodie heroine, a cozy coastal town, small-town meddling, mystery, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Never Dance with a Demon: A Cozy Monster Romance (Wrong Move, Right Monster) by Honey Phillips

She lives by the rules. He breaks them for a living. Isadora Solis has built her life on precision, control, and perfectly executed steps. She doesn’t make mistakes on the dance floor, and she definitely doesn’t improvise. So when Malachi Vexis strides into her studio—late, arrogant, and completely incapable of following even the most basic waltz—she knows exactly what he is. A disaster. Unfortunately, he’s also her newest student. Bound by a dangerous demonic contract, he needs to win an upcoming competition without using magic, or lose far more than his pride. Which means he needs her. As their lessons heat up and the lines between discipline and desire begin to blur, Isadora finds herself drawn to the one male who could ruin everything she’s worked for. Because the only thing more dangerous than dancing with a demon… is falling for one. (Each book in the Wrong Move, Right Monster series can be read as a standalone. These sweet and spicy romances are intended for mature readers.)

B is for Bonded (The ABCs of Alien Abduction) by Honey Phillips

A true bond can never be forced—only chosen. Polly survived the unimaginable. Now she's found safety on Hothrest—and in the arms of the Hothian clan leader who watches over her. Every night she slips into Njkall's bed seeking comfort. Every morning she walks away. Njkall has known from the moment they met that Polly is his mate. But after everything she's endured, forcing his claim on her is the last thing he wants to do. If he wants a future with her, he'll have to convince her that a mating bond is built on trust, not possession—and that some promises are worth making forever. This sweet and spicy sci-fi romance features a protective alien warrior willing to wait for his mate, a traumatized heroine learning to trust again, bed sharing, found family, fated mates, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

A is for Abduction (The ABCs of Alien Abduction) by Honey Phillips

Abducted from Earth. Chased across the galaxy. Bound together by a child in danger. Elementary school teacher Emma Carter never expected aliens to be real. She definitely never expected to find herself on the run with a dangerously attractive smuggler and a mysterious infant sought by some of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. Doren has spent years searching for a legendary treasure known as The Vault. Instead, he finds a stubborn human female, a child who needs protection, and an attraction that's becoming impossible to ignore. With fanatical Grorn warriors closing in, Emma and Doren must work together to keep the infant safe and stay one step ahead of their enemies. Because some treasures are worth far more than gold. A sweet and spicy science fiction romance featuring a roguish alien hero, an abducted human heroine, found family, adventure, danger, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

The Heresy of Thieves by Mia V. Moss

Vael stole magic from the gods for Her people and put an end to centuries of unrest. Now magic is gone, and the battle for the Witchlands’s soul begins. After a millennium of prosperity and magic, one catastrophic night undoes the realm of Yvaelen. Magic has fallen, and prayers to Vael the Giver go unanswered. Jal Riago knows when it’s time to move on from a con. She can’t maintain her false refugee heiress story forever, and her benefactors grow weary of playing host. Just when she’s about to confess and cut ties, a deadly raid sets Jal’s life on a collision course with a powerful entity reckoning with its own madness. The young, steadfast King Thealys Vorrine inherited the throne of Dynestra after her parents’ deaths at Spellfall. But sparks of unrest flare all too quickly into the unpredictable wildfire of rebellion, and King Vorrine must forge headlong into unknown territory. Royal knight and notorious rake Ember Carrado is trying his best to get fired. Instead, when he’s paired with a judgmental paladin and sent on a mission to hunt down a rampaging mythical beast, he finds himself face-to-face with the past he’s been running from since Spellfall. Beacon Wylda Lorcanthas wields a sharp tongue and the second-highest office in the Church of Vael. When the head of the Faith dies, Wylda must seek out a biddable successor. Unfortunately, the clergy’s clear favorite is a charismatic priest who promises the restoration of magic—for those willing to partake of a bloody cost. The dark betrayal behind Spellfall, and the very fabric of Yvaelen’s faith, will be hidden no longer. What began with a thief’s touch will end with a reckoning. And salvation for some may be a waking nightmare for others.

Locker's Rebellion by Jesse Pohlman

Katherine London, an arcane scientist for the Kingdom of Emor, is alarmed when her much-needed vacation with her swordswoman wife Clarice is interrupted with a summons to the capital. The Kingdom has always had trouble keeping the Principality of Presia in line, but a peasant uprising striving for independence is brewing and it falls to Kathy and Clarice to track down its ringleader. There are just two problems making Presia an awful place for Kathy: First, the theocratic Principality is hostile to non-conformist relationships like hers’. Second, arcane gifts are viewed as witchcraft. But when an ancient relic tied to Presia's mythological savior is stolen through what can only be magic, the uprising’s leader gains an air of legitimacy. Kathy would love nothing more than to leave this problem to someone else, but if she did - if the rebellion succeeded - it would strip away the Kingdom's protection from those like her who call Presia their home. She and Clarice cannot risk leaving others like them to a theocracy's scant mercies. When an opportunity to both quell the rebellion and place a more reform-minded cleric in charge of the Principality emerges, Kathy has a first-hand opportunity to help guide him to the right side on both core issues. That leaves her with two unknowns: Whether or not they'll be in time, and what they'll find when they get there. Locker's Rebellion is a fantasy action story which plays out like your favorite battle-manga centered around themes of Queer liberation and self-acceptance. Pick it up if you're ready to stand up and defend the defenseless!

The Goblin Muse by Sandra Bond

Acclaimed poet and novelist Sandra Bond's second collection of verse brings her inimitable touch to subjects as broadly spread as faeries, frogs, crows, cake, coffee, chocolate, death, demons, dementia, politics, platypuses... and, yes, goblins. Some will make you laugh. Some will make you cry. Some may do both at the same time. You have been warned.

Alchemists of Dawn by GS Valiant

Being a woman at Vyner Industries was hard enough. Then the murder happened. Once a promising young researcher, Roxanne Young’s career at the renowned Vyner Alchemical Industries has stalled. Despite her brilliance and long hours in the lab, she just can’t seem to get that next promotion. When she witnesses a brutal murder, Roxanne stumbles on a shocking discovery that could break the Federation’s dangerous dependence on their dwindling reservoirs of magic, and secure her career in the bargain. Determined to expose the discovery and bring the killers to justice, Roxanne turns to the one person who might be able to help: the indomitable Juliana Young, the first and only woman to ever become a department head at Vyner–and Roxanne’s mother. Two ambitious women whose approaches sometimes clash, mother and daughter must work together to protect the future of magic. But as they are drawn into a web of intrigue, shifting loyalties, and unlikely alliances, Roxanne and Juliana soon discover powerful forces at work–and they will stop at nothing to keep Vyner’s secrets hidden.

The Curse of Aldebaran by Dakota Jackson

Two spirits. One body. No way out. When Suraya and Meiling’s second year at the Academy begins with paired reconnaissance training, neither of them expects it to end in disaster. But when a mysterious agent of the Miyako family attacks, Meiling throws herself into the line of fire—and her spirit is torn from her body…only to bind itself to Suraya instead. Now trapped together in a single body while Meiling’s empty form lies dying in the intensive care unit, the two girls are forced into an alliance neither of them wants. But the Mikayo family is still out there, draining spirits, hunting power…and closing in on Suraya for a reason no one understands. As Suraya is hailed as Ataru Reborn, her power grows more unstable—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Meiling is running out of time to reclaim her body before she’s lost for good…or killed like her uncle before her. The Curse of Aldebaran is book two in The Construction of Shadows series, a young adult fantasy series for fans of Percy Jackson and Avatar the Last Airbender. This installment ups the action, danger, magic, and romance for a thrilling race against time.

Spikes, Dice and Other Variables by Harper Kinsley

Life is over for Riley McMahon​ ​ When junior setter Riley McMahon’s spot on the volleyball team is threatened due to academic ineligibility, she’ll do anything to save her grades. So when she finds out about the gaming club run by Simon, the smart kid in her math class, she joins without a second thought in order to convince him to tutor her. The problem? She sort of told him she loves the game he plays. And she’s never rolled a single D20 in her life. But as they spend time together, Riley realizes she might feel something different for Simon. Riley’s been avoiding relationships her whole life, and as her friends start to notice her not-so-platonic feelings for Simon, she’s forced to admit why: she’s uncomfortable with the idea of sex, which seems to be all anyone can think about in relationships. Balancing her own fears against society’s expectations, Riley must figure out what matters most to her, and how to let everyone else’s expectations go.

Antaria: Shattered Horizons - VOLUME I by A.J.A. Gutowski

Antaria is a world devoured by red dust, where the ruins of ancient cities conceal more threats than hope. Zu-Ann and Mati live in constant dialogue with the wasteland: sometimes they hunt, sometimes they flee, always balancing on the edge of survival. Their routine shatters when, among the Dead Towers, they find an unconscious girl. They do not know who she is or where she came from — they only know that she does not belong to any part of this broken world. From that moment on, Antaria begins to react differently. As if something has awakened beneath the sand. As if someone is watching their every step. In a landscape where technology merges with mutation and human laws give way to the brutal logic of the wastelands, the characters struggle to find answers before the world delivers its own — far more dangerous ones. This is a story of survival, trust, and the consequences of a discovery that should never have happened. Raw. Intense. Leading deep into Antaria — a place that does not forgive.

Antaria: The Red Testament - Volume V by A.J.A. Gutowski

ANTARIA: The Red Testament, Volume V The Enaryd Tower trembles as the Metaja returns to its bed—along with the waters awaken old demons and new possibilities. Glopolis calculates the future, P.R.E.7 lays out scenarios, and Ena—the border child—binds what was to what is only now being born. Volume V is the transcendence of unity: the convergence of myth, technology, and will into a single vector of action. It closes the pentalogy like a gate that also opens new space—not an ending, but a turning point after which the world stops pretending everything can be postponed.

Antaria: The Red Testament - Volume IV by A.J.A. Gutowski

ANTARIA: The Red Testament, Volume IV The Mutron cuts the horizon over the Ruar archipelago, and in its hold a serum ripens, meant to halt the wild mutation. But the true burden rests on decisions: step into other people’s wars and foreign laws, or look away and save only yourself. Volume IV is the transcendence of morality—a field test of the spine, where each drop in a vial weighs a life and every gesture echoes through an entire ecosystem. A volume of the pentalogy about the limits of intervention: how to help without becoming yet another ritual of violence.

Antaria: The Red Testament - Volume III by A.J.A. Gutowski

ANTARIA: The Red Testament, Volume III Meru does not ask for permission: storms trace the routes, the Kongra library measures out time, and the empire of Trom-Mata-Meru demands sacrifice in the name of “evolution.” In this landscape, choices set like stone, and private feelings carry the weight of politics. Volume III is the transcendence of fate—the moment when the personal collides with the machinery of History, and myth stops being a tale to become an instrument of power. There are no easy victories here—only consequences that reach beyond a single lifetime. The pentalogy enters a zone where masks fall and names turn into verdicts.

Antaria: The Red Testament - Volume II by A.J.A. Gutowski

ANTARIA: The Red Testament, Volume II Electo is not a city—it’s an organism that feeds on data and decisions. In its underbelly, Loturn, a brilliant neurosurgeon, tries to stitch memory like a wound and force it into a new shape. Betrayal cuts him like a scalpel, and science hardens into a cold obsession. Here, the body becomes raw material and conscience a variable in the equation. Volume II is the transcendence of consciousness: a descent into the mind’s deepest layers and a question of whether humanity can be rewritten without losing the soul. A book of the pentalogy where the white of laboratories cannot mask the black of choices.

Antaria: The Red Testament - Vol.1 by A.J.A. Gutowski

ANTARIA: The Red Testament, Volume I Book one of the pentalogy opens a world where memory is a weapon and technology a ritual. Gloria and Hope are cast into a web of events stretched between bunkers, laboratories, and the red dust that turns people into strangers to themselves. Volume I is the transcendence of birth—the instant we face the beginning and learn the past is never dead. This is not a tale of rescue but of the price one pays to keep an identity in a world that remembers more than we do.

Bad Citizen by Ron Lebow

A MAFIA WAR CAN BE BRUTAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES A MAGICAL MANIAC Josiah arrives in New York City through a portal from another realm. Capable of frightening feats and driven by a lust for power, he takes on the mafia. He’ll just need the help of a few local outcasts. Lucius is an impulsive f-up who shuns his mafia family’s norms. Behind a long line of brothers for leadership, he fashioned his own comfortable nook. Thrust into war with another family, he becomes enveloped by the need for revenge. Antonia is Lucius’ sister. She exists on the family’s outskirts, protective of her brothers and occasionally called upon for unspeakable assistance. Forced to contend with the potential downfall of everyone she loves, she may be the key to the family’s salvation...and her own. In Bad Citizen, Ron Lebow fuses fantasy, sci fi and mob drama into a relentlessly entertaining ride. Josiah storms through a portal with terrifying powers and a hunger for control, setting his sights on New York’s underworld. He’ll need allies—and finds them in our society’s outcasts. Lucius, an impulsive mafia screw-up, is forced to contend with responsibilities he never wanted. Antonia, his fiercely protective sister, stands at the center of it all. What follows is a comedic war where every twist redefines loyalty, violence is interspersed with unexpected laughs, and no one walks away unchanged. Set in modern-day NYC, the story balances brutal violence with razor-sharp comedy, delivering one unpredictable twist after another. Sacrifices loom around every corner, and consequences never arrive as expected. Lebow’s novel is a portal urban fantasy turned upside down—fun, funny, and deadly serious in all the right places. • Ride shotgun with Josiah as he weaponizes magical abilities to rip apart the mob. • Get lost in a web of twists that make every chapter a revelation. • Witness Lucius’s chaotic spiral from black sheep to vengeful force. • Uncover Antonia’s pivotal role in a war no one else can win. This isn’t a tidy hero’s tale—morally grey characters, constant surprises, and sacrifices with unthinkable consequences drive the chaos. • Mafia mayhem with a magical twist • Dark comedy that lands hard • Sacrifices that flip the script

Cold Blood by C. H. King

When a medical breakthrough threatens powerful interests, progress becomes negotiable. Cold Blood is a thrilling story grounded in realism and set in a world where progress is not driven solely by discovery, but by who stands to gain – and who stands to lose. It explores the tension between public good and private influence, and consequences when scientific advancement collides with money, influence, and fear. Jack, a former Australian government agent, and Kelly, a doctor, must work together to save their daughters after Jack’s daughter is kidnapped and Kelly’s is involved in a life altering accident. They soon discover saving lives is only part of the equation. As political pressure mounts and corporate interests close in, the truth becomes contested. Silence is rewarded, and the cost of speaking out escalates. Can Jack and Kelly find what they’re seeking before it’s too late?

Curse of Silence: A Retelling of The Goose Girl (The Roumaterra Chronicles) by Erin Halbmaier

A princess with a magic handkerchief. A flirtatious baron’s son. The maid who turned their world upside down. As the possessor of her family’s handkerchief, Princess Daphne should be uncovering the truth behind her father’s murder. But she lacks confidence as a spy, and her mother is sending her off to a neighboring kingdom to look for a husband. It means months lost from her mission, but at least her faithful dog and best friend will be with her. Raoul has been Daphne’s best friend since they were children. But she always laughs off his attempts to confess deeper feelings, and now his father has given him an ultimatum. She’s always been out of his reach, but if Raoul can’t change her mind in the next six months, he’ll lose what little chance he had. When a kitchen maid catches Daphne alone, she steals the handkerchief and uses it to swap their appearances. The only way to undo it is for Daphne to tell someone who she is, but the curse prevents Daphne from both speaking and writing. Will Daphne find a way to free herself from the curse? Or will the maid win, leaving Daphne a mute shepherdess forever? Curse of Silence is a clean, no-spice retelling of The Goose Girl. It is part of The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

A Frigid Hope: A Snow Queen Retelling (Fairy Tales of Ambrose) by Amanda Thompson

Can one princess find hope before her best friend’s heart is turned to ice? Every year a man is chosen to make the journey up the forbidden mountain to appease the Frozen Queen, only to return with a frozen heart. When Crown Princess Bianca learns her best friend is this year’s chosen, she is devastated. And she’s willing to do anything to save Percival from that fate. Percival’s heartbroken when he finds the mark selecting him to be this year’s chosen. He’s Bianca’s personal guard – and he has been in love with her for years. But with the selection mark comes a warning: to disobey means death, not just for him but for everyone in the kingdom. Can Bianca save her people from the endless winter and prevent Percival from losing his heart? Or will all be lost to the frigid reign of the Frozen Queen? A Frigid Hope, a Snow Queen retelling, is the first prequel in the Fairy Tales of Ambrose series, set a few hundred years prior to Dances and Danger and the rest of the series.

My Brother's Keeper by Ben Schenkman

Magic is real, demons walk the earth, and Max’s brother is dead. Max Asher, Jewish mystic and private-eye, never thought he’d be coming back to his home town to bury his twin brother, Solomon. He definitely never thought the funeral would turn into a case, but when Sol’s widow Gabby asks him to investigate the cause of death, “Uncle Max” is on the job. When Max kicks the demon’s nest, he uncovers a conspiracy that forces him to reevaluate everything he thought he knew about his brother. Unfamiliar local politics blur the line between the supernatural and the mundane, and soon, fighting for justice becomes dangerously literal. If Max can uncover the murderer, he might just save his brother’s soul—but if he can’t, he’ll fall victim to the same deadly fate. Putting the past to rest is going to take more than a shovel full of dirt.

Thunder by Abasiama Udom

Chimbueze has been prepared for death since before he knew what death was. Since the accident, his mother has kept him close, no rough play, no unsupervised afternoons, nothing that could catch death's attention again. But the thing that's been counting down to his fourteenth birthday does not ask his permission. It haunts. His grandmother knows this, and so does the priest who built the coffin. The ritual is ready. All that is standing between Chimbueze and fate is one Wednesday afternoon, a dare from his friends, and a crumbling building that should never have been climbed. The clock is ticking, and Chimbueze has to face a debt older than him.

Wobblestrut & Other Proclivities by Leslie Summerfield

A dapper young man fights madness on the brink of existential collapse, treating ego-death with beer bottles. Another grasps the true nature of attraction; only to watch everyone in a high-end restaurant play indulgent children-himself included. A new hire clocks in for a typical first day but quickly suspects a con that may involve trafficking his own organs. Meanwhile, a pimp lives his final day like the king he is, as the hottest gentleman's club on the block whirls into panic. And inside a dank basement, a charismatic bum in a tremendous wig catches spliff-induced clarity so hard it unfurls into a lucid time traveling adventure! Wobblestrut & Other Proclivities is a short-story collection set in a fictional DMV, where the County's comfort and neighboring Buss Ask's chaos blur into a darkly comic ecosystem of hustlers, lovers, weirdos, and emerging sovereigns. In these standalone, yet linked tales, Summerfield alchemizes the strange, tender, dark, with a ridiculous off-kilter approach to the everyday and an unsparing eye for the human condition-where the mundane goes uncanny before landing embarrassingly familiar. Written in the voice of a lovechild between a stand-up folklorist, lyrical witness, and tall-tale prophet, this book may leave readers reeling from thought, feeling, and laughter-all at once, or in a single line where a joke, fresh insight, and old trigger catch them off guard. This is a local mythos of cast-outs and coronations where you'll do just fine; so long as you remember that true self is exposed after life shits on your shoulder... Leslie Summerfield is a DMV born and raised author/poet whose writing style is yours to decide; as an esteemed peer once asked: "What are you feeding your mind to write like this?" Their work blends Black intellectual and liberation traditions (Baldwin, Douglass), relatable yet raw provocative humor (Joey Diaz, the late-great Patrice O'Neal), Kafkaesque circumstance, and an obsessive love for the overlooked — raised on hip-hop, R&B, rock, as well as Neal Peterson, immigrants who carried seeds and cuttings into this country, and fruit hunters still chasing their descendants and rooted clones.

Vahmroh Tamer: Volume 1 by Freemi-Ya

Talovarios is a quiet young Imp and just one of billions of hominids across a land barely stitched together who have chased the boundless wonders of Vahmrohs — magnificent, geometric monsters that mirror the appearance and abilities of real-world taxa — for millennia. The only difference is that he has a Tamer’s heart that’s far larger than his wallet or support system. When a fateful encounter leaves him bonded to a stray, young Vahmroh marked by an undesired “cracked star,” his childhood dream detonates into something far greater—just as the local haven of folk-Tamer culture falls before the smile of a corporate buyout. Now, Talovarios is torn between four factions clawing for control of tamership itself: the privileged who hoard power, outlaws thriving in chaos, sentinels enforcing peace, and an ancient way fiercely rallying around the everyman—each desperate to gatekeep who can command the limitless potential of Vahmrohs. The Core within his Tamer's device thrums with both promise and peril as the bond Talovarios forges with this unwanted creature ignites a relentless journey of discovery and defiance. One that teaches this generation of Tamers that a fulfilling path can be one you walk alone—at first. Dedicated to creature-collecting aficionados worldwide — as well as Eiichiro Oda and Hiro Mashima — this charged tale of diaspora, collaborative freedom, and found family channels shōnen energy into a modern odyssey about ownership, identity, and the adventure of forging your own legend.

Howl In by Priyanka Nawathe

Stingburrow, a small town hidden beneath the rocky Hollindemun Hills, faces a storm every year. Three friends try to control the damage while battling with their deepest desires as one curse holds the power to pull them into its darkness. LYCANTHROPE. Sheriff Jaymie Lowves carries the responsibility of Stingburrow’s residents while grieving the love he lost. Dr. Mallory Griffin battles her survivor’s guilt while finding the cure for the town. Rickwan McIntyre aka Mack, the local repairman, despises them for what he lost years ago. As the one they lost returns with her pet, will the curse be broken? Or will the Lycan blood prevail? If you enjoy supernatural secrets, high-stakes rescue, and the bonds of “found family”, grab this book for a page-turning adventure. It is a perfect pick for readers of books by Joe Hill, Kate Danley, Charlotte. E. English, & viewers of shows like Roswell, New Mexico and movies like the Underworld franchise.

The Low Hum of Zal'Kareth by Michael Antonio

Kae'lor's body stopped feeling pain years ago. In the suffocating heat of Zal'Kareth's obsidian pits, his pointed ears twitch only to the wet hiss of geothermal steam and the heavy tread of the red-skinned orcs he bleeds to defeat. He fights for cheap ferment, ignores the ghost of the brother he lost to a predatory Noise Cult, and survives by tuning out the world. Then the Collective Dream fractures the city. Millions across the lineages share a single vision: ancient stone Giants chained deep beneath the rock, screaming the word "Rest." As the Ministry's harmonic grid stutters, pockets of absolute silence open in the streets — voids where orcs, elf-kin, and Tikkari alike step inside and instantly forget their own names. Kae'lor wakes with a burning counter-clockwise spiral scarred into his palm, his deadened nerves violently firing back to life. To survive an unraveling city, he must find what lies beneath the Ministry's dying syrup, before the silence hollows him out next. The Low Hum of Zal'Kareth is the first novella in The Fractured Cadence of Talibra, an AfroFantasy epic of resonance, memory, and survival. For fans of Arcane, Dune, and dark Seinen manga.

The invisible scream by Krish Talpada

Every story has a voice. But some of the most powerful stories are told by those who cannot speak. Nineteen-year-old Kartik joins an animal rescue NGO, convinced he has found his purpose. But while he fights for the animals, his home carries a different silence. His younger brother, Vansh, hasn't spoken a word since a traumatic childhood incident. As Kartik dives deeper into the work he once admired, unanswered questions turn into troubling doubts, and buried secrets of a past tragedy begin to surface. Now, caught between his ideals and a harsh reality, Kartik must face a question he never expected: What does it truly mean to be a voice for the voiceless? The Invisible Scream is a psychological coming-of-age novella about family, friendship, trauma, healing, and the invisible battles people carry within themselves. Because not every scream can be heard.