Unbound (Songs of Chaos, #2) by Michael R. Miller

Sometimes the world needs a little chaos. Holt and Ash saved the kingdom of Feorlen against all odds. Now they are outcasts, alone on an impossible quest to unite the Elder Dragons. But they are children playing in a game of Dragon Lords. Trapped between the riders, servants of Sovereign, and the scourge, even their luck cannot last forever. Their only hope is to advance their bond by any means necessary. In Feorlen, Talia faces a world unaccepting of a rider queen. Her councilors will not heed her warnings of Sovereign. Foreign powers threaten war and bloodshed. Pleas sent to rider headquarters fall on deaf ears. All the while, Sovereign regathers his strength in an ancient fortress. Enthralled cultists swell his ranks. Disillusioned riders flock to his cause. And his unwilling servant Osric Agravain scours the land for dragon eggs. There are new types of magic to be discovered and Sovereign intends to control them all. Only the mysterious half-dragon Rake has a plan to stop Sovereign. To pull it off, he’s going to need a team.

Echoes of Destiny by Ericka Evren

One man holds the key to extinction. Or survival. After the fall of the Archarian race, the Dexsortes galaxy is in ruins. The Nevo have destroyed and enslaved all who resist them. Only one small glimmer of hope remains. Kaytrix is alive. Deserted, with his memory compromised, Kaytrix searches for answers to his lost past, unaware the Nevo are hunting him. Finding refuge in a battered ship with its crew of misfits, revelations of his identity arise, causing conflict. Will Kaytrix’s shaky friendships help him prevail? Or will they be the ones to tear him apart? Time is running out. Even as his memory returns, something is taking over his body. If he can’t stop it, he will fail the galaxy. He already failed once. He can’t let that happen, not again. Even if it means losing his own life.

Isaree of the Wild Isles by Noor Al-Shanti

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Sandwiched between the mighty High Kingdoms and the great Land of Sunsets, the Upland villages did not have much claim to greatness or power. Many of these villages did not even have names. When an army of Sorcerers from the High Kingdoms was mobilized to invade the Land of Sunsets it was these small villages, stuck in the middle, that bore the brunt of that army’s march. In one of these villages Isaree has just discovered her own magical power, but even dreaming of what this could mean for her is made impossible by the presence of the sorcerous armies. When they hear that the Sorcerers have begun to forcibly take anyone with power, the village elders decide that those most likely to be taken must flee. In the blink of an eye, Isaree finds herself at the head of a group of runaways, responsible for leading them to safety, with nothing to rely on except her knowledge of the nearby woods and caves and the food that their families have lovingly packed for them. Isaree and her friends must stick together and survive in a world much bigger than any of them could have imagined. A world full of wars and empires, sorcery and power, and – tucked away in forgotten corners – impossible creatures of legend. In this vast, frightening world, Isaree must learn not just how to survive, but who she wants to be.

Wire City Kills: Neon Vector Reviewed by LKatVincent

Really fun and twisty sci-fi murder mystery thriller with great characters and a satisfying ending. Very strong. Will look out for the next one.

A Hired Blade Reviewed by JudeintheStars book blogger

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A Christmas Chance Reviewed by JudeintheStars book blogger

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Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives Reviewed by Rosa53

Love this book...

Theft of Fire Reviewed by DaveBrowning

The best Sci Fi book I've read in a long time. On the same level as Niven or Pournelle. Great story, anxiously awaiting the sequel.

Revenge of the Bakeneko by VB Scott

A dice game in the hands of Takana Gozen is anything but a matter of chance. Takana covets golden ryō coins almost as much as she hates yakuza, and she is a master at manipulating both as she hosts backroom gambling events to pay off her deadbeat father’s debt. She’s spent the last eight years wandering the Nikkō Kaidō highway, living the life of a homeless vagabond—stealing, cheating, and killing—all in the never-ending pursuit of coin. Instigated by the lowliest of prostitutes in the brothel Takana’s mother runs, a series of brutal, deadly events break Takana out of debt, and she earns the power to oppose the very structures that bound her. The found family she collects along the way looks to her for leadership, and together they form their own yakuza clan—the most prosperous and feared in all of Eastern Nihon--The Bakeneko Clan. Takana has trained her whole life to survive deadly encounters, but the risks that come with being a clan head come in more forms than katana and kunai. Protection, love, compassion, friendship, and sacrifice will all be necessary if she is to survive her new life—a life that proves to be more dangerous and unfulfilling than the old one.

Alex McKenna and the Academy of Souls by Vicki-Ann Bush

No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be. Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven. The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children. Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late?

A Christmas Chance by A.L. Brooks

Timid Californian, Cara, has rented a remote cottage in Scotland for a vacation before starting her new job. But her peace is shattered when an attractive stranger arrives unexpectedly. For the quiet Cara, Steph, whose buzzcut is as sharp as her chainsaw, is possibly the last person she wants to share her retreat with. After her girlfriend cleared out their flat and disappeared, Steph needs a reset, and her gran’s peaceful cottage is just the place. She’ll chill over Christmas and work on her chainsaw sculptures. However, she hadn’t planned on having to share the cottage with a stranger who also wants to be alone. But when a snowstorm blasts through the country, Steph and Cara have to make the best of it. At least they have food, shelter, and a bed. One bed. Is their forced proximity and sizzling chemistry the chance for each of them to hit the reset button in their lives? Or is it the chance of something much more? A sexy lesbian Christmas romance that’s low in angst but high in all the feelings!

The Destined Road by J.M. Testa

Much of Vostheloren’s history is lost. The formerly united realms of men, elves, and dwarves have retreated to separate corners of the world, deeply suspicious of one another. Most remember only war, fear, and a darkness, known as the “horizon of storms,” that bloomed across the seas. Thousands of years have passed since the shadow first appeared, but now the evil, once thought vanquished, lies in wait, threatening to destroy all who challenge it. Tagwen Braithe, newly ascended queen of Yeacralas, the southern realm of men, has taken up the throne after the death of her father. She knows little of her world’s tumultuous past and even less about how to fill her father’s shoes. Many consider her title unearned, so when she answers an urgent call from a neighboring kingdom, she considers it her chance to prove her mettle to the people she is sworn to protect. But as she discovers, her journey will be the beginning of the world’s darkening end and she will be forced to embark on an odyssey that will take her beyond the call of duty and reveal her true destiny.

Rift Bringer by Adrienne Renick

After her best friend is murdered by a shapeshifting eonite, Liana pours herself into her work for Terminus, the underground rebellion most superhuman anomalies look to for justice against such crimes. As an anomaly herself, it’s hard for Liana to balance hiding in the shadows with bringing dirty truths to light, and her slip-ups bring her to the attention of the ruthless leader of Terminus, Matthias Stryker himself. Terminus is cutthroat, but they’re not the only ones watching. The government agency, EVOS, is out for anomaly blood, and when Liana is caught in the crossfire, she has no choice but to play along. Especially after hotheaded Agent Wallace backs her into a corner with his deadly plan: deescalate the rising tension between factions and prevent war on a cosmic scale by using Liana as a double agent. It doesn’t help that Liana’s relationship with Stryker is shaky at best, and helping EVOS as an anomaly is like playing with dynamite. But unrest is stirring, Wallace is making some irritatingly excellent points, and Terminus’s reputation is growing worse by the minute. Liana is out of options. All eyes are on her, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s the one thing left that will make or break the peace between worlds.

On the Subject of Kittens and Mittens: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

There's no day like a snow day... Ranger Captain Taimri Hämäläinen loved playing in the snow as a child. Now, on a vacation with her family in the snow-covered mountains of a certain planet in the Beta Centauri sytem, she has a chance to share all of her favorite winter games with her own children. Taimri’s three adopted Florivan kittens, of course, have never seen snow before; they live on a space station with her husband, George Barker. That only makes it more fun to dress Sky, Storm, and Ocean up in their warmest clothes and take them out into the frosted wonderland, in Taimri’s opinion. While her Florivan counterpart, River Myrval, stays behind in the cozy comforts of the lodge, Taimri and her kittens are in for a bit of an adventure they hadn’t expected… On the Subject of Kittens and Mittens: A Strange Space™ Novella is the fifth installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Tales of the Navigators: Strange Space Short Stories Volume 1 by Katie Silverwings

The Strange is calling you… The world of Strange Space™ is full of stories of all sizes. This first collected volume of Katie Silverwings’ Strange Space™ Short Stories includes ten tales from the lives of the enigmatic Florivans and their human Astral Navigator Counterparts: Sleeping Beauties A Conspiracy of Fluff Aliens at a Tiki Bar An Interlude of Colors A Mystery, Unsolved The Ones who Wear White Hats The View From a Distance Fox in the Cave Rooftops and Space Whales The Tragedy of Harold the Violet These tales of adventure, friendship, and family are all set in the world of Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series, where people are accepted for who they are and anything is possible.

Warmth and Darkness: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

Even in the depths of space, you can find warmth... Admiral Jennifer Marvin used to think she’d seen everything the galaxy had to throw at her. That, though, was before she met the Florivan Elder Celadon Toreval. She can sum up this Quantum Space Drive Engineer and dear friend of hers in two words: cryptic chaos. Their preference for the company of the most troublesome humans they can possibly find in the Fleet’s ranks doesn’t make matters better. These days, Admiral Marvin is just grateful that the galaxy occasionally sends her a sign that something unusual is about to upset her carefully laid plans. Whether she manages to see those signs in time to do anything about it, though, is always a gamble. Join Admiral Marvin’s crew aboard the starship SCV Aegolius as they face the next chapter in the tales of the Novan War, and find out what new adventure waits for them in the darkness.

The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

Adventures happen when you least expect them... In the time of the Novan War, the pilots of the 2nd Darter Squadron “Musketeers” are no strangers to peril. Even the little Florivan kitten who serves as their mascot has a tendency to get into trouble. When two of the Musketeers and their mascot find themselves stranded on a seemingly deserted mining colony, though, they find themselves in a situation none of their previous adventures could have prepared them for. With no way to contact the rest of the Defense Fleet, they’ll have to find their own way to repair their darters and get back to their starship. To make matters worse, enemy forces are lurking in the nearby asteroids. The Mayview outpost was abandoned at the start of the War, but the Musketeers aren’t alone here. Someone is watching them from behind the overgrown vines... The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

A new adventure begins... Every starship wanting to use the veiled dimension of Quantum Space as a shortcut around the physical distance between planets and stars needs a Florivan to run the Drive. Every Florivan QSD Engineer needs an Astral Navigator to orient them and keep them anchored to Normal space. Finding the right human to be their life-long counterpart is one of the most important choices a young Florivan ever makes. What happens, then, to someone like Ocean Merlani Barker, who can’t seem to click with any of the highly qualified Navigator prospects their instructors have to offer? Ocean themself seems content to spend their second year in the Nav/Quan training program alone and taking extra classes for their secondary degree in geosciences. Content, that is, until a chance encounter with a certain graduating student from the Security and Tactical program changes the course of their life forever… The way forward isn't always the path that we expect. How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Celadon: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

It's the dawn of a new era... The Novan War has just begun. All that stands between humanity and utter destruction are the ships of the Sol Coalition Defense Fleet. The only problem? None of those ships are equipped with the all-important Quantum Space Drive which allows humanity to travel between planets and stars at a reasonable scale of time. The Drive needs Florivan QSD Engineers to run it, and Florivans are pacifists. Their Council of Elders has never allowed service on military vessels. The Fleet can do little more than sit at the edges of the Coalition’s seven member systems and wait for the Novans to attack. Celadon Toreval is the Youngest of the Florivan Council of Elders. If anyone can come to Fleet Admiral Marvin’s aid and help her save her people—and theirs—it’s them. Celadon, though, has their own reasons to get involved... The time to act has come. Celadon: A Strange Space™ Novel received the 2023 Richard Wright Literary Award for Best Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy from the Memphis Public Libraries. It is the second installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

Something new is about to hatch... Dr. Ariadne Salzar-Newman is not a mad scientist. She is a scientist—a brilliant one at that—but she’s hardly mad. If one asks MSS Venture’s staff psychologist and QSD Engineer, the Florivan Elder Navy Irleeim, she’s only “amusingly eccentric, with a bit more of a fascination with the Strange than is healthy for a human.” That fascination has her once again working with the dangerous miasmas of Quantum Space, in hopes of making travel through that veiled dimension safer for human starships. It’s not particularly safe for a scientist, for sure. Still, having taken Navy’s apprentice under her wing as a part-time assistant, she’s safer than usual. Working with her is good for Cobalt Mereday, too, if only because her unique brand of oddity seems to be the only thing capable of helping them. Even Dr. Salzar-Newman has no reason to suspect just how much of an effect this particular project will have on her family and her protégé, nor how far-reaching the consequences will be. Little Bernadette is not an ordinary budgerigar... Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space™ Novella is the first installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes teaches children how to choose the best clothes for the day, with interactive pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of the hard "TH" sound. Sparkle Kitty is off to see Grandma Sparkle today! But first, Sparkle Kitty needs to get dressed for the day. There are so many things to think about when picking out your clothes. Can you help Sparkle Kitty pick out the perfect outfit? Recommended Age: 1-5 Word Count: 343 words Lexile Level: 580 Phonics Focus: hard "TH" sound

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun teaches children about sun safety with interactive search-and-find pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of "IGHT". Sparkle Kitty wants only one thing today: to play outside. But the sun is too BRIGHT! And the sun is too HOT! If only someone could help Sparkle Kitty find everything they need to stay happy and safe in the sun... Recommended Age: 3-8 Recommended Grade: K-3 Word Count: 415 words Lexile Level: 880 Phonics Focus: "IGHT"

Asteria by David Collins

With the Earth on the brink of complete annihilation, Carla joins a group of engineers and builder-robots in a race to complete the lunar colony of Asteria. Unwittingly, she unveils a dark secret that threatens not only to cause yet more civil unrest and test the morals of society back on Earth, but also threatens the continuation of the human species itself. Set in the year 2069 where the world is ravaged by wars, famine and disease, and ruled by a psychopathic tyrant; can a small group of engineers and scientists pull the Earth back from the brink to ensure the continuation of the human race?

Searching for Zen by Albert T Franklin

Our story begins on Earth, but an Earth with a past steeped in fantasy, myths, and legends. From humble beginnings, a boy is given a divine destiny, a chance to make his mark on human civilization, but he must embark upon a life-changing journey. Our hero struggles to understand what he has been given and what to do with it, losing himself in doubt and loneliness as he confronts the dark side of humanity. Coming of age, Zen finds strength in himself, builds a family from a motley collection of strangers, and discovers love. His newfound friends help him open up, learn to trust others, and eventually understand his reason for fighting. The trials he faces throughout his quest amplify as his power increases, and he even sparks the ire of those in the spirit realm, who doubt any human can wield such power successfully.

Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth by Justin Marlowe

Through candid anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Justin Marlowe's Perfect Strangers delves into the challenges of growing up in an era still reverberating from the Civil Rights movement. This poignant memoir captures the dual narratives of Justin and his childhood best friend, Nicos, two African American adolescents navigating the complexities of suburban life in the late '80s and early '90s. Their stories explore the universal struggles of youth—romance, socialization, and mental health—against the backdrop of racial and class tensions. The intertwining experiences of Justin and Nicos reveal a nuanced portrayal of teenage confusion and family dynamics, offering a unique perspective on suburban black life. Marlowe's raw honesty bridges generational divides, presenting a narrative that resonates with readers across diverse backgrounds. Perfect Strangers is a compelling account of friendship, identity, resilience, and pop culture illuminating the shared human experience in a divided world. This is a story that speaks to the heart of our collective struggles, told with unapologetic authenticity.

The Things We Lose in the Dark by Sayword B. Eller

Sexual abuse survivor Zedwynne doesn't need anyone. Except when she wakes up from a failed suicide attempt with nowhere else to go but back into the loving arms of an overbearing mother and overprotective sister, and back to the town that almost destroyed her. Despite best efforts to keep her head down and avoid people, Zedwynne becomes invested in the lives of many through work at a local diner, and her therapy group of fellow second chancers. As these relationships grow and become more complicated, Zed begins to realize life isn't about what happens to you, but what you do with what's left. As she starts to figure out how to handle what she’s been left with, Zedwynne learns the man who abused her is dying, and she must decide if she'll let him die without facing what he's done, or confront him and risk upending her precarious progress.

Taking to the Skies by Simon Brading

Many young men and women join the Royal Aviator Corps dreaming of one day being fighter pilots and Britain needs as many of them in the cockpits of Spitsteams and Harridans as it can get. It takes hard work, dedication and not a little talent to become a fighter pilot, though, and many don’t make the grade. The intake of recruits from the Midlands in July 1941 is disappointingly small, with only eight cadets joining up and only six of them wanting to be pilots. Will any of them prove that they have what it takes to form part of the front line of defence of the Kingdom of Great Britain against the imminent Prussian invasion? Taking to the Skies is the tenth in the Misfit Squadron series, but is the first that can be read as a standalone novel. It is also suitable for younger audiences.

Awakening in Sapphire by Jonathan Hawker

Camelot is fallen. King Arthur is dead. The world carries on, slouching toward its final breath. "I do what I have to just to stomach this cesspool I woke up to!" Seventeen hundred years after the events that shaped him into a villain of legend, Morgan le Fay wakes, little more than flashes of his life past to guide the way. Thus, he dons the mantle the world has fashioned for him, cloaking his true identity beneath the guise of a mercenary—teaching the neon city of Etna that he is not one to be trifled with. "And me? What about my life helped you stomach this place?" Aaron Jones will never know a land beyond this one, and while it may not be a place of fairytales, he does everything within his limited power as an officer with the ECPD to make it safe. That is until his efforts lead him to a dark alley in the middle of a city-wide blackout, and a jab to the neck lands him on Etna's missing persons list. The past and future collide in Etna—one of the final bastions of humanity—as Morgan navigates the schemes of the corporate giant, Esotech, the politics of the Occult Community—and the notion that he could be so much more than the world remembers. Awakening in Sapphire is the first installment in the Once & Forever Kings series. While it is a low spice MM Romance at heart, it features many characters along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. With a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, a soulmates theme and a cast comprised of found family, it's a Happily Ever After for now that will continue in the following four books!

The Shadow & The Draw by RD Baker

When all hell breaks loose, their one chance for the truth will be their last. Cora is Fated to marry the next Alpha of her demon clan and become queen. But all the power in the world means nothing if she can’t have who she truly loves most of all—the Alpha’s Draw, Amryn. Even though the clan leaders forbid the relationship between ruler and bodyguard, they still can’t seem to keep themselves apart. But when angels ambush their clan, calling Cora the Shadow Queen and causing forgotten memories to resurface, she begins to question the hand Fate has dealt her. No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe. While Cora and Amryn flee to find answers, they’ll realize the deception stretches further than they could’ve ever imagined. And with cosmic powers on both sides seeking their destruction, their love will either be their salvation…or their doom.

Beyond Hope by Rob Neto

What do you do when you become separated from your dive buddy during a cave dive? How long do you look for your dive buddy? How far do you push your breathing air reserves before deciding you need to save yourself and exit the cave? Beyond Hope goes in a completely different direction from Rob Neto's previous two books. The entire story takes place underwater during a cave dive.Joey and Lindsey take their first trip to Mexico to see what the underwater caves there have to offer. One of the cave dives they do proves to be challenging, very challenging. It also pushes Joey and Lindsey to their limits while testing their faith and having them question some of their life choices. Three people. Three hours. It’s a race against time. It’s a race to stay alive. Joey Simmons and Lindsey Carter are back. This time they take you to Cozumel, Mexico, where they enter a cave with their friend, Gary. They become separated from each other more than 2000 feet inside the cave. They frantically search for each other as they breathe the limited air in their scuba tanks. Will they find each other? Will they make it out of the cave alive? Or are they Beyond Hope?

Into the Darkness Beyond by Rob Neto

Winner of the 2024 Bronze Global Book Award in Suspense Action! Lies, Suspense, Deceit. Joey Simmons doesn't always make the best decision, even after getting certified as a cave diver. He's found himself in another situation, this time more than 2000 feet from the cave opening, and it almost cost him his life. He was able to get himself out of it. Only this time, someone else took credit for rescuing Joey. Not only that, but this person exaggerated the details of the rescue and made Joey look bad, very bad. Now Joey needs to figure out a way to redeem himself and repair his reputation. Joey enlists the help of his girlfriend, Lindsey Carter, as well as two new friends, and they try to figure out what to do. But the situation gets worse and Lindsey gets caught in the middle. How will Joey and Lindsey be able to make things right?

Beyond the Grate by Rob Neto

In 2010, a diver named Ben McDaniel was seen diving Vortex Spring in Ponce de Leon, Florida. Someone noticed his truck parked one the property, but Ben hadn't been seen in two days. Rob Neto was one of the divers called out to go into the cave at Vortex Spring to look for Ben's body and bring it out to his family. Rob went to the back of the cave where it gets too small for a person to fit. He checked the two small offshoot tunnels. He didn't find the body. Several other divers looked over the next few weeks. Ben's body was never found. More than fourteen years later, we still don't know what happened to Ben McDaniel. In 1991, a metal grate was placed about 300 feet inside the cave after 13 divers had died in there. It was placed there to prevent divers from going into the smaller, deeper part of the cave. After Ben's disappearance, we learned he had been manipulating the grate and going into the cave beyond it. Someone even admitted to knowing Ben was doing this. The owner of the springs was facing charges of aggravated assault for beating an employee with a baseball bat. Later, he died under mysterious circumstances. Did Ben die in that cave in August 2010? Did someone find his body, remove it, and dispose of it to avoid bad publicity? This is where the truth ends, and the story begins. Beyond the Grate is a thriller that explores one possible explanation for the disappearance of Ben McDaniel. Could this story be true? Winner of the 2023 Silver Global Book Award in Thrillers and Suspense! * * * Far inside a dark underwater cave someone placed a grate to keep divers out of the reaches beyond. But the grate doesn’t keep everyone out. Joey Simmons had only recently gotten scuba certified. But he was already doing dives far more advanced than his skill level - cave diving, decompression diving, deep diving in the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the night. Part of this was out of his own carelessness. Part of it was because he was being manipulated. Read what happens when Joey makes an unexpected discovery and naively tells someone he thinks he can trust, only to find himself in a position where he is forced to lie to his parents, lie to the police, and lie to the woman he has fallen in love with. All while also having to protect her from the same evil man that is controlling Joey. Inspired by true events.

The Guardian by Alison Tracy

Living in a corporate-run dystopia, directed by a God she doesn’t trust, can a young prophet inspire enough faith in herself and others to make her world worthy of salvation? Fourteen-year-old Iliya Rusul only wants a job to keep her family from starvation. Instead, she’s pushed to leave everything she knows and loves to be a prophet, preparing the world for the returning Messiah. Worse, the God directing Iliya doesn’t seem to care about her family or potentially hurting people to strengthen Iliya’s miracles as holy propaganda. And every miracle costs a portion of her life. Upon discovering the corruption and suffering beyond her village, Iliya wants to save the world from the ruling political corporations. With help from inspired followers, she builds a coordinated relief program to redistribute wealth and power. But whenever her charitable focus strays from God’s clandestine plan, God raises the cost of miracles. Losing money and credibility due to Iliya’s work and growing popularity, the global CEOs in power further consolidate world resources for themselves through hostile takeovers and send out their best assassins to stop Iliya. Can she save those she loves and prepare the world for salvation before she runs out of life?

Redeem Me by Miranda Faye

Evelyn Mayhew knows two things. That it should be a blessing to be raised by a man of the Lord. And that it should be a privilege to be betrothed to a man of power. But when her awakening thoughts lead her not only away from the blind obedience she has been raised for but also toward a stranger offering her a glimpse of freedom, Evelyn is put at a crossroads. Should she choose the shelter of a life confined, or risk the unknown with the man who would set her world — and her heart — on fire?

The Moon's Crimson Valleys by R.I. Károly

Clara used to say the weirdest things. But when she compares her engagement ring to the moon carved with beautiful crimson valleys, Bill starts to suspect that there is something more to her words. After he discovers that she has a rare condition and urges her to undergo surgery, their lives seem to return to their normal flow. But despite his care and selfless aid in her recovery, he is left baffled by the woman Clara is turning into. Disconnected yet reckless, he fears what she would do if left to her own devices. An accident that results in not only the injury of Clara’s hand, but the ruin of her wedding dress finally opens his eyes. He must never leave her alone.

Scythe and Pen by A.C. Hobbs

Demetrius Raske strikes a deal with the Devil to stop a monster stalking the city, but he may have unleashed another villain entirely… The Capital of the United League of Nations glitters like jewels on a dame’s neck—a city of wicked splendor and possibility. The deals struck in the Senate are as ruthless as the ones struck in the city’s criminal underbelly. No one knows this better than vampire politician Demetrius Raske, who walks both worlds. Demetrius fights for a bill that will grant humans and vampires equal civil liberties. But many citizens don’t share his sentiment, especially after the murders begin. Body after body, drained of blood, appear throughout the city, threatening the League’s tenuous peace treaty between humans and vampires. If Demetrius’s bill doesn’t pass the Senate, his campaign for a united future will be crushed. Only one man has the ability to apprehend the bloodthirsty monster—a man known simply as the Devil. And rumor has it, he isn’t a man at all. Together, they strike a deal to catch the murderer before Demetrius’s bill fails—a disaster that would push the League to the brink of civil war. But Demetrius’s calculated moves don’t go unnoticed. He catches the attention of Gabriella Rose, a journalist whose hunt for her next big headline pushes her right into the murderer’s path, costing her everything she holds dear. Now something dark grows within Gabriella—a power her allies wish to control and her enemies want to exploit. The only way Demetrius and Gabriella can save themselves—and the city they love—is to strike another deal with the Devil. But their villainous partner is playing his own game. And soon they will learn how the Devil earned his name.

Dad Magic: The Monarch Children Saga Book One by Benjamin Twigg

Welcome to Spellford A city where enchanted coffee shops serve lattes with a side of prophecy, and fried chicken is delivered to your door in mere seconds. Here, Brent Abernathy, an ordinary dad with a not-so-ordinary past, is about to have his world flipped upside down. His teenage daughter, Victoria, is not just any teen; she is the key to an unimaginable power, and sinister forces have taken notice. Armed with nothing but his wits, some dad jokes and the help of his Half-Orc best friend, Paxton Grimtusk, a loveable geek with a heart of gold, Brent sets out on a spellbinding adventure. As secrets unravel and betrayals sting like cursed nettles, Brent finds himself tangled in an age–old conspiracy that threatens the balance of magic itself. To save Victoria, he will need more than just a dad bod and fire spells. He’ll have to face down ancient forces and do the impossible: rewrite the rules of magic.

A Gift of Words by Rosalind Dando

Cam has plenty of things to worry about. His best friend might have broken someone’s fingers, the class bully won’t leave him alone, and staying under the radar of his teachers is much harder than it ought to be. He definitely doesn’t need magic to make his life any more complicated. Which is good, because when he does write his name in Libris Sapientia—the book of wisdom—a whole lot of nothing happens. He is a failure, and even a book agrees. Then, Loman Lykill joins their class, bringing a whole new brand of chaos to Highgrove Secondary. Cam has his magical gift, whether he wants it or not.

RUNNIN' NO MORE by G.T. DÍPÈ

Love shouldn't be a crime, but for twenty-three-year-old Teniade Adeowo, it is. After fleeing Nigeria to escape both the law and his trauma, Ade arrives in England with one goal: to leave everything behind. But when his path collides with Stefan Wickström's at Heathrow, Teniade learns that sometimes the things you run from have a way of chasing you down. Stefan is no stranger to running either. Leaving Sweden behind, he's convinced that constant motion is the only way to stay one step ahead. But Teniade's quiet intensity stops him in his tracks—and suddenly, Stefan's past feels closer than ever. In a world where love feels like a luxury they can't afford, and with the ghosts of their pasts lurking just behind them, Teniade and Stefan must decide whether to let love be the force that finally sets them free—or if their fragile bond will snap under the weight of secrets too heavy to bear.

Caraway of the Sea by Madeline Burget

Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the ship’s first mate and enforcer. Sacrificing nearly all she is to ensure that he becomes the most fearsome pirate Captain to ever sail the Carnelian Sea. She realizes too late, that the seas have only grown darker, and the waves more fearsome, they threaten to pull her under completely and mold her into something akin to a nightmare. After Caraway's closest friend dies in a brutal storm, grief puts Caraway and her brother at odds more than ever before. When they dock on Isla Dalia after the devastating storm, Caraway is surrounded by both friend and foe, oftentimes unable to distinguish between the two. She must navigate a torrent of emotions unlike any she has weathered before. Seeking out any and all distractions, she begins to grow dangerously close to a rival Captain, despite her brother's warnings. As another storm looms, ever encroaching upon her crew's uncertain future, her fears are laid bare for all to see. Caraway struggles to face the demons of her past ... only to discover that they pale in comparison to the monster that she had a hand in creating. As she drifts further away from all that she once knew, secrets slowly begin to surface, and the tides of her life as she knew it begins to shift ... A shift that just might destroy the life she's worked so hard to protect, and her future with it.

La Belle Famille by A.M. Vergara

"If the fort at Niagara falls, Canada falls." It’s 1759, and the French are at war with the British over the Great Lakes Region. When the British besiege Fort Niagara, three reluctant allies—a French marine deserter, the wife of a British Army translator, and the survivor of a brutal French attack—must brave the unforgiving wilderness to warn the British of advancing French reinforcements. The success or failure of their mission will decide the war and the fate of a continent.

Fall by Brian Guthrie

In the wake of Brian Guthrie's Dragon Award nominated novel Rise, comes Fall . . . War has broken out between the shells, fragments of a shattered world that humanity clings to for survival. To stave off the conflict, the survivors of a brutal attack seek aid from the one source no one else believes can help: the dragons. But the creatures are fractured into two factions and caught up in a fight of their own, a conflict that may be connected to the war above. As the survivors seek answers and help, they stumble onto a secret, long lost, that once nearly destroyed the world. A secret that has the power to save humanity. Or end it.

Rise by Brian Guthrie

On a world brought to the brink of destruction, life now clings to the shattered remains of the planet's crust. These fragments are the Shells: fragile wastelands of desert and rock, protected from the cold of space by a water shield. In the struggle for survival, its people have depended on ancient technology, controlled by the omnipresent Network, to sustain the entire population. But the Network is breaking down, water is sparse, and a complete societal collapse is imminent. As the stakes become clear, the inhabitants of the Shells begin to turn on each other, and appear headed for all-out global war. Now the paths of several strangers will converge at the opportune moment. From a woman who seeks to protect her family as it's ripped apart to a prison warden hiding from his past, this unlikely group has little in common--but together, they may hold the key to saving humanity from its worst enemy: itself.

The Fractured City by Morgan Moreau and Kate Jenkins

She might be the queen, but mounting pressure from the old guard prevents Collette from making real change in Coralia. Following the death of her father, Collette dreams of peace and prosperity for her people. She wants to stop the Merscales trade and grow the economy through international cooperation. The nobility wants to maintain the status quo. ​ When an important visit from the Nereid emissary is overshadowed by the brutal murder of Wrenn Almeida, Collette finds herself accused of murder by Wrenn's sister, Rhoslyn. As tensions rise between herself, her half-brother Zephraim, and Rhoslyn’s supporters, the queen finds that her only choice is to flee the kingdom. Her allies—a trio of mercenaries, her aging guard captain, and her half-human lover—must stop at nothing to protect her.

Silver Star, Red Dragon by C.A. Chaplin

Immortal love begets immortal conflict. Millennia into a self-imposed solitude, elvish healer Cúraniel is content. She has her garden, the Great Tree, and her goddess. That is, until fate brings a dying soulmate to her hill. Twice. The Red Dragon, called the “God of Carnage” for all the elves he’s slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, Cúraniel must turn to their oldest enemy for aid; the Red Dragon himself. She is a moth to his destructive flame, but he loathes her other soulmate. The feeling is mutual, and backed by a court who blames her for the Dragon’s malice. Can Cúraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? “Silver Star, Red Dragon” is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished “Lord of the Rings” had a bit more “Kushiel’s Dart.”

Our Darkest Summer by Hanga E. Pavel

A cold case is what brought Thomas Rhodes back to the lakeside town. His mother’s case, to be certain.It had been almost twelve years since Elizabeth Rhodes disappeared, and Thomas was finally back to prove the police wrong. There was just one error in his plan: he didn’t arrive alone. Kinsley Green was coaxed into going to the lake house for the summer, but she still had some doubts. Doubts because of a certain dark-haired boy she was supposed to hate. However, as soon as she got a glimpse of the sunny lake town, the doubts faded into the back of her mind…until that night in the woods. Was this vacation really about partying and relaxing, like she had been promised, or was there something more going on here? Something dark? One thing was clear: Thomas and Kinsley had to put aside their history and work together if Thomas had any hope of finally getting to the bottom of his mother’s disappearance. But as they dig deeper, it’s not just their relationship changing but the case around them too. The question is, will they solve it before they become the next case to be solved?

Strange Worlds by Dani Ripley

Explore future worlds, alien technologies, different dimensions and more, all inside this specially curated collection of science fiction shorts by Dani Ripley: Humanity's last hope hurdles through space toward an unknown future... A grieving man encounters strange visitors one night upon his small-town apartment balcony... An alien mind transports itself to our world, intent on destroying it, only to encounter something worth saving... After a drunken night with a colleague, a failed scientist realizes the far-flung implications of the multiverse... An alien ship crash lands and burrows deep into the Earth, sparking a global conflict and a profound personal experience for one gravely injured soldier... An Al given control of humanity's destiny decides to make a meaningful correction in order to save the planet for future generations... In the far future, a protected-class psychic breaks the law, risking everything to change the trajectory of an unsuspecting young psychopath's life... And a little girl's abduction ends with an unexpected twist... Get ready for eight amazing adventures to thrill and make you think-discover them all right here in Dani Ripley's Strange Worlds! ENEMIES THE SUNSET SIDE MOTHER'S DAY ANOTHER ME BEACHHEAD A MEANINGUL CORRECTION MINA EMMALINE PETTIGREW SAVES THE WORLD(S)

North Woods by Dani Ripley

Hax can barely remember her real name, it's been so long since she's used it. "Hax" is a shortened version of the word Haxa - the Swedish word for witch a nickname given to her by people afraid of her seemingly supernatural abilities: appearing out of nowhere then disappearing again just as quickly; uncannily accurate weather pattern readings; and extraordinary skill at tracking prey, human or otherwise. Or perhaps it was simply her propensity for sudden and extreme violence. A natural loner, Hax isn't bothered so much by the apocalypse as she is by other people. As such, she's surprised to find herself traveling with a small group after a long solitary stint in the woods, but when a larger, more savage gang threatens her new people, she's unable to convince the smaller group of the danger. Realizing it's too late, she abandons them to their fate, but not before one of the younger members, Pip, sees her escape and decides to follow. After witnessing the brutal slaughter of their fellow travelers, the two strangers set off through an icy northern wilderness to find Pip's father, whose last known residence is a camp near the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. In order to survive, Hax and Pip will have to find a way to escape the ruthless horde of marauders still stalking them at every turn, as well as withstand extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion. And above all, they'll have to learn to trust each other.

The Other Side of the Looking-Glass by Dakota Jackson

Fifteen-year-old Naomi Nakano craves love and acceptance. She never knew her mother, her birth father is neglectful to say the least, and her guardian Matt isn’t exactly the traditional parent. So when she moves to a new town and finally makes a real friend, she can’t help but feel good about the attention her friend’s older brother, Wren, immediately gives her. He lavishes her with compliments and attention — and so what if he’s 25-years-old and she can’t tell anyone about him? At least she’s no longer an outsider. But as Naomi gets lulled into the intoxication of Wren’s attention, she fails to see how easy it is to lose her newfound sense of normalcy in all the lies. Now she must fight to maintain her secret at the same time she juggles hardship after hardship before she loses not only Wren, but herself, too. If you're a fan of compelling young adult fiction like Amber Smith's The Way I Used to Be, or thought-provoking literary fiction that dives deep into the complexities of love and identity like Kate Elizabeth Russell's My Dark Vanessa, then The Other Side of the Looking-Glass is a must-read for you.

The Darkest Parts of Me by Shandy Mandarino

Five years ago, a tragic accident turned Maven’s life upside down, forcing her to leave the small mountain town where she spent most of her childhood. Ready to leave the past behind, Maven has decided to return to Solitude Ridge in search of the closure she didn’t get all those years ago. And while everything seems to have remained the same in the quaint little mountain town, there’s one thing that’s different: Renn. A new resident who is irresistibly charming and equally mysterious. For the last five years, Renn has maintained a quiet existence in Solitude Ridge where the locals don’t ask questions and accept him as part of their small town. Despite the fact that he’s become a beloved member of the community, as time goes on, he finds himself looking over his shoulder, waiting for the events of his past to finally catch up with him. But when Maven comes to town, he finds himself wanting to share his most closely guarded secret: he’s not from this world. As Renn and Maven start spending more time together, they find themselves faced with the darkness of their pasts, bringing them closer than ever as they struggle to fight for the one thing they value above all else. But when their secrets finally begin to surface and decisions must be made, will Renn and Maven lean on each other to weather the storm? Or will this tear them apart forever?

The Truths We Make by Samantha Jon

EVANGELINE PIERCE knew falling in love with a Poe boy was a mistake. She knew it when she was seven and at twenty-seven, she knows it still. After eight years on her own, trying to leave behind the emotional wounds that just won’t heal, she’s called back to Dellbrook to mourn the death of PAXTON POE. In the halls of her childhood home lay memories she’d rather forget, and her ghosts aren’t the only ones demanding to be heard; Paxton has left a letter. One that his brother, OLIVER, insists reveals he didn’t just die. He was murdered. And Oliver can’t solve the riddle without her. As they delve deeper through clues, what happened to Paxton gets ever closer to being unveiled. But so do Oliver and Eve, bringing their history sharply into focus. For Eve to get closure, she must confront the past and the scandal that tore them all apart—no matter the cost. And to have any hope of solving the mystery of Paxton’s death, she must ask herself if generational chains can be broken and if love will ever be enough. But it’s a truth universally acknowledged, that you should believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see, especially when dealing with a Poe…

Jurassic Jemma and the Trail of Evil by John J. Delaney

When your life seems perfect do you ever think about what might be around the next corner? With a loving husband, two lovely children and a new grandchild, 'Jurassic' Jemma's life is complete but evil is watching from afar with envious eyes. After one excavation solved an old family mystery, her next discovery ended up with a death on a Dorset cliff. Join Jemma on an international quest in pursuit of the evil that threatens her family life. Will her life ever be the same? A gripping tale of intrigue and suspense.

Jurassic Jemma and the Mysteries of Time by John J. Delaney

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Fossil hunter, ‘Jurassic’ Jemma Thorne is filming a live edition of ‘The Rock Detectives’ covering the excavation of a fossilised Spinosaurus on the Isle of Wight. Things don’t go to plan as she makes an unexpected discovery. The find sets off a chain of events that threatens her freedom, her family and her life. Someone is after revenge. How far will they go to destroy everything that Jemma holds dear? Can she protect her loved ones in a race against time? A page-turner with plenty of spills and thrills.

A Dangerous Fossil by John J. Delaney

When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne and her dog, Dino, find an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder. As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself. Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her? You’ll love this gripping mystery, because everybody loves reading a book that they can’t put down. Get it now.

The Four by Alexandra Haden-Douglas

Prepare for an unforgettable journey as a witch, a siren, a demon & a hemoglobin intolerant vampire fight to save a friend under a rising New Orleans full moon w/a host of characters, both magical & mortal along for the ride…what could possibly go wrong?

Serotonin Overload by John A. Underwood

Serotonin Overload grinds a living from Cap City's neon-drenched streets, working whatever gig comes her way. Sometimes a courier, sometimes a hacker, she knows her way around the slums and digital networks of this putrid urban sprawl better than anyone. Rand works out of an undercity bar six levels below the surface, a dark and smoky place where algopunk bands sweat and scream on a tiny stage and the bartender has pink and blue hair. He's a fixer; sometimes a finder, sometimes a thief. Together, they've run a few jobs, from hijacking self-driving trucks out in the badlands to hacking a crooked cop's personal files for blackmail. They live on the wrong side of the law. But with MetroPol detectives sniffing around and notorious terrorist Sapphire Skye waiting in the wings, this latest job is going to prove more than either of them bargained for...

Healing Notes by Beth Hope

Liam McPherson is grappling with the aftermath of a life spent in toxic environments. Haunted by the things he said and did during those years, Liam isn't sure he'll ever be able to forgive himself. He isn't even sure he deserves forgiveness. Despite his therapist's assurances he's healing and making progress working through an ugly past, he doesn't see it. Life has never been particularly kind to Zoe Callahan. Abandoned by her parents at the age of five, she's spent her life unable to escape the claws of her abusive guardian-turned-boss. She's been given good reason to automatically assume the worst of others. And yet, she never has, nor has she let the flame of hope inside be extinguished. When Liam and Zoe cross paths at their volunteer job, he experiences something he's never felt Attraction. For the first time in years, he cautiously considers trusting someone again. Given his history of putting his faith in the wrong people, trusting Zoe is a risk. Especially since he knows that once she realizes who he is, she may want nothing to do with him. But what if she can see there's more to him than his past? Healing Notes is a sweet and poignant love story. Balancing delicate subject material with gentle humor, it delves into the complexities of trauma, the unpredictability of life, and, above all, the power of love and hope.

The God Sun by Alan K. Dell

The ISF Althaemenes was the first of its kind. A spacecraft capable of travelling the vast distances to other stars. But on its maiden voyage to Proxima Centauri, all contact was lost and its crew never returned. Four years later, the United Earth Confederacy received the ship’s distress signal. Captain Helene Cross and the crew of the ISF Apemosyne are sent to determine what happened, and if possible, rescue the wayward explorers. However, all is not as they The crew is long dead, and strange cult-like symbols are scrawled in blood across vessel’s walls.