Asrian Skies by Anne Wheeler

Avery Rendon is weeks away from realizing her dream as a Commonwealth fighter pilot when planetary politics destroy her fledgling career before it begins. Grudgingly, she returns to her home planet of Asria, still hoping to break free of her royal family and the life of tedious policymaking they’ve planned for her. But Asria is still Asria, and after her almost-fiancé walks out on her, she’s not sure things can get much worse. She’s wrong. When the Haederan Empire invades Asria, intent on rebuilding their interstellar domain, Avery becomes a target. She also becomes something else—a reluctant and naïve Commonwealth intelligence operative. It’s not long before she stumbles upon information that could change the course of the war, and suddenly she’s on the run, pursued by the Haederan secret police and desperate to deliver critical information to the Commonwealth before it’s too late. Swept up in something more dangerous than politics or flying, Avery starts to wonder if her destiny lies somewhere closer to home. If the information she’s learned can turn the tide of the war. And if she’ll live to see the end of it all.

A Company of Adventurers by Rune S. Nielsen

SPFBO8

What happens to legendary adventurers when they retire? Talen is a poor farmhand…but he used to be a famously quick swordsman. Now he has one last job, which could secure his family’s future: he must retrieve a cursed suit of golden armor from a mountain claimed by genocidal orcs. When Talen fails to return from his adventure, a motley crew of rugged ne’er-do-wells must deal with the mysterious person who hired Talen, as well as a family of berserkers. And retrieving the armor will take a grievous toll... Discover the fantasy kingdom of Kjeldale, featuring a world inspired by Norse and Celtic mythology, rich with bittersweet nuances and dry wit. Author Rune S. Nielsen, who previously wrote the acclaimed novel Doomsayer Prince, is back with a fun but layered fantasy novel for every roleplayer who’s wondered what happens after heroes become legends.

Small Miracles by Olivia Atwater

SPFBO8 SPFBO Finalist SPFBO Winner

A little bit of sin is good for the soul. Gadriel, the fallen angel of petty temptations, has a bit of a gambling debt. Fortunately, her angelic bookie is happy to let her pay off her debts by doing what she does best: All Gadriel has to do is tempt miserably sinless mortal Holly Harker to do a few nice things for herself. What should be a cakewalk of a job soon runs into several roadblocks, however, as Miss Harker politely refuses every attempt at temptation from Gadriel the woman, Gadriel the man, and Gadriel the adorable fluffy kitten. When even chocolate fails to move Gadriel’s target, the ex-guardian angel begins to suspect she’s been conned. But Gadriel still remembers her previous job… and where petty temptations fail, small miracles might yet prevail. Olivia Atwater explores love, grief, and the very last bit of chocolate in this sweet modern fantasy, full of wit and heart. Pick up Small Miracles, and enjoy a heavenly faerie tale from the author of Half a Soul.

Phantom and Rook Reviewed by MorriganGaines author

Read Full Review

The Rarkyn's Fall (The Rarkyn Trilogy #2) Reviewed by Christopher

Read Full Review

The Snow Thief’s Amulet Reviewed by laurenashley1010

The Snow Thief’s Amulet is heartbreakingly beautiful. I am fully confident it will be one of my top ten reads of the year.

The Alpha’s Concubine Reviewed by Dev

This book was a hidden gem, despite the cover typical of very average romantic fare. In particular the world-building and character development were praiseworthy. 4.5/5 stars

Read Full Review

Consecrated Ground Reviewed by Booksthatburn book blogger

Read Full Review

Keep Me by Brien Feathers

Time is a great wheel, and history repeats itself... unless it breaks, plunging the city of the living into the realm of death. Reaper volunteers to drive his sensei home to Yukiyama, believing the road trip will benefit his teacher’s spiraling mental health. However, unbeknownst to them both, a thousand-year-old enemy has resurrected and awaits them at Moonlight. Out of time and options, Ayame must go to the Immortal Court. But Jade Palace is a thicket of tall grass teeming with slithering snakes, and she must discern friend from foe if she intends to return to the floating world to help her family. Death descends upon Nara as Immortal Father comes to Sunlit City in search of the royal diviner. As the final hour approaches, everyone must choose their allegiances, including Ayame, whose father and lord are destined to clash. Keep Me is the conclusion to the Royal Diviner Trilogy and has content advisory for violence and intimate situations.

Find Me by Brien Feathers

No crime is too atrocious to save a beloved. Storm spirit Reiko meets the peculiar girl, Yuki, at the Palace of a Thousand Rays to continue the story of Immortal Ayame and Warlord Kyuzo on the road to Sunlit City. Nara winter is harsh, and enemies wait around the bend. The entourage arrives at the capital with a loss of life. Yet the dying is only beginning. When the emperor crowns Sora, the Ishii clashes head-on with Prince Hissing Blade. In the twisted games the dark diviner plays Ayame becomes a hostage, and to save her Kyuzo must break an oath to his emperor. The Sinai War begins in the second installment of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and heavy losses mount on both sides. Full of heartbreak, betrayal, magic, and morally grey characters, Find Me is a dark fantasy tale with a hefty dose of romance. Reader discretion is advised for violence and intimate situations.

Remember Me by Brien Feathers

Guard your heart and go home or fall for a stranger and perish. Reiko is the immortal spirit of the storm. Seeking to unravel a reoccurring dream that perplexes her, she visits the mortal realm during the Soul Festival and boards a train to the historical district of Sunlit City. There, in the imperial palace of old Nara, she finds no answers, only more questions as a peculiar girl indulges her with a tale of a disgraced deity and a mortal warlord. Ayame has a bad temper. She slapped the Immortal Emperor’s sorceress, and her punishment was to spend a decade on earth as a mortal—a task easier said than done. Nara is amidst its centuries long warring era, the age of the warlords. To navigate this treacherous new world, Ayame befriends a wine-loving, trickster fox spirit, and scrapes by as a servant in the household of one of the greater clans. Toiling day and night, she’s made do for five years and dreams of the day she can return home. But war arrives. When death announces itself outside her door, she assumes the identity of a noble and finds herself betrothed to the youngest son of an enemy clan, his father a ruthless warlord. To live, Ayame must play her role, but she soon she finds herself dangerously drawn not to her intended husband, but to the infamous warlord himself. In the tumultuous world of a warring empire, trouble is always on the horizon. Betrayals run deep within families and clans, and nothing is as it seems. All Ayame wants is to survive her banishment and return home, yet she may risk it all for a mortal man. A vicious killer, twice her age, nothing is right about him, including his insanely possessive concubine out to get Ayame. She knows it, but can she control her temperament, or will she find herself at odds with yet another court, this time a deadly one? A slow burn dark fantasy, Remember Me is Book 1 of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and comes with content advisory for violence and intimate situations.

Prince and the Throne by Brien Feathers

Fedosian winters are cold, but colder still are lovers turned strangers. As autumn turns and winter settles over Fedosia, cold has seeped in between Sofia and Aleksei. She loves him still, but the archmage's memory spell has made her a stranger in his eyes. They hardly speak anymore, and their troubles only compound when they arrive in Sarostia and discover Duke Rodion of the Red Den has his own ambitions for the throne. He desires war-and not just with the Guards. Lev is holed up at Usolya Fortress, but evil lurks in the Bone Country as the days shorten and the nights lengthen. When allies turn to enemies and dark alchemy haunts the halls of the Guard Fortress, he alone must hunt down a necromancer far more powerful than he imagines. Prince and the Throne is the second book in the Fedosian Wars series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy with romance where morals are shades of grey. Content This is an adult dark fantasy with

Serpent and the Throne by Brien Feathers

In Fedosian court, love is deadlier than war. Of the nine great houses of Fedosia, nine houses of alchemy, none hate each other more than the Red Shields and the White Guards. The queen is a Shield, the archmage a Guard, and bad blood has been brewing for a century.Sofia is a Guard, wed to a count twice her age with three stepdaughters who despise her. Forbidden from leaving the house, she spends her days speaking to her stuffed macaw and playing with the shadows. But all changes when the count receives a summons from the queen, requiring all nobility of Fedosia to attend the prince’s birthday.Fedosia is vast, and Sofia travels to the capital with the count and his daughters—an adventure of a lifetime, and she’s excited.The prince is strange, and the throne has its secrets, but true trouble begins when Sofia falls for Aleksei, the captain of the Imperial Sentinels and the queen’s nephew. He’s ten years younger, and worse, he’s a Shield.The archmage is furious, the Royal Cup ends in blood and fire, the count turns up dead, and dark magic sparks war between the houses. As the great families draw their blades, Sofia runs away with Aleksei, but they don’t get far. Not all enemies come from other houses. Some are much closer.Serpent and the Throne is the first book in the four-book Fedosian War series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy romance where morals are shades of grey.Content Advisory: this is an adult dark fantasy with depictions of violence, strong language, and intimate scenes.

Beyond the Aching Door by Victoria Mier

A mortal journalist. A mysterious series of drownings. An exiled Fey king. A forgotten Fatesong. A single, desperate chance to save magic from extinction. All Raegan Maeve Overhill wants is to survive another October. It's the anniversary of the worst thing that ever happened to the unsolved disappearance of her father nearly two decades ago. But when mysterious drownings grip the city of Philadelphia, Raegan sets her mourning rituals aside for a career-making opportunity to lead her newspaper's investigation. Her hunt for answers takes her to the city's shadowy places where magical beings appear in puddles, the Fair Folk offer bargains, and magic is very, very real. When Raegan uncovers a startling connection to her father’s disappearance, she knows she can’t just return to her normal life without finding the truth. To get it, though, she’ll need to make a deal with the dark, deadly and alluring Unseelie Fae King—and do her best to ignore their dangerous attraction to one another. Inspired by Welsh mythology, Slavic folklore and Arthurian legend, Beyond the Aching Door is an adult urban fantasy romance for fans of A Discovery of Witches and Dark Night, Golden Dawn. This spicy fae romantic fantasy is intended for readers 18+.

Reclaimed by Seth Hadon

Saba Vasili, a scholar of the astral sea, faces a harrowing accusation: an arcane device he designed has malfunctioned and an entire district of the city has been obliterated and a foreign dignitary has been killed. Charged with murder, Saba is incarcerated on the orders of Byrengrad's ruling council, the Triad. Ambassador Luan Zek of the Rezwyn Empire is dispatched to take custody of the alleged murderer of his countryman. But seeing Saba's pathetic state, Zek questions whether Saba is truly guilty or only the Triad's scapegoat. With Byrengrad's fate in the balance, Saba and Zek must uncover the truth behind the arcane catastrophe and stop the malfunctioning device that is jeopardizing the fabric of their whole world. Can one act of compassion save the world?

A Game of Veils by Eva Chase

Play for a husband. Don't fall for his enemies... As the second-born princess of a kingdom conquered by a brutal empire, I'm nothing but a pawn. Little do I expect my parents to arrange my marriage to the most powerful bachelor of the son of the emperor himself. But when I arrive at the imperial palace, I discover I must compete for my betrothed—vying with the court noblewomen in a series of humiliating trials to prove our devotion. Those who fail will be executed. For the sake of my country, I'll risk my life to win my husband—this sadistic man who applauds the torment and flaunts his lovers. Unfortunately, my scheming competitors aren't my only enemies. The emperor's royal wards—princes of other conquered domains, fostered to ensure their families' obedience—lurk in the shadows. They see me as a traitor, prostrating myself for our tyrants' approval. The perfect target for their bottled rage. They'll do whatever they can to distract me, unsettle me... ruin me. I can't help being drawn in by their seductive wiles. Behind their simmering fury, their pain and broken hopes call to me. They might be just the allies I need to save my life and my kingdom. But only if I can conquer these wicked men before I lose my heart. *A Game of Veils is the first in a new fantasy romance series with a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, smoldering morally grey men, and a determined heroine they'll regret underestimating.*

Prince of Endless Tides by Ben Alderson

A new MM Fantasy Romance Stand Alone, inspired by The Little Mermaid & Atlantis... what if the Prince and the Sea Witch fell in love in a world ruled by evil mermaids and vengeful gods? For fans of Kellen Graves, Elise Kova, and Carissa Broadbent. 'Do I please you, my Prince?' Prince Ernest Ire will do anything to please his controlling father. Even if that means using his god-given magic to sway the minds of everyone he has ever met. Wealth, royalty, and control over the land and everything on it, but still, it is not enough. With the power to achieve anything, all he wants is to give it up. But everything changes when he is infected with the deadly poison of a Mer bite, and his magic is stolen. Killian Metropoli made a deal with the god of the ocean, Karakos, on the fateful night when his mother took a blade to his throat and killed him. Gifted with immortality and the power over sea and storm, Killian was offered a second chance at life, for the sole purpose of ridding the oceans of the evil soulless creatures - the Mer, terrifying monsters made from a union between two warring gods. Killian is faced with duty or escape; he must choose to go against a powerful god for a bad-mouthed prince, who could give him the one thing he desires most...freedom. Time is of the essence, otherwise, Killian will be forced against his will to kill Ernest if he becomes the very monster his life is dedicated to destroying. Fate is fickle, the threads knotted, and time is running out. Ernest must save his people before he becomes the very monster he has always feared. Killian will do anything to rid himself of his shackles. But an evil darkness is rising, and they must become allies to stop it before the world they know becomes a battlefield for benevolent gods. Prince of Endless Tides is a stand-alone in the Darkmourn Universe and can be read in or out of order. It's for readers looking for a fantasy romance with enemies to lovers, gods, monsters and heroes, sacrifice, forbidden and slow-burn romance with on-page spice that will leave your mouth burning! POET has a twisted but Happily Ever After.

Creatures of Chaos by Julie Hall

Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won. To most, it's just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame. As a creature without magic, I'd be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir... it's a risk I have to take. Now, I'm pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who's just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything. In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.

Heir of Stardust and Secrets by CC Hartly

DESCRIPTION In the shadow of war, love may be her greatest enemy... Nyleeria has always lived in the shadow of loss, with only her childhood friend to bring light to her days. But when an ancient power is discovered within her, everything changes. Her family is torn apart by tragedy, and she is thrust into a conflict that has smoldered between humans and fae for centuries. King Thaddeus, a human ruler hardened by the endless war against the fae, seeks to protect his kingdom at any cost. When he discovers Nyleeria’s dormant magic, he knows it could be the key to his people's survival. But the closer Nyleeria gets to the King, the more she realizes that her greatest danger may not be the Spark or the fae—but the feelings he stirs within her. As the veil between realms grows thinner, Nyleeria must navigate a path filled with peril, where trust is a luxury and love could be the most dangerous weapon of all. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide what they are willing to sacrifice—for her people, for him, and for a future that hangs in the balance. Don't miss this captivating adult Fantasy Romance by debut author CC Hartly. With its intricate magic systems, believable characters, and richly developed world-building, it's sure to delight romantasy and epic fantasy readers everywhere! Filled with action, adventure, heart-stopping romance, and just the right amount of spice, Mythic Spark is perfect for fans of Briar Boleyn,Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, and Rebecca Yarros

In Darkness & Duty by CC Tyler

One drop of blood can banish or bind… Reeling from the loss of his father, and devastated that Evelyn has slipped through his fingers once more, Kade is singular in his purpose: rescue his love, and bring her home. That means getting through the Void to Drystan, a land no werewolf or witch has ever ventured through — with their lives intact. But when a risky alliance offers Kade protection, it means making a bargain he’s reluctant to fulfill. Within the walls of Drystan Castle, Evelyn is determined to unearth the secrets of the vampyrs once and for all, so she can return home with answers. But even with an unlikely ally by her side — albeit at a dangerous price — the weight of the truths they unravel worsens a betrayal Evelyn’s bruised heart can’t handle. Meanwhile, on the journey to Drystan, Kade unlocks a tempestuous magic of his own — that he cannot yet control. And even as enemies appear at his elbow, it’s easier to focus on finding Evelyn than figuring out who to trust. But can the bonds of duty withstand the darkness that threatens to devour all those in its path?

Of Faith & Flame by CC Tyler

Faith and falsehood both entwined, Truth will triumph, hope will bind. Once, Evelyn Carson was one half of a prophesied union, destined to defeat the vampyrs. Now, haunted by failure and deserted by her fire magic, she has vowed never to trust her powers again. Hidden in a tiny coastal town, Evelyn is desperate to conceal her weakness from those who would start war if they knew. Until a young woman is murdered, and the whisperings of duty demand to be heard... For Kade Drengr there is no higher calling than duty. But ever since Evelyn deserted hers two years ago, Kade has searched for her relentlessly, determined to fulfill the prophecy. Cloaked in anonymity as the huntsman Cyrus, he offers to help Evelyn solve the murder in hopes of securing their union. Even if it's founded on a lie. When more victims show up - each missing a different body part - Evelyn recognizes a darker magic than the killings of her homeland. As Kade wrestles with his allegiances and deepening feelings for Evelyn, the lines of truth and betrayal begin to blur. But even with hearts aflame, can two souls fulfill a destiny that may destroy them both?

Fabulous, Tx by Michelle Monárrez

A lonely gas station and a sheriff’s department. That’s all that’s left of Fabulous, TX. Officer Anita Padmore stands at a crossroads in her law enforcement career. Should she move up north to work under Ft. Worth PD with the hope of a new career? Or should she stay in the town she loves at a job that promises no future? Before she can decide, her last case walks into town with a bang. A violent shooting at the local gas station has left heaps of bizarre evidence behind and a wounded witness fighting for her life. The case keeps unfolding and Anita soon has more questions than answers—but when Agent Caio Batista with his FBI unit steps in to take over her investigation, it’s clear this case is bigger than she bargained for. Anita is drawn to the agent’s sharp intellect and suave charm, but he’s hiding a secret that could change everything. Can the tale of Anita Padmore and Caio Batista shine some light on what happened to Fabulous?

Plagued Lands by Nikki Brooke

In a dystopian future, cities surrounded by glass bubbles promise safety from deadly diseases. Martina, a resilient sixteen-year-old from Colombia, struggles to support herself and her younger brother after the death of their parents. Especially with the rising cost of the mandatory medications. But when Martina spots a lone figure outside the safety of the bubble without a hazmat suit, her steadfast faith in their refuge is thrown into disarray. She worries for her brother’s safety. She can’t bear to lose him too. She’s determined to find the truth lurking beyond their sanitized sanctuary and ensure his protection. Martina encounters unexpected allies on her mission. Among them is Nathan, a nomad whose unconventional ways intrigue her, and Persephone, a determined pharmacy student with a shared desire for truth. As their paths intertwine, Martina finds herself drawn to both. Will Martina’s quest for answers unveil the salvation she seeks, or lead her into deeper peril? Can she protect the people she cares about?

The Kings of Camelot by Ryan Gaskin

King Arthur, known to all fans of the genre, is the most well-known fictional monarch in history. THE KINGS OF CAMELOT begins with the story of the first man to unify and conquer Britain, Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon. After winning a civil war with the help of his trusted advisors and the wizard Merlin, he finds ruling a kingdom to be more difficult than winning the throne. Uther’s reign is quickly burdened by conflict, betrayal, prophecy, and succession. THE KINGS OF CAMELOT is the first in a six-part series that chronicles the Pendragon family.

Freefall by Jana Williams

Elle Silver knew there would be questions in space - she just didn't know they would be so personal and so urgent. She begins to question the use of their space-travel drug, HCH. Elle notices a growing number of her friends and fellow colonists awaken from their 90-day sleep cycles exhibiting a variety of negative side-effects and she begins to believe the drug is the culprit. Some of the effects are minor, dry eyes and lack of appetite. Other symptoms are a bigger concern on a tiny ship packed with colonists. With each sleep cycle completed, more and more colonists awaken both confused and barely concealing a simmering rage - rage that could be a catastrophe on a ship as crowded as the Vera Rubin. Elle needs proof, but she also needs a plan. If the drug that allows them to travel deep-space is at fault, what then? Elle and her friends Ashok, Achebe and Jin-Hai are pressed to their limits to find a solution to their problem before the ship erupts into chaos... with light years left to travel. This is what she trained for her whole life - but now everything feels untethered.

The Kingdoms of Parvery; The Long Betrothal book 2 by Rowena Redman

Mercy now stands as the leader of The Black Thirteen; unruly men bound by a common and difficult goal. They will not waste their time in Parvery but how are they to discover the Benefactor’s identity? Can they manage to forget their old ways of blood and death? They travel from kingdom to kingdom searching and thieving as they go. But they must remain unnoticed by those who might still pursue them. In this second instalment of The Kingdoms of Parvery, Prince Edmund makes his first royal visit to Pidar and to Princess Theolotta, the heir to the throne. As we learn more about this new and different kingdom will the pair fall in love or is their secret betrothal not destined to thrive? Princess Theolotta notices the changes taking place within the castle over time and wonders what her future role should be. Edmund splits his time between the two kingdoms, Piadar and Hollthen, but as he grows up he begins to feel divided. Frederick and Myrbeth build their growing family happily in Hollthen, but concern has crept into the castle about the king. Trevard is still determined to discover the identity of The Shadow King, but this puzzle might prove too much even for his clever mind. As he becomes more wrapped in this mystery, he loses touch with his own family.

The Kingdoms of Parvery; The Survivor book 1 by Rowena Redman

A village with seemingly no enemies is reduced to a ghost town with no warning after all the inhabitants are killed bar one. Myrbeth the daughter of a murdered family seeks answers whilst she contemplates her future as the adopted daughter of King Trevard. She knows there can be no hope of a future with Prince Frederick the king’s son but she cannot help loving him. The king himself has never been satisfied with answers on the attack and must now strike out on his own in search of a culprit. However, with the return of the Black Knights, he might discover more than he had wished to. As events unfold Mercy a member of the Black Knights present at that long-ago massacre, ponders on but one thought as he weighs up whether he truly belongs with them. “What difference could one survivor make”

Midnight Waters by Rosie Wylor-Owen

“In my family, when someone is born, another will die.” A symbiotic curse has plagued the Arrowood and Everhart households for generations. When a new baby is born, a member of the ancient clans die. Only a truce between the warring families can break the deadly hex once and for all. Upon hearing her cousin is in labour, Maeve Arrowood hurries home to find out which one of them will be next. But the loss of her uncle is the least of her worries when a young man is found dead in the sea under suspicious circumstances. Called in by the police, Maeve has no option but to reprise her role as a scuba diving police consultant to retrieve the body. Unwittingly drawn into the investigation, Maeve is forced to work with the odiously handsome Ben Everhart. Obliged to put aside their differences, Maeve and Ben soon discover that a far deadlier danger has descended on the island of Dusk. One that could destroy both families forever.

Land by Bjørn Larssen

Love. Land. Loss. Happy Never After. The truth Maya fought for all her life turns out to be a lie a thousand years long. She neither understands nor knows how to wield her hidden power, simultaneously endless and limited, forcing her to face responsibility for the harm she causes and parry countless questions she has no answers to. Neither time nor space can stop her – but can she stop herself? Bound with an unbreakable love spell, Magni and Thorolf, raised in darkness and pain, share only one thing: a fear of revealing their truths. One was born to be a God; the other only knows a slave’s life. One craves peace and quiet; the other believes peace to be a brief reprieve between wars. As they mourn those they have lost, the constant war of their own threatens to destroy all they have left – each other. Haunted by Gods old and new, in the shadow of Odin’s raven, they head to conquer the new Ásgard. Apart from their demons, nothing and nobody is what it seems. Unwilling to give up love, freedom, or land they’re fated to live happily never after… unless destiny can be altered after all?

Gilded Wicked Mirrors by Hazel St Lewis

In New Swansea, a glittering city once inhabited by vampires, power rests not with the royal class but with the Bargainers—deities trapped in magic mirrors, who exchange power, wealth, and knowledge for a cost . . . often a wretched one. Quinnevere Ashelle wants nothing to do with the Bargainers, but at twenty-three, she is getting too old to make it into the Royalle Ballet, and with only one shot left, she’ll do anything—including make a twisted deal with an evil god. The agreement is simple: passionately kiss her archnemesis, Prince Emrys, and she will receive her dream spot in the Royalle Ballet. Unfortunately, when Quinn's deal with the Bargainer backfires, her beloved friend turns up dead, entirely drained of blood, and with puncture wounds matching the long-extinct vampires. Feeling utterly responsible, Quinn vows to get vengeance and use her medical examiner skills to solve the murder, but she is far outmatched in this world of immortals—especially when she discovers she’s being hunted as is the killer's next target. If she wants to survive, she must team up with the devilishly attractive but wicked Prince Emrys to track down the murderer before she gets cornered herself. Gilded Wicked Mirrors is a New Adult Romantasy featuring enemies to lovers, knife to throat, and deadly bargains. The steam level is mild, but the sequels will be much spicier. This single-POV fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Crescent City’s gritty investigations and Caraval’s lush world.

The Dragon and the Butterfly by Abby Simpson

You know his name. Now, learn hers. One thousand years ago, a noble’s daughter came of age in the county of Flanders. Intelligent and ambitious, Maud would rise to become queen of England at the side of her husband. Driven by love and loyalty, destined to alter the course of history, her life was charmed by faith and circumstance, but not without sacrifice. Abby Simpson’s The Dragon and the Butterfly follows Matilda of Flanders, wife to William the Conqueror, as she navigates court life, motherhood, and their shared ambition of claiming the English throne. An epic historical saga that sweeps warmly over decades and featuring a cast of dozens, Matilda’s world has never before been so richly realized.

A Tragedy of Sacrifice by Kaylea Prime

Freedom demands sacrifice, but only from those brave enough to inspire change. Haunted by a life-shattering decision she will forever regret, Arínor craves a sense of belonging instead of being branded as wicked. Feared for her Celestial magic and her ability to shape-shift into a lightning bird, she draws unwanted attention both from supporters and opposers of the evil Vashi. When her own people accuse her of treachery and threaten her family’s lives, Arínor flees Arwé through a portal to Earth, sacrificing everything she knows to protect those she loves. Then she meets Clemency. Though restricted by society’s expectations of a married woman and mother in 1769 Boston, Clemency longs to influence change with her astute political insights on the rising tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists. When she meets Arínor, a woman seemingly freed from the constraints imprisoning Clemency, she is inspired to start an empowering women’s group and try publishing her political writing. Arínor, in turn, is inspired to use her Void magic for healing instead of deprivation. But as their friendship grows, and Arínor’s feelings for Clemency deepen, tensions escalate in Massachusetts. Rallies turn to riots, jealousy and fear weave webs of distrust, and rumours of witchcraft follow in Arínor’s wake. Faced with once again losing everything she loves, Arínor must choose whether to right her wrongs and sacrifice for the greater good or embrace her wickedness and become the person everyone fears her to be. A Tragedy of Sacrifice is a prequel novella set almost one hundred and fifty years before A Spark From Embers - volume one in the fantasy series, Tears of Flame.

Wicked tides by Courtney Leigh

The waters are filled with terrors and the waves are red with blood... Treson Harbor is a place plagued by terrifyingly beautiful monsters from the deep and they're hungry. When no man is safe on the water, pirates and fishermen alike, people look to hunters. Vidar "Bone Heart" Woelfson is the Captain of the Burning Rose, a ship known for its blood red sails and the ruthless nature of its crew. He has hunted more sirens than any other ship on the sea and unlike most, Vidar hardly does it for the money. He is haunted by events from his childhood and lives to see every daughter of the sea slaughtered. Dahlia knows the ship with red sails well, but she knows its captain even better. The man who took everything from her as a child still hunts her waters and she will end him if it's the last thing she does. Scarred and vengeful, Vidar and Dahlia will soon cross paths again after eighteen years and things certainly will not be peaceful. But even greater horrors might force the two together in an unwilling partnership. Their rivalry runs deep... their love will run deeper... but not without bloodshed. ***This book contains violence, graphic sexual situations, and language. Please visit my website for a more detailed list of trigger warnings***

A Spark From Embers by Kaylea Prime

A spark smolders within every fading ember. Awaiting the right moment to reignite. To blaze into an inferno. Eighteen-year-old Sadie’s fiery ambitions have faded to embers. Her dreams of escaping the shackles of her conventional life and seeking heroic adventures have been doused by an arranged marriage. Women in 1914 were expected to be Helen of Troy, not Achilles. Doomed to the life of obscurity she always feared, Sadie takes a chance on an anonymous note—and finds a mirror portal to Arwé, the parallel world featured in her shunned great-grandfather’s book. But when she steps through, the portal closes behind her. Cut off from her brother Connor and stuck with Tristan, the enigmatic man sent to guide her to Arwé, Sadie learns it will take more than trading the mundane for the magical to reignite the embers of her heart. Controversial fire and forbidden celestial magics threaten to consume her, layered secrets mask friend from foe, and she’s caught in a civil war she inadvertently accelerated. Walking through that portal should have been freeing. Empowering. So why did she feel more trapped? Convinced his sister is gone forever, Connor enlists in a war he doesn’t believe in. Before long, he uncovers a dark conspiracy rooted in emerging electrical science. When her enemies offer her the chance to return home, Sadie discovers not even her wild imagination has prepared her for the sobering reality of what happens when you play with fire. A SPARK FROM EMBERS is The Ten Thousand Doors of January meets the Narnia series, except if Lucy had gone through the wardrobe alone, leaving Edmund to enlist and battle the demons of his inner Witch.

NeurodiVeRse by MJ James

Jupiter J’nell just wanted a place to belong since their own family kicked them out while they were still in high school. They thought they had found their place in Long Beach, CA, working as an educational consultant on games designed for autistic kids. Being autistic themselves and an avid gamer, it was their dream job. Instead, they were too autistic, and the West Coast was not as accepting as they had hoped. Would they ever find a place they could belong? Fired and more uncertain of themselves than ever, they were contacted by a mysterious individual, Stanley, who offered them a job at Austin School District (ASD), an elusive school system that was founded by the openly autistic tech genius who had built the biggest tech company ever - Austin Technology. To get the job, all Jupiter had to do was pass one test. What they received was a virtual reality headset that was an urban legend of the internet. It was said that this device made virtual reality nearly indistinguishable from the physical world. Only a few influencers had ever gotten their hands on one, and even fewer had gotten it to work. Holding the device in their hands, Jupiter knew they had to make the biggest decision of their life, and either way, things would never be the same. NeurodiVeRse is a story of self-acceptance celebrating autistic and trans joy. But even as Jupiter learned to love themselves, the world fought to take it away. Except Jupiter now had more than themselves to fight for, and they found there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do to protect the students of ASD.

Seer of the Strait by Drea Talley

Vasi, Watcher of the Strait, southernmost of the Kingdoms of Dawn, is a place of tradition. Gifted seer and third generation witch, Carys Arslan keeps her late grandmother's shop and spends her days selling herbs, tinctures, and reading the cards for the rich merchants of the Great Families and the nobles of the Three Houses. When a favorite client invites her to a party at Watcher's Castle, Carys senses that she needs to be there, that something important will happen. When the party ends with Carys casting the cards for the Heir of the Strait, she sees that a danger lurks on the horizon, racing towards them from across the sea. A seer's visions are not to be ignored, and Carys is pulled from her shop, from everything she's ever known, to assume the position of Lord's Seer and advise the Lord of the Strait and the Three Houses. Days later, a ship unlike anything the kingdom has seen is spotted off the coast. It finally arrives in the harbor, bearing an ambassador and soldiers from the long silent empire to the south. They claim to come to trade and learn, but the spirits have shown Carys the ambition that drives them. Carys can see they will not stop until Vasi, and all the Kingdoms of Dawn, have fallen to the southern Empire. Carys' power is growing, but her training was incomplete. Will strength alone be enough to stop them?

Worthy of Fate by A.N. Caudle

The Gem Marked by the Gods, Kya is forced to partake in a Trial for a chance to be deemed Worthy. If she succeeds, she'll be gifted great powers. If she fails, she could lose her life or worse. But that's only the start of her worries. Now, the same plague that took her home is spreading and threatening the fate of the realm. Can Kya survive the Trial of the Gods and gain the needed power to rid the world of the growing threat before it's too late? Or will she be drawn to what awaits her in the shadows? The Shadow Ryker has waited a long time for her-his mate. Now he's found her. He plans to claim what is rightfully his, but dark forces threaten to destroy his Nation should he embrace the bond he so desperately desires. Unable to escape the drive to be near her, he waits for his precious gem, lingering in her shadow. Worthy of Fate is the first book in a new adult, dark fantasy romance series with an intriguing magic system, dark forces, Spirits, and forbidden fated mates.

Heir of Illusions and Others by Rachanee Lumayno

How do you step into your power when you have none? “Oh, Endri. Don’t say never. You’ll get it soon, I’m sure.” It’s a sentiment I’ve heard countless times. You would think living in the kingdom of Annlyn, land of shapeshifters, would make my own talent come easier. Except my shapeshifting ability has yet to appear—much to the embarrassment of my birth family, who abandoned me years ago. But even under the tutelage of my adopted father Pazho, I still haven’t unlocked my talents. And maybe I never will. So when we hear rumors of—and start finding—other shapeshifters who are forced into their animal forms, unable to turn back, I’m safe. For now. Because whatever is hunting the people of Annlyn has set its sights on my family, my new friends from Calia, Annlyn’s crown princess … And me. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Illusions and Others is the sixth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Secrets and Spectres by Rachanee Lumayno

I thought planning a wedding would be easy, but I was so wrong. “Farrah … There are important matters that we must discuss. Please return home soon.” The Fae part of my heritage demands that I need to get my estranged Fae father’s blessing. I haven’t seen him in years, and I don’t know where in Faerie he is, but if I don’t get his blessing, it will turn into a curse that will eventually poison my upcoming marriage. But Faerie is no place for humans. For some unknown creature is creating havoc in Faerie, killing its citizens—and the chaos is spreading into the human world and my home country, Shonn. The Seelie Court needs to elect a new king or queen. And to get that elusive blessing, the Seelie Court’s interim leader, High Chancellor Lord Chela, has made me his representative in the upcoming Trials to find their new ruler. The hopefuls’ task? Find the creature responsible for the murders around Faerie. Before it finds us. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Secrets and Spectres is the fifth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Crowns and Curses by Rachanee Lumayno

Kidnapping. Curses. Trying to stop a magical cult from taking over the world. No one told me this was what being a godparent would be like. No one is more surprised than me when I get the request: "Rhyss, we would be honored if you would stand as Coran's godfather." For this happy-go-lucky mercenary, it's not the sort of thing I get asked often. Or would even want to do. But you don't say no to your best friends, who also happen to be the King and Queen of Calia. Even if saying yes means pledging my life and protection to their newborn son, the Crown Prince Coran. At the christening, my new vow is immediately tested when the baby is stolen away by a secret society. Now I, along with Farrah, another dear friend, must cross a haunted forest and deal with pirates in the seedy kingdom of Bomora. My former home. Where I have to face the demons of my past. Before they unleash an ancient magic that could destroy all of the Gifted Lands. Should be easy. Right? Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Crowns and Curses is the fourth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Magic and Mischance by Rachanee Lumayno

What do you do when you become the very thing you were taught to hate? All I, Adalynn Taethen, have ever wanted to do was to serve my beloved home, the kingdom of Rothschan, in their famed military. Not only did I grow up knowing it was my duty, but I also hoped it would change the fortunes of my impoverished family. But on the day of my enrollment, a disastrous meeting reveals my family’s long-dormant enemy. Someone my parents have kept secret from me for years. Along with other family secrets. I have a surprise of my own—I can do magic. But in Rothschan, where magic is hated and anyone who wields it is feared and killed, my life is forfeit. So I escape to the northern kingdom of Calia to learn more about my newfound magical powers. And maybe I’ll even learn more about my family secrets there, too. But first I have to master my magic before it destroys me. And before my enemy finds me and destroys everything I hold dear. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Magic and Mischance is the third book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Mystery and Shadow by Rachanee Lumayno

The course of true love never did run smooth. Especially because it usually leads to death. I may be one of the most gifted Seekers in the kingdom of Orchwell, but it's usually my twin sister who gets the most commissions. Because everyone wants to find their true love. But my side of the family Seeking gift, finding lost loves? Not so much. Because if it ended in heartbreak once, it will probably lead to heartbreak again. Still, a job's a job. So when Lady Adallia hires me to find her own lost love, I say yes, even though I'd like nothing more than to be rid of my ability. But the noblewoman neglected to tell me some important details about her commission. And now I, Kaernan Asthore, along with my Seeker team and my mysterious noblewoman patron, have to outsmart an infamous gang of bounty hunters and uncover Lady Adallia's secrets, before her quest to find her lost love causes us to lose our lives. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Memory and Shadow is the second book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

In Search of Shadows by Marisa E. Cardin

The day after Andartia discovers the truth about the War on Sirona, Jax Cassaway and his crew are suddenly thrust into the uncertainty of space. With a junker ship barely large enough to hold them, they must attempt to rescue the remaining Sironians from their war-ravaged planet – before General Mortox and his Shadows take matters into their own hands. The long-awaited sequel to Jax Cassaway and The Shadow Runners, In Search of Shadows continues the story of Andartia and Sirona on their ever-evolving fight for survival.

Jax Cassaway and The Shadow Runners by Marisa E. Cardin

Many centuries after the people of Old-Earth fled their ravaged planet via starship, tension grows in the Carinthean Star System. Resources dwindle. Political unrest builds. Jax Cassaway, outcast, zeneska rider, and dreamer, looks up at the dusty atmosphere above the planet Andartia and wonders what the stars look like beyond. Millions of miles away, from the surface of war-ravaged Sirona, a coded message is sent out to the black. “Help.”

Elemental Origins: Water’s Gambit by Sarah Adina

Have you ever wondered where mermaids come from? In the world of Elementia the four elements of Water, Earth, Air and Fire provide life and balance to all who live there. Dive in and join Naya, a water elemental, on her journey as she searches for love and meaning to her life. Determined to control her own fate and reach for her dreams in spite of the restrictions placed upon her kind. When she meets Cal, her fate is irrevocably changed and a new destiny awaits her; if she dares to take a chance. After making her rebellious gambit, the question remains. . . . will her choice upset the balance of Elementia, or will she bring more life and unity to them all? Naya: “To answer your question, yes, let’s seal our deal in the nymph way. Let’s seal it with a kiss” Cal: “The kiss was sweet, intoxicating, and terrifying all at the same time, for he was underwater and couldn’t breathe.”

Wrongful-A true Story by Brandy Wilson

Brandy Wilson's junior literary work, Wrongful, offers a poignant exploration of her journey as a mother entangled in the complexities of a biased legal system. The book delves into her personal experiences, highlighting the emotional and systemic challenges she faced. Through raw and reflective storytelling, Brandy illustrates how her love for her children became the driving force behind her perseverance. Wrongful is not only a memoir of motherhood but also a commentary on justice, resilience, and the strength required to navigate a system stacked against fairness.

The Ocean Hugs Hard by Eric Avedissian

Surfside City, New Jersey. 1966. Cub reporter Harman Bass is cutting his teeth in the fast world of local journalism and getting out-scooped by the competition. Facetious, cocky, and always quoting Nietzsche, Harman isn't making any friends both in and out of the newsroom. All that changes when the daughter of a prominent family is found dead on the beach, handing Harman the juiciest news story of the year. But she isn't any old beauty pageant queen; she's his high school girlfriend. Harman's dogged reporting into the young woman's death reveals pushback from the authorities and pulls the newshound into the resort's darkest corners. After one of his sources is murdered, the routine story becomes dangerous and personal. Something watches Harman from the shadows, something ancient and hungry, worshipped by powerful men who kill to keep their secrets. Harman's job and life are soon threatened, and the once brash reporter must battle his boss, rival journalists, and his own sanity before filing what could be his last story. THE OCEAN HUGS HARD is a mystery with the salty whiff of the ocean, a tinge of nostalgia, and a dollop of eldritch horror.

Alone in the Woods: Beloved by the Bear Shifter by Bethany Baker

Jay is a Park Ranger whose decade on the job has left her a bit jaded, but never dulled her love of nature. On a fateful spring night, she sets off alone in the woods to avoid unwanted attention from raucous male campers—only to find herself face-to-face with a grizzly bear. Arthur is a bear shifter hiding out in the woods because he struggles to stay in human form. Even in exo-human haven Teraton, grizzlies aren't exactly welcome at the grocery store. His fateful meeting with Jay blossoms into friendship, then passion. As Arthur and Jay ride a heat wave amidst the pines, a storm is brewing. A jilted camper is stalking Jay, and when disaster strikes, it will take all of Jay's training and grit to make sure she and Arthur see the next sunrise. ALONE IN THE WOODS: BELOVED BY THE BEAR SHIFTER is a human x grizzly shifter romance novella (32k words) that confronts real-world issues around prejudice and harassment, then wraps you in a big bear hug.

Fall, Sacred Apple by Emory Glass

The pact is bleeding. What started as a bountiful covenant between a Republic and the goddess who sustains it now suffers a drought of faith. Should a famine of devotees follow, the Blood Mother will uproot the pact. Civilisation will collapse. In the midst of these uncertain times, Corbha, a warrior-nun of steadfast faith, eagerly awaits her brother's birth. He will be the first child born at Madhcha Abbey in twenty-four years. If his delivery suggests divine favour, Corbha and her siblings are to punish a trio of disobedient senators. They have propagated the Republic's growing disregard for the Blood Mother and Her Eightfold Orchard. That cannot stand. For Einaid, a doomsday cultist in hiding, the child's birth raises questions about the abbey and its inhabitants. The answers are scandalous enough to spark widespread dissent should they fall into the wrong hands—and nothing would please Einaid more than igniting the flame that makes Her Orchard burn. Fall, Sacred Apple is a tragic dark fantasy drama washed in insidious and eldritch botanical horror.

Imaginari by Kristina W Kelly

Step into lyrics of science, science fiction, and fantasy where robots fight for their autonomy, fairies wage war against goblins, and humanity reaches for what awaits them in the stars. Paired with original color photography, this collection of poetry holds a glimpse of the human experience disguised in fairytales and stardust. You will encounter themes that resonate with our reality, such as motherhood, growth, feminism, hope, and nature. Whether you are a fan of epic sagas, whimsical tales, or lyrical reflections, you will find something to spark the imagination in this anthology. Prepare to be enchanted by an invitation to dreams of the fantastical.

Consecrated Ground by Virginia Black

Consecrated Ground is a multiracial lesbian paranormal tour de force that will leave you wary of the shadows and absolutely breathless. Like her father before her, Joan Matthews is a witch. For generations, their family of binder witches has protected Calvert, Oregon from vampires by strengthening the land with spellcraft. Pushing back against tradition, Joan defied her father and left town to become a war witch, one who fights the monsters hand-to-hand. But when her father dies, Joan returns to find her hometown assailed by a vampire lord's endless attacks--and the answers lie with the one woman who chose a rival over Joan. Leigh Phan once believed her heart was safe and her future was set. When Joan left town, Leigh's choices led to ruin and unintended consequences. Now Leigh harbors a dark secret forcing her to live a moment-to-moment existence. Her only hope of survival lies in trusting the war witch who left her behind. Now it's up to Joan to fight for a town she left behind, while Leigh faces a destiny she never imagined was possible. With Calvert on the brink of total destruction, Joan and Leigh join forces and face inconvenient truths in order to save their town--and each other.

The Alpha’s Concubine by Claudia King

Taken from her people. Claimed by an alpha. Forced into a new life. In a time before tools of metal and houses of wood, tooth and claw rule the wild places of the world. The Moon People have been enemies to Netya's kind for as long as the stars can remember. They are monsters, demons, men and women who take the shapes of beasts. The murderers of her father. An outsider taken as a prize by the pack, Netya must overcome suspicion, rivalry, and the division of her own heart as she grows to realise that monsters wear many different faces. Among the Moon People she uncovers the potential of a life she never knew existed. The chance for a woman to become something more than a prize, or a mother, or a concubine. But as the alpha and others vie for her heart, the powerful huntress Vaya seeks to purge Netya from her pack. Before Netya can decide where she belongs, she must endure the trials of love, hatred, and heartbreak. The girl taken as a trophy must become a woman.

All Hookers Go To Heaven by Angel B.H.

All Hookers Go To Heaven follows Mag: an East Coast girl raised in a conservative Christian home where she is urged to preserve her purity at all costs. Obsessed with earning a place in heaven, Mag rejects the hyper-sexual youth culture of her small town—that is, until she falls for a sophisticated, fun girl while attending a program designed to usher young people into Evangelical Missionary work. Spiralling into shame and regret, Mag breaks away from the Church and launches herself into the world of sex for hire, attempting to shed her repressive past and become an anti-virgin—the exact opposite of what her religion raised her to be. As she hustles across continents, Mag finds her obsession has shifted. Instead of heaven, now she is focused on chasing the elusive, ever-shifting concept of financial security. In the process, she finds it harder and harder to differentiate the money she earns from her self-worth—and her own identity from that of her sex worker alter ego.

Colin by Grae Bryan

Colin has spent his whole life waiting for something. He doesn’t know exactly what it is, or how to find it—all he knows is that he wants more. When the existence of vampires gives him hope for exactly that, he’s determined to find one for himself. And when he finds out Tucson holds two vampires without mates of their own, he’s willing to do whatever he can to get close. Fox has spent his whole life looking out for his brother. So when his twin shows signs of bone-deep boredom and ambivalence, who can blame him for wanting to grab on to anything that could bring him back to himself? And if that something happens to be the pushy, prickly blue-haired human on their doorstep—asking to stay, demanding to be fed on—then so be it. Dane has spent his whole life feeling different. Even as a vampire, he doesn’t quite fit the mold—too attached to his brother, for one, with a platonic, fated bond that can’t be broken. So when a strange human comes into their lives and seems to accept them exactly as they are, who can blame him for starting to hope, just a little, for something… more? Colin is a heated, fated-mates MMM paranormal romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a grumpy, vampire-addicted human and the twin vampire brothers who are hungry for anything and everything he has to offer. It also contains steamy scenes and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.

This is Not a Vampire Story by Simon Doyle

Seventeen-year-old Victor Callahan holds a secret as ancient as the shadows.Employed as a night porter in a quiet Irish nursing home, the teenager watches over a group of men he once knew a long time ago. Victor has orchestrated their reunion for a final farewell, a goodbye to those whose lives have shaped him through the years.But can he keep his secret from Lakeshore Manor's oldest resident, James O'Carroll?As he cares for these remnants of his past, memories of a bygone era haunt him - of wild adventures on the rugged Irish coast, of forbidden love hidden beneath the threat of eternal night, and of a shipwreck that changes everything...Gloria Pinto, the night nurse, doesn't like him. But maybe she has her own secrets.THIS IS NOT A VAMPIRE STORY weaves a tale of timeless bonds, the cost of immortality, and the lengths we go to for love.But is love more important than life? Victor is about to find out.

Love At Second Sight by Ayoka B.

Shane's life is full...of poetry, motherhood and friends. She is a Single Mom who is pensive, passionate and generous and loves her family. Having experienced loss and heartache, her trust must be earned. Enter Mike. He is talented, complicated and guarded. Their powerful connection changes their hearts and lives. A beautiful and layered story of artistry, relationships and love, this novel spans generations. Love At Second Sight will make you laugh, cry, and cheer and inspire you to rethink what it means to love.

Splinterleaf & Hollowfrost by Justin Greer

It’s a pleasant day in the sun, and the world grows in abundance… Summer has come to Haverdell, bringing warmth, work, beautiful flowers, the joyous songs of birds, the subtle murmur of trees in the high hills, and traveling merchants down the river with gifts to delight the townsfolk. In preparation for the Summer’s Blessing celebration, many in Haverdell have purchased earthwarden leaves from the merchants, finding them delightsome additions to their food and drink: soothing and invigorating and exotic and wonderful. All seems bright and warm and welcoming. But Derry, the gardener of Haverdell, thinks that something is amiss. He notices a change among the townsfolk, a strangeness, and begins to suspect that the so-called earthwarden plants are not what they seem. Accompanied by his faithful dog Barrow, Derry investigates the matter, studying books of godslore and the meadows and vales of their home for answers. The more he uncovers, the more he fears for his friends and his own safety. For the fabled splinterleaf plant has come to Haverdell to clutch the town in its grip of longing and hunger and regret; and if Derry doesn’t act swiftly, all he loves will be swallowed in the greedy maw of the ancient forces that underlie this strange new growth. Summer’s Blessing approaches, and the splinterleaf plants have taken hold of Haverdell. Return to the beautiful, fantastical, and charming world of The Garden Knight in this new tale of magic, mystery, and the hold of dreams and regrets over the human heart.

Leafdust & Deadwood by Justin Greer

Welcome to the world of The Garden Knight. Derry is a gardener who has made his home in the quiet woodland village of Haverdell. Accompanied by his faithful dog Barrow, Derry intends to spend all his days tending to his gardens, roving the wilds, helping his friends in town, and enjoying the peaceful solitude of life in the hills. But as Harvest Night approaches, strange plants begin to appear: first crawling from the lakeshore near Derry's cottage, then emerging from a hollow in the hills overlooking Haverdell. These plants wriggle along the forest floor, pierce man and beast with long prickling needles, and devour the forest around them with rapid new growth. Their hunger is increasing. As the gardener of Haverdell, Derry must employ all his wits, woodlore, and cunning to thwart the invasive, ravenous frond-tendrils before they consume the forest completely—as well as his own home and everything he loves.