The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele

SPFBO7 Indie Recs Indie

TJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into it… until now. Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ’s world. Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa—a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans. But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the Orishas. Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African gods, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas.

Head Like a Hole by Andrew Van Wey

When you bury your past, make sure that it’s dead. It’s the mid-nineties. Grunge and flannel are fading as the Spice Girls and Hot Topic conquer the malls. Cherry gloss glistens on the lips of the youth. Modems hiss as America comes online. And in a fog-drenched cove at the edge of New England, something terrible awakens when a fisherman reels in a gruesome catch: the remains of a young woman. Remains still pulsing with furious life. For Megan Monroe and her friends, this is how their nightmare begins: a wet whisper over their shoulder, a dark hand reaching out from the edge of their sight, and a name clawing at the back of their minds. A young woman scratched from their memory. To stop this devouring terror, Megan will need to mend broken friendships and reassemble her fractured past, for what stalks them hungers to remake itself in their image… piece by bloody piece. Dig into the haunted past with Head Like a Hole, a novel of malignant secrets, shattered friendships, and twisted bodily horror. ★★★★★ "This is a brilliant read. A wonderful well-written plot and a story line that had me engaged from the start." ★★★★★ "A quick, fun read that will be enjoyed by true crime, horror, and sci-fi fans." ★★★★★ "A beautiful, gritty tale that engages you to piece it all together while being deliciously entertained at the same time."

Publishable By Death by A.C.F. Bookens

A bookstore, a grumpy newspaper woman, and a murder. Quiet St. Marin’s has just gotten a little more lively . . . and a little less alive. All Harvey Beckett wants to do is read books, help the residents of St. Marin’s find the perfect book for that moment, and snuggle with her hound dog Mayhem. But when the small, waterside town’s newest resident discovers the body of the community’s persnickety reporter in her bookshop storeroom on opening day, Harvey finds herself bound and determined to figure out the crime. Her task won’t be easy, though, since the town is flooded with visitors for the first annual Harriet Tubman Festival to honor the community’s most famous resident. Plus, a quiet but charming mechanic named Daniel isn’t helping with her concentration at all.

Night Under a Dark Moon by Dani Taillefer

In the book, each story is stand alone and follow their own plot. When reading I found that the main character wasn't always the hero, which was rather refreshing. Not all stories are gore and blood, but also psychological and gothic. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Review by Apocrypha1 on 2026-08-02T20:27:02Z

The Memoir of Johnny Daywalker by Meghan Davis

Read Full Review

Review by Bowqueen on 2026-07-31T09:57:52Z

Bite Marks and Broken Hearts by TJ Rose

Read Full Review

Review by Bowqueen on 2026-07-31T09:46:51Z

Usurper (Children of Lorcan Book 1) by J. M. Rose

Review by spadoink on 2026-07-30T20:02:00Z

That Girl Who Ran Off and Kissed a Vampire by K.R.S. McEntire

This book can be read and enjoyed both by older teens (16+) and by new adults (18+).

Review by LAYoung on 2026-07-30T15:52:37Z

The Heart of Wynter: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #06) by Honey Phillips

Can an independent woman melt the heart of the legendary Winter King—and give a lost child the family they all need? Tamsin has built a quiet, independent life tending her small herd on her isolated mountain croft, and she likes it that way. But when a mysterious little girl appears on her doorstep, Tamsin can't turn her away. Wynterian d'Kingmar has lived alone in the mountains since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three. Avoiding the humans who fear him as the legendary Winter King suits him just fine. Until one stubborn, tempting human female turns his disciplined life upside down. Tamsin certainly doesn't intend to fall for a huge, horned alien whose stern commands make her want to argue with him almost as much as she wants to kiss him. But as winter closes in, the mystery surrounding the little girl draws them closer, and the heat between them becomes impossible to ignore. Wynter has survived a crash, a brutal winter, and more than a year alone. Letting Tamsin into his heart may be the one challenge he can't overcome. A sweet and steamy holiday romance featuring a fiercely independent heroine, a protective horned alien, a precocious little girl, an enormous snow beast, and an unexpected family in the making. (Intended for mature audiences.)

The Knotty Clause: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #04) by Honey Phillips

Can a single mother create some holiday magic for a reclusive alien warrior? Lured by the promise of steady work, Gemma accepts a job at a remote mining claim, only to find that both she and her young son are virtual slaves to the greedy mine boss. When a desperate attempt to escape finds them caught in an unexpected snowstorm, she thinks all is lost - until a very large and very not-human male appears and rescues them. Their savior is gruff, reclusive, and unexpectedly kind. He offers them a refuge - as long as they don’t intrude on his privacy. He even draws up a contract, but the longer they stay with him, the more Gemma wants to break every one of his rules. Ever since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three, Yede has concealed himself in his mountaintop hideaway. A life alone with his memories is better than risking more heartbreak - until he rescues a fragile, tempting human woman and her determined little boy from a snowstorm. Now the icy walls around his heart - and other important parts - are beginning to thaw. Can he find the courage to take a second chance on love, despite the risks? This sweet and steamy holiday romance features a clever and resourceful heroine, a not-as-reluctant-as-he-seems hero, an irresistible little boy, and all the warmth of the holiday season. Not to mention enough long, sweet, lickable... candy canes to satisfy your every craving! (Intended for mature audiences.)

A Kiss of Frost: A ScFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #03) by Honey Phillips

Can the warmth of the holiday season thaw an alien warrior’s frozen heart? When Katerina is faced with an unwanted marriage, she takes her younger sister and runs, only to discover a small band of misfits hiding in some ancient ruins. Their fight for survival grows even harder as the holidays approach - until a massive horned warrior appears in their camp. Subcommander Jackasarian D'Frostulen never seems to get things right. Stowing away on his leader’s ship - and crashing on the backwater planet of K.R.S. Three - is his worst mistake yet. Knowing that his career, and possibly his life, are over, he runs. He finds an unlikely place with an enchanting female and her band of orphans. For the first time in his life he’s both wanted and needed. When unexpected difficulties arise, will he fight for the woman and children he’s come to love - or will he run again? A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring a feisty heroine, an unlikely hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

A Gift for Nicholas: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #02) by Honey Phillips

Can a single mother show an arrogant alien warrior the true meaning of the holidays? Jenna is a hard-working single mom with no time for fairy tales. She dismisses her daughter’s stories of a mysterious horned Santa living in the woods as no more than the imagination of a precocious child – until the day her daughter doesn’t return home. Her frantic search leads her to a crashed spaceship and a massive, horned alien warrior. He’s bossy, arrogant – and has a loneliness which matches her own. When Ambassador Nicholsarian’s chief rival doesn’t return after the… distraction he arranged, he refuses to admit he’s concerned. But when the months pass without word, he finally sets out to investigate – only to have his own ship crash on the backwater planet of K.R.S. Three. Before he can determine if a similar fate befell the other male, his mission is diverted by two of the most fascinating creatures he has ever encountered: a small child who shows no fear of his mighty horns, and a beautiful female who is equally unimpressed with his mighty… sword. Trapped together by an early snowfall, Jenna and Nicholas find an unexpected comfort in each other’s company. It is the season of giving, but she has a daughter to raise and he’s looking for the fastest way off the planet – what could they possibly have to offer each other? A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring a determined single mom, a reluctant hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

Krampus and the Crone: A SciFi Alien Warrior Romance (Horned Holidays #01) by Honey Phillips

Can a horned alien warrior and an isolated woman grant two children their holiday wish for a family? Jaelle is lonely. Ostracized by the village, like her mother and grandmother before her, she poses as an old witch in order to eke out a meager living selling herbal remedies to people who don't want to admit they need her help. When children start disappearing from the village, she is determined to find an answer to the riddle. She doesn't expect to find a massive, horned alien - one who sees through all her disguises. Since crash-landing on K.R.S Three, Commander Krampusarian D'Marchandar spends his time working on his ship and secretly observing the other inhabitants. During his explorations, he discovers a strange, beautiful female. It is an impossible attraction - but when he sees her treatment at the hands of the other villagers, he decides she is his to protect. A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring two precocious orphans, a determined heroine, an unexpected hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

Night Under a Dark Moon by Dani Taillefer

You were warned not to enter the forest. You went anyway. Step into a world where fairy tales have rotted at the edges, where wishes carry a terrible price, and where the monsters are far closer than they appear. In these dark retellings of Grimm’s most enduring stories, familiar tales become nightmares of blood, madness, and ancient horror. There is no guarantee of a happy ending. Only the promise that you will never see these stories the same way again.

The Professor and the Siren by Vala Stone

My whole life, I dedicated myself to discovering the secrets of the ocean. When I encounter a merman, I think I might be losing my mind. Except he’s real, and he's asking me out, spilling all his secrets, sating my curiosity, and stirring my lust. My own private nerdy professor turned merman; he ticks all my boxes. What do I do when my merman is in danger of being discovered by my colleagues? Do I turn my back on them and help him? Do I sink or swim? Do I fall in love? This is a short paranormal romance novella about a brave marine biologist, a sexy merman, and a sizzling HEA. Romance, Paranormal, HEA, Steamy, Merman, Shapeshifter, Sweet, Fated mates, Beach Read this novella for free by signing up to the newsletter.

Bound to the Warlock: A Cozy Smalltown Paranormal Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #05) by Vala Stone

He tells me to leave town. I can’t seem to stay away. Maggie I come to Hillcrest Hollow with a broken career, a bruised heart, and every intention of hiding out with my best friend until my life stops falling apart. Instead, I find her broody coworker, a magical town full of secrets, and a stubborn little bobcat kitten determined to adopt me. Thorne is filthy rich, dangerously powerful, and makes it painfully clear he wants nothing to do with me. Too bad his actions keep betraying him. Every cold warning comes with quiet protection. Every sharp insult only makes me more determined to uncover his secrets. Then my dreams start calling me into the woods... and something ancient starts calling me by name. Thorne I’ve sworn off obsession. Sunshine like Maggie has no place near a warlock like me. Fate disagrees. Now the woman I keep trying to push away is tangled in the magic threatening Hillcrest Hollow. She finds the family she’s always deserved, a troublesome little companion determined to throw us together, and me. She thinks I’m trying to keep her safe. She has no idea I’m willing to burn the world down to do it. This is Book Five in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Warlock delivers a secretive grumpy warlock billionaire, an always cheerful, artist with a temper, a cute bobcat kitten with romance plans, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless. Fun tropes: Down-on-her-luck heroine Small town Best friend’s coworker Grumpy/sunshine Mysterious billionaire warlock Animal companion Dreams Ancient magic Found family Possessive/protective MMC “Burn the world down for her” energy

Bound to the Griffin: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #03) by Vala Stone

He’s sworn to protect the town’s secrets—but she might just unravel his heart. Gwendolyn Buying the old B&B was supposed to be my fresh start. But Hillcrest Hollow isn’t exactly welcoming. The house is crumbling, the neighbors glare like I’m some kind of threat, and something’s definitely watching me from the woods. Then there’s Jackson—the town’s sheriff with storm-gray eyes and a quiet intensity that makes my heart forget how to behave. He’s always there when things go sideways, and I’m starting to think those hands could fix a lot more than broken porch steps. The more I dig, the darker the town’s secrets get—and the more tangled up we become. Whatever’s hiding in Hillcrest Hollow isn’t just folklore. And if I’m not careful, it won’t just break my heart—it might claim everything. Jackson The second Gwendolyn arrived, I knew she’d be trouble. Hillcrest Hollow chews up outsiders, and the things that live in the dark don’t take kindly to curious humans. She should’ve left—but she’s still here. And I’m starting to forget why I ever wanted her gone. She’s fierce, stubborn, and too damn tempting for a man who’s spent years keeping his beast on a leash. But something old is waking, and she’s at the center of it. I swore to protect this town—but I’d burn it to the ground before I let anything touch her. Even if the real danger… is what I am. This is Book Three in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Griffin delivers a protective griffin shifter, a bold human heroine looking for a new beginning, ancient secrets, and a sizzling HEA.

Bound to the Minotaur: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #02) by Vala Stone

Car trouble on a desolate road? Terrifying. The brooding, irresistibly hot mechanic who shows up? Utterly distracting… Kess Running is my only option. When a job offer across the country promises a fresh start, I grab it like a lifeline. But fate, it seems, has other plans. Stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken car, I’m at my wit’s end. Then he appears. Gregory, the grumpy mechanic with smoldering eyes, a scowl that could cut steel, and secrets as dark as the night. Trusting anyone has never been my strong suit, but when he uncovers evidence that my “accident” wasn’t an accident at all, he’s the only one I can turn to. And the more time I spend with him, the more I realize—beneath the gruff exterior is a man worth risking everything for. Gregory Patience? Never heard of it. Tact? Doesn’t live here. I prefer my life quiet, my sanctuary off-limits, and my secrets buried deep. Then she crashes into my world: Kess, the fiery little stray with a broken car and danger on her heels. She’s fierce, maddeningly stubborn, and absolutely captivating. Against every instinct, I find myself letting her in. The closer she gets, the harder it is to keep my distance. And when her past threatens to destroy her, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means revealing the beast within. This is Book Two in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Minotaur delivers a grumpy Minotaur shifter, a fiery human heroine, an adorable kitten who knows too much, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless.

Bound to the Dragon (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #01) by Vala Stone

Inheriting a sprawling picturesque farm in a cozy small town is probably everyone’s secret dream. When it happens to me, my life gets turned upside down. Rosemary My father’s will stipulates I have live to there for a year if I want to inherit his millions too. The place is a fire trap, ready to collapse at the slightest breeze. Then the dreams start. A voice calling to me, seducing me, whispering in my sleep. Nothing is what it seems in Hillcrest Hollow, I expect more dreams, but then a rainstorm brings a stranger to my doorstep. A naked stranger. It is then that the seduction truly starts and I find myself bound to a dragon. Chardum For twenty-six years I was trapped beneath rubble. My only anchor the faintest touch of my soulmate’s mind against mine. Suddenly she’s here, next to my prison, on my land. I will do whatever it takes to get her to free me, and then I will seduce her until she will never want to leave. My Rosy does not know the truth about her father, or this land, she does not know the peril she’s in. I am Chardum the Destroyer, a mighty dragon, and I will teach her all she needs to master her powers and her inheritance. I will claim her heart and soul. Protect her with my dying breath from the evil that seeks to destroy us all.

Ensnared by the Stone Freak: A Paranormal Romance (Twisted Carnival Series) by Vala Stone

At the Twisted Carnival, the ‘Stone Freak’ can turn anyone to stone—but when he meets her, she’s the one who stops him in his tracks. Camryn Being called the ‘Ice Queen’ stings, but after my ex shattered my trust, keeping my distance feels safer. When my best friend drags me to the Twisted Carnival, I expect a night of cheap thrills—not a collision with the impossible. The moment I meet the Stone Freak’s gaze in the middle of the ring, my world tilts. Heat ignites, shattering the walls I built. Halvard is powerful, mesmerizing… dangerous. But for the first time in forever, I want to take a risk. Forget contracts and a stalker ex—I’m about to embark on the wildest adventure of my life. And it begins with him. Halvard My gift was once a blessing. Now it’s a curse. My gaze turns flesh to stone, making me a monster in the eyes of the world. The Twisted Carnival is the only place I belong—until a Seer’s prophecy changes everything. Then I see her. Camryn. My mate. And suddenly, nothing else matters. I will seduce her. I will claim her. I will show her that a life with a Stone Freak is the greatest adventure of all. But when her past comes hunting, I’ll do more than fight—I’ll unleash the beast within. No warlock, no shadow, no force in this world will take her from me. Let them try. This standalone novella is part of the multi-author Twisted Carnival series. It features a passionate half-gargoyle, half-basilisk 'Stone Freak,' a pet boar named Hogzy, a lawyer with a stalker, and a guaranteed steamy HEA.

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

The playboy reputation was fake. The baby was real. Rognar Stonebreaker has always been the fun one. The charming orc with an easy smile, a playful reputation, and absolutely no plans to settle down. Then a baby appears on his doorstep. Suddenly the Emerald Enforcers' star winger is juggling midnight feedings, diaper disasters, and the shocking discovery that he'd do anything for his little girl. Including asking for help. Nora Bennett is practical, organized, and completely unimpressed by orc hockey players, no matter how attractive they might be. So why does she keep saying yes to the massive male who is turning her carefully organized life upside down? The more time Nora spends helping Rognar navigate parenthood, the more she discovers the devoted father hiding beneath the flirtatious reputation. And the more Rognar begins to wonder if the family they’re unexpectedly creating is something he never knew he wanted. As the attraction between them grows, Rognar must prove he's more than the carefree bachelor everyone believes him to be. Because losing Nora would be even worse than changing his first diaper. A sweet and spicy hockey romance featuring a surprise baby, a charming orc hero, a practical heroine, found family, small-town chaos, and a guaranteed happily ever after. The Orc Hockey League is a cozy-spicy monster romance series where fierce orc athletes rule the ice, rivalries run hot, and love hits harder than a body check. Each book can be read as a standalone.

River Dragon's Song (Dragons on Mars Book 3) by Honey Phillips

A hidden river. An impossible discovery. A dragon who's been waiting in the darkness. When Morgan is separated from her team, she doesn't expect a single wrong step to plunge her deep beneath the surface of Mars. Lost in a vast underground world, she discovers the impossible—an ancient river flowing through the darkness and evidence that she's not alone. Korrak has been wandering the hidden waterways alone since he awakened, listening for a song that never comes. Until her. The pretty female is stubborn, determined, and far too tempting. Korrak knows he should keep his distance, but every instinct urges him closer. The longer Morgan remains trapped beneath the surface, the harder it becomes to resist the dragon who has quietly claimed her heart. Finding a way home should be her first priority. If only she could convince herself to leave him behind. A sweet and spicy sci-fi romance featuring a stranded heroine, a lonely dragon, only one cave, hidden secrets, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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

A hidden human. A captive alien warrior. A dangerous attraction. Amy survived being abducted from Earth by becoming invisible. She conceals the fact that she’s human, keeps her head down, and never takes unnecessary risks. Until she is ordered to bring food to a huge, chained alien warrior who refuses to speak. She should be terrified of the massive male. Instead, she finds herself intrigued by the secrets in those silver eyes—and the promise of protection in that powerful body. Brannik has his own reasons for remaining a captive. But when Amy’s secret is discovered, nothing matters more than protecting the tempting little human who has somehow become his. Because the one thing more dangerous than a captive warrior is a captive warrior with someone to protect. This sweet and spicy sci-fi romance features a hidden human, a dangerous captive warrior, forced proximity, caretaking, touch her and 💀, a fiercely protective hero, and a guaranteed HEA.

Training Shadows: A Spy School 12 Dancing Princesses (Legends of Neverland #06) by Mary Mecham

Weak girls won’t survive spy training. Marina has spent her life being told exactly what she is worth—nothing. With a father who never lets her forget it, she clings to the one thing that might change her fate: a scholarship to an elite boarding school for wealthy young women. If she can become better, smarter, or more beautiful, maybe she can finally earn his approval and might even prove herself worthy of Marco, the boy she once loved and the man she can’t forget. But beneath Rosehaven Hall’s polished corridors is a dark secret, one that calls to Marina in the dead of night. An underground training arena where select girls disappear after dark. When an invitation is issued for her to join the Shadows, Marina isn’t sure she belongs with them…until she uncovers a plot that threatens her school and the only friend she’s ever had. As danger closes in and the girls’ training becomes a fight for survival, Marina must decide if she is fighting to be chosen…or finally choosing herself. Training Shadows is the sixth book in the Legends of Neverland series and can also be read as a standalone.

Seeking Revenge: A Villainous Goldilocks Retelling (Legends of Neverland #05) by Mary Mecham

Villains aren’t given second chances; they take them. Jillian learned the hard way that gold talks and mercy gets you killed. Left behind when her family was sold into slavery, she survived the streets with nothing but quick fists and even quicker lies. Now a bounty hunter cloaked in deception, Jillian lives disguised as a teenage boy to infiltrate the criminal underworld that destroyed her life. She doesn’t care who she has to catch, con, or kill—every coin earned is a step closer to revenge, and a step closer to tracking down the ones who tore her family apart. Her newest job leads her straight to the den of the most notorious crime ring in Berkway. Headed by three ruthless bandits, the crime ring is brutal, untouchable, and sitting on more secrets than gold. Going undercover and extracting her target was supposed to be simple, but when a handsome but dangerous bandit discovers Jillian’s secret, her safety is threatened and Lochlan’s growing interest threatens to unravel everything she’s fought to keep hidden. In a world where trust is a trap and vengeance is survival, love is a deadly weakness Jillian cannot afford. Seeking Revenge is the fifth book in the Legends of Neverland series and it is recommended to read the other books in chronological order prior to this one. If you enjoy adventure, villains, and damsels who distress others, start Seeking Revenge today! Tropes in Seeking Revenge: Goldilocks Retelling Morally Grey Heroine Disguised as a Boy Bounty Hunter Revenge Criminal Underworld Grumpy Girl Pretending to be Sunshine Sunshine Guy Pretending to be Grumpy Only One Bed (and it's just right) Damsel Who Distresses Others Clean YA Romance

Escaping Pirates: A Seafaring Cinderella Retelling (Legends of Neverland #04) by Mary Mecham

Navigating treacherous seas is perilous, but navigating love is even more dangerous. When Elena’s merchant ship is attacked by ruthless pirates, she is torn from her life and imprisoned aboard the Kraken’s Revenge. Forced to serve the captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s dream of escape fades like the distant shore. Survival means obeying orders without question, but the fire in her heart refuses to be extinguished. Everything changes when a new prisoner is thrown into the brig—a dashing sailor named Harlan, whose defiance matches Elena’s own. Their connection is immediate, but the captain’s daughters are just as captivated by Harlan’s charm. As a forbidden romance kindles in the darkness of their confinement, Elena dares to dream of freedom once more. But danger looms when another pirate with sinister intentions wants to buy Elena. Now burdened with a secret that could change the course of history, Elena must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect Harlan and herself. As she navigates the treacherous waters of betrayal and desire, Elena must choose between the liberty she craves and the love she cannot deny. Escaping Pirates is the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series and it is recommended to read the other three prior to this book for maximum enjoyment. If you enjoy pirate adventures, fairytale retellings, and no spice fantasy romance, dive into Escaping Pirates today! Tropes in Escaping Pirates: Kidnapped by Pirates Cinderella on the High Seas Serving the Captain's Two Daughters Forbidden Prisoner Romance Damsel in Extreme Distress Fairy God-pirate Clean YA Romance Tending Wounds Might Be Sold into Marriage What Readers are Saying: "Okay but seriously, how does every single book Mary Mecham pens outshine her previous one? Every time I think her stories could not possibly get any better, she proves me wrong. Again!" "A pirate ship is the perfect setting for all those who question, "why doesn't Cinderella just leave?" in the original story - certain death by drowning or shark is an excellent reason to stay!" "This is definitely not one of those books that is all sweetness and butterflies. It's dark and harsh. But it also shows hope in the trials, light in the darkness."

Betraying Korth: A Villainous Goose Girl Retelling (Legends of Neverland #03) by Mary Mecham

Traitorous spies don’t deserve happily ever afters. Dahlia has always known her life would end at the bottom of a hangman’s noose. But treason seems a small price to pay if it meant a chance to free her people from the iron grip of their tyrannical king. Dahlia can’t fail the rebellion now. Dahlia’s time playing the role of obedient handmaiden to Odette, the king’s entitled daughter, comes to an end when Odette is sent to marry her betrothed, and Dahlia strikes without mercy. After a swift mutiny en route to Haven Harbor, she forces the king’s daughter to trade places with her and upon arrival, masquerades in her mistress’s place. If she can ensure Haven Harbor’s loyalty to her rebellion, the king’s oppressive reign could end. But the princess’s fiancé, Korth, isn’t the man she expected, and her loyalties become torn as she begins to fall for him. Continuing the façade will force Dahlia to betray Korth, but to reveal the truth spells her own treasonous demise. Is a life of lies better than no life at all? Betraying Korth is the third book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Tropes in Betraying Korth: Hidden Identity Traitorous Spy Morally Gray Heroine Political Rebellion Treason and Mutiny Rule-Abiding Prince He Falls First Goose Girl Retelling Clean YA Romance What Readers are Saying: "If you want twisted, villianous retellings, characters that do the wrong thing for the right reasons and who take action instead of being damsels in distress, and stories that tug at your heart, then this is the book for you!" "Best story in the series so far!" "This is a brilliant reimagining of the original fairy tale. Mary Mecham is one of the few people I've read who can write villain retellings where the villain isn't a complete moustache twirler."

Hunting Sirens: A Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid (Legends of Neverland #02) by Mary Mecham

She was destined to hunt sirens to extinction… but can she complete her mission before one of them captures her heart? Trapped on an island nation and surrounded by bloodthirsty sirens, the starving people of Haven Harbor are losing hope. Treva, a Deaf blacksmith immune to the tempting call of the sirens lurking in the deep, steps into the perilous role of Siren Hunter. If she can rid the waters of enough sirens, her people could be free at last. Unbeknownst to her, another creature dwells in the sea, even more ferocious than the dreaded sirens. When Treva faces the monster and loses, her life is saved by a handsome siren who has no voice. Can mortal enemies set their differences aside long enough to unite their nations? Or will Treva ignore her growing feelings and finish what she started? Treva is certain of one thing—that the famed Siren Hunter of Haven Harbor would never fall for one of her prey. Hunting Sirens is the second book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Tropes in Hunting Sirens: Deaf Main Character Siren Hunter Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid Enemies to Lovers Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine Slow Burn Romance Morally Gray Heroine Forbidden Love Sea Monsters What Readers Are Saying: "This is book is everything I hoped for and more!!! The romance, the battles, the inner battling the FMC has left me completely surrender to this book!! NO SPICE- definitely heat but kissing only. SWOON LEVEL 100%!!!!" "Empowerment instead of disability" "The way it describes no sound and just includes the Deaf community is so amazing! The character dynamic is sooo different than any book than I have read. I have never read a book that doesn’t have a single sound included and that immersed me into the Deaf community. My husband is hard of hearing and my daughter preferred to go voice off and that means someone like Mary uses her books to make others feel loved!"

Becoming Hook: A Villainous Peter Pan Retelling (Legends of Neverland #01) by Mary Mecham

A pirate, a pixie, and a plot to foil Peter Pan… James Hook never meant to become a pirate, and never dreamed that he would turn against best friend, Peter Pan. Every adventure and eternal youth awaited them… until a pixie exposes a shocking revelation. Tinkerbell’s information forces James into acknowledging that, far from being the benevolent hero he painted himself to be, Peter Pan was kidnapping innocent children. After accepting the traumatic loss of his hand and of the family he can barely remember, James deserts Pan. In the fight to rescue the Lost Boys, Hook will risk everything, even if that means becoming the most notorious villain in Neverland… or losing the fiery pixie who is stealing his heart. Can the original Lost Boy vanquish Neverland’s greatest threat? Becoming Hook is the first book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, dive into Becoming Hook today! Read Becoming Hook if you love: Swoony Pirates Pixie Love Interest Villain Origin Story Former Best Friends to Rivals Morally Gray Hero Rescue Mission Clean YA Romance Betrayal and Redemption From the readers: "My new favorite Peter Pan retelling!" "This book as well as Mary's others I have read have not had any language and are sweet romances with some kissing but nothing explicit. Also, no hidden agendas. So great for teens and adults. I highly recommend this book to everyone!" "I am wholeheartedly recommending this book for children ages 10+ as well as for anyone who craves more depth to the Peter Pan story."

Bred by the Beast: A Steamy Fairytale Retelling Monster Romance (After Midnight Series) by Annee Jones

🔥 I climbed to the Beast’s castle because I was told I’d never carry a child. The old stories say the monster in the black castle can give barren women what no physician can—for a price. I bring gold. Courage. Desperation. Bastian wants none of it. His price is simple: find the spell hidden somewhere in his endless library. Break his curse, and he’ll give me the child I came for. Then the castle doors lock behind me. Seven nights. Thousands of books. One massive, furred, fanged Beast who watches me like I’m already his. I should be afraid of him. I am. But the longer I search, the less I want to run. And the more I wonder what it would feel like to be wanted by the monster I came to bargain with. 💋 Beauty and the Beast vibes • Monster romance • Forced proximity • Breeding kink • Cursed Beast • Guaranteed HEA 🔥 Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🔥

The Orc's Gift (Sunshine Valley Orcs #02) by Alana Khan

She carved flowers from his homeworld into wood. In his culture, that’s practically a marriage proposal. Honey I build instruments for retirees, hobbyists, and local musicians. Not devastatingly attractive seven-foot orcs with broad shoulders, careful hands, and a deep voice that slides straight under my skin. Kragen comes to my workshop looking for a custom dulcimer and somehow becomes part of my days instead. Coffee on the porch. Long conversations about music. Excuses to keep coming back long after I’ve delivered his instrument. I tell myself he’s just a client, even when the best part of my day starts sounding a lot like his car coming up the drive. So when I customize his instrument using sketches he once drew on the back of a napkin, I think I’m just being thoughtful. I don’t know I’m accidentally courting an orc. Kragen I knew I was in trouble when Honey started seeing me clearly. Not the performance. Not the musician everyone thinks they know. Me. She listens when I speak. She notices things no one else does. And then she hands me an instrument etched with flowers from my homeworld because she remembered they mattered. And now I have a problem. Because humans treat gifts like objects. Orcs treat them like intentions. In my culture, a gift made with this much care is a declaration. It demands an answer in kind. Equal intention. Equal devotion. Now I’m caught between restraint and desire, trying not to overwhelm the woman who’s already become the center of every song in my head. Some gifts ask for an answer. Some come with an orc who’s been writing songs about you for weeks and is running out of reasons not to back you against the nearest wall. Protective hero • Orc musician • Handmade gifts • Slow burn to scorching • Size difference • Mutual yearning • Explicit heat • Guaranteed HEA

The Orc's Protection (Sunshine Valley Orcs #1) by Alana Khan

He gave her his coat. In his culture, that means she's already his. Riona The school's handsome security guard is seven feet of careful restraint—quiet, deliberate, almost unnervingly gentle for someone so large. I notice everything about Vraag. The rare touches. The precise control. The way his presence makes me feel safe and dangerously aware at the same time. When I shiver in the cold and he wraps his coat around my shoulders, I think it's kindness. I have no idea it's a vow. Vraag Eight years of making myself smaller. Quieter. Less. So humans won't fear me. Riona Walker has never once looked at me with fear—and the night her small frame tremblesy with cold, eight years of careful control gives way to instinct. In StoneWatch culture, offering protection is offering yourself. She's been wearing my scent, wrapped in my warmth, and I am done pretending I don't want to make it permanent. Some offers can't be taken back. Some come with a seven-foot orc who spent eight years learning patience—so he could spend one very long night using none of it. Protective hero • Size difference • Slow burn to scorching • "She's mine" energy • Explicit heat • Guaranteed HEA

Dragon My Crazy: A Paranormal Monster Romance (Possessive Monsters Book #12) by Maggie Mayhem

A Single Dad Dragon Meets His Witchy Match As a recently divorced grandmother, I buried my magic long ago and ask nothing of life but peace and quiet. Then a single-dad dragon offers me a job as governess to his motherless dragonlet. I agree to just one visit, no promises. But the moment I step into his castle, Emmett decides I’m his. He calls me his treasure. He touches me like he means to keep me. And the heat between us? As hot as the fire in his belly. But secrets slither through these castle walls, and someone covets what Emmett guards most. To save the dragonlet I’ve come to love, I’ll have to reclaim my magic and learn to trust the dragon who’s staked his claim on my heart. And I have to do it all before dragon fire burns it all to the ground. Dragon me Crazy is a steamy paranormal monster romance featuring a divorced, older heroine, a possessive dragon, and tons of adventure and steam. While technically a standalone, it’s best enjoyed by those familiar with the Possessive Monster universe. Tropes You'll Love: ❤️ Fated mates ❤️ Recently divorced, older heroine getting her second chance ❤️ Single dad dragon (and one heart-stealing dragonlet) ❤️ Special monster anatomy ❤️ Touch her and die ❤️ A possessive dragon who knows exactly what he wants

Gamble on a Gargoyle: A Paranormal Monster Romance (Possessive Monsters Book #11) by Maggie Mayhem

Rock bottom never looked so good. My fiancé murdered someone over a dragon’s egg. I panicked and ran. I also, maybe, accidentally stole the egg. That part was unintentional. Mostly. Now I’m on the run with stolen supernatural cargo, a murderous ex-fiancé on my heels, and a half-formed plan to throw myself at the mercy of the powerful dragon of Darlington. Enter Graham. He’s a gargoyle with wings, claws, and the whole shebang, and he claims he’s here on behalf of the very dragon I’m on my way to see. He just can’t prove it. He’s also hot as sin. And apparently exactly my type. One stolen egg. Multiple people who want me dead. And all my traitorous brain can focus on is whether this gargoyle runs warm despite being hard as stone. Spoiler: they do! Gamble with a Gargoyle is a standalone paranormal romance full of adventure and sweet & steamy scenes with a protective gargoyle. HEA guaranteed.

Incubus with Benefits: A Paranormal Monster Romance (Possessive Monsters Book #10) by Maggie Mayhem

Witch, please. Falling for an incubus was not on the to-do list. Losing my job sucks. Getting canned because the boss’s sleazy nephew can’t take no for an answer? Infuriating. To stop me from hexing him into oblivion, my coven drags me out to Darlington’s premier paranormal nightclub to dance off the rage. When I’m targeted by an unknown spell, who else but Julian, the Delerium’s sexy-as-sin owner, steps up to care for me. The incubus has a reputation for breaking hearts and headboards, so I know better than to let mine get involved. But he’s also sweet and considerate, and surprisingly possessive. And for a guy who swears we’re just friends with benefits, he sure acts like I belong to him. Suddenly, losing my job is the least of my worries. Because witches are going missing, and if I don’t figure out who’s behind it, I’ll be next. Julian vows to keep me safe… but who’s going to protect my heart when I fall for my possessive monster? Incubus with Benefits is a standalone romance with a hunky, protective incubus, and a sassy, modern witch with attitude. Think steamy PNR with a blend of cozy mystery. HEA guaranteed.

Handcuffs and Hexes: A Paranormal Monster Romance (Possessive Monsters Book #09) by Maggie Mayhem

What’s worse than waking up in the hospital with the mother of all concussions? Finding out the guy sent to care for me is the same too-sexy-for-his-own-good wizard who stole my flipping cruiser! Cocky, powerful, and a shameless flirt, Seth is everything I hate. So why do my knees turn to jelly every time he calls me a cutesy nickname? Ugh! Why, oh why, do I have a weakness for chiseled abs and piercings? It’s not like he’s even available! And to complicate things even more, I find Seth’s equally sexy and even sweeter demon lover, Liam, just as irresistible. Not one to shy away from a challenge, I agree to a casual fling. Nothing more. But when they both turn their charms on me, I realize I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. But our unconventional secret arrangement isn’t the only thing threatening to tear my world apart. A giant mind-controlling, wizard-devouring portal has opened up in Darlington, threatening to consume the entire city, maybe even the entire world. Will we be able to destroy it before it turns Seth against us? And how will I ever pick up the pieces when everything is over? Handcuffs and Hexes is a sweet and steamy standalone paranormal romance featuring a black cat wizard, his golden retriever demon, and the sexy officer who gets between them… literally. HEA guaranteed.

Guarded by My Gargoyle: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) by Honey Phillips

He returned to Fairhaven Falls with a fortune and a plan. Falling for the widowed plant nursery owner next door was not part of it. But her little boy sees him as a guardian. And she sees the softness beneath the stone. And once a gargoyle puts down roots… nothing will move him. Guarded by the Gargoyle is a cozy, protective small-town monster romance about second chances, chosen family, and a hero who finally decides to stay.

Protected by the Orc (Fairhaven Falls #07 / Sweet Monster Treats #08) by Honey Phillips

Her orc bodyguard is determined to keep her close! Holdar doesn’t do commitment. Even his latest security job as bodyguard to a pretty, spoiled - and annoyingly adorable - heiress won’t last, which is just as well. The sooner he gets away from her innocent smiles and tempting curves the better. Trish is desperate to escape her father’s gilded cage, even though her latest bodyguard is the biggest, most intimidating - and most enticing - male she’s ever met. Then her disastrous attempt at freedom leads her straight into his massive orc arms. Holdar failed one person in his care, and he’s not about to do it again. He’s determined to keep Trish safe, even if it means returning to Fairhaven Falls and facing the past he wants to forget. A tiny southern town and the smallest cabin she’s ever seen? A grumpy orc who insists on putting her to work - when he’s not kissing the heck out of her? Trish should be miserable. Instead, she’s never been happier. But can their relationship be more than temporary? And is she willing to take a chance on an orc who's afraid to commit? * * ~ * * "Protected by the Orc" is the eighth sweet and steamy monster romance that makes up the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared-world collection. Each book is a standalone, containing its own 'Happily Ever After', and can be read in any order -- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore all the titles brought to us by three bestselling authors: Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [2024] Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [2024] Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [2024] * * ~ * * "Protected by the Orc" is also the seventh book in Honey Phillips' series, Fairhaven Falls. Be sure to explore all the titles Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll* Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Valentine for My Vampire: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #06) by Honey Phillips

Her vampire is heating up the kitchen! Wendy’s first visit to a supposedly gourmet restaurant in the sleepy little town of Fairhaven Falls did not go well - especially her interaction with the arrogant and annoyingly attractive restaurant owner - and she didn’t hesitate to tell her readers all about it. She has no intention of returning, but she never could resist a challenge. Restaurant owner and vampire? It’s an odd combination given Damian’s very specific dietary requirements, but Midnight Manor means everything to him. He’s not about to let one snippy and surprisingly succulent food critic destroy everything he’s built, even if it means using his special gifts to convince her. As a series of mysterious mishaps continue to plague the restaurant, Damian and Wendy are forced to work together to track down the culprit. But as the tension in the kitchen heats up, so does their attraction... Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

The Single Mom and the Orc (Fairhaven Falls #04 / Sweet Monster Treats #4) by Honey Phillips

Her grumpy orc is going to hammer his way into her heart! When Pippa finds herself in Fairhaven Falls with empty pockets and a brand new baby, she’s thrilled when a sweet - and slightly scary - old lady offers her a job and a place to live. Their new home isn’t much, but it offers a desperately needed shelter. Then her grumpy orc neighbor comes charging into their lives. She should be wary of the huge male, but when she watches him handling his hammer, fear is the last thing she feels. And when he cradles her daughter so tenderly against that big muscular chest? Her heart isn't the only thing melting! Trogar likes his own company just fine, thank you very much. When his grandmother insists he help out his new neighbor, he reluctantly agrees. But the more time he spends with the curvy human and her adorable daughter, the more he wants to claim them both as his own. When Pippa’s past catches up with her, can Trogar keep her and her daughter safe? And when the dust settles, will he have a new family - or the solitary life he no longer wants? * * * "The Single Mom and the Orc" is a sweet and steamy monster romance that is the fourth book in the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared world collection. Each book is standalone, contains its own Happily Ever After, and can be read in any order-- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore the other titles in the collection: Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [6 May 2024] Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [13 May 2024] Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [20 May 2024] * * * "The Single Mom and the Orc" is also the fourth story in Honey Phillips' Fairhaven Falls series: Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll" Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Fireworks for My Dragon Boss: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #03) by Honey Phillips

Her dragon is turning up the heat! After a series of corporate mergers, Charlotte’s job is hanging by a thread. When her boss orders her to drag an overdue manuscript out of their bestselling author, she’s determined to succeed - even if it means leaving the city for the small Southern town of Fairhaven Falls. She just didn’t expect the elusive author to be so big. And handsome. And winged. Nakor Earlsworth refuses to give in to the common stereotypes about dragons. He lives in a glass-walled house, not a cave. He doesn’t breathe fire - at least not most of the time. And he certainly isn’t sitting on a hoard of treasure. So why is it that when an annoying, buttoned-up, and irritatingly attractive, female shows up on his doorstep, he’s suddenly envisioning her wearing his gold - and nothing else? A very stubborn male and an equally determined female are about to find out what happens when an immovable object meets an irresistible force. Sparks are going to fly. Literally. Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy story is intended for mature readers.

Trouble for My Troll: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #2) by Honey Phillips

Her troll mechanic is determined to get her engine revving! Alison is looking forward to finally settling down in Fairhaven Falls. Surely a town full of monsters will make it easier to guard her vulnerable heart. When she runs into a truck driven by a massive troll with a charming smile, she realizes it might not be so easy after all. Despite her attempts to avoid him, he keeps coming to her rescue. Will isn’t happy about returning to his small hometown to take over the family business. The sooner he can escape a job he doesn’t want in a place he doesn’t want to be, the better. The curvy little female who collides with him can’t be more than a distraction - so why does his inner troll want to carry her off to his den and keep her forever? He doesn’t even have a den! Can a male who doesn’t want to stay and a woman who doesn’t want to leave find happiness together? Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy story is intended for mature readers.

My Descendants Will Rule the Immortal World by Summer Night, Autumn Air

After being transported to a world of cultivation, Li Xiaojun seeks protection by marrying into an established cultivation clan and becoming a live-in son-in-law. He expects to spend the rest of his life as an insignificant member of the family—until he awakens a system capable of enhancing the talents of his descendants. Ten years of lifespan can grant one of his children a superior spiritual root. A hundred years can produce a supreme-grade spiritual root. A thousand years can create an earth-grade genius, while ten thousand years can give rise to a prodigy blessed with a heavenly spiritual root. As long as he is willing to spend his lifespan, there is no limit to how powerful his descendants can become. Immortal spiritual roots, chaos spiritual roots, innate physiques, divine bodies, immortal bodies, lunar physiques, solar physiques, and even the legendary chaos body— Generation after generation, extraordinary talents are born from his bloodline, and an immortal clan destined to spread across the cultivation world begins its rise.

I Raised Mythic Sea Beasts in My Fish Tank by Skyborne Hero

One day, an ordinary fish tank becomes home to a race of miniature fishfolk. Soon afterward, its owner learns that the game captivating the world is destined to merge with reality. When that happens, monsters and civilizations from another realm will cross over—and ordinary people may have nowhere left to hide. His only advantage is a god-tier talent that transforms his fish tank into an evolving pocket world. Sea beast eggs, rare creatures, and precious resources obtained inside the game can all be brought into it. With time flowing far faster within the tank, even the weakest hatchling can grow into a creature of legend. By the time the game descends upon reality, the balance of the entire world has already begun to change. Colossal sea beasts rise from a seemingly ordinary tank, ancient powers lose control of the oceans, and distant kingdoms arrive at an astonishing conclusion: They have discovered the legendary origin world of all sea beasts.

I Was the Sun Before I Became an Immortal by Veyron Grape

For tens of billions of years, he existed as the Sun. He burned silently in the depths of the cosmos, watching civilizations rise and fall before eventually growing tired of eternity itself. Then came the collapse. The moment he became a black hole, he opened his eyes once more—reborn as a newborn infant in a cultivation world. The sect elders tested his spiritual roots. The spirit stones showed no reaction at all. He frowned slightly. It felt as though something inside him was missing. So… his spiritual roots simply grew on their own. They taught him spells. He mastered them after a single glance—and casually improved them along the way. They warned him that his killing intent was too heavy. He merely smiled. “Everyone,” he said calmly, “please die here.” He only wanted to live an ordinary life as a cultivator. But somehow, everything in this world seemed terribly wrong.

My Basic Attacks Permanently Increase HP by Hckhood

Lin Tianhao has already witnessed the end of the world once. After being betrayed and killed, he awakens on the eve of Oracle’s launch—the game destined to merge with reality and unleash the Twilight of the Gods. This time, he knows exactly what is coming. Using his memories of the future, Lin Tianhao obtains a Divine Talent Awakening Stone and unlocks an ability that should not exist: Every basic attack permanently increases his maximum HP. Better yet, those attacks also inflict true damage based on his ever-growing health. While other players struggle through beginner quests, Lin Tianhao hunts hidden opportunities, challenges enemies far above his level, and prepares to restore a fallen Eastern Kingdom. Rare classes, divine blessings, secret missions, and forgotten treasures all become stepping stones on his path. Before long, the supposedly fragile archer possesses more health than the strongest tanks—and enough damage to erase elite players with a single arrow. The gods believe they control the game. Lin Tianhao intends to prove them wrong.

My Sect Pays You to Cultivate by Milo Blade

In this world, cultivation is not a path for the poor. Pay an entrance fee. Pay for a chance to learn. Pay every month just to remain a disciple. After transmigrating into this ruthless cultivation world, Su Bai refuses to accept its rules. With the Strongest Sect System, he establishes the Heavenly Dao Sect around one simple promise: Cultivation is free. New disciples can learn immortal arts from their very first day. The sect even pays them monthly allowances—and the stronger they become, the more they earn. In return, every breakthrough achieved by his disciples feeds power back to Su Bai, allowing both the sect and its master to grow stronger together. What begins as a ridiculous experiment soon becomes a force capable of overturning the entire cultivation world. Talents rejected by wealthy sects find a home. Ordinary mortals gain a path to immortality. Years later, enemies march on the Heavenly Dao Sect expecting to find a group of penniless weaklings. Instead, they discover the truth: Even the man sweeping the floor is an emperor.

I Became the Blacksmith NPC by Clearing Nuts

When the next-generation full-dive VRMMO Godhunt Online finally launched, professional gold farmer Liu Kongkong rushed in immediately. After all, this game was supposed to make him rich. Unfortunately, the name he wanted was already taken. “Seriously? Fine, I’ll just change it. Can you hurry up? You’re wasting my money-making time.” After a few random clicks— He entered the game before even finishing character creation. And somehow, his character had become the blacksmith NPC of the beginner village. At first, Liu Kongkong was furious. Then he discovered something important: Every coin players spent on his weapons belonged to him. Suddenly… being an NPC didn’t sound so bad. Forge equipment? He casually modified the stats and sold them for ten times the price. The cash shop doesn’t sell cosmetics? Fine. He’d just craft better-looking armor himself. The system wanted him to design dungeons for players to challenge? With his years of gaming experience, if players could clear them easily, he’d change his surname on the spot. World Boss loot wasn’t enough to satisfy him anymore. True divine weapons could only be forged by Liu the Blacksmith himself. As his wealth exploded and his stats spiraled completely out of control, one truth became clear: He no longer needed skill multipliers. A single punch was enough. And when the worlds finally merged together, even the supreme god-emperor was smashed into the ground by Liu Kongkong’s fist. “This… is your limit?” the Emperor God asked weakly. Liu Kongkong shook his head. “No,” he replied calmly. “This is the limit your body can withstand.” “And I’m still not wearing my equipment yet.”

Graveyard Sword Immortal by Calyx

Lin Xiao transmigrates into a world of cultivation with one extraordinary gift: Max-Level Comprehension. Any Divine Ability or cultivation technique becomes clear to him the moment he encounters it. His only problem is a complete lack of cultivation resources. Before he can find a solution, agents of a Demon Sect seize him and force him to become a Tomb Guardian at Pyre Heaven Sword Tomb. His daily duty is simple: polish the swords buried there. What appears to be a punishment soon becomes an unimaginable opportunity. By polishing the longsword Lihuo, he obtains a heaven-grade sword art. From Mingmie, he comprehends its Annihilation Sword Intent. From the personal weapon of an ancient Sword Emperor, he acquires an eternal and indestructible Sword Force. His comprehension is not limited to swords. Blades, Pills, Array Formations—even people—can grant him profound insights. While guarding the tomb, Lin Xiao quietly accumulates a terrifying breadth of knowledge and power. The disciples he casually guides grow into world-shaking experts, never realizing the true depth of their unassuming mentor. By the time chaos engulfs the cultivation world, Lin Xiao has already spent far too long hiding.

Who Said a Warrior Can't Walk the Sword Dao? by Croc Slayer

Qin Guan is a formidable martial artist who has opened the eighth of the Heaven-Defying Ten Gates. Following his master’s orders, he descends the mountain to fulfill an arranged marriage with the Nan Family of Luyun City. The Nan Family sees him as a worthless cripple—someone born without a dantian who can never cultivate Spiritual Energy. Unwilling to marry their gifted daughter to him, they secretly substitute Nan Rou, the family’s gravely ill eldest daughter. They believe they have discarded two burdens at once. They are wrong. Qin Guan may be unable to cultivate like an ordinary cultivator, but the Heaven-Defying legacy he inherited allows him to accomplish the impossible: combining overwhelming martial power with the supreme Sword Dao. While the world dismisses him as a failure, Qin Guan quietly stands beyond the reach of those who ridicule him. The moment he finally draws his sword, every assumption about martial artists will be shattered. A martial artist who dares to cultivate the Sword Dao? Who gave him permission?

My Sect Is Stronger Than It Looks by Darren Yu

Once, he stood at the very top of a sacred land. Then the elders turned against him. Stripped of his position and driven from the sect he once ruled, he left with nothing but the clothes on his back. That was when the system awakened. Its mission was simple: Build a sect. Recruit disciples. Develop its territory. And turn an unknown mountain into the greatest cultivation force the world had ever seen. From that day forward, everything changed. Ten disciples broke through at once. Then a hundred. Then ten thousand. Every achievement brought new rewards—rare treasures, powerful formations, countless draws, and even cultivation strong enough to shake the entire continent. The sect grew. Its fields produced heavenly herbs. Its disciples became monsters among geniuses. Even the creatures wandering around the mountain were no longer ordinary. Years later, an invading Demon Lord finally arrived at the sect gates. Then he saw the yellow dog guarding the entrance. He stared at it. The dog stared back. An Emperor Realm aura quietly filled the air. The Demon Lord's face twitched. “You call this a declining sect?” “Your damn watchdog is stronger than half the rulers on the continent!”

Meditate to Power: This Daoist Will Be Invincible by Zephyr

In the Yin Heavenly Domain, demons run rampant and malevolent spirits lurk at every turn. Ordinary mortals cling to survival under the shadow of transcendent powers, while the Cultivation Sects reign supreme—their Dao Lords gazing down upon the masses like ants beneath their feet. And “Immortal” has become the greatest forbidden word of all. Li Qingyun is a bastard-born son of the Marquis’s household—a boy written off as a hopeless waste from birth. Framed by those who envied him, he is cast out and exiled to a remote Daoist temple, seemingly condemned to spend his days in the company of flickering oil lamps, destined to grow old and die forgotten on the mountain. But fate has other plans. A mysterious Dao Effigy awakens within his mind, and from that moment forward, all he has to do is sit in quiet meditation—and his cultivation grows. Half a day to enter the Dao. Half a year to reach Foundation Establishment. One year to open his Qi Sea. Two years to Core Formation. Five years to Perfected Nascent Soul. Yet the deeper his cultivation runs, the more uneasy he becomes. This world is far more treacherous than it appears—and the enigmatic Dao Effigy lurking in his mind may not be the blessing it seems. Will Li Qingyun keep his head down and live in peace… or will he shatter the heavens, sweep away all who stand against him, and seize the invincible immortality he deserves?

The Low-Key Sword Saint by Aurelia Vale

Lin Feng learned the price of arrogance with his life. Reborn in the Nine Continents as the supposedly useless senior disciple of the Shenxiao Sword Sect, he makes himself a promise: this time, he will hide his talent, avoid unnecessary trouble, and survive. For a while, the plan works. Then hidden enemies strike his master, and remaining in the shadows is no longer an option. Forced to reveal only a fraction of his ability, Lin Feng overturns everything his fellow disciples thought they knew about him. The sect’s forgotten failure may actually be a peerless sword genius—and every glimpse of his true strength draws more attention than he ever wanted. He only wants a quiet life. Unfortunately, the world seems determined to make him famous.

My Disciples Think This Is a Game by Crystal Rock Sugar

After transmigrating into a world of cultivation, he inherited exactly one thing: A ruined sect. The mountains were barren, the halls were empty, and the surrounding wilderness was crawling with monsters and hostile races. Rebuilding the sect should have been impossible. Then he discovered the sect’s strange little assistant could summon “players” from another world. From that moment on, everything changed. Land that had been abandoned for centuries was cleared overnight by players who treated farming as a hidden quest. Monsters that once terrorized the region were worn down by endless waves of fearless challengers. Invading enemies expected to conquer a dying sect, only to be chased all the way back home by people who thought war loot was an event reward. Some players brought body-tempering techniques back to reality and became world-class fighters. Some turned melodies from the cultivation world into hit songs. The sect master watched it all happen with growing satisfaction. At least, he would have been completely satisfied if certain players would stop following him around every day, convinced that he was hiding a legendary questline.

Forged Gold: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin (The Ruby Realm Book 5) by Abigail Manning

A blacksmith, a sailor, and an impossible sword that could destroy everything... A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. Emberly Miller may very well be the most talented swordsmith in the realm, but no one would ever know with her father getting all the credit. Ever since the loss of her mother, the once great swordsmith, Roy Miller, let his skills and business waste away until Emberly took matters into her own hands. With no one willing to buy a sword from a young woman, Emberly tricks her father into believing the work is his own, using his famous name to sell her blades. Meanwhile, the charming sailor, Corso, has found himself on the golden king’s ship of leviathans. After trading his service to save his crews’ lives, he has no interest in following the golden king’s rules, but while he’s trapped on board, he might as well learn what he can. Whispers say the king is after a new weapon, one that he wants a very specific swordsmith for... When the leviathans approach Roy’s forge, determined to drag him aboard their ship, Roy panics and claims he was never the truemaster, sending Emberly into their clutches... Dragged aboard the leviathan’s ship, Emberly is given an impossible task by the golden king himself: craft a sword of pure gold that can withstand battle. With only a floating forge and a smarmy sailor keeping watch over her, can such a task even be completed? Or will she manage to forge the last tool required for the destruction of the realm? The Ruby Realm is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, inspired by classic fairy tales. For more information on The Ruby Realm sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

Insomniac's Curse: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty (The Ruby Realm Book 4) by Abigail Manning

A girl with insomnia, cursed with a dragon’s heart every time she sleeps... A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty Kaliope never had the best relationship with sleep. Since her infancy, her three aunts have struggled with her insomnia, and even more whenever she finally closed her eyes. Dark circles and yawning weren’t too terrible to handle as Kaliope grew, until one day, she begins to do more than simply sleepwalk. When word of nightly attacks spread throughout their village, Kaliope realizes she’s the culprit when waking up near the carnage. The Isleen soldier, Daniel, has gained a great deal of respect from the grand duke after his involvement with the deathly events in Shainee, granting him an interesting new mission. The grand duke has received reports of mysterious attacks, all coming from a quiet village. The residents fear the infamous terrorists, the dragons, are to blame, and the grand duke believes they might be right. After his daughter was cursed, he hid her away to protect her from further harm from the dragons, but had they finally found her? The grand duke gives Daniel two tasks: protect his daughter, and destroy whatever is causing the attacks. Kaliope and her aunts must keep her curse a secret and their location hidden. Otherwise, the golden king who placed the curse may come to finish whatever he had planned for her… With a soldier both hunting her down and trying to protect her, it’s only a matter of time before her nightmares become a reality. The Ruby Realm is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on The Ruby Realm sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

Sole of Secrets: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses (The Ruby Realm Book 3) by Abigail Manning

An invincible princess and a dance with death... A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses Princess Ruby is the only biological daughter of the emperor out of her eleven sisters. Despite being classified as her father’s favorite, she’s barely even permitted to step outside the palace due to the emperor’s overprotectiveness. Some citizens believe she’s kept confined because she’s too treasured, while others believe it’s because she’s secretly ugly, but only her father and sisters know the true reason she’s locked away... Aiden is a common builder whose mother is slowly slipping away due to illness. He’d do anything to save her, even join the criminal group, the basilisks, in exchange for a magical extension of her life. With the emperor hosting a competition in search of a male heir, Aiden must now infiltrate the event and feed the basilisks whatever information they request. Should be easy enough. Or at least, it would have, until things take a turn for the worst when his fellow competitors begin to drop dead. Aiden’s job description never included murder, yet he still feels the basilisks are responsible, or worse... his intel helped them do it. Ruby may be a cherished princess, but she’s powerless to protect others. If she wants to stop the killer, she’ll need inside help from a competitor she feels she can trust... and she did like that Aiden fellow. Will Aiden help her save the other competitors, or will she be dancing with danger on her own? The Ruby Realm is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on The Ruby Realm sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

Wilting Captive: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (The Ruby Realm Book 2) by Abigail Manning

A duchess, a beast, and a castle full of hungry hostages... A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Duchess Mirabel Brantley has spent nearly all her life being sheltered due to her fragile health. With no hope of ever living the life of adventure she dreamed of, Mira agrees to an arranged marriage with the neighboring duke of Dhurin. Their betrothal celebration might have been pleasant if they didn’t already despise each other, but it also might have helped if the entire party wasn’t taken hostage... The ex-prince Conan has been left beaten and scarred after his partnership with the criminal group, the beasts. With a hunger for vengeance against the Ruby Realm and a never-ending craving for power, Conan seizes the entire Dhurin castle with the help of an enchanted gift. His terms are simple; hand over Dhurin, and the hostages live. Refuse and... well, the guests will learn why he was favored by the beasts. Mira is a prisoner at her own party, but they might not be in as much trouble as they thought when a lone caster offers up her powers as protection. With the ability to cast her magic into living plants, the caster selects a simple rose to contain her gift. With only the dwindling lifespan of a rose keeping the hostages from being torn apart, it’s only a matter of time before matters get grim. Can Mira convince their captor to set them free before their time runs out? Or will they simply wilt with their rose? The Ruby Realm is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on The Ruby Realm sign up for my free monthly newsletter Abigailmanningauthor.com