Iago’s Penumbra: A Metaphysical Novel Reviewed by Amymar2

This book will flip your world upside down and make you stay up way too late on the edge of your seat, gripping the chair arms and biting your lip because you JUST WANT TO KNOW what happens to the endearing and mystifying characters!

Dark Woods, Deep Water Reviewed by erin_paugh

A gripping dark fantasy influenced by Slavic folklore with intricate world building and compelling characters.

Santa Claus: The Beginning Reviewed by CJDaley author

This is a reimagining of the story of Santa Claus. It starts with an immigrant toy maker and his toy shop. He eventually adopts two orphans that have good carving skills, and makes them his apprentices. One of the children ends up being Santa.

Read Full Review

Mark’s Merry Mayhem Reviewed by CJDaley author

The first story opens up with the author writing his family and home into a zombie apocalypse. As he is an apocalyptic writer, it makes sense, but I also thought it was a really cool idea too. They barricade themselves upstairs and fight to keep the hoard at bay.

Read Full Review

Partial Function: A Wuxia-inspired Epic Fantasy Reviewed by rainanightingale author / book blogger

Read Full Review

The Limit of the Lonely Man by Becky James

Evyn is running out of time. A princess could have a solution–or be her downfall. Newly made Rangers, Thorrn and Aubin race to find the cause of Evyn's strange illness, seeking out Princess Sabatha of Rush. Aubin’s self-doubt threatens the outcomes of the mission while King Gough is making political moves, hoping that Evyn continues her betrothal to Prince Gerlay of Dinahe rather than choosing anyone else. But destiny weaves around them, drawing the multiverses and their hearts together. What is Evyn’s calling as the Spirit Shaper, and what does it mean to be the Lonely Man? The third book in the thrilling King's Swordsman series, perfect for fans of sword and sorcery portal and multiverse fantasy.

The Bind of Blood and Bonds by Becky James

“Special Forces is harsh. It could be a lot harsher.” Treason takes many forms. Once trust is broken, it is hard to reforge. Thorrn discovers this all too clearly, much to his detriment. But someone wants Thorrn dead, and they don’t care how many lives they ruin in the process. Meanwhile, there is a spate of murders targeting Oberrotian officials, and Thorrn’s contingent is sent to investigate. Back to being the lowest of the low, Thorrn struggles to trust again – especially when he finds two of the most powerful mages in the world working together, and one of them is the woman he loves.

London Gothic by Nick Henry & Mike Burton

The secret order of the Tuttori have protected holy relics from the crucifixion of Christ for nearly 2,000 years and shielded humanity from the atrocities of the brotherhood of Sinistre; relics that contain supernatural heavenly power but in wicked hands could be used to cause destructive power and bring forth Hell from its abyss upon the land. Now the Sinistre have a new more calculating leader, a new commander, Lord Finnius Cromwell, who is resurrecting an army of the most disturbed, vile, immoral demons from legend and myth and will stop at nothing to find these ‘Miracalo’ artefacts. The last known surviving member of the Tuttori, The Duke, along with his accomplice, Jellico, must seek and destroy the Sinistre to prevent a world of fire and brimstone and the ultimate destruction of mankind. However, they face a breed of demonic entities the likes of which they have never encountered.

Raven’s Creek by David-Jack Fletcher

An abandoned motel. A woman flees an unknown danger, taking refuge in a motel. She is never seen again. A mad scientist. A geneticist stretches the boundaries of nature. His experiments, once human, are now something else. Something new. Something hungry. The couple. Michael and his husband Geoff have lost something precious. Their search takes them to a motel. What they find there will reveal a cruelty neither knew existed. And creatures beyond imagination. Welcome to Raven's Creek.

Stars Still Fall by Jules Kelley

1995. A young woman. Her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. The small Alabama town neither of them can escape. And a ghost. Lilly Ann Guthrie is living with a man she isn't married to; she can't hold down a job, and she can't sit in a moving vehicle without having a panic attack. It isn't the life she once imagined for herself, but she can't complain. She has a roof over her head and food on her table, and she doesn't owe either of those things to her only living relative, an aunt whose disdain almost makes her wish she'd died in the same car wreck that claimed her brother and parents. So it could be worse. But in late summer, life decides it has other ideas. Her boyfriend's infamous ex, Jolene, comes back to town and turns everything on its ear, including Lilly's ability to be satisfied by her current circumstances, and strange things start happening around her house. Voices in empty rooms, fleeting glimpses of someone in her peripheral vision. Is she on the verge of losing everything, including her mind, or is she standing on the precipice of having even her most secret wishes granted?

Of Bonds and Daggers by Dakota Monroe

Nell Harper tumbles from the world of the humans into the veiled domain of the fae after struggling through her life for so long. As she ventures further into this unfamiliar place, Nell discovers the unsettling truth that her memories have been stolen. Determined to reclaim what's rightfully hers, she embarks on a journey that will test her resilience like never before. Guided by her instincts, and cat, she must unravel the tangled web of deceit and betrayal that led to her memory loss. Yet, as her journey takes her deeper into the heart of the fae world, Nell realizes the truth she seeks may be far more devastating than she could have ever imagined. Among the chaos, Nell finds herself entangled in a complex web of emotions. Love emerges from unexpected corners, intensifying the already dizzying events surrounding her. As her heart navigates the maze of desire and longing, Nell must confront the searing question: can she truly trust those who profess their affections in a place filled with secrets and lies?

Where is my basket? by R. Norok

Trouble for the Easter bunny! Esther goes on an adventure to find her missing basket. Esther is a diligent bunny who always puts duty before fun. Disaster strikes when her basket goes missing during the night. With no time to spare, Esther sets out into the forest, following the basket's trail. Amber, a squirrel adventurer, joins Esther as her guide in search of the basket. Together, they must navigate through the forest on a thrilling journey filled with obstacles and challenges at every turn. This chapter book is meant for children that want to move on from picture books but are not yet ready to tackle novels. The story includes 26 illustrations and is divided into seven chapters. The fun doesn't stop when the story is over! The book includes six exclusive Easter-themed recipes!

Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX

Inherited magic. A secret neighborhood. And... a formidable Homeowner's Association? When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem?

Beasts & Burdens by Amina Leeds

I’ve lived my life in a gilded cage, created in a world of leather cuts and the rumble of motorcycles. They make me feel free…and yet, it’s forbidden. Sarin Heyman’s entire existence is the Nightmare Assassins Motorcycle Club. As the only child of their President, and a tattooer for the club’s shop, she’s lived her life devoted to everything that comes with the the men, the violence, the rules… Until she falls for the enemy who ultimately breaks her heart. In a world of disaster and pain, she was the only thing that always felt right…and I screwed it all up when I left without a word. Levi James is the proverbial golden boy of the Devil’s Henchmen Motorcycle Club. As the youngest son of their ruthless President, he lives and bleeds by his club’s God Forgives, Devil’s Don’t. After a four-year absence, Levi returns to Northridge, North Carolina, with one major regret under his the way he left things with Sarin. When a Nomadic outlaw group infiltrates and attempts to destroy the entire foundation their world is built on, the rival clubs must form a truce in order to protect their territory and Sarin. Everything is on the line. Lives, love, and loyalty to the patch. With a brewing war at their doorstep, can Sarin and Levi mend their past and rekindle the love they once were willing to defy rules for? Or will secrets, backstabbing, and Sarin’s complicated feelings for Levi’s older brother destroy it all?

Falling Light by Crystal L. Kirkham

Love comes in many forms: family, friendship, romance. But when those you love are considered forbidden, what do you do? ​ Samir Amin has dedicated his life in service to the Nergal, an ancient organization that monitors and polices the inter-dimensional beings on our world and the magic that summons them. The only dark mark on his career is his close friendship with Anela Masterson—a being that was long ago trapped in a human body and forced to live near powerless in our world. ​ When Anela introduces him to Keeler Lim, another being trapped like her, on the condition he keeps it a secret from the Nergal, he does so reluctantly. Things only become more complicated when Anela is kidnapped by a madman who wants to release her darkness on the world and, unwilling to be forced to stand on the sidelines, Samir asks Keeler to help him find and rescue her. It is a decision that causes Samir to be faced with a choice between love and duty—and it could cost him his life.

The Cranes of Blackwell by J.D. Kellner

Bergden and Alyssa Crane are dutiful citizens of the Regime. Bergden, a Regime blackjack and Alyssa, a faithful wife, do what they can to provide for their son, James even when it means sacrificing their very freedom. But when Bergden is accused of treason, the Cranes must flee for their lives to escape the terrible reach of the Regime. During the escape, Bergden and Alyssa become separated. ​ Now, Bergden and Alyssa will do whatever they must, and against all odds, to unite their family. With the tyrannical Chancellor Kroft hunting them night and day, both must discover their inner strengths to conquer their fears and find each other’s arms. Little do they realize that a greater threat lurks in the shadows.

Wolf of Withervale by Joaquín Baldwin

Lago was only a child when the shapeshifter entrusted the wolf-like mask to his care—an artifact so powerful that it could come to shape the entire world of Noss. Now that he is coming of age, Lago is becoming ever more fearful of the ominous relic’s influence, of the empire who has scented its trail and is coming after it. Coming after him. Aided by his best friend, an enigmatic scout, and his trusty dog, Lago seeks refuge in the vastness of the Heartpine Dome. The eighty-mile-wide structure had remained sealed for centuries, safeguarding more than mere secrets. Now that the dome’s entrails are stirring, the mysteries of the long-vanished Miscam tribes are coming to light, and the shapeshifting animal spirits are making their return. Powers untold hide behind the blinkless eyeholes of the canid mask, powers that could tip the balance in the war. Lago is barely beginning to learn how to wield the dark visage, but he can already feel its potential. … And he can feel a different change coming, deep in his marrow.

Route by Janyce Denise Glasper

Set in fictional Dandelion, Ohio and split in six parts of the heart, Route is an evocative coming of age story centering the complex dialogue between a frequent passenger and an attached bus driver. Josephine Benson, a shy, inexperienced artist and avid reader raised to believe that men are big bad wolves, realizes that even the most devout soul needs human connection. Wes Jenkins, a pragmatic former Marine, provides stimulating pleasures in their journeys and learns other perspectives through visitors who seek him for therapeutic purposes. With vulnerable moments of warmth, humor, sensuality, maturity, and joy, two guarded secret keepers transition from bus to bus, from past to present, discovering the spectrums of goodness together.

Promise of the Betrayer's Dagger by Jay Tallsquall

The last traitor of Arnadore turned his back on his people for a misguided love. Now, he must confront his cursed past, reconnect with his culture, and unlock the magic hidden inside his heart.Exiled and alone, Osman finds himself thrust back upon the shores of the homeland he deserted a decade before. To repay the debt he owes the brother he betrayed, Osman must traverse the Uldani Isles. Across the frozen tundra of Kyflenor, to the mist shrouded giant forests of Mornaserin, and beyond—his journey will unravel a secret legacy left to him by his father.“Promise of the Betrayer's Dagger is the sequel to Legacy of the Vermillion Blade. It is an epic coming-of-age adventure that explores the pain, joy, and unbreakable spirit of one of the series’ favorite characters. The high fantasy world of Rhymera features vivid worldbuilding and a diverse cast of LGBTQIA+ characters” -Jay TallsquallSometimes to find yourself, first you have to find your Family.

Remnants: Volume One by Stephen Coghlan

Strange clouds on the horizon herald the coming of the swarm. The undulating masses of the hoard cannot be stopped. Terrifying creatures roam the Earth, seemingly with no aim but to devour all that stands before them. Experience the end of the world as we know it with these seventeen tales of horror, survival, and hope. The world ends in a frenzy of death and miasma of terror, but what will become of the remnants of humanity? Featuring Seventeen tales of post-apocalyptic survival horror!

War of the Pantheons by T.P. Theyson

A modern tale of WAR, woven into the fabric of ancient mythology. A rogue deity decides he no longer wishes to live, having grown tired of answering the incessant prayers of his followers. When his decision throws the worlds OF gods and men into chaos, alliances must be made to face the one who calls himself "Savior". If they are to witness the survival of the world, they only have one choice; to break the laws set down by THE ones who came before them and unite the PANTHEONS to destroy this threat before it is too late. As death looms over us all and alliances are made, ancient grudges will boil to the surface. Ones that are older than time itself and soaked in divine blood

In Pain and Blood by Aldrea Alien

He's unleashed. Unprepared. And thoroughly screwed. Dylan's life in the spellster tower has everything he should want: magical knowledge, safety from the King's Hounds and frequent clandestine affairs with women. All at the cost of his freedom. So when the chance to leave the tower—even as a leashed weapon for the King's Army—arises, he seizes it. When his first scouting mission goes awry, Dylan is left alone in a hostile world with the tower a distant beacon of safety. Only the flirtatious Tracker, an elven man whose very presence awakens Dylan's long-repressed desire, can help him return to his old life before the crown discovers his unleashed status. But the risk of being branded a deserter may be the least of his concerns as whispers of an armed presence in the North threatens his home. Dylan must rely on Tracker to protect him even as everything he thought he knew begins to unravel around them.

Death of a Christmas Tree Salesman by Patricia Meredith

Sam Shovel only comes to life for twelve days a year at Christmastime, and this year, he's in time to solve a murder mystery at the North Pole. O. Tannenbaum—the world's largest supplier of Christmas trees—has been murdered, and although Nick and Nora Claus are too busy to solve the mystery, Sam has enough time on his branchy hands to take a stab at it. Woven with enough Christmas references to choke a reindeer, find out if he succeeds in Death of a Christmas Tree Salesman. "Patricia Meredith's recipe for a perfect Christmas mystery? Magic with a dash of murder." —Jess Brady, @jess.literarylife, Bookstagram Reviewer “I see Sam Shovel right up there with Frosty and Rudolph—he'll go down in history!” — Kathy Buckmaster "Cookies, candy, presents...and murder! A holiday mystery that will leave you questioning...and craving sweets!" —Niko Sollazzo, @nikosbookreviews, BookTuber

Everyone's a Catgirl! Volume 1 by DoubleBlind

The hit web series with over 2 million views comes to life in eBook and Paperback! The last thing Matt Kelmer expected at the gym was sudden death. The second to last thing he expected was an offer of reincarnation by a goddess intensely moved by his "valiant efforts" before his untimely passing. When the option of a world filled with catgirls hits the table, Matt is determined to live out one of his greatest harem fantasies. However, what awaits him in Nyarlea will test the limits of his strength, courage, and patience. The monsters are harder, the Experience scarce, and the girls run circles around him. Join Matt on his adventure of fighting Encroachers and battling Defiled. Every precious Level and Party member will aid his survival in perilous Nyarlea. With emotional twists, steamy nights, and chaotic surprises, Everyone's a Catgirl! will subvert your expectations one genre at a time.

Merry Fuckin’ Christmas: And Other Yuletide Shit by Kevin J. Kennedy

Kevin J. Kennedy has brought the horror world three bestselling Christmas horror anthologies. Now, for the first time ever he collects his own tales of Christmas madness between these pages. You will find a mix of extreme, comedy, gross and bizarro Christmas horror, and there is even a few drabbles thrown in. WARNING: This book isn't for everyone. If you are easily offended, it's not going to be for you. “As gritty as Irvine Welsh and as horrific as anything King has put out. Christmas has never been so dark. This is a collection horror fans do not want to miss.” Lee Mountford, Author of The Demonic. "Kennedy is one of the modern greats of seasonal horror. Sit by the fireplace, pour yourself a drink and get this read." Lex H. Jones, author of The Old One and The Sea. “Superb! Stylistic! Downright terrifying! Kennedy does not pull any punches.” Christopher Motz, author of Pine Lakes, and Tenants. "Freaky, disturbing, unpleasant... These stories could ruin your Christmas!" Mark Cassell, author of The Shadow Fabric. “Everything Kennedy touches turns to gold. And for good reason. A gruesome, rock 'n' roll, festive feast.” Kyle M. Scott, author of The Club.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Dorian J. Sinnott

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – except for Harold Trapp. With sales numbers plummeting, he and his company rush plans to create the perfect Christmas gift: the Hans and Heidi dolls. But with a tight deadline hanging over their heads, stress is a frequent visitor. As are the two cats that mysteriously appear on his doorstep. But there’s something sinister hiding behind their sweet and furry demeanor. And the town of Oakridge comes to know it well.When the Christmas lights shine and the snow falls heavy, something awakens. Something dark and ancient. Cold. And with it, unspeakable terrors are born. From legends of old black trains to holiday satyrs and straw goats of yore, the winter wind lurks in the deepest of shadows. Hungry for flesh. Waiting for the darkness to return.The spirit of the season is far more than Harold Trapp bargained for.

A Tricker-Treater Christmas by Briana Morgan

Get ready to experience a monster’s high-stakes game. When one man’s wish goes horribly wrong, he must make an impossible choice. Faced with his own demons, and at the Tricker-Treater’s mercy, how far will Luke go to keep his daughter from leaving? For fans of The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories comes a fresh, festive tale of a desperate father and his struggle to preserve his family—fitting for the holiday season

Merry Wish by A.C. Salter

The magic of Christmas begins with a single snowflake and the jingling of sleighbells Alfie Wayfarer and his family are made homeless a week before Christmas when a relative offers tham a lifeline - a property on the South Coast of England. Yet the mysteriously named 'Merry Wish Cottage' holds more than a few secrets. It isn't long before unexplained and peculiar events around the cottage set the family on an adventure to save Christmas.

The Christmas Morning Massacre by Nasser Rabadi

Two murdered girls. A killer that was never found. The small town of Raven Hill is not as perfect as it seems. For Christy Morrison and her friends, it was supposed to be a weekend of getting drunk and watching movies to celebrate finishing their college semester. But a bloodthirsty killer on the loose has other plans. The group of young women are snowed into the Morrison mansion and begin the weekend festivities; unknown to them a stranger is watching—stalking them and waiting to strike. And he will not stop until they are all dead. Trapped in the worst snowstorm Raven Hill has ever seen, the girls have two choices: fight or die. Enter the Morrison Mansion today and join Christy and her friends against The Raven Hill Butcher—but you might not live to tell the tale! The Christmas Morning Massacre is book 1 in The Raven Hill Butcher series, which continues with The Return to Camp Solgohachia. A fun 1980s slasher book! Fans of Paperbacks from Hell and authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Jack Ketchum, Joe Hill, and Jeremy Bates will love this series. It’s a series in the vein of John Carpenter’s Halloween, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream.

Sapphic Blooms by Aimee Donnellan, A.A. Fairview, Bryanna Bond, Dae Storm, Kapri Moon, Morgan Roberts, Rien Gray, Rita A. Rubin, Taylor Hubbard

Sapphic Blooms is an anthology of sapphic erotic romance short stories. It features both cis, trans, and nonbinary characters. STORIES The Taste of Magic by Aimee Donnellan Tara, the owner of a small town bookstore, is suffering from an agonising summer crush on Lilia, the adorable botanist (witch?) who is using the shop to get space to work on her special projects. When one of these projects goes awry, Tara and Lilia find several unexpected truths and feelings coming to light. Poolside Lover by A.A. Fairview The Country Club isn't the step up from my lakeside lifeguarding gig I hoped it would be. At least the view is nice, from the lifeguard stand I get a great view of Stephanie a single mom with a great body and a smile that drives me wild. Now if I could just figure out how to flirt with her kids around... What Else Is There To Lose by Bryanna Bond Best friends drift apart every day, but when Tia and Zo reconnect at their high school reunion it's like nothing has changed. The problem is, Tia's finally realizing that maybe there was more to her feelings for Zo than she let herself admit. View From Below by Dae Storm Liv doesn't think she can adore her rockstar girlfriend Roxanne any more than she does, but an unexpected surprise on stage only brings them closer together. Blood Orange by Kapri Moon For over twenty years, Eve has been stuck in the small, blasphemous town of Eden. Labeled as a cursed one, the quiet woman has never found her place in the world, an outsider in a place that despises her. That all changes when she meets the serpent in the forbidden tree, one who embraces her and her flaws, and shows her what it means to be loved. Malibu Sunset by Morgan Roberts When she finds herself in the hot tub at the company's summer barbecue with her soon-to-be-ex assistant, Robyn, workaholic CEO Adeline Clark quickly discovers which of them is really in charge. A Seduction in Smoke by Rien Gray After years of ruined and forgotten birthdays, Justine has a new start with a new relationship. Old, complicated desires burn to the surface, and this summer, she's finally going to get the surprise she wants. Love and Summer Nights by Rita A. Rubin Stephanie had her heart broken one summer when the girl she loved disappeared from her life. But little does she know that this summer is going to be quite different. Dreams from the Beach House by Taylor Hubbard Rose needs a vacation, as ordered by her therapist. When she rents a beach house to paint and relax by the ocean, a visitor makes herself known and Rose decides that she definitely needs to go on vacation more often. ~~ "Sapphic Blooms" contains explicit adult content.

No Strings For The Summer by Dae Storm

27-year-old Olivia Waitts has been looking forward to her week vacation in the Caribbean all summer. It's the last vacation she'll have from work until next summer. All Liv wants is to get laid and enjoy her time in the sun. 44-year-old Kathleen Danvers, however, has been uncertain about her work-vacation to the Caribbean since she heard about it. Two weeks in a two-bed hotel room with three of her coworkers, could it get any worse? When she lays eyes on Liv, she knows she has to have her, every single inch of her. It's the only thing that can salvage the rest of the summer. But Liv and Kathy live in two very different places in America, and lead opposite lives, so they decide on a no-strings policy...and find it difficult to maintain. ~~ 'No Strings For The Summer' is a sapphic age-gap romantic erotica novella featuring a 17 year age gap, a plus-size love interest, and lots of explicit sexual content. Romantic erotica is different from erotic romance in that romantic erotica has a much heavier focus on sexual content. Intended for 18+ audiences.

Choices Meant for All by Sandy Lender

Revised and re-released by Seventh Star Press in 2023, Choices Meant for All is the final installment of the foundational trilogy. It is Book 3 in the Choices series. From the foothills of the Freotho Mountains to the marble halls of Mahriket, factions of deities rise to threaten not only Master Rothahn’s crown, but all Onweald’s people. The battles fan the gates of the dark spirit world, releasing demons of every species to aid the enemy, but an embattled Nigel Taiman brings Malachi’s power to the Arcanan Army’s camp in hopes of tipping the balance in his bride’s favor. Dangerous times call for strange allies from all quarters. To restore the geasa that should save the god she’s sworn to protect, Amanda Chariss must escape the very Betrayer’s grasp and make choices for the good of everyone. Does she have the will to sacrifice all that she holds dear in the process? Dive into the action-packed conclusion of the Choices trilogy to discover how prophecy works with—and against—those who would heed it.

Choices Meant for Kings by Sandy Lender

Revised and re-released by Seventh Star Press in 2023, Choices Meant for Kings is Book 2 in the Choices series. There’s no doubt: Amanda Chariss is in danger. Her geasa is hampered by the effects of a doomed wedding. The dashing Nigel Taiman hides something from her, yet demands she stay at his family’s estate where he and her wizard guardian intend to keep her safe. But the sorcerer Lord Drake and Julette The Betrayer know she’s there, and their monstrous army marches that way. When prophecies stack up to threaten an arrogant deity, Chariss must choose between the dragon that courts her and the ostracized kings of the Southlands for help. Evil stalks her at every turn and madness creeps over the goddess who guides her. Can an orphan-turned-Protector resist the dark side of her heritage? Or will she sacrifice all to keep her god-charge safe?

Choices Meant for Gods by Sandy Lender

Revised and re-released by Seventh Star Press in 2023, Choices Meant for Gods is Book 1 in the Choices series. Not even the gods noticed when Amanda Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian hide from a mad sorcerer in a household full of false hope and whispered secrets. The same god who watches over the family school sheltering Chariss will soon reveal her role in an impending war. When a wizard’s ward sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies they uncover? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

The Advent of Winter: A Fantasy Anthology by Thiago Abdalla, Kian N. Ardalan, Zack Argyle, Cal Black, Ryan Cahill, T.L. Greylock, Tim Hardie, Natalie Kelda, Christer Lende, L.L. Macrae,

Also featuring stories from: Dom McDermott, Andrew D. Meredith, H.C. Newell, Tatiana Obey, Quenby Olson, Palmer Pickering, J.D.L. Rosell, Kerstin Espinosa Rosero, D.W. Ross, Karim Soliman, Tori Tecken, H.L. Tinsley, Jim Wilbourne, A.R. Witham. 24 Authors, 24 Stories, 1 Unique Advent Calendar Step into the magical realms of "The Advent of Winter," where twenty-four self-published authors craft enchanting tales that will transport you to a realm of frost-kissed wonders. This winter-themed fantasy anthology invites you to journey through December, one captivating story at a time. With each story, you'll discover a new world, a new adventure, and a new facet of the season. From tales of joy and beauty that warm your heart to stories filled with danger and horror that send shivers down your spine, "The Advent of Winter" is a treasure trove of diverse narratives. Let these evocative tales wrap you in the spirit of the season, as you explore the many faces of winter's magic. Whether you're seeking the comfort of familiar traditions or the thrill of unexpected surprises, this anthology will make your December days truly enchanting.

Icemoon by Simon Steele

After experiencing a dark and tumultuous journey to reach the shining city of Gallerheim, Ulva and her companions would be forgiven in believing that the worst of their troubles were behind them. In fact, they are just beginning. Whilst John, Ulva and Brenna sequester themselves behind the city walls for their safety, Einar, Kit and their newfound ally Freki must travel to the ancient and forbidden Isle of Icemoon in search of a wise and godly figure who may be able to provide them with the knowledge needed to craft a powerful artifact that could save Norway from the terrible Dark Wolf Fenrir and his villainous cult. But the dangerous journey forces Einar, Kit and Freki to walk frightful and mysterious paths that few tread and even fewer return from alive. In the meanwhile, John, Brenna and Ulva struggle to contain her lycanthropy, which is beginning to spiral out of control.

Gallerheim by Simon Steele

With the only hope of a cure for the wolfblight cruelly and unexpectedly snatched from their grasp by the villainous Cult of Fenris, Ulva and her companions must travel farther and deeper into the frozen land of Norway to reach the great city of Gallerheim. There they will assist King Snaebjorn and his noble allies in their plot to take back Fenrir’s Bane so that it cannot be destroyed by the Dark Wolf Fenrir and his malicious followers. But the road to Gallerheim is treacherous and paved with many trials and dark tribulations that will test Ulva and her companions to their very limits and with Ulva’s lycanthropic affliction worsening, time is running out to save both her and the kingdom.

Coldwood by Simon Steele

After escaping from the clutches of the fanatical Cult of Fenris and barely surviving a number of horrific dangers, Ulva and her companions continue their journey northwards towards the forest of Coldwood, where a cure for Ulva’s lycanthropy lies in wait. As they travel deeper into the land of Norway, Ulva, John, Einar, Brenna and Kit must face off against even greater perils and revolting horrors, culminating in a revelation that will shock Ulva and her loved ones to their very core. But with the beast lurking within Ulva becoming stronger as the nights wear on and with Ulva struggling to keep herself together, getting to Coldwood will take all her strength, courage and determination…but will it be enough?

Wolfblight by Simon Steele

After suffering a terrible tragedy, John and Ulva Forrester settle into their new home in the village of Gormstad in ninth-century Norway, hoping to begin a new life of peace together. But their dream of tranquillity is shattered when Ulva is bitten by a werewolf one fateful night. Consequently, Ulva is afflicted by a wretched disease known as the wolfblight, which transforms her every night into a vicious beast and will ultimately take control of her permanently unless a cure is procured. With friends and family at her side, it is a race against time as Ulva sets off on a journey to reach the dark and mysterious forest known as Coldwood where a cure can be found, an ancient artifact known as Fenrir's Bane. But many horrors and nightmarish perils await Ulva and her companions, will they triumph and reach Coldwood in time, or will it be too late?

Hell Hath No Fury by David Dixon

A terrifying figure known as The Pale Man has emerged from Carla's past to offer Snake and the boss a sadistic choice: find Carla and bring her to him or lose the Black Sun 490 forever. Snake and the boss have had their squabbles before, but this time they're playing for keeps. The boss can't bear to lose the ship, and Snake won't turn Carla over to The Pale Man, no matter the cost. When a bar fight between the two ends with pistols and blades drawn, they part ways, and it's a race to see who can get to Carla first. But they aren't the only ones involved. On the boss's side, a UNF covert ops team with a penchant for pulling triggers first and asking questions later, and in Snake's corner, a religious cult that holds the clues he needs to reach Carla. Both sides are racing to find her and it will come down to who is willing to shoot first. Snake and the boss may have quick trigger fingers, but will they be able to pull them when they're staring down the sights at each other? In the end, it's Carla's shocking secret that will set them all on course for a violent conclusion that may not leave anybody standing in... Hell Hath No Fury.

Six-Gun Shuffle by David Dixon

Snake and the boss have made a lot of enemies, but up until their trip to Yaeger, they’ve never had any beef with Michael Ver, the galaxy’s most bankable popstar—mainly because they hadn’t met him before. After the boss teaches Ver a lesson about the difference between looking tough and being tough, he finds himself a minor viral video star and catches the eye of a gorgeous redhead named Kell. Things are looking up. That is, until Kell goes missing and the boss goes after her. After a shootout with Ver’s crew, things go from bad to worse—nobody can find Ver, and Snake and the boss are the prime suspects in his disappearance. The next thing they know they’ve got a bounty on their heads and hardly a friend in sight. Carla and Kell are the only people they can count on, but has Kell been playing a different game all along? It’s a mixed-up tale of bounty hunters, crooked cops, popstars and… insurance agents?... in Six-Gun Shuffle.

The Damsel by David Dixon

After a hijacking attempt damages their decrepit Black Sun 490 freighter, Snake and his boss are desperate for cash. Enter Carla, a gorgeous mercenary bad girl with a job offer that seems too good to be true. Unfortunately for him, while Snake is convinced she's stringing them along to their deaths, he's not the one in charge. The job gets dicey in a hurry, and it doesn't take him long to figure out a fatal blow is coming. He's just not sure if it will come from the pirates that haunt the nav lanes, knife-wielding goons looking for revenge, Carla herself, or the cheap vodka he drinks to stay sane. If Snake's going to make it out alive, he'll need every bit of his quick wit—and an even quicker trigger finger.

Urban Gothic by Stephen Coghlan

Burned out and drugged up, Alec LeGuerrier spends his days faking it, barely ekeing out an existence while living in a haze of confusion and medicated mellowness. That is, until he stops a gang of nightmarish oddities from killing a strange young woman with indigo eyes. Dragged into the lands of the dreaming, he must come to terms with his brutal past and his grim imagined future in a land his body knows is real, but his mind refuses to acknowledge.

The Heavenly Sword by Alice Poon

The Heavenly Sword and its sequel are a unique blend of an epic wuxia story and Chinese myths. Set in a world of human conflicts, fantastical martial arts, sorcery and celestial magic, Alice Poon’s debut fantasy follows a martial maiden’s heartbreaking adventures in her quest for love and justice. The goddess Chang’e is sent to the mortal world to rein in the tyrant Zhu Di, formerly a Sky Wolf. Reborn as Tang Sai’er, a simple village girl, her celestial mission requires her to master a special martial arts skill, but to succeed, she must fight her growing feelings for a member of Zhu Di’s court, Ma Sanbao. When Zhu Di incites a civil war that imperils her village people, she is forced to lead the White Lotus Sect in direct combat. But even though she gets help from the gracious immortals in the violent feuds, she finds that her mission is on a collision course with her dreams.

Lantern by Burgundy Athena Pendragon

In this dark high fantasy adventure, a grumpy middle-aged mage is asked by an old friend to take on an Impossible Task for her: finding a cure for her son's curse when all else have given up. Aiding Devyn on zir quest to cure Lio of his horrifying curse that he acquired by stealing a lindworm's treasure, is the teenager himself, a family of werewolves, and a mysterious demonic lantern forever bound to zir soul. But as the clock waxes and wanes and Lio's curse worsens, so do the dangers lurking in the shadows for them. And all of them human.

NOBILIS: Seedling by Stephen Coghlan

When her family of intergalactic hippies are brutally murdered before her eyes, a young woman inadvertently recruits the help of a grizzled veteran turned janitor, an exiled alien princess and her indebted human husband, four enslaved children, a genius scientist with not one social grace, and a giant alien that contains her brother’s soul, in order to help her maintain her freedom and her life.

Cursive Letter G by Tanner Howsden

Gabe is a special education student who has just been given a difficult task by his teacher - write a cursive letter G! He tries to get help from his teachers and classmates, but no one seems to understand why he is struggling to learn. Will Gabe ever learn how to write a cursive letter G?

Katydids & Fisher Cats by Tanner Howsden

Between the loneliness of a new place and the unusual sounds of the night, Susan is having a hard time feeling comfortable in her new home. At least the neighbors seem nice so far, especially the cute little girl who dragged her into the nearby trees to tell her a secret. Whether she knows it or not, that secret will change her life forever.

As Born to Rule the Storm by Cate Baumer

The star-crossed temporal romance of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR meets the vintage setting and yearning of DIVINE RIVALS in AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM. Cadet Charlotte Amsel will trade her life to win a war- but not all at once. As part of an elite group of experimental soldiers, she can move through time, with each jump taking months from her own fated lifespan as she struggles to prevent the cold war from boiling over into an apocalypse. With her own side just as untrustworthy as the enemy, the only thing she cares about is keeping her best friend and fellow soldier (and in some timelines, lover) safe. But each time loop adds violent complications, and saving anyone before she runs out of life to give may prove impossible.

50 Shades of Neigh by Stephen Coghlan

With the threat of World War 1 and its technological horrors looming, the heir apparent to the deadliest warrior kingdom, and home to honest-to-god Centaurs, must find a new path for her peoples before they are massacred in the trenches. Journeying to America, she searches for a future free of death, but will her absence leave the kingdom vulnerable to her conniving siblings?

Hunted by A.J. Calvin

Chandra Grey had walked through life believing that she was ordinary, until a chance meeting with a man calling himself a summoner opened her eyes to another world of possibilities. The summoner’s life is one of secrecy, danger, and eternal conflict. Though powerful, the summoners have been forced into hiding; pursued tirelessly for millennia by the group calling themselves hunters, those sworn to destroy the Order of summoners and the demons they command. The allure of the summoner’s power cannot be resisted, and Chandra finds herself drawn into the conflict, discovering along the way that her twin sister has been recruited by the very organization that seeks to destroy her: the hunters.

Guardian by A.J. Calvin

Alexander has been sent on a perilous journey through the Southlands, a pilgrimage all would-be magi must undertake in order to develop their abilities. His brother, Andrew, was named his guardian by the Oracle, a strange woman with the ability to see glimpses of the future. The brothers do not know the land or its dangers, but both understand the importance of the journey. With the proper training, Alexander will become instrumental in opposing Colin’s tyranny in their homeland of Novania. Colin is king; he has reinstated the Mark Inspections and seeks to execute anyone born with the Mark of the Magi, whether they are trained to use their abilities or not. That his brothers escaped his grasp once is a source of ire for Colin, and he plans to make war directly on the magi to the south who harbor the fugitives. The natural dangers of the land may not stop Alexander from succeeding in his quest, but the royal assassins sent to pursue Andrew might prove to be their undoing. Andrew is sworn to protect his brother no matter the cost to himself… Even if he is the last of the dragon-kind.

War of the Nameless by A.J. Calvin

The god of death, called the Nameless by some, has been biding his time for millennia. His scheme to break free of his prison is nearing fruition, and with the aid of the Soulless bound to him, he seeks to regain his former power. The world has scorned him and it must face his wrath. Emra Castledowns has gathered an army to combat the threat the Soulless pose. Beside her are Vardak, a skilled warrior, renowned amongst his people and the protégé of the god of war, and Ravin, the most powerful wielder of magic the world has ever produced. The wizards have allied with her, the Five Kingdoms have lent soldiers and arms, and even the gods—sworn to remain neutral during mortal conflicts—have begun to choose sides. In spite of her army’s might, the power the Nameless begins to unleash is daunting. The death god is a threat to the existence of every kingdom, every race and nationality—even the Soulless who serve him are not immune to his thirst for revenge.

The Talisman of Delucha by A.J. Calvin

Ravin is an anomaly amongst those who use magic. He refuses to join the Council of Auras and tie his fate to the wizards, and long ago escaped a terrible fate amongst the Enlightened, called the Shadow Council by some. His escape gave him freedom few others with his power enjoy, and he means to keep it, no matter the cost. Serving as an advisor to the Deluchan queen, Ravin learns a powerful relic is kept deep within the catacombs below the palace. War is on Delucha’s doorstep, brought about by none other than the council he fled from and their Soulless leaders. He resolves to retrieve the relic in order to combat the imminent threat, but collecting the Talisman of Delucha is not without its own danger. As the Soulless’ army prepares to besiege the Deluchan capitol, Ravin makes one final, desperate attempt to secure the Talisman. The kingdom’s survival depends on his success, but time is not on his side.

Human by Birth, Dragon by Blood by Stephen Coghlan

Amanda had always felt like she was too big for her body, so imagine her surprise when, on the cusp of moving out of her parents’ house, she discovers that it wasn't just her imagination, but that she is the reincarnation of the great dragon queen, Tiamat, when she bursts out of her skin at the local mall during movie night. Pursued by The Marduk—dragon hunters hailing back from the beginning of humanity—Amanda gathers her great descendants together to rescue her long-lost king and stop the Marduk from ending dragonkind one and for all. Of course, nothing’s never that easy, as during her globe-hopping quest, Amanda and her wisecracking familiar discover that the power of the dragons’ blood may very well bring about an apocalypse that Marduk may have been trying to prevent