Blood on the Canvas by David Samuels

SPFBO8

A kindhearted apprentice falls under the sway of a murderous master. Together, their careers, families, and feuds will shape the fate of kingdoms. Five hundred cherubim is the price of freedom in Kellotho Cay. It's a daunting fee, sure, but fledgling painter SIDNEYA fully intends to free her brothers from serfdom… but first she must sharpen her skills under a master of the craft. One doesn’t simply wake up and decide to paint a portrait for the Vernal Queen. There are words for that sort of person, and NICOLAF V’TRAMO knows them all. As a personal rule, the misanthrope never takes on apprentices. Not after last time. Besides, he's busy enough fending off rivals from the Honorable Guild of Brushmasters. But when Sidneya is caught stowing away on his homeward voyage, he finds himself in a bit of a pickle.

I, Exile (A Thief's Tale #1) by David M. Samuels

SPFBO6

Exiled into a wasteland because of a heist gone wrong, Emelith vows to hunt down the one responsible. Except not all is what it seems in the haunted realm of the Cauldron. Classic Swords & Sorcery meets cinematic 90's action (Tomb Raider, The Mummy, Indiana Jones) in this rollicking thief's tale.