Similar stories:
|
The Name-Bearer (Flowers of Prophecy #1) by Natalia Hernandez For her entire life, the Name-Bearerâs sole purpose has been to receive and deliver the names of the future monarchy from the Flowers of Prophecy. But when the child is finally born and the Name-Bearer is sent to the Flowers, they refuse to name him. Instead they deliver a prophecy; another child was born who is more worthy of the Naming, and if they are found and brought before them it will usher in a reign of peace. Having failed in her duties the Name-Bearer is considered a traitor to the crown, and must hide among an elite sect of warrior women where she experiences friendship, found family, and love. Her training as a warrior helps prepare her to embark on her quest to find the Unnamed Prince, clear her name, and bring peace to her realm. A story of magia, warrior women, found family and love - and not accepting who you are told to be, but embracing who you are destined to become. |
|
With a Blighted Touch by J. Todd Kingrea In Scarburn County, Tennessee there is a small mountain community called Black Rock, known for its unusual and prevalent blight that affects all vegetation . . . When an unexpected death forces Christopher "Kit" McNeil to return to his small hometown in the Tennessee mountains after eighteen years, he must confront his past and a secret he's kept since he was twelve. A talented guitarist with a history of bad choices and even worse luck, Kit soon reunites with an old friend and learns about recent disappearances and mysterious deaths in the area. They begin to wonder if it's connected to what they witnessed in the woods when they were kids and if a creepy local family is involved. Stranger still, almost half of their high school graduating class has died. When more shredded bodies begin appearing, Kit becomes a suspect. But what he discovers is even more frightening-evil has set its sights on him and his friends and it won't stop until it gets what it needs. Can Kit and his friends band together in time to stop this ancient evil? Or will a new reign of terror that the Cherokee once called Uyaga be unleashed to roam the earth once more? |
|
The Trouble with Prophecies by Jake Joy The heroes of old are gone and the world of Feydern has fallen into darkness. With the prophesised Chosen One missing, Feydernâs only hope lies with Derrick, the Last Wizard, but he doesnât want to help. In his opinion, tracking down the missing Chosen One is an idiotic idea that will get them all killed. But prophecies must come true and despite his best efforts, heâs dragged along on the quest. Bandits, goblins, and warring grannies stand in the way of his freedom, but he finds his greatest obstacle is destiny itself. Thatâs the trouble with prophecies... They donât really give you a choice. |
|
The Call for Finis: Pride by A.J. Torres Seven sins. Seven hosts. One city purged. After everything youâve learned, can you still stand with your faith, or finally rise up against it? Salvia VerdaderaFe has signed a pact with Ultor, a demon of Infernos, to enact the end of all and purge the world of sin. Ultor and six others were granted permission to enter the middle world of Eldara, bound to mortals by the Seraphim of Hevellum. Upon his arrival a messenger of Hevellum should have been waiting to assign him his task, unfortunately the messenger did not appear and thus his mission is a mystery. Along their journey through the country of Marlela, they are set upon by a group of Templar Equitums, bearers of virtue and enforcers of the Cirine faith. From their encounter their destination is revealed. Their journey to Lumen Magnum begins. |
|
The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino Cedain is destined to collapse. Across a world rife with blood, betrayal, and brutality, five people wade through unexpected tragedies. An egotistical student, a fleeing refugee, a nomadic warrior, a fallen noble, and a criminal in hiding navigate the sinister dealings of politicians, two sudden wars, and nefarious lies that surface at Ashmountâa university dedicated to teaching the five branches of magic. Survival means adapting or dying. Fans of Joe Abercrombie and hard magic systems will enjoy navigating a morally gray cast of characters in a world on the brink of collapse. |
|
Heroes & Harbingers by ARK Horton Food fights. Detention. Dissecting fairies for science class. Just another day for teachers at a Magical Public School. Ms. Sirinâs fate as a death harbinger has ruined her life. She longs to be more than a herald of doom, aspiring to impact lives in her teaching career. But when a new student with bold dreams joins her class and is picked as this century's Chosen One, Ms. Sirinâs dark power senses a terrible sacrifice to come. Finn MacCoolâs warrior past didnât prepare him for a hundred years of teaching for his community service. Spending the last decade of his sentence at a new school, the immortal develops a crush on his tempting but aloof coworker. The Irish legend blows his chance when he butts heads with the Council of Pantheonsâ latest brave heroineâwho also happens to be Ms. Sirinâs favorite pupil. However, the Chosen Oneâs quest isnât all it seems. Pavlinaâs lethal prophecies come to pass, and her gift warns of more to come. Will this daring trio of heroes have what it takes to make the grade, or will they fail before they even make it to Summer Break? Set in an alternate reality of Jacksonville, Florida, this adult urban fantasy is the first book in the Secret of Pantheons series. If you enjoy a hearty helping of mythology, found family, and unbreakable bonds, this book is for you. Class is in session with Heroes & Harbingersâdelve in now before the bell rings! |
|
Birds of a Feather by Sandy Butchers Gifted with wings and an exceptional predatorâs instinct, Gideon finds that The Keep of Whispers is not too fond of Splices like him. Growing up in a cruel city, he quickly discovers that the only people who care about him are the people who created him through generations of genetic enhancements. Trained to be a killer in the name the tech-hoarding Houses, Gael Griswold, the man behind the Splice technology, sells Gideon to the highest bidder. Here, he discovers that thereâs more to life than his head on a wanted bounty pamphlet. Follow Gideon Crowby as he tries to discover who he is and how he can become a better man. Birds of a Feather is the third volume in a series of short story collections that prelude the 'The Singularian' |
|
My Hand and My Heart by Isabel Huntoon Magic hasn't been used in Haven-the last human settlement in a flooded world-for hundreds of years. Except, that is, for the magical relic that powers the settlement. Nime and her younger sister, Navi, stumble upon a terrible secret one night: the relic is leaking deadly energy that could kill everyone in Haven in a matter of weeks. There's seemingly no way to fix it-not with all knowledge of magic lost at the bottom of the Endless Sea. But Nime is protective and reckless, and she refuses to give up. She throws herself into the search for a solution, setting her hopes on a dismantled machine that could lead to a place far away from danger. Navi, meanwhile, retreats into daydreams, where she is someone brave enough to save her home. Filled with priestesses and magic, vivid dreams blend confusingly with her waking life, until she wonders if there's something she, and only she, can do to protect the people she loves. But Nime and Navi have more than just time working against them, and both sisters may have to give more of themselves than they can afford if they want to save Haven. |
|
A Touch of Death by Rebecca Crunden A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the Kingâs favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when heâs released from prison, Nate disappears. A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the Kingâs Hangman and in love with Thom, Nateâs younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesnât concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him. Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the Kingâs guards cannot find them â the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids. |
|
Elevated Inferno by Carlotta Ardell Monet Parker wasn't a sucker for a man in uniform. Even if he was a firefighter with dimples deep enough to swim in and ebony skin painted by the gods. She was just trying to get her dream internship and prepare herself for a career in social robotics. She had no idea how her life would change with the simple push of a button. When the elevator taking her to her interview at Real World Robotics stops, Monet isn't sure if she will live, let alone make her interview. She's rescued by Rhys Banks: the gorgeous hunk of a fireman. As much as their magnetism is palpable, Monet is trying to ignore her feelings. Focusing on her career and navigating her chaotic family drama is more than enough excitement for her. Still, it's hard to ignore #FiremanBae when her sister is hosting an Instagram Live video of the rescue and getting the whole internet buzzing. What happens when the internet becomes a third wheel in Monet's love life? What happens when past hurts, career goals, and family baggage are in conflict with their desires? Will these distractions win out and quash the elevated inferno? Can Monet have it all, including love? |
|
How to Bare Your Neck and Save a Wreck by D.N. Bryn âI only take whatâs owed me, and you, my little swan, owe me blood.â A single kiss from a masked vampire during Shaneâs last journalistic endeavor has left him with an obsession and a mission: uncover the secrets of the black-market blood trade and find his mystery vampire in the process. But this investigation is dangerous. One knock at the wrong door and he could have fangs at his throat instead of lips. Andres had been trying to forget his kiss with Shane Crowley by drowning himself in his work as a thief for the blood trade. When he finds itâs Shaneâs blood his boss has decided to steal, Andresâs only option is to buy him for every drop heâll ever produce. This act awakens something in Andresânew thoughts of ownership and chains that he believes could only ever be the desires of a monster. Andres needs blood to live though, and heâs going to have it from Shane, even if it means donning a mask once more. Between the strange desires Shaneâs life as a part-time blood slave is stirring in him, and his investigations into the cycle of injustice that so many fanged citizens face, and texts with an odd new friend who feels vaguely familiar, Shane feels pulled in all directions. Little does he know all those paths lead back to the same vampire⌠|
|
Last Dragon on Mars (Dragons on Mars Book 1) by Honey Phillips She was looking for answers. She found a legend. Dr. Alina Falkner is a scientist. She believes in data, in logic, in the cold hard rock of the Martian landscape. So when impossible energy readings lead her deep into a newly-opened cavern, she expects a geological anomaly, not the last echo of an ancient world, awakened by advanced human technology. He is dangerous. He is impossible. And he is her secret to keep. He was born in darkness. She was his first light. Born from a fusion of cyborg blood and the planet's dormant DNA, Rhyx is a newborn in a warrior's body, and the brilliant, gentle human who found him is the first thing he has ever known. Trapped together by a raging dust storm, she becomes his fierce, consuming passion. He will do anything to keep her, even though the world outside their sanctuary threatens to tear them apart. A ruthless scientist, obsessed with both Alina and her secrets, is pursuing them both. As the hunt intensifies, Alina must choose between the career she's dedicated her life to and the impossible male she's fallen for. But when youâre hiding the last dragon on Mars, the price of discovery isn't just lossâit's extinction. |
|
Visions of Fate (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 2) by Sylvia Mercedes Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, this romantic fantasy adventure will leave you hungry for more. The hunt is on. But who is the hunter and who is the hunted? Ayleth and Terryn survived the Witchwood, but theyâre no closer to solving the mystery of the dead shade hunter. In their quest for answers, they discover that a witch has escaped through the Great Barrier and is leaving a trail of corpses in her wake. A murderous witch is only one of Aylethâs problems, however. Terryn, her infuriating and intriguing rival, will give his all to win their competition. And Kephan, their Outpost Master, conceals more than one dangerous secret. Worst of all, while pursuing a lead, Ayleth finds herself on the hunt for a three-year-old girl . . . a girl possessed by a unique and powerful shade. Suddenly, Ayleth must question the teachings of her Holy Order. Is it always right to kill humans possessed by shades? Even a child? Return to the world of The Venatrix Chronicles, where deadly spirits lurk in the shadows, good and evil wage eternal war, and secrets threaten to tear a kingdom apart. If you love kick-butt heroines, slow-burn romance, breathtaking action, and stories that leave you with a book hangover for days after you finish . . . you need to discover this dark and deadly series. Prepare to turn pages late into the night! |
|
One Road In by Hannah R. Palmer 'Some say, at night, you can see glowing eyes of fire between the trees, watching. Waiting...' Sadieâs younger brother Ben went missing 5 years ago. No one knows where he went. No one knows who, or what, took him. So explain the look of guilt on Sadieâs face when her mother called with the best news possible: Ben has come home. What does Sadie know about his disappearance? And what has her brother brought home with him? Thereâs something on the small island off the coast of Rose Bay, and its glowing amber eyes are making its presence known. Sadie needs to reconcile what happened all those years ago with where she finds herself now, before it has the chance to tear her family, and her hometown, apart again. |
|
Crystal and Flint (The Journey Missions Book 1) by Holly Ash Teacup Dragon Coop SPSFC SPSFC 2024 Itâs been 300 years since humans arrived on Neophia and the planetâs intelligent species have yet to agree on how much influence humans and their advanced technology should have on the planet. With the threat of war hanging in the air, Lieutenant Commander Crystal Wolf races to finish construction of the mega submarine, Journey, in order to calm political tensions on Neophia and cement her already stellar military career.Lieutenant Desiree Flint never dreamed she would leave Earth to serve on Neophia, but with the end of her military career in sight she doesnât see a way around it. Determined to rebuild her reputation on Neophia, no matter the cost, she sets her sights on dethroning Commander Wolf in order to prove her own superiority. When Journey is attacked by someone from Crystalâs past, the two women must find a way to work together to save the ship, liberate an underwater colony from an oppressive government, and prevent a war. |
|
A Simple Tale of Water and Weeping by Kami King Larsen In the frigid waters, off a moonlit beach, a magical transformation is occurring. The Girl Aylee is a shop-keeperâs daughter in a nameless coastal town. Kind, thoughtful, and recovering from a broken heart, she yearns for a life she may never have. She would do just about anything to make her parents happy, including perhaps, living a life she doesnât want. The Stranger On a brisk autumn morning, Aylee stumbles upon Cailean. Heâs an outsiderâlost, confused, and very much out of place. Cailean has more than a few secrets, but for reasons Aylee canât quite explain, the two strike up a quick friendship. The Peril Cailean has lost a very valuable itemâone that may mean the difference between life and death. As Aylee and Cailean search for answers, they call on friends and enemies alike in the hope of avoiding tragedy. In the process, Aylee must confront danger in many formsâboth human and feyâall while learning just as much about herself as the mysterious people and creatures surrounding her. What will she choose for herself in the end, and who will she lose as she fights for her new friend and her own future? Steeped in Celtic folklore, A Simple Tale of Water and Weeping is a timeless tale sure to bring a smile to your heart and possibly a tear to your eye. It is a magical story of love, friendship, and accepting not only ourselves, but also those around us. |
|
Death and Sweet Temptations by Kristen Coar Kristen Coar launches her brand-new ALEX BAIN series with Death and Sweet Temptations, a tale of half-vampire, half-human Alex Bain, where the veil between the mundane and the monstrous thins to a nearly imperceptible shroud, and within its folds lurks a desire as perilous as any fiend. Set in a contemporary fantasy world brimming with magic, danger, and searing romance, this story is perfect for fans of series like Anita Blake, The Hollows, Crescent City, or the Night Huntress. Alex's tenure at Sweet Temptations is marked with success, her ascent up the corporate ladder as smooth as molten cocoa. But as Chicago's shadowed alleys echo with the cries of supernaturally murdered women, her dark heritage calls her to a far greater task. Joining forces with her wisecracking roommate Argo, a gourmet-loving corgi from Hell, and Sergeant Isabella "Izzie" Bliss of the CPD, they race against time to thwart this diabolical terror. However, before they can find those responsible, her two carefully curated identities collide in an office romance that quickly threatens to pull her under. As she falls deeper, the lines between sanity and chaos blur, and Lucas, the steamy consultant, becomes more than just a delicious distraction. As more women die and ancient powers awaken whispering of a long-forgotten prophecy, can her burgeoning love for a man with shady secrets and a wicked past craft a new destiny? One thing becomes clear: the price of temptation could be her very soul. Death and Sweet Temptations is a story of deep bonds, what makes a monster, and a love that transcends the darkness within each of us. Don't miss this gripping adventure, your next sexy supernatural obsession awaits! |
|
Son of Thunder by James Jakins Berun Toirnach is a prince, a priest, and a mage. With the power of Lightning he fights to protect what is important to him. When Berunâs friends and family are put in danger the young prince must rely on his power and his allies, old and new, to save them. With him is his father's most trusted bodyguard, a disgraced assassin known for his skill and ruthless precision. A young God Mage and her companions, linked together with powerful magic. And a coward with a power he's afraid to use. All of them will be needed to save those threatened. But time is against them and their enemies have secrets of their own. |
|
Silenced Beauty: A Wild Swan Retelling by Ashley Mendoza An enchanted tale of love, betrayal, and courage. Alianna lives on a quiet farm with her brothers, happy and content until one day she receives a terrifying vision of the royal mage usurping the throne. She turns to the only people she trustsâher brothers, loyal palace guards. But instead of saving the realm, her warning unleashes a devastating curse. Her brothers are turned into swans and gifted to the queen, and Alianna is silenced by a curse that robs her of her voice. Desperate to free them and break their curse, Alianna enters the royal bridal competition, determined to get close enough to break the curse and expose the threat within the palace walls. Yet, as the contest unfolds, she realizes that her brothersâ fate is only the beginning. The kingdom itself is in danger, as well as some others. She must maneuver court intrigue if she wants to keep her wits about her and remain in the competition. Prince Calix never wanted his bride chosen for him by his parents, as tradition dictates. Disguised as a servant, he infiltrates the competition to find a bride of his own choosingâand perhaps, a bit of freedom. But the deeper he delves, the more he uncovers secrets that shake his loyalty and threaten everything heâs ever known. As shadows grow longer and danger draws near, Alianna and Calix must decide who they can trustâand whether love can bloom amid silence, secrets, and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings, magical curses, and friends-to-lovers romance, this is a story where silence speaks louder than words and the fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance. Silenced Beauty is one of the eight novels in the Cursed Brides series, a standalone, multi-author collection of no-spice fairytale retellings. Each book in this enchanting series tells the tale of a cursed maiden who is forced to participate in a royal bridal competition and, of course, finds love. Can be enjoyed in any order. *Warning there is mild violence and death in this book. |
|
Scarlett and the Dark Woods by Mary Mecham She is one of the protected elect. He is a shunned shapeshifter. Can Scarlett rescue her grandmother before her own heart is stolen? When her grandmother is cast out as unworthy after facing Hamelinâs annual Shunning, Scarlett knows she must brave the dangers of Darkwood Forest if sheâs to have any chance of saving her. Her perilous adventure becomes a race against time; she needs to find Gran before the previously shunned get to her first. Scarlettâs efforts come too late. As her magic dwindles the farther into the forest she ventures, she becomes hopelessly lost and is forced to accept help from Greyson, the shapeshifting wolf who is stalking her every footstepâand who Scarlett suspects of knowing Granâs location. If she manages to save her grandmother, Scarlett will be faced with an impossible choice: join Gran and live her life as an outcast or return to the rest of the elect, safe but alone. As she struggles to find the right path forward, Scarlett realizes that more than her grandmotherâs future is at stake. Her heart is too. Can Scarlett resist her inexplicable attraction to the shunned wolf she despises long enough to protect the woman who raised her? |
|
Dawnstar (Starchaser Saga Book 2) by Renee Dugan A missing friend. A hunt for answers. A path to vengeance. With her Warden stolen, her hopes of an easy alliance thwarted, and her trust in her own kingdom shattered, Princess Cistine Novacek faces her greatest challenge yet: using wit and steel to bring down a wicked Chancellor and prove herself to the cabal's tentative allies in the Courts. As friendships are tested, bonds broken, and love put to the test, the princess must face the growing threats within the Northern Kingdom â and learn to rise a queen. Locked away in a desert prison, Asheila Kovar faces the struggle of her life: surviving the ruthless Blood Hive, returning to her princess, and avenging a betrayal against the heart of her kingdom. But there are more secrets and schemes than just hers lurking in the catacombsâŚand the struggle between powerful forces above and below the sands will test Asheâs loyalty in dangerous ways. Ways that may spell death for people the cabal cannot afford to lose. |
|
The Pirates of Pepper Pot Point by Michele Schultz The Pirates of Pepper Pot Point is the story of a little boy named Peter that has a scary adventure with a pirate who circles the waters of a town called Pepper Pot Point. During this adventure, Peter befriends this pirate and teaches him a valuable lesson, friends are worth more than their weight in gold. |
|
The Wild Court by E. G. Radcliff What perils await on the other side of the veil? In the seventh year of Ăed's reign, night descends on the autumn festival. But a time of revelry turns into one of fiery destructionâas fae pour across the veil and the Gut becomes a battlefield in an otherworldly war. Determined to protect his kingdom and the people he loves, Ăed finds himself catapulted into a realm as unfamiliar as it is dangerous, where magic is king and wild courts vie for supremacy. While the faerie Queen's missing consort holds the key to life and death, tenuous alliances raise questions about Ăedâs connection to the mysterious Bone Court. His survival hinges on cunning as much as illusion. On a mission like no other, only one thing is certain: no one will survive unscathed. |
|
A Taste of Tea and Tenderness: A Cozy Fantasy Thumbelina Retelling (Enchanting Confections Series) by Gabrielle Landi A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line. Running the Cozy Cat CafĂŠ while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local schoolâs fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatableâŚuntil the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll. Conrad hasnât been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that sheâs on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he canât shake, proving that heâs the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected. Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned? A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes. |
|
Day of the Void (The Faun Quartet Book 3) Kindle by Chris J Edwards War on the horizon. Foes in the shadows. Blood upon the soil. The crown of the High Queen weighs heavily upon Dawn. All may be well in CĂŠin Urthia, but now war beckons from over the mountains. An awful ritual, prepared by Gol-Gorom and his Disciples of the Void, nears completion â threatening to cleanse all creation in one climactic moment. But the Disciples of the Void are not the only enemy looming - for always the Witches grow, far in the east, their corruption creeping over the earth. Meanwhile, tenuous bargains are struck between unlikely allies within the Empire of Un as enemies abound and scores are settled in blood. As cataclysm looms, and machinations from friend and foe alike threaten to tear her apart, Dawn must decide whether to take up the sword of her own volition â or have it thrust rudely upon her. Will the strength of her allies â both new and old â be enough to carry High Queen Dawn to victory? Or will encroaching horror snuff out her light, and consume the waking world? |
|
The Misadventures of Myndil Plodostirr by Michelle Franklin "Life happened to most people, but Myndil Plodostirr happened to everybody else." When the abbot of the newly made Rogha an dĂĄ DhĂogha abbey meets Myndil Plodostirr, an orphan who thinks God speaks to him, he quickly decides that a talkative young man like Myndil is best left to himself. In the hopes of ridding the abbey of Myndil's company forever, the abbot sends him out on an impossible mission: to make himself a missionary and unite all the surrounding kingdoms under the banner of one god. What begins as a jape ends in infamy as Myndil's cheerfulness and goodwill accidentally bring about the Great War of the Dark Age. Will Myndil heed the abbot's will and convert the warring kings, or will he listen to the mysterious voice that plagues him and cause chaos across the British Isles? |
|
THE FINDING MACHINE by Lucy Lyons HER FATHERâS MYSTERIOUS INVENTIONâŚA 1920s COLD CASEâŚCAN ALEX FOLLOW THE DOTS TO SOLVE IT? One winter morning in 1998, Alex Martin inherits a mysterious invention from her late father. The Finding Machine solves mysteries. But the biggest mystery of all lies deep within its wiring â the unsolved disappearance of a little girl, dating back seventy years. What happened to the girl, all those years ago? Who was she? Alex and her handsome housemate, Antony, must follow the dots to solve the mystery. But, as dark family secrets are revealed, will the Finding Machine bring them togetherâŚor push them further apart? |
|
The Hidden King (The Coming of Ăed #1) by E.G. Radcliff SPFBO6 Indie Recs Indie SFFOasis Hidden truths. Hidden power. Hidden destiny. On the shores of a rusty sea, in the streets of a starving city, a young man named Ăed scraps to build a life for himself and the makeshift family he loves. Scarred by a trauma he cannot remember, and haunted by the brutal damage it left behind, he has no idea of the courage his future will demand. When tragedy strikes, a desperate Ăed risks a treacherous, life-changing journey in his last chance to save the only family he has left - but an ancient legacy smoldering within him is about to turn deadly. Neither he - nor a kingdom - will ever be the same. |
|
A Canticle of Two Souls by Steven Raaymakers A magic sword forged of a demon. A broken boy seeking revenge. A grim coming-of-age tale with a Sanderson-esque magic system. Raziel watched the Rhotian Empire slaughter his family. When a sentient sword promises him the head of the emperor, Raziel carves a bloody path in an epic journey across a land filled with banshees and mercenaries in pursuit of his revenge. But forced to travel with a strange young woman with a dark past, will Raziel even reach his destination? Alicia has plans of her own. Gifted with a terrible magic that can bend others to her will, she also has revenge on her mind and Raziel in her sights. Can two enemies put aside their differences to seek a higher goal, or will mistrust and inner-demons condemn their fates? Magic is a dangerous thing. So is hope. The âAria of Steel Trilogyâ is a heavy-metal power ballad of clashing blades, blood-soaked betrayal, and sweet revenge. Will you walk away or join the fight? |
|
Love & Leave: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (MoonLIT Matches #01) by Kristeen Groth What happens when a runaway celebrity bride lands in the arms of the man she left behindâwithout either of them knowing theyâre being set up? Exactly what youâd expect. Ava Sinclair was supposed to be marrying Hollywoodâs golden boy. Instead, she escapes her made-for-TV wedding and ends up in the wilderness... with Joe Mahoney, her exâthe first love she ghosted without a word. Now sheâs torn between two lives: one of flashbulbs and fame, the other of pine trees and the man who knew her before the world did. Joeâs charming, flirty, and emotionally unavailable on purpose. Itâs a system that worksâuntil Ava crashes back into his life via the back of his pickup truck. Add one matchmaking book club of meddling grandmas, and a suspiciously on-theme book of the month (One True Loves), and things start looking less like fate... and more like a trap. Some love stories donât end. They just waitâfor the ending they were always meant to have. Love & Leave is a closed-door romantic comedy featuring a runaway celebrity bride, a firefighter first love, and a second chance neither of them planned on. When a matchmaking book club inspired by beloved romance novels gets involved, expect laugh-out-loud humor, small-town hijinks, and swoony five-alarm kisses you wonât want to put out. |
|
Song of the Caged Warrior by Maria Perez An orphan with amazing powers forced to serve his enemies. Montor is a child, happily growing up on the planet of Arandaâuntil the Lostai, an imperialist alien race, invade his planet, then attack his seaside village. Soon, Montor loses his whole family to injuries, sickness, and punishment. With his aggressive temperament fueling dreams of revenge, Montor seems destined to follow the same fate as his family and succumb to the cruelty of Lostai enslavement. Then the Lostai military discovers that Montor is no ordinary child; he possesses dormant telekinetic and telepathic abilities. Montor is transferred to a military science station where a devious commander intends to turn him into a Lostai super soldier. Can Montor survive the brutal and humiliating bootcamp? How will he manage the anger, depression, and self-loathing that comes from serving in the very same military that decimated his people? Or will he refuse to be a pawn in Lostaâs war and risk everything to take on the mantle of an Arandan warrior? This space opera features non-human spacefaring civilizations, galactic war, dark empire, supernatural abilities, and rebellion / survival / coming-of-age themes. It is a prequel to the romantic space opera trilogy, The Curse of Sotkari Ta, that can be enjoyed before or after reading the trilogy. |
|
Cradle of Sea and Soil by Bernie AnĂŠs Paz The Primordial Wound has festered with corruption since the birth of the world. The island tribes have warred against its spawn for just as longâand they are losing. Burdened by the same spiritual affliction that drove the first Halfborn insane, ColibrĂ lives in exile with little more than her warrior oaths and her son. But when ColibrĂ discovers corrupted land hidden away by sorcery, those same oaths drive her to find answers in an effort to protect the very people who fear her. Narune dreams of earning enough glory to show that he and his mother ColibrĂ are nothing like the Halfborn that came before them. Becoming a mystic will give him the strength he needs, but first, Narune will need to prove himself worthy in a trial of skill and honor. Together, ColibrĂ and Narune must learn to become the champions their people needâand face the curse threatening to scour away their spirits with fury. |
|
Vile & Blessed by A. H. Serrano A Cursed Existence. A Hidden Land. An Insidious Spirit. There has never been an Anmerilian born without ability. Never, until River Kennry. River has no place in a world where worth is measured by the power of oneâs ability. He is an anomaly and an outcast, afflicted by an ailment no one can see or explain. Caught in the unrelenting hold of his government, he falls further into the pit of hopelessness as he wrestles with the mysteries of his past.After a fated meeting with a cryptic stranger, River realizes the only way to uncover his past is to return to the Instituteâthe very place that scarred and violated him. And if he goes back, it could mean forfeiting his life.But could everyone be wrong about him? Though he remains untouched by power, there is something inside him. Something alive and entangled with secrets that could upset the balance of everything his generation has ever known to be true.Welcome to a world where the secrets are as big as continents, the monsters hide in plain sight, and there is always something sinister at play. Vile & Blessed, the first book in The Vile & Blessed trilogy, is perfect for readers who love their dark fantasy with a touch of horror, plenty of mystery, and realistically imperfect characters they can grow with. |
|
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 restraintâquiet, 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 fearâand 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 patienceâso 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 |
|
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson Miss Mildred Percy inherits a dragon. Ah, but weâve already got ahead of ourselves⌠Miss Mildred Percy is a spinster. She does not dance, she has long stopped dreaming, and she certainly does not have adventures. That is, until her great uncle has the audacity to leave her an inheritance, one that includes a dragonâs egg. The egg - as eggs are wont to do - decides to hatch, and Miss Mildred Percy is suddenly thrust out of the role of âspinster and general wallflowerâ and into the unprecedented position of âspinster and keeper of dragons.â But England has not seen a dragon since⌠well, ever. And now Mildred must contend with raising a dragon (that should not exist), kindling a romance (with a humble vicar), and embarking on an adventure she never thought could be hers for the taking. |
|
Reverting Scales: Shells of Self by The Illogic Naydrus has found her haven! She learns how to be a dragon as she grows within its walls, but things don't become very easy when reality comes crashing in. With time, she becomes better and lays a golden egg in her very first clutch. An egg whose existence will warp the fabric of the world as everyone knows it. |
|
The Monsters Among Us by Kent Priore âKent Priore writes like a natural about the supernatural, and The Monsters Among Us is a marvelously dark and true novel. American fiction has found a terrific new voice.â âJoseph OâNeill, PEN/Faulkner Award-Winning Author of Netherland Sethâs life until now has been a product of a diabolical, evil Truman Show, his entire upbringing a façade orchestrated for malevolent purposes. After his beloved dies, he undergoes a demonic metamorphosis, which causes the worldâs fictitious walls to crumble. As he tries to piece a semblance of his life back together and move on, he meets friends who inspire, but even more harsh truths are revealed, perhaps too difficult to cope with. The very existence of life and reality is exposed as a machination of grotesque gods. And to defeat them, Seth will have to fill his emptiness, for which thereâs only two options⌠Bring the world to ruin, or learn to transmute his pain into strength. Fans of "Jerusalem" by Alan Moore, âThe Bell Jarâ by Sylvia Plath, or âThe Master and Margaritaâ by Mikhail Bulgakovor will enjoy âThe Monsters Among Us.â âI was intrigued from the first sentence, determined to spend the night speed-reading so I didn't have to remain in suspense any longer.â -Ella Dupuie, author of Fractures of the Fallen âSupernatural storytelling at its best, this vivid cinematic novel takes the reader on an imaginative journey through what could be considered end of days. The Monsterâs Among Us is a masterful creation and a must readâeven for those who arenât fans of fantasy/horror.â âJoni Marie Iraci MFA author of Vatican Daughter |
|
A Feeling Like Home by Haleigh Wenger Sword and Silk Books WriteHive Book Club Indie Recs Indie Sixteen-year-old Paige Williams canât stop self-sabotaging. Not when her dad gets sick, not when her relationship implodes, not even when her parents send her to another-freaking-state for the summer to live with her sister. Paige just wants to have fun, spray paint a few walls, and block out everything stressful, including her growing concern that she might be sick as well. To make things worse, her parents threaten her with boarding school in the fall if she canât prove sheâs changed her bad habits. Paigeâs parents sign her up for a rebuilding project in Texas where her sister lives. Meanwhile, Paige reluctantly befriends her sisterâs straight-laced teenage neighbor, Joey, who is a frequent guest. Heâs so different from her, but Paige realizes that may not be a bad thing, especially since being around Joey curbs her urge to vandalize and ignore the rules. He even makes her forget about the debilitating stomach cramps she struggles to hide. Just as Paige begins to feel settled in Texas, her dadâs worsening Crohnâs disease brings her home to Seattle. When her own health fails her, she has the choice of staying at home and receiving care. Or, she could go back to Texas and prove for once and for all that sheâs more than her mistakes and more than a disease. Torn between two worlds and two versions of herself, Paige must decide where, and with whom, she truly feels at home. |
|
Bite Marks and Broken Hearts by TJ Rose How to destroy your life: 1. Leave Ireland in the dead of night to flee to London; 2. Get yourself dragged into an alley by a demon, marked, and doomed to die; 3. Gain a mysterious, fatally attractive stalker/saviour. One with strangely sharp teeth⌠Flynn I never asked for this. Okay, maybe a little. After all, the demon was undeniably hotâthe perfect way to mend my broken heart. But I certainly didnât sign up to become his preyâbecause now my chest burns with ice as dark magic grows inside me⌠and heâll be back to collect it. Thankfully, I have a saviour. Tall, dark and handsome, though his vintage dress sense is slightly pretentious and his aversion to sunlight is a bit strange⌠But if he keeps looking at me like I'm something worth devouring, I might just let him. What's one more bad decision? SebastiĂĄn Five centuries has taught me three rules: stay detached, stay focused, and never, never feel too much. I built Killigrew Street to control London's supernatural underbelly. We keep order in the shadows, we maintain the balance, and we absolutely do not rescue pretty Irish boys and lock them up in our hotel. Except, apparently, we do now. He's marked. He's stubborn. He has an infuriating habit of throwing himself headfirst into danger with zero self-preservation. And heâs my problem to solve. When my protective instincts quickly twist into feelings, I know I should walk away. But my cold, dead heart seems to have other ideas. For how long can I keep my true vampiric nature from him? In the meantime, at least watching him try to figure out why everyone keeps making bat jokes in front of me is⌠admittedly entertaining. Bite Marks and Broken Hearts is an adult MM PNR romance. It contains one touch-starved, emotionally guarded vampire, the golden retriever human whoâs determined to break down his walls, a found family like no other, snarky wolves, sizzling scenes, some serious fang action, and a HEA. The Killigrew Street Case Files is a series of standalone paranormal romances where family is forged in the shadows. Each story features a different couple and mystery, connected by their growing supernatural team and overarching plot threads. |
|
The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele 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 TJâs 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 Olosaâa 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. |
|
The Headsman by Christina MĂŽrzoi Take a glimpse into the world of a headsman, a gloomy village in which each dweller has a secret: an evil witch, a shrewd florist, a naive young man, a foreign merchant, a dreadful husband, a mischievous maid, and a lustful duke. These stories are intertwined, weaving a dark narrative of love, trickery, brutality, and loss. Under the bleak aesthetic, raw human emotions unravel themselves in a gripping story about moral decay. In a world that belongs to the wicked, how far can one walk this path while keeping a clean conscience? The Headsman is a collection of short stories that focus on interconnected characters, sometimes looking at the same event from a different perspective. As a genre, it falls somewhere under dark fiction territory. |
