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Where Dark Things Rise by Andrew K. Clark Sixteen-year-old Mina is frustrated by Daddy’s drinking, her mom’s fanatical religious beliefs, and growing up poor in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most of her teachers assume she won’t amount to much despite her 4.0 GPA, and the country club guys think she’s easy prey. But they don’t know Mina’s dark secret: She can control a magical force of supernatural creatures known as the Shadow Faces. Mina doesn’t want powers. All she wants to do is escape the trailer park for a leafy college campus far away. But when her crush, Gabe, is stalked by a shapeshifting preacher/wolf, Mina learns to use her powers to protect him. Mina soon discovers the same preacher is trafficking teens for a mystical brothel and has kidnapped her best friend, Erin, after a failed attempt at conversion therapy. Can Mina use the Shadow Faces to save Erin and the other kids without losing her chance at a normal life? |
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The Black Carnival by Harlequin Grim The year is 1886 in New Sarum, England, and Atherton Graves only knows a life surrounded by corpses. Amidst a rash of child deaths, he alone suspects they are the product of murder. At least, that’s what the ghosts in his mortuary tell him. But there’s hardly time to hunt the killer; Atherton has just sold a cadaver to a spiritualist at the notorious Black Carnival, and the town gang known as the Disciples is not going to take that lightly. Caught between a serial killer, a circus bursting with foul characters, and his spiraling madness amongst the restless dead, Atherton will undoubtedly become the villain of his own story. The question remains: who, if any, will be unscathed by the rampant destruction he’s invited? |
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The Secrets of Blackthorn House by Marie McWilliams After a whirlwind romance, Evelyn is excited to start her new life with her husband, Peter. But when the sudden passing of Peter’s father gives him the title Lord Black, along with the family’s remote manor, Blackthorn House, she finds herself in the middle of the wild Yorkshire Moors, separated from the only life she has ever known. She quickly realizes something is wrong with Blackthorn House: children’s laughter can be heard throughout the halls, the constant fog is full of wailing specters, and her dreams are haunted by an entity wearing her mother’s corpse like a suit. Furthermore, her new husband has become a stranger to her, treating her with barely veiled disdain. Under the constant surveillance of the staff of Blackthorn House, Evelyn struggles to find answers. Unable to gain any insight from the frightened locals in the nearby village, Evelyn and her trusted servant, Lilly, must seek answers from the dead. They learn that the Black family has long kept a dark and terrible secret. A secret that threatens both of their lives and, now, the life of Evelyn’s unborn baby. A secret involving a bargain paid in blood. |
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The Fault Mirror by Catherine Fearns Everyone sees the house they want to see… Paris, 1900: Amidst the decadence of the Belle Époque, American heiress Lydia Temple falls in love with ethereal aristocrat Séraphine de Valleiry, and builds her a whimsical castle in the Swiss mountains. The Chateau des Miroirs becomes a bastion of spiritualism until it is taken over by sinister forces during the First World War. And then it disappears. Or did it ever really exist? Oxford, 2035: Elderly professor Cyrus Field is rapidly losing his sight and his will to live, when student Haydn Young presents him with a collection of letters previously lost to history. These letters may contain the answer to the philosophical problem that has been his life’s work. But does he really want to know the truth? With war closing in, Cyrus and Haydn must decide whether to risk everything in the quest for knowledge. The mystery of the Chateau des Miroirs reverberates through the generations, connecting two souls that are destined to find each other. |
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THE SECRET NOTECARD by Georgia Monroe I invite you to travel from the rolling hills of England to the rolling plains of Oklahoma. From Oklahoma to Japan. From Oklahoma to Vietnam. Together, we’ll step into wartime, sway in dance halls, explore the world. All these layers add to the wonder. Because isn’t that what life is all about? Learning, growing, finding joy in laughter, and finding strength in tragedy? |
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Beyond the Last Station: A dystopian novel of love, rebellion, and lost worlds by Irene Dilillo What if freedom isn’t a place — but a passage between worlds? In a fractured universe where the human soul is the most precious commodity, is there still room for awakening? In a bleak, merciless future ruled by a slave-driven society that has erased every trace of nature and compassion, Kya is a young Black slave trapped in a cycle of submission and silence. But a single encounter — a mysterious violet iris clenched in a dead man’s hand — sparks a dormant flame within the desperate longing to escape, rediscover herself, and be reborn. When her master dies, Kya clings to an ancient whisper of a hidden route, much like the Underground Railroad of a forgotten past, moving beneath the very system that enslaves her. A secret path of stations and crossings, where every stop is a test, every meeting a revelation, every landscape a distorted mirror of lost humanity. She travels through ghostly neighborhoods ravaged by acid rain, subterranean cities inhabited by invisible peoples, islands where nature clings to life in quiet madness, and the colossal metropolis of Exagon — a monstrous allegory of power and control. This journey, thick with symbols, visions, and pain, is also a voyage a battle to break free not only from the system but from the chains within herself. Among shamans, androids, medicine women, and Kofi — a kindred spirit who rekindles deep emotions — Kya chases the myth of Kyros, her first love, and the promise of another Earth. But what does it truly mean to be saved? And what if the real gateway lies not outside, but within? A journey across visible and invisible worlds, through ruins, visions, and buried truths. Those who dare to begin it… rarely return the same. |
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Fracture: Shattered Numbers I by R. Sinclair Most people would kill to escape death row. Meredith Dufresne - marked as 'compliant and charming' and a 'low risk inmate' in her stellar incarceration record, thank you very much - signs her life over to Thanatos Industries instead for the chance to terminate her sentence. The job: taming a highly aggressive malignant AI. The catch: it's already killed 23 of its previous hosts. Meredith isn't stupid. Thanatos Industries is playing a dangerous game, and she's an expendable piece. She can't gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss her way out of this situation alone - and the bloodthirsty AI jammed in her skull can't mansplain, manipulate, manslaughter his way to freedom without her. The solution: team up with the highly aggressive malignant AI and hope he doesn't fry her in the process. What's a little brain damage in the grand scheme of things, anyway? |
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Never Kiss a Krampus: A Cozy Holiday Monster Romance by Honey Phillips Noelle Green needs a miracle. The town of Mistletoe Hollow is being devoured by a Grinch-like developer, and her beloved Christmas shop is next to the list. Fueled by peppermint schnapps and desperation, she performs a ritual for Yuletide aid. She gets a miracle, all right—just not the kind she expected. She accidentally summons a Krampus, all towering muscle, wicked horns, and glowing eyes. Bound to her until Christmas, Bastian is ancient, annoyed, and very sure she owes him for dragging him across realms. Noelle's attraction to her grumpy, imposing houseguest is as undeniable as it is terrifying. But between magical punishments, enchanted tinsel, and kisses that melt snowflakes, this holiday season is about to get very, very naughty. |
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Echo’s End by Claudia J. Filusch THE WORLD IS COLLAPSING—QUIETLY. COMPLETELY. The sky rains golden ash. Villages lie swallowed in dust. And from the heavens it descends, silent, monolithic, like a sentence long awaited. A cuboid humming with a power no one dares to name. The story follows Caden, a quiet survivor with Echodust in his veins and Jira, a sharp-eyed healer bound to him by choice, not fate. Together, they navigate a dying continent littered with failed machines, ghost-towns of ritual, and warnings about “the one who walks without skin“. But the deeper they go, the more the past bleeds into the present, and the more the line blurs between memory, magic and machine. Echo's End is a story about grief and survival, love and legacy. A world at its edge. And the silence that cradles what we could not carry. With the emotional intimacy of The Book Thief, the haunting mystery of Annihilation, and the high-concept tension of Dune, Echo's End explores legacy, loss, and what it means to remain human in a world unmaking itself. |
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Daughter of Broken Light by Trisha Otis On the eve of the sacred Stone Summit Ritual, Idrial, heir to the House of the Sun, the ceremonial Sun Stone vanishes without a trace. The ritual is broken, and with it, the fragile balance that has kept the realm from falling into darkness. Determined to find the lost Stone, Idrial sets out alongside her closest friend, the fierce and loyal Raewyn, to seek answers from the Oracles, mysterious seers who dwell beyond the known lands. But the trail they follow leads to hidden identities and lost history. One that speaks of a forgotten war and a girl born of sunlight who must choose what kind of leader she will become. Torn between past and present, duty and desire, Idrial must confront the truth about the stone, her lineage, and the light she was raised to wield. But light alone is not enough. In a world where alliances shift and she finds family in an unlikely group, Idrial will face a test not only of power, but of heart, and the courage it takes to stand in the dark and not be consumed. |
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Holly and the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors) by Lynnea Lee Deck the halls… or die trying. I’ve spent months preparing for the holidays. Gifts for the children, hand-knit stockings, and enough decorations to cover New Franklin in Christmas cheer. It was going to be perfect. Then the raiders came. They didn’t take food. Or medicine. Or anything remotely useful for surviving winter. No, they stole the crate full of holiday magic. Everything is gone. Even the star for the tree. Now the settlement’s focused on repairs and defense, and no one has time to recover what was lost. Except me. And the only person available to help? A grumpy, battle-hardened Xarc’n warrior who thinks tinsel is a tactical hazard. But grumpy protector or not, we’re going to make this work. He’s got the blade, I’ve got the sparkle, and together, we are going to save Christmas. This is a standalone novella-length holiday story set in the Xarc’n Warrior universe. Get ready for a sweet and steamy adventure with a HEA guaranteed! |
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The Sky was Empty, but Still the Thunder Rolled by Dominic Lyne In this haunting collection, Dominic Lyne navigates the intricate labyrinth of grief to confront the enduring shadow of a devastating loss. Exploring the profound impact of witnessing his best friend’s death, Dominic delves into the depths of despair, the lingering echoes of trauma, and the arduous journey toward healing. A decade after the tragedy, this raw, honest collection offers a testament to resilience, finding solace in the transformative power of time and the bonds of friendship. The Sky was Empty, but Still the Thunder Rolled is a poignant exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring power of human connection. |
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The Education of Young Dalton Reid by Ed Robins On the planet Gaea, opportunities are hard to come by. Setting out for the Tanami frontier, young Dalton Reid hopes to make his fortune with nothing but his horse and the last few bits in his pocket. Before he can even begin, the dastardly Roscoe, professional cattle rustler and murderer, cheats him out of his savings. There’s no shortage of folks in Hensonville willing to give Reid the education he needs to survive, if he’s willing to play by their rules. Paloma Griswell’s ready to work him to the bone on her ranch. The straight and narrow is what old Marshal Rawlins expects. Bellyaching Chip Reegan just wants to put him in his place. Even Roscoe wants him to join the gang as they plan their biggest heist yet. Only Reid can decide what type of man he wants to be as he seeks fortune and fame–or will it be infamy? ----------------- Inspired by classic westerns, the Gunslingers of Gaea series is a science fiction / western mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm – that began with the science fiction / mystery series The Starship Australis Mysteries. |
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Murders in the Gray by Ed Robins “All I wanted was to make time with the sensuous Jesse Alderman, but cantankerous Jazz had been accused of murder. Just some girl I’d met once. Still, sometimes you know an innocent face when you see one. Too bad no one will listen to me – not even my best friend. “But when the consort of a royal is murdered under similar circumstances, suddenly everyone is all ears. Now the Earls who run the Starship Australis expect me to sort the damned thing out! And I’ve managed to piss off a group of vigilantes who seem to have only one thing in mind: making me dead." Inspired by the hardboiled grit of Mickey Spillane and the brevity of Elmore Leonard, Murders in the Gray is a sci-fi / mystery mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is the second in the Starship Australis Mysteries series, itself part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm. This story contains adult language, content and themes. |
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Lurking Omnibus by D.A Lascelles "I am sure it is also impolite to force a lady to dance by threatening others," she said through gritted teeth. "Perhaps it is, Miss Reid. Assuming that is your real name. After all, I know you are no mere lady's companion. Are you one of Langon's famous spies? I expected there to be some here to protect your senator. However, I am surprised they trust such delicate affairs to women. ”Do your feminine emotions not get in the way?" From Gods of Diplomacy Gathered in this single volume are the stories from both Lurking Miscellany and Lurking Miscellany II. Myriad worlds and magical ideas together under one title. 340 pages, Paperback Published March 23, 2025 |
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A Fire So Lovely by Violetta Brooks Searching for a sense of purpose after her harrowing experience in the dungeon, Aislinn returns to the one place that made her whole and broke her: House Woodthorne. This time, a new mission arises—protect the realm. Under the banners of Isolde, Daegyn, Aislinn, and Landyn march to gather an army. The trio embarks on a journey across Carafye, meeting new faces and going through hardships. While the brothers still quarrel over bygones and Aislinn's affection, Aislinn's love for Daegyn only grows, and the two of them dream of a life of peace and solitude together. But will their love be enough to sustain them through their discovery of life-altering truth? Will it be enough to chase away the demons of the past? Can true love conquer all, or does it crumble to pieces when the weight of the realm rests on its shoulders? |
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The Great and the Dark by Violetta Brooks Aislinn Lockmere—a talented baker in the realm of Carafye—has known struggle as a widow and single mother, but she enjoys her independence, no matter the hardships. Her entire world is flipped upside down when she's taken away from her self-built life by charismatic half-elf lord Landyn Woodthorne. He brings her to his estate, where she is forced to have a hand in his plans to unite two kingdoms. There, she meets Landyn's younger brother Daegyn—a half-elf headsman with a calling for vengeance. House Woodthorne provides her with friendship and rouses forbidden feelings inside her that she swore off long ago. As if things aren't difficult enough, a terrible tragedy befalls the kingdom, and Aislinn's will to survive is tested. Will she trust true love or remain as she's always known—alone? |
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Wings of a Midnight Storm by P.N. Vang A whisper in the shadows. An echo from the past. A melody of destruction. Wortham is saved from the threat of magic, but the war for the West has just begun. The emperor’s army marches and Narwin Malancy can no longer pretend she is safe. When her path collides with a traitorous friend, secrets are exposed and a new betrayal changes the course of her future, including Splenor and Guy. Hunted by the Romauri Paladins, Narwin’s only hope is to flee Wortham. But an unlikely ally shares with her the truth about the ancient past, binding her to Emperor Doroxau’s soul-eating dagger. And Princess Rayla, still grieving her loss, makes her move against the emperor to stop the war before it begins. Now on uncharted paths, Rayla, Splenor, and Guy must forge their destinies—for better or for worse. And Narwin must brave the journey to seek the oldest of alliances before death consumes the world. To succeed, they must first face their fears, or fall to their destruction. |
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Gifts Between Us by C.C. Adams Elderly Londoner Augustus has lived a long, miserable life. Having driven his few remaining loved ones away years ago, he now whiles away his time drinking rum and hoping for the end. One night his death wish is nearly granted by a mugger, but a local youth called Michael intervenes. Much to the old man’s horror (and fascination) Michael promptly begins to devour the mugger’s body. Slowly, Augustus and his mysterious saviour form an unlikely friendship, one built on sharing the gifts of trust, camaraderie, and acceptance. And one last a secret. It is the cause of Michael’s cannibalistic nature. And, perhaps, a reason for Augustus to go on living… |
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Wingspan of Treason by L N Bayen Invelmar. A great kingdom boasting unrivalled peace and a brutal grip over the known world. A kingdom built with blood. Former Invelmari prince Klaus surrendered everything to it. Now he’s fleeing a shattering betrayal and wondering why his parents want to kill him. Neighbouring Derinda – a once-magnificent realm devastated by Invelmar’s damming of its mighty river – may offer Klaus a new life mapping distant roads. But feuding Derinda makes poor refuge for a fugitive mapmaker, and there’s no peace from his questions here. Questions about who his real family are. Questions about the sentient particles awakening in Derinda’s desert, intent on unearthing the devastating secret buried in its sands… Because this desert wind is thick with poets and pirates, shamans and spaewives, and the answers are far worse than Klaus could have imagined. His loyalties to his beloved home are fast unravelling, and the desert clamours for a trial of Invelmar’s crimes. But can he separate vengeance from justice? Does he even want to? TRUTH IS A KNIFE. LOYALTY’S A CAGE. NO ONE IS INNOCENT. |
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Veiled in Argent (Once & Forever Kings Book 2) by Jonathan Hawker Camelot endures. Old love has been reforged in flame. The Once races toward the Future, leaving the world irrevocably changed. "For all the days that were taken from us... and for every single moment of forever that I want at your side..." Nine months have passed since the day Morgan and Aaron went crashing back into each other's arms. While hesitant to leave that small world all their own, life in the neon city moves at a pace far beyond that of home. Spending their days combatting the rifts, navigating the scrutiny of the public eye, and managing the hottest up-and-coming club—and their nights tangled up in one another—Etna's bad boy witch and his ex-cop turned merc are making their own path. With a single question, Aaron has plans to walk that path forever—no matter what ghosts of their past come screaming out of the dark. "What is magic even worth if it costs me the ones I want to share it with?" Saving the day came at a terrible cost for Shane McMillan. Now the second apprentice of Morgan Fell, learning things he'd only dreamed of, every step toward his lost power seems more hopeless. When a solid lead brings yet more disappointment, Shane makes a deal with the devil, and the price of what he wants most becomes far too steep. Hold on tight for the ride back into Etna City with the second installment of Once & Forever Kings. Veiled in Argent promises a rollercoaster of heated romance, laugh out loud banter, and plenty of open door spice. Morgan, Aaron, and their magical found family return—and the fight for forever begins. |
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Dire Straights by L.A. Lambert Maddox - As a freshman at BBU, I have my pick of parties and girls, but I still feel pretty stressed and unfulfilled. I can't stand my moronic teammates on the swim team, and devoting so much of my time to swimming is starting to take a toll on me. I'm over everything, until I get paired with this socially awkward dweeb named Ren Suzuki in one of my classes. He follows me around like a puppy and wants to show me off to his weird friends. I feel protective over him, like I'd fight anyone who looks at him wrong, but I don't like guys that way. But then why do I feel jealous when he talks to other people? And why do I want to spend all my time with him? Ren - It's hard for me to believe that someone like Maddox Holmes likes hanging out with me. He's cool and athletic and looks like one of those male models on a magazine cover. Jocks have never been nice to me, but I know right away that he's different. I've never liked a guy before, but I can't help but develop a crush on someone like him. And even though my evil ex-girlfriend drilled it into my head that I'm too weird and annoying for anyone to like, I'm pretty sure he's starting to feel the same way. Does he like me enough to make this a real thing, even if coming out as bi will make everything harder for him? Dire Straights is a guaranteed HEA dual 1st POV college romance featuring double bi-awakening, jock/nerd, grumpy/sunshine, lots of fluff and spice, and an oddball group of friends. |
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Resilience on Canvas by Logan Sage Adams Robert Davis, a prideful man with a fiery temper, has been taking care of his family and their farm since long before the onset of the Great Depression. But when the once-fertile land of Guymon begins blowing away, Robert knows he has to lighten his burden somehow. Desperate, he tries to marry his sister off to the son of one of the most fortunate families in town. Henry Sherwood, a bashful shop clerk in the town’s largest corner store, has had eyes for Robert ever since he and his family first moved to the Oklahoma panhandle. Despite his proclivities, Henry agrees to marry Robert’s sister, if only so that he might please his parents. But once the reality of his upcoming nuptials sets in, he realizes that he can’t follow through. After Henry calls off the wedding, Robert heads into town to beat some sense into the man. But when a black blizzard rolls through, the men are forced to seek shelter together. During the storm, the two strike up a friendship, and over the coming weeks, it transforms into something more. As Robert and Henry's relationship blossoms, their life in Oklahoma continues to wither. Together, they make a plan to leave for California. But in order for them to thrive out west, Robert will have to learn to let other people care for him, while Henry must find the courage to fight for their future. Set in 1935, Resilience on Canvas is a heartfelt MM historical romance that explores the importance of family and friendship, the power in finding one’s inner strength, and the endurance of the human spirit. |
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Out of the Storm by Logan Sage Adams Jeff Russo, a somewhat surly full-time mall custodian and hobbyist storm chaser, feels fated to a life without intimacy, the wall cloud of past trauma poised to wreck every romantic relationship he tries to pursue. But when Jeff meets the constantly corny, very nerdy, and hopelessly endearing Gary Graham of radio station WKBR, he is helpless to fight his burgeoning feelings. Gary Graham, part-time calculus professor, part-time radio personality, and full-time self-proclaimed weirdo, has packed his schedule to the brim so that he might stave off loneliness. Afraid of losing people, Gary tends to latch on too tightly in his romantic relationships, which has only ever resulted in heartbreak. Jeff and Gary’s fast friendship threatens to turn into too much too soon, and their romantic intimacy seems to only forecast catastrophe. Forced out of his storm shelter, Jeff will have to face his trauma and learn how to be vulnerable, or chance losing the only man with whom he has ever felt truly safe. And Gary will have to let Jeff take the lead, or risk hurting the broody-yet-sweet man he is starting to love. Navigating intimacy in the middle of a metaphorical tornado isn’t easy, but Gary and Jeff are willing to try. Because true love is worth weathering the storm for. Set in 1985 in Niles, Ohio, Out of the Storm is a heartfelt MM romance with a torrent of humor, a flurry of heartache, and a sprinkling of spice. |
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Heir of Sun and Moon by Jenessa Ren Forced into isolation by the ruler of the Mortal Kingdom, Princess Rhea Maxwell spends her days in the company of her pet fox, Bella, dreaming of an existence outside the confinement of her tower. As the rightful queen, she knows that there must be more to life than the endless monotony she's been forced to live. Harboring a deadly secret from her past, her desolation grows until one fateful night brings an unlikely ally into her life. Though wary to trust this stranger, Rhea suddenly finds herself with something she's never had: a choice. With a future she never thought possible hanging in the balance, the princess must decide if following her heart is worth risking everything she's ever known. In the neighboring Mage Kingdom, Princess Bahira Daxel is the first of her kind to be born without magic. Fixated on finding a way to unlock the power she believes to be hidden within, Bahira knows there is no price too great to achieve her goals. As tensions rise and her kingdom prepares for a threat they can not defend against, her desperation comes to a head. Ultimatums push Bahria to rethink who she truly is and the future that she had pictured for herself. In a post-war world where kingdoms are divided by a powerful spell, can Rhea and Bahira each break free from the shackles of the lives expected of them to forge their own paths? Or will lies and obsession threaten to destroy everything. |
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Caves and forests by Any Pascual For there are nights that are caves: deep, mysterious, brief. And there are days that are forests, where birds sing joyfully. Come with me, let’s discover the mystery of life… and its reliefs. Caves and forests is a collection of poems about the relationship between nature and humanity, showing how emotions express the world through a deep journey across the author’s inner landscapes and the natural environment. |
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The Violet Raven by E. E. Star The Violet Raven is a slow-burn, he-falls-first, high-stakes historical fantasy romance rooted in ancient Irish mythology—perfect for fans of Outlander, The Last Kingdom, and A Discovery of Witches—where forbidden love ignites in the shadow of prophecy, gods walk among mortals, and a girl bound by fate must rise to claim the legacy of the Raven Queen. Blurb: 1823 Triona Sinclair was never meant for an ordinary life. A spark of something powerful has always lived within her—silent and still, until the moment it finally woke. A moment of fire and ruin. With her world shattered, Triona escapes into the wilds of Scotland—flanked by four allies, each loyal in their own way. But none of them challenge her quite like Finn MacGregor. Her fiercest defender. The one who’s always been there—in shadows and in silence—and wanted her long before she ever looked his way. A bond as sure as the stars. But fate is written with ink no one can rewrite. Hunted for a power she doesn’t yet understand, Triona must seek allies in a world brimming with myth and memory. Survival is no longer enough. A buried magic is calling. To protect her world and the people she loves, she must decide if she can embrace the destiny that calls to her. No matter the cost. |
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The Mardi Gras Murders by Mark Peters Set against the vibrant and volatile backdrop of Sydney's Mardi Gras, The Mardi Gras Murders follows Detective Sergeant Helen Wheeler — "Hell on Wheels" to her squad — and her young partner, Detective Constable Rick Cooper, a rising star with secrets of his own. When a street kid turns up battered and terrified, the pair uncover a network of exploitation and violence that stretches from Darlinghurst's neon-lit alleys to the city's corridors of power. But as the city prepares for its biggest celebration of pride and defiance, old ghosts return — and Rick's private life threatens to collide with his professional one. A gripping, character-driven mystery about courage, prejudice, and belonging, The Mardi Gras Murders blends crime, compassion, and the heart of Sydney itself. Perfect for fans of Katherine Howell, Marele Day, and Michael Connelly — and anyone who loves a good detective story with a queer heart. |
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The Gilded Butterfly Effect by Heather Colley When introverted loner Penny transfers to a Midwest university in search of the all-American college experience, she finds herself under the intoxicating influence of Stella, a glamorous, damaged sorority girl with a razor-sharp wit and a bottle full of secrets. As their unlikely friendship deepens into obsession, both young women spiral into a hall of mirrors—haunted by frat-house cruelties, prescription drug dependencies, and the brutal expectations of modern femininity. Narrated in alternating voices, The Gilded Butterfly Effect exposes the glossy absurdities and grim realities of contemporary campus life, exploring themes of body dysmorphia, mental health, sexual assault, and peer manipulation with both ferocity and humor. This acerbic, atmospheric debut asks: how much of ourselves do we lose when trying to belong? |
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Starbound Betrayal by Morrigan Gaines Two hearts fated to bring about the end of magic. Legends often sprout from a seed of truth. Some say Aestrith Vega and Valerian Frazier were traitors. Some remember them as star-crossed lovers doomed by Daena, the goddess of destiny. Time has obscured the true story. Aestrith, a battle-hardened warrior mage, searches for peace in a land on the verge of civil war. Valerian, an ambitious scholar, seeks forbidden knowledge between the pages of a mysterious book of magical theories. They forge a relationship from stolen moments filled with shared laughter and quiet understanding. Centuries later, lost records and twisted legends have distorted their lives. This is the tale of two souls whose intertwined fates send ripples through the ages. From the echoes of their legend, a figure emerges, shaping the world long after their story ends. This is a novella that ties into the Chronicles of Osmaria series. It can be read as a stand-alone story. |
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Hazelnuts and Homicide by N.E. Carlisle When a food and fiction dinner ends in disaster, bookstore owner Bonne Annee finds herself in a recipe for murder. In the quirky coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon, Annee's literary supper clubs combine novels, recipes, and community spirit—until one tragic evening turns her latest event into a crime scene. Determined to clear her name, she dives into a tangled web of tampered ingredients, small-town secrets, and holiday rivalries that could ruin more than her business. With her loyal Bernedoodle Oscar and a cast of warmhearted friends, Annee must solve the mystery before Hazelton’s first Christmas market—and her reputation—are completely cooked. Hazelnuts and Homicide is a heartwarming holiday cozy mystery filled with culinary intrigue, friendship, and small-town charm—perfect for fans of culinary cozies, amateur sleuths, and bookshop mysteries with recipes. Murder’s on the menu at Hazelton’s coziest bookshop. |
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Return To Sender by Nicole Bazley It’s hard to move on from a past you thought you would never survive. To live a life you don’t believe you deserve. I tried to start fresh. I really did. I agreed to move, thinking that I would be able to leave behind the tragic events that turned my life upside down. The day I lost the boy I loved. I didn’t expect to actually move on. I also didn’t expect to find love in the most unconventional of circumstances. With an unlikely person. Blake. His kind heart is washing away my internal fire of guilt, and his playful humour is piecing together my broken, shattered heart. But how do I truly move on when the very past I’ve been running from for years returns? It threatens everything Blake and I have created, forcing me to choose between the past that broke me and the man who pieced me back together. But does fate ever really give you a choice? |
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A Kingdom of Curses by Danielle D Drummond One forgotten sin. A thousand deadly consequences. Paege Vailenbyrg has always been an outsider in the Wolf-ruled kingdom of Elyndria. As a half-Fae, half-Human hybrid, she’s considered an aberration. Despite her efforts to discover her place in a world made to reject her, Paege finds herself unexpectedly embroiled in a web of secrets, lies, and unreliable magic. All of it threatens to shatter the fragile sense of safety she has managed to build around herself. Caught between two worlds, Paege must navigate shifting alliances and uncover long-buried secrets. The fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance as she becomes a pawn in a much larger game. Can she trust the enigmatic Wolf shifter, Guy Braxtion, whose dark past is as tangled as her own? Or the notorious bad boy heir, Quentin Ishaan, whose sudden interest in her raises more questions than answers? A Kingdom bound by curses. As the danger escalates, Paege is forced to embrace her true nature and harness her volatile Fae powers. But with powerful forces conspiring against her, a single misstep could unravel the very fabric of their world. Can Paege uncover the truth about the “Original Sin” cursing the kingdom before it’s too late, or will she be consumed by the chaos threatening to tear her world apart? |
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The Wolf's Wyrmling by M.V. Kerry To name something is to claim it, to describe its past, to prescribe its future. A girl with no name finds gold in the ice. It may be the key to protecting her home from the trappers, prospectors, and priests that all want to claim a piece of North America. But when a boy of many names comes from the United Kingdom in search of treasure, the girl must confront him and her own past to find her name and uncover the long-forgotten truth lurking in the ice before it is too late. The Wolf’s Wyrmling is a low fantasy set in an alternative history of the 19th century about a changing world and the power that comes from questioning truth and believing lies. |
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Jackrabbit and the Beast by Bre Garcia Private Investigator of the Strange and Unexplained JerĂłnimo Velasquez (or Vel, as everyone calls him) is in grieving after the brutal killing of his girlfriend by a wild animal. With other murders in the area creating a coincidental timeline, he becomes convinced that the coincidence means something - after all, a coincidence is no small thing, and if magic seeps into every day life by such means, then surely...surely...His mother's magic is tricky but it hasn't led him astray. Yet. Jackrabbit Brujo is a mystery/drama/urban fantasy with a more grounded magical realism inspired by the poetry of Gloria AnzaldĂşa. Thematically, Vel is the weird space of the in-between; mixed in race and religion/beliefs, and that is a driving force of how he conducts his investigations. |
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Nights of Noctis by Lauren M Clark NOCTIS The Realm of Night What is lost in darkness may never be found Ivy Winterstone knows she’s destined for more than what Ternewell has to offer. When she encounters Leseldh, the air crackles with electricity and dark promise. He invites her to accompany him for an evening in Noctis, and fate’s call makes the choice a simple one. Although Ivy has made the Portal Journey to the Realm of Night before, this trip alters her life forever. Not only does she find herself Created as a Vampire, she learns that her Sire is also her Mate. Could this be everything Ivy's been searching for? But a newly Created Vampire is vulnerable until they complete the Ascension at the end of their first year. No one knows this better than Killian Maurell: the Vampire known as the Hunter. He sets his sights on Ivy and is determined to bring about her Ending. Once the Ascension is complete, Ivy and Leseldh can seal their Resonance bond – but can Ivy avoid the Hunter until then? |
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Glitches and Kisses by Grafton Carter In small-town Havenwood, Noah Patel is used to keeping his walls high and his life predictable. As a video game designer who prefers the company of pixels over people, Noah doesn’t do spontaneous, flirty, or emotionally messy—especially when it comes in the form of Evan Mitchell, the charming, free-spirited waiter at The Rivermere Bistro. But when a chance encounter turns into something neither of them saw coming, Noah finds himself pulled into Evan’s orbit, one teasing smile and lingering touch at a time. What starts as a slow burn of attraction soon crashes through Noah’s carefully constructed defenses, leaving him vulnerable in ways he’s never allowed himself to be. As late-night confessions, riverside adventures, and quiet moments turn into something deeper, Noah and Evan must decide if they’re willing to risk the comfort of what’s familiar for the unpredictable, beautiful chaos of falling in love. Glitches and Kisses is Grafton Carter’s heartfelt second novel in The Havenwood Series—a tender, funny, and spicy exploration of love, trust, and learning to let someone in, even when you’re sure you’ll mess it up. Get ready for slow-burn chemistry, emotional vulnerability, and steamy scenes that turn up the heat in all the right ways. |
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Chivalry Will Get You Dead by Ed Robins “All I wanted was to drink until I couldn’t remember Madelyn anymore, but a former detective can’t ignore a murdered dame in his compartment. Why would someone kill such a beauty and why’d they choose me to take the fall? "It'll be generations before the Starship Australis reaches Tau Ceti, but I only have days to clear my own name. To find the killer, I'll have to dive into the ship's seedy underworld of prostitutes, dealers, assassins and one seriously pissed off crime boss. Then, once it's over, maybe I can make time with my gorgeous bartender, or at least get back to drinking enough to forget what a mess my life’s become.” Inspired by the hardboiled grit of Mickey Spillane and the concision of Elmore Leonard, Chivalry Will Get You Dead is a sci-fi / mystery mash-up devised in the best traditions of the dime store paperback. It is the first in the Murder on the Starship Australis series, itself part of the 10 Cent Universe – a genre-bending macrocosm. This book contains adult language, themes and content. |
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The Dandelion & The Thistle by Pip Dolyn Welcome to the Makers Market, your stop for high-quality, local, handcrafted art. Meet the artists as you browse. You never know what you'll find. Addison Baird has been a staple figure at the Makers Market. Known as the (un)official mayor of the market, he's who everyone goes to when they have a problem, but when he experiences a disaster of his own, who does he turn to? Colin Jameson is new to the Makers Market this year and has aspirations to take his ceramic art to a new level, but he's dealing with a creative block. When a frazzled vendor comes up to his booth with a problem he is uniquely qualified to solve, Colin wonders if he's finally found his muse. Throughout the summer, Colin and Addison grow closer as they navigate the art world and face the pasts that haunt them. Will their budding relationship be uprooted or will they find healing and truly begin to blossom? |
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The Flannigan Girls by Wendy Haller Claire, Elena, and Becca were not only sisters but the best of friends growing up, relying on each other for love and affection amidst a home lacking in love. As they grew older things shifted, life took them in separate directions. When Claire’s husband is offered a new position in his company, leaving him gone more than at home, Claire’s insecurities of abandonment rise, threatening to unravel the tight-knit family she’s worked so hard to maintain. Determined to uphold her promise of never letting her children feel unloved, Claire confronts her own feelings of neglect and must learn to reconnect with her sisters. Through Claire's story, the sisters must rediscover the importance of familial support and the enduring strength of their bond. |
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On the Origins of Magic by J. Lynn Carr Welcome to Elden, where books grow from petals and bones, and magic lives in the air… Artemis Fairchild, a thirty-eight-year-old divorced witch, finds herself at a crossroads. Burdened by a mysterious curse, she steps into her new role as Head Librarian at Wymore College of Magical Studies ready to unlock the secrets of ancient tomes and, perhaps, her own fate. Enter River Starling, the enigmatic Sigil Craft professor whose formidable presence masks a complicated past. With a penchant for solitude, he seems eager to keep his history buried and live out his days in quiet atonement. When River is tasked with aiding Artemis in her quest to break her curse, sparks ignite between them. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of magical theory, River can't help but question: Are their feelings a genuine connection, or merely a byproduct of the dark enchantment that plagues Artemis? |
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Kuxtal Academy: The Beginning by Mikayla D. Hornedo, Nelle Nikole In the shadowed corridors of Kuxtal Academy, ancient whispers echo through the hallways. Mira Canek finds herself pulled back into the grasp of her family’s political influence when she's called to attend Kuxtal Academy—Inecha’s school for the elite. However, the reunion with her older brother Koa is far from simple. As the owner of a notorious club entwined in the clandestine dealings of the city, Koa leads a life shrouded in secrecy and danger. When the veil of secrecy is lifted, revelations emerge, threatening to fracture their already fragile bonds. Ancient prophecies intertwine with their destinies, weaving a complex web of fate and forbidden desires. As Mira holds tight to the image of the brother she once knew, fated connections leave Koa grappling with the weight of his own secrets. In this spellbinding Mayan-inspired urban fantasy romance, the Canek siblings are thrust into a reality where the boundaries between light and shadow blur. Will they unravel the mysteries that bind them, or will they succumb to the darkness that lurks within? |
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Blood & Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo From the moment Dayanara could wield a blade, she's been used as a weapon for Caldera, a kingdom of fierce brujas. Whenever her mother, the all-powerful Acna, points her in the direction to kill, Dayanara follows. After centuries of war against the vampire kingdom at their border, her mother offers their king Dayanara's hand in marriage as a truce. Their agreement is bound by magic, and Dayanara must decide if she wants to kill the king, seduce the king, or embrace the union. On the bright side, the marriage is set to make her the next Acna, granting her all the power that comes with the role. Depending on how much the Goddess Naom gifts her, it could be enough to regain control of her life. Or maybe everything will crumble beyond repair. |
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Divide and you shall reign by Kassy Luca In a parallel universe where there is an Earth containing an eighth continent named Einow and people of different species than humans, Jemma Auverfeng, a sylvan elf and former slave of an illegal elven trafficking ring, joins the Pranelf College with her two best friends and her adoptive sister. The Pranelf College is renowned for training othars, individuals whose job is to apprehend non-human criminals. As in all colleges for non-human beings, the students also learn to control and understand the biological source of their power, which they call koraghus. However, the lives of Jemma and her best friends will change forever when they discover that they have powers unknown to scientists. Between a serial killer on the loose, prisoners escaping from a penitentiary, and rampant racism propagated by the elites of elven society that divides them, the three young elves will have to learn to control their mysterious powers without the help of science. |
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Practical Potions and Professional Courtesy by Wren Jones Sella's life is finally coming together. Her cozy coastal town, Marra, has embraced the quirky charm of her shop and her sarcastic feline familiar. She's been busy fine-tuning her enchanted coffee blends, brewing up cups filled with "compassion" and "inspiration," all while navigating her blossoming romance with Cali—the ghost who never seems to let being dead steal her smile. As Sella starts to savor the quiet life, a last-minute venue change brings a bustling festival to their sleepy streets, turning her serene days upside down and flooding the town with eccentric tourists. Among them? A society of shifters. And her old rival, another kitchen witch, who’s determined to open a competing shop and put Sella out of business. Things heat up when the festival's famous Golden Ladle goes missing, sending Marra spiraling into gossip and suspicion. Now, it’s up to Sella and Cali to uncover the mystery before the town’s reputation is tarnished forever. Everyone’s a suspect. And in need of their own special blend. |