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Holiday Homecoming by Melina Druga Set during the events of Rock Star Romance, this wintry interlude in the Rock Star’s Wife series follows two couples wrestling with family drama in the midst of holiday cheer. Cassie Economos’s family hasn’t met her new boyfriend yet. To tell the truth, she isn’t sure she wants them to; things went catastrophically wrong the last time she brought a guy home for the holidays. To avoid embarrassment and hopefully save her burgeoning romance from crashing and burning in the aftermath, Cassie puts Nat through meet-the-Economoses bootcamp in the weeks leading up to Christmas. But trouble is brewing back home in Sterling, where Jennifer, Cassie’s friend turned cousin-by-marriage, has just learned her absentee father wants to rebuild his relationship with his daughters. No one seems to know how Jennifer should respond — least of all herself. Meanwhile, the men in Cassie’s and Jennifer’s lives are just trying to make it through the holidays. Phil’s willing to try anything to help his wife weather the coming storm, and Nat just wants to make a good first impression and ease his girlfriend’s fears. Holiday Homecoming moves between these four young narrators as they figure out where they stand against external forces and internal desires. |
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The rock star’s wife is back and better than ever in Rock Star Mom. When she decided to pursue a relationship with Nat, Cassie knew what she was getting herself into. His responsibilities as the frontman for Dramatic Sneezer keep him on the road for weeks, or even months, at a time. Spending that much time away from him was hard enough when they were dating, but now Nat’s tour dates leave Cassie to raise their infant daughter alone. Still, she’s totally rocking this whole motherhood thing. Sure, she had to lie to Nat about missing his daughter’s first steps, and Megan might be forgetting how to say “DaDa” while her dad’s out of town, but Cassie’s holding down the fort. She’s got her act together, 100 percent. She might even have the book deal she’s always wanted. What neither she nor anyone else knows, however, is that there’s a big surprise waiting just around the bend — one that could make her rethink this rock-and-roll living arrangement. The fourth installment in the Rock Star’s Wife series, Rock Star Mom follows Cassie through her unglamorous daily life in the Chicago suburbs, as she struggles to balance raising a family with the pursuit of her long-held aspirations. |
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Christmas Surprise by Melina Druga This multi-POV interquel in the Rock Star’s Wife series follows four young adults through one fateful holiday break in the year 2000. Double first cousins Cassie and Phil might be all grown up, but that doesn’t mean they’re exempt from their conservative Greek family’s expectations. And by dating non-Greeks, they’ve gone and kicked a hornet’s nest. Spending the 2000 holidays at home in Sterling, IL, Phil and his girlfriend, Jennifer, wrestle with their desires for the future. They’re in love, but his family objects. Besides, Phil’s proposed courthouse wedding is not the event Jennifer’s been dreaming of. Cassie’s parents have similar misgivings about her relationship with her boyfriend, Corey. But unlike her cousin, Cassie isn’t sure that spending the rest of her life with him is in the cards, given their disparate post-graduation plans. Moving between Cassie, Corey, Phil, and Jennifer, Christmas Surprise offers a profound look at the inner lives of young Gen-Xers. With the girls’ college graduation — and what comes after — looming on the horizon, these four must try to find solid ground in an ever-changing world where nothing is certain, even as the countdown to winter break’s end ticks closer. |
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Rock Star Romance by Melina Druga A college grad still reeling from an amicable breakup falls for a rock star who’s given up on love in this contemporary, second-chance romance. A year after she and her now-ex-boyfriend were forced into a devastating decision when life took them — literally — in different directions, Cassandra Economos is done with men. Or so she thinks. Just as Cassie’s getting bored and starting to think she needs to get back out there, she meets Nat, and everything changes. Dramatic Sneezer frontman Nathaniel Hardwick hasn’t dated anyone for months, ever since he caught his girlfriend cheating. Weeks away from the launch of the band’s next tour, however, he finds himself falling for his sister’s friend. Nat isn’t Cassie’s type, but something about him — something more than mere rock star charisma — draws her in. Soon, she’s breaking all her long-standing relationship rules for him. With tour dates looming on the horizon, Cassie’s already seeing parallels to her last breakup. But what happens if this is more than just a summer fling? Jam-packed with sizzling scenes and post-Y2K nostalgia, Rock Star Romance is a must-read for fans of Scarlett Cole and Christina Lauren. |
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Mr. Right is a Myth by Melina Druga This heartfelt follow-up to Sexual Awakening follows its ambitious diarist to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her hopes and dreams for the future are further tested by a string of social hiccups. Cassie Economos has rules. If a new boyfriend can’t wait two months to have sex with her, he’s not the guy for her. If he refuses to wear a condom, he’s not the guy for her. And if dating him would mean maintaining a long-distance relationship, he’s… well, you get the picture. She’s got her life planned out, and she knows better than to try to make things work with someone who can’t agree on the basics, like where to live and whether to have kids. But Cassie isn’t perfect, and the more disappointing situationships she finds herself in, the more she wonders if there’s even such a thing as a “Mr. Right.” But Cassie doesn’t have time to worry too much about that. Her four years at U of I are passing quickly, which means it’s time for her to chart her final course: toward Chicago, the city of her dreams. Readers are in for a rollicking ride through college life in the ’90s here, as Cassie and her friends wade through continental relationship shifts. |
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Sexual Awakening by Melina Druga This coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of the mid-1990s Midwest, follows Cassandra, a high schooler whose big dreams clash with her family’s conservative expectations, as she comes into her own while navigating the complexities of teenage sex and dating. Fourteen-year-old Cassandra Economos doesn’t fit the mold of her traditional Greek family. She’s always been a good kid, but lately she’s begun to question how much influence her relatives’ expectations should really have on her life. Cassie doesn’t understand why anyone would want to stay in Sterling, IL when there’s a whole world out there to explore and experience. She wonders why her brother Chris gets showered in love and affection after becoming a father at 25, when she and her sister, Vanessa, aren’t even allowed to date before they’re his age. And she’d rather go see Nirvana play live in Chicago than attend her homecoming dance. Perfect for fans of Now Is Not the Time to Panic and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this series-starter traces the social entanglements of the Economos sisters and their friends — from bodice-rippers and bad sex to secret boyfriends and matters of consent — through Cassie’s diary entries from 1993 to ’97. |
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The Trail Blazers by Melina Druga A pioneer. An abolitionist. A feminist. Three generations of one family. Three stories spanning 19th century Canada in this striking collection of novellas from the author of Angel of Mercy. Book 1: Journey of Hope An idealistic young couple set out across country in search of a better life for themselves and their young son in this sweeping historical novella set against the rugged backdrop of early-19th-century British North America. Book 2: Rose’s Assignment When she’s asked to care for a young Black woman fleeing bondage, a white Ontarian must confront her privilege and the racism that pervades her community. Book 3: The Unmarriable Kind In 1880s Ontario, the arrival of a new, forward-thinking headmaster forces a young teacher to wrestle with her heart’s conflicting desires. |
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The Unmarriable Kind by Melina Druga In 1880s Ontario, the arrival of a new, forward-thinking headmaster forces a young teacher to wrestle with her heart’s conflicting desires. Lucretia Goodwin bucks centuries of tradition by refusing to take a husband. She wants no part in the custom that has her best friend keen to marry a man who treats her poorly and whisked a beloved sister off to do missionary work in Barbados. Besides, women lose what few rights they have the moment they say, “I do.” When she suddenly finds herself teaching under a politically outspoken headmaster, Lucretia isn’t sure what to do… or how to feel. Mr. Steward believes in women’s suffrage and — perhaps more shockingly — wants to open all classes to students of both sexes. But what do girls need to know about history or geography, when they’re fated to become keepers of hearth and home? As Lucretia tries to determine where she stands on issues both personal and political, she’s caught between family and friends convinced she’s gone radical and the frustratingly handsome headmaster pressing gently against her resistance to change. But when a tragedy strikes that intensifies her anxieties surrounding marriage, will she permanently close herself off to the possibility of courtship? |
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Rose's Assignment by Melina Druga When she’s asked to care for a young Black woman fleeing bondage, a white Ontarian must confront her privilege and the racism that pervades her community in this striking historical novel from the author of Angel of Mercy and Journey of Hope. Rose Goodwin is proud of her charity work with the Simcoe County Vigilance Committee, where she’s responsible for gathering provisions to help formerly enslaved Americans start new lives in Canada. Her entire life turns upside-down with the arrival of Judith, a critically ill Black refugee who grew feverish after she lost contact with her children during their border crossing. Now practically immobile and still bearing the marks of brutality, Judith needs someone to nurse her back to health before she can settle in the local Black village. The assignment falls to Rose, who quickly notices the cracks in her hometown’s wholesome façade. Her husband offers little support. The town doctor refuses to treat Judith, and even Rose’s own mother and sisters act as if the refugee herself were the problem. This Good Samaritan may be completely out of her element, but her dedication to her patient increases to meet every ounce of resistance she encounters. And still the question remains: Will it be enough to save Judith? |
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Journey of Hope by Melina Druga An idealistic young couple set out across country in search of a better life for themselves and their young son in this sweeping historical novella set against the rugged backdrop of early-19th-century British North America. When her drunken father-in-law showed up threatening to kill both her and her husband, 19-year-old Claire didn’t need any more convincing to strike out west. Together with their 1-year-old son, she and Harold leave New Brunswick behind on a 900-mile trek across Upper and Lower Canada. At first the journey feels like the adventure that farm-boy Harold has always wanted, not to mention a way for Claire, who was hired out at ten, to finally move up in the world. But the land is unyielding, the weather harsh, and it isn’t long before the couple find themselves waylaid. Soon every mile they put behind them feels like a step in the wrong direction. As her previously happy marriage takes a turn toward estrangement, Claire scrabbles for shreds of peace and stability, seeking out what little work she can find to help pay for their mounting travel costs. But tragedy lies right around the corner, and these two young pioneers will be forced to lean on each other — or risk losing everything they’ve sacrificed so much to build. |
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Where Poppies Grow by Melina Druga Melina Druga’s stunning WWI trilogy follows a young nurse and her family as they navigate the challenges and heartbreak the Great War brings. Now read the entire trilogy in one volume. Book 1: The War Front Story: Angel of Mercy Being an idle housewife never suited Hettie Bartlette. So, when her husband, Geoffrey, decided to enlist only a couple of months after their wedding, the choice to join him was easy. Book 2: The Home Front Story: Those Left Behind Newlyweds Hettie Steward and Geoffrey Bartlette wasted no time heading to the Western Front after the war began. In the wake of the couple’s traumatic and untimely separation, their families begin to knit themselves together ever tighter. Matriarchs Lucretia Steward and Amelia Bartlette attempt to keep the home fires burning, unable to escape the tumult of the war. Book 3: The Homecoming Story: Adjustment Year It’s been five years since Hettie left home a blushing bride. Recently relieved of her duties as an army nurse, she makes her long-awaited return a newlywed once again… and pregnant. |
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Adjustment Year by Melina Druga The stunning conclusion to Melina Druga’s World War I trilogy traces Hettie’s attempts to reacclimate to civilian life in the aftermath of the conflict. It’s been five years since Hettie left home a blushing bride. Recently relieved of her duties as an army nurse, she makes her long-awaited return a newlywed once again… and pregnant. Hettie can’t escape the painful memories of the thousands of wounded soldiers she tended to at the Casualty Clearing Station, the devastation of the Halifax Explosion, or the death of her first husband, killed in action shortly after they arrived in France. In a fragile state, she finds little in the way of acceptance or affection among her new in-laws, who can’t seem to understand how a way of life that was once so familiar could become so frightening. To make matters worse, Hettie barely knows the man whose child she’s carrying. By the time the war finally came to an end — and she accepted his proposal of a hasty marriage — Col. Alfred Taylor had spent more time as her penfriend than her lover. He’s the only family she has in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but Alfred might be too caught up with his own problems to notice Hettie’s ongoing battle. Both husband and wife are still fighting the ghosts of the Great War, but will they realize how similar their demons are before it’s too late? |
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Those Left Behind by Melina Druga Told through a series of epistolary vignettes, the second novel in Melina Druga’s World War I trilogy traces the lives of the Steward and Bartlette families as they contend with their children’s and siblings’ wartime absences. Newlyweds Hettie Steward and Geoffrey Bartlette wasted no time heading to the Western Front after the war began. In the wake of the couple’s traumatic and untimely separation, their families begin to knit themselves together ever tighter. Matriarchs Lucretia Steward and Amelia Bartlette attempt to keep the home fires burning, unable to escape the tumult of the war. Hettie’s brother and brother-in-law join her on the front lines. Back in Ontario, some households grow. Others remain painfully stagnant. Romantic relationships wax and wane as these bright-eyed young adults fall in and out of love with one another and wrestle with the tension between timeworn traditions and the shiny appeal of progress. Those Left Behind offers readers the opportunity to connect deeply with the characters they met in The Unmarriable Kind and Angel of Mercy. As five years of deaths, births, tragedies, and triumphs unfold, one question never strays far from center: How does one maintain strong filial bonds — and repair weakened ones — when the world is changing rapidly on all sides? |
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Angel of Mercy by Melina Druga The first installment in a spellbinding trilogy centered around Canada’s involvement in World War I follows a privileged young newlywed to the fraught medical encampments of the Western Front. Being an idle housewife never suited Hettie Bartlette. So, when her husband, Geoffrey, decided to enlist only a couple of months after their wedding, the choice to join him was easy. At the time, it seemed as if the tide would turn against the Germans at any moment. But once the ambitious young couple arrives in Europe, it’s plain to see that the turmoil on French soil shows no indication of abating. It isn’t all bad: Hettie finds purpose tending to the wounded in the Casualty Clearing Station. Unlike people back home in Ontario, hardly anyone within the Allied forces believes her work as an army nurse to be unseemly for a married woman of Hettie’s wealth and breeding. But nothing, not even coming face-to-face with the horrific aftermath of gas and gunfire on a daily basis, can prepare Hettie for the tragedies and tribulations 1915 has in store. With letters from her family pouring in, begging her to come home, Hettie must soon decide on which side of the Atlantic she belongs. |
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Dragons of Dunmoray by Kate Kelly What can you see? Can you see dragons? Dragons have always been part of our world – only most of us cannot see them. Alba MacGregor can see the dragons. She thinks she is alone in this, or that maybe they are all in her head. But when she meets Al she realises, not only that the dragons are real, but that there are others like her, spread across the world. The dragons are stirring. There’s a war coming. A war that has been ongoing for millennia. Only Alba can break this cycle, but to do so she must first defeat a foe much closer to home and far more human. |
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Tales from Beyond the Veil by E. B. Hunter Eight twisted tales as told by the victims of the supernatural. Includes three previously published works, and two top stories on Vocal Media. Come with me if you dare. |
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AVA by Lydia Baker First, they came for the city and we allowed it, they put up the Barrier and we stayed quiet, silenced by the fear of what was beyond. Our elderly were next and still we didn’t cry out; then they came for the women, removed their fertility and stole our future, so I hid. I became Alec and I turned my back on my true self, Ava. Ava can’t live as Alec any longer, the lie is killing her, destroying all that she is. The world beyond MTech’s Barrier calls to her and she can’t ignore it. She has to know what, if anything, survived the terrible day that tore her family apart fourteen years ago. But what if the Outside is far more dangerous than anything Ava has ever faced on the Inside? Ava is set in a dystopian future, where individual rights are being eroded and the population live under a dome barrier that they have been told is for their protection. But, what is outside? Is escape possible and even if it is, will it be a death sentence? |
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A Midflight Vampire’s Tale by Linda Ling “And so at last, you reveal what it is you want from me. My story. The answer is no.” “I’ve saved your life twice by now. You owe me, and you can’t run from me here.” There are some things you can't escape. In a first-class aircraft cabin, on a red-eye flight from Singapore to Europe, sit two extraordinary passengers. They’re on the run. And they’re both vampires. Cheng’s origins reach back to ancient China, while Henry is a vampire who can thrive in the day. For all intents and purposes, they are enemies. Despite the chasm that separates them, they share a tragic connection rooted in the past, a connection which resulted in her becoming his people’s most dreaded adversary. A chain of events has thrown them together and in return for saving her life, Henry wants her story. What did Cheng do to make his people hate her so much? How far will she go to redeem herself? How many people will she entangle in the process? And who is hunting them both? The is the tale of her origins, told in midflight, vampire to vampire. |
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The Astray Chosen (The Thedre Trilogy Book 2) by Laura Huie They both need to find the gods. He, to save the country. Her, to kill them. Fia's magic has broken. Every portal she makes slices the ground and reality itself. It’s been months of training and she is no closer to returning to Earth. Each week she fails, the Fate takes more and more control over Winston’s body. Even being Chosen, protected from death by the gods themselves, they are far from safe as the gods pursue their own goals. Despite young Martin’s prayers for guidance, silence is the only response. He can only watch in fear of his own people as a drought sent to punish Fia’s betrayal destroys his country. Unanswered prayers and fear will feed no one. Will the people he cares for most pay for his indecision and cowardice? -- This is the second book in the series The Thedre Trilogy. |
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Song of Jade: Hidden Kingdom by C. R. Collins “Magic permeated the atmosphere. It left a tangy taste in my mouth.” News of an old adversary sends Queen Jade of Sharren on a journey of discovery. Can she fulfill her vow to bring them to justice or will they elude her again? SONG OF JADE: HIDDEN KINGDOM continues the story of the woman who didn’t want to be queen with another standalone adventure. This is the second DRAGON AGE prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. |
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If you were chosen to save the world, would you do anything it takes? Ifry is the long suffering clerk to the wealthy and demanding Thomas Townsend. When the latter takes Ifry to the mountains to build a ski resort, they have their work cut out for them. The mountain town is overrun with carnivorous monsters and Ifry is woefully unprepared, but he finds help in Jos Nothernine, the reserved but charming local hunter. Yet the town is plagued by more than just monsters: it is home to Solyon, the god of summer himself. Each year, Solyon chooses a townsperson to defeat a sacrifice chosen by Lady Winter. If the chosen fails, winter will continue endlessly, meaning disaster for the world at large. A sacrifice must be made, and this year Jos has been chosen to kill someone, lest summer never return. |
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Gossip queen ALEX longs to be seen. Cheerleader TULSI is sick of cutting people on her sharp heart. New kid CLEMENTINE can’t escape the violence inside. And wallflower SUNJU is tired of keeping quiet. When a twist of fate brings this unlikely quartet together, sparks and punches fly. They call it ‘Girls Night,' an underground fight club that’s girls only. Soon every girl at Sterling High is showing up to class with bruised knuckles and split lips. Alex, Tulsi, Clementine, and Sun have never felt more alive. Until demonic head cheerleader, Quentin Scarhill, steps in the ring with her eyes on Alex. As Quentin’s hold over Alex tightens, Girls Night spirals out of control. Can they take back the reins before things turn deadly? And if Girls Night ends will they throw in the towel on their newfound friendships? |
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‘I say even destiny is a choice. Those who choose destiny should never let go.' - TESTAMENT God created Man for a purpose, to live on Earth and enrich his soul throughout lifetimes of experience so that he may be allowed entry into Heaven. Feminine residents of Heaven demanded representation and God was forced to allow, paving the way for Women. Now, to oversee God's ambition, residents live amongst them, creating a system for them. But where there is light, there is darkness. Over the ages, a battle between the light and darkness ensues and God will stop at nothing to get his way even if he has to defy his own creation! |
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What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose: A Political Thriller by Michael Fedor Former U.S. Senator Jackson Piper thought his political ambitions were shattered after a shocking defeat on the national stage drove him out of public service. But when a sinister plan to hijack the presidential election shatters his quiet retreat in the Rockies, two trusted former colleagues approach him with a plan to restore balance to a corrupted two-party system that will shape the fate of the American people in the upcoming 2044 elections. With the clock ticking and American values on the line, Jackson resurrects the forgotten Bull Moose Party to take on the corrupt President Warner and his billionaire puppeteer. As allies fall and enemies close in, Piper will battle through a storm of deception, danger, and doubt. The odds are stacked against him as he faces assassination attempts, brutal betrayals, and a relentless smear campaign that threaten everything he holds dear. Backed by a crew of unlikely heroes—the fiery Texas governor, a cunning Cajun Speaker of the House, and a brilliant strategist in his wife—Piper will learn what it means to accept responsibility for the future of the American people and stand firm against corrupt political forces in a clash that will shake the nation to its core. In this heart-pounding thriller with twists at every turn, follow Piper and his loyal team of patriots as they race against time to expose the truth before democracy itself falls prey to the monsters of greed and manipulation. What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose is a pulse-pounding rollercoaster of loyalty, sacrifice, and unyielding courage that will keep you on your toes until the final page. This book is a must-read for fans of VInce Flynn, Brad Thor, James Patterson, or political thrillers like "The Manchurian Candidate" and "All the President's Men." Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure through the cutthroat world of presidential elections. |
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At the dawn of time, young Perl awakes at the base of the ancient Bodhi tree, the only source of the last remaining life-giving fruits of wisdom. She's met by a mysterious deity named Ohm, who eases her reawakening before hastily setting her on a path into the unknown, tasked with choosing twelve primitive beings to receive the blessing of self-awareness, so they can join Perl in her newfound godhood and help lay the foundations of civilization. |
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Black Fox and Bitterbind(Fae & Familiars, #1) by Leanbh Pearson Bitterbind is a Fae outcast from her people after bonding with Black Fox – a creature considered a bad omen and harbinger of doom. They are exiled from Bitterbind’s Fae community and must learn to make their own way in the world where Fae are regarded with suspicion and dislike by the humans. Bitterbind and Black Fox share one soul and a mind and Black Fox’s sneaky intelligence and Bitterbind’s stealth are a perfect combination for royal thieves and spies. This last job might earn them home of their own where they can stop running from persecution. All they need to do first is succeed against the King’s treacherous enemies. |
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I am Armageddon by C. L. Cabrera All nurses are angels, but not all nurses have wings. Wylie does. She just doesn’t know it yet. Reeling from the loss of her family, emergency room nurse Wylie is destined to be the catalyst of the apocalypse. As she grieves, angelic abilities surface. Wylie learns her true identity and the terrible prophecy that comes with it. Only two men can help her now, the human doctor with whom she has an inhuman connection and the angel who has searched for her since the original sin. With them at her side, she delves deeper into the world of angels and their fight for freedom. Soon Wylie realizes the prophecy may be a self-fulfilling one. With heart-pounding action and unforgettable characters, I Am Armageddon is a gripping page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. |
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Julia Trencher has died. Twice. But Geppetto’s Circus of Strange Marvels offers hope of others like her—a place she could be welcomed, celebrated even. She didn’t know it would lead to herself and the circus vanishing amidst a mysterious fire. Now, all that remains are the historical circus wagons at the edge of town and a darkness that a young man Max can’t seem to shake. As Max investigates the enchanted circus claims and the Trenchers abandoned mansion, the line between villains and sidekicks blurs, and revealing the circus’ secrets may come at the cost of confronting his own. |
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I Know You Like a Murder by Amy L. Sauder “A narrator always gets to know the reader before spilling their deepest secret. I am a murderer. She was just a silly nothing of a girl until I made her rise to fame. A pennything. So, reader: sit down, cozy up. I’d offer a cup of tea, but you may worry it’s poisoned, and you may be correct. But I can’t just tell you how she died. That’s too easy. Too quick. Buckle up: you’re in for a villainous monologue.” |
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Taterskin & The Eco Defenders by Blackbird Crow Raven Book 2 of the "Taterskin & The Eco Defenders" series (“Tell it to Future Generations”) takes up with the Eco Defenders following up on their earlier adventures by 1) Preventing the American Civil War in 1861, after which a slave they free joins them; 2) Saving the Indians from being massacred at Wounded Knee in 1890, following which Chapawee, a Sioux Indian, joins the Eco Defenders; 3) Putting an end to the practice of vivisection (experimentation on live animals) in 1903; 4) Coming to the aid of exploited workers in 1911 Manhattan, saving hundreds from the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire; and 5) Traveling to the Amazon Basin in 1978 to protect and preserve the Amazon rainforest. Taterskin & The Eco Defenders, told in “first canine” by the titular character, a Labrador Retriever, is a Cli-Fi (ultimately utopian) fantasy of a few humans and several talking animals who travel through time and space to make the past—and thus the future—a better place. The improvements effected by the Eco Defenders benefit not just the earth itself, but also mistreated humans and animals. |
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The Warrior's Shade by Ingrid Moon A fleet for hire. A mysterious client. A weapon of mass destruction. No longer a commander, Turner Boone will come to the rescue of any fleet that will pay him. However, he has done his job too well, and his clients have no need to call. His fleet-for-hire is running out of funds—and options. Things look up when he is hired to retrieve the wreckage of an ancient terraforming machine. He soon realizes the device can be turned into a devastating weapon, and he has no idea who his well-paying client is. Caught between delivering the artifact to the client, whose methods to collect it are ruthless, and hiding his fleet from the Coalition Navy, who hunts him as a traitor, Boone faces the most difficult decision of his life. In discovering the client's secret, his investigation goes too deep, propelling himself and the assassin, Elyon, into a Coalition trap—one that will require untenable sacrifices to avoid execution. Epic Space Battles, Biological “Magic,” Found Family, Galactic Empire, Pirates, A Rebellious Assassin, Daring Pilots and more! The Warrior's Shade is a desperate chase across the galaxy, where a young man discovers his fatal flaw, and an assassin learns the meaning of sacrifice. |
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With Love, Juniper by Amanda Cessor Juniper Harlow had always been a nervous young woman. Particularly when it came to the social obligations of a well-to-do family in a small village. There were only very few exceptions: her parents and her childhood friend Oleander Ambrose. He always seemed to understand her fears and often went out of his way to act as a shield against the perils of social interaction. Oleander didn’t mind. After all, he wanted nothing more than to make Juniper his wife. As far as he was concerned, it was his duty to protect her. When Oleander left to attend conservatory to gain his sorcerer’s diploma, Juniper was left to handle the overwhelming expectations of the people around her on her own. Which, for her, meant to avoid them entirely, retreating into her work as an herbalist. When Oleander did return, he was unrecognizable, and Juniper and Oleander found themselves navigating an unexpected chasm in their once intimate friendship. Oleander, ever patient with his childhood love, was more than ready to move at her pace. That is until Theo Vervain arrives in the village and sets his sights on Juniper with his own desires of courtship, seeming to have an inexplicable connection to the usually-timid young lady. |
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Earth Hagiography by Sfarda L. Gül Written during a time of turmoil and heavy-heartedness, EARTH HAGIOGRAPHY collates prose poetry and lyric essays in a poignant, frank discourse of grief, police state upbringing, loss of heritage to colonialism, political ideology, earth veneration, queerness, and psychological wounds, seeking to weave and unfold the bloodied yarn of remembrance and histories forgotten or unknown. |
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Non Omnis Moriar by Sfarda L. Gül The city state of Vencenza rots, and Giorgianna, vengeful, enlightened, an outlaw and witch, seeks blood—the dues she’s owed for the crimes committed against her and those she loves. As summer withers to autumn, she is faced with a deadly quest: infiltrate the ministerial court, unspool the inner circle’s darkest secrets, and aid the resistance in bringing forth a revolution to finally break the shackles of tyranny. All while remaining under pretences amidst the state’s most violent and powerful men. But explosive tensions mount among the revolutionaries, bodies pile in the streets, the church gains frightening authority, and Giorgianna’s psyche teeters along its final breaking point—made only worse by a lovesickness more agonising than hunger. With winter looming upon the horizon, civil war seems inevitable, and love could never be a saviour. How dearly will those dues cost? |
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Expressing emotion is prohibited by law in the city state of Vencenza. Beneath its tyrannical shadow, Giorgianna, a deranged former playwright turned political fugitive, flees a brothel to seek justice for the murder of a beloved friend. When the last remnants of her bloodline are reaped by the incorrigible Minister of Dominion, Giorgianna’s crooked path to retribution crosses with Vencenza’s Machiavellian revolutionary hellbent on regime overturn. All the while, the weight of unending tragedy erodes Giorgianna’s psyche into a vengeful bloodlust plagued by cabbalistic visions hinting at an ever-darker face of the violent Powers That Be. |
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When a rural settlement at the edge of our galaxy faces a threat science cannot explain, Dr. Lau must choose: save herself and keep her secrets, or reveal her truth to save her community. In the distant future, no one questions the limitations of science and technology. But on Valiance, a planet far from Earth, everything changes when the nightly fog becomes dangerous, people go missing, and those found are comatose. Dr. Jena Lau is secretly a woman of faith. In a society where religion has been eradicated and is illegal, she grapples with the reality that neither science nor technology can resolve the threat to her community. As she recognizes the evil attacking her home for what it is, she faces a life-altering decision: save herself by keeping her secrets or try to save everyone else by revealing them. As the inexplicable danger within the fog takes more and more of her community, Dr. Lau’s forbidden faith in a god long rejected and forgotten pushes her to act. Readers who enjoy Christian Science Fiction will love this novel that boldly declares the God of Earth is also the God of all creation, to the edges of the galaxy and beyond. |
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A Dirge for Cascius by Calum Lott Chaos seeps into the Valsollas Galaxy. Cascius Carcyde is on the brink of letting his addiction to reliving his sorrows claim his mind. When the Sages demand he take a new partner, Cascius must forfeit his old ways in order to solve the twisted Red Hand murders. To unravel an interstellar mystery and stop the Red Hand, Cascius must pull himself from the very depths of despair and learn to change before the entire Velutra falls into oblivion. Stare too long into the abyss, and the abyss peers back. True Detective meets Hyperion in this epic space opera debut, perfect for fans of James S.A. Corey and Christopher Ruocchio. |
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A Princess of Oldir by Bryan Wilson "Whether (this book) is your initiation to the Power of the Stars saga or you're an experienced Solara wielder, this is a must-read for sci-fantasy fans." - The Dragon Reread: SFF Insiders The Ojurn family has guided the planet of Oldir for centuries, and as the ancestors of a prophet, the world’s citizens have always honored their bloodline. However, the people’s struggles are on the rise, and their solar system’s limited resources continue to dwindle. Rhanna, the daughter of the current Lord Supreme, considers it her duty to rid the planet of its troubles. She spends most of her days training to take up her family’s mantle. But when a popular young leader from a neighboring world arrives on their soil, it becomes evident that there are those with other wishes. Set more than three decades before the events of The Forsaken Planet, this is a story of one family’s struggle to do what is right, even if it costs them their legacy. A Princess of Oldir is both a standalone story in the Power of the Stars universe and a complementary addition for those familiar with the main books. You do not need to have read the other work to enjoy this novella. |
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The Bartender Between Worlds by Herman Steuernagel Low-stakes magic, crafting cocktails, and discovering the power of who we truly are. Emma grew up as a Hunter of the Cursed—those charged with eradicating monsters and magic from the Kingdom. She's revered as one of the King's most skilled hunters. At least she was—until she discovered she possessed magic herself. Before anyone else can discover her secret, Emma abandons her post and flees to the far edge of the Kingdom, where she hopes she can settle down and live a quiet life as a bartender, out of the Hunters' watchful eye. Fate, however, won't allow us to run away from who we are so easily. When Emma is confronted by an exiled fairy and a man who claims to be a scientist (though Emma is convinced he's a sorcerer), she must evaluate what she believes and the confines of who she's been allowed to be. Pulled on a journey that takes her further than she'd ever imagined possible, Emma is led on an adventure to discover where her fate lies and must confront her own biases, hopefully learning a drink recipe or two along the way. A low-stakes cozy fantasy about cocktails, magic, portals, and finding where we truly belong. If you enjoyed the themes of leaving it all behind in books like Legends & Lattes, and the fun and low-stakes magic in The Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, then this is the book for you. |
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Hecate's Hollow by Tallie Rose A Snow White and Rose Red retelling Besides the blood drinking and international crime, she’s the perfect woman… Lemon has spent the last twenty years hidden away from her abusive father in the mountain town of Hecate’s Hollow, a safe haven for witches like Lemon and her family. But that safety comes to an end the day she trips down an embankment and is honest-to-god swept off her feet by Claudia. It would be just like the romantic movies she loves, except Claudia is an international thief, cursed to live like a vampire by her witch hunter ex-boss, Julian. Lemon knows she should stay out of it, but curiosity and the urge to play the hero for a beautiful woman get the better of her. Talented at divining the ingredients for potions, Lemon agrees to help brew a cure, not expecting to find herself caught up in the very life her mother ran from years ago. Lemon thinks it will be easy enough to help Claudia — a few hikes for obscure ingredients, some clandestine kisses, and favors from farmers, nothing too dangerous — until Julian comes to claim what’s his. With her girlfriend in the hands of a monster, Lemon can’t hide anymore. She must leave Hecate’s Hollow and learn just what she’s really capable of. |
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They of the West (Scrublands Book 1) by Dani Finn Dralen never could leave well enough alone. He knows better than to go near the canyons. That’s where the Logans live, wild men of the hills said to devour lone travelers in frenzied midnight feasts. But the mysterious cloaked figure he saw down by the canyons had to be there for a reason. And he can’t get his Urpa’s poem out of his head: something about “They of the West” and “Treasures buried in memory’s mine.” Folks used to mine for topaz in the canyons, and other stones too. Magical ones, some said. But the Logans and the cave-in put an end to all that. Dralen knows he’ll get in trouble if he goes after the cloaked figure, and he’s doubly sure he doesn’t care. Maybe They know something everyone else has forgotten in this little nothing town. Dralen is called to follow Them, but the closer he gets to unraveling the mystery, the more it seems his own journey is just beginning… They of the West is a fantasy novella set in a brand-new world, a coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and self-discovery. It is the first book in The Scrublands, a planned trio of novellas. It is appropriate for older young adult and adult audiences; content warnings include hunting/butchery, smoking, drinking, cursing, and brief references to sexual topics. |
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Through Dry Places by D.H. Gutierrez An old Spanish mission lies beneath the surface of a serene Texas lake, its secrets hidden for decades. The receding waters of a drought expose its ruins and it becomes the source of inspiration for Matthew, an urban explorer struggling to maintain his once-popular video channel. Determined to make it his next big video, Matthew sets out to uncover the mystery surrounding San Lazaro. But as he delves deeper into the decrepit halls and forgotten rooms, he finds himself face-to-face with his own fears. |
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Heirs to a Flawed Creation: Stories from Near Earth by E.L. Montague Assassin. Detective. Cop. Interrogator. Lover. Spy Master. Rebel. All of these. Purpose defines us. It will define the peoples we leave behind when we are gone. We are children playing with the powers of a god. Our creations will be as flawed as their creators. The gift of intellect comes with doubt. In the none too distant future, tools will become beings in their own right. Factory floors will be the womb of an entire people. Androids will struggle to exist alongside the lesser gods who created them, even as they surpass us. These stories explore that struggle. |
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The Hound of Greyvor (Silver Sights Saga #2) by W.J. Long III Since Minerva Prime, peace, quiet, and adolescence have driven a wedge between Claude and Vision. As tempers flare in their modest home, a new danger emerges behind the Sabien veil; Levine Drarri, a disgraced servant of the Imperium, arrives on their doorstep, seeking the aid of Silver Sights. In his wake comes chaos, tragedy, and the boundless fury of a Sabien Crown. Now, the weight of Drarri’s sudden arrival threatens to shatter the already fractured bond between father and daughter, while in the shadows, the weapons of the Imperium bear down on all they have built. |
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Not Your Bargain (Not Your Adventures Book 2) by AJ Alexanders When his last opportunity for closure arises, will Matradatin get answers before it's too late? It’s been 20 years since the Battle of Crab. 20 years since Matradatin Hammerbeard was crowned King of Craig'n Dell. 20 years since he last saw Samuel Floresburg and shared that earth-shattering kiss. When they parted, Matradatin was left with more questions than answers. What did Samuel mean by it? Why hasn't he kept in touch? Why did he leave so abruptly? Now, Samuel has returned, seeking the dwarf king’s help for one final adventure: one last chance to finally find the answers he's been yearning for. The Otehill dwarves of the South Wildes have unearthed a vein of Hoskonor, the dark ore that nearly destroyed Matradatin’s home. A human king has enlisted their aid to persuade the Otehill dwarves of its peril. Can they convince the dwarves to heed their warning? What secrets has Samuel kept from Matradatin all these years? Will the embers of their past finally ignite into a lasting flame? Join Samuel, the charming spellcaster, and Matradatin, the quiet sovereign, as they embark on one last, bittersweet journey. "We franchised!" - Puck "It reads different from NYM... loved seeing old characters and new fun characters pop up!" |
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Protector Dragon: MM Shifter Romance (Lewiston Dragons Book 1) by Liv Rider Shifters ruined his life. How can he be falling in love with one? Growing up the only human in a shifter town, Joel has been an outcast his entire life - not even his own family let him forget how weak humans are. Running away was his only chance at a normal life, and he's been avoiding shifters ever since. But when his job working in a coffee shop puts him in a room full of shifters, he has to confront his worst fears. He's just not sure if he should be alarmed or happy that the hottest guy he's ever met is determined to talk to him. After all, everyone knows shifters aren't attracted to humans. Dragon shifter Thomas Rollins thought nothing could be more difficult than resolving arguments between the shifters in his district. But when he meets his fated mate Joel, he has no clue how to get the suspicious human to talk to him for more than five minutes, never mind go out on a date. When he learns about Joel's past, he's determined to prove shifters and humans can get along very well. Just as Joel is starting to let his guard down, his family finds him and forces him to come back to a place he refuses to call home. Can the trust Joel and Thomas have started to build survive the ultimate test? Protector Dragon is a m/m paranormal dragon shifter/human romance with a HEA and no cliffhangers. It is the first book in the Lewiston Dragons series, followed by Halloween Dragon and Wedding Dragon. All books can be read separately. |
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The Truth for the Lies by O. H. Phukdischidt Is the handsome winged criminal a madman? Or has he uncovered a government conspiracy that threatens his entire race? In the country of Tar, humans and winged people called hollow-boned live side by side. Red Raven, a criminal so named by the media because of his red wings and black hair, wreaks havoc on the cities. He revels in torturing government employees and blowing up charity organizations. His true motives with these attacks, however, remain a mystery. Indigo is an agent of the Sentinels of Light, a private organization sworn to uphold justice. The skilled fighter is the Sentinel’s Master Swordsman and makes apprehending Red Raven his top priority. However, he finds the criminal beautiful and charming. The man may not be as evil as everyone seems to think. The more often they battle each other, the harder it becomes for the two men to deny their fiery attraction. And the more he learns about the alluring man’s motivations, the more Indigo questions everything he was taught about the sheltered world he was raised in. |