Birth of the Knave by David Reynolds

“No good deed goes unpunished,” and if Theopolis Knavidowsky had known what kind of punishment he was going to get, he would have run away screaming as far and as fast as he could go. A small-town reporter and photographer, Theo lets a “friend” persuade him to shoot a rocket launch. Through a series of errors, Theo is blasted unprepared into space aboard a rocket module. One of four in this batch, the modules are designed to be connected and then sent to the surface of Mars. Each module has its own function, though one is filled with food and supplies. Unknown to its passenger, the “unoccupied” rocket’s purpose is changed from being part of a Mars mission to fending off an approaching asteroid. NASA’s people on Earth do not know the former moon is not an empty hunk of rock but something else entirely ... and it's occupied. Read Birth of the Knave available now on Amazon.com

Return of the King by David Reynolds

What if … Gravely wounded at the Battle of Camlann and preserved by ancient spells, Arthur is waiting to be discovered by modern men and women? What if … Merlin, imprisoned by the witch Nimue, is freed after 1,500 years by a random bullet fired during a drunken college party? What if … The awakening of Merlin causes Morgan Le Fay and Mordred, the nemeses of Merlin and Arthur, to also return from their own enchantments? The world is about to find when a reawakened Merlin, with help from his computerized familiar Archimedes, modern human guide Nicole and pet cat Rex seek out Arthur before rebuilding the Knights of the Round table. Return of the King, Book One in The One True King series, is available now at Amazon.com

The Gravity Shield by David Reynolds

“Melissa,” a security guard at the front entrance to the Field Museum in Chicago said when McAllister’s phone rang, “I’ve got a geezer down here who claims to have some Martian meteorites. What should I do with him?” “What the hell,” she said, thinking aloud, “I’m not going to get any more productive work done today anyway. Send him up, Harry.” “How do you know these are Martian meteorites?” she cynically asked the large man holding a 5-gallon bucket filled with reddish sand and rocks. "I was hoping you’d have one of them there mass spectrometers that could tell me—us—for sure,” the man known as Wooly Wally replied. Melissa didn't know it then but her life was about to be permanently changed when the museum's lab did the unthinkable: Wooly Wally was right: the bucket's contents were from Mars. Find out what happens next by reading The Gravity Shield, available now at Amazon.com.

Oy Fey by David Reynolds

A change of jobs and locations required Trevor Wilson and his Chihuahua Tinkerbell to take a hike, one that became a lot longer and stranger than Trevor could imagine. Walking the Pacific Crest Trail, their adventures began with seeing a small bird drink whiskey from a cup. If that wasn't strange enough, Trevor and Tinkerbell's lives go bonkers when he's asked to rescue a cat stuck in a tall pine tree further down the trail. Attacked by thieves wanting to steal her car, Trevor fights them off. Changing out of his human form, Trevor barely has time to protect Bella from an onrushing car before the vehicle hits his now rock-hard form. “Who are you? What are you? Get away from me you monster,” Bella screamed, running back to where she had left Hunter in his carrier. Trevor responded, hurt far worse by her words than the bullet through his middle, though he doubted Bella heard him. Woodenly, he said, “I am gnome.” Find Oy Fey on Amazon.com

Cold Water, Hot Blood by David Reynolds

Seeing a shipwreck about to happen within feet of where he is taking pictures, landscape photographer Dan Berger risks life and limb to save … a small dog. Once onboard the sinking sailboat, though, he hears banging coming from below decks only to find a woman trapped in the galley. Using his fist as a battering ram, Dan breaks the closed door before the waves and current carry them into the depths of the Pacific. Adding to his list of injuries, Dan manages to tow Kate and the dog to safety along the rugged Big Sur shoreline. What Dan doesn't know is his pain has only just begun. Find out more in this exciting adult romance, available now on Amazon.com

Hot Water, Cold Blood by David Reynolds

A stolen T-shirt leads former computer hacker Andru Olshansky into a web of deceit, betrayal and a whole lot of pain. Hot Water, Cold Death begins with Andru having an angry confrontation with a ski club leader as he seeks to get his T-shirt back. Getting kicked out of his hotel, he is taken in by young, beautiful and rich Yvonne Savage. As they are getting to know each other on the ski slopes, the pair is attacked and badly beaten. Yvonne convinces Andru to hunt for her industrialist father. He disappeared on a plane flight to Germany nearly a year ago. As Andru starts digging into the disappearance, he befriends Roxanne, a former Navy SEAL. Roxanne is also looking for the plane crash because her sister was on it. Will Andru and Roxanne find the wreck before their own lives end? Find out by reading Hot Water, Cold Blood available know at Amazon.com

Seizing the Bygone Light: A Tribute to Early Photography by Cendrine Marrouat, David Ellis, Hadiya Ali

The medium of limitless possibilities that is photography has been with us for almost 200 years. Despite its great advancements, its early days still influence and dazzle a majority of professional photographers and artists. Such is the case of Cendrine Marrouat, Hadiya Ali and David Ellis, three members of the PoArtMo Collective. The result? "Seizing the Bygone Light: A Tribute to Early Photography." This unique collection of artistic styles brings together different innovative concepts of both gripping writing and stunning visual imagery. In the first part of the book, photographer and painter Ali introduces us to two of her favorite photographers by reimagining and recreating images in the nature of her photographic idols — Irving Penn and Karl Blossfeldt. In the second part, photographer, poet, and author Marrouat shares a selection of her reminigrams, a digital style that she personally created to honor and pay homage to the early days of photography. Author and poet Ellis rounds things off with a series of pareiku poems (the poetry form he co-created with Marrouat), offering fresh outlooks for his sincere, heartfelt adoration of photography of the past. A fascinating and compelling book, "Seizing the Bygone Light: A Tribute to Early Photography" will leave you with a deep sense of appreciation and a greater understanding of photography. PoArtMo Collective is a gathering of inspirational artists, writers and photographers that combine their talents to produce positive, mixed media projects that stimulate the minds of the people who delve into them.

Rhythm Flourishing: A Collection of Kindku and Sixku by Cendrine Marrouat, David Ellis

Welcome to a very special collection of positive poetry that embraces elements of nature, romantic ideals, and inspirational vibes. "Rhythm Flourishing: A Collection of Kindku and Sixku" showcases two unique, brand-new poetry forms created by Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis, the co-founders of Auroras & Blossoms, a platform celebrating positivity and inspiration in art. By taking elements of found poetry and Japanese poetry forms, Cendrine and David have developed a style of poetry known as the Kindku. The collection also features a selection of gorgeous images and poems from Cendrine’s own visual poetry form -- the Sixku. Enjoy a divine series of poems inspired by a variety of well-known poets including Elizabeth Bishop, Emily Dickinson, John Keats, Emma Lazarus, William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, William Butler Yeats, Christina Rossetti, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Maya Angelou, Sara Teasdale, Pablo Neruda and many others. Learn how to write your very own Kindku and Sixku by reading this book and when you are done, consider submitting them to Auroras & Blossoms for publication.

Fragments of a shattered mind by Jae Vel

Fragments of Shattered Mind” is a collection of poems about the author’s personal journey with depression, PTSD, and anxiety. On her darkest days she felt as if she were at the bottom of a long forgotten well unable to climb out. Writing became a therapeutic way to express her thoughts when she felt she had no voice to speak.

The Fair Haired Boy; Or, The Sound of a Lost Voice by Jack CJ Stark

A mother. A father. A fair haired boy. A fog that turns everything bad, and a voice that can end the suffering. A Ma Shen folk tale told to and via Jack CJ Stark.

Seen and Unseen by Jack CJ Stark

Some things are seen. Some things are unseen. After a failed suicide attempt, the patient finds himself trapped on a secure mental health ward. Forced to live with strangers, and without a purpose in life, he discovers he is capable of much more than he ever thought possible. A magical tale of friendship, desperation, kindness, and finding peace.

Winterhued by E. H. Alger

In a land on the edge of all that is known dwells Princess Winterhued, erudite, beautiful, broken-hearted. The heir to her father's kingdom and raised to be queen, she is troubled by terrifying dreams and now finds the half-demented king turning against her. Slimy sycophants whisper in his ear, persuading him that a 'mere woman' is incapable of ruling, and now he ogles the princess's ladies-in-waiting and boasts of begetting a male heir. But Winterhued's fears become as naught when a vast and ancient being comes flying on dread wings to lay siege to Castle Lawhill. Trailing fear and slaughter, it traps Winterhued and her people within the broken walls. The princess strives to save her subjects, but it seems the only one courageous enough to help her is the lowliest servant-boy in the castle. Yet from the east, riding across wraith-haunted Iron Crag, comes a nameless knight, exiled and condemned, and a horned creature follows him, silent as moonlight. ‘In her debut, Alger evokes dreamy classics, such as Lord Dunsany’s 1924 novel, The King of Elfland’s Daughter, while blessing her characters with a modern wit that lets them stand beside figures created by Neil Gaiman. Fantasy fans will consistently enjoy the lyrical prose... An epic fantasy marked by passionate prose and courageous characters.’ - Kirkus Reviews

Brimstone & Silver by Emily Michel

Annika Turner never thought she’d get another chance at love after a demon killed her husband. Then she met Rhys Carter, and now he’s in trouble. Big trouble. Annie abandons the community that took her in and trained her in order to save the man she loves from federal law enforcement. Nothing surprises Rhys Carter more than when Annie turns up just as the feds close in. He had almost given up hope that he would ever see the woman he loves again. Now, hunted by a demon, witches, and the US Marshals, they must find a way to save Annie, save Rhys, and save their future together

Devil's Claw & Moonstone by Emily Michel

Facing an impossible choice, Annika Turner leaves the man she’s falling for in order to protect him. The clock is ticking, counting down the days until the demon who killed her mother and her husband returns to kill her, too. She must control her Gift, learn new skills, and master witchy politics before it’s too late. If you’d asked him a few months ago, Rhys Carter would have told you he didn’t have a heart to break. Then Annie walked out on him. Hell-bent on destroying the demon that hunts her, he holds onto the hope that the woman who invades his dreams at night will one day return to him.

Witch Hazel & Wolfsbane by Emily Michel

After an attack unlocked her magical Gift, Annika Turner is determined to find the creature that changed her life and protect what remains of her family. Just when she's close to some answers in this new world of magic and monsters, her only lead is killed by a pair of Hunters, mistakenly trying to save her. She changes tactics and seeks out their help. Her only problem: she wants more than lessons from one of them. Rhys and Owen Carter are seasoned Hunters, having chased after monsters together for the past ten years. Little do they know a quick trip to stop a werewolf in a small Arizona town will introduce chaos into their lives in the form of a headstrong witch. Teaching Annie about the monsters is either the best idea ever, or the worst, but they can't seem to let her face them on her own.

Last Time She Died by Niki Kamerzell

A rainy night. A slick road. A car crash. ‘A puff of yellow dust blew from the vent, and the car filled with a strong sulfur smell. Laughter whispered through the speakers, then blared at full volume.’ Everything changes for Alexia Harper the night she leaves late from her waitressing job. When voices threaten her through the radio, she wonders if she’s gone crazy. Then lightning explodes close by, and Alexia crashes. Following the accident, every day is the same. Every night the same nightmare stalks her. It’s like her life is on repeat, but she can’t shake the fearful warning her subconscious is screaming at her. When Leland starts working at the diner, Alexia is drawn to him. He’s kind, funny and handsome, and he’s…familiar. It’s like they’ve spent the past eight lifetimes getting to know each other. Now, the memory-like dreams make sense. She recognizes people she doesn’t know—and they are giving her clues; answers she desperately needs to stop the thing that’s coming for her. Coming for all of them. Again.

Bishop's Crossing by Don Mewha

A failed priest gets pulled back into the occult world that he left behind when his daughter shows signs of mystical ability. He reconnects with his former team to track down the missing daughter of the Voodoo King of New Orleans while he’s hunted by a fanatical member of the Church.

A Darkening Fate by Ruth Miranda

While Emrys and Yseult struggle to focus her powers and make them work in their advantage, Nora must find a way to break a binding she and Aaron have been put under, while in the Avalon of old, Artuir comes of age and stands on the brink of becoming king and choosing his queen...

Avalon Hall by Ruth Miranda

When Yseult Urquhart's magic finally manifests, she finds herself saving her own life and faced with a choice.Submitting to her family's demands that she returns to Scotland and joins Avalon Hall - a school for witches who come late into their magic - the youngest member of the powerful Urquhart clan enters a place of mysteries and secrets, where nothing is what it seems.Voices from the past, visions of long ago times, even a possible ghost, all materialise before Yseult's eyes and ears, driving her to a spiral of confusion and curiosity that has her delving into what lies behind Avalon Hall.And why does it carry that name?

Danseur by Ruth Miranda

When Jai decides to rent the house he shared with his late husband, he has no idea he's about to meet the man who'll change his life. For Lin DaoShi's not only famous, he's also straight – and comes nursing an eating disorder and a broken heart. After a riding accident that threatens to end his dancing career and hamper his acting, he trades China for the UK in an attempt to flee the spotlight and find some peace. What he finds, though, when crossing paths with Jai, is his life changing and his world turned upside down. For after their chance meeting, DaoShi no longer knows who he is or what he wants out of life. Brought together by a common love for ballet, they soon find themselves trapped in a pas de deux only the secrets they must keep can break apart...

Alchemy of Chaos by Ruth Miranda

FIfteen years after the suicide of two of his friends, Ezra King returns to the prestigious University of St. Cyr, this time as a teacher. Following on the footsteps of his former mentor Darren Whitford, he reopens the elitist study group specialising in Chaos Alchemy, guiding his students in the pursuit of results that will make life easier for all the Nonpareil.When those connected to the prior group, of which Ezra was a part of, start showing up dead, his own demons resurface, and the ghosts lying dormant in St. Cyr threaten to rise from their graves...

The Dancing Turtle by AJ Stiles

An intoxicating novel set during a hot and sultry Brazilian summer. After a series of heart-breaking tragedies, Marcus disappears to sail around Brazil in an attempt to heal. There he meets Miguel, a local fisherman. What follows is the unraveling of dark past family secrets and a profound insight into the ways of the world.

The Curse of the Minotaur (Perils of S.P.A.C.E Book 2) by Cameron D. Blackwell

Captain Sundance Starmont and Lieutenant Timmy Falken escort their new friend, Astralyn to Planet Destin to pick up an Old Earth Artifact known as The Minos Cube. It looked like a simple cube, but upon retrieval of said cube, they find themselves trapped inside it, lost in an ever-changing maze. If that wasn't bad enough, they find they are not alone. They are being hunted by a massive minotaur who is very hungry. Can the StarTango crew survive the maze long enough to escape? Or will they succumb to the hunger of the beast?

The Crystal Eggs by Cameron D. Blackwell

S.P.A.C.E. agents Captain Sundance Starmont and Lieutenant Timmy Falken attend a gala event for the reveal of the Ovarium Crystal Eggs when suddenly a gang of Space Chickens busts it up, demanding the Eggs be returned to them. With the Eggs stolen, the S.P.A.C.E. agents realize that was only the beginning. Queen Chickadee seeks to use the Eggs to exact her revenge on the human race for the destruction of her planet. Joined by a museum curator, Astralyn Winner, Sundance and Timmy must retrieve the Eggs, and save New Earth from annihilation. If you like Flash Gordon and Doctor Who, this is the series for you!

An Exploration of BDSM by Koriana Brackson

It’s been two years since Kenzie and Felicity experienced A Discovery of BDSM. While Kenzie’s savored Dominating her beautiful, if bratty, submissive, she hasn’t forgotten her own desires to submit. With Felicity a submissive, and a failed session at a BDSM club, Kenzie’s unable to determine if she is, as she suspects, a Switch. All that changes when Jarrett re-enters her life. During their budding romance, she asks if he’s familiar with BDSM. Not only is he familiar, but he’s eager to delve into the world of kink, giving Kenzie everything she craves with An Exploration of BDSM.

The Place Below (Maer Cycle book 3) by Dan Fitzgerald

SFFOasis

It’s been twenty-five years since the Battle for the Archive. Peace reigns over the Silver Hills, and humans and Maer are preparing to sign their first trade agreement. Even warring tribes of the Free Maer have set aside old quarrels. Sasha is a young scholar of mixed Maer and human parentage, traveling throughout the Maer lands collecting stories of the Ka-lar, the buried Forever Kings. She finds a reference in the Archive to a Ka-lar named Kuun, a scholar in life, who was laid down in an ancient brightstone mine, beneath a mountain said to be the home of the fabled Skin Maer. The lure of the tale is too strong to resist. Joined by some old friends, Sasha sets out to uncover secrets that have lain buried for over a thousand years. In The Place Below, the Maer Cycle comes to a close as the darkest mysteries of the Maer are at last brought into the light.

Rusted Lies, a Dalton Rust P.I. Novel by Jacob Klop

You'd think being a detective is a pretty good gig, but when Dalton Rust gets roped into his newest case he can't help but wonder why he ever got into the business. The Royals are looking for blood, the Harpers won't stop badgering him, and even his own cat, Thatch, keeps tripping him up. The news doesn't get any better when Rust discovers a cybermancer who's capable of turning invisible and tossing people around like paper plates is protecting the document he needs to retrieve. But it's not all bad. His coffee maker still works like a dream. Now if only Rust could figure out why a bunch of high powered families from the Hill are so interested in an average crank like him...but no one wants to talk, and time is running short.

The Archive (Maer Cycle book 2) by Dan Fitzgerald

SFFOasis

In Hollow Road three companions discovered the monsters of legend were all too real… Rumors among the Maer tell of an underground library called the Archive, which houses a wealth of knowledge and terrible magics that could be used to start the biggest war seen since the Great Betrayal. A mixed group of humans and Maer set off on an historic quest to find the Archive and protect it from those who would use it to destroy everything they hold dear. As the cold of winter bears down upon them, they trek through forbidding mountains beset by dangers they could have never imagined. They follow a set of ancient clues deep into the Silver Hills, forging surprising alliances and making new enemies. The humans and Maer are linked by more than their quest to find the Archive and stop an insidious war. A mystical surrogacy may bridge the gap between two peoples, and many hearts entwine as their adventure hurtles toward its bloody conclusion.

Sun Giver by Jacob Klop

Born powerless, Arabel is abandoned in twilight by her lumin parents. Raised by greys, she is treated like an outsider for most of her life, yet when her enclave is raided by lumin soldiers, Arabel vows to rescue her people at any cost. In spire city Coronus, Supreme Solar Roland discovers a dangerous firearm that violates the Great Edict – All machinery and weapons must be powered by lumins. Roland casts a suspicious eye upon the twilight dwelling greys, and ponders the relevance of their existence. Two nations that once lived in harmony have become divided by prejudice and fear. But conflict will not restore their fractured bonds. Only the return of sun givers can set Tandor's people on a path to reforging their broken ties. Only a sun giver can save them from destroying one another. But a sun giver hasn't been discovered in generations… …until now.

Hollow Road (Maer Cycle book 1) by Dan Fitzgerald

SFFOasis

Legends describe the Maer as savage man-beasts haunting the mountains, their bodies and faces covered with hair. Creatures of unimaginable strength, cunning, and cruelty. Bedtime stories to keep children indoors at night. Soldiers’ tales to frighten new recruits. It is said the Maer once ruled the Silver Hills, but they have long since passed into oblivion. This is the story of their return. Carl, Sinnie and Finn, three companions since childhood, are tasked with bringing a friend’s body home for burial. Along the way, they find there is more to the stories than they ever imagined, and the mountains hold threats even darker than the Maer. What they discover on their journey will change the way they see the world forever. Travel down Hollow Road to find out which legends are true, and which have been twisted.

The Community by Jacob Klop

WriteHive Book Club

For generations, the Community has thrived within a complex cave system, sheltered from a blight that has infected the rest of the world. Despite the seeming perfection of their society, its people want nothing more than to return to the Outside, and so, every ten years, a Hope is chosen to venture forth and discover whether it is now safe for them to emerge from their rocky home. The Hope has never returned.​ Generations of Fathers and Mothers have always guided the Community, and the people are completely devoted to them and their society, but after Bastion's dad is chosen, he questions whether Father is truly the benevolent leader the rest of the Community believes. His lack of faith leads him on a path of self discovery and redemption, but he loses sight of those closest to him. Through his ignorance he sets the Community on a path that teeters between salvation and destruction. Sometimes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...

Crooked Souls by Jacob Klop

A thin crack is all it takes for wickedness to coil into our world. Winding through the delicate minds of innocents and the twisted desires of killers, it preys upon the crippled pieces of our souls. From a train bound for Hell, to the greedy cravings of a murderous unicorn, Crooked Souls is a collection of sixteen original horror stories about broken people and the unearthly encounters disturbing their lives. If you like horror that builds steadily to twist endings, you'll love Crooked Souls.

Money Matters A Novel by Brian Finney

At once a painful coming-of-age novel, an exciting amateur sleuth tale and an intriguing narrative involving social issues (immigration and wealth disparity), Money Matters has mystery at its core. This emotionally charged debut novel is firmly embedded in Los Angeles culture over the 2010 mid-term election. Jenny, the 27-year old inexperienced protagonist, faced with the tragic disappearance of a friend, is forced to take on financial tycoons, corrupt politicians, and the treacherous Baja drug cartel in her search to uncover the truth. Jenny's investigation takes her into the twilight world of undocumented immigrants, which leads her to seek the help of the handsome director of an immigrant rights organization to whom she is strongly attracted. But will the deadly enmity of the rich and powerful thwart her search and end her budding romance?

The Avenging Angel (The Malhaven Mystery Series #2) by Helen Whistberry

When a series of escalating pranks at the Sisters of Mercy orphanage get out of hand, it's time for intrepid reporter Jim Malhaven to grab his trusty fedora and dust off his investigatory skills. A lost little girl with no voice and no past, an unpleasantly sinister pair of caretakers at a local mansion, and reported sightings of a heavenly visitor sporting a pair of wings. Can Jim and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery before evil triumphs over good? This is Book Two in the Malhaven Mystery Series, light noir novels with a cozy mystery feel and a touch of the paranormal that pay loving tribute to the wise guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. (This book was originally published under the title The Avenging Angel of Hasselwhite Hall in May of 2020. Content warnings: child endangerment, anti-Semitism, racism)

The Weird Sisters by Helen Whistberry

Jim Malhaven is a lonely hack reporter stringing along on assignments no one else wants at the local paper until he gets the scoop of his life. There's a mysterious wraith haunting the local cemetery, and it's up to him to get to the bottom of the ghostly goings-on. Along the way, he'll cross paths with a trio of weird sisters, uncover a sinister conspiracy, have more than one brush with death, and meet a gal with honey-blonde hair and a killer smile. Is she that certain someone he's been looking for all his life, or is there a villain hiding behind that lovely face? This twisty tale will leave you guessing until the final shocking revelation. This is Book One in the Malhaven Mystery Series, light noir novels with a cozy mystery feel and a touch of the paranormal that pay loving tribute to the wise guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. (This book was previously published under the title The Weird Sisters of Wynter's Hill. Content warnings: suicide, implied child abuse, drug use, child loss)

Counterparts by Marcus Herzig

His senior year in high school couldn’t be more boring for overachieving science nerd Taylor Young until Brad, a mysterious but hot new character, starts walking the school halls. Ignoring the rumors about his mental state and his murky past, Taylor falls for Brad head over heels. United in their love for science and for each other, they invent the Jump Box, a revolutionary piece of teleporting technology that changes their lives – and the world – forever, but then a series of freak accidents that threaten the fate of the entire planet finally uncovers the hidden truths that Brad had so carefully buried and worked so hard to forget.

The Season of the Cerulyn by Luke R. J. Maynard

Book II of the Travalaith Saga The women of the Mages' Uprising were never known to take civil war lying down. But Catrine and her fellow war-widows are determined to do just that, avenging their lost husbands, lives, and innocence by engaging in a sustained campaign of seduction and espionage against the Travalaithi Empire that could change the course of the war. But when Catrine falls in love with her hapless mark, and and both of them are thrown into a deadly conflict involving Aewyn and her roguish band of Havenari outriders, the lovestruck spy must choose once and for all where her true allegiance lies—and decide whether her heart belongs to the living or the dead. The Travalaith Saga continues, grows, and takes a darker turn in this moving chronicle of high adventure, civil war, and deadly intrigue.

The Season of the Plough by Luke R. J. Maynard

SPFBO7

Book I of the Travalaith Saga The Prophecy was wrong... There is no Chosen One. Coming of age under the weight of an epic destiny wasn’t easy. All Aewyn ever wanted for herself was a home and a family. But to the farmers of Widowvale, she was always destined for greatness. After all, she was a fae-blooded foundling of mysterious birth. Her story was the stuff of fairy-tales. And the villagers, all refugees from a looming civil war, were in desperate need of something to believe in. But prophecies can be misread, and the men who call themselves wise are often mistaken. When a primordial darkness stirs in the deep wood, and Aewyn’s dubious old mentor is sentenced to hang for treason, the supposed Chosen One must live or die by a choice of her own: Will she forsake her home and her new family for the dubious destiny she's been promised—or sacrifice it all for one chance to save them? ★★★★★ “The attention to detail here is almost staggering…this promises to be a top-quality series.”—Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ “I am astounded such a fantastic book came from a first-time author. This book was amazingly written.”—Goodreads Reviewer

Redemption & Ruin: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 2 by Matthew Cesca

The search for the forbidden scrolls continues in Redemption & Ruin. Disaster has struck! Frost Dirvent has used the legendary scroll of fire to murder thousands of innocents. Now the vile sorcerer has continued his quest to collect all of the forbidden scrolls scattered throughout Teren'vei. It's a race against time for Juliya and her friends. They'll need to cross the entire continent and bring two desperate groups of paladins together to have any chance of stopping Frost before he can use the scrolls again. United with the champions of the gods, Juliya must stand against a threat unlike any seen in thousands of years: an army of the dead and a necromancer who can bend the elements themselves. Can they stop Frost from recovering all of the scrolls and rebuilding his family's once glorious empire? And even if they succeed, what will be the cost?

The Forbidden Scrolls: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 1 by Matthew Cesca

He left her for dead. It was supposed to be a job like any other – sneak in, grab the scroll from the vault, and get out. It didn’t matter to Juliya what the young sorcerer wanted it for, he was paying well enough. That is, until he double-crossed her. Now Juliya has a choice: track down Frost Dirvent and the forbidden scroll of fire that she stole for him, or be turned over to the guards. Despite her misgivings, Juliya must work with a group of adventurers to track down Frost and reclaim the scroll before he can use its powers against an unsuspecting world. But the journey to stop him will take her to the last place she ever wanted to return to: Home.

The Stairs in the Woods by Matthew Cesca

Even adults need fairy tales. The Stairs in the Woods takes you through a journey into a magical fantasy world while also exploring a unique coming of age story. After spending most of her life a continent away, Kaitlynn Jenson has come home to Connecticut to tend to her ailing father. But the discovery of a strange painting above the mantle of her childhood home leads her on an adventure to a magical world called Somalie, where mythical creatures exist. But when the painting is stolen, she becomes trapped in Somalie with no means of return. With little choice, a destiny she's yet to understand, and a family secret to discover, Kaitlynn must become embroiled in the battle to save Somalie. The evil she must face could have potentially dire consequences for her own world, as well as the family and friends she left behind.

Cornflakes by Christiane Tann

William Lucky stumbles into the chance of a lifetime when he meets racing car owner, Mr. Lovitz. Soon, he wins the most prestigious racing event of the year 1924, the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Lucky's fame expands. There is no party without him and he no longer remembers a time when he raced sober. Barely surviving a racing accident Lucky must face the consequences of his actions. Mr. Lovitz's underage daughter, Nina, has issues of her own. A victim of a treacherous crime and unable to confide in her emotionally fragile mother, she runs away from home. She finds new friends who introduce her to a new and glittery party scene--but there is a catch. Old traumas resurface and Nina is haunted by her past worse than ever before.

The Stagsblood Prince by Gideon E. Wood

Tel, handsome crown prince of Feigh, has negotiated an end to the war between his country and the strange queendom of Omela. He looks forward to an easy reign of wild parties and wilder men. The deities have other ideas, however, in this gay fantasy novel of transformation, redemption, and love. When his father dies suddenly, Tel is outmaneuvered by his brother, losing the throne. Tel’s faith prohibits him from raising his sword and spilling blood, so he accepts the humiliation, working to temper his brother’s baser impulses. But the new king’s reign takes a dark turn, and his collaborators begin to round up undesirables, including those with a magic called the stagsblood. Tel must decide: Flee or fight? Running means abandoning his people to his brother’s evil whims. Standing his ground means the sin of total war. He has no army and only a few allies—and his magical secret. Caip, his closest friend and protector, brings military experience and blunt advice. Her right hand, Dar, is the picture of loyalty. Tough, battle-scarred Bin doesn’t suffer fools gladly. And Vared, a mysterious singer-turned-diplomat from Omela, speaks the truth to Tel in ways no one else can.

Working Wonders by Thomas Allen

The world-famous occult shop, Working Wonders, sits on the corner of 1st Street and Hurlbert, in the heart of the Business District, one of the areas of the city with the densest populations of supernatural beings. Two weeks before Christmas, a dead body is found crumpled on Hurlbert, not far from the abandoned Beasley Inn. Sergeant Thomas Parkland is suspicious, not just because of the location of the body, but also because it appears to have been mummified. Realizing he may be out of his element, Sergeant Parkland reaches out to members of the supernatural community, eventually finding himself inside of Working Wonders. However, the owner of the shop, and his two employees, are reticent to offer any assistance to the police. Quickly, it becomes clear that Sergeant Parkland’s hunch about the dead body is justified. By the time the owner of Working Wonders decides to help him solve the mystery, another dead body is found on a wooded pathway in Crockett Memorial Park, a mythical creature of death is on the loose, a violent agent from a clandestine government agency is prowling about, and the world itself may be in danger. Is it just a coincidence that the solution to Sergeant Parkland’s investigation resides in the upstairs storage room of Working Wonders?

The Advisor by J.D. Wade

Nathan Reed is running for President of the United States of America. If he wins, he will be the youngest president the U.S. has ever had in office. Not only that, he will be the nation's first openly gay, unmarried president. Regardless of the fact that he is unmarried, unpartnered, young, and gay, his campaign is going well. Predictions put him in range to secure the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 ballot. Then...he makes his first misstep. Things begin to look as though there is nothing Nathan Reed can do to recover from his very public scandal, and all he can think about doing is hanging his tail between his legs and walking away. Just when there seems to be no hope left for his presidential bid, his campaign manager suggests bringing on an unusual advisor. Timothy Long is no stranger to controversy--he's faced plenty in his day as an influencer and brand spokesperson. In fact, he's had the public turn against him before. With his knowledge of social media and how to influence public opinion, he might just help Nathan get back on top. Of course, that's easier said than done. Nathan and Timothy don't exactly see eye-to-eye. Before Timothy and Nathan can even begin to repair the damage done to Nathan's campaign, they'll have to learn to speak each other's languages and get along. In the end, they'll both come to realize...winning isn't everything.

Silver and Blood by Trina L. Talma

WriteHive Book Club SPFBO8

Most of the human population of Morstan lives in walled cities, though very few people know the real reason those walls were built. Stories tell of strange creatures like elves, vampires and shape-shifters, but to most people, these are only stories. Zania Corthinn, an ordinary girl from the city of Ocrisia, is about to find out the truth behind those stories -- and a few things about herself as well. "You'll see many more things you never believed in, before you've been with us very long."

Let Loose the Fallen: Book Two of Children of the Nexus by S. Kaeth

Teacup Dragon Coop SFFOasis

The priestess searches for her faith. The fire-wielder wrestles with her past. The psion dreams of peace. And the hero is torn between his heart and his duty. While grief scatters the four protectors to the winds, outside forces write history according to their own whims. The fate of the Rinaryns lies twined with that of the boy, Eian, caught in a tug of war the heroes are unaware of. But the evidence lies waiting for Taunos and the others to see, if only they can move past their betrayal.

Reality Testing by Grant Price

Welcome to Berlin. Population: desperate. In the throes of the climate crisis the green tech pioneers are king, and if you aren't willing to be their serf then you're surplus to requirements. Carbon credit for sleeping on the job. That's the offer a dreamtech puts to Mara Kinzig, and she jumps on it. After all, the city ain't getting any cheaper. Then somebody changes the deal while she's dreaming in the tank. Now Mara has a body on her hands, an extra voice in her head, and the law on her tail. Only the Vanguard, a Foreign Legion of outcasts seeking an alternative path in the dust between the city states, might be able to help her figure out what went wrong. First, though, she'll have to escape the seething streets of Berlin alive.

Donn's Hill by Caryn Larrinaga

Ghosts. Psychics. Murder. Just another day in Donn's Hill. Mackenzie Clair needs a fresh start. The death of her father and a broken relationship rendered her old life unlivable. What better place to build a new one than Donn’s Hill, the most haunted town in America and her favorite childhood vacation spot? But returning to Donn’s Hill awakens more than nostalgia. As memories resurface, so does a lost psychic ability to talk to the dead... a power the poltergeist haunting Mac’s apartment is eager to use. Aided by her new roommate—a spirited Tortoiseshell cat named Striker—and the ghost-hunting crew of the Soul Searchers, Mac struggles to control her newfound talents. She’d better get a handle on them fast, because someone in town is hiding a deadly secret. If Mac can’t divine the truth, Donn’s Hill will never be the same. First in a new series, this cozy supernatural mystery was the 2017 winner of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill award. "A genre-bending gem of a book, cozy meets horror meets cat fancier in a unique town of psychic tourism and ghostly secrets." -Johnny Worthen, award winning author of THE FINGER TRAP, THE BRAND DEMAND and WHAT IMMORTAL HAND

Of Anchors and Aspirations (Book 1 - Worlds Afire) by Scott Kelemen

Worlds Afire Book 1 Hunted by a rogue operative on her home world, Johanna Summer is sent away to embark on a new life as a cadet at the Alliance’s Navy Space Academy. The challenging new life offers her the chance of finding a real purpose for the first time, a vision shared by her new friends and classmates. As these new friends start their careers, another group of more senior military cadets try to carve out a different way of life, shunning the Navy for a lifestyle of their own choosing. Stealing weapons, ships, and whatever else they might need, the thieves will stop at nothing to break free, whatever the cost. In the process, they will align with the one hunting Johanna, and everyone involved will discover just how far a zealot will go for his cause. Of Anchors and Aspirations is the first novel in the "Worlds Afire" series, set in a future where the human diaspora has carried humanity into a distant region of the galaxy where they have carved out a new destiny for themselves far from Earth.