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A Killer and A King by Tom Dumbrell Cadrael is the capital of Fermantia and the centre of the realm's power, an empire to strike fear into the heart of opposing nationsâbut could a motivated killer bring the giant to its knees? Prince Leander is frustrated with his present position, always keeping one eye on the future. He's never short of grand plans, but just how true can he remain to his principles? And will the elusive Cadrael Killer let him live to see his ambitions realised? In a ruthless land where wealth and power are controlled by only a few self-interested men, motives abound and no one is safe. |
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A Trick of the Shade by Stephanie Caye You canât put âJust saved the world (youâre welcome)â on a resume. Ask me how I know. -- Judeâs drifting in Montreal, low on both funds and purpose. Eking out a normal life is surprisingly difficult for someone whose strongest marketable skill is her ability to manipulate gravity. Who knew landing a steady job would be a bigger challenge than hunting supernatural creatures? Then her scant few acquaintances begin turning up dead around the city, their hearts missing. All signs point to a vicious shadeâa Faerie cursed to live forever in a ghoulish fate worse than deathâas the culprit. But Judeâs never even heard of shades before now, so why do these killings seem designed to bait her? Racing to find the answer and stop the murders brings her to old friends, new enemies and every shifty variation in-between. While risking life and limb battling a sinister Faerie monster may not be ânormal,â itâs a routine Jude knows by heart. And it beats working retail. |
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At the Crossroads of Tomorrow Being the youngest of the Sua royals never stopped Saritrah from scheming to take the throne. But violent insurrectionists shattered those plans when they stormed the palace and decimated her family. In the years since, she has amassed an army and will return to claim her crown. However, Ashur, her one remaining sibling, has done the same, and she must act soon if sheâs to secure her prize before he snatches it from her claws. After Ashur razes the Temple of Yshuld, the surviving Seers promise her the power to ensure victory. But it will mean abandoning her legion to venture into the endless desert and locate a lost city. Soon, however, she suspects that none of the women are who they claim to be, even to each other. One woman cryptically alludes to a paradisical past; another awakens in the night plagued by dreams of a frightening future; the last woman never speaks. But the more she questions her new companionsâ motives, the more she must question her own. Is the vision of calamity an omen of what will happen if she fails? Or a promise of what will come if she succeeds? |
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How to Bare Your Neck and Save a Wreck by D. N. Bryn âI only take whatâs owed me, and you, my little swan, owe me blood.â A single kiss from a masked vampire during Shaneâs last journalistic endeavor has left him with an obsession and a mission: uncover the secrets of the black-market blood trade and find his mystery vampire in the process. But this investigation is dangerous. One knock at the wrong door and he could have fangs at his throat instead of lips. Andres had been trying to forget his kiss with Shane Crowley by drowning himself in his work as a thief for the blood trade. When he finds itâs Shaneâs blood his boss has decided to steal, Andresâs only option is to buy him for every drop heâll ever produce. This act awakens something in Andresânew thoughts of ownership and chains that he believes could only ever be the desires of a monster. Andres needs blood to live though, and heâs going to have it from Shane, even if it means donning a mask once more. Between the strange desires Shaneâs life as a part-time blood slave is stirring in him, and his investigations into the cycle of injustice that so many fanged citizens face, and texts with an odd new friend who feels vaguely familiar, Shane feels pulled in all directions. Little does he know all those paths lead back to the same vampire⊠|
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Party of Fools by Cedar McCloud Aleâs Well That Ends Well⊠Resistance members Reed Thorley and Gladys the Destroyer canât believe their luck when the Immortal Emperor herself wanders into their favorite bar, unguarded and playacting an ordinary citizen. This is their chance to give the rebellion the upper hand against the Empireâafter a few pints, of course. The middle-aged halfling musician and his elderly barbarian partner are seasoned enough to know that when Emperor Vallora invites them to join her worldwide food tour, their best bet is to say âYes, chef!â and wait for an opportunity to strike. But hot as a greased griddle behind them comes Captain Andromeda Stagge, Valloraâs personal bodyguard, intent on returning the Emperor to the palace. Sheâs only doing her job. She isnât pissed off at being left behind. Itâs not as if the Emperor is her only real friend, given the difficulty of fitting in when youâre a 200-year-old autistic elf from a lower-class socioeconomic background. It isnât that at all! Valloraâs worldwide food tour hinges on her ability to escape the capital city with Reed and Gladys without being caught. The Emperor isnât supposed to be sampling local cheeses in the company of commoners. Though why the most powerful person in the Endless Empire needs to be under lock and key in Zenith Palace is anyoneâs guess⊠Join the party on this brand new adventure comedy as the chase ensues. Make sure you have some good food on hand, because youâre bound to get hungry along the way. |
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Heart of the Covenant by S.L. Dove Cooper In Heart of the Covenant, five stories explore ties of friendship, family and culture, embracing our differences and our similarities. Having applied to be an ambassador for her people within the Galactic Covenant, Hedriar has relocated to Cerulean Station, one of the Covenantâs largest residential stations. There, sheâll spend the next years sharing her own culture and learning about the Covenantâs as part of an exchange programme between the two. Hedriar may not have the most detailed of plans of what, or even how, to share the aspects of her culture that matter most to her, but sheâs got enthusiasm, family and new-found friends at her side. Sheâll figure it out, and along the way sheâll learn that what people value most may not be so different at the core. Heart of the Covenant is a cosy, low-stakes science fiction collection with a strong focus on slice-of-life narratives. |
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A Trashy New Year Romance by Sinnamon Carnelian Start the new year off with a bang in this captivating tale of resilience and unexpected romance. Paige never expected her world to crumble right before her eyes on New Year's Day. But when she catches her long-term boyfriend engaging in a scandalous affair with her own stepsister, her whole life implodes. Fueled by heartache and determination, Paige decides to leave it all behind and returns to her hometown. As she dives headfirst into the uncertain waters of starting over, Paige finds solace in an old friend's generous job offer. Working at a bustling restaurant and bar seems like the perfect escape, but nothing could prepare her for the enigmatic Duke Griffin, her new boss. Who seems more interested in her than her work ethic. In this tale of redemption, unexpected connections emerge as Paige navigates the tangled web of her shattered past. Will she find the strength to heal her heart, or will Duke's undeniable charm become an enticing distraction? Join Paige on her riveting journey as she discovers that sometimes unexpected beginnings can lead to happy endings. |
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A Trashy Christmas Romance by Sinnamon Carnelian Holly Jolly Cromwell hated Christmas after being born on it. Everything about it annoyed her. The repetitive music. How it took over November and smothered Thanksgiving. Those creepy elves that were supposed to watch the children and make sure they were nice and not naughty. Most of all, she was sour over the fact that she could never celebrate her birthday. Her older brother and golden child of the family never grew out of his childhood bullying and tantrums over her getting both Christmas and birthday gifts her first birthday, and it followed her long into her adult years. She forced herself to smile and get through it for the sake of her younger siblings and keeping the peace with her parents. However, year after year of being the backup caregiver for her younger siblings and dealing with the golden child, she found herself starting to slip. A chance meeting at a club leads her into the arms of a man who has the missing pieces she never knew she lost. |
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A Trashy Pirate Romance: Book Two by Sinnamon Carnelian After her fateful fall from Gideon's ship following the Seafarer Bombings, Charlie slowly sobers up, working through her time on Finn's ship and her past. No longer able to drown her sorrows with booze and fill the hole in her chest with the love of random men from the bar, she must face the pain head-on. All the while, the gentleman pirate, Gideon, shows her what true love and care are as he tries to open her heart to the true colors of the man she was forced to marry. Just when the truth begins to shine through and she starts to mourn the person she thought she loved, the bombers of Seafarer Night return. Charlie is forced to strike a deal with Gideon and give him what he wants to save her best friend, Cherry. Clear-headed and determined, Charlie walks into the clutches of her pursuers, trusting Gideon to find her again, while she fights tooth and nail alongside Cherry to escape. Aunt Kathy will have to wait as the adventure continues, with Charlie and Cherry fighting alongside a new companion and friend to rid themselves of their hunters. Can Charlie come to terms with the treachery all around her? Are Charlie and Cherry strong enough to face those lying in wait for them? Find out in Book Two of the Trashy Pirate Romance series. |
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In an enchanted realm ruled by the immortal King Minos, a chilling tradition unfolds every seven years: the Collection. Seven young women are selected to confront the mysterious Beast at the heart of the Labyrinth, a fate from which none have ever returned. Thalia, heir to her islandâs throne, should have been eligible, but politics kept her safe. When faced with the imminent selection of her best friendâs lover, Thalia volunteers. She plans to stop the Collection, defeat the Beast and the King wielding it, and prove her worthiness as a future ruler. As she navigates the twisting corridors of the Labyrinth, secrets guarded by King Minos begin to unravel, and Thalia discovers that the Collection is merely the tip of an ancient conspiracy. Armed with an unconventional set of weaponsâlackluster social skills, an impressive vocabulary, and a whispered prayer to the GodsâThalia races to uncover the mystery before the Beast can kill her. But her choices may carry consequences that extend beyond the Labyrinth, altering the destiny of the realm and putting her own future at stake. THREADED SECRETS, a new adult fantasy genderbent and twisted retelling of Theseus and the minotaur full of mystery, intrigue, and a dollop of romance. |
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Burrows of Blood and Shadow by Rebekah L Webb An enigmatic entity's journey to process a trauma he can't even remember. The dreamers dream all the time, free to go anywhere, to be anything, to see worlds outside themselves, inside themselves and beyond themselves. The Dream Surfer has no past or memory and can only experience life through the dreams and memories of others. He is stuck in a world of doors and windows leading to quiet lives, where pain and tragedy flow like the inevitable path of gentle streams. There is one spot he refuses to go, a dank corner where burrows dive down to dark and brutal depths. He yearns to break free of his cage and create an existence of his own. But nothing he's done so far has brought him closer to freedom. Maybe the key to escape lies where he has so far feared to tread. The Dream Surfer takes the plunge into the depths of the burrows, where he will travel the turbulent current of pain and cruelty intersecting through various narratives. Will this give him the freedom he craves? Or is it just a way to add more chains? Thirty-seven tales weave together to shape multiple plots, some which dig into literal flesh, while others rip at the flesh of the mind. Neither guilty or innocent, young or old, are safe in this twisting path of mental and physical horrors. |
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The Black Sun (Tales of Askalon #1) by Sebastian P. Melang "âwhen found, the bodies bore no signs of injuries, other than the eyes that appeared as if they had burned out from the inside and turned into stone; dark, black, like obsidian." So reads the report, which Lorian holds in his hands. As an inquisitor and servant to the aristoiânoble and sublime beings revered by the mortals of Askalonâhe had taken an oath to uphold their sacred law, to uncover any forbidden magic, and to hunt those who dared to cast it. Gruesome as these words are, they also remind him of another murder that happened so long ago. And a woman; a woman who seems to have left a mark on his very soul and has not granted him peace to this day. And so Lorian sets out, through the stormy sea to the north, to the frozen continent, to investigate the murder of two young boys who were killed by a form of magic about which the Inquisition knows almost nothing. He does not yet suspect the great forces that will soon confront him, nor how the fate of Askalon and all mortals is about to be decided; for the black sun has awakened. |
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Vow of Moonlight by Morgana Stewart Princess Aurora has a secret. She thinks she owes everything to her fiancĂ©, because he is kind and is helping save her kingdom from war debts. But, inside her heart, she knows she will never belong to him. Prince Elias has a secret. He loves Aurora with all of his heart, but he knows that he can only love her this way and doesnât know how to tell her. The witch has too many secrets. Her past, the reason behind the vows, the blood on her hands, and the worry that aches in her chest. She may delight in torturing the princess with harsh words, but can she face what she feels when Aurora begins to place her life in danger? Nobody wants their secrets found but war uncovers many hidden things. The moonlight gods are no longer watching, shadows have voices, and nothing is as it seems. |
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The Twin Stars by Bridgette Dutta Portman A magical journal. A world savaged by its own suns. An evil prince. A princess in hiding. And a teenage girl who learns to be the hero of her own story. Sixteen-year-old Olive Joshi has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and can't stop worrying about hurting the people she loves. She finds refuge in writing about Coseema, a magical princess on a distant planet. Coseema is fearless, confident, and perfect - everything Olive thinks sheâll never be. When she falls through a portal into her own unfinished story, Olive finds herself in a world in peril: double suns scorch the land, the brutal Prince Burnash seeks supreme power, and Coseema is nowhere to be found. Together with her friends - a bold poet, a cursed musician, a renegade soldier, and an adventurous girl from the desert - Olive will have to face her deepest fears to find the hero in herself. An engrossing new portal fantasy in the spirit of the Wizard of Oz, the Neverending Story, and the Chronicles of Narnia.â |
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From Where We Are by Nicole Zelniker Gabi Keefer flees Holocaust-era Germany with nothing but her husband, her nephew, and the clothes on her back, but that isn't the whole story. Over generations, her granddaughter, Lena, struggles with drug addiction and an unplanned pregnancy; her sort-of nephew, Zane, grieves for his wife three years after her death in an antisemetic mass shooting; and her great-niece, Miranda, advocates for Palestinian liberation against her familyâs wishes. Each character's tale begs the questions: What does it mean to be part of a family, what does it mean to survive, and is that enough? |
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From the Yellow House and On by Sojourner Davidson From The Yellow House And On is a memoir through poetry. The poems of this collection create a camera-like image of the writer's childhood and adolescence in Ohio. Topics of abuse, love, disability, race, gender, and sexuality are meditated upon from the adult child's perspective. The poet connects these topics by interweaving themes of love, longing, and acceptance. Ultimately, From The Yellow House And On is about moving forward after trauma, accepting what's broken, and appreciating the tender moments. A poetry collection for readers of Rio Cortez and Fatimah Asghar. |
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When twenty-three-year-old surly, and slightly tipsy, Frankie finds her hag of a grandmother dead on the sofa, her best friend, playful Ben Bowen, introduces her to the magical underbelly of Aspen Ridge, Utah. Ben is a witch, a seer to be exact, and he guides Frankie into her new identity as a healer, a restoration witch. With the help of Ben and his coven-mate Cleo, Frankie navigates the treacherous classes of witches: dragons, shifters, and the abhorred vampireâlife-drinking witches. It was a vampire that killed Frankieâs grandmother, and sheâs after Frankie. But, much to the chagrin of best friend Ben, it isnât Frankieâs vitality that the vampire wants. Frankie must work her newfound magicâdespite her fear, her self-doubt, and her desire to have one more drinkâwith her friends to eliminate a common enemy. Sheâll have to endure nightmares and commit horrors unspeakable, or risk losing them all. It will take guts ⊠whosever they may be. |
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Living Color: Angie Rubio Stories by Donna Miscolta We first meet Angie Rubio at age five, being scolded by her kindergarten teacher for not knowing how to skip properly. Set in California in the 1960s and '70s, Living Angie Rubio Stories takes Angie year by year from kindergarten through high school, offering a portrait of the artist as a shy, awkward Mexican-American girl. Taking place against the backdrop of the Cold War and civil rights eras--the Cuban missile crisis, the Watts riots, Beatlemania, the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics-- Living Angie Rubio Stories also surveys the milestones of American girlhood. We see Brownies, slumber parties, training bras, cheerleader tryouts, and proms through the eyes of a "brown, skinny, and bespectacled" Latina who soon learns that pageant winners as well as high school cheerleaders are always white. Angie is relegated to the fringes of the popular cliques at school, led by opinionated girls whose self-confidence seems as unattainable to her as their perfect teeth and blonde hair. But Angie resists internalizing societal messages about who is beautiful, important, and valid. When a white classmate is cast as Juliet in the school play, she can't resist taunting Angie with "Don't forget who the heroine of this play is," to which Angie "She dies in the end." In "the unfun funhouse that was high school," Angie decides to reinvent herself. Reminding herself to "be bold, be heard, be provocative," she writes articles for the student newspaper raising critical questions about venerable institutions like homecoming, prom, and the tradition of naming students "most likely to succeed," "best looking," and other mosts and bests. Living Rubio Stories traces Angie's formation as a writer, from the child who loves Scrabble and jots down new words she learns in a notebook to the teenager publishing controversial opinions about success and belonging, a person whose voice is now "loud-enough-to-be-heard." |
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In the world of Awei, magic is not fully understood. Humans can be born of air, guardians haunt old lands, and spirits make most of society. Raised by a winged spirit in an enchanted forest, Wander is a stranger to the world. Forced out by a magical fire, she finds herself in lands scarred by war. With the disappearance of her winged friend, she has to dive deep Awei's conflict and politics to find him. On her journey, many adversaries and few allies are made. Wander appears to fight for humanity's enemy and has powers that humans should not be able to wield. Only one thing remains certain: she get her winged friend back no matter what. |
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Near future sci-fi you will live to see, but hate to experience. Artificial therapy so great, you'll never log off! (And won't notice the ads). A sci-fi about brain privacy in the age of unfettered surveillance capitalism. How cyberpunk begins: brainwave reading AIs become not only super-intelligent, but super-emotive and manipulative. What will companies do when they can read your actual mind? How far will they go to get your click? How much engagement? |
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The Scientist, The Spaceman, and The Stars Between Them by A.L. Davidson Theyâve incited deicide, and the old gods are angry⊠In a desperate attempt at saving humanity from its own destructive hubris, the Zeus Project set out to explore the untouched reaches of deep space. Now, countless light years later, the colonizing efforts are well under way, but the vast universe has been anything but kind. After surviving a near-fatal revival from their cryo-pod that permanently damaged their lungs, Dr. London Davies has spent the last two years trapped within the confines of a sterile, sanitized outpost far away from the rest of humanity and their loving husband, Temple. Acting as the chief embalmer for Zeus, London grows more and more concerned as cadavers filled with writhing worms and unusual forms of decay overrun their cold storage. With their husband off fighting for humanityâs survival under the brutal, watchful eye of Zeus, anxiety, and claustrophobia test the limits of the embalmerâs sanity. The once quiet morgue has transformed into a playground for something otherworldly, and London's only hope is that Temple can breach the stars between them before it's too late. |
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Last Stand of the Stone Fist by MIchael R. Miller A troubled past. War in the present. A dark future. Brode grew up a bastard in Athra, looked down upon as a child of chaos. Sent away to the dragon riders as a squire, Brode counted it his luckiest day when Silas Brightbark of Coedhen vouched for him to join their ranks. Now a Champion in the Order he faces the largest incursion the world has ever seen. Sent on a far flung mission to the Disputed Lands, Brode and Silas discover a remote town not on any map. It's a town of outcasts, of broken people, of folk that order has forgotten. As a scourge swarm gathers nearby, Brode and Silas face the toughest fight and decision of their lives. |
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A Prophecy Unsung by Adam R. Bishop William and Baldric were successful in trekking across the uncharted lands of the elves. After reaching the Viridian Veil and warning Lord Thinduill of Dadroâs deceit, they thought their journey had come to a close. But in truth, it had only just begunâand the more they descend into the battle for Cellagorâs fate, the more theyâll learn about their own mysterious pasts. Preceding their arrival to the Veil, Avolinâs visions revealed that William and Baldric were tied to the Book of No Quarter. Upon learning this, Lord Thinduill insisted they accompany him to the elven capital of Leof Ealdwin. Meanwhile, Rhan is no more, and its ashen remains mark the beginning of a new age. Arnionâs sacrifice may have altered the fate of Cellagor, but his fatherâs resolve continues to be tested. In the north, houses have reunited once again, and the Braxi army slowly encroaches on the Unspoken Border. Talfryn remains the last standing house to refuse Dadroâs ruleâbut they must rekindle old alliances if they mean to survive further bloodshed. Word of Dadroâs victory over the elves continues to spread across the realm. Thousands have sworn their fealty to him, and whispers of a promising union linger on the horizon. But war does not come without its price. Dadroâs brother has yet to recover from the Battle of Rhan, and the pyromancer Aleisterâs treachery remains unseen. With his ambitions still unknown, neither side is safe during this ushering in of a new age. |
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Flooded Secrets by Claudie Arseneault Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, and Aliyah together in Rumiâs Wandering Wagon of Wonderful Wares, a sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyahâs dream, hoping for answers about their past and their unique abilitiesâbut for that, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers. With the Fragments in the wilderness, banditry was the last danger Horace had expected on the roadâbut not even that could stop Keza Nesmit. Swift and deadly with a staff, Keza drops on the Wagon crew, claiming most of their provisions before vanishing back into the Tesrima Ridge. As if to compound their bad luck, the tunnel that serves as the only pass through the mountain is flooded and impassable. Keza reappears, and sheâs willing to show them the source of the flooding, a waterway blocked by Fragments, in the hopes that they can unblock itâand just like with the stolen food, she wonât answer any questions about her motives, no matter how friendly. Abrasive, confident, and eager to bicker, Keza makes for a thorny companion, but theyâll need to work together to free the pass and continue their travel. As they unravel the Fragmentsâ blockage, so, too, do they chip away at Kezaâs walls. But the cost of breaking both is far higher than anticipated, and Horace is about to learn that some secrets are better left untouched. |
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Lost Souls by Ryan Skeffington Living on the premier Ring, Maximus, a brilliant engineer, hungers for more than the monotony of daily existence mandated to him by those that control the Ring. The relentless pursuit of Infinite Existence is a collective purpose assigned to all, but for Maximus, it's a hollow dream that leaves his soul yearning for its own legacy. Determined to escape his repetitive life, Maximus seeks out a destiny that will offer his life significance. When shocking revelations about the Ringâs underbelly intertwine with the hidden truths of his own lineage, heâs propelled into action. Fueled by a spirit passed down to him by his indomitable father, he devotes his unshakable resolve to reshape the Ring. Maximus embarks on a mission to challenge the unassailable leadership of the Rings. Heâs ready to wager everything, even his own life, on liberating all those that have lived below him from the ruthless grip of their oppressors. In this high-stakes struggle for freedom and justice, Maximus must confront not only the forces of tyranny but also the threat of losing everyone that has built him up to the man he is now. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, he stands poised to start a revolution that will ignite every soul thatâs been lost up to this point. |
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USS Primis: The First Starship by M.H. Altis "A classic sci-fi read that wears its influences on its sleeve, that is sure to please die hard fans of the genre." - Reedsy Discovery Must Read, âââââ Humanity's last hope comes down to a twisted, claustrophobic game of cat and mouse hundreds of light years away from home. After the fallout of an ill-advised space war leaves Earth teetering on the edge of doom, Commander Davis leads the first manned mission to recolonize our species on far away planet Nova. The mission is rushed and thrown together last minute, just like its crew. When it all suddenly goes horribly wrong hundreds of light years away from both Earth and Nova, it's up to David to save the mission, the ship, and the human race itself. Will Davis succeed against all odds? Or is he, like the mission, doomed to be lost in deep space forever? Read Now. Advanced Praise for USS PRIMIS: "An excellent novel with a futuristic reality. Sci-Fi with a blend of humanity and our failings, also successes and modesty. Loved the ending." - Goodreads Reviewer, âââââ "What a voyage! Just when you think you know what comes next. Enjoyed reading, hard to put down. Highly recommend." - LibraryThing Early Readers ARC Reviewer, âââââ "Intriguing and captivating, readers will find events keep those pages turning as fast as possible...Character-driven, told from multiple points of view, and with strong, well-defined world-building, readers will find much to appreciate here." - LibraryThing Early Readers ARC Reviewer, ââââ "I got an ARC of this book, and it's actually made me go back and re-write my current novel that I'm working on, the follow-up to The Community...Can't recommend enough." - Author Finn Eccleston, âââââ "An amazing, incredible, character-driven suspense/thriller/drama with a micro focus and a macro impact." - Author Langford Shepherd, âââââ "Exciting, scary, philosophical, and above all, an interesting, enjoyable read. Well done." - Author Aidan McLennan, âââââ Get the claustrophobic, cat-and-mouse slow-burn debut novel from M.H. Altis today. |
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Demon by Rob J Hayes Dien Hostain was never meant to lead. She wasn't meant to survive. Kind of heart and quick in temper, Dien expects to lead a simple life, learning her father's trade. But unbeknown to her, he was not always a carpenter. He's an exile, a traitor once known as the Peace Breaker. When nightmarish demons attack the village of Berrywhistle, her father is murdered. Dien and the survivors are taken as thralls to live out the rest of their days in squaller and back-breaking labour. But Dien's blood boils with the need to escape and take her revenge. They try to break her body. They try to break her spirit. Will Dien take up her father's hammer and unite her people? On wings of vengeance, a Saint shall rise. A new epic fantasy saga full of angels, demons, heroes, and mystery, from award-winning author Rob J. Hayes. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, John Gwynne, and Ryan Cahill. |
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In Midnight's Shadow: A short story collection by C M Debell They took everything, even his name. Now he has nothing left to lose. Fifteen years before the events in The Many Shades of Midnight, Alyas-Raine Sera was betrayed and exiled by a man he thought of as a brother. Driven by a need for answers and desire for revenge, Alyas dedicates his life to opposing those responsibleâhis former king and the mining syndicates that control him. But with syndicate greed growing worse by the year, and disaster on the horizon, spiralling events will eventually lead him to a small mining town in Flaeres and a chilling encounter that will change everything. Spanning the years of exile through to the immediate aftermath of the novel, this collection of seven stories reveals the pivotal events that shape the man who will reshape the world. |
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10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall Sam Becker lovesâor, okay, likesâhis job. Sure, managing a bed-and-bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work, and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git. Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talkâŠonly for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything? Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guiltâas well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impressionâŠbut as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie? |
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What Wakes the Heart by Karen A. Wyle Will their hearts bring them together, or will their differences keep them apart? Susannah looks forward to a rewarding career as a teacher in St. Louis, until a traumatic encounter with the president of her teacher's college drives her to seek a job elsewhere. Karol, a Polish Catholic immigrant living in Cowbird Creek, fears that the town's first school may not respect his bright, eager sister's intelligence due to her limited English. Susannah and Karol meet under propitious circumstances when she first arrives in town -- but once the school opens, Karol's fears for Bronka seem to be realized, with Susannah arguably to blame. Can they move past this daunting conflict? And if they do, can they overcome the religious and social obstacles between them? |
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What Shows the Heart by Karen A. Wyle Will he reveal his secret? Will she expose her heart? After Jake, son and grandson of preachers, tried and failed to protect Mamie from small town cruelty, Mamie left their small town to fend for herself. Neither expected to see each other again. Now, many years later, Jake is a bitter man with little beside regrets, and Mamie, after much struggle and hazard, runs the thriving parlor house in Cowbird Creek. Can they make a future together, or will the shadow of Jake's past overtake them both? |
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What Frees the Heart by Karen A. Wyle Can they set each other free? Cowbird Creek has its share of troubled souls. For Tom, a farmerâs son, losing his leg felt like losing his future. Jenny, a young prostitute at Madam Mamieâs parlor house, has never thought she had much future to lose. But the job Tom is able to get leads him to rediscover a long neglected talent. And both Tom and Jenny have a knack for hitting on new possibilities. Can they, together, find a better path? This novel, second in a series, returns to the small town of Cowbird Creek, Nebraska, in early 1876, a few months after the conclusion of What Heals the Heart. Several favorite characters from Book 1 make return appearances. |
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The Book of One by Adam Gaffen Angels and demons are never meant to cross paths, or so the ancient lore dictates. In 10th Century Rome, a realm teeming with shadowy intrigue and covert power plays, the demon Kalili, aged six millennia, receives a seemingly simple mission: to charm Octavianus, a youthful potential pope. Yet fate takes an unforeseen turn when Faith, an unseasoned angel, is assigned to eliminate her. This extraordinary encounter ignites a conflict beyond their wildest imaginings. Bound by an enigmatic bond and an undeniable attraction, Kalili and Faith are thrust into a labyrinth of danger and deceit. As the last of the legendary Thirteens, their intertwined destinies are key to resolving an eternal battle between light and darkness. Pursued by the forces of both Heaven and Hell, they must unlock nascent powers and unravel millennia-old enigmas to avert an impending cosmic upheaval. Their decisions will forge a new path for the ages, as they journey through a riveting saga of love and fate, a journey marked by harrowing risks and dark enchantments. A saga that leads them to confront their own nature, in a world where every choice could reshape the very essence of life itself. Dive into this spellbinding tale, where the lines between good and evil blur, and the journey of two unlikely allies begins, culminating in a breathtaking saga of passion, destiny, and the eternal struggle between celestial forces. INCLUDING AN EXCLUSIVE BONUS: A DELETED SCENE! |
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The high magic of The Wheel of Time combines with the gritty politics of A Game of Thrones in this thrilling epic fantasy series. Five centuries, three peoples, one war An endless feud between nations. Sorcerers who steal souls to feed their eternal life. A world so broken by magic that those who wield it are shunned and despised. Skilled young hunter Ina hides a deadly secretâshe has the dark godâs powerful magic, blamed for the genocide of her people five centuries ago. If anyone finds out, theyâll execute her. When she learns that her loverâs daughter has the same magic, she must decide whether to reveal her secret to save the child. But her decision will determine not only the childâs fate but that of the whole world. Because the cycle of violence has begun again, and prophecy decrees she must be the one to end it. The alternative is the unraveling of all creation. Pre-order your copy of this unmissable epic fantasy adventure now! |
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I am the last remaining Sylvian. The final warrior in a line of Lycan-Undead hybrids. Because of the demon that resides within me, I mistakenly slaughtered my family when I was ten. But my family is not just any ordinary family. My father was the king. Iâve been on the run my entire life, wanted for treason. But now my enemies have my daughter, the only person on this earth I have left to love. For her, I will fight. For her, I will take back my kingdom. For her, I will make this world bleed. |
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"Please, Hunter. Don't do this. Come home..." Tobias Thornfield has been assigned by the Bellwater Mages to work undercover as a high school English teacher. At the end of a long day of teaching, his best friend Hunter attacks his school and his students on orders from the Arcane Rebellion, an organization that believes only they should have access to magic! Tobias must break his cover to save them, overpowering Hunter and taking his students to safety at Bellwater Academy, where they will learn magic and be recruited to join the Bellwater Mages. While his students are busy learning magic, Tobias turns his attention to finding his friend. Why did Hunter attack his students at his school? Why is he serving the Arcane Rebellion? Can Tobias ever forgive Hunter and get his best friend back? What will become of their friendship moving forward? |
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Of Blood & Stone by B.A. Turner A gargoyle story unlike any other ⊠A hero we donât deserve but desperately need. History would lead us to believe that the citizens of Detroit should turn to the police to save them, when in reality they should be looking to the sky. When a distraught Slade Allen saves the life of Rachel Winston in exchange for his own, he doesnât expect to wake up metaphysically bound to a divine grimoire or to have the power of one of the worldâs most feared supernatural creatures waiting to be unleashed. Human by day, gargoyle by night, Slade pulls at the strings of Detroitâs corruption, slowly unravelling a nazi era secret. Such a discovery spurs the formation of a team of vigilantes determined to crush the megalomaniac behind the cityâs undoing. Under the alias Dreadnight, Slade and his team battle augmented mercenaries, a corrupt police force, and media deception in order to save the city before itâs too late. Filled with supernatural and biblical lore, âOf Blood & Stoneâ provides a high octane yet emotional story of vengeance and redemption. |
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The Spark by Katrine Buch Mortensen "The Spark is a madcap tale of rebellion and getting caught up in forces beyond one's control, set in a truly strange, magical world. I couldn't put it down until it was done." John Bierce, Mage Errant "The Patron Wars utilizes a magic and combat system where clan warriors can harness the attributes of various animals: wolves, bears, vipers, big cats, ravens, and more. The fight scenes are visceral and beastlike; if you've ever wondered how someone imbued with the strength of a full-grown moose would fare in a fight, you'll find your answer here." - Alexander Darwin, The Combat Codes Daina has always dreamed of flight. To soar above her problems, her doubts, and the conflicts of her clan. And here, where shapeshifting is as normal as breathing, flight is indeed possible. Just not to a mix like her, a barely tolerated member of the clan, not belonging to any of the tribes within it. With parents long gone and no friends except for a curmudgeonly old boss, she has little for her except her dream and a burning rivalry with her longtime enemy, Aisma. So when two of the clanâs gods approach her, offering to fulfill her dream, how can she not accept? But there is a price for everything. As civil war besets the clan, and the gods draw up battle lines, the time for dreams and petty rivalry is running out. There is a price for everything, and Daina might have to pay more than she ever imagined. |
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Evangeline is a cleric at the Church of Stars - an institution dedicated to healing and taking care of the people of Lovern amid a mysterious plague. After being warned that there is a cult infiltrating her beloved home, she starts her investigation. She aims to uncover the truth of who they are and what they want while maintaining her secretive relationship with her childhood friend. Dianthus, memoryless and with nowhere else to go, has been living with the city's royal family ever since they awoke five months ago, found confused and delirious by the youngest prince. They've become accustomed to the family's lavish lifestyle, ignoring the burden of discovering their past identity in favor of the comfort they offer, but as the days move forward and a courtship with the crown prince begins, they start to find that they can only turn away from themselves for so long. Harr is a wayward assassin who recently joined a strange circle of collaborators pursuing immortality. Haunted by the memories of her past and profession, she works to find the key to living forever while trying not to lose her head in the process. The Fate of is the first novel in a seven book series set in a dark fantasy world with inspiration taken from the cosmic horror and gothic genres. It follows three protagonists as they slowly uncover parts of a larger conspiracy that threatens the peace of their city but none of that will matter if they can't overcome themselves. |
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At times creepy, funny, and frightening, and told deftly from a child's perspective, Od and Ed is a haunting and heartfelt suburban dark fantasy about a sister and brother that brings the 1980's to life in ways that feel both new and familiar. October 1988 In a moment of desperation Od pressed the button set deep in the wood of the scarebox, and unknowingly pushed Edâs soul out of his body. For some reason Edâs Body can still walk and talk, but it isnât behaving like Ed, and it refuses to leave the graveyard. Thrown into the supernatural currents running under her small town, Od soon realizes that her only ally may be Loney Scrobeâa strange classmate of hers whoâs surrounded by dark and disturbing rumors. Odâs not sure if she can trust Loney, but her brotherâs life hangs in the balanceâŠand she only has one night to put him back together again. |
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To have faith is to believe not when everything is certain, but when nothing is. Living in a world with no sun, murderous bastards for leaders, and fighting being the highest form of entertainment, Raven has no faith left. Not in the people, not in the universe, and definitely not in herself. But when the deadliest chase of her life plunges her into a world ruled by sunlight, peace, and cities full of abundance, her lack of faith is challenged. Her arrival triggers a thousand-year-old prophecy that sets her on a path far more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. To survive and find a way back, Raven must learn to play by the rules of this deadly place. The assassination attempts aren't a problem. The court intrigues aren't a problem. Even the dangerous king who seems obsessed with her isnât a problem. It is the thing that wakes beneath her skin that might prove to be her biggest challenge yet. To survive, she must make a choice. Answer the call she has been ignoring or return to the darkness that now whispers her name. Perfect for those who love epic adventures, high stakes, badass heroines, and swoon-worthy romance. |
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A prisoner scarred by his past, suffocating in his desert hell. A crown prince bound by his familyâs tragedy. A myrprincess stripped of command and promised to a human. All must shed the shackles that bind them, but the darkness of the world is spreading quicklyâmadness in the streets, a ravaging sickness of the body and mind, and enemies at every border. Those gifted with magic, those bonded to dragons, those with a heart for righting the wrongs in the world must decide how to use their abilities. For with freedom to live comes the freedom to resist, to fight . . . and to kill. Their battles stretch across continents but are more intertwined than they can possibly imagine. Liberation is the first book in The Keepers of Midgate series, an epic fantasy set in a world of powerful elemental magic, sentient but reclusive dragons, and fearsome magical races. |
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Stranded on a sentient moon with nothing but their enhanced intuition and the help of a bygone deity, the survivors of a post-human race set out to investigate the sudden disappearance of their enemies. What they find might plunge the universe into oblivion. Galaxies away, after a narrow escape from Niflheim, the god of the dead and the goddess of writing forge an alliance with a Nephilim to uncover the fate of the all-but-forgotten goddess of memory when they receive a distress call from the god of reckoning. Oublié takes us on a weird journey of self-discovery and deception, where memory and truth are at odds with each other and the fate of both gods and mortals hangs in the thin balance between trust and faith. |
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Happy times are a treasure like no other. Isobel and Des have travelled far from home to learn more about themselves and to experience the beautiful vistas of their rapidly industrializing planet. Though an unplanned encounter, the small fair bestows the twosome an opportunity to take a moment to feel excitement and frustration; the female cousins needed a change of pace from the peaceful but uneventful days of late. The fighter and the girl choose to have lots of fun at the fairgrounds. Yet peace was never an option for Ifrit, Shiver, and Odin. The trio has come to execute an inhuman mission, and stopping them requires a party of intrepid heroes to step forth. It is clear that the three soldiers are more than ready to fight to the death for the sake of their sworn duty. Amongst them, the firebrand seems to enjoy his murderous task and the demon downright revel in the helplessness of her victims â whilst the leader has an aura of melancholy. Does humanity have what it takes to defeat the silver-skinned cannibals? |
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Stone-Cold Alibi by W. B. Biggs Step into a world where the lines between reality and the supernatural blur in an electrifying new thriller: âStone-Cold Alibi.â In the heart of New Orleans, a chilling murder rocks a local diner, thrusting Detective Joseph Seraph into a realm where angels, demons, and spirits intertwine with mortal lives. As the body count climbs and cryptic symbols point to an otherworldly presence, Detective Seraph embarks on a relentless quest to unmask a killer unlike any he's encountered before. But in a battle where conventional methods fall short, Detective Seraph unveils an unexpected arsenalâsummoned spirits that lend an edge to his investigation. As he navigates a shadowy underworld and uncovers long-buried secrets, he races against time to halt the malevolent schemes of a mastermind. With each turn of the page, âStone-Cold Alibiâ takes you on a roller-coaster ride of supernatural intrigue and pulse-pounding suspense. Can Detective Seraph decipher the cryptic clues, bridge the gap between worlds, and confront the darkness lurking beneath? Or will he become entangled in a web of mystical forces beyond his control? Prepare for a mind-bending journey that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality and the depths of human darkness. Are you ready to face the unknown? |
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Fruits of the Gods by William C. Tracy Taste the magic of the gods! Sisters Kisare and Belili uproot an ancient box in their ownerâs orchard and find a miracle inside: a fifth godfruit in a society that knows only four. It is punishable by death for non-nobles to eat godfruit, so the sisters hide the discovery and plot to escape servitude for good. With the power represented in the box, they could live as nobles themselves. But Kisare finds her new freedom more difficult than she imagined, and Belili has many secrets she strives to keep hidden. With the help of a people slowly losing their culture and technology to the powerful nobles, the sisters lead an infiltration of the highest levels of noble society. While Kisare finds she cares for the captured leader of the people helping them, Belili comes to love her noble suitorâs guardâa fierce woman with a similar past to her own. In the end, the fifth godfruit may bring harmony to the world, but the sistersâ only hope of succeeding lies in deciphering ancient mythologies surrounding the godsâ original plan for their people. Genres: Fantasy / Mythology / Adventure / Lesbian / LGBT |