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Bleak Midwinter: Solstice Light by Amanda M. Blake, Victoria Clapton, Seluna Drake, S.C. Fantozzi, A.R. Frederiksen, Erin Keating, J.S. Larmore, Mary Rajotte, Sarah Von, and Jacqueline West Hope begins at the first sign of light... The second part of a special double-feature anthology from Quill & Crow Publishing House, Bleak Midwinter: Solstice Light pulls us out of the cold, dark winter night and into the morning light. A dark fiction anthology with lighter horror elements, this anthology still honors the Gothic themes of dreadfulness and despair but ends with a dash of hope. |
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Ashen Heart by Sabrina Voerman âMirror, mirror on the wall, whoâs the fairest of them all?â Torenia Lucaâs unparalleled beauty is the cause of her familyâs hatred for her. Sheâs ignored by her father, cast aside by her mother, and despised by her sister, Aster. The increasing rivalry between herself and Aster pushes Torenia into the Craft before she is driven out of Silvania for witchcraft. Ten years later she finds herself on the other side of the MĂžrke Forest in Osleka, a region known for its brutal cold and a mysterious blood cult called The Brotherhood run by Roman and Ivan Sokolov. Thrown into a world of blood lust, political affairs, and nightwalkers, Torenia finds herself swept up in the Brotherhood, shedding parts of herself that do not serve her and unlocking desires that she had long since hidden. She claws her way up the hierarchy, uncaring of whom she usurps along the way. âTorenia Luca is the fairest of them all.â |
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Anomalies & Curiosities: An Anthology of Gothic Medical Horror by Brad Acevedo, David Andrews, R.A. Busby, Marie Casey, Spyder Collins, Roland Garrety, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Jeremy Megargee, and Nick Petrou A new adventure in Gothic fiction, Anomalies & Curiosities features ten terrifying tales of the medically macabre. A collection that explores the intricacies of the human psyche, leaving you with the curious sense of dread that only gothic horror can achieve. |
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All The Parts of the Soul by Catherine Fearns Perhaps all women are witches at heart⊠The year is 1545; Geneva has defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and established itself as the center of the Reformation, with John Calvin as its spiritual leader. But peace is fragile and the city ravaged by plague, the atmosphere one of fear and suspicion. So when new rumors of witchcraft emerge from the isolated village of Satigny, Calvin sees an opportunity, and plucks a reclusive young magistrate to investigate. Henry Aubert was orphaned by plague at the age of twelve, and since then he has lived alone, consumed by fear and by the temptations he finds in the margins of his book collection. Now, for the first time, he is forced to confront the possibility of society, friendship, even love. Local healer Louise de Peney is kind and beautiful, but skirts dangerously close to the fringes of his investigation. Can he escape the horrific task he has been set? And is it too late to save a soul that has too long been turned in on itself? |
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Ehvy has dreamt of the same man her entire life. Vicious, bloody, decadent visions haunt her nights, but sheâs never paid them any mind. Until a chance encounter has her face to face with Will, the literal man of her dreams, and she begins to wonder whether they were dreams at all but memories. As Will drags Ehvy deeper into her darkest desires, he wakes up the monster in her that has been lurking just under the surface. As Ehvy wrestles to separate nightmare from reality, she rejects the notion that she is some lovesick girl taken in by a handsome man. Instead, sheâs a woman ready to rip the corrupt heart out of the world and will sink into the pits of Hell with Will to do it. |
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A Conjuring of Dandelions by A.L. Garcia A collection of poetry by A.L. Garcia: "As far back as I can remember, I have loved dandelions, not only for their beauty, their crudely vibrant nature, their medicinal properties, and the way they dance in the breeze, but also for their capacity to resist and persist past efforts to eliminate them, to reduce their impact on manmade things deemed more valuable like perfect lawns, and other manicured spaces where their specific wild is unwelcome. A Conjuring of Dandelions is rooted in that spirit, that hope, and the yearning to sow my own seeds, speak my own truths once more, and maybe inspire a few unkempt roads to freedom, as dandelions do." |
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Wonderland by Kimberly Wheelock As Peri finishes her hike of the Wonderland Trail, the ninety-three miles that explores the backcountry of Mount Rainier, she is confronted with the reality that she has survived a pandemic of an unknown scale. And she is not alone. Haunted by her own demons, Peri must learn to live in the rugged, and sometimes daunting, wilderness while facing other survivors and the limitations of her past. |
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When Her World Went Away by Alexis L. Carroll Stranded in the desert, supplies dwindling, and armed with only a kitchen knife⊠Sairha is determined to be reunited with her family after a catastrophic earthquake decimates the world, bringing down all technology and leaving deep cracks in the earth. Miles apart and no way to contact them, she sets off on foot across the unforgiving terrain, with her friend and a charming stranger who claims to know the way. Finding empty towns, their epic trek soon turns into a desperate battle for survival. Ravenous creatures emerge from underground, stalking them in the dark. Food and water are scarce. Seeking safety in numbers, they team up with other survivors. But with their lives constantly in peril, tensions rise and Sairhaâs loyalty is put to the test when distrust divides the group. Between the dangers of a ravaged land and a brutal betrayal by someone close, Sairha is barely holding onto the little hope she has left. She will have to dig through the lies, trust her instincts, and build strength to continue her daunting journey home or succumb to the monsters of the night. |
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The Spirit Well by R.K. Ashwick When a bard saved the day, he never expected an encore. After saving their home from a magical disaster, Emry, Cal, and forest spirit Aspen ascend to high society: Emry and Aspen to the illustrious musiciansâ guild, and Cal to the cutting edge of spirit research. But their new roles send them far beyond the concerts and balls they expectedâŠand deep into a city of dying spirits. In the neighboring city of Matlock, a strange blight has withered their gardensâand the spirits living within. The trio rushes to investigate, whirling into Matlockâs social season in search of allies and gossip. Here, Emry frantically navigates the dazzle and decorum to seek information, start his debutâŠand propose to Cal. But when the glittering chandeliers illuminate more enemies than friends, Emry, Cal, and Aspen must race to stop the blight before it spreadsâand the spirits shrivel away for good. |
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A Captured Cauldron by R.K. Ashwick Why steal a potion when you can steal a potioneer? Grumpy potioneer Ambrose Beake has only one social event marked on his calendar: the countryâs three-day Potion Convention. Alchemists from all over the world pour in to discuss their lifeâs work, and Ambrose eagerly dives into the excitement. Greeting old friends, speaking on panels, hopping into heated debates⊠And getting kidnapped by an underground crime syndicate. The criminals demand that Ambrose brew an impossible illusion potionâbut the Guildâs protocol for such kidnappings is clear. He must agree to do the work, then delay the project as much as possible, while above ground, his boyfriend Eli and best friend Dawn plot to save him. Theyâre not alone in this venture, eitherâa beautiful journalist arrives to cover the rescue, just as eager as they are to investigate, infiltrateâŠand ignite a few sparks in Dawnâs heart along the way. But while Dawn struggles to ignore those sparks and Eli struggles to save his beloved, Ambrose delves into the syndicateâs secretsâand finds something far more impossible hidden within its depths. |
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Star-crossed Betas by Emory Winters Star-crossed Betas is an MM, paranormal, wolf-shifter romance set in the North of England. A hard-earned HEA is guaranteed. Book 1 in The Northern Shifters series follows Connor and Phoenix as they navigate first love, first heartbreak and a second chance to build a life. But is history doomed to repeat itself when a larger mystery begins to unfold? Connor Ending up in an arranged marriage with the man who ripped my heart out of my chest and put it through a blenderâwas not on my bingo card this year. Yet what did I expect when I made the most clichĂ©d mistake of falling in love with the son of the enemy pack? If we donât find a way to coexist and build a pack together, weâre in breach of the peace agreement. But how do you forgive the unforgivable? Phoenix Regret should be the title of my memoir. One secret spilt to the wrong person toppled my life like a house of cards. Iâm desperate for Connor to forgive me, but too much is at stake if I tell him the truth about why I betrayed him. How are we supposed to build a life together on a land filled with bitter-sweet memories? The last pack on this land died in a series of fires fifty years ago. I only hope that Connorâs fiery temper doesnât lead us to the same fate. |
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Under the Lupine Moon by A. Knightley Under the Lupine Moon is a cozy MM paranormal shifter romance with high heat and murder mystery, set in a small Alaskan town brimming with paranormals. It is the first in a series where each book focuses on one couple's HEA. Finn Winters has exactly two friends, loves to cook, and can turn into a wolf the size of a Clydesdale whenever the mood strikes. But when loss leads him to someone who feels so right, even through a phone screen, Finn wonders if taking a chance and letting him in might be worth it, if it means calling him his own. That is, until he's stood up. After Jaime Lamont inadvertently witnesses the murder of one of Monroeâs most prominent citizens, all he wants is to hide away in his quiet, safe cabin and forget about the chances that were ripped away in one horrible night. But when heâs thrust into a world of danger and mystery, he finds himself in the arms of the man he thought he'd lost all hope of ever knowing. With Finn and Jaime back in each other's lives in a way they never expected, the electric chemistry between them is undeniable. But will hidden truths and unknown dangers tear them apart before they can even begin? Or, can they find their way back to one another? |
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Parents tuck their children into bed, unaware that for some, a kiss goodnight is a final farewell. A vile ancient creature with an insatiable hunger for the innocent is out there, lurking, watching, hunting. One by one, children disappear, leaving behind a trail of broken families drowning in an ocean of despair. Amidst the overwhelming tide of grief, a group of bereaved parents find solace in the shared fragments of their shattered hearts. Bound by their unbearable loss, they forge an unbreakable vow to hunt down the beast that feeds on their sorrow. On their journey, they are forced to confront true horror. Not just of the monster that took their children, but of the darkness it left within themselves. This tale of terror is not just a hunt for a creature; it is an exploration of the human spirit's capacity to endure the most harrowing of nightmares. To explore the resiliency of the human heart in the face of the unspeakable. And in their unyielding quest for vengeance and closure, these parents will discover that sometimes, the hardest monsters to defeat are the ones we carry in our hearts. |
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Childhood trauma doesn't change people, it breaks them. Nathan Burns would be no different! Once a caring teen, now a diagnosed sociopath in the state penitentiary for murder. Then he is thrown into a chaotic world where everything involves RAGE! The parasitic worms make animal to human transfer sending the world into a frenzy of apocalyptic bloodshed. For once he can let himself free destroying all that get in his way. That is until he meets her. His one true trigger from years ago. An illusion at best but accompanied by another what shares his same fate. Will he be able to break his diagnosis or will they all end up as a pile of flesh, bone and blood! |
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Defeating the Moose by Laura Bilodeau Itâs a story weâre all familiar withâŠGirl meets boyâŠBoy meets the streets. When drugs sink their poisons hooks into the love of her life, Arabella takes matters into her own hands. Armed with only her wits and feminine rage, she takes on an underworld of crime and drug lords. She hopes for a happy ending to her love story, but she will learn a hard lesson. When push comes to shove, how far can the bow bend before it breaks? There are no happy endings in the streets. |
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He would have no embarrassing secrets. He would be perfect. Liu Xiaokai does everything he is told. He listens to his parents. He's a clever businessman. He's the city's most eligible bachelor. All he has left to do is prove that he's the perfect son--that he's worth becoming his father's heir. That he's nothing like his older brother, who abandoned the family. And then that older brother comes home. He will make his father pay for what he did to him. Liu Xingyu knows two things: firstly, that he loves his little brother. Secondly, that he hates his father. That's all that matters. When he first left all those years ago, he was determined to never come back, but after he met a man named Zhang Weiran, he knew there was only one thing he could do: go back home, and tear down everything his father loved. He won't let them get away with it. Zhang Weiran has had only one thing on his mind since he was a child: fulfill his parents' dying wish and get revenge on the organization that killed them. And it just so happens that his friend and unrequited love Liu Xingyu is not only deeply connected to this shadow organization--he also wants them gone just as badly as Weiran does. Now the only thing they disagree on is Liu Xingyu's suspicious little brother. |
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MĂ©nage Ă Claws by Amelia Lascaux Sloane Connelly was desperate for an escape from her horrible boss and manipulative father. So for her 32nd birthday, Sloane takes a long overdue beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Her trip is derailed when she runs into her ex, TÄne, the plant elemental who broke her teenage heart. Determined not to waste this second chance, she takes his offer for a fresh start: to work at his new openly magic bar and gives their relationship another shot. Maybe she could finally break free from her father's influence and find joy in her life again. When she meets Nivya, her new metamour and a snow leopard shifter, she's determined to fit in to this new polyamorous world. But the more she and Nivya work together at the bar, the more Sloane wants to be with her. After years of being told by her father how disappointing and unworthy Sloane is, does she deserve the opportunity for two loves? And when her father demands more from her than ever before, can Sloane finally take back control of her life? This book is for adult readers as it contains dark themes of trauma, abuse, violence, and detailed explicit spice. |
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The Blood Curse by Jessica A. McMinn "Darker, grander, richer, and filled with even more delicious emotional turmoil, The Blood Curse is simply everything you could ever wish for in a sequel, and then so much more." â Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" â The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things rightâeven if it means submitting to prophecyâs chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destinyâs sick game. With demonspawn mobilising in unprecedented numbers, she and Rei-Hai Shaw must confront the dangers awaiting them beyond the western border⊠and those lurking within their shadows. Kriah, adrift at sea, struggles with the aftermath of breaking the first seal. Now, Azetâhaal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and itâs only a matter of time before they make their move on the mainland. But as a new threat spreads across the east, Kriah must uncover the origins of the deadly blood plague and convince the vulnerable people of Whytâhallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddessâs soul? |
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Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey âWith my blood, I bind you. I bind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice. You will depend on me as I will depend on you. You will defend my life with yours, and I will do the same for you. This Bond is sacred. It shall only be broken by death.â Vindtâs tranquil life as a lordâs son comes to an abrupt end when his homeland is overthrown. Friends, family, his freedomâhe loses it all to Singers and their dark song magic. Human in appearance, Singers are a different species. Their powers only fail against the demons hunting them. But even this flaw has a patch: humans with a rare and valuable âtraitâ. It allows Singers to take over their voice and use it like a weapon. Vindt turned out to possess this trait, and was bound to a Singer by blood. Ever since, he has struggled to break free. Unexpectedly, a chain of events binds him to a new Singer: the sly and enigmatic Asche. From day one, their egos clash. Only, their encounter was no coincidence; Asche needs himâbut for what? To free the Singers from the curse that plagues them? Or because Asche is on a quest for power, as the Singerâs brethren believe, who are determined to bring him down? Caught in the middle of their fight, Vindt gets yet another unexpected opponent: his wayward feelings for someone heâs supposed to hate. When Ascheâs enemies offer Vindt freedom in exchange for delivering Asche into their hands, Vindt has to make a choice. |
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We Burn Beautiful by Lance Lansdale Kent Fox is not okay. Thanks to a botched selfie swap, thousands of his colleagues have borne witness to a photo of his sock-covered crotch. Branded a professional pariah, he's had to move home with his mother, and the only job the 38-year-old, over-the-top, former executive can land is stocking shelves at a grocery store. To make matters worse, his new boss is none other than his ex-gay ex-boyfriend. Fabulous. Just freaking fabulous. To everyone else, Gray Collins is the perfect Christian. He manages the local Pick-n-Save, attends West Clark Apostolic Church four times a week, and he's just bought a ring for the woman helping him overcome his homosexuality. To Kent, however, Gray is the same coward he was twenty years ago. The boy with a list of seventeen reasons why he deserved Kentâs heart. The man who did nothing as his brother ripped Kent from his arms and out of his life for two decades. Forced together, Kent and Gray will have to confront the trauma that tore them apart, and all the old feelings that never truly died. Kent may not have a list of seventeen reasons for Gray, but he has three words that are just as true as they've ever been. |
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The Girl Who Sings to Dragons by Luke Courtney Fionnuala Swann, rightful Queen of Demeteria, strives to overthrow her wicked uncle, sitting on her throne as a puppet king of the Holy Empire of Addanc, and break the curse that transformed her brothers into monsters. Aiden Russ, heir to Selene-Morna, struggles to master his inner wolf, haunted by his past failures. Now he must overcome his doubts to become a desperate people's champion. The first steps to fulfil the prophecy of the Winged Wolf must be taken... |
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Halfling House Origins by Victoria Vassallo A Greek Goddess. A helpless Halfling. The beginning of a family. Twenty years ago, it was a cold winters night in an English hospital that brought three magickal women together in a hilarious and heart-wrenching twist of fate that would change their lives forevermore. It is the touching story of how Halfling House came to be. Halfling House Origins takes place twenty years before the events of Welcome to Halfling House (The Briarmoor Chronicles, Book 1). |
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Welcome to Halfling House by Victoria Vassallo What do you get when you have a renegade Greek Goddess, a fiery witch, a toddler dragon, a fae child, and a temperamental teenage bogeyman in one house? Chaos. Not literally, of course. Ellie â or more accurately, the Greek Goddess formerly known as Eleos â left the true embodiment of Chaos behind when she abandoned the Greek Pantheon for the mortal world. Spilt milk, giant sunflowers and random spot fires are just par for the course when youâre raising Halflings, the outcasts of the magickal world. Fortunately for Ellie, she has Clara â the first Halfling she adopted â to help navigate the thin line between the mortal and magickal worlds. A new Halflingâs arrival brings more challenges than expected when a legend from Ellieâs past emerges, determined to destroy the newborn. Trusting strangers is not in Ellieâs skillset, but even this immortal Goddess needs to learn a thing or two if sheâs going to protect her own from those who would rather they didnât exist. Follow Ellie and her brood as they navigate the everyday hassles of life, the extraordinary battles with the magickal, and uncover the mysteries of the town they call home, Briarmoor. This series is perfect for anyone who enjoys heartfelt and hilarious stories about found family, protective mama bears, diverse magic and creatures, slow-burn fade-to-black romance, and LGBTQIA+ representation. |
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The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt A mysterious invitation from an old friend brings private investigator Richard, spaceship pilot Eddie, and travel guide writer Alannah to a gorgeous, bustling metropolis on a planet where the dominant species can literally smell fear and lies. Wenamak appears to be the picture perfect place, down to the finest detail, but dangers lurk beneath its pristine surface. When a flippant wendek undercover agent seeks assistance on a delicate job, the Colibri Investigations crew soon find themselves tangled up in a shady game involving a web of illegal trade and exploitation. Luckily, Richardâs military training, Alannahâs intimate knowledge of the local culture, and Eddieâs tough attitude give the team the perfect edge to meet their clientâs needs⊠at least until they run into someone familiar whom none of them expected to see again. Thereâs no planet too distant, no job too strange, for Colibri Investigations! |
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In the early 1990s, Jonah Carter almost made it big. With a breakout role in a well-regarded film, he had never been closer to achieving his dreams. But behind the scenes, dark forces devised a plan of their own, costing the briefly shining star both his dreams and freedom. Years later, Jonah is still bound to the City of Angels, living in solitude with the echoes of a long-forgotten dream. His peaceful life comes crashing down with the reappearance of his detective ex-boyfriend. Hayden is investigating the disappearance of a young actor, and the bloody signs all lead back to Jonahâs mysterious past. As his buried secrets come roaring back, Jonah must join forces with the man he thought heâd lost forever. But how can they defeat the ones who live in the shadows? |
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Trust in Tomorrow by Dana Sweeney Sleepwalking let them survive a nightmare. Desire woke them up. Demetri When the world ended, I came to the Stronghold and joined their military. Even made it to the helmet corps with the best and brightest. Life in the barracks is a nonstop party, everyone living like there's no tomorrow. Let's face it, there probably isn't. When my friends joined a resistance movement against the rich jerks who run this place, we needed a place to meet. The library would be perfect if it wasn't for the librarian being a total snoop. I offered to chat her up for the greater good... and because I can't stop thinking about her. Save the world, get the girl. Win-win. Stella I arrived in the city weeks before the world ended. I thought I was living a fairy tale, engaged to a prince⊠but the fantasy was dead even before the dead started to rise. Officially in mourning for my fiancĂ©, I run the library and try to avoid attention. Yet somehow, Iâve caught the eye of a handsome soldier. He makes me long for freedom, control over my fate. But this elite society considers me an asset; they will never let me go without a fight. How do I know so much about the Stronghold? I helped build it. |
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Lust for Tomorrow by Dana Sweeney Submission is freeing⊠Love is a trap. Iâve never seen his face. But I ache to feel his body. My fellow soldiers call him Alpha. Itâs an insult, mocking his macho bravado, his aggressive arrogance. Iâve heard the snark, seen the rolled eyes. Alpha. Itâs a joke. But when I hear him speak⊠His rich, deep voice. His lush British accent⊠I guess the jokeâs on me. Since the zombies came, civilization fell, and new social structures arose, Iâve known that my independence relies on my disinterest in any particular man. The powers that be havenât resorted to forced procreation⊠at least not yet; they still expect weâll fall in love and walk into the trap willingly. My resistance requires that I avoid emotional connections. My existence requires that I avoid distractions, that I stand and fight. But every time this man speaks, I want to fall to my knees, offer myself to him. However heâll have me. Lust is a distraction I canât afford, but itâs not love. As long as I donât fall in love, Iâm safe. And who could possibly fall for Alpha? |
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Love is in the air. Probably. Most likely. But will a bit of turbulence get in the way of their love taking flight? Drew Parker knows heâs never going to get married. Fall in love. Have a family. But thatâs okay, really. Itâs safer that wayâliving life out to his family but otherwise in the closetâjust as his parents have always told him. Besides, though heâs attracted to men, heâs never felt the urge to actually be intimate with anyone. So, really, it doesnât matter. Until Drew meets Zach. Zach Harrisonâs anxiety doesnât rule his entire life, just mostly his social life. And undeniably his love life. According to his best friend, Jen, itâs the sole reason why heâs never had a date or even been kissed. Heâs hoping someday heâll just run into his Prince Charming and theyâll live happily ever after. But real lifeâs not that simple. When Tired-of-Lawyering-All-Weekend Drew meets Absolutely-Terrified-of-Flying Zach, Drew comes to Zachâs rescue, and sparks seem to fly. And when a snowstorm grounds their connecting flightâand every flight in the cityâtheir instant love connection starts to soar. After spending almost two blissfully perfect days in the same hotel room being in love, itâs clear theyâre made for each other. But is âmeant to beâ enough to help Drew finally get over his fear of flying? Fear of Flying is a steamy, strangers-to-lovers, instalove, snowbound, one-night-stand (okay, it was two nights) gay romance novel, featuring virgin MCs and only one bedâa story about finding love and self-acceptance in the most unexpected places. Content warning for homophobia, toxic parenting, and depictions of moderate-to-severe anxiety, including aerophobia. |
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Farzanaâs Spite by Felix Graves Life is about as good as it gets for an anxious and depressed bastard stripped of any social benefits of her caste. Farzana has a cushy job, a wonderful best friend, and a mother and younger brother who love her to bits. Then the faerie who abandoned her mother before she was bornâthe father she always hoped to meetâreturns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzanaâs life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesnât step up soon to set things right, there wonât be much left worth saving. Farzanaâs Spite is a sapphic dark fantasy featuring a diverse cast doing their best to stay alive during a traumatic and tumultuous period. A blend of tragedy, romance, and mystery, this story was written for anyone ever made to believe they were broken beyond repair, and who needs a story to kill that thought once and for all. |
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Sixty: A Crime Reporter's Story by Yvette Walker "Linda, I know you won't remember me, but my daughter was killed by Mayfield Sherman." Christian reporter Linda Radcliffe felt like someone kicked her in the gut. Mayfield Sherman? Lord! That monster was put to death several years ago, but not before he killed several women. He'd made a stop in Oklahoma, right on Linda's reporting beat. But she'd left, and Sherman was a big part of the reason. She had read the police files. She had seen the photos. Twenty years later, she's back to help a family she once covered. When she meets her old colleague, now the editor of the town paper, feelings once dampened begin to rise again. |
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Cosmic Widow (Agent Renault Adventures) by Jonathan Nevair Mission: Impossible meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in the latest installment of this fun, fast-paced, and award-winning spy-fi adventure series featuring a tough yet conflicted secret agent, immersive world-building, and a charming cast of alien characters. A deadly race to recover a priceless portrait. When the legendary Cosmic Widow vanishes from the galaxyâs premiere art museum, Agent Lilline Renault delves into a shadowy underworld to hunt down the missing masterpiece. Her only clue: the thiefâs enigmatic calling card. Following a scant trail of evidence, Lilline crosses paths with shady art dealers, eccentric university professors, and elusive forgers in a tangled search for the stolen work of art. But the robberâs end game is more sinister than mere theft. Sleeping secrets stir inside the Cosmic Widow⊠If they wake, an arcane mystery locked away for ages could spell disaster across the stars. The Agent Renault Adventures are standalones - start anywhere in this award-winning series. |
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A Hunt of Blood & Iron by Cara Nox "Nothing comes without sacrifice." Grey is a shut-in hemomancerâa blood-manipulating magic user who sacrifices life for life to use his powerâwith a troubled past and questionable future. So when that fae-laced Calling grips him in the middle of the night and takes him to the obelisk he's been seeing in his dreams, he believes he's finally started to find his purpose. That is, until he realizes there are five other mancers there, and the obelisk bears all their marks. That can only mean one thing: the fair folk are demanding another Wild Hunt, and Grey is one of their prey. In his fumbled attempt to escape, he's rescued by the one sacrificial member of the Hunt he least expects: an iron-wielding macharomancer, known for their hostility against his magic, named Noel. In order to find a way to break free of their binding ties to the Wild Hunt, they must put aside their reservations about one another and work together. Their best bet is to find something hidden within what's left of the faerie ruins and man-made structures of the distant past that's worth more than their lives to appease their ruthless rulers. Or they'll perish at the hands of the bloodthirsty fair folk waiting for them in the Otherworld. |
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On the run from her ex-husband, a powerful federal agent, Abigail takes shelter in a cabin in rural southwest Colorado with her trusty German shepherd, Dude. When she learns someone else has been using the cabin to hide out too, sheâll find herself stuck with a shady, surprise roommate for the summer. While they figure out how to get along, theyâll learn their stories were intertwined long before they met. Enemy Closer is a suspense thriller that allows you to experience each new piece of information along with the characters right to the end, when you realize everything you thought you knew was a lie. A deeper story has only just begun to unfold. |
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An Appreciation of Cats by Des DeVivo How do we know if itâs too late? Dr. Ian Devonshire, the beloved veterinarian of Holly Grove, is sixty-eight with no plans to retireâuntil a skin exam ends with an unexpected biopsy. Ian tells no one, privately worrying about what a worst-case scenario would mean for his practice and, more importantly, his assistant, Dr. Alec Tarley. Ian isnât sure if Alecâs friendliness means what he hopes it does, though it wouldnât matter if it did; Ian is old enough to be Alecâs father, and as his boss, Ian doesnât want the small-town scandal of becoming involved. So even as Ian wonders what it might be like to have their afternoon tea somewhere other than behind closed doors, he convinces himself the risks far outweigh the gains. Especially now, as the pending results strand him like Schrödinger's Cat. In an attempt to protect them both from the heartache of a malignant prognosis, Ian makes the abrupt decision to retire. But when Alec refuses to take over the clinic without an explanation for the sudden change of heart, Ian must decide between whatâll hurt more: revealing his secrets or walking away. |
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Humanity has finally defeated the Dark Lord, but Morrick fought on the wrong side. Though he was a slave, he is branded a traitor and must earn the trust of new lords in order to return to his family - if they are still alive⊠Now that their common enemy is dead, the nobles begin to forget old loyalties, and Queen Cathrynâs realm looks set to plunge into war once more. But there are older and more terrible powers dwelling within the forest, and when they are awakened, Morrick will decide who lives or dies. |
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So I may be dead, but my afterlife isnât. Caleb After years of wandering the stars, Iâve finally met someone who can see meâthe handsome and serious Prince Zoltilvoxfyn. I know I should pass on, but I feel something, like physically feel something, when Iâm with him. That hasnât happened since I was alive, and I canât help but wonder, why now? Zoltilvoxfyn Iâm trying to help the human soul, who shouldnât even be here, leave the mortal plane, but he is resolved to remain. The longer Caleb lingers, the more danger he is in, yet the more I want him to stay by my side. Itâs like he belongs here, but that isnât possible. This is a spicy stand-alone MM romance in the Cosmic Romance series. It is a sci-fi paranormal romance with a sunshine ghost, a serious alien, overprotective brothers, and a happily ever after. This book is for adult audiences only and has explicit content. Content warning inside. |
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My cat and I have been abducted by aliens⊠Seth One second Iâm walking to work, and the next Iâm on a spaceship. I have no idea whatâs going on, but this scaled alien claims Iâm his mate. Thatâs not going to happen. I have until we reach his planet to accept or reject him. If I donât want him, I can go back to Earth. But six months is a long time when the alien Kal is determined to woo me. Kalvoxrencol The Crystal sent me to the far reaches of the universe for my soulmate, and now that I have him, I will not surrender him. I will do whatever I can to win his love and keep him by my side, where he belongs. I will not let anything from my past or his keep us apart. This is a standalone sci-fi romance with a socially anxious human, his protective winged alien mate, a black cat companion, a slow burn with a spicy payoff, and a guaranteed HEA. This is an MM romance with explicit content intended for adult readers only. Some of the trigger warnings include: panic attacks, anxiety, swearing, and adult content (Full list inside). |
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Every Beautiful Mile by Ashley Manley A widowed bartender, a summer road trip, the detour she never expected. Penelope âNelâ Crawford is stuck. At least thatâs what her family tells her. A year after losing her husband of seventeen years, sheâs still so deep in her grief that sheâs barely hanging on, let alone living. She hardly recognizes her teenage kids and finds no joy in doing the things she once loved. Her solution? An attempt to heal herself and the relationship with her kids with a summer road trip. From one destination to the next, Nel not only has to navigate life on the road, but the trials and tribulations of motherhood after loss. When a detour leads her to a flirtatious restaurant owner sheâs been emailing off and on for months, she starts to remember that lifeâno matter how unpredictableâis made for living. And the heart, even if broken, finds ways to love again. Every Beautiful Mile will make readers laugh, cry, and remind them of the healing powers of nature, family, and love itself. |
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The Deepest Cut by Bowen Greenwood Betrayed. Hunted. Accused of murder. It's 1982. Cold War rages between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Clara Verona sneaks into Central America to infiltrate a violent group of Marxist revolutionaries. But when her contact is murdered and Clara's pistol is used to kill him, she finds herself running for her life, hunted for a crime she didn't commit. When she calls for help, the only result is more cops on her tail. Someone on the inside sold her out. Victor Isaac used to be an elite Panamanian special forces officer, but an operation went terribly wrong on his watch. Now he's stuck hassling drunks on the night shift. Called to the scene of a murder, the crime sets off every one of his alarm bells. But the closer he comes to catching the killer, the more obvious it becomes that everything is not as it seems. In a conflict fought in the shadows, spies and special forces clash over a terrorist plot that could be the start of World War III. If they want to warn the world, or even survive, Clara and Victor will need all of their training. They'll need all their skill. And they'll need to learn to trust each other. In the covert world of espionage, that may be the hardest challenge of all. |
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Irons in the Fire by Bowen Greenwood When a gangland murder shocks the town of Hunter, Montana, the citizens want justice and they want it fast. The prime suspect got out of prison way too easily; reporter Sherman Iron needs to know why. But he breaks the law in his quest for answers, and Iron stumbles on the dead body of a corrupt judge with a million in cash in a briefcase in front of him. Then the cops show up. Framed for a murder he didnât commit, Sherman Iron must clear his name and find the killer who ordered the shooting. But everyone in Hunter has a secret, and learning them might take Iron from the frying pan to the fire. Finalist for the 2021 Imadjinn Awards Best Mystery! |
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The Hold of Destiny: A Maven Knight Story by Matthew Romeo For some, destiny is a warm embrace, but for others it is a stranglehold. In the vast, sprawling continent of Panâgea, a clandestine organization is rising to power. It is called the Remnant Order, a group dedicated to preserving order in a chaotic world. At the heart of the Remnant are a husband and wife, Romulus and DiĂĄnna. Romulus is one of the Order's most steadfast champions, a paragon of fairness and stability. DiĂĄnna is the newly elected leader of the Remnant; a woman who built herself from the ground up. Their lives are seemingly perfectâa successful career, a newborn son, and a luxurious home. However, their work comes at a heavy price. DiĂĄnna has been shown where her fate lies, and she will do all she can to bring about change in the New World. As assassination plots and political schisms threaten to tear the Remnant apart, Romulus and DiĂĄnna find themselves increasingly at odds with each other. Their once-unbreakable bond begins to fray under the pressure of their conflicting responsibilities. In a desperate attempt to save their family, the pair must decide how far they are willing to go. Will they choose to protect their son at the cost of their mission? Or will they sacrifice their family to fulfill their destiny? As the lines between love, duty, and betrayal blur, Romulus and DiĂĄnna must confront the darkest corners of their souls. In the end, destiny may be a fickle thing. |
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The Bastard from Fairyland by Phil Parker He's Robin Goodfellow to those he knows. Or Puck, his psychotic alter-ego, to those he kills. Betrayed, banished and bitter, this fae warrior lives among human beings, they think heâs a demon. The teenagers heâs vowed to protect, despise him. But now the fae need his help, especially the man who betrayed him. Heâs brought along Robinâs lover to guarantee his cooperation. Yet things are not as they seem. For shadowy forces within the fae have different plans. Itâs not Robin they want. They need Puck. He's the perfect stooge to kill a king. What have people said about The Bastard from Fairyland? "This is effing brutal. There's blood, torture, death, violence, a world savaged by fae and under threat of total destruction. Loved it." "A well told tale which combines Celtic myths, Arthurian legends, dystopian visions of a world ravaged by climate change and some good old blood and guts battles. Oh, and dragons. What's not to love?" "The story unfolds at a cracking pace. Characterisation is excellent. The fight scenes are particularly evocative." "The prose is simply beautiful. It's a book that takes you to a Fantasy world unlike any other but also reflects our times in a very real way. A unique and fresh modern take on a genre that sorely needs more books like this." |
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The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane The Dark Elf Dynasty File by Phil Parker The British Bureau for the Arcane has kept people safe for centuries from the arcane species that seek to harm human beings. Their range extends to Commonwealth nations that were part of the British Empire. A once-proud part of the British Secret Service, their success in controlling the arcane races has been their downfall. These beings now live on the edge of survival in remote parts of Britain. Or, at least they did. For Arlo Austin, a loyal but troubled agent for the Bureau, something is wrong. When heâs sent to protect the citizens of the Shetland Isles from rampaging Norwegian trolls, it soon becomes apparent it was an attempt on his life. When another agent dies in mysterious circumstances, and Arlo is warned of an impending war with arcane species, his instincts are proved right. But who is behind this rebellion? Could it be linked to Arloâs own bloodline as a Dark Elf? His traumatic childhood holds secrets, ones that are going to test his loyalty to the Bureau. In their cells another Dark Elf is held prisoner, one who is so despised by its staff, their hatred has extended to Arlo. This species is violent and vengeful, can they recruit one of their own to bring about the destruction of the Bureau? And in so doing, enable the arcane races to wage war against the human race. |
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A Crow Named Torment by Silas A. Bischoff After a perfectly normal bird is captured by a perfectly deranged alchemist, and her soul is remade in torment, she rots in a cage, dreading her doom, awaiting the perfect moment ⊠Escape lies in the dark secrets of her new mind, as does a disturbing new thirst for blood. Together with Vladimir, her feline companion in captivity, Torment sets out on a flight through realms of dreams and spirits in search of a way to break the curse that binds them to their master. But in the vast and strange worlds yonder dwell the discontented spirits of the dead, and Torment and Vladimir are as likely to uncover the truth they seek as they are to be lost forever, or consumed by the ancient darkness stirring in the depths of their alchemically altered souls. A novel filled with horrors lurking in the shadows, with whimsical creatures from strange worlds â a fable about journeys inward and onward into the unknown â featuring mad scholars, vampires from the dawn of time, animal familiars and giant slugs (among many other oddities). Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Edgar Allan Poe, lovers of Richard Bachâs Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Otfried PreuĂlerâs Krabat, for those who would like to see Lewis Carrollâs Alice in Wonderland meet Mary Shelleyâs Frankenstein in a modern dark fantasy. |
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Tangleweed & Waterbloom by Justin Greer After years of travel in the wide world, Derry Melyvante has made his home near the quiet woodland village of Haverdell. Derry lives with his dog Barrow on a small island outside town and spends his days in singular pursuit of his craft and passion: Derry is a gardener, a master of woodlore and plants and green growing things, a man whose heart belongs in the trees and high hills and soft grassy meadows around sleepy Haverdell. He and Barrow have built a home and found friendship in Haverdellâa quiet, fulfilling life. An unknown blight has taken hold in the Brightoak Tree. Derry's efforts to care for the great tree are interrupted by the appearance of a knight from the king's court with a summons for the gardener of Haverdellâa message specifically requesting Derry by name. The gardener is escorted to the capital by Caedan, Knight of Mira, where he is asked to investigate a similarly strange affliction in the holy gardens of the king. Derry performs his work, makes his recommendations for care, and thinks to return to Haverdell and the gentle calm of his chosen home. But strange magic and stranger maladies are afoot, both in the king's court and in Haverdell. Derry and Barrow swiftly find themselves embroiled in affairs beyond their imagining, as monsters and blights and shadowy figures foment catastrophe throughout the land. Plants have begun to turn against the gardener. The king has been kidnapped. Allies have become traitors. Together, Derry, Barrow, and Caedan seek to end the mayhem and find a solution to the strange curse that has gripped the kingdomâbefore wild plant-monsters overrun everything and swallow the land into their greedy, leafy maw. Even if the trio is successful, they will have to contend with traitors in the king's court, magical devices now stolen by rebels, and ancient temples reawakened for unknown purposes... |
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Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one caseâthe case where he also lost his brother. So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything. Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesnât know or care about any of that except Finchâs reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finchâs door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well. Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignored the world⊠Heâll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before itâs too late. "Fans of the Dresden Files and the Iron Druid Chronicles will definitely enjoy Stovall's creation." - Jason Cordova, national bestselling author |
