Under Darkened Skies by H.E. Bauman

A librarian with a secret. A prince looking for redemption. A dark discovery that will force them to confront their truths. Astrea Sovna is destined to die. As a Lightbringer, she’s expected to serve the Helosian government as a battlefield healer; but when the court seer—Astrea’s uncle—has a vision of her being killed in the line of duty, he forbids her to reveal her powers. Until now, Astrea has gone unnoticed as a junior librarian. But when she gets reassigned to a diplomatic project to strengthen ties between Helosia and one of its neighbors, she finds herself saddled with her past, in the form of returned war hero and her ex-best friend, Prince Varojin Auris. Forced to work together, Astrea soon learns that although Varojin has been out of her life for years, he’s still the kind, patient friend she remembers. As they navigate old friendships and imperial politics, the pair discovers that the mysterious shadows stalking the city are leaving a trail of murder victims in their wake. And when Astrea becomes a target, a dear friend gets caught in the crossfire… As Astrea and Varojin begin searching for answers, they realize there is much more to the emperor’s project than political niceties. If the shadows aren’t stopped, Astrea’s future—and the security of the entire continent—hangs in the balance.

The Sundered Stars by H.E. Bauman

Betrayal is just the beginning… After a decade of hunting the Federation’s deadliest criminals, Mora “Mo” Cevi is done risking her life—but she needs a way out. So, when a lucrative military contract lands in her lap, she takes it despite her mistrust of the government. Steadfast leader Ezra Lyre has dedicated sixteen years to the Federation Space Command, climbing the ranks to become one of the military’s most revered Vanguards. But when he’s assigned to protect a group of archaeologists on a remote dig, he’s confused. The Federation is at war, and he should be on the front lines, not babysitting scholars. Mo has been fighting Ezra’s orders for days, until a group of traitors steal a treasured artifact, and he needs her to help him bring them to justice. With the Federation rejecting their concerns, they pursue the thieves on their own. But as their manhunt tangles them in a web of dangerous conspiracies, Mo and Ezra find themselves racing to stop a threat that could destroy the Federation—if their enemies don’t destroy them first.

And the Age of Summer Will Rise by Camilla Andrew

When there’s nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire… Having chosen a torrid love over political ambition, Laila must face her greatest challenge yet—that of married life as the star bride to the demon king of Mortos. Despite her best efforts to acclimate to her new crown and country, she finds herself ill-equipped to deal with the schisms starting to form across multiple competing factions. As well as the toll it takes on her husband’s fraying mask of civility. With the web of deceit slowly unravelling the true nature of Darius a constant looming threat, a meddling-mother-in-law, and scheming nobles, can this star-crossed pair hope to make it to their first anniversary intact? Across the sea, the solarites slowly recuperate after a devastating act of terrorism. With tensions high and emotions fraught, a division soon forms between those intent on keeping whatever frail charade of peace can still be maintained with Mortos and those intending to shatter it completely. As a high-stakes game of backstabbing and betrayal ensues, the consequences promise to be far-reaching from the beaches of the south to the mountain peaks of the north, leaving everyone involved forever changed. The third and final instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy promises a heart-wrenching finale to this gaslamp fantasy saga that you don’t want to miss.

We Will Devour the Night by Camilla Andrew

Twenty years after her fateful first voyage north, Laila is preparing for her campaign to become the next impératrice of Soleterea, contending with negative attitudes towards chaos magic and the demons who wield it. In the meantime, Darius has settled into his new position as the rex of Mortos, but his rule has not been without conflict and conspiracy, either. When her mother suggests that Laila distinguish herself politically by lending a hand to the famine-stricken Mortesians, she finds herself once more crossing paths with her old lover and confronting the whirlwind of emotions that twenty years apart have done little to settle. Determined to put her feelings to one side, Laila throws herself headfirst into the viper pit of Mortesian court politics to try to win their favour. However, Darius has an allure of his own—one that is not quite so simple to resist. The second instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy continues on the trajectory of character-driven gaslamp fantasy with high emotional stakes and classical worldbuilding.

Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs by Adam Bassett

For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanity’s last bastion against the maalkonis, malignant black mists that reduced the rest of the world to ash. They are kept at bay by rusty machines on the town’s walls. In order to survive, the dwindling population depends on one another. Since a young age, Justīne has embraced the harsh responsibilities that accompanied her apprenticeship on the last farm in existence. Her younger sister, Anna, is beginning her own apprenticeship as well. Learning engineering was not Anna's first choice, but the town's last mage fell to the maalkonis years prior, leaving nothing behind but confusing books and strange runes. When food runs low during a particularly harsh winter, distrust spreads like a plague, and Justīne is blamed for it. As hunger leads to violence, she and her siblings are forced to flee The Old Town, embarking on a perilous journey into the very mists that had formed their cage. Their fight to survive in the dark develops into a hopeful mystery as they follow the breadcrumbs of a mage’s efforts to save the world. Meanwhile something pursues them through the maalkonis…

Animus Paradox by Adam Bassett

There's a thief on the loose. The Tigres excel at tipping the scales in their favor, be it through bribes, politics, or blood. They unofficially run Viterbo, Italy—and somebody stole from them. Private investigators David and Mafalda De Campo have been hired to help find the thief. They're in it for the money, but the Tigres just want to make a statement. Meanwhile, the Heredes have returned: ruthless idealists and revolutionaries. It’s not clear what they’re up to, but they keep getting in the way. The De Campos will need to decide how far they're willing to go for this job and the Tigres. Viterbo may soon become a battlefield, and one wrong move could set it aflame.

Digital Extremities by Adam Bassett

A collection of eight stories, Digital Extremities shines a spotlight on ordinary people in a callous yet hopeful future. Set across small towns and remote islands, where neon flickers against old buildings and oaks, this collection paints a unique view of a traditionally cyberpunk setting. In 2089, a woman miscarries and seeks a way to find peace amidst overwhelming grief. Years later, a young man must find a way to pay rent outside of his job at the glassblowing studio. A pair of students, excited to go to college, install new hardware that promises to improve their cognitive functions. A private investigator searches for a missing child who has a reputation for embarking on risky adventures. Each tale is shaped by love, loss, and perseverance, weaving a vision of life outside of the megacities.

Blade of Broken Scales by Makayla Marie

With the dawn of her eighteenth birthday, Princess Adeline of the Ambrose family has become the most eligible young woman in the Kingdom of Scalebreak. As suitors from across the realm line up for her hand-in-marriage, Adeline daydreams about her dangerous midnight adventures. More than anything, she wants to protect her kingdom and learn to harness the brief moments of power she’s been collecting since she was fifteen. She’s never felt more alive than when her body hums with magic stolen from the deadliest creatures in the realm, and she’s willing to kill for it. What will win out – her desires for power, freedom, and to be hailed as a protector of the realm, or the sense of duty to her family and the expectations that come with being a princess? Burdened by the heavy weight of her decisions and overwhelmed by suitors, Adeline turns to what she does best, slaying dragons. But when an average night of ruthless hunting goes wrong, she finds herself injured and kidnapped by the clan she thought to exist only in legend. After just a few hours with her kidnapper, Roman Drache, Adeline finds herself questioning everything she has ever known. Will the princess submit to the whims of family and country in the name of duty, or will Adeline choose to embrace the power within arm’s reach and learn to fight for the truth she has cowered from her whole life?

Impostor (Children of Lorcan Book 2) by J. M. Rose

NIKOLAI PETROV HATES LIES. Finding out he’s supposed to be the next Vampire King of Raspien was not something Nikolai Petrov ever expected. Torn from his family and his home, Nikolai is thrust into an unfamiliar world with unfamiliar people. But it does not feel like the court of vipers he was warned about. Nikolai is surprised by the warmth of his new family and Lord Councilman Caius Varga, immersed in his new school and his new friends, and somewhere along the line, he stops counting down the days until his return home. His willingness to stay and take up his promised role only grows when he meets the enchanting Lord in Waiting of Amenti, Viktor Kamel. Swept up in romance, friendship and the prospect of learning under the Petrov Academy’s best healers, Nikolai finds himself more deeply entangled than ever in his role as a prince of Raspien. But things aren’t always what they seem. Nikolai’s warmth, kindness and honesty cannot protect him from lies told in decades past; in the end, the truth always comes knocking and the shadows of the past have teeth as deadly as the ugliest of secrets.

A Dark Hole Darkly by Drew Melbourne

The World's First/Best/Only/Last ADHD Detective Novel! Patrick Hinkle's mom is dead. Murdered. And maybe he could find her killer if his brain weren't for shit. Or if her whole stupid life wasn't as big a mystery to him as her death? If he understood her last words. If he knew who his dad was! If he knew what it all had to do with an obscure British sci-fi show from the 1980s... Before he can solve his mom's murder, Patrick Hinkle will have to solve her. And to do that? He'll have to solve himself. A Dark Hole Darkly is a postmodern comic mystery about family, fandom, who we are... ...and who gets to write the endings to our stories.

Usurper (Children of Lorcan Book 1) by J. M. Rose

DMITRY PETROV WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEXT VAMPIRE KING OF RASPIEN. On the night of his eighteenth birthday, Dmitry unwittingly finds himself at the center of a scandal that turns his life upside down. Stripped of his titles, inheritance, and everything he’s ever known, Dmitry has to learn to live like the other side. Forced to question everything he’s been taught to believe, Dmitry is determined to forge ahead and build a new life far from the intricate politics and poison of a family bound to a golden chair and the weight of a crown once promised. But dressing a prince in overalls does not a pauper make, and no matter the distance he travels or how hard he tries to forget, Dmitry has to face a harsh and inescapable truth; that a fate born into is not so easily shaken. When he finds himself at the beck and call of a boy king with too much power and no patience, Dmitry begins to understand that there is more to inheritance than a title and a crown, and blood—indeed—runs much thicker than water.

Soul Guardian by Alex Karne

Things were going great for the demon Bael-Sharoth until a little girl summoned him to open a jar of tomato sauce. Now he's trapped in the human world along with his arch nemesis the beautiful and capable Maharet Flameheart. Life isn't easy for a demon in a small town. But at least the parks are hellhound friendly and the werewolf at the local bookshop seems nice enough. Bael and Maharet must find a loving human family to take in this powerful young witch before time runs out or risk being stuck on earth forever. Blending a cozy, slice-of-life story with a side of enemies to lovers, Soul Guardian delivers a wholesome romantic comedy in the style of Good Omens.

FIRST ROSE by Jake Vanguard

Five years after the cataclysmic events in Tadena, Helio is living her best life—until her sister, Zalika, gets attacked and her niece, Nyssa, is kidnapped. And to make matters worse, Zalika has transferred her responsibility as the deity of technology to Helio. Desperate to find the culprit and her niece, Helio sets out on a journey with her best friend, Julyen, to enlist the help of two other deities, Zanoah and Caean. Not only is she worried about Nyssa, she's also having to deal with the new forces coursing through her, which she’s unable to fully grasp and control. Their journey brings them to Evergarden, the home of Ambroz, the deity of lust and Helio’s new mentor. But learning to control her powers from him isn’t the only connection they form. As the two fall for each other, Helio finds herself torn between her attraction to Ambroz, missing her peaceful life in Tadena, worries about Nyssa and Zalika, and her fear of facing her sister's attacker—who wants to vanquish every single deity and cleanse the world of them. Can she face the man she once loved? And what will happen when she does?

A Thousand Burning Ravens by Kier Smelcer

On the day blood oaths were to be sworn to the King of Falkmere, crimson spilled in an entirely different way. When the Fallen Fae God, Vesperian Shayd decapitated the King, an ancient magic died with him, leaving Falkmere at the mercy of an equally ancient curse. In possession of a burdensome prophesy and ruinous secrets — such as a hidden pregnancy— newly widowed queen, Myla Alerys, must step into a role of leadership she never wanted. In order to break Vesperian’s curse (something it seems she cannot accomplish without rekindling a childhood love with the steadfast Captain Bryar Monroe) Myla must seek help in the most unlikely of places. On this quest of found families and second chance loves, Myla will join forces with a mysterious Seer, a cloister of quiet monks, and the formidable Ashborn to break free of the Blood Stealer’s curse.

Remnants of Relics by Jake Vanguard

Remnants of Relics brings you the work of fifteen authors with a curated selection of short stories and poems around the themes of queerness and the importance of parts; be it body parts or more abstractly, concepts like the part identity plays in our lives. At the heart of this collection are the struggles and joys one works with when losing or gaining a new part of themselves. Pain and joy are close to each other - a constant cycle humanity moves through.

Caught by I.V. Shady

She didn’t expect a quiet night with a steamy chapter to turn into something more. Curled up with her favorite spicy read, she lets the story sweep her away—heat building, heartbeat racing, and self-love taking center stage. It’s her moment, and she intends to savor every second. But just as fantasy begins to blur with feeling, unexpected footsteps shift the mood. Her partner arrives—and he's brought company. What follows is anything but ordinary... and she’s about to find out that some plot twists can’t be written. Only lived.

Austringer's Wrath by E.L. Lyons

The Austringer has fallen! A new Austringer is risen! Minalav is in pieces, needs are high but trust is low. After Axly's plan placed her on the throne, she is faced with the displeasure of High and Low Birds, the Nameless, and the humans of the city. In a bid to bring much needed supplies, Axly offers the one thing all nations covet: sprygan weapons. In the lands of Remorra, General Grimwalt is selected to represent his kingdom. Sent by his cousin, King Henry, who has more in mind than just the sprygan weapons, Grim must negotiate with a woman he doesn't remember.

Bound by I.V. Shady

Surrender was never the plan… but it’s definitely part of the game. You’ve let me tie the knots, but we both know who taught me how. Tonight, you're mine—every smirk, every breath, every twitch I see. Follow my voice, stay still... pretend I'm the one in charge. And when you're ready to flip the script? Well, I already know I’ve earned it.

Good Boys Club by Jemma Croft

Mash Cassidy, smooth-talking werewolf and notorious ladies’ man, has been running from his responsibilities, and his pack, for fifteen years. But with Harvest Fest only weeks away, Alpha’s ordering him to return home, and she won’t take no for an answer. It’s time for him to grow up and mate with a nice werewolf girl. In fact, Alpha already has one in mind. But Mash wasn’t built for settling down, and in a desperate move to keep Alpha off his back, he drags his wolf shifter best friend Cian into another of his harebrained pretend to be a werewolf and pose as his fake-mate for two whole months. What could go wrong? They’re just friends, and Mash definitely hasn’t been developing unusual feelings for him… Cian Barker, hipster wolf shifter and tech whiz, has been in love with his best friend since the day they met at uni. It doesn’t matter that Mash is straight and completely unobtainable, Cian is just happy to have him in his life. But when Mash asks him to be his fake-mate during the family’s Harvest Fest celebration, Cian might have reached his limits with how far he’ll go for Mash. At least until he’s faced with his favourite pair of puppy-dog eyes. The ones he just can’t seem to resist. It’ll be fine. Cian can pretend—he’s been pretending for their entire friendship. Besides, it’s not like Mash will ever love him back… The Good Boys Club is an MM best-friends-to-lovers paranormal romance and the second in the Mythical Mishaps series of interconnected standalones. Expect the usual silliness, slow burn, lots of pining, plenty of scent marking, and a tonne of praise for the bestest boy in the Eight and a Half Kingdoms.

Stuck On The Slopes by Jessica Salina

The cabin is heating up in this romantic comedy as a pro-athlete and corporate marketer dodge the tabloids and save a ski lodge. Professional athlete Juniper Hart was forced into retirement after a devastating snowboarding accident left him with a permanent injury. Despite the media wondering if he'll make a return to the slopes, he acquired a failed Colorado ski lodge. With only his service dog, Sasquatch, for company, he needs help bringing the lodge back to life. When burned-out corporate ladder-climber Rachel Friedman doesn't get the raise needed to afford her rising rent costs, she trades in her Florida summers for Colorado winters. As Juniper Hart's live-in resort manager, his attitude toward an increasing media presence leaves her wondering if the pay increase and free rent are worth it. Rachel needs to thaw Juniper's icy heart so they can work together to save the lodge (and her job along with it). But first, she'll need to establish dominance over the tabloids to earn Juniper's trust and take control of the media's narrative.

Scrub Me, Daddy by April Showers

My entire life is a mess. My ex cheated. My job sucks. And my apartment smells like old takeout and despair. a 3 A.M. infomercial promising the Scrubbie Dubbie will change my life. Desperate and half-delirious, I order it. The next day, a sponge arrives—hot pink, dual-textured, and paired with a cleaning liquid that smells suspiciously like seduction. Then things get... weird. And wet. One steamy scrub-down later, I slip, hit my head, and wake up to a six-foot-something alien Adonis with abs for days and an obsession with cleaning. And with me. He’s strong, sudsy, and ready to polish more than just my floors. He came to tidy my apartment—and he just might stay to deep-clean my soul.

Spinning Out of Control by KL Hill

Lucas Adler has dedicated years to climbing the ranks and becoming the club's top Enforcer of the Rebel Kings Brotherhood Motorcycle Club and the right hand to the Sergeant at Arms. But, despite the status, power, and respect the club affords him, there’s one important thing missing. The one thing that would make all the blood, sweat, and tears spilled worth it. The one thing he let slip right through his fingers. And now, after all these years, he’s going to do everything in his power to get her back and never let her go. Callie Hansen is powerful in her own right as she uses her body not only for pleasure but for information. Working beside the Dominatrix, Tasha, inside the sexiest club, Masquerave, a place where secrets and desires intertwine, has given her the freedom she’s always wanted. Now, even behind the safety of her mask, Callie is forced to confront her past and the one person she never thought she'd see again. Because if she lets him see one crack in her carefully constructed facade, he’ll shatter it and her heart along with it. She’ll need to use every trick up her sleeve to ensure that it doesn’t happen…again.

A Legion of Bane and Embers by KL Hill

A Knight sworn to protect the city from evil. A vampire bound in chains. A desire that could destroy them both. Atlas I was trained to kill monsters— Not crave the one chained beneath my home. As a Knight of Cindervail, I’m everything the Legion disciplined, deadly, untouchable. But on the night of my final trial, it wasn’t the Legion that saved me. It was a vampire. Emilian. Now he’s leashed and muzzled by the Vail, my illegal asset locked in my basement. I only let him out for missions that need a monster’s teeth. That’s the story we tell. But the truth is darker. Every night, I go back to him—for the heat, the hunger, the sin I can’t stop committing. Our connection is forbidden. Addictive. And when my best friend vanishes and demons begin tearing through Cindervail, I’m forced to face an impossible Save the city I swore to protect— Or surrender to the vampire who makes me feel alive. Emilian I wasn’t born a monster. I was made one—and then left to rot. In Cindervail, vampires like me aren’t given trials. We’re exterminated. I should’ve died the night I met Atlas, the Knight who should have put a blade through my heart. Instead, he let me live. Now I survive chained beneath his home like a secret sin. Muzzled. Bound. Used as a weapon while I fight the city’s nightmares by his side. We pretend it’s duty. But I see the truth in his eyes every time he touches me—the tremor in his hands, the hunger in his breath. The city is rotting. The rifts are widening. Demons are coming through the cracks. Soon, Atlas will have to choose— The city that made him a weapon, Or the creature he should have killed.

Coded in Control by KL Hill

In the dark and prestigious world of Masquerave, monsters lurk around every corner, waiting to feed on your darkest desires and most sinful ambitions. And the only requirement to get in? You must adorn a mask. After narrowly escaping a monster that nearly consumed me, I thought I was free. But the scars remain, and the unsettling feeling of being watched never fades. I convinced myself I’d escaped their clutches, but I’m nothing more than a pawn in a dangerous game, one they’re unwilling to lose. After another close call, I find myself trapped between two unpredictable and perilous men, caught in a web of lies, deception, and murder. As the tension builds and the stakes escalate, the club gets even hotter, bringing me to new heights and pushing me past my limits. I find myself navigating this devious world with one man who seems to worship me at my feet and another who seems to loathe my entire existence. But with the game growing even more dangerous, I’m faced with a choice: work with them to take down an even bigger monster and secure my freedom, or risk everything in a desperate bid to escape my past once and for all.

Magic, Maps and Mischief by David Green

How Far Would You Go To Discover Your Heart’s Desire? Greton of Willow is in a spot of bother. Caught in the act while escorting a family of elves to safety, Greton flees for greener pastures with only his scant magic and brilliant mind to his name. And a question. The question. ‘What is your heart’s desire?’ A life-long outsider, Greton sets out to uncover what lies at the center of his heart. Is it adopting a tawny owl? Owning his very own map shop? Forging a found family with others as similarly scorned as himself? The possibilities are endless. Determined to put his marvelous mind to the task, Greton discovers a way to reveal anyone’s heart’s desire, but not everyone’s longings are as pure as his… Something odd is occurring in Greton’s new home of Barrow’s Hill, and, before long, the old man in search of a comfortable new life finds himself swept up in danger and mischief. A heart-felt, cozy, neurodivergent adventure filled with found family and an elderly autistic hero searching for his place in the world, ‘Magic, Maps, and Mischief’ is a story built on love, friendship and acceptance, perfect for readers of ‘Legends and Lattes’, ‘The Teller of Small Fortunes’ and ‘Under The Whispering Door’. Praise for David Green’s award-nominated ‘Empire of Ruin Saga’: ‘David Green has become an insta-buy for absolutely any and everything he releases.’ - Rachel Rener, author of the ‘Gilded Blood’ series ‘The characters are excellent, written with depth and humanity.’ - Liz Delton, author of ‘The Witch at the Edge of the Wood’ ‘If you're looking for classic fantasy, with fortresses, magic, battles, and scheming, but told with a modern voice and a diverse cast, this is a great pick.’ - Fantasy-Faction ‘The plot is well-paced and enthralling, with no scene wasted. It will pull you through the book and leave you wanting more. The prose is confident and deft throughout.’ - Shona Kinsella, author of ‘The Heart of Winter’

Flowers By the Wayside: A Story of Courage and Humanity by Faith Jacobs

Synopsis: "Time! Give me more time!" Stephen cried, his fingers furiously shaking with anxiety as he typed on the typewriter keys in front of him. And yet time was not his friend and would only be an enemy in the long run.... --- A Story fallen into obscurity; letters and poems left behind to collect dust by the wayside, witness a tale of courage, of loss and of the testimony of the human spirit in the face of uncertain circumstances through a snapshot of a young actor's world dramatically shifted by a life shattering course redirection of a world at war.

Dial One For Revenge by Emma Brand

Cassie and her mother were both murdered, not knowing who their killer was. Cassie, a fifteen-year-old rage fueled girl who loves to bake now works in the corporate afterlife, exacting revenges for clients to work up the ranks and finally be given the name of her killer and deliver her own vengeance. Working alongside her PA Eli and Doorkeeper Divya, an ex-love interest in Elodie and a surprise arrival from a very hot, but very much alive psychic Perrie, Cassie continues trying to find out who took her life. At the same time, making sure to not get in her boss Nem’s bad books, keeping the Miseria and the Board happy, Cassie remains cold, hard, and focused. Perrie offers Cassie an un-bucket list of things Cassie wished she could do before she died, in exchange for helping her find information. Along the way, struggling with her feelings for Perrie and re-connecting with her old, happier self, Cassie learns about who she truly is and if revenge is truly what she seeks after all.

How to Juggle Ballads & Blades by Jess Galaxie

Get ready for something Silly, Sapphic, and Romantic at the Albion Renaissance Faire! Chicot and her best friend Elijah have finally landed their first season at a Renaissance Faire with their show The Jester and Bard, Forever at Odds, but Chicot is quickly discovering there's more to surviving their first Ren Faire than beating the heat. When her new friend Lyza asks Chicot to take her place as 'Wee' in the incredibly popular The Pirates Three: Big, Middle, and Wee show, Chicot jumps on the opportunity without thinking. Chicot wants to help her friend, especially if it means making her and Elijah look better the next time they apply to perform at a big faire. There's just one detail that Chicot neglected to think about: Monty, Lyza's younger sister who is both a major distraction, and doesn't seem to like Chicot very much. Chicot decides to push through for Lyza's sake, even if it means Chicot has to spend countless hours in Monty's arms as they prepare and perform. Worse, as Chicot tries to keep her crush in check, Monty suddenly drops the surly attitude and starts actively flirting with Chicot. Adding a show to her roster shouldn’t be so complicated, but Chicot's caught between not knowing what state she'll be living in after Albion's season finishes and Monty's strong hands. At this rate, Chicot's going to melt before the season is over—and not from the heat of the sun.

Shadows of the Timberland by Ashley Adams

Now in the clutches of his father, Flint must learn how to use his newfound powers to defeat the beasts created by Slate’s chaos. Luckily for Flint, he has always known a life of thieving and survival. He must now use those skills to keep himself alive as he battles evil creatures, lost souls, and his own mind. After being threatened by the deities of Moonstone Isle, Slate, God of Death, isn’t taking any chances at losing his heir. A series of obstacles are thrown Flint’s way, each one a new challenge that drives him closer to learning who he truly is. But not every obstacle Slate creates is in the form of a beast or monster. He sends Nova, his mortal servant, to distract Flint and become his weakness. Nova and Flint become reluctant allies, both wanting to escape their fates in the Underworld. Flint is inspired to turn the Underworld into something better, something worth dying for. But first, he must learn how to kill a god. In order to defeat his father, Flint must find the hidden truths that will have him questioning his entire existence. Welcome to the Underworld. Where monsters lurk in the shadows and you can’t trust anyone.

Tides of Floral Dreams by Ashley Adams

On an Isle surrounded by waters of sparkles, lava, caverns, and dangerous mountains lies four kingdoms. Each kingdoms' royals have unique magic, every region representing a specific season and element. At one time these kingdoms lived harmoniously and worked together to strive as they worshipped their gods and gave their people a happy life. Until one day when the one month old princess of the Coral Cove Kingdom was stolen. The kingdom's trust in one another diminished, but the Coral Cove royals still had an ally in the Bloomhaven Kingdom. Before the lost princess was stolen, a blood oath was given between the Coral Cove princess and the young Bloomhaven prince. 23 years have passed since the lost princess was taken, and the prince looks daily for her. Then everything changed. A hope was found, a clue unearthed to where the lost princess could be. But the prince no longer wants to find the lost princess. Fate has chosen a different path for him, and he has fallen in love with someone else. Will the prince break the blood oath? Will the lost princess ever be found? Enter the world of Moonstone Isle, where dreams can turn into nightmares when you least expect them to.

The Prince and His Stolen Groom by J.E. Ridge

A magic spell protects the Desolated Lands from evil mages and their nefarious schemes. As a condition of this spell, Princess Francesca of Woe and Prince Brendon of Bane must marry. Rick knows his sister will be miserable in this marriage, so he concocts a half-baked plan to kidnap the groom and stall the wedding. He just needs time to find an alternative way to keep the spell active. Everything seems to go smoothly until someone else arrives at the castle claiming to be Prince Brendon. Now Rick has to juggle two grooms: the real one he stashed in a magic tower, and the imposter romancing his sister. Because Rick disrupted the wedding, the spell begins to weaken, allowing an evil mage to slip past the magical defenses. Chaos ensues as Rick struggles with imposters, evil minions, and his growing feelings for Brendon. Who knew stealing one groom would cause so much trouble?

Even Angels Fall by E. V. Sauvage

300 years ago, my world collided with Earth. My kind has been ruling over the world ever since, passing as archangels. Doves, swans, cockatoo, their white wings in half shifted form are the sign of their power. I should have been the next in line. I should have been the new archangel Michaël. But my wings aren’t white. So instead I have to stay hidden. Instead, I’ve been trained my whole life. Instead, I’m their weapon. Because who would be best suited to kill the dragon shifter living inside of Notre Dame than a fallen angel? My name is Angélique. I’m a crow-shifter, and my mission is to marry Elhyor and to kill him on our wedding night. But nothing is the way it seems, and the dragon might be harder to kill than I thought. He might also be my only chance at freedom… Do I have any chance of surviving unscathed? Only time will tell…

Law of Beasts by Aalis Blue

Book 2 of the ‘Testaments’ series. When your destiny is destruction, what remains of your soul? Hadassah, the last princess of a dying lineage, has been tasked with the impossible — she has been asked to die. But upon waking, her Harbinger lies broken, and her allies stand on the edge of ruin. She must cast aside her guilt, don the mantle of her mother, and rise as the last Queen of Emeris, the one fated to destroy the world. In a realm where the heavens demand obedience, and Queens betray their own, Hadassah will walk the path of no return. There is no future for you, Hadassah. There is only death.

The Husband Wishlist by Bridget Van der Eyk

Jessie Lopez has been burned before when it comes to love, which is why when things fall apart with 'small-dick Brian', she decides enough is enough! After one too many drinks, she and her sister, Anna, come up with 'The Husband Wishlist' - a somewhat trivial, and definitely random, list of all the attributes Jessie's future husband needs to have. It's a list that sits idle on her device for two years, until 'hot doughnut guy', also known as Anderson West, comes along... Jessie finds herself sitting next to Andy on her extremely delayed flight from London back to the States for Christmas. What starts out as free champagne, fun banter, and potential law-breaking behavior on a Boeing 777, soon turns into everything Jessie never expected when she finds Andy crossing off an impossible number of things on her Husband Wishlist. According to Anna and their overprotective and opinionated tiger mom, this might just be the Christmas miracle Jessie's stale love life needs. Jessie's not quite sure she's ready to accept that Andy could be 'the one' though, especially when it's been less than twenty-four hours since they met.

The Undoing by Aalis Blue

Book 1 of the ‘Testaments’ series. If you wish upon a shooting star, you may find a small iridescent stone in your palm. And if you carve into it the words of a dead tongue, you may well destroy the world. For a thousand years, humans reigned unchecked. They subjugated, conquered, and consumed all in their path. Yet in the span of a 500-year war, the most feared race in history was annihilated. Their queen vanished, her daughters slaughtered, and their blood spills still into a world that rejoices at their extinction. In the heart of Valdemar forest, Hadassah—the last of a dying human line—lives unaware of the carnage tied to her name. Until the night her home burns and she is forced to flee into a realm that sees her kind as tyrants at best, vermin at worst. Disguised as a harmless rabbit, Hadassah travels with a beastman whose charm hides a shadowed past, a woman so beautiful kingdoms bend before her, a man whose strength humbles her, and a Harbinger forged for her protection alone. Through the power struggles of the formidable Vortigern Rabbit family, Hadassah begins to see the world’s fractures: grudges older than empires, histories written in lies, and a hunger for power that spares no race. Confronted by the cruelty of both beastmen and humans, she must face the question she fears most: Who deserves death, and who shall stand?

Creatures Like Us by Ally Avery

Noah The same night I’m meant to end it all, I find a golden-haired angel passed out in the snow. I’m just supposed to bring him home and nurse him back to health. To save him. To take care of him. But then I get greedy. I want him to stay. After all, he’s the only thing standing between me and my ruin. Asher The start of the new year is going down the drain along with my sanity, and that’s even before I wake up in some weirdo’s basement. He keeps me under lock and key, claiming it’s for my own good—that if he lets me go, I’ll spiral back into the dark hole he pulled me out of. I should want to run. To escape as soon as I have the chance. But as the days pass and the lines blur, everything turns on its head, and I’m no longer sure who’s the captive and who’s the captor—who’s in control, and who’s desperate to submit.

Full Split by Rebecca Rathe

Niles I’ve trained my whole life for this—elite level gymnastics, gold medal dreams, proving I belong in a country passing laws to erase transgender athletes like me. It’s not enough to compete. I fight to exist on the podium. Other than my mom, my best friend Weston and his dad, Wyatt, are my only constants.They’ve been my anchors through everything. But Wyatt isn’t just the man who’s always been there to catch me when I fall—he’s the man I’ve been in love with for as long as I can remember. He’s finally looking at me like he sees something more than the boy I used to be. Wyatt sees the man I’ve become. Wyatt I’ve known Niles since he was a kid—sharp, driven, fearless, impossible not to admire. But lately, that admiration has taken on a dangerous tone. There’s an edge to him that has me noticing him in a way I’d never fathomed before. He’s grown into a confident, stunning young man with an audacity that both intrigues and intimidates me. Now every time he looks at me like he wants something more, I forget all the reasons I should say no. He makes me feel alive like I never have before. Except, I’m his coach. I’m seventeen years his senior. And he’s my son’s best friend.

Dance With Me by Livia J. Elliot

A haunting and poignant fairy tale for adult readers, blending delicate imagery with psychological depth. In a world of beauty, a ceramic-made ballerina awakens atop her music box. She must dance for her elven owners, and so her ballet goes on and on. They praise her elegance, her poise and balance, until one day she falls and her ceramic fractures—but the ballerina dances again, ignoring her ever-increasing fissures. The music plays, captivating and demanding... but should she dance? Even when what she once loved becomes a trap? This is a dark fairy tale fantasy exploring the confines of depression.

Aurethia Rising by Atlas Laika

Two centuries ago, House Henly of Aurethia and House Volkov of Griea penned an engagement, promising a union between rival houses and their respective homeworlds. Elio Henly has been preparing for marriage his entire life. As the Henly heir and future steward of Aurethia, he will inherit great power, including control of a lucrative trade route, and ownership of the most precious substance in the Greater Universe — Avara. The mysterious blue crystal native to Aurethia is the sole treatment for parsec sickness, an epidemic ravaging space travelers within the Greater Universe. But when he meets Cael Volkov, the charming heir of the outfitted military planet, Griea, everything he thought he knew about his homeworld, his family, and his heart is turned upside down. Cael Volkov has been raised to conquer. Champion in the Tupinaire, commander of the Royal Reserve, and son to the mighty Legatus, Cael knows his mission is simple: gain the Aurethian heir’s trust, learn everything he can about the forest moon, and prepare to take it by force. But the longer he spends with Elio Henly, the quiet, brilliant Aurethian prince, the more he questions everything he was taught, and begins to push back against the rhetoric seeded in him by a lust for vengeance.

Blitz'd by Lee McCormick and RS McKenzie

Zander Kissing my rival shouldn’t have felt so good. Finding out my girlfriend has been cheating on me for months makes me do something crazy: kiss my rival to make her jealous. I wasn’t supposed to like kissing Kerian Slade. He’s a psycho who demands things of me…things I shouldn’t want. But there’s something about Kerian that draws me in, and now that I’m caught in his web, he won’t let me go. Kerian The number one rule: don’t care about people. Caring is a distraction, and emotions are messy… and messy is something I hate. Which is why I’m confused when the messiest player I’ve ever met—my rival—kisses me and turns my world on its head. Zander Braithe is sweet, emotional, and straight. That doesn’t stop him from coming back for more, and that doesn’t stop me from realizing I’ll burn the world down to make him mine. Blitz'd is a dark themed MM romance between two rival football quarterbacks and a kiss that changes everything. It contains high heat, unexpected sweetness and a possessive quarterback that thinks stalking is a love language and a NFL hopeful that wants to love him despite his initial misgivings.

Cloudy with a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin

If “bad decision” had a photo next to it in the dictionary, it would be of Alex Jones. What’s better than attending your ex’s wedding? A camping trip in the woods, complete with bugs, critters, and sharing a tent with the hottest—and most infuriating—man alive. It’s basically a full itinerary of terrible decisions… George: When I came home for the first time in years, I was expecting a peaceful week celebrating my ex’s upcoming nuptials, some quality time with my overly enthusiastic mom, and a much-needed break from the dumpster fire that my life has become. Instead, I’ve been tricked into sharing a tent with Alex—the human equivalent of a smug smirk—who somehow manages to be both infuriating and alarmingly attractive. He pushes every button I have, knows exactly how to get under my skin, and worst of all… I think I want him to. Which is great, because nothing says “relaxing vacation” like emotional whiplash and unresolved sexual tension in a nylon sweatbox. Alex: I keep things casual. It’s easier that way. Safer than letting someone in and finding out—once again—that I’m not enough, or worse, that I’m too much. But George? He’s messing with my game plan. He’s uptight, prickly, and has made it painfully clear that he doesn’t like me. But there’s something in the way his eyes spark when we argue, something in his laugh and those quiet moments when we’re not at each other’s throats, that draws me in. The more time we spend together, the harder it is to ignore the pull between us. It terrifies me—because I want him, badly—but I can’t let him see the mess I’ve been hiding behind these walls. Not now. Not ever. Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions is a standalone MM romance with high heat, a HEA, and no cliffhangers. Includes a blossoming idiots-to-lovers romance between an insecure flirt and the adorably grumpy man his sister has decided to set him up with. Together these two are argumentative, snarky, and hot like fire. If you like funny stories with lots of banter, off the charts chemistry, hurt/comfort, graphic steam, and the slowest, sweetest of all burns then read on!

The Revenant of Surolifia by Florence Chien

In the vein of The Traitor Baru Cormorant and The Unbroken, The Revenant of Surolifia is a gripping political fantasy of empire, identity, and impossible choices, where rebellion blazes in the streets, loyalty is a double-edged sword, and the price of peace may be too steep to pay. Secrets are often liabilities, but sometimes they are power. Lucas Rhine has seen enough violence. When the Empire of Colours slaughters 17,000 of his silver-eyed kin, Lucas buries his hatred, hides his eyes behind coloured lenses, and vows to become the imperial gendarmerie’s commander. He will liberate his annexed island home through a diplomatic secession. Usurped prince Faye Phlorik wants his throne back. When violent revolutionaries help him escape from prison, he joins them. They need a silver-eyed champion to rally the people, and he needs their resources to defeat the gendarmerie protecting the usurper. When Faye’s escape costs Lucas his promotion, Lucas adds revenge to his list of reasons to stop the bloody revolution. While the two hunt each other across the country, the Empire's warships are landing in two weeks to exterminate everyone with silver eyes. If Lucas and Faye can't unite their forces against the imperial fleet, there will soon be nothing left of the people they're both trying to liberate.

A Ballad for Slayers & Monsters by Rita A. Rubin

Kas of Veldenier is a Slayer, a travelling monster hunter for hire. Claudia of Trulio is half-human, half-vampyric. Half monster. They should be nothing more than enemies. But when the long-lost remnant of the dragon Ombral turns up, and with it the possibility of unleashing the dragons to wreak havoc on Vil Tresar as they did long ago, Kas and Claudia’s paths converge. Through a shared desire to keep the dragons from returning, they embark on a quest to see the remnant destroyed. Along the way, they will encounter fearsome monsters as well as a burgeoning desire for each other. Can a monster and a monster slayer truly find love together? Pursuing them from the shadows is Serisa, a vampyric who wishes to see the world burn. And she will need the remnant to make that wish a reality…

Inside a Dark Space by M.J. James

Finch was sent to the moon as a canary. They were one of the expendable—a soul desperate enough to risk their life for the safety of the ‘real’ astronauts. A decade later, they are the last canary left alive. Alone at the first lunar water mining station, Finch finds peace in solitude and the safety of routine. Ray grew up hearing her father rant about corporations ‘making the moon gay.’ For her, that sounded like hope. She shaped her life around reaching a place where she could finally come out. Except when she arrived on the moon to start a research project, Ray was left at a station with only one occupant—Finch. Finch may have sparked Ray’s journey, but life together in a dark crater proves far more complicated. Finch struggles to connect. Ray craves belonging. Both are haunted by what they left behind—and what the moon has in store for them. Inside a Dark Space is the first book in the Lunar Abyss series—a queer, autistic science fiction story about survival and the quiet rebellion of staying alive on your own terms.

Ruined History by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. When the Archivists—a mysterious organization that has trailed the crew from the very start—capture everyone but Aliyah, however, their journey grinds to a halt. Still reeling from revelations about themselves, Aliyah must infiltrate the Archivists’ base to rescue their group. The place is half ruined city, half magical wonder—a labyrinth to navigate which will require the help of two unlikely allies: Fragment motes from past citizens willing to guide Aliyah. To confront the Archivists is to uncover more of the inextricable truths between Aliyah and the Fragments. With every new revelation, the fractures in the Wagon crew’s cohesion and Aliyah’s determination widen. Before they can travel onward, they will need to find the strength to bear the weight of their ruined history.

Fighting For You by Alise Monroe

Brooks Grant is a walking red flag: tattoos, loud motorcycle, surly attitude, new woman every night, and a reputation for fighting. Having given up on his dreams long ago, he conceded to his dead-end small town life. No one knows him well enough to question it, they only see a mask, but his cracks are starting to show. Life is just one big fight for him, and he’s on a losing streak… until her. Months after returning to her hometown, Margot Mason's life is the same day in and day out—shifts spent at a nursing home, nightly check-ins with her overprotective brother, rinse and repeat. Life isn’t exciting, but it’s safe. She’s just looking to do what she does best: take care of people. But being back home means dealing with her troubled past. And despite her good girl persona, there are secrets and trauma lurking beneath the surface waiting to come to light. As they navigate grief and old wounds, Margot and Brooks find the solace they’ve always yearned for in each other. But will he learn to let someone love him, or will he sabotage it before it can start? Can she find the balance between hard won independence and letting someone care for her? And in the end, will they be able to fight for each other before they’re torn apart?

Motes of Inspiration by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. They’ve reached Virze, a marvel of art and engineering and a city in which all acts of creation are beloved. A perfect occasion to explore and rest before the next leg of their journey… except that Rumi desperately wants to avoid his hometown and the demons of his past. When the Wagon crew realises half of those might be fears of his own making, however, they refuse to leave. But between the curse that ran him out of town and the source of his engineering skills, Rumi has been keeping even more secrets than they’d expected. He’ll need all their support to face the loved ones left behind and prove to all, himself first and foremost, what he is truly capable of.

When I Come Back by Alise Monroe

Thirteen years ago, Carrington Grant and Thea Ashford left Indigo Hill, South Carolina with a shared dream of a larger life that only Seattle could offer. Cary hoped to be the next big chef with his childhood sweetheart at his side, leaving his estranged family behind without a second glance. Eight years ago, Thea moved back home to care for her sick mother, leaving Carrington alone in Seattle. It was the hardest decision she’d ever made, shattering both of their hearts in the process. Moving back to the small town she once tried to escape, Thea promised herself she’d still chase her dreams despite her circumstances. Now, after a devastating tragedy, they’re brought back together in Indigo Hill. Upon returning, Carrington realizes everything he once knew about his hometown and the woman he never stopped loving has changed. While grieving the loss of two people important to her, Thea must learn how to work with the man she never fell out of love with. They’re pushed together in a way neither of them could have imagined. Will they rediscover love again and finally mend their broken hearts? Will they be able to forgive each other for their previous mistakes? Or will they stay trapped in the past unable to truly move on?

Honey by B. Wiseman

Lainey Davis thought love was supposed to feel safe. For years, she poured herself into a relationship that left her bruised physically, emotionally, and mentally. What started as passion turned into control, and what she thought was love turned into something unrecognizable. Now, Lainey is done pretending. Done making excuses. Done being afraid. With the help of her childhood friend, Olivia, Lainey escapes. But freedom doesn’t come easy, and neither does healing. Letting go of her past means facing the truth about what she endured and fighting for who she wants to become. As Lainey pieces her life back together she learns that healing isn’t about forgetting, it’s about finding the strength to move forward even when the scars still ache. Raw, emotional, and empowering, Honey is a story of survival, self-discovery, and the courage to reclaim your own story.

Stories from the Deep by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. They finally leave the coast to undertake a long ocean crossing filled with the sailors’ brand-new games and fearsome myths, but no one expects the latter to come to life. At sea, the Fragments that roam the world have coalesced into a gigantic beast—the kraken of legends—and unfortunately, it shares its landbound cousins’ obsession with Aliyah. The crew may have bested countless storms, but no amount of sea-worthiness can save the ship from the wrath of its colossal tentacles. If they want to escape the kraken and continue their journey, the wagon’s team will need to unravel more of the Fragments’ mysteries, and learn to listen beyond the murmur of the sea. -- Stories from the Deep is the fourth novella in The Chronicles of Nerezia, a queer fantasy series of found family road trips with aroace nonbinary leads.