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A Bitter Drink by Azalea Forrest As the center of trade for the four major races, Bisia is the perfect city for a Dahlseidâa young race of plant folkâlike Rowan to experience whatever his heart desires, and his position as ambassador for the Dahlsia makes affording those desires easy. But when he overhears a plot of treason against his people, all of that could end. But will it? My people can take care of themselves, Rowan thinks. The humans will give up once they realize the Dahlsia have nothing of value. Because all humans want is gold, right? Theyâll be just fine. Full of magic and misadventure, A Bitter Drink tangles Rowan in the vines as he's forced to team up with a pacifist human vagabond, a deadly serious elven spy, and a cheerful dwarf with a strangely calming presence. Together, they're determined to put a stop to the twisting heinous plot that threatens to destroy everything they love. But Rowanâs heart isnât in it: heâs a coward and he knows it. Joining them would mean risking his life, and to challenge oneâs true colors is a bitter drink indeed. |
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Heretical Oaths by Slifer274 & Aaron Shih Since times long lost to history, magic power has been gained through a contract with divinity. The vast majority of mages are pacted to the eight core gods and the sixty-four lesser ones. Lily Syashanâformerly Lily of House Byronâholds an oath to a forgotten god. Exiled into a peasant village after her parents were executed for treason, Lily swore that she would gain power and succeed where her family failed. To build her power, she will need to kill, destroy, and ruin. Whether her target is an Altered monster or another human getting in her way, Lily will need to be ready to defeat them all. The journey to the top wonât be an easy one, but Lily is prepared to do whatever it takes to finish it.â¨â¨Disclaimer: This work of fiction includes multiple LGBTQ+ characters.â¨â¨This fiction's cover is a Wombo, made possible by wombo.ai. |
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Abby Normal by Samuel Thomas Fraser Abby Henderson has lived her whole life under a dark cloud. When she was born, a demon called the Deacon claimed her family as his property. When she turned 13, she was traumatized by an ominous psychic vision. When she turned 14, her dad had a psychotic breakdown and tried to kill her. Sheâs just turned 25, and now people are dying all around her. This is all according to the Deaconâs plan. He believes that Abby is the key to a ritual that will unleash an ancient evil on the world, and he will stop at nothing to make sure that ritual succeeds. Now, Abby is in the fight of her life against an enemy that defies all reason. Together with her pious girlfriend, her magic-slinging ex-teacher, and a hotheaded Amazon with a machete, Abby will have to use every trick in the book to outlast the Deacon. Because if she canât, her next birthday is going to be Hell. |
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The Eye of Everfell by Lewis Knight In a kingdom where peace and chaos balance on a knife's edge ... fear is growing. The High King is whispered to have gone mad, and rumors of unnatural forces spread across the realm. In the middle of the conflict are Nyori and Marcellus: a priestess and a famed knight whose paths couldn't be more different. But whether swept from humble grasslands to treacherous mountains or from a noble palace to a warlord's dungeon, both will find their lives irrevocably altered and their destinies inexplicably intertwined by forces beyond their understanding.â¨â¨For beings once thought to be myths emerge from the shadows, led by Alaric, the Pale Lord. King of a doomed race, he will do anything to cure them of their dreadful curse, even if it means tearing the realms of men apart like rotted cloth. â¨Amid deceptions and pursuits, triumphs and tragedies, battles and alliances, Nyori and Marcellus will find themselves pitted against overwhelming forces of darkness, unaware that the greater danger is closer than they realize.â¨â¨For the Eye of Everfell sees all, including the darkness within.â¨â¨Don't miss this sweeping saga from a rising star in epic fantasy. Pick up your copy today! |
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Crystalborne Sigils by S. Lynn Helton Bringing with it the secret and forbidden, a battered ship unlike any seen before in the Atturei Empire sails into the harbor of Hawei. And the townsfolk whisper of âdeath shipsâ and âevil omensâ. While even his brother believes the ship is a harbinger of change, Gyasi Kârond remains unconvinced. He's felt nothing portentous in the secret magic he shares with his brother. The harbor hosts many different ships. This must be just one more, mustnât it? Elsewhere in the Empire, a stranger plots to elude those who pursue him. He too carries the secret and proscribed with him, and his schemes bring an unforeseen threat to the careful order the Empire has so diligently maintained these many years. For magic is forbidden in the Empire. When the forbidden and the secret are no longer so, can Gyasi keep his own magic hidden? Dare he risk revealing it? |
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The Definition of Vengeance by Kevin Wright The small village of Untheim has a big problem. Folk go missing with alarming frequency. Even more alarming? They turn up dead. And a young girlâs just disappeared. Sir Luther Slythe Krait also has a big problem. Heâs stuck in Untheim. Penniless and poor and on his last legs, Sir Luther shoulders the task of tracking down the missing girl. The good news? He finds her. The bad? Sheâs heading home in a box. And thatâs just the start. Bound by oath to hunt down the girlâs killer, Sir Luther treks through town and wilderness, hounding the populace, ferreting leads, and drawing back the shroud of a decades-old secret privy to a select few. Itâs a dark secret, and those few want it kept that way. Will Sir Luther find the killer? Will he exact justice? An eye for an eye? A head for a head? Or will the head lost be his own? Read âThe Definition of Vengeanceâ and experience the horror and black humor of the latest installment of the grimdark detective series, âThe Serpent Knight Saga.â |
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Magic is real. You just need the right crew to find it.â¨â¨Over a decade ago Jlayn Syr, cartographer, embarked on a mission to map the world on behalf of the Ursal Federation. He returned with most of his crew dead and two strange rune stones. Stones that changed everything. Within an eternal storm, Jlayn had found a gateway to another world. A world populated with horrifying monsters and broken tombs.â¨A world of magic. Now he is the leader of the Wayfarers. A mercenary troop dedicated to entering the portal and returning with new rune stones. The Ursal Federation used the impossible magic of the rune stones to cement themselves as the foremost world power and the location of the rift is a closely guarded secretâŚone that many would kill for. With forces gathering to take control of the rift, Jlayn and his adopted daughter Sesha must embark on the newly built Draconis to explore this new world once againâŚbut with a large target on their heads the days of the Wayfarers may be numbered.â¨â¨â¨From David Oliver, author of The Great Hearts series, comes a portal fantasy like no other. If you like your novels to have runic-enhanced cannons, devilish traps, high fantasy and an arms-race to produce flying galleons, this one is for you.â¨Oh and monsters.â¨Lots of monsters. |
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Crown of Madness by Ryan G. Beaty The Order of the Grim Hunt, a group dedicated to the hunting and slaying of monsters, work to preserve the world and its inhabitants from the creatures of the dark. But what happens when the people become worse than the monsters? Marcus, a professional monster slayer known as a hexblade, a master of both sword and spell, finds himself caught in a war between nations instigated by the manipulations of darker forces and a scheming sorceress. The affairs of men is something the Order of the Grim Hunt is supposed to remain impartial to, but how can he protect the world if it is left to destroy itself? As the fate of the continent hangs in the balance, it will be up to Marcus, a simple hunter of the supernatural, to keep two nations from collapsing into the flames of war. It will be his responsibility to restore balance, and to serve justice by means of the sword. |
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Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis Sensible, practical Elinor Tregarth really did plan to be the model poor relation when she moved into Hathergill Hall. She certainly never meant to kidnap her awful cousin Penelope's pet dragon. She never expected to fall in love with the shameless - but surprisingly sweet - fortune hunter who came to court Penelope. And she never dreamed that she would have to enter into an outrageous magical charade to save her younger sisters' futures. However, even the most brilliant scholars of 1817 England still haven't ferreted out all the lurking secrets of rediscovered dragonkind...and even the most sensible of heroines can still make a reckless wish or two when she's pushed. Now Elinor will have to find out just how rash and resourceful she can be when she sets aside all common sense. Maybe, just maybe, she'll even be impractical enough to win her own true love and a happily ever after...with the unpredictable and dangerous "help" of the magical creature who has adopted her. A frothy Regency rom-com full of pet dragons and magical misadventures, Scales and Sensibility is a full-length novel and the first in a new series of standalone romantic comedies |
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A Sea of Cinders by Adam R. Bishop In Cellagorâa land segregated between humans and Elvesâfear, manipulation and war are inevitable. Nearly one hundred years have passed since the War of the Fallen, a cataclysmic battle between human and Elf which left both races teetering on the brink of extinction. Now, the Age of Tranquility is finally nearing its end, and the northern King of Havelmir is hungry for power and revenge. The Elven peace of mind remains unchangedâthat is, until the Kingdom of Rhan is threatened by unknown forces. Soon it becomes clear that the tranquil Elven existence is once again at risk of crumbling. However, even with the element of surprise, the road to victory is not as smooth as it may seem. Ulterior motives are afoot, ancient magic is resurfacing, and an unlikely friendship between two young men may just pose the biggest threat of them all. |
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The Gritikah Castle by Emmanuel Akeyo A contestant in SPFBO 8, in 2022. |
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Aya and the Alphas by Berneta L. Haynes When a young girl, Aya Wright, develops extraordinary abilities and becomes a target of the worldâs most powerful fader, Eve must protect her. But at what price? In the twenty-five years since she exposed the existence of faders, Eve Cooper has survived the collapse of her country and the loss of her closest friends. Now she lives a mostly solitary life in rural Indiana, where she runs a secret network and safe house for fadersâindividuals like her with extraordinary abilities. In nearby Chicago, a young girl named Aya Wright becomes a target of the worldâs most powerful fader because of her unparalleled abilities. When she arrives at the safe house after an attack, Aya soon sets in motion a series of events that threaten not only to upend Eveâs settled life but potentially change the world. As Eve struggles to reconcile her past with the choices in front of her, she must decide whether to leave her recluse life to protect Aya or allow the headstrong girl to find her own way in the worldâŚâ¨â¨Aya and the Alphas is an action-packed and expansive sequel to Eve and the Faders that will thrill readers! |
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The Pacts We Make For Love by S.K. Nova Otherworldly entities lurk on the edges of existence. Haints. Witches. Things from Beyond. Call them what you will. They love us. They want us. They need us. And they want in. But they canât exert their alien will without a connection to our world. They come at your weakest moment, at your most vulnerable, and they offer a deal. A pact. A favor for you, now. In return, you do a favor for them, later. Any favor. Something as simple as posting a letter at a certain time. Or something as ghastly as murder. You wonât know until itâs time to fulfill your end of the bargain. Five individuals make their Pacts out of love. Love of family. Love of self. Love of success. Alissa Sorrow, a poor scholarship student at Taliaferro Mann, the private school of choice for the elite, finds herself at the center of these Pacts. A point of convergence. These entities want her. But she doesnât know any of that. Sheâs just trying to navigate the treacherous social waters of Taliaferro Mann. What price will she pay to survive? |
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The Rage of a Boy by Edward Patrick A destructive magic, long gone from the world, has returned, and new dangers rise with it. Tristan was a young boy when his home was invaded and captured by the crown prince of Felixandria. Now, he serves as a mercenary for Grauberg. When fate intervenes, he is put face-to-face with the man who took his home away all those years ago. Now, he has the chance to defeat this enemy, reclaim his home, and prevent war from coming to those who gave him shelter and refuge. Together with his closest friends, Garit and Ella, he sets out on a secret mission. Can vengeance quench the beast inside? Is evil truly a matter of black and white, or does understanding lie in the grey? |
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Aria is an orphan who has spent her life trying to live up to the luck that made her into a priestess. Her only dream is to be the perfect acolyte for the goddess she serves. She has little understanding of the wheels turning around her. As a curse is spreading through the land and wiping out what little hope the common folk have, she is given a gift by the goddess she serves. But how can she live up to expectation as a nobody? How can she save everyone if she cannot save herself? |
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Princess of Undersea by Leslie Conzatti Mermaid princess Ylaine has only ever wanted one thing: her father's recognition and approval. King Davor of Undersea, however, is obsessed with launching a war against the ignorant, pact-breaking humans. Ylaine believes that if she can convince her father that not all humans are evil, he might listen to her, and call off his plans for war. Such an outcome seems so far out of reach, till the day she willingly trades a most precious gift to have the thing that she hopes will help her make peace between the realms: magic that transforms her into a human. Safe in the palace of Overcliff, Prince Nathan seeks his own comfort, and dreads the day when the people of his failing kingdom will depend on him for their well-being. His father, King Theodore, remains distant and forgetful, while the Royal Council runs things--and as far as the Prince is concerned, he is free to continue doing as he likes. When a mysterious young woman arrives on the island, he begins to realize that all is not as it seems--and threats can come just as easily from across the sea as under it. |
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The Price of Honor by Richard Fierce Some traditions are meant to be broken. Lailani has always known that being a woman means that she will never be a dragon rider, but when a messenger shows up demanding that all dragon riders must prepare for war, Lailani knows that her fatherâs crippling illness will get him killed. She must choose between two paths: let him go and die or put on his armor and go in his place. Disguising herself as a boy, she joins the dragon riders and finds herself facing danger at every turn. With her fatherâs dragon the only friend she can trust, Lailani must learn to be a warrior and fight to save her homeland ⌠if she can keep her secret that long. Mulan meets Eragon in this epic tale! |
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The Boy Who Drew Horses by M. L. Roberts A custody hearing, an explosion, a boy on the run. Benjamin does not know what awaits him, but he knows what he leaves behind: a burned mansion, a dead guardian and the police who think he did it. If he stays to prove his innocence, he will not last the night. The blast summoned the unseen world. They seek the one using forbidden magic, and not to give him praise. |
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His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton A pissed-off warlock with a taste for revenge. An army of sand-golems with fistfuls of magic. A wishing well with a mind of its own. No wonder Blackpeak, Texas never got its spot on the map. Town marshal Elias Faust thinks that he can make any problem go away if he throws enough lead at it. The livingâs easy for a lawman. Bloody, but easy â that is, until Magnate Gregdon arrives with his undead syndicate to tear the town of Blackpeak, Texas apart. When a shootout with a pair of outlaws goes sideways, Elias Faust accidentally draws the Magnateâs attention. As if dealing with arcane sorcery, reanimated corpses, and the Magnateâs personal vendetta arenât enough, Faust finds himself at the center of a power-struggle for Blackpeakâs eldritch secrets. Suddenly, staying alive just got a lot more complicated. Hunted by a cadre of sandshades and hounded by sinister spellcraft, Elias Faust may be the only bag of skin defiant enough to keep Blackpeak from being destroyed. To outlast the Magnateâs disciples, heâll need to shoot straighter, run faster, and live longerâŚeven if it means sacrificing a part of himself to do just that. |
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The Sorcerer Within by Will Rice How do you solve a murder when the victim and suspects are sorcerers? Elliot can't escape the feeling he has a connection to his colleagues at Arthan Associates. Even though they all have supernatural powers while he is just another faceless nobody. When one of the sorcerers is murdered, the others are all under suspicion. No one seems a likely culprit, but their kind are naturally secretive. Who is not what they seem? As the investigation continues, Elliot's sense of unease grows. What is that familiar feeling? Why does he feel a darkness in his dreams and an echo of violence within? When he discovers the truth, he will have to give up everything. If he is to stop another murder, Elliot needs to find out who he is. |
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Hell and High Water by Charlotte E. English Meet the baddest belles of London city. They were known as the fatales, once. Investigators and spies; killers and thieves; con artists and vigilantes â they fought fire with fire, did what had to be done, to make things right. Until the mission that broke them. Many decades later, the fatales have scattered to the winds. Fionn's the queen of London haute couture. Thetai's the star of the power metal scene. And Daix? Could be anything. Anywhere. It'll take a lot to bring them back together. When a model goes missing from a catwalk show, Fionn's frantic. The girl was a friend â and a fellow selkie. And she won't be the last to vanish. To catch the monster responsible, Fionn needs backup. It's time for the fatales to reunite, but can they get it together after eighty years apart? And will it be enough to face down an old enemy straight out of their murky, half-forgotten past? Three fabulous fae banter and brawl their way through a re-imagined, modern-day London â fighting crime, forging friendships and causing havoc. With style. Perfectly tailored for fans of urban fantasy and Charlieâs Angels! |
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A time of change has come to the world. The great nations are meeting to decide the fate of all at the far off island city of Altex. The powerful, the power hungry, and those who once had power will vie for control, and they will learn that their existence is just one facet of the true struggle taking place around them. Men and women of great abilities, considered Scions of the divine, are making themselves known in a way that has not been seen in millennia, while a thing unknowable and unknowing crawls into the world. Two men, as far apart as it is possible to get, will be immersed in this tumult, forced by circumstances beyond their control. Eldon Demicrus, a wandering scholar, steams north on a great locomotive, driven by duty back to his abandoned home, his dread growing by the mile. Stathen Keldridge, Sheriff of a frontier town, has his life upended by the arrival of strangers, while tragedy catches him up in a whirlwind. Two men, two paths, one endpoint. Their fates bound by chains. |
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Dreams of Dust by Lily Anne Crow The immortal lilka heal the wounds of a fractured world, but when the spirits of nature are silenced⌠Thaniel Swiftâs life is about to change. The inexperienced Wayfinder sets out on his first mission to explore the untamed wilds of Koranth. But when he joins a band of storied heroes to uncover the cause of an ominously deserted village, the hunt will lead Thaniel far from home, into the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization, and dangers beyond his dreams. In the east, an ancient sorceress wields forbidden magic to attain the object of her obsession, no matter how much nature itself cries out in fear and pain. To achieve her desires, she will destroy not only the guardian spirits of the land, but the humans as well, leaving the continent of Koranth in desolation. Thrown into the unpredictable wilderness, with growing talents he barely understands, Thaniel uses magic and skill to lead his new allies further into a dying land, seeking answers. Only with the wisdom of the lilka, and the enigmatic aid of one of the Builders, will Thaniel and his companions have any chance at all. But will it be enough to stop the Queen of Dust? Dreams of Dust is the first thrilling adventure in the new fantasy series, Will of the Wayfinder. |
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Blessed With A Curse by Katie Cherry From the moment of my birth, I became Zeus's number one Most Wanted. I'm so screwed. I'm not a bad person. In fact, I'm training to be a nurse so I can help and heal people. Not that Zeus would care about any of that if he even knew. No, all he cares about is his law- no humans are allowed to use magic. The punishment for breaking this is death- a fate I've been able to avoid by living my life in meticulous secrecy. Until the night my magic activates on its own, releasing a gorgeous demigod from the town's statue. I have no choice but to run, taking Nikandros with me. After days filled with terror of being caught and killed, Nik convinces me to fight for my freedom. My magic may be strong, but going up against Zeus himself? Impossible. Run or fight, it doesn't seem to matter anymore. Thanks to this magic I've been cursed with, I will soon meet my end. |
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The Gates Of Anak'anor by Topher Metcalf and Walt Allen Jari Rockjaw, a dwarf from the Blue Mountains wants to retire from bounty hunting, and after 100 years in the trenches chasing brigands, highwayman, and an assortment of creatures, he has earned it. He recruits a rag tag group of heroes that need that retirement check too. In his company for retirement are his best friends Betha Silentnight, a female minotaur who kills first and asks questions later and Toli Hookhand, a one handed horny dwarf who wants nothing but dwarven a** and money. The trio prepare for one last mission to produce the coins needed for that permeant vacation on the coasts of Anak'anor, the mercenary hot spot and their favorite watering holes. Lord Polis Silverwell, a human with ties to the King of Ekepia finds them and recruits the group who call themselves the Loners to take out Boro Spiderbinder, an evil dwarf who plans on world domination across Labrys. Come join the Loners in an epic battle for survival, friendship and retirement as they bullnose their way to the finish line. The question that will need answering is how many of them live to retire after their one last mission. Retirement is always easy to get when you're the most hated company on Labrys. |
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Gatekeeper's Key by Krista Wallace Outcast swordfighter, Kyer Halidan, walked out of a cornfield at the age of three. Twenty years later, she leaves her adopted home to discover who put her there. And why. When she kills a man in a duel, she catches the interest of one of her greatest heroes, who invites her to join his company on a mission. But the man she killed had powerful friends. Desperate to learn what she knows about their plans, her new enemies pursue her relentlessly. Kyerâs impetuousness and disregard for consequences put the mission, and her life, in jeopardy. But to save a village, and the continent, from a despicable evil, she must choose between adhering to duty and breaking the rules. |
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No Gods, Only Monsters by Steve McHugh Diana, the Roman Goddess of the hunt, lives alone on the far edge of the Roman Empire. When an old friend arrives looking for help, Diana finds herself thrust back into her old life, and old problems. With innocent lives caught in the crossfire, Diana realizes that the only way to ensure the safety of her friends and loved ones is to do what she does best: hunt her enemies down. |
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Weapons of Disharmony by Chad Retterath Titans roam the world of Ruun, bringing chaos and destruction wherever they appear. Magical weapons of unimaginable power lie hidden across the land. It is a dangerous, unforgiving world. Two small kingdoms sit on the brink of war, unaware of the dangers gathering outside their borders. Elite mages and boorish monarchs feud and argue within the palaces of Brunta and Ta-Veer.â¨The Bone Knight, a notorious swordsman, reappears after years on the run. Trouble follows the Bone Knight as forces work in the shadows, attempting to resurrect a long-forgotten titan.â¨Powers collide in Weapons of Disharmony as legendary weapons, titans, and powerful mages clash over the fate of the kingdoms. |
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Kaleb Reigns just wants to live a normal life. So much in fact that he swore an Oath to never use any of his gifts again. An Oath to leave the supernatural world behind, to walk away and never interfere again. Kalebâs best friend is missing, and someone is messing with his dreams. He has been warned by the witches not to get involved, but Kaleb has to make a choice. Some Oaths are meant to be broken. |
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Atlas Rising by Blake Severson A new groundbreaking Virtual Reality MMO, a giant corporation with unknown motives, and a regular druid lost in the mix. Atlas finally gets the chance to play the latest VRMMO game with the first-of-its-kind Full Dive experience. Picking a druid, he charges forward into an unknown land as he tries to master an odd combat system. Luckily for him, the crafting system is ripe to make money and the gameâs currency is tied to the real-world market. But a strange dungeon forces him to reevaluate everything he thought he knew. Is the company behind this game truly what it seems to be, or is there a nefarious purpose hidden below the surface? |
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Any Minor World by Craig Schaefer For Roy Mackey -- a recovering addict who makes his living as an unlicensed PI and occasional muscle for hire -- tracking down a dead writer's final manuscript should be a walk in the park. Too bad his client is a phony, the dead writer is a thief, and shadowy men are watching his every move. All clues lead to a canceled pulp-adventure comic, The Midnight Jury, and its mousy, reclusive author. Lucy Langenkamp is living a quiet life as an art restorer in Las Vegas; when Roy helps her escape from a crew of armed kidnappers, she's as baffled as he is. Then one of her own characters, a flamethrower-wielding "human exterminator," steps out of the pages of her comic book and into the real world. He's intent on hunting her down, and he isn't alone. The pulp villains spawned from Lucy's childhood imagination are coming to life, searching for their long-lost author. Her most sinister creation, the Illustrated Duke, has a dark plan in motion. This is a job for Lucy's two-fisted vigilante, the Midnight Jury. But the Jury is missing. To save the day, Lucy and Roy must descend into a noir-drenched nightmare city on a rescue mission. The walls between fiction and reality are shattered, there's wild magic in the air, and it's up to two unlikely heroes to risk it all and save the day. |
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The Last Dragonkeeper by Drew Montgomery Joven Farquin has spent a lifetime building up a reputation, his name spread far and wide as the man who travels with the last known dragon, as a mercenary who has made his living with a beast that inspires fear and awe throughout the land. It is a reputation that has brought him face to face with kings, warriors, clergy, and more across the Free Kingdoms as he has built his fame and fortune. But none of it could make him invincible. Awakened in a strange camp, injured and imprisoned, his dragon nowhere to be found, he finds himself at the mercy of powerful forces, agents of both a massive empire and an influential order of sorceresses. As he answers their questions, providing a glimpse into a past that has led him to this place, his mind seeks answers, searching for an escape and to find a reason that the beast he had so long entrusted with his life could allow him to fall. |
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Mysterious Ways by Abbie Evans The Goddess works in mysterious ways, and Isabella Varselak intends to find out exactly what those ways are. As the commander of the 7th Unit of the Solistopian City Watch, Isabella Varselak has dealt with many a mystery. Murderers, burglars, con artists, and troublesome demons have given her a multitude of crimes to solve over the years. But injustice in the way the world works is all around her. Innocent people suffer, guilty people triumph. When this is questioned, the only answer she receives is that the Goddess works in mysterious ways. Determined to get to the bottom of what these ways are and solve the ultimate mystery, she sets off on a journey to find answers â but sheâll have to go through hell to get them. Mysterious Ways is a fantasy novel set in a matriarchal world. Women are in power, they worship a Goddess, and same sex relationships are common and socially acceptable. |
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A Blade For Hire by Christopher D. Brand Who, and where, is Amheris? The question that will dominate the fortunes of Hale - a former soldier turned blade for hire â and could yet decide the entire fate of Ambria. After a bloody fight to protect the Lady de la Faye, Hale is offered a new task by his patron and frequent employer, the Lord Barthelme: to travel to Andrid and escort two priests on their journey to find their missing contact, known only as 'Amheris'. But despite the priest's assertions that this a routine job for a routine payment, the task quickly turns into a lethal game of cat and mouse, as Hale and his charges find themselves pursued at every turn by a relentless and deadly foe. Magic, muskets, mystery and mayhem are all unleashed in this swashbuckling fantasy thriller. |
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Even your most deeply buried secrets can find their way back to you. The mysteries of Agatha's past threaten to expose themselves when Joseph investigates a noise he hears in the middle of the night and stumbles upon a world that he didnât even know existed. Her quiet life in the suburbs is about to come crashing down around her.â¨â¨When their son is kidnapped, Joseph and Agatha have to rely on each other to figure out why he was taken and how to get him back, whatever the cost.â¨â¨Along the way, Agatha discovers to her horror that even her most deeply buried secrets are finding their way back to her. And the consequences are inescapable.â¨â¨Vulcan Rising is the first book in The Zauberi Chronicles series. It is a work of contemporary/dark fantasy where Stephen King's The Institute meets Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart and Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. |
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Quenched in Blood by Sean Crow Twilight City hosts over a hundred million souls, most held beneath the heel of the global empire, Tenocore. After suffering a bitter defeat in Europe, Angus Jarlson, the Glade Burner, has brought the Old Gods and what remains of his once mighty empire of Valhalla Steel, across the ocean to stake a claim in the megacity and begin to rebuild. Yet the long-lived Fae despise the Glade Burner and will muster their might and magic to destroy what remains of Angus and his clansmen. When vengeance and duty to family collide, violence ensues. The question is not only which side will be victorious, but will either remain standing at all? |
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After the brutal execution of Provenci's King by the roving forces of Tarraz, a new military government vaults into power with the nefarious Alvarez at the helm. Hell-bent on bloodshed and the glory of an imperial past, he amasses the largest army seen in a generation and plunges the two nations into a bloody war, against the will of the god-like being known as the All-Mother. Cavara, a general of the army at odds with her superiors over the war, is ground under the heel of the scheming Commander Revek and betrayed by her own people, left for dead on a distant shoreline. Saved by a passing ship and taken to the other end of the world, she is plagued by visions of a white void and a figure known as the Shadow Woman, who begins to unravel the true nature of the war - a conflict not only of men, but also of gods alike. In a story of hope, power, greed and hatred, all are driven mad by the enemy within - none are safe from the Fangs of War. |
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From A Great Height by Jacob Stewart Rachel has been waiting her whole life. Waiting for power, waiting for freedom, waiting to see the walls of the city where she has lived in exile come crumbling down--but when the time comes, will she be ready? The king of Belum fears a revolutionary may be stoking fires in his city, and he will stop at nothing to silence her. A young soldier flees the front lines with a brutal hunter of deserters hot on his trail. Signs and wonders rain down on the city of Belum, calling into question just how far the daughter of a priest will go to secure the return of her people to their homeland. All these threads weave together as Rachel navigates a tenuous relationship with a divine power shrouded in darkness and mystery. And with such a heavy burden on her shoulders, she must keep an eye on those in her company who would use her for their own ends. |
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The Beckoning Void by Patrick LeClerc Emelia DuMond is an actress, her skill at adopting and changing her identity lifting her from her humble beginnings to success on the stage of Victorian London. And to the attention of the Ghost Society, a secret organization who work to defend the world from threats of the paranormal. After centuries of seeking, the sinister Disciples of the Void have obtained an arcane book of great power. A power that could tear the veil between dimensions and plunge the world into a dark, unspeakable future. Now she has recruited an aging soldier of fortune burdened by a conscience, the sword wielding daughter of an Afghan brigand and an airship whose captain escaped slavery during the Civil War by stealing a Confederate vessel. Can Emelia and her band of plucky outcasts save the world from a cult of fanatics intent on unleashing an ancient horror? âThe Beckoning Voidâ is a tale of cunning plots, flashing swords, skillful piloting, witty repartee and eldritch dread. |
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Candle and Claw by Stephen Taylor Hard magic, nuanced characters, and epic conflicts make Candle and Claw perfect for fans of Brent Weeks and Brandon Sanderson. Giovel Ullinâs job is to stop witches from crafting experimental magic and destroying the world. Itâs a job he never wanted. Every time he hunts a witch, heâs reminded of the ones who stole his wife away and sent her back distant, delusional, and dying. Even worse, the same magic that ruined her life is now part of hisâa tool Giovelâs expected to master for the sake of his duties. When a coterie of witches begins systematically removing Giovelâs companions, he has little choice but to fight back. But the more he learns about his own power, the more he sees himself in the very witches he hunts. |
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Ser Ghostwriter by Joshua Derrick Heraclia is a land of poets, whose haikus and sonnets build towers, grow grain, and sail ships. Ed is a scribe to one of these poets, and when his master is murdered by highwaymen, he takes up his quill and becomes a ghostwriter, a masterless poet. Broad shouldered and strong, Ed does not exactly have the makings of a master poet, but enters his names into the rolls at a poetry slam tournament nonetheless. Though his poems are little more than scratchings of a quill, Ed's good heart soon lands him in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens the safety of the realm itself. |
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The Blood of Crows by Alex C. Pierce Ren, a state-trained thief working in a world where everyone has magical ability except for him, doesnât kill people. Tensions are already high in the walled realm of Lenmar, and when the nobility start dying with no trace of magic that isnât from the victims, Ren immediately becomes the prime, and only suspect. Hunted by magic-eating Inquisitors and the Captain of the Royal Guard, his life becomes one of flight and fear through a realm on the brink of civil war.â¨â¨All Ren wants to do is stop a serial killer, clear his name, find his mentor, and protect the people he cares about. To do that, heâll have to pull one more high-stakes heistâ And steal the proof he needs from the very people who want to catch him. |
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Asterius & Thesius Walk Into the Light by Aaron Fown In the heroic age, man lives under the shadow of imperial ambitions, both past and present. The perfect gods reign openly, and none dare question their motives, in fear of their wrath. Seeking power, Minos, an empire of man, has built a temple to the perfect darkness, and seeks to use it for an unspeakable purpose. The tiny fishing city of Athens suffers under the gaze of their eye, and mourns the cost of their bloody sacrifice. But the goddess Athena has a plan to save her city from their fate, and she has the means to execute it. Is there a way out of the Labyrinth, besides the shaded path of death? Can love solve the puzzle of the mythos, and give the most surprising hero the chance he needs to save the people he loves? Can our heroes, with the love in their hearts and their lights in their hands, set the stage for a miraculous musical to invert the plans of the darkness, on a long chance and a song? Yes!Love has found a way. Love has a plan. It onlyseems like no plan at all. Note: This book is not a work of pornography, but some people might confuse it with one because it has people being queer and happy, free of the sort of mental anguish that is expected nowadays. But that would also be out of place in the temporal setting, as no one had come up with the bad idea to create such guilt complexes yet. Also, the mains understand consent so there isn't going to be any sort of 'Surprise, rape!" like there is in so many works of this sort. There is also some wisdom some people may be uncomfortable with contained within, but that is neither here nor there. If any of this sounds like a bad time, don't read the book! |
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The Lich of Thandorien by Zak Dragon Old high school classmates and current drinking buddies, Phil and Don find themselves transported into a Crypts & Crusades role-playing adventure they had abandoned five years earlier. If that wasn't bad enough, it seems that some of the non-player characters, or Extra Dungeon Personalities (EDPs) as they now prefer to be called, have taken on a life of their own during the extended downtime and have veered away from the normal script. Fortunately for the daring duo, there is plenty of beer and they manage to get a little help along the way from an inquisitive but emotional ranger, a home-brewing, pub-owning dwarf and his ogre bartender, a grumpy old gardener and a host of other colorful characters. But will it be enough to defeat the crypt's antagonist, locate a powerful relic and get out alive? |
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Memories of Blood and Shadow by Aaron S. Jones Guilt cuts deeper than the deadliest of blades. Tavar Farwan lives alone past the Undying Sands. During a violent storm, he is attacked by two young warriors claiming a need for vengeance for pain from ages past. Tavar defends himself, killing one of the intruders and leaving the other to bleed on the floor. Weary and filled with regret, Tavar offers to tell the young man his story: a story of how, in a world of Naviqings, Leviathans, and Shadow Warriors; a poor, nomadic orphan rose to inspire a kingdom, and kill a God. |
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A life saved is a soul owned. When she was six years old, Bryn was saved from a wolf attack by a prince from a rival kingdom. Rangar Barendurâs people believe that a life saved is a soul owned, and ten years later, Rangar returns to collect his prize: Bryn. Yet Bryn is the youngest daughter of a ruthless royal family, and Rangar arrives on the night the Mir people rise up against their despotic rulers. With her castle on fire and most of her family dead, Bryn has no choice but to escape with Rangar's help. Was she rescuedâŚor abducted? Taken to Rangarâs wild seaside kingdom, Bryn slowly finds beauty in the harsh Outlands. There, she discovers magic is not the sin sheâs been led to believe it is. Magic can heal the sick and summon rain for the crops. As she learns the full truth of her own familyâs tyrannical rule and plans to take back her kingdom by the sword or by marriage, Bryn falls under the spell of each of the three Barendur brothers. But which one will end up with her handâand her heartânot even magic can foretell. A Kindle Vella Top Faved...now available as an ebook and in paperback! |
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Elusion of Freedom by Kelvin Womack After thousands of years the trapped darkness is breaking free, and once it is, no longer shall we be. Thought to be long locked away, darkness has escaped it confines, enslaving everything it touches. The only safe haven is behind the Order's towering walls, where 17-year-old Vayn and his father have fled. But it's not the darkness they're afraid of. After escaping the clutches of Shadow Reapers that ravaged his land, Vayn desires to never live in the free world again, exchanging his liberation for what some would consider a form of slavery. But when Reapers break inside, murdering his father, Vayn is determined to attain retribution. The Order forbids it, knowing he'll uncover their secrets. There is but one way to regain his freedom. Once a year, on the Day of Liberation, one may leave the walls but at great cost. A life. Vayn must sacrifice someone innocent. If he doesnât, he'll never bring his father's killers to justice or learn the Orders secrets. Outside awaits the darkness, its creatures perishable only with the aid of a larger-than-life sword. But not even that will help him face the darkness of his own past. Freedom is both elusive and hard to distinguish. Time is of the essence, and on his quest of vengeance, Vayn must learn that true freedom is more than escape from physical and mental subjugation before the darkness swallows their world into oblivion. |
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The World Breaker Requiem by Luke Tarzian Prince of Woe⌠Avaria Norrith is the adopted heir to the Ariathan throne. But that means little to a man who, for the better part of fifteen years, has sought and failed to earn his motherâs love. Fueled by pride and envy, Avaria seeks the means to prove himself and cast away his mental chains. When heâs tasked with the recreation of The Ravenâs Rage he sees his chance, for with the infamous blade he can rewrite history and start anew. Daughter of the Mountain⌠Erath has not felt sunlight for a century. Not since Ariath condemned her people to a life of darkness with their misuse of The Ravenâs Rage. But when an old friend comes seeking the remnants of the ancient sword, Erath cannot contain her curiosity and resolves to lend her aid. Is it trueâcan history be revised? Can her people be reclaimed? Toll the Hounds⌠They are hungryâand they are here. |
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âOh gods, I'm some sort of prophet now? I only wanted a drink...â The Heretic is the story of a man who finds himself in great danger, and can't quite work out how he got there, although it probably has something to do with alcohol. His mouth gets him in trouble, and before he knows what's happening he has to flee not just his hometown but his homeland entirely, with an unexpected companion in tow. This book is his story, the story of a journey and an odd friendship.â¨â¨The Heretic is a work of fantasy, but one with few truly fantastical elements. It is based on real historical cultures, mainly those of Classical-era Europe.â¨â¨The tone is darkly humorous, and has been described by acclaimed author Terri Nixon as âPython meets Pratchettâ. |
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The Hellborn King by Christopher G. Brenning A kingdom at war. A royal family at war with itself. After the massacre of his people, Damien Dreadfire leads a patchwork army of unlikely allies against the Kingdom of Betanthia. The alliance teeters on the edge of a knife, as old rivalries between clans threaten to tear it apart. With the help of his trusted friend, Einarr, and a strange mystic, Damien launches a bold offensive that will decide the future of the free lands. Short on time, and even shorter on men, the fate of a once vibrant culture and its people rests on the outcome of the next battle. Meanwhile, Betanthia's crown prince, Gareth Bethard, faces dangers of his own. With his family coming apart at the seams and a growing conspiracy afoot, he tries desperately to hold everything together. Even as Gareth grapples with inner demons, he must learn to take up his father's mantle as the protector of civilization and defeat Damienâs invading horde. It's only the fate of a thousand-year dynasty resting on his shoulders, after all. |