Prince and the Throne by Brien Feathers Fedosian winters are cold, but colder still are lovers turned strangers. As autumn turns and winter settles over Fedosia, cold has seeped in between Sofia and Aleksei. She loves him still, but the archmage's memory spell has made her a stranger in his eyes. They hardly speak anymore, and their troubles only compound when they arrive in Sarostia and discover Duke Rodion of the Red Den has his own ambitions for the throne. He desires war-and not just with the Guards. Lev is holed up at Usolya Fortress, but evil lurks in the Bone Country as the days shorten and the nights lengthen. When allies turn to enemies and dark alchemy haunts the halls of the Guard Fortress, he alone must hunt down a necromancer far more powerful than he imagines. Prince and the Throne is the second book in the Fedosian Wars series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy with romance where morals are shades of grey. Content This is an adult dark fantasy with |
Serpent and the Throne by Brien Feathers In Fedosian court, love is deadlier than war. Of the nine great houses of Fedosia, nine houses of alchemy, none hate each other more than the Red Shields and the White Guards. The queen is a Shield, the archmage a Guard, and bad blood has been brewing for a century.Sofia is a Guard, wed to a count twice her age with three stepdaughters who despise her. Forbidden from leaving the house, she spends her days speaking to her stuffed macaw and playing with the shadows. But all changes when the count receives a summons from the queen, requiring all nobility of Fedosia to attend the princeâs birthday.Fedosia is vast, and Sofia travels to the capital with the count and his daughtersâan adventure of a lifetime, and sheâs excited.The prince is strange, and the throne has its secrets, but true trouble begins when Sofia falls for Aleksei, the captain of the Imperial Sentinels and the queenâs nephew. Heâs ten years younger, and worse, heâs a Shield.The archmage is furious, the Royal Cup ends in blood and fire, the count turns up dead, and dark magic sparks war between the houses. As the great families draw their blades, Sofia runs away with Aleksei, but they donât get far. Not all enemies come from other houses. Some are much closer.Serpent and the Throne is the first book in the four-book Fedosian War series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy romance where morals are shades of grey.Content Advisory: this is an adult dark fantasy with depictions of violence, strong language, and intimate scenes. |
A Tragedy of Sacrifice by Kaylea Prime Freedom demands sacrifice, but only from those brave enough to inspire change. Haunted by a life-shattering decision she will forever regret, ArĂnor craves a sense of belonging instead of being branded as wicked. Feared for her Celestial magic and her ability to shape-shift into a lightning bird, she draws unwanted attention both from supporters and opposers of the evil Vashi. When her own people accuse her of treachery and threaten her familyâs lives, ArĂnor flees ArwĂ© through a portal to Earth, sacrificing everything she knows to protect those she loves. Then she meets Clemency. Though restricted by societyâs expectations of a married woman and mother in 1769 Boston, Clemency longs to influence change with her astute political insights on the rising tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists. When she meets ArĂnor, a woman seemingly freed from the constraints imprisoning Clemency, she is inspired to start an empowering womenâs group and try publishing her political writing. ArĂnor, in turn, is inspired to use her Void magic for healing instead of deprivation. But as their friendship grows, and ArĂnorâs feelings for Clemency deepen, tensions escalate in Massachusetts. Rallies turn to riots, jealousy and fear weave webs of distrust, and rumours of witchcraft follow in ArĂnorâs wake. Faced with once again losing everything she loves, ArĂnor must choose whether to right her wrongs and sacrifice for the greater good or embrace her wickedness and become the person everyone fears her to be. A Tragedy of Sacrifice is a prequel novella set almost one hundred and fifty years before A Spark From Embers - volume one in the fantasy series, Tears of Flame. |
Wicked tides by Courtney Leigh The waters are filled with terrors and the waves are red with blood... Treson Harbor is a place plagued by terrifyingly beautiful monsters from the deep and they're hungry. When no man is safe on the water, pirates and fishermen alike, people look to hunters. Vidar "Bone Heart" Woelfson is the Captain of the Burning Rose, a ship known for its blood red sails and the ruthless nature of its crew. He has hunted more sirens than any other ship on the sea and unlike most, Vidar hardly does it for the money. He is haunted by events from his childhood and lives to see every daughter of the sea slaughtered. Dahlia knows the ship with red sails well, but she knows its captain even better. The man who took everything from her as a child still hunts her waters and she will end him if it's the last thing she does. Scarred and vengeful, Vidar and Dahlia will soon cross paths again after eighteen years and things certainly will not be peaceful. But even greater horrors might force the two together in an unwilling partnership. Their rivalry runs deep... their love will run deeper... but not without bloodshed. ***This book contains violence, graphic sexual situations, and language. Please visit my website for a more detailed list of trigger warnings*** |
Heir of Illusions and Others by Rachanee Lumayno How do you step into your power when you have none? âOh, Endri. Donât say never. Youâll get it soon, Iâm sure.â Itâs a sentiment Iâve heard countless times. You would think living in the kingdom of Annlyn, land of shapeshifters, would make my own talent come easier. Except my shapeshifting ability has yet to appearâmuch to the embarrassment of my birth family, who abandoned me years ago. But even under the tutelage of my adopted father Pazho, I still havenât unlocked my talents. And maybe I never will. So when we hear rumors ofâand start findingâother shapeshifters who are forced into their animal forms, unable to turn back, Iâm safe. For now. Because whatever is hunting the people of Annlyn has set its sights on my family, my new friends from Calia, Annlynâs crown princess ⊠And me. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Illusions and Others is the sixth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels. |
Heir of Secrets and Spectres by Rachanee Lumayno I thought planning a wedding would be easy, but I was so wrong. âFarrah ⊠There are important matters that we must discuss. Please return home soon.â The Fae part of my heritage demands that I need to get my estranged Fae fatherâs blessing. I havenât seen him in years, and I donât know where in Faerie he is, but if I donât get his blessing, it will turn into a curse that will eventually poison my upcoming marriage. But Faerie is no place for humans. For some unknown creature is creating havoc in Faerie, killing its citizensâand the chaos is spreading into the human world and my home country, Shonn. The Seelie Court needs to elect a new king or queen. And to get that elusive blessing, the Seelie Courtâs interim leader, High Chancellor Lord Chela, has made me his representative in the upcoming Trials to find their new ruler. The hopefulsâ task? Find the creature responsible for the murders around Faerie. Before it finds us. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Secrets and Spectres is the fifth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels. |
Heir of Crowns and Curses by Rachanee Lumayno Kidnapping. Curses. Trying to stop a magical cult from taking over the world. No one told me this was what being a godparent would be like. No one is more surprised than me when I get the request: "Rhyss, we would be honored if you would stand as Coran's godfather." For this happy-go-lucky mercenary, it's not the sort of thing I get asked often. Or would even want to do. But you don't say no to your best friends, who also happen to be the King and Queen of Calia. Even if saying yes means pledging my life and protection to their newborn son, the Crown Prince Coran. At the christening, my new vow is immediately tested when the baby is stolen away by a secret society. Now I, along with Farrah, another dear friend, must cross a haunted forest and deal with pirates in the seedy kingdom of Bomora. My former home. Where I have to face the demons of my past. Before they unleash an ancient magic that could destroy all of the Gifted Lands. Should be easy. Right? Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Crowns and Curses is the fourth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels. |
Heir of Magic and Mischance by Rachanee Lumayno What do you do when you become the very thing you were taught to hate? All I, Adalynn Taethen, have ever wanted to do was to serve my beloved home, the kingdom of Rothschan, in their famed military. Not only did I grow up knowing it was my duty, but I also hoped it would change the fortunes of my impoverished family. But on the day of my enrollment, a disastrous meeting reveals my familyâs long-dormant enemy. Someone my parents have kept secret from me for years. Along with other family secrets. I have a surprise of my ownâI can do magic. But in Rothschan, where magic is hated and anyone who wields it is feared and killed, my life is forfeit. So I escape to the northern kingdom of Calia to learn more about my newfound magical powers. And maybe Iâll even learn more about my family secrets there, too. But first I have to master my magic before it destroys me. And before my enemy finds me and destroys everything I hold dear. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Magic and Mischance is the third book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels. |
Heir of Mystery and Shadow by Rachanee Lumayno The course of true love never did run smooth. Especially because it usually leads to death. I may be one of the most gifted Seekers in the kingdom of Orchwell, but it's usually my twin sister who gets the most commissions. Because everyone wants to find their true love. But my side of the family Seeking gift, finding lost loves? Not so much. Because if it ended in heartbreak once, it will probably lead to heartbreak again. Still, a job's a job. So when Lady Adallia hires me to find her own lost love, I say yes, even though I'd like nothing more than to be rid of my ability. But the noblewoman neglected to tell me some important details about her commission. And now I, Kaernan Asthore, along with my Seeker team and my mysterious noblewoman patron, have to outsmart an infamous gang of bounty hunters and uncover Lady Adallia's secrets, before her quest to find her lost love causes us to lose our lives. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Memory and Shadow is the second book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels. |
Fall, Sacred Apple by Emory Glass The pact is bleeding. What started as a bountiful covenant between a Republic and the goddess who sustains it now suffers a drought of faith. Should a famine of devotees follow, the Blood Mother will uproot the pact. Civilisation will collapse. In the midst of these uncertain times, Corbha, a warrior-nun of steadfast faith, eagerly awaits her brother's birth. He will be the first child born at Madhcha Abbey in twenty-four years. If his delivery suggests divine favour, Corbha and her siblings are to punish a trio of disobedient senators. They have propagated the Republic's growing disregard for the Blood Mother and Her Eightfold Orchard. That cannot stand. For Einaid, a doomsday cultist in hiding, the child's birth raises questions about the abbey and its inhabitants. The answers are scandalous enough to spark widespread dissent should they fall into the wrong handsâand nothing would please Einaid more than igniting the flame that makes Her Orchard burn. Fall, Sacred Apple is a tragic dark fantasy drama washed in insidious and eldritch botanical horror. |
Rotting In Vain by Lady Kilroy "I am not the damsel. I am the weapon their parents warned them not to touch." Legends say the fae only exist because our gods are dead. That we were originally the vermin that feasted on their flesh. As future Queen of the Dhadren Fae, I can tell you I've never wielded the power of a god. I feel nothing in this land of death and decay. An ancient malevolence has taken my home hostage with the curse of a blight, and for twenty years I have been rotting in this cage, stalked by a beast and hunted by shadows that lure me into the night. And even though my mind is screaming for me to follow them, to let them catch me⊠I need to survive this world. I need to become the liberator my people need. Because if I don't, Iâll become the crown to a kingdom of dust and famine. |
The Dark Empress by Joseph S Samaniego In a world shadowed by an ancient darkness, a mage rushes to oppose an oncoming evil, facing not only her ancestral line but the fears within her own heart. The world is in danger as Fatima, a talented necromancer from an ancient order, and Cailin face the resurrected ancestor from Fatimaâs bloodline with the goal of sinking the world into a revenge fueled abyss. Now, as betrayal echoes through the halls of the order, neither mage knows who to trust. It is a race against destiny that Fatima and Cailin find themselves in. Fighting the physical manifestations of an undead witch, her children, and followers, all the while fighting the demons within themselves. Does Fatima have what it takes to overcome her past and her familyâs past? |
Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus A spymaster forced to train with Adristanâs most secretive order. A war commander disgusted by death. A lord damned to repeat history if he cannot master it. Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asrielâs half-sister into a weapon. Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her fatherâs bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her houseâs ally, the justice-keeping House Midar. Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his fatherâs chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservusâs spymaster comes to his aid with strategy. With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing. Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus. |
Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devilsâmany. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight. |
Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson Be careful what you wish for⊠Weâve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD â Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT â Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG â Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED â Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN â K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIANâS GAMBIT â Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES â McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON â Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES â Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS â Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE â Leife Shallcross (Australia) |
The Dark Queen's Apothecary by Cassandra L. Thompson Andrei cannot believe his good fortune when he is summoned by the beautiful yet formidable Queen Viorica to serve as her personal apothecary. But he soon learns that things at her dark castle are not what they seem. Haunted by his growing obsession for her, Andrei falls helplessly into her thrall and soon discovers her dark secret. Unafraid, he destroys the competition around him and takes his rightful place by her side. Lost to passion and bloodlust, the two are caught unaware when the queenâs adversaries make their move. But what no one realized was that Queen Viorica created a monstrous king out of the once timid Andrei, bearing a love strong enough to make kingdoms burn. |
MĂ©nage Ă Claws by Amelia Lascaux Sloane Connelly was desperate for an escape from her horrible boss and manipulative father. So for her 32nd birthday, Sloane takes a long overdue beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Her trip is derailed when she runs into her ex, TÄne, the plant elemental who broke her teenage heart. Determined not to waste this second chance, she takes his offer for a fresh start: to work at his new openly magic bar and gives their relationship another shot. Maybe she could finally break free from her father's influence and find joy in her life again. When she meets Nivya, her new metamour and a snow leopard shifter, she's determined to fit in to this new polyamorous world. But the more she and Nivya work together at the bar, the more Sloane wants to be with her. After years of being told by her father how disappointing and unworthy Sloane is, does she deserve the opportunity for two loves? And when her father demands more from her than ever before, can Sloane finally take back control of her life? This book is for adult readers as it contains dark themes of trauma, abuse, violence, and detailed explicit spice. |
The Blood Curse by Jessica A. McMinn "Darker, grander, richer, and filled with even more delicious emotional turmoil, The Blood Curse is simply everything you could ever wish for in a sequel, and then so much more." â Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" â The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things rightâeven if it means submitting to prophecyâs chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destinyâs sick game. With demonspawn mobilising in unprecedented numbers, she and Rei-Hai Shaw must confront the dangers awaiting them beyond the western border⊠and those lurking within their shadows. Kriah, adrift at sea, struggles with the aftermath of breaking the first seal. Now, Azetâhaal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and itâs only a matter of time before they make their move on the mainland. But as a new threat spreads across the east, Kriah must uncover the origins of the deadly blood plague and convince the vulnerable people of Whytâhallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddessâs soul? |
Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey âWith my blood, I bind you. I bind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice. You will depend on me as I will depend on you. You will defend my life with yours, and I will do the same for you. This Bond is sacred. It shall only be broken by death.â Vindtâs tranquil life as a lordâs son comes to an abrupt end when his homeland is overthrown. Friends, family, his freedomâhe loses it all to Singers and their dark song magic. Human in appearance, Singers are a different species. Their powers only fail against the demons hunting them. But even this flaw has a patch: humans with a rare and valuable âtraitâ. It allows Singers to take over their voice and use it like a weapon. Vindt turned out to possess this trait, and was bound to a Singer by blood. Ever since, he has struggled to break free. Unexpectedly, a chain of events binds him to a new Singer: the sly and enigmatic Asche. From day one, their egos clash. Only, their encounter was no coincidence; Asche needs himâbut for what? To free the Singers from the curse that plagues them? Or because Asche is on a quest for power, as the Singerâs brethren believe, who are determined to bring him down? Caught in the middle of their fight, Vindt gets yet another unexpected opponent: his wayward feelings for someone heâs supposed to hate. When Ascheâs enemies offer Vindt freedom in exchange for delivering Asche into their hands, Vindt has to make a choice. |
Memories of Tomorrow by Noah Isaacs For years, Aerym has felt that he was cursed, as if his very being was wrong. Some say that seeing isnât always believing, but for Aerym, however, nothing could be farther from the truth. Fated to a life of catastrophe and ruin, the visions that plague Aerym's sleep always realize themselves, even when they depict his loved ones dying gruesome deaths before his eyes. Now, years after he watched everyone and everything he had ever known burn to ash, Aerym finds himself with his sole remaining companion, Jasper. Lost and without purpose, they bide their time until the inevitable comes; when Aerym is warned of their imminent demise... Yet even now he doubts if he's strong enough to combat what's to come. With little hope left for him and his friend, Aerym resigns to go far to the south, to the lands where magic is as common as war. To where he might get answers, and, if he's lucky, strength enough to gain control of his own life. Memories and prophecies guide them on their path to salvation, but the past lies, and the future speaks only in tragedies. Is it truly a blessing to know what's coming even if you're powerless to stop it? |
Farzanaâs Spite by Felix Graves Life is about as good as it gets for an anxious and depressed bastard stripped of any social benefits of her caste. Farzana has a cushy job, a wonderful best friend, and a mother and younger brother who love her to bits. Then the faerie who abandoned her mother before she was bornâthe father she always hoped to meetâreturns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzanaâs life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesnât step up soon to set things right, there wonât be much left worth saving. Farzanaâs Spite is a sapphic dark fantasy featuring a diverse cast doing their best to stay alive during a traumatic and tumultuous period. A blend of tragedy, romance, and mystery, this story was written for anyone ever made to believe they were broken beyond repair, and who needs a story to kill that thought once and for all. |
The Bastard from Fairyland by Phil Parker He's Robin Goodfellow to those he knows. Or Puck, his psychotic alter-ego, to those he kills. Betrayed, banished and bitter, this fae warrior lives among human beings, they think heâs a demon. The teenagers heâs vowed to protect, despise him. But now the fae need his help, especially the man who betrayed him. Heâs brought along Robinâs lover to guarantee his cooperation. Yet things are not as they seem. For shadowy forces within the fae have different plans. Itâs not Robin they want. They need Puck. He's the perfect stooge to kill a king. What have people said about The Bastard from Fairyland? "This is effing brutal. There's blood, torture, death, violence, a world savaged by fae and under threat of total destruction. Loved it." "A well told tale which combines Celtic myths, Arthurian legends, dystopian visions of a world ravaged by climate change and some good old blood and guts battles. Oh, and dragons. What's not to love?" "The story unfolds at a cracking pace. Characterisation is excellent. The fight scenes are particularly evocative." "The prose is simply beautiful. It's a book that takes you to a Fantasy world unlike any other but also reflects our times in a very real way. A unique and fresh modern take on a genre that sorely needs more books like this." |
A Crow Named Torment by Silas A. Bischoff After a perfectly normal bird is captured by a perfectly deranged alchemist, and her soul is remade in torment, she rots in a cage, dreading her doom, awaiting the perfect moment ⊠Escape lies in the dark secrets of her new mind, as does a disturbing new thirst for blood. Together with Vladimir, her feline companion in captivity, Torment sets out on a flight through realms of dreams and spirits in search of a way to break the curse that binds them to their master. But in the vast and strange worlds yonder dwell the discontented spirits of the dead, and Torment and Vladimir are as likely to uncover the truth they seek as they are to be lost forever, or consumed by the ancient darkness stirring in the depths of their alchemically altered souls. A novel filled with horrors lurking in the shadows, with whimsical creatures from strange worlds â a fable about journeys inward and onward into the unknown â featuring mad scholars, vampires from the dawn of time, animal familiars and giant slugs (among many other oddities). Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Edgar Allan Poe, lovers of Richard Bachâs Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Otfried PreuĂlerâs Krabat, for those who would like to see Lewis Carrollâs Alice in Wonderland meet Mary Shelleyâs Frankenstein in a modern dark fantasy. |
Rubbles of Magrath by Natalie Kelda Three months have passed since the Great Quake shook Magrath. Three months since Balfour lost Skye. The city lies in ruin and survival is only possible by scavenging. Every day they root through buildings filled with those killed in the earthquake that was meant to mark the end of the tarilla war. The war that still rages on. Balfour's biggest fear is to find Skye. Rotten and crushed under the rubble. But he knows where she In the starless vaults at the centre of town. Struggling to accept his loss, Balfour strays to the courtyard where he once spent a night beside Skye. But there he discovers an old enemy and that hope yet remains. Can he risk the people who have become his family for someone he has already lost and mourned? Rubbles of Magrath is the second book in a trilogy that can be read on its own or in connection with the first 3 books in the Inner Universe Series. |
The Trials of Ildarwood: Spectres of the Fall by S. C. Selvyn For 10,000 years, the Trials have been a sacred tradition... When Telara, Aiden, and their friends are banished into a vast crystal forest with everyone else their age, they truly believe theyâre about to embark on some magical adventure. But sinister secrets and monstrous hunters lie in wait, including some that might bring the Trials to a swift and tragic end. Relentlessly stalked by ruthless Cyndersâthe corrupted remnants of past Trialsâthe children of Ranewood must unlock their elemental powers and unravel long-hidden mysteries to avoid the same fate. Discover who will rise and who will fall as the Trials officially begin! |
The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow by S. C. Selvyn Eleven-year-old Dasia Dulane has spent her entire life locked away in a snow-filled homeâthe unwilling guardian of a chilling family secret. But after her long-lost brother returns and promises freedom in the Ildarwood, she swiftly discovers the terrifying trials that await. Saved from monstrous hunters by a mysterious runaway named Tannus, Dasia must unravel the truth about her family and unlock her elemental gifts to secure her only chance at a brighter future. This story takes place nineteen years after the prequel novel and one year before the main series. All author royalties are donated to LGBTQ+ charities for at-risk youth. |
The Trials of Ildarwood: Fall of the Forsaken by S. C. Selvyn Eleven-year-olds Evalina and Tevaun have been locked away for yearsâher for hiding powerful stormborn gifts, and him for being cursed by pure darkness. But when mysterious forces inside the Ildarwood intervene to help them escape, they quickly discover why so few children ever return from the trials within. Forced to seek out new allies while evading soul-stealing creatures, they must find some way to change their tragic fates before time runs out. |
The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps by Brooke Marley Jones Walking home late one night, burned-out barista Nell accidentally incinerates someone. Whoopsie! Now, if this tale began in a fantastic, far-away land, or Nell were, perhaps, a wizard, such a mishap might make some kind of sense. But this is not a wondrous, fantasy world. This is real life, and Nell just wanted to go home and eat macaroni. As Nell stares upon the smoldering corpse, she realizes something with horrifying certainty: Sheâs magic. And not the cute, pulling-a-rabbit-from-a-hat kind of magic. Unfortunately, during Nellâs little outburst, she suffers a mortal injury. Fortunately, Darragh, a rugged and magical outcast, witnessed the entire incident. To save Nellâs life, Darragh whisks her away to a world where magic reigns. However, as is so often the case with magic, it comes at a price. In this harsh world, the entities that lurk in the darkest corners of Nell's nightmares await her in hungry anticipation. As Nell and Darragh vanquish monsters and ghouls, their affections for one another take root. Just when this treacherous tale is beginning to look like a love story, Darragh is captured by a wretched, cadaverous queen. Now, itâs up to Nell to save him The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps boasts portal magic reminiscent of A Darker Shade of Magic, the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the action-packed adventure of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and the humour of Tress of the Emerald Sea. |
Something So Lovely by Salem T. Lynn Kalliope is a librarian in Heaven, though she feels called by something larger. That call is realized by the entrance of the first evil in creation, enacting his plans to replace their absent God. Kalliope finds refuge in the arms of Hell's most eligible fuckboy, though she finds there's more to him than he lets on. |
Secrets and Stardust by Jeannin Counts The stars are not what they seem. So look away; theyâll whisper you your fate. Iyanaâs only ambition in life is to become a healer like her grandmother, but that all changes when her village is attacked by a neighboring kingdom. She desperately calls upon the heavens for salvation and the stars respond, yet not as she had ever imagined. She is sent Altair, a hypnotically handsome star in human form. Iyana is more shocked to discover that she is an Aztia, a magic bearer born once in every generation, and that a captured enemy soldier named Emmeric is unwittingly caught up in her destiny. Although he is fated to work with Iyana, Emmeric is reluctant to assist a woman from the village he was recently trying to destroy, no matter how spellbinding her beauty is. He trusts his rival Altair even less, as the star and Iyana are caught in each otherâs orbit. When the emperorâs own son, Zane, joins their quest to stop his fatherâs tyrannical invasion, the companions begin unveiling long-buried secrets that echo through time. Secrets that could change the course of human history and reveal the hidden origin of the Aztia themselves. A captured foe. A fallen star. A forsaken prince. Betrayal is inevitable. But who will perpetrate it? |
The Shadow Realm Chronicles: Maeve by Nancy Ann Creed Welcome to the Shadow Realm, where darkness reigns and the night is alive with magic. Many years ago, the Great War tore apart all the realms. Now, the darkness is rising again, and it all begins with a lonely mother named Maeve. Maeve was once a loving wife and mother, but she was turned into a vampire by the Vampire Lord Marius. Her husband, Hunter, fled with their infant son, fearing the monster she had become. Now, Maeve is a pawn being used by Marius and the Shadow King, who wants to make her his dark queen. Maeve must find a way to get back to her son and the family she left behind. But will she succumb to the darkness, or will she fight for her soul? Travel to the Shadow Realm, hear spellbinding tales, meet magical creatures, and join Maeve in the quest to save herself and her family. |
Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives by Jessica Ungeheuer Jeffrey Knight is a down on his luck self proclaimed loser. He can't keep a job, forced into hours of work in the hell that is retail. His only stable thing in his life was his relationship with his longtime girlfriendâŠthat is until he catches her cheating on him. Now with nothing left, he begrudgingly agrees to join his best friend on a night of fake zombie hunting paintball. The only solace he has in his pitiful life. That is, until he learns zombies are real⊠Jennifer Mayer has spent her whole life hunting monsters. Working tirelessly for a secret organization of mercenaries to protect normal citizens from learning the truth. However, there are a growing number of undead, and her organization leaders refuse to believe her that something catastrophic is coming. She is in need of new recruits to prevent a coming âDay of the Deadâ event. After saving Jeff from near death Jennifer takes him on as a pupil. Jennifer must train Jeff in everything she knows while avoiding the growing feelings and memories he reignites in her -- feelings she thought she buried long ago. Jeff has never finished anything in his life, allowing his fears to stop him. If he chokes up now, there might not be a normal world to go back to. |
The Price of Admission by Alethea Lyons After a year of searching, Stella stands before the entrance gates of the worlds-renowned Carnivale Incendio. At the centre of the Carnival terrors, her heart's desire waits. She has sacrificed everything to get here and be reunited with her lover, Mona, who was stolen from her on the eve of their wedding. Though the carnival tries to take her as its own, Stella battles through to Mona's side and to face the final challenger, the Ringmaster himself. Standalone short story. Highly descriptive of scenery with some minor gore. |
Whatsoever is Just by Augusta Ren 21-year-old Wes Blake was set to graduate university as the best swordsman in her class, but when her friend and secret lover dies, her world is turned upside down. Now, she must do one last thing for the deceased and get his journal into trusted hands. But when your government has more secrets than you can count, trusted hands become few and far between. With suspicion growing as the days pass, Wes gathers the help of her friends and newcomer Rhyatt to assist in turning over the journal. If she fails, it means more than not honoring the deadâs wishes. She risks allowing kidnappers and human experiments to continue in the shadows. Every step Wes takes puts her or her loved ones in danger. Even worse, she is beginning to care for Rhyatt. Mindless soldiers. Rotten politicians. Shady businessmen. Everyone is playing a part, and itâs up to Wes to find out who is innocent before they capture â or silence her for good. |
Fall to Shadow by Jac-Ann Marie Ravaged by twenty years of war, the Riphean Realm is cleaved in two; the bleak and broken Kingdom of Kveld and the wild northern Land of Ellyl. In the ancient fortress of Braach Querie, Rieave finds a sliver of hope and friendship in Jace and Marie, orphaned trainees in the kingâs elite force of warriors. Upon the ashes of his brother's death, Rieave is crowned the Dark Prince. His dreams of a different life shatter as he is swept up in a storm of betrayal, manipulation, anxiety, and Shadow magic. Poised to become the mightiest warrior in the King's Army and paired Luhkaela to the prince, Marie is dragged away and held hostage by their mortal enemies, the brutal Light Fae. As she uncovers the truths of her heritage and fae history, she realizes that not everything is as it seems. On opposite sides of Light and Dark, Rieave traverses more than mythological creatures and magic in his determination to save Marie. While the specter of peace looms on the horizon, she endeavors to bridge the chasm between the species and end the war by saving Rieave from himself. Rescue turns rampage and hope fades to oblivion in the face of a depthless darkness. |
The Weight of Darkness by John A. McColley Silver Hill, Nevada - 1874 The 1870's offered a peaceful, simple, life after the strife of the Civil War. Its mine promised steady work. Abigail and Martin Beckett's parents owned and ran the mine, often away for days at a time, leaving the twins to... find their own fun. Tales of strange creatures, eerie cries, men and women gone missing in a blink... Folktales flow like whiskey amongst the miners. When curiosity gets the better of Abigail, she ropes her brother into an expedition, finding far more than they bargained for. With their parents and miners acting strangely and unseen influence beginning to take hold of her faculties, Abigail reaches out to her correspondence course professors for aid. Even when they arrive, though, these wise men can hardly believe what has become of the town and its people. Amid fires and armies of the undead and other monsters, how will they survive, let alone save their parents or the town? |