stories in and

Grave Cold by Shannon Knight

Nyle doesn’t want to be there. But something is very wrong in the District of Portland, and the cold call of death forces his arrival. If he can’t lay the dead fast enough, his long life, begun in Anglo-Saxon England, will end. Portland’s electronic walls do more than keep the mutants out. The government is using them to block Nyle and his kind, the ravens, who roam the world, freeing the dead from their bodies where they remain trapped till a raven’s arrival. Cait, a Portlander working as a beautician, has her own troubles, dodging the GM (genetic modification) police and struggling with rent. But the dead are invading her dreams. Nyle tells Cait that she’s not genetically modified. She’s a necromancer. In the District of Portland, the dead are being trapped indefinitely and used as energy sources. Nyle and Cait must stop the technology from spreading before the abuse of the dead becomes a worldwide menace and they themselves end up on a laboratory table or trapped in a machine. Grave Cold is a biopunk novel about the value of life and the power of taking a stand in a grim near-future world of exploitation and authoritarianism.


Thralls of a Tyrant God by Mars G. Everson

A Dark Fantasy Epic, The God Engine trilogy is the start of a unique and exciting universe, perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere and Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen. What would you sacrifice to be free? For Senn, former slave turned rebel leader and now the powerful Herald of the Lord of Greed, the answer was everything. He thought he had left hope behind forever. But when a ghostly child with sparkling blue eyes appears to him, Senn's loyalty is tested. His own God and army turn against him, forcing him to flee into the harsh desert wasteland alone and powerless. But as he searches for revenge and a new source of power, he must confront his past, including the woman he left behind at the mercy of the Forever King and his Chainkeepers. A new path that may lead him to Hope, even if he's not yet ready to embrace it. Will Senn find redemption and a new purpose, or will he fall to the forces that seek to destroy him and turn all of humanity into thralls?


The Bone Spear by Alexander Layne

All ex-hero Ettarian Valost wants is to die. When a seraph saves his life, curses him with the gift of undying, and offers him a second chance at saving mankind, Ettarian reluctantly agrees to right the wrongs of his past. He sets out across the ruins of the world he’d tried so hard to protect over twenty years ago, guided by the gods and intent on uniting the remnants of civilization. It soon becomes clear, however, that the gods may not be exactly what they claim to be, and that Ettarian may very well just be another pawn in a game played between divinities. Kalia is too young to have known the world before it was invaded by the Flayed Gods. Determined to escape her abusive father, she flees alone across the desolation, seeking shelter in the ruins of an old city. Here she comes across a solitary monster, a priest of the gods who have enslaved her own race, who assures her that she is destined to guide humanity into a golden age. Guided by her monstrous mentor and by visions granted to her by her new gods, Kalia understands that the only thing that stands in the way of her ascension is an old man and his own plans. She intends on striking him down and then fulfilling her destiny. But Ettarian is no ordinary old man. He is the White Dove, and he will have redemption, no matter the cost...


Gryphon's Escape: An Areaer Novella by Raina Nightingale

Sisel is a Gryphon of the Valor Hall, bonded to the Valor Knight Meir. She does not understand human society or why Meir and she have to do most of what they do, but she loves Meir and she accepts that humans are different. She does not need to understand them. Just as even Meir does not understand her. Until Sisel is asked to pluck information out of the mind of an uncooperative tortured prisoner. She does not understand what she is being asked to do, but when she touches the prisoner's feelings, she knows that, whatever else is going on, this is insane. Beyond even normal human insanity.


The Gifts of Faeri by Raina Nightingale

When Faeri is asked to use her magical song to assist in a birth that is not going quite right, she realizes that her power is greater and far more dangerous than she thought. And when shortly later a Nightmare creature appears, using its touch to taint her song-enchanted gifts, that newly-discovered danger escalates to nightmarish proportions. She thought she was helping people. But what if every one of her gifts is a liability, a way for the Nightmare to dig its touch, unsuspected, into people's souls? But when a rare Nightmare creature almost consumes Faeri's soul, her dragon friend Chrysanthemum saves her with her fire, and Faeri wonders if there's any way dragonfire can guard her enchantments against the Nightmare, or if the damage already done is irreparable and she should never sing again.


The Story of Evil - An Epic Fantasy Saga by Tony Johnson

The Story of Evil is the first standalone novel in Tony Johnson’s literary universe, The Chronoverse. This book is a giant tome of epic fantasy made up of five volumes ( Heroes of the Siege, Escape from Celestial, Three Visions, The Cursed King, and Battle for the Kingdom ). During an annual jousting tournament, a mysterious villain attacks the capital with his army. Because of this disastrous event, Stephen Brightflame, an aspiring knight, embarks on a quest to save the kingdom from further destruction. He joins up with a convicted felon, an arrogant warrior, and a Halfling woman, but learns their tragic pasts are just as dark and disturbing as his own. This 430,000 word adventure features everything that makes the fantasy genre knights, castles, war, prophecies, magic, monsters, and dragons! Experience a book over ten years in the making!


No Demons But Us by AS Etaski

Among blood sisters, I find only misery. Among Red Sisters, I find ambition to thrive which leaves me breathless. I am a young Noble trapped in a most wretched spot: accused of assassinating my sister, the Matron's heir. If I take the blame, I am next on the sacrificial altar. Dark Elves live for intrigue in our underground matriarchy. We bend the rules for the cunning and the bold. To survive, I must play the game. Through court intrigue, demonic rituals, and mind-rending trials against deadly foes, pervasive webs surround me, all spun by our sadistic priesthood and the Queen’s brutal enforcers. Through it all, the Red Sisters delight in watching me. I must prove myself beneath their ravenous gazes, or I will become the next meal for our goddess. A.S. Etaski spins the first threads of an intense and epic tale with "No Demons But Us", in which the trials of a young Davrin test her resolve to rise from the depths of fear and hatred tearing her down. Sister Seekers is mature dark epic fantasy with an ever-broadening scope. Found family is a core theme throughout, and fans of Dungeons & Dragons will find familiar grounds. Perfect for fans of entwined plots, challenging themes, immersive worldbuilding, and elements of erotic horror. Sexuality and inner conflict play into character growth with nuance, intrigue, action, and magic. The series begins underground with an isolated race of Dark Elves whose intricate webs first ensnare then catapult us to places a Red Sister can only imagine in her dreams.


Allowing the Night by T. S. Winterway

Jaq is a loner. He is completely happy with sharing his home with no one but his adopted dog and having as little to do as possible with the neighbors. Or so he thinks until he bumps into a grimling in the pouring rain. Whether he wanted it or not, the encounter in the murky woods changes his life forever. When Briar sets out hunting with his clan mates on a rainy day, little does he know of how revolutionary consequences a simple act of goodwill can have. The nocturnal fays avoid contact with humans far as they can, but when it comes to choosing between saving a life or closing his eyes to evil, to Briar, the choice is clear. But will anything good come out of the collision of the opposites? Is allowing the night to step over his threshold the foolest choice Jaq has ever made, or could it result in something positive?


The Hunter's Lament by Steve Pannett

Infamous bounty hunter Bitter Sweet has led his crew of like-minded miscreants for nearly three decades. They can track and capture any man or woman in the known world…for a price. But Sweet is tired. Decades of pursuing the lowest reaches that humanity has to offer have taken their toll. The grime, the lies, the danger, the death. He’s sick of it all. But it’s the only business he knows, and business is good in the aftermath of a long and bloody war. The unstoppable armies of the Vol Empire have conquered Pratia, obliterating all opposition and occupying the kingdom’s cities as they establish a brutal new order. The Pratian king is slain in the carnage, but his son—the Crown Prince and sole heir to the throne—has vanished. Eager to tie up the loose ends, the new Vol rulers turn to those who know the land and its people the best. Bounty hunters. Against his better instincts, Sweet accepts the contract and sets out in search of the fugitive Crown Prince. But his crew are not alone in the hunt. Danger rides with them every step of the way. Rival gangs, Vol soldiers, deadly trackers and dark magickers are all pursuing the heir to Pratia, too. Soon Sweet and his crew have a choice to make, hunt or be hunted?


Curse Breaker Books 1-3 by Melinda Kucsera

Curse Breaker Books 1-3 features the first three books of the Curse Breaker Series in one action-packed boxed set. Curse Breaker Enchanted Sarn wants to be like everyone else, not a mage with a power he can barely control. But he must hide his magic in a country run by a group that wants to destroy all magic. But that magic comes in handy when he wakes up far from home with only his cloak to protect him from monsters and murderous trees. How will Sarn return home in time and unravel the dark conspiracy that’s destroying it before his son pays the ultimate price? Curse Breaker Darkens When a disembodied voice warns him that a demon is after his mage, Jerlo sets off to find the man who could summon it. He swore an unbreakable oath to protect Sarn, no matter the cost. In a country run by a group that wants to destroy all magic, mages and demons shouldn’t exist. But they do, and Jerlo’s in a fight, not just for his life but for his soul. Even if he risks both, how will he save Sarn without magic? Curse Breaker Faceted Sarn spies on the men responsible for his best friend's death with his young son in tow. And those men are hunting for magic-stealing rocks to fuel a zealot's quest. When their greed leads them into a forbidden cavern, they release an ancient monster, and it's hungry for a certain mage and his son. Who will survive the dark terror lurking under the mountain? Curse Breaker Books 1-3 contains the first three books of the Curse Breaker Series: Curse Breaker Enchanted, Curse Breaker Darkens, and Curse Breaker Faceted. It’s an epic fantasy adventure starring a loving father, his young son, and the people and monsters that dwell in an immersive world of intrigue and adventure. Get Curse Breaker Books 1-3 now if you love found family, reluctant heroes, and magical mayhem, then this is the book for you!


Goddess Ascension by Jordan Tuck

"In the time of gods, there dared arise a Goddess" Through a life of struggle, Vantaiga and her mate build a mighty forest in a desert world. As leaders of a powerful Order, the couple must complete their realm by joining the gods and becoming a force of nature. Their rise to divinity, however, does not go as expected. The gods have been keeping secrets. The world is growing jealous. There is no place for a peaceful forest in this cruel land. Now the pair must battle a hostile desert, a disapproving heaven, and their own doubts, to keep their love and forest alive. For in the time of gods, it takes more than faith for those that dare arise a Goddess.


Manaborn by A.S. Frederiks

n vibrant pools hidden away by time and jealousy, in bright azure veins upon cavern walls, in the very air itself, emanates the power of Mana, granting powers unique and destructive to those strong enough to wield them. MANABORN is the story of three such people, unaware of their magical powers. Thrust into perilous adventures, their world unravels as the fate of a kingdom is thrown into flux due to events involving King Aradel himself and his mysterious Magus. Valory, a hard-nosed teen on the run with her father, searches for her true identity; Sir, a spirited noblewoman, leaves behind a life of nobility and abuse to become a knight; and finally, the carefree Lord Cassian Morrow and his Shieldguard Robert receive a sudden visit from the king. Bonds between friends and family are tested as their lives intertwine in the shadow of the crown. Danger looms and secrets are brought to light, but one question stands above the rest; What is honor?


The Bee King by Mathilda Zeller

When the crops fail, the monsters come. When the monsters come, they buy the daughters. Alice would do anything to keep her sister and cousin out of the hands of the monsters. She would even accept a marriage proposal from the Bee King, the mysterious honey magnate allegedly driving the prosperity of the empire. But when she arrives at the Apiary, the secluded estate of her betrothed, nothing is as it seems. The empire's wealthy and famous are converging upon the estate and she soon learns that the Bee King is not marrying her for love or lust, but third reason--a dark, strange, and deadly reason.


Dark Inferno by Arleta Rae

Fire consumes. It is its nature to do so. Thea Knight has lost the battle to the Brais and is forced to live in their castle with the mission of honing her rare fire abilities. She must blend in with them, lest she be destroyed. To keep her witch best friend and the vampire who created her safe, she must tear the Brais from the inside out before they risk their own lives to save her. To do this, Thea needs to find and defeat the elusive King of the Brais. In the land of the Brais, being a double agent is a death sentence. And to defeat them, Thea must unravel the secrets behind the rogue group and their true intentions with her. But learning the truth could shatter everything.


The Many Shades of Midnight by C M Debell

A mysterious enemy threatens the continent of Ellasia, spreading a deadly sickness that kills or transforms everything it touches. In desperation, the King of Lankara sends an envoy to his disgraced former military commander, Alyas-Raine Sera, recalling him from exile and begging his aid. But when a discovery links the contagion to the mining of Isyrium, the most precious mineral resource in Ellasia, it pits Alyas against the powerful mining syndicates in a conflict that could have catastrophic consequences. Because the syndicates will fight to defend their wealth and power, even if the cost is everything and everyone else.


More Than A Gunslinger by J.R. Carrel

The year is 1869 and the West is still wild. Izzy is the greatest sharpshooter on Earth. She's hell bent on tracking down a mysterious robber baron, who has been gobbling up the railroads. She will find out that there is more to this robber baron and the world around her than she could ever imagine. He will find out that she is...... More Than A Gunslinger.


A Silvery Moon by LuĂ­s FalcĂŁo de MagalhĂŁes

As magic returns to Elessia, so do the undead. A lone monster hunter rises to protect the weak. Continuing the hunt that consumed most of his adult life, monster-slayer Lucius travels to a quiet mountain town to consult with a fellow monk… only to find him dead. When the town’s rulers turn a deaf ear to his questioning, he and his newfound allies set out on their own quest for answers. Their path will take them into the mountain’s darkest depths, where ghastly foes stalk their every step. But what the forces of darkness don’t expect is that Lucius is not just any monster hunter — for he wields the power of the Silver Lady, primordial goddess of Elessia. No darkness shall remain unburned before her silvery light! And yet, a greater power still lies in wait, shielded by the mountain’s secrets…


Love Like A Cephalopod by Cassondra Windwalker

Being an executioner for the state is exhausting, but after a lifetime of dispatching the criminal and the inconvenient, fifty-eight-year-old Grenda finds it does have its compensations. Her cat- sized dragon Bjartur and the dragon eggs she tends are all the friends and family she needs. Completely cut off from the outside world, she happily accepts the luxuries owed her status – including a pet octopus named Morrigan – without the faintest twinge of conscience or doubt. All that changes when she encounters the most unexpected nemesis: a young refugee girl whom Grenda is incapable of executing. Against her will, Grenda finds herself shifting from killer to caretaker, risking her life to defy the state she’s never questioned and help young Allora to freedom. Everything Grenda thinks she knows about her world, her life, and even her own identity cascades out of her control—including the dragon-bond she holds dearer than life itself.


Stranger Shores by Katie Zaber

Busy learning how to kill with her gift of life, Princess Megan craves time to practice how to heal, but knows that only death will win the upcoming war. For the first time in Megan’s life, she has fallen in love, and with the wrong man, at that. As much as she loves Mana, will she have to end their relationship to keep her promise to the soon-to-be king of the Syreni, Prince Aenon? Meanwhile, Kevin is busy preparing for his child with Dana and trying to keep Megan out of trouble. When Brynjar takes him to the Saoirson Fighters' hideout, he realizes he knows nothing and if he wants answers, he’ll have to talk to people he never expected to meet and never wanted to. On Earth, Carmia is learning what makes this foreign world spin. She discovers an island with inhabitants that appear primitive but are more sophisticated than anyone on Dalya. Their technology is more advanced than the inventions in her dreams. She flirts with the idea of staying on Earth forever until tragedy sends her sailing back to Dalya and into a deadly storm. She promises to return and never leave Earth again. At the same time, the king of the Paradise Kingdom and secretly all of Dargone, Megan’s father, plans his next move against his daughter, giving her a surprise she will never expect.


A Darkness At The Door by Intisar Khanani

I've been cursed, betrayed, and sold into slavery – but the truth I carry can't be allowed to die. Only Rae knows the extent of the corruption at the heart of the kingdom of Menaiya, from the noble lord who betrayed her, to the Circle of Mages whose wards protect the slavers from discovery. Injured and imprisoned on a slave ship, Rae's options are quickly running out. When a desperate escape attempt goes terribly wrong, she finds herself indebted to a terrifying Fae sorceress. Now Rae will not rest until she has rescued her fellow prisoners and freed her land from the darkness that has taken hold. To succeed, she'll need every ally she can find—including Bren, the thief who may have stolen her heart. But Bren is hiding his own bloody secrets, and the curses that encircle Rae have sunk their claws into her mind. With her debts coming due and time running short, all the truths in the world may not be enough to save her kingdom, or herself. What critics are saying: "Full of action, magic, and intrigue." - Foreword Reviews, starred review "A fairy tale that goes beyond happily-ever-after, exploring the will and vigilance needed to achieve justice and equity." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review Named one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Young Adult Books of the Year, 2022 Snap up the thrilling sequel to THE THEFT OF SUNLIGHT now!


Idriel's Children by Hayley Reese Chow

Reaping darkness, the Shadow slicked steel with judgment and danced with death… Sixteen-year-old Aza inherited the power of shadow to rid the land of evil as Odriel’s cold-blooded assassin. With her growing strength, Aza discovers the Shadow Plane—a realm of wraiths where screams haunt the winds, calling to her. Although her father forbids her from entering the dark realm, Aza can’t ignore the beckoning whispers. When a dangerous new breed of monster attacks, Aza believes the Shadow Plane holds the answers they need to defeat them. With the unwanted help of a snarky cat and a cursed beast, Aza seeks out the monastic Wraith-Called for answers. But the deeper Aza delves into the dark realm, the further she drifts from the world she knows. As Aza uncovers evils new and old, she must decide if the ends really do justify the means… and how many lives she’s willing to pay.


Time's Orphan by Hayley Reese Chow

Speak of pain, and I’ll tell you of the Time who stole it away… Besieged by war, ravaged by monsters, and crawling with the undead, the land of Okarria is dying. Seventeen-year-old Emara survives by using her modest healing gift to save as many as she can while eluding the invaders who thirst for her enchanted blood. So when a cursed cat saves her life and reveals Emara is the legendary Time Heir the necromancer king’s been searching for, she agrees to act as bait in a plot to destroy him. But when the plan goes horrifically awry, Emara must discover how deep her powers go, what she can change… And what she cannot. Unfortunately, Time Heirs have a history of getting killed, and with Okarria’s future on the line, Emara may have no choice but to follow in her ancestors’ footsteps.


Followed By Fire (The Incineration Saga, #1) by McKenzie Austin

A witch, a demon, and a priest walk into a tavern … Wait, no. A war. Yeah. It’s definitely a war. In Brigovia, the cobblestones run warm with the blood of humans, demons, and enchanters alike. And with each body that falls, one name is whispered: Greenbriar. It’s all particularly vexing for Esven Greenbriar, since she’s never killed anyone in her entire life. But when humans drag her mother, the fabled witch of Brigovia, from their isolated home and execute her by fire, all of Esven’s compassion for mankind goes up in smoke. Now, tempted by an alluring fire demon with a proposition to destroy humanity, the young witch must choose between the revenge she craves and her late mother’s wish for peace. With a reticent priest and a sarcastic cat among her painfully short list of friends, she just might be able to stifle her anger and spare the world. Or, you know, burn it all to ash.


Unseen: The Mercer Nox Story by L.A. Wasielewski

What did life give me? Torment. Grief. A scarred soul. Did I deserve it? Maybe. Did I welcome it? Maybe… Call me cursed, arrogant, bitter. Call me whatever you want. I know my place in this world, I know where I stand with the Goddess. I know how I ended up here, what I did. What I didn’t do. It haunts me, but then again, don’t we all have demons? Some tried to tell me it was destiny, but I refuse to believe some outside force controls my life. Bad things happen, good things happen. In my case, well, let’s just leave it at that and move on. It’s probably better that way. Unseen: The Mercer Nox Story follows the incredible life of a man who never really wanted to participate in the whole “saving the world” thing in the first place—but realized he really didn’t have a choice. And it annoyed him to no end. This book contains major spoilers for The Alchemist Trilogy, it is recommended that you read the original trilogy first for maximum enjoyment!


Prisoner of the Deep by Alyson Tait

Shy and introverted, Dash grew up reserved and with few friends. Once meeting Bria and Talyn on his home planets academy, they became his best friends. With more courage and knowledge than he could hope for, the pair consistently managed to pull Dash into adventures he would have otherwise avoided.Now they have embarked on their bravest quest yet. The trio have borrowed a ship and set their sites on Earth, the home of the Great Old Ones. Imprisoned for all eternity and currently at rest, the fearsome creatures and the small planet are quarantined from the rest of the galaxy.Humans are to stay put, ignorant and yet safe. Everything else stays away, hoping the beasts stay slumbering.Dash now stumbles along, trying to feel included as they move to the bottom of the deep blue ocean.The three find themselves unprepared for what happens next, unaware that their information on Earth isn’t entirely accurate.


The Children of Chaos (The Cruel Gods #2) by Trudie Skies

WHEN THE SAINTS CALL, THE SINNERS ANSWER. Chaos stalks the steam-powered city of Chime and threatens the existence of the gods and their domains. Kayl swore to protect Chime's mortals from their gods' cruel whims, but when she agrees to represent the mortals of a god long thought dead, Kayl is thrust into a political role that goes against everything she's ever stood for. As the newly appointed ambassador to the god of time, Quen's goal is clear - protect Chime and the domains by any means necessary. But as the gods make their demands, Quen is caught between his loyalties and his conscience. To ensure a future for all mortals, Kayl and Quen must unite the gods against the threat of chaos and decide what they're willing to sacrifice for Chime - before the gods choose for them. For the gods are capricious and have their own divine plans. The Children of Chaos is the second book in The Cruel Gods series—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies's website.


Crown of Nightmares (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 7) by Sylvia Mercedes

Who will live? Who will die? Who will be changed . . . forever? Separated from the Evanderians, Ayleth finds herself alone in the malevolent Witchwood. Or perhaps not entirely alone . . . Confronted with the reality of her living grandmother, Ayleth soon learns that the horrors once ascribed to Dread Odile’s name and legend may not be entirely true. But what is the truth? Could the infamous Witch Queen be a freedom fighter providing hope for those oppressed under Saint Evander’s law? Is she the loving family Ayleth thought she’d lost forever? Or is she the greatest threat the world has ever known? While battling to save their loved ones, Ayleth, Terryn, and Gerard must each face the lies that have influenced their lives since childhood. The final battle is upon them, and the decisions they make will shape the course of destiny. Don’t miss the explosive finale of the acclaimed Venatrix Chronicles!


Queen of Poison (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 6) by Sylvia Mercedes

Betrayal surrounds her. Doom beckons her. Yet she will hunt one last time. Captured, heartbroken, shackled in torturous iron mittens that keep her shade deeply suppressed, Ayleth knows Fendrel keeps her alive for one purpose: She is his only remaining weapon against the resurrected Dread Odile. Once her task is complete, she will be executed. It’s as simple as that. But Ayleth isn’t about to give in that easily. Meanwhile, Gerard is held prisoner in his own castle by his uncle's orders--Fendrel must keep his nephew alive in order to force the ancient prophecy into completion. However, Gerard sees a different path before him, and he is resolved to follow it to the end. As the forces of the Witch Queen wreak havoc across the land, can Ayleth and Gerard come to terms with the truth of their pasts . . . and face their destinies with courage? Don’t miss the penultimate adventure in the breathtaking Venatrix Chronicles!


Tears of Dust (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 5) by Sylvia Mercedes

After two days in isolation, Ayleth still doesn’t know why Fendrel placed her under house arrest. Powerful drugs suppress Laranta deep inside her, leaving her alone with too many unanswered questions. What has become of kidnapped Lady Cerine? Why has Prince Gerard not stepped in to help? What is Fendrel’s ultimate agenda? And, most urgently, where is Terryn? Has Fendrel arrested him as well for the curse he carries? The curse that nearly made him kill Gerard . . . . When a Phasmatrix arrives at the castle with a host of shade hunters, Ayleth fears they have come to test Terryn and, if he cannot be cured, to execute him. But the Phasmatrix has a different objective in view, and Terryn’s life might not be the one most imperiled. Betrayal surrounds Ayleth on all sides, and fiery doom awaits her at dawn. Will she find an unexpected ally amid the coming storm? Or will she face the truth of her past—and its future consequences—alone? Return to the dark and deadly intrigues of The Venatrix Chronicles, where witches wage war against holy orders, friends and enemies are equally treacherous, and secrets long thought dead struggle into light. If you enjoy kick-butt heroines, conflicted heroes, and slow-burn romance ready to ignite, then you will love Ayleth and Terryn’s latest adventure!


Dance of Souls (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 4) by Sylvia Mercedes

Venatrix Ayleth made a vow of loyalty to her Holy Order. But is the Order loyal to Ayleth? Still recovering from her deadly encounter with the Phantomwitch, Ayleth finds herself the unwilling guest of the Golden Prince, forced to enjoy his hospitality . . . and the not-so-gentle ministrations of Venator Fendrel du Glaive. There’s something strange about Fendrel. The way he stares at her is unsettling—as though she’s a monster, as though she’s guilty of some great sin. But didn’t she just defeat one of the worst enemies the kingdom has ever known? Hasn’t she proven her worth? And then there’s Terryn, who may be lying to her, who may not be the loyal venator everyone believes him to be. He also looks at her strangely . . . but his gaze makes her heart stop and her pulse race in ways she’s never felt before. As the night of Prince Gerard’s wedding approaches and the kingdom gathers to celebrate new beginnings, dark forces close in on all sides. Certain secrets, long buried deep, are bound to emerge at last. When they do, will Ayleth have the strength to stand and fight?


Paths of Malice (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 3) by Sylvia Mercedes

Poisoned. Trapped. At the mercy of a ghost . . . She can handle this. A month into her competition with Venator Terryn, Ayleth seems no closer to winning the Golden Prince’s trust. Why else would he call Terryn to serve at the castle on some secret mission, leaving Ayleth to manage the borough on her own? No matter. She’ll prove her worth to the prince come what may. Plenty of mysteries plague the land under her protection . . . including the mystery of Terryn himself and the strange, dangerous talisman he’s been keeping hidden in his room. Her search for answers soon finds Ayleth on the trail of her deadliest foe yet. A ghost from the prince’s past has returned to haunt the present, possessed of a powerful phantom shade capable of walking the dark paths of the Haunts. Ayleth is totally outmatched and unprepared to face such an enemy alone. But when has she ever backed down from a fight? Welcome back to a world where enemies and friends can be difficult to distinguish, where angels are deadly and demons desirable, and shadows of the past loom dark across the future. If you like your heroines brave, your heroes tormented, and your action non-stop, try The Venatrix Chronicles today!


Visions of Fate (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 2) by Sylvia Mercedes

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, this romantic fantasy adventure will leave you hungry for more. The hunt is on. But who is the hunter and who is the hunted? Ayleth and Terryn survived the Witchwood, but they’re no closer to solving the mystery of the dead shade hunter. In their quest for answers, they discover that a witch has escaped through the Great Barrier and is leaving a trail of corpses in her wake. A murderous witch is only one of Ayleth’s problems, however. Terryn, her infuriating and intriguing rival, will give his all to win their competition. And Kephan, their Outpost Master, conceals more than one dangerous secret. Worst of all, while pursuing a lead, Ayleth finds herself on the hunt for a three-year-old girl . . . a girl possessed by a unique and powerful shade. Suddenly, Ayleth must question the teachings of her Holy Order. Is it always right to kill humans possessed by shades? Even a child? Return to the world of The Venatrix Chronicles, where deadly spirits lurk in the shadows, good and evil wage eternal war, and secrets threaten to tear a kingdom apart. If you love kick-butt heroines, slow-burn romance, breathtaking action, and stories that leave you with a book hangover for days after you finish . . . you need to discover this dark and deadly series. Prepare to turn pages late into the night!


We Are the Origin (Wrath of the Gods Book 1) by C.M. Lockhart

She was a shadow. Forced into a life of serving the queendom before she was old enough to deny them, Brandi was a cultivator of death and the queen’s own blade, reserved only for the disloyal and the blasphemous. Crafted by the queendom and forged in blood, she was nothing more than a tool. She was never meant to have an opinion on whose blood she shed — never meant to question whose back she was pressed into or whose throat she was slipped across. She was destruction. But when Freya, the goddess of life and judger of souls, demands that she protect rather than destroy, Brandi has no choice but to obey her new orders. And while abandoning the queendom comes with its own set of problems, being hunted by the people she once called family is the least of her worries when the gods reveal to her an enemy who exists beyond the reach of their power. So, with a helpless princess in tow, she begins her search for a way to fight this impossible enemy and save the realm from destruction. Because she is the wrath of the gods. And it was foolish for anyone to forget that.


FACTORY by Amélie Pimont

She woke up in agonizing pain, her body uncontrollably shivering, and her nerves were paralyzed from exposure. She struggled to collect her thoughts; images raced through her mind, unable to differentiate whether she was awake or in a horror show. Unaware of who she was, where she was, or how she got there, disoriented, the fog started to lift. She struggled to open her eyes and tried to reach for her wrist, which was pulsing with pain, but couldn't. Her arms and legs were bound to cold metal, splayed like that of a pig, about to be butchered. Through blurry eyes, she could finally see the origin of the deep throb from her wrist; there, she saw the number 36752 burnt into her skin in raw, red flesh. She exhaled a shaky breath; it billowed, turning to vapor in the frigid room. Her eyes trailed over her goose-fleshed skin, her exposed breasts taut and pointed, left her ill at ease. Every inch of her skin was exposed, her numb body tied to a metal bed.


Daughter Dusk (The Myrk Maiden Trilogy) by Alyssa Charpentier

The journey of identity continues. Twilight has escaped from the clutches of the Shadows, but her freedom is far from won. Now, she and her loved ones must prepare for war against the dark sorcerers who plot to destroy the world and all the light it contains. Twilight struggles to leave her Myrk Maiden identity behind her as she is faced with countless attacks on her psyche and the tentative new faith she clings to, growing increasingly concerned about the fate of the world and her place amidst the chaos. Her father, the new Shadow leader, wants her dead—or worse, alive. Her friends have staggering expectations for her. And the Myrk God is not content with the loss of his daughter of darkness… As conspiracies unravel and world leaders choose their alliances, Twilight must gather an army to withstand the scheming of political powers and the powers of darkness as she finds herself torn between terror, unbelief, and the promises of the light, should she choose to accept them.


Runeheart by Gino C. R. Marchetti, II

Rune is a two-centuries-old werewolf who has spent his life seeking to give meaning to his curse while atoning for the damage it has caused. This quest for purpose has left him scarred in body and soul, however, and the truth and clean conscience he has sought have proved elusive. Despite his efforts to resist the seductive allure of his otherworldly nature’s siren song, the monster within proves difficult to control. During a blizzard, a family of war refugees chances upon his secluded home while seeking shelter. Though Rune hesitates to welcome them, fearful they will discover his secrets and come to harm, he relents when they invoke a sacred rite of hospitality. Despite his efforts to keep his distance, Rune comes to care for the family, unaware his bond with these strangers will change the fate of everyone. As the family prepares to depart, Rune learns of unforeseen dangers that lie ahead for them, dangers from which he alone has the power to guard them. Bound by his oath of hospitality and his growing concern for the family, Rune vows to guide them to safety. However, the greatest danger proves to be that posed by the darkness he bears within his own heart. This darkness, however, is not so easily conquered.


Starlight Jewel by E.L. Lyons

Gifts of the Auldtree is a world of mythology, glamor, mud, blood, civilizations in conflict, and hints of distant powers. In the center of this is the mysterious Starlight Jewel of Minalav. Axly, the Starlight Company's premier seductress-thief and assassin, will do whatever it takes to keep her human brother hidden. The secrets of his origin could tear their world apart, and keeping them has driven her to lies and murder. Her people, the sprygan-human hybrids that live under the city of Minalav, aren't keen on allowing their most skilled asset to roam free. A job with a human offers a chance to get her brother out of danger, but it comes at a price. Divided loyalties, duty, romance, and the twisted hands of fate intertwine in this epic fantasy adventure.


Sasha of the Feral Sons: Adolescence by V.L Kinnaman

The young vampiress Sasha, Daughter of Hal, is sent away from her home to protect her from both herself and her brother, Tekor. Though she believes herself to be better and stronger than him, there are cultural norms which must be maintained. Now a new member of a new household, she must come to terms with her changed status in life. Her new father Vidar, an intelligent Lord Protector, sees the potential that Sasha could play in the wider political landscape that is going on all around them. Though he knows that the people may not yet be ready for one such as her, he will seek to give her the greatest amount of preparation for her possible larger role to come. With help from her new brother Belor, as well as the townsfolk, Sasha strives to truly learn the way the world really works beyond the manor walls she was born behind.


Blood Empire Burning by C. Thomas Lafollette

Revenge is a dish best served explosively. Luke and his werewolves are juggling multiple plots throughout several countries in their quest for vengeance. But after rescuing Roxi, Luke adds one more problem to his slate. The compulsion Mithras placed on them is killing her. Luke must convince the god to show mercy to Roxi, or he’ll add the god to his list of enemies. But with a masquerade ball to plan and several traps to lay, his plans dangle by a fraying thread. The brutal leader of the vampires is on the hunt for the mysterious the man subverting his werewolf minions. In this deadly game of cat and mouse, Luke must ensure he remains the cat if he doesn’t want to wind up in the trap. But one mistake could bring the whole house of cards exploding around his ears…


With A Vengeance by FreydĂ­s Moon

Kye Lovato left their hometown in search of a better future, but when their estranged mother passes away, they return to their parish to settle her affairs. Even though Kye escaped their traumatic past, being back in swampy Madison, Louisiana only worsens their debilitating depression, increases their dissociative episodes, and intensifies the intrusive voice plaguing their every thought. The moment Kye steps foot into their childhood home, they know something is wrong. That night, they come face to face with the shadowy presence driving them mad: the handsome demon duke, Eli, who offers them an irresistible deal. In exchange for their soul, Eli will give them pain, pleasure, and power. Kye set a path for themself—live fast, die young—and Eli seems like the perfect exit route. With nothing to lose, they agree. But after an impromptu visit from a local ICE agent, Kye forms an unlikely friendship with their mother’s bookkeeper and stumbles into an insidious mystery surrounding their family’s homegrown alebrije business. Met with ghosts, displaced employees, and a garage filled with unfinished artwork, Kye can’t help but wonder. . . What was their mother hiding? And why is a rogue officer interested in Lovato Alebrijes? Kye is possessed, unkempt, and chasing death, but as stubborn as they are, they’re the only person left alive who can resurrect the family business and carry the Lovato legacy, and their only ally is the demon possessing them.


We Deserve to Exist by Allison Baggett-Rowe, Joris Filipp, Bernardo Villela, Tyler Wittkofsky, Rashmi Agrawal, Daphne Fama, Tessa Hastjarjanto, Marisca Pichette, Emmie Chris

The world is not kind. It never was. Fear, jealousy, and anger fuel the actions of those who wish to assert their power and eliminate those they deem unworthy. There will come a time of reclamation—whether by force or by empathy—when those tides shift, a balance reborn. It must start somewhere. The reclamation of self, of culture, of heritage, and of our world—starts within. No longer will those around us decide if we deserve to exist.


The Cinderella Hour: An Epic Fallen Angel Fantasy Series (A Game of Lost Souls Book 1) by Lisa Silverthorne

An Epic Fallen Angel Fantasy Series A bitter angel of death. A broken Hollywood star. A wager with Lucifer. A TV matchmaking show. Add a little magic, a whole lotta demons, and a dash of true love— For a match made in Heaven. Talia’s hatred for humans forcesAzrael,Archangel of Death, to accept a wager with Lucifer: save two lost souls on a TV matchmaking show without her wings and halo or fall from Heaven. Jack Casey is a broken Hollywood star on the fast track to oblivion.Desperate to save his failing career, he joins a low-budget reality TV show as one of three princes vying for a Hollywood princess match. Winning back to fame. Can she get her wings back…without falling in love with him? Will her love be enough to save them both? The Cinderella Hour is the first book in the enchanting romantic fallen angel fantasy series, A Game of Lost Souls.


Stolen Prophet: The Prophet's Mother (Book 1) by Julian M Coleman

Will It Take a MONSTER to Find a Missing Prophet? An intense and erotic urban fantasy from the IAN 2016 Outstanding Paranormal/Supernatural book of the Year author. Right at the beginning of The Prophet's Mother trilogy, Julian M. Coleman weaves a haunting tale of parental loss, heartbreak, and sacrifice. Evie Adamson isn't ordinary despite her outward beauty. She's much more than a single mother and flower shop owner. In reality, she's a demigoddess. Victor is her intellectual and psychic nine-year-old son. He's nicknamed "prophet" by his classmates, a label he hates. Somehow his paranormal ability seems to fail him when he is kidnapped after leaving the school playground. Evie, who swore off using her dark powers, is beyond hysterical. She's also supremely ticked off. How dare someone take her child?! She uses her supernatural arsenal in the guise of a vengeful black SPIRIT. Distraught and enraged, she hunts the snow-encased city during the holiday season. Dead bodies pile up in the morgue. There's only one person who can find the stolen prophet: the logical and determined Homicide Detective, Harry Kurosawa. But first, he must believe the unexplainable, or more people will die.


The Night of Red Dusk: A Novel by Robert Caufield

Forget everything you thought you knew about vampires. These go far beyond your traditional creatures of the night. Following a failed mission of diplomacy in the New World, a mysterious woman vampire hunter must join forces with a rogue warrior of her greatest enemies to uncover the buried truth of the mutagenic virus, which lies in the ruins of her own New England hometown, as an ancient entity that stalked her childhood now threatens to extinguish the soul of human and vampire kind alike. Their journey leads to horrific revelations, but can the unlikely pair return in time to stop the 'Night of Red Dusk'? The Night of Red Dusk combines a forensic approach to its titular monsters with a clash of European folklore meeting political espionage, in the vein of Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain Trilogy, along with haunting small town horror inspired by the legendary works of Stephen King (IT, 'Salem's Lot).


The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb: A Gothic Tale by John Michael Griffin

It is the turn of the last century in the unusual village of Muchmarsh. Theodore Stubb is within the attic of his manor house, adding another specimen to his extensive collection of insects. As well as an entomologist, he is a master hypnotist. Eleanor – taken from the sanatorium two months before – is still haunted, believing that her stillborn child Alastair lives and hides in the shadows. She becomes pregnant again by the hypnotic coercion and ravishment of her father-in-law Theodore. The murder, mystery and intrigue which follow leave dreadful secrets to be uncovered; and thirteen years later, paranormal events causes the young Alastair to lose his identity… A gothic terror heralds the climax of dream-like and hallucinatory events, secrets unfolding, both disturbing and astonishing. "A beautifully described dark, Gothic tale..." "Unpredicatable, creepy - and often very funny." "Unusual and Gripping"


The Mark of Things Unwanted (The Witches of Wyldeden Chronicles Book 1) by Alex Clifford

SURRENDER YOUR HEART to this fresh, new-adult, queer fantasy series. Full of magic, 'The Mark of Things Unwanted' gives you found family and gentle romance all while taking you on a spellbinding adventure. Cinn will never die. It should have made him powerful. It didn't. On the run, hunted by a cruel princess and chased by beasts that want to feast on him for eternity, Cinn would do anything to be safe. Including allying himself with a band of dangerous witches. Like Eaon. Touched by a death that lingers on his skin, Eaon is slowly losing himself to the dark power within. In the depths of a whispering forest, a family is forged and—together—they will change the world.


The Mark for Those Unbound: The Witches of Wyldeden Chronicles by Alex Clifford

TRUTH HAS A KEY KEEPER The Kinner will never die. It was meant to be a blessing. Now it's a curse. Alone on the other side of the wards, Cinn is keenly aware of the drawbacks of immortality. They haunt his past, plague his dreams, and darken his future. Desperate for hope, Cinn braves a new world on a stranger's promise: Moyra Thorne has the answers. But finding her seems impossible, and getting her to share them even more so. With danger chasing his friends and family back in Nir, there isn't time to waste.


Ruin and Roses (Cursed Kingdoms) by Deanna Ortega

A dark and spicy fantasy romance that follows Jane as she delves into the shadows, secrets, and curses that bind her world. "I will never understand why women let men decide if they get to be the villain or the victim in their story." In a world of talisman powers and magical rivalry, Jane finds herself playing many roles-depending on the situation, she is either as soft as a rose petal or as lethal as the thorn. Swept deeper into a world of shadows and lies when her mentor, Baltazar sends her on a seemingly simple mission-donning the mask of dainty again, she finds herself fighting to maintain who she is beyond her pretty, painted exterior. The series of events to follow rip her in and out of her past, as she tries to move on from the unimaginable pain that led her to this life. Stealing from your soon-to-be fiancé is one hell of a wedding gift, but let's hope he never discovers she is dodging eyes, lies, and daggers-while ensuring that not a hair is out of place for her royal obligations. But...what if half-truths can't prepare her for this life? And when the mission's cost is more than she bargained for-her freedom and her life-what if she doesn't want to pay the price? At least she still carries the favor of her loyal mare. And though her luck in love is not great, it is never hard for her to find some way to quench her thirst in her droughted kingdom. When her fiancé isn't lurking over his newest possession, she is easily entertained with her ex-lover and unwanted keeper. Entangled with a lost love, whose secrets threaten to undo everything she's worked towards, she has to manage the most daunting mission yet. An unfit marriage to the mad king's son. Will the cursed king's daughter survive? "Looking into his eyes-the same ones I pictured every time mine closed-I wondered if things would have been different, if my mother had told me stories about great loves instead of tragic loss. But she hadn't. And though I lived in a world of royals, I knew that princes weren't noble, and that love didn't prevail."


Glister by Kyro Dean

In this suspenseful portal fantasy, thirteen-year-old Qadira is faced with the reality that to be queen, her eight siblings must die. Decreed by the Ahmaran deity that only one heir can live to ascend the throne, Qadira is forced into a sudden fight to the death with her siblings to see who will rule. The problem? She doesn’t want to kill anyone. But when she accidentally causes the death of one of her siblings, all sights are turned on her as the most dangerous threat. With all the heirs coming at her full force, she makes an unexpected ally—a disembodied voice that whispers terrible things and promises her survival and eventual queenship if she releases him. Despite how much she wishes to escape, she’s stuck in the palace with magic and blade-wielding siblings seeking her death. It’s only then, with death whispering in her ear and tragedies manifesting in everything she touches, she realizes there is only one truth: she either kills her siblings and lives to become a murderous queen, or she lets herself be killed in hopes her soul will have peace.


Bone River: Book 1 of The Aspect Wars by Jesse Sprague

Haunted by a tragic loss, one woman defies the laws of magic. But will the cost of freedom claim her last breath? Flynt is devastated by her husband’s untimely demise on a space station hub. Not only is she drowning in grief for a man she truly loved, he was the only one protecting her from the fate that killed her mother. Vowing to avoid the twisted law that her race must become breeders, Flynt’s heartbreak awakens her high-stakes ability to manipulate death. Training to control her deadly new skills at a forbidden school, her magical gift hides a formidable power not seen in centuries. But when the queen falls gravely ill, only Flynt can save her life… if she can prove she’s not the necromancer to blame. Can she expose the devious truth before she’s cast out to die? Bone River is the explosive first book in the Last Necro-Equitem dark science fiction fantasy series. If you like relentless heroines, mind-blowing worldbuilding, and epic battles against evil, then you’ll love Jesse Sprague’s spellbinding tale.


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