Chasing Moonflowers by Pauline Chow

A gothic historical fantasy perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, House of Hollow, and Enola Holmes, Chasing Moonflowers is a coming-of-power tale that asks: What truly makes a monster? In 1925 colonial Hong Kong, young herbalist Ling Shaw witnesses a murder committed by a bloodthirsty creature. When her uncle is wrongfully arrested for the crime, Ling is the only one who can clear the family name and find the real killer. Teaming up with her private academy best friend and a Red Society thug from the Kowloon Walled City, she uncovers dark family secrets, occult rituals, a vampiric curse, and a sinister plot to bring down the Canton Labor Strikes. Ling must overcome ancient and eldritch forces to save her family—and all of Kowloon. Email paulinechowstories@gmail.com for a reviewer's copy or ARC.

Daughters of the Blue Moon by Millie Abecassis

Carmine, a seasoned huntress, has been protected from wolves by a powerful spell tattooed on her back for years. But one day, the magic fails, and she narrowly escapes a violent encounter with a furious she-wolf that was determined to kill her. As she recovers from her injuries, she experiences eerie dreams of a singing wolf. Though the dreams could be harmless, the singing wolf looks exactly like the she-wolf that almost took her life. Scarier, the dreams remind Carmine of those she had when she was younger, before a talking wolf tricked and almost devoured her in the waking world. Soon Carmine realizes the spell her grandmother put on her back isn’t what it seems to be, and her family knows more about herself than she does. A sapphic and dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Daughters of the Blue Moon is a tale about retaking ownership of your own body and destiny.

Island of the Dying Goddess by Ronit J

On the island of eternal grief Even the gods have died a thousand deaths My name is Anawar, and I am an immortal explorer. A few days ago, I was stranded on Sawarrgh, an island where everything looks twisted and the air smells of mourning. The atmosphere has forced suppressed memories to resurface. I have to consciously keep them at bay, or I won’t be able to survive this island’s horrors. There’s Ghaph, the mad warmongering god who mutilates his enemies and patches on their dismembered limbs. Then there’s Ndraja, the goddess who can enslave entire kingdoms with just her thoughts. But the worst is the nameless Goddess who created Sawarrgh a millennia ago, caging it in a barrier that reverses time, forcing the island to relive the same year over and over. Sawarrgh is a nightmare come alive. Here, existence itself is a curse. The living are barely alive. The stranded, condemned. I need to escape this island, and in doing so free Sawarrgh from its perpetual punishment. And the only way to do that is to kill the Goddess. Elden Ring meets A Fistful of Dollars in this stand-alone horror grimdark fantasy

The Freedom You Seek by Emily Villin

“I’d rather die before ever making you mine—but that doesn’t mean anyone else can have you.” —— A man with many secrets, a woman desperately fighting for independence, a mission that leads them and their company towards unknown mysteries they are desperate to unravel because the world could soon depend on it—literally. —— What would you do if everything you knew was a lie? When you found out there was so much more to your world than you were taught? I never expected that my parents’ failed attempt to arrange my marriage would lead me to leave the small town I’ve known my entire life. What started as a journey to escape the law soon shattered my worldview and dismantled everything I believed to know. Suddenly, being hunted is only the smallest of my problems. Not only am I on a chase for truth and unraveling mysteries, but I also need to navigate the minefield that is Dion. The soldier who rescued me has a nasty temper, and—for someone who loves to be in charge—he has extremely little impulse control. But if he thinks I would simply submit to his antics, he is wrong. Just because he and his men helped me in a difficult situation and possess more knowledge about hidden truths from the past, it doesn’t mean I simply submit and be the docile woman society expects me to be. I have no wish to bind myself to anyone, not to my father, not to some rich betrothed, or to an arrogant bastard, no matter how attractive he is. —— “The Freedom You Seek” is the first installment in the “A Requiem for Fading Worlds” dark romantic fantasy series. The story centers on Nayana, an ordinary small-town woman with a rebellious streak who gets involved in a mission bigger than herself; and Dion, a flawed soldier with a bad temper and a massive ego who tries to leave his past behind. Together with Dion’s comrades, the two embark on a journey into the heart of history and soon find out that sometimes, someone has to step up to try to save everything. The novel tells a story about unraveling mysteries, self-discovery, uncovering the truth, and maybe even saving the world, which actually might be easier than dealing with love. Perfect for fans of character-driven dark romantic fantasy with a plot that starts small, but escalates over the course of the series. Full of slow burn, angst and romantic tension, mutual pining, found family, mysteries, magic, overcoming trauma, as well as finding your place in a world that seems already doomed. Lastly, this story is for you if you love a walking red flag— a morally gray and possessive male main character whose secrets are as dark as the magic he wields. This book is 18+ and contains difficult topics. Please mind the trigger warnings. This novel is written in first person past tense with dual points of view. The story contains spice and shadows. The pepper rating will increase throughout the series.

Last Sunrise by Tar Atore

When the constant war between the two nations reaches the doorsteps of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, Sinialli’s life is turned completely around and she is left with nothing but memories of better times. She prays for release and to join her family, to become one with them, but the gods have other plans. With the scents of magic surrounding her and guiding her, Sinialli knows what she has to do. She knows this would be the last sunset she would ever see, if she ever even makes it to sunrise. And she knows, as the best courtesan in all of Trace, what it would take to make sure she and her family would be remembered forever.

Fallen Knight by Ceril N Domace

Leon Quinn has two goals in life: stay out of the reach of the Templesbane and drink himself unconscious whenever he can afford it. The first is because the Templesbane wiped out his home and family among the Knights Vigilant when he was a child, destroying everything he knew and loved in one night. The second is to help him sleep when the memories of the first overwhelm him. But he can’t avoid his past forever. His mercenary work has brought him back to Mezeldwelf, the city he fled to after the downfall of the Knights Vigilant, and to his estranged father just in time to get embroiled in a scheme that threatens the very foundation of the city. A scheme that could see Mezeldwelf, its people, and its gods handed over to the Templesbane. To protect the city and man that adopted him, Leon will need to confront the ruins of the life he left behind and the horrors that threaten the life he’s cobbled together since then.

Riyati Rivals by Kai Zeal

What would you sacrifice to alter an already guaranteed future? The new school year has begun in the quiet town of Opal Pines, and with it, new problems for Kylie and Jordan: Kylie’s mother barely lets her out of sight, and Jordan’s new friend makes it clear he’s no fan of Kylie. Even their older selves are at odds with each other: Siani refuses to intervene in the events to come; meanwhile, Rotanu is not sure the ends justify the means needed to get there. To make matters even worse, a familiar woman from the June kidnapping is back and wants Kylie’s head. What happens when the past is painful and still seeks vengeance, the present is lonely, and the future uncertain? Riyati Rivals is the second book of a new adult/adult contemporary, low dark fantasy series that seeks to explore themes of identity, legacy, the greater good, and finding your own path in life. The Riyati series includes multiple first person perspectives and multiple queer characters (currently including demisexual/romantic and lesbian representation with more to come in future books), set in the modern day United States.

A Crack in the World: the Reckoning by James Mordechai

USSR, 1941. In the frozen desolation of Siberia, a shaman unleashes an ancient entity from its slumber deep within an abandoned salt mine. England, 1996. The echoes of that distant ritual reach across time as Meren-Ptah, a foe the RPI Gran Maestro occultist Gino Marcotti once vanquished, returns. With the line between the living and the dead blurred, Gino and Carter Williams must unravel the mystery connecting the past to the present. What dark force has been awakened, and how can the mistakes of history be undone? When the past and the paranormal collide, only the dead hold the key to saving the living.

Dance of Demons by Alyssa Lauseng

Slave. Soldier. Spy. Daisuke’s heart has always wandered far from home, hoping for a life beyond what he’d have as a Northern Nomad raised in slavery. One evening, when he learns the Giahatio’s imperial military has arrived in search of recruits, he seizes his chance to flee Okara’s plantations and start anew. However, becoming a footsoldier isn’t the easy escape he expected, and he soon finds himself struggling for a place within the infantry and Giahatian society. Obito knows he should be grateful for the opportunity to serve as one of the Empire’s elite intelligence operatives, the onmitsu—it’s one of few he’ll ever have in life, and the highest possible honor for a nobleman’s youngest son. But with demons of anger and shame haunting him as he tries to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of a scandal, any pride to take in rank or family name is entirely hollow. When an act of mercy is born from a senseless murder, the already unlikely friendship between Daisuke and Obito takes an unexpected turn. Not only are they now partnered together as onmitsu, but dark politics are on the rise, leading them toward an ancient, furious magic.

Where Do The Dead End Up? by Priyanka Nawathe

Six stories to chill your spine and three poems to keep you enthralled to the words written for the dead. Tales from beyond the veil of darkness will draw you into their world as journeys never end with death, but simply begin a new chapter. WICKED HEARTS Dive into a magical journey with Sandi Terise who has made killing the Wicked Witch of the Waste her sole purpose in life. KILLJOY Spend a day in the life of Mercy Dramond, a psychiatrist who savors every moment of her work life. HEAL BOY, HEAL! A premed intern faces the biggest challenge towards becoming a Healer. I SCREAM FOR ALIVESTREAM Ghosts of children return to celebrate their anniversary with the chef who baked them pies. MONSTROUS METAMORPHOSIS Mystiq comes face to face with a monster who wants to use her powers to break the barrier between humanity and monstrosity in order to bring someone back from the brink of death. COMING TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET Reaper visits the mausoleum awaiting a special gift to satisfy the twins who rule all Hell. These stories are a preview into six different book series.

The Last Dragon Knight by Tim Akers

Betrayed by his friends. Driven from the land he swore to protect. Hunted by the legions of Hell. Cursed to carry the Dragon's fury in his soul. Determined to survive. Corem Holt was once an assassin, before he was a warrior. Before he was a cataclysm in the shape of a man. Blessed by the Crow and cursed by the Dragon, he fled the destruction of his homeland. It was a destruction for which he was responsible. To his friends, he is a traitor. To his enemies, he is the last real threat in their endless war. Both will hunt him to the ends of the earth. And so he hides. He tries to live a simple life, to survive, to be happy. But mostly, he tries to forget what he has done. All that comes undone when his past catches up to him. What starts as a chance encounter with an old enemy rapidly devolves into a battle for life and death, not just for Corem, but for the people he's come to love while in hiding. To save them, he must make one last stand far from home, far from the throne he was sworn to protect, far from the memories that brand him a traitor. For anyone else, it would be impossible. For Corem, it's inevitable. Because he's not just a hero. He's the last Dragon Knight.

The Harlequin by MultiMind

Quiet and bookish, Rosalyn always loved living in her head, especially under the glow of the silent moonlight. One snowy moonlit night, she finds someone princely and ethereal standing at the edge of the forest, the Harlequin. Dazzled by his words and ways, Rosalyn follows the Harlequin. But to what end?

Kinetics by MultiMind

Ava and Tyrone always shared everything. As twins, they were always two parts of a whole. But one day, Ava discovers that she is part of a much bigger whole. And Tyrone wants nothing more than for Ava to take part … or take her apart instead. Now Ava faces a decision: either be by Tyrone’s side or become another one of his victims. Doesn't matter to Tyrone, as long as he has her abilities - one way or another.

Dreamer by MultiMind

Vera has unusual dreams - anything she dreams comes alive. Dream Traveling, her family calls it. Doing it all her life, Dream Traveling doesn't affect Vera as much as it used to. She has her rules and her methods - as long as she follows them, all is fine. Until she sees something she discovered she couldn't handle. Now, her dreams are plagued by The Hunter, a deadly character that wants nothing more than to haunt her mind and leave behind a bloody spree. Vera must find a way to get The Hunter out of her head before he makes sure she never wakes up again. So much for "sweet dreams".

The Glassman by MultiMind

Mars, the lead vocalist of rock band Lumination Rising, has had to learn how to live with his new self. Living in the aftermath of a devastating accident, Mars gained a new ability: he can control and create glass. But that's not all that changed about Mars - and that is exactly what worries the band. Haunted by what he can do, Mars grapples with himself and his mind. Eager to help, cousin and bandmate Amos tries to keep Mars' head straight ... and the new abilities a secret. The world can't know about the glass or the change. There's music to be made and a record company to please. Mars isn't a monster - but he isn't so sure himself.

The Light Within by Carliann Jean

In a time of political unrest and looming war, the country of Sweazn is drowning in trauma, pain, and suffering. Eira and her friends are weighed down on the front lines, working tirelessly in therapeutic and investigative roles. Though all are nearly pushed to their limits, Eira and her friends keep each other afloat with love and laughter. Beyond Sweazn, through a thin veil of time and space, the realm of souls, Majikaero, faces its own peril. A plague of darkness spreads rapidly, and Prince Nyx knows too well the agony and exile it brings. Eira’s recurring dreams and lost memories drag her into this magical realm of souls. Here, she encounters new allies and foes, including Nyx, the deviously alluring shadow prince who Eira can’t help but feel irrevocably drawn to. Eira learns she once thrived in Majikaero, her soul radiant with healing power. Now, confronted with the mysteries of her origins, the plight of her damaged friends, and the encroaching darkness, she must summon the strength and magic to protect both realms. Eira must face the trauma of her past and find the one thing that can save those she loves: the light within. The Light Within is book one of a thrilling fantasy romance series that is centered around themes of mental health and healing. You can’t hide a goddess from her own destiny…

Odin's Tillit by Edge O. Erin

Fox was twelve when he faked his own death to escape his father Dagr and his precious tugboat, Odin's Tillit. Cloaked in an identity produced from the inside of a tobacco can, he has become a glorified drug mule for Texas lawman Sheriff J. J. Raskin. Sixteen-year-old Ren is at the helm of Odin's Tillit, pushing rafts of logs and helping the sheriff make his problems disappear. Obligation, destiny, and Odin's Tillit are bloodying the waters of British Columbia's Arrow Lakes. Fox and Ren know better, want better, but they cannot escape the clutches of the incorrigible or incorporeal forces around them. As the principals come together, the past threatens to destroy Fox and Ren, even as the sheriff seeks to eliminate them. What does fate have in store for them? Only Odin's Tillit knows.

The Third Internecion (Tale of Infidels Book #3) by Erik A. Otto

The fate of Matteo’s lands rests precariously on the blasphemous words of a growing cadre of infidels. They must find a way to rally forces to the aid of the Old Keep before it’s too late. But who will believe them?

The Day's Wake (Tale of Infidels Book #2) by Erik A. Otto

Hideous beasts? Conspiracies? A fracturing world? The infidels are spinning their deranged tales across the realm. It's a heathen contagion; a grievous elixir. Do not drink from it. Besides, there is no place for these blasphemous lies when events are in play that are disturbing enough. Like the Day of Ascendancy, which is happening...RIGHT NOW

How to Slay a Demon Lord and Get away with it by Devi Letalis

Damien is barely holding it together. Struggling with the weight of his recent loss, he finds himself torn between his duty to Lariza and his responsibility as the leader of Lamia Vult. Just when he thinks things can’t get worse, an angry mob forms at the gates, blaming the cult for mysterious dreams that drain not only the citizens of the city but also the members of Lamia Vult. And as if that weren’t enough, Damien can’t shake the feeling that Damnatio might be lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. With pressure from the police and his allies questioning his ability to lead, Damien must face his demons—literally—and hope that he can save himself before everything falls apart. Will he survive the nightmare, or will he lose himself in the chaos?

Monsters, Mayhem & Wild Magic by Noah Bodie

In the harsh, forgotten village of Eyrei, Cerci Rivera, a determined intelligence operative with a troubled past, seeks the help of Ridge Thorne, a haunted monster hunter with a mysterious ability to hear the cries of the damned. As they navigate a world of magic, betrayal, and hidden truths, their growing bond is tested by their own secrets and the looming threat of a powerful enemy. Together, they must confront their deepest fears and uncover the dark forces that threaten to tear their world apart, all while discovering that, sometimes, the most unexpected alliances can lead to redemption and love.

Bonds of Blood & Silver by Sandy Butchers

The Gods are Dead. All of them but Skjall. Haunted by dark magic, poor choices, and a lifetime of bad luck, Skjall spends his days hiding from heathens who wish to complete the deicide he survived centuries ago. When an ambush set by a member of the royal court reveals his identity, he finds himself thrown down a rabbit hole of kill-or-be-killed decisions. Without the vigilance of the gods, two remaining kings harvest their people in pursuit of immortality, and a twisted wish to ascend the divine throne. However, being the only deity left alive, Skjall’s blood is the key to said throne, and he stands powerless as divinity balances on the brink of extinction. With the war between the mad monarchs reaching a boiling point, the victims of their power struggle pile up. Skjall’s desperation leads him to a group of local, shape-shifting warriors and witches. But with the arrival of alchemically enhanced monster-soldiers, he finds himself on the losing end. Skjall must do everything he can to keep his blood from enemy hands, lest they use it to bend him to their will, reshaping the world into a breeding ground for monsters and false gods.

The Elf Witch by Jacquelyn Gilmore

For fans of One Dark Window and From Blood and Ash comes a haunting, slow-burn fantasy romance about villains. It follows a formerly magicless elf as she suddenly comes into powers that her kingdom has never seen and the duplicitous prince she must bargain with to save them at whatever cost—even her soul. After her grandmother's execution, a formerly magicless elf is suddenly the most powerful witch in her village. Magic is disappearing, though, and Imani is thrust into the treacherous court of her kingdom, forced into trials against the most lethal witches in the world. As she unravels the perilous plan her grandmother plotted before her death to save magic, Imani unwittingly dives deeper into a web of magical and political intrigue that puts her on a collision course with dangers beyond anything she imagined. But Imani is harboring illicit knowledge of her own—a forbidden dark magic that’s getting more difficult to hide by the day. Now, she must decide whether to make herself a threat and an enemy to her country or risk becoming a pawn and the realm losing magic forever. Stuck in this predicament, Imani sees only one path forward: a dangerous deal with the duplicitous prince—one she might be falling for.

Cicero James, Miracle Worker by Hal Emerson

My name is Cicero James, and I died last Thursday. I know how it sounds, and the rest of what I have to tell you is just going to make it worse. But it's true. I died, and I came back. And the rest of it—why it happened, what it means, and most importantly what we’re going to have to do about it—is what I need you to hear. I’m going to start at the beginning, and I’m going to tell all of this as faithfully as possible. I’m going to try to bring you along for the ride. It’s all coming out in a rush, so if I don’t tell it quite right, or if I muff a word or use bad grammar or something, try not to hold it against me. And if I don’t manage to convince you… I understand. No harm, no foul, no hard feelings. This is all insane to anyone who hasn't lived it. But if you're in, then you’re in, and here we go.

The Mystery of the Pale King by Sam Flynn

"Tonight, my friends, the performance is real. To you, my most faithful, I dedicate this, the final production of 'The Mystery of the Pale King.'" As an orphan growing up in a distant border province, Faron took pride in the epic tales of the Hero of Hathur, a great and powerful warrior who ruled in the name of the sun-worshipping Church of the Sol Creator. That pride is shattered by accusations from the Hero's family that he squandered their entire inheritance on the production of a profane play with him at the center: "The Mystery of the Pale King." The Church proclaims him under interdict and dispatches Bishop Antonius, his devoted page Faron, and a cadre of soldiers downriver to repossess Hathur on its behalf. The cruelty they witness on their perilous mission forces them to confront the horrors at the heart of Hathur's past and question not just their devotion to the Church but their very beliefs in gods and heroes. Amid a storm of betrayal, murder, and sacrilege, Faron must survive fanatical cultists, their obscene rituals, and the evil hiding in the light in order to save Bishop Antonius from the Hero's final performance. Inspired by the historical legend of Gilles de Rais, The Mystery of the Pale King probes the roots of modern American dysfunction in a grim flintlock fantasy setting that reflects the best and worst of humanity. “While the dark, riveting The Mystery of the Pale King is set in a distant time and place, its sharp examinations of religious cults and hero worship are all too relevant to today’s world. Flynn’s clear prose leads the reader through a short yet complex tale of dark fantasy and horrors both earthbound and cosmic. It’s a gripping, highly recommended read." - Nicole Willson, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of Tidepool

Vengeance Borne: Book Five of New Blood by W.D. Kilpack III

January 2025 Editor's Choice, BooksShelf.com The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Can Natharr, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril endure tragedy to stave off Mankind's dark future? The past and present collide, forcing Natharr and the rest of the Rilari to struggle with the consequences of their absence, past choices, and the power of the Usurper’s vizier left unchecked for far too long. The strain proves too much for some, requiring hard decisions to prepare for a dark future racing toward the Guardian of Maarihk, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril. All that two generations of Guardians have planned from what their Sight revealed is on the brink of failure. They split their forces to race against time, gambling that thinner numbers will endure on diverging paths toward victory. Meanwhile, Nathan fights to deal with great loss and a change of course in his life in the Maarihk Empire as it plants new seeds yearning for a single goal: vengeance. "W.D. Kilpack III writes an outstanding new volume! In Vengeance Borne, the reader is brought right back into the New Blood Saga. If you haven't read the volumes before it, I recommend that you do. You get a better understanding of the characters, their growth throughout this epic saga, but also who is important, and who may just be in the background, but everyone has their purpose in the story. I am a big fan of this author, and especially this saga. It is a long story with a lot of needed detail and it is full of action, twists and unpredictability. This story is a definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down! It is a gripping and incredible story. It is always an honor to read Kilpack's books. It's a great plot to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. Natharr once again has to save humanity, or at least mankind, as it is dependent on the Guardian. This story brings the past and present to the forefront, and sparks definitely fly! Some are determined to keep their world, while others may be defeated. Vengeance Borne is a definite recommendation!" — Amy's Bookshelf Reviews

The Fall of Selvandrea by Tim J. McKay

Remember the wolf. Remember what's out there in the dark. Valdaris was a middling artillery captain before his people fell to a conquering rival. Then he fell further still, snatched from the battlefield by a ruthless cult and cast into the depths of ultimate evil. Transformed by powers he can’t begin to understand, Valdaris seeks revenge on those who tried to destroy him. Instead, he’ll face monsters beyond his most terrifying nightmares. He joins with allies caught in the chaos of his war with evil, oblivious to his true nature and the darkness closing in on their world. Full of dragons, monsters, found family, magical weapons, intense duels, and epic battles, The Fall of Selvandrea follows a vigilante’s quest against malice, greed, and the shadow within. Heroes and villains join against the rising dark, and against a tyrant whose schemes may destroy them all. And from calamity’s ashes, a new power shall rise.

Into the Fiery Woods by Riley Taylor

On Lady Guinevere’s twentieth birthday, she shall be wed to the elderly Lord Arthur, and she doesn’t even know. When Prince Stark discovers this, he knows he must save his beloved. They’ve not been allowed to speak one word to one another since they turned thirteen, but consequences be damned, he finds a way to meet with her. However, the plans they made in those fleeting secret meetings are disrupted when Gwen arrives at his bedchamber in the dead of night, covered in blood. Fleeing the castle, they travel to the dangerous Land of Flames, a lawless land governed by the magic of an ancient mage, long since dead, hoping to find safety from his father on its outskirts. Upon arrival, they uncover a dark conspiracy, and embark on a mission to save the kingdom from the king’s treacherous knights. The fate of all in Ailon rests upon their shoulders, and with their closest allies, they must risk everything to prevent the fall of the kingdom. Into the Fiery Woods is a romantic, queer, and dark fantasy that follows a group of determined young people fighting to save their kingdom from peril, but also, to reshape it for the better.

First Necromancer by Coldfang89

In just seven days, the world will crumble. The System's Descent will usher in a new era of chaos: wild animals mutating, monstrous creatures emerging, and the cessation of modern technology. Humanity will be left defenseless. Drew Wright knows none of this. At least not until he is rudely ripped from his bed and thrust into a white room to undergo a taser-happy ‘Tutorial’. Turns out, he is one of a thousand randomly selected people to be forewarned of the approaching apocalypse. Now he faces the delightful task of convincing his wife and mother of the devastation hurtling towards them. As the System’s Descent draws near, Drew scrambles to prep supplies, fortify his home, and drag his elderly, TV-addicted mother away from her ‘shows’ long enough to listen to him. With monsters knocking at the door, the question becomes; how far is Drew willing to go to save those closest to him? The dead rise to combat the encroaching darkness as Drew Wright taps into the only power that might save his loved ones, becoming Earth’s first Necromancer.

In Love and Death by Aldrea Alien

In one day, Dylan’s whole life was destroyed. In one night, he may have found the beginnings of a new one. Still grappling with the loss of his home, Dylan has no choice but to head for Wintervale. His one solace is in travelling the same direction taken by the enemy. But the truth behind the attack on the spellster tower suggests things aren’t as clear-cut and the enemy may well be closer than they thought. Crossing the kingdom also means remaining in the presence of Tracker, the King’s Hound who Dylan’s repressed desire refuses to let out of his head. The man’s gentle protectiveness, coupled with his flirting, certainly doesn’t help. It taunts him with ideas of the night they shared in the tower becoming something more, a thought that is no less ridiculous than remaining unleashed. After all, it’s a hound’s job to escort or kill spellsters. They do not disobey orders. They do not falter. And they do not fall. Especially not in love.

And the World Crumbled by Aldrea Alien

No escape. No defence. One chance. Who'll make it out alive? Everyone knows that Demarn’s spellster tower is the safest place to be for those with magic. The site is shielded by mountains to west, by allies to the north, and their kingdom's army in the south whilst the whole kingdom stretches between them and the magic-reviling people patrolling the sea to the east. And yet, the enemy has breached the gates. They’ve issued no demands. Only death. Fleeing the tower and the ultimate demise is the one choice left. There is but one way out and the enemy holds more power than anyone could possibly anticipate. For those trapped within, their whole world is about to crumble.

Our Broken World: The Fourth Nightmare by Stuart Tudor

Nothing is what it seems. John and Godwin seem to be alone, the only two souls in the crumbling universe. The Celestial Visitors, heroes designed to serve and protect, have disappeared. The Gods have gone silent. That is until Godwin finds a strange room with the apparent means to make contact. Desperate for answers or salvation from the reality shattering Breaking. The two friends brave a fracturing world to contact the Gods, to maybe restore the world, or save themselves from destruction. Our Broken World is the fourth entry in the Eight Nightmares, a collection of horror stories about the dreamlike, the surreal, and encounters with the fantastical.

Crossroad Chronicles: Behind the Iron Gates by Kikie P Akers

Tucked outside a small town in Romania, Supernatural Creatures Hidden University stands with a long, peaceful reputation. Concealed and hidden from human eyes, it has become a safe haven for those escaping the dangers of Hunters scattered around the globe. That is, until this year. Head of Sorority Omega Alpha and Sold-Soul Demon, Lennox Cade has studied at the university for the last twenty-one years. However, just a few weeks into the new semester she loses two of the most important people in her life. As her world is thrown into the dark, she meets the replacement the school has brought in as the new Head of Fraternity Kappa Theta—Aron, who seems to be nothing more than another frat boy. The two must find a way to work together and keep their friends safe despite Lennox's immediate distaste. Meanwhile, hunter and human Eden Miller discovers the truth about her birth mother. While on their final year of a six-year assignment, Matriarch Eloise Miller gives her the name of their number one target—her birth mother, here on the grounds. Caught between forbidden love and duty she questions her role as the future Matriarch within The Salvamari. As two paths collide she's forced to choose which bridge to burn to find herself.

The Captain and the Guppy by Noah Bodie

In the underground city of Pirn, Cedric, the enigmatic second-in-command of the feared pirate ship The Waning Moon, oversees an orphanage that provides refuge to the city's most vulnerable. Captain Hawke, the legendary Warden of the Seas, is known for his strength, cunning, and love for those in his charge. As tensions between them simmer beneath the surface, a deeper bond is tested when Hawke returns home wounded and weary, leaving Cedric to question their place at Hawke's side.

Suneater by Noah Bodie

In a world scarred by war, Andreas and Simon are unlikely companions brought together by fate. Andreas struggles with the weight of his family's legacy, while Simon, a hardened mercenary, is haunted by his past. As they journey together, their bond grows from wary allies to something deeper, offering glimpses of hope amid the darkness. They must learn to trust each other not just with their lives, but with their hearts. "Suneater" is a captivating story about trust, family, and self-discovery. It follows the fateful meeting of Andreas and Simon as they navigate a world filled with mystery, magic, and turmoil. As they confront their pasts and grapple with their intertwined destinies, they must unravel the complexities of their relationships and confront their feelings for one another. This captivating narrative explores themes of loyalty, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection, offering a rich and immersive journey into the depths of the human spirit.

Empty Palace by Joseph S Samaniego

Mages never had it easy, but being dark marked since birth and usually that’s a death sentence. With an innate darkness from within, it’s hard not to be consumed by the voices from the void. As her powers start to take control, Cailin embarks on a clandestine mission for the Shrouded Guild with deadly assassins carrying their own secrets, fighters with blades as sharp as their loyalty, and mages with pasts as dark as the night. Their mission, to stop the rampant magical beast attacks. However, as Cailin’s dark and twisted visions increase and more of the world becomes clear, the magical attacks take on new meanings when the source is discovered. Now the motley crew of killers, and one scholar, has to find a new way to survive an onslaught from one of the most dangerous forces to ever rise from the face of the earth. All in a day’s work… What sort of future awaits the world when the darkest of powers seek to bring chaos into the world? Even the strongest feel weak at times, and even the bravest hesitate, but at what cost? Join Cailin and her motley crew as they journey into the heart of darkness to save their world from a fate worse than death.

Savage Blades by Joseph S Samaniego

The bravest and best knights don't have a name. Famous knights die early deaths trying to make a name for themselves. Those type of knights aren't the type that you need protecting a village of peaceful fishermen. The type of knights you need are the ones with no names, no families, and nothing left to lose. Those are the ones that will do what it takes to defeat bandit raiders or die trying. When a peaceful village is suffering from raids from an army of deserters led by a ruthless man named Sancho, the villagers hire a group of veteran knights to protect them and teach them how to fight back. This group of knights, from different armies and past lives, join forces to use their unique and deadly skills to save the village. Famous knights, or those young pups seeking fame and fortune, need not apply.

The Shadow & The Draw by RD Baker

When all hell breaks loose, their one chance for the truth will be their last. Cora is Fated to marry the next Alpha of her demon clan and become queen. But all the power in the world means nothing if she can’t have who she truly loves most of all—the Alpha’s Draw, Amryn. Even though the clan leaders forbid the relationship between ruler and bodyguard, they still can’t seem to keep themselves apart. But when angels ambush their clan, calling Cora the Shadow Queen and causing forgotten memories to resurface, she begins to question the hand Fate has dealt her. No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe. While Cora and Amryn flee to find answers, they’ll realize the deception stretches further than they could’ve ever imagined. And with cosmic powers on both sides seeking their destruction, their love will either be their salvation…or their doom.

Scythe and Pen by A.C. Hobbs

Demetrius Raske strikes a deal with the Devil to stop a monster stalking the city, but he may have unleashed another villain entirely… The Capital of the United League of Nations glitters like jewels on a dame’s neck—a city of wicked splendor and possibility. The deals struck in the Senate are as ruthless as the ones struck in the city’s criminal underbelly. No one knows this better than vampire politician Demetrius Raske, who walks both worlds. Demetrius fights for a bill that will grant humans and vampires equal civil liberties. But many citizens don’t share his sentiment, especially after the murders begin. Body after body, drained of blood, appear throughout the city, threatening the League’s tenuous peace treaty between humans and vampires. If Demetrius’s bill doesn’t pass the Senate, his campaign for a united future will be crushed. Only one man has the ability to apprehend the bloodthirsty monster—a man known simply as the Devil. And rumor has it, he isn’t a man at all. Together, they strike a deal to catch the murderer before Demetrius’s bill fails—a disaster that would push the League to the brink of civil war. But Demetrius’s calculated moves don’t go unnoticed. He catches the attention of Gabriella Rose, a journalist whose hunt for her next big headline pushes her right into the murderer’s path, costing her everything she holds dear. Now something dark grows within Gabriella—a power her allies wish to control and her enemies want to exploit. The only way Demetrius and Gabriella can save themselves—and the city they love—is to strike another deal with the Devil. But their villainous partner is playing his own game. And soon they will learn how the Devil earned his name.

Silver Star, Red Dragon by C.A. Chaplin

Immortal love begets immortal conflict. Millennia into a self-imposed solitude, elvish healer Cúraniel is content. She has her garden, the Great Tree, and her goddess. That is, until fate brings a dying soulmate to her hill. Twice. The Red Dragon, called the “God of Carnage” for all the elves he’s slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, Cúraniel must turn to their oldest enemy for aid; the Red Dragon himself. She is a moth to his destructive flame, but he loathes her other soulmate. The feeling is mutual, and backed by a court who blames her for the Dragon’s malice. Can Cúraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? “Silver Star, Red Dragon” is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished “Lord of the Rings” had a bit more “Kushiel’s Dart.”

Corrupted Tides by S.M. Campbell

Centuries ago, the gods of earth and sea went to war and ravaged the worlds of humans. Now, the oceans have swelled and mortals have made their homes on floating cities, using precious sea glass as the key to their survival. Vila is one of those survivors, fighting every day for control in this brutal world as a Blue Lady and prize fighter. But when a strange corruption seeps through the waters of the Planks, Vila must find allies in an unlikely group to help the people she loves. Narrio is a master thief, making his way on wits, charm and luck; until a secret cult recruits him for a mysterious mission. Now he must travel to the Planks for what may be his most dangerous heist yet. Something is coming, and it threatens the existence of all. When the moon rises, the seas will change, and nothing will ever be the same. Welcome to the world of the Swell. Welcome to Corrupted Tides

Werecats Resurgent by Mark J. Engels

*** FINALE OF A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Cornered, captured, and determined to make their stand… After springing her lover from the brig, Pawly and her family make ready to swipe a container from an ocean freighter transiting Lake Michigan—one containing the genetic material needed to save her mother from the debilitating effects of her unsated bloodlust. All according to Mawro's plan, him having laid a trap for them on behalf of his rogue state employer. But Mawro's superiors spring a trap of their own, exploiting Pawly's feral rage by revealing to her a horrific secret from her past. Chaos ensues, leaving members of her family kidnapped, their remote island hideaway in flames, and her mother at death's door. Now Pawly and the family—together with some unlikely new allies—must journey halfway around the world on a veritable suicide mission, a final showdown to rescue their loved ones and to quell her kind's lethal bloodlust once and for all. Werecats Resurgent is the third and final installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Convergent by Mark J. Engels

*** NEXT IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Defeated, conflicted, and on the run… Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her family’s escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. Pawly’s family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawro’s plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her lover’s life or chance her true nature driving him away forever. Werecats Convergent is the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Emergent by Mark J. Engels

*** FIRST IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Afflicted, exploited, and deadly… Teenaged Pawly discovers her secret werecat heritage after unexpectedly morphing into a lynx one Halloween night. She and her twin brother thrill as they explore their newly revealed abilities, never far from the watchful eye of their blended human-werecat family. But the old folks know that unless they can find an outlet for the twins’ growing bloodlust, they will both soon turn feral. Meanwhile, Pawly’s uncle Ritzi scrambles to develop a means to sate her and her brother’s lethal urges. Resuming his deported father’s scientific research and desperate for funding, Ritzi draws notice from a nefarious rogue state eager to help—and to exploit the twins’ lethal potential. As her family strives to keep the twins’ blood rage in check, Pawly finds herself caught between a Chicago-area drug cartel and the rogue state wooing her uncle. While either could aid in reining in her inner beast, neither has her family’s best interest at heart. Unless a solution can be found quickly, Pawly and her brother will both succumb to their feral natures. And this time, more than just the family pet will end up torn to shreds. Werecats Emergent and additional Forest Exiles Saga books feature the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Offset: Book 2- Children of the Gulf by Delvin Howell

Magic is violent. No one understood this more than Kyle Harding, a young stick-licker from the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As an obeah witch, Kyle's mother has built a massive debt which was passed on to her sons upon her death. And now Gulfsyde, a duo of brutal assassins notorious for leaving carnage in their wake, has come to collect. With a past drenched in blood, fire and bodies, Gulfsyde aims to retire with one final kill. But Kyle has a little brother—Damien—to protect, and he will not lose any more family to the obeah trade. Though bus stops ignite, and devastating magical weapons form against him, Kyle defends his home with only the lowly sugarcane his mother left behind.

Offset: Book 1- The Mask of Bimshire by Delvin Howell

Magic is Expensive. An underground obeah trade lies within the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As a child, Kyle Harding thought Bimshire a frightening place. Bus stops glow. Flute music haunts the air. And the shadows themselves stalk him. With his mother dead, and a baby brother—Damien—to raise, Kyle had much to endure growing up. But when a serial killer attacks his home, Kyle is forced down a bloody path where he discovers the history surrounding his family and the massive debts his mother left behind.

The Antagonist's Prison by DJ Jones

“No one deserves Critch.” It is said by heathens and oligarchs. Heard in the darkest alleyways of Indigo Bay. Whispered by those who don’t know. And as a warning in The City Beneath the Bay. It’s been three years since Aaron Bennett banished Critch to the corners of his mind. But that smile still gleams, waiting in its cage. Aaron is stable until Jaslynn Phillips offers him a human connection for the first time. Unfortunately, just as Jaslynn’s true intentions emerge, a monster trudges out of the harbor and kidnaps her. Critch seizes this opportunity and explodes from his mental cell. Despite Aaron’s meticulous control over his past, his future, and his own mind, his control was more fragile than he believed. In order to rescue Jaslynn from The City Beneath, he must revive his old life of violence, fear and the wealthy beyond measure.

Keep Me by Brien Feathers

Time is a great wheel, and history repeats itself... unless it breaks, plunging the city of the living into the realm of death. Reaper volunteers to drive his sensei home to Yukiyama, believing the road trip will benefit his teacher’s spiraling mental health. However, unbeknownst to them both, a thousand-year-old enemy has resurrected and awaits them at Moonlight. Out of time and options, Ayame must go to the Immortal Court. But Jade Palace is a thicket of tall grass teeming with slithering snakes, and she must discern friend from foe if she intends to return to the floating world to help her family. Death descends upon Nara as Immortal Father comes to Sunlit City in search of the royal diviner. As the final hour approaches, everyone must choose their allegiances, including Ayame, whose father and lord are destined to clash. Keep Me is the conclusion to the Royal Diviner Trilogy and has content advisory for violence and intimate situations.

Find Me by Brien Feathers

No crime is too atrocious to save a beloved. Storm spirit Reiko meets the peculiar girl, Yuki, at the Palace of a Thousand Rays to continue the story of Immortal Ayame and Warlord Kyuzo on the road to Sunlit City. Nara winter is harsh, and enemies wait around the bend. The entourage arrives at the capital with a loss of life. Yet the dying is only beginning. When the emperor crowns Sora, the Ishii clashes head-on with Prince Hissing Blade. In the twisted games the dark diviner plays Ayame becomes a hostage, and to save her Kyuzo must break an oath to his emperor. The Sinai War begins in the second installment of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and heavy losses mount on both sides. Full of heartbreak, betrayal, magic, and morally grey characters, Find Me is a dark fantasy tale with a hefty dose of romance. Reader discretion is advised for violence and intimate situations.

Remember Me by Brien Feathers

Guard your heart and go home or fall for a stranger and perish. Reiko is the immortal spirit of the storm. Seeking to unravel a reoccurring dream that perplexes her, she visits the mortal realm during the Soul Festival and boards a train to the historical district of Sunlit City. There, in the imperial palace of old Nara, she finds no answers, only more questions as a peculiar girl indulges her with a tale of a disgraced deity and a mortal warlord. Ayame has a bad temper. She slapped the Immortal Emperor’s sorceress, and her punishment was to spend a decade on earth as a mortal—a task easier said than done. Nara is amidst its centuries long warring era, the age of the warlords. To navigate this treacherous new world, Ayame befriends a wine-loving, trickster fox spirit, and scrapes by as a servant in the household of one of the greater clans. Toiling day and night, she’s made do for five years and dreams of the day she can return home. But war arrives. When death announces itself outside her door, she assumes the identity of a noble and finds herself betrothed to the youngest son of an enemy clan, his father a ruthless warlord. To live, Ayame must play her role, but she soon she finds herself dangerously drawn not to her intended husband, but to the infamous warlord himself. In the tumultuous world of a warring empire, trouble is always on the horizon. Betrayals run deep within families and clans, and nothing is as it seems. All Ayame wants is to survive her banishment and return home, yet she may risk it all for a mortal man. A vicious killer, twice her age, nothing is right about him, including his insanely possessive concubine out to get Ayame. She knows it, but can she control her temperament, or will she find herself at odds with yet another court, this time a deadly one? A slow burn dark fantasy, Remember Me is Book 1 of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and comes with content advisory for violence and intimate situations.