Epoch of the Promise: Dawn Unseen by Raina Nightingale

All the dragon Camri knows is that life is dying. In a bid for immortality, she sets out on a rampage of torment and conquest. When Cassian and her play-mates explored a cave, they woke a tormented dragon, twisted with unnatural powers. Now Cassian is bonded to Camri as a rider is bonded to a dragon, even while Camri destroys all she knows and loves. There is nothing she can do except try to appease Camri, but sometimes Camri’s atrocities are so horrible they drive Cassian to a defiance she always regrets. Punished by the death and torture of the people and dragons she loves, Cassian wishes to die, but is kept alive by Camri’s magic. When no kingdom or wizard has been able to stand against Camri, can Cassian see the Promise of relief when it stares her in the face? Or will she commit the greatest of her bonded dragon’s atrocities by her own hand? “When twilight gloom has turned to darkest night, watch for your hope, the long-awaited Promise, for it is in the darkest and coldest of night that the Morning Star rises.”

The Dark Cry of Astrid by William Brian Johnson

A forgotten village strikes a desperate bargain - and brings down the wrath of the gods. The village of Elta was once the first protection against giant attacks in the kingdom. But since the threat has been extinguished, the village has been forgotten... just when the villagers need protection the most. A late summer hailstorm destroys the crops and livestock that will take Elta through the winter. The White Citadel refuses aid. To stave off starvation, the local midwife turns to witchcraft forbidden by the Allfather. Lofn summons an ancient entity by accident. She is found guilty and sentenced to execution. When her burning at the stake goes horribly awry. The investigative arm of the White Citadel dispatches the magistrate during Elta’s endless night and it ignites a civil war and threatens to start a war between the gods. The Dark Cry of Aristid is based on Norse mythology and folklore. For readers of Tolkien, Glen Cook, and Grimdark adventures.

Paper Ghosts by Tegan Anderson

A story from the Paper Forest... Once upon a time, the Forest burned to the ground, embers and ashes coating the world in an ocean of black. Rowan walks through the remains of a kingdom that used to belong to her.

Misericorde (Mercy Series Book 1) by Cynthia A. Morgan

Independent Author Network 2020 Book of the Year Winner for Fantasy!|Readers Favorite 2020 Silver Medal Winner for Fantasy!It's the year 2446, and the first three Horsemen of Revelation's Apocalypsehave ridden. Pestilence, War and Famine have changed the world into adictatorship ruled with an iron fist. Commoners have few rights, andliberty is a distant memory. Before thefinal Horseman is released, the Archangel of Mercy - Tzadkiel - makes abold plea, asking for permission to find even one human who remembersthe meaning of mercy and compassion. He is given 100 years, until Deathwill sweep across the land. Taking humanform and coming to Earth, he finds a place ruled by greed, hatred andfear. With time running out and Death growing impatient, can Tzadkielfind what he's looking for, and how much will he need to sacrifice?

Lady of the Helm (The Bloodline Trilogy) by T.O Munro

For 5 years Niarmit, once a priestess and a princess of the Salved people, has been an orphan, thief, outlaw and assassin in her own land. For a thousand years Maelgrum, enslaver of the Salved, has been imprisoned and forgotten. Now, from the mountain fortress of Sturmcairn to the forests of Hershwood and beyond, the Salved Kingdom will quake at the dark lord’s return. And Niarmit must choose. Can she aid a people who abandoned her and her father? overcome her darkest fears of madness and betrayal? find a way to kill that which is already dead? *** "He savoured the moment as he stood at the foot of the outsized bed, loosening the straps of the battered steel breastplate. He tried to gauge from the quivers in the bed clothes where the captain had hidden this evening’s frightened plaything. He guessed which side just as the metal armour fell silently to the marbled floor. Flinging aside the bedding, he had just a moment to register the oddity of the noiseless clang of metal on stone before he saw her. She was not the type that the captain normally picked out for him. In a second he saw she was older, just past the end of adolescence as far as he was any judge of human flesh. Taller than most and sinewy, clad in dark shirt and breeches rather than the night shift he expected. Flame red hair spilled across her shoulders and green eyes blazed at him with a defiance rare in someone brought before Mayor Nordag. Rather than lying trembling within the folds of bedding this one crouched on her haunches looking up at him. The final abnormality he had time to notice was that her hands were not bound behind her, but free infront of her. One held a glinting steel dirk and the other fist grasped a crescent talisman. Then she erupted like one of those amusing jack-in-the-box toys that more astute freeholders had learned to give Nordag as a gift. Driving upwards sword arm outstretched before her, she sprang towards him, driving her blade into his throat even as his mouth gaped open in astonishment. Standing now on the edge of the table her face was level with his chin, her green eyes glaring into his dimming yellow ones."

Wrath of the Medusa (The Bloodline Trilogy) by T.O.Munro

Niarmit has, for the moment, escaped the curse of the Great Helm and the grasp of the Dark Lord. Accepting at last a destiny which she never sought, her hopes of uniting the Salved people now rest on the uncertain loyalty of Prince Rugan and his army. Dema the Medusa broods in the captured fortress of Listcairn consumed by a rage for glory, to the consternation of friend and enemy alike. Hepdida strives to live up to Niarmit’s expectations but finds that old nightmares can still haunt her days and that a palace can hold more peril than a battlefield. And through it all, Maelgrum weaves his malice as the guilty and the innocent are driven to fulfil his millennium long wait for revenge. *** The Medusa’s hood was down and her mask was off as she carved, bit and stoned her way towards Rugan’s standard. Even her allies gave her and her steed a wide birth as, at the peak of her powers and the crest of her rage, she swept all before her. A silver soldier, braver than the rest, dared to ride near and catch her sword with his. Their blades both wet with blood of different hues, slid down until they were locked hilt to hilt. “Major, no,” a voice called. “Leave this abomination to me.” Too late, the soldier’s eyes met the Medusa’s sparkling gaze and with an inward breath he turned to overbalanced stone. His mount buckled beneath the weight and the leaning statue of the rider toppled against Dema’s palfrey. As the horse slid and skittered its way free of the falling new formed masonry, Dema slipped from the listing saddle and turned to face the owner of the voice.

Queen of Rats by Chris R. Sendrowski

Imprisoned in the vast sewer system beneath the jungle city of Nethra, Ember Wellen, a musician of unparalleled talent, has one desire: avenge the murder of her sister. But to do so, she must save the city from the wicked king and stop a long-forgotten nightmare gestating beneath the city streets. Win or lose, no one will survive unscathed, not even the Queen of Rats. Queen of Rats is a dark fantasy novel filled with action and magic set in the same world as Chris R. Sendrowski's other novels, Haliden's Fire and Dregs of the Culver Waste.

Below Dark Waters (Dalya) by Katie Zaber

A wayward princess, an adventurous pirate, and a madam trained in espionage—all strangers to each other, but their fates are entwined. Princess Megan, who never had a reason to assume she was anything but human, has been on the run, protected by her friends. With each step toward the city of Delmont, she hopes they will have time to regroup before setting sail to the Ka'Pamau Islands, their final destination. Instead, her bad luck shadows her and chaos continues to ensue everywhere she goes—including a new part of the world that most air breathers have yet to explore. Confronted with another royal family and a smitten prince whose advances turn cold, she faces another life-altering decision with ramifications she can't possibly begin to guess at. Back on land, Lilly reveals more of her secrets, her story, and her goals. Monumental changes and challenges are headed her way as she embraces her new role in life. On the sea, Aunt Carmia is stirring up trouble while continuing her hunt for the treasure she most desires. She experiences upheavals, but she is always prepared for the unknown. As their stories unfold, they remain unaware how fate connects them in the world of Dalya.

When We Were Still Human (A Eulogy for Our Humanity Book 1) by Vaughn J. Foster

After the curse of the angels' sins, seven lives were destroyed and rebuilt;Those who were born monsters and those who became, all faced with two terrifying questions:What does it mean to live forever and what does it mean to destroy the world?Val was the nursing student-turned ghoul. Avia was a high-functioning addict leaping between realms. Reborn as "Gluttony" and "Wrath," these young women must survive a new world where every myth is real and every creature, dethroned god, and spirit lusts for their power.As Val and Avia discover the dark truths both worlds have fought to hide, they must decide for themselves if humanity would truly be worth saving. From the reincarnation of the first vampire to the buried massacre of the fae, one must ask the question:"What really makes a villain after all?"

The Chromatic Court by Various

Have you ever been haunted by a work of art? You may not be merely captured by the craft, but by something that lies in the work's depths. Something admiring you as you admire it. Do you know the King in Yellow? The Sepia Prince? The Duke of Rust? Have you heard their whispers coming to you from dried up parchment and faded photographs? Maybe another member of the King's court has lit upon your life, casting shadows and doubts. Do you worship them, fear them, revere them, or simply seek to understand them? These hallowed nobles who hold court around the King. Each noble holds an artform in their wavelength. For their color to shine, that art must practiced. There are no older or younger members of the court. Each has existed since before time was a concept they entertained. All of culture has evolved to suit their needs. Art is in the eye of the beholder, and color is only an abstract concept. The Chromatic Court is very real, you reading this has assured that... A Lovecraftian dark fantasy collection from Peter Rawlik, featuring all new stories by: Glynn Owen Barass, David Bernard, Jon Black, Simon Bucher-Jones, John Linwood Grant, Micah S. Harris, Rick Lai, MaTT Loughlin, Paul StJohn Mackintosh, Christine Morgan, Logan Noble, & Joseph S. Pulver Sr. Illustrations by Johannes Chazot. Design by Sophie Iles.

Shadow Kissed (The Shadow Kissed Series) by Rebecca L. Garcia

Some fates belong to the shadows… Olivia knows everyone at the guild is on high alert, but no one will tell her why. She’s certain the death of her boyfriend is behind it, but the truth is far worse. Darkness has come to the mortal kingdom. When the guild protecting them is attacked by vampires, Olivia is swept away from the safety of her home when her mom and best friend are taken. Before she can get away, she’s captured by a vampire, Sebastian, who insists he’s protecting her. But when she’s taken to the City of Nightmares, the most dangerous place in the vampire kingdom she realizes she’s been made prisoner. As she fights to survive in a world where mortals are nothing more than things to be fed on or traded, Olivia must use her wits and place her trust in the handsome, but deadly Sebastian, if she’s going to figure out a way to save her loved ones. However, some of the world's most vicious vampires want her dead. Others want her for themselves. When the truth comes out, Olivia realizes the ones she loves have been shielding her from a fate worse than death. Can she escape the clutches of her bloody destiny, or will she succumb to the shadows? Shadow Kissed is a New Adult Fantasy Romance, book one in the Marked by Blood Trilogy releasing in 2022. Get your copy now and delve into this dark and delicious world of vampires and mortals.

The Scarecrow Hunters: Glint & Shade Book One by Eric Shane Love

A new dark fantasy series from Eric Shane Love. An epic quest, strange creatures, and an ancient wood full of sinister mysteries. Join Eliot on his mission to find and destroy the scarecrow. In the valley of Gal-Braith, a tradition has existed for as long as anyone can remember. It is the tradition of the kohlas: a journey all boys begin on their seventh birthday. A quest to find and destroy the scarecrow. Born from an agreement between the people of the valley generations back and the low energy of the Dark Wood, no one remembers how the kohlas began and few question if it should continue. Aided only by a strange group of woodsmen, Eliot begins his kohlas like all the others. But a seed planted deep inside him by his estranged mother makes his journey different from the rest. For readers of the Dark Tower Series, dark fantasy, and gothic horror fiction, this is a satisfying fever dream of twisted characters set in a macabre forest in the land of Glint & Shade.

A Greedy Shadow: Glint & Shade Book Two by Eric Shane Love

Book two in the Glint & Shade series from Eric Shane Love. A reluctant hope, hungry darkness, and a haunting pact. Join Eliot as he learns to live outside the shadow of the Dark Wood. Eliot survived his coming-of-age rite of passage, his kohlas . . . but dark things leave dark stains. Even as he is drawn to the safety he feels among new friends, he learns of another darkness: a shadow that is hungry with lust and greedy for him. Nightmares plague him, a hideous band of cannibalistic barbarians are on the move, and Eliot doesn’t trust the hope he feels. But the worst part may be the secret scratching in the back of his mind: when will the woodsmen come for him? For readers of the Dark Tower Series, dark fantasy, and gothic horror fiction, this is a satisfying fever dream of twisted characters set in the land of Glint & Shade. Note: Some scenes in A Greedy Shadow may be triggering for some readers due to graphic imagery of sexual violence.

Midnight Crown (The Shadow Kissed Series) by Rebecca L. Garcia

In three days, the princess will be dead... Olivia's magic has awakened. The only problem is she will soon lose it to vampirism. While she's not ready to become one of the monsters she hates, if she tries to escape, her friends will die. Finding herself in the middle of a dark web of politics, Olivia worries she may not live long enough to become a vampire. With deadly plots and schemes against her, she must fight for survival while figuring out her place in the nefarious kingdom. A marriage to the broody, unwilling Sebastian, will seal her fate, but it may destroy them both. With it, she will gain a crown, and all the enemies that come with it. Can she save her soul, or will she lose herself to the same darkness her loved ones have fallen prey to? This is a dark fantasy romance and contains many triggers, such as graphic sex scenes, violence, attempted rape, enslavement, human trafficking in adults, blood play, torture, and murder. This book is intended for readers aged 18+.

The Violet Curse (Leviathans Book 1) by Senna Crow

A supernatural explosion of violet-colored light nearly destroys a corrupt city called Five Tower. In the aftermath, a child with unusual green eyes is found in the glassy black crater that is left behind. “She is not human,” warns a member of the city guard. “She cannot be.” But the Black Temple doctor John Ivan refuses to believe in paranormal forces, and he saves the girl who later becomes his daughter. Duty, desperation, and dread become destructive forces in John’s life as the world erupts into chaos about him and his family. He continues to deny the paranormal threat his daughter faces even as the evidence mounts before him. He fights losing his family to war, illness, shadow creatures only the Violet Cursed can see, and the deadly, world-ending schemes of Five Tower. With infiltrators in every organization and cursed magic gone awry, John is in a fight he cannot win. A thief named Lukas jeopardizes any possibility of peace. John’s brother is involved in a treacherous lie, and John’s daughter Nymeria is somehow tied to the terrifying “Violet Curse.” Worse, their allies may be enemies. What will it cost him to keep his family safe?

Garnet Fire (Gemstone Witch Series Book 1) by Ana Michelle

McKenna Pomengale has spent her entire life within the safety of her Coven’s Farm in Texas. There she not only learned live off the land but how to walk the Astral Plains, keeping the universe balanced. When her and every member of her coven is pulled from the plains and unable to gain entrance to them again McKenna must leave the only home she has ever known. She has to travel to the site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Upon her arrival she must search out the Guardians and learn the secrets they have protected for all these years. Learning to trust others outside of her coven while insuring her of her coven’s survival is paramount.

Scotopia: First Dusk by Spencer Pizzani

In the shadows of Morton City, children are screened in secret for the gift driving a secret war. Selwyn has always embraced her elegant darkness, from her gothic style to an affinity for the sublime. When an impossible illness threatens her sanity, her attempts to uncover the truth will attract the attention of a dangerous organization wielding more than influence bought by corruption. Suddenly, everyone but her knows the rules of a deadly game where she has become the prize. To survive, she will have to learn the depths of her Scotopia, and learn why the darkness within her is more than just a calling.

The Life & Death of Jorja Graham (The Jorja Graham series) by Brynn Myers

When all anyone ever sees is a quintessential southern bell, they miss the mark on who I really am. That was just the face I shared with the world; I kept the hell I truly endured to myself, because here in the south, secrets and the truth are best left unsaid.When returning home to Savannah after my mother’s passing, I had everything a girl could want: a new house, a handsome suitor, and the job of my dreams as an antique dealer. Little did I know that the choice to move on with my life would be the last decision I’d ever make.My name is Jorja Graham and my story is proof that not every romance has a happy ending ... especially once demons, witches, and angels get involved.

White Magic: Russian Emigre Tales of Mystery and Terror by Various

The thirteen tales in this volume – a baker’s dozen of stories – were all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century to avoid the turmoil of war and revolution. And while the stories are the work of nine very different writers, who all had very different experiences of exile, all are united by a single theme: mystery. You will also find a fair dose of magic and mysticism here, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Yellow Jessamine (Neon Hemlock) by Caitlinn Starling

In Yellow Jessamine, shipping magnate Evelyn Perdanu controls the dying city of Delphinium with trade deals and secrets. But when mysterious sickness sparks death and obsession, all leading back to her, Evelyn's brittle existence is strained to breaking. She retreats to her estate, amidst paranoia and poisonous secrets, intent on rooting out this plague before it destroys everything she has built.

The Call for Finis: Lust by A.J. Torres

Seven sins. Seven hosts. One city purged. If vengeance is all you know, can you really let it go, or succumb to your rage? Willka has signed a pact with Valdina, a demon of Infernos, driven by a burning desire for revenge against the city that took everything from him. Given a second chance at life, he’s been tasked with enacting an ancient right to purge the city of sin for both the angels of Hevellum and the demons of Infernos, as an example to all of Eldara. Willka eagerly accepts and sets out to enact his vengeance by burning Lumen Magnus to the ground. However, along his journey he is warned of the cost of his rage. Should he proceed with hatred in his heart, his soul will be enveloped in sin. He will be condemned to a fate worse than death. The memories of abuse, his life as a slave, and the losses of those he loved dearest drive him forward. In the end, will his past give him strength or be his undoing?

Tome of the Vampire by Jason Goss

For over one thousand years after the world was nearly destroyed by the calamity known as Sinfall, the church has helped people recover. The recovery and safety the church gave came at a steep cost. Technology has been lost to the ages and banned by the church. The land is plagued by a terrible curse that threatens to wipe out all life, and the church has no idea how to stop it. Until a chance encounter with a mentally unstable vampire offers an unlikely solution…. Tome of the Vampire is a dark fantasy story set in a post apocalyptic fantasy world filled with magic, dragons, and mystery surrounding the secrets the church has banned people from knowing, and what caused the calamity.

The Sword of Mercy and Wrath by N.C. Koussis

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In a cathedral at the south of the Istryan Empire, young men and women are trained to be killers. The Order of the Golden Sword’s inquisitors are feared for their brutality masked as piety. Masters of blade, poison, and crossbow, their quarry is the god-cursed werewolf, whom they hunt with impunity to herald the return of their god. Betrayed by her monstrous father, Selene loses her left arm and nearly her life when she’s saved by a traveling inquisitor. Scarred and broken, she swears vengeance on the cursed beasts and joins the Order. It takes all her will to overcome her limits, only for her violent past to drag her back into blood. With the fabric of the empire at stake, Selene must master her hatred, hone it to a sharp point, then let it loose on her enemies.

Feast of Samael (The Devil's Trials) by Stephanie Gluck

The devil was thrown from the old world and, bypassing hell, he landed in Kaida. He dragged seven corrupted angels with him, and they rose as the embodiment of the deadly human sins. Beneath their rule the world was ravaged and reborn. The angels encouraged and punished a sinners' nature and their influence, demons and temptation killed in equal measure. The devil quickly grew bored. Once a decade he offered the humans a series of trials. Face a challenge from each of the seven deadly sins and triumph, and in return he would grant every benefit of the devil’s favour, including immortality. Pure desperation pushed Octavia Nox to enter the devil’s trials, she just wants to survive another day. All too soon she is forced to confront the first of the sins. Where she must face the reality that she could be a sinner at heart, and these sins may just eat her alive.

Immortal Creation: Sister Witches by Melinda Hyde

Book 1 Come along on this journey filled with vampires, witches and prowling were-panthers —where the heartaches of love and betrayal become twisted by the hands of fate. Lenora and Leonia are two very powerful witches, but, more than that, they are closely bonded sisters. When Leonia meets Orin, a hot, steamy man that seems to have stepped straight from a dream, her entire life is turned inside out. Embracing her chance at love could mean having to change everything she is—everything she’s known. Lenora doesn't harbor any love for her sister's new love interest. There’s just something about him that doesn’t resonate with her, but for Leonia’s sake, she does what she can to keep the peace. In the meantime, she sets her sights elsewhere. She takes pity on some unfortunate souls from a nearby village, consequently creating the first vampires. Now, it's up to Leonia and Orin to correct her misguided mistake before it’s too late. But the stakes are high. The price could very well be their lives. Leonia is determined to keep her new love from harm's way, no matter the cost. Even if it means losing the one person that she loves the most.

A Siren's Heart's Desire by Melinda Clark

As a reborn mermaid, Amandine is tasked by her Goddess to go ashore during the equinox and obtain a chosen human’s heart before the following Blood Moon. In exchange, any wish of her choosing will be bestowed upon her. Though the chosen human, Marc, is unaffected by Amandine’s mystical charm, she waits patiently for the prime moment to carve out his heart and deliver it to her creator. As she learns more about him, Amandine finds that the reason Marc can resist her allure is in his blood; making him even more special than she had once perceived him to be. The longer she is among the humans, the more Amandine’s mind recalls about her previous life as one of them. Her emotions, in turn, also seek to deceive her; allowing he and his daughters to slowly become a part of her once-numb being. Seeing the possibility of unfaithfulness, one of her kin decides to take advantage of Amandine’s weakness and pursue the task of killing the human herself; therefore, being entitled to get her own wish granted. Amandine must choose: Complete her mission and obtain her blessed wish, or protect the family and be disloyal to the deity who gave her this existence. Will she cast aside her own feelings in the name of her duty? Or will she realize, in the end, what her heart’s true desire is?

Andromedea (The Perseus Series Book 1) by Kate Haley

Vekta Rentclifv is the premier cybernetics engineer of the United Star Communities, but is a troubled man, still grieving the loss of his wife a year after her tragic accident. When a former colleague in the Perseus Guard runs afoul of an alien incursion, the pain is once again fresh. Moreover, his telepathic powers have caught the notice of a being observing him… who intends to set him on a path that will change him forever. When circumstances demand his involvement in the mission to answer this new threat, Vekta has to choose between this critical need and leaving his twin children. The Perseus Series is an adventurous exploration into the realms of telepathy, artificial intelligence, alternate universes, space travel and the frontiers of personhood. You will meet the Starguards, who live to face down and resolve the most deadly threats against the safety and harmony of the egalitarian United Star Communities. You’ll also meet noisome predatory creatures — or constructed, sentient beings like the Crater–class cybernisms — or intelligent species loosely resembling dolphins and octopuses. There may be pirates. There may be love found in surprising places. There may be galactic tricksters.It’s going to be quite the ride. Be sure you come back for the exciting conclusion in Book 2, "Eye of the Gazelle!"

The Sting of Victory by S D Simper

Horror abounds, monsters rise, and hearts break in the first installment of FALLEN GODS. “When faced with monstrosity, become the greater monster. The sting of victory will fade with time.” Haunted by a history of horror and abuse, Flowridia, a witch with a tender heart, finds a second chance in the home of her kingdom’s royal family. With employment comes friendship, and perhaps she has finally found a place to belong—until she catches the eye of Lady Ayla Darkleaf, a woman with enticing grace and a predatory smile. The corrupt world of politics consumes her, and Flowridia falls into a toxic love affair surely doomed for heartbreak. Yet when Ayla’s legacy as a monster unfolds, Flowridia sees only the tender soul hiding beneath. An ancient deity returns, hell-bent on restoring the world to its natural order, and Flowridia’s kingdom is tasked to stop him. Caught in the ensuing clash of gods, her loyalties will be tempted at every turn—by family, by fate, and by the woman whose claws grip her heart. Publisher's Note: The Sting of Victory is a fantasy horror novel intended for adult audiences and contains content warnings, including depictions of DV. Please see the author's website for a full list of content warnings.

The Way The Light Bends by Lorraine Wilson

Sometimes hope is the most dangerous thing of all. When their brother dies, two sisters lose the one thing that connected them. But then a year after her twin’s death, Tamsin goes missing. Despite police indifference and her husband’s doubts, Freya is determined to find her sister. But a trail of diary entries reveals a woman she barely knew, and a danger she can scarcely fathom, full of deep waters and shadowy myths, where the grief that drove Tamsin to the edge of a cliff also led her into the arms of a mysterious stranger ... A man who promised hope but demandedsacrifice...

Spark and Carousel by Joanne Hall

Spark is a wanted man. On the run after causing the death of his mentor and wild with untamed magic, he arrives in Cape Carey where his latent talents make him the target of rival gangs. It is there that Carousel, a wire-walker and thief, takes him under her wing to guide him through the intrigues of the criminal underworld. But when Spark’s magic cracks the world and releases demons from the hells beneath, two mages of his former order make it their mission to prevent his magic from spiralling out of control. They must find him before he falls into the clutches of those who would exploit his raw talent for their own gain, forcing Spark to confront a power he is not ready to handle. Meanwhile, a wealthy debutante learning magic in secret has her own plans for Spark and Carousel. But the sudden arrival of the mages throws her carefully laid plans into disarray and she unleashes a terrible evil onto the streets of the unsuspecting city—an evil only Spark’s magic can control. Everyone wants a piece of Spark, but all Spark wants is to rid himself of his talents forever

The Curse Breaker: Beyond Blackwall by Dylan J Silver

In this ancient land of magic and beast, a forgotten battle rages between the gods themselves, and their children seek to destroy one another. Iro finds himself caught in the midst of this struggle, and must overcome loss, war, and hardship, as he pieces together a legacy left behind by his forefathers. The Curse Breaker: Beyond Blackwall tells the story of a world where forgotten gods and ancient magic reign, of a struggle where otherworldly creatures fight for survival, and of one ordinary boy’s incredible journey to become something extraordinary. He must answer the call, and become the curse breaker. This book is a dark fantasy about mythical creatures, and their struggles in a world with forgotten gods and ancient magic. The story has a strong focus on relationships between men, fathers and sons, brothers, and male lovers. It contains strong LGBTQ+ themes, some heavy language, violence, intense depictions of gore, some sexual situations, depictions of genocide, and nuanced adult themes.

The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyne Kiste

Something’s happening to the girls on Denton Street. It’s the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Phoebe Shaw and her best friend Jacqueline have just graduated high school, only to confront an ugly, uncertain future. Across the city, abandoned factories populate the skyline; meanwhile at the shore, one strong spark, and the Cuyahoga River might catch fire. But none of that compares to what’s happening in their own west side neighborhood. The girls Phoebe and Jacqueline have grown up with are changing. It starts with footprints of dark water on the sidewalk. Then, one by one, the girls’ bodies wither away, their fingernails turning to broken glass, and their bones exposed like corroded metal beneath their flesh. As rumors spread about the grotesque transformations, soon everyone from nosy tourists to clinic doctors and government men start arriving on Denton Street, eager to catch sight of “the Rust Maidens” in metamorphosis. But even with all the onlookers, nobody can explain what’s happening or why—except perhaps the Rust Maidens themselves. Whispering in secret, they know more than they’re telling, and Phoebe realizes her former friends are quietly preparing for something that will tear their neighborhood apart. Alternating between past and present, Phoebe struggles to unravel the mystery of the Rust Maidens—and her own unwitting role in the transformations—before she loses everything she’s held dear: her home, her best friend, and even perhaps her own body.

Gorgon: Stories of Emergence by Various

Be changed.GORGON: STORIES OF EMERGENCE contains 42 transformative stories spanning all genres from both emerging and new voices alike, with all new stories by Gwendolyn Kiste, Richard Thomas, Annie Neugebauer, Eden Royce, Beth Cato, D.A. Xiaolin Spires and more, and featuring 10 illustrations by Carrion House.

Day of the Horn (The Faun Quartet Book 1) by Chris J Edwards

A kidnapped princess. A reluctant mercenary. A shamed prince. Far in the west, isolated from the weary world beyond, lies the sylfolk kingdom of Céin Urthia - a woodland realm of ancient forests and sunlit meadows. But this kingdom cannot remain secluded forever; for Princess Dawn, heiress to the throne, has been mysteriously abducted. Not even her kidnapper, a mercenary battle-mage, knows who ordered it – or why. A fevered pursuit begins as the High King commands every servant of the crown to rescue her, even the disgraced and imprisoned Herace the Shamed. But even as he and his companions follow in wild pursuit, Princess Dawn herself must decide - does she even want to be saved? Meanwhile, powers beyond the sight of the court plot under cover of darkness - for not all wish to see the princess safely home... As civil war darkens the horizon, will Princess Dawn save her beloved home, or will unseen enemies win the day?

Day of the Void (The Faun Quartet Book 3) Kindle by Chris J Edwards

War on the horizon. Foes in the shadows. Blood upon the soil. The crown of the High Queen weighs heavily upon Dawn. All may be well in Céin Urthia, but now war beckons from over the mountains. An awful ritual, prepared by Gol-Gorom and his Disciples of the Void, nears completion – threatening to cleanse all creation in one climactic moment. But the Disciples of the Void are not the only enemy looming - for always the Witches grow, far in the east, their corruption creeping over the earth. Meanwhile, tenuous bargains are struck between unlikely allies within the Empire of Un as enemies abound and scores are settled in blood. As cataclysm looms, and machinations from friend and foe alike threaten to tear her apart, Dawn must decide whether to take up the sword of her own volition – or have it thrust rudely upon her. Will the strength of her allies – both new and old – be enough to carry High Queen Dawn to victory? Or will encroaching horror snuff out her light, and consume the waking world?

Remember the Stars: Book One in Tales of the Selyento by Eris Marriot

In a world of forbidden magic, two wolves fight for a lost soul. All Clarisse wants is to be free. Her life has been governed by abuse, control, and the Church of Light. Tired of ritual exorcisms and condemnations, she’s at the brink of exploding. Her power is a curse—the reason she can’t be free. Clarisse never asked to be in the center of a centuries-long battle between Terrence, a Reaper-wolf gone rogue, and Death, himself. If she has to spend one more minute under the controlling thumb of her parents and the Church of Light, she’ll die.In order to escape, she must choose a side: Death is convinced that mortals wielding power is a recipe for disaster and damnation. Terrence believes magic is a mortal’s key to freedom, enlightenment… maybe immortality. Will she follow the light of the stars? Or will she let herself fall into the grasp of the shadows?”

Elemental Arcane: An Urban Fantasy Novel Series (The Eldritch Files Book 1) by Phaedra Weldon

Samantha Hawthorne lives a rather curious life in New Orleans running a magic and herb shop. As an Elemental Witch in the Big Easy and owner of a wolf Familiar as well as the head of a former Faerie Queen, curious is as quiet as it gets for Sam. Until children start turning into blood-thirsty Changelings and attack their parents. When one of these children shows up in front of her shop, Sam and her friends are determined to find out where they’re coming from and where the exchanged children are being kept and put a stop to it. But will they succeed when they find themselves pitted against ninja ghouls, one of the oldest and darkest enemies of the mortal world, and a secret from Sam’s childhood that could unravel her magic? Read less

Elemental Storm: An Urban Fantasy Series (The Eldritch Files Book 6) by Phaedra Weldon

Secrets are like our past. They always come back to screw up our future. As the French Quarter drags into the Summer heat, Elemental Witch Samantha Hawthorne makes plans for her future, which includes getting through her imposed stint as a Cleric and pinning down a date for her wedding. All plans disappear when her Air Elemental makes a rash decision that tips the balance of power out of Sam's favor. Will Sam and her friends be able to mend her shattered power while being investigated for the murder of a local mambo, a churning storm, the spirit of a cursed ring and the appearance of her fiancé's ex, whose power is even greater than his own? This is book 6 in The Eldritch Files Series.

The Chant of Cold Iron: Verses of the Stone and Void by Edward C Oliver

Revenge is best served with cold iron A young boy is left all alone in a harsh world, when he witness the mindless slaughter of his entire village.... With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he seeks allies...and perversely obsesses to reap a terrible venegance upon those who took everything he loves... In the boiling cauldron of discontent that is the Nertheilm- secretive factions are vying for control. Nations endlessly bicker in conflicts without end. Meanwhile an outcast knight and a woman that can take the shape of others; consolidate a Pact to fight in a far deeper war that goes unseen. For this loose alliance will wield powers long forgotten by the world. ….and so these strangers will meet on the lonely road of vengeance and in their wake a new chant will ring out.... Here begins the Verses of the Stone and Void

The Thief of Chaos: A Tale of Seduction, Betrayal and Dark Magic (The Deck of Chaos) by J.L Doty

The thief, his lover the harlot, plus the witch and her apprentice. Jaxon is the disinherited son of an impoverished nobleman. The prostitute Maelleen is his beautiful lover. The Witch who rules Val d'Ossa and her apprentice Venessta need Jax's skills as a thief, and have taken them both captive to ensure his cooperation. Jax and Maelleen must navigate the politics of Val d'Ossa's High Noble Houses, where lies and deceit drip from every tongue, seduction is a mere means to an end, and betrayal is the norm. What is Jax's connection to the ancient figurine they all covet? Can Jax and Maelleen survive the machinations of their betters? If they fail, death will be preferable to the fate that awaits them. The paths of chaos lead only to damnation.

MANUS DEI: Harbinger: Book One of the Khamsa Chronicles by Edmund A.M. Batara

Updated Print Edition. 2021.The former Light-Bringer's time to rule is coming. And there's nothing humanity can do about it. Yet the Devil is prophesied to lose everything in the end. Destiny or not, the fallen Archangel has other plans.Thus the tumultuous last stages of a conflict as old as time. Fought in this world. With the weapons and science of humanity.But though the time of the Apocalypse is nearing, Heaven waits. In preparation for the final conflict, the minions of Hell have started infesting the world. Corrupting humanity and stealing the heavenly spark that connects mortals to God. Unless stopped, when the end comes, most of the divine power that exists in every person will belong to the Adversary. The Serpent has no plans of losing again. With enough heavenly power, he believes that even a divine prophecy can be broken. Against the forces of Hell, it falls to the shoulders of a few good men and women at the side of diminished angels to delay Armageddon. A retrograde action against the forces of darkness. One of them is Keith A. North, SEAL E-6, left for dead in the sandbox. Recruited by the secretive Khamsa, an organization almost as old as recorded history, he learns how to fight against nightmares made real. Limited by rules as ancient as the struggle against Hell. (A novel of approximately 40,000 words).

To Nurture & Kill: An Ellderet Tale (The Ellderet Series) by E.M Markoff

SFINCS

Gritty heroes, blood-soaked promises, and family bonds put to the test. Logan meets The Mandalorian in this "expansive, edgy" tale of love and loss. (Kirkus Reviews) 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards novella finalist Eutau Vidal owed nothing to anyone and lived his life as he wanted. But then his sister died, leaving her newborn son Kira in his care, and everything changed. The Purging sweeps on, spreading misery across the Land of Moenda as the Ascendancy wages its war of extermination against the Deadbringers. Now, torn between a promise to his dying sister and the desire to regain his freedom, Eutau struggles to care for his young nephew even as the babe begins to manifest dark powers of the most dangerous kind. Will Eutau find meaning in the promise he reluctantly made amid the ashes of war, or will he turn his back on the innocent? To Nurture & Kill is a standalone prequel to The Deadbringer, the first book in The Ellderet Series.

Wraith Lord by C.T. Phipps

Jacob Riverson has assumed the mantle of the King Below and now rules over all the Shadowkind races. However, his desire to break the cycle of violence between the peoples of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms is doomed. The Nine Heroes will not rest until not just the Dark Lord is slain but all of his followers. Jacob thus sets out on a daring but foolhardy mission to a great northern city in order to recruit an army of allies. He hopes to break the Nine Heroes' army gathering there before it can be used against him. Unfortunately, that may divide his own forces. The Shadowkind, his wives, and secretive forces beyond his own control want a war every bit as much as Jacob's enemies. What's a Wraith Knight to do?

The Blissful End by Lizzy Gayle

After a thousand years of suffering, a happily ever after can be hard to accept. The Order of the Djinn is growing, and Mira throws herself into the work of freeing others of her kind from their dismal fate. It’s easier than facing her painful history. When a magician’s black market is discovered to be selling Djinn Blood, Mira’s ready to unleash hell on the culprit. But what she finds is far more complicated. The sexy magician with skills even she can’t mimic seems to have a heart of gold and a stubborn streak to match. He not only claims that all the blood has been freely given, but he insists that his purpose is the same as hers. Most disconcerting of all is his uncanny ability to see her in a way no one ever has…even herself. When those she loves, and the world itself, hang in the balance, will Mira finally trust her heart despite her haunted past?

The Bleeding Heart by Lizzy Gayle

Taj knows his revolving door of lovers won’t erase the past, but it helps pass the time. That is until his sister Leela’s boyfriend shows up in a panic. With Leela missing and a Djinn killer on the loose, Taj dives into trying to find both his vanished sister…and the murderer. His quest introduces him to another Djinni named Brolach, new to his human form. Attraction blooms and Taj wonders if it might be worth the risk to try dating his own kind. His last relationship with a Djinni didn’t end well, but it has been almost two hundred years since he lost Cal. When danger traps him and his loved ones, and everyone looks to him for guidance, Taj finds he’s thrust into a position he doesn’t want. Can he overcome the demons of his past to save the future and find his happily ever after?

The Binding Stone by Lizzy Gayle

A thousand years of servitude left Leela more than a little jaded. Betrayed by the man she loved only begins her lessons on the wickedness of humanity. Her hope for freedom for herself and her fellow Djinn from the magical stones that bind them has dimmed to a barely-there glimmer. But it hasn’t yet been extinguished. When the young, handsome, and idealistic Jered inadvertently becomes her new master, Leela wonders if his tenderness and concern may be real. And despite her years of suffering, her heart begins to open to him. And the chance at romance. As she inches closer to trusting Jered, the past and the enemies that come with it, resurface, threatening the small spark of happiness in Leela’s long life. After a millennium of pain what—and who—is Leela willing to sacrifice for freedom?

Adjacent Monsters: A Duology of Nightmares by Luke TarziaN

BOOK 1: THE WORLD MAKER PARABLE Guilt will always call you back... Rhona is a faithful servant of the country Jémoon and a woman in love. Everything changes when her beloved sets the ravenous Vulture goddess loose upon the land. Forced to execute the woman she loves for committing treason, Rhona discovers a profound correlation between morality and truth. A connection that might save her people or annihilate them all. You are a lie... Varésh Lúm-talé is many things, most of all a genocidal liar. A falsity searching for the Phoenix goddess whom he believes can help him rectify his atrocities. Such an undertaking is an arduous one for a man with missing memories and a conscience set on rending him from inside out. A man whose journey leads to Hang-Dead Forest and a meeting with a Vulture goddess who is not entirely as she seems. BOOK 2: THE WORLD BREAKER REQUIEM Prince of Woe... Avaria Norrith is the adopted heir to the Ariathan throne. But that means little to a man who, for the better part of fifteen years, has sought and failed to earn his mother's love. Fueled by pride and envy, Avaria seeks the means to prove himself and cast away his mental chains. When he's tasked with the recreation of The Raven's Rage he sees his chance, for with the infamous blade he can rewrite history and start anew. Daughter of the Mountain... Erath has not felt sunlight for a century. Not since Ariath condemned her people to a life of darkness with their misuse of The Raven's Rage. But when an old friend comes seeking the remnants of the ancient sword, Erath cannot contain her curiosity and resolves to lend her aid. Is it true-can history be revised? Can her people be reclaimed?

Were Tales: A Shapeshifter Anthology by Various

Werewolves. Berserkers. Kitsune. From the most ancient times, tales have been told of people who transform into beasts. Sometimes they’re friendly and helpful. Sometimes they’re tricksters, playing jokes on their hapless victims. And sometimes, they’re terrifying. Were Tales is a collection of scary, thrilling, dark, mysterious, and even humorous short stories and poems of shapeshifters, from the talented minds of Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Ellis, Gabino Iglesias, Laurel Hightower, Eric J. Guignard, Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, Shane Douglas Keene, Clara Madrigano, Kev Harrison, Beverley Lee, S.H. Cooper, Elle Turpitt, Catherine McCarthy, Alyson Faye, Theresa Derwin, Ruschelle Dillon, Baba Jide Low, H.R. Boldwood, Ben Monroe, Cynthia Pelayo, Cindy O’Quinn, Sara Tantlinger, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Linda Addison, Villimey Mist, Tabatha Wood, and Christina Sng.

Nightshade by Jennifer Pierce-Gaeta

Zoey was a sweet little girl until her life takes a drastic twist at the tender age of five. During her birthday party, an attack on her mother, Queen Elise, changes her fate forever. Designated be her mother’s decree as the the court assassin Zoey is sent away to learn the arts of death and stealth. Years later, she is summoned to protect her older sister, who is not quite what she seems to be. There is a beast in the castle and she knows no mercy. With secrets swirling around and lies being revealed, Zoey will have to choose which path she will take. Will she step into her role as the court assassin, or will she rebel?

More Than A Vampire: A More Than Human Novel (More Than Human Universe) by J. R. Carrel

In the shadows of a hidden world… …the turned live forever. Was the peace between the four clans in danger? His job for 200-years was to hunt rogue vampires. Simon did it well. His clan depended upon him and keeping things in balance suited Simon. Everything changed in 1639. That’s when he met Lina. Lina was born to a traveling Merchant family. As a teenager in Alexandria, Egypt, she stopped a shoplifter. The shop owner offered to pay for her education. That’s how she became part of the world of vampires. She rose to political liaison. For her, Simon was a double-edged sword. Would they have to choose between love and loyalty? You’ll adore this story of forbidden love, because this hero’s journey just might last an eternity.