The Chimera Snare: Fragments by S&E Black

For Rayshell and her best friend Trish, senior year of high school is going to hell in a handbasket. The feud between Celestine and Daeva is bleeding into their world. When a mysterious visitor infiltrates her dreams, Rayshell is thrust into a realm of profound, otherworldly secrets. Together, Rayshell and Trish uncover the unbelievable – they are the living vessels for two banished Celestine guardians. Amidst mystical recollections and a wondrous magic system that shatters the veneer of their everyday lives, the two friends embark on a journey against time to connect with the Celestine guardians' allies in hopes of freeing them from their imprisonment. Simultaneously, the shadows cast by Daeva darken. The notorious outlaw, Merisek, has positioned himself to claim dominion over the Order of Existence—a trio of powerful artifacts capable of reshaping reality. Armed with two of these relics, Merisek races against the emergence of the Celestine guardians to claim the third. The stage is set for a showdown that will determine the fate of existence itself. Rayshell and Trish are all that stand between Merisek and his unhinged desire to twist the fabric of reality into his making. As the threads of destiny unravel, the question looms: who will be the author of existence, and what profound truths will be unveiled in the final, decisive act?

The Tongue is Sharp by Kassandra Morgan

An anthology of feminine rage for women by women. - My excerpt for this anthology is from my upcoming dark historical vampiric fantasy novel entitled Secrets of the Moon. It’s rooted in real world Old Bohemian in the Czech Republic but with re-imagined history, historical figures and places. It follows the story of a young girl named Kamaria as she struggles to find a place in her world, especially since she’s not human. The excerpt you have here is from a late chapter where Kamaria decides she must save herself. Refusing to bend to the will of a man any further, she releases all the rage she’s held within.

Death Rattle by Carter Pugh

Accused of murder. Hunted by magic. A city of secrets waiting to unravel. In Death Rattle, murder mystery collides with urban fantasy in a twisty coming-of-age tale where nothing is what it seems. Clarke Carpenter, a 30-year-old nanny and student, craves more than her ordinary life—something magical, something meaningful. But when her roommate is found dead and all signs point to Clarke, her plans for a fresh start crumble fast. As she races to clear her name, Clarke stumbles into a hidden world pulsing just beneath the city streets—a world of fae, shadows, and forgotten power. The truth? It might just be darker than the crime she didn’t commit. Start the Death Book Series today and follow Clarke’s journey through murder, magic, and the messiness of becoming who you were meant to be.

The Blood of Queens by Alex C. Pierce

What happens when you take a thief and a con-man, that everyone thinks is a monster that should be locked away, and make him captain of the Queen's personal bodyguard? Gossip, treachery, and paperwork... So much paperwork. Ren's appointment as Warden, the Queen's personal bodyguard and head of her security has created something of a stir in the walled realm of Lenmar. Opposition to his mere presence within the Crystal Palace is high, and old schemes and rivalries are kindled anew as the tension builds between the nobility and the factions pushing for change. Ren just wants to keep the Queen safe, solve the mystery of his mentor's disappearance, and figure out why, Haim, who'd saved his life and been his accomplice on more than one occassion, was avoiding him. An attack on the eve of the Moon Festival, when the Council of Nobles is set to convene, provides the spark to ignite a chain of events that threatens the very foundations that have kept the people of Lenmar safe, and puts everyone Ren cares about in danger.

Arboriah Lux by Kathleen I. Lyons

In a world where social discourse and injustices destroy the world around it, only an Aster-Blood can correct it. In a field of dead flowers and tall grass, Lux awakens to a sky of cool gray and a white sun. As she journeys to the city of Obsiditourma, she's met with danger as well as friendship in those who save her life. As she's plagued by visions of another Aster-Blood -- the twin sister of a dhampir named Esilas, the one who saved her life -- she's called to solve the mysteries surrounding her: her sudden appearance, the death of Esilas' sister, and the imbalance that has caused poverty and discourse in the city of Obsiditourma. Lux must learn vital lessons in order to survive. Keep your nature hidden. Protect those who need it. And trust very few.

the promise before time by n morgan

Before the first dawn, a vow was spoken. Before the stars burned, a promise was broken. Now, as shadows fracture the heavens, two souls are drawn into a war older than memory. One carries the weight of a lineage erased from history. The other hides a truth that could unravel the fabric of existence itself. Bound by love, hunted by destiny, they must decide: Will they honor the promise before time… or surrender to the silence after it? For readers who crave cosmic fantasy, gothic romance, and thriller‑paced tension, The Promise Before Time is a haunting journey through fractured skies, forbidden vows, and the eternal cost of devotion.

A Murder of Secrets & Lies by Deja Colleen

Welcome to Monster Island, a reality television competition where monsters of all kinds compete for a chance of a lifetime: to live on the forbidden island on which they compete. But before they can even earn the chance to fully compete, they have to navigate the academic setting of one of the island’s most prestigious universities. After twenty-five years of providing thrills and chills to the world wondering what secrets this island holds, this year is sure to be life changing. Promising plot twists and cliffhangers, this is sure to be your greatest guilty pleasure.

The Shadow Sisters by Matthew Cesca

A life of lies and betrayal. Anjia has trained her entire life to become a Sister of the Temple of Kyrsma, Goddess of Love and Light. She knows one of two fates await her on Ascension Day, a life of service or a gruesome death. But as the day of her ascension comes and she is sworn to the temple, her life is no longer her own. A terrible truth is revealed to her — the temple is corrupted by the shadow demon, Khimital. And with her ascension, Anjia is now bound to it. Along with the other sisters of the Temple, Anjia is forced to work as an assassin for the Khimital, whose only desire is to spread darkness in the world once strong with Kyrsma’s light. With each mission, the sisters perform unspeakable acts that darken their souls. Defiance is met with dominance as each sister learns that having the Khimital's influence take control of their bodies is worse than carrying out these deadly deeds on their own. The Khimital is not without benevolence though. With each mission completed, the Khimital offers new powers and mastery of the shadows. Anjia must accept this new life that was thrust upon her and the sins she must commit in the Khimital's name. The longer Anjia is forced to serve, the deadlier she becomes. And the more power the Khimital gives her, the more she begins to embrace this new destiny…

The Corvus Crown by LCB

In the shadowed kingdom of Vyrelia, Kaevra Tenebris has spent her life hiding—hiding from her past, her power, and the forces that hunt her. When her carefully guarded world is shattered, she’s thrust into a dangerous game of survival. Rowanthar, a deadly tracker bound to the crown, is sent to capture her, but Kaevra proves to be unlike anyone he’s ever faced. As their paths collide, secrets unravel, and the fate of the kingdom teeters on the edge. Dark magic, forbidden alliances, and treacherous choices await in this gripping tale of power, destiny, and courage.

Mist and Divide by M. E. Shotwell

Ten Lands Divided. One Shattered Past. A Forbidden Magic on the Brink of Awakening. In a world torn apart by the catastrophic Quake, Evella Trapper has lived a life of isolation on the northern banks of Corallon. For generations, her family has struggled to survive, relying on hunting and trapping to sustain them—but no matter how much time passes, the sins of her past still haunt her. Everything changes when Evella meets Arek, a stranger displaced by the quakes, who reveals a shocking the king has sent him to recruit her for a secret army, one that wields a powerful, forbidden magic—Soulmagic. As the quakes grow stronger and threaten to tear the world apart, Evella embarks on a journey to master her powers. But her Soulmagic only emerges in her sleep, leaving her unable to fight back in the waking world. With the fate of her family, her homeland, and her own future at stake, she must confront her darkest fears—both the ones buried in her past and those that threaten the fragile peace of the present. Joined by a team of Soulmagi, Evella faces the ghosts of her past, uncovers the deadly truth behind the quakes, and must make an impossible choice. Will she harness her power in time to protect the people she loves and secure the future she desperately wants?

Speak with the Dead by E. C. Taylor

Annalyn Hale doesn’t believe in the gods. If they do exist, they’ve only ever taken from her. After her father dies, Anna lives a small, quiet life with her mother, gathering what their bakery needs from the woods. For fun, she treks deep into the trees surrounding her home to find dangerous ruins and the treasure they hold within. Her world shifts when she returns home to find debt collectors harassing her mother. They give her a choice–either her mother goes to jail for missing payments, or Anna joins the governor’s armed forces and they take the money out of her wage. Anna enlists and when the commander gives her a mission that would pay off half her debt, she accepts, even though she doesn’t think she’s ready. But the mission is steeped in treachery before it can begin. Is the team strong enough to triumph over the conspiracy set against them? Will Anna succeed despite her shortcomings, or are they too much for her to overcome? If the gods do exist, what will they take from her now?

The Bone Drenched Woods by L.V. Russell

Carve the bones. One for the gate, one for the door, two for the mantel, and three for the floor… Hyacinth Turning knows the terrors beyond her village, the insatiable hunger of the Teeth. She listens to the sermons given by the Elders in their hare-skin masks. She watches as the heathens hang and the witches burn. They tell her to be good and quiet. But Hyacinth is neither good nor quiet. After a series of tragic events, Hyacinth finds herself hastily wedded and sent far away from all she has ever known to a settlement at the edge of the sea. Where more than just the Teeth are hungry. Another horror swims below, leviathan shadows kept at bay by offerings of flesh and bone. But no sooner does Hyacinth take root in her new home do the Teeth and the Deep come to feed. Suspicion soon falls upon the outspoken Hyacinth, who spends more time with the outcasted Morgan Carroway than her own husband. The Elders want her burned, her husband wants her hanged, and a long-lost love claws at her dreams, but Hyacinth only wants one thing. A life and death of her choosing.

Where Dark Things Rise by Andrew K. Clark

Sixteen-year-old Mina is frustrated by Daddy’s drinking, her mom’s fanatical religious beliefs, and growing up poor in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most of her teachers assume she won’t amount to much despite her 4.0 GPA, and the country club guys think she’s easy prey. But they don’t know Mina’s dark secret: She can control a magical force of supernatural creatures known as the Shadow Faces. Mina doesn’t want powers. All she wants to do is escape the trailer park for a leafy college campus far away. But when her crush, Gabe, is stalked by a shapeshifting preacher/wolf, Mina learns to use her powers to protect him. Mina soon discovers the same preacher is trafficking teens for a mystical brothel and has kidnapped her best friend, Erin, after a failed attempt at conversion therapy. Can Mina use the Shadow Faces to save Erin and the other kids without losing her chance at a normal life?

Echo’s End by Claudia J. Filusch

THE WORLD IS COLLAPSING—QUIETLY. COMPLETELY. The sky rains golden ash. Villages lie swallowed in dust. And from the heavens it descends, silent, monolithic, like a sentence long awaited. A cuboid humming with a power no one dares to name. The story follows Caden, a quiet survivor with Echodust in his veins and Jira, a sharp-eyed healer bound to him by choice, not fate. Together, they navigate a dying continent littered with failed machines, ghost-towns of ritual, and warnings about “the one who walks without skin“. But the deeper they go, the more the past bleeds into the present, and the more the line blurs between memory, magic and machine. Echo's End is a story about grief and survival, love and legacy. A world at its edge. And the silence that cradles what we could not carry. With the emotional intimacy of The Book Thief, the haunting mystery of Annihilation, and the high-concept tension of Dune, Echo's End explores legacy, loss, and what it means to remain human in a world unmaking itself.

A Fire So Lovely by Violetta Brooks

Searching for a sense of purpose after her harrowing experience in the dungeon, Aislinn returns to the one place that made her whole and broke her: House Woodthorne. This time, a new mission arises—protect the realm. Under the banners of Isolde, Daegyn, Aislinn, and Landyn march to gather an army. The trio embarks on a journey across Carafye, meeting new faces and going through hardships. While the brothers still quarrel over bygones and Aislinn's affection, Aislinn's love for Daegyn only grows, and the two of them dream of a life of peace and solitude together. But will their love be enough to sustain them through their discovery of life-altering truth? Will it be enough to chase away the demons of the past? Can true love conquer all, or does it crumble to pieces when the weight of the realm rests on its shoulders?

The Great and the Dark by Violetta Brooks

Aislinn Lockmere—a talented baker in the realm of Carafye—has known struggle as a widow and single mother, but she enjoys her independence, no matter the hardships. Her entire world is flipped upside down when she's taken away from her self-built life by charismatic half-elf lord Landyn Woodthorne. He brings her to his estate, where she is forced to have a hand in his plans to unite two kingdoms. There, she meets Landyn's younger brother Daegyn—a half-elf headsman with a calling for vengeance. House Woodthorne provides her with friendship and rouses forbidden feelings inside her that she swore off long ago. As if things aren't difficult enough, a terrible tragedy befalls the kingdom, and Aislinn's will to survive is tested. Will she trust true love or remain as she's always known—alone?

The Witch Hunter's Debt by J.L. Coulbeck

Monsters wake. Glass shatters. And Thrazo is the poor bastard left paying for it. All the orc sellsword wanted was ale, a bed, and a night without getting stabbed. Instead, a nightmare clawed its way out of a tavern alley and nearly tore him apart—until witch hunter Elijah Lynton, stepped in, bound him to an obligation he never asked for. Now the hunter has come to collect. The job: a village drowning in swamp water, mirrors that show the dead, and fiends wearing the faces of the long-buried. There’s even a witch tangled in the middle—though whether she’s the cure or another curse, no one can say. Elijah hunts like Dion himself is watching. Thrazo swings his axe and tries not to drown. But debts don’t vanish. One way or another, this one’s getting paid.

Return of Eve (Emilia of the Solstice Realm #1) by Daphne Paige

A Court of Thorns and Roses and Kingdom of the Wicked collide in this dark romantic fantasy world where a lost princess fights to keep her morals despite an ancient curse trying to turn her to the Darkness. WHEN THE SWORD OF DEATH IS SHATTERED, THE SWORD OF LIFE MUST BE REFORGED. Emilia only remembers two years of her life–everything before she woke up on a park bench in the Earthen Realm covered in blood is a puzzle to her. But after a terrifying vision makes her the laughingstock of her senior year, she meets a mysterious boy with a scar and a smirk who promises to fill in the sixteen-year gap in her memory. Reunited with long-forgotten friends, she embarks on a journey to repair Eve, the Sword of Life, and save her kingdom. However, her journey is cut short when an army of vampires overtakes her palace–sent by the man who killed her father and broke her heart. Now Emilia has to make a choice… Either stay the prisoner of her corrupt ex-fiancé or kill him and inherit the evil that taints his blood. Embark on a dark fantasy adventure, full of mages, vampires, and corruption. The perfect read for fans of: Vampires, mages, and mermaids Chosen One Found Family Fated Mates Allies to Lovers Love Triangles Corruption and Redemption Arcs Sisterhood and Brotherhood Ball Gowns and Ballrooms Blood Magic Tombs Portal Magic ♥ Return of Eve introduces a lovable cast of characters as they explore their dark-cursed world, featuring found family, fated mates, corruption and redemption arcs, and different types of mage magic. Grab your copy today or read through Kindle Unlimited. ♥

The Heir of Ash and Thunder (The Shattered Veil #1) by Elijah Stepanovich

Some destinies burn their way into the world. Ilija Dragović has spent his life studying myths he doesn't quite believe. As a professor of classical mythology, he walks among ancient ruins with a strange, unsettling familiarity, as though something within him remembers what his mind cannot. He has buried the memory of the night his father died, when he was seventeen and five flames appeared in the darkness. He tells himself it was grief, trauma, a child's mind breaking under loss. Then the presence he's always carried beneath his skin begins to wake. It rises as heat in his blood, as light behind his eyes, as a voice that feels like coming home. The world leans toward him in recognition, and Ilija realizes the myths he's taught aren't stories at all, but memories of a life lived when empires rose at his command. Across sea and stone, ancient powers turn their attention toward him. They remember him as beloved, as rival, as ruin. They are coming to witness his return, to challenge him, to kneel, to kill. As the ancient storm he once wielded returns to his hands, Ilija must face an impossible choice: reclaim the power that could reshape the world, or resist the destiny that's already rewriting him from within. The Heir of Ash and Thunder is a tale of awakening and defiance, where memory is both weapon and wound, and the past refuses to stay buried.

Family Demons by A.L. Sestier

When fifteen-year-old Ophelia is betrayed and institutionalized for seeing moving shadows, she thinks her life is over. But those shadows are about to lead her to an ancient letter, a pair of magical train tickets, and a world hidden beneath our own - the Netherworld. There, paper can kill, mirrors are portals, and family magic comes with a terrible price. As Ophelia discovers her true identity as heir to one of the great magical houses, she must master her newfound powers to save her sister from a demonic curse. But in a realm where even love can be weaponized, choosing who to trust might be the deadliest magic of all.

Blood & Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo

From the moment Dayanara could wield a blade, she's been used as a weapon for Caldera, a kingdom of fierce brujas. Whenever her mother, the all-powerful Acna, points her in the direction to kill, Dayanara follows. After centuries of war against the vampire kingdom at their border, her mother offers their king Dayanara's hand in marriage as a truce. Their agreement is bound by magic, and Dayanara must decide if she wants to kill the king, seduce the king, or embrace the union. On the bright side, the marriage is set to make her the next Acna, granting her all the power that comes with the role. Depending on how much the Goddess Naom gifts her, it could be enough to regain control of her life. Or maybe everything will crumble beyond repair.

Under the Horn of Hearth by S.P. Rowe

"Brutal, brooding, and beautifully atmospheric, “Under the Horn of Hearth” plunges readers into the icy heart of Northland." "This is one of those books that spark conversations long after the final page is turned. Its unconventional structure and unexpected twists create an engaging reading experience that kept me guessing until the end." Under the Horn of Hearth, book one of the Northland Frail series, takes place in the cold north. Two brothers face the Trials, battling physical threats, inner demons, and monstrous creatures to test their mettle and secure their fate. In the rugged realm of Northland, the Brond Helms—guardians of tradition and power—pose a daunting challenge to every young warrior: The Trials. These harrowing tests are designed to strip away all pretense and reveal the true nature of those who dare to face them. Two brothers, driven by a fierce desire to prove themselves, step into The Trials, where they confront not only physical threats but also their deepest fears and inner demons. In a place dominated by violence and monstrous creatures, the brothers must fight for their survival and a chance to secure their position in both this life and the next. Amidst relentless battles and treacherous challenges, they discover that the true test lies not just in overcoming external obstacles, but in confronting their own humanity. Their journey through The Trials will determine not only their fate but also the essence of who they are. SPEAK YOUR MIND AND HOLD FAST TO IT. ... This story was born from loss. As a young man, I experienced a profound tragedy that left me questioning everything—where do we go when we die? Religions and even quantum physics offer answers, but certainty remains elusive. As the years pass and more loved ones fade, the weight of that question only deepens. But I grieve not just for the dead—freedom itself is fading. Across the political spectrum, those who once championed liberty grow increasingly illiberal. Fear and power erode principle, and truth bends to ideology. This book is my attempt to create a mythology where freedom and ethics stand side by side—where death is not an end, but a preparation for a grand adventure.

Earth Mover: Elemental Shift Book 1 by J.C. Murphey

In a world where magic pulses through veins like blood, power is measured by the secrets one keeps—and Haron Val Toric has many to hide. In the kingdom of Respar, the rules are clear: male spellcasters build and protect, while women heal and nurture. Yet Haron, the realm's most skilled necromancer, has never been one to conform. When a noblewoman is discovered gruesomely murdered, Haron takes it upon herself to investigate, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens to tear Respar’s fragile peace apart. Each revelation from the dead drags her deeper into a tangled web of long-buried secrets—secrets better left untouched. Crown Prince Irin Gailish enlists Haron’s formidable powers to solve the mysterious death of his father. Captivated by her sharp intellect and her refusal to bow to courtly pretensions, Irin finds himself torn between his duty to the kingdom and an attraction that could bring ruin. As their fates intertwine, so do the dark schemes of those who wish to see them both undone. But Haron's greatest deception is the one hidden beneath her careful exterior. She is far more than she appears—more dangerous, more powerful, and more hunted. May the Old Gods have mercy on any soul who rips away her mask, for there are fangs hidden beneath it.

Event Horizon: When stars die by Victor Neil Murray

(Continuation of the book “Event Horizon. The Dark Middle Ages”) “Event Horizon. When Stars Die” The story spans the Victorian era and other realities — living worlds with their own nature, cultures, and laws, where the very fabric of life resonates differently than on Earth. There, light can be lethal, and darkness may be the only thing capable of giving hope. This is not merely a journey through worlds. It is a journey through destinies that cannot be escaped and wounds that cannot be forgotten. There are worlds where fate is a thin thread that can be severed. There are worlds where fate is a choice paid for in blood. And there are worlds where even fate itself fears to speak the names of those who must live. When light disappears, darkness does not come. History comes — and it demands sacrifice. Event Horizon is an epic about those who cannot hide from themselves. About those born of light, and those who rise from darkness — yet still seek a way to remain alive without becoming monsters. There are no characters who desire greatness. Only those forced to carry it like chains. Their fears are louder than weapons, their choices heavier than battles, their love — more dangerous than any magic. Against collapsing skies, dying worlds, and civilizations that have forgotten their names, every hero takes a step that makes reality itself tremble. No one here is born to be central. Each is the center of their own tragedy. The one who fears the power flowing through his veins. The one who fears his own weakness. The one who runs from the past — and the one the past finds even in other worlds. The one who tries to save others, and the one who knows that sometimes salvation is the worst form of destruction. Their voices carry pain, their footsteps carry prophecy, their mistakes carry the breath of gods. Can one bear light without burning? Can one love without destroying? This is not a story about war. Nor a story about the end of times. It is a story about the cost — the price paid by those who dare to look into the deepest darkness and ask: “Why do we live, if stars die all the same?”

EVENT HORIZON: The Dark Middle Ages. by Victor Neil Murray

Sometimes a world does not die by the sword. But because someone once loved too fiercely. When gods fall and magic becomes a curse, salvation is not chosen by strength — but by the heart. Two brothers. One — a king, ready to die to save the world. The other — the one who tried to defeat death for love… and became its curse. A girl whose voice was stolen by grief will one day speak in the tongue of gods — and her word will be stronger than any blade. This is not a tale of good and evil. It is a story of choices that always come too late. Of betrayal born from love. Of sacrifice stronger than destiny. Of a world learning to breathe after the death of gods. When the stars go out, when love becomes a weapon, and only darkness remains — one question will rise: What are you willing to surrender so the world may see light again? Event Horizon. Dark Middle Ages — a story of those who desired light so desperately they unknowingly created darkness. And a legend where salvation and ruin walk the same road.

Killed By True Love's Kiss by Haley Bono

When Lottie survives her seventeenth birthday, despite her Grandmother's curse, she believes she's finally done it. No doomed romance, no tragic kiss—she’s finally free to live her life and mend things with her sister./ But what if she was wrong?/ And the curse was never coming for her?/ As the truth unravels, Lottie must untangle a generations-old mystery, take on death, and face the Curse of Love in the flesh. Why should true love decide anyone’s fate?

Of Mists and Bogs: Intrigue, Espionage, and Tea by LMG Wilson

Better to be the fox than the hare within Yonaba’s high walls. Yonaba, the city surrounded by mists, mud drakes, and carnivorous trees, holds an iron grip on travel through the Valley of Mists and with it all trade on the continent. The city-state is both famous and wealthy for trading its coveted mukio berry tea cultivated from watery bogs. All that prosperity has made Yonabans powerful. Yet, however safe they feel behind their gates, a greater threat waits within. Inei, faithful agent of the northern nation Cirdenor, has infiltrated the ruling High House of Yonaba. After months pretending to be the face that she wears, she’s eager to complete her mission. In the past, she’s done so at the edge of a knife, but this time Inei receives a small snuffbox and mysteriously vague instructions. Dump the box in the High House mukio berry bogs. The gaps in information and her instincts seed doubts in her missions as Inei finds herself surrounded by power-hungry politicians and nobles with conquest on their minds. Isolated, she must decide who to trust as the snare that is the walled city closes in around her.

Demon Eyes by Julie Krohn

Desperate to save her graduation plans, Vayda joins a rising metal band's tour only to find her biggest challenge isn’t the research, but the brooding lead singer who might just unravel her perfectly planned life. Vayda Kimble, a college student in her last semester of school, just discovered her plans for graduation are in jeopardy. The perfect rock band she planned to study for her sociology research project unexpectedly canceled their spring tour. Scrambling to find another band that will meet her graduation requirements and limited timeframe, her father suggests ASYLUM, a hot new heavy-metal band growing in popularity. Without question, Vayda quickly signs up to join their tour. Dex Marshall, an angry demon with a broken past, hates Vayda from the moment he sees her, and he isn’t afraid to hide his disgust for their new stowaway. As Vayda climbs the steps of the tour bus, she soon becomes entangled in a hidden world of demons where she is not welcome, and faces the grim reality where the one demon who can keep her safe hates her. As Dex and Vayda come to a truce and fight opposition, emotions are heightened. When outside forces threaten to tear them apart forever, Vayda finds herself in a desperate battle to fight for her freedom or risk losing her future with Dex completely.

Yelen and Yelena by C. M. Rosens

In a rural corner of the Provinces simmering with civil unrest, Laundress Yelena's village is afflicted by a dangerous fungal rot-plague. When she is falsely accused of dark sorcery, Yelena is evicted from her cottage and forced into the rot-infested forest... Yelen is a forgotten tyrant, turned into a monster hundreds of years ago and desperate to distance himself from the power-hungry brute he once was... But he craves companionship and an end to his lonely existence. When the wind leads Yelena to Yelen, she discovers a kindred spirit in the aromantic, bi-attracted monster, and their relationship quickly escalates. But being a guest in a cursed castle with a lonely, amorous Beast is not all fun and games - while exploring, Yelena makes a disturbing discovery about the rot-plague's source, and starts showing symptoms of infection herself. Can Yelen and Yelena work together to find a lasting cure for the rot seeping beyond the castle walls, or will the castle's curse claim another victim? YELEN & YELENA is a standalone, monster-loving 'tour de force', perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast re-imaginings, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, and T. Kingfisher's What Moves The Dead. Look no further for a deeply atmospheric Dark Gothic Fantasy with a Hopepunk core, and a sapphic riff on Orpheus & Eurydice subplot. Yes, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but it is a genuinely refreshing one. For one, it is emphatically not a love story. Both Yelena and the beast, Yelen, are aromantic. They lust plenty, but their love is strictly platonic. We witness sincere affection blossom, but it’s the affection of dear friends. ... if you’re happy with no-strings attached smut, you will not be disappointed. This is one for the monsterf---ers, emphasis on f--k. It gets weird, it gets dangerous, and it is utterly unapologetic about it. - Dai Baddley, Divination Hollow Review

Unseen by RD Baker

One forced vow One devastating truth One forbidden obsession London, 1865 Born a baron’s daughter, young Evangeline Brimworth knows a thing or two about aristocracy’s politics. Though she never thought she’d be the bargaining chip. When her family winds up penniless and her hand in marriage is sold to a man old enough to be her geriatric grandfather to restore their fortune. But Evangeline refuses to be caged without a fight—and she’s willing to risk everything to escape. The last person she expected to get in her way is her stepson. Azriel Caine. Cynical, mysterious, and seemingly following her every step. Because somehow, he holds a dangerous secret about her over her head, and unless she wants to destroy her reputation, she must do as he says. Including wed him. Their impropriety is nothing new for Azriel, and he hardly cares. He believes in obsession. In possession. And the more Evangeline peels back his layers, she finds herself craving his darkness almost as much as she fears it. Fans of Bridgerton craving the scandalous, wicked underbelly of high society will devour this dark, taboo romance from bestselling author RD Baker that will leave you swooning, reeling, and gasping at every turn.

Black Smoke Rising by Caroline Cuell

After generations of war, the world has settled into an uncomfortable peace, the foundations of which are built on the simple premise laid out in unwritten law — you keep to your own kind. For the fae of Viriador and the elves of Carpathia, this way of life has seen them flourish and thrive, content with their own ways, the stains of bloody wars nothing more than words on pages of old scripture. For the dragon-shifters of Predoran, however, the lust for bloodshed is proving hard to suppress. King Dracul was the one to force the fae and elves from his lands, driven by the need to be cleansed of his sworn enemies. Now though, the disappointments of peace see him craving violence. His decision to take the lands of those he despises threatens to destroy all that has been built — and in doing so will change the course of six lives forever.

Demon Engine by Marten Norr

Sally Delavega, the best demon-binder the world has ever seen, would do anything to banish the two hundred ghosts trapped in his head—even if it means swimming up from the bottom of his tankard. When the Navy that destroyed his life comes sailing back to offer enough coin to get the job done, Sally agrees. All he has to do is help the crew of the Steadfast track down the ancient abyssal that lies sleeping at the heart of their drowned world. Why the Navy wants the demon isn’t Sally’s problem. But as they sail on, Sally begins to dredge up disturbing truths about how the world flooded and their ancient eldritch quarry that might just want to be found… Imaginative and poignant, funny and bizarre, Demon Engine brings us a bold, queer high-seas adventure that asks how deep we might venture for what we aren’t willing to lose.

It Begins by Eule Grey

Byron, PhD student and waistcoat admirer, knows about yearning and betrayal. It’s been four years since the love of his life, Ruben, walked off without explanation. Byron dreams of midnight sex he can’t fully remember and a beloved man with dancing eyes. If only Ruben would return… But life moves on. At least it did until you-know-who unexpectedly pitches a tent in the garden, provoking ghosts from the past as well as Byron’s aching heart. Ruben understands how to push Byron’s buttons. But he doesn’t know why someone is stalking them or why his memories are haunted by students playing a naked truth-dare game in an ancient room. What happened on the claw-marked table covered with crispy skin flakes? Halloween draws close, and with it comes a rollercoaster ride of sex, fear, and love. At the back of their minds, a chilling, familiar voice reminds Byron and Ruben of a game from long ago and a pact that can’t be abandoned or left unfinished. True love never dies.

The Electric King by Hugh C.N. Miller

By 2052, the world is ruled by artificial intelligence in the form of a ruthless android called King Cyrus. Society is divided into the 'Myriads’, who choose allegiance to his reign and live in perceived opulence and the ‘Indigents’, who live off-grid and fight for survival. An unthinkable tragedy transforms Scarlett into an unexpected warrior. With her kidnapped brother as her only focus, she is given the power to defeat the electric king and liberate humanity before it’s too late. But first, she must trust Ethan, a handsome thief who threatens to steal more than just her heart…

Atheron: The Call of Veydrath by Joseph E. Klug

Across the fractured lands of Atheron, five great races stand divided by ancient wounds and unyielding mistrust. While their leaders cling to arrogance and fear, something far older awakens beneath the mountains. The soul-gem Veydrath, long thought a relic of the gods, has surfaced—and within it stirs a bound chaos demon whose will was never truly silenced. Amid the rising discord, a young human warrior, an elven ranger unburdened by her people’s pride, a gnome inventor, and a halfling seer form an uneasy fellowship. Their mixed heritage defies the divisions of their age, and together they must uncover the truth of Veydrath before its corruption spreads beyond recall. Atheron: The Call of Veydrath is an epic dark-fantasy of unity born from fracture, where prophecy, corruption, and faith collide in a world standing at the edge of ruin.

The Servant by Justin Greer

Nearly a thousand years ago, the tyrant-sorcerer Mordechai betrayed his people, forged a weapon of darkness, and led an assault against the Middle Kingdoms to claim the throne of Reality. He slaughtered the defenders, broached the Shimmering Door, ascended to the Unseen Realm, and sought to make himself a god at the Heart of the World. Only at the last moment was he thwarted—by the sacrifice of a young woman, Lightbringer, who slew the Servant of Darkness and ended his terrible campaign. But now evil stirs in ancient strongholds, and blood-rituals claim the lives of innocents throughout the cities of the world, and fearsome shadow-monsters have reappeared to feast upon the living. The Servant has been resurrected. His armies have grown. His power has swelled. And he has resumed his bloody war against the free world. Again he marches for the Shimmering Door and the Heart of the World; and now there are few who remain to stay his hand. Only a young forest girl, Ashera Eldibara, has any hope of standing against Mordechai. She bears the Sword of Light, the fabled weapon of her predecessor, and its magic hums in her bones. Others stand at her side as protectors and guardians—a wizard, a warrior, and a huntress, each prepared to sacrifice all in the last desperate struggle against the Servant of Darkness. But they are few, and Ashera is young and untrained, inexperienced in the ways of magic and warfare—and the monstrous armies that she faces are vast and powerful . . . and already hunting her.

The Shard and The Serpent by Jinapher J. Hoffman

A high-stakes, spicy dark romantasy where assassins and criminally ruled cities battle for dominance, Fate twists bonds into violent obsession, and female rage fuels a revenge story as brutal and relentless as John Wick. In Mirror, ruined kingdoms have risen into darkly inventive criminal empires, each perfecting its trade through human trafficking and ruthless experimentation. Among the shadows, a secret league of female assassins with Fate-blessed powers exacts their ultimate punishment, vendettas paid only in blood. Rayze Angeline is one of them. A Shard Daughter. The Angel of Sin. She can fold oceans, warp gravity, and slip into minds. But her specialty is pleasure threads, entering a person’s mind by fulfilling their darkest desires and commanding them to spill their secrets. Her target? Warrick Ivor. Obsessive Heir to The Serpent. Her sworn enemy. The one man she should never touch. Unfortunately for Rayze, and to Warrick’s smug satisfaction, their souls are bound by Fate. She hates him almost as much as she craves the way he makes her his. Every glance is a challenge, every touch a dare, and neither of them ever walks away without drawing blood. Why would they? Killing is their favorite pastime. The more they push the limits of their Bond, the closer they edge toward a line that, once crossed, could turn passion into ruin. Dark secrets unravel, lust and empires collide, and revenge will be taken. For. Always. No matter the cost. If you crave a genre-bending dark fantasy/sci-fi romance with morally grey heroes, addictive spice, and twists that cut deep—where betrayal is as intoxicating as desire–The Shard and The Serpent will keep you up all night, gripping your Kindle, and screaming at the page. ✦ Tropes You’ll Find Inside ✦ ★ Criminal empires and assassins in a female-rage, John Wick–style revenge story ★ Unique twist on fated mates and fate magic ★ Medium-burn, addictive spice with a hard-earned HEA ★ Found family with women supporting women ★ Playthings to enemies to lovers ★ Masked, morally grey Heir who kneels only for her ★ Deadly female assassin with Fate-blessed superpowers ★ “You’re mine”, “Touch her and die”, “Who did this to you” ★ Primal chasing / primal hunting tension ★ Betrayal as foreplay, revenge as devotion ★ Pirates and flying pirate ships colliding with a grunge-punk cityscape of masked criminals ★ Dark secrets, memory loss and memory manipulation ★ Standalone in a series of interconnected standalones

Keepers of the Crossing: The Handsel Witches by Ryan J Hamshaw

Four months after the defeat of the Dark Friars, Liam O'Connor is finally finding some balance in life. He's juggling college, his friends, and his role as a Keeper of the Crossing. But that balance is about to break, and his friends’ safety is on the line. Tariq Ashar is trying to make his new relationship with Liam work while dealing with old secrets tied to Lucas Martindale, the obnoxious and unpredictable grandson of the Head of the Guild. When Lucas’ troubled past comes back to haunt him, it pulls Tariq and Liam into danger, putting everything at risk. Meanwhile, a new enemy is rising in Sarumbourne, driven by anger and revenge. As darkness spreads through the city, the Keepers must fight to protect it - or lose what they’ve sworn to defend.

A Light in the shadows by El Pace

The Light in the Shadows is the haunting first installment of the Born of Shadows series. It follows Skia, the daughter of the ruthless King of Shadows, who was born with light inside her - a gift stolen by her father. As two kingdoms teeter on the edge of war, Skia must decide who she is: the weapon her father raised, or the spark of rebellion destined to burn the Shadowlands to the ground. Across the border, the newly crowned King of Light is drowning under the weight of a kingdom that worships the sun but hides its own secrets in the dark. When fate binds him to the enemy's daughter, he faces a choice: protect the light, or let it burn everyting he's ever known. As war brews, ancient magic awakens, and a prophecy threatens to unravel both realms. Skia must decide: Will she become the monster they fear- or the storm that breaks them? Enemies to somwthing more. Betrayal with teeth. A crown made of shadows. For fans of morally grey heroines, star-crossed destines, and dark fantasy that hurts so good.

My Lord by L.B. Shimaira

"You try to comfort yourself with visions of events that didn't happen, but that doesn't mean that what did happen left no scars." After losing hearth and home, Meya attempts to escape the traumatic memories by travelling east. In 13th century Tristanja, however, it’s not safe to be alone. A local slave trader catches wind of the kinless woman and abducts her in the dead of night. Beaten and abused, the now meek Meya is sold to Lord Deminas. He's known to be cruel, yet becomes strangely protective of his new chambermaid, punishing anyone who dares hurt her. After cutting her to drink her blood, he even uses his own to heal her wounds. Meya and her paramour wonder if Deminas' dark secret is why servants regularly vanish, including the lord's previous chambermaids. However, the two women quickly learn that Lord Deminas isn't the only danger lurking in the castle's shadows. MY LORD is a queer, slow-burn erotic gothic horror novel about rediscovering yourself after trauma—with kinky, blood-drinking immortals and polyamory.

Blessed is the Rot by Sheri Singerling

Fenrir is a mask. Before his fall from grace, he was Ashtin, a lauded surveyor responsible for containing distortions, corrupted pockets of space-time that twist all they touch into horrid creatures. Five years prior, Ashtin defied the teachings of the Church he once served, costing him privilege, purpose, and his old name. Now, he is Fenrir, a shadow of his former self, reduced to ringing a bell for his livelihood. When a distortion claims Fenrir’s bell tower, the Church sends Surveyor Sophie to assess and contain the threat. She is a painful reminder of all that Fenrir has lost, but as the weeks slip by, Fenrir falls for her. And her him, even after learning his true identity. But Sophie harbors an even darker secret. Her only hope of salvation? Commit an unforgivable sin by descending into ancient ruins festering with distortions and their horrifying victims. Fenrir accompanies Sophie on the journey, but the truths they uncover are heinous in their own right. He must make a choice—abandon Sophie to fate or throw the world into chaos. Blessed is the Rot is a dark science fantasy novel, the first in the Bit Trilogy and part of the Alfom shared universe.

The Killing Song by Felix Graves

Fierce pirate captain Romada is about to retire from her high-stakes life when her siren girlfriend, Neiara, is abducted right in front of her. Together with Injago—her brother and quartermaster—and the rest of her crew, Romada sets out on what should have been a simple rescue mission, but as they begin raiding the siren holding camps and witness horrors there, they have to make a choice: fully commit to a burgeoning resistance against these atrocities, or stop for nothing and no one to find Neiara before she’s lost to them forever.

Darker Than the Starless Night by Rebecca Brodkey

A tale of gods and titans, the humans caught between them, and the chemistry that binds it all together Yom has found a simple solution to avoiding the obsessive thoughts that have haunted her since burying herself beneath powdered drugs, bodies, and coin. But when her gang’s leader demands loyalty at all costs, Yom’s position as the gang’s head chemist comes under threat. Forced to investigate, she crosses paths with a cagey royal archivist named Quia as they unearth a horrifying conspiracy to reopen the ancient war that ripped the world in two. Quia offers a tenuous cross the dangerous network of provinces to reach the queendom’s capitol, and seek the one mythical person capable of halting the forces of war. On the treacherous odyssey, Yom reckons with blood-thirsty crime lords, the queen’s personal guard, bounty hunters, forest spirits, old gods, and the specter of a friend she lost as a child—her first love—who might still be alive out there. The chemist must face her addiction to powder, her growing feelings for Quia, and the obsessive thoughts that threaten to tear her mind in two, lest she lose herself in her quest to save the world.

Fallen's First by Kassidy Coursey

Saer—the first demon and Pride himself—exists for a single-minded purpose: harvest souls to feed the ailing Devil who made him. The same Devil to whom he has sworn a vow of absolute loyalty.  Until the demoness Neyu, incarnation of Lust, makes Saer question what he understands his existence to mean. Every touch or glance from Neyu burns through Saer—the irresistible pull between them at blatant odds with his purpose…and his vow.  One does not love another above the Devil without consequence, so when Saer surrenders to his feelings for Neyu, the Hells shriek—and he's woefully unprepared to endure the punishment for his sins.

The Growing Darkness by Sean Gregory

Some call me a hero. Some call me a villain. Few know who I really am. Hell, all I know is I'm tired and wish someone was strong enough to end my misery. By any means necessary. But I can't die. Believe me, I've tried. Haunted by his past and endowed with powers he doesn't understand, Shen-Zarl battles suicidal thoughts while he hunts evil with a insatiable zeal. When he stumbles upon bandits assaulting a pair of twins from another realm he once again postpones his suicide plans. Princess Jesma and Prince Jesmir flee to the dangerous RhineWoods after witnessing their father's murder. The decision nearly costs them their lives--until a mysterious vigilante known as The Harbinger rescues them. Tamrin-Salzar, a famous tracker hired by a mysterious merchant to hunt down fugitives who murdered his son, discovers the man he works for is not who he seems. The decision sets him on an intercept course with fate. Thrust together by chance, a group of four strangers run from forces they do not understand on a desperate mission to find the truth. But the forces set against them seem to always be one step ahead…

Carrion Saints by Hiyodori

“Now reach back,” she said, “and tear off your wings.” Carrion Saints is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between an immortal saint and a severed head. Crow can pass for human. She may come off as eccentric, but she’s good at hiding her wings. As a saint, she’s devoted her endless life to protecting humanity from other immortals: the ones they call monsters. She’s finally ready to take on the worst monster of all, a great evil sealed at the edge of civilization. Magnolia is the worst monster of all. A villain who amuses herself by preying on valiant heroes. At first glance, she looks powerless. She looks, in fact, like a decapitated head (a very chatty one). But her magic lets her issue absolute commands to humans and immortals alike. She’s been waiting centuries for a challenger powerful enough to break the seal binding her in the wilderness. In other words, she’s been waiting centuries to magically seize control over someone like Crow. Crow has always been patient and forgiving. Sadistic, remorseless Magnolia awakens new depths of loathing in her—a hatred of frightening intensity. And now, she's forced to use her full power to grant Magnolia’s one heartfelt wish: to see the rest of the world. To make up for all the years she spent trapped alone with only trees for company. What follows is an ultra slow-burn romance between true enemies. Between good and evil. Between a winged woman and a talkative severed head (who occasionally sprouts the rest of her body, just to keep things lively). They travel together across a post-apocalyptic landscape marked by strange magic and scattered human settlements. Yet the apocalypse happened a long time ago, and eons will pass before their gradually fading world dies for good. In the meantime, these immortals are stuck with each other. Even a saint and a monstrous villain might eventually fall in love—but the path there will be dark, crooked, and sometimes surprisingly cozy. This standalone fantasy novel can be read without prior knowledge of the author’s other work.

The Child of the Greenwood by Joshua Walker

The #1 Bestselling Military Fantasy epic continues! Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn meets Tarzan in this epic fantasy, heroic coming of age tale. WHAT BEGINS WITH WATER WILL FINISH IN FLAMES. On the day the river destroyed his people, Jilo took up his father’s magical spear. Years later, when the heirloom is taken from him, he vows to do anything to get it back. The legend of the Sai-Kathan people and their destruction at the hands of nature will be told for all to hear. The river is sick and putrid. The magic is in the wrong hands. The spear is the answer to it all. The Child of the Greenwood is the second novella that supports The Song of the Sleepers series, an epic new fantasy from Joshua Walker.

Circus of Dreams by B. Green

Circus of Dreams: Crimson Carnival Book 1 B. Green Ticket admission: one. Dearest reader, you are cordially invited to attend a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one night only, satisfy your wildest appetites with no judgment or repercussions. All we ask for in return is unlimited access to your blood. Welcome to the Circus of Dreams. Once every fifteen years --for one night only-- a mysterious circus comes to the small town of Hillsview. To the untrained eye, it's simply a place to live out one's deepest, darkest desires. To Danni, it's a dangerous vampire hunting ground. After years of searching, Danni finally has the chance to avenge her mother's death when the Vampire Circus arrives with its enigmatic cast of performers. But she isn't counting being fated to its vampire ringmaster. Will she find revenge behind the velvet curtain... or love? Get ready for a thrilling ride into a world where every ticket has a cost, and love and vengeance dance together in the moonlight.

Kepstadur Keep by RG Sartain

All magic has a price. Sonja and her sister vowed to pay anything to revive their little brother, even if their own blood is the currency. After years chasing folktales, a single rumor remains: Kepstadur Keep. This once-decadent port rots at the far edge of their home country, harboring memories of the lost or forgotten. With the help of a foreign mercenary, Sonja dares to pluck at the strands of Kepstadur’s magic, risking her life to understand its secrets. But something malevolent lurks in the depths. If the castle proves itself more clever, Sonja could lose more than a brother to death’s soft voice.

Dawn of Silence by Heiner de Wendt

An icy dread seeped into Arkan’s bones. Vampires, spirits, dreamscapes…How was an ordinary thief like him supposed to handle this? On a mission to find his sister, Arkan finds himself at the center of a dangerous conspiracy—orchestrated by a terrifying foe from his past. He must band together with a vampire hunter and an illusionist on the run to save a city from the undead. But an even greater darkness casts its shadows over the reforged world of Ashandri. Dawn of Silence is the beginning of a dark epic fantasy trilogy. Follow a found family of adventurers in a diverse world of high magic, ancient secrets and political intrigue.