Menace and Memory by Whitney Hill

Book 3 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. Happily ever after has a price, and it all comes due now. Everything seems to be working out for Lya and Cade. But if they aren’t careful, all their efforts to be together will be undone by the people they swore they’d left behind. Cade has enough to worry about with the blood witch he suspects is still hunting Lya. Adding his former partner in crime from the bad old days to the mix doesn’t help—especially when a misstep gets Lya hurt. Lya feels closer to Cade than ever, but she can’t help thinking he’s still hiding something. Between that and unexpected news from home, she’s forced to look at what she really wants—and ask herself whether she’ll find it with Cade. To finally break free of the menace of their pasts and the grips of their memories, they’ll have to walk a dark road together…and decide what they want once and for all. This red-hot, action-packed vampire romance is told from two perspectives and has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Content warnings: strong physical violence and gore, blood-drinking, on-page death, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, knife violence, threat of sexual violence, mention of the off-page death of a parent, and consensual on-page sex scenes involving bondage, knife play, and consensual non-consent. Out Oct 29, 2022 from Benu Media.

Curses and Faith by Whitney Hill

Book 2 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. When there’s blood in the water, vampires aren’t the only ones looking for a bite. Lya is enjoying the new terms of her exile with her vampire lover—until the debt she accepted in exchange for their freedom comes due. When she’s ordered to North Carolina’s Outer Banks to complete a solo job, she knows there’ll be trouble. She doesn’t expect Cade to be part of it. Cade thinks the dangers of bygone days are finally behind him, but old curses have a long life. When a blood witch from his past comes slinking into the present, Cade is desperate to keep Lya safe—even if it means undermining her. Nothing stays hidden forever and when the choice is between treason and treasure, nobody makes it out unscathed. Staying alive and together will force Lya and Cade to choose between the siren songs of their pasts or their faith in the future…and each other. This red-hot, action-packed vampire romance is told from two perspectives and has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Content warnings: consensual on-page sex, physical violence, gore, non-fatal car accidents, blood-drinking, on-page death, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, knife violence, threat of sexual violence, and a scene where a character is unable to breathe. Out now from Benu Media. Buy the ebook at all booksellers. Find the paperback at your local indie bookseller or on Amazon.

Secrets and Truths by Whitney Hill

Book 1 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. Sparks fly when the hunter becomes the hunted. Half-elven bounty hunter Lya Desmarais is living in exile in North Carolina after getting into trouble back home. When her boss makes it clear he’s got a target on her back, she seeks dangerous allies to regain control of her future. Vampire vagabond Cade is running from his past and thirsty for more powerful blood than mundanes can offer. Most of Otherside is off-limits, but the human-blooded are fair game. When he and Lya cross paths in a scandalously sexy way at a Raleigh nightclub, Cade finds the perfect target. But nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems in the supernatural community, not even lust. And for love to win, predator and prey must find a way to meet in the middle-or die trying. Told from two perspectives, this red-hot, action-packed vampire romance has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Fans of the Shadows of Otherside series will see some familiar faces alongside the new, with this story set approximately four years before the events of Elemental. Newcomers can read this book as a standalone entry. Content warnings: consensual on-page sex, physical violence, on-page death, blood-drinking, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, threat of sexual violence, implied past sexual violence, and remembrance of a past abusive relationship. This is a steamy romance that should only be read by adults. Out now from Benu Media. Buy the ebook at all booksellers. Find the paperback at your local indie bookseller or on Amazon.

Unbound by Adrian J Smith

Manipulating a powerful witch isn’t as easy as Faye hoped. She infiltrates Molly the witch’s mysterious house under the guise of needing help. And the guise of being harmless. Totally not a vampire at all. Unfortunately, Molly’s secrets are difficult to discover. She’s almost as good at hiding things as Faye herself. Molly’s staff are as weird as they are distrustful, but Faye begins to win Molly over. Then A mob boss discovers what Faye’s after. Faye finds herself putting her life in Molly’s hands. Will secrets doom their relationship, or will they form a powerful team?

Shadow of Fire by Kate Schumacher

A potent power is about to be unleashed. Forbidden and forged in flame. Control over the elements is a gift from the Gods, but since the creation of the Rift, fire magic has been outlawed in Merawuld. The Rift is a source of mystery, fear, and, for some, a tempting source of power. Ash is a fire caster who has spent years hiding her magic, but when her explosive powers reveal themselves she is imprisoned by the Mage Council. Ash’s powers are coveted by the High Mage, who seeks to use her as a pawn against not only his enemies, but his allies as well. With the Bone Mother’s winter fast approaching, the fae Princess vows to fight against the corrupting influence of power, forming an alliance whose success rests on a human man’s desire for peace; a man who must decide if he will play the game he's inherited or begin one of his own. But in Aileryan, the Gods have their own plans. As the Mother of All turns the wheel of the year, the land is brought to the edge of war. Loyalty and courage will be sorely tested as paths intertwine and Fate plays her hand. If Ash can’t learn to control her magic, the scheming of gods and mortals could spell doom for them all.

Skins & Needles by Bailey Elizabeth

Two souls, too many secrets. What makes the criminal organizations of Phoenix, Arizona so efficient, and so untraceable? Charlotte Acosta doesn't know, nor does she care to find out. She just wants to tattoo her heart out and stay on the bad guys' good sides. But when one of her regular clients invites her to a glitzy party with all the city's most dangerous in attendance, she can't help but accept. She's neutral ground, after all. What could possibly go wrong? Arsen Volkov never wanted a tattoo. He was only in the shop for his brother’s midday appointment. Yet something about the zany, red-haired, spitfire of an artist makes him want to change his mind. But how can he justify his attraction to her when they come from two different worlds? Not to mention species...

Falling Through the Weaving by Leia Talon

With elements of Outlander, Thor, and The Time Traveler's Wife, book one in the ROOTS AND STARS series follows a time-traveling minstrel who weaves her destiny with three men in alternate histories, and plunges so far into the past that dragons still exist. As Shelta’s music bridges worlds, her fate is intertwined with three men who share the same soul: A Scottish spymaster. An ex-vigilante hunted by outlaws. A Viking demigod with the secrets of dragons. To be a family they must pay Time's price: Love. Grieve. Surrender. Fight. PRAISE FOR FALLING THROUGH THE WEAVING: "A spellbinding, genre-bending delight for fans of romance and fantasy alike.” — Kat Turner “This book is sweet and steamy with a dreamy vibe that will suck you in. Like cowboys? How about Scottish Lords? Maybe you prefer Norsemen. Dragons? Blend Outlander and Game of Thrones with a few cowboys and gods and you’ll almost capture the essence. Falling Through the Weaving has something for every romance reader.” — Elysia Lumen Strife “Shelta’s journey of discovery left me with an enormous sense of peace and trust. A vivid and lyrical adventure. I look forward to the next part of the tale!” — Halla Williams “Talon has the timeless voice of a classic, undying author. From beginning to end, the writing was masterful… each page a new brushstroke against the canvas of not just one life, but many across time. I really felt like I was living it with her.” — Kristina Castillo “This is some seriously good series writing. Some series start slow, but this isn't one of them. This was on full boil almost from the first paragraph and it did what seems the impossible. Gave us a place to stop and catch our breath without doing any harm to the next book. It's just remarkably well done; you will absolutely love it.” — Tom Wacker

Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke

Tinker Bell, banished from her homeland for doing the unthinkable, selling the hottest drug in Neverland—pixie dust—wants absolution. Determined to find a way home, Tink doesn’t hesitate to follow the one lead she has, even if that means seducing a filthy pirate to steal precious gems out from under his…hook. Captain Hook believes he’s found a real treasure in Tink. That is, until he recovers from her pixie dust laced kiss with a curse that turns the seas against him. With his ship and reputation at the mercy of raging storms, he tracks down the little minx and demands she remove the curse. Too bad she can’t. However, the mermaid queen has a solution to both of their problems, if Tink and Hook will work together to retrieve a magical item for her. As they venture to the mysterious Shrouded Isles to find the priceless treasure, their shared nemesis closes in. However, his wrath is nothing compared to the realization that achieving their goal may mean losing something they never expected to find—each other.

Bared Magic by Sara R. Cleveland

A Goldilocks-inspired fantasy romance with just a hint of spice. The girl with the golden hair... Siphons are rare creatures, supposedly born of the union of human and fae blood. How she got her ability doesn’t much matter to Wynne; all she knows is it’s a death sentence or worse if the wrong people find out about her gift. It’s too bad she was never very good at minding her own business. ... and the bear who stole her heart An old curse grows stronger, leaving Callum Bertram sleepless and desperate. He thinks he’s found a temporary solution until a pretty young woman accidentally uses up his sleeping charm. Now, this werebear suddenly finds himself craving something more than a good night’s sleep.

Courting the Dragon by Sara R. Cleveland

When Princess Penelope comes home for her kingdom’s summer festival, she is stunned by her father’s ultimatum: choose a suitor by the end of the holidays, or forfeit her place at the Academy of Mages. The only problem is, none of them are the man she wants, the Dragon-Wizard Salarath. Somehow Penelope must dodge her would-be suitors and convince Salarath that their love is something worth fighting for. But as she begins to uncover the secrets someone in the palace is hiding, she may find that she’s courting danger rather than Courting the Dragon.

Saving the Dragon by Sara R. Cleveland

Princess Penelope wants nothing more than to study at the Academy of Mages. Despite her natural talent, her father refuses to even entertain the idea. So when the opportunity arises to visit her mysterious wizard godfather, Penelope leaps at the chance. She never expects to find a different kind of magic in the arms of her godfather’s reclusive nephew, Stefan. When an unexpected enemy uses Stefan’s secrets against them, Penelope’s magic and courage are put to the test. Can she rescue the man she loves? Or will she fall Saving the Dragon?

A Song for the Road by Catherine Labadie

An outcast in her tight-knit community, Larkspur endures her poor health with help neither from her family nor her fickle sweetheart. At a yearly moon festival she beseeches the spirits for better luck...but they lead her to a foundling elf child she did not want and a quest she did not ask for. Yet she and the mute spryte form a bond over their shared struggles. When danger arrives at their cottage, Larkspur sets out with the girl she's named Gentian from the country of her homefolk into the land of songs and tales itself. Through leagues of treacherous border woods lies miraculous Beledan, where dwarven chieftains quarrel amongst themselves and, far to the north, the mysterious elves marshal for war.

A Turn of the Wheel by Catherine Labadie

It is known that many harvests grow in the king’s orchard, both magical and mundane. So too has Aubria grown in her village community tending to the trees, bringing in a multitude of harvests, and partaking in the wheel of the year with her community. But not every branch grows the same way, and a newly betrothed Aubria finds that her heart and her longings for her future will take paths as winding as those leading through the sacred grounds of the orchard itself. The kingdom outside stands on a precipice, and the arrival of a Potioner carrying the weight of his convoluted past promises to make her change as no one born from orchard soil ever has before.

Slow Wanes the Night by Catherine Labadie

Haunted by her most recent past, half immortal Gwendoline journeys with Niles into the unknown. With all their attention trained on the future, they discover that by searching for Fate's lost Lords - and Niles's new brethren - they are distracting themselves from the ever widening distance setting them apart.Determined to create a new version of herself, Everleigh embraces her role as Starford's ruler. There's no time for mourning everything - and everyone - she lost as she dedicates herself to the task of rebuilding what Averill destroyed. Yet his voice whispers in her mind as a new threat on the horizon forces her to renew alliances she would rather abandon to the past.All the while, Fate herself goes mad with the approach of something that has the potential to destroy not just her, but everything she's ever built on Earth.

Long Grows the Dark by Catherine Labadie

Before Glenna, court sorceress in the service of Princess Jael, struggles to hide her feelings for her best friend’s betrothed. Yet even as the realm approaches its golden age, an unforeseen enemy rises to corrupt the princess and take the land for himself. Fate may lead them down a path too painful to contemplate, but are Glenna’s choices enough to dispel the inevitable darkness set to veil their future? Now Gwendoline Hallewell, a Starford University student in a world where magic is commonplace, has always been unusual. When her casting book summons a man from the past to interfere with her dangerous new present, she has no choice but to trust him. As she and her friends Colt and Everleigh reconcile what happened before with what must happen in the present. Gwendoline must decide what it means to make her own choices, suffer her own consequences, and if free will is really within her grasp.

String of Stardust by James Margaret Rose

"It is a farce for a wildflower, so meek and common, rooted firmly in the Earth, to fall in love with the Moon..." Despite her status as a noblewoman, Suzette always dreamt of becoming a baker; however, she never had the courage to fly away from her gilded cage. But once an ill-arranged marriage pushes her to the brink, she escapes with the help of her dear friend Hikaru, a mysterious man who lonesomely wanders the Earth. By his side, Suzette discovers a magical world unlike any she believed could exist—and most surprising of all, that this is not the first time she has known Hikaru...nor the first time she has been in love with him. But that life ended long ago. Suzette is an entirely new person, and much has changed in their decades of absence. As much as she wishes to recreate the idyllic life of her new memories, there may be no choice but to also recreate its tragedy. Note: Contains mature content that may not be suitable for younger readers.

EXODUS 20:3 by Freydís Moon

Religious eroticism and queer emancipation meet in a claustrophobic monster-romance about divinity, sexuality, and freedom. When Diego López is guilted by his mother into taking a low-key construction job in New Mexico, he doesn’t expect to be the only helping hand at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. But the church is abandoned, decrepit, and off the beaten path, and the only other person for miles is its handsome caretaker, Ariel Azevedo. Together, Diego and Ariel refurbish the old church, sharing stories of their heritage, experiences, and desires. But as the long days turn into longer nights, Diego begins to see past Ariel’s human mirage and finds himself falling into lust—and maybe something else—with one of God’s first creations.

A Bargain with the Fae King (Courts of Faery Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke

For Lia Ashmore, the only thing keeping her grief and guilt in check after an accident nearly killed her little sister, May, are her recurring dreams of Riven, a shadowed man who’s become her confidant, a pleasant escape from the pain of reality. When May is taken by animalistic dark Fae, Lia journeys to Faery, desperate to save her sister. There, she comes face to face with three shocking truths: Riven is real, he’s not human, and in fact, he’s the King of the Forest Fae. They strike a bargain. He’ll help her save May in exchange for what he wants: Lia as his consort. But saving her sister is not as easy as either expected, and a failed rescue attempt reignites an age-old conflict between Fae courts. As her relationship with Riven blossoms, Lia becomes increasingly entangled in bitter rivalries and political power plays. In a world where no one can lie but everyone has secrets, Lia will have to decide who to trust. The choice alone could cost her heart, but the wrong one may demand her life—and her sister’s.

We All Have Our Demons by Gerrard Tyson

Frok is a demon who thinks his smarts are his ticket out of Hell. In 1992, Akuma is the president of her college goth club (but don't call it goth club. That's so lame!) Evan is the mysterious stranger who has a secret to share with Akuma and her friends. Is the secret that he's a psycho? The book is funny, sexy, and spooky, but it’s not horror or romance, and it’s not for children, it’s for very childish adults.

Something Between Us by D.T. Brandt

Raith is an Ichthien, a water-dwelling species that wears a mask on shore to protect the humans that live there from falling victim to their coercive siren-like voices. He has a crush on Cam, a human who works at the forge where Raith delivers carts of oreballs dredged from the lake floor. Once they finally meet cute and start spending time together, Raith begins to fall prey to the expectations of others and the constraints of their separate worlds. Meanwhile, Raith's sister Kiela is trying to uncover a secret about the Ichthiens' past that he doesn't think even exists. As her research chips away at his doubts it also uncovers a possible path forward with Cam, but at a steep cost that Raith must be certain he's willing to pay.

Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves

Without an academic endorsement to make him valuable to the high fey, Saffron will be sent back through the veil to the human world. The place he was traded from as a changeling-baby, and a place he is terrified of. And while getting an endorsement shouldn't be impossible, it's hindered by the fact his literacy is self-taught, using books stolen off of Morrígan Academy's campus of high fey students. When mistaken identity leads to Saffron learning the true name of brooding, self-centered, high fey Prince Cylvan, what begins as a risk of losing his life (or his tongue) becomes an opportunity to earn the future he wants. In exchange for an endorsement, he and Cylvan form a geis where Saffron agrees to find a spell to strip power from Cylvan's true name. While Prince Cylvan doesn't know Saffron can barely read, Saffron is determined to meet his end of the deal in order to remain in Alfidel—or, maybe, just to remain by Cylvan's side, as affections grow stronger every night they spend alone in the library together. But as other human servants soon fall victim to a beast known only as “the wolf”, Saffron realizes he has embroiled himself in a manipulative reach for power like he never anticipated—and even Prince Cylvan cannot be trusted. Between the wolf, uncovering forbidden magic, and his growing feelings for the prince, Saffron will have to decide which is most important to him—his endorsement, the lives of his friends, or the prince’s life and wellbeing.

Wilderwood by Halli Starling

Wilderwood is a haven for those who have been cast out of “proper” society: academics, artists, the eccentrics and undesirous. It is also home to other kind and having weres, mages, and even an ancient griffin living amongst mortals just isn’t done. Except in Wilderwood. Octavia Wilder cares for those who live in the town her ancestor built and when a feral vampire threatens the peace, she partners with the Ranger who has brought word of the threat. Ranger Roderick Arman hunts Corbin Luther, the feral vampire who killed his partner two years ago. When Luther’s trail leads him to the odd little town of Wilderwood, he quickly realizes there’s more to the town – and his hunt – than expected. Ranger Bellemy Eislen disappeared two years ago when what was to be a quick trip to the Faelands on behalf of the Rangers went entirely wrong. Trapped in another realm, they tirelessly sought a way back to their world. And to Wilderwood and Octavia. The three of them must fight to save Wilderwood from an invasion from another realm and protect the town from the Faelands Queen. Wilderwood is a fantasy/romance book with some violent and sexual elements. The story features a polyamorous, queer romance between three consenting adults.

Devil's Deal by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When two angels break their deal with the Devil, he comes for the one they’re trying to protect. 16-year-old Eleonora Santos works through the summer break so she can visit her family in Italy when she graduates. With the new school year around the corner, her focus is back on homework and enjoying life with her tight group of friends. But on their first day back, she finds them fawning over two new guys in their class—Ben and Danny. Not a day goes by before Nora’s life is turned upside down. Her best friend now hates her, and the boys seem eager to get to know her. Despite their charming efforts, she’d rather have her best friend, not a boyfriend. When Nora discovers Ben and Danny are not who they claim to be, and their nefarious deal goes wrong, Nora is caught in the middle. To fix their mistakes, she must face the Devil and betray herself—or pay with her life. Devil's Deal is a YA romance novel with a paranormal twist set in the Dutch fictional city Lakeside. The Infernal Contracts trilogy is perfect for fans of the Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, and Fallen.

Lucifer's Favour by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When a demon takes over Hell, you turn to the one you fear the most. After Nora’s encounter with Beelzebub she can no longer escape the supernatural world–she is marked for life. The demon’s sinister plans will hurt the people she cares about, and the only way to restore order is to track down Lucifer and convince him to reclaim his throne. Lucifer has his own agenda for staying on Earth and faces threats he’s never seen before. His escapades draw the attention of Earthly demons, ones he doesn’t control, and they’re ready to protect their territory. Nora and her friends must unite and persuade Lucifer while escaping the dangers and temptations of supernaturals. Living on the edge of the mundane world and the supernatural world challenges Nora and her friends to look beyond what they know, and believe.

Odder Still by D.N. Bryn

SPFBO9 Kraken Collective

Rubem of No-Man’s Land was content keeping to his wine, his pets, and his extensive collection of fishnets. But since a sentient, fuel-producing parasite bonded to his brainstem, every morally-depraved scientist and hardcore rebel for a hundred miles wants to ruthlessly dissect him. The parasite itself is no better, influencing his emotions and sassing him with his own memories as it slowly takes over his body. The only person offering Rubem help is Tavish K. Findlay, a dashing and manipulative philanthropist whose mother’s fuel company monopolizes their corrupt underwater city with an iron claw. She desperately wants to tear Rubem apart for the parasite before those who oppose her can do the same. Her son is irresistibly charismatic though, and after a lifetime of being kicked out and disavowed, Rubem is desperate to believe in the friendship Tavish offers. With revolutionary plots and political schemes tangling his every choice, Rubem must soon decide whether or not to trust Tavish in his fight against the parasite’s growing control.

Structural Integrity by Tabitha O'Connell

Messenger boy Kel never expected to strike up a romance with a government official. But Yaan lacks the self-important snobbery of the others, seeing Kel as more than just a pretty face. Living with him in the city’s plush government complex is everything Kel could want: no more expenses, kitchen workers and resident animals to befriend, and of course seeing Yaan every day. Even if Yaan does spend most of his time working or worrying about work, and seems to have forgotten that they used to have actual conversations… When the city decides to tear down the iconic theater building in Kel’s old neighborhood, Yaan’s indifference toward his pleas to help save it forces Kel to confront his growing unhappiness. In the aftermath, both will have to decide whether their relationship is salvageable.

Playing Fae Games (Magical Artifacts Institute Book 2) by Isa Medina

Dangerous Fae. Dangerous games. Just when I thought I had achieved my life-long dream of becoming an Artifact Hunter for the Institute, Aidan goes missing before signing off on the paperwork. What’s a girl to do in these circumstances but track him down? Unfortunately, Aidan’s trail leads right into the one place best enjoyed from afar: the otherworld land of Faerie, where Fae Lords rule, help comes at a steep price, and creatures love to gnaw on human parts. It’s also way out of the Institute’s reach, so any rescue mission is up to me. Sneaking into Faerie might be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done, but for Aidan—not to mention my dream job—I’m willing to take the risk. Getting into Fae-land proves to be easy, finding Aidan a bit more tricky. Surviving the trip and making it out? Well, that’s going to depend on how many Fae tricks we can avoid…and how good I am at playing their games. Playing Fae Games is the second book in the Magical Artifacts Institute series—a fun, fast-paced Urban Fantasy series featuring tricky magic, adventure, and an opposites-attract slow burn romance.

Heir to The Sun by Karen Lykkebo

SPFBO8

After a volatile relationship, all Aura wanted was to start a new life far from her ex-boyfriend, Dave. A sleepy café in a small town seemed the perfect place to reinvent herself, and when a mysterious woman befriends her, enchanting her with fairytales and offering an escape to another world, Aura could have got into more than she bargained for. But when Dave unexpectedly shows up, angry and determined, Aura’s left with little choice but to run. This time, she runs far, far away, across an invisible border to another world; a world of magic where everything is possible. A world, where Aura is known to everyone but her, as The Princess of Light. And although her new title comes with the daunting responsibility of saving the world, the prize of doing so could give her what she’s always wanted: A family. As Aura engages on a magical journey of discovery, her hopes to break free from Dave once and for all soon start to fade as she realizes that breaking up with The Angel of Darkness is easier said than done. And even the light needs darkness to cast shadows... Will Aura have the courage to embrace her new world, or will the shadows of her old life keep her in darkness forever?

The Grim by K. H. Nelson

SPFBO8

Yet another strand of thread holding the peace together, cut...and Sólan the Grim is the one holding the blade. Sólan the Grim is dead. He was murdered by the duke of the tundra-his father. No, he was executed by the forest's prince for his failure to swear the Oath of Light. Actually, he was beheaded by an infamous drug smuggler of the tropics. Tortured and killed at the hands of the desert's mortal king for his crimes.  Perhaps he is not dead at all. The half-mortal bastard son of an elf duke, Sólan de Ciudelago learned to cheat death as a child. His mere existence has tumbled the Eastern Lands into the largest genocide against his own kind: The Crusade of Light. The fragile peace between red-blooded men and silver-blooded elves is fraying. Alliances and rulers' strongholds are waning. The Eastern Lands are on the verge of a second Great War in a millennium. Until now, Sólan's lot in life was to smother his past and fight the desert's slave market. Memories, however, are fickle things that can return with no warning. Now, he must face his trauma to topple more than just the desert's economy. He must now work with former enemies and an unlikely lover to quell the coming war that he caused.  Will his blood be the ink that seals the suit for peace? Or, is he naught but a pawn in a much more sinister plot against the balance between day and night? Disclaimer: This tale contains material that may be disturbing to some readers. Such material includes graphic violence, sexual encounters, mental illness, and mentions of child abuse and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.

The Hunter by Hannah E. Carey

SPFBO8

Forced to flee her uncle's palace in the dead of night in order to save her own life, Duchess Rhiannon of Solis finds herself pulled into an ongoing war. She seeks safety on the shores of the island of Pern Coen, though she knows little of the strange land and its even stranger Spirits. A stroke of fate leaves her at the mercy of a band of rebels led by a notorious outlaw, a man the people of the island call the Hunter. Conor has lost his family and his home. Forced to live in exile, he dreams of the day that the people of Pern Coen win back their freedom. He has no love for the Empire of Kelnore, but when he finds an injured Kelnorian noblewoman, he can't bring himself to abandon her. Against his better judgement, Conor offers Rhiannon his protection, but the more time he spends with her, the more he finds his feelings toward her shifting. He's already had his heart shattered once, does he dare take that risk again with a woman who should be his sworn enemy? The longer Rhiannon spends with Conor and his band of outlaws, the more she finds herself torn between the life she knew and the life she has discovered on the island. Can she turn her back on all she's ever known? And can a rugged outlaw capture her heart? This Celtic inspired romantic fantasy features a slow burn, fade to black romance.

Heir to the Sun by Jennifer Allis Provost

SPFBO8

A mad king. An escaped slave. One warrior to save the realm... Asherah doesn’t want much. A former slave, she wants to live out her days in peace and enjoy her hard-won freedom…then she learns that Parthalan’s king, Sahlgren, ordered not only her enslavement, but that of thousands more. Naturally, she starts a rebellion, but while she has a quick mind and a strong sword arm, she lacks both the funds and the soldiers to make her rebellion a success. Enter Lormac, the elf king of the north. He’s quickly captivated by Asherah and agrees to fund her rebellion. What’s more, he wants to make Asherah his queen… but is that what Asherah wants? Caol’nir was born to be a warrior, and he can’t think of a worse way to spend his life. He goes through the motions of his role as an elite temple guard—until Alluria arrives. She’s a priestess from the east, and Caol’nir can think of nothing but her bright eyes and soft voice—and the fact that he took an oath to defend the priestess’s chastity. Rules never much bothered Caol’nir, and he searches for a way to be with Alluria. Then a priestess is attacked, and another is murdered, and Caol'nir realizes that Alluria isn’t safe in the temple. When Caol’nir learns that King Sahlgren himself is responsible for these atrocities, Caol'nir heads north and joins Asherah's rebellion. What Caol'nir doesn't know is that Sahlgren has promised the demon lord a woman of rare and singular beauty, a woman whose magical abilities are rumored to rival the sun god’s…a woman Caol’nir knows all too well. HEIR TO THE SUN – Book One of the Chronicles of Parthalan

Rogue's Kiss by Andrea L. Staum

SPFBO8

Forming an alliance between Dagger House and the Smugglers' Guild on the coast was supposed to be an easy mission. Through determination and skill RenRei proves herself worthy of the task, building a successful organization that runs as smooth as a legitimate trading company. RenRei's focus should be on the goals of the guild and getting caught, but she can't ignore Sergeant Coleson of the town's guard. Even as she tries to keep him at arm's length, she keeps finding herself in his.

The Lady of the Mark by Alex Hanson

SPFBO8

Shaila will soon become the first woman to join a deeply guarded guild of warriors, The Men of the Mark. Together, they fight to end the civil war that’s left half their country to die of starvation and disease. But Shaila’s presence in the guild stirs a long-hidden corruption within their ranks, and she soon finds herself fighting for her life on two fronts. She’s determined to smite both evils but must do so while guarding a deep and dangerous secret: her love for her Master and mentor, Drauses. Master Drauses is one of the most notorious Men of the Mark in history. His comrades wish him to lead someday, but he doubts himself, especially after he violates the guild’s strict moral codes by falling in love with his new ward. When their enemies move to strike them down at their weakest moment, Drauses must choose to step up or step aside as he struggles to balance honor and heart in a world that lacks both.

The Eternal Muse: Desecration by Rick Waugh

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When a song is a weapon, who can wield it? Piper is a minstrel whose music incites forbidden magic. He lives in fear of being charged with heresy; the church uses the same power to crush offenders, without mercy or hope of redemption. His problems have cost him both the woman he loves and his growing career as a minstrel. Worse, he’s entangled in the politics of the capital, attracting the scrutiny of the priests. Terrified they’ll turn him into a mindless beast, he runs. Can he learn to control the magic, and use it to slice through centuries of the church’s lies? Or will he end up as the priests’ latest victim, all ability to feel hope, love, or even hate ripped from his mind? The Eternal Muse: Desecration is the First book in the Eternal Muse trilogy.

There's Magic Between Us by Jillian Maria

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A diehard city girl, 16-year-old Lydia Barnes is reluctant to spend a week in her grandma’s small town. But hidden beneath Fairbrooke’s exterior of shoddy diners and empty farms, there’s a forest that calls to her. In it, she meets Eden: blunt, focused, and fascinating. She claims to be hunting fae treasure, and while Lydia laughs it off at first, it quickly becomes obvious that Eden’s not joking—magic is real.Lydia joins the treasure hunt, thrilled by all the things it offers her. Things like endless places in the forest to explore and a friendship with Eden that threatens to blossom into something more. But even as she throws herself into her new adventure, some questions linger. Why did her mom keep magic a secret? Why do most of the townspeople act like the forest is evil? It seems that, as much as Lydia would like to pretend otherwise, not everything in Fairbrooke is as bright and easy as a new crush…

Queen of the Wild by EM Howell

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A Ruler who will stop at nothing to save her people.
After bringing her country, Tenoreth, back from the brink of ruin, Chief Lady Zenobia must journey to their neighbouring Vayreland to broker a peace treaty. And she has little left to barter with--except herself. A Warrior loyal to no one but his king.
After enduring a lifetime of condemnation for his parentage, High Commander Andrew cares for little else besides protecting his best friend, the king. He's taken a vow of celibacy to better execute his duties and the solitude has never bothered him... until now. A dangerous affair...
When Andrew is tasked with Zenobia’s safety, assassins, sacred religious practices, and impending civil war force them into each other’s arms. Will his devotion to his code of ethics and her determination to save her people be enough for them to deny an attraction that would have disastrous and possibly fatal consequences?

A Crack In The Rock by Amber Gabriel

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Born the daughter of goatherds in the Granite Mountains of Berush, Sashia longs for greater challenge and adventure. Her active mind constantly gets her into trouble. Unable to stand by while others suffer, Sashia intervenes, often with unintended results. When an itinerant healer and his wife discover Sashia and offer her an apprenticeship, she jumps at the chance to sate her curiosity of the natural world and change her future. Heir to the throne of Berush, Cyrus is strong, decisive, and a born leader. He longs for a wife who will share his vision for the country--a wife of his choosing, not his father's. Sashia catches his eye, but even a handsome prince finds capturing her heart a challenge. Life is uncertain, and Sashia soon finds she cannot control every outcome. Used to relying on logic and her own resourcefulness, no amount of training can prepare her for the choices that lie ahead. She struggles to shape her destiny in a patriarchal society where polygamy is legal and women are subject to their fathers or a spouse. As Berush is threatened by enemies from without and within, Sashia's creativity, stubbornness, and tenacity place her in a perfect position to both save lives and affect the course of the entire country. The consequences of her decisions will reverberate for generations. Slight of frame, but fierce in heart, Sashia will need every ounce of strength she possesses to live her dreams and win a future of love and happiness.

The Serpent Lord by Wren Murphy

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A princess torn between tradition and truth. Princess Sarra of Olmalis is a vision of the future—poised, proud, and confident. As her kingdom settles into peace after a long civil war, she yearns to escape the shackles of expectation her father and his court place upon her. But when she is abducted at the command of a man known only as ‘The Serpent Lord’, Sarra is led to question everything she has ever known. Taken from the safety of her castle to the treacherous bogs and cold, stone walls of a forgotten city called Ro’al, she embarks on a journey searching for answers, intent on solving the mystery of her intriguing captor. However, the more she learns of The Serpent Lord and his plight, the more she discovers secrets that surround her kingdom and the people who rule it. When she finally uncovers the truth, will Sarra trust her past or will she believe in her future?

Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis

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Sensible, practical Elinor Tregarth really did plan to be the model poor relation when she moved into Hathergill Hall. She certainly never meant to kidnap her awful cousin Penelope's pet dragon. She never expected to fall in love with the shameless - but surprisingly sweet - fortune hunter who came to court Penelope. And she never dreamed that she would have to enter into an outrageous magical charade to save her younger sisters' futures. However, even the most brilliant scholars of 1817 England still haven't ferreted out all the lurking secrets of rediscovered dragonkind...and even the most sensible of heroines can still make a reckless wish or two when she's pushed. Now Elinor will have to find out just how rash and resourceful she can be when she sets aside all common sense. Maybe, just maybe, she'll even be impractical enough to win her own true love and a happily ever after...with the unpredictable and dangerous "help" of the magical creature who has adopted her. A frothy Regency rom-com full of pet dragons and magical misadventures, Scales and Sensibility is a full-length novel and the first in a new series of standalone romantic comedies

Gatekeeper's Key by Krista Wallace

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Outcast swordfighter, Kyer Halidan, walked out of a cornfield at the age of three. Twenty years later, she leaves her adopted home to discover who put her there. And why. When she kills a man in a duel, she catches the interest of one of her greatest heroes, who invites her to join his company on a mission. But the man she killed had powerful friends. Desperate to learn what she knows about their plans, her new enemies pursue her relentlessly. Kyer’s impetuousness and disregard for consequences put the mission, and her life, in jeopardy. But to save a village, and the continent, from a despicable evil, she must choose between adhering to duty and breaking the rules.

The Last Culling by Rachael Vaughn

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Magic belongs to the women. To the men—only death. In the city of Merilaad, any boy displaying magical ability is swiftly executed. Elena, an apprentice mage with powers she resents and a past she’d rather forget, knows it has to be this way—to protect them all. To keep them safe. But when the boy she loves suddenly and unexpectedly develops magical powers, Elena finds herself faced with a dangerous choice—should she report Jascha and sentence him to certain death, or risk everything to keep his abilities hidden? As the two of them struggle with their deadly secret, they uncover more deception, lurking just beneath the surface of their peaceful, idyllic city. Can they reveal the truth before it’s too late…or will they plunge Merilaad back into its bloody past?

The Courts of Fate and Fear by Elizabeth S. Trafalgar

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Captivating, seductive, and action-packed, The Courts of Fate and Fear blends romance and intrigue into an unforgettable read perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laura Thalassa, and Jennifer Armentrout. In Sertra, where the daughters of the king manipulate magic to see the future, Adelyn is a princess without powers. With no magic, she is unable to fulfill the role she was born to—calling forth visions of enemy plans to help anticipate and prevent attacks on Sertra. With the threat of war from Prince Rohn of Lithya growing more dire by the day, Adelyn is sent by her father on a desperate quest to find the fabled Seer, in the hopes that she can teach Adelyn to use magic. Despite the danger, Adelyn agrees to go. If she can find her magic, Sertra might stand a chance of defeating Lithya for good—and she can finally prove to her family that she’s not useless after all. But when Adelyn’s journey goes tragically wrong and she stumbles into the hands of the very enemies she hoped to defeat, they challenge her view of everything she had thought to be true–and Adelyn finds herself falling in love with the prince she thought was determined to destroy her homeland. Rohn isn't just breathtakingly handsome–he's also a considerate ruler and an attentive lover, and he changes her view of everything she thought she knew. When Sertra mobilizes for war, Adelyn must make the hardest choice of her life–siding with her family against the man she’s come to love, or betraying the family she still yearns to belong to for a kingdom she’s come to cherish.

The Black Parade by Kyoko M

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Jordan Amador. 21. New Yorker. Waitress. Mild alcoholic. Murderer. Two years ago, Jordan accidentally shot and killed a Seer: a person who can see, hear, and talk to ghosts with unfinished business. Her crime came with a hefty price, too. She has two years to help a hundred souls cross over to the afterlife or her soul is bound for hell. Tough break. As if that weren’t bad enough, two days before her deadline a handsome pain-in-the-ass poltergeist named Michael strolls into her life. His soul is the key to her salvation, but the cost just might be more than she can handle. Solving his death puts her right in the crosshairs of Belial: a vain, bloodthirsty archdemon who won’t rest until she’s his slave. Can she rescue Michael and save her own soul, or will they both be dragged down into the clutches of the eternal black parade?

Asterius & Thesius Walk Into the Light by Aaron Fown

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In the heroic age, man lives under the shadow of imperial ambitions, both past and present. The perfect gods reign openly, and none dare question their motives, in fear of their wrath. Seeking power, Minos, an empire of man, has built a temple to the perfect darkness, and seeks to use it for an unspeakable purpose. The tiny fishing city of Athens suffers under the gaze of their eye, and mourns the cost of their bloody sacrifice. But the goddess Athena has a plan to save her city from their fate, and she has the means to execute it. Is there a way out of the Labyrinth, besides the shaded path of death? Can love solve the puzzle of the mythos, and give the most surprising hero the chance he needs to save the people he loves? Can our heroes, with the love in their hearts and their lights in their hands, set the stage for a miraculous musical to invert the plans of the darkness, on a long chance and a song? Yes!Love has found a way. Love has a plan. It onlyseems like no plan at all. Note: This book is not a work of pornography, but some people might confuse it with one because it has people being queer and happy, free of the sort of mental anguish that is expected nowadays. But that would also be out of place in the temporal setting, as no one had come up with the bad idea to create such guilt complexes yet. Also, the mains understand consent so there isn't going to be any sort of 'Surprise, rape!" like there is in so many works of this sort. There is also some wisdom some people may be uncomfortable with contained within, but that is neither here nor there. If any of this sounds like a bad time, don't read the book!

A Matter of Dragons by Meredith Hart

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Rayne came to Cairncliff to kill a dragon. Not to kiss one. This secret mission is Rayne’s chance to finally prove that, despite her gender and her childhood in the orphanage, she can serve the Valgros Royal Army. When she enters a dusty antiquities shop looking for information about the dragon she’s been sent to kill, Rayne isn’t expecting the gorgeous man behind the counter to take her breath away. And she certainly isn’t expecting him to invite her out for wine…and more. Doshir moved to the sleepy village of Cairncliff to escape the constant drama of dragon politics, not to mention his cheating ex-girlfriend. When a beautiful woman from the mysterious kingdom of Valgros arrives on his doorstep, Doshir is delighted to be mistaken for a human, and he’s even happier to have the chance to seduce a woman who isn’t only interested in him because he’s a dragon. But secrets have a way of coming to light, and one night will tie Rayne and Doshir’s destinies together in ways neither of them can imagine. In a city where dragons take human form and forbidden magic runs wild, betrayal waits for both the dragons and the dragon hunters.

A Matter of Dragons is the first book in a new romantic fantasy adventure series. Fans of Miranda Honfleur and Sarah J. Maas will love this story of dangerous adventure, sizzling romance, and secret dragon shifters.

Fly With the Arrow by Sarah K. L. Wilson

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Perfect for fans of Spinning Silver but with the dark humor of Santa Clarita Diet, this first-in-series romantic fantasy will grab you by the collar and pull you along into a world of magic and mystery that one reader described as “if Alice fell in love with the Cheshire Cat.” A STOLEN BRIDE. A TERRIFYING BRIDEGROOM. THE GAME THAT WILL DETERMINE THEIR FATES. I’m a practical girl. I can resign myself to an unwanted marriage – and I had. I just hadn’t expected my first potential bridegroom to be murdered by the second. It’s all because I broke the Law of Greeting. No one warned me the law existed. No one told me breaking it would mean I’d be swept up into the arms of a powerful and beautiful immortal bent on taking me as his sixteenth bride and dragging me off to his strange fairytale world. That’s a bit much to ask of a person. But I’m not the kind of girl to just give up. Not even if it means facing all the strange puzzles and magic of this mad fae world with nothing but my common sense and determination. I will not mope in my room, or go crazy, or let myself be killed by one of his rivals. And I absolutely WILL NOT fall in love with him. Not even when he keeps surprising me with depths of kindness and hidden layers. Not even if it turns out he actually might have a good reason for all of this. After all, he’s had fifteen wives before me and it’s not a case of “the more the merrier.” Especially not now, when it turns out he's playing a game for the fate of my nation. Failure in this world, would mean the desolation of everyone I love. Failure in this marriage, would mean utter destruction for my home. The stakes couldn't be higher. But I have a crafty husband, a severed-head best friend who gives surprisingly good advice, and the common sense my mother gave me. If that isn’t enough to take on the whole of this fae world … well, it will just have to be. That's all there is to it. Because I'm not dying without a very good reason and I’m not giving up until I’m dead. Come along on a wild romantic fantasy adventure with USA Today bestselling author Sarah K. L. Wilson, guaranteed to enthrall, delight, and maybe even surprise you. Author's Note: This is a deep, dark romp (not steamy) with an unrelenting pace and cliffhangers. Read at your own risk.

The Pirate's Deal (Romancing Aranthium #2) by Daniela A. Mera, Elayna R. Gallea

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Everything changes when the Ice Mer King says, “I want you to kill my daughter.” Erik I am the Pirate of Death. I have spent my life on the seas, maintaining my reputation as one of the most fearsome pirates to ever sail the waters in Aranthium. Then, the Ice Mer King makes a deal with me. Kill his daughter, and my life-debt is paid. Fail, and my life is forfeit. Sounds easy, right? If only the princess didn’t have such a talent for getting under my skin and consuming my thoughts. Helena My father trades my voice for legs I don't want. A whole month on a human-only crew doesn’t sound like my idea of fun. What I want is love, safety and family. Somehow, I find myself tangled up with a dangerous Pirate whose fate lies in my hands. Falling in love with him is exciting, effortless. But I don’t want to be owned by anyone. “Little Mermaid meets Captain Hook, except the voiceless heroine has a knife? Yes please.” This book is a complete, stand-alone story that is part of a larger series. "Romancing Aranthium" books are the perfect books for fans of fantasy romance who love sweet love stories, powerful ladies, danger, political intrigue, and epic journeys. Setting classic stories in an urban setting with vampires, fae, merpeople, angels, and were-shifters makes them all the more enticing.

Dust Bound by Clementine Fraser

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Seventeen years after the Fae destroyed the world, Adelia Lark must face them again. Life in a world destroyed by monstrous Fae isn't an easy one. Adelia wants nothing more than to keep out of trouble and convince Ryder Hendrix, the ruggedly handsome leader of her compound, she doesn't need his protection. But covered in scars that won't let her forget her nightmares of sharp knives and pools of blood, finding happily ever after in a world covered in endlessly falling faerie Dust might not be in the cards. When the Fae steal an orphan teen, Adelia realises she wants something else: to stop the future echoing her past. As the only one immune to the poisonous Dust, she knows she is the teen's best chance. Accompanied by Ryder, who she's secretly loved for years, she ventures through a broken landscape to rescue the child whose fate echoes her own. But the Fae are hunting them, and the only chance of survival lies with Adelia accepting her past and embracing the mysterious powers she never wanted-and in doing so she may lose Ryder forever. This is Book One in a planned series

Awen Rising by O. J. Barré

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A secret society of Druids. An ancient Reptilian foe. Earth teeters in the balance. Bankrupt and broken, Emily Hester is in dire need of a safe place to hide. But when her long-lost Druid family tracks Emily down and offers her haven, she balks at the "Must Save Earth" clause. Now, she must win the coming war between the humans and reptilians and rescue humanity. Thinking life couldn't possibly get any worse, Emily smacks into her witchy stalker. She flees the scene but now has only one option; Emily must accept the Druids' proposition—despite its blatantly outrageous terms. So, trapped in the survival of the fittest against the witch, Emily now has the responsibility of saving the Earth. But she will soon find out this comes with a handsome druid trainer, so saving the world might be satisfying. Either way, Emily was about to become one of the Mystical Power Women. At Druid headquarters in Atlanta, Emily learns several shocking secrets. She was kidnapped by the mother who raised her on the run. Her real father and his Druid followers believe Emily is Earth's only hope. And a dark, forgotten foe lurks beneath Humanity's feet. As these Reptilians engineer a plan to breach Earth's unsuspecting borders, Emily desperately seeks to unleash the powers the Druids swear she possesses. But, can a sexy druid priest, his teenage nephew, and their animal Elders tilt the odds in Emily's favor? O. J. Barré's Awen Rising is an outstanding suspense fiction novel targeting adults young and old. If you like compelling stories with a strong but believable female lead, quirky sidekicks, and worthy adversaries; read Barré's breakout urban fantasy. Or better yet, grab the whole series! Note from the Author: This is a fun read suitable for young adults on up. In these pages, you will find a spattering of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, along with some crude language and a bit of violence, though none gratuitous. PLEASE ENJOY

The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage by Hiyodori

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“I never forgot the sound of you calling for me. Not for a second.” The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage is a slow-burn f/f romance set in an original modern-era fantasy world, featuring a magical tower with countless curious rooms. It’s a story of friends to enemies to reluctant allies, guilty secrets, love mixed inextricably with hate, fragile second chances, and the true price of boundless magical power. In a country where mages have all the power and healers supposedly only exist to support them, Clematis—a talented healer—is despised for her past attempts to defy the mageocracy. In her early thirties, she’s already on year seven of a life sentence for treason. But when the most powerful mage in the nation suddenly loses all her magic, the government wants unconventional Clematis to help get it back. The mage is a tall, distant woman called Wist, and Clematis knows her all too well. They used to be classmates. Best friends. Perhaps more. Wist is also the person who reported Clematis for leaking state secrets. She’s the reason Clematis spent the last seven years in prison. Clematis wants revenge for her betrayal, but she wants freedom even more. She’s got thirty days to recover Wist’s magic: miss the deadline, and she’ll be shunted back to prison for the rest of her life. Yet attempting to resurrect Wist’s lost magic will force her to face the real reason why Wist betrayed her—and to face her unresolved, unspoken feelings for the mage who stabbed her in the back and walked away.