The Heart of Wynter: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #06) by Honey Phillips

Can an independent woman melt the heart of the legendary Winter King—and give a lost child the family they all need? Tamsin has built a quiet, independent life tending her small herd on her isolated mountain croft, and she likes it that way. But when a mysterious little girl appears on her doorstep, Tamsin can't turn her away. Wynterian d'Kingmar has lived alone in the mountains since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three. Avoiding the humans who fear him as the legendary Winter King suits him just fine. Until one stubborn, tempting human female turns his disciplined life upside down. Tamsin certainly doesn't intend to fall for a huge, horned alien whose stern commands make her want to argue with him almost as much as she wants to kiss him. But as winter closes in, the mystery surrounding the little girl draws them closer, and the heat between them becomes impossible to ignore. Wynter has survived a crash, a brutal winter, and more than a year alone. Letting Tamsin into his heart may be the one challenge he can't overcome. A sweet and steamy holiday romance featuring a fiercely independent heroine, a protective horned alien, a precocious little girl, an enormous snow beast, and an unexpected family in the making. (Intended for mature audiences.)

The Knotty Clause: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #04) by Honey Phillips

Can a single mother create some holiday magic for a reclusive alien warrior? Lured by the promise of steady work, Gemma accepts a job at a remote mining claim, only to find that both she and her young son are virtual slaves to the greedy mine boss. When a desperate attempt to escape finds them caught in an unexpected snowstorm, she thinks all is lost - until a very large and very not-human male appears and rescues them. Their savior is gruff, reclusive, and unexpectedly kind. He offers them a refuge - as long as they don’t intrude on his privacy. He even draws up a contract, but the longer they stay with him, the more Gemma wants to break every one of his rules. Ever since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three, Yede has concealed himself in his mountaintop hideaway. A life alone with his memories is better than risking more heartbreak - until he rescues a fragile, tempting human woman and her determined little boy from a snowstorm. Now the icy walls around his heart - and other important parts - are beginning to thaw. Can he find the courage to take a second chance on love, despite the risks? This sweet and steamy holiday romance features a clever and resourceful heroine, a not-as-reluctant-as-he-seems hero, an irresistible little boy, and all the warmth of the holiday season. Not to mention enough long, sweet, lickable... candy canes to satisfy your every craving! (Intended for mature audiences.)

A Kiss of Frost: A ScFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #03) by Honey Phillips

Can the warmth of the holiday season thaw an alien warrior’s frozen heart? When Katerina is faced with an unwanted marriage, she takes her younger sister and runs, only to discover a small band of misfits hiding in some ancient ruins. Their fight for survival grows even harder as the holidays approach - until a massive horned warrior appears in their camp. Subcommander Jackasarian D'Frostulen never seems to get things right. Stowing away on his leader’s ship - and crashing on the backwater planet of K.R.S. Three - is his worst mistake yet. Knowing that his career, and possibly his life, are over, he runs. He finds an unlikely place with an enchanting female and her band of orphans. For the first time in his life he’s both wanted and needed. When unexpected difficulties arise, will he fight for the woman and children he’s come to love - or will he run again? A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring a feisty heroine, an unlikely hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

A Gift for Nicholas: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays #02) by Honey Phillips

Can a single mother show an arrogant alien warrior the true meaning of the holidays? Jenna is a hard-working single mom with no time for fairy tales. She dismisses her daughter’s stories of a mysterious horned Santa living in the woods as no more than the imagination of a precocious child – until the day her daughter doesn’t return home. Her frantic search leads her to a crashed spaceship and a massive, horned alien warrior. He’s bossy, arrogant – and has a loneliness which matches her own. When Ambassador Nicholsarian’s chief rival doesn’t return after the… distraction he arranged, he refuses to admit he’s concerned. But when the months pass without word, he finally sets out to investigate – only to have his own ship crash on the backwater planet of K.R.S. Three. Before he can determine if a similar fate befell the other male, his mission is diverted by two of the most fascinating creatures he has ever encountered: a small child who shows no fear of his mighty horns, and a beautiful female who is equally unimpressed with his mighty… sword. Trapped together by an early snowfall, Jenna and Nicholas find an unexpected comfort in each other’s company. It is the season of giving, but she has a daughter to raise and he’s looking for the fastest way off the planet – what could they possibly have to offer each other? A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring a determined single mom, a reluctant hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

Krampus and the Crone: A SciFi Alien Warrior Romance (Horned Holidays #01) by Honey Phillips

Can a horned alien warrior and an isolated woman grant two children their holiday wish for a family? Jaelle is lonely. Ostracized by the village, like her mother and grandmother before her, she poses as an old witch in order to eke out a meager living selling herbal remedies to people who don't want to admit they need her help. When children start disappearing from the village, she is determined to find an answer to the riddle. She doesn't expect to find a massive, horned alien - one who sees through all her disguises. Since crash-landing on K.R.S Three, Commander Krampusarian D'Marchandar spends his time working on his ship and secretly observing the other inhabitants. During his explorations, he discovers a strange, beautiful female. It is an impossible attraction - but when he sees her treatment at the hands of the other villagers, he decides she is his to protect. A sweet and steamy holiday tale featuring two precocious orphans, a determined heroine, an unexpected hero, and, of course, a very happy ending! (Intended for mature audiences.)

River Dragon's Song (Dragons on Mars Book 3) by Honey Phillips

A hidden river. An impossible discovery. A dragon who's been waiting in the darkness. When Morgan is separated from her team, she doesn't expect a single wrong step to plunge her deep beneath the surface of Mars. Lost in a vast underground world, she discovers the impossible—an ancient river flowing through the darkness and evidence that she's not alone. Korrak has been wandering the hidden waterways alone since he awakened, listening for a song that never comes. Until her. The pretty female is stubborn, determined, and far too tempting. Korrak knows he should keep his distance, but every instinct urges him closer. The longer Morgan remains trapped beneath the surface, the harder it becomes to resist the dragon who has quietly claimed her heart. Finding a way home should be her first priority. If only she could convince herself to leave him behind. A sweet and spicy sci-fi romance featuring a stranded heroine, a lonely dragon, only one cave, hidden secrets, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

My Basic Attacks Permanently Increase HP by Hckhood

Lin Tianhao has already witnessed the end of the world once. After being betrayed and killed, he awakens on the eve of Oracle’s launch—the game destined to merge with reality and unleash the Twilight of the Gods. This time, he knows exactly what is coming. Using his memories of the future, Lin Tianhao obtains a Divine Talent Awakening Stone and unlocks an ability that should not exist: Every basic attack permanently increases his maximum HP. Better yet, those attacks also inflict true damage based on his ever-growing health. While other players struggle through beginner quests, Lin Tianhao hunts hidden opportunities, challenges enemies far above his level, and prepares to restore a fallen Eastern Kingdom. Rare classes, divine blessings, secret missions, and forgotten treasures all become stepping stones on his path. Before long, the supposedly fragile archer possesses more health than the strongest tanks—and enough damage to erase elite players with a single arrow. The gods believe they control the game. Lin Tianhao intends to prove them wrong.

I Became the Blacksmith NPC by Clearing Nuts

When the next-generation full-dive VRMMO Godhunt Online finally launched, professional gold farmer Liu Kongkong rushed in immediately. After all, this game was supposed to make him rich. Unfortunately, the name he wanted was already taken. “Seriously? Fine, I’ll just change it. Can you hurry up? You’re wasting my money-making time.” After a few random clicks— He entered the game before even finishing character creation. And somehow, his character had become the blacksmith NPC of the beginner village. At first, Liu Kongkong was furious. Then he discovered something important: Every coin players spent on his weapons belonged to him. Suddenly… being an NPC didn’t sound so bad. Forge equipment? He casually modified the stats and sold them for ten times the price. The cash shop doesn’t sell cosmetics? Fine. He’d just craft better-looking armor himself. The system wanted him to design dungeons for players to challenge? With his years of gaming experience, if players could clear them easily, he’d change his surname on the spot. World Boss loot wasn’t enough to satisfy him anymore. True divine weapons could only be forged by Liu the Blacksmith himself. As his wealth exploded and his stats spiraled completely out of control, one truth became clear: He no longer needed skill multipliers. A single punch was enough. And when the worlds finally merged together, even the supreme god-emperor was smashed into the ground by Liu Kongkong’s fist. “This… is your limit?” the Emperor God asked weakly. Liu Kongkong shook his head. “No,” he replied calmly. “This is the limit your body can withstand.” “And I’m still not wearing my equipment yet.”

Bad Citizen by Ron Lebow

A MAFIA WAR CAN BE BRUTAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES A MAGICAL MANIAC Josiah arrives in New York City through a portal from another realm. Capable of frightening feats and driven by a lust for power, he takes on the mafia. He’ll just need the help of a few local outcasts. Lucius is an impulsive f-up who shuns his mafia family’s norms. Behind a long line of brothers for leadership, he fashioned his own comfortable nook. Thrust into war with another family, he becomes enveloped by the need for revenge. Antonia is Lucius’ sister. She exists on the family’s outskirts, protective of her brothers and occasionally called upon for unspeakable assistance. Forced to contend with the potential downfall of everyone she loves, she may be the key to the family’s salvation...and her own. In Bad Citizen, Ron Lebow fuses fantasy, sci fi and mob drama into a relentlessly entertaining ride. Josiah storms through a portal with terrifying powers and a hunger for control, setting his sights on New York’s underworld. He’ll need allies—and finds them in our society’s outcasts. Lucius, an impulsive mafia screw-up, is forced to contend with responsibilities he never wanted. Antonia, his fiercely protective sister, stands at the center of it all. What follows is a comedic war where every twist redefines loyalty, violence is interspersed with unexpected laughs, and no one walks away unchanged. Set in modern-day NYC, the story balances brutal violence with razor-sharp comedy, delivering one unpredictable twist after another. Sacrifices loom around every corner, and consequences never arrive as expected. Lebow’s novel is a portal urban fantasy turned upside down—fun, funny, and deadly serious in all the right places. • Ride shotgun with Josiah as he weaponizes magical abilities to rip apart the mob. • Get lost in a web of twists that make every chapter a revelation. • Witness Lucius’s chaotic spiral from black sheep to vengeful force. • Uncover Antonia’s pivotal role in a war no one else can win. This isn’t a tidy hero’s tale—morally grey characters, constant surprises, and sacrifices with unthinkable consequences drive the chaos. • Mafia mayhem with a magical twist • Dark comedy that lands hard • Sacrifices that flip the script

Rise of the Dragon's Heir by Darlene Franklin-Campbell

Most epic fantasy asks who will win the throne. Rise of the Dragon's Heir asks what the throne does to the person who inherits it.

Court of Snakes: Bitter Truth, Honeyed Justice by Tycho Dwelis

TBBSB2026

The city of Segeno is on edge. Terran, nearing his 18th birthday, struggles with the burdens of leadership. The people are restless, resources are dwindling, and chaos looms. Parisa, now happily engaged, aids where she can but is haunted by her father’s legacy. A stranger, Aumi, brings shocking news: the Great War never happened. The world outside Segeno has thrived, and the city’s isolation is built on lies. As this truth threatens to spark a riot, Terran and Parisa must decide whether or not to reveal it, risking their city’s collapse. In this gripping sequel, Terran and Parisa navigate power, identity, and truth in a city on the brink of revolution. Can they lead their people through the storm, or will Segeno Fall?

Blessed is the Link by Sheri Singerling

Lenore lives in the shadow of her parents, Fenrir and Sophie. It’s been twenty years since they destroyed the Linkrot virus and, in doing so, restored the Link. A new world order has emerged with Fenrir and Sophie at the helm as wardens of the Link, dead set on protecting that enigmatic connection to other worlds. But Lenore doesn’t believe the ideology her parents spout. She defies them by joining revolutionaries determined to destroy the Link. After the rebels’ attempt fails, Fenrir and Sophie learn that the Linkrot virus isn’t wholly gone. It gnaws away at other Link nodes in other cities. As punishment for her involvement with the rebels, Lenore is forced to help her parents bolster the Link. They must travel into a land of unknowns and cleanse the nearest node of its Linkrot virus. Lenore doesn’t believe in their mission until she gets her first glimpse of the horrid creatures the Linkrot virus breeds. Were her parents right after all? Doubts consume Lenore, but there’s one thing she’s certain of—she’s not going to have her future decided for her. Can Lenore carve her own path and, what’s more, survive the deadly task ahead? Blessed is the Link is a dark science fantasy novel, the second in the Bit trilogy and part of the Alfom shared universe. It is highly recommended that readers complete book 1 in the Bit trilogy, Blessed is the Rot, prior to reading Blessed is the Link.

Our Ways Unmasked by C.B. Lansdell

Return to Knyadrea, a world of sea-born people shaped by tumultuous forces. Nearly a year after the events of Far Removed, the resourceful Oklas and guarded Prismer face a unique set of challenges in their socially stratified society. Knyadrea’s sovereigns grow ever more paranoid. Armed enforcers patrol Apidecca’s streets, and tensions escalate. With nothing to lose, Oklas Sayve turns to resyn for solutions. Could the mystical substance that unravelled his life also prove to be his salvation? There is no room for doubt. Too many are relying on his expertise. The knyads he once considered charities are now close friends and allies … and one of them might even be something more. New threats stand between Prismer and the dreams she’s only beginning to open herself up to. Venturing out from under the shadow of the Pentarchy, can she recover her faith in the knyad god, in herself, and in the people who see past her mask? In Our Ways Unmasked, the second book in the Apidecca Duology, Oklas and Prismer are not the only ones with an eye on the city’s future. Rebels, traitors, and scumbled outcasts have a myriad of reasons to seek change. Together, can they overcome an oppressive regime that has stood for hundreds of years? No Gen AI was used in the production of this book.

The Tidelings of Dras Sayve by C.B. Lansdell

Maverick diplomat Emis Rindar travels to the northernmost clan in the Dras Channel, seeking the assistance of an old friend. After a lifetime of adventures across Knyadrea, a large moon, his next planned endeavour will be unlike anything he has attempted. Isolated and enigmatic, the knyads of Dras Sayve keep even their neighbours at a distance, and few welcome the unorthodox ideas Emis brings from abroad. But all his breakthroughs happen here, and the Sayvians are the most technologically progressive knyads on the moon. Can Emis convince them that he will make a worthy mentor to one of their more curious juveniles? This story is set 30 years before the events of Far Removed (C.B. Lansdell’s debut sci-fi novel).

Together is a Distant Star by A.J. Calvin, V. Carvajal Leiva, Nancy Foster, Andrea Marie Johnson, Natalie Kelda, C.B. Lansdell, Karen Lykkebo, Erika McCorkle, Branwen OShea, Alyse N. Steves, Delilah Waan, Isabelle Wagner

How far would you go to find where you belong? A shapeshifting alien changeling raised by humans. The “wicked” child selected as the village sacrifice. People trapped in rigid belief systems, oppressive regimes, well-intentioned families, complicated relationships, and their very own bodies. Is it better to succumb and survive, or escape by staking everything on a slender hope? What triumphs in the end, love or vengeance? And if all that remains is ashes, is it still worth it? Grapple with these questions by diving into twelve new science fiction and fantasy stories. Together is a Distant Star is a collaborative anthology that encompasses authors hailing from Europe to Australia, South Africa to South America, and celebrates a kaleidoscope of perspectives—female, nonbinary, BIPOC, queer, and more. Featuring stories from: A.J. Calvin, C.B. Lansdell, Nancy Foster, V. Carvajal Leiva, Karen Lykkebo, Erika McCorkle, Branwen OShea, Alyse Steves, Delilah Waan, and Isabelle Wagner.

Dream the Deep by Clara Ward

You don’t need to reach Mars to reach your dreams. Robbed of their chance at leaving Earth to pursue green-energy innovations, Ryn embraces new dreams—fighting deep sea threats in conjunction with a giant cephalopod. It’s 2139 in the Cali-Coastal Corporate Zone, and Ryn struggles with their own body and brain as they fight to survive five days locked up with academic rivals and the military-backed billionaires who’ve misled them all since their teenage years. Ryn needs an exit strategy but doesn’t know whether to trust Akira, the hacker-spy who may have saved their life, or Jay, the geeky military rebel with a secret stash of hot chocolate. Not to mention, Jay keeps falling asleep in their bed, and Ryn’s not sure if either of them is interested in more—but at least they like the same shows! Five Days. One Ocean. Unlikely allies connect to Dream the Deep.

Be the Sea by Clara Ward

In November 2039, marine scientist Wend Taylor heaves themself aboard a zero-emissions boat skippered by elusive nature photographer Viola Yang. Guided by instinct, ocean dreams, and a shared birthday in 1972, they barter stories for passage across the Pacific. Aljon, Viola’s younger cousin, keeps a watchful eye and an innovative galley. Story by story, the trio rethink secrets, flying dreams, and how they experience their own minds. When they reach Hawaiʻi and prepare to part ways, opportunity and mystery pull them closer together. Both scientific and personal discoveries take shape as they join with ex-lovers, lost friends, and found family. Wend must navigate an ever-shifting future, complicated by bioengineered microbes and a plot to silence scientists, entangled with inexplicable dreams and a calling to Be the Sea.

The Color of Time by Millie Abecassis

A science-fantasy retelling of Charles Perrault’s fairy tale “Peau d'Âne,” The Color of Time blends the whimsy of classic fairy tales with the sapphic romance of Fable for the End of the World and the large-scale politics of The Mercy of Gods. Princess Cyrelle has always been faithful and true to her family, country, and Goddess. But now her brother, King Elias of Cicia, has asked for—no, commanded—her hand in marriage. Desperate to avoid this incestuous union, Cyrelle requests a series of increasingly impossible gifts and petitions the Goddess for a sign to sway her resolute brother’s proposal. As Elias persists undeterred, Cyrelle must risk everything to escape the only life she’s ever known. Soon, she becomes Green Scales, hiding and struggling to survive on her own, far across the galaxy. But Phau isn’t the peaceful refuge Cyrelle had hoped for, and when the leader of its burgeoning rebel faction recognizes the runaway princess, she is forced to choose between safety and freedom. With the fate of two kingdoms on the line and nowhere left to run, Cyrelle must decide what it means to be true to herself, to her people, and to her heart.

Speaking Out In Silence by Sienna Eggler

The life of an adventurer is hard. People get maimed, die, or go missing all the time, but the world keeps spinning. Meike was never big on monster hunting or collecting trophies. They're happier foraging, mixing potions, and befriending monsters and critters. A fact that's further cemented when one of their friends suffers a grievous wound during a quest. But they aren't ready to hang up their cloak just yet! There are plenty of quests that don’t require a blade, quests devoted to healing, not inflicting pain. And as Meike comes to find, social quests can be stressful in their own way, but just as fulfilling.

The Sorrow of Bees by Andie Holman

Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. After enduring a brutal ritual to give her Fae powers, a vital piece of her soul goes missing. She must abandon everything and everyone to find it. It is her journey alone. If she fails her mission, her lover’s brother will never again see the sun, trapped in a horrifying dimension called the Hellhole. If she fails, her lover Mako may not forgive her. If she fails, she will never be whole. She’s sent to a queendom so foreign she can barely breathe, transformed into a body she can’t possibly understand. Grappling with the enormity of her task, she struggles to appreciate the sorrows of the pollinators. But she must if she wants to succeed. Kirkus reviews: "The intricate details and person growth of major and minor characters make for a welcome continuation of this saga... The detailed depth of the fantasy world will delight those who enjoy all-consuming magical realms that integrate cleanly with contemporary, nonmagical locales... An often rousing personal quest that will have audiences looking forward to the next book."

A Stellar Spy by Maya Darjani

A futuristic, magic-fueled homage to the great classics of the spy genre: the cerebral musings of John le Carre with the excitement of The Americans. Devoted mother and career woman. A sleeper agent, poised to act. Tessa lives a double life. She’s the security counselor to Finn, the leader of the planet. He’s her ex-husband and father of her children. She’s still in love with him. But she has a far worse problem. Tessa is also a deep cover operative for an enemy planet, and turns out, her next mission is to betray him. After overpowered mages target and attack the seat of government, Finn wants to remove their magic completely—a brutal action Tessa can't support. So she does the only thing she can do: she contacts her handler. But every action she takes increases the chance of discovery. If caught, she can't protect the mages from retaliation or prevent future attacks against Finn and the children. And when her two roles collide, she must choose: fail her family, or forsake her ideals.

Flint in the Bones by Eva St. John

In a city where history bites back, murder is just the beginning. Detective Eliza “Bish” Barnaby thought she’d left her home behind—along with its plague outbreaks, random time-shifts, and tendency to accidentally host people from the 1600s during breakfast. But when a dangerous practitioner escapes custody in London, Bish is forced back to Norwich, a city where ancient maps hide deadly shortcuts, angry nuns have scores to settle, and Puritans throw acid at those they don’t approve of. Armed with only a gun she can’t fire, a spaniel who thinks he’s a wolf, and a partner who dresses like a rejected Bridgerton extra, Bish must stop a killer before wild magic unravels the city’s fragile balance. But keeping her own forbidden talents hidden is just as dangerous as catching the murderer. And in a place where past and present bleed together, the only way to solve this mystery might be to embrace the very magic she fears. Grab the brand new adventure from Eva St. John, author of the bestselling Quantum Curators series

When Platinum Rusts by Anka B Troitsky

When Platinum Rusts is a tale of choices—and the first sparks of a possible future. It invites readers of the Who is Vist series fifty years into the past, to a forgotten place now buried in cold and secrecy. This is the story of Doctor Selest Dvali, and the beginnings of a legacy that would one day change humanity. The story lets us glimpse how the mysterious figure known as Vist came to be.

A Hunger with No Name by Lauren C. Teffeau

Thurava of Astrava is intended to become a herder, a most honored position for her dwindling community that clings to life on the banks of the Najimov, the river that’s the lifeblood of the high desert. But the Glass City on the horizon threatens the delicate balance the Astravans have managed to hold on to for centuries, polluting the air and water as the city grows bigger and bigger. The Glass City’s clockwork liaisons offer to bring the Astravans into the Glass City’s walls, but they will have to give up their ways and their precious herds to do so. Thurava must decide who she is without her animals, using the stars as her guide, putting herself on a collision course with the secrets the Glass City holds dear. A Hunger with No Name is a coming-of-age tale with an environmental focus featuring an immersive fantasy setting inspired in part by the high desert of New Mexico.

Ordell's Constellation: A Science Fiction Fantasy by J.C. Cole

In a galaxy where every constellation harbors a unique world shaped by the will of its Maker, synthetic humanoids populate planets governed by ideals of exploration, survival, and power, like the daring society of Pyxis, the fierce hunters of Orion, and the regal kingdom of Cepheus. These worlds are overseen by the Council of Constellations, ever seeking to engineer the perfect society. But when Ordell, the courageous son of a synthetic mother, discovers he shares the divine ability of the Makers to conjure and reshape reality, he is thrust into an extraordinary journey across the stars. As he navigates strange worlds and unravels ancient truths, Ordell must rise to challenge the status quo, free the synthetics, and forge new worlds where they can truly prosper.

The Death Bringer (The Tharassas Cycle Book 4) by J. Scott Coatsworth

Aik will never be the same … and neither will his world. War is coming. Aik has become the Progenitor, and the Seed Mother has released him to transform the world for her alien brood. Silya and Raven, Aik’s former friends, are the only ones who can save him and the world. But what if the cure is worse than the invasion? As Silya rushes to prepare Gullton for the battle to come, she’s determined to save as many people as she can. But new crises emerge that demand her attention. Raven has his own hands full, keeping the dragon-like verent in line, while helping Silya to save the world. But what if the only way to do so is to sacrifice Aik, the man that he loves? It’s the end of the world … or could it be the start of something new?

Spirits of the Relentless by Morgan Biscup

To lead others, he must first embrace who he was – and what he must become. After the Turncoat Armada’s surrender, Void necromancer Shane Lawrence is left with a command he never sought and a fleet without a sanctuary. At risk of retribution from both the planet they tried to conquer and their vengeful former allies, the fleet’s only hope lies with Shane’s ability to find them a new home. He sets his sights on the uninhabited planet TR-75, but there's a catch: Planet TR-75 is claimed by the planet herself. ‘Janikk,’ the lone surviving soul of an ancient civilization, whispers her name on the winds and commands the wildlife to repel intruders. To secure a future for his fleet, Shane must do more than communicate with the long-dead; he must win the favor of Janikk’s guardian, face the ghosts of his past, and earn the approval of a planet that is anything but empty.

In Spite of the Inevitable by Morgan Biscup

The past isn't the only thing that won't stay dead. Hiding from his violent history as a revered Void necromancer within the Sparnell Confederation, single father Shane Lawrence has finally built a quiet life. On the freehold planet of Baden he can pour his energy into the only thing that now matters: the safety and upbringing of his precocious son, Jake. All too soon, the Confederation targets Baden for annexation, confronting Shane once more with his treasonous past. Worse, the invading force is led by none other than Shane's manipulative former mentor, Admiral Kydell. Shane's every instinct screams to run, to hide Jake even further from Sparnell – but Baden is home. This time he could choose to make a stand and defend the entire planet, not just his son. But that means turning to the very skills he swore he'd leave behind… In Spite of the Inevitable is the first installment in the five-book Mordena Dawn space opera fantasy series, detailing the founding of the costly Mordena mercenaries and their rise from piratical deserters to ferocious and effective defenders of the independent Freehold planets. When powerful galactic empires seek to devour innocents whole, there's no hired force better prepared to stand against them.

First Last Chance by B.E. Lunetois

"What you wanted, lad, was palace intrigues with poison and daggers, maybe you get to wave around your fancy little sword in a rooftop duel at the end of a long chase, hey? Turnabouts, betrayals, all that fun stuff? But here on the Ten-Thousand Seas it's mostly war. Mud, guns, and bombs by land; salt, guns, and torpedoes by sea." The Stone Unfurled is a long, flat world surrounded by walls of golden ice, covered by the Ten-Thousand Seas, which are speckled with many islands whose inhabitants must make their way in a beautiful but harsh world. For the spoiled young governor who controls one of the tiniest islands this world has to offer, the extent of that harshness is about to be fully revealed. Thrown into a chaotic war between diverse factions, he must learn to make his way in the company of two women who are almost as frightening and dangerous as his enemies. Follow Arlo Haradin-Harkon on the first step of his slow transformation from a vain, bratty dandy to a swashbuckling hero in... First Last Chance There's adventure, romance, humor, cool boats, a bit of sword play, strong women, violence, fatalism, and lots (and lots) of salt water.

Time Thief (Eclipse Book 1) by Lindsay French

In a world in which Prophets wield the power of wayward gods, a banished woman is determined to regain her own powers and free her people. When Max learned her world and its advanced race posing as gods were not all they seemed, her powers were sealed off by an unbreakable curse. Banished from the Mountain of the Gods, she devotes her life to protecting the village that adopted her as their own—until the Prophet of the Valley captures her and her people, intent on using them as a blood sacrifice. Max vows to escape and return to the mountain to reclaim a power she hates in order to save the people she loves. But she’ll need the help of one of the Prophet’s fiercest warriors, Nash the Unknown, who has his own reasons for joining her, and she isn’t sure she can trust him. The journey will be a grueling one, made even more dangerous by the draw Max feels to the charming Nash. Together, the pair must climb the Mountain of the Gods and steal back Max’s powers. Only, the mysteries of the mountain reveal ever more about the gods’ cruel intentions and the reality-breaking secrets of her world, leading her to a harrowing discovery. Come what may, Max will destroy the Prophet and reach beyond her world to rescue her home from the ruthless gods—in this life and every other.

Echo Sight by Cian Verati

Having lost one leg already to the monstrous, parasitic senka, Enaka knows that they're not taken seriously as an imperfect shapeshifter among their perfect people. They're determined to prove their usefulness by continuing their dangerous job. But when a routine hunt becomes an assignment to track down an artifact smuggler who may have lured senka to Akert City, Enaka is thrown out of their depth into a world of misinformation and systemic oppression. Their only ally is a mage from an opposing government who claims to know more about Enaka than they do about themself. As the two of them race against time to stop the senka plague before the double new moons, they're confronted by forces both mundane and magical, and disturbing truths emerge that change Enaka's life forever. Will their conviction be enough to save the two million souls who call Akert home? Or are the real monsters much closer than they appear?

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.

Daughter of Broken Light by Trisha Otis

On the eve of the sacred Stone Summit Ritual, Idrial, heir to the House of the Sun, the ceremonial Sun Stone vanishes without a trace. The ritual is broken, and with it, the fragile balance that has kept the realm from falling into darkness. Determined to find the lost Stone, Idrial sets out alongside her closest friend, the fierce and loyal Raewyn, to seek answers from the Oracles, mysterious seers who dwell beyond the known lands. But the trail they follow leads to hidden identities and lost history. One that speaks of a forgotten war and a girl born of sunlight who must choose what kind of leader she will become. Torn between past and present, duty and desire, Idrial must confront the truth about the stone, her lineage, and the light she was raised to wield. But light alone is not enough. In a world where alliances shift and she finds family in an unlikely group, Idrial will face a test not only of power, but of heart, and the courage it takes to stand in the dark and not be consumed.

Lurking Omnibus by D.A Lascelles

"I am sure it is also impolite to force a lady to dance by threatening others," she said through gritted teeth. "Perhaps it is, Miss Reid. Assuming that is your real name. After all, I know you are no mere lady's companion. Are you one of Langon's famous spies? I expected there to be some here to protect your senator. However, I am surprised they trust such delicate affairs to women. ”Do your feminine emotions not get in the way?" From Gods of Diplomacy Gathered in this single volume are the stories from both Lurking Miscellany and Lurking Miscellany II. Myriad worlds and magical ideas together under one title. 340 pages, Paperback Published March 23, 2025

The Ore Monger by Zaid Hasan

NO SHADOW FALLS DARKER than the one cast by a stranger. When a mysterious nymph stands in shapeshifter Salessa’s doorway, plan in mind and sword in hand, she must decide whether to cling to the familiar, or lead her twin sister on an unpredictable quest that could end in justice...or war. NO LIES RUN DEEPER than those shrouded by the powerful. When Unisa discovers deception in the Library, a city built to catalog the histories of the continent, the young woman is forced to learn that truth is only as trustworthy as the ones who share it. NO GRIEF PERSISTS LONGER than the one buried before acceptance. When Rafael is thrust onto a journey beyond his control, he’s compelled to confront the past that led him into exile as a boy. Two shapeshifters and a band of humans journey into the crosshairs of a faerie king desperately clinging to his throne amidst violent political fallout. New alliances and recent discoveries force each of them to face loss, disillusionment, and the expansive might of a ruthless THE ORE MONGER.

The Huxian Fox by Nikki Brooke

Captain Fan Sung has blown it this time. Not only was she caught stealing from a drug lord, she was also caught kissing his young wife. She needs to get to her ship, the Huxian Fox, and get off the planet—fast. Princess Eshan’ya is running from The Quain. They have attacked the palace and if they find her, they'll kill her. There’s no hiding on this planet, especially not when the royal guards are also looking for her. Her best chance is to sneak aboard the Huxian Fox. As the ship enters space, Fan thinks she’s made a clean getaway. But she's not impressed when she finds her stowaway—even if she is beautiful. She’s even less impressed when the Huxian Fox is attacked by the Quain and the Royal Fleet. The Quain are intent on taking over the galaxy, but Eshan’ya plans on stopping them—if only she can convince Fan Sung to help her.

Divide and you shall reign by Kassy Luca

In a parallel universe where there is an Earth containing an eighth continent named Einow and people of different species than humans, Jemma Auverfeng, a sylvan elf and former slave of an illegal elven trafficking ring, joins the Pranelf College with her two best friends and her adoptive sister. The Pranelf College is renowned for training othars, individuals whose job is to apprehend non-human criminals. As in all colleges for non-human beings, the students also learn to control and understand the biological source of their power, which they call koraghus. However, the lives of Jemma and her best friends will change forever when they discover that they have powers unknown to scientists. Between a serial killer on the loose, prisoners escaping from a penitentiary, and rampant racism propagated by the elites of elven society that divides them, the three young elves will have to learn to control their mysterious powers without the help of science.

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…

Castoff by Brandon Crilly

Six months after saving her city from destruction, Deyeri Renn is outrunning leadership she doesn’t trust herself to take on. Mavrin Leed chases secret knowledge beyond the business of a mere street magician, wondering where his friend Eyasu Temergon has gone, and how much his devotion to the god-like Aspects endangers him this time. All while the Raw wait to be freed from their prison—the extent of their patience unknown. And as the Highest Voices work to silence the gods who keep Aelda safe, dangerous truths at the edge of the world still find their way to light.

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

Walking the Knife's Edge by Elise Carlson

It’s hard to focus on your studies when you’re from the wrong side of town, your dad’s an abusive prick and classmates are intimidated by your skills at hand to hand combat. But for Rarkin, getting into Sythe School means monsters, the chance to contain ones that stray into human occupied zones, and the opportunity to do something meaningful with his life. Even better; it includes an Electric Way pass out of town and travel beyond city limits.​ Rarkin seizes his chance at his dream job with everything he’s got, forcing down traumatic memories to focus on work he knows he could love. But it’s a dangerous time to be holding everything in, to have little contact with friends like brothers, or to be keeping new friends at arm’s length. Sythe’s nemesis, Organised Crime is no longer playing by the ‘rules,’ and Rarkin and his classmates are on the front line. Organised Crime’s bold new tactics tear at the bandages of Rarkin’s unhealed wounds and his unresolved CPTSD. To be the person Rarkin doesn’t believe people saying he can be, he must change his toxically masculine approach to emotions, and break the cycle of violence in his family. If he doesn’t make peace with his past and stop fighting EVERYTHING, he’s on the road to self destruction. In working for Sythe; Rarkin is Walking the Knife’s Edge.

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.

A Soul Divided by Daniel M. Quilter

A kidnapped princess. A disgraced prince. And a galaxy caught between empires of magic and steel. When Olivia, heir to the Human Empire, is captured by an agent of the Mystics, her fate seems sealed. Her only hope lies in the hands of the most unlikely savior: a smart-mouthed pirate with a bloody past. Drake Ashbell was once a Mystic prince—before forbidden magic turned him into an exile and a murderer. Now he’s content with a nearly respectable life of piracy. Until a job gone sideways forces him to work for the very empire that killed his family. But how hard can rescuing their princess be? To survive, Drake must face more than ruthless empires and old enemies. He’ll have to confront the limits of his own broken soul. Firefly-style banter. Star Wars-scale conflict. A Soul Divided launches the Blood-Fire Trilogy—perfect for fans of snark, starships, and space magic.

The Gemini Games by Willa Hollis

Five games. Five opportunities. Persevere or perish. Zellie Toro has lived a simple life in the intergalactic unit stationed on the planet Lunara for twenty-seven years. But when an invitation from The Kosmos, the divine order, arrives, everything changes. Chosen as one of ten human participants in the treacherous Gemini Games in the city of Astralis, Zellie must collect moonstone fragments to restore the fading Gemini constellation and continue powering nearby worlds. The stakes are high: become a Celestial champion and gain unimaginable power. As Zellie competes, she uncovers a web of corruption, a rigid magical hierarchy, and a staggering imbalance of power. While the games progress, she realizes that the only way to spark real change for humans across the galaxy is to infiltrate the divine order itself. Faced with an impossible choice, Zellie must decide: surrender her humanity or stay true to her convictions and risk everything to do what’s right. In a new world where survival is the only rule, Zellie must decide: survive... or die trying.

Middle-Aged Man in a Trashcan by William Brian Johnson

Joe's lived here all his life, but he's not from around here. Street names are different, landmarks lie, and even money shows presidents he's never known. Some versions of Fort Wayne, Indiana are apocalyptic wastelands, others harbor darker secrets. When trouble strikes, Joe opens a trash can and tears a sixth-dimensional rift in reality. Inside lies a void where he glimpses the multiverse and rides unknown currents to another Fort Wayne, hoping this one might finally feel like home. He emerges at the same time, same date, in a different universe. With each crossing, his memories slip away. Only Nobuyuki, his shape-shifting kitsune companion, remain constant, and they are hiding secrets about Joe's past that he may never remember. In a multiverse where the next trash can might lead to salvation or doom, Joe must find his way back before he forgets what home is.

A Sky So Hollow by Craig Montgomery

Some wounds never heal. . . It’s been a few months since Casper Bell saved Novilem from crumbling under the pressure of revolution. The dust hasn’t settled, and neither has his nerves. A strange sickness is spreading in the city, and Casper is having visions about the tower Jacob sent to the Surface. Helix convinces him to bring his concerns to the Estellar council, but Helix’s trust in the system backfires. They send the pair to the last place Casper wants to be: Earth. Casper’s past is right where he left it and corrupted aether still creeps on the streets of Chicago. When they find someone who is aether sick, it is clear they haven’t finished uncovering the council’s secrets. With their friends and family falling sick, the fragile peace in Novilem collapsing, and the council ready to abandon the home they have fought so hard to protect, Casper and Helix must confront their inner darkness before Novilem is lost forever.

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake

Rin moves into a new flat on the day the aliens arrive. Their new flatmates are laid-back Sanjay and conspiracy theorist Pete. It doesn't take long to notice some oddities about the pair, like hoarding cardboard and hissing at people when they're angry. Something strange is going on, but it's not all due to the aliens.

Everlife by Alex S. Garcia

A magician, an alien mask, thousands of gods... What could possibly go wrong? Born an orphan and known throughout the empire as a powerful magician, Paul is on a lifelong quest to find answers about his past. Jack is a historian obsessed with the famous Face of Xian--an alien mask which has puzzled the universe for thousands of years. An obsession his friends can't understand, and which he himself cannot explain. Along with a detective, an archaeologist, and others, their destinies cross on a world brimming with alien artifacts. A world where thousands of gods walk among men, and where fanatics consider offworlders as heretics and raiders. Some might call it a recipe for disaster, and they'd be right. NOTE: Though this book is the first in a series, it has no cliffhanger and can be read on its own.

The Skald's Black Verse by Jordan Loyal Short

Brohr has a noose around his neck. When a soldier’s murder sparks rebellion in the tiny village of Skolja, Brohr’s violent past marks him as the prime suspect. Haunted by his infant brother’s raging ghost, he is heir to the dark legacy of the Skalds, and cursed by the forbidden magic of the Dreadbound. As loyalties in the oppressed village fray, Brohr must choose: sate his vengeance, or save his people. In the shadows, an all but extinct race of alien demigods have begun the endgame of their millennia-spanning war. And Brohr is a pawn in the closing gambit. But Brohr’s grandfather harbors a secret that will change everything. Above it all, a dire omen looms in the sky, spelling the death of Brohr’s world. With doom spiraling down, Brohr must lead an unlikely revolt, unearth the truth of his brother’s murder, and tame the raging spirit that haunts him. Can Brohr unite his fractured people, or will he succumb to his own terrifying bloodlust, and destroy the very souls he has sworn to save? Ragnarok Reimagined: Alien Gods, Eldritch Space Travel, and Black Magic! Unique worldbuilding, fierce anti-heroes, and vivid action await in this epic tale, stretching from the stars above to realms below.

The Ice Moves for No One by Arlo Z. Graves

Thalon was born to fight. A warrior, a selkie, a daughter of the Dread One herself. For years, she’s trained for the Dusk Trials and earn a place aboard one of the legendary Duskingr airships. But the Trials are only the beginning. Victory does not come clean. The game is rigged, the sponsors corrupt, and the selkie way of life is slipping through the cracks. Worse, her own body is beginning to betray her, and no amount of training has prepared her for what comes next. Nothing in this world bends easily. The odds are stacked against her, and the path ahead is nothing but locked doors and closed fists. But Thalon has never let anyone—man, woman, or god—decide her fate. The ice moves for no one—but it’s never met Thalon.