TEETH TALON TONGUE by Lee Eirinn

"You are set to be bound in the mountains tomorrow. Lord Zeus has called all of my brethren for a meeting. I am too scared to think of why. Why He would call us now, on the eve of your exile? Everyone on Olympus knows of your transgressions, that you will be punished but no one will tell me how. Even the most loosed of lips will not speak of it. Lord Zeus has not told anyone, it would seem. I pray to the fates. May they be kind. My hands shake. My mouth feels dry. My stomach aches." TEETH TALON TONGUE is a dark, queer retelling of the Prometheus Myth. What if Zeus wasn’t the one to set Prometheus’s punishment, but his avian lover, a vulture? More importantly, a proud beast of Zeus? This is a story about obsessive love, and the measures taken to keep hold of it. TEETH TALON TONGUE is a 4.6k word short story featuring dark subject matter. Please refer to content warnings before reading. This story is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

The Red Woman and the White Bear by Fern A. Ellis

It is both the fate and the burden of the Red Woman to bring peace. The Fae are real—this is a fact that Aisling Morrow has believed with varying degrees of certainty since she was a child. Her late mother’s accounts of their beauty still linger in her mind, but always with the caveat: Do not involve yourself uninvited with matters of the Fae. Aisling has no plans to do so—until she discovers an arcane prophecy which names her the Red Woman, destined to turn the tides of war in the realm of Wyldraíocht by ensuring the fall of the Unseelie Court. On a quest to understand her role, Aisling ventures into Wyldraíocht. Except Fae prophecies aren’t so easily interpreted, and she is soon ensnared in a dangerous web of political machinations, opposing religions, and dark magic—at the center of which stands the fierce and vengeful Unseelie King. King Kael Ardhen, a vessel for raw power bestowed upon him by an eldritch god, is consumed by his own unbridled rage—a rage which he would not hesitate to turn on the human woman prophesied to destroy his court. Yet something about the way Aisling calls to his shadows draws him in, at once both granting him control over his violent magic and inviting him to relinquish control over his guarded heart. As unsettling truths about the world her mother so loved challenge Aisling’s convictions and call into question the true purpose of the Red Woman, the Veil between realms grows ever weaker with the echoes of war. Soon, the crueler sorts of Fae will no longer be confined to Wyldraíocht. With time running out to protect those she loves, Aisling finds herself at the crossroads of fate and choice—and the ultimate price of peace may demand more than she is willing to pay.

My Shy Alpha by River Kai

With 10 enchanting illustrations, My Shy Alpha is the first book in an empowering, steamy fantasy series that leaves readers swooning for a shy Alpha Lycan while rooting for an abuse survivor as she rediscovers what it means to be loved. Aliya Matsuoka meets “him” in her dreams - a regal yet unexpectedly shy man. But strangest of all, he always meets her in the forest, where their instant bond escalates into a sensual night beneath the stars. In waking reality, a monstrous ex blurred Aliya’s judgment on whom to trust. She won’t even kiss most dates, let alone “get down and dirty in the leaves” with a gorgeous stranger. When Aliya follows an uncontrollable urge to retrace her dream’s steps, reality surpasses her wildest imagination; she’s living amongst Lycans, shapeshifters who can morph into wolves at will. Outspoken for his “untraditional values” that Lycan sexes should have equal rights, shy Alpha Noah Greenfield faces constant pushback from other Alphas who thrive on dominance. Aliya, however, finds his social defiance alluring. As Aliya and Noah’s fated love transcends all bonds, Aliya unleashes her desires. But diving into this paranormal fairytale isn’t enough to erase Aliya’s trauma; there’s always a chance another monster could follow her home. Equal parts heartfelt and steamy, the My Shy Alpha series follows an epic love story for both seasoned werewolf lovers and new readers dipping their paws into the shifter universe

To Wield The Darkest Night by Beau Van Dalen

Every night, I see that man—that lovely stranger—in my dreams. So strong, mysterious, gentle… but a stranger all the same. Until one day he shows up at my doorstep, and promises me adventure… As a closeted trans man and apothecary to a small town, Sol is numbed by his uneventful life. Stifled by his neighbors' expectations, he only finds comfort in his sleep, where he is haunted by visions of a mysterious lover: a man too perfect to be real, yet too vivid to be a dream… At first, Sol makes nothing of these strange nighttime apparitions—until the lover from his visions, Yohan, walks into his potion shop years later asking for him personally. Tall, darkly mysterious and handsome, Yohan is a knight cursed by forbidden magic whose King has fallen ill. And Sol just happens to be one of the rare people able to craft a cure. Now, Sol finds himself with the perfect excuse to leave his small town behind, and just the perfect man to do it with. A sensual tale of self-discovery following a trans man MC and his gay lover in a darkly supernatural yet cozy romantasy world.

The Multiverse- Amnesty by R. Sims

Max's life on Marzolie, the ancient world of Mars, was marked by its deep-seated misogyny and internal conflict. Just as Mephisto’s forces launch a devastating invasion, Max is deceived into escaping to Gaia (Earth) by none other than his younger sister. Unbeknownst to him, he is the UnMaker's oldest, and likely most evil, son, with a destiny intertwined with darkness. Kalion Amarys, former Yaragru princess and a formidable immortal, is tasked with escorting Max back to the war-torn planet. As she grapples with Max's disdain for her gender and him going through maturity, she now finds herself conflicted by her own emotions. Max's demands for her to abandon her immortal duties and bear strong sons challenge everything she stands for. Max, meanwhile, has grand plans. He wants to save his planet, marry Kalion—despite bizarre racial quirks, such as growing flowers from her head and being yellow. Yet, he’s determined to make a few changes to her, including overcoming her pre-selected mate, and starting a family immediately; since motherhood would make her forget her friends and obligations and her independent adventuring ways. As Max and Kalion clash over their differing goals, their journey becomes a test of endurance and trust. With Mephisto's threat looming, can they overcome their differences and find a way to return to Gaia together? Or will their quest end in ruin, like so many before them?

In the Time of Standing Stones by Joseph S Samaniego

In a world of swords and sorcery, three brothers, kings of their people, set sail for an unknown land. Driven by a lust for conquest and a need to settle fertile fields, the brothers, united by blood, sail out to carve their legacy. A darkness older than time itself soon eclipsed their dreams of land and riches. Once they land on the shores, they awaken an ancient evil thirsting for dominion over the mortal world. Now, the brothers find themselves in a war for land, riches, and the very soul of the world. With their blades tested against creatures of nightmare and myths, they will be challenged by the malevolent force that seeks to ensnare them. The brothers and their followers must navigate a new world of wonder and danger, and forge new alliances to stand against the looming darkness. In an ever-changing world, where faiths, myths, and bravery are tested from birth, the three brothers must stand firm. For if they fail, not only will their dreams of conquest fail with them, but the entire world will succumb to the shadow of an ancient evil reborn.

The Golden Rose of Valenul by Enna Hawthorn

Gold can tarnish, roses can wilt, but love can last forever. Ariadne Harlow didn’t want to be the Golden Rose. With the prestigious title comes too much attention. But when the courting Season begins, she has eyes for only one the Valenul General. He cares for her, helped her recover after being abducted, and holds the power to keep the horrible monsters of her past at bay. A perfect match. Azriel Tenebra didn’t want to be the personal guard of the Golden Rose. Yet despite his misgivings, he ends up at her estate at the start of the Season. Before long, his struggles, and the real reason for his avoidance, a fae bond connecting him to Ariadne. She’s all he can think of, and it risks the safety of himself and everyone who gets between them. Night after night, Ariadne can’t help but be drawn to her quiet new guard, and Azriel’s resolve to leave her slowly cracks. For when the General’s intentions become evident, she must uphold her reputation, and that of her family, by accepting his hand. Anything less and the truth would be exposed, putting Azriel’s life on the line and opening her to the scandal of the ages.

Vision of the Veil by Jake Stollman

YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE HER... Princess Lorne, thought dead for many years, reappears in her own tomb out of thin air. From beyond time and space, she brings back a terrible vision: Atar—her planet’s sun—is going to be swallowed by darkness, and her world will suffer an apocalypse that will turn it into an airless, lifeless rock. As a princess, getting the world’s attention to warn them of the coming threat is easy. The problem is that even entertaining the idea of Atar dying is the worst form of heresy one could commit. Any commoner in her position would be executed. Her family urges her to silence, but the all-consuming anxiety from the vision burns inside her mind, and she warns the world anyway. She is arrested and humiliated, even as the evidence supporting her claims becomes completely irrefutable. Distraught, she realizes that reason alone will not save them. If she is to get the world to heed her warnings, Lorne must become someone she never wanted to be: the bringer of fear.

The Dark Empress by Joseph S Samaniego

In a world shadowed by an ancient darkness, a mage rushes to oppose an oncoming evil, facing not only her ancestral line but the fears within her own heart. The world is in danger as Fatima, a talented necromancer from an ancient order, and Cailin face the resurrected ancestor from Fatima’s bloodline with the goal of sinking the world into a revenge fueled abyss. Now, as betrayal echoes through the halls of the order, neither mage knows who to trust. It is a race against destiny that Fatima and Cailin find themselves in. Fighting the physical manifestations of an undead witch, her children, and followers, all the while fighting the demons within themselves. Does Fatima have what it takes to overcome her past and her family’s past?

Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars by Ryan J Hamshaw

For Seventeen-year-old Liam O’Connor, nightmares become reality when he dreams of a fellow student's murder. Eager to uncover the truth, Liam and his friends investigate, revealing hidden secrets about his identity. Targeted by the menacing Dark Friars, Liam is saved by the enigmatic Tariq, who introduces him to a supernatural world where good and evil battle in the shadows. Can Liam juggle college, family, friendships, and desires while bearing the heavy responsibilities of his newfound destiny? Against the picturesque cathedral city of Sarumbourne, the looming threat of the Dark Friars intensifies, and Liam's normal life shatters amid the chaos.

Zinnia by Sofia Rose

Zinnia: A Spicy Monster Romance Rosie runs a successful café on the Human side of the city. When Finnegan the Orc, an executive at the Fortune Record label, drops by to drop something off Rosie is taken completely off kilter. Will Rosie listen to Finnegan's crazy ideas for her business or will she stick with the comfortable life she's created for herself?

Iris by Sofia Rose

Flora and Sebastian are going on tour together... join their team as new relationships develop between Humans and Monsters. Book three in the Fortune Records series follows Maddox, Nereus, Daisy and Cleo. Will they learn to work together with their new found connections?

Aster by Sofia Rose

A Sapphic Monster Romance Hyacinth is starting her first job as a sound tech, and it's with the illustrious Fortune Records label. She knows that her life is about to get an upgrade, but what she didn't expect was the effect her new coworkers would have on her... In Book Two of the series, Monsters and Humans are now working together in their joint studio space. With tensions running high, Hyacinth is drawn to two beautiful Monsters. Can she come to terms with her identity and follow through?

Snapdragon by Sofia Rose

A Spicy Monster Romance In a world where Humans and Monsters are segregated, Flora has to decide what side of history she wants to be on... Flora is a Human trying to make it big in the music industry. Her development deal with Fortune Records is coming to an end and she is now faced with the true harshness of the industry. When presented with the mysterious Sebastian, she can’t help but be intrigued... but will he be to her downfall or will he be exactly what she needs to shine?

Mistress Of Hours by Emma Elizabeth

Two unlikely lovers find themselves entangled in a web of dangerous secrets as they try to save a nation from its dying magic. This fantasy romance is perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and The Plated Prisoner series. Evienne is living her dream as the highest-ranking blood mage in Ichorna when the queens assign her to monitor two unexpected visitors from their elusive northern neighbor of shifters, Beitar. She can’t help her curiosity when one of the visitors–a striking academic with piercing green eyes–seems determined to seduce her. What starts as a dalliance pulls Evienne into a web of centuries-old secrets that could turn her world, and her understanding of her power, upside down. Orion, a professor from Beitar, arrives in Ichorna to attend their turn-of-the-millenium celebration with a singular goal in mind– he must find answers about his people’s dwindling magic. He needs an Ichornian ally, though, and the alluring blood mage Evienne may be the key to his success. All his plans are upended, though, when an ancient magic awakes in his soul. Despite their different allegiances, Evienne and Orion decide to work together to uncover the truth of Beitar’s failing magic. As the horrible threads of the past unravel in the present, Evienne must choose between loyalty and her own integrity. The lives of a whole nation hang in the balance. With unforgettable characters, rich lore, and lush imagery, this LGBTQIA+ fantasy from debut author Emma Elizabeth explores the joy of unexpected love, the heartbreak of betrayal, and what it means to take a stand–no matter the cost.

The Songbird and The Forest by Emma Elizabeth

Ilex the Dryad has lived alone in the forest for years, content with only the trees for companions. Their greatest joy in life is feeling the sun on their face, until a woman with red hair rides into their forest astride a horse made of bone. Dahlia is a necromancer who has a knack for crafting potions. She's never really fit in with her more somber companions in the Dead City, so when she is chosen to attend a celebration on the other side of the continent, she's eager to set off and see the world. What she doesn't expect is to find a beautiful Dryad and maybe...a chance at a love like she's never known.

The World of Juno by Daniel Eavenson

Explore the birth of a new world! Journey through time and space to the intricate biosphere of Juno, where three species have been birthed by the gods. First the Kuhifadi, inheritors of sun magic, able to do great deeds with magic stored in their bodies. Second the fearsome Uchafumlaji, technological savants who live in the depths of the ground. Third the weird Ngisikaa, a species uplifted from animals through communal memories. Small decisions and single individuals will affect the tide of history. Learn of the first Ngisikaa to meet death, whether a Kuhifadi will make the sacrifice to become a mage, and if an Uchafumlaji can build a bridge to the past. These stories and more will create The World of Juno! With content by: Nick Bright and Brent Lambert, C.J. Hosack, Nate Battalion, Daniel Eavenson, Malcolm F. Cross, Katie Cordy, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Reese Hogan, Cedan Bourne, Robin C.M. Duncan, and X.M. Moon

Fiery Deeps by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Fire is Power! Quest to the heart of the earth, cross flaming rivers, and brave the fire with our heroes to discover unlimited strength! From fantastic underground cities, to superheroes, to magic of the forge, titanic forces of nature collide in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on the power of women. Contains stories by: William C. Tracy, J.S. Fields, Robin C.M. Duncan, Sara Codair, N.L. Bates, Rosiee Thor, Maya Gittelman, Heather Tracy, N. Romaine White, and Dee Lyle!

Lofty Mountains by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Look to the skies! Brave adventurers face new relationships and adversity in all sizes, from steampunk dirigibles to harpies, giant bees to garden gnomes, and winged dinosaurs to sky pirates. Isolated mountain peaks, clifftop cities, and battles in the sky abound in this sapphic anthology focused on overcoming challenges awaiting in the clouds. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic-centric heroines enjoying the thrill of adventure high in the air, buy Lofty Mountains today! With stories by: Seanan McGuire, Rosiee Thor, Rebecca Kim Wells, Maya Gittelman, Carmen Loup, Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, L.R. Gould, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields

Farther Reefs by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

The seas spell freedom. Pirates and kraken, boats and submarines, deadly sirens, mermaids, and the women who face them all. These are our heroes. High seas adventure, fantasy, and magic weave together in this sapphic anthology focusing on the joy of the unbounded oceans. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic heroines exploring oceans, battling sea monsters, and seducing pirates, buy Farther Reefs today! With stories by: Sarah Day and Tim Pratt, Kim Pritekel, Kyoko M. Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Margaret Adelle, and J.S. Fields

Distant Gardens by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Rules were made to be broken. From terraformed outposts to magical realms, journey to worlds where deadly plants, rampant biodiversity, or failed colonies have created irresistible opportunities for those brave enough to seize them. New worlds, found family, mystical secrets, and deadly science weave together in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on a very different kind of first time—a first encounter with a world, or being, entirely unlike our own. If you like diverse stories with lesbian heroines practicing science, magic, and seduction, buy Distant Gardens today! With stories by: Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields

Alaris by Fanny Vergne

Twins. The tale of a villain and a hero. Druids living secluded in the Astral Forest, Lucine and Solehan have been blessed by the stars since birth and are poised to become the protectors of the druidic clans during the Eclipse. But when a strange curse befalls the ceremony, the twins, sole survivors of the massacre, find themselves separated. Taken away from his loved ones by an enigmatic and malevolent being, will Solehan succumb to the discovery of his deepest desires? Left to herself and to the dangers of a world of which she knows nothing, and meeting fellow travelers with contrasting devotions and colorful personalities, will Lucine manage to uncover much more than she hoped for? Between bonds of love and friendship, will this surprising group of adventurers succeed in finding Solehan before it's too late and in saving humanity?

Foxhunt by Rem Wigmore

In a lush solarpunk future, plants have stripped the poison from the air and trained warriors keep resource hoarders in check. Orfeus only wants to be a travelling singer, famed and adored. She has her share of secrets, but she’s no energy criminal, so why does an assassin come for her head? Not just any assassin but the Wolf, deadliest killer in all the Order of the Vengeful Wild. Orfeus will call in every favour she has to find out, seeking answers while clinging to her pride and fending off the hunters of the Wild. But she isn’t the only one at risk: every misstep endangers the enemies she turns into allies, and the allies she brings into danger. There are worse monsters than the Wolf hiding in this new green world.

Storm Surge by Melissa Gunn

It was just another rainy day in autumn when Freya's house fell into the sea. Freya isn't your average suburban school kid; she's a demigoddess. But even she can't hold back the sea. A storm sets Freya and her family adrift in a world where the weather comes with attitude, and rising sea levels are as much about personality clashes as climate change. Freya just wants to keep her cat fed and maybe find a friend. But with were-foxes in town, nothing is easy.

Seers and Salt by Melissa Gunn

When you come from a family of seers, nothing is unexpected. But Sibyl's determined to shape her own path; after all, unlike the rest of her family, she can't predict the future (at least, not without a lot of maths that she'd rather avoid). Setting off by bus to find her fortune, she'll be lucky if she avoids being bored to death by her fellow passengers, being eaten to death by dragons or dying a metaphorical death by bad poetry. But her travel companions might prove their worth, if she can only help save the world first.

The Snow Thief’s Amulet by Rowan Redfield

An ice-elf seeking redemption. An assassin with hidden magic. A promise struck in blood. Nivia's god is dead, and she is responsible. A magic amulet could redeem Nivia and free her people, the ice-elves, but first she'll have to go through the Queen of Mammoth North. And Nivia may be a thief, but she's no assassin. Mysterious ice-magic thrums in Thane's veins. But assassin life never allowed him a chance to seek answers to his ability, until now. After a heist gone wrong, Thane discovers that the one who might hold the answer to his magic is none other but his mortal enemy: an ice-elf, seeking an amulet. A reluctant bargain is struck, and the heist for the amulet begins. But the bad blood between Thane and Nivia turns to undeniable attraction, and their seething desire begins to melt the ice.

The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia

"Have you ever wondered how long it would take for a lethal dose of arsenic to kill you? Thirty-five hours, twenty-nine minutes, and fifteen seconds. I should know. I counted myself." Amidst the gaslit alleys and cobblestone streets of Victorian London, two killers find themselves entangled in a waltz they cannot escape. Alina Lis, a botanist and hobbyist poisoner, has a pastime of killing unsavory men in her twisted sense of poetic justice. When she targets the conceited playboy, Silas Forbes, only to find him in her apothecary the following week, she discovers human men are the least of her problems. The pair’s unlikely association sparks gossip among affluent society. As their mysterious bond deepens, a chilling truth emerges—concealed identities, lurking foes, and questions as plentiful as the hydra’s head brew within this haunting Gothic tale of violent passion. Will Silas and Alina find themselves in each other's arms, or will the shadows of their past keep them apart?

Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus

A spymaster forced to train with Adristan’s most secretive order. A war commander disgusted by death. A lord damned to repeat history if he cannot master it. Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asriel’s half-sister into a weapon. Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her father’s bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her house’s ally, the justice-keeping House Midar. Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his father’s chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservus’s spymaster comes to his aid with strategy. With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing. Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus.

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them. Alizhan can’t see faces, but she can read minds. Her mysterious ability leaves her unable to touch or be touched without excruciating pain. Rescued from abandonment and raised by the wealthy and beautiful Iriyat ha-Varensi, Alizhan has grown up in isolation, using her gift to steal secrets from Iriyat’s rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own. When Alizhan discovers that she isn’t the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, there’s only one person she can trust. Ev liked having a secret. None of the other girls in the village had a thief-friend. Evreyet Umarsad—“Ev” to her parents and her one friend—longs to be the kind of hero she reads about in books. But the rest of the world feels impossibly far away from her life on a farm outside Laalvur. Ev will never lay eyes on the underground city of Adappyr, the stars of the Nightward Coast, or the venomous medusas that glow in the dark depths of the sea. At least on her weekly trip to the market, Ev gets to see her thief—the strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesn’t hesitate. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that draws them all over Laalvur and beyond. Thornfruit is the first book in The Gardener's Hand trilogy.

Bard City Blues by Nathaniel Webb

Music, magic, mystery, drinking, family, and gelatinous cube. Gally Chaparral is a highland girl with a dream: move to Lackmore, join the Bardic Guild, and get a gig at a fancy tavern on Symphony Hill. Unfortunately, becoming a bard isn't so easy. No good tavern will hire a student, her teacher is a jerk, and the only job she can find is washing dishes at a bar at that seems to have recently been a dungeon. When Gally auditions as her tavern's new bard, things start looking up. But her first show is ruined when the owner accuses Alix, a beautiful but obnoxious postal rider, of destroying a valuable painting. Now, to keep the gig, Gally must prove Alix's innocence. But there's more to the mystery than the loss of a painting, and being forced to work with Alix has Gally wondering if this brassy delivery girl is really as bad as she seems...

Sordidez by E.G. Condé

Vero has always felt at odds with his community. As a trans man in near-future Puerto Rico, he struggles to gain acceptance for his identity and his vision of an inclusive society. After a hurricane decimates the island and Puerto Rico is abandoned by the United States, Vero leaves his home to petition the centralized government for aid and seek the truth about new colonists arriving on the island. But in the Yucatan, Vero finds a landscape ravaged by an ecological disaster of humanity’s own making—the Hydrophage, a climate technology warped into a weapon of war and released onto the land by the dictator Caudillo. Amidst the destruction, Vero finds both desperation and hope for regrowth as he documents the lives of the survivors. Details about the colonists’ intentions emerge when Vero meets the Loba Roja, an anti-Caudillo revolutionary who imagines the renewed power of the Maya. Intrigued by her vision of the future and her unapologetic violence, Vero is faced with life-changing questions: can an Indigenous resurgence protect his beloved island? And what must he sacrifice to support it?

The Potion Gardener by Arden Powell

Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. It’s while hiding in a rural garden shed that he meets Kells, a potion witch, who agrees to shelter him in exchange for manual labor until he gets his life together. Leaving his pampered London existence to work on a secluded cottage farm is a shock, but Florian throws himself into it with passionate determination. And it’s not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor. There’s just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florian’s main concern is how to explain himself when it happens. He's definitely not a girl, but he's not entirely a boy, either. With all the magic in Kells’ garden, there must be a way for him to achieve his ideal androgyny. However he looks, Florian will have to face his past if he wants a future with Kells. Even if he avoids London forever, eventually his past is going to come looking for the girl he used to be. The Potion Gardener is a low-stakes, low-angst cozy fantasy novella in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s world with magic. All the Flos Magicae stories are standalones, and can be read in any order.

The Acros Raiders: From the Ashes by Sara Tunder

While trying to escape the genocidal Castist Regime, Scotty Sedgewig and her fiancé run into some grave misfortune. Amid the chaos, in a revenge-fueled fury, Scotty becomes entangled with The Acros Raiders, an elite rebel division. When it’s revealed there is a traitor in their ranks, Scotty is singled out to uncover the identity of the mole. She must figure out who the traitor is before The Acros Raiders are destroyed from the inside, or her fight for revenge will be in vain. Dive into Sara Tunder’s action-packed tale following Scotty and The Acros Raiders on their mission to end High Priestess Tapscott’s theocratic rule. An unorthodox fantasy series, The Acros Raiders tests the boundary between fantasy and science fiction, introducing readers to an exciting new world blended with steampunk elements.

Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson

Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devils—many. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight.

Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson

Be careful what you wish for… We’ve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD – Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT – Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG – Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED – Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN – K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIAN’S GAMBIT – Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES – McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON – Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES – Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS – Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE – Leife Shallcross (Australia)

Island of Spirits by Maureen Flynn

A dangerous world of magic. An island at war. A princess who holds the key to peace or destruction. Magic kills on Blackley Island. So when Princess Sirran's older brother, Crown Prince Accolon, is cursed by a powerful enchanter from across the sea, she's faced with an impossible choice. Does she use the terrible spells that are her birthright and risk the lives of everyone she loves or stand aside and watch as her home is conquered by the cruel Witch Queen's army? With time running out to save Blackley Island, Sirran must ally with hidden outcasts and forbidden spirits to prevent the apocalypse that's coming. Too bad her own people don't trust her. Too bad the enchanter she's up against is so powerful. The odds are stacked from the beginning, but Sirran is stubborn. Let the fight for Blackley Island's future begin ...

Physics Trincarnate by Jesse Pohlman

After a group called the Consortium Of Trust saved her from a kidnapping attempt, Saffron Latchkey has been training with their resident empath, Erica Hall. Erica chose to use her powers of empathic projection to manipulate the outcome of the 2016 election and become the President of the United States, and she’s teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortium’s most capable agents are sent on a mission to curtail a duo of rogue super-Humans scheming to steal nuclear weapons, Saffron is brought face to face with her kidnappers once again: Her own adopted family. In the darkness of her new captivity, she learns the truth of why they wanted control over her life, and of how she was adopted in the first place. If she can succeed where The Consortium failed and take down these rogues she can save lives, but that would mean surrendering to her destiny when all she wants is control over her fate. Worst of all, it might mean killing those that try to harm others, a bloody weight she simply isn’t eager to bear.

The Saint of Heartbreak by Morgan Dante

Two of the Bible's greatest villains... After his betrayal with a kiss, Judas Iscariot dies in despair and goes to Hell. When Christ saves other souls during the Harrowing of Hell, he leaves Judas behind—but not alone in the ninth circle, where the most detestable traitors go. Callous, resigned, and abandoned by God long ago, the Devil sees Judas as a pathetic wretch, but he soon finds a kindred spirit. As the centuries pass, they struggle to find even a sliver of happiness in Hell. Doomed by the narrative, will they find happiness, or will their story continue to be a tragedy?

Sloe Moon: Tall Trees by C. M. Kuhtz

What if the Chosen One doesn’t get chosen? Sloe Moon, youngest child of the ruler of Tall Trees, has always wanted to follow in their father’s footsteps and become a famous wizard. Instead they are expected to marry for the good of the Moon family and uphold an age-old alliance. When the opportunity arises for them to travel to the famed wizard council of Goldenlake, Sloe and their best friend Qes set off on a journey that will not only put them in the path of mortal danger but also entangle them with the fate of the Moon’s allies, enemies, and the mysterious men from the Eastern Cities, who have come to the land of the families with their own agenda. With so many odds stacked against them, will Sloe be able to fulfil their destiny? Sloe Moon: Tall Trees is the first volume of a six-part queer fantasy series with a fat, nonbinary protagonist.

The Famine Witch by Stephen Black

Belfast, 1847. They would come to call it Black ‘47. A town on the brink, ravaged by the Great Hunger sweeping across the island of Ireland. A town living in fear as a crazed killer stalks the streets at night, butchering young women. They call him Bloody Hands. Amidst the chaos, nineteen-year-old Maggie Malone and her young brother, Jinks, fight to survive each day. But there is worse to come when a mysterious ship limps into port, having miraculously emerged from a savage storm. A ship carrying death itself, summoned by a malevolent force that has haunted the mountain overlooking Belfast for centuries, hellbent on devastation and ruin. They call her The Black Lady. Maggie and Jinks become unwitting pawns as Bloody Hands and The Black Lady take their ancient feud to new levels of barbarism, threatening the future of Belfast and its hapless population. Can Maggie unlock the dormant power within her and save Belfast from toppling into the abyss? Can she transform into the savior that the people so desperately need? Can she become The Famine Witch?

The Dark Queen's Apothecary by Cassandra L. Thompson

Andrei cannot believe his good fortune when he is summoned by the beautiful yet formidable Queen Viorica to serve as her personal apothecary. But he soon learns that things at her dark castle are not what they seem. Haunted by his growing obsession for her, Andrei falls helplessly into her thrall and soon discovers her dark secret. Unafraid, he destroys the competition around him and takes his rightful place by her side. Lost to passion and bloodlust, the two are caught unaware when the queen’s adversaries make their move. But what no one realized was that Queen Viorica created a monstrous king out of the once timid Andrei, bearing a love strong enough to make kingdoms burn.

The Bone Key by Mary Rajotte

Centuries ago, the First Witch of the Aquelarre Buho coven conjured the ability to transform into an owl. Since then, a faction of hunters known as Los Cazadores has been intent on stealing that magic for their own. As Valeria hones her craft, her hopes of being granted the power to shape-shift are disrupted by a terrifying vision. A haunting woman appears in the shadows as she did when Valeria was a child, a foreboding omen that culminates in the murder of her best friend, Gwen. Seeking solace, Valeria flees south to reconnect to her roots. Still, her journey turns bittersweet when painful memories of her father’s death resurface and fuel her determination to protect those she loves. As Valeria delves into darker magic, she discovers her abilities are stronger than anyone knew. But just as her confidence soars, the hunters return intent on stealing the Elixir the witches rely upon for their transformative powers. Can Valeria conjure the bravery needed to protect her coven’s legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing they’ve spent centuries pursuing.

The Ancient Ones by Cassandra L. Thompson

When David stumbles upon a tragic young woman in a sordid Limehouse pub, he has no idea she’d recognize him as the last vampyre alive, nor that she’d be the one to pull out his story. Yet as he recalls his life from the sweltering vineyards of Ancient Rome to the cold horrors of Medieval Romania - as well as his tumultuous past with the mad and mysterious Lucius - he realizes she is much more than what she seems. Gothic horror and mythological fantasy blend seamlessly together in this thrilling adventure, breathing new life into vampire lore as it reveals its true origins. The Ancient Ones is a tale of myth, mayhem, and magic … with a dash of romance that bites.

Revelations by Cassandra L. Thompson

Back for the final installment, a freshly revived David and the rest of the immortal vampyres return to the place it all Africa. As they continue to fend off Discordia’s attacks, the close proximity of the reincarnated gods forces them to discover more about their shared pasts than ever before. Joined by new gods and some long forgotten, the Ancient Ones must find a way to heal old wounds and reconcile their pasts or risk the ruin of all. Another volume of adventure, tragedy, and love, the third book in The Ancient Ones Trilogy brings to a close the tale as old as time itself...with one final bite.

Liminality by Cassandra L. Thompson

Picking up right where The Ancient Ones left off, David has just discovered the diabolical brother he left for dead in 15th century Romania has returned. Making matters even stranger, the news is delivered by his old friend, Danulf, the half-vampyre/half-lycanthrope he had also presumed dead. As Dan divulges his story to David and his newly reanimated lover, Morrigan, it becomes clear that the ancient pagan gods history hoped to forget are back. Another adventure throughout history, from the Carpathian Mountains to Pre-Revolutionary France, the story unfolds to reveal there is a much bigger problem than just the vainglorious Lucius. Even with the addition of a liminal witch named Cahira, the gods find themselves facing a threat that can erase their existence for good. Wrought with adventure, romance, tragedy, and heartache, the second book in The Ancient Ones Trilogy dives deeper into a tale as old as time itself... that bites.

Her Dark Enchantments by Rosalyn Briar

The Wicked Fairy. The Mistress of All Evil. The villain of Sleeping Beauty goes by many names, but where did she come from? Myravelle Spinner grew up in a tower with only spiders, spindles, and stone walls for friends while her mother spun gold for the king. She wondered why her mother refused to teach her fairy magic until one fateful mistake led Myravelle to become the healer in the king’s Sleepy Wood Company… Drained from years of waking soldiers from a cursed sleep, Myravelle must now choose a new canvas–a man whose life she drains with a dagger to fuel her healing powers. A ritual binds her to Byzarien Dumont, who loathes fairies for the fires that left his family impoverished and his body riddled with scars. His burning hatred causes Myravelle’s enchantments to wither, leading the king to threaten her mother’s life. Byzarien can only see Myravelle as a beautiful spider who strings men along her web, while Myravelle considers love a weakness for the king to exploit. With their families in danger and soldiers rotting in a death-like sleep, the pair must learn to trust one another before the dark magic spinning in Myravelle’s soul unravels once and for all. The Wicked Fairy never asked to become a monster…

Blood Coven by Sabrina Voerman

“There was no breeze that evening, but the trees whispered in the voices of girls…” Red only dreams of escaping her abusive home in her Silvanian village until a mysterious young woman invites her to join her coven. Just as she begins to seize her autonomy back by way of witchcraft, her devious father decides to sacrifice her to the Wolf–a legendary creature that has haunted their town for over four hundred years. Refusing to be a pawn in her father’s plan, Red uses her newfound strength and takes control of her destiny. Instead of succumbing to her fate, she wields it, and in the process, she unearths the true history of the Wolf, and the man he once was.

Ashen Heart by Sabrina Voerman

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” Torenia Luca’s unparalleled beauty is the cause of her family’s hatred for her. She’s ignored by her father, cast aside by her mother, and despised by her sister, Aster. The increasing rivalry between herself and Aster pushes Torenia into the Craft before she is driven out of Silvania for witchcraft. Ten years later she finds herself on the other side of the Mørke Forest in Osleka, a region known for its brutal cold and a mysterious blood cult called The Brotherhood run by Roman and Ivan Sokolov. Thrown into a world of blood lust, political affairs, and nightwalkers, Torenia finds herself swept up in the Brotherhood, shedding parts of herself that do not serve her and unlocking desires that she had long since hidden. She claws her way up the hierarchy, uncaring of whom she usurps along the way. “Torenia Luca is the fairest of them all.”

The Spirit Well by R.K. Ashwick

When a bard saved the day, he never expected an encore. After saving their home from a magical disaster, Emry, Cal, and forest spirit Aspen ascend to high society: Emry and Aspen to the illustrious musicians’ guild, and Cal to the cutting edge of spirit research. But their new roles send them far beyond the concerts and balls they expected…and deep into a city of dying spirits. In the neighboring city of Matlock, a strange blight has withered their gardens—and the spirits living within. The trio rushes to investigate, whirling into Matlock’s social season in search of allies and gossip. Here, Emry frantically navigates the dazzle and decorum to seek information, start his debut…and propose to Cal. But when the glittering chandeliers illuminate more enemies than friends, Emry, Cal, and Aspen must race to stop the blight before it spreads—and the spirits shrivel away for good.

A Captured Cauldron by R.K. Ashwick

Why steal a potion when you can steal a potioneer? Grumpy potioneer Ambrose Beake has only one social event marked on his calendar: the country’s three-day Potion Convention. Alchemists from all over the world pour in to discuss their life’s work, and Ambrose eagerly dives into the excitement. Greeting old friends, speaking on panels, hopping into heated debates… And getting kidnapped by an underground crime syndicate. The criminals demand that Ambrose brew an impossible illusion potion—but the Guild’s protocol for such kidnappings is clear. He must agree to do the work, then delay the project as much as possible, while above ground, his boyfriend Eli and best friend Dawn plot to save him. They’re not alone in this venture, either—a beautiful journalist arrives to cover the rescue, just as eager as they are to investigate, infiltrate…and ignite a few sparks in Dawn’s heart along the way. But while Dawn struggles to ignore those sparks and Eli struggles to save his beloved, Ambrose delves into the syndicate’s secrets—and finds something far more impossible hidden within its depths.