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Marigolds and Murder by AK Ikezoe What good is it to know the truth if you're powerless to change it? Philadelphia, 1950. Nobody suspects that private detective Katsumi Okazaki uses prophecy magic to solve her cases. But her uncanny "intuition" at finding the truth can't help her prove that her new client's wife was murdered. Not when everyone else is convinced the death was accidental. To make matters more complicated, Kat's new client is an Exalter--afflicted with unpredictable magical abilities as collateral damage from the war--and her story stirs up Kat's own painful memories of displacement and the love she lost. Luckily, Kat has plenty of practice burying her personal problems under a mountain of work. She sets out with her ethically questionable but trustworthy assistant to find evidence and catch the killer. But dread creeps in when she realizes she's being tailed. Is someone trying to thwart her investigation, or does the government still not trust her? Either way, Kat can't let her client down. And if what her magic tells her is real, then catching the killer might not be enough... not if she's going to be able to live with herself when it's done. The first book in The Exalted series, Marigolds and Murder is a queer fantasy murder mystery that blends WWII history with magic. |
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The First Sin by Cheyenne Brammah In the sweeping expanse of the Ă rdrakin Empire, the people fight and die for honor as elite warriors of the galaxy. But long ago, a prophecy was spoken that presaged the apocalypse. Everyone knows and fears the truth: one day, the empire will fall. TĂ„rik is a guard for small, independent Clan Tsinna. Instead of pondering the end of his civilization, TĂ„rikâs greatest concern is maintaining his honor while escorting a group of impertinent dignitaries across the treacherous Barren Gale. When the Mother Goddess speaks a passage from the prophecy to him, he has the good sense to be frightened, but he doesnât heed the significance of Her visit. Then disaster strikes, and TĂ„rik is branded as an exile, leaving him with no home, no honor, and no future. Forced into a desperate struggle for survival, all TĂ„rik can focus on is living just one more day until luckâor maybe fateâgives him the opportunity to join a new clan. But even this is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and it takes him to an inhospitable world far from the empire where survival seems all but impossible. Faced with new challenges, including trying to navigate first contact with the low-tech locals, TĂ„rik believes the prophecy canât reach him. Yet it continues to loom, signaling that his fate and the fate of the empire are irrevocably entwined. This is a dark, spicy, adult science fantasy set in a world that includes war, violence, and other mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. Reading guidance can be found at the beginning of the book or on the author's website. |
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Fey & Wolf: A Lusefell Novella by Noah Bodie Osmond Banes is at his wits' end. Plagued by nightmares from 12 years ago, constant worry about his family, and an unsettling fear of immortality. The one thing keeping him afloat is his longtime partner, Christian Baker, who just returned from a trip across the sea. Upon their reunion, they learn of a growing threat from a monstrous force. This duo of monster hunters sets out to investigate the creatures rumored to have murdered Ozâs father figure and to finally exchange the vows they have been postponing for years. |
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Bulwark: Book 2 of the Desert Rose Saga by Noah Bodie The next installment of the Desert Rose Saga follows Simon and Andreas as old wounds are reopened, and theyâre forced to confront their growing feelings for one another. What awaits them as they leave the city of Sebree eight months after being sent into isolation? Will Simon be able to confront his inner demons? Will Andreas uncover answers to a surprising revelation about his family? What challenges lie ahead as new foes emerge and a hidden piece of the worldâs history claws to light? |
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The Monsters Among Us by Kent Priore âKent Priore writes like a natural about the supernatural, and The Monsters Among Us is a marvelously dark and true novel. American fiction has found a terrific new voice.â âJoseph OâNeill, PEN/Faulkner Award-Winning Author of Netherland Sethâs life until now has been a product of a diabolical, evil Truman Show, his entire upbringing a façade orchestrated for malevolent purposes. After his beloved dies, he undergoes a demonic metamorphosis, which causes the worldâs fictitious walls to crumble. As he tries to piece a semblance of his life back together and move on, he meets friends who inspire, but even more harsh truths are revealed, perhaps too difficult to cope with. The very existence of life and reality is exposed as a machination of grotesque gods. And to defeat them, Seth will have to fill his emptiness, for which thereâs only two options⊠Bring the world to ruin, or learn to transmute his pain into strength. Fans of "Jerusalem" by Alan Moore, âThe Bell Jarâ by Sylvia Plath, or âThe Master and Margaritaâ by Mikhail Bulgakovor will enjoy âThe Monsters Among Us.â âI was intrigued from the first sentence, determined to spend the night speed-reading so I didn't have to remain in suspense any longer.â -Ella Dupuie, author of Fractures of the Fallen âSupernatural storytelling at its best, this vivid cinematic novel takes the reader on an imaginative journey through what could be considered end of days. The Monsterâs Among Us is a masterful creation and a must readâeven for those who arenât fans of fantasy/horror.â âJoni Marie Iraci MFA author of Vatican Daughter |
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Diminished by Erica Rose Eberhart A queen haunted by ghosts. A dragon cursed in human skin. A kingdom on the brink of war. In the aftermath of her father's death, Queen Greer stands at the edge of grief and revelation. Magicâonce forbiddenâhas returned to Wimleigh, but so have enemies. When a prophetic funeral warns of rising death, it sets into motion a chain of events that will test the mettle of queens, heirs, and warriors alike. As Greer grapples with panic attacks and the vengeful ghost of her father, her sister, Caitriona, struggles under the weight of monstrous expectations. Bearing horns, scales, and the voice of a dragon in her mind, Caitriona must lead a secret mission with Ailith MacCreeânow a royal guardânorth to find a lost prince who could stop a warâif heâs willing to fight. But treachery weaves through the forests, poisons creep in, and fae assassins lurk in the shadows. With kingdoms falling to darkness, an ancient tree bleeding out its final life, and bonds shattered by betrayal, Wimleighâs hope rests on a dragon no longer afraid to rise. When magic is reborn and monsters wear crowns, who dares to lead the charge? |
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Tarnished by Erica Rose Eberhart An outlawed magic, a hidden curse, and a love tested by fire. In the struggling city of Braewick, a determined 20-year-old gate guard named Ailith MacCree longs for a chance at financial stability and adventure. Little does she know, her wish is about to come true. She accepts a mission from Princess Greer that promises both: escort Princess Caitriona to the Endless Mountains to meet the enigmatic hermit for a great financial reward. Ailith jumps at the opportunity and bids goodbye to all sheâs ever known. But as they journey together, Ailith discovers that Caitriona holds a dangerous secretâshe possesses powerful magic in a kingdom where magic is outlawed. Ailith and Caitriona face mysterious attacks and supernatural challenges. But as they delve deeper into the treacherous landscape, Ailith learns of Caitriona's tragic past and the dark curse that threatens her very existence. With rebellion brewing in Braewick, and the oppressive king hot on their trail, Ailith must not only navigate her growing feelings for Caitriona, but also fight against relentless foes. As they race against time to stop the curse, Ailith and Caitriona uncover shocking truths about their kingdom, their families, and themselves. Will their burgeoning romance survive the trials ahead? Can they break the curse and save their homeland from tyranny? Join Ailith and Caitriona on a thrilling quest filled with magic, danger, and heart-pounding adventure. Fans of high-stakes fantasy will not want to miss this epic tale. |
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Beyond The Dead by Veronica Talliss "BEYOND THE DEAD" FOLLOWS THE JOURNEY OF VIOLET, A RESILIENT PARAMEDIC. AS SHE NAVIGATES A WORLD RAVAGED BY A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. AFTER LOSING HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY, VIOLET FINDS SOLACE AND STRENGTH IN HER BOND WITH HER FATHER, ARTHUR, WHO BECOMES HER SOLE COMPANION IN THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL. AS SHE STRUGGLES TO ENDURE THE HORRORS OF THE NEW WORLD, VIOLET IS UNEXPECTEDLY REUNITED WITH HER LONG-LOST LOVE, RYDER. TOGETHER. THEY EMBARK ON A PERILOUS JOURNEY FILLED WITH DANGER AND UNCERTAINTY, FACING HORDES OF THE UNDEAD AND TREACHEROUS HUMAN ADVERSARIES. AS THEY FIGHT TO STAY ALIVE AND PRESERVE THEIR HUMANITY, VIOLET AND RYDER MUST CONFRONT THEIR PAST AND FORGE A NEW FUTURE IN A WORLD BEYOND THE DEAD. |
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The Book of Origins by Jean Swan You are the silent knife in the night, the eyes everywhere, that will do what no other can or willâŠâ The vast Vol Supremacy maintains an iron grip over its people through a secret cabal of spies and assassins known as the dakir. Offered as tribute by their parents, and trained from childhood, the dakir are skilled and ruthless â tasked with crushing dissent in any way they see fit. Three dakir novices approach their final trial, having long relinquished any hope of a future for themselves. Their only wish is to serve their religious order. Or so they tell themselves. Meanwhile, the Supremacy has discovered a lush, wild continent to the south. The settlement there slips slowly toward rebellion - dissenting voices speaking in public, attendance at holy ceremonies dwindling, and an underground resistance fanning the flames of an uprising. And what of the mysteries of this strange new land itself â apparently uninhabited, yet so suited to human life? Something awaits that will alter the Supremacy forever. This is where it begins. |
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The 13 Likenesses of Tennie by Tuesday Simon Max managed to find a figurine that looks a lot like the shy sixteen year old girl who works at the local bike shop. Heâs determined to unravel the mystery that is Tennie Harper, but nothing can prepare him for the challenge that awaits. Tennie was kicked out of her realm after trying to do the right thing. Once a highly respected guardian of Eylavast, sheâs now stuck in the weird realm of Earth until she completes an overly complicated scavenger hunt as her punishment. It wonât be easy as obstacles and unwelcomed visitors await her at every turn. With the help of her friends, her realm jumping capybara, and her long-lost uncle, Tennie races against the clock to get back home. |
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In the House of Root and Rot by Sam Weiss Old Gramps always said the Deadmarsh family was cursed. Will never believed himâuntil now. In a last-ditch effort to pay his grandfatherâs mounting medical bills, Will signs up for a shady sleep study, ignoring the warning signs. But everything changes the night his grandfather vanishes. In his place, Willâs dead sister returns. Convinced the sleep study is to blame, Will tracks down Spectre, the enigmatic research firm behind it, only to discover theyâve disappeared. His search leads him to a girl whose father vanished after her own harrowing encounter with Spectre. She also seems to know more about his familyâs past than sheâs letting on. Desperate to stop seeing his dead sister and unsure of who to trust, Will forms an uneasy alliance with the girl to find out what Spectre wants with them. Together, they plummet down a rabbit-hole of secrets, discovering Spectreâs true purpose and what it planted in Willâs bloodline centuries ago. Something ancient, something not of this world, has been feeding off his family for generations, growing stronger, hungrier, and desperate to be set free. The family curse is real. And itâs been waiting for Will to unleash it. |
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Under Darkened Skies by H.E. Bauman A librarian with a secret. A prince looking for redemption. A dark discovery that will force them to confront their truths. Astrea Sovna is destined to die. As a Lightbringer, sheâs expected to serve the Helosian government as a battlefield healer; but when the court seerâAstreaâs uncleâhas a vision of her being killed in the line of duty, he forbids her to reveal her powers. Until now, Astrea has gone unnoticed as a junior librarian. But when she gets reassigned to a diplomatic project to strengthen ties between Helosia and one of its neighbors, she finds herself saddled with her past, in the form of returned war hero and her ex-best friend, Prince Varojin Auris. Forced to work together, Astrea soon learns that although Varojin has been out of her life for years, heâs still the kind, patient friend she remembers. As they navigate old friendships and imperial politics, the pair discovers that the mysterious shadows stalking the city are leaving a trail of murder victims in their wake. And when Astrea becomes a target, a dear friend gets caught in the crossfire⊠As Astrea and Varojin begin searching for answers, they realize there is much more to the emperorâs project than political niceties. If the shadows arenât stopped, Astreaâs futureâand the security of the entire continentâhangs in the balance. |
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The Sundered Stars by H.E. Bauman Betrayal is just the beginning⊠After a decade of hunting the Federationâs deadliest criminals, Mora âMoâ Cevi is done risking her lifeâbut she needs a way out. So, when a lucrative military contract lands in her lap, she takes it despite her mistrust of the government. Steadfast leader Ezra Lyre has dedicated sixteen years to the Federation Space Command, climbing the ranks to become one of the militaryâs most revered Vanguards. But when heâs assigned to protect a group of archaeologists on a remote dig, heâs confused. The Federation is at war, and he should be on the front lines, not babysitting scholars. Mo has been fighting Ezraâs orders for days, until a group of traitors steal a treasured artifact, and he needs her to help him bring them to justice. With the Federation rejecting their concerns, they pursue the thieves on their own. But as their manhunt tangles them in a web of dangerous conspiracies, Mo and Ezra find themselves racing to stop a threat that could destroy the Federationâif their enemies donât destroy them first. |
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And the Age of Summer Will Rise by Camilla Andrew When thereâs nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire⊠Having chosen a torrid love over political ambition, Laila must face her greatest challenge yetâthat of married life as the star bride to the demon king of Mortos. Despite her best efforts to acclimate to her new crown and country, she finds herself ill-equipped to deal with the schisms starting to form across multiple competing factions. As well as the toll it takes on her husbandâs fraying mask of civility. With the web of deceit slowly unravelling the true nature of Darius a constant looming threat, a meddling-mother-in-law, and scheming nobles, can this star-crossed pair hope to make it to their first anniversary intact? Across the sea, the solarites slowly recuperate after a devastating act of terrorism. With tensions high and emotions fraught, a division soon forms between those intent on keeping whatever frail charade of peace can still be maintained with Mortos and those intending to shatter it completely. As a high-stakes game of backstabbing and betrayal ensues, the consequences promise to be far-reaching from the beaches of the south to the mountain peaks of the north, leaving everyone involved forever changed. The third and final instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy promises a heart-wrenching finale to this gaslamp fantasy saga that you donât want to miss. |
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We Will Devour the Night by Camilla Andrew Twenty years after her fateful first voyage north, Laila is preparing for her campaign to become the next impĂ©ratrice of Soleterea, contending with negative attitudes towards chaos magic and the demons who wield it. In the meantime, Darius has settled into his new position as the rex of Mortos, but his rule has not been without conflict and conspiracy, either. When her mother suggests that Laila distinguish herself politically by lending a hand to the famine-stricken Mortesians, she finds herself once more crossing paths with her old lover and confronting the whirlwind of emotions that twenty years apart have done little to settle. Determined to put her feelings to one side, Laila throws herself headfirst into the viper pit of Mortesian court politics to try to win their favour. However, Darius has an allure of his ownâone that is not quite so simple to resist. The second instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy continues on the trajectory of character-driven gaslamp fantasy with high emotional stakes and classical worldbuilding. |
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Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs by Adam Bassett For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanityâs last bastion against the maalkonis, malignant black mists that reduced the rest of the world to ash. They are kept at bay by rusty machines on the townâs walls. In order to survive, the dwindling population depends on one another. Since a young age, JustÄ«ne has embraced the harsh responsibilities that accompanied her apprenticeship on the last farm in existence. Her younger sister, Anna, is beginning her own apprenticeship as well. Learning engineering was not Anna's first choice, but the town's last mage fell to the maalkonis years prior, leaving nothing behind but confusing books and strange runes. When food runs low during a particularly harsh winter, distrust spreads like a plague, and JustÄ«ne is blamed for it. As hunger leads to violence, she and her siblings are forced to flee The Old Town, embarking on a perilous journey into the very mists that had formed their cage. Their fight to survive in the dark develops into a hopeful mystery as they follow the breadcrumbs of a mageâs efforts to save the world. Meanwhile something pursues them through the maalkonis⊠|
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Blade of Broken Scales by Makayla Marie With the dawn of her eighteenth birthday, Princess Adeline of the Ambrose family has become the most eligible young woman in the Kingdom of Scalebreak. As suitors from across the realm line up for her hand-in-marriage, Adeline daydreams about her dangerous midnight adventures. More than anything, she wants to protect her kingdom and learn to harness the brief moments of power sheâs been collecting since she was fifteen. Sheâs never felt more alive than when her body hums with magic stolen from the deadliest creatures in the realm, and sheâs willing to kill for it. What will win out â her desires for power, freedom, and to be hailed as a protector of the realm, or the sense of duty to her family and the expectations that come with being a princess? Burdened by the heavy weight of her decisions and overwhelmed by suitors, Adeline turns to what she does best, slaying dragons. But when an average night of ruthless hunting goes wrong, she finds herself injured and kidnapped by the clan she thought to exist only in legend. After just a few hours with her kidnapper, Roman Drache, Adeline finds herself questioning everything she has ever known. Will the princess submit to the whims of family and country in the name of duty, or will Adeline choose to embrace the power within armâs reach and learn to fight for the truth she has cowered from her whole life? |
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Impostor (Children of Lorcan Book 2) by J. M. Rose NIKOLAI PETROV HATES LIES. Finding out heâs supposed to be the next Vampire King of Raspien was not something Nikolai Petrov ever expected. Torn from his family and his home, Nikolai is thrust into an unfamiliar world with unfamiliar people. But it does not feel like the court of vipers he was warned about. Nikolai is surprised by the warmth of his new family and Lord Councilman Caius Varga, immersed in his new school and his new friends, and somewhere along the line, he stops counting down the days until his return home. His willingness to stay and take up his promised role only grows when he meets the enchanting Lord in Waiting of Amenti, Viktor Kamel. Swept up in romance, friendship and the prospect of learning under the Petrov Academyâs best healers, Nikolai finds himself more deeply entangled than ever in his role as a prince of Raspien. But things arenât always what they seem. Nikolaiâs warmth, kindness and honesty cannot protect him from lies told in decades past; in the end, the truth always comes knocking and the shadows of the past have teeth as deadly as the ugliest of secrets. |
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Usurper (Children of Lorcan Book 1) by J. M. Rose DMITRY PETROV WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEXT VAMPIRE KING OF RASPIEN. On the night of his eighteenth birthday, Dmitry unwittingly finds himself at the center of a scandal that turns his life upside down. Stripped of his titles, inheritance, and everything heâs ever known, Dmitry has to learn to live like the other side. Forced to question everything heâs been taught to believe, Dmitry is determined to forge ahead and build a new life far from the intricate politics and poison of a family bound to a golden chair and the weight of a crown once promised. But dressing a prince in overalls does not a pauper make, and no matter the distance he travels or how hard he tries to forget, Dmitry has to face a harsh and inescapable truth; that a fate born into is not so easily shaken. When he finds himself at the beck and call of a boy king with too much power and no patience, Dmitry begins to understand that there is more to inheritance than a title and a crown, and bloodâindeedâruns much thicker than water. |
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A Thousand Burning Ravens by Kier Smelcer On the day blood oaths were to be sworn to the King of Falkmere, crimson spilled in an entirely different way. When the Fallen Fae God, Vesperian Shayd decapitated the King, an ancient magic died with him, leaving Falkmere at the mercy of an equally ancient curse. In possession of a burdensome prophesy and ruinous secrets â such as a hidden pregnancyâ newly widowed queen, Myla Alerys, must step into a role of leadership she never wanted. In order to break Vesperianâs curse (something it seems she cannot accomplish without rekindling a childhood love with the steadfast Captain Bryar Monroe) Myla must seek help in the most unlikely of places. On this quest of found families and second chance loves, Myla will join forces with a mysterious Seer, a cloister of quiet monks, and the formidable Ashborn to break free of the Blood Stealerâs curse. |
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The Wishing Stone by Adam Holcombe A mythical relic believed to have the ability to grant any wish. A map, leading the way through ancient and sealed catacombs. Gam Gam's return to Capital City is not what she expected when she stumbles upon her first clue to the Wishing Stone's whereabouts. Joined by Mina and her new friend Emil, along with the undead retinue of Nugget, Sloughy, and Gerald, they set out to uncover secrets that could unravel more than just their lives. |
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Austringer's Wrath by E.L. Lyons The Austringer has fallen! A new Austringer is risen! Minalav is in pieces, needs are high but trust is low. After Axly's plan placed her on the throne, she is faced with the displeasure of High and Low Birds, the Nameless, and the humans of the city. In a bid to bring much needed supplies, Axly offers the one thing all nations covet: sprygan weapons. In the lands of Remorra, General Grimwalt is selected to represent his kingdom. Sent by his cousin, King Henry, who has more in mind than just the sprygan weapons, Grim must negotiate with a woman he doesn't remember. |
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A Legion of Bane and Embers by KL Hill A Knight sworn to protect the city from evil. A vampire bound in chains. A desire that could destroy them both. Atlas I was trained to kill monstersâ Not crave the one chained beneath my home. As a Knight of Cindervail, Iâm everything the Legion disciplined, deadly, untouchable. But on the night of my final trial, it wasnât the Legion that saved me. It was a vampire. Emilian. Now heâs leashed and muzzled by the Vail, my illegal asset locked in my basement. I only let him out for missions that need a monsterâs teeth. Thatâs the story we tell. But the truth is darker. Every night, I go back to himâfor the heat, the hunger, the sin I canât stop committing. Our connection is forbidden. Addictive. And when my best friend vanishes and demons begin tearing through Cindervail, Iâm forced to face an impossible Save the city I swore to protectâ Or surrender to the vampire who makes me feel alive. Emilian I wasnât born a monster. I was made oneâand then left to rot. In Cindervail, vampires like me arenât given trials. Weâre exterminated. I shouldâve died the night I met Atlas, the Knight who should have put a blade through my heart. Instead, he let me live. Now I survive chained beneath his home like a secret sin. Muzzled. Bound. Used as a weapon while I fight the cityâs nightmares by his side. We pretend itâs duty. But I see the truth in his eyes every time he touches meâthe tremor in his hands, the hunger in his breath. The city is rotting. The rifts are widening. Demons are coming through the cracks. Soon, Atlas will have to chooseâ The city that made him a weapon, Or the creature he should have killed. |
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Shadow Sword by Kaila Desjardins Defending those they swore to protect might cost more than they bargained for. Sellsword MorrĂgan wants nothing more than to defend innocent people. So when DĂ ibhid, the king of Cunlaran, offers her and her friends the opportunity, she can hardly say no. But working for DĂ ibhid could expose her secretâsheâs not only a princess but DĂ ibhidâs childhood ex-best friend. If he ever realizes who he has in his castle, MorrĂganâs life will come crashing down. The problem is, itâs more difficult keeping her distance than it should be. DĂ ibhid is desperate to protect his subjects against an invading enemy intent on stealing his throne. Cautious with lives and hoping to avoid war, DĂ ibhid hires sellswords to gather information undercover. But when the mission goes sideways and people get hurt, DĂ ibhidâs fear of failing his subjects worsens. The only effective balm seems to be spending time with one of his new hires . . . As the pair grows closer, enemy attacks turn deadlier and the teamâs mission becomes paramount. With secrets and lives on the line, MorrĂgan and DĂ ibhid must ask themselves what theyâre willing to risk before everything theyâve worked for is lost. |
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Magic, Maps and Mischief by David Green How Far Would You Go To Discover Your Heartâs Desire? Greton of Willow is in a spot of bother. Caught in the act while escorting a family of elves to safety, Greton flees for greener pastures with only his scant magic and brilliant mind to his name. And a question. The question. âWhat is your heartâs desire?â A life-long outsider, Greton sets out to uncover what lies at the center of his heart. Is it adopting a tawny owl? Owning his very own map shop? Forging a found family with others as similarly scorned as himself? The possibilities are endless. Determined to put his marvelous mind to the task, Greton discovers a way to reveal anyoneâs heartâs desire, but not everyoneâs longings are as pure as his⊠Something odd is occurring in Gretonâs new home of Barrowâs Hill, and, before long, the old man in search of a comfortable new life finds himself swept up in danger and mischief. A heart-felt, cozy, neurodivergent adventure filled with found family and an elderly autistic hero searching for his place in the world, âMagic, Maps, and Mischiefâ is a story built on love, friendship and acceptance, perfect for readers of âLegends and Lattesâ, âThe Teller of Small Fortunesâ and âUnder The Whispering Doorâ. Praise for David Greenâs award-nominated âEmpire of Ruin Sagaâ: âDavid Green has become an insta-buy for absolutely any and everything he releases.â - Rachel Rener, author of the âGilded Bloodâ series âThe characters are excellent, written with depth and humanity.â - Liz Delton, author of âThe Witch at the Edge of the Woodâ âIf you're looking for classic fantasy, with fortresses, magic, battles, and scheming, but told with a modern voice and a diverse cast, this is a great pick.â - Fantasy-Faction âThe plot is well-paced and enthralling, with no scene wasted. It will pull you through the book and leave you wanting more. The prose is confident and deft throughout.â - Shona Kinsella, author of âThe Heart of Winterâ |
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Chaotic Idiots: HighSchool Days (Volume one) by Faith Jacobs New year, New school, new classes, and friendship challenges may come, yet so long as you've got good friends and family to guide you, nothing can go wrong! Right? --- Enter Jacob Faust, a bubbly, purple haired; gentle hearted sixteen-year-old Vampire with a lot of kindness and empathy to share! He's no mindless bloodsucker; that's a mortal myth you know! He in fact adores tomato juice, if you must inquire of his diet! Yet, In a hidden town, far from the human realm, where his next-door neighbor could be a dragon, a banshee, or a water nixie, Jacob has a lot to learn about life in between classes at Magmell Academy to studying for his next history test, and facing the ever changing tides of teenage growing pains, with his family and his peers by his side. In a sleepy little town, what could possibly go wrong? We're all fae after all.... |
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Shadows of the Timberland by Ashley Adams Now in the clutches of his father, Flint must learn how to use his newfound powers to defeat the beasts created by Slateâs chaos. Luckily for Flint, he has always known a life of thieving and survival. He must now use those skills to keep himself alive as he battles evil creatures, lost souls, and his own mind. After being threatened by the deities of Moonstone Isle, Slate, God of Death, isnât taking any chances at losing his heir. A series of obstacles are thrown Flintâs way, each one a new challenge that drives him closer to learning who he truly is. But not every obstacle Slate creates is in the form of a beast or monster. He sends Nova, his mortal servant, to distract Flint and become his weakness. Nova and Flint become reluctant allies, both wanting to escape their fates in the Underworld. Flint is inspired to turn the Underworld into something better, something worth dying for. But first, he must learn how to kill a god. In order to defeat his father, Flint must find the hidden truths that will have him questioning his entire existence. Welcome to the Underworld. Where monsters lurk in the shadows and you canât trust anyone. |
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Tides of Floral Dreams by Ashley Adams On an Isle surrounded by waters of sparkles, lava, caverns, and dangerous mountains lies four kingdoms. Each kingdoms' royals have unique magic, every region representing a specific season and element. At one time these kingdoms lived harmoniously and worked together to strive as they worshipped their gods and gave their people a happy life. Until one day when the one month old princess of the Coral Cove Kingdom was stolen. The kingdom's trust in one another diminished, but the Coral Cove royals still had an ally in the Bloomhaven Kingdom. Before the lost princess was stolen, a blood oath was given between the Coral Cove princess and the young Bloomhaven prince. 23 years have passed since the lost princess was taken, and the prince looks daily for her. Then everything changed. A hope was found, a clue unearthed to where the lost princess could be. But the prince no longer wants to find the lost princess. Fate has chosen a different path for him, and he has fallen in love with someone else. Will the prince break the blood oath? Will the lost princess ever be found? Enter the world of Moonstone Isle, where dreams can turn into nightmares when you least expect them to. |
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The Prince and His Stolen Groom by J.E. Ridge A magic spell protects the Desolated Lands from evil mages and their nefarious schemes. As a condition of this spell, Princess Francesca of Woe and Prince Brendon of Bane must marry. Rick knows his sister will be miserable in this marriage, so he concocts a half-baked plan to kidnap the groom and stall the wedding. He just needs time to find an alternative way to keep the spell active. Everything seems to go smoothly until someone else arrives at the castle claiming to be Prince Brendon. Now Rick has to juggle two grooms: the real one he stashed in a magic tower, and the imposter romancing his sister. Because Rick disrupted the wedding, the spell begins to weaken, allowing an evil mage to slip past the magical defenses. Chaos ensues as Rick struggles with imposters, evil minions, and his growing feelings for Brendon. Who knew stealing one groom would cause so much trouble? |
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Even Angels Fall by E. V. Sauvage 300 years ago, my world collided with Earth. My kind has been ruling over the world ever since, passing as archangels. Doves, swans, cockatoo, their white wings in half shifted form are the sign of their power. I should have been the next in line. I should have been the new archangel MichaĂ«l. But my wings arenât white. So instead I have to stay hidden. Instead, Iâve been trained my whole life. Instead, Iâm their weapon. Because who would be best suited to kill the dragon shifter living inside of Notre Dame than a fallen angel? My name is AngĂ©lique. Iâm a crow-shifter, and my mission is to marry Elhyor and to kill him on our wedding night. But nothing is the way it seems, and the dragon might be harder to kill than I thought. He might also be my only chance at freedom⊠Do I have any chance of surviving unscathed? Only time will tell⊠|
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Skalterra By Nightmare by M.T. Zimny Wren Warrender wants nothing more than to get off the waitlist at her dream school and survive the summer with an insufferable new coworker, so when a group of Magicians drag her sleeping consciousness into a magical realm called Skalterra to act as their weapon each night, sheâs less than thrilled. An old evil is breaking free of his glacial prison, and now itâs up to Wren to keep him from unleashing chaos across two separate realities. The lines between waking and sleep start to blur, and Wren is forced to reckon with the fact that some bad dreams are more than Nightmares. |
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Dance With Me by Livia J. Elliot A haunting and poignant fairy tale for adult readers, blending delicate imagery with psychological depth. In a world of beauty, a ceramic-made ballerina awakens atop her music box. She must dance for her elven owners, and so her ballet goes on and on. They praise her elegance, her poise and balance, until one day she falls and her ceramic fracturesâbut the ballerina dances again, ignoring her ever-increasing fissures. The music plays, captivating and demanding... but should she dance? Even when what she once loved becomes a trap? This is a dark fairy tale fantasy exploring the confines of depression. |
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The Revenant of Surolifia by Florence Chien In the vein of The Traitor Baru Cormorant and The Unbroken, The Revenant of Surolifia is a gripping political fantasy of empire, identity, and impossible choices, where rebellion blazes in the streets, loyalty is a double-edged sword, and the price of peace may be too steep to pay. Secrets are often liabilities, but sometimes they are power. Lucas Rhine has seen enough violence. When the Empire of Colours slaughters 17,000 of his silver-eyed kin, Lucas buries his hatred, hides his eyes behind coloured lenses, and vows to become the imperial gendarmerieâs commander. He will liberate his annexed island home through a diplomatic secession. Usurped prince Faye Phlorik wants his throne back. When violent revolutionaries help him escape from prison, he joins them. They need a silver-eyed champion to rally the people, and he needs their resources to defeat the gendarmerie protecting the usurper. When Fayeâs escape costs Lucas his promotion, Lucas adds revenge to his list of reasons to stop the bloody revolution. While the two hunt each other across the country, the Empire's warships are landing in two weeks to exterminate everyone with silver eyes. If Lucas and Faye can't unite their forces against the imperial fleet, there will soon be nothing left of the people they're both trying to liberate. |
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A Ballad for Slayers & Monsters by Rita A. Rubin Kas of Veldenier is a Slayer, a travelling monster hunter for hire. Claudia of Trulio is half-human, half-vampyric. Half monster. They should be nothing more than enemies. But when the long-lost remnant of the dragon Ombral turns up, and with it the possibility of unleashing the dragons to wreak havoc on Vil Tresar as they did long ago, Kas and Claudiaâs paths converge. Through a shared desire to keep the dragons from returning, they embark on a quest to see the remnant destroyed. Along the way, they will encounter fearsome monsters as well as a burgeoning desire for each other. Can a monster and a monster slayer truly find love together? Pursuing them from the shadows is Serisa, a vampyric who wishes to see the world burn. And she will need the remnant to make that wish a reality⊠|
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Africa's Ashiest Warrior by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton Ashy is a term used to describe dry skin and is commonly used within the Black community. Our skin turns a harsh grayish-white, becomes rough, cracks, and invites criticism. Ashy is grotesque, not beautiful. Ashy is ghetto, not professional. Ashy is undesirable, not valued. That is what many people think. This book takes back the negative association with being ashy and turns it into a right, a privilege, a power⊠a superpower. Ashburn is born in a haunted region of Africa known for its enthusiastically ashy citizens. Their skin allows them to create the friction needed to birth weak flames. They were the first to discover, create, and harness fire. Their powers are used for general house duties and occupations. Although their powers are useful, they are not strong enough to defeat the spirits and deities that lurk in the night. Due to the arid climate, young children are lathered in oil and grease to prevent them from prematurely igniting their powers. Oh, how they yearn to be free of the crude moisturizer and become ashy like the adults. Upon completing kindergarten, they are allowed to be ashy and use their powers. Ashburn discovers that his ash powers are much more powerful and destructive than everyone else's. Is he one of the legendary burning warriors, the Mpiganaji wa Kuchoma, the ones strong enough to defeat the monsters of the night? All will be revealed in this story of adventure, African folklore and mythology, as we reclaim the word ashy. |
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Ruined History by Claudie Arseneault Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumiâs sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyahâs dream, hoping for answers about the elfâs past and unique abilitiesâbut first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyahâs presence. When the Archivistsâa mysterious organization that has trailed the crew from the very startâcapture everyone but Aliyah, however, their journey grinds to a halt. Still reeling from revelations about themselves, Aliyah must infiltrate the Archivistsâ base to rescue their group. The place is half ruined city, half magical wonderâa labyrinth to navigate which will require the help of two unlikely allies: Fragment motes from past citizens willing to guide Aliyah. To confront the Archivists is to uncover more of the inextricable truths between Aliyah and the Fragments. With every new revelation, the fractures in the Wagon crewâs cohesion and Aliyahâs determination widen. Before they can travel onward, they will need to find the strength to bear the weight of their ruined history. |
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Motes of Inspiration by Claudie Arseneault Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumiâs sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyahâs dream, hoping for answers about the elfâs past and unique abilitiesâbut first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyahâs presence. Theyâve reached Virze, a marvel of art and engineering and a city in which all acts of creation are beloved. A perfect occasion to explore and rest before the next leg of their journey⊠except that Rumi desperately wants to avoid his hometown and the demons of his past. When the Wagon crew realises half of those might be fears of his own making, however, they refuse to leave. But between the curse that ran him out of town and the source of his engineering skills, Rumi has been keeping even more secrets than theyâd expected. Heâll need all their support to face the loved ones left behind and prove to all, himself first and foremost, what he is truly capable of. |
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Stories from the Deep by Claudie Arseneault Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumiâs sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyahâs dream, hoping for answers about the elfâs past and unique abilitiesâbut first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyahâs presence. They finally leave the coast to undertake a long ocean crossing filled with the sailorsâ brand-new games and fearsome myths, but no one expects the latter to come to life. At sea, the Fragments that roam the world have coalesced into a gigantic beastâthe kraken of legendsâand unfortunately, it shares its landbound cousinsâ obsession with Aliyah. The crew may have bested countless storms, but no amount of sea-worthiness can save the ship from the wrath of its colossal tentacles. If they want to escape the kraken and continue their journey, the wagonâs team will need to unravel more of the Fragmentsâ mysteries, and learn to listen beyond the murmur of the sea. -- Stories from the Deep is the fourth novella in The Chronicles of Nerezia, a queer fantasy series of found family road trips with aroace nonbinary leads. |
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The Death Made Prince by Lisette Marshall A runewitch on the run has only one option left: join forces with the sarcastic, unpleasantly gorgeous necromancer she loathes The man Thraga loved is dead, and her future is in shambles. When she's sentenced to the gallows for killing her lover's murderers, it's a relief more than anything⊠until, the night before her execution, a necromancer is thrown into her cell. Escaping with him is her only chance to bring Lark back to life - and also the start of all her troubles. Because her new almost-ally is not just any man returned from death. Fire mage, rogue prince, and son of the man who killed her mother, sharp-tongued Durlain Averre is everything Thraga hates. Worse, he won't revive her lover unless she joins him on a mission of his own first, using her forbidden rune magic to free his sister from the dungeons of an enemy king. But their quest turns into a deadly chase when Thraga's violent past catches up with her. And as the net of court intrigue and old fears closes around them, she begins to find out Lark was not at all the man she thought he was⊠And neither is Durlain. The Death-Made Prince is the first book of the Runewitch Saga, an epic enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring two morally grey leads, OCD rep, and a Norse mythology-inspired world. While it is a slow burn romance, the first book does contain spicy content intended for 18+ readers |
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Bite Marks and Broken Hearts by TJ Rose Book overview How to destroy your life: Leave Ireland in the dead of night to flee to London; Get yourself dragged into an alley by a demon, marked, and doomed to die; Gain a mysterious, fatally attractive stalker/saviour. One with strangely sharp teeth⊠Flynn I never asked for this. Okay, maybe a little. After all, the demon was undeniably hotâthe perfect way to mend my broken heart. But I certainly didnât sign up to become his preyâbecause now my chest burns with ice as dark magic grows inside me⊠and heâll be back to collect it. Thankfully, I have a saviour. Tall, dark and handsome, though his vintage dress sense is slightly pretentious and his aversion to sunlight is a bit strange⊠But if he keeps looking at me like I'm something worth devouring, I might just let him. What's one more bad decision? SebastiĂĄn Five centuries has taught me three rules: stay detached, stay focused, and never, never feel too much. I built Killigrew Street to control London's supernatural underbelly. We keep order in the shadows, we maintain the balance, and we absolutely do not rescue pretty Irish boys and lock them up in our hotel. Except, apparently, we do now. He's marked. He's stubborn. He has an infuriating habit of throwing himself headfirst into danger with zero self-preservation. And heâs my problem to solve. When my protective instincts quickly twist into feelings, I know I should walk away. But my cold, dead heart seems to have other ideas. For how long can I keep my true vampiric nature from him? In the meantime, at least watching him try to figure out why everyone keeps making bat jokes in front of me is⊠admittedly entertaining. Bite Marks and Broken Hearts is an adult MM PNR romance. It contains one touch-starved, emotionally guarded vampire, the golden retriever human whoâs determined to break down his walls, a found family like no other, snarky wolves, sizzling scenes, some serious fang action, and a HEA. The Killigrew Street Case Files is a series of standalone paranormal romances where family is forged in the shadows. Each story features a different couple and mystery, connected by their growing supernatural team and overarching plot threads. |
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The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson To err is human. To avenge is Divine. Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and thatâs the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameadeâs magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition. Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next. But the merry widow has a secret. When sheâs not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city. Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesnât die. Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinisterâwhisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort. Harlow doesnât trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning. Cursed with a husband she canât kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlowâs survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows sheâs a killer fall in love with her anyway. The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires |