|
The serpent of time by Jim Shanahan A story like the Hobbit or the film Krull. A desperate quest in a strange and beautiful land. Ember Willowleaf is afraid -- but she must not give up -- the Outer Lands are waiting for those brave enough to enter them and fate has dealt the cards that she now must play. Join her on a quest to save herself, her friends and the world she has known -- a voyage that will take her to the edge of eternity itself. This story is similar to a Lord of the Rings type story or the Hobbit or the film Krull in that it can be enjoyed by all ages. It contains no swear words. |
|
A modern world has little need for old myths and gods that have crumbled to dust. Or so it believes. Time has not been kind to those forgotten gods, but some live on, hiding in plain sight. Some have grown weary of hiding. Sejit has rejoined the world, driven by a vow made to her mortal son to steer mankind away from the path of self-destruction. But, she must tread carefully. She may be a lion-goddess of war and the hunt, but humanity—those reckless children—possess weapons capable of slaying the mightiest of gods. Should she be discovered, doubtless would they wield those terrible devices against her. In her homeland, she labors to gather military and political might. Marshaling a fractured region, shaping it into an instrument able to bring her will to the world at large won’t be an easy task. She is not the only powerful god left in the world. Others have their own agendas and ideas about how best to guide—or rule—mortals. Alliances are forming as lesser deities choose their sides, given a reason to exist once more. The goddess Tess is Sejit’s closest ally, harboring a secret she intends to wield against her foes. Yet, that same secret may serve to be her own undoing. Fangs are bared and claws unsheathed as the gods maneuver in the arena of mortals. Who, if anyone, will back down? The world may just again tremble beneath the feet of giants. |
|
Librarian (Lenna's Arc Book 1) by Brian Fence Lenna Faircloth thought she was content enough to be junior librarian at one of the grandest libraries on the Continent, so long as at the end of the day she can enjoy a glass (or two) of wine and some decent shut-eye. Reticent and unconcerned with trivial matters, Lenna is almost laughably nonplussed the day her childhood friend, Gilbert, appears at her door, asking her to help smuggle stolen goods across national borders. LIBRARIAN is the first part of a young woman's long journey set in an alternate, sparsely-populated world. When unfortunate circumstances leave a bizarre, out-of-place artifact of immense power in the sole custody of Lenna, she is forced to question her own wants, the source of her withdrawal from others, and the curious nature of the Continent's magic -- all the while being the target of numerous political factions longing to possess the strange item bound to her by a child's promise. |
|
The language of the wind by M.R Grand There aren’t enough bodies to harbor the demons of Olenore Allas. One demon —a nameless and star-skinned creature—is plagued by the search for a perfect body, every day of their wispy life. Guided by nothing but the winds, they know they want nothing more than to be themself: mortal, beautiful, and loved. And who better to grant them that, than Junovere Krauss? A thief, a witch, hungry for a perfect demon to strike a deal with, to create a bond that will grant her the magic she’s longed for all her life. And in exchange, Juno promises her demon everything. A name, a voice, sight, hearing…and, of course, beauty. The vain creature fights their devouring insecurities as Juno guards her secrets: that she needs this completed demon for her aunt, who has threatened to destroy her reputation before it's even started. Complete the demon’s body, and their deal is complete, their bond broken. But Juno loses her magic forever. As Juno’s bond with her demon manifests into something more powerful than magic itself, she has to choose: magic, or freedom? Follow the demon and witch as they adventure over the bewitching Olenore Allas, a land that thrives on the law of balance. As they outsmart mortals, demons, and witches alike, they may slowly understand how willing they are to break the laws of balance for one another. A dark fairytale rich with romance and a diverse cast that dives into the meaning of identity, and the relationship between a body and a soul, THE LANGUAGE OF THE WIND is the first installment of the BROKEN CHIMERA duology. |
|
Bringing Home The Rain: The Redemption of Howard Marsh 1 (The Jubal County Saga) by Bob McGough Howard Marsh is a lot of things: a liar, a thief, a poor man’s wizard. He’s the product of a miserable county with more dirt roads than paved; where poverty and loss is the order of the day. He’s a man haunted by his past, and has yet to find any reason to try and piece himself back together. Where we find him is at the bottom, eking out a living as a water witch, a copper thief, a finder of lost things. Living in a storage shed and trying to maintain what's left of the frayed relationships of the few family members who will still talk to him. Untrained, he uses the drugs that ravage his body to fuel his magic. Within these pages Marsh will work to unravel two supernatural mysteries as only a redneck wizard can: poorly, and with much cursing. In Bringing Home the Rain he has to piece together just why it hasn’t rained in months within the bounds of a perfect circle just south of town. And in Dancing With Your Demons he’s on the trail of a missing woman whose now infamous son once burned down a church. He is Howard Marsh, the Methgician. He’s a travesty...but he’s the best hope Jubal County has. (Warning: This book contains much cursing and foul language, as befits a tale told by a drug addled white trash wizard.) |
|
A plague of ruin Book One: Son of Two Bloods by Daniel T Hylton For generations, the world of humans has suffered war, death, and devastation, unleashed upon the earth by the strange and mysterious race of darkings. Powerful and terrible; no one can stand against them. Those that try and do so, die. Many believe that the masked fiends serve someone even more powerful who dwells in the far east of the world, a god, perhaps, or a mighty sorcerer. Into this troubled world, Brenyn is born. An unusual boy, he came into the world possessed of magic powers that he does not understand and cannot control. Brenyn's father was human, and his mother, who died at the moment of his birth, was, some believe, of the race of Sylvans, a magical folk. But how can this be? Long ago, the gods decreed that humans and Sylvans, should they mate, could not conceive a child, for they feared that a union of the two Great Gifts - human will and Sylvan magic - would produce someone, either male or female, who would be different, powerful, like unto the gods themselves - someone... like Brenyn. |
|
Two Moons of Merth: A Mythic Tale of the Royal Karda Family by Ruth Mitchell Written in the whimsical tone you will find in Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, the Two Moons of Merth takes readers to an extraordinary planet—where adventure and danger await. Aadya, the main character, begins life as a lowly peasant, but her goals are mighty, and she finds her way to becoming the queen of all the land. Her mission in life is to gain respect for herself and all the other women of Merth. Through her heroic efforts, she changes her society and elevates the status of all women once referred to as ‘breeders.’ Follow the Karda family through two generations in this alluring tale as they lead their people with the guidance of the Matong and kinetic sight. This imaginative saga of quests, romance, intrigue, and magic will have you spellbound as you turn each page to find out what happens next. |
|
Gatekeeper: Planetary Colonization meets Elemental Fantasy (The Berikatanyan Chronicles Book 1) by John Beresford; He went to the stars to start over. His troubles have just begun. Earth, 2072. Jann Argent has no memory of committing the murder that landed him in prison. So when he’s offered a chance at freedom, he accepts the price of exile to humanity’s first colony planet. But when the ship crash lands on the new world’s surface, he’s shocked to discover an indigenous population and a strange sense of familiarity. Stunned when he and several other shipmates develop mystical powers, Jann discovers previous colonists have all joined one of two rival native houses. And with a tyrant’s power play set to devastate the realm, he’s about to become the lynchpin in a magical war that could destroy him. Can Jann uncover his destiny in time to stop a terrifying plot? Gatekeeper is the first book in the genre-bending Berikatanyan Chronicles science fiction fantasy mashup. If you like gritty heroes, elemental magic, and journeys to other worlds, then you’ll love John Beresford’s towering tale. Buy Gatekeeper to fulfill an interstellar fate today! |
|
Tales of Lunari and the Witch's Last Cast by E.E Martin In our world she is a thief. In Lunari there is much more to her story. When Layne is hired to break into a safe, she finds a book of unusual fairy tales. The tales suddenly put her father in danger, and she must enter the book and weave through the strange kingdoms of Lunari to find him. The characters from the tales are real, and Layne soon learns their stories are more complicated than the book described. She discovers her own story inspires some and strikes fear in others. What she cares about most is saving her father before his story ends with him as a prisoner to the darkness that dwells in the shadows of Lunari. |
|
Necromancer's Lament by David Balog The son of a village blacksmith, Mithron never expected that the path of wizardry would be an option, for it is well-known that the profession is reserved for the wealthy elite. That is until a travelling wizard recognizes his latent talent, and offers to teach him, much to the chagrin of his family. He proves to be an able student, but uncomfortable with the niceties of society. When tragedy results in him crossing paths with Glitter, a fellow mage who he has unintentionally humiliated, the mismatched pair must put aside their differences and work together along with new friends to save a kingdom. |
|
The Endless Forest by Ever Hobbes Freyja's village is on the brink - pushed to the edge of the world by the trees. They grow so fast that if left untended for a week would be sprouting in every nook and cranny of her town. But worse than that is what lives within the cursed growth. Freyja is a nahvel - a knight protector tasked with defending her people from the horrible creatures that spill forth from the woods. She inherits a great treasure, and great burden - her sword, shield, and suit of armour. All of them are relics of the old magic, now long forgotten. So when something attacks from the shadows, being the only one with the means to do so, she is duty-bound to hunt it down. However, she soon finds out the forest holds much more than monsters. It harbours secrets that could change her perception of the world as she knows it. She is poised to discover them all, and more, when she enters... The Endless Forest. |
|
Butterfly Islands (Chronicles of the Twenty-One Butterflies Book 1) by Chris Seabranch Casey is only fifteen years old when her stepfather tries to marry her to a perverted and brutal man twice her age. However, minutes before the wedding, Casey flees into the jungle where she is rescued from her pursuers by a mysterious woman who sets the terrified young girl on a path to becoming a pirate - a path full of adventure, danger, personal struggles, and self-discovery. Struggling with her own fears and desires, Casey hovers between being an innocent teenage girl confused about love and her own sexuality, and becoming a ruthless pirate seeking revenge on those who have taken all she cherished away from her. Casey strives to win the trust of the Twenty-One Butterflies, a group of female pirates living on Butterfly Islands, a mystic place filled with dazzling butterflies by day and swarms of moths carrying terrifying parasites by night. A disastrous trip by the Twenty-One Butterflies to a floating city in the sky known as God's Mercy, changes everything. While trapped once more in the hands of her former husband-to-be, Casey discovers that there is a traitor in their midst. From that point on, it is a race to save her new friends' lives and to escape from the man who wishes to make the young girl his wife and a slave to his twisted desires. |
|
Wrath of Olympus: Ships of Britannia by E. M. Kkoulla The Roman Empire never fell. The Gods are real. Ships are alive. In the Province of Britannia, ruled by descendants of King Arthur and on the brink of an industrial revolution, young Maia Abella is on the run. Something unseen has murdered her cruel mistress and she’s being blamed. The streets and factories of Portus are no place for a friendless girl, trapped in events beyond her control. The city authorities and the Royal Navy are both desperate to find her - one investigating a killer, the other to recruit her, while the deadly legacy of a tragic past stalks her every step. Aided by Raven, an ancient, blind Mage with a terrible secret and Milo, Crown Agent and spy, Maia must discover and overcome the fatal consequences of her birth. Meanwhile, the Gods are making their moves. And not all of them are friendly. |
|
Children of Artifice by Dania Ware An ancient city, sealed in a vast crater. A history of metallurgical magic, and of Builders that could craft the living, breathing stone. Caphen Talmar is the high-born son of an elite family, descended from the Builders themselves, his artistic career ruined when his ex-lover broke his fingers. One night, gambling down at the wharfside – somewhere he shouldn’t have been in the first place – he meets Aden. An uncomplicated, rough-edged dockworker, Aden is everything Caph needs to forget the pressures of his father’s constant criticism. But this isn’t just another one-night stand. Aden is trying to find his sister, and he needs Caph’s help. Soon, they find themselves tangled in a deadly game of trust, lies and political rebellion. And, as Caph begins to understand the real depth of the horrors they’ve uncovered, he learns that Aden is not what he seems. And Aden knows more about the coming destruction than Caph could ever have guessed. ‘A skilful alchemy of raw emotion, renegade sensuality and emboldened fantasy. Ware tears out her readers’ hearts and dips them in molten gold.’ – Kim Lakin-Smith Excerpts of a Review by Tej Turner Children of Artifice is one of those novels where, from the very beginning, it is hard to know what to expect (and I mean that in a good way!). The author has described it as an ‘urban fairy tale’, which is very fitting. It does have that feel of old and new. It is quite gritty at times, and yet full of beautiful moments. I am particularly pleased with this novel’s diverse voices. Both same-sex and heteronormative romances take place during the story but none are presented as bring particularly shocking and the characters are never given labels, and yet it still examines issues of identity, prejudice, and sexual fluidity which are relatable to a modern day reader. It is refreshing to read a novel written in such a way. Children of Artifice has a fantastic story, one I would recommend to readers of any genre and age. It conjures beautiful imagery and puts you in a state of living dream, taking you on an emotional journey which stays with you. I am looking forward to the sequel. |
|
Curse of the Fallen (Fallen Light Book One) by H.C Newell This Child is not the chosen one. She is a demon to be destroyed. Born of magic, Nerana is labeled a demon and forced into hiding by the Order of Saro. Living with a curse that binds her to their leader, Nerana seeks to free herself from their hold and soon learns that the path to redemption may prove more fatal than the Order itself. But for Nerana, this is more than a quest for survival... It’s a promise of revenge. |
|
Cog In The Machine (Archive:Automatae) by Brian L. Mack Edward was content. 'Every cog has its purpose, and the ability to fulfill that purpose.' So it was stated by the Celestial Krugg at the end of the Enlightenment, and thus the City of Automatae has sat untouched for years, content to toil away at Machineworks. Edward was no different. He tinkered away the years, waiting to shoot to the top with his innovations, but as circumstance would have it... more obstacles than planned for were popping up. The rumblings of unsettlement in the Lower Points were embroiling him and the rest of Automatae in a power struggle that was giving him a lot more than what he wanted, and the brutal assassination of an alien ambassador wasn't making it any easier either. Honestly, it was thrusting them into an ideological war. One entirely above his ability and paygrade. But what did he really know about all that? He was just another Cog In The Machine. |
|
Sins of Greed: A Tale of Two Fools by C. Tarradell Following the death of his famous scribe and author father, Abben Dindle is thrown into life at court, expected to serve his nation and perform his duties just as his father did; but when both his King and his King’s Royal Seer are broken people, hurt and full of personal vengeance, Abben finds his job to be harder than he expected as he’s thrown into the middle of the plotting and scheming of nations and the greed and sins of men. No one betrays the Gods - and survives. Unrest simmers within the once magical realm of Lurinlia. A broken king sits on the Ivory Throne, corrupted by his own paranoia. His vengeful royal seer condemns to death all who stand in her path. Under binding rituals they swore oaths to the Gods to rule and wield their powers with benevolence. But now their vows are broken, and the once great nation of wizards and sorcery stands on the brink of war. One enemy crouches upon the doorstep, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The other conjures treachery from within. Abben Dindle seeks only to follow in his father's esteemed footsteps. His sworn and honored duty is to protect and cultivate the kingdom's knowledge as Royal Scrivener to the court. But when he is caught between the plots and schemes of arrogant men and the complex crusades of nations, Abben faces an impossible choice: serve his country and honor his duty, or betray his oath to his Sovereign to save the human race. And face the wrath of the Gods. |
|
Dark Fangs Raging by C. Thomas Lafollette An old friend becomes a new enemy… …and Luke is left playing catchup as the vampires turn up the heat. Can Luke and the North Portland Werewolf Pack unravel the vamps’ evil plan before it’s too late? Luke thought he knew what the vampires were up to. Same old enemy, same old tricks. But when a flood of heavily armed vampire mercenaries show up in Portland led by an old friend, Luke and his newly assembled crew of misfits are the ones left dodging bullets. For Luke and his new friends, it’s a race against time to stem the flow of heavy arms coming into Portland while also trying to find out how deep the connection goes between Portland’s police and Luke’s ancient enemy. Will Luke get to the bottom of how the vampires are smuggling weapons into Portland? Or will the vampires finally eliminate their deadliest enemy? You’ll love this thrilling urban fantasy sequel because danger is better with friends. Get it now! Dark Fangs Raging is the second book in the Luke Irontree & The Last Vampire War urban fantasy series. |
|
The King Below, Enemy of the World, is dead. Will his successor save the world...or rule it? Jacob Riverson was once the greatest hero of an age. Cut down during what should have been the final battle against the King Below, he was condemned to centuries of torment as a Wraith Knight in the service of said monster. With the destruction of his master, Jacob finds his free will returning and discovers he is in a world torn by civil war between the King Below's former slaves and the heroes who "saved" them. Joining forces with the overly-idealistic but brilliant warrior Regina Whitetremor, Jacob must determine whether he has any place in the new world and whether his destiny is as a hero or monster. Or both. Wraith Knight is book one of the Three Worlds saga by C.T. Phipps. |
|
The Melody of Trees by Helen Whistberry Experience the unforgettable magic of these original stories and illustrations from the imagination of writer and artist Helen Whistberry. You’ll discover an elder god keeping a loving eye on their forest, a girl made of glass and other characters fighting for their lives against both impossible odds and monsters (human and otherwise), some wise guys having a supernaturally bad day, and the exploits of a loner gun-for-hire and his loyal dragon. From fantasy and folklore to horror and sci-fi, these tales are tied together not only by their forest settings but by a sense of humanity (even in those characters who aren’t quite human), empathy for all creatures, and the weird beauty to be found in moments both light and dark. And be warned! There are dark and sometimes violent themes ahead and not all stories have a happy ending, but for those brave enough to venture into these wild woods, 10 unforgettable experiences await. (Visit author's website for complete list of content warnings.) |
|
Menace and Memory by Whitney Hill Book 3 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. Happily ever after has a price, and it all comes due now. Everything seems to be working out for Lya and Cade. But if they aren’t careful, all their efforts to be together will be undone by the people they swore they’d left behind. Cade has enough to worry about with the blood witch he suspects is still hunting Lya. Adding his former partner in crime from the bad old days to the mix doesn’t help—especially when a misstep gets Lya hurt. Lya feels closer to Cade than ever, but she can’t help thinking he’s still hiding something. Between that and unexpected news from home, she’s forced to look at what she really wants—and ask herself whether she’ll find it with Cade. To finally break free of the menace of their pasts and the grips of their memories, they’ll have to walk a dark road together…and decide what they want once and for all. This red-hot, action-packed vampire romance is told from two perspectives and has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Content warnings: strong physical violence and gore, blood-drinking, on-page death, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, knife violence, threat of sexual violence, mention of the off-page death of a parent, and consensual on-page sex scenes involving bondage, knife play, and consensual non-consent. Out Oct 29, 2022 from Benu Media. |
|
Curses and Faith by Whitney Hill Book 2 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. When there’s blood in the water, vampires aren’t the only ones looking for a bite. Lya is enjoying the new terms of her exile with her vampire lover—until the debt she accepted in exchange for their freedom comes due. When she’s ordered to North Carolina’s Outer Banks to complete a solo job, she knows there’ll be trouble. She doesn’t expect Cade to be part of it. Cade thinks the dangers of bygone days are finally behind him, but old curses have a long life. When a blood witch from his past comes slinking into the present, Cade is desperate to keep Lya safe—even if it means undermining her. Nothing stays hidden forever and when the choice is between treason and treasure, nobody makes it out unscathed. Staying alive and together will force Lya and Cade to choose between the siren songs of their pasts or their faith in the future…and each other. This red-hot, action-packed vampire romance is told from two perspectives and has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Content warnings: consensual on-page sex, physical violence, gore, non-fatal car accidents, blood-drinking, on-page death, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, knife violence, threat of sexual violence, and a scene where a character is unable to breathe. Out now from Benu Media. Buy the ebook at all booksellers. Find the paperback at your local indie bookseller or on Amazon. |
|
Secrets and Truths by Whitney Hill Book 1 of Otherside Heat, the paranormal romance spin-off to the Shadows of Otherside series. Sparks fly when the hunter becomes the hunted. Half-elven bounty hunter Lya Desmarais is living in exile in North Carolina after getting into trouble back home. When her boss makes it clear he’s got a target on her back, she seeks dangerous allies to regain control of her future. Vampire vagabond Cade is running from his past and thirsty for more powerful blood than mundanes can offer. Most of Otherside is off-limits, but the human-blooded are fair game. When he and Lya cross paths in a scandalously sexy way at a Raleigh nightclub, Cade finds the perfect target. But nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems in the supernatural community, not even lust. And for love to win, predator and prey must find a way to meet in the middle-or die trying. Told from two perspectives, this red-hot, action-packed vampire romance has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending. Fans of the Shadows of Otherside series will see some familiar faces alongside the new, with this story set approximately four years before the events of Elemental. Newcomers can read this book as a standalone entry. Content warnings: consensual on-page sex, physical violence, on-page death, blood-drinking, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, threat of sexual violence, implied past sexual violence, and remembrance of a past abusive relationship. This is a steamy romance that should only be read by adults. Out now from Benu Media. Buy the ebook at all booksellers. Find the paperback at your local indie bookseller or on Amazon. |
|
An Enemy Defined by Amy Maltman Deadly creatures. Inhospitable lands. The magical journey continues. Five weeks after Lexi Guinel plunged into Gowerland from Earth, she is on the run from the irate King Ulric and the evil Selenites. With her is Prince Aeric, reluctant as always and grappling with bad tidings from home. Together, they must find the artifacts required to fulfill the Venus Prophecy and save Gowerland. Working with Aeric doesn't mean Lexi trusts him. He seems to be cooperating, but does he have other plans? And can they find the artifacts before King Ulric and the Selenites catch them? For every question answered, another arises, until a stunning betrayal unearths long-buried secrets that redefine Lexi’s knowledge of the enemy. When faced with deceit, you cannot retreat. |
|
The Altar of My Fate by Michael R. Schultheiss “Game of Thrones meets Conan the Barbarian in this epic tale of adventure.” ~Reedsy Discovery “An epic narrative describing an incredibly vast world and steeped in exceptional character development.” ~Literary Titan A warrior questing for glory… A slave-girl with a secret… Can they claim the ancient altar? Trained to the warrior’s path, Rosteval yearns for glory and craves adventure in unknown lands. Leading the war-band he created, he sets off on a quest to brave a formidable desert and the swords and arrows of a growing number of enemy tribes. He expected the mounting dangers… but he didn’t expect Ghaitta, the beautiful slave-girl with a secret… and the power and peril of an ancient altar, an artifact of the vanished Shaper race. As his enemies multiply, Rosteval is forced to confront an immortal adversary and the looming specter of defeat. Can Rosteval and Ghaitta avert disaster, and claim the fateful power of the ancient Shaper altar? Brimming with fierce tribes, deadly perils, ancient powers, and sexy slave-girls, The Altar of My Fate is the epic fantasy adventure you’ve been craving. Get it now. |
|
Bonds of Promise by Andrew D. Meredith All are bound by oaths of pantheon —mortals, saints, and deity. For it is by those promises made, The world of Kallattai is chained and set free. Hanen and Rallia Clouw—enterprising mercenaries, caring siblings, and children of a luckless man—only wish to find their place in the world and make an easy coin. Yet too many blame their own bad luck on the Clouws, and everything they have worked for begins to crumble around them. When the man who introduced them to their path rolls into town with an easy opportunity to make them all wealthy and influential, they leap at the chance to hit the road, and put their past behind them once more. Fate has other plans. And the responsibilities they leave to others must be answered for. Bonds of Promise is Book One in the sprawling epic fantasy series the Kallattian Cycle by Andrew D Meredith—a story of gods, their chosen champions, and dark figures bent on freeing the mortal realms from a fate established by greater beings. All would-be heroes must give their lives, or be made folly. Example to those who’ve still to come, Through doomed cycle, Or fated legacy. |
|
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss 14-year old Aaron Greenburg is trapped in a vegetative state. He's awake and aware of everything around him, but the doctors don't realize it. After being placed in a care facility, he receives a new roommate--an old eccentric jazz musician with dementia. When Aaron talks in his mind to stay sane, the old man hears his thoughts and replies. But no one believes the old man because they think he's crazy. And when the old man thinks he's living in the past with his dementia episodes, it pulls Aaron into those moments in time and he gets to experience 1920's New York City, World War II, and much more as the two develop an unlikely and unique friendship. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a humorous and heartwarming coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination and renew your faith in the power of friendship. |
|
Dark Fangs Rising by C. Thomas Lafollette Born in the forests of Gaul. Forged in the legions of Rome. Hunted on the streets of Portland. For 2,000 years, Luke “The Centurion Immortal” Irontree has protected humanity from bloodthirsty vampires. And watched everyone he’s known and loved die. He’d hoped Portland would be free from painful memories. But when vampires flood the streets with innocent blood, he returns to battle with nothing but his divinely blessed sword. When an easy-going werewolf and a mortal vampire slayer with a vendetta decide they want to join Luke and learn from the master, he refuses. Friends mean pain and loss. But when the vampires kidnap a trusted contact at a homeless camp, Luke must risk everything – including the bonds of newly forged friendship. Even then, three against a sea of murderous vampires might not be enough… |
|
Earthking by Christopher C. Hall When a killer strikes from the shadows young prince Colmeron is torn from the comfort of his father’s castle and sent into hiding with the man he's sure is the traitor. Secluded in a distant refuge, Col comes to know the power of his ancestors, the Earthkings: men with the power to shape and control the land. But will that be enough to save the kingdom when an ancient enemy returns to free their long captive master? |
|
Purgatory: A Tall Tales Story by Tim McLaughlin A retired police officer takes a bus and finds himself trapped in a recollection of things he wanted to leave behind. |
|
The Lifeline Signal (Chameleon Moon Book 2) by RoAnna Sylver Parole is still burning. And now the day everyone has been waiting for is finally here: it’s collapsed. A lucky few managed to escape with their lives. But while their city burned, the world outside suffered its own devastating disaster. The Tartarus Zone is a deadly wasteland a thousand miles wide, filled with toxic storms, ghostly horrors, and just as many Eyes in the Sky as ever. Somehow, this new nightmare is connected to Parole. And it’s spreading. Now Parole’s only hope lies in the hands of three teenagers reunited by their long-lost friend Gabriel - in their dreams. Growing up outside Parole, Shiloh Cole always had to keep xir energetic powers a secret, except from xir parents, Parole’s strategist-hero Garrett, and Tartarus expert Maureen. When Parole collapsed, all contact was lost. Now, connected by Gabriel and their colliding pasts, xie joins collapse survivor Annie and the enigmatic, charismatic Chance on a desperate cross-country race, carrying a disc of xir mother’s vital plans, whose encrypted contents may be Parole’s salvation. First they’ll board the FireRunner, a ship full of familiar faces that now sails through Tartarus’ poison storms. Together, they’ll survive Tartarus’ hazards, send a lifeline to lost Parole - and uncover the mystery connecting every one of them. The world outside Parole isn't the one they remember, and it didn’t want them back. But they'll save it just the same. It's what heroes do. |
|
Gods of the Broken Sea by James Jakins To sail the Broken Sea is to brave the most dangerous waters of Domhan. But that is just what Arthur Shield and Mikaia Goretusk will do. Following rumors of a powerful Elven Queen that might be able to get Mikaia home to Earth, the two gain passage on a pirate ship sailing these treacherous waters. Their journey grants them new allies, but also new dangers. While pursued by an ambitious Imperial admiral they flee through a gauntlet of challenges: God infested islands, godless paladins, and an evil as old as the Broken Sea, and Domhan, itself. |
|
Knights of the Dead God by James Jakins The half-orc girl, Mikaia Goretusk, has been torn from her home. Her world. Her family. Her only allies are the holy knight, Arthur Shield, once sworn to kill everyone she has ever cared for, and the witch, Hazel Midd. Arthur struggles with the guilt of being unable to save his god. Hazel seeks desperately for something taken from her. They distrust each other but both are compelled to protect the young girl. To return her home they must battle angry mobs, hags, and dark wizards. They will seek the aid of the Knights of Saban. The very god that ordered the extermination of her family. But Saban is dead and not all is as it should be in his temple. The knights have enlisted the use of dark magics to rekindle the fear that was once theirs by right. Mikaia’s road home will be a long one. Will her first step in that journey be the last? |
|
Jack Bloodfist: Freelancer by James Jakins Jack Bloodfist is an orc that has been known to fix things. Now he’s working for anyone willing to sign a check. When he’s not handling security for a werewolf pack’s monthly meeting he’s helping a dwarf find a stolen magic spear. But sometimes a thief isn’t really a thief. Sometimes they’re a preacher's wife who also happens to be a powerful necromancer with even more powerful friends: Rogue demons, extra-planar monsters, and the obligatory zombies. From small Southern towns, to an elf king's court, to the rooftops of New York City, Jack’s gonna have to call in every favor he has if he wants to make it out the other end in one piece. |
|
Wuntz Upon a Crime by Scott R Harrington The devil is in the details, especially when gods are committing the crimes Crime is usually straightforward in sleepy Midwest communities, like Mt. Pleasant. That is, unless you have an ancient god or two passing through town. For thousands of years, they’ve been hiding in plain sight, with powers and motivations that are incomprehensible to most mortals. Recently fired from a super-secret government agency, Detective Jake Wuntz knows a few things about keeping these specially powered individuals under control. However, his ex-girlfriend, Katrina, knows nothing of the supernatural. But, she does have some unresolved issues with Jake and enough clout to force him to bring her along as they investigate an impossible murder. With the help of a rival detective and a colorful cast of locals, can they solve a murder, stop a heist, and subdue a three-thousand-year-old menace in their own hometown? |
|
Stake Sauce (Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No, Really) by RoAnna Sylver Jude used to leap out of helicopters to rescue/protect people from terrifying infernos. Now, by day, he protects the local mall from rowdy teenagers who ride their skateboards inside. By night, he protects the the parking lot, and the rest of Portland, from undead, bloodsucking creatures of the darkness. Or would if he could find them. Pixie refuses to bite anyone. Assault/murder/draining fluids isn’t punk, even if being a vampire really kind of is. He’s very hungry by now, and the much bigger, meaner, deadlier vamps kick him around on the nightly. Jude would love to find and fight some actual undead bullies. And Pixie could use some help staying… ‘alive.’ Time to make a deal. Of course, life still sucks when you’re a vampire who refuses to suck blood. Fortunately, there’s a really interesting new barbecue restaurant in the mall, with an intriguing new recipe. (They say the secret ingredient is… love. No, really.) |
|
Chameleon Moon by RoAnna Sylver The city of Parole is burning. Like Venice slips into the sea, Parole crumbles into fire. The entire population inside has been quarantined and left to die - directly over the open flame. Eye in the Sky, a deadly and merciless police force ensures no one escapes. Ever. All that's keeping Parole alive is faith in the midst of horrors and death, trust in the face of desperation... and their fantastic, terrifying, and beautiful superhuman abilities. Regan, silent, scaly stealth expert, is haunted by ten years of anxiety, trauma and terror, and he's finally reached his limit. Evelyn is a fearless force on stage and sonic-superheroic revolutionary on the streets. Now they have a choice - and a chance to not only escape from Parole, but unravel the mystery deep in its burning heart. And most of all, discover the truth about their own entwining pasts. Parole's a rough place to live. But they're not dead yet. If they can survive the imminent cataclysmic disaster, they might just stay that way... |
|
Fractured (Telepath, #1) by Gordon G. Bowman A teenage girl stumbles out of an alley in Ottawa, concussed, with no memory of her life. Fleeing sword-wielding operatives with inexplicable mental abilities, she soon learns that her name is Zoe, and that she not only possesses the same abilities, but is extraordinarily skilled in martial arts. As she scours Toronto for clues about her identity, she finds others like her, and is given refuge at the Academy, an international school for Telepaths. As fragments of her childhood return, she begins to suspect that she may not like who she once was—that she may be part of a shadowy organization more powerful than anyone suspects, and that she will soon be swept up in events that are thousands of years in the making. |
|
Court of Snakes: This Desert Cage by Tycho Dwelis In the city of Segeno, it’s eat or be eaten. Someone has to rule the masses. A boy has lost his birthright. His parents killed. Dead and gone. A girl has lost her father. She means nothing to him now. The city of Segeno stands tall after a great war, the only city left of its kind. Terran has lost both of his parents and is now on the run from a tyrant eager to kill him and cut off the royal bloodline. Parisa struggles with her own identity as even her father rejects her for the color of her skin as he claws for the throne. Along their journeys, they meet unexpected allies and encounter unprecedented magick, but, most importantly, they learn what it is to stand up for themselves and take back their city from corruption. |
|
Manipulating a powerful witch isn’t as easy as Faye hoped. She infiltrates Molly the witch’s mysterious house under the guise of needing help. And the guise of being harmless. Totally not a vampire at all. Unfortunately, Molly’s secrets are difficult to discover. She’s almost as good at hiding things as Faye herself. Molly’s staff are as weird as they are distrustful, but Faye begins to win Molly over. Then A mob boss discovers what Faye’s after. Faye finds herself putting her life in Molly’s hands. Will secrets doom their relationship, or will they form a powerful team? |
|
Gabriel and Christine are prepped and ready for entrance into a top secret government agency. It should be a cinch for Gabriel to ace his final test while Christine prepares to enter training and say goodbye to her friends. But on the eve of Gabriel’s test, at a time when Christine’s friends need her most, a disturbing development threatens everything. An anonymous enemy sets them in a race against time to rid the agency of deep seated corruption and sabotage before the unthinkable happens. Who can they trust? To save themselves and everyone who matters to them, they must choose their allegiances wisely, and risk it all, friends, future, their very lives. Will they succeed or die trying? This thrilling conclusion to Dream Girl can also be read on its own as a complete novel. |
|
From the day Gabriel starts working with Christine at the library, he turns her life upside-down with sizzling chemistry, bizarre stories, and incredible dreams. Dreams so vivid they feel like real life. Christine’s friends think she’s falling for Gabriel fast but they don’t know about the secret life Gabriel and Christine are living at night. Who would believe her if she told? As the dreams become more dangerous, it’s clear they’re being orchestrated by someone. But who? And more importantly, why? As Christine struggles to help Gabriel unravel the secrets of the dreamworld, she risks her closest friendships, her college plans, and maybe even her life. |
|
The Symbiosis by Casie Aufenthie A hero lost. An assassin on the warpath. A villain forced to be a savior. Eight months after Tristan Faraday sacrificed his identity to save the woman he loved, the newest member of the Council faces danger on all sides. The woman he was programmed to care for, Emmeline Boucher, grows more unstable and dependent on him daily while he becomes embroiled in a deadly political game with the ruthless Head of the Council, Fang Chen, who will do anything—destroy anyone—to hold on to her power. To honor Tristan’s legacy, Samara Zidan has thrown herself into ending the Council’s reign, leading the Resistance in a furious offensive against them. However, her heart remains fixed on finding a way to save the man she loves. When an opportunity presents itself, Samara will end up in the path of the most dangerous people on the planet, risking both her heart and her life. Desperate to uphold his promise to make amends, Wyatt Faraday has worked tirelessly to find a way to fix Tristan’s faulty memories, but with Fang out for his brother’s blood, time is running out. If he doesn’t restore what was taken from Tristan soon, everything Wyatt cares about will be lost. |
|
In a future where the human race has split into three species, the mentally-evolved Illuminatos have conquered the other two in a brutal Evolutionary War. Now, the seven most powerful Illuminatos, the Council, control the Earth, ruling over the other two human species through violent oppression. As one of the defeated physically-evolved Corporis, Samara lost everything: her family, her freedom, and her will to fight. But when her master, Lord Wyatt Faraday, commands her to find the mysterious leader of the Resistance, Tristan, everything she thought she knew is challenged. Tristan is an Illuminatos who has turned his back on his own kind to follow his principles. An idealist hoping to restore peace and equality for all species, he cannot escape his past, and it may force him to make a terrible choice. Their meeting will change the world, but will it be for the better? |
|
Epilogues for Lost Gods by Cat Rector Sigyn: We survived Ragnarok and tried to usher in a new era. Now the realms consist of two minuscule factions encamped in the remnants of Asgard and Vanaheim. But the gods are greedy. Anyone not under Asgard's control must fall. When they come, they're going to win. The realms are empty. There's no one left to help us. No one except the dead in Helheim. _________ Loki: When I died, I took everyone with me. Almost everyone. I've waited for Sigyn every day, but she never comes. Never dies. Everyone down here knows what I did. Who I am. And I must live-exist-with the weight of that guilt, those scars. She's going to come back someday, and I'm going to be alright. Be better. I'd do anything for her. I'd do anything to be with her. If only she'd ask. _________ Epilogues for Lost Gods is a story about grief and healing, and is the final chapter of The Goddess of Nothing At All |
|
Glynn Sorley is sheriff of Keat’s Field, a tiny settlement in an otherwise lawless frontier. With the discovery of diamonds, her town is flooded with fortune-hunters looking to strike it rich. It’s also a target for competing colonial powers, savage goblin tribes, and outlaws. A rustler on the run from the law stumbles across his father’s mysterious legacy – a weapon of immense magical power. He uses it to ravage across the territory as the notorious outlaw Gentleman Jim. But the weapon’s power comes at a terrible cost, and Keat’s Field may just have to pay the price… This third Tale of the Verin Empire returns us to the world of Gedlund and The Great Restoration. It explores a frontier trapped between competing nations, where goblins reign and a lone sheriff fights to keep the peace. Drawing inspiration from L’Amour’s Comstock Lode, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and our own late 19th century, Shadow Debt continues William Ray’s bold, critically acclaimed reinvention of classic fantasy in a world of memorable characters and unique perspectives, and features sketches from acclaimed illustrator Tom Parker. |
|
the Great Restoration by William Ray The Wardens have returned. Traitors to humanity, the Wardens were an ancient order of men and women seeking to once more enslave their own people to the Elves. With the rise of rifle and iron rail, Elves were finally driven from the world, but in secret enclaves, the Wardens speak of the Great Restoration, which will bring their masters back into power… Nearly a decade after fighting the war in Gedlund, Gus Baston has found work as a private investigator in the Verin Empire’s crime-infested capitol. He makes his living at the edges of society, friend to neither police nor criminal classes, and when the Wardens suddenly emerge from obscurity to kidnap a prominent engineer, Gus must rescue him or risk being blamed for the crime himself. But why would Elves want an engineer? And why have the Wardens suddenly shown themselves after forty years in hiding? Drawing inspiration from Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes and our own late 19th century, The Great Restoration continues William Ray’s bold, critically acclaimed reinvention of classic fantasy in a world of memorable characters and unique perspectives. |
|
To the north sits Thyesten, the ancient Lich King of Gedlund. He has banished death, and for countless centuries ruled a land where ghosts, vampires, and other wicked undead keep men in feudal servitude. Elsewhere in the world, human civilization has flourished, and with rifle and iron rail, the power of the Elves has been banished at last. Foremost among the great modern nations is the Verin Empire, and with their prosperity threatened by forces the Elves once kept in check, they find themselves rushing headlong into war with Thyesten’s Kingdom of the Dead. Tammen Gilmot is a young soldier sent to defend the Verin Empire’s colonial frontier who finds himself swept up into this reckless new campaign, pitting rifle and cannon against Gedlund’s ruthless Everlords and their legions of the dead. In the goblin-infested southern frontier, the sprawling metropolis of Gemmen, and the haunted northern kingdom of Gedlund, the modern world wars against the past as Tammen tries to find his place in the forming of history. Gedlund is the story of a young man's rise to responsibility amid battles between humanity and the terrors of the distant past. Drawing inspiration from Lord of the Rings, Catch-22 and our own late 19th century, William Ray’s debut novel features a complex and nuanced world of memorable characters and unique perspectives on life in worlds of classic fantasy. |
|
The Dreamer and the Marked by Airic Fenn In the wake of her Mam's death, Krystal Monarain has turned to escapism, throwing herself into the fantastic stories she was told as a child and the strange, recurring dreams she has at night. But she never quite believed her Mam's tales that her birth mother wasn't human-That is until Draqa, a stranger from one of her dreams, appears in her life and tells her she's part fae. So she does the unthinkable and risks following him into Arai, the realm where the fae have lived unbothered for hundreds of years. For Draqa, however, Krystal's arrival in his world could mean his execution, and he must do everything he can to get her off his hands before they're caught. Meanwhile, unrest is growing between the fae and those they deem a threat to the safety of their realm, and when someone from Draqa's past comes to him seeking aid, he and Krystal may have no choice but to get involved. |