Journey Home by May Barros

Amara e Luiza are two witches in a queerplatonic relationship. When Luiza decides to embark on a journey throught the galaxy in search for the lost fortress of Laura, the Dragon Queen, she ends up finding more than she bargained for, while Amara follows her footsteps hoping it’s not too late.

You Can't Sniff the Internet by Rosalind Wulf

Death isn't the end. It's the beginning, and Lillian Burden's story begins a little earlier than they'd like. After dying young with few accomplishments to their name, Lillian is determined to give themself a second chance. Like a sneaky bit of malware, Lillian brute forces their way into a new reality. The bizarre afterlife Lillian arrives in ranges from inhospitable to technologically futuristic, and the denizens they meet are equally strange and disparate. Nevertheless, they're tasked with finding their place amongst shattered time. They're far from alone in this artificial world, but there are some residents who think that the dead have no business living their new lives. Lillian wanted a chance to make a difference — to do something with their life. Now they've given themself the chance to do something with their death. Can they really make a meaningful existence with little more than stubborn persistence?

Nochebuena by Stephanie Shea

Camila Morales is a hopeless romantic. Not that she thinks every couple is meant to be—she is a divorce lawyer, after all. But when her happy, married-thirty-years parents announce their own separation three weeks before Christmas, Cami’s world is turned upside down, especially since she’s been trying to feel her way through her own marital slump for months. Sutton Davies is an imposter. At least, that’s what her therapist says. Or was it that she may have imposter syndrome? Same difference. With a promotion she’s not sure she deserves, a wife who’s definitely too good for her, and a best friend who’s always been in her corner, she should be fine. Perfect, even. But maybe that’s the problem—this unattainable quest for perfection—which is why she’s decided to focus on something she can control. Proving to Cami that this bout of spotty communication and dwindling intimacy is nothing but a blip. Every couple goes through it, right? Will Sutton’s attempts to reconnect over the holidays reignite sparks, or is it all too little too late?

Cinnamon Rolls and Villainy by Chanté A. Campbell

A kind-hearted baker with a dark secret. The vicious, beautiful villainess he’s forced to serve. And the ruthless game that will decide the fate of their world. Human, Ayc Waylonder should have died in a massacre that destroyed his people, but a swift lie spared him from a bloody fate. Taken prisoner by the cruel Sovereign of the Everadyn fae, he has survived her foreign court on cheap tricks and his extraordinary baking skills. Ten years later, the Sovereign announces she’s relinquishing her throne and triggers the start of the Sovereignty Trials, an ancient and ruthless game. The winner will be the next to rule over Everadyn… and Ayc, as well. When Loraphne - a villain as vicious as her mother, the Sovereign - asks Ayc to join her team of Five in the Trials, he can’t say no. Not when unbreakable magic forces him to serve her. Ayc must embark on seven dangerous quests alongside the rest of Loraphne’s unlikely team: including Ayc’s two best friends, a powerful sorcerer, a gifted navigator with his faithful guide dog, and a temperamental gryphon. Dragons, wraiths, and six other teams—who have decided killing Loraphne is their top priority—stand in their way as they fight to be the first to finish a race where few participants survive. The Sovereignty Trials are no place for a kind-hearted baker, and it’ll take far more than his legendary cinnamon rolls to save him now. Cinnamon Rolls and Villainy is Book 1 in a high stakes, adult romantic fantasy series, with enemies to lovers, spicy romance, and a cinnamon roll hero who will lay claim to your heart and refuse to let go. Perfect for adult fans of The Cruel Prince.

The Mage-Killer by Christina K. Glover

A FIGHT TO RECONNECT Magicless mage Henley Yu is on a mission to keep a promise. He swore he wouldn’t forget the Chief Operator, but Kit won’t know Henley kept his promise until his friend proves it to him in person. Joining the same Order that tried to kill them is the best way to make that happen, if he can navigate the rewritten Between and fellow officers skeptical of the ‘special case’ making waves in their unit. Kit has bigger problems than the certainty that he’s been forgotten. The Ethereal plane is spilling elemental destruction into the Between and leaving him at odds with both the Shields and his own people. Even worse, there’s a chance Kit is to blame for the failure of the barrier that holds the magical world in balance. Henley and Kit are unstoppable together. A chance to reconnect is all they need, but as the peace of the Between frays, old secrets and new enemies will fight to keep the pair apart.

The Switchboard by Christina K. Glover

FOR MAGIC. FOR MEMORY. FOR EACH OTHER. Mortal mage Henley Yu has enough to worry about between the storms caused by broken magic and his strained relationship with his father. He’s trying to keep his head above water, but when he finds a stranger hiding in his kitchen cabinets he’s forced to reconsider his priorities. Chief Operator Kittinger has overseen the flow of magic for centuries, but he’s no fighter. Betrayed by his protectors in their quest to gain control of the magic, he’s running for his life when he makes Henley his accomplice. Kit might lose his new ally if Henley finds out that Kit’s secrets go deeper than the magic itself. Together they’ll venture into the Between, where magic connects worlds, to fight an army of officers ready to finish what they started when Kit fled the scene. For Kit, failure means death. For Henley, it means losing the memory of the only person who gives him purpose. Henley won’t let anyone interfere before he finds out what that means for their future together. He’ll save Kit. He'll save the magic—or he won’t be the only one who dies trying.

Eyes of Time by Riley Taylor

Zuri wants nothing more than to protect what family she has left, her younger brother, Emin. When she meets the kind-hearted Kai, they finally escape the grasp of Hideki and try to make the most of their new ‘normal’ life. Zuri and her found family come together through training missions and travel to the Village of Trees, a place with a terrible secret down below, the Orchid Palace, where a princess is trapped in the same day she disappeared, and a deep dark ravine with a deadly spell over it. Driven by the desire for revenge, Zuri vows to take down Hideki, while keeping her family safe. To do that, she needs to get stronger. For now, she and her friends must stay alive and work to uncover the truth about their city before it's too late…

Pack of Her Own by Elena Abbott

Natalie Donovan jumps at a friend’s offer to stay in the family cabin for a month—she desperately needs the chance to get away from, and get over, her messy breakup. She doesn’t count on the owner of the local diner making her heart pound and her body desperate to be touched. Wren Carne is a lone wolf. As an Alpha shifter, she has no pack and maintains her territory without causing drama, just the way she likes it. When she checks on the girl staying in a local cabin, she’s not expecting her wolf to identify the human as her One True Mate. As fallout from their pasts encroaches upon the sleepy town of Terabend, Wren must decide if she wants a pack of her own, while Natalie worries that her secret—she’s transgender—might be too much for Wren.

In Love and Death by Aldrea Alien

In one day, Dylan’s whole life was destroyed. In one night, he may have found the beginnings of a new one. Still grappling with the loss of his home, Dylan has no choice but to head for Wintervale. His one solace is in travelling the same direction taken by the enemy. But the truth behind the attack on the spellster tower suggests things aren’t as clear-cut and the enemy may well be closer than they thought. Crossing the kingdom also means remaining in the presence of Tracker, the King’s Hound who Dylan’s repressed desire refuses to let out of his head. The man’s gentle protectiveness, coupled with his flirting, certainly doesn’t help. It taunts him with ideas of the night they shared in the tower becoming something more, a thought that is no less ridiculous than remaining unleashed. After all, it’s a hound’s job to escort or kill spellsters. They do not disobey orders. They do not falter. And they do not fall. Especially not in love.

And the World Crumbled by Aldrea Alien

No escape. No defence. One chance. Who'll make it out alive? Everyone knows that Demarn’s spellster tower is the safest place to be for those with magic. The site is shielded by mountains to west, by allies to the north, and their kingdom's army in the south whilst the whole kingdom stretches between them and the magic-reviling people patrolling the sea to the east. And yet, the enemy has breached the gates. They’ve issued no demands. Only death. Fleeing the tower and the ultimate demise is the one choice left. There is but one way out and the enemy holds more power than anyone could possibly anticipate. For those trapped within, their whole world is about to crumble.

To Poison a Prince by Aldrea Alien

Someone is out to murder his husband and he might just be the reason they succeed. Imperial Crown Prince Darshan knew his journey home wasn’t going to be the modest one he hoped for, especially not after eloping with Hamish, a former prince—and now exile—of Tirglas. When he thwarts a clumsy attempt on his husband’s life during a soirée hosted by his long-standing rival and half-sister, he figures the worst is behind them. Yet, the threat of death continues to shadow them across the empire. Someone is intent on making the rumours of his husband’s demise a reality, someone who can erase the memory of their very presence from people’s minds. Darshan must discover who is behind the attempts before they succeed. But who can he trust when the culprit is capable of slipping by the most vigilant of guards? Don't miss the next step in Hamish and Darshan’s story of mystery, magic, romance and more!

To Target the Heart by Aldrea Alien

How can he win with the odds stacked against him? Prince Hamish has no interest in fulfilling his duty of marrying. Not to a woman, at least. That doesn’t stop his mother, Queen Fiona, from presenting him with every eligible noblewoman that enters their castle. He’s certain it’ll be no different with the representative of the Udynea Empire. So when they do arrive, Hamish is relieved the imperial prince, Darshan, is not the woman everyone expected. Until the man kisses him and Hamish is confronted by the very emotions he has been forced to conceal or be punished for. Emotions he is eager to explore. But the kiss proves to be a little too public and leads his mother to take drastic measures to ensure Hamish adheres to her family vision. The contest of arms will force Hamish to make a choice: give up his happiness for convention’s sake or send the kingdom spiralling into civil war for the right to love his own way.

Dissonance of Bird Song by Alexandra Beaumont

In the storm-riven wilds of ancient Cornwall the sea's whisper will charm us all. "Dissonance of Bird Song" is the folkloric-fantasy tale of Eseld, a song-weaver fleeing her home to cure the sacred birds of her people and save her sister. Locked between the lies of land-dwellers and the snare of an ancient sea queen, Eseld must fight to find her own path. Amidst a storm of betrayal and heartbreak, what will Eseld sacrifice to save the ones she loves? Readers who enjoyed Lucy Hounsom’s "Sistersong," Naomi Novik’s "Uprooted," and Sam Horton's "Gorse" will love "Dissonance of Bird Song."

Christmas Carols (Tales from the Maximeverse) by Maxime Jaz

Five gay Christmas short stories of love found, when all hope has been given up. When the shards of broken hearts bleed the soul dry. When pleasure laces with pain. When there's darkness dancing with the Christmas lights. When men who have given up on love might just get it as a gift. A standalone short stories collection.

More to Love by Georgina Kiersten

An Unexpected Love For Jamir Cunnigham, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. After inheriting his grandparent’s bookstore, Jamir has been completely focused on running the business. And if he’s lonely, that was between him and the books. Yet, from the moment Emmy Park walked into his life, Jamir was immediately captivated by the plus-size Korean. A Fresh Start After his recent divorce, former Olympic Wrestler Emerson “Emmy” Park moved to Texas to get a fresh start. After taking a job as an assistant wrestling coach at a nearby university, he stumbles across Jamir’s bookstore. Emmy is instantly attracted to Jamir. Unfortunately, he is big and burly with a resting bitch face and thinks he has zero chance with the gorgeous Black man. However, when a sudden encounter shows them how good they can be together. Is the simmering attraction between them enough for them to see past their differences and finally give in to their desires? More To Love is a short and sweet m/m romance book featuring bookstores, coffee shops, plus-size main characters, bisexual couples, sapphic side characters, autumn feels, and Black/Asian romances.

The Captain and the Guppy by Noah Bodie

In the underground city of Pirn, Cedric, the enigmatic second-in-command of the feared pirate ship The Waning Moon, oversees an orphanage that provides refuge to the city's most vulnerable. Captain Hawke, the legendary Warden of the Seas, is known for his strength, cunning, and love for those in his charge. As tensions between them simmer beneath the surface, a deeper bond is tested when Hawke returns home wounded and weary, leaving Cedric to question their place at Hawke's side.

Suneater by Noah Bodie

In a world scarred by war, Andreas and Simon are unlikely companions brought together by fate. Andreas struggles with the weight of his family's legacy, while Simon, a hardened mercenary, is haunted by his past. As they journey together, their bond grows from wary allies to something deeper, offering glimpses of hope amid the darkness. They must learn to trust each other not just with their lives, but with their hearts. "Suneater" is a captivating story about trust, family, and self-discovery. It follows the fateful meeting of Andreas and Simon as they navigate a world filled with mystery, magic, and turmoil. As they confront their pasts and grapple with their intertwined destinies, they must unravel the complexities of their relationships and confront their feelings for one another. This captivating narrative explores themes of loyalty, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection, offering a rich and immersive journey into the depths of the human spirit.

The Vault by Cara Nox

No hidden maps. No secret words written among the dotted specks of white. His fingers itched to touch the paint and peel it away to whatever lie beneath—to whatever felt both so horribly familiar yet strange. With about half the keys in Noa’s possession and a horrible discovery that several members of a project to emulate lost magic through a device, it’s looking far more likely that this mission to find the Vault isn’t as much of a fabled fool’s errand as she originally thought. Every piece is seemingly falling into place, heralding the coming of the dark with the light of magic dwindling to sparks. As Noa’s priorities shift with the newly-planted thought that she’s the one chosen to see this task through after the loss of her would-be-Seer and surrogate father, Lazarus, she decides that it might be better to distance herself from that growing bond she’s found comfort in with Glacier. After all, his place is with his kingdom, and once they reach the end—whatever their fates might be—there won’t be any place for a group of killers and thieves in his life. However, Noa doesn’t realize that the other half of her quest’s fated set might actually be standing next to her. Glacier is starting to unravel, thanks to that echo of power rippling along the surface of his soul. Power that he’s not willing to accept, let alone acknowledge, with the crushing weight of what might be awaiting him back in Amarais. Being Miraltan is one thing, but a powerful Seer—a Mage—is another. And with one daemon-summoning adversary recognizing that potential, it’s only a matter of time before he’s hunted for his magic instead of just his blood.

The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell. Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn’t expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude…and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual. Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn’t the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

Secrets of Urthis by KD Lumsden

In a world where metal sings with raw power, Irwin Miner’s gift marks him as either savior or destroyer. For nineteen years, he survived his father’s brutality in the isolated mines of Urthis. Now his rare ability to manipulate metal has become both a blessing and a curse. Each surge of his growing powers draws him deeper into a realm of ancient mysteries and deadly secrets. When Irwin meets the captivating telepath Yace and her fierce shapeshifting companion Kipp, he dares to dream of belonging. But their fragile bond shatters as Yace vanishes after a devastating encounter with her past. Hunted by the tyrannical Ishik Empire and haunted by shadows that shouldn’t exist, Irwin must master his abilities before they consume him. Every ally could be an enemy. Every choice could lead to destruction. And somewhere in the darkness, Yace’s screams echo in his mind, driving him toward a confrontation that will shake the foundations of Urthis itself. With its unique magic system and unforgettable characters, “Secrets of Urthis” weaves a spellbinding tale of betrayal, redemption, and the price of power. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s intricate world building and Sarah J. Maas’s emotional depth. Discover why readers can’t put down this stunning fantasy debut. Let the magic of metal sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure

Fall Into You by Georgina Kiersten

It’s Autumn. Is there a better time to fall in love? Imari Haines has had it with the gossip. The whole town is acting like she’s their very own Runaway Bride. A plus-size, black version of Julia Roberts that left a perfectly nice boy at the altar. Her family is no exception. Her mother won’t stop making passive-aggressive comments. Exhausted by this charged atmosphere, a boss that doesn’t appreciate her, and the never-ending town rumors, Imari makes a bold decision. Come autumn, she moves to Appeley (a small town in Hill Country) and never looks back. In Appeley, for the first time ever, Imari feels welcome, happy, and unapologetically herself. She tries new things, makes brand-new friends and, while attending the fall apple festival, she accidentally bumps into a very familiar face… Cassidy Martinez was her childhood best friend and partner in crime. Now, she has grown into a stunning, confident woman, and Imari can’t help noticing. Should she take a risk? Can the two of them pick up where they left off, or is being friends not going to be enough this time around? An F/F Black BBW Sapphic Romance featuring plus-size main characters, a small town, autumn themes, butches and studs, motorcycle rides, coffeeshops, childhood friends-to-lovers romance, and tons of found family feels.

Revenge of the Bakeneko by VB Scott

A dice game in the hands of Takana Gozen is anything but a matter of chance. Takana covets golden ryō coins almost as much as she hates yakuza, and she is a master at manipulating both as she hosts backroom gambling events to pay off her deadbeat father’s debt. She’s spent the last eight years wandering the Nikkō Kaidō highway, living the life of a homeless vagabond—stealing, cheating, and killing—all in the never-ending pursuit of coin. Instigated by the lowliest of prostitutes in the brothel Takana’s mother runs, a series of brutal, deadly events break Takana out of debt, and she earns the power to oppose the very structures that bound her. The found family she collects along the way looks to her for leadership, and together they form their own yakuza clan—the most prosperous and feared in all of Eastern Nihon--The Bakeneko Clan. Takana has trained her whole life to survive deadly encounters, but the risks that come with being a clan head come in more forms than katana and kunai. Protection, love, compassion, friendship, and sacrifice will all be necessary if she is to survive her new life—a life that proves to be more dangerous and unfulfilling than the old one.

Alex McKenna and the Academy of Souls by Vicki-Ann Bush

No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be. Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven. The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children. Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late?

A Christmas Chance by A.L. Brooks

Timid Californian, Cara, has rented a remote cottage in Scotland for a vacation before starting her new job. But her peace is shattered when an attractive stranger arrives unexpectedly. For the quiet Cara, Steph, whose buzzcut is as sharp as her chainsaw, is possibly the last person she wants to share her retreat with. After her girlfriend cleared out their flat and disappeared, Steph needs a reset, and her gran’s peaceful cottage is just the place. She’ll chill over Christmas and work on her chainsaw sculptures. However, she hadn’t planned on having to share the cottage with a stranger who also wants to be alone. But when a snowstorm blasts through the country, Steph and Cara have to make the best of it. At least they have food, shelter, and a bed. One bed. Is their forced proximity and sizzling chemistry the chance for each of them to hit the reset button in their lives? Or is it the chance of something much more? A sexy lesbian Christmas romance that’s low in angst but high in all the feelings!

The Destined Road by J.M. Testa

Much of Vostheloren’s history is lost. The formerly united realms of men, elves, and dwarves have retreated to separate corners of the world, deeply suspicious of one another. Most remember only war, fear, and a darkness, known as the “horizon of storms,” that bloomed across the seas. Thousands of years have passed since the shadow first appeared, but now the evil, once thought vanquished, lies in wait, threatening to destroy all who challenge it. Tagwen Braithe, newly ascended queen of Yeacralas, the southern realm of men, has taken up the throne after the death of her father. She knows little of her world’s tumultuous past and even less about how to fill her father’s shoes. Many consider her title unearned, so when she answers an urgent call from a neighboring kingdom, she considers it her chance to prove her mettle to the people she is sworn to protect. But as she discovers, her journey will be the beginning of the world’s darkening end and she will be forced to embark on an odyssey that will take her beyond the call of duty and reveal her true destiny.

Tales of the Navigators: Strange Space Short Stories Volume 1 by Katie Silverwings

The Strange is calling you… The world of Strange Space™ is full of stories of all sizes. This first collected volume of Katie Silverwings’ Strange Space™ Short Stories includes ten tales from the lives of the enigmatic Florivans and their human Astral Navigator Counterparts: Sleeping Beauties A Conspiracy of Fluff Aliens at a Tiki Bar An Interlude of Colors A Mystery, Unsolved The Ones who Wear White Hats The View From a Distance Fox in the Cave Rooftops and Space Whales The Tragedy of Harold the Violet These tales of adventure, friendship, and family are all set in the world of Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series, where people are accepted for who they are and anything is possible.

Warmth and Darkness: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

Even in the depths of space, you can find warmth... Admiral Jennifer Marvin used to think she’d seen everything the galaxy had to throw at her. That, though, was before she met the Florivan Elder Celadon Toreval. She can sum up this Quantum Space Drive Engineer and dear friend of hers in two words: cryptic chaos. Their preference for the company of the most troublesome humans they can possibly find in the Fleet’s ranks doesn’t make matters better. These days, Admiral Marvin is just grateful that the galaxy occasionally sends her a sign that something unusual is about to upset her carefully laid plans. Whether she manages to see those signs in time to do anything about it, though, is always a gamble. Join Admiral Marvin’s crew aboard the starship SCV Aegolius as they face the next chapter in the tales of the Novan War, and find out what new adventure waits for them in the darkness.

The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

Adventures happen when you least expect them... In the time of the Novan War, the pilots of the 2nd Darter Squadron “Musketeers” are no strangers to peril. Even the little Florivan kitten who serves as their mascot has a tendency to get into trouble. When two of the Musketeers and their mascot find themselves stranded on a seemingly deserted mining colony, though, they find themselves in a situation none of their previous adventures could have prepared them for. With no way to contact the rest of the Defense Fleet, they’ll have to find their own way to repair their darters and get back to their starship. To make matters worse, enemy forces are lurking in the nearby asteroids. The Mayview outpost was abandoned at the start of the War, but the Musketeers aren’t alone here. Someone is watching them from behind the overgrown vines... The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

A new adventure begins... Every starship wanting to use the veiled dimension of Quantum Space as a shortcut around the physical distance between planets and stars needs a Florivan to run the Drive. Every Florivan QSD Engineer needs an Astral Navigator to orient them and keep them anchored to Normal space. Finding the right human to be their life-long counterpart is one of the most important choices a young Florivan ever makes. What happens, then, to someone like Ocean Merlani Barker, who can’t seem to click with any of the highly qualified Navigator prospects their instructors have to offer? Ocean themself seems content to spend their second year in the Nav/Quan training program alone and taking extra classes for their secondary degree in geosciences. Content, that is, until a chance encounter with a certain graduating student from the Security and Tactical program changes the course of their life forever… The way forward isn't always the path that we expect. How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Celadon: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

It's the dawn of a new era... The Novan War has just begun. All that stands between humanity and utter destruction are the ships of the Sol Coalition Defense Fleet. The only problem? None of those ships are equipped with the all-important Quantum Space Drive which allows humanity to travel between planets and stars at a reasonable scale of time. The Drive needs Florivan QSD Engineers to run it, and Florivans are pacifists. Their Council of Elders has never allowed service on military vessels. The Fleet can do little more than sit at the edges of the Coalition’s seven member systems and wait for the Novans to attack. Celadon Toreval is the Youngest of the Florivan Council of Elders. If anyone can come to Fleet Admiral Marvin’s aid and help her save her people—and theirs—it’s them. Celadon, though, has their own reasons to get involved... The time to act has come. Celadon: A Strange Space™ Novel received the 2023 Richard Wright Literary Award for Best Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy from the Memphis Public Libraries. It is the second installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

Something new is about to hatch... Dr. Ariadne Salzar-Newman is not a mad scientist. She is a scientist—a brilliant one at that—but she’s hardly mad. If one asks MSS Venture’s staff psychologist and QSD Engineer, the Florivan Elder Navy Irleeim, she’s only “amusingly eccentric, with a bit more of a fascination with the Strange than is healthy for a human.” That fascination has her once again working with the dangerous miasmas of Quantum Space, in hopes of making travel through that veiled dimension safer for human starships. It’s not particularly safe for a scientist, for sure. Still, having taken Navy’s apprentice under her wing as a part-time assistant, she’s safer than usual. Working with her is good for Cobalt Mereday, too, if only because her unique brand of oddity seems to be the only thing capable of helping them. Even Dr. Salzar-Newman has no reason to suspect just how much of an effect this particular project will have on her family and her protégé, nor how far-reaching the consequences will be. Little Bernadette is not an ordinary budgerigar... Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space™ Novella is the first installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes teaches children how to choose the best clothes for the day, with interactive pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of the hard "TH" sound. Sparkle Kitty is off to see Grandma Sparkle today! But first, Sparkle Kitty needs to get dressed for the day. There are so many things to think about when picking out your clothes. Can you help Sparkle Kitty pick out the perfect outfit? Recommended Age: 1-5 Word Count: 343 words Lexile Level: 580 Phonics Focus: hard "TH" sound

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun teaches children about sun safety with interactive search-and-find pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of "IGHT". Sparkle Kitty wants only one thing today: to play outside. But the sun is too BRIGHT! And the sun is too HOT! If only someone could help Sparkle Kitty find everything they need to stay happy and safe in the sun... Recommended Age: 3-8 Recommended Grade: K-3 Word Count: 415 words Lexile Level: 880 Phonics Focus: "IGHT"

Awakening in Sapphire by Jonathan Hawker

Camelot is fallen. King Arthur is dead. The world carries on, slouching toward its final breath. "I do what I have to just to stomach this cesspool I woke up to!" Seventeen hundred years after the events that shaped him into a villain of legend, Morgan le Fay wakes, little more than flashes of his life past to guide the way. Thus, he dons the mantle the world has fashioned for him, cloaking his true identity beneath the guise of a mercenary—teaching the neon city of Etna that he is not one to be trifled with. "And me? What about my life helped you stomach this place?" Aaron Jones will never know a land beyond this one, and while it may not be a place of fairytales, he does everything within his limited power as an officer with the ECPD to make it safe. That is until his efforts lead him to a dark alley in the middle of a city-wide blackout, and a jab to the neck lands him on Etna's missing persons list. The past and future collide in Etna—one of the final bastions of humanity—as Morgan navigates the schemes of the corporate giant, Esotech, the politics of the Occult Community—and the notion that he could be so much more than the world remembers. Awakening in Sapphire is the first installment in the Once & Forever Kings series. While it is a low spice MM Romance at heart, it features many characters along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. With a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, a soulmates theme and a cast comprised of found family, it's a Happily Ever After for now that will continue in the following four books!

Dad Magic: The Monarch Children Saga Book One by Benjamin Twigg

Welcome to Spellford A city where enchanted coffee shops serve lattes with a side of prophecy, and fried chicken is delivered to your door in mere seconds. Here, Brent Abernathy, an ordinary dad with a not-so-ordinary past, is about to have his world flipped upside down. His teenage daughter, Victoria, is not just any teen; she is the key to an unimaginable power, and sinister forces have taken notice. Armed with nothing but his wits, some dad jokes and the help of his Half-Orc best friend, Paxton Grimtusk, a loveable geek with a heart of gold, Brent sets out on a spellbinding adventure. As secrets unravel and betrayals sting like cursed nettles, Brent finds himself tangled in an age–old conspiracy that threatens the balance of magic itself. To save Victoria, he will need more than just a dad bod and fire spells. He’ll have to face down ancient forces and do the impossible: rewrite the rules of magic.

RUNNIN' NO MORE by G.T. DÍPÈ

Love shouldn't be a crime, but for twenty-three-year-old Teniade Adeowo, it is. After fleeing Nigeria to escape both the law and his trauma, Ade arrives in England with one goal: to leave everything behind. But when his path collides with Stefan Wickström's at Heathrow, Teniade learns that sometimes the things you run from have a way of chasing you down. Stefan is no stranger to running either. Leaving Sweden behind, he's convinced that constant motion is the only way to stay one step ahead. But Teniade's quiet intensity stops him in his tracks—and suddenly, Stefan's past feels closer than ever. In a world where love feels like a luxury they can't afford, and with the ghosts of their pasts lurking just behind them, Teniade and Stefan must decide whether to let love be the force that finally sets them free—or if their fragile bond will snap under the weight of secrets too heavy to bear.

Caraway of the Sea by Madeline Burget

Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the ship’s first mate and enforcer. Sacrificing nearly all she is to ensure that he becomes the most fearsome pirate Captain to ever sail the Carnelian Sea. She realizes too late, that the seas have only grown darker, and the waves more fearsome, they threaten to pull her under completely and mold her into something akin to a nightmare. After Caraway's closest friend dies in a brutal storm, grief puts Caraway and her brother at odds more than ever before. When they dock on Isla Dalia after the devastating storm, Caraway is surrounded by both friend and foe, oftentimes unable to distinguish between the two. She must navigate a torrent of emotions unlike any she has weathered before. Seeking out any and all distractions, she begins to grow dangerously close to a rival Captain, despite her brother's warnings. As another storm looms, ever encroaching upon her crew's uncertain future, her fears are laid bare for all to see. Caraway struggles to face the demons of her past ... only to discover that they pale in comparison to the monster that she had a hand in creating. As she drifts further away from all that she once knew, secrets slowly begin to surface, and the tides of her life as she knew it begins to shift ... A shift that just might destroy the life she's worked so hard to protect, and her future with it.

Fall by Brian Guthrie

In the wake of Brian Guthrie's Dragon Award nominated novel Rise, comes Fall . . . War has broken out between the shells, fragments of a shattered world that humanity clings to for survival. To stave off the conflict, the survivors of a brutal attack seek aid from the one source no one else believes can help: the dragons. But the creatures are fractured into two factions and caught up in a fight of their own, a conflict that may be connected to the war above. As the survivors seek answers and help, they stumble onto a secret, long lost, that once nearly destroyed the world. A secret that has the power to save humanity. Or end it.

Rise by Brian Guthrie

On a world brought to the brink of destruction, life now clings to the shattered remains of the planet's crust. These fragments are the Shells: fragile wastelands of desert and rock, protected from the cold of space by a water shield. In the struggle for survival, its people have depended on ancient technology, controlled by the omnipresent Network, to sustain the entire population. But the Network is breaking down, water is sparse, and a complete societal collapse is imminent. As the stakes become clear, the inhabitants of the Shells begin to turn on each other, and appear headed for all-out global war. Now the paths of several strangers will converge at the opportune moment. From a woman who seeks to protect her family as it's ripped apart to a prison warden hiding from his past, this unlikely group has little in common--but together, they may hold the key to saving humanity from its worst enemy: itself.

The Fractured City by Morgan Moreau and Kate Jenkins

She might be the queen, but mounting pressure from the old guard prevents Collette from making real change in Coralia. Following the death of her father, Collette dreams of peace and prosperity for her people. She wants to stop the Merscales trade and grow the economy through international cooperation. The nobility wants to maintain the status quo. ​ When an important visit from the Nereid emissary is overshadowed by the brutal murder of Wrenn Almeida, Collette finds herself accused of murder by Wrenn's sister, Rhoslyn. As tensions rise between herself, her half-brother Zephraim, and Rhoslyn’s supporters, the queen finds that her only choice is to flee the kingdom. Her allies—a trio of mercenaries, her aging guard captain, and her half-human lover—must stop at nothing to protect her.

The Other Side of the Looking-Glass by Dakota Jackson

Fifteen-year-old Naomi Nakano craves love and acceptance. She never knew her mother, her birth father is neglectful to say the least, and her guardian Matt isn’t exactly the traditional parent. So when she moves to a new town and finally makes a real friend, she can’t help but feel good about the attention her friend’s older brother, Wren, immediately gives her. He lavishes her with compliments and attention — and so what if he’s 25-years-old and she can’t tell anyone about him? At least she’s no longer an outsider. But as Naomi gets lulled into the intoxication of Wren’s attention, she fails to see how easy it is to lose her newfound sense of normalcy in all the lies. Now she must fight to maintain her secret at the same time she juggles hardship after hardship before she loses not only Wren, but herself, too. If you're a fan of compelling young adult fiction like Amber Smith's The Way I Used to Be, or thought-provoking literary fiction that dives deep into the complexities of love and identity like Kate Elizabeth Russell's My Dark Vanessa, then The Other Side of the Looking-Glass is a must-read for you.

The Shadow of Arcadia by Alan K. Dell

SIDERA SILERE: LET THE STARS REMAIN SILENT. Nestled in the shadow of a derelict alien warship, the Martian city of Arcadia Landing shines as a beacon of humanity’s golden future. There, United Nations representatives gather to sign a new international treaty; a stepping-stone towards global unity. But when a dangerous faction born of an unlikely blend of isolationists and alien-worshippers attacks the city, the hope of unity lies scattered among the ruins. Heartbroken, Captain James Fowler must work together with Nate Rifkin, the rueful captain of the Magellan, to bring those responsible to justice. But a deadly encounter with the cabal’s enigmatic masked leader draws James into a deeper mystery stretching back nearly fifty years. With the help of Capt. Erin Pritchard, and anachronistic force of nature, Capt. April Rose-Hartley, they investigate the links to James and Angela’s past to uncover the identity of this murderous figurehead, track him down, and put a stop to his grand plans for humanity.

Wristlocked by AK Blythe

Monsters don’t cry… they devour. Gia I’m a monster, disguised as a princess. Only Lyot has seen pieces of what lurks beneath the circus prodigy, and some shadows are too dark for even my best friend to handle. Gale Shepard, on the other hand, is just my kind of nightmare… Lyot I’m in love with a beautiful monster. Just because she’s been by my side since we were kids doesn’t mean she won’t destroy me. While I’m reeling in the wreckage of the only future I’ve ever wanted, Gia offers up a darker dream. One that includes a green-eyed sadist and has me wondering: Maybe it's time to let my own shadows out to play… Gale I’m the biggest monster at the top circus school in the country and I’m trapped in a cage. When cirque royalty Gia Laurent shows up with her pretty boy guard dog, I know she's the key to my freedom. But when our shadows collide, forcing our duo act out of rehearsals and into my bed, all I want is to claim every flavor of her pain—including the man she left broken on his knees.

Unlocked Dive by AK Blythe

Even fallen angels are allowed to dream… Echo Fearless. Flawless. Fractured. I’m an aerial prodigy with a perfect future—until it’s shattered with the bones in my wrist. Now my only hope of rebuilding my dream is to spend four months training in a secluded cabin with Cirque recruiter Byrd Baardwijk. One look at the former rope god, and I want him to “evaluate” a lot more than my unlikely recovery. He sees me as a bad idea. I see his own broken pieces begging him to lose control. But as our time runs out and our shared ghost comes calling, I start to wonder—is my salvation worth the price of his soul? Byrd Retreat. Recover. Resist. Running away after my divorce isn’t supposed to be complicated. Until an old friend asks me for a favor and my dreams of solitude are invaded by the ghost of the first guy who broke my heart. Except Echo Wash is nothing like his older brother. He’s sass and sin, a mistake I can’t afford to make. And for the first time in my life, I want to ignore all my cautious, moral warnings and drown myself in every forbidden fantasy he offers. But how can I put him back together when all I want to do is take him apart?

The Duchess of Kokora by Nikhil Prabala

The Duchess of Kokora, Phera Ylir Mdana, has entered the marriage games of the neighboring kingdom of Ryene. But she’s not there to woo the dashing Prince Dominic. Her true objective? To win back one of the other contestants, Lady Rocelle Virae—Phera’s true love and ex-fiancee. Love proves to be a game like any other when Phera must not only mend matters with her childhood sweetheart, but conceal her true intentions in order to earn votes and stay in the competition. And as long-brewing political tensions simmer beneath the surface, the playful veneer of the competition begins to crack. In the end, Phera, Dominic, and Rocelle find themselves united in a desperate bid to prevent a duel that threatens the integrity of the kingdom, the stability of the continent, and any hope for a happily ever after.

Dogmatic Dungeon Dominion by Schuyler Lisette

In a world where the supernatural collides with the ordinary, dungeons—dangerous rifts to other realms—begin appearing across the city, threatening humanity. The Hunter Association, tasked with sealing these rifts, relies on Guides who are psychically linked to Hunters with extraordinary powers. A former soldier, becomes a newly awakened Guide at 27, struggling to adapt to his role. Paired with an S-ranked Hunter, a reckless veteran esper, he faces the daunting challenge of navigating deadly dungeons filled with nightmarish creatures. Their partnership is strained—A disciplined and methodical solider, and an esper who's impulsive and dismissive of rules. As dungeons appear more frequently, each mission tests their limits and teamwork. While the Guide adjusts to his new life and role, the esper wrestles with his haunted past and growing responsibilities. Together, they uncover a disturbing pattern behind the dungeon outbreaks, suggesting a larger, sinister plot at play. Amid the chaos, the guide grapples with losing his former life and his growing attachment to his esper, while the looming danger threatens to push them—and their fragile trust—apart. Every decision they make could determine the city's fate, or possibly the entire world.

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Campground by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Campground is an interactive picture book that teaches children about camping safety and etiquette in a fun and vibrant way! Sparkle Kitty is going to the campground. That means exploring, campfires, and s'mores! But there is a problem: there is no wood for the campfire. Can you help Sparkle Kitty get everything they need to start a campfire and make yummy s'mores? Recommended Age: 1-5 Recommended Grade: Pre K - K Word Count: 448 words Phonics Focus: "OU" sounds

In Fog by Amber Reinke

With a gasping breeze it fluttered the fallen leaves, toying with the weight of them as easily as it did the tail of my coat. We did not speak, the park and I, not in words. Yet we understood one another through the memories that followed. In those memories I felt your hands—chill as ever against my cheeks–and we were together again, whole as we were meant to be, whole as we had been so many years ago…

Venor by Halli Starling

A novel of werewolves, horror, and romance… Renzo's a bartender at the Silver Crow Pub. He's technically part-owner, but since his ex has the majority stake in the bar, Renzo often gets punted off to the side. An average midweek night turns dangerous when a patron seems to turn almost...rabid. As Renzo moves to defend the others in the bar, he's saved by another patron. Cedrick went to the Silver Crow looking for information on his latest case - a woman who went from mild-mannered schoolteacher to frothing rage and mindless fury, seemingly overnight. She died, and her brother wants answers. So Cedrick took his private detective skills to the Silver Crow, where the sister was last seen, but winds up using his fighting prowess to defend the bartender from a guy with a switchblade and blackened teeth and gums. What starts in the Silver Crow takes Renzo and Cedrick all over the city of Bennek and beyond, leaving them to grapple with their pasts, their attractions, and their secrets. And when Renzo’s ex is taken hostage, they team up again - this time to head back to a city on the brink of riots and to infiltrate the rehabilitation facility that had once saved Renzo’s life. Whoever is feeding people tainted drugs is causing mayhem across Bennek, and their sinister motivations are unknown.

Coup de Coeur by Halli Starling

A queer historical fantasy/romance set in a version of 1899 New York City where magic is common and convenient, Coup de Coeur follows the journey of three men whose fates are tied to the seemingly sudden appearance of a strange, possibly sentient, grimoire. Calix Addington, Earl of Batherton, has a complicated relationship with his friend and former classmate, Lawton Adler. Lawton’s tendency to attract, and often cause, trouble leaves Calix sometimes holding the bag (which definitely happens). Calix is also harboring a secret – he’s an Oracle, like his mother, and in a world where small magic is meant for aesthetics and convenience, larger displays of magic are frowned upon, sometimes illegal, and very much what the church and several important organizations fear. When Calix is stuck with a strange book after Lawton’s shady dealings go wrong one spring morning, he takes shelter in Ethaniel Harkness’s magical tailoring shop. Calix and Ethaniel know each other as customer and tailor, but Ethaniel’s kind heart won’t let Calix stay in danger. As Calix hears the strange book speak in his mind, Ethaniel contacts his old flame Aubrey Lavigne. Aubrey’s expertise with magical objects as the curator for the Magnificus Collectio, an archive hidden behind a tourist trap museum, will be key to understanding what this book truly is. Magic, love, lust, fear, and danger run rampant as this strange book becomes the catalyst for a much larger plot conducted by a secret sect known as The Golden Order. With The Golden Order giving chase to retrieve the book, Calix, Ethaniel, and Aubrey’s lives tangle and they must flee the city to separate Calix from the book, shake off their pursuers, and find time for their burgeoning attractions. COUP DE COEUR has deep roots in the real-life queer history of New York City, but also in art and culture.