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A Dance of Lies by Rebecca Crunden A year into the Outlands and life has only become more dangerous and complex for Kitty and her friends. Not only are the Outcasts hunting them, but Charles and Ciara are adamant about returning to the Kingdom to help, forcing everyone to take a side. To make matters worse, the leader of the Outcasts, Quen, has an unrelenting fascination with Thom and Nate that soon reaches horrific heights. As tensions mount and the group begins to splinter, Riddle comes to Kitty with an unexpected request. A secret. One that makes them inseparable. Kitty soon finds herself spending more and more time away from Nate and Thom, learning to fight and increasingly drawn into the ways of the Radiants. But Kitty and Riddle's new bond doesn't come without complications, and a decision made by the two of them threatens more than Kitty's relationship with Nate ... |
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A Promise of Return by Rebecca Crunden When Thom Anteros is arrested after breaking into the Building of Historical Records, he demands to be taken before the King. A laughable demand for anyone else, Thom's request is granted and the King spares his life. Yet what's to become of him is left in the hands of the one person Thom truly fears – Mickey Taenia, the King's Hangman. Infuriated by Thom's refusal to reveal the whereabouts of Nate and Catherine, the Hangman sends Thom to one of the worst places in the Kingdom – the slave markets of Muntenia. It is there that Thom is bought for the Red Arena: a barbaric, gladiator-type competition where the children of convicts and other unlucky souls are forced to fight to the death. Twenty wins is release. One loss is death. With the help of Charles Thoreau, a fellow captive, Thom begins not only to survive, but to thrive. A master of words becomes a master of death, and Thom's prowess in the arena frightens even him. But death isn't the only thing haunting Thom. As the days go by, he dreams of his brother, and the promise he cannot forget. I will return. |
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Goodbye to the Sun by Jonathan Nevair "A fresh sci-fi for the modern era that successfully balances serious themes with exciting space opera." -Spells & Spaceships A rebel pilot teams up with a war-torn diplomat in a bid to win her people’s freedom — but an impossible choice awaits… On a lone wind-shaped world, the Motes are on the brink. Razor, a bold and daring pilot, leads a last-ditch gambit against their local oppressors, the Targitians. The plan - abduct visiting Ambassador Keen Draden and use him as a bargaining chip to restore Mote independence on Kol-2. But when the operation unravels, Razor is forced to renegotiate terms with the arrogant diplomat. Racing the planet's raging wind tides, the two struggle to maintain a fragile pact. But Keen's dubious past rises and the Mote's resolve falters. Opportunity and obligation clash in a confrontation over honor, family, and revenge that binds their futures more tragically than they ever thought possible. |
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Dawnbreak (The Farthest Star Book 1) by Rebecca Mickley You can't choose what you are, except when you can. It's only been a few months since first contact and, although peaceful, humanity will never be the same. The new treaty with the Mendians is seemingly too good to be true; free access to hundreds of star systems and the means to get there. All they ask in return is that humanity make the Mendian's "Path of the Other" free to any who desire it. Although following it means to surrender your humanity, for the UEA leadership, the price is worth it. After all, who would choose that? Joyce and John were both born feeling different, like they were meant to be something else, a feeling they've never been able to share except with each other. Now they can become anything and suddenly there is hope. Joyce can't wait to be one of the first human-animal hybrids called Morphics. John is supportive but worried about the risks and the stigma from society as distrust of the treaty grows. A great divide is growing within humanity between those who see the hope for a new age of mankind and those who fear the beginning of the end for humanity itself. Hope or fear, the lines are drawn, and to the victor goes the fate of humanity itself. |
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The Little Punk Princess: A Fairy Tale by Sarah Karasek A dystopian punk rock fairy tale. Princess is the heiress to the Presidency of America, but she has a dark secret - a deep love of metal, punk, and ska - all illegal contraband under the new ultra-conservative government. When her secret stash of music is discovered, she is faced with the harsh decision of fleeing her country or giving up her only pleasure forever. Bizarro fiction featuring a personal trainer magi, disco bandits, and Mad Max inspired green energy vehicles. |
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Empire's Reckoning by Marian L Thorpe How many secrets does your family have? For 13 years, Sorley has taught music alongside the man he loves, war and betrayal nearly forgotten. But behind his calm and ordered life, there are hidden truths. When a young girl’s question demands an honest answer, should he lie, breaking the most important oath he has made – or tell the truth, risking the destruction of both his family and a fragile political alliance? Continuing the story begun in the Empire’s Legacy trilogy, Empire’s Reckoning asks if love – of country, of an individual, of family – can be enough to leave behind the expectations of history and culture, and provide an uncharted path to peace. Gold Medal, Historical Fantasy Book of the Year, 2020, Coffee Pot Book Club |
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Can a musician heal, when a physician cannot? All scáeli’en know the tale of Oraiáphon: how his music tamed the wildest beasts and charmed the darkest god. Only a fable—until song becomes Sorley’s last supplication to bring Cillian back from certain death, for Lena, for their child, and for the country that so desperately needs him. |
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Empire's Exile by Marian L Thorpe What price would you pay to save your land? Lena is exiled for treason, along with a man she barely knows - or likes. The need to survive builds a fragile trust, then a closer friendship, until violence shatters their peace. When news of brutal and devastating war in both their homelands reaches them, they join the search for the lost Empire of the East, their last hope for support. Only the small chance that legend is truth can save their countries, but this final, desperate quest could cost Lena everything - and everyone - she loves. Gold Medal, Historical Fantasy Book of the Year 2019, Silver Medal, Historical Fantasy Box Set of the Year 2019, Coffee Pot Book Club |
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Empire's Hostage by Marian L Thorpe How do you trust an adversary who’s your only hope? After eighteen months of war, Lena’s Emperor asks her to stand as hostage to a truce. Sent north of the Wall to live among people who were the enemy only days before, Lena learns they had a reason to invade her land – one disturbing enough that challenging their leader over it might prove to be her worst decision yet. Far more than the success of a truce is now in Lena’s hands, but in a place she neither knows nor understands, she needs help. But how do you convince someone who hates you and everything you stand for that working together is the only way to save both your lands? Silver Medal, Historical Fantasy Box Set of the Year 2019, Coffee Pot Book Club |
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The Demons We See by Krista D. Ball Society was rocked when the Cathedral appointed Allegra, Contessa of Marsina, to negotiate the delicate peace talks between the rebelling mage slaves and the various states. Not only was she a highborn mage, she was a nonbeliever and a vocal objector against the supposed demonic origins of witchcraft. Demons weren’t real, she’d argued, and therefore the subjection of mages was unlawful. That was all before the first assassination attempt. That was before Allegra heard the demonic shrieks. All before everything changed. Now Allegra and her personal guards race to stabilize the peace before the entire known world explodes into war with not just itself, but with the abyss from beyond. So much for demons not being real. |
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NACL: Eye of the Storm by Allegra Pescatore & E. Sands Lani should never have trusted any plan that started with the words, "So, I have an idea, but first you need a drink." When a crazy Precog handed Lani the coordinates to a stretch of ocean just off the Salt Spire, she should have thrown them overboard. Going there would be a horrible idea. Lani, though, was a pro at making bad decisions. A not-so-chance encounter with escaped salt slave Adavera launches them on a path to forsake all that they know and dare to take on the cruel Corporation that controls every grain of salt on their planet. With the help of old friends, new friends, and people they are pretty sure might be enemies, Adavera and Lani travel outside the protective reef that keeps the worst of the Storms off the Islands and venture into a world of piracy, astonishing powers, and unexpected love. The odds might be against them, but with a little planning and a lot of brass, this team of misfits intends to do the impossible. They have very little in common, except for two things: They all want to blow the Crystal Corporation into oblivion... And are willing to sacrifice anything to see it done. NACL: Eye of the Storm is a high-octane, non-stop, foul mouthed and steamy roller-coaster of a novel. Grab your favorite bottle of rum and revolutionary spirit, and jump into the ride of a lifetime. |
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The ALL - GOD OF NOTHING by Shane Scott What if God and the Devil had a daughter? Who would she be? Rated MA and 18+ due to sexual situations, including LGBTQ+, vulgar language, some violence, smoking, drugs, and also mentions rape. The ALL series chronicles four generations of the most powerful Immortal family in God’s creation. The Promethean saga spans uncountable years and dozens of worlds. Mortals, Gods, Devils, Dragons, Titans, Demons, Werewolves, Vampires, and Angels clash in a never-ending battle of love and hate. The first book in the ALL, God of Nothing, starts the epic adventure. Murdered at seventeen by the Titan, Silver, God of Death, Aja Ashe wakes with her Dragon. Thrust into a bizarre world where her enemies are friends, and friends are enemies, she learns the truth about her parents and herself. Her mother is God, and her father is the Devil. She was the first thing born, not created. Enraged that Aja survived, Silver, God of Death, forces her to make choices to protect those she loves. Will Aja save the ALL or destroy it? If she survives, will she hate herself for what she’s done? |
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The Outworlder by Natalie J. Holden When two worlds clash, one man must choose a side. When Aldeaith joined the army, he left everything behind. His world, his family, everyone who thought him a fool. The new routine gave him a sense of security, and fighting proved easier than talking to people. But the peace couldn’t last forever. In the Empire spanning thousands of worlds, there are bound to be dissidents. Dealing with them is a part of Aldeaith’s job and the most advanced magic known to man makes it easy. But no magic can help him when the rebels are people he grew up with. Now, he has to pick a side and prove his loyalty among mounting distrust. To come on top, he must learn to navigate something trickier than any battlefield: other people. The fate of the Empire depends on it. |
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Dreams of the Dying by Nicolas Lietzau If your mind is the enemy, where do you run? #1 Bestseller in German Literature (07/2020, 10/2020, 12/2020) Years after a harrowing war experience, ex-mercenary Jespar Dal'Varek has taken to drifting. It's a lonely existence, but barring the occasional bout of melancholia, he has found the closest thing to peace a man like him deserves. Life is "all right." Or so he believes. Hoping to turn the page, Jespar accepts a mysterious invitation into the beautiful but dangerous archipelago of Kilay-and everything changes. Plagued by boiling social tensions and terrorism, the tropical empire is edging ever closer to civil war. Kilay's merchant king is the only person able to prevent this catastrophe, but he has fallen into a preternatural coma-and it's Jespar's task to figure out what or who caused it. As the investigation takes him across the archipelago and into the king's nightmares, unexpected events not only tie Jespar's own life to the mystery but also unearth inner demons he believed to be exorcised long ago. Battling old trauma while fighting for his life, his sanity, and the fate of Kilay, the line between dream and reality blurs until only one question remains: If your mind is the enemy, where do you run? Described as "Inception in a Polynesian fantasy setting," Dreams of the Dying is a slow-burning, haunting blend of fantasy, mystery, and psychological horror, that explores mental illness, morality, and the dark corners of our minds. CW: Profanity, Violence, Sex, Death, Suicide, Rape, Substance Abuse |
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Kept From Cages by Phil Williams No one returns from Ikiri. Reece’s gang of criminal jazz musicians have taken shelter in the wrong house. There’s a girl with red eyes bound to a chair. The locals call her a devil – but Reece sees a kid that needs protecting. He’s more right than he knows. Chased by a shadowy swordsman and an unnatural beast, the gang flee across the Deep South with the kid in tow. She won’t say where she’s from or who exactly her scary father is, but she’s got powers they can’t understand. How much will Reece risk to save her? On the other side of the world, Agent Sean Tasker’s asking similar questions. With an entire village massacred and no trace of the killers, he’s convinced Duvcorp’s esoteric experiments are responsible. His only ally is an unstable female assassin, and their only lead is Ikiri – a black-site in the Congo, which no one leaves alive. How far is Tasker prepared to go for answers? Kept From Cages is the first part in an action-packed supernatural thriller duology, filled with eccentric characters and intricately woven mysteries. Click BUY NOW or READ NOW to start your journey to Ikiri today. |
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Prophecy of Convergence by Shannon Pemrick Half-elf Oracle Aviana is no stranger to prophecies. With a strong connection since birth to the dragon god, Akorith, the dissonant whispers of fate have followed her from the beginning. And when an ominous warning foretelling of the destruction of her clan comes her way, she isn’t sure what to make of it. Then when her younger sister needs to be prepared for her coming of age trial—a task that will test the woman’s fortitude and innocence—Aviana is the one tasked with showing her the world outside their secluded town. Her hands full with her sister’s childish nature, a foreboding prophecy is the last thing Aviana needs on her mind. The signs of the prophecy, however, appear: pirate attacks, a fight with a dragon, and crossing paths with a cheerful dwarf and stunted, lecherous elf—and Aviana can’t ignore them. Things go from bad to worse, and she’ll have to trust her intuition and the most unlikely of allies to make it through, or the world will be plunged into chaos… Readers who enjoy epic adventures, fantasy with a healthy dose of romance, and a strong heroine who defies all odds, won’t be able to put down Prophecy of Convergence, leaving you reading long into the night. |
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Spirit of Shadow by D. A. Holley Lance is a servant in the Palace at Shadovane. All his life, he has been lead to believe his role in the palace is voluntary, that his parents left him there hoping he would have a better life than they could provide. When he discovers he has been lied to, that the nature of his life is not what he has long assumed, he seeks upheaval, revenge, and escape, but he can't get what he wants alone. He enlists the help of his closest friends, and together, they take on the all powerful Shadow Queen, incarnate of a goddess called the Mother of Night, and mount a revolution she will not soon forget. |
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The Scarred God by Neil Beynon How Do You Kill A God? Anya longs to be a warrior like her grandmother, the legendary witch-warrior of the Shaanti, and is ready to defy her grandfather's last wishes and take the ink. With her village captured and best friend killed by the invading Kurah, Anya must defeat them before the rest of the Shaanti fall. But the Kurah have a secret weapon: an exiled Shaanti god in search of revenge. Escaping to the Rift Forest, Anya must rely on her reluctant ally, Vedic, to find her way through the woods and free the goddess of her people. But what is Vedic keeping from her? How can Anya unite the forest and the Shaanti against their common foe? And with the fate of the world in her hands, just how far is she prepared to go to defeat her enemies? Anya is about to discover that the line between hero and villain is a knife-edge. The Scarred God is the thrilling first novel in the Shaanti Saga epic fantasy series. If you like complex characters, gods behaving badly, and non-stop action, then you’ll love Neil Beynon’s gripping tale. Ideal for fans of Robin Hobb, Tolkien, Philip C Quaintrell, David Gemmell and Brent Sanderson. |
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Along the Razor's Edge by Rob J. Hayes An empire in flames. A prisoner of war. An unbreakable will to escape. At just fifteen Eskara Helsene was forced to fight in the greatest war mankind has ever known. She lost. There is only one place her enemies would send a Sourcerer as wild and dangerous as her. The Pit. A prison sunk so deep into the earth the sun is a distant memory. Betrayed by her best friend, Eska finds herself stripped of her magic, surrounded by thieves and murderers. And there are far worse things that call the deep darkness their home. In order to survive she will need to make new allies, play the inmates against each other, and survive the darkness long enough to find a way out. Her enemies will soon learn Eskara is not so easily broken. An emotional roller coaster in this unique coming of age story. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence, be one of the first to dive into Award-Winning Author Rob J. Hayes’ new epic fantasy world. |
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Flesh Eater by Travis M. Riddle Branded as a Flesh Eater, Coal is on the run from Palace Stingers: soldiers tasked with tracking down those who have consumed flesh and locking them away in specialized prisons. After a year of avoiding capture and struggling to scrape by working odd jobs for a local crime lord, Coal is growing desperate. He learns of someone in the city's underbelly who can erase his record, but her services don't come cheap. Seeing no other option, he enters a spiderback race with a grand prize valuable enough to pay for his fresh start. But he's not the only one after the prize, and Coal is about to find out exactly how far he's willing to go to win. |
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Sentinel: Masked by G.S Michaelson Not everyone's first day at work ends with them fighting a gorilla man in a sea of corpses ...unless you're Tyrone Sy - one of WestScarlet's newest Sabres. Tyrone wants to use his role as a Sabre to be a hero, but he'll have to get past this first mission. It was a simple mission. So simple, even rookies like Tyrone and his team could do it. Write a report on a series of wild animal attacks in four small, remote towns. It's probably just the fever dreams of a few overexcited people, right? When the team encounter dangerous enemies and the tail-end of a massacre , they'll have to dig deep if they are to survive their very first mission and stop the dying before there's no one left.The terrorist organisation Masquerade has control of the beast masks and has infiltrated the government . With the enigmatic Caine as their leader, and the ferocious Jack as their most powerful enforcer, will even the Sabres fall before them? The answers to WestScarlet's troubles lie in the city of Draekeor. For Tyrone, they may hit a little too close to home. |
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Heir to the Darkmage by Lisa Cassidy Ambition drives her. Danger thrills her. But magic always has a price. Twenty years have passed since the Darkmage was destroyed and the war between mages ended. For Lira Astor, the single living heir to the Darkmage, escaping her name is impossible. People still fear what is long dead, and they see in her the rise of another dangerous mage with deadly ambition. Desperate to claw her way free of her grandfather’s shadow, to make her own name amongst the world of mages, Lira is willing to do whatever it takes. Even if that means joining the secretive rebel group looking to restore his vision. Survival is a lesson Lira learned early and often, yet when she is abducted and held prisoner in a deadly game of cat and mouse, she finds herself facing a nemesis she may be no match for. Forced to band together with unlikely allies who challenge everything she believes about what it means to be a mage, she will have to rely on every bit of ruthlessness she possesses. Because the war may only just be beginning… …and Lira Astor intends to come out on top. |
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Empire's Daughter by Marian L Thorpe An Emperor's request. A lover's refusal. And a young woman who must choose between them. Lena's world is about to change forever. Harried from north and south by two different enemies, both wanting this last remnant of a greater Empire's land, and with invasion imminent, the military leaders see no choice but to ask the unthinkable: that women learn to fight. In accepting the challenge, Lena is separated from her lover, who chooses banishment rather than break with generations of tradition. Promoted to leadership, drawn into the intrigues of power, Lena must make difficult choices, for herself, for her village, and for her country: a young woman at the heart of both violence and diplomacy, beginning her epic journey to save her land. Eric Hoffer Book Awards Finalist, 2021; Silver Medal, Historical Fantasy Box Set (2019), Coffee Pot Book Club Awards |
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When your clients are all dead, it takes call center hell to a whole new level. Sarah Mendoza just wants to get through her work week. The calls have been back to back for weeks, pushing her past burnout. But having great coworker friends makes it worth staying, and it’s not like job offers are beating down her door. The last thing she wants is to get a job in a mundane company where she has to hide her magickal abilities. When the calls suddenly stop, she gets suspicious. It’s too good to be true, and management doesn’t seem to care what’s going on. Certain her boss is up to no good, Sarah borrows a pair of goggles that will let her see ghosts, hoping that may give her an idea. But the ghosts aren’t the only things acting odd-Her kinda-sorta new girlfriend falls off the radar, her roommate is hiding something, and the magickal community is braced for a major upheaval. Something is going to explode, and if working at Ghost Line has taught Sarah one thing: You never want to be in the way when magick hits the fan. Please note: books 1, 2, and 3 in this series may be read in any order. They will crossover in book 4. |
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In a world of arrogant nobles and their punishing laws, Georgina will be hanged if anyone discovers she is a spy. But when the wicked prince proposes marriage, Georgina must accept. Refusing would expose the secrets she has delivered to a hidden resistance and forfeit her life. With her wedding day looming ever closer, salvation comes from an unlikely source. Pirate Captain Cinder is a terror on the open sea, striking fear into hearts wherever she sails. Now she has a new target. The vulnerable Princess Georgina should be an easy mark in Cinder’s kidnapping plot. But the legend of Captain Cinder is more intertwined with Georgina’s own history than either of them expect. Treacherous storms. A mysterious pirate king. The prince’s unrelenting pursuit. Georgina and Cinder can only escape by following the uncharted course of their hearts. But just as a future together is within their grasp, Cinder’s past threatens to drag them both to the deep. |
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Sairō's Claw by Virginia McClain An action-adventure fantasy romp featuring sword lesbians, sea battles, and a grumpy wolf spirit. Torako has done many things to protect the valley that she calls home, but she’s never looted a corpse before. So when the katana she steals off the still-cooling body of a bandit turns out to be possessed by a grumpy wolf kami, she can only assume it’s because she’s somehow angered the spirits. An impression that’s only reinforced when she returns home to find her wife abducted and her daughter in hiding. But angry spirits or no, Torako isn't about to let bandits run off with the love of her life, even if it means taking their 3 year old on a rescue mission. In all Kaiyo's years as Captain of the Wind Serpent she has never once questioned her admiral’s orders. So when she receives the command to abduct a civilian scribe with the help of fifteen felons, she registers her objections, but does as she is bid. Yet, as the mission unfolds, Kaiyo finds herself questioning everything from her loyalties to her convictions. As Torako and Kaiyo’s fates cross like dueling blades, their persistence is matched only by their fury, until they uncover a series of truths they may never be ready to accept. |
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Echoes of a Storm by Alan Scott Writing Style: Dialogue and Character driven Book Type: Dark Fantasy Themes: Parenthood, relationships, forbidden love, loss, power and prejudice Target audience: Open minded people who enjoy a more mature and grittier storyline in their fantasy books Welcome dear reader to a story of betrayal, heroes, monsters, and dark deeds. Welcome to Echoes of a Storm. Echoes of a Storm is the first instalment in the Storm Series and sets the scene and tone for this powerful bittersweet trilogy. This dark, gritty, fantasy novel explores many themes such as, relationships, forbidden love, loss, power, prejudice and ultimately, the monster which lurks inside us all. Follow the life of a young princess named Kathleen, from the age of 6 through to her marriage at the age of 18. As you delve further into her story, secrets will be revealed, battles will be fought, lives will be brutally cut short or changed forever, and the deviant and the Werewolf will make themselves known. Are you ready to enter the world of Talocants and discover the stories and secrets it holds? |
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Doomsayer Prince, Part One by Rune S. Nielsen WHAT THEY FORESEE WILL SHATTER THIS AGE In his vision, colossal artifacts stride across his homeland, destroying everything in their path. In a desperate attempt to save his home, Mage Prince Phytiax heads to the wild north in search of allies. On his journey, his magical powers become damaged at the worst possible time, and his destined allies need to be saved before they can help him: Pino, the weakest Mage of all time and wielder of a mysterious artifact sword; Emilai, a kidnapped noble woman—turned Witch to fight her captors; and Cordin, an old Light Master wanted for murder, but dead-set on getting his life back. With the brutal and mysterious force invading and destabilizing the kingdoms around them, will his potential allies help or hinder him? And even if they save their homelands, the price might be worse than they ever imagined. |
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The Sword in the Street by C.M. Caplan Trial by battle is a holy rite on Hillside. Hired blades bleed their foes in savage duels, settling everything from petty grievances to the corporate laws that keep their citizens in line. Embroiled in these cutthroat political games is John Chronicle, an impoverished swordsman with no better prospects, seeking the duel that will free him from the Dregs. Meanwhile, John’s boyfriend Edwin, an autistic university student, befriends a fellow scholar who claims to study the arcane art of thaumaturgy. When she offers to teach Edwin this subtle magic, he hopes that he can use it to bolster John’s skill with a blade. But thaumaturgy is a dangerous magic, and the forces that drive it have other plans. The couple soon find themselves entangled in the web of intrigue surrounding the swordsmen and their sponsors, and they’re forced to question how bloody they’re willing to get to escape poverty — and they don’t come away with the same answer. |
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Death by Miracle by Fowler Brown All persons shall be equal before the law, regardless of divine heritage or status of godhood. That’s the idea, anyway. Detective Sophia Akerele deals with the worst of divinity. Instead of chattering on social media about Apollo’s latest pop song, she’s tracing magical weapons to local gangs… until she takes a fireball to the chest. She expects an afterlife, not a job offer from an international law enforcement agency. The Furies give her a chance to finally make a difference—to return to life with the power needed to tackle the worst supernatural crimes. Her first assignment: Egypt, where a divine bomb throws her hometown into chaos. Sophia works alongside her cynical new partner, the local police, and an adventurous demigoddess with a doctoral degree in thaumaturgy. But that may not be enough, as she confronts organized crime, sinister gods, and, worst of all, the family she had to leave behind. Eliott Dunstan on Reedsy Discovery: "Queer representation, expertly-researched myth and history, and a compelling, morally complex plot driven and populated by badass women! … If you like mythic and/or urban fantasy, worldbuilding that actively works against colonialism, and imaginative takes on modern gods, pick up Death by Miracle. You won't regret it." |
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Truth and Other Lies by Lyra Wolf Nothing is trickier than the truth. All Loki the trickster god of Asgard wants is a quiet, peaceful life where he’s free to needle Balder, occasionally stir up the inter-realm porridge pot, and get Thor to dress in women’s garments (for all the best reasons). Getting beset by sudden, painful, and terribly inconvenient visions of blood, ash, and death are definitely not on his to-do list. But, because of some small, ridiculous remnant of caring that refuses to be extinguished, Loki feels he must save Asgard...and that means warning Odin, his least favorite god (next to Thor). But getting the gods to believe the boy who cried Fenrir is harder than it looks, and time is running out, not just for Asgard, but also for a mortal woman named Sigyn who may just hold the key to Loki’s future. Loki is about to find out the hard way that the only thing crueler than truth are the lies behind it all. "Truth and Other Lies" is the first book in a new series inspired by Norse mythology, and has snarky anti-heroes, lovers-to-enemies, and strong female characters. |
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Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar SPFBO7 Indie Recs Indie SPFBO Finalist Follow the law and you’ll stay safe. But what if the law is wrong? Tashué’s faith in the law is beginning to crack. Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions. Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her? Why was he the only one who cared? Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for? |
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SPFBO7 SPFBO Finalist SFFOasis Fenn’s first and only memory is finding himself in the middle of a forest, face to face with a dragon spirit mocking him, all knowledge gone apart from his own name. Lost and confused, his only hope for answers is Calidra—a woman living on the edge of the world with her partner. Forced to return home when her father dies, Calidra has put off facing her estranged mother for seven years, and she begrudgingly helps Fenn, forging papers for him so he can avoid the Queen’s Inquisitors. But her mother is the least of her worries when they discover an ancient enemy is rising again. It should be impossible with the Iron Crown in power—and Fenn is terrified he might unwittingly be playing a part in the war’s resurgence. Surrounded by vengeful spirits and powerful magic, Fenn’s desperate attempt to find his way home might well alter the fate of Tassar, and every power in it. A new high fantasy series bursts into life with the DRAGON SPIRITS who reign supreme in the magic-drenched world of Tassar. THE IRON CROWN is the first novel in this brand new trilogy and will be available in May 2021. |
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The Kavordian Library Omnibus (Fyskar, Subject 15, Polaris Skies, Subgalaxia) by Chapel Orahamm Collects Fyskar, Subject 15, Polaris Skies, and Subgalaxia. Content Warning-18+, not suitable for young people-Depictions and mention of sex, blood, gore, violence, abuse, suicide, rape, death, homophobia, racism, sexism, drowning, PTSD, psychological trauma, war, language, loss of pregnancy |
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The Murder Next Door by Sarah Bell July 1912 Leeds, England. A man is found dead on his study floor and his now-missing wife is the obvious suspect. To their neighbour, Louisa Knight, it's a shocking piece of news but nothing more. However, when she tells her 'companion' over breakfast, Ada Chapman nearly breaks their teapot and looks ready to run out the door. For Ada watched Mrs Pearce leave from the window of her painting studio. A moment's glance of a fearful face brings back old memories and gives her doubts. As far as the more pragmatic Louisa is concerned, Ada's determination to investigate is bound to lead them into trouble. Again. Yet Louisa's curiosity cannot be denied, and as the pair delve deeper into their neighbour's life what they uncover only clouds the issue further. The question soon becomes not just 'Who killed Mr Pearce?' but also 'Does that person deserve to hang for it?' Even if the couple can find the guilty party, will they be able to agree what should become of them? |
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More Time: A Brief Anthology of Indie Author Short Fiction by R. Tim Morris (editor) We might have made better decisions if we'd only had more time. Maybe more time would have been all we needed to love them right. More time could have fixed our mistakes. More time might have only made things worse. More time could have meant a bigger love, but eventually, it might have proven to be a lesser one. And even when the measure of time itself is altogether powerless, love will inevitably find us and leave us in so many more ways. In this short fiction anthology, a global collection of rising talents explore the connection between love and time. Their stories will take us from cancer wards to small town bakeries. From retirement communities, to parkade rooftops, to paranormal phone booths. Love will bloom beneath meteor showers, endure through the magic of mythical creatures, and elude us within the veils of memory. These twelve tales touch on the supernatural, the psychological, and secrets just beneath the surface, teasing our vulnerabilities. Eventually, love may end up being defined by nothing more than a pair of men's slippers, a pilfered hoodie, or a body on the sidewalk. And in all of these stories, one question could be asked: What if we had More Time? Featuring stories by Eloise Archer, Ioanna Arka, Emma Deshpande, Zev Good, R.Tim Morris, Natalie Pinter, Justine Rosenberg, Chet Sandberg, Abby Simpson, Isana Skeete, Lior Torenberg, and Perry Wolfecastle. |
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Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson Being the chosen one isn’t always a good thing. Oscar Tundale is useless, or at least that's what he's always thought. He and his friends are about to discover that not only are monsters real, but some of them are very interested in Oscar. Now, they must find out what the monsters want, before something terrible happens to London; or worse yet, the world. Lesser Known Monsters is an own voices queer dark fantasy featuring diverse characters on a found family adventure. Perfect for fans of action and paranormal romance seeking LGBTQ+ heroes. This is the first book in the Lesser Known Monsters series. |
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Fall by Maxime Jaz When you think you have everything, one small step twists your life around. Golden-boy and medical student Jake has everything laid out for him: wealth, studies, and a brilliant girlfriend. A life people could only dream of. Until one morning, he trips during his morning run and is helped up by a kind stranger. This should be it, but Jake can’t get those green eyes out of his mind. There’s only one tiny problem: they belong to a man. This encounter triggers a series of ripple effects which will haul their lives over and lead them down unknown paths. An all-consuming burning love with heights and lows, and a pit of suffering, will shatter Jake’s world of lies, and shed light on truths he is terrified of embracing. Will Jake take that step into the unknown void he’s facing? Will Doug be there to catch him? As both of them plummet to depths unknown, will their love be strong enough to bridge the gaps between their worlds, and make them overcome the obstacles put in their paths? |
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LOVE HIM/HATE HIM by Chris Bedell 17-year-old Connor doesn’t believe his best friend’s death was an accident. Falling down the stairs was random, and Connor can’t help but wonder if someone might’ve pushed her… Determined to find out the truth, Connor starts his own investigation. Along the way, he discovers Evelyn’s affair with a married man and thought she was pregnant before she died. Connor thinks he’s found her killer, but an airtight alibi forces him to look in a new direction. Perhaps closer to home. Complicating the situation more is Connor’s own secret – an unexpected hook up with Evelyn’s twin brother, Liam, at a party the previous spring. Afterward, Liam goes on a homophobic rant and punches Connor, leaving him confused. His confusion deepens when, after Evelyn’s death, Liam apologizes and they start to hook up secretly. Liam is trapped between his attraction to Connor and his abusive father. Connor struggles with his growing attraction for Liam. Their secret rendezvous are fun, but if Connor is going to have more with Liam, he’ll have to be honest about his feelings and his suspicions on who killed Evelyn. Will either survive the truth coming out? |
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When Jai decides to rent the house he shared with his late husband, he has no idea he's about to meet the man who'll change his life. For Lin DaoShi's not only famous, he's also straight – and comes nursing an eating disorder and a broken heart. After a riding accident that threatens to end his dancing career and hamper his acting, he trades China for the UK in an attempt to flee the spotlight and find some peace. What he finds, though, when crossing paths with Jai, is his life changing and his world turned upside down. For after their chance meeting, DaoShi no longer knows who he is or what he wants out of life. Brought together by a common love for ballet, they soon find themselves trapped in a pas de deux only the secrets they must keep can break apart... |
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The Dancing Turtle by AJ Stiles An intoxicating novel set during a hot and sultry Brazilian summer. After a series of heart-breaking tragedies, Marcus disappears to sail around Brazil in an attempt to heal. There he meets Miguel, a local fisherman. What follows is the unraveling of dark past family secrets and a profound insight into the ways of the world. |
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An Exploration of BDSM by Koriana Brackson It’s been two years since Kenzie and Felicity experienced A Discovery of BDSM. While Kenzie’s savored Dominating her beautiful, if bratty, submissive, she hasn’t forgotten her own desires to submit. With Felicity a submissive, and a failed session at a BDSM club, Kenzie’s unable to determine if she is, as she suspects, a Switch. All that changes when Jarrett re-enters her life. During their budding romance, she asks if he’s familiar with BDSM. Not only is he familiar, but he’s eager to delve into the world of kink, giving Kenzie everything she craves with An Exploration of BDSM. |
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His senior year in high school couldn’t be more boring for overachieving science nerd Taylor Young until Brad, a mysterious but hot new character, starts walking the school halls. Ignoring the rumors about his mental state and his murky past, Taylor falls for Brad head over heels. United in their love for science and for each other, they invent the Jump Box, a revolutionary piece of teleporting technology that changes their lives – and the world – forever, but then a series of freak accidents that threaten the fate of the entire planet finally uncovers the hidden truths that Brad had so carefully buried and worked so hard to forget. |
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Light as a Feather by Cameron James Jacob lives in a ballet bubble that is about to burst when he is accepted into the prestigous National Ballet School. It’s everything he’s always wanted until.... it’s not.. When it seems like everyone around him is perfect, Jacob’s cracks begin to show and he begins to worry if he’s thin enough, good enough, or even tough enough for this and soon Jacob reaches breaking pointe. CW: Alcohol, body shaming, eating disorder, starvation, vomiting, mental illness, sex. |
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Casey has always had everything planned. 1. Get Testosterone 2. Get Top Surgery 3. Get Bottom Surgery, but the one thing he didn’t have planned was falling in love with Mickey. Now with Mickey at his side and surgery eight weeks away, the countdown is on. |
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Never Do a Wrong Thing by Marcus Herzig Best friends since kindergarten, best friends forever. That was the plan. High school sophomores Tim and Tom know everything there is to know about each other … or at least they should, but Tim has a secret that could change everything he doesn’t want to see changed. Tim is gay and almost ready to be out and proud. Tom is already proud—a proud homophobe, that is. As if the stakes were not high enough already, things get even more complicated when Tom talks his friend into double-dating a pair of girls. But sometimes unwanted challenges offer unexpected opportunities, and after the most embarrassing night of his life, Tim knows he can no longer avoid the inevitable. The question is, how will his best friend take it? From the author of Cupid Painted Blind comes a captivating new Young Adult LGBTQ novel that provides insight into the conflicted soul of a teenage boy who finds himself torn between honesty and friendship. |