Beelzebub's Bargain by Tessa Hastjarjanto

The Devil is coming, and he’s bringing friends. When Nora finds out Ben was banished from the Angelic City she needs to know what happened—even if it means going to Hell. Beelzebub’s right-hand, Jack, forces Ben to revisit a painful part of his past while the demon lord thwarts Nora’s attempts at rescuing him. After a narrow escape Nora joins Lucifer on a trip to Hades in the Underworld, while Ben finds some much needed help from the Valkyrie in Purgatory. Together they must find a way to stop Beelzebub, or he will make Earth Hell for the living.

Bodied by Eli Horowitz

Maya is a 20-year-old with a graveyard shift at the post office, a ma whose temper rises even faster than the rent, and all of the million daily headaches of life as a young woman of color in New York in 2011. Her one saving grace is her local arcade, home of New York's feisty, burgeoning fighting game tournament scene. But that respite is taken away from her after she gets banned for standing up to a trash-talker who goes too far. To get back into the arcade and fight for her independence and respect, Maya will partner with a team of up-and-coming players and learn to defeat not just her opponents, but also her own worst instincts. Beneath Maya's quest for FGC glory shines a deeper story about how all of us are made by history—and how we can make history in our turn. The connections between Maya, the women who raised her, and the generations who come after her, examine how our moment in time determines—often unjustly—the risks we take for the rewards we desire for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Bodied is a unique coming-of-age story with sneaky literary chops, a modern mashup between The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and A League of Their Own.

Kulebra by Wendelyn Vega

"If you ask my father who I am, he’ll tell you I’m nobility, daughter of a warrior and stepdaughter of a queen. And if you grabbed someone off the street, you’d probably hear that I was something that might just steal your children from their beds at night, but you didn’t hear it from them. But if you ask me, I’d say the term “misfit” is more appropriate." Kulebra Uhero — or “Kula”, as she insists everyone call her — doesn’t want to be a diplomat. She’s Ahktali’s least qualified princess, and she’s content to trade her royal duties of attending palace guests for overseeing royal animals instead. But after tragedy strikes, she’s left as her little sister and new queen’s only resort to quell the fears of an empire. When her mission of goodwill doesn’t go according to plan, Kula is left with several enemies and the threat of a province’s rebellion looming on the horizon. As she truly discovers her nation for the first time, she is forced to confront not only Derian’s shrewdest politicians but herself as well.

Smoochy and the Maga by Lea Kinley

Okay, okay. I admit I was bored with the tedium of my centuries of work as a magical Familiar. But did I really deserve to be punished with an assignment on Earth of all places? My employer, The Society for the Conservation of Wholeness, tasked me with locating a fellow Familiar that appeared to be working for a destructive wizard . . . which is a big no-no according to our employment contract. While Earth is generally a non-magical, dull, and undesirable location, I never thought I’d have any trouble at all with the assignment . . . until I realized I knew far less about Earth than I needed to and my enemy, the destructive wizard, knew far more than I did. The stakes were high for me for the first time in tens of thousands of years . . . had I finally met my match? Smoochy and the Maga is a fun, fanciful, and charming middle-grade urban fantasy novel by introductory author, Lea Kinley. The perfect cozy fantasy for tweens, teens, and the young at heart. Recommended for grade five and up or ages 9 and up.

Under an Azure Sky - Elysia Dayne: Book One by Wil Chan

Elysia Dayne: Hero. Mercenary. Dragon slayer. At least that's how the bards tell it. But that wasn't always the case. There was a time when she thought that dragons were beautiful. When she was a child, she believed that she was friends with a dragon. Except, the dragon knew of no such friendship. Soldiers arrived to slay the creature so that a feudal lord could make his name amongst the Nine Kingdoms. It ended in abject failure. They were left to soak in a bloodbath of their own making. In a rage, the dragon destroyed the place that she called home, and killed the people that she called family, also dismantling a thing called love. Reborn under a mound of ashen corpses, her empty shell vowed vengeance, forging a fiery path of retribution that could not be undone. Not by her own design, she becomes a slayer of dragons. Curiously, dragon slaying isn’t her next job. A princess is being held for ransom at a goblin fort. Wearing the stolen armour of a goblin knight, she attempts to rescue the princess to claim her bounty. Her plans are somewhat botched by the uncooperative royal, and the two of them end up wandering through the wilderness towards civilisation. What they don't realise is they are being tracked by Niemirian raiders who are intent on killing them both. An epic tale interwoven between the tragedies of Elysia's past and the precarious nature of her present, all the time exploring the nature of the human condition.

Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás

A queer retelling of Satan's fall that's part cozy coming of age and part fast-paced tragedy, with a little love story in between – In an eternal paradise, the most beautiful angel, Lucifer, struggles with shame, identity, and timidity, with little more than the desire to worship his creator. It isn't until the strongest angel, Michael, comes into his life that Lucifer learns to love himself. Along the way, their friendship begins to bloom into something else. Maybe the first romance in the history of everything. But this God is a jealous one, and maybe paradise is not paradise.

I Think of You Often: a small town paranormal romance by Sienna Eggler

A witchy "why choose" nb/nb/f romance. Evan is the reclusive librarian of Honeycutt Academy, and a source of curiosity among students and staff—most notably the bubbly potions teacher. With her by their side, Evan is willing to give love another shot and move on from a devastating breakup. But the discovery of a half-sibling invites trouble into Evan's quiet life, reuniting them with an old flame and stirring up bitter memories of their past. Also includes intimate (and mutual) blood drinking and a patricide subplot.

Fluid Bonding: a sapphic paranormal romance by Sienna Eggler

It’s not that Vi Davis wanted to be alone. It’s just that the outside world doesn’t seem very welcoming for a shy, nonbinary introvert - especially one who can read minds. But when the gorgeous Hester Milojević approaches Vi in a crowded sports bar, it doesn’t take telepathy to figure out that they share a mutual attraction - even if Vi suspects this towering blonde is way out of their league. That suspicion deepens even as the two get to know each other better - especially as Vi struggles to reconcile so many emotionally overwhelming first experiences, along with Hester’s mysterious hot-then-cold behavior, and her claims to be something impossible: a vampire. But even in a world that seems intent on tearing them apart, Vi and Hester can’t help but grow closer to each other - that is until the past and prejudice of their own families threatens to drive a stake through the heart of their relationship once and for all. Fluid Bonding is engaging and emotional paranormal romance between nonbinary and neurodivergent characters - described by one reader as “a sweet, realistic romance between two people figuring their way in life.”

Treachery of Water by Angela J Ford.

Foul magic stirs in the depths of the sea where sirens are ruled by the whims of powerful water nymphs. But when fever sweeps the watery kingdoms, threatening to destroy the race of sirens forever, a new hero must rise. Darya, a water nymph, is chosen to find a magical remedy to save her people. But the spell for the cure lies ashore in the Great Library of Nomadia. Forsaking the depths, Darya begins a desperate quest to save her home, her people and everything she loves. But her quest goes awry when she is captured by slave traders who bind her magic. Nurimil is a legendary hunter known for his skills in procuring magical creatures and artifacts. Unfortunately, a bounty is on his head and he’s on the run with a risky plan to secure his own freedom. A plan that becomes twisted once he lays eyes on Darya. Araceli the Faun works in the capital city of Nomadia as a librarian. When traveling mages leave behind a mysterious tome she becomes obsessed with it. As she unravels the secrets of the book, it shows her how to summon a dark and devious jinn. As Darya, Nurimil and Araceli wrestle with their own endeavors, they will soon discover they have the potential to sway the fate of Nomadia. For unrest plagues the empire of Nomadia. A darkness rises, fueled by a cruel sorceress with a hideous desire to throttle magic and rule all races with an iron fist.

Me Too by Eli B

When NADIA COLEMAN crashes into the cold and aloof CEO, LUCA SHOLA. She’s embarrassed by her calamitous first impression and he’s not amused by her either. Until they meet again on the dance floor and they can’t deny the intoxicating pull they feel for each other.   But, they’ve got secrets to hide and there’s no place for love in their lives. Nadia’s determined to rid her life of a man that's abused her by destroying the secret society that’s allowed him the freedom to do so. Luca’s tied to an abusive woman of his grandfather’s choosing while being groomed as the next leader of the Syndicates. The more Nadia and Luca learn about each other, the more their lives become entangled, but for two people scarred by trauma, can they find the strength in themselves to hold on to each other and the love blossoming between them? Me Too is an interracial romance filled with comedy, suspense and subtle hints of the Myth of Hades and Persephone sprinkled amongst the pages of this sweet love story.

Petition by Delilah Waan

In the Dominion of Aleznuaweite, anyone can rise to the greatest heights—if they are willing to pay the price. Failure is a luxury Rahelu can’t afford. Her family sold everything, left their ancestral home, and became destitute foreigners for the sake of her resonance skills. Now she can manipulate emotional echoes to discern truth from lies, conjure the past, and even foretell the future. But an act of petty revenge by her rival destroys her chance at joining one of the great Houses. Desperate to prove her family’s sacrifices were not in vain, Rahelu calls upon the most dangerous magic of all—altering fortune. A slight twist of fate is enough to restore her way forward…with deadly consequences she never bargained for. The Houses make a pawn of her in their bitter struggle for control of the Dominion. A shadowy cult grows ever closer to completing an ancient ritual. And Rahelu discovers that fulfilling her oath to her family might come at the cost of her mother’s life.

Survivors by Amy Marsden

It’s Jennifer’s 24th birthday and she planned to spend it having fun with her friends. Instead, she ends up running for her life through the dark streets of London. Her world is torn apart by a new disease, the likes of which have never been seen before. The government’s decision to conceal its deadly nature exacerbates the panic, and in all the confusion Jennifer is bitten by an infected person. That’s it, right? Her life over. Wrong. Immune to the virus’s ravaging effects, Jennifer finds herself with a small group of survivors. Together they must fight to stay alive long enough for a cure to be found. Humanity won’t be beaten so easily. But madness looms large, and safety seems forever out of reach.

What The Stars Didn't Show Us by Margherita Scialla

Life isn't easy when you have a brother who's always considered better than you. Hyunsuk's situation is even worse since he shares the same face as his so-called perfect twin. His life starts to change, however, when a new student arrives at his school and she sees something in him no one else had ever bothered to look for. Hialeah, already too familiar with the feeling of being alone, is set on befriending him, but can Hyunsuk finally come out of his twin’s shadow and open up to someone, when his brother makes it clear he doesn’t want him to find happiness?

Song of Phoenix and Ink by Margherita Scialla

[new adult fantasy novel with polyamory themes.] All Nadzia Kaminski wanted was to finish writing her novel. When she finally finished the manuscript for Crimson Mayhem, she did what any writer would: gave it to her best friend to read. Her friend’s reaction, however, wasn’t what she had expected and, upset by her criticism, Nadzia left her at the café where they had met. Waking up the next morning, Nadzia was no longer in her bedroom, finding herself in a world of her creation, surrounded by dangerous magic and vaguely familiar settings. With a country at war and no clear way home, time is running out and Nadzia has to find a way to gain the trust of the very people she created and figure out her confusing feelings for two of her own characters. She soon realizes stories aren’t perfect when there is no one left to write them.

The Brother's Curse (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 1) by Christine M. Germain

A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaves his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks. Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target of two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, bodies appear eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't who he claims to be or if he is even human.

Heard: How Loss Led Us to Love by Ligia Cushman

What if your greatest loss led you to love? Professional Counselor and Director of Adoptions Ligia Cushman unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances and shows readers how to thrive when life doesn't turn out as they had planned. Some moments in life catch us off guard while others shatter us completely. For Ligia, it was the night she miscarried her first child. Ligia understands personal loss deeply and discovered that loss can be exactly what our soul needs to radically encounter God and feel heard. In Heard: How Loss Led Us To Love she invites us on her own journey with grit, gut-honest vulnerability and authenticity.

Cthulhu Armageddon by C.T. Phipps

“Under an alien sky where gods of eldritch matter rule, the only truth is revenge.” CTHULHU ARMAGEDDON is the story of a world 100 years past the rise of the Old Ones which has been reduced to a giant monster-filled desert and pockets of human survivors (along with Deep Ones, ghouls, and other “talking” monsters). John Henry Booth is a ranger of one of the largest remaining city-states when he’s exiled for his group’s massacre and suspicion he’s “tainted.” Escaping with a doctor who killed her husband, John travels across the Earth’s blasted alien ruins to seek the life of the man who killed his friends. It’s the one thing he has left.

Mud Crab Kingdom: The Soft-Shelled Prince by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton

In a time ruled by fair-skinned kings and racial divides, the son of a fair-skinned king and mud-skinned peasant, Marcious Leojé, spends his days far beyond his father's kingdom in the muddy mangroves with his best friend, Etel Duetman. Here, they form an unusual kinship with the native crabs and build a mud kingdom. These two mud-skinned teenagers feel invincible within this playground-sized fortress. The discrimination within the kingdom cannot reach them and the mud walls provide a sense of security. However, they soon learn that their kingdom is nothing more than a mud wall, as it is unable to protect those they love. Cast into despair and the unknown world, they must learn to build a kingdom capable of protecting those they love. Along their journey they encounter people who show them the products of love, war, and despair. However, Marcious cannot envision his product, his own kingdom. Everywhere, being mud-skinned is worse than murder, and being "different" is worse than being mud-skinned. Will his vow to create a kingdom withstand the rising tides or will it wash away like that of his childhood?

EXODUS 20:3 by Freydís Moon

Religious eroticism and queer emancipation meet in a claustrophobic monster-romance about divinity, sexuality, and freedom. When Diego López is guilted by his mother into taking a low-key construction job in New Mexico, he doesn’t expect to be the only helping hand at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. But the church is abandoned, decrepit, and off the beaten path, and the only other person for miles is its handsome caretaker, Ariel Azevedo. Together, Diego and Ariel refurbish the old church, sharing stories of their heritage, experiences, and desires. But as the long days turn into longer nights, Diego begins to see past Ariel’s human mirage and finds himself falling into lust—and maybe something else—with one of God’s first creations.

Ope' by Yulu Ewis

"In 'Ope (More), Yulu Ewis opens the world of oral tradition-the same, timeless, pre-Columbian world of our Indigenous ancestors that is still present, but unseen by most-to all of her readers. Grounded in the language and world views of her Miwok and Pomo ancestors, Ewis definitely gives us 'more' as it grapples with cultural perseverance, along with the 'sovereignty' and 'civil rights' the US has 'given' to her people in the aftermath of its genocidal and assimilative tactics that attempted to destroy them." Dr. Kimberly G. Wieser, Associate Professor, University of Oklahoma, author of Texas...to Get Horses and Back to the Blanket

Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea

“I love you. And I need you like the blood in my veins. Without you I wouldn’t be me.” A werewolf and a vampire with an unbreakable bond. A cute witch fleeing her home for a crime she may or may not have committed. A burning desire for something more between them. Years after becoming a vampire, Logan is finally on track to their goal: Making it big in the music industry with the support of their band and their girlfriend Kay, protector of the local supernatural community. For all its issues, with her by their side, Logan’s life is perfect. But when a new girl comes to town, Nemo, everything abruptly becomes much more complicated and Logan can’t ask Kay for help anymore. Because to do that, they’d have to admit to her that they’ve fallen for someone else… Nemo, having fled her home for a crime she totally didn’t commit, finds a welcome distraction in Logan’s friendship. But her thoughts quickly become haunted by them and their gorgeous girlfriend… As Kay realizes that what’s going on between Logan and Nemo exceeds the bounds of friendship, she has to make a choice: Keep her partner all to herself, or encourage them to explore their feelings, and explore her own. To let love make them one, or perhaps tear them apart.

A Wider World by Karen Heenan

Memories are all he has... now they could save his life. Returning to England after almost five years in exile, Robin Lewis is arrested and charged with heresy by the dying Queen Mary. Over a days-long journey to the Tower of London, Robin spins a tale for his captor, revisiting his life under three Tudor monarchs and wondering how he will be judged—not just by the queen, but by the God he stopped serving long ago. When every moment counts, will the journey—and Robin's stories—last long enough for him to be saved by Mary's heir, the young Queen Elizabeth?

Devil's Deal by Tessa Hastjarjanto

When two angels break their deal with the Devil, he comes for the one they’re trying to protect. 16-year-old Eleonora Santos works through the summer break so she can visit her family in Italy when she graduates. With the new school year around the corner, her focus is back on homework and enjoying life with her tight group of friends. But on their first day back, she finds them fawning over two new guys in their class—Ben and Danny. Not a day goes by before Nora’s life is turned upside down. Her best friend now hates her, and the boys seem eager to get to know her. Despite their charming efforts, she’d rather have her best friend, not a boyfriend. When Nora discovers Ben and Danny are not who they claim to be, and their nefarious deal goes wrong, Nora is caught in the middle. To fix their mistakes, she must face the Devil and betray herself—or pay with her life. Devil's Deal is a YA romance novel with a paranormal twist set in the Dutch fictional city Lakeside. The Infernal Contracts trilogy is perfect for fans of the Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, and Fallen.

Lucifer's Favour by Tessa Hastjarjanto

When a demon takes over Hell, you turn to the one you fear the most. After Nora’s encounter with Beelzebub she can no longer escape the supernatural world–she is marked for life. The demon’s sinister plans will hurt the people she cares about, and the only way to restore order is to track down Lucifer and convince him to reclaim his throne. Lucifer has his own agenda for staying on Earth and faces threats he’s never seen before. His escapades draw the attention of Earthly demons, ones he doesn’t control, and they’re ready to protect their territory. Nora and her friends must unite and persuade Lucifer while escaping the dangers and temptations of supernaturals. Living on the edge of the mundane world and the supernatural world challenges Nora and her friends to look beyond what they know, and believe.

Elevated Inferno by Carlotta Ardell

Monet Parker wasn't a sucker for a man in uniform. Even if he was a firefighter with dimples deep enough to swim in and ebony skin painted by the gods. She was just trying to get her dream internship and prepare herself for a career in social robotics. She had no idea how her life would change with the simple push of a button. When the elevator taking her to her interview at Real World Robotics stops, Monet isn't sure if she will live, let alone make her interview. She's rescued by Rhys Banks: the gorgeous hunk of a fireman. As much as their magnetism is palpable, Monet is trying to ignore her feelings. Focusing on her career and navigating her chaotic family drama is more than enough excitement for her. Still, it's hard to ignore #FiremanBae when her sister is hosting an Instagram Live video of the rescue and getting the whole internet buzzing. What happens when the internet becomes a third wheel in Monet's love life? What happens when past hurts, career goals, and family baggage are in conflict with their desires? Will these distractions win out and quash the elevated inferno? Can Monet have it all, including love?

Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo

First Poetry Runner-Up in the SAIP Awards 2021, Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo is a very relatable, inspiring and thought-provoking read on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing. Written over an 18-year period, Lost in a Quatrain is a select collection of deep, must-read, soul-stirring poetry with each poem telling a story that pieces together the puzzle of this crazy, not always romantic, experience we call life. Ask your local bookstore/library to order your copy by stating ISBN: 978 0 620 803663 3

The Lighthouse in the Sky by B.Y. Yan

An Alternate History Epic. “Firefly meets Inglorious Basterds in 1930s China.” 1936. China. A whole new frontier exists in the war-torn Orient, and the crew of the Sky-Fortress class heavy bomber Goosefare will take any job to make their fortunes. From Constantinople, Capt. Mossfar de Crossfer Rain is coerced to train aviators in the Middle Kingdom. However, things take a complicated turn when he and his merry band accidentally kidnap the Chinese President, and find themselves on the run from Imperial assassins. A chance foray into the Devil’s Sea leads to a haunting vision that their version of the 1900s is but one of infinite possibilities, with nothing set in stone. But if all history is a canvas upon which anything is possible to change, then there are others with more sinister designs on such world-altering technologies. The Empire of Japan will stop at nothing to get their hands on the strange aircraft and its reality hopping ability, in order to enact a daring, full-fledged invasion at Pearl Harbor...

Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees by Robert Kent

Fifth grader Ellicott Skullworth has always felt out of place at public school and now he's tested into the Archimedes Program at Latimer University. While in Latimer City, he’ll be living with his world famous and insane(ly) brilliant cousin, Banneker Bones, the eleven-year-old inventor of robots. The only problem: Banneker doesn't want to share his room. And he's got an army of robots to make Ellicott miserable until he goes home. When the boys are ambushed by robot bees as big as cars, Ellicott's only friend is carried off and held for ransom. To rescue him, Ellicott has no choice but to partner with his maniacal cousin. Ellicott doesn't know what's worse: facing a hive of giant robot bees or spending more time with Banneker Bones. BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES is a humorous, science fiction adventure for readers of all ages written in the spirit of a comic book.

Ascension: Wolves of Goose Creek (Tales from the DarkWorld Book 3) by Ronnie Massey

In a world where vampires, werewolves, witches, and all other manners of beings not only live their lives freely and out in the open but are some of the media’s biggest celebutantes, werewolf Still Waters is an anomaly. Although she is an honorary member of the Eastern Seaboard’s largest pack, Still lives her life as a lone wolf. But when a freak accident claims the life of a loved one, the delicate façade that is Still's life comes crashing down. Not only is Still forced to out herself, but she also becomes first in line to assume the position of alpha of her birth pack…a pack whose members make it clear they want nothing to do with her. But with the chaos, there comes calm in the form of Dee Stratton, the one that got away. Where Still was taught to hide, Dee was raised to embrace her status as a werewolf. Those differences ultimately drove the two apart. But when Dee returns to offer Still support, the two quickly fall back into their relationship. Their joy, however, is short-lived when family skeletons from Still’s past creep from the closet and threaten their bond. Now Still must fight for the very things she once thought she could live without, Dee and the Goose Creek wolves. Still will either rise to the occasion and become the alpha and mate that Dee believes she can be or walk away from her pack and her relationship…this time for good.

Stolen Moments of Joy by Hamour Baika

Baltimore, 2014. Abdul aches with shame. Used to bearing the brunt of people’s judgment, the Afghan immigrant can’t reconcile his love for his charming boyfriend with the bruises the man leaves on his face. So when a handsome activist’s flirtatious exchange offers solace, he goes against his beliefs and enters into a secret tryst. Drowning in guilt over the brief affair, Abdul struggles to reset his personal compass even as a racially motivated shooting twists his adopted city into a minefield. But his firm conviction that the troubles he’s facing are fair payment for the sins of his past keeps drawing him back to his beau’s punishing fists.

Iep Jāltok by Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner

As the seas rise, the fight intensifies to save the Pacific Ocean’s Marshall Islands from being devoured by the waters around them. At the same time, activists are raising their poetic voices against decades of colonialism, environmental destruction, and social injustice. Marshallese poet and activist Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner’s writing highlights the traumas of colonialism, racism, forced migration, the legacy of American nuclear testing, and the impending threats of climate change. Bearing witness at the front lines of various activist movements inspires her work and has propelled her poetry onto international stages, where she has performed in front of audiences ranging from elementary school students to more than a hundred world leaders at the United Nations Climate Summit. The poet connects us to Marshallese daily life and tradition, likening her poetry to a basket and its essential materials. Her cultural roots and her family provides the thick fiber, the structure of the basket. Her diasporic upbringing is the material which wraps around the fiber, an essential layer to the structure of her experiences. And her passion for justice and change, the passion which brings her to the front lines of activist movements—is the stitching that binds these two experiences together. Iep Jāltok will make history as the first published book of poetry written by a Marshallese author, and it ushers in an important new voice for justice.

Zero Saints by Gabino Iglesias

Enforcer and drug dealer Fernando has seen better days. On his way home from work, some heavily tattoed gangsters throw him in the back of a car and take him to an abandoned house, where they saw off his friend’s head and feed the kid’s fingers to ... something. Their message is clear: this is their territory now. But Fernando isn’t put down that easily. Using the assisance of a Santerian priestess, an insane Puerto Rican pop sensation, a very human dog, and a Russian hitman, he’ll build the courage (and firepower) he’ll teed to fight a gangbanger who’s a bit more than human.

Stud Like Her by Fiona Zedde

Chance has been in love only once, but it wasn’t with the girlfriend she stayed with for far too long. The same girlfriend who dropped Chance when she became too inconvenient. Or maybe just boring. To bury her disappointment, Chance tries to return to the woman she loved back when she was too afraid to be herself. A stud attracted to other studs. Instead of her old love, though, Chance finds Garett: a new and persistent admirer with the kind of swagger that leaves Chance weak in the knees. Garett is hot and very popular with her half a million followers on social media. She’s also a lot younger than Chance is used to. Not to mention there’s something familiar about her, something dangerous, that Chance can’t quite put her finger on.

The Push by T. C. Parker

A 20 year old crime. A 40 year old mystery. And a deadly threat in the here and now. El Gardener thinks she’s finished with the con - that she can walk away from the life of crime she’s lived since childhood. But when a murderous attacker emerges out of nowhere and the people closest to her are threatened, she’s left with no choice but to take on one final, very dangerous job - and get her whole crew back together to defend her family. With the terrible legacy of the last job they worked together still haunting them, they’ll travel halfway across the world to trap their mark, from the moors of North Yorkshire to the San Francisco Peninsula - confronting long-buried secrets, an unspeakable crime and an old enemy intent on taking his revenge on the women who’ve wronged him. For El and her team, the clock is ticking - and the sins of the past are about to come calling.

SHE by Tiffany Christina Lewis

For a rare moment in his life, newly promoted Det. Sergeant Michael Taylor is failing. The same day he began supervising an all-star group of four detectives, Taylor and his partner Det. Alex Jamison, get the case of an 18-year-old young man, shot dead in a fellow classmates’ bed. The seemingly perfect victim has one problem: girls. The case is made more challenging by the fact that the high schoolers involved are living secret lives and trying to save their own skin at every turn. At the same time, Taylor is being emotionally destroyed by his love interest, Azlynn Matthews. In turn, he is aiming his vexation at the detectives on his team. Due to his domineering and forceful management style, the team is on the verge of breaking down. Taylor must now combat his personal failures in order to pull his team back together, prevent the woman he wants from leaving him, and catch a maddening killer.

Yokai Calling: The Complete Series Omnibus by Erynn Lehtonen

A haunted empire. A wicked sorcerer on the rise. Three teenagers stand between a generation of peace and the creatures of myth seeking retribution for a dark past… In the shadow of the fallen Warlock Empire, twins Hidekazu and Masanori thrive on tales of their ancestors’ wyvern-slaying, of the wars preceding Seiryuu’s first era of peace in over a thousand years. But as the Dragon Goddess’ influence wanes, her greatest enemies return. The sorcerer who kidnaps women for a sinister purpose is only the first of many to arrive. The warrior arts previously forbidden to Hidekazu and Masanori won’t be enough to stop the wyverns, dragons, and mythical spirits rising in search of retribution. Nor will working with the future empress, their adopted sister, who steers Seiryuu's future from within the palace—and from the head of the battlefield. Their enemies seek justice not only for the crimes of the Goddess and the Warlock Empire, but also for the sins of Hidekazu and Masanori’s very own clan. Secrets run in their blood. Facing the tide of war means overcoming the Warlock Empire’s grim history… and the darkness within themselves. Jump into the world of Yumihari, a land filled with spirits, dragons, monsters, and stunning characters wielding elemental magic to save their homeland. If you love epic fight scenes, mystery and political intrigue, mythology, monsters, and mayhem, all with a touch of progression fantasy, you will love the 1500+ pages of adventure in the Yokai Calling series.

Spirit of the Dragon by Erynn Lehtonen

There is a price attached to every dream... After twins Genshu Masanori and Genshu Hidekazu witness a kidnapping at the annual Midsummer Festival, they discover the woman taken wasn’t this sorcerer’s first victim, nor will she be the last. They will break clan laws against warfare if that’s what it takes to bring the missing women home safe. They will sign their lives away to the prestigious Tsukiko Academy, regardless of the rumours about the Headmaster and the dark secrets harboured within the school grounds. They will give up the lives they know for a chance to uncover the real reason their family gave up their legacy as wyvern-slayers and swore a vow of peace. A pact with a mysterious dragon spirit, embracing their future as warriors, and servitude to the Tsukiko Academy is only the beginning. The twins have one chance to unravel the sorcerer’s sinister plan. If they can’t find him in time, the game he whispers about might be the last anyone ever plays. Jump into the world of Yumihari, a land filled with spirits, dragons, monsters, and stunning characters wielding elemental magic to save their homeland. If you love epic fight scenes, mystery and political intrigue, mythology, monsters, mayhem, and progression fantasy, you will love Spirit of the Dragon and the Yokai Calling series.

Wax & Gold: Journeys in Ethiopia & other roads less travelled by Sam McManus

Don't catch a leopard by the tail, but if you do, don't let it go - Ethiopian Proverb Author Sam McManus has collated 15-years’ worth of adventure travel writing in Ethiopia, Japan, Bolivia, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Mongolia, Lebanon, Oman & Costa Rica in this collection of travel stories, which revolve around a central solo journey exploring the mountains of Ethiopia over a three-month period. This is pure travel writing: "The most prized form of Ethiopian Amharic prose and poetry, loosely translated as ‘wax and gold’ ሰምና ወርቅ [sam-enna warq], is meticulously comprised with a focus on the duality of its meanings. The surface meaning, the wax, must be stripped away to reveal the hidden core of gold underneath. Ethiopia as a country also encourages you to look deeper within yourself, to fully understand and appreciate a deeply rich spiritual significance, that often resonates beneath simple or plain exteriors...”

Helpless: A Short Story Collection by Tiffany Christina Lewis

A Short Story Collection Women are powerful and can be rational thinkers under pressure. They can also be devious and vengeful. A woman is not just a ball of emotion. Women can fight, they can protect, and they can win. These eight stories of women kicking ass, standing tall, and refusing to be victims are Tiffany’s opposition to the tropes of true crime. With stories from five genres including Paranormal, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Romance, and Crime Fiction, you are sure to find a story you love. Content warnings: https://tiffanychristinalewis.com/2021/02/25/helpless-warnings/

Oil and Dust by Jami Fairleigh

Politics, Money, Power, Religion, and Greed. These are the things we never again need. Artist Matthew Sugiyama can alter the physical world with his art. As the top student graduating from the prestigious Popham Abbey, Matthew Sugiyama’s future is secure… until he bucks convention and begins a journey to find answers about his birth family. The trouble is, he doesn’t know who or where they are. Determined to find answers, but without a clear destination, Matthew sets out on horseback across a post-technology world, guided only by random flashes of a vision or long-buried memory. Using his skills as an artist to barter for hospitality and supplies, Matthew soon learns his sheltered upbringing has left him wholly unprepared to face the obstacles on the road or his unexpected yearning to join the communities he encounters. When he uncovers a mysterious adversary’s plan to harm the people he’s come to care for, Matthew must decide what’s more important; the adopted family he has created, or his need for answers about his past.

The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai

Teru came to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the glam-metal visual kei scene, but three years later, all he has to show for it is a head of hot pink hair and some skill with an eyeliner pencil. He may look the part, but he doesn't sound it, and tension among his bandmates has him worried about his future. When a mysterious business card offers help, he's willing to take it however it comes. Help comes in the form of Rei, a brilliant composer whose performing career was ended by an accident that left him scarred, injured, and in chronic pain. With Teru's voice and looks, and Rei's money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true - but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers - and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves. THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is an M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, set in Tokyo at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after the pages are closed. "...the way the complicated characters cope with believable pain provides a window into a fascinating subculture." -- Publishers Weekly "A tender, beautifully complex love story about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness, about making peace with the past and embracing the future. With a couple you'll root for and a vibrant soundtrack you can almost hear, this Phantom-inspired romance captures music's power to heal old wounds and weave two very different souls together in perfect harmony." -- J.C. Lillis, author of How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and A&B "If you’re looking for an intense, intelligent and inventive LGBTQ love story, there isn’t a more perfect book on the market right now." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesias

In Gabino Iglesias’ second novel, ghosts and old gods guide the hands of those caught up in a violent struggle to save the soul of the American southwest. A man tasked with shuttling children over the border believes the Virgin Mary is guiding him towards final justice. A woman offers colonizer blood to the Mother of Chaos. A boy joins corpse destroyers to seek vengeance for the death of his father.These stories intertwine with those of a vengeful spirit and a hungry creature to paint a timely, compelling, pulpy portrait of revenge, family, and hope.

Descendants of Time and Death by Winnifred Tataw

It has been a year since the Reign of Ryton, the Demon King, came to an end. Leaving Rodrick to face the burden of the tyranny he left behind. Yet this time he is not alone. After foreseeing massive deaths on the horizon, Lady Death seeks out the twenty-year-old prince’s aid in stopping what seems like an unavoidable war. With the help of his older brother Rayden as his companion, the princess Arcelia, and Queen Riva for support, Roderick agrees to take on the monumental task. But the Diar Brothers are in for a wild ride of intrigue and betrayal when they meet a tyrant and a terrorist both fighting for control of a country that had already suffered under their father's reign. Secrets are revealed, promises broken, and trust is questioned. Rayden and Rodrick are going to have to race against time if they want to stop the war. Their journey will test every limit of their relationship and everything they've ever known.

The Wildflowers at the Edge of the World by Shaylin Gandhi

Yukon Territories, 1898. When circus sharpshooter Sophia Bellerose flees from heartbreak in search of a new life, she doesn’t intend to find work in a Yukon brothel. But she's not the sort of woman to refuse that kind of cash—or the freedom that comes with it. ​ For Sophia, the remote wilds of Canada’s Far North provide the perfect setting to bury old heartbreaks. Up there, memories are short, days are long, and gold dust flows freely for any woman bold enough to make the trip. Even better? She gets to keep her guns. Yet when the warmth of her newfound sisterhood begins to thaw her icy heart, Sophia wonders if she’s stumbled across the perfect life—until she clashes with the local Reverend, whose angel face hides a dangerously devious mind. Not only is he conning the whole town, he’s after both the brothel and her, though she can't tell whether his interest is genuine or just another clever ploy to gain control of her earnings. Determined to preserve her newfound freedom—and ignore the Reverend’s devastating kissing in the process—Sophia unholsters her revolvers and takes aim, ready to do whatever it takes to keep her new life in one piece.

A Jinn's Wish: Hidden Wishes Book 3 by Tao Wong

Sometimes your greatest Wish becomes your greatest challenge. Henry Tsien made a wish to gain magic in a mundane world. Now he’s a mage living in a supernatural and dangerous world. When news that he holds a powerful wishing ring reaches the wrong ears, the danger grows imminent. Even the strongest of allies may fall as his enemies take action. Henry will have to run for his life, Leveling up and becoming more powerful as he tries to hide from his many enemies. All the while, Henry holds one last trump card. But wielding it might see the end of everything he and the world knows. A Jinn's Wish is the final book in the Hidden Wishes trilogy, a Gamelit / LitRPG urban fantasy novel that combines gaming concepts with popular fantasy tropes. It features a hidden supernatural world, magical leveling up, Knight Templars, kickass women, and shadowy supernatural organizations. No romance, no harems but pure magic and adventure.

A Squire's Wish: Hidden Wishes Book 2 by Tao Wong

When a squire on a mission becomes allies with a beginning mage, are wishes enough to keep the world safe? After Henry Tsien wished for magic and the knowledge that comes with it, his world became dangerous. Finding an unlikely ally in Alexa Dumough, the Knight Templar Initiate is not the strangest thing to happen to Henry but it could be just as dangerous. As their partnership becomes friendship, Alexa teaches Henry how to survive in the supernatural world. But soon, Alexa is forced to choose between her friendship with Henry and her loyalty to the Order. Her test to become a Squire plunges them both into a trial by fire, putting their lives and magic to the test. A Squire’s Wish is book 2 of the Hidden Wishes trilogy, an urban fantasy GameLit series. It features a hidden supernatural world, friendship, magical leveling up, Knight Templars, kickass women, and shadowy supernatural organisations. No romance, no harems but pure magic and adventure.

The Forest's Silence: Adventures on Brad Book 6 by Tao Wong

In a magical forest, danger awaits the team. Having escaped the Dungeon, Daniel and his new party members have just begun to relax before a new challenge awaits them. Tula, their Ranger, takes on an expedition quest into the wild's, dragging Daniel and his city-dwelling friends into a new environment. Together, they'll have to face unknown, new dangers, monstrous aerial creatures and learn about the greater dangers on Brad. The Forest's Silence is book 6 of the Adventures on Brad, a young adult LitRPG / GameLit fantasy series. A slice-of-life adventure of everyday heroes attempting to make their living as Adventurers in a fantasy world inspired by your favorite isekai and Japanese light novels.

The Adventurers Bond: Adventures on Brad Book 5 by Tao Wong

A new Dungeon. New friends. And more danger than ever. Daniel Chai's tight-knit adventuring party has now grown with the addition of two new members. The silent Ranger and the maverick Enchanter make for new, interesting dynamics - at a time when the team must face their greatest challenge yet. As one of two teams to enter the newly re-opened Dungeon, the pressure to perform and clear the Dungeon floors have increased. The Adventurers Bond is book 5 of the Adventures on Brad, a LitRPG young adult LitRPG fantasy series. This book includes a healer, a Catkin, a terse Ranger, a loud barbarian, monsters, dungeons and stat screens.

The Arena's Call: Adventures on Brad Book 4 by Tao Wong

To Quest, To Win, To Progress. The Arena Awaits. As Advanced Adventurers, Daniel and his friends journey to Silverholt to attempt larger and more dangerous Dungeons. But just because they've graduated from Beginner Dungeons doesn't mean they'll get any more respect from the experienced Adventurers that make up their new city. They'll have to train, struggle and take part in an arena battle to win a chance to enter the new Dungeon and to gain some respect. The Adventures of Brad series is a traditional fantasy story with LitRPG elements and features a Catkin, a Healer and an enthusiastic barbarian.

A Dungeon's Soul: Adventures on Brad Book 3 by Tao Wong

When the Dungeon changes, a race to the finish begins. The Karlak Dungeon has re-opened with a brand new configuration. A whole new Dungeon awaits Daniel and Asin. Joined by Omrak, the party races to be the first to complete the Dungeon but must face new monsters, new traps and new floor layouts. Will the Adventurers complete the new Dungeon in time? A Dungeon's Soul is traditional fantasy story with LitRPG elements written in the Japanese light novel format of short, slice-of-life features.