I Am King: Book One by Damien Shillingford

SPFBO7

Ten year old Beaumont never meant to get anyone killed. But when Rancine, the man who murdered his mother and father, sent assassins to capture him and deprive him of his right to his father’s stolen crown, the weight of his destiny came crashing down on him and his loved ones. After the assassination of the King and Queen of the Middle Island’s, young Prince Beaumont was taken from the island nation and hidden away in the secluded mountain village of Mount Hope in the newly discovered realm of Hattan, waiting for the day he was a man and could reclaim his stolen crown from his families killer. But the arrival of a warrior named Nisila and her mysterious raven Shadowcry, changed all his plans and at ten years of age Beau must brave the wilderness with his cousin Julius as they flee for their lives. With the help of Nisila, Shadowcry, Julius and a foul mouthed, ill-tempered sellsword named Gavin, Beau must brave harsh winter storms, mythical creatures, forsaken ghouls, black magic, determined assassins and a powerful demon in hopes of making it back to the safety of his homeland in the Middle Islands. This is a character driven story, about survival, trust, friendship and overcoming adversity. Readers who enjoyed such fantasy works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones) and Poul Anderson’s The Broken Sword will enjoy the nostalgic, classic fantasy vibe of I Am King. With lead characters of color and a pinch of influence from West Indian folklore, readers can expect a classic fantasy tale with diverse representation and plenty of the elements that make classic fantasy memorable and exciting. With no sexual content or strong adult language, this is the perfect gift for young readers of fantasy/action adventure.

Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar

SPFBO7 Indie Recs Indie

Game of Thrones meets Arabian Nights in this blood-soaked fantasy epic inspired by the crusades, featuring Lovecraftian gods, mischievous djinns, and astral magic! They took his daughter, so Micah comes to take their kingdom. Fifty thousand gun-toting paladins march behind him, all baptized in angel blood, thirsty to burn unbelievers. Only the janissaries can stand against them. Their living legend, Kevah, once beheaded a magus amid a hail of ice daggers. But ever since his wife disappeared, he spends his days in a haze of hashish and poetry. To save the kingdom, Kevah must conquer his grief and become the legend he once was. But Micah writes his own legend in blood, and his righteous conquest will stop at nothing. When the gods choose sides, a legend will be etched upon the stars.

Fourth Sister by M. L. Farb

SPFBO7

Shi, shi, fourth and death. Fourth sister and twin to death. Brother born silent. Blamed for her twin brother’s death, Shisei, the outcast fourth of seven sisters, apprentices herself to a mask maker; but when the local Kazoku accuses the youngest sister of killing his son, Shisei must lead her sisters in a deception that will either save the youngest or condemn them all. Fourth Sister is a Japanese fairy tale retelling with sparse poetry and gold-mended brokenness. A Studio Ghibli type story which invokes reflection. Little Women x Spirited Away

Privilege: A Trilogy by Bharat Krishnan

SPFBO7 WriteHive Book Club

In this epic saga about privilege and power, Rakshan Baliga will have to choose between the American Dream… and his own. New York’s drug problem is Rakshan's solution. Getting his hands on a super drug called WP could earn him glory, power, and a chance to win back his ex. But stealing it from the Top 1% is costly, and if Rakshan isn’t careful he’ll pay with his life. Discover how Rakshan’s journey sets off a chain of events that changes his city, his country… and the world. This OwnVoices political thriller is perfect for fans of Ocean’s 11 and House of Cards.

Ethereal Secrets: Shadows of Otherside Book 3 by Whitney Hill

Arden Finch's conflict with her former guardian reaches the breaking point. As Arden's power grows, Callista works to twist the alliance away from her once more. To secure her ties with Otherside, Arden must outmaneuver both enemies and allies in a race against time. Between that and complications with the upcoming Reveal, a high-pressure case is exactly what Arden doesn't need. But the goddess Artemis has a task, one that will push Arden to her limits and force her to question everything. And as the Wild Hunt draws closer, she finds herself on a collision course with her past—and her future.

Alyssa Fairfield by Tiffany Christina Lewis

Smart, talented and fun-loving, Alyssa Fairfield is a junior at UCLA. She believes she is firmly in command of her life until one harrowing, late-night run proves to her that not everything is in her control. After surviving a vicious assault, Alyssa becomes devoted to finding her attacker. Now she must fight her own demons while developing her skills as an investigator, and trying to apprehend a cunning and deadly assailant. You will love this #OwnVoices story about survival and triumph, fighting demons and rising above tragedy.

El Jefe by Tiffany Christina Lewis

In this third installment of the series, Detective Michael Taylor of the Oakland PD has a decision to make: Should he begin an investigation against his corrupt lieutenant? After being given a file of evidence against him, Michael is expected to act. He knows that after multiple attempts on his own life, opening this investigation would put himself, all of his loved ones and his partner Det. Alex Jamison in danger. As Michael contemplates the case, he and Jamison get a late-night call to the residence of Mia McDowell, who is found assaulted and murdered. Although it initially looks like a breaking and entering, Michael can sense something isn’t right. Just as his momentum rises, Lt. Bruce Vega, the corrupt supervisor in question, arrives on the scene. As the two come head to head, Michael removes himself from the situation only to find that he has fueled Lt. Vega’s fire, and he is now under a month’s suspension. Now Michael has to make some choices: will he investigate Lt. Vega and risk everything or will he do nothing and risk losing himself?

Stitches by Tiffany Christina Lewis

Oakland Police Detective Michael Taylor is faced with another gruesome case: a dead man with no eyes and lips sewn shut. After catching a grisly Bay Area serial killer, Michael is hit on all sides by change. He starts his investigation with a rookie detective for a partner, his love life is in turmoil, and the pressure at the PD is mounting as the newly minted partners receive a second case that is being pressed as a priority. Michael, the consummate loner, has to manage all of his new relationships, keep his wits and juggle the demands of the PD as he tries to get justice for his victim. Just as the tag team start to hit a stride, the murder attempts start to pile up and Michael is in the crosshairs. The duo must work fast to defend their victim and save Michael’s life.

Inside Out by Tiffany Christina Lewis

Detective Michael Taylor, of the Oakland PD, is the lead on a horrific serial killer case. For six weeks, he has been cleaning up mounds of the killer’s mess. Bodies of men have been found chopped up and left, skin down, for display. Michael, mysterious to many in his department, is desperate to solve this case. Michael’s only form of stress relief, Candy, a stripper employed at a San Francisco club, begins to show genuine interest in him and they form a relationship amidst all the chaos that is Michael’s life. Between interviews and police reports, Michael makes time for her. Candy, more commonly known as Vanessa, gets tangled in Michael's case as things unfold. A killer’s desire for retribution leaves her a victim of crime. Vanessa has to use her wit and charm to keep a killer at bay as she leaves bread crumbs for Michael to follow. The lovers must survive a serial killer's plot for vengeance while practicing trust and loyalty throughout.

The Curse of the Minotaur (Perils of S.P.A.C.E Book 2) by Cameron D. Blackwell

Captain Sundance Starmont and Lieutenant Timmy Falken escort their new friend, Astralyn to Planet Destin to pick up an Old Earth Artifact known as The Minos Cube. It looked like a simple cube, but upon retrieval of said cube, they find themselves trapped inside it, lost in an ever-changing maze. If that wasn't bad enough, they find they are not alone. They are being hunted by a massive minotaur who is very hungry. Can the StarTango crew survive the maze long enough to escape? Or will they succumb to the hunger of the beast?

The Crystal Eggs by Cameron D. Blackwell

S.P.A.C.E. agents Captain Sundance Starmont and Lieutenant Timmy Falken attend a gala event for the reveal of the Ovarium Crystal Eggs when suddenly a gang of Space Chickens busts it up, demanding the Eggs be returned to them. With the Eggs stolen, the S.P.A.C.E. agents realize that was only the beginning. Queen Chickadee seeks to use the Eggs to exact her revenge on the human race for the destruction of her planet. Joined by a museum curator, Astralyn Winner, Sundance and Timmy must retrieve the Eggs, and save New Earth from annihilation. If you like Flash Gordon and Doctor Who, this is the series for you!

Let Loose the Fallen: Book Two of Children of the Nexus by S. Kaeth

Teacup Dragon Coop SFFOasis

The priestess searches for her faith. The fire-wielder wrestles with her past. The psion dreams of peace. And the hero is torn between his heart and his duty. While grief scatters the four protectors to the winds, outside forces write history according to their own whims. The fate of the Rinaryns lies twined with that of the boy, Eian, caught in a tug of war the heroes are unaware of. But the evidence lies waiting for Taunos and the others to see, if only they can move past their betrayal.

Eldritch Sparks: Shadows of Otherside Book 2 by Whitney Hill

The deal that secured Arden Finch a measure of freedom came with strings, and now everybody wants to pull them. Arden has carved out a place for herself in Otherside—at a price. Pressure mounts as she juggles her day job as a private investigator with her new obligations, fraying relationships, and growing elemental powers. If that wasn't enough, a lich has appeared in the Triangle, sowing violence and raising zombies. Everyone wants Arden to get rid of it⁠, including the gods. But the lich offers something Arden has always wanted: enough power to stand alone. All she has to do is put herself first for once...and betray everyone she cares about. Urban fantasy and paranormal fans of Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter, Seanan McGuire, and the early Anita Blake series will find a kick-ass heroine in Arden. Praise for Eldritch Sparks: Shadows of Otherside Book 2 "A compelling book of Otherside that goes from strength to strength." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Elemental: Shadows of Otherside Book 1 by Whitney Hill

Enter an urban fantasy world where elves, vampires, weres, djinn, and fae maintain a precarious balance of power in North Carolina. Welcome to Otherside. Private investigator and sylph Arden Finch is determined to come out of the shadows and practice her forbidden magic. There's just one problem: the elves have a bounty on elementals like her. When an elf hires Arden without realizing what she is, she seizes the chance to gain leverage in the dangerous world of Otherside⁠—even if it means risking exposure. But as the case grows more perilous, Arden draws the attention of the region's deadliest power players. Fans of Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter, and the early Anita Blake series will find a kick-ass heroine in Arden. Content warnings: swearing, light consensual sex, physical violence, death, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), threat of sexual violence.

Between Starfalls by S. Kaeth

SPFBO6 WriteHive Book Club Teacup Dragon Coop SFFOasis

Never leave the path.  It’s sacred law, punishable by exile. When her son goes missing in the perilous mountains, Kaemada defies the law to search for him. She enlists the help of her hero brother, a priestess berserker, and a fire-wielding friend. But the law exists for a reason. When the search party is captured by the mythical Kamalti, they learn that Kaemada’s son was sent to an ancient prison city. As they battle for freedom, they discover a horrible truth that will change the future of both races forever. With their world in upheaval, Kaemada must find a way to peace if she's to save her son—but tensions between the two races are leading to war.