|
Lukie's father is trapped in the Underworld and it's all her fault. Twenty years after her murder, Lukie has returned to life and is ready to go home, but her father isn't willing to believe his beloved daughter is back from the dead. Before she can reconcile with him, a supernatural predator steals her father's soul. One that she's led straight to his door, after foolishly ignoring the signs that something was amiss. To get her father back, Lukie must uncover the true nature of the ancient horror haunting Thunderhead Ward before a spectral hunt of bestial ghosts is unleashed upon the world. And she only has until midnight on New Year's Eve, when the borders between the dead and living lands seal, or her father will be lost forever⌠|
|
Lukieâs been murdered. And she needs answers. Sheâs cut a deal with the Underworld to return to the living lands. But when Lukie returns as an undead revenant, twenty years have passed. Her former sleepy beach-side town is now a roaring tourist hot-spot. Her memory is full of holes and she doesnât know which of her old friends to trust. Worse, a monster hunter is stalking her. Lukie has to stay one step ahead, or return to the Underworld without knowing who killed her, and whyâŚ. |
|
Morganâs home is a sanctuary for ghosts. The once-grand, now dilapidated old house they live in has become a refuge for their found family. From Morganâs partner Araminta, an artist with excellent dress sense, to Theo, a ten-year-old with an excess of energy, to quiet telekinesthetic pensioner Denny, all of them consider this haunted house their home. In a world that wasnât built for their queer, neurodivergent selves, theyâve made it into a place they belong. Together they welcome not just the ghosts of the houseâs former inhabitants, but any who need somewhere to belong. Both the living and the dead can find themselves in need of a sanctuary. When a collection of ghosts trapped in old bottles are delivered to their door, something from the past is unleashed. A man who once collected ghosts â a man who should have died centuries before â suddenly has the house under his control. Morgan must trust their own abilities, and their hard-won sense of self, to save their home, their family, and the woman they love. |
|
The Wolf Among The Wild Hunt by Merc Fenn Wolfmoor A disgraced knight must survive a night among the most deadly hunt ever known. With cover artwork by Asmo Grimae and six b&w interior illustrations by Andrew Garin Skythulf wants to live. Raised in the fight pits, trained to kill or be killed, he yearns for freedom thatâs out of reach. Heâs a scythewulf: a wolf-shifter considered neither fully man nor beast, his life worth nothing to his keepersâŚuntil Brennus, knight-champion of Saorlland, rescues him from certain death and offers him a new life. When he mistakenly kills a corrupted nun, Skythulf has one chance to redeem himself and restore his honor. He must run with the Wild Hunt: an age-old trial of blood and courage, where every step hides peril and carnage. If he survives, he will be pardoned. If he fails, Brennus will die brutally at his side. Few have ever returned from the fae-haunted land, where horrors unnamed dwell beside the enchanted and the damned. There is no rest, no relent, and no mercy. In the Wild Hunt, you run or you die. |
|
The Coven of Ruin by T. K. Tucker The merciless God of War, a healer witch, and that meddlesome thing known as Fate. Trista was a healer. But that was before. Before she was dragged to Olympus for a crime she didnât commit. Before she almost died. And before she made a life debt to the god who saved her. The very god who killed the Mothers and damned all of witchkind centuries beforeâAres, the God of War. The Witchbane. Now she canât stand the sight of blood, and her simple, duty-filled life is upended. When she receives an invite to the capital of Witch Country to attend the social season, though, she is hopeful the time away will help her heal. What she doesnât expect to find there is something much more sinister than political games and poorly disguised attempts at matchmaking. Between masquerades and tournaments, Trista is pulled farther into the dark and bloody history between witches and gods. And amidst it all is Ares. Since Trista is the only witch in existence who knows who he is, Ares keeps her close. So close that the lines between enemies and allies begin to blur and she doesnât know who or what to trust. But before she can figure that out, an ill-fated choice and an ancient prophecy may lead them both down a path they canât survive. The Coven of Ruin series is a Greco-Roman myth-inspired, slow burn, adult romantic fantasy set in a different world. |
|
Ember and Eclipse by T. K. Tucker Thereâs a bounty on her head. After committing a brutal crime against Romulâs prince, Rel fled the mortal-dominated north to Witch Country. She wasnât welcomed in the covens, though, so she found a sanctuary in an empty swamp instead. And thatâs where sheâs been hiding ever since. Until the Wolf of Romul, the deadliest witch hunter, somehow finds her after two years. Even as she fights with knives and teeth to get away, the witch hunter continues to hunt her and ruins any of her escape plans. As they journey further from her swamp, theyâre forced into situations that reveal more of their truths, and it soon becomes apparent both are more than what they seem. Lines are blurred, morals questioned, and touches stolen until the hunter becomes just as trapped in his snare as she is. And neither of them may survive it. Ember and Eclipse is a steamy, enemies to lovers, witch X witch hunter, adult fantasy romance. As a Coven of Ruin series standalone, it can be read before or after book 1, The Coven of Ruin. |
|
On Virgin Moors by Alexandrina Wilson The Unity holds dominion over the breadth of space. And now, at last, they've set their sights on the final prize. That prize is Essegena - a planet at the farthest edge of the universe, ripe for human habitation and yet completely untouched. But all is not well on Essegena. Three of the colony's pioneers have vanished without a trace, and in their place a man has appeared who - according to all the records - simply does not exist. Worse still, the infant colony is beset with concerning reports of mysterious lights in the distant trees, shadowy phantoms haunting the edges of their nascent home, strange noises from high up on the cliffs. The colonists need to stay united if they're to make Essegena a success story - but with ambitious vipers around every corner, they've never been more divided. Once they dreamed of a fresh start, far away from their former lives. Now that dream is fast becoming a nightmare. |
|
Muireann spent six months planning to kill the dragon that killed her family. Now the dragon is dead, and she's realized that it was actually the lesser threat guarding a devastating weapon that, if it falls into almost anyone's hands, will bring war and destruction to her world. It can't be left where it is. It can't be hidden. It can't be trusted in the hands of anyone in power or who seeks power. Muireann's only option becomes a reluctant quest with the elf she rescued from the dragon, a would-be knight, a selkie, and an elven mage to find out as much as she can about the weapon and seek a way to understand the magic that created it. Pursued by a dragon-worshipping cult bent on revenge and a hidden enemy that will do anything to remake the world, the five friends must try to find answers before all is lost. Muireann thought that killing a dragon was going to be impossible. Saving the world is going to be much harder. |
|
Wings of Fire by Stephanie Mirro Stealing objects for supernatural clients is my bread and butter. Murder? Not so much. As a phoenix, Iâm used to burning hot and rising from the ashes. Thatâs why I chose to make my living as a world-class thief. Some say itâs dangerous. I call it fun. Or it is until someone beats me to my latest mark, stealing the prize and killing a fae duke in the process. To add insult to injury, I get blamed for the gruesome murder. With my freedom on the line, Iâve got three options. One, confess my failure and spend a few centuries as the caged pet of my sadistic, bloodsucking client. Nope. Two, take the blame and let the hotter-than-hell grim reaper take me to jail. Also a hard nope, unless he sweetens the deal with an offer to burn up the sheets. Is it any wonder I choose door number three? Iâve got to find the real killer, steal back the goods, and remind everyone how I got my reputation as the worldâs best âacquirerâ in the first place. Thereâs just one problem. That sexier-than-sin grim reaper I mentioned? Heâs determined to see me go down. |
|
Over the Dragonâs Gate by Juliana Jones & Riley Sanderson Treya has everything he needs in his pond: food, shelter, and other fish to swim with. Itâs painful to wonder if he had another life once, so he ignores the fragments of disturbing dreams that plague him. But when a boy falls into his pond, Treya discovers heâs more than a fish. He can also become a boy, and now he has a friend: the irrepressible Eli. During secret meetings in the garden surrounding the pond, Treya and Eli forge a bond that even dark magic canât break. But when Eli starts asking questions about who and what Treya is, the two of them discover that questions are dangerous, answers have a cost, and their fates depend on unraveling the mystery of Treyaâs past. |
|
Of Blood, Bones, and Truth by T.M. Ledvina For fans of genre-bending science fiction and fantasy, Of Blood Bones and Truth is a modern take on classic epic fantasy stories featuring murder mystery, front-and-center queer representation, MM romance, and unique magical technology. Kellan Manchester, an indentured political assassin, wants to lead a life of his own choosing. But as one of the Fallen - celestial descendants who are still paying for their ancestorâs mistakes - he has no choice but to do as heâs commanded. All Cassian Evermore wants is to pay off his fatherâs debts and ensure his motherâs safety. Being forced to work for someone he hates is soul-crushing, but when he meets Legion assassin Kellan in the garden of a targetâs home, he canât help but wonder if heâs finally found something interesting. Thanks to a fortuitous reunion in a nightclub, the two men form a tentative agreement to work together to solve a brutal string of murders in Spiral City. Kellan finds himself struggling to connect the dots, while Cassian juggles the emotional toll of targeting someone heâs come to see as a friend. And neither of them can ignore their budding feelings for one another, even while the bodies continue to pile up. Kellan and Cassian are two men with no control over their own fates - but this case could spell the same for the entire world. |
|
The Nameless Throne by Lisa Cassidy An ambitious orphan. A ruthless warlord. An impossible destiny. Arya Nameless is a lowly Raider posted to an isolated fort in the most dangerous place in Dunidaen. She has few prospects, and as much as she loves her fellow soldiers, she burns for more-more control, more autonomy, more power. When her bravery during an unexpected attack leads to an offer to join the household of one of Dunidaen's warlords, Arya finds a home and family she never expected. Yet her quicksilver temper and fierce pride put her place there at constant risk. And as her warlord embroils them all in a dangerous political game to rule Dunidaen, over the border to the west, the Nightstalker lurks. A king who wields powerful magic, the Nightstalker's fate is inextricably entwined with Arya's. His relentless pursuit will force Arya into a choice she doesn't want to make, between loyalty and love, and taking hold of the destiny she was born to fulfill. Which will she choose? |
|
Tone of Voice by Kaia Sønderby Xandri Corelel has spent six months living among the Ongkoarrat after her unceremonious firing from the crew of the Carpathia, and though she misses her home, she has settled into her new life. Then Diver arrives with news that changes everything. The Hands and Voices--squid- and whale-like symbiotic aliens--are masters of bio-engineering and grow a wide variety of species of coral. Now they are in the process of creating coral that can withstand vacuum, with a most stunning end goal: To grow entire spaceships out of living organisms. The Starsystems Alliance is desperate to lure the Hands and Voices into the Alliance and bring this new technology into the fold. And the Voices and Hands are willing, with one stipulation. They will only negotiate with Xandri and the crew of the Carpathia. Returned from exile, Xandri is given the lead on this new mission. She quickly discovers that willingness isn't the problem; the Hands and Voices want to join, but they want full equality in their membership--including the ability to attend council meetings in person. Amid the sunshine and surf of the tropical, idyllic planet of Song, it seems the biggest hardship Xandri and her friends will face is the task of re-rigging a spaceship to carry creatures the size of killer whales. Then the Last Hope for Humanity arrives, and this time they've brought an army. |
|
Descent to the Roses of a Family: A Poet's Journey Into Antiracism and Personal Social Healing by Judy Grahn For those courageous enough to explore how family dynamics create and imprint the structures of white supremacy in each of us, Judy Grahn, an iconic voice of the GLBTQ and Women's movements, has used her masterful poem, "Descent to the Roses of a Family," to expose and closely examine her own family's roses (and thorns) of toxic racism and white supremacy. Grahn uses rich back-stories and mythology to guide us in the process of understanding and healing the split psyche that white supremacy causes and requires. "Descent to the Roses of a Family" is especially valuable for getting past endless intellectualizing about one of our most serious and tenacious social problems. Grahn demands more of us; she insists that we understand emotionally and poetically, as well as intellectually, the heart of white supremacy in the family and its consequences when taken unexamined into the larger world. She leads us out of the fog of denial. Recommended for teachers of antiracism, using literature, sociology, and mythology; also for group discussions and individuals wanting to heal themselves and future generations by finding a better way. |
|
I Am Alex Locus by Joseph P. Garland Twenty-three-year-old Alex Locus stumbles into the world of her late mother, Emily. With each revelation, she learns things she could not have imagined, and struggles to find the truth about her family. Emily had a long-term date with a friend on Friday afternoons. On one of those Fridays, August 8, 2008, though, she suffered a stroke that she did not survive. Nine years later, Alex is passing time at a New York bookshop, enjoying an author read from her collection of stories. Her life changes forever when learns of the existence of the "Emily Locus Award." She introduces herself: "I am Alex Locus." This begins a quest by Alex and her best friend Kate to learn the truth about her mother, starting with their reading the unpublished stories that for years sat in the attic of Alex's one-time suburban home. A quest that will reveal secrets, good and bad, about the family members she knew and some she only came to meet in her search. |
|
The Fifth Horseman by Freida Kilmari No name. No past. One giant future. The only thing worse than suddenly waking up in a magical house with the insanely gorgeous Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Being the Fifth. With no memory of who I am, where I came from, or what Iâm doing here, Iâm thrust into a new life with four people who I might want more from than just friendship. But with no past, how can I possibly plan for a future? The only clue as to who I am? Four different species' magic resides within meâVampire, Fae, Shifter, and Witchâand between them, I might be the most powerful creature on the planet. For fuck's sake. Look out world, Horseman of Magic coming through! |
|
Armando Medina suffered a tragic loss at the hands of some Nitelvosa, supernatural beings who control his world. For decades, heâs been unable to forget the horrific night when his life changed. Izdahl Amasi, a member of a prominent Nitelvosa family, has been fascinated by Armando for years. Izdahlâs heart grows heavier, as Armandoâs stubborn streak denies them the happiness they could have. While the two were close childhood friends, Armandoâs trauma drove a painful wedge between him and Izdahl. Now, as adults, they find themselves connected in unexpected ways. Despite how much Armando tries to avoid the truth, heâs drawn to Izdahl. Looming over them are the events from Armandoâs youth and the mystery of who's responsible for his anguish. Can Armando open his heart and trust Izdahl? Or will Izdahl stop believing they have a chance? |
|
Caste of the Mountain by Nicolin Odel Young Hata Vasara is in the midst of discovering her first love as all hell breaks loose. Her father, Baal Vasara, a Foreman miner in the mountain city of Oitilla, discovered something deep within the earthâan ominous archway of steaming red light. Finding such an unnatural creation in such a place, Baal chooses to cover it up. Unfortunately, his right-hand man, Alvar Kovaa, has other ideas. We find the Vasara family, Baal, Brena, and Hata, in turmoil as the village chieftain accuses the family of lies and notions of thievery. The family is forced to fight for their place in Oitilla or be exiled as treachery follows in their wake. |
|
The Children of Skaad by Nicolin Odel The red-haired young woman awakens within a cage and remembers nothing. Not even her own name. She finds herself in servitude to a vile man and powerful magi. Sluggish and addicted from her enforced intoxication to the drug grit. All under the watchful eye of a strict woman, The Proctor of the Covenant Enclosure, the red-haired girl is trained to use her power to manipulate the earth. But ever so slowly, she begins to regain her memory and struggles to escape this place of unspeakable horrors. Simon Meridio, a simple architect, has been named the First Otsoa of the nomadic people of Hasiera. His wife, Saudett, is pregnant and reunited with her long-lost mother, whom she has not seen in twenty years. He found a Skrull damned magical dagger that granted him unfathomable knowledge. And all thanks to him, the oasis valley of Hasiera has lost its water source, and a magical gateway hiding in the earth brings new turmoil. By the gods, I wish I could go home. |
|
Autumn Blooms Red by L. Cuzidora Itâs been a decade since Avrilâs family was exiled to Ordeaâs smallest province. While not entirely stripped of power, her motherâs bitterness blinds her to Avrilâs needs. So when an old friend of her motherâs shows up with plans of rehabilitation, Avril is quick to join. As months pass and no concrete steps are taken, her own approach becomes ever more reckless. After all, she can count on her parentsâ support. But whatâs the weight of family in a society striving towards equality? Orphaned at a young age, Irina clings to her familyâs traditions in a secular world. She finds little comfort in the Stateâs promises of safety, determined, despite the risks, to help those unable or unwilling to live by the party directive. To her, Avril is a special sort of circumstantial victim, one whoâs not even aware of her imprisonment. But when her faith revolves around leading others onto the right path, who's to watch that she wonât lose herself? |
|
Boy of Shadows by Camilla Vavruch A scarred boy. A power struggle. A unique bird. And painful longing for love. Tristanâs father has abused him since he was a small child, leaving his body scarred and in constant pain. But no matter much Father tries, torture doesnât keep Tristan from falling in love with simple field worker Will. Falling in love? Easy. But showing Will his flaws? No. Damaged in both body and mind, he sends Will away, unwilling to let him see more weakness. Alone and filled with self-hatred, Tristan must face the ambitious Overster Garrensor and his disdainful sonâbut all he wants is Will. |
|
Stone of Shadows by Camilla Vavruch In the slums of Gereon, sixteen-year-old Will struggles to survive and keep food on the table for his siblings. Working each day in the fields, he endures regular torment from privileged bully Tristan Arrington. But when a dragon snatches Will, he discovers a stone that grants him the power of invisibility. Returning to the city, Will uses his new ability and stumbles across a much darker truth about Tristan and his powerful father. Suddenly, the world is no longer black and white. There are people who are much more dangerous than Will ever thought. As a tentative friendship forms amidst a web of secrets, one boyâs life hangs in the balanceâand just how much of himself is Will willing to risk? |
|
Vampire Menstrual Syndrome: The First Cycle by S.C. Hunter Vampire Menstrual Syndrome is the unapologetically queer-feminist supernatural comedy-horror series that no one asked for. The first day of Vanessaâs period takes a deadly turn when she is unwittingly sacrificed by a suburban cult of pretentious teenagers. After being exsanguinated, Vanessa crawls out of her shallow grave and is understandably upset. Caught in a horrible cycle of ingesting and excreting blood, Vanessa needs answersâŚfast. Thankfully, Vanessaâs roommate, Wyatt, is bored of his monotonous summer retail job and is a long-time fan of all things supernatural. Wyatt encourages Vanessa to investigate her own murder so that they can find some answers about her unexpected afterlife. Together, this dramatic duo will go to any lengths necessary to figure out what the hell is going on in their mundane little city. Interrogating and traumatizing teenagers? Easy. Catfishing knowledgeable strangers from a paranormal chat room? Fire off some eggplant emojis. Befriending an occult horticulturalist? Thatâs a green thumbâs up. Rubbing elbows with a pompous warlock? If they must. However, with each misguided step into the Underworld, Vanessa gradually realizes that her murdererâher maker, is trying to hunt her down. Unearth a conspiracy as old as sexism itself or survive long enough to have an afterlife crisis? Hopefully, those two options arenât mutually exclusive. Vampire Menstrual SyndromeâŚand you thought cramps were bad. Content Warnings: The First Cycle, as the name implies, is the first book in the trilogy lovingly known as VMS. As a result, this book has a cliff-hanger ending. This book contains scenes of graphic violence and body horror, hard drug and alcohol use, talk of dysphoria, experiences of queerphobia and microaggressions (in the past), flashbacks of war, death, non-stop period talk (yes, clots and all), and, of course, blood. This book also contains queer romantic tension, steamy make-out scenes, and nudity--with a proposed spice rating of 1 chili pepper. |
|
Elemental Inferno by A.J. Locke Rielle canât have sex â unless itâs winter. As a Winter Aura she brings the good and bad of winter to NYC, and while she can unleash snowstorms for a few months, the rest of the year she canât do anything that could cause her to lose control of herself and accidentally make it snow in June. That means hot, passionate sex is strictly forbidden. No sex life for most of the year used to be Rielleâs biggest problem until the Summer Aura for her area winds up dead and the sun almost scorches the city into oblivion. Aden, a sexier than sin Summer Aura, arrives and cools things down, but heats Rielle up. The attraction between them is magnetic, but Adenâs appearance puts the Elders who guide all Auras on edge, and it suddenly seems like both the Elders and Aden have secrets they donât want coming to light. Despite the air of danger, Rielle is drawn to Aden, especially when he promises he can show her a way for them to indulge their passions without repercussions. And boy do they indulge. But the fun canât last when an Aura is dead with no explanation. And when Adenâs secrets are revealed, the Elders take drastic measures to ensure their own sins remain buried. And their plan could land Rielle in fatal trouble. Aden and Rielle will have to untangle a deadly plot against them before they can continue getting tangled up in each other. |
|
The Vanish Tide (Kitaine Neris #2) by A.J. Locke Kitaine Neris is a Vanish Witch who fell victim to her own magic. Fortunately, her disappearing act didnât stick. After escaping Elsewhere, a chaotic pocket world full of violent criminals, Kit and Marrik return to their lives and try to heal their fractured relationship. But they have to contend with Marrikâs witch-hating family, who want Kit out of his life. And after her failed attempt to Vanish a high ranking, corrupt witch, Kit is in the crosshairs of the powerful High Coven. To keep her safe, Kit and her tale of Elsewhere are thrust into the spotlight. Kitâs heightened visibility makes the High Coven hesitant to retaliate, but stirs up anti-witch groups especially because, thanks to Kit, witches can now become stronger. Not only that, a disruption caused by a magical surge will bring a disaster down on Kitâs city. With her stronger Vanish magic, Kit is the only one who can stop it. But saving her city will be easier said than done when the anti-witch groups zero in on Kit. And when they unleash a devastating strike, no matter how strong Kitâs magic is, it might not be enough to stop her from losing everything. |
|
The Vanish Witch (Kitaine Neris #1) by A.J. Locke There are a few things that could land a witch in hot water. One is having stronger magic than most. Like a Vanish Witch who can make not only objects but people disappear. Another is being in possession of amulets that contain ghosts whose touch is death. Kitaine Neris has both. But she keeps the flirtatious ghost hidden, stays off the High Covenâs radar, and keeps up appearances with her local coven while secretly using her magic to Vanish the corrupt and violent from her city. Until a hit goes horribly awry and Kit ends up Vanishing instead. Sheâs shocked when she ends up in a chaotic, parallel world, and realizes that everything Vanish Witches made disappear wound up there. Including her boyfriend, Marrik, who Kit never meant to make disappear at all. Kit and Marrikâs reunion is passionate, but they need to get back home. But thatâs easier said than done when every bad soul Vanish Witches used their magic on are gunning for Kit, wanting their pound of flesh. When a mysterious and powerful witch presents a way home, Kit and Marrik will do whatever it takes to fulfill the conditions that will free them before the enemy enacts a vanishing act on them that sticks. |
|
Rose Berman is losing her mind. At least, that's what everyone at school seems to think. Plagued by panic attacks that started after her mother's suicide, Rose is the target of frequent teasing and rumors. The only people who understand her are her quirky therapist and her ex-girlfriend, now bestie, Gemma. But when the star quarterback takes "teasing" too far, the school's tattooed, cigarette-smoking time bomb â Elliott King â steps in and punches him in the face. Rose's therapist recommends she try out a sport to manage her anxiety. She can't help but think of Elliottâmaybe if she could punch like him, she'd feel safer and stronger. She sticks out like a sore thumb at the boxing gym, but she soon finds power in the sport and a reprieve from her panic attacks. As their worlds intertwine, Rose and Elliott are forced to face their most daunting opponent outside the Ring: their growing feelings for each other. But Midtown Ring isn't just a gym. As Rose falls deeper into the world of boxing, she learns Midtown is a front for a late-night, underground fight club where Elliott King is the headliner. Surrounded by violence and destruction, Rose's anxiety begins to spiral. She starts hallucinating, just like her mother did before her death, leaving her to wonder if everyone at school might be right. If her newfound physical strength can't keep her grounded in reality, she may be doomed to walk the same path as her mom. |
|
Reckless Truth by Raven Elliot O'Connor When they were children, their brother was stolen and their mother killed. Elyan and Lydia Moore have dedicated their lives to finding out what really happened that night, and where their brother was taken - but the truth will throw them into chaos they could never predict. Combining science fantasy with interpersonal drama, Reckless Truth is a story of finding love and overcoming fear; about testing our deepest personal perceptions and learning to live and love beyond what is expected of us. It is about grief and trauma, and the different ways those things are processed and overcome -- and the scars they leave with us forever. |
|
Unfinished Business by Tim Susman Private Investigator Jae Kim doesnât have a werewolf problemâat least not as long as he can keep clear of his ex-boyfriend Czoltan. But when a suspicious police report hits the streets of Wolftown, Jae suddenly finds himself hunted on the streets he used to freely roam. Dodging bullets from Wolftown vigilantes, heâs stuck hiding out with Czoltan while he and his were-bear ghost Sergei search out whoever set him upâand his life isnât the only one at stake. |
|
The Vitruvian Mask by BJ Sikes Are you intrigued by 19th century Paris with its artists and nobility? How about an alternate history version with forbidden technology and nuns with supernatural powers? 1881: The electric lights of Paris have been extinguished. The Naturalist revolution is over. Adelaide was on the losing side. Once the Royal Scientist Doctor for the now-dead cyborg monarchs of France, she's now a fugitive, hiding from the new king's Police SÊcrète. Pregnant and alone, she seeks refuge in a Parisian hospital but things have changed there too. What was once a cathedral of Science is now a bastion of ignorance and superstition. The battlefield veterans whose Augmented prosthetics she once created are shunned by the new regime and come to the hospital for her help. But her nemesis, the father of her child, has returned to France and threatens to reveal her illegal activities to the authorities. Can Adelaide repair her Augmented patients without losing her freedom ... or her life? The Vitruvian Mask continues the story of Adelaide Coumain, the Roboticist of Versailles, that began in The Archimedean Heart. |
|
The Price of Thorns by Tim Susman In this land where stories are as much a currency as gold or silver, secretsâthe stories you don't tellâalso have their price. Nivvy the thief keeps many secrets, having left his home for the Thieves Guild, then having left the Thieves Guildâinvoluntarilyâfor a life alone. His fortune changes the day Bella, a mysterious woman in an ancient dress, hires him for a nigh-impossible theft: to steal back the kingdom she claims is her own. If Nivvy is equal to this epic task, surely he will be admitted back to proper disreputability in the Thieves Guild. But Bella has secrets of her own, and her quest is not what it appears to be. As Nivvy uncovers some of the truths behind what he'd dismissed as ancient stories and Bella's improbable connection to those tales, he realizes that this journey is more dangerous than he could have dreamed. If he survives this adventure, merely stealing a kingdom couldn't hold a candle to the rest of the story⌠|
|
And so it comes to this. A showdown. An ending. But if we fail - if I end - then reality might follow along behind me. We've been through so much. Torture. Murder. Trap after trap mainly sprung by me blundering head first into them and one of my friends saving my stupid behind. But there's no room for mistakes now. We've got an inkling of what the scumbag we're up against is after. Enough to know what his next target is. Enough to know it's probably his last one. Enough to know it's everything he needs to complete his nefarious plans. If we don't get there first, he wins. Simple. And I'm not sure ... but my gut says if that happens, every living thing in the universe loses. No pressure, right? imPerfect Gods is the sixth book in The imPerfect Cathar series, and completes the first story arc. It is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery, containing dark humour and graphic violence. |
|
At last a warm trail, through blood and bones and long dead kings. The hunt is on⌠Weâre back in Toulouse, and for once we have the upper hand. Our foe has no idea Iâve escaped from his trap in Fairie and weâve got an actual lead. The famous discovery of a certain hunchbacked English kingâs remains gives us a tantalizing clue, and now weâre hot on our enemyâs heels with him none the wiser. Except nothing ever runs that smoothly. Hob kings, goth vampires and back-stabbing double-crosses are all lying in wait. And thatâs just for starters. To make it back to France weâre going to need serious magic, might and high-level brainpower. Two out of threeâs not bad, right? Because if we donât manage it, the hunter might just become the hunted. imPerfect Hunt is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery that spans the south of France, England and Paris. Contains dark humour and graphic violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
|
On a dark and dismal morning, Green Eyes awakens to find herself scratching at her motherâs door. Sheâs had the dream againâthe one in which sheâs a cat trying to climb a mountain to save a girl in distress. The confusing dream haunts her as she treks to the nearby village to sell the mysterious wooden figurines her mother carves. She lives her life in fear: Will today be the day she earns enough money to please her? Or will she return home to face yet another beating? She never knows what to expect until she walks through the cottage door. Her only hope is that her mother wonât damage the wooden prosthetic she must wear after losing her hand as a baby. As sheâs on her way home, she encounters Arduon and Paduon, a pair of wise-cracking crows who tell her sheâs not who she thinks she is. They urge her to go in search of her true self, but Green Eyes resists, afraid of her mother and of the dangers of the world. Itâs only when she learns that her mother is in fact a witch who put a spell on her that Green Eyes finds the courage to escape. Armed with the crowâs wisdomâand a magical sword gifted to her by her friends in the villageâshe sets off on a journey to discover her true identity. |
|
Lost in Paradise by Rachel Lacey SOMETIMES LOVE HAS TO BE LOST BEFORE IT CAN BE FOUND⌠Nicole Morella boards a private Mediterranean cruise with one goal: to reclaim herself after her divorce. When she sits next to a beautiful blonde in the shipâs lounge, sheâs knocked off balance by the immediate attraction between them, and itâs not just because Nicole hasnât found her sea legs yet. Fiona stirs things in Nicole that havenât been stirred in a long time, but a fiery kiss turns dangerous when the ship is hijacked. The women launch a daring escape, leaving them adrift in an empty lifeboat. Fiona Boone has been adrift most of her life, but never in such a literal sense. Sheâs a survivor, though, so when they land on a deserted island, Fionaâs ready to do whatever it takes to stay alive until theyâre rescued. In the meantime, she canât get enough of the feisty woman sheâs stranded with, despite her usual fiercely independent nature. Although theyâre lost, Fiona finds something unexpected in the comfort of Nicoleâs touch. But when an injury puts her life in jeopardy, they begin to worry help wonât arrive in time. If she survives their ordeal, Fiona might just face her biggest challenge yet: falling in love. |
|
Changes in the Wind by Niranjan Gavril has had to hide most of his magical gifts for all his life. Even in a world where magic is common, some gifts are best hidden, especially for an orphan. He has also been part of the rebellion against the Emperor Zathrian since his student days. The lies propagated by the empire and the truth the rebels want to perpetuate make his choice easy. When he gets the appointment of a lifetime as a chronicler of the Empireâs history, he sees it as an opportunity to help his cause. Everything looks as if it's going according to plan until chance brings about a meeting with the Emperor himself. Zathrian is the immortal tyrant whose regime is covering up every truth Gavril wants to bring to light. When an ancient, arcane magic deems the two soulmates, intertwining their destinies together, Gavril is sent reeling. He may refuse the bonds of predestination, but he is drawn to the emperor all the same. How far can he fight fate as well as feelings? |
|
Out of the Shadows by D M Macdonald In Hannah Tree's flotsam life only two things motivate her, injustice and the desire to destroy the person who ruined her life. Troubled loner Hannah Tree's drifter lifestyle changes forever when she meets the statuesque Gloria Starr. Gloria, who sees something in Hannah that Hannah cannot, pulls her off the streets, gives her a job and puts a roof over her head. She also encourages her to turn her fierce pursuit of justice into a detective business. Hannah isn't so sure, but since ramming justice down abusive peopleâs throats is something she's always done she figures she might as well be paid for it. But when, by a twist of fate, Hannah stumbles across the man who ruined her life, her burning need for revenge takes over. Heedless of the consequences Hannah pursues her obsession down dark and dangerous pathways, exposing appalling abuses at every turn, risking not only her own safety but that of everyone around her. But those responsible do not tolerate meddlers. In the end Hannah's quest to save the victims of these vicious criminals, and bring down her bitterest enemy, threatens to cost her everythingâincluding her life. |
|
Against The Stars by Christopher Hartland When an attempt to kiss his best friend becomes a prom night disaster, Elliot Doveâs confusion surrounding his sexuality is thrown into overdrive. Desperate for some clarity, Elliot turns to GlimpseTech, a company offering all over-sixteens a 44-second glimpse of what lies ahead. But Elliotâs Glimpse only makes him more confused, showing him in an intimate moment with Sebastian Glass, the âone gay kidâ in his year at school. Seb, meanwhile, hates Glimpses, and blames the technology for his dadâs absence. But unlike the protesters picket-lining GlimpseTech headquarters, Seb has other things to worry about, like his mumâs depression and the man showing up at his house demanding money. Then he bumps into Elliot, and bumps into him again, until it seems the universe is pulling them together. Despite the vast differences in their lives, Elliot and Seb find something they were missing in each other, and soon friendship blooms into something more. But tensions are growing in the outside world. Rumors of the so-called âLast Dayâââthe day beyond which no one has seen in their Glimpseââare causing widespread panic. With the end of the world an increasingly real prospect, a seemingly uncrossable class divide, and the secret of Elliotâs Glimpse a ticking time bomb, the universe may have other plans for Elliot and Seb. Against The Stars is an exploration of class, love, and destiny, perfect for fans of Adam Silveraâs They Both Die At The End. This speculative, queer romance will have readers desperate to know how things turn out, but if given the choice, would you glimpse ahead? â |
|
Wicked Little Things by Justin Arnold Join a coven. Catch a killer. Get a makeover...? When his cousin is murdered, recently outed 16 year old Dane Craven, is forced to return to his unbearably small hometown of Jasper Hollow. It would be easy enough for him to keep his head down if it weren't for three inescapable facts. â One, Dane is a witch with fiery powers he can barely control. Two, he's been claimed by a coven of fashion forward 'mean girls' desperate to give him a makeover. And three, Dane is pretty sure he's responsible for the death of his cousin. â Being the gay best friend to a trio of teenage witches was never high on Dane's list of aspirations, but fortunately for him these girls have the necromantic powers he needs to figure out who killed his cousin. Plus, he could do with some new clothes. While on the hunt for his cousin's killer, Dane discovers life in Jasper Hollow isn't all bad. There's the cute boy who works at the local coffee shop and enjoys long walks in the woods, for one. But when the rabbit-faced killer comes for Dane, he'll be forced to come to terms with who he is and where he belongs before it's too late for him and everyone in Jasper Hollow. â Wicked Little Things is a spooky, campy, horror complete with mystery, romance, and a whole lot of sass. It's Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Caleb Roehrig's The Fell of Dark. â â "Think The Craft meets Mean Girls, with a pinch of AHS: Coven, then make it super gay. A bitchy, witchy, spook-fest that delivers scares, gore, and so much more! Camp, funny, and with moments of devastating darkness, this book really is full of Wicked Little Things." - Rory Michaelson, author of The Lesser Known Monsters Trilogy âThrow The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Are You Afraid of The Dark, Mean Girls, and Heathers into a cauldron, stir in a little queerness (for flavor) and you've got this book! Wicked Little Things brings the creep factor of urban legends, and mixes in humor, found family vibes, oh yeah, and a possible deal with the "devil" to create a sassy, spooky read that readers will come back to again and again." - Lou Wilham, author of The Hex Next Door |
|
Thereâs a little monster in all of us. After her parentsâ divorce, 16 year old Riley Grishin is forced to move from Portland, Oregon all the way to Little Brook, Maine, a small town that serves as the headquarters for Titan Technologies, an international tech laboratory. Having left her friends and father behind, Riley spends most of her days running through the woods with her dog Tigger, and eavesdropping on her classmatesâin particular, the gorgeous, but very strange, Aspen Montehugh. On the night of the homecoming game, Riley wakes up to find her town on fire, terrorized by an unseen monster. With flames spreading rapidly, Riley and Tigger have no choice but to pile into her beat-up pickup truck and flee. Speeding out of town, they come across the only other survivor: Aspen. When Riley and Aspen finally reach safety, they realize something far more sinister is afoot. According to the news, all other Titan Tech laboratories on the East Coast have been attacked. And even worse, theyâre being followed by an SUV with blacked out windows. With all air travel grounded, Riley has no way to fly back to her dad, so she and Aspen embark on a cross country road trip, all the while pursued by men with guns, mad scientists, and the monstrous truth. Slowly, Riley realizes something's not quite right with Aspen, which puts her feelings for herâand her own humanityâto the ultimate test. Thelma and Louise meet Godzilla in this queer sci-fi adventure, that will appeal to fans of Erik. J Brownâs All Thatâs Left In The World and Charlotte Nicole Daviesâ The Good Luck Girls. â â "An action-packed, gut-wrenching journey smeared with ash and blood - come for the giant monsters, stay for queer girls holding each other up in the face of hardship. A thrilling journey!" - Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us |
|
This Pact Is Not Ours by Zachary Sergi The summer before college Luca Piccone returns to Copper Cove, the idyllic campsite he and his closest friends have visited every year since they were kids. To Luca, Copper Cove is like the setting of the fantasy movies he loves, a sanctuary, protected from the dangers of the outside world, where nothing goes wrong and everything stays the same. But this year things are changing. Desperate to make this summer the best one yet, Luca tries to ignore the freshly torn rifts within his tight friend group, the pangs of unrequited love, the anxiety attacks he thought heâd left back at school, and the shadows at the edge of the forest threatening to break free. Until he learns the terrible truth. Every generation the children of four families are bound by a pact. A pact designed to keep the camp pristine and the monstrous force lurking beneath the campsite imprisoned. But in order to do this, an unthinkable price must be paid--a price that has soaked the previous generations in blood. Can Luca keep his friends, and his favorite place, from being ripped apart? By the end of the summer, only one thing is for certain: Copper Cove will never be the same again. â â â |
|
Chasing The Alpha's Son by Penny Jessup The second book in Penny Jessupâs best selling The Alphaâs Son series. Itâs been three months since their kiss on the beach and Max hasnât heard a whisper from Jasper. With Christmas fast approaching, and despite vowing he would chase Jasper to the ends of the world, Max is ready to give up. Until Alpha Jericho announces heâs sending a select envoy of Elite Pack wolves to an allied wolf-pack stationed high in the rocky mountains, where they will bear witness to a Blood Moon. A week in a cozy ski-lodge sounds as romantic as you can get, so Max decides to give things with Jasper one last shot. But life in the mountains is rockier than expected and finding alone time with Jasper is harder than Max thought. Political unrest between the packs is galvanizing Jasperâs determination to keep them apart, and new and old suitors are emerging in the pursuit of Jasperâs affections. Running headfirst into snow storms, Max begins to question if the destiny heâs been chasing is what he really wants. And when the Blood Moon arrives, bringing irrevocable change that no one saw coming, Max and Jasperâs connection will be put to the ultimate test. Will they find the path between souls among the snow covered peaks or will the mountain roads lead them to an unexpected destiny? |
|
The Alpha's Son by Penny Jessup Max Remus couldn't care less about finding his mate-unlike the rest of his fate-obsessed pack. He totally prefers hanging with his bestie, eating his dad's steak sandwiches, and drawing in his trusty sketchbook. But all that is about to change at the Blue Moon Festival-a summer camp where Elite Pack wolves go to find their mates. The festival is a right of passage for every teen werewolf, and this year's festival will be one to howl home about. The alpha's son, Jasper Apollo, is attending for the first time. When Max finds himself inexplicably linked with the exceptionally handsome but totally jerk-faced heir, he's forced to grapple with the unexpected feelings clawing at his soul. If Max rejects his destiny, will fate's bite be worse than its bark? â Netflix's Young Royals meets Teen Wolf meets Twilight--the first instalment in a thrilling new series, The Alpha's Son is a heart-wrenching Young Adult, Boys Love, wolf shifter romance; full of yearning, comedy, and adventure. Start reading now! And may the Moon Gods light the path between souls. â "Full to the brim with teenage angst, werewolf lore, and plenty of pining, this supernatural romance is perfect for fans of Wranglestone and The Fell of Dark." - Philip Ellis author of Love and Other Scams â "The Alphaâs Son is an adorable debut filled with humor and intrigue. With the perfect amount of teen angst and awkwardness, Jessup weaves a story, who's end you won't see coming, about following your heart and knowing your worth.â - Jordon Greene author of Every Word You Never Said |
|
Ravenâs Creek by David-Jack Fletcher An abandoned motel. A woman flees an unknown danger, taking refuge in a motel. She is never seen again. A mad scientist. A geneticist stretches the boundaries of nature. His experiments, once human, are now something else. Something new. Something hungry. The couple. Michael and his husband Geoff have lost something precious. Their search takes them to a motel. What they find there will reveal a cruelty neither knew existed. And creatures beyond imagination. Welcome to Raven's Creek. |
|
Stars Still Fall by Jules Kelley 1995. A young woman. Her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. The small Alabama town neither of them can escape. And a ghost. Lilly Ann Guthrie is living with a man she isn't married to; she can't hold down a job, and she can't sit in a moving vehicle without having a panic attack. It isn't the life she once imagined for herself, but she can't complain. She has a roof over her head and food on her table, and she doesn't owe either of those things to her only living relative, an aunt whose disdain almost makes her wish she'd died in the same car wreck that claimed her brother and parents. So it could be worse. But in late summer, life decides it has other ideas. Her boyfriend's infamous ex, Jolene, comes back to town and turns everything on its ear, including Lilly's ability to be satisfied by her current circumstances, and strange things start happening around her house. Voices in empty rooms, fleeting glimpses of someone in her peripheral vision. Is she on the verge of losing everything, including her mind, or is she standing on the precipice of having even her most secret wishes granted? |
|
Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX Inherited magic. A secret neighborhood. And... a formidable Homeowner's Association? When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem? |
|
Falling Light by Crystal L. Kirkham Love comes in many forms: family, friendship, romance. But when those you love are considered forbidden, what do you do? â Samir Amin has dedicated his life in service to the Nergal, an ancient organization that monitors and polices the inter-dimensional beings on our world and the magic that summons them. The only dark mark on his career is his close friendship with Anela Mastersonâa being that was long ago trapped in a human body and forced to live near powerless in our world. â When Anela introduces him to Keeler Lim, another being trapped like her, on the condition he keeps it a secret from the Nergal, he does so reluctantly. Things only become more complicated when Anela is kidnapped by a madman who wants to release her darkness on the world and, unwilling to be forced to stand on the sidelines, Samir asks Keeler to help him find and rescue her. It is a decision that causes Samir to be faced with a choice between love and dutyâand it could cost him his life. |
|
Wolf of Withervale by JoaquĂn Baldwin Lago was only a child when the shapeshifter entrusted the wolf-like mask to his careâan artifact so powerful that it could come to shape the entire world of Noss. Now that he is coming of age, Lago is growing ever more fearful of the ominous relicâs influence, of the empire who has scented its trail and is coming after it. Coming after him. Aided by his best friend, an enigmatic scout, and his trusty dog, Lago seeks refuge in the vastness of the Heartpine Dome. The eighty-mile-wide structure had remained sealed for centuries, safeguarding more than mere secrets. Now that the domeâs entrails are stirring, the mysteries of the long-vanished Miscam tribes are coming to light, and the shapeshifting animal spirits are making their return. Powers untold hide behind the blinkless eyeholes of the canid mask, powers that could tip the balance in the war. Lago is barely beginning to learn how to wield the dark visage, but he can already feel its potential. ⌠And he can feel a different change coming, deep in his marrow. |
|
Promise of the Betrayer's Dagger by Jay Tallsquall The last traitor of Arnadore turned his back on his people for a misguided love. Now, he must confront his cursed past, reconnect with his culture, and unlock the magic hidden inside his heart.Exiled and alone, Osman finds himself thrust back upon the shores of the homeland he deserted a decade before. To repay the debt he owes the brother he betrayed, Osman must traverse the Uldani Isles. Across the frozen tundra of Kyflenor, to the mist shrouded giant forests of Mornaserin, and beyondâhis journey will unravel a secret legacy left to him by his father.âPromise of the Betrayer's Dagger is the sequel to Legacy of the Vermillion Blade. It is an epic coming-of-age adventure that explores the pain, joy, and unbreakable spirit of one of the seriesâ favorite characters. The high fantasy world of Rhymera features vivid worldbuilding and a diverse cast of LGBTQIA+ charactersâ -Jay TallsquallSometimes to find yourself, first you have to find your Family. |
|
In Pain and Blood by Aldrea Alien He's unleashed. Unprepared. And thoroughly screwed. Dylan's life in the spellster tower has everything he should want: magical knowledge, safety from the King's Hounds and frequent clandestine affairs with women. All at the cost of his freedom. So when the chance to leave the towerâeven as a leashed weapon for the King's Armyâarises, he seizes it. When his first scouting mission goes awry, Dylan is left alone in a hostile world with the tower a distant beacon of safety. Only the flirtatious Tracker, an elven man whose very presence awakens Dylan's long-repressed desire, can help him return to his old life before the crown discovers his unleashed status. But the risk of being branded a deserter may be the least of his concerns as whispers of an armed presence in the North threatens his home. Dylan must rely on Tracker to protect him even as everything he thought he knew begins to unravel around them. |