stories in and

Empress of Dust

Empress of Dust by Alex Kingsley

There are monsters outside the city walls. Harvard is small, anxious, and plagued by a constant tremor, which is not an ideal combination for a desert scavenger. He and his crew are under constant threat of desertwalker attacks, and Harvard is nearly useless against them. When the biggest mistake of Harvardā€™s life separates him from his crew, he must learn the secrets of the desert beasts in order to survive the dangers of the dusts. Returning to Bastion with a surprising ally, Harvard is forced to choose between saving his crew or allying with the ā€œmonstersā€ who rescued him. Harvard never saw himself as a hero, but when the beasts of the dusts implore him to aid their rescue mission, he holds the lives of crabs and humans alike in his trembling hands.


The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields

*2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!* The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction. On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive pegasus. Thanks to Maraniā€™s mysterious invulnerability, this mostly works out wellā€¦until Marani and her quirky band of outlaws plunder the carriage of the very bossy princess Nuria. The princessā€™s carriage contains not just gold, but a dragonscale comb that belonged to Maraniā€™s murdered mother. Worse yet, Princess Nuria seems to know exactly who Marani is, maybe more than Marani herself. Marani hatches a plan to retrieve her motherā€™s comb, seduce the princess, and make her entire bandit crew rich in the process. But island politics and the island of Yuro itself have other things in mind. Marani and Jacks quickly find themselves caught between warring monarchies, trade disputes, feral pegasi, and a very old, very concerning family lineageā€”all bound within an old penny, a mouthy princess, and a stolen comb.


The Immortal Part of Myself

The Immortal Part of Myself by MJ James

Riley has lived her whole life as an elite daughter of one of the five ruling earthen corporations. She was supposed to be a beautiful figurehead working behind the scenes to help her husband. But the dresses they stuff her in are uncomfortable, social situations leave her confused, and she never really has been a woman. When she was diagnosed with autism, her fatherā€™s only hope was to marry her off. As she aged, her usefulness to her husband has diminished, and he plans on trading her for someone younger. Divorce isnā€™t legal, but murder is. . . as long as you donā€™t get caught. Except Riley has never been as helpless as they believed. She has a gift for navigating technology, one that has let her lead her own rebellion. But to see her ultimate plan succeed, she needs to survive long enough. Her only solution is to get off the planet. When Matty, a Martian ambassador headed home, sees Riley for the first time, she knows her life will never be the same. Riley needs help, and Matty wants to step in to save her even though she doesnā€™t know what she is saving her from. The more the two women come together, the more Matty falls in love. But what happens when the person you love cannot love you the same way?


Phoenix

Phoenix by MJ James

When a rogue vampire threatens to expose vampires to humans, Phoenix has one week to prove sheā€™s the alpha her pack needsā€”before her father hands over her birthright to someone else. Phoenix is heir to the werewolf pack, even if her father will not formally acknowledge her inheritance. The alpha has concerns about her leading the pack because she is autistic. Phoenix is ready to show him that she may be different, but she is more than capable of keeping her pack safe. Now, she has a deadline to track down the rogue vampire and make peace with the vampires before the town of Ember goes to war. She also has to prove that she is capable before her father adopts a new heir. Jared may look the part of an alpha, but he can't fight and he can't think strategically. Giving up the pack to him would be giving up on her family. She has to take down the vampire in a city full of bright lights, loud noises, and more people than she has ever seen. However, Phoenix learned young that an alpha does whatever they need to for their pack.


Lucas

Lucas by MJ James

With nothing left, Lucas arrives in Ember, Coloradoā€”a town that holds the only clue to his past and the parents he lost at a young age. Taken in by Rocko, the compassionate local bar owner, Lucas dedicates himself to saving money for top surgery and building a new life. Everything changes when Veronica walks into the bar. Unbeknownst to Lucas, she is a vampire sanctioned by the council to take his blood. Neither of them realizes that Lucas carries a hidden legacyā€”his parents were vampire kin, genetically predisposed to being turned. Forced into a vampiric existence against his will, Lucas faces an eternity in a body that can never change. Desperate for answers, he finds an unexpected ally in Jeffrey. As Lucas's transformation upends the balance in the magical community, the prospect of war looms over the vampires. Will Lucas find the strength to embrace his new future and navigate this treacherous world?


The Three Worlds: The Valley of Kings

The Three Worlds: The Valley of Kings by Eve Lorenzo

A fleshed out fantasy world, with the focus on three mains moving through the same worlds in very different ways, They are thrust into often harsh situations and forced to learn more about themselves and grow - interspersed with much needed breaks for them to take care of themselves and each other when they're taking themselves too seriously. Yet unseen enemies are the cause for a lot of strife and death around them, and with the tools at their disposal in this magical world, they have to fight to bring the enemies out into the open. A queer fantasy with a more mature tone and deep interest in character psychology.


Season of Dragons

Season of Dragons by Nikki Mitchell

What would you do if you found a dragon egg at your bus stop? Ichabod Surname never imagined heā€™d be spending a Friday afternoon cross-country skiing with a grandma dragonā€”but thatā€™s exactly what happens when he finds a giant egg on the way to school. For as long as he can remember, he has been at war with his siblings because he thinks outside of the box. He stays invisible at home and school, but for the first time in his life, he may be the key to restoring the weather and happiness in the village of Hasir. Can Ichabod and Gran fix what has gone awry and end the sibling war before Ichabodā€™s science teacher notices he is gone? --an enchanting fantasy about finding family, unexpected friendships, and the importance of being true to who you are.


TEETH TALON TONGUE

TEETH TALON TONGUE by Lee Eirinn

"You are set to be bound in the mountains tomorrow. Lord Zeus has called all of my brethren for a meeting. I am too scared to think of why. Why He would call us now, on the eve of your exile? Everyone on Olympus knows of your transgressions, that you will be punished but no one will tell me how. Even the most loosed of lips will not speak of it. Lord Zeus has not told anyone, it would seem. I pray to the fates. May they be kind. My hands shake. My mouth feels dry. My stomach aches." TEETH TALON TONGUE is a dark, queer retelling of the Prometheus Myth. What if Zeus wasnā€™t the one to set Prometheusā€™s punishment, but his avian lover, a vulture? More importantly, a proud beast of Zeus? This is a story about obsessive love, and the measures taken to keep hold of it. TEETH TALON TONGUE is a 4.6k word short story featuring dark subject matter. Please refer to content warnings before reading. This story is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.


By Dust & Duty

By Dust & Duty by K.C. Phillips

By Dust & Duty is the moody yet enchanting first installment of Forgotten Heirsā€”a dystopian sci-fantasy romance spanning multiple realities. At 28, Ereta still hasnā€™t found her footing in life. She stumbles through it as an anxious tangle of insecurities, finding solace only in banter with friends and the strange comfort of recurring dreams. Along with her best friend Leelinā€”a shameless flirt whoā€™s far too handsome for his own goodā€”she passes long days as a Runner on the cold desert planet of Veirbos. When a bizarre supernatural encounter brings her to the brink of death, Ereta realizes she has a choice: to remain a victim of her miserable circumstances or to shed her long-held helplessness and actively create a future she can believe in. Her foray into boldness begins, as many good things do, with a kiss. But this world was not made for romantics. As Ereta's hope leads to new and troubling questions, her circumstances grow ever more dangerous, until she's finally forced to stare down cruel truths about a society that would sooner see her dead than curious. But when everything seems set in stone, maybe, just maybe, she can find a way to save herself. By Dust & Duty is the first in a four-book series where nothing is as simple as it seems. We begin with a lost woman on a barren planetā€”but stick with her, and you might just find yourself in an epic romance spanning worlds and time, defying your every expectation along the way...


Black Widow's Bite

Black Widow's Bite by Bella Reves

Addison has resigned herself to the fact that sheā€™ll be alone forever, thanks to an unfortunate ā€˜giftā€™ that drives anyone who touches her to the brink of insanity. When a vicious attack sends her tumbling down a staircase, Addison stumbles upon four reclusive men who are just as troubled as she is. Wyatt, whose tortured soul screams for relief as he takes pain from everyone around him. Austin, whose affinity with snakes has left him stuck inside for fear of cruelty. Piper, whose ability to see the future comes at a terrible cost, leaving his mind fractured and his clarity waning with each passing day. Cain, the terrifying protector of this group of misfits, would gladly burn the world - Addison included - to keep them safe. Addisonā€™s world is turned upside down as fate keeps pushing her towards these four men, and she begins to wonder if maybe this den of monsters is exactly where she belongs. On the heels of her arrival, the group receives a terrifying warning, and Addisonā€™s dreams begin to look more like dark omens as they prepare to fight an unknown threat. What could be so evil that it would scare the monsters lurking in the dark?


Holland, My Heart

Holland, My Heart by Jennifer J. Coldwater

You know that stress inventory you can take? You get one point each for a long list of disastrous life events? Letā€™s just say I have lost count. In the last year alone Iā€™ve lost my husband (and his brother), sold our home, moved across the country, quietly quit my job, watched my closest friend-slash-sister-in-law move out of the country, andā€¦ well, I guess thatā€™s it. Could be worse, right? So, here I am. My name is Holland Gallagher and I'm a twenty-seven-year-old MBA with no job and a broken heart. Which, of course, is when my best friend-slash-mother-in-law Naomi introduces me to her oldest and dearest friend, Kai Ipu. Heā€™s the empirically attractive Black-slash-Samoan CEO of a corporate consulting firm (think a started-in-his-dorm-room company with an eye to making corporations better citizens of the world). But Iā€™m a mess and heā€™s significantly older than I am. So, I donā€™t have to worry about that, right? Youā€™d think. He just invited me to join his company. Iā€™m never one to turn down a challengeā€¦ so, here goes everything. Loosely based on the Bible book of Ruth (but with f-bombs from Kai, Hollandā€™s drunken confessions of adoration, and one spicy sex scene), Holland, My Heart is the first in a collection of biblical womenā€™s stories retold as contemporary romance. Holland, My Heart is an MF, dual POV, love-after-loss, slow burn, witty standalone romance.


When Ivy Met Adam

When Ivy Met Adam by Jennifer J. Coldwater

When I met Ali, I thought Iā€™d won the girlfriend jackpot. She was not only tall, dark, and hot AF, but also charming, funny, and kind. We met at first-year student orientation in our dorm. Four years later, Ali broke my heart when she determinedā€”without consulting meā€”that we should go our separate ways. ā€œYouā€™re going to law school and Iā€™m going to medical school. Weā€™ll both be so busy for the next eight years, Ivy. I donā€™t want to hold you back.ā€ Now, more than a decade of single status later, my internal alarm clock has started going off every nine minutes. ā€œI think Iā€™m going to get back on the apps,ā€ I tell my sister Iris. The first person I match with is Adam. Heā€™s everything I never knew I wanted: snarky, biting humor, super serious. And his photos are steamyā€”heā€™s built like a swimmer, all abs and arms. We set our first date for New Yearā€™s Eve. (Because who's afraid of Cuffing Season?) As fate would have it, it won't even be that long before I fall into his arms... And learn we have a truly heartbreaking history. Loosely based on the Bible story of Eve, When Ivy Met Adam is the second in a collection of biblical womenā€™s stories retold as contemporary romance. When Ivy Met Adam is an LGBT+, dual POV, second chance, forced proximity, love-triangle standalone romance.


My Shy Alpha

My Shy Alpha by River Kai

With 10 enchanting illustrations, My Shy Alpha is the first book in an empowering, steamy fantasy series that leaves readers swooning for a shy Alpha Lycan while rooting for an abuse survivor as she rediscovers what it means to be loved. Aliya Matsuoka meets ā€œhimā€ in her dreams - a regal yet unexpectedly shy man. But strangest of all, he always meets her in the forest, where their instant bond escalates into a sensual night beneath the stars. In waking reality, a monstrous ex blurred Aliyaā€™s judgment on whom to trust. She wonā€™t even kiss most dates, let alone ā€œget down and dirty in the leavesā€ with a gorgeous stranger. When Aliya follows an uncontrollable urge to retrace her dreamā€™s steps, reality surpasses her wildest imagination; sheā€™s living amongst Lycans, shapeshifters who can morph into wolves at will. Outspoken for his ā€œuntraditional valuesā€ that Lycan sexes should have equal rights, shy Alpha Noah Greenfield faces constant pushback from other Alphas who thrive on dominance. Aliya, however, finds his social defiance alluring. As Aliya and Noahā€™s fated love transcends all bonds, Aliya unleashes her desires. But diving into this paranormal fairytale isnā€™t enough to erase Aliyaā€™s trauma; thereā€™s always a chance another monster could follow her home. Equal parts heartfelt and steamy, the My Shy Alpha series follows an epic love story for both seasoned werewolf lovers and new readers dipping their paws into the shifter universe


Cupid Calling

Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh

Ejiro Odavwaro wants to fall in love. Obiora Anozie wants a free vacation. Both hope theyā€™ll find what they want on the upcoming reality dating show Cupid Calling, where theyā€™ll be competing alongside twenty-eight other bachelors for the heart of one bachelorette. The very last thing they expect is to fall for each other.


To Wield The Darkest Night

To Wield The Darkest Night by Beau Van Dalen

Every night, I see that manā€”that lovely strangerā€”in my dreams. So strong, mysterious, gentleā€¦ but a stranger all the same. Until one day he shows up at my doorstep, and promises me adventureā€¦ As a closeted trans man and apothecary to a small town, Sol is numbed by his uneventful life. Stifled by his neighbors' expectations, he only finds comfort in his sleep, where he is haunted by visions of a mysterious lover: a man too perfect to be real, yet too vivid to be a dreamā€¦ At first, Sol makes nothing of these strange nighttime apparitionsā€”until the lover from his visions, Yohan, walks into his potion shop years later asking for him personally. Tall, darkly mysterious and handsome, Yohan is a knight cursed by forbidden magic whose King has fallen ill. And Sol just happens to be one of the rare people able to craft a cure. Now, Sol finds himself with the perfect excuse to leave his small town behind, and just the perfect man to do it with. A sensual tale of self-discovery following a trans man MC and his gay lover in a darkly supernatural yet cozy romantasy world.


The Multiverse- Amnesty

The Multiverse- Amnesty by R. Sims

Max's life on Marzolie, the ancient world of Mars, was marked by its deep-seated misogyny and internal conflict. Just as Mephistoā€™s forces launch a devastating invasion, Max is deceived into escaping to Gaia (Earth) by none other than his younger sister. Unbeknownst to him, he is the UnMaker's oldest, and likely most evil, son, with a destiny intertwined with darkness. Kalion Amarys, former Yaragru princess and a formidable immortal, is tasked with escorting Max back to the war-torn planet. As she grapples with Max's disdain for her gender and him going through maturity, she now finds herself conflicted by her own emotions. Max's demands for her to abandon her immortal duties and bear strong sons challenge everything she stands for. Max, meanwhile, has grand plans. He wants to save his planet, marry Kalionā€”despite bizarre racial quirks, such as growing flowers from her head and being yellow. Yet, heā€™s determined to make a few changes to her, including overcoming her pre-selected mate, and starting a family immediately; since motherhood would make her forget her friends and obligations and her independent adventuring ways. As Max and Kalion clash over their differing goals, their journey becomes a test of endurance and trust. With Mephisto's threat looming, can they overcome their differences and find a way to return to Gaia together? Or will their quest end in ruin, like so many before them?


The Moon, The Stars & Everything In Between

The Moon, The Stars & Everything In Between by Wendi B. Dennison

The Moon, The Stars & Everything In Between is the second book in the Seeing Stars Series. David Vernon couldnā€™t be worse with relationships. Every romantic encounter he ever faced left him feeling hollow or unfulfilled, somehow wrong or misplaced in the world. He had nearly given up on love altogether, until the Spring of 2003 when David met Andrew Braiden, a sweet, shy artist just trying to put beauty out into the world without derision. Andrew Braiden never thought he would see David Vernon again after he broke his heart the year before his twentieth birthday. But four years later, fate had other plans, as did Davidā€™s exuberant little sister and Andrewā€™s best friend, Amy. Despite fear and distrust and a torrid history of heartbreak and longing, David and Andrew have found each other once more, and this time, they have no intention of letting each other go. But long-distance relationships arenā€™t easy, especially when the one you love is states away, leading a life you could only imagine. Whether ghosts from the past come back for haunting or new demons arise that threaten to force a wedge between them, David and Andrew learn what it means to love another person unconditionally, as well as the importance of loving yourself just as much.


Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras

Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras by Tilly Bramley

After World War II revealed their existence, the Fae of mythology and folklore were thrust into human society. Resettled in America, the Fae have mostly refused to integrate with their human counterparts. But Adelaide, granddaughter of the Queen of the Nymph Court, has been living a content life in Boston amongst friends, lovers, and a bustling coffee shop. Her mixed heritage has allowed her to spend most of her life avoiding royal commitments. Until now. The queen must change the inheritance laws, requiring Adi to rejoin the confines of etiquette, obligation, and the occasional torture session. Forced to take consorts, Adi finds herself surrounded by male nymphs seeking power and passion. However, when a revolutionary group approaches her, Adiā€™s life gets a whole lot more interesting. And when the dark and brooding Captain Brynā€™s aura starts to intertwine with hers, Adi begins to question everything. With her homelandsā€”and bedroomā€”in chaos and ripe for rebellion, the future of the Fae rests solely on her. Adi must decide: Does she want the throne, or does she want to see the downfall of the monarchy?


Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars

Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars by Ryan J Hamshaw

For Seventeen-year-old Liam Oā€™Connor, nightmares become reality when he dreams of a fellow student's murder. Eager to uncover the truth, Liam and his friends investigate, revealing hidden secrets about his identity. Targeted by the menacing Dark Friars, Liam is saved by the enigmatic Tariq, who introduces him to a supernatural world where good and evil battle in the shadows. Can Liam juggle college, family, friendships, and desires while bearing the heavy responsibilities of his newfound destiny? Against the picturesque cathedral city of Sarumbourne, the looming threat of the Dark Friars intensifies, and Liam's normal life shatters amid the chaos.


Zinnia

Zinnia by Sofia Rose

Zinnia: A Spicy Monster Romance Rosie runs a successful cafƩ on the Human side of the city. When Finnegan the Orc, an executive at the Fortune Record label, drops by to drop something off Rosie is taken completely off kilter. Will Rosie listen to Finnegan's crazy ideas for her business or will she stick with the comfortable life she's created for herself?


Iris

Iris by Sofia Rose

Flora and Sebastian are going on tour together... join their team as new relationships develop between Humans and Monsters. Book three in the Fortune Records series follows Maddox, Nereus, Daisy and Cleo. Will they learn to work together with their new found connections?


Aster

Aster by Sofia Rose

A Sapphic Monster Romance Hyacinth is starting her first job as a sound tech, and it's with the illustrious Fortune Records label. She knows that her life is about to get an upgrade, but what she didn't expect was the effect her new coworkers would have on her... In Book Two of the series, Monsters and Humans are now working together in their joint studio space. With tensions running high, Hyacinth is drawn to two beautiful Monsters. Can she come to terms with her identity and follow through?


Snapdragon

Snapdragon by Sofia Rose

A Spicy Monster Romance In a world where Humans and Monsters are segregated, Flora has to decide what side of history she wants to be on... Flora is a Human trying to make it big in the music industry. Her development deal with Fortune Records is coming to an end and she is now faced with the true harshness of the industry. When presented with the mysterious Sebastian, she canā€™t help but be intrigued... but will he be to her downfall or will he be exactly what she needs to shine?


Mistress Of Hours

Mistress Of Hours by Emma Elizabeth

Two unlikely lovers find themselves entangled in a web of dangerous secrets as they try to save a nation from its dying magic. This fantasy romance is perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and The Plated Prisoner series. Evienne is living her dream as the highest-ranking blood mage in Ichorna when the queens assign her to monitor two unexpected visitors from their elusive northern neighbor of shifters, Beitar. She canā€™t help her curiosity when one of the visitorsā€“a striking academic with piercing green eyesā€“seems determined to seduce her. What starts as a dalliance pulls Evienne into a web of centuries-old secrets that could turn her world, and her understanding of her power, upside down. Orion, a professor from Beitar, arrives in Ichorna to attend their turn-of-the-millenium celebration with a singular goal in mindā€“ he must find answers about his peopleā€™s dwindling magic. He needs an Ichornian ally, though, and the alluring blood mage Evienne may be the key to his success. All his plans are upended, though, when an ancient magic awakes in his soul. Despite their different allegiances, Evienne and Orion decide to work together to uncover the truth of Beitarā€™s failing magic. As the horrible threads of the past unravel in the present, Evienne must choose between loyalty and her own integrity. The lives of a whole nation hang in the balance. With unforgettable characters, rich lore, and lush imagery, this LGBTQIA+ fantasy from debut author Emma Elizabeth explores the joy of unexpected love, the heartbreak of betrayal, and what it means to take a standā€“no matter the cost.


The Songbird and The Forest

The Songbird and The Forest by Emma Elizabeth

Ilex the Dryad has lived alone in the forest for years, content with only the trees for companions. Their greatest joy in life is feeling the sun on their face, until a woman with red hair rides into their forest astride a horse made of bone. Dahlia is a necromancer who has a knack for crafting potions. She's never really fit in with her more somber companions in the Dead City, so when she is chosen to attend a celebration on the other side of the continent, she's eager to set off and see the world. What she doesn't expect is to find a beautiful Dryad and maybe...a chance at a love like she's never known.


The World of Juno

The World of Juno by Daniel Eavenson

Explore the birth of a new world! Journey through time and space to the intricate biosphere of Juno, where three species have been birthed by the gods. First the Kuhifadi, inheritors of sun magic, able to do great deeds with magic stored in their bodies. Second the fearsome Uchafumlaji, technological savants who live in the depths of the ground. Third the weird Ngisikaa, a species uplifted from animals through communal memories. Small decisions and single individuals will affect the tide of history. Learn of the first Ngisikaa to meet death, whether a Kuhifadi will make the sacrifice to become a mage, and if an Uchafumlaji can build a bridge to the past. These stories and more will create The World of Juno! With content by: Nick Bright and Brent Lambert, C.J. Hosack, Nate Battalion, Daniel Eavenson, Malcolm F. Cross, Katie Cordy, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Reese Hogan, Cedan Bourne, Robin C.M. Duncan, and X.M. Moon


Fiery Deeps

Fiery Deeps by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Fire is Power! Quest to the heart of the earth, cross flaming rivers, and brave the fire with our heroes to discover unlimited strength! From fantastic underground cities, to superheroes, to magic of the forge, titanic forces of nature collide in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on the power of women. Contains stories by: William C. Tracy, J.S. Fields, Robin C.M. Duncan, Sara Codair, N.L. Bates, Rosiee Thor, Maya Gittelman, Heather Tracy, N. Romaine White, and Dee Lyle!


Lofty Mountains

Lofty Mountains by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Look to the skies! Brave adventurers face new relationships and adversity in all sizes, from steampunk dirigibles to harpies, giant bees to garden gnomes, and winged dinosaurs to sky pirates. Isolated mountain peaks, clifftop cities, and battles in the sky abound in this sapphic anthology focused on overcoming challenges awaiting in the clouds. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic-centric heroines enjoying the thrill of adventure high in the air, buy Lofty Mountains today! With stories by: Seanan McGuire, Rosiee Thor, Rebecca Kim Wells, Maya Gittelman, Carmen Loup, Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, L.R. Gould, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields


Farther Reefs

Farther Reefs by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

The seas spell freedom. Pirates and kraken, boats and submarines, deadly sirens, mermaids, and the women who face them all. These are our heroes. High seas adventure, fantasy, and magic weave together in this sapphic anthology focusing on the joy of the unbounded oceans. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic heroines exploring oceans, battling sea monsters, and seducing pirates, buy Farther Reefs today! With stories by: Sarah Day and Tim Pratt, Kim Pritekel, Kyoko M. Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Margaret Adelle, and J.S. Fields


Distant Gardens

Distant Gardens by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy

Rules were made to be broken. From terraformed outposts to magical realms, journey to worlds where deadly plants, rampant biodiversity, or failed colonies have created irresistible opportunities for those brave enough to seize them. New worlds, found family, mystical secrets, and deadly science weave together in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on a very different kind of first timeā€”a first encounter with a world, or being, entirely unlike our own. If you like diverse stories with lesbian heroines practicing science, magic, and seduction, buy Distant Gardens today! With stories by: Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields


On The Verge

On The Verge by G Severino

[on the verge: at the point when (something) is about to happen or is very likely to happen, but it never does.] "On The Verge" is a nonfiction, journaling-style novella where I deal with my anxiety, dive into my emotions, and drift through the motions of life.


Alaris

Alaris by Fanny Vergne

Twins. The tale of a villain and a hero. Druids living secluded in the Astral Forest, Lucine and Solehan have been blessed by the stars since birth and are poised to become the protectors of the druidic clans during the Eclipse. But when a strange curse befalls the ceremony, the twins, sole survivors of the massacre, find themselves separated. Taken away from his loved ones by an enigmatic and malevolent being, will Solehan succumb to the discovery of his deepest desires? Left to herself and to the dangers of a world of which she knows nothing, and meeting fellow travelers with contrasting devotions and colorful personalities, will Lucine manage to uncover much more than she hoped for? Between bonds of love and friendship, will this surprising group of adventurers succeed in finding Solehan before it's too late and in saving humanity?


Foxhunt

Foxhunt by Rem Wigmore

In a lush solarpunk future, plants have stripped the poison from the air and trained warriors keep resource hoarders in check. Orfeus only wants to be a travelling singer, famed and adored. She has her share of secrets, but sheā€™s no energy criminal, so why does an assassin come for her head? Not just any assassin but the Wolf, deadliest killer in all the Order of the Vengeful Wild. Orfeus will call in every favour she has to find out, seeking answers while clinging to her pride and fending off the hunters of the Wild. But she isnā€™t the only one at risk: every misstep endangers the enemies she turns into allies, and the allies she brings into danger. There are worse monsters than the Wolf hiding in this new green world.


The Snow Thiefā€™s Amulet

The Snow Thiefā€™s Amulet by Rowan Redfield

An ice-elf seeking redemption. An assassin with hidden magic. A promise struck in blood. Nivia's god is dead, and she is responsible. A magic amulet could redeem Nivia and free her people, the ice-elves, but first she'll have to go through the Queen of Mammoth North. And Nivia may be a thief, but she's no assassin. Mysterious ice-magic thrums in Thane's veins. But assassin life never allowed him a chance to seek answers to his ability, until now. After a heist gone wrong, Thane discovers that the one who might hold the answer to his magic is none other but his mortal enemy: an ice-elf, seeking an amulet. A reluctant bargain is struck, and the heist for the amulet begins. But the bad blood between Thane and Nivia turns to undeniable attraction, and their seething desire begins to melt the ice.


Thornfruit

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them. Alizhan canā€™t see faces, but she can read minds. Her mysterious ability leaves her unable to touch or be touched without excruciating pain. Rescued from abandonment and raised by the wealthy and beautiful Iriyat ha-Varensi, Alizhan has grown up in isolation, using her gift to steal secrets from Iriyatā€™s rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own. When Alizhan discovers that she isnā€™t the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, thereā€™s only one person she can trust. Ev liked having a secret. None of the other girls in the village had a thief-friend. Evreyet Umarsadā€”ā€œEvā€ to her parents and her one friendā€”longs to be the kind of hero she reads about in books. But the rest of the world feels impossibly far away from her life on a farm outside Laalvur. Ev will never lay eyes on the underground city of Adappyr, the stars of the Nightward Coast, or the venomous medusas that glow in the dark depths of the sea. At least on her weekly trip to the market, Ev gets to see her thiefā€”the strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesnā€™t hesitate. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that draws them all over Laalvur and beyond. Thornfruit is the first book in The Gardener's Hand trilogy.


Bard City Blues

Bard City Blues by Nathaniel Webb

Music, magic, mystery, drinking, family, and gelatinous cube. Gally Chaparral is a highland girl with a dream: move to Lackmore, join the Bardic Guild, and get a gig at a fancy tavern on Symphony Hill. Unfortunately, becoming a bard isn't so easy. No good tavern will hire a student, her teacher is a jerk, and the only job she can find is washing dishes at a bar at that seems to have recently been a dungeon. When Gally auditions as her tavern's new bard, things start looking up. But her first show is ruined when the owner accuses Alix, a beautiful but obnoxious postal rider, of destroying a valuable painting. Now, to keep the gig, Gally must prove Alix's innocence. But there's more to the mystery than the loss of a painting, and being forced to work with Alix has Gally wondering if this brassy delivery girl is really as bad as she seems...


Green Fuse Burning

Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris

After the death of her estranged father, artist Rita struggles with grief and regret. There was so much she wanted to ask himā€”about his childhood, their family, and the Miā€™kmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Ritaā€™s girlfriend Molly forges an artistā€™s residency application on her behalf, winning Rita a week to paint at an isolated cabin, Rita is both furious and intrigued. The residency is located where her father grew up. On the first night at the cabin, Rita wakes to strange sounds. Was that a body being dragged through the woods? When she questions the locals about the cabinā€™s history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forestā€™s lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like sheā€™s never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swampā€™s decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another.


Sordidez

Sordidez by E.G. CondƩ

Vero has always felt at odds with his community. As a trans man in near-future Puerto Rico, he struggles to gain acceptance for his identity and his vision of an inclusive society. After a hurricane decimates the island and Puerto Rico is abandoned by the United States, Vero leaves his home to petition the centralized government for aid and seek the truth about new colonists arriving on the island. But in the Yucatan, Vero finds a landscape ravaged by an ecological disaster of humanityā€™s own makingā€”the Hydrophage, a climate technology warped into a weapon of war and released onto the land by the dictator Caudillo. Amidst the destruction, Vero finds both desperation and hope for regrowth as he documents the lives of the survivors. Details about the colonistsā€™ intentions emerge when Vero meets the Loba Roja, an anti-Caudillo revolutionary who imagines the renewed power of the Maya. Intrigued by her vision of the future and her unapologetic violence, Vero is faced with life-changing questions: can an Indigenous resurgence protect his beloved island? And what must he sacrifice to support it?


The Potion Gardener

The Potion Gardener by Arden Powell

Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. Itā€™s while hiding in a rural garden shed that he meets Kells, a potion witch, who agrees to shelter him in exchange for manual labor until he gets his life together. Leaving his pampered London existence to work on a secluded cottage farm is a shock, but Florian throws himself into it with passionate determination. And itā€™s not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor. Thereā€™s just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florianā€™s main concern is how to explain himself when it happens. He's definitely not a girl, but he's not entirely a boy, either. With all the magic in Kellsā€™ garden, there must be a way for him to achieve his ideal androgyny. However he looks, Florian will have to face his past if he wants a future with Kells. Even if he avoids London forever, eventually his past is going to come looking for the girl he used to be. The Potion Gardener is a low-stakes, low-angst cozy fantasy novella in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s world with magic. All the Flos Magicae stories are standalones, and can be read in any order.


Three Curses and Other Dark Tales

Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson

Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devilsā€”many. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight.


Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore

Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson

Be careful what you wish forā€¦ Weā€™ve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD ā€“ Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT ā€“ Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG ā€“ Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED ā€“ Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN ā€“ K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIANā€™S GAMBIT ā€“ Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES ā€“ McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON ā€“ Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES ā€“ Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS ā€“ Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE ā€“ Leife Shallcross (Australia)


For the Rest of Forever

For the Rest of Forever by Becca Neil

No matter what mountains we face, weā€™ll climb them together. Greg Westinā€™s thriving career as a landscape photographer is a passion heā€™s built and cultivated for decades. Although heā€™s now well into his mid-fifties, Greg is always looking forward, eager for the next mountain to climb, the next trail to hike, the next photo to capture. His love of nature and photography is second only to his love for his husband, Allenā€”a man with a heart of gold and more kindness and compassionate that anyone heā€™s ever known. Allen Westin has worked hard to build a life he lovesā€”a life that is not defined by the trauma he suffered in his childhood, but by the community and people heā€™s surrounded himself with. His career at the public library in the small town of North Bend, Washington has given him a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and his marriage to his best friend and husband, Greg, has filled his life with joy, love, and adventure. But when an incident at the library sets off Allenā€™s deeply rooted anxiety and depression, he and Greg have to face a new challengeā€”one where the next mountain to be conquered isnā€™t out on the trail at all. They must trust in the depth of their love to help them find their footing as they forge ahead into the next phase of their journey toward their forever, together. For the Rest of Forever is an emotional, angsty MM contemporary romance that tells the unhurried story of two older men in a long-term, committed relationship and how their deep love helps them overcome some of lifeā€™s darkest moments. It features heavy mental health issues, hurt/comfort, past trauma, an established relationship (thirty-plus years), a silly but stubbornly protective terrier named Beans, and a sweet happily ever after. Trigger warnings: references to past trauma, including parental neglect and physical/emotional abuse; instances of panic attacks and moderate to severe anxiety; brief instances of suicidal thoughts/ideation; brief mentions of homophobia; food aversion/eating disorder.


Tell Me Again

Tell Me Again by Becca Neil

very minute away from you is a minute too long. Coop Itā€™s been ten years since he kissed me, and I can still feel itā€”his warm lips, his soft touch. He was my best friend, but then he abandoned me just before my entire life fell apart. When he shows up at the diner where I work, with his fancy job, new car, and beautiful fiancĆ©e, my heart feels like itā€™s being ripped in two. Should I bury my feelings, forget the past, and give him a second chance at rebuilding our friendship, even though I know it can never be anything more than that? Josh Ten years ago, I made the worst decision of my life in the aftermath of the only kiss that ever meant something to me. I never stopped loving him, even if I didnā€™t get to tell him that. When I run into Coop at a small diner in rural Nebraska, all those feelings I suppressed for years are back, threatening to upend the perfect life Iā€™d built. Iā€™ve got two weeks to convince him Iā€™m sorry. But can I keep my other feelings locked away, or will that sexy baseball cap of his be my undoing? Tell Me Again is a high-emotion, slow-burn(ish), second-chance(ish) MM contemporary romance set in a small town in rural Nebraska. Itā€™s a story of best friends to strangers to lovers, featuring past emotional trauma, found family, virgin MCs, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Trigger warnings: references to alcoholism and an abusive parent with an alcohol use disorder, references to and brief instances of parental homophobia, mention of a parent who passed away from cancer, mention of past homelessness.


More Than Words

More Than Words by Becca Neil

I love you, Sam. Just four simple words. Easy, right? Oliver Ellisonā€™s heart knows the words are true. Sam Reynolds is the love of his life, and Ollie wants nothing more than to tell his boyfriend how he feels. But trauma and pain from a brutal assault nearly two years ago have kept Ollie from being free to say the words out loudā€”or to express his love through physical intimacy. Sam understands. He was there at the beginning, after all. He was the one who took care of Ollie during the aftermath, and heā€™s been there ever since, with his sunshine-filled smile and endless support. Healing is a long road, and Sam is committed. However long it takes. But when a family emergency on the opposite side of the country forces them apart, Sam and Ollie might need all the strength of their love, and much more than just words, to help them get through. More Than Words is an emotional, angsty MM contemporary hurt/comfort romance that tells a story of deep love, living with PTSD from past trauma, and building a forever through life's ups and downs. It features PTSD/trauma and healing, an established relationship, found family, virgin MCs, and a guaranteed (and very sweet!) happily ever after. Trigger warnings: references to off-page assault, PTSD with flashbacks, implied homophobia, food aversion/eating disorder; see inside preview for additional content warnings.


Island of Spirits

Island of Spirits by Maureen Flynn

A dangerous world of magic. An island at war. A princess who holds the key to peace or destruction. Magic kills on Blackley Island. So when Princess Sirran's older brother, Crown Prince Accolon, is cursed by a powerful enchanter from across the sea, she's faced with an impossible choice. Does she use the terrible spells that are her birthright and risk the lives of everyone she loves or stand aside and watch as her home is conquered by the cruel Witch Queen's army? With time running out to save Blackley Island, Sirran must ally with hidden outcasts and forbidden spirits to prevent the apocalypse that's coming. Too bad her own people don't trust her. Too bad the enchanter she's up against is so powerful. The odds are stacked from the beginning, but Sirran is stubborn. Let the fight for Blackley Island's future begin ...


Physics Trincarnate

Physics Trincarnate by Jesse Pohlman

After a group called the Consortium Of Trust saved her from a kidnapping attempt, Saffron Latchkey has been training with their resident empath, Erica Hall. Erica chose to use her powers of empathic projection to manipulate the outcome of the 2016 election and become the President of the United States, and sheā€™s teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortiumā€™s most capable agents are sent on a mission to curtail a duo of rogue super-Humans scheming to steal nuclear weapons, Saffron is brought face to face with her kidnappers once again: Her own adopted family. In the darkness of her new captivity, she learns the truth of why they wanted control over her life, and of how she was adopted in the first place. If she can succeed where The Consortium failed and take down these rogues she can save lives, but that would mean surrendering to her destiny when all she wants is control over her fate. Worst of all, it might mean killing those that try to harm others, a bloody weight she simply isnā€™t eager to bear.


The Saint of Heartbreak

The Saint of Heartbreak by Morgan Dante

Two of the Bible's greatest villains... After his betrayal with a kiss, Judas Iscariot dies in despair and goes to Hell. When Christ saves other souls during the Harrowing of Hell, he leaves Judas behindā€”but not alone in the ninth circle, where the most detestable traitors go. Callous, resigned, and abandoned by God long ago, the Devil sees Judas as a pathetic wretch, but he soon finds a kindred spirit. As the centuries pass, they struggle to find even a sliver of happiness in Hell. Doomed by the narrative, will they find happiness, or will their story continue to be a tragedy?


Sloe Moon: Tall Trees

Sloe Moon: Tall Trees by C. M. Kuhtz

What if the Chosen One doesnā€™t get chosen? Sloe Moon, youngest child of the ruler of Tall Trees, has always wanted to follow in their fatherā€™s footsteps and become a famous wizard. Instead they are expected to marry for the good of the Moon family and uphold an age-old alliance. When the opportunity arises for them to travel to the famed wizard council of Goldenlake, Sloe and their best friend Qes set off on a journey that will not only put them in the path of mortal danger but also entangle them with the fate of the Moonā€™s allies, enemies, and the mysterious men from the Eastern Cities, who have come to the land of the families with their own agenda. With so many odds stacked against them, will Sloe be able to fulfil their destiny? Sloe Moon: Tall Trees is the first volume of a six-part queer fantasy series with a fat, nonbinary protagonist.


There Ought To Be Shadows

There Ought To Be Shadows by Krissie K. Williams

Moonstone, South Carolina. A town where nothing is what it seems. Marilyn Maxwell is an accomplished woman in all areas. But what people donā€™t know is she has struggled with the demon of death since she was a child. After a personal crisis forces her to re-evaluate her life, she reluctantly decides to relocate to her hometown of Moonstone, South Carolina. This decision sends her spiraling into a world full of conjure, celestial wonder, and the murky unknown. An insidious force has crippled the town she once left behind, and she must rush against time to stop it. Guided by Great Grandmother, her beloved spirit from the other side, she embarks on the most difficult journey she has ever undertaken. Marilyn uncovers Moonstoneā€™s dark historyā€”one filled with horror, deceit, and dread. In the end, she questions what is fantasy, what is reality, and who she really is.


The Bone Key

The Bone Key by Mary Rajotte

Centuries ago, the First Witch of the Aquelarre Buho coven conjured the ability to transform into an owl. Since then, a faction of hunters known as Los Cazadores has been intent on stealing that magic for their own. As Valeria hones her craft, her hopes of being granted the power to shape-shift are disrupted by a terrifying vision. A haunting woman appears in the shadows as she did when Valeria was a child, a foreboding omen that culminates in the murder of her best friend, Gwen. Seeking solace, Valeria flees south to reconnect to her roots. Still, her journey turns bittersweet when painful memories of her fatherā€™s death resurface and fuel her determination to protect those she loves. As Valeria delves into darker magic, she discovers her abilities are stronger than anyone knew. But just as her confidence soars, the hunters return intent on stealing the Elixir the witches rely upon for their transformative powers. Can Valeria conjure the bravery needed to protect her covenā€™s legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing theyā€™ve spent centuries pursuing.


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