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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 |
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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 |
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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 timeâa 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 |
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[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. |
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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? |
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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 sheâs 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 isnât 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. |
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The Snow Thiefâs 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. |
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There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them. Alizhan canât 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 Iriyatâs rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own. When Alizhan discovers that she isnât the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, thereâs only one person she can trust. Ev liked having a secret. None of the other girls in the village had a thief-friend. Evreyet UmarsadââEvâ to her parents and her one friendâlongs 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 thiefâthe strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesnât 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. |
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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... |
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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 himâabout his childhood, their family, and the Miâkmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Ritaâs girlfriend Molly forges an artistâs 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 cabinâs history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forestâs lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like sheâs never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swampâs decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another. |
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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 humanityâs own makingâthe 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 colonistsâ 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? |
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The Potion Gardener by Arden Powell Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. Itâs 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 itâs not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor. Thereâs just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florianâs 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 Kellsâ 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. |
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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 & devilsâmany. 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. |
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Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson Be careful what you wish for⊠Weâve 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 â Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT â Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG â Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED â Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN â K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIANâS GAMBIT â Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES â McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON â Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES â Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS â Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE â Leife Shallcross (Australia) |
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For the Rest of Forever by Becca Neil No matter what mountains we face, weâll climb them together. Greg Westinâs thriving career as a landscape photographer is a passion heâs built and cultivated for decades. Although heâs 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, Allenâa man with a heart of gold and more kindness and compassionate that anyone heâs ever known. Allen Westin has worked hard to build a life he lovesâa life that is not defined by the trauma he suffered in his childhood, but by the community and people heâs 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 Allenâs deeply rooted anxiety and depression, he and Greg have to face a new challengeâone where the next mountain to be conquered isnât 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 lifeâs 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. |
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very minute away from you is a minute too long. Coop Itâs been ten years since he kissed me, and I can still feel itâhis 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 fiancĂ©e, my heart feels like itâs 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 didnât 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 Iâd built. Iâve got two weeks to convince him Iâm 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. Itâs 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. |
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I love you, Sam. Just four simple words. Easy, right? Oliver Ellisonâs 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 loudâor 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 heâs 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. |
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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 ... |
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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 sheâs teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortiumâs 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 isnât eager to bear. |
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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 behindâbut 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? |
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Sloe Moon: Tall Trees by C. M. Kuhtz What if the Chosen One doesnât get chosen? Sloe Moon, youngest child of the ruler of Tall Trees, has always wanted to follow in their fatherâs 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 o ff on a journey that will not only put them in the path of mortal danger but also entangle them with the fate of the Moonâs 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 ful fil their destiny? Sloe Moon: Tall Trees is the first volume of a six-part queer fantasy series with a fat, nonbinary protagonist. |
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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 donât 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 Moonstoneâs dark historyâone filled with horror, deceit, and dread. In the end, she questions what is fantasy, what is reality, and who she really is. |
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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 fatherâs 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 covenâs legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing theyâve spent centuries pursuing. |
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Ravens & Roses: A Women's Gothic Anthology by Kristin Cleaveland, Judith Crow, Carla Eliot, A.L. Garcia, Tara Jazdzewski, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Liz M. Kamp, Catherine McCarthy, Olivia Claire Louise Newman, Alexa Rose, and Helen Whistberry A woman haunted by guilt. A man obsessed with the obscene. A vampire consumed by love. Ravens & Roses is a unique collection of Gothic stories penned by a diverse group of women authors. Pulling inspiration from some of the greatest Gothic works of our time, these writers have created eleven poignantly beautiful tales of love, tragedy, and the female experience. |
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Eros & Thanatos: An Anthology of Death & Desire by Alexandria Baker, Megan Bontrager, Dan Dolan, A.L. Garcia, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Jeremy Megargee, Newton, Kayla Whittle, Ashley Van Elswyk and Perry Wolfecastle Death, my dear, is only the beginning... Freud once theorized that human beings are subject to two drives: love (Eros) and death (Thanatos). While his psychoanalytic theory has long been expanded upon, no one can argue how fundamental love and death is to our existence. Within this collection are twelve stories that explore the fine line between these concepts. It also features a diverse group of authors whose often unheard voices tell stories of resilience, strength, and triumph through tragedy. Haunting as any Quill & Crow anthology, these stories seek to intrigue, inspire, and give a whole new meaning to "until death do us part." |
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A Conjuring of Dandelions by A.L. Garcia A collection of poetry by A.L. Garcia: "As far back as I can remember, I have loved dandelions, not only for their beauty, their crudely vibrant nature, their medicinal properties, and the way they dance in the breeze, but also for their capacity to resist and persist past efforts to eliminate them, to reduce their impact on manmade things deemed more valuable like perfect lawns, and other manicured spaces where their specific wild is unwelcome. A Conjuring of Dandelions is rooted in that spirit, that hope, and the yearning to sow my own seeds, speak my own truths once more, and maybe inspire a few unkempt roads to freedom, as dandelions do." |
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Star-crossed Betas by Emory Winters Star-crossed Betas is an MM, paranormal, wolf-shifter romance set in the North of England. A hard-earned HEA is guaranteed. Book 1 in The Northern Shifters series follows Connor and Phoenix as they navigate first love, first heartbreak and a second chance to build a life. But is history doomed to repeat itself when a larger mystery begins to unfold? Connor Ending up in an arranged marriage with the man who ripped my heart out of my chest and put it through a blenderâwas not on my bingo card this year. Yet what did I expect when I made the most clichĂ©d mistake of falling in love with the son of the enemy pack? If we donât find a way to coexist and build a pack together, weâre in breach of the peace agreement. But how do you forgive the unforgivable? Phoenix Regret should be the title of my memoir. One secret spilt to the wrong person toppled my life like a house of cards. Iâm desperate for Connor to forgive me, but too much is at stake if I tell him the truth about why I betrayed him. How are we supposed to build a life together on a land filled with bitter-sweet memories? The last pack on this land died in a series of fires fifty years ago. I only hope that Connorâs fiery temper doesnât lead us to the same fate. |
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Under the Lupine Moon by A. Knightley Under the Lupine Moon is a cozy MM paranormal shifter romance with high heat and murder mystery, set in a small Alaskan town brimming with paranormals. It is the first in a series where each book focuses on one couple's HEA. Finn Winters has exactly two friends, loves to cook, and can turn into a wolf the size of a Clydesdale whenever the mood strikes. But when loss leads him to someone who feels so right, even through a phone screen, Finn wonders if taking a chance and letting him in might be worth it, if it means calling him his own. That is, until he's stood up. After Jaime Lamont inadvertently witnesses the murder of one of Monroeâs most prominent citizens, all he wants is to hide away in his quiet, safe cabin and forget about the chances that were ripped away in one horrible night. But when heâs thrust into a world of danger and mystery, he finds himself in the arms of the man he thought he'd lost all hope of ever knowing. With Finn and Jaime back in each other's lives in a way they never expected, the electric chemistry between them is undeniable. But will hidden truths and unknown dangers tear them apart before they can even begin? Or, can they find their way back to one another? |
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He would have no embarrassing secrets. He would be perfect. Liu Xiaokai does everything he is told. He listens to his parents. He's a clever businessman. He's the city's most eligible bachelor. All he has left to do is prove that he's the perfect son--that he's worth becoming his father's heir. That he's nothing like his older brother, who abandoned the family. And then that older brother comes home. He will make his father pay for what he did to him. Liu Xingyu knows two things: firstly, that he loves his little brother. Secondly, that he hates his father. That's all that matters. When he first left all those years ago, he was determined to never come back, but after he met a man named Zhang Weiran, he knew there was only one thing he could do: go back home, and tear down everything his father loved. He won't let them get away with it. Zhang Weiran has had only one thing on his mind since he was a child: fulfill his parents' dying wish and get revenge on the organization that killed them. And it just so happens that his friend and unrequited love Liu Xingyu is not only deeply connected to this shadow organization--he also wants them gone just as badly as Weiran does. Now the only thing they disagree on is Liu Xingyu's suspicious little brother. |
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MĂ©nage Ă Claws by Amelia Lascaux Sloane Connelly was desperate for an escape from her horrible boss and manipulative father. So for her 32nd birthday, Sloane takes a long overdue beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Her trip is derailed when she runs into her ex, TÄne, the plant elemental who broke her teenage heart. Determined not to waste this second chance, she takes his offer for a fresh start: to work at his new openly magic bar and gives their relationship another shot. Maybe she could finally break free from her father's influence and find joy in her life again. When she meets Nivya, her new metamour and a snow leopard shifter, she's determined to fit in to this new polyamorous world. But the more she and Nivya work together at the bar, the more Sloane wants to be with her. After years of being told by her father how disappointing and unworthy Sloane is, does she deserve the opportunity for two loves? And when her father demands more from her than ever before, can Sloane finally take back control of her life? This book is for adult readers as it contains dark themes of trauma, abuse, violence, and detailed explicit spice. |
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The Blood Curse by Jessica A. McMinn "Darker, grander, richer, and filled with even more delicious emotional turmoil, The Blood Curse is simply everything you could ever wish for in a sequel, and then so much more." â Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" â The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things rightâeven if it means submitting to prophecyâs chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destinyâs sick game. With demonspawn mobilising in unprecedented numbers, she and Rei-Hai Shaw must confront the dangers awaiting them beyond the western border⊠and those lurking within their shadows. Kriah, adrift at sea, struggles with the aftermath of breaking the first seal. Now, Azetâhaal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and itâs only a matter of time before they make their move on the mainland. But as a new threat spreads across the east, Kriah must uncover the origins of the deadly blood plague and convince the vulnerable people of Whytâhallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddessâs soul? |
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Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey âWith my blood, I bind you. I bind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice. You will depend on me as I will depend on you. You will defend my life with yours, and I will do the same for you. This Bond is sacred. It shall only be broken by death.â Vindtâs tranquil life as a lordâs son comes to an abrupt end when his homeland is overthrown. Friends, family, his freedomâhe loses it all to Singers and their dark song magic. Human in appearance, Singers are a different species. Their powers only fail against the demons hunting them. But even this flaw has a patch: humans with a rare and valuable âtraitâ. It allows Singers to take over their voice and use it like a weapon. Vindt turned out to possess this trait, and was bound to a Singer by blood. Ever since, he has struggled to break free. Unexpectedly, a chain of events binds him to a new Singer: the sly and enigmatic Asche. From day one, their egos clash. Only, their encounter was no coincidence; Asche needs himâbut for what? To free the Singers from the curse that plagues them? Or because Asche is on a quest for power, as the Singerâs brethren believe, who are determined to bring him down? Caught in the middle of their fight, Vindt gets yet another unexpected opponent: his wayward feelings for someone heâs supposed to hate. When Ascheâs enemies offer Vindt freedom in exchange for delivering Asche into their hands, Vindt has to make a choice. |
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The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt A mysterious invitation from an old friend brings private investigator Richard, spaceship pilot Eddie, and travel guide writer Alannah to a gorgeous, bustling metropolis on a planet where the dominant species can literally smell fear and lies. Wenamak appears to be the picture perfect place, down to the finest detail, but dangers lurk beneath its pristine surface. When a flippant wendek undercover agent seeks assistance on a delicate job, the Colibri Investigations crew soon find themselves tangled up in a shady game involving a web of illegal trade and exploitation. Luckily, Richardâs military training, Alannahâs intimate knowledge of the local culture, and Eddieâs tough attitude give the team the perfect edge to meet their clientâs needs⊠at least until they run into someone familiar whom none of them expected to see again. Thereâs no planet too distant, no job too strange, for Colibri Investigations! |
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In the early 1990s, Jonah Carter almost made it big. With a breakout role in a well-regarded film, he had never been closer to achieving his dreams. But behind the scenes, dark forces devised a plan of their own, costing the briefly shining star both his dreams and freedom. Years later, Jonah is still bound to the City of Angels, living in solitude with the echoes of a long-forgotten dream. His peaceful life comes crashing down with the reappearance of his detective ex-boyfriend. Hayden is investigating the disappearance of a young actor, and the bloody signs all lead back to Jonahâs mysterious past. As his buried secrets come roaring back, Jonah must join forces with the man he thought heâd lost forever. But how can they defeat the ones who live in the shadows? |
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Trust in Tomorrow by Dana Sweeney Sleepwalking let them survive a nightmare. Desire woke them up. Demetri When the world ended, I came to the Stronghold and joined their military. Even made it to the helmet corps with the best and brightest. Life in the barracks is a nonstop party, everyone living like there's no tomorrow. Let's face it, there probably isn't. When my friends joined a resistance movement against the rich jerks who run this place, we needed a place to meet. The library would be perfect if it wasn't for the librarian being a total snoop. I offered to chat her up for the greater good... and because I can't stop thinking about her. Save the world, get the girl. Win-win. Stella I arrived in the city weeks before the world ended. I thought I was living a fairy tale, engaged to a prince⊠but the fantasy was dead even before the dead started to rise. Officially in mourning for my fiancĂ©, I run the library and try to avoid attention. Yet somehow, Iâve caught the eye of a handsome soldier. He makes me long for freedom, control over my fate. But this elite society considers me an asset; they will never let me go without a fight. How do I know so much about the Stronghold? I helped build it. |
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Love is in the air. Probably. Most likely. But will a bit of turbulence get in the way of their love taking flight? Drew Parker knows heâs never going to get married. Fall in love. Have a family. But thatâs okay, really. Itâs safer that wayâliving life out to his family but otherwise in the closetâjust as his parents have always told him. Besides, though heâs attracted to men, heâs never felt the urge to actually be intimate with anyone. So, really, it doesnât matter. Until Drew meets Zach. Zach Harrisonâs anxiety doesnât rule his entire life, just mostly his social life. And undeniably his love life. According to his best friend, Jen, itâs the sole reason why heâs never had a date or even been kissed. Heâs hoping someday heâll just run into his Prince Charming and theyâll live happily ever after. But real lifeâs not that simple. When Tired-of-Lawyering-All-Weekend Drew meets Absolutely-Terrified-of-Flying Zach, Drew comes to Zachâs rescue, and sparks seem to fly. And when a snowstorm grounds their connecting flightâand every flight in the cityâtheir instant love connection starts to soar. After spending almost two blissfully perfect days in the same hotel room being in love, itâs clear theyâre made for each other. But is âmeant to beâ enough to help Drew finally get over his fear of flying? Fear of Flying is a steamy, strangers-to-lovers, instalove, snowbound, one-night-stand (okay, it was two nights) gay romance novel, featuring virgin MCs and only one bedâa story about finding love and self-acceptance in the most unexpected places. Content warning for homophobia, toxic parenting, and depictions of moderate-to-severe anxiety, including aerophobia. |
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Farzanaâs Spite by Felix Graves Life is about as good as it gets for an anxious and depressed bastard stripped of any social benefits of her caste. Farzana has a cushy job, a wonderful best friend, and a mother and younger brother who love her to bits. Then the faerie who abandoned her mother before she was bornâthe father she always hoped to meetâreturns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzanaâs life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesnât step up soon to set things right, there wonât be much left worth saving. Farzanaâs Spite is a sapphic dark fantasy featuring a diverse cast doing their best to stay alive during a traumatic and tumultuous period. A blend of tragedy, romance, and mystery, this story was written for anyone ever made to believe they were broken beyond repair, and who needs a story to kill that thought once and for all. |
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Sixty: A Crime Reporter's Story by Yvette Walker "Linda, I know you won't remember me, but my daughter was killed by Mayfield Sherman." Christian reporter Linda Radcliffe felt like someone kicked her in the gut. Mayfield Sherman? Lord! That monster was put to death several years ago, but not before he killed several women. He'd made a stop in Oklahoma, right on Linda's reporting beat. But she'd left, and Sherman was a big part of the reason. She had read the police files. She had seen the photos. Twenty years later, she's back to help a family she once covered. When she meets her old colleague, now the editor of the town paper, feelings once dampened begin to rise again. |
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A Hunt of Blood & Iron by Cara Nox "Nothing comes without sacrifice." Grey is a shut-in hemomancerâa blood-manipulating magic user who sacrifices life for life to use his powerâwith a troubled past and questionable future. So when that fae-laced Calling grips him in the middle of the night and takes him to the obelisk he's been seeing in his dreams, he believes he's finally started to find his purpose. That is, until he realizes there are five other mancers there, and the obelisk bears all their marks. That can only mean one thing: the fair folk are demanding another Wild Hunt, and Grey is one of their prey. In his fumbled attempt to escape, he's rescued by the one sacrificial member of the Hunt he least expects: an iron-wielding macharomancer, known for their hostility against his magic, named Noel. In order to find a way to break free of their binding ties to the Wild Hunt, they must put aside their reservations about one another and work together. Their best bet is to find something hidden within what's left of the faerie ruins and man-made structures of the distant past that's worth more than their lives to appease their ruthless rulers. Or they'll perish at the hands of the bloodthirsty fair folk waiting for them in the Otherworld. |
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An Appreciation of Cats by Des DeVivo How do we know if itâs too late? Dr. Ian Devonshire, the beloved veterinarian of Holly Grove, is sixty-eight with no plans to retireâuntil a skin exam ends with an unexpected biopsy. Ian tells no one, privately worrying about what a worst-case scenario would mean for his practice and, more importantly, his assistant, Dr. Alec Tarley. Ian isnât sure if Alecâs friendliness means what he hopes it does, though it wouldnât matter if it did; Ian is old enough to be Alecâs father, and as his boss, Ian doesnât want the small-town scandal of becoming involved. So even as Ian wonders what it might be like to have their afternoon tea somewhere other than behind closed doors, he convinces himself the risks far outweigh the gains. Especially now, as the pending results strand him like Schrödinger's Cat. In an attempt to protect them both from the heartache of a malignant prognosis, Ian makes the abrupt decision to retire. But when Alec refuses to take over the clinic without an explanation for the sudden change of heart, Ian must decide between whatâll hurt more: revealing his secrets or walking away. |
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So I may be dead, but my afterlife isnât. Caleb After years of wandering the stars, Iâve finally met someone who can see meâthe handsome and serious Prince Zoltilvoxfyn. I know I should pass on, but I feel something, like physically feel something, when Iâm with him. That hasnât happened since I was alive, and I canât help but wonder, why now? Zoltilvoxfyn Iâm trying to help the human soul, who shouldnât even be here, leave the mortal plane, but he is resolved to remain. The longer Caleb lingers, the more danger he is in, yet the more I want him to stay by my side. Itâs like he belongs here, but that isnât possible. This is a spicy stand-alone MM romance in the Cosmic Romance series. It is a sci-fi paranormal romance with a sunshine ghost, a serious alien, overprotective brothers, and a happily ever after. This book is for adult audiences only and has explicit content. Content warning inside. |
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My cat and I have been abducted by aliens⊠Seth One second Iâm walking to work, and the next Iâm on a spaceship. I have no idea whatâs going on, but this scaled alien claims Iâm his mate. Thatâs not going to happen. I have until we reach his planet to accept or reject him. If I donât want him, I can go back to Earth. But six months is a long time when the alien Kal is determined to woo me. Kalvoxrencol The Crystal sent me to the far reaches of the universe for my soulmate, and now that I have him, I will not surrender him. I will do whatever I can to win his love and keep him by my side, where he belongs. I will not let anything from my past or his keep us apart. This is a standalone sci-fi romance with a socially anxious human, his protective winged alien mate, a black cat companion, a slow burn with a spicy payoff, and a guaranteed HEA. This is an MM romance with explicit content intended for adult readers only. Some of the trigger warnings include: panic attacks, anxiety, swearing, and adult content (Full list inside). |
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The Cursed Titans (Tempest Blades #2) by Ricardo Victoria The triennial Chivalry Games have returned! After helping to destroy the Withered King, Alex and the rest of the group find out that saving the world has consequences. While he is secretly battling with depression and with the Alliance on the verge of collapse, a diplomatic summit and the Chivalry Gamesâto be held in the far off Kuni Empireâmay give everyone the opportunity to turn things around. Alex builds a team to represent the Foundation in the Games, facing off against the best fighters in the world. When an ancient being tries to raise legendary nightmares known as Titans using the peace talks as a trap, Alex has to find a way to save everyone before it is too late. Alex must learn that he is not truly alone to save the world from the chaos of the Titans. In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible. |
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Black Butterfly by Katie L. Carroll Is she the hero or the villain? Black Butterfly wakes to a country devastated by terrorist attacks, supposedly at the hands of the Chinese government. She remembers nothing of her personal lifeânot even her name. All she knows is that she was in New York City on the day of the attacks. Though, she soon discovers she has an unsettling repertoire of violent talents. Elijah and his found family of off-gridders from upstate New York take in Black Butterfly and mend her wounds. With nowhere else to go, she joins them as they head to a rally in Washington D.C. The eclectic group begins to feel like the family she canât rememberâor never had. An encounter with Luca, a spy for a shadowy government agency, confirms Black Butterflyâs worst suspicions about who she was in the life she canât remember. As more memories surface, Black Butterfly heads to the agencyâs headquarters to find out whoâs behind the terrorist attacks. Itâs unclear whether she intends to reveal the truth or go back to her villainous way. And itâs more than her life sheâs putting at risk. |
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A Crow Named Torment by Silas A. Bischoff After a perfectly normal bird is captured by a perfectly deranged alchemist, and her soul is remade in torment, she rots in a cage, dreading her doom, awaiting the perfect moment ⊠Escape lies in the dark secrets of her new mind, as does a disturbing new thirst for blood. Together with Vladimir, her feline companion in captivity, Torment sets out on a flight through realms of dreams and spirits in search of a way to break the curse that binds them to their master. But in the vast and strange worlds yonder dwell the discontented spirits of the dead, and Torment and Vladimir are as likely to uncover the truth they seek as they are to be lost forever, or consumed by the ancient darkness stirring in the depths of their alchemically altered souls. A novel filled with horrors lurking in the shadows, with whimsical creatures from strange worlds â a fable about journeys inward and onward into the unknown â featuring mad scholars, vampires from the dawn of time, animal familiars and giant slugs (among many other oddities). Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Edgar Allan Poe, lovers of Richard Bachâs Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Otfried PreuĂlerâs Krabat, for those who would like to see Lewis Carrollâs Alice in Wonderland meet Mary Shelleyâs Frankenstein in a modern dark fantasy. |
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Rubbles of Magrath by Natalie Kelda Three months have passed since the Great Quake shook Magrath. Three months since Balfour lost Skye. The city lies in ruin and survival is only possible by scavenging. Every day they root through buildings filled with those killed in the earthquake that was meant to mark the end of the tarilla war. The war that still rages on. Balfour's biggest fear is to find Skye. Rotten and crushed under the rubble. But he knows where she In the starless vaults at the centre of town. Struggling to accept his loss, Balfour strays to the courtyard where he once spent a night beside Skye. But there he discovers an old enemy and that hope yet remains. Can he risk the people who have become his family for someone he has already lost and mourned? Rubbles of Magrath is the second book in a trilogy that can be read on its own or in connection with the first 3 books in the Inner Universe Series. |
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The Root of Hope (Tempest Blades #4) by Ricardo Victoria When victory is a trap, and the world is on the edge of the Apocalypse, the Band of the Greywolf must defend the universe from the gods themselves. All his life, Fionn has been certain of one there is always a way to win a battle. After the Band of the Greywolf defeated the Golden King, Fionn decides it is finally time for him to retire. But when their triumph unleashes a mythic cycle of gods and destruction, the Band of the Greywolf discovers they are in the middle of the Apocalypse. Exhausted, low on resources and allies, Fionn and the others must muster any sliver of hope if they are to save Theia one last time. As the final battle looms, Fionn and Gaby face a stark choice, while Alex, Sam, and Kasumi must step up to lead the Band of the Greywolf. One last journey to save the Roots of Hope. In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible, including saving the universe. |
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The Magick of Chaos (Tempest Blades #3) by Ricardo Victoria Two teams, two missions, and one world to save against the clock. Gaby and Sam must lead their teams while facing personal problems. Gaby, divided between her duties and her musical passion, tormented by memories of the distant past that have returned, must find the Crown of the Dead before the enemy gets it first to win the brewing war. Sam, torn between her gifted human side and her freefolk side, and between two loves, must help an amnesiac deity to fix the whole of magick, before her people become easy targets. Will their inner turmoil hinder them or give them the strength they need to find unexpected ways to solve the quests? In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible, including finding out who you really are. |
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The Withered King (Tempest Blades #1) by Ricardo Victoria Fionn is the wielder of a legendary Tempest Blade, and he is blessed - or cursed - by The Gift. Though his days as a warrior are long over, his past leaves him full of guilt and regret. Life, however, has other plans for him, when he agrees to help a friend locate a missing person. Gaby and Alex never expected to become heroes... until they met Fionn. As an ancient evil arises and consumes the land, Fionn must help them to master their own Gifts and Tempest Blades. Together the three of them, and their friends will chart a course aboard the flying ship Figaro to save the planet. Will Fionn's past be an anchor, or will he overcome the one failure from his former life before time runs out? In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible. Including second chances. |
