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

For Seventeen-year-old Liam O’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 by Sofia Rose

Zinnia: A Spicy Monster Romance Rosie runs a successful café 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 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 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 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 can’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 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 can’t help her curiosity when one of the visitors–a striking academic with piercing green eyes–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 mind– he must find answers about his people’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 Beitar’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 stand–no matter the cost.

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 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 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 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 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 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 time—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 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 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 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 she’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 isn’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 Thief’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 by Felicia Davin

There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them. Alizhan can’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 Iriyat’s rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own. When Alizhan discovers that she isn’t the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, there’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 Umarsad—“Ev” to her parents and her one friend—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 thief—the strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesn’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 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 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 him—about his childhood, their family, and the Mi’kmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Rita’s girlfriend Molly forges an artist’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 cabin’s history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forest’s lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like she’s never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swamp’s decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another.

Sordidez by E.G. Condé

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 humanity’s own making—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 colonists’ 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 by Arden Powell

Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. It’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 it’s not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor. There’s just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florian’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 Kells’ 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 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 & devils—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 by Leanbh Pearson

Be careful what you wish for… We’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 – Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT – Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG – Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED – Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN – K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIAN’S GAMBIT – Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES – McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON – Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES – Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS – Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE – Leife Shallcross (Australia)

For the Rest of Forever by Becca Neil

No matter what mountains we face, we’ll climb them together. Greg Westin’s thriving career as a landscape photographer is a passion he’s built and cultivated for decades. Although he’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, Allen—a man with a heart of gold and more kindness and compassionate that anyone he’s ever known. Allen Westin has worked hard to build a life he loves—a life that is not defined by the trauma he suffered in his childhood, but by the community and people he’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 Allen’s deeply rooted anxiety and depression, he and Greg have to face a new challenge—one where the next mountain to be conquered isn’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 life’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 by Becca Neil

very minute away from you is a minute too long. Coop It’s been ten years since he kissed me, and I can still feel it—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 fiancée, my heart feels like it’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 didn’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 I’d built. I’ve got two weeks to convince him I’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. It’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 by Becca Neil

I love you, Sam. Just four simple words. Easy, right? Oliver Ellison’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 loud—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 he’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 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 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 she’s teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortium’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 isn’t eager to bear.

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 behind—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 by C. M. Kuhtz

What if the Chosen One doesn’t get chosen? Sloe Moon, youngest child of the ruler of Tall Trees, has always wanted to follow in their father’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 Moon’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 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 don’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 Moonstone’s dark history—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 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 father’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 coven’s legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing they’ve spent centuries pursuing.

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.

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."

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."

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 blender—was not on my bingo card this year. Yet what did I expect when I made the most clichéd mistake of falling in love with the son of the enemy pack? If we don’t find a way to coexist and build a pack together, we’re 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. I’m 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 Connor’s fiery temper doesn’t lead us to the same fate.

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 Monroe’s 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 he’s 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?

Little Favors by Adik Graves

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.

Ménage à 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, Tāne, 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.

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." — Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" — The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things right—even if it means submitting to prophecy’s chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destiny’s 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, Azet’haal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and it’s 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 Whyt’hallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddess’s soul?

Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey

“With 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.” Vindt’s tranquil life as a lord’s son comes to an abrupt end when his homeland is overthrown. Friends, family, his freedom—he 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 “trait”. 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 him—but for what? To free the Singers from the curse that plagues them? Or because Asche is on a quest for power, as the Singer’s 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 he’s supposed to hate. When Asche’s enemies offer Vindt freedom in exchange for delivering Asche into their hands, Vindt has to make a choice.

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, Richard’s military training, Alannah’s intimate knowledge of the local culture, and Eddie’s tough attitude give the team the perfect edge to meet their client’s needs… at least until they run into someone familiar whom none of them expected to see again. There’s no planet too distant, no job too strange, for Colibri Investigations!

End Scene by A.V. Shener

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 Jonah’s mysterious past. As his buried secrets come roaring back, Jonah must join forces with the man he thought he’d lost forever. But how can they defeat the ones who live in the shadows?

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 fiancé, I run the library and try to avoid attention. Yet somehow, I’ve 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.

Fear of Flying by KC Elle

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 he’s never going to get married. Fall in love. Have a family. But that’s okay, really. It’s safer that way—living life out to his family but otherwise in the closet—just as his parents have always told him. Besides, though he’s attracted to men, he’s never felt the urge to actually be intimate with anyone. So, really, it doesn’t matter. Until Drew meets Zach. Zach Harrison’s anxiety doesn’t rule his entire life, just mostly his social life. And undeniably his love life. According to his best friend, Jen, it’s the sole reason why he’s never had a date or even been kissed. He’s hoping someday he’ll just run into his Prince Charming and they’ll live happily ever after. But real life’s not that simple. When Tired-of-Lawyering-All-Weekend Drew meets Absolutely-Terrified-of-Flying Zach, Drew comes to Zach’s rescue, and sparks seem to fly. And when a snowstorm grounds their connecting flight—and every flight in the city—their instant love connection starts to soar. After spending almost two blissfully perfect days in the same hotel room being in love, it’s clear they’re made for each other. But is “meant to be” 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 bed—a 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.

Farzana’s 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 born—the father she always hoped to meet—returns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzana’s life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesn’t step up soon to set things right, there won’t be much left worth saving. Farzana’s 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.

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.

A Hunt of Blood & Iron by Cara Nox

"Nothing comes without sacrifice." Grey is a shut-in hemomancer—a blood-manipulating magic user who sacrifices life for life to use his power—with 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.

An Appreciation of Cats by Des DeVivo

How do we know if it’s too late? Dr. Ian Devonshire, the beloved veterinarian of Holly Grove, is sixty-eight with no plans to retire—until 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 isn’t sure if Alec’s friendliness means what he hopes it does, though it wouldn’t matter if it did; Ian is old enough to be Alec’s father, and as his boss, Ian doesn’t 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 what’ll hurt more: revealing his secrets or walking away.

Cosmic Soul by Mars Quinn

So I may be dead, but my afterlife isn’t. Caleb After years of wandering the stars, I’ve finally met someone who can see me—the handsome and serious Prince Zoltilvoxfyn. I know I should pass on, but I feel something, like physically feel something, when I’m with him. That hasn’t happened since I was alive, and I can’t help but wonder, why now? Zoltilvoxfyn I’m trying to help the human soul, who shouldn’t 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. It’s like he belongs here, but that isn’t 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.