Werecats Resurgent by Mark J. Engels

*** FINALE OF A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Cornered, captured, and determined to make their stand… After springing her lover from the brig, Pawly and her family make ready to swipe a container from an ocean freighter transiting Lake Michigan—one containing the genetic material needed to save her mother from the debilitating effects of her unsated bloodlust. All according to Mawro's plan, him having laid a trap for them on behalf of his rogue state employer. But Mawro's superiors spring a trap of their own, exploiting Pawly's feral rage by revealing to her a horrific secret from her past. Chaos ensues, leaving members of her family kidnapped, their remote island hideaway in flames, and her mother at death's door. Now Pawly and the family—together with some unlikely new allies—must journey halfway around the world on a veritable suicide mission, a final showdown to rescue their loved ones and to quell her kind's lethal bloodlust once and for all. Werecats Resurgent is the third and final installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Convergent by Mark J. Engels

*** NEXT IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Defeated, conflicted, and on the run… Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her family’s escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. Pawly’s family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawro’s plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her lover’s life or chance her true nature driving him away forever. Werecats Convergent is the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Emergent by Mark J. Engels

*** FIRST IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Afflicted, exploited, and deadly… Teenaged Pawly discovers her secret werecat heritage after unexpectedly morphing into a lynx one Halloween night. She and her twin brother thrill as they explore their newly revealed abilities, never far from the watchful eye of their blended human-werecat family. But the old folks know that unless they can find an outlet for the twins’ growing bloodlust, they will both soon turn feral. Meanwhile, Pawly’s uncle Ritzi scrambles to develop a means to sate her and her brother’s lethal urges. Resuming his deported father’s scientific research and desperate for funding, Ritzi draws notice from a nefarious rogue state eager to help—and to exploit the twins’ lethal potential. As her family strives to keep the twins’ blood rage in check, Pawly finds herself caught between a Chicago-area drug cartel and the rogue state wooing her uncle. While either could aid in reining in her inner beast, neither has her family’s best interest at heart. Unless a solution can be found quickly, Pawly and her brother will both succumb to their feral natures. And this time, more than just the family pet will end up torn to shreds. Werecats Emergent and additional Forest Exiles Saga books feature the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

The Half Killed by Quenby Olson

A dark apparition stalks the streets of Victorian London... Dorothea Hawes has no wish to renew contact with what lies beyond the veil. After an attempt to take her own life, she has retired into seclusion, but as the wounds on her body heal, she is drawn back into a world she wants nothing more than to avoid. She is sought out by Julian Chissick, a former man of God who wants her help in discovering who is behind the gruesome murder of a young woman. But the manner of death is all too familiar to Dorothea, and she begins to fear that something even more terrible is about to unleash itself on London. And so Dorothea risks her life and her sanity in order to save people who are oblivious to the threat that hovers over them. It is a task that forces her into a confrontation with her own lurid past, and tests her ability to shape events frighteningly beyond her control.

Spells & Spices ; a very witchy novel by Kay Clancy

Hold on to your broomsticks and get ready for a magically delicious ride in "Spells & Spices," a tale brewed in a Caribbean cauldron! Join Aditi Crawley, a spirited young witch of Caribbean descent, as she teams up with her crafty grandmother, an eclectic coven of six, and her trusted corgi familiar to unravel ancient secrets and face off against a dark evil threatening Raven’s Peak, Georgia. Amid whispered hexes and magicked cupcakes, Aditi's path entwines with Alexander, a mysterious celestial witch with secrets as potent as the strongest potion. Together, they brew up a slow-burn romance sparked by a shared desire to do what is right and an exploration of each other’s cultures through food. But watch out – danger lurks in the shadows, ready to cast a spell on their newfound love. Get ready for a spellbinding adventure brimming with intrigue, laughter, self-discovery, and family bonds, all seasoned with Caribbean flavors. It's a witchy delight that'll leave you craving more magic and mystery!

Fabulous, Tx by Michelle Monárrez

A lonely gas station and a sheriff’s department. That’s all that’s left of Fabulous, TX. Officer Anita Padmore stands at a crossroads in her law enforcement career. Should she move up north to work under Ft. Worth PD with the hope of a new career? Or should she stay in the town she loves at a job that promises no future? Before she can decide, her last case walks into town with a bang. A violent shooting at the local gas station has left heaps of bizarre evidence behind and a wounded witness fighting for her life. The case keeps unfolding and Anita soon has more questions than answers—but when Agent Caio Batista with his FBI unit steps in to take over her investigation, it’s clear this case is bigger than she bargained for. Anita is drawn to the agent’s sharp intellect and suave charm, but he’s hiding a secret that could change everything. Can the tale of Anita Padmore and Caio Batista shine some light on what happened to Fabulous?

Midnight Waters by Rosie Wylor-Owen

“In my family, when someone is born, another will die.” A symbiotic curse has plagued the Arrowood and Everhart households for generations. When a new baby is born, a member of the ancient clans die. Only a truce between the warring families can break the deadly hex once and for all. Upon hearing her cousin is in labour, Maeve Arrowood hurries home to find out which one of them will be next. But the loss of her uncle is the least of her worries when a young man is found dead in the sea under suspicious circumstances. Called in by the police, Maeve has no option but to reprise her role as a scuba diving police consultant to retrieve the body. Unwittingly drawn into the investigation, Maeve is forced to work with the odiously handsome Ben Everhart. Obliged to put aside their differences, Maeve and Ben soon discover that a far deadlier danger has descended on the island of Dusk. One that could destroy both families forever.

Gilded Wicked Mirrors by Hazel St Lewis

In New Swansea, a glittering city once inhabited by vampires, power rests not with the royal class but with the Bargainers—deities trapped in magic mirrors, who exchange power, wealth, and knowledge for a cost . . . often a wretched one. Quinnevere Ashelle wants nothing to do with the Bargainers, but at twenty-three, she is getting too old to make it into the Royalle Ballet, and with only one shot left, she’ll do anything—including make a twisted deal with an evil god. The agreement is simple: passionately kiss her archnemesis, Prince Emrys, and she will receive her dream spot in the Royalle Ballet. Unfortunately, when Quinn's deal with the Bargainer backfires, her beloved friend turns up dead, entirely drained of blood, and with puncture wounds matching the long-extinct vampires. Feeling utterly responsible, Quinn vows to get vengeance and use her medical examiner skills to solve the murder, but she is far outmatched in this world of immortals—especially when she discovers she’s being hunted as is the killer's next target. If she wants to survive, she must team up with the devilishly attractive but wicked Prince Emrys to track down the murderer before she gets cornered herself. Gilded Wicked Mirrors is a New Adult Romantasy featuring enemies to lovers, knife to throat, and deadly bargains. The steam level is mild, but the sequels will be much spicier. This single-POV fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Crescent City’s gritty investigations and Caraval’s lush world.

The Ocean Hugs Hard by Eric Avedissian

Surfside City, New Jersey. 1966. Cub reporter Harman Bass is cutting his teeth in the fast world of local journalism and getting out-scooped by the competition. Facetious, cocky, and always quoting Nietzsche, Harman isn't making any friends both in and out of the newsroom. All that changes when the daughter of a prominent family is found dead on the beach, handing Harman the juiciest news story of the year. But she isn't any old beauty pageant queen; she's his high school girlfriend. Harman's dogged reporting into the young woman's death reveals pushback from the authorities and pulls the newshound into the resort's darkest corners. After one of his sources is murdered, the routine story becomes dangerous and personal. Something watches Harman from the shadows, something ancient and hungry, worshipped by powerful men who kill to keep their secrets. Harman's job and life are soon threatened, and the once brash reporter must battle his boss, rival journalists, and his own sanity before filing what could be his last story. THE OCEAN HUGS HARD is a mystery with the salty whiff of the ocean, a tinge of nostalgia, and a dollop of eldritch horror.

The Mystery in the Margins by L.L. Gray

A quaint bookshop, a sprinkle of magic, and a dash of mystery. Harper Sullivan yearns for a place to call home, preferably with a delightful bakery nearby. When news arrives that she's inherited her great-grandmother's bookshop in the charming town of Havenwood, Harper eagerly seizes the chance. Unbeknownst to her, the quaint bookshop carries more than just shelves of stories—it harbors inherited mysteries and a touch of magical mayhem. But instead of the cozy haven she envisioned, Harper finds herself entangled in inheritance drama, a surprising cousin rivalry, and a daring book thief on the loose. Can she use her wits and witchy powers to untangle the mystery and safeguard her dreams from unraveling before they even begin?

Them Bones by A. Atkins

"Gritty, dark, tense and intensely emotional" - Sage Kafsky, Watchdog Right guy, wrong time. Laney Hawton has a difficult life. She takes care of her younger brother, Dustin, because honestly? Who else will? Her older brother Cary is... Well. Anyway. When Laney meets Shane, her whole world is turned upside down. But what do you do when you meet your soul mate at fourteen? Right girl, wrong life. Shane Mathers is chronically between couches, scraping by on the unexpected charity of a ten-year-old boy named Dustin. Through a violent twist of fate, Shane meets Laney and can't decide if the universe has finally given him a break, or just offered him his total demise all wrapped up in an irresistible four-foot-something package that makes his knees buckle. Fate is a cruel mistress and she has it in for Shane. He knows nothing this good comes without a price. The question is, will he survive it? Full of angst, drama, and dripping with 90s nostalgia, cozy up for some emotional devastation with Them Bones, Book One in the To The Grave Duet.

Fish Out of Water by Marc Jedel

Sinister secrets hidden by the tranquil waters of an Ozarks lake. Can married amateur sleuths bait and capture a killer before the truth slips away? Kirkus Reviews—“A fine whodunit featuring a delightful cast whom readers will love—or love to hate.” After newlyweds Elizabeth and Jonas Trout arrive to settle her grandmother's estate, they quickly find themselves embroiled in a treacherous mystery when Elizabeth is implicated in the murder of the property manager. With mounting evidence and the Southern small-town sheriff convinced of her guilt, Elizabeth and Jonas must fish for clues on their own. They fear she may be left dangling on the hook for a crime she didn’t commit. Can these newlyweds net the real killer before Elizabeth is jailed for murder? A cast of quirky characters and an enthralling story full of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end. If you like puzzling whodunits, you’ll love this first book in Marc Jedel's humorous and thrilling Ozarks Lake Mystery series. Buy Fish Out of Water to reel in a slippery catch today!

The Multiverse- Amnesty by R. Sims

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

Sam vs the Black Hat by AK Weller

Newly independent Private Investigator Sam Walsh needs clients, and she can’t afford to be picky. When her old boss sends a prospective client her way, Sam takes the case—a classic cheating spouse—against her better judgment. Caught between a dishonest client and a dangerous, shadowy foe, Sam will either solve her first case or die trying.

Bigger Fish by AK Weller

Home from her unlikely triumph in Argentina, Anna thinks her life is getting back to normal until a surprise visit from David Marchand sets her on a collision course with Luke Jackson once again. With a little help from two people straight out of Anna's past, they'll unravel a mystery that takes them out of the frying pan and into the fire.

House on Fire by AK Weller

Thanks to her boss, shady FBI Agent Jim Camposanto, Analyst Anna Bowman finds herself the target of two different international criminal cabals. With no obvious way out of the mess she’s just beginning to understand, she’ll have to drag the truth out of her secretive boss and a hitman who just can’t seem to shake her. Will Anna ever get to relax and feel safe with her beloved German Shepherd, Dude, or will she become addicted to Camposanto’s dangerous games? Anna Bowman’s misadventures continue in House on Fire.

The Mourning of Leone Manor by A.M. Davis

When death cuts Remi’s marriage to Edgar Leone short, she is forced to confront his only living son…and their romantic past. Forced to return to Leone Manor after years of exile, Ben quickly lets her know he is uninterested in making amends. Forced to deal with his temper, her overbearing family, and the discovery of unsettling love letters written for her with no signature, Remi is lost. Haunted by his sister’s death years prior, Ben is far from thrilled to return to his childhood home. With a wound far deeper than a mere chip on his shoulder, Ben approaches his father’s death like a building storm. He senses something is amiss at the manor and has a growing suspicion that his father was murdered. As an inevitable passion grows between them, Ben and Remi fight to uncover the manor’s secrets as the darkness creeping through the cracks in the walls threatens to bring them down. Phantoms roam the halls of Leone Manor, and where there are ghosts, there is also foul play.

Perdition Street by Leona O'Neill

Murdered spirits find Atlas Bishop wherever he is. By day, he works the streets of Dublin as a Private Detective plagued with anxiety and anger issues, living with his dead mother. By night, he works on behalf of the “Sacred”—angels, saints, and God Himself—binding murdered souls to those who stole their lives so Hell can claim its dues. But an ancient pact between Heaven and Hell implodes when Hell’s representative on Earth decides he wants to swell their ranks and take over the world, using dark magic to turn innocents into murderers on an epic scale. Atlas must save Dublin first and then the world, all while trying to bind lost souls, keep Heaven in business, track down his killer father, pine for his married ex-lover, escape various murderous scum…and avoid Satan’s manicured talons.

Lester by Kimberly Wheelock

Talia Michaels has lost everything that matters to her and is facing another dead end. Lester is a ghost town with a violent history and a dark secret. And the two are inextricably linked. When a paranormal research team on the verge of success asks for Talia’s help to reach Lester, she reluctantly signs on. Together, they travel through the wilds of the Cascade Mountains to learn Lester’s secrets and uncover a hidden horror beyond their understanding. From the author of Wonderland comes Wheelock’s ambitious sophomore novel about fate’s crushing inevitability and the darkness of the human heart.

Wonderland by Kimberly Wheelock

As Peri finishes her hike of the Wonderland Trail, the ninety-three miles that explores the backcountry of Mount Rainier, she is confronted with the reality that she has survived a pandemic of an unknown scale. And she is not alone. Haunted by her own demons, Peri must learn to live in the rugged, and sometimes daunting, wilderness while facing other survivors and the limitations of her past.

Blue Haven Lake by William Joseph

Welcome to the town of Blue Haven Lake—a picturesque ski-resort that harbors a chilling secret beneath its serene waters. When the town officials lower the lake's water level to explore a centuries-old submerged fort, they unwittingly unleash a long-dormant terror. After a series of events threaten to unravel the town's carefully maintained facade and drive away its vital tourists, a determined and fearless group of teenagers embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth, plunging into the depths of Blue Haven Lake's past. What awaits them is not just a lost history but an unspeakable horror tied to the town’s long forgotten history.

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.

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.

Halfling House Origins by Victoria Vassallo

A Greek Goddess. A helpless Halfling. The beginning of a family. Twenty years ago, it was a cold winters night in an English hospital that brought three magickal women together in a hilarious and heart-wrenching twist of fate that would change their lives forevermore. It is the touching story of how Halfling House came to be. Halfling House Origins takes place twenty years before the events of Welcome to Halfling House (The Briarmoor Chronicles, Book 1).

Welcome to Halfling House by Victoria Vassallo

What do you get when you have a renegade Greek Goddess, a fiery witch, a toddler dragon, a fae child, and a temperamental teenage bogeyman in one house? Chaos. Not literally, of course. Ellie – or more accurately, the Greek Goddess formerly known as Eleos – left the true embodiment of Chaos behind when she abandoned the Greek Pantheon for the mortal world. Spilt milk, giant sunflowers and random spot fires are just par for the course when you’re raising Halflings, the outcasts of the magickal world. Fortunately for Ellie, she has Clara – the first Halfling she adopted – to help navigate the thin line between the mortal and magickal worlds. A new Halfling’s arrival brings more challenges than expected when a legend from Ellie’s past emerges, determined to destroy the newborn. Trusting strangers is not in Ellie’s skillset, but even this immortal Goddess needs to learn a thing or two if she’s going to protect her own from those who would rather they didn’t exist. Follow Ellie and her brood as they navigate the everyday hassles of life, the extraordinary battles with the magickal, and uncover the mysteries of the town they call home, Briarmoor. This series is perfect for anyone who enjoys heartfelt and hilarious stories about found family, protective mama bears, diverse magic and creatures, slow-burn fade-to-black romance, and LGBTQIA+ representation.

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?

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.

Cosmic Widow (Agent Renault Adventures) by Jonathan Nevair

Mission: Impossible meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in the latest installment of this fun, fast-paced, and award-winning spy-fi adventure series featuring a tough yet conflicted secret agent, immersive world-building, and a charming cast of alien characters. A deadly race to recover a priceless portrait. When the legendary Cosmic Widow vanishes from the galaxy’s premiere art museum, Agent Lilline Renault delves into a shadowy underworld to hunt down the missing masterpiece. Her only clue: the thief’s enigmatic calling card. Following a scant trail of evidence, Lilline crosses paths with shady art dealers, eccentric university professors, and elusive forgers in a tangled search for the stolen work of art. But the robber’s end game is more sinister than mere theft. Sleeping secrets stir inside the Cosmic Widow… If they wake, an arcane mystery locked away for ages could spell disaster across the stars. The Agent Renault Adventures are standalones - start anywhere in this award-winning series.

Enemy Closer by AK Weller

On the run from her ex-husband, a powerful federal agent, Abigail takes shelter in a cabin in rural southwest Colorado with her trusty German shepherd, Dude. When she learns someone else has been using the cabin to hide out too, she’ll find herself stuck with a shady, surprise roommate for the summer. While they figure out how to get along, they’ll learn their stories were intertwined long before they met. Enemy Closer is a suspense thriller that allows you to experience each new piece of information along with the characters right to the end, when you realize everything you thought you knew was a lie. A deeper story has only just begun to unfold.

The Deepest Cut by Bowen Greenwood

Betrayed. Hunted. Accused of murder. It's 1982. Cold War rages between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Clara Verona sneaks into Central America to infiltrate a violent group of Marxist revolutionaries. But when her contact is murdered and Clara's pistol is used to kill him, she finds herself running for her life, hunted for a crime she didn't commit. When she calls for help, the only result is more cops on her tail. Someone on the inside sold her out. Victor Isaac used to be an elite Panamanian special forces officer, but an operation went terribly wrong on his watch. Now he's stuck hassling drunks on the night shift. Called to the scene of a murder, the crime sets off every one of his alarm bells. But the closer he comes to catching the killer, the more obvious it becomes that everything is not as it seems. In a conflict fought in the shadows, spies and special forces clash over a terrorist plot that could be the start of World War III. If they want to warn the world, or even survive, Clara and Victor will need all of their training. They'll need all their skill. And they'll need to learn to trust each other. In the covert world of espionage, that may be the hardest challenge of all.

Irons in the Fire by Bowen Greenwood

When a gangland murder shocks the town of Hunter, Montana, the citizens want justice and they want it fast. The prime suspect got out of prison way too easily; reporter Sherman Iron needs to know why. But he breaks the law in his quest for answers, and Iron stumbles on the dead body of a corrupt judge with a million in cash in a briefcase in front of him. Then the cops show up. Framed for a murder he didn’t commit, Sherman Iron must clear his name and find the killer who ordered the shooting. But everyone in Hunter has a secret, and learning them might take Iron from the frying pan to the fire. Finalist for the 2021 Imadjinn Awards Best Mystery!

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 life—not 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 can’t remember—or never had. An encounter with Luca, a spy for a shadowy government agency, confirms Black Butterfly’s worst suspicions about who she was in the life she can’t remember. As more memories surface, Black Butterfly heads to the agency’s headquarters to find out who’s behind the terrorist attacks. It’s unclear whether she intends to reveal the truth or go back to her villainous way. And it’s more than her life she’s putting at risk.

Thirteen by H. Ferdosy

A discovered conspiracy. A ransom gone wrong. A two-month coma. Spoiled Iranian girl Neda awakes to find her parents dead—a tragic murder at the hands of her now-executed fiancé. But Neda saw the perpetrators, and he wasn’t one of them. The justice system dismisses her. Evidence mysteriously vanishes. And when others begin to die, she knows her own life could end just as brutally at any moment. All it will take is her enemies catching up—or her suicidal tendencies taking control. When her losses become all-consuming, there is one way forward: turn the tables and finally get revenge. When the only option is to kill or be killed, one thing is clear: this war will end in blood.

Wire City Kills: Neon Vector by Drew Rhys

One dead billionaire. Two mismatched detectives. A secret so revolutionary it will change the world. So valuable … it’s worth KILLING for. When a tech tycoon meets a bizarre end in Silicon Valley's exclusive high-rise Tangle district on the eve of his company's takeover by a fierce rival, the eyes of the world's cyberati are drawn. Cue the SVPD's unorthodox new homicide team: a hot shot British rookie in way over his head and a snarky American cop at the end of her rope. They must unravel a mystery which goes far beyond murder into the dark heart of a dazzling high-tech metropolis. They must infiltrate a world of exotic tech, sinister corporations, and friendly AIs with absolutely no hidden agendas… They must answer the question … WHAT IS NEON VECTOR? Uncover the secrets of Wire City in this electrifying detective thriller packed with insane twists, cinematic action, and razor-sharp humor. This standalone book requires no further reading to enjoy.

Possession by Kit Walker

Burgling a quarantined ship should have been easy money. It wasn't. Now Danny and Eli, Saintstown's pettiest thieves, have a traumatized former captive on their hands and the city's most powerful fixer breathing down their neck. And that's just the start of their problems.

Jay Moriarty Violates the Official Secrets Act by Kit Walker

A modern-day interpretation of Sherlock Holmes' most famous enemy, and the story of how he met his loyal partner in crime. When ex-SAS security consultant Sebastian Moran runs afoul of a rich and powerful corporate client, he's thrown into the path of a brilliant hacker named Jay Moriarty. To survive, both of them must work together to unravel the secrets of Bruce-Partington Aerospace and take down its corrupt CEO, Sir James Walter.

Armitage by Atlas Creed

From award-winning author Atlas Creed Some memories, like scars, linger even after healing... Amid the throes of grief over the loss of her sister, Rebekah Daroh is confronted by a phantom. “Guardian,” it calls her as it searches her mind for something, or someone. Dragged into a realm of souls by the phantom, Rebekah begins to question her sister’s fate. With the help of unlikely allies, she sets out in search of answers. Niko Ortez, a Special Agent with the FBI, works on a slew of cold cases concerning missing persons, one of which is Rebekah’s sister, Nicole. Upon examination, the routine cases reveal something much darker at play and Niko investigates the disappearances, equipped with a haunting theory. Paths cross and secrets emerge at the Armitage Hotel, where a violent storm imprisons the guests with a killer. Searching for answers, what lies in store for the budding agent and grief-stricken young girl will change both of their lives.

The Vault & The Vixen by Adam Gaffen

Trust no one. Steal everything. Dive into the heart-pounding world of The Vault & the Vixen, where heist thriller meets romantic suspense in a gripping tale of crime, love, and redemption. Set against the gritty, neon-lit backdrop of Brooklyn, this novel weaves a complex web of high-stakes heists, intricate plots, and unyielding loyalty. Meet Dakota Chase, a master planner and the fearless leader of a crew that specializes in pulling off the impossible. With her long dark hair and iconic leather coat, Dakota is the epitome of cool, collected, and cunning. She’s spent years navigating the treacherous waters of organized crime, always staying one step ahead of both the law and her rivals. But as she gears up for the heist of a lifetime, the stakes have never been higher. Dakota's meticulous plans are put to the test as unforeseen complications arise, and betrayal lurks around every corner. Her crew, a tight-knit group of skilled misfits, stands by her side, each member bringing their unique talents to the table. New to the crew is McKenna, a tough-as-nails tech expert with short blonde hair and a penchant for plaid shirts. Their relationship is fraught with tension and unspoken feelings, and could throw a monkey wrench into Dakota’s plan. As Dakota and her team delve deeper into the underbelly of urban crime, they must confront powerful enemies, navigate dangerous alliances, and uncover secrets that threaten to tear them apart. The city of Brooklyn itself becomes a character in the story, its streets and shadows providing the perfect setting for the unfolding drama. Will Dakota succeed in pulling off the ultimate heist, or will she find herself ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse? Can she trust her crew—and her heart—as she navigates the perilous world of organized crime? The Vault & the Vixen is a thrilling ride, packed with twists and turns, that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Tropes: Heist Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Crime Fiction, Urban Fiction, LGBTQ+ Fiction, Mastermind, Loyal Crew, Heist Gone Wrong, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Love, Gritty Urban Setting, Complex Characters, Plot Twists, High Stakes, Emotional Depth, Tension and Betrayal. Join Dakota on her electrifying journey through danger, deceit, and desire in The Vault & the Vixen. If you’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat action, intricate plots, and deeply human stories, this is the book you’ve been waiting for!

Too Many Gods in the Kitchen by Ben Schenkman

It’s good to be the boss, but be careful what you wish for. Nick got what he wanted and now has to establish an agency to audit Heaven and Hell’s operations. Rob is his right-hand man, but Amy has responsibilities of her own and owes a favor to the local coven. Nick’s plans go out the window when a mystery client shows up and throws everything into chaos, representing a new godly power no one expects. Things get even more complicated when Rob uncovers a massive loophole that threatens the natural spiritual order. Tensions run high between the agency and a psychic con man. If that wasn’t enough, Amy’s bill comes due and the spirits come calling when she discovers a magical dilemma of epic proportions. Caught between loyalties, she must decide where they lie. Our trio faces their largest challenge yet, and the threads they chase threaten to tie everything in knots. Will Nick be able to deal with the elephant in the room, or will everything come crashing down?

Heart So Hollow by Emily Nealis

HER I escaped him once. He nearly took everything from me, and I almost let him, blinded by my own pride and tricked by his manipulation. But I got away. I was the lucky one—not like the others. I have to tell my story, but it’s only a matter of time before he finds out. I know what he did. I know all his secrets. And after I expose him, I know he’ll come for me to finish what he started. HIM I’ve been watching her for a long time. Some think I’m sadistic—blinded by both rage and love. But I never meant to hurt her. And even after what happened, I know I can never let her go. Now I’m her ghost, her phantom driven by vengeance. There’s only one way to fill this void, and that’s to find her and finish what I started.

A Midnight So Deadly by Wren Handman

When dreams infect the waking world, what threats—and promises—do they bring? Maeve and Peri are 'dreamers, ' creators who record their dreams and publish them to the delight of their fans. When Maeve dreams of the murder of her friend's abusive ex—and then he's killed in the real world—her "dream" job becomes terrifying. At the same time, Peri is losing their grip on reality as they search for a woman who keeps appearing in their dreams. Who is this enticing stranger? How does she keep finding Peri, night after night? And what will it cost to hunt her down? To find the answers to their questions, Maeve and Peri will first have to find each other. As their dreams begin to bleed into the real world, and the borders between reality and illusion come unstuck, reality itself faces deadly collapse.

Move Fast and Break Things by Kit Walker

There is something wrong with Victor Keane. This makes him the ideal choice to lead a team of mercenaries, hired to recover an oil baron's granddaughter from a tech billionaire's personal cult. But the job gets more complicated when the team encounters Adrian Yates, a kidnapped academic with peculiar insight into the darkness of Victor's own mind. And when things go wrong, Victor must make a choice between the success of the mission and Adrian's life.

Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives by Jessica Ungeheuer

Jeffrey Knight is a down on his luck self proclaimed loser. He can't keep a job, forced into hours of work in the hell that is retail. His only stable thing in his life was his relationship with his longtime girlfriend…that is until he catches her cheating on him. Now with nothing left, he begrudgingly agrees to join his best friend on a night of fake zombie hunting paintball. The only solace he has in his pitiful life. That is, until he learns zombies are real… Jennifer Mayer has spent her whole life hunting monsters. Working tirelessly for a secret organization of mercenaries to protect normal citizens from learning the truth. However, there are a growing number of undead, and her organization leaders refuse to believe her that something catastrophic is coming. She is in need of new recruits to prevent a coming “Day of the Dead” event. After saving Jeff from near death Jennifer takes him on as a pupil. Jennifer must train Jeff in everything she knows while avoiding the growing feelings and memories he reignites in her -- feelings she thought she buried long ago. Jeff has never finished anything in his life, allowing his fears to stop him. If he chokes up now, there might not be a normal world to go back to.

The Hiding by Alethea Lyons

Arcane archivist Harper has always been plagued by dreams of grotesque creatures and bloody deaths. When she bumps into a ghostwalker in the Shambles and has a visceral experience of his execution, she knows it’s a foretelling. Yet fear of the Queen’s Guard stops her speaking out. When her vision indeed comes true, the unusual markings on the ghostwalker’s corpse, combined with his neatly excised vocal cords, send a ripple of terror through York. The witch hunt is on. As the body count rises, Harper knows her magic is the only way to find the killer – if she can avoid being hanged as a witch. To protect both human and supernatural, Harper walks the thin line between their worlds. She and her demonhunter foster-sister form a multi-faith team with a forensic scientist, a spirit Harper accidentally summoned, and a techno-witch, to catch the killer before more people die.

The Gunrunner and Her Hound by Maria Ying

Viveca Hua, arms-dealer ...is driven by three things: the certainty of steel, the need to win, and the compulsion to possess. Yves, bodyguard ...hunts for the place she belongs, and she might just have found it in the captivating Viveca, who offers her a new organization, an answer—and a collar. But their world is violent. It is unpredictable. Luck alone will not shield them. Together they must survive assassins, rival gunrunners, and their own lethal attraction. The Gunrunner and Her Hound is an F/F/F mosaic novella (40,000 words) built from short stories connected by an overarching plot. Part romance (happy ever after included), part thriller, this is a high-heat love story set in contemporary Hong Kong, where passion burns between a ruthless ice queen and an ex-soldier who fled a ruined empire.

Polar Terror by Reuben Shupp

Alex is so excited about visiting his grandfather for Christmas in Alaska until he realizes he has to fly in an airplane–he is terrified of flying. At the last minute, his parents and brother abandon him. Now Alex has to face his fears and fly alone with complete strangers. Then the unthinkable happens. The plane crashes in the middle of the Alaskan Tundra. He will do anything to survive against the weather and creatures in and out of the plane. All the while learning this was not an accident after all.

The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

My name is Jean Moreau. My place is at Evermore. I belong to the Moriyamas. It is a truth Jean has built his life around, a reminder this is the best he can hope for and all he deserves. But when he is stolen from Edgar Allan University and sold to a more dangerous master, Jean is forced to contend with a life outside of the Nest for the first time in five years. The Foxes call his transfer to California a fresh start; Jean knows it is little more than a golden cage. Captain Jeremy Knox is facing his final year with the USC Trojans and fifth straight year falling short of the championships trophy he desperately craves. Taking in the nation’s best defenseman is a no-brainer, even if that man is a Raven. But Jean is no monster, just a man with no hope or desire for a future, and when Evermore's collapse starts dragging Jean's hideous secrets to light, Jeremy is forced to contend with the cost of victory.

Unnatural Selection by Robert P. Edwards

SPSFC 2024

At the end of the 21st Century, humanity is enjoying a renaissance—or so it seems. For the wealthy, a quantum biotechnology called Stem has eliminated disease and seamlessly integrates with The Web. So why are people dying? Amongst us live the Quants, a meld of robotics, AI, and quantum computing. They carry out vital work in a world dependent on technology. Personal Quants can be built to order for the privileged few. Sophie and her marine biologist father, Chris, live in one of the few habitable zones left in the southern hemisphere. Kazumi is the son and heir of Mashimoto Corporation, a leading manufacturer of quantum technology. Mackenzie is the gifted daughter of technology billionaire Alistair ‘Ace’ Abernathy. Love and loss will drive them together. Across a world scarred and divided by climate change. Only together will they discover the terrifying truth about who is really behind the death of their loved ones.

What Swims On Uncharted World 550 by R. B. Lovitt

SPSFC 2024

Meet Dr. Elora Stephenson, a biologist joining a team on a small outpost on an alien world. As soon as she arrives, strange occurrences and unexplained deaths throw the outpost into chaos. Who can be trusted? Who is hiding who they are? Elora must navigate the treacherous web of suspicions and sabotage, racing against time to unmask the culprit before the outpost is completely wiped out. The fate of the team on uncharted world 550 rests in Elora’s hands in this thrilling tale of mystery and deception.

Wakers of the Cryocrypt by Nathan Kuzack

SPSFC 2024

The future. The human race is extinct. Earth is ruled by “eltecs”, descendants of the AIs humans created before their demise. While searching for prehistoric cave paintings, two eltec explorers discover a hidden cryogenic crypt containing 23 perfectly preserved human bodies frozen inside crystal columns. As eltec society argues over who might have built the crypt and what to do with it, one of its occupants is restored to life. Human beings are no longer extinct, but, for reasons of their own, not every eltec wants to see them come back. The only living man on Earth is in terrible danger.