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Christmas Carols (Tales from the Maximeverse) by Maxime Jaz Five gay Christmas short stories of love found, when all hope has been given up. When the shards of broken hearts bleed the soul dry. When pleasure laces with pain. When there's darkness dancing with the Christmas lights. When men who have given up on love might just get it as a gift. A standalone short stories collection. |
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Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin To become a weapon, she must choose a man. To be free, she gave herself to dragon fire... After an enemy attack killed those she loved crippling her magic, Annika faked her death and vanished into obscurity. Years later, a chance encounter with a dragon shatters her quiet life, exposing her to the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders. His touch rekindles her magic and the feelings she thought she'd buried, but helping him would mean sacrificing the one thing she has left—her freedom. When a devastating attack forces her hand, Annika makes a desperate choice, bonding herself to his beast and unleashing its fury upon their enemies. But bearing a shard of its soul comes at a steep price—the dragon’s fire cannot be contained by one Anchor alone. Now, she must choose another. Torn between two men—the Commander, who ignites her power, and his Necromancer, who tempers its roaring inferno—Annika must trust her heart or watch the world she swore to protect fall into darkness. She may be the ultimate weapon, but even if she sacrifices what’s left of her soul, can the last conduit mage save her fractured kingdom? ------------------------------------------ Oath of Betrayal is a slow-burn, second-chance, forced-proximity high fantasy with a complex magic system and Slavic mythology-inspired world-building. It is dark romantasy with fae, mages, and dragon riders, and no choosing required. This novel will sweep you into a world where a dragon can claim a piece of your soul. |
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More to Love by Georgina Kiersten An Unexpected Love For Jamir Cunnigham, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. After inheriting his grandparent’s bookstore, Jamir has been completely focused on running the business. And if he’s lonely, that was between him and the books. Yet, from the moment Emmy Park walked into his life, Jamir was immediately captivated by the plus-size Korean. A Fresh Start After his recent divorce, former Olympic Wrestler Emerson “Emmy” Park moved to Texas to get a fresh start. After taking a job as an assistant wrestling coach at a nearby university, he stumbles across Jamir’s bookstore. Emmy is instantly attracted to Jamir. Unfortunately, he is big and burly with a resting bitch face and thinks he has zero chance with the gorgeous Black man. However, when a sudden encounter shows them how good they can be together. Is the simmering attraction between them enough for them to see past their differences and finally give in to their desires? More To Love is a short and sweet m/m romance book featuring bookstores, coffee shops, plus-size main characters, bisexual couples, sapphic side characters, autumn feels, and Black/Asian romances. |
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Tesla and the Pyramid by Jenner Brown Columbia professor Tony Koviak thinks he knows the ancient world—until a CIA analyst on the run from her own agency crashes into his life with classified research that proves humanity’s history is a lie. She needs his help decoding Tesla’s cryptic final invention—a revolutionary discovery that the genius perfected during a decade of self-imposed isolation. Teaming up with a maverick geophysicist, they race to decipher Tesla’s mind-bending technology and unravel a conspiracy stretching back to the last Ice Age. With time running out, they journey from the streets of New York to ancient sites across the globe, piecing together clues that link Tesla’s masterpiece to remote prehistory. But they’ll have to stay one step ahead of intelligence agencies, hostile governments, and a hidden cabal guiding humanity’s fate—one hell-bent on keeping us in the dark about our true past. History isn’t just written by the winners—it’s erased by them. But Nikola Tesla has left behind an unthinkable way to fight back. |
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Valor Amidst Decay by AJ Somers “I won’t expect anything less than savage in this world.
Even if I have to be a monster to protect my own.”  Ending her vacation on a high note, Dahlia Danaher thinks nothing of the mass flight cancellations — until she’s in the strangely quiet terminals of LAX. Then she hears it. The sound of  the undead, transforming those around her into something other.  Something rabid.  As chaos unfolds, Dahlia’s protective instincts cement her path to clash with a man veiled in mystery. Someone who is no stranger to darkness.  Growing up as the brother of an Oyabun, Ren Ryūko is used to protecting his own— whatever the cost. He never expected to be indebted to a stranger. But Dahlia is less of a liability than she appears…  Thrown together amidst death, the unexpected craving for more than survival clutches Dahlia and Ren. As they battle the relentless decay, the past fights to resurface. Not only the shadows lurking within Ren’s mind but someone that Dahlia thought forgotten.  Somebody not willing to let her go. |
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The Nights are Alive! by Renuka Nair NextStep Consultants, a recruitment process outsourcing company in Amanshahr, has carved a niche for itself, serving the needs of top-notch companies in North America. Professional and personal disturbances force 42-year-old Urvashi to quit her high profile FMCG marketing job and brings her to NextStep. Though she enjoys her newfound independence, this small town is a far cry from her past life. Urvashi struggles to navigate the undercurrents of gossip and politics at NextStep, trying to rebuild her world bit-by-bit and find peace. An unfortunate turn of events also brings in 43-year-old Carina, a Chartered Accountant, into NextStep. While she loves her new night-shift job, the cocoon she had painstakingly built for herself is crumbling. Drawn into a carefree existence by her new colleagues, Carina must find a way to hold on to her job amid the ever-intensifying competition. The nights come alive for Carina and Urvashi as their friendship blossoms. They get drawn into a world of quick money, substance abuse, and uninhibited sex, featuring Vikrant – the debonair, cool boss, Alex – an aspiring chef turned recruiter, and Manav – a manager who believes life is one big party! Grappling with king-sized egos and trust deficits, Carina and Urvashi must determine what is real and what runs only skindeep. After all, this is their life, and they have to take a call soon!. |
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The Vulnerables by Tapan Patel Following a freak hailstorm in the middle of the night, three relief aid workers- Anurag, Deven, and Divya are lost in a valley near Pokheri village located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas in Nepal. The trio has been working for a relief operation after the massive earthquake of 2015. In Kathmandu, Kashyap, heading the relief operation for an international NGO, mobilizes the rescue team to find them. However, the event takes a sweeping turn when the rescue chopper crashes in the mountains, stranding the rescue team in a small hamlet near Pokheri. As Kashyap gears up for the second rescue operation within 48 hours, he has also to deal with his past relation with Sukanya, who is now the wife of Anurag. As Anurag and Deven struggle to find their way, a second major earthquake jeopardizes the rescue operation in the mountains. This second tremor scatters the team members, leaving them battling with their own fears and insecurities from the past and the present. Interaction and engagement of the team members with survivors and co-workers shape their psych to open up to their own vulnerabilities. Knitted in the backdrop of various disaster events at different places over the span of 15 years, the story reveals the turbulent yet evolving relationships of team members, going through love, longing, adventure, courage, misery, and triumph. This chronicle takes the reader through the enchanting journey of ever-changing landscapes of arid Kachchh, lush green Andaman Nicobar Island, mountains of Nepal and the flooded plains of Bihar. |
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—or Betty Martin by Kip Manley Jo Maguire, Duchess of Southeast, Hawk's Widow and Huntsman to the Court of Roses, has denied her Queen a second time, setting aside her office, her title, and her sword. Ysabel Perry, Sun-clad, Mountain-shod, the Rose arisen from the bitterest of tears, has crossed the river and thrown open her treasury; any and all might take what they need-so long as they do not serve the Viscount Agravante. The court is on the brink of civil war, and whether in a junk-shop or a rooftop garden, a riverside carnival or a hillside mansion, a dilapidated houseboat or a caravan, out by the airport-sides must be chosen, once and for all. -or Betty Martin collects chapters 34 - 44 of the critically acclaimed urban fantasy epic, continuing the story begun in Vol. 1, "Wake up...", and continued in Vol. 2, The Dazzle of Day, and Vol. 3, In the Reign of Good Queen Dick. |
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Crossroad Chronicles: Behind the Iron Gates by Kikie P Akers Tucked outside a small town in Romania, Supernatural Creatures Hidden University stands with a long, peaceful reputation. Concealed and hidden from human eyes, it has become a safe haven for those escaping the dangers of Hunters scattered around the globe. That is, until this year. Head of Sorority Omega Alpha and Sold-Soul Demon, Lennox Cade has studied at the university for the last twenty-one years. However, just a few weeks into the new semester she loses two of the most important people in her life. As her world is thrown into the dark, she meets the replacement the school has brought in as the new Head of Fraternity Kappa Theta—Aron, who seems to be nothing more than another frat boy. The two must find a way to work together and keep their friends safe despite Lennox's immediate distaste. Meanwhile, hunter and human Eden Miller discovers the truth about her birth mother. While on their final year of a six-year assignment, Matriarch Eloise Miller gives her the name of their number one target—her birth mother, here on the grounds. Caught between forbidden love and duty she questions her role as the future Matriarch within The Salvamari. As two paths collide she's forced to choose which bridge to burn to find herself. |
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The Captain and the Guppy by Noah Bodie In the underground city of Pirn, Cedric, the enigmatic second-in-command of the feared pirate ship The Waning Moon, oversees an orphanage that provides refuge to the city's most vulnerable. Captain Hawke, the legendary Warden of the Seas, is known for his strength, cunning, and love for those in his charge. As tensions between them simmer beneath the surface, a deeper bond is tested when Hawke returns home wounded and weary, leaving Cedric to question their place at Hawke's side. |
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In a world scarred by war, Andreas and Simon are unlikely companions brought together by fate. Andreas struggles with the weight of his family's legacy, while Simon, a hardened mercenary, is haunted by his past. As they journey together, their bond grows from wary allies to something deeper, offering glimpses of hope amid the darkness. They must learn to trust each other not just with their lives, but with their hearts. "Suneater" is a captivating story about trust, family, and self-discovery. It follows the fateful meeting of Andreas and Simon as they navigate a world filled with mystery, magic, and turmoil. As they confront their pasts and grapple with their intertwined destinies, they must unravel the complexities of their relationships and confront their feelings for one another. This captivating narrative explores themes of loyalty, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection, offering a rich and immersive journey into the depths of the human spirit. |
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Empty Palace by Joseph S Samaniego Mages never had it easy, but being dark marked since birth and usually that’s a death sentence. With an innate darkness from within, it’s hard not to be consumed by the voices from the void. As her powers start to take control, Cailin embarks on a clandestine mission for the Shrouded Guild with deadly assassins carrying their own secrets, fighters with blades as sharp as their loyalty, and mages with pasts as dark as the night. Their mission, to stop the rampant magical beast attacks. However, as Cailin’s dark and twisted visions increase and more of the world becomes clear, the magical attacks take on new meanings when the source is discovered. Now the motley crew of killers, and one scholar, has to find a new way to survive an onslaught from one of the most dangerous forces to ever rise from the face of the earth. All in a day’s work… What sort of future awaits the world when the darkest of powers seek to bring chaos into the world? Even the strongest feel weak at times, and even the bravest hesitate, but at what cost? Join Cailin and her motley crew as they journey into the heart of darkness to save their world from a fate worse than death. |
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Savage Blades by Joseph S Samaniego The bravest and best knights don't have a name. Famous knights die early deaths trying to make a name for themselves. Those type of knights aren't the type that you need protecting a village of peaceful fishermen. The type of knights you need are the ones with no names, no families, and nothing left to lose. Those are the ones that will do what it takes to defeat bandit raiders or die trying. When a peaceful village is suffering from raids from an army of deserters led by a ruthless man named Sancho, the villagers hire a group of veteran knights to protect them and teach them how to fight back. This group of knights, from different armies and past lives, join forces to use their unique and deadly skills to save the village. Famous knights, or those young pups seeking fame and fortune, need not apply. |
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No hidden maps. No secret words written among the dotted specks of white. His fingers itched to touch the paint and peel it away to whatever lie beneath—to whatever felt both so horribly familiar yet strange. With about half the keys in Noa’s possession and a horrible discovery that several members of a project to emulate lost magic through a device, it’s looking far more likely that this mission to find the Vault isn’t as much of a fabled fool’s errand as she originally thought. Every piece is seemingly falling into place, heralding the coming of the dark with the light of magic dwindling to sparks. As Noa’s priorities shift with the newly-planted thought that she’s the one chosen to see this task through after the loss of her would-be-Seer and surrogate father, Lazarus, she decides that it might be better to distance herself from that growing bond she’s found comfort in with Glacier. After all, his place is with his kingdom, and once they reach the end—whatever their fates might be—there won’t be any place for a group of killers and thieves in his life. However, Noa doesn’t realize that the other half of her quest’s fated set might actually be standing next to her. Glacier is starting to unravel, thanks to that echo of power rippling along the surface of his soul. Power that he’s not willing to accept, let alone acknowledge, with the crushing weight of what might be awaiting him back in Amarais. Being Miraltan is one thing, but a powerful Seer—a Mage—is another. And with one daemon-summoning adversary recognizing that potential, it’s only a matter of time before he’s hunted for his magic instead of just his blood. |
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Thin Slices: A Collection of Horror Flash Fiction by Melody E. McIntyre Welcome to Thin Slices, the debut collection from Melody E. McIntyre, writer of short, dark fiction. With over 90 stories, all less than 1000 words apiece, this little book is bursting with scares. Melody drew her inspiration from history, mythology, science fiction, monsters, ghosts, and secret places only accessible by night. These stories may be tiny, but the terrors they invoke are anything but. |
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The Call of the Nightingale by Kathryn Barnett London. 1950s An innocent girl is swept into an unfamiliar world where nothing is as it seems. In the quiet humdrum of post-war England, Alice, a young typist and caretaker to her ailing mother, lives a life of routine and responsibility. But her world is upended when her enigmatic new boss, Behrooz Azadi, captures her heart. Their budding romance blossoms amid London's lively dance halls, leading them to a whirlwind marriage and a shared life in his shadowy Victorian home. Yet, when family duty calls Behrooz back to Iran after the sudden death of his father, Alice finds herself bound to a culture and country still shrouded in mystery. As they journey east, she enters a world of ancient traditions, where her identity and choices are questioned, and her courage is tested in ways she could never have foreseen. In this evocative tale, Kathryn Barnett masterfully captures the allure of first love, the pull of family loyalty, and the intrigue of a now-lost Iran. The Call of the Nightingale is a poignant journey of self- discovery and resilience, set against the backdrop of two worlds colliding. |
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Chronicles of the Median by Nicholas House A Median isn't something anyone chooses to be, it's just something you are. A living bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead. Now, long forgotten forces threaten the fine balance kept by the Medians and Richard is forced to face perils that would change his life forever. Setting into motion events that leave the world in the hands of the wrathful dead, Richard must work to set things right and find the truth of what it means to be a Median. |
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In the Reign of Good Queen Dick by Kip Manley Ysabel rules the City of Roses with her brother, Lymond, the King, and Jo Maguire, formerly a telemarketer, is now the Duchess of Southeast—but happily ever after doesn't go as far as it used to. New peers have been raised up, and new factions vie to bring them down, from disgruntled knights to shadowy government operatives, from Lake Barons over the hills to Gloria Monday's art commune, and from enemies out of the past to apocalyptic nightmares of the future, drowned and forgotten. Can they possibly live up to the responsibility that power demands? Collecting chapters 23 – 33 of the critically acclaimed fantasy serial, continuing the story begun in vol. 1, “Wake up…”, and vol. 2, The Dazzle of Day. |
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The Dazzle of Day by Kip Manley Jo Maguire, a highly strung, underemployed telemarketer, has been knighted in the mysterious Court of Roses. Her roommate, Ysabel, is a Princess of the Court, and the intended Bride of the King Come Back (whomever that turns out to be). Together they must face the threats of bad dreams, changelings, surly exes, jealous lovers, intemperate peers, shabby magicians in ill-fitting suits, abstruse oracles, unemployment, eviction, and the nothing-time of three in the morning, when dawn seems so far off. Collecting chapters 12 - 22 of the critically acclaimed fantasy serial, Vol. 2, The Dazzle of Day, concludes most of the story begun in Vol. 1, "Wake up..." |
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“Wake up…” by Kip Manley City of Roses is a serialized epic very firmly set in Portland, Oregon--an urban fantasy mixing magical realism with gonzo noirish prose, where sinister high-rise riverfront condos are fought by a sprawling tea-house constructed from scrap lumber and old windows, and ancient sea-gods retire to close-in Southeast apartments with lovely views. It's the story of Jo Maguire, a highly strung, underemployed telemarketer, and what happens when she meets Ysabel, a princess of unspecified pedigree. Jo rather unexpectedly becomes Ysabel's guardian and caretaker, and now must make a place for herself among Ysabel’s decidedly unusual family and friends--which involves rather more sword-play than most of us are used to. Collecting chapters 1 - 11 of the critically acclaimed fantasy serial, Vol. 1, "Wake up..." does end on one heck of a cliffhanger--but don't worry. There's more, much more to come. |
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I’ll trade ya a story for a drink. It’s a story about a handsome son of a gun and his trusty dragon, Bean, on the hunt for the notorious train robber, Talon. In a land shaped by dragons, magic, and bullets, Dale Hartwell is just trying to make a living hunting down bandits and bounties while searching for his kidnapped parents. When the hunt for Talon takes him to the Melted Lands, Dale finds that he’s bitten off more than he can chew. He comes face to face with ancient dragons, old magic, and a new lead on his missing family. If he fails this job, not only will he lose his chance to find his parents, he might lose his life. In a showdown with a common enemy, unlikely allies will have to take to the skies, fighting tooth and talon for their lives and the future of the Melted Lands. |
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Throne of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasiel and his unit have become heroes in Vanris. Unfortunately, hero status makes them targets on the front lines and is no help at all with affairs of the heart. Vanris’s leaders have differing opinions on what role the unit should have in the war and how Kasiel’s exceptional Feral ability should be utilized. With his romantic relationship a mess and his life constantly in danger, Kasiel hopes he can at least protect those he cares about, though his mind-crafting seems destined to put them in harm’s way. But the stakes change when he learns the dark secret behind his childhood abduction and his mother’s murder. He will have to take a pivotal role in the complicated politics of war and leadership if he wants to gain control of his future and try to end the war. More than ever, he must rely on his chosen family and beasts, but the secrets he carries could tear them apart. |
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Sunsets & Other Dangerous Things by Dani Frank A sunshine vampire who can't help falling in love, a grumpy grad student who's followed by bad luck, and a cure that could bring them together or end them forever. Ashley, a jobless millennial, thought becoming a vampire sounded romantic in the mid-aughts. Now she’s dodging vampire-hunting witches and student loans while trying to regain some of the security she lost years ago when her girlfriend vanished shortly after changing her. The join an established vampire family. All they want is for Ashley to first complete one year of undergrad without giving away her undead status. This proves challenging as, despite her lack of heartbeat, Ashley's romantic tendencies are alive and well as she finds herself falling head over feet for her class’s cute but prickly graduate assistant. Esther just wants to finish her master’s program and never talk to people again. As a walking bad luck charm, she finds solace in following the rules and regulations of her archive internship and graduate assistant duties. Until she’s paired for a school project with the girl in class whose smile inexplicably makes her knees weak... and also happens to be a vampire. Hoping to figure out what these warm, fuzzy feelings are about, Esther agrees to help Ashley navigate Christmas with her family as her fake girlfriend. But the witches have their own plan brewing. They’ve created a cure for vampires that will give Esther a chance at a new life with Ashley by releasing Ashley from the forever-life she regrets. All Esther has to do is betray Ashley by giving the witches what they need to complete the spell, leaving Ashley to choose between the stability of the vampire family or a happily ever after that will only last a few decades. |
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Secrets of Urthis by KD Lumsden In a world where metal sings with raw power, Irwin Miner’s gift marks him as either savior or destroyer. For nineteen years, he survived his father’s brutality in the isolated mines of Urthis. Now his rare ability to manipulate metal has become both a blessing and a curse. Each surge of his growing powers draws him deeper into a realm of ancient mysteries and deadly secrets. When Irwin meets the captivating telepath Yace and her fierce shapeshifting companion Kipp, he dares to dream of belonging. But their fragile bond shatters as Yace vanishes after a devastating encounter with her past. Hunted by the tyrannical Ishik Empire and haunted by shadows that shouldn’t exist, Irwin must master his abilities before they consume him. Every ally could be an enemy. Every choice could lead to destruction. And somewhere in the darkness, Yace’s screams echo in his mind, driving him toward a confrontation that will shake the foundations of Urthis itself. With its unique magic system and unforgettable characters, “Secrets of Urthis” weaves a spellbinding tale of betrayal, redemption, and the price of power. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s intricate world building and Sarah J. Maas’s emotional depth. Discover why readers can’t put down this stunning fantasy debut. Let the magic of metal sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure |
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The Legend of Uh by Aaron N. Hall Sir Dashing Junior was only knighted because they couldn't knight his father twice. Now he's determined to prove he's worthy of his new title. With an aspiring ranger, an awkward friar, and a book-loving orc, DJ will venture across the territory of Uh to reach the Amulet of the Goddess, proving that he’s truly worthy of knighthood. Along the way, he and his companions will encounter a cursed author, a violent noodle cult, democratic goblins, and a whole lot more. It’s a journey fraught with danger and discovery, and the territory is rich with monsters and magic, so is DJ’s quest for respect really worth the cost? |
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The Brewmaster's Nephew by Thom Wilson Tradition is everything to the dwarves of the Oakbrew clan. And for humble barman Baenor Oakbrew, this means serving his family’s legendary Oakbrew Ale to the thirsty villagers of Ekoos. But when Uncle Halgir refuses to sell the clan’s coveted beer recipes and tavern to rival brewery owner Nezasha Wheatshine, she orders her goons to ransack the tavern and steal their ingredients. With his clan’s establishment in shambles and their livelihoods at stake, Baenor, his loyal cook and magical elven friend, Sylandra; his best customer, the old warrior Vegard; and the halfling bard, Finnigan, leave their village behind and venture across Val’Eskaar with the hopes of bringing Nezasha to justice and recovering the four ingredients required to brew their famous Water, Hops, Barley, and Yeast. Can Baenor and his friends restore their tavern before Nezasha’s brewers and their vast distribution network replicate their beer and put them out of business? |
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The executioner’s pyre smoldered as Mercury’s wrath ignited a rebellion. Silas only narrowly escaped Mars with his life and now the Pandora Fleet hails him as king. He knows he can lead on a battlefield, but questions if he’s prepared to lead a nation. In the fragile refuge of space, his fleet lies damaged, forcing him to make a critical decision: Bow to the lords of Mercury or travel to Luna and beseech the help of cold-hearted pirates. Still in shock from discovering Hex’s identity, Kaya decides to remain in the fight and forego reuniting with her family on Mercury. In the rearguard of the fleet, her ship comes under enemy fire. The crew’s only hope of survival is an emergency landing on the desolate Earth, but the Iron Cage orbits menacingly between them and salvation. No one survives the Iron Cage. Meanwhile, Aron and the Prometheus Group are left struggling on Mars, the untrustworthy Children of Men their only remaining allies. Will they find a way to hold off the Republic’s quest for retribution or will they succumb to the machinations of their would-be allies? Ashen Dawn is the second book in the Midnight War series, an action-filled epic set long after the destruction of Earth. |
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Fall Into You by Georgina Kiersten It’s Autumn. Is there a better time to fall in love? Imari Haines has had it with the gossip. The whole town is acting like she’s their very own Runaway Bride. A plus-size, black version of Julia Roberts that left a perfectly nice boy at the altar. Her family is no exception. Her mother won’t stop making passive-aggressive comments. Exhausted by this charged atmosphere, a boss that doesn’t appreciate her, and the never-ending town rumors, Imari makes a bold decision. Come autumn, she moves to Appeley (a small town in Hill Country) and never looks back. In Appeley, for the first time ever, Imari feels welcome, happy, and unapologetically herself. She tries new things, makes brand-new friends and, while attending the fall apple festival, she accidentally bumps into a very familiar face… Cassidy Martinez was her childhood best friend and partner in crime. Now, she has grown into a stunning, confident woman, and Imari can’t help noticing. Should she take a risk? Can the two of them pick up where they left off, or is being friends not going to be enough this time around? An F/F Black BBW Sapphic Romance featuring plus-size main characters, a small town, autumn themes, butches and studs, motorcycle rides, coffeeshops, childhood friends-to-lovers romance, and tons of found family feels. |
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In the individual, virtual-reality-like mind space of Youtopia, “Immersers” can live in their own perfect world, but chaos ensues when an Immerser is murdered inside his Youtopia. FBI Special Agent Anabel Downer, one of the Bureau’s best, is assigned to the case. In her investigations of the mysterious murder, she interviews Youtopia’s staunchest supporters and naysayers, and gathers clues about the seedier sides of Immerser life. Along the way, she encounters her own troubled past, and questions herself what is real. As the killer escalates his efforts, Ana must confront not only the hardest case of her life, but also her own demons. EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the first intriguing installment in the “Youtopia” series of techno-thriller/sci-fi/crime adventures, which, though fiction, seems all too possible in the real world... real soon. |
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Japanese Robots Love to Dance by Margret Treiber It's tough being a robot - unrealistic expectations from humans, long hours, lack of social interaction. And what can you do when unscrupulous owners break the law? Humans have attorneys and so should you. Sometimes you just need a good lawyer to do what a robot can’t. Gary Legal, attorney at law. |
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The World's Other Side by Daniel M. Bensen George Boatman trained to be a priest, but his people need a criminal. Five centuries after the mighty Gondwanan civilization conquered the Northern Hemisphere, George leads a band of thieves and smugglers in the Ilinwa city of Shikaakwa. It's a bloody job, but his people need him. What George needs is vengeance. Bounce Nakmara didn't expect her post-graduate work to be so demanding. Placed without her consent into a home-stay with a bunch of incomprehensible Native Eurasian refugees, she does her best to settle in, help out, and pursue George, who has interesting depths. Except it turns out he's killed someone! Now they're all threatened by ruthless drug lords, the local authorities, and international religious extremists. If Bounce doesn't make George choose to save the future, he'll be consumed by the sins of the past. Love, loyalty, and cultures collide in The World's Other Side, an alternate history scifi thriller. |
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The Day of the Martians by H.E. Wilburson A New War of the Worlds Begins as Martian Tripods Return to Earth! The terror of the coming of the Martians is all but a distant memory, a bad dream that has faded with time. All George wants is a quiet suburban life – but at breakfast one morning his newspaper reports the shocking discovery of a Martian cylinder, found intact and unopened, and carefully transported to London. Could it be from the first alien invasion and are there Martians still alive inside after more than ten years? By teatime he learns that vengeance seeking Martians and their tripod fighting machines are already on their way back. This time they are armed with a doomsday weapon, able to destroy all bacteria and completely annihilate Earth The countless numbers of their projectiles form a huge green comet and invasion day will be just before Christmas. The first attack by aliens was enough for any lifetime, but who would expect to be involved with two? Can George and his wife escape this new Martian apocalypse and how will our planet survive a second time? The Day Of The Martians continues the iconic Mars novel by H.G. Wells, in this exciting, unmissable action adventure – the first volume of The Martian Diaries science fiction series. The audiobook version - featuring original music - was a winner of 5 awards in the 2020 Los Angeles Science Fiction Film Awards, Audio Drama category, together with volume 2 Lake On The Moon. |
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Chosen Of The Dark Realm by David Cornford It has been over a thousand years since the seals between this reality and the dark realm of Kur were broken and the wraith-like gallus invaded the continent of Dannum. When the former priest of An, Adaru, escapes from the tower where the restored seals lay that prevent the gallus from crossing realms, war consumes the land with Adaru's machinations. A kingdom falls, ancient powers awaken and the power of Kur is unleashed again. The guardian Nanaya and her companions barely stopped the gallus last time, but the Darisam civilisation was annihilated those 1000 years ago, and the land reduced to a poisoned desert, but for one ancient tower. Nanaya is forced to confront the terrors of her past, terrors that took everyone she ever cared for. Nanaya, now advisor to the present king of Southcastle. fears the past will repeat itself. Elsewhere, Baraka, a desperate treasure hunter from the arid Fringe States that border the vast desert of The Territory, discovers secrets that irrevocably change him; and Samuel, a young man working on his family's farm in the western kingdom of Royaume d'Occident, realises his dreams of adventure, but in doing so loses his innocence. Kur corrupts the land as Adaru moves closer to realising his terrible ambition of breaking the seals again and Nanaya, now the last guardian in Dannum, knows she is not strong enough to stand against him alone. |
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Kingdom of Embers and Ruin by N.E. Valla A continent divided. Rival kingdoms on the brink of war. Fates intertwined. A love that will spark the flame of rebellion. Maude has been running for most of her adult life; from her past and her future. She is an isolated pit fighter who would rather hit first and ask questions later with no other goal than to stay alive in the slums of Logi, the capital city of the Kingdom of Flame. Life had been anything but simple for Maude but it was still hers. But when a charming stranger hops into the fighting pit with her and forces her to face the growing unrest in Logi, Maude can feel the fates swirling around her once more. Herrick is a warrior from the Kingdom of Rivers who is on a mission to help the oppressed, low born citizens of Ahland. A strict believer in the fate that the gods laid out for him, Herrick follows his gut to Logi when dreams of Valkyries and flames plague him. He knows the brutally stubborn woman he finds in the illegal fighting pits is his fate when he aggravates her enough for her to lose her slippery grip on control, revealing her secret. She would be his salvation in this civil war against King Helvig of Logi... and his damnation. When the opportunity arrives for Herrick to persuade Maude to help him search for a rumored weapon that can take down the crooked king on the Throne of Wind and Flames, he quickly discovers that she is as frustrating as she is alluring to the warrior. Her past is a mystery that Herrick wants to unravel but Maude doesn’t give up bits of herself without a fight, even if she feels herself losing that fight every moment she spends in the aggravating warrior’s presence. Tempers flare and desires burn in this enemies to lovers Viking inspired fantasy imbued with elemental magic and civil unrest. Follow Maude and Herrick as they reluctantly work together to free Ahland from crooked rulers and restrictions that have the gods restless enough to begin pulling on the strings of fate, altering their lives as they know it. |
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The Star-Crossed Empire by Maya Darjani For fans of Lois McMaster Bujold, David Weber, and KB Wagers. Get swept away into a lush and romantic space opera that transcends time, untangles court intrigue, and spans the entire Galactic Whorl. A Republic soldier A reluctant Emperor When love and duty collide, who wins? Layla is a patriotic soldier of the Altainan Republic. And patriots don’t ally themselves with rival empires. But when she reencounters the handsome imperial noble she fell in love with years before, she falls again. Hard. And she decides: she’s going to marry that man. Duty be damned. Unfortunately, he’s also the new Valharan Emperor. And their planets are about to go to war. As tensions rise between the two worlds, Layla’s attempts at neutrality go awry. She finds herself unsafe and threatened, a foreigner no matter where she lands. Eventually, instability in their isolated galactic community leaves it ripe for invasion. Layla has to overcome her dual loyalty and end this war for once and for all–before the Whorl goes up in flames, and she loses the man she loves. "...a well-crafted tale that transcends time." - Reader's Favorite |
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Revenge of the Bakeneko by VB Scott A dice game in the hands of Takana Gozen is anything but a matter of chance. Takana covets golden ryō coins almost as much as she hates yakuza, and she is a master at manipulating both as she hosts backroom gambling events to pay off her deadbeat father’s debt. She’s spent the last eight years wandering the Nikkō Kaidō highway, living the life of a homeless vagabond—stealing, cheating, and killing—all in the never-ending pursuit of coin. Instigated by the lowliest of prostitutes in the brothel Takana’s mother runs, a series of brutal, deadly events break Takana out of debt, and she earns the power to oppose the very structures that bound her. The found family she collects along the way looks to her for leadership, and together they form their own yakuza clan—the most prosperous and feared in all of Eastern Nihon--The Bakeneko Clan. Takana has trained her whole life to survive deadly encounters, but the risks that come with being a clan head come in more forms than katana and kunai. Protection, love, compassion, friendship, and sacrifice will all be necessary if she is to survive her new life—a life that proves to be more dangerous and unfulfilling than the old one. |
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Alex McKenna and the Academy of Souls by Vicki-Ann Bush No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be. Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven. The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children. Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late? |
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A Christmas Chance by A.L. Brooks Timid Californian, Cara, has rented a remote cottage in Scotland for a vacation before starting her new job. But her peace is shattered when an attractive stranger arrives unexpectedly. For the quiet Cara, Steph, whose buzzcut is as sharp as her chainsaw, is possibly the last person she wants to share her retreat with. After her girlfriend cleared out their flat and disappeared, Steph needs a reset, and her gran’s peaceful cottage is just the place. She’ll chill over Christmas and work on her chainsaw sculptures. However, she hadn’t planned on having to share the cottage with a stranger who also wants to be alone. But when a snowstorm blasts through the country, Steph and Cara have to make the best of it. At least they have food, shelter, and a bed. One bed. Is their forced proximity and sizzling chemistry the chance for each of them to hit the reset button in their lives? Or is it the chance of something much more? A sexy lesbian Christmas romance that’s low in angst but high in all the feelings! |
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The Destined Road by J.M. Testa Much of Vostheloren’s history is lost. The formerly united realms of men, elves, and dwarves have retreated to separate corners of the world, deeply suspicious of one another. Most remember only war, fear, and a darkness, known as the “horizon of storms,” that bloomed across the seas. Thousands of years have passed since the shadow first appeared, but now the evil, once thought vanquished, lies in wait, threatening to destroy all who challenge it. Tagwen Braithe, newly ascended queen of Yeacralas, the southern realm of men, has taken up the throne after the death of her father. She knows little of her world’s tumultuous past and even less about how to fill her father’s shoes. Many consider her title unearned, so when she answers an urgent call from a neighboring kingdom, she considers it her chance to prove her mettle to the people she is sworn to protect. But as she discovers, her journey will be the beginning of the world’s darkening end and she will be forced to embark on an odyssey that will take her beyond the call of duty and reveal her true destiny. |
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Rift Bringer by Adrienne Renick After her best friend is murdered by a shapeshifting eonite, Liana pours herself into her work for Terminus, the underground rebellion most superhuman anomalies look to for justice against such crimes. As an anomaly herself, it’s hard for Liana to balance hiding in the shadows with bringing dirty truths to light, and her slip-ups bring her to the attention of the ruthless leader of Terminus, Matthias Stryker himself. Terminus is cutthroat, but they’re not the only ones watching. The government agency, EVOS, is out for anomaly blood, and when Liana is caught in the crossfire, she has no choice but to play along. Especially after hotheaded Agent Wallace backs her into a corner with his deadly plan: deescalate the rising tension between factions and prevent war on a cosmic scale by using Liana as a double agent. It doesn’t help that Liana’s relationship with Stryker is shaky at best, and helping EVOS as an anomaly is like playing with dynamite. But unrest is stirring, Wallace is making some irritatingly excellent points, and Terminus’s reputation is growing worse by the minute. Liana is out of options. All eyes are on her, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s the one thing left that will make or break the peace between worlds. |
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On the Subject of Kittens and Mittens: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings There's no day like a snow day... Ranger Captain Taimri Hämäläinen loved playing in the snow as a child. Now, on a vacation with her family in the snow-covered mountains of a certain planet in the Beta Centauri sytem, she has a chance to share all of her favorite winter games with her own children. Taimri’s three adopted Florivan kittens, of course, have never seen snow before; they live on a space station with her husband, George Barker. That only makes it more fun to dress Sky, Storm, and Ocean up in their warmest clothes and take them out into the frosted wonderland, in Taimri’s opinion. While her Florivan counterpart, River Myrval, stays behind in the cozy comforts of the lodge, Taimri and her kittens are in for a bit of an adventure they hadn’t expected… On the Subject of Kittens and Mittens: A Strange Space™ Novella is the fifth installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages. |
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Tales of the Navigators: Strange Space Short Stories Volume 1 by Katie Silverwings The Strange is calling you… The world of Strange Space™ is full of stories of all sizes. This first collected volume of Katie Silverwings’ Strange Space™ Short Stories includes ten tales from the lives of the enigmatic Florivans and their human Astral Navigator Counterparts: Sleeping Beauties A Conspiracy of Fluff Aliens at a Tiki Bar An Interlude of Colors A Mystery, Unsolved The Ones who Wear White Hats The View From a Distance Fox in the Cave Rooftops and Space Whales The Tragedy of Harold the Violet These tales of adventure, friendship, and family are all set in the world of Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series, where people are accepted for who they are and anything is possible. |
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Warmth and Darkness: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings Even in the depths of space, you can find warmth... Admiral Jennifer Marvin used to think she’d seen everything the galaxy had to throw at her. That, though, was before she met the Florivan Elder Celadon Toreval. She can sum up this Quantum Space Drive Engineer and dear friend of hers in two words: cryptic chaos. Their preference for the company of the most troublesome humans they can possibly find in the Fleet’s ranks doesn’t make matters better. These days, Admiral Marvin is just grateful that the galaxy occasionally sends her a sign that something unusual is about to upset her carefully laid plans. Whether she manages to see those signs in time to do anything about it, though, is always a gamble. Join Admiral Marvin’s crew aboard the starship SCV Aegolius as they face the next chapter in the tales of the Novan War, and find out what new adventure waits for them in the darkness. |
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The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings Adventures happen when you least expect them... In the time of the Novan War, the pilots of the 2nd Darter Squadron “Musketeers” are no strangers to peril. Even the little Florivan kitten who serves as their mascot has a tendency to get into trouble. When two of the Musketeers and their mascot find themselves stranded on a seemingly deserted mining colony, though, they find themselves in a situation none of their previous adventures could have prepared them for. With no way to contact the rest of the Defense Fleet, they’ll have to find their own way to repair their darters and get back to their starship. To make matters worse, enemy forces are lurking in the nearby asteroids. The Mayview outpost was abandoned at the start of the War, but the Musketeers aren’t alone here. Someone is watching them from behind the overgrown vines... The Garden in the Darkness: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages. |
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How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings A new adventure begins... Every starship wanting to use the veiled dimension of Quantum Space as a shortcut around the physical distance between planets and stars needs a Florivan to run the Drive. Every Florivan QSD Engineer needs an Astral Navigator to orient them and keep them anchored to Normal space. Finding the right human to be their life-long counterpart is one of the most important choices a young Florivan ever makes. What happens, then, to someone like Ocean Merlani Barker, who can’t seem to click with any of the highly qualified Navigator prospects their instructors have to offer? Ocean themself seems content to spend their second year in the Nav/Quan training program alone and taking extra classes for their secondary degree in geosciences. Content, that is, until a chance encounter with a certain graduating student from the Security and Tactical program changes the course of their life forever… The way forward isn't always the path that we expect. How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages. |
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Celadon: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings It's the dawn of a new era... The Novan War has just begun. All that stands between humanity and utter destruction are the ships of the Sol Coalition Defense Fleet. The only problem? None of those ships are equipped with the all-important Quantum Space Drive which allows humanity to travel between planets and stars at a reasonable scale of time. The Drive needs Florivan QSD Engineers to run it, and Florivans are pacifists. Their Council of Elders has never allowed service on military vessels. The Fleet can do little more than sit at the edges of the Coalition’s seven member systems and wait for the Novans to attack. Celadon Toreval is the Youngest of the Florivan Council of Elders. If anyone can come to Fleet Admiral Marvin’s aid and help her save her people—and theirs—it’s them. Celadon, though, has their own reasons to get involved... The time to act has come. Celadon: A Strange Space™ Novel received the 2023 Richard Wright Literary Award for Best Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy from the Memphis Public Libraries. It is the second installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages. |
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Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings Something new is about to hatch... Dr. Ariadne Salzar-Newman is not a mad scientist. She is a scientist—a brilliant one at that—but she’s hardly mad. If one asks MSS Venture’s staff psychologist and QSD Engineer, the Florivan Elder Navy Irleeim, she’s only “amusingly eccentric, with a bit more of a fascination with the Strange than is healthy for a human.” That fascination has her once again working with the dangerous miasmas of Quantum Space, in hopes of making travel through that veiled dimension safer for human starships. It’s not particularly safe for a scientist, for sure. Still, having taken Navy’s apprentice under her wing as a part-time assistant, she’s safer than usual. Working with her is good for Cobalt Mereday, too, if only because her unique brand of oddity seems to be the only thing capable of helping them. Even Dr. Salzar-Newman has no reason to suspect just how much of an effect this particular project will have on her family and her protégé, nor how far-reaching the consequences will be. Little Bernadette is not an ordinary budgerigar... Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space™ Novella is the first installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages. |
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Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes by Amy Coles Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes teaches children how to choose the best clothes for the day, with interactive pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of the hard "TH" sound. Sparkle Kitty is off to see Grandma Sparkle today! But first, Sparkle Kitty needs to get dressed for the day. There are so many things to think about when picking out your clothes. Can you help Sparkle Kitty pick out the perfect outfit? Recommended Age: 1-5 Word Count: 343 words Lexile Level: 580 Phonics Focus: hard "TH" sound |
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Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun by Amy Coles Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun teaches children about sun safety with interactive search-and-find pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of "IGHT". Sparkle Kitty wants only one thing today: to play outside. But the sun is too BRIGHT! And the sun is too HOT! If only someone could help Sparkle Kitty find everything they need to stay happy and safe in the sun... Recommended Age: 3-8 Recommended Grade: K-3 Word Count: 415 words Lexile Level: 880 Phonics Focus: "IGHT" |