Press Play by Sam LaRose

It’s been a month since Dylan Montgomery went into hiding. His ex-boyfriend’s album, all about a past relationship, begging for a second chance, has record downloads on a new music app. Since he was told he wasn’t allowed to listen to it, Dylan has no comment for the blogs and magazines who want confirmation that he’s Tyler Norse’s lost love. Instead, between getting out of New York, and secluding himself in his childhood home, Dylan keeps his head low. As September begins, Dylan is ready to move on. He’s turning twenty-two and is looking forward to some freedom. He wants to focus on teaching his classes and figuring out what he’s going to do with his life. Fate has other things in mind when Tyler’s band plays a Farewell-for-now show, closing it out with a group remastering of the album. Hearing it for the first time sends Dylan directly into the bed of another man. Not exactly Tyler’s intention. Nor the bodyguard, employed by his parents, whose bed he ends up in. As Dylan’s world spirals out of control, the question on everyone’s mind is: can he and Tyler start over?

Honest Lies by Sam LaRose

Dylan Montgomery is back in Manhattan. After three years in LA, he's anxious to resume life as normal in the greatest city in the world. He doesn't expect seeing Tyler Norse to still make him feel like a lovesick teenager. He knows getting too close to the man will only lead to one or both of them getting hurt again. Their former relationship is better left in the past. Tyler Norse isn't prepared for Dylan's return after putting a continent between them. He tried to move on, but it didn't stick. Seeing Dylan again brings all the old feelings and lack of closure back to the surface. He respects Dylan's decision to move on, but it doesn't mean he likes it. Jordan Baxter is happy with his boyfriend. He hasn't wanted more since breaking up with his joyfriend Dani, but lately Kyle has suggested that he look for another partner. After all, Kyle has three other boyfriends who are all vying for his attention; he doesn't want Jordan to feel neglected. So, when Dylan steps back into the band's life, Jordan's curiosity is piqued in a way it hasn't been in a long time. With Tyler's go ahead, Jordan asks Dylan out on a date. Just to see what happens. Dylan isn't interested in being Jordan's boyfriend, but he isn't averse to making a new friend who likes kissing occasionally. As the summer progresses into fall, Dylan struggles with finding his footing in adulthood, gaining privacy and distance from his privileged upbringing, and maintaining his sobriety.

Something More by Sam LaRose

Jordan Baxter has never considered himself to be anything other than a flirt. When his interest is piqued by not one, but two people, within days of one another, his world takes an unexpected turn. Kyle is a talented artist who's smile makes his heart squeeze and his stomach tilt. …But, he's openly polyamorous with his boyfriend Markus. Not to mention, he's also hooked up with Jordan's BFF Heath and Heath's boyfriend, Jack.Dani is a musician that lays most things on the table, like that they're non-binary and not entirely sure how the whole sex thing works for them. Unless they're drunk, in which case they stop thinking entirely. Defining the relationships is put on hold while Jordan's band, Dark Little Town, tours for the summer. When the tour ends, he knows they'll all eventually have to make a decision about their romantic status, or just be friends.

Pants Optional by Sam LaRose

Jack Piper is eighteen years old, living with his mother and twin sisters in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. He attends a selective private school, where he's honing his skills as a writer, aided greatly by his eidetic memory. It's been three years since his father passed away, inciting the move, and his first Christmas alone. When his friend Pixie invites him out for a Jewish Christmas, he doesn't expect the bend in the road his life is about to take. Heath Gibson is a New Jersey transplant to the city. His band, Dark Little Town, is just inches away from real success. Since moving to the city, he's made plenty of friends and is open to making more. Especially if it means getting to forget how in love with his best friend he's been since he was thirteen. When Jack and Heath recognize each other across a club on Christmas Eve, they don't expect to go home together. They certainly don't expect to catch feelings for one another. Jack isn't sure he wants to settle into a relationship with the older man. Heath is ready to hand over his heart, if Jack will just accept it. And neither of them quite knows what to make of Jack's best friends; a gay polyamorous couple who want nothing more than to get one, or both, of them into bed with them.

Real Talk by Sam LaRose

Dylan Montgomery's parents have reached their final straw. Banishment to Tynan, NJ seems like the pits, but is just what the troubled teen needs. It's there that he meets Tyler Norse; lead singer and guitarist for Dark Little Town. As the summer begins to fade, the future looks dim on the relationship from Dylan's perspective, but as far as Tyler's concerned: it's just getting started.

Light the Lamp by Sam LaRose

"Where do your ideas come from then?" "I don't know. It's this nagging inkling of what-if." "I understand this nagging feeling." The man took a step closer. "Like, this voice in my head that keeps telling me to kiss you." Harper's eyes widened slightly. "What? Why?" "Why?" He sounded surprised. "Why not? You are sexiest person in this bar. You stood out to me right away." Pietr Ivanov is skating into his 10th pro-hockey season with a new team, in a new city. Fresh off a successful play-off run, he's looking forward to connecting with his teammates and settling in. When he joins his captain for drinks, he doesn't expect the night to change his life. Harper Wyatt has lived in Manhattan for nearly a decade. As a still-floundering author, they take the little wins where they can and their favorite place to do that is the Mounting Bison. Celebrating the publication of their second book with their besties, they anticipate a couple of drinks, lots of laughs, and then calling it an early night. When Pietr spies Harper across the bar, he's immediately smitten. He has no idea what "non-binary" means, but he's open minded and willing to learn. Harper typically steers clear of the Osprey players that frequent the bar with their captain, but Pietr has zero qualms about approaching them –in the bar bathroom of all places. And thus, in the first Meet Cute of their life, Harper's quiet, single life is upended. This slice-of-life romance is sure to thrill romance readers looking for diverse representation and a unique story with cozy vibes. Fans of the Dark Little Town series will love the connections to a New York they've grown familiar with. Light the Lamp features multiple LGBTQ+ characters, alternative relationship structures, and a lot of spice.

Havoc by T.L. Hawke

After close to a century in a laboratory run by the secret government Department 13, where he and three of his fellow Drakonians are mercilessly experimented on, Havoc resigns himself to his fate. Until one day a new scientist arrives and changes everything…  Not only does she open the cage that holds him captive and facilitates the escape he never thought was possible, she also injects him with an unknown serum that triggers a monumental change in him. A change he’s been avoiding all his life, but is now unable to stop.  On the run, he’s finally forced to accept that his father is dead, making him the Drakonian King. It’s now up to him to save his people, all while resisting his uncontrollable feelings for the woman who changed him, and in the process, ruined his life. Excited to be working on a top secret genetics project, Dr. Harmony Holmes arrives for her first day on the job full of hope that she will be able to further her career prospects, and also build a relationship with her estranged father.  What she finds instead shocks her to her core. Four vampires held prisoner and tortured mercilessly.  Driven by despair, she opens one of the cages and sets off a string of events that change her life and the lives of everyone around her forever. Now she's on the run, fighting for her life, while at the same time trying to resist her uncontrollable need for the vampire with the golden eyes, who hates her…

The Freezer by Kim Hunt

In the endless tracts of the New South Wales bushland Ranger Cal Nyx finds a dead body under unusual circumstances. It soon becomes apparent this is a historic death. Growing attention on the crime puts the blowtorch to a murderer who’s managed to evade justice. For now. Detective Inspector Liz Scobie leads the police investigation while her partner, Nyx, uses her own considerable - some might say unorthodox - methods to chase down a killer. With speculation growing in the small community, someone privy to information becomes a new target for the killer. Join Nyx and Scobie in their dogged pursuit of a bold predator with everything to lose.

Koala and the Darkness: A Bermuda Triangle Mystery by Jared Michael Bull

When Koala, a teenaged orphan misfit living in an island seaport village, encounters a mysterious dark illness that is killing her hunting obsessed town, she sets off foot into the dark forest to discover a cure. But the forest is deadly, home to the village's greatest enemy, the Griffins, massive wolf-like creatures which hunt the villagers relentlessly at night and whose soul desire is to eat man flesh. As if the forest isn't dangerous enough there's even rumors of a dark witch that haunts unsuspecting townspeople making random appearances during the rising and settings of the sun. As Koala journeys the forest her adopting Father King Doti, the lead warrior of the elite griffin hunting team called the Gurkhas, must discover a new way to fight the threat across the ocean, the East Indian Company. Having just upped the quota for the island's fur production which is maintained by killing Griffins for their fur skins Doti must find and recruit more warriors and train them. If not, the East Indian Company will wreck, pillage, and burn their village. As Koala braves the forest with her trusted side-kick fox Fennec, she learns of her adopted Father's dark history, discovers the dark origin of the mysterious illness, finds her real mother, and races against time to find a cure and defeat the mercenaries of the East India Company to save her people.

Drew's Big Buff Brain by Drew Dennis/John Denny

Just like our bodies, our brains need a workout! The importance of reading is conveyed through comical characters and fun storytelling. Drew was a funny and outgoing boy who loved playing sports. But he also enjoyed playing video games and watching television. A lot. It made his brain fuzzy and he would forget things on the playing field. Drew felt like a zombie. His friend Deena tells him that even though his body might be fit, his brain needs to be strong too. She says reading is like a workout for your brain. Reading doesn't have to be dull and boring if you find topics you enjoy-like sports! Pretty soon, reading books made Drew smarter and stronger-It gave Drew a big buff brain! Key themes • Humor • Reluctant readers • Fitness and health • Inspiration and personal growth Author Drew Dennis is a fourteen-year-old boy who hated reading until his friend, writer, John Denny decided to show him how important reading is to the health of your brain by creating a book together. Drew's Big Buff Brain is a wonderful resource for teachers, librarians, and parents, to share this message to all children, especially reluctant readers.

The Other Team by Felix Fowler

Kit Cook is about to learn a whole lot more than soccer this summer Weltmeister Academy is the absolute last place Kit Cook wanted to go at the end of his freshman year. His parents are forcing him to leave behind his friends and go to the toughest soccer camp in the country so he has a chance to make varsity in the fall. With a lot of hard work, a little luck, and help from his new friend Freddie, Kit manages to build a semblance of normalcy and get through the summer. That is, until Kit sees something he wasn’t meant to, and his world is thrown into chaos. His friendships foundering and performance failing, Kit must find a way to reconcile what he saw if he wants to save his friendship and summer. Soccer isn’t all he’s going to learn this year – he’s going to learn all about a side of himself he didn’t know existed…

The Luck of Elfbones by S R Button

When Elfbones receives an invitation to the royal ball, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. But what begins as a night of enchantment quickly spirals into chaos as he finds himself on the run from the king's royal guard. With danger lurking in every shadow, Elfbones navigates a wild world filled with bizarre creatures, eccentric strangers, and absurd modes of transport, all while racing to find his way home. Just when he thinks he’s alone in his plight, he crosses paths with Soli, a determined young cadet, and Constance, an unusual individual who may hold a secret that could unravel reality itself. Together, they embark on a whirlwind adventure that challenges their courage, tests their wits, and reveals unexpected twists of fate. Packed with original characters, unpredictable plot twists, and a vibrant fantasy landscape, The Luck of Elfbones is a delightful escape for readers seeking a fresh take on the genre. With a pace that keeps you turning pages and an ending you won’t see coming, this is a story that promises to leave you eager for more. Dive into a world where nothing is as it seems, and prepare for a journey that defies the ordinary! Join Elfbones, Soli and Constance in this first instalment of an unforgettable trilogy—where the only certainty is that adventure awaits!

Adventures in Bodily Autonomy: Exploring Reproductive Rights in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror by Nisi Shawl, Elizabeth Bear, Annalee Newitz, Ellen Klages, Cecilia Tan, Jaymee Goh, Raven Belasco, Kathleen Alcalá, Tara Campbell, Cynthia Gralla, K Ibura, Helena María Viramontes, Sonya Taaffe, Anya De Niro

The fourteen tales in Adventures in Bodily Autonomy flow across alternate universes and through space and time to consider the issues of reproductive justice through a fresh perspectives. There is an adventure here for everyone. An astronaut on her way to Mars discovers she’s pregnant — can she keep her baby? Bee-like entities try to force a human to be their queen. In1930s Philly, a vampire offers a novel form of birth control. From a ghost, lessons learned too late. Women who cannot find a comfortable fit in their mythic realities. Future worlds where reproductive choices are different, but individual choice and external battles for that choice are just as real. Adventures in Bodily Autonomy will be released on October 16th, 2023, a date important in the history of women’s healthcare rights. On October 16, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, Margaret Sanger opened the country’s first birth control clinic. Just nine days later police shut down the clinic, and Sanger served 30 days in prison. For over 50 years, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels — including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and postpartum care, and paid family leave—for every body. Authors include Kathleen Alcalá ~ Elizabeth Bear ~ Raven Belasco ~ Tara Campbell ~ Anya De Niro ~ Jaymee Goh ~ Cynthia Gralla ~ K Ibura ~ Ellen Klages Annalee Newitz ~ Nisi Shawl ~ Sonya Taaffe ~ Cecilia Tan ~ Helena María Viramontes One hundred percent of the royalties of Adventures in Bodily Autonomy are being donated to Reproductive Freedom for All to help them continue their vital fight for women’s bodily autonomy and basic human rights. “So satisfying to read a volume of new speculative fiction stories centered on women’s experience, women’s lives, women’s choices! You’ll find a pleasurable variety here: hard sf, fantasy, ghosts, vampires, horror, sweet lyricism and steel-edged noir — stories from well-known names, and stories from writers you've never encountered before. I guarantee that at least one story in this volume will make you punch the air in triumph, and another will work its way into your dreams, and not let go.” —Elizabeth Lynn, World Fantasy Award Winner “This anthology will be a breath of fresh air ins the ongoing fight for the right of women to control and make decisions about their own bodies.” —Chinelo Onwualu, author of “What The Dead Man Said” “Adventures in Bodily Autonomy is a fresh and bold collection. In our current political climate, these stories and imaginings are desperately needed.” —Myriam Gurba, author of Mean

Blood Triad by Raven Belasco

Blood Triad is a must-read for fans of vampire fiction and historical fantasy, especially those who value meticulously researched narratives that deliver immersive world-building, nuanced character dynamics and diverse perspectives, and thought-provoking explorations of love and resilience. — Booklife by Publisher's Weekly Blood Triad sweeps readers across eras and locations, from the ancient Norsemen and Picts of the 900s, to the turbulent colonial history of Haiti, to Prohibition-era Philadelphia, infusing each of these periods with her unique vampiric lore. Belasco’s action scenes are brisk, and her carefully-researched characters are memorable. Her vampires are so much more than the violence of their history—within their bloody hearts, they retain their humanity. — Tara Campbell, author of City of Dancing Gargoyles and TreeVolution BLOOD TRIAD is a collection of three novellas from the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series by Raven Belasco, giving a more intimate view into the lives of some of the am’r (the vampires’ name for themselves) that readers have met along the way. Standalone novellas, each story can be enjoyed without having previously read any of the series. TEETH ARE BONES is set after the events of Blood Ad Infinitum. Librarian Anushka “Noosh” Rossetti finds herself on a yacht with Zoraida, a mysterious am’r she admires but barely knows. To pass the time, Zoraida confides the story of her life first as a human and then an am’r, through the bloody events of the Haitian Revolution through the U.S. Occupation of Haiti, profound love and devastating loss made only more intense by the passion of a vampire’s heart. In BLOOD BROTHERS, Noosh finally gets Wulfhram and Dubhghall to confide in her the tale of their centuries-long-partnership. Meeting in opposing sides of a battle in the A.D. 900s, the two men take an unlikely path to both the am’r life and to a lasting love, fighting together as mercenaries across Europe and the Middle East in the last century of the first millennium before nearly losing each other in their calamitous transformation into am’r. ABYSSINIA is a story from the life of Astryiah, a powerful and important am’r. Set in 1930’s Philadelphia, Palmina is working at the Nabisco factory…and helping women who are “in a fix.” Palmina is feeling run down by all the pressures in her life…until a striking, mysterious woman shows up to change her life in astonishing, sensual, and dangerous ways. Palmina is confronted by the seductive power of the am’r world. Will she choose to join the am’r for strength, autonomy, and eternal life…or will she choose to stay in the human world, helping those in need?

Blood Eternal by Raven Belasco

The highly anticipated third installment of the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series, from the author of the Amazon Best Seller Blood Ex Libris Bringing the bloodshed and urgency of the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series to a deeply satisfying next level, this third book in the series features the astonishing revelation of the origin story of the am’r (the vampires’ name for themselves). In Blood Eternal, Noosh believes she is headed on a well-deserved vacation (a nighttime tourist view of London) when abruptly she and Sandu and Bagamil are facing new crises and ancient enemies. Noosh reunites with some intriguing characters from Blood Ex Libris and discovers more about her new underground world. But when the most powerful and ancient am’r Bagamil is summarily bidden by a mysterious am’r to a stately home in the north of England, Noosh and her allies must confront a formidable enemy who has hidden himself in plain sight for millennia, and who intends to take the title of “aojysht” for himself—and who has the power to compel Noosh’s obedience. Will the am’r blood already in her veins make her able to resist and save her beloveds?

Blood Demands by Raven Belasco

The exhilarating sequel to Amazon Bestseller Blood Ex Libris, book two of the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series. Now in audiobook! Picking up from Blood Ex Libris’s ending in an explosive-ravaged cave in the desert, Blood Demands takes Anushka “Noosh” Rossetti and Sandu (the supposedly-reformed Vlad Dracula) back to Romania, where Noosh assumes she will settle down to her archivist job for the am’r (vampires). But after the nightmares start, Noosh’s life is disrupted yet again when she realizes that Bagamil, eldest of the am’r, is communicating to them that something has gone very wrong. Despite the dangers to one who is only half-vampire, Noosh insists on accompanying Sandu to travel to Argentina, asking the am’r of South America for clues to finding Bagamil. Everything points to Tierra del Fuego, where in a cave system filled with booby traps and two opposing sets of enemies, Noosh must discover how to help a poisoned Bagamil to freedom, and when captured, must somehow outlive her enemies in a melee of revenge-thirsty vampires from South America’s colonial past. Despite intriguing allies and a bond with two of the most powerful am’r, Noosh must find her own way to survive in the brutal netherworld of the am'r.

Blood Ex Libris by Raven Belasco

How did I get here: covered in blood and holding a sword I can’t use? Raven Belasco’s vibrant debut and Amazon Best Seller, Blood Ex Libris, has captivated readers and earned praise from renowned authors. This tale of passion and survival follows Anushka “Noosh” Rossetti, a trained archivist stuck in her small-town library job—until a mysterious man claiming to be Vlad Dracula enters her life. As he proves himself to her, she’s thrust into an exhilarating underworld, where survival means navigating violent power struggles and facing Vlad’s deadly rival. With Blood Ex Libris, Belasco has crafted a rich, immersive universe that will thrill Anne Rice, Elizabeth Kostova, and Deborah Harkness fans. Her meticulous weaving of historical detail and supernatural intrigue breathes life into this pulse-pounding story of blood and fire. The adventure continues in Blood Demands and Blood Eternal, with a companion collection, Blood Triad, that delves deeper into the lives of beloved characters. Don’t miss the beginning of this mesmerizing series that will leave you craving more.

PERMAFROST by Kate Kelly

The key to the future is a book from the past. The world is a frozen wasteland. Oskar and his sister Mitzi are fleeing south, trying to escape the Northern Raiders who have slaughtered their people. They find sanctuary in a strange city where they are made welcome. But the Northern Raiders have followed, and the city is besieged. Oskar joins with his new-found friends and takes up arms to help them defend their home. But then he discovers an old diary hidden away in the library. The diary was written at the time of the city’s foundation and reveals the truth about what happened all those years ago – and what caused the world to freeze. Oskar soon realises that there is more than one way for him to save this city.

Supplicant by Delilah Waan

SEQUEL TO 2023 INDIE INK AWARD WINNER & SPFBO SEMI-FINALIST! In the depths of the Endless Gate, anyone can become a god—if they are willing to pay the price. Common-born Rahelu can’t afford principles: she had to sell her loyalty to the highest bidder in the Dominion to save her destitute family. Now she must work with her scheming House-born peers and her most detested rival to carry out her secretive Elder’s dubious orders: steal an artifact that can supposedly turn any desire into reality before the Dominion’s enemies can do the same. But when control of the future itself is the prize, temptation beckons. Even Rahelu, who has never dreamed of anything more than a debt-free life of simple comforts, is swayed. No blood feud is too old to set aside; no alliance is too unsavory and no method too ruthless to contemplate. House politics and hidden motives soon set Rahelu and her teammates at each others’ throats, as foreign operatives and treasure-seeking pirates pursue them across deadly seas, past the edge of the known world. All are oblivious to the dying cult manipulating fate from the shadows…and the ancient power stirring inside the Endless Gate. Torn between her own desires and new loyalties, guilt-wracked by the blood accumulating on her hands, Rahelu’s oaths force her to a devastating choice: who else is she willing to sacrifice in the name of success?

Alive by Sage T. Greene

It’s been seven years, and Mari has cut all ties with the Blaze. Even so, she just can’t manage to avoid their destruction; the Blaze is more powerful than ever. Leon took the power of the Attuned, and now Rhu is vulnerable. The villages are under constant threat of Blaze attack, and Valis might have been taken over completely. Mari has taken great pains to keep the Blaze out of Newhaven, but now there’s another threat: the Etheri villages themselves. Battle is looming on the horizon, and the Blaze is to blame. There will be a final showdown—but who will make it out alive? From author Sage T. Greene, ETHERI is an earnest, often-humorous quest for self-determination. Fans of reluctant protagonists and character-driven narratives will enjoy this series.

Gorgon - The Crimson Witch by John North

What is Power without control? Aurora dreams of surpassing the Demi-Gods, but her rare elemental magic comes from an unstable source within her that she struggles to keep in check. It doesn't stop her from wreaking havoc though, and she's nothing but excited about the rising bounty on her head. But when she garners the attention of Princess Polaris, the daughter of one of the most feared Demi-Gods on earth, her entire world is shaken. With secrets of her own identity revealed to her and a terrorist organization placing a giant target on her back, Aurora agrees to travel with Polaris back to their native homeland. They can barely tolerate each other, but with Aurora's erratic power growing stronger, and a vengeful, katana-wielding vampire seeking to steal it from her, they are forced to set aside their differences to survive and reach their home in one piece. That is, if Aurora's magic doesn't destroy them first. The Crimson Witch is the first book of the epic YA Dark fantasy action-adventure series Gorgon, full of thrilling battles, witty banter, fierce characters, and hints of brutal, bloodcurdling horror! Fans of Naruto, Percy Jackson, and Fullmetal Alchemist will be captivated by this action-packed tale with a fresh take on mythological and fantastical beings! Readers will also be in store for a heartwarming tale of the growing bond between sisters.

Welcome to the Dark Ages by Malory

When Merlin needs a hero to save the world, he gets... well, me. Fan-bloody-tastic. I was supposed to be dead. Instead, I wake up face-down in Dark Age mud, possessing some poor bastard's body, while the ghost of history's most famous wizard rambles on about being murdered, cosmic energy and the end of all reality. Just one tiny problem: I know about as much about cultivation as a pig knows about particle physics. Now I'm fumbling with mystical energy that feels like juggling nitroglycerin, trying not to get shanked by everyone and their grandmother, and dealing with Merlin's constant "helpful" commentary. Something dark is rising in Arthurian Britain. Something that made even Merlin scared. They say fate has a sense of humour. Turns out it's the kind that laughs while setting your hair on fire. Welcome to the Dark Ages, where cultivation meets chaos, and the only thing sharper than a sword is my questionable wit.

Etheri by Sage T. Greene

As an Etheri, Mari lacks physical strength and mana control. She feels destined to play the supporting role for her partner Rhu (a natural talent and future Lord of Newhaven) and her cousin Junie (the confident and beautiful one). But when Mari learns that Junie is a member of the Blaze—a mysterious criminal organization—she isn’t sure how to move forward. Mari finds herself learning about the Blaze and gets embroiled in their misadventures. By the time Junie’s identity is leaked to the Etheri villages and the Blaze comes under attack, Mari is no longer convinced that she can pick a side, but failing to do so begins to endanger not just herself, but the people she loves. Mari must choose where her loyalties lie: with her village, with her friends, or with herself.

Chasing Moonflowers by Pauline Chow

A gothic historical fantasy perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, House of Hollow, and Enola Holmes, Chasing Moonflowers is a coming-of-power tale that asks: What truly makes a monster? In 1925 colonial Hong Kong, young herbalist Ling Shaw witnesses a murder committed by a bloodthirsty creature. When her uncle is wrongfully arrested for the crime, Ling is the only one who can clear the family name and find the real killer. Teaming up with her private academy best friend and a Red Society thug from the Kowloon Walled City, she uncovers dark family secrets, occult rituals, a vampiric curse, and a sinister plot to bring down the Canton Labor Strikes. Ling must overcome ancient and eldritch forces to save her family—and all of Kowloon. Email paulinechowstories@gmail.com for a reviewer's copy or ARC.

The Acros Raiders: Down in Flames by Sara Tunder

The rebellion weakens. Threat still looms. Will the Acros Raiders survive or go down in flames? With the traitor’s reveal, the Acros Raiders seem to be at peace. Despite that, Scotty Sedgewig is haunted by paranoia, expecting her teammates to turn at any moment. The airships that devastated part of Ghent’s capital in an explosion of steam return, and the Raiders need to figure out how to stop them. Masks of lies lift and loyalties are tested. Deception is around every corner, nothing being as it seems. The clock is ticking and the Raiders must put an end to the airships’ fury or risk the rebellion going down in flames. Book 2 in Sara Tunder’s fantasy-adventure trilogy, Down in Flames, brings readers back to the land of Harkive with new steampunk technology, colorful fantasy settings, and shocking twists. Explore the lands with Scotty and the Acros Raiders as they continue their mission to take down High Priestess Tapscott and her Castist Regime.

Lexi the Coonhound Does Yoga by Meg Martin

Join Lexi the friendly coonhound as she has fun learning yoga in the second installment of the heartfelt Lexi the Coonhound Finds aNew Home! series, Lexi the Coonhound Does Yoga!. Lexi loves her new home but, even more, she LOVES to play! And sometimes it’s hard to stop (zoomies are so fun!).One evening as Lexi’s mom prepares to complete her own yoga routine, she realizes the best way to calm a very playful Lexi—and her as playful and curious young daughter, Zoey—is to show them how to do yoga too. What they learn is more than just yoga poses—they realize that sometimes all we really need is just to slow down and breathe.

A Madness Unmade by E.K. Larson-Burnett

Laurel Rumbroom is the sole living resident of the Underhallow, where dead moths have been showing up at the gates in neatly wrapped packages. Since the institution of the Revenant Accords, which prohibits ghosts from freely haunting the country, the Rumbrooms have acted as Guardians to the ghosts seeking refuge at their sanctuary. But when Laurel’s father suddenly passes, leaving her orphaned, the Underhallow falls in danger of losing its sanctions. Bewildered by the mysterious deliveries of dead moths, starting to question her grip on reality, and gradually realizing the precarious position of her home and the questionable circumstances surrounding her father’s death, Laurel begs the help of the Underhallow ghosts animated by her powers, struggling to come into her own and unmake her madness. With humor, whimsy, and elements of gothic mystery, A Madness Unmade is the first book in the Victorian-inspired Deathly Inheritance Duology, perfect for fans of Charlie N. Holmberg and S.L. Prater.

The Bear & the Rose by E.K. Larson-Burnett

Springtide has sprung, and the bear goddess Artio has awakened. For Rhoswen, sole Bearslayer of Hazelfeur, this means a season of overwhelm as vicious bears wreak violence upon her village. With one death too many and an insufferable anxiety haunting her, she sets out to liberate her people from Artio’s bearspawn for good, even though to end the goddess’s reign would mean to leave her without purpose. In her search for the vengeful Artio, Rhoswen stumbles upon an enchanting forest maiden with secrets in her eyes and mysteries in her veins, a beauty which suddenly and unexpectedly captivates the Bearslayer beyond reason. Then she discovers the maiden is bound to Artio’s forest and longs desperately for freedom, and Rhoswen’s resolution hardens with passion. She will unfetter Hazelfeur, and she will free her enchantress. For fans of Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy) and Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver, The Bear & the Rose is a tale told in lush prose which readers will find brimming with folklore, adventure, and a sweet sapphic romance.

Daughters of the Blue Moon by Millie Abecassis

Carmine, a seasoned huntress, has been protected from wolves by a powerful spell tattooed on her back for years. But one day, the magic fails, and she narrowly escapes a violent encounter with a furious she-wolf that was determined to kill her. As she recovers from her injuries, she experiences eerie dreams of a singing wolf. Though the dreams could be harmless, the singing wolf looks exactly like the she-wolf that almost took her life. Scarier, the dreams remind Carmine of those she had when she was younger, before a talking wolf tricked and almost devoured her in the waking world. Soon Carmine realizes the spell her grandmother put on her back isn’t what it seems to be, and her family knows more about herself than she does. A sapphic and dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Daughters of the Blue Moon is a tale about retaking ownership of your own body and destiny.

What Did Not Die by Ruth Anna Evans

Jordan Sharp has been writing for the local newspaper for two years. But when a sinister ghost-child emerges from a suspicious house fire and brings to life her darkest memories, she finds herself in the middle of the story. After a life of isolating herself from others, Jordan needs to reach out for help. And there’s a handsome, sympathetic firefighter just waiting for her to ask. But as people around her start falling victim to the deadly haunting, is it worth putting him at risk? And can Jordan resolve her troubled past before it's too late?

This debut novella from Ruth Anna Evans is a creepy-as-hell ghost story with relatable characters and an ending you won’t see coming and won’t soon forget.

Resisters by Chris Campeau

January 1998. Record levels of freezing rain blanket eastern Ontario in a smothering sheet of ice. After days without power, cities and townships declare a state of emergency. Most folks find refuge in shelters, but some resist the call to leave—like 42-year-old Jeremy Skitter, whose countryside home is his only defence against an unfavourable world. But as his obsessive thoughts escalate, Skit finds himself less prepared than he thought, and up against something far more paralyzing than Mother Nature. A wintery version of Psycho meets The Fog, Resisters explores who we become when what haunts us won't loosen its grip.

Rise of the Nightbloods by Shannon Haffely

Everything ends. Even magic. Even the gods. As a Seer, Raven is a direct line to the divine and time itself. She can feel the decay spreading across her country, but all the help the gods will offer is a tormenting vision of a stranger's death. An infamous pirate queen, Rélia craves freedom at any cost. Raven is her ticket to liberty. But growing feelings and a web of secrets entangle her in a quest to save magic while her chance at freedom slips away. Born without magic, Tezin's life falls into turmoil when he shows signs of power, and he's not the only one to notice. The man who killed his father captures him, eager to use his newfound magic to bend the seas to his will. Each of them has a role in the fate of magic. But with vicious pirates and a relentless navy admiral impeding them at every turn, their window for the salvation of magic—and themselves—is closing. Forever.

The Black Bird of Chernobyl by Ann McMan

Two-time Lambda Literary Award-winning author Ann McMan takes readers inside the inner workings of the funeral home business as only she can in this remarkable and wholly unforgettable romantic comedy that proves life is for the living. Everything about Lilah Stohler is her clothes, mood, and outlook on life and death. That last part is important because Lilah’s father has just retired and left her in charge of the family funeral home. But Abel Stohler knows his daughter’s comfort level rests “downstairs,” so he hires one Sparkle Lee Sink, to help Lilah manage the living part of the business of death. Sparkle is everything that Lilah isn’t—an empathetic marketing whiz who is a true people person. Lilah isn’t happy about this new arrangement. Still, when business starts booming because of Sparkle’s bright personality, delicious baked goods, and knack for funereal commerce, Lilah thinks things might work out. But joy is fleeting in the funeral home business, and Lilah’s world is turned upside down when an unwitting Instagram post featuring one of her moods goes viral—and now, sightings of “The Black Bird of Chernobyl” have become an obsession across the Instaverse. Lilah knows that Sparkle needs to go, but before she can give her the send-off she deserves, Lilah must first find a way to deal with the inconvenient attraction she’s developed for the nemesis whose unconventional methods are single-handedly transforming the death trade—and quite possibly the Black Bird, herself.

Island of the Dying Goddess by Ronit J

On the island of eternal grief Even the gods have died a thousand deaths My name is Anawar, and I am an immortal explorer. A few days ago, I was stranded on Sawarrgh, an island where everything looks twisted and the air smells of mourning. The atmosphere has forced suppressed memories to resurface. I have to consciously keep them at bay, or I won’t be able to survive this island’s horrors. There’s Ghaph, the mad warmongering god who mutilates his enemies and patches on their dismembered limbs. Then there’s Ndraja, the goddess who can enslave entire kingdoms with just her thoughts. But the worst is the nameless Goddess who created Sawarrgh a millennium ago, caging it in a barrier that reverses time, forcing the island to relive the same year over and over. Sawarrgh is a nightmare come alive. Here, existence itself is a curse. The living are barely alive. The stranded, condemned. I need to escape this island, and in doing so, free Sawarrgh from its perpetual punishment. And the only way to do that is to kill the Goddess. Elden Ring meets A Fistful of Dollars in this stand-alone horror grimdark fantasy

The Freedom You Seek by Emily Villin

“I’d rather die before ever making you mine—but that doesn’t mean anyone else can have you.” —— A man with many secrets, a woman desperately fighting for independence, a mission that leads them and their company towards unknown mysteries they are desperate to unravel because the world could soon depend on it—literally. —— What would you do if everything you knew was a lie? When you found out there was so much more to your world than you were taught? I never expected that my parents’ failed attempt to arrange my marriage would lead me to leave the small town I’ve known my entire life. What started as a journey to escape the law soon shattered my worldview and dismantled everything I believed to know. Suddenly, being hunted is only the smallest of my problems. Not only am I on a chase for truth and unraveling mysteries, but I also need to navigate the minefield that is Dion. The soldier who rescued me has a nasty temper, and—for someone who loves to be in charge—he has extremely little impulse control. But if he thinks I would simply submit to his antics, he is wrong. Just because he and his men helped me in a difficult situation and possess more knowledge about hidden truths from the past, it doesn’t mean I simply submit and be the docile woman society expects me to be. I have no wish to bind myself to anyone, not to my father, not to some rich betrothed, or to an arrogant bastard, no matter how attractive he is. —— “The Freedom You Seek” is the first installment in the “A Requiem for Fading Worlds” dark romantic fantasy series. The story centers on Nayana, an ordinary small-town woman with a rebellious streak who gets involved in a mission bigger than herself; and Dion, a flawed soldier with a bad temper and a massive ego who tries to leave his past behind. Together with Dion’s comrades, the two embark on a journey into the heart of history and soon find out that sometimes, someone has to step up to try to save everything. The novel tells a story about unraveling mysteries, self-discovery, uncovering the truth, and maybe even saving the world, which actually might be easier than dealing with love. Perfect for fans of character-driven dark romantic fantasy with a plot that starts small, but escalates over the course of the series. Full of slow burn, angst and romantic tension, mutual pining, found family, mysteries, magic, overcoming trauma, as well as finding your place in a world that seems already doomed. Lastly, this story is for you if you love a walking red flag— a morally gray and possessive male main character whose secrets are as dark as the magic he wields. This book is 18+ and contains difficult topics. Please mind the trigger warnings. This novel is written in first person past tense with dual points of view. The story contains spice and shadows. The pepper rating will increase throughout the series.

Outsider by Jade Du Preez

Tokyo, 2017. Weeks from a birthday that will see her older than her mother ever was, Antoinette seeks two answers: one—how to explain her Master's thesis on light as memory, and two—was her mother's death an accident or a suicide? Then a long-lost pen-pal returns to her life, propelling her closer to the truth. Kyou, the top star of a gender-bending nabe bar, would sooner die than move into management. She needs an out, she needs cash and, most importantly, she needs an identity. As an unregistered mukoseki, she is a legal anomaly. Officially, Kyou doesn't exist. Their searches for identity intertwine with the lives of a video-game obsessed businessman and a writer who refuses to speak. Across Japan and down to New Zealand, from neon-lit alleys to tiny islands, their journey towards the truth is as tangled as their pasts. Fact and fable blur in a rich tapestry that ultimately explores what it is to be human. For fans of Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being and Ali Smith's How to be Both, Jade du Preez's Outsider is a rich, engrossing study in art, culture, and identity.

Last Sunrise by Tar Atore

When the constant war between the two nations reaches the doorsteps of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, Sinialli’s life is turned completely around and she is left with nothing but memories of better times. She prays for release and to join her family, to become one with them, but the gods have other plans. With the scents of magic surrounding her and guiding her, Sinialli knows what she has to do. She knows this would be the last sunset she would ever see, if she ever even makes it to sunrise. And she knows, as the best courtesan in all of Trace, what it would take to make sure she and her family would be remembered forever.

Fallen Knight by Ceril N Domace

Leon Quinn has two goals in life: stay out of the reach of the Templesbane and drink himself unconscious whenever he can afford it. The first is because the Templesbane wiped out his home and family among the Knights Vigilant when he was a child, destroying everything he knew and loved in one night. The second is to help him sleep when the memories of the first overwhelm him. But he can’t avoid his past forever. His mercenary work has brought him back to Mezeldwelf, the city he fled to after the downfall of the Knights Vigilant, and to his estranged father just in time to get embroiled in a scheme that threatens the very foundation of the city. A scheme that could see Mezeldwelf, its people, and its gods handed over to the Templesbane. To protect the city and man that adopted him, Leon will need to confront the ruins of the life he left behind and the horrors that threaten the life he’s cobbled together since then.

Lacinda the Lion Is a Super Unique Beast by Beth Davis

Lacinda the Lion was born in a tiny town where being a Super Unique Beast wasn't always celebrated. Her friends and family didn't know quite what to think of her! She faces some challenges and curious eyes when she goes to school for the first time, but there's an awesome learning moment for all at the end of the day! This book is a touching story about being unique, gaining self-esteem, and celebrating exactly who you are!

Kinship and Kindness by Kara Jorgensen

Bennett Reynard needs one thing: to speak to the Rougarou about starting a union for shifters in New York City before the delegation arrives. When his dirigible finally lands in Louisiana, he finds the Rougarou is gone and in his stead is his handsome son, Theo, who seems to care for everyone but himself. Hoping he can still petition the Rougarou, Bennett stays only to find he is growing dangerously close to Theo Bisclavret.Theo Bisclavret thought he had finally come to terms with never being able to take his father’s place as the Rougarou, but with his father stuck in England and a delegation of werewolves arriving in town, Theo’s quiet life is thrown into chaos as he and his sister take over his duties. Assuming his father’s place has salted old wounds, but when a stranger arrives offering to help, Theo knows he can’t say no, even if Mr. Reynard makes him long for things he had sworn off years ago.As rivals arrive to challenge Theo for power and destroy the life Bennett has built, they know they must face their greatest fears or risk losing all they have fought for. With secrets threatening to topple their worlds, can Theo and Bennett let down their walls before it’s too late?

Blood Moon Rising by Amelia Faulkner

A pack in turmoil. A ray of sunlight. A moon that demands blood... Randall Carter is in love. If only he could say it to Ellis’ face, but he’s been too busy - or too much of a coward - and now he may never get that chance. With the threat of a blood moon looming in the night sky his Alpha is on the warpath against both a new pack invading his territory and the vampire lover he ordered Randall to destroy. Ellis O’Neill’s problems are mounting fast. Randall’s Alpha wants to kill him, a vampire neighbour invites him to join some sort of coup, and his secrets are stacking up like firewood waiting for a single spark to set them ablaze. The last person he expects to betray his trust is the man he’s fallen in love with. Torn between love and obligation, Randall soon realises that he can’t satisfy both. He’ll have to choose, but the cost may well be more terrible than he can imagine.

Wraith and the Revolution by A.J. Calvin

Kye Verex is trapped. Due to a fluke of genetics, the decisions of the galaxy’s elite, and a lack of finances, he’s stuck on his polluted and noxious home world indefinitely. And it’s slowly killing him. Then his more fortunate sister returns one day, bringing the promise of salvation. Kelsey has always hoped to find the means to pull him out of his desperate cycle of survival, but it has taken years. Now, she has a plan, one that will cure his genetic condition and clear him for interstellar travel. The catch? He has to sign over his very existence – and a portion of his humanity – to Zylar Inc., the galaxy’s most prominent and notorious corporation, in exchange for the necessary treatment. Is his cure worth the cost?

Heart and Blood by Amelia Winkle

Heart and Blood is the mythic tale of Diane, a warrior, told through poetry. While each poem can stand alone, the verses of our heroine and The Bard tell a story of victory, love, and loss when read together. Join Diane as she transforms from a peaceful but lonely young woman to the predestined heroine the gods mean her to become in this inspiring fantasy adventure poetry anthology.

The Traitor's Mercy by Iris Foxglove

In the court of Staria, mercy is rarely a blessing… Sabre de Valois is the last of his line. Saved from the gallows while his family hangs for treason, Sabre is given the chance to pay off their debt and clear his family name. To do so, he must serve as a courtesan in the pleasure district, but the only House willing to take him in and risk the disfavor of the king is the House of Onyx, which caters to the darker desires of the Starian noble elite. There, he finds his masochism is an asset, the courtesans are kinder than the nobles of the Starian court, and that he cannot help but be inexorably drawn to the owner of the House of Onyx, Laurent de Rue. Lord Laurent de Rue knows that love is dangerous. Abandoned in the pleasure district with no memory of his past, Laurent clawed his way to notoriety and earned his title through cunning and skill. He has seen love ruin the lives and ambitions of those he passed on his way to the top, and he has no intention of letting himself fall prey to the same mistakes. Yet he can’t stop himself from growing closer to Sabre de Valois, who loves so earnestly and so completely that even Laurent’s steel will is starting to break. But Sabre has secrets of his own, and when the machinations of the court threaten to put Sabre in danger, Laurent will have to decide whether he will risk it all for love, or let Sabre de Valois slip through his fingers. (Please note: The Traitor’s Mercy is an m/m dark fantasy novel, set in a fictional world where the kink aspect is not intended as a representation of real-life BDSM practices or dynamics. Please be advised that while this title features a happy ending, it contains darker elements that some readers may find uncomfortable. It is intended for adult, mature readers only. )

JAKE - Family Bonds by Elizabeth Jacobs

I’ve never wanted a girlfriend. I’m happy with my life—working on the ranch, spending time with my brothers and sister, and enjoying the freedom to hook up with whoever I want. But then my boss hires a nanny for his kids. Amber is sweet and pure, and grew up under the strict guidance of her religious parents. A girl like her has no business getting involved with someone like me. I know I should keep my distance. But when Amber confides in me that she wants to break free from her parents’ control and explore what life has to offer, how the hell am I supposed to resist?

A Man for Mrs. Claus by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Running the North Pole and making good on the promise of comfort and joy for a few billion people is no simple two-step around the Christmas tree. Mr. and Mrs. Claus have always worked in tandem to do just that. So when her third husband realizes it's time to peace out and move on to more Heavenly pastures, the angels and all the elves know what time it is. They need to find Tiffany Saint-Nicholas a new man. With the holiday calendar slowing down for no one, her team has three days to find her a new Santa. Someone kind, loving and willing to take on the spirit of the season, and with the potential to be Tiffany's first true love match. Tiffany thinks that idea is cute and all, and so are the men they line up for her. But she knows delivering on their Christmas obligations is what really matters, not the chemistry she might have with the candidates in question. Too bad one prospective Santa will stop at nothing to show her and the rest of the North Pole population that no amount of silver or gold is more important than winning Tiffany's heart.

Little Joe and the Big City by Mike Darcy

Sometimes new friends start as strangers... It’s finally time to visit Anna’s auntie and uncle! But what happens when Little Joe gets lost in a big city? When it starts to get dark, will he finally find his way home or spend the night in a strange new place? Can he comfort an unexpected companion and maybe even find her a new home? This heartfelt animal story explores the meaning of grief, depression, loneliness, and adoption with a child-friendly approach and a happy ending. It’s the perfect book to explain new beginnings, adoption, and how losing a loved one is never the end of the story—encouraging problem-solving, compassion, kindness, and family bonding. Join Little Joe as he leaves the farm and learns to find his way in the Big City

Little Joe and the Big Rain by Mike Darcy

Every great adventure starts with fly soup and ends with a new best friend, right? When Little Joe’s froggy friend Hopper invites him over for a nice bowl of fly soup, they embark on Little Joe’s first-ever adventure through the wilderness! There, he’ll meet lots of woodland creatures and even make a surprising friend. Join these two unlikely explorers in this debut book Little Joe and the Big Rain. This amusing animal story will delight young readers of all ages! It can teach children clever problem-solving, show how small acts of kindness can help you make unexpected friends, and instill in them the priceless treasure of curiosity. Entertaining for both kids and parents, it makes a fantastic bedtime story and a fun tale for elementary schoolers venturing into longer picture books.

Cataclysm: Triskellion Saga Book Three by Rodney W. McWilliams

Angela, Daxxe, Sierra, Tara, and Eli prepare to face off with the ultimate evil under Velis’ guidance, battling Erim and his ranks. He isn’t getting his hands dirty, drafting a new avatar with unfair advantages. To win, all he has to do is eliminate Angela, and his avatar has the ability to do it. The sisters are honing their skills, figuring out how best to fight, when Erim takes an underhanded blow at their family, trying to tear the heroes apart from the inside by using their own emotions against them. Angela is trying to step up as she weakens, troubled to her core. The trail is leading them back to where it all started, but now a shadow agency has picked up on the fallout. They are pursuing Angela, unsure of her intentions or threat potential, becoming aware of the secret war for humanity threatening their very existence. CATACLYSM is the sequel to DEMONS and the conclusion of the Triskellion Saga trilogy. It’s a freefall without a chute, making you hope the next page reveals something to catch you in the end. Are you ready to face the challenge?

Demons: Triskellion Saga Book Two by Rodney W. McWilliams

The killing of the homeless has stopped, but not the killer. Joe Anderson, Angela’s old partner, is following a trail of death across the United States, unsure of what he will find along the way, but not convinced Angela is dead. Angela, on her path to becoming an avatar, pursues Trokar with Daxxe, trying to catch him before he can set his new plan into motion. She battles with her own self-doubt with the help of some new allies, and the resistance of new adversaries. Destiny leads them to the birthplace of evil within the realm and the final showdown―but not all of them will survive. The fate of the world hangs in the balance as they fight the forces of evil. DEMONS is the sequel to SCOURGE and the second book of the trilogy. The ride isn’t over yet!