stories in and

A Lake of Feathers and Moonbeams

A Lake of Feathers and Moonbeams by Dax Murray

Kraken Collective

How many half-truths could loyalty shoulder before it broke from the weight of deception on its back? A sweeping LGBTQ and polyamorous retelling of "Swan Lake"! Strange things can be said of the forest that spans the border of two kingdoms long at war. An evil sorcerer has made it his dominion, or an elegant enchantress has claimed it as her domain and grants wishes to those who chance upon her, or maybe the forest is guarded by an ancient and wrathful spirit. Katya calls the forest home, living a life of magic and charms with her partner Ivan. But a threat looms over their forest, some darkness and danger that Ivan swears to protect her from. Katya finds herself caught up in a web of grudges and deception spanning generations, but most dangerous of all is the beautiful princess who stumbled into their woods. A princess who sets Katya’s heart fluttering with both desire and fear. As forces rally to rescue the princess or go to war, Katya must take measure of her own powers and decide what she is willing to sacrifice. Will she retreat to the safety of what's familiar or give up everything she knows to spread her wings and fly?


The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion

The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion by Dove Cooper

Kraken Collective

All Marian wants is for society to accept that she's just not interested in... whatever society thinks she ought to be interested in. A princess with a reputation for insults and snide remarks, she's afraid to show anyone who she would be if people would let her. In a fit of temper at her refusal to marry, her father creates her worst nightmare: she is to be wed to the first beggar who arrives at the gates. Edel was visiting purely for diplomatic reasons, aiming to ensure her daughter inherits a strong and peaceful kingdom. She sees something in Marian that is achingly familiar and when Edel hears the king's proclamation, only one thing is on her mind: to protect Marian from the fate that had befallen Edel herself. Their lives threaded together by magic, Edel and Marian will have to find their way in the world in this queerplatonic, sapphic verse novel retelling of King Thrushbeard.


Kingdom of Forgotten Curses

Kingdom of Forgotten Curses by Autumn Kaufer

SPFBO10

The prince is a bloodthirsty soldier who enjoys death, fine wine, and the company of beautiful women. Until one fateful night, when everything changes.  80 years later, the king's barrister, Marius, discovers a reference to the prince and is immediately sent upon a mission of discovery by the king, much to the dismay of his three daughters. At the chateau, Marius makes a deadly mistake, and now someone must pay the price... For fans of Beauty and the Beast, Dracula, and romantic fairytales, this is for you. A gothic tale as old as time...


The Faerie Hounds of York

The Faerie Hounds of York by Arden Powell

England, 1810. The north is governed by a single rule. Faerie will take as it pleases. William Loxley is cursed. A pale and monstrous creature haunts his dreams, luring him from London to the desolate, grey landscape of his forgotten childhood. There, it will use him to open a door to Faerie—a fate that will trap Loxley in that glittering, heathen otherworld forever. His only hope of escaping the creature's grasp lies with John Thorncress, a dark and windswept stranger met on the moors. The longer Loxley stays in Thorncress' company, the harder it becomes to fight his attraction to the man. Such attraction can only end in heartbreak—or the noose. But Thorncress has his own bleak ties to Faerie. They come creeping in with the frost, their howls carrying on the winter wind. If Thorncress' past catches up with him before they can break the curse, then Loxley will not only lose his soul. He'll lose Thorncress, too.


Sea of Souls

Sea of Souls by N. C. Scrimgeour

Dark be the water, and darker still the creatures that lurk within… Free-spirited Isla Blackwood has never accepted the shackles of her family’s nobility. Instead, she sails the open waters, searching for belonging on the waves. But when tragedy calls Isla home, she realises she can no longer escape the duty she’s been running from. Selkie raiders have been terrorising the island’s coasts, and when they strike at Blackwood Estate, Isla is forced to flee with her hot-headed brother and brooding swordmaster. To avenge her family and reclaim her home, Isla will have to set aside old grudges and join forces with an exiled selkie searching for a lost pelt. The heirloom might be the key to stopping the bloody conflict—but only if they can steal it from the island’s most notorious selkie hunter, the Grand Admiral himself. Caught between a promise to the brother she once left behind and an unlikely friendship with the selkie who should have been her enemy, Isla soon realises the open seas aren’t the only treacherous waters she’ll need to navigate. As enemies close in on all sides, she must decide once and for all where her loyalties lie if she wants to save what’s left of her family—and find the belonging she’s been searching for.


Prince's Tide

Prince's Tide by M.L. Eaden

Royce’s childhood was anything but calm. As an adult with famous parents, he preferred to live away from the public eye. All he needed was a boat, a crew, and his best friend Pete. That changed when Royce made a mistake that dropped him into the Gulf. Struggling for survival, his rescue isn’t from above, instead it comes from the sea itself in the shape of a legend long thought extinct and relegated to stories. Fascinated with life above the waterline, Troller happens upon a fishing boat with a lone person on deck. When the sailor falls overboard, he doesn't stop to think about the consequences of rescuing the human. When he comes face to face with Royce. He’s instantly enamored, but his people haven't shown themselves in centuries. Troller swims away, afraid he's risked his people's safety, unable to forget the man he saved. A year later, Troller uncovers a secret that has his people below the waves. Its knowledge could cost him his life. He swims to the one place he might be safe and arrives on Royce’s boat, naked and exhausted. Their mutual attraction quickly becomes more as they build a life together. When their secrets threaten to separate them, will love and trust be enough to keep them together and alive? Prince's Tide is a spicy merfolk romance with a HEA. The Mythical Desires Universe is a queer-centric world where myth and legends exist alongside advanced science and technology.


Of the Wild

Of the Wild by E. Wambheim

Aeris, a shapeshifter of the Wild, steals children from unloving homes and raises them as his own in an enchanted grove deep in the Woods. Under the protective eye of their new guardian, the children absorb the forest's magic and grow more fey-like than human: some of them sprout mushrooms or flowers while others develop scales or wings. But the reserve of magic that keeps Aeris and his forest home alive is inexplicably running dry. With his life waning and the dangers of the Wild creeping closer and closer, Aeris will do anything to protect his family, even set his hopes on an unlikely new arrival in the Woods: a human stranger.


The Misadventures of Myndil Plodostirr

The Misadventures of Myndil Plodostirr by Michelle Franklin

"Life happened to most people, but Myndil Plodostirr happened to everybody else." When the abbot of the newly made Rogha an dá Dhíogha abbey meets Myndil Plodostirr, an orphan who thinks God speaks to him, he quickly decides that a talkative young man like Myndil is best left to himself. In the hopes of ridding the abbey of Myndil's company forever, the abbot sends him out on an impossible mission: to make himself a missionary and unite all the surrounding kingdoms under the banner of one god. What begins as a jape ends in infamy as Myndil's cheerfulness and goodwill accidentally bring about the Great War of the Dark Age. Will Myndil heed the abbot's will and convert the warring kings, or will he listen to the mysterious voice that plagues him and cause chaos across the British Isles?


Pawn's Gambit

Pawn's Gambit by Rob J. Hayes

SPFBO9

Yuu wants nothing more than to forget the mistakes of her past. The Gods have other plans. Once a renowned strategist and general, five years ago Yuu made a mistake that cost her everything. Now she is on the run, royal bounty hunters snapping at her heels. But what if there was a way to get back what she lost, a way to bring back a murdered prince? Every century, the gods hold a contest to choose who will rule from the Heavenly Jade Throne. Each god chooses a mortal champion, and the fate of all existence hangs in the balance. On a battlefield full of heroes, warriors, assassins, and thieves can Yuu survive long enough to learn the rules of the game, let alone master it? Pawn's Gambit is a stand alone story set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe. It's a wuxia adventure filled with heroes, gods, spirits, and magic.


A Single Spark

A Single Spark by Mandy Burkhead

SPFBO9

After her father is murdered by witch hunters, nineteen-year-old Mackenna loses control of her fire magic, burning down part of her village and killing two soldiers. Exiled and wanted for murder, she flees her village, pursued by witch hunters. She is rescued by a Wanderer named Foulan and his pet wolf, Myst. The Wanderers are refugees without a permanent home, roaming between the small countries of the Realms of Etylania. The rising tensions between Etylania and Srahinza—the lands they once called home—mean that they are unwelcome and unwanted by many. Seeing a kindred spirit in Mackenna, they invite her to travel with them. Despite his clan welcoming her, Foulan doesn’t trust the girl he rescued. His suspicions are confirmed when bounty hunters come for her. After escaping together, he finds himself roped into assisting her as she seeks out the elusive Fae, who may have a cure for her fiery curse. However, Mackenna and Foulan are stalked by the nonbinary, shapeshifting bounty hunter Kazumi. Looking to prove their worth, Kazumi believes that capturing Mackenna will finally help them make a name for themselves. While Mackenna and Foulan are reluctant traveling companions at first, over time they begin to open up to each other and fall in love. What they hoped would be a short journey takes them across a colorful continent to the arctic sea, searching for an entrance to the hidden world of Faerie. Meanwhile, each trial Kazumi faces in their attempt to capture Mackenna just makes them more determined and obsessed. This young adult/new adult fantasy novel is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Dawn Cook, Kristen Cashore, and Holly Black. Themes: LGBTQ+ characters, immigration and refugees, religious and racial conflict, mental health


Fairywood Falls

Fairywood Falls by Steven Paul Watson

SPFBO9

An Appalachia Fairy Tale…. Naomi and Garrett are making big changes to their lives. Deciding to leave the city life behind, retire early, and move back to Eastern Kentucky to live a simpler life with their dog Growler and horses. They quickly realize something about their new property isn’t quite right. There is something or someone dwelling on their land and everything points to something straight out of a fairy tale. Do winged creatures really live among the earie woods of Kentucky? Naomi and Garrett will soon find out what tiptoes through the forest at night…but can they escape the crossfire from those that already know what lurks deep within? From the author of the Howling Moon series comes a new vision of what could be lurking out in the hills of Appalachia.


The Mountain of Souls

The Mountain of Souls by Marcus Lee

SPFBO9

If your life hung by a thread, how far would you go, and what lines would you cross, simply to survive? When Malina is sold at auction, her darkest nightmares become reality when she's delivered to the Mountain of Souls and into the grasp of a mysterious sect. Thrust into a ruthless selection process where failure means death … determination, instinct, and fragile alliances help her survive, but at the terrible cost of a conscience stained by the blood of the fallen. Yet with each hard-fought victory, Malina gains a glimpse of something extraordinary beyond the merciless persecution ... a reason to not only pursue perfection in her training but embrace the perilous life of The Chosen. For it’s revealed that the Chosen are pivotal to the safe return of The Once and Future King … a legendary figure destined to usher in the golden age of humankind. Together, Malina and the other Chosen must be prepared to sacrifice anything, even their very souls, to overcome the malevolent forces that stand in the way of his ascension. The Chosen. A thrilling and intricately spun Epic Fantasy that weaves a relentless fight for survival into a tapestry full of conquest, deception, magic, and an ancient prophecy that will determine the fate of humanity.


To Steal the Sun

To Steal the Sun by S. M. Carter

SPFBO9

Kahli is a scarred assassin whose life is devoted to her holy order. But when her latest mission goes awry, she's forced onto a crew set to attempt an elaborate heist. Among the team is Raik, the most cunning smuggler on this side of the desert. A young rogue, Kirin, with wit sharper than his arrows ought to be. And an enchanting thief named Amara, whose raven-hair conceals even darker secrets. It won't be easy. They’re opposed by the curved blades of the magic-deranged, watched by a paranoid king, and hunted by gaunt beasts that click in the cold desert night... All the while discovering that trusting each other might be the most dangerous mission of all. To Steal The Sun is a tale of unlikely heroes thrust together in a new refreshing fantasy. One cast in vibrant silks, fragrant spice, and the relentless glare of a radiant sun. -- The first book in a new series featuring heart-pounding twists, unique magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and Mistborn.


Marked by Fate

Marked by Fate by Jayme Hunt

SPFBO9

She found her true home - just in time to fight for its survival. Katherine Doyle can't quite figure out how to fit in, and the loss of her father ten years ago only exacerbated her loneliness. When she begins to see creatures that no one else can, she realizes her entire upbringing has been filled with lies and deception. In a leap of faith, she adventures into the realm of Faeries, where she discovers that she is not actually an outcast meant for the human realm, but a powerful Fae. As she discovers how to manage her newfound powers, passionate tension ignites between her, the commander of the Queen's army, and the heir to the throne. But between the excitement of magic, friendship, and love, a looming fact remains: All is not well in this realm. Her race is under threat of extinction…and the hunt for her heritage could end her bloodline entirely. “Marked by Fate” is the first in an adult fantasy romance series, based loosely on Celtic lore, which will take you on an action-packed journey of loss, love, and found family.


Battle for Neverland: Countdown

Battle for Neverland: Countdown by A.E. Dinsmoor

SPFBO9

When Wendy’s urgent letter arrives in Neverland, Peter Pan flies to London in search of his old friend. There, he finds the upstairs nursery window locked and another girl living there: Kate Williams. But Kate has her own problem: in just a few days, her family will lose their home. The only way to save it is to uncover the secret hidden in the old nursery. Desperate to help her family, she joins Peter in Neverland to search for Wendy Darling. A deadly mistake, however, plunges Kate into an epic struggle, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Peter Pan is wounded, Wendy is missing, and a notorious pirate is about to get his revenge. Fixing her mistake could cost her everything, and time is running out.


Strangers in the High City

Strangers in the High City by J.E. Cabrera

SPFBO9

Dwarf Gladiators. Elven Holy Warriors. Men and women powered by the gods themselves. These are the kinds of characters you will fall in love with in Strangers in the High City. The Lunar Gods have abandoned their children. In their absence the world has grown cold. The Covenant, a nation that was meant to unite Elves, Dwarves and Humankind, is broken. The dwarves are forced to endlessly produce resources to support The Covenant’s unending hunger for expansion. The Covenant’s caste system continues to divide its once proud human citizens. The elves have grown disinterested in the toils of the humans choosing instead to live in their own lands. It’s all coming to a boiling point where there is no turning back. Follow the strangers that inhabit this land as they fight for a place in it… Gareth Stormkin a farm boy in search of adventure. Little does he know it will soon find him at a great price. Auric Redbeard a dwarf that has finally earned his place as a citizen of The Covenant. Ruxson a stable hand on a mad quest for revenge. This tale is for the fantasy lover, the reader looking for characters to fall in love with and worlds to discover.


Edgar and the Flyboys

Edgar and the Flyboys by Louise Gorday

SPFBO9

In 1849, soul runner Hamelin Russell arrived in Baltimore to transport Edgar Allan Poe’s soul into the afterlife. A lover of the arts, Hamelin had a change of heart and gave the author a second chance at life in exchange for finishing his magnum opus. One hundred and seventy-two years later, Hamelin returns to find the author hopelessly blocked, his dark muse stolen by the grandson of Pandora, and the manuscript unfinished. Hamelin must find a way to get Poe’s muse back, help him finish his masterpiece, and then transport the author into the afterlife without alerting his supervisors. If it’s found out that Hamelin has created another second chancer, he will face almost certain damnation. Hamelin believes he can get the muse back, but when the soul runner gets shanghaied to hell by a vindictive demon, and the 12th Angelic Corps is dispatched to retrieve him, Hamelin’s damnation seems like it might be inevitable.


And the Wildness

And the Wildness by Susan Maxwell

SPFBO9

"So the actual reason I was calling you is because-get this-I am not going to Prague this summer at all. Surprise! Thanks, Villa. Just ruin my life for me." Villa Grace is in disgrace. Her expulsion from school has ruined the prospect of a family holiday in imperial Prague, where her mother is organising a conference. Two of her three siblings are barely speaking to her, as all four face into a 'holiday' sweltering on Cobwell Farm in the back of beyond of drought-stricken Hibernia. But the power-hungry St. Maur Ker family has breached the border between mortal and sídhe for their own gain. Cobwell, on the threshold of myth, is about to become the centre of a battle between older, wilder forces and the technomantic ambitions of one of the empire's great aristo-corporate clans. Caught up in this conflict, the children are forced to face up to the dark underbelly of their parents' corporate environ-ment, and to confront their own conflicting ambitions and loyalties. This books is set in the same 'Hibernia Altera' universe as Maxwell's Good Red Herring, included in the Irish Times Best Books of 2014 for Children and Young Adults. For readers of all ages.


A Dagger in the Winds

A Dagger in the Winds by Brendan Noble

SPFBO9

A warrior shrouded in darkness. A witch sworn to revenge. A winter unbounded. Wacław is an outcast. Born with a curse he doesn’t understand, he’s hidden his power his entire life. But when the goddess of winter unleashes the darkness within him, his only hope for answers is the girl he’s forbidden to see. Otylia is a witch. There’s no one she hates more than the winter goddess—except her once best friend Wacław. But when she receives visions of endless blizzards and Wacław fighting by her side, she realizes he’s the key to uncovering the goddess’s plot. Facing monsters and magic at every turn, the pair must journey with friends and rivals alike to confront the cult of winter, but Wacław’s awakened darkness grows as death consumes the living realm. To contain it, they’ll have to mend their broken relationship and delve into the mysteries of their past. Mysteries that could destroy the winter goddess . . . or themselves. In this first book of an epic fantasy series rooted in Slavic mythology, dive into a new world with menacing magic and beasts, scheming gods, a group of allied misfits, and plenty of secrets to uncover.


Casual Business with Fairies

Casual Business with Fairies by J. W. Judge

SPFBO9

Not all fairy tales end with happily ever after. In a time when a new breed of fairies is not beholden to the old covenants that have governed the relationship between mankind and fairies for centuries, the Bone Collectors Guild has risen as a force that intends to forever shift the balance of power. Scott Warren finds himself in the middle of a conflict that is generations in the making. Not only did he not know the parties, but until now he didn't even know they existed beyond the lore and children's stories that were told to him and that he has passed on to his daughter. When someone shows up at Warren's law office claiming to be a fairy, he must decide whether the world is as he has always believed it to be. And if not, are the stakes great enough to warrant getting involved and placing himself in the crosshairs of the Bone Collectors Guild? Warren resigns himself to maintaining the status quo until his own daughter's lost teeth turn up missing and the tooth fairies give him a dose of what they have in store for those whose bones they've collected. Regardless of his decision, he is left with the lasting impression that doing business with fairies couldn't be a more treacherous endeavor. Buy now to find out if Scott Warren gets tangled up with factions on the brink of calamity.


The Return of the Knights

The Return of the Knights by Gregory Kontaxis

SPFBO9

The Palace of the Dawn will soon be stormed. The most ruthless man of all time is one step away from assailing on Iovbridge and dethroning Sophie Delamere. The Queen of Knightdorn is now alone, with neither allies nor an army capable of rebuffing the enemy which is approaching her city. Everything appears to be over, until a mysterious young man, Elliot, makes his appearance. Entangled in a web of lies and politics, Elliot will try to draw Walter away from Iovbridge and face him in the stronghold of Wirskworth. He will attempt to rekindle relations and revive the old alliance between the Queen of Knightdorn and Syrella Endor, the Governor of Wirskworth. Elliot’s mission will take every fibre of his will and if he fails, so shall the kingdom. Game Of Thrones meets Greek mythology in this explosive epic fantasy story, packed with war, medieval lore, magic, loyalty and bravery. The first book in the series, The Dance of Light, will take you on an epic journey to a fantasy world of men and mythical creatures which will keep you spellbound till the very end.


The Undead Sorceress

The Undead Sorceress by JF Garrard

SPFBO9

Ever since Tamara became a vampire, things have gone downhill. Her grandmother runs off with her daughter’s soul and her husband thinks she is going crazy. Caught in the middle of a war between vampires, sorceresses and warlocks, she discovers an alternative history to the world she thought she knew.Meanwhile, strange jiangshi corpse zombies and other supernatural creatures start attacking civilians across the globe. Magic appears to be making a comeback, threatening the modern civilization which the vampires have built throughout the ages. The timeless battle between good & evil seems to be beginning once again.As Tamara gathers her courage to hunt down her grandmother, she isn’t sure if she can sacrifice one family member over another. Is it so wrong for grandmother to want to live forever?


Defenders of Myth: Beginnings

Defenders of Myth: Beginnings by Michael Gisman

SPFBO9

On their world, myths spread their shadow across the land as legends creep from the dark of night. Some seek refuge. Others seek destruction and death. Meanwhile, something hidden, buried in the shadows of our world, hungers for release… A young man, Kalend, raised in a monastery without ever knowing who his parents were, is forced to flee that home by Warlocks and creatures from the mists of those myths. During his flight, Kalend comes face to face with a twin sister he never knew existed. A young woman, Hollilea, raised in the mountains by witches to learn the art of magic of another place and time, struggles to realize her full powers while being hunted by monsters from legend. Myths and legends have seeped from our world into theirs…and they bring chaos. A hidden hand has yet to reveal itself or its true designs as it desperately seeks the siblings. Brother and sister must unite, only together can they face their true calling. Only together can they face the darkness closing in on their world. Drawn into an ages-old struggle, as allies and foes from their world and another much older one gather around them, they confront the emerging evil and search for what lurks behind the veil of myths. Worlds converge as magic, armies, and creatures are unleashed on both sides. Thus begins a journey to save not just the people of their world but others from a faraway land. A land not so different from our own… Our world and their world. Myths and legends. Darkness spreads over all. Celtic, Arthurian, Greek, and other legends from two worlds, ours and theirs, mixed with sword and sorcery, are woven into a classic epic fantasy.


Danu's Curse

Danu's Curse by Nicole Pierman

SPFBO9

She endured an arranged marriage to help preserve peace in her country. But faced with familial betrayal, can a courageous young woman stop a brewing war between the Irish clans? Neas is no ordinary woman. Born with Fae magic in her veins, she is the only mortal with immortal abilities in Ireland. Due to her powers, she has always been protected by her uncle, a leader of a powerful Irish clan. But war continues to hang in the air, and Neas agrees to marry a prized warrior from another village in a desperate bid to strengthen peace between clans, even though she loves another man. When Fomorians rise from the Underworld and begin to attack, Neas begins to question her uncle's motives. Her uncle keeps her hidden behind the walls of his stronghold, away from the outside world as her people are slaughtered. Even though her magical abilities could easily end the bloodshed, she is pushed to the side until Neas uncovers the truth of his plan. Can Neas stop her uncle's bid for ultimate power without losing those she loves? Danu's Curse is a sweeping standalone Irish fantasy novel. If you enjoy independent female heroines, Irish mythology, and a thrilling magic-fueled story, then you will love Nicole Pierman's epic story. Buy Danu's Curse to join the ancient Irish rebels today!


The Third Crossing

The Third Crossing by Karim Soliman

SPFBO9

A prequel novel to the SPFBO Semi-finalist Army of the Cursed The drums of war are beating in Koya. By the Light’s will, the Red Cloaks shall cross the sea under His holy banner, the ancient homeland will be restored, the slaughtered ancestors will be avenged, and the damned occupants will all perish. By the Light’s will, the Third Crossing shall happen. Akira will be one of the heroes of the upcoming holy war; that’s the seer’s promise to his mother. He will outshine his fellow mages, don the red cloak, and join the Light’s own soldiers. He will bring victory to his people and honor to his family, clearing its name from his father’s shame. Or that’s what Akira thinks. Because seers can be devious sometimes. From the rural side of Koya enters Natsu as she assumes her late husband’s place and takes the smuggling underworld by storm. Her shocking rise provokes not only the Koyan navy, but also her rivals, and a fierce war ensues on land and sea. A war she can only win if she shakes hands with the smugglers' deadliest enemies; the Red Cloaks themselves. For honor and coin, Akira and Natsu will forge a shaky alliance, both knowing that one of them will eventually have to betray the other. Trust could be a grave mistake in these dark times of war. If you wish to be the last one standing, you must be ready to be the first to stab in the back.


The Briar Crown

The Briar Crown by Helen Rygh-Pedersen

SPFBO9

They say love conquers all… but can the conquered ever love the conqueror? Twenty-five years ago, there was life. Twenty-five years ago, there was peace when the descendants of the dryads and naiads kept all life in balance. Until one fateful night when the Oderbergs invaded, executed the royal house of Domonov and took Domovnia for their own, ruling with an iron fist and an edict of fear. Roslyn Pleveli, like most of the orphans of that night, wants revenge and an end to the persecution of her kind. Yet, even if the Domovnian’s use of magic was permitted, she wouldn’t be much help, able to command only a few lowly weeds. But everything changes when she saves the life of an injured young man in the forest not knowing it was the prince of the Oderbergs himself. Ordered to see to the rest of his treatment, Roslyn is snatched from her home and all that she loves by his soldiers. Now, in the Oderberg stronghold, she has the chance to change things. With the royal family within her grasp all she has to do to free her people is kill them… but can she do it, or will something more powerful than revenge heal the wounds of the past?


Fae Gods: Maze

Fae Gods: Maze by Philinna Wood

SPFBO9

Greek mythology and fae fantasy romance collide in this sweeping story of divided loyalty and forbidden love. I am the daughter of the king, and he is the fae monster my father sent me to kill. For years, the people of my kingdom have whispered tales of the monstrous Minotaur in the depths of an underground maze. Every night, he enters my dreams. His golden eyes capture mine. His horns caress my spine. And I always wake drenched in fear. He’s waiting for me, I know. But when I venture into the darkness, I find that the monster is in fact a handsome man, cursed by the fae gods to roam the maze. Trapped in the labyrinth with him, I start feeling something that I know I should not—a strange desire wells up within me. My heart is torn between my loyalty to my kingdom and the man whose loneliness echoes my own. As we attempt to escape the treacherous maze, secrets that were meant to remain hidden in its depths beg to be revealed, and with them comes a love so forbidden yet so powerful that it could forever change my life. Author’s note: The story is a loose reimagining of the Greek myth of the Minotaur, and it is a standalone fae fantasy romance with an HEA.


The Way of Unity

The Way of Unity by Sarah K. Balstrup

SPFBO9

The Seven Lands of Velspar put their faith in the Intercessors, a psychic priesthood responsible for the purification of the spirit. Where passion flares, they soothe its intent. Those who cannot be soothed, are cast out, their spirits destroyed by fire. The Intercessors are mystics of the highest order, but Velspar’s ruling Skalens believe their power has grown too great. Surviving the Intercessor’s murder plot against her family, Sybilla Ladain rises to power. The Skalens come together under the banner of her grief, bringing the practice of Intercession to its brutal, bloody end. Yet victory brings Sybilla no peace. In time, she will have to face the people of Velspar, forced to live in a psychically alienated world, and a band of rebels led by an escaped Intercessor set on her annihilation.


The Woods

The Woods by Em McDermott

SPFBO9

A brooding wolf. A heroine who doesn’t need protecting. And a curse that only love can overcome. Gran's stories of horror and violence have dictated Red's whole view of the forest outside her village and the wolves who live there. Sheltered but bold, Red longs to explore that forest for herself, but the Huntsmen who guard her village keep her trapped. When Gran is injured, Red sees her chance. To save Gran’s life, Red ventures down a path Gran hoped she’d never follow. In the woods, Red finds a secret, hidden world full of death and danger. The beasts in it all try to kill her...so why does she feel so alive? The Huntsmen will stop at nothing to get Red back. They will kill every wolf in the woods, and there’s one in particular Red is determined to save. The villagers have magic on their side, and all Red has is love. Will it be enough?


Twelve

Twelve by Joan Marie Verba

SPFBO9

His love is locked inside an enigma. Can he solve the mystery to make himself a home? A hidden kingdom. The 18th century. Alden grew weary of battle long ago. And now the honorable soldier seeks to put the horrors of war behind him to settle in a land of peace and start a family. And while an attractive shopkeeper catches his eye, he finds himself caught up in the kingdom's greatest riddle: the twelve daughters of the king and queen vanish every night and reappear in the morning with their shoes worn out. Drawn to a shared passion for dancing as he spends more time with the woman of his dreams, Alden can't avoid a growing involvement with the land's enchanted magic. And as he does so, he starts to realize that the alluring woman he's falling for may hold the key to answering the perplexing mystery. Can Alden unravel a magical entanglement and find his way to happily ever after? Twelve is a charming fairy tale retelling. If you like upstanding heroes, picturesque romance, and delightful surprises, then you'll adore Joan Marie Verba's heartwarming story.


Gates to Illvelion

Gates to Illvelion by A.R. Rathmann

SPFBO9

A strange adventure in a world beyond the edge of our own... When Lord Agravaine's daughter, Gwenhivar, tumbles over the edge of the forest and into the fairy realm, he will stop at nothing to save her. But his own life is threatened too, and it is Gwen who must save them both from the magic of the woods. As they face bewitchment and worse, Gwen and her father confront the dazzling Queen of Illvelion -- a woman once human who rules with terrible magic and the bitter sting of loss. Can the human child overcome her enemies and find the power to save her kin? Or will her enemies destroy her soul?


Gloaming

Gloaming by Charlotte E. English

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Once upon a chime... Every day at four o’ clock, an enchanted twilight sweeps over Vale Argantel. Strange things happen under its eldritch influence: mists boil up out of the ground, rain pours out of a cloudless sky, and the roses grow wild and fey. Such is the way of things. But when her friend falls through a magic mirror and disappears, Margot realises something’s changed. An ancient enchantment has gone awry, and chaos quickly spreads. Magic-drunk, confused and hampered at every turn, Margot must find a way to reclaim Oriane — and before anybody else disappears. But for Oriane, things are stranger still. Lost in a topsy-turvy world, how can she ever find her way home? For she’s adrift in a place very like Argantel — eerily familiar, yet strangely different; a place which follows none of the usual rules… Get drunk on magic — try this atmospheric fantasy from the author of the Tales of Aylfenhame and Faerie Fruit.


Chimera

Chimera by Thomas Allen

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Fifty-nine nights of peace. One night of terror. This sequence has repeated itself since before history was recorded on the scrolls. Galen’s life is ruled by the cyclic attacks of the Harvesters, the twisted, vampiric creatures of the night who can only be seen by the children they hunt. In order to stay unharmed, he, along with the other children, must rely on their own wits and the mystical sap gathered from the Grove Trees. Much as they try, their parents can offer little protection. For as a child matures, the Harvesters become invisible to their eyes. After a Harvester breaches the protective barrier around the house and wreaks havoc on the family within, Galen vows revenge on the monsters. His father, devastated by the attack and repulsed by the discovery that his son can Channel magic, sells Galen to the most powerful family in the town to serve as a decoy for their own prize heir. Here, Galen’s true potential is recognized, and he is sent to The Spire for formal training. It is within these walls that he learns an invaluable lesson: Danger does not always wait for darkness to emerge. Faced with the challenges of his new life, and with the time before the Harvesters fade from his sight drawing near, Galen must use every bit of his knowledge to make good on his oath of vengeance while struggling not to lose himself in the process.


Soulstealer Origins

Soulstealer Origins by Reed Logan Westgate

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Every evil has an origin... In the Lord's year 1303, a holy order of knights faces the brink of extinction. Their holy crusade falters as a fiendish monster from beyond the mist decimates their numbers. In desperation, the Knights Templar dispatch a unit to find an ancient relic hoping to tip the scales in the battle against the forces of darkness. Sir Marcus Le'heroux bravely leads the knights into the Hungarian wilderness, but when the weapon he finds buried in the Mátra Mountains turns out to be an awakened Soulstealer, he faces much more than he bargained for. Will the Order's new weapon prove to be more monster than man? Embark on the thrilling origin story of the death eater Oxivius Soulforge from the Baku Trilogy. Before being shaped by the Witch of Endor into the master of necromantic arts, he walked the earth as Soulstealer. A Baku-verse Novel


Deathless Beast

Deathless Beast by Andrew D Meredith

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Fates intertwine - Pantheon calls - Darkness Grows Far too many blame their own bad luck on Hanen and Rallia Clouw. When opportunity knocks, they leap to put their past behind them. In the turmoil of a holy order fraught with lies, frustration, and heresy, the paladin Jined Brazstein is called to deeper faith. When Katiam takes up a seemingly ageless seed pod from a botanist's desk, she cannot imagine the change it will bring. Life stirs within that seed, the path to deeper faith beckons, profits are made upon the road, darkness moves-a winged, deathless wrath invisible to the gods. For those who seek the heroes path, Fate takes more than bargained for. Hubris breeds a deathless wrath, That always hungers after more. Deathless Beast is Volume One of the Kallattian Saga, the Epic Fantasy series from Andrew D Meredith.


Warlock of Muscovy

Warlock of Muscovy by Brien Feathers

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When words fail, bring out the guns, swords, and death spells. Marina is the daughter of Tsar Alexander the Cruel, the most powerful warlock. She's also a princess of the Court of White Rose. The only problem is that she's mundane—she has no magic. On her sixteenth birthday Marina fled from her father's tsardom to the revolutionist side of Muscovy, and five years later she's doing all right, working as a seamstress in the United Workers' Factory. Despite the political police, the never-ending witch hunt, and her best friend living as an orange cat, she's happy. She gets along with her cottage mates and is even seeing a guy... until the city blows up, she's implied in the sabotage, her guy turns out to be an enemy, her friends are murdered, and an alchemist maniac hunts her down for a blood vendetta. With the Red Army and the Alchemist Federation on her heels, Marina runs back to the Court of White Rose, but when death follows her home she must uncover a prophecy, reconcile with the warlock, and stop an oncoming war. It's a tall order for a seamstress. The first book in the Sun War Trilogy, this intensely dark tale of magic and mayhem is full of grey characters that blur the line between good and evil. Content warning for strong language, graphic violence, and intimate situations.


The Girl And Her Demon: First Pact

The Girl And Her Demon: First Pact by M. X. Walker

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Cut your palm. Make your pact. Wield your power. Sure, in a deal with a demon there’s always a price to be paid—but it’s not like I have anything to lose. In the wake of my mother’s death, my family has been torn asunder. With my demon by my side I’ll go to Ademmon Academy, learn all I can about magic, and find a way to bring her back. That is, if I can survive my first year. My fellow students are treacherous, and worse still are the Red Glove demon hunters that roam the city. But the secrets and lies of the past are catching up to me. And my demon might have some secrets of its own. A deal with a demon. A deadly magic school. What could possibly go wrong?


The Sparrow and the Oak Tree

The Sparrow and the Oak Tree by Jamie Jackson

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Unicorns don't exist, and dragons aren't real, but the Fae are. And they are to be feared. Or so the tales say. As the sole sorceress within the Lion King's court and kingdom Isolde is valued for her power, provided she fulfills the king's commands. Her task? Deal with a child who has emerged from a forest no one has returned from in over one hundred years.As Isolde works to fulfill her order, accompanied by her nameless guardian, she'll encounter a creature she's only heard of through myth and legend... When he kidnaps her.


Where Madness Lies

Where Madness Lies by Heidi K. Allen

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"A monstrously good reimagining of mythology in the modern world, Where Madness Lies is a psychological and mystical thrill for fans of the darker side of fantasy. Visceral prose, powerful character bonds, and a deeply original plot make this female-driven adventure a contemporary standout." —Independent Review of Books Her visions foretell darkness…but no one believes. Alex is cursed and miserable. Hospitalized once again for the devastating visions she struggles to control, the lonely mortuary technician longs for her safe and quiet life away from the living. But after befriending a depressed, anorexic waif in her ward, Alex is stunned when the stranger reveals herself as Artemis…the former Greek Goddess of the Hunt. Alex agrees to help her distraught new friend uncover the dangerous force that’s killing her Olympic family. The rest of the ex-gods are deeply shocked to meet her as well—as far as they knew, all the oracles had been wiped out centuries ago. But when the impossibly strong Venetian assassins strike again, a terrified Alex and shattered Artemis must fight to escape a web of immortal family secrets, mysterious cults, and devastating revelations that leave no one unscathed. Where Madness Lies is a captivating contemporary mythological thriller, with strong female protagonists, a hint of romance, page-turning suspense, twists you won't see coming, and a pantheon of delicious characters. Heidi K. Allen’s fresh, stunning debut is simply unputdownable.


A Gallery for the Barbarian

A Gallery for the Barbarian by Taylor Hartley

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An untamed barbarian, his undead portraitist, and the city of magic and mirrors. Svinheim: glittering city of the fine arts. Fleshless painter Violetto scouts the streets for his next subject, and finds unexpected inspiration in the beastly Brask of Bannavaria. Hailing from the brutal North, with his immense appetites for gold and glory, Brask is sure to become a sensation in civilized Svinheim—by brush or by axe. As two shadowy and competing cults threaten to engulf the powers that be in the Fine City, will Brask and Violetto achieve the fame and fortune they believe to be so rightfully theirs? At once a callback to episodic, vintage sword-and-sorcery fiction and a dark, queer fairy tale, A Gallery for the Barbarian is Taylor Hartley’s debut work of fantasy and the first in a new series, THE VIOLETTO PAPERS, sure to please fans of Michael Moorcock’s Elric and Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian.


Between Land and Sea: A Little Mermaid Retelling

Between Land and Sea: A Little Mermaid Retelling by Paul Mouchet

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Why can’t sea witches have their happily ever after? The sea witch, Calypso, was unjustly banished by the crown prince she was once set to marry. Now cursed to live as a hideous beast, Calypso spends her days alone, hiding in shame with only a surly crab for company. When her best friend Luna, princess of the merfolk, goes missing, Calypso reluctantly emerges from her sea cave to team up with the crown prince she hates in the search for the missing mermaid. Forced to work together, the feuding pair journey ashore in a harrowing race against time to save the princess. But will Calypso finally set aside her differences with Prince Draven only to lose her heart along the way? And what will happen when their perilous adventure unearths an ancient evil that has been laying in wait for centuries? With the fate of the entire merkingdom now in their hands, the pair’s resolve will be tested and their destinies reshaped in an enthralling tale of magic, love, and transformation. ~ A Veil of Entropy Story ~


That Good Mischief

That Good Mischief by Lyra Wolf

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It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be Loki the trickster god’s happily ever after with Sigyn. They had gone full Midgardian, settling down in California, with Loki doing what he does best—mischief. When Sigyn collapses, Loki senses a grave darkness growing within her, and he knows only one god who may be able to stop Surtr before this sinister force possesses her completely. Once again he finds himself forced to ask Odin for his help...which always carries with it some kind of price. However, Odin is the least of Loki’s problems, especially when buried secrets start surfacing because of brothers, both dead and alive. Blackmail is a nasty business. Loki worries that his happily ever after with Sigyn could have an unhappy end. Lies are unraveling, the truth is spinning, and consequences are flying faster than Loki can run and he may lose Sigyn forever—either to the darkness, or to his own lies.


A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1)

A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1) by Amanda Bouchet

Discover the white-hot fantasy romance that broke all the rules, where a fierce woman with powerful hidden magic goes toe-to-toe with the alpha warlord who abducted her...only to steal her heart. KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER... Cat Fisa isn't who she pretends to be. She's perfectly content living disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus, avoiding the destiny the Gods―and her dangerous family―have saddled her with. As far as she's concerned, the magic humming within her blood can live and die with her. She won't be a pawn in anyone's game. But then she locks eyes with an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south and her illusion of safety is shattered forever. Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker―the woman who divines truth through lies―and he wants her to be a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm. Kidnapping her off the street is simple enough, but keeping the fierce beauty by his side is infuriatingly tough. Cat fights him at every turn, showing a ferocity of spirit that burns hot...and leaves him desperate for more. But can he ever hope to prove to his once-captive that he wants her there by his side as his equal, his companion...and maybe someday, his Queen? Get ready to burn: This romantic fantasy reads like the fiercest fairytale and includes a protective alpha warlord, enemies who become so much more, high action, humor, heat, and a dangerous world where mythical creatures hide. Readers will want to return to this fantasy world again and again in its sequels A Breath of Fire and Heart on Fire.


Breath of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 2)

Breath of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 2) by Amanda Bouchet

AND SHE WILL BE THEIR QUEEN Cat Fisa’s warlord captor-turned-lover may have crowned her with the symbols of the three realms, but war is far from over. She believes in what Griffin is trying to accomplish. She believes that peace will finally come when the realms are united. And she believes that with her by his side, Griffin has the strength to change the world. But with her dangerous past resurfacing and the neighboring Magoi royals out for blood, Cat and Griffin must strike soon if they want to unify the land without full-scale war. They’ll do anything to avoid innocent bloodshed, including crossing the treacherous Ice Plains or entering the deadly Agon Games to win access to the royal court…and the very family they plan to usurp. When their desperate battle for survival is over, Cat and Griffin will either be standing side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom—or not at all. Discover the white-hot fantasy willing to break all the rules.


Heart on Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 3)

Heart on Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 3) by Amanda Bouchet

WITH THE POWER OF THE GODS AT HER FINGERTIPS Cat Fisa’s destiny has finally caught up with her. But fully accepting her fate means taking a final, terrifying step—reuniting all three realms and embracing her place as Queen with warlord-turned-king Griffin at her side. But forging their kingdom can only mean going to war with Fisa and its violent Alpha—Cat’s own mother, Andromeda. Although Cat used to be Andromeda’s sole weakness, that’s no longer true. And while Andromeda seems to know every trick and spell, Cat’s own magic refuses to work like it should. When tragedy strikes, Cat unleashes the power she’s been afraid of all her life, but her misuse of the Gods’ gifts comes with a terrible price. Ripped away from Griffin and the home she's come to love, Cat’s only option is to fully accept the power she's always denied so that she can return to the people she loves, confront her murderous mother, and finish restoring her kingdom—no matter the ultimate cost. Discover the thrilling, white-hot fantasy trilogy that broke all the rules.


Enchanting the Elven Mage: Kingdoms of Lore Book One

Enchanting the Elven Mage: Kingdoms of Lore Book One by Alisha Klapheke, Laura Josephson

This fantasy romance about a princess and her marriage to a dangerous elven warrior will keep you up all night! A human princess. An elven warrior. A betrothal bound in a curse. Today, Aury learned three things: One, she is a princess. Two, she might be a powerful mage. And three, a brutal mountain elf is on his way to the kingdom for their marriage. Aury can’t escape her newly revealed and horribly cruel royal parents quickly enough. If they think she is going to marry some vicious elven warrior mage, they have another thing coming. They claim she’s a mage too, but she has yet to prove it. She heads to the magic military order to get her rune-marked staff and learn everything she can. If she becomes the weapon they need instead of her not-if-she-can-help-it husband, they’ll send the mountain elf packing, right? If they don’t, she will. Filip is certain of three truths: One, he is bound to wed a stubborn mule of a princess. Two, the union will give his people the farmland they desperately need. Three, his nightmare of a bride has wild magic that will probably kill him before their wedding day. But he will die before he gives up on winning her hand. War is coming, and the first battle will be fought in the heart. *If you want steam, but want to keep it sweet and fade-to-black, if you love banter, friendships, hopeful storylines, and happily ever afters, this series is for you. Loosely inspired by the old tales of Sleeping Beauty, this novel is set in the same world as USA Today bestselling author Alisha Klapheke’s Dragons Rising series, but readers can easily start with this book.


The Night Queen : A Steamy Fairy Tale Novel

The Night Queen : A Steamy Fairy Tale Novel by Denise Daye

My heart is like broken glass, Northerner. Leave it broken, or you'll get hurt putting it back together. Mina To most, I'm the villain. Night Queen. Demon’s bride. Dark magic witch. But to the suitors my father has invited from the barbaric North, I'm their ticket to a mighty crown. I could be a good princess and play along—bend like a blade of grass in the wind. But I won't. Escape is my only option now, and as cruel fate has it, I'll need the help of a Northern warrior to survive. But the price he asks for my freedom might be more than I'm willing to pay. It could cost me everything. It could mean my demise... Alrick To most, she's as beautiful as an angel—with a heart as dark as the night itself. They say no light can reach her iron heart. But they are wrong. Her heart isn't frozen. It's broken. She mistrusts me. Thinks I'll be her ruin. But may the gods be my witness... it's her who will be mine. From the author: This is a beautiful, dark, and romantic re-imagining of the long-forgotten German fairy tale King Thrushbeard, which was one of the very first stories to use the enemies to lovers trope. It was first published by the beloved Brothers Grimm (whose works include such classics as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel!). This book is a must-read if you’d love to read an adult version of a compelling old fairy tale and enjoy romances with sizzling passion. This is the FIRST book in a series. The second book, Queen of Ashes, will be released in September! The book ends on a mild cliffhanger, but book II is just around the corner.


Of Thieves and Shadows: A Dark Fairy Tale Retelling (Twisted Pages Book 4)

Of Thieves and Shadows: A Dark Fairy Tale Retelling (Twisted Pages Book 4) by Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle

A marriage that could save them both. A truth that might destroy them. And a choice that will break her heart. All Aika ever wanted was a family -- until hers was standing on opposite ends of a war. Trapped between her loyalty to a monster and her love for a man who despises her, she must decide who she’s willing to lose. And who she’s willing to betray. Don’t miss this dark Cinderella retelling, where the stroke of midnight could mean the end of everything.


Of Glass and Ashes: A Dark Fairy Tale Retelling (Twisted Pages Book 3)

Of Glass and Ashes: A Dark Fairy Tale Retelling (Twisted Pages Book 3) by Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle

They say a dream is a wish your heart makes, but what happens when you’re trapped in nightmares? Aika is playing a dangerous game. Torn between the loyalties she thought she had and revelations she wishes she didn’t, she will burn the city down to get the answers she needs. To get the vengeance she craves. But when the boy from her past starts asking questions that could get them both killed, she is forced to choose between the people she needs to die and those she wants to save. Even if it costs her the only thing true in a lifetime of lies. Even if it costs her him. A Cinderella retelling unlike any you’ve read before, where the stroke of midnight is just the beginning. *The Twisted Pages Series continues with Aika's story for books three and four, but don't worry, Zaina and Einar have their scenes as well! This series does need to be read in order, beginning with Of Thorns and Beauty.

**Please note: This is book three in a series of six books. This story will take you right up to the edge of a cliff, but we promise not to leave you there for long!


Of Beasts and Vengeance (Twisted Pages Book 2)

Of Beasts and Vengeance (Twisted Pages Book 2) by Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle

Zaina thought she could run from her secrets, but they have finally caught up to her. She’s willing to risk her life for those she loves, but even that might not be enough to stop what’s coming. Einar has finally let down his guard, but when the woman he trusts takes off in the middle of the night with his people's only hope for a cure, he realizes what a mistake that was. They have been living under the shadow of the same monster for longer than either of them realize. But it’s up to them to decide whether that makes them enemies or allies. You’ve heard it asked, who could ever learn to love a beast? But this time, the question is, could a beast ever learn to love?


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