Silence Next The Sea by CJ Hooper

Twelve strange tales each evoking the atmosphere of the haunted environment. Each tale has a sense of place unique to its own setting and environment. Some may haunt you, others may terrify, yet some will address more unusual feelings. The title story features a deaf woman who’s disability becomes her strength, until it isn’t…

Circus of Dreams by B. Green

Circus of Dreams: Crimson Carnival Book 1 B. Green Ticket admission: one. Dearest reader, you are cordially invited to attend a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one night only, satisfy your wildest appetites with no judgment or repercussions. All we ask for in return is unlimited access to your blood. Welcome to the Circus of Dreams. Once every fifteen years --for one night only-- a mysterious circus comes to the small town of Hillsview. To the untrained eye, it's simply a place to live out one's deepest, darkest desires. To Danni, it's a dangerous vampire hunting ground. After years of searching, Danni finally has the chance to avenge her mother's death when the Vampire Circus arrives with its enigmatic cast of performers. But she isn't counting being fated to its vampire ringmaster. Will she find revenge behind the velvet curtain... or love? Get ready for a thrilling ride into a world where every ticket has a cost, and love and vengeance dance together in the moonlight.

A Ballad of Inferno and Ruin by Adrielle Reina

Terror. Violence. Blood. Death. War takes everything—even your humanity. While a second Civil War rages on in the Former United States of America, other countries are embroiled in World War III. Uncertainty and unrest result in an upheaval there’s no escape from. People have a choice: choose a side, or die. Determined to get vengeance and help salvage what’s left of the world—and herself—Emma Sandalwood joins up with the Motley Rebellion, an independent militant group that cares for displaced victims of both wars and fights to end the bloodshed. Between keeping herself alive and searching for what little remains of her family, the last thing she needs is to uncover a man-made virus that could turn the tides of war. Betrayal comes in many forms, and the end of humanity is near.

Jester by Tim Carter

In a realm ruled by idiots, their only hope is the Fool. You’d think an army of zombie trolls and undead ogres would catch the nobility’s attention. You’d be wrong. The rulers of Halfsock are deeply in denial. Besides, they have taxes to avoid, neighbors to plunder, and relatives to backstab. With war looming, a goblin latrine slave named Shelly resolves to save Castle Halfsock from itself. He must take on many roles… jester, detective, spy, and political fixer. But his most challenging role—especially after a lifetime spent cleaning other people’s toilets—is as a confident secret agent worthy of trust, friendship, and maybe even love. Can the least powerful person in the realm overcome his insecurities to depose rulers, forge alliances, and fend off an undead horde? A comic tale of politics, friendship, and found family for fans of Nicholas Eames, Terry Pratchett, and J. Zachary Pike.

Blood on the Boardwalk by Donna Taylor

Vampire Slayer wasn't an option on career day... Surf, sand, neon lights, and vampire jokes have been Jenna's life ever since her former best friend, Georgie, spilled her darkest secret to the whole school. A secret that's haunted her since she was little-she was attacked by something inhuman. When she stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire-looking monster, old nightmares come back to haunt her. Now in the crosshairs of an undead serial killer, Jenna's convinced the killer is also Georgie's new boyfriend. Dodging a murderer is easier than talking to her enemy, but when Georgie starts changing in even more monstrous ways, Jenna has to suck it up and work with the person she hates most if she wants any hope of stopping a killer before they both end up dead.

The Witch who Chases the Sun by Dawn Chen

Sometimes, true love is not the answer. ​ A decade after the Second War, Aixauhan Alchemist Ying Cai-Li seeks to rekindle her relationship with her ex-lover, the Inabrian Oracle Anne Barberry. However, the war changed them both. Estranged by their losses, Cai-Li has gained a notorious reputation as the dark magic-wielding Blood Hawk and Anne barricades herself in a castle on a hill where her family’s dark secrets lie. Rumors in the village say Anne is a monster, responsible for the disappearance of innocent visitors. But when the two witches reunite and begin unraveling the mysteries of the village, it becomes clear that scars left by the war do not easily fade. Things are not as they seem. Old ghosts come back to haunt them. Past truths are revealed. Can the witches be each other’s salvations or are they doomed to repeat the past that tore them apart? Fans of The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang and The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon will fall in love with Dawn Chen’s sapphic high fantasy epic about anti-colonialism, grief, generational trauma, and the cycles of war.

The Crucifix by Naomi Cashman

“There are always two sides to everyone … Some people are just good at keeping their sinful side hidden.” Something dark and sinister lurks in the musty hallways and abandoned rooms of the Convent of Mercy. The now defunct orphanage, with its history of odd occurrences and murderous deeds, draws tourists with a taste for the macabre. But what if the stories that have been whispered about by the locals are true? In 1865, orphaned Katherine is sent to live at the convent where fear rules. Nobody will speak of the odd occurrences – an organ playing in the dead of night; fresh graves dug beneath her window; and the Reverend Mother’s bizarre obsession with an ornate crucifix. Worse still, girls who are summoned to her office are never seen again. And when Katherine attracts the attention of the malevolent Sister Nora, her survival seems unlikely. Katherine’s quest to uncover the truth exposes her to unspeakable evil. Will she resist the darkness that festers in her soul or will she succumb to the unholy power of the crucifix? Naomi Cashman’s The Crucifix is a chilling gothic horror story. But beware – once you enter the Convent of Mercy, there is no escape.

A Spoonie's Guide to Self-Acceptance by Kelly Esparza

How do you live life to the fullest when you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness in your twenties? In this grief-inspired poetry chapbook, Kelly Esparza chronicles her experience with living with a chronic illness by cycling through what it means to grieve over a diagnosis and find self-acceptance in a completely life-altering experience. From debilitating fatigue to joint pain that makes one feel elderly, how does one cope over the loss of what used to be? Kelly strives to show the difficulties of living with a chronic illness, but as with all her poetry, she also finds the beauty and the hope to keep moving on and make the most of what she lives with on a daily basis. Her life may have changed, but she has come out stronger than ever.

Liminal by Raphael Ness

Neil Beckett knew he was dead. But he found himself in a strange place, and not the afterlife he was expecting. Every day is the same, except for the days when something changes. With no guidance except a vague note, Neil is determined to beat the Devils in Charge of the run-down institution that he found himself in at their own game, and earn his way back into the afterlife that he was expecting. If he can survive breaking the game and being hunted, that is.

The Assassin and the Sorceress by NRG Selove

A ruthless assassin. A wisecracking sorceress. A perilous journey that will reshape the Kingdom. Driven by money and hatred, Jessara is the greatest of the King’s royal assassins. An autistic elf born in the forests of Anwood, Jessara was trained from childhood to become the perfect weapon against the Compact of the elves. When it comes to a special capture or kill contract, she’s the obvious choice when the King needs a delicate touch. Her target: a mysterious fugitive human sorceress named Asha Weaver. A specialist in fire magic, Asha narrowly manages to escape execution in the capital city of the Kingdom. Her impulsive and reckless nature prove to be a challenge when a series of misadventures forces the assassin and the sorceress to work together. Loyalties will be questioned as the reluctant partners battle monsters, hide secrets, overcome betrayal, and face the inconvenient feelings growing between them.

The Tale of Kore by Amanda Rautio

In the heart of academia, Corey, an ambitious master’s student, yearns for a life beyond the confines of dusty books and lectures. After making a fateful wish, Corey becomes a key player in a cosmic drama that unfolds following a re-enactment of an Ancient Greek mystery cult dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. Whisked away to the shadowy depths of the Underworld, Corey discovers a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Dark forces stir, with ancient gods either missing or perishing. To restore balance, Corey must brave the labyrinthine passages of the Underworld, confront mythical beasts, and uncover long-buried truths to revive the goddesses of justice, memory, and spring—before true darkness takes hold.

Run Like Hell by Eira Brand

Starving to death in the lowest layer of the Megatropolis of New York City, Raide will do whatever it takes to survive. When a chance encounter with her best friend ends with his murder, Raide soon finds herself risking her life to complete his last gig, all while in search of answers and vengeance. But with corporate mercenaries on her heels, a strange new virus mutating ordinary people into grotesque monsters, and the sinking realization that this was more than a simple contract gone sideways, Raide is soon left with two options: Lie down and die or run like hell.

Mechanical Heart by Beverly Anne Michel

Levy Hart thought he had a great life. He lived with his best friend, scientist, Finnea Wong. He had a good job, played Dungeons and Dragons, and loved to bake for his friends. Everything seemed to be going perfectly until he discovered someone close to him had been keeping secrets. Lies and secrets turn his world upside down. He must relearn how to navigate the world. He must learn how to trust the ones closest to him again. Things become even more complicated when Finnea finds herself in trouble. Levy must help her while rebuilding their relationship.

Tales of Yamato by Odessa Silver

Yamato. A land of lavish forests, full of life… and loss. The beautiful string of islands, surrounded by expansive seas, hide a harsh reality: Wrathful gods, dangerous yokai, and humans who could end your life with a slice of the sword. Follow the lives of those surviving in any way they can, while cherishing love found along the way. When the great sea god Susanoo is controlled more and more by the destructive part of his soul, he must do all he can to keep himself from harming humanity. A tanuki father goes on a quest to prepare his young pup to blend in to the dangerous human world and causes mischief and mayhem along the way. Lightning brings both luck and tragedy to a young boy who desperately picks peaches to save his sick mother. Fourteen tales will take you on a journey with humans, gods, and yokai, showing how each one isn’t so different from the other. And that, even in death, there will always be those who will honour your life.

A Legend in the Sky by Faye Oliander

Odd things shadow Naila Groenhart’s life. Her touch can bring a flower to bloom and sometimes her eyes flash with gilded flames. For as long as she can remember, she believed this power to be a figment of her imagination. Until they find her. Ruthless hunters. Their prey? Her flames. When they lure her from Earth to an archaic world, everything she thought a lie turns out to be a dangerous truth. Until a prince—an heir to the very people who see her power as their heritage—offers to help her find a way home. But this quest is a dangerous one, that may demand an unspeakable price. With her hunters tailing her every move, Naila must decide what sacrifice she’s willing to make to find a way back. Especially since her presence put something long feared into motion… and ancient secrets, dormant for ages, are starting to stir. Perfect for fans of plot-heavy, character-driven tales with a touch of romance, A Legend in the Sky launches a spellbinding New Adult epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Middle East.

Kepstadur Keep by RG Sartain

All magic has a price. Sonja and her sister vowed to pay anything to revive their little brother, even if their own blood is the currency. After years chasing folktales, a single rumor remains: Kepstadur Keep. This once-decadent port rots at the far edge of their home country, harboring memories of the lost or forgotten. With the help of a foreign mercenary, Sonja dares to pluck at the strands of Kepstadur’s magic, risking her life to understand its secrets. But something malevolent lurks in the depths. If the castle proves itself more clever, Sonja could lose more than a brother to death’s soft voice.

Thorns Among Shadows: A Rapunzel Retelling by Ally Kelly

Strong of Root, Strong of Thorn Meira is the daughter of a nobleman, expected to take her father's place at court. Bound by family duty, she returns to the capital city for the first time in years, feeling out of place as she enters the intricacies of court life and all that it entails. Since his father's death, a shadow has fallen over Crown Prince Gaelen and his kingdom of Alythia. Gaelen's stepmother is acting as Queen Regent, with a mysterious hold over the prince. Meira's appearance at court provides a welcome distraction from his troubles. Just as Meira begins to rekindle a childhood romance with Gaelen, the prince disappears. But finding Gaelen proves to be no small matter. In order to rescue him, Meira must travel through both the Fae realm and Shadowlands, facing obstacles that will test the limits of her resolve and forces that threaten everything she cares about. Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling for anyone who loves fantasy adventure, sweet romance, and a chance for the girl to be the hero of the fairytale.

The Burn of a Bourbon Soaked Cherry by MJ Marlowe

a queer, small town romance between a Trans M/Cis F, packed with high heat and a tender touch to soothe the burn ‘Thirty-five year old Hazel Vincent is no stranger to wanting things—she’s human after all, but a life of holding herself back has turned her apathetic. That is, until she unexpectedly sees him. Immediately drawn to the mysterious, older newcomer in the small town bar, Hazel decides she’s ready to take what she wants: starting with a night entwined in him. Except as her evening progresses with the gruff, yet tender cowboy, it’s clear to them both that their connection goes beyond something one night of passion can satisfy. Only problem is, neither one are looking for love.’

Red Green Blue by PS Shai

Micah, a young archaeology student, gets lost on his first dig in the Mesopotamian desert and discovers a dragon statue chained up deep underground. It follows him home.

Dawn of Silence by Heiner de Wendt

An icy dread seeped into Arkan’s bones. Vampires, spirits, dreamscapes…How was an ordinary thief like him supposed to handle this? On a mission to find his sister, Arkan finds himself at the center of a dangerous conspiracy—orchestrated by a terrifying foe from his past. He must band together with a vampire hunter and an illusionist on the run to save a city from the undead. But an even greater darkness casts its shadows over the reforged world of Ashandri. Dawn of Silence is the beginning of a dark epic fantasy trilogy. Follow a found family of adventurers in a diverse world of high magic, ancient secrets and political intrigue.

Wyrmrot (Wyrmrot #1) by Stephanie Saige

FIRST CAME THE DRAGONS When scientists brought everyone’s favorite fairytale creature to life, people flocked to see them, including 17-year-old Zelda Rissland. THEN CAME THE PARASITE But scientists created more than just dragons—they created a deadly parasite. Wyrmrot, they later called it. First, it ate your brain, and then it made you eat other people’s brains. NOW ZELDA MUST SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE Separated from her family, the only person Zelda has left from her former life is her childhood friend turned boyfriend, Cooper Marotta. Together they’ve carved out a safe place for themselves in a world turned upside down, but when a zombie horde decimates their survivor group, they face a choice: attempt to rebuild or follow the mysterious coordinates that appeared on a construction sign. Zelda still hopes her family is out there somewhere and believes the coordinates might lead her to them. Cooper, however, thinks the coordinates will only bring trouble. When the remaining survivors vote to undertake the perilous cross-country journey, he attempts to deter them every step of the way. What Zelda discovers at their destination will test her loyalties and change everything she thought she knew about the apocalypse. Wyrmrot is a heart-stopping Young Adult Apocalyptic novel told in dual timelines. "Jurassic Park meets Resident Evil." This fast-paced tale of survival, secrets, and betrayal features dragons, zombies, and a touch of romance. Perfect for fans of Erin Bowman's Contagion or Emily Suvada's This Mortal Coil.

To Speak with the Stars (Apprenticed to the Gods #1) by K.V. Wilson

A reluctant mage reborn in flames. A passionate princess fleeing her fate. A powerful telepath at the mercy of the world’s thoughts. A spirited goddess craving adventure. With Penumbra on the brink of an ice age, Eos dreams of helping to create the False Star each dawn to ensure the survival of his people. But there's just one problem: he cannot speak the star's name. In the eye of the storm, Rysa was raised to rule at her mother's side. But a terrible secret has been kept from the princess—one that will tear her life apart. Deep within the molten Heart of Penumbra, a secret society gathers. Elves, dwarves, fauns, ice dragons, and magma merfolk prepare to seize the stolen throne and end the enchanted storm before it devours the realm.

The Crimson Knight by Zeta K. Pierce

Some traitorous secrets should stay hidden. Haizea is a knighted healing mage serving the elite Royal Guard. When a band of omens, mages with corrupted magic, attempt to assassinate her king and the neighboring monarchs during a diplomatic trip, the Royal Guard, though far from outnumbered, is easily outmatched. To save her king and comrades, Haizea uses blood magic, in turn revealing that she too is a forbidden practitioner of the Cosmic Arts. With her secret exposed, she is sentenced to execution and is forced to fully embrace the dark power that thrums through her veins to make it out alive.

Tawny Delis: The Curse Breakers Arrive by Lillie J. Marl

Tawny Delis is a small town in Massachusetts with a big secret. It's cursed. Not a big curse, just a lot of small inconvenient curses. In The Cursed Cookbook, Joey finds a cookbook. Everything he tries to cook from it comes to life and makes a mess. Too bad Mom doesn't believe him. In The Cursed Apple Tree, Gil finds an apple tree on his family's land that is throwing apples at people in order to get their attention and show them the secret it's been keeping for over 50 years. In The Curse in the Woods, Franklin finds it hard to believe there's really a creature in the woods. Until he meets it.

Too Like the Lightning by Travis Beaudoin

Andrew Madigan had everything he ever wanted. He’d worked hard to build this perfect little life. A stable relationship with a successful man. A beautiful home in a quiet suburb. And best of all, a job where he spent his days talking about literature. Then his tenure was denied and, too quickly for him to stop it, everything crumbled. Now, with his dreams in the dust and his confidence shattered, Andrew has one summer to figure out his next move. Bulbs, Florida, is like no place Andrew’s ever known. It’s small and provincial. It’s hot as hell. Storms roll through every single day. But Andrew just has to keep his head down. Finish his book, find a new job, put things back on track. Easy-peasy. He didn’t plan on making a friend. Coley Brandt has a green thumb and an easy smile. He’s much younger than Andrew, but he puts Andrew at ease, makes him feel at home. Their time together reminds Andrew what having a purpose feels like. Suddenly, this long, lonely summer feels too short. But Coley has dreams of his own, and they’re a million miles away from the life Andrew’s trying to get back. Maybe this is just a summer fling. Maybe, like the lightning, it’s only meant to be glorious for a moment before it disappears. Or maybe it’s something more.

The Secret of Plants in the ENVIRONMENT by Rishikesh Upadhyay

Plants are sessile organisms that are unable to move but face the challenge of ever-changing or adverse environments. The study of the development of environmental changes in tolerant plants is fundamental for the maintenance and streamlining of high crop yields and plant adaptation in natural environments. The identification of genes that lead to changes or stress tolerance is urgently needed for the growth and development of plants in their natural environment. The Secret of Plants in the ENVIRONMENT addresses environmental concerns such as the different types of stress situations and plant adaptation to changing environments, including the positive and negative effects of stress on the growth of crops, the beginning stages of plant life cycles, and plant output. This book seeks to discuss the impact of environmental changes or stress on plant life, environmental stress physiology, and adaptation mechanisms. It highlights the impact of environmental stresses on plants and crops under changing environments and gives a comprehensive overview of how plants respond to such environments. In addition, it serves as a helpful guide to the students of BSc, MSc and to all professionals engaged in teaching and research on environmental-related subjects. It dwells on some important aspects of environmental change or stress as the main issue affecting the survival of plants at the early stages of their life cycle. Hence, the author hopes that both early-career scientists and research scholars interested in pursuing environmental science to an advanced stage would also benefit from the important information discussed in this book.

Stress in Plants: The Hidden Half by Rishikesh Upadhyay

This book, in a comprehensive manner, provides an overview of the challenges of increasing crop or agricultural productivity to meet the demands of a growing population, linking descriptions of physiological, ecological, biochemical and molecular activity in plants with their tolerance and adaptation to natural environments. In the case of plants, a stress is an adverse condition or substance that affects or blocks a plant’s metabolism, growth, or development. The threat to productivity in crops and agriculture due to these stresses cannot be overstated, nor overlooked, especially in light of climate change. The information covered in this book will be helpful in building strategies to counter the impact of stress on plants. The book also provides an overview of the essential disciplines required for sustainable crop and agricultural production for policymakers, scientists, academics, and students of plant science, agricultural science, environmental science, biochemistry, biotechnology, and related areas.

The Life of Plants in a Changing Environment by Rishikesh Upadhyay

Plants experience stress due to environmental changes, either in biotic or abiotic form, during their life cycle. Non-heritable modifications in morphological, physiological or biochemical characteristics tend to reduce or decrease growth and productivity, and sometimes lead to death. This book presents an exhaustive overview of the specific effects and modifications that could occur in this regard, and will serve to consolidate the ideas to promote standardization of plant adaptation to these changes in the environment. This book returns to the facts of both biotic and abiotic stress, detailing an essential aspect of plant life in the context of stress response. The text is a comprehensive, current reference that effectively addresses issues and concerns related to plant stress in natural environments. Although many reference books about abiotic stress and other environmental stresses have been published, they all exist in relative isolation from one another, covering only one specific topic. This book is, rather, a comprehensive review of all aspects of the responses of plants to changes in the environment.

Kill this house by Deep Arya

The town of North Hollow is sick. People are vanishing or showing up dead. A sadistic old evil has taken hold. Only one person has a chance to stop it. A young girl with a unique gift. But can she survive its cat and mouse games? All hell is about to break loose. Cosmic Horror is unleashed. Death has come to town. Welcome to North Hollow.

Plant Heavy Metal Stress by Rishikesh Upadhyay

Increase in environmental pollution as well as contamination of water by heavy metals, associated with plants and other food products due to increase in human anthropogenic activities, has resulted in damages to natural resources. Plants, be aquatic or submerged ones, are the best indicators of such unseen killers, and as such develop tolerance to such metabolically toxic pollutants, including heavy metals. Aquatic ecosystem is susceptible to such pollution, precisely because of different effluents draining off finally to some water bodies that subject the flora of that system to encountering toxic substances. Screening followed by the proper monitoring of the impacts of these heavy metals is very important. Therefore, approaches to develop plants with reduced heavy metal uptake are important. "Plant Heavy Metal Stress" aims at giving an overview of the most important basic aspects of physiological and biochemical basis for such contamination, toxicity and tolerance in widely grown aquatic model plants. The book is expected to serve as a reference to researchers and students of plant sciences and environmental stress.

Castaways by Craig Schaefer

"Under our tutelage here at the Academy, you will receive a thorough instruction in occult history and practice, and learn to traffic with certain clandestine powers. You will face many ordeals, but you will emerge stranger than you have ever been. I'll change your life forever...if you'll let me." Trapped in a dead-end town and a dead-end life, Amy Nettle dreams of escaping her abusive father and starting over, somewhere far away. The arrival of a black envelope heralds just that, in a way she never could have imagined. Whisked away to the Saunders Academy, a Gothic manse in the heart of an eternal storm-tossed ocean, Amy is one of dozens of teenagers plucked from dozens of parallel Earths and selected for an education in witchcraft. It seems too good to be true...except. Except no one will tell them why they were chosen, or what happens after graduation. Or why the dormitories on the fourth floor are completely empty. There are tentacled leviathans and carnivorous mermaids in the water, a saboteur stalking the halls, and danger lurks around every corner. Worst of all, failure means the Arch of Resignation: a one-way trip back to where you came from, without your memories or your magic. Falling in with a crew of misfits, Amy realizes they're all in the same boat: with nothing but ruin waiting back home, failure is not an option. Then there's Vail, an enigmatic tomboy who makes her heart flutter. For the first time in her life, Amy has something to lose. Amy and her new friends will have to untangle the dark secrets at the heart of the Saunders Academy and master its mysteries, because there are only two choices left: graduate, or die.

The Veil by Eamonn Bradley

They would have you believe, (the police and mainstream media), that I, Charlie Macall, and my friends, were the deadliest killers since Manson or Bundy. That’s only half true. Yes, we’ve killed, but to put us in the same category as those two I’ve just mentioned, is wrong, a fallacy. For starters, they’d have to be human for us to be considered murderers, right? What I’m about to tell you is nothing but the truth, the whole truth, as unbelievable as it may seem. Let it stand as testimony to the brave deeds of the people who have fallen in our task. The people who have died trying to free you all from a prison of no walls. You’ll have to bear with me on this journey, for if you are to believe me, it’s going to take time, time to unravel the illusion of what you believe to be your normal, everyday lives. Hell, I didn’t even believe it at first and why should I have? This shit is crazy…

Inferno's Silence by Rainer Meri

Welcome to a world where monsters walk among mortals, gods pull strings from the shadows and heroes fall to their own obsessions. Ehrkon, a former militia turned fugitive, seeks vengeance after his family are executed in a brutal purge. Hunted by the regime he once served, he is granted the power of fire by a righteous goddess and drawn into a rebellion alongside unlikely allies. Ynka was raised for obedience in a bleak northern city and prepared for a life she never chose. When a terrifying transformation reveals a hidden power, she is betrayed and cast into the abyss. Forced to survive, Ynka must uncover the truth of what she has become and reclaim control over her fate. Tren is a fearless, sharp-tongued thief who thrives in the ruthless slums of Khurmal’s Fifth Sector. He takes on increasingly dangerous jobs that escalate into full-scale rebellion against the ruling elite. Marked by ancient powers and manipulated by those who know more than they reveal, Tren begins to unravel the legacy of a god, created to contain someone far more vicious. Inferno’s Silence is a dark fantasy of survival, vengeance and uprising, where the line between hero and villain is a matter of perspective.

Part Time Girl by Adriaan Brae

How much longer can Michael hide his sex-switches? After making it through the second year of high-school, he knows it’s only a matter of time until someone notices and freaks out. Then his family will have to run and lose everything, again, or risk being found by the shadowy group that hunts people like him. He should go, just vanish and stop putting his family at risk, but his oldest friend Angela is in trouble and he can’t leave until they figure out why her catatonia and hallucinations have reappeared. To help her, Michael has to trust in Ian—the hottest, richest guy in school who definitely has a hidden agenda—and a mystery woman with a traumatic past who is the only one to know him as a girl. With people to protect and mysteries to unravel, Michael will need to unlock the full truth behind his identity—something he’s been running from his entire life.

The Betrayal of the Guardians by Diana Calanguia

When Arisa joined the trials to become a new Astral Guardian, she never thought she would have to fight for her survival. Arisa, Kazuya, and Zen have been friends since childhood. For Arisa, their friendship is what makes her smile and what made her develop deep feelings she had to forget. Living in a world that suffers attacks from other worlds' creatures, the chosen Guardians once fought for her world's survival. Blessed with the powers given by the Stars, those same Guardians have now become threats themselves. Despite hearing tales of when Guardians were still heroes, Arisa refuses to grow a liking for them. Even when one is always there to save her from troubles, she doesn't believe that they will ever return to the heroes they once were. Due to their more recent despicable behavior, she wishes she could do something to stop them. Her wish is granted when she is chosen as a candidate to compete for a spot to become a new Guardian. Even though she hates the Guardians, she has to become one of them if she wants to overthrow them. She accepts the challenge. But she never knew that the road to becoming a Guardian would be more challenging than she ever imagined.

The Lies That They Tell by TM Lore

The Lies That They Tell is the tantalizing sequel to the gritty and dark award winning thriller novel The Secrets That They Keep. Alyx Beck has been crowned Queen and must now become everything she hates. To survive-while surrounded by the spiders that want to eat her alive-she'll have to perform her role within the hierarchy; which means she must be bred by her King. Kept from her neurodivergent twin brother, Alyx has no idea how he's doing and worries if she doesn't fulfill her role as child-bearer her brother will be found and killed for her shortcomings. She'll have to use every weapon at her disposal, including her mouth, to keep him safe. That is if the spiders don't kill her first. It's Blink Twice meets Filthy Rich. This dark thriller has a female protagonist, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters. Content warnings can be found at the beginning of the novel.

Paramour by Robin Alvarez

“You know that feeling people get when something bad is about to happen to someone they love? Or how some people know it’s their time right before getting into a horrible accident? Well, that’s me. I warn them Death is coming.” Sadie is a banshee on the run—from hunters, from her past, and from the terrifying truth that she’s already killed once before. As an empath, she’s learned to shut everything down: no highs, no lows, no chance of losing control. Because if she feels too much, she becomes lethal. But when a hunter casts a mysterious spell, Sadie gets so sick she can’t escape into other people’s emotions anymore. Now she’s forced to feel everything she’s spent years running from. Grief. Rage. Longing. For the first time, she’s breaking her careful rules for survival as she forges connections with new friends who see past her façade, and Nathan—the human boy she’s fated to. Falling for him might be her undoing. As hunters close in, and friendship and love creep past her defenses, Sadie must risk losing control—and everything that keeps her safe—to protect those she never meant to love.

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake

Rin moves into a new flat on the day the aliens arrive. Their new flatmates are laid-back Sanjay and conspiracy theorist Pete. It doesn't take long to notice some oddities about the pair, like hoarding cardboard and hissing at people when they're angry. Something strange is going on, but it's not all due to the aliens.

Murder, She Rolled by Shelly Jones

Solving a murder can get dicey. Wren Winters is thrilled when her gaming group is invited to join the town’s new superstar streamer Noelle Williams for a live demo—after all, a little publicity could put Wren’s board game shop, the Cardboard Sheep, on the map. But moments before they go live, Noelle collapses on camera, and by the time Wren arrives at her house, Noelle is dead and the police are swarming. Detective Greene, who still remembers last summer’s murder at Wren’s shop, is back with questions—and suspicions. As Wren and her friends reel from the shock, secrets about Noelle’s life emerge: relentless online harassment, jealous exes, and a sister desperate to pull her offline. Then another member of the group falls ill with similar symptoms. With danger closing in and a game board full of suspects, Wren refuses to sit on the sidelines. She’s determined to solve the puzzle before her friend’s game is over for good.

Player Elimination by Shelly Jones

She loves to play games, but not when it comes to murder. Wren Winters is a businesswoman on a mission, juggling an alumni event for a rising game designer while keeping her late husband’s retail store alive. With RSVPs pouring in and her cranky landlord threatening to bulldoze her shop for high-rise apartments, Wren’s plate is full—but she’s no stranger to overcoming challenges. From economic slumps to vandalism and vicious online rumors, Wren has always found a way to persevere. But nothing could prepare her for what she finds one fateful morning: her landlord murdered, her store turned into a crime scene, her only employee under suspicion (and hiding something), and a missing piece from an unreleased game. Now, with her store’s future hanging by a thread and the stakes higher than ever, Wren must channel her puzzle-solving skills like never before. Can she and her friends follow the clues, clear her employee’s name, and crack the case before it’s game over?

Shiver Me by Vermillion

A pirate’s life has never been so tempting. Long-suffering governess Regula is out of her depth on the Wretched Lady, a ship full of pirates as shamelessly charming as they are dangerous. She’d guessed her life would change, leaving the familiar walls of Sanctuary, but she’d never expected to fall into the hands of pirates. Even worse, the Wretched Lady’s roguish captain won’t let her, or her valuable charge, out of his sight, much less off his ship. Connor never wanted to be captain. Bad luck for him that the last one disappeared. It doesn’t help that after twenty years of violently enforced isolation, the city of Sanctuary has awoken with a vengeance, and the pirates who haunt her waters have already begun to pay. With a storm brewing in the isles and two strange women washing up on his deck, Connor must accept his captaincy, or else risk everything he holds dear. That is, if he can get his mind off the intriguing stranger who keeps dodging his questions. An adventurous romp of epic proportions, the sea will test them both as the shadow of Sanctuary looms larger over the water. Shiver Me is the first book in a daring fantasy romance series, each following a different couple towards their HEA.

The Dravenhearst Brides by Lindsay Barrett

An heiress with a haunted past enters a marriage of convenience with a man as tempting as the devil himself…and likely just as ruinous. After a scandalous debut sent her into recluse, heiress Margaret Greenbrier returns to the Louisville social circuit for the 1933 season. Laudanum prescription or no, Margot is not crazy. She’s not. But perception is reality, and all the money in the world can’t buy the illusion of sanity. Nor, apparently, can it convince even the most red-blooded of men to get into bed with her. Meanwhile, in the heartland of Kentucky, the Great Depression is sinking its roots into the Bluegrass. Prohibition has not been kind to the whiskey industry, and bourbon aristocrat Merrick Dravenhearst is feeling the squeeze. After a chance encounter with a beautiful heiress, sworn bachelor Merrick impulsively throws his hat in the ring for Margot’s hand. Just the right hint of lust, money, and quiet desperation…the best society marriages have been staked on far less, after all. Upon arrival at Dravenhearst Distilling as a newlywed, Margot uncovers the legend of the Dravenhearst suicide brides—two generations of wives, both found dead on the grounds of the distillery. Her new manor home is teeming with ghostly glimmers of the women who lived there before her. And her brooding, beguiling new husband is unaware Margot has brought demons of her own to his estate, initiating a cataclysmic chain of events set to bring long-buried blood-tinged family secrets to the surface. The Dravenhearst Brides is a loose retelling of du Maurier’s Rebecca and is set on a haunted bourbon distillery estate. With a marriage of convenience love story, a brooding Byronic hero, and ghost brides afoot, this book is perfect for fans of Isabel Canas and Crimson Peak.

Savannah Royals by Lindsay Barrett

A bayou con artist with a thirst for riches. A blue blood boy with a heart of gold. And the criminal mastermind who brings them together…then tears them apart. By day, Katarina Quinn masquerades as a well-bred lady of Savannah. At night, she runs with a ragtag gang of con artists and thieves. She’s a downright professional. And pros never make rookie mistakes like falling for the target—especially when they’re already in love with the criminal underlord of the city. Enter Matthew DaMolin, a wittily charming, newly minted physician, who just so happens to be the son of one of the great American dynasties. Matthew is Kat’s ticket into a highly exclusive club, a place to rub shoulders with the likes of the Rockefellers and the Astors. The thief inside Kat is salivating, but much to her surprise, so is the woman. When her interest shifts from professional to personal, it threatens her place in both Savannah’s criminal underworld and high society. With a street war brewing amongst the city gangs of Savannah and a jewel heist against Matthew’s family on the horizon, Kat’s two worlds collide in a clash of knives and double-crosses. Caught between the cunning, indomitable rogue she’s loved since childhood and the captivating, earnest man targeted by her schemes, she must choose… Whose throat will Kat press her dagger against when the dust settles? Savannah Royals is a Prohibition era heist romance filled with thieving shenanigans and double-crosses, a morally grey cast, and a piping hot love triangle. Perfect for fans of MacLean’s Bareknuckle Bastards series and those who loved Six of Crows...but wanted more romance! It can be read as a standalone.

It Bubbles Under The Skin by Caitlin Marceau

And they were crewmates... Jayce has spent her whole life by the ocean as part of the close-knit communities found across the Îles de la Madeleine. With a place to call her own, a job she adores, and a girlfriend she loves, her life has always been a comfortably predictable one. But after a night in the waters at Pointe aux Loups Beach, Jayce quickly finds her world upended as something calls to her from the ice cold waves. When blisters filled with saltwater ooze from her skin and ropes of seaweed slither from her body, Jayce realizes she can’t ignore the voice for much longer.

Queen O'Nine Tails by Lindz McLeod

Pirate queen Valentina Mallozzi kidnaps civilian Miss Gloria Vane for ransom at the nearest port, but Gloria isn’t the helpless girl she pretends to be—she’s a talented pickpocket and observant spy. Her best chance of escape lies in seducing Mallozzi, but the famed Queen O'Nine Tails won't be wooed so easily. When a demon sneaks aboard the ship, jumping from body to body in an attempt to gain power amid the chaos, Gloria's situation goes from bad to much, much worse. The remaining crew must find and kill the demon while juggling an increasingly paranoid and out-of-control Mallozzi, whose foretold destiny threatens to destroy them all.

Bone Knuckles And The Rose Scavenger by Gwendolyn N. Nix

Would you trade your soul for the truth? Dahlia is the daughter of the notorious Ten Hearts Killer, her life overshadowed by the sensationalism following her father's cruelty: ripping the hearts out of his victims to preserve them. Numb with guilt, haunted by her father's deeds, and wondering if such desires might affect her in turn, Dahlia's life is overturned when she's given an enigmatic gift that leads to Paige, a woman desperate to uncover the identity of the serial killer's last mutilated victim. As Dahlia embarks on a journey to solve the mystery with Paige, eerie clues reveal the sinister truth about her childhood, thrusting her into a world far more violent and strange than she could ever imagine. At the heart of it lies the enigmatic and slick-tongued Bone Knuckles, who guards more than the last victim's identity, forcing Dahlia to risk everything to navigate his house of blood and lies for the truth. As the malevolent Bone Knuckles strikes up a dance of dark magic, where betrayal haunts every corner, Dahlia soon realizes that the most terrifying monsters are those we confront within ourselves. Sidebar- this isn't a romance, but does have a sapphic romantic sub plot to it. It deals more with survivors guilt, violence, past mistakes, haunted houses and is in essence horror book. It can be represented as queer and or sapphic for the MC and SC relationship.

Silk and Foxglove: A BIPOC Erotic Eco-Horror Anthology by Z. K. Abraham

In the anthology Silk and An Erotic-Eco Horror anthology, our thirteen authors explore the space where horror, the erotic, and nature meet. In these tales of uncontrolled, unknowable, and visceral nature, we explore folk tales, modern dating woes, filthy body horror, delicate and dark magic, psychological torment, and the dark humor of nature’s revenge. These stories range from creepy to horrific, from sensual to sultry, and from grounded to entirely strange. Edited and curated by Z. K. Abraham Stories ZH Sun "Flower Power" Shantell Powell "All That Came From Our Lips Were Lilies" Toshiya Kamei "The Last Garden" Annika Ancheta "Pop" Cindy Phan "All Her Darling Little Ones" Simo Srinivas "The Hilltop Eel" Cristian Presgraves "A Blueberry Delight" Mae Tang "Down by the River" Psyche Chimère "The Human Project" Candice Zheng "Merge" Maxine Nwigwe "Tinderfish" Winifred Burton "Miss Kaiyah Regrets, She's Unable to Text, Today" Kofi Brown "Deadly Pleasure"

Enamoured: A Triptych by Shelley Lavigne

Alchemists may have failed to distill youth, but Josephine is determined to bottle beauty. Josephine is determined to make her fortune, but in early 1900s Canada as a widow under suspicion of murder, her dream of building a cosmetic empire seems like a fantasy. That is until a wealthy young socialite enters her shop, her presence reigniting long-caged desires and memories of Josephine's first love. As their unassuming relationship turns into a seductive power struggle, and the cosmetic application takes a dangerous turn, will Josephine choose companionship or capital? Billed as NATURAL BEAUTY meets DELIVER ME meets PERFUME: STORY OF A MURDERER, and containing three illustrations by Becca Snow, this novella follows Josephine as she plays the gruesome game of LOVE, CAPITALISM, and BEAUTY.

Trial Run by S.M. Levine

Three weeks to fall in love … or lose it all. Dr. Ben Friedman’s mental health clinic, The Well Space, has helped hundreds of patients with mental health issues live better lives. But Ben doesn’t need any help for himself. He’s got it all under control, even though he suffers from worsening panic attacks and hasn’t been to the office in a month. Florist delivery driver Nell uses her green thumb and sheer optimism to get by, but under the surface, her roots are withering. The rent is late, her son is sick, and to top it all off, she woke up to an eviction notice. When she knocks on the wrong door and drops her flower arrangement, it’s just one more mistake to smooth over with a smile. But the grumpy, formally dressed man at the door sees right through her cheerful front. An unexpected connection sparks between them as Nell helps Ben through a panic attack on his porch. To thank her, Ben orders flowers for every patient in his practice. Nell agrees to deliver them—but only if he comes along for the ride. A blossoming attraction in the florist delivery van leads them to try a three-week trial run for dating. Three weeks to see if Ben can step out of his comfort zone, and if Nell can overcome her painful past and nourish her long-forgotten goals.

Sacred Valley: Obversion by Shaun M Jooste

Unveil the Shadows of Obversion: A Supernatural Horror Book Like Silent Hill In the bone-chilling continuation of the Boatman Saga, a series of psychological horror novels drenched in dread and despair, Sacred Valley: Obversion beckons you back into the cursed fog of a town that feeds on memory, guilt, and grief. As with Silent Hill, this supernatural horror plunges readers into a nightmarish world where personal trauma is made manifest, and salvation may be just another illusion. With every step forward, the truth twists further into the dark. Sacred Valley: Obversion is a standalone sequel to Sacred Valley: Betrayal. Fans of Silent Hill and supernatural psychological horror will be drawn deep into its fog. Reflection of the Truth When the mirror shatters, reality bleeds. Cassandra Sanders awakens in a ghostly town that shifts with every glance, where reflections show a darker world beneath. Haunted by flickers of her long-dead twin sister and pursued by unseen horrors, Cassandra begins uncovering the buried conspiracy that destroyed her family. But each step deeper into Sacred Valley twists her sense of reality, threatening to pull her into a truth she may never escape. Silence of the Innocent Guilt has a voice, and it never forgets. Following cryptic clues, Cassandra is drawn into buildings steeped in violence and betrayal. Behind its rusted bars lurk echoes of her past, confessions she’s long denied, and the spectral child whose fate binds her to the town. To move forward, she must face the truth of her own sins, but in Sacred Valley, repentance is never without a price. Wrath of the Slain Some wounds are too deep for the light to reach. As the horrors close in, Cassandra’s journey leads her to the orphanage where every shadow is a memory, and every memory a ghost. To save her sister and herself, she must confront the child she once failed and the family she lost, each demanding a piece of her soul. But in a town where destruction walks, desecration always follows… and not all who seek redemption will find it. Enter the Obversion Join us in Sacred Valley. The Boatman Saga continues with a descent more personal, and more dangerous, than ever before. Step into Sacred Valley: Obversion, where the fog hides not just monsters, but the darkest parts of yourself. Will you dare to look into the mirror… and face what looks back?