A Killer and A King by Tom Dumbrell

Cadrael is the capital of Fermantia and the centre of the realm's power, an empire to strike fear into the heart of opposing nations—but could a motivated killer bring the giant to its knees? Prince Leander is frustrated with his present position, always keeping one eye on the future. He's never short of grand plans, but just how true can he remain to his principles? And will the elusive Cadrael Killer let him live to see his ambitions realised? In a ruthless land where wealth and power are controlled by only a few self-interested men, motives abound and no one is safe.

Lightblade by Zamil Akhtar

SPFBO8 SPSFC 2022

In three days, Jyosh will slay the God Emperor, or die trying. But first he must train his lightblade skills. While asleep. Each hour of sleep equals a day in a lucid dream, plenty of time to master the essential lightblade techniques and hopefully get skilled enough to defeat the monster who enslaved him and beheaded his parents and sister. When Jyosh awakens to learn that the God Emperor has surrendered to an even crueler foe, a mysterious lightblade master who can summon divine dragons to burn whole cities, he’ll face a trial by fire against forces far more frightening than he could ever dream. That is, if he’s not still in one.

Shadows of Ivory by T L Greylock and Bryce O'Connor

SPFBO7 SPFBO Finalist

I burned cities and drowned mountains. I pulled stars from the night sky and scorched the world with their flames. I am the Fisher King, and the grave does not bind me. An academic with a taste for adventure, Eska de Caraval has means and influence, wit and charm... and a knack for acquiring artifacts that may not be hers to claim. But when Eska comes into possession of a strange disc of rune-carved bronze, she finds herself abruptly hunted by all manner of adversaries: an assassin in the shadows, a monster in the deep, a bitter rival burning with vengeance. From sword and fang and flame Eska must defend herself, struggling all the while to unravel the mysteries of a dangerous artifact. An artifact so powerful, a dead tyrant will rise again to wield it.

The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan

Being Naughty Has Never Been So Nice! When Lyla's father retired as CEO of the toy company which has been in their family for generations, she was meant to receive his shares. Instead, she discovers the company is bankrupt and her father has given her shares to Mason Klaus, an investor known in the corporate world for his cold and callous nature. Much to Lyla's frustration, her only option is to run the company with him, despite their evident loathing for one another. When Mason cancels the annual Christmas party, Lyla throws it anyway - only for the event of the season to result in a terrible fire. With the offices and Lyla's credibility ruined, Mason offers her a deal: he'll forget her part in the disaster, but she must join his family for the twelve days of their Christmas holidays. Taken to a fantastical winter wonderland, Lyla hopes that she might discover some of the secrets Mr Klaus is hiding, and maybe even a way to get her company back. However, when Mason introduces her to the secret village as his fiancée, she is horrified to realise she has no choice but to go along with the pretence - because the cost of bringing an outsider to their magical land is far too high. Can Lyla resist the devilishly handsome Mr Klaus and the enchanting village to win back her company, or will she give into temptation? Readers who fell in love with Yule: 'Definitely a must-read for anyone who likes Christmas books with a beautiful touch of fantasy.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Magical. Felt like stepping into a snow globe Christmas village.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I'm a sucker for cheesy hallmark Christmas movies, so if you're like me you'll love this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Adventure, romance, a bit of spice, and a sprinkle of gold dust to put you in the holiday spirit!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Workplace rivals featuring Santa's hot son and forced proximity in the North Pole? Count me in.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tropes & Themes: Low-Fantasy Romance Workplace, Enemies to Lovers Fake Engagement Forced Proximity Cosy, Christmas feels

Knightmare Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #1) by Shami Stovall

SPFBO6

Magic. Sailing. A murderer among heroes. Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything—a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra—maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma. So when Volke stumbles across a knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more. In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma. A fast-paced fantasy with magical creatures for those who enjoy the Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera series) by Jim Butcher, Unsouled (Cradle Series) by Will Wight, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan.

DELTA by MT Zimny

Samantha Havardson still isn't an Apex, but that's about the only thing she's sure of anymore. Her family and her identity have splintered and an immortal warrior named Adrestus is at fault. Now, Samantha must scramble to pick up the scattered pieces of her life while juggling high school and being the only kid on Apex Team without super abilities. Things only get more complicated when a cryptic message appears: NEW DELOS WILL BURN. Samantha's past continues to bleed into her present, getting in the way of friendships, sword practice, and final exams. While the city runs out of time, Sammy grows increasingly desperate to save the people she loves and her efforts just might land them in more danger than they were in to begin with.

Price War by Richard Holliday

WHEN THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IS BLOOD, ONE MAN MUST SAVE WHAT'S LEFT OF HIS FAMILY FROM PAYING THE PRICE… In a future wrought by traumatic events, the people of the UK come to rely on retailer Yellowstone for their every need. The futuristic company is a newcomer to the country but it’s technologically-advanced ways pamper a weary populace with convenience – at a price – and the convenience soon becomes a necessity. Danny Price is one of a lost generation who seems to be going nowhere in this harsh future – after losing most of his family, he moves in with his last remaining relative, his grandmother, who has her own secrets to keep. Others are wary that Yellowstone’s ambition can’t be controlled by the bounds of laws and morals. Their companies scrabble to secure their stake. When Danny interviews at Yellowstone, he realises the sacrifice he needs to make is too great – but he doesn’t realise that Yellowstone know all about him and the danger to their hegemony he poses without even knowing it. When the battle in the boardroom spills over to a hostile takeover of every town and city in the country, Danny is the one man who stands to fight the Price War against all the odds…

The Bastard from Fairyland by Phil Parker

He's Robin Goodfellow to those he knows. Or Puck, his psychotic alter-ego, to those he kills. Betrayed, banished and bitter, this fae warrior lives among human beings, they think he’s a demon. The teenagers he’s vowed to protect, despise him. But now the fae need his help, especially the man who betrayed him. He’s brought along Robin’s lover to guarantee his cooperation. Yet things are not as they seem. For shadowy forces within the fae have different plans. It’s not Robin they want. They need Puck. He's the perfect stooge to kill a king. What have people said about The Bastard from Fairyland? "This is effing brutal. There's blood, torture, death, violence, a world savaged by fae and under threat of total destruction. Loved it." "A well told tale which combines Celtic myths, Arthurian legends, dystopian visions of a world ravaged by climate change and some good old blood and guts battles. Oh, and dragons. What's not to love?" "The story unfolds at a cracking pace. Characterisation is excellent. The fight scenes are particularly evocative." "The prose is simply beautiful. It's a book that takes you to a Fantasy world unlike any other but also reflects our times in a very real way. A unique and fresh modern take on a genre that sorely needs more books like this."

Everything Not Saved by N M J Coveney

A debut Queer YA novel combining the power of video games, and the potential of young love with magic, horror and the supernatural. Praise for Everything Not Saved : "THINK SEX EDUCATION MEETS BUFFY. MY MIND WAS BLOWN!" - Justin Arnold "RIVETING...TOLD WITH HEART AND PASSION BY AN EXCITING NEW VOICE IN YA FICTION" - Benjamin Dean "A GRIPPING PAGETURNER FOR GAYMERS YOUNG AND OLD" - Will Kostakis "A BREEZY AND HEARTWARMING ODE TO GAY GEEK CULTURE" - L.C. Rosen 'CHILD OF DARKNESS, CHILD OF LIGHT, ONE BORN TO MOURN, THE OTHER TO FIGHT. TEACH WHAT YOU KNOW. SEAL THE BELOW.' Everything Not Saved follows two very different teenage Mikey Redman & Kris Dwyer and the unlikely bond between them. The boys' shared love of computer games glues them together over the years and helps them overcome struggles at school and at home. While they try and understand what is happening to their friendship, and figure out why increasingly unpleasant things are happening in Pytt End. There's more magick about both of them than they realise. There's also more than it seems to the creepy well in Mikey's back garden, where an ancient evil is stirring underneath the village. Can they save the world without losing each other?

Privilege: A Trilogy by Bharat Krishnan

SPFBO7 WriteHive Book Club

In this epic saga about privilege and power, Rakshan Baliga will have to choose between the American Dream… and his own. New York’s drug problem is Rakshan's solution. Getting his hands on a super drug called WP could earn him glory, power, and a chance to win back his ex. But stealing it from the Top 1% is costly, and if Rakshan isn’t careful he’ll pay with his life. Discover how Rakshan’s journey sets off a chain of events that changes his city, his country… and the world. This OwnVoices political thriller is perfect for fans of Ocean’s 11 and House of Cards.

Spectacular Silver Earthling by Mara Lynn Johnstone

SPSFC 2022

Hubcap used to be a rescue bot, getting humans out of every boneheaded scrape imaginable. His new career as a TV star suits him better: he can poke fun at the humans instead, while harvesting jetpods and tackling alien predators faster than any of them. It doesn’t hurt that he’s also immune to the mysterious “space frenzy” that keeps sending his coworkers into a froth. The robot worries for his human friends, though he would never admit it. Not when it’s much more fun to deploy weapons-grade sass. The pressure ratchets up when a rival show aims to steal their sponsor. Hubcap has to film his most spectacular footage yet, while avoiding dangerous wildlife, plantlife, and emotions. But if anyone is up to the task, it’s the robot with skills second to none, and an ego to match.

The Faded Dragon by Cameron Michaels

Peace is a frail thing, but the truth is even frailer. Epic Fantasy with a twist of mystery . . . The old war between the dragons and elves has long been over, and Deerium has entered a new age. The humans have taken hold and the last fragment of days gone by, known as the Takahrn, have been made slaves. Gahlaia, the Takahrn’s rightful leader, is given a chance to save her people. Borhiim, a man with a confusing past, must choose between his new life and the one left behind. Tirehn, the soon-to-be king, seeks to find his father’s murderer. All the while, the Eternal moves them together to discover the reality of their world, and the one who’s been pulling all the strings.

Theft of Fire by Devon Eriksen

SPSFC 2024

Discover SciFi #5 Best Book of 2023 Atomic Rockets Seal of Approval, for Excellence in Correct Science Prometheus Award Finalist for Best Novel Dragon Award for Best Scifi Novel Finalist “A great read — hard SF by a retired engineer.” —John Carmack, creator of Doom At the frozen edge of the solar system lies a hidden treasure which could spell their fortune or their destruction—but only if they survive each other first. Marcus Warnoc has a little problem. His asteroid mining ship—his inheritance, his livelihood, and his home—has been hijacked by a pint-sized corporate heiress with enough blackmail material to sink him for good, a secret mission she won’t tell him about, and enough courage to get them both killed. She may have him dead to rights, but if he doesn’t turn the tables on this spoiled Martian snob, he’ll be dead, period. He’s not giving up without a fight. He has a plan. Miranda Foxgrove has the opportunity of a lifetime almost within her grasp if she can reach it. Her stolen spacecraft came with a stubborn, resourceful captain who refuses to cooperate—but he’s one of the few men alive who can snatch an unimaginable treasure from beneath the muzzles of countless railguns. And if this foulmouthed Belter thug doesn’t want to cooperate, she’ll find a way to force him. She’s come too far to give up now. She has a plan. They’re about to find out that a plan is a list of things that won’t happen.

First Contact: America by Matt Turner

What happens if First Contact doesn't go the way we want? A religious American family set's off on a delightful weekend away. Mom and daughter embark on a girl's getaway, while Father and Son have a guy's weekend. Just as the two pairs are starting their little vacations, aliens unexpectedly descend upon Earth; making First Contact. The family's torn asunder and their idyllic weekends take an unexpected turn as they grapple with this otherworldly encounter. The aliens come bearing ominous messages. Are they friends or foes? A family, torn apart, embarks on an adventure that tests their physical and mental fortitude, as well as their faith. Will they find unity once again?

The Brother's Curse (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 1) by Christine M. Germain

A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaves his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks. Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target of two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, bodies appear eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't who he claims to be or if he is even human.

Prophecy Trilogy: New Moon (Prophecy Series Book 1) by Liz Bullard

Step into a captivating realm of destiny and redemption in 'New Moon.' Join Eli, a Zodian warrior haunted by the aftermath of a devastating battle, and Talia, a water warrioress struggling to mend her shattered marriage. As they navigate a world of elemental magic and treacherous challenges, Eli is tasked with finding the Chosen One, Tabatha. Will she be the cure to his darkness and the savior in this land of fighters, or will she turn away from destiny and fail to reach her full potential?

The Crescent Moon by E J Doble

The first novella in a new philosophical fiction trilogy by indie author E J Doble In the city of Arbash, nestled on the outskirts of a vast desert, the young girl My'ala walks out among the vineyards overlooking a delicate blue sea. Reaching a gnarled tree atop a small hill, she stumbles upon an old man, nestled among its roots - his name is Artemis the Hermit, and he longs to answer the simple question. What is the meaning of life? As the years pass, and the realities of a difficult life struggling to get by weigh heavy upon her, My'ala finds herself returning to the Hermit by the tree to seek counsel, and to find purpose in a world where she feels so lost. But when an enemy appears from the sea, and her family are torn apart by the spectre of war, it is in the Hermit's teachings that My'ala will find her answers - and how the meaning of life may just save her city from a swift and certain end...

ARvekt by Craig Lea Gordon

SPSFC

Will the battle for humanity be fought in reality? Or in her mind? Tannis Ord is a black-ops cyborg assassin. A highly-trained human-weapon, dedicated to hunting down the last of the brain hacking syndicates. There’s just one problem… Her mind was broken from a psychotic episode. Neural programming erased her trauma, gave her a fresh start. But when an old brain hacker cult resurfaces, and a sentient AI is set to govern the entire human population, she starts seeing things. Horrors that can’t possibly be real… that make no sense… that only she can see. Ix, their AI Guardian, is abducting innocent citizens from the streets in broad daylight. And it’s using the Augmented Reality it has thrown over the world as cover. Is the AI hellbent on humanities destruction? Or is her mind tearing itself apart again? ARvekt is an explosive story, fusing action and intrigue into a journey full of twists and turns where you won’t know what’s real and what isn’t. If you enjoy books with amazing plots and characters, set in a stunning futuristic world, then input ARvekt into your brain now. ARvekt is book two of the Instant Reality Series.

The Hound of Greyvor (Silver Sights Saga #2) by W.J. Long III

Since Minerva Prime, peace, quiet, and adolescence have driven a wedge between Claude and Vision. As tempers flare in their modest home, a new danger emerges behind the Sabien veil; Levine Drarri, a disgraced servant of the Imperium, arrives on their doorstep, seeking the aid of Silver Sights. In his wake comes chaos, tragedy, and the boundless fury of a Sabien Crown. Now, the weight of Drarri’s sudden arrival threatens to shatter the already fractured bond between father and daughter, while in the shadows, the weapons of the Imperium bear down on all they have built.

Glass Wings by Elle Kaelee

The Glass Wings Series Book One Pain erupted from Hadley’s shoulders, blood, deep and blue streaked down her back. A metal chain groaned around her ankle, the only sound besides her screams in the dark. Eighteen and alone in California, Hadley sells the only thing she has left to make ends herself. When strange things start happening, Hadley has nowhere to turn. She will soon learn that there are worse things than humans watching her from the shadows. Hadley’s existence is an anomaly. She has inherited an ancient feud between immortals both good and evil. With it, powers she can’t yet control. Her path extends back centuries, tying her to five winged immortals: a gentle soul burdened with destructive abilities, twins whose connection to the moon ties them to fate, a woman whose commands shape destinies, and a boy who wanders the realm of unconsciousness. She will soon learn what they’ve all known for even divine beings aren’t immune to family drama. When the light and the dark prepare for war, only you can decide which side you fall on—and it might not be as clear as you think.

The Red Woman and the White Bear by Fern A. Ellis

It is both the fate and the burden of the Red Woman to bring peace. The Fae are real—this is a fact that Aisling Morrow has believed with varying degrees of certainty since she was a child. Her late mother’s accounts of their beauty still linger in her mind, but always with the caveat: Do not involve yourself uninvited with matters of the Fae. Aisling has no plans to do so—until she discovers an arcane prophecy which names her the Red Woman, destined to turn the tides of war in the realm of Wyldraíocht by ensuring the fall of the Unseelie Court. On a quest to understand her role, Aisling ventures into Wyldraíocht. Except Fae prophecies aren’t so easily interpreted, and she is soon ensnared in a dangerous web of political machinations, opposing religions, and dark magic—at the center of which stands the fierce and vengeful Unseelie King. King Kael Ardhen, a vessel for raw power bestowed upon him by an eldritch god, is consumed by his own unbridled rage—a rage which he would not hesitate to turn on the human woman prophesied to destroy his court. Yet something about the way Aisling calls to his shadows draws him in, at once both granting him control over his violent magic and inviting him to relinquish control over his guarded heart. As unsettling truths about the world her mother so loved challenge Aisling’s convictions and call into question the true purpose of the Red Woman, the Veil between realms grows ever weaker with the echoes of war. Soon, the crueler sorts of Fae will no longer be confined to Wyldraíocht. With time running out to protect those she loves, Aisling finds herself at the crossroads of fate and choice—and the ultimate price of peace may demand more than she is willing to pay.

Refuge by JJ Blacklocke

A Dangerous Haven. Adapt or die. Nine hundred Vennans undertake a cultural exchange to Tradepoint, a space station where aliens from different worlds meet to do business. A young and gyfted Speaker, Gredin, is translator and diplomat for the happy occasion. But a horrific vision shatters her first night’s sleep on Tradepoint. Venna, their homeworld, has been destroyed. Now the safety of the delegation, the only Vennans left in all of time and space, rests on Gredin’s young shoulders. Stunned and grieving, she navigates trade wars and political prejudice, bartering with other races—some friendly, some neutral, some outright hostile—for what her people need to survive. And the cost of failure is the unthinkable. Extinction.

The Witches of Crannock Dale by Thomas M. Kane

Spies. Witch-hunts. A little girl who asks dangerous questions. Eleven-year-old Mara wants to go on being her pappy’s little girl forever, but when knights of the official church arrest her favorite aunt on trumped-up charges of witchcraft, she leaves her safe childhood world behind. Shocked by adults’ willingness to accept injustice, she runs away from home to rescue her aunt from execution. She finds that respected members of her community are using her aunt as a scapegoat to cover up their own collaboration with foreign agents. As Mara schemes to protect her family from these conspirators, she deduces that they are part of a larger plot which threatens her entire nation, and which her country’s leaders fail to see. That problem is too large for a child to solve, but it will define Mara’s life.

May Day by Josie Jaffrey

If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one. It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake. When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does. To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die. Body bags on standby. May Day is the first book in Josie Jaffrey’s Seekers series, an urban fantasy series set in Oxford, England.

Usurper (Children of Lorcan Book 1) by J. M. Rose

DMITRY PETROV WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEXT VAMPIRE KING OF RASPIEN. On the night of his eighteenth birthday, Dmitry unwittingly finds himself at the center of a scandal that turns his life upside down. Stripped of his titles, inheritance, and everything he’s ever known, Dmitry has to learn to live like the other side. Forced to question everything he’s been taught to believe, Dmitry is determined to forge ahead and build a new life far from the intricate politics and poison of a family bound to a golden chair and the weight of a crown once promised. But dressing a prince in overalls does not a pauper make, and no matter the distance he travels or how hard he tries to forget, Dmitry has to face a harsh and inescapable truth; that a fate born into is not so easily shaken. When he finds himself at the beck and call of a boy king with too much power and no patience, Dmitry begins to understand that there is more to inheritance than a title and a crown, and blood—indeed—runs much thicker than water.

The Rarkyn's Fall (The Rarkyn Trilogy #2) by Nikky Lee

They survived mancers. They survived monsters. They survived the Storm. With the mountains behind them and Illredus on the horizon, they thought the hardest part of the journey over. They were wrong. Outlawed and on the run, Lyss struggles to control her new and volatile magic. A magic that will destroy her. Her only hope: Find the last remaining witch to tame it. Her only clue: Buried in Illredus. City of mancers. Capital of the Empire. Together, she and Skaar descend into Illredus’ underbelly and discover a warren of illegal magics and the monstrous legacy Lyss’ father left behind. As truth, loyalties, and magic clash, Lyss must decide how far she’ll go to exact justice in her father’s name… And how far she’ll fall to rule the power inside her once and for all.

Of Sky and Sea by K. M. Mohr

The Child of Sky and Sea. Born of a union between an angel and a mermaid. Foretold to break the curse of a mad Fae queen. But there’s a catch… For twenty years Seraph has been a captive of her fate, believing her life is not her own. Her isolation both haven and prison. And yet, safety is an illusion, for her destiny is bound to the world. When the nation hiding her is betrayed from within, she is forced to run. While traversing the lands of Lorralei, overcoming the plights of her journey becomes only one challenge. Surviving the guardians escorting her is another. And as the end of the road draws closer, war over her blood swells on the horizon. Leaving Seraph’s heart divided— Save the world. Or save herself.

Wonderland by Kimberly Wheelock

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

Descent to the Roses of a Family: A Poet's Journey Into Antiracism and Personal Social Healing by Judy Grahn

For those courageous enough to explore how family dynamics create and imprint the structures of white supremacy in each of us, Judy Grahn, an iconic voice of the GLBTQ and Women's movements, has used her masterful poem, "Descent to the Roses of a Family," to expose and closely examine her own family's roses (and thorns) of toxic racism and white supremacy. Grahn uses rich back-stories and mythology to guide us in the process of understanding and healing the split psyche that white supremacy causes and requires. "Descent to the Roses of a Family" is especially valuable for getting past endless intellectualizing about one of our most serious and tenacious social problems. Grahn demands more of us; she insists that we understand emotionally and poetically, as well as intellectually, the heart of white supremacy in the family and its consequences when taken unexamined into the larger world. She leads us out of the fog of denial. Recommended for teachers of antiracism, using literature, sociology, and mythology; also for group discussions and individuals wanting to heal themselves and future generations by finding a better way.

No Safe Haven by James Lloyd Dulin

Anger will not be quenched by blood alone. The Missing, a rebel army that is little more than a rumor, may be Kaylo’s only path to exact his vengeance against the empire that claimed his home and killed his family. If it means a chance to balance the blood he owes, he will steal spirits and become the Missing’s tool, as long as they aim him in the right direction. Eighteen years later, a war is raging between factions for control of Ennea. With Tayen, Kaylo, and Nix caught in the middle of a power struggle—Kaylo will have to find a way to fulfill the promise he made to Tayen, Nix must face the consequences of her betrayal, and Tayen will have to choose between vengeance and her spirit. When blood is owed, virtues will be challenged.

Worth His Salt by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton

Where is salt? It pumps through your veins, dusts your fingertips in the drive-thru, and has seeped into that comforting bite of your favorite childhood meal. Surprisingly, salt is not in the earth’s crust, not anymore. Centuries of overharvesting, spurred by human gluttony and the food industry, have depleted every source of salt beneath the surface. To make matters worse, global pollution has become so severe that other sources of salt, like seawater, have become too toxic to ingest. The Armageddon that ensued would convince you the world was at war or a zombie apocalypse had begun. This lasted until Pillars, mysterious human-like creatures made entirely of salt, suddenly appeared in one country. The government seized this opportunity to reignite their economy, spurred by powerful food companies, and gathered them into salt farms. The country’s profits and standing in the world blossomed with this newfound resource. In order to keep this momentum, it became law to turn every Pillar into the government. However, one small restaurant defied this order when they agreed to hide a water-bottle-sized Pillar named Geo. They risk their careers, families, and very lives keeping him hidden from random inspections, salt hounds, and Inspector Hans. To save their future, all it takes is a phone call to turn him in and obtain their monetary reward. To keep him concealed takes a sacrifice few are willing to make anymore. They weigh these choices each day and must decide if he is truly worth his salt.

The Spacer (Galatean Saga #0.5) by Jasmine P. Antwoine

When the enemy isn't considered human, proving you have a soul becomes treason. Lieutenant Lucian Aris captures Commander Gordon Monihan alive, breaking the sacred rule of a decades-long war. Beneath the armor, he doesn't find the bioengineered monster from the propaganda reels. He finds a man. Severed from The Verse, the neural network connecting all Spacers, Monihan is plunged into a deafening isolation that threatens his sanity. But Dr. Hayden, a xenopsychologist, offers something far worse: a tribunal designed to prove Monihan has no soul. Every act of compassion will be dissected as programming. Every human gesture, evidence of sophisticated mimicry. Fifty years later, on Surinam Station, Monihan's trial has become legend. But Sergeant Yaniv knows what the stories don't tell: in a system built to deny personhood, the truth is the most subversive weapon of all. A tense psychological thriller exploring consciousness, identity, and the stories we tell about who deserves to be called human. For readers who want their science fiction thoughtful, unsettling, and morally complex.

Briefly Buddies by Chase Connor

Being a gay teen can be difficult, but for Dustin Blanchard, it’s been pretty boring, actually. In less than twenty-four hours he’s going to graduate from high school. His parents and friends have always given him their full support and unconditional love. He’s always had plenty of friends in school, he’s attractive, always gotten good grades, and he’s headed into a new chapter of life—university after his last summer of working at a local ice cream joint. His life has been…blessed. There’s just one thing. He’s never had a boyfriend. Never gotten laid. Never even been kissed. Well, not like that, anyway. So, life has been good, but it’s been boring. When he came out, Dustin imagined his own rom-com, teenage, coming-of-age scenario playing out, finding a boyfriend in high school, and being crowned dual Kings of the Prom. Nothing ever works out the way he imagines, though, and he’s getting pretty tired of it. On the night of his graduation, Dustin and his friend, Miguel, come up with a plan while sharing a few beers swiped from the neighborhood barbecue. If you can’t get laid through skill and swagger of your own, you can always turn to a professional. All you need is the internet and a device. So, buzzed from the beers, Dustin logs onto Briefly Buddies to find the perfect guy to help him achieve his first real gay experience. And that’s where everything really started to go wrong…

Wingspan of Treason by L N Bayen

Invelmar. A great kingdom boasting unrivalled peace and a brutal grip over the known world. A kingdom built with blood. Former Invelmari prince Klaus surrendered everything to it. Now he’s fleeing a shattering betrayal and wondering why his parents want to kill him. Neighbouring Derinda – a once-magnificent realm devastated by Invelmar’s damming of its mighty river – may offer Klaus a new life mapping distant roads. But feuding Derinda makes poor refuge for a fugitive mapmaker, and there’s no peace from his questions here. Questions about who his real family are. Questions about the sentient particles awakening in Derinda’s desert, intent on unearthing the devastating secret buried in its sands… Because this desert wind is thick with poets and pirates, shamans and spaewives, and the answers are far worse than Klaus could have imagined. His loyalties to his beloved home are fast unravelling, and the desert clamours for a trial of Invelmar’s crimes. But can he separate vengeance from justice? Does he even want to? TRUTH IS A KNIFE. LOYALTY’S A CAGE. NO ONE IS INNOCENT.

Tyranny of the Fey by Terry Bartley

A famed Elven researcher is worried about her home. When she discovers a new realm with massive magic potential, she believes she has found the answer. Will the Seasonal Fey Courts allow her to continue her research without interference, or do they have more nefarious plans? An Elven princess runs away from her arranged marriage to a parallel world. Will she be able to find the adventure she seeks? While she is in search of battles with dragons and quests to obtain sacred artifacts, she finds that what she was looking for may have been a true connection with someone that understands her. Two childhood friends, an orc and a goblin, have long dreamed of adventure. When a magic school dropout stumbles into their lives, they jump at the chance to realize their ambitions. This found family realizes the world of Galevyn is a much bigger place than the jungle they grew up in.

Fracture: Shattered Numbers I by R. Sinclair

Most people would kill to escape death row. Meredith Dufresne - marked as 'compliant and charming' and a 'low risk inmate' in her stellar incarceration record, thank you very much - signs her life over to Thanatos Industries instead for the chance to terminate her sentence. The job: taming a highly aggressive malignant AI. The catch: it's already killed 23 of its previous hosts. Meredith isn't stupid. Thanatos Industries is playing a dangerous game, and she's an expendable piece. She can't gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss her way out of this situation alone - and the bloodthirsty AI jammed in her skull can't mansplain, manipulate, manslaughter his way to freedom without her. The solution: team up with the highly aggressive malignant AI and hope he doesn't fry her in the process. What's a little brain damage in the grand scheme of things, anyway?

The Pastel Grand Prix by Skyler Krenn

Together, they'll paint the town.When thirteen-year-old Alec learns about the annual bike race that combines racing with art, he's expecting a fun new experience. What he isn't expecting is Damian, the lanky, curly-haired boy who helps him out of his shell and becomes his first real friend. With Damian's help, Alec aims for first prize -- and learns some surprising things about himself along the way.

The Tome of Haren by Damien Francis

The Tome of Haren, a powerful book, made from magic, with vast stores of knowledge, that could shift the balance of a war brewing at the edge of Narean’s borders…and one young man will become the Keeper for all to survive… The nation of Narean is vulnerable. There hasn’t been a Keeper to protect and defend its people for over 150 years. As rumours of war grow, Narean needs a Keeper more than ever. Orphaned since birth, Aeidor has no expectations for life except surviving day to day, so when a legend from old stories claims that he is to be the next Keeper, the powerful champions entrusted with defending Narean, Aeidor must journey farther than he ever imagined in search of an artefact long thought lost, the Tome of Haren. Now Aeidor must contend with elite mercenaries, called Blooders, hired to retrieve the Tome for their mysterious dark master. As the challenges mount and time draws nearer to the war to come, Aeidor questions whether he can live up to the legacy of the Keepers and save the nation of Narean…

My Heart is Hurting by S.E. Reed

Jinny Buffett is lonely... She's never had the comfort of a white picket fence with a loving family. Her subsidized apartment in Hollywood Florida echoes with the void of her dead Daddy, and the nights drag long into twilight while her Mama works the block outside the Margaritaville resort. It's idealistic Ms. Fleming, who's brave enough to come knocking first. She wants to see Jinny rise up and use her ace scores to escape the wheel of poverty, convincing Jinny to start a school book club, where she finds the friends and boyfriend she never knew she needed. But when her Mama spirals out of control and threatens her entire existence, it's Jinny's Everglade ancestors who arrive in a mist of magic, bringing the swamp and hope with them.

Noose by Brennan LaFaro

"The Batman meet Django Unchained. LaFaro takes to the west with this story if Revenge and Blood." -Scott J. Moses, author of OUR OWN UNIQUE AFFLICTION It's been fifteen years since Noose Holcomb perpetrated the Buzzard's Edge Train Robbery of 1872, leaving Rory Daggett an orphan. Settled in with a new family and a second chance at life, Rory never quite sheds the thirst for revenge. When one of the gang members returns to Buzzard's Edge, Rory's life is violently upended once more. Capturing the rogue spurs on a furious chain of events that pits Rory against each member of Noose's gang, every one more twisted and terrifying than the last, in order to work his way to their leader. With the help of a fellow orphan whose life Noose turned upside down and the town's sheriff, Rory will stop at nothing to be the man who ends Noose's reign of terror, but can he do it without becoming the man he seeks to kill?

Child of Shivay by JR Cathers

Two hundred years ago, when mortals hunted the fea toward extinction, the Ancients sundered the veils of Terr, fracturing their world into five realms. Many fled beyond the Veil of War, but not all who remained did so with benevolent intentions. Shivaria is an elite assassin of the crown, forged for a single purpose: to end the life of the Feyn King. Upon foreign shores, she discovers a land steeped in power, forgotten truths, and whispered legends that defy everything she was taught. When she finds herself bound to the king's general, sought by the fea in the northern woods, and uncovering the hidden truths of her world, she is thrust into a choice that will define her: follow the path she has always known, or endure a breaking that will set her on a course destined by the Fates.

Bonkpocalypse by L. A. Guettler

Bonk isn’t a normal cat. It’s glitchy, rusty, its eyes don’t match—and it’s only getting worse. Red Darkling, its owner and all-around space babe, is determined to find out what’s wrong. Red’s investigation takes her across the galaxy, from Chuck’s Tap to the Whore’s Knuckles, from Dr. Mn’s Vet Clinic and Oil Change Emporium to The Meaty Noodle. Along the way, she’s joined by a lounge lizard, a government assassin and her busty wife, and some suspiciously hospitable monks. Will Red uncover Bonk’s secret? Who is Todhunter Balzac? And will she ever get that damn FlinkBar jingle out of her head? Advance praise for Bonkpocalypse “It’s just the book I was looking for." ~The Serendipitous Teh “A powerful exploration of a young woman’s struggle to find her place in the galaxy.” ~Fritzi Giggler “More fun than a C’longi bachelor party.” ~Dirk Largo

Curse of the Fallen (Fallen Light Book One) by H.C Newell

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This Child is not the chosen one. She is a demon to be destroyed. Born of magic, Nerana is labeled a demon and forced into hiding by the Order of Saro. Living with a curse that binds her to their leader, Nerana seeks to free herself from their hold and soon learns that the path to redemption may prove more fatal than the Order itself. But for Nerana, this is more than a quest for survival... It’s a promise of revenge.

The Golden Rose of Valenul by Enna Hawthorn

Gold can tarnish, roses can wilt, but love can last forever. Ariadne Harlow didn’t want to be the Golden Rose. With the prestigious title comes too much attention. But when the courting Season begins, she has eyes for only one the Valenul General. He cares for her, helped her recover after being abducted, and holds the power to keep the horrible monsters of her past at bay. A perfect match. Azriel Tenebra didn’t want to be the personal guard of the Golden Rose. Yet despite his misgivings, he ends up at her estate at the start of the Season. Before long, his struggles, and the real reason for his avoidance, a fae bond connecting him to Ariadne. She’s all he can think of, and it risks the safety of himself and everyone who gets between them. Night after night, Ariadne can’t help but be drawn to her quiet new guard, and Azriel’s resolve to leave her slowly cracks. For when the General’s intentions become evident, she must uphold her reputation, and that of her family, by accepting his hand. Anything less and the truth would be exposed, putting Azriel’s life on the line and opening her to the scandal of the ages.

Black Widow's Bite by Bella Reves

Addison has resigned herself to the fact that she’ll be alone forever, thanks to an unfortunate ‘gift’ that drives anyone who touches her to the brink of insanity. When a vicious attack sends her tumbling down a staircase, Addison stumbles upon four reclusive men who are just as troubled as she is. Wyatt, whose tortured soul screams for relief as he takes pain from everyone around him. Austin, whose affinity with snakes has left him stuck inside for fear of cruelty. Piper, whose ability to see the future comes at a terrible cost, leaving his mind fractured and his clarity waning with each passing day. Cain, the terrifying protector of this group of misfits, would gladly burn the world - Addison included - to keep them safe. Addison’s world is turned upside down as fate keeps pushing her towards these four men, and she begins to wonder if maybe this den of monsters is exactly where she belongs. On the heels of her arrival, the group receives a terrifying warning, and Addison’s dreams begin to look more like dark omens as they prepare to fight an unknown threat. What could be so evil that it would scare the monsters lurking in the dark?

The Hiding by Alethea Lyons

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

Malediction by Katerina King

She’ll survive, or burn everything in her flames. Scarlette Petrova is only a shell of who she once was. A go-getter without a care in the world. But that changes when her stability is ripped away from her and her voice of reason disappears in the night, and all that’s left for her is an addict for a mom and memories. She already lost everything once, and now it's happening all over again. Scarlette's blood runs deep with ancient power built by witches of old. But she finds herself powerless when her estranged uncle demands she live with him after he starts making threats and in order to protect her drug-addled mother, she does. She hates Whitechapel. It’s her mom’s hometown and her uncle controls everything there, but the joke's on him when she finds a deeper connection to her roots and important traces of family history that furthers her magic and connection to herself. Not to mention the return of a childhood friend, Elijah Hutton, whose been outcasted by the overly religious town for being gay. Together, Scarlette and Eli learn about her past, and the closer they get to answers, the more everything and everyone seems to want to kill her. Scarlette's determined to survive, but she may not be able to make that choice anymore. But Scarlette runs hot. If she goes down, she's taking everything and everyone down with her…in the flames.

Tails of Battle: the Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare

In a world of humans, elves, and animal humanoids; the fox and jaguar are at war. The two are at odds as another powerful enemy arises and begins a journey for the Mysterious Island for help. The Tournament of Kings is taking place across the sea. One queen destroys peace in the kingdoms with one choice.

Killer Quill by Shida Ketzer

Murdered in cold blood and resurrected through forbidden powers, Quill becomes her world’s legendary assassin. She can never part with her eponymous quill. The mythical quill keeps her alive, heals her wounds, and enables her to transform colors into animate objects doing her bidding. In exchange, the quill feeds on her victims’ souls. When her latest mission sparks the higher power’s wrath, Quill must avenge the death of her people and her own murder. Failure will cost more than just her life. A Wisteraverse Novella

Kissed By The Gods by Caty Rogan

Leina has spent a lifetime submitting. Kneeling. Enduring. Then soldiers came for her brother, and divine fury surged through her veins. She expects execution for the bodies she left in her wake. Her people have met bloody ends for far, far less. Instead, Ryot, a godsworn warrior born to privilege and raised in order, drags her into a world that was never meant for her. One of divine armies and death demons, winged war horses and monsters, sacred power and royal secrets. A kiss from a goddess changes everything. No longer a criminal, Leina is a prize. The kingdom's most powerful men want what the goddess touched. Leina wants only one thing, though: freedom for her people. And she'll trade herself for the strength to destroy the kingdom that broke them. Conscripted into a war she never asked for, fighting for gods she doesn't believe in, Leina must decide how far she's willing to go and what she's willing to lose. Because her power is more than a threat to the kingdom's buried secrets. It's a death sentence.