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The Delving (Overthrown - The Chronicles of Denoril #1) by Aaron Bunce It rests deep in the ground, they say, an ancient burial treasure of unimaginable wealth. Riches to humble even the most prosperous men, locked away from time itself. But the Council’s edict was clear – keep the tombs of the ancient dalan closed. Keep the past sealed. But where there is wealth, there is greed, and nothing stays buried forever. Thorben Paulson is an ordinary man, trying to raise his family the honest way. Unfortunately, the Council’s tax collectors demand more and more each thaw, taking in both coin and food. For a branded man like Thorben, his checkered past means the burden is always greater. With hungry mouths to feed and winter on the horizon, Thorben’s desperation grows. A visitor appears unexpectedly in town, a man from his past, carrying a map and a promise – enough coin to feed his family for the foreseeable future, in exchange for a single job. Not just any job, however. Thorben must delve once again, leave the sun behind and enter the underground crypts, the realm of the dead, and find priceless dalan relics. And yet, more lies in wait than things that sparkle and glimmer, and in Denoril, some things never truly die. |
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Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire by G.M. Nair Michael Duckett is fed up with his life. His job is a drag, and his roommate and best friend of fifteen years, Stephanie Dyer, is only making him more anxious with her lazy irresponsibility. Things continue to escalate when they face the threat of imminent eviction from their palatial 5th floor walk-up and find that someone has been plastering ads all over the city for their Detective Agency. The only problem is: He and Stephanie don’t have one of those. Despite their baffling levels of incompetence, Stephanie eagerly pursues this crazy scheme and drags Michael, kicking and screaming, into the fray only to find that they are way out of their depth. They stumble upon a web of missing people that are curiously linked to a sexually audacious theoretical physicist and his experiments with the fabric of space-time. And unless Michael and Stephanie can put their personal issues aside and fix the multi-verse, the concept of existence itself may, ironically, no longer exist. |
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The One-Hundred Percent Solution by G.M. Nair The Future Group is the city’s biggest and most lucrative company even though no one really knows what it is they do. Michael Duckett has worked there for four years and he still has no clue. All he knows is that he hates his meaningless job and all the people in it. But it pays the bills. Bills that have been stacking up since his roommate and best friend Stephanie Dyer decided to open a detective agency – despite her chronic inability to commit to anything. When Michael is suddenly fired, he and Stephanie are forced to return to the world of private investigation against his better judgment. A mysterious woman wants to enlist the services of Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire to track down an assassin who has a bone to pick with Michael’s former employer. Apparently, The Future Group has been harboring a deadly secret for decades. One that could put the world in the grip of an indescribable horror. It turns out Michael was lucky to get out of that job alive. Too bad he and Stephanie are being dragged back to work. |
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Death of the Tree Path by Timothy S. Currey Their healer has died. Their forest is dying. They refused to leave … even when soldiers came to take their land. Riekalt has been a grim man since the death of his wife, the village healer. She gave her life to save the village. He can hardly sleep. Is it her he keeps hearing at night? When soldiers come from Gweidor to take their land, the villagers of Wolfshead Hill begin to know the end has come. They claim to come in peace, and offer gold. But they come with a trail of corpses in their wake. There is one desperate hope left to the village. Riekalt’s only son Laester begins to show glimmers of the powers that claimed his wife. If he cannot control or suppress the new magic … it might destroy him. How can Riekalt hope to save his village, if it might mean the life of his son? |
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Death of the Invisible Financier by R.D. Henderson Paul Bloom wants to make his own way and stop grinding for a criminal organization. The higher-ups in the organization are lining their pockets thanks to Bloom and he was getting just a pittance. The catch is he doesn’t want the higher-ups to learning he wants to make his own way. Mettle Coyle, an elf and financier, is finally able to get out from under his aunt, who was beloved by everyone at their family-owned investment and financial firm and died under mysterious circumstances, and seized control of the firm with the goal of lining his pockets at the expense of his partners or investors. Paul Bloom, his associates, and Mettle Coyle join other criminals in engineering a confidence scheme which most likely ensure each of them a nice tidy profit. The only catch is when a group of criminals are involved in a scheme to steal a large amount of money, each of them, including Bloom and Coyle, want the entire ill-gotten gains for himself or herself and none of them will be denied no matter if lives hang in the balance. Death of the Invisible Financier is the first book in the Paul Bloom & Associates Schemes a sword and sorcery series. |
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Darkness Forged (Legends of the Ragnarok Era #1) by Matt Larkin Norse mythology retold - Volundarkvida The greatest crafts on Midgard come from the dvergar realm of Nidavellir. Volund, a gifted smith and once apprentice to the dvergar, escaped their dark realm to find solace in the arms of a valkyrie. Nine years of respite. And then she was gone. Volund will do anything to get her back. But his reputation precedes him, and a cruel king knows the weapons Volund forges can win his wars. Imprisoned in the king’s forge, Volund’s only hope to escape is to find his wife. If he can’t, more than the forge’s darkness will overtake him. For even more dark Norse adventure, don't miss the tie-in series Gods of the Ragnarok Era, starting with The Apples of Idunn. |
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A Dark Inheritance (Hollow Fate #1) by Todd Herzman It’s a dark path to power. When Ruben is bound by magic and hauled across the sea to where the God King reigns, he has only one goal: escape. As he tries to resist his master’s pull, he discovers a secret—the reason he was taken from his family—Ruben is a mage. On his journey to understand his power, his desire to become stronger takes him to dark places, driving him to do even darker things. If he can gain his freedom, will he be able to return to the life he once knew, after what he’s become? SPFBO 2020 Semi-Finalist! |
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Dames and Demons by G. Campbell Twenty years ago, a pandemic ripped through the world and forever changed society. Where Man once stood, now stand the Women and the Demons. They rule the city through magic and money. Men like Tom and Chris Redfield have nothing. The brothers live under the heel of society and fight over the scraps dropped by the upper classes. Or at least they used to. Things change with the discovery of a Demonic book. The brothers might have a shot at a better life, but they’re not ready for the chaos the book unleashes. Suddenly, the Redfields are thrown into the tangled machinations of the spiteful Sororities and the fastidious lords of Hell. Forced to become players in an intricate game, the brothers will have to use their wits and all the magic they can afford if they hope to survive. Cock your pistols, sharpen your swords, and fill your magic reserve… Not everyone’s going to make it out alive. |
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Curse of the Jenri by Stephanie Barr The world of the Jenri is a dangerous, primitive world, where women are prized as chattel, but the Jenri women, every one from the eldest archivist to the smallest babe, strike fear into battle-hardened mercenary hearts. It is a world where battle steeds are mythical beasts and magic is as deadly a weapon as a sword. Those who wield both are doubly dangerous and those who cross them are thrice damned. The Jenri are mistresses of all these things. If you love one of these marvelous women, you must best her in a contest of her choosing to win her love in return. These were women who needed no one to take care of them. Until now. It wasn’t enough that Jenri women had been stolen, including his wife, Layla It wasn't enough that those who had stolen them had nefarious plans. And phenomenal magic powers. And could escape in seconds. And an underground fortress in the midst of frozen mountains so cold Tander was afraid he’d shatter if he stumbled one more time. It wasn’t enough that he was surrounded by angry husbands worried about their wives and willing to take their tempers out on him if he was leading them in the wrong direction. It wasn’t enough that he was also surrounded by the remaining women from his tribe who were equally angry and more than capable of kicking his butt. No, on top of all those little issues, he discovered he's no longer “just” an extraordinary swordsman, but also a great and powerful sorcerer with absolutely no idea how to use his powers. He was not just any sorcerer, either, but one chosen by six tiny kitten familiars who did know how to use his powers and who had no problem telling him. All the time. While they demanded to be carried all over his person, purring and taking inopportune naps. He didn’t want these powers or a flock of noisy but helpful kittens, but he was going to need them. He'd need all the skills and talents he and his companions possess in order to save their women—and Layla. But we love you, Tander! Solace insisted, purring and licking his neck. Things have got to get better soon. |
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Currents of Change by Darian Smith Haunted house. Haunted heart. When Sara O’Neill goes on the run, she believes the tiny New Zealand town of Kowhiowhio is just the sanctuary she needs. Her family’s old colonial house needs repair, but it’s safe from the abusive husband she left behind. However, a hostile local holds a grudge and a dangerous presence haunting her new home threatens Sara’s chance at peace. How can she create a new life while dealing with ghosts from the old? For local electrician, Nate Adams, parenting his young daughter alone has not been easy - particularly in a town where he is still seen as an outsider. When he meets his new neighbour, he sees a chance at a new start for them both. Even with his help, can the house – or Sara’s heart – be repaired? Someone doesn’t want an O’Neill in Kowhiowhio. Sara’s return is awakening secrets hidden for generations. Why has the house never had electricity? What was the fate of Sara’s ancestors? Can she discover the ghost’s story before it’s too late? The truth will set…something…free. |
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Crown of the Sundered Empire (Heirs to the Sundered Empire #1) by J.C. Kang A sundered realm. A missing crown. A coming war. In a broken land where conquerors dream of empires, Tomas dreams of a day when the townsfolk won’t taunt him. After all, he’s the fishing village kid with a misshapen face. Only the Rune vendor’s daughter treats him well. To win her heart, he relies on a quick wit and local superstitions to convince her he has Diviner’s Sight. But if he did, he would’ve foreseen magic-fearing invaders plucking out his mismatched eye. Or the demon trapped in the glass replacement. It reveals a world beyond human vision, while whispering temptations in his mind. Now, with his village caught between the advancing armies of the Sun God’s mortal descendants and His Chosen People, Tomas must use a combination of calculation, cunning, and demonic insight to maneuver the forces of his world against each other—prince against prince, princess against princess, army against army—or see his home crushed forever beneath the wheels of war. |
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Covenant of Blood (The Thayria Cycle #1) by H.R. van Adel On Thayria, the brutal Sarasinian League dominates. Yet beneath its arrogant façade, decades of corruption, neglect and incompetence have left it weakened and vulnerable. Even as its subject peoples yearn for freedom, the League, preoccupied with violent expansion, shows astonishing complacency in the face of impending revolt. Against a backdrop of relentless bloody battles, a provincial governor chooses a path that could change the course of history. A group of military cadets faces an increasingly dire future. And a jaded research assistant sets out to recover an object of immense power and dreadful consequence. In the centre of this gathering storm stands an improbably long-lived and immensely powerful figure whose hatred of the League knows no bounds... A tale of diverse peoples and places, Covenant of Blood is set in a world where innocence is dead, mercy is non-existent, and authority is wielded with an iron fist. |
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Code of the Communer (Shadows in the Wildwood #1) by Kai Greenwood Tolkien-esque world-building, thrilling action and compelling characters. Code of the Communer is an immersive journey into a lost Wildwood. THE WILDWOOD IS CHANGING… An invasion sweeps across the continent. Desperate to escape, Caida’s tribe seek Maerida, the lost homeland of legend. But legends can be deceiving. After hundreds of years the people of the Wildwood have forgotten a deadly truth: Maerida was abandoned for a reason. THE CODE OF THE COMMUNER WILL BE CHALLENGED... Now Caida must choose. Will she honour her mother’s legacy or seek a new path by abandoning the Code she followed since birth? A SHADOW STIRS BENEATH THE ROOTS… On Maerida, amongst the ruins, a time of hibernation comes to an end. After the long sleep, comes the feeding. |
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The Clay Queen (Children of Clay #1) by Ono Ekeh With her armies defeated, Queen Nouei’s enemies march north to condemn her. The earth god’s only hope is to change history before they arrive. To become stronger she must restart her divine journey by reincarnating as Bridget Blade. But what if Bridget doesn’t want to be a god? All Bridget wants is a simple life with love and family. But she is confronted by a destiny she doesn’t even understand and burdened by powers and impulses she struggles to control. Bridget must choose a path that leads her to Nouei or, must force the Queen to settle for Bridget’s modest ambitions. Two women, one life, conflicting desires. Who will prevail? |
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The Child of Silence (The Burning Orbit Book 1) by Joseph O. Doran You've never met a hero like this before. Born severely disabled, Aiata dal'Pelferta has spent her life despised by her own people simply for who she is. Worse still, she is the youngest daughter of the Empress, making her an Imperial embarrassment. Unable to talk, move or let anyone know she is a thinking, feeling person, she spends her days observing - and learning - from those around her. Everything changes when she finally discovers a way to communicate and is plunged into the dangers of the Imperial court. With the magic of Songthrust, Aiata’s people can force others to their will, however they are ill-prepared for a popular revolt within their own borders – a revolt that Aiata is dragged into. Abused by her family and surrounded by danger, Aiata will learn that her intellect – not her magic – is her greatest asset, as she fights to save her home from the ravages of civil war. Yet while all eyes are on the war at home, a far greater threat looms in the dark of the night sky. |
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Chains of Blood (The Chaos Cycle #1) by M.L. Spencer He thought he was born Rylan Marshall…until he found out he wasn’t. He was born the son of a demon. Does that mean he is destined to follow in his father’s footsteps? Rylan was attacked, his young son murdered, his baby daughter taken. But his assailant left him with two gifts: the gift of magic…and an oath to darkness. Rylan blamed himself, even though he knew it wasn’t his fault. The life he knew was over. And war is coming. A new enemy, stronger and more fearsome than any other, appears out of the night. Will Rylan use his newfound power to make a stand? Will he learn its use in time to make a difference? Or will his oath to darkness guide him to the enemy? If you love grimdark fantasy filled with vivid realism, brutal warfare, and raw emotion, this new adventure is just for you. |
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The Calvanni (The Jakirian Cycle #1) by Chris McMahon The Jakirian series is Heroic Fantasy set on the world of Yos, with unique ecology and twin suns, where all metal is magical and control of magic is the basis for power. Hard-edged. Inspiring. The Jakirian features gritty, fast-paced action. The setting includes fantastical magical artefacts such as glowmetals; ceramic weapons and an array of new creatures. The characters travel through both urban and rural landscapes, where a depth of history and a layering of cultures gives texture. The Jakirian's strong themes of Heroic Fantasy would appeal to readers of David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie or Stan Nicholls. In The Calvanni, first of the epic series, the cavern-dwelling Eathal have emerged to wreak their vengeance on mankind. The fate of innocent thousands rests on finding the Scion - lost heir to the fallen Empire. The Temple has outlawed the ancient practice of Sorcery. Its Druids dominate religious and secular power, but are ill-equipped to resist an unknown evil once contained by the Emperors. The Jakirian series comprises three books - The Calvanni, Scytheman and Sorcerer. They follow Cedrin and Ellen as they face deeper and more hidden threats. Pursuing them is Raziin, a vicious renegade who seeks to claim the ultimate power of the Spear of Carris for himself. Eventually they must face a final challenge as the most ancient secrets that bind their three bloodlines are revealed. The Calvanni has attracted readers of all kinds, including readers who, up until now, had never read books from the Fantasy genre. The Jakirian series has given McMahon the room to explore his unique world and to convey to readers the richness of his flavour of heroic fantasy. |
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Calico Thunder Rides Again by T.A. Hernandez Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Most Fantastic Show on Earth... Three years ago, the Ban changed everything, outlawing certain forms of magic and bringing about the rise of powerful crime syndicates. Now, speakeasies in every city sell illegal charms and jinxes, and bootleggers traffic restricted potion ingredients across the country. But even in this changing world, the magic of the circus still acts as a wondrous escape and provides entertainment for all.​ Jake Strickland owns one such circus, inherited after an accident ended his career as a rodeo dragon rider. He also inherited the circus’ financial troubles, but since the show became his, he’s slowly managed to turn it into a profitable business once more. Or at least, that’s what he thought. When a dangerous mobster comes to collect an old debt, Jake resorts to desperate measures to get the money before a strict deadline. With lives and livelihoods at stake, he battles the clock, his responsibilities to the circus, and a longstanding personal grudge that has festered for years. Can he pay back the mob before it’s too late? |
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By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story (The Sky Pirate Chronicles #1) by Antoine Bandele The sickness was severe… …and there was one known potion that could save him. Was piracy the only chance they had? Zala wasn’t skilled with a sword. She wasn’t blessed with magic. But she knew the Sapphire Seas well. Plundering and raiding was an art of its own, and she got by on her wits. Yet she was running out of time. She needed the big score to save her husband. What was her next move? Before she even knew it… …the game changed. High above them, off the coast of the Ibabi Isles, a strange airship was headed their way. Zala had never seen anything like it. The battle was imminent. And she was going to need more than her bag of tricks. You’ll love this adventure inspired by the West Indies, The Swahili Coast, and Arabia, because Zala will encounter ruthless raiders, arrogant aristocrats, and imperial secrets. It will keep you turning the pages. |
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Burden of Power (The Wallkeeper Trilogy #1) by Caren Hahn Ria’s secret fear is that she’s not ready to rule. But when the king goes mad, she may not have a choice. As the first female heir to the throne of Rahm, Ria is surrounded by skeptics. Her dazzling wit and easy confidence hide the truth: She really doesn’t know what she’s doing. But she’d better learn fast because her father’s volatile behavior is getting worse. When the king gets embroiled in a power struggle with Merek, captain of the Wall Guard, Ria sees an opportunity. She proposes a tour of the damaged wall, giving her an excuse to prove herself by acting in her father’s stead. But Merek doesn’t have time for Ria’s schemes. A criminal network has infiltrated a critical border city, and he resents being pulled from his post. Abandoning his investigation could lead to disaster. Stubborn wills collide as Ria and Merek wrestle in a shifting balance of power. Only by learning to trust each other can they merge their strong personalities into a dynamic partnership. Will it be enough to save Ria when the threat to Rahm turns dangerously personal? Burden of Power is the first in the gripping Wallkeeper trilogy by debut author, Caren Hahn. With rich layers of action, combat, political intrigue, and romantic suspense, you’ll be drawn into a medieval fantasy where characters come alive and keep you wondering about them long after you’ve read the last page. Immerse yourself in the world of Wallkeeper today! |
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Bull and the Goblin Raid by Matt Heppe Baron Theodus of Sursival arrives at the Green Wyvern Inn to tell the story of his life. He will return each night to regale the villagers there with tales of monsters, treasure, foes, and friends. And when his story is done, he’ll leave his subjects, never to return again. The baron’s friends call him Bull, but not because he’s stubborn. He’s a giant of a man. He’ll answer to Lord Bull if you aren’t sure where you stand with him. Tonight he’ll tell the story of his road to adventure: a goblin raid that leaves Bull, his sister, and his mother as penniless refugees on a perilous journey. Goblins, disease, winter storms, and ruthless bandits all conspire to defeat the trio. Seventeen-year-old Bull, his stalwart sister, and hard-as-nails mother stand side-by-side against everything a cruel world can send against them. But how much can three people take? |
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The Broken Man (Thief's Harvest, #1) by Brandon Jones When Josen ran away from a life of wealth and privilege he had one goal in mind: become a legendary thief. It’s turning out to be more dangerous than he could have dreamed. Even his ability to break—to temporarily transform physical materials into other substances—is usually associated only with drug addicts. It’s not the kind of thing a person brags about. Josen is just starting to get his feet underneath him when he gets handed what looks like the perfect chance at an easy score. He should have known better. The perfect job turns into a perfect setup, ending with a friend in chains and half the city on fire. Out of options, Josen and his friends flee to a life he thought he had left behind forever with trouble hot on his heels. Josen is determined to not let his dreams of becoming a thieving legend affect his friends and family. But the longer he struggles to balance his growing sense of responsibility with his thieving ambitions, the more apparent it becomes that the perfect setup is far from over, and Josen’s two worlds are on a violent collision course. |
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The Brightest Shadow by Sarah Lin The arrival of the Hero was worse than anyone could have imagined. To take her place as a full warrior of her tribe, Tani must travel across the vast grasslands of the Chorhan Expanse. But she has her sights set higher than a mere ritual journey: she wants to uncover a solution to the impending war that threatens her people. Her world has never been peaceful, torn between the many cultures that meet on the Chorhan Expanse, but the greatest threat is an expansionist army of monstrous non-humans who call themselves the mansthein. Legends tell of monsters who will attempt to conquer the world, but are the mansthein those monsters? Tani believes that peace may be possible, but there are others on both sides who believe in the legends with zealous devotion. All around her, warriors have their eyes on a glorious victory with no concern for the piles of bodies they'll create on the way. Tani will be joined by a killer pretending to be a healer, a mansthein commander struggling with his orders, a thief who pawned her heart of gold, and a strategist exiled from a foreign land. But none of them are the Hero. It doesn't matter how many shades of gray might exist, some people see only in black and white. And the terrifying truth is that the stories they tell might not be just legends. |
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In a world torn by prejudice and hatred, six races struggled for supremacy. Barbarian-Princess Ivy is unwilling to allow her father to provoke the other races into war and forms an unlikely alliance with Lukor the goliath to save her people from utter destruction. Unbeknownst to her, Lukor blames the barbarians for murdering his sister and plans on sabotaging her goal. Almost despite each other, they grow to respect each other on their journey to decode secret messages from the trolls. But nothing Ivy can do will prevent the war as her father is blinded by Bloodlust and incites it himself. Not even killing him and becoming Barbaroness can stop the tide. And when Bloodlust claims Ivy, forcing her to kill everyone in her path, she must make a choice to destroy even Lukor, who she may have started to fall for and him in return. |
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Bloodline: Rise by Jonatan Håkansson A decade of peace coming to an end, the rumour of a queen’s return. When the Iron Jarl waged war against the mountains eleven years ago it was to free the north of the clans’ tyranny. Left in their wake, however, was but mistrust and twisted ambitions. A fickle balance upheld by the old families now toppled over as a witch is found within the Willslocks’ lands. A bloodline at stake, the haunting words of a life taken. The oath has been broken and the winds whisper of war. What fate awaits the Grayrat house in this realm where legends linger? |
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The Blood Stone: Curse of the Drakku Book One by Jason J. Nugent He slays dragons for a living. Now he’s on a mission to wipe them from existence. Lailoken longs to slit the throat of the beasts who abducted his wife. And with the winged monsters raining havoc on the northern lands, the vengeful dragonslayer’s bloody skills have never been in higher demand. Finally granted the chance to rescue his long-lost love in exchange for a dangerous, magical gem, he sharpens his sword for the quest of his life. Venturing deep into enemy territory to collect the dragon-killing artifact for his fanatical leader, Lailoken prays that he’ll have one more chance to hold his beautiful bride. But as his single-minded hunt for revenge reveals a darker truth, he fears he may be fighting on the side of evil. Will Lailoken reunite with his love and slay dragonkind, or has he unwittingly triggered the realm’s destruction? The Blood Stone is the first book in the fast-paced Curse of the Drakku fantasy series. If you like intriguing magic, powerful dragons, and honorable heroes, then you’ll love Jason J. Nugent’s epic adventure. |
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Blood of Kings by Paul Freeman Heroes will rise, kingdoms will fall. In a world of violence, magic and rivalries, change is sweeping across the lands. To the north the sea raiders of the Pirate Isles are jostling for position in the race to see who will succeed their dying king. The claim of Jarl Crawulf of Wind Isle is to the fore, but there are those who would seek to damage his reputation in a treacherous game of power. While in the Duchies to the south an ambitious duke is intent on increasing his position and wealth by invading the lands of the feared dream-witch, a dangerous and lethal enemy. Caught in the midst of all this turmoil and upheaval is a blacksmith and his wife - a village healer. Arrested for witchcraft and sentenced to burn Aliss is pulled from the flames by her husband. Tomas then seeks the aid of a dark witch to heal her terrible injuries. Fugitives from the law, and cursed by dark magic, their love for each other and loyalties to those who would use them will be tested to the limit. |
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Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart Four-and-twenty extraordinary women; one chance to save a kingdom. What would you sacrifice to save your family, your loved ones, yourself? In September 1486, the reign of King Henry VII of England is again threatened by York loyalists. The only thing standing in the way is a four-hundred-year-old sidhe who just wants to be left alone, and a group of London women with a lot to lose if England is plunged back into war. But, in 1486, women have no power. Only the ability to make difficult choices and sometimes-heartbreaking sacrifices. Become immersed in the fascinating, perilous lives of these women, as told through the medium of 25 interwoven short stories. A prostitute selling her daughter’s virginity to pay her debts; a nun returning to the world after 30 years; laundress whose son is murdered; a lady’s maid hiding her Jewish culture; a blind musician running from a forced marriage; and more. Each story is a piece in the puzzle. Each woman faces her own trials as she plays her small part in the desperate attempt to protect King Henry and his wife, Elizabeth of York. Because if they fail, England will once again be thrust into civil war between the Yorks and Lancasters. And these four-and-twenty women have already sacrificed too much. |
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The Black Lily (The Arestea Chronicles, #1) by Mandy Burkhead, G.D. Burkhead Courtesan. Spy. Assassin. Across the Kingdom of Arestea, the shadowy league of professional killers known simply as the Guild has long since earned its terrifying reputation. And none of its current members are more infamous than the Black Lily. No one knows who the Lily is, but everyone recognizes the efficiency with which he or she brings down even the most guarded targets. There is no one, it is said, who is safe from this fiend once they have caught the assassin’s attention. Now Lily herself is about to discover if her reputation has been inflated or not, for she has just been assigned the most daunting mission of her career: infiltrate the royal palace and eliminate the entire Arestean line of succession to make room for the Guild’s puppet ruler. It’s a challenging job, but one that will secure her place in the history books should she succeed. But when unplanned circumstances take the king from his country to help secure the front lines in his latest war of expansion, Lily is left trapped in her assumed persona behind the palace walls and forced to stall for time. And when a particularly bad stroke of luck reveals her cover to the king’s brother, Crown Prince Adrian, Lily finds herself ensnared in her own web, forced to use all her skills of subterfuge and manipulation if she is to stay one step ahead of the naïve but righteous young man and finish her mission — or die trying. |
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Beyond the Spire of Navarene (Dead Men are Dying Book 1) by M. Warren Askins Curses, Wards, and Endless Hordes prevent the casual adventurer from getting very far. At least, not without employing a Ranger… and their services do not come cheap. A Young Knight undertakes an impossible quest deep into the fabled and perilous Fenrirfang in order to protect his sister from a conspiracy that involves the Church that he has sworn to serve. A seasoned Ranger who believes she has seen everything the wilds have to offer soon discovers that she faces something altogether different with this journey. BEYOND THE SPIRE OF NAVARENE is the first entry in the DEAD MEN ARE DYING saga. Set in a world where humans born with a celestial mark are instilled with powerful, game-changing abilities. And those without… survive as best they can. |
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Heart of a Lion by Stephen Zimmer Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home. A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances. The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between. Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north. Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people. Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion. Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy |
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The Bear Cavalry: The True (Not!) History of the Icelandic Bears by D.G. Valdron A quirky, inventive alternate history written in the style of a fun, funky, pop culture television documentary, The Bear Cavalry, features host, Robin Prufrock, as he travels the world, telling the story of how the Vikings in Iceland domesticated bears for meat and as draft animals, and how the Scandinavian Bear Cavalry eventually evolved to become the most fearsome fighting unit in the Medieval world, along the way are entertaining detours into biology, evolutionary history, the Viking era, Medieval monarchs behaving badly, and the role of Bears in movies, art and culture in this world. BONUS STORY: The Sharebear Apocalypse, they're cute, they're cuddly, all they want to do is hug you, and they may be the end of civilisation. |
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Austin Wyrd (Valhalla AWOL #1) by Steve Curry Has his past finally caught up with Magnus? All he wanted was to spend the remainder of his time on this earth in a nice, quiet, safe job, like being a bouncer for a Goth and Heavy Metal bar in Austin, Texas. But that proves difficult once police start investigating a ritualistic looking murder behind the bar. Can Magnus clear his boss of any connection to the crime, while avoiding the attention of Police, overly curious government agents, and the wife and bandmates of the victim. That doesn’t even count his psychotic ex-girlfriend with potent mystical powers and an immortal and vengeful ex-employer.Even with the help of his wealthy, powerful, or conniving friends, his own “alt-natural” abilities, and the dubious help of his pets, can Magnus maintain his freedom and remain hidden? Can he stay unentangled with the handful of exciting and alluring women around the case? And can someone please explain how the Raven is learning to speak Norse? |
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Augury Answered by Phillip Murrell Prophecy. Fate. Destiny. Augury. Words that promise a chosen one will rise to protect the downtrodden . . . or avenge them. Many cultures believe in their champions; heroes are desperately needed now. The oppressive, technologically advanced Corlain Empire ravages the weak people of Glostaimia; the "acceptable" cultures are forced to assimilate. Two powerful, and utterly disparate, crusaders emerge to oppose Corla. Two Dogs has trained his entire life in protector magic. Circumstances suggest he's the hero of legend, but Two Dogs is the master of his own actions. With a tomahawk in one hand and a knife in the other, he'll prove why it was wrong to start a fight with the Lacreechee tribe. Princess Murid has more reason to hate the Corlains than most. She's been groomed since childhood on her duties as the chosen one, but not even her royal status can convince those who adopted her that the Corlains will soon come to claim their land and resources as well. Can native magic and barbarian ingenuity combine to overcome a superior foe when both sides hold onto their dogmatic views about fate? Who's the real chosen one? |
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Atonement (Heaven Sent #1) by J.L. Rothstein To Hell, this world is fractured and faithless, perfectly ripe for the picking. Sent by Heaven, Guardians defend against a malevolent onslaught of demonic intrusion. For hundreds of years the nine siblings of the O’Mara family have been engaged in this merciless battle, fighting to protect the souls of all humanity. Heaven and Hell have been waging this infernal war bound only by the rules of a contentious accord. On the anniversary of her husband Gabriel’s disappearance, Genevieve O’Mara’s lingering sorrow manifests into a murderous rage unfurled upon a demon. Vengeance is coming, not just for Genevieve, but for all those she loves. |
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Architect: Book One of Calamity's Window by RT MULDER “In this room there is power, there is strength, there is cunning and there is skill. You are right to assume the collective abilities of us all. And you are right to fear them.” The First Calamity brought with it not only death, but irreconcilable power. And with that power came the thirst for more. The world of Halja burned at the hands of the magicians of Nuntias in their wars with the ferocious viri forti. It suffered the terrible raids of merciless pirates from La Isla. It watched the mighty kingdom of Mo-Duo forge a sacred treaty with the Church built on betrayal and lies. Then it drowned in the floods of the Second Calamity. Now, the kingdoms remain isolated from one another in fear and self-preservation. At least until Mo-Duo’s emissaries begin to arrive. They speak of an artifact that lay in the heart of the Middle, a region home to ancient horrors and unexplored danger. Only with the collective strength of the kingdoms can they hope to secure it. But rivalries, both old and new, threaten to doom the alliance before it can even begin. In a world where no one is who they say they are and secrets are wielded more lethally than swords, each kingdom must struggle to decipher the true meaning behind their journey into the Middle as well as the intentions of those they travel with and those they leave behind. But, they are not the only ones who call Halja home… Forces gather in the darkness to plunge the world once more into chaos. War is coming. And it will not only be fought in the Middle. |
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Another Dead Intern by Joel Spriggs A typical internship: coffee & copies. Morgan Burns's new internship with PI Hemlock Connal: fairies, magic, drugs, & dying. Hemlock Connal can't keep interns alive. Morgan Burns is trying to break that trend, but finds survival to be an uphill battle. Faced with mobsters, drug rings, covens, and even fantastical beasts, will Morgan find a paycheck... or a grave? Another Dead Intern is the first book in a humorous supernatural mystery series! If you like edge-of-your-seat action, witty dialogue, and paranormal investigations, then you'll love the first installment in Joel Spriggs's hilarious magical thrill ride. |
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Ancient Ruins (Ancient Dreams #1) by Benjamin Medrano Sistina awakened after millennia of dormancy, her memories in tatters and born anew. Residing in the ruins of an ancient city, she finds herself drawn into a war between two elven nations and the slaver kingdom of Kelvanis when she rescues a princess from slavery. With her domain containing hints of forgotten knowledge, Sistina becomes a dungeon, stronghold, and source of hope all at once. And perhaps, just perhaps, she could finally find love in her new life. |
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The Alchemy Dirge (A Concerto for the End of Days #2) by Ryan Howse In Aeon, everything can be had for a price. In this city of guilds, conspiracies, and artifice, the cost can be more than gold. Salai Pavane, alchemist and inventor, wants to create a printing press to lift his fellow citizens to a better world. Desperate to fund his invention, he pushes the boundaries of alchemy to sell on the black market. In doing so, he accidentally produces the most dangerous weapon the world has ever known. Success is more dangerous than failure. Now he’s pursued by anarchists who want his formula, the Ministry who wants him imprisoned, and assassins who want him dead. |
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Aftan Whispers (Estalia Book 3) by Phil Williams He didn't know how savage the world was - until he met Deni. As the days grow darker in the Estalian Empire, young Tyler stays positive by helping others. But when he meets a girl on the run with enemies in the highest places, Tyler's life gets complicated fast. Deni isn't afraid to kill, and she’s got a secret that could tear apart the sky. In a mortal chase that takes them from a besieged city across the war-torn countryside, Tyler soon discovers that the Empire’s guardians are their most dangerous foe. Worse still, Deni is faced with a terrible choice: remain hidden and save herself - or expose herself to prevent the oncoming darkness. If you're looking for a visceral ride packed with steampunk machines, stunning action sequences and ambiguous moral choices, you’ll love Phil Williams’ latest post-apocalyptic adventure. |
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Across the Broken Stars by Jed Herne LEON HAS A SECRET. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space. He failed. Now, Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim ... Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation? Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness, set against the backdrop of an incredible world. |
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A New Beginning by J E Thompson Ya ever tangled with goblins? Vexx White is a down on his luck apprentice mage, recently expelled from Fallanden Magical Academy for experimenting with necromancy. With nothing to lose, he becomes a dungeoneer for hire—taking odd jobs in his home town of Cloudbury for pocket change. Nine out of ten dungeoneers die in their first ten quests, and to survive Vexx finds himself teaming up with a clumsy elf and a crazed succubus. When they’re not busy trying to kill each other, the dungeoneers drum up all the work they can get, from raiding dungeons to hunting down thieves. Vexx’s adventures take him from the seedier parts of Cloudbury to the goblin-infested Lifeless Hills in search of gold and glory. But if he wants to live up to his hero, the legendary dungeoneer Dred Wyrm, what other choice is there? A New Beginning is the first book in The White Chronicles series, a humorous fantasy sword and sorcery adventure that will be followed by the sequel The Shattered Seagull in July 2020. |
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A Knight of Cold Graves (The Revenant Reign Book 1) by Clara Coulson "Even the strong force of fate can’t blow the coming storm off course." Until they were eleven years old, identical twins Saul and Tanner Reiz were inseparable. Then a terrible accident sent Saul spiraling down a delinquent path that ultimately spurred him to run away from home. And so Tanner wandered into an average adulthood alone, while Saul wandered into something altogether…different. But when a case of mistaken identity unexpectedly throws Tanner and Saul back together after twelve long years of separation, the brothers find themselves stumbling through a race to stop a dangerous magic conspiracy that’s been building in the shadows of the world for generations. Three innocent girls have been kidnapped. A dangerous weapon has been stolen. And a deadly ritual has been set in motion that, if successful, could disastrously alter the course of the future. Saul and Tanner have mere hours to unravel the mystery and rescue the girls. But the enemies they face harken back to a time of myth and legend, populated by knights and wizards and powers beyond belief. So if the brothers can’t quickly reconcile their decade’s worth of differences, they may very well lose the battle…and the world may lose the war. A Knight of Cold Graves is the first novel of The Revenant Reign, a dark paranormal action series with elements from Arthurian myth. |
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Black Stone Heart (The Obsidian Path Book 1) by Michael R. Fletcher SPFBO6 Indie Recs Indie SPFBO Finalist A broken man, Khraen awakens alone and lost. His stone heart has been shattered, littered across the world. With each piece, he regains some small shard of the man he once was. He follows the trail, fragment by fragment, remembering his terrible past. There was a woman. There was a sword. There was an end to sorrow. Khraen walks the obsidian path. |
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Sentenced to Troll by S.L. Rowland Big, green, and ugly. Who says a troll can’t be the hero? Punished for his toxic online behavior, Chad faces a thirty-day sentence of full-immersion therapy designed to improve his anger issues. For his endless trolling in real life, he's forced to play as a forest troll, the most hated race in Isle of Mythos, so that he can finally experience what it's like to be on the other side. To make matters worse, the heroes sent to rid the world of evil aren't heroes at all—they're violent felons on their own twisted paths to redemption. Playing as a monster in a world where it ain’t easy being green, what could possibly go wrong? Pick up this epic litRPG full of humor, action, and adventure today! |
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Political Nightmare by Rainbow Maccabre The girl who was blessed when Daddy killed Mommy; the bird lady born with four arms and no wings; King Kess's trans widower; the most forgettable prince who ever died; secret agents popping up everywhere; and the mind controlling bunny rabbit. Who will put an end to Vasagne’s dark conspiracy? Political Nightmare weaves a plot through past and present to arrange a story full of twists. |
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Two Blades (True-Steel Trilogy Book 1 by stuart kurth It’s been thirty years since the end of the Primrose War, thirty years since High King Goring Saedren drank and whored and murdered his way to all points of the compass, delivering his right to rule to all who would listen, and ramming it down the throats of those who wouldn’t. He marched straight into the Great Desert and became the first to knock those sand-eating Shaadi Princes off their golden perches and unite all of Varri-Mennyn under one banner. Thirty years on and he’s grown fat and soft, lost his thirst for the fight, and all along the margins of his shrinking Kingdom, his enemies swarm. Kannath Meadowmere, exiled Mendran nobleman and one-legged warlord, has come south through the wall with an eye for plunder and an army in tow. While the High King sleeps in the west, he marches upon the east swallowing one territory after the last, aided by his Shaadi allies. Nursing a dusty grudge thirty years in the making, those Desert Princes won’t stop until the city of Nostalla, and the Senovium Throne within, are pulled down and stomped into ashes beneath their boots. Mercenary scum Pelt and Halling, two black-hearted murderers with red reputations and not enough common decency to deserve surnames, have been on the run from Saedren’s King’s Men for four years, spilling enough blood to drown a cow. With no code of honour and only the meanest grasp of the concept of morality, the brothers fight for the highest bidder and turn coat more often than a tailor. Their hands are red, their blades priceless, and their ambitions dark. But when they find themselves facing down Meadowmere’s relentless army, they begin to realise the storm they’ve landed themselves in, and that history, as well as a bleak future, are about to stab them both in the back. |
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Vampire Wars: Inescapable: Book One by Sean Harris Star is a typical teenage girl just trying to get over a breakup and the near loss of her father, but vodka isn't helping and even her best friend Jenna can't seem to find the right words. That is until mysterious stranger Jack shows up in town. Star finds herself smitten, but her emotions aren't the only storm causing trouble. The fine summer weather has taken a sudden turn for the worse, and people have started dying in increasingly gruesome ways. Could Jack have something to do with it? |
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Where Ravens Soar by Michelle Connor A genre-busting mix of urban fantasy, detective mystery, and Norse mythology. Rifinn, or Finn as she prefers to be known, is an agent working for the Nine World Protection Agency. Her job involves getting to the bottom of events that are often beyond the understanding of humans. She is also the granddaughter of Odin. While working on a shocking case where wolf-skin children are being kidnapped and then skinned for the black market, Finn and her partner Augustus track the suspect back to his palatial home where they discover a grisly scene that leaves them devastated. Worse is to come, when Odin sends his raven, Huginn, to deliver dreadful news that three Valkyries are dead. Finn and Augustus discover that the killer has used the blood of the slain Valkyries to try to enter Asgard, the home of the Gods. But why? As Finn begins to discover that the threads of fate and the tapestries are starting to unwind she is told that she must track down a warlock called Ask who can help her find those responsible. Can Finn and Augustus work out who killed the Valkyries before something even more terrible happens? Or has the devastating fate of the Nine Realms already been decided? |