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Halidar: The Last Surveyor by Rob Perrier Thrust into an unexpected odyssey, Tanner finds himself inexplicably transported from the mundane world of school year preparations to a fantastical realm shrouded in forgotten magic. Mistaken for one of a long-lost lineage of mages, he must navigate the world, master lost magic, and unravel the mysteries surrounding both his arrival and the disappearance of those who came before him. Forging an alliance with a band of nomadic players, together they will navigate danger and treachery, unearth the long-buried secrets of the vanished "Surveyors," and perhaps pave the way for the better life Tanner has longed for. |
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Meeting over Murder by Edale Lane Two women, a dead teen, and a cruel killer at large. From award-winning, best-selling author Edale Lane comes a new contemporary sapphic mystery! Jenna Ferrari is a tough-to-the-bone homicide detective with no patience for stupidity and an Italianâs penchant for displays of emotion. While she excels at catching criminals, she continues to strike out at relationships. At thirty-two, she wonders if sheâll ever find the right woman. A brilliant, creative college literature professor, Miranda McLeod is respected by her peers and loved by her students. After years of walking an ambiguous line, she wants to come out but doesnât know how. When the two meet over the case of a murder on campus, could they have both found what theyâve been looking for, or will the unknown killer on the loose foil their chances for romance? This is the first in a series of contemporary sapphic crime-solving novellas and novels set in Roanoke, VA. (Book 6 is a Golden Crown Award Finalist for 2024.) Enjoy the sweet romance, follow the action, see if you can solve the mysteries, and discover the biggest enigma of all lies in the human heart. ËËË Love a whodunnit? You'll love it more when it's heated with a sweet sapphic romance! Meeting over Murder introduces you to characters you'll love while you test your skills against theirs to see who solves the crime first. The clues are there. Will you put them together before Detective Ferrari? |
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Daring Duplicity by Edale Lane Solving mysteries is her business. Finding love is her dream. Will combining the two get her killed? Daring Duplicity: The Wellington Mysteries, Vol. 1, Adventures of a Lesbian Victorian Detective is a collection of five sequential novellas, each encompassing its own exciting mystery while furthering the story of Stetsonâs life in London. Victorian Era England. Stetson revels in being unconventional. So when society shies away from her independent nature, the bold woman creates an imaginary boss and opens her own detective agency. And her keen observational skills, convincing disguises, and Holmesian methods quickly bring in a string of tough-to-crack cases. Struggling to squeeze a personal life in around a series of hazardous investigations, Stetson worries she'll never find a woman of like passions. But with her heart set on true love despite the risk, she carries on hunting for the perfect relationship. Will her clever escapades lead to death, or delight? If you enjoy crime dramas, Victorian-era fiction, or a sweet lesbian romance, then youâll love award-winning author Edale Laneâs Daring Duplicity. Order yours today! |
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Heart of Sherwood by Edale Lane Winner of Rainbow Awards Best Historical Lesbian Romance, 2018-2019. What if Robin Hood was real, only the heroic outlaw had been a woman? Robyn lost everything: her home, her family, and her freedom. Branded as an outlaw by the Sheriff, she reinvents herself by joining Little John and his band in the guise of a boy, soon becoming their leader. But she misses the woman she loves, her best friend Marian. Marian is distraught over the news concerning Robyn and wishes to leave court for Nottingham to find her. Queen Eleanor sends her back as a spy to check up on Prince John, Sir Guy, and the greedy sheriff, while she tries to raise money for King Richardâs ransom. Soon Marian forges an alliance with Robyn to foil a traitorous plot, discovering her feelings run much deeper than friendship. Can Robyn win Marianâs love, help the poor of Nottingham, save the king, and defeat the sheriff, or will his merciless sword strike her down? Relive this classic tale from a new perspective in Heart of Sherwood! |
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Attracted by passion, repelled by war. Can two shieldmaidens navigate battlegrounds of the sword and the heart? A Viking sapphic enemies-to-lovers action/romance Sigrid the Valiant is legendary throughout the kingdoms of Norvegr for her heroic deeds, but her love has yet to find a home. Now, racing on the heels of her fatherâs murder, a neighboring kingdomâs raids signal an all-out conflict. Elyn is a young shieldmaiden with a score to settle, fighting her own insecurities along with enemies who threaten her homeland, but she suspects a more menacing danger lurks on the horizon. When the two clash on opposite sides of their shield walls, sparks fly from both their swords and passions. But when they talk, the fierce women discover an antagonistâs plot has pitted their kingdoms against each other. Can Sigrid and Elyn move past their suspicions and differences to forge a binding love and foil the villainâs scheme, or will the enemyâs assassins end their search for the truth? Action, adventure, and intrigue ride together with romance in this enemies-to-lovers saga from the pre-Viking land of Norvegr. Award-winning, best-selling author Edale Lane brings history to life in this fast-paced sapphic novel. |
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In the autumn of 1997, Bogdan is a teenage Yugoslavian refugee who fled his country at just eleven to claim asylum in Italy. He does not know the fate of his family, so he mainly relies on his old school friend Alessia, whose father employs him during the summer, and her boyfriend Guido, who is also his social worker. A regular at the Caffe Fratelli where Bogdan works, James has lived in Italy for a couple of years escaping family problems after dropping out of university. He works as a cruise crew member, spending his time in between contracts sofa surfing at Guido's, who grew up in James' native Bristol. After breaking up with his lover, James goes on a path of self-destruction neglecting his health. Bogdan tries to help him, and they begin an on-off relationship with disastrous consequences. Unable to let go despite knowing that James doesn't take him seriously, Bogdan decides to travel to England with James to help him save the family business when his father becomes sick. But when the authorities come to deport Bogdan for overstaying his visitor visa, will James rise to the challenge of saving the boy who risked everything to be with him? |
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A Swift and Sudden Exit by Nico Vincenty An immortal, doomed to die. A time traveler, desperate to save her. When Zera travels back in time to 2040, she aims to investigate the geomagnetic storm that scorched the earth. Instead, she finds the beautiful Katherine, who speaks of past storms and asks with her dying breath, âIs this the first time we meet?â From WWII-era New York to early 2000s New Orleans and everywhere in between, Zera chases both storms and Katherine, thinking her immortality is the key to fixing the future. But as the immortal goes from a reluctant ally with a deadly hunter to a romantic complication, Zera wonders if the past is really set in stone, or if she can still save the worldâand Katherine. |
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The Reason Jude Exists by A Morgan âAmy and my love story began when my first love story ended. What youâre about to read wonât be pretty, but it is an epic tale of love, personal growth, and the things in life that both get in the way and open the door to the best relationships of our lives.â -Jude Kendrick ~ When Jude became a widower and a single dad aged just thirty-six his life went into a tailspin. Now he tells his unique and heart-wrenching story of how he navigated the complexities of falling in love again, overshadowed by grief and reluctant fatherhood. Falling in love in your late thirties presents many challenges, not least because very few people get to this age without excess relationship baggage. Jude has more than his fair share with his dead wife and overflowing black book. Amy on the other hand, hasn't had children yet, and with the clock ticking, Jude is far from the right man for her to get involved with despite his overwhelming belief that he is. Their story takes place in middle-class England where success is measured by impressive careers, beautiful homes, and fancy cars; yet everyone is failing miserably where it truly at being happy. With his heart on his sleeve and his ego in check, Jude takes a chance at happiness with Amy in the face of the external forces threatening to keep their love tantalisingly out of reach. |
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Millennials Killed the Killing Industry When Jesse Westchurch finds out heâs dying, the last thing he expects is his old college roommate, Lucy Callahan, to climb through the second-story window of his quaint Long Island house and turn him into a vampire. Millennial vampires are killing the killing industry by refusing to sacrifice humans, so Jesse doesnât even have to drink blood. The ancient vampire government, Carnelian, offers distilled blood pills. But they come at a price: you work for them, you get your supply of pills. Sure, sometimes the work is dangerous, but they are sparing innocent lives. The truth comes to light when Jesse figures out that Lucy and his sister, Ciceline, are Carnelianâs most skilled assassins, forced to pay off a century of debt for their blood pills. When their latest hit on a murderous politician puts Jesse and his doting sister, Stella, in danger, their only refuge is an underground âblood clubâ run by Lucyâs found family, a group of hardcore Gen X vampires. Jesse has to find a way to expose Carnelianâs darkest secrets and obtain the pills they need to survive, or lose the family (both by blood and by choice) he has just finished putting back together. |
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Merely Mortal by Michelle M. Pillow A gripping new first-person POV urban fantasy romance series by NY Times and USA Today bestselling author, Michelle M. Pillow. All I want is a simple, normal life. Unfortunately, normalcy is a luxury I canât afford as a lowly human born into a powerful supernatural family embroiled in magic. Theyâve always been quick to remind me that I have an expiration date. Imagine everyoneâs surprise when itâs me standing above their graves, not the other way around. The fire that took their lives wasnât my fault, yet everyone is blaming me, especially the vampires. Now I have a target on my back and a bounty on my head. Without the protection of my family, Iâm caught up in a tangled web of supernatural dynasties and arcane power struggles. So when a handsome stranger and his young daughter take pity on me and offer me a ride, I donât say no. Itâs a mistake. One I hope doesnât cost us all our lives. Sometimes, being merely mortal really sucks. |
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Hunting Nightmares by Liv Macy Arnicaâs the best Nightmare Killer there is because she only cares about one thing: winning. Every Nightmare that comes along she dispatches with ease and leaves the humans with their golden souls to their merry do-gooding. Every smudge. Every shadow. Every terror. Sheâs never had to go back and save the same soul twice. Life is just the way she likes it. Until Blaze comes along and screws up her routine. Whatâs with this dude, anyway? Why are the Nightmares coming after him so many times? Whatever. Sheâll just keep kicking ass and saving his soul. Especially âcause heâs easy on the eyes. Hot body, blond hair. Eyes that shift like the weather. But when the screams of other souls disappear from her headâŠmaybe sheâs lost her touch. Oh, hell no. Itâs his fault she canât save them anymoreâitâs got to be. And when the opportunity arises to get the recipe for a potion that could save every personâthereâs no way she can turn it down. Even if it means completing a marriage ritual with the thorn in her side: Blaze. |
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Delaney is contentâif not happyâliving a half-life, until someone tries to assassinate her. When Delaney is rescued by a handsome stranger, Drew seems to be her saviorâuntil she wakes up in his house where he has her daughter and knows far too much about her. The strange sensations she experiences when heâs near might be a warningâŠmaybe heâs the real danger. Fear and anger mix with passion and soon Delaneyâs not sure whatâs real. Drew doesnât know how to tell Delaney that sheâs his soulmate. He canât just dump their past on her and expect her to believe him. Not when she doesnât remember anything about him or the things sheâs capable ofâbut theyâre running out of time. Hunters are after her and damned if heâs going to sit idly by and let them capture her. Delaney and Drew work together to help her regain her memories and her ability to control destiny. When sparks fly between them love might conquer allâor it might cause her to end the world. |
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Fleet Champions by Rob J Hayes Basic Survival of the Strongest. After surviving the Spire and opening their Second Gates, Iro and Emil are named Heroes of the Fleet, their faces on posters across every ship. But with the benefits of notoriety, comes a dangerous new responsibility. The Raider Fleet, not content with stealing their food and murdering their people, demand ownership of the wing. To avoid an unwinnable war, the Home Fleet agree to a grand martial tournament, Hopper against Raider, and both Iro and Emil must compete. Can they fight their way through the competition to claim the title of Fleet Champion? And why are the Black Cloaks so eager to see who wins? A progression sci-fantasy perfect for fans of Cradle and Iron Prince. |
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Cassie Becksonâs buried her family. Now, sheâll bury whoever is responsible. Cassieâs always been a fighter, but nothing could prepare her for the night her family was taken from her. The police say it was an overdose, but Cassie knows the truth. It was murderâand sheâs determined to make the killer pay. Desperate for answers, Cassie lands a job as a bartender at the exclusive club her brother frequented. But what she finds there is beyond her wildest imaginationâa secret society of powerful individuals bound by magic and darkness. And at the center of it all is the clubâs hot owner, Dexter Marin. Despite her suspicions, Cassie finds herself drawn to Dex, and their connection is more than just physical. Bound by a magical contract to protect her, heâs willing to risk everything to keep her safe. But as Cassie delves deeper into the clubâs secret, she realizes that even Dex might have something to hide. With vengeance in her heart and justice on her mind, Cassie will stop at nothing to find the killer. When she uncovers a plot to expose Dex and his abilities to the world, sheâs forced to make a choiceâcontinue down the path of revenge, or stand by Dexâs side and fight for their love and their lives. |
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A Dragon of the Veil by Nick Snape With the realm falling apart, the fate of a people falls upon Laoch and Suraâs shoulders and the Godsâ weapons they now bear â a thousand years of faith and lies reconciled in a single moment of hope and redemption. For Laoch, the Crusades never ended, yet the embittered Ranger finds hope in his love for the dishonoured elven warrior, Sura. Together, they must face a new conflict when a powerful enemy crashes into a Meisterâs alchemical experiment, setting off a wave of fear that ripples through the realm. With the secrets of the Godsâ scripture exposed and whispers of an ancient evilâs return, Laoch and Sura are left reeling by the power their enemy wields when an even larger threat rises from the forest depths. One even the Godsâ weapons fear. In a world no longer devoid of magic, a thousand years of secrets and lies spill out, and cracks form in the last bastion against an ancient foe. For cast in iron and spiritfire - here be dragons. ââŠartfully mixes elements of arcanepunk and high fantasy ⊠this is a riveting start to a new fantasy series from an undeniably skilled storytellerâ â â â â â SPR editorial review |
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The Scorching: Just Press Play by Nick Snape Joshua Nkosi, cop, joker, vlogger and an octopus's best friendâŠbut Earthâs saviour? Winner of Literary Titan's Black Gold Award âStaggeringly original and timely release from a masterful voice in modern sci-fiâ â â â â â SPR Review On an Earth devastated by The Scorching climate event, the Drathken land their giant plantships with the promise of healing the planet. Joshua Nkosi vlogs and jokes his way through an easy life guarding a deep-sea mining operation while watching old vids. That is until he, and his modded octopus partner, Marc, get caught up in a plot to steal radiation rich materials from the seabed, fuelling the terroristsâ plan to destroy a Drathken plantship, and ultimately put an end to the alien/human alliance. Nkosi and his sarcastic tentacled buddy are forced to enter the Burnout Zone, only to come face to face with humanityâs stark future when the hunt for the terrorists' lab takes a devastating twist. As conspiracies deepen and the jokes fly, Nkosi and Marc enter a dark journey of discoveryâone they decide humanity desperately needs to listen to. |
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Silence is Silver by Andrew Watson The Urdahl believe pain is inevitable. But if one can lean into that suffering they can achieve anything. Beneath the desert sands, Bas has spent his entire life training to become a fully-fledged Urdahl. And now his time has come to prove his worth. First, he must drink from the Seeing Bowl to clear his clouded mind and witness visions bestowed to him by ancient deities. Next, he must prove strength of body with the Passage of the High Pass. But destiny is shrouded in red and strength of arm will not be enough to survive its true tests. Will he ascend to a full Urdahl or will his visions of blood come to pass? The turning season has begun. Taking place before the events of the Shadowbinders trilogy, âSilence is Silverâ is a novella for both old and new readers. |
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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 nationsâbut 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. |
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A Trick of the Shade by Stephanie Caye You canât put âJust saved the world (youâre welcome)â on a resume. Ask me how I know. -- Judeâs drifting in Montreal, low on both funds and purpose. Eking out a normal life is surprisingly difficult for someone whose strongest marketable skill is her ability to manipulate gravity. Who knew landing a steady job would be a bigger challenge than hunting supernatural creatures? Then her scant few acquaintances begin turning up dead around the city, their hearts missing. All signs point to a vicious shadeâa Faerie cursed to live forever in a ghoulish fate worse than deathâas the culprit. But Judeâs never even heard of shades before now, so why do these killings seem designed to bait her? Racing to find the answer and stop the murders brings her to old friends, new enemies and every shifty variation in-between. While risking life and limb battling a sinister Faerie monster may not be ânormal,â itâs a routine Jude knows by heart. And it beats working retail. |
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At the Crossroads of Tomorrow Being the youngest of the Sua royals never stopped Saritrah from scheming to take the throne. But violent insurrectionists shattered those plans when they stormed the palace and decimated her family. In the years since, she has amassed an army and will return to claim her crown. However, Ashur, her one remaining sibling, has done the same, and she must act soon if sheâs to secure her prize before he snatches it from her claws. After Ashur razes the Temple of Yshuld, the surviving Seers promise her the power to ensure victory. But it will mean abandoning her legion to venture into the endless desert and locate a lost city. Soon, however, she suspects that none of the women are who they claim to be, even to each other. One woman cryptically alludes to a paradisical past; another awakens in the night plagued by dreams of a frightening future; the last woman never speaks. But the more she questions her new companionsâ motives, the more she must question her own. Is the vision of calamity an omen of what will happen if she fails? Or a promise of what will come if she succeeds? |
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How to Bare Your Neck and Save a Wreck by D.N. Bryn âI only take whatâs owed me, and you, my little swan, owe me blood.â A single kiss from a masked vampire during Shaneâs last journalistic endeavor has left him with an obsession and a mission: uncover the secrets of the black-market blood trade and find his mystery vampire in the process. But this investigation is dangerous. One knock at the wrong door and he could have fangs at his throat instead of lips. Andres had been trying to forget his kiss with Shane Crowley by drowning himself in his work as a thief for the blood trade. When he finds itâs Shaneâs blood his boss has decided to steal, Andresâs only option is to buy him for every drop heâll ever produce. This act awakens something in Andresânew thoughts of ownership and chains that he believes could only ever be the desires of a monster. Andres needs blood to live though, and heâs going to have it from Shane, even if it means donning a mask once more. Between the strange desires Shaneâs life as a part-time blood slave is stirring in him, and his investigations into the cycle of injustice that so many fanged citizens face, and texts with an odd new friend who feels vaguely familiar, Shane feels pulled in all directions. Little does he know all those paths lead back to the same vampire⊠|
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Party of Fools by Cedar McCloud Aleâs Well That Ends Well⊠Resistance members Reed Thorley and Gladys the Destroyer canât believe their luck when the Immortal Emperor herself wanders into their favorite bar, unguarded and playacting an ordinary citizen. This is their chance to give the rebellion the upper hand against the Empireâafter a few pints, of course. The middle-aged halfling musician and his elderly barbarian partner are seasoned enough to know that when Emperor Vallora invites them to join her worldwide food tour, their best bet is to say âYes, chef!â and wait for an opportunity to strike. But hot as a greased griddle behind them comes Captain Andromeda Stagge, Valloraâs personal bodyguard, intent on returning the Emperor to the palace. Sheâs only doing her job. She isnât pissed off at being left behind. Itâs not as if the Emperor is her only real friend, given the difficulty of fitting in when youâre a 200-year-old autistic elf from a lower-class socioeconomic background. It isnât that at all! Valloraâs worldwide food tour hinges on her ability to escape the capital city with Reed and Gladys without being caught. The Emperor isnât supposed to be sampling local cheeses in the company of commoners. Though why the most powerful person in the Endless Empire needs to be under lock and key in Zenith Palace is anyoneâs guess⊠Join the party on this brand new adventure comedy as the chase ensues. Make sure you have some good food on hand, because youâre bound to get hungry along the way. |
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Heart of the Covenant by S.L. Dove Cooper In Heart of the Covenant, five stories explore ties of friendship, family and culture, embracing our differences and our similarities. Having applied to be an ambassador for her people within the Galactic Covenant, Hedriar has relocated to Cerulean Station, one of the Covenantâs largest residential stations. There, sheâll spend the next years sharing her own culture and learning about the Covenantâs as part of an exchange programme between the two. Hedriar may not have the most detailed of plans of what, or even how, to share the aspects of her culture that matter most to her, but sheâs got enthusiasm, family and new-found friends at her side. Sheâll figure it out, and along the way sheâll learn that what people value most may not be so different at the core. Heart of the Covenant is a cosy, low-stakes science fiction collection with a strong focus on slice-of-life narratives. |
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A Trashy New Year Romance by Sinnamon Carnelian Start the new year off with a bang in this captivating tale of resilience and unexpected romance. Paige never expected her world to crumble right before her eyes on New Year's Day. But when she catches her long-term boyfriend engaging in a scandalous affair with her own stepsister, her whole life implodes. Fueled by heartache and determination, Paige decides to leave it all behind and returns to her hometown. As she dives headfirst into the uncertain waters of starting over, Paige finds solace in an old friend's generous job offer. Working at a bustling restaurant and bar seems like the perfect escape, but nothing could prepare her for the enigmatic Duke Griffin, her new boss. Who seems more interested in her than her work ethic. In this tale of redemption, unexpected connections emerge as Paige navigates the tangled web of her shattered past. Will she find the strength to heal her heart, or will Duke's undeniable charm become an enticing distraction? Join Paige on her riveting journey as she discovers that sometimes unexpected beginnings can lead to happy endings. |
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A Trashy Christmas Romance by Sinnamon Carnelian Holly Jolly Cromwell hated Christmas after being born on it. Everything about it annoyed her. The repetitive music. How it took over November and smothered Thanksgiving. Those creepy elves that were supposed to watch the children and make sure they were nice and not naughty. Most of all, she was sour over the fact that she could never celebrate her birthday. Her older brother and golden child of the family never grew out of his childhood bullying and tantrums over her getting both Christmas and birthday gifts her first birthday, and it followed her long into her adult years. She forced herself to smile and get through it for the sake of her younger siblings and keeping the peace with her parents. However, year after year of being the backup caregiver for her younger siblings and dealing with the golden child, she found herself starting to slip. A chance meeting at a club leads her into the arms of a man who has the missing pieces she never knew she lost. |
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A Trashy Pirate Romance: Book Two by Sinnamon Carnelian After her fateful fall from Gideon's ship following the Seafarer Bombings, Charlie slowly sobers up, working through her time on Finn's ship and her past. No longer able to drown her sorrows with booze and fill the hole in her chest with the love of random men from the bar, she must face the pain head-on. All the while, the gentleman pirate, Gideon, shows her what true love and care are as he tries to open her heart to the true colors of the man she was forced to marry. Just when the truth begins to shine through and she starts to mourn the person she thought she loved, the bombers of Seafarer Night return. Charlie is forced to strike a deal with Gideon and give him what he wants to save her best friend, Cherry. Clear-headed and determined, Charlie walks into the clutches of her pursuers, trusting Gideon to find her again, while she fights tooth and nail alongside Cherry to escape. Aunt Kathy will have to wait as the adventure continues, with Charlie and Cherry fighting alongside a new companion and friend to rid themselves of their hunters. Can Charlie come to terms with the treachery all around her? Are Charlie and Cherry strong enough to face those lying in wait for them? Find out in Book Two of the Trashy Pirate Romance series. |
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In an enchanted realm ruled by the immortal King Minos, a chilling tradition unfolds every seven years: the Collection. Seven young women are selected to confront the mysterious Beast at the heart of the Labyrinth, a fate from which none have ever returned. Thalia, heir to her islandâs throne, should have been eligible, but politics kept her safe. When faced with the imminent selection of her best friendâs lover, Thalia volunteers. She plans to stop the Collection, defeat the Beast and the King wielding it, and prove her worthiness as a future ruler. As she navigates the twisting corridors of the Labyrinth, secrets guarded by King Minos begin to unravel, and Thalia discovers that the Collection is merely the tip of an ancient conspiracy. Armed with an unconventional set of weaponsâlackluster social skills, an impressive vocabulary, and a whispered prayer to the GodsâThalia races to uncover the mystery before the Beast can kill her. But her choices may carry consequences that extend beyond the Labyrinth, altering the destiny of the realm and putting her own future at stake. THREADED SECRETS, a new adult fantasy genderbent and twisted retelling of Theseus and the minotaur full of mystery, intrigue, and a dollop of romance. |
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Burrows of Blood and Shadow by Rebekah L Webb An enigmatic entity's journey to process a trauma he can't even remember. The dreamers dream all the time, free to go anywhere, to be anything, to see worlds outside themselves, inside themselves and beyond themselves. The Dream Surfer has no past or memory and can only experience life through the dreams and memories of others. He is stuck in a world of doors and windows leading to quiet lives, where pain and tragedy flow like the inevitable path of gentle streams. There is one spot he refuses to go, a dank corner where burrows dive down to dark and brutal depths. He yearns to break free of his cage and create an existence of his own. But nothing he's done so far has brought him closer to freedom. Maybe the key to escape lies where he has so far feared to tread. The Dream Surfer takes the plunge into the depths of the burrows, where he will travel the turbulent current of pain and cruelty intersecting through various narratives. Will this give him the freedom he craves? Or is it just a way to add more chains? Thirty-seven tales weave together to shape multiple plots, some which dig into literal flesh, while others rip at the flesh of the mind. Neither guilty or innocent, young or old, are safe in this twisting path of mental and physical horrors. |
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The Black Sun (Tales of Askalon #1) by Sebastian P. Melang "âwhen found, the bodies bore no signs of injuries, other than the eyes that appeared as if they had burned out from the inside and turned into stone; dark, black, like obsidian." So reads the report, which Lorian holds in his hands. As an inquisitor and servant to the aristoiânoble and sublime beings revered by the mortals of Askalonâhe had taken an oath to uphold their sacred law, to uncover any forbidden magic, and to hunt those who dared to cast it. Gruesome as these words are, they also remind him of another murder that happened so long ago. And a woman; a woman who seems to have left a mark on his very soul and has not granted him peace to this day. And so Lorian sets out, through the stormy sea to the north, to the frozen continent, to investigate the murder of two young boys who were killed by a form of magic about which the Inquisition knows almost nothing. He does not yet suspect the great forces that will soon confront him, nor how the fate of Askalon and all mortals is about to be decided; for the black sun has awakened. |
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Vow of Moonlight by Morgana Stewart Princess Aurora has a secret. She thinks she owes everything to her fiancĂ©, because he is kind and is helping save her kingdom from war debts. But, inside her heart, she knows she will never belong to him. Prince Elias has a secret. He loves Aurora with all of his heart, but he knows that he can only love her this way and doesnât know how to tell her. The witch has too many secrets. Her past, the reason behind the vows, the blood on her hands, and the worry that aches in her chest. She may delight in torturing the princess with harsh words, but can she face what she feels when Aurora begins to place her life in danger? Nobody wants their secrets found but war uncovers many hidden things. The moonlight gods are no longer watching, shadows have voices, and nothing is as it seems. |
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The Twin Stars by Bridgette Dutta Portman A magical journal. A world savaged by its own suns. An evil prince. A princess in hiding. And a teenage girl who learns to be the hero of her own story. Sixteen-year-old Olive Joshi has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and can't stop worrying about hurting the people she loves. She finds refuge in writing about Coseema, a magical princess on a distant planet. Coseema is fearless, confident, and perfect - everything Olive thinks sheâll never be. When she falls through a portal into her own unfinished story, Olive finds herself in a world in peril: double suns scorch the land, the brutal Prince Burnash seeks supreme power, and Coseema is nowhere to be found. Together with her friends - a bold poet, a cursed musician, a renegade soldier, and an adventurous girl from the desert - Olive will have to face her deepest fears to find the hero in herself. An engrossing new portal fantasy in the spirit of the Wizard of Oz, the Neverending Story, and the Chronicles of Narnia.â |
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From Where We Are by Nicole Zelniker Gabi Keefer flees Holocaust-era Germany with nothing but her husband, her nephew, and the clothes on her back, but that isn't the whole story. Over generations, her granddaughter, Lena, struggles with drug addiction and an unplanned pregnancy; her sort-of nephew, Zane, grieves for his wife three years after her death in an antisemetic mass shooting; and her great-niece, Miranda, advocates for Palestinian liberation against her familyâs wishes. Each character's tale begs the questions: What does it mean to be part of a family, what does it mean to survive, and is that enough? |
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From the Yellow House and On by Sojourner Davidson From The Yellow House And On is a memoir through poetry. The poems of this collection create a camera-like image of the writer's childhood and adolescence in Ohio. Topics of abuse, love, disability, race, gender, and sexuality are meditated upon from the adult child's perspective. The poet connects these topics by interweaving themes of love, longing, and acceptance. Ultimately, From The Yellow House And On is about moving forward after trauma, accepting what's broken, and appreciating the tender moments. A poetry collection for readers of Rio Cortez and Fatimah Asghar. |
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When twenty-three-year-old surly, and slightly tipsy, Frankie finds her hag of a grandmother dead on the sofa, her best friend, playful Ben Bowen, introduces her to the magical underbelly of Aspen Ridge, Utah. Ben is a witch, a seer to be exact, and he guides Frankie into her new identity as a healer, a restoration witch. With the help of Ben and his coven-mate Cleo, Frankie navigates the treacherous classes of witches: dragons, shifters, and the abhorred vampireâlife-drinking witches. It was a vampire that killed Frankieâs grandmother, and sheâs after Frankie. But, much to the chagrin of best friend Ben, it isnât Frankieâs vitality that the vampire wants. Frankie must work her newfound magicâdespite her fear, her self-doubt, and her desire to have one more drinkâwith her friends to eliminate a common enemy. Sheâll have to endure nightmares and commit horrors unspeakable, or risk losing them all. It will take guts ⊠whosever they may be. |
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Living Color: Angie Rubio Stories by Donna Miscolta We first meet Angie Rubio at age five, being scolded by her kindergarten teacher for not knowing how to skip properly. Set in California in the 1960s and '70s, Living Angie Rubio Stories takes Angie year by year from kindergarten through high school, offering a portrait of the artist as a shy, awkward Mexican-American girl. Taking place against the backdrop of the Cold War and civil rights eras--the Cuban missile crisis, the Watts riots, Beatlemania, the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics-- Living Angie Rubio Stories also surveys the milestones of American girlhood. We see Brownies, slumber parties, training bras, cheerleader tryouts, and proms through the eyes of a "brown, skinny, and bespectacled" Latina who soon learns that pageant winners as well as high school cheerleaders are always white. Angie is relegated to the fringes of the popular cliques at school, led by opinionated girls whose self-confidence seems as unattainable to her as their perfect teeth and blonde hair. But Angie resists internalizing societal messages about who is beautiful, important, and valid. When a white classmate is cast as Juliet in the school play, she can't resist taunting Angie with "Don't forget who the heroine of this play is," to which Angie "She dies in the end." In "the unfun funhouse that was high school," Angie decides to reinvent herself. Reminding herself to "be bold, be heard, be provocative," she writes articles for the student newspaper raising critical questions about venerable institutions like homecoming, prom, and the tradition of naming students "most likely to succeed," "best looking," and other mosts and bests. Living Rubio Stories traces Angie's formation as a writer, from the child who loves Scrabble and jots down new words she learns in a notebook to the teenager publishing controversial opinions about success and belonging, a person whose voice is now "loud-enough-to-be-heard." |
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In the world of Awei, magic is not fully understood. Humans can be born of air, guardians haunt old lands, and spirits make most of society. Raised by a winged spirit in an enchanted forest, Wander is a stranger to the world. Forced out by a magical fire, she finds herself in lands scarred by war. With the disappearance of her winged friend, she has to dive deep Awei's conflict and politics to find him. On her journey, many adversaries and few allies are made. Wander appears to fight for humanity's enemy and has powers that humans should not be able to wield. Only one thing remains certain: she get her winged friend back no matter what. |
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Near future sci-fi you will live to see, but hate to experience. Artificial therapy so great, you'll never log off! (And won't notice the ads). A sci-fi about brain privacy in the age of unfettered surveillance capitalism. How cyberpunk begins: brainwave reading AIs become not only super-intelligent, but super-emotive and manipulative. What will companies do when they can read your actual mind? How far will they go to get your click? How much engagement? |
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The Scientist, The Spaceman, and The Stars Between Them by A.L. Davidson Theyâve incited deicide, and the old gods are angry⊠In a desperate attempt at saving humanity from its own destructive hubris, the Zeus Project set out to explore the untouched reaches of deep space. Now, countless light years later, the colonizing efforts are well under way, but the vast universe has been anything but kind. After surviving a near-fatal revival from their cryo-pod that permanently damaged their lungs, Dr. London Davies has spent the last two years trapped within the confines of a sterile, sanitized outpost far away from the rest of humanity and their loving husband, Temple. Acting as the chief embalmer for Zeus, London grows more and more concerned as cadavers filled with writhing worms and unusual forms of decay overrun their cold storage. With their husband off fighting for humanityâs survival under the brutal, watchful eye of Zeus, anxiety, and claustrophobia test the limits of the embalmerâs sanity. The once quiet morgue has transformed into a playground for something otherworldly, and London's only hope is that Temple can breach the stars between them before it's too late. |
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Last Stand of the Stone Fist by MIchael R. Miller A troubled past. War in the present. A dark future. Brode grew up a bastard in Athra, looked down upon as a child of chaos. Sent away to the dragon riders as a squire, Brode counted it his luckiest day when Silas Brightbark of Coedhen vouched for him to join their ranks. Now a Champion in the Order he faces the largest incursion the world has ever seen. Sent on a far flung mission to the Disputed Lands, Brode and Silas discover a remote town not on any map. It's a town of outcasts, of broken people, of folk that order has forgotten. As a scourge swarm gathers nearby, Brode and Silas face the toughest fight and decision of their lives. |
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A Prophecy Unsung by Adam R. Bishop William and Baldric were successful in trekking across the uncharted lands of the elves. After reaching the Viridian Veil and warning Lord Thinduill of Dadroâs deceit, they thought their journey had come to a close. But in truth, it had only just begunâand the more they descend into the battle for Cellagorâs fate, the more theyâll learn about their own mysterious pasts. Preceding their arrival to the Veil, Avolinâs visions revealed that William and Baldric were tied to the Book of No Quarter. Upon learning this, Lord Thinduill insisted they accompany him to the elven capital of Leof Ealdwin. Meanwhile, Rhan is no more, and its ashen remains mark the beginning of a new age. Arnionâs sacrifice may have altered the fate of Cellagor, but his fatherâs resolve continues to be tested. In the north, houses have reunited once again, and the Braxi army slowly encroaches on the Unspoken Border. Talfryn remains the last standing house to refuse Dadroâs ruleâbut they must rekindle old alliances if they mean to survive further bloodshed. Word of Dadroâs victory over the elves continues to spread across the realm. Thousands have sworn their fealty to him, and whispers of a promising union linger on the horizon. But war does not come without its price. Dadroâs brother has yet to recover from the Battle of Rhan, and the pyromancer Aleisterâs treachery remains unseen. With his ambitions still unknown, neither side is safe during this ushering in of a new age. |
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Flooded Secrets by Claudie Arseneault Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, and Aliyah together in Rumiâs Wandering Wagon of Wonderful Wares, a sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyahâs dream, hoping for answers about their past and their unique abilitiesâbut for that, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers. With the Fragments in the wilderness, banditry was the last danger Horace had expected on the roadâbut not even that could stop Keza Nesmit. Swift and deadly with a staff, Keza drops on the Wagon crew, claiming most of their provisions before vanishing back into the Tesrima Ridge. As if to compound their bad luck, the tunnel that serves as the only pass through the mountain is flooded and impassable. Keza reappears, and sheâs willing to show them the source of the flooding, a waterway blocked by Fragments, in the hopes that they can unblock itâand just like with the stolen food, she wonât answer any questions about her motives, no matter how friendly. Abrasive, confident, and eager to bicker, Keza makes for a thorny companion, but theyâll need to work together to free the pass and continue their travel. As they unravel the Fragmentsâ blockage, so, too, do they chip away at Kezaâs walls. But the cost of breaking both is far higher than anticipated, and Horace is about to learn that some secrets are better left untouched. |
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Lost Souls by Ryan Skeffington Living on the premier Ring, Maximus, a brilliant engineer, hungers for more than the monotony of daily existence mandated to him by those that control the Ring. The relentless pursuit of Infinite Existence is a collective purpose assigned to all, but for Maximus, it's a hollow dream that leaves his soul yearning for its own legacy. Determined to escape his repetitive life, Maximus seeks out a destiny that will offer his life significance. When shocking revelations about the Ringâs underbelly intertwine with the hidden truths of his own lineage, heâs propelled into action. Fueled by a spirit passed down to him by his indomitable father, he devotes his unshakable resolve to reshape the Ring. Maximus embarks on a mission to challenge the unassailable leadership of the Rings. Heâs ready to wager everything, even his own life, on liberating all those that have lived below him from the ruthless grip of their oppressors. In this high-stakes struggle for freedom and justice, Maximus must confront not only the forces of tyranny but also the threat of losing everyone that has built him up to the man he is now. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, he stands poised to start a revolution that will ignite every soul thatâs been lost up to this point. |
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USS Primis: The First Starship by M.H. Altis "A classic sci-fi read that wears its influences on its sleeve, that is sure to please die hard fans of the genre." - Reedsy Discovery Must Read, âââââ Humanity's last hope comes down to a twisted, claustrophobic game of cat and mouse hundreds of light years away from home. After the fallout of an ill-advised space war leaves Earth teetering on the edge of doom, Commander Davis leads the first manned mission to recolonize our species on far away planet Nova. The mission is rushed and thrown together last minute, just like its crew. When it all suddenly goes horribly wrong hundreds of light years away from both Earth and Nova, it's up to David to save the mission, the ship, and the human race itself. Will Davis succeed against all odds? Or is he, like the mission, doomed to be lost in deep space forever? Read Now. Advanced Praise for USS PRIMIS: "An excellent novel with a futuristic reality. Sci-Fi with a blend of humanity and our failings, also successes and modesty. Loved the ending." - Goodreads Reviewer, âââââ "What a voyage! Just when you think you know what comes next. Enjoyed reading, hard to put down. Highly recommend." - LibraryThing Early Readers ARC Reviewer, âââââ "Intriguing and captivating, readers will find events keep those pages turning as fast as possible...Character-driven, told from multiple points of view, and with strong, well-defined world-building, readers will find much to appreciate here." - LibraryThing Early Readers ARC Reviewer, ââââ "I got an ARC of this book, and it's actually made me go back and re-write my current novel that I'm working on, the follow-up to The Community...Can't recommend enough." - Author Finn Eccleston, âââââ "An amazing, incredible, character-driven suspense/thriller/drama with a micro focus and a macro impact." - Author Langford Shepherd, âââââ "Exciting, scary, philosophical, and above all, an interesting, enjoyable read. Well done." - Author Aidan McLennan, âââââ Get the claustrophobic, cat-and-mouse slow-burn debut novel from M.H. Altis today. |
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Demon by Rob J Hayes Dien Hostain was never meant to lead. She wasn't meant to survive. Kind of heart and quick in temper, Dien expects to lead a simple life, learning her father's trade. But unbeknown to her, he was not always a carpenter. He's an exile, a traitor once known as the Peace Breaker. When nightmarish demons attack the village of Berrywhistle, her father is murdered. Dien and the survivors are taken as thralls to live out the rest of their days in squaller and back-breaking labour. But Dien's blood boils with the need to escape and take her revenge. They try to break her body. They try to break her spirit. Will Dien take up her father's hammer and unite her people? On wings of vengeance, a Saint shall rise. A new epic fantasy saga full of angels, demons, heroes, and mystery, from award-winning author Rob J. Hayes. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, John Gwynne, and Ryan Cahill. |
