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Tone of Voice by Kaia SĆønderby Xandri Corelel has spent six months living among the Ongkoarrat after her unceremonious firing from the crew of the Carpathia, and though she misses her home, she has settled into her new life. Then Diver arrives with news that changes everything. The Hands and Voices--squid- and whale-like symbiotic aliens--are masters of bio-engineering and grow a wide variety of species of coral. Now they are in the process of creating coral that can withstand vacuum, with a most stunning end goal: To grow entire spaceships out of living organisms. The Starsystems Alliance is desperate to lure the Hands and Voices into the Alliance and bring this new technology into the fold. And the Voices and Hands are willing, with one stipulation. They will only negotiate with Xandri and the crew of the Carpathia. Returned from exile, Xandri is given the lead on this new mission. She quickly discovers that willingness isn't the problem; the Hands and Voices want to join, but they want full equality in their membership--including the ability to attend council meetings in person. Amid the sunshine and surf of the tropical, idyllic planet of Song, it seems the biggest hardship Xandri and her friends will face is the task of re-rigging a spaceship to carry creatures the size of killer whales. Then the Last Hope for Humanity arrives, and this time they've brought an army. |
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The Midnight Games: Six Stories About Games You Play Once by Rhiannon Rasmussen OF COURSE ITāS DANGEROUS. THATāS HALF THE THRILL, ISNāT IT? Games and rituals are a part of humanity as old as language. Since time immemorial, we have passed down rituals, allowing future generations a chance to harness the powers our forebears discovered-if they follow the rules just right. Have you ever wanted to know your future? Have you ever wanted a peek at the other side? Fancy a wager or a party with powers unknown? Six stories await you inside this anthology, with step by step instructions for those braveāor desperateāenough to play. Stories by Casey Lucas, M. Lyn Hall, M.B. Hare, Rhiannon Rasmussen, Shi Briggs, Veles Svitlychny, and illustrated by Andrey Garin. |
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Life Sucks After You Die by Crystal-Rain Love All Danni Keller wanted to do was go to a bar and drown her sorrows in some alcohol, but she managed to get attacked by an incubus. Now she's being guarded by a hunky but oh so irritating vampire (who bit her too) while the incubus stalks her. Being guarded by the sexy vampire probably wouldn't be that bad if not for the fact her perfect boss has finally noticed her. Try dating while a vampire guards you way too closely and an incubus tracks your every move, waiting to pounce. Then there's some creepy hunter guy who also wants to kill Danni. The sun wants to kill her. Human food wants to kill her. Don't even get her started on her family. Life sucks after you die. |
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Descent to the Roses of a Family: A Poet's Journey Into Antiracism and Personal Social Healing by Judy Grahn For those courageous enough to explore how family dynamics create and imprint the structures of white supremacy in each of us, Judy Grahn, an iconic voice of the GLBTQ and Women's movements, has used her masterful poem, "Descent to the Roses of a Family," to expose and closely examine her own family's roses (and thorns) of toxic racism and white supremacy. Grahn uses rich back-stories and mythology to guide us in the process of understanding and healing the split psyche that white supremacy causes and requires. "Descent to the Roses of a Family" is especially valuable for getting past endless intellectualizing about one of our most serious and tenacious social problems. Grahn demands more of us; she insists that we understand emotionally and poetically, as well as intellectually, the heart of white supremacy in the family and its consequences when taken unexamined into the larger world. She leads us out of the fog of denial. Recommended for teachers of antiracism, using literature, sociology, and mythology; also for group discussions and individuals wanting to heal themselves and future generations by finding a better way. |
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Becoming Catherine Bennet by Joseph P. Garland On June 20, 1815, rumours of Wellington's victory in what history would come to call the Battle of Waterloo reach London. Among the townspeople celebrating first the rumour and then the confirmation of victory are Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy (and their son, Fitzy) and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley, who live a few blocks apart in Mayfair. The news became bleak for the families, however, when they soon received a dispatch that Captain George Wickham had been valiantly killed in battle. His pregnant widow, Lydia, and sister-in-law, Kitty (or Catherine), will come to London to be with their families, joined by their parents who come down from Longbourn. (The remaining sister, Mary, will remain in northern England near the Scottish border with her husband, a vicar.) Thus begins Becoming Catherine Bennet. Soon, though, we will discover two great secrets. One, concerning Darcy and his money, is soon known throughout London and Derbyshire and wherever a member of London society resides. The other, concerning our heroine, Catherine, will only be revealed to a handful, those who need to know all or part of the truth. Elizabeth, of course (though not as yet Jane). And the three who were freed by the death in 1813 of Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Charlotte Collins, William Collins, and Anne de Bourgh. |
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I Am Alex Locus by Joseph P. Garland Twenty-three-year-old Alex Locus stumbles into the world of her late mother, Emily. With each revelation, she learns things she could not have imagined, and struggles to find the truth about her family. Emily had a long-term date with a friend on Friday afternoons. On one of those Fridays, August 8, 2008, though, she suffered a stroke that she did not survive. Nine years later, Alex is passing time at a New York bookshop, enjoying an author read from her collection of stories. Her life changes forever when learns of the existence of the "Emily Locus Award." She introduces herself: "I am Alex Locus." This begins a quest by Alex and her best friend Kate to learn the truth about her mother, starting with their reading the unpublished stories that for years sat in the attic of Alex's one-time suburban home. A quest that will reveal secrets, good and bad, about the family members she knew and some she only came to meet in her search. |
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The Fifth Horseman by Freida Kilmari No name. No past. One giant future. The only thing worse than suddenly waking up in a magical house with the insanely gorgeous Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Being the Fifth. With no memory of who I am, where I came from, or what Iām doing here, Iām thrust into a new life with four people who I might want more from than just friendship. But with no past, how can I possibly plan for a future? The only clue as to who I am? Four different species' magic resides within meāVampire, Fae, Shifter, and Witchāand between them, I might be the most powerful creature on the planet. For fuck's sake. Look out world, Horseman of Magic coming through! |
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Split Decision by David Perlmutter Jefferson Ball, the mightiest female dog in a universe full of them. Jody Ryder, the mightiest female robot dog in said universe. When they clash, everyone will hear it.... |
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The International League of Girls With Guns, the world's mightiest superheroines, discover that they are the victims of identity theft. Aliens have been using their names and identities in the making of movies! But it will take more than just their powers for them to get revenge.... |
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Armando Medina suffered a tragic loss at the hands of some Nitelvosa, supernatural beings who control his world. For decades, heās been unable to forget the horrific night when his life changed. Izdahl Amasi, a member of a prominent Nitelvosa family, has been fascinated by Armando for years. Izdahlās heart grows heavier, as Armandoās stubborn streak denies them the happiness they could have. While the two were close childhood friends, Armandoās trauma drove a painful wedge between him and Izdahl. Now, as adults, they find themselves connected in unexpected ways. Despite how much Armando tries to avoid the truth, heās drawn to Izdahl. Looming over them are the events from Armandoās youth and the mystery of who's responsible for his anguish. Can Armando open his heart and trust Izdahl? Or will Izdahl stop believing they have a chance? |
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The International League of Girls With Guns, the world's mightiest superheroines, discover that some obsessive "fans" of theirs are trying to expose their identities via a bizarre "museum". Can they intervene before it's too late? |
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The Singular Adventures of Jefferson Ball by David Perlmutter There never was a heroine like Jefferson Ball. And, thankfully, there may never be. She is, simply, the most powerful humanized female dog in a universe full of them. Faster, stronger, more attractive to boys. Unbeatable as a lover. Unfortunately, her brains are not up to this quality, but donāt tell her that. About the only one who can is Major Hamilton Pomeranian, the diminutive ex-soldier who is Jeffās best friend and conscience. When she gets too big for her limited clothing, Hamilton tells her what for. And itās usually only after that point that they are able to escape from whatever convoluted situation they find themselves in. This potential collection will have readers both laughing and awestruck at the events that happen. And, hopefully, you will be one of them. |
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Nothing About Us Without Us by David Perlmutter Anybody who loves animated cartoons should be interested in knowing the truth about them. Which is that they have lives after the camera stops filming, and pretty interesting ones at that. This book will give you the truth about who they are and what they feel, direct from their lips. Particularly about how the leaders of the world want them out of the way, for good.... |
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Let's Be Buddies by David Perlmutter Major Hamilton Pomeranian, once a highly decorated Star Soldier, has been discharged for a recently gained injury. Now forced into a non-military life, she is uncertain about what to do until reconnecting with Jefferson Ball, an old army buddy, and agreeing to assist her at her "job"- not realizing exactly what that will involve until it is too late... |
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The United States government discovers, to its horror, that the creatures featured in animated cartoons are not fabrications but real beings. Fearing the social and political consequences of the discovery being made public, they proceed to exile them off Earth to another planet. However, things do not go according to plan... |
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Never Again: A Shifter Vengeance Novel 2 by Silas Reames Never thought sheād pay any price to defeat her greatest enemy, but getting the information she needs to do it will cost her more than she imagined. The self-assured Were princess managed to save her friends from the sinister magical group called the Jeweled Claw, but now sheās become their target. Thatās fine by her, since the ex-mate she's vowed to kill has become its new leader. Thereās just one problem. Thanks to her deal with the Bone Reader, she has to figure out how to turn someone into a Were, like herself. If she fails, she has no hope of defeating Damien and the Claw. But finding clues to completing her task means returning somewhere that carries her most traumatic memories, a place she has avoided for centuries. And when she finds the one being who can answer her questions, things get even more confusing. Why is she so drawn to him? Determined to do whatever it takes to fulfill her vow and protect her city, Never is running out of time. If she canāt accomplish everything by the deadline on her deal, she wonāt live to see the result of her failure. |
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Never: A Shifter Vengeance Novel 1 by Silas Reames Track down a killer, collect the reward, enjoy a well-deserved drink. Shouldn't be too hard, right? That's what Never, a 400-year-old Werewolf with a taste for cocktails and violent justice, thinks āuntil the experienced Enforcer learns the case involves a long-dormant evil that threatens the magical world. Turns out she and the ex-boyfriend she's vowed to kill are searching for the same girl: a fellow Were who shares her rare ability. Is he the villain Never believes him to be āor something worse? In a rush to save the girl, Never joins forces with a bear shifter, feline shifter, and young witch, and against her better judgment starts to care about them. One thing she knows for sure is that when you love something you're bound to lose it. But Never isn't used to losing, and she won't give up her new life or friends this time. No matter how powerful her foe. |
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Alexander Strange has an unusual guardian angel -- she's the one who needs protection.Not enough that he's typing his fingers to the bone covering resurrected triceratops maurading in Miami or that he's on a quest to find a headless baby Jesus snatched from a Florida megachurch and golf resort.Now his shipboard mannequin is channeling a woman from the future. Her Fly immediately to Portugal, do not stop for Cuba Libres, and save your girlfriend's life or your guardian angel will also cease to exist.It's weird, but that's Alexander Strange's everyday nine-to-five as America's only full-time reporter covering news of the weird. Though even he doesn't anticipate that his converted fishing trawler will soon be home to multiple seances, that a mad scientist will try to blow him up, or that the Elvis impersonator he's hired for his wedding will ghost him. And his future in-laws? Now there's a real nightmare. |
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Dust and Deliverance by Benjamin DeHaan Paulo, a father, high school counselor and recent widower, searches for his lost daughter Adriana who has become bound to the cocaine drug cartel. Adriana, daughter of Paulo, runs away from higher education and seeks fortunes and a life of paradise. Sam, gaming addict and divorced Denver Police officer, blames his failed marriage on his wifeās misunderstanding. Harold, protector of Adriana and ex-opera singer of Mexico City, yearns for nothing more than to get his singing voice back. San Isabel National Park, Colorado, a place where four broken people collide and are set free. This is a story of the heartās deliverance. |
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Caste of the Mountain by Nicolin Odel Young Hata Vasara is in the midst of discovering her first love as all hell breaks loose. Her father, Baal Vasara, a Foreman miner in the mountain city of Oitilla, discovered something deep within the earthāan ominous archway of steaming red light. Finding such an unnatural creation in such a place, Baal chooses to cover it up. Unfortunately, his right-hand man, Alvar Kovaa, has other ideas. We find the Vasara family, Baal, Brena, and Hata, in turmoil as the village chieftain accuses the family of lies and notions of thievery. The family is forced to fight for their place in Oitilla or be exiled as treachery follows in their wake. |
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Civil War tore across the Union Empire, leaving countless dead in its wake. It was a war started by one man, once beloved by the Empire. His betrayal still lingers in the memory of those who lived through it. Decades later, his son, Felix Drake, is a Warden tasked with both protecting the ruling members of the Union Empire and its Council, and bringing those powerful and influential people to justice should they break the law. Drake protects the very Empire his father sought to destroy. When two members of a Council family are murdered, Drake and his team investigate, only to uncover corruption, resentment, and yet more death. As the case deepens, Drake is forced back into a life heād left long ago, bringing with it the same disdain and anger from the very people heās sworn to protect. However, heās no longer a helpless child, and the people who try to intimidate him now are about to discover that Drake is so very much his fatherās son. |
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The Children of Skaad by Nicolin Odel The red-haired young woman awakens within a cage and remembers nothing. Not even her own name. She finds herself in servitude to a vile man and powerful magi. Sluggish and addicted from her enforced intoxication to the drug grit. All under the watchful eye of a strict woman, The Proctor of the Covenant Enclosure, the red-haired girl is trained to use her power to manipulate the earth. But ever so slowly, she begins to regain her memory and struggles to escape this place of unspeakable horrors. Simon Meridio, a simple architect, has been named the First Otsoa of the nomadic people of Hasiera. His wife, Saudett, is pregnant and reunited with her long-lost mother, whom she has not seen in twenty years. He found a Skrull damned magical dagger that granted him unfathomable knowledge. And all thanks to him, the oasis valley of Hasiera has lost its water source, and a magical gateway hiding in the earth brings new turmoil. By the gods, I wish I could go home. |
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The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai by Onyeka Nwelue Onyeka Nwelue is Africa's literally wonder boy- Nury |
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Night Mistress of Paradise Palms by Lorraine Carey Few People Check their sheets when entering a hotel room, but how many listen to local legends of an evil enchantress that roams the area? You won't find this among the many amenities listed in the brochure for Paradise Palms on Grand Cayman. Book a room if you dare and be ready to be seduced by the original Caribbean Queen. Enjoy your stay. |
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They Ate The Waitress? by D.N. Schmidt A delightfully funny murder mystery full of wit, wordplay, and cannibalism. Nick Wergild is a private detective armed only with his wits and an atomic-powered electroshock gun. One evening, while under the influence of powerful hallucinogens, he is hired to investigate a murder at a local restaurant called āHand to Mouthā. It seems the customers ate one of the staff. And she didnāt even volunteer for the job.Nick has to find a way to solve the case without a body or a crime scene. Along the way, he also has to survive hit men, bomb-throwing security guards, bad puns, and a homicidal politician. Will he live long enough to solve the case? Can you really trust the owner of a restaurant for cannibals? What does human flesh really taste like? And why does furniture keep falling from the sky? If you love humor, mysteries, and anything weird, you don't want to miss this! |
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The Doom Tapes by D.N. Schmidt Enjoy fifteen science fiction short stories filled with adventure, aliens, robots, and monsters! Take your flying car to the drive-in because the showās about to start! In "The Doom Tapes", the earth is invaded by aliens. The only ones who can save the world are the clerks at Last Chance Video, the last movie rental store that still stocks VHS. āRobot Edenā is the story of a trio of machines wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland in search of the one place humans can never enter. Gangs of survivors fight them at every turn, seeking to scrap them for parts. In āThe Many Bodies of Harlan Thorneā, a spacefaring assassin has a collection of cloned bodies, each with a different super power. Itās a great life, until a clone refuses to go back into storage. In āThe Texas Creepersā, a man plays poker with parasites from another dimension. āMystery Meat Monsterā features a truck stop in space, aliens, ray guns, and the galaxyās most dangerous meatloaf. The collection also includes the novella āThe Asteroid Heist.ā A thief and conman has a plan to pull off the biggest crime in history. But how do you steal three miles of space rock? |
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The Screaming Void by D.N. Schmidt Can a criminal crew of space junk salvagers really save the universe? Jay Jordan and his crew travel the Domain, bending the law like a pretzel and sneaking their loot past wormhole security. The crew gets hired to retrieve a ship lost in the Screaming Void, the most dangerous place in space. Everyone wants the homicidal space gangsters, the tyrannical interstellar government, even the otherworldly Architect Church. Can the crew keep the ship from falling into the wrong hands? Are the Architects really guiding Jay, or are they just a myth? And whatās so important about one junk ship? |
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Apple Seeds in the Snow by Helen Rygh-Pedersen A pampered princess. A killer king. The seeds of ruin. Now that her schooling is over, pampered princess, Ouna Domonov must turn her attentions to the needs of the realm; such as marrying a Waterborn Descendant of the Naiads to help uphold the Balance. But she doesnāt want her hideous intended, nor her responsibilities. All she wants is to have fun with her best friend, who must soon face her own royal duties. As a last hurrah before the wedding bells sound, the friends head north for Vinterfest. There is just one problem: Lāadu. The grumpy guardsman her intended has hired to protect his āinterestsā, seems intent on spoiling her fun and shielding her from the only man she deems worthy of her hand, the dashing King Olaf von Oderberg. But when intentions are misconstrued, the merrymaking ends. Ounaās freedom is under threat and the destruction of her country at stake. Can she put her naivety and prejudices aside to fight for what and who is truly important? |
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The Cosmic Principle by Abby R. Laughlin When corruption surrounds her, she can either give inā¦ or fight. One hundred years ago, a galactic cataclysm decimated the Centaurus galaxy, leaving only the planet Bersama unscathedāa world now divided into five struggling sectors. Captain Caldera Keane, an explorer for the Vanguard, is growing tired of going on pointless missions ordered by the king of Tellis. The people are suffering, and she wants nothing more than to exact real change for Bersama. But when Caldera gets escorted to the palace after nearly botching her last mission, she is certain sheās in trouble. Instead, she receives shocking news: King Quill is dead, and sheās the sole heir to the unstable throne he left behind. While balancing her new role as queen and contending with the corruption surrounding Bersamaās most powerful leaders, Caldera becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy related to the former rulerās death. With no idea who she can trust, she must find a way to protect her friends, save her people, and uncover the truth before she suffers the same fate as the king. |
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Ghosts of the Catacombs by Janna Ruth I'm a ghost whisperer, not a catacomb crawler. But when you live in Paris, sometimes you end up being both. Hi, Iām Alix. During the day, Iām a history student at the time-honoured Sorbonne University. After class, I hang out with the ghosts of the revolution, the many undead misunderstood Parisian artists, and adventurous scientists that glow in the dark. None of them are alive, but they come to me to solve their problems with the living. When a recently deceased catacomb tour guide asks me to retrieve a mysterious personal item from the underground, things take a turn for the weird. Suddenly, I find myself in a city of ghosts, hunted by murderous cave crawlers, and stumbling across haunting secrets. If Iām not careful now, I might end up a ghost myself. Urban Fantasy with a French twist. If you like cave-crawling adventures, hopeless romantics, and ghosts, you'll enjoy Ghosts of the Catacomb, the first instalment of the Parisian Ghosts series. Travel to Paris today to embark on your catacomb adventure. |
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A Breaking of Realms by Jasmine Young Praise for Jasmine Young's A Breaking of Realms: "This one deserves more than 5 stars." "[B]rings you such phenomenal dragons that your jaw will be on the floor." "I might have just read my favourite high fantasy book of 2023." "An absolute winner and no one, I mean no one should miss it if you enjoy a thoroughly fantastic read!" The Realm-Building Enterprise is open to all. On the continent of Elondria, anyone may become the next legendary dragon rider by building the greatest towns, cities, and even kingdoms. SkĆ”lda Branwright dreams of leaving the Longcold and becoming the first Dragonlord to build an official realm. Only no dragon egg has ever hatched for her. But when a wild hatchling falls to her from the skies, begging for rescue, she must decide whether to relinquish her dreams and become the worst criminal of all - a rogue rider. One with the potential to restore mankindās sovereignty from the brutal dominion of elves. The Realm-Building Enterprise was meant to unite all races, until it became a means for elves to control the continent. But this is no ordinary dragon. By the time SkĆ”lda realizes what she holds in her hands, it is much too late. Stealing this hatchling will mean breaking Elondria's twenty realms, beginning with the one she calls home... A Realm-Breaker is coming. |
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Vampire Menstrual Syndrome: The First Cycle by S.C. Hunter Vampire Menstrual Syndrome is the unapologetically queer-feminist supernatural comedy-horror series that no one asked for. The first day of Vanessaās period takes a deadly turn when she is unwittingly sacrificed by a suburban cult of pretentious teenagers. After being exsanguinated, Vanessa crawls out of her shallow grave and is understandably upset. Caught in a horrible cycle of ingesting and excreting blood, Vanessa needs answersā¦fast. Thankfully, Vanessaās roommate, Wyatt, is bored of his monotonous summer retail job and is a long-time fan of all things supernatural. Wyatt encourages Vanessa to investigate her own murder so that they can find some answers about her unexpected afterlife. Together, this dramatic duo will go to any lengths necessary to figure out what the hell is going on in their mundane little city. Interrogating and traumatizing teenagers? Easy. Catfishing knowledgeable strangers from a paranormal chat room? Fire off some eggplant emojis. Befriending an occult horticulturalist? Thatās a green thumbās up. Rubbing elbows with a pompous warlock? If they must. However, with each misguided step into the Underworld, Vanessa gradually realizes that her murdererāher maker, is trying to hunt her down. Unearth a conspiracy as old as sexism itself or survive long enough to have an afterlife crisis? Hopefully, those two options arenāt mutually exclusive. Vampire Menstrual Syndromeā¦and you thought cramps were bad. Content Warnings: The First Cycle, as the name implies, is the first book in the trilogy lovingly known as VMS. As a result, this book has a cliff-hanger ending. This book contains scenes of graphic violence and body horror, hard drug and alcohol use, talk of dysphoria, experiences of queerphobia and microaggressions (in the past), flashbacks of war, death, non-stop period talk (yes, clots and all), and, of course, blood. This book also contains queer romantic tension, steamy make-out scenes, and nudity--with a proposed spice rating of 1 chili pepper. |
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Elemental Inferno by A.J. Locke Rielle canāt have sex ā unless itās winter. As a Winter Aura she brings the good and bad of winter to NYC, and while she can unleash snowstorms for a few months, the rest of the year she canāt do anything that could cause her to lose control of herself and accidentally make it snow in June. That means hot, passionate sex is strictly forbidden. No sex life for most of the year used to be Rielleās biggest problem until the Summer Aura for her area winds up dead and the sun almost scorches the city into oblivion. Aden, a sexier than sin Summer Aura, arrives and cools things down, but heats Rielle up. The attraction between them is magnetic, but Adenās appearance puts the Elders who guide all Auras on edge, and it suddenly seems like both the Elders and Aden have secrets they donāt want coming to light. Despite the air of danger, Rielle is drawn to Aden, especially when he promises he can show her a way for them to indulge their passions without repercussions. And boy do they indulge. But the fun canāt last when an Aura is dead with no explanation. And when Adenās secrets are revealed, the Elders take drastic measures to ensure their own sins remain buried. And their plan could land Rielle in fatal trouble. Aden and Rielle will have to untangle a deadly plot against them before they can continue getting tangled up in each other. |
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The Vanish Tide (Kitaine Neris #2) by A.J. Locke Kitaine Neris is a Vanish Witch who fell victim to her own magic. Fortunately, her disappearing act didnāt stick. After escaping Elsewhere, a chaotic pocket world full of violent criminals, Kit and Marrik return to their lives and try to heal their fractured relationship. But they have to contend with Marrikās witch-hating family, who want Kit out of his life. And after her failed attempt to Vanish a high ranking, corrupt witch, Kit is in the crosshairs of the powerful High Coven. To keep her safe, Kit and her tale of Elsewhere are thrust into the spotlight. Kitās heightened visibility makes the High Coven hesitant to retaliate, but stirs up anti-witch groups especially because, thanks to Kit, witches can now become stronger. Not only that, a disruption caused by a magical surge will bring a disaster down on Kitās city. With her stronger Vanish magic, Kit is the only one who can stop it. But saving her city will be easier said than done when the anti-witch groups zero in on Kit. And when they unleash a devastating strike, no matter how strong Kitās magic is, it might not be enough to stop her from losing everything. |
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The Vanish Witch (Kitaine Neris #1) by A.J. Locke There are a few things that could land a witch in hot water. One is having stronger magic than most. Like a Vanish Witch who can make not only objects but people disappear. Another is being in possession of amulets that contain ghosts whose touch is death. Kitaine Neris has both. But she keeps the flirtatious ghost hidden, stays off the High Covenās radar, and keeps up appearances with her local coven while secretly using her magic to Vanish the corrupt and violent from her city. Until a hit goes horribly awry and Kit ends up Vanishing instead. Sheās shocked when she ends up in a chaotic, parallel world, and realizes that everything Vanish Witches made disappear wound up there. Including her boyfriend, Marrik, who Kit never meant to make disappear at all. Kit and Marrikās reunion is passionate, but they need to get back home. But thatās easier said than done when every bad soul Vanish Witches used their magic on are gunning for Kit, wanting their pound of flesh. When a mysterious and powerful witch presents a way home, Kit and Marrik will do whatever it takes to fulfill the conditions that will free them before the enemy enacts a vanishing act on them that sticks. |
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A Ballad of Hate and Hope by Kaylea Prime Hope has no beginning, and no end. As a LantĆĆ© with both antlers and wings, and a Storyteller able to recall stories from the past, Nensola has always felt like an anomaly. Dark shadows of her peryton ancestors prowl the peripheries of her soul, threatening to consume her if she loses control. When her mom is murdered by pirates to harvest the magic in her wings, Nensola struggles to lead with hope. Sailing the West Indies in 1715, Kit is determined not to let his pirate stepfather die to claim a prize for the device he stole. He has always felt unanchored between Spanish and English cultures, harbouring hate for his parentsā deaths. When Kit falls through a maelstrom portal into the world of ArwĆ© and meets Nensola, his anchor begins to lower. While hope burgeons in Nensola and Kitās hearts, hate festers on the borders. Just when Kit finally feels he belongs, he is cast adrift, faced with the prospect of returning to Earth. With her home and people threatened by a sinister force, and her trust in Kit uncertain, Nensola fears hateās grip on her heart is stronger than the clinging droplet of hope. But even a droplet can create ripples. And all it takes is a ripple to change the world. A Ballad of Hate and Hope is a prequel novella taking place almost two hundred years before the events in A Spark From Embers - volume one in the fantasy series, Tears of Flame. |
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The Archimedean Heart by BJ Sikes Paris 1880, the City of Electric Light Clockwork nobles of the Court promenade through the halls of Versailles, while Watcher spheres and cyborg police menace citizens of France in the streets. The Royal Scientist Doctor works frantically on an automaton designed to replace the failing sovereigns, but will it be ready in time to save the monarchy? In the cafes of Montmartre, Henri paints the common people chafing under the reign of the Augmented monarchs and dreams of a France free of machines. John yearns to capture the essence of beauty in his paintings with the luminous Marie-Ange his muse-and handmaid to the ancient Queen of France. With his brother Henri entangled in revolution, he must choose between the artificial beauty of Court and the movement to restore France. How much humanity can be lost before you are no longer human? |
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Unfinished Business by Tim Susman Private Investigator Jae Kim doesnāt have a werewolf problemāat least not as long as he can keep clear of his ex-boyfriend Czoltan. But when a suspicious police report hits the streets of Wolftown, Jae suddenly finds himself hunted on the streets he used to freely roam. Dodging bullets from Wolftown vigilantes, heās stuck hiding out with Czoltan while he and his were-bear ghost Sergei search out whoever set him upāand his life isnāt the only one at stake. |
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The Vitruvian Mask by BJ Sikes Are you intrigued by 19th century Paris with its artists and nobility? How about an alternate history version with forbidden technology and nuns with supernatural powers? 1881: The electric lights of Paris have been extinguished. The Naturalist revolution is over. Adelaide was on the losing side. Once the Royal Scientist Doctor for the now-dead cyborg monarchs of France, she's now a fugitive, hiding from the new king's Police SĆ©crĆØte. Pregnant and alone, she seeks refuge in a Parisian hospital but things have changed there too. What was once a cathedral of Science is now a bastion of ignorance and superstition. The battlefield veterans whose Augmented prosthetics she once created are shunned by the new regime and come to the hospital for her help. But her nemesis, the father of her child, has returned to France and threatens to reveal her illegal activities to the authorities. Can Adelaide repair her Augmented patients without losing her freedom ... or her life? The Vitruvian Mask continues the story of Adelaide Coumain, the Roboticist of Versailles, that began in The Archimedean Heart. |
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And so it comes to this. A showdown. An ending. But if we fail - if I end - then reality might follow along behind me. We've been through so much. Torture. Murder. Trap after trap mainly sprung by me blundering head first into them and one of my friends saving my stupid behind. But there's no room for mistakes now. We've got an inkling of what the scumbag we're up against is after. Enough to know what his next target is. Enough to know it's probably his last one. Enough to know it's everything he needs to complete his nefarious plans. If we don't get there first, he wins. Simple. And I'm not sure ... but my gut says if that happens, every living thing in the universe loses. No pressure, right? imPerfect Gods is the sixth book in The imPerfect Cathar series, and completes the first story arc. It is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery, containing dark humour and graphic violence. |
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At last a warm trail, through blood and bones and long dead kings. The hunt is onā¦ Weāre back in Toulouse, and for once we have the upper hand. Our foe has no idea Iāve escaped from his trap in Fairie and weāve got an actual lead. The famous discovery of a certain hunchbacked English kingās remains gives us a tantalizing clue, and now weāre hot on our enemyās heels with him none the wiser. Except nothing ever runs that smoothly. Hob kings, goth vampires and back-stabbing double-crosses are all lying in wait. And thatās just for starters. To make it back to France weāre going to need serious magic, might and high-level brainpower. Two out of threeās not bad, right? Because if we donāt manage it, the hunter might just become the hunted. imPerfect Hunt is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery that spans the south of France, England and Paris. Contains dark humour and graphic violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
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The good news? Thereās a way out of Faerie. The bad news? Itās through the heart of the Unseelie Court of Winter. And thatās not all. Maeve, Winterās ruler, has been stealing human kids for her own twisted delights. Not only do we have to find a way to sneak into her lands, but also weāve got to break in, rescue the stolen children and get them out again without her knowing. Or ... we go to war with the entire nightmarish Unseelie Court. Iām not so much running on empty as trying to push myself forward with the handbrake on. The odds of survival seem minimal. But who wants to live forever? 800 years is good innings by anyone's standards. I can't leave the kids behind to suffer her sadistic indulgences. Weāve got to get them out - or die trying. imPerfect Bones is the fourth book in āThe imPerfect Catharā series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery spanning Fairie and the south of France. Contains strong language and graphic violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
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Body-jacking a legendary assassin when Iām running on empty. No problem, right? After the last few misadventures, Iām not so much broken as ruined, a shell of my former self. But I canāt stop. The trail of those who betrayed me is getting cold, and if Iām going to get any answers, I need to follow it, and now. Except it leads to Faerie. And the way is barred to all but the Fae. So Iām forced to go toe-to-toe with a mercenary assassin whose name has been spoken in terrified whispers throughout the ages. One who got the drop on me the only time our paths crossed. The Jack of Plate. Half-Marred Jack himself. A man who may be more than a monster. Survival isnāt just unsure. Itās highly unlikely. imPerfect Fae is the third book in The imPerfect Cathar series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery following a trio of immortal heretics in the south of France. Contains strong language and violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
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The problem with ancient promises? There's always a price to pay. Iām exhausted. Done in. Needing a stiff drink and about a weekās sleep. But thatās not going to happen. Because Franc is dying, struck by a curse placed on him by the Sistren Of Bordeaux, one of the most powerful groups of Talented in France. And because of our deal, itās on me to find out what the hell is going on, and how Franc has offended the Sistren. Apart from by simply existing, of course. Except a simple trip to Bordeaux turns into a living nightmare as the past comes back to not just haunt me but to kick me square in the nuts, and I'm sent to the one place no Talented ever wants to go. Where those with magic either vanish or get ruined, left as nothing but empty husks. This time, it might not be the world at risk. It might be my very soul. imPerfect Curse is the second book in The imPerfect Cathar series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery following a trio of immortal heretics in the south-west of France. Contains strong language and violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
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Elora's past lies hidden in a web of lies and half-truths, raised by her uncle where her true identity was kept secret to keep her safe. But when she defies the rules and sings a forbidden song, she unknowingly sets a chain of events that will merge a fantasy world with our own, unleashing dark demons and beasts that are hellbent on destruction. As the stakes grow higher and the danger more intense, Elora struggles to stay true to the mission while navigating the treacherous terrain of a world on the brink of destruction. Her life hangs in the balance, and every decision could mean the difference between salvation and annihilation. As the only one who can stop the impending chaos, Elora must face her darkest fears, yet the most dangerous demon of all might be herself. |
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Behind the Curtain by Maxwell Stegner The fate of an entire civilization hangs in the balance. In the depths of a top-secret CIA underground bunker, Terry Ferrow, the brilliant Director of Artificial Intelligence, dedicated his life to the "Bright Futures Project." For twenty-five years, he worked relentlessly, crafting an extraordinary AI neural brain chip that he believed would revolutionize the world. As he delved deeper into his groundbreaking creation, the world above was in turmoil. Society was ensnared in a web of mass surveillance, its inhabitants held captive by their very own minds. The once-empowered citizens now found themselves at the mercy of the corrupt government, self-proclaimed "Enlightened Ones," who exploited Terry's invention to manipulate and control the populace. When Terry discovered the monstrous consequences of his brain chip, a fierce determination ignited within him ā driven by the desire to restore freedom to a society robbed of it, he knew he had to take action. Terry must confront the cages his chips had constructed, facing formidable adversaries at every turn. Will he be able to liberate the population from the clutches of his creation, ushering in freedom? Or will he find himself trapped in a nightmarish existence, shackled by the invention he once believed would bring about a brighter future? Prepare for a heart-pounding tale of redemption, as Terry Ferrow battles against the shackles of his own creation in a race against time to salvage a world on the brink of surrendering its soul. Will humanity rise from the ashes, or succumb to the insidious grip of a technology gone awry? |
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Provenance Unknown by Sonia Nicholson An archivist without a past of her own doesnāt expect her profession to get personal. Thirty-year old single mom Michele Norman has finally found her dream job at the city archives. But while she does a deep dive into every inquiry that comes in, thereās one past she wonāt touch: her own. Besides, with a son starting kindergarten, a stack of unpaid bills, and the possibility of her work hours being cut back, she has enough to worry about. But when she discovers a forgotten French diary in the vault, it sends her on a journey from the west coast of Canada all the way to Paris, France. Will Michele be distracted by the intriguing and maddening SĆ©bastien? Or will she finally find answers to the family questions she has never been ready to ask? |
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Lost in Paradise by Rachel Lacey SOMETIMES LOVE HAS TO BE LOST BEFORE IT CAN BE FOUNDā¦ Nicole Morella boards a private Mediterranean cruise with one goal: to reclaim herself after her divorce. When she sits next to a beautiful blonde in the shipās lounge, sheās knocked off balance by the immediate attraction between them, and itās not just because Nicole hasnāt found her sea legs yet. Fiona stirs things in Nicole that havenāt been stirred in a long time, but a fiery kiss turns dangerous when the ship is hijacked. The women launch a daring escape, leaving them adrift in an empty lifeboat. Fiona Boone has been adrift most of her life, but never in such a literal sense. Sheās a survivor, though, so when they land on a deserted island, Fionaās ready to do whatever it takes to stay alive until theyāre rescued. In the meantime, she canāt get enough of the feisty woman sheās stranded with, despite her usual fiercely independent nature. Although theyāre lost, Fiona finds something unexpected in the comfort of Nicoleās touch. But when an injury puts her life in jeopardy, they begin to worry help wonāt arrive in time. If she survives their ordeal, Fiona might just face her biggest challenge yet: falling in love. |
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Christmas Creepers: A Flash Fiction Horror Story Collection by Justin Schenker Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but not for the people in these stories. In these first-person narratives, each account walks you through a terrifying experience during the Holiday season. A porch pirateās latest haul leads to a life-changing transformation. A womanās life takes a dark turn when her Secret Santa gift backfires during the office Holiday party. A grocery clerk awakens a disturbing figure on Christmas Eve. A family has a frightful encounter with a snowman. In these stories and more, it is time for you to sit back, bundle up, and take a sip from your cup of fear. |
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Rilari: Book Four of New Blood by W.D. Kilpack III April 2024 Reader's Favorite, BooksShelf.com Cover Contest ā¢ April 2024 Top Choice, BooksShelf.com ā¢ November 2023 Editor's Choice, BooksShelf.com The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Can he and the Knights of Ril resist forces bent on destroying Mankind's last hope? In the absence of the Guardian of Maarihk, the Usurperās venom has extended beyond the Gulf of Braag, seeding unrest and hatred for all things Maarihkish. Natharr and the Knights of Ril must overcome malice and the ramifications of Ellis the Elderās boundless past that even Sight cannot reveal. The Rilari stand alone in a world in turmoil as they discover the tremendous reach of the Usurperās vizier. Even the endowments of the Daemons of Order are unable to withstand the ravages of fighting to survive on Rilari loyalties. Meanwhile, Nathan and his summoned companion must rely on the teachings of both Natharr and Quiet One to carve out their place in the Maarihk Empire. Skill with a sword is only the beginning of their treacherous path, as fraught with peril as Darshelleās as she flees the animus of the ancient wood. āRilari [is] an emotional odyssey that will leave you breathless. Buckle up for a story that throws you headfirst into the world of the Rilari, where humanityās fate rests on the shoulders of a courageous, yet relatable, leader ā Natharr, Guardian of Maarihk and Knight-Marshal of the Knights of Ril (a.k.a the Rilari). Kilpack masterfully crafts Natharr as a hero brimming with both strength and vulnerability. Heās a leader who inspires with his bravery, lightens the mood with his cheeky side, and grapples with his own emotions, particularly with his relationships. Chapter 13, aptly titled āWell Come,ā stands out as a prime example of Kilpackās exceptional writing. The descriptions of the Knights of Ril facing their adversaries are so vivid, youāll feel the chill of cold rain, the steel of battle tactics and the agony of loss alongside them. Dive into the New Blood Saga, and I assure you, you wonāt be disappointed. I loved the book!ā ā Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, Australia) "Rilari is a triumph, offering an enthralling adventure filled with courage and the enduring spirit of humanity." ā BooksShelf.com "If you are tired of reading the same old books that are lackluster and forgettable, then take a chance with Rilari. I promise you that you will not be disappointed!" ā RedHeadedBookLover.com |