Snapshots of the Apocalypse by Katy Wimhurst

In these dark, witty short stories, Katy Wimhurst creates off-kilter worlds which illuminate our own. Here, knitting might cancel Armageddon. A winged being yearns to be an archaeologist. Readers are sucked into a post-apocalyptic London where the different rains are named after former politicians. An enchanted garden grows in a rented flat. Magical realism meets dystopia, with a refreshing twist.

An Orchid in My Belly Button by Katy Wimhurst

Offbeat short stories that explore our fragile world These stories savour the surreal, flirt with magical realism, dabble with dystopia. A boy sees the ghosts of dead crabs. A girl with a fox tail is bullied. A disenchanted woman sprouts orchids from her belly button. Fashion models pursue the trend of having plants as hair. Electronic goods amassing all over London herald an apocalypse. Darkness and wonder, the strange and the ordinary, interweave to offer an environmental and social portrait of our times. Guaranteed to evoke a response, whether a giggle, a gasp, or a nervous gulp, these stories will stay with you, enriching your perception of the world. Surreal, absurdist, magical realist; Katy Wimhurst writes speculative fiction that meditates on our reality. Although bleak themes are examined – dystopian futures, the climate crisis, bullying – a quirky imagination and wry humour lift the tales above the ‘realm of grim’.

The Hidden by D. Ann Hall

How will she survive… Kidnapped, tortured, amnesiac and on the brink of death. This will not be pretty!

Elysian Iris by Thanos Papathanassiou

¨T h e c h a l l e n g e a n d t h e b e t¨ Contents: 6 large-scale historical dramata of olden times; 3 petite stories, 1 petite theatrical play; 20 laconical miniatures, 8 poetical creations; 1 paraphilosophical portrait upon certain concepts; 1 quite extensive gnomicologion. Language-character: Language strikingly sophisticated [miles away from standard English]: of the so many peculiar and diversifying elements, the core- and leader-component being constituting the blatant presency of the participle [in various verb-tenses, statical (punctual, etc.), progressive (durative, continuative, iterative, etc.), primary, secondary (accessory, complementary, satellitary, subsidiary, etc.)]; apart from the current language, another 9 being encountered along the way [author's own artificial language, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Ancient Greek, old Modern Greek, Modern Greek, Italian]. Readers's rating: 5-stars and 10/10 [read. rat. of former indiv. books]. Film-making potentiality: most of the works well suited to filming. Elysian Iris by Thanos Papathanassiou is a masterpiece that will captivate readers who crave a rich, immersive experience that weaves together the threads of history, romance, and philosophy, transporting them to a world of timeless beauty and profound introspection.

The Elf Witch by Jacquelyn Gilmore

For fans of One Dark Window and From Blood and Ash comes a haunting, slow-burn fantasy romance about villains. It follows a formerly magicless elf as she suddenly comes into powers that her kingdom has never seen and the duplicitous prince she must bargain with to save them at whatever cost—even her soul. After her grandmother's execution, a formerly magicless elf is suddenly the most powerful witch in her village. Magic is disappearing, though, and Imani is thrust into the treacherous court of her kingdom, forced into trials against the most lethal witches in the world. As she unravels the perilous plan her grandmother plotted before her death to save magic, Imani unwittingly dives deeper into a web of magical and political intrigue that puts her on a collision course with dangers beyond anything she imagined. But Imani is harboring illicit knowledge of her own—a forbidden dark magic that’s getting more difficult to hide by the day. Now, she must decide whether to make herself a threat and an enemy to her country or risk becoming a pawn and the realm losing magic forever. Stuck in this predicament, Imani sees only one path forward: a dangerous deal with the duplicitous prince—one she might be falling for.

2033: The Year Things Fell Apart by Rebecca Doll & James Gordon

"A hyperreal tapestry of the death of a nation!" A disputed election…a terrifying future! Em, with her partner Ava and stepdaughter Sophia, left a tiny East Coast apartment for a lucrative IT job in Louisville that could fund their future. A disputed 2032 U.S. election and the rise of a powerful neo-fascist demagogue lays waste to her dreams while Em struggles to survive in the belly of the beast itself. Her government contract job turns out to place her in direct proximity to the most hated media figures of the new regime. She can hurt them, but at what risk in a place where her family’s queer identity makes them a target? In the rising fire of a Civil War, Em must struggle to survive and preserve something of her hopes, her family, or even herself. 2033: THE YEAR THINGS FELL APART Presents a realistic and chilling look at a dystopian world that may lie just around the corner. Beltway insider and political wonk James Gordon is writing again with Alternative Sexuality Educator Rebecca Doll to present a sobering look at a future that may be too close to our own for comfort.

The Warm Machine by Aimee Cozza

When a robot built for construction work first sees an angular, sleek prototype military robot slink onto the base he’s working outside of, he immediately falls in love. The problem is, only anomalous bots understand the concept of love, and the lowly laborbot has not deviated from his default programming once. So he thinks, anyway. When the laborbot is scheduled for decommission, the military bot cannot possibly live without him, and the two bots set out on a path to find the fabled anomalous robot utopia Root.

The Fractured Balance by N.A. Soleil

When emotionless, immortal genetic experiment Pheonix escapes the slavers’ arena and arrives in the utopian elven city of Terelath, he learns the metacosm is governed by an ideology known as ‘the balance,’ which claims the kind of evil Pheonix experienced while enslaved to be a tolerable part of the natural order. Unbeknownst to him, Pheonix is the long-awaited Ascended of Justice, and those drawn to Justice quickly gather around him. With their help, he hones his innate abilities and sets out to investigate the covert system supporting ‘the balance.’ As Pheonix begins to uncover that the metacosm’s governing bodies are chained to injustice at the core, he and his newfound allies vow to excise the corruption … even if it means all-out war.

Everdark by N.A. Soleil

Sixteen year old Redd is a runaway with psionic powers and PTSD. While escaping the parents who experimented on her, Redd unwittingly opens a portal to a planet populated by the last remnant of the angelic species. Trouble follows. With nowhere else to go, she is caught up in an intergalactic conflict: the militant, space-faring Rangers and their allies must prevent the fortress Everdark, the angels’ last bastion, from being overrun by evil forces. The abuse Redd survived takes its toll in the form of nightmares, mood swings, and paranoia — but there is comfort in combat, so she joins the front line. There, she discovers that she can wield terrible power at the behest of a mysterious entity residing somewhere within her, though the transaction is not in her favor. Clinging to an often nebulous connection to shared reality, she becomes inextricably involved with more than just the battle to protect the angels. The events of Everdark are the key to a mechanism that, with Redd and her companions as integral gears, will start a countdown. And at zero … a shift in the core of the metacosm, one written into its very code before Time began.

How to be Jewish in 30 Seconds by Rabbi Kenneth Block

I’m here to tell you - You can be Jewish in 30 seconds or less.  Hear me out. Many of my colleagues, both Jewish and Gentile, present their religions as all or nothing, insurmountable mountains of material. So, naturally, nearly everyone is going to shy away from it. Religion is like sailing. If you learn some of the basics, you can sail a boat. You’re not going to be in the America’s Cup or sail around the world, but you can love it anyway.  I think a disservice has been done to Judaism by presenting it as all or nothing –telling Jews what they can and cannot do and that you have to give up this and that. The only thing that that results in is people walking away. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can practice Judaism in just 30 seconds a week by picking a Jewish activity and, well, practicing it.

The Fragile Humans We Are by V. Walker

Step into the delicate realms of emotion with the fragile humans we volume one, a poignant collection of poetry that navigates the intricate landscapes of love, grief, and depression. This collection invites readers on a transformative journey through the highs and lows of the human experience. In this beautifully crafted compilation, Walker delves into the complexities of love, loss, and being lost. the fragile humans we are, volume one is not merely a collection of poems. It serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, celebrating the capacity for healing that resides within us all. This first edition features 13 original illustrations, beautifully crafted for the fragile humans we are volume one.

Cicada Man: The Tale of Jonny Dice by Vincent Trezor

Step into the wild, unregulated world of the crypto markets origins with “Cicada Man,” where you'll meet Jonny Dice, an erratic trader wrestling with bipolar disorder. Jonny's quest for his manic version of the American Dream often leaves him clinging on to reality. His almost true tale unfolds across an unpredictable landscape where reality is constantly rewritten.

Cicero James, Miracle Worker by Hal Emerson

My name is Cicero James, and I died last Thursday. I know how it sounds, and the rest of what I have to tell you is just going to make it worse. But it's true. I died, and I came back. And the rest of it—why it happened, what it means, and most importantly what we’re going to have to do about it—is what I need you to hear. I’m going to start at the beginning, and I’m going to tell all of this as faithfully as possible. I’m going to try to bring you along for the ride. It’s all coming out in a rush, so if I don’t tell it quite right, or if I muff a word or use bad grammar or something, try not to hold it against me. And if I don’t manage to convince you… I understand. No harm, no foul, no hard feelings. This is all insane to anyone who hasn't lived it. But if you're in, then you’re in, and here we go.

Silver Blood by T. L. Morgan

Cyrus Beldon was born to kill vampires. Or so says his indomitable family legacy. For generations, the Beldon hunters have kept the peace between humans and vampires, navigating tense diplomacy with the elite Honorable Families and eliminating threats when needed. Cyrus is content to leave the hunting and slaying to his capable older siblings, but when his oldest brother is murdered by Honorable vampires in a shocking break of the truce, Cyrus becomes determined to find out why his brother was not merely killed, but turned into a bloodthirsty creature known as a Wild vampire. Cyrus’s hunt for information on the monster that became of his brother leads him to discover an experiment suggesting that recently-turned vampires can have their humanity restored, and with this revolutionary possibility within his reach, Cyrus dares to hope for a future in which he can save vampires instead of killing them. He traces the studies back to one of the five Honorable Families, and with the help of studious and infuriatingly proud Lucien Vista, Cyrus delves into vampire biology to seek the core cause of Wild turns—and a cure for them. Amid multiple high-profile murders, rising tension between the Beldons and the Honorable Families, and dangerous sparks between Cyrus and Lucien, the truce is at a tipping point, and Cyrus and Lucien must decide how far they are willing to go to keep the peace between their families—or if it’s already too late.

The Redstone Rescue by Ben Moxon

“They say the crown lies heavy on the head of the king, but in Sataminva our crown lies on a perfectly counterbalanced plate in a display case in the Hall of Voices.” Khatin Amatar grew up in the free realm of Sataminva after the last king died in a failed war of conquest. Now she works as assistant and bodyguard to the famous detective Farid Rassamouli, helping out where community justice cannot reach. After successfully wrapping up a high-profile case they are sent from the familiar streets of the capital to a small border town where a colleague seems to be the latest in a string of disappearances. As their investigation begins, every answer just raises more questions and the shadows around the town of Redstone grow ever darker. Before their adventures are over Khatin will need her wits, her convictions, and all the skills she learnt growing up around the family fighting arena.

Short Tales: The Red Chaise and Church Business by G Barrett-Jones

“The Red Chaise" is a haunting tale set on Tree Valley Plantation, spanning generations and exploring themes of violence and retribution. At its heart, the story follows the tragic events surrounding a red chaise, a symbol of pain and suffering. From Rose's forced encounter with the enslaved Jed to the brutal re-enslavement under Dale Barrett, the chaise witnesses a cycle of torment. In a moment of supernatural retribution, Barrett meets his end, linking the fates of multiple characters and highlighting the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice. Through vivid storytelling, "The Red Chaise" captures the haunting legacy of slavery and a community's resilience. In "Church Business" The Memorial Baptist Church is rocked by scandal when Todd, a devoted member, discovers his wife’s affair with the pastor. As the church council grapples with the fallout, emotions flare, and hidden grievances surface. Amid this turmoil, Pastor Diggums lies in a coma, facing his sins in a surreal, otherworldly struggle. This tale of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption reveals the complexities of human relationships within a close-knit community.

The Mystery of the Pale King by Sam Flynn

"Tonight, my friends, the performance is real. To you, my most faithful, I dedicate this, the final production of 'The Mystery of the Pale King.'" As an orphan growing up in a distant border province, Faron took pride in the epic tales of the Hero of Hathur, a great and powerful warrior who ruled in the name of the sun-worshipping Church of the Sol Creator. That pride is shattered by accusations from the Hero's family that he squandered their entire inheritance on the production of a profane play with him at the center: "The Mystery of the Pale King." The Church proclaims him under interdict and dispatches Bishop Antonius, his devoted page Faron, and a cadre of soldiers downriver to repossess Hathur on its behalf. The cruelty they witness on their perilous mission forces them to confront the horrors at the heart of Hathur's past and question not just their devotion to the Church but their very beliefs in gods and heroes. Amid a storm of betrayal, murder, and sacrilege, Faron must survive fanatical cultists, their obscene rituals, and the evil hiding in the light in order to save Bishop Antonius from the Hero's final performance. Inspired by the historical legend of Gilles de Rais, The Mystery of the Pale King probes the roots of modern American dysfunction in a grim flintlock fantasy setting that reflects the best and worst of humanity. “While the dark, riveting The Mystery of the Pale King is set in a distant time and place, its sharp examinations of religious cults and hero worship are all too relevant to today’s world. Flynn’s clear prose leads the reader through a short yet complex tale of dark fantasy and horrors both earthbound and cosmic. It’s a gripping, highly recommended read." - Nicole Willson, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of Tidepool

Cursed Under London by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch

Two strangers. Two Londons. Two hearts that won’t stop beating… In an alternative Elizabethan London, Fang awakes from his death to discover he is not quite human anymore. In fact, despite having somehow acquired the power of immortality, he’s also not quite vampire, zombie, werewolf or any of the other supernatural beings who roam the twin cities of Upper London and its underground counterpart, Deep London. A jaded traveller from the Ming Empire, Fang is desperate to find a way to reverse the spell and get on with being dead when he stumbles upon Lazare de Quitte-Beuf, a theatrical Frenchman who is afflicted with the same mysterious condition. Thrown together by the curse they share, the two men set out to undo the strange magic that binds them. As they are drawn further into the shadowy world of Deep London, they find themselves at the centre of a dangerous plot. And when in grave danger, surely the worst thing they could do would be to fall in love, wouldn’t it?

The Wisp and the Wolf by Jeanne Renee

Meg Quinn has a promise to keep. A talented but withdrawn artist, she begrudgingly travels to the wilds of North Wales to fulfill her late mother’s dying wish—to make amends with her estranged and pregnant identical twin with whom she shares a clairvoyant bond. But before Meg can reach her sister, an inexplicable encounter with an eldritch yew tree thrusts her deep into the past. The year is now 1402 and the native people of Wales, the Cymry, are locked in an ambitious uprising against England. Here Meg meets Steffan Blaidd, a war-weary Welsh archer who finds himself outlawed by a powerful rival and forced to join the revolt after saving Meg’s life—a revolt Meg knows to be doomed. Plunged into the harsh, vibrant world of the Cymry, Meg knows the mystical connection with her sister demands resolution—as does her growing affection for Steffan and the world to which he belongs. Torn between desire and duty, the future and the past, Meg must discover her own strength if she is to survive the treacheries of war and grasp her true fate.

Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland

Tam Becket has hated Lord Lyford since they were boys. The fact that he’s also been sleeping with the man for the last ten years is irrelevant. When they were both nine years old, Lyford smashed Tam’s entry into the village’s vegetable competition. Nearly twenty years later, Tam hasn’t forgiven the bastard. No one understands how deeply he was hurt that day, how it set a pattern of small disappointments and misfortunes that would run through the rest of his life. Now Tam has reconciled himself to the fact that love and affection are for other people, that the gods don’t care and won’t answer any of his prayers (not even the one about afflicting Lyford with a case of flesh-eating spiders to chew off his privates), and that life is inherently mundane, joyless, and drab. And then, the very last straw: Tam discovers that Lyford (of all people!) bears the divine favor of Angarat, the goddess Tam feels most betrayed and abandoned by. In his hurt and anger, Tam packs up and prepares to leave the village for good. But the journey doesn’t take him far, and Tam soon finds himself set on a quest for the most difficult of all possible prizes: Self care, forgiveness, a second chance... and somehow the unbelievably precious knowledge that there is at least one person who loves Tam for exactly who he is—and always has.

The Haunting of Maddy McKenzie by Steve Rogan

The Haunting of Maddy McKenzie Maddy McKenzie [mmm, why does that compel me to sing about darning my socks all by myself late at night?]. Oh well. Anyhoo. Maddy’s a 36-year-old Wollongong detective, and a hard-line sceptic to boot; she doesn’t even believe in believing in the belief of believing those beliefs. After buying and moving into a house at Thirroul, which the realtor warned her was haunted, Maddy is forced to put her scepticism aside and come to accept that there may just be some substance to this spirit-world hoohah. As always, someone’s mother is intrinsically involved. Delphine Morgan, psychedelic hippy-type beach bunny, was murdered in Maddy’s new house in August of 1969 and, as a result, missed Woodstock by a week and a rippin’ little grand final between the Tigers and the Rabbitohs in September. Unless her killer is caught, belted with a phonebook by an angry old desk Sergeant and brought to justice before he dies, Delphine will be stuck in the wrong realm and inherit her killer’s violence for eternity, thus rendering her one of those annoyingly nasty spectres that aren’t too welcome at dinner parties. Delphine’s only chance is if Maddy reopens her cold-case investigation and tracks the old codger down before he runs out of puff. That’s the tear-jerker part of the story; the rest is just an utter load of old tosh!

Silent is the Sword by Evelyn Grimald Stone

Elyria Trevain is shrouded by silence and surrounded by books. She speaks only to those she trusts implicitly, using the signed language with the rest of the world. Her life in the Great Archives is full of quiet and the whisper of paper and ink that her scribe magic controls. It is a quiet life. A good life built upon the ruins of her past. Until one day her city is attacked and the man she thinks she loves is kidnapped. Elyria volunteers to go after him, knowing that the path will take her to the childhood home she swore to forget. Accompanied by a mysterious cat who speaks to her of books and magic, she ventures into the world beyond the Archives. Into a world of forgotten sorcery rediscovered. Into a world of dead gods and a tormented angel that fills her dreams. Into a world where her silence is not just a shroud, but a weapon. Silent is the Sword is an epic fantasy where the forgotten past is rearing its head, where magic takes hold, and where love crosses memory and magic to keep the world from burning.

Dandera: Thunder Underground by H.T. Schwartz

Dive Into the Depths of Dandera - An Inner-Earth Fantasy Adventure In the aftermath of the Civil War, Thomas Lloyd, a spirited young mine manager from Kentucky, is driven to breathe new life into his beleaguered town. But as townsfolk vanish without a trace, his quest for answers thrusts him into the mysterious underworld of Dandera—a place where ancient myths pulse with life and hidden cities glow with wonder. Within this vast cavernous underworld, Thomas finds himself entwined in an epochal clash—a war echoing with the primal forces of love and fear. Guided by the enigmatic Pharli, a princess of the radiant Ash-Asha, Thomas's journey becomes more than a quest for the lost but a pilgrimage of the soul. The strings of destiny whisper of a time prophesied where humanity's path would hinge upon a collective choice. Amidst this strife, where the machinations of the shadowy lord Kalaron threaten to tilt the cosmos into eternal darkness, it is upon Thomas and his new friends to tip the scales of fate. Dandera weaves subterranean fantasy, epic romance, and the stark realities of war into a rich tapestry of transcendental adventure.

Liminal Space by Vicki-Ann Bush

Two worlds, a desperate fate, and the secret that binds them. A weekend getaway turns dark when friends Jesse and Micah witness a woman drenched in blood screaming in the middle of a casino. Security quickly whisks the woman away and the two friends are left shaken. Trying to get past what they saw, they attempt to move forward with their plans. But when mysterious events continue to occur, like a town appearing and disappearing from the view in their hotel room, the girls begin to wonder if their weekend getaway is a weekend nightmare. Their curiosity drives them to seek out and investigate the vanishing town. Initiating a journey that leads to a truth much bigger than they could ever have imagined and changing their lives forever.

Vengeance Borne: Book Five of New Blood by W.D. Kilpack III

January 2025 Editor's Choice, BooksShelf.com The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Can Natharr, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril endure tragedy to stave off Mankind's dark future? The past and present collide, forcing Natharr and the rest of the Rilari to struggle with the consequences of their absence, past choices, and the power of the Usurper’s vizier left unchecked for far too long. The strain proves too much for some, requiring hard decisions to prepare for a dark future racing toward the Guardian of Maarihk, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril. All that two generations of Guardians have planned from what their Sight revealed is on the brink of failure. They split their forces to race against time, gambling that thinner numbers will endure on diverging paths toward victory. Meanwhile, Nathan fights to deal with great loss and a change of course in his life in the Maarihk Empire as it plants new seeds yearning for a single goal: vengeance. "W.D. Kilpack III writes an outstanding new volume! In Vengeance Borne, the reader is brought right back into the New Blood Saga. If you haven't read the volumes before it, I recommend that you do. You get a better understanding of the characters, their growth throughout this epic saga, but also who is important, and who may just be in the background, but everyone has their purpose in the story. I am a big fan of this author, and especially this saga. It is a long story with a lot of needed detail and it is full of action, twists and unpredictability. This story is a definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down! It is a gripping and incredible story. It is always an honor to read Kilpack's books. It's a great plot to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. Natharr once again has to save humanity, or at least mankind, as it is dependent on the Guardian. This story brings the past and present to the forefront, and sparks definitely fly! Some are determined to keep their world, while others may be defeated. Vengeance Borne is a definite recommendation!" — Amy's Bookshelf Reviews

Sol Accords: Starbourne by DG Podporski

Everyday life for Jaeden Starbourne has been challenging for as long as he can remember, which as it happens, isn’t quite as long as one might think. In fact, Jaeden can’t remember anything that happened more than five years ago. He woke up aboard a medical space station with no identity, no family, no friends, no money, and no clue what to do next. For someone without a past, finding work was never an issue. Finding honest work above-board that didn’t include illegal activity was the challenge. Securing a dangerous job as an orbital shipbreaker was by no means Jaeden’s first choice, but in this galaxy and given his circumstances, beggars can’t be choosers. As his life in this new and unfamiliar place begins to spiral uncontrollably around him, Jaeden quickly finds himself crossing paths with criminal syndicates, mercenary companies, and worst of all, a corporate Technologist; an agent with artificial enhancements that grant the user nearly limitless abilities. Not having a past is no longer Jaeden Starbourne’s biggest issue, because if he’s not careful, he’ll lose his future as well.

Gellert's New Job by Johannes T. Evans

Gellert has worked as a business manager for the King family for nearly a decade when an error in judgement brings his employment to an abrupt end. Lucien Pike, a rival kingpin, employs his services instead. Fantasy, crime, and a good bit of dark humour. 21k. Rated M. Transgender, autistic man’s POV; both protagonists are autistic.

How I Found Her by Brendan Halpin

Jen lost her job and her husband (and the contents of their joint bank accounts) in the same week, going from wealthy to working class overnight. Struggling to make ends meet as a gig worker, she enters an apartment for a dog walk and finds the murdered body of the woman her husband left her for. The police believe Jen is the killer and aren’t interested in any other suspects, so it’s up to Jen, with the help of her college-aged daughter and her fellow gig worker and new friend Susan, to find the real killer.

Daughters of the Wind: Bloodline Progenitors, book 2 by Leigh Saunders

Janek, Grand Vizir of Kushar, has done the unthinkable, kidnapping the last known weather witches – the twin daughters of the Gerlachi king – in an effort to claim the gift of their bloodline magic for the Kushari people. But rumors of weather witches in Kushar are spreading, sending Zoya, spymaster of Tzigane, on a quest to learn if they are, in fact, her queen’s missing sisters. At the same time, the twins, chafing at the gilded cage of their long confinement, have demands of their own – demands which may disrupt Janek’s carefully orchestrated plans, thwart Zoya’s rescue efforts, and shatter centuries of fragile peace between their three countries.

The Source of Strife by Alex Arch

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Only stolen. Mages feed on catalysts like Dinnie to enhance their spells, and since she’s the most formidable weapon alive, they will stop at nothing to control her. Even her parents, leaders of warring realms, wage a battle for her custody, imprisoning her to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand. No more. For the first time in her fourteen years, Dinnie isn’t alone. With the help of Ghost, a glum deserter shackled to his past, she intends to flee this madness. But as they witness the horrors unleashed to retrieve her, one thing becomes clear: Her parents will never abandon their claim. Death and destruction follow in Dinnie’s wake, and she must decide if her freedom is worth the cost.

Queen of Sand and Stone by Leigh Saunders

For centuries, the weather witches have ruled Nizam, protecting the oasis city from the devastating sandstorms that threaten its existence. But the aging queen is dying, and Yolara, the heir to the throne, does not possess the gift of weather magic found only in her family line. Hers is the power over stone, the ability to command the shifting sands - but not the winds that drive them across the desert. Will those who question Yolara's right to rule be proven right? Or can Yolara find a way to defend the city that does not rely on weather magic? Time is short, for the storm season is upon them, and the next storm could reach the city any day...

My Journey as an Author by M. C. Ryder

I've always been a writer. My dream was to one day become a published author. That dream came true in October 2022. The dream was only the beginning as I had my work cut out for me. A published book does not sell overnight. There are many highs and many lows. I entered a world that I had no experience in. Choose the freedom of becoming an indie author, without a network. I had to build one from the ground up. A daunting task. The world is not what it used to be. Everything now is digitalized. It can be hard to recognize what is legit and what is a scam. It's a cutthroat business. Crafting stories was actually, believe it or not, the easy part. Follow my journey as I share the things that I learned during the course of a year as an indie author.

Midnight Falls by John Evans

After a series of disappointments and mishaps at college, Josh Blevins returns to his small hometown, loyal dog in tow, and begrudgingly settles in. Though he feels like a failure and his life is at a crossroads, he’s made new friends and even found a girl. But the pleasant façade of Midnight Falls he remembered from childhood hides a sinister evil. One that goes beyond the hate festering within the borders and etched in the streets to something much deeper and chilling. Anyone and everyone could be a monster lurking behind the mask of hospitality. Knowing who to trust is impossible, especially when he’s constantly butting heads with the sheriff, who has a grudge against him, an axe to grind, and no intentions of burying it unless it’s in Josh’s back.

The Fall of Selvandrea by Tim J. McKay

Remember the wolf. Remember what's out there in the dark. Valdaris was a middling artillery captain before his people fell to a conquering rival. Then he fell further still, snatched from the battlefield by a ruthless cult and cast into the depths of ultimate evil. Transformed by powers he can’t begin to understand, Valdaris seeks revenge on those who tried to destroy him. Instead, he’ll face monsters beyond his most terrifying nightmares. He joins with allies caught in the chaos of his war with evil, oblivious to his true nature and the darkness closing in on their world. Full of dragons, monsters, found family, magical weapons, intense duels, and epic battles, The Fall of Selvandrea follows a vigilante’s quest against malice, greed, and the shadow within. Heroes and villains join against the rising dark, and against a tyrant whose schemes may destroy them all. And from calamity’s ashes, a new power shall rise.

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles

Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle’s chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing...until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else. Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan—charming, cultured, oddly attractive—steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger. And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again. But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides—and Kim is the only man who can help. A 1920s m/m romance trilogy in the spirit of Golden Age pulp fiction.

Something New by Jacqueline Ramsden

The “something new” at your sister’s wedding is supposed to be your sexuality, right? Thea Cooper is heading to her sister’s wedding in Montana for Christmas. The problem is that her ex is going to be there, and her mother is hoping they’ll rekindle their romance. All Thea wants is to enjoy the lodge, the holiday, and celebrate her sister. Erin Foxglove, wedding planner extraordinaire, is giving up her Christmas to work the Cooper-Perez wedding. Despite her best friend’s hopes that she’ll at least reward herself with a fun little fling while she’s away, Erin isn’t interested. She’s there to do a job and she has her rules about not sleeping with clients. That is, until she meets Thea. As sparks fly between them, Thea realizes she might not be as straight as everyone thinks, and Erin finds some people are worth breaking her rules for. But, faced with an expiration date on their time at the mountain retreat together, will their romance fizzle out or will they get everything they’re wishing for? Something New is a low-angst, toaster-oven holiday romance featuring forced proximity, and a vacation romance with a wedding planner. Content warnings for open-door sex scenes.

Supersized Bubblegum by E.A. Noble

In a world filled with superheroes, supervillains, and delectable snacks, four Fatty Baddies kick off their girls' night with a snack hunt. They never expected to be caught in a superpowered fight for their lives. Stuck in a sticky situation, one of their crew vanishes. With no one to turn to, the Fatty Baddies join forces with a shady duo in order to get their friend returned. This newfound team must employ their wits and extraordinary gifts to unravel an evil plot that could forever snatch away the people they love. And, oh yeah. Fat chicks gaining superpowers by eating bubblegum. That totally happens. Brace yourself for a sugar explosion as the Fatty Baddies chew their way to the truth!

Falls From Grace by Ruby Landers

Savannah Grace is a huge star in Nashville. At least, she was. Her hit band Twice Struck topped the country music charts for almost a decade until her high profile marriage to her bandmate and co-writer publicly exploded. Now she’s fading from the spotlight and her own life, just trying to keep her head above water. Brynn Marshall is a little lost. Dropping out of med school made her the black sheep of the family and now she’s floating around LA trying to find a sense of purpose. When she falls down on her luck, her best friend - indie musician Noah Lyman - refuses to let her wallow. After all, he’s just got his big break, co-writing with a megastar! When Savannah enlists Noah to help her break out of country music and make a name for herself for once and for all, what better way to do it than to spend the winter in her secluded vacation home in the woods of Vermont? And what better way for Noah to help out a friend than to pretend he’s bringing along his wife? After all, what could possibly go wrong? If you would appreciate any content warnings please check my website

In the Name of Honor by Courtney & Clarke Collins

What would you risk to save someone you loved from a fate worse than death? A half-elven princess, grieving the loss of one father and fearing for the other. A loyal guardsman, torn between his oath to the king and her safety. And a creature so bent on revenge, he’ll make the world kneel to hurt them all. Of all the messages Dimitar’s carried, he now delivers the worst of all: vile Corrupted creatures have returned and murdered the king’s best friend. The king leaves to seek retribution, and gives Dimitar an order he doesn’t expect: guard the princess, Kaleela. When Corruptors then kidnap her father, she insists on rescuing him. Dimitar must break his vow to keep her safe in the kingdom, and together infiltrate the enemy’s lair… unless the Corrupted capture Kaleela first. Fans of epic fantasy with romance will fall into this character-driven world and thrilling new adventure, where a rescue mission turns into a chase, and only the princess or the king can be saved.

An Empty Embrace by Cyril Mezden

Submit. Repent. Obey. Celest was raised to follow. Trained from an early age to be a cleric, the elf has lived his life fully devoted to the goddess of the sun and the doctrine of his citadel. Newly paired with his teammates, Sable, a quick-witted halfling witch, and Viktor, a bull-headed half-orc warrior, the three are swallowed into a dark city, long forgotten by the world from which they came. There, they find a family wracked by fear. A man of unquenchable thirst haunts the rain-soaked nights, preying off the living. But, when his interest is piqued upon first meeting the considerate Celest, all else seems unimportant. Armed with unnatural beauty, a silver tongue, and a wicked smile, the vampire begins his intimate pursuit to cage the cleric’s heart. AN EMPTY EMBRACE is a chilling tale of queer love and twisted intentions.

Scars of the Golden Dancer by NightEyes DaySpring

Life on the edge of the desert has never been easy, especially for the jackal prostitute and sword dancer, Zayn. After selling his wares at auction to a hyena sellsword by the name of Naji, Zayn realizes Naji can help him find a better life, Just as Zayn's dreams are coming true, problems from Naji's past catch up to him. The jackal will have to move quickly to save the hyena or risk losing him forever.

Rafts by Utunu

Kunet, a young human pearl diver from a small coastal fishing village, seeks to prove himself. Yet when the gods of sea and sky clash, it wreaks havoc on those caught between. In the wake of catastrophe, he finds himself adrift with an unexpected companion. Torn from their homes and everything they once knew, two strangers must now work together to survive, even as an unlikely relationship blossoms between them.

The Secrets That They Keep by T.M. Lore

The Secrets That They Keep is a gritty and dark thriller with morally complex characters. Alyx Beck is caught in a nasty web. Driven by her determination to care for her neurodivergent twin brother she navigates a treacherous world where sex and money intertwine. As events spiral, both their lives hang in the balance and survival becomes the ultimate goal. Sometimes for the fly to survive it must kill the spider. Alyx has to fake it several times a day. Fake the desire, the lust, and the orgasms. What she doesn't have to fake is her love for her neurodivergent twin brother or her allegiance to her employer. She'll do whatever her handler requires of her. They've taken care of her since her parents died tragically, and they've never steered her wrong. They pay her well so she can care for her brother's needs, too. However, when Alyx's driver/bodyguard-and only friend- Sasha, goes missing with $100K, her devotion can no longer shield her from her handler's wrath. As events spiral Alyx realizes-a little too late-that she has been backing the wrong people. She's caught in a sticky web and there is only one way out-but she may have to get a little blood on her hands.It's Promising Young Woman meets Filthy Rich, with a touch of Haunting Adeline, Gone Girl, and Luckiest Girl Alive.This dark thriller has a female protagonist, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters

Bound By Mischief by J. Lynn Carr

Harvest Rosenbloom hasn’t always been the best sister—but, by mischief, she’s going to make things right again, no matter the cost. Harvest has magic in her veins and a second-sight that sets her apart, but at the Bureau’s missing persons division, her talents are gathering dust. Stuck behind a desk and drowning in paperwork, she knows she’s capable of more, if only her boss would see it. Everything changes when Harvest receives a desperate, cryptic message from her estranged sister, Hazel. Haunted by years of guilt and missed opportunities, Harvest is determined to find her sister and make amends. She teams up with Agent Quinn, a centuries-old vampire who’s seen it all, or so he thinks. What starts as a seemingly straightforward investigation brings them to the seedy underbelly of a vampire criminal network to Death's door and beyond. Can they solve the mystery before time runs out, or will Harvest lose her sister forever?

Oceansong by C.W. Rose

Fish are mysteriously disappearing, starving the people in Angie Song’s Alaskan hometown. Angie, a snarky, guarded aspiring marine biologist and dock worker, enthusiastically joins the hunt to find out where the fish are gathering. When her family and the villagers discover that merfolk are responsible, they vow to destroy every last one. In the midst of the conflict, Angie faces off with a merman and fails to pull the trigger. Inquisitive Mer-Prince Kaden is just as snarky as Angie, but he’s willing to talk and stop the brutal massacring of his people. The two form a cautious alliance to broker peace between the humans and mer before any more of them die. As tensions clash between the two races fighting to control the sea’s resources, Angie and Kaden’s forbidden relationship ignites. And as she learns about the mer’s mysterious world and the reason why the fish are gone, Angie starts to question who the true monster is, and where her loyalties lie. Taking the wrong side means choosing between family and her job, or the man she’s fallen for and the merfolk she’s come to respect—or losing it all.

The Owlbear and the Omens by Aengie Scevity

Imperial Princess Phosphoria of the Zekzterian Empire is desperate to survive the inevitable culling of her father’s harem, when an opportunity arises. In the conquered land of Great Leven, her dying brother is an heirless king until Phosphoria wins the right to his throne. To secure her rule, Phosphoria announces a tour of the country and trials for her hand, but when servants and nobles alike are murdered, she discovers that the harem she escaped might just be the key to stay the infighting. However, a queen’s harem will be no easy feat as the lords of Great Leven will never accept the proposal and Phosphoria is unable to lie; she is Blessed by the Owlbear, forced to see and speak only the truth. Further complications arise from rebels loyal to the usurped royal line, and the reappearance of the true heir: the Lost Prince Osbeorn Auber of Great Leven, whose coming was foretold in omens upon the wind. By marrying many, Phosphoria runs the risk of marrying the murderer in her midst, but she must fight tradition if she is to succeed against the rebels, the murderer, and the lords of Great Leven itself. As for Osbeorn, he must come to terms with the darkness of his past before he can look to the future of his country.

Marthas Notebook: A Zombie Apocalypse Trilogy by C. Fulster

Before the incident, Martha’s biggest worry was her parents’ divorce. Now she’s hiding from a zombie horde hell-bent on annihilating humankind nicknamed “Chippers.” However, this attack wasn’t spurred by a viral outbreak. Rather, these zombies seem to be puppets of an AI technology gone rogue, and with every day that passes, it’s learning more about how to accomplish its sinister goal. But why is an AI creating, controlling, and upgrading zombies—and more importantly, how do you stop an ultra-intelligent, world-ending technology that can shift course at a moment’s notice? Only one thing is there’s no going back. Martha’s Notebook is the electrifying first installment of a new sci-fi horror trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist. Jam-packed with survival, suspense, and existential dread, it’s sure to satisfy any post-apocalyptic fiction enthusiast.

Priya Echo's Adventure - Book 4 - Transcendence by David Gold

In the dream world of the Echo Realm, the Ascencion War has erupted, with Echo's forces fighting the Alliance. In the real world, Priya Echo continues her battle against the evil wizard Telenon. She will have to rescue a friend from Telenon's castle, return to the university as it is under siege by Telenon's forces, then face him in one climactic final battle. Priya must find a way to upgrade her magical powers. The only way she can win ... is to achieve Transcendence!

Priya Echo's Adventure - Book 1 - Awakening by David Gold

Hello, my name is Echo. Priya Echo is a super nerdy, shy lab scientist at university when one day an experiment goes wrong and gives her magic powers! After falling into her own dream land, she discovers that she has echo powers! Priya awakens and soon meets three kick ass girls who let her into their group, Nadine, Felicia and Dominique. Her so-called friends, who are really bad at not using peer pressure, set her up with a cute guy named Eric. He just wants a normal girlfriend and cannot seem to figure her out. Then one day the university is visited by a famous wizard named Telenon. After a standoff, Priya learns that he wants to steal the entire world's magic. The shy lab girl must learn how to become a brave hero. That is simple enough. Priya already has amazing powers. There is just one tiny little problem. She is too silly! Can Priya learn to be less silly in time to save the world? Maybe she'll end up as one of those legendary heroes with a crazy sword! Come Find Out! A wonderful read for lovers of fantasy, recommended 18 years of age and up.

The Spectral Scoop by Leighton Rae Smith

Mansion makeover? More like mansion mystery! Kayla, a journalist with a nose for trouble (and maybe the handsome new man in town?), has her sights set on a renovation project with a secret past. Spooky sounds, a tight-lipped cousin, and a charming contractor with his own questions pull her into a whirlwind of renovation reveals and undeniable sparks. With Halloween approaching, can Kayla crack the code of Hickory Manor before it’s too late? Dive into this quirky love-at-first-sight renovation romance with a touch of the paranormal – it's history, mystery, and a happily ever after, all under one (very haunted) roof! The Spectral Scoop is the first installment in the Hickory Hill small-town paranormal romance series.