How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

A new adventure begins... Every starship wanting to use the veiled dimension of Quantum Space as a shortcut around the physical distance between planets and stars needs a Florivan to run the Drive. Every Florivan QSD Engineer needs an Astral Navigator to orient them and keep them anchored to Normal space. Finding the right human to be their life-long counterpart is one of the most important choices a young Florivan ever makes. What happens, then, to someone like Ocean Merlani Barker, who can’t seem to click with any of the highly qualified Navigator prospects their instructors have to offer? Ocean themself seems content to spend their second year in the Nav/Quan training program alone and taking extra classes for their secondary degree in geosciences. Content, that is, until a chance encounter with a certain graduating student from the Security and Tactical program changes the course of their life forever… The way forward isn't always the path that we expect. How Ocean Merlani Stole their Navigator: A Strange Space™ Novel is the third installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Celadon: A Strange Space Novel by Katie Silverwings

It's the dawn of a new era... The Novan War has just begun. All that stands between humanity and utter destruction are the ships of the Sol Coalition Defense Fleet. The only problem? None of those ships are equipped with the all-important Quantum Space Drive which allows humanity to travel between planets and stars at a reasonable scale of time. The Drive needs Florivan QSD Engineers to run it, and Florivans are pacifists. Their Council of Elders has never allowed service on military vessels. The Fleet can do little more than sit at the edges of the Coalition’s seven member systems and wait for the Novans to attack. Celadon Toreval is the Youngest of the Florivan Council of Elders. If anyone can come to Fleet Admiral Marvin’s aid and help her save her people—and theirs—it’s them. Celadon, though, has their own reasons to get involved... The time to act has come. Celadon: A Strange Space™ Novel received the 2023 Richard Wright Literary Award for Best Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy from the Memphis Public Libraries. It is the second installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space Novella by Katie Silverwings

Something new is about to hatch... Dr. Ariadne Salzar-Newman is not a mad scientist. She is a scientist—a brilliant one at that—but she’s hardly mad. If one asks MSS Venture’s staff psychologist and QSD Engineer, the Florivan Elder Navy Irleeim, she’s only “amusingly eccentric, with a bit more of a fascination with the Strange than is healthy for a human.” That fascination has her once again working with the dangerous miasmas of Quantum Space, in hopes of making travel through that veiled dimension safer for human starships. It’s not particularly safe for a scientist, for sure. Still, having taken Navy’s apprentice under her wing as a part-time assistant, she’s safer than usual. Working with her is good for Cobalt Mereday, too, if only because her unique brand of oddity seems to be the only thing capable of helping them. Even Dr. Salzar-Newman has no reason to suspect just how much of an effect this particular project will have on her family and her protégé, nor how far-reaching the consequences will be. Little Bernadette is not an ordinary budgerigar... Feathered Friendship: A Strange Space™ Novella is the first installment in Katie Silverwings’ award-winning Strange Space™ Adventures series of optimistic science fiction stories. Featuring friendly aliens, the occasional talking bird, and a future in which people are accepted for who they are, the world of Strange Space™ offers tales of adventure and friendship for readers of all ages.

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Clothes teaches children how to choose the best clothes for the day, with interactive pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of the hard "TH" sound. Sparkle Kitty is off to see Grandma Sparkle today! But first, Sparkle Kitty needs to get dressed for the day. There are so many things to think about when picking out your clothes. Can you help Sparkle Kitty pick out the perfect outfit? Recommended Age: 1-5 Word Count: 343 words Lexile Level: 580 Phonics Focus: hard "TH" sound

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun by Amy Coles

Sparkle Kitty vs. the Sun teaches children about sun safety with interactive search-and-find pages and whimsical illustrations. For children learning to read, this story has a phonics focus of "IGHT". Sparkle Kitty wants only one thing today: to play outside. But the sun is too BRIGHT! And the sun is too HOT! If only someone could help Sparkle Kitty find everything they need to stay happy and safe in the sun... Recommended Age: 3-8 Recommended Grade: K-3 Word Count: 415 words Lexile Level: 880 Phonics Focus: "IGHT"

Searching for Zen by Albert T Franklin

Our story begins on Earth, but an Earth with a past steeped in fantasy, myths, and legends. From humble beginnings, a boy is given a divine destiny, a chance to make his mark on human civilization, but he must embark upon a life-changing journey. Our hero struggles to understand what he has been given and what to do with it, losing himself in doubt and loneliness as he confronts the dark side of humanity. Coming of age, Zen finds strength in himself, builds a family from a motley collection of strangers, and discovers love. His newfound friends help him open up, learn to trust others, and eventually understand his reason for fighting. The trials he faces throughout his quest amplify as his power increases, and he even sparks the ire of those in the spirit realm, who doubt any human can wield such power successfully.

Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth by Justin Marlowe

Through candid anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Justin Marlowe's Perfect Strangers delves into the challenges of growing up in an era still reverberating from the Civil Rights movement. This poignant memoir captures the dual narratives of Justin and his childhood best friend, Nicos, two African American adolescents navigating the complexities of suburban life in the late '80s and early '90s. Their stories explore the universal struggles of youth—romance, socialization, and mental health—against the backdrop of racial and class tensions. The intertwining experiences of Justin and Nicos reveal a nuanced portrayal of teenage confusion and family dynamics, offering a unique perspective on suburban black life. Marlowe's raw honesty bridges generational divides, presenting a narrative that resonates with readers across diverse backgrounds. Perfect Strangers is a compelling account of friendship, identity, resilience, and pop culture illuminating the shared human experience in a divided world. This is a story that speaks to the heart of our collective struggles, told with unapologetic authenticity.

The Things We Lose in the Dark by Sayword B. Eller

Sexual abuse survivor Zedwynne doesn't need anyone. Except when she wakes up from a failed suicide attempt with nowhere else to go but back into the loving arms of an overbearing mother and overprotective sister, and back to the town that almost destroyed her. Despite best efforts to keep her head down and avoid people, Zedwynne becomes invested in the lives of many through work at a local diner, and her therapy group of fellow second chancers. As these relationships grow and become more complicated, Zed begins to realize life isn't about what happens to you, but what you do with what's left. As she starts to figure out how to handle what she’s been left with, Zedwynne learns the man who abused her is dying, and she must decide if she'll let him die without facing what he's done, or confront him and risk upending her precarious progress.

Taking to the Skies by Simon Brading

Many young men and women join the Royal Aviator Corps dreaming of one day being fighter pilots and Britain needs as many of them in the cockpits of Spitsteams and Harridans as it can get. It takes hard work, dedication and not a little talent to become a fighter pilot, though, and many don’t make the grade. The intake of recruits from the Midlands in July 1941 is disappointingly small, with only eight cadets joining up and only six of them wanting to be pilots. Will any of them prove that they have what it takes to form part of the front line of defence of the Kingdom of Great Britain against the imminent Prussian invasion? Taking to the Skies is the tenth in the Misfit Squadron series, but is the first that can be read as a standalone novel. It is also suitable for younger audiences.

Beyond Hope by Rob Neto

What do you do when you become separated from your dive buddy during a cave dive? How long do you look for your dive buddy? How far do you push your breathing air reserves before deciding you need to save yourself and exit the cave? Beyond Hope goes in a completely different direction from Rob Neto's previous two books. The entire story takes place underwater during a cave dive.Joey and Lindsey take their first trip to Mexico to see what the underwater caves there have to offer. One of the cave dives they do proves to be challenging, very challenging. It also pushes Joey and Lindsey to their limits while testing their faith and having them question some of their life choices. Three people. Three hours. It’s a race against time. It’s a race to stay alive. Joey Simmons and Lindsey Carter are back. This time they take you to Cozumel, Mexico, where they enter a cave with their friend, Gary. They become separated from each other more than 2000 feet inside the cave. They frantically search for each other as they breathe the limited air in their scuba tanks. Will they find each other? Will they make it out of the cave alive? Or are they Beyond Hope?

Into the Darkness Beyond by Rob Neto

Winner of the 2024 Bronze Global Book Award in Suspense Action! Lies, Suspense, Deceit. Joey Simmons doesn't always make the best decision, even after getting certified as a cave diver. He's found himself in another situation, this time more than 2000 feet from the cave opening, and it almost cost him his life. He was able to get himself out of it. Only this time, someone else took credit for rescuing Joey. Not only that, but this person exaggerated the details of the rescue and made Joey look bad, very bad. Now Joey needs to figure out a way to redeem himself and repair his reputation. Joey enlists the help of his girlfriend, Lindsey Carter, as well as two new friends, and they try to figure out what to do. But the situation gets worse and Lindsey gets caught in the middle. How will Joey and Lindsey be able to make things right?

Beyond the Grate by Rob Neto

In 2010, a diver named Ben McDaniel was seen diving Vortex Spring in Ponce de Leon, Florida. Someone noticed his truck parked one the property, but Ben hadn't been seen in two days. Rob Neto was one of the divers called out to go into the cave at Vortex Spring to look for Ben's body and bring it out to his family. Rob went to the back of the cave where it gets too small for a person to fit. He checked the two small offshoot tunnels. He didn't find the body. Several other divers looked over the next few weeks. Ben's body was never found. More than fourteen years later, we still don't know what happened to Ben McDaniel. In 1991, a metal grate was placed about 300 feet inside the cave after 13 divers had died in there. It was placed there to prevent divers from going into the smaller, deeper part of the cave. After Ben's disappearance, we learned he had been manipulating the grate and going into the cave beyond it. Someone even admitted to knowing Ben was doing this. The owner of the springs was facing charges of aggravated assault for beating an employee with a baseball bat. Later, he died under mysterious circumstances. Did Ben die in that cave in August 2010? Did someone find his body, remove it, and dispose of it to avoid bad publicity? This is where the truth ends, and the story begins. Beyond the Grate is a thriller that explores one possible explanation for the disappearance of Ben McDaniel. Could this story be true? Winner of the 2023 Silver Global Book Award in Thrillers and Suspense! * * * Far inside a dark underwater cave someone placed a grate to keep divers out of the reaches beyond. But the grate doesn’t keep everyone out. Joey Simmons had only recently gotten scuba certified. But he was already doing dives far more advanced than his skill level - cave diving, decompression diving, deep diving in the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the night. Part of this was out of his own carelessness. Part of it was because he was being manipulated. Read what happens when Joey makes an unexpected discovery and naively tells someone he thinks he can trust, only to find himself in a position where he is forced to lie to his parents, lie to the police, and lie to the woman he has fallen in love with. All while also having to protect her from the same evil man that is controlling Joey. Inspired by true events.

The Guardian by Alison Tracy

Living in a corporate-run dystopia, directed by a God she doesn’t trust, can a young prophet inspire enough faith in herself and others to make her world worthy of salvation? Fourteen-year-old Iliya Rusul only wants a job to keep her family from starvation. Instead, she’s pushed to leave everything she knows and loves to be a prophet, preparing the world for the returning Messiah. Worse, the God directing Iliya doesn’t seem to care about her family or potentially hurting people to strengthen Iliya’s miracles as holy propaganda. And every miracle costs a portion of her life. Upon discovering the corruption and suffering beyond her village, Iliya wants to save the world from the ruling political corporations. With help from inspired followers, she builds a coordinated relief program to redistribute wealth and power. But whenever her charitable focus strays from God’s clandestine plan, God raises the cost of miracles. Losing money and credibility due to Iliya’s work and growing popularity, the global CEOs in power further consolidate world resources for themselves through hostile takeovers and send out their best assassins to stop Iliya. Can she save those she loves and prepare the world for salvation before she runs out of life?

Redeem Me by Miranda Faye

Evelyn Mayhew knows two things. That it should be a blessing to be raised by a man of the Lord. And that it should be a privilege to be betrothed to a man of power. But when her awakening thoughts lead her not only away from the blind obedience she has been raised for but also toward a stranger offering her a glimpse of freedom, Evelyn is put at a crossroads. Should she choose the shelter of a life confined, or risk the unknown with the man who would set her world — and her heart — on fire?

Scythe and Pen by A.C. Hobbs

Demetrius Raske strikes a deal with the Devil to stop a monster stalking the city, but he may have unleashed another villain entirely… The Capital of the United League of Nations glitters like jewels on a dame’s neck—a city of wicked splendor and possibility. The deals struck in the Senate are as ruthless as the ones struck in the city’s criminal underbelly. No one knows this better than vampire politician Demetrius Raske, who walks both worlds. Demetrius fights for a bill that will grant humans and vampires equal civil liberties. But many citizens don’t share his sentiment, especially after the murders begin. Body after body, drained of blood, appear throughout the city, threatening the League’s tenuous peace treaty between humans and vampires. If Demetrius’s bill doesn’t pass the Senate, his campaign for a united future will be crushed. Only one man has the ability to apprehend the bloodthirsty monster—a man known simply as the Devil. And rumor has it, he isn’t a man at all. Together, they strike a deal to catch the murderer before Demetrius’s bill fails—a disaster that would push the League to the brink of civil war. But Demetrius’s calculated moves don’t go unnoticed. He catches the attention of Gabriella Rose, a journalist whose hunt for her next big headline pushes her right into the murderer’s path, costing her everything she holds dear. Now something dark grows within Gabriella—a power her allies wish to control and her enemies want to exploit. The only way Demetrius and Gabriella can save themselves—and the city they love—is to strike another deal with the Devil. But their villainous partner is playing his own game. And soon they will learn how the Devil earned his name.

Caraway of the Sea by Madeline Burget

Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the ship’s first mate and enforcer. Sacrificing nearly all she is to ensure that he becomes the most fearsome pirate Captain to ever sail the Carnelian Sea. She realizes too late, that the seas have only grown darker, and the waves more fearsome, they threaten to pull her under completely and mold her into something akin to a nightmare. After Caraway's closest friend dies in a brutal storm, grief puts Caraway and her brother at odds more than ever before. When they dock on Isla Dalia after the devastating storm, Caraway is surrounded by both friend and foe, oftentimes unable to distinguish between the two. She must navigate a torrent of emotions unlike any she has weathered before. Seeking out any and all distractions, she begins to grow dangerously close to a rival Captain, despite her brother's warnings. As another storm looms, ever encroaching upon her crew's uncertain future, her fears are laid bare for all to see. Caraway struggles to face the demons of her past ... only to discover that they pale in comparison to the monster that she had a hand in creating. As she drifts further away from all that she once knew, secrets slowly begin to surface, and the tides of her life as she knew it begins to shift ... A shift that just might destroy the life she's worked so hard to protect, and her future with it.

La Belle Famille by A.M. Vergara

"If the fort at Niagara falls, Canada falls." It’s 1759, and the French are at war with the British over the Great Lakes Region. When the British besiege Fort Niagara, three reluctant allies—a French marine deserter, the wife of a British Army translator, and the survivor of a brutal French attack—must brave the unforgiving wilderness to warn the British of advancing French reinforcements. The success or failure of their mission will decide the war and the fate of a continent.

Fall by Brian Guthrie

In the wake of Brian Guthrie's Dragon Award nominated novel Rise, comes Fall . . . War has broken out between the shells, fragments of a shattered world that humanity clings to for survival. To stave off the conflict, the survivors of a brutal attack seek aid from the one source no one else believes can help: the dragons. But the creatures are fractured into two factions and caught up in a fight of their own, a conflict that may be connected to the war above. As the survivors seek answers and help, they stumble onto a secret, long lost, that once nearly destroyed the world. A secret that has the power to save humanity. Or end it.

Rise by Brian Guthrie

On a world brought to the brink of destruction, life now clings to the shattered remains of the planet's crust. These fragments are the Shells: fragile wastelands of desert and rock, protected from the cold of space by a water shield. In the struggle for survival, its people have depended on ancient technology, controlled by the omnipresent Network, to sustain the entire population. But the Network is breaking down, water is sparse, and a complete societal collapse is imminent. As the stakes become clear, the inhabitants of the Shells begin to turn on each other, and appear headed for all-out global war. Now the paths of several strangers will converge at the opportune moment. From a woman who seeks to protect her family as it's ripped apart to a prison warden hiding from his past, this unlikely group has little in common--but together, they may hold the key to saving humanity from its worst enemy: itself.

The Fractured City by Morgan Moreau and Kate Jenkins

She might be the queen, but mounting pressure from the old guard prevents Collette from making real change in Coralia. Following the death of her father, Collette dreams of peace and prosperity for her people. She wants to stop the Merscales trade and grow the economy through international cooperation. The nobility wants to maintain the status quo. ​ When an important visit from the Nereid emissary is overshadowed by the brutal murder of Wrenn Almeida, Collette finds herself accused of murder by Wrenn's sister, Rhoslyn. As tensions rise between herself, her half-brother Zephraim, and Rhoslyn’s supporters, the queen finds that her only choice is to flee the kingdom. Her allies—a trio of mercenaries, her aging guard captain, and her half-human lover—must stop at nothing to protect her.

Silver Star, Red Dragon by C.A. Chaplin

Immortal love begets immortal conflict. Millennia into a self-imposed solitude, elvish healer Cúraniel is content. She has her garden, the Great Tree, and her goddess. That is, until fate brings a dying soulmate to her hill. Twice. The Red Dragon, called the “God of Carnage” for all the elves he’s slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, Cúraniel must turn to their oldest enemy for aid; the Red Dragon himself. She is a moth to his destructive flame, but he loathes her other soulmate. The feeling is mutual, and backed by a court who blames her for the Dragon’s malice. Can Cúraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? “Silver Star, Red Dragon” is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished “Lord of the Rings” had a bit more “Kushiel’s Dart.”

Strange Worlds by Dani Ripley

Explore future worlds, alien technologies, different dimensions and more, all inside this specially curated collection of science fiction shorts by Dani Ripley: Humanity's last hope hurdles through space toward an unknown future... A grieving man encounters strange visitors one night upon his small-town apartment balcony... An alien mind transports itself to our world, intent on destroying it, only to encounter something worth saving... After a drunken night with a colleague, a failed scientist realizes the far-flung implications of the multiverse... An alien ship crash lands and burrows deep into the Earth, sparking a global conflict and a profound personal experience for one gravely injured soldier... An Al given control of humanity's destiny decides to make a meaningful correction in order to save the planet for future generations... In the far future, a protected-class psychic breaks the law, risking everything to change the trajectory of an unsuspecting young psychopath's life... And a little girl's abduction ends with an unexpected twist... Get ready for eight amazing adventures to thrill and make you think-discover them all right here in Dani Ripley's Strange Worlds! ENEMIES THE SUNSET SIDE MOTHER'S DAY ANOTHER ME BEACHHEAD A MEANINGUL CORRECTION MINA EMMALINE PETTIGREW SAVES THE WORLD(S)

North Woods by Dani Ripley

Hax can barely remember her real name, it's been so long since she's used it. "Hax" is a shortened version of the word Haxa - the Swedish word for witch a nickname given to her by people afraid of her seemingly supernatural abilities: appearing out of nowhere then disappearing again just as quickly; uncannily accurate weather pattern readings; and extraordinary skill at tracking prey, human or otherwise. Or perhaps it was simply her propensity for sudden and extreme violence. A natural loner, Hax isn't bothered so much by the apocalypse as she is by other people. As such, she's surprised to find herself traveling with a small group after a long solitary stint in the woods, but when a larger, more savage gang threatens her new people, she's unable to convince the smaller group of the danger. Realizing it's too late, she abandons them to their fate, but not before one of the younger members, Pip, sees her escape and decides to follow. After witnessing the brutal slaughter of their fellow travelers, the two strangers set off through an icy northern wilderness to find Pip's father, whose last known residence is a camp near the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. In order to survive, Hax and Pip will have to find a way to escape the ruthless horde of marauders still stalking them at every turn, as well as withstand extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion. And above all, they'll have to learn to trust each other.

The Darkest Parts of Me by Shandy Mandarino

Five years ago, a tragic accident turned Maven’s life upside down, forcing her to leave the small mountain town where she spent most of her childhood. Ready to leave the past behind, Maven has decided to return to Solitude Ridge in search of the closure she didn’t get all those years ago. And while everything seems to have remained the same in the quaint little mountain town, there’s one thing that’s different: Renn. A new resident who is irresistibly charming and equally mysterious. For the last five years, Renn has maintained a quiet existence in Solitude Ridge where the locals don’t ask questions and accept him as part of their small town. Despite the fact that he’s become a beloved member of the community, as time goes on, he finds himself looking over his shoulder, waiting for the events of his past to finally catch up with him. But when Maven comes to town, he finds himself wanting to share his most closely guarded secret: he’s not from this world. As Renn and Maven start spending more time together, they find themselves faced with the darkness of their pasts, bringing them closer than ever as they struggle to fight for the one thing they value above all else. But when their secrets finally begin to surface and decisions must be made, will Renn and Maven lean on each other to weather the storm? Or will this tear them apart forever?

The Truths We Make by Samantha Jon

EVANGELINE PIERCE knew falling in love with a Poe boy was a mistake. She knew it when she was seven and at twenty-seven, she knows it still. After eight years on her own, trying to leave behind the emotional wounds that just won’t heal, she’s called back to Dellbrook to mourn the death of PAXTON POE. In the halls of her childhood home lay memories she’d rather forget, and her ghosts aren’t the only ones demanding to be heard; Paxton has left a letter. One that his brother, OLIVER, insists reveals he didn’t just die. He was murdered. And Oliver can’t solve the riddle without her. As they delve deeper through clues, what happened to Paxton gets ever closer to being unveiled. But so do Oliver and Eve, bringing their history sharply into focus. For Eve to get closure, she must confront the past and the scandal that tore them all apart—no matter the cost. And to have any hope of solving the mystery of Paxton’s death, she must ask herself if generational chains can be broken and if love will ever be enough. But it’s a truth universally acknowledged, that you should believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see, especially when dealing with a Poe…

Jurassic Jemma and the Trail of Evil by John J. Delaney

When your life seems perfect do you ever think about what might be around the next corner? With a loving husband, two lovely children and a new grandchild, 'Jurassic' Jemma's life is complete but evil is watching from afar with envious eyes. After one excavation solved an old family mystery, her next discovery ended up with a death on a Dorset cliff. Join Jemma on an international quest in pursuit of the evil that threatens her family life. Will her life ever be the same? A gripping tale of intrigue and suspense.

Jurassic Jemma and the Mysteries of Time by John J. Delaney

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Fossil hunter, ‘Jurassic’ Jemma Thorne is filming a live edition of ‘The Rock Detectives’ covering the excavation of a fossilised Spinosaurus on the Isle of Wight. Things don’t go to plan as she makes an unexpected discovery. The find sets off a chain of events that threatens her freedom, her family and her life. Someone is after revenge. How far will they go to destroy everything that Jemma holds dear? Can she protect her loved ones in a race against time? A page-turner with plenty of spills and thrills.

A Dangerous Fossil by John J. Delaney

When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne and her dog, Dino, find an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder. As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself. Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her? You’ll love this gripping mystery, because everybody loves reading a book that they can’t put down. Get it now.

Serotonin Overload by John A. Underwood

Serotonin Overload grinds a living from Cap City's neon-drenched streets, working whatever gig comes her way. Sometimes a courier, sometimes a hacker, she knows her way around the slums and digital networks of this putrid urban sprawl better than anyone. Rand works out of an undercity bar six levels below the surface, a dark and smoky place where algopunk bands sweat and scream on a tiny stage and the bartender has pink and blue hair. He's a fixer; sometimes a finder, sometimes a thief. Together, they've run a few jobs, from hijacking self-driving trucks out in the badlands to hacking a crooked cop's personal files for blackmail. They live on the wrong side of the law. But with MetroPol detectives sniffing around and notorious terrorist Sapphire Skye waiting in the wings, this latest job is going to prove more than either of them bargained for...

Healing Notes by Beth Hope

Liam McPherson is grappling with the aftermath of a life spent in toxic environments. Haunted by the things he said and did during those years, Liam isn't sure he'll ever be able to forgive himself. He isn't even sure he deserves forgiveness. Despite his therapist's assurances he's healing and making progress working through an ugly past, he doesn't see it. Life has never been particularly kind to Zoe Callahan. Abandoned by her parents at the age of five, she's spent her life unable to escape the claws of her abusive guardian-turned-boss. She's been given good reason to automatically assume the worst of others. And yet, she never has, nor has she let the flame of hope inside be extinguished. When Liam and Zoe cross paths at their volunteer job, he experiences something he's never felt Attraction. For the first time in years, he cautiously considers trusting someone again. Given his history of putting his faith in the wrong people, trusting Zoe is a risk. Especially since he knows that once she realizes who he is, she may want nothing to do with him. But what if she can see there's more to him than his past? Healing Notes is a sweet and poignant love story. Balancing delicate subject material with gentle humor, it delves into the complexities of trauma, the unpredictability of life, and, above all, the power of love and hope.

The God Sun by Alan K. Dell

The ISF Althaemenes was the first of its kind. A spacecraft capable of travelling the vast distances to other stars. But on its maiden voyage to Proxima Centauri, all contact was lost and its crew never returned. Four years later, the United Earth Confederacy received the ship’s distress signal. Captain Helene Cross and the crew of the ISF Apemosyne are sent to determine what happened, and if possible, rescue the wayward explorers. However, there is no response from the crew and the mystery deepens when scans show that the supposedly stranded vessel is in full working order, leaving Helene and her team no other choice but to board and investigate. Soon, a maddening presence begins to stalk their minds, influencing their actions, threatening their very survival. The crew of the Apemosyne must discover the source of the madness and put an end to it if they are to have any hope of escape.

The Shadow of Arcadia by Alan K. Dell

SIDERA SILERE: LET THE STARS REMAIN SILENT. Nestled in the shadow of a derelict alien warship, the Martian city of Arcadia Landing shines as a beacon of humanity’s golden future. There, United Nations representatives gather to sign a new international treaty; a stepping-stone towards global unity. But when a dangerous faction born of an unlikely blend of isolationists and alien-worshippers attacks the city, the hope of unity lies scattered among the ruins. Heartbroken, Captain James Fowler must work together with Nate Rifkin, the rueful captain of the Magellan, to bring those responsible to justice. But a deadly encounter with the cabal’s enigmatic masked leader draws James into a deeper mystery stretching back nearly fifty years. With the help of Capt. Erin Pritchard, and anachronistic force of nature, Capt. April Rose-Hartley, they investigate the links to James and Angela’s past to uncover the identity of this murderous figurehead, track him down, and put a stop to his grand plans for humanity.

The Flight of the Aurora by Alan K. Dell

A CROSSROADS FOR HUMANITY. ENDLESS SKY. BOUNDLESS HORIZONS. The world has moved on from the shock of first contact, and technologies based on research of the alien crash site on Mars have begun to enter the public sphere. For Commander James Fowler, life has never been better. And yet, fifteen years on, James feels unsettled. Deep scars remain that leave him hesitant when an old friend presents him with the opportunity of a lifetime: a job as test pilot for the Aurora, an experimental spaceplane that promises to lead humanity to the stars. But all is not well. Behind scenes, factions shift and change, presenting a threatening portent of the shape of things to come.

The Witch's Detective by Karen Thrower

Lily Roa grew up known as ‘The little witch who killed her family,’ now she works for the police as a consultant, solving magical crimes. Her life’s purpose is to find the monsters who give the good ones a bad name, to find the magic users who would blacken the world and bring them to justice. Plus, the pay is good. There seems to be something dark creeping into Lily’s hometown, something that took her mentor away but brought in a partner she could trust. Something summoning the darkest of creatures and leaving evidence no one in town could explain. Now Lily must work with the new Detective Richard Moss against roadblocks, both magical and mundane, to find out what’s going on in the sleepy town of Arion.

Even If We're Broken by A.M. Weald

Still reeling from being ghosted by her girlfriend, bioarchaeologist Kate Roth agrees to join an estranged colleague to teach at his field school at a Viking-age archaeology site in the wilds of Newfoundland. While welcoming the escape from Colorado where she’s been medicating resurfaced anxieties with wine and angry rock music, she’s wary of three important facts: 1) she’s had a crush on Viking Cowboy Ben for half her life, 2) Ben is a family man who lives in Norway, and 3) all her romantic relationships, and most friendships, seem to have an expiration date. For archaeologist Esben “Ben” Veholt, inviting the woman he’s been in love with since digging alongside her 23 years ago was, of course, the worst possible thing he could have done for himself. This summer was supposed to be his escape from reality: a love life in ruins, worsening body image issues, and a teenage daughter who suddenly wants nothing to do with him. When Kate accepts his offer, he intends to retain a professional relationship with her. A woman like Kate could never love him anyway—not with how much he’s changed inside and out. All seems fine on the surface as Kate and Esben’s friendship rebuilds, but as they dig deeper, they realize just how broken they both are. To heal from their painful pasts and reclaim their crumbling presents, they each need a friend who accepts them, mess and all. But summer won’t last forever, and a third chance at romance threatens to drift across the ocean yet again.

The Battle Over Britain by Simon Brading

The Second Great War is going poorly for the Kingdom of Britain - the British Isles are under siege and the only thing standing between the all-conquering Prussian army and victory is a thin strip of blue water and the gallant men and women of the Royal Aviator Corps. Aviator Sergeant Gwen Stone is one of those women, but almost as soon as she begins her fight against the Prussian air force, Die Fliegertruppe, she is stripped of her wings and imprisoned in disgrace for illegally modifying her aircraft. As the battle over the skies of Britain progresses and it looks like the Prussians are going to be as dominant in the air as they were on the fields of the continent, the hopes of the beleaguered nation come to rest firmly on the shoulders of Misfit Squadron, an elite group of pilots who don’t always pay strict attention to military discipline, and Gwen is given a chance to redeem herself by joining them.

Wristlocked by AK Blythe

Monsters don’t cry… they devour. Gia I’m a monster, disguised as a princess. Only Lyot has seen pieces of what lurks beneath the circus prodigy, and some shadows are too dark for even my best friend to handle. Gale Shepard, on the other hand, is just my kind of nightmare… Lyot I’m in love with a beautiful monster. Just because she’s been by my side since we were kids doesn’t mean she won’t destroy me. While I’m reeling in the wreckage of the only future I’ve ever wanted, Gia offers up a darker dream. One that includes a green-eyed sadist and has me wondering: Maybe it's time to let my own shadows out to play… Gale I’m the biggest monster at the top circus school in the country and I’m trapped in a cage. When cirque royalty Gia Laurent shows up with her pretty boy guard dog, I know she's the key to my freedom. But when our shadows collide, forcing our duo act out of rehearsals and into my bed, all I want is to claim every flavor of her pain—including the man she left broken on his knees.

Unlocked Dive by AK Blythe

Even fallen angels are allowed to dream… Echo Fearless. Flawless. Fractured. I’m an aerial prodigy with a perfect future—until it’s shattered with the bones in my wrist. Now my only hope of rebuilding my dream is to spend four months training in a secluded cabin with Cirque recruiter Byrd Baardwijk. One look at the former rope god, and I want him to “evaluate” a lot more than my unlikely recovery. He sees me as a bad idea. I see his own broken pieces begging him to lose control. But as our time runs out and our shared ghost comes calling, I start to wonder—is my salvation worth the price of his soul? Byrd Retreat. Recover. Resist. Running away after my divorce isn’t supposed to be complicated. Until an old friend asks me for a favor and my dreams of solitude are invaded by the ghost of the first guy who broke my heart. Except Echo Wash is nothing like his older brother. He’s sass and sin, a mistake I can’t afford to make. And for the first time in my life, I want to ignore all my cautious, moral warnings and drown myself in every forbidden fantasy he offers. But how can I put him back together when all I want to do is take him apart?

Undead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle

WELCOME TO KAVA, WHERE THE UNDEAD GODS NEITHER HEAR NOR CARE…   Elysia Parker lives each day in fear it will be last.   The magic the gods carelessly gifted mortals disappeared years ago, and Elysia Parker is all too familiar with what happens when someone is found to be harboring magic in her land. Death.   Cursed but hiding in plain sight within Kava’s royal court, Elysia has her eyes on the crown and its prince. But an unexpected change in her magic throws her carefully laid plans into chaos. In love with the man who could order her death, she searches for an answer to her curse before it’s too late.   From underground tunnels to pleasure houses and rebels who demand payment of the highest kind, Elysia will journey to the death realm and back to find her answers.   But is she willing to face the harsh demands of the truth?     Inspired by Hades and Persephone, Undead Gods is a dark, moody fantasy filled with magic, danger, and a love that may be the heroine's downfall. Follow Elysia Parker into the soot drenched world of Kava as she navigates secrets, betrayal, and ultimately, finding herself amidst a world of lies.

Dogmatic Dungeon Dominion by Schuyler Lisette

In a world where the supernatural collides with the ordinary, dungeons—dangerous rifts to other realms—begin appearing across the city, threatening humanity. The Hunter Association, tasked with sealing these rifts, relies on Guides who are psychically linked to Hunters with extraordinary powers. A former soldier, becomes a newly awakened Guide at 27, struggling to adapt to his role. Paired with an S-ranked Hunter, a reckless veteran esper, he faces the daunting challenge of navigating deadly dungeons filled with nightmarish creatures. Their partnership is strained—A disciplined and methodical solider, and an esper who's impulsive and dismissive of rules. As dungeons appear more frequently, each mission tests their limits and teamwork. While the Guide adjusts to his new life and role, the esper wrestles with his haunted past and growing responsibilities. Together, they uncover a disturbing pattern behind the dungeon outbreaks, suggesting a larger, sinister plot at play. Amid the chaos, the guide grapples with losing his former life and his growing attachment to his esper, while the looming danger threatens to push them—and their fragile trust—apart. Every decision they make could determine the city's fate, or possibly the entire world.

Corrupted Tides by S.M. Campbell

Centuries ago, the gods of earth and sea went to war and ravaged the worlds of humans. Now, the oceans have swelled and mortals have made their homes on floating cities, using precious sea glass as the key to their survival. Vila is one of those survivors, fighting every day for control in this brutal world as a Blue Lady and prize fighter. But when a strange corruption seeps through the waters of the Planks, Vila must find allies in an unlikely group to help the people she loves. Narrio is a master thief, making his way on wits, charm and luck; until a secret cult recruits him for a mysterious mission. Now he must travel to the Planks for what may be his most dangerous heist yet. Something is coming, and it threatens the existence of all. When the moon rises, the seas will change, and nothing will ever be the same. Welcome to the world of the Swell. Welcome to Corrupted Tides

The Lion Communique by Jim Cherry

The Lion Communique are thirteen darkly wound stories that examine the struggle between good and evil from multiple perspectives. Jim Morrison in the wilderness of Shamans and psychedelics, capturing the soul of General William Tecumseh Sherman, mysterious forces at play in the trenches of WWI, southern gothic/noir, families at war, and the ghosts of our pasts that we carry with us, and the hope of redemption.

In Fog by Amber Reinke

With a gasping breeze it fluttered the fallen leaves, toying with the weight of them as easily as it did the tail of my coat. We did not speak, the park and I, not in words. Yet we understood one another through the memories that followed. In those memories I felt your hands—chill as ever against my cheeks–and we were together again, whole as we were meant to be, whole as we had been so many years ago…

The Puzzle in the Pumpkin Patch by L.L. Gray

Pumpkins, pranks, and pandemonium! Pumpkin spice and everything nice? Not this Harvest Festival! As autumn leaves fall, new business owner, Harper Sullivan, plans for a calm first festival in her new home. Havenwood's magical town is buzzing with excitement, but Harper's tranquility is shattered when a mischievous magical prankster starts wreaking havoc, threatening to reveal Havenwood’s secrets to the world. As the pranks escalate, Harper puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test as she races against time to protect Havenwood’s magical allure from going public. With the highly anticipated Pumpkin Parade fast approaching, will she be able to unmask the perpetrator before they spill the town’s supernatural secrets or will the magical town cease to be a haven for Harper and those like her?

Venor by Halli Starling

A novel of werewolves, horror, and romance… Renzo's a bartender at the Silver Crow Pub. He's technically part-owner, but since his ex has the majority stake in the bar, Renzo often gets punted off to the side. An average midweek night turns dangerous when a patron seems to turn almost...rabid. As Renzo moves to defend the others in the bar, he's saved by another patron. Cedrick went to the Silver Crow looking for information on his latest case - a woman who went from mild-mannered schoolteacher to frothing rage and mindless fury, seemingly overnight. She died, and her brother wants answers. So Cedrick took his private detective skills to the Silver Crow, where the sister was last seen, but winds up using his fighting prowess to defend the bartender from a guy with a switchblade and blackened teeth and gums. What starts in the Silver Crow takes Renzo and Cedrick all over the city of Bennek and beyond, leaving them to grapple with their pasts, their attractions, and their secrets. And when Renzo’s ex is taken hostage, they team up again - this time to head back to a city on the brink of riots and to infiltrate the rehabilitation facility that had once saved Renzo’s life. Whoever is feeding people tainted drugs is causing mayhem across Bennek, and their sinister motivations are unknown.

Coup de Coeur by Halli Starling

A queer historical fantasy/romance set in a version of 1899 New York City where magic is common and convenient, Coup de Coeur follows the journey of three men whose fates are tied to the seemingly sudden appearance of a strange, possibly sentient, grimoire. Calix Addington, Earl of Batherton, has a complicated relationship with his friend and former classmate, Lawton Adler. Lawton’s tendency to attract, and often cause, trouble leaves Calix sometimes holding the bag (which definitely happens). Calix is also harboring a secret – he’s an Oracle, like his mother, and in a world where small magic is meant for aesthetics and convenience, larger displays of magic are frowned upon, sometimes illegal, and very much what the church and several important organizations fear. When Calix is stuck with a strange book after Lawton’s shady dealings go wrong one spring morning, he takes shelter in Ethaniel Harkness’s magical tailoring shop. Calix and Ethaniel know each other as customer and tailor, but Ethaniel’s kind heart won’t let Calix stay in danger. As Calix hears the strange book speak in his mind, Ethaniel contacts his old flame Aubrey Lavigne. Aubrey’s expertise with magical objects as the curator for the Magnificus Collectio, an archive hidden behind a tourist trap museum, will be key to understanding what this book truly is. Magic, love, lust, fear, and danger run rampant as this strange book becomes the catalyst for a much larger plot conducted by a secret sect known as The Golden Order. With The Golden Order giving chase to retrieve the book, Calix, Ethaniel, and Aubrey’s lives tangle and they must flee the city to separate Calix from the book, shake off their pursuers, and find time for their burgeoning attractions. COUP DE COEUR has deep roots in the real-life queer history of New York City, but also in art and culture.

Cheese Crackers and Constellations by Stephanie Kast

When the sun goes to bed and the stars come out to play, when you're not tired enough to sleep but your dreams are not far away. You find yourself rummaging through the kitchen in need of something to warm your heart. Cheese, Crackers and Constellations is a short story collection. These twelve stories are about growing up and growing old, life and death and everything in between. Cheese, Crackers and Constellations is comfort food for your soul.

The Faces of the Wood by Stephanie Kast

Aristah Evermore has been living a life of responsibility, trying to keep her father from falling too far into the darkness. She has long since forgotten what it means to be a Wood Mage, living her life by floating from day to day; yearning for anything but her home. But when she finally steps out of her borders she sees that the lands she was so excited to explore are now turning into darkness. Even hiding in the comfort of the trees won’t help her now. The war between magic and those who fear it is beginning. Aristah has to make unlikely alliances. She must learn how to trust not only those who are willing to help her, but herself, especially if she wants to save everything around her she finds sacred.

Little Joe by Stephanie Kast

At the age of seven, Joe was a part of a cruise ship disaster that resulted in the death of his parents and the separation from him and his three older siblings. After fourteen years of a different life, Joe opens his mail to see an invitation to his sister's wedding. Before he knows it, Joe begins to struggle finding a balance between his old and new life. With constant night terrors and the inability to move on from the loss of his parents, Joe's troubles start to consume him. Joe must find a way to incorporate his old life into his new life, and accept the things he cannot control. We have all grown up with tales of survival, but the question Little Joe answers "What happens after the island?"

Fortress of the Damned by J.R. White

Haunted by the echoes of his past, gunfighter Kit Barker is eager for a hunt. When an old friend’s cryptic cry for aid arrives, along with a bloodstained box of salt, it looks like he’s found one. Accompanied by the Navajo renegade John Swift-Runner, Kit’s quest takes him from the flame-scorched alleys of Chicago to a lonesome whiskey fortress in the harsh wilderness of the Montana frontier. When Kit and John find the desolate outpost seemingly abandoned, the mystery deepens. Was it Indians? Madness? But before they can find answers, Barker and his companions are besieged by an unknown force. Staring down the double-barreled shotgun of monstrous evil and a merciless winter, Barker and his companions are forced into a terrifying standoff. As their options dwindle, Barker must accept a horrifying possibility… that this devouring force is not so mindless after all. It will take more than a well-placed bullet to save them this time. Can Barker and his friends survive the onslaught, or will failure scatter their frozen bones in the Fortress of the Damned.