|
If you were chosen to save the world, would you do anything it takes? Ifry is the long suffering clerk to the wealthy and demanding Thomas Townsend. When the latter takes Ifry to the mountains to build a ski resort, they have their work cut out for them. The mountain town is overrun with carnivorous monsters and Ifry is woefully unprepared, but he finds help in Jos Nothernine, the reserved but charming local hunter. Yet the town is plagued by more than just monsters: it is home to Solyon, the god of summer himself. Each year, Solyon chooses a townsperson to defeat a sacrifice chosen by Lady Winter. If the chosen fails, winter will continue endlessly, meaning disaster for the world at large. A sacrifice must be made, and this year Jos has been chosen to kill someone, lest summer never return. |
|
Garden of Secrets: Misselthwaite book one (Misselthwaite College 1) by Drake LaMarque Alistair Lennox is disagreeable. Isolated and miserable, with parents who donât care about him, his life has been equal parts privilege and loneliness. But when his parents die, his life is turned upside down. In order to gain his inheritance, Alistair is forced to attend a college he's never heard of - for good reason. Misselthwaite College is a school for the magically gifted Alistair has no magical gifts - unless being magically inept counts. What were his parents thinking? And what is the mysterious affliction plaguing William Carlisle, the affluent and arrogant heir to Misselthwaite? Is there a connection to the strange key Alistair discovers in a book, the stranger noises in the night, and, strangest of all, the multiple men who desire his friendship? Misselthwaite has no end of secrets. But if being disagreeable is good for anything, it's for getting to the bottom of mysteries. -- Garden of Secrets is book one in a duology, and the first installment in a magical new universe. A Secret Garden retelling with a queer twist and featuring MMMM polyamory. |
|
The Phoenix and the Firebird by Alexis Kossiakoff & Scott Forbes Crawford A bullet-riddled train staggers into the station, delivering an ominous message that will change Lucy Markovâs destiny: her father, a Russian officer, has been kidnapped. A refugee who lost so much before she found a home in China, Lucy refuses to lose her last remaining family. Guided by a mysterious feather, she must cross into a realm of magic and monsters to find him. Lucyâs quick-witted, spirited friend Su joins her quest. Following the clues, they discover a warlord commanding an army of human soldiers and magical beasts has seized Lucyâs father â and now plots to invade their city. To save her father and their home, Lucy and Su must confront the criminal underworld, cross a haunted forest, and outsmart creatures they thought lived only in fairytales. With each step closer to the warlordâs lair, dangers test their courage and their bonds to each other. Will they unlock the secrets of the feather in time? The Phoenix and the Firebird melds the turmoil of 1920s China with the majesty of Slavic and Chinese myth. Join Lucy and Su as they soar into a world woven from history and folklore, and learn whether friendship is the strongest weapon of all. |
|
The Legion of the Lost by Joseph John Lee All gods bleed. All gods die. Even those of our own making. The flames of war have left a scar through the Heart of the Land, and its once-pristine landscapes have been stained with divine blood. After a battle that has cast a shadow larger than anything the Tribes have ever seen, who memory permits to endure shall be determined by the hand to pen the tale, and for whom it may be penned: For Kamataa, who continues her centuries-long search for revenge, regardless of the cost. For Tez, who must find her place after being stripped of her greatest talent. For Aritz, who will stop at nothing to complete his conquest, and at any means necessary. And for Sen, who must rise above her gravest mistakes to carve a path for her people. But whether for friend or foe, memory shall ever remain a fickle thing, but it shall not forget the Harvests . . . and the legion who survived them. |
|
Atlantis Land of Dreams by Edale Lane A handful of heroes; an impending cataclysm. Can Ariel and her friends save the world as they know it? Communicating with plants and animals has become a rare gift, one Ariel cherishes. She loves her farm and her family, especially her three-hundred-year-old oma. As she grapples to preserve her connection with the spirit world, she realizes something is dreadfully wrong. Lysandra, a gifted healer, lives in the most splendid city in the world, overflowing with culture and prosperity. Despite her meaningful career, she misses the love of her youth whom she left behind. Now something is causing more illnesses and deaths at increasingly younger ages than typical for Atlantans. When both Ariel and Lysandra are called to the Ring of Stones for a meeting of scholars, masters, and gifted individuals, they reunite for the first time in thirty years. Pushing personal feelings aside, they must focus on discovering whatâs wrong with their world and help fix it. Making a startling discovery, Ariel brings an ominous report to the council. Can the sharpest minds and most compassionate hearts of Atlantis create a plan to save their civilization, or is it doomed to be obliterated from the face of the earth forever? Captivating storyteller Edale Lane brings you an epic historical fantasy warmed with a second-chance sapphic romance. Atlantis, Land of Dreams, will transport you to a world of wonder and imagination, where myths of the past come to life and inspire a brighter vision for our future. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery and marvel at the beauty and magic of this legendary place that has captured the hearts and minds of generations. |
|
2023 Lesfic Bard Award winner for Historical Fiction A battle-hardened shieldmaiden. A pacifist healer. Can the two find love amid the chaos of war? Tyrdis is a stalwart warrior raised to value honor, courage, and military prowess. When a traumatic injury renders the powerful protector helpless, she depends on the lovely, tender-hearted Adelle to restore her from the brink of death. Is it merely gratitude or true love that draws Tyrdis to the healer? Defying cultural norms, Adelle despises violence and those who propagate it, but when her shieldmaiden patient saves the life of her beloved little girl, she must reexamine her values. Could Tyrdis be more than a stiff, efficient killer with an amazing body? In a kingdom steeped in conflict with their neighbors and internal strife, shocking secrets are revealed, and both women strive to ensure justice prevails. Can they overcome their differences to safeguard their friends, end the war, and fall in love, or will fate prove to be a cruel sovereign? This Sapphic Viking Historical nursed-back-to-health, opposites-attract Romance is packed with action, intrigue, and mythical references. If you enjoy rich storytelling that brings the past to life, vivid characters you wonât forget, and a surprise twist on the way to a HEA ending, then youâll love War and Solace. |
|
Legacy of the Valiant by Edale Lane All legends spring from a seed of truth. Humble Kai aspires to become more than the petite, inconsequential young woman her community sees. Persistence pays off when the village holy leaders reveal a prophecy - Kai might actualize her dream of being a hero if she completes three seemingly impossible tasks. Princess Solveig, descendant of the famous shieldmaiden Sigrid the Valiant, believes she was born to accomplish great things, but her poor eyesight, weak constitution, and lack of physical expertise hold her back. Convinced she can never realize her ambitions, Solveig settles for living vicariously through her warrior girlfriend. The appearance of a dangerous jĂśtunn wreaking havoc in the kingdom brings the two would-be champions together. Solveig feels both threatened and skeptical when Kai arrives in her fatherâs great hall with a âmagicâ sword, claiming sheâs there to save the day after more promising protectors have failed. With many lives at stake, will rivalry push Solveig and Kai apart, or will they inspire each other to realize the greatness both women desire to achieve - and to survive the coming battle? ËËË Epic Action! Gear up for action and the dramatic storytelling of Edale Lane in this heroâs journey sapphic Viking historical romance. If you like to root for an underdog, experience epic world-building, and enjoy women with swords, youâll love Legacy of the Valiant, the second book in the Tales from Norvegr series. |
|
When secrets and lies threaten the throne, can a fierce champion tame her passion in time to stop a cruel enemyâs ruthless march? Jutland, Early 11th Century. Viking Warrior Princess Lena craves revenge. Hunting a killer after her husband is brutally slain, she discovers a shadowy traitor is at play behind the scenes, working to disrupt the balance of power. But she places her need for vengeance on hold when the king falls gravely ill, and sails out along with the pretty slave she rescued to locate a fabled healer. Gunnar is loyal to the core. But when his lord orders him to sabotage the princessâs royal mission, heâs plagued by an unfamiliar sense of doubt. And after he witnesses the courageous woman and her crew save his life in a vicious storm, heâs no longer certain heâs fighting for the right side. Beset by foul weather and an uncharted island of trolls, Lena fears sheâll never avenge her husbandâs death⌠even as her heart softens towards the lovely Celt girl she longs to embrace. And now Gunnar must decide where his fealty rests as the tides turn to war. Can Lena and Gunnar survive a bloody grab for power and find a true home for their hearts? Viking Quest is a breathtaking historical fantasy novel. If you like principled characters, battles of conscience, and tender F/F romance, then youâll love Edale Laneâs action-packed epic. |
|
Attracted by passion, repelled by war. Can two shieldmaidens navigate battlegrounds of the sword and the heart? A Viking sapphic enemies-to-lovers action/romance Sigrid the Valiant is legendary throughout the kingdoms of Norvegr for her heroic deeds, but her love has yet to find a home. Now, racing on the heels of her fatherâs murder, a neighboring kingdomâs raids signal an all-out conflict. Elyn is a young shieldmaiden with a score to settle, fighting her own insecurities along with enemies who threaten her homeland, but she suspects a more menacing danger lurks on the horizon. When the two clash on opposite sides of their shield walls, sparks fly from both their swords and passions. But when they talk, the fierce women discover an antagonistâs plot has pitted their kingdoms against each other. Can Sigrid and Elyn move past their suspicions and differences to forge a binding love and foil the villainâs scheme, or will the enemyâs assassins end their search for the truth? Action, adventure, and intrigue ride together with romance in this enemies-to-lovers saga from the pre-Viking land of Norvegr. Award-winning, best-selling author Edale Lane brings history to life in this fast-paced sapphic novel. |
|
The Book of One by Adam Gaffen Angels and demons are never meant to cross paths, or so the ancient lore dictates. In 10th Century Rome, a realm teeming with shadowy intrigue and covert power plays, the demon Kalili, aged six millennia, receives a seemingly simple mission: to charm Octavianus, a youthful potential pope. Yet fate takes an unforeseen turn when Faith, an unseasoned angel, is assigned to eliminate her. This extraordinary encounter ignites a conflict beyond their wildest imaginings. Bound by an enigmatic bond and an undeniable attraction, Kalili and Faith are thrust into a labyrinth of danger and deceit. As the last of the legendary Thirteens, their intertwined destinies are key to resolving an eternal battle between light and darkness. Pursued by the forces of both Heaven and Hell, they must unlock nascent powers and unravel millennia-old enigmas to avert an impending cosmic upheaval. Their decisions will forge a new path for the ages, as they journey through a riveting saga of love and fate, a journey marked by harrowing risks and dark enchantments. A saga that leads them to confront their own nature, in a world where every choice could reshape the very essence of life itself. Dive into this spellbinding tale, where the lines between good and evil blur, and the journey of two unlikely allies begins, culminating in a breathtaking saga of passion, destiny, and the eternal struggle between celestial forces. INCLUDING AN EXCLUSIVE BONUS: A DELETED SCENE! |
|
Smile and be a Villain by Yves Donlon Something is rotten in the state of Denmark⌠and that 'something' is magic. HELSINGĂR, 1536. Ophelia is a disgraced handmaid to the queen, the cast-off lover of Prince Hamlet. She is also a witch, and a good one at that. And she can see that Denmark is rotting from the inside out, afflicted by dark magic. WITTENBERG, 1536. Hamlet is a useless son, a failed heir. He is the prince of a nation about to fight a war they won't win. He doesn't know about magic, but if he did he would use it to destroy their enemiesâno matter the consequences. â¨As Hamlet and Ophelia find themselves increasingly torn apart, they must decide: how much are they willing to sacrifice in order to save Denmark? And, by the end of it all, will they be beyond saving? |
|
After Silence by Natalie Northwood Pity is he who rules the world. Inevitable is she who burns it. Norandia, a human-inhabited land abandoned by its slaughtered deities, is on the brink of war with the rest of continental Halivaara. But it isnât just humans who call Halivaara home. Here dwell eight other territories, seven nonhuman species called Dwellers, and six reigning kingdoms. Today, they know no peace; historically, they never have. Cerys Odessa is a mage hiding in Norandia, where Dwellers are burned at the stake for daring to cross the border; if they find her, they will kill her. But when Vanadey, one of Norandiaâs extinct deities, suddenly resurfaces to burn towns in an act of revenge, Cerys realizes that maybe her hidden magic can help stop the brewing war that Vanadey started a millennium ago. But Cerys canât rise against her on her own. With the aid of an outlawed shapeshifter, Cerys must cross enemy lines to seek alliances with the last living dragon, a mage queen who enslaves men, and the king of the werewolves if she hopes to stop Vanadey before war consumes Norandia and everyone she loves. After Silence is a dark, gritty tale of forced heroism in a land of murderous deities and brewing war, where every character has only those they love to loseâand love is everything. |
|
The Song of Thyssia by S.J. Stiles The Thyssian Archipelago rose from the deep as six treacherous islands. Islands that were forged from stone and sand, with kings and conquerors alike. Long ago, the gods gave each kingdom a relic to protect. In return, their peoples would remain safe from the servants of the Void. Years bled into centuries as their respect rotted into complacency. Thyssia, the mother island, sheltered three kingdoms on its soil as it reached across the sea. In the east, Trejenâs forests neatly encircled the verdant meadows while new trees crept closer each spring. Cerulean river lands carved through the island under the watchful eyes of house Spessia and everyone drank from its meandering depths. All of this was overshadowed by a solitary broken mountain. Their peopleâs separation from the gods fractured its stony face into a chasm, a wound that released any magic the mountain held within its stone. Their relic was ruined by abomination in the wake of Haydrianâs touch. Haydrian, an alchemist who relished in the hope of immortality. As the kingdoms of Thyssia disregarded their duty to the nine, so waned their fear of the Void. |
|
Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson Welcome to Rydding, the hidden village you might stumble across if you need a home and a fresh start. For Elwyn Howell, the village is a lifesaver when she finds it just as sheâs run out of strength and hope while running for her life. The abandoned healerâs cottage welcomes her, even though sheâs given up on that calling. She opens a tea shop instead, using her knowledge of herbs and her empathic gift that allows her to select the perfect tea for each customer. Soon, sheâs feeling at home in the village community. Sheâs afraid itâs too good to last, a fear thatâs confirmed when she finds a wounded man unconscious in her garden. Was he sent by the people who are hunting her? Not even he knows, since he has no memory of who he is or how he got there. As she nurses him back to health, they develop a close bond, but the specter of both their pastsâthe one sheâs fleeing and the one he doesnât rememberâgets in the way. He doesnât know what life he may have left behind, and she lives in constant fear that her old life will catch up with her and sheâll end up convicted of a murder sheâs not entirely sure she didnât commit. They canât hide forever, not even in Rydding, and if they want to have a future, theyâll have to confront their pasts. A new cozy cottagecore romantic fantasy from the author of Enchanted, Inc. |
|
The Treachery of Ravens by Steven D Nickell A daring robbery. Magic out of control. One last chance to do the right thing. All Meryl Gaspard ever wanted was to fly, but a life lived on her terms means turning her back on her mother and the Liberty Belle salon. So, she lives a secret double life: dutiful daughter by day, professional thief by night. Meanwhile, for a nameless young acolyte, living like a prisoner on an isolated island, using her magic to heal the sick would give meaning to all the suffering her powers have caused her. And, on the dark streets of Pelz, Inspector Michel Aubergon hunts an elusive thief while the greed and corruption around him tears at the fabric of his ideals, seeking to consume his very soul. Soon, a skyship will arrive in Pelz carrying an object of untold value, and Meryl must steal it. But her friend, the mysterious cleric possessing forbidden magic, is under threat, and the police inspector charged with apprehending her is closing in. Meryl must stay a step ahead and pull off a high-stakes burglary, but she canât do it alone. She needs allies, and those allies might come from some very unexpected places. For fans of fantasy and steampunk, experience a tale of swashbuckling action and adventure set in a world where coal and steam are ascendent over alchemy and magic, and giant skyships rule the air. |
|
Tall & Dark by Suzannah Rowntree Ghosts, griftersâŚand a missing heir in 1890s Europe. Itâs easier to conduct a sĂŠance when the dead arenât trying to contact you. As Molly Dark knows all too well, the problem with being able to see ghosts is that they never tell you what you wish to know. For instance, how a proper young lady like Miss Dark is supposed to support an impoverished family after her father has died a ruined man. Or how she is going to impersonate a missing princess long enough to steal a fortune out from under the collective noses of a whole family of royal monsters. Or exactly why the charming imposter claims to be none other than Grand Duke Vasily Nikolaevich, when he certainly isnât a princeâŚor a vampire. Alas, the dead normally have something far more unsettling to impart⌠Return to the BĂŞte Epoque, an 1890s Europe ruled by monsters, in Miss Darkâs Apparitions! Leverage meets The Parasol Protectorate in this whimsical historical fantasy caper. Join Miss Dark in the spooky mansions of 1890s Europe - read Tall & Dark today! |
|
The Call of the Valkyries by T J Mayhew A god powerless against his fate. A girl determined to make her own destiny. A prophecy that binds them together... Freydis dreams of being a shieldmaiden but her parents have other ideas. When she learns of her their plan to marry her off to a local fishermanâs son, Freydisâ need to break free from her life intensifies. With Olaf the Redâs arrival, she sees her chance of escape and, with the help of her friends, begins to put her plan into motion. Leaving her home, and family, behind, Freydis embarks on the most dangerous adventure of her life. But life on the whale road is nothing like Freydis expected and sheâs soon asking herself: how will she survive her first raid if she canât even survive her first voyage? With forces beyond her control, or understanding, conspiring against her, how long will she be able to resist the call of the Valkyries? The Call of the Valkyries is the first in a historical fantasy adventure series, featuring some of the greatest Norse myths and legends. Download your copy and discover a new adventure today! |
|
Legacy's Price by T. L. Rolston When Lady Elizabeth "Liz" Bryne suddenly manifests ancient magic during a duel, she finds herself at the center of an ancient mystery that puts her at odds everyone around her. Complicating matters, her grandfather, the King, has gone missing on a diplomatic mission and everyone seems to believe that she is somehow responsible. In order to clear her name, Liz will have to save the King herself. Failure means the end of Segen as she knows it. But when her journey forces her to confront the truth behind the incident that stole her memories, will she be strong enough to complete her mission? |
|
Surviving Westcliff by Thomas Perkins Westcliff was meant to be a new start. For Ash, her first voyage as a navigator is a chance to excel under her legendary mentor, prove to the world and herself that sheâs fit for the job. For Baron, the expeditionâs criminally-inclined security officer, itâs an opportunity to cash in on a supposed stashed fortune before debts get his knees smashed in. But from the moment their ship drops anchor and Westcliff is founded, things arenât quite right. Livestock go missing. Strange sounds echo in the darkness. Baronâs fortune seems more fiction than fact. And when tragedy suddenly strikes, Westcliffâs residents find themselves trapped and under-provisioned, with winter fast approaching. Forced to take charge of a desperate town on the brink of violence, Ash and Baron will have to use every trick they have to find out whoâs responsible. If they donât, nobodyâs surviving Westcliff. |
|
Tears of an Indifferent God by Isom Ashe In Pelesia, quests are abundant, and genuine heroes are few. That doesnât stop many from trying, though. From the dusty streets of Petrolix to the perilous peaks guarding the giant Ruk's nest, Tears of an Indifferent God follows Sola, a sandal-maker driven by a burning need for vengeance. Orphaned at a young age, Sola blames the legendary hero Gordoneus for the untimely deaths of his parents. When fate cruelly throws them together, Sola finds himself banished and reluctantly journeying alongside the very man he has vowed to destroy. As they traverse a landscape populated with mythical beasts and hostile city-states, Sola's quest for revenge transforms into one of self-discovery. Amid the dangers of their monumental quest to seize the coveted egg of the giant Ruk, Sola encounters unexpected camaraderie, challenges that test his mettle, and a love that might just redefine his understanding of justice and heroism. Set in a world inspired by the Bronze Age Mediterranean, full of political intrigue and the whims of unpredictable gods, Tears of an Indifferent God is a tale of action, myth, and transformation, where personal vendettas collide with the destinies shaped by the gods. |
|
Destiny Awaiting by Jan Foster She stole away to discover a new world, but interrupted a thief. Now Aioffe canât escape from him, the impending war or her growing curiosity. Lost and alone in Henry Vâs dangerous world, runaway fae Aioffe must rely on her newfound human captor, Tarl, to keep her safe. Yet his secrets could put both of them in greater peril than either could have imagined. Forced to enlist with Henry V's army, Tarl battles his conscience to keep flighty Aioffe hidden, while she struggles to find her place in medieval human society. As they travel through medieval Scotland, Wales, and England towards war with France, they must discover the power of true love and reveal themselves if they are to survive the destiny awaiting them at Agincourt. |
|
The Thief's Keeper by Kyrie Wang A runaway thrall. A clever thief. Together, two orphans will defy destiny or fall trying.â¨â¨In the aftermath of a rebellion against William the Conqueror, northern England lies in ruins, its people scattered and starved.â¨â¨Aelfric, a 14-year-old thrall, flees from his master and stumbles upon a cache of stolen laundry. The thief? Aliwyn, a girl around his age ostracized for being âcursed.â In her care is a lost toddler she has rescued from the clutch of greedy thrall traders.â¨â¨Forced to cover each otherâs secrets, Aelfric and Aliwyn form an unlikely friendship...and maybe something more. They embark on a perilous journey to reunite the child with his family and seek a cure for Aliwynâs mysterious condition.â¨â¨But time is running out. Aelfricâs master is on the hunt, and the shadows of death loom ever closer over Aliwyn. Will they find the courage to press on and defy fate, or will their quest end in capture and ruin? Immerse yourself in a fast-paced tale of unforeseen twists and heart-stopping challenges. The Thief's Keeper is a thrilling young adult novel that transports you to an alternative medieval world, where Celtic-inspired tribes live alongside the last Vikings. Discover a heartwarming tale where friendship triumphs against insurmountable odds. Start your adventure today! |
|
Echoes of Memory by M. Anthony Harris If you can't trust your memories, what can you trust?â¨â¨This question gnaws at Aris Ravenscroft after foreign memories invade his mind and nearly get him killed during an assassination attempt on the Emperor, a hero beloved by all. A hero he's sworn to protect. Kestrel, a street-smart orphan, also finds his mind filled with memories that aren't his. Memories that say that his world is nothing like it seems. Now the duo must make sense of the alien memories while unraveling the mystery of the Emperor's true colors while dodging attempts on their lives by the mysterious Inquisitors, crooked politicians, and a host of dangers in a world where the greatest villain is the biggest hero. |
|
"Forged by Pain" is a gripping tale that follows Princess Amelia, a good-natured and slightly mischievous girl whose life takes a turn at fourteen. In a ruthless coup orchestrated by Duke Nicholas, she loses her parents and freedom, becoming trapped and tortured within the infamous Black Tower for four harrowing years. Though her mind shatters under the torment, her indomitable spirit remains unbroken. With the unexpected aid of a crippled Inquisitor named Pretty and his loyal, mute servant Victor, Princess Amelia manages to escape her agonizing captivity. Transformed into a vengeful monster by the horrors she endured, she sets her twisted plans into motion, directing her anger towards Duke Nicholas's relatives and loved ones, determined to make him suffer as he did her. And as her sinister machinations unfold, a war looms on the horizon, engulfing the three kingdoms in turmoil. |
|
Fortitude's Prize by Ceril N Domace The Master of Fortitude, the largest city in the Flying Isles, has been robbed. Normally, this wouldnât concern Edward Bardsley. Heâs an alchemist and surgeon on a small privateering vessel, and there are much larger and better equipped ships in Fortitude. It only becomes his concern when his crew is commissioned to retrieve the masterâs stolen property. Between storms, injuries, and secrets that could see Edward exiled from the skies the way his father was, just getting to the thiefâs hideout is enough to test the hardiest crew. Thrust into the middle of an adventure that will take him from one end of the Flying Isles to the other, Edward must use every ounce of his alchemical and sailing knowledge to keep the crew intact as they inch closer to their goal. |
|
Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill Is the vampire in Opheliaâs cellar a man she can save, or a monster out for blood? From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Opheliaâs suspicions are arousedâŚbut nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds. Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humansâbut before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste. Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that heâs dangerous, Ophelia canât leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her familyâs wrathâwhich may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell. The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown. |
|
Jem, a Girl of London by Delaney Green Winner of a 2015 North Street Book Prize. âI would have adored this book as a thirteen-year-old who was very interested in history and science, and I enjoyed it immensely as an adult...." ~ Ellen LaFleche, assistant judge, North Street Book Prize When Jenna Connolly is orphaned in eighteenth century London, she faces two problems: first, she must find a way to stay out of the workhouse and off the streets; second, she must find a way to shake the disturbing visions sheâs been having ever since her fatherâs death. Jenna doesnât want to hear what animals are thinking. She doesnât want to know what diseases lurk inside complete strangers. Jenna solves her first problem by disguising herself as a boy and calling herself âJem.â This lands her a home with a doctor and a job with an apothecary. She even gets to take lessons from the American scientist, Ben Franklin. But Jemâs visions get scarier and harder to control, especially when she learns that a stranger with a patch over his eye has hired spies to find her. Who does Patch work for? Why does he want Jem? Why canât Jem shake her strange visionsâand why did she start having them in the first place? |
|
Trollgrave by Alex S. Bradshaw Something stirs in the Forest of Broken Trolls... Despite all his skill in healing and runecraft, God-Speaker Alvir Einarson could not save everyone. In the wake of failure, he seeks aid from an old mentor and witnesses a wave of darkness sweep over the land that, for a single moment, extinguishes all magic. In the capital, he discovers a fellow god-speaker is missing and the streets swarming with Windborn - resurrected warriors gifted with supernatural powers by the godsâ enemies. Answers await in the Forest of Broken Trolls, but within its sinister depths even the godsâ protection may not be enough, and no more so than now, when the godsâ strength may be fading and dark powers are on the rise. One thing is certain: Alvir Einarson would rather die than let the gods fall. Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy filled with fanatical outlaws, strange magic, and vicious monsters. |
|
The Autumn Apprentice by Alexandra Runes A disabled young woman opens her heart to a man with a soul full of secrets and magic of the darkest kind⌠Kirzemaj RĂźdisch, daughter of a wealthy merchant family, is soon coming of age and ready to enter society. Recovering from a curse that left her disabled, Kirze has spent much of her life in convalescence and seclusion, and now she must learn everything all over again. Under the guidance of Master AndruĹĄ BagadĂşr, Kirze discovers not only her lost abilities but a wider world beyond her privileged lifeâand feelings that call all her beliefs into question. As the reality of the world unravels, Kirzemaj is torn between duty and desireâbecause the man is twice her age, of an undesirable, foreign background, and has a darkness about him that, even with her new-found knowledge, Kirze cannot explain⌠A romantic fantasy, The Autumn Apprentice is set in a world evocative of Hanseatic Northern Europe and inspired by the histories and mythologies around the Baltic Sea. |
|
Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu Japan, 1625 A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest. Japanâs last hope lies in the hands of the nine warriors gathered by the young daimyĹ of Owari. To reach Onijima, where the source of the curseâs power awaits, the Nine will not only have to face swarms of undead samurai and waves of shinobi mercenaries but even more dangerous to their mission, their inner demons. Against the undead, the Nine only have two choices, fighting as one or becoming them. |
|
Song of the Spring Moon Waning by E.E. Ottoman Upon waking up one morning, Wen Yu is surprised to find a note asking him to return the song thrush given into his care while the owner was sick. The only problem is that Wen Yu was never given a song thrush. Though he has no time for distractions from his studies for the palace examination, Wen Yu goes in search of the unknown Liu Yi who left him the note. What he finds is a beautiful imperial eunuch, a talking tortoise, and a collection of mysterious moon poems that force Wen Yu to question what path in life he is truly meant to be walking... |
|
In a world where magic and betrayal intertwine, Tamara's life takes a treacherous turn. When Tamara makes a choice that costs someone their life, she faces the unforgiving consequences of her actions. The Council of Elders banishes her, casting her aside like a forgotten spell. But when news of an impending attack reaches her ears, Tamara will risk everything to save the people she holds dear, even if that means spending her life in prison. Now, Tamara must rise from her choices, wield her magic to protect the gifted and confront the consequences of her actions. In a kingdom where trust is scarce, alliances shift like shadows, and power is wielded with ruthless intent, Tamara must embark on an epic quest where survival is a relentless battle, and she must make the ultimate choice - vengeance or salvation. In Witchâs War, betrayal sets the stage, and courage lights the way as the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. |
|
The Council of Athyzia by D. H. Hoskins The Osseomancer is finally vanquished, but the work has only just begun. When the mage Snorri and his aide Nauveena convene a council to discuss how best to rebuild, all those who fought against the Osseomancer come from far and wide to attend. Nauveena expects such a council to be easy, especially compared to years of war. But soon enough, she learns that politics are more difficult than magic. Differences forgotten during the war are quickly remembered. Each member of the council arrives at Athyzia wishing to build a lasting peace, but each has their own idea of what that peace should look like. Worse yet, the Magic of Order â a mysterious cult growing in the east â wishes for something more sinister. The Osseomancerâs magic devastated the world. The Magic of Order claims to offer protection from such magic, but at what cost? Nauveena assists Snorri in presiding over the council, but soon finds herself bartering votes and forging alliances to protect an already fragile world. Soon, she will need to protect much more than this, as magic itself becomes threatened. How the council votes on these matters will reshape the world, and possibly not for the better⌠The Council of Athyzia is a high fantasy novel filled with elves and dwarves, politics and intrigue, libraries and magic. |
|
The Final Shroud by Nathan Burrage The Holy Land, 1099: Jerusalem has fallen. As the Christian factions vie for power, Godefroi de Bouillon and his companions unearth markers to the Keystone, a mystical artefact with the power to shape history. Yet progress has its price: Godefroi's bodyguard lies gravely wounded; the Arabic cabal guiding Hugues is broken; and the forces of Severity are gathering to claim the Keystone. France, 1307: Bertrand de Châtillon-sur-Seine was a knight for a single day before fleeing with the mysterious Salome. After a pitched battle that claims most of his brethren, Bertrand agrees to become Salome's new Shroud, binding his fate to hers. A refuge lies across the English Channel, but will they reach it in time? And when will Salome finally reveal her secrets? The Keystone awaits, but is it meant for mortal hands? |
|
The Hidden Keystone by Nathan Burrage July 1099: sweltering in the merciless heat, Godefroi de Bouillonâs desperate army finally breach the walls of Jerusalem. Concealed within their ranks are members of a secret fraternity. The Salt Lines seek a mystical artefact called the Keystone, and theyâre willing to sacrifice everything Godefroi values to possess it: the lives of his closest confidants, the only woman he has ever loved, even his very soul. October 1307: when Bertrand joined the Brotherhood of the Temple of Solomon, no one anticipated the brutal suppression of the Order that followed. Forced to flee for his life, Bertrand unwittingly becomes the only person who can lay the Keystone to rest. But can he resist its temptations whilst evading the forces of the French throne? With the veil of secrecy in tatters, truth has become the most dangerous possession of all. |
|
A reimagined fairy tale romance set in 17th-century France intertwines the Little Mermaid and Cinderella in a powerful tale of female friendship and second chance love. Marina, godmother witch, and her young apprentice, Cendrillon, must escape witch hunters and keep war from destroying the wild Black Forest, the source of witchesâ power. |
|
The Guild Master's Daughter by Geneva Price In 1816 New York City, there is no place for women in the world of art, especially not for Faith, the gifted step-daughter of a renowned artist. Her step-father expects young women to be dutiful, reserved, and respectable, traits utterly incompatible with Faithâs innate nature and the attention her extraordinary talent would attract. Faith masks her feelings, holds her tongue, and hides her drawings. But when her step-father draws an apple that Faith can pick up off the page and hold in her hand, she can no longer deny her calling. The mystical Ink he uses to bring the imaginary to life offers freedom and power she can never have on this side of reality. It may not get her out of an arranged marriage, but it might keep her from suffocating in it. Denied access to the Ink by the Guild that guards it and the Guild Master, her own step-father, Faith finds a way to train in secret. As she learns to manipulate the imaginary world where fantasy and fear are equally real, she discovers that even her reality is not what it seems. As the lines between real and imagined blur, Faithâs quest for self-agency may cost her everything she holds dear in both worlds. |
|
One choice. Lady Wendy Darling has dreamed of having her daring adventures of Peter Pan published in bookshops but engaged to a man of whom she has heard too many rumors about, Wendyâs dream must stay a dream. That is until she gets the chance of a lifetime, a chance to go to Neverland. The magical island is as if pulled straight from her notebook but even magical islands present their own troubles. Wendy has everything she ever wanted: love, a home, freedom, a family, but how far is she willing to go to keep it? And how far is her newfound family willing to go to keep her? The first in a trilogy, The Rescue introduces readers to the reinvented world of Neverland and a diverse cast of characters in a plot sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. |
|
The Ice Mage by Julianne Munich Marcel lives with one foot in each world. The first world feels as harsh and cold as the ice he casts from his fingertips. They want to use him as a bloodless and efficient weapon, nothing more. The second world is home to three friendly passengers who charter his coach for a journey. Luc, Emilie, and Adelaide are happy to travel to a princeâs castle as retinue servants, while Marcel's heart sinks in guilt and dread with each step his horses take. Luc's amnesia spell is all that separates the good man he's become, from the evil killer within. The coachman is driving him to where his spell will be brokenâand his true self will be unveiled. Marcel is faced with a terrifying dilemma of his own. Either obey the orders of Le Conseil SuprĂŞme and become their henchmanâor die a traitor. All the while, his feelings for a forbidden woman tempt him to risk it all. |
|
A Ballad of Hate and Hope by Kaylea Prime Hope has no beginning, and no end. As a LantĂĂŠ with both antlers and wings, and a Storyteller able to recall stories from the past, Nensola has always felt like an anomaly. Dark shadows of her peryton ancestors prowl the peripheries of her soul, threatening to consume her if she loses control. When her mom is murdered by pirates to harvest the magic in her wings, Nensola struggles to lead with hope. Sailing the West Indies in 1715, Kit is determined not to let his pirate stepfather die to claim a prize for the device he stole. He has always felt unanchored between Spanish and English cultures, harbouring hate for his parentsâ deaths. When Kit falls through a maelstrom portal into the world of ArwĂŠ and meets Nensola, his anchor begins to lower. While hope burgeons in Nensola and Kitâs hearts, hate festers on the borders. Just when Kit finally feels he belongs, he is cast adrift, faced with the prospect of returning to Earth. With her home and people threatened by a sinister force, and her trust in Kit uncertain, Nensola fears hateâs grip on her heart is stronger than the clinging droplet of hope. But even a droplet can create ripples. And all it takes is a ripple to change the world. A Ballad of Hate and Hope is a prequel novella taking place almost two hundred years before the events in A Spark From Embers - volume one in the fantasy series, Tears of Flame. |
|
And so it comes to this. A showdown. An ending. But if we fail - if I end - then reality might follow along behind me. We've been through so much. Torture. Murder. Trap after trap mainly sprung by me blundering head first into them and one of my friends saving my stupid behind. But there's no room for mistakes now. We've got an inkling of what the scumbag we're up against is after. Enough to know what his next target is. Enough to know it's probably his last one. Enough to know it's everything he needs to complete his nefarious plans. If we don't get there first, he wins. Simple. And I'm not sure ... but my gut says if that happens, every living thing in the universe loses. No pressure, right? imPerfect Gods is the sixth book in The imPerfect Cathar series, and completes the first story arc. It is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery, containing dark humour and graphic violence. |
|
At last a warm trail, through blood and bones and long dead kings. The hunt is on⌠Weâre back in Toulouse, and for once we have the upper hand. Our foe has no idea Iâve escaped from his trap in Fairie and weâve got an actual lead. The famous discovery of a certain hunchbacked English kingâs remains gives us a tantalizing clue, and now weâre hot on our enemyâs heels with him none the wiser. Except nothing ever runs that smoothly. Hob kings, goth vampires and back-stabbing double-crosses are all lying in wait. And thatâs just for starters. To make it back to France weâre going to need serious magic, might and high-level brainpower. Two out of threeâs not bad, right? Because if we donât manage it, the hunter might just become the hunted. imPerfect Hunt is a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery that spans the south of France, England and Paris. Contains dark humour and graphic violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
|
The good news? Thereâs a way out of Faerie. The bad news? Itâs through the heart of the Unseelie Court of Winter. And thatâs not all. Maeve, Winterâs ruler, has been stealing human kids for her own twisted delights. Not only do we have to find a way to sneak into her lands, but also weâve got to break in, rescue the stolen children and get them out again without her knowing. Or ... we go to war with the entire nightmarish Unseelie Court. Iâm not so much running on empty as trying to push myself forward with the handbrake on. The odds of survival seem minimal. But who wants to live forever? 800 years is good innings by anyone's standards. I can't leave the kids behind to suffer her sadistic indulgences. Weâve got to get them out - or die trying. imPerfect Bones is the fourth book in âThe imPerfect Catharâ series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery spanning Fairie and the south of France. Contains strong language and graphic violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
|
Body-jacking a legendary assassin when Iâm running on empty. No problem, right? After the last few misadventures, Iâm not so much broken as ruined, a shell of my former self. But I canât stop. The trail of those who betrayed me is getting cold, and if Iâm going to get any answers, I need to follow it, and now. Except it leads to Faerie. And the way is barred to all but the Fae. So Iâm forced to go toe-to-toe with a mercenary assassin whose name has been spoken in terrified whispers throughout the ages. One who got the drop on me the only time our paths crossed. The Jack of Plate. Half-Marred Jack himself. A man who may be more than a monster. Survival isnât just unsure. Itâs highly unlikely. imPerfect Fae is the third book in The imPerfect Cathar series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery following a trio of immortal heretics in the south of France. Contains strong language and violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
|
The problem with ancient promises? There's always a price to pay. Iâm exhausted. Done in. Needing a stiff drink and about a weekâs sleep. But thatâs not going to happen. Because Franc is dying, struck by a curse placed on him by the Sistren Of Bordeaux, one of the most powerful groups of Talented in France. And because of our deal, itâs on me to find out what the hell is going on, and how Franc has offended the Sistren. Apart from by simply existing, of course. Except a simple trip to Bordeaux turns into a living nightmare as the past comes back to not just haunt me but to kick me square in the nuts, and I'm sent to the one place no Talented ever wants to go. Where those with magic either vanish or get ruined, left as nothing but empty husks. This time, it might not be the world at risk. It might be my very soul. imPerfect Curse is the second book in The imPerfect Cathar series, a darkly funny supernatural suspense mystery following a trio of immortal heretics in the south-west of France. Contains strong language and violence. WINNER - BEST SERIES 2023 - SUPERNATURAL THRILLER CATEGORY - AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARDS |
|
Magic is dying out. There are only two people who can stop it: a psychopathic wizard who canât keep it in his pants and an autistic mage with crippling anxiety. Nikolai no longer wants to kill Medeaâheâd much rather sleep with her, certain itâs the key to winning her heart and learning the secret to immortality. But she seems oblivious to his advances, and Yoxtl wonât stop cockblocking him. The damned spirit wonât relent until he builds it a following. Medea has sensed the decline of magic for years. Now that she has an apprentice who can help her discover the cause, she finds her own discomfort with an ever-changing society getting in the way. Nikolai has been acting odd, too, though she canât put her finger on why. Their research takes them to America, where Medea struggles to navigate the Mundane world and Nikolai thrives, relying on his newly honed telepathy skillsâa branch of magic that Medea despises and fears heâll use against her. Will she ever learn to trust him? Should she? And when they stumble upon a mysterious magical signature in the unlikeliest of placesâthe heart of a Mundane cityâwill it shed some light on the fall of magic or lead to more questions? |
|
The Templar Sword by Sam Clarke Noah is a typical teenager with a very atypical dream â becoming a modern-day Knight Templar. His estranged father, a senior commander within the Order, is dead set against it. For fans of Uncharted, Outer Banks, and Indiana Jones. A Page Turner Awards Finalist. Amazon #1 New Release in YA Fiction Page Turner Awards Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award Finalist BBNYA Finalist An ancient sword has been missing for centuries. Recovering it would prove Noah's worth to his father and earn him a place at the Clearview Templar Academy. When he stumbles across a Renaissance painting that holds a clue to the swordâs location, Noahâs dream seems within reach. As the death toll quickly mounts, it becomes apparent that others are hunting the sword â for far more evil ends. The future of the Templars, very much like Noahâs, is at stake. Together with his friend Viggo and mischievously attractive Isabelle, Noah embarks on the deadliest quest of his life. The swordâs dangerous trail will take them from the canals of Venice, to the spires of Seville, to a gripping showdown in the underwater caves of the Caribbean. A fresh, original adventure story. Can be read as a standalone novel or as the sequel to The Twelfth Ring. PRAISE FOR THE TEMPLAR SWORD 'Amazing story. Awesome plot. Perfect characters. OMG! This is a MUST READ!!!' Goodreads 'Characters are spectacular, very real and very much people that I could relate to.' Goodreads âBecoming a Templar Knight in the modern day... now that's a great hook. Sort of Indiana Jones meets Harry Potter... a legendary secret school, an evil villain and a treasure. If that doesn't grab a reader, nothing will.â Ink & Insights 'Reading it was like watching a movie in my head.' Goodreads âNoah is a great main character and narrator for this story. He is witty and awkward and perfectly encompasses a teenage boy.â Ink & Insights "Though likely considered a âyoung adult fictionâ, as an older adult, I enjoyed this book tremendously. Itâs adventure, mystery, great characters, and a storyline that keeps you wanting to see what comes next from this author." Amazon Reviewer âWow, Noah is one terrific character. He's instantly likable, and we find ourselves not only rooting for him, but rooting for the quest. His personality is incredibly well developed for a teen, and I like the fact that he's smart and driven.â Ink & Insights |
|
Seeds of Truer Natures by LS Johnson In 15th-century Florence, two vampires plot against Lorenzo deâ Medici in this prequel novella to the forthcoming Prima Materia series. A year ago Adrian and Magnus walked out of the dungeons of their king, Gabriel, but his renewed favor is tenuous. Now they have an opportunity to make amends for good: to steal a book Gabriel desires from Lorenzo deâ Medici, the most powerful man in Florence, on the condition that they do so without being detected. To secure their prize, they decide to talk their way into Lorenzoâs homeâsave that Adrian and Magnus are not men, but what later centuries will call vampires. Unable to walk in sunlight without burning, fearing discovery by the Florentines, they find themselves relying on an unlikely intercessor: a young monk named Girolamo Savonarola, already famous for his visions. Soon, however, Adrian and Magnus realize that nothing about their task is what they expected, and their success could have catastrophic repercussions. To survive Gabrielâs dark agenda, they will have to confront their shared pastâor risk sacrificing their future. |