Alex McKenna and the Academy of Souls by Vicki-Ann Bush No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be. Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven. The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children. Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late? |
The Destined Road by J.M. Testa Much of Vosthelorenâs history is lost. The formerly united realms of men, elves, and dwarves have retreated to separate corners of the world, deeply suspicious of one another. Most remember only war, fear, and a darkness, known as the âhorizon of storms,â that bloomed across the seas. Thousands of years have passed since the shadow first appeared, but now the evil, once thought vanquished, lies in wait, threatening to destroy all who challenge it. Tagwen Braithe, newly ascended queen of Yeacralas, the southern realm of men, has taken up the throne after the death of her father. She knows little of her worldâs tumultuous past and even less about how to fill her fatherâs shoes. Many consider her title unearned, so when she answers an urgent call from a neighboring kingdom, she considers it her chance to prove her mettle to the people she is sworn to protect. But as she discovers, her journey will be the beginning of the worldâs darkening end and she will be forced to embark on an odyssey that will take her beyond the call of duty and reveal her true destiny. |
Rift Bringer by Adrienne Renick After her best friend is murdered by a shapeshifting eonite, Liana pours herself into her work for Terminus, the underground rebellion most superhuman anomalies look to for justice against such crimes. As an anomaly herself, itâs hard for Liana to balance hiding in the shadows with bringing dirty truths to light, and her slip-ups bring her to the attention of the ruthless leader of Terminus, Matthias Stryker himself. Terminus is cutthroat, but theyâre not the only ones watching. The government agency, EVOS, is out for anomaly blood, and when Liana is caught in the crossfire, she has no choice but to play along. Especially after hotheaded Agent Wallace backs her into a corner with his deadly plan: deescalate the rising tension between factions and prevent war on a cosmic scale by using Liana as a double agent. It doesnât help that Lianaâs relationship with Stryker is shaky at best, and helping EVOS as an anomaly is like playing with dynamite. But unrest is stirring, Wallace is making some irritatingly excellent points, and Terminusâs reputation is growing worse by the minute. Liana is out of options. All eyes are on her, and itâs only a matter of time before sheâs the one thing left that will make or break the peace between worlds. |
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. |
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 donât 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. |
Awakening in Sapphire by Jonathan Hawker Camelot is fallen. King Arthur is dead. The world carries on, slouching toward its final breath. "I do what I have to just to stomach this cesspool I woke up to!" Seventeen hundred years after the events that shaped him into a villain of legend, Morgan le Fay wakes, little more than flashes of his life past to guide the way. Thus, he dons the mantle the world has fashioned for him, cloaking his true identity beneath the guise of a mercenaryâteaching the neon city of Etna that he is not one to be trifled with. "And me? What about my life helped you stomach this place?" Aaron Jones will never know a land beyond this one, and while it may not be a place of fairytales, he does everything within his limited power as an officer with the ECPD to make it safe. That is until his efforts lead him to a dark alley in the middle of a city-wide blackout, and a jab to the neck lands him on Etna's missing persons list. The past and future collide in Etnaâone of the final bastions of humanityâas Morgan navigates the schemes of the corporate giant, Esotech, the politics of the Occult Communityâand the notion that he could be so much more than the world remembers. Awakening in Sapphire is the first installment in the Once & Forever Kings series. While it is a low spice MM Romance at heart, it features many characters along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. With a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, a soulmates theme and a cast comprised of found family, it's a Happily Ever After for now that will continue in the following four books! |
The Shadow & The Draw by RD Baker When all hell breaks loose, their one chance for the truth will be their last. Cora is Fated to marry the next Alpha of her demon clan and become queen. But all the power in the world means nothing if she canât have who she truly loves most of allâthe Alphaâs Draw, Amryn. Even though the clan leaders forbid the relationship between ruler and bodyguard, they still canât seem to keep themselves apart. But when angels ambush their clan, calling Cora the Shadow Queen and causing forgotten memories to resurface, she begins to question the hand Fate has dealt her. No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe. While Cora and Amryn flee to find answers, theyâll realize the deception stretches further than they couldâve ever imagined. And with cosmic powers on both sides seeking their destruction, their love will either be their salvationâŠor their doom. |
Dad Magic: The Monarch Children Saga Book One by Benjamin Twigg Welcome to Spellford A city where enchanted coffee shops serve lattes with a side of prophecy, and fried chicken is delivered to your door in mere seconds. Here, Brent Abernathy, an ordinary dad with a not-so-ordinary past, is about to have his world flipped upside down. His teenage daughter, Victoria, is not just any teen; she is the key to an unimaginable power, and sinister forces have taken notice. Armed with nothing but his wits, some dad jokes and the help of his Half-Orc best friend, Paxton Grimtusk, a loveable geek with a heart of gold, Brent sets out on a spellbinding adventure. As secrets unravel and betrayals sting like cursed nettles, Brent finds himself tangled in an ageâold conspiracy that threatens the balance of magic itself. To save Victoria, he will need more than just a dad bod and fire spells. Heâll have to face down ancient forces and do the impossible: rewrite the rules of magic. |
A Gift of Words by Rosalind Dando Cam has plenty of things to worry about. His best friend might have broken someoneâs fingers, the class bully wonât leave him alone, and staying under the radar of his teachers is much harder than it ought to be. He definitely doesnât need magic to make his life any more complicated. Which is good, because when he does write his name in Libris Sapientiaâthe book of wisdomâa whole lot of nothing happens. He is a failure, and even a book agrees. Then, Loman Lykill joins their class, bringing a whole new brand of chaos to Highgrove Secondary. Cam has his magical gift, whether he wants it or not. |
Caraway of the Sea by Madeline Burget Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the shipâs 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. |
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. â 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 Rhoslynâs supporters, the queen finds that her only choice is to flee the kingdom. Her alliesâa trio of mercenaries, her aging guard captain, and her half-human loverâmust 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 CĂșraniel 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 âGod of Carnageâ for all the elves heâs slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, CĂșraniel 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 Dragonâs malice. Can CĂșraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? âSilver Star, Red Dragonâ is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished âLord of the Ringsâ had a bit more âKushielâs Dart.â |
The Four by Alexandra Haden-Douglas Prepare for an unforgettable journey as a witch, a siren, a demon & a hemoglobin intolerant vampire fight to save a friend under a rising New Orleans full moon w/a host of characters, both magical & mortal along for the rideâŠwhat could possibly go wrong? |
The Witch's Detective by Karen Thrower Lily Roa grew up known as âThe little witch who killed her family,â now she works for the police as a consultant, solving magical crimes. Her lifeâs 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 Lilyâs 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 whatâs going on in the sleepy town of Arion. |
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 donât always pay strict attention to military discipline, and Gwen is given a chance to redeem herself by joining them. |
The Secret of the Silver Serpent by L.L. Gray Jingle spells, stolen jewels, and a Christmas ball that sleighs! 'Tis the season for silver serpents, snowstorms, and surprises! Harper Sullivan is excited for her first Christmas Ball in the enchanting town of Havenwood. However, her magical holiday takes a mysterious turn when a priceless necklace disappears amidst the festivities. With holiday cheer at stake, Harper springs into action to help crack the case. Teaming up with the spirited Isadora Silverthorne, Harper embarks on a winter wonderland quest in the middle of the largest snowstorm of the decade. But with time ticking away and the promise of a thaw on the horizon, the chance to recover the missing jewels is as fleeting as snow in the sun. Will they unveil the thief's identity, or will Havenwood's holiday sparkle be tarnished forever? Crack the case today! Grab your copy and solve the mystery. |
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 Kavaâs 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 itâs 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. |
The Duchess of Kokora by Nikhil Prabala The Duchess of Kokora, Phera Ylir Mdana, has entered the marriage games of the neighboring kingdom of Ryene. But sheâs not there to woo the dashing Prince Dominic. Her true objective? To win back one of the other contestants, Lady Rocelle ViraeâPheraâs true love and ex-fiancee. Love proves to be a game like any other when Phera must not only mend matters with her childhood sweetheart, but conceal her true intentions in order to earn votes and stay in the competition. And as long-brewing political tensions simmer beneath the surface, the playful veneer of the competition begins to crack. In the end, Phera, Dominic, and Rocelle find themselves united in a desperate bid to prevent a duel that threatens the integrity of the kingdom, the stability of the continent, and any hope for a happily ever after. |
Dogmatic Dungeon Dominion by Schuyler Lisette In a world where the supernatural collides with the ordinary, dungeonsâdangerous rifts to other realmsâbegin 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 strainedâA 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 themâand their fragile trustâapart. 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 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 Havenwoodâs secrets to the world. As the pranks escalate, Harper puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test as she races against time to protect Havenwoodâs 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 townâs supernatural secrets or will the magical town cease to be a haven for Harper and those like her? |
Strangers in Our Hearts by Bri Eberhart Theo Goodwin is used to running, while Gemma Roberts wants nothing more than to find somewhere to call homeâsomeplace to belong. With the threat of the Authorities looming, despite their strange connection and a shared desire to protect their family, a compromise between fight or flight is no easy feat. As they traverse a new shared life together, they must learn to understand one another for the survival of not only themselves but also those they hold dear. When a new group swoops in with their own unique powers and motivations that threaten to ruin everything Theo and Gemma have worked toward, the invitation into their broader community has its appeals but equal drawbacks. Tension simmers within their crew, testing their bonds and questioning their unity. As they navigate this delicate balance, they'll discover the world isn't what it seems and finally put a word to what they areâmutants. More are found every day, with abilities far beyond what they thought possible. And the Authorities are doing more than hunting them down. With mutants on the precipice of war with the government, will they decide to join the cause and fight or continue to run and hide? |
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. Lawtonâs tendency to attract, and often cause, trouble leaves Calix sometimes holding the bag (which definitely happens). Calix is also harboring a secret â heâs 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 Lawtonâs shady dealings go wrong one spring morning, he takes shelter in Ethaniel Harknessâs magical tailoring shop. Calix and Ethaniel know each other as customer and tailor, but Ethanielâs kind heart wonât let Calix stay in danger. As Calix hears the strange book speak in his mind, Ethaniel contacts his old flame Aubrey Lavigne. Aubreyâs 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 Aubreyâs 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. |
Wind That Blows From Nowhere by Zoiy G. Galloay For fans of The Last Airbender and Air Awakens comes an exciting new fantasy infused with magic and romance. A young woman with Mage powers finds herself alone as she combats a secret organization of Mages attempting to conquer the land. When a prince steals her heart, the stakes grow higher and her desperation to keep him safe threatens her own life. Alisio Skylor, an Air Mage, has known about the âSocietyâ for years and their attempts to control all elemental races. The problem is, she cannot stop them on her own. Using a disguise she spends her nights flying on rooftops, protecting a prince from an unseen enemy inside his court, and hoping that he can alter the balance of power. Prince Esko has been blessed with a mysterious masked Mage, whoâs rescued him on multiple occasions. After various clandestine meetings, he comes to terms with a threat within his government and his growing feelings for his rescuer. A royal, however, isnât allowed to marry a commoner, especially one with a controversial background. |
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 wonât 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. |
The Scales of Seduction by Rien Gray Seeking to change her body, Petra Kruos, a mercenary and the last living Basilisk, strikes a deal with the goddess Cybele in exchange for recovering Perseusâ divine armaments from his grave. The heroâs corpse rests within the lair of the legendary Medusa, who lives in exile surrounded by a vicious and deadly gauntlet. Surviving to reach the gorgon is perilous enough, but the potent lure of a fellow serpent threatens to undo everything Petra holds dear. The Scales of Seduction is a 33,000 word F/F erotic romance novella between a butch trans woman and a feral cis femme, focused on lesbian desire and reclaiming one's body from those who would destroy it. This book is intended for readers 18 or older. |
Red Gifts in the Garden of Stones by P A Swanborough Itâs 1969. Distrust and arrogance are alive and well in the timeless bones and living stones of this close Welsh community, and the pagan ancestors arenât as far in the past as people might think. It only takes a very small dog to inflame a monster⊠Suspiciously long-lived matriarch Lizzie Coombe expects her one-hundredth birthday to be a special day. Sheâs always kept aloof from the neighbours; hasnât spoken to some for over 50 years, and cares even less for their opinions. But Reverent Morgan, latest in a long line of Morgan vicars at the tiny village chapel, is affronted by events. And he finds a ready audience for his hostility. Caught inside the haunted walls of the ancestral farmhouse, aristocratic Lizzie and her solid daughter Myfanwy only know long-dead love. Lizzieâs unstable granddaughter Sarah Maud is frightened of it. Great granddaughter Jenner doesnât seem to need love at all; is she a wise woman, or a witch? As events and people spiral out of her accustomed control, Lizzie faces her own ghosts and sees she might have to do the unexpected: care for her family. |
The Witches of Crannock Dale by Thomas M. Kane Spies. Witch-hunts. A little girl who asks dangerous questions. Eleven-year-old Mara wants to go on being her pappyâs little girl forever, but when knights of the official church arrest her favorite aunt on trumped-up charges of witchcraft, she leaves her safe childhood world behind. Shocked by adultsâ willingness to accept injustice, she runs away from home to rescue her aunt from execution. She finds that respected members of her community are using her aunt as a scapegoat to cover up their own collaboration with foreign agents. As Mara schemes to protect her family from these conspirators, she deduces that they are part of a larger plot which threatens her entire nation, and which her countryâs leaders fail to see. That problem is too large for a child to solve, but it will define Maraâs life. |
She's Not for You by M. McTier Anna Riker: Everyone deals with demons in their own way. Me? I like fighting, drinking and men. I don't want boyfriends or any kind of commitment. I do everything on my own. My life is perfect. I live and work in a military town called Falcon Ridge. I work for the city's Border Patrol and hate the Security Unit guys that live here. I have no patience for them at all. That was until one soldier crossed paths with a Rogue. I saved his life, and now he's trying to make me feel things I don't want to. The problem is I can't stop it. Michael Dorian: I know I'm being used. I've been Anna's hook up for years. I was happy just pleasing her. I was happy not committing to her. That was until she started seeing this soldier. Now I'm a powder keg waiting to explode. Anna's mine, and I will prove it to her. Even if I have to commit treason to do it. River Blake: I want my title. It's my birth right. My father won't give it to me until I find my fated, but that could take forever. At least I thought it would. When the border agent saved me, she did something inside me. Now, I don't care about my title. Anna needs me whether she believes it or not. I'm going to help her fight her demons, and hopefully, this sexy biker will be mine forever. |
Sage Pineblossom: Top Tinkerer of the North Pole by Emme Klama Sage Pineblossom is an elf, but not just any elf. As a gifted teen, she can't figure out her place at the North Pole. While she searches, Trolls take over the mind of Santa! Who will save him, and even Christmas? Find my books: Useyourwords.me |
The Sharp Edge of Fate by TF Johnson âItâs your job. You kill who I tell you, when I tell you.â The Belladonna is a shadow; an assassin who leaves purple-black berries on the bodies of her victims. No one knows her name, or her face. Piper is desperate to keep it that way. When an assignment goes spectacularly wrong, Piperâs carefully separated lives begin to converge. Her target becomes a reluctant ally as they search for clues to the disappearances haunting the city of Silversdale; disappearances that include Piperâs close friend, and a member of the empireâs ruling family. With two children in her care and time running out before she is due to deliver on her contract, Piper will soon find she has only scratched the surface of a plot that threatens everything she holds dear. |
The Way It Would Become by Amena Jamali Before the rise of the Quest of Freedom, their mothers and their fathers witnessed the darkening of the skies... Riqeta, Princess of Zahacim, is the most powerful warrior to stalk across eastern and southern Icilia. Both her skill and her honor in war are legendary, and her defection to her new husbandâs nation is an upheaval of their worldâs political balance. Yet beneath her fierce veneer is a woman unsure of how to love. Naman, Prince of Koroma, is renowned for his compassion and good heart, and his wedding to Riqeta renders him a political force to behold. Yet there is one flaw to his happiness â he cannot be sure whether Riqeta loves him. Not long after their wedding, the king gives Riqeta and Naman a mission of dire importance: resolve the growing insurgency in the south before it poses a true threat to the crown. Riqetaâs martial prowess and Namanâs benevolent voice surely can resolve anything. So they set out, thinking success will not be too difficult to achieve. But the evil festering in the south is unlike anything they could ever imagine⊠Will they even be able to see it to survive it? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a sweet yet haunting new adult fantasy tale of romance, home found through love, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders at what it means to have courage in the face of evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of staying strong in dark times. |
The Reverence Chosen by Amena Jamali With the reconquest of the nation of Nademan, some light has returned to the world of Icilia. The Quest of Freedom has been victorious in the first part of their war against the Blood-soaked Sorcerer, and now they look to the second. But just as Lucian, Malika, Elian, Arista, and Kyros finally finish their preparations, a scream echoes through the night. A sign that the protections around Iciliaâs most sacred places, the athar mountains of Asfiya, are breaking. And soon after arrives the news that the Blood-soaked Sorcerer is coming â with an army vast enough to blacken the plains. Rushing west, the Quest finds a nation on the brink of madness. The hallowed cities are too filthy to endure, and the people they have come to save are more than lost â they are cruel themselves. Yet the Quest must save them â all of them â before the enemy reaches Asfiya. For, if they fail in the least degree, the cost will be in the currency of souls. With such high stakes and such little time, they cannot escape the Does even the Divine truly possess the power to defeat the encroaching darkness? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of human dignity amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of redemption, mercy, and hope in the darkest of times. |
The Bell Tolling by Amena Jamali The Blood-soaked Sorcerer tyrannizes the land of Icilia with every form of cruelty imaginable, dyeing his armor red in the blood of innocents. Crushed to pieces under such savagery, the people of Icilia abandon hope and forget the gifts of civilization that had once been their dearest blessings. Amid this darkness comes light in the form of Lucian, the divinely-appointed hero of Icilia and the Leader of the Quest of Freedom. Educated in all of the ancient arts, Lucian has the virtue and power necessary to cleanse evil from the land. But not aloneâanswering the call of his sacred destiny, Lucian gathers together his four divinely-chosen companions and embarks on a journey to free his world. He is determined to restore the forgotten laws, heal the tormented, and unite the land behind his banner. Yet his companions seem too shattered to save anyone, while his people might be too blind to see the light. And above all he must confront the question: Are there some evils even the Divine cannot conquer? Amena Jamali embarks on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of freedom amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of light springing forth from dark places. |
Werecats Resurgent by Mark J. Engels *** FINALE OF A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Cornered, captured, and determined to make their stand⊠After springing her lover from the brig, Pawly and her family make ready to swipe a container from an ocean freighter transiting Lake Michiganâone containing the genetic material needed to save her mother from the debilitating effects of her unsated bloodlust. All according to Mawro's plan, him having laid a trap for them on behalf of his rogue state employer. But Mawro's superiors spring a trap of their own, exploiting Pawly's feral rage by revealing to her a horrific secret from her past. Chaos ensues, leaving members of her family kidnapped, their remote island hideaway in flames, and her mother at death's door. Now Pawly and the familyâtogether with some unlikely new alliesâmust journey halfway around the world on a veritable suicide mission, a final showdown to rescue their loved ones and to quell her kind's lethal bloodlust once and for all. Werecats Resurgent is the third and final installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggsâ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarellaâs Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into! |
Werecats Convergent by Mark J. Engels *** NEXT IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Defeated, conflicted, and on the run⊠Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her familyâs escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. Pawlyâs family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawroâs plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her loverâs life or chance her true nature driving him away forever. Werecats Convergent is the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggsâ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarellaâs Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into! |
Werecats Emergent by Mark J. Engels *** FIRST IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Afflicted, exploited, and deadly⊠Teenaged Pawly discovers her secret werecat heritage after unexpectedly morphing into a lynx one Halloween night. She and her twin brother thrill as they explore their newly revealed abilities, never far from the watchful eye of their blended human-werecat family. But the old folks know that unless they can find an outlet for the twinsâ growing bloodlust, they will both soon turn feral. Meanwhile, Pawlyâs uncle Ritzi scrambles to develop a means to sate her and her brotherâs lethal urges. Resuming his deported fatherâs scientific research and desperate for funding, Ritzi draws notice from a nefarious rogue state eager to helpâand to exploit the twinsâ lethal potential. As her family strives to keep the twinsâ blood rage in check, Pawly finds herself caught between a Chicago-area drug cartel and the rogue state wooing her uncle. While either could aid in reining in her inner beast, neither has her familyâs best interest at heart. Unless a solution can be found quickly, Pawly and her brother will both succumb to their feral natures. And this time, more than just the family pet will end up torn to shreds. Werecats Emergent and additional Forest Exiles Saga books feature the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggsâ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarellaâs Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into! |
Offset: Book 2- Children of the Gulf by Delvin Howell Magic is violent. No one understood this more than Kyle Harding, a young stick-licker from the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As an obeah witch, Kyle's mother has built a massive debt which was passed on to her sons upon her death. And now Gulfsyde, a duo of brutal assassins notorious for leaving carnage in their wake, has come to collect. With a past drenched in blood, fire and bodies, Gulfsyde aims to retire with one final kill. But Kyle has a little brotherâDamienâto protect, and he will not lose any more family to the obeah trade. Though bus stops ignite, and devastating magical weapons form against him, Kyle defends his home with only the lowly sugarcane his mother left behind. |
Offset: Book 1- The Mask of Bimshire by Delvin Howell Magic is Expensive. An underground obeah trade lies within the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As a child, Kyle Harding thought Bimshire a frightening place. Bus stops glow. Flute music haunts the air. And the shadows themselves stalk him. With his mother dead, and a baby brotherâDamienâto raise, Kyle had much to endure growing up. But when a serial killer attacks his home, Kyle is forced down a bloody path where he discovers the history surrounding his family and the massive debts his mother left behind. |
The Antagonist's Prison by DJ Jones âNo one deserves Critch.â It is said by heathens and oligarchs. Heard in the darkest alleyways of Indigo Bay. Whispered by those who donât know. And as a warning in The City Beneath the Bay. Itâs been three years since Aaron Bennett banished Critch to the corners of his mind. But that smile still gleams, waiting in its cage. Aaron is stable until Jaslynn Phillips offers him a human connection for the first time. Unfortunately, just as Jaslynnâs true intentions emerge, a monster trudges out of the harbor and kidnaps her. Critch seizes this opportunity and explodes from his mental cell. Despite Aaronâs meticulous control over his past, his future, and his own mind, his control was more fragile than he believed. In order to rescue Jaslynn from The City Beneath, he must revive his old life of violence, fear and the wealthy beyond measure. |
The Once and Future Sword by Gregory Amato Losing your temper is pretty bad for a sword. Dwarf-forged and dwarf-blessed, this sword was made to do great things. At least until its wielder gets fat and lazy and starts using it as a prop. And until all the other weapons start snickering. Can two and a half pounds of homicidal steel regain glory after its importance is forgotten? Unless it can forge a new path, the greatest sword in the North might just lose its edge. |
The Half Killed by Quenby Olson A dark apparition stalks the streets of Victorian London... Dorothea Hawes has no wish to renew contact with what lies beyond the veil. After an attempt to take her own life, she has retired into seclusion, but as the wounds on her body heal, she is drawn back into a world she wants nothing more than to avoid. She is sought out by Julian Chissick, a former man of God who wants her help in discovering who is behind the gruesome murder of a young woman. But the manner of death is all too familiar to Dorothea, and she begins to fear that something even more terrible is about to unleash itself on London. And so Dorothea risks her life and her sanity in order to save people who are oblivious to the threat that hovers over them. It is a task that forces her into a confrontation with her own lurid past, and tests her ability to shape events frighteningly beyond her control. |
Spells & Spices ; a very witchy novel by Kay Clancy Hold on to your broomsticks and get ready for a magically delicious ride in "Spells & Spices," a tale brewed in a Caribbean cauldron! Join Aditi Crawley, a spirited young witch of Caribbean descent, as she teams up with her crafty grandmother, an eclectic coven of six, and her trusted corgi familiar to unravel ancient secrets and face off against a dark evil threatening Ravenâs Peak, Georgia. Amid whispered hexes and magicked cupcakes, Aditi's path entwines with Alexander, a mysterious celestial witch with secrets as potent as the strongest potion. Together, they brew up a slow-burn romance sparked by a shared desire to do what is right and an exploration of each otherâs cultures through food. But watch out â danger lurks in the shadows, ready to cast a spell on their newfound love. Get ready for a spellbinding adventure brimming with intrigue, laughter, self-discovery, and family bonds, all seasoned with Caribbean flavors. It's a witchy delight that'll leave you craving more magic and mystery! |