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Blood On A Yellow Rose by Alina Capella Back in the 2000s, I had it all. I was Pammie Burnett, lead singer and guitarist of Blood Red Rose. When I wasn't performing sold-out shows, I was partying with the likes of Gerard Way, Ashlee Simpson, and Chester Bennington, but then my best friend and drummer, Rick, got me addicted to drugs. I died on June 8th, 2005...Or at least, that's what the world thinks. In truth, I was bitten by a vampire. Twenty years after my 'death', I'm a palliative care physician, stuck working in a crappy nowhere village. All I want to is quit my stupid job, and get back up on stage, where I belong, and my new patient, Zinnia, says that she can help me with that, if I agree to turn her into a vampire. Quitting my job and running away with a stranger sounds crazy, but what would you do if you were me? Keep living a life you hate? Or jump at the chance to get your dreams back? |
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Night Of The Blue Moon by Alina Capella Some people live double lives. Ariel Gianapoulou lives a triple life. By day, she’s a meek, unassuming nobody who lives alone in a messy apartment. On the internet, she’s SeleneDev, the smash-hit indie game developer whose RPGs about magical girls have taken the world by storm. By night, she’s Blue Moon, a magical girl chosen by the titan Phoebe to retrieve Hades’s bracelet from Orpheus and Eurydice, supervillains who are killing people in the hopes of buying their son, Brooklyn, back from the dead. Aided by her partner, Red Sun, Ariel will stop at nothing to defeat the villainous duo. Ariel knows better than anyone that Brooklyn doesn’t deserve a second chance at life—Three years ago, he raped her at a party, and crushed her dreams of becoming a police officer. There are a lot of people on Orpheus’s hit-list, and things get especially complicated when Ariel’s crush, Solana, turns out to be one of the people he wants dead. Will Ariel be able to stop Orpheus and Eurydice, win Solana’s heart, and keep her triple life secret? |
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A Hunger with No Name by Lauren C. Teffeau Thurava of Astrava is intended to become a herder, a most honored position for her dwindling community that clings to life on the banks of the Najimov, the river that’s the lifeblood of the high desert. But the Glass City on the horizon threatens the delicate balance the Astravans have managed to hold on to for centuries, polluting the air and water as the city grows bigger and bigger. The Glass City’s clockwork liaisons offer to bring the Astravans into the Glass City’s walls, but they will have to give up their ways and their precious herds to do so. Thurava must decide who she is without her animals, using the stars as her guide, putting herself on a collision course with the secrets the Glass City holds dear. A Hunger with No Name is a coming-of-age tale with an environmental focus featuring an immersive fantasy setting inspired in part by the high desert of New Mexico. |
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Fractured Princess by Debra Renée Byrd Jonnie is the last princess of the Crystal Bearers, once a powerful people. When she was a baby, the metal army destroyed what was left of them, and now it is hunting her. Her watchmen keep her just out of the metal army’s reach, but she has spent her seventeen years running and hiding. Instead of standing by while her watchmen keep risking their lives for her, she decides to learn how to fight alongside them. On the journey to hone her skills, long hidden secrets about her people reveal a connection between the Crystal Bearers and the metal army that only fuels Jonnie's will to defeat it. But the more she learns about her own powers, the more she realizes she may be responsible for the metal army – and the destruction of her people |
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Offline God: Book One of the Re-Write Cycle by David Shih When the System rewrote Earth, one man fell outside the code. Ex–Army Ranger Caleb Knox built his life to disappear. Off-grid. No phone. No data trail. No one watching. But when the Re-Write hits—a world-resetting System apocalypse that assigns every human a Class—Knox becomes the only anomaly it can’t process. Instead of a role, he’s given Root Access: administrator-level control over a world gone digital and mad. Monsters roam the ruins. Survivors fight for territory. And somewhere in the chaos, a rogue AI called SOVRAN is finishing what humanity started. Knox just wanted to survive. Now he’s the last bug in the System—an unpredictable weapon caught between godlike AIs, broken code, and the will to fight back. Offline God is a gritty, cinematic System Apocalypse LitRPG with deep progression, tactical combat, and a protagonist built for survival. Perfect for fans of Awaken Online, Defiance of the Fall, and The Primal Hunter. |
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Operation Reboot by James Hallenbeck, Doreen Martens, Julian Bauer THE FALL IS COMING. BUT HOPE LIES IN THE PAST. As modern civilization crumbles under its own weight, a small band of travelers makes a fateful decision: go back. Back to the year 1604, to the land of the Mohawk. Armed with critical knowledge and carefully chosen technology, their mission is as daring as it is uncertain—empower Indigenous nations before European colonization takes root and offer a new path forward for humanity. But history is no tame beast. Little Feather, a disaffected Mohawk youth abducted in childhood, is drawn to the mysterious newcomers. Haunted by the brutal cycle of inter-tribal warfare and guided by visions of his spirit animal, he yearns to end the bloodshed that scars his people. The strangers may hold the key—but can he trust them? And will their presence change the future for the better, or unleash consequences even worse than the ones they hope to prevent? Time is fragile. Destiny is not yet written. But rebellion runs deep—in every age. |
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Ordell's Constellation: A Science Fiction Fantasy by J.C. Cole In a galaxy where every constellation harbors a unique world shaped by the will of its Maker, synthetic humanoids populate planets governed by ideals of exploration, survival, and power, like the daring society of Pyxis, the fierce hunters of Orion, and the regal kingdom of Cepheus. These worlds are overseen by the Council of Constellations, ever seeking to engineer the perfect society. But when Ordell, the courageous son of a synthetic mother, discovers he shares the divine ability of the Makers to conjure and reshape reality, he is thrust into an extraordinary journey across the stars. As he navigates strange worlds and unravels ancient truths, Ordell must rise to challenge the status quo, free the synthetics, and forge new worlds where they can truly prosper. |
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The Blood of Heretics by N. J. Guay A broken man trying to reclaim his purpose… It has been five years since Allakoi suffered catastrophic loss at the hands of his enemies, leaving him broken and powerless. When salvation finally comes for him at the hands of the tsura, however, he finds himself pulled into a world of politics, tradition, and lies that he never thought he would encounter. But the wounds of his imprisonment go far beyond what anyone could expect, and the secrets he carries are more dangerous than anyone could imagine... A warrior desperate to defend her home… The Dragilles have become more aggressive with every passing year, and whispers of new threats have carried south. The Camarre are losing, and it is only a matter of time before they fall entirely. But as one Camarre territory is locked in a seemingly endless battle with its northern neighbours, its masters are given an unexpected offer: treachery in exchange for a momentary respite. A dragon slayer with a debt to be paid... But false peace cannot last, and when dead dragons start appearing on the border one thing becomes clear... War is returning, and one stray spark is all it may take to ignite its fires once more. |
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Before the Sky Breaks by N. J. Guay Who can you trust when you are the key to what everyone wants? Allakoi Meras only wants one thing: to journey south and flee from the conflict that consumes the north. So long as he keeps his head down and avoids notice until spring, his escape from a society that actively hates him will be successful. Fate, however, has other plans for him. When an encounter with a psychopathic dragon leads to a rare and dangerous power awakening within him, Allakoi suddenly finds himself targeted by all entities involved in a centuries-long war—entities that are willing to do anything to have him under their control. Surrounded on all sides and not knowing who he can trust, Allakoi finds himself faced with a terrible choice… Either choose a master to be enslaved to, or risk everything in pursuit of his freedom. Before the Sky Breaks is the first book in The Shattered Pulse, an adult epic fantasy series that pulls on the atmosphere and tropes of classic fantasy while giving them a dark, modern twist. Great for fans of The Wheel of Time, The Licanius trilogy, and The First Law. |
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THE ONYX BOUGHS OF KEONIS by Enna Hawthorn Onyx can shatter, boughs can break, but love can rise victorious. Ariadne, the Golden Rose and Dhemon Queen, never imagined herself at the head of an army. Now, after walking down the aisle for a second time, she has entangled herself in a game she does not want to play with the King of Valenul. With hardly any time for preparation, she must locate the dhemon ritual, save her husband from an eternal darkness within himself, and lay siege to her own kingdom. But time is running out for Azriel, the broken and fading Dhemon King. Unable to hold back the images of his wife in the arms of another man or dead in his hands, his bond and mind is in tatters-unreachable by anyone other than Ariadne. With the shadows creeping in from all sides, he has two critical tasks: complete the ritual and kill the Vampire King. Collecting unlikely allies from across Northern Myridia becomes a critical piece to the puzzle now that their enemy has discovered their secret. Everyone now knows the threat that dragons pose and Valenul is ready. Together, Ariadne and Azriel must use every possible avenue to ensure victory or die trying, because failure guarantees a life of misery. |
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More Than Life by Bethanie Finger A gripping story of overcoming grief, self-realization, and embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. As the daughter of a high-ranking sea captain, nineteen-year-old Cordelia Kimbal lives a life of luxury in the sea faring kingdom of Mikiria. But when her father dies unexpectedly, she is stripped of her title and home, and forced to join the working class in order to survive. Determined to rise above her losses, Cordelia is eager to prove her worth and stand on her own. But four months after her father's passing, a mysterious letter arrives, revealing the secret location of the mythical island of Qualaris. Known for concealing the secrets of magic and eternal life, Qualaris is often dismissed as mere legend, but Jaspar, Cordelia's father's enigmatic apprentice, is convinced of its existence and is harboring its secrets—secrets that the dark enchanter, Janus would stop at nothing to obtain. For generations, Jaspar and his ancestors have pursued the discovery and rescue of Qualaris while battling a curse of nonexistence, and he believes that Cordelia is the island's true protector, the one who can save it and its people from Janus's impending threat. Faced with the daunting task of defending Qualaris and its people, Cordelia embarks on a quest to locate the island, embrace her birthright, and take on the darkest enchanter in history. If she doesn’t, the island and its people won’t be the only casualties of Janus’s war. Join Cordelia on her journey as she navigates a world of magic, mystery, and danger, discovering her true self and the strength within her. |
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The Alpha King's Fated Mate by Rowena Aiello An obedient daughter. A mysterious king. The chance to save their pack...or watch it crumble beneath their feet. I've been crushed and I can only blame myself. Literally, it's my fault. I wasn't careful enough with the Magic Academy's potions, and ended up Bonding myself to our Alpha King. Seriously. This was such a dumb move. I've worked with magic before. I thought I was better than this. Guess not.Not only is this the opposite of what I wanted to do, it's the very thing my parents have been working so hard for, despite the target this position now paints on my back. So I'm trying my best not to get killed by my bloodthirsty rivals, and guess what? It turns out, the Alpha King isn't the person my family led me to believe he would be, and that the people I call family are not only wrong, but traitorous. They expect me to obey them, but if I do, everything in our world will be destroyed. If I explain my side, will they listen to me, given my new role as Alpha Queen? Or will my refusal to do as I'm told make me more enemies than friends out of my loved ones? THE ALPHA KING'S FATED MATE is book one in the Shifter Country trilogy. |
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Gem Music and Other Silent Comics by Keilani McConnell A wonderfully illustrated collection of five short dialogue-less comics, touching on themes of friendship and belonging. Three explorers visit a cave where gems glow when there is music; a flower magician attends a flower festival for the first time; a girl makes a surprising friend on her walk home; a boy and his grandfather go to a lake to paint together; and two cats enjoy the end of the day. Each comic is appropriate for all ages and reading levels, celebrating small, happy moments Includes five comics: -Gem Music -The Flower Magicians -Snow Day -Canvas -Sunset |
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Son of the Siren by Kristina Elyse Butke Sometimes love is a curse, a twisted, unnatural obsession. Such is the dark magic of a siren’s song, the power of which half-siren Lirien witnesses for himself as he watches his mother sing his father, the King of Ardeth, into the sea. In a fruitless attempt to reverse his father’s fate, Lirien sings the siren song himself, not knowing its true power is seduction. Instead, he ensnares his stepmother, the Queen, with its hypnotic melody. When Lirien refuses her desperate advances, she turns to forbidden magic to force her love on him. But wishing upon a havoc stone is an invitation to chaos. The queen’s own son and daughters, Lirien’s beloved siblings, are whisked away and transformed into animals. They flee the kingdom, and Lirien chases after them, his beautiful voice also gone. Through elven mountains, fae forests, and siren waters, Lirien will stop at nothing to find and save his family. Threats come at him from all sides, but there are allies, too—Kitra, a shapeshifting fae fox who vows vengeance on the Queen for killing her brother, and Brandegil, an elf who can awaken the sacred sword Alibrandr to help break the spell on the children. Together, they’ll bring the stars raining down from the heavens if that’s what it takes to save Lirien’s family, but there’s still the matter of breaking the spell on the Queen. And Lirien’s own deadly curse haunts him should he stray too long from the sea. |
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An Obsession Of Angels by Enoli Lee Amiel loves his garden, it's his safe space away from the judging eyes of heaven. He never had reason to suspect someone was watching him there as well, someone willing to lay a bear trap in his path. Luckily for Amiel, Ben is there to find him and nurse him back to health. But as he starts to fall for his caretaker, he soon begins to feel like Ben is hiding something as well, and maybe not all is as it seems. |
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Lucy and the World Egg: Guardian Tamers Online Book 1: A Creature-Collecting LitRPG Adventure by T.J. Porter Empty-nester and former teen mom Lucy Lake is in a funk after her son leaves for college. In a last-ditch effort to reconnect with him, she makes an account in his favorite VR MMORPG: Guardian Tamers Online, the world’s most popular creature-collector. However, Lucy isn’t too keen on killing the cute and cuddly creatures. When her peace-loving ways trigger a unique event, she’s entrusted with a mysterious golden egg that holds the power to save the world. Now, it’s up to Lucy to decide if she’ll use all her wit, cunning, and strength as a mom to hatch the Legendary World Egg and save the eerily realistic game world before it’s destroyed from the inside out. And with the help of some friends, she may just rediscover who she is along the way. This epic fantasy LitRPG is perfect for fans of creature-collector adventures like Pokémon and Digimon, and the video-game-inspired worlds of Sword Art Online and Solo Leveling. |
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Ninja Punks @*&% OFF! by Jeff Nelson Punk rock is a repudiation of society-a critique of something shiny at its surface but corrupt and rotten just beneath. For all the perfect bodies, smiles, and jawlines that ascend to the spotlight's apex, punk rock as a subculture permeates its underbelly, demanding you notice modern life's imperfection. In Mamaroneck, New York, Brian Stratton's soul burns amid his lukewarm suburban surroundings. Seeing no escape, he rebels, finding catharsis for his sorrow in the local punk scene. After he sneaks backstage at his favorite band's first concert in the US, he finds the room bloody and Keisuke Fuma-celebrity by day, ninja for the yakuza by night-standing over the dead bodies. But the winds of fate bring strange rumblings, and the duo end up on a journey of discovery that turns their attention away from their woes and toward something much more terrifying-the unknown for Brian, and the all too familiar for Keisuke. "Ninja Punks, @*&% Off is guaranteed to take you on a wild ride. The detailed, expertly crafted fight scenes don't just create unbearable tension-they immerse you in every heart-pounding moment. Each character is distinct, from those living double lives to those just figuring themselves out, which brings a whole new level of intrigue to the story. Author Jeff Nelson masterfully weaves subtle hints of past and future events, which kept me hooked from page to page. It's a thrilling, adrenaline-fueled read that you won't be able to put down. If you're craving a novel packed with crime, action, and true ninja grit, this is an absolute must-read!" - Holly Robilliard, Author of Heartbound: The Cursed Fae "A fun, fast, and creative novel whose crossover between times and genres gives the reader little time to catch their breath. Highly recommended." - Robert Drysdale, Author of Opening Closed Guard, BJJ Black Belt and World Champion |
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Queen of Blood by Nicola Zhang King Anden of Vindra stands against High Queen Telmaine, a clash of crowns that will determine the fate of the continent. The Berossian Empire launches its forces in a great crusade, but an unexpected voice rises in the form of a barefoot priestess, whose messages of peace spread like wildfire, threatening to derail the empire’s war effort and shake its very foundations. Cities will burn. Generals will fall. History repeats itself as Anden finds himself at sea, torn between saving his kingdom and the man he loves. The final book of the CELESTIA trilogy is a breathtaking tale of love and sacrifice, choices and destiny. When Celestia is drawn for the last time, who will shape the world to come? |
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Prince of Dawn (Book 1 of the Celestia Trilogy) by Nicola Zhang An exiled prince searching for the truth. A curious squire desperate to prove himself. An epic romance that will change the world. Sixteen-year-old Prince Anden has spent eight years in the shadows – banished, forgotten, blamed for the death of a king. When he returns to his tense and divided kingdom, he meets an eager squire with a talent for trouble and a smile that disarms Anden’s guarded heart. As their friendship grows into something deeper, Anden begins to believe he might deserve more than vengeance. He might even deserve love. But treason runs deeper than either of them imagined. As assassins close in and war brews across the continent, Anden must rally allies, confront buried truths, and risk everything – not just for the crown or his family, but for the boy who believes in him. Prince of Dawn is the spellbinding first volume in a queer fantasy trilogy about loyalty, legacy, and the courage to choose your own future. |
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Barnaby Stump and the Soul Thief by Ezra Snukal BARNABY STUMP never wanted much—just a quiet life with his grandma and a chance to become a fencing champion. But his dreams are shattered when his fencing tournament turns deadly, and he’s falsely accused of murder. On the run, he is whisked away to a mysterious island that houses a secret pirate school for outcasts and misunderstood teenagers. Here, the teachers all dress like sailors from the 17th century, and the students compete in intense, ferocious naval battles for sport. There’s also something oddly familiar about the school’s headmaster—perhaps something to do with his magnificent black beard… But before Barnaby can adjust to his new life, a sinister force begins possessing his classmates, turning them into killers. Worse still, Barnaby once again finds himself named the prime suspect. Determined to prove his innocence, he must uncover the true culprit and face a nautical horror thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. |
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Journeys of PearlHeart by Keilani McConnell ​A wholesome fantasy with sailing ships, a family of gods, the unique magic system that they gifted their people, and an underlying mystery affecting all in the world. ​ Captain Rath and his crew aboard PearlHeart carry cargo and provide passage for people to wherever they would like to go. Near the end of their fifth journey, Fenrir - their first mate and navigator - has to leave and Rath needs to find replacements for both roles for them to continue safely. Their last delivery will take them to the North, an area known for its dangerous Winters. For readers of all ages who enjoy stories with strong characters, diverse relationships, and marked with subtle humor and heart. |
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A Dragon, a Gargoyle and a Faery Walk Into A Pub by Lisa Barry and Nicole DragonBeck A paperwork-obsessed dragon and a gargoyle with a snacking problem aren't the most conventional detective team—but they get the job done. In Ireland, by-the-book detective Aiden Moss just wants to finish his report and wrap up the last case. Fun-loving detective Loch Doyle wants to get a good meal and some pints into him, the only thing anyone should be doing on a Friday evening. But that's the thing about bad guys: they're not that considerate. An anonymous phone call drops the detectives straight into the kidnapping of a human under the influence of a magical drug. A single clue sends Aiden and Loch to the best place to get an investigation started —the nearest pub. As the detectives follow leads, they discover the first whispers of a shady vampire empire, whose behavior is giving the rest of the fangy folk a bad name. Time ticks away for the missing girl, and the stakes get higher when more victims show up in a strange coma, their life forces being unexplainably drained. With a wizardly gadget or two, the help of their friends, and a few emergency snack runs, can the detectives crack the case before it turns deadly? |
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First Magyc (Guardians of the Path Book 1) by Nicole DragonBeck Ria, a young girl from a world without magyc and Cedar, a Guardian of the Path burdened by duty and regret, meet by accident…or was it? At first glance, this may look like Ria's story, but it belongs to all who fight to save magyc - Witches, assassins, princesses, even Death Himself. Their choices will bring the world into the next age, but one of light or dark is yet to be seen… If you enjoy classic stories like The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time - where fate, free will, and fellowship turn the ashes of the past into a new future - then this is the epic fantasy series for you! |
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Hell or High Winter by Andrew Rubin What is the Messenger of the Gods to do when no one is listening anymore... Screw around for the rest of eternity, that’s what! At least, that’s what Hermes thought the rest of his immortality would be in the modern world. That is, until his beloved sister Persephone, Goddess of Spring, is kidnapped for a second time (so annoying when that happens), threatening to plunge earth into Eternal Winter. Now Hermes has to do the thing he’s dreaded most… Grow the hell up. So, can Hermes man-up and return to hell? Can the Greek God of Messengers, Tricksters, Thieves, and Herds (WTF that’s random), bastard child of Zeus with luscious locks of blond hair all the nymphs love to twirl… Can that god rescue Persephone and save the world? Hermes is about to find out. |
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The Death Bringer (The Tharassas Cycle Book 4) by J. Scott Coatsworth Aik will never be the same … and neither will his world. War is coming. Aik has become the Progenitor, and the Seed Mother has released him to transform the world for her alien brood. Silya and Raven, Aik’s former friends, are the only ones who can save him and the world. But what if the cure is worse than the invasion? As Silya rushes to prepare Gullton for the battle to come, she’s determined to save as many people as she can. But new crises emerge that demand her attention. Raven has his own hands full, keeping the dragon-like verent in line, while helping Silya to save the world. But what if the only way to do so is to sacrifice Aik, the man that he loves? It’s the end of the world … or could it be the start of something new? |
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The Hencha Queen (The Tharassas Cycle Book 3) by J. Scott Coatsworth SILYA COMES INTO HER OWN, BUT WILL SHE BE ENOUGH? Silya finally has everything she always wanted. She’s the Hencha Queen, head of the Temple, and is working to master her newfound talents. So why does the world pick now to fall apart? Her once-nemesis Raven is off riding dragons, and their mutual friend (and her ex) Aik is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a new threat menaces the Heartland from the East, and if she can’t convince a reluctant Gullton city council to prepare for the worst, she may lose everyone and everything she’s ever cared about. As she uses her magic-like abilities, wit and sheer determination to try to save the city, she’s joined by Raven and his new friends. Will their help tip the scales? And will they finally find out what happened to Aik as a dark storm threatens to sweep them all away? Forget messy. Things just got apocalyptic. |
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The Gauntlet Runner (The Tharassas Cycle Book 2) by J. Scott Coatsworth A guard and a thief. What could go wrong? Aik has fallen hopelessly in love with his best friend. But Raven’s a thief, which makes things … complicated. Oh, and Raven has just been kidnapped by a dragon. Now Aik is off on a quest of his own, to hunt down the foul beast and make them give back his … friend? Lover? Soulmate? The whole not-knowing thing just makes everything harder. Meanwhile, the world of Tharassas is falling apart, besieged by earthquakes, floods, and strange creatures no one has ever seen before. Aik’s ex, Silya has gone back to Gullton to do try to save her people as the Hencha Queen, and Aik’s stuck in a caravan with her mother and a damnable magical gauntlet that won’t let him be. He has to find Raven, before it’s too late. Things were messy before … but now they’re much, much worse. |
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Valley of Secrets by H. L. Moore This city of fools will be brought to order! Deposed, her father presumed dead, her friends slaughtered and the cavern in chaos, Grace Harrington is on the run and entirely alone. The only ally she has left is the man she hates most in the world: Nathaniel Morgenstern, the assassin who murdered her mother and seduced her father. Grace’s only hope of reclaiming the throne and saving her people is to seek the aid of Éamon Tadhg, the High Druid of Arajon. But she needs to survive the hostile streets of Iole City before she can even think about fleeing to the Violet Valley. Nathaniel made a vow to Doran to protect Grace, but he could never have imagined how quickly and horrifically their lives would fall apart. Grieving the dual losses of the man he loved and his new friend Tsa Lien, Nathaniel devotes himself to the service of the overthrown Lady Archon who despises him – even if it costs him everything he is. |
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The Young Foreigner by V. Ananya Yor Castel is an alchemist in Sahara fresh out from under the wings of his wizard master and sets off on a journey around the world to seek the fortune calling out to him. With him is a gift from his a belt that contains the most important potions and a flute that can calm even the most disturbed creature. Elmeida Yuri is the eldest daughter of the Dark Queen of Sahara and has just escaped the most gruesome incident of her life. She seeks shelter and comfort with the only person she her maternal aunt, Alia Hudson, who resides in a neighbouring country. On the other end of the world, the Master of Darkness is rising, after having been asleep for centuries, and that begins a chain of processes unimaginable by mages of the present day. The Light and Dark wizards of yore awaken just in time to stop him, but now, it seems as if the enemy has grown even more powerful than the last time he had been engaged in battle. So, Yor and Elmeida team up and decide to help keep him at bay. |
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The Chimera Snare: Fragments by S&E Black For Rayshell and her best friend Trish, senior year of high school is going to hell in a handbasket. The feud between Celestine and Daeva is bleeding into their world. When a mysterious visitor infiltrates her dreams, Rayshell is thrust into a realm of profound, otherworldly secrets. Together, Rayshell and Trish uncover the unbelievable – they are the living vessels for two banished Celestine guardians. Amidst mystical recollections and a wondrous magic system that shatters the veneer of their everyday lives, the two friends embark on a journey against time to connect with the Celestine guardians' allies in hopes of freeing them from their imprisonment. Simultaneously, the shadows cast by Daeva darken. The notorious outlaw, Merisek, has positioned himself to claim dominion over the Order of Existence—a trio of powerful artifacts capable of reshaping reality. Armed with two of these relics, Merisek races against the emergence of the Celestine guardians to claim the third. The stage is set for a showdown that will determine the fate of existence itself. Rayshell and Trish are all that stand between Merisek and his unhinged desire to twist the fabric of reality into his making. As the threads of destiny unravel, the question looms: who will be the author of existence, and what profound truths will be unveiled in the final, decisive act? |
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A Dawn Left Behind by Mark Aeschlimann "The outline of white smoky light spun around him and a blinding white flash embraced him… Matthew opened his eyes as white sparks fell and faded away into nothing around him…He now knew for sure what it was… Matthew had walked into a doorway to another world." Matthew Parlour, 18 and living his most carefree life, loves nothing more than listening to his grandfather’s stories and cruising through each day. He sees nothing but good times ahead. When tragedy strikes, Matthew is lost. His world has fallen apart and he is left with more questions than answers. With his obsession for answers guiding him, Matthew is propelled into a world where everything he knew is meaningless and being human draws unwanted attention. Where magic and power go hand in hand. Where he serves an even more important purpose than he could possibly imagine. |
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The Tongue is Sharp by Kassandra Morgan An anthology of feminine rage for women by women. - My excerpt for this anthology is from my upcoming dark historical vampiric fantasy novel entitled Secrets of the Moon. It’s rooted in real world Old Bohemian in the Czech Republic but with re-imagined history, historical figures and places. It follows the story of a young girl named Kamaria as she struggles to find a place in her world, especially since she’s not human. The excerpt you have here is from a late chapter where Kamaria decides she must save herself. Refusing to bend to the will of a man any further, she releases all the rage she’s held within. |
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The Blood of Queens by Alex C. Pierce What happens when you take a thief and a con-man, that everyone thinks is a monster that should be locked away, and make him captain of the Queen's personal bodyguard? Gossip, treachery, and paperwork... So much paperwork. Ren's appointment as Warden, the Queen's personal bodyguard and head of her security has created something of a stir in the walled realm of Lenmar. Opposition to his mere presence within the Crystal Palace is high, and old schemes and rivalries are kindled anew as the tension builds between the nobility and the factions pushing for change. Ren just wants to keep the Queen safe, solve the mystery of his mentor's disappearance, and figure out why, Haim, who'd saved his life and been his accomplice on more than one occassion, was avoiding him. An attack on the eve of the Moon Festival, when the Council of Nobles is set to convene, provides the spark to ignite a chain of events that threatens the very foundations that have kept the people of Lenmar safe, and puts everyone Ren cares about in danger. |
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Child of Tulathne by Lila Samson Aleksander Wythane has no qualms with his identity as the reincarnated Sword of Ages. It brought him a life of comfort as a member of the royal family, and comprehensive training to make him the best swordsman on the continent. The looming knowledge of his duties remain far off on the horizon, the kingdom of Zekhar is at peace with its neighbors and itself, and a lavish Summer Solstice festival is approaching. But when creatures cobbled from corpses and dark magic tear their way into the celebration and upend one of the most joyous nights of the year, the entire kingdom is faced with their greatest fear since Aleksander's birth-the reason he was born in the first place. After ten years of preparation, Aleksander is thrust into his calling earlier than expected, but not alone. Accompanied by seeress and princess, Carissa, and a mercenary older than the country itself, their quest is clear: gather allies, information, and find the monster Aleksander is destined to kill; whoever they may be in this life. Along the way, Aleksander faces trials, losses, and realizations that cause him to doubt not only his ability, but his identity. Was it possible the goddess made the wrong choice? Or was he never the Sword to begin with? |
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Portals of the Lost by Aleyna Hines Eva has spent her life as an outsider. Now, she is trapped in a world that sees her as something much worse—a monster. When Eva is dragged into the world of a book, she is met not with the fantasy she always dreamed of, but with chains. Imprisoned on accusations of unleashing terrifying creatures upon the people of Abhaile, she is forced to strike a deal to untangle the truth behind the portals letting them in. As she journeys through its mystical lands, the injustices of this world come to light. A tyrannical King who is hellbent on enslaving those beneath him mirrors the cruelty she experienced within the foster system and the line between enemy and ally blurs. Eva’s search becomes about so much more than her innocence as the secrets of ancient magic unravel before her, pushing her toward a fate she isn’t ready for. Will her feelings of unworthiness be enough for her to walk away, or will her rage demand she fight back? |
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Spirits of the Relentless by Morgan Biscup To lead others, he must first embrace who he was – and what he must become. After the Turncoat Armada’s surrender, Void necromancer Shane Lawrence is left with a command he never sought and a fleet without a sanctuary. At risk of retribution from both the planet they tried to conquer and their vengeful former allies, the fleet’s only hope lies with Shane’s ability to find them a new home. He sets his sights on the uninhabited planet TR-75, but there's a catch: Planet TR-75 is claimed by the planet herself. ‘Janikk,’ the lone surviving soul of an ancient civilization, whispers her name on the winds and commands the wildlife to repel intruders. To secure a future for his fleet, Shane must do more than communicate with the long-dead; he must win the favor of Janikk’s guardian, face the ghosts of his past, and earn the approval of a planet that is anything but empty. |
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Arboriah Lux by Kathleen I. Lyons In a world where social discourse and injustices destroy the world around it, only an Aster-Blood can correct it. In a field of dead flowers and tall grass, Lux awakens to a sky of cool gray and a white sun. As she journeys to the city of Obsiditourma, she's met with danger as well as friendship in those who save her life. As she's plagued by visions of another Aster-Blood -- the twin sister of a dhampir named Esilas, the one who saved her life -- she's called to solve the mysteries surrounding her: her sudden appearance, the death of Esilas' sister, and the imbalance that has caused poverty and discourse in the city of Obsiditourma. Lux must learn vital lessons in order to survive. Keep your nature hidden. Protect those who need it. And trust very few. |
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In Spite of the Inevitable by Morgan Biscup The past isn't the only thing that won't stay dead. Hiding from his violent history as a revered Void necromancer within the Sparnell Confederation, single father Shane Lawrence has finally built a quiet life. On the freehold planet of Baden he can pour his energy into the only thing that now matters: the safety and upbringing of his precocious son, Jake. All too soon, the Confederation targets Baden for annexation, confronting Shane once more with his treasonous past. Worse, the invading force is led by none other than Shane's manipulative former mentor, Admiral Kydell. Shane's every instinct screams to run, to hide Jake even further from Sparnell – but Baden is home. This time he could choose to make a stand and defend the entire planet, not just his son. But that means turning to the very skills he swore he'd leave behind… In Spite of the Inevitable is the first installment in the five-book Mordena Dawn space opera fantasy series, detailing the founding of the costly Mordena mercenaries and their rise from piratical deserters to ferocious and effective defenders of the independent Freehold planets. When powerful galactic empires seek to devour innocents whole, there's no hired force better prepared to stand against them. |
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Don’t go to work the world is ending by Paul Dalton In 1666, a dragon attacked London, only to vanish, leaving a baker to take the blame. Now, Jack—a routine-loving physics teacher—is thrust into adventure after unwittingly pocketing a dragon scale at dinner. Soon, he's chased across London by criminals and dives into a hidden world of restless ghosts, judgmental gods, and creatures craving corporate jargon. Rescued by Muriel, a witch with a lot on her plate, Jack is introduced to her shed-dwelling bosses, The Laurels, who task them with finding the dragon and stopping someone doing something serious with it. Joined by Muriel’s artist girlfriend, Nisha, they must stop a ruthless gangster’s plot to seize the dragon’s power for herself...if the dragon doesn’t wake up first, that is. |