The Elf Witch by Jacquelyn Gilmore For fans of One Dark Window and From Blood and Ash comes a haunting, slow-burn fantasy romance about villains. It follows a formerly magicless elf as she suddenly comes into powers that her kingdom has never seen and the duplicitous prince she must bargain with to save them at whatever costâeven her soul. After her grandmother's execution, a formerly magicless elf is suddenly the most powerful witch in her village. Magic is disappearing, though, and Imani is thrust into the treacherous court of her kingdom, forced into trials against the most lethal witches in the world. As she unravels the perilous plan her grandmother plotted before her death to save magic, Imani unwittingly dives deeper into a web of magical and political intrigue that puts her on a collision course with dangers beyond anything she imagined. But Imani is harboring illicit knowledge of her ownâa forbidden dark magic thatâs getting more difficult to hide by the day. Now, she must decide whether to make herself a threat and an enemy to her country or risk becoming a pawn and the realm losing magic forever. Stuck in this predicament, Imani sees only one path forward: a dangerous deal with the duplicitous princeâone she might be falling for. |
The Darkest Light by Vicki-Ann Bush War is coming. As the star quarterback for his high school football team and local celebrity in the quaint town of Boulder City, Luke Jacob enjoys a charmed life. Everything's going according to plan, that is until the night he spots a mysterious and alluring girl in the crowd. Despite his father's cryptic warning to keep away from her, he's instantly drawn to Mary. The team plans a gathering to celebrate their homecoming win, and Luke decides to invite her. The evening turns dark when the demon Abezethibou appears and threatens them. When Mary steps in to save her peers, Luke sees her for what she truly is, forever changing their future and creating a bond between them. The revelation shatters what Luke believes about himself and forces him to face his destiny. Will Mary stand by Luke in the face of the coming storm, or will she be swayed by the allure of darkness? |
Dissonance of Bird Song by Alexandra Beaumont In the storm-riven wilds of ancient Cornwall the sea's whisper will charm us all. "Dissonance of Bird Song" is the folkloric-fantasy tale of Eseld, a song-weaver fleeing her home to cure the sacred birds of her people and save her sister. Locked between the lies of land-dwellers and the snare of an ancient sea queen, Eseld must fight to find her own path. Amidst a storm of betrayal and heartbreak, what will Eseld sacrifice to save the ones she loves? Readers who enjoyed Lucy Hounsomâs "Sistersong," Naomi Novikâs "Uprooted," and Sam Horton's "Gorse" will love "Dissonance of Bird Song." |
Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin To become a weapon, she must choose a man. To be free, she gave herself to dragon fire... After an enemy attack killed those she loved crippling her magic, Annika faked her death and vanished into obscurity. Years later, a chance encounter with a dragon shatters her quiet life, exposing her to the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders. His touch rekindles her magic and the feelings she thought she'd buried, but helping him would mean sacrificing the one thing she has leftâher freedom. When a devastating attack forces her hand, Annika makes a desperate choice, bonding herself to his beast and unleashing its fury upon their enemies. But bearing a shard of its soul comes at a steep priceâthe dragonâs fire cannot be contained by one Anchor alone. Now, she must choose another. Torn between two menâthe Commander, who ignites her power, and his Necromancer, who tempers its roaring infernoâAnnika must trust her heart or watch the world she swore to protect fall into darkness. She may be the ultimate weapon, but even if she sacrifices whatâs left of her soul, can the last conduit mage save her fractured kingdom? ------------------------------------------ Oath of Betrayal is a slow-burn, second-chance, forced-proximity high fantasy with a complex magic system and Slavic mythology-inspired world-building. It is dark romantasy with fae, mages, and dragon riders, and no choosing required. This novel will sweep you into a world where a dragon can claim a piece of your soul. |
Kingdom of Embers and Ruin by N.E. Valla A continent divided. Rival kingdoms on the brink of war. Fates intertwined. A love that will spark the flame of rebellion. Maude has been running for most of her adult life; from her past and her future. She is an isolated pit fighter who would rather hit first and ask questions later with no other goal than to stay alive in the slums of Logi, the capital city of the Kingdom of Flame. Life had been anything but simple for Maude but it was still hers. But when a charming stranger hops into the fighting pit with her and forces her to face the growing unrest in Logi, Maude can feel the fates swirling around her once more. Herrick is a warrior from the Kingdom of Rivers who is on a mission to help the oppressed, low born citizens of Ahland. A strict believer in the fate that the gods laid out for him, Herrick follows his gut to Logi when dreams of Valkyries and flames plague him. He knows the brutally stubborn woman he finds in the illegal fighting pits is his fate when he aggravates her enough for her to lose her slippery grip on control, revealing her secret. She would be his salvation in this civil war against King Helvig of Logi... and his damnation. When the opportunity arrives for Herrick to persuade Maude to help him search for a rumored weapon that can take down the crooked king on the Throne of Wind and Flames, he quickly discovers that she is as frustrating as she is alluring to the warrior. Her past is a mystery that Herrick wants to unravel but Maude doesnât give up bits of herself without a fight, even if she feels herself losing that fight every moment she spends in the aggravating warriorâs presence. Tempers flare and desires burn in this enemies to lovers Viking inspired fantasy imbued with elemental magic and civil unrest. Follow Maude and Herrick as they reluctantly work together to free Ahland from crooked rulers and restrictions that have the gods restless enough to begin pulling on the strings of fate, altering their lives as they know it. |
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! |
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 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. |
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. |
Beyond the Aching Door by Victoria Mier A mortal journalist. A mysterious series of drownings. An exiled Fey king. A forgotten Fatesong. A single, desperate chance to save magic from extinction. All Raegan Maeve Overhill wants is to survive another October. It's the anniversary of the worst thing that ever happened to the unsolved disappearance of her father nearly two decades ago. But when mysterious drownings grip the city of Philadelphia, Raegan sets her mourning rituals aside for a career-making opportunity to lead her newspaper's investigation. Her hunt for answers takes her to the city's shadowy places where magical beings appear in puddles, the Fair Folk offer bargains, and magic is very, very real. When Raegan uncovers a startling connection to her fatherâs disappearance, she knows she canât just return to her normal life without finding the truth. To get it, though, sheâll need to make a deal with the dark, deadly and alluring Unseelie Fae Kingâand do her best to ignore their dangerous attraction to one another. Inspired by Welsh mythology, Slavic folklore and Arthurian legend, Beyond the Aching Door is an adult urban fantasy romance for fans of A Discovery of Witches and Dark Night, Golden Dawn. This spicy fae romantic fantasy is intended for readers 18+. |
In Darkness & Duty by CC Tyler One drop of blood can banish or bind⊠Reeling from the loss of his father, and devastated that Evelyn has slipped through his fingers once more, Kade is singular in his purpose: rescue his love, and bring her home. That means getting through the Void to Drystan, a land no werewolf or witch has ever ventured through â with their lives intact. But when a risky alliance offers Kade protection, it means making a bargain heâs reluctant to fulfill. Within the walls of Drystan Castle, Evelyn is determined to unearth the secrets of the vampyrs once and for all, so she can return home with answers. But even with an unlikely ally by her side â albeit at a dangerous price â the weight of the truths they unravel worsens a betrayal Evelynâs bruised heart canât handle. Meanwhile, on the journey to Drystan, Kade unlocks a tempestuous magic of his own â that he cannot yet control. And even as enemies appear at his elbow, itâs easier to focus on finding Evelyn than figuring out who to trust. But can the bonds of duty withstand the darkness that threatens to devour all those in its path? |
Splinterleaf & Hollowfrost by Justin Greer Itâs a pleasant day in the sun, and the world grows in abundance⊠Summer has come to Haverdell, bringing warmth, work, beautiful flowers, the joyous songs of birds, the subtle murmur of trees in the high hills, and traveling merchants down the river with gifts to delight the townsfolk. In preparation for the Summerâs Blessing celebration, many in Haverdell have purchased earthwarden leaves from the merchants, finding them delightsome additions to their food and drink: soothing and invigorating and exotic and wonderful. All seems bright and warm and welcoming. But Derry, the gardener of Haverdell, thinks that something is amiss. He notices a change among the townsfolk, a strangeness, and begins to suspect that the so-called earthwarden plants are not what they seem. Accompanied by his faithful dog Barrow, Derry investigates the matter, studying books of godslore and the meadows and vales of their home for answers. The more he uncovers, the more he fears for his friends and his own safety. For the fabled splinterleaf plant has come to Haverdell to clutch the town in its grip of longing and hunger and regret; and if Derry doesnât act swiftly, all he loves will be swallowed in the greedy maw of the ancient forces that underlie this strange new growth. Summerâs Blessing approaches, and the splinterleaf plants have taken hold of Haverdell. Return to the beautiful, fantastical, and charming world of The Garden Knight in this new tale of magic, mystery, and the hold of dreams and regrets over the human heart. |
Leafdust & Deadwood by Justin Greer Welcome to the world of The Garden Knight. Derry is a gardener who has made his home in the quiet woodland village of Haverdell. Accompanied by his faithful dog Barrow, Derry intends to spend all his days tending to his gardens, roving the wilds, helping his friends in town, and enjoying the peaceful solitude of life in the hills. But as Harvest Night approaches, strange plants begin to appear: first crawling from the lakeshore near Derry's cottage, then emerging from a hollow in the hills overlooking Haverdell. These plants wriggle along the forest floor, pierce man and beast with long prickling needles, and devour the forest around them with rapid new growth. Their hunger is increasing. As the gardener of Haverdell, Derry must employ all his wits, woodlore, and cunning to thwart the invasive, ravenous frond-tendrils before they consume the forest completelyâas well as his own home and everything he loves. |
The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields *2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!* The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction. On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive pegasus. Thanks to Maraniâs mysterious invulnerability, this mostly works out wellâŠuntil Marani and her quirky band of outlaws plunder the carriage of the very bossy princess Nuria. The princessâs carriage contains not just gold, but a dragonscale comb that belonged to Maraniâs murdered mother. Worse yet, Princess Nuria seems to know exactly who Marani is, maybe more than Marani herself. Marani hatches a plan to retrieve her motherâs comb, seduce the princess, and make her entire bandit crew rich in the process. But island politics and the island of Yuro itself have other things in mind. Marani and Jacks quickly find themselves caught between warring monarchies, trade disputes, feral pegasi, and a very old, very concerning family lineageâall bound within an old penny, a mouthy princess, and a stolen comb. |
TEETH TALON TONGUE by Lee Eirinn "You are set to be bound in the mountains tomorrow. Lord Zeus has called all of my brethren for a meeting. I am too scared to think of why. Why He would call us now, on the eve of your exile? Everyone on Olympus knows of your transgressions, that you will be punished but no one will tell me how. Even the most loosed of lips will not speak of it. Lord Zeus has not told anyone, it would seem. I pray to the fates. May they be kind. My hands shake. My mouth feels dry. My stomach aches." TEETH TALON TONGUE is a dark, queer retelling of the Prometheus Myth. What if Zeus wasnât the one to set Prometheusâs punishment, but his avian lover, a vulture? More importantly, a proud beast of Zeus? This is a story about obsessive love, and the measures taken to keep hold of it. TEETH TALON TONGUE is a 4.6k word short story featuring dark subject matter. Please refer to content warnings before reading. This story is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. |
The Red Woman and the White Bear by Fern A. Ellis It is both the fate and the burden of the Red Woman to bring peace. The Fae are realâthis is a fact that Aisling Morrow has believed with varying degrees of certainty since she was a child. Her late motherâs accounts of their beauty still linger in her mind, but always with the caveat: Do not involve yourself uninvited with matters of the Fae. Aisling has no plans to do soâuntil she discovers an arcane prophecy which names her the Red Woman, destined to turn the tides of war in the realm of WyldraĂocht by ensuring the fall of the Unseelie Court. On a quest to understand her role, Aisling ventures into WyldraĂocht. Except Fae prophecies arenât so easily interpreted, and she is soon ensnared in a dangerous web of political machinations, opposing religions, and dark magicâat the center of which stands the fierce and vengeful Unseelie King. King Kael Ardhen, a vessel for raw power bestowed upon him by an eldritch god, is consumed by his own unbridled rageâa rage which he would not hesitate to turn on the human woman prophesied to destroy his court. Yet something about the way Aisling calls to his shadows draws him in, at once both granting him control over his violent magic and inviting him to relinquish control over his guarded heart. As unsettling truths about the world her mother so loved challenge Aislingâs convictions and call into question the true purpose of the Red Woman, the Veil between realms grows ever weaker with the echoes of war. Soon, the crueler sorts of Fae will no longer be confined to WyldraĂocht. With time running out to protect those she loves, Aisling finds herself at the crossroads of fate and choiceâand the ultimate price of peace may demand more than she is willing to pay. |
In the Time of Standing Stones by Joseph S Samaniego In a world of swords and sorcery, three brothers, kings of their people, set sail for an unknown land. Driven by a lust for conquest and a need to settle fertile fields, the brothers, united by blood, sail out to carve their legacy. A darkness older than time itself soon eclipsed their dreams of land and riches. Once they land on the shores, they awaken an ancient evil thirsting for dominion over the mortal world. Now, the brothers find themselves in a war for land, riches, and the very soul of the world. With their blades tested against creatures of nightmare and myths, they will be challenged by the malevolent force that seeks to ensnare them. The brothers and their followers must navigate a new world of wonder and danger, and forge new alliances to stand against the looming darkness. In an ever-changing world, where faiths, myths, and bravery are tested from birth, the three brothers must stand firm. For if they fail, not only will their dreams of conquest fail with them, but the entire world will succumb to the shadow of an ancient evil reborn. |
Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devilsâmany. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight. |
Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson Be careful what you wish for⊠Weâve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD â Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT â Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG â Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED â Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN â K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIANâS GAMBIT â Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES â McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON â Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES â Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS â Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE â Leife Shallcross (Australia) |
The Saint of Heartbreak by Morgan Dante Two of the Bible's greatest villains... After his betrayal with a kiss, Judas Iscariot dies in despair and goes to Hell. When Christ saves other souls during the Harrowing of Hell, he leaves Judas behindâbut not alone in the ninth circle, where the most detestable traitors go. Callous, resigned, and abandoned by God long ago, the Devil sees Judas as a pathetic wretch, but he soon finds a kindred spirit. As the centuries pass, they struggle to find even a sliver of happiness in Hell. Doomed by the narrative, will they find happiness, or will their story continue to be a tragedy? |
Her Dark Enchantments by Rosalyn Briar The Wicked Fairy. The Mistress of All Evil. The villain of Sleeping Beauty goes by many names, but where did she come from? Myravelle Spinner grew up in a tower with only spiders, spindles, and stone walls for friends while her mother spun gold for the king. She wondered why her mother refused to teach her fairy magic until one fateful mistake led Myravelle to become the healer in the kingâs Sleepy Wood Company⊠Drained from years of waking soldiers from a cursed sleep, Myravelle must now choose a new canvasâa man whose life she drains with a dagger to fuel her healing powers. A ritual binds her to Byzarien Dumont, who loathes fairies for the fires that left his family impoverished and his body riddled with scars. His burning hatred causes Myravelleâs enchantments to wither, leading the king to threaten her motherâs life. Byzarien can only see Myravelle as a beautiful spider who strings men along her web, while Myravelle considers love a weakness for the king to exploit. With their families in danger and soldiers rotting in a death-like sleep, the pair must learn to trust one another before the dark magic spinning in Myravelleâs soul unravels once and for all. The Wicked Fairy never asked to become a monster⊠|
MĂ©nage Ă Claws by Amelia Lascaux Sloane Connelly was desperate for an escape from her horrible boss and manipulative father. So for her 32nd birthday, Sloane takes a long overdue beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Her trip is derailed when she runs into her ex, TÄne, the plant elemental who broke her teenage heart. Determined not to waste this second chance, she takes his offer for a fresh start: to work at his new openly magic bar and gives their relationship another shot. Maybe she could finally break free from her father's influence and find joy in her life again. When she meets Nivya, her new metamour and a snow leopard shifter, she's determined to fit in to this new polyamorous world. But the more she and Nivya work together at the bar, the more Sloane wants to be with her. After years of being told by her father how disappointing and unworthy Sloane is, does she deserve the opportunity for two loves? And when her father demands more from her than ever before, can Sloane finally take back control of her life? This book is for adult readers as it contains dark themes of trauma, abuse, violence, and detailed explicit spice. |
The Bastard from Fairyland by Phil Parker He's Robin Goodfellow to those he knows. Or Puck, his psychotic alter-ego, to those he kills. Betrayed, banished and bitter, this fae warrior lives among human beings, they think heâs a demon. The teenagers heâs vowed to protect, despise him. But now the fae need his help, especially the man who betrayed him. Heâs brought along Robinâs lover to guarantee his cooperation. Yet things are not as they seem. For shadowy forces within the fae have different plans. Itâs not Robin they want. They need Puck. He's the perfect stooge to kill a king. What have people said about The Bastard from Fairyland? "This is effing brutal. There's blood, torture, death, violence, a world savaged by fae and under threat of total destruction. Loved it." "A well told tale which combines Celtic myths, Arthurian legends, dystopian visions of a world ravaged by climate change and some good old blood and guts battles. Oh, and dragons. What's not to love?" "The story unfolds at a cracking pace. Characterisation is excellent. The fight scenes are particularly evocative." "The prose is simply beautiful. It's a book that takes you to a Fantasy world unlike any other but also reflects our times in a very real way. A unique and fresh modern take on a genre that sorely needs more books like this." |
The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane The Dark Elf Dynasty File by Phil Parker The British Bureau for the Arcane has kept people safe for centuries from the arcane species that seek to harm human beings. Their range extends to Commonwealth nations that were part of the British Empire. A once-proud part of the British Secret Service, their success in controlling the arcane races has been their downfall. These beings now live on the edge of survival in remote parts of Britain. Or, at least they did. For Arlo Austin, a loyal but troubled agent for the Bureau, something is wrong. When heâs sent to protect the citizens of the Shetland Isles from rampaging Norwegian trolls, it soon becomes apparent it was an attempt on his life. When another agent dies in mysterious circumstances, and Arlo is warned of an impending war with arcane species, his instincts are proved right. But who is behind this rebellion? Could it be linked to Arloâs own bloodline as a Dark Elf? His traumatic childhood holds secrets, ones that are going to test his loyalty to the Bureau. In their cells another Dark Elf is held prisoner, one who is so despised by its staff, their hatred has extended to Arlo. This species is violent and vengeful, can they recruit one of their own to bring about the destruction of the Bureau? And in so doing, enable the arcane races to wage war against the human race. |
Tangleweed & Waterbloom by Justin Greer After years of travel in the wide world, Derry Melyvante has made his home near the quiet woodland village of Haverdell. Derry lives with his dog Barrow on a small island outside town and spends his days in singular pursuit of his craft and passion: Derry is a gardener, a master of woodlore and plants and green growing things, a man whose heart belongs in the trees and high hills and soft grassy meadows around sleepy Haverdell. He and Barrow have built a home and found friendship in Haverdellâa quiet, fulfilling life. An unknown blight has taken hold in the Brightoak Tree. Derry's efforts to care for the great tree are interrupted by the appearance of a knight from the king's court with a summons for the gardener of Haverdellâa message specifically requesting Derry by name. The gardener is escorted to the capital by Caedan, Knight of Mira, where he is asked to investigate a similarly strange affliction in the holy gardens of the king. Derry performs his work, makes his recommendations for care, and thinks to return to Haverdell and the gentle calm of his chosen home. But strange magic and stranger maladies are afoot, both in the king's court and in Haverdell. Derry and Barrow swiftly find themselves embroiled in affairs beyond their imagining, as monsters and blights and shadowy figures foment catastrophe throughout the land. Plants have begun to turn against the gardener. The king has been kidnapped. Allies have become traitors. Together, Derry, Barrow, and Caedan seek to end the mayhem and find a solution to the strange curse that has gripped the kingdomâbefore wild plant-monsters overrun everything and swallow the land into their greedy, leafy maw. Even if the trio is successful, they will have to contend with traitors in the king's court, magical devices now stolen by rebels, and ancient temples reawakened for unknown purposes... |
Inside Every Circle by Eli Evans bronze-age historical fantasy exploring themes of identity, privilege, quest for meaning, and the struggle to find a voice. For centuries, the Seven Cities have enjoyed peace and prosperity. A mute scribe, an orphaned prophetess, an elderly politician, and an egomaniacal autocrat independently pursue glory, fame, and forbidden knowledge as they approach the end of the age. Will their paths lead to enduring peace or unspeakable horror? Atnan, a mute scribe from an obscure village obsesses over mysterious scrolls he thinks may hold the key â to what, he isnât sure. In an attempt to decipher them, he defies the village elders. Outcast, he travels to the capital of the Seven Cities, uncovering dangerous ideas about history, science, and mathematics along the way. The spirits assigned him a riddle, which he intends to answer. TalĂĄni, an ambitious warlord, unites his scattered people. His plan: to conquer the Seven Cities and sacrifice its residents to his god, the Blood Red Sun. Guided by his mother's divinations, he knows the spirits will assist him as he topples rivals and builds an army. They are ready to cross the river and ascend into glory â but are the spirits guiding him or taking control? Selolo, a concubine in TalĂĄni's harem, dreams of fiery destruction. Unwilling to tell her ruler, she leverages a false tale of glorious conquest into a position by his side, the world-queen-in-waiting â unless TalĂĄni's mother exiles her first. By day she navigates the dangers of her new position, and at night she endures more oracular dreams. If the spirits wish to speak, why send visions, signs, and symbols? Mekvat, the Sage Prime, has served the Seven Cities so long that his colleagues eagerly await his retirement or death, whichever comes first. Worried about his legacy, he tackles an audacious final project: constructing a monument. Facing problems mostly of his own making, he is met by a wandering mute with a bag of scrolls no one has seen in centuries. Now Mekvat must decide if this young Atnan's wild ideas about the world are an opportunity or an obstacle. Then an invading horde encircles the city! Histories, prophecies, and worldviews will collide. Ancient monsters will awaken. Signs will appear in the earth and heavens. Spirits and rulers enact their plans, and ordinary lives hang in the balance. A lowly scholar looks to the sky, seeking answers. Will he and his compatriots unravel the mystery of past, present, and future before it's too late? Eli Evans's thought-provoking debut novel imagines an alternate world of complex, relatable characters and the spirits who protect or threaten them. Fans of Princess Mononoke or the works of C.S. Lewis and Frank Herbert will find something here to enjoy. |
Something So Lovely by Salem T. Lynn Kalliope is a librarian in Heaven, though she feels called by something larger. That call is realized by the entrance of the first evil in creation, enacting his plans to replace their absent God. Kalliope finds refuge in the arms of Hell's most eligible fuckboy, though she finds there's more to him than he lets on. |
Unholy With Eyes Like Wolves by Morgan Dante NoĂ©mie, a dishonored and widowed noblewoman in early 17th century Hungary, finds herself in an unenviable position: After grievous trauma and loss, her last chance to regain her honor comes when she must serve as Lady ErzsĂ©bet BĂĄthoryâs handmaiden. BĂĄthory is stoic and imperious, and as NoĂ©mie struggles to acclimate and accept her present and future, she begins to have dreams about a mysterious woman. Worse, there are stories of disappearance and deaths in the castle, and NoĂ©mie might be next. |
A Wrecking of Salt and Fire by E.K. Condos Plagued by fear. Haunted by the sins of her past. Approaching twenty-five, Katrin Drakos should only be concerned with two thingsâbeing crowned Queen of Alentus and marrying her Fated, Kohl. For five years, she focused on falling in love, on living, on becoming whole again. For five years, she was able to forget what the vile King Nikolaos of Nexos had done to her. For five years, her nightmares did not return. But then the whispers started. A rumbling of rebellion poised to strike. The King of Nexos had never attacked before. Until now. Until right before the Acknowledgement. So when a notorious pirate captures her, claiming to have saved her from the lies the leaders have woven into history, Katrin must decide if the enemy from her past has really been her ally this whole time. Decide before the world around her crumbles and not only her power, but the power of all the gods, is lost forever. Because sometimes the Fates have other plans. |
The Faerie Guild Trials by G. L. Preston Step into the deadly world of the faerie realm, where alliances are fragile, and shadows hold the key to survival. Efia Mathonwy, the last Gwri, is thrust into the treacherous trials of the Seelie and Unseelie courts, wielding the rare power to control shadows. As she faces ruthless foes and navigates the cutthroat faerie politics, Efia discovers an unexpected ally in Ansel, a mysterious fae with secrets of his own. In a contest where every decision could be her last, Efia's journey unfolds in a dance of danger and intrigue. Shadows cling to her every move, revealing hidden dangers whilst unlocking the secrets of her family. As the realm teeters on the edge of chaos, Efia must choose her path wisely. Will she conquer the trials and emerge triumphant, or will the enemies that surround her become her undoing? In a world where survival is a deadly game, alliances will crumble, and the realms destiny hangs in the balance. |
Dance with the Devil by Madison Chase She lost everything she built, he was built to lose everything, and the Heavens themselves are duty-bound to keep them apart. Charlotte Brant, former detective and present-day pariah, has been rebuilding her life following the attack that cost her a job, a marriage, and possibly her sanity. When the King of Hell inserts himself into her life--all dark, handsome, and aggravating--it does her no favors in her efforts to regain some normalcy. Especially when an Archangel is sent on a holy mission to keep them apart by any means necessary--even offering her what she thought she lost forever. |
The Valkyrie Covenant by J. A. Townsend Lost and alone, Lena longs for two things: a place to call home and friends to call her own. After discovering a mysterious family heirloom, Lena is transported to Idirhallaâa realm created by Odin and ruled by the Valkyrie Queen. But Idirhalla, once a paradise for Odinâs immortal warriors, is on the brink of ruin, plagued by catastrophes that threaten to destroy all realms, both human and magical. As Lena uncovers the secrets her parents left behind and grows closer to the man of her dreams, she learns that her new friends and her new world depend on her to claim her birthright. To save Idirhalla, Lena must embrace her powers and lead a rebellion against those who put her on the throne. In a world where only the strongest Valkyrie rules, Lena must find her inner strengthâor risk losing everything sheâs come to love. |
Excalibur's King by Miriam Yvette Nestled in the hot mountain regions of a dying god lies the kingdom of Excalibur. Tungsten was born with one purpose: to become an unyielding stronghold and fulfill his duty to Excalibur alone. But when The Affliction War claimed his brother's life, and caused his father's early demise, Tungsten became not a servant, but Excaliburâs new king. On a mission to reunite with his sister, Tungsten and his best knight Lancelot find themselves arriving not at a homecoming, but a murder scene. Arthurian-inspired Gigachad MC with a sunshine personality Single POV Mythical creatures Arthurian references |
Callista's Adventures: Preventing a War by Joharra Harper Centuries before the Monster Realm is created, Callista had many adventures. One being with Joan of Arc. The two women are sent by the Goddess Athena to retrieve the only item that can prevent a full-blown war. But it isn't an easy journey. A demon and a saint working together, nobody expected smooth sailing. But as the days turn to nights, both realizes that looks can be deceiving, and they may just learn that what they need, is each other. |
An Impossible Dream by Ellie Lieberman A Cinderella story of friendship, love, survival, and dreams, even when they seem impossible... Sare has survived fifteen years playing the perfect little servant, but can she survive the castle? After all, nowhere compares to the castle and no one compares to the King. |
Once Upon a Dark October by Jessie Thomas All curses made in blood must be broken with blood. Dreadmist Harbor sleeps under a near-perpetual veil of coastal fog, home to mortals, vampires, and those somewhere in between. Already down-on-her-luck, mortal charwoman Elspeth finds herself the target of a rogue vampire, shattering the peaceful coexistence. Forced to seek help from a reclusive vampire coven, she barely makes it to their dreary seaside perch before she succumbs to the bite. Morrigan and her coven are haunted by a bitter rivalry that has left them devastated and fractured. As their old feud is once again rekindled, she is inexorably tied to Elspeth, who now carries an ancient vampiric power within her. The two are quickly swept up into a tangle of bloodlust and sorcery after the fraught transformationârealizing that matters of the heart are complicated, especially in undeath. While something sinister gathers in the shadows of their quiet town, they are pulled deeper into a world of curses and magic, dark dealings and betrayal. But Elspeth and Morrigan soon learn that all power must come with a price, for curses are not so easily broken. |
This Is How Immortals Die by Nicole Hidalgo Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, unleashed a life-changing apocalypse that reshaped the world and cursed humankind with immortality. Now injury, old age, and death mean nothing. Until the Soul connects with its Twin. Once true Love is found, immortality is lost. The Priestesses of Aphrodite exist to hunt down and send those blessed souls to Aphroditeâs Golden Palace in the afterlife. They are devout and efficient⊠if only a little blinded by the lustre of gold and the taste of blood. Carys Epistroâphia, an infamous Priestess, will go to great lengths to put her hands on a chest with fifty thousand gold coins. Including turning a blind eye to Twin Souls who rule over an isolated island and are willing to hire her unique skills to bring their daughter back home. Princess Ishana, a fragile and naive girl who has never died before, is Carysâ key to the treasure⊠as long as she arrives home with her soul intact. But in this sacrilegious contract, not everything is as it seems, and sometimes the heart has its own schemes. |
A Story Spun in Scarlet (Tales of Wonder and Woe) by Renee Dugan LET ME TELL YOU A STORY... AUDRA JASHOWIN is a storyteller without a purpose. When all the tales in the land of Mithra-Sha lost their endings, Audra fled from her family's rejection and the only home she ever knew. Now, with a sense of veiled danger haunting her heels and her life as devoid of direction as her stories, she arrives at long last in a city of fresh starts and second chances. There, she finds an adventure greater than she ever dreamed. JAIK GRISSOM might be the key to bringing back the power of all stories. A simple farmhand with a way around weapons, Jaik possesses more than a sharp wit that sets Audra's soul aflame. He's a natural amplifier with the talent to breathe life into her tales...into all the tales in Mithra-Sha. Chased from their comfortable lives by a stroke of ill luck on a fateful night, Audra and Jaik embark on a journey for answers-through the wilderness and over the raging sea, to the heart of storytelling itself. Along the way, the strange bond between them deepens as they begin to uncover a mystery that lurks beneath all the broken tales, written in the shroud of their own unlikely pasts. To mend the fractured stories in Mithra-Sha, Audra and Jaik must learn to embrace what lives at the core of their own stories: the bravery and brilliance, the loyalty and love, and the purpose and power they both harness-together and apart. And they must face a terrible truth penned between the pages of their quest...a tragedy that will change the course of history and rewrite the ending of their tale forever. |
Devil by the Tail by Caroline Lavoie In a small town in the Rockies, a mountain looms: the Devilâs Tail. According to local lore, a wicked trickster haunts its slopes, and whoever glimpses it is cursed to lose someone they love. Alex refuses to believe sheâs been cursed. She only ever saw the beast in her nightmares. Even if itâs real, it canât hurt her because she doesnât let anyone get too close to her heart. That is, until Amka moves to town. In no time, Alexâs carefully built walls begin to crumble. But what if Alexâs fear of loss is a curse of its own? There are a hundred ways to die on the Devilâs Tail, but only one way to break the curse. The path is treacherous, and the beast is waiting. |
The Vampire Mariki by Joseph Howard Against a malevolent vampire, a daring prince named Mariki sets out on a thrilling quest to safeguard his kingdom in the ancient kingdom of Kemet. But that's not all - for Mariki, his challenges are twofold. As he delves deeper into this perilous journey, Mariki uncovers long-hidden family secrets that shake his very foundation, as well as the perilous power grab of his stepfather and wicked stepbrother. And here's the twist - Mariki is no ordinary mortal. As a vampire, he soon discovers he is unique, destined to traverse the ages, interacting with cultures across the globe. Joined by his maker, a wise mentor, and a fiercely loyal protector, Mariki sets off on an extraordinary odyssey, where loss, pain, and heartache test his resilience at every turn. In the midst of these trials, he unearths profound discoveries and experiences a tapestry of emotions, including electrifying thrills of adventure, tender warmth of romance, and even moments of lighthearted comedy. In this enthralling tale, shadows lurk around every corner, and enigmatic mysteries shroud Mariki's path. With each twist and turn, the story keeps readers on edge and craving more, blending fantasy, horror, and suspense. Every twist and turn keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more to come. With his quest to uncover the secrets of his lineage and confront the forces of darkness that threaten his beloved kingdom, Mariki embarks on a grand adventure through the ages. Take part in a breathtaking adventure that explores human nature and reveals a world you never knew existed. |
Black Fox and Bitterbind(Fae & Familiars, #1) by Leanbh Pearson Bitterbind is a Fae outcast from her people after bonding with Black Fox â a creature considered a bad omen and harbinger of doom. They are exiled from Bitterbindâs Fae community and must learn to make their own way in the world where Fae are regarded with suspicion and dislike by the humans. Bitterbind and Black Fox share one soul and a mind and Black Foxâs sneaky intelligence and Bitterbindâs stealth are a perfect combination for royal thieves and spies. This last job might earn them home of their own where they can stop running from persecution. All they need to do first is succeed against the Kingâs treacherous enemies. |
I am Armageddon by C. L. Cabrera All nurses are angels, but not all nurses have wings. Wylie does. She just doesnât know it yet. Reeling from the loss of her family, emergency room nurse Wylie is destined to be the catalyst of the apocalypse. As she grieves, angelic abilities surface. Wylie learns her true identity and the terrible prophecy that comes with it. Only two men can help her now, the human doctor with whom she has an inhuman connection and the angel who has searched for her since the original sin. With them at her side, she delves deeper into the world of angels and their fight for freedom. Soon Wylie realizes the prophecy may be a self-fulfilling one. With heart-pounding action and unforgettable characters, I Am Armageddon is a gripping page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. |