stories in and

Till Death Do You Part

Till Death Do You Part by Marisa Billions

Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, Sage Foster-Reed is frustrated and not at all content with her life or marriage. She’s restless and there’s nothing she can seemingly do about it. Her wife, Jules, has been asked to officiate a friend’s wedding, pulling them to a hotel out of town for three days. In Good Times and Bad, In Sickness and in Health … When Sage goes to run an errand, she encounters Cat, a sexy stranger who seems to appear everywhere after their chance encounter. Cat brings Sage out her fog of misery and now Sage must make a decision- work on her marriage and go forward with the woman she’s built a life with, or run off to chase an uncertain future with Cat. Fretting the decision to be made, Sage finds herself at a crossroads- until Fate steps in and makes the decision for her, and one of the two women she is torn between winds up dead. Is it a terrible accident, or did jealousy culminate in murder? Till Death Do You Part


Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue by Marisa Billions

I AM HAUNTED. I LIVE A HAUNTED EXISTENCE. Sophia Martin and Eli were married for almost a decade, ran a successful spiritual empire bringing “a bespoke spiritual living experience” to vulnerable people looking to find a purpose in life. Then, Sophia meets a woman who turns her soul, and heart, inside out. Suddenly, Eli's empire is put at risk. I DANCE WITH THE PAST ON A DAILY BASIS. After escaping the marriage, and Eli's demands, Sophia starts again in a new town, and she can reclaim her identity. When she meets Frankie, a woman who teaches her that she is worth love and happiness, Sophia finally begins to heal and rediscover what it means to have peace. Until the bodies of murdered women wash ashore. I RELIVE MY MISTAKES AND QUESTION MY PRESENT AND DOUBT MY FUTURE. When she spots Eli in her newfound hometown around the same time the bodies have been showing up, Sophia knows it's not a coincidence. However, no one will believe her. Not even Frankie. Can she prove Eli is out to terrorize her for destroying the empire he built?


Our Bright Window

Our Bright Window by James Chance

Once a loyal hellhound, Vincent now runs with a new pack: a ragtag group of werewolves, hiding from the supernatural authorities now swarming their college town. But he can’t get his past betrayals out of his head. Henry visits his dreams every night, tormenting him with visions of the happiness he almost had. And the people he couldn’t save still haunt him–literally. Ghosts are pouring out of the Underworld, spreading corruption and darkness in their wake. Vincent is responsible for it all, and he knows better than anyone: nothing ever truly stays dead. He must mend the broken pieces of both worlds, before everything he has come to care about is lost. In the end, the final price to save the mortal world–and the people he loves–may destroy everything he has ever known.


Into the Blue Again

Into the Blue Again by Marisa Billions

Emma Landry must now navigate life post-Bailey. The role she played in her ex-wife's untimely death still haunts her. Also, she needs to understand the mystery that is Morgan. A woman who came into her life at a most inopportune time. Emma is left pondering the reasons their lives intersected, and whether or not they truly belong together. When these women start to explore the consequences of their decisions, everything changes. You have to understand Jonathan is a demarcation in my life. Morgan Hale was once free-spirited and fun-loving. She avoided serious relationships and falling in love. Until she met Jonathan. A tortured and mercurial writer who turned her world upside down. There was my life before him. And the utter mess left in his wake. Emma is left to figure out how the broken pieces of their shattered lives are meant to fit together as she learns through Morgan’s story not only their lives' parallels but how love can be both destructive and rehabilitative. Will the ghosts of Morgan’s past drive Emma away or bring them closer together?


Our Dark Mirror

Our Dark Mirror by James Chance

A stranger named Vincent emerges from a hole in the earth. He is a hellhound, bred and trained for one purpose: guarding the Underworld’s prisoners. At least, until he lets one escape. Disgraced, he is sent to recover the fugitive, disguised as an ordinary college student. But the mortal world holds its own secrets. Mysterious murders plague the school. Supernatural creatures hide in plain sight. And the fugitive has his own plan–one that may spell doom for both Hell and earth. To stop it, Vincent must team up with others like him that walk the line between light and shadow. The best of them is monster hunter and football star Henry Wellfellow. Kind and charismatic, he is beloved by all; and yet he takes an interest in Vincent, accepting him in a way no one has before. But Vincent has demons–literally. He can’t fall for the hero of the story. He doesn’t belong in this new world he has come to love. And yet, he may be the only one who can stop its destruction. But will the mortal world–and Henry–forgive him for what he will have to do to save it?


Like Sapphire Blue

Like Sapphire Blue by Marisa Billions

Your eyes are amazing. I’ve never seen a blue like that.” Emma Landry is tough, independent, beautiful, and smart. Being an outcast unable to identify with her classmates, she was willing to do whatever it takes to climb her way out of poverty. “What color would you say they are?” Like Sapphire Blue Having never known a mother’s love, her father “Bear”, raised her on the wrong side of the tracks in a wealthy town. When success beckons, the woman she’s been in love with is, finally, within her grasp. Life is now worth living and loving. That is, until a dark family secret is revealed. A secret tied into the very fabric of who she is, and what she spent a lifetime working to overcome. Faced with a foundation shattering treachery, Emma finds herself at the crossroads. Can she overcome a destiny stronger than death, destitution, and murder, to prove she is more than just her father’s daughter? Or will this new knowledge lead her to destroy the world she’s spent a lifetime building?


Ripe & Ready

Ripe & Ready by Elliot Kyle

Derek and I have been best friends since we were kids. Now we’re halfway across the world on a gorilla-watching expedition in the Congo, and I’m finally working up the nerve to admit what I’ve been feeling for years. Somewhere amidst the jungle hikes, one bed, and far too many lingering touches, the lines between us start to blur and things start getting a little... slippery. The jungle is wild, but admitting my feelings for him might be the real adventure. Ripe & Ready is a friends-to-lovers, low-angst, 19k-word novella with a HEA and the wildly questionable use of a banana. It is the first novella in a series of queer love stories full of big feelings and extremely unconventional lube choices. Because who says silicone and water-based are the only options?


Matsdotter and Adrastus: When A Human Falls In Love With An Archdemon

Matsdotter and Adrastus: When A Human Falls In Love With An Archdemon by Aelina Isaacs

Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it. When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there's much more to the human than meets the eye. For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago. Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own. Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other. If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them. Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost.


Fools Rush In

Fools Rush In by Sarah Clowder

Leslie Glynore only wants one thing- to be able to retire from the paladin life. The problem? She's done something Very Bad but can't remember what. To get her fully funded retirement, she has to do something Very Good for the Church. All while stuck with Alik Visk- her always-glaring, eyepatch-wearing Knight of a partner, who hates her and makes her want to do anything but good. Fortunately for Leslie, their Commander has a mission that no one else is available to take: Please return the goddess home. It sounds like the perfect way to end her career, but nothing is ever that easy. Will she be able to face her own demons while stopping actual ones from breaking loose? Or will she run away like she's always done in the past?


The Voice of Wild Places

The Voice of Wild Places by Noah Hawthorne

Cornelius Sawyer is a man of many talents, but forgiveness is not one of them. Watt Johnson is a man of his word, but not once in his life has he spoken up for himself. Once connected by the bonds of childhood, threads now severed by the demands of life, the pair are brought together for a once in a lifetime an all expenses paid expedition to Brazil, searching for a man the world believes to be long dead, Percy Fawcett. And perhaps, even the Lost City that he was looking for. Under the guise of doing research work for their respective universities, a reluctant Cornelius and an exhilarated Watt accept the offer and delve into the unknown, trusting no one but themselves. Looking at a map, the route and its dangers seem to be known obstacles which can be easily conquered, a fact that Watt leans on heavily. But Cornelius is intimately aware that the river has teeth, that the land renders a siren song to those who are desperate to become lost in its mountains and basins. To survive the journey they'll have to face the enemies within, and trust the other to have their best interests in mind. After all, the Voice of Wild Places is calling, beckoning the adrift homeward.


Goldheart

Goldheart by Tess Carletta

A world plagued by sun sickness can be both terrible and beautiful. Senna Kane was plucked from his orphanage and molded into the perfect Goldheart—the personal bodyguard to the prince. It's a demanding job, made harder by the headstrong prince's desire to solve the tension between the darkness-bathed Talsura and the sun-welcoming Redwind, but Senna has vowed to do his best. Defying the law, Senna and the prince sneak out of their kingdom to meet with the Redwindan princess to work towards peace. There, Senna finds himself spending more time with the princess' charming guard, Emrys, who challenges Senna to try bold and impossible things—like harnessing the sun's power to grow plants from his own body. The quest for peace comes at odds with the two lovers as the sun sickness, terrifying monsters, and cruel rulers try to tear them apart at every turn. The danger leads Senna to what may be an impossible choice: to abandon his prince, his duty and life's purpose, or lose the chance to become the man he could've been if that duty had never found him. GOLDHEART is a story about chosen family, choosing love, and the impossible feat of staying good in times of darkness.


Undefined Tides

Undefined Tides by Briar Belmont

Before they were pirates, they sought freedom. Rowan yearns only to be the master of his own fate. A year out from indenture in the navy, Rowan finds himself in the midst of a trafficking scheme he can’t stomach. Yves is transformed. No longer the victim he was. No longer fully human. The darkness within him pushes him toward violence and glory. Logan, newly released from the Marran navy, attempts to find the family he hasn’t heard from since childhood. Fox loves too hard. Trusts too easily. But he never thought it would be a mistake to entrust his heart to the one man who’s been by his side all along. John has spent his whole life working toward a higher rank, but when his superior officer orders him to do something appalling, he finally snaps and gives in to the flames that have always fought to rise to the surface. Henri’s mother is dead, and he cannot stand still anymore. Now he must embark on a journey to find the father that has been lost at sea since giving him a mysterious gift. Gaël gave in to his desires for one night, but fear drove him away. Now he must fight to get back to the one man he’s ever loved, even if it’s just to say sorry. Robin wanted a quiet life of bachelorhood, but his family has other plans. When they present him with his new fiancée, he runs, and finds himself face-to-face with pirates. Two pirate crews destined to clash, hurtle toward one another on the tide of their captains’ obsessions. Undefined Tides is a collection of interwoven short stories that follows each member of the Siren Song and Kraken’s Fury as they run, stumble, or murder their way into the life of a pirate.


Swallows of Mostar

Swallows of Mostar by Neira Fazlovic

Two years after she moved to Mostar, a historic small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, eighteen-year-old Franka Garcia still struggles with loneliness, language barriers, and terrible grades. After she accidentally falls off the famous Old Bridge, Franka is rescued by Mirna, a wickedly intelligent, but exasperated teenager obsessed with cliff diving. Despite training all her life and frequently besting her peers, being a girl means Mirna can never participate in the centuries-old tradition of diving off the Old Bridge. But stubborn and determined Mirna won’t give up so easily. After Franka’s near-perfect accidental dive, Mirna reluctantly takes on the challenge of teaching her all she knows about cliff diving. If Franka and Mirna want to compete, they must enact their unorthodox plan to take down the patriarchal system forbidding them from diving. Falling in love was never part of the plan.


Let The Sun Shine On My Face

Let The Sun Shine On My Face by Ilis Trudie Palmer

Let the Sun Shine on My Face - Micro Synopsis In this luminous collection of reflections, Ilis Trudie Palmer turns everyday Caribbean life into spiritual practice. With warmth and humor, she writes about yoga, gardening, friendship, and faith as paths to inner peace. Each story reminds us that enlightenment isn’t distant, it’s found in loving ourselves, trusting life, and letting joy rise from the ordinary. Let the Sun Shine on My Face is both a celebration of the Caribbean spirit and a guide to living lightly, gratefully, and awake.


Dudes Rock: A Celebration of Queer Masculinity in Speculative Fiction

Dudes Rock: A Celebration of Queer Masculinity in Speculative Fiction by Chase Anderson, Johannes T. Evans, Oliver Fosten, Jonathan Freeman, Rick Hollon, Sam Inverts, S. C. Mills, Franklyn S. Newton, Jay Kang Romanus, Aubrey Shaw, Simo Srinivas, Candy Tan, and Scott Vaughn.

What does masculinity mean to you? Whether the answer is "toxic" or something more aspirational, speculative fiction can help you find the language to talk about it. The stories in this anthology visualize all the different ways masculinity might look in a world different than our own, for better or worse. Imagine living in a universe where you'd feel safe telling your best friend you've always loved him, or where smoking hot demons exist to indulge all your worst impulses. From buff aliens to gender-affirming werewolf bites, Dudes Rock is about celebrating everything that queer masculinity can become beyond the confines of a single world, and we want you to rock with us.


A Clean Pig

A Clean Pig by Johannes T. Evans

Detective Inspector Phil Hutchinson, following up a last-ditch lead on an anonymous and impossible-to-locate narcotics distributor, attempts to get close enough to surveil her son, a young man called Adrian Gillespie, who uses a wheelchair. He gets closer than he intended, and is rewarded — and punished — as per. 13.6k, rated E, cis M/trans M. Written for an anonymous commission. Both parties are adults (49 & 27) and fully consenting throughout. Contains degradation and humiliation, age gap, dom/sub dynamics with the younger trans man dominating, mild cock & ball torture, sadomasochism, dirty talk, obedience & discipline, self-bukkake, mild drunkenness. Set in London in the 2020s. Set in my Magic Beholden universe, readable completely standalone. Phil Hutchinson is non-magical, but it is implied in several places that Adrian and his family are magical themselves. Work commissioned by an anonymous party.


Historic Brotherhood

Historic Brotherhood by Johannes T. Evans

Novella. London, 1979: a young gay man seeks mentorship from a classmate’s flamboyant uncle. 23k, rated M, Gen. Mortimer Jones, a young gay man, comes from Tewkesbury to London where he meets Percival Campbell and, in short order, Percival’s beloved uncle — the flamboyant and loquacious Queen B. Uncle B soon takes Mortimer, shy and as-yet uncertain of his place in the world and in the gay community, under his wing, and serves as mentor. Focus on queer community in the 1970s, discussions of monastic history, science fiction, comedy, art and architecture, pop culture, connection, and cross-age friendship. Lots of body positivity for Mort and B, both fat men, in the aftermath of fatphobic bullying and homophobic isolation; lots of flirtation as a confidence and identity-building exercise even whilst B sets clear boundaries between them in terms of actual sexual activity; references to and discussion of historic and period homophobia throughout, but the tone is generally warm and companionable.


Strange Liberty

Strange Liberty by Johannes T. Evans

Salvo Caine, a young man cursed with a magically sapping touch, is convicted of manslaughter and dispatched to an island prison. Once there, he’s offered limited freedom — and affection — by the cold and manipulative prison warden, Guillaume Villiers. Rated M, 27.5k, dark fantasy with some M/M dark romance on the side. Good bit of age gap sexiness, and some medical and care-giving kink as well.


Powder and Feathers

Powder and Feathers by Johannes T. Evans

Aimé Deverell, a depressed and lonely artist finishing up his degree in Dublin, watches the world go by, and paints it as it goes. Life is short, he thinks - and thank God! He’s tired of living it. That philosophy shatters like glass when his life is threatened by the beautiful Jean-Pierre, a Fallen angel.


An Uncommon Betrothal

An Uncommon Betrothal by Johannes T. Evans

Alexos Fox, an introverted academic and polio survivor, is naturally quite sad when the long-time butler of his household, the man who all but raised him, retires. He is not at all prepared for the old man’s his exceedingly attractive and painfully tempting nephew. Unbeknownst to Alexos, his old butler chose Henry Sutton hoping the two of them might marry their interests together, and the gentleman is as suspicious as he is entranced when the new butler comes to him with talks of a secret marriage between them. M/M erotic romance, rated E, 100k. Set 1927, primarily in West Sussex, England.


Floodwaters

Floodwaters by Wren L. Rivers

Theology and science mix like oil and water. Never in his life would Eris Vandermere have thought The Effect of Divine Presence on Human Behavior would be the topic of his final research paper of the year—yet he finds himself combing the city streets with sophomore Miri Chase, tracking the footsteps of a real-life god who walks the mortal realm. When the god of the sea rescues a child from certain death, his divine blood heals the child’s wounds, and the mortal world hails him as a hero. An undercurrent of intrigue among the mortal population grows and slowly festers, which leads Eris and Miri to stumble across a horrifying truth: mortals will do anything to get their hands on God's Blood. What starts as a simple school project morphs into a frantic scramble for human survival. What must one do to appease an angered god? And how far is a god willing to go in the name of justice? After all, nothing is more devastating than divine rage.


Mere Flesh

Mere Flesh by Catherine Labadie

Wynnifred Treloar has everything she needs to succeed as a budding occultist on the cusp of vowing her allegiance to king and country...and marrying the most tame yet influential man in society she can find. Yet everything is not enough for her when she knows more influence than she can dream of will be withheld from her because of who she is.Breaking one rule after another, she sacrifices portions of her body to summon a demonic entity to take over the world. There should be no harm in it: demons are only dark energy, after all, and Wynnifred is a prodigy. When the demon she summons into a circle vows she'll die screaming in his claws, and omens plague her friends and estate, Wynnifred begins to realize there are worse mistakes to make than marrying the wrong society darling. Like beginning to fall for the demon's allure.


Skiamakhia

Skiamakhia by T.D. Cloud

When the tech company Kolton Moreau built with his brother experiences a surprisingly profitable quarter, the doors to high society open up to make way. Fancy parties, new business contacts, a seat at the adult’s table… It should have been a windfall and the logical reward for their years of hard work, but as Kolton begins to rub elbows with the societal elite, he realizes things aren’t quite so clear cut. From persistent attempts at corporate takeover to shady deals nudged towards him under the table, the risks begin to outweigh the potential rewards as Kolton finds himself pursued by a mysterious group keen on obtaining his allegiance, one way or another. It stood to reason that rising through the ranks would open doors. Kolton just wished he took the time to consider who—or what—would be waiting for him on the other side.


Blistering Love

Blistering Love by M. Jordan

When a trip to India goes awry, Priyanka handles it the only way she knows how to, with liquor. The days blur together as she finds herself in a tumultuous tailspin, hanging on for dear life. One trip to the doctor's office, and her life is forever changed. Dr. Thalya Rishnya is nothing if not professional; however, when a drop-dead gorgeous woman winds up in her office, she can't help but feel for her. One random, coincidental meetup and her world will never be the same. Sparks fly as they relish each other's company. Follow along as these two fight to survive life and see if they will find their happily ever after, or will they mess it up for fate's sake?


The Old Goat and the Alien

The Old Goat and the Alien by Veo Corva

Avari keeps to themself. They’re a goat-shape cosmoran, a member of the Cleaners’ Union, and a bit of a grump. That suits them just fine. They don’t have any friends, and that’s fine, because they have siblings. And if their siblings have all grown away from them to start their own lives, then that’s fine, too. Really. But then Avari meets a lost alien in the Elder Grove, and that is not fine. Everyone is telling Avari that this alien is their responsibility just because she’s lost on an unfamiliar planet. Avari can barely tolerate cosmorans; how are they supposed to cope with a human housemate? To get Jenna the human out of their home, Avari is going to have to do several unthinkable things. They’ll have to leave the house, talk to strangers, and even travel to the terrifying ocean planet that is the binary twin of their own. They’ll have to learn about Earth and go to board game parties and meet some of the strangest people in the city. They might even have to make friends. But the trouble is, Avari isn’t sure they deserve them. The Old Goat and the Alien is a cosy, slice-of-life space fantasy with an all-queer cast set on the binary planets of Geminus in a far-away star system. Geminus is populated by cosmorans, sentient creatures whose shape is determined by the stars at their hatching and who bear a striking resemblance to the animals and mythical creatures of Earth.


Twisted Souls

Twisted Souls by Skye Crawford

Valan Anartes has a secret. Many, in fact. Growing up in the Unseelie Court meant learning how to fake a smile, how to lie directly to other sidhes’ faces, and to kill anyone who obstructs his path to power. At least, that’s the goal he’s led everyone to believe he has. He’s not the only person hiding something in the shadows. A mysterious rogue, who has vowed his life and love to Valan, will risk everything to protect the truth. But as their enemies—including Valan’s sadistic twin sister—close in and more than just their demi-immortal lives are at stake, Valan’s going to need something beyond an arsenal of magic and manipulation to keep their twisted secrets safe.


Blade Broken

Blade Broken by Niranjan

A spy lurking in the shadows, a nation on the verge of an invasion, a man desperate to protect his home. Lucian is the Blade of Castrial, the kingdom's spymaster and first line of defence, lauded for his success in repelling an invasion from Garaner. But the war has left Castrial's economy in shambles, and when the neighbouring kingdom of Sarian musters their armies and sends spies into Castrial, Lucian realises two things: they have a spy in their midst, and they can't afford the cost of fighting off another invasion. And if that wasn't trouble enough, there is Alaric, the Shield of Castrial and the only man in the Echelon whose power is equal to Lucian's. Returned from banishment like the vengeful spirit of their long-lost relationship, Alaric carries a deep-set grudge against Lucian, a grudge that may well be justified. Lucian’s desire to protect his nation is nearly equal to his wish to reconcile with Alaric, but if he cannot get his act together and convince the Shield to work with him, Castrial will fall. Blade Broken is a queer, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and the first book in The Echelon Series. If you love flawed characters, betrayals and redemption, and gritty worldbuilding with lots of political machinations, you will love this book.


Trapped in the Past

Trapped in the Past by Indira Merritt

What if the only way to fix your future… was to confront the past that broke you? Seventeen-year-old Lennox Merritt is tired of holes―the ones in his story, his home, and his hope. When a glitch in an experimental beat machine hurls him three decades into the past, he lands in 1995 with nothing but a backpack and music the world hasn't heard yet. In a world of boom boxes, beepers, and block parties, Lennox meets people who feel too familiar―and a version of someone who never got the future they deserved. But getting back home isn't just about rewiring time. It's about feeling the grief he buried, the silence he inherited, and the choices he still has the power to make. Set in a rhythm-rich world where hip hop holds memory and healing moves through basslines, Trapped in the Past is a time-bending debut novel about rewriting what hurt you, reclaiming what made you, and remembering that the story isn't over just because the page turned.


Grim Portents

Grim Portents by Christian Akins

Bill Baker wants nothing more than to marry the woman he loves, but when his wedding is interrupted by a rampaging hell-beast, his life is thrown into disarray. Desperate for a second chance, he will do anything to set his future back on track. Now, with the help of a soul-collecting reaper named Sonny, he must uncover who is releasing monsters from Hell, in order to earn back the life that was stolen from him and prevent the oncoming end of days. Faced with the choice between what is right and what is easy, Bill may have to sacrifice all he holds dear for one last shot at life. Grim Portents is a paranormal odyssey that takes a man through Heaven and Hell in a satirical exploration of the institutional pitfalls of the afterlife. Though desperate to return, death may have been the very thing he needed to learn how to live.


Shattered Queens Series: Serena

Shattered Queens Series: Serena by Inez Ocon

Serena Safe. Predictable. Logical. Numbers don’t hurt you. People do. I built my life on stability and earned my dream job as VP of Finance. I live in armor—my body trained, my mind guarded, my heart locked tight. Then Ian walks into my life. He says he'll protect me. He says he'll kill for me. But is he my savior…or my captor? And now, someone else is watching me, and I don’t know who’s more dangerous. Ian CEO. Heir. Killer. I erase anyone who threatens what’s mine. But nothing consumes me like her. Serena. My obsession. My undoing. Every step she takes is already under my watch. She thinks she rebuilt her life on safety. The truth? I am her safety—and her danger. Willing or not, she’ll belong to me. Because I’ll burn down this world before I ever let her go.


Solace of Dusk

Solace of Dusk by K. V. Meadows

Those who play with prophecies will get burned… 23-year-old Undesirable, Durvla Garrick, has a dangerous secret. Being both deaf and having a chronic ailment, her very existence is treasonous. So, when the Queen’s mercenaries accuse her of stealing a dress, she comes quietly—better to be arrested for her knitting skills than her illness. Under the watchful eye of the broody royal guard, Tiernan Kilkenny—the embodiment of the very people she’s spent her life hiding from—Durvla is appointed dressmaker to the princess. But castle life isn’t quite what she expected, and nor is its staff… With the Queen dying, Princess Carys Meredyth fa Rhodri is reluctant to inherit the throne of a broken Kingdom when she feels so broken herself. Magic has been outlawed for a millennium—so why are her memories filled with whispers of enchantment? When Carys finds a book that only she can read, more questions unravel. Are the fairytales that have provided her comfort since childhood really only stories? Or has the truth been right there all along?


How to Survive This Fairytale

How to Survive This Fairytale by S. M. Hallow

You are not a hero. You don't get your True Love. This is the part where you lose everything. This is the part where you rewrite your story. After losing everything in service to the Evil Queen, and driven to the edge of sanity by a cruel narrator who won't let him die, Hansel must bring himself to do the impossible: forge his own destiny or give up on his Happily Ever After. For fans of T. Kingfisher's THORNHEDGE and Tamsyn Muir's HARROW THE NINTH, comes a story crafted by S. M. Hallow. Twining together a dark fairy tale retelling with mental health and disability representation plus queer normative world-building splashed with a cozy horror game vibe, HOW TO SURVIVE THIS FAIRYTALE is rewriting Happily Ever Afters.


The Shadowbearer's Promise

The Shadowbearer's Promise by Jasmyn Morning

Whispers of unrest echo through the Shadowrealm. As tensions rise and long-buried fears resurface, a mysterious cult emerges from the darkness, vowing to challenge the rule of the Shadowbearer. As the shadows close in, Edan finds his guarded heart unraveling and his growing affection for Ryuji and Micah pulling him deeper into a bond that defies fate. But with betrayal lurking in every corner, love may be the most dangerous promise of all. In this soul-shattering final instalment of the trilogy, the Shadowbearer must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice, and whether their love is strong enough to survive the chaos.


The Shadowbearer's Burden

The Shadowbearer's Burden by Jasmyn Morning

The High King of Aetheria stands at the crossroads of duty and desire. Bound by his love for the Shadowbearer, he navigates a fragile bond with the man cursed to wield the darkness. But as a Shadow warrior claims his place in their star-crossed union, their hearts wrestle with jealousy and doubt. With his kingdom demanding unwavering strength and the Shadowbearer's burdens growing heavier, the High King must face impossible choices. Can he bridge the growing chasm between love and duty, or will the shadows tear apart everything he's fought to protect? In this gripping sequel, betrayal and passion entwine as the trio discover that the path to peace is paved with sacrifice.


Against an Alpine Sky

Against an Alpine Sky by Nicole Leland

Talos is an artist, a naturalist, and a lithander—a person carved of stone. He lives with his brother but spends his days wandering the mountains and observing the natural world, not realizing how lonely he is. Maëlle is a human woman dreading her arranged marriage to a nobleman. While she doesn’t like her betrothed, she’s convinced herself it’s her duty to tolerate him. When Maëlle receives devastating personal news that makes her situation with her fiancé unsafe, she flees on her owl gryphon to the mountains—and into Talos’s life. As the gentle stone man and the strong, vibrant woman discover truths about themselves and each other, they feel the budding promise of something new, something bigger and more lasting than the mountains. But to embrace their happiness together, they’ll need to overcome Maëlle’s obligations, the censure of Talos’s brother, and most importantly, their own insecurities.


Not The Fighting Kind

Not The Fighting Kind by Will Soulsby-McCreath

Nat should be doing what dandies do creating fashion, trading information, working on the edges of high society to further their own aims, and flirting with scandal. Instead, they're in the bowels of a ship, captured by pirates intent on ransoming them back to their family as soon as they find out to which family they should send the letter. Unfortunately for all involved, Nat knows one thing the pirates can never be allowed to find They are unransomable. Their family has plenty enough money to pay any ransom, but Nat's father sent them to sea in the first place, put them in the path of these pirates, because he wanted Nat out of the way. Ransoms create scandal. Nat can't afford another.


Remember Me

Remember Me by T.J. Baer

After years of being the quiet, “weird” gay kid with no friends, seventeen-year-old Alex Sato is counting the days until graduation. But when the ghost of handsome, popular soccer star Noah Thornbridge appears in Alex’s English class one morning, Alex grudgingly agrees to help him solve the mystery of his death. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of Noah’s body, and the last thing he remembers is hiking through the woods with two of his friends, who are also missing. With Noah’s friends’ lives on the line, Alex must push aside his introverted tendencies and better judgment to chase Noah into the woods that claimed him. There, Alex will face more than just the danger of following in Noah’s ghostly footsteps. He’ll face the greatest challenge of his life: not falling in love with a dead boy.


A Demon to Save Me

A Demon to Save Me by H.S. Kallinger

Gabriel Belmont's life is succumbing to a downward spiral when he accidentally summons a demon. After he refuses to make a contract, something ignites within him, inspiring him to strive for a real future—a real life. Two years later, he has everything he wanted, and his life is on track. But it's a fragile thing. A cascade of events threatens to destroy it all. He has to find it in him to not only save the people he loves, but also the demon who saved him in the first place.


Sucker Love

Sucker Love by Risa Cruise

Noel I’m impossible to love. At least, that’s what my ex-boyfriend said after he moved out and left me short on next month’s rent. Luckily, I've found a sexy solution in the form of Luca, a tattoo artist looking for a place to crash. He’s older, hot, a little awkward…and he’s also in the middle of a divorce. Whatever. All I know is, my new roommate leaves me absolutely breathless. Our arrangement benefits us in more ways than one...as long as I can keep it together. He’s sweeter than I deserve, but that’s only because he doesn’t know how broken I really am. Once he figures that out, he'll leave. Everybody does. Luca Meeting someone like Noel is the last thing I expected after separating from my wife. But I can’t help being drawn to him. He’s gorgeous, talented, and unapologetically himself—something I’ve struggled with my entire life. Moving in with him may be impulsive, but it is convenient. And our chemistry is next level. Yeah, he’s bit of a brat, but this complicated man is showing me everything I’ve denied myself for years. Falling for him feels almost inevitable. But when my past threatens everything, it’s easy to fall back into familiar patterns—and playing it safe could cost me the one person who’s ever really seen me. SUCKER LOVE is a soft D/s, roommates-to-lovers MM romance between a bold art student and a closeted tattoo artist. Unraveling against the vibrant backdrop of Boston, Massachusetts, it's a love story brimming with drama and messy desire.


Marigolds and Murder

Marigolds and Murder by AK Ikezoe

What good is it to know the truth if you're powerless to change it? Philadelphia, 1950. Nobody suspects that private detective Katsumi Okazaki uses prophecy magic to solve her cases. But her uncanny "intuition" at finding the truth can't help her prove that her new client's wife was murdered. Not when everyone else is convinced the death was accidental. To make matters more complicated, Kat's new client is an Exalter--afflicted with unpredictable magical abilities as collateral damage from the war--and her story stirs up Kat's own painful memories of displacement and the love she lost. Luckily, Kat has plenty of practice burying her personal problems under a mountain of work. She sets out with her ethically questionable but trustworthy assistant to find evidence and catch the killer. But dread creeps in when she realizes she's being tailed. Is someone trying to thwart her investigation, or does the government still not trust her? Either way, Kat can't let her client down. And if what her magic tells her is real, then catching the killer might not be enough... not if she's going to be able to live with herself when it's done. The first book in The Exalted series, Marigolds and Murder is a queer fantasy murder mystery that blends WWII history with magic.


The Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmina Bruttenholm

The Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmina Bruttenholm by Vivian Moira Valentine

From the author of the acclaimed Amelia Temple books comes the first in the highly anticipated novella series, Shadows Over Ravenkirk: The Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmina Bruttenholm. Victoria Williams, a struggling photographer from Boston, receives a letter informing her of a surprise inheritance. Wilhelmina Bruttenholm of Ravenkirk, Maine, has recently passed away and left her a bequest. Victoria doesn’t know who Wilhelmina is—to her knowledge, she doesn’t know anyone in Ravenkirk—but she travels to Maine anyway to attend the will reading. But who is this family and what do they really want of her? Struggling to understand the events happening in this unique little town, Victoria is confronted with secrets, magic, and Samantha, one very sweet tarantula. And while she must face the truth about her own mysterious family history, she will have to do so carefully. Because murder abounds in Ravenkirk and nobody is who they appear to be.


First Verse (Get your rocks off Book 1)

First Verse (Get your rocks off Book 1) by G Eilsel

First Verse is a Friends to (one-sided) Hate to Love, bi-awakening MM Romance, packed with angst and steam. Eric My life is already complicated enough. Most of my waking hours are dedicated to my band, and we’re on the edge of making it big. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of. Until the day our drummer backs out, weeks before our tour kicks off. Just in time to save the day, in walks the one man I’d hoped to never see again. The one blip on my radar. The only man to ever break my heart. Dmitri What do you do when you have the chance to jump back into the life of the one that got away? The guy you never risked taking a chance with, because falling in love with your straight best friend is a recipe for disaster? You dive headfirst, not caring how much it’s going to hurt when you land. Six years apart hasn’t changed the way I feel about Eric, and it hasn’t changed the way he hates me. The more time we spend together, the more he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with me... and I’ll do anything to find out why.


Fey & Wolf: A Lusefell Novella

Fey & Wolf: A Lusefell Novella by Noah Bodie

Osmond Banes is at his wits' end. Plagued by nightmares from 12 years ago, constant worry about his family, and an unsettling fear of immortality. The one thing keeping him afloat is his longtime partner, Christian Baker, who just returned from a trip across the sea. Upon their reunion, they learn of a growing threat from a monstrous force. This duo of monster hunters sets out to investigate the creatures rumored to have murdered Oz’s father figure and to finally exchange the vows they have been postponing for years.


Letters to Satan

Letters to Satan by G Eilsel

The One Handed Holidays: Crossed Swords Edition Series - Christmas Novella Just when things in Hell are starting to get boring, The Lucifer receives another of these blasted letters... the candy-striped, smiley-faced, hopeful letters of humans. Only these letters aren't intended for him, and he's tired of reading about the silly Christmas wishes of mankind. The best solution is the most obvious one: go to the North Pole, and demand Santa do something about it. Only things don't... quite... work out the way he's imagining. Lucifer's riled up and ready to put Santa in his place, but the tall, dark, and somber man who greets him at the workshop door isn't a man that can be bossed around, and he's quick to put Lucifer in his place. Only Lucifer isn't so easily dissuaded, and soon, he's causing chaos right underneath Santa's nose. It quickly becomes a game of cat and mouse, until they're no longer Lucifer and Santa, but Damien and Niklaus, and what's happening between them is a lot more complicated than either of them could ever have expected. Author's Note: This is an 18+ erotic novella based loosely on holiday themes. Read accordingly.


Some Assembly Required: A Heartstrings & Coffee Beans Novel

Some Assembly Required: A Heartstrings & Coffee Beans Novel by Noah Bodie

Liam Parker is a single dad navigating the chaos of life with his twelve-year-old son, Jack, in a world that seems determined to make things harder for them. Between juggling work, parenting, and the lingering scars of his past, Liam has little time for himself—until a chance encounter at Mocha & Magic, a quirky local cafe, introduces him to Quinn Maher, the enigmatic owner with a penchant for kindness and a complicated history of his own.


Bulwark: Book 2 of the Desert Rose Saga

Bulwark: Book 2 of the Desert Rose Saga by Noah Bodie

The next installment of the Desert Rose Saga follows Simon and Andreas as old wounds are reopened, and they’re forced to confront their growing feelings for one another. What awaits them as they leave the city of Sebree eight months after being sent into isolation? Will Simon be able to confront his inner demons? Will Andreas uncover answers to a surprising revelation about his family? What challenges lie ahead as new foes emerge and a hidden piece of the world’s history claws to light?


Ronan

Ronan by G Eilsel

It's been almost a century since the veil fell and monsters invaded the world. We didn't give the humans an opportunity to retaliate as we charged in and took over, and I was at the head of the front lines with my sword in hand. A perfect soldier, fighting the battles that ultimately put my people in charge of this planet. Half of humanity was slaughtered, and in the decades since the invasion, things have only gotten worse. Tensions between the rebel humans and monsters grew as the climate changed, and temperatures rose as resources dwindled. The sun scorched away plants and trees, leaving behind a husk of a planet where everyone fights for survival. The Fates were furious at our violence, and now we're trapped inside the hell we created. We've all heard tale of the Mate's Mark, and how we're destined to find our fated mate. One human, one monster - foretold to be the cure to this cursed world and repair the damage that has been done. What was once the cause of curiosity and intrigue has turned into nothing more than a mockery. Decades have passed, and not a single pair of fated mates had been found. Until now. Until me. Until the night I pull off my armor and find the mark staring back. Author's note: Ronan is a First Person Dual POV MM Monster Romance series with explicit content intended for readers 18+. It is the first in a series that will have an overarching storyline carrying between books. While this series ends with a guaranteed HEA, individual books end on more of a HFN basis. The feature couple's story will be resolved, though there will be some unanswered questions and mild cliffhangers that lead into the next in the series.


The Monsters Among Us

The Monsters Among Us by Kent Priore

“Kent Priore writes like a natural about the supernatural, and The Monsters Among Us is a marvelously dark and true novel. American fiction has found a terrific new voice.” —Joseph O’Neill, PEN/Faulkner Award-Winning Author of Netherland Seth’s life until now has been a product of a diabolical, evil Truman Show, his entire upbringing a façade orchestrated for malevolent purposes. After his beloved dies, he undergoes a demonic metamorphosis, which causes the world’s fictitious walls to crumble. As he tries to piece a semblance of his life back together and move on, he meets friends who inspire, but even more harsh truths are revealed, perhaps too difficult to cope with. The very existence of life and reality is exposed as a machination of grotesque gods. And to defeat them, Seth will have to fill his emptiness, for which there’s only two options… Bring the world to ruin, or learn to transmute his pain into strength. Fans of "Jerusalem" by Alan Moore, “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, or “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakovor will enjoy “The Monsters Among Us.” “I was intrigued from the first sentence, determined to spend the night speed-reading so I didn't have to remain in suspense any longer.” -Ella Dupuie, author of Fractures of the Fallen “Supernatural storytelling at its best, this vivid cinematic novel takes the reader on an imaginative journey through what could be considered end of days. The Monster’s Among Us is a masterful creation and a must read—even for those who aren’t fans of fantasy/horror.” —Joni Marie Iraci MFA author of Vatican Daughter


Diminished

Diminished by Erica Rose Eberhart

A queen haunted by ghosts. A dragon cursed in human skin. A kingdom on the brink of war. In the aftermath of her father's death, Queen Greer stands at the edge of grief and revelation. Magic—once forbidden—has returned to Wimleigh, but so have enemies. When a prophetic funeral warns of rising death, it sets into motion a chain of events that will test the mettle of queens, heirs, and warriors alike. As Greer grapples with panic attacks and the vengeful ghost of her father, her sister, Caitriona, struggles under the weight of monstrous expectations. Bearing horns, scales, and the voice of a dragon in her mind, Caitriona must lead a secret mission with Ailith MacCree—now a royal guard—north to find a lost prince who could stop a war—if he’s willing to fight. But treachery weaves through the forests, poisons creep in, and fae assassins lurk in the shadows. With kingdoms falling to darkness, an ancient tree bleeding out its final life, and bonds shattered by betrayal, Wimleigh’s hope rests on a dragon no longer afraid to rise. When magic is reborn and monsters wear crowns, who dares to lead the charge?


Tarnished

Tarnished by Erica Rose Eberhart

An outlawed magic, a hidden curse, and a love tested by fire. In the struggling city of Braewick, a determined 20-year-old gate guard named Ailith MacCree longs for a chance at financial stability and adventure. Little does she know, her wish is about to come true. She accepts a mission from Princess Greer that promises both: escort Princess Caitriona to the Endless Mountains to meet the enigmatic hermit for a great financial reward. Ailith jumps at the opportunity and bids goodbye to all she’s ever known. But as they journey together, Ailith discovers that Caitriona holds a dangerous secret—she possesses powerful magic in a kingdom where magic is outlawed. Ailith and Caitriona face mysterious attacks and supernatural challenges. But as they delve deeper into the treacherous landscape, Ailith learns of Caitriona's tragic past and the dark curse that threatens her very existence. With rebellion brewing in Braewick, and the oppressive king hot on their trail, Ailith must not only navigate her growing feelings for Caitriona, but also fight against relentless foes. As they race against time to stop the curse, Ailith and Caitriona uncover shocking truths about their kingdom, their families, and themselves. Will their burgeoning romance survive the trials ahead? Can they break the curse and save their homeland from tyranny? Join Ailith and Caitriona on a thrilling quest filled with magic, danger, and heart-pounding adventure. Fans of high-stakes fantasy will not want to miss this epic tale.


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