Supersized Bubblegum by E.A. Noble In a world filled with superheroes, supervillains, and delectable snacks, four Fatty Baddies kick off their girls' night with a snack hunt. They never expected to be caught in a superpowered fight for their lives. Stuck in a sticky situation, one of their crew vanishes. With no one to turn to, the Fatty Baddies join forces with a shady duo in order to get their friend returned. This newfound team must employ their wits and extraordinary gifts to unravel an evil plot that could forever snatch away the people they love. And, oh yeah. Fat chicks gaining superpowers by eating bubblegum. That totally happens. Brace yourself for a sugar explosion as the Fatty Baddies chew their way to the truth! |
More to Love by Georgina Kiersten An Unexpected Love For Jamir Cunnigham, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. After inheriting his grandparentâs bookstore, Jamir has been completely focused on running the business. And if heâs lonely, that was between him and the books. Yet, from the moment Emmy Park walked into his life, Jamir was immediately captivated by the plus-size Korean. A Fresh Start After his recent divorce, former Olympic Wrestler Emerson âEmmyâ Park moved to Texas to get a fresh start. After taking a job as an assistant wrestling coach at a nearby university, he stumbles across Jamirâs bookstore. Emmy is instantly attracted to Jamir. Unfortunately, he is big and burly with a resting bitch face and thinks he has zero chance with the gorgeous Black man. However, when a sudden encounter shows them how good they can be together. Is the simmering attraction between them enough for them to see past their differences and finally give in to their desires? More To Love is a short and sweet m/m romance book featuring bookstores, coffee shops, plus-size main characters, bisexual couples, sapphic side characters, autumn feels, and Black/Asian romances. |
Fall Into You by Georgina Kiersten Itâs Autumn. Is there a better time to fall in love? Imari Haines has had it with the gossip. The whole town is acting like sheâs their very own Runaway Bride. A plus-size, black version of Julia Roberts that left a perfectly nice boy at the altar. Her family is no exception. Her mother wonât stop making passive-aggressive comments. Exhausted by this charged atmosphere, a boss that doesnât appreciate her, and the never-ending town rumors, Imari makes a bold decision. Come autumn, she moves to Appeley (a small town in Hill Country) and never looks back. In Appeley, for the first time ever, Imari feels welcome, happy, and unapologetically herself. She tries new things, makes brand-new friends and, while attending the fall apple festival, she accidentally bumps into a very familiar face⊠Cassidy Martinez was her childhood best friend and partner in crime. Now, she has grown into a stunning, confident woman, and Imari canât help noticing. Should she take a risk? Can the two of them pick up where they left off, or is being friends not going to be enough this time around? An F/F Black BBW Sapphic Romance featuring plus-size main characters, a small town, autumn themes, butches and studs, motorcycle rides, coffeeshops, childhood friends-to-lovers romance, and tons of found family feels. |
Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth by Justin Marlowe Through candid anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Justin Marlowe's Perfect Strangers delves into the challenges of growing up in an era still reverberating from the Civil Rights movement. This poignant memoir captures the dual narratives of Justin and his childhood best friend, Nicos, two African American adolescents navigating the complexities of suburban life in the late '80s and early '90s. Their stories explore the universal struggles of youthâromance, socialization, and mental healthâagainst the backdrop of racial and class tensions. The intertwining experiences of Justin and Nicos reveal a nuanced portrayal of teenage confusion and family dynamics, offering a unique perspective on suburban black life. Marlowe's raw honesty bridges generational divides, presenting a narrative that resonates with readers across diverse backgrounds. Perfect Strangers is a compelling account of friendship, identity, resilience, and pop culture illuminating the shared human experience in a divided world. This is a story that speaks to the heart of our collective struggles, told with unapologetic authenticity. |
RUNNIN' NO MORE by G.T. DĂPĂ Love shouldn't be a crime, but for twenty-three-year-old Teniade Adeowo, it is. After fleeing Nigeria to escape both the law and his trauma, Ade arrives in England with one goal: to leave everything behind. But when his path collides with Stefan Wickström's at Heathrow, Teniade learns that sometimes the things you run from have a way of chasing you down. Stefan is no stranger to running either. Leaving Sweden behind, he's convinced that constant motion is the only way to stay one step ahead. But Teniade's quiet intensity stops him in his tracksâand suddenly, Stefan's past feels closer than ever. In a world where love feels like a luxury they can't afford, and with the ghosts of their pasts lurking just behind them, Teniade and Stefan must decide whether to let love be the force that finally sets them freeâor if their fragile bond will snap under the weight of secrets too heavy to bear. |
The Way It Would Become by Amena Jamali Before the rise of the Quest of Freedom, their mothers and their fathers witnessed the darkening of the skies... Riqeta, Princess of Zahacim, is the most powerful warrior to stalk across eastern and southern Icilia. Both her skill and her honor in war are legendary, and her defection to her new husbandâs nation is an upheaval of their worldâs political balance. Yet beneath her fierce veneer is a woman unsure of how to love. Naman, Prince of Koroma, is renowned for his compassion and good heart, and his wedding to Riqeta renders him a political force to behold. Yet there is one flaw to his happiness â he cannot be sure whether Riqeta loves him. Not long after their wedding, the king gives Riqeta and Naman a mission of dire importance: resolve the growing insurgency in the south before it poses a true threat to the crown. Riqetaâs martial prowess and Namanâs benevolent voice surely can resolve anything. So they set out, thinking success will not be too difficult to achieve. But the evil festering in the south is unlike anything they could ever imagine⊠Will they even be able to see it to survive it? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a sweet yet haunting new adult fantasy tale of romance, home found through love, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders at what it means to have courage in the face of evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of staying strong in dark times. |
The Reverence Chosen by Amena Jamali With the reconquest of the nation of Nademan, some light has returned to the world of Icilia. The Quest of Freedom has been victorious in the first part of their war against the Blood-soaked Sorcerer, and now they look to the second. But just as Lucian, Malika, Elian, Arista, and Kyros finally finish their preparations, a scream echoes through the night. A sign that the protections around Iciliaâs most sacred places, the athar mountains of Asfiya, are breaking. And soon after arrives the news that the Blood-soaked Sorcerer is coming â with an army vast enough to blacken the plains. Rushing west, the Quest finds a nation on the brink of madness. The hallowed cities are too filthy to endure, and the people they have come to save are more than lost â they are cruel themselves. Yet the Quest must save them â all of them â before the enemy reaches Asfiya. For, if they fail in the least degree, the cost will be in the currency of souls. With such high stakes and such little time, they cannot escape the Does even the Divine truly possess the power to defeat the encroaching darkness? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of human dignity amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of redemption, mercy, and hope in the darkest of times. |
The Bell Tolling by Amena Jamali The Blood-soaked Sorcerer tyrannizes the land of Icilia with every form of cruelty imaginable, dyeing his armor red in the blood of innocents. Crushed to pieces under such savagery, the people of Icilia abandon hope and forget the gifts of civilization that had once been their dearest blessings. Amid this darkness comes light in the form of Lucian, the divinely-appointed hero of Icilia and the Leader of the Quest of Freedom. Educated in all of the ancient arts, Lucian has the virtue and power necessary to cleanse evil from the land. But not aloneâanswering the call of his sacred destiny, Lucian gathers together his four divinely-chosen companions and embarks on a journey to free his world. He is determined to restore the forgotten laws, heal the tormented, and unite the land behind his banner. Yet his companions seem too shattered to save anyone, while his people might be too blind to see the light. And above all he must confront the question: Are there some evils even the Divine cannot conquer? Amena Jamali embarks on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of freedom amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of light springing forth from dark places. |
Brown Sugar Divineâs Cafe & Bakery by S.A. McClellon She's made of sugar, spice, and everything nice! Please welcome the delicious... the delectable... the succulent... Brown! Sugar! Divine! A cafe and bakery run by a drag queen in Denton, Texas? That's insane! But Brown Sugar Divine never steps down from a challenge, and her pretty pink business is all the rage! The brains behind the sugary-sweet operation, Jonathan Issacs, serves his fiercest looks every day for his love of baking, drag, and community. However, when Jonathan's shady landlord plots to shut down his business and loops her socially anxious son into her homophobic mess, Jonathan calls on the help of his crew to sashay his way to victory while confronting his complicated past. |
Fabulous, Tx by Michelle MonĂĄrrez A lonely gas station and a sheriffâs department. Thatâs all thatâs left of Fabulous, TX. Officer Anita Padmore stands at a crossroads in her law enforcement career. Should she move up north to work under Ft. Worth PD with the hope of a new career? Or should she stay in the town she loves at a job that promises no future? Before she can decide, her last case walks into town with a bang. A violent shooting at the local gas station has left heaps of bizarre evidence behind and a wounded witness fighting for her life. The case keeps unfolding and Anita soon has more questions than answersâbut when Agent Caio Batista with his FBI unit steps in to take over her investigation, itâs clear this case is bigger than she bargained for. Anita is drawn to the agentâs sharp intellect and suave charm, but heâs hiding a secret that could change everything. Can the tale of Anita Padmore and Caio Batista shine some light on what happened to Fabulous? |
Consecrated Ground by Virginia Black Consecrated Ground is a multiracial lesbian paranormal tour de force that will leave you wary of the shadows and absolutely breathless. Like her father before her, Joan Matthews is a witch. For generations, their family of binder witches has protected Calvert, Oregon from vampires by strengthening the land with spellcraft. Pushing back against tradition, Joan defied her father and left town to become a war witch, one who fights the monsters hand-to-hand. But when her father dies, Joan returns to find her hometown assailed by a vampire lord's endless attacks--and the answers lie with the one woman who chose a rival over Joan. Leigh Phan once believed her heart was safe and her future was set. When Joan left town, Leigh's choices led to ruin and unintended consequences. Now Leigh harbors a dark secret forcing her to live a moment-to-moment existence. Her only hope of survival lies in trusting the war witch who left her behind. Now it's up to Joan to fight for a town she left behind, while Leigh faces a destiny she never imagined was possible. With Calvert on the brink of total destruction, Joan and Leigh join forces and face inconvenient truths in order to save their town--and each other. |
The Kimoni Legacy: Initiation by Omari Richards Three siblings of noble heritage. A great land under threat by an unknown enemy and secrets with the power to destroy everything built. One choice looms over all who walk the land of Nahwalla: Tradition or truth? Kamau Kimoni believed his future was set in stone: kill the Crowned Eagle, and return a man of the Kimoni clan. However, on the Kitwana Savanna, the future lies in the wind, not stone. A sabotaged ritual brings Kamau face-to-face with an ancient enemy and a creature beyond the world he knows. His only hope is a power deemed forbidden by his people. Raziya Kimoni prefers the company of her ancient tomes and longs to expand her knowledge. But when an old betrothal and a mutilating ritual threatens to end her education, Raziya seeks an escape. It comes in the form of a coded plea for help that sets Raziya on a path rife with riddles, deceptions, and danger. Masilo Kimoni has been a man since he first led his fatherâs army against their enemies. Since then, he has had one sole duty: protect the land. An obligation that has cost him dearly, a dead wife and a missing son. A routine skirmish reveals a plot that threatens to send his homeland back into the throes of war. Answers only reveal more questions. Every exposed secret unleashes a new threat to their people and way of life. To find their true enemy, what will remain? Follow Masilo, Kamau, and Raziya on their journey for truth, independence, and honor in The Kimoni Legacy Book 1: Initiation. |
Samurai Reborn: The Black Samurai by Jalen Tellis JALEN TELLIS GOES INTO HIS IMAGINATION iN HIS NOVELLA ABOUT A MAN WHO IS A SAMURAI AND GOES ON A VENGEFUL MISSION TO AVENGE HIS VILLAGE AND HIS DEAD FATHER. Genji Sato is an African-American samurai raised in the Japanese culture. He has a tragic past, which leaves him feeling hopeless and lost as a child. But now, as an adult, he tries to forget most of it. Growing up in Koawa, his father, Ken Sato, the protector and leader of The Majo Clan, helped guide him to become a samurai when the time was right. Years later, a tragedy happens between them and the enemies " The Rudo Clan" and Takashi Kuri, the ruler. The tragedy led to the death of Ken Sato, making Genji go through a journey of vengeance. Genji is now a vicious, blood-lusted, rageful human being who seeks revenge for his people and his father's death. He wants to honor his father's legacy; he feels that going through this vengeful mission will help achieve that. |
Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris After the death of her estranged father, artist Rita struggles with grief and regret. There was so much she wanted to ask himâabout his childhood, their family, and the Miâkmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Ritaâs girlfriend Molly forges an artistâs residency application on her behalf, winning Rita a week to paint at an isolated cabin, Rita is both furious and intrigued. The residency is located where her father grew up. On the first night at the cabin, Rita wakes to strange sounds. Was that a body being dragged through the woods? When she questions the locals about the cabinâs history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forestâs lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like sheâs never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swampâs decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another. |
There Ought To Be Shadows by Krissie K. Williams Moonstone, South Carolina. A town where nothing is what it seems. Marilyn Maxwell is an accomplished woman in all areas. But what people donât know is she has struggled with the demon of death since she was a child. After a personal crisis forces her to re-evaluate her life, she reluctantly decides to relocate to her hometown of Moonstone, South Carolina. This decision sends her spiraling into a world full of conjure, celestial wonder, and the murky unknown. An insidious force has crippled the town she once left behind, and she must rush against time to stop it. Guided by Great Grandmother, her beloved spirit from the other side, she embarks on the most difficult journey she has ever undertaken. Marilyn uncovers Moonstoneâs dark historyâone filled with horror, deceit, and dread. In the end, she questions what is fantasy, what is reality, and who she really is. |
A Conjuring of Dandelions by A.L. Garcia A collection of poetry by A.L. Garcia: "As far back as I can remember, I have loved dandelions, not only for their beauty, their crudely vibrant nature, their medicinal properties, and the way they dance in the breeze, but also for their capacity to resist and persist past efforts to eliminate them, to reduce their impact on manmade things deemed more valuable like perfect lawns, and other manicured spaces where their specific wild is unwelcome. A Conjuring of Dandelions is rooted in that spirit, that hope, and the yearning to sow my own seeds, speak my own truths once more, and maybe inspire a few unkempt roads to freedom, as dandelions do." |
Farzanaâs Spite by Felix Graves Life is about as good as it gets for an anxious and depressed bastard stripped of any social benefits of her caste. Farzana has a cushy job, a wonderful best friend, and a mother and younger brother who love her to bits. Then the faerie who abandoned her mother before she was bornâthe father she always hoped to meetâreturns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzanaâs life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesnât step up soon to set things right, there wonât be much left worth saving. Farzanaâs Spite is a sapphic dark fantasy featuring a diverse cast doing their best to stay alive during a traumatic and tumultuous period. A blend of tragedy, romance, and mystery, this story was written for anyone ever made to believe they were broken beyond repair, and who needs a story to kill that thought once and for all. |
The Cursed Titans (Tempest Blades #2) by Ricardo Victoria The triennial Chivalry Games have returned! After helping to destroy the Withered King, Alex and the rest of the group find out that saving the world has consequences. While he is secretly battling with depression and with the Alliance on the verge of collapse, a diplomatic summit and the Chivalry Gamesâto be held in the far off Kuni Empireâmay give everyone the opportunity to turn things around. Alex builds a team to represent the Foundation in the Games, facing off against the best fighters in the world. When an ancient being tries to raise legendary nightmares known as Titans using the peace talks as a trap, Alex has to find a way to save everyone before it is too late. Alex must learn that he is not truly alone to save the world from the chaos of the Titans. In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible. |
The Root of Hope (Tempest Blades #4) by Ricardo Victoria When victory is a trap, and the world is on the edge of the Apocalypse, the Band of the Greywolf must defend the universe from the gods themselves. All his life, Fionn has been certain of one there is always a way to win a battle. After the Band of the Greywolf defeated the Golden King, Fionn decides it is finally time for him to retire. But when their triumph unleashes a mythic cycle of gods and destruction, the Band of the Greywolf discovers they are in the middle of the Apocalypse. Exhausted, low on resources and allies, Fionn and the others must muster any sliver of hope if they are to save Theia one last time. As the final battle looms, Fionn and Gaby face a stark choice, while Alex, Sam, and Kasumi must step up to lead the Band of the Greywolf. One last journey to save the Roots of Hope. In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible, including saving the universe. |
The Magick of Chaos (Tempest Blades #3) by Ricardo Victoria Two teams, two missions, and one world to save against the clock. Gaby and Sam must lead their teams while facing personal problems. Gaby, divided between her duties and her musical passion, tormented by memories of the distant past that have returned, must find the Crown of the Dead before the enemy gets it first to win the brewing war. Sam, torn between her gifted human side and her freefolk side, and between two loves, must help an amnesiac deity to fix the whole of magick, before her people become easy targets. Will their inner turmoil hinder them or give them the strength they need to find unexpected ways to solve the quests? In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible, including finding out who you really are. |
The Withered King (Tempest Blades #1) by Ricardo Victoria Fionn is the wielder of a legendary Tempest Blade, and he is blessed - or cursed - by The Gift. Though his days as a warrior are long over, his past leaves him full of guilt and regret. Life, however, has other plans for him, when he agrees to help a friend locate a missing person. Gaby and Alex never expected to become heroes... until they met Fionn. As an ancient evil arises and consumes the land, Fionn must help them to master their own Gifts and Tempest Blades. Together the three of them, and their friends will chart a course aboard the flying ship Figaro to save the planet. Will Fionn's past be an anchor, or will he overcome the one failure from his former life before time runs out? In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible. Including second chances. |
Uproar (Dragon Bones trilogy book 3) by Celeste Harte Jashi Anyua-Omah has been kidnapped by the Zendaalans and taken to Zendaal. And what's more, one of her captors is a strange man the Zendaalans call Deklas, but who calls himself Dekaar-he's clearly K'sundii and dragon tribe but has cybernetic implants like a Zendaalan. Not only that, but he knows Jashi somehow. He's a mad-man that has the Zendaalans wrapped around his finger. And he's obsessed with Jashi. The dragon Jashi performed a drake bond with in Vahdel follows her and her kidnappers in secret and reveals a new ability Jashi had no idea about. The two of them will work together to discover a way to bring Jashi back to K'sundi, and in the meantime Jashi will learn as much as she can about her enemy while she's held captive in Zendaal. Kahmel Axon Kai of the Omah clan has lost his wife, and he's no longer feeling merciful enough to think about anything but getting her back. When he rescinds the throne and the Zendaalans go back on their deal to give Jashi back in return, Kahmel realizes that he's going to need to strike a new deal with the Dragon Kings to save her. Kahmel has barely scratched the surface of K'sundi's long history with the supernatural, and he discovers there may be a way to keep Jashi safe, along with the other Half Dracs in danger from the mysterious new Faresh claiming to be a relative of Kahmel's-Dekaar. Kahmel and Jashi have made promises to each other that they intend to keep by any means necessary, no matter what gets in their way. They're changing plans, thinking only of those that have proven their loyalty and of their combined futures. No one else matters. |
Rising (Dragon Bones trilogy book 2) by Celeste Harte Jashi betrayed them. Kahmel protected them. Together, they must unite them. Nothing is more important to Jashi than proving her worth to her country. But her new role as Faresha and rebel member is both uncomfortable and daunting. Perhaps itâs the gap of trust between her and Kahmel that bothers her most. With Jashiâs naĂŻve reputation, winning back the trust of Kahmel and her people will take something drastic. As drastic as finding the remaining Dragon Kings before Kâsundi loses their fight for freedom. Kahmel is a decisive protector, level-headed leader, andâcompletely unrelatable to his people. Winning the respect of Kâsundi is the only way to free them from the Zendaalans. But that means being more vulnerable and learning to trust othersâeven the woman he wants to trust most, but canât. |
Conquest (Dragon Bones book 1) by Celeste Harte Jashi Anyua has been arranged to be married to the leader of her nation, the Great Faresh. To help her escape her engagement, her future husband's enemies offer her an out; become their spy and they'll give her a new name and identity somewhere the Faresh will never find her. But Jashi gets to know the Faresh, she starts to wonder if she put her loyalties in the right place. Even moreso when she realizes that the Faresh shares the abilities she's had to keep secret her whole life, and he might be the only one that can train her to use them. |
Dawn's Cozy Horror Corner by Dawn Chen "Dawnâs Cozy Horror Corner: a queer Chinese diaspora horror short stories anthologyâ is a horror anthology which contains five stories featuring supernatural elements and young Chinese diaspora protagonists whose identities clash with the environment around them. In âBottle of Shameâ, a girl who can pull out people's shame must grapple with the gruesome consequences of the truth she reveals. In âThe Girl with No Faceâ, a girl slowly loses her facial features one at a time until she become a faceless horror who take vengeance upon her tormentor. In âMy Future Self Once Saidâ, a girl is paid a visit from her future-self as a warning. In "Judge of the Underworld Household", the protagonist disagrees with the method her ancestor god who rules over the Chinese Underworld and the way he views crimes and punishment. In "Meet Your Demonsâ, a girl is offered to be possessed by a demon and gladly accepts. |
Book of You & I: When Two Souls Collide by G Severino OLIVIA WOODS IS CONVENTIONAL, DOWN-TO-EARTH, AND COMPOSED. She's the kind of girl who goes out of her way to do the right things for others but forgets about herself. BRANDON COLLINS IS UNCONVENTIONAL, A CREATIVE SOUL, AND PRONE TO ECCENTRICITY. He values facts over feelings, and his ability to detach from emotions can sometimes make him lonely. When the universe pushes them together under unfavorable circumstances, like lovers from the past and secret relationships, they try to stay apart. But their feelings are too strong to ignore, and they become swept up in a love like they've never felt before...until their true colors start to show. Even after their first kiss, their first touch, the first time they ever laid eyes on each other; were they destined to meet and fall in love, or was their relationship doomed from the start? *Inspired by true events* |
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. |
This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me by Sienna Eggler Despite constant setbacks, from giant carnivorous plants to fetch quests disguised as life lessons, Meike quickly adapts to life in Glasend. Armed with their growing knowledge of magic, and a thirst for adventure, Meike and friends turn their sights to the neglected Silverstone Mine. But thereâs more than gold and silver lurking in its depths⊠Trolls and kobolds haunt the area, having run out the miners and ransacked the nearby village of Ashfort. Abandoned by their own country, the citizens are desperate for any help they can get. But as the gang comes to find, thereâs a reason many have failed to liberate the mine⊠This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me is the second book of the Last Train Home series, a portal fantasy in a queer normative world. |
The Threads That Weave by Sienna Eggler Tormented by memories of past lives and a general distaste for structure, Sloane dropped out of a prestigious magic college to find themself. During their travels, they came across a curious little creature: a chatty spider that fit snugly in their hands. Unbeknownst to Sloane, this wasnât a harmless garden or cellar spider. The spider had a craving that mere flies couldnât quench. It demanded blood and flesh, and when mice failed to suffice, moved on to bigger and dangerous prey. Sloane appeased it as best they could, but as the spider rapidly shot up in size, turned their focus from butcher shops to farms. Together, they concocted a plan to âsolveâ a manifested loss of cattle. The spider got a steady supply of food, and Sloane got street cred as a âmonster slayerâ. âWhat could possibly go wrong?â â Famous last words of any irresponsible pet owner. So now Sloane has a very real infestation to contend with, along with suspicious rangers and wannabe hunters edging in on their turf. ââŠIâm gonna need a bigger boot.â |
A Starless Eye: Othello Reloaded by T.O. Tate BUT WHY SHOULD HONOR OUTLIVE HONESTY? LET IT GO ALL. In this post-apocalyptic novelette, Ollie, a former sniper, has been forced into retirement by a mysterious disease known as sliversickness. A perpetual outsider in an isolated underground military base, Ollieâs only solace is her lover, DJ. But that relationship is forbidden, putting Ollieâs already uncertain future in jeopardy, and her only protection is DJ . . . whose fidelity has been called into question by one of Ollie's few allies. As Ollieâs illness worsens, eating away at her right eye, her vision becomes more warped, and everything begins to look like evidence. A lost good luck charm, a glance that lingers too long, a poisonous whisper. And at the center of it all stands a man who claims to be Ollieâs friend. As Ollieâs life crumbles before her eyes, itâs no longer a question of when her illness will kill her, but whether it will burst free and kill everyone else, too. |
Earth Hagiography by Sfarda L. GĂŒl Written during a time of turmoil and heavy-heartedness, EARTH HAGIOGRAPHY collates prose poetry and lyric essays in a poignant, frank discourse of grief, police state upbringing, loss of heritage to colonialism, political ideology, earth veneration, queerness, and psychological wounds, seeking to weave and unfold the bloodied yarn of remembrance and histories forgotten or unknown. |
Non Omnis Moriar by Sfarda L. GĂŒl The city state of Vencenza rots, and Giorgianna, vengeful, enlightened, an outlaw and witch, seeks bloodâthe dues sheâs owed for the crimes committed against her and those she loves. As summer withers to autumn, she is faced with a deadly quest: infiltrate the ministerial court, unspool the inner circleâs darkest secrets, and aid the resistance in bringing forth a revolution to finally break the shackles of tyranny. All while remaining under pretences amidst the stateâs most violent and powerful men. But explosive tensions mount among the revolutionaries, bodies pile in the streets, the church gains frightening authority, and Giorgiannaâs psyche teeters along its final breaking pointâmade only worse by a lovesickness more agonising than hunger. With winter looming upon the horizon, civil war seems inevitable, and love could never be a saviour. How dearly will those dues cost? |
The Hound of Greyvor (Silver Sights Saga #2) by W.J. Long III Since Minerva Prime, peace, quiet, and adolescence have driven a wedge between Claude and Vision. As tempers flare in their modest home, a new danger emerges behind the Sabien veil; Levine Drarri, a disgraced servant of the Imperium, arrives on their doorstep, seeking the aid of Silver Sights. In his wake comes chaos, tragedy, and the boundless fury of a Sabien Crown. Now, the weight of Drarriâs sudden arrival threatens to shatter the already fractured bond between father and daughter, while in the shadows, the weapons of the Imperium bear down on all they have built. |
Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus Valerie Danners is in a cult. She just doesnât know it yet. When she finds a queer book at the library and smuggles it home, her conservative Christian homeschooling world begins to crack. And when the cutest girl sheâs ever met shows up to Bible class, she starts to question everything. Riley is so confident and kind, and she and Valerie bond quickly over existing as multiracial teens in a very white Christian community. As Valerie explores her feelings for Riley, she begins to see that the world she knows is a carefully crafted narrative. Publicly, the girls are close friendsâholding hands in prayer, rooming together at a conference. Privately, they grasp at any chance to continue their forbidden romanceâuntil they are found out. Now Valerie must choose between staying with a family she fears will never accept her, or running away with the girl she loves. |
The Earthly Blaze by Alice Poon The Earthly Blaze is the concluding part of the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology. This duology is a blend of the wuxia and xianxia genre that evokes vibes of cdramas like The Untamed, Nirvana in Fire and Word of Honor. In this propulsive sequel to The Heavenly Sword, the heroine Saiâer is beset with grim challenges as she leads the White Lotus Sect to oppose Emperor Zhu Di. When the Green Dragon threatens to kill villagers to punish Saiâer for wounding Zhu Di, she is forced to fight the demon in an undersea battle. Aided by her immortal friends and found family, Sai'er engages in violent clashes with the enemy camp. All the while, she yearns to start a new life with her lover Sanbao, but is haunted by the prospect of a final showdown with Zhu Di. The Earthly Blaze is the second and concluding part of Alice Poonâs magnificent duology combining Chinese mythical folklore and speculative history into a sweeping tale of family love, fellowship loyalty, loss, sacrifice and kung fu rivalry. |
DreamRealm Unleashed by Sahasra Nistala Twelve-year-old Tara is good at one thing and one thing slaying her enemies. You know, in a video game. DreamRealm is a kids-only haven for young gamers, and itâs the reason Tara simply hasnât had time to mourn her sister. But she canât ignore everything else, like the fact that her childhood friend is now an unbearable enemy, or that her GPA is sinking lower than her self-esteem. Just when it seems life canât get any worse, DreamRealm is released from virtual containment, trapping all the adults in an alternate dimension. To get the world back to normal, Tara and her friends must embark on a monster-filled quest across San Francisco and rack up enough points to get to the top of a global leaderboard. Enter the Minors Establishing A New Order of Society, a teen-run organization that doesnât want the adults to return. When Tara learns that the MEANOSâ leader caused the car accident that killed her sister, itâs game on. Hungry for revenge, Tara vows to beat the MEANOS to the finish line. She fights giant dragons, finds treasure, and heroically fends off teens (theyâre smellier than the dragons, thatâs for sure). With the help of her neighbors, a kid who runs a magic arcade, and her actually-not-so-bad frenemy, she gets closer and closer to finishing the mission. But as her inner boss battle looms, she must come to terms with her past before sheâs capturedâor else, itâs game over. |
Chefâs Kiss (A Gia, San Francisco Romance) by Stephanie Shea Valentina Rosas has always known what she wants. Mostly. Sort of. At least, she does now. And what she wants is the coveted staging role at Gia, San Francisco. With four years at the top of her class in culinary school and enough tenacity to fuel the entire Mission, no one doubts she is about to land the job of her dreamsâincluding the three-person cheer squad made up of her best friend and adorably overbearing parents. Renowned chef Jenn Coleman is not a people person. Her rise to the top of the culinary industry stems from a cultivated blend of top-tier schoolingâfrom her nonnaâand bouts of carefully managed misanthropy. Owning and operating two Michelin starred restaurants doesnât leave time for much else anyway. Just ask her ex. When the new stage at her restaurant trips into her with all the grace of a baby giraffe, itâs a sure recipe for disaster. But for all of Jennâs reserve, Valentina has twice the allure, and the chemistry between them is just⊠chefâs kiss. If only Jenn wasnât Valentinaâs boss with nearly ten years between them. |
Guava Flavored Lies by J.J. Arias Allâs Fair in Love and (Pastry) War Sylvie Campos and Lauren Machado have hated each other since before they were born. For generations, the Campos and Machado families have blamed each other for stealing pastry recipes they claim their great-grandfathers originated before fleeing Castroâs Cuba. Having spent their lives as rivals, Lauren and Sylvie are now in their early thirties and primed to take over their respective family bakeries. That means working long, hot, seasons of outdoor food festivals where they are forced to endure each other - albeit with a lot of bantering and barb-trading. After all, no one knows how to get under Sylvieâs skin like Lauren. Sick of dealing with Lauren and her thieving family, Sylvie sets out to unmask the Machados for the traitors they are. But when the truth is not what Sylvie expects, will the fiery exchanges between her and Lauren turn into something hot enough to melt away generational baggage? Could they get the chance to rekindle what they almost had in high school? Find out in this laugh-out-loud hilarious, enemies-to-lovers, romantic comedy featuring plenty of steam, tension, and delicious Cuban food. |
Stars Like Fire by Marissa Lupe Fighting for their freedom was only the beginning, now they must do the hardest thing of all, they must live. Three journeys and one destination will bring them all together. Despite having never met in person, their years of communicating virtually cemented Eleanorâs love for the woman who has her whole heart long ago. But when her love goes missing, Eleanor leaves the safety of Sandstone Estate to rescue her, and ends up finding more than she bargained for. An entire town has had their children stolen, and itâs up to Eleanor to lead the fight to save them, along with the woman that she loves. Theo canât remember his past, but begins to build his future when a family takes him in as a farm hand. But then the farm is destroyed, a young boy is orphaned, and Theo finds himself slipping into the role of guardian. When the boy receives an urgent message from a mysterious voice through the radio, Theo must guide him across a dangerous and barren landscape in hopes of finding a safe place to call home. TĂ©a and her infant daughter have traveled the continent to restore the land for a grateful nation, but when strangers arrive on her doorstep looking for help, TĂ©a must decide if she can risk opening her heart again. Then tragedy strikes, and TĂ©a is forced to confront her past and meet a new challenge that has the power to rip the Earth to shreds. As Eleanor, Theo, and TĂ©aâs paths collide, the future of mankind is thrust into their hands, and they must work together to save not only themselves, but all of humanity. |