Hangdog Souls by Marc Joan

Kingdom of Mysore, 1799. A guilt-racked British Army deserter tries to win safety for those he loves – but his reckless bargaining only leaves him trapped between destinies, condemned to facilitate centuries of suicide and murder. Death after death, and each death diminishes him, until — a quarter of a millennium later — a Keralan astrophysicist has the chance to annul the soldier’s Faustian bargain. But Chandy John is weakened by his own burden of grief — will this twenty-first century scientist only become another helpless nexus between undeserved death and undeserved life? Hangdog Souls is set in the Dravidian heartlands of South India — and in a blurred edgeland where alternative realities elide. Through linked narratives of guilt, shame and the search for absolution, this book takes readers from the arid Tamil plains to the highest peaks of the Nilgiris, and from occult horrors in Tipu Sultan’s kingdom to creeping madness in the world of particle physics. Spanning three hundred years, the stories in Hangdog Souls weave together the fates and fortunes of multiple characters – individuals that echo through the generations, asking always the same question: What weight can balance the death of an innocent?

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch

An entrapped lord and a magician whose sex life melts windows; will love destroy them, or set them free? Lord Thornby has been trapped on his father’s isolated Yorkshire estate for a year. There are no bars or chains; he simply can’t leave. His sanity is starting to fray. When industrial magician John Blake arrives to investigate a case of witchcraft, he finds the peculiar, arrogant Thornby as alarming as he is attractive. John soon finds himself caught up in a dark fairytale, where all the rules of magic—and love—are changed. To set Thornby free, both men must face life-changing truths—and John must accept that the brave, witty man who’s winning his heart may also be about to break it. Can they escape a web of magic that’s as perilous as love? Genre: Fantasy historical m/m romance Novel-length standalone book, approx 80,000 words

Elysian Iris by Thanos Papathanassiou

¨T h e c h a l l e n g e a n d t h e b e t¨ Contents: 6 large-scale historical dramata of olden times; 3 petite stories, 1 petite theatrical play; 20 laconical miniatures, 8 poetical creations; 1 paraphilosophical portrait upon certain concepts; 1 quite extensive gnomicologion. Language-character: Language strikingly sophisticated [miles away from standard English]: of the so many peculiar and diversifying elements, the core- and leader-component being constituting the blatant presency of the participle [in various verb-tenses, statical (punctual, etc.), progressive (durative, continuative, iterative, etc.), primary, secondary (accessory, complementary, satellitary, subsidiary, etc.)]; apart from the current language, another 9 being encountered along the way [author's own artificial language, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Ancient Greek, old Modern Greek, Modern Greek, Italian]. Readers's rating: 5-stars and 10/10 [read. rat. of former indiv. books]. Film-making potentiality: most of the works well suited to filming. Elysian Iris by Thanos Papathanassiou is a masterpiece that will captivate readers who crave a rich, immersive experience that weaves together the threads of history, romance, and philosophy, transporting them to a world of timeless beauty and profound introspection.

Short Tales: The Red Chaise and Church Business by G Barrett-Jones

“The Red Chaise" is a haunting tale set on Tree Valley Plantation, spanning generations and exploring themes of violence and retribution. At its heart, the story follows the tragic events surrounding a red chaise, a symbol of pain and suffering. From Rose's forced encounter with the enslaved Jed to the brutal re-enslavement under Dale Barrett, the chaise witnesses a cycle of torment. In a moment of supernatural retribution, Barrett meets his end, linking the fates of multiple characters and highlighting the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice. Through vivid storytelling, "The Red Chaise" captures the haunting legacy of slavery and a community's resilience. In "Church Business" The Memorial Baptist Church is rocked by scandal when Todd, a devoted member, discovers his wife’s affair with the pastor. As the church council grapples with the fallout, emotions flare, and hidden grievances surface. Amid this turmoil, Pastor Diggums lies in a coma, facing his sins in a surreal, otherworldly struggle. This tale of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption reveals the complexities of human relationships within a close-knit community.

The Wisp and the Wolf by Jeanne Renee

Meg Quinn has a promise to keep. A talented but withdrawn artist, she begrudgingly travels to the wilds of North Wales to fulfill her late mother’s dying wish—to make amends with her estranged and pregnant identical twin with whom she shares a clairvoyant bond. But before Meg can reach her sister, an inexplicable encounter with an eldritch yew tree thrusts her deep into the past. The year is now 1402 and the native people of Wales, the Cymry, are locked in an ambitious uprising against England. Here Meg meets Steffan Blaidd, a war-weary Welsh archer who finds himself outlawed by a powerful rival and forced to join the revolt after saving Meg’s life—a revolt Meg knows to be doomed. Plunged into the harsh, vibrant world of the Cymry, Meg knows the mystical connection with her sister demands resolution—as does her growing affection for Steffan and the world to which he belongs. Torn between desire and duty, the future and the past, Meg must discover her own strength if she is to survive the treacheries of war and grasp her true fate.

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles

Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle’s chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing...until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else. Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan—charming, cultured, oddly attractive—steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger. And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again. But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides—and Kim is the only man who can help. A 1920s m/m romance trilogy in the spirit of Golden Age pulp fiction.

The Call of the Nightingale by Kathryn Barnett

London. 1950s An innocent girl is swept into an unfamiliar world where nothing is as it seems. In the quiet humdrum of post-war England, Alice, a young typist and caretaker to her ailing mother, lives a life of routine and responsibility. But her world is upended when her enigmatic new boss, Behrooz Azadi, captures her heart. Their budding romance blossoms amid London's lively dance halls, leading them to a whirlwind marriage and a shared life in his shadowy Victorian home. Yet, when family duty calls Behrooz back to Iran after the sudden death of his father, Alice finds herself bound to a culture and country still shrouded in mystery. As they journey east, she enters a world of ancient traditions, where her identity and choices are questioned, and her courage is tested in ways she could never have foreseen. In this evocative tale, Kathryn Barnett masterfully captures the allure of first love, the pull of family loyalty, and the intrigue of a now-lost Iran. The Call of the Nightingale is a poignant journey of self- discovery and resilience, set against the backdrop of two worlds colliding.

Revenge of the Bakeneko by VB Scott

A dice game in the hands of Takana Gozen is anything but a matter of chance. Takana covets golden ryō coins almost as much as she hates yakuza, and she is a master at manipulating both as she hosts backroom gambling events to pay off her deadbeat father’s debt. She’s spent the last eight years wandering the Nikkō Kaidō highway, living the life of a homeless vagabond—stealing, cheating, and killing—all in the never-ending pursuit of coin. Instigated by the lowliest of prostitutes in the brothel Takana’s mother runs, a series of brutal, deadly events break Takana out of debt, and she earns the power to oppose the very structures that bound her. The found family she collects along the way looks to her for leadership, and together they form their own yakuza clan—the most prosperous and feared in all of Eastern Nihon--The Bakeneko Clan. Takana has trained her whole life to survive deadly encounters, but the risks that come with being a clan head come in more forms than katana and kunai. Protection, love, compassion, friendship, and sacrifice will all be necessary if she is to survive her new life—a life that proves to be more dangerous and unfulfilling than the old one.

Redeem Me by Miranda Faye

Evelyn Mayhew knows two things. That it should be a blessing to be raised by a man of the Lord. And that it should be a privilege to be betrothed to a man of power. But when her awakening thoughts lead her not only away from the blind obedience she has been raised for but also toward a stranger offering her a glimpse of freedom, Evelyn is put at a crossroads. Should she choose the shelter of a life confined, or risk the unknown with the man who would set her world — and her heart — on fire?

La Belle Famille by A.M. Vergara

"If the fort at Niagara falls, Canada falls." It’s 1759, and the French are at war with the British over the Great Lakes Region. When the British besiege Fort Niagara, three reluctant allies—a French marine deserter, the wife of a British Army translator, and the survivor of a brutal French attack—must brave the unforgiving wilderness to warn the British of advancing French reinforcements. The success or failure of their mission will decide the war and the fate of a continent.

Fortress of the Damned by J.R. White

Haunted by the echoes of his past, gunfighter Kit Barker is eager for a hunt. When an old friend’s cryptic cry for aid arrives, along with a bloodstained box of salt, it looks like he’s found one. Accompanied by the Navajo renegade John Swift-Runner, Kit’s quest takes him from the flame-scorched alleys of Chicago to a lonesome whiskey fortress in the harsh wilderness of the Montana frontier. When Kit and John find the desolate outpost seemingly abandoned, the mystery deepens. Was it Indians? Madness? But before they can find answers, Barker and his companions are besieged by an unknown force. Staring down the double-barreled shotgun of monstrous evil and a merciless winter, Barker and his companions are forced into a terrifying standoff. As their options dwindle, Barker must accept a horrifying possibility… that this devouring force is not so mindless after all. It will take more than a well-placed bullet to save them this time. Can Barker and his friends survive the onslaught, or will failure scatter their frozen bones in the Fortress of the Damned.

The Bounty & The Bones by J.R. White

Aging manhunter Harlon Slade needs a bounty, and fast. When a gang of dingy outlaws wanders into his saloon it seems his troubles are postponed. But when he overhears their hushed whispers of gold in the cliffside ruins of the Sonoran desert, he wonders if there's more than just a bounty to be had. Slade tracks the men into the desert night, ready to take the treasure for himself. But something dwells in the ruins, lying in wait, and as the hideous truth unfolds, both the manhunter and his prey will find there's more gleaming in the shadows than gold.

Hail of Brimstone by J.R. White

In the wilderness of the newborn nation of Mexico, a demonic gunman attacks a wedding, turning a day of joy into a massacre and wiping the mission of Nuestra Señora de la Sangre from the map. A half-century later, vagabond gunfighter Kit Barker finds himself on the trail of a lost friend and a sinister relic that will bring him face to face with an evil that threatens to rend the very bonds of his sanity. Following a blood-stained trail from the streets of old New York, across the great plains, and all the way to the jagged coasts of Baja, Barker and his friends must fight for survival against both man and beast as they stalk a doomed path to its inevitable and explosive end… if necessary, to the very fires of hell. Can Barker defend his soul against the devils and demons of his own mind? Can mere men resist the thing that hunts them from beyond the Hail of Brimstone? From the author of SHADOW OF WOLVES, a new action-packed tale of horror in the Wild West!

Shadow of Wolves by J.R. White

A tortured gunfighter. A Navajo outcast. – And the Creature whose claws would stain the stones of the Mojave red. Flush with raw silver and ruled by a baron with an iron fist, the tiny mining outpost of Shank’s Point is under siege by a sinister evil. When the rising sun reveals the claw-torn bodies littered among the rocks, John Swift-Runner calls on his old friend, a vagabond gunfighter, to stand with him against the slaughter he knows will come. But as their band of misfits hunts for the creature on the burning sands of the Mojave, they stumble into a generations old mystery that goes beyond shamanic curses and into the bloodstained pages of legend. Can the killing be stopped? And can a tortured gunman like Kit Barker – with a terrible secret of his own – prevail against something as savage and eternal as the Beast?

And Then He Kissed Me by CM Daniels

Britain is booming. The winds of change are blowing. But for some, love is still illegal. Tommy Kent lives a boring, unfulfilling life and can’t see any way out. He does the same thing over and over again, hundreds of times a day in an unbearably loud, hellishly hot, acrid-smelling factory. He lives for the weekends, when he can lose himself in the music, fashion and nightclubs of the mod scene. His friends and family love him unconditionally, but he’ll never have the one thing he truly wants: someone to share his life with, someone to grow old with. He decided long ago that it’s easier - and safer - to be alone. Even if that means a life half-lived. That is, until Eric Greene rides into his world on a beautiful blue Lambretta, making Tommy want things he’d long since given up hoping for. Eric has his own demons to fight. He was born into wealth and privilege but he’s never known love or affection, not even from his family. All he’s ever wanted is to belong somewhere. Are they brave enough to risk falling in love? What have they got to lose? Only everything. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s London, And Then He Kissed Me is a story of forbidden love and found family accompanied by a soundtrack of American Soul and British Beat music.

Red Gifts in the Garden of Stones by P A Swanborough

It’s 1969. Distrust and arrogance are alive and well in the timeless bones and living stones of this close Welsh community, and the pagan ancestors aren’t as far in the past as people might think. It only takes a very small dog to inflame a monster… Suspiciously long-lived matriarch Lizzie Coombe expects her one-hundredth birthday to be a special day. She’s always kept aloof from the neighbours; hasn’t spoken to some for over 50 years, and cares even less for their opinions. But Reverent Morgan, latest in a long line of Morgan vicars at the tiny village chapel, is affronted by events. And he finds a ready audience for his hostility. Caught inside the haunted walls of the ancestral farmhouse, aristocratic Lizzie and her solid daughter Myfanwy only know long-dead love. Lizzie’s unstable granddaughter Sarah Maud is frightened of it. Great granddaughter Jenner doesn’t seem to need love at all; is she a wise woman, or a witch? As events and people spiral out of her accustomed control, Lizzie faces her own ghosts and sees she might have to do the unexpected: care for her family.

The Kings of Camelot by Ryan Gaskin

King Arthur, known to all fans of the genre, is the most well-known fictional monarch in history. THE KINGS OF CAMELOT begins with the story of the first man to unify and conquer Britain, Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon. After winning a civil war with the help of his trusted advisors and the wizard Merlin, he finds ruling a kingdom to be more difficult than winning the throne. Uther’s reign is quickly burdened by conflict, betrayal, prophecy, and succession. THE KINGS OF CAMELOT is the first in a six-part series that chronicles the Pendragon family.

The Dragon and the Butterfly by Abby Simpson

You know his name. Now, learn hers. One thousand years ago, a noble’s daughter came of age in the county of Flanders. Intelligent and ambitious, Maud would rise to become queen of England at the side of her husband. Driven by love and loyalty, destined to alter the course of history, her life was charmed by faith and circumstance, but not without sacrifice. Abby Simpson’s The Dragon and the Butterfly follows Matilda of Flanders, wife to William the Conqueror, as she navigates court life, motherhood, and their shared ambition of claiming the English throne. An epic historical saga that sweeps warmly over decades and featuring a cast of dozens, Matilda’s world has never before been so richly realized.

The Alpha’s Concubine by Claudia King

Taken from her people. Claimed by an alpha. Forced into a new life. In a time before tools of metal and houses of wood, tooth and claw rule the wild places of the world. The Moon People have been enemies to Netya's kind for as long as the stars can remember. They are monsters, demons, men and women who take the shapes of beasts. The murderers of her father. An outsider taken as a prize by the pack, Netya must overcome suspicion, rivalry, and the division of her own heart as she grows to realise that monsters wear many different faces. Among the Moon People she uncovers the potential of a life she never knew existed. The chance for a woman to become something more than a prize, or a mother, or a concubine. But as the alpha and others vie for her heart, the powerful huntress Vaya seeks to purge Netya from her pack. Before Netya can decide where she belongs, she must endure the trials of love, hatred, and heartbreak. The girl taken as a trophy must become a woman.

Welcome to Meadowbrook by Cassandra L. Thompson

A psychiatric facility. An upscale hotel. A casino. A place for wellness. A retreat. No matter the decade, the towering edifice perched on the top of a mountain inspires both awe and fear. Holding the secrets of all who have walked her halls (and those who haunt them still), Meadowbrook’s facade shifts with time. But there is one constant that remains unchanged—Meadowbrook makes her own rules. Told in a series of short stories from alternating viewpoints, each from a different era, discover the unique tale of a place that is much more than what it seems.

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V. Russell

Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of her crumbling family home. She can hear the whispers of Kingsward Manor, her place of employment. She sees the watchers by the lake, black-eyed and waiting. But Broken Oak is silent. Broken Oak is empty. When Theodora takes the job as governess to young Ottoline Thorne, she leaves behind her beloved grandmother and the decaying ruins of her childhood home to travel far north to Broken Oak Manor. There, she finds a house filled with secrets. Under the stern eye of the foreboding housekeeper, Theodora quickly navigates the dark and winding corridors of Broken Oak, only to find herself irrevocably drawn to the mysterious lord of the manor. But someone walks the hallways late after nightfall, their footsteps leading to the attic. The only place in the sprawling house that does not remain silent. As her scandalous feelings for Cassias Thorne grow, Theodora fights to unearth the secrets of Broken Oak. Who wanders the house at night? Where is the Lady of the manor? What lies behind the attic door high up under the eaves of the house? “Where is Lady Thorne, Cassias? Where is your wife?”

The Mourning of Leone Manor by A.M. Davis

When death cuts Remi’s marriage to Edgar Leone short, she is forced to confront his only living son…and their romantic past. Forced to return to Leone Manor after years of exile, Ben quickly lets her know he is uninterested in making amends. Forced to deal with his temper, her overbearing family, and the discovery of unsettling love letters written for her with no signature, Remi is lost. Haunted by his sister’s death years prior, Ben is far from thrilled to return to his childhood home. With a wound far deeper than a mere chip on his shoulder, Ben approaches his father’s death like a building storm. He senses something is amiss at the manor and has a growing suspicion that his father was murdered. As an inevitable passion grows between them, Ben and Remi fight to uncover the manor’s secrets as the darkness creeping through the cracks in the walls threatens to bring them down. Phantoms roam the halls of Leone Manor, and where there are ghosts, there is also foul play.

The Famine Witch by Stephen Black

Belfast, 1847. They would come to call it Black ‘47. A town on the brink, ravaged by the Great Hunger sweeping across the island of Ireland. A town living in fear as a crazed killer stalks the streets at night, butchering young women. They call him Bloody Hands. Amidst the chaos, nineteen-year-old Maggie Malone and her young brother, Jinks, fight to survive each day. But there is worse to come when a mysterious ship limps into port, having miraculously emerged from a savage storm. A ship carrying death itself, summoned by a malevolent force that has haunted the mountain overlooking Belfast for centuries, hellbent on devastation and ruin. They call her The Black Lady. Maggie and Jinks become unwitting pawns as Bloody Hands and The Black Lady take their ancient feud to new levels of barbarism, threatening the future of Belfast and its hapless population. Can Maggie unlock the dormant power within her and save Belfast from toppling into the abyss? Can she transform into the savior that the people so desperately need? Can she become The Famine Witch?

All The Parts of the Soul by Catherine Fearns

Perhaps all women are witches at heart… The year is 1545; Geneva has defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and established itself as the center of the Reformation, with John Calvin as its spiritual leader. But peace is fragile and the city ravaged by plague, the atmosphere one of fear and suspicion. So when new rumors of witchcraft emerge from the isolated village of Satigny, Calvin sees an opportunity, and plucks a reclusive young magistrate to investigate. Henry Aubert was orphaned by plague at the age of twelve, and since then he has lived alone, consumed by fear and by the temptations he finds in the margins of his book collection. Now, for the first time, he is forced to confront the possibility of society, friendship, even love. Local healer Louise de Peney is kind and beautiful, but skirts dangerously close to the fringes of his investigation. Can he escape the horrific task he has been set? And is it too late to save a soul that has too long been turned in on itself?

The Midnight Dolls by Zoe Partyka

The year is 1971. Julian Carter is a music journalist who has his entire career ahead of him–if only the music industry would take a 20-year-old seriously. Building his short career on a steady reputation of honest, objective reporting, Julian is beginning to become a trusted journalist in the industry. All he needs is one shot to truly make a name for himself. When confronted with the chance to write what he’s led to believe may be the “story of a lifetime”, ultimately boosting his credibility and further leaving a troubled past behind him, he jumps at the opportunity. The Midnight Dolls, a band that had rocketed to superstardom in the late 1960s, struggles with their poor image after years of partying and wild behavior. Desperate to improve their reputation to appease their label, not to mention the eyes of the public, the band members agree to let their lives while on tour be reported on, even if it means showing a good side of themselves they don’t want seen. With the band’s reputation and label on the line, not to mention Julian’s entire career, he must quickly decide to risk keeping their secrets out of friendship or show the world the lengths that some people will truly go to for love and attention for his own gain. It’s a good thing rock history doesn’t write itself—he does.

Lethbridge: A tale of love in a time of war by Terry McConnell

Each of the main characters in the story - based on the true lives of the writer's grandparents - came to Canada via a different path, and each played a role at a time when Canada came of age: the First World War. Harry came to Canada as a "Barnardo Boy," who ran with rum runners before becoming a police officer in what was then still the wild west. Hettie emigrated from Scotland with her parents, who became hotel owners and welcomed many of the west's settlers. Stanley left Maine and ventured north, eager to sign up to fight before the U.S. entered the First World War. Their lives - and their love story - intersected in Lethbridge. This is a fictional story based on true events in the author's family history.

The Shadow of Summer by Marlon Yelich

Socialite Jem has always lived in an ivory tower, hiding his own secrets and insecurities behind a veneer of surliness. But tragedy has struck his life and he'd rather not stick around to see the mess. When his initial escape plan fails, he ends up taking a job on a secluded Cumbrian farm. In the English Lake District, glitz and glamour are out, traded for hay bales and horses. Surrounded by nothing but fells and mountains, he meets Mat. Mat is confident, openly gay, optimistic—everything that Jem struggles to be. Nevertheless, an unlikely bond forms. And above all, Jem realises Mat has secrets of his own. Together, the pair begin a journey that will shake their perspectives of the world. They must acknowledge all that stands against them—and make it, despite the odds, to the other side. IMPORTANT NOTICE: "The Shadow of Summer" is a work of fiction not intended for readers under the age of 16. The novel deals with themes that some readers may find upsetting. These include alcohol/substance abuse, bereavement, mental health issues & suicide. A more comprehensive list of trigger warnings can be found on Instagram at @marlonyelichauthor.

The Weight of Darkness by John A. McColley

Silver Hill, Nevada - 1874 The 1870's offered a peaceful, simple, life after the strife of the Civil War. Its mine promised steady work. Abigail and Martin Beckett's parents owned and ran the mine, often away for days at a time, leaving the twins to... find their own fun. Tales of strange creatures, eerie cries, men and women gone missing in a blink... Folktales flow like whiskey amongst the miners. When curiosity gets the better of Abigail, she ropes her brother into an expedition, finding far more than they bargained for. With their parents and miners acting strangely and unseen influence beginning to take hold of her faculties, Abigail reaches out to her correspondence course professors for aid. Even when they arrive, though, these wise men can hardly believe what has become of the town and its people. Amid fires and armies of the undead and other monsters, how will they survive, let alone save their parents or the town?

Skin in the Game: The Hooded Warrior Spy by Sam Carnes

The year is 1942. Alex is a young American soldier off to war. Noticing his foreskin and his ability to speak German flawlessly, his superiors believe he can effectively infiltrate the German army. But Alex has a secret his superiors don’t know - he is gay. Will Alex be able to survive this web of secrets? Forced to keep this part of himself a secret from the American military while simultaneously keeping his cover as a spy, Alex must live life, never showing his true self. During all of this, Alex falls in love with a young German soldier. Will they find themselves on the same side or will the chaos of war tear them apart? Will they be able to find happiness?

A Song for Mary by Sam Carnes

A Song for Mary is a period piece set in Tudor England about two gay musicians in the court of Mary Tudor prior to her ascension as queen. Mary Tudor is looking for a new court musician. Henry plays the viola da gamba well enough but has the voice of an angel. Thomas doesn't sing very well but is a brilliant lutist. After the auditions, in a surprising move, Mary hires them both. Thomas and Henry are not pleased with this and find themselves rivals. But Mary has ordered them to work together. After weeks of tension, Mary commands them to drink a cask together and either work it out or else she might have to look for a new musician. Well into the evening, (and more than a little drunk) Henry and Thomas finally start talking. Will they be able to resolve their differences or will they be sent packing? And how will they navigate being gay in such a time and place?

Flowers for a Vinok, Roses for a Babushka, Poppies for a Grave by Solomon Skalozub

Courage for his oath, vengeance for his breath, fearing not his death. This is the story of Amvrosiy, a Cossack swordsman. This tale tells of how he grew from a girl to a man, and of his home, and of those he loved. I will tell you of how he fought for them, protecting them no matter the cost.

South of Home by Rebecca Amiss

Boston, Massachusetts, 1946. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, twenty-three-year-old Maggie O'Hanlon lives a charmed life. Filling her days dancing with handsome sailors or dress shopping in high end stores, she gives very little thought for anyone besides herself. Despite her affluent upbringing, Maggie has a strained relationship with her parents, who are more keen on growing her father's grocery store empire. The one and only person who understands her, is her Uncle James, who was severely wounded during the war. When Maggie’s careless antics land her on the front page of the newspaper, she is horrified to discover that she is being sent to Savannah, Georgia where she is to assist an elderly widow tend to her large house and pecan farm, wrenching her from the comfort that luxury brings. Flora Alcott is as sweet as the pecan bread she bakes. Welcoming an angry and entitled Maggie with open arms, Flora shows Maggie something she has yet to grasp: kindness. While struggling to adapt to her new surroundings, a devastating tragedy strikes, forcing Maggie to reexamine everything she's ever known in life.

Black Brilliance by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton

The unheard ancient Egyptian tale of Aqil, the great musician and scientist. It was luck, or rather, fate that he stumbled upon a cursed microscope; stolen from the god Thoth himself. It gave him the power to see something no man had seen before: DNA. Aqil had the unusual gift of seeing DNA as music, could apply his knowledge of science, and performed miracles by playing his Egyptian ney; miracles that could replicate or even mutate DNA. Whispers spread that he could heal the injured, cause life-threatening afflictions, and cure the sick. Rumors also spread that he could change a frog into a fish and a mouse into a snake. Others say he could turn a human into a demon, or even a god. The truth to the rumors was unknown. However, one thing was certain. Any person who peered into the microscope was placed under a heavy curse. Aqil was often given difficult tasks, having to rely on his mind to keep himself, and others alive. When asked to do the impossible, he had to utilize his brilliance to combine his musical abilities, his knack for science, and the cursed microscope to perform miracles. His story will be heard across the world. However, pray you never hear the distinct melody of his prized instrument, his Egyptian ney, for that would mean one of two things. You could be in earshot of him performing a miracle, or you could be the target. Some have very different perceptions of what a miracle is.

Reverence by Milena McKay

Two ballerinas. Two fates. One stage. It's the carefree '80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she's royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems… Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims… What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!

The Candid Odyssey by B. Johny

The Candid Odyssey is a captivating travel memoir and a philosophical journey into self-discovery. Join the author on a transformative eight-week solo trip across India, exploring not only its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures but also the deeper questions of life, happiness, and purpose. This book is a unique blend of travel, philosophy, and self-help, offering readers an opportunity to explore both the outer world and the inner self. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to live a more meaningful life.

Healer's Blade by Kyrie Wang

2023 Page Turner Book Awards - FINALIST 2023 Wishing Shelf Awards - FINALIST A healer on the run. A rebel knight after her heart. Will she betray him to save the England she loves? Eighteen-year-old healer Aliwyn is consigned to solitude after medical failures leave her alienated from her village. With a rebellion against William the Conqueror rumbling on the horizon, she longs to practice her medicine in peace. But when she agrees to hide an orphaned Norman girl, Aliwyn is plunged into the bloody war over the fate of England – a war she’s done her best to avoid. A daring escape from enemy arrows entangles her with the young rebel leader, Tobias, and she is swept into a world of rival factions and secret alliances. Faced with the insurgent army, she must make difficult choices about treating those she despises. Worst of all, Tobias's compassionate nature turns her perceptions of the enemy upside down. After she unravels the fiery secret underpinning the rebel army, Aliwyn is challenged to take fate into her own hands and save England from sweeping destruction. Can she find the courage to fight for what she believes? And can she resist the magnetic charms of the man she’s vowed to defeat? Step into a riveting & magic-free YA fantasy adventure with an authentic historical setting and irresistible slow-burn romance. Set in medieval England rocked by the early introduction of gunpowder and populated by Celtic-inspired tribes, Healer’s Blade is a page-turning read that’s perfect for fans of alternative history. If you like stories with high stakes, political intrigue, and nail-biting action but prefer them to be free from language and sexual content, grab Healer's Blade today!

Paris at Nightfall by Merlina Garance

In an early 20th century Paris emptied of its population and surveilled by the army, two men are trying to survive. Would that include falling in love? Jules has been surviving off of preserves he scavenges out in the city when he leaves his hideout at night. He never knew why one day, the Army hauled the whole town’s population into vans and evacuated the city. He only knows he’s the only one left behind. Or so he thought. When he runs into a blond aristocrat with nice hands on an outing, his world is turned upside down once again... The ebook is only available, for free, through the author's newsletter.

Dandelion by Merlina Garance

1973 – At 53 years old, Bill, hadn’t expected to run into Bobby when he signed up for that medical convention in Houston. Fair to say they didn’t exactly part on good terms last time. Twenty years later, is Bill ready to finally admit his feelings, his sexuality, and to gather his courage to conquer his old lover and friend once more? A second chance romance with flashbacks to young love, addressing the struggles of coming out in an unwelcoming environment and building the life you really want.

The Gilded Age Promise: Kopp Chronicles by Gregory Kopp

The promise of the Gilded Age evokes a worldwide exhilarating time of technological advancement and economic expansion. American society is transforming from focusing on small rural farms to an urban one dominated by large corporations resulting in even more inequality between the wealthy and middle-class. Discriminatory segregation and immigration laws enacted by misguided and corrupt political leaders threaten to tarnish the American dream. Nevertheless, charismatic American women activists are generating a renewed impetus for women’s rights through the alcohol temperance and women’s suffragette movements. Meanwhile, turmoil in the Middle East forces the dashing British military intelligence agent, Richard Cordwell, to come out of retirement and embark on a secret mission for Her Majesty’s government. He encounters the beautiful French spy who stole his heart, and makes an astounding personal revelation! Buffeted by these Gilded Age events, an immigrant American family is determined to stand firm in their belief in the hope, freedom, and opportunity, of their adopted country. The words written by poet Emma Lazarus on the plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty express this belief: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Enjoy the next volume in the sweeping Kopp Chronicles saga!

What Was Lost by Melissa Connelly

When a young girl feels complicit in her own abuse, how does that thwart her attempts to build a happy life as an adult woman? Disturbing memories begin to surface for Marti and so she returns to the small Vermont town she ran away from thirty years ago to face her demons. She drags her unwitting and unwilling teenage daughter along on the journey heightening already existing tensions between them. But Marti is determined to achieve what she’s returned home for: forgiveness for lies told, and revenge for secrets held. Exploring the vast social change from 1970 to 2000, in times before language such as #MeToo helped give voice to these all-too-common occurrences, What Was Lost is a raw, powerful tale of one woman confronting the ghosts of her past.

The Trail Blazers by Melina Druga

A pioneer. An abolitionist. A feminist. Three generations of one family. Three stories spanning 19th century Canada in this striking collection of novellas from the author of Angel of Mercy. Book 1: Journey of Hope An idealistic young couple set out across country in search of a better life for themselves and their young son in this sweeping historical novella set against the rugged backdrop of early-19th-century British North America. Book 2: Rose’s Assignment When she’s asked to care for a young Black woman fleeing bondage, a white Ontarian must confront her privilege and the racism that pervades her community. Book 3: The Unmarriable Kind In 1880s Ontario, the arrival of a new, forward-thinking headmaster forces a young teacher to wrestle with her heart’s conflicting desires.

The Unmarriable Kind by Melina Druga

In 1880s Ontario, the arrival of a new, forward-thinking headmaster forces a young teacher to wrestle with her heart’s conflicting desires. Lucretia Goodwin bucks centuries of tradition by refusing to take a husband. She wants no part in the custom that has her best friend keen to marry a man who treats her poorly and whisked a beloved sister off to do missionary work in Barbados. Besides, women lose what few rights they have the moment they say, “I do.” When she suddenly finds herself teaching under a politically outspoken headmaster, Lucretia isn’t sure what to do… or how to feel. Mr. Steward believes in women’s suffrage and — perhaps more shockingly — wants to open all classes to students of both sexes. But what do girls need to know about history or geography, when they’re fated to become keepers of hearth and home? As Lucretia tries to determine where she stands on issues both personal and political, she’s caught between family and friends convinced she’s gone radical and the frustratingly handsome headmaster pressing gently against her resistance to change. But when a tragedy strikes that intensifies her anxieties surrounding marriage, will she permanently close herself off to the possibility of courtship?

Rose's Assignment by Melina Druga

When she’s asked to care for a young Black woman fleeing bondage, a white Ontarian must confront her privilege and the racism that pervades her community in this striking historical novel from the author of Angel of Mercy and Journey of Hope. Rose Goodwin is proud of her charity work with the Simcoe County Vigilance Committee, where she’s responsible for gathering provisions to help formerly enslaved Americans start new lives in Canada. Her entire life turns upside-down with the arrival of Judith, a critically ill Black refugee who grew feverish after she lost contact with her children during their border crossing. Now practically immobile and still bearing the marks of brutality, Judith needs someone to nurse her back to health before she can settle in the local Black village. The assignment falls to Rose, who quickly notices the cracks in her hometown’s wholesome façade. Her husband offers little support. The town doctor refuses to treat Judith, and even Rose’s own mother and sisters act as if the refugee herself were the problem. This Good Samaritan may be completely out of her element, but her dedication to her patient increases to meet every ounce of resistance she encounters. And still the question remains: Will it be enough to save Judith?

Journey of Hope by Melina Druga

An idealistic young couple set out across country in search of a better life for themselves and their young son in this sweeping historical novella set against the rugged backdrop of early-19th-century British North America. When her drunken father-in-law showed up threatening to kill both her and her husband, 19-year-old Claire didn’t need any more convincing to strike out west. Together with their 1-year-old son, she and Harold leave New Brunswick behind on a 900-mile trek across Upper and Lower Canada. At first the journey feels like the adventure that farm-boy Harold has always wanted, not to mention a way for Claire, who was hired out at ten, to finally move up in the world. But the land is unyielding, the weather harsh, and it isn’t long before the couple find themselves waylaid. Soon every mile they put behind them feels like a step in the wrong direction. As her previously happy marriage takes a turn toward estrangement, Claire scrabbles for shreds of peace and stability, seeking out what little work she can find to help pay for their mounting travel costs. But tragedy lies right around the corner, and these two young pioneers will be forced to lean on each other — or risk losing everything they’ve sacrificed so much to build.

Where Poppies Grow by Melina Druga

Melina Druga’s stunning WWI trilogy follows a young nurse and her family as they navigate the challenges and heartbreak the Great War brings. Now read the entire trilogy in one volume. Book 1: The War Front Story: Angel of Mercy Being an idle housewife never suited Hettie Bartlette. So, when her husband, Geoffrey, decided to enlist only a couple of months after their wedding, the choice to join him was easy. Book 2: The Home Front Story: Those Left Behind Newlyweds Hettie Steward and Geoffrey Bartlette wasted no time heading to the Western Front after the war began. In the wake of the couple’s traumatic and untimely separation, their families begin to knit themselves together ever tighter. Matriarchs Lucretia Steward and Amelia Bartlette attempt to keep the home fires burning, unable to escape the tumult of the war. Book 3: The Homecoming Story: Adjustment Year It’s been five years since Hettie left home a blushing bride. Recently relieved of her duties as an army nurse, she makes her long-awaited return a newlywed once again… and pregnant.

Adjustment Year by Melina Druga

The stunning conclusion to Melina Druga’s World War I trilogy traces Hettie’s attempts to reacclimate to civilian life in the aftermath of the conflict. It’s been five years since Hettie left home a blushing bride. Recently relieved of her duties as an army nurse, she makes her long-awaited return a newlywed once again… and pregnant. Hettie can’t escape the painful memories of the thousands of wounded soldiers she tended to at the Casualty Clearing Station, the devastation of the Halifax Explosion, or the death of her first husband, killed in action shortly after they arrived in France. In a fragile state, she finds little in the way of acceptance or affection among her new in-laws, who can’t seem to understand how a way of life that was once so familiar could become so frightening. To make matters worse, Hettie barely knows the man whose child she’s carrying. By the time the war finally came to an end — and she accepted his proposal of a hasty marriage — Col. Alfred Taylor had spent more time as her penfriend than her lover. He’s the only family she has in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but Alfred might be too caught up with his own problems to notice Hettie’s ongoing battle. Both husband and wife are still fighting the ghosts of the Great War, but will they realize how similar their demons are before it’s too late?

Those Left Behind by Melina Druga

Told through a series of epistolary vignettes, the second novel in Melina Druga’s World War I trilogy traces the lives of the Steward and Bartlette families as they contend with their children’s and siblings’ wartime absences. Newlyweds Hettie Steward and Geoffrey Bartlette wasted no time heading to the Western Front after the war began. In the wake of the couple’s traumatic and untimely separation, their families begin to knit themselves together ever tighter. Matriarchs Lucretia Steward and Amelia Bartlette attempt to keep the home fires burning, unable to escape the tumult of the war. Hettie’s brother and brother-in-law join her on the front lines. Back in Ontario, some households grow. Others remain painfully stagnant. Romantic relationships wax and wane as these bright-eyed young adults fall in and out of love with one another and wrestle with the tension between timeworn traditions and the shiny appeal of progress. Those Left Behind offers readers the opportunity to connect deeply with the characters they met in The Unmarriable Kind and Angel of Mercy. As five years of deaths, births, tragedies, and triumphs unfold, one question never strays far from center: How does one maintain strong filial bonds — and repair weakened ones — when the world is changing rapidly on all sides?

Angel of Mercy by Melina Druga

The first installment in a spellbinding trilogy centered around Canada’s involvement in World War I follows a privileged young newlywed to the fraught medical encampments of the Western Front. Being an idle housewife never suited Hettie Bartlette. So, when her husband, Geoffrey, decided to enlist only a couple of months after their wedding, the choice to join him was easy. At the time, it seemed as if the tide would turn against the Germans at any moment. But once the ambitious young couple arrives in Europe, it’s plain to see that the turmoil on French soil shows no indication of abating. It isn’t all bad: Hettie finds purpose tending to the wounded in the Casualty Clearing Station. Unlike people back home in Ontario, hardly anyone within the Allied forces believes her work as an army nurse to be unseemly for a married woman of Hettie’s wealth and breeding. But nothing, not even coming face-to-face with the horrific aftermath of gas and gunfire on a daily basis, can prepare Hettie for the tragedies and tribulations 1915 has in store. With letters from her family pouring in, begging her to come home, Hettie must soon decide on which side of the Atlantic she belongs.

Taterskin & The Eco Defenders by Blackbird Crow Raven

Book 2 of the "Taterskin & The Eco Defenders" series (“Tell it to Future Generations”) takes up with the Eco Defenders following up on their earlier adventures by 1) Preventing the American Civil War in 1861, after which a slave they free joins them; 2) Saving the Indians from being massacred at Wounded Knee in 1890, following which Chapawee, a Sioux Indian, joins the Eco Defenders; 3) Putting an end to the practice of vivisection (experimentation on live animals) in 1903; 4) Coming to the aid of exploited workers in 1911 Manhattan, saving hundreds from the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire; and 5) Traveling to the Amazon Basin in 1978 to protect and preserve the Amazon rainforest. Taterskin & The Eco Defenders, told in “first canine” by the titular character, a Labrador Retriever, is a Cli-Fi (ultimately utopian) fantasy of a few humans and several talking animals who travel through time and space to make the past—and thus the future—a better place. The improvements effected by the Eco Defenders benefit not just the earth itself, but also mistreated humans and animals.

The Phoenix and the Firebird by Alexis Kossiakoff & Scott Forbes Crawford

A bullet-riddled train staggers into the station, delivering an ominous message that will change Lucy Markov’s destiny: her father, a Russian officer, has been kidnapped. A refugee who lost so much before she found a home in China, Lucy refuses to lose her last remaining family. Guided by a mysterious feather, she must cross into a realm of magic and monsters to find him. Lucy’s quick-witted, spirited friend Su joins her quest. Following the clues, they discover a warlord commanding an army of human soldiers and magical beasts has seized Lucy’s father – and now plots to invade their city. To save her father and their home, Lucy and Su must confront the criminal underworld, cross a haunted forest, and outsmart creatures they thought lived only in fairytales. With each step closer to the warlord’s lair, dangers test their courage and their bonds to each other. Will they unlock the secrets of the feather in time? The Phoenix and the Firebird melds the turmoil of 1920s China with the majesty of Slavic and Chinese myth. Join Lucy and Su as they soar into a world woven from history and folklore, and learn whether friendship is the strongest weapon of all.