The Gemini Games by Willa Hollis

Five games. Five opportunities. Persevere or perish. Zellie Toro has lived a simple life in the intergalactic unit stationed on the planet Lunara for twenty-seven years. But when an invitation from The Kosmos, the divine order, arrives, everything changes. Chosen as one of ten human participants in the treacherous Gemini Games in the city of Astralis, Zellie must collect moonstone fragments to restore the fading Gemini constellation and continue powering nearby worlds. The stakes are high: become a Celestial champion and gain unimaginable power. As Zellie competes, she uncovers a web of corruption, a rigid magical hierarchy, and a staggering imbalance of power. While the games progress, she realizes that the only way to spark real change for humans across the galaxy is to infiltrate the divine order itself. Faced with an impossible choice, Zellie must decide: surrender her humanity or stay true to her convictions and risk everything to do what’s right. In a new world where survival is the only rule, Zellie must decide: survive... or die trying.

The Beauty and the Orcs by Finley Fenn

She was ruined by an orc. Now his enraged ex wants to finish the job… In a world of orcs and powerful men, Kitty Clarendon is a bubbly, beautiful woman about town — until she’s dumped by her benefactor, and thrown onto the streets. And as she’s drowning her sorrows, she meets… an orc. He’s rash, reckless, and on the rebound — but his laugh is contagious, his touch warm and wicked. And for one perfect, forbidden night, he’s all Kitty’s darkest dreams come true… But by morning, there’s only shame. Regret. And the orc quickly makes his escape, abandoning Kitty to a devastating discovery… She’s been compromised. With his… orcling. But the orc never returns, and Kitty is left ill, impoverished, and hopeless. Until finally, another orc finds her. Varinn, of Clan Grisk. The first orc’s best friend. And… his very recent ex. Varinn can’t hide his jealousy, or his bitter, broken rage — but he refuses to leave Kitty behind. And soon she’s under his stern supervision, and on her way to Orc Mountain. Back to the orc who so cruelly spurned her. The orc who’s been losing his own battles, and still longs for Varinn’s firm handling… and his heart. And can Kitty bring two hostile, heartbroken orcs back together, for her orcling’s sake? Or will they break her own heart, too? _____________________ An angsty, full-length, enemies to lovers fantasy romance. Comes after The Governess and the Orc, but also reads as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Hunger In His Blood by Zoey Draven

An unrequited love. A broken heart. A stolen secret. I’ve loved Kaldur of House Kaalium since the first moment I laid eyes on him. He’s a sinfully charming, lore smoking playboy, with a smile that makes me see stars. As the High Lord of Vyaan, his vast power and wealth extends throughout the entirety of our nation—and he’s as untouchable as he is devastatingly handsome. Me? I’m a lowly human keeper on his grand estate. An orphan with no family. A dreamer, who lives in the adventure of my own fictional stories. I couldn’t be more beneath his notice or unlike the plethora of pretty, clever socialites that warm his bed. For two years, he has no idea I even exist…until one afternoon, a tiny cut on my palm changes everything. He discovers that I’m his kyrana, his blood mate. The one female that will sate his vampiric hunger and calm the berserker rages of his race. I thought every dream I’d had was finally coming true—my winged prince finally come. Until Kaldur breaks my heart so callously, reinforcing every pain and insecurity I’d ever had. And when he realizes his mistake and sets his mind to winning me back? He’ll have the fight of his life if he thinks I’ll ever give him my heart again.

The Bone King and the Starling by Elizabeth Stephens

They call him the bone king. A massive, beast of a male who worships the gods and is all too willing to provide them their sacrifices. Human sacrifices. He and his warriors have come to visit Winterbren, a poor little village on the outskirts of Wrath and my home. I’ve never been more grateful to be a thrall, for my low status will ensure that I remain outside of his notice. But when he requests — nay, requires — a willing female to warm his furs for the duration of his stay, his selection falls to me. All I can do is pray to the gods that I survive the night… And beg the bone king for mercy.

Ironling by S.E. Wendel

A lady heir in a world of lords… Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father’s heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father’s council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy, to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge. A lady can never claim a monster… Hakon has known all his life his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don’t deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own. But in a world of lords and politics, a lady such as Aislinn could never truly take a halfling like him to mate and wed—especially when her position as a woman lord and usurper leave her and her people vulnerable. When grasping lords threaten the Darrowlands, prepared to take Aislinn’s hand and land through marriage or force, she must choose—the halfling who loves her or the people who need her. Fans of Finnley Fenn, SJM, Grace Draven, and Ruby Dixon will love this fluffy, steamy monster romance story! Check website for content and trigger warnings. Mature content intended for readers 18+. Book 2 stands on its own but will best be enjoyed after Halfling.

Gravity's Fire by CJ Aralore

Jason June meets F.T. Lukens in this YA debut that’s two parts fluffy romcom, one part contemporary fantasy, and all epic love story. First love is magic. Sometimes literally. Sixteen-year-old Phoenix “Nix” Ashwell has spent his whole life looking for his soulmate. He’s also spent that life living a lie. After discovering his parents kidnapped him as an infant, he runs away to a town built inside an ancient crater to search for clues about his past. And, no, he’s totally not there to look for a boyfriend. That is, until he meets Max, a boy straight out of his dreams. Okay, fine, he’s definitely there for a boyfriend. Desperate to be closer to Max, Nix takes a series of bizarre tests to get into the special program he’s part of. There’s just one problem: Max is magic. And, after unknowingly cheating on the tests, everyone thinks Nix is magic too—including a group of ex-students whose attempts to reveal magic to the world put Max in danger. Now Nix has way more to worry about than figuring out if Max is flirting with him or just super nice. He’ll have to find his own magic to protect the guy he’s falling so hard for he’s seeing stars. But then he learns his birth parents are hiding even more secrets than the ones he ran away from—one being that he was born to wield the most dangerous kind of magic. He’s faced with an impossible choice: risk the life of the boy he’s spent his whole life looking for or let him go to save him. What began as a quest to find where he belongs becomes a battle between the fire of who he is and the gravity of who he loves.

Carrion Saints by Hiyodori

“Now reach back,” she said, “and tear off your wings.” Carrion Saints is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between an immortal saint and a severed head. Crow can pass for human. She may come off as eccentric, but she’s good at hiding her wings. As a saint, she’s devoted her endless life to protecting humanity from other immortals: the ones they call monsters. She’s finally ready to take on the worst monster of all, a great evil sealed at the edge of civilization. Magnolia is the worst monster of all. A villain who amuses herself by preying on valiant heroes. At first glance, she looks powerless. She looks, in fact, like a decapitated head (a very chatty one). But her magic lets her issue absolute commands to humans and immortals alike. She’s been waiting centuries for a challenger powerful enough to break the seal binding her in the wilderness. In other words, she’s been waiting centuries to magically seize control over someone like Crow. Crow has always been patient and forgiving. Sadistic, remorseless Magnolia awakens new depths of loathing in her—a hatred of frightening intensity. And now, she's forced to use her full power to grant Magnolia’s one heartfelt wish: to see the rest of the world. To make up for all the years she spent trapped alone with only trees for company. What follows is an ultra slow-burn romance between true enemies. Between good and evil. Between a winged woman and a talkative severed head (who occasionally sprouts the rest of her body, just to keep things lively). They travel together across a post-apocalyptic landscape marked by strange magic and scattered human settlements. Yet the apocalypse happened a long time ago, and eons will pass before their gradually fading world dies for good. In the meantime, these immortals are stuck with each other. Even a saint and a monstrous villain might eventually fall in love—but the path there will be dark, crooked, and sometimes surprisingly cozy. This standalone fantasy novel can be read without prior knowledge of the author’s other work.

Merman's Delight by Skyler Nightshade

After a successful mating season, Glacier returns to the lighthouse he calls home to rest and watch over his treasure pile. Used to spending his days left alone by the human who lives there, he is surprised to find that the lighthouse is being tended by someone new--someone much more curious about the merman who’s been protecting the shore. It doesn’t take long before Glacier is discovered, and the chase is on. Will Glacier be able to escape, or will this human catch him? And why are forbidden feelings starting to grow the longer Glacier is pursued?

I summon the sea by Mona Archer

I loved a fair boy once, and he was taken from me. I’m back to avenge him, no matter the cost. Every year, the fae king organizes deathly trials with human tributes to please the gods. This year, I am taking part in them. My goal? To enter the palace in the aftermath and take the king out once and for all. My advantage? I’m no ordinary human. Not anymore. I am a sea maiden. These trials, held in the sea, should be a piece of cake for me. My mistake? I hadn’t counted on my magic failing me, or on Jai, the fae king’s arrogant dragon-summoner, volunteering in the trials to protect me. I hadn’t counted on resurfacing feelings and memories. On the people surrounding me not being who they seem. On the tables turning on me. I am a razor-sharp thorn, a blade honed to fight, and this is when it all comes together, when it all ends. Yet I am foiled by prophecies and signs, illusions and lies. Who is Jai? What is the truth? And what price will I have to pay to find out? The legend of Theseus meets the Little Mermaid, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in this epic romance story set against a sky full of dragons.

An Impractical Guide to Satyr Charming by Cynthia Diamond

With her magic stolen, Ivy Bennett is a witch doomed to die. But she isn’t giving up without a fight. One ritual could restore her power, all she needs is a little elbow grease and an abandoned house in the woods. Unfortunately, the home’s current resident -an arrogant satyr named Finn- will not tolerate a witch in his territory. Ivy will be damned if the goat-legged jerk gets in her way. If only he wasn’t as sexy as he is infuriating. Charming a satyr isn't at the top of Ivy's do-to-list, but it's either come to a truce with the insufferable male or knock on death’s door. After witnessing the slaughter of his herd, Finn’s sole purpose is to protect his brother and his lands from deadly witches. But when one moves in, his fury rises. While the need to drive the witch away is strong, his desire for her is stronger. Soon he finds himself wanting the lovely, stubborn female more than hating her. But keeping Ivy as his own would forfeit everything he’s held sacred. And now her presence has attracted something in the forest… something that may destroy them all.

The Assassin and the Sorceress by NRG Selove

A ruthless assassin. A wisecracking sorceress. A perilous journey that will reshape the Kingdom. Driven by money and hatred, Jessara is the greatest of the King’s royal assassins. An autistic elf born in the forests of Anwood, Jessara was trained from childhood to become the perfect weapon against the Compact of the elves. When it comes to a special capture or kill contract, she’s the obvious choice when the King needs a delicate touch. Her target: a mysterious fugitive human sorceress named Asha Weaver. A specialist in fire magic, Asha narrowly manages to escape execution in the capital city of the Kingdom. Her impulsive and reckless nature prove to be a challenge when a series of misadventures forces the assassin and the sorceress to work together. Loyalties will be questioned as the reluctant partners battle monsters, hide secrets, overcome betrayal, and face the inconvenient feelings growing between them.

Thorns Among Shadows: A Rapunzel Retelling by Ally Kelly

Strong of Root, Strong of Thorn Meira is the daughter of a nobleman, expected to take her father's place at court. Bound by family duty, she returns to the capital city for the first time in years, feeling out of place as she enters the intricacies of court life and all that it entails. Since his father's death, a shadow has fallen over Crown Prince Gaelen and his kingdom of Alythia. Gaelen's stepmother is acting as Queen Regent, with a mysterious hold over the prince. Meira's appearance at court provides a welcome distraction from his troubles. Just as Meira begins to rekindle a childhood romance with Gaelen, the prince disappears. But finding Gaelen proves to be no small matter. In order to rescue him, Meira must travel through both the Fae realm and Shadowlands, facing obstacles that will test the limits of her resolve and forces that threaten everything she cares about. Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling for anyone who loves fantasy adventure, sweet romance, and a chance for the girl to be the hero of the fairytale.

Shiver Me by Vermillion

A pirate’s life has never been so tempting. Long-suffering governess Regula is out of her depth on the Wretched Lady, a ship full of pirates as shamelessly charming as they are dangerous. She’d guessed her life would change, leaving the familiar walls of Sanctuary, but she’d never expected to fall into the hands of pirates. Even worse, the Wretched Lady’s roguish captain won’t let her, or her valuable charge, out of his sight, much less off his ship. Connor never wanted to be captain. Bad luck for him that the last one disappeared. It doesn’t help that after twenty years of violently enforced isolation, the city of Sanctuary has awoken with a vengeance, and the pirates who haunt her waters have already begun to pay. With a storm brewing in the isles and two strange women washing up on his deck, Connor must accept his captaincy, or else risk everything he holds dear. That is, if he can get his mind off the intriguing stranger who keeps dodging his questions. An adventurous romp of epic proportions, the sea will test them both as the shadow of Sanctuary looms larger over the water. Shiver Me is the first book in a daring fantasy romance series, each following a different couple towards their HEA.

Stone Heart by Mallory Glass

An isolated manor. Ancient enemies locked in an eternal struggle. An innocent woman’s heart and soul caught in the middle. Lord McCardle hires me to stay at Kinloch Manor to restore the keep’s magnificent granite guardians. From the arrogant McCardle to the grumpy Cook, no one here is what they seem. Adriel, the great stone beast guarding the manor’s entrance, unlocks the magic hidden inside me. Now I have two choices. Flee from the handsome monster who occupies my nights and surrender my daylight dreams... Or risk it all for love and join the battle between two ancient enemies. A slightly unhinged Gothic-inspired romance set in a remote Scottish manor, with stone monsters, ancient enemies, unexpected magic, fated mates, a touch of grumpy/sunshine, and spice.

Lost Together by Courtney Rosaleen

A twenty minute daylight cycle and the creatures who lurk in the dark were just the beginning. They’re still lost to a world of magic and monsters… only now, they’re not alone. And time is running out. — Steven Stone and Alexandra Cutter have not only learned how to survive their new world, and to use their powers, they’ve found out what it means to live. In this strange place where magic exists and monsters rule the dark, they realize that home is where you choose it to be. That maybe they were meant to find each other, and this place. Until someone new lands on their beach, and everything changes. When clues about what happened to those who came before slowly come to light, they must work together as they’re faced with the reality that the life they’ve created in their cliffside home isn’t the end of their journey. They’re nowhere closer to finding the way back. All they know is that their days are numbered. This is an upper YA/NA dark romance series. Book one, Lost to a Dream, is intended for readers 15+. This novel is NA and is intended for readers 18+.

Lost to a Dream by Courtney Rosaleen

Two teenagers find themselves alone in a world where magic exists, and monsters appear in the dark. Only... the night comes every ten minutes and not even death can help them escape. Alexandra Cutter has hopes of leaving her small town. Until she falls through a portal in an abandoned mineshaft and finds herself lost to a world where you either find shelter, or fight for your life until the sun rises. Never did she imagine being so desperate to get back home. When Steven Stone is forced to live in a new town, he’s flat out angry about it. Until the dreams start. Dreams about the missing girl he never even met. But watching her die, night after night, never being able to save her, is far from a dream. When Steve wakes up in the ruined landscape of his nightmares and Alex saves his life, not only are they forced to survive and learn to live together as they search for a way out… but they are left with the question, what happens if they never do? This is an upper YA/NA dark romance series. It is intended for readers 15+ for book one, and 18+ for the remainder of the series.

Ranger by Dietrich Stogner

Jaina Creighton has always known what it means to sacrifice. When both her brothers are marked for conscription into the Dominion’s wars, she makes a desperate choice—trading her own freedom to join the rangers, an ancient order bound by oath to walk the wilds and guard the people. Her decision will spare her brothers from service… but binds her to a life of duty from which there is no return. Far to the south, Antoinette DeLuca—scion of one of Vetticci’s most powerful houses—has secrets carved into her every masterpiece. An artist, a spy, and a woman trapped by her family’s ambitions, she has learned to shape beauty from duty and deceit alike. When her path collides with Jaina’s, the chemistry between them is as dangerous as it is undeniable. But the Dominion is shifting. The dukes raise armies. Shadows lengthen across the land. And as the days slip away, whispers of something vast and terrible grow louder. To protect the ones they love, Jaina and Antoinette must each come to understand the truth of who they are—and choose between loyalty and desire, between what they owe and what they yearn for. The countdown has already begun. And when it ends, nothing will be the same.

The Kraken's Castaway by Cassandra Medcalf

I drowned in Lake Superior. I was rescued by some ancient god monster in the depths of the lake. I've got gills now, that's fun. And I'm apparently the smokin' hottest thing this Viking octopus shifter has ever seen. Cool. Cool cool cool. Lillian and Erik have a problem. They were cursed by two wayward Titans holed up in Lake Superior, trapped on an island, and won't be set free until they agree to be surrogate and seed donor for an entire hoard of monster babies. The solution? Simple. No funny business, no matter how tempting the tentacles. But the longer they’re held captive, the closer they become. Giving into their feelings could mean the end of the world as they know it, but eternity is a long time. And as the two of them develop a stronger and stronger connection, the torture of staying apart becomes all the more impossible to bear. With the world at stake, are they strong enough to keep their hands off each other? Or is their attraction even greater than the forces they’re keeping at bay?

Luxuria by Colette Rhodes

Ophelia has a dirty secret. Well, it’s not really a secret anymore. Ophelia was born into a family of Hunters, tasked with protecting the humans from the creatures of the night who feast on their fear. Except Ophelia always found the idea of monsters kind of intriguing. She even made the grave sin of committing some X-rated monster thoughts to paper—which in hindsight may not have been the best idea because her parents were mortified—but you live and learn. Well, everyone finds out your secret, you get banished from society, and then you learn. But the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Ophelia has been waiting for to make good on some of those fantasies has arrived. The King of Shades requires a hunter bride, and Ophelia is the best fit for the job. Now she just needs to convince her surly monster husband, Allerick, that she’s the best fit for him.

Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts

Ketahn did not want a mate. Fate has a different plan for him. When the queen he despises declares her intention to claim him, he retreats into the jungle. What he finds there changes his world. Small, delicate, and pale skinned, Ivy Foster is nothing like the females Ketahn has known. She’s not of his kind at all. Yet the moment he sees her, he knows the truth in his soul—she is his heartsthread. And now that he has her, he won’t let anything take her away. Not the jungle, not the gods, not the queen and her warriors. Whether Ivy agrees or not, their webs are entangled. No one will ever sever those threads.

Smoke and Glass Slippers: A Dystopian, Gender-Flipped Cinderella Retelling by Ashley Willingham

(From the author) She's the heir to a corrupt empire. He's the man coming to burn it all down. I know my place. I’m a Quartz. Meant to serve. For thirty years, I’ve slaved in the mines, stripping magic to fuel the empire’s precious Capital. But I refuse to die in the dark. The emperor’s competition for his daughter's hand is my one chance. If I can win a place among the nobles, I’ll get close enough to stop the tyranny once and for all. There’s just one problem: Princess Ysabelle is nothing like I expected. And as the Betrothal Games become real, I’ll have to make a choice. A choice that could change the world. Dive into the dystopian fairytale world of Smoke and Glass Slippers, a land of lies and deceit where the lines between heroism and villainy blur and nothing is as it seems. High-stakes fantasy adventure combined with swoony romance await in this clean, enemies to lovers romantasy! Perfect for fans of The Selection and Red Rising.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The First Stone by Teshelle Combs

Sanaa of Rote exists only to please her father, the King, by marrying the High Prince of an allied realm. And she will succeed. She must. If she can bear to swallow her hatred for the man to whom she must yield every fragment of her power.

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.

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 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.

Hearts of Bark and Scale by Nicole Leland

The world is blood and pain, but still there’s love. All Kvisti has ever wanted is to protect her desert village in a way that would make the Mother Tree proud. Unfortunately, an old injury has left her once-potent dryad powers broken, and she can’t even stop the ruthless magic poachers that invade her village for the scraps of magic she still holds. Snake shifter Iason is bound to a criminal snake den for the sake of his rare healing magic. But the magic poachers want his magic, too. When the poachers throw Kvisti in the same magic-proof cell as Iason, the two are inexorably drawn together, bonding over past traumas. In their isolation, they begin to heal each other, finding a connection deeper than they imagined possible. But when disaster strikes the poachers, Kvisti and Iason are abandoned in their cell with no hope for freedom. In a world that thrives on cruelty and despair, love may be their only salvation. Can Kvisti and Iason break free of their prison and the pasts that haunt them before their connection is torn apart? Will the delicate new feelings taking root in their hearts bloom, or will the desert bury them? When blood and pain are a constant, love is a fragile thing—but one worth fighting for.

The Skeletons In Our Closet by Sinclair A. Macabre

For as long as he can recall, Daedalus Macabre has been bound to one rule above all else: Don't Step Out of Line. He's always followed it to the letter—his days spent training in elegant forms of fighting, his nights spent studying in his library, and the breaths between spent lost in the worn keys of his piano. He keeps his head down, and he does what he's told. But when Daedalus moves to Nemoure and meets Cain Sidrelle, his meticulously crafted control and rigorous adherence to the rules seem to disappear overnight. Without realizing it, his entire world narrows down to a pretty rich boy with hair like hellfire. A hellfire that threatens to consume him with every passing smile and shared glance. Still, his mother's expectations are a heavy burden, and her anger only grows with his continued distraction and blatant disregard for her rules. The longer Daedalus allows himself his dalliance with Cain, the more dire the consequences become. Until one day those consequences arrive, and Daedalus is faced with a punishment he cannot run away from. Separated by forces outside their control, Daedalus and Cain must overcome years of distance and longing when fate deems to grant them a second chance. But as others start to find themselves in Daedalus' way, Cain begins to question whether this is the man he once knew, and if there can be any hope for the two of them in the end.

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.

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?

Impostor (Children of Lorcan Book 2) by J. M. Rose

NIKOLAI PETROV HATES LIES. Finding out he’s supposed to be the next Vampire King of Raspien was not something Nikolai Petrov ever expected. Torn from his family and his home, Nikolai is thrust into an unfamiliar world with unfamiliar people. But it does not feel like the court of vipers he was warned about. Nikolai is surprised by the warmth of his new family and Lord Councilman Caius Varga, immersed in his new school and his new friends, and somewhere along the line, he stops counting down the days until his return home. His willingness to stay and take up his promised role only grows when he meets the enchanting Lord in Waiting of Amenti, Viktor Kamel. Swept up in romance, friendship and the prospect of learning under the Petrov Academy’s best healers, Nikolai finds himself more deeply entangled than ever in his role as a prince of Raspien. But things aren’t always what they seem. Nikolai’s warmth, kindness and honesty cannot protect him from lies told in decades past; in the end, the truth always comes knocking and the shadows of the past have teeth as deadly as the ugliest of secrets.

A Thousand Burning Ravens by Kier Smelcer

On the day blood oaths were to be sworn to the King of Falkmere, crimson spilled in an entirely different way. When the Fallen Fae God, Vesperian Shayd decapitated the King, an ancient magic died with him, leaving Falkmere at the mercy of an equally ancient curse. In possession of a burdensome prophesy and ruinous secrets — such as a hidden pregnancy— newly widowed queen, Myla Alerys, must step into a role of leadership she never wanted. In order to break Vesperian’s curse (something it seems she cannot accomplish without rekindling a childhood love with the steadfast Captain Bryar Monroe) Myla must seek help in the most unlikely of places. On this quest of found families and second chance loves, Myla will join forces with a mysterious Seer, a cloister of quiet monks, and the formidable Ashborn to break free of the Blood Stealer’s curse.

Good Boys Club by Jemma Croft

Mash Cassidy, smooth-talking werewolf and notorious ladies’ man, has been running from his responsibilities, and his pack, for fifteen years. But with Harvest Fest only weeks away, Alpha’s ordering him to return home, and she won’t take no for an answer. It’s time for him to grow up and mate with a nice werewolf girl. In fact, Alpha already has one in mind. But Mash wasn’t built for settling down, and in a desperate move to keep Alpha off his back, he drags his wolf shifter best friend Cian into another of his harebrained pretend to be a werewolf and pose as his fake-mate for two whole months. What could go wrong? They’re just friends, and Mash definitely hasn’t been developing unusual feelings for him… Cian Barker, hipster wolf shifter and tech whiz, has been in love with his best friend since the day they met at uni. It doesn’t matter that Mash is straight and completely unobtainable, Cian is just happy to have him in his life. But when Mash asks him to be his fake-mate during the family’s Harvest Fest celebration, Cian might have reached his limits with how far he’ll go for Mash. At least until he’s faced with his favourite pair of puppy-dog eyes. The ones he just can’t seem to resist. It’ll be fine. Cian can pretend—he’s been pretending for their entire friendship. Besides, it’s not like Mash will ever love him back… The Good Boys Club is an MM best-friends-to-lovers paranormal romance and the second in the Mythical Mishaps series of interconnected standalones. Expect the usual silliness, slow burn, lots of pining, plenty of scent marking, and a tonne of praise for the bestest boy in the Eight and a Half Kingdoms.

A Legion of Bane and Embers by KL Hill

A Knight sworn to protect the city from evil. A vampire bound in chains. A desire that could destroy them both. Atlas I was trained to kill monsters— Not crave the one chained beneath my home. As a Knight of Cindervail, I’m everything the Legion disciplined, deadly, untouchable. But on the night of my final trial, it wasn’t the Legion that saved me. It was a vampire. Emilian. Now he’s leashed and muzzled by the Vail, my illegal asset locked in my basement. I only let him out for missions that need a monster’s teeth. That’s the story we tell. But the truth is darker. Every night, I go back to him—for the heat, the hunger, the sin I can’t stop committing. Our connection is forbidden. Addictive. And when my best friend vanishes and demons begin tearing through Cindervail, I’m forced to face an impossible Save the city I swore to protect— Or surrender to the vampire who makes me feel alive. Emilian I wasn’t born a monster. I was made one—and then left to rot. In Cindervail, vampires like me aren’t given trials. We’re exterminated. I should’ve died the night I met Atlas, the Knight who should have put a blade through my heart. Instead, he let me live. Now I survive chained beneath his home like a secret sin. Muzzled. Bound. Used as a weapon while I fight the city’s nightmares by his side. We pretend it’s duty. But I see the truth in his eyes every time he touches me—the tremor in his hands, the hunger in his breath. The city is rotting. The rifts are widening. Demons are coming through the cracks. Soon, Atlas will have to choose— The city that made him a weapon, Or the creature he should have killed.

Shadow Sword by Kaila Desjardins

Defending those they swore to protect might cost more than they bargained for. Sellsword Morrígan wants nothing more than to defend innocent people. So when Dàibhid, the king of Cunlaran, offers her and her friends the opportunity, she can hardly say no. But working for Dàibhid could expose her secret—she’s not only a princess but Dàibhid’s childhood ex-best friend. If he ever realizes who he has in his castle, Morrígan’s life will come crashing down. The problem is, it’s more difficult keeping her distance than it should be. Dàibhid is desperate to protect his subjects against an invading enemy intent on stealing his throne. Cautious with lives and hoping to avoid war, Dàibhid hires sellswords to gather information undercover. But when the mission goes sideways and people get hurt, Dàibhid’s fear of failing his subjects worsens. The only effective balm seems to be spending time with one of his new hires . . . As the pair grows closer, enemy attacks turn deadlier and the team’s mission becomes paramount. With secrets and lives on the line, Morrígan and Dàibhid must ask themselves what they’re willing to risk before everything they’ve worked for is lost.

Shadows of the Timberland by Ashley Adams

Now in the clutches of his father, Flint must learn how to use his newfound powers to defeat the beasts created by Slate’s chaos. Luckily for Flint, he has always known a life of thieving and survival. He must now use those skills to keep himself alive as he battles evil creatures, lost souls, and his own mind. After being threatened by the deities of Moonstone Isle, Slate, God of Death, isn’t taking any chances at losing his heir. A series of obstacles are thrown Flint’s way, each one a new challenge that drives him closer to learning who he truly is. But not every obstacle Slate creates is in the form of a beast or monster. He sends Nova, his mortal servant, to distract Flint and become his weakness. Nova and Flint become reluctant allies, both wanting to escape their fates in the Underworld. Flint is inspired to turn the Underworld into something better, something worth dying for. But first, he must learn how to kill a god. In order to defeat his father, Flint must find the hidden truths that will have him questioning his entire existence. Welcome to the Underworld. Where monsters lurk in the shadows and you can’t trust anyone.

Tides of Floral Dreams by Ashley Adams

On an Isle surrounded by waters of sparkles, lava, caverns, and dangerous mountains lies four kingdoms. Each kingdoms' royals have unique magic, every region representing a specific season and element. At one time these kingdoms lived harmoniously and worked together to strive as they worshipped their gods and gave their people a happy life. Until one day when the one month old princess of the Coral Cove Kingdom was stolen. The kingdom's trust in one another diminished, but the Coral Cove royals still had an ally in the Bloomhaven Kingdom. Before the lost princess was stolen, a blood oath was given between the Coral Cove princess and the young Bloomhaven prince. 23 years have passed since the lost princess was taken, and the prince looks daily for her. Then everything changed. A hope was found, a clue unearthed to where the lost princess could be. But the prince no longer wants to find the lost princess. Fate has chosen a different path for him, and he has fallen in love with someone else. Will the prince break the blood oath? Will the lost princess ever be found? Enter the world of Moonstone Isle, where dreams can turn into nightmares when you least expect them to.

The Prince and His Stolen Groom by J.E. Ridge

A magic spell protects the Desolated Lands from evil mages and their nefarious schemes. As a condition of this spell, Princess Francesca of Woe and Prince Brendon of Bane must marry. Rick knows his sister will be miserable in this marriage, so he concocts a half-baked plan to kidnap the groom and stall the wedding. He just needs time to find an alternative way to keep the spell active. Everything seems to go smoothly until someone else arrives at the castle claiming to be Prince Brendon. Now Rick has to juggle two grooms: the real one he stashed in a magic tower, and the imposter romancing his sister. Because Rick disrupted the wedding, the spell begins to weaken, allowing an evil mage to slip past the magical defenses. Chaos ensues as Rick struggles with imposters, evil minions, and his growing feelings for Brendon. Who knew stealing one groom would cause so much trouble?

Even Angels Fall by E. V. Sauvage

300 years ago, my world collided with Earth. My kind has been ruling over the world ever since, passing as archangels. Doves, swans, cockatoo, their white wings in half shifted form are the sign of their power. I should have been the next in line. I should have been the new archangel Michaël. But my wings aren’t white. So instead I have to stay hidden. Instead, I’ve been trained my whole life. Instead, I’m their weapon. Because who would be best suited to kill the dragon shifter living inside of Notre Dame than a fallen angel? My name is Angélique. I’m a crow-shifter, and my mission is to marry Elhyor and to kill him on our wedding night. But nothing is the way it seems, and the dragon might be harder to kill than I thought. He might also be my only chance at freedom… Do I have any chance of surviving unscathed? Only time will tell…

Aurethia Rising by Atlas Laika

Two centuries ago, House Henly of Aurethia and House Volkov of Griea penned an engagement, promising a union between rival houses and their respective homeworlds. Elio Henly has been preparing for marriage his entire life. As the Henly heir and future steward of Aurethia, he will inherit great power, including control of a lucrative trade route, and ownership of the most precious substance in the Greater Universe — Avara. The mysterious blue crystal native to Aurethia is the sole treatment for parsec sickness, an epidemic ravaging space travelers within the Greater Universe. But when he meets Cael Volkov, the charming heir of the outfitted military planet, Griea, everything he thought he knew about his homeworld, his family, and his heart is turned upside down. Cael Volkov has been raised to conquer. Champion in the Tupinaire, commander of the Royal Reserve, and son to the mighty Legatus, Cael knows his mission is simple: gain the Aurethian heir’s trust, learn everything he can about the forest moon, and prepare to take it by force. But the longer he spends with Elio Henly, the quiet, brilliant Aurethian prince, the more he questions everything he was taught, and begins to push back against the rhetoric seeded in him by a lust for vengeance.

A Ballad for Slayers & Monsters by Rita A. Rubin

Kas of Veldenier is a Slayer, a travelling monster hunter for hire. Claudia of Trulio is half-human, half-vampyric. Half monster. They should be nothing more than enemies. But when the long-lost remnant of the dragon Ombral turns up, and with it the possibility of unleashing the dragons to wreak havoc on Vil Tresar as they did long ago, Kas and Claudia’s paths converge. Through a shared desire to keep the dragons from returning, they embark on a quest to see the remnant destroyed. Along the way, they will encounter fearsome monsters as well as a burgeoning desire for each other. Can a monster and a monster slayer truly find love together? Pursuing them from the shadows is Serisa, a vampyric who wishes to see the world burn. And she will need the remnant to make that wish a reality…

The Divines by Eden Sandoval

A Life of War. A Diminishing Dream of Escape. The Power to Change Everything. Terah Alexander has been a soldier her entire life. From the moment she was old enough to walk and wield weapons, she’s fought and killed Demons for the Light Guardian side. But at the age of eighteen, she’s finally grown tired of being a frontline soldier in this endless civil war. In pursuit of freedom, Terah leaves her old life behind to attend Divine Academy—a college for those like her with powers bestowed by the gods centuries before. Notoriously neutral, the Academy’s grounds have never been breached by war. Instead, Divines of all factions coexist peacefully, learning and living together. Without the fighting, Terah no longer has a reason to suppress her emotions or ignore the toll that isolation took on her throughout her life as she was shunned for her unique and mysterious transformation. With the help of her new friend Gabriel and childhood friend Matt, Terah can finally begin to confront her fear of vulnerability and work through trauma to find herself, friendship, and perhaps even love. But as the semester progresses, the raging civil war begins creeping onto Academy grounds. Terah must decide whether this new, softer version of herself can survive, or whether she must revert to her old ways to protect all those she’s come to care about. *The Divines is a New Adult Contemporary Fantasy with Romance and is Book 1 in The Divine War Trilogy. Each book has a different protagonist but has significant character crossover. See author website (EDENSANDOVAL.COM) for trigger warnings, content warnings, and tropes.

Bound in Flames by Missy S Castillo

Captured by the enemy. Marked by ancient magic. Claimed by a beast... When Cleo is rescued by Dex, a ruthless orc chieftain of the Blackfoot Clan, she’s thrust into a world ruled by savage loyalty and primal power. For centuries, the humans and orcs have been locked in brutal war after the Ostelan Crown broke the ancient treaties, driving the orcs into hiding. Now, Cleo’s untamed magic is the key to saving the orcs—but it also tempts her with a darkness she may not escape. As her power grows and her bond with Dex deepens, she faces an impossible choice: choose to fulfill the prophecy, sacrificing herself, or surrender to the seductive magic and risk everything to be with the one she loves. Dex has vowed to protect his people at any cost, even if it means using the woman fate has bound to him. But Cleo’s fire stirs something primal in him—something far more dangerous than war. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Dex must decide whether his duty to his clan outweighs the undeniable pull of his heart.

Sweet & Wild by Alex Larkspur

Micah Harlow has just moved to Roseyard, a small town on the edge of a mysterious forest. Filled with hope for a new start here, Micah ventures into the woods to forage and, of course, make an offering to the guardian spirit within. However, this forest is unlike any that Micah has been in before. The spirit himself appears and takes an interest in Micah, helping him to find whatever he needs and spending time with him. To complicate things further, the town of Roseyard is far different than Micah expects. The citizens call the guardian spirit within the woods a beast, and they seem to be held under the thumb of one affluent man. In order to survive and thrive, Micah will be pulled further into the magic of the forest and its spirit, all while cultivating relationships within Roseyard. And hopefully, heal the wounds of his damaged heart.

His Horns Are Mine To Hold by A.L. Davidson

The legends are real... and they walk among us! When the Myth Movement brought fiction into the real world, humans and myths started to coexist, reshaping society in an unexpected way. Dragons have taken to the skies, orcs now work in offices, the fae have invaded the beauty industry, and every day is full of magic and opportunity. Diego Delgado is a performer with a dream and a mighty family legacy looking to make a name for himself. After coming across a lost minotaur named Atticus, Diego offers the quiet giant a job opportunity that neither of them can turn down. The unlikely pair join a troupe called the Cirque des Étoiles that highlights the wonders of legends and storytelling, and quickly become the stars of the show. With their “beast slaying” performance wowing the crowd every night, Diego and Atticus turn an age old tale into a mesmerizing choreography that blends tradition and mystique. But as the touring season comes to an end and the troupe is set to go their separate ways, Diego and Atticus are faced with a choice: say goodbye until the next season or finally admit their feelings and see where the road takes them...

Of Hollowed Stars by Rowyn Adelaide

𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗢. When Gavrel vanishes into the twisted depths of the Nether Void, Seryn has no time to grieve. While dreams blur into nightmares and ancient power stirs within her, she unravels a prophecy rooted in her bloodline. Part demi-Ancient, part Nightshade, she may be the key to restoring—or destroying—the balance between realms. 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗡. Though their souls are bound by a golden thread, even fate-woven ties can fray. With the Fates tightening their grip, Seryn and Gavrel face the truth of their bond: prophecy or choice, sacrifice or salvation. Together, they'll forge a path unwritten by the stars … and hope their love can endure the Void. 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗘. Across shifting nightmare-scapes and corrupted cities, Seryn must gather unlikely allies, awaken celestial magic, and confront the Ancient of Nightmares before the aether claims them. And in the chaos of colliding stars, she'll risk everything to save a world already slipping into the darkness beyond.