Bigger Fish by AK Weller

Home from her unlikely triumph in Argentina, Anna thinks her life is getting back to normal until a surprise visit from David Marchand sets her on a collision course with Luke Jackson once again. With a little help from two people straight out of Anna's past, they'll unravel a mystery that takes them out of the frying pan and into the fire.

House on Fire by AK Weller

Thanks to her boss, shady FBI Agent Jim Camposanto, Analyst Anna Bowman finds herself the target of two different international criminal cabals. With no obvious way out of the mess she’s just beginning to understand, she’ll have to drag the truth out of her secretive boss and a hitman who just can’t seem to shake her. Will Anna ever get to relax and feel safe with her beloved German Shepherd, Dude, or will she become addicted to Camposanto’s dangerous games? Anna Bowman’s misadventures continue in House on Fire.

On The Verge by G Severino

[on the verge: at the point when (something) is about to happen or is very likely to happen, but it never does.] "On The Verge" is a nonfiction, journaling-style novella where I deal with my anxiety, dive into my emotions, and drift through the motions of life.

Alaris by Fanny Vergne

Twins. The tale of a villain and a hero. Druids living secluded in the Astral Forest, Lucine and Solehan have been blessed by the stars since birth and are poised to become the protectors of the druidic clans during the Eclipse. But when a strange curse befalls the ceremony, the twins, sole survivors of the massacre, find themselves separated. Taken away from his loved ones by an enigmatic and malevolent being, will Solehan succumb to the discovery of his deepest desires? Left to herself and to the dangers of a world of which she knows nothing, and meeting fellow travelers with contrasting devotions and colorful personalities, will Lucine manage to uncover much more than she hoped for? Between bonds of love and friendship, will this surprising group of adventurers succeed in finding Solehan before it's too late and in saving humanity?

Prince Cheating Charming by Katie Landry

I've loved my husband through every betrayal and humiliating public affair, but now that I'm finally over it, suddenly he doesn't want to let me go! Lady Delilah Arden falls in love with Prince Alexander Levesque at first sight. The quiet, shy artist can barely believe her luck when the charming, devastatingly handsome Prince singles her out for special attention. She desperately wants to believe he loves her too, but even marriage doesn't totally quell her doubts. Then she catches him cheating, in extremely humiliating fashion. Delilah feels like the laughingstock of the palace, and she tries everything to keep Alexander faithful, but none of it works. Finally, her confidence growing, she finds a loophole that will give her an easy way out of the marriage. The Prince doesn't even have to agree to it. A simple matter of paperwork and a 30-day waiting period, and she's free.But suddenly, Alexander doesn't want to let her go. He wants Delilah to be his Queen and the playboy is willing to do anything to get her back. Delilah is in a mood for petty revenge… and more than ready to make him suffer…

Foxhunt by Rem Wigmore

In a lush solarpunk future, plants have stripped the poison from the air and trained warriors keep resource hoarders in check. Orfeus only wants to be a travelling singer, famed and adored. She has her share of secrets, but she’s no energy criminal, so why does an assassin come for her head? Not just any assassin but the Wolf, deadliest killer in all the Order of the Vengeful Wild. Orfeus will call in every favour she has to find out, seeking answers while clinging to her pride and fending off the hunters of the Wild. But she isn’t the only one at risk: every misstep endangers the enemies she turns into allies, and the allies she brings into danger. There are worse monsters than the Wolf hiding in this new green world.

Storm Surge by Melissa Gunn

It was just another rainy day in autumn when Freya's house fell into the sea. Freya isn't your average suburban school kid; she's a demigoddess. But even she can't hold back the sea. A storm sets Freya and her family adrift in a world where the weather comes with attitude, and rising sea levels are as much about personality clashes as climate change. Freya just wants to keep her cat fed and maybe find a friend. But with were-foxes in town, nothing is easy.

Halloween Hunt: Paw prints and lucky charms by Melissa Gunn

Cleo's witch is sometimes a little scatterbrained, so it's just as well she has a cat to keep her in order. Cleo has her paws full making sure that her witch Elodie's do-it-yourself charms are worth the boxes they're packed in. Her witch isn't always the best flier, either, which makes living in a treehouse a little challenging. Elodie just needs to get her new batch of charms made, but her cat keeps interrupting the process: fighting with other cats, dislodging pumpkins and getting her claws into everything. But when Cleo and Elodie find a hunter and his hellhounds risking wildfire in the forest on Halloween morning, the cat and her witch have their work cut out to make sure the Wild Hunt doesn't bring terror to the nearby town.

Seers and Salt by Melissa Gunn

When you come from a family of seers, nothing is unexpected. But Sibyl's determined to shape her own path; after all, unlike the rest of her family, she can't predict the future (at least, not without a lot of maths that she'd rather avoid). Setting off by bus to find her fortune, she'll be lucky if she avoids being bored to death by her fellow passengers, being eaten to death by dragons or dying a metaphorical death by bad poetry. But her travel companions might prove their worth, if she can only help save the world first.

The Snow Thief’s Amulet by Rowan Redfield

An ice-elf seeking redemption. An assassin with hidden magic. A promise struck in blood. Nivia's god is dead, and she is responsible. A magic amulet could redeem Nivia and free her people, the ice-elves, but first she'll have to go through the Queen of Mammoth North. And Nivia may be a thief, but she's no assassin. Mysterious ice-magic thrums in Thane's veins. But assassin life never allowed him a chance to seek answers to his ability, until now. After a heist gone wrong, Thane discovers that the one who might hold the answer to his magic is none other but his mortal enemy: an ice-elf, seeking an amulet. A reluctant bargain is struck, and the heist for the amulet begins. But the bad blood between Thane and Nivia turns to undeniable attraction, and their seething desire begins to melt the ice.

Sinister Stories and Twisted Tales: The Ultimate Anthology of Sci-Fi & Cosmic Horror by Anthony L. Abraham

A tapestry of interlinked cosmic horrors unfolds in this unique interactive anthology, featuring video links that accompany each chilling story. • "A boy's dream pet morphs into his family's nightmare, serving as a gateway to something far more sinister." • "A father's desperate quest to help his daughter leads him into a dark trade of body parts, where horrific bargains threaten everything he holds dear." • "In a dystopian world of twisted flesh and dark alchemy, a girl must escape her haunting existence or risk becoming the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of the New Flesh." • "In her quest for justice after her husband’s murder, Betty's plea to a seemingly benevolent god unleashes a dark cosmic force, revealing that true sacrifice may demand a far more monstrous price." This anthology immerses readers in puzzles reminiscent of Black Mirror, exploring unsettling, thought-provoking facets of the human psyche while venturing into realms beyond nightmares and dreamscapes. An absolute must-read for fans of speculative fiction seeking rich world-building and narratives that defy conventions, especially those who appreciate the eerie storytelling of The Twilight Zone, the philosophical twists of Philip K. Dick, and the gripping horror of Stephen King.

The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia

"Have you ever wondered how long it would take for a lethal dose of arsenic to kill you? Thirty-five hours, twenty-nine minutes, and fifteen seconds. I should know. I counted myself." Amidst the gaslit alleys and cobblestone streets of Victorian London, two killers find themselves entangled in a waltz they cannot escape. Alina Lis, a botanist and hobbyist poisoner, has a pastime of killing unsavory men in her twisted sense of poetic justice. When she targets the conceited playboy, Silas Forbes, only to find him in her apothecary the following week, she discovers human men are the least of her problems. The pair’s unlikely association sparks gossip among affluent society. As their mysterious bond deepens, a chilling truth emerges—concealed identities, lurking foes, and questions as plentiful as the hydra’s head brew within this haunting Gothic tale of violent passion. Will Silas and Alina find themselves in each other's arms, or will the shadows of their past keep them apart?

Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus

A spymaster forced to train with Adristan’s most secretive order. A war commander disgusted by death. A lord damned to repeat history if he cannot master it. Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asriel’s half-sister into a weapon. Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her father’s bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her house’s ally, the justice-keeping House Midar. Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his father’s chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservus’s spymaster comes to his aid with strategy. With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing. Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus.

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them. Alizhan can’t see faces, but she can read minds. Her mysterious ability leaves her unable to touch or be touched without excruciating pain. Rescued from abandonment and raised by the wealthy and beautiful Iriyat ha-Varensi, Alizhan has grown up in isolation, using her gift to steal secrets from Iriyat’s rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own. When Alizhan discovers that she isn’t the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, there’s only one person she can trust. Ev liked having a secret. None of the other girls in the village had a thief-friend. Evreyet Umarsad—“Ev” to her parents and her one friend—longs to be the kind of hero she reads about in books. But the rest of the world feels impossibly far away from her life on a farm outside Laalvur. Ev will never lay eyes on the underground city of Adappyr, the stars of the Nightward Coast, or the venomous medusas that glow in the dark depths of the sea. At least on her weekly trip to the market, Ev gets to see her thief—the strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesn’t hesitate. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that draws them all over Laalvur and beyond. Thornfruit is the first book in The Gardener's Hand trilogy.

Bard City Blues by Nathaniel Webb

Music, magic, mystery, drinking, family, and gelatinous cube. Gally Chaparral is a highland girl with a dream: move to Lackmore, join the Bardic Guild, and get a gig at a fancy tavern on Symphony Hill. Unfortunately, becoming a bard isn't so easy. No good tavern will hire a student, her teacher is a jerk, and the only job she can find is washing dishes at a bar at that seems to have recently been a dungeon. When Gally auditions as her tavern's new bard, things start looking up. But her first show is ruined when the owner accuses Alix, a beautiful but obnoxious postal rider, of destroying a valuable painting. Now, to keep the gig, Gally must prove Alix's innocence. But there's more to the mystery than the loss of a painting, and being forced to work with Alix has Gally wondering if this brassy delivery girl is really as bad as she seems...

Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris

After the death of her estranged father, artist Rita struggles with grief and regret. There was so much she wanted to ask him—about his childhood, their family, and the Mi’kmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Rita’s girlfriend Molly forges an artist’s residency application on her behalf, winning Rita a week to paint at an isolated cabin, Rita is both furious and intrigued. The residency is located where her father grew up. On the first night at the cabin, Rita wakes to strange sounds. Was that a body being dragged through the woods? When she questions the locals about the cabin’s history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forest’s lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like she’s never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swamp’s decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another.

Sordidez by E.G. Condé

Vero has always felt at odds with his community. As a trans man in near-future Puerto Rico, he struggles to gain acceptance for his identity and his vision of an inclusive society. After a hurricane decimates the island and Puerto Rico is abandoned by the United States, Vero leaves his home to petition the centralized government for aid and seek the truth about new colonists arriving on the island. But in the Yucatan, Vero finds a landscape ravaged by an ecological disaster of humanity’s own making—the Hydrophage, a climate technology warped into a weapon of war and released onto the land by the dictator Caudillo. Amidst the destruction, Vero finds both desperation and hope for regrowth as he documents the lives of the survivors. Details about the colonists’ intentions emerge when Vero meets the Loba Roja, an anti-Caudillo revolutionary who imagines the renewed power of the Maya. Intrigued by her vision of the future and her unapologetic violence, Vero is faced with life-changing questions: can an Indigenous resurgence protect his beloved island? And what must he sacrifice to support it?

The Potion Gardener by Arden Powell

Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. It’s while hiding in a rural garden shed that he meets Kells, a potion witch, who agrees to shelter him in exchange for manual labor until he gets his life together. Leaving his pampered London existence to work on a secluded cottage farm is a shock, but Florian throws himself into it with passionate determination. And it’s not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor. There’s just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florian’s main concern is how to explain himself when it happens. He's definitely not a girl, but he's not entirely a boy, either. With all the magic in Kells’ garden, there must be a way for him to achieve his ideal androgyny. However he looks, Florian will have to face his past if he wants a future with Kells. Even if he avoids London forever, eventually his past is going to come looking for the girl he used to be. The Potion Gardener is a low-stakes, low-angst cozy fantasy novella in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s world with magic. All the Flos Magicae stories are standalones, and can be read in any order.

The Acros Raiders: From the Ashes by Sara Tunder

While trying to escape the genocidal Castist Regime, Scotty Sedgewig and her fiancé run into some grave misfortune. Amid the chaos, in a revenge-fueled fury, Scotty becomes entangled with The Acros Raiders, an elite rebel division. When it’s revealed there is a traitor in their ranks, Scotty is singled out to uncover the identity of the mole. She must figure out who the traitor is before The Acros Raiders are destroyed from the inside, or her fight for revenge will be in vain. Dive into Sara Tunder’s action-packed tale following Scotty and The Acros Raiders on their mission to end High Priestess Tapscott’s theocratic rule. An unorthodox fantasy series, The Acros Raiders tests the boundary between fantasy and science fiction, introducing readers to an exciting new world blended with steampunk elements.

The Burden of Us by Alexandra Orchard

Ella Webb was never destined to be free. When she turned sixteen, Ella's only present was an arranged marriage to Dean, her ex-friend. Desperate for time, she bargained for a three-year reprieve to get an education and graduate before she was forced to marry. Falling in love with someone else was never Ella's intention. Yet she allowed herself to fall deep into the rabbit hole of forbidden love and hidden family secrets that Ella wished had stayed buried... but it all might be the key to setting herself free.

Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson

Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devils—many. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight.

Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson

Be careful what you wish for… We’ve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD – Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT – Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG – Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED – Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN – K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIAN’S GAMBIT – Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES – McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON – Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES – Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS – Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE – Leife Shallcross (Australia)

For the Rest of Forever by Becca Neil

No matter what mountains we face, we’ll climb them together. Greg Westin’s thriving career as a landscape photographer is a passion he’s built and cultivated for decades. Although he’s now well into his mid-fifties, Greg is always looking forward, eager for the next mountain to climb, the next trail to hike, the next photo to capture. His love of nature and photography is second only to his love for his husband, Allen—a man with a heart of gold and more kindness and compassionate that anyone he’s ever known. Allen Westin has worked hard to build a life he loves—a life that is not defined by the trauma he suffered in his childhood, but by the community and people he’s surrounded himself with. His career at the public library in the small town of North Bend, Washington has given him a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and his marriage to his best friend and husband, Greg, has filled his life with joy, love, and adventure. But when an incident at the library sets off Allen’s deeply rooted anxiety and depression, he and Greg have to face a new challenge—one where the next mountain to be conquered isn’t out on the trail at all. They must trust in the depth of their love to help them find their footing as they forge ahead into the next phase of their journey toward their forever, together. For the Rest of Forever is an emotional, angsty MM contemporary romance that tells the unhurried story of two older men in a long-term, committed relationship and how their deep love helps them overcome some of life’s darkest moments. It features heavy mental health issues, hurt/comfort, past trauma, an established relationship (thirty-plus years), a silly but stubbornly protective terrier named Beans, and a sweet happily ever after. Trigger warnings: references to past trauma, including parental neglect and physical/emotional abuse; instances of panic attacks and moderate to severe anxiety; brief instances of suicidal thoughts/ideation; brief mentions of homophobia; food aversion/eating disorder.

Tell Me Again by Becca Neil

very minute away from you is a minute too long. Coop It’s been ten years since he kissed me, and I can still feel it—his warm lips, his soft touch. He was my best friend, but then he abandoned me just before my entire life fell apart. When he shows up at the diner where I work, with his fancy job, new car, and beautiful fiancée, my heart feels like it’s being ripped in two. Should I bury my feelings, forget the past, and give him a second chance at rebuilding our friendship, even though I know it can never be anything more than that? Josh Ten years ago, I made the worst decision of my life in the aftermath of the only kiss that ever meant something to me. I never stopped loving him, even if I didn’t get to tell him that. When I run into Coop at a small diner in rural Nebraska, all those feelings I suppressed for years are back, threatening to upend the perfect life I’d built. I’ve got two weeks to convince him I’m sorry. But can I keep my other feelings locked away, or will that sexy baseball cap of his be my undoing? Tell Me Again is a high-emotion, slow-burn(ish), second-chance(ish) MM contemporary romance set in a small town in rural Nebraska. It’s a story of best friends to strangers to lovers, featuring past emotional trauma, found family, virgin MCs, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Trigger warnings: references to alcoholism and an abusive parent with an alcohol use disorder, references to and brief instances of parental homophobia, mention of a parent who passed away from cancer, mention of past homelessness.

More Than Words by Becca Neil

I love you, Sam. Just four simple words. Easy, right? Oliver Ellison’s heart knows the words are true. Sam Reynolds is the love of his life, and Ollie wants nothing more than to tell his boyfriend how he feels. But trauma and pain from a brutal assault nearly two years ago have kept Ollie from being free to say the words out loud—or to express his love through physical intimacy. Sam understands. He was there at the beginning, after all. He was the one who took care of Ollie during the aftermath, and he’s been there ever since, with his sunshine-filled smile and endless support. Healing is a long road, and Sam is committed. However long it takes. But when a family emergency on the opposite side of the country forces them apart, Sam and Ollie might need all the strength of their love, and much more than just words, to help them get through. More Than Words is an emotional, angsty MM contemporary hurt/comfort romance that tells a story of deep love, living with PTSD from past trauma, and building a forever through life's ups and downs. It features PTSD/trauma and healing, an established relationship, found family, virgin MCs, and a guaranteed (and very sweet!) happily ever after. Trigger warnings: references to off-page assault, PTSD with flashbacks, implied homophobia, food aversion/eating disorder; see inside preview for additional content warnings.

Island of Spirits by Maureen Flynn

A dangerous world of magic. An island at war. A princess who holds the key to peace or destruction. Magic kills on Blackley Island. So when Princess Sirran's older brother, Crown Prince Accolon, is cursed by a powerful enchanter from across the sea, she's faced with an impossible choice. Does she use the terrible spells that are her birthright and risk the lives of everyone she loves or stand aside and watch as her home is conquered by the cruel Witch Queen's army? With time running out to save Blackley Island, Sirran must ally with hidden outcasts and forbidden spirits to prevent the apocalypse that's coming. Too bad her own people don't trust her. Too bad the enchanter she's up against is so powerful. The odds are stacked from the beginning, but Sirran is stubborn. Let the fight for Blackley Island's future begin ...

Physics Trincarnate by Jesse Pohlman

After a group called the Consortium Of Trust saved her from a kidnapping attempt, Saffron Latchkey has been training with their resident empath, Erica Hall. Erica chose to use her powers of empathic projection to manipulate the outcome of the 2016 election and become the President of the United States, and she’s teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortium’s most capable agents are sent on a mission to curtail a duo of rogue super-Humans scheming to steal nuclear weapons, Saffron is brought face to face with her kidnappers once again: Her own adopted family. In the darkness of her new captivity, she learns the truth of why they wanted control over her life, and of how she was adopted in the first place. If she can succeed where The Consortium failed and take down these rogues she can save lives, but that would mean surrendering to her destiny when all she wants is control over her fate. Worst of all, it might mean killing those that try to harm others, a bloody weight she simply isn’t eager to bear.

The Saint of Heartbreak by Morgan Dante

Two of the Bible's greatest villains... After his betrayal with a kiss, Judas Iscariot dies in despair and goes to Hell. When Christ saves other souls during the Harrowing of Hell, he leaves Judas behind—but not alone in the ninth circle, where the most detestable traitors go. Callous, resigned, and abandoned by God long ago, the Devil sees Judas as a pathetic wretch, but he soon finds a kindred spirit. As the centuries pass, they struggle to find even a sliver of happiness in Hell. Doomed by the narrative, will they find happiness, or will their story continue to be a tragedy?

Memories Don't Lie by Pauline Yates

*** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - YA - Science Fiction *** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Action & Adventure *** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Genetic Engineering *** 2024 Author Shout Recommended Read Award *** 2023 Semi-Finalist - Indies Today *** 2023 Author Shout Cover Wars Winner Sarah Wilson, orphaned niece of Lieutenant John Wilson, is determined to escape his restrictive upbringing and find her place in the world. Her journey takes a deadly turn when she uncovers secrets about her past, hidden deep in her mother’s memories, that threaten everything Sarah wants. They could cost her everything she holds dear—and her life.

Sloe Moon: Tall Trees by C. M. Kuhtz

What if the Chosen One doesn’t get chosen? Sloe Moon, youngest child of the ruler of Tall Trees, has always wanted to follow in their father’s footsteps and become a famous wizard. Instead they are expected to marry for the good of the Moon family and uphold an age-old alliance. When the opportunity arises for them to travel to the famed wizard council of Goldenlake, Sloe and their best friend Qes set off on a journey that will not only put them in the path of mortal danger but also entangle them with the fate of the Moon’s allies, enemies, and the mysterious men from the Eastern Cities, who have come to the land of the families with their own agenda. With so many odds stacked against them, will Sloe be able to fulfil their destiny? Sloe Moon: Tall Trees is the first volume of a six-part queer fantasy series with a fat, nonbinary protagonist.

Shattered by Pauline Yates

In space, one woman’s quest for truth exposes a deadly conspiracy. In the vast, unforgiving expanse of space, Kate, now living under the alias Grace, is on a desperate mission—disguised as a Space Corp employee, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind her brother’s mysterious disappearance. On a routine debris collection mission, her world is shattered when she discovers a clue that could expose Space Corp’s darkest secrets. Thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Grace must navigate the treacherous void, facing not only the perils of space but also the haunting memories of her past captivity. With her crewmates’ lives hanging in the balance, she must decide who she can trust as she races against time to unravel the conspiracy threatening to consume her. A pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller that delves deep into the human spirit, exploring themes of identity, betrayal, and resilience. The intricate plot and breathtaking depiction of space will captivate you from the first page to the last. Perfect for fans of intense, character-driven narratives and gripping science fiction, promising a journey that is as emotionally compelling as it is thrilling.

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.

Violent Delights & Midsummer Dreams: A Gothic Anthology of Shakespeare Retellings by Melissa Brinks, Sabrina Howard, Erin Keating, LK Kitney, Amelia Mangan, Cedrick May, Mathew L. Reyes, Emma Selle, and William Steffen

Violent Delights & Midsummer Dreams offers a hauntingly beautiful twist on the Bard's classic tales. From the moody streets of Venice to the eerie forests of Athens, these stories delve deep into the dark and mysterious side of Shakespeare's world. With each author bringing their own unique vision, be prepared to be transported to realms of love, betrayal, and supernatural intrigue. Whether you're a die-hard Shakespeare fan or just love a good Gothic tale, this collection is sure to leave you spellbound.

There Ought To Be Shadows by Krissie K. Williams

Moonstone, South Carolina. A town where nothing is what it seems. Marilyn Maxwell is an accomplished woman in all areas. But what people don’t know is she has struggled with the demon of death since she was a child. After a personal crisis forces her to re-evaluate her life, she reluctantly decides to relocate to her hometown of Moonstone, South Carolina. This decision sends her spiraling into a world full of conjure, celestial wonder, and the murky unknown. An insidious force has crippled the town she once left behind, and she must rush against time to stop it. Guided by Great Grandmother, her beloved spirit from the other side, she embarks on the most difficult journey she has ever undertaken. Marilyn uncovers Moonstone’s dark history—one filled with horror, deceit, and dread. In the end, she questions what is fantasy, what is reality, and who she really is.

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?

The Dark Queen's Apothecary by Cassandra L. Thompson

Andrei cannot believe his good fortune when he is summoned by the beautiful yet formidable Queen Viorica to serve as her personal apothecary. But he soon learns that things at her dark castle are not what they seem. Haunted by his growing obsession for her, Andrei falls helplessly into her thrall and soon discovers her dark secret. Unafraid, he destroys the competition around him and takes his rightful place by her side. Lost to passion and bloodlust, the two are caught unaware when the queen’s adversaries make their move. But what no one realized was that Queen Viorica created a monstrous king out of the once timid Andrei, bearing a love strong enough to make kingdoms burn.

The Bone Key by Mary Rajotte

Centuries ago, the First Witch of the Aquelarre Buho coven conjured the ability to transform into an owl. Since then, a faction of hunters known as Los Cazadores has been intent on stealing that magic for their own. As Valeria hones her craft, her hopes of being granted the power to shape-shift are disrupted by a terrifying vision. A haunting woman appears in the shadows as she did when Valeria was a child, a foreboding omen that culminates in the murder of her best friend, Gwen. Seeking solace, Valeria flees south to reconnect to her roots. Still, her journey turns bittersweet when painful memories of her father’s death resurface and fuel her determination to protect those she loves. As Valeria delves into darker magic, she discovers her abilities are stronger than anyone knew. But just as her confidence soars, the hunters return intent on stealing the Elixir the witches rely upon for their transformative powers. Can Valeria conjure the bravery needed to protect her coven’s legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing they’ve spent centuries pursuing.

The Ancient Ones by Cassandra L. Thompson

When David stumbles upon a tragic young woman in a sordid Limehouse pub, he has no idea she’d recognize him as the last vampyre alive, nor that she’d be the one to pull out his story. Yet as he recalls his life from the sweltering vineyards of Ancient Rome to the cold horrors of Medieval Romania - as well as his tumultuous past with the mad and mysterious Lucius - he realizes she is much more than what she seems. Gothic horror and mythological fantasy blend seamlessly together in this thrilling adventure, breathing new life into vampire lore as it reveals its true origins. The Ancient Ones is a tale of myth, mayhem, and magic … with a dash of romance that bites.

Tales From Brackish Harbor by William Bartlett, Nick Bennett, Amanda M. Blake, Amanda Casile, Fox Claret Hill, Lucas Mann, Matthew Siadak, Teagan Olivia Sturmer, Mary Tait, R.B. Thorne, R. Thursday, and Wendy Vogel

Welcome to Brackish Harbor. Settled in the 1920s on an island in the Atlantic Ocean, it was once a booming fishing town that attracted tourists who longed for quiet retreat. It soon became a beautiful escape, and for those who lived there, it was a community. A promise. A home. Until... Mysteriously, the fishing industry that sustained the small village dried up, and over time, tourists lost interest. Many loyal villagers relocated. But most were forced to remain, scraping by amidst the dilapidated buildings, docked fishing boats, and vestiges of better days. Whispers of curses, strange experiments, and otherworldly creatures floated about the harbor. So many rumors, so many untold stories. Here are the ones that managed to be told.

Rise of the Dark Goddess by Cassandra L. Thompson

"I was thinking of the lie that happy endings exist, wondering if we can jump past it to the part where we creak and ache, remnants ready to embrace the lingering darkness, hand in hand, hoping it will be shattered by mercy..." A dreadful collection of poems dancing the fine line between romance and horror. From the dark mind of gothic horror writer, Cassandra L. Thompson.

Revelations by Cassandra L. Thompson

Back for the final installment, a freshly revived David and the rest of the immortal vampyres return to the place it all Africa. As they continue to fend off Discordia’s attacks, the close proximity of the reincarnated gods forces them to discover more about their shared pasts than ever before. Joined by new gods and some long forgotten, the Ancient Ones must find a way to heal old wounds and reconcile their pasts or risk the ruin of all. Another volume of adventure, tragedy, and love, the third book in The Ancient Ones Trilogy brings to a close the tale as old as time itself...with one final bite.

Renascentem by Brad Acevedo, Caley Adona, David Andrews, Lady Lee Andrews, Raine August, William Bartlett, Amanda M. Blake, Rosalyn Briar, Sophie Brookes, Andrew K. Clark, PS Conway, Wendy Dalrymple and more

The Crow Calls Volumes are a series of poetry compilations inspired by Quill & Crow Publishing House’s poetry prompts. These prompts were intended to bring dark poets together from around the globe to share our mutual love of all things macabre. This is our sixth volume, celebrating rebirth and the light birthed out of darkness. Welcome to our Renaissance.

Ravens & Roses: A Women's Gothic Anthology by Kristin Cleaveland, Judith Crow, Carla Eliot, A.L. Garcia, Tara Jazdzewski, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Liz M. Kamp, Catherine McCarthy, Olivia Claire Louise Newman, Alexa Rose, and Helen Whistberry

A woman haunted by guilt. A man obsessed with the obscene. A vampire consumed by love. Ravens & Roses is a unique collection of Gothic stories penned by a diverse group of women authors. Pulling inspiration from some of the greatest Gothic works of our time, these writers have created eleven poignantly beautiful tales of love, tragedy, and the female experience.

Perdition Street by Leona O'Neill

Murdered spirits find Atlas Bishop wherever he is. By day, he works the streets of Dublin as a Private Detective plagued with anxiety and anger issues, living with his dead mother. By night, he works on behalf of the “Sacred”—angels, saints, and God Himself—binding murdered souls to those who stole their lives so Hell can claim its dues. But an ancient pact between Heaven and Hell implodes when Hell’s representative on Earth decides he wants to swell their ranks and take over the world, using dark magic to turn innocents into murderers on an epic scale. Atlas must save Dublin first and then the world, all while trying to bind lost souls, keep Heaven in business, track down his killer father, pine for his married ex-lover, escape various murderous scum…and avoid Satan’s manicured talons.

My Little Black Book of Horror by Cassandra L. Thompson

Beware: *This book has teeth*. Tiny teeth, yes—but they are sharp, and they are many. In 17 stories, Cassandra L. Thompson proves herself the queen of the Short Sharp Shock, and leaves horror-lovers of all stripes gasping for air." - Jacob Steven Mohr, author of The Unwelcome A little black book of bite-sized horror containing an eclectic array of short stories to thrill, intrigue, and disgust you. Brought to you by the disturbed mind of Cassandra L. Thompson.

Liminality by Cassandra L. Thompson

Picking up right where The Ancient Ones left off, David has just discovered the diabolical brother he left for dead in 15th century Romania has returned. Making matters even stranger, the news is delivered by his old friend, Danulf, the half-vampyre/half-lycanthrope he had also presumed dead. As Dan divulges his story to David and his newly reanimated lover, Morrigan, it becomes clear that the ancient pagan gods history hoped to forget are back. Another adventure throughout history, from the Carpathian Mountains to Pre-Revolutionary France, the story unfolds to reveal there is a much bigger problem than just the vainglorious Lucius. Even with the addition of a liminal witch named Cahira, the gods find themselves facing a threat that can erase their existence for good. Wrought with adventure, romance, tragedy, and heartache, the second book in The Ancient Ones Trilogy dives deeper into a tale as old as time itself... that bites.

Her Dark Enchantments by Rosalyn Briar

The Wicked Fairy. The Mistress of All Evil. The villain of Sleeping Beauty goes by many names, but where did she come from? Myravelle Spinner grew up in a tower with only spiders, spindles, and stone walls for friends while her mother spun gold for the king. She wondered why her mother refused to teach her fairy magic until one fateful mistake led Myravelle to become the healer in the king’s Sleepy Wood Company… Drained from years of waking soldiers from a cursed sleep, Myravelle must now choose a new canvas–a man whose life she drains with a dagger to fuel her healing powers. A ritual binds her to Byzarien Dumont, who loathes fairies for the fires that left his family impoverished and his body riddled with scars. His burning hatred causes Myravelle’s enchantments to wither, leading the king to threaten her mother’s life. Byzarien can only see Myravelle as a beautiful spider who strings men along her web, while Myravelle considers love a weakness for the king to exploit. With their families in danger and soldiers rotting in a death-like sleep, the pair must learn to trust one another before the dark magic spinning in Myravelle’s soul unravels once and for all. The Wicked Fairy never asked to become a monster…

Haunted: A Crow Showcase by Brad Acevedo, Damon Barret Roe, William Bartlett, Stephen Black, Spyder Collins, A.L. Garcia, Rebecca Jones-Howe, J.S. Larmore, Lucas Mann, David Middleham, Tiffany Putenis, Mary Rajotte, Melanie Whitlock, K.R. Wieland, Sophie Brookes, Marie Casey and more

We all have ghosts... Fifteen authors, twelve poets, one theme: haunted. A sometimes thrilling, sometimes poignant, always dreadful showcase of Quill & Crow Publishing House’s beloved authors. Tour haunted houses and shadowy realms, witness dark rituals and baneful magic, and meet wicked spirits and mysterious creatures as each writer displays their very best version of what it means to be haunted.