In Dying Starlight: Planetfall by Emily McCosh

Aaron is perfectly content to chase bounties in his run-down little space ship, avoid human interaction at all cost, and lay low from the cyborg planet that created him. But when he and Bat—his half-robotic badger companion (who talks just a little too much)—chase their largest bounty ever, they run head-first into not only some dangerous criminals, but other cyborgs much stronger than them, and worst of all, a handful of humans who aren’t going anywhere. Their job leads them first to Yayth, a backwater planet nearly as inhospitable as it is frigid. On a planet this abandoned, their target should be an easy find. Until a storm rolls in that freezes even the engines of starships. Aaron and Bat find themselves trapped not only with their bounty, but with some bystanders determined to get in the way, and something monstrous wanting to crack its way out of the ice. Planetfall is the first episode in the action-packed space opera series In Dying Starlight. Featuring a grumpy sarcastic cyborg, a talking badger, plenty of space travel, a cast of oddball characters, and a bit of romance later on, In Dying Starlight is perfect for fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Blade Runner.

Scrub Kids, Molding Destiny: Book 1 by Zachary Lee

This series revolves around a group of kids that find themselves on a wild journey through space and time and interdimensional travels, trying to get their friend back while simultaneously bringing balance back to the universal plain of existence. Meeting magnificent creatures along the way, both friend and foe, all while learning much about themselves and how everything functions behind the scenes of the unknown. The series will escalate over the releasing of each new book, with this being the first, the characters: Zac, James and John mysteriously lose their friend AJ and in turn, meet The Death Smiley (otherwise referred to as DS or Death) and begin their travels in hopes of getting their friend back and returning balance back to the worlds they travel through and the creatures they meet.

The Pact by Joshua Nye

Virgil is a man on borrowed time. Haunted by the horrific death of his mother, he was entangled into a fate-altering pact with a heavy cost. In exchange for half of his life, Virgil received extraordinary powers to control spirits and aspects of life itself. However, these very same abilities alienated Virgil and caused him to withdraw from others. Now, Virgil's path will lead him down a strange and perilous path against a series of fearsome enemies. Along the way, Virgil will meet a strange cast of friends from distant lands. Together, they will fight cultist zealots, unspeakable monsters, and much worse in a bid to save the Earth from the coming doom. Can the Earth be saved? And what secrets lie in Virgil's lineage?

The Dragon That Never Was by Timothy S. Currey

Every young woman in the village receives a dragon egg when she comes of age. Young Kleia watched every single egg hatch with a heart full of longing. Raising a dragon of her own was her destiny. Her reason to live. Nothing else could give her life meaning the way a dragon could. When she eventually got a dragon egg of her own, she learned that destiny is not always what it seems. This is no ordinary tale of dragons—the kind with daring adventure, great battles, intrepid heroes, or comforting victories. This is the tale of The Dragon That Never Was.

Of Feathers and Thorns by Kit Vincent

After manifesting thorned magic and nearly destroying his hometown, Kieren Belltower is summoned to join the Magic Service-an institution in charge of magical affairs-and start an apprenticeship with a high-ranking magician. But instead of the mage assigned to teach him, Kieren is greeted by his haughty and annoyingly handsome senior apprentice Esten, who clearly has more important things to do than chaperone some newbie. Their teacher has disappeared on a secret assignment, leaving Esten no instructions other than a warning not to trust a soul. But as Kieren's unruly magic proves too dangerous to leave unattended, Esten has no choice but to involve him in the matter. Together they retrace their teacher's last known mission-an investigation into the illegal use of magic and its connection to the devastating phenomenon called the sludge, which has plagued the country for weeks. But as Kieren and Esten grow closer, they uncover a plot that thrusts their lives into danger and threatens to shatter everything they know about magic and the world they were born into. Set in alternative 1900s America, Of Feathers and Thorns is an LGBTQ+ historical fantasy perfect for fans of Carry On and A Marvelous Light.

The Dark Cry of Astrid by William Brian Johnson

A forgotten village strikes a desperate bargain - and brings down the wrath of the gods. The village of Elta was once the first protection against giant attacks in the kingdom. But since the threat has been extinguished, the village has been forgotten... just when the villagers need protection the most. A late summer hailstorm destroys the crops and livestock that will take Elta through the winter. The White Citadel refuses aid. To stave off starvation, the local midwife turns to witchcraft forbidden by the Allfather. Lofn summons an ancient entity by accident. She is found guilty and sentenced to execution. When her burning at the stake goes horribly awry. The investigative arm of the White Citadel dispatches the magistrate during Elta’s endless night and it ignites a civil war and threatens to start a war between the gods. The Dark Cry of Aristid is based on Norse mythology and folklore. For readers of Tolkien, Glen Cook, and Grimdark adventures.

Echoes of Bellek by Morrigan Gaines

Memory is a gift. It's also a curse. When Cyrus Arbritrem refuses to marry the crown princess of Osmaria, his father disowns him. He is cast out into the world, plagued by loneliness and memories of his troubled childhood. He’s becoming the man he never intended to be, finding solace in drugs and alcohol. His life is spiraling out of control. It's only a matter of time before he gets caught up in another dangerous situation - one that may cost him everything. Tessa, a fiery woman with a passion for flowers, lights the spark of hope for a better future in his heart. She holds tight to her own secrets as she cares for her ailing father. Secrets that may threaten their budding relationship. Cyrus grasps his second chance, determined to move beyond the memories that haunt his nightmares. His chance at happiness is within reach, but a darkness is rising that desires the power Cyrus doesn’t know he possesses. Will he survive to shine brightly, or will the darkness destroy him? This book contains themes and situations some adult readers may find triggering.

Paper Ghosts by Tegan Anderson

A story from the Paper Forest... Once upon a time, the Forest burned to the ground, embers and ashes coating the world in an ocean of black. Rowan walks through the remains of a kingdom that used to belong to her.

Come One, Come All by E. Gilliland

The Pied Piper Circus lures in the lost, the lonely, people who wish to be stronger or faster or prettier…but once you join, you can never leave. Louisa knows the dangers of the traveling carnival, but she cannot afford to stay away. Not if she wants to get rid of the white owl that’s been haunting her, invading her dreams. Not if she wants to know about the dark, sinister mark in her eyes that convinces people to follow her every whim, no matter how terrible. Not when she fears what she might do with that power. Ringmaster Amos Cain has the answers Louisa seeks, but like everything else in the Pied Piper Circus, they won’t come without a price. And there’s something hungry living in the heart of the carnival that will never be satiated, no matter how many lost souls She consumes.

Elemental Accords: Gold is Might by Matthew Peed

The Elemental Accords. A tournament that Earth has been chosen to take part in whether they want to or not. As a result, the entire planet is now a giant game. With people gaining access to skills and levels. For most, this is nothing short of a nightmare. For others, it is their chance to grab everything and claim the world as their own. Aurum Lockfeather, named after the golden substance has been chosen as a champion by one of the many gods taking part in the tournament. First, he just has to survive the week with monsters of all shapes and sizes popping out from every hole in the city. Let's not even mention the dungeons, giant behemoths, and fallen gods.With his desire being turned into his power, will he come out on top or will another claim the glory?

My Fair Traitor (Paranormal Misfits) (Volume 2) by C.J Anaya

It's not everyday a girl gets married to a faerie prince of the Seelie Court. After swearing their love and loyalty to one another, Jareth is bound and determined to teach Crysta all she must learn to become queen of the Unseelie Court. But when Crysta and Jareth are attacked in the human realm, a journey to the Fae realm is put into play earlier than planned. Their hopes for marriage and a happily ever after are thwarted when their bonding fails and attempts on Crysta's life continue. That's not all they have to worry about. A magical plague has permeated the land, causing Fae everywhere to weaken and die, solidifying King Moridan's objections to their union. Jareth and Crysta must fight for their right to love each other in a world full of beings who believe their fated mate bond is a threat to the Fae realm and every faerie who inhabits it. Is their love preordained or poisonous? There's only one way to find out.

Bloodheart by Rachel Tork

What if the fate of love was not written in the stars, but in your very blood? But in the realm of the Fae, nothing is as it seems. Not even love, not even fate… Since she was a child, eighteen-year-old Narcia has heard whispered voices from shadows that she alone can see– the only oddity in her otherwise normal life. Then, one autumn night her mother is murdered, her little brother Lee is kidnapped by the Fae and Narcia is swept into a world she didn’t even know existed. There she learns her absent father was Fae and on the royal council of a king, making Narcia one half each of two entirely different worlds. As she begins to learn the secrets of Fae court, she befriends Prince Damian, the only heir to the throne, who vows to help her save Lee from a strange ritual that will end in his death. All the while, Damian can’t seem to take his glowing golden eyes off her. And even she can’t deny the pull she feels towards him, as though it lives within her very blood. When the night of the ritual arrives, Narcia discovers a strange dark power that not only has the potential to save Lee but alter her place in the realm forever. But with power comes choice. The choice to love and to fight… or to let it consume her and leave everything she’s come to know behind.

The Reliquarian Book I - A Child Unsung: Part I - The Key to Everything by Jessica Clark

In a world that blurs the line of symbolism and reality, where the worlds are not only flat but turn as an interdependent collection of gears, all powered by a mysterious numen key. When a child finds her way into a forgotten garden and discovers the remnants of this statue she finds the chest open and gears and pieces removed. A quest far too great for one so small, she must journey the realms in search of the missing pieces, and quite literally mend the Girl With the Broken Heart. If not, the realms will cease to turn and all that exists will perish. Where the lines between Magic, Science, and Spirituality have all overlapped, a war between god-like sisters, ancient orders, and rivaling civilizations is raging. She'll learn of legends, life lessons, and love in all its forms. She'll dance with tree spirits in the Forest of Essence, read magic books in the great halls of the Library of Eloquence, find lost things in the Atheneum, experience poise, properness, and imprisonment in the great city's Menagerie. She'll drink with gypsies, and sail with pirates; she'll lose loved ones, her way, and her faith. as she makes impossible choices and an impossible climb to keep her promise. A tryst between mythology, self-reflection, poetry, braided into a full-length novel, and elegantly dressed as a photographically illustrated storybook; the first book of The Reliquarian is unlike anything you've encountered from the gorgeous chaotic mind of Author and Artist Jessica Lark.

Forbidden Healing by Rachael Watson

Healing is magic, and magic is a crime. But now the rules have been broken. Forbidden Healing is an action-packed, page-turning YA Fantasy read, that features dark secrets, plot twists and compelling characters, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Mary Weber and Laini Taylor. Kyla Tarthwen longs to join the ranks of the religious elite, the God-Sage’s Sacred Core. But Kyla has a secret that could kill her. When an acolyte is murdered during Kyla’s initiation, Kyla fears she is next. Can she prove her allegiance to the God-Sage and do what it takes to secure her place in the Sacred Core, before her secret is exposed? Marlowe Tide is grieving the deaths of his parents, executed as traitors to the God-Sage. Only his sister survives, and he is desperate to keep her safe. But Valora is a healer, and healing is a crime. She ought to be dead already. When Kyla Tarthwen arrives at Marlowe’s door on a mission for the God-Sage, can Marlowe save his sister? When Marlowe and Kyla meet, events take place that will change the course of both their lives. If they don’t kill each other first.

The Accursed Huntsman by Douglass Hoover

Haunted by the hunting accident that took both his leg and the life of his best friend, wilderness guide Jack Steward exists on the wooded fringes of society. When an infamously foolhardy millionaire offers Jack the means to reconcile his past wrongs in exchange for participating in a remote archaeological dig along the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack straps on his worn prosthetic and ventures forth into a world of mystery, deceit, and horror. Little does Jack know that the mismatched gang of killers, junkies, has-beens, and frauds he is about to join will uncover an artifact that will shake the very foundation of history, and maybe even grant him the ability to defeat the demons of his past. However, the expedition also unearths a horrific truth; the artifact wasn't the only thing hiding deep under the Nova Scotian cliffs.

I Am My Beloveds by Jon Papernick

Ben Seidel wasn't sure how serious they were when he and his wife, Shira, discussed having an open marriage. But when Shira announces that she is going on a date with Liz, any ambiguity evaporates. Suddenly, every day is new terrain for Ben, navigating between keeping things together with Shira and exploring new partners. And when one of those new partners begins to matter to him more than he ever anticipated, he discovers that the complexities of this new life are only just beginning. Bracingly honest, refreshingly sexy, and deeply empathetic, I Am My Beloveds is the work of a superior storyteller, making real a lifestyle that might be as close as your own bedroom door.

A Printer’s Choice by W. L. Patenaude

In January 2088, life in outer space is rocked with news of its first homicide. The dead man—a young Dominican Priest—had secretly made his way “upside” and lived as a common laborer. His intentions are a mystery and the killer’s identity and motive are questions that the best investigators of the new world cannot answer.With public order threatened, the reputation of the ruling engineers at stake, and criminal elements seizing the opportunity to gain control, authorities seek help from Earth—itself recovering from decades of war and environmental crises. With assistance from the Vatican, they recruit Father John Francis McClellan, a parish priest from Boston and a retired US Marine Corps expert in “high-defs”—the artificially intelligent three-dimensional printers that built the new world. A Printer’s Choice tells a story of faith, the future, and the power of free will. It explores questions about sentience, choice, and the necessity of choosing well. Set in locations on Earth and in the orbits, the story takes place in a future extrapolated from today’s geopolitical and ecological turmoil. In this epic debut novel, author W. L. Patenaude illuminates not just the struggles of our world, but also the promises and implications of building a better one, one choice at a time.

The Night and Its Moon by Piper CJ

Farleigh is just an orphanage. At least, that's what the church would have the people believe, but beautiful orphans Nox and fae-touched Amaris know better. They are commodities for sale, available for purchase by the highest bidder. So when the madame of a notorious brothel in a far-off city offers a king's ransom to purchase Amaris, Nox ends up taking her place — while Amaris is drawn away to the mountains, home of mysterious assassins. Even as they take up new lives and identities, Nox and Amaris never forget one thing: they will stop at nothing to reunite. But the threat of war looms overhead, and the two are inevitably swept into a conflict between human and fae, magic and mundane. With strange new alliances, untested powers, and a bond that neither time nor distance could possibly break, the fate of the realms lies in the hands of two orphans — and the love they hold for each other.

The Glass Witch by Sara Raztresen

On a continent where the four seasons are tied to each country's traveling rulers, a Summer tragedy causes the Winter King to withhold his season from his neighbors—but without Winter, the other seasons can't turn. Aveline, a half-Summer, half-Winter pariah, has no place in her country. She's mocked in Summer as The Glass Witch for her Wintry looks and magic, while Winter travelers always thought her a disturbing mutt. But when her emperor finds her barely surviving the endless Summer, he tells her that the mother she loves is dead—and it's Winter's fault. Only Aveline, the Summer woman with a Winter face, can end the seasonal standstill. Vengeful, Aveline sneaks into Winter as a fake contestant in the king's bridal competition to kill him, only for a failed Winter assassin to shatter her plans. Aveline is stuck unarmed in the castle, and worse, to stay competing while finding her plan B, she has to court the king in earnest. But how long can she pretend before her identity is discovered—and the seasons' fate thrown into question?

Textbook Murder: A Frank Hall Mystery by Fred Tippett, II

MURDER BY THE BOOK Master crime novelist and creative writing professor Frank Hall is asked by his longtime friend Gillian Morgan to help locate her missing son Damien. Troubled and recovering from a history of drug addiction, Damien had recently found purpose and a fresh start as Frank’s pupil and mentee. But Gillian is worried that he may have suffered a relapse, that he may just need help coming home. So, as a favor to Gillian, Frank agrees to help her find him. Frank’s search for Damien turns up several hidden details of Damien’s personal life—including evidence of an affair with a most unlikely individual. But the quest ends in tragedy one day later, when Frank finds Damien dead of an apparent drug overdose. To the investigating authorities, Damien’s death seems an open-and-shut case of relapse by a former addict who simply could not stay clean. But to Frank’s eyes—eyes seasoned by years of crime research and intimate friendship with Damien’s family—it looks like far more. It looks like murder, craftily concealed and carefully planned. When the police refuse to examine Damien’s death as a homicide, Frank decides that he’ll just have to do it himself, if only for the sake of Damien’s grieving mother. And the more Frank investigates, the more determined he grows to get to the truth. Even if that means incurring the wrath of the fiery and territorial lead detective assigned to Damien’s case. But Frank soon finds that he’s in for far more than he imagined. A cunning, ruthless sociopath took Damien Morgan’s life—a sociopath who does not want the motive for Damien’s murder exposed. A sociopath who has killed many times before and who will not hesitate to kill again.

The Rise of Runes and Shields, Book I The Seidr Sagas by JM Stephen

Witchcraft need not be evil. Twins Freyja and Bjorn live in a time when Viking magic, called the Seidr, is deemed witchcraft and forbidden. When their home is attacked by men sent from the tyrannical local earl, who accuses their mother of a murder she did not commit, the twins are forced to flee into the night and onto an adventure to not only prove their mother’s innocence but also set to rights the ills created by the misuse of the Seidr. Along the way, they both make new friends, reunite with lost allies, visit hidden worlds, and learn the true ways of the Seidr, until they find themselves caught in the middle of the never ending war of the Fire and Frost Giants. Bjorn must learn the ways of magic and Freyja the life of the shield maidens if they are to survive.

Between Before and After by Jessica Stilling

Between Before and After follows Indie film director Sebastian Foster, son of the famous author Regina Foster, as he embarks on a project to turn his mother’s award-winning novels into films. As he works on his third film in the project, a biographical novel that takes place in Paris and deals with the traumatic death of Sebastian’s five-year-old sister, the project and aspects of Sebastian’s personal and private life start to break down. Sebastian is confronted with a man from his past who holds the purse strings as far as funding for his films is concerned. He also learns that his mother has more secrets than he realized and as he dives deeper into this project, he learns that there was so much more to his sister’s tragic death than he realized. As the past starts to unravel before him, Sebastian must confront his issues with his mother and his desperate need to recreate a past that may not have been as idyllic as he remembered.

The Weary God of Ancient Travelers by Jessica Stilling

Who is Lydia Warren? That’s what she’d like to know. An amnesiac, she vaguely remembers arriving in Santorini with this one-armed man she instinctive trusts but cannot recall his name. She guides us through the fog that is her mind, and her odyssey towards understanding that is even further complicated by memories of a life not her own from before she was born.

A Kingdom of Sand and Dust (The Magic Awakens) by S.K Smith

War is looming. Brielle is beginning to understand and master her magic, but the Legion is on the move. Brielle finds herself conflicted by her quest. Can she be the one to end the war? With magic such as hers, can she be trusted? The darkness within her grows as the magic strengthens, Brielle senses the fear within those she loves as her anger mounts, can she master her power and protect them, or will it devour her and leave them in ruins?King Devan of Calumnia is mustering the army. The Militia are preparing for a doomed war on the Elves of Myrliar. Upon arrival at the Palace, Niall and his friends are confronted by an overpowering sense of corruption. Delving deeper into the mire of deceit leaves them open to danger. In order to save the humans from annihilation against the magic that they cannot withstand, Niall and the Fiends must find a way to stop the war, or face destruction.

Alliandre Rising by Daniel Myers

Alliandre must win the Grand Melee, a tournament where every warrior in the realm competes for the title of Grand Champion, earning a knighthood as well, so he can marry his true love. But a rival has entered the scene, intent on ending Alliandre’s dream, and maybe his life. In their climactic confrontation in the Grand Melee, Alliandre must overcome his opponent and his own fiery temper.

The Shadow That Endures by Fernando A. Torres

"Within a wee highland parish between a loch and the sea, "Ian MacDonald lived a solitary but agreeable existence."That is until he discovered a mysterious globe that transported him into the multiverse. Little did he realized that, within a world, where m

The Story: The Birth Of Magick by Josh Gore

Empathy. Is it a gift, or is it a curse? The question that has been asked by those with, and those without magick, ever since the Great Awakening that birthed the universe, and the ethereal energy that would fill it; the mystical 'arkane'.

Wonderwerk Man: Book One of the Unintended Consequences Concatenation by John Witter

Shadows of the past return to challenge the present as a chain reaction of events unfolds. The world is introduced to a newborn artificial intelligence with questionable motives for humanity. Extraterrestrial lifeforms emerge from hiding among us. Mysterious figures step out of the mists of antiquity, rekindling an ancient conflict that threatens the planet. The struggle to respond to these events changes the lives of those swept up in the brewing storm where scientific boundaries are challenged, and a new reality dawns on modern existence; humans are no longer the dominant species on the planet.

The Band of Moonlit Waters (Spero’s Legacy) by Brad Bussie

After going into cold sleep for an interstellar journey, Commander Tyler Ryan Tor awakens marooned on an alien world. Having gone to sleep expecting to awaken orbiting a distant habitable planet with the rest of Earth's refugees, he finds himself alone and hunted by an ancient evil. The darkness that pursues Commander Tor wants the knowledge in his head, but there is one problem – Tyler can’t remember anything before the crash. It is up to a ragtag band of unlikely heroes to keep the commander out of the dark lords’ clutches and to save the world from total annihilation.

Wasted Sands by J.B Carl

The Wastes make all men equal. When the young warrior Bama is exiled from his village, he must struggle to survive in the harsh desert environment of the Wastes. His search for water amid the sands leads to a chance encounter with a tengu, a bird-like race inhabiting the desert. The encounter changes his life forever and brings him to the desert city of Abentha and a fresh start. Or so he believes.Derk Penzik is a simple man. Or he was, before he cheated the wrong tavern rabble out of a small fortune and had to run for his life. Complicating matters even further are the odd companions he now travels with as he flees to the desert city of Abentha: a silver-haired boy with a thirst for knowledge and a mysterious woman uncannily talented with a blade.Wasted Sands is a fantasy ensemble tale of intertwining stories, overcoming prejudice, and a struggle to protect one’s family against overwhelming odds. The story follows Bama and a band of misfits from all corners of the immersive world of Pelor.

Misericorde (Mercy Series Book 1) by Cynthia A. Morgan

Independent Author Network 2020 Book of the Year Winner for Fantasy!|Readers Favorite 2020 Silver Medal Winner for Fantasy!It's the year 2446, and the first three Horsemen of Revelation's Apocalypsehave ridden. Pestilence, War and Famine have changed the world into adictatorship ruled with an iron fist. Commoners have few rights, andliberty is a distant memory. Before thefinal Horseman is released, the Archangel of Mercy - Tzadkiel - makes abold plea, asking for permission to find even one human who remembersthe meaning of mercy and compassion. He is given 100 years, until Deathwill sweep across the land. Taking humanform and coming to Earth, he finds a place ruled by greed, hatred andfear. With time running out and Death growing impatient, can Tzadkielfind what he's looking for, and how much will he need to sacrifice?

The Tricksters: There is Gold in the Jungle by Kobyna T

NO ONE WAS MAD ENOUGH TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING SO OUTRAGEOUS "But that man, he went there and did it. Not once, not twice, but many times over... Just think about it. Who is looney enough to get himself captured on purpose and cause a riot to free those enslaved alongside him, just to tell some stupid stories about it afterward? Who does that? Who else but him? That silly old geezer...the Spider.” In the first volume of The Tricksters, Ticco meets the Spider, who helps him to escape from bondage. Ticco gets tutored in the Forbidden Arts of Trickery by the old man and with the help of other tricksters, they hunt for the raiders of Anansekrom, Ticco's village. Vengeance is a forbidden fruit to bite, but no other fruit should taste sweeter on the day Ticco gets his paws on a certain man. The one who goes by the codename 'the Vulture'. But on his quest through the hazard, Ticco also realizes that there's gold in the jungle, so will the juice ever be worth the squeeze?

Deus Ex Machina by Raquel Rich

Grace knew killing her soulmate to save her son Jordan’s life would trigger a new plague. She did it anyway. When a plan to stop the man responsible came together, Grace jumped at the chance for redemption, bringing Marc, Charlie, and Kay along to 1930s Germany. However, the plan derails fast when a betrayal lands the group in 2006 Las Vegas instead, leaving them stranded. Refusing to accept defeat, they seek help from others in 2006—namely, Jordan. But he seems to have his own agenda and is reluctant to help. Meanwhile, Marc is unwilling to forgive Grace’s selfish decision and turns cold toward her. As the ice thickens between them, and Jordan’s agenda begins to unfold, Grace is fraught with regret. If she had known who her son would become, would she still have saved his life? Official Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-dM0tJHWbE

Poison from a Scorpion's Sting by R. Ramey Guerrero

The Nez’kali has failed. Slate’s actions are to blame. Without Adahai to advocate for fire’s return, no one protested in the streets. There is only one day before the Age of Fire, and the Nez’kali is near death and under the scrutiny of the Council of Elders. Can Slate convince Wasii Pon Ruwa that Nokhum is not a danger to the people? “We run. We hide. We lie.”

The Persistence of Vapor by Ralph Clementi

Thomas Marcelli, lead archaeologist at an excavation outside a small town in Jordan, is astonished when his assistant informs him that the local newspaper has just printed a sensationalistic account of their recent find. The article claims that the coprolite that was uncovered the previous day is a holy relic of Jesus. Over the next two days the site becomes overrun by hundreds of curious spectators. Chaos ensues and the coprolite gets stolen. The artifact quickly enters the dark underworld of stolen art and antiquities. Eventually, through a string of murders and deceptions, it is acquired by Michael Steadman, a major dealer of stolen art in the United States. He multiplies his profits substantially by selling counterfeits of "the holy relic of Jesus" that he crudely carved from locally collected rocks. In the meantime the news of the discovery and theft of the coprolite unleashes a flood of conspiracy theories. This misinformation continues to spread despite repeated assertions by the archaeologists that there is no evidence of a connection between the coprolite and Jesus. Then matters worsen. Fraudulent enterprises appear that advertise nonexistent tours to the site where the "the holy relic of Jesus" was found. Religious leaders, deeply troubled by these scams, try to intercede to protect their congregants from being cheated. However, their efforts backfire when the religious leaders become the targets of new conspiracy theories. Set in the U.S. and the Middle East, the novel traces the impact that the coprolite has on the people it touches. The story is part adventure and part intellectual journey and rides on a universal theme that underlies so much of human behavior: facts and logic often take a back seat to a blind hunger for the satisfaction of emotional needs.

The Nameless God by Emma L. Adams

Zelle and her allies have returned to Zeuten, but their visit to Itzar left nobody unscathed. Especially Zelle, whose allegiance with the nameless Shaper has given her a burden that might kill her before it lets her free. Rien, meanwhile, has his own battle to fight. Returning to his homeland leads to more than a confrontation with the man who took everything from him, as in their absence, their enemy has seemingly formed an alliance with another Great Power. Invicten, god of illusions, possesses magic that can turn friend against friend and nation against nation - and it might already be too late to stop him working his influence over the other mages of Aestin. While Zelle struggles to protect her nation against the deadly threat across the ocean, Evita is forced to turn to the assassins she once lived with for answers on the magic she took from them.  But the truth is deadlier than she would ever have guessed. War is on the horizon, with the three Great Powers prepared to use the human world as their battleground. And in a battle of the gods, there may be no humans left standing in the end…

Bridge Daughter (The Bridge Daughter Cycle) by Jim Nelson

A world where daughters bear their parents' children! Hanna thinks her thirteenth birthday will be no different than the one before—until her mother explains the facts of life. Hanna is a “bridge daughter” born pregnant with her parents’ child. In a few months she will give birth and die, leaving her parents with their true child to raise. A mature bookworm who dreams of college and career, Hanna is determined to overcome her biological fate. Then Hanna learns of an illegal procedure that will allow her to live to adulthood…at the cost of the child’s life.

Republic of Ruin: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Series (Legacy of Debris) by L. Blaise Hues

Forget life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... Surviving is a feat in and of itself.Seventeen-year-old Ellie Hudson immerses herself in the few things the Supply Wars haven't destroyed—her ranch work and secret baseball games with her best friend. But her power-hungry stepmother is leading a group of domestic terrorists in an effort to start another Civil War and frame Ellie as the instigator. Ellie’s lost her father, her home, and her country, but nothing can rob her of her need to preserve the American dream...or what’s left of it.Don't miss Book 1 in a post-apocalyptic survival series with a dark, fairy-tale spin. It's a home-run read for fans of The Maze Runner, The Lunar Chronicles, and The Selection Series.

Calliope by Scott Mari

While the Earth quelled the violence after the alien invasion, teams of engineers reopened the Lunar Colony. After clearing the dead, it became humanity’s engineering epicenter, where a small team designed cutting edge technology. Calliope Morrigan arrived on the moon, the first to complete designs for a ship. The military wanted larger offensive ships and backed Mattias, an engineer promising a ship so massive it required fusions reactors, a technology beyond humanity’s reach. Arn Lasserman, head of nuclear engineering, allied with Calliope to create a stronger ship with engines designed to her specifications, cementing their bond and inciting their rivals. Satellites searching for metallic asteroids to harvest find aliens close enough to attack without warning. The pressure ramps up as humanity’s ability to survive hangs in the balance. Calliope’s ship nears completion and humanity chooses to go on the offensive. Calliope pushes technology to its limits, but can she survive long enough to propel humanity forward and win this fight?

Robber Barrons: A Military Sci-Fi Series by Nanci Schwartz

For the last Supersoldier left in the Galaxy, it's kill or be killed... Despite the genetic enhancements inherited from her father, Victoria Anetti never wanted to be a supersoldier. She'd rather spend her life fixing starships, free from family expectations. Then her father and his comrades vanish on a mission to find a lost warship, leaving her the last supersoldier left alive. Now she must flee from planet to planet in order to evade government agents—like her estranged mother—who want to use her as a pawn in a simmering interstellar conflict. To escape yet another capture attempt, Victoria reluctantly joins her uncle's salvage crew who are attempting to complete her father's mission. But when clues surface that her father might be alive, Victoria must choose whether to disappear again to avoid sparking another war, or embrace her supersoldier legacy to save the only family she has left.

Skirting The Edge: A Cyberpunk Adventure by Frank Giammanco

Book One in the 3P Syndicate Saga. In the post-apocalyptic America of 2025, the rule of law is a thing of the past. Corporations rule the country, and the average citizen is not provided the same rights as the rich. There's a new boss in town, and he's hand-picked a team of mercenaries, edgerunners, hackers, nomads, and ex-cops to help him with a few tough jobs. They all figured they'd have a little fun and make a lot of money. No one was expecting the cross-country adventures or life-changing experiences that followed -- once the corporations caught on to what they were doing.

The Backworlds: A Space Opera Adventure Series by M. Pax

Trouble thrives in the Backworlds, but it's home. In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the first book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the remaining planets. Competition is fierce, and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze's father improves his fortunes by destroying his son. He tells his only boy their moon isn't big enough for them both and gives Craze a ticket for the next transport leaving the space dock. Cut off from everyone he knows with little money and no knowledge of the worlds beyond, Craze forge a new life and find a way to make his father regret this day. First, he must survive.

The Signal (PLANET NINE TRILOGY) by SEBASTIEN ACACIA

2020, Astrophysicist Anthony Hallbrown is desperate to decipher a signal coming from space with the help of Yoko, a Japanese expert in cryptography. They will discover that the source of the signal is none other than the ninth planet in our solar system, never yet officially observed. But their discovery will awaken the Partisans, a former sect led by Asarus Hicks who claims to be the legitimate servant of space travelers, who, according to the theory of ancient astronauts, had come to Earth to genetically create the human race hundreds of thousands of years before our age.

Falling Princess (Fallen Realm) by Joline Pearce

An epic enemies to lovers college romance with a rebellious princess, her possessive knight, and the fate of their country in the balance. Forced to carry the weight of the crown from childhood, all Princess Zosia wants is a chance to experience normal life and find love away from the pressure of court. Getting an education abroad is the perfect opportunity - unless death catches up with her first. As the last of the Auralian royal line, Zosia is assigned a watchful knight to accompany her everywhere she goes. While her best friend adores him, Zosia can't wait to escape his constant scrutiny...until an assassination attempt sparks their forbidden romance. A secret they can never tell, even when war tears them apart. Dive into this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity contemporary fantasy romance that will grab you from the first page and stay with you long after the last. Start reading now! This the first book in a trilogy and it ends on a cliffhanger - the third book ends with a Happy Ever After. Contains violence and mature themes. Content advisories available at: https://jolinepearce.com/auralia-series/content-advisories/

Einstein's Raven: A Science Fiction Spy Thriller by Fred G Baker

Space has never been more hostile. 300 years ago, a bolt of cosmic lightning struck Earth, scattering humanity across the stars. Since then, most habitable planets have come under the rule of an authoritarian regime known as the People's Union Coalition. Seeking to escape the PUC's stranglehold, the crew of the Leopold endeavors to steal a Light Core, one of the only means of transportation from star system to star system. But when they come across an old derelict vessel drifting through the outer boundaries of known space, their escape quickly turns into a blood-soaked nightmare. For fans of Aliens, Doom, and Dead Space From the author of Ash Above, Snow Below and The Omen Tree comes a raucous journey through the hostile unknowns of unexplored space and the mysteries of the human soul.

Violent Wonder: Cosmic Horror in Space (Universal Wilderness Book 1 by Fredrick Niles

Space has never been more hostile. 300 years ago, a bolt of cosmic lightning struck Earth, scattering humanity across the stars. Since then, most habitable planets have come under the rule of an authoritarian regime known as the People's Union Coalition. Seeking to escape the PUC's stranglehold, the crew of the Leopold endeavors to steal a Light Core, one of the only means of transportation from star system to star system. But when they come across an old derelict vessel drifting through the outer boundaries of known space, their escape quickly turns into a blood-soaked nightmare. For fans of Aliens, Doom, and Dead Space From the author of Ash Above, Snow Below and The Omen Tree comes a raucous journey through the hostile unknowns of unexplored space and the mysteries of the human soul.

The Beast of Basque: Tales of the Ravensdaughter - Adventure One by Erin Hunt Rando

The Ultimate Fantasy Snack Read When Alerice Linden is wronged and left for dead, all bets are off. The Beast of Basque tracks Alerice’s descent into the Evherealme, where - being a natural Realme Walker - she is offered the chance to serve the Raven Queen. Assisting her with guidance (and sarcasm) is Oddwyn, the Evherealme's gender-fluid Herald. On her quest, Alerice meets Kreston Dühalde, a former military captain, who is happy to fight at her side, despite his regrettable past. And what task does the Raven Queen assign? Slay a two-faced beast that preys upon the souls of children. However, tasks aren’t always as straightforward as they seem, and 'beasts' aren't always mythical creatures. Author Erin Hunt Rado has reinvented the Dime Novel for Fantasy Fans. The Beast of Basque is a 1-2 hour read that is rich in characters and living worlds. Together, the 6-novellas in Tales of the Ravensdaughter deliver a powerfully dramatic arc told in the author's action-packed, visual style. “Erin’s work is like reading Hitchcock on Phil Dick’s drugs,” says Pat LoBruttto, former Senior Editor at Doubleday Books. “You won’t find any tired tropes. Instead you’ll find riveting stories that will leave you as happily surprised as I was.”

Transit: Constellation Pegasus: Book One by V.M Andrews

An enticing introduction to a weird world in another part of the galaxy. Su'Real is one of many genetically engineered beings from Okada who use their planet's electromagnetic energy to travel to other worlds in the blink of an eye. Created for one purpose, the covert collection of data from the worlds she visits, Su'Real longs for the freedom to explore the galaxy on her own terms. But when that opportunity comes, she finds herself alone in a cold, hostile world where she is not welcome. The more she learns about the place, the more danger she is in, but escape does not seem to be an option.

Expedition: A first-contact, colony ship, space opera. (Galactic Neighborhood Book 1) by Alexander Elliott

The humans of Earth planned for a long intergalactic journey. What they didn’t plan on was running into the neighbors. In 2096 starship Expedition set out on a centuries-long search for a suitable world to colonize. Assisted by Mosis, a sentient AI, the unsuspecting crew is awakened by an alien transmission, leading them to the remains of the Vingah race, preserved in stasis. With a rescue mission in full swing, the allies are challenged by an aggressive species, bent on acquiring the Vingah’s secrets. The confrontation’s outcome will change the destinies of three disparate races, allowing the victors to spread their influence throughout the galaxy. Expedition is the first book in the Galactic Neighborhood trilogy—three Earth starships sent out into the void to find new worlds for man to colonize. Though their futures are ultimately intertwined, each faces the uncertainties of a galaxy filled with wonder, danger, and incredible opportunities. Author’s note: the books should be read in order for the complete backstory.

Apprentice to the Time God by Clarke Graham

“Time God?” All Andri knew about them was they were time travelers going throughout the galaxy protecting the weak and the innocent. He read the invitation again. They wanted him to try out for the Time God’s apprentice. A farmer’s son, his only aspiration was to take over the family farm when it was his turn. Andri accepted, to bring honor to his family and his planet. But even at the trials, he found there would be those willing to kill, to become, the Apprentice to the Time Gods.