Best of
Sword-And-Sorcery

2015

Fated in Darkness


Robert J. Crane - 2015
    Those who live in this world are faced with two choices: live an ordinary life or become an adventurer and seek the extraordinary. In the underground city of Saekaj Sovar, a tyrant sits up the throne. For too long, he has ruled the fates of the dark elven people without mercy or challenge. Until now. Terian Lepos, J'anda Aimant and Aisling Nightwind are veterans of the guild Sanctuary who find themselves trapped in darkness of Saekaj, with danger and betrayal lurking around every corner. When the three of them find themselves pitted against forces trying to steer the course of Saekaj Sovar, who will end up triumphant? And who will end up dead?

Conan: The Barbarian complete collection


Robert E. Howard - 2015
    From Robert E. Howard's writings (The Hyborian Age among others) it is known that the Cimmerians were based on the Celts or Gaels. He was born on a battlefield and is the son of a village blacksmith. Conan matured quickly as a youth and, by age fifteen, he was already a respected warrior who had participated in the destruction of the Aquilonian outpost of Venarium. After its demise, he was struck by wanderlust and began the adventures chronicled by Howard, encountering skulking monsters, evil wizards, tavern wenches, and beautiful princesses. He roamed throughout the Hyborian Agenations as a thief, outlaw, mercenary, and pirate. As he grew older, he began commanding larger units of men and escalating his ambitions. In his forties, he seized the crown of the tyrannical king of Aquilonia, the most powerful kingdom of the Hyborian Age, having strangled the previous ruler on the steps of the throne. Conan's adventures often result in him performing heroic feats, though his motivation for doing so is largely to protect his own survival or for personal gain. Here you will find all of Robert E. Howard's stories about Conan the Barbarian, published in Weird Tales magazine between 1933-1936 and features an interactive table of contents. Included are the stories: Cimmeria — A Poem The Phoenix on the Sword The Scarlet Citadel The Tower of the Elephant The Slithering Shadow/ Xuthal of the Dusk The Pool of the Black One Rogues in the House Gods of the North/The Frost Giant's Daughter/The Frost King's Daughter Shadows in the Moonlight Queen of the Black Coast The Devil in Iron The People of the Black Circle A Witch Shall Be Born Jewels of Gwahlur Beyond the Black River Red Nails The Hour of the Dragon Also you get: The Hyborian Age - Howard's essay on the world of Conan +Bonus: Robert E. Howard's Biography and more!

Tail of the Dragon


Craig Halloran - 2015
    mostly.Now, bored of ruling from the Dragon throne, Nath and his dwarven comrade Brenwar Bolderguild, set out to solve one of the greatest mysteries of all. Who and where is Nath's mother? Does she even exist? Is she imprisoned?Still yet, evil is far from vanquished. It lurks in the caves, the mountains, the shadows and in deep in the hearts of all the races. It's not long before it takes on a new powerful manifestation, a breed of dragons the likes never seen before.How many dangers must Nath and his colleagues face?What path must Nath take to find out the truth?How high is the toll?Is he willing to pay it?***HOT BOOK! Check out Halloran's ultimate crossover, CLASH OF HEROES: NATH DRAGON MEETS THE DARKSLAYER! Now available for Pre-Order!     ***

Dragon Eaters


Janet E. Morris - 2015
    Now heroes throughout history stalk their legendary foe. Learn how to hunt, kill, and eat the wild dragon. Never before has revenge tasted so good. A literary feast for the bloody-minded. In Janet Morris' anthology on the art of dragon killing, seventeen writers bring you so close to dragons you can smell their fetid breath. Tales for the bold among you. HEROIKA 1: DRAGON EATERS , an anthology of heroic fiction edited by Janet Morris, features original stories by Janet E. Morris, Chris Morris, S.E. Lindberg, Walter Rhein, Cas Peace, Jack William Finley, A.L. Butcher, Travis Ludvigson, Tom Barczak, J.P. Wilder, Joe Bonadonna, Milton J. Davis, M. Harold Page, William Hiles, Beth W. Patterson, Bruce Durham, Mark Finn.

Dawn of Man


Thomas A. Watson - 2015
    At the birth of the universe, a new species, man, has been created by the Gods. What path will man take in this new world? Thanos has been home of elves, dwarves, and orc: the sentient races. Magic, fae, and mystical creatures live side by side as the Gods introduce man to see what path will be taken. When the palace of the Kingdom of Gratu is overrun by the three traitor brothers, the only thing that the sho-ka, protectors of royalty, can do is escape with the king and queen amidst the bloodbath. They must survive in the wild and lay low, keeping their anonymity and preparing for when they can return and take back their kingdom.

Zane Halloway Omnibus


P.T. Hylton - 2015
    But when a series of seemly unrelated jobs pull Zane and Lily into a conflict between nations, Zane is forced to confront secrets from his past. Welcome to a morally ambiguous world of magic, mystery, and political intrigue. It’s an epic sword and sorcery tale told in novella-sized chunks. This omnibus edition includes: Thorns and Tangles Assassin Zane Halloway has been hired to kill Irving Farns, a reclusive genius whose innovations brought about a golden age of magic. Zane and his apprentice Lily will need to infiltrate the mysterious Abditus Society and find a way to assassinate the world’s leading expert in protective magic. Swords and Shadows After a run-in with one of the pirate Longstrain's deadly widows, an injured Zane Halloway is enlisted for a special assignment. The nation is on the brink of war, and the king hopes a daring assassination of his enemy's enemy will prevent things from escalating. To complete the job, Zane and Lily will have to join forces with the King's Shadow, the only man in the kingdom with access to the royal armory of magical devices. His name is Jacob Von Ridden. Long ago, he altered the course of Zane's life, and Zane has been waiting for the chance to kill him ever since. Lightning and Thrones Several months ago, Zane Halloway was hired to kill magical genius Irving Farns. Now he has a new client, Irving's daughter. Beth Farns hires Zane and Lily to locate her father's greatest creation, a new type of magical device, neither thorn nor tangle. She believes it's hidden beyond the Blue Wall. To complete the job, Zane and Lily will need to infiltrate restricted elvish territory, face off against a charismatic, young leader, and unravel the mystery of why the elves surrendered from a war they were winning and allowed themselves to subjugated by the people of Opel. Flames and Water Zane Halloway is hired to find the pirate he killed twelve years ago, and Zane and Lily soon find themselves on opposite sides of a pirate war. They'll soon learn that everything is a game for the Longstrains. Even revenge. Lies and Crossroads Zane and Lily search for a dangerous traitor hiding in the mysterious nation of the Crags. Zane will have to steal a family heirloom from the nation's most powerful warrior, and Lily will have to learn what magical secrets are hidden in the mountain palace of the High Prince of the Crags. Crowns and Dead Men War between Opel and Tavel has been brewing for years, and now it has finally come. While Zane is hunted by three of his own, Lily must shoulder the burden of saving her nation from the consequences of her past mistakes.

The Phantom of Faerie Mountain


E.M. McIntyre - 2015
    An ancient prophecy. Two devious faeries. 14 yr old Abby Fletcher must unravel their connection when she is thrown into a world of unknowns after receiving a mysterious message from a frightening beast: The Red King must set me free. Determined to discover the meaning of this puzzling phrase, Abby sets off to explore a nearby Scottish mountainside in search of clues. What Abby doesn't realize, however, is that it's not a matter of where she will find her answers but when. Whisked back to the early 14th century, Abby must find the courage to solve the mystery of the Red King and save not only herself but a group of powerless captives wrapped up in a faerie plot.

Fire and Sword


Dylan Doose - 2015
    When all the good men are dead and gone, who is to answer the call and defy what is wicked for what is right?A Twisted Tale of Three Unlikely Heroes.Heretic monk turned Sorcerer, Aldous Weaver. Infamous crusader turned fugitive, Kendrick the Cold. Aristocrat, rogue, monster hunter, and legend in his own mind, Theron Ward.Three men condemned to die for their crimes find in each other both the will and the means to survive. A dark brotherhood with Sword and Sorcery is forged, and all monsters meek and mighty do fear the three.Honorable mention in Library Journal’s Indie Ebook Awards and a Shelf Unbound Magazine Notable 100!Read all the books in the dark and gritty Sword and Sorcery Series!Fire and Sword (Volume 1)Catacombs of Time (Volume 2)I Remember My First Time (short story)The Pyres (Volume 3)Ice and Stone (Volume 4)As They Burn (Volume 5)Black Sun Moon (Volume 6—a complete, stand-alone novel)Embers On The Wind (Volume 7)Graves of the Gods (Volume 8)—Coming Soon!

Clash of Heroes: Nath Dragon meets The Darkslayer (Book 1 of 5)


Craig Halloran - 2015
    Nath Dragon and company are called upon to recover them, but this quest will have dire consequences. Long ago, Nath and Brenwar crossed paths with a dangerous foe, Corzan the Necromancer. The goblin-like magic user has been simmering for decades and plotting vengeance on Nath Dragon. Now, harnessing the power of the Thunder Stones, the evil mage unleashes a trap that should dispatch Nalzambor's greatest hero forever. New adversaries surge in the world of Bish … Suffering one great loss after the other, the underlings unleash a drastic plan. Using their lethal arcane powers they attempt to summon a monster of incalculable power from the mystic realm beyond. Instead, Nath Dragon, with black scales from his arms to his neck, emerges from the portal, but without his memories. The underlings deceive Nath and turn him loose and send him to hunt down and kill the legendary Darkslayer. What will happen when these two titans of battle finally clash? Who will triumph in the end? Only one thing is for sure, this will be an awesome, unprecedented, one-of-a-kind adventure that you will never forget!

Ascension: The Dragons of Kendualdern


Sam Ferguson - 2015
    Destined to one day conquer a kingdom of his own, he begins his rigorous training and progresses wonderfully. That is, until a rival dragon descends upon the kingdom in a ferocious battle that leaves Gorliad crippled, and bereft of his birthright. The young dragon will need to find the fires deep within his soul if he is to overcome his handicap, but even victory may bring defeat as he will have to risk his father’s kingdom and everything in it to ascend to his promised throne.

Empire's Daughter


Marian L. Thorpe - 2015
    Harried from north and south by two different enemies, both wanting this last remnant of a greater Empire’s land, and with invasion imminent, the military leaders see no choice but to ask the unthinkable: that women learn to fight. In accepting the challenge, Lena is separated from her lover, who chooses banishment rather than break with generations of tradition. Promoted to leadership, drawn into the intrigues of power, Lena must make difficult choices, for herself, for her village, and for her country: a young woman at the heart of the violence and diplomacy that will begin her epic journey to save her land. Evoking Europe after the decline of Rome, the imagined world of Empire’s Daughter and its sequels is brought to vivid, believable life by the precise and powerful writing of Marian L Thorpe.

Dragon Orb


Shanlynn Walker - 2015
    They have settled in the city of Goldenspine and allowed the rest of the world to forget them. At 16 years old, Daxon knew he was too old to be chosen to be a dragonrider. On his way home one night he was surprised when a wild dragon's egg was left in his care by the largest dragon he had ever seen. Agreeing to raise and protect the as yet unhatched egg, his hopes to become a dragonrider once more blossom, but again, fate intervenes. When the young dragon hatches, Daxon's world is turned upside down and thrown into chaos. After learning of a mysterious orb and the possibility that it might hold all the dragonrider's dragons in thrall, he is determined to not let the same fate befall his young charge. He must find a way to protect the hatchling from the fate of the other dragons and a way off of Daegonlot before it's too late.

The Elemental Jewels


Jeffrey Quyle - 2015
    Grange was a small time pickpocket – not a bad person by nature, just tossed by circumstances onto a rocky shore, and doing what he needed in order to get by. But just when he saw an opportunity to leave thievery behind, fate cruelly dashed him into worse circumstances. And from there, the mundane and ordinary world he occupied began to be replaced by one that features adventure, magic, monsters, and palaces. Captured and thrown into a hard-scrabble, isolated labor camp, Grange faced exile at best, and death as a more likely outcome. But a whispering voice in the darkness led him to discover a set of enchanted jewels, and the jewels placed him on an entirely new path towards freedom and a new life. But the jewels also slowly revealed that his new life will carry a very, very steep price at some point in the future. Grange’s unique capacity has made him a needed – and hunted – man. A lovely girl appears to lead him, but not love him, and a vagabond lifestyle wandering through a bucolic countryside enchants him, so much so that he forgets the warning of the jewels, until strange and terrible things happen, and the boy realizes that the road to the future will be a dark one. He’ll have to rely on the Elemental Jewels if he is to survive, and carry out his fate!

River of Spears


Kade Derricks - 2015
    The rarest of gems, one capable of turning any mage into an unstoppable force of destruction. A gem found only in the empty lands surrounding the Tyber River. And now war has come. Endless war between Esteria and the native Tyberons, a savage and mysterious people who prowl the grass-covered land with spearpoints ready. Unable to end the conflict the Esterians rely on mercenaries to bolster their military, desperate men like Dain Gladstone, a disgraced Paladin. Dain dreams of a peaceful life, a quiet home of his own, and he’s willing to fight for it. The Esterians have a new plan to conquer their enemies. A bold expedition to strike into the heart of the Tyberons and Dain finds himself caught at its center. Can his dream survive the River of Spears?

Bloodlore


Krista Walsh - 2015
     When the Andvellian ambassador in Margolin goes missing, she jumps at the chance to find him, but quickly learns the mystery goes deeper than one missing courtier. With border tensions rising, a man vanishing before her eyes with a relic she believed lost, red-clad soldiers out for blood, and something dark following her from the charred ruins of Treevale fortress, Venn becomes a pawn in an unseen game. Forced to confront her past and question her future, Venn knows she has to tread carefully. One wrong move and she could lose herself in the shadows, and hurl her country into war.

A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story


A.J. York - 2015
    Someone new has arrived. Tallulah the Christmas Fairy wakes to find herself attached to the top of a tree. She soon makes friends and has a magical first Christmas. Once the festivities are over, Tallulah finds herself in the attic with the other decorations from Easter and Halloween. Each year they watch the seasons change as they wait excitedly for their turn to go downstairs. Until one day new boxes appear and then the unthinkable happens. A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story is a magical and uplifting tale for the whole family.

Legend of Sarkkus: Part 1


Grant Dykeman - 2015
    Species, technology, governments, languages, and even time itself, all vary significantly from one kingdom to another. When a vast army is discovered in a foreign kingdom, the Emperor of the tropical kingdom Kanu assembles a team of four individuals to investigate the only location on the planet that seems to hold all the answers: the stormy, uninhabitable, and mysterious kingdom of Capron! A talented knight named Jack, a courageous soldier named John, a confident bounty hunter named Breonna, and a quick-witted mercenary named Michael set off on their long journey to Capron which does not prove easy.At the start of their journey, Jack quickly falls in love with a beautiful, young woman named Abigail, whom he meets in the underwater capital city of the kingdom Aquatherion, leaving him emotionally split between his mission . . . and his feelings for her. Tensions rise as the team travels from kingdom to kingdom, making new friends along the way, and encountering new foes as they venture closer to the dangerous kingdom of Capron! Only there, will they be able go and risk their lives if they truly wish to learn the secrets of both the seemingly infinite-sized army that is forming, as well as the truth behind the Legend of Sarkkus!

Securing Aisling


Andrea Boyd - 2015
    According to the laws of her country, she must marry by her eighteenth birthday or risk losing the right to rule her kingdom. How is she supposed to find a suitable husband in less than six months? What will the consequences be if she makes the wrong choice? With the help of her advisors, she compiles a surprisingly short list of suitable mates. Her top choices include three princes all belonging to her nemesis, King Coman Barnali of Gilvary. None of the three seem particularly promising. Dunbar, the eldest, is his father’s puppet. Next in line is Reagan, the biggest flirt in Kearnley. Then there is the elusive Garrett who seems to go into hiding whenever she is present. One by one she eliminates names from her list until she finds the man she feels destined to marry. But her choice is not pleasing to everyone. King Coman has been plotting to take control of Aisling for years. Queen Brianna’s choice causes him to have to come up with a new plan—one that could prove deadly for the newly wedded couple. †Securing Aisling is Christian Romance.

The Bloodheart


Steve Rzasa - 2015
    Islands soar. Ships fly. And whispers abound: the Bloodheart. Long has it remained dormant, hidden from the dark forces that would tap its power. Waiting. Bowen Cord seeks only treasure, and despises his heritage as an ice-summoner. Magic could not prevent his wife’s death. What allegiance, then, should he owe it? When he learns of a priceless relic abandoned in the ruins of a floating island, he leaps at the chance to earn a fortune. Small matter to take with him an orphan boy who hails from the same isle—yet the boy is a mystery, and from their first meeting Bowen knows not whether his presence is a boon or a curse. But when a king’s ruthless agent pursues them, threatening his stalwart crew and ship, Bowen is thrown into a quest for something far greater than treasure. He must harness the ice and confront enemies far more powerful than any he’s ever faced. There is no return from his path. It ends only with the answer to one question: Who controls magic?

Untold Tales


Sabrina Flynn - 2015
    But as they journey home, an unexpected sight greets them in a valley pass at the crossroads of four great Kingdoms. The ground is black. Death is creeping. And the two weary Wise Ones must discover the source before the taint spreads and all life is devoured by the Void.

Ward of the Philosopher: Shader Origins


Derek Prior - 2015
     On his seventh birthday, the philosopher Aristodeus arrives to commence the boy’s training with sword and mind. Nothing short of excellence will suffice, if Deacon is to fulfill his destiny and avert the Unweaving of all things. But as Aristodeus pushes him to the limits, reavers are spotted approaching the coast, and a cloud of horror descends upon the village. For these are no ordinary pirates. They sail under the Impaled Man, the grisly flag of Verusia, land of the undead and realm of the Lich Lord. Ward of the Philosopher is a Shader Origins novella of 15,500 words introducing the character of Deacon Shader as a child. The Shader Origins novellas (Ward of the Philosopher and The Seventh Horse) serve as an introduction to the bestselling Shader series: 1. Sword of the Archon 2. Best Laid Plans 3. The Unweaving In this brief introduction to the world of Urddynoor, D.P. Prior slots squarely into the sword and sorcery and heroic fantasy traditions pioneered by Michael Moorcock, R.E. Howard, Lin Carter, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. With a strong sense of good against evil set against a post-apocalyptic background of deception and the remnants of long buried ancient civilizations, one cannot help but place this series in the company of Stephen King's The Dark Tower and Steven Erikson's Malazan books. Ultimately, though, the discerning reader will not miss the huge debt the author has to David Gemmell. For anyone considering taking the plunge into the bestselling Shader books and braving their enormous scope, Ward of the Philosopher presents the perfect entry point to the series.

Salvaged by Water


D.K. Holmberg - 2015
    Making a bargain with a Xsa captain leads Elle to learn the depths of the betrayal, and realizes that Falsheim is in greater danger than she imagined. She must strengthen her bond with the elemental, and find a way to stop the attack, or the city—and all of Doma—will fall.Part 3 of Elle’s story, set in the Cloud Warrior Saga.

Happily Ever After High School


Savannah Ostler - 2015
    She dreams of finding her fairy godmother, going to the ball, and being swept away by a Prince. Much to her dismay, her life is no fairy tale. Albany is just a typical, all American girl who attends an overly crowded public high school. An untimely tragedy leaves Albany desperate for a new life. She seeks comfort in her eccentric grandmother, Greta. Not only does Greta welcome Albany into her home with open arms, but she transfers Albany to a new school. But... this new school is not your average high school. This is... Happily Ever After High, the enchanting high school that hosts hundreds of magical, fairytale students. Albany is about to begin the journey of a lifetime… as she discovers who she really is, where her family came from, falls in love for the first time, and embarks on a quest to fulfill a prophecy that has been passed on for ages. Welcome to Happily Ever After High.

Smoke and Rain


V.S. Holmes - 2015
    Caught in the crossfire between the gods and their creators, Alea realizes the darkness inside her is the only thing that can end the bloodshed. Across enemy lines, bastard lieutenant Brentemir Barrackborn is horrified by the blood on his hands. He must choose between the gods he worships and newfound family if he has any hope of redemption—or surviving the war.“I expected a hero to save us all. Turns out, I was thinking of the wrong part of the story. In the beginning, we aren't saved. There are only fragments and grief. The pieces must be gathered and flames kindled before I'm reforged. I don't know what shape I will take. Those pieces might become a hero...or a monster.”Smoke and Rain won New Apple Literary's Excellence in Independent Publishing Award in 2015 and became an internationally bestselling fantasy in 2019This series contains scenes of intimacy between queer characters. If this makes you uncomfortable, this is not the series for you.

Head Lopper #1: The Island or a Plague of Beasts


Andrew MacLean - 2015
    Adventure. Fantasy. Decapitation! ApocalyptiGirl creator ANDREW MACLEAN brings this critically acclaimed indie hit to Image Comics! The dark humored quarterly adventure begins with a double-sized first issue, with eighty pages of story and a premium pin-up gallery for the regular price of just $5.99! “HEAD LOPPER is what you'd get if Mike Mignola wrote an issue of Brian Wood's Northlanders by way of James Stokoe's ORC STAIN.” — Multiversity Comics.

Warped Ones: Hunted


E.E. Martin - 2015
    His magic stirs fear in even the strongest and darkest witches and wizards. He has no choice but to go where there are magics that cannot blend in with the normal world, where they want him dead. This place holds answers—how magic began, how to save his life, and why his life is a threat to everyone.

Heart of a Lion (Dark Sun Dawn #1)


Stephen Zimmer - 2015
    She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home. A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances. The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between. Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north. Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people. Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion. Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.

The Testament of Tall Eagle


John R. Fultz - 2015
    Fultz has rapidly matured into a major fantasist." -- Laird Barron, author of The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All The Last of the Mohicans meets Lord of the Rings in this epic Tribal Fantasy filled with myth and adventure. A young warrior's vision-quest unveils an alien city full of magic and mystery. As a tribal rift threatens to destroy Tall Eagle's people, night-crawling devils stalk and devour them, so he seeks the wisdom of the high-flying Myktu. These fantastic beings offer him hope, a chance for rebirth and prosperity, as two separate realities converge. Yet first Tall Eagle must find White Fawn—the girl he was born to love—and steal her back from the camp of his savage enemies. His best friend has become his deadliest rival, and now he must outwit an invading army of conquerors to lead his people into the Land Beyond the Sun. THE TESTAMENT OF TALL EAGLE is the epic saga of The People, as told in the words of their greatest hero.

Barbarian Crowns


Dorothy DaviesMatthew Knight - 2015
    Howard.Barbarians takes swords to hand, as quests are forged with resolve and are successful by the cut of steel to flesh. These are the eras of man yet unspoken of, the times of legend and lore relayed to you now in the pages of this anthology. These are the tales of those strong enough to rise above the rest -- to earn themselves the right to claim their Barbarian Crown.

The Spirit Collectors


M. Amanuensis Sharkchild - 2015
    Here, an umyn boy by the name of Amory Demshen becomes obsessed with Tempertime Cemetery—a collection of portals powered by spirits that link the isles of Awya together, and a place forbidden to those without proper training and knowledge.Amory disobeys the laws and his mother, sacrificing the qualities of youth and the virtues of his upbringing to pursue a selfish adventure connived by a hidden, sinister force. Unnerving truths and perilous consequences await as Amory—equipped with an authoritative jar, a chest of bewitching cards, and a flying stone slab—plunges into the darkness of the spirit collectors.Will Amory learn the worth of a spirit in time to save his own?

The Seventh Horse: Shader Origins


Derek Prior - 2015
     But when a messenger arrives in the Holy City of Aeterna, bearing news that the fortresses along the border have mysteriously been abandoned, and the three-hundred men of Trajinot’s garrison have been impaled outside the city walls, word is, the Lich Lord is on the move again. As an army of the dead waits within the shadow-black trees of the Schwarzwald, the Templum gathers its troops for war. Captain Deacon Shader leads the Seventh Horse, a heavy cavalry troop now deemed obsolete. One charge, one chance is their motto. Time it right, and the tide of any battle can be turned; get it wrong, and it could all be over. When the two forces face off outside the walls of Trajinot, it is not just the hordes of undeath the Templum must fight. Intangible terror poisons the air, driving seasoned warriors to panic. Only the Elect knights of the Seventh Horse have the discipline to stand their ground; yet facing a fear doesn’t mean it will do you no harm, and for Shader, there are worse things than wounds of the flesh. The Seventh Horse is the second Shader Origins novella (the first is Ward of the Philosopher). The Origins novellas provide an introduction to the bestselling Shader series: 1. Sword of the Archon 2. Best Laid Plans 3. The Unweaving 4. The Archon's Assassin

Deceived by Water


D.K. Holmberg - 2015
    As a water shaper, she’s expected to help provide protection, but as one who left Doma and trained in the kingdoms, not all trust her. When she sees a village burning, she must decide whether to trust her instincts, and learn if she can count on water-and her bonded elemental-to respond.The second part of Elle’s story, set in the Cloud Warrior Saga.

The Dhulyn and Parno Novels, Volume One


Violette Malan - 2015
    But more than that, Dhulyn and Parno are Partners, a Mercenary bond that can only be broken by death. And though one’s past is supposed to be irrelevant to a Mercenary Brother, who they’d been might make the difference between success and failure in their missions. As far as she knows, Dhulyn is the last of her tribe, the sole survivor of a terrible massacre when she was a young child. Sold into slavery and rescued by a pirate, Dhulyn has learned the hardest lessons life has to teach. What she has not learned is to master her Visions, glimpses of the future. Parno never mentions his past. Yet his manners and speech give him away. Parno has been raised in more civilized lands, and obviously comes from a family of some importance. Why he’s abandoned them or been cast out, neither Dhulyn nor any Mercenary Brother would ask. After saving one of the Marked—those gifted with such powers as the ability to Find, to Mend, to Heal, to See—the two Mercenaries realize that those bent on the Marked’s destruction appear to be under the influence of a priest of the Sleeping God. Soon not even Dhulyn’s Visions can prepare them for the fate that awaits them, as they become tangled in wars against invaders, royal surrenders, and enemy prison camps.

Sword and Runestaff: The Sword of the Dawn and The Runestaff


Michael Moorcock - 2015
    Among them, Dorian Hawkmoon is one of the best loved. In an alternate far future, Hawkmoon is pulled unwillingly into a war against the armies of the Dark Empire. Antique cities, scientific sorcery, and crystalline machines serve as a backdrop to this high adventure.This omnibus collects The Sword of the Dawn and The Runestaff, two novels in Moorcock's acclaimed Hawkmoon series.The Sword of the DawnDorian Hawkmoon's quest to destroy the Dark Empire leads him onto the path of a man who possesses a rare ring that allows men to travel through time. Hawkmoon uses this ring to travel to the far future, where he must battle the Pirate Lords and claim the Great Sword of the Dawn, which can end the Dark Empire once and for all.The RunestaffHawkmoon's mission leads him to Dnark, the home of the Runestaff. Now Hawkmoon must take up the Runestaff in a final effort to vanquish the Dark Empire of Grangretan.

Samurai of Hyuga


NOT A BOOK - 2015
    Prepare to enter the land of silk and steel, where fantasy clashes against grim reality, and where the good guys don't always win in the end. It's a harsh world with tough choices at every turn. Good thing you're the toughest ronin around."Samurai of Hyuga" is a 135,000-word interactive fantasy novel by Devon Connell, where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based--without graphics or sound effects--and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.A bodyguard, an assassin, a savior. Become all those things and more! Will you be able to change your ways and protect those around you? Or will you succumb to your bloodthirst and become the ultimate manslayer? Will you find love, or lust? Will you adopt a code of honor, or do whatever it takes to win? Can your spirit survive against your own demons? Combat, drama, and so much more await you in the first book of this epic series! - Become a badass ronin, a master manslayer, and reluctant bodyguard for hire!- Join with your spirit animal to take on mythological oni!- Face down your own demons in this dramatic, unforgettable adventure!- Over 140,000 words of interactive fiction!

The Adventures of Manny Lark: A Sip From The Bloodwell


Joshua Cox-Steib - 2015
    A fast paced, action packed, story of magic, aliens, dragons, and family skeletons (sometimes literally). Travel along with our supernatural protagonist as he tries to make it through one day at a time. Manny just wants to know how he wound up in a metal box, but a collection of cosmic powers known as the council of the ancients keeps him from this baffling mystery, and uses Manny's father, the Dragon Lord Braxus, to push him towards the undesired task of magical policing. It sounded like a case of unlicensed arcane business, and It should have been a straightforward job, but nothing is straightforward when dragons are involved..

Hailey Holloway Series


K.C. Stewart - 2015
    After a late night at work, Hailey stumbles upon two dragons brawling in the middle of Philadelphia. In an act of kindness and lapse of sanity, she comforts the dragon that was left behind to die. In doing so she inadvertently invited the soul of Dacea into herself for safe keeping. Hailey just wants to live her life as simply and quietly as possible but with the voice of a disembodied dragon in her head, she has little hope of achieving her goal. Dacea will do anything to be free of Hailey, a human who is moments from checking herself into a psychiatric ward. He is grateful to be alive, but at what cost to his sanity? The dragon world is in upheaval. Green is at war with Red, and he is of no use to anyone while stuck with Hailey. The solution to their problem is not without its risks. But just how far will Hailey go to be free of the dragon? Singe Hailey has been taken. She was alive and had a dragon boyfriend with a shiny new body. Life was fantastic. Or it was until she was drugged and pulled right off the street. Hailey finds herself no match for the supernatural world. Will Dak come after her or did their latest battle of arrogance verses stubbornness ruin her chances of rescue? Dacea has two Mates. Word of his return was making its way through the dragon world and all the way to his runaway Mate. After hundreds of years of searching and wondering, Katherine was back and making herself at home. Dacea is stretched thin as he looks for Hailey and attempts to keep Katherine from moving in. Silas has a secret. His mind is set and he’ll tear through whatever gets in his way. With a little more research he hopes to have his suspicions confirmed. And when they are, his discovery will change everything. Scorch Hailey Holloway has a serious knack with running from her problems. At the first sign of trouble she can be found lacing up her Nikes and hitting the road. Dacea has been patient with her, but a man can only handle so much. He told her before that he would not chase after her again and is he nothing, if not a man of his word. Katherine is more than happy to pick at the wound that festers between them. If she picks enough, she just might make one or both of them bleed. War is on the horizon. Together, they need to convince the leaders of Blue and Silver to join their crusade against the Council, but can they put their differences aside and stop fighting long enough to help those in the line of fire? Smolder Hailey was finally ready. After months of uncertainty she was prepared to be mated to the man and the dragon she loved most in the world. There was just one problem, he hadn’t asked her yet. Of course that didn’t mean he wasn’t teasing her relentlessly. Dacea was getting down on one knee at every chance he had but the right question had yet to pass his lips. He had a plan, one Hailey was not privy too, and all of this was just for show until the day came that he would make her his mate. A tragedy will rock them all but none more than Dacea. In the aftermath, he can’t find the will to keep going forward with his plans. It will be up to Hailey to take charge and make an honest man out of him.

Through the Mountains


Malinda Andrews - 2015
    She and her mother lived on the outskirts of a village in the secluded Rhal-Dages Mountains of Bjergen. They grew, or hunted what they could, and traded for the rest. Her best friend for the twenty years of her life, Damien, and his family were there for her without question. At least until a mysterious figure reveals something within her, setting in motion events that sweep Riona into a conflict decades in the making. After another figure’s unexplained visit, Riona is required to accept that the abilities she has had for so long, and tried to hide, come from magic. But since Moriel destroyed the legendary Ryders and their powerful dragons twenty-one years prior, magic was something to be feared by the people. Magic was dangerous, and those using it were sought out and killed. Forced to leave her home, Riona is stalked by nightmarish shadow figures, as she tries to uncover the truth of who she is. Her choices, and discoveries, could mean the destruction, or salvation of the people she loves most.

The Whispers of Shadows


Lisa M. James - 2015
    Yet, whispers surrounding a young princess of the East Kingdom pose to threaten the peace. When Princess Lucinda spends the summer with Prince Matthew of the West Kingdom, the two find that their lives are connected by a legend of a fifth kingdom; a kingdom once ruled by an Ancient Queen who met a tragic end. A prophecy surrounds Lucinda that she will be the key to resurrect the lost Fifth Kingdom. The Whispers of Shadows is the first book in The Fifth Kingdom novella series.

A Better Man


Paul S. Kemp - 2015
    Kemp says, "Egil and Nix feature in my sword and sorcery novels, The Hammer and the Blade, A Discourse in Steel, and A Conversation in Blood. Their stories are pacy, filled with action and wit (I hope). I think of them as a cross of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, spiced with a bit of Conan and Indiana Jones. I hope you enjoy listening to their stories as much as I do writing them.""A Better Man" takes place after the events of A Discourse in Steel, though it is entirely stand-alone.

Hermit


Patrick Denim - 2015
    Ewan is a man torn apart. Everything he knows and loves has been ripped away with one cruel stroke. He seeks solace in the peace and tranquillity of the Scottish Highlands, where he learns to live at one with the magic of the earth. Rose is a young mother, barely more than a girl herself, desperate to raise her son away from the drugs, violence and prostitution into which she was born. Ragnor is a dragon, the last of his kind. For a thousand years he has raged against the confines of the cage that binds him beneath the ground. All three seek only to escape from their current conditions, but the gods must play their games, where defeat means destruction, and Ewan, Rose and Ragnor’s destinies are not their own to forge. Forced together in a story of violence and shattered dreams, laced with magic and mysticism, they must struggle to survive in a world where being righteous does not guarantee victory. The meek will not inherit the earth unless they fight for it!

Inanna Rising: Women Forged in Fire


Amanda M. LyonsDona Fox - 2015
    The Sumerians spoke of how she descended into the underworld with her many raiments to protect her and one by one gave each of them up to face her fate. There, she is judged by the Anunna, the lords of the underworld, looked upon with the eye of death, spoken against with the word of wrath, and the cry of guilt uttered against her. She is struck dead and hung from a hook on the wall only to rise 3 days later. Inanna Rising is an anthology about strong women in dark scenarios, some of them by chance and some by their own design. Each of them rising from their own personal hell, stronger for her journey. Stories by: Ashley Dioses Essel Pratt Sharon L. Higa Michael Kanuckel Vyvecca Pratt Sam Reese Melissa McDannell Dona Fox Christina Engela Susan Simone Magenta Nero Stuart Keane Amanda M Lyons Todd Misura Alex Shalenko Aghori Shaivite Cynthia Booth Roy C. Booth

The Dragon’s Castle (Apprentice, #2)


James Cardona - 2015
    Bel, a wizard’s apprentice accompanies his master to the capitol city to help negotiate a truce between warring kingdoms, but when they arrive he finds much more than he bargained for. His long lost love, Shireen is there and their romance is quickly rekindled. There’s only one problem with that though-magician’s are to remain celibate under penalty of excommunication.It’s a fantasy tale that sizzles, sparkles and pops with energy, ingenuity, imagination, and a wonderfully heightened sense of adventure.All Bel wants to do is train under his master. He just acquired a full wizard’s staff, at great difficulty, so he has no interest in going off on some boring trek to negotiate a truce. But when they arrive, all is not what it seems. He finds that Shireen is apprentice under Meetta and Bel can’t keep his eyes off his former love. His master seems to have a strange, hypnotic attraction for Meetta, but that couldn’t be right, could it? Wizard’s aren’t allowed! A fellow wizard, Gedd, from a neighboring kingdom seems to know just a little to much about how and why the kingdoms are at war. Is he influencing them? The avians and the birds they control are everywhere. What do they seek? Readers everywhere are calling it "compelling," "amazing" and a "story that draws you in and sweeps you off your feet." This young adult, fantasy romance adventure is told from the perspective of Bel, Shireen, Meetta and Nes’egrinon, the two apprentices and their two masters as they each try to figure out what is going on as the kingdoms stagger-step close and closer to war, while trying to sort out their intense feelings for each other.Bel and Shireen fall in love all over again and it is only after they come to this stark realization that they don’t know what to do about it. It is the trade that every wizard must make. To become a magician they must forsake all relationships; they must give up love to gain knowledge. What choice will Bel and Shireen make? Are they strong enough? Can they give each other up? Should they?Reviewers are saying of this young adult, action packed, fast paced, romantic adventure, "a perfect marriage of fantasy and romance. I was gushing for their love affair and bouncing through the action scenes. I couldn’t get enough of it." Bel learns of the history of the kingdoms and all is not so rosy as there is bad blood of the decades that is coming to call. The avians and the creature-kind have not forgotten their losses at the hands of the Greenland warriors and the Eastern Forest Kingdom is pushing to expand. The forest is full of adversaries, each of which having different motivations and goals. Yet one thing they all have in mind, to conquer the capitol city. That is where the four wizards find themselves, at the center of a besieged city, surrounded by soldiers eager for blood.It’s a fast paced, young adult adventure tale full of swords and sorcery, mythical creatures, animals and dragons. The dragon’s castle is sure to delight fans of fantasy romance drama.Part thriller, part fantasy, and part mystery, The Dragon’s Castle is suspenseful and exhilarating to read. It is impossible to put down. Full of action, drama, comedy, with a full dose of romance, this book will appeal to the young adult who is looking for a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat adventure full of mysteries that will keep you guessing. Who is Gedd and what is he after? Why are the avians patrolling the skies and what is the relic they seek? What is the smell in the castle and why does only Bel’s master detect it? Will Bel and Shireen sort out their relationship or will it destroy them?

The Guardians / Ossendar


Christopher Williams - 2015
     The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series: Flare is a young half elf who has been raised by the elves. Despite having spent his entire life with the elves, he has never really been accepted and lives the life of an outcast. As his thirtieth birthday approaches, Flare makes a momentous decision. He decides to travel to the Southern city of Telur to join the Guardians. The Guardians are the elite part of the Telurian army, and anyone can join; even foreigners. The elves are outraged, and Flare is forced to flee the elven forest and travel alone to the human city of Telur, where he joins the Guardians and begins his military training. Flare is assigned to the western Fort of Mul-Dune, where he continues traveling the path of prophecy. Unknowingly, Flare has began down the path of an ancient and cryptic prophecy. A prophecy that the church of Adel will do anything to keep from being fulfilled. Anything, including murder. Ossendar: Book Two of the Restoration Series: Ossendar picks up right where The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series left off. Flare a young half elf returns to Telur a hero and is cheered by the commoners. The nobles are a different story. Flare begins to settle into his new life as a prince of Telur and quickly discovers that life as a simple soldier wasn't so bad. Plots and schemes abound, even in the royal family. Even though the Church of Adel is watching him closely, afraid that Flare will restore the Dragon Order, Flare continues to study magic. When the opportunity to study sorcery presents itself, Flare can't pass it up. Both magical arts are forbidden for warriors to learn and if anyone finds out, then Flare will die slowly and horribly. With armies massing to the south and east, the king charges Flare with a secret and vital mission. He orders Flare to the catacombs under Mount Ogular to retrieve Ossendar, the sword of the last member of the Dragon Order. Flare takes his squad of soldiers and heads south, amazed by his mission. Not only is Ossendar supposed to be a powerful weapon, but it's also one of the identifiers that the Kelcer Prophecy uses to describe the coming destroyer. Kelcer prophesied in explicit terms of the horrors that the restorer of the Dragon Order would do; one of the first signs of the destroyer is that he will wield Ossendar.

The Mad Song: and other Tales of Sword & Sorcery (Lit Pulp Book 2)


David J. West - 2015
    From demon haunted ruins to burning ships manned by eldritch foes, these 21 tales and verse of Sword & Sorcery transport you to realms of terrifying horror and exquisite wonder.