Book picks similar to
Sins of the Past by J.D. Franx


fantasy
high-fantasy
short-stories
audio

Fatemarked Origins: Volume II


David Estes - 2017
    Martin’s A Game of Thrones and Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings, The Fatemarked Epic promises immaculate world building, an ancient prophecy, a mysterious source of magic, a diverse cast of characters, war, political intrigue, and romance. Five Fatemarked short stories capturing the origins of some of the most pivotal and loved characters in the epic fantasy series, bringing the world of David Estes’ creation to life in a whole new way. The creation of the fatemarks, a brewing rebellion in the fighting pits of Zune, a romp into the Hinterlands, the gathering of Teran slaves, and the start of the southern plague. Includes the origin stories of Bear Blackboots, Viper Sandes, Heinrich Gäric (first Crimean explorer to discover the Four Kingdoms), Shanti Parthena Laude, and Chavos (the Beggar).

The Spellmonger's Yule: A Spellmonger Series Short Story


Terry Mancour - 2017
     When such odd advice comes from the lips of a friend in a moment of peril, it sticks with you . . . and Minalan the Spellmonger, Baron of Sevendor, desperately needs some hope, right now. The mind of his poor wife, Alya, is damaged beyond repair after a selfless sacrifice, and Minalan has vowed to make her whole. Yet even the gods are powerless. As Yule approaches and Minalan contemplates despair, and a life without his beloved wife, he has run out of options . . . and hope. When magic and the gods themselves fail, a man will cling to any shred he can . . . such as a whispered phrase in the middle of battle. But following that advice means coming to terms with his loss - perhaps even remarrying, to fortify his domains and give his children stability. That seems beyond the power of the Spellmonger to do in his grief. Opening the bottle meant for an anniversary they will never share symbolizes saying good-bye to his beloved forever, and Minalan knows it. But what else can a man do when he's run out of hope?

Warrior


Sean Golden - 2015
    Lirak wonders if they might be right. Sent on a holy quest to test his prophetic dreams, he returns to find his people scattered or slaughtered. Ruthless invaders and their dread warlocks spread death and destruction across the land. Before he can lead the remnants of his people in vengeance, he must win their trust. But blades and arrows alone will not defeat this enemy. His only hope is to master warlock sorcery, turning their own fell powers against them.Can he learn their arcane secrets in time, or will the deadly power consume him?Only the Seven Gods could know, but they war amongst themselves, Lirak is a pawn in their divine conflict. Even if he defeats the invaders, he fears his trials are just beginning.

The Flesh of War


Ben Hale - 2015
    They train from birth, endure brutal conditioning, and mark their skin with every kill. They have become the very flesh of war, but their history of honor has been forgotten. Now a bounty has been issued, one which calls for the extermination of their race. To survive they must awaken to what they have lost, before their enemies begin to gather. Born in the midst of a bloody conflict, Tryton bears a heart of peace. His talent will command respect, but his nature is the true weapon. To wield it he must rise to lead them all—without sacrificing his soul. The fate of his people lies with him, but the seeds of destruction have already been sown. And the harvest has come.

Shackled


Michael Wisehart - 2016
    Caged alongside a helpless band of half-starved wielders, he formulates a strategy to escape. Armed with nothing more than his sarcastic wit and a determination to never give in, Ferrin attempts the impossible.(Free Download from author's website )

The Carnival of the Night


Nicholas Carey - 2018
     And The Fool has one rule: No one leaves The Carnival. Ever. Christopher, the latest arrival thrust reluctantly through the gates, is certain that he doesn't belong there, and he's damn sure he's not staying. To have any chance of escaping, he must confront not only The Fool, but his own dark past.

Rising Thunder


Brandon Cornwell - 2017
    A giant amongst his kind, he dwarfs not only his fellow elves but the taller, stronger humans as well. Cast out by his own kind, he was sent to live amongst the Northmen at a young age, learning their ways and culture, but never wholly accepted by them. When his oldest friend, King Brynjar, dies in his old age, Elias's position among the volatile men of the Northlands becomes tenuous, and he sets out to make his place in the world.Far to the south, a war is brewing between his homeland of Lonwick, and the demonic Felle, an army of orcs, ogres, trolls, and men. Should he stay to the north and avoid the conflict, or should he travel south and join the forces that are defending his homeland? Who is the shadowy dark knight that hunts him? And will he ever find people in this world that see him for who he is, and not the freak he appears to be?From the warm, forested slopes of coastal mountain ranges, to the tropical shores of exotic islands, author Brandon Cornwell leads us on an adventure filled with battles, magic, love, and loss. As Elias faces the journey before him, rich characters and vivid settings transport us into a world that feels as real as it does fantastical.

Brutal


James Alderdice - 2017
    His past is a mystery. His future is etched in blood…The Sellsword knows an opportunity when he sees one. When he rides into the border city of Aldreth, he can tell that the power struggle between two feuding wizards needs a solitary spark to ignite into all-out-war. As he sets the corrupt paladins and demonic adepts against each other, he’s not surprised when the blood begins to flow…But after the alluring duchess catches his eye, the Sellsword puts himself in harm’s way to protect her and the innocent people of Aldreth. To save the noble few, spells and blades won’t stop the Sellsword from leaving a swath of righteous carnage in his wake…Brutal is an action-packed grimdark fantasy in the vein of classic pulp fiction and Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns. If you like gory battles, larger-than-life characters, and witty humor, then you’ll love James Alderice’s gritty tale.

Students of the Order


Edward W. Robertson - 2020
    

Solar Storms


Nicholas Sansbury Smith - 2013
    With little time to prepare for the storms, NASA recruits Drs. Sophie Winston and Emanuel Rodriguez to help monitor the solar weather. At first, the duo believes they have been hired for a routine project. But when arriving at the Johnson Space Center they quickly realize they haven’t been told everything about their mission. And as a massive storm races toward Earth, they begin to suspect that it isn’t a natural event. Millions of miles away something is feeding the storms…“Solar Storms” is a prequel short story to the terrifying sci-fi thriller, ORBS.

Escape from Bythos


Phil Tucker - 2016
    Known as their Black Year, it is a time both loathed and dreaded. Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves, is down in the depths with six of his knights. Biding his time. Whoring. Dreaming of bloody invasions he'll launch when he is free to return to Ennoia.Then a Bythian slave brings word of dangerous prey. A legendary monster. A cavekiller. Kyferin chooses to mount a hunt, taking a fraction of the men needed so as to increase his glory. This cavekiller, however, is different. More lethal. Ferocious. And the Bythian slave that Kyferin brings as a guide is none other than Asho's father...

Room on the Sea


André Aciman - 2022
    Catherine was reading a novel. So begins Room on the Sea, André Aciman's scorching and elegiac love-story about a middle-aged man and woman who meet in the bullpen of jury selection and spend a sultry summer’s week trespassing ever further into each other's hearts.What begins as a flirtation quickly evolves into something deeper, something Paul and Catherine must carry on in secret—and with the understanding that anything more than a casual crush is out of the question. But as the week draws to a close, the end of their rendezvous comes into focus, and Paul and Catherine are forced to decide whether to act on their feelings or leave the fantasy of what could have been to the annals of the past.By turns scintillating and philosophical, Room on the Sea is a compulsively listenable story of love, fate, and last chances.©2022 Andre Aciman (P)2022 Audible Originals, Inc.

The Sleeping Gods Boxed Set: Books 1 - 2


Ralph Kern - 2021
    It is an enigma that a long-dead scientist called the Fermi Paradox."Where are they?" A brave crew will take humanity's first starship, Endeavour, on an epic journey that spans light years and centuries to solve this mystery. As Commander Tom Hites and his crew searches amid long-abandoned worlds and ancient relics, the question they seek to answer becomes: "Where are they now?"ErebusThe sparsely populated moon Io is destroyed in a terrorist attack. Hundreds are dead in the cataclysmic explosion. Thousands become refugees as the shattered remnants of the moon threaten the Jupiter Alliance. Billions throughout the solar system are wondering, "Where next?"Those responsible must be found and brought to justice. The explorer ship Erebus is reassigned from its mission and sent to Jupiter to investigate this atrocity with Trent's international team onboard. And what Trent discovers among the relics of the alien Sleeping Gods will change humanity's place in the universe forever.

The Last Warrior of Unigaea


Harmon Cooper - 2017
     But with the people of the Rune Lands encroaching on the southern cities of Unigaea, and something brewing in the sky that could prove fatal to the entire online world, Oric must make the choice between personal vengeance and becoming the hero he is destined to be. Joining him on his epic journey are a giant Tagvornin wolf, a mute Solar Mage, and a cunning illusionist named Sam Raid. Do not miss this the start of this powerful LitRPG fantasy trilogy by the author of Fantasy Online and The Feedback Loop series!

The King's Henchmen


Craig Halloran - 2019
    Pro Athlete Abraham Jenkins must trade a bat for a sword. Still reeling from the tragic events that threw his life into turmoil, All-Star Baseball Player Abraham Jenkins now cruises the lonely highways as a truck driver.  It's a boring, tedious existence, and all he can ever think about is getting back on the baseball diamond, hearing the crowd roar as he steps onto the mound and unleashes a fastball...Until one day he dozes off and fate intervenes.Abraham is suddenly catapulted into a medieval fantasy world unlike anything he's ever imagined. A world of knights, brutal lords, and war without rules. To survive, he fakes his way into a notorious group known as the King's Henchmen, renown for doing the crown's dirty work.  Surrounded by henchmen who don't trust him, and a ruthless king scrutinizing his every move, Abraham must do whatever it takes to live long enough to figure out how to return home. Because even a humdrum life on the road beats braving a bloody kingdom in chaos. Grab the thrilling first book in THE HENCHMEN CHRONICLES SERIES, perfect for fans of THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT, THE KING’S OF THE WYLD, THE MAGIC KINGDOM OF LANDOVER, AND THE BLACK COMPANY.  Scroll up and Grab your Copy Today! Free on Kindle Unlimited!  More about Craig and his books:  Craig Halloran is a #1 Bestselling Amazon Author in the following genres and categories:Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Coming of Age, Dragons & Mythical Creatures, Werewolves & Shifters, Dark Fantasy and Collections & Anthologies. He is a KDP All-Star and Top 100 Amazon author as well. The Darkslayer, Series 1 (6 books)The Darkslayer, Series 2: Bish and Bone (10 books)The Odyssey of Nath Dragon, The Chronicles of Dragon Prequel Series (5 Books)The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 1 (10 Books)The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Tail of the Dragon (10 Books)The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Files (10 Books)The Clash of Heroes (3 Books)Zombie Impact (3 Books)The Gamma Earth Cycle (3 Books)The Red Citadel and the Sorcerer’s Power (5 books in 1)Learn more about Craig and his works at: WWW.CRAIGHALLORAN.COMSign up for is newsletter and get free books! Yay!