Book picks similar to
Avalon’s Portal by Lynne W. Bailey


arthurian
children-or-middle-grade-books
fantasy-sci-fi-dystopia-youth
indie-books

The Crystal Cave/The Hollow Hills/Wildfire at Midnight


Mary Stewart
    

The Van Helsing Paradox


Evelyn Chartres - 2018
    There was more truth than fiction to those words. There were things that lurked in the shadows which defied the laws of nature: perversions that fed on the dead, terrorised the living, or escaped the chill touch of the grave.Clara is a member of the Tower, a religious order of hunters who work outside the confines of the Church. As keepers of the arcane, her order takes an active role to counter these threats. The life of a hunter can be short, and many disappear before their training is complete. So, what does it take to succeed against all odds?Explore Clara’s origin, a child born before the dawn of the twentieth century. Witness her rigorous training, how she faces adversity, and fights in the Great War to become the derringer wielding flapper she is.Throughout her tale, keep in mind that no matter the threat, a gal has to look out for herself after all.

Paragon


Riley Tune - 2017
     A choice that every Icon, a person born with powers, eventually has to make if they don’t want to live a life of mediocrity. For most Icons the decision is easy. Just do what your parents did. Then, there is Hunter Monroe. A powerful young Icon born from the unimaginable union of a hero and villain. Seventeen years later Hunter is seen as a half-breed abomination by some, and as a certified powerhouse by others. With his time at Purgatory Academy, the premier institute for Icons, coming to an end, Hunter must embark on a two year internship with a supergroup. After being selected to intern with The Imperial Lords, the world’s leading supergroup, Hunter’s life begins to slowly unravel. Between a shaky love life, facing an old rival, and seeing his mentors for who they truly are, Hunter is in for the longest two years of his life. Things get more complex when an Icon serial killer emerges with unthinkable power, and begins to shed light on Hunter’s life that will leave him wondering if he should use his powers to save the world, or conquer it.

Accidental Witch


Lydia Sherrer - 2017
    But when someone you love dies, logic and reason die with them." Sebastian Blackwell is your typical high school popular kid: attractive, charming, and a little rebellious. At least he used to be. But when his parents are killed in a freak accident, he goes from cool kid to orphan outcast before the dirt even settles over their graves. Now a shell of his former self, Sebastian realizes what really matters in life and is determined to get it back, no matter the cost. To do it, he'll have to delve into his family's darkest secrets, secrets his parents tried to protect him from his whole life. With a ghost as his only friend, a goth girl his only ally, and a demon prince his only chance, Sebastian sets out on a desperate path of redemption that seems more likely to damn him than to save him. For all power has a price, and Sebastian must decide what he is willing to pay to defy death itself. For fans of paranormal series like Supernatural and Odd Thomas, this tale of loss and the struggle for redemption will keep you on the edge of your seat. Grab it today and discover what you would give to save those you love most. (Suggested age range 15+ for mild language and violence. The Dark Roads Trilogy is a spinoff series of Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus - The Lily Singer Adventures. Either series can be read first.)

The Summer I Fell for My Best Friend


Sara Jane Woodley - 2020
    Unfortunately, my parents have other ideas -- they’ve sent me to work at the family hotel. Instead of lying on white sand beaches, I’ll be trapped in the mountains.It’s the worst punishment I can think of. Or at least, it seems that way until I see HIM.Noah Sawyer. Tall. Gorgeous. And mysterious. He’s Edendale High’s resident heart throb, and he’s also my former best friend. We haven’t talked after what happened three years ago, but fate has brought us together again.It might be the last summer we ever spend together. Three years ago, I wanted to kiss him, but couldn’t.This summer will be my last chance.

The Art of Fixing Things, Principles of Machines, and How to Repair Them: 150 Tips and Tricks to Make Things Last Longer, and Save You Money.


Lawrence E. Pierce - 2011
    

The Guinevere's Tale Trilogy


Nicole Evelina - 2018
    But there is so much more to her story… Priestess. Queen. Warrior. Experience the world of King Arthur through Guinevere’s eyes as she matures from a young priestess who never dreamed of becoming queen to the stalwart defender of a nation and a mistress whose sin would go down in history. Throughout it all, Guinevere she faces threats from both foreign powers and within her own court that lead her to place her very life on the line to protect the dream of Camelot and save her people. This compendium of Nicole Evelina’s two-time Book of the Year award-winning trilogy – Daughter of Destiny, Camelot’s Queen, and Mistress of Legend – gives fresh life to an age-old tale by adding historical context and emotional depth. Spanning more than three decades, it presents Guinevere as an equal to the famous men she is remembered for loving, while providing context for her controversial decisions and visiting little-known aspects of her life before and after her marriage to King Arthur. Book One: Daughter of Destiny Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was a priestess of Avalon. She loved another before Arthur, a warrior who would one day betray her. Learn the true story of her early life. • Book of the Year – Chanticleer Reviews • Best New Voice, (Silver Award), IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards • Winner – North Street Book Prize "Rich and stunning, easily comparable to novels by other bestselling historical fiction authors." - Chanticleer Book Reviews Book Two: Camelot’s Queen Guinevere is now High Queen and Arthur’s top strategist. But when she is feared dead, Arthur installs a new woman in her place, one who will poison his affections, threatening Guinevere’s fragile sanity and driving her into the arms of her champion. Can the Grail’s promise of peace set things right or will peace prove as dangerous as war? • Fiction Book of the Year – Author’s Circle • Best Second Book – Next Generation Indie Book Awards “Historical fantasy at its finest!" - InD'Tale Magazine Book Three: Mistress of Legend Legend says Guinevere spent her final days in penance in a convent, but that is far from the truth. Not one to quietly cede power, she fights for her ancestral homeland against an invasion that threatens both her people and her life.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Lady of Shallot, the Lady of the Fountain, and Other Classic Poems and Tales of Camelot


Alfred Tennyson - 2011
    The Arthurian tales of chivalry, romance, and tragedy have left a lasting impact on English literature. This collection contains Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (trans. 1898), The Lady of Shallot (1833), The Founding of the Round Table (trans. 1914), The Passing of Arthur (trans. 1914), The Morte D'arthur (1914), The Lady of the Fountain (trans. 1877), Arthurian Songs: 1. Avalon (1894), and Sir Galahad, a Christmas Mystery (1858).

Build Your Best Writing Life: Essential Strategies for Personal Writing Success


Kristen Kieffer - 2019
    Maybe you’re frustrated with your writing progress or overwhelmed by creative doubt, burnout, or writer’s block. Maybe you just can’t seem to sit down and write.No matter the roadblock standing between you and writing success, here’s the good news: You’re capable of becoming the writer you want to be—and that work can begin today. In this actionable and empowering guide to personal writing success, Kristen Kieffer shares 25 insightful chapters designed to help you:• Cultivate confidence in your skills and stories• Develop a personal writing habit you can actually sustain• Improve your writing ability with tools for intentional growth• Discover what you (really) want from your writing life—and how to get it! By the end of Build Your Best Writing Life, you’ll know how to harness the simple techniques that can help you win your inner creative battles, finish projects you can be proud to share with the world, and work with focus to turn your writing dreams into reality.

Band of Gold


Maggie Christensen - 2014
    A schoolteacher in Sydney, Anna juggles her busy life with a daughter in the throes of first love and increasingly demanding aging parents.When Anna’s husband of twenty-five years leaves her, on Christmas morning, without warning or explanation, her safe and secure world collapses. Marcus King returns to Australia from the USA, leaving behind a broken marriage and a young son. When he takes up the position of Headmaster at Anna’s school, they form a fragile friendship through their mutual hurt and loneliness. Can Anna leave the past behind and make a new life for herself, and does Marcus have a part to play in her future?

Potatoes, Come Forth!


H. Jonas Rhynedahll - 2011
    He has manifested the seven spells required to earn the rank of Journeyman Magicker, but few of his spells are useful enough to earn coin, and when he does manage to find work, he is often paid in farm produce.His life is simple, ponderous, and unexciting.Then, almost miraculously, he manifests an eighth spell: Beautiful Woman, come forth!And this is when his troubles truly begin.Potatoes, Come Forth! is a fantasy novel of 89,400 words or approximately 357 pages.

Once Upon a Death


Dzintra Sullivan - 2019
     Now I choose change. Kaah Maah had been the reaper for over a millennia. The mundane repetition of collecting souls night after night from an ever-increasing population was beginning to grind on him. Kaah had witnessed an ocean of unique faces, all confronted with their final moments on earth. Though different in appearance they all showed one final emotion—fear. Kaah wanted a change. He craved quiet serenity, where he could perfect his yoga poses while listening to his favorite singer Michael Bublè. Kaah wanted nothing more than to retire and become a ‘no one special’ in a ‘nowhere special’ town. When strange things began happening in Deadend, Ohio, the question had to be asked. You might be able to take the reaper away from death, but can you ever actually take death away from the reaper?

Power Divided (The Evolutionaries, #1)


S. Behr - 2019
    As descendants of genetically modified humans desperate to survive an ice age, Amerans have built a peaceful, prosperous kingdom uniting nine realms, each with their own king and queen. Violet is a princess of Neyr, the third of the nine realms of Amera, living in the transformed ruins of ancient New York City, high up in the reborn Chrysler building. Born into Neyr’s talented ruling family, she struggles to show evidence of any special power herself. Raised by one of the most powerful healers in Ameran history, Violet wants more than anything to pass her Criterion, a test all citizens must take to prove they are worthy and to find their place in society. But when her powers explode to catastrophic effect in front of her entire court, she runs from the unthinkable damage and misery she has caused.In her desperate escape, Violet stumbles upon an incredible archive of ancient knowledge and awakens Hailey, an artificial intelligence relic who reveals hidden truths that could be the key to her return home. But when the sanctuary of the Amera is threatened by humans, old enemies of Amera who live in violent colonies beyond Amera’s borders, Violet must master her burgeoning powers and find a way to protect her idyllic kingdom from the outside world. A thrilling, action-packed blend of Young Adult fantasy and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Perfect for fans of the Lunar Chronicles and Shatter Me series.

We Survivors: A Story from After the End


L.J. Thomas - 2019
    She buries her before-the-end memories and focuses on survival. Then one night, she hears a voice on her radio and everything changes.Nadia finds comfort in her new-found companions, but they also discover an unsettling thread tying them together: their shared birthdays. As they begin to unravel the mysteries surrounding their survival, they soon realize it was no accident, and that they could be in far more danger than they ever imagined…Be advised, this novel contains discussions of self-harm and suicide.

The Marked Princess


E.P. Stavs - 2020
    She'd much rather be practicing her swordplay with her best friend, Edmund, or teasing her straight-laced guard, Alex. Marriage isn't exactly high on her list of priorities.But Josselyn isn't your typical princess, and this isn't your typical fairy-tale story. When a plot to overthrow the kingdom sends her fleeing for her life, Josselyn will discover just how different she truly is as the ancient, celestial magic dwelling beneath her marked skin emerges in the most startling of ways. Will she be strong enough to face the darkness there and save her kingdom? Or will she crumple under the weight of self-doubt?Celestial beasts, steamy dances, and a fierce-as-hell warrior princess all mark the exciting first installment of E.P. Stavs's The Shendri Series.