For ten long years young Dirk Blackthorn has followed his drunken father from one city to another, always having to cheat and steal for his next meal, and never knowing what the future might hold. A magician turned con artist, Dirk’s father Thad has taught him everything he knows. After being driven out of just about every southern city in Agora, they have come to Kell-Torey in search of a new beginning. With winter on its way, and all but a rusty coin spent on his father’s drinking, Dirk must make full use of his skills if they are to survive the harsh northern cold. As Thad descends deeper into his drunken delirium, Dirk becomes determined to make a name for himself in the city’s criminal underworld. Featuring two of Legends of Agora’s most beloved characters, Blackthorn Rising is a fast-paced coming of age tale wrought with sword and sorcery, it is a story of failure and triumph, and a testament to the unrelenting spirit of defiance and adventure within us all. FROM THE EDITOR Blackthorn Rising is a book that sticks with you. Michael Ploof’s stimulating prose and evocative cast of characters are incapable of boring you on any single page. The plot is sharp, charged with dark wit, adventure, intrigue, and emotion. Enjoy Dirk Blackthorn’s bumbling journey to manhood as he rises to become a great thief, and an even greater man. I loved every minute of editing this tale, and I know you’ll love every minute of reading it. --Holly M. Kothe, espressoeditor.com

    To the victor go the spoils.My name is Killian Dunn. I'm eighteen, a high school senior, a gamer, and, oh yeah, the Harbinger of the Apocalypse. Not exactly what I had in mind as a career path.Reality took a nosedive when Armageddon came knocking. It brought with it classes, levels, and skills, as well as a horde of Lovecraftian abominations to use them on.I never wanted any of this, but the sick god who orchestrated this whole nightmare has my family. Their lives are forfeit if I refuse to play his game.He left me no choice but to accept my role and play my part—not as just another piece on the chessboard, but as the king—the Demon Lord of the Black.But if I'm the villain, then there must also be a hero. On the side of White stands the Archangel, and they're as determined as I am to win.The prize? A single wish.With it, I can protect my family, fix everything that's broken, and save the whole damn world.I just have to destroy it first.

    In order to save himself and others, Liam must reach his full potential as the last hope.He must become the last shining star that guides his people.This is the story of a man's desperate attempts to save humanity from certain extinction, as well as find out who's behind it all. He dreams of creating a fairer, more just reality and through the System, finds a ray of hope. Follow his journey as he struggles to build up his power while withstanding the trials of Fate.

     Lyra has been keeping a secret from everyone. Still stinging from her parents’ divorce, her life is falling apart. When her mom finds out what Lyra’s been hiding, she pulls her from her world of partying and takes her to a reclusive cabin in the woods to get herself together. At first, Lyra wants nothing to do with the solitude of nature, until she stumbles upon a small commune deep in the forest and three gorgeous, intriguing men who live there. Completely different from one another, Rain, Paul, and X grab Lyra’s attention and pique her curiosity each in their own unique way. Can these three men living a simple life in the woods help Lyra find herself and the love and intense pleasure she’s been missing with all of them?.

    She shouldn’t ache for him. She shouldn’t believe him. Claire has given up hope of remembering her past. When the wickedly handsome William walks into her life, she can’t look away. In a world where nothing feels familiar, he does. William knows her secrets, but he carries secrets of his own. Cold skin… Overwhelming power… He’s a vampire. And still, Claire is drawn to him. She can’t help herself. Every rational part of her mind screams for her to stay away, but her heart disagrees. William claims he holds the key to her past, though his knowledge comes at a hefty price…her life. Or worse...her heart. *Notes: Claire and William's story continues in Immortal Memories Part 2. Due to mature content, this book is intended for audiences 18+.

    Merlin’s wayward apprentice has escaped from the Tower of London with his raven familiars. Legend foretells that the White Tower, then England, will fall.Can King Arthur, a weary veteran of the English Civil War, Waterloo and the Somme, prevent the Ravenmaster from exacting his revenge?

    This book does not contain any of the Dragonriders of Pern books.It is 56 pages of reprints of Wikipedia and other public domain online articles.

     Twins Belwynn and Soren can communicate telepathically. They must lead a team of mercenaries, priests and exiles on a mission that becomes far darker and more important than they had bargained for. Perfect for fans of multi-character epics like Lord of the Rings & A Game of Thrones. Praise for this series from readers: ★★★★★ “If you’re a fan of great characters and plenty of action set in a well-developed fantasy world then this is your series.” ★★★★★ “With interesting, well-fleshed out characters and a genuinely enthralling plot, this one really stood out for me.” ★★★★★ “Usually the author's writing links out a little for the next book or two, but not this guy, it stays right up there. You really need to get the rest of this series, you deserve it.” Comprising books 1-3 of The Weapon Takers Saga, this box set follows an epic quest for the seven weapons of Madria. Soren, an ambitious wizard Belwynn, his twin sister, who shares a telepathic link with him Rabigar, an exile of the Krykker race Elana, a mysterious priestess Moneva, a killer with a dark past And a host of mercenaries, sorcerers, knights, dukes, kings and strange new races. Who will lay claim to the weapons? Who can be trusted? And as war comes to Dalriya, who will take a stand against the dark forces that have been unleashed on the land? Readers have compared this series to The Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, The Belgariad & A Game of Thrones. “This quest to retrieve a stolen religious relic ticked so many of the boxes that got me into fantasy in the first place: an epic quest, a cast of diverse characters, swords and sorcery, otherworldly landscapes, strange creatures. Couple all this with a world which has a detailed history replete with political rifts, feuds and machinations, there is a lot going on. I especially liked the mix of characters, each bring their own skills and personalities to the party” CF Welburn, Author of The Ashen Levels

    Fritz must face life as a troll in a world where monsters are hunted, but he isn’t going to sit around waiting to be killed. He may be a monster but there’s no rule that monsters can’t hunt other monsters.Fritz is a troll that likes good food and good drink among other things, so he strives to improve his life in the world he finds himself in. For the sake of good food and good cider he’ll do whatever it takes, even if that means conquering the world. World domination is purely optional though. The food and drink aren't.Fritz soon acquires some useful allies so he won't be eating dull food for long. His unlucky ninja may also help make life itself interesting. He soon attracts a little too much attention from the gods already in this world, so his life is about to get a little too interesting.Please note that all people, places and events in this story are purely fictional. Any resemblance to any real person, place or event (or anything else) is purely co-incidence. This story does include violence, alcohol, fan service and adult themes, so is not suitable for young children. All main characters and characters with any fan service are adults (aged 18+).

    With the help of her mother, Akira flees her tyrannical father. However, her escape does not go as she planned and Akira finds herself among a group of warriors led by a dashing young leader who encourages her to fulfill her destiny on her own terms. This warrior will test Akira's will and spirit and force her to reconsider her opinions towards men. But Akira's father will stop at nothing to bring her back.

    All I know is that I woke up on an altar as a drow male, and the beautiful dark-elf priestesses said they begged their Spider Goddess for help.They ended up with me.Drow males apparently don’t have a lot of standing or power in this matriarchal society, but the women who summoned me are in dire need. Their House has been raided, their family decimated, and they are out for revenge.So, if I can help them get their vengeance, I could potentially be adopted by this House and increase my standing in this cutthroat world.And this group of beautifully evil priestesses will also need help making children to replenish their numbers…

    First he had to win admission when only one hundred applicants would be selected from over four hundred. Then Jamie had to learn how to use the power of a Dragon belt and learn to fly with a Dragon. Added to all of this, against all tradition, Jamie has been bonded to a Dragon in his first year. But Jamie overcomes all of those difficulties and even helps his bonded Dragon, Tomith, whom he has nicknamed Tommy, to learn how to fly. Now Jamie and Tommy face the second semester, and in this semester they will continue to struggle— but not only with their classes. They have now been caught up in the Stonebriar House Championship. Each year, the five Houses—Blackburn, Warwick, Aubondale, Waverly, and Pembroke—all compete for the coveted House Championship. Jamie’s and Tommy’s House, Aubondale, has finished in last place for the previous seven years. The overriding passion of every student in Aubondale is to finally get their house out of last place. To help accomplish this, Jamie and Tommy will have to compete in the school’s Dragon races, something they know nothing about. Even as Jamie and Tommy settle into the day-to-day struggles of school life at Stonebriar, they have been marked for capture or assassination by a shadowy organization known at the Sisterhood. For decades, the Sisterhood has been seeking to fulfill a prophecy that will grant the sisters total control over all the nations of Aurellius—along with immortality. But, in order to achieve their goal, they must eliminate Jamie and Tommy. Jamie’s and Tommy’s greatest challenge will not be helping get their House out of last place—their greatest challenge will be to simply survive.

    What if you had a genie who wanted your every last desire to come true? What if you had two? And what if they were competing to see who could do a better job?What would you wish for?

    It has been one of the highest-rated sci-fi series on Amazon over the last three years. This bundle contains books 1 through 9--the complete series--and will captivate fans of science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, and cyberpunk. In this riveting nine-volume set, Hoodwink Cooper infiltrates a tyrannical alien regime and traverses multiple realities in a daring attempt to save his daughter from certain doom... There's only one problem. He might destroy the last living remnants of humanity in the process. This ultimate edition contains THE FOREVER GATE volumes one through nine. Strap yourself in, because the mind-bending thrill ride that explores what it means to be human has only just begun.

    . . they sent one man. Brand protects the king, but every bodyguard before him is dead. A horde of mankind’s ancient enemies lays siege to Cardoroth city. During the day, the clang of blades, the mad shrieks of the foe and the hiss of swift-flighted arrows cuts the air. At night, the sorcerous chanting begins. Brand ignores it all. His duty is to shield one man from death. But fate forces him to leave that man in deadly peril, for the king he swore to guard sends him on a last-chance quest to save the realm. Enemies track him across strange lands. Beasts of foul magic stalk him. A beautiful but deadly girl aids him - for reasons of her own. She reveals that more is at play than the fate of kings and realms. Ancient forces, drenched in long-forgotten blood, seek to plunge the world into the dark. The odds pile against him. But he is Brand, and not for nothing did he earn the king’s trust.