The Alignment


Kay Camden - 2013
    Yes, it's self-defense. But when he tried to kill her, it wasn't. Her peaceful mountain refuge has been invaded, her inexplicable nausea linked to his physical presence. She's captive in his house for her "protection," with a churning stomach, his bad attitude, and no safe way home.All that changed the night the stars aligned.Now he's talking about ancient bloodlines and celestial alignments...and other things she only believes because of what she's seen him do. He's heading out for revenge against the family who wronged him, and he needs her help. All she has to do is ingest one homemade dissolving tablet to allow him into her mind--to train her to be just like him.The answer would be a definite no if she had anything of her world left. If she hadn't fallen in love with him.

A Rosie Life In Italy 2: What Have We Done?


Rosie Meleady - 2021
    Well, that is what Rosie did.Buying the house was an accident. She only went out for bananas.Rosie embarks on renovating her 22 room ‘new’ home in Italy with a non-negotiable move-in date of Christmas Eve.Surrounded by a cast of interesting characters, the Irish woman learns the Italian way of life and house renovating in the country she wants to call home. But when the project manager goes AWOL, non-Italian speaking Rosie has no option but to take control with the help of a translation app.With no heating, windows disappearing, mystery holes in the garden, water flooding down the stairs, a pandemic destroyed business and with a move-in date that seems more laughable than doable, Rosie begins to question if she was crazy to follow through on her fabulous midlife crisis dream of renovating a villa in Italy.

The Last Queen: A Novel of Courage and Resistance


Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniChitra Banerjee Divakaruni
    In this dazzling novel, based on true-life events, bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni presents the unforgettable story of Jindan, who transformed herself from daughter of the royal kennel keeper to powerful monarch. Sharp-eyed, stubborn, and passionate, Jindan was known for her beauty. When she caught the eye of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, she was elevated to royalty, becoming his youngest and last queen--and his favorite. And when her son, barely six years old, unexpectedly inherited the throne, Jindan assumed the regency. She transformed herself from pampered wife to warrior ruler, determined to protect her people and her son's birthright from the encroaching British Empire.Defying tradition, she stepped out of the zenana, cast aside the veil, and conducted state business in public, inspiring her subjects in two wars. Her power and influence were so formidable that the British, fearing an uprising, robbed the rebel queen of everything she had, but nothing crushed her indomitable will.An exquisite love story of a king and a commoner, a cautionary tale about loyalty and betrayal, a powerful parable of the indestructible bond between mother and child, and an inspiration for our times, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's novel brings alive one of the most fearless women of the nineteenth century, one whose story cries out to be told.

Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy


Richard Due - 2017
    CrumNational Indie Excellence Award ~ Winner for Juvenile Fiction / Independent Publisher Book Award ~ Medalist / International Rubery Book Award ~ ShortlistEver wonder why some crazy scientist hasn’t blown up the world? I used to wonder about it all the time. Actually, I was pretty sure my mom would be the one to do it.But now I know better. It turns out there’s a force working hard to keep the world from going KABLOOEY.Who are these people? Wait for it:Idiots. Yep, you heard me right.How do I know? Well, apparently, I’m an Idiot. At least, according to the Geniuses I am. Confused? I’m not surprised. You’re probably an Idiot too. Offended? You shouldn’t be—I called you an Idiot, not an idiot. There’s a difference, just as there’s a difference between a Genius and a genius. Confused and offended? It gets worse. There’s a third category: Idiot Genius. Those are the ones you really have to look out for. You see, Idiot Geniuses—for some unaccountable reason—are completely obsessed with "improving" the world. Maybe it’s encoded in their DNA. I don’t know. I didn’t get those genes. I have Idiot genes, which means that for an equally unaccountable reason, I’m obsessed with saving the world—usually from them.I must warn you, my story isn’t a pretty one: abductions, time-traveling dragons, the Order of the Black Fez, highly verbal cats, a secret invisible city, condescending robots (condescending means they talk to you like you’re an Idiot; wait, is it condescending of me to explain what condescending means?), and that’s just for starters. —Willa SnapPerfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman, and the Artemis Fowl series, this action-packed adventure will take you to places you've never imagined, but always wanted to visit."It's unusual to see such sci-fi depth and detail in a title directed to young adults, but this is precisely what makes Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy such an appealing production: the characterization is solid while its fantastic setting will intrigue ages well beyond its intended 9-12-year-old audience. Highly recommended for young adults seeking something compellingly different." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book ReviewWhat fans are saying:"There are plenty of books out there that I enjoy and find interesting, but rarely do I think while reading, ‘This is so much fun.’""Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy is a gorgeously written book.""Absolutely delightful read!""I was hooked from the first paragraph.""The story engages the imagination from the first page, and the writing is hilarious.""Entertaining, engaging, fresh!""Very cool, need more right now.""What an absolutely mind blowing, flame throwing, steampunking adventure!!""I would have adored it just as much at age twelve as I have enjoyed it now.""I enjoyed the steady paced action that kept me turning pages until the end.""We missed bed time plenty of times due to ‘just a few more pages!!’""Arcabascio's delightful illustrations are a real treat; there should be more clock punk cats in the world.""Your passport is ready. Click purchase, and be prepared as the Black Fezzes start to circle.""It was a great way to introduce my daughter to the world of steampunk that I love so much!""Amazing illustrations, even in the Kindle edition.”

Zar


Alana KhanAlana Khan - 2019
    Bound for slavery. Can love offer escape?Kidnapped from Earth, aboard a slave ship, Anya is thrown in a cell with Zar, a handsome half-lion gladiator, and forced to breed or be killed.Zar’s life is an unbroken nightmare consisting of sleep, eat, fight, repeat. He’s not interested in helping Anya, and he’s definitely not interested in love. Except she’s the first female to ever touch his heart—or remind him he has a soul.If you like hot alpha aliens, kick-ass Earth women who mastermind insurrections, and sexy action romance, check out Zar, the first book in the paranormal romance Galaxy Gladiators series. This standalone book contains steamy sex scenes with a guaranteed happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.Trigger warning: Anya and Zar are forced to mate; these scenes are delicately handled.

Cinderella Assassin: A Glass Slipper Adventure


Allie Burton - 2020
    The royals are imprisoning anyone with fairytale blood in a crusade to get rid of magic and make technology—something they can control—dominant. It all gets personal when Ellery’s best friend, a smoke sprite, is arrested, and Ellery must find a way to rescue her.Ellery’s fairy godmother devises a devious deal. She will get Ellery into the hi-tech palace to save her friend, if she kills the prince while at the ball. But there’s a problem. Several, actually.Ellery passes as human but if the truth is discovered she’d be imprisoned. A truth she refuses to face. She doesn’t travel in royal circles and wouldn’t recognize the prince if he kissed her. And, she certainly doesn’t want to kill anyone. Ever.But Ellery will do anything to save her friend.When Ellery arrives at the ball, she meets a charming stranger and attraction ignites. He follows her into the palace prison. There they discover a dark royal plot that will destroy the fairytale creatures. Will she choose to fight for her magical friends or her heart?“It’s fun and quirky and colorful…” – ReviewerOther books in the series: Cinderella Soldier and Cinderella Spy.

The Beast Without


Christian Baines - 2013
    It can’t be that hard... not when Jorgas keeps coming after him.But there’s more to this werewolf than a body count and a bad attitude. As their relationship grows deeper and more twisted, Reylan tastes Jorgas’ blood, reawakening desires the vampire had thought long dead. And what evolves between them may be far more dangerous than some rival predator in the dark...

Blind Turn


Cara Sue Achterberg - 2021
    Jessica is an honor-student, track star, and all-around good kid. So how could that same teenager be responsible for the death of the high school’s beloved football coach? This is Texas, where high school football ranks right up there with God, so while the legal battle wages, the public deals its own verdict.Desperate for help, Liz turns to a lawyer whose affection she once rejected and attempts to play nice with her ex-husband. Jessica faces her angry peers and her own demons as she awaits a possible prison sentence for an accident she doesn’t remember."One of the few books in recent memory I was completely unable to put down, yet still wished I could read more slowly so it would never end. Achterberg writes with a seamless combination of aching sensitivity and a page-turning urgency. Easily one of the best books of any genre I’ve read this entire year." -C.H. Armstrong, Author

The Jealousy of Jalice


Jesse Nolan Bailey - 2020
    The Sachem, chief of the Unified Tribes, is to blame.It is this conviction that drives Annilasia and Delilee to risk their lives. Afraid of the aether magic he wields, they enact a subtler scheme: kidnap his wife. In her place, Delilee will pretend to be the chieftess and spy on the Sachem.Unaware of this plot against her husband, Jalice is whisked away by Annilasia. Pleading with her captor proves futile, and she rejects Annilasia’s delusional accusations against the chief. After all, the Sachem has brought peace to the land. Yet a dangerous truth hides in Jalice’s past. As she and Annilasia flee through a forest of insidious threats, they must confront the evil plaguing the tribes and the events that unleashed it.What Reviewers are saying:"A slick, modern sword-and-sorcery tale!" - Christopher Ruocchio, Author of The Sun Eater series"A suspenseful, intriguing, and highly original fantasy tale from a promising new author." - Kirkus Reviews"With slick original plotting and high octane action, there's much to keep the most ardent of fantasy fans on tenterhooks with Bailey's The Jealousy Of Jalice." - Book Viral Review"A riveting and brilliantly penned novel...This is an electric debut, and newborn fans of Jesse Nolan Bailey will eagerly await the sequel, as The Jealousy of Jalice is an imaginative and impressive start to a new fantasy series." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

Apocalypse Online


Robyn Wideman - 2021
    They just have to survive, level up and find other survivors.Jake is no gamer. But when he finds out aliens have arrived, he'll do anything to protect his little sister Sam.Will they be able to grow strong enough for the second wave or will they become alien plant food?APOCALYPSE ONLINE is a litrpg/gamelit post-apocalypse fantasy series filled with action, adventure, aliens and snarky AIs.If you are a fan of System Apocalypse, Defiance of the Fall, or the Sun Shadow series, you'll love Apocalypse Online!

The Old Coaching Inn: A Cornish Mystery


Daphne Neville - 2020
    

The World Between Blinks


Amie Kaufman - 2021
    Jake's great at leaving things behind - his mum's a diplomat, and he never settles anywhere for long. His latest friends and new favourite places are lost with depressing regularity. Marisol's great at finding things - she's American and she's Bolivian, and this cross-cultural childhood has taught her to pay attention to details. She's got such an eagle eye, and she's so gifted at finding things, that sometimes she even wonders if things find her.Together, Jake and Marisol are about to discover The World Between Blinks. The place where everything we lose - from the front door keys to ancient cities buried under hot desert sands - eventually appears.The trick's going to be finding a way home. Before they're lost forever.

Above the Ether


Eric BarnesEric Barnes - 2019
    John Mandel's Station Eleven and Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood.In this prequel to Eric Barnes's acclaimed cli-fi novel The City Where We Once Lived, six sets of characters move through a landscape and a country just beginning to show the signs of cataclysmic change.A father and his young children fleeing a tsunami after a massive earthquake in the Gulf. A woman and her husband punishing themselves without relent for the loss of both their sons to addiction, while wildfires slowly burn closer to their family home. A brilliant investor, assessing opportunity in the risk to crops, homes, cities, industries, and infrastructure, working in the silent comfort of her office sixty floors up in the scorching air. A doctor and his wife stuck in a refugee camp for immigrants somewhere in a southern desert. Two young men working the rides for a roadside carnival, one escaping a brutal past, the other a racist present. The manager of a chain of nondescript fast-food restaurants in a city ravaged by the relentless wind.While every night the news alternates images of tsunami destruction with the baseball scores, the characters converge on a city where the forces of change have already broken—a city half abandoned, with one part left to be scavenged as the levee system protecting it slowly fails—until, in their vehicles on the highway that runs through it, they witness the approach of what looks to be just one more violent storm.

Without Sanction


Don Bentley - 2020
    Now, to save the life of another, he must return to Syria and confront his biggest failure.Defense Intelligence Agency operative Matt Drake broke a promise. A promise that cost three people their lives and crippled his best friend. Three months later, he's paralyzed by survivor's guilt and haunted by the memories of the fallen. Matt may have left Syria, but Syria hasn't left him.In the midst of his self-imposed exile, Matt is dragged back into the world of espionage and assets that he tried to forget. A Pakistani scientist working for an ISIS splinter cell has created a terrifying weapon of mass destruction. The scientist offers to defect with the weapon, but he trusts just one man to bring him out of Syria alive—Matt Drake.

Tales from Kingfountain, Muirwood, and Beyond: The Worlds of Jeff Wheeler


Jeff Wheeler - 2021