Book picks similar to
Shades of Valhalla by Ellis Logan
fantasy
young-adult
free-reads
freebies
The Outcasts
Misty Hayes - 2017
Powerful vampires. Strange allies. It's hell being a teenager.Larna Collins has never understood why her dad skipped out on her and her mother when she was twelve years old. Until then, he was a devoted and loving father.But six years later, during a renovation of her childhood home, she unearths her father's journal from under a dusty floorboard. According to his final entry before he left, he had recently visited a small parish in England.The entries draw her to this seemingly quaint village, which Larna discovers isn't as charming as its blood-craving inhabitants want her to believe, and she learns that she isn't the only one trying to track her father down. Could this explain her father's disappearance? Or was placing her in the center of danger her dad's master plan all along?
Belmary House #1
Cassidy Cayman - 2015
Possibly proving the existence of ghosts will just be icing on the cake. When her ghost turns out to be a living, breathing, Regency era earl who mistakenly drags her into his century, she thinks she’s in for the best vacation of her life. All she has to do is enjoy the scenery, which includes the hunky Lord Ashford, until he can get her back to her own time. She doesn’t count on getting caught up in finding his missing sister, or on a murderer being after them, or the fact that if the house gets destroyed, so do her chances of ever getting home. Least of all, she doesn’t count on the undeniable attraction she feels to the mysterious and brooding Lord Ashford, or the fact that his life involves things far more difficult to believe than she ever thought imaginable.
The Earth Painter
Melissa Turner Lee - 2011
It revolves around Holly Scruggs, whose family has just moved back to Chesnee after her dad lost his job along with pretty much everything they owned. Her image conscious parents correct her to the point of brokenness until she meets Theo. He is the artist responsible for all the beauty of the land and he thinks Holly is beautiful too. Together they will fight against Fritz, the water painter who hates humans and is hiding a secret under the high school.
Six Moon Summer
S.M. Reine - 2011
forever.Rylie Gresham hates everything about summer camp: the food, the fresh air, the dumb activities, and the other girls in her cabin. But the worst part is probably being bitten by a werewolf. Being a teenager is hard enough, but now she's craving raw flesh and struggles with uncontrollable anger. If she doesn't figure out a way to stop the transformation, then at the end of summer, her life is worse than over. She'll be a monster.
Heiress of Lies
Cege Smith - 2012
Called from her studies to return to her father's side, the Crown Princess is kidnapped en route by Connor, a mysterious rogue who has been waiting a long time for the chance to change his destiny.Facing the consequences of a freak accident that even Connor could not prevent, Angeline is forced to travel a dangerous path to regain control of her fate and her kingdom. Her impossible choice requires her to rely on Connor, who epitomizes everything generations of her family tried to destroy.As the last of the Robart bloodline, Angeline discovers that enemies she thought long conquered have been lying in wait for just such an opportunity as her father's death to turn events to their advantage. Worse yet, by uncovering those secrets, Angeline must confront the possibility that no one ever expected her to take the throne in anything but title alone.As her bond with Connor grows stronger, she realizes they have far more in common than she ever expected, and that could make him just the ally she needs.
Renegade
Dale Ivan Smith - 2017
She will face a stark choice when the world learns about her new ability: Either put on the blue jumpsuit and become a member of the Hero Council and follow any and all orders, or forswear ever using her power for any reason. Mat refuses both choices, deciding to keep her superpower a secret. Only some secrets can’t be kept. She goes underground, having found a hidden place where she can belong with others like herself.But if she wants a place to belong, first she must save it.Renegade is the prequel to the Empowered series, which begins with Agent.
Flower Among the Ashes
Genevieve St-Yves - 2020
This was the Elven Kingdom’s most ironclad rule. They are about to defy that law.When her parents cast her out for possessing a power they could not understand, Arshé learned the world was cruel. When her lover betrayed her, it taught her happy endings were a lie. On the run with a bounty on her head, the elven oracle vows never to let anyone exploit her ability to see the future—or her heart—ever again.As her enemies close in, Arshé finds an unlikely ally in Rekki, an ogre mercenary on a mission to retrieve a priceless treasure stolen by the elven king. Offering protection in return for her aid, Arshé has no choice but to accompany the handsome warrior on his perilous quest.But Rekki has no intention of parting ways with her when the treasure is back in ogre hands. For he was born under a prophecy foretelling he will become king of the ogres and unite his people’s fractured clans. When Rekki looks at Arshé, he sees the queen destined to rule at his side. If he cannot teach her reluctant heart to trust again, they will not survive the dangers ahead.
The Prince of Korin
Melody J. Bremen - 2021
Nor does he want to be one.He spends his days in the royal library, poring over old manuscripts, studying archaic languages and playing chess. He’s never been like Krollis, his fearless twin brother, who is an expert swordsman and hunts wild beasts in the forests.When an army of vizzens, the fearsome old enemy of Korin, attacks from the east and Krollis disappears, Endomer is left in charge of the country. He struggles to find a way to save his people while his soldiers are dying and his citizens are forced to flee. As he fights to gain the respect of the palace court, he discovers a threat coming from within the palace walls. There is no one he can trust.He isn’t only fighting for his country – he’s fighting for his life.Fans of Megan Whalen Turner and Jennifer A. Nielsen will enjoy this story of political intrigue and betrayal.
Inhale
Kendall Grey - 2012
Zoe Morgan is working her dream job: director of a whale tagging research project. She’s in her dream location: the beautiful beaches of Australia. But her sleep is plagued by nightmares—fiery hellscapes, hideous monsters, strange people … and the gorgeous man who rescues her from them. He might be a figment of her imagination, but he sure feels real.What Zoe doesn’t know is that he’s not a fantasy. He’s a Sentinel charged with protecting humans from Fire Elementals, using his own blend of elemental magic. In the Dreaming, anyway. In the real world, he’s Gavin Cassidy, a sexy rock star who indulges in all the excesses that money and fame can buy. Gavin hasn’t been summoned to help anyone since his partner’s death, and he likes it that way—until he meets Zoe in her dreams. With Zoe, it’s impossible to stay detached, impossible to say no.But Dr. Morgan is more than just his muse—she’s the key to restoring order in the Dreaming. Gavin never believed he could fall for someone like Zoe, nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save his country.
Dead at Twilight
E.J. King - 2018
Isabel Jones lived through a nightmare. She lost everything she had known and everyone that she loved. Now, she's moving to a new town to start over for her senior year. Shaded Falls is a small dot on the map and Isabel has low expectations when she drives into town. It isn't long before she realizes that Shaded Falls isn't just a forgotten town in the middle of nowhere – it's a hotbed for strange occurrences and mysterious people. One of those people, Nicholas Rockson, seems to always be around, lurking in the shadows. Isabel finds herself drawn to Nick and to the darker elements of Shaded Falls. As she gets pulled into the dangerous underbelly, the true nature of the town is revealed. Isabel must face her own dark secrets as her past is drawn forth. Everything she's ever believed about her life is about to change, and not always for the better. Isabel is about to find out exactly what happens when darkness falls.
Leftover Girl
C.C. Bolick - 2016
At fifteen, she has adjusted to moving without notice and never fitting in, but everything changes with her adopted mom's hometown. There Jes falls for her mom's nephew, a love she hides when his betrayal leaves her isolated and driven to unravel the past.After Jes befriends a strange new student, she discovers an amazing secret: he's from another planet and searching for a missing girl who might be her. As Jes will learn, truth comes at a cost, but will she give up love to find out?
The Tinkerer's Daughter
Jamie Sedgwick - 2011
Breeze is left in the care of a strange old Tinkerer, where she soon learns that the world is not as simple -or as safe- as anyone would like it to be. With a little help from the Tinkerman and his amazing discoveries, Breeze just might be able to change her world for the better. Unfortunately, peace is never easy and war always looms just over the horizon.What reviewers say:Five Stars - "WOW... This book drew me in instantaneously... beautifully written and wholly captivating." -Semisweet Book BlogFour Stars - "captivating... Sedgwick beautifully creates this other world that as a reader you totally get into." -Goodreads reviewerFive Stars - "...a beautifully written book with an intriguing plot and a loveable main character. This is certainly one that I will reread!" -Goodreads reviewerFive Stars: "...an incredible, adventurous read!" Amazon Review
To Kill a Fae
Jamie A. Waters - 2019
All Sabine had to do was keep her head down, avoid telling anyone about her past, and above all else -- not let her glamour drop.Even the best-laid plans eventually fall apart.When a charismatic stranger arrives in the city, Sabine finds herself unwittingly drawn to him and the power she can sense hidden within him. Keeping her distance is nearly impossible, especially after a life debt is called due and she’s tasked into helping steal a rare artifact.Sabine is the only one who can break the magical barriers protecting the item, but that means revealing the truth about her identity and exposing her darkest secrets. Unfortunately, the Fae aren’t the only ones hunting her.And the most dangerous monsters aren’t always confined to the dark.
The Temptation of Dragons
Chrys Cymri - 2016
‘Holy water doesn’t harm vampires. Which is just as well, as it would make it impossible to baptise them.’ When I was asked by a dragon to give him the last rites, I never dreamed it would lead to negotiating with his cannibalistic family or running from snail sharks. Life as the priest of a small English village is quite tame in comparision. At least I have Morey, a gryphon with sarcasm management issues, to help me. And if all else fails, there’s always red wine and single malt whisky. As if my life weren’t complicated enough, a darkly beautiful dragon named Raven keeps appearing where I least expect him, I’ve met a handsome police inspector who loves science fiction as much as I do, and my younger brother is getting into trouble for trying to pick up vampires. That’s what happens when you’re dealing with an incredible and dangerous parallel world full of mythical creatures. And I have to learn to navigate it all without losing myself, or my brother…