sneaking in the last few days of June to celebrate Pride with some local authors
Path of Dreaming Souls by Kate Haley
If living was a choice… what would make you choose to stay?
Doctor Vincent Temple is returning home from the Western Front. After years of trench warfare, necromancers, and dead men, he’s seen enough of Hell to last eternity. He’s barely off the boat before the latest order arrives from the Brotherhood. There’s no rest for the wicked, and there’s no point asking. He’ll rest when the forces of darkness do.
Besides, every step forward only serves to remind him that somewhere in Europe is a bullet with his name on it, and he never really dodged it. What happened back there…
That’s not something you survive.
But his new assignment isn’t like the others. Even if the Brotherhood are still trying to send him to his death, they didn’t count on this. Neither did Vincent, and what he finds is about to change the course of his life forever…
Path of Dreaming Souls is a prequel to the Vincent Temple Trilogy and explores the origins of the good doctor, his Order of Hunters, and the beginnings of a lifelong bond.
Poison at Penshaw Hall by G B Ralph
Addison Harper is back, and with another dead body at his feet. Only this time, the entire town saw it happen.
Milverton is in the running for the Terrific Town Award, so a dramatic death at the opening ceremony is far from ideal. Addison had only been lending a hand, but now finds himself much more involved than he’d ever hoped. To think his biggest worry before had been his upcoming date with Sergeant Jake Murphy.
As for the sergeant, he can hardly ignore a hall full of witnesses even if he wanted to. And they’re all pointing the finger at his date, Milverton’s newest arrival, Addison Harper.
Poison at Penshaw Hall is the latest in a wonderful cosy mystery series set in an enchanting small town nestled amongst stunning New Zealand scenery. Investigate The Milverton Mysteries for a chaotic cast of local busybodies, delicious baked treats, a demanding and disdainful ginger cat, a very slow-burn romance with a rather appealing policeman, and of course… murder!
The Pendragon Wytch by C.C. Davie
As long as I can remember my shadows have whispered to me, speaking in a voice both young and ancient. I have learned to mind them, let them guide me through life even when I do not understand their messages. They whisper now to me, a song of sorrow and heartache that weaves itself around the woman I love. A song I do not want to listen to, yet know I cannot run from.
King Arthur has taken this land. Aided by his advisor Merlin and the legions he commands, he has swept over this once prosperous Kingdom like a plague, chasing the last of the Sylvyns into the far south in his quest for power.
They have nowhere to run now, there is no further to go and I fear the bargains that will be made to protect them are ones that will haunt me for the rest of my immortal life.
I was born touched by Nimmet, both a blessing and a curse.
Wellington. The wind city. New Zealand’s home of art and culture, but darker forces, forgotten forces, are starting to reappear. Aotearoa’s displaced iwi atua – the patupaiarehe, taniwha, and ponaturi of legend – have decided to make Wellington their home, and while some have come looking for love, others have arrived in search of blood.
A war is coming, and few can stand in their way. Saint (lovably fearless, temporarily destitute, currently unable to find a shirt) may be our only hope. Tony, suddenly unemployed and potentially a taniwha herself, has little choice but to accept the role her bloodline dictates. And Hinewai, who fell with the rain? If she can’t find her one true love, there’s a good chance that none will live to see the morning.
Wellington will never be the same again.
Echoes of Earthshine by Mel Harding-Shaw
If you insist on coming to my court, you are mine until you leave.
The only reason the winged earth lord Mica agreed to let the insidious human accompany the elemental girl sent to his court for training was desperation. He fell for Ra’s charm and seduction once and the man betrayed his trust. Ra is a too-beautiful distraction he can’t afford, but his technology is the only hope of healing his sentient stronghold.
Any feelings Ra had for Mica disappeared the moment the elemental turned against his chosen family. Ra doesn’t regret extorting Mica, but it’s making tensions high now he’s living in his home. Ra’s focus is providing solace to the niece of his heart Kaia as she trains and solving the puzzle of the broken stronghold before it puts her in danger. If only he wasn’t so tempted to provide solace to the broken elemental lord as well.
As Mica’s people prepare to celebrate 1,000 years of his rule, they have no idea how close they are to ruin. If Ra and Mica can’t work together to save the stronghold, the back blast from its death will send a shockwave of destructive magic across a world already reeling from disaster.
Echoes of Earthshine is a standalone MM enemies to lovers paranormal romance with a side of urban fantasy featuring forced proximity, a reluctantly possessive earth lord, and a man who’s all sunshine until you threaten the people he loves. It takes place in the Melded Earths world immediately following the events of the Soul Court Ascension trilogy.
The Suburban Book of Dreams by Jamie Sands
The new installment in the Suburban Book of the Dead includes a lesbian coming out subplot.
Some nightmares are more than just dreams
Kids are disappearing from Rain’s hometown.
First it’s strangers, then it’s someone a lot closer to home. Rain’s best friend Jacky is distraught and wants to help. But to help, she’ll need to know the truth about Rain’s side hustle hunting ghosts with her boyfriend Jake.
Coming clean is one thing, but Rain has been having strange and disturbing dreams, and they might be indicating that she’s the next target – or possibly the source of the disappearances?
Either way, something hinky is going on.
Rain’s done with hiding things from her family, but that doesn’t mean that the supernatural world doesn’t have more surprises for her.
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Suburban Book of Dreams follows on from The Suburban Book of the Dead. Both are Buffy and Supernatural inspired YA ghost stories with action, adventure and a dash of romance
Jamie Sands - Author 