"The Stone of Death" by Troy Young

Four strangers caught in a freak winter storm find themselves entwined in a quest that could reshape the world. A disgraced mercenary, a crippled Magus, a middle-aged priest, and an enigmatic woman with secrets—are all that stand between the living and the God of Death.

As they race against time and enemies at every turn, they must unravel the mysteries of the Stone of Death. Will they harness its ancient power to save their world, or will their internal conflicts doom their quest? Dive into "The Stone of Death" for an epic adventure filled with intrigue, betrayal, and a battle for redemption.

 

About the Author

Troy has been many things in his career. Shoe salesman, waiter, newspaper owner, children's performer, actor, elected official, policy advisor, CEO, and university lecturer. Now he wants to try his hand at writing.

Troy writes in many genres. His first attempt at writing was his Jimmie Mayfield series. The first two books (The (Extra)ordinary Life of Jimmie Mayfield and The Lifestyles of the Rich and Jimmie Mayfield) are now available. His most popular works are his Lovecraftian horror stories. Three books in The Other, containing 20 short stories of a linked arc are available. He also writes fantasy and science fiction.

Troy lives in Toronto with his wife, daughter, and dog.

 

Book Unboxing

"Thieves' Honor" by David Combs

An Ancient evil preys upon the great port city of Tarnath. Terror grips the citizens as aristocrats and commoners alike disappear into the night’s shadows.

A foreign nobleman with a personal score against the “Dockside Slayer” offers three condemned men the chance to save their own lives. Before they can stop the Killer though, a mage with doubts about his own power, a barbarian warrior always in the wrong place and time, and an arrogant cutpurse without caution must first overcome their own differences if they are to prove that there is such a thing as Thieves' Honor.

From the Author

"I have always known that I wanted to be a writer. Ever since I was a kid, my imagination bounded with stories of magic, heroes, and grand adventures. As a teenager, I began putting some of those flights of fantasy down on paper. My goal was to enter the publishing world until I could survive strictly as an author.

Life has a funny way of changing your plans though, and the great literary career I envisioned stalled. For too many years, half-finished tales sat in dusty boxes waiting to be taken up once again. Finally, after some much needed motivation took root, I once again decided that it was time to pursue that which I was so passionate about-storytelling.

Thieves' Honor is the first achievement in what I hope becomes a long list of stories that I can share with those of you who are so graciously taking your own time to read this. For me, it has always been about sharing an adventure with those who wanted to hear it. It was the thrill of being able to go to my own bookshelf and see my name gracing the spine of a book there.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting the daydreams of kid whose head has never left the clouds."

Sincerely,

Dave Combs

Book Unboxing

 

"Auras of the Fallen Stars" by Mara van Nacht

August Monroe never wanted war—only to cross the river and train under a world-renowned chef.

Then a Sovereign’s unchecked rage cleaved the world in two and stole the only person who ever truly knew her.

She should have drowned in grief.

Instead, she sharpened her knives.

When her mentor rises at the head of a growing Resistance, August refuses to stand aside. But war offers no clean lines, and patience runs thin. Desperate for answers, she infiltrates the palace of a powerful Sovereign, stepping straight into the shadows of the magic that destroyed her world.

But something ancient stirs in her blood—something the Fallen Stars would kill to possess.

In a realm unraveling with secrets, magic, and betrayal, August will stop at nothing to protect the people she loves—even if it takes everything she has, even if everyone else gives up.

Betrayal. Found Family. Feminine Rage. A girl who refuses to break.

This is August’s story—and she’ll walk through fire to make it her own.

"Auras of the Fallen Stars" is the first in a series of epic romantasy novels by Mara van Nacht.

 

About the Author

Mara van Nacht's works feature themes of midlife coming of age, empowered women, the power of friendship, and usually a trusty animal sidekick. She hails from the midwest, yet boasts that most of her words have been written on planes while traveling the world, eating and drinking her way through every cuisine this earth has to offer.

"Battle for Whiterock" by Jeff Miller

When a test of knighthood turns deadly, courage is no longer enough.

In the world of Whiterock, dragons are trained, battles are rehearsed, and faith is expected to be unshakable. For Prince Aiden and his fellow squires, a final trial should mark the beginning of honor and duty. Instead, it awakens an ancient threat thought long extinct and leaves brotherhood fractured by loss.

As worgraiths return to the realm, Aiden is forced into a fight far greater than any test of skill. Grief, fear, and rage collide with questions he has never dared to ask: What happens when faith does not bring comfort? What happens when prayer feels unanswered? And what kind of leader emerges when belief is tested by fire?

Filled with dragons, mythical creatures, epic battles, and the weight of destiny, Battle for Whiterock is a young adult fantasy adventure that blends sweeping action with emotional depth. It explores loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle to hold on to faith when everything familiar begins to fall apart.

Written for mature teen readers, this faith-based fantasy delivers high-stakes drama without simple answers, inviting readers into a world where courage is costly , and belief is earned, not assumed.

From the Author Jeff Miller

"I grew up at the perfect time for cultivating a great imagination. Superman (the movie) was the first film I ever saw in a theater. He, along with the whole Justice League, jumped from the TV set and into my living room every Saturday morning. Star Wars was on the big screen (even on our home screen with our 8mm home movies), on my little kiddie record player (including John Williams' scores) and the Star Wars toys exercised my creativity, as did G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe, and the aforementioned Justice League gang. Other comic book heroes jumped off the pages and onto the TV Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons while Indiana Jones, E.T., Marty McFly, Doc Brown and the crew of the Enterprise played repeatedly on my VHS. Now, I get to exercise that childlike love for heroes, villains and adrenaline as an adult by bringing fast-paced fantasy adventure to today's kids with a strong Christian message of love and redemption. Please join me in this pursuit to teach Christ to a whole new generation using the art of story."

"Petition" by Delilah Waan

In the Dominion of Aleznuaweite, anyone can rise to the greatest heights—if they are willing to pay the price.

Failure is a luxury Rahelu can’t afford. Her family sold everything, left their ancestral home, and became destitute foreigners for the sake of her resonance skills. Now she can manipulate emotional echoes to discern truth from lies, conjure the past, and even foretell the future.

But an act of petty revenge by her rival destroys her chance at joining one of the great Houses. Desperate to prove her family’s sacrifices were not in vain, Rahelu calls upon the most dangerous magic of all—altering fortune.

A slight twist of fate is enough to restore her way forward…with deadly consequences she never bargained for. The Houses make a pawn of her in their bitter struggle for control of the Dominion. A shadowy cult grows ever closer to completing an ancient ritual.

And Rahelu discovers that fulfilling her oath to her family might come at the cost of her mother’s life.

Petition is available from a variety of online purveyors of indie books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Delilah Waan is a literal bookworm who alphabetically devours her way through the shelves at her local library.

Her preferred diet is fantasy epics—full of complex intrigue, morally ambiguous characters and tragic ends—though she does enjoy the occasional quippy, fast-paced action adventure. (Sappy romances, however, give her indigestion.)

When she’s not binge-reading the next doorstopper on her TBR or engaging in frantic theory crafting in between Brandon Sanderson and Will Wight book releases, she likes to spit bars in her best Angelica Schuyler impression and walk her cat. 

"Embers Rising" by Sterling Carmichael

They expected their heist to yield coin, not conspiracies. What the former mercenaries find is a deadly plot that could destroy their country.

The nation of Arian may have recently shed its monarchy for a more democratic government, but reform hasn’t changed the rules of survival on the streets. Currency is king, and almost everyone is for sale . . . at the right price.

Ex-warrior and sell-sword Kaimana knows this well. When he hears his corrupt old employer is on his deathbed, Kaimana sees a chance to pay off his gambling debts and recruits a friend to help him unburden his former employer of a few valuables. Laurenze, a half-elven expert thief who worked with the rest of their defunct mercenary group, agrees to come out of retirement for one last job.

Unfortunately, their plan goes sideways when they discover the old man used them to consolidate the country’s riches into one person’s coffers: Twylo, a ruthless politician running in the next election who will set reforms back by decades—or worse—if he ever gains enough power.

Kaimana and Laurenze alert the remaining members of their group, who scattered after a disastrous mission drove them apart almost a decade ago. Twylo may have the upper hand, but he has no clue who he’s double-crossed . . . and they’re going to make sure it’s the worst mistake of his life.

"Embers Rising" is the first of a series. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sterling Carmichael was born and raised in Edmonton, Canada. After traveling he eventually found his way to Edinburgh, where he lived and worked for a year before heading home again. After returning to Canada he entered the rat race and while he has enjoyed a fruitful career, he knew that it was something that was just a means to an end. It was writing that had always captivated him and the urge to become an author was too strong to ignore.

Today in his free time Sterling enjoys sampling craft beers, reading works of fantasy fiction, playing various musical instruments poorly, attempting to retain physical fitness, and generally consuming way too much pop culture. He is a huge Star Trek geek and could spend hours arguing with friends about the various series’ merits, episodes, and characters.

"A Song of Sorrow" by C. E. Page

Keep your head down, stay silent, and never use your magic.

These are the rules that Deana has lived by ever since she and her brother lost their parents in a tragic accident. Now Kai is gone as well. He was the only thing keeping her anchored to a world that will never truly accept her. A world that sees her connection to Grandmother Ocean as a curse and her magic as an anomaly that will eventually spin out of her control and destroy everything.

When Bran arrived in the Faridean Isles to study the magical affliction plaguing its young prince, he didn’t expect to be thrown into a race to stop a tyrant from unleashing chaos. But when Prince Samir is kidnapped and Deana—the only person who knows the truth about the mysterious shrouded ones—goes missing, he finds himself swept up by the machinations of a centuries-old curse. A curse that when triggered will drag the Isles and all in them into the fathomless deep.

"A Song of Sorrow" is the first book in a trilogy.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C. E. Page writes emotionally rich, character driven tales of magic and adventure, primarily in the adult epic fantasy genre. Her stories feature demigods and other divinely assisted misfits who would prefer it if megalomaniac fools would stop trying to destroy the known realms in their search for power.

She lives on the east coast of Australia with her partner Evan, their two children, and one of the world’s quirkiest dogs. An avid reader and gamer, she loves devouring a good story in whatever form it takes.

 

"Season of Kings" by A. J. Rettger

War is upon the land and the throne sits empty. Who will claim it?

Elbert of Artanzia finds himself in a precarious position. After stealing the throne from his older brother, he finds himself newly crippled and low on friends. The nobles want to undermine him, while the populace wants to depose him. In a desperate attempt to keep his power, he launches a campaign against the barbarian islanders to the north, something that no king has ever done.

In the forest to the south of the capital, lives Anna and her father. While raised in isolation, Anna is taught how to hunt and kill everything that makes its home in the monster-infested forest. However, her quiet life is torn apart when a group of visitors pay her father an unexpected visit. Forced to flee to the capital city, she must find her long-lost aunt, all while fighting to protect herself and socializing with other teenagers for the first time.

Grimm White-Eyes, a legendary barbarian warrior and Shield of the Isles, is accused of murdering the Islander High King's brother. With a price on his head, he must flee his homeland and find refuge on the continent. Yet no ship will risk carrying someone of his notoriety. Unable to leave, he is forced to ally himself with the enemy, in hopes that he can continue to live his life as the gods intended, free.

"Season of Kings" is an epic viking fantasy written by A. J. Rettger.

 

"Demon's Tear" by R.E. Sanders

No prophecies
No destiny
The new heroes of our time shall choose themselves

The Jantakai, the lands of the Twin Swords, are divided. War threatens every border, crime infests countries like a disease, and the gods themselves have faded away. Beneath this turbulent arena an ancient, malicious power begins to wake. The whole world is like dry tinder, waiting for a spark.

Old friends Ellyah and Nastja must rediscover how to trust one another as they navigate the underworld of Anish. Eain is a young soldier of Banahgar, whose dreams of glory turn out to be a nightmare. Driven by necessity, their quests will force them to travel further and through more dangers than they could have imagined.

At the heart of it all, a blood-red ruby gleams, sending out a siren call. A frantic chase begins, those who would possess it unaware of the danger it holds. Glory and riches await the victor, and for the losers the only prize will be death.

Who will claim the Demon’s Tear?

"Demon's Tear" is the first novel in the Jantakai Saga by R. E. Sanders.

"Storm's Rising: The Call" by Jason and Rose Bishop

The heroes of old are disappearing, victims of kidnapping, murder, even falling to their own despair. But their work is not done. The gods call forth the next generation...and a storm is rising.

In a city once hailed as a natural wonder, now corrupted and sullied, the Spring Market has just begun. Elves are bought and sold wholesale, destined for an unholy ceremony: A decrepit king seeks immortality. Among the elves is one of royal blood, carrying an artifact of untold power.

When it falls into the hands of a young rogue, the brooch seems his ticket to a new life, but instead draws him into an insidious web of danger. Pursued by a huntress seeking vengeance for her sister’s kidnapping, and a pair of half-bloods seeking a father gone missing, he soon finds their paths are hopelessly entangled.

Drawn together by amulets handed down through generations, they soon uncover a legacy of betrayal and loss. Along with a cursed mage who walks with the wicked, they must unite the amulets, rescue the elves, and stop the dark priesthood.

If they fail, the High King will rise again, and Urgrithka the Hollow will enter the world of the living. Cyrradon will know an eternity of undeath.

Storm's Rising: The Call is the first book of the Storm’s Rising series, beginning the epic tale of a world created in the image of beauty and balance, and rent asunder by wars among gods and mortals.

 

Below: An Unboxing Video featuring "Storm's Rising: The Call" by Jason and Rose Bishop.

 

 

"Ghosts of the Sea Moon" by A. F. Stewart

In the Outer Islands, gods and magic rule the ocean.

But in a war between sibling deities, who will survive?

Banished from his ancestral home for showing favour to mortals, Rafe sails the seas as the captain of the Celestial Jewel. Caught between two worlds, of mortals and gods, he exists as a wayward saviour, collecting the ghosts of drowned sailors before they can be devoured by malicious sea monsters.

An insane Manume wreaks havoc from the Isle of Bones, sending her monster children out into the world to unleash destruction. Heedless of the consequences, she now seeks greater revenge, and her violent actions put everyone in peril.

To end his sister’s madness, and protect the mortal realm, Rafe must confront his past and his estranged family. He must persuade them to help, convince them that the Goddess of the Moon is a true threat. For Manume has become more powerful than anyone could have predicted, and he's not sure he can stop her. And if Rafe can't, the entirety of existence could be destroyed.

Ghosts of the Sea Moon is the first rousing epic fantasy novel in the Saga of the Outer Islands series. If you like dashing ship captains, high seas magical adventure, and vengeful gods, then you’ll love this harrowing tale of ghosts, gods, and sea monsters.

Sail into the realm of gods today with "Ghosts of the Sea Moon".

 

"Journey to the Water" by Madeline Crane

After a thousand years of tyranny, the holy city of Phyreios is free.

Its freedom comes at the cost of many lives, among them the healer Khalim, beloved by many but none more than Eske of the Bear Clan, the warrior from the North.

Now Eske is alone, and a new king, a god in Khalim's guise, presides over the city's survivors. Of Khalim himself, nothing remains but a memory and a riddle: In order to follow him, one must travel beyond the edge of the world, breach the gate of bone on a day without a sun, and cross the river of memory, deeper than the sea.

Armed with his strength, his wits, and a good tale or two, Eske sets off across the known world, encountering priests of forgotten gods, great beasts of ancient times, and sorcerers of uncanny power. He will perform any task, make any sacrifice, for the chance to see his beloved again.

Inspired by Robert E. Howard's "Conan the Barbarian" and Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea novels, Journey to the Water concludes the epic story begun in Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea.

 

 

 

"Oathbreakers" by Anagha Baheti

In seven days, the Fallen will rise again.

A sell-sword for hire, Avante’s life is completely changed when an Aasimar tells her that she is the chosen one, that she is needed in Quai to defeat the new champion of the Fallen. There’s just a small hiccup: Not one but two ancient artefacts are missing.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, her gang - an elf, an eladrin, a dragonborn, a gnome, and a nerd - must travel across the continent and take a stand. If not for the living, if not for the world, then for a second chance at happiness. And for a life-changing amount of gold.

Can they put aside personal grudges to save themselves and the world?

Oathbreakers is a standalone novel by Anagha Baheti.

 

 

"Bloodlust" by Nicole Zoltack

Sometimes the need for blood outweighs all else.

Barbarian-Princess Ivy will do anything to save her people, even if it means forming an unlikely alliance with Lukor the goliath. Bloodlust is driving her father to provoke the other five races into war, a war the precious few barbarians will not likely survive. Unbeknownst to her, Lukor blames the barbarians for murdering his sister and plans on sabotaging her goal.

Almost despite themselves, they grow to respect each other, but nothing Ivy can do will prevent the war. Not even killing her father and becoming Barbaroness can stop the tide. And when bloodlust claims Ivy, forcing her to kill everyone in her path, she might destroy her one last chance at peace and possibly love too with one swing of her sword.

 

"The Shadows of Fate" by Nick Blade

When the World Broke Him, He Broke the World

They called him lowborn.
Kitchen rat.
Freak.
They beat him, branded him, made him bleed for dreaming.
They said magic belonged to bloodlines.
They said power was not for people like him.

They were wrong.

Arnold Bennett was never meant to rise.
But he did.
In shadow. In silence. In ruin.

He stole a name from the mouths of kings.
He carved magic into his bones with fire and grief.
He shattered thrones, outwitted gods, and stood at the edge of unmaking—
Not to rule.
But to ask the one question no one in power dares to face:

What if the world deserves to burn?

An Epic Fantasy Forged in Rage, Runes, and Ruin

• A story for the cast-offs, the overlooked, the ones told they’d never matter.
• A myth of rebellion wrapped in blood-magic, betrayal, and impossible choices.
• A villain’s origin or a god’s awakening?
• A story that begins in ruin and dares to go deeper

"Fate leads to ruin. Free will leads to chaos. I choose chaos."

WHAT YOU’LL FIND WITHIN

A Hero Who Isn’t
Arnold is no chosen one. He’s a weapon honed by cruelty, wielded by no one. His scars are real, his power earned, and his path terrifyingly free.

A World on the Brink
Kingdoms rot from within. Magic is hoarded like gold. Gods play with lives like dice. The system is rigged and Arnold is here to burn it clean.

Magic That Cuts Deep
Runes etched in bone and pain. Keeper hearts pulsing with stolen power. Telepathy, summoning, time-warping ruin. This is not cozy magic, this is magic as war.

Fate vs. Free Will
At the core: a battle older than gods. Can you truly choose who you are, or are you always what they made you? When Fate falls, who decides what rises?

The Shadows of Fate may break you, or they may make you.

"The Cruelty of Magic" by Shawn Amick

A warlord seeks the destruction of Runefall, and the end of magic, as a prophecy is met with doubt.

Kyra, a young woman capable of wielding rune magic, is called from her hidden city to a temple no one knows about. As Kyra wrestles with a prophecy, and wanting to save her city, a dwarven king leads his people to carve a new home for themselves but instead finds himself approaching divinity.

On the other side of the world, a dark sewer hosts a father and daughter who escaped a tyrannical attack. They now hide and attempt to summon a golem for protection but learn something about magic that might change the world.

Intricate stories and deep lies connect people from all across the land. The actions of one may very well condemn the lives of another, even if they never meet.

Such is the cruel way of the world and the unforgiving cost of magic.

The Cruelty of Magic is the first of a series by Shawn Amick.

 

"Birthright" by M. A. Vice

When a young daemon becomes host to his father, the eons-old progenitor of his kind, it seems his only purpose is to kill and kill again, to build a new world fit for the dark to rule. 

Unseen by humans, the world has long been controlled by the strings of a shadowy secret society of immortal beings, the Order of Azoth. As the organization fractures and begins to unravel, he may be the last hope of the Order to quell the spread of corruption and change the path of the future. Just as they may be his only hope to discover his own humanity.

"Vice has struck a perfect equilibrium between darkness and tenderness in this slow, introspective dark political fantasy. If you're seeking out grimdark settings in the vein of BERSERK and ELDEN RING where love blossoms in spite of insurmountable hardship, then look no further."
- Camilla Andrew, author of WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT

 

"Birthright" is the first of a series, The Impavidus Cycle, by M. A. Vice. 

 

  

 

"Shades and Silver" by Dax Murray

2023 Indie Ink Awards Finalist; Writing the Future We Need: Disability Representation by a Disabled Author

The birthright of every Ástfríður is to know each metal in the earth, command it, bend it to their desires. To hear metal singing, some of it waiting just beneath the surface, so much of it deeper in the earth. If they wanted, they knew they could pluck that metal from the earth, melt it with a thought, and shape it as they pleased with a breath of air and their will.

Each Ástfríður must choose which metal they would wear upon their heads, denoting the path they would walk. They craft beautiful horns to wear on their brow, forged with the metal they wish to identify with.

But Britt does not know if they can choose the path they want, if they can overcome a past which has stolen their identity. The day has come for them to choose and they have no idea if they have any right to even try to. And Astrid has never felt the pull of the metal at all.

Wearing a forged circlet and horn, they try to navigate a world that they feel has rejected them, all the while fearing someone will learn their secret. The Veil of the Ástfríður has kept them hidden from the world, and safe from intruders. Yet Britt and Astrid feel they are imposters in their own homes. 

Shades and Silver is a duology about identity, doubt, disability, and acceptance set in the universe of Scions and Shadows.

 

"Prince Ewald the Brave" by Dylan Madeley

"No, father. You have gotten your way for too long. This ends here."

Meet the Kenderleys, the wealthiest and most powerful family in the world.

The youngest, Prince Bonifaz, takes his lessons and trusts no one. The middle child, Princess Isabel, sneaks away to a secret regency of her own making. Their mother, Queen Dulcibella, watches out for her children just as readily as she watches over them. Their father, King Jonnecht, is a capricious tyrant who hopes to control his family as strictly as he does the largest empire, and his violent rage threatens all under his rule.

Then there’s Prince Ewald, eldest and heir to the throne. No one is more aware of the threat his father poses to everyone. No one has better legal standing to do anything about it. How can he save everyone he loves while upholding his mother’s kind values? He must learn the lessons required to be the best regent, choose allies wisely and earn their trust, and enact a thoughtful and detailed plan.

And even if he succeeds in all that, can one who draws the line and conducts a plan with honour defeat one whose rage, selfishness, and deceit know no bounds?

Can Prince Ewald the Brave stop his father?

Cover by Jenn St-Onge.

  

"The Girl Who Sings to Dragons" by Luke Courtney

The Girl Who Sings to Dragons:

Fionnuala Swann, rightful Queen of Demeteria, strives to overthrow her wicked uncle, sitting on her throne as a puppet king of the Holy Empire of Addanc, and break the curse that transformed her brothers into monsters.

Aiden Russ, heir to Selene-Morna, struggles to master his inner wolf, haunted by his past failures. Now he must overcome his doubts to become a desperate people's champion.

The first steps to fulfil the prophecy of the Winged Wolf must be taken...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luke Courtney lives and works in London, dividing his time between working in a small military museum in Whitehall by day, and by night writing an array of fantasy stories. He is the self-published author of The Girl Who Sings to Dragons, the first book in his new epic fantasy series, the Winged Wolf Saga, and has also published the Argent Blade series (urban/dark fantasy), From The Ashes (Dark fantasy) and the children's book Two-Horn. At present, he's currently working on The Wolf and The Swan, the second book in the Winged Wolf Saga.

Outside of writing, his interests include model building, reading, gaming and paleontology. He lives in London with his wife Becky and their small army of cats.