Today's Featured Books

“A great love story! I was enthralled from the beginning.” ~Amazon Review. She’s all wrong for Prince Arn, this lowborn healer who keeps meddling in his march to conquer her homeland. If only she hadn’t helped him and he hadn’t kissed her, he could stop looking for her everywhere, hoping to find her…again. “High fantasy with a romantic twist...spellbinding. A first-rate adventure." ~Amazon Review. 4.0 stars, 40 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW /

Free online: First Friday Book Talk & Reading. Hosted by Larksong Writers Place, LeeAnn Roripaugh will read from Reveal Codes, her collection of short stories that won the Moon City Short Fiction Award. Roripaugh is Professor of English at the University of South Dakota, where she also serves as Director of Creative Writing and Editor-in-Chief of South Dakota Review. Friday, May 7, 12 PM CDT.

“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you.” ~George Saunders

In a world where most wield a Gift, Ranger cadet Declan Rea grapples with his lack of magic’s touch. His ungifted status breeds tension with his brother, Keelan, and fuels deep-seated insecurities. Amidst his struggles, Declan finds solace and strength in a budding romance with fellow cadet, Ayden. When an ancient cult threatens plunges the world into chaos, Keelan investigates, and Declan and Ayden's must navigate treacherous paths of betrayal and uncertainty. An epic m/m fantasy romance adventure. 4.5 stars, 165 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

• Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned (Book 1 of the Reed Lavender Series)
• City of Masks (Book 1 of The Bone Mask Cycle)
• Never (Prequel to the Book of Never Series)

Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned: An Urban Fantasy

At least when you’re Death’s nephew the bad guys literally have nowhere to hide, right?

Meet Reed Lavender, a mostly-human detective with the uncanny ability to hear the final words of the dead. But on this case he’ll need more than his usual tricks to solve the murder of a teen runaway – he’ll need something that just might be more trouble than it’s worth – the help of his ragtag Reaper-cousins.

But the deeper Reed digs the more he realizes there’s something far bigger and darker beneath his city, something vast, something that is ripening to rot...

Praise for Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned
★★★★★ "An interesting use of mythology in a modern urban setting. Finally something new from the old. Thank you for a new universe to play in." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Great world building." ~Amazon Review

City of Masks: An Epic Fantasy Adventure

Their struggle threatens to tear the city – and the kingdom - into shreds.

When a royal conspiracy topples the noble House Falco, Sofia must take up the burden of her father's mantle and assume guardianship of his Greatmask. Yet the sentient bone mask, powerful enough to compel those around her, will not speak, and Sofia, the first female Protector in a hundred years, is left defenseless.

Hunted by the King, she is driven from the palace and must fight for survival, alone in the cold streets of Anaskar. There, she crosses paths with Notch, a bitter mercenary with problems of his own. Accused of murder, Notch is trying to clear his name while hunted by the city's robed assassins, the very people who are now searching for Sofia.

To take back their city and cast down the tyrant on the throne, Sofia and Notch must face the blades of Anaskar's assassins, the rage of a mighty sea beast, and the mysterious Lupo, a man with a Greatmask of his own, who has masterminded vicious terrorist attacks on the city that spurned him.

Praise for City of Masks
"Every now and then a writer comes along who will make you sit up and take notice. Ashley Capes delivers his stunning epic fantasy novel with a bang." ~Jennifer Fallon, international best selling fantasy author

"A gripping narrative in an uncertain world of magic, injustice, and unsettling class division." ~Aurealis, Australia's Premiere Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine

"An absorbing and fast-paced adventure down twisty streets and across hot desert sands." ~Fantasy Literature, F&SF Book and Audiobook Reviews

Never: Prequel to The Amber Isle

Adventure? Check. Magic? Check. Sarcasm? You bet.

Roguish Never is sure he has hunted down every relic and every clue possible on his quest to finally lift the curse on his blood and hopefully learn his true name. However, convincing the wealthy Lord Firmita to part with a map to the sunken city proves to be far more dangerous than he first imagined.

In this prequel story to The Amber Isle, learn how Never meets his enemy, Harstas. 

Praise for Never
★★★★★ "A great introduction to an interesting fantasy landscape and fascinating character." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Fast-paced and a pure fantasy delight." ~Goodreads Review

About the Author

    

Free online: Coffee and a Short Story. Join the New York Public Library for a free online discussion of "Soldier's Home" by Ernest Hemmingway. You can read the short story for free ahead of time via the NYPL website.  Tuesday, June 4, 12 - 1 PM EDT.

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ~Ernest Hemingway