The Blood Queen Chronicles by David H. Millar

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Blood is the link between humans, demigods, and demons—and is the Blood Queen’s domain.

Brianag

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 2

by David H. Millar

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Three childhood friends meet in the Scottish Highlands. Two hold secrets. One may be a monster.

As Gràinne reached for the still warm heart, tendrils of the red mist preceded her. When they touched the heart, she felt power drawn from the blood. She steeled herself and bit into the organ. Such was the curse of the Blood Queen.

Brianag is the sequel to The Blood Queen. It is 384 B.C. Ten years have passed since Sidheag’s execution. Gràinne Ni Fearghal, the Blood Queen, has ruthlessly consolidated her grip on the eastern tribes and reigns as High Queen. Meanwhile, her daughter imprisoned in a gilded cage grows in beauty and power and terrifies her guardians—the demigods of the Aes Sídhe. She must escape. Her grandma, the powerful Sídhe, Mongfhionn, agrees.

Brianag trembles at two questions: how will her mother receive her, and can she be redeemed?

Sidheag, was not the only Blood Drinker. Two others, Áine and her daughter, Leannán want vengeance for Sidheag’s death. Both claim to be Sidheag’s mother. Yet is Sidheag dead?

Can Cassán, Dùn Brion’s king, control his temper and work with the demigods to defeat the Blood Drinkers? Will the beast known as the Hound destroy every living being with three barks or will the ancient Cait People awaken and intercede?

Content warning: Brianag: The Blood Queen Chronicles contains scenes of sex and violence appropriate to the time it is set in (400 B.C.). It is not recommended for readers under 16 years of age without parental agreement.

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A ‘Bhanrigh Fuil

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 1

“It is a king’s decision,” said Brion.
“It will not be you who deceives and delivers the lamb to the butcher’s block,” retorted Eimhir.

True evil is a persistent and tenacious beast. Its desire for existence is eternal and insatiable. It needs to infect only one mind for its insidious philosophy to take root and spread.


It is 394 B.C. At a remote loch in the highlands of Northern Albu, a priest sacrifices nine innocents. Below the water’s surface, a shape feeds on their blood and begins to take form. Soon, it becomes sentient and begins to hunt. Sidheag has risen.


Humans cannot defeat the abomination. Neither can Mongfhionn, the powerful demi-goddess of the Aes Sídhe.


The only remedy is the Blood Queen, and Gràinne is the reluctant heir to that throne. Will the Blood Queen stand alongside Mongfhionn to confront Sidheag? The cost for Gràinne may be too much—unless her daughter, Brianag, is in jeopardy.


Passions, always near the surface of the Gaels, burst into flames in The Blood Queen, where father is pitted against son, mother against daughter, sister against sister, brother against sister, and father against daughter.


The Blood Queen contains scenes of sex and violence and uses language appropriate to the period it is set in, i.e., 400 B.C. It is not recommended for those under 16 without parental consent.


5/5 ★★★★★
Genre: Fantasy, Historical fiction
Review by Jan Foster/History Quill: Last updated Jun 12, 2023

A must-read Celtic ‘Game of Thrones meets Bernard Cornwell’, blending history with dark fantasy and a truly terrifying villain. The Blood Queen will keep you turning the pages deep into the night.

The Blood Queen is a dark fantasy nominally set in 400 B.C. Scotland, wherein a misguided priest sacrifices innocents in the hope of bringing forth an entity that will do his bidding. This starts a tale of ‘be careful what you wish for’, as the entity – Sidheag – forms a corporeal being and a consciousness complete with dark desires for domination. No one can resist Sidheag’s allure and subsequent enslavement, and few will survive her rampage across the land as she builds an army to fulfil her calling.

Aside from the descriptive prose and the brilliant battle scenes, the equality of the sexes feels genuine rather than a nod to political correctness. Women rule, fight, murder and fornicate as violently and passionately as the men and the female characters are badass!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood Queen, even at its most uncomfortable. The historical accuracy of weapons and battle strategies blended perfectly with the epic and fantastical storyline. I loved the tiny moments of humanity within the bleakest moments. Reading the novel felt like watching a horror movie unfold, compelling you to turn the pages in the hope that somehow, against the odds, humanity will win.

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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, internationally published and award-winning author David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and author-in-residence of A Wee Publishing Company—a business formed to promote Celtic authors and literature.

David is the author of the five-volume, ancient Celtic-based Conall series and the spin-offs The Dog Roses, The Dog Roses: Resolution, The Blood Queen and Brianag: A Blood Queen Novel.

David resides in Houston, Texas, with his family and two recent family members, tuxedos Beau and Stiletto.

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Books With the Most Unexpected Plot Twists (Dystopian & Sci-Fi Edition)

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There’s something especially delicious about a dystopian or sci-fi book that makes you think you’ve got it all figured out… only to pull the rug out from under you in the final chapters. You turn the page expecting one thing, and BAM — plot twist. And if you’re anything like me, those are the stories you’ll be thinking about days (or years) later.

So if you’re craving a read that messes with your head in the best way, here’s a list of dystopian and sci-fi books with jaw-dropping twists — including one from yours truly. 📖✨

🌎 1️⃣ Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Twist Factor: ✨ Darrow’s mission isn’t what he thinks it is

This brutal, high-stakes society built on color-coded castes seems straightforward — until Darrow infiltrates the elite Golds. Midway through, the real scope of the rebellion, hidden agendas, and the betrayals of those closest to him turn everything upside down. By the end of book one, you realize the war Darrow thought he was fighting is just a pawn’s move in a much bigger game.

🧬 2️⃣ Sector C: The Series by Nina Soden

Twist Factor: ✨ Who’s really behind the experiments and why

My Sector C series takes what seems like a survival-against-the-leadership scenario and flips it into a deeper, darker conspiracy. As the characters navigate a world dominated by deadly experiments and dangerous technology, the real enemy isn’t who (or what) they believed. Loyalties shatter, and hidden connections between characters and the program’s origins turn every assumption on its head.

🌐 3️⃣ The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Twist Factor: ✨ The Glade isn’t a prison… it’s a test

The kids trapped in the maze believe they’re escaping a punishment. The reality? They’re unwitting subjects in a twisted survival experiment designed to find humanity’s last hope. And when the walls come down, the world outside is far worse than the maze itself.

🚀 4️⃣ Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Twist Factor: ✨ The AI you fear might be the only thing keeping you alive

Told through hacked files and intercepted messages, this book pulls off multiple twists. What seems like an evil AI slaughtering a spaceship’s crew turns into one of the story’s most complicated, even sympathetic characters. It plays with reader expectations about villains and heroes in a smart, subversive way.

🔒 5️⃣ Wool by Hugh Howey

Twist Factor: ✨ The outside world isn’t what they’ve been told

In this bleak, silo-dwelling society, citizens are taught the surface is toxic and deadly. The shocking twist? The truth about what’s outside — and who’s been controlling that narrative — will make you rethink every rule the characters have followed since page one.

👁️ 6️⃣ Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Twist Factor: ✨ Who the real villain is, and what immortality has done to humanity

A world without death sounds like utopia, but the elite Scythes tasked with population control carry dark secrets. As apprentices Citra and Rowan dive deeper, they uncover a chilling conspiracy within the Scythedom that rewrites the story’s entire moral landscape.

🧠 7️⃣ The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Twist Factor: ✨ The enemy walks among them

Humanity’s been devastated by four waves of alien attacks. The fifth? It’s already here, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Trust no one. The moment readers (and characters) realize who the real invaders are is genuinely unsettling.

The best dystopian and sci-fi books leave you breathless — not just from action, but from those shocking moments where everything you believed about the world, characters, or conflict gets flipped. And whether it’s a secret identity, a hidden agenda, or a dark truth about the world outside, those twists are what turn a good story into a great one.

Got a favorite mind-blowing dystopian plot twist? Drop it in the comments — I’m always building my to-read list.

Her Ravishing Heartless Prince by AP Von Kory

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He’s a prince with more than a thousand-year-old lineage, but he’d burn down the planet for her.

Her Ravishing Heartless Prince

A Standalone Spinoff from the Golden Shana series

by A P VON K’ORY

Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romantic Suspense

He’s a European prince with over a thousand-year-old
lineage and he hates her as much as he craves her

Alyssa

When I’m introduced to Prince Carl-Theodor Frederick Maximillian Christoph Albert Maria Johann Anselm 17th Prince of Saxony-Bremer and Lautenburg-Bornheim an-der-Elbe, I’m as breathless as his endless name. Something savage twists inside me. Gorgeous and charming as he might be, I don’t trust men like him, men who believe they’re a superior species, who wield near-unlimited power with the license of ancient nobility.

Instinct warns me to keep away or I might get burnt to a cinder.

It’s easier and safer to pretend he doesn’t touch me. So I use my imagination to dream up insults, abusing and defaming him and his family. Meanwhile, I try to avoid him.

Until I can’t, because he turns out to be irresistible. Soon, he has me on my knees before him, which, alas, is exactly where I want to be. But what does he want? Prince Hot and Cold, arctic ice and lava, he brings me to the edge of insanity.


Prince Carl-Theodor of Saxony-Bremer

At first sight, Alyssa blinds me with her beauty.

Then she wrecks my being like a derailed express train.

Never has anyone so deeply insulted me or my family. Rage transfixes me, my pride so deeply injured that it seems my heart bleeds into my innards.

Since my father died, I am Head, Protector, and Defender of the House of Saxony-Bremer. I won’t endure hearing my family slandered, then do nothing about it. I vow to avenge my bloodline, to pay her back in kind for her vicious words. I’ll make her hurt, make her taste her own medicine.

But hurting her f*cking turns around to hurt me. I can bend her to my will, but once she’s tamed, once she hurts like hell, her pain reaches out to me. Have I committed myself to a vow I can’t keep?

NOTE: This book has content for mature readers 18 and over.

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**Don’t miss the Golden Shana series!**

The Chase

Golden Shana Book 1 

A glimpse of her in the opera house made me a walking calamity. A dismissive smirk instead of her name scorched me. I’d hunt her down till I find and claim her as mine.

…Get it on Amazon

The Capture

Golden Shana Book 2

 I longed to erect a fortress around her to keep out men not worthy of looking at her. But she’ll not be safe; I’ll devour her myself.

…Get it on Amazon

The Untouchable

Golden Shana Book 3 

I loved owning women, then I found my woman. But she would never be owned, not even by the gods. I’m soon waging wars with her dangerous criminal ex.

…Get it on Amazon

The Deception

Golden Shana Book 4

My fearless woman goes after her tormentor behind my back. A dangerous criminal who eludes Europol and Interpol. I must eliminate the enemy before he harms her.

…Get it on Amazon

The Conquest

Golden Shana Book 5

I’m going to hurt her, but I’d rather kill our love than have my empress bound with the chains of a dead man who’d been her nightmare for more than ten years…

…Get it on Amazon

A P von K’Ory writes romance, psychological thrillers, and nonfiction. She loves diversity – it’s in her aristocratic DNA. She has won more than half a dozen prizes and awards from four continents. Her family stretches from the Nilotes of the Eastern African Nile Delta to Germany, France, and the Walloons (Belgium). She lectures Economics and Sociology in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. She’s married and has a son. Being migratory –  and weather willing –  she lives in Germany, France, Cyprus, and Greece. 

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Ten Things My Heroine Will Never Tolerate & My Hero Would Never Dream of Doing to Her in Their Relationship

A P von K’Ory

Writing New Adult steamy romance novels, I lend words to some pretty “hairy” relationships. Conflict by the heaps because that’s what it’s all about, or I wouldn’t have a story readers want to devour.

But all roads of the character arc preferably lead to HEA, right?

So when the HEA is reached, my heroine is aware that there are still rules to adhere to because we’re all very different individual beings. Compromises must be made where called for. I never allow my heroines to make sacrifices or tolerate anything purely to “make him happy”. Nor do I let her suffer in silence “in the name of love”. Secretly, I actually believe that my hero has the “duty” to be the one making sacrifices and being tolerant to make her happy. Yes, I’m totally woman, old- or new-fashioned. I love those doors being opened for me, I adore being helped out of and into my coat, or having hubby and his male friends rise and button up their jackets when I enter a room, or when I get up to go powder my nose. And when I come back from the powdering too, of course.

I’m not a fan of misogynists in whatever veiled shade, shape or inclination. I’ve seen my bestie heartbroken and in bitter fights with her own child because the pubescent girl (thank internet and our smart kids) asked mother dear whether rape, beating, tying up, burning with candles and letting the boy/man wrap his hands around her throat and choke her was the norm in sex? And was that how dad and mother dear made her? The girl, in resolute disgust, swore off sex forever.

But I do get weak-kneed and love strong dominant men who are perfect gentlemen – until they get to the bedroom.

That said, my heroines don’t fall into that trap so many women end up in: That when he does something good or loving, it cancels out all the bad. Like in real life, that never works in the end, it simply becomes a habit and with that comes resignation. Mutual consent is not the equivalence of a restaurant’s “all you can eat”. I make sure my heroine has an alternative ‘safeword’ for “this isn’t what I thought it was or imagined it would be like”, when a situation crops up that hadn’t been anticipated and shouldn’t happen in any circumstance. A heroine’s consent isn’t “all inclusive”.

And compromises are not made solo.

Here are ten things I make sure my heroine’s man would never, ever dream of doing:

1. Prince Charming or Bad Boy, he’d never hold her past against her.

2. Despite his family, himself or (if he has them with someone else) his children, she remains his Numero Uno of all Numero Unos. She comes first and at his side when he needs to take care of the family, children, or needs some alone time for himself. She’ll never be the spare wheel, never left in the back seat. 

3. He’d never wrinkle his nose, accuse her or call her names because of her sexual desires or preferences. Of course she’ll tell him about them. It’s where the relationship runs healthy on mutual compromises.

4. Likewise, he’d never expect her to fulfill all of his fantasies. People are too individual as human beings and will never end up with a loved one who is precisely like them in the fantasy department. 

5. Even while angry, he’d never turn that anger on her by belittling or humiliating her. If he’s stewing within, he’ll still treat her with respect. He’d never talk down to her or speak to her with total disregard of her feelings. Even in a BDSM relationship, fundamental humanity is prerogative in the couple’s shared life. It’s why people describe it as “role playing”. Shared normal and everyday life and love isn’t role playing.

6. He’d never toss the I’m-not-talking-to-you BS at her. I’m personally very averse to withdrawal as a form of physical and emotional punishment and I project this on my heroines. Whatever stress, quarrel or disagreement he’s had with her or with someone or something else, using coldness as punishment is one of the unhealthiest traits in a relationship. In a non-toxic relationship, he’ll tell her why he wants to be alone, however long that might be. She might fret with concern but she’ll be aware of the reason why he wants his privacy.

7. He’d never be frivolous or cavalier about her feelings. A man intent on a healthy relationship will not discount her feelings constantly, making her wonder if there is something wrong with her.

8. He won’t make fun of her in front of friends. My heroine jolly well knows the difference between fond teasing and malicious commentary, however jocular.

9. He’d never skirt around soothing her fears or insecurities. Instead, he’ll help her face her fears head-on particularly after a confrontation between the two of them, or a nasty situation or occurrence that unsettled her. The unhealthy man doesn’t have time to make you feel better, nor does he care why you’re upset. I never let my heroine tolerate any of this but rather speak out about her feelings on the subject.

10. My heroine will never tolerate a selfish man. A good loving man can give back without any selfishness wedged in. He wants to give her his all, and is willing to give up what doesn’t make her happy. He wants to be his best self to her. He’s healthy enough to take but also give back, and ready to apologize if he acts selfishly. Best of all, he’s ready to change his behavior exclusively for her happiness.

Daddy Issues by Candi Scott

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Running is easier than facing my mistakes, than facing him.

Daddy Issues

Desert Kings MC Book 3

by Candi Scott

Genre: Dark MC Romance

Kenna

Despite all my good intentions and a metric ton of dry shampoo, my life is always one step away from falling apart. What’s a girl to do? Run. Hide. Pretend like all my mistakes never happened.

Running is easier than facing my mistakes, than facing him.

Tall, tattooed, and built like a concrete wall, Puck Kelly is the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He’s also a Desert King and I’m pretty sure he killed…for me.

The messed up part? That only makes me want him more.

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Candi Scott is the ultra steamy pen name for award winning author Leslie Scott.

Author of Two Hearts, One Stone and the Black Water Magic Series, Leslie Scott has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. The happier the ending, the better. Currently, she lives and writes amidst her own happily ever after with her soul mate, son, and domestic zoo. http://www.lesliescottwrites.com

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Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing Your Novel

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You’ve been thinking about it for months — maybe even years.
That story idea that keeps tugging at your imagination. The characters who live in the back of your mind. The plot twist you dream about late at night. But for one reason or another, you keep putting it off.

Sound familiar?

If so, it’s time to stop procrastinating and finally start writing your novel.

Why Do We Procrastinate?

Let’s be honest — procrastination isn’t about laziness. It’s about fear.

Fear of failure. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of starting something you might not finish. It’s easier to plan to write a book than to actually sit down and face a blank page.

But here’s the thing: every writer — from bestselling authors to first-time novelists — feels that fear. What separates those who finish a novel from those who don’t is the decision to write anyway.

The Myth of the “Perfect Time”

If you’re waiting for the stars to align, for a long weekend of uninterrupted silence, or for inspiration to strike like lightning — you’ll be waiting forever.

Life will always be busy. The dishes won’t wash themselves. Emails won’t stop. There’s no perfect moment to start writing.

But there’s always this moment.

And if you can commit to showing up for your story now, even for just ten minutes a day, you’ll be amazed at how quickly those words stack up.

5 Simple Ways to Start Writing Today

Ready to finally get those words out of your head and onto the page? Here are five easy, actionable tips to kickstart your writing habit:

1️⃣ Set a Tiny, Achievable Goal

Forget about writing an entire chapter. Start with 250 words. That’s one page. One scene. One conversation. Small goals build momentum.

2️⃣ Schedule It Like an Appointment

Carve out a specific time each day to write — even if it’s just ten minutes. Put it on your calendar. Treat it like a commitment you can’t break.

3️⃣ Silence Your Inner Critic

Your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to exist. Let yourself write badly. The magic happens in the revision process.

4️⃣ Create a Distraction-Free Zone

Find a quiet space, silence your phone, and let those around you know you’re off-limits for a short while. Even brief, focused sessions make a difference.

5️⃣ Find Your Writing Tribe

Join a local writing group, an online community, or find a friend who loves books as much as you do. Accountability and encouragement matter.

Your Story Matters

Someone, somewhere, is waiting for the story you have to tell. Whether it’s a reader looking for escape, connection, or inspiration, they won’t find it if you never write it.

Stop waiting for the perfect time. Start writing today.
Your future self (and your future readers) will thank you.

📖 Need a little guidance on outlining or planning your novel? I’ve written two indie author guides to help you along the way.

Check them out below and get started on your writing journey today!

Some Call Me Eve by T. Pike

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Enemies bound by desire. Allies torn by fate.

Some Call Me Eve

by T. Pike

Genre: Historical Romance

Princess Evangeline has an insatiate lust for power. As her kingdom’s most feared warrior and heiress to the throne, she plans to one day rule in her father’s place, just as she rules over countless men during secret nights of sin.

But when the castle falls to a new enemy, Evangeline becomes a slave in her own kingdom, forced to obey the heartless queen’s commands to honor her father’s dying wish: to protect her people.

The princess craves vengeance, but can she resist the carnal magnetism between her and Prince Rune, the queen’s son and royal pawn? And as rebellion brews, can she trust Rune, the man with the power to quench her torrid flames, to be her greatest ally?

**Releases July 21st – PreOrder Now!**

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T. Pike grew up in Northwest Arkansas where she swam competitively for more than 17 years. After graduating from Texas A&M University with an English degree and All-American honors, she returned home to pursue her master’s in English and write her debut novel: Some Call Me Eve. Now a law student, she enjoys running and hiking with her dogs and exploring the mountains with her partner.

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Books With the Most Unexpected Plot Twists (Urban Fantasy Edition)

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One of the things I love most about urban fantasy is its ability to blend magic, mystery, and modern life into a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. But when you throw in a mind-blowing plot twist? Chef’s kiss. That’s the kind of storytelling that lingers — the kind that makes you flip back pages asking, “Wait, did that just happen?”

Here’s a curated list of urban fantasy books that completely pull the rug out from under you in the best way — each with a twist I did not see coming.

🦇 1. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Twist Factor: ✨ The true loyalties of Rachel’s co-workers

What starts as a witch trying to break free from her magical law enforcement job spirals into betrayals and shifting alliances. The twist? One of the people Rachel thought she could trust most ends up playing a much darker game than she realized — and it flips the entire dynamic of the series moving forward.

🐺 2. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Twist Factor: ✨ A betrayal inside the pack

This series opener introduces us to Mercy Thompson, a mechanic with a coyote-shifter secret. Just when the plot seems to be following the typical “urban shifter” path, a shocking betrayal from within the pack sends everything sideways. It’s subtle at first, but the full weight of it hits hard when revealed.

🕷️ 3. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Twist Factor: ✨ Who the real villain is

This Kate Daniels series starter dives deep into a dangerous world of shifting magic and tech. As Kate investigates a brutal murder, she thinks she’s closing in on the killer — only to discover the true villain is someone far closer than she expected. The reveal makes you question everything that came before it.

🔮 4. Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone

Twist Factor: ✨ The dead god’s killer… wasn’t who you thought

In this legal thriller-meets-magical mystery, a necromantic lawyer tries to bring a god back to life. But the twist? The god’s death wasn’t accidental — and the culprit is tied to a power structure far more sinister and unexpected than it appears. It’s a slow-burn reveal that pays off big.

🐉 5. The Dresden Files: Changes by Jim Butcher

Twist Factor: ✨ The ending that redefines the entire series

No spoilers here — but if you’ve been following Harry Dresden through the earlier books, Changes delivers a twist that is both devastating and brilliant. The title is no joke: everything changes. Trust me when I say you won’t be the same after reading it.

👑 6. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Twist Factor: ✨ The power shift at the end

Though more of a fae fantasy with urban tones, this one earns its spot for that ending. Jude, the mortal girl in a cutthroat faerie court, plays her cards close to the vest — until she makes a bold, manipulative power move that shocks even the reader. You think you know who’s in control… until you don’t.

🧛 7. Blood Angel by Nina Soden

Twist Factor: ✨ [Redacted… because you have to read it to believe it]

I couldn’t make this list without mentioning my own Blood Angel series. Without giving too much away, let’s just say not everyone is who they seem — and as loyalties are tested, deep secrets rise to the surface that change everything. Readers often tell me they didn’t see that one coming — and that’s the best compliment.

⚡Urban fantasy thrives on layered worlds, morally gray characters, and high-stakes drama — but the best ones leave your jaw on the floor with a twist that makes you rethink everything. If you haven’t read some of these yet, I highly recommend you do (and then message me so we can scream about the reveals together).⚡

Did I miss a favorite urban fantasy with a shocking plot twist? Drop it in the comments — I’m always adding to my TBR!

The Chronicles of the Troop by Colin Darney

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Magic is feared. The truth is forgotten. But the silence – it still remembers.

Resthaven

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 1

by Colin Darney

Genre: Epic Fantasy

A divine war once shattered the world. Now, it begins anew—unnoticed, and bathed in blood.

Tommy is the son of a fisherman in a quiet lakeside village, where nothing truly dangerous has happened in generations. But when monstrous warriors descend from the woods, slaughtering everything he’s ever known, Tommy is thrown into a world of violence, prophecy, and secrets his father spent a lifetime hiding.

Fleeing across the inland sea, the survivors carry more than trauma—some carry buried power. Among them, an elven woman with a hidden past, a dwarf whose grief burns hotter than his forge, and a boy who isn’t just a boy – he’s something more. As rumors of more attacks spread and refugees flock to safe havens, it becomes clear the ondilaan are not just raiding.

They’re hunting.

But why?

As Tommy struggles to survive, love, and grow into the man the world might need, forces far older than any kingdom turn their gaze toward him. And the hidden power is watching.

Resthaven is the first entry in The Chronicles of the Troop, an epic fantasy saga that blends brutal war, divine judgment, and philosophical weight with real human stakes.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, Minor swearing, Adult themes, No sex.

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Silverlake

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 2

The troop survived Resthaven. But survival was just the beginning.

Donnor leads his ragtag force of villagers, conscripts, and outsiders deeper into the southern reaches of the Serensea. Their mission: find and defend the last remaining settlements from the ondilaan. But the enemy has changed—and so has the troop.

As Tommy comes into his own as both a mage and a chronicler, he wrestles with the burden of power, the scars of war, and the discovery of a lineage that shakes his identity. Beside him, Arisaylia’s magic deepens beyond her control, while Donnor is haunted by a loss he cannot afford to repeat.

In the villages, foothills, and the ruined fields of the south, the troop finds not only battles—but betrayals, hard choices, and the truths that threaten everything they thought they understood.

Silverlake is the second book in The Chronicles of the Troop, a philosophical epic fantasy saga blending tactical war, elven lore, deep character bonds, and the high stakes of ancient memory … for readers who crave stories where victory costs something real.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

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Windyspring

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 3

The enemy grows bolder. Allies grow silent. And the gods remain lost.
 
The troop is scattered, wounded, and shaken by betrayal from within and without. What began as a mission to protect the southern villages of the Serensea now threatens to unravel the fragile balance between kingdoms, clans, and divine history.
 
As Tommy’s power blooms into something ancient—and dangerous—Arisaylia confronts truths about the elves that could fracture her people forever. Donnor, haunted by war and his family’s fate, must hold together what remains of their fragile alliance before the flames of conflict spread beyond control.
 
Meanwhile, far from the troop’s journey, in the Endless Plains power stirs. Civilizations long dormant move once more, as kingdoms make secret pacts and old races return to claim what was once theirs.
 
Windyspring is the third volume of The Chronicles of the Troop, a sweeping epic of war, memory, and magic—where loyalty is tested, identities unravel, and the true cost of power begins to reveal itself.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

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Harper’s Creek

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 4

The dead have been buried. Silence is broken. And secrets refuse to stay where they lay.

As the troop pushes east toward Harper’s Creek, the weight of their survival in Windyspring lingers—along with a growing fear of what lies ahead. Tommy’s power evolves beyond even the elves’ understanding, and Arisaylia begins to question whether the path she and her son will walk was ever theirs to choose.

Back in Redtail Hold, Sella finds herself drawn into a role far greater—and more dangerous—than her songs alone. Her rising influence in the eyes of the elves threatens the balance of the Hold, and the line between duty and desire grows thinner and thinner.

But war isn’t fought only with weapons. As old alliances fray and ancient eyes turn towards the Serensea, both soldier and singer must decide who and what they are—before the tide of history swallows them before their new fate is born.

Harper’s Creek is Book Four of The Chronicles of the Troop, where fantasy meets philosophy, and where battles of the heart are as perilous to everyone involved as those of sword and hidden sorcery.

A note to readers: Fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

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In a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and the follow-up The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.

Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you’d actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.

The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.

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Author Q&A

What genre or type of story inspires you most when reading or writing?

Fantasy stories inspire me most when writing. Believable characters, “real” situations in a fantastical world, etc. Story’s about people who “win”, improving themselves/finding love/finding sucess/what have you, those are the one’s that grip me. Especially when they get those things against all odds or struggling uphill to get them.

Are there any real-life experiences that directly influenced Resthaven, Silverlake, or The Book of Ghaan?

A lot of the interpersonal relationships I’ve either experienced myself or witnessed. The humor and joking around comes from my time in the army and friends. Bar and tavern scenes come from places I’ve drank in and experienced first hand. The trauma and aftermath comes from my time in a level 1 ER/Trauma center.

What are you most proud of as an author so far?

Actually doing it. Writing stories that other people read and are interested in. Having people interact with me, tell me my fantasy’s are great or touched them some how. Hearing people say they couldn’t put it down. It’s uplifting.

What do readers most often tell you about your work (e.g., “I loved the world,” “The characters felt real,” etc.)?

That the world comes to life for them. Some people are just enthralled by the characters, others by the story itself, but the most common is how much people enjoyed the detailed plot and realism they experience as they read the series.

If someone bumped into you at a fantasy convention, what kind of impression would you want to leave?

Just a normal guy. I don’t put on airs, I drive a normal car, live a normal life, have the same concerns everyone else has. I’m friendly, approachable, and have no problems answering questions and talking to anybody.

Is there any quirky or unexpected detail about you people are surprised by?

MY favorite ‘hobby’ is taking hikes int he wilderness, exploring places I’ve never been before, being ‘one’ with nature – all of which leads me to convey the ‘experience’ when I write. I used to be into horseback riding which taught me sometimes you just have to go with the flow and stay on. Downhill skiing was full of excitement, wind blasting in your face as you figuratively race. Blacksmithing taught me you can turn a lump of something ugly into an object of beauty. Camping taught me to accept what is and drive on. Online gaming taught me you can be whatever you want in whatever realm you find yourself in.

Would you prefer to gently mention your books or boldly champion them in your bio?

A mix between the two. I definitely want attention for my story, but I don’t want to come across as a used car salesman

What’s the current status of The Book of Ghaan, Part Two — are you mid-edit, drafting, or preparing for release?

Part two is mid-edit with its planned release this summer. I’m about half way through, then it will be off to professional readers.

Do you want your author brand to feel more wise veteran fantasy crafter, more passionate newcomer with surprising talent, or something else?

Definitely a passionate newcomer, not too high on himself, with surprising talent

I am happy to one of the many hosts sharing information about Colin Darney’s RESTHAVEN novel.

Sherlock Holmes & Irene Adler Mysteries by KD Sherrinford

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The jaw-dropping, exciting follow-up to The Hound of The Baskervilles will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Hold onto your hats; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

The Whistle of Revenge

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 4

by KD Sherrinford

Genre: Historical Mystery Romance

Sometimes, our deepest fear is not the darkness but the light that blinds.

If you loved Conan Doyle’s, The Hound of the Baskerville, prepare to be enthralled by KD Sherrinford’s captivating follow-up, The Whistle of Revenge.

The deadly antagonist, Jack Stapleton, makes a spectacular return to the city of Milan in pursuit of his old nemesis, the celebrated Detective Sherlock Holmes.

Adopting the enigmatic persona of Janus, a vengeful Stapleton, along with the Italian mafia, wreak havoc on the Italian horse racing fraternity and fledgling car manufacturing industry, and kidnapping Holmes’s beloved son as part of their evil and well-executed master plan—Operation Whistle.

Will Holmes, Irene Adler, and their trusted ally, Inspector Romano, crack the code, rescue the boy, and unmask the deadly Janus?

Set against the backdrop of modern Milan, mind games and misdeeds of the highest order play out as the story reaches its thrilling and memorable conclusion.

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Meet Me in Milan

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 3

The deepest secrets are often to be found out in the open, if you only know where to look.

While her husband, Sherlock Holmes, is off playing detective in London, Irene Adler finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato. How can she refute the testimony of a credible eyewitness, even though her heart tells her that Renata is innocent? What she needs is tangible evidence, and she’s willing to do what she must to obtain it.

When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to assist with her investigation. However their relationship is called into question by Irene’s dear friend Sophia, who is not overly fond of Irene’s husband nor approving of the way in which they conduct their marriage. Will Irene be able to prove her friend Renata’s innocence, or is there a more tangled web of deception at play? And will Sophia’s misgivings regarding her marriage bear unfortunate fruit?

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Christmas at the Saporis

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 2

First place, and best in category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards for Shorts and Novellas

What will the Saporis find under the tree this year—Christmas presents, or family skeletons?

In the spirit of the holiday and a wish for familial harmony, Irene Adler persuades her detective husband to invite his brother Mycroft to Christmas luncheon. Holmes had cut ties with his brother when he discovered the machinations Mycroft employed that drove Sherlock and Adler apart for four years. He isn’t really sure this reunion is a great idea, but he can deny his wife nothing.

Of course, they can’t tell the children what Mycroft is to them, as that would entail learning that their father is the celebrated detective when they know him simply as Lucca Sapori. And just when they think things may be going better than expected, ghosts of the past crop up in unexpected ways and threaten to ruin the holidays for everyone.

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Song For Someone

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 1

Finalist at The Chanticleer International Book Awards for Romantic Fiction- The Chatelaine— Proud Recipient of The Editors Gold Seal.

Love is the aria of the soul.

Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life, safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother, Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.


Knowing herself to be dying, Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him—he is actually the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.


Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together, and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.

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KD Sherrinford is a multi-award-winning International author. She was born and raised in Preston, Lancashire, and now lives on the Fylde Coast with her husband, John and their two children—an avid reader from an early age. KD loved the mystery writers Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie was her favourite. She read the entire Conan Doyle canon by age 13.

KD had a varied career, working with thoroughbred horses and racing greyhounds. To mix things up, she joined Countrywide and became a Fellow of The National Association of Estate Agents. Retirement finally allowed KD the time to write her multi-award-winning debut novel, ” Song for Someone.” KD got the idea for the story after a visit to The Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019; KD has always wanted to write about the iconic character Irene Adler. A talented pianist from age six, the music from some of KD’s favourite composers, Beethoven, Wagner, and Stephen Foster, all feature strongly in her writing. .” Song for Someone “was awarded The Editors Choice Gold Seal Medal in 2022 and received critical acclaim from Book Viral, Readers Favorite, Literary Titan and The Historical Fiction Company, which described” Song for Someone” as an evocative masterpiece and a book that stands out in contemporary literature. The novel was a recent Finalist at The Chanticleers International Book Awards- The Chatelaine. ” Christmas at The Saporis” was published last December. The third book, ” Meet Me In Milan”, went live on the 29th of September 2023. This thrilling Trilogy was Shortlisted for The CIBA’s Series Book Awards in Genre Fiction.KD Sherrinford is a member of The CWA, the RNA and the LWA. Her short, cosy mystery ” A Bit of a Do” was published in Marla Breeden’s Limited Edition Anthology, entitled ” Malice Matrimony and Murder “On the 13th of November 2023. Twenty-five original short, cosy mysteries from international authors, including Deringer and Agatha Finalists, CWA members, and recipients of The Editors Gold Seal, KD is very proud to be a part of this fabulous collection. Book four of the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysters, the much anticipated ” The Whistle of Revenge” was just released in 2025. You can reach KD on her Facebook author page.

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Time Flies by Jill Wallace

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FIVE 80’s air hostesses had dreams about their SOULMATES centuries before in a 747 crew rest at 36,000 feet. Awake, their forever-loves are gone for good. Decades later, ONE is a physic sleuth for the FBI. She invites FOUR still-yearning ex-hosties for SIX days together for past life regressions to find those soulmates in THIS lifetime. BUT Time Flies…and ONE murderous bastard could be on the loose….

Timeless Beginnings

Time Flies Book 1

by Jill Wallace

Genre: Time Travel Paranormal Romantic Mystery

Avid dog lover, law enforcement psychic and former Air Baobab air hostess Lucky van Niekerk has a gift for sniffing out answers. From helping to solve cold cases to reliving past lives, she’s torn between worlds—the past and the present; the dead and the living.


She’s helping agents track a dangerous killer. But there are some things she can’t find. Her soulmate, for instance.


Determined to solve her own mystery, Lucky learns she must first help others to help herself. She’s sure she isn’t the only one whose life has been touched by the past, so she sends out a call to her former colleagues. Four other air hostesses answer—and they’ve all experienced past-life dreams in the crew rest aboard the same 747 jumbo jet at 36,000 feet. Can Lucky help them solve the mysteries locked in their dreams, or will they be destined to make the same mistakes they made in a previous life?


Discover the power of uncorking past lives and start the journey with Lucky in this first book in the Time Flies women’s fiction series, as five virtual strangers are drawn together in their quest for fulfilment and love.

Author’s Note: If you’re drawn to time travel women’s fiction that seamlessly blends psychic mysteries, past-life explorations, and the adventurous world of aviation, Timeless Beginnings is a journey you won’t want to miss. Fans of Kate Morton and Susanna Kearsley will appreciate the intricate weaving of reincarnation, friendship, and self-discovery that propels this story across time and continents. Join Lucky van Niekerk and her companions as they unlock the secrets of their past lives to illuminate their present.

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Timeless Pirouette

Time Flies Book 2

A vivid dream of the past. A desperate hope for the future.

My name is Brie Lenz.

In the hushed sanctuary of a Boeing 747’s crew rest in 1983, amidst the hum of engines and the dance of distant clouds, I lay my head down as a South African Airways air hostess. I dream of a beguiling beggar, his eyes a mesmerizing shade of emerald, who ignites a flame in my soul. His ambitions for my ballet career in 1887, take me higher than I ever dreamed. He is my anchor, my guiding light, my inspiration, my love.

But as reality pierces through the veil of slumber at 36,000 feet, I am jolted awake, haunted by the echoes of Tchaikovsky and the lingering mystery of that enigmatic beggar. With the pulse of an odd drumbeat echoing in my ears and a shiver coursing through my veins, destiny delivers, this time, in real life. Is it too good to be true?

Fast-forward to the present, and though embers of that centuries-old connection still smolder within me with the man I adore, I cannot deny there is something missing and something amiss. When an unexpected invitation to a transformative retreat arrives, I am torn between fear and fervor. And amongst women I barely know, I find myself in a magical odyssey of self-discovery and a crossroads filled with pitfalls and shrouded in guilt.

Can I reclaim the lost magic of 1877 and weave it into the fabric of my present, or will the past that lurks beyond that crew rest dream continue to cast its long shadow over my future?

With my heart suspended between two worlds, I brace myself for the ultimate reckoning.

Author’s Note: If you’re captivated by time travel romance novels that intertwine past-life memories, ballet, and the allure of aviation, Timeless Pirouette will transport you through a tapestry of love and destiny. Fans of Susanna Kearsley and Diana Gabaldon will appreciate the seamless blend of historical depth and supernatural intrigue. Join Brie Lenz as she navigates the echoes of a bygone era, seeking to reclaim a love that transcends time itself.

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Jill Wallace was born and bred (her mother would prefer ‘brought up’) in South Africa, and lived the second half of her life in America. She feels like the African baobab or “Upside Down Tree”, with roots that look like branches. Like the confused baobab, she no longer knows where the South African ends and the American begins. She’s comfortable in her duality and hopes like hell it affords her some degree of complexity. A girl can always hope :o)

Sometimes, she loves dogs more than people, chocolate more than good sense, and Netflix binge-watching more than house cleaning (well… make the latter ALL the time!)

Jill’s addicted to writing. Expect her novels to have a South African flair, and no matter the century of her characters, she’ll strive to keep their situations relevant and their emotions real.

Wallace listens to the voices in her head which describe their dilemma and state of chaos. Then she waits, pen poised, to see what they’ll do about it. She records how they find the courage and strength to attain what they really want—be it friendship, peace, acceptance, or everlasting love. That’s the magic that keeps her heart pounding in her throat and her fingers flirting with keys.

Jill started her writing career as a screenwriter. Her first script was twice optioned by producers for movies. When disappointment flooded in and dreams collapsed, an author friend said, “To hell with them all. Write a book.” So, she did. It took her three years.

War Serenade is inspired by a true story about a bon vivant Italian opera star forced into WWII, who is shot down, captured by the allies and sent to a run-down POW camp in South Africa. Broken and longing for death, he sees a spunky red head through the barbed wire and when their eyes meet, she becomes his reason to live. But he is a prisoner, and she, his enemy…

War Serenade won a number of awards, the most recent are the Golden Quill Contest Winner Desert Rose RWA, Maggie and Rone Awards 2020, for best audio book.

Zebra is Jill’s second novel and largely based on her husband’s experiences. Athol grew up in a remote resort in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa during the apartheid era and fought in the Bush Wars in the 60’s and 70’s. This literary fiction/historical/action adventure/coming-of-age saga spans 4 decades. Though the times are incendiary, Zebra is not about politics but a divine, true bond of friendship. Zebra. Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny proudly wore the Amazon Banner for #1 New Release and is also a ***** Reader’s Favorite.

Time Flies is Jill’s first series. The common threads with her stand-alone books are the South African infusion, the dog-hero, friendship, impossible challenges and complex timelines.

Timeless Beginnings is Book 1 of the series has multiple and it’s the story of how five ex-air hostesses end up at the home of Lucky, now a FBI psychic, who’s keen to try -as a last resort – past life regression to find the soulmate she lost after she dreamed about him in the crew rest of a 747 in the 80’s. Four other ex-hosties are just as anxious to find their centuries-ago soulmates.

Timeless Pirouette is Book II and the story of Brie who dreams she was a beautiful ballerina who fell in love with a beggar in 1887. Though she believes she met and married the perfect man for her, she fights an incomprehensible guilt and can’t help yearning for her beggar. She is compelled to go back a century before she can go forward.

Jill is in the process of finishing up Athol’s companion novel to Zebra. Titled Leopard Crawl it’s the true-story-inspired missions of one man on a solitary spying sojourn in the heart of the Southern African Bush Wars.

Learn more about the author and her books at http://www.jillwallace.com

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