SHARP: A MINDSPACE INVESTIGATIONS NOVEL
Alex Hughes
Roc Books


HISTORY HAS A WAY OF REPEATING ITSELF, EVEN FOR TELEPATHS.

As a Level Eight telepath, I am the best police interrogator in the department. But I'm not a cop--I never will be--and my only friend on the force, Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino, is avoiding me because of a telepathic link I created by accident.

And I might not even be an interrogator for much longer. Our boss says unless I pull out a miracle, I'll be gone before Christmas. I need this job, damn it. It's the only thing keeping me sane.

Parts for illegal Tech—the same parts used to bring the world to its knees in the Tech Wars sixty years ago--are being hijacked all over the city. Plus Cherbino's longtime nemesis, a cop killer, has resurfaced with a vengeance. If I can stay alive long enough, I just might be able to prove my worth, once and for all . . .

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KITTY IN THE UNDERWORLD
Carrie Vaughn
New York Times Bestselling Author
Tor Books

As Denver adjusts to a new master vampire, Kitty gets word of an intruder in the Denver werewolf packÕs territory, and she investigates the challenge to her authority. She follows the scent of the lycanthrope through the mountains where she is lured into a trap, tranquilized, and captured. When she wakes up, she finds herself in a defunct silver mine: the perfect cage for a werewolf. Her captors are a mysterious cult seeking to induct Kitty into their ranks in a ritual they hope will put an end to Dux Bellorum. Though skeptical of their power, even Kitty finds herself struggling to resist joining their cause. Whatever she decides, they expect Kitty to join them in their plot . . . willingly or otherwise.

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SINGER OF NORGONDY
Susan Shell Winston
CreateSpace

If you had the power to enter men's minds and convince them that you're a god, would you use it?

That's the choice that Verl, a young singer of Norgondy, must face. Trained by the tellerwoman Merind to telepathically touch the god-spot in people's minds, Verl holds the ultimate--and deadly--power to control the masses, by creating a new god they can't help but believe in. Together they help their friend Crel and his dancing bear become the Bearman, the shapeshifting Reaper God who leads the people of Norgondy into war against their usurper queen.

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ELISHA BARBER: BOOK 1 OF THE DARK APOSTLE
E. C. Ambrose
DAW Books

England in the fourteenth century: a land of poverty and opulence, prayer and plague . . . witchcraft and necromancy.

As a child, Elisha witnessed the burning of a witch outside of London, and saw her transformed into an angel at the moment of her death, though all around him denied this vision. He swore that the next time he might have the chance to bind an angel’s wounds, he would be ready. And so he became a barber surgeon, at the lowest ranks of the medical profession, following the only healer's path available to a peasant's son.

Elisha Barber is good at his work, but skill alone cannot protect him. In a single catastrophic day, Elisha’s attempt to deliver his brother's child leaves his family ruined, and Elisha himself accused of murder. Then a haughty physician offers him a way out: come serve as a battle surgeon in an unjust war.

Between tending to the wounded soldiers and protecting them from the physicians' experiments, Elisha works night and day. Even so, he soon discovers that he has an affinity for magic, drawn into the world of sorcery by Brigit, a beautiful young witch . . . who reminds him uncannily of the angel he saw burn.

In the crucible of combat, utterly at the mercy of his capricious superiors, Elisha must attempt to unravel conspiracies both magical and mundane, as well as come to terms with his own disturbing new abilities. But the only things more dangerous than the questions he’s asking are the answers he may reveal.

In the crucible of combat, utterly at the mercy of his capricious superiors, Elisha must attempt to unravel conspiracies both magical and mundane, as well as come to terms with his own disturbing new abilities. But the only things more dangerous than the questions he's asking are the answers he may reveal.

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EASY BAKE COVEN: BOOK 1 OF THE VIVIENNE FINCH MAGICAL MYSTERIES
J. D. Shaw
Amazon Digital

Vivienne Finch is a woman of many talents. A skilled baker, she is set to open her new business, Sweet Dreams Bakery. A successful diplomat, managing to dodge over a dozen attempts by her mother to marry off her "on the wrong side of 35" daughter. Hereditary witch, she’s gifted with magic but murder and mayhem follow along all too often.

When the Mayor’s wife is found stabbed to death in the dumpster outside her business the day of the ribbon cutting, a recipe for disaster soon takes shape. With a dash of double dealings, a pinch of small town politics, and a sprinkle of spells from a rare magical journal that only she and the handsome town’s deputy can read, she will face the fire in more ways than one. Add to the mix one cunning killer that would like nothing better than to see the business go up in flames and she along with it.

The debut novel in a new supernatural cozy mystery series.

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THE THICKETY: A PATH BEGINS
J. A. White
Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins

A dark, forbidden forest. Vicious beasts. Deadly plants. An evil spellbook. Secrets. Mysteries. Witches, both good and bad . . . Welcome to the world of the Thickety. Full of action, set in an intriguing and dangerous world, and illustrated with gorgeous and haunting line art, The Thickety: A Path Begins is a truly stunning book.

A Path Begins is the thrilling start of a new middle-grade fantasy series about a girl, a mysterious forest, and a book of untold magical powers. Kara and her brother, Taff, are shunned by their village because their mother was a witch. The villagers believe nothing is more evil than magic, except for what lurks in the nearby Thickety. But when Kara enters the forbidden forest, she discovers a strange book, a grimoire that might have belonged to her mother. The events she then sets in motion are both awe-inspiring and terrifying. . . .

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SF++: SCIENCE FICTION STORIES FOR LINUX GEEKS
Carl Frederick
Amazon Digital

If you think the penguin on the cover represents the Penguin Publishing Group, then perhaps this anthology is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you fondly recognize Tux, the Linux penguin, then yes, you are among friends.

The idea here was to assemble an anthology for geeks--smart, independent, computer and science savvy geeks with a sense of humor. And, for me, that pointed to Linux. Linux geeks are smart (I mean they use Linux, after all). They're independent enough not to use that other operating system. And finally, there's a tradition of humor and word play in the Linux community.

And so, SF++ Science FICTION Stories for Linux Geeks

The first plus in the title indicates that, in addition to stories, there's a science fact article ("Challenge of the Anthropic Universe"). The second plus indicates an experiment--a story ("Roblocks") that can't be done in dead-treeware. It requires an html capable reader.

Most of the 0x10 works in this 93,000-word collection have appeared in pro SF magazines (7 appeared in Analog). If words were kilo-miles, this anthology would stretch from the Earth to the Sun.

We are Linux!  Resistance is . . . measured in ohms.

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GOOSEBERRY BLUFF COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF MAGIC
David J. Schwartz
47North

On an Earth that saw the weaponization of demons instead of uranium during World War II, a lone agent battles supernatural forces--and enemies within her own government--to unravel a conspiracy that threatens our very existence. This vivid alternate history sets the stage for a modern-day fantasy adventure that's equal parts Harry Potter and The X-Files.

Across the world, a steady flow of illegally trafficked demons is fueling terrorist attacks known as "Heartstoppers," which leave bodies lifeless but not technically dead. Authorities have identified Gooseberry Bluff Community College of Magic, a quaint school on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as a demon trafficking pipeline. Now it’s up to Joy Wilkins, a young agent from the Federal Bureau of Magical Affairs, to go undercover as a professor and find the source. But when her mentor turns up murdered and the clues point to a secret society known as the Thirteenth Rib, Joy finds herself in the middle of an ancient war that leaves our world hanging in the balance.

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SORCERERS IN SPACE
Larry Hodges
Class Act Books

It is 1969, at the height of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Neil, 13, badly wants to be someone. Instead he's stuck as a sorcerer's apprentice for Gus, the "meanest sorcerer in the world." Gus creates a magical talisman to spy on the Soviets, but instead it spies on them and sends text into space. A Giant Face in the Sky shows up, reading the text.

Since whoever gets to the Face first can lob down spells and have the world at their mercy, the Race to the Face begins. The Soviets invade the U.S. in their attempts to kill Neil, who is prophesied to defeat them. A floating, talking meteor assassin named Buzz becomes Neil's companion--but in one week, Buzz must kill Neil.

President Kennedy puts together a motley crew that includes Neil, Gus, Buzz, a dragon, the god Apollo, a 2-D sorcerer, and the sorceress Jackie Kennedy. Can they make it to the Face before the Soviets? And before Buzz kills Neil?

Larry Hodges is the author of over 100 short stories published in magazines such as Weird Tales, Quantum Muse, and Every Day Fiction.

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THESE BROKEN STARS
Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Disney-Hyperion

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder--would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

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RITES OF PLANETS
S. V. Laurent
Damnation Books

On a newborn Earth it's still a battle for survival. On an overpopulated Earth, a Groupmind spontaneously arises, encompassing everyone on the planet except a small percentage of people. Ruthlessly culled from the herd, they must struggle to survive in this hellish new world. One is Father Dietz, who seeks to destroy the newborn entity, and another is Mizra, an embittered neurosurgeon, who has a change of heart.

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BODY CHECK
D. H. Hendrickson
Amazon Digital

Olivia Turnbull covers the Blades, Boston’s professional hockey team, but would never break the taboo against dating one of the players. The temptation never even crosses her mind.

Until, that is, the Blades trade for Chad Finnegan. She and Chad enjoyed a torrid affair during their college days and when he arrives, one look dooms them both.

Their love breaks all the rules, but the forbidden fruit tastes too sweet until they learn that it could cost them everything.

D. H. Hendrickson is an award-winning author and Kindle bestseller.

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OZ REIMAGINED
Edited By John Joseph Adams & Douglas Cohen
47North

FOREWORD BY GREGORY MAGUIRE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WICKED.

When L. Frank Baum introduced Dorothy and friends to the American public in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz became an instant, bestselling hit. Today the whimsical tale remains a cultural phenomenon that continues to spawn wildly popular books, movies, and musicals. Now, editors John Joseph Adams and Douglas Cohen have brought together leading fantasy writers such as Orson Scott Card and Seanan McGuire to create the ultimate anthology for Oz fans--and, really, any reader with an appetite for richly imagined worlds.

Some stories are dystopian. Some are dreamlike. All are undeniably Oz.

Includes stories by these authors: Dale Bailey, Orson Scott Card, Rae Carson, David Farland, C. C. Finlay, Jeffrey Ford, Theodora Goss, Simon R. Green, Kat Howard, Ken Liu, Seanan McGuire, Jonathan Maberry, Rachel Swirsky, Robin Wasserman, Tad Williams, Jane Yolen.

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THE LEGEND OF ZERO: FORGING ZERO
Sara King
Parasite Publications

THE OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR #1 BESTSELLER!

ONE OF THE HIGHEST-RATED MILITARY SCIENCE-FICTION NOVELS ON AMAZON!

The Legend of ZERO begins the epic journey of 14-year-old Joe Dobbs in a post-apocalyptic universe following a massive alien invasion of Earth. The oldest of the children drafted from humanity’s devastated planet, Joe is impressed into service by the alien Congressional Ground Force--and becomes the unwitting centerpiece in a millennia-long alien struggle for independence. Once his training begins, one of the elusive and prophetic Trith appears to give Joe a spine chilling prophecy that the universe has been anticipating for millions of years: Joe will be the one to finally shatter the vast alien government known as Congress. And the Trith cannot lie. . . .

But first Joe has to make it through bootcamp.

Buy The Legend of Zero: Forging Zero at Amazon.com

TARNISHED
Rhiannon Held
Tor Books

Andrew Dare has found his mate in Silver, but they haven’t found the pack they can call home. Some of his old friends think he should return and challenge Roanoke for leadership of all the werewolf packs on the East Coast. But Andrew has baggage--his violent history with the packs of Spain and the rumors of his lack of control. And then there’s Silver--the werewolf who has lost her wild self to a monster’s assault, and who can no longer shift forms. But perhaps together they can overcome all the doubters.

The second book in Rhiannon Held's wonderful urban fantasy series, Tarnished plunges readers into the world of the shape-shifter packs who live hidden among us.

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SWORD OF THE RONIN: PART 2 OF THE RONIN TRILOGY
Travis Heermann
Red Bear Publishing

In 13th-Century Japan, a land of ancient spirits, shapeshifting animals, and demons, Ken'ishi is a warrior without a master. Orphaned in infancy, he has only one link to his past--Silver Crane, his father's sword.

When Silver Crane is stolen, Ken'ishi must go on a quest to recover his very identity. The crime lord known as Green Tiger holds the key to Ken'ishi's past. With intrigues stretching to China, where the Mongol emperor Khubiliai Khan builds an invasion fleet, Green Tiger knows of Silver Crane and dreams of the day when he can destroy the shogunate and restore his shattered clan.

With a wooden sword as his only weapon, Ken'ishi descends into the shadowy world of flesh houses, Chinese smugglers, and Mongol spies.

To succeed and unleash Silver Crane's power, he must face the darkness in his own soul.

"From the first sentence, Travis Heermann weaves a tale that sucked this reader into a rich Japanese tapestry full of ronin, samurai, and magic. It was hard to put this book down to sleep."
                --Patrick Hester, Hugo Award-Winning SFSignal.com and the Functional Nerds Podcast

Buy Sword of the Ronin at Amazon.com

THE WEREDOG WHISPERER: A CLEO TIDWELL PARANORMAL MYSTERY
Susan Abel Sullivan
World Weaver Press

The Tidwells are supposed to be on spring break on the Florida Gulf Coast, not up to their eyeballs in paranormal hijinks . . . again.

Bertram wants a baby, but Cleo isn’t real keen on the idea. After all, her sister, Molly, has four of 'em--who needs more? Hoping to throw Bertram off the baby trail, they adopt Luna, a white pit bull terrier, and take her to Florida with them, along with Bertram’s mother and Cleo’s nieces.

Everybody loves Luna, especially the goofy little dog at a tacky tourist trap touting something called a "weredog whisperer," so much so that he puts the moves on Luna and gives her a love bite during the throes of puppy love.

But when Luna shape shifts into a teenage girl on the first night of the full moon, the Tidwells wind up with an instant were-daughter. Poof! Just add moonbeams. A video of Luna’s transformation goes viral and the Tidwells are hounded by an array of reporters, sightseers, animal rights kooks, Hot Diggity Dog Pet Foods, a couple of hungry weresharks, a motley crew of weredogs, and AASS--a secret society of shape shifters that considers Luna an abomination and orders her immediate extermination.

The Tidwells’ vacation has gone to the dogs--literally--as they jump through hoops to protect their unexpected new were-daughter from a dog-eat-dog world.

Buy The Weredog Whisperer at Amazon.com

URBAN GREEN MAN
Edited by Janice Blaine & Adria Laycraft
Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing

The stories in this anthology are ripe with the magic of new beginnings and will change the way you look at life, forever.

Psychologist Carl Jung once suggested that an archetype will reappear in a new form to redress imbalances in society exactly when it is needed. Perhaps the Green Man is rising yet again just in time to help us cultivate a harmonious and sustainable relationship with Nature.

Your imagination will run wild.

The vibrant stories presented in this anthology are all new and original.

With an introduction by Charles de Lint The Urban Green Man presents urban and contemporary short literature from an international cast of authors.

Every story follows the theme of renewal surrounding the mythology of the Green Man.

The mystical face of the Green Man can be found on churches and other buildings throughout northern Europe. It is believed that the Green Man mythology developed independently in various cultures and is a remnant of ancient pagan beliefs. The human face, hidden in the green foliage, shows a longing for the natural world and reminds us that we are dependent on a healthy planet not only for physical sustenance, but for our mental health as well.

Today's Green Man is no longer a forgotten mythology relegated to garden statuary. It is as relevant today as it was in ancient times, and these stories will remind you of the myths' importance.

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SHADOWLARK: BOOK 2 IN THE SKYLARK TRILOGY
Meagan Spooner
Carolrhoda Books

Ever since she escaped the city within the Wall, Lark Ainsley's wanted one thing: to find her brother Basil. She's always believed he would be the one to put an end to the constant fear and flight. And now, hidden underground in the chaotically magical city of Lethe, Lark feels closer to him than ever.

But Lethe is a city cowering in fear of its founder, the mysterious Prometheus, and of his private police force. To get the truth about what happened to Basil, Lark has no choice but to face Prometheus.

Facing her fears has become second nature to Lark. Facing the truth is another matter.

Lark never asked to be anyone's savior. She certainly never wanted to be anyone's weapon. She might not have a choice.

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