Dystopian Forbidden Romance: Never Lost (The Unchained Book 3) by Everly Claire

We're celebrating the release of the final book, Never Lost, in Everly Claire's dystopic forbidden romance series. Read The Unchained books on Kindle Unlimited now!

Never Lost (The Unchained Book 3)
by Everly Claire
August 6, 2025

Genre: Spicy Dark |Dystopian Forbidden Romance 

• FMC and MMC held captive together
• F0rced s3x with each other
• F0rced to hurt her
• F0rced to watch her be hurt (and vice versa)
• Trauma bonding
• She's now a stabby, gun-toting badass (and so is he!)
• They save each other
• Lying, plotting, scheming, and conning
• Rebellion and defiance
• Getaways, chases, and explosions

After the rules burn, the world burns.

The world runs on slave labor. My dad bought him. We fell in love anyway.

Now we’ve been torn apart, hunted down, and the people we love are in danger. But our love started over a chemistry book… and maybe it ends with a revolution.

The final book in The Unchained dark dystopian forbidden romance trilogy. HEA guaranteed.

Trigger Warnings for the Series
Note: No abuse, toxicity, or noncon is between the MCs in this series.

 

 

Amazon

About the author
website
Everly Claire is living the dream as a full-time writer with her partner and two cats on a palm-fringed, white-sand beach on a Caribbean island (really, you should try it!) When she’s not writing, she spends her time on a boat or on a beach (always with a fruity cocktail in hand), getting nerdy (and winning big!) at trivia night, and/or dreaming up more hot scenarios and dark twists involving protective, wounded, clever boys with a bad habit of getting chained up — the ones you aren’t allowed to touch but that we all know you will, anyway.

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YA Dystopian Fantasy: Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh + excerpt

Shadowed Skies
by Haley Cavanagh
March 25, 2025
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance | YA Science Fiction |
Publisher: Our Street Books
ISBN: 978-1803417721
ASIN: B0DV31JXS2
Number of pages: 208
Word Count: 60,000
Cover Artist: Lapiz Digital Services
Hunted for their blood. Fighting for their future.

In the shadowed aftermath of global destruction, humanity’s hope takes flight on the wings of the Evol-humans. River Shaw, secluded in his high-altitude sanctuary, seeks solace after a life scarred by loss. His quiet existence is disrupted when Delene Fairborne, fleeing captivity and a dark past, crashes into his world.

Together, they find strength in their unique abilities, resisting the sinister forces that hunt them for a cure only their blood can provide. As love blossoms amidst the chaos, they face a ruthless scientist hell-bent on harnessing their power. Shadowed Skies is a tale of survival, sacrifice, and soaring hope, where two souls, bound by destiny, fight for a world on the brink. Dive into a world where love flies against insurmountable odds.

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Excerpt:
I wake to a muscular, silent figure looming over me, his wings casting unnerving shadows. Intelligent dark eyes scrutinize me from his smooth, brown face framed by cropped black hair and raven quills. He’s been around the block.

My guard shoots up. I’d stand, but my body’s too weak from the climb. “Your nest, huh? Sorry, I didn’t see your name on it.”

“It’s carved right over there.” He points past me to the rockface. My eyes travel over the stone, where he’d etched River in craggy letters. The carved name is so tiny I didn’t notice.

“Now you’re supposed to tell me your name. That’s how this goes.”

I blink. “Delene Fairborne. Listen, would you mind if I–– ow,” I scrape against the wall and suck air through my teeth. I clamp my eyes shut.

“Are you okay?”

I shrug the blanket off, and my injured wing flops lamely near my shoulder. River’s eyebrows lower, and he comes closer.

“Let me look.”

He stows his serrated hunting knife, presents empty hands, and crouches to examine my injury. “Relax. I won’t hurt you. Let’s see the damage.” He’s gentle, avoiding the wound and handling my feathers softly. He lightly touches the bandage.

“Dr. Lytle runs the Stockade, the underground bunker and lab where the humans imprison and experiment on our kind. His men hunted me down and shot me with a crossbow as I tried

to escape. The wound is still healing––I changed the bandage earlier, but without a spare set of clothes, I had to tear strips off my pants to re-dress it.”

“Hmm.” He examines the back with a frown. “There’s an exit wound.”

“Yeah, I pulled it out.”

“Well, that was stupid of you. You could have died if those goons pierced a blood feather.”

My temper flares. “Oh, as opposed to leaving it in. I’d rather take my chances, thanks.” My voice is hostile, though I’m grateful for his help. I still don’t know who he is or what he wants, and my mother warned me to be on my guard.

River sits back on his haunches, sighs, and meets my eyes.

“Doesn’t look good. How long have you been here, kid? A day or so?”

“I’m no kid. I’m seventeen.”

“Well, I’m eighteen. So, you’re a kid.”

“By what, a few whole months?” I snicker. “Okay. If a kid free-climbed in the pitch-black up a hundred-foot cliff to get here, I guess I’m a kid.”

After examining the wound, he says, “The damage looks fixable. Let’s clean this well to prevent infection.”

“I’ve cleaned the wound.”

“Clean deeper,” he admonishes. “I don’t have antibiotics, but I’ll try to get some. Or at least honey. Honey heals.”

He hesitates before retrieving water, then takes a rag from his pouch and soaks the cloth. With the knife still in hand, he comes closer.

“Look … You seem all right, but I’m a lone wolf. I operate solo. You have a target with a big ‘X’ on your back. I feel bad for you. I do. But you know how it is with our kind.” He gives me a blatant look, so here’s your cue to leave.

“Gee, I’d kindly vacate the premises, but I can’t fly.”

He rubs the back of his neck, agitated. “The valley’s full of drones. And they’ve got at least a dozen soldiers combing the forest.”

“I’m sorry.” I shift my eyes down. “You never asked for any of this.”

“None of us did,” he waves me off. “The soldiers are here.

I’m screwed either way.” He pauses and assesses me. “Stay the night. Then after that, I’m sorry, but you need to find somewhere else to hide.”

The night might be all I need. “Thank you.”

About the Author:

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Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is a multiple award-winning and best-selling author and the two-time recipient of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill Award in 2020 and 2024. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

Excerpt: Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh + giveaway

His mountain solitude shattered.
Her lab prison escaped.
Together they’ll find refuge or die trying.

Shadowed Skies
by Haley Cavanagh
4-1-25
Genre: YA Clean Dystopian SciFi Fantasy Romance
Hunted for their blood. Fighting for their future.

River
He’s the last of his kind, a winged warrior hidden in the mountains. River Shaw has lost everything: his sanctuary, the only shield from a world that fears and hunts him. When Delene, another of his kind, crash-lands into his life, wounded and on the run, his solitude is shattered.

Delene
She’s a fugitive with a secret, escaping the clutches of dark forces that took everything from her. Delene Fairborne’s flight to freedom leads her to River and the spark of a bond neither can deny.

In a landscape scarred by betrayal and danger, River and Delene must navigate their growing feelings and the sinister scientist who will stop at nothing to harness their power. Shadowed Skies is where love takes wing, hope soars, and destiny entwines. Dive into a world where every heartbeat is a rebellion, every glance a promise, and every flight a taste of freedom.

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I wake to a muscular, silent figure looming over me, his wings casting unnerving shadows. Intelligent dark eyes scrutinize me from his smooth, brown face framed by cropped black hair
and raven quills. He’s been around the block.
My guard shoots up. I’d stand, but my body’s too weak from the climb. “Your nest, huh? Sorry, I didn’t see your name on it.”
“It’s carved right over there.” He points past me to the rockface. My eyes travel over the stone, where he’d etched River in craggy letters. The carved name is so tiny I didn’t notice.
“Now you’re supposed to tell me your name. That’s how this goes.”
I blink. “Delene Fairborne. Listen, would you mind if I––ow,” I scrape against the wall and suck air through my teeth. I
clamp my eyes shut.
“Are you okay?”
I shrug the blanket off, and my injured wing flops lamely near my shoulder. River’s eyebrows lower, and he comes closer.
“Let me look.”
He stows his serrated hunting knife, presents empty hands, and crouches to examine my injury. “Relax. I won’t hurt you.
Let’s see the damage.” He’s gentle, avoiding the wound and handling my feathers softly. He lightly touches the bandage.
“Dr. Lytle runs the Stockade, the underground bunker and lab where the humans imprison and experiment on our kind.
His men hunted me down and shot me with a crossbow as I tried to escape. The wound is still healing––I changed the bandage earlier, but without a spare set of clothes, I had to tear strips off my pants to re-dress it.”
“Hmm.” He examines the back with a frown. “There’s an exit wound.”
“Yeah, I pulled it out.”
“Well, that was stupid of you. You could have died if those goons pierced a blood feather.”
My temper flares. “Oh, as opposed to leaving it in. I’d rather take my chances, thanks.” My voice is hostile, though I’m grateful for his help. I still don’t know who he is or what he
wants, and my mother warned me to be on my guard.
River sits back on his haunches, sighs, and meets my eyes.
“Doesn’t look good. How long have you been here, kid? A day or so?”
“I’m no kid. I’m seventeen.”
“Well, I’m eighteen. So, you’re a kid.”
“By what, a few whole months?” I snicker. “Okay. If a kid free-climbed in the pitch-black up a hundred-foot cliff to get here, I guess I’m a kid.”
After examining the wound, he says, “The damage looks fixable. Let’s clean this well to prevent infection.”
“I’ve cleaned the wound.”
“Clean deeper,” he admonishes. “I don’t have antibiotics, but I’ll try to get some. Or at least honey. Honey heals.”
He hesitates before retrieving water, then takes a rag from his pouch and soaks the cloth. With the knife still in hand, he comes closer.
“Look … You seem all right, but I’m a lone wolf. I operate solo. You have a target with a big ‘X’ on your back. I feel bad for you. I do. But you know how it is with our kind.” He gives me a blatant look, so here’s your cue to leave.
“Gee, I’d kindly vacate the premises, but I can’t fly.”
He rubs the back of his neck, agitated. “The valley’s full of drones. And they’ve got at least a dozen soldiers combing the forest.”
“I’m sorry.” I shift my eyes down. “You never asked for any of this.”
“None of us did,” he waves me off. “The soldiers are here. I’m screwed either way.” He pauses and assesses me. “Stay the night. Then after that, I’m sorry, but you need to find somewhere else to hide.”
The night might be all I need. “Thank you.”

About the Author:

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Amazon-Goodreads

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She was awarded the League of Utah Writers 2020 Silver Quill Award for Retaliation, the second novel in her Oceanstone Initiative series. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 Amazon giveaway!

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AVIDIAN: The Demon and the Savior by Ashley R. O'Donovan

We're touring the newly released AVIDIAN, a dark fantasy romance with a dystopian twist by Ashley R. O'Donovan!

AVIDIAN: The Demon and the Savior
by Ashley R. O'Donovan
March 25, 2025
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
One Bed
Magic Drugs
He Falls First
Virgin FMC
Touch Her & Die (Literally)
Ghost Dog

I can see the dead. They tell me their secrets. But this time, their secrets might get me killed.

My name is Kat Sinclair, and the Volkov family owns me. People like me, born with special abilities, are called Avids. But my gift doesn’t spare me from the demands of Marco Volkov, the ruthless family patriarch who keeps me in line with the ever-present threat of violence.

When a grisly double murder involving a family nephew and a cook shakes the household, I’m forced to uncover the truth. The whispers of the dead reveal more than I bargained for, unearthing secrets that could destroy the Volkovs—and me.

But I met a charming stranger who might be able to help. Except he doesn’t know about my gift, my scars, or the dark past I can’t escape. But in his eyes, I see something I thought I’d lost long ago—hope.

If I want to escape, I’ll have to play along. But this murder might be hiding something even more dangerous. If I’m not careful, I’ll be the next one the dead are whispering about.

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5 Sheep Book Review: The Malediction Plague by Sirrah Medeiros

The Malediction Plague
by Sirrah Medeiros
April 11, 2024
Publisher: Tundra Swan Press
ISBN is 979-8-9852025-4-0 of the paperback
ASIN: B0CW1FRJDS ‎ ISBN:
When science and madness collide.

The Malediction Plague follows the disturbing journey of Dr. Leon Fleischer, a research scientist whose research inadvertently leads to the creation of a devastating plague that transforms people into zombie-like creatures.

Dismayed by his fiancée ending their engagement, Leon spirals into an ominous state of mind, playing god although also yearning for the approval of haunting paternal figureheads who raised him with a sense of superiority.

As chaos engulfs the city, Leon grapples with slow-growing guilt and a sense of responsibility for unleashing horror upon the world while wrestling his internal demons and extraordinary ego.

Is there hope for humanity given this new reality? 

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Dr. Leon Fleischer fiance Zoey broke up with him when she realized that he really meant it when he said he hated children and had no plans to have any. So so she gave him back him ring and left. Upset and still in love with her, Leon went to his lab at Aionios Pharmaceuticals to develop a serum, putting all thoughts of her out of his head as he worked. When he did his first test on a pregnant mouse, the babies were aborted and dead, only to come back undead and feed upon their mother. She in turn, came back undead. He burned all the evidence of the test animals, he took a syringe of it to a prison where an ill pregnant woman was having complications. He injected the serum into her and left her in the cell. 

From there, a plague of the affected began its rise in the city. Instead of creating a superior race like his grandfather taught him, this might be the end of humanity. He then races to try and find a cure, but is there enough time?

This is like The Walking Dead and other zombie movies out there where mankind is the cause behind such plagues, with the mad scientist angle. If you always wanted to know what began the Walking Dead series, I think you will enjoy this novella. It is a cautionary tale about science, plus the people in the story are mainly nice people you might meet on the street or as your neighbor. In short, this is a good, enjoyable read.

I gave The Malediction Plague 5 Sheep.

 

 

 

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney

About the Author:
Website
Sirrah Medeiros conjures stories and writes books, which is why you’re reading this bio in the first place. She is best known for writing horror and fantasy fiction short stories found in several anthologies as well as her latest fantasy releases in the Cristiane Bradford series. After spending much of her career as a technical communicator and program manager, Sirrah sought a better life balance, leaving the work grind behind to enjoy life and pursue her creative writing passion. She also enjoys hiking with her family and two adorably playful dogs—Harley and Bruce. You can get to her website, sirrahmedeiros.com, to learn more about recent releases and other cool writerly happenings.

Pre-order: The Darkness All Around Us: A post apocalyptic sci fi (The Darkness Duology Book 1) by Megan Boley

Resident Evil meets Zombie Land in this action-packed adventure by Megan Boley! Coming early this spring!

The author would also like to invite people to join her ARC team. All members will receive character art prints with their ARC! See author’s bio for link!

The Darkness All Around Us
by Megan Boley
March 26, 2024
Genre: Adult Dystopian Thriller
✨️Resident Evil meets Zombieland – high stakes with moments of humor and levity️
✨️A broody general & a mysterious stranger on a motorcycle
✨️2 slow burn romance subplots feat. the gentlemen mentioned above☝️
✨️Loads of action, adventure, and twists
✨️Badas$ women literally everywhere
✨️Found family
It’s 2085 in a post-disaster America where a nefarious pharmaceutical company controls all aspects of life. A scientist on the run is ripped from her safe haven and has no choice but to surrender to the trust of a man who might as well wear a “danger” sign on his forehead.

But when she discovers she holds the key to the country’s salvation, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to destroy the company before it unleashes a nightmare army of feral creatures—even if it means teaming up with her worst enemies and dragging her darkest demons into the light.

And time is running out. The company’s plans are close to fruition… 

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About the Author
Megan Boley
Megan Boley is a science fiction and urban fantasy author. She loves writing stories with badass women, grumpy men, and a healthy dose of plot twists. If she’s not plotting the triumph (or demise) of her next set of characters, you’ll find her at jiu jitsu or reading on the beach.

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Cover Reveal: The Fate of Elysian by Theresa Sherron

How gorgeous is this cover?!

We're thrilled to present the the brand-new cover for The Fate of Elysian by Theresa Sherron. Available now!

The Fate of Elysian
by Theresa Sherron
May 2023
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
Will you live a life that is predestined and controlled from your first breath of air? A life full of darkness, destruction, and pain, where your existence is owed to the survival of humanity.

Faye's eighteenth birthday turns her life upside down, just like the rest of the teens who walked this planet before her. She must travel to the city; she knows she would never return the same…if she ever returns!

In a futuristic world founded to cope with the effects of a famine that altered the course of humanity, there are certain commandments to follow to live a prosperous life. Faye steps into the city of dreams with several unanswered questions. All she has is a mysterious symbol to find her soulmate, who was predestined at birth. Not knowing who her symbol will light up for, she must trust her judgment – or destiny. Will her judgments be right?

Her rebelliousness leads her to uncover a disturbing truth about the city, which is known as their Elysian. But is it just that? Along with others, Faye is determined to find the missing pieces and bring justice to herself, her family, and her friends. She is fearless; she's not afraid to challenge those who are in power.

Has her entire life been a lie? Does she want to fight to be with the love of her life or settle with the ‘soulmate’ chosen by the city at the time of her birth?
Faye must decide.

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Urban Fantasy Author Des M. Astor discusses Vampire Powers + giveaway

Vampire powers absolutely fascinate me, and today, I wanted to talk more about them! I absolutely love powerful characters that can flex their powers during very important fight scenes. With balance and moderation, of course. I know in my series, among my living vampires, my ‘royal vampires’ are very powerful, and that’s because of their very powerful bloodlines.

Say you’d like to utilize that classic idea in your story. How would you go about doing it? I wanted to explore different ideas on just that.

Sire-Based
If we look into traditional vampire lore, we notice a lot of ‘humans being turned into vampires’, and them having a connection to their sire. You can play to the classics by doing this! A powerful vampire siring a bunch of fledglings could have their power signature slowly seep into them as they age, and then when the fledglings pass it on, they also begin that power creep into the new vampire.

You’d want to think about if the sire could withhold the power, or if it’s natural. Would what they drink (or who) affect how the power grows? Could fledglings develop totally new powers - and would that affect the sire? That could make for a very interesting story.

Hereditary
This one is my favorite, and it’s the one I use in my Kingdoms of Blood series. Royal vampires have powers in their bloodlines based on ancient vampires. For example, Ares & Jasper are descendants of Vlad the Impaler (who is a different person from Dracula in my lore!). Their powers are all about restraint. Meanwhile, Goliath & Ash (related to Dracula!) can turn into bats and meld into the shadows, essentially ‘vanishing’ and drowning out everyone around them in darkness.

The bloodlines in this case are passed on through my vampires, who are living and can reproduce. I never did describe how someone becomes an ‘ancient’ vampire in my series though. Would be a shame if someone really dangerous ended up one, eh?

Anyhow, you could do themes like mind magic, elemental magic, shapeshifting, anything that tickles your fancy. There could be mixtures of powers too if bloodlines mix, but I suggest having a ‘nerf’ or limit too, as to not make your characters too overpowered without balance.

Cursed/Blessed
A curse upon an entire family or bloodline (or blessing) is a really need method you can use. If your vampires are living and reproduce, it’d be passed onto children. If they are sired, it’d be passed onto fledglings. This could be a really unique way to gain powers. This could also start a cool plotline - either vampires hunting down powerful sorcerers or witches, or what have you, to gain ‘blessings’, or pissing said powerful entities off enough to be ‘cursed’. Or a ‘curse’ disguised as a ‘blessing’. Perhaps a way to turn a ‘curse’ into a ‘blessing’? Or someone fucks up, aaand… it goes the other way.

Also… did your vampires perhaps piss off a god? Could that be why a particular holy object works well against them? Hmm! Even more intriguing…can they stop the curse?

The plots around this idea could be phenomenal! And not just applicable to vampires, either, though I love the idea of it being a thing in vampire bloodlines.

—-

Hopefully that light dive into vampire powers through bloodlines inspired some ideas! I love reading unique vampire lore, and giving ideas, too. For more ideas on writing vampires, feel free to check out my blog at therealdesastr.com and search ‘vampire’!

Life as humans know it comes to a close when vampires take over as dominant species in our world, and magic makes its return. It's up to several unusual heroes to protect the innocent in a select few areas around the world.

The Dancing Crow (The Kingdoms of Blood Book 1)
by Des M. Astor
Genre: Vampire Horror, Dystopian Urban Fantasy
Hey, I’m Ares. Big, bad, scary vampire that your kind is supposed to be afraid of. And I’m here to help save you!

They call me the “Dancing Crow”. Don’t ask me who ‘they’ is. No idea. Anyway, my kind has emerged from the shadows and ripped the mantle of ‘dominant species’, or whatever, right from your hands. Shame, really. If only you didn’t erase magic from your history.

Anyway-z, I used to prowl the streets, ripping to shreds the evils of your society. Like some twisted superhero, or something. Everything changed when other vampires had enough, and well, here we are. Now my gang and I are trying to establish harmony in this city, at least. Not many would expect a gang, of all things, to be heroes. But here we are.

Our job is to help you widdle humans by getting rid of an evil tyrant, Ash, in this unnamed city. Well, that’s hard to do, so we got allies. A half-dragon, a Tasmanian Devil shapeshifter, you know, cool stuff like that. Now, if only I could get this vampire hunter to leave me alone. No idea what her deal is, but she clearly can’t kill me despite ‘trying’ her hardest. Ah well, I know my job, and it’s to continue doing SOMETHING to help out here.

CONTENT WARNING: Heavy gore, sexual assault and rescue from it, extreme religious indoctrination/manipulation, and heavy profanity.

This is Book 1, version 2 of “The Kingdoms of Blood” series.

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Check out the audiobook trailer!

Huntsmaster City (The Kingdoms of Blood Book 2)
Ever see a Tasmanian Devil shapeshifter before? Well, you’re about to meet one. The name’s Darcia Deville.

We might have established harmony in Elapid City, but there’s a bunch of twisted vampire hunters eyeing us now. If they get their knives into our vampires, well, that can only end badly. So, now, we’re taking the fight to them.

Everything just had to go wrong, though.

My partner, Robert Smoke, a turned vampire, ended up captured by an insane scientist known as Doctor Astral. I need to save that brat in distress before he gets himself tortured to death. Not only that, but this woman is messing around with magic and science to an alarming extent. Wolfmen never existed before.

Apparently, they do now.

CONTENT WARNING: Extreme gore, descriptive sex scenes, profanity, rescue from sexual assault, & graphic torture.

This is Book 2 in “The Kingdoms of Blood” series.

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About the Author:
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Des M. Astor is a dystopic urban fantasy author who twists everything you know about creatures like vampires. If you're looking for gory, action-heavy novels that take several steps away from common myth for a flavor of her own, her works are the ones for you. She has a fascination with horror, and is unafraid of spiders, bats, and serpents. In fact, she adores all three. She takes pride in her worldbuilding, to the point where you might question if she's stepped out of an alternative Earth onto ours in order to tell these stories... 

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99 Cents YA Sci-Fi: Worldcatcher by Casey Waldam

If you enjoyed Hunger Games, The 5th Wave, and Divergent you'll love Worldcatcher by Casey Waldam!

Worldcatcher
by Casey Waldam
January 2023
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/ Romance, space opera, dystopian
From the sun-drenched streets of Riverside to the chilling, unfathomable void of space, unfolds a tale of love, lost memories, interdimensional war, and the relentless search for identity.

Ben Kensi, a top high school basketball player, is haunted by dreams of a green-eyed girl wielding PSI powers. When tragedy strikes heartbreakingly close, he's cast into a realm beyond our galaxy. He soon finds himself aboard the flagship of a beleaguered human civilization from another dimension—the Alliance.

As he endures grueling training and stands on the precipice of war with the dreaded Acheron, pieces of Ben's obscured past collide with his reality. The mysterious green-eyed girl transitions from a figure in his dreams to a tangible link to a history rife with love, betrayal, and powerful PSI abilities.

Yet, with Earth's very survival at stake, revelations arise that shake the core of Ben's identity. Is he truly the savior foreseen to prevent interdimensional war, or is he just a pawn in a grander scheme? As destiny's crossroads near, Ben is forced to face the ghosts of his tormented past and determine his role in the looming cosmic conflict.

In "Worldcatcher", alliances waver, hidden truths surface, and the very fabric of reality becomes questionable. Dive into an epic interstellar journey where nothing is as it seems.

$.99

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About the Author
Website
Casey Waldam writes YA science-fiction novels that explore themes of love, strange worlds, and superheroes with PSI powers. Casey is best known for "Worldcatcher," her latest action-packed science-fiction thriller centered on love and redemption. It's available on Amazon.

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Pre-order: The Godhead Complex (The Maze Cutter Series #2) by James Dashner

We are thrilled to share the next book in James Dashner's Maze Cutter series, The Godhead Complex. Read on for more details!

 

 I Smell Sheep review coming soon!

 

The Godhead Complex (The Maze Cutter Series #2) 

by James Dashner

November 14, 2023 

Genre: YA Dystopian 

FLARE ABOVE, MAZE BELOW. 

Sadina and the islanders are up against both man and nature as they navigate their way to Alaska. There, they hope to meet the mysterious Godhead, unsure of what separates myth from truth. But the Godhead, now led by Alexandra, is fractured. Within the cracks of their sacred trinity, secrets are revealed that blur the lines of good and evil forever. After a devastating discovery, Isaac and Sadina are forced to split up. Minho holds the rest of the group together, but it’s his beliefs that are slowly falling apart. What once drove Minho to join his sworn enemies is causing him to question everything. When Sadina finds a clue in The Book of Newt, her mission to meet the Godhead becomes even stronger. Isaac and Old Man Frypan come across an enigmatic traveler and learn that the cure isn’t what it once was. They are shaken to the core when they realize that the immunes aren’t as immune as they should be, and the world as a whole is evolving in a dangerous new direction. In Alaska, The Godhead and the sacred site of the Maze face something that no generation of Pilgrims before them has ever witnessed. Beliefs will change, futures will be rewritten, and not even the Godhead knows what will happen next. 

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About the Author

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James Dashner is #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series, including The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order, and The Fever Code, and the bestselling Mortality Doctrine series (The Eye of Minds, The Rule of Thoughts, and The Game of Lives). Dashner was born and raised in Georgia, but now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains.

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The Bucket of Blood: The Bucket of Blood Issue #1 by Paul Malott (Author), Kokin Kokambar (Illustrator)

The Bucket of Blood: The Bucket of Blood Issue #1
by Paul Malott (Author), Kokin Kokambar (Illustrator)
Date Published: June 2023
Dystopian & Post-Apocalyptic Graphic Novels, Dystopian Graphic Novels, Humorous Graphic Novels


“The Bucket of Blood” by Paul Malott is a darkly-funny comedy that takes readers on a thrilling and immersive journey into a dystopian Detroit ruled by the enigmatic Granny Schmif. This sassy splatterpunk graphic novel combines elements of humor, action, and horror to create a unique blend of genres that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

Fans of stoner, darkly-funny comedies will enjoy this adventure epic about freelance spies meandering in the streets of Detroit.

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About the Author:
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Paul Malott is a writer, procurement leader, and organizational management expert who's also a self-proclaimed lover of all things comics, 3D printing, history, and human inventiveness and perseverance. He's a big believer in the power of laughter and has made it his mission to help people trust in the adage that ‘laughter is the best medicine’.

In his graphic novel "The Bucket of Blood" Paul offers a facetious and humorous perspective on today’s struggles through the lens of some unique characters such as Granny Schmif. Paul believes that the ability to balance seriousness with humor leads to success in all areas of life, from relationships to career, and his graphic novel provides readers a witty narrative providing substance to his lifestyle.

But, Paul’s not just a one-trick pony. He's held various leadership positions in fortune 500 companies throughout his career and has honed his skills in leadership, problem-solving, procurement, and strategic planning. When he's not writing or working, Paul can be found indulging his family and getting lost in his other passions, which include playing the drums, watching sci-fi movies, and trying to master the art of cooking. He also has a knack for making people laugh ..he’s told his sense of humor shines through in his writing, and readers can expect to be entertained as well as informed.

In short, Paul Malott is a multi-talented writer and expert who's passionate about communication, laughter, and helping people achieve their goals. His unique blend of expertise, humor, and satire makes him an invaluable writer and resource.

Gaze Long Into the Abyss by Dalan Musson

From acclaimed Marvel’s Studio screenwriter comes a gorgeous debut, Gave Long Into the Abyss! Check out the new release and be sure to grab your copy today!

Gaze Long Into the Abyss
by Dalan Musson

June 18, 2023

Genre: Apocalyptic Dystopian

In Gaze Long into the Abyss, acclaimed Marvel Studios screenwriter Dalan Musson plunges us into a vivid but desolate world: An apocalypse has snatched away most of humanity; the ragged, remaining few are picking up the pieces. Was it the Rapture as revealed to St. John, or some other calamity of biblical proportions?

The Kid hears his calling: to find the source of the evil, and put an end to it. He seeks out the help of the Old Man—who, in his own time, traveled to the ends of the Earth and back, in his own vain quest to save the world. Together, they set off across a grim landscape populated by survivors turned brigands, bandits, and exhausted warring factions—all of them looking for answers that may have vanished when their loved ones did.

Written in spare, haunting prose that recalls Cormac McCarthy, Gaze Long into the Abyss is a classic tale of redemption and damnation, told by one of the foremost action-adventure craftsmen at work today.

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About the Author:
Dalan Musson is a former independent-circuit professional wrestler whose screenwriting credits include Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. This is his first novel.

Fantasy Author C.D. Britt: Pros and cons of owning Cerberus + giveaway

Pros and cons of owning Cerberus

One does not truly own Cerberus unless Cerberus deems one worthy, but if you're committed to nurturing a relationship with your own three-headed hell hound, here are the Pros and Cons. (The care and nurturing of said Hellhound will be in next week’s issue).

Pros:

1. Almost human in their level of intelligence, they are empathic to your emotions in a way a mortal canine is not. You can cry over your cheating ex, and instead of just slobbery kisses and furry cuddles, Cerberus is able to help you plot said ex’s bloody demise.

2. Cleans up their own poop which leaves time for other fun activities.

3. The best guard dog since he eats unwanted solicitors. (see #2 in cons)

4. Clears crowds when out for a walk. (see #4 in cons)

5. Great at burying things, like said ex.

Cons:

1. Acid slobber makes playing fetch a lot less fun

2. Will also eat your friends if not careful

3. When in beast mode, will light things on fire with his tail.

4. The screaming and running of humans in a panic can trigger his need to chase. This is when you will need to have an in with the local law enforcement.

5. Great at digging things up... just hopefully not the ex. (Again, a good relationship with local law enforcement would be beneficial here).

Prophecy of Gods and Crows (Clan of Shadows, #1)
by C.D. Britt
June 6th 2023

Genre: Fantasy/ Dystopian/ Celtic Mythology 

Publisher: C.D. Britt

ISBN: 978-1-7372652-8-3

ASIN: B0BRDHTFZX

Number of pages: 362

Word Count: 98,220

Cover Artist: GermanCreative

Welcome to Hell’s Half Acre.

Bryndis Kenneally is an anomaly, which is saying something when you live in a place called Hell.

Despite being born into a family of healers, she is unable to follow in their footsteps since disturbing visions overwhelm her with almost every human touch.

With few allies at her back, she keeps her head down… until she starts to see a man made of shadows, and a crow begins to track her every move.

Now, she can no longer pretend to be a normal woman among a town looking for witches to burn.

That is until a freak sandstorm brings more than she bargained for… and quite possibly her salvation.

Book one in the Clan of Shadows series, a dystopian paranormal romance series.

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Book Trailer: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@cdbrittauthor/video/7226769276424703275

Excerpt
Bryn swayed her body to the last of the music, the night ending slowly as people stumbled and laughed after having allowed themselves the pleasure of being human one night of the year.

Soon enough, only the light of the torches were left aside from the fires that burned only once a year along the street. The shadows took over the celebration as they danced along the buildings.

The feeling in her gut, the warning, grew at a rapid rate and she found herself standing and looking around.

“What’s wrong?” Niamh asked, standing as well, looking for a threat.

“I’m not sure. I’ve had this bad feeling…” Bryn whispered as her system flooded with adrenaline.

The warning horns split open the joyous atmosphere of the night like a knife. The screams of the people matching the horns as they ran from the streets to take cover from the unknown danger.

Bryn and Niamh both turned as one toward the gate as small dust devils made their way along the street, trailing the panicked townspeople as they ran, shoving at each other like wild, mindless animals.

“Sandstorm,” Niamh whispered, her eyes focused on something past the gates. Words in another language Bryn had never heard soon left Niamh’s lips.

In her own panicked state, Bryn tried to calm her nerves, debating on if she could make it back to her apartment or if she needed to take cover with Niamh. The fact that Niamh was in a trance, staring intensely at the gate, made her hand twitch with the urge to slap Niamh out of it.
“Sandstorm!” Justin yelled as he ran down the road toward them. “Get inside and take cover!”

They’d never had a sandstorm bad enough to cause such panic before. The walls usually took the brunt of the weather for them.

“Now!” Justin was suddenly in her face, shoving at her shoulder and pushing her and Niamh into The Sanctuary. A horrifying cloud of red dust enveloped the town right as Justin slammed the door shut behind them. The entire road engulfed in tornadic sand was the last visual she had of Saint’s road.

“Away from the windows!” He herded them to an inner room in The Sanctuary, yelling for the others in brothel to do the same. Bryn didn’t look to see what men from town were here.

She didn’t want that on her conscience and since she was a horrible poker player, she didn’t want to pretend in public when she watched them walking with their families to church service before she turned in for the day.

Settling down in one of the supply rooms, Bryn put her head to her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs. Focusing on her breathing and not the glass breaking, Bryn worked to calm her heart rate, trying to ignore the sobs of the other women in the dark room as the glass broke and the wind howled.

Finian whined, having moved back to Justin’s side.

The only light was from the cracked door Justin looked through, flinching every once in a while as he watched the storm bear down on their little town.

“Calm yourselves. Your yelling isn’t going to change the course of this storm,” Niamh chided, her voice barely audible over the furniture breaking outside of their little room. Bryn was surprised by the calmness in Niamh’s voice as her business was being torn apart. Her whole life was in The Sanctuary.

A tingling started in her fingers and toes, as well as the all too familiar feeling of ants under her skin. Bryn rubbed along her arms at the same time as Justin, their movements mirroring each other.

Looking to Niamh, her eyes focused on the wall as if she could see through it, as if her focus could stop the destruction, Bryn patted the woman on the shoulder before she pulled back.

Her skin was growing more sensitive and the anxiety building up inside her was becoming a raging inferno.

“I am here, come to me, my child,” Bryn heard the whispered words, and looked for who was speaking. No one else looked around for the voice, as if they hadn’t heard it.

Bryn was sure her heart stopped. Was this a vision? It didn’t feel like one.

When Justin looked at her, his eyes confused, she realized it wasn’t just her who had heard the whispered plea.

The distraction of Justin kept her from noticing one of the men in the room sitting too close to her, his fingers brushing hers and she knew before it happened she was going into a vision. Feeling it come upon her, she scooted away from him, further into the corner of the room right as the black stole over her vision.

About the Author

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C.D. Britt began her writing journey when her husband told her she needed to use her excessive imagination to write stories as opposed to creating a daily narrative for him. Ever since she penned her first words, life has been a lot more peaceful for him.

She currently resides in Texas where she has yet to adapt to the heat. Her husband thrives in it, so unfortunately, they will not be relocating to colder climates anytime soon.

Their two young children would honestly complain either way.

When she is not in her writing cave (hiding from the sun), she enjoys ignoring the world as much as her children will allow with a good book, music, and vast amounts of coffee (until it’s time for wine).

C.D. Britt is the author of the Reign of Goddesses series, Clan of Shadows series, and the upcoming Blood of Saviors series.

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Bryndis Kenneally is an anomaly, which is saying something when you live in a place once called Hell.

Prophecy of Gods & Crows combines Celtic Mythology, strong female leads, & slow-burn romance https://amzn.to/3IdvI8U

 #clanofshadows #celticmythology #dystopianfantasy #fantasy 

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Book Review: Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee

Perilous Times
by Thomas D. Lee
May 23, 2023
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Genre: urban fantasy, dystopian, Arthurian legend
ASIN: B0BBP1RNSK 

ISBN: 9780593499016
An immortal Knight of the Round Table faces his greatest challenge yet—saving the politically polarized, rapidly warming world from itself—in this slyly funny contemporary take on Arthurian legend.

Legends don’t always live up to reality.

Being reborn as an immortal defender of the realm gets awfully tiring over the years—or at least that’s what Sir Kay’s thinking as he claws his way up from beneath the earth yet again.

Kay once rode alongside his brother, King Arthur, as a Knight of the Round Table. Since then, he has fought at Hastings and at Waterloo and in both World Wars. But now he finds himself in a strange new world where oceans have risen, the army’s been privatized, and half of Britain’s been sold to foreign powers. The dragon that’s running amok—that he can handle. The rest? He’s not so sure.

Mariam’s spent her life fighting what’s wrong with her country. But she’s just one ordinary person, up against a hopelessly broken system. So when she meets Kay, she dares to hope that the world has finally found the savior it needs.

Yet as the two travel through this bizarre and dangerous land, they discover that a magical plot of apocalyptic proportions is underway. And Kay’s too busy hunting dragons—and exchanging blows with his old enemy Lancelot—to figure out what to do about it.

In perilous times like these, the realm doesn’t just need a knight. It needs a true leader.

Luckily, Excalibur lies within reach.

But who will be fit to wield it?

With a cast that includes Merlin, Morgan le Fay, the Lady of the Lake, and King Arthur himself—all reimagined in joyous, wickedly subversive fashion—Perilous Times is an Arthurian retelling that looks forward as much as it looks back . . . and a rollicking, deadpan-funny, surprisingly touching fantasy adventure.

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Kay wakes up again, which means England is in peril. This time it is not a war or just England itself, but the whole world due to climate change. Parts of England are flooded by the rising seas and melting icebergs. The military has become privatized. Scotland is not a part of the British Isles, and Wales is its own country again. And Manchester, England, where Kay is directed by the god Herme to wake King Arthur, is split into different Communistic groups. And he is not the only knight reawakened either.

It is an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction dystopian, mixed with Arthurian tales. There is a lot of stuff going on—some that could have been chopped from the book. Still, it addresses climate change, showing a future most people won’t like, but possible (taking out the fantasy part.). Part 2 of the book is when it starts to get really going.

I gave Perilous Times 4 sheep.

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney

About the Author:

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Thomas D. Lee is an author of fantastical and historical fiction. In 2019 he completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing. He has now embarked upon a PhD at the same institution, specialising in queer interpretations of the Arthurian mythos. He frequently considers emulating Merlin and becoming a hermit in the woods who speaks only in riddles.

He has previously worked as a copywriter and a high-school teaching assistant.