Brielle awakens to find Garenth has returned to the underground dig where he was first discovered in his gargoyle form by her uncle. He is on a personal mission, and only her love will allow him to succeed.
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Additional Scene from STONE, an Urban Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney
Monday, June 28, 2021
HERE BE NEWS for Monday June 28, 2021
Monday June 28, 2021
Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:
Tuesday June 22, 2021: Deborah A Bailey discusses what she likes about fairy tale re-tellings.
Thursday June 24, 2021: PG talks about revisiting an older series.
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Sometimes You Can Go Home Again.
There was a reason I was scheduled to post today. I had a post in mind, a plan, a holiday connection--it's all gone in the whirlwind of overwhelm that has been June 2021.
So, instead you get this post: a peek into part of what has made the second half of June so profoundly discombobulated--well, besides the specter of possibly having to move again, but let's not get into that.
I've spent the last two weeks revisiting Oberon--my very first series--which I unpublished a few years back and am now in the process of readying for re-release. Specifically, I've been writing one of two new Christmas stories to be set in Oberon, and carving a new Halloween short story from my existing Halloween-set novel.
There's nothing really new about the Halloween story, other than some deeper insights into Cara's character and motivation, but I'm hoping it will entice readers into checking out Visions Before Midnight when it becomes available (hopefully) later this year.
It's been so much fun to return to this series. For me, it really is like going home again. So here's a sneak peek at the two stories releasing this year, and a couple of other freebies, that you can access right now.
Only the Lonely
I'll Be Home for Christmas
An Oberon Halloween Story
Cara Matthews is trouble—with a capital T. That's one thing that pretty much everyone in Oberon can agree on—parents, teachers, other students, her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Seth Cavanaugh.
Well, if you give a dog a bad name he—or she—will probably live up to it, right?
This Halloween, after one insult too many, Cara's hellbent on wreaking revenge—no matter who gets hurt in the process, or even killed.
I'll Be Home for Christmas
An Oberon Christmas Story
All Scout wants this holiday season is to get home in time for Christmas. But when your home is in quirky little Oberon, California, nothing is ever that simple.
It’s the night before Christmas and Scout Patterson is flying home to Oberon after a business trip to LA when a chance, mid-air meeting with an angel has her dreaming of a weird Christmas—one in which she sees exactly how life might have gone on without her.
Scout has A Wonderful Life in Oberon. She has people who love her, but no one who actually needs her. Or so she thinks, until a chance encounter shows her what life in Oberon could have been like had she never come home.
Such Fleeting Pleasures
An Oberon Prequel Novella
Lucy and Dan Cavanaugh have one of Oberon's hottest marriages. But it wasn't all strawberries and cream for the pair...or was it?
In this Oberon series prequel, we travel back in time to see how their love story began.
Such Fleeting Pleasures will ONLY be available as a free download to members of my readers group. Get it NOW when you sign up:
Going Back To Oberon
A Very Short Story
This story started out as a feature on Cabin Goddess’s “Fourth Wall Friday” blog; in which authors were invited to put themselves into a scene were they interacted with their characters.
I had a great deal of fun imagining myself returning to the scene of my very first series. It started me thinking about all the stories I hadn't told yet. And it really motivated me to start getting some of those ideas out there.
You can download your free copy here:https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/tFfHiT3M
And now, for something completely unrelated:
I just wanted to remind everyone that there's still time to sign up for Love's Curse--but not very much. It disappears at the end of the month. Ya snooze, ya lose....
Love's Curse
A Paranormal Romance Collection
The heart is treacherous. Love is cursed. Dive into this collection of paranormal romance to find loves strong enough to break the veil between realms.
NOTE: by downloading this collection you are agreeing to sign up for the mailing lists of the participating authors:
Mandy Melanson, Elle Ryan, Lisa Wood, Helena Novak, PG Forte, Angelique Jordonna, Mira Kane, Dusty Grein, AJ Mullican, Rhetoric Askew, LLC
Get your FREE copy HERE!
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Five Things I Like About Fairy Tale Retellings
When I started to write my Once Upon A Princess series, I researched some of the common fairy tales like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. What I found was the original stories were not like the versions we might be more familiar with. Most stories were much darker and a HEA was not assured.
That made me realize that even though they might seem very simple, those stories are anything but. And they're not only for children's enjoyment. Many of them are more unsettling than heartwarming. They're filled with character archetypes and life lessons - which explains why they continue to be popular.
Here are five things that I like about reading (and writing) them,
1. As I mentioned, they have life lessons. Stories can show what happens when people are self-centered or cruel, or what their good deeds can accomplish. There's a lot to learn about how to show up and make your way in the world.
2. The characters aren't perfect. They have conflicts and make mistakes. But that's why we root for the character to get through the obstacles and win in the end. In the original stories they don't always win out (unfortunately) but of course if an author is retelling the story, they can create a different ending.
3. There's magic involved. This is what moves the story out of the everyday and into something unpredictable. Different rules apply so you can't be sure how events will unfold. There are creatures who don't exist in the "normal" world so literally anything can happen.
4. They can be interpreted in different ways. I was quite surprised to find how fairy tales originated and why. For instance, one reason for Beauty and the Beast was to show how a young bride-to-be might not know what type of husband she was marrying. A version of the story from 18th century France was written with that idea in mind. In some cultures the "beast" was the bride and there were other meanings behind those stories. My biggest surprise was reading about the origins of Sleeping Beauty. I'll just say that it had very little to do with the Disney version!
5. There's transformation. This is probably my favorite part. Characters have the potential to change from one form to another, usually with the help (or hindrance) of magic. The beast becomes a man again, the mermaid becomes human or the puppet becomes a boy. Through change they often have very hard lessons. But that's what readers can relate to because that's also how real life works.
Just as there are countless fairy tales and folk tales, there will always be new ways to retell those stories. I think that's why those stories will always be popular with readers and writers.
If you'd like to check out my Once Upon A Princess Trio, which includes three paranormal romance novellas, it's available at most online booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/4Dg5xA
Monday, June 21, 2021
HERE BE NEWS for Monday June 21, 2021
Monday June 21, 2021
Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:
Thursday June 17, 2021: Maureen Bonatch discusses our new 'new normal.'
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Another New Normal
By Maureen Bonatch
I’ve recently went into a few places without wearing a mask. It was liberating…and discomforting. Masks have become the normal in our everyday life. Something that most of us would never have anticipated. Now our normal is shifting once again. Most of us hope that things will ‘go back to normal’, but our new normal may be slightly different than the one before 2020.
Scruff wondering if he needs to wear a mask or not to go outside.
I often think if we could’ve had a sneak peek into the year 2020 without the backstory and saw most of the world shut down and wearing masks that we would’ve believed it. It seemed way too much like a fiction story. And although I love a good fiction story, I really don’t care to live one.
Speaking of Fiction
I love writing and reading fantasy and paranormal stories. If you’re here, I would assume that you enjoy them too. As a reader I want to become immersed in the world and believe that magic is possible. That somehow, something that is foreign to our world, makes complete sense in the story. That it wouldn’t be unusual to run into a variety of paranormal beings in the course of a normal day.
As a writer, I have to make that happen. It can be a challenge to create an imaginary world that is real to the reader. Luckily, it’s a challenge I enjoy. For me, I find that first and foremost, the heroine has to convince me of this new reality. I’ll come back to that world again and again if I’m wondering how that heroine is faring and then I get to learn more about her world.
The Last Year has been a Mystery
If you’re looking for a great escape from the worries of your reality, the first story in the Charmed Cocktail Series is available for preorder in the When the Cat’s Away boxset. You’ll get my story, Curses, Cats & Corpses, along with ten more cozy mysteries.
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kindle
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Apple
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Nook
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kobo
If you like my story, you can preorder the next books in the series by clicking right here.
Some Things Never Change
One thing that doesn’t change is that most authors really appreciate their readers, and like to show it with giveaways and sales. Here are a few—may the odds be ever in your favor.
Win Amazon Gift Cards
Searching for Your Next Cozy Mystery?
Check Out these Great Deals by Clicking Right Here
Get Out and Read Giveaway WIN 1 OF 4 KINDLE FIRES
Do you enjoy spending the long, lazy days of summer with a book in your hand? One of the best ways to find new-to-you authors is on BookBub, and LitRing has got you covered. Head over to the Get Out and Read Giveaway now to get 175+ chances to win a Kindle Fire >> Click Right Here to Enter
M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch.
While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.
Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace- she's new in town and can use some friends!
Monday, June 14, 2021
HERE BE NEWS for Monday June 14, 2021
Monday June 14, 2021
Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:
Wednesday June 9, 2021: PG Forte unveils a new cover for WiP-It
Free paranormal ebooks through BookFunnel--only available through June!
The Rim of the World Series
Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance
by Linda Mooney
NOTE! This 6-book series is complete! The first 3 books are also available in audio book format, with the rest of the series soon to be finished.
Lt. Kelen Chambliss knows she has no reason to trust the furred, humanoid creatures, but she and her crew members cannot survive without their help, and the Seneecians cannot survive without theirs. Neither can she ignore the fearsome-looking one called Kyber, with his wicked talons and piercing green eyes.
As they slowly come to realize there is no escape or forthcoming rescue from the barren planet, Kelen learns there is much about the enemy she never knew. Including the fact that Kyber's formidable appearance hides a strong, brave, and caring heart.
Warning! Contains glowing glyphs, blue pancakes, eye worms, endless tunnels, and two people of different species daring to take their last and only chance at love.
Excerpt and Buy Links
Two species, bitter enemies, are determined to destroy each
other, until they realize they need one another to survive a major
catastrophe.
Lt. Kelen Chambliss knows she has no reason to trust the furred, humanoid creatures, but she and her crew members cannot survive without their help, and the Seneecians cannot survive without theirs. Neither can she ignore the fearsome-looking one called Kyber, with his wicked talons and piercing green eyes.
As they slowly come to realize there is no escape or forthcoming rescue from the barren planet, Kelen learns there is much about the enemy she never knew. Including the fact that Kyber's formidable appearance hides a strong, brave, and caring heart.
Warning! Contains glowing glyphs, blue pancakes, eye worms, endless tunnels, and two people of different species daring to take their last and only chance at love.
Excerpt and Buy Links
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Bring It Back(list) - NEVERWYLDE, The Rim of the World Series
The Rim of the World Series
Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance
by Linda Mooney
NOTE! This 6-book series is complete! The first 3 books are also available in audio book format, with the rest of the series soon to be finished.
Lt. Kelen Chambliss knows she has no reason to trust the furred, humanoid creatures, but she and her crew members cannot survive without their help, and the Seneecians cannot survive without theirs. Neither can she ignore the fearsome-looking one called Kyber, with his wicked talons and piercing green eyes.
As they slowly come to realize there is no escape or forthcoming rescue from the barren planet, Kelen learns there is much about the enemy she never knew. Including the fact that Kyber's formidable appearance hides a strong, brave, and caring heart.
Warning! Contains glowing glyphs, blue pancakes, eye worms, endless tunnels, and two people of different species daring to take their last and only chance at love.
Excerpt and Buy Links
Two species, bitter enemies, are determined to destroy each
other, until they realize they need one another to survive a major
catastrophe.
Lt. Kelen Chambliss knows she has no reason to trust the furred, humanoid creatures, but she and her crew members cannot survive without their help, and the Seneecians cannot survive without theirs. Neither can she ignore the fearsome-looking one called Kyber, with his wicked talons and piercing green eyes.
As they slowly come to realize there is no escape or forthcoming rescue from the barren planet, Kelen learns there is much about the enemy she never knew. Including the fact that Kyber's formidable appearance hides a strong, brave, and caring heart.
Warning! Contains glowing glyphs, blue pancakes, eye worms, endless tunnels, and two people of different species daring to take their last and only chance at love.
Excerpt and Buy Links
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
WIP-It Wednesday for June 9, 2021
PG Forte: I accepted an invitation this week to join a Halloween Short Story Anthology for THIS Halloween. Which will be the FIFTH story/novella I've committed to putting out in the next six months. Luckily, the theme of the Anthology--not just Halloween stories, but REVENGE stories set on or around Halloween, worked in my favor. I'm carving ONE short story out of my novel Visions Before Midnight (Oberon, Book 7), a book that's made up of three separate (but deeply intertwined) revenge stories and a (mostly) unrelated romance.
I'm calling the short story Only the Lonely, and I think it will be delightfully creepy. I'm also soooo excited about the cover.
Monday, June 7, 2021
HERE BE NEWS for Monday June 7, 2021
Monday June 7, 2021
Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:
Thursday June 3, 2021: Author Nicole Luiken dishes on some of the best books she's read so far this year!
ROBBERY ON THE HIGH SEAS
Noir Fairy Tales, Book 4
(Based on "The Little Mermaid")
Paranormal, Fantasy Romance
by Linda Mooney
by Linda Mooney
Word Count: 36.7K
$2.99 e / $9.99 p
Special Agent Rob Ariello has been assigned to go undercover on a cruise to Ireland for a month to protect the duke and duchess of Edelweiss. A thief has been targeting the richest of the rich, and this couple could make them more than wealthy. Rob’s job is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Naia Meer is a civilian tagged to help with the mission because of her “special abilities”, but what are they? She’s posing as Rob’s wife, but even he doesn’t know. All he knows is she’s a static, and he finds himself being drawn to the redheaded beauty as time passes. He knows he shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, but he almost can’t help himself.
He soon learns that someone on the ship knows who they both are, and they want them dead. Who can Rob and Naia trust? The couple’s job is to stop the jewel thief, but can they protect each other in the meantime? When the truth about their real natures surface, can they look past their prejudices and follow their hearts?
Warning! Contains secret missions; corned beef on rye (with a big fat juicy pickle slice); damn mushrooms; sharks, sharks, and more sharks; and two people thrown together who discover they should be enemies, but can't deny the growing attraction between them.
Dream Under the Hill
Oberon series, Book 8
PG Forte
But it does have a happy ending –– in fact, that's the excerpt I've posted below. And this happy ending leads directly into book nine which ends with EVERYONE happy.
BLURB: The Spring Equinox falls in the month that nearly all Native Traditions recognize as being one of Big Winds--big changes. And big changes have certainly come to Oberon this spring, along with an ancient evil that must finally be laid to rest.
Cara Matthews is a girl with a troubled past and a very troubling present. The teenage girlfriend of Oberon's newest guru has always looked for love in all the worst places. And it doesn't get much worse than the Church of Truth, Light and Harmony.
Former cop Liam McKnight could have told her that, but he's infiltrated the cult in hopes of discovering some clue to the whereabouts of his missing family members, and he can't jeopardize his mission--not even for love.
In a month marked by birth, death and marriage, the inhabitants of Oberon must all come to terms with what's really important to each of them--important enough to die for. Only one thing is certain; when the winds of change finally stop blowing nothing, and no one, will be the same.
EXCERPT:
The high school auditorium was filled to capacity. There were no seats available, and even standing room was limited. But that was fine with Liam. He wasn’t looking to sit and he was happy right where he was––just inside the door, hidden in the shadows––where he could observe, without being observed.
Up on the stage, the school’s vice principal stood at the podium reading from a list of names while a steady stream of bright faced, blue robed girls climbed the stairs and crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and shake the principal’s hand.
Liam’s palms were already sweating and as the list went on, his tension mounted. “C’mon, c’mon,” he muttered beneath his breath. The D’s and the G’s seemed to take forever and the L’s were another eternity. But finally, the moment he’d been waiting for arrived.
“Cara Matthews,” the vice principal announced.
There was a pause in the stream. The newest graduate took a somewhat longer time to climb the stairs than those who had gone before her. Liam’s eyes filled with tears as she crossed the stage with an obvious limp. But though her stride was halting there was a determined tilt to her chin and Liam’s heart swelled with pride at the sight of her.
“Way to go, Caramel,” he murmured as she at last reached her goal. Spontaneous applause broke out from the audience and Liam had to gulp back a sob. He slipped out through the door before she turned to make her way back to her seat. He didn’t want to risk her seeing him. He didn’t want anything to disrupt her big day.
Sunlight stung his eyes as he exited the building. He’d sent flowers and balloons––but no notes. Maybe he was fooling himself thinking they could have a future, or even part of a future together. It could be that the sight of him would forever trigger nothing but painful memories of a time she’d rather forget. He didn’t know how she felt about him, but he was quite sure that––today especially––she could do very well without anything that might remind her of the hell Gregg had put her through.
Anyone would need time to recover from an ordeal like that and Liam had promised himself that he’d give her that time––time to recover, to graduate, to put the past behind her and decide on a direction for her future. If she chose to leave town, so be it. But, if she stayed...
She had a birthday coming up soon, her eighteenth. In four weeks she’d be an adult and he would give himself one chance to win her over.
When he reached his car he turned, and took one last look at the school. “Way to go Caramel,” he repeated again, softly. “See ya when you’re legal.”
* * *
Several hours to the north, in the City of Berkeley, high school graduation had already taken place. Most of the new graduates were still partying. But not Deirdre Shelton-Cooper.
Deirdre was not in the mood to party. She was in the mood to hit the road––just as quickly as possible.
Her original plan had been to travel for the summer, take some time off, visit some friends. But, over the last couple of months all those plans fell apart. She knew a growing sense of urgency, and with each day that passed she felt more and more strongly that Oberon was where she needed to be. Now. Right now.
She couldn’t wait for August. She was leaving now. Tonight. She packed the last of her things in her trunk, secured her cat in the front seat and hugged her parents goodbye.
The afternoon sun was shining on the waters of San Francisco Bay as she steered her car onto the 880, heading South.
Deirdre sighed happily. She was finally on her way. Her future looked bright and full of promise. “Oberon, here I come.”
* * *
Check out my website to learn more about the Oberon series. Or join my Facebook Group, The Crone's Nest, for news about when the series will be returning AND receive the FREE prequel novella, Such Fleeting Pleasures.
Lucy and Dan Cavanaugh have one of Oberon's hottest marriages. But it wasn't all strawberries and cream for the pair...or was it?
In this Oberon series prequel, we travel back in time to see how their love story began.
While the rest of the series is due for a reboot, and (hopefully) will return later this year, Such Fleeting Pleasures will ONLY be available as a free download to members of my readers group.
Get it NOW when you sign up:
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Bring It Back(List) Dream Under the Hill by PG Forte
But it does have a happy ending –– in fact, that's the excerpt I've posted below. And this happy ending leads directly into book nine which ends with EVERYONE happy.
BLURB: The Spring Equinox falls in the month that nearly all Native Traditions recognize as being one of Big Winds--big changes. And big changes have certainly come to Oberon this spring, along with an ancient evil that must finally be laid to rest.
Cara Matthews is a girl with a troubled past and a very troubling present. The teenage girlfriend of Oberon's newest guru has always looked for love in all the worst places. And it doesn't get much worse than the Church of Truth, Light and Harmony.
Former cop Liam McKnight could have told her that, but he's infiltrated the cult in hopes of discovering some clue to the whereabouts of his missing family members, and he can't jeopardize his mission--not even for love.
In a month marked by birth, death and marriage, the inhabitants of Oberon must all come to terms with what's really important to each of them--important enough to die for. Only one thing is certain; when the winds of change finally stop blowing nothing, and no one, will be the same.
EXCERPT:
The high school auditorium was filled to capacity. There were no seats available, and even standing room was limited. But that was fine with Liam. He wasn’t looking to sit and he was happy right where he was––just inside the door, hidden in the shadows––where he could observe, without being observed.
Up on the stage, the school’s vice principal stood at the podium reading from a list of names while a steady stream of bright faced, blue robed girls climbed the stairs and crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and shake the principal’s hand.
Liam’s palms were already sweating and as the list went on, his tension mounted. “C’mon, c’mon,” he muttered beneath his breath. The D’s and the G’s seemed to take forever and the L’s were another eternity. But finally, the moment he’d been waiting for arrived.
“Cara Matthews,” the vice principal announced.
There was a pause in the stream. The newest graduate took a somewhat longer time to climb the stairs than those who had gone before her. Liam’s eyes filled with tears as she crossed the stage with an obvious limp. But though her stride was halting there was a determined tilt to her chin and Liam’s heart swelled with pride at the sight of her.
“Way to go, Caramel,” he murmured as she at last reached her goal. Spontaneous applause broke out from the audience and Liam had to gulp back a sob. He slipped out through the door before she turned to make her way back to her seat. He didn’t want to risk her seeing him. He didn’t want anything to disrupt her big day.
Sunlight stung his eyes as he exited the building. He’d sent flowers and balloons––but no notes. Maybe he was fooling himself thinking they could have a future, or even part of a future together. It could be that the sight of him would forever trigger nothing but painful memories of a time she’d rather forget. He didn’t know how she felt about him, but he was quite sure that––today especially––she could do very well without anything that might remind her of the hell Gregg had put her through.
Anyone would need time to recover from an ordeal like that and Liam had promised himself that he’d give her that time––time to recover, to graduate, to put the past behind her and decide on a direction for her future. If she chose to leave town, so be it. But, if she stayed...
She had a birthday coming up soon, her eighteenth. In four weeks she’d be an adult and he would give himself one chance to win her over.
When he reached his car he turned, and took one last look at the school. “Way to go Caramel,” he repeated again, softly. “See ya when you’re legal.”
* * *
Several hours to the north, in the City of Berkeley, high school graduation had already taken place. Most of the new graduates were still partying. But not Deirdre Shelton-Cooper.
Deirdre was not in the mood to party. She was in the mood to hit the road––just as quickly as possible.
Her original plan had been to travel for the summer, take some time off, visit some friends. But, over the last couple of months all those plans fell apart. She knew a growing sense of urgency, and with each day that passed she felt more and more strongly that Oberon was where she needed to be. Now. Right now.
She couldn’t wait for August. She was leaving now. Tonight. She packed the last of her things in her trunk, secured her cat in the front seat and hugged her parents goodbye.
The afternoon sun was shining on the waters of San Francisco Bay as she steered her car onto the 880, heading South.
Deirdre sighed happily. She was finally on her way. Her future looked bright and full of promise. “Oberon, here I come.”
* * *
Check out my website to learn more about the Oberon series. Or join my Facebook Group, The Crone's Nest, for news about when the series will be returning AND receive the FREE prequel novella, Such Fleeting Pleasures.
Lucy and Dan Cavanaugh have one of Oberon's hottest marriages. But it wasn't all strawberries and cream for the pair...or was it?
In this Oberon series prequel, we travel back in time to see how their love story began.
While the rest of the series is due for a reboot, and (hopefully) will return later this year, Such Fleeting Pleasures will ONLY be available as a free download to members of my readers group.
Get it NOW when you sign up:
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Best Books I've Read This Year - So Far
It's the beginning of June and I've just crossed the 100 books threshold, so this seemed like a good time to put out some recommendations! These are my favourites of what I've read so far this year.
Paranormal Romance
Alpha Night by Nalini Singh - I feel like everyone knows about Singh's Psy-Changeling series by now so I'll just say the excellence continues.
Fantasy Romance
Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre - a retelling of Beauty and the Beast which fixed all the little things in the folktale that bothered me
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher - Kingfisher (AKA Ursula Vernon) had a wonderful, funny voice and builds unique worlds. She writes wonderful paladins.
The Hedgewitch Queen/ The Bandit King - Lilith Saintcrow - The first book in the duology is first person from the heroine and the second is first person from the hero which adds a lot of tension. Delicious.
Science Fiction
Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott - A gender-swapped Alexander the Great in Space? Sign me up.
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells - The newest Murderbot novella. Enough said.
Steampunk
The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow - An impressive alternate-history steampunk world with a kickass sorcereress lead and her Mentath companion. Lots of action and magic.
Epic Fantasy
Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett - Second in the Foundryside Trilogy with both a wonderfully inventive magic system and fast-paced plot.
The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence - Fast-paced with a very brave heroine
Urban Fantasy - my favourite subgenre, as you can tell from the large number of recs
The Difficult Loves of Maria Makiling by Wayne Santos - Humourous novella with a Filipino pantheon. A lot of fun.
Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews - New spinoff series featuring Julie from their popular Kate Daniels books. And yes, Derek, too.
Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs - The latest Charles and Anna book. I loved how the plot tied into Leah's past.
Calculated Risks by Seanan McGuire - The latest InCryptid book, and the previous one Imaginary Numbers ended on a cliffhanger so I was very eager to get my hands on this one.
American Demon by Kim Harrison - Rachel Morgan is back!
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - The premise magic set at Oxford didn't excite me but the book very quickly sucked me in and I am desperately hoping for a sequel.
Young Adult/New Adult Fantasy
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen - Very strong hook in the first chapter and strong tension throughout. (I almost put this under fantasy romance, but IMO it has more of a New Adult vibe.)
White Cat/Red Glove/Black Heart by Holly Black - Having just discovered Holly Black's books I'm ripping through her backlist including this trilogy. Small-time con artist at a prep school who keeps getting sucked into his brothers' more dangerous lives with the curse-working mafia. Lots of twists.