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Alien House
Brian K. Lowe
ASIN B0DTJ4J71M
Author statement: “When Phil is sent to Earth disguised as a college student to scout for a planned invasion, his mission is sabotaged and he crash-lands, losing his weapons, orders, and clothes. He finds shelter at Alpha Tau Ceti, the lowest-regarded fraternity on campus. Alien House was inspired by my own experiences in college. Whether this includes the aliens is up for debate.”
Descendant of Dragons
C.S. Harris
ASIN B0FLDVJ2KH
Author statement: “Imara, Sirenī, and Alex embarked on a mission to Omejis, where Imara must unify the magical and mystical forces. But as they plan their return to Earth, a mysterious force in scatters them across space and time. As a bisexual author, I continue to center diverse LGBTQ characters in a richly imagined high-fantasy setting.”
The Lavender Blade
E.L. Deards
ISBN 978-1-68463-320-3
Author statement: “Colton and Lucian, a young pair of exorcist con artists, use sleight of hand and their natural charm to scam the nation’s wealthiest... until one of them becomes possessed for real. Colton and Lucian’s relationship is built on sharp edges—mutual dependence wrapped in danger. But what makes their dynamic compelling is that, despite everything, they still reach for each other. I hope readers come away from the story feeling like they’ve lived in it for a while, that they’ve laughed, held their breath, maybe even yelled at the pages, and that when it’s over, they already miss it.”
Maiden of Dawn
Amelia Black
ASIN B0D29P3XD9
Author statement: “I’m the sort of writer who likes to plan out his stories in advance, but only up to a point. I know the ultimate destination, but eventually, the characters dictate the directions it takes to get there.”
Prelude
Susan L. Alandar
ISBN 979-8-9900576-0-9
Author statement: “This is the first in a series that has secretly evolved from a lifetime of fascination with humanity’s unpredictable free will, and this wonder: what if there were a compassionate leader without it? My children discovered the ongoing tale as teenagers
and fell in love with it. They finally convinced me to tell my story to the world.”
Redemption
Ilene Grydsuk
ASIN B0DVYZGSYM
Author statement: “Redemption is the third book in the E.V. Chronicles. The series was inspired by my children, who question their lives and what the future holds for them, their children, and humanity. I wrote the story to engage readers of all ages and walks of life by invoking critical thinking and self-reflection. By remembering our common values, there is hope in the future for us all.”
Seismic Eruptions
Jenny Ahmed
ASIN B0FFHS2MRD
Author statement: “This book was born out of my fascination with real-life supervolcanoes and how vulnerable even the most iconic natural wonders can be to forces beneath the surface. I spent months researching seismic activity, emergency response protocols, and the geological history of Yellowstone to ground the story in as much scientific accuracy as possible.”
Seizing Fate: A Gargoyle Order Novel
Tracey Kyler
ASIN B0FM6944VL
Author statement: “Gargoyles have always fascinated me, so they were a natural choice for my debut novel. Gargoyle lore is one of protection, but these are not your typical Gargoyles as they battle Fallen Ones in a bitter, eons-old secret war—a war that brought the world to the brink and changed it forever.”
Touch of the Elegrian
Cheryl A. Arko
ASIN B0DZZ8YGL4
Author statement: “I have read science fiction ever since I could connect letters into words, but my special love has always been Andre Norton and her stories of outcast characters struggling to find their place in the clash of opposing cultures. So it is only natural for me to imagine a story from an alien’s point of view with a focus on ethical themes and moral complexity. I enjoy exploring what makes us all different—and what makes us the same.”
Middle Grade and Young Adult
The Alternate World
Kathryn Starke
ASIN B0DL8D41ZS
Author statement: “The Alternate World is my sixth book and first YA fantasy. The premise and setting for this book came to me in a dream over a decade ago, and I finally created the teenage characters and conflicts to bring this book into the world this year.”
Sorcery and Stagecraft
Kristin L. Hamblin
ISBN 978-1-959230-07-6
Author statement: “The importance of the arts is fading in the world, and while this book contains magic, love, and adventure set in a fictional fantasy world, it also is a nod to how powerful the arts can be, specifically theater. As a mom of children actively involved in theater and music, I love that I was able to write a story about the arts pretty much saving the world.”
Einstein’s Secret
Irving Belateche
ISBN 978-0-9840265-4-8
Author statement: “Convinced Einstein made a deathbed confession, Jacob Morgan, a struggling scholar, has devoted his life to uncovering this secret. I’ve always loved novels that reinvent and refresh history and legends. They take these building blocks of culture and make them personal and emotional.”
Tara of Trees Beyond
Reya Velamoor
ASIN B0FD8VP9R4
Author statement: “I began writing Tara of Trees Beyond when I was 12 years old. After writing for several months, I eventually finished the story and began the editing process. Now, I am 16 years old and my debut novel is finally published! I am very passionate about creating stories and hope to inspire others through my writing.”
Wellsville
L.C. Scott
ISBN 978-0-645-98101-8
Author statement: “The idea for Wellsville came about when I was having dinner at the pub with some friends. I think we were discussing the possibility of living in the Matrix, and the idea entered my head that the real Earth could be long gone and that we have actually been living in a simulation that is stored on a hard drive floating through space. Once I had that idea the next step was to ask why the truth is being kept from us, and who is responsible for controlling the narrative.”
Twilight and Dawn: The Unexpected Adventures of Will Daring
W.A. Nash
ASIN B0FGDLCXPP
Author statement: “I started writing Twilight and Dawn after a teacher gently told me my son had been drawing with markers on the carpet during circle time. He wasn’t misbehaving. He just needed something to occupy his imagination during quiet moments. So we created a story that could keep pace with his creativity.”
