Dare to dream. Dare to believe. Dare to embrace your legacy.
Orphan Pascal and his friends Paloma and Pierrot dive into the mystery of children disappearing in the enchanting land of The Vale.
The Harlequin’s Legacy
Book 1
by Andrés Rosas Hott
Genre: YA Fantasy
Dare to dream. Dare to believe. Dare to embrace your legacy.
In the enchanting land of The Vale, the grand city of Pivot stands as a beacon of innovation where scientific progress clashes with the now-dwindling beliefs in magic that the place once held.
Just outside of Pivot, 17-year-old Pascal has spent his life at The Skystead Home for Orphaned Children.
Life outside the orphanage seems ceaselessly interesting, and shielded from the rest of the world, he wants nothing more than to explore.
Already puzzled by unanswered questions about his past, Pascal’s concern deepens as he learns about a grim mystery of local children’s disappearances.
In pursuit of finding his place in life, Pascal is joined by Paloma—a street-savvy girl and former gang leader with a tragic past—and Pierrot—a silent, enigmatic companion.
Together, the unlikely trio begins to sneak out of the orphanage to experience the one place that still embraces magic: the welcoming carnival.
As secrets begin to unravel, the truth unveils hidden powers within each of these three young adventurers.
Their friendships are challenged as they overcome demons, both inside and outside themselves. Yet, each step brings them closer to the truth: a sinister plot that threatens the very fabric of their world.
Before they know it, the fate of the missing children has become inextricably intertwined with their own.
The Harlequin’s Legacy is a gripping tale of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery. Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot trust in their inner courage and resilience to reach their true potential despite trials and tribulations.
This story encourages everyone to dare to dream, to believe in themselves, and embrace the legacy that awaits them.
Adventure, magic, and self-discovery await! Are you ready to join Pascal and his friends as they uncover hidden secrets and embrace a timeless legacy? Witness the journey firsthand—grab your copy of The Harlequin’s Legacy today and become part of the story!
Meet Andrés Rosas Hott, an emerging voice in literature and the author of The Harlequin’s Legacy.
With a master’s in Graphic Design and Illustration from Konstfack University and a background as a commercial director, Andrés blends creativity and storytelling in captivating ways.
His debut novel, inspired by his favorite character, The Harlequin, combines fantasy with themes of courage, identity, and personal growth.
Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Andrés balances his creative pursuits with family life, finding inspiration in both the imagination and his loved ones.
The Harlequin’s Legacy is just the beginning of an exciting journey into fantasy and self-discovery.
One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.
A Curse of Thorns and Slumber: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling
Legends Reborn Book 2
by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Genre: Clean Romantasy Fairytale Retelling
A cursed prince. A dangerous dream world. A girl who holds the key to their salvation.
One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.
When a reluctant thief with the power to control thorns is forced to break an ancient curse, she must risk entering the dangerous Dreamplane to save a cursed prince—but some magic comes with a price too deadly to pay.
In the kingdom of Solstraea, where the skies are gray and thorns rule the land, a centuries-old curse has imprisoned Prince Kael in an eternal sleep. Only one person can break the spell—Liora Thornhand, a thief with a rare, dangerous gift she never wanted.
Captured and offered a deal she cannot refuse, Liora must venture into the deadly Dreamplane to find Kael’s heart, hidden deep within a magical rose. But as she battles nightmare creatures and faces her own dark past, she learns that waking the prince might cost her more than just her freedom—it might cost her life.
In a world filled with twisted thorns, cursed roses, and dangerous shadows, Liora will have to decide: will she risk everything to save a kingdom she doesn’t belong to, or will she let it fall into eternal darkness?
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, “A Curse of Thorns and Slumber” is a spellbinding mix of dark fantasy, romance, and a daring quest through a world where magic is as treacherous as it is beautiful.
A Curse of Thorns and Slumber is the second book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure. Books can be read in any order.
She holds the power of fire and ice—now, she must decide which one will rule.
Valira, the forgotten princess of the Ash Court, has lived her life hidden from both her past and her dangerous magic. When she is thrust into a world of ice and fire, hunted by two rival courts, she must unlock her powers to stop a war—and perhaps find herself along the way.
In a world where fire and ice have been at war for centuries, Valira, an exiled princess with no memory of her past, is hunted for the power she doesn’t understand. Born from a forbidden union between the Courts of Snow and Ash, Valira wields both fire and ice, a magic that could save or destroy the realm.
When a cold-hearted assassin from the Snow Court, Prince Caelan, is sent to kill her, their fates become entwined. As they race against time to uncover the truth about her origins and the curse that threatens the kingdoms, Valira must learn to control her volatile powers before the war consumes them both.
Enemies lurk in every shadow, and trust is as fragile as ice. But amid the chaos, a dangerous bond forms between Valira and Caelan—one that could melt the coldest hearts or spark a fire that consumes them both.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse of Snow and Ash is a breathtaking blend of elemental magic, fierce romance, and high-stakes fantasy.
A Curse of Snow of Ash is the first book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure.
Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic, and time travel.
With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters.
When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.
What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?
Not For the Faint of Heart
Madcap Adventures Book 1
by Rene Vecka
Genre: Epic Fantasy Mystery Romance Adventure
What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?
Magic and mayhem meet mystery and humor in a four-way rumble. Romance gets a few licks in as well. Set in a post-Ragnarok world with dual protagonists. If you loved the Dresden Files, you’ll love Madcap Adventures.
As Rory proposes to Ingefær, the Shrine they’re visiting is set ablaze. Ingefær is jailed and threatened with hanging. Rory investigates, but is hounded at every step by soldiers. While Ingefær searches for ways to defeat the jail’s magic wards, the Shrine’s healer vanishes in a puff of smoke.
Will the couple get the chance to solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law postpones their nuptials forever?
Kirkus Reviews: …In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged trial…Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery narrative…A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.
The alvae sergeant guided me to one of two green cushioned chairs, hands still tied. I sat.
Smergasil placed a cheek on the corner of his desk while the sergeant came around to sit behind it. Parchment was brought forth, and the sergeant found a quill.
The green-skinned lieutenant spoke in Realm’s Tongue. “What is your name?”
“Ingefær vod Renku.”
“Place of residence?”
That proved difficult. I hadn’t lived in one place for almost a year. Rory and I, once we were married, planned to call Slangeh Buktah home—well, his parents’ farm some three days’ ride north of the human city.
“Place of residence? Why is this difficult for you?”
“Rory and I intend to live near Slangeh Buktah. But right now, we are without a home. My last fixed residences were Rohd Mina and Hjulstadt. I guarded a supply wagon that traveled between those two cities.”
“How long ago?”
“A year.”
Smergasil narrowed his eyes. “That is quite a long time to be without a home.”
I shrugged. “We traveled. All over the Realm.”
And had we. From Hjulstadt to Asken de Gulles to Himmel Drakken to Soolv Spyda, then north across the Dreki Mountains in the heart of winter to Kral Fal Is, Kobber Unter Smuss, and Kral Bar Aggen. I smiled, “I’ve been to Is Vann.”
Smergasil pshaw’d. “Lying exacerbates your circumstances.”
How much worse could it get? I lifted my chin high. “I don’t lie. You’ll see. Rory will tell you the same thing.”
That took a little green off his face.
Smergasil pointed. “Search her.”
Uh-oh. Two males pawing me. I didn’t like the sound of that. Good thing Rory wasn’t here.
The lieutenant’s lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. “Resisting an officer in the line of duty is punishable by up to ten years in the swamps. If the officer is wounded in the process, the death penalty may be invoked.”
My breathing quickened. Without my hands, I couldn’t cast a spell.
The sergeant worked quickly, yet efficiently. The knife in my boot was the first item. Then he unbuttoned my green tunic and pulled free my mage belt, setting it on the lieutenant’s desk. I must say, he had patted me down with care and consideration.
Smergasil took the mage belt and opened the pouches. When he came to the sawdust—an ingredient in summoning a fireball—he looked up at me and smiled.
Yeah. I was in trouble.
From underneath my green frock, the sergeant pulled out a coin sack inside a hidden pocket and two folded up parchments I had placed between my frock and chemise. I didn’t think he had felt the paper. Maybe he’d heard it crinkling.
The sergeant rifled through the coin bag. He whistled and said something in Alvaesh.
I had a combined purse of a thousand silver coins, nine hundred of which came in the form of forty-five gold coins, which were rare. Somehow, my wealth made my situation worse.
The lieutenant stared down his nose at me. “That is quite a lot of money for someone who doesn’t have a place to call home.”
“We did very well at Is Vann. And had a bit of luck inside a necromancer’s tomb.” I smiled at his rolled eyes.
He snapped his fingers, and the sergeant handed over the folded-up parchments. Smergasil read the first and his thin lips spread into a wide grin. “A letter of credit for four thousand more silver? Which jarls did you rob?”
“Earned every single coin,” I said, jutting my jaw forward. “Rory’s the best swordsman in the Realm.”
“Hmph.” Smergasil threw the letter of credit toward the sergeant, whose green eyes were as big as marbles. The lieutenant read the second letter, which I knew to be a decree from Foremost Aerica of the Tyrrell Order granting Rory and me the right to pursue criminals wherever the Warriors for Justice had an agreement in place.
Of all the luck. Vanaby wasn’t one of them.
“Rory and I are bounty hunters.”
“Good cover for thieves, don’t you think?” Smergasil threw the parchment at the sergeant and stood. “A forgery. Why did you burn the Shrine?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t.”
“Yet you’re a thaumaturge.”
“Technically, I’m a battle wizard, not a thaumaturge. I can wield both air and fire from the elemental planes by the same name, as well as summon power from the Aether plane, which comes in handy for utilitarian incantations like find or dispel magic.”
He covered a yawn. “No matter. You burned the Shrine. Why?”
“I didn’t.”
The inane conversation devolved from there. I met his unfounded accusations with strident denials. We went round and round for a dozen minutes.
“Lieutenant,” I said. “I can do this all day. The decree before you clearly informs anyone with reading comprehension that Rory and I are on the side of good…the same side as you.”
“Cover.”
Obstinance in the face of facts could only be maintained by a dimwit. I shifted tactics and mimicked his earlier one. I yawned. He peppered questions at me, demanding I confess. I slouched in my chair and pretended to nod off.
I risked a beating for my insolence, but I wasn’t going to argue banalities and innuendo. Not with someone who had already made up their mind.
“Take her to holding,” Smergasil said.
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I’ve been a reader of fantasy and science fiction since I was ten. Lord of the Rings is still my favorite.
I now read Butcher (Dresden) and Salvatore (Drizzt), as well at Sanderson and others. The Mid Dreki Realm got its start with a comment with my then fifteen year old son. That kernel grew into a book, which split into two, and is now a five book series.
I retired at 57 and began the process of becoming a writer. I’ve attended a half dozen conferences, read numerous books on the art of writing, joined critique groups, and immersed myself in the craft. I’m a member of Apex, a group founded by David Farland (Runelord).
I live in the foothills between Colorado Springs and Denver with my wife. Deer, turkeys, bear, coyotes, and my three children and 2 grandchildren occasionally drop by.
A small-town vet discovers she’s the prophesied multimorph who can transform into any animal and must unite rival clans against an ancient evil while navigating a dangerous romance.
Shifters Awakening
Shifters Destiny: Willow Creek Shifters Book 1
by SK Prince
Genre: Paranormal Romance
A small-town vet discovers she’s the prophesied shifter who can transform into any animal and must unite rival clans against an ancient evil while navigating a dangerous romance.
Emma Carter’s life as a small-town veterinarian is turned upside down when a violent attack reveals her hidden ability to shift into any animal.
Thrust into a world of rival shifter clans and ancient prophecies, Emma must quickly master her newfound powers.
With the help of the enigmatic wolf shifter Logan, she discovers she’s destined to unite the warring factions against a common enemy.
But as Emma struggles with her feelings for Logan and the jealousy of other shifters, an ancient sorcerer threatens to destroy everything she’s come to love. Can Emma embrace her destiny and her heart in time to save the shifter world?
If you love sexy shifters, action-packed battles between good and evil, and Alpha vibes that sizzle on the page, you’ll love Shifters Awakening from paranormal and urban fantasy romance author SK Prince.
What if everything you thought you knew was wrong?
The glittering lights of Broadway are just a cover for the dark secrets hidden behind the curtains.
NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson are about to find out how many layers one story can have in their latest case.
As they prepare to testify in a high-profile murder trial, they begin to question if they got it wrong. The Broadway director claims evidence was planted to frame him and that Mike and Jason developed tunnel vision.
If they did, can they live with themselves, knowing that an innocent man might be convicted . . . and that someone else got away with the perfect crime?
With orders to stay away from the closed case, Mike and Jason are plagued by doubts and can’t let it go.
When new evidence leads to even more questions, the detectives race to put the pieces together and uncover the whole truth.
But their unauthorized investigation could lead to catastrophic collateral damage, could cost them their badges, and the director may still be guilty.
For fans of intense crime thrillers and complex characters, Double Takedown is a must-read.
What readers are saying:
“A fantastic story with delicious plotting! A crime thriller that’s more than a cut above the rest.” ~Anna Willett, author of the Cold Case Mysteries featuring Detective Inspector Veronika Pope.
“The sixth installment in the Mike Stoneman Mystery series, Double Takedown is a mind-blowing and perfect detective mystery read.” ~Feathered Quill Reviews https://featheredquill.com/double-takedown/
“Mike and Jason are probably my two favourite detectives. Their side stories with their wives and families enhance what is already sure to be a great read. Another page-turner, you won’t put this down till the end, I promise!” ~@Roxxisreading
“A compelling mixture of mystery, police procedural, and thriller. I couldn’t put it down.” ~ Guy Wheatley author of From the Delta Mud.
“As a retired Homicide Investigator after thirty years, trust me when I tell you that Double Takedown reads as real and as gritty as any case that I ever worked. A mystery tour de force for the ages.” ~ Frederick Douglass Reynolds, Award Winning author of Saint Bloodbath, and Black, White, and Gray All Over.
“In this gripping installment to the Mike Stoneman detective series, we dive into the underbelly of the theatrical world where drugs are routine and the line between accident and foul play blurs. I couldn’t put it down.” ~Daniel V. Meier Jr., Award winning author of the Sam Adams Investigator series.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FIRST ACT of the ballet, Rachel pulled down her sparkling purple facemask and whispered into Jason’s ear, “What’s going on down there?”
They were seated in the next-to-last row of the orchestra level. At the front of the house, partially illuminated by the stage lights, someone was standing.
Rachel could not see who it was, but could hear the buzz of people talking. Then, a woman’s scream attracted everyone’s attention. Necks strained to see. More people stood.
The music stopped in the middle of the piece. The performers continued dancing for several seconds on a silent stage.
The conductor, standing on a raised podium so she could see the stage and the orchestra pit, turned toward the audience.
She was talking into her headset microphone. There was another scream. Then the conductor’s voice boomed over the sound system.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. We have a medical emergency in the front row. If there are any doctors in the house, we need assistance right away.”
Rachel’s EMT training kicked in before the conductor finished saying “emergency.”
She leapt over Jason’s lap, then kicked off her heels as she sprinted barefoot down the long, sloping path toward the stage.
Dozens of people began filming on their phones. Despite the conductor’s instruction, half the house seemed to be standing.
Mike jumped up as soon as he saw Rachel leave her seat. He grabbed Jason’s sleeve. “Let’s go, we need to work crowd control down there. Michelle, call 9-1-1.”
Jason and Mike were forty feet behind Rachel. When they reached the front of the theater, a small group of gawkers had already gathered in the aisle.
“NYPD! Please take your seats and keep this aisle clear for emergency services!” Jason shouted, his baritone carrying throughout the auditorium.
Mike gently eased several men in formalwear away from the space between the front row and the orchestra pit.
Jason did the same. The two detectives took up positions on either side of the aisle, casting authoritative glares at anyone who seemed interested in venturing toward the commotion in front of the stage.
Jason glanced down the front row and saw Rachel’s bare back hunched over someone lying on the floor.
The straps of her purple dress flashed in the house lights, which had come on. Rachel and two men worked together to drag a figure on the floor toward more open space.
Jason saw black shoes and pants, but could not see the man’s face. An usher ran down the aisle, holding a small red case that Mike assumed was an automated external defibrillator.
He dashed past the two cops and handed the device to Rachel, who had taken charge of the emergency situation.
Rachel barked instructions while prepping the AED, then administered an electric charge to the victim’s now-bare chest.
On the elevated stage, twenty dancers leaned over the edge to watch.
One minute later, an actual EMT team barreled down the aisle with a gurney on wheels carrying their own equipment.
Rachel remained on her knees, working on the supine man, while the two tuxedoed doctors stepped back.
The public address system announced that there would be an intermission in the performance due to the medical emergency and asked everyone to calmly return to the lobby.
As the crowd slowly rose and meandered to the exit, those still filming remained standing until Mike, Jason, and several ushers shouted them into submission and herded them toward the doors.
On the floor, the EMT crew loaded the unconscious man onto their gurney, then hustled out an emergency exit door at the left corner of the stage.
As soon as the crew passed them, Jason and Mike rushed toward Rachel. Jason gently pulled her to a standing position.
She hugged Jason in her bare feet as Mike stood back. Before Jason and Rachel disengaged, a tap on Mike’s back caused him to spin around.
Michelle held out Rachel’s sparkling heels with a concerned expression.
“Don’t like following instructions, huh?” Mike said.
Michelle flashed a tiny smile. “I told the usher I’m a doctor and he let me stay.”
“Thanks,” Rachel said, slumping into a front-row seat and working to slide back into her shoes.
“Do you know who that was on the floor?” Michelle asked.
Rachel stood. “Oh my God. You couldn’t see, could you? It was Alex Bishop.”
“The lead in Godfather? He was just nominated for a Tony!” Michelle grabbed Mike’s sleeve.
“He was,” Rachel said, “but unless the EMT crew works a miracle, he won’t be there to win it.”
Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction(Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit.
In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year).
Then, in 2024 came The Other Murder, winner of the CLUE Award Grand Prize (best suspense/thriller of the year) and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award. Now, in 2025, Mike Stoneman is back in book #6, Double Takedown.
Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.
Molly, accompanied by her son and his boyfriend, embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue her kidnapped husband, unraveling secrets while racing against the clock to prevent a technology from falling into destructive hands.
Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past.
Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom.
Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.
Exerpt – The Poseidon Project, by E. William Podojil
It was a map of currents in the Persian Gulf. Taylor studied the map and asked everyone to move closer so they could see the screen. “Okay, so this is the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. There’s Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and up here toward the point is Dubai,” Taylor explained.
“That’s the Strait of Hormuz, right?” Donna asked.
“Yep, and right next door is Oman. Dubai is closer to Oman than it is to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE,” Lukas pointed out.
“So what does this have to do with John?” Linda asked. “Other than showing us where Dubai is located, what are you suggesting?”
“Not suggesting anything right now, but wanted to show you something,” Taylor replied. “Lukas, can you click the animation on this map?”
Suddenly the arrows within the map started to move as Taylor studied it. “See how the currents churn counterclockwise? That’s pretty consistent from what I remember. The current is affected by salinity and water temperature, so as it churns, it creates a system of lower pressure in the middle…more or less a gyre.”
Lukas pointed his finger to follow the current. “So if Dad’s boat was found off the coast of Palm Jumeirah, his paddle and life vest would have likely circled this gyre and ended up right back where they started.” Taylor nodded.
Molly jumped in. “The search is supposedly focused on where they found the kayak, but Taylor, you’re saying the boat had probably traveled a bit. John would have only been missing hours by this point, not days. How could his kayak still be relatively close to Dubai?”
“I’m going to take a stab here,” Taylor jumped in. “If currents were relatively predictable and there were no storms, which I don’t imagine there were since John probably wouldn’t have ventured out. But let’s assume it was normal, in thirty-six hours, John’s boat would have been closer to the coast of Iran than to Dubai.”
“The search was focused on the waters off Dubai. That’s what the embassy told me,” Molly responded.
“Mom, add that question to your list when you call the embassy. Ask them where the search has been conducted and where it will go next.”
Molly jotted that down. A question had been on her mind. “Isn’t the Persian Gulf pretty crowded with ships? I read there are traffic jams going through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Taylor nodded. “You have hundreds of oil tankers from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia going in and out of the gulf every day. It’s a prime target for terrorists and also disputes between Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Iran. Iran has threatened to shut off the Strait due to sanctions imposed by the Americans.”
“So it’s a pretty busy place,” Molly confirmed.
“And a disaster waiting to happen,” Donna commented.
“Which is why it’s so heavily patrolled,” Lukas added. “I read that about twenty five percent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait and Persian Gulf every day.”
“Molly,” Taylor asked, “Lukas said the kayak was found by a pleasure boat out on a fishing trip, correct?”
Molly nodded. “That’s what the embassy told me.”
“Fishing areas usually begin about forty miles offshore. I wonder why the boat that found the kayak was closer to shore…five miles wasn’t it?” Taylor asked.
“Maybe it was more like a booze cruise,” Linda commented.
“Mom, I think that could be another question for your call tomorrow,” Lukas added.
It was already ten p.m. and Molly and her guests were fading. “I’ve got my alarm set for three a.m. tomorrow so I can speak with the embassy during their business day. We spent so much time talking we didn’t have time to check flights.”
“We can do that tomorrow,” Linda answered. “I’m way past my bedtime.”
After cleaning up, Linda and Betty boarded Donna’s golf cart. “No way I’m walking home tonight,” Betty said. “Too many coyotes out. We’ll see you tomorrow, Molly. I hope the embassy has some good news.”
Lukas walked Taylor to the door. Molly gave him a big hug. “Thank you for talking to us tonight. You sure know a lot about the world. I feel more informed, but there is something that doesn’t add up. You touched on it, Taylor, and it’s been nagging at me.”
“And what part was that?” Taylor asked.
“The paddle and the life vest. Why wouldn’t everything be in roughly the same place; the kayak, paddle, and the life vest, regardless of whether John’s body was in it,” Molly pointed out. “I can’t understand why search and rescue has not turned up anything else.
“I don’t know, Molly. I thought about that, too. The search and rescue part of me is wired into my DNA.”
“Well, good night and I hope to see you again, Taylor.” Molly returned back into the house leaving Lukas and Taylor alone on the front porch.
“Well, you are a bountiful supply of information,” Lukas thanked him. “Thanks for engaging my mom and her friends. That was sweet of you. I think you gave my mom a bit of hope.”
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$20 Amazon
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E. William Podojil is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while living in Europe and the United States.
Podojil works as an executive business advisor, and strategist while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. Podojil’s first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004.
His second novel, The Poseidon Project, was be released in August, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, and is the first in The Herb Society Mysteries, a series of adventure thrillers.
His novels and other writing are showcased on his website www.ewpodojil.com. Here he also writes a personal blog with humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons. He and his family currently reside in Northeast Ohio.
Will Dreycott is a superhero. In his dreams…and in yours.
The Hollow Boys
The Dream Rider Saga Book 1
by Douglas Smith
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
WINNER OF THE 2023 AURORA AWARD FOR BEST YA NOVEL WINNER OF THE 2023 JURIED IAP AWARD FOR BEST YA NOVEL
“Thrilling YA fantasy” —BookLife (Editor’s Pick) “A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (Starred review) “Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books
Vanishing street kids. An ancient evil. The end of the world. Our only hope? A hero who can’t leave home.
At seventeen, Will Dreycott is a superhero…in his dreams. And in yours.
Eight years ago, Will’s parents, shady dealers in ancient artifacts, disappeared on a jungle expedition. Will, the sole survivor, returned home with no memory of what happened, bringing a gift…and a curse.
The gift? Will can walk in our dreams. At night in Dream, Will hunts for criminals—and his parents. During the day, his Dream Rider comic, about a superhero no one knows is real, has made Will rich.
The curse? Severe agoraphobia. Will can’t go outside. So he makes his home a skyscraper with everything he needs in life—everything but the freedom to walk the streets of his city.
Case, an orphan Will’s age, survives on those streets with her younger brother, Fader. Survives because she too has a gift. She hears voices warning her of danger. And Fader? Well, he fades.
When street kids start vanishing, the Dream Rider joins the hunt. Will’s search becomes personal when Case breaks into his tower to escape her own abduction. Fader isn’t so lucky.
As Will and Case search for Fader and the missing kids, an unlikely romance grows between the boy with everything and the girl with nothing except the freedom Will longs for.
But as they push deeper into the mystery, they confront an ancient power feeding on these forgotten kids to restore itself. And once restored, no one in the world will be safe.
To defeat this creature, Will must do the impossible.
Go outside.
Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).
Praise for The Hollow Boys:
“This arresting series kickoff grips from the start as it introduces its inventive milieu, its flawed but fantastically powered hero, its playful worldbuilding, and a host of tantalizing mysteries. … [A] vigorously imaginative scenario. … Takeaway: Thrilling YA fantasy” —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
“An assured, confident novel … A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (Starred review)
“Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books “A fun supernatural tale with well-developed characters and a touch of romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Douglas Smith:
“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner
“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
Sequel to the AURORA AWARD WINNER and the Juried IAP AWARD WINNER, The Hollow Boys“Give me the Crystal Key!”
Will Dreycott is the Dream Rider, the agoraphobic teenage superhero who can walk in our dreams but never in the streets of his city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets who hears voices that warn her of danger. Fader is her brother, who is very good at disappearing. Together, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world (The Hollow Boys).
Now, Case battles guilt over living sheltered in Will’s tower home while her street friends still struggle. Blaming his affliction for Case’s sadness, Will searches for a way to live a normal life with the girl he loves—a way to go outside.
But his efforts draw the attention of dark forces. Sinister figures hunt Will in Dream. Intruders scour the vast warehouse of antiquities “acquired” by Will’s missing parents. And a masked swordswoman attacks Will, demanding “the Crystal Key” before disappearing into thin air.
Are they all searching for the same thing? Something from Will’s parents’ shady past? For the swordswoman leaves behind a flowery scent, Will’s only memory from the lost expedition eight years ago that gave him powers in Dream but cost him his parents and his freedom.
A trail of dark secrets leads Will, Case, and Fader to a mysterious world. Trapped between warring cults willing to kill for the Crystal Key, the three friends must master strange new powers that grow stronger and wilder the closer they draw to the truth.
This time it’s not just the fate of the world at stake…but the multiverse.
~ ~ ~
Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).
Praise for The Crystal Key:
“The richly inventive Dream Rider adventure continues in this second appealing entry…with an exciting plot… always enlivened by the Smith hallmarks of crack dialogue, fun sleuthing and puzzle-solving, a strong throughline of emotion, a swift pace…and a principled refusal to settle for the familiar. Takeaway: This thrilling superpowered urban fantasy series continues to grip.” (New readers should start with book one.) —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
“The engrossing second installment of Douglas Smith’s Dream Rider Saga trilogy. … Smith continues to demonstrate an ability to expertly weave multiple complex fantasy elements into a cohesive whole. … This fast-paced story delivers in a big way—and Smith has all his ducks lined up for an explosive conclusion [to the series] that readers won’t want to miss.” —Blueink Review(★ Starred review)
Praise for Douglas Smith:
“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner
“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
“Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda, multi-award-winning author and editor
The Thrilling Conclusion to the Multi-Award-Winning Trilogy
Will is the Dream Rider, the superhero who walks in our dreams but never in the streets of his own city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets who hears voices warning her of danger. Fader, her brother, is very good at disappearing.
In The Hollow Boys, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world. In The Crystal Key, they battled warring cults to protect an ancient artifact tied to Will’s affliction.
The Chakana. The Crystal Key. But the key to what? To finding answers, they hope, to the questions that rule their lives.
What caused their strange powers? And Will’s crippling agoraphobia? Can he be cured? Why did their parents travel to the jungles of Peru eight years ago? Are they still alive?
Behind every question is the Chakana. What is the mysterious relic? Why will people kill to possess it? What hold does it have on Will?
As creatures from Inca myths haunt the three friends, another attack on the Chakana threatens Will’s life. To save him and solve the mystery of the lost expedition, only one choice remains.
Return to Peru. With the Chakana.
There, they find friends and foes, both old and new. And behind it all, an unseen enemy moving them like pieces on a chessboard.
To win this deadly game, Will, Case, and Fader must master new powers to defeat the most dangerous adversary they’ve ever faced—a god.
At stake this time? Every life, every world, every universe. Everything.
Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).
Douglas Smith is a five-time award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.”
His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga. Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope and Impossibilia; and the writer’s guide Playing the Short Game.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, and many others.
He is a 4-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award as well as the juried IAP Award. He’s been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC’s Bookies Award, Canada’s juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France’s juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
