fantasy – magical realism

Word Count: Click here to reveal72000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Welcome, Traveler, to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries!  What you see before you is no mere vagabond circus. Indeed, our show is full of wonders and delights that will leave you breathless, but whether that is with amazement or dread depends entirely upon you. We are unlike any other band of creatures you have ever encountered -- and you few brave souls who choose to step beyond your mundane expectations and join us may witness sights beyond your wildest imaginings.  So sit back, relax, and let us entertain you. For time and worlds are fleeting, but each soul has a tale to tell. What happens when a life full of secrets goes up in flames in order to save all you love? Solomon Windham protects the realms, but secrets warp around and alter his life when shadows start flickering around Lunore Academy. Dangers that involve Solomon, his magic and altering his life of a quiet professor. An adventure and plan drags him far beyond the quiet Nucira Realm and deep into the hard of danger. Only he can stand in the middle of a battle to save the realms, his friends and the beating magic of his heart. What could survive on the other side of broken secrets? Flames of the Arcane is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a pair of reluctant heroes, a vast adventure, swords and fighting, several sets of interfering vines, and the beginnings of a guaranteed HEA.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

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Word Count: Click here to reveal7,000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Genderfluid, Genderqueer, Non Binary (Click here to hide)

Summary: What would the Earth look like if the very atoms that compose the planet were suffused with magical aether? How would our lives in the modern world be different if this aether was discovered last year, or last decade, or last century, or last millennia? How might the people who inhabit this oh-so-different but still modern Earth explore their gender identities? These are the questions we posed to the 17 authors chosen to contribute to Duck Prints Press's newest anthology Aether Beyond the Binary. Their diverse answers are bound together in this must-not-miss collection of stories about magical worlds, adventures and mysteries, new chances and well-earned endings, and characters as gender-diverse as the worlds they inhabit.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Since Bran Tanda started working at the morgue, his life has changed. He’s spent most of his life denying his necromancer abilities, but now he knows there’s no other choice but to embrace it and learn as much as he can about it. No matter how much he hates it. Jordan Amid is becoming more comfortable being around the dead. But they still overwhelm him and terrify him. The coldness and the heavy emotions he associates with being near a spirit are nearly too much for him to take. But for Bran, he’ll try. Bran and Jordan soon realize there is more going on than they understand, and even Janis isn’t sure how to handle what she knows is coming for them. Mysterious markings continue to appear and unless they can learn more from the journals Bran finds at his house, there may be no hope for anyone.

Word Count: Click here to reveal50000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: It’s been a year to the day since Matteo Segreto’s biggest mistake ruined the best thing he ever had, and nothing’s been the same. All he can do is try to move on, but his world is empty without the love of his life. Alone and consumed by regret, Matteo would do anything to undo the past. Then his ex shows up, panicked and begging for his help… with no memory of their breakup. Owen Carter just woke up to a world that’s all wrong. Everything in his condo is different. The streets outside have changed. Worst of all, his boyfriend clearly doesn’t live with him anymore. To his horror, he discovers that a year has passed since he went to bed last night. His memory of that entire time is wiped clean, and only a receipt from a creepy fae shop offers any clue as to how or why. While they work to recover Owen’s memory, the exes slam face first into the past that Matteo wishes he could forget. Despite the hurt and betrayal, they also can’t help but remember how much they once loved each other. But if Owen gets his memory back and truly remembers the hell Matteo put him through, is there enough love or forgiveness to keep them together? Forget & Forgive is a 50,000-word standalone amnesia romance with fantasy/paranormal elements. Content warning: infidelity (off-screen and past, but major part of the story)

Word Count: Click here to reveal38000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Aromantic, Bisexual, Demigender, Demisexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: RISE (noun / verb) Eight definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell: 1) An upward slope or movement 2) A beginning or origin 3) An increase in amount or number 4) An angry reaction 5) To take up arms 6) To return from death 7) To become heartened or elated 8) To exert oneself to meet a challenge Rise features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

Word Count: Click here to reveal85700 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAromantic, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Welcome, Traveler, to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries!  What you see before you is no mere vagabond circus. Indeed, our show is full of wonders and delights that will leave you breathless, but whether that is with amazement or dread depends entirely upon you. We are unlike any other band of creatures you have ever encountered -- and you few brave souls who choose to step beyond your mundane expectations and join us may witness sights beyond your wildest imaginings.  So sit back, relax, and let us entertain you. For time and worlds are fleeting, but each soul has a tale to tell.  Male dryad, Professor Julian Scarlett lands a protected position at the Lunore Academy of the Arcane. Caretaker of his grove, he senses trouble brewing underneath his oak and grove. A mysterious traveling carnival offers distraction and fun. For Julian, a tarot card reading sparks off fears and heightens hopes.   Brought in mid-semester to replace an ailing Professor of Botany, Emrys Cadogan tries to prevent a potential disaster. A druid, he gets lost in the overwhelming work. Until the carnival offers him a brief distraction and pause. Sparks strike away from the midway lights. Dark magic flickers and threatens. From games and shows, to life and survival, a druid and a dryad need to survive and fight together to save more than trees. Dryad on Fire is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a pair of reluctant heroes, a trio of cards, a plucky group of young helpers, a mysterious set of vines, and the beginnings of a guaranteed HEA.

Word Count: Click here to reveal62000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Jason Richards is ridiculously in love with his friend and coworker, Ahmed Kazimi. Unfortunately, Ahmed is a package deal—he has a boyfriend who, as far as Jason is concerned, needs to be launched into the sun. Then a mysterious carnival rolls into town, and Jason and Ahmed can’t resist going. Not even if Ahmed’s boyfriend can be depended on to make everybody miserable. When Ahmed wins a strange prize from an even stranger carnival game, weird things start happening. First, a mishap with a friend’s newly purchased love potion. Then a cascade of steadily worsening bad luck starts to rain down on every corner of Ahmed’s life. Though he doesn’t believe in the paranormal, he can’t help but wonder if his prize is cursed. Just to be safe, he throws it away. But it comes back. And it keeps coming back. Upon learning about the prize that won’t go away, Jason suggests the only solution he can think of: return it to the place it came from. Now Ahmed and Jason are on a mission to get rid of the cursed prize… assuming they can find that game again. Step Right Up is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains some long overdue friends to lovers, a strangely insightful caricaturist, and a little magical realism.

Word Count: Click here to reveal82000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Demisexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: Jasper and Hamish have no intention of seeking out adventure, but adventure comes looking for them. Jasper's curiosity has carried him through encounters with ghouls, demons, world gates, and megalomaniac sorcerers. He plans to spend the next few years cataloging the mansion's vast and moldering library, and experimenting with magical construction. Professor Xsing, the raccoon not-quite-familiar who's decided to work with him, has fascinating opinions. Hamish, the sorcerer they rescued, is becoming a friend. It's silly for Jasper to wish for anything more. Hamish spent months chained in one small room. Now he lives free in a mansion full of books and friendly people, but adjusting isn't as simple as it should be. When his past weighs heavily, he can ramble the woods and fields. When he can't sleep, there's a nocturnal raccoon happy to share his explorations. But he's lonely, he misses his own long-lost familiar, and when he thinks he hears her ghost— even though familiars don't have ghosts— his life is about to be overturned. Something's afoot— ghost, spirit, familiar, wood mouse? With Silas, Darien, and their familiars headed off to France, Jasper and Hamish join forces to help those in need. And as they work together, an unexpected chance at love may fill the lonely corners of both their hearts. Found by Jasper is a novel in the Necromancer series, with our past heroes as side characters. Older MCs, friends to lovers, first times, demisexual. *Content warning for secondary character self-harm on page.*

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Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay, Polyamorous (Click here to hide)

Summary: A hook-up gone bad can be purrder. Fresh from a breakup, deeply closeted freshman Zach jumps at the chance to housesit his family home and enjoy a long, horny summer free of both his ex and his religious parents. But when an old enemy turned hot hook-up falls to his death, Zach turns to the only true friend he’s ever known—his cat, Grace Jones. With the dead man’s phone and a knack for texting, she promises Zach help, for a price that will satisfy both their appetites. Does it matter if Grace Jones’ powers draw on something far more ancient and sinister than a cell phone? “Get laid, Zachary. Get laid.” Each new hook-up brings Zach darkly humorous discoveries about life, love, sex, and his own desires. But Zach knows it’s only a matter of time before someone discovers his secret. Can he rely on his feline protector, or is he trapped in a hungry devil’s bargain? Christian Baines is an awkward nerd turned slightly less awkward novelist. His work includes the paranormal series The Arcadia Trust, novella Skin, and Puppet Boy, a finalist for the 2016 Saints and Sinners Emerging Writer Award. Born in Australia, he now travels the world whenever possible, living, writing, and shivering in Toronto, Canada on the occasions he can’t find his passport.

Word Count: Click here to reveal59,570 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: A Realm falls to the darkness. An outcast because of his mixed heritage, Braedyn of the Dark, Captain of the Royal Shields and protector of the Prince of the Southern Woodland Realm, maintains his position through sheer grit and skill. Connected to a hawk familiar, Cerin, his magic is a mixture of Arcane and wielding. At the High King’s orders, he remains by his Prince’s side through a treacherous journey through the Lands to discover answers and a new home. Losing his Realm, his parents, and his position in one-night, High Prince Conchobar Ó Díomasaigh is completely out of his familiarity. Running for his life, relying only on his protector and Captain, he digs deep to survive their trials, the growing darkness, and go wherever they must to save their Realm. At the same time, he sees his Captain in a different light and the deepening connection between them. Strange adventures. New allies. Growing connections. Can they survive this wild journey to save the elves, the Realm, and their lives?

Word Count: Click here to reveal120000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: The story of Lars, Sven and the men of Asgard Felag continues: after the Rite of Purification something extraordinary happens and everyone’s life changes forever. Thanks to the help of a mysterious woman, whose nature will gradually reveal itself, the men will begin to set out on the path of their destiny to better discover themselves first of all, even if this means paying a high price, while she will start a different path and at the same time parallel to theirs to become fully herself. Magic, eroticism, mysticism, adventures and revelations alternate in a story where friendship, sex, brotherhood and love become indistinguishable in an ideal tension towards a future in which ancient fractures will be healed, to show humanity a common path in which we focus more on what unites rather than what divides.

Word Count: Click here to reveal133867 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: This is book one of the Vasari Streams series that includes Laredo and the Wolf. Carlo Vasari’s mother is near death and desperate. She warns him that his parent’s protective mistake has put him in grave supernatural danger. She then tells him that her mate bond will kill his father after her life ends. In despair and disbelief, Carlo immediately calls his father who through his tears, stuns Carlo anew by confirming his formerly unknown supernatural heritage and the unstoppable approaching peril. Soon Carlo is forced to confront his new supernatural life, while experiencing an insistent yearning that is urging him back to Vasari Streams. His memories of that early time are elusive but are shared to him in the constant dreams of his childhood best friend, only to fade away with the morning light. When Carlo at last returns home, unimaginable magical joy begins to reshape his amazing new life. Soon however, his wonder turns into numbing fear as determined beings with unsavory motives are now stalking him with deadly intent.

Word Count: Click here to reveal99000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: Dive into this collected edition of the first three volumes of The Darkly Enchanted Romance series. Sweet and sultry historical romances with just the right amount of spookiness! ~ THE HARVEST MOON In the shadows of late autumn, Malcolm comes across a quaint village tucked away in the forest. It seems the perfect spot for a weary traveller to lay his head, and maybe find a little company. But there is dark magic afoot, and lots of local gossip swirls around the seductive titian-haired weaver, Daniel. All Malcolm sought was a night's pleasure. He never suspected he would have to worry about losing his life. Or his heart. THE GHOST OF HILLCOMB HALL On a stormy night, landscape designer Jonas arrives at the cheerless and fog enswathed Hillcomb Hall. He finds an odd trio of ladies in residence and an eerie portrait of the hauntingly attractive portrait of a stately ancestor, which constantly seems to watch his every move. His nights are filled with weird dreams and otherworldly visitations. Is the manor house truly haunted? Or is it all just a trick of the mind, a sinister game being played by the inhabitants of Hillcomb Hall? MANCHESTER LAKE Monty, along with his best friend Bishop, discovers a mystical selkie in Manchester Lake who transforms into a gorgeous man of his dreams. Together they adventure through a tastefully debauched house party, an Edwardian novelty called a “night club,” and a macabre Parisian cabaret. As their journey unfolds, they come face-to-face with ghoulish agents of the occult as well as startling discoveries - including Monty’s realization that he is falling for the beautiful creature from the lake. Can he really be in love so soon, or is there a past connection? And what does it all have to do with his past trip to Paris? Before their adventure ends long-hidden secrets will erupt in a storm of magic and passion!

Word Count: Click here to reveal10000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Straight (Click here to hide)

Summary: Every time a shooting star is scheduled, Arthur, Carol and Tim choose a house with the best vantage point to haunt, carefully making sure its residents are not home. But this time Arthur recognises the decor. The furnishings belong to his ex-boyfriend, Alexander, a man he never got over. And judging by the happy snaps in the photo frames, Alexander lives with a new lover. Just as the ghosts settle in to watch the celestial event, the occupants return home early.

Word Count: Click here to reveal33000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Aromantic, Bisexual, Demigender, Demisexual, Gay, Genderfluid, Genderqueer, Intersex, Lesbian, Non Binary, Questioning, Pansexual, Polyamorous, Straight, Transgender (Click here to hide)

Summary: Clarity (noun) Four definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell: 1) Coherent and intelligible 2) Transparent or pure 3) Attaining certainty about something 4) Easy to see or hear Clarity features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

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Summary: When forced to choose between ending his father’s curse and his fear of commitment, will Kyle embrace his destiny or will he turn away and let the world burn around him? Kyle doesn’t believe in destiny. In fact, he’s fought against it most of his life. When his homophobic father cursed him and his brothers to never find love, Kyle decided he didn’t need it anyway. As a gay man, why settle with one man when you can have many? Conley has never clicked with the community his ancestors created in the dimension between worlds. All this changes when he goes on his vision quest, and learns that the community's survival may depend on him and a stranger he’s never met. As Kyle fights against destiny and Conley struggles to embrace it, can these two men overcome the evil that stalks their journey and accept the spark of love that’s growing between them or will the darkness destroy them and everything they love? Ruby Fire is the conclusion of the Witch Brother’s Saga… A fated mates, self-sacrifice, urban fantasy novel.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Questioning, Pansexual, Polyamorous (Click here to hide)

Summary: Alistair Lennox is disagreeable. Isolated and miserable, with parents who don’t care about him, his life has been equal parts privilege and loneliness. But when his parents die, his life is turned upside down. In order to gain his inheritance, Alistair is forced to attend a college he's never heard of - for good reason. Misselthwaite College is a school for the magically gifted Alistair has no magical gifts - unless being magically inept counts. What were his parents thinking? And what is the mysterious affliction plaguing William Carlisle, the affluent and arrogant heir to Misselthwaite? Is there a connection to the strange key Alistair discovers in a book, the stranger noises in the night, and, strangest of all, the multiple men who desire his friendship? Misselthwaite has no end of secrets. But if being disagreeable is good for anything, it's for getting to the bottom of mysteries. -- Garden of Secrets is book one in a duology, and the first installment in a magical new universe. A Secret Garden retelling with a queer twist and featuring MMMM polyamory.

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Summary: Is it kidnapping or a supernatural attraction none of them can escape?   With no answers to what it’s about, Matthew and his captors embark on a  journey to discover the truth.   Part three of a serialized paranormal Rockstar romance featuring mythical beings and multiple pairings. Better read in order.

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Summary: WCPC Paranormal Consultants Bundle 1   Bryan and Kayden are back with the WCPC team to finish what the demon started. The mystery at Brown-Blythe Manor isn’t over. The case is being re-opened, and Bryan is charged with finishing the engagement, only he knows there’s more to the job than his boss expects.   WCPC handles all your paranormal needs. Poltergeists, ghosts, or mystical apparitions, we can help. We employ the most talented wranglers who can control even the toughest demons around. Call the consultants of Watercrest Cannon Paranormal Consultations to help. WARNING: The team of psychic consultants discover demons, ghosts and maybe love at Brown-Blythe Manor... Sometimes Ghosts Betray   Kayden’s gift allowed him a place at Watercrest Cannon Paranormal Consultants, but it shattered his future. Could his best friend, Bryan, pick up his pieces? Kayden and Bryan find a way to deal with the demons that the consultants at WCPC can’t handle.   Bundle Contains: Sometimes Demons Whisper Book 1 Sometimes Ghost Betray Book 2 Sometimes Rogues Return Book 3