The first book, Claws of The Collector was published in Oct 2024 and has attracted its fair share of admirers:

5 Stars –  An original urban fantasy take on shifters, with chill noir vibes.

5 Stars – Claws of The Collector is an action-packed mystery with lashing of noir & fantasy

5 Stars – Absolute page turner

Its real honour to bring you this “Exclusive” cover reveal for In Deep Corpolite, the next exciting instalment in the series. But don’t take my word for it, check out the blurb below:

LET SLEEPING DUNG LIE!

Benedict Shade, were-cat and collector of exotic magical artifacts, is tasked by the Lord’s Investigation Agency to “collect” (i.e., “steal”) two pieces of fossilized dung from a river spirit in a backwoods town. What seems to be a routine job (for him) turns out to be anything but. Everyone in town believes Shade is an undercover agent for the LIA, a charge his hepcat buddy, Dwayne, is quick to remind him is true. A mysterious femme fatale can’t decide whether to seduce Shade or let him be killed by a horde of human mudfish. And if Shade can’t play marriage counselor to a pair of squabbling spirits, the result could be a cataclysmic natural disaster!

And now for the money shot……..

Keep your eyes peeled for the all important publication date and pre-order information.

AUTHOR BIO:

Dr. Douglas Lumsden is a former history professor and private school teacher. He is the author of a series of fantastical noir mystery novels featuring hardworking private detective Alexander Southerland, who wanders the mean streets of Yerba City while navigating his way through trolls, witches, otherworldly demons, political corruption, and femme fatales from the depths of the sea.

Dr. Lumsden lives in Monterey, California, USA, with his wife, Rita, and two cats, Cinderella and Prince.

Socials and Book Links:

Twitter – @DouglasLumsden1

Website – https://www.douglaslumsdenauthor.com/

Rating: 9/10

Synopis:

The Moon was once colonized. Now it lies silent—mostly.

When a mysterious radio signal echoes from the abandoned colony of Serenitatis, the Vatican dispatches an elite squad of space marines to investigate. Paladin-Captain Samuel Cohen’s mission is locate survivors, uncover the signal’s source, and get out. But beneath the sterile domes, something ancient stirs—an adversary that challenges not only the mission but the very foundations of his faith.

A gripping new novella that explores the resilience of the human—and holy—spirit in the darkness of the void. For fans of Event Horizon and Richard Paul Russo’s Ship of Fools.

Review:

I was already a big fan of Yuval’s Dark Legacy series so when I got wind that he was working on something new I was eager to learn more. I was lucky to get an early opportunity to read it and its safe to say that this story will thrill both those familiar with his work and new readers alike.

The interweaving of sci-fi, horror and religion produces a dark and brooding story, that had me hooked from the first page. There is a real sense of foreboding as we follow a squad of space marines despatched by the Vatican to investigate a signal from a supposedly abandoned moon base. Via the main POV character, Captain Samuel Cohen, we are given a real insight into a world where faith sits alongside technology. Samuel and the marines increasingly rely on both as they face the mounting horrors within the colony Serenitatis.

This is a world where following cataclysmic events (hinted at in Samuels flash backs) humanity has embraced religion (specifically Catholicism) alongside technology. An intersection of technology and faith, where space marines rely on faith and turn to the squad’s chaplain for guidance as much as their tactical armoured suits.

As you would expect if you’ve read Yuval’s work before, we are treated to a rich and descriptive prose that sucks you into the story. Whether it’s the description of the soldiers armoured suits, the horrific events of Samuels childhood or the fate of those who failed to evacuate the base, you will be fully immersed in the world Yuval has created.

I have long said that some of my most favourite stories are those that combine / mash up genres, this certainly holds true after reading Orders of Magnitude. We have hard sci-fi sitting alongside ominous details like why the squad brought an exorcist with them? The marines, who are very much in the Warhammer40K mould, are surrounded by advanced technology yet are forbidden from connecting the bases systems in case they are digitally corrupted – in time we see that that this corruption is not kept to the digital world. (sorry, can’t say more … spoilers)

Horror on earth is a well-established genre, but for me visceral fear and foreboding that horror in space brings is fully realised in this book. Whether it’s the physical threats that the team encounters or the internal philosophical battle that Samuel wages in his head. We are exposed to the reality that the horrors on earth pale against what maybe waiting for us in the vast darkness of space.

 This is a story that reflects mankind’s search for greater meaning in the universe and what can happen when a malevolent voice replies. It really is an intersection of technology and faith, where space marines rely on their beliefs as much as their weapons & armour. Whilst some these themes will be familiar to those who have read Yuval’s Dark Legacy series, they are presented an entire fresh setting in this thoroughly entertaining novella. A wonderfully dark entry in the burgeoning Incense Punk genre.

Thanks to Yuval for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Orders of Magnitude was published on 7th January 2025

About the Author:

Yuval Kordov is a chronically creative nerd, tech professional, husband, and father of two. Over the course of his random life, he has been a radio show DJ, produced experimental electronic music, created the world of Dark Legacies, and designed custom mechs with LEGO® bricks.

Twitter : https://x.com/YuvalKordov

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/yuvalkordov/

Link to Yuval’s Books – https://mybook.to/yuvalkordov

Set to be published on 7th January (pre-order link below), I’m currently reading an advanced copy and believe me when I say you’ll want this dark little tale in your lives. Its quite different to his other work but you will definitely find Yuval’s trademark style peering back at you from the dark corners of the abandoned colony of Serenitatis.

Before we get the big reveal , here is some further details on the story

The Moon was once colonized. Now it lies silent—mostly.

When a mysterious radio signal echoes from the abandoned colony of Serenitatis, the Vatican dispatches an elite squad of space marines to investigate. Paladin-Captain Samuel Cohen’s mission is simple: locate survivors, uncover the signal’s source, and get out. But beneath the sterile domes, something ancient stirs—an adversary that challenges not only the mission but the very foundations of his faith.

A gripping new novella that explores the resilience of the human—and holy—spirit in the darkness of the void. For fans of Event Horizon and Richard Paul Russo’s Ship of Fools.

And now………

The Big Reveal

Cover Artist – Christopher Roberts (@xeviuss)

Cover Design – Victor Platon Jr

Publication Date – 7th January

Pre-Order via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9G47DX

Genre: Religious / Sci-Fi / Horror

Author Bio:

Yuval Kordov is a chronically creative nerd, tech professional, husband, and father of two. Over the course of his random life, he has been a radio show DJ, produced experimental electronic music, created the world of Dark Legacies, and designed custom mechs with LEGO® bricks.

Yuval’s Socials:

X / Twitter – https://x.com/YuvalKordov

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/yuvalkordov/

The Fall of Selvandrea is the debut novel by T.J.McKay and whilst he has adhered to the fantasy author trope of being called Tim (trust me there is a whole gang of them), his book takes what you may expect in a fantasy novel and turns that on its head. I wont ruin the twist for you but as the book develops it jumps into a wonderful blend of fantasy and sci-fi that takes it in directions I never expected.

Before we get to the fantastic new cover, lets take a look at some of stunning illustrations in the book as well as learning a little more about the story.

Remember the wolf.

Remember what’s out there in the dark.

Valdaris was a middling artillery captain before his people fell to a conquering rival.

Then he fell further still, snatched from the battlefield by a ruthless cult and cast into the depths of ultimate evil.

Transformed by powers he can’t begin to understand, Valdaris seeks revenge on those who tried to destroy him. Instead, he’ll face monsters beyond his most terrifying nightmares. He joins with allies caught in the chaos of his war with evil, oblivious to his true nature and the darkness closing in on their world.

Full of dragons, monsters, found family, magical weapons, intense duels, and epic battles, The Fall of Selvandrea follows a vigilante’s quest against malice, greed, and the shadow within. Heroes and villains join against the rising dark, and against a tyrant whose schemes may destroy them all.

And from calamity’s ashes, a new power shall rise.

Hopefully that will be enough of an appetiser for those of you have yet to pick up the book. But don’t make your mind up just yet, we still have the main dish below. Please feast your eyes on the new cover and then head off to pick up a copy and give Tim a great start to 2025

Book Title: The Fall of Salvandrea (Volume One of The Draemeir Chronicle)

Illustrations: Joe Requeza (https://www.artstation.com/joerequeza)

Cover Design: Rachel Bostwick (https://rachelbostwick.com/ )

Author Bio:

Tim J. McKay is an author, editor, and writing professor from Ottawa, Canada. He used to be a pastor, still cares about good and evil, and still strives to create meaningful experiences for others. He has degrees in history, theology, and public policy, along with a diploma in professional writing, but likes nothing more than hiking in the woods, running along the Rideau Canal, and connecting with the people he loves. Oh, and reading a good book.

From the author of THE HUNTER’S LAMENT comes the first book in a brand new series. THE SINS OF STEEL AND SHADOW is a low fantasy novel set against the backdrop of centuries-long hostilities between humans and vampyrs. What was once open war between them is now a fragile peace. But no peace lasts forever.

And for Bail Neren, there has never been peace. He is a Turned. Not fully vampyr, but no longer human. Hated and reviled by both sides of the divide, his very existence is a constant struggle to survive.

But when Bail is offered the chance of a lifetime, there’s more at stake than just his own survival. Already an accomplished smuggler, he must now turn his hand to becoming a master assassin, leading his fellow Turned on a deadly mission to stop a dangerous coup. To survive, he will have to learn to work alongside other Turned. To succeed, he will have to learn to trust them. And only in doing both will he have a chance of securing the one thing that matters most to him; his humanity.

So now for the

Cover Reveal…..

Book title: The Sins of Steel and Shadow

Series: The Turned

Number in series: 1

Author: Steve Pannett

Publisher: Self-published through Broken Hilt Publishing (an imprint of Stephen Pannett)

Release date: TBC (2025)

Genres: Low fantasy, epic fantasy, gritty/grimdark fantasy

Cover design: Steve Pannet

AUTHOR BIO:

Hi there! I’m Steve Pannett, an author of gritty fantasy fiction and a creative specialising in brand design. I fell in love with reading as a child and—somewhat typically—with writing shortly after that. I try to read (and write) as broadly as I can but my true passion is—and always has been—fantasy fiction.

I have only one goal with my writing; to entertain. I want my readers to smile, grimace, cheer and bellow with every twist and turn along the way. I try to find characters who are flawed and complex, fighting with the ever-changing maelstrom of emotion and motivation that is the human condition.

In short, I have only ever set out to do one thing: to tell stories.

I live in Yorkshire with my wife, Fraz—whose constant support is the only reason I ever finish writing anything—and our twin boys, Ethan and Lachlan.

Social Media Links:

Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunters-Lament-Steve-Pannett-ebook/dp/B0BZ2MTZM4/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/steve_pannett

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stevepannett_writes/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/143701479

Now enough of my prattling, here is the good stuff…..

Even gods can die.

God Ascended is the stunning and powerful conclusion to Jeffrey Speight’s acclaimed Archives of Evelium trilogy.

Umhra the Peacebreaker has ascended to the heavens of Kalmindon. He follows the wake of destruction Spara leaves as she pursues the annihilation of Vaila’s pantheon in her bid to become the One God. To thwart Spara’s ambitions, Umhra must travel the planes of existence to consolidate untold celestial powers.


In Evelium, there are whispered hopes of the Peacebreaker’s inevitable return as future queen Turin Forene struggles to lead the remnants of mankind against the Grey Queen, whose army of blights has wreaked havoc across the continent for the last two decades. Turin hatches a daring plan to bring her enemies to their knees with the support of the Barrow’s Pact. But they face impossible odds.

With nothing left to lose, an epic final battle rages, with the futures of both Kalmindon and Evelium at stake.

Cover by Omer Burak Onal (Twitter: @omerburakonal)

God Ascended is fantastically epic conclusion to the trilogy and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The book will be published on 1st January 2025 but is available for pre-order on Amazon now – https://a.co/d/brfmDXl

AUTHOR BIO:

Jeffrey Speight’s love of fantasy goes back to an early childhood viewing of the cartoon version of The Hobbit, when he first met an unsuspecting halfling that would change Middle Earth forever. Finding his own adventuring party in middle school, Jeff became an avid Dungeons & Dragons player and found a passion for worldbuilding and character creation. While he went on to a successful career as an investor, stories grew in his mind until he could no longer keep them inside. So began his passion for writing. Today, he lives in Connecticut with his wife, three boys (his current adventuring party), three dogs, and a bearded dragon. He has a firmly held belief that elves are cool, but half-orcs are cooler. While he once preferred rangers, he nearly always plays a paladin at the gaming table.

Jeffrey’s Social Media:

Website – https://www.jeffreyspeight.com/

Twitter: @jeffspeight

Today I have the honour of doing my first double cover reveal for the very talented and clearly highly skilled multi-tasker Livia J Elliot.

The books-with-choices will be released on November 1st through Unearthed Stories and can be read for free (yes you read that correctly)

You can install Unearthed Stories for free:

• On Android: https://bit.ly/unearthedstories
• On iPhone/iPad: https://apple.co/48IcnYm

Right now onto the good stuff

Cover Reveal No 1:

TALES OF THE STARS

Low stakes, low-sci, cosy, far-future, social sci-fi

Author: Livia J. Elliot

Cover: Livia J. Elliot

Editor: Fernando Gamboa

Quirk: It’s a collection of short stories!

Nightstorm Station 11 is a space station located on the verge of the galaxy’s arm, acting as the Eleventh Hub of all civilisations conforming the Network. Divided into four habitats, it houses countless dwellers, each going around and about their days, each a wealth of experiences and uniqueness. That’s why Luca, a renown journalist, arrived there—to document their stories, their joys and sorrows, and give them a place in the archives of the universe’s history. This is a collection of low-stakes, social sci-fi stories centred around the discovery of other star dwellers.

Cover Reveal No 2:

STATIC SIGNAL LIVING LEGACY

Hard scifi, high stakes, near future, playables multi-pov

Author: Livia J. Elliot

Cover & Artwork: Livia J. Elliot

Editor: Fernando Gamboa

Size: Novel (~140,000 words)

Quirk: The story happens mostly in Western Australia, and it’s inspired by the real-life project of radio astronomy arrays, SKAO.

Two radio arrays. One signal. One mystery. Dozens of people struggling for the truth. Millions affected by the consequences. It is 2088 when the Australian and South African Radio Arrays receive a strange signal from the asteroid belt and, immediately, two research groups become involved in a world-wide effort to decipher it. While the nations scramble to hide it, radio amateurs spread a two-seconds fragment, and a group of hackers leak data into the freenet. This is a near-future, hard sci-fi story where the smallest, simplest actions have history-changing consequences.

About the Author:

Livia J. Elliot is an Australian-based author of philosophical, dark fantasy fiction focused on theme-work; currently releasing the series Records of the Orders. She host of the podcast Books Undone, specialised in deep-dives into speculative fiction. Livia is also the lead writer of Unearthed Stories, a books-with-choices game available for Android/iPhone.

Social Media:

@liviajelliot on Twitter/X, Threads, Instagram

Website – https://x.com/liviajelliot

Today I have the double honour of announcing both the title and revealing the cover for the third instalment in AR Whitham’s hugely entertaining Locke Institute Trilogy. Book 3, The Execution of Rooker Flynn, is due out Summer 2025 and completes the story started in The Crimes of Rooker Flynn and continued in The Trial of Rooker Flynn (out Jan 2025)

So you know the title please feast your eyes on the brand spanking new cover (designed by Alejandro Colucci – https://www.alejandrocolucci.com/)

Cover Reveal……….

Is Rooker furious, frightened, or grinning as he meets his maker? Guess we will have to wait a little longer to find out, but in the meantime be sure to grab The Trial of Rooker Flynn when its hits the world on 14th January.

Author Bio:

Hi. I am a three-time Emmy®-winning writer and I wrote these books for you. I love adventure in all forms, and when you inject majik into the action, you suddenly arrive in places you never dreamed.

Would you like dragons with that? Yes please.

I love books that combine darkness with light. Mixing the two can concoct a powerful alchemy that results in some delicious emotional damage. Great books make you feel fear, love, excitement, anxiety, humor, betrayal, and warmth all between two covers.

Come on in. Open the first page. Let me tell you a story.

-Andy

Social Media Links

You can track Andy down and learn more about his books on – https://linktr.ee/arwitham

Rating: 10/10

Synopsis:

CLAWS, BLADES, GUNS, AND FIRE!

Benedict Shade, a were-cat and collector of exotic and potentially lethal magical artifacts, arrives in Yerba City with his good buddy, Dwayne, to “collect” (some would say “steal”) an unusual dagger that is much more than it seems. Little does Shade realize that the dagger was involved in an assassination attempt with dire consequences. To keep the dagger, Shade will have to navigate his way through secret hit squads, a homicidal troll, a trickster god, a fire demon, a sorcerous goat, the most powerful witch in western Tolanica, and law enforcement agencies from two different realms. Not to mention a dragon or two. But success for Shade and Dwayne could lead to a devastating interrealm war!

Review:

“I will miss you after you are dead. But, all things considered, not that much.”

Having just finished Douglas’s Alex Southerland Series (7 books & 1 nasty novella) I was at risk of falling into funk with end of my one of favourite series.  Thankfully I had the perfect antidote, a brand spanking new series by Douglas himself.

Claws of The Collector is an action-packed mystery with the trademark skilful mixture of noir & fantasy that sets Douglas’s books apart. Thrown in some in depth world building alongside superbly imagined alternate history drawing on Meso-American and Indian myths and I was in my element. As I suspect Douglas was when he was writing it.

Set in the same world as the Alexander Southerland Series, Claws of the Collector features a number of familiar characters (yes our good friend Alex makes an appearance) as well as a whole slew of new ones. Prior reading of the Alexander Southerland books is not a prerequisite but those who have read the books will get a kick out of seeing number of familiar faces from a fresh perspective, but the real treat (for this reviewer) was the new characters.

Not least of which are the charismatic yet morally grey Benedict Shade and his easy going but deadly companion Dwayne. Benedict (Bennie to his friends) is a shape shifter who turns into 12 cats and a “collector” of exotic & often lethal magical artifacts with his own fair share of supernatural abilities. I really enjoyed the way in which we gain further insights into what means to be a shape shifter and not via the standard werewolf but via alternative animals such as  were-cats and were-rats (yes a particular favourite plans a central role). The strain psychologically that being “were” takes is a unique take that is explored throughout the book.

Bendict is much darker and morally ambiguous character than Alex Southerland the tough no nonsense PI from Douglas’s other series. The feeling that Benedict will do whatever it takes to look after himself and Dwayne, suggests that we will be in for a wild ride in this series.

What starts as a simple in and out job to “collect” a magical dagger (yes that one – hint it features in The Demons Dagger novella) quickly descends into battle of competing interest and old Shade is smack bang in the middle of a life threating international incident in the making.  Before you can say “Lord Ketz-Alkwat’s flaming pecker” we find ourselves into the thick of the action and there is no shortage trolls, elves, elementals and kick arse magic to keep the reader occupied. Suffice to say that this book brilliantly expands the details behind world that Douglas has created and does so expertly via the dark and morally flexible protagonist in the shape of Benedict Shade. I loved the wider look into the world that we were introduced to in the Alexander Southerland Series. Immortal Dragon Lords, murky Government agents, organised crime families sit alongside witches, magic, elemental spirits and the Dragon Lords nemesis the near mythical elves.

I can’t wait see where this new series takes us and would highly recommend Claws of the Collector to those who have read Douglas’s work as well as those yet to take the plunge.

Claws of the Collector was published on 16th October – so go get it!

Thanks to Douglas for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

About the Author:

Dr. Douglas Lumsden is a former history professor and private school teacher. He is the author of a series of fantastical noir mystery novels featuring hardworking private detective Alexander Southerland, who wanders the mean streets of Yerba City while navigating his way through trolls, witches, otherworldly demons, political corruption, and femme fatales from the depths of the sea.

Dr. Lumsden lives in Monterey, California, USA, with his wife, Rita, and two cats, Cinderella and Prince.

Socials and Book Links:

Twitter – @DouglasLumsden1

Website – https://www.douglaslumsdenauthor.com/

Synopsis:

A noir story, set in an alternate New York City.

After years of being a cop, and now a private investigator, there’s little that surprises Cole Blackstone. But when someone working for Karl Dolman, the most notorious crime boss in the city asks for his help, Cole is caught off guard, and more than a little afraid.

Dolman’s daughter, Selina, has gone missing. To prevent a gang war that will tear the city apart, Cole must find her. But the job is being made more difficult as everyone is interfering, cops and criminals, and no one wants him to succeed.

Together with his childhood friend, Bracken Hart, the two men must navigate the depths of the city’s underworld for answers. In a race against the clock, Cole needs to find out what happened to Selina, and who is responsible, before the streets run red.

Review:

Seriously this book was such a good read. I was hooked from the first few pages.  It’s dark and gritty with the threat of violence dripping from the pages. At its heart this is a noir mystery set an New York that’s immediately familiar yet quite alien from that famous city we all know.

The alternate world we find ourselves in is intriguing. We are given glimpses into a world that echo’s our own, but its never fully explained whether this our Earth post an apocalyptic event or possible a world that isn’t even Earth. The lack of explanation in no way detracts from the story and for this reader (at least) it had me hooked and needing to know more.

We see glimpses of world where technology is in decline, electricity is only used sporadically if at all, and general populace move around in trains or on horse drawn trolleys. Whilst the controlling elite occupy the remnants of skyscrapers falling into disrepair and street thugs fight with swords, spears and even shields instead of guns.

It’s against this intriguing backdrop that we meet Cole Blackstone & his close friend and brother in all but name Bracken. These really are the duo you didn’t know you needed in your life. Tough as nails and able to enact tremendous violence on those in their way and yet there is a depth to the friendship / brotherhood that is incredibly tender. Their past is hinted at but what is clear is that they would follow the other into the gates of hell if required.  And they come pretty close to that in the course of their blood soaked investigations through the underworld of their New York. Cole is a former policeman turned PI and its for these skills that he is summoned by the most feared crime boss of New York, Karl Dolman.

As I have mentioned there is a solid mystery at the heart of the story and I’m not going to ruin that by giving away any details but the clock is ticking if Cole & Bracken are going to stop the streets of New York being awash with blood. But what I can say is that the quality of the writing and the depth of the characters grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. In my case I devoured it in one sitting.  Being a novella it was over all too soon and I was over the moon to learn that we can expect further stories from this world

This was my first foray into Stephen’s writing and on the strength of this book its safe to say I will be reaching for his other work as soon as I can. Whilst eagerly awaiting a return visit to the world he has introduced us to in a New York Minute.

Thanks to Stephen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Stephen Aryan is an award winning fantasy author. He has written two trilogies, the Age of Darkness, and the Age of Dread, plus a prequel novella, set in the magic-infused world of Mordana.

He has also written the Quest for Heroes duology, The Coward and The Warrior, published by Angry Robot Books.

The Judas Blossom, the first instalment in a Persian-inspired historical fantasy trilogy, The Nightingale and the Falcon was published in July 2023. The second in the trilogy, The Blood Dimmed Tide was published 9 July 2024 by Angry Robot Books.

Twitter : @SteveAryan

Instagram: @stephenaryan_writer

Website: https://stephen-aryan.com/