2023 Best Debut Novel
When fates collide, a race to find the hero of an ancient prophecy begins, forcing a young woman to face not only a dark and ancient evil hell-bent on revenge, but her own fears, self doubt, and disbelief in magic.
When Santha stumbles upon a small, rusted key in her home forest, it seems her silent pleas for a new life have been answered. Thrust into a world only glimpsed in childhood stories, Santha sets out to unlock its secrets. But as the key’s influence grows, a choice must be made: survival or sacrifice...
Eleven years after Ianthe's mother vanished, the 17-year-old girl searches for an explanation and discovers a lost legend, family secrets, and the magic of Ireland. But finding the myth may not be enough to mend the past, and finding the truth just may threaten her future.
After a tragic accident, a quirky high-schooler's world crumbles. Armed with a book of old fairy tales, she's swept up in an impossible romance that stitches her heart back together one piece at a time.
Tina is 3 when she is adopted from Sweden by an American professor. She studies music, becomes a prolific pianist and composer. But something about her birth remains unnamed and hidden. She returns to Sweden, contacts the adoption agency. Come, says a voice on the phone, I have information for you.
A medical drama with humorous elements, set across UK, India and Australia. Three doctors meet in an opal-mining town in outback South Australia. All have secrets— some are darker than others. Tragedy strikes. Opal magic sustains and shapes, but is it enough to shed chains of guilt and recrimination...
This novel will make you feel its worth and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! The entanglement of eight main characters will make you deeply invested in their lives. As you get to know them and their story, the suspense builds and you can hardly imagine what could possibly come next.
Senior nurse, Jamilah remains traumatised by the terrorism and corruption that stole her adolescence. Meanwhile, Boko Haram is expanding, becoming bolder. When they take her sister, the Governor shows little interest. It's against her oath, against her faith but this time she will have justice.
During a revolt against William the Conqueror, a young healer with a shameful past discovers the rebels' fiery weapons and must decide between siding with their charismatic leader or thwarting his plans to launch an explosive attack against the occupying Normans.
Sherlock Holmes recuperates after his first major case. A typewriter theft leads Dr. Watson and him to a complex case involving a new master criminal named Lofcadio Hearseborn III, underground tunnels in London and ravid Sumatran rats the size of dogs.
During a revolt against William the Conqueror, a young healer with a shameful past discovers the rebels' fiery weapons and must decide between siding with their charismatic leader or thwarting his plans to launch an explosive attack against the Normans.
Life feels infinite when you're young, but Allie Graves knows all too well that she's living on borrowed time. Six years ago, she made the deal of her life in exchange for service to angels. Now her six years of service are up and returning to her mortal life comes with some serious consequences.
The true story of the apothecary who, two hundred years ago, in taking on the medical establishment, helped change doctors and hospitals forever but died young, reviled and, to this day, unrecognised.
A young prince must prove to be as his brothers were in the yearly hunt, but things go awry and soon leads to one disastrous thing after another. This tale is the first of Three Acts.
Twisting between the sounds of war in 1969 Vietnam and the domestic scenes of 2019 Houston, The Broken Hallelujah follows a woman’s quest to discover the truth about her grandfather, MIA in Vietnam, to bring him home before her grandmother’s memories are lost, and find her own truth to begin again.
A genetically engineered designer baby discovers just how powerful being exceptionally beautiful can be when her own mother rejects her for being ‘defective’ at the age of nine.
1871: Rivers on Fire (2nd edition) is a story of a young woman and man, Liz and Robert, who travel from London to Chicago to advance a new theory of 19th century brain science. As the couple work together, they fall in love, and ultimately face adventure, treachery, and fiery devastation in their...
This novel about public policy discusses what reforms that would be necessary to make a transition from dysfunctional to optimal in public offices, the basic premise being that it would be desirable to view large government programs as experiments, periodically review them, and propose changes.
Five friends go to the carnival that has stopped in town. While riding the ghost train ride, their experience is not what everybody else gets, and they unwittingly wake up a sleeping demon and unleash it into the world. While being chased, a mysterious caller tells them only they can kill the beast.
Despite achieving a life of success after surviving a childhood of trauma and adversity, a recently admitted psychiatric patient contemplates the meaning of happiness when her battle with her mental illness reaches a climax.
Karma shows her face after humanity misuses her name in the phrase, “Karma’s a bitch.” Boldly, Karma gives her two cents as she motivates and narrates the ins and outs of humanity throughout the lives of four women affected by an investigation that turns their lives upside down
Bernadette Rogers thought she’d do anything to best her perfect sister but when her mother asks her to euthanize her father who’s suffering from dementia, she’s forced to consider just how far she’s willing to go to be the good daughter.
Feathers from the Fire is the soul-stirring tale of one family’s daring attempt to transcend the fear, stigma associated with mental illness, and generational pain by following the signs, leaning on allies, digging for the truth, and holding onto hope that there is more than meets the eye.
Arthur Watson aims to overtake Sherlock Holmes as the greatest detective in the world, but finds himself enveloped in supernatural mysteries involving ghosts, magic, and mythological worlds. Can he and his team of sleuths work together to unravel a conspiracy that threatens the whole of London?
Finding a new path can be difficult when the darkness threatens to swallow you. A heartwarming story about a Marine searching for his new purpose in life after a tragic brush with death causes his unwanted discharge. To find it, he takes an epic journey to heal, give back, and let go of the past.
Manchester Detective Kay Harris unravels when she refuses to acknowledge the devastating psychological impact of two recent tragic events.
Her plan was to save Elizabeth and return home: she does not belong in this time. But, the stakes have risen. With two lives on the line, she must face the consequences of meddling with time, even if it costs her everything.
TOMMY CRUTCHER IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH AUTISM. THOUGH HE CAN'T SPEAK TO HUMANS, HE APPEARS TO HAVE AN UNCANNY ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHIMPANZEES. HOW TOMMY, HIS DEVOTED FATHER, AND A WISE CHIMP NAMED ALBERT COME TOGETHER IN LIFE-ALTERING WAYS IS THE STORY OF LIKE NO OTHER BOY
Fresh from Ellis Island, Franceska is lost in a murky American dream until a daily job in the home of Sara Delano Roosevelt forever entwines her future with a young FDR. Written by Frances's great-granddaughter, this novel invites readers into a 100-year-old family mystery.
London, 1967. The Cold War continues, and Britain must remain vigilant as the super powers struggle for supremacy, but the discovery by a top intelligence operative of unethical secret warfare experiments leads him to resign, and starts a race against time as over a million lives are threatened.
Trammel, a bio-droid, wrestles with the pain of becoming more human after a scientist modifies his design in hopes of creating an immortal being who can prevent humanoid extinction. Trammel struggles with his mercenary past and his ever-evolving human tendencies, which drive his quest for meaning.
Fifty years ago a vicious animal attack sparked by the lunar calendar destroyed a small farming family. Today that same lunar calendar event will occur again. The question is, will the same vicious animal attack recur on a global level? If it does, will it drive man into extinction?
The story of Rachel Collins, who, on her 39th birthday decides to embark on a quest to find her perfect imperfect soulmate before she reaches 40. Her quest takes her on a journey of self-discovery and leads her into situations that she never imagined she'd find herself in. Based on real life events.
What is a twelve year old girl to do when she finds herself in the silver boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona, in 1880, and her only home is a brothel and her only parent is a drug-addicted mother? If she is Carissa Beaumont, she outsmarts the evil madam and figures a way out.
When Olly Appleton’s grandfather dies in a suspicious accident, his family moves into the family estate. It sits in a wooded sanctuary known for superstitions involving mythical creatures known as Spores. The Spores befriend Olly and discover they must work together to protect both of their homes.
Young American Owen seeks his father in an African prison, and the truth about why he is there--but his father won't say. Wanjeri, an African woman and elephant researcher, helps him learn the truth with the help of wild elephants, who are also characters whose lives intersect with the human story.
Survivors of a virus that killed billions 200 years ago, Dua are enslaved by OnyxCorp. In 2261, Caen seeks the key to freeing his people by traveling to the Vine, gateway to the moon. Along the way, he meets Dr. Ligeia Obumbwe, who becomes his unlikely partner in a dangerous quest to defeat OnyxCorp
The Celestials want Evie dead. The Demons would kill to have her. Only Cain can protect her from both—but can he save her from herself?
One man’s action-packed journey to discover a God in a way that he never imagined and a love he never expected.
A happily married aesthetician is living the small town dream, but when she finds a box in the closet full of women's lingerie, she realizes her soulmate isn't who she thinks he is.
A little girl named Laura learns the ways of survival and perseverance after having to move in with her uncle after her parents pass on, where she's surrounded by drugs, prostitution, abuse and, ultimately, love.
A world ravaged by a divine war between Darkness and Light finds itself at the beginning of the end as seven characters unexpectedly cross paths. As a group they journey through the magic-filled world to find the key to a legendary vault that might hold the solution to the ancient war.
Is it still a one night stand if it happens the same time each year? Jamie’s whole world changes when he meets the bubbly Penny, putting the lively enigmatic girl on a pedestal - but will he see her the same time next year? What will happen the year that she finally and inevitably doesn’t show?
SILENT, EMPTY, AND CRUEL. THIS WAS THE NATURE OF THE WASTELAND. Ignium was supposed to solve the world's energy crisis. Instead, it destroyed the planet. In the darkness of the 22nd century, survivors fight to endure what's left. London, a wasteland veteran, struggles to keep his promise to protect...
Black, White, and Gray All Over; a Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement compels us to take a brutally close-up view of the poverty, trauma, and violence of Black inner-city life in the United States, which the author lives through first as a young man yielding to the temptations of crime
An introverted flight attendant and her teen daughter invite a recently retired Marine to stay for the holidays, and together they learn the true meaning of "home."
A boy’s quest spans a man’s lifetime ~ in memories of attempts to make sense of existence. What is the Mystery of Life ?
A sheltered church girl. A quiet, secret rebellion. Glory's mother will stop at nothing to keep her daughter from worldly temptations. Can Glory ever become the person she wants to be? If you like resilient heroines, dramatic themes, and overcoming obstacles, you’ll love this page-turning novel.
To cure an obsessive need to seduce celebrities, painter Iris audits ex-boyfriend's Ephriam’s color therapy course. Internalizing colors' wisdom activates her visioning. With her rainbow refreshed, Iris can now balance on her own two feet while sending plans for peace out into a suffering world.
If you could be anything what would you be? 10 year old Amy Bloomsy would be a GOAT. After a chance meeting with a high-spirited, French speaking goat called Õogly, Amy rejects her human life and adopts one of a goat - But her friends, teachers and parents are not tolerant of this new lifestyle...
When a widowed archivist struggling to get on with life meets a sinister playboy at a gala, it sets off a chain of events revealing her unusual off-world heritage and placing her in a tug of war between a devilish entity imprisoned in the Earth, its wardens, and her fear that any of her choices will...
There is one thing every human understands. Get involved with Others at your own risk. Pray they don't involve themselves with you. Oriana was raised in this world of deadly beings. She knows the rules by heart. Yet when she's kidnapped and her memory broken it is an Other, not humans, who aids her.
What could happen if your cat turned human...when Tiffany, arguing with boyfriend Anthony, accidentally topples a set of Egyptian figurines, ancient forces mischievously grant her wish that men were more like her cat Felix, but - though fun at first - it soon becomes clear this charismatic newcomer...
Trust, belief and a little magic… then maybe they could both fly free. Home's awful for Trevor, school's worse. When he meets Midge, he finds he has a gift that could change his life forever. Trevor's thrown into a magical adventure - but can he take on the destiny he’s only just discovered?
WISH ME LUCK – Contemporary Drama By Gayle De Blake Four lifelong friends have an incredible opportunity to relive the past 20 years, which takes them back to 1999 and their college years. They enter this thrilling re-do, knowing all of what happened the first time around. As they consider and re...
Sophie is an introverted young woman. She's reluctant to give too much of herself away, and even more so to explore the why. It's easier to hide in her bookstore. Until a charming stranger comes in and leaves with one of her painted bookmarks. Then again the next day. And the day after that.
Adam Jennings, a recently suspended Agent of the Global Investigation Bureau returns to what should be an open and shut case, only to be dragged into a complex underbelly of a city he thought he knew, and is forced to tread a thin line between right and wrong as he uncovers what the truth really is.
US correspondent Finn Waters travels undercover deep into the Soviet Union chasing a story that will expose the truth about an unsolved WWII massacre and escapes only to find he has become a spy without a country.
Live music is in her blood but she fears there's a killer in the crowd. Cath Edgley's mother was the lead singer of an all girl punk band who vanished when Cath was 7 years old. When the man she believes was her father is murdered, Cath is determined to find the truth about her missing mum.
In London, on their thirteenth birthday, a timid girl and her twin brother's parents vanished without a trace. Determined to find them, they embark on a perilous journey across the city and entered a parallel magical realm, where truth awaited amidst danger.
The hardest goodbyes are the ones we never get to say. When Gabe Meier lost his wife, Eleanor, it affected everyone – especially his sons, Alex and Eric. Several years after her death, Gabe struggles with a guilty conscience, and Alex is struggling with demons of his own.
The Power of Words is the first ingredient the infamous Karma utilizes to transform herself from a phrase to a therapeutic narrator in the lives of four women. These women must use the same power to save their relationships when an investigation unveils their parents' secret past.
With only a week left before the world's end, Jay must travel across Michigan to fulfill a promise he made to his late wife: to bury her ashes in her childhood home. Using his ability to control fire, he will face monsters wrought by The Anomaly as well as the ones that lurk within his mind.
