by Philip Eliot | Feb 9, 2026 | Romantasy |
A dark Greek mythology romantasy about the Olympian gods—not mortals. Do not covet the Queen. Do not challenge the King. Do not tempt the Gods. Prince Ares is a weapon forged in blood and fire—King Zeus’ brutal firstborn, destined for war. But when he arrives disorientated at Aphrodite’s doorstep, he becomes prey instead of predator. The goddess of desire has plans of her own: she will seduce, scheme, and scorch her way to the throne of Olympus, even if it means tearing Queen Hera from it piece by piece. Far below the Great Mountain, the abandoned god Hephaestus claws his way through the brutal Unknown Territories. Cursed from birth, cast out for his deformity, he wants only one thing: to be more than the monster Olympus made him. A chance encounter with Princess Hebe offers him a path to redemption—or a perfect opportunity for revenge. And in the dark halls of the Underworld, Hades grows tired of ruling alone. When he seeks a wife to share his eternity, the realms tremble, because the God of the Dead does not court…he takes. Be careful what you desire, mortal or divine. The throne of Olympus never stays warm for long. Lust. Jealousy. Power. Revenge. Immortality has a price, and the gods are eager to pay it in blood.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 9, 2026 | Historical Fiction |
Susan is a Jane Austen Prequel (or Pride and Prejudice Variation) brilliantly capturing Austen’s own Lady Susan as a young girl. A BookLife 2021 Quarterfinalist, Susan has won the Gold Medal/First Place in the PenCraft, Global, eLit and Historical Fiction Company Book Awards, along with numerous other awards. Publishers Weekly starred review: “McVeigh’s prose and plotting are pitch-perfect. Emma mingles with Pride and Prejudice in a delightful confrontation between the two books’ worlds… This Austen-inspired novel echoes the master herself.” Familiar characters abound – Frank Churchill, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins – but Susan – mischievous and manipulative – is the star. This is Austen that even Austen might have loved, with a touch of Georgette Heyer in the romantic sections. Fans of Bridgerton will also relish this classic regency romance, the first in a six-book series. Sixteen-year-old Susan Smithson – pretty but poor, clever but capricious – has just been expelled from a school for young ladies in London. At the mansion of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she attracts a raffish young nobleman. But, at the first hint of scandal, her guardian dispatches her to her uncle Collins’ rectory in Kent, where her sensible cousin Alicia lives and “where nothing ever happens.” Here Susan mischievously inspires the local squire to put on a play, with consequences no one could possibly have foreseen. What with the unexpected arrival of Frank Churchill, Alicia’s falling in love and a tumultuous elopement, rural Kent will surely never seem safe again… “A young woman of no fortune and immense wit manoeuvres her way into the good graces of landed gentry in Alice McVeigh’s novel of manners. Characters from Pride and Prejudice appear…Their incorporation is clever: Mr. Collins is Susan’s uncle; Colonel Fitzwilliam had the misfortune of having killed Susan’s father in duel; Lady Catherine becomes her benefactress. Susan’s personality does break through the rigid strictures of Regency society, helping to make this an engaging historical novel with classic influences.” Clarion/Foreword Review “Fans of Jane Austen are in for an indulgent treat with the brilliantly crafted novel. Alice McVeigh has mastered the period parlance, immersing readers fully in this charming historical romance. The polished story features a few familiar characters, such as the hard-to-please Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and the unending perorations of one Mr. Collins. But the impertinent Susan is the unmistakable star.” Indies Today (editorial review) “Fans of Jane Austen will be enraptured by Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel . Honoring the original voice of characters more than two centuries old and capturing the subtle tension and emotional complexity of youthful independence, this stylistic gem is an ambitious and memorable homage… McVeigh has set a strong foundation for a stunning six-book series” SPR editorial review “Think Emma or Pride and Prejudice , but with the added sense of humor, mischief, and determination that elevates the character of Susan.” Midwest Books Review (MBR)
by Philip Eliot | Feb 9, 2026 | Teen & Young Adult |
Born to lie. Trained to spy.
Half-fae shapeshifter Jess is determined to follow in her spymaster mother’s footsteps, and a successful field mission will secure her dreams—if only her strict teachers will allow her the chance.
An unexpected opportunity provides exactly what she’s looking for: a high-stakes rescue mission to prevent a war in the Realm that will also give her a final shot at redemption after the catastrophe of her last mission.
But things get complicated when Jess learns the identities of her teammates: an enigmatic sibling she’s never met and Penn, the annoying fairy who tormented her as a kid. Jess hasn’t spoken more than a few words to him in seven years, but now they must work together if they want any chance at preventing the impending war.
As the first phase of their mission takes an unexpected turn, Jess is forced to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about the fae and their world. Her team is closing in on the truth, but Jess’s own secrets could unravel their delicate trust first. To save the future, Jess will have to do the one thing that scares her most: confront her past.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 8, 2026 | Horror & Paranormal |
Ralph thought his biggest problem was a history test he hadn’t studied for. Sarah believed a weekend buried in textbooks would be enough to get her through senior year. They were wrong. By Monday morning, the high school is surrounded by soldiers in hazmat suits. Seniors are divided: some herded onto quarantine buses, the rest locked inside. And a flu sweeping the globe is turning friends, family, and neighbors into something unrecognizable, something hungry. Trapped on a bus with classmates getting sicker by the minute, Ralph knows it’s only a matter of time before one of them dies. Beside him sits a girl he just met in the nurse’s line, already burning with fever. The bus was supposed to be safe. Instead, it’s a coffin on wheels. Inside, Sarah watches order collapse as teachers vanish and the infection spreads through the halls. The lockdown feels less like protection and more like a trap. There’s no warning. No rescue. No time left. To live, they’ll have to cross lines they never thought they would—because graduation isn’t the future anymore. Survival is.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 8, 2026 | Fantasy |
A goddess disappears. Winter tightens its grip. And one woman is pulled into a world that should not exist. A Celtic-inspired fantasy of gods, sacrifice, and the courage to defy fate. ? Modern woman in a mythic world ? Celtic gods and faerie realms ? Slow-burn romantic tension ? Mortal courage vs immortal power ? Lush, atmospheric fantasy ? Book one of the Celtic Faerie Tales (stand-alone faerie tales in the same universe) When an ancient goddess vanishes without warning, winter refuses to release its hold on the world. Maryn Ferguson never expected to be the one to uncover the artifact tied to the goddess’s disappearance—or to be thrust through it into a realm of faeries, gods, and monsters where her choices may determine humanity’s fate. Alone in a brutal land ruled by immortal powers, Maryn must rely on a reluctant guide and navigate treacherous alliances, prowling monsters, and gods who view mortals as expendable. Each step forward costs her something she cannot easily reclaim. When disaster plunges her into the realm of the dead, Maryn’s carefully guarded heart begins to unravel under the gaze of Arawn , a god of smoke and shadows whose mercy is as dangerous as his wrath. To save millions of lives, Maryn must decide what she is willing to sacrifice—her dream of returning to the safe, detached world she once knew… or everything she has left to lose. Perfect for fans of: • myth-inspired fantasy • Celtic folklore and gods • portal fantasy • slow-burn romantic tension • richly atmospheric, emotional storytelling Buy Winter’s Handmaiden and step into a world where gods demand devotion, love defies eternity, and winter may never end.
