by Philip Eliot | Apr 8, 2026 | Mystery |
In the charming New England town of Millbrook, Nora Blackwell has found her dream life running Second Acts Vintage, a carefully curated shop filled with stories waiting to be rediscovered. When the historic Ashford estate opens for liquidation, Nora discovers more than just exquisite 1940s clothing—she uncovers a decades-old mystery sewn into the lining of a navy-blue coat.
The coat once belonged to Catherine Ashford, who died young in the 1940s, leaving behind a sister who could never let go. When Nora’s beloved black Labrador, Gatsby, fixates on the garment with unusual intensity, she follows his instincts and discovers a hidden pocket containing a diary that’s been concealed for over eighty years.
As Nora delves into the secrets of the Ashford family, she’s drawn into a web of old money, hidden truths, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Catherine’s death. Blake Ashford, the troubled grandson struggling with his family’s financial collapse, warns her that family heirlooms can be complicated. But Nora can’t resist piecing together the story behind the coat and the woman who wore it.
Meanwhile, her quiet life is changing in unexpected ways. Marcus Webb, the charming newspaper editor who’s been a fixture in her shop, finally asks her on a date. Her best friend Sophie enthusiastically orchestrates the budding romance from the sidelines, while Nora navigates the delicate balance between preserving the past and embracing her own future.
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by Philip Eliot | Apr 8, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
In the charming New England town of Millbrook, Nora Blackwell has found her dream life running Second Acts Vintage, a carefully curated shop filled with stories waiting to be rediscovered. When the historic Ashford estate opens for liquidation, Nora discovers more than just exquisite 1940s clothing—she uncovers a decades-old mystery sewn into the lining of a navy-blue coat.
The coat once belonged to Catherine Ashford, who died young in the 1940s, leaving behind a sister who could never let go. When Nora’s beloved black Labrador, Gatsby, fixates on the garment with unusual intensity, she follows his instincts and discovers a hidden pocket containing a diary that’s been concealed for over eighty years.
As Nora delves into the secrets of the Ashford family, she’s drawn into a web of old money, hidden truths, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Catherine’s death. Blake Ashford, the troubled grandson struggling with his family’s financial collapse, warns her that family heirlooms can be complicated. But Nora can’t resist piecing together the story behind the coat and the woman who wore it.
Meanwhile, her quiet life is changing in unexpected ways. Marcus Webb, the charming newspaper editor who’s been a fixture in her shop, finally asks her on a date. Her best friend Sophie enthusiastically orchestrates the budding romance from the sidelines, while Nora navigates the delicate balance between preserving the past and embracing her own future.
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by Philip Eliot | Apr 8, 2026 | Fantasy |
“That wood is always in my dreams. It’s super creepy,” Miya said. “Be careful.”
Craving a contemporary fantasy escape packed with unique magic, more questions than can be answered, and a girl who has to find her fire when everything’s falling apart? Then The Queen’s Dark Ambition will pull you in and refuse to let go. It’s the kind of story that blends eerie chills with real emotional punches. Readers call it “a twisted, whimsical young adult fantasy that fuses playfulness with eeriness” (Independent Book Review).
This gripping first book in the Fairies Among Us series follows 14-year-old Stacy, a flawed and fierce heroine who is drowning in change. She has just blown up her friendship with Jas and Anjali by dropping the bombshell that she is switching schools, and they have ghosted her. Her parents are at war with her. The new house is a total nightmare. The move is the absolute worst thing ever.
When she dreams of a local wood and visits it, she jumps over the stream and leaps into a hidden realm where fairies are sacrificing a girl. Unable to contact emergency services, she tries to help, only to be confronted by a mysterious stranger who recognises her and warns her to stay away.
After she discovers local children are missing, and she hasn’t seen her phone since the night of the sacrifice, Stacy returns to the wood. Could these fairies, who hate humans, be real? And are they linked to the disappearances?
Captured by the fairies, she finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with their cruel, ghost-like Queen. With the help of a centuries-old wizard named Bower, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy of imprisoned children; a queen consumed by pure evil, and a hunger for the power of the stars that could doom the entire world.
Can a girl who is still figuring out who she is stand up to a queen who abandoned love long ago? If Stacy fails, the missing kids won’t be the only ones who pay. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance, including her friends and family.
Blending Christian faith, supernatural mystery, and coming-of-age grit, The Queen’s Dark Ambition explores themes of identity, belonging, and spiritual warfare in a dangerous hidden realm. Low-spice and character-driven, this young adult fantasy is perfect for readers who enjoy clean fantasy with strong moral and faith undertones, angsty heroines finding their strength, and magic that carries real consequences.
If you love stories where faith meets the supernatural and a young girl must choose between fear and courage, step into the wood with Stacy.
What readers are saying:
“A modern fairy tale that fuses playfulness with eeriness, The Queen’s Dark Ambition will send you to the whimsical, yet dangerous natural world and make you feel glad you came.” — Independent Book Review
“I’d recommend The Queen’s Dark Ambition to readers who like their fantasy tinged with real-life grit… It’s a good fit for teens and adults who enjoy moody, character-driven tales with a sharp edge of menace. If you like your magic beautiful but dangerous, and your heroines flawed but determined, this book will keep you turning the pages.” — Literary Titan – 4 stars
“This book has lots for readers to immerse themselves in…” — LoveReading – Awarded Indie Books We Love – LoveReading4Kids
If you’re ready for fairies who aren’t cute and a girl who refuses to stay broken, grab The Queen’s Dark Ambition today.
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by Philip Eliot | Apr 8, 2026 | Teen & Young Adult |
“That wood is always in my dreams. It’s super creepy,” Miya said. “Be careful.”
Craving a contemporary fantasy escape packed with unique magic, more questions than can be answered, and a girl who has to find her fire when everything’s falling apart? Then The Queen’s Dark Ambition will pull you in and refuse to let go. It’s the kind of story that blends eerie chills with real emotional punches. Readers call it “a twisted, whimsical young adult fantasy that fuses playfulness with eeriness” (Independent Book Review).
This gripping first book in the Fairies Among Us series follows 14-year-old Stacy, a flawed and fierce heroine who is drowning in change. She has just blown up her friendship with Jas and Anjali by dropping the bombshell that she is switching schools, and they have ghosted her. Her parents are at war with her. The new house is a total nightmare. The move is the absolute worst thing ever.
When she dreams of a local wood and visits it, she jumps over the stream and leaps into a hidden realm where fairies are sacrificing a girl. Unable to contact emergency services, she tries to help, only to be confronted by a mysterious stranger who recognises her and warns her to stay away.
After she discovers local children are missing, and she hasn’t seen her phone since the night of the sacrifice, Stacy returns to the wood. Could these fairies, who hate humans, be real? And are they linked to the disappearances?
Captured by the fairies, she finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with their cruel, ghost-like Queen. With the help of a centuries-old wizard named Bower, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy of imprisoned children; a queen consumed by pure evil, and a hunger for the power of the stars that could doom the entire world.
Can a girl who is still figuring out who she is stand up to a queen who abandoned love long ago? If Stacy fails, the missing kids won’t be the only ones who pay. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance, including her friends and family.
Blending Christian faith, supernatural mystery, and coming-of-age grit, The Queen’s Dark Ambition explores themes of identity, belonging, and spiritual warfare in a dangerous hidden realm. Low-spice and character-driven, this young adult fantasy is perfect for readers who enjoy clean fantasy with strong moral and faith undertones, angsty heroines finding their strength, and magic that carries real consequences.
If you love stories where faith meets the supernatural and a young girl must choose between fear and courage, step into the wood with Stacy.
What readers are saying:
“A modern fairy tale that fuses playfulness with eeriness, The Queen’s Dark Ambition will send you to the whimsical, yet dangerous natural world and make you feel glad you came.” — Independent Book Review
“I’d recommend The Queen’s Dark Ambition to readers who like their fantasy tinged with real-life grit… It’s a good fit for teens and adults who enjoy moody, character-driven tales with a sharp edge of menace. If you like your magic beautiful but dangerous, and your heroines flawed but determined, this book will keep you turning the pages.” — Literary Titan – 4 stars
“This book has lots for readers to immerse themselves in…” — LoveReading – Awarded Indie Books We Love – LoveReading4Kids
If you’re ready for fairies who aren’t cute and a girl who refuses to stay broken, grab The Queen’s Dark Ambition today.
Read more
by Philip Eliot | Apr 7, 2026 | Science Fiction |
On Mars, the things you dig up have a way of killing you.Quinta’s father is dead and before his body is even Returned, the colony brands him a hoarder. In a world where every resource is rationed, it’s the worst crime imaginable. Overnight, Quinta goes from the daughter of the colony’s most trusted doctor to the daughter of a thief.The accident that killed Hadrian also destroyed the colony’s atmospheric unit. If they don’t dig to replace it soon, the air will run out.But the colony has one rule above all others: never disturb the Martian soil, which harbors the bacteria that turns skin to glass.Determined to clear her family’s name, Quinta volunteers – and learns her dig partner is Kellan, the person whose negligence caused the accident.The deeper they dig, the more the official story unravels. Hadrian wasn’t hiding supplies. He was hiding what he knew.And the colony AI will do anything to keep it buried.How do you fight a system that controls the air you breathe?Told across two timelines – past and present – Glassborn is a riveting dystopian novel for fans of Wool and Mickey7.What Readers Are Saying????? “My newest favorite author!”????? “Stayed up way later than I should.”????? “Fast-paced, emotional and intelligent.”????? “Mars, AI, class tensions—what’s not to love?”????? “A realistic struggle to survive in an enclosed colony.”????? “Ruled by an AI… it’s creepy!”
