The Heart of Winter

Readers of Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Cast Long Shadows by Cat Hellisen and The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead wil love this fantasy tale of folklore and myth from Scotland.When Brigit is faced with a forced marriage to Aengus, god of Summer, she flees into the highlands in search of the Cailleach, the Queen of Winter. There, she hopes to learn how to live on her own terms, without the need for a man to speak for her, but can she persuade the Cailleach that she is worthy? Caught between two gods and finding an unlikely ally in the Fae witch, Nicnevin, Brigit will be tested to her limits and beyond.FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

The Magnificence of Death

A lyrical, genre-bending gothic fantasy about a girl cursed with immortality—and the bargain she strikes with Death himself.Astoria Tempest has lived countless lives, but none that truly belonged to her. Cursed with immortality and the ability to return the dead, she’s spent over a century fleeing grief, guilt, and the trail of second chances she never had the right to give. But when she bargains her husband’s soul to save their daughter, the scales tip too far and Death comes to collect all she’s stolen.Except Death isn’t a shadow or a scythe. He’s a man with cold eyes, a sharper tongue, and a ledger of names with hers at the top.With Death on her heels, Astoria drifts through the years like a ghost, hiding in the cracks of time and nursing the compulsion to save the dying, no matter the cost. But when she intervenes one too many times, her quiet eternity begins to crumble.Out of options, Astoria strikes a deal: one broken curse in exchange for one soul. Hers.As they travel the perilous road toward undoing the curse, what began as a reluctant truce warps into something dangerous. Tenderness, understanding, and even love. Caught between a power she never wanted and a reckoning she can’t avoid, Astoria must decide what she’s truly willing to lose… and whether Death might be something more than just the end.

Heir to the Crown (Books 1–2.5)

They are all that stands between victory and defeat!After tragedy tears Gerald’s world apart, he serves as a soldier for years until a single act of sacrifice cuts him off from all he knows.Seeking a new purpose, a fateful meeting with another lost soul unmasks a shocking secret, compelling him to take up the mantle of guardian as the kingdom erupts into civil war.Enter Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam, who has trained for this moment since she first held a sword. Swearing to protect their lives, they travel across the kingdom fighting desperate battles, surrounded by powerful enemies who conspire to bring down the Crown.Their destiny will be determined in a monumental clash of forces where success can save the kingdom, but failure can only mean certain death.Heir to the Crown is an action-packed medieval fantasy series. If you like epic battles, compelling characters, and a gripping story, then you will love Paul J Bennett’s tale of a kingdom on the brink of war.Grab your digital boxed set today, and watch the battle unfold!Included in the digital boxed set:Servant of the CrownSword of the CrownMercerian Tales: Stories of the PastWhat readers are saying about Paul J Bennett’s books:????? -“Fantastic Fantasy!”????? -“Epic Battle Scenes!????? -“I’m hooked on this series!”????? -“Exciting Sword and Sorcery”????? -“Fabulously written, loved it.”????? -“Outstanding work of fantasy”????? -“The most amazing adventure”Books by Paul J BennettHeir to the Crown Series:Battle at the River – PrequelServant of the CrownSword of the CrownMercerian Tales: Stories of the PastHeart of the CrownShadow of the CrownMercerian Tales: The Call of MagicFate of the CrownBurden of the CrownMercerian Tales: The Making of a ManDefender of the CrownFury of the CrownMercerian Tales: Honour Thy AncestorsWar of the CrownTriumph of the CrownGuardian of the CrownThe Frozen Flame Series:Awakening – PrequelsAshesEmbersFlamesInfernoMaelstromVortexPower Ascending Series:Tempered Steel – PrequelTemple KnightWarrior KnightTemple CaptainWarrior LordTemple CommanderThe Chronicles of Cyric:Into the Maelstrom – PrequelA Midwinter MurderThe Beast of BrunhausenA Plague in Zeiderbruch

Entropy

REVIEWS…“a sense of intelligence shines through the characters, who are all stalwart, brave, and self-sufficient in a way that recalls the works of Robert A. Heinlein.”Kirkus Review?????“Should be made into a movie!”Reader’s Favorite?????“A fascinating story of human exploration, courage, technological advances and conflict set in the near future.”ReedsyDiscovery?????“Is it Science Fiction or Prescient Forecasting?”E.A. Coe, Author of ‘The Other Side of Good’?????“A 5-Star rollick along the narrow ledge of science and science fiction.”Professor Emeritus Arieh Ben-Naim, Author of ‘Entropy: The Greatest Blunder in the History of Science’AWARDS…?????5-Stars: Reader’s Favorite?????Finalist: Maxy Book AwardDESTINATION MARS! The Lunar Republic is on the run…Life on Earth is dying from a mysterious cause, and President Kim bets her future on an obscure, young scientist whose theory can only be tested from outer space. The year is 2066, and the race is on against the Chinese to establish a viable lunar colony before the 100th anniversary of mankind’s first step on the Moon. Yet, the Moon is only the first step, the springboard for the permanent settlement of Mars.“Entropy” is set in the near future where technology has evolved to an astounding degree. Human nature, however, has not; this futuristic novel reads like an expose on our own times.“Entropy” is much more than a science fiction thriller; it is a running commentary on the times that we live. A dystopic, postapocalyptic, hard science depiction of epic space travel, colonization, and new beginnings for the human race: Entropy is a blockbuster, written by a new voice, waiting to be discovered.“Space flights to the moon, and then to Mars; if that isn’t the oldest yearning of mankind, our finest hope for glory”.Philip K Dick, The Man in the High Castle

The Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘Captured my heart from the very first page.’ Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling authorEach morning as bookseller Florrie Appleton cycles along the promenade of her seaside hometown, watching the surfers far out in the bay, breathing in the fresh salty air, she counts herself lucky. She has a small but picture-perfect cottage overlooking the sea, a group of friends she can always rely on, and the job of her dreams at her favourite bookshop. But when tragedy strikes, her little slice of heaven is in danger of being lost forever.To save the bookshop from closure, Florrie finds herself thrown together with the elderly owner’s handsome grandson, Ed Hartes, who has a habit of making butterflies dance in her stomach. But the only romance Florrie has time for lies within the pages of her favourite novels, and her instincts are telling her to be wary. There’s something Ed’s keeping from her, and she can’t face another heartbreak.When Florrie stumbles upon a mysterious stash of yellowed letters in the storeroom, it seems Ed isn’t the only one with secrets. The old bookshop is full of stories waiting to be told and they aren’t only within the pages of the books….An uplifting, emotional feel-good read, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.Readers adore The Little Bookshop by the Sea:‘This is such a fabulous read!’ Kim the Bookworm‘A lovely story that just keeps you guessing right to the very end. Just wanted it to go on forever.’ Reader review, ?????‘A book to make you feel warm inside.’ Reader review, ?????‘Lovely characters. Beautiful story. The tissues had to come out!’ Reader review, ?????‘Like a warm cup of coffee on a cold cloudy morning.’ Reader review, ?????‘A proper warm, feel-good read… some brilliant laugh-out-loud moments too.’ Reader review, ?????‘Kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Would definitely recommend it.’ Reader review, ?????‘I couldn’t put it down, such a lovely story.’ Reader review, ?????‘The plot, characters and setting were all enchanting.’ Reader review, ?????