This first Valdemar anthology features 18 epic fantasy short stories set in a world of magic, intrigue, romance, and adventure—with tales by Mickey Zucker Reichert, Tanya Huff, Mercedes Lackey, and more!Mercedes Lackey’s very first novel, Arrows of the Queen, introduced readers to the magical land of Valdemar. In this ancient realm, beset by war and internal conflicts, justice is dispensed by an elite force—the legendary Heralds. These unusual men and women, “chosen” from all corners of the kingdom by their mysterious horse-like Companions, undergo a rigorous training, and follow a rigid code of honor. Bonded for life with their Companions, the Heralds endeavor to keep the peace and, if necessary, defend their country in the name of their monarch.Now, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Larry Dixon, Tanya Huff, Michelle Sagara, and others add their own special characters to the history of Valdemar. Meet with a Herald-assassin known only to the Queen . . . learn why in Karse, a question can be deadlier than any sword . . . and discover how for 2 life-bonded Heralds justice prevails over honor, in 18 original stories of valor and magic, including 3 co-authored by Mercedes Lackey herself.

From award-winning author Sarah Marie Page comes a stunning new adult enemies-to-lovers romantasy featuring a simmering slow-burn romance between a vengeful spy and an enemy general's alluring second-in-command on opposite sides of a pending war.SHE'S STEALING MORE THAN SECRETSAs the royal physician of a tiny, windswept island, eighteen-year-old Isabel spends her days trying to keep the queen from dying and the mad king from streaking naked down the halls. But when her best friend is found murdered on the beaches, her world is ripped apart. Desperate for answers, she discovers a stash of letters that reveal a terrifying truth: the neighboring kingdom of Volgaard possesses a kingdom-shattering weapon and is ready to conquer everything in its path.Seeking vengeance, Isabel infiltrates the enemy. Her mission? Woo Erik Lothgarson, the general’s steamy, illusion-magic wielding son. Steal the dangerous weapon. She can bring Volgaard to its knees—if she isn’t caught.But as Isabel dances along the knife edge of deception, the lines between truth and fiction blur, and she must wrestle her quest for vengeance against her undeniable attraction to the enemy.Please note: The spice level is a steamy fade-to-black, meaning there is some heated foreplay and build-up, but no on-page sex.ILLUSION OF STARS is perfect for fans of:Enemies-to-loversTaylor Swift's Evermore/ Folklore albumsThe one horse trope, but she makes it awkward"Who did this to you?" but he makes it softMMCs with sexy snake tattoosAngsty love interestsYearning

Caring for unicorns isn't all rainbows and sunshine.Animal lover and keeper-in-the-making Charlotte couldn't be more excited to start her apprenticeship at the Griffin Sanctuary. Working with the unicorns is a dream come true, even if she's just a glorified stablehand at the moment. It's all worth it when she gets to help a rescued unicorn without a horn settle in.However, she's not the only one willing to put up with the demanding hours of working at a mythical zoo. Rival apprentices from elite schools all want jobs at the Griffin Sanctuary too and Charlotte will have to use all her wits to keep her place as a unicorn keeper.-The Unicorn Herd is book 1 in the modern fantasy Griffin Sanctuary series. It is packed full of adventure, mythical creatures, and a sapphic romantic sub-plot.If you enjoy mythical creatures, zoo documentaries, slow burn sapphic romantic sub-plots, and a heroine who loves animals, you're going to love The Unicorn Herd.

Sheldrake is a mage. Maud is a shapeshifter. When their son is born, he is completely pale with nearly white eyes: the legacy of a fearsome great-grandmother.Jayhan grows into a cheery, accident-prone eight-year-old, unhappily aware of his heritage. Soon, a dark-eyed orphan enters his life; rescued from a brutal master to become their stableboy, Sasha's past and present are shrouded in secrets.The only legacy Sasha has of the past is an obsidian amulet. As secrets of the young stableboy's past slowly come to light, they're all thrown into a world of danger.With ancient prophecies coming to bear and deadly enemies at all sides, can they uncover the secrets of the dark amulet.. and survive?

A bond with a dragon turns a high school student into Queen of the Fae…When a dragon crashes through a portal near her Texas high school, Ophelia can hardly believe her eyes. Dragons and magic just exist in fairy tales, right?But the moment she bonds with the dying monarch dragon named Sun in the Black Sky, Ophelia discovers they are very real…and very deadly. Before she can make sense of what’s happening, Ophelia is dragged into the magical and treacherous realm of Charassi. A world where her dragon bond marks her as Queen of the Fae.Grappling with her newfound extraordinary powers, Ophelia will need all the help she can get to defend her throne and protect her bonded dragon. With the Fae Prince Corrin by her side, they embark on a perilous quest to seek the help of the dragons, only to encounter a shocking revelation that unveils a nefarious curse.Deadly secrets lurk in the shadowy corners of her realm: walking corpses, dark magic, and a puppet master determined to seize power once and for all.To harness her true power, Ophelia must find the strength within to become the leader her people need. And if she fails, her kingdom and all those she loves, shall fall…Explore a world of dragons, magic, intrigue, and the enduring power of love in this complete fantasy collection featuring all six books of the exciting Fae Queen series: The Bone Crown, The Usurper’s Throne, The Stolen Palace,The Dragon King’s Egg, Heart of Realms, and The Ancestral Forces.

Is a rose without its thorns any less beautiful? Shona Scott would much rather putter in her garden than deal with brides that get hysterical over floral arrangements. Fed up, she quits the wedding business and renovates a small cottage on her property for holiday rentals. Without the weddings crowding her calendar, Shona will finally get some time to explore a newfound talent. An unexplainable one, at that.Owen Williams lands in Scotland for a family wedding, only to prolong his trip after his best friend has a terrifying accident on the waters of Loch Mirren. A documentary filmmaker, Owen’s quest for the truth drives him to Loren Brae, determined to uncover the secrets of what lies in the loch. When Owen books Shona’s cottage, he’s thrust into an unexpected attraction for the beautiful gardener who is determined to keep him at arm’s length. As Shona’s magic unfolds, she must do everything in her power to hide the secrets of Loren Brae from Owen, even if it means ignoring her own heart.Can love bloom if the seed is planted with doubt?