Teen & Middle Grade Books

BUMPS IN THE NIGHT

“Combined with fantastical, climate-conscious scenarios and vivacious and illuminating Black Indo-Trinidadian diaspora folklore that springs from the pages, this beguiling read—led by an intrepid heroine—is one to savor.” Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“The twists and turns, mythological elements, and compelling narration pack a punch. Exciting, culturally rich fun and adventure.” Kirkus Reviews

“Howard mixes Trinidadian folklore with present-day issues to create a fast-paced adventure. Her descriptions of the island are vivid and create a strong sense of place; references to popular video games add appeal. Fans of Baptiste’s Jumbies series will enjoy this accessible page-turner.” The Horn Book

“Popular with adults and teens, Howard fills her first middle-grade fantasy with Trinidadian folklore. She smoothly intertwines environmental issues and romance into the story for more depth. Many young readers will empathize as Rika learns to connect with her blended family, all the while gaining confidence in herself and her magic. An excellent read for those who crave adventure with a touch of spookiness.” Booklist

The creepy middle grade debut from USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard in which a girl stays with her grandmother in Trinidad for the summer and discovers that she comes from a long line of powerful witches.

Darika “Rika” Lovelace is in trouble. The kind of trouble that sends her to her grandmother’s estate in Trinidad for the whole summer. But something about the island feels…different. As soon as she steps off the plane, strange things start happening!

Rika meets a group of kids called Minders, who seem to have elemental powers. Even worse, she can sense jumbies lurking in the shadows. Needless to say, she wants a ticket home. But when the Minders let slip that her long-lost mom is in danger, she knows she can’t leave.

Thrust into a magical adventure involving bloodcurdling monsters, a supernatural silk cotton tree, and an endless maze, Rika must defeat the fearsome jumbie king to save her family and new friends. But unless she learns to believe in herself, she’ll never beat him or escape his twisted maze.


 

 

QUEEN BEE

A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

BOOK 1

“A divine dip into Regency waters for the YA set! What happens when you have to choose between revenge and love? Set within a multicultural, LGBTQ-positive society, QUEEN BEE takes flight.“ – Jodi Picoult, #1 NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE

Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined.

Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside.

With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire.

In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart?


THE RIVEN CHRONICLES SERIES

A girl with an uncertain past must find the lost prince of her parallel universe on earth before her entire world is destroyed by a usurper king.

BOOK 1

“A high-octane thriller. SF and dystopia fans will be right at home with this book and its fierce, capable heroine.” ~ Publishers Weekly

The parallel worlds, zombie-soldiers, genetic manipulation gave a great science fictional feel to the world of Neopses.” ~ SFF World

“THE ALMOST GIRL was the perfect balance of sci-fi, action, adventure, and a little dose of an awesome romance mixed together.” ~ Fresh Fiction

AlmostGirl_coverSeventeen-year-old Riven comes from a world parallel to Earth, a world that has been ravaged by a devastating android war. As a Legion General, she is the right hand of Prince Cale, the young Prince of Neospes. In her world, she’s had everything: rank, responsibility, and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to rescue his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.

Armed with the mindset of a soldier and racing against time to bring Caden home, Riven must learn how to blend in as a girl in a realm that is the opposite of all she’s ever known. Will she be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?

BOOK 2

“An engaging combination of soap opera and space cowboys, this sequel to The Almost Girl (2016) charges along from action scene to action scene, with a few tender moments thrown in. The hero is an amped-up girl with cyborg DNA and some nifty tech to both fight and conquer. Give this to readers who liked Star Wars.” ~ Booklist

“Hand this lesser-known series to fans of “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” who are still looking for new dystopian battles to get invested in.” ~ School Library Journal

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Riven has fought for a hard-won peace in her world, and has come to shaky terms with who and what she is—a human with cyborg DNA. Now that the rightful ruler of Neospes has been reinstated, Riven is on the hunt for her father in the Otherworld to bring him to justice for his crimes against her people.

But when she receives an unwelcome visit from two former allies, she knows that trouble is brewing once again in Neospes. The army has been decimated and there are precious few left to fight this mysterious new threat.

To muster a first line of defense, her people need help from the one person Riven loathes most—her father. But what he wants in return is her complete surrender.

And now Riven must choose: save Neospes or save herself.


THE ALPHA GODDESS SERIES

A reincarnated Indian goddess must reconcile her past and present lives before hell is unleashed on earth.

BOOK 1

“A touching depiction of the strength of family and the importance of love and loyalty.” ~ VOYA Magazine, STARRED REVIEW

“Complete with non-stop action and deft writing, Alpha Goddess is mesmerizing and inventive. Howard is a talented storyteller whose strengths lie in her worldbuilding and characterizations. Overall, this is an intriguing read full of surprises!” ~ RT Book Reviews

“Howard’s Alpha Goddess is a breath of fresh air for any young adult fantasy fan. Howard’s writing is excellent and her concept stands out among the flood of angel and demon fiction already populating the genre.” ~ Park Road Books, Indie Next Pick

In Serjana Caelum’s world, gods and goddesses exist. Sera knows because she is one of them.

A secret long concealed by her parents, Sera is Lakshmi reborn, the human avatar of an immortal Indian goddess rumored to control all the planes of existence. Marked by the sigils of both heaven and hell, Sera’s avatar is meant to bring balance to the mortal world, but all she creates is chaos. A chaos that Azrath, the Asura Lord of Death, hopes to use to unleash hell on earth.

Sera must figure out how to stop Azrath before the Mortal Realm is destroyed. But trust doesn’t come easy in a world fissured by lies and betrayal. Her best friend Kyle is hiding his own dark secrets, and her mysterious new neighbor, Devendra, seems to know a lot more than he’s telling. Struggling between her opposing halves and her attraction to the boys tied to each of them, Sera must become the goddess she was meant to be, or risk sacrificing the world she was born to protect.

BOOK 2

“An expertly plotted, skillfully executed modern take on Hindu cosmology that will leave readers eager for the next installment of this girl-positive series.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

dark-goddessAfter an epic struggle that unseated the Azura Lord of Death and placed Serjana Caelum’s best friend, Kyle, on his throne, the Mortal Realm is peaceful and the balance between good and evil—which Sera is sworn to protect—has been restored.

But signs of a new threat to the world of men quickly begin to appear: A scourge of demons descends on the Mortal Realm, and Sera is beside herself trying to locate their source. She sends word to the gods for help, and their answer comes in the form of Kira, the living incarnation of Kali, goddess of destruction.

Stunning and dangerous, Kira plans to protect the heavens at all cost, even if it means destroying the entire Mortal Realm. Soon Sera and Kyle find themselves fighting not just the demon plague, but Kira and her twin. But when an even more sinister threat arises—putting not just the human world but all planes of existence in jeopardy—they must all learn to work together or lose everything they sacrificed so much to save.


THE AQUARATHI SERIES

WATERFELL and OCEANBORN originally published by Harlequin Teen

SERIES IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

The Little Mermaid meets Pacific Rim. An alien sea princess pretending to be human must take back her crown and fight to save her undersea kingdom from the forces conspiring against her.

BOOK 1

A coming-of-age story complicated by regicide, superhuman powers, the duty to protect a kingdom and one hot surfer. A fantastical surf-and-turf romance.“ ~ Kirkus Reviews

“Howard has crafted a page-turning blend of magical realism and fantasy, set in an American high school starring a main character who morphs from sea monster to gorgeous sixteen-year-old with ease. Plot shifts, surprises, and a love affair not yet fully realized sets readers up for the second in the fascinating trilogy.” ~  Booklist

THE DEEP CAN BE DEADLY…BUT LOVE CAN BE DEADLIER

Nerissa Marin is far from home. Though she lives an anonymous life on land during her cycle of human study, she is Aquarathi royalty by birth—and the future monarch of a hidden, undersea kingdom. But when her father is murdered, the human world becomes her only refuge.

Adrift and indifferent, Riss indulges her every whim, including her feelings for the new surf king of Dover Prep, Lokeane Seavon. But as the day she comes of age looms closer, old enemies appear and challenges are issued: If she forsakes her throne, her people will suffer for it.

To win her crown, she must become the queen she was born to be.

BOOK 2

“Second book in the series is a winner! Howard knocks it out of the park yet again with OCEANBORN!” ~ Fresh Fiction

“A brilliant sequel that managed to top the first, Oceanborn was a fantastic YA read. The stakes were upped, the characters grew, the romance deepened, and the ending left me wanting more. I absolutely LOVED this book!” ~ Imagine a World

THE OCEANS WILL RISE…AND SECRETS WILL BE REVEALED

Nerissa Marin has reclaimed her birthright and assumed the mantle of queen of Waterfell, but all is not calm beneath the ocean’s surface. As signs of unrest emerge, a missive arrives that her royal consort, Lokeane Seavon, has been poisoned with a deadly biotoxin.

Riss has no choice but to go landside. Leaving her undersea throne in the hands of unknown enemies is a risk, but Lo’s survival is her only concern. Her courage will be challenged, trusted allies will become enemies, and her heart will face its greatest trial.

To defend her throne and save her prince, a warrior queen must rise.

BOOK 3

“An Excellent prequel to Waterfell – same fluid writing style, same excellent character depth, and left me wanting MORE!!” ~ Beach Girl

“The love story had me swooning. A must read and I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.” ~ Seeing Double in Neverland

THE FIRST LAW OF THE AQUARATHI: STAY HIDDEN FROM HUMANS

Speio Marin desperately wants to return to his undersea home, but the Aquarathi queen-to-be, Nerissa, wants nothing to do with any of her people or her oceanic kingdom. Torn between his own desires and his sworn duty to his future queen, Speio spirals into despair.

But when he meets Anya Delmonico—an enigmatic girl trapped by a dark past—he is drawn to her despite his loathing for humans. Anya is unlike anyone he’s ever met, and when she finds herself in mortal danger, Speio will risk discovery and more to protect her.

Duty will topple to the greatest adversary of all…love.

BOOK 4

Novella Coming Soon

THE TIDES WILL TURN…AND MONSTERS WILL SURGE

Nerissa Marin has been issued a challenge to the death by exiled Aquarathi queen, Rian Thorn, for the throne of Waterfell. Rian’s people have been biding their time in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting for the moment to strike, regain their place, and destroy human civilization.

But danger lurks in unexpected places, and while an epic showdown brews below the surface between the two opposing queens, mutated hybrid mercenaries have been working for a greedy human arms corporation with one goal: Kill and harvest any living Aquarathi.

To save their species, two rival queens must unite…or fall together.

 

 


THE CRUENTUS CURSE SERIES

SERIES IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

Witches. Vampires. War. Forbidden love. Buffy meets Harry Potter in this epic story of a young witch coming into her powers, and the mysterious vampire who steals her heart.

BOOK 1

“You’ll love it … just the right amount of romance. The fight scenes are terrific.” ~ Seventeen Magazine

Conjures up elements of teenage angst: forbidden love, loss, and, of course, supernatural powers, in this fast-paced tale of a young witch coming into her powers.” ~ Westchester Magazine

“It takes a calling, skilled writing and more than a little courage to release yet another vampire story these days, but Amalie Howard has created a world of vampires and witches that addresses many real-world issues faced by modern teenagers.” ~ The Loop NY

CRUENTUS PROTECTUM – DEFEND THE BLOOD

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast in her small town, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds—much less one that reveals she’s a witch with unimaginable power. A power that will protect its host no matter the cost.

Alarmed at her abilities, Tori wants nothing to do with the journal or her gift, but when she meets the dazzling but reclusive vampire, Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is going to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. And the terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her.

Magic Is Her Only Chance For Survival…

When her life is threatened and her power takes a dark turn, Christian is the only one she can trust to keep from falling apart. Falling for him, however, is something her fragile heart might not survive.

BOOK 2

*SILVER IPPY NATIONAL AWARD WINNER
*CHILDREN’S MOONBEAM AWARD WINNER

“Fantastic, incredible, and addicting!” ~ A Cupcake and a Latte

“Epic characters who experienced a ton of character growth, an intriguing plot, non-stop action, plus tons of revelations and plot twists!” ~ Pandora’s Books


Bloodcraft Ippy Moonbeam
ALL MAGIC HAS ITS PRICE…

And no one knows that better than Victoria Warrick. Gifted with a centuries-old blood curse, Tori has finally learned to master her blood’s demands and has emerged triumphant with Christian Devereux, a vampire overlord, at her side.

But the worst is yet to come.

In the infamous City of Lights, home to both the Witch Clans and the Vampire Council, Tori enrolls at the exclusive Belles Fontaines school in Paris, where she is faced with a devastating choice: choose Christian and be an outcast, or choose the coven and secure her place with the witches.

When the fate of the supernatural world is targeted by a sinister new threat, Christian and Victoria must unite their two warring species to defeat it. Their bond will be tested, twisted, and sorely weakened, and Tori will find herself in uncharted territory—a dangerous place to be when her blood’s magic has its own dark agenda.

But to save them all, she may have no choice but to invoke its deadly power.

BOOK 3

“A beautiful historical take on vampires that can be read as a standalone easily and enjoyed thoroughly. This book starts right out of the gate with a sword fight and draws you in. I highly recommend this book!” ~ Amazon reviewer

“Wow. Just wow. Truly an alluring and intriguing tale that you will be bewitched by.” ~ Amazon reviewer

BB-4b-Book-Size

ETERNAL LIFE COMES AT A COST. Love or freedom…the choice is hers.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1892. Lady Leandra Von Kurzberg is a hellion. Raised with seven older brothers, there is only one thing Lena fears: marriage. She has no desire to give up her freedom to be any lord’s broodmare.

When Lena meets the dangerously attractive Devereux twins, she is smitten. Inexplicably drawn to both men, the brothers are polar opposites—as much as Christian is every inch the debonair Duke of D’Avigny, his brother Lucian is a roguish scoundrel bent on hedonism.

But the captivating twins aren’t what they seem…

As frightening truths are unveiled and a one-of-a-kind offer is made, Lena will have to decide whether love is worth the loss of her freedom, or if freedom is worth the ultimate cost…her life.