WATTYS 2016 WINNER Untouchable. Stone. Jewel - these are some of the names used for people who are born with a gemstone at the centre of their forehead. This unfortunate phenomenon cannot be detected before birth, it cannot be prevented, if a family has a Jewelled child, there is only one outcome: Before they're sixteen, they will have to leave human society forever and serve "the Zephyr". Among the Jewels there are those who have it worse. Those who sport clear diamonds on their foreheads, the Undefined. The downtrodden, the unlucky - the doomed. Cello Riles and Syianne Locke are both Undefined. On their sixteenth birthday, they each leave their homes and travel across the country to the Zephyr, attempting to go into service. Though aside from the place, or thing, that will take them from human society forever - what IS the Zephyr? There are only questions promised, only shadowy riddles guaranteed. Yet faced with no other choice they must venture forth and plunge into the unknown - the Zephyr. [A big thanks to @stpolishook for being a wonderful friend and helping me figure out how to write a better synopsis] COVER BY Abyss-of-Crazy

Mad Mo and the crew of The Siren are the most fearsome pirates to ever fly the skies over the Barbary Coast. Only those closest to her know that everything she does--the raiding, the looting, the illegal magicking--are all for a greater cause--to find her baby sister. After five long years of searching, Mad hits a stroke of luck: she comes across the same airship that abducted her sister. But before she can launch an attack, The Siren is overtaken, and Mad wakes up bound to a chair aboard the enemy ship, her greatest weapon--her magic--rendered useless. Her captor is not what or who she expected; he's far worse. And Mad must strike a deal with the devil himself to get the answers she needs to save her sister. A steampunk fantasy adventure!

Sam is the most promising swordsman among this year’s crop of Paladin trainees...and knows it. Brash, cocky, and unbeatable with a sword (well, almost), Sam is the kingdom of Thule’s best hope against the violence wrought by demons. The only problem is that Sam is really Lady Samantha, daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood, and if her father has his way, she’ll be marrying a Paladin, not becoming one. But Sam has never held much interest in playing damsel-in-distress, and so she rescues herself from a lifetime of boredom and matrimonial drudgery. Pity that Tristan Lyons, the Paladin assigned to train her, is none other than the hero of her childhood. He hasn’t recognized her as Lady Samantha--yet-- but if he does, he’ll take away her sword and send her packing. Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets: Braeden is a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable. Sam, Braeden and Tristan set out for the western coast, charged with rooting out an infestation of demons that has made the West unlivable. As they travel, they uncover a deep-seated corruption of power that threatens to derail everything they stand for. Rebellion stirs, led by a rival faction of warriors who tempt Sam to join them with an irresistible offer. A war between men is coming, and Sam must pick a side. Will saving the kingdom cost her life -- or just her heart? Reminiscent of Mulan, but with a medieval fantasy twist, Paladin is a tale of adventure, action, and romance.

"*Completed*"I froze the first boy I ever kissed. And I don't mean he got cold feet..." Megan is pretty unhappy when she's forced to move to a tiny, freezing town in Canada. It's going to be totally boring, right? Things heat up when she discovers that she possesses a growing power that's becoming more and more difficult to control. Not only that, but the power has attracted some interesting people. A smouldering young man who claims to be her rescuer, and his icy but attractive enemy. They're both claiming to be the good guy, so who exactly is she supposed to trust? Megan finds herself embroiled in an ancient battle between two kingdoms, slowly discovering an identity she never knew she had. Cover designed by Marie Tilmant

Can a natural killer learn to be human again? Regan's unique talent for murder makes her a perfect assassin. After a lethal encounter leaves her broken body washed up on a beach, she finds herself adopted by a group of teenage bodyguards. She doesn't intend to stay for long, but soon Regan finds herself faced with a choice: become a hero or stay a villain? *** The boy played with the flat brim of the cap in his hands and looked around the room. He sat back in his chair, trying to look casual, but the heel of his hi-top sneaker drummed rapidly on the concrete floor. Regan sat opposite him with her legs crossed and her hands folded on her tartan skirt. She watched him without a word and brushed a strand of blue-dyed hair behind her ear. Somehow this seemed to unsettle him more. 'Calm down,' she said. 'It's just murder.' *** Author's Note: Darkness Girl: Trickster God is represented by Louise Fury from The Bent Agency. P.S. The epic cover was made by Paul Kopetko (you can stalk him at paulkopetko.com). Enjoy!

A strange and terrible power once performed dark puppetry with the dead to wage war against the living. One hundred winters ago that power was staunched. But it has returned. After a ruinous attack against her kingdom, Princess Elery takes up her father's sword to pursue the path of vengeance. A path that brings her to the dreadful soul-eating dragon of the Dark Woods. A dragon of legend, possessing power beyond the other spirits of Leria. But in a world where every fallen body counts among the enemy's ranks, the living may already be out of time. All-time best was #2 in Fantasy! COMPLETED & FEATURED!

With her mother's diary in hand, Hailey now has more chance of finding her than ever. Her search will lead her on a journey to one of the more obscure places of the kingdom of Aeolus where she will discover creatures she thought were only legends. Meanwhile, she can't forget that the enemy army from the Outlands is closing in on her kingdom, threatening the Winged Nation. Thankfully, her friends are here to help (or make fun of her, depending on the situation). ~Sequel to Secret Wings~ (If you haven't read it, I suggest you do so before reading this one)

Prince Cory's inheritance could kill him. A sword possessed by a spirit, a world of warriors and magic, and a war without end are now his... Garon, the legendary General of Valendo battled armies, magic, and monsters powered by the souls of the dead to keep a conquest obsessed king at bay. He taught his grandson, Prince Cory, all he could about the ways of a general. But the worst is yet to come. Cory's life is changed forever after his grandfather's death when their enemy strikes at the heart of their kingdom. With the darkest of magic at work, the souls of all in his kingdom and the survival of the royal line are at stake. Can Cory take up his grandfather's enchanted blade, become the new general Valendo desperately needs and do the one thing his grandfather never could? End the war. An exceptional debut outing which fantasy fans should really know about. James Tivendale - Fantasy Book Review Classic epic fantasy that young fans will love! M. Wanchoo - Fantasy Book Critic This book took me places - places of danger and bravery and mystery. The author's voice is intriguing - at times, cold as evil; at times, lyric as an angel. All-round excellent read. Alexander M Zoltai - author of Notes from an Alien Wow! Excellent Fantasy with Real People, Vivid Setting, Fast Plot, Plenty of Emotion and Style. Highly Recommend. Kathy - More Books Than Time ...most definitely entertaining and magical reading. Dianne - Tome Tender --- Note Part Two: Whiteland King is set to private mode meaning you should be able to access it if you follow me. Whiteland King is available for purchase from all major eBook retailers except Google Play. Grab a Free Copy of the published edition of The General's Legacy Part One: Inheritance for your Kindle or other e-reader device/app here: https://adrianhilder.com If you like a chapter part, please vote on it to help others find my work, and add this book to your reading list. Written in British English. Happy reading.