Softer Than Velvet Stronger Than Steel

If truth is suppressed, can liberty survive? The Scripture is fairly clear: "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." An angry teenager, A.J. Franklin, battles doubt and confusion, trying to reconnect with his secure childhood. His sister and others try to help him overcome past hurts, at times to no avail. "Oh, right, forgiveness! Sure, just like that! Forget it ever happened!" "No, A.J., I didn't say forget!" Searching for the essence of liberty while sifting through societal erosion, A.J. wrestles with the tenets of bondage and liberty. Voices, past and present, tug at his innermost being. Only when he is completely yielded is he able to discern between the two, allowing him to choose the one that sweeps him toward his date with destiny.

In a world inspired by karma, three teens encounter magnificent beasts, unforgiving magic, and epic battles in this propulsive and wholly original young adult fantasy. “Evocative of Sanderson, Pullman, and Fullmetal Alchemist, yet at the same time shockingly original.” —Rosaria Munda, author of Fireborne Aina’s world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It’s said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms. But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home. Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she’s survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be. Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law—but the universe itself. Fans of epic, propulsive fantasies like Six of Crows and innovative world-building like Avatar: The Last Airbender will delight in A. A. Vora's ambitious, unmissable debut.

If truth is suppressed, can liberty survive? The Scripture is fairly clear: And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. An angry teenager, A.J. Franklin, battles doubt and confusion, trying to reconnect with his secure childhood. His sister and others try to help him overcome past hurts, at times to no avail. Oh, right, forgiveness! Sure, just like that! Forget it ever happened! No, A.J., I didnt say forget! Searching for the essence of liberty while sifting through societal erosion, A.J. wrestles with the tenets of bondage and liberty. Voices, past and present, tug at his innermost being. Only when he is completely yielded is he able to discern between the two, allowing him to choose the one that sweeps him toward his date with destiny.

A breed of werewolf soldiers engineered to kill on command, The Shadow Reapers went rogue at the end of the Civil War. Now, exacting justice by their own code, they long to feel human as they contain the beast within… Ever since his cousin Adelaide disappeared, Cole Cameron has been searching for her—and for Isaiah Jones, whom he blames for her kidnapping, after a hellacious fight in town involving—if the stories of drunken saloon goers were to be believed—men who changed into wolves. Being a practical man, Cole doesn’t believe it. Then he is rescued from a pack of strangely intelligent wolves by none other than his quarry, Isaiah, who brings him to a hidden valley where the Shadow Reapers have settled, where he is reunited with Adelaide—and where he finds the beautiful Miranda. Miranda was once a captive of the enemy pack of Rogues. Now a werewolf herself, all she wants is to protect her daughter and try to forget the husband she lost. But Cole’s not about to give up the greatest desire he’s ever felt in his life. And he’s vowed to make Miranda his—no matter what stands in his way…

From the author of Deeper than Dreams and the Much “I Do” About Nothing novels, a story that proves that you have to find yourself before you can find love... As a rock star “Riff Rotten” Rick Rottenberg has enjoyed all the perks that fame can offer, especially now that he’s reunited with his former band mate, Adrian “Digger” Graves. But despite his success, Rick is a mess. Still reeling from the death of his wife years ago and terrified his demons will end his career, he agrees to seek help for his anxiety. Burned by a musician in the past, Sidra Sullivan has closed her heart to love. So when Rick walks into her yoga studio, she wants nothing to do with him—until the bad boy shows an unexpected soft side. As Sidra and Rick work through their painful pasts, they realize just how strongly opposites can attract. But when a crisis threatens the delicate balance they’ve forged, they’ll discover if their love is strong enough to weather another storm or just too broken to survive... INCLUDES A PREVIEW OF THE FIRST LOVE & STEEL NOVEL: LOUDER THAN LOVE Praise for the Love & Steel novels “Topper is an author to watch!”—Laura Drake, author of The Reasons to Stay “I was absolutely blown away.”—The Book Pushers “A beautiful and engaging story that will melt your heart.”—Open Book Society “Cozy, witty, modern and yet poetic...Breathtaking in its imagery.”—Maryse's Book Blog