A Lullaby for Witches
By: Hester Fox
Release Date | February 1
Genre | Historical Fiction
Despite having grown up the daughter of well-off parents, Margaret has never felt comfortable in drawing rooms or parlours, it was the woods and wilderness that surrounded the family estate which called to her. A calling that evolved Margaret from a prim lady into one with power, power that caused those around her to whisper "witch," and power that soon pulled her towards something even darker than the wilderness.
One hundred and fifty years later, Augusta Pods arrives at Harlowe House, a wealthy home of a New England family transformed into a museum and home of her new dream job. When Augusta stumbles upon an obscure reference to a daughter of the Harlowe's, a daughter almost written out of their history, she cannot ignore the intrigue of solving the mystery of why this daughter was hidden.
But as Augusta digs deeper into the mystery, the darkness that called to Margaret begins to unfurl and wake, causing one woman to be bound to another across time and blood. If Augusta cannot resist, she will lose everything - including her life, to the dark.
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These Deadly Games
By: Diana Urban
Release Date | February 1
Genre | Young Adult
When Crystal Donavan receives a cryptic message asking if she wants to play a game, her immediate response is to delete the text until the video attached catches her eye; it's a video of her sister bound and gagged with the message below saying to ensure her safety, she must play the game.
Initially the requests are simple; bake a batch of brownies, shove a stolen test into a locker, and make a prank call but soon, Crystal realises the tasks aren't simple but perfectly formulated to kill her friends, one by one. But if she refuses, then the kidnapper will kill her sister. Who is the masked perpetrator and why are they making her play these deadly games?
Find the review | HERE | for These Deadly Games
The Violence
By: Delilah S. Dawson
Release Date | February 1
Genre | Horror
Married to her high school sweetheart, mother to two beautiful daughters, and keeper of a pristine home; Chelsea Martin is the perfect housewife - or so it seems.
Chelsea's life is a prison. Her husband has abused her for years transforming her life from independence to dependence and there is nowhere for her to turn, not even to her mother whose only concern is the appearance of the family, not its well-being. Chelsea is terrified her children will become trapped like her but has no clue how to move forward, that is until a mysterious illness appears.
Known as The Violence, the illness causes those infected to experience sudden and explosive bouts of rage causing them to attack anyone in their path. A terrifying illness but for Chelsea, the chaos the virus is causing is an opportunity, an opportunity to liberate herself from her abuser and allow her children to be set free.
The Next Ship Home
By: Heather Webb
Release Date | February 8
Genre | Historical Fiction
Mickey7
By: Edward Ashton
Release Date | February 15
Genre | Science Fiction
Mickey7 is disposable. He is a technological creation used when the space mission is too dangerous for humans that after each death is rebooted into a new iteration. Mickey7 is the production of six deaths and he understands that his existence is temporary but it's better than nothing.
On a typical scouting mission, Mickey7 disappears and is presumed dead. By the time he returns to base, Mickey8 has been generated meaning Mickey7 must die as duplicates are loathed but Mickey7 doesn't want to die and to survive, he must keep his double a secret from the colony. But, life on Niflheim is worsening and survival for all lifeforms will depend on Mickey7, that is if he can keep from dying.
Unmissing
By: Minka Kent
Release Date | February 15
Genre | Mystery
Merritt and Luca have the life they dreamed of; a loving relationship, a promising future, a beautiful coastal home, and a growing family. A dream that cracks with one knock.
Standing broken on their doorstep is Lydia, Luca's first wife who until that moment had been missing, presumed dead for the past ten years. And does she have quite the story. Riddled with guilt at their perfect life, Merritt and Luca agree to help Lydia until she can get back on her feet.
But the longer she stays, the more questions Merritt has. Why hasn't Lydia gone to the police? Why is her presence unnerving her? What does she really want from them? And when the answers come, they terrify her because it seems Lydia isn't the only one keeping secrets.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
By: Axie Oh
Release Date | February 22
Genre | Fantasy
Her homeland has been ravaged for generations; resources are scarce and the fighting never ceases for control over what remains and all believe that the Sea God, once a protector, cursed their land. To appease the Sea God, one beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea annually to serve as his bride and that one year, the sacrifice will be the "true bride," necessary to bring peace to their land.
Many believe Shim Cheon, this year's sacrifice and also Mina's older brother's beloved partner, will be the "true bride." But on the night of her sacrifice, Joon follows Shim out to sea despite knowing interference with the sacrifice is a guaranteed death sentence. To save her brother and the one he loves, Mina throws herself into the water as sacrifice.
Quickly swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city with lesser gods and mythical creatures, Mina sets out to find the Sea God - only to discover he is in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a crew of demons and a mysterious man named Shin, Mina embarks on a journey to wake the Sea God and return her homeland to one of peace. But Mina does not have much time; humans cannot survive long in the spirit realm and there are those willing to do anything to keep the Sea God in his eternal slumber.
The Paradox Hotel
By: Rob Hart
Release Date | February 22
Genre | Science Fiction
Running security at a fancy hotel should be a breeze for January Cole except, the Paradox is not an ordinary hotel. The Paradox is a retreat for the ultra-wealthy where they can catch "flights," to the past.
January's job is about to become even harder as the US government is poised to privatise time-travel technology and a handful of trillionares have just arrived at the Paradox to put their hat in the ring for ownership. Meanwhile, there is a blizzard rolling out, the time stream is acting strange, and there is a murderer on the loose - at least January suspects so.
Except, only she can see the corpse and there is a reason January can glimpse what others can't but her secret ability can't destroy her because at the Paradox, the past is around every corner and January can no longer hide her secrets.
This Might Hurt
By: Stephanie Wrobel
Release Date | February 22
Genre | Thriller
Natalie Collins has not spoken to her sister for more than six months; he sister who last time they spoke was working a mundane job, throwing back drinks at happy hours, and crying about their mother's death. The last time she heard from Kit, she told her that felt there was something more out there and then she found Wisewood.
Located on a private island, Wisewood was a six-month commitment where contact to the outside world was prohibited. Wisewood's goal is to make you fearless and to achieve that goal and maximise your true potential, distractions are not allowed.
Six months after their argument regarding Wisewood, Natalie receives a threatening letter regarding the secret she has been keeping from Kit. Stricken with panic, Natalie hurries to bring her sister home but Natalie is about to learn that Wisewood won't let either of them leave without a fight.
Wish You Were Gone
By: Kieran Scott
Release Date | February 22
Genre | Thriller
Her husband is prone to alcoholic rages, blackouts, and triggering fear in their children and Emma Walsh has finally worked up the courage to confront James about his drinking but James never shows up at their meeting. All her planning wasted and words unsaid, words that will never be said as the next time she sees her husband, his lifeless body is crumpled next to his car.
His death allows Emma and her children to start anew and begin a life without the looming presence and fear of James. Supported by her friends, Emma struggles with grief and the knowledge that his pristine reputation is held up by those willing to keep his secrets - secrets that begin to unravel as details of his last day come to light.
