In the beginning, the Goddess danced the world into existence. Peace reigned for generations through matriarchal rule within the Minca, Dute, and Carroo tribes. But then one man’s lust for power destroyed this balance: Vestor assassinated his sister, Mother of the Minca tribe. His army ravaged the Dute and Carroo tribes. A once-idyllic world was thrust into war, famine, and despair. Yet today, there is hope. Vestor’s niece, Cora, has a vision: if she can convince an emissary from each tribe to rendezvous at the Heart Stone, she can overthrow her evil uncle, take her rightful place as Mother Minca, and restore harmony. But the Dutes have disappeared deep into their mountains. There are rumors that the Carroos are extinct. And Cora must move swiftly—lest Vestor learn that she’s pregnant with the Mincan heir.

Mercenary. Murderer. Monster. Task has been called many names in his time. “Echoes of Brandon Sanderson and Scott Lynch.” – SFF World “Grimdark with heart and soul.” – Anna Smith Spark, author of The Empires of Dust Trilogy “A very, very good read." – Fantasy Faction “A brutal delight with thrilling action and heart, rowdy and wise, bloody and tender at the same time." – Dyrk Ashton, author of The Paternus Trilogy Best Self-Published Fantasy Novel – 2017 Booknest Fantasy Awards ——— Golems are built for war and little else. In centuries past, they were a terrifying staple of the battlefield. Empires were conquered on the backs of golems. Now, time and fear have whittled their kind down to a precious few, kept only by kings and warlords. Task of Wind-Cut is one such machine of war. Task was built to kill. Built to win. Thousands have died at his stone hands. He cared once, perhaps, but far too many years have passed and too much blood has been spilled. Task has become numb to the chaos he wreaks for his masters. A slave to the spells that bind him. Now, Task has a new master to serve and a new war to endure. In the far reaches of the Realm, Hartlund is in the grip of civil war, tearing itself in two over coin and crown. This time, Task will fight for a boy king and a general bent on victory. Beneath his formidable stone, Task longs for change. For an end to this cycle of warfare. For proof of light and good amongst the foul darkness of humanity and war. It will take the mind of an unusual stable-girl to change his. ——— ABOUT THE HEART OF STONE Packed with action and yet emotionally charged, The Heart of Stone is an epic military fantasy novel that explores the facets of human nature and the roots of warfare and conflict. Told through the eyes of Task, a five hundred year-old war-golem, this standalone fantasy is perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Mark Lawrence, Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie. ——— MORE PRAISE FOR THE HEART OF STONE “From the fascinating world-building to the intriguing, colorful and memorable characters, The Heart of Stone is a pleasure to read.” – BookNest “Dark, brutal and violent, and packed with heart and emotional depth, The Heart of Stone is an intriguing novel.” – Alan Baxter, author of The Alex Caine Series “This is Ben’s best book yet. Plain and simple.” – Michael R. Miller, author of The Dragon’s Blade Trilogy "A solidly written and fascinating dark fantasy." – BiblioSanctum ——— MORE BOOKS BY BEN GALLEY (Available in ebook, paperback and audio) Emaneska Series – The Written – Pale Kings – Dead Stars - Part One – Dead Stars - Part Two – No Fairytale Scarlet Star Trilogy – Bloodrush – Bloodmoon – Bloodfeud Chasing Graves Trilogy – Chasing Graves – Grim Solace – Breaking Chaos Standalones – Shards Keywords: fantasy, epic fantasy, epic, dark fantasy, dark, ya fantasy, military fantasy, golem, golems, monsters, mythological creatures, magic, standalone novel, stand alone, battle, war, emotion, humanity, ben galley, fantasy author

In A Journey of Sea and Stone, spiritual director Tracy Balzer takes us along as she journeys to the revered Isle of Iona in Scotland. She carries with her key questions of the spiritual life: Where is God? Who am I? What can I offer the world? With Balzer as our guide, and through the storied history of Iona, we see that all sacred spaces can offer us a unique path to God.

When forbidden desire becomes something deeper, the past is exposed, and the betrayal is more than expected.Krystina I'm flawed and damaged. My capacity for love is limited, and I'm the only one who can repair the pieces of my shattered heart.But that was before meeting Alexander Stone. Now, he is everywhere I turn-in my mind, in my heart, and in my soul. I can't deny him. He's the glue holding my soul together. He's my addiction, and I'm unable to stay away. But committing to love Alexander is only the beginning. When he's blackmailed about a secret he's kept since childhood, everything we fought to overcome is threatened. It rocks the fragile foundation on which our relationship is built-trust. Alexander I have rules. Krystina breaks them. She's strong, determined, devastatingly beautiful-and stubborn as hell. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude is the complete opposite of what I want in a woman. But I still want to claim her, tame her, and make her mine. I can't get her out of my mind.However, being with someone like her is a risk. I have too many secrets. Surrendering the truth about my father's murder would be devastating-not only to the empire that I worked so hard to build, but to my very identity.Follow the journey of Alexander Stone and Krystina Cole in The Stone Series, a heart-wrenching and seductively steamy three-book series.

An American Library Association Notable Book When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man--a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe; from the "blood diamond" rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase "A diamond is forever" on the psyche. An adventure story in the tradition of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, The Heartless Stone is a voyage into the cold heart of the world's most unyielding gem.

The fifth novel in the Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery series—the inspiration for the Hulu original series Shardlake! Summer 1545. A massive French armada is threatening England, and Henry VIII has plunged the country into economic crisis to finance the war. Meanwhile, an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr has asked Matthew Shardlake to investigate claims of "monstrous" wrongs committed against a young ward of the court. As the French fleet approaches, Shardlake's inquiries reunite him with an old friend-and an old enemy close to the throne. This fast-paced fifth installment in C. J. Sansom's "richly entertaining and reassuringly scholarly series" (Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review) will enchant fans of Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Other Boleyn Girl. Awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger – the highest honor in British crime writing