“The Parchment Maze” by the best-selling author Ludmila Filipova is an archival suspense thriller, which topped national best-seller lists for years and which is currently in its sixth reprinting. In 2012, National Geographic made a film based on the book and featuring the author, entitled “Sword in the Stone & the Orpheus Amulet”. The novel combines shocking archeological evidence plus a healthy jolt of fantasy. The Parchment Maze itself has a curious history – created in 2007 by Ludmila Filipova and published in January of 2009, could its sensational discoveries be the true and unacknowledged source of the literary angel-mania that swept the globe? The Parchment Maze offers readers a totally new way to look at human history and theories about the “different” ones. Some see them as saints and deities, while great artists such as Ovid, Dante and Orpheus described them as “shades.” Thousands of others have called them angels, but few have ever descended to the bowels of the earth to discover their true faces. Today, however, for the first time, a human being is close to grasping their true essence. While studying similarities between Christianity and Thracian Orphism, archeologist Vera Kandilova stumbles across perplexing symbols tied to a prehistoric Balkan civilization that mysteriously disappeared 5,000 years ago. What begins as a purely academic scavenger hunt across Switzerland, Russia, Italy and Bulgaria leads her to frescoes in the Roman catacombs, a medieval amulet, engraved golden tablets, prehistoric clay vessels and ultimately to a cryptic manuscript called The Parchment Maze. The intellectual puzzle quickly gets visceral – after a series of murders, thefts of valuable artifacts and a kidnapping, the clues show Vera the path to uncovering the secret of the legendary incorporeal ones – those who jealously guard the most ancient knowledge from humanity and grant insight only to enlightened individuals such as Jesus and Orpheus. Their secrets have been sought over the centuries by powerful scientists and politicians, including Hitler, numerous popes, secret services and military organizations.Vera is determined to follow a trail of clues to the Lower Kingdom before the handsome assassin Ariman, with pale skin and colorful eyes, can obliterate them – and Vera herself. An underground brotherhood led by the ghoulish Incorporeal One has raised Ariman to be a cold-blooded automaton. However, the merciless killer is also on a secret mission of his own – the only thing that could possibly tempt him from his path is love, since angels are capable of loving as no human being can… www.parchmentmaze.com“Fiction and science combine in an intriguing novel based on real archaeological discoveries and actual icons, a daring combination of Dan Brown and Umberto Eco. Could the legend of Orpheus and his descent into the Underworld be more than just mythology? There is a supernatural love story, there are secrets; there is murder, there is history; from Berlin to Moscow, from Rome to Burma, Filipova's novel is sure to intrigue." Colin Falconer, author of twenty novels, seventeen languages “A carefully crafted literary work that is both entertaining and illuminating for readers. The contribution of the novel to the literature of the occult is quite significant. In my professional opinion, this novel surpasses those of both Dan Brown and Elizabeth Kostova in terms of complexity and theme.” Joseph Ceccio, Ph.D., professor of English literature, University of Akron

The task is simple: Don a disguise. Survive the labyrinth . . . Best the boys. Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope. In the province of Caldon, where women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition. With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze. Welcome to the labyrinth. Praise for To Best the Boys: “Atmospheric, romantic, inspiring.” —KRISTEN CICCARELLI, internationally bestselling author of The Last Namsara "Smart, determined, and ready to take on the world: Rhen Tellur is an outstanding heroine with every reason to win a competition historically intended for boys." —Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling author of The Incarnate Trilogy and coauthor of My Lady Jane A “Hunger Games/Handmaid’s Tale mash-up.” —BN Teen Blog

Kristy Fitzpatrick just can’t catch a break. As a mortal in a magical world, she often feels disconnected from the rest of her mystical, more exciting classmates. The only thing that she has to compete with in the classroom is her mind. But even for a magical being like her impulsive naiad best friend, Brianna, life is far from stable. Centuries ago, when a fully formed labyrinth sprang from the ocean, the magic emanating from its ivy walls caused all kinds of devastating magical consequences that affect the planet every year from magical instability in beings all over the world to chaotic natural disasters. Every year, four high school students are chosen to enter the labyrinth and try to break its hold on the world by solving a series of complex riddles and challenges. Most never come out. But when Kristy’s school is selected as the home of the next four students, despite her lack of choice in the matter, she sees an opportunity to do something that no other student has managed to do so far: survive the labyrinth. In Volume 1 of this Hunger Games-meets-Maze Runner high fantasy story from Kindle Vella and Radish, Kristy is about to learn whether her mind and body are up to the task. Because somehow, as she tests her own limitations, the Labyrinth is learning how to best her and her companions. There is no telling what kind of obstacles could come next.

Twice the thrills—in one captivating volume Published together for the first time, from #1 New York Times best-selling author Iris Johansen comes a gripping pair of historical thrillers that push the boundaries of intrigue, suspense, and danger. The Wind Dancer In Renaissance Italy, intrigue is as intricate as carved cathedral doors, but none is so captivating as that surrounding the prized Wind Dancer, the lost treasure of a family—and of the man who will stop at nothing to reclaim it. Lionello Andreas is bound by his vow to guard the exquisite statue. But to recover what is rightfully his, he will need the help of a thief—one he can control body and soul. He finds his answer on the treacherous backstreets of Florence, in a sharp-witted young woman whose poverty leaves her no choice. But in the end, the allure of the Wind Dancer, and the ruthlessness of those who would possess her, will catapult them both into a terrifying realm where death may be the most merciful escape. Storm Winds Jean Marc Andreas wanted what was rightfully his—and would use any means to get it. Juliette de Clement, a confidante of the royal family, could aid his search for the treasure so many had killed to possess…and died to protect. But in the treacherous world of eighteenth-century revolutionary France, death could come from any direction—none more likely than from the person you trusted most. Still, Jean and Juliette had no choice but to trust each other. Their lives depended on it. Someone else was determined to have the Wind Dancer statue, and the legacy it bestowed. Someone whose twisted genius was already wrecking a path of unspeakable violence.

A hidden killer . . . A conspiracy of treachery. . . And two people caught in the most desperate game of all . . . In Renaissance Italy, intrigue is as intricate as carved cathedral doors, but none is so captivating as that surrounding the prized Wind Dancer, the lost treasure of a family—and of the man who will stop at nothing to reclaim it. Lionello Andreas is bound by his vow to guard the exquisite statue. But to recover what is rightfully his, he will need the help of a thief—one he can control body and soul. He finds his answer on the treacherous backstreets of Florence, in a sharp-witted young woman whose poverty leaves her no choice. But in the end, the allure of the Wind Dancer, and the ruthlessness of those who would possess her, will catapult them both into a terrifying realm where death may be the most merciful escape.

The daughter of a king in Cornwall, Juniper enjoys the luxurious life of a medieval princess. But when presented with the opportunity to learn the magic of nature and its healing powers, Juniper opts for the tough route and becomes an apprentice to nature's wisdom. Upon completion of her training and returning home, she discovers her power-mad aunt, Meroot, using black magic to usurp the throne. With the kingdom in peril, the young healer must use her untested powers to stop her mad aunt before the kingdom is destroyed! A prequel to Monica Furlong's Wise Child, this enthralling fantasy is a highly reviewed reader favorite. Juniper has been placed near the top of nearly 100 Goodreads.com "Best of" lists, including Best YA Fiction, Best Fantasy Books, and YA Books with Strong Female Characters. Find out why this is such a beloved book!