Books with author S. Matthews

Brooklyn Amari knew not to get in a car with a stranger. When a man tried to lure her—she killed him.As if taking a life at the tender age of ten wasn’t bad enough, her childhood home burned to the ground two years later. She doesn’t remember how she survived, but she’s felt a pull toward the conflagration ever since. After a troubled patch in her teens, she’s become a respectable firefighter, rushing again and again into the inferno that almost killed her. A routine sweep-and-clear during a hotel blaze takes a deadly turn, but also explains how she escaped death eleven years ago: she’s probably a demon.Brooklyn had always enjoyed having psychic abilities, but wings?She’s still trying to come to terms with what she might be when she experiences a vision of an arsonist planting an enchanted bomb, but the Fire Marshal’s office is ill-equipped to handle magic. Since she’s the most paranormal thing they’ve got, they offer her a temporary promotion.Unfortunately, she soon finds herself neck-deep in an investigation that goes straight over her head.And oh yeah—she’s supposed to destroy the world.

The city of Wyvern's Rest has fallen...◆ Episode I: The Weave of FateThe former "Jewel of the Highlands" is now a ghost of its former glory. Those with the means to escape have already fled the city. Those lacking remain, condemned to bury their sorrow while the walls crumble around them. Lawlessness and poverty have overtaken the streets, and as the days grow longer, the shadows of the abandoned Outer Quarter loom ever darker.Ava spends her days tethered to her prison, the belly of an old, stone inn, overlooking the docks and the familiar seaside market. She leans on her friends for innocent laughter and talk of unimportant things. Every day, the tavern fills with the hopes and dreams of those fleeing for brighter horizons, and every day, Ava watches them leave with the simplest wish -- to join them. Little does she know, her fate is woven to an enormous, crimson carriage. It creaks through the shadow of a forgotten morning, altering the course of Wyvern's Rest forever. The odd-shaped man who emerges carries two simple things: an old, leather satchel and a sinister secret. Will he free Ava from her prison...or forever seal her tomb? Dragon-Touched - Season OneBook One - The Weave of FateBook Two - Ageless FuryThe Mists of Kel Doran is a serialized, epic fantasy series. The Weave of Fate is the first book in the Dragon-Touched Season. If you're new to the series, you've come to the right place!The Mists of Kel Doran Series puts a 'digital age' spin on a traditional problem, immersing yourself in an epic, fantasy world without the epic, tome-sized dilemma. With deep world-building, engaging plots, and intense, regular, binge-worthy installments, the time for serial, epic fantasy has arrived. Now, if you're ready...enter the mist. How 'Mists' is different:Tight, action-packed 'episodes,' woven together to form an epic, immersive fantasy series.Compact, intense novels that can be consumed over a weekend or during a flight.New installments released several times a year. Never wait for your favorite series!Learn more at: mistsofkeldoran.comWarning: The Mists of Kel Doran series depicts a dark time in human history. This book contains some profanity, violence, and content that may not be suitable for sensitive readers.

A compelling novel that touches upon the hardships that refugees face and their resilience in the most dire of situations, “celebrat[ing] the human spirit and inherent kindness” (School Library Journal). My story starts the day that my parents told me we must leave our adopted home forever. Because of the soldiers and the drought we barely had enough to eat and we could no longer stay to help the people in our village. The journey would be hard—to cross the mountains and get to the safety of the border and the people there who could help us. But right before we were leaving, I saw a fish in a small brown puddle and I knew I had to take it with me. Yet when I put the fish in the pot, I never realized what we would have to face. It never occurred to me to leave Fish behind. A subtle and sophisticated exploration of life, the strength of humanity, and survival in an unforgiving world, Fish is a story that will teach those who doubt that, when hope is almost extinguished, miracles can happen.ALA Notable Children's Book ChoicePublishers Weekly Best Book of the YearWinner of the Fidler Award[STAR] “Matthews allows just enough detail—and heart—to make miracles feel possible.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “An amazing book.”—The Washington Post “Exciting and filled with crises and adventure… it is a story that celebrates the human spirit and inherent kindness.”—School Library Journal “Matthews is a compelling new voice.”—VOYA

Kerys Loring hopes an expedition to a distant alien ruin will make her career—assuming she lives long enough to still have one.Her last team made a significant find, but her bosses took all the recognition and grant money. When Avasar Biotechnology appeals to her unique combination of experience and desperation, she jumps at the chance, even if it means leaving her little brother behind for a three-year trip.At least she’ll be thousands of light-years away from her abusive ex.Within minutes of arrival, her excitement shatters at the sight of her ex already there. Clinging to the hope his position with botanical sciences will keep him away from her team, she forces herself to continue.On her first day in the ruins, she makes a profound discovery… but something goes terribly wrong.Her domineering ex soon becomes the least of her problems as an unstoppable alien threat plunges Wayfarer Outpost into chaos. Trapped in an isolated facility with death stalking every corridor, Kerys finds herself up against an even more insidious threat than ancient aliens: the truth.

Eleven year old Kiera Quinn is sure she’s having a nightmare. She doesn’t believe a nap that started in her suburban bedroom ends in an empty wasteland. She doesn’t believe everyone she’s ever known may have never existed―and she definitely doesn’t believe an old man who tells her she will resurrect the world.The odd shaman clad in junk and old computer parts claims she is ‘the child born of the earth,’ humanity’s only chance to survive. Desperate and scared, Kiera humors him, hoping her bad dream ends soon.Fate has a funny habit of getting in the way of destiny. New parents and a new home―even a super-primitive tribal village―feel like the best place for a child to be, not off saving the world. Adjusting to life without video games isn’t easy, but her new mom and dad give her what her old ones couldn’t: time and attention.Alas, Kiera’s discovery of a secret within ancient ruins makes the ruler of the Citadel want to kill her. Her only chance is to hope a crazy old man wasn’t so crazy―and that saving her parents won’t destroy the whole planet.

A Bestselling YA Epic Fantasy and the #1 Norse Myths Bestseller!Here’s what readers are saying about this breakout novel:FANTASTY WRITING AT ITS BEST!“Bonded is an intriguing, addicting immersion into lives of young heroes and heroines making their way in a beautiful but dangerous world. With rich descriptions of fantastic places and people—their struggles and celebrations—this is fantasy writing at its best!” – Kindle Bestseller: Ann Mauren, author of In the Spotlight: Mayne Attraction“I’m captivated… Bonded totally sucked me in; I could not put it down…”“A rollercoaster of emotion! I literally teared up, laughed out loud, and gasped in surprise!”OVERVIEW:Hallad Avarson’s vow to protect a mysterious warrior maiden pits his best friend against him, endangers the life of his little sister, and leads him into a treacherous realm of magic and intrigue.This richly imagined epic fantasy transports readers into a tale of seductive power, heart-wrenching love, and edge-of-your seat thrills, while following inspiring young heroes and heroines as they discover their abilities and destinies interweave with the fate of a captivatingly original world.More praise for Bonded:“It feels like a big budget Peter Jackson movie in my head.”“This book has it all: magic, romance, humor, suspense, and a pace that keeps you reading all night long!”"I absolutely loved my introduction into the world of the ShadowLight Saga…I felt like I’d lived through an epic adventure.""An incredibly talented wordsmith with a promising career ahead of her; this book is fantastic! I can't wait for the sequel. I have to see what will happen next!"If you like Graceling, Xena Warrior Princess, Twilight Saga, or The Wheel of Time…you’ll love Bonded: Book One of the ShadowLight Saga.

Althea struggles to adapt to an unexpected twist in her life—not being kidnapped in six whole months.The strange police from the faraway city claim the abilities she thought of as magic are really ‘psionics,’ and say she is far stronger than anyone they have ever seen. Despite their curiosity, they let her remain in the Badlands to protect her from an evil they call corporations.Of course, Althea knows all too well how powerful her healing gift is. For most of her life, she’d been a prize taken in raids. Tribes have killed to own her, and she let them.But the Prophet is done being passive.Having a family changes everything. No longer afraid to use her powers to protect herself, Althea refuses to be taken again… even when corporate mercenaries find her.

Most cops get to deal with living criminals, but Agent Kirsten Wren isn’t most cops.A gifted psionic with a troubled past, she possesses a rare combination of abilities that makes her a powerful weapon against paranormal threats. Adrift in a society that fears people like her, she feels alone in a city of millions.In 2418, rampant violence and corporate warfare have left no shortage of angry wraiths. Most are little more than fleeting shadows or eerie whispers in the darkness, but every so often, one gathers enough strength to threaten the living.A series of attacks by androids known as dolls leave the normal police baffled. Unable to explain what made the machines malfunction, they punt the case to Division 0. Kirsten’s investigation into who – or what – is behind the random murders soon makes her a target for corporate assassins.Despite her past, and the cynical city around her, she clings to the belief that no one is beyond redemption. Alas, the killer is desperate to claim as many innocent souls as possible, and one might just be hers.

At last the ultimate book of pirates is here! Inside is the stuff of legend, where tales of adventure and intrigue are written in blood. Read about Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Learn about walking the plank and buried treasure. Discover what was like aboard a pirate ship -- from a pirate's strict code of conduct to the punishments that awaited those that broke them. All the intrigue, adventure, and grizzly details are brought to life in this lavish hardcover package jam packed with fact and fiction, pirate lore, and amazing memorabilia, including: a booklet of pirate slang a genuine advertisement to recruit pirates a booklet of pirate biographies a letter from William the III to Captain Kidd a pullout featuring pirate weapons a treasure map a wanted poster for Blackbeard sample playing cards as well as flaps and fold outs galore!