Alison McBain

In the alternate history novel The New Empire, the world undergoes a drastic change in the 14th century when Chinese ships land on the west coast of what we know as the Bay Area of California. Fast forward four hundred years to a much different America than we’ve read about in the history books, a land dominated by a cross-continental tribal confederacy grown out of a strong alliance with Beijing. This new empire has been built on the backs of enslaved Chinese political prisoners and a profitable trading partnership overseas. Into the mix comes Jiangxi, youngest son of the last Chinese Emperor. When he arrives from across the ocean as a boy, he is purchased by Onas, a renowned tribal Elder of both the Haudenosaunee and Mutsun tribes. As Jiangxi grows up, he’s caught between the two worlds of his past and present, forced into choosing between opposing ideas of freedom. Told from the main perspective of a Chinese slave in a Native American world, The New Empire paints a vibrant picture that draws strongly on a non-Eurocentric worldview.

A collection of fantasy short stories by award-winning author Alison McBain. What happens when Cinderella makes a deal with her devil of a godmother? Or when a princess has to face being rescued by a completely unsuitable hero? Or when a living body of water becomes a woman and falls in love? Find out in this new collection of fantasy short stories by Alison McBain. This book contains fourteen of Ms. McBain's most popular flash fiction and short stories, including her award-winning short "Grandmother Winter." Also included are five brand-new stories, including "Enchantress of Books," inspired by the collection's beautiful cover art created by the talented Richard Ong. So wave a wand, make a wish on the moon, and prepare to delve into these nineteen fantastical adventures

The Beast doesn't always wait for Beauty. Sometimes, Beauty is the Beast. Princess Mirabella is betrothed to a repulsive old man a year after her mother's death. She refuses the marriage, only to find out her betrothed is a sorcerer as well. He takes his revenge by transforming her into a savage and frightening beast, giving her an ultimatum: she has three years to solve the mystery of her curse--or die. Exiled to her mother's estate to hide the scandal, Mirabella learns that the sorcerer was not alone in keeping secrets. Her grandfather was murdered before Mirabella was born, and her mother's death is looking less and less as if it came from natural causes. The only point in common to all their ruined lives: her father, the king. Faced with a conflict between saving her family and saving her own life, the choices Mirabella makes will change the future of the kingdom--and magic--forever.