It's always exciting to see new Sword and Sorcery being published! Parallel Universe Publications is a small press dedicated to publishing first class horror, science fiction, and fantasy books. One of their newest releases is Swords and Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume One. Eight tales that certainly fall within the realms of fantasy. Several scratch that Sword and Sorcery itch. A couple feature reoccurring characters from their respective authors. The book boasts a cover and several pieces of interior art by Jim Pitts.

The Mirror of Torjan Sul by Steve Lines
When you are a powerful necromancer of course you will send a lackey to collect items of power for you. Phaol Zamh is just that lackey. Phaol is sent to a dead city to collect a mirror. That's it. But there is a reason that that mirror hasn't been pilfered yet, and why Morphal, his master, didn't fetch it himself. Will Phaol survive the night?

The Horror from the Stars by Steve Dilks
Bohun returns. Still searching for his abducted wife, Bohun finds himself an unwanted stranger in a new land. Everyone is on edge. You see, something fiery landed in the desert and people have been going missing ever since. When Bohun comes face to face with this horror his life will be forever changed.

Trolls are Different by Susan Murrie Macdonald
Foreign soldiers are invading. This typically leads to theft, murder, and rape. But Marana has a bold plan. It will take cooperation from everyone. Can she reason with a battle hardened army?

Chain of Command by Geoff Hart
Freya and Mouse may remind you of a certain adventurous duo. Both are commissioned to recover the Chain of Office of a long dead king. No one counted on the dead having their own plans.

Disruption of Destiny by Gerri Leen
This story reminded me of David Drake's Old Nathan somewhat, and is probably my favorite of the collection. Isabel is a woman with a secret. Leopold is a man skilled at war but weary of it. Together they divert a destiny and find a kind of peace.

The City of Silence by Eric Ian Steele
The King Ariston and his loyal Vizier Obadiah find themselves in a city under the heel of tyranny. Silence reigns. To me, it was a parable of lost freedoms.

Red by Chadwick Ginther
Red's brother Needle is missing. Who could have kidnapped her libertine brother? No, really, the list could be quite extensive. She'll scour the underworld of the city to recover him. Fighting a goddess if needs be.

The Reconstructed God by Adrian Cole
A Voidal story. Elfloq is a familiar without a master. Searching for the Voidal he stumbles upon the Key of Keys. Elfloq comes to an arrangement with the merchant Aggrabal. All parties think that they have the upper hand. But who really wins in the end?

A varied collection of stories. Not to be overlooked. Available in paperback and e-book from Amazon. And be sure to keep an eye out for Volume Two out next year with more art by Jim Pitts.