Tales of Sevrin — (2002, 2011) Publisher: Twenty years ago, the people of Sevrin overthrew Eldreath, the sorcerer who’d ruled for as long as anyone could remember. A Council of Adepts–men who know the secrets of alchemy and build marvelous clockwork creations–now rules the land. The old ways are suppressed and magic is highly suspect. Fox Winterborn, a young thief, is determined to see magic return to the land. His exploits strike a chord in the hearts of those who find the Adepts’ regime repressive. Whispers of rebellion prompt Rhendish, the adept who rules the largest of Sevrin’s islands, to find Fox and put a stop to his dreams. But Fox has gathered several powerful allies: a young dwarf, an exiled fairy, an alchemist of great brilliance but dubious mental stability, and an elf named Honor. Every member of his little band has secrets of his or her own. The person Fox is most inclined to trust–the elf who once saved his life — is bound to Rhendish in ways she herself does not fully understand.

Changeling — (2004) Publisher: Gwen “GiGi” Gelman, a ten year veteran of the Providence, Rhode Island vice squad, finds herself unemployed after being blamed for a routine bust that turned into a bloodbath. GiGi is used to being on her own, though, and with the help of a DA who owes her, she’s scraped together enough capital to start her own PI business, specializing in”family problems” — in particular runaways who have disappeared into Providence’s seamy underside. With a few custodian kidnapping cases under her belt, as well as a case against a Catholic school teacher/molester, Gigi is doing well for herself — until she takes on the case of a fourteen year old runaway who may or may not have been kidnapped. As Gigi investigates, she accidentally opens the door to her own mystical past. Now long-hidden family ties threaten her, and the secret of her identity unlocks a conspiracy that reveals the forces of darkness that play in the shadows… Forces that intend to be the masters of all mortal life.

The Blood Red Harp (Everquest) — (2006) Publisher: He has the harp — now he needs a bard who can play it well enough to uncover its secrets. But Faydwer’s bards consider harps to be quaint folk instruments, unworthy of their attention. Elizerain grew up with a harp in her hands. A merry, fun-loving wood elf, she collects ballads like other adventures collect treasure. If these story-songs are entertaining, she doesn’t care if they’re accurate. That was before a necromancer’s curse gave her a choice: learn the true stories behind her ballads, or die screaming. One such ballad features her new red harp. Intent on her search, surrounded by deadly enemies and treacherous alliances, Elizerain doesn’t realize that the real danger may be the harp itself.

Just Keep Weaving — (2012) Publisher: A collection of short stories by New York Times best-selling author Elaine Cunningham. This eclectic mix includes ghost stories, Arthurian tales, urban fantasy, flash fiction, and tales inspired by myth and folklore. In “Trophy Wife,” Lilith, first wife of Adam, practices law and revenge as a Los Angeles divorce attorney. A pirate in 18th century Newport, Rhode Island narrates the ironically named ghost story “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” When a former hit man is haunted by bad guys he turned into dead guys, he finds unexpected help from a suburban kitchen witch and a few hundred “Ravens.” A very young Lancelot travels to the fairy realm to begin his training as “Knight of the Lake.” In “She Who Is Becoming,” a Norse goddess follows Danish warships to Ireland, where she contends with the Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of battle, for the destiny of mankind.

A Single Thread – (2012) Publisher: Something is amiss in the Forest Kingdom. Magical wards protecting the lands of the elves have faltered. Mellindria, an opportunistic bard forced to spy for the elven Queen, becomes entangled in a story six hundred years in the making. A Kingdoms of Legend short story from New York Times bestselling author Elaine Cunningham!

The Harpers — (1991-1998) by Troy Denning, Elaine Cunningham, Jean Rabe, Scott Ciencin, James Lowder, Mark Anthony, David Cook, Charles Alexander Moffat, Ed Greenwood, Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb. Publisher: Determined to drive a trade route through Anauroch, the Zhentarim have sent an army to enslave the fierce nomads of the Great Desert. As tribe after tribe fall to the intruders, only a single woman, Ruha, sees the true danger — but what sheikh will heed the advice of an outcast witch? Ruha finds help from an unexpected source. The Harpers, guardians of liberty throughout the Realms, have sent an agent to counter the Zhentarim. If she can help this stranger win the trust of the sheikhs, perhaps he can overcome the tribes’ ancestral rivalries and drive the invaders from the desert.

Songs & Swords — (1991-1999) by Elaine Cunningham. Some of the books in this series are also in the Harpers series. Publisher: Arilyn Moonblade is one of the best two assassins in the Realms. Maybe both. From Cormyr to Waterdeep, Harpers are being murdered. The trail leads to the half-elven adventurer, Arilyn Moonblade. Is she guilty, or is she the next target?  Tormented by strange dreams and stalked by shadows, Arilyn must uncover the ancient secret of her sword’s power in order to find and face the Harper Assassin.

Starlight & Shadows — (1995-2003) by Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: Beautiful as she is deadly, Liriel Baenre flits throught the shadows of Menzoberranzan, city of the dark elves. Amid treachery and murder that are the drow’s daily fare, she feels something calling to her… something beyond this dusky world far removed from the sun. Yet as she ventures toward the surface and the lands of light, enemies pursue her unceasingly. And one enemy amy offer her the only hope of salvation. Characters: Liriel, Fyodor, Gorlist, Zz’Pzora.

Counselors and Kings — (2000-2002) by Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: Some are born with magic. Some without. Matteo, un-magical counselor to the mighty of Halruaa, has devoted his life to the truth — until he finds that he may have a hidden spark of magic after all. Now, with only a street waif for a companion, he’s on the run from the mysterious Cabal. In the dismal Swamp of Akhlaur, Matteo will seek his own truth while battling a creature out of his nightmares. But something even worse is on his trail: a relentless persecutor of magic. The Magehound. Characters: Matteo and Tzigone.

Evermeet: Island of Elves — (1998) by Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: Serene, beautiful, inviolate. Rich in magic and treasure, to those who hear of its legends it is the ultimate paradise. To the beleagured elves of Toril it is the ultimate refuge. But to many it is the ultimate prize. At the heart of its story is Amlaruil, Queen of All Elves. When Evermeet comes under massive, devastating attack, her sacrifice holds the last hope of saving the elven homeland.

The Best of the Realms — (2003-2009) Favorite Forgotten Realms stories. By R.A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, Elaine Cunningham.