Helping the authors get some shine on their books this Thursday, DESOLATEby Kelli Storm shines bright in the spotlight! Desolate is a witchy urban YA fantasy with LGBTQ+ heroines, character-driven plots, neurodivergent representation, and bewitching twists. Let’s read on!
Desolate
Release Date: October 2025
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Featuring ⦁ Accidental Time Travel ⦁ Forbidden Love ⦁ Fish Out of Water ⦁ Who Done It ⦁ Neurodivergent Heroine ⦁ Sapphic Romance
A time-bending mishap forces a witch to navigate a new reality and an unexpected romance. Can Mia find her way back home, all while stopping a killer? Being a witch with ADHD has its challenges. When Mia gets distracted while performing a spell, she becomes an accidental time-traveler. Waking up in 1992, she comes across supernatural creatures attacking a young woman, and she taps into strange, unknown powers to save her. But as Mia starts falling for the enchanting near-victim, she discovers the girl will soon die. She might be the only person who can stop her killer, yet everyone knows messing with time can have dire consequences. As she works on finding a way back to her timeline, Mia quickly realizes she needs to make a choice. Let history happen or stop this dark destiny from coming to pass.
When the 2008 recession hit, KELLI STORM found herself without a job and with too much time on her hands. To fill the void, she began writing fan fiction. She soon developed a following, and her readers encouraged her to write an original story. Kelli’s debut book, HIS SMALL-TOWN CHALLENGE (Harlequin Special Edition, 2025), is an ode to her love of boy bands.
Kelli earned her bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University. She’s the author of the Challenge Accepted series for Harlequin Special Edition and the young adult fantasy series, The Assembly Hearts, which includes DESOLATE (Tiny Fox Press, 2025). She lives in the Great Lake State with three rescue dogs and a fifteen-year-old fish named Henry O’Malley.
Learn more about Kelli and her books at: @authorkellistorm on INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK: @authorkellistorm
Welcome to Teir—a shining beacon of hope amidst the ravages of war…or the trappings of a gilded cage? SUMMER of DUST and ASH is the exciting sequel to RED SUMMER by Ana Lee. After reviewing the first book,RED SUMMER,I got a chance to get an ARC copy of the soon-to-be-released next book in the Stone and Scale series.
Summer of Dust and Ash (Stone and Scale Book 2)
Expected Release Date: April 26, 2026
Genre: Epic Romantasy
Featuring
– Multi-POV
– Slow burn
– Fated bonds
– Antagonist turned ally
– Love triangle
– Ultimate good vs evil
– Dragons and ancient magic
– Prophecies
– Corrupt government
– Political intrigue
– Secret high-stakes battles
Synopsis
Following an unforeseen treason and an unexpected attack on the New Orleans Council House, Wilder and his friends escape to the safety of Teir. But secrets, greater still than the ones kept by the people they trusted, arise just in time for Summer Solstice.
As the Red War builds between worlds, another—more ancient and more deadly—brews in the heavens. And its whispers are creeping into the heart of the Eadar.
The dragons, once believed by most to have never truly existed, begin to return—and they’re not playing by the rules. The mysterious Jeselle, born of both dark and dragon magic, takes her place as the first rider. And the hunt for the stones, all that stands in the way of Markus claiming control of everything he touches, finally begins.
But can Wilder and his friends stay alive long enough to find them? Can they truly trust the Magistrie to protect the Eadar, and the humans, from the Dahrk and the havoc it’s wrought? And most of all, can Wilder trust himself?
Book one was like “Harry Potter” meets “Percy Jackson” on Bourbon Street. Book two sends us into “House of Dragons” territory as Wilder’s journey continues. His and Terra’s will-they-won’t-they tension blends effortlessly with the dark political tension that’s brewing in the magical realms and threatening the human realm. And the dragon egg finally hatches!!!
Summer of Dust and Ash explodes! The stakes are high. Lee keeps a good pace as we learn more about each character and their stakes in the matter, without losing sight of our main character, Wilder. Speaking of Wilder, his character has grown a bit, too, but he is still in denial about some things, which I liked. He’s not, “oh, I am magic, so I know it instantly and am very good at it.” No, Wilder still has no clue, really; he is more powerful than he knows.
We also start to wonder whether Wilder and his friends are on the right side of it all. Our villain is starting to look less villainous, perhaps? Or is it just all a lie to lure Wil in? I was so with Wil in his internal struggle. We end, though, with the question, What do the dragons have on the overall situation?
I can’t wait to find out in the next book, “Son of Summer.”
My Rating 4 out of 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ana Lee is the debut author of Red Summer—the first novel of the upcoming dark, gritty, and fast-paced epic contemporary fantasy series, Stone and Scale.
Ana lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spends her time reading, writing, or dreaming about reading and writing.
Her influences include (but are definitely not limited to) Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Follow Anna and her books at @analeewrites on Instagram.
Secrets and suspicion define the environment in AURORA’S EDGE by Dane Reavers. Our sci-fi fantasy book spotlight for the day. AURORA’S EDGEreleases March 17th!
Aurora's Edge: Space Age Adventure: Sabotage
Publish Date: March 17th 2026
Genre: Sci-fi fantasy/ Adventure
Suiteable For Ages: 13 to 18
In 2425, New Geneva dominates the skyline while the Dredges endure beneath it. After losing her parents in a Dominion explosion, sixteen-year-old Elara stows away on the starship Aurora seeking distance from grief. Instead, she enters a contained society shaped by rigid structure and underlying tension. Captain Mira commands with discipline, though deeper histories influence her decisions. As Elara’s engineering abilities earn her responsibility aboard the vessel, she struggles to reconcile her prejudice toward the Imperial Dominion with the realities she encounters. Pulse, an AI carrying her father’s neural imprint, complicates her sense of memory and identity. When sabotage disrupts the ship’s core systems, suspicion fractures trust among the crew. With danger escalating and alliances uncertain, Elara must decide whether she will allow anger to guide her—or accept the weight of protecting others.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dane Reavers is a U.S. Navy veteran and electrical engineer whose career spans military service and industrial system design. He served as an Electronics Technician aboard the USS Vandegrift before returning to the Pacific Northwest to work in high-tech and manufacturing environments. His hands-on technical background brings a grounded, “wrench-in-hand” realism to Aurora’s Edge. He lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest with his family.
Learn more about Dane follow him on Instagram: @dane.reavers
Releasing on March 13th, Demons For Breakfast by J. Morgyn White gets featured this week. Let’s dive into this upcoming witchy urban fantasy.
Demons For Breakfast (Nightshade Hearts)
Expected Release Date: March 13, 2026
Genre: Witchy Urban Fantasy
Features 👇 *Urban Fantasy *Reluctant Partnership *Cursed Hero *She Saves Him *Witch Romance *Slow burn *Herb Based Magic
San Francisco is cracked open by demon portals, but Sorrel Redwood has always known the dead don’t stay quiet. A commune-raised herb witch with a silver mane and lavender-tinted shades, Sorrel makes her living banishing spirits and brewing intention oils. What she really wants, though, is revenge—the kind that only comes when she finds the demons who tore her mother from the world. But when a botched banishment binds her to Ranth, a centuries-old wizard with more scars than secrets, Sorrel’s witch-for-hire gig turns into a war. Demon hounds are hunting. An ancient cult is watching. And thanks to the curse laced through Ranth’s golden bracelet—now mirrored on Sorrel’s own wrist—if he dies, she dies. With her Scooby-gang of experts, a grumpy cat named Antimony, and every herb in her belt, Sorrel will have to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice. Because in San Francisco, even the city of fog can’t hide the truth: not all demons wear horns, and not all hearts stay human.
J. Morgyn White writes dark, romantic, otherworldly fiction fueled by midnight obsessions and magic-touched mayhem. White is the award-winning founder of SCRYE Magazine and former editor of Fork & Bottle.
A lifelong lover of haunted castles, cursed rings, and supernatural entanglements, she brings her background in publishing, pop culture, and paranormal academia to every page she writes.
She lives in Northern California wine country with her game-designing husband, their son, and two mischievous Bengal cats.
Follow J. Morgyn on IG: @jmorgynwhite & TIKTOK: @jmorgynwhite
I deal with a lot of books, and sometimes books get caught in my book web by surprise, which leads us to this Thursday’s Book Spotlight, “ONLY THE SMALL BONES” by C.P. Harris. Only the Small Bones is an MM romance, and book 1 in the standalone series Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings. This is a deeply dark slow-burn romance story featuring a non-verbal MC with touch aversion and mental health representation.
Only the Small Bones (Slow Burns & Tragic Beginings #1)
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Genre: Dark MM Romance
Author: @authorcharris
Publisher: @pageandvinebooks
Features ⬇ Non-verbal MC MC With Touch Aversion Human Trafficking Survivor Broken Boys Mental Health Rep Interracial Couple Slow Burn Delicious Tension Text Exchanges Hurt/Comfort Cameos from Infidelity cast members
“What makes him so special?” “He reminds me of someone I once knew…”
As the founder of Freedom Fighters, famed music composer, William Mayes, is often the first port of call when the FBI needs assistance with human trafficking victims. After receiving such a call one night, William abandons everything to catch the next flight home. Arriving at Manhattan Memorial, he finds a beautiful young man restrained to a gurney. His eyes are wild with fear, and blood stains his skin. No one has been successful in getting him to speak.
When even he can’t get the young man to cooperate, William does something he may later come to regret—he extends an invite to his home. The young man is non-verbal, angry, and at times openly hateful. All of which gives him control over William’s emotions. William slowly begins to spiral from his own struggles with his tormented past. His nightmares return, sleep becomes a lost cause, and the dark voices in his head are out for blood.
Amid their co-dependent isolation, William’s feelings evolve. Lines are blurred and then crossed altogether as they start down a path riddled with secrets and lies of omission. The only thing that can set them both free is the truth. But maybe some things are better left buried. Because if the ugliest parts of William are ever unearthed, no one will be spared.
*Content Warning*: This book is recommended for 18+ as it deals with human trafficking of adults and children. Flashbacks involving the abuse they face at the hands of their traffickers (i.e., being drugged, bound, and transported). Discussions involving cutting, sexual assault, physical, and emotional abuse. Depression representation. Off-page death of a parent, grandparents, and trafficking victims. Survivor’s guilt.
C.P. Harris writes emotionally charged romance with a dark edge. Her stories dive deep into flawed characters, and leaves you with hard-won, happily-ever-afters. When not writing, she’s devouring the same intense, complicated romances she loves to create. If you crave angst, obsession, and endings that hurt before they heal, then C.P. Harris might just be your next favorite author.
Training academies and dragon riders are caught in my spotlight today inOBSIDIAN SKY!
Obsidian Sky (Riftborn Series Book 1)
Release Date: February 2, 2026
Genre: Romantasy/ Dragons
🔥Enemies to lovers 🔥Trainer to trainee 🔥Morally gray protector 🔥Fated bond 🔥Deadly training academy trials 🔥Hidden lineage 🔥Dragon-rider fantasy 🔥Forbidden romance 🔥Love and destruction 🔥High-stakes political intrigue 🔥Destiny/prophecy 🔥Elemental magic system 🔥Immersive fantasy world-building
Thaelyn Marren enters the Asgar Training Academy wanting nothing more than to prove herself amongst the other cadets, where she must endure life-threatening trials in the hope of manifesting air, water, fire, or earth magic. Not to mention, a lucky few will pair with dragons who select their riders with ancient instinct, answering only to those whose souls burn bright enough to match their own.
When Thaelyn’s power stirs in ways no instructor can explain, she draws the attention of the crown, particularly Prince Thorne Dareth, a renowned warrior and a dragon rider. Hardened by discipline and haunted by a kingdom he was born to serve, Thorne sees Thaelyn as a danger to the realm and yet is charged with her training. And amidst clashing personalities, an undeniable pull forms between them, potent enough to awaken dark forces that once tore the world apart.
Now rift-born creatures thought to exist only in nightmares are slipping through the cracks of their reality. And as they push the realm toward open war, Thaelyn may be the only one able to stop what’s coming. That is, only if Thorne can choose between loyalty to his crown or the girl whose power could either save their world or bring it to ruin.
Jill Aster writes epic fantasy romance. She’s a published curriculum writer and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her background in education, which earned the distinction of Master Teacher, has refined her storytelling craft, world-building skills, and character development. Obsidian Sky is her debut fantasy romance and the first book in a planned series titled Riftborn. When she is not teaching literature, writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, baking, photography, and spending time with her husband, two adult children, and their pomsky, Onyx.
Jill has loved fantasy books and been mesmerized by dragons since she was a child. When she decided to write her debut novel, Obsidian Sky, she knew it must contain dragons. Her debut novel, Obsidian Sky is book one in the planned Riftborn Series.
Valentine’s Day💕💟 is upon us. So, pamper yourself and prepare for the day of love with White Lotus Beauty products!
White Lotus Beauty combines the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern skincare science to create products that promote long-term skin health rather than quick fixes, and is set to be featured in the gift bags at the Oscars 2026!
I was graciously able to try some of their products.
Green Tea Oil for Skin
Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool
Anti-Aging Silk Eye Mask!
Want to know what I thought? Check out my full review featured on MEDIUM!
Ander Forrest renounced blood magic to become a nurse-healer in his rural hometown, far from the drama of wizardry and espionage his sister Kate craved. When Kate goes missing in action, Ander finds himself the legal guardian of her gifted twins and receives a cryptic warning from Kate’s husband to protect them before he, too, disappears.
Six months later, his former lover crash lands in the kids’ bedroom via a spell only Ander’s sister could have cast. Druid Cai Piper doesn’t remember how he got there, but he knows he never stopped loving Ander, and that he was sent to protect him and the twins. Cai is strangely drawn to Forrest House and the land it stands upon.
With the secrets of a clandestine wizards’ order hanging between them, Cai and Ander must remember how to trust each other as sinister forces move against the Forrest family—magical terrorists who want to exploit their rare sorcery and bring the world to its knees.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Elisabeth “E.M.” Hamill is a nurse by day, unabashed geek, chocoholic, sci-fi and fantasy novelist by night, weekends, and whenever it’s possible to steal quality time with a laptop.
Lisa lives with their family, two dogs, and a cat in the wilds of eastern suburban Kansas, where they fend off flying monkey attacks and prep for the zombie apocalypse.
Taking the stage this week is Carly Spade’s new small-town romance,Faeries and Frost!
Meet Sylive, the faerie baker, and Jack the Winter King in this, the second book in the cozy romantasy small town monster romance series. Filled with mythology, fairy tales, and folklore. The books are intersecting- standalones that can be read out of order. Get your cupcakes ready as we read on!
Faeries and Frost (The Mythical Mates of Arcane Cove Book 2)
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Genre: Small Town Monster Romance/ Cozy Romantasy
Featuring
⦁ Fated Mates ⦁ Claiming ⦁ Fae ⦁ Royalty ⦁ Virgin FMC ⦁ Temperature Play ⦁ Animal Companions ⦁ Self Discovery ⦁ Masquerade Ball ⦁ Jealous MMC ⦁ Touch Her and D!e ⦁ Wing Play
Sylvie, the faerie baker. When I found Arcane Cove after my own people cast me out, I felt home for the first time. Monsters, witches, and all forms of magical beings welcomed me. And who knew my hidden calling would be magical baked goods? The Cove’s residents came to my bakery Muffin Compares to You for sugar and enchanted support, which I was quick to indulge. Until the day a mysterious, bearded stranger with pointed ears came into my shop, sending my quaint world into a spiraling blizzard. He was off-putting, arrogant, and knew he was handsome. So, why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? And when he said he was looking for a woman, why did I deflate, knowing it wasn’t me?
Jack, the Winter King. Every solstice offered the chance to find my mate. A portal opened in the lakes surrounding my kingdom, taking me to a randomly chosen realm. Given this solstice would be the thousandth time I’ve searched, I had little hope left. When I arrived in Arcane Cove, I never expected such a small town to harbor her. I also never thought she’d work in a stuffy, toasty cloud of sugarplums and vanilla. Surely, it was the universe’s idea of nipping me in the butt. Could she truly be my fated mate? And if she was, would she accept me, powers and all, before time ran out? Or would the ice creature within me frighten her away?
An adult romance writer who has been writing since she could pick up a pencil. After the insanity of obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in cybersecurity, creating worlds to escape to still ate at her very soul. She started writing FanFiction (which can still be found if you scour the internet 😉 ), and soon felt the need to get her original ideas on paper. And so the adventure began.
She lives in Colorado with her husband and two fur babies, and revels in an enemies-to-lovers trope with a slow burn.
Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety
Published: April 30, 2024
Genre: Children’s/School issues/Self-esteem
Ages: 5-8
Synopsis:
It’s spelling test day, and Katie feels anxious…Cheerful, fun-loving Katie sometimes gets anxious before tests, even when she knows the answers. One day, Katie’s feelings were so enormous, she panics and can’t seem to do the test at all. She even disrupts the entire class. Luckily, with her teacher’s guidance, Katie discovers calming tools to soothe her nerves. Pretty soon the whole class is joining Katie to beat that test stress!
A beautifully illustrated, relatable story with teaching points and practical advice for anxious kids.
REVIEW
First off, this book is SO beautifully illustrated by award-winning portrait painter, calligrapher, muralist, and plein-air painter Susan Kilmartin. The images in this book are absolutely captivating.
Image courtesy of Kathleen Jeffery and Susan Kilmartin
Written by Kathleen Jeffery, who is fulfilling her mission to create stories that shine with love, light, spirit, truth, and joy, her goal is to help children navigate life’s challenges, explore big emotions, and grow with courage, kindness, and wonder. Katie’s Really Bad Day is a sweet story about test-taking anxiety that is often overlooked or brushed aside. My son suffers from this, so I commend Mrs. Jeffrey for tackling a topic that is often overlooked or rarely discussed in schools and by teachers.
Image courtesy of Kathleen Jeffery and Susan Kilmartin
In Katie’s Really Bad Day, we meet Katie, who is having a fun, carefree time at recess. When it’s time return inside, Katie is reminded of the spelling test and is overwhelmed with nervousness. Jeffery describes in the most perfect way. It’s exactly how my son sometimes describes the anxiety to me.
Katie’s situation does not improve as nervousness triggers other strong emotions, such as anger, when she writes on her desk, which gets her called out by a fellow student. When the teacher confronts Katie, she tells her she is not alone and shares the Breathing Board, a calming technique with her to help her recognize and manage her anxious feelings in a healthy way. Through practice and encouragement, she learns that feeling nervous before tests is common and can be managed. It emphasizes practical tools, emotional awareness, and the importance of guidance from trusted adults, providing a relatable portrayal of test anxiety and its impact on children.
My gifted copy ♥️
Katie’s Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety is an absolutely fabulous book that teachers need in their classroom or school library as well as parents alike. Rather than focusing on discipline, the story emphasizes having patience, understanding, and compassion.
My rating is⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathleen grew up in Rhode Island, graduating from Rhode Island College with a BA in Elementary Education/Psychology. In the mid 70’s, teaching positions were scarce, so Kathleen pursued media sales, enjoying a 28-year career in business-to-business US & international publishing. She represented multiple publications serving the US, Europe, and Asia.
When Kathleen left the corporate world, she went to work for the Glastonbury Abbey Bookstore in Hingham, MA, where she experienced a wonderful 12-year bookstore adventure. She also became a lay Benedictine Oblate with Glastonbury Abbey, representing the Abbey at the 4th International Oblate Congress in Rome.
She is now fulfilling her vision of writing children’s picture books to bring, “Love, Light, Spirit, Truth, Joy,” to little one’s beautiful hearts.
Kathleen’s first book is Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety. She finds great joy visiting elementary schools presenting Katie’s story, breathing activities, the writing process, illustration collaboration and her inspiration for writing about school and test anxiety.
She has three grown children and lives in Hingham, Massachusetts with her husband, lab, and westie. She enjoys traveling, hiking, canoeing, wildlife sanctuaries, and tree bathing, aka…hanging out with trees!
SUSAN Kilmartin, Born in Utah, grew up in mining camps all over the world, from Mexico and Cuba to South Africa, Pakistan, and India. But her favorite was a mining camp on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, where her Dad headed the Western Gold and Uranium Company. Her best memory was riding down the ore bucket suspended on a cable into the Lost Orphan Uranium mine a mile down the canyon.
Her BFA is from the University of Maryland, where she also did one year of graduate work in printmaking. She is a portrait painter, calligrapher, muralist, plein air painter, and illustrator, having just completed her 3rd children’s book, Katie’s Really Bad Day. She and her husband Hugh live in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 