Book Spotlight Thursday: Bound Across Time by Annie R. McEwen

🎃Happy Halloween! Caught in my web🕸️, this Thursday is the supernatural romance Bound Across Time by Annie R. McEwen. If you love “A Discovery of Witches” and “Practical Magic,” this book will be a treat on your TBR list!

Bound Across Time

Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Genre: Romance w/ Supernatural Elements/ Witches

Synopsis

CeCe Gowdie. Historian, rational, scorns the paranormal. When her boss orders her to convert her Welsh castle tours to ghost walks, she thinks that’s the worst that can happen. It is, until one midnight in the castle tower she meets Patrick—handsome, passionate, dead since 1761.

Patrick O’Loinsigh. Bastard son of an earl, brought from Ireland only to be murdered by his half-brother. The moment Patrick sees CeCe he claims her as his own, a claim neither of them understands but can’t resist.
CeCe’s body won’t survive loving a ghost, but losing him will tear her heart to pieces. Patrick can’t bear watching CeCe die by inches, but releasing her will hurl him back to a hellish half-life without her. Is there hope in the prophecy of an ancient Irish seer? The spells of Welsh witches? Or is the alchemy of love enough to bridge time and defeat death?

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A career historian, Annie R McEwen has lived in six countries and under every roof from a canvas tent to a Georgian Era manor house, all of which helps her create award-winning romance set in faraway times and places. Annie has upcoming novels and series from Harbor Lane Books (US), Bloodhound Books (UK), and The Wild Rose Press. When she’s not in her 1920s bungalow in Florida, Annie writes, blogs, and explores castles in Wales, which is just about the most magical place on the planet.

Winner of the 2022 Page Turners Award, Genre (Romance) Category, Annie also garnered both First and Second Place 2022 RTTAs (Romance Through Ages Awards from Romance Writers of America), the 2023 MAGGIE Award, and the 2023 Daphne du Maurier Award. Her short fiction appears in multiple anthologies.

Annie’s got more WIPs than kittens. Here’s one: a romantic suspense novel about pirates on the Kentish coast in the late 1700s. In it, her third great-grandad, a 4th Light Dragoon, makes a cameo appearance.

Book Review: Blood for Blood by J.N. Eagles

 From the author of last year’s “Open the Casket.”  This year, J.N. Eagles is back with Blood for Blood, a poetic story that will haunt you days after.

Blood for Blood

Genre: YA Poetry/ Supernatural

Cover Designer:  @j20graphics

Synopsis

An older vampire secretly resides in a neighborhood, preying off those who hike in the nearby woods. One night, he becomes distracted by a second attack and allows his prey to escape. Following a trail of blood, he comes face to face with his old mentor who only wants revenge and to keep the vampire laws. His mentor will either kill or transform everyone he cares for into vampires. After being arrested and interrogated for a crime his mentor framed him for, can he escape the police station before the sunlight diminishes him? Can he save his great-grandson? Will he be able to convince a stranger, who thinks of him as a monster, to help him? He would do anything as long as he didn’t have to accept his final death.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Blood for Blood is achingly haunting! A story told in poetic prose, Eagles makes sure you turn the next page even though you don’t want to.

This book was so unique and beautiful all at once. Horrifyingly tragic, I was not sure I liked the trip Eagles was taking me on, but I loved it at the same time. The story is so incredibly good! It holds you and, with a gentle touch, yearns you to the end. This is true gothic horror reminiscent of the great Edgar Allen Poe.

This is a great story told in such a brave new way, and oddly, it works. I do not think the story could be told any other way. Eagles tells the tale of the vampire in poetic free verse poetry. It was offputting at first, but I soon felt at home in the Eagles’ style of storytelling. This book! I am still in awe and love. It’s on my favorite list of reads this year. 

Thus, my rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. N. Eagles currently lives in Alabama with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a flock of chickens. She runs a reading blog where she posts reviews about the books on her shelves, and she plans to write many books of poetry. She graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor’s in English/Language Arts and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Master of Arts in Writing. When she’s not reading or scribbling new stories, she’s enjoying the outdoors and working in her garden.

To learn more about Eagle and her other works, visit her Amazon page and follow Eagles on Instagram @j.n.eagles.author

Spooktacular Book Spotlight Thursday: UNNAMEABLE by Andrew Schrader

Halloween is just around the corner, so when I saw this book I had to spotlight it. UNNAMEABLE by Andrew Schrader. “Unnamable” is a gripping work of horror fiction. If you like supernatural thriller books, horror and suspense, and brooding terror, you will love Andrew Schrader’s page-turner that seethes with raw power. Let’s dive in!

Unnameable

Publication Date: October 25, 2024

Genre: Horror

A captain with a haunted past...
One last daring rescue mission...
A stalking evil even he can't outrun...

Nathaniel Carter is ashamed of his dark secret.
For eighteen years he's fled from his past, desperate to escape his dreaded memories forever.

In search of gold and a fresh start, he leads his men on a rescue mission deep into the mountains. But as they venture on, he begins to suspect something other than war-crazed Confederates is stalking his men...

As the team nears their destination, Nathaniel fears that the entities abducting his crew are linked to his buried sins — and the malformed brother who seeks his revenge.

Can he confront his inner demons to save his troops, or will he doom them all to a fate worse than death?

COMING OCTOBER 25th ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Schrader is a Los Angeles-based author and filmmaker. In addition to directing feature films and music videos, he wrote several episodes of the animated show Tig n’ Seek for Cartoon Network. He was also a script consultant on “Afterlife,” the horror series from Crypt TV.

His three-book series, What Goes On In The Walls at Night, was featured on the Reddit No Sleep podcast and twice won the Red City Review Book of the Year for fantasy and horror.

Yes, of course he loves cats.

Book Spotlight Thursday: Between the Moon and Her Night by Jaclyn Kot

In the spotlight today is the beautiful Between the Moon and Her Night.” It’s a prequel to the Between Life and Death series, but it is intended to be read as the third book. This dark fantasy romance series is great for readers who enjoy Raven Kennedy, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas. Let’s read on!

Between the Moon and Her Night (Between Life and Death Series Book 3)

Publication Date: October 23, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance

FEATURES

🖤 Stalker Spirit Realm King
🤍 Traumatized, lonely FMC
🖤 Take your rival’s wife
🤍 Non-Con Forced bond
🖤 REAL enemies to lovers
🤍 He stole me = he saved me
🖤 DV Rep - Mental Health Rep
🥞 Spice that will fold you like a pancake

Synopsis

Centuries before the events of Between Life and Death and Between Sun
and Moon . . . Centuries before she was Sage . . . She was Aurelia, the Goddess of Life.

The decades-long Immortal War has ended and a new deal has been struck
between the two warring sides. In exchange for the freedom of others, Aurelia reluctantly
agrees to live in the Spirit Realm where she will give her hand in marriage to
the God of Death—Von.

The lethal, sexy, immortal claims he will make her his queen, but she
knows full well that she will not be wearing a gilded crown upon her head, but
rather a tight collar around her neck. Having no intentions of becoming his
prisoner, on the day she is supposed to go with him, she makes a swift decision
and runs from him instead.

Thunderclouds and swords are not the only things that collide when Von
tracks her down in the dark, foreboding woods. There, steamy passions and
shadow chains lure Aurelia into making another deal with him—a deal that she
won’t be able to run away from this time. A deal that will forever lock her to
his side.


. . . Right where Death wants her to be.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaclyn Kot is a prairie girl, an avid reader, occasional Netflix binger and a total foodie. She is a proud mama of many chickens, two fabulous kitties and a good doggo. She lives on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband.

She writes high fantasy fiction and likes her fantasy served with plot twists, a side of spice, and morally grey males with a palate for strong-willed females.

It is her hopes that readers will fall in love with Sage and Von’s story just as much as she has.

Looking for the latest information on the Between Life and Death Series, or wanting to connect with Jaclyn? You can here:

www.instagram.com/jaclyn.kot/

http://www.tiktok.com/@jaclyn.kot

www.jaclynkotbooks.com

Book Spotlight Thursday: The Call of Chaos by C.M. Aragon

Hunting for some spooky reads? In our spotlight today is the dark fantasy/ gothic horror THE CALL OF CHAOS by C.M. Aragon! This adult gothic horror fantasy is filled with secrets and mystery alongside witty banter, unlikely friendships, and a dash of romance. It’s perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Margaret Rogerson. Grab your candle, and let’s walk down the hall into chaos.

The Call of Chaos: The Lost Pantheon Book One

Expected Publication Date: October 10, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Fantasy Horror/ Gothic
• Gothic Horror Fantasy
• Forced Proximity
• Reincarnation
• Plus Size FMC
• Broody MMC
• Found Family
• Masquerade Ball

A curious librarian. The mysterious Duke she works for. With a broody winged companion and a book that could change the world.

Rue Umberwick is a curious woman with a seemingly insatiable thirst for knowledge. When she lands her dream job as a personal librarian for the handsome yet aloof Duke of Penrith, she doesn’t think her life can get much better.
But the Duke’s private library and gallery are more than she expected. A collector of mostly ill gotten and supposedly cursed objects, the Duke has entrusted Rue to keep his secrets.


There is said to be a book containing incantations and rituals to bring upon the cataclysm that could destroy the world hidden among his collection.
With the begrudging help of her disgruntled new winged ally Corvus, Rue finds herself tasked with finding the book and destroying it before it slides into the wrong hands.
However, her unending well of curiosity pulls her into a world of chaos, upending her entire life as she once knew it.


Can she complete her task before the darkness catches up to her? Or will she hold the responsibility of a cruel fate in her hands?

AVAILABLE TODAY ON AMAZON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.M. Aragon (she/they) is a dark fantasy and horror author with a love of all things spooky. Obsessed with the macabre from a young age (Thanks in part to their mother allowing them to watch Army of Darkness in third grade) they always dreamed of writing stories that created rich atmosphere with a pinch of humor and a dash of romance.

When she’s not writing or dreaming up her next big idea she can usually be found playing games with her wife or snuggling their two cats.

You can find them on most platforms under the name WorldsofAragon.

BOOK REVIEW: DOLL FACE by C. Hebert and D.J. Krimmer

In celebration of the start of the spooky season, I bring you a dark and twisted treat this Thursday! DOLL FACE by the Queens in Dark Horror Romance C. Herbert and D.J. Krimmer. Coming out October 5th, this story is a dark retelling of the iconic stories of The Nightmare Before Christmas (specifically Oogie Boogie) and Coraline into a mash-up of spooky goodness filled with banter, chaos, and lots of spice.

Doll Face

Publication Date: October 5, 2024

Genre: Dark Romance/ Retelling/ Novella

Shall We Play a Game?

Amid the suffocating embrace of night,

I stumble upon him, a beacon of light.

The Boogeyman, a seductive terror,

Whispers haunting promises, cruel and fair.

Eyes that glint with otherworldly fire,

In his grasp, I’m consumed by dark desire.

A love twisted and sickeningly sweet,

Tangled in the depths of darkness, where nightmares meet.

Should I trust my button eyes,

Or should I doubt them and follow my firefly?

Available October 5th, Available on AMAZON

REVIEW

Take a dash of Coraline and a heaping of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and you actually get something dark, twisted, and original. We are placed in the world of Dreadmore, ruled by the Spinster. When one of her creations betrays her, she banishes him to the lands of Nightmare to be eaten by the creatures that live there. Except he does not die. He rises to become The Boogie Man.

When a pretty doll named Blue fails to live up to Spinster’s expectations, she is banished to Nightmare, where she comes face to face with the Boogie Man himself. Blue should be afraid, as she has heard horrible tales about the Boogie Man. There is a man under the mask, though, and Blue is drawn.

While I am not a big fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and I haven’t even seen or read Coraline, I am a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and this fits the bill. I warned, though, that this is a seriously dark, twisted retelling coming with tons of trigger warnings (see below). All that aside, Doll Face is just a sweet romantic story with a touch of darkness and some Carolina Reaper spice scenes that could make Satan blush.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I found myself wishing for more depth in the story. The authors did a commendable job of filling in the gaps later on, but I still felt there was potential for further exploration. The way the story concluded, there might be more. Herbert and Krimmer, can we please have some more? 

Thus, my rating is 5 out of 5 stars. It was a fun read.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Available October 5th, Available on AMAZON

Warning Book Contains: Adult Themes, Sexual Situations, Mental Abuse, Physical Abuse, Attempted Sexual Assault, Torture, Blood, Biting, Attempted Murder, Murder, Death, Detailed Sexual Scenes, Anxiety, Mention of Child Abduction and Death, Kidnapping, Stalking, Somnophilia, Emotional Abuse, Needles, Sewing of Flesh, Mention of Rape, Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Profanity, Sexual Harassment, Slut Shaming, Violence, Dubious Consent, Desecration of a Corpse, Masturbation, Mention of Blood Orgies, Verbal Abuse, Taxidermy, Light Bondage, Virgin FMC, Sodomy, Rough Sexual Interactions, Removal of Eyes, Emotional Addiction, Intrusive Thoughts, PTSD Characteristics, Sex Addiction, Gambling, Body Modifications, Toxic Relationships, Body Horror, Dead Bodies, Emotional Scars, Emotional Trauma, Attempted Strangulation, Abuse of a Deceased Animal, Sexual Manipulation, Emotional Manipulation, Lying, Shared Trauma, Panic Attacks, and a Cliff Hanger Ending

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

D.J. Krimmer

Crowned the Queen of Banter, DJ Krimmer is known through the community for her witty, smart mouthed characters. In real life she will often say her slogan is:

“Purposely Awkward, Accidentally Funny.”

It’s a slogan she takes very seriously.

When DJ isn’t making inappropriate jokes or hiding from the worst imposter syndrome known to writer-kind, she’s weaving contemporary romance stories filled to the brim with imperfect alpha-holes and witty females whose love conquers every hurdle thrown their way.

C. Herbert

Commonly known as Cyn (or graveyard mommy), C. Hebert is a multi-genre author who loves to paint a pretty picture, woven together with absolute chaos.

While most authors like to write happily ever afters, C. Hebert prefers to take her stories in the opposite direction, delivering darker tales with a hint of madness, tugging at your heartstrings.

She is a self proclaimed manic write who loves to constantly push herself to do more.

Book Spotlight Thursday: City of Mist and Ash by Madeline Rose

Newly released City of Mist and Ash has been caught in our spotlight today! This epic NA fantasy romance is set to be a series packed with barbed banter, shocking magic, epic romance, deadly battles, and amusing angst. Let’s check it out!

City of Mist and Ash (Kingdom of Mythrend Book 1)

Publication Date: September 26, 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance/ New Adult

Features

⦁ Enemies to lovers
⦁ Forced proximity
⦁ Morally gray MMC
⦁ Strong FMC
⦁ Slow burn
⦁ Powerful magic
⦁ Funny banter
⦁ Plot twists

A sketch artist with a secret, a vengeful warrior, and a love to tear kingdoms apart.
As a sketch artist with the city’s Golden Guard, Paisley is tasked with drawing crime scenes. She has spent years trying to avoid attention, but late one night when she’s returning home from a sketching session, the city of Golden Mist is attacked. Hiding from the violence, Paisley runs into Taner, a dark fae enemy warrior. They discuss the merits of her staying alive, but Paisley is able to escape with the aid of a cache of tools she hid long ago. Luckily she will never have to see him again.


The attack signals a new era in Golden Mist, one where the magical mist called the Convergence that protects the city is losing its power. For years the magic has protected not only the city, but the secrets hidden within it. Once the Convergence starts to weaken, more change than anyone bargained for follows.

As the magical shield weakens, more secrets are revealed. The search begins for a powerful warlock heir who has been in hiding for many years. Both Taner and the Captain of the Golden Guard want the shatteringly powerful warlock found, and Paisley is assigned to help Taner in the search.


The Captain holds the future of Paisley’s little brother over her head, and now her brother’s well-being is also tied to the dark fae warrior, her kingdom’s enemy and now her working partner and her only chance at protecting her family.


All Paisley ever wanted was to stay hidden and keep her family safe, but as Golden Mist is attacked and the magical aura of the city crumbles, danger lurks around all corners, and from above and below. Betrayals are rampant, and it seems that no one can be trusted. As her world is shredded, Paisley will have to weave together a new fate from the ashes of her old life - if she survives.


The Kingdom of Mythrend series follows Paisley, who has only ever had one rule: always run. A feisty fighter who has been forced to hide herself away for years, she must break that rule after she meets a mysterious dark fae warrior. As she works alongside her enemy she will face the consequences of claiming her power, and standin
g against a writhing evil.

Available To Get on AMAZON

BOOK REVIEW: One Star Hero by Yimje Lee

Over at Indie Promotions, we had a chance to review the dynamic YA action pack fantasy ONE STAR HER by debut author Yimje Lee! Let’s go!

One Star Hero (Book 1)

Published: September 26th, 2023

Genre: Teen & YA/ Epic Fantasy/ Fantasy Adventure

Length: 340 pages

People who want to become Legions have an Armament with a star rarity that defines one’s magical capabilities.

Eden Alistar is a sixteen-year-old boy who lives in the Kingdom of Basintroll. He lived his whole life as a fisher but always dreamed of exploring the world outside as a Legion, saving people from monsters known as Menaces.

Then he finally gets the chance he waited so long for; the day of his summoning, Eden reaches into the void. Light and wind blast out of the portal as he pulls a sword and a shield with a gray eight-pointed star on it. A One Star. Everyone laughs at him, calling him names and insulting him. Enraged, Eden slams his blade onto the ground, silencing the crowd. Then swears to everybody that he will become The True Hero of Legend and prove to everyone that a One Star can also be a Legion.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Once Piece meets Dragon Ball Z in the action-packed adventure from debut author Yimje Lee. It was like reading manga but without the pictures. However, anime-style artist Mustafa Ejaz sprinkles some illustrations throughout the book. And that is how Lee wanted it. A lover of anime, video games, and pulse-pounding Hong Kong action flicks is what brought One Star Hero to life…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yimje Lee was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a young Hmong American who enjoys many things, from playing video games to watching movies and Anime to martial arts. With a big imagination, Yimje dreams of making his own animated show one day. To get there, he decides to finally put his imagination onto paper and write “One Star Hero.”

Book Release: An Immortal Threat by T. R. Kavanaugh

I had the honor of receiving an advanced copy of this book back in August. Now it’s book release day, and I am letting loose!

An Immortal Threat (Fractured Gods Book 2)

Publishing Date: September 21, 2024

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy

Synopsis:

Attempted assassination. Consequences from shattering a portal. Factions maneuvering to gain power. The dangers of this new world are closing in.

As a human in the elven court of Efalune, Keiro has spent the last few months adapting as quickly as she can to her new life as a princess. Tutors and festivities have distracted her from both the revelations about her family as well as her quest to find the next relic piece. Not to mention the pain she experiences every time she tries to open a portal.

But an encounter with members of Hidden Gate reminds Keiro just how unstable her situation is. There are those in the elven court who cannot accept a human wielding the Corvaal, while the humans of the Veiled Bastion want her and her magic returned to them.

Keiro’s only hope to gain control of her life again is to find the remaining relics and free Sahale. But doubts are festering as secrets build walls between them. Can she trust the imprisoned god?

There are threats at every turn…

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON!

REVIEW

NowAn Immortal Threat is book 2 in the Fractured Gods Series. I missed the bus on reading the first book. This is epic fantasy, so it’s kind of important that you read the first book. To my surprise, Kavanaugh did an excellent job, and I instantly felt welcomed into her world.

In An Immortal Threat, we pick up with Keiro, still adapting to her new life as the human princess in the elven court of Efalune. She is also the bearer of the Corvaal that hosts an imprisoned God, Sahale, whom she bargained with to help release. A life of diplomatic parties is Keiro’s life now. All while danger looms as others seek the power Kiero welds. Secrets get revealed, though, in this next chapter, as the secret human organization known as the Veiled Bastion has its own agenda. Trusts are shaken, and truths are revealed in this epic fantasy adventure that burns with trepidation.

Kanvaugh entices her readers with slow-burn world-building, which I think helped since I didn’t read the first book; I could still get to know the characters and become invested in them before Kanvaugh sped up the action later in the book.

Characters are my jam in books, and I loved Keiro’s character growth in this second book. Keiro is still a bit mediocre when we start the second book, but by the end, she is amazing! Transformed! Her growth was a chef’s kiss! Seeing a character grow with you as you read brings me joy as a writer and reader. It is a beautiful thing. Not all authors do this, especially in the case of Indie.

My only downside is that while I praised the slow burn pace, it hindered me in some spots. Still, when Kavanaugh gets to the climax, she does not disappoint.

Therefore, my rating is 4 out of 5 Stars.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out Book One in the Fractured Gods Series!

Available on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A voracious reader all her life, T. R. Kavanaugh has always been fascinated with strange, magical worlds full of different customs. She wrote stories for herself and her friends when she was younger and worked on her skills throughout her school years. She taught English in Japan for a year after getting her BA, worked in the public library system, and is currently an academic librarian. Her first book was published in March 2022. She is working on her upcoming projects with a mug of coffee and her calico cat, Asriel nearby.

Book Spotlight Double Feature: Within The Embers by T.A. Reilly

It’s a book double feature today! Teaming with R&R Book Tours, we are gearing up for the upcoming release of Within the Embers, the second book in T.A. Reilly’s Scattered Destines series.

Within the Embers (Scattered Destinies #2)


Expected Publication Date: September 21, 2024


Genre: Fantasy Romance


Steam/Heat Level
● 2-3 🌶

Features

✨ A few explicit, open-door scenes
✨ One Bed w/ a Twist
✨ Found Family
✨ Who Did This To You
✨ Magic Training
✨ Sassy Banter
✨ Bonded Mates, sought-after answers are never as they seem.


When Kateya awakens with no memories in an unfamiliar land, she knows two things for certain: she’s in danger, and she’s traveled back in time . . . again. Only this time, icy darkness lurks in the sky, revealing how different things truly are.


All magic demands balance.
Kateya’s memories begin to surface, haunting her with a past—tainted by dark magic—carved into her skin. As raging embers of magic begin to burn within her, the King of Avyon realizes she’s not only incredibly powerful, but a danger to everyone . . . including herself.
Alliances become weapons of war.


Past and present collide and bonds are forged through passion and hatred, forcing Kateya to question everything she believed she knew about those she loved. She must learn to harness the power rising within her, while determining who she can truly trust.
A fate written in the stars.


Harrowing truths are revealed that hold the power to not only alter the destiny of those prophesied but change the future of the Vanaiyer Realm. As Kateya fights for freedom, she realizes not all knowledge is power and magic can’t always change the inevitable—including the tides of war.


The darkness is creeping closer . . . will they be able to hold it off?

The Embers will ignite on September 21st, 2024

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

T.A. Reilly is an author of NA fantasy romance with equal levels adventure, time travel, and romance mixed in. 

Reading came naturally to her at a young age, and the words began flowing shortly after that. She has traveled all over the world from a young age and is constantly counting down the days until her next trip! After graduating with a master’s in Professional Communications, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream… bringing time-travel to life on paper. 

Currently, she and her husband call Florida home. In her free time, she loves rewatching Friends, going to the beach, and staying up too late lost in a good book.