Author: freelancewriterjannyc

Janny C(Jan Marie) is an established freelance writer, Author, and blogger ready to write for you!
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Book Spotlight Thursday: Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson

Releasing September 20th, 2024, Song of the Dark Wood by Shelia Masterson is getting the spotlight! A standalone gothic fairy tale fantasy romance that blends a fractured Red Riding Hood retelling with a hint of Hades and Persephone. This atmospheric, spicy, dark romantasy is perfect for fans of feminine rage, strong female friendships, unique magic systems, angsty romance, and ominous mysteries. This book will appeal to readers who enjoyed Rachel Gillig’s ONE DARK WINDOW, Rebecca Ross’s A RIVER ENCHANTED, and Hannah Whitten’s FOXGLOVE KING.

Song of the Dark Wood

Publication Date: September 20, 2024

Genre: Gothic/Fairy Tale Romance

Featuring

😍 He falls first
👻 Girls who see ghosts
🙅🏻‍♀️ Bodily Autonomy
😡 Feminine Rage: The Fairy Tale
🌳 Haunted Forest
🩸 Wound Tending
💀 Touch her and dye
🎶 Music based magic system
😠 A grumpy god of death
😈 He can make me worse > i can fix him

For centuries, the people of remote Ballybrine have kept the peace with their gods by sacrificing a Red Maiden to ferry souls from the Mother’s realm of the living, through the Dark Wood, to the Wolf’s realm of the dead. Soon it will be Rowan’s turn.

Ripped from her family as a young girl, Rowan Cleary has been forced into a cloistered life learning to please the wolf and wield her spirit-enchanting voice. Though none of the previous maidens have survived their five-year term, Rowan is determined to beat the odds and protect the women who have become family to her.

When a deathly blight breaks out in the Dark Wood, and the acting maiden is murdered, Rowan vows to strike a new bargain with the god of death to ensure her survival. The Wolf has always been someone to fear—even more so now that the townspeople blame him for the blight—but he’s far from the vengeful death god she expects.

To unravel the mystery, Rowan must seduce the Wolf. Soon, the attraction between them grows into a relentless magical force, threatening to shatter the delicate balance between realms and unleash a darkness eager to swallow their world.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

PRE-ORDER TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When she’s not writing fantasy romance novels, you can find Sheila Masterson practicing yoga, or curled up reading tarot or a book. She lives outside of Philadelphia with her fiance and way too many houseplants.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: The Book of Cin by H.M. Wolfe

Shining lighting, this Thursday is on the stunning romantic fantasy The Book of Cin by H.M. Wolfe! Let’s dive, and as the tagline says, “If you believe in the Gods, pray now. Their protection ends here.”

The Book of Cin

Expected Publication Date: September 14, 2024

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Features
🔪 Touch her and die
👪 Found family
💔 Lovers to enemies
😳 Forced proximity
🤓 Secret identity
🌟Hidden magic



At Asrai’s Academy for Orphans, Hyacinth
stands at a crossroads. Torn between the safety of the only home she has ever
known and leaving it all behind for a chance at a new life—for freedom. But
when a mysterious messenger appears, whispering rumors of a God among Fae,
everything Hyacinth thought she knew about the Realms comes crashing down.

Thrust into a deadly game of power and
greed, Hyacinth discovers dormant magic within her that may hold the key to
survival—or mark her for death. With her friends beside her, Hyacinth must
navigate through murderous realms of vicious creatures, lethal betrayals and
prophecies of old.

Secrets unravel, bonds are tested, and
romance decays and blossoms amidst the looming promise of war. As alliances
shift and enemies close in, her only hope lies in reaching the fabled safe
haven of Locdragoon—but reaching it may cost her everything she loves.

“The Book of Cin” is a high fantasy tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. Embark on an epic adventure where courage meets destiny—and magic, sacrifice, and hope are the threads that bind us.

Available September 14th on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My name is Hallah Mikaela Wolfe and I am thrilled to have you. I am a writer based in Central Florida. When I am not writing, I am spending time with my amazing husband and our two furry babies.

All my life I have written stories.

Whether it’s in the form of music, shorts or poetry, I have used writing as a way to express the things I never felt I could say. I have novel after unfinished novel tucked away in the corners of notebooks and hard drives that will never see the light of day.

But then, my sister reintroduced me to fantasy novels and something clicked. I was finally able to put my story onto the page in a way that I felt would do it justice.

My heart and soul are in the characters I write. They hurt, they grow and they heal with me.

My only hope is, when you close my books after that last word-you felt a little magic.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Violence in the Void by Alice Stanco

I am back! This Thursday, we are shedding some love on Alice Stanco’s Violence in the Void. The cover lulls you in, so let’s go deeper into the void.

Violence in the Void

Publication Date: November 2023

Genre: Dark Romantic Fantasy

Featuring
⦁	Multiple dialects
⦁	Mental health rep
⦁	Life & love after trauma
⦁	Hidden realm
⦁	Elemental magic
⦁	Phantom hands daddy
⦁	Tall, dark, & brazen MMC
⦁	Feisty, resilient, & powerful FMC
⦁	Morally grey everyone
⦁	“Mine”
⦁	“You’re safe with me”
⦁	Forced proximity
⦁	He cooks for her
⦁	Quest-centered plot

The Void is encroaching, threatening to take over…
Will his Violence set me free, or push me further into Its grasp?

That day at the Armantrea market was the same as any other, until a tall, beautiful stranger appeared and snapped his fingers.

In an instant, my world disappeared, replaced by his strange land. I’m suddenly surrounded by foreign accents, mysterious, magic-wielding Astrales like Xander, and powers I never knew existed.

Except, in Xander’s eyes, I belong here. Fate’s unfathomable hand guided mine to unknowingly create a replica of an ancient Astrale relic—one with the power to upend society as we know it. Months later, I am responsible for tracking down this lost replica through an unfamiliar world, with Xander as my guide.

But the Astrales are playing with powers far beyond my comprehension, and have political agendas I can’t begin to understand.

Despite his barbaric and controlling demeanor, I find myself drawn to Xander, and something shifts as I begin to rely on him for my safety. When threats from this new world circle in, truths from my past begin to surface, and I am forced to question everything I know.

Xander does what he can to protect me, but I soon realize that even he can’t stop the Void that threatens to swallow me whole…

Available Now on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Stanco is a full-time writer who has spent most of her life between the pages of fantasy books. When not obsessing over fictional characters, she can usually be found celebrating Christmas at any given time or frolicking in proper ADHD fashion.

While a born-and-raised American, Alice is also half English. This can be seen in her writing, as it explores the many cultural differences in a fictional sense.

Mental health representation is also a strong focus in Alice’s work, and is a passion that will ring true indefinitely.

Dive headfirst into her enchanted fantasy world, explore the thrill of love and darkness intertwined, and you may find yourself not wanting to return…

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Selfish Desires by Michelle Hall

I am tagging along this Thursday with R&R Book Tours, spotlighting Selfish Desires by Michelle Hall. Dive in below!

Selfish Desires

Publication Date: August 23, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Features
❤️Second Chance
🧊Morally Gray MMC
❤️Spice in Ch2
🧊Light BDSM
❤️Destroy her to protect her
🧊Groveling
❤️40 Somethings
🧊“Good girl/sl*t/wh*re”
❤️Third act oopsie baby

The love of my life, the person I trusted most, abandoned me in the worst way possible. There was no warning, not a single clue—just pure, devastating abandonment. I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.

To survive, I fled. I left behind everything and everyone I knew and loved, all in the desperate hope of forgetting him.

But then Vincent came back, and all the healing I thought I had achieved crumbled in an instant. He begged for my forgiveness, claiming he had no choice in what he did. Yet, I knew he always had a choice—and he chose wrong.

He said everything he did was to keep me safe. But safe from what?
Emotions I thought I had buried resurfaced, and while my mind screamed no, my heart whispered otherwise.

How could I give a second chance to the man who ruined me? How could I even consider it?

Trigger warning

Accidental Pregnancy
Kidnapping
Attempted Murder
Drugging
Abandonment
Sexual Degradation

Available August 23rd on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Hall, a native Long Islander from New York, continues to raise her family here, which includes two dogs and two children. When she’s not writing, she goes to her day job, enjoys the country’s biggest comeback sport Pickle Ball, finds ways to entertain her kids, and reads when everyone goes to sleep. Michelle has always written fiction short stories as a hobby, but only recently took the plunge and decided to pen full-length literary fiction novels. Creating a world of characters for herself and others to connect to, makes writing one of her greatest joys in life.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: The Dagger And The Forbidden Heir by Emilia Jae

This series caught my eye, and Book 3, A Throne of Wings and Embers, is coming out soon. So, in my spotlight today, I am shining my light on book 1 of The Forbidden Heir Trilogy: The Dagger and the Forbidden Heir!

The Dagger And The Forbidden Heir (The Forbidden Heir Trilogy Book 1) 

Tropes:
❤️‍🔥 enemies to lovers
🗡️ touch her & you 💀
🗝️ lovers to enemies
🌙 forced proximity / one bed
⚔️ fae & human war
🐉 mythical creatures
✨ fated mates
🗣️ fun modernized banter
🤍 found family
🩸 revenge

Synopsis
Can they survive the truth of their war?...Can their hearts?
A century ago, an exchange was proposed: a life saved for a war of revenge.
For Captain Lia Solus of the fae army, and the secret bastard daughter of the king, she’s reminded of those consequences daily. Unable to claim her heritage or her throne, she’s powerless to stop the innocent bloodshed that her birth ushered in.
On the other side of the lines, Commander Jace Cadoria gladly fights the war of his ancestors to slaughter the fae who have terrorized the humans of their realm for generations. And with a cunning plan to trap them, the end could finally be in sight. Except it quickly spirals out of control, leaving Lia and Jace, enemies of opposite sides, stranded together in a dangerous terrain.
Engaged in an intimate battle of their own, both warring to take control, they’ll need their wits now more than ever to survive. Because this fight could cost their lives—and their hearts.

Think Throne of Glass meets House of the Dragon! The Forbidden Heir Trilogy is a fun and chaotic new take on fantasy, featuring enemies-to-lovers, fun modernized banter, dragons, heartache, adventure, and dark sorcery that grows throughout the series. It is written in multiple first-person POVs, including the villains, and is a character-driven romantic fantasy. The story will be enjoyed by lovers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Carissa Broadbent.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

CONTENT WARNING:
Please note that this book is not intended for readers below the age of eighteen (18). This warning is due to explicit language, violence/gore, mentions of past child abuse, and mentions of sexual assault.

Continue on with The Crown of Wyvern’s Flame Book 2 in The Forbidden Heir Trilogy.

COMING SOON..

A Throne of Wings and Embers

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emilia has been in love with disassociating through fantasy realms her entire life. She was born and raised in scenic New England, and when she isn’t cuddled up with a good book or writing her own, you can find her playing with her dog or being the chaotic human that she is with her loved ones. Emilia is a Pisces and INFJ.

Follow Emilia on IG : @ems.bookish.realm

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YOSHIKI To Undergo Third Critical Neck Surgery

On May 17th, 2024, the iconic rock star YOSHIKI held a virtual press conference in Tokyo, Japan, reaching out to media from North America, South America, and Asia to announce the return of his Breakfast/ Dinner with YOSHIKI that was to start this month of August.

Image courtesy of YOSHIKI

On August 1st, he held a last-minute press conference to announce he would be undergoing a third neck surgery, prompting him to cancel most of his schedule with a few exceptions and on the brighter side, the launch of his YOSHIKI+, an innovative fan community digital service that will replace the 22-year-old mobile service “YOSHIKI mobile.”

Image Courtesy of YOSHIKI

TO LEARN MORE READ THE FULL ARTICLE FEATURED ON MEDIUM!

This was my third invite as a media journalist, and I can’t help but fan girl every time.

Also, visit YOSHIKI Offical Website

Image courtesy of YOSHIKI

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Love’s Redemption by ShaRhonda L. Sharp

Today, I am spotlighting another romantic read by author ShaRhonda L. Sharp, Love’s Redemption that is guaranteed to make you sizzle.

Love's Redemption

Published: Febuary 29th, 2004

Genre: Romance/ African American Romance/ Fiction

Synopsis

Noelle Morgan is a young woman who, after divorcing her high school sweetheart,
rebranded herself as a fierce entrepreneur in the face of opposition and uncertainty. Having been
betrayed and blindsided by infidelity, she was determined to regain control of her life by returning to her roots in Houston and starting over from scratch. Now with a thriving career in the beauty
industry, and glowing in self-rediscovery, she’s fully open to the possibility of giving romance anotherchance...and one sexy firefighter is more than happy to stoke all her flames of desire…

Jackson Howard chose to become a firefighter because he always had a strong desire to help people in need…to save them. Little did he know that the day he walked into a particular hair salon, he’d find the one person who was meant to save him. Jackson had never been so instantly drawn to someone before, but the very second he laid eyes on Noelle Morgan, his soul would not rest. It burned for her…

After leaving these two hopeful romantics beaten, battered and betrayed in the worst ways, is it
possible for Love to redeem itself? Only time will tell…

CONTENT WARNING: This story features depictions of or references to the following: Divorce, Infidelity, Profanity, Feuding Families, Strong Sexual Content

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ShaRhonda is originally from Maywood, IL, and currently resides in Metro Atlanta, GA. She is a self-proclaimed “Unhinged Creative,” as well as owner and operator of S.L.S. Publishing, LLC. She has been published multiple times across various indie publications, including three self-published collections of poetry and a host of other projects. ShaRhonda holds a Master’s Degree from National Louis University in Chicago and currently works a “cushy 9-5” as a means to fund the dream of being a best-selling author someday. In between her many passion projects, she moonlights as a freelancer, content creator, copywriter, and editor, and avid reader of fiction and poetry.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: ‘Twas Two Weeks Til… (A Holiday Romance) by ShaRhonda Sharp

Keeping in the spotlight, I am shining the light once again on author ShaRhonda Sharp. She just had a recent release in July with the release of Twas Two Weeks Til… (A Holiday Romance) that is sure to tickle your tinsel.

Twas Two Weeks Til...: A Holiday Romance

Published: July 1, 2024

Genre: Holiday romance

Leticia “Tecie” Nadal has struggled for a long time with developing and
embracing strong self-confidence, but since crossing the threshold into her thirties,
she’s made it a point to “Boss Up” in every way. Like becoming her very own plus size
fashionista, and entrepreneur running a highly sought after event planning business.
Leticia loves where she is in life and the only season better than the “Growth” one
she’s in, is the Holiday Season. It’s the busiest time of year for her, but she loves every
minute of it…when everything is going exactly how she planned, that is. When Leticia
gets blindsided by one of her Contractors quitting without any notice and just two
weeks before the biggest event of her career, she’s certain this is as bad as it can
get…until the “Replacement” shows up…

Dominic “Domino” Ballantyne has a reputation he’s been striving to outgrow since
graduating high school and realizing his desired happiness required him to change a
lot. The process of growing up from a problematic teenager into a responsible
business man has not been easy, and the constant run-ins with people from his past
reminding him of who and how he used to be, do not help. But, when he lays eyes on
Leticia Nadal again after more than a decade, he gladly welcomes the reminder of how
he’s always felt about her, “his Tecie Baby.” Dominic has never been more grateful for
inheriting someone else’s messy workload than he was when he realized she was the
client he’s working for. 

Now with two weeks to work in such close contact with Leticia,
Dominic has some plans of his own to add to her checklists…
It’s been over ten years since they’ve last seen each other…Can they handle just two weeks of
working together?
Purchase on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Book Review: WALLFLOWERS by Haley Valenta (poetry book)

I love poetry, and today I am reviewing Wallflowers by Haley Valenta. She delivers a poetic beauty I have not read in a long time. This is poetry to me.


Wallflowers

Published: Stetember 21, 2023

Genre: Poetry

Wallflowers is a collection of poetry covering subjects such as life, relationships, and mental health. This is the second collection of poetry published by the author.


Trigger warning: Contains talk of self-harm, depression, and anxiety attacks

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Poetically open and rhythm-bound, Wallflowers shines and brightens on the beauty of pain and depression. How can pain and depression be beautiful? Because of the person you come out as on the other side is profound. While reading, some may not get it, while others may break down and cry yes, this is my life! In the end, though, Valenta brings you whole again, showing the light on the other side.

I can’t help but think of those who do not make it. The life they are missing if they had just held on and gotten the help they needed. Valenta is one of the lucky ones. She turns her sorrow into poetry, proving that you can rise above. You can come out of the darkness.

Valenta leads us through her journey in Wallflowers and shows us her poetic prowess in poems such as “Yes” and “So um…” oozing such sweet poetic goodness. In “Funeral Rites” and “Social Anxiety Disorder,” she stabs a hidden scar in your soul that glows against a kindred soul. Real. Raw and beautifully done!

My Rating is 5 out of 5 stars. I’d give it ten billion if I could.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Haley Valenta is a poet from Wisconsin who has been writing for most of her life. She studied Writing and Public Relations at Coe College and is looking to start a career in her field. She currently has two poetry books published through Amazon. 

You can find her on Instagram @hlylauren.

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Book Review: The Collection by K. Kirchberger

*Disclaimer* A thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for the ARC copy!

The Collection

Published: July 23rd 2024

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance/ Paranormal Romance

Features

⦁ Loyalty

⦁ Found love

⦁ Protective MMC

⦁ Strong friendships

⦁ Hidden identities

⦁ Immortals

Synopsis

Once a year, a draw is held in the capital that requires four mortals from each town to be given over to Hell. The mortals are taken to Hell, where they will either become an immortal in one of the four courts or perish in the trials.

One mortal is sent to the vampire’s Court of Blood. One goes to the Court of Moon, court of the werewolves. A third is sent to the Court of Spell, with the warlocks and witches. And a final mortal, always a female, goes to the Court of Song, Court of the Sirens.

Twenty-three-year-old Kenna hasn’t had her name called since she became eligible five years ago. She knows in her heart that this year will be the year her world changes. But it isn’t her name that is called out for Collection; it is her best friend Sora’s.

Not willing to be without Sora, Kenna quickly follows her through the gateway to Hell before it closes. Not knowing which court Sora was Collected for, Kenna must brave all four as a mortal in order to find her friend. Lucky for her, she gains the help of an alluring stranger who holds more sway in Hell than she could have hoped for.

As their fates intertwine and her heart falls fast, Kenna learns navigating a foreign and dangerous land like Hell isn’t easy, and if she isn’t careful, it could cost her everything.

The Collection is Available Now on Amazon

REVIEW

K. Kirchberger makes Hell look sweet in her debut adult fantasy romance, THE COLLECTION.

“THE COLLECTION” happens once a year in the town of Aevlin. A pact made long ago with the Devil keeps the mortal world safe from demons and immortal creatures. A pact where four young people are selected and brought forth each year to be given to Hell. Once there, they are tested in the trials to decide which of the four courts they become or die trying. Kenna feels it is her time this year, but when her best friend’s name is called, Kenna refuses to lose her friend and sneaks in through a hidden gate to Hell.

There is a price to pay when entering Hell, though, and Kenna offers her mortality, where she has six months to choose which immortal court to join to become or die. So she has six months to find her friend. Yet Kenna must gain an audience with each court prince to find out if her friend Sora got placed there, and a mortal in Hell is mighty tasty. When a chance encounter with a man leads Kenna to meet the Devil, Kenna is not afraid. 

Kirchberger’s world-building makes you fall in love with this book. The way she reimagines the concept of Hell makes sinning not seem so bad. I loved her imagery. Like Kenna, I was starting to enjoy it there, highlighting beauty in darkness. I also love fantasy romance/ paranormal romance, and Kirchberger did not disappoint me. A slow simmer of a read, she keeps the juices flowing just enough that you have to read one more page.

While her characters were likable, I found them a bit saccharine. I wanted to fall in love with Kenna and Luc, but the romance in me has died. The younger me would probably be gushing right now. Kenna and Luc are sweet and okay. I also was able to predict the ending, but Kirchberger did throw in a wrench that I did not see coming and made me nearly drop my tablet. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but there is nothing on or in the book (trust me, I looked all over) that states this is book 1 of such in such. Will there be another book?! I hope so!

My rating is 4 out of 5

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As an avid reader with an appetite for anything fantasy, K. Kirchberger immerses herself in realms of magic and adventure. When not lost in the pages of a novel, she crafts her fantastical worlds, weaving tales that transport readers to captivating realms beyond imagination.