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.

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

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.

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.

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…

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.