Book Spotlight Thursday: A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark

This Thursday’s Book Spotlight is the enticing A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark. If you enjoy dark fantasy romance, enemies-to-lovers, and a good anti-hero, this book is a must-read!

A Sword of Shadow and Deceit (Mortal Gods #1)

Publication Date: March 21, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance/ Why Choose

Features
🖤Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡️Assassin FMC
☠️Anti-Hero
🚫Forbidden Existence
❤️Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥Why Choose

Desperation makes warriors of captives. The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows. Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them.
The Darkhaven Brothers are truly the worst of all the Gods’ spawn. Arrogant. Wicked. Violent. To them, I’m nothing more than a human plaything meant for torment. For me … they’re the path and the key to my freedom. But if any of them find out who I am, what I am … even the shadows won’t be able to save me.

*Contains dark with themes of a dark nature that may be triggering. Please check trigger warnings and read responsibly*

GET YOUR COPY HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.

Follow Lucy/Lucinda at Lucy Smoke/ Lucinda Dark

Book Review: I Am Bold by Andie Powers Illustrated by Betsy Peterson

Bea is not loud — she is BOLD! Sometimes, people tell Bea she’s just too much. Whether she’s bugging her brother like a buzzing bee, helping out a bit too much in class, or blasting her trombone as loud as it goes, she is often misunderstood. While grownups and even other kids might see her as loud, we know that she’s got stuff to say, things to do, and friends to make!

This story is for the child who lives out LOUD and boldly use their voice to be heard above the crowd. Bea’s story shows us that when the strongest voices are celebrated, their boldness inspires beauty and positive change.

From the acclaimed I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert In All of Us, Andie Powers brings us I Am Bold for the kids that tell it like it is. That may be told they are just too much…

Read the full review featured on Medium.com (leave a clap)

I AM BOLD is available now on AMAZON

Book Release Special: The Curse of the Fallen (The Wicked Kingdom Book 3) by Abby Fox

After featuring Book 1, Curse of the Crow, last Thursday, since it is now April 8th, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to join the celebration showcasing the release of the last book in The Wicked Kingdom Series. Behold The Curse of the Fallen by Abby Fox.

The Curse of the Fallen: A Soulmate Romance (The Wicked Kingdom Book 3)

Publication Date: April 7, 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Features

Hidden Identities
Slow Burn
Delicious Angst
Morally Gray Fae MMC
Burn the World for Each Other
One Bed
Powerful but Awkward FMC
Denied Soul Mates

A lost prince. A powerful heiress. A destructive secret.
Fleeing the castle’s gilded prison and on the run from the king, Nava and Arkimedes are confronted by a sinister shadow-figure, who looks like Arkimedes and who wants Nava dead. He vows to end the Beekeepers and bring destruction into the world.
Forced into hiding in the only place their enemies can’t reach them, the Society of Crows Safehouse, Nava and Arkimedes must find a way to prevent their enemy from unleashing demons into this realm.
But stopping him seems impossible, and with the king’s guards on their tail, will they manage it? Or will their love, their lives, and even the entire world be destroyed?

Curse of the Fallen is a dark, action-packed, sexy, fated mates fantasy romance for fans of ACOTAR.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

GET THE WHOLE WICKED KINGDOM TRILOGY

Solar Eclipse Book Spotlight: The Last Rays of Ra by Karina McRoberts

In honor of the Total Solar Eclipse today, I thought it was fitting to spotlight The Last Rays of Ra by Karina McRoberts. Let’s put our shades on and read on!

The Last Rays of Ra: A Journey Into Thrilling Adventure, Horror, And Suspense

Publication Date: March 20, 2024

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Adventure


SISTERHOOD’S ANSWER TO AGENT PENDERGAST
Empathic Scotland Yard Detective Jackson Randolph is over-burdened by a series of bizarre murders. He enlists the aid of rogue Egyptologist Vahlona Selket Faralay, pleading with her to retrieve an ancient item linked to the crimes.
Vahlona leaves her mysterious home in the Yorkshire Moors and travels to Egypt, where she braves misogynistic policemen, vicious wildlife, and manic terrorists in her quest to procure the artifact. The shadowy but alluring antiquities dealer Usire Ra Arakti provides the answer, but can Vahlona smuggle the prize out of Egypt and back to London before the madman resumes his killing spree?

A thrilling suspense, horror, romance, and adventure await you in The Last Rays of Ra.

Available Now on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karina is an American-Australian author, illustrator, musician, scientist and theatre producer. She considers herself to be a true Renaissance woman and strives to help other achieve the same. ( “After all, ladies, we didn’t get a chance last time!!!!”).
Previously working as a conservation scientist, she was struck down by a mosquito-borne virus. No longer able to work, Karina now spends her time writing fiction to inspire, encourage, enlighten and entertain, especially those readers active in social justice, humanitarian work, and protection of the Earth.
She also writes self-instruction books and gives workshops in illustration and creative writing.
In these dark days of crazy violence, betrayal, and plague, Karina hopes readers find solace and joy in her creations.

Book Spotlight Thursday: The Curse of The Crow by Abby Fox

With the release of the final book in this series coming up on April 8th. We are spotlighting where it all began. Book 1 The Curse of the Crow.

The Curse of The Crow: A Soulmate Romance (The Wicked Kingdom Book 1)

Publication Date: August 2021

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Features

*Hidden Identities
*Slow Burn
*Delicious Angst
*Morally Gray Fae MMC
*Burn the World for Each Other
*One Bed
*Powerful but Awkward FMC
*Denied Soul Mates

Destined to love each other. Determined to fight their fate.
Nava Forrest stumbled upon her soulmate when she was young. A brief meeting with a hooded stranger forever bound her to a wicked man she wanted nothing to do with. Running from his dark power, her parents escaped to the non-magical town of Willowbrook to keep her safe.
Now that they are gone, her life raising her younger brother and selling potions to wary townsfolk has been quiet... and magic-free.


When the Society of Crows finds Nava, intent on imprisoning her, it forces her to flee to the forest, searching for the only person she was told can protect her.
Arkimedes is not what she expects, and her attraction to him is unnerving. As the chemistry between them grows, so does her power. But the secrets he keeps threatens to tear her world apart. With the Society closing in, it forces them to put aside their differences and fight to escape their oppressors. But will they escape destiny?


The Curse of the Crow is the first book in a trilogy, based on the Wicked Kingdom verse.

Action-packed, sexy, and perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and C.N. Crawford.

Contains mature themes.

Available Now on AMAZON

Read the rest of the series!

Book 3- The Curse of the Fallen (released date April 8th pre-order today)

Lash Extensions For Sensitive Eyes? Get Method Lash!

Product Review

Longing for lush lashes, but your sensitive eyes get in the way? That is me. I even use a “special mascara” for sensitive eyes. I was down and feeling the lashless blues when in walked in Method Lash.

Method Lash is a Canadian-founded company formulated after their own allergic experience with traditional lash extensions and knowing there had to be a better way. Method Lash is designed to be eco-friendly, latex-free, vegan-free, and cruelty-free created for all lash-loving enthusiasts, even those with sensitive eyes. Made from a blend of soft synthetic fibers and held by a super soft cotton band, these lashes are light and weightless to wear.

Gifted with their Influence Starter Kit, I got to try their lashes out for myself.

My Lash Gift Set

Their Influence Start Kit includes:

  • The Diva Glue
  • Sealant
  • Lash tweezers

And 3 Lash sets

  • Influence Lash Set
  • Scandal Lash Set
  • And Aptitude Lash Set

INFLUENCE

I tried the Influence Lash Set first. These lashes are 12mm in size and are perfect for a beginner like me. I do not think I’ve tried lash extensions since I was like 10 or 11 years old. I had dressed up as Cindy Lauper for Halloween, but the false lash experience did not go well.

A bit nervous with no clue I watched their how-to-apply video TWICE! Thinking I got it down, I went to work. I think it took me two hours to get the lashes on. I felt dumb, but hey, this was my first time, AND I am left-handed, so finding the right angles and position took a bit to figure out. I did get the hang of it, and my results are below…

To see my results and read the full review, visit Medium.com

Book Spotlight Thursday: Grave-Reaping Guardian by Everlyn C. Thompson

Book spotlighting today is the celebration of the release of Grave-Reaping Guardian (Book 3 in the series) by Everlyn C. Thompson. Come join me!

Grave-Reaping Guardian (Grave Reaper Series Book 3)

Publication Date: March 25, 2024

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Features
⭐ Curvy FMC
⭐ Forced Proximity
⭐ Family Found
⭐ One Bed
⭐ Touch Her & ☠
⭐ Fae Guardians
⭐ Surly Vampires
⭐ Homeless Shifters
⭐ Broken Ghosts
⭐ Evil Fae Queen
When the gate between Earth and Fairie blows up and traps Theodora Edwards in the mystical realm, she must work together with her guardian and the dark prince to locate and safeguard a magical key that powers the Light Court. While learning to properly use her fae magic, Theo is forced to fend off an abduction attempt by wraiths, locate a missing castle, tame a dragon king, and have a friendly chat with the dead queen.
But with all of Theo’s efforts going toward protecting those she loves, she struggles to find time to explore the possibility of a romantic relationship—and the insecurities that come with it.

WARNING: This book contains triggering themes including low self esteem, infertility intimate scenes this book is recommended for 18+

Get it on Amazon

About The Author

Born and raised on the beautiful Canadian prairies, Everlyn prefers to spend her time outdoors with her family kayaking, skating, fishing, and hunting. She loves reading and writing about vampires, witches, fae and zombies that get to find their own version of happily ever after.

Learn more at Everlyn C. Thompson

Book Spotlight II: Chloe’s Crusade (Teddy Bear Chronicles #2) by Donnalyn Vojta

SURPRISE! I double-booked myself again! In my defense, I just could not pass up on this unique gem piece! WARNING THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN’S BOOK! Chloe’s Crusade is a psychological thriller, and book two in The Teddy Bear Chronicles. Let’s hug our teddy bears tight to learn more!

In this second volume of the unique thriller/suspense series narrated by inanimate teddy bears, the ever-brave Chloe Stogdon inserts herself into the dark and chilling world of a global drug clan. Her fearless companion, Tiny Bear, provides a vivid account of the distressing, disturbing events that unfold around Chloe and her FBI team.
The story takes exciting turns and offers many layers of drama, including a love triangle, a star-struck stalker, and a tattered family relationship that may or may not recover. Chloe’s old friends, Richard and Sidney from Vol. I become entangled in Chloe’s perilous cartel crusade, and Love Bear, Fair Bear, and a debut bear, Rocco, reveal all the thrilling moments seen through their innocent eyes.

AVAILABLE NOW!

GET IT HERE

Don’t Forget Volume 1

Get It HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Formerly a litigation attorney, one constant in Donnalyn Vojta’s life is her love for writing, whether novels or screenplays. Vojta’s goal is always to entertain others as she’d like to be entertained. And for her, that means lots of suspense and thrilling twists!

Learn more at Donnalyn Vojta

Book Spotlight Thursday: Strife’s Apple by Shoshana Rain

A modern Greek myth retelling and fantasy romance Strifre’s Apple by Shoshana Rain is a full-length, medium-burn, standalone fantasy romance with a guaranteed HEA. It contains steamy scenes and is an opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance. Read on!

Strife's Apple: A Modern Greek Mythology Fantasy Romance (The New Olympus Book 1)

Genre: Fantasy Romance/ Greek Mythology

Features
🏛️Enemies-to-lovers
❤️Grumpy/sunshine (she's grumpy)
🏛️Locked her in Tartarus (isn't sorry)
❤️Hate everyone but you (and maybe you too)
🏛️We Need to f*ck this out
❤️Anti-heroine
🏛️Has to save everyone. Doesn't want to

Apollo:
As the God of Prophecy, it’s my duty to keep my fellow gods safe. And to do that, I need Eris. Which means retrieving the Goddess of Discord from the pits of Tartarus—where I left her, seven hundred years ago.
The now-freed goddess may think she can beat me, but I intend to tame her wildness before she destroys us all. I’ll do anything to save my family, including seducing her. And I'll love every second of it. I’ll have the little goddess on her back, hands, knees, any and every way I can get her.
No matter what, I'll bring her to heel.

Eris:
For seven hundred years, they kept me chained in darkness. For seven hundred years, I never saw sunlight, never knew joy, never spoke to another mortal—or god. Until Apollo came, and with the wave of one imperious hand, freed me.
I know he needs my help. The gods are fading, and only I can save them. Too bad I have no interest in anything beyond revenge.
Especially against him.



GET IT HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A lover of mythology, sexy romances, and heroines who give as good as they get, Shoshana knew she wanted to write fantasy romance since reading Kushiel’s Dart. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her cat and trying to keep her garden alive in the harsh desert summer.

Book Review: What Would Wednesday Do? By Iphigenia Jones

Hosted by Indie Promotions

Step into the eerie world of Wednesday Addams with this book filled with unofficial advice and cryptic counsel for navigating the peculiarities of everyday existence.

Written by a Wednesday expert in an appropriately sinister style, What Would Wednesday Do? is your guide through the shadows of life. From relationships gone awry to embracing your inner darkness, the advice in this giftable book provides dark wisdom that will leave you both unsettled and entertained. You will learn the most devious of important life skills, including how to:

• Navigate unconventional relationships and dreadful family

dynamics

• Find the best outfit for greeting local police officers when they come to inform you of your husband’s mysterious demise

• Explore the depths of your inner darkness for personal growth

• Defy societal expectations

• Uncover the most effective way to align yourself with the ghastly ghosts haunting your abode

• Find the most effective way to brood in shadowy corners

• Cultivate a hauntingly fulfilling existence and more!

Available NOW

REVIEW

Thanks to the hit Netflix series Wednesday, the Adams Family is back in the limelight

Have you ever wondered what Wednesday Addams would be like as an advice columnist? I dreadfully do! Thus Iphigenia Jones channels her inner Wednesday answering pondering questions from those seeking advice in the field of social life, romance, career, and matters of the home and hearth. All by answering them in the Addams Family way.

What unfolds will tickle the darkest of hearts. I loved that Ms. Jones has to be intermediately be reminded by her lawyers that the Addams Way, such as advising to frame your rude aunt for attempted murder( Neglected Niece letter) might be a bit much, but oh my would Wednesday be proud.

Iphigenia Jones delivers a tasty hold until season 2 with What Would Wednesday Do? Jones writes in spot-on macabre, deadpan delight as per Wednesday and her family the Addams would. What Would Wednesday Do is a devilish delight to read that does creator Charles Addams proud.

My rating is 5 finger snaps.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iphigenia Jones has seen every episode of The Addams Family and has only been accused of witchcraft thrice. She enjoys cats, blackberries, and chatting with ghosts. An enigmatic entity that communicates through the whispers of spiders, she is an expert on all things macabre and knows many intimate secrets of the Addams family, having written two books on the subject. In her free time, Iphigenia enjoys exploring hidden staircases, solving mysteries, and perfecting hexes. In addition to What Would Wednesday Do? she is the author of The Unofficial Wednesday Cookbook (Ulysses Press, 2023) and the forthcoming cocktail book, The Turn of the Screwdriver (Ulysses Press, 2024).


Learn More at Iphigenia Jones