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Book Spotlight Thursday: REFORMED by Holly Monroe

Reformed is the first book in a planned four-book series.  This “why choose” paranormal romance series means our MFC Stella will not have to choose between her love interests.

Reformed (The Rift Wars Book 1)

Expected Publication Date: Feb 21

Genre: PNR/ Why Choose/ Academy

Features

- Why choose

- MFMMM

- Academy (prison reform school)

- Mythology and folklore inspiration

- Slow burn

- Virgin MMCs

- Shy cyclops

- Golden retriever reaper

- Hot for teacher

- Mystery to solve

- Politics and subterfuge

In a realm where being supernatural is all but illegal, Stella Mikers has hidden her supernatural spirit and done it well for over a decade. Up against the wire to produce a piece of hard-hitting journalism to solidify her career and no other ideas, she decides it's time to come out of hiding and embrace what she truly is - a Valkyrie.

She dusts off her wings and goes undercover at Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, the prison alternative that boasts the ability to turn supernaturals into simplynaturals, removing what makes them different and allowing them to better assimilate into society.

But there is something fishy about a vampire who can now be a phlebotomist and a necromancer who works as a mortician. Stella is determined to discover what is going on behind those golden gates and expose the Academy to the realm.

What she didn't expect to find at the Academy were starving vampires who wanted to feed from her feet, a shy cyclops suitemate, or a reaper who is sunshine personified. Even one of her simplynatural professors draws her attention in a way she can't explain. Stella's plan didn't include making friends, but now that she has, she’s dead set on doing whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy has a dark secret, and it’s up to Stella to uncover it before all of them are reformed.

*This slow-burn MFMMM book is intended for adult audiences and contains explicit content.*

​

REFORMED Is Available February 21st (tomorrow!)

Available on AMAZON

BOOK REVIEW COMING SOON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after.

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after.

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Restoring Gut-Health Just Got Tastier With Wise Jun-Kombucha

Product Review

New from the desk of Janny C, I recently got to try Wise June Kombucha! I had gotten my husband into drinking Kombucha to help with his stomach issues, but I never drank it for myself. After hitting 50, I noticed my digestion getting a bit sluggish. So when the opportunity arose to try Wise Jun-Kombucha, made with local honey and no sugar, and other types of herbal teas rather than just black or green, I said, “Well, tummy, let’s give this a try.”

image courtesy of Wise Jun Kombucha

The result? I am now on the kombucha bandwagon, but not just any kombucha. Only Wise Jun Kombucha is for me!

Read my full review and talk with the founder and owner of Wise Jun Kombucha featured on Medium!

Read it HERE

View at Medium.com
Some of my Wise Jun Kombucha samples

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Buried Heroes by Beth Ball

In my spotlight today is Buried Heroes, the first book in the Age of Azuria series. Once you get hooked, books two, three, and four are also available in this ongoing series!

Let’s look into the first book-in-series novel by Beth Ball!

Buried Heroes (Age of Azuria Book 1)

Genre: High-Fantasy/ Epic Fantasy

Features

⦁	Chosen one
⦁	Found family
⦁	Slow-burn (like super slow)
⦁	Romance subplot
⦁	Fated lovers
⦁	Search for true self

As the Festival of Renewal approaches, Iellieth must choose: Stay with her distant mother and abusive stepfather or accept an arranged marriage to a cruel, power-hungry nobleman from another kingdom.
But just as she faces the consequences of her decision, her father’s amulet whisks her away to a snow-covered mountainside. Hidden within is an ancient warrior waiting to be awakened—waiting for her. He holds the key to the life of adventure she’s always wanted and—most importantly of all—to her destiny.

And that’s only the beginning.

TW: Death of a mentor, allusion to past assault (not on page).

Amazon

AVAILABLE NOW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Ball is a weaver of words and worlds spinning stories of druidic magic and the power of nature that span the epic fantasy realms of Azuria and Eldura. If you enjoy lyrical tales of action and adventure, dragons, werewolves, fae, wily foxes, and more, then grab your enchanted amulet, flaming longsword, poisoned dagger, or other mystical accessory of choice, and let’s start our journey together!

When she’s not writing fantasy fiction, Beth is a tabletop RPG designer whose adventures, as you might imagine, incorporate lots of druids!

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Tide Song (Melody of the Deep) by K.E. Hummel

Today, I’m spotlighting “Tide Song, Melody of the Deep” by K.E. Hummel. “Tide Song” is a spellbinding tale of bravery, friendship, and the transformative power of a single voice. Dive into an enchanting adventure perfect for readers who believe in the magic within themselves and the strength found in unexpected friendships.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Tide Song: Melody of the Deep

 Pub Date: Jan 18

Genre: YA Fantasy/ No Romance

Tropes: 
🐙Coming of age,
🐙 Reluctant hero
🐙 Mythical creatures, 
🐙Found family, 
🐙Epic quest,
🐙 Overcoming prejudice


"A young woman’s extraordinary voice is the only hope to save her tribe and their allies, a civilization of intelligent octopi, from annihilation. But doing so may cost her freedom and her life."

In the tranquil waters of Tirahanko Bay, Kei's voice holds the power to bridge worlds. As a NetSinger, her melodies forge a deep bond with the mysterious Kopri, intelligent octopi essential to her people's way of life. But peace is shattered when a Kopri Prophet arrives, begging Kei to use her voice to speak to a ruthless seafaring people, the Koru-Kah, who are intent on exploiting the Kopri for their own gain.

When Kei is captured and taken far from home, she must find a strength she never knew she had. Despite partially paralyzed legs, Kei navigates the treacherous waters of captivity and forges unexpected alliances with Jacuti, a young enslaved sailor, and her loyal Kopri friend, OldFish. Together, they face the cruelty of the Koru-Kah who have destroyed the Kopri's spawning grounds and disrupted the balance between worlds.

With her voice as her greatest weapon, Kei sets out on a perilous quest to protect the Kopri and restore harmony between land and sea. Amidst danger and uncertainty, Kei discovers that her voice has the power to change destinies. Through the power of song and the strength of friendship, Kei’s journey becomes one of courage and resilience, as she fights to save her world and the Kopri.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Life is beauty. You just have to open your eyes.” – K.E. Hummel

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BOOK REVIEW: Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter

I feel poetry is becoming a lost art. So, when a new poetry book comes across my desk, I am more than happy to spotlight it. I recently got gifted a chance to read Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter (aka Katrina Thornley).

Published: November 16th 2024

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 130


“We were the stars

Burnt out before anyone knew,

Exploding in the blink of an eye.

But god were we beautiful.”

Read Receipts from Ella C. Potter is a collection of free verse poems inspired by the past and moments of hard reflection. With undertones of angst mingling with moments of hope and healing, this poetry collection reflects upon toxic relationships and the processes associated with moving on. It explores themes of heartbreak, love, loss, transformation, self worth, and growth. Imagery of nature is weaved through out along with fairy tale references. The collection ends with a poem dedicated to a past self, a message to the reader to treat themselves with care and the importance of prioritizing yourself.

AMAZON

REVIEW

Read Receipts is a poetic story about dealing with toxic relationships, breaking free, and healing afterward. Each poem has no title, which I found a bit odd, but each poem transitions so well into each other as if telling a story. Yet I do have favorites like the start titled “Were directed..” “I found..” and the powerful “I have loved…”

To be honest, I was hesitant to read this book due to its raw emotional topic that felt all too close to home, but I found myself wrapped in support and power. Potter’s poetry empowers, not weakens, and that is how it should be. Read Receipts; therefore, it gets five stars from me!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To learn more about the Author visit https://linktr.ee/KatrinaThornleyAuthor

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Angel of Earth & Bone by Tory Guyon

Welcome to the first Book Spotlight Thursday of 2025! I saw this book come on my radar again, and seeing it is releasing close to my birthday, I decided to feature it. Angel of Earth & Bone is the second volume in The Book of the Watchers, an upper YA/NA urban fantasy romance series about the secret heiress to a powerful archangel and the half-angel demon hunter sent to destroy her.

Angel of Earth & Bone (The Book of the Watchers Vol II)

Expected Publication Date: January 16, 2025

Genre: YA/NA Urban Fantasy Romance 

Features

⦁	Enemies-to-Lovers
⦁	Forbidden Love
⦁	Second Chance Romance
⦁	Warring realms
⦁	Dagger to the Throat
⦁	Morally Gray MMC
⦁	Found Family
⦁	Mental Health Rep
⦁	Magical Creatures
⦁	“We shouldn’t be doing this”
⦁	Dungeon Runs
⦁	Backpacking Culture

Six weeks isn’t long enough to heal a broken heart. Not for River Harlow, who lost her best friend, Javi; her mentor, Olivia; her lover, Ryder—her entire life—in what feels like the blink of an eye. Yet, as the new Angel of Water and with a bounty on her head placed by the conniving enemy realm, the only thing left to do is try to move on.

To take back her life, River stands against Chet, the horrific guy-turned-wolf who assaulted her at a bonfire. But when she tries to testify against him at the werewolf tribunal, she—and her remaining friends—realizes he has not only slithered into the welcome arms of the enemy, but the enemy is very much among them. It won’t be too long before their army of demons infiltrates Mortal Earth and destroys everything she loves.
Finding the three other elemental archangels, the Watchers, might be her only hope of saving the realm. 

On a dangerous search abroad to find the Angel of Earth, her strength, hope, and heart are tested in the deceitfully glittering realm of the Huldufólk. The Queen of the Elves strikes a bargain with River to take her to the Angel of Earth, but elves always demand payment for their magic, and River owes her dues—in bones and blood.

PRE-ORDER HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tory Guyon grew up dreaming about dragons, pretending to craft potions, and eagerly awaiting to be summoned by the realm of the fae. She lives with her family in Santa Cruz, CA and continues to actively seek out the magic of this world. Whether that’s working with orangutans in the jungles of Borneo, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro’s grueling 19,341 ft. peak, or looking for fairies in the redwoods with her daughter.

Connect with her at www.toryguyon.com or on social media at @wri_tor.

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BOOK REVIEW: Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi

I actually finished this book on December 31st, 2024, so I am welcoming the new year with a review for the spicy paranormal romance BONDED NIGHTMARE by E.M. Rinaldi.

*This book is intended for mature readers 18+

Bonded Nightmare

Publication Date: May 2024

Genre: PNR/ Spicy

Tropes

⚫Enemies to lovers

⚫Fated mates

⚫Shadow daddy

⚫Touch her and die

⚫Slow burn

⚫F0rced pr0ximity

⚫He falls first

⚫Dual POV

Synopsis

She can run but she can’t hide…

As the last unbonded nightmare in existence, Eryn Montalli has been hunted her entire life for the mere potential of her magick. She’s only ever wanted a quiet life tending to the hurt and sick animals that seek her out. Those dreams go to absolute shit with four little words…

They found your bond.

Now she’s hiding amongst the humans at Moorcroft University, trying to make a life for herself—if one overprotective witch wasn’t so determined to set her carefully laid plans on fire. His arrogance is enough to make her want to punch him in the face…but his touch has her questioning why she’s fighting so hard to stay away.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Eryn and her family are the near last of their supernatural kind called Nightmares. When the tribunal counsel says they found Eryn’s bonded mate, who happens to be of the Witch faction, Eryn flees. She is not into all that. At least not having one chosen for her.

Deciding to come out of hiding and hoping for a new life, Eryn enters college to continue her life and studies. When she encounters an upperclassman named Kaiden, who she is annoyingly drawn to and seems to know all about what is suitable for Eryn, much to Eryn’s protest. Unbeknownst to Eryn, Kaiden is her bonded, and when hunters come calling, Kaiden will risk life and death to protect her. 

Bonded Nightmare features a duel pov format, which I like. In fact, my own book features a dual pov format, and Rinaldi does a nice job of keeping the plot of the story going between the two characters.

I usually gobble up paranormal romances. Bonded Nightmare is a gobble-up good, spicy read, yet I had a hard time getting fully engrossed in it. The character of Eryn seemed too stereotypical of a typical college girl to me, and I really had a hard time believing she loved Kaiden in the end.

Kaiden, on the other hand, was the perfect too-good-to-be-true hunky guy and what can I say I like too good to be true hunky guys. I did kind of like him.

Maybe I have outgrown college-age paranormal romances? The spice, though, was pristine! I enjoyed the slow burn pace as I was squirming in my panties along with Eryn over Kaiden’s antics, I will say that. 

My favorites were the side characters Ezra and Rani, and learning their story will be next I am utterly there for. 

Therefore, my rating for Bonded Nightmare is still 4 out of 5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Visit https://www.emrinaldi.com/

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Royal Lies by Rina Huang

A holiday edition 🎄 In the spotlight today is the upcoming Royal Lies (FaeTale Lies #1 ), releasing December 25th, 2024. “Being a bastard son, you have to make tough decisions. I had to make tough decisions. But they were all for her. Always for her.” ~Eli

Royal Lies: Adventure into a New Realm of Magic and Betrayal (FaeTale Lies #1)

Expected Publication Date: December 25, 2024

Genre: Romantasy/ Fae

Features

-Found family
-Love triangle
-Enemies to lovers
-Soulmates
-Backstabbing bargains
-Morally grey MCs
-Overpowered MCs
-Anti-heroes
- Unexected Twists
-Action/Adventure

In the Fae realm nothing is for free, and everything is a game of lies and half truths. When Everetta and her companions are reincarnated they come back with one thing in mind to get back their crowns. But with Everetta's most trusted companion, Eli, keeping a major secret from her will they truly be able to take back their thrones?
Lucarious is an evil, monstrous, murderer. Fae have always called him the King of Blood and Shadow. But is there more to this dethroned King than meets the eyes?
What secrets lay in wait? Who will betray who? In a fight for the crowns to their respective Courts Everetta, Eli, and Lucarious must work together if they will ever find out what really happened in their past.

PRE- ORDER HERE

COMING DECEMBER 25TH, 2024

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Nature and The Human Soul Combine In ARCADIANS (Lullaby in Nature)

Poetry Book Review

Classic poetry is brought back to modern times with ARCADIANS: Lullaby in Nature.

ARCADIANS (Lullaby in Nature)

Published: November 17, 2020

Genre: Poetry/ Poetry women

Pages: 114


Synopsis

This is the culmination of quiet walks at night through trees and upon echoing boardwalks as the full moon lit the way. It was created from the smells of rain-cleansed earth and the voices of passersby commenting on the flowers blooming and inspired by the sun sparkling on the pond’s surface and the essence of a small town’s nature flooding my veins. Full of detail and imagery, see a small town through the eyes of a poet.

REVIEW

Nature and the human soul are the stars of this poetry collection.  Poetess Thornley captures the classic poetic writing of Browning or Blake. That abstract way brings forth a spiritual connection.  Thornley gives nature a voice. The seasons a voice.  One of my favorites is Autumn’s Wind. Autumn is my favorite season, and Thornley does an excellent personification of Autumn to me. Reincarnation is another good one. It is short but so damn profound it’s so refreshing to see nature respect this way.

ARCADIANS is a nice read for a slow Sunday afternoon, and it might make you want to go on a walk in nature.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katrina Thornley is a freelance journalist, poet, and author residing in rural Rhode Island. She has been featured in numerous anthologies, including the Association of Rhode Island Authors’ short story anthology “In a Dark Time.”

Her first published novel, “Kings of Millburrow”, is a thrilling mystery full of small-town drama; readers have called it “well written” and “full of suspense”, making it impossible to “put down until the very end.”

Her Arcadians series is currently home to 3 poetry collections, the most recent being Arcadians: Awakening in Nature. Readers have called the series “deeply metaphorical, well written, and emotional” and “recommend it to anyone who enjoys nature or simply needs a break from the fast-paced world.”

To learn more about Katrina and her writing, follow her on Instagram @seekatwrite.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Lion of Zarall by Eddy Rose

This cover is so alluring! Lion of Zarall by Eddy Rose is an adult dark fantasy featuring gladiators, morally ambiguous characters, forbidden love, and gritty settings. Let’s read on!

Lion of Zarall (Twilight of Blood Book 1)

Publication Date: December 3, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Gladiators

Features

⦁	Gladiators
⦁	Dark fantasy
⦁	Arena battles
⦁	Action-packed
⦁	Forbidden romance
⦁	Hidden Identity
⦁	Slavery
⦁	One bed
⦁	Forced proximity
⦁	Morally ambiguous
⦁	Gritty
⦁	Bred to kill
⦁	Injury care

A gripping dark fantasy featuring gladiators, morally ambiguous characters, forbidden love, and gritty settings.

In a kingdom built on slave trade, slaves are bought and sold like property. Among them is Lion, a purebred beast who was bred for the blood-soaked arenas. A man who exists for violence and entertainment.

A man whose life hangs by a thread.
Olira, a simple farmer, never wanted to own a slave. But when she finds herself entangled with a shady slave merchant, she reluctantly becomes the owner of an injured purebred beast. Renowned for their unwavering obedience and lack of emotions, purebred beasts are stripped of their humanity from birth, making them the perfect tools. As Olira grapples with her principles and the harsh realities of her world, she soon discovers that the slave has a deadly secret.

Can a beast learn to love?

Can a gladiator threaten a kingdom?

Can a man filled with hatred hold the key to unleashing the horrors of Darkhome?
Lion of Zarall is a fast paced dark fantasy novel that will captivate readers who enjoy complex, morally ambiguous stories that explore the themes of power, consent, and the blurred lines between humanity and savagery, making it a perfect fit for fans of gritty, thought-provoking fiction.

GET IT NOW here

Content Warning: Lion of Zarall is an adult dark fantasy and deals with some heavy subject matter that some readers may find triggering. Please refer to the full list of content warnings available on the author’s website.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eddy B. Rose started her writing career when she was in third grade. Her first readers were a small but dedicated group of her classmates who stopped by at her desk at recess to read the next chapter of the story she wrote on a notebook.

Eddy lives in Queensland, Australia, with her husband, toddler, and two German Shepherds (the original babies), Kara and Kal-El. She enjoys getting up at 4:30 a.m. to write.

Learn more about Eddy Rose at https://eddyrose.com/