Tag: fantasy

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Fairy Tales from the Underworld Part II by L.C. Moon

Catching my eye with such a detailed title, and the fact that I love dark fairy tale retellings. Fairy Tales for the Underworld Part II (The Buried Tale: Star Crossed Lovers) by L.C. Moon is getting my spotlight treatment this week! Let’s Read on!

Do you know who you are?

Fairy Tales from the Underworld Part II The Buried Tale ( The Star-Crossed Lovers )

Release Date: December 2025

Genre: Fantasy Romance/Erotica

💜fairy tale fantasy
💜Star-crossed Lovers
💜 Revenge Plot
💜 Enemies to Lovers
💜 Morally grey MMC
💜 Hidden pasts & secrets
💜 Emotional Angst


Not all children are born equal. To say otherwise is a lie. So much is decided for us upon birth. Our name. The skin we live in. The family we're born into. A war-torn country… or a Beverly Hills ZIP code. So much of what shapes us lies beyond our control.
What of our choices? Do they not define us? Or is it the inner child we sacrificed to survive who holds the secrets to who we are?

Laura Malkin went through hell and came out crowned in flames. In the shadowed alleys of Montreal's Underworld, they all whisper the same words: "Beware the Purple Witch and her Little Wolves..."

And so, our tale begins again. Not where the last chapter ended, but where the pieces have landed. After all the lines were drawn, and the dust settled.
The Son of Snow… meets the Daughter of Sand.

(*Please note, this book contains graphic sexual content and deals with heavy subject matter, suitable for readers 18+.)

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Canadian author L.C. Moon explores the themes of trauma, identity, and fate in her series Fairy Tales From the Underworld. A fan of Gothic fiction, domestic thrillers, character-driven stories, and epic sagas alike, Moon blends elements from various genres to craft deeply immersive tales featuring complex protagonists.

Her writing has been described as raw, evocative, and thought-provoking.

Learn more at https://www.fairytalesfromtheunderworld.com/

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: The Blood That Binds Us by Erin Mainord

Caught in our Spotlight today is The Bound by Blood series, which got a serious glow-up. Thus, we are showcasing the first book in the series, THE BLOOD THAT BINDS US.

The Blood that Binds Us (Bound by Blood #1)

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Genre: Dark Romantasy

Designers: @dreamechodesigns & @giulia_fw.arts

Featuring
⦁	Captor/captive
⦁	Enemies to lovers
⦁	Touch her and die
⦁	Tension & angst


A vow sworn in duty.
A love stained in blood.

Wren has never stolen a life, but that doesn't stop her from believing her darkness makes her a walking nightmare. Harboring a power so lethal, unpredictable, and entirely forbidden by kingdom law, Wren's spent her whole life hiding who she is—what she is. A bloodwitch.
Meanwhile, a war is looming, and Wren's feral magic may be the only thing that can stop the uprising from destroying the kingdom, her home, and everyone that stands in their way. After her sister is captured by the rebellion, Wren must seek help from her kingdom's ruler, the dark mage whose magic is as bloodthirsty as her own. Oath-bound to protect his kingdom from bloodwitches, he would sooner destroy her than offer aid, except... Singard needs her, and when she volunteers the use of her power in exchange for his help finding her sister, an unlikely alliance is born.

Forced into a reluctant compromise with the "white-haired witch," Sin finds himself protecting Wren for his kingdom's survival, but their star-crossed relationship quickly spirals into one straddling the precipice of hate and passion. As secrets are unveiled and loyalties are tested, neither are sure who they can trust.

When hostilities deepen and war draws near, Wren is determined to rein in her wild magic and bind it to her will. With the lives of everyone she loves at stake, Wren must look within and decide if she is the monster she fears, or if there is light to be found in the darkest parts of herself.

Content Warnings: 
The Blood That Binds Us is a dark fantasy with mature themes

GET IT ON AMAZON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erin is a lover of all things fantasy and more than a little obsessed with morally gray characters. She holds a degree in Film and Media Studies but has shifted her focus to her one true love: writing novels set in fantastical places with dark, twisty romance. A self-proclaimed iced coffee enthusiast, you can often find Erin writing in local cafes, poorly singing along to the radio in any coffee drive-through, or rewatching The Vampire Diaries with a cold brew in tow. An avid traveler, Erin has lived all over the country, but Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has a special place in her heart. The Blood That Binds Us is her debut novel, and she looks forward to writing more stories where the “villain” gets the girl.

Follow Erin on IG: @erinmainordauthorTikTok at @erinmainordauthor

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: The Skeleton Faerie by A.P. Mobley

It’s my birthday, and I am back spotlighting THE SKELETON FAERIE by A.P. Mobley! The cover caught my eye! It’s fantastic as Faerie folklore meets a nuclear post-apocalypse in this dark mythological fantasy woven with secrets, treachery, and star-crossed lovers!

Let’s dive in deeper!

The Skeleton Faerie (Children of the Death Gods Book 1)

Release Date: November 8, 2025

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Features

⦁	star-crossed lovers
⦁	emotional scars
⦁	different worlds
⦁	hidden identity
⦁	postapocalyptic settings
⦁	magical powers
⦁	mythology and folklore
⦁	faeries and monsters
⦁	portals to the otherworld

Ninety-nine years after the Nuclear War of 1989, twenty-one-year-old Gus Brandon should only be interested in the survival of humanity and the expansion of his compound. But he’s obsessed with legends from the distant past, superstitions of an expired people.
While searching forbidden ruins for the scraps of stories lost to time, he stumbles upon a mysterious young woman covered in scars. Her name is Saoirse, and their meeting sets off a bloody chain of events—one in which Gus discovers that the folklore he loves just might be real, and that it’s tied to mankind in ways he could have never imagined.
Soon the lines between myth and reality blur, as do the lines between realms.
Gus will have to rely on his knowledge—and Saoirse—to survive the horrors awaiting him… in this world and the next.
GET IT NOW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A. P. Mobley is the Halloween-loving, rock-music-obsessed author of dark fantasy inspired by mythology. She doesn’t only write about her favorite myths, folktales, and fairy tales in books, though; she discusses them on her podcast, Myths (& Folktales & Fairy tales), as well as on her blog and newsletter. She grew up in Wyoming and Nebraska and currently lives in South Dakota, and when she’s not up to her elbows in research for her next project, she can be found consuming dangerous amounts of coffee, reading speculative fiction, or rewatching The Good Place.

To learn more about A.P. and her books, follow her on Instagram @author_apmobley

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BOOK REVIEW: The Folly of Relics by Nikki Meeks

The last book review of 2025! I got this book back in September(2025), having bought it directly from the author herself. I had promised I’d review her book, as supporting and promoting indie authors is what I do. Keeping my promise amidst the chaos that life can be, I am delighted to bring you my review for “THE FOLLY OF RELICS.”

The Folly of Relics

Published: April 1, 2023

Genre: Fantasy/ YA fantasy/ YA fantasy romance

Pages: 387

Synopsis – 

In the search for his relic, a young demon must find the courage to face the one thing he has been avoiding, but is it possible for Victor to truly love?

Victor Ledger is next in line to rule over the noble Ledger demon clan. Before he can undergo this process, he must first overcome the biggest distraction to all young demons — the human world.

Destroying his relic and any smidge of emotion is his only goal, or at least it was until he stumbled upon Leah with her beautiful green eyes and reserved demeanor. The undeniable attraction comes with a slew of questions… What is she? Why can’t he leave her alone? Does she know what he is?

No demon can prepare for the intensity of human emotions that its relic awakens. Will Victor be able to overcome this? Find out which path he will follow as he discovers what his relic truly means.

AMAZON

REVIEW

Drawn in with a lustful opening, The Folly of Relics is a fan girl’s dream. It’s like Japanese anime meets K-drama, and I was all for it. Victor and Leah are a swoon-worthy couple as the story is told through Victor’s eyes. You see, Victor is a demon here in the human world, finding and ridding himself of his relic, which will quell any desire to dwell in the human world and to take his place as heir to the Ledger demon clan. Victor finds his relic, and he also finds Leah. Drawn to her, he doesn’t know why. Demons can’t love as humans do…can they? Does it even matter when Victor finds out Leah comes from a powerful bloodline of exorcists who could banish him back to hell? Or that hell is coming to the human world to make sure he does as he is supposed to. 

Okay, I really enjoyed this book. The overall tone and voice drew me into the story the deeper I went. I started reading on December 21st, and I finished on December 27th. Meeks drew me in with the most horney exposition I have ever read. Victor burst onto the scene with a hankering, if you know what I mean. To avoid being misleading on the spice scale, I’d give The Folly of Relics a spice rating of maybe 1 to 2 🌶️🌶️ on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being low and five being high. Meeks starts with spicy moments, but then closes the curtain on us, which was a bit of a bummer. I kind of wanted a bit more. There was also a bit of overall vagueness throughout, for example, what is with the demons and their relics? I wish it were fleshed out more. Also, why are demons in the human world to begin with? Who are these exorcist people?  Maybe it will get answered in a second book? It did end open-ended, so fingers crossed. Nikki Meeks, if you are reading, I need a second book with these characters! 

Therefore, my rating is 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Find your copy of The Folly with Relics at:

Original Cover Art:  Amazon 

Original or Revised Cover Art  Powell’s Books and ESTY

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BOOK REVIEW: Red Summer by Ana Lee

Gifted a copy to review, Red Summer is filled with a unique, gritty Southern Gothic flair, set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans. Red Summer gives you hints of a high school Harry Potter orPercy Jackson.

Red Summer (Stone and Scale Book 1)

Published: August 4, 2025

Genre: Urban fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy/ Paranormal fantasy

Ages: Older Young Adult/ Adult Readers

Synopsis –

Seventeen-year-old Wilder Ansley is being followed. By who? He hasn’t got a clue. By people and creatures no one else can see. That’s a good enough place to start.

To make matters worse, he’s also able to do things that make no sense at all — like unintentionally setting fire to his foster brother’s bed, without the help of a lighter or matches.

Wilder prides himself that recently, aside from a few unfortunate incidents, he’s been able to keep whatever happens when he loses his cool mostly under control. That is until a freak lightning storm alerts the mysterious New Orleans Council to his whereabouts.And his burgeoning abilities.

Within hours, Wilder is thrown headfirst into a whole new world, hidden behind a Shroud, and it feels more like home than he cares to admit. Despite his initial hesitations, Wilder finds friendship, and maybe something more, among these new strangers. But it turns out uncovering his place in the Eadar might be harder than he thought. Wilder must force himself to face the truth about who everyone else believes him to be—all while a decades long war escalates within and beyond the Shroud, threatening not only the Eadar and his new found friends, but the human world he’s left behind.

REVIEW

Red Summer: Stone and Scale is “Harry Potter” meets “Percy Jackson” on Bourbon Street. Our hero here is Wilder, an orphan with a reputation for so-called trouble. Things happen around Wilder, and oh, there are those creatures he sees that no one else can. When another episode occurs, landing a foster sibling in the hospital, Wilder’s future looks slim. When he decides to run away, only to encounter and follow an annoying owl, Wilder enters into a whole new realm, and that is in the midst of a war to discover who and what he is. It’s up to Wilder now and his newfound friends to help protect the magical worlds as well as learn more about himself.

GET IT NOW AMAZON

Red Summer was a fun read. It reminded me of a darker take on Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, yet it was its own thing as well. Our protagonist, Wilder, is a good character, and I love his progression as a character so far. Lee also creates a lovely world-building, with the human realm and the magical realm,  filled with lycans (werewolves), fae, vampires, witches, halfbreeds, and more. If you feel you’ve outgrown “Harry Potter” or “Percy Jackson?” Graduate to the grit and magic of Red Summer: Stone and Scale.

My rating is 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana Lee is the debut author of Red Summer—the first novel of the upcoming dark, gritty, and fast-paced epic contemporary fantasy series, Stone and Scale.

Ana lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spends her time reading, writing, or dreaming about reading and writing.

Her influences include (but are definitely not limited to) Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Follow Anna and her books at @analeewriters on Instagram.

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Book Review: A Very Pagan Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane

Feeling festive? Instead of a Book Spotlight yesterday, I bring you today a holiday book review! Join me as we check out A Very Pagen Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane!

Title: A Very Pagan Christmas

Author(s): JC Brown and Lena Lane

Genre: Holiday Romance, paranormal romance

Release Date: June 27th, 2025

Format: Kindle

Pages: 105

Nicholas is a veterinarian and a man of science. He has no patience for the nonsense of natural remedies and herbal fix-it-alls. So when he meets Dahlia, an employee of The Blueberry Apothecary, he’s disappointed that she’s a believer of magical nonsense. But their worlds keep colliding.

As a born witch, magic is everywhere in Dahlia’s world, even in her blood. But considering the history between humans and witches, she hides it from everyone. And the sexy vet who’s taking care of her familiar is no different. It’s too bad, though, since he’s so cute.

Can their words come together? Or will their differences tear them apart?

Available on AMAZON

REVIEW

A Very Pagan Christmas is not my normal read. I usually run away from holiday romances like the black plague. I must say, though, A Very Pagan Christmas was surprisingly charming. We meet Dahlia and her feisty familiar calico, Theo. When Dalia thinks Theo is sick, she takes her to the vet, where she meets the hunky vet Nicolas. Nick is drawn to Dahlia, but when he learns she works at the Blueberry Apothecary, which sells herbal remedies, he becomes hesitant about his feelings cause she really can’t believe in that witch stuff, can she? Oh, but she does.

Nick and Dahlia keep crossing paths, though, and their banter is quite hilarious because Nick doesn’t believe in magic and Dahlia does. When Nick’s brother, a priest, asks the Apothecary to help in a fundraiser, Nick flips out because how can a Pagan go into a church? Dahlia mifed attend decked all out in witchy attire. I just love Dahlia, by the way!

 I did, though, have an issue with it ending flatly. The book led me through the exposition, rising action, and climax so well, but then faltered in the resolution. Still, A Very Pagan Christmas is a great Sunday-afternoon quick read that will delight your holiday romance fancy. 

My Rating: ⭐ ⭐⭐1/2 out of /5 stars

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: To Love a Grimm by Christina Farley

It’s November! Where did October go? In my book spotlight this week, we have “To Love A Grimm,” a forbidden fantasy romance wrapped in curses, courtly glamour, and dangerous fairy-tale magic, where only love can rewrite the story. Let’s read on!

To Love a Grimm (Fairy Tale Hearts Book 1)

Expected Release Date: November 11, 2025

Genre: Adult Romantasy/ Standalone

Features

🥀 Fated mates
⚔️ Forbidden romance
🥀 Broody hunter
⚔️ Hidden magical powers
🥀 Castle ruins kiss
⚔️ Stays true to the Grimms’ Cinderella
🥀 Happily ever after
⚔️ Slow-burn romance
🥀 Dual POV
⚔️ Secret identity
🥀 Based on the lives of the Grimm Brothers

When Jacob Grimm’s beloved brother, Wilhelm, falls gravely ill, Jacob will do anything to save him—even strike a blood bargain with a cunning Enchantress. In exchange, the brothers become her Hunters, cursed to serve her dark will. Their task sends them on a quest to a kingdom where villagers whisper of men turning to wolves, nixies lurking in ponds, and the young disappearing into the Black Forest, trailing after the tune of a piper.
But upon arrival, Jacob realizes there are evil forces at work, more powerful than the brothers have encountered. Seeking help, Jacob joins an alliance with a nobleman’s daughter, the smart and beautiful Ella von Maier. Yet, she too holds dark secrets, and she’ll do anything to keep them hidden.
Swept into a world of court glamor and alluring magic, Jacob and Ella’s lives are inextricably intertwined as they work to save the kingdom and break his curse. But as truths begin to unfold, Ella wonders if she can trust this handsome stranger, or if he’s, in fact, her enemy.
As friendship blooms into love, their cursed fates force them to make impossible choices where fairy tales and love come at a treacherous cost.

To Love a Grimm acts as a standalone, Cinderella romantasy. If you crave forbidden swoony romance, star-crossed lovers, protective heroes with hidden scars, and a heroine who must choose between duty and her heart, you’ll be enchanted by this thrilling tale that ends in a happily ever after.

PRE-ORDER HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHRISTINA FARLEY is the author of the bestselling Gilded series, The Princess and the Page, The Dreamscape Series, The Immortal Bound series, and the Library of Alexandria series. Prior to that, she worked as an international teacher and at a top secret job for Disney where she was known to scatter pixie dust before the sun rose. When not traveling the world or creating imaginary ones, she spends time with her family in Clermont, Florida with her husband and two sons where they are busy preparing for the next World Cup, baking cheesecakes, and raising a pet dragon that’s in disguise as a cat. Visit her at ChristinaFarley. com.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA

Instagram: @ChristinaLFarley

Facebook: @ChristinaFarleyAuthor

YouTube: @ChristinaFarley

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Book Spotlight Thursday: The Spellbinding Magic of You and Me

Today I am teamed with OWI. for a paranormal romance to star in my BOO-K Spotlight this month. “The Spellbinding Magic of You and Me” by Timoteo Tong.

The Spellbinding Magic of You and Me

Release Date: Tuesday, September 16 2025

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Features:
Friends to lovers
 Love triangle,
Pining,
Slow burn, 
First love, 
Magical destiny intertwined with love, 
Jealousy and rivalry
 Romance, Comfort after trauma, "I’ll protect you" moments
Found family connection

Magic, monsters, and a boy who never asked to be chosen.

Sixteen-year-old Santangelo Lo Geffo is drowning in grief. After his mother’s sudden death and his father’s emotional disappearance, he’s convinced the world has forgotten him—until his childhood best friend, Joshua “Neeky” Tang, shows up out of nowhere, charming, bold, and full of secrets. Their reunion reignites buried feelings and a bond stronger than fate.

But something darker stirs in the magical underworld known as the Gloom. A cursed sword has chosen Santangelo, and with it, the wrath of the ancient queen Máu Rabetica, who will stop at nothing to reclaim her power. With monsters closing in and war looming, Santangelo must train under the brutal God of War, survive attacks from rival covens, and navigate a tangled web of family secrets.

Worse, his heart’s a mess. He’s caught between his feelings for Neeky—the boy who’s always been there—and Daccio Scala, a flirtatious magical fighter who makes his pulse race. As the walls close in, a glam-pop sorceress with a hidden agenda sets her sights on Santangelo and the blade, forcing him to choose between destiny and desire… or risk losing both.

The Spellbinding Magic of You and Me is the third book in the The Magicals Alliance series. Is it necessary to read the previous books? No, but it doesn’t hurt.

GET THEM TODAY! AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Timoteo Tong grew up in Burbank, CA, imagining epic battles against vampires and witches inside creaky old mansions—and hasn’t stopped dreaming since. He wrote his first book at age eight (a chaotic romance between a stuffed cocker spaniel and a duck) and never looked back. Inspired by the magic of L. Frank Baum, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, Timoteo now lives in San Francisco with his husband, where he writes stories full of queer magic, found family, and monsters that don’t play fair. When he’s not reading, writing, or daydreaming about flying, you can find him surrounded by houseplants, doing pushups between chapters, and always down for donuts.

Follow Tong and his books at magicalsalliance.com and on Instagram at @timoteoktong

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👻Boo-k Spotlight Thursday: Omniscius Imperfect by Natalie S. Gille 

Caught in my ghoulish spotlight this week are those who aren’t into scary/horror but still love the Halloween spirit. Check out “Omniscius Imperfect” by Natalie S. Gille! You got witches, demons, and slow-burn romance. Read on!

Omniscius Imperfect

Release Date: September 2025

Genre: Urban Romantasy

Features

⦁	Witch
⦁	Arranged Marriage
⦁	German city – Constance
⦁	Love Triangle
⦁	Battle
⦁	Chaos
⦁	Slow Burn
⦁	Magic
⦁	He falls first and harder

When the heart and the mind struggle with each other, the truth remains hidden beneath veils .

Zonya’s biggest problem seems to be her upcoming marriage to Xalus until the past catches up with her.

The stranger with whom she broke pretty much all the rules of decency as a Warlock four years ago is suddenly standing in front of her and is really shaking her up even though everything inside her is opposed to it. Zonya questions her own feelings and feels torn between Xalus and the stranger.

Meanwhile, she tries with all her might to fulfil her duty as a Magus and protect Constance and her Clan. But when the demons suddenly gather in the city, people die and hunters break protective spells, everything starts to sink into chaos.

Zonya is caught between the fronts. Who can she trust, who is after her Clan? Her own life is at stake, but she has no choice: she must face the enemy and discover the truth!
AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Follow Natalie at @nataliegille.author

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Flame In The Silver Storm by Rocio Carranza

Today I’m spotlighting the interesting FLAME IN THE SILVER STORM by Rocio Carranza. A dark fantasy gothic this is book 2 in The Eternal Curse series. How Far Would You Go To Save the Ones You Love? Let’s dive deeper to find out!

Flame in the Silver Storm (The Eternal Curse Book 2)

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Gothic

Tropes:
Witches & Pirates
Forced Proximity
Political Intrigue
Feminine Rage
Found Family


There is a darkness encroaching the lands of Serit. From the Givensmir kingdoms to the Blackthorn coven, bitter rivalries threaten the lives of magic and mortalkind alike.

With the truth of her mother’s demise fresh in her heart, Eve has fled her life of comfort to escape the clutches of Givensmir’s new and vengeful king. Stowing away on a pirate ship bound for destinations unknown, Eve and her familiars must place their trust in its captain. A man with a dark past and a proclivity for secrets.

But no matter how far she runs, the Blood of the Blackthorn continues to haunt her dreams, beckoning her to fulfill its fatal prophecy, and soon Eve is forced to choose her fate.

To risk the lives of those she loves or let the magic consume her.

PRE-ORDER PURCHASE LINK + SPECIAL COPIES Here

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rocio Carranza, a multi-genre writer, spent most of her youth with a book in her hand, consuming stories of fantasy and horror as if her life depended on it.

This naturally led into a love of writing stories as an excellent way to get lost in worlds of her own making—fighting epic battles, undoing curses (or casting them), and confronting the things that go bump in the night.

When she isn’t typing frivolously at her computer, you can find Rocio galivanting about Austin, TX with her husband and two kids or with her nose in at least five different books she likes to read at a time.

Curious to know more?

You can find Rocio on social media on IG/Threads/TT @rociocarranzawrites and Bluesky @rociocarranza.