Welcome to a thankful Book Spotlight Thursday! In our limelight today is EVEN ANGELS FALL by E.V. Sauvage, which is releasing today!
Even Angels fall (The Even Ever After Series Book 1)
Publication Date: November 28, 2024
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Features
⦁ Enemies to lovers ⦁ Marriage of convenience ⦁ He falls first ⦁ She’s badass ⦁ Found family ⦁ Shapeshifters (she’s a crow/he’s a dragon)
300 years ago, my world collided with Earth. My kind has been ruling over the world ever since, passing as archangels. Doves, swans, cockatoo, their white wings in half shifted form are the sign of their power. I should have been the next in line. I should have been the new archangel Michaël. But my wings aren’t white. So instead I have to stay hidden. Instead, I’ve been trained my whole life. Instead, I’m their weapon. Because who would be best suited to kill the dragon shifter living inside of Notre Dame than a fallen angel? My name is Angélique. I’m a crow-shifter, and my mission is to marry Elhyor and to kill him on our wedding night. But nothing is the way it seems, and the dragon might be harder to kill than I thought. He might also be my only chance at freedom… Do I have any chance of surviving unscathed? Only time will tell…
An invitation she can’t refuse—a secret he doesn’t want her to uncover. The Secret of Roan Island is a dark, sexy, gothic paranormal romance that is sinfully sweet. I recently received an ARC copy to review, and now that the book is out, I am revealing my review as I join with R&R Book Tours for the Book Tour Release!
The Secrets of Roan Island
Publication Date: November 21, 2024
Genre: Gothic Fantasy/ Gaslamp/ Romance
Features
⦁ A gothic mansion ⦁ Steampunk aesthetic ⦁ Morally gray alpha MMC ⦁ Academic FMC ⦁ Complex family dynamics ⦁ Wounded characters ⦁ "Who did this to you?" ⦁ He unalives someone for her ⦁ Possessive and obsessed MMC ⦁ "Tell me to stop" ⦁ Primal chase scene ⦁ "Mine"
Outcast from her academic peers and at risk of losing her position at Essik College, Professor Ruby Rose appeals to the reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan by asking for a grant. What she receives is a cryptic invitation to stay at Roan Island for the winter holiday. No matter how much the eerie mansion unnerves her, access to the Roans’ coveted library is worth facing her unsettling fears. Mysterious and enigmatic, Noah Roan, the oldest of Hammish Roan’s sons, knows exactly what happens to women who come to their isolated estate. Especially those who stay until the Winter Solstice. No matter how hard he tries to get Ruby to leave, the infuriating and alluring woman insists on staying.
In a clash of will and desire, Ruby and Noah struggle to fight their attraction to each other. But their connection reveals dark and sinister secrets that draw the attention of the maniacal patriarch. Can they work together to out maneuver Hammish Roan, or will he destroy them both?
REVIEW
This book had me swooning! We are introduced to Ruby Rose, a professor at Essik College. Desperate for grant funds, she reaches out to reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan. When Ruby gets a reply and a errie invitation to spend the Winter Solstice holiday at his manor, Ruby accepts unbeknownst to the secrets that lurk on Roan Island.
Upon Ruby’s arrival, she meets Hammish Roan’s enigmatically handsome sons, The Roan brothers Shemaiah, Jafeth, and the oldest, Noah. Noah wants Ruby to leave, but Ruby is not leaving not without her grant. Frustrated and drawn to this intelligent, headstrong woman, Noah fights to hide their secret and his attraction. Ruby, aware there is something up with this family, can’t help but be intrigued by the sizzling hot Noah Roan, and she is going to get her grant hell or be damned.
Oh, My! Gosh! This book has all the tropes I apparently love and did not know: the gothic Victorian setting, Touch her and die, and the achingly slow-burning romance. I was so giddy reading reading this book. I did guess the conclusion quickly, yet eagerly read on to see if THEY (the characters) would figure it out. I mean, come on, Noah and Rose! They play so dumb at times, which I think is what makes them likable. They are far from perfect characters, and that just makes them perfect!
Aurora and Masen tag team brilliantly in their writing, creating a seamless flow and tone. I’d never guess two people wrote this (some double-author books, you can tell). When asked at the end if we, the reader, would like more Roan Brothers, the answer is YES!
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
MACI AURORA
Romance author.
Lover of stories.
Maci Aurora has been writing stories since she was a child. When she was eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. In high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and from there, her writing journey was cemented in telling stories about love. Having already published many novels (all of which are threaded with romance as upper YA and New Adult titles) under the pen name, CL Walters, Maci Aurora wanted to write stories that offered the same attention to story and characters but with additional steam.
Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies.
THEA MASEN
Thea Masen never thought she’d write spicy romance. The first time she read a steamy book, she was so embarrassed she couldn’t finish it. Now, she spends her days hiding her computer screen from her teenagers and her nights reading tantalizing snippets to her husband.
If you want sweet and spicy love stories, with a touch of the magical and imagined, you’ve come to the right place.
After spotlighting his first book, Anansi’s Web, I am teaming with R&R Book Tours again to help spotlight Mola’s latest, THE LAVENDER FIELDS. A horror anthology where we encounter 6 chilling tales.
The Lavender Fields
Publication Date: October 19, 2024
Genre: Horror Anthology/ Short Stories
In the heart of the cosmos lies a dimension unlike any other—a realm of shimmering lavender fields where every possible universe is visible in the tapestry of existence. When an astronaut accidentally teleports to this mysterious plane, he finds himself in a front-row seat to the bizarre and terrifying narratives of alternate realities.
"The Lavender Fields" invites readers to journey as the astronaut recounts six chilling and fantastical stories from the multiverse. From eldritch cults that worship ancient deities to a drug that can freeze time itself, each tale plunges into the cosmic and supernatural horrors lurking at the edges of reality. Witness a meteor that incites unbridled rage, a shapeshifting prostitute who blurs the line between pleasure and peril, possessed pigs with unfinished business, and a witch mother whose dark magic has evil plans for her daughter.
Prepare for a mind-bending adventure through worlds where the unimaginable becomes real, and the only certainty is that fear transcends dimensions.
Derek Mola was born and raised in Massachusetts, graduating from Emerson College, with a degree in Visual Media Production. Tired of the film industry, he became obsessed with horror and fantasy short stories.
Spotlighting this week is the first book in F.R. Black’s Fairy Godmother Inc. series, HEIR OF THE BEAST. The cover is eye-catching, and a book where it seems Fairy Godmothers are in a league. Let’s check this book out!
Heir Of The Beast: Fairy Godmother Inc. Series. -Book 1
Publication Date: February 2024
Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Spicy Fairytales
Features
⦁ Touch Her and 💀 ⦁ Morally Gray Male Characters ⦁ Enemies-to-Lovers ⦁ Spicy Fairytales "All you must do is sign on the dotted line, and all your romantic dreams will come true," the Fairy Godmother says with a twinkle in her eye. This is what happens when you do not read the fine print in a very detailed contract. You miss all the things that are immediate deal breakers. Viola, a proud resident of New Orleans, lives on the top floor of an old Victorian mansion on a very normal street. But normal is no longer a word she can use to describe her life since signing the official contract of Fairy Godmother Inc. They forgot to tell her that she would be competing against other women in a very dangerous game. A game where she would be thrust into an alien world for the mere hope of catching the dashing Prince's heart. And let me say this: this prince is one hot alpha male with a serious attitude problem. We do not get along, save for the fact that he can turn my insides to mush with one look. But the silver lining here is that you can have a happily-ever-after if you survive. You can't fall in love if you're dead. It tends to spoil the romance.
F.R. Black is the author of the FAIRY GODMOTHER INC SERIES. She is a hopeless romantic and fantasy enthusiast based in the beautiful state of Colorado. When she’s not whisking readers away to mystical realms filled with passionate romance, you can find her indulging in her favorite hobbies – reading with a glass of wine in hand and hanging out with her wacky family.
As a die-hard romance lover, F.R. Black’s writing is heavily influenced by her readers, who inspire her to create immersive worlds and swoon-worthy love stories. Her books are full of thrilling adventures, heart-melting romances, and a healthy dose of humor.
When F.R. Black isn’t penning her next enchanting novel, you might catch her daydreaming about castles and dashing heroes or searching for the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Her true passion for storytelling shines through in every word, and her books are guaranteed to transport you to a world of enchantment and blissful romance.
With a flair for drama and a lovable quirkiness, F.R. Black is a force to be reckoned with in the world of romance fantasy. So grab a copy of her latest novel, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to fall head over heels in love with her captivating tales.
The cover has a dragon on it, so of course, I am spotlighting this book. All the Sacrifice of Shadows is the exciting next installment in the Starstorm series, coming November 13th.
All the Sacrifice of Shadows (Starstorm Series Book 2)
Expected Publication Date: November 13, 2024
Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Dragons
Features
Arranged Marriage Grumpy x Sunshine Shadow Daddy Morally Grey Very Spicy Dragons His Dragon Like Her Better
Synopsis
She was a storm of violent sunbeams and catastrophic rainbows. Marrying for love was never in the stars for Creslyn, as evidenced by her future husband. Drake is calculating, cruel, and wields a blade of death. By all rights, he should be terrifying. But something about him draws her in, his shadows call to the darkness she keeps locked away inside of her. She isn’t foolish enough to expect love from a marriage contract, but when they bind their vows in blood, Creslyn does the unthinkable—she claims Drake as her mate.
He was a monster of shadow and night, of death and destruction. Cursed since his first breath, Drake has only known power and a realm of shadows. But now he’s bound to a faerie whose heart bleeds for him, and his obsession with her only grows with each passing day. Unfortunately, his world of violence puts her life at stake. Not only is he still the Shadowblade Assassin, but unrest is brewing in Aeramere, and an attack on House Celestine confirms an ill-fated prophecy. War is coming. As Creslyn longs to find a way to break Drake’s curse and struggles to embrace her own darkness, Drake will be faced with a terrible choice—one that will only end in sacrifice. Secrets will be unearthed and their bond will be put to the test, because love might be enough for a hero, but it will never save a villain.
Content Warning: The book contains the following triggers.
⦁ Voyeurism ⦁ Foul language ⦁ Explicit sexual content ⦁ Attempted murder ⦁ Death ⦁ Blood ⦁ Brief on pages attempted SA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hillary Raymer is a fantasy romance author. She’s a wanderer, a storyteller, and believes in happily ever afters.
Hillary has always been a dreamer, and lucky for her, she turned those dreams into stories. She has an unfinished Bachelor’s Degree in English, because she ran off and married a Marine halfway through college. She has an affinity toward plants, loves flowers, and enjoys scoping out metaphysical markets for crystals. Wanderlust comes naturally to her, and she’s doing her best to instill the same wild and free values in her daughters. When not writing, Hillary can be found attempting to do yoga, buying more makeup she doesn’t need, or discovering small businesses on Etsy.
🎃Happy Halloween! Caught in my web🕸️, this Thursday is the supernatural romance Bound Across Time by Annie R. McEwen. If you love “A Discovery of Witches” and “Practical Magic,” this book will be a treat on your TBR list!
Bound Across Time
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Genre: Romance w/ Supernatural Elements/ Witches
Synopsis
CeCe Gowdie. Historian, rational, scorns the paranormal. When her boss orders her to convert her Welsh castle tours to ghost walks, she thinks that’s the worst that can happen. It is, until one midnight in the castle tower she meets Patrick—handsome, passionate, dead since 1761. Patrick O’Loinsigh. Bastard son of an earl, brought from Ireland only to be murdered by his half-brother. The moment Patrick sees CeCe he claims her as his own, a claim neither of them understands but can’t resist. CeCe’s body won’t survive loving a ghost, but losing him will tear her heart to pieces. Patrick can’t bear watching CeCe die by inches, but releasing her will hurl him back to a hellish half-life without her. Is there hope in the prophecy of an ancient Irish seer? The spells of Welsh witches? Or is the alchemy of love enough to bridge time and defeat death?
A career historian, Annie R McEwen has lived in six countries and under every roof from a canvas tent to a Georgian Era manor house, all of which helps her create award-winning romance set in faraway times and places. Annie has upcoming novels and series from Harbor Lane Books (US), Bloodhound Books (UK), and The Wild Rose Press. When she’s not in her 1920s bungalow in Florida, Annie writes, blogs, and explores castles in Wales, which is just about the most magical place on the planet.
Winner of the 2022 Page Turners Award, Genre (Romance) Category, Annie also garnered both First and Second Place 2022 RTTAs (Romance Through Ages Awards from Romance Writers of America), the 2023 MAGGIE Award, and the 2023 Daphne du Maurier Award. Her short fiction appears in multiple anthologies.
Annie’s got more WIPs than kittens. Here’s one: a romantic suspense novel about pirates on the Kentish coast in the late 1700s. In it, her third great-grandad, a 4th Light Dragoon, makes a cameo appearance.
Halloween is just around the corner, so when I saw this book I had to spotlight it. UNNAMEABLE by Andrew Schrader. “Unnamable” is a gripping work of horror fiction. If you like supernatural thriller books, horror and suspense, and brooding terror, you will love Andrew Schrader’s page-turner that seethes with raw power. Let’s dive in!
Unnameable
Publication Date: October 25, 2024
Genre: Horror
A captain with a haunted past... One last daring rescue mission... A stalking evil even he can't outrun...
Nathaniel Carter is ashamed of his dark secret. For eighteen years he's fled from his past, desperate to escape his dreaded memories forever.
In search of gold and a fresh start, he leads his men on a rescue mission deep into the mountains. But as they venture on, he begins to suspect something other than war-crazed Confederates is stalking his men...
As the team nears their destination, Nathaniel fears that the entities abducting his crew are linked to his buried sins — and the malformed brother who seeks his revenge.
Can he confront his inner demons to save his troops, or will he doom them all to a fate worse than death?
Andrew Schrader is a Los Angeles-based author and filmmaker. In addition to directing feature films and music videos, he wrote several episodes of the animated show Tig n’ Seek for Cartoon Network. He was also a script consultant on “Afterlife,” the horror series from Crypt TV.
His three-book series, What Goes On In The Walls at Night, was featured on the Reddit No Sleep podcast and twice won the Red City Review Book of the Year for fantasy and horror.
In the spotlight today is the beautiful “Between the Moon and Her Night.” It’s a prequel to the Between Life and Death series, but it is intended to be read as the third book. This dark fantasy romance series is great for readers who enjoy Raven Kennedy, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas. Let’s read on!
Between the Moon and Her Night (Between Life and Death Series Book 3)
Publication Date: October 23, 2024
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
FEATURES
🖤 Stalker Spirit Realm King 🤍 Traumatized, lonely FMC 🖤 Take your rival’s wife 🤍 Non-Con Forced bond 🖤 REAL enemies to lovers 🤍 He stole me = he saved me 🖤 DV Rep - Mental Health Rep 🥞 Spice that will fold you like a pancake
Synopsis
Centuries before the events of Between Life and Death and Between Sun and Moon . . . Centuries before she was Sage . . . She was Aurelia, the Goddess of Life.
The decades-long Immortal War has ended and a new deal has been struck between the two warring sides. In exchange for the freedom of others, Aurelia reluctantly agrees to live in the Spirit Realm where she will give her hand in marriage to the God of Death—Von.
The lethal, sexy, immortal claims he will make her his queen, but she knows full well that she will not be wearing a gilded crown upon her head, but rather a tight collar around her neck. Having no intentions of becoming his prisoner, on the day she is supposed to go with him, she makes a swift decision and runs from him instead.
Thunderclouds and swords are not the only things that collide when Von tracks her down in the dark, foreboding woods. There, steamy passions and shadow chains lure Aurelia into making another deal with him—a deal that she won’t be able to run away from this time. A deal that will forever lock her to his side.
Jaclyn Kot is a prairie girl, an avid reader, occasional Netflix binger and a total foodie. She is a proud mama of many chickens, two fabulous kitties and a good doggo. She lives on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband.
She writes high fantasy fiction and likes her fantasy served with plot twists, a side of spice, and morally grey males with a palate for strong-willed females.
It is her hopes that readers will fall in love with Sage and Von’s story just as much as she has.
Looking for the latest information on the Between Life and Death Series, or wanting to connect with Jaclyn? You can here:
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 