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Saturday, June 27, 2026

Excerpt: Dragons of Mu by Pamela Ackerson + giveaway

The Eternals, a non-magical woman as the Chosen One, Marfóir, and her best friend join in the battle to slay the most evil dragon on earth who’s plan is to take over the world.

Dragons of Mu
by Pamela Ackerson
Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure
Drakine is rising. The only hope is the hero no one expected.

One non-magical woman is the Chosen One. Destiny won’t wait. With her fiercely loyal friend, Lottie, by her side, and Blaze’s army behind her, Amy is thrust into a war against the most evil dragon ever to preside over the dragon realm on the Island of Mu. A creature whose heinous ambition is nothing less than total annihilation of the mortal world and complete global domination.

To survive, they must fight the ancient powers and unite the fractured kingdoms. The Island of Mu is burning… and only she can turn the tide. Grab your copy today.


**Releases June 26th - PreOrder Now for Only .99cents!**
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She rubbed the back of her head, felt a small lump, and winced. Her head was throbbing. Her knee was yelling at her and now she heard angry, men’s voices.

One of them yelled, “Over there! There she is. Get her!”

Another pulled out a long knife and they ran toward her.

Amy rushed into the woods. Turning around, she could see they were catching up to her.

Up, Amy, up. They won’t be looking up.

She climbed an oak tree as high as she could. Pulling on the long skirt, she squatted on a branch.

The branch felt odd and slithered underneath her. A large, looming face in the shape of a dragon stared at her unblinking.

Holy cr—

The creature put a long claw to its mouth and said, “Shhh.”

Amy took a deep breath. A scream was building inside her but before she could release the ear-piercing screech, she was muzzled by the creature. Her heart jolted as its wing enveloped her and she lost consciousness.

A few moments later, she was gulping for air. Fully expecting to open her eyes and see the hotel lobby, she was stunned to be staring into the eyes of a dragon.

–A dragon, a huge dragon with big, green eyes.

You’re safe.

Amy shook her head. “No. No, I’m not. There’s no okay in this, whatever this is at all. This is crazy. Why is this happening?”

Where did you come from?

She stared at his mouth. It wasn’t moving.

This hallucination was freaking weird. A talking dragon that didn’t move his lips. They’re going to take her away and leave her in the psych ward for the rest of her life.

Her eye began twitching. It wasn’t real. None of it makes sense.

Think, Amy. Dragons aren’t real. How could a dragon talk?

Anything can happen in a hallucination. She repeated to herself. This isn’t real.

Was she dead? Is this purgatory? Her own personal nightmare of an afterlife? Could she have injured herself so badly that she died?

She wasn’t a bad person. It certainly wasn’t in Hades. Well, it better not be Hades.

A talking, psychic dragon communicating with his mind.

Of course, it makes soooo much more sense.

She watched as the men ran into the woods, searching for her.

The dragon spoke in a deep, soothing voice, “Why are you dressed in that garb?”

Amy stared at the huge beast.

The beast’s green eyes penetrated her with a questioning glare.

“A— a party. We were going to a party.”

He looked at the bracelet.

“Someone put them in my shopping bag.”

“Let’s go. We need to get you into normal clothing. I’ll take you to Bev’s.”

Amy started climbing down the tree.

“No, no.” The dragon grabbed her and placed Amy on his back before taking flight.

Amy squealed, inhaled and released another louder scream.

“Stop.” His body jolted. “Your obnoxious squawking is impaling my ears.”

Within a few moments, they soared through the air and flew from cloud to cloud.

Her stomach flipped and she swallowed the huge lump in her throat.

“Ugh, no ups and downs, please.”

He laughed. “No quick drops? You’re the slow-boat kind of person.”

Her heart was finally returning to its normal beat. She was getting comfortable riding on his back and was beginning to enjoy the view.

“Whoa! This is awesome. I never have flying dreams.”

The dragon huffed.

Amy was mesmerized. It was freaking fantastic. The warm heat from the sun and soft air on her face, the flapping of his wings, it was glorious.

She could do this. It was peaceful. He was gliding along and she was euphoric.

Hold on.

“Hold on? No, don’t ruin the moment!”

The dragon took a deep dive. Amy let out an earsplitting shriek and gripped the back of his neck tighter as he gracefully landed on the ground in front of a small, wooden cabin.

He grunted in pain.

“Your fingernails are cutting into my skin.”

“Sorry.” Amy dismounted him like she would a horse.

“You don’t look like you’re sorry.”

She gave him an angry side-eye.

He grumbled, “Go. Tell her I sent you.”

“Um. You want me to knock on a stranger’s door, in the middle of BFE, and tell her a dragon sent me?”

“We’re not in Egypt.”

She snapped, “What? We’re in the middle of freaking nowhere. That’s what BFE means!”

Ignoring her irritation, he responded, “We’re in Ireland.”

“Ireland? I’ve never been to Ireland. How am I dreaming that I’m here? I’ve only seen pictures and this in not anything like the pictures.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine. I don’t have a passport with me!”

She rubbed her forehead. Why would she need a passport in a dream?

“No worries.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I’ll be back in a blink. In the meantime, tell her Blaze sent you.”

“Oh, look. A fairy circle.”

His wide-eyed, incredulous stare gave her pause. He shook his head. “Wow.”

She shrugged.

“I can’t keep up with you.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot. My mind goes really fast sometimes.” She limped toward the fairy circle.

“What are you doing?”

Amy chuckled. “Making a wish.”

He looked at her like she was growing horns.

“Um, yeah. Make a wish and the fairies will grant it only if they see fit. You have to watch out for all the fairies protecting the fairy circle. You don’t want to step on them, you know.”

Amy stepped back from the circle. “Hello, little fairies. I hope you’re having a pleasant day.”

He harrumphed and walked away.

“Hey, it’s my dream. I can do what I want.”

Amy raised her hand to knock, but never made contact. An elderly woman, in her mid-seventies, opened the door.

“Oh, I thought I heard Blaze’s voice.”

“I’m Amy. He told me to tell you—”

The woman opened the door wider. “Come in. The sun’s going to be setting soon and it’ll be a bit chilly.”

The elderly woman had light hair, dark blue eyes, and a wide, pleasant smile. Her hair was rolled up into a bun tucked on the back of her head. Amy’s memories immediately went to the cartoon with the grandma lady who owned the canary, Tweety.

Amy cautiously entered the house and as she turned to look about, a man rushed through the doorway.

He was an average-looking man except for his eyes. They gleamed an effervescent green. The man’s dark hair was a deep contrast to his light skin.

She never cared for the five o’clock shadow but it did do him justice.

“There you are, Blaze.” She handed him a mug.

“Thank you, Bev.”

“Mark on his way?”

“Soon. He has a few things he needs to take care of before he comes.”

Mark? As in Harlow?

Bev turned to Amy. “What would you like, dear? I’ve got some hot tea on the table or, if it pleases, I can pour another draught.”

“T—”

“She needs normal clothes.”

Amy glared at Blaze. “And who are you?”

“I’m the man who saved your skinny bum and brought you here.”

“And how, pray tell, did you do that? A dragon…” Her voice trailed off.

Bev looked puzzled. “So, she’s not from medieval times?”

“No.”

“She didn’t time-travel here?”

“No.”

Time travel? Amy interrupted, “I can speak for myself.”

“Really?” He snorted. “Go ahead, darling, and explain how you got here.”

“Fine. I was at a party.” Amy flipped her hand in the air. “I tucked the jeweled comb in my wig and the next thing I knew, these men attacked me and I’ve been having this dream or possibly been unconscious ever since.”

Blaze sat at the table. “You’re not unconscious.”

“Then you tell me what’s happening.”

Bev took her arm. “Oh, sweetie, it’s been a day for you, hasn’t it? Sit, relax, and have a cuppa. I’ll get you some clothes that should fit you. We’ll get you all sorted out.”

The concern in Bev’s voice was telling.

Wariness clung to Amy as a hesitant smile tugged at her lips, a stark contrast to how she was feeling.

“I don’t need clothes. I just want to wake up.”

Bev asked, “Wake up?”

Blaze waved Bev’s question off and spoke to Amy, “Somehow, you’ve managed to get two very powerful and magical relics to bring you here. People have gone to war to possess the magical comb and bracelet.”

Amy grunted.

“Those men stole the relics to take over Mu and conquer the magical world. They will not hesitate to kill you for them.”

Amy bit her upper lip, repressing a nervous giggle. “Not ruby-red slippers? Will lightning flash from the jewelry when you try to remove it from my hair and wrist? Do I repeat ‘there’s no place like home’ three times?”

Blaze glowered. “I don’t find your sarcasm amusing.”

She removed the jeweled comb and handed it to Blaze. “Here. Take it.”

Bev glared at Blaze and tapped Amy’s hand. “Blaze can get you back to where you belong and to your party whenever you’re ready.”

“Good.” Amy put her wrist toward Blaze. “I’m more than ready.”

Blaze reached to take the bracelet off her wrist. “It won’t come off.”

Bev put her hand to her chest. “What?”

Amy’s voice shook in panic. “No, no, take it off!”

“It won’t come off.”

“Fine, then I’ll do it.”

She fiddled with the clasp and finally threw up her hands in frustration. “It won’t come off!”

Bev walked over to the cabinet and brought back a bottle of Irish whiskey and three glasses, and said, “It has begun.”



About theAuthor:
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Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author, Pamela Ackerson is a time traveling adventurer. She was born and raised in Newport, RI where history is a way of life. She lives on the Space Coast of Florida where everyone is encouraged to reach for the stars!

Her literary journey is as diverse and adventurous as the time-traveling escapades she writes about. With a rich tapestry of genres at her fingertips, she weaves stories that span from the wild frontiers of the Old West to the intricate cultural tapestries of Native American history. Her work doesn't stop at fiction; she delves into the realms of history, self-help, and even marketing, showcasing a versatility that resonates with a wide audience.

Ackerson's presence on the Space Coast of Florida reflects her forward-thinking approach to writing, always aiming for the next big leap in her storytelling odyssey. Her prolific output is a testament to her dedication to her craft, inviting readers to join her in exploring the vast landscapes of human experience and imagination.

Honest reviews of Pamela's books are always appreciated.

Absolutely no AI programs were used to create any story she has written.

Thank you and have a good moments day.


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter the Dragons of Mu Giveaway Here

Friday, June 26, 2026

The Story Behind the Story: Japanese Horror - Poa by Derek Vasconi

"A master of modern Japanese horror." 
After the bestselling, award-winning success of the Japanese horror sensation KAI, Derek Vasconi returns with his most disturbing vision yet: a chilling exploration of devotion so absolute it consumes everything in its path.
 
Write what you know. Live what you don’t know.

Whenever I write horror stories, I always think about how to make the story feel as real as possible. To do that, my method of writing involves me getting as close to whatever it is I’m writing about and learning everything there is to know about it. For example, for my first novel, KAI, I went to Japan for the very first time in my life in order to immerse myself in Hiroshima culture. 
 
KAI’s main character is a young Japanese girl living in Hiroshima who wants to destroy the world. I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in America. I had never been out of the country before, so going to Japan was a really big deal for me. However, I felt it was really necessary to live in Hiroshima for a few months and connect with the locals there so that I could research and find out the little details about Hiroshima that tourists would never see or know about. And I did just that. I met a young woman who grew up in Hiroshima and had lived there all her life. She allowed me to live with her and showed me so many things that helped me depict a real Hiroshima in KAI. True. Honest.

Of course, in KAI, many of the horrific elements are supernatural in nature. Yet, readers can accept these supernatural elements because everything else in the story is not fiction, but based on facts and truth. This approach to writing seems to have worked, as KAI went on to win many awards and was a bestseller on Amazon in 2016.

When I finished writing KAI, I jumped right into researching the story that would eventually become my second novel, POA. What I didn’t realize was how crazy my life would become as a result of doing research for POA. The whole writing process took a decade. By the end of it all, I had interviewed Japanese porn stars, drunk with a yakuza drug lord, and sat down face-to-face with perhaps one of the most dangerous men on the planet. I flew to Japan six times for research purposes, and eventually, ended up moving to Japan so I could finish writing POA.

The interesting thing for me is that the inspiration for POA came to me after I had a discussion with a Japanese woman one day, about twelve years ago. We were talking about family, and how much she loved her father, in particular. This woman said she would do anything for her father, as she truly loved him with all of her heart. So, half-jokingly, I asked her what she would do if her father asked her to bomb Shinjuku Station—would she do it? The woman thought about my question seriously, and with a straight face and with no smile anywhere to be found, she said she wouldn’t hesitate to kill everybody inside of Shinjuku Station for her father. If there is such a thing as feeling ice sliding down your veins, I experienced such a chilled sensation in the moment she said this to me. I will never forget it. Even after I pressed her harder on the subject, she didn’t back down from her conviction that no matter what her father asked her to do, she would do it without question. Even murdering millions of innocent people.

This kind of blind devotion of a daughter to her father intrigued me. So, I then started to think about how I could use this idea as a basis to write a story about a Japanese woman obsessed with a Japanese male porn star, and the lengths she would go to to make this porn star belong to her in every way possible.

Through a Japanese interpreter whom I hired who had amazing research skills and connections, I was able to set up a meeting with Japan’s number one male AV actor (in Japan, porn is referred to as “AV”). Actually, he’s not called an “AV actor,” but is known in the Japanese AV industry as an “eromen.” This is a type of male AV actor who is known for looking exceedingly handsome, much like a Japanese male idol singer, and is also kind to women in AV movies. There are many eromen, and they almost all perform in special types of AV films that target women, not men, as their main consumers. These types of AV films aren’t like normal AV films either, as there is a lot of story and very little sex. And the sex that there is in the films tends to focus on the pleasure and happiness of the female AV actresses. These eromen are usually polite and respectful archetypes, and the actors playing them assume these roles to perfection. As such, the actors themselves have legions of female fans who treat them like they are rock stars in real life.

Setting up an interview with Japan’s number one eromen actor took over a year of negotiations with his agency to arrange. It also took a lot of money. When I was finally able to interview him, we had a very long discussion about his life, shooting eromen films, and what it’s like to be an eromen as compared to his normal, regular life. I learned so much from him. I also remember when the interview was over, he asked me if I had ever considered becoming an eromen. I reminded him that he didn’t need to charm me like he does his female co-stars, but I could see why women consider him to be the cream of the eromen crop. He even tried to make me feel special, and this was after the cameras had stopped rolling!

Fast forward a few years later, and I needed to understand how the flow of illegal items takes place in a strictly regulated country like Japan. There is a certain section in POA where the main character gets involved with something highly illegal and extremely dangerous. Who better to teach me about this type of thing than a yakuza member? They are the notorious gang members of Japan who, historically, have controlled things like the drug trade and prostitution that take place in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and smaller cities as well. If I needed to know about anything illegal going on in Japan, talking to a yakuza member seemed like a good place to start.

Somehow, it was easier to set this interview up than it was with the eromen actor. The yakuza member, after doing a brief background check on me, agreed to meet with me. He was reluctant at first to talk about his gang’s current business activities, but after a while, he loosened up. He was really curious about my tattoos. I have 98 hours of tattoo work all over my body. This was my way in with him, as yakuza are known for their tattoos. I eventually learned about acquiring illegal items in Japan. What items I’m referring to, or the method I learned, I can’t discuss, but this information helped me really put together a viable story of destruction that happens in POA. In other words, I pretended as though I would be the one committing the horrific acts that take place in POA’s later chapters. I pretended right up to the point of actually doing these horrible things I’m talking about. Of course, I didn’t, but knowing that I could get away with the things I was researching with relative ease both scared me and motivated me to proceed with writing POA. I felt that by the time readers reach the end of POA, the consequences of the main character’s blind devotion to another will be scarier after realizing that what she does could really, in fact, happen in Japan. I am frightened myself just thinking about it!

Perhaps the craziest thing I did to achieve the level of horror that is reached in POA happened because I sat face-to-face with one of the most dangerous men not just in Japan, but in the entire world. I can’t say who it was, but let's just say he was part of a dangerous group of people who completely altered the history of Japan in a terrible and tragic way. This man did not go to jail nor was he executed for what the group he belonged to did, either. I was quite shocked to learn this in my research, as POA’s story is glued to the history and fate of this man and this dangerous group.

Somehow, after three years of tracking this man down in Japan and arranging an interview with him, I found myself talking to him inside of his apartment. He spoke fluent English and was, surprisingly, very open and forthcoming with me with his answers to my questions. Well, I really had only one main question I wanted to ask him, as he was part of an event that, historically, does not have a lot of documentation available online to fact-check. When he confirmed what I had suspected all along about what really happened with this event, the discussion between us became personal. I asked him about his life, and he told me about his father leaving his mother when he was young, and how this paved the way for him to join this dangerous group that was led by a charismatic father-figure type—someone who could replace the absentee father in this man’s life. The problem was that this father figure was a murderer who drove his followers to commit the single worst act of terrorism in the history of Japan. Maybe it’s obvious who I’m talking about, but I prefer not to even mention this man’s name, as it’s stained with the blood of many innocent people.

I am not sure why I didn’t feel scared for my life sitting across from the person whom I interviewed who belonged to this dangerous group. We talked for nearly three hours. I have a degree in a psychological field, and I found our discussion to be utterly fascinating from the perspective of sociopathy. To not feel anything for causing the deaths of so many innocent people, and to feel as though these deaths were justified in order to cleanse the world and cleanse these people who died of their bad karma and sins… all this played into the motivation for what this man and his group did. And that idea of justifying horror for devotion to a belief, or in the case of my main character, another person… this is really what POA is all about. What will a person do for love, or belief, or both? Attempting to answer this question in my story scared me way more than talking to this dangerous man.

I’m being intentionally vague because I don’t want to ruin the surprise plot twist in POA. I’m sorry for that. I also feel like, in the decade I spent researching POA, I experienced what madness and sociopathy look like up close and personal. I don’t regret doing this, though, as this is my writing style.

Write what you know. Live what you don’t know.
-----

by Derek Vasconi
June 25, 2026
Genre: Horror /Cult/Japanese Horror
Word Count: Approx. 85,000 words (334 pages)
Content Warnings: Graphic Sex, Graphic Violence, Suicidal Ideation
Josh Ramos (Cover Art)

Her love is a virus: quiet, invisible, and perfectly patient...

Ayano is a predator.

While the world sees only a woman of flawless beauty, her perfection is a calculated front maintained through ascetic yoga and a deliberate immersion in the sex trade. She did not become a prostitute for money, but for an education in the mechanics of human intimacy-learning about the desires of men while mastering the art of manipulation. She is a woman obsessed, sculpting herself into the only shape capable of catching the eye of Taka Yoshino, Japan's most adored eromen idol.

After meeting Ayano at a DVD release event and later an arranged fan date, Taka-a professional at selling a gentle fantasy of love to the housewives and lonely women of Japan-believes he has finally found a fan he can truly be himself with. He is impressed by Ayano's beauty and feels they have a rare, genuine connection.

He was wrong. Dead wrong. Because for Ayano, Taka is only the first step into total, absolute madness.

In the tradition of Ryu Murakami's Audition, the curated grace of the "perfect woman" is merely a shroud for a horror that defies comprehension. But where Murakami's nightmare was an intimate betrayal, Ayano's is a global contagion. Indeed, her devotion is to a vision far more sinister and devastating than a simple obsession. Everything she does is for somebody who has shaped her entire being since she was a child, molding her into an instrument of destruction that will bring about the end of the world-in order to save it.

But can she save herself?
About the Author:
website
Derek Vasconi is an award-winning horror novelist, filmmaker, and game designer based in Tokyo, Japan. He is the author of the bestselling, award-winning novel KAI (winner of the National Indie Excellence Award for Best Horror Book) and its highly anticipated psychological follow-up, POA. Deeply embedded in the underground Japanese music and subculture scenes, Derek also founded the international e-commerce platform IdolUnderworld.com and wrote and directed the theatrical documentary series Flowers of Passion. When he isn't writing twisted dark fiction, he can be found designing narrative-driven retro RPGs, playing guitar, or uncovering the hidden, gritty realities of Tokyo's neon streets.

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Burn Her They Said by Cherish Wright (The Anomalies of Ampara Deicra, #1)


Burn Her They Said (The Anomalies of Ampara Deicra, #1)
by Cherish Wright
June 26th 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
In a land where Dragons are revered like Gods, a witch and her guards must risk it all.

Witches in Ampara Deicra are required to use their powers of emotional influence to benefit sorcerers. None so much as Tasch—a witch born during the Anomaly, when environmental changes caused her magic to develop unmatched abilities.

Taken by the Emperor to manage his mood, she has served by his side since early childhood. Granted the title of Imperial Grand Witch, she is protected by the strongest sorcerers in each form of magic—all Anomalies, like her—with powers beyond any before or after them.

Until a sorcerer named Varic develops abilities surpassing Tasch’s Lead Guard. A fact which the Emperor denies by hiding Varic within the Imperial Army.

Where Varic is made to grow his strength past the point he can contain it, and requires Tasch’s magic to overcome the grief of his magic causing the worst known catastrophe. They fall in love in their time together—and forge a connection which is highly forbidden.

Over time Tasch’s powers fade, rather than strengthen, while the Emperor’s greed escalates the need for resources among bordering lands, who increase their attacks on the Imperial Palace. Fearing the worst, Emperor Aldritch assigns Varic to oversee Tasch’s detail, placing the two beings who must hide their feelings mere inches from each other.

With the highest stakes they’ve ever encountered, can Tasch’s Guards save her and the citizens, with the help of their bonded Dragons?

For fans of Anathema, Dragonfall, and A Discovery of Witches comes the tale of a burnt-out witch in her thirties who is trying to survive long enough to save the citizens from their power-hungry Emperor, with the help of her Guards and the Dragons they share a bond.




About the Author:
Writer of Dark Romantic Gothic Fantasy with character driven stories with MC’s in their 30’s  


Sunday, June 21, 2026

The Flame in the Frost (Northern Kingdoms #1) by Olivia Boothe

The Flame in the Frost is a Norse-inspired Friends to Lovers Jack Frost reimagining romantasy intended for readers 18+. Reader discretion is advised.

The Flame in the Frost (Northern Kingdoms #1)
by Olivia Boothe
Expected Release Date: June 30th

Genre: Norse Inspired/ Dark Romantasy
Vibe: dark, atmospheric, emotionally intense, romantic, and myth-inspired.
  • Ice Prince / Winter Court
  • Bodyguard (Female Royal Guard & Prince)
  • Slowish-burn romance
  • Friends-to-lovers
  • Forbidden love
  • Arranged political betrothal
  • Hidden lineage / awakening powers
  • Ancient prophecy
  • Morally gray hero
  • Court intrigue & betrayal
  • Dark magic
  • Ice & frost magic
  • Strong, capable female lead
  • Emotional tension & internal conflict
  • Fated bond / magical connection
  • Angst-heavy romance
  • Touch-her-and-die energy
  • Winter aesthetics / cold setting
  • One-tent

When a cursed Winter Prince and a royal guard with a forgotten bloodline are bound by an ancient prophecy, they become the only ones who can stop a rising enemy—if their forbidden love doesn’t destroy them first.

They tried to silence their bond, but the gods had already sung their fate into the heavens.

In the frostbitten kingdom of Skadgard, Sylvanna Isenwulf has finally claimed her mantle as Captain of the Guard, but her loyalty to the crown is tested when Prince Jökullson “Jack” Drakmyr—her best friend and heir to the Frostbound throne—is forced into an arranged betrothal with a princess he’s never met and an alliance that could ignite war across the northern realms.

Ordered to accompany Jack on a dangerous envoy through the cursed Wildlands, Sylvanna is thrust into a perilous journey filled with ancient magic and deadly creatures. But it is another kind of danger that threatens to unravel their friendship...

Bound by an invisible tether that has pulled at their hearts since childhood, Sylvanna and Jack must not only confront their deepest secrets and darkest desires but choose between the love consuming them at their core or the duty binding them to their kingdom.

And when a ruthless enemy rises, threatening to tear Sylvanna and Jack apart, The Frost Prince must decide to either honor the crown that has caged him his whole life or unleash the deadly monster dormant in his veins—a winter storm fiercer than anything Skadgard has ever faced.


Enough to topple kingdoms. Enough to shatter fate.

CONTENT ADVISORY
This novel contains material that may be sensitive for some readers, including:

  • Violence and battle scenes
  • Injury, blood, and death (including on-page death of side characters)
  • Dark magic and supernatural horror elements
  • Emotional distress and trauma
  • Grief and loss
  • Power imbalance between romantic leads (handled thoughtfully)
  • Political manipulation and coercion
  • Imprisonment / restraint
  • Themes of betrayal
  • Public lashing (graphic)
  • Sexual tension and explicit sexual content
  • Strong language

Amazon 

About the Author:

website
REAL LOVE AS IT IS. MESSY. COMPLICATED. AND SINFULLY ADDICTIVE.

Olivia Boothe has always been drawn to stories that blur the line between devotion and destruction. She writes emotionally charged romance infused with dark fantasy, magic, and high-stakes desire—where love is never simple, heroes are beautifully flawed, and passion can be as dangerous as it is intoxicating.

Her novels are known for their deep, layered plots and slow-burn intensity, because for Olivia, romance isn’t about the first kiss or the happily ever after—it’s about everything that happens in between: the longing, the sacrifice, and the moments that change you forever.

When she isn’t writing, Olivia can be found devouring books across every genre, binge-watching her latest TV obsession, or hosting Tuesday-night wine and junk-TV therapy with her girlfriends. She lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband, three sons, and her mini Aussie writing companion, Rosie.

Friday, June 19, 2026

City at the Edge of Time (Sacred Band Series Book 5) by Janet & Chris Morris + giveaway

Stuck at the very end of time.

If you love gritty dark fantasy, epic mythical battles, and ancient gods interfering with mortals, you need to check out City at the Edge of Time by Janet and Chris Morris!


City at the Edge of Time (Sacred Band Series Book 5)
by Janet & Chris Morris
Genre: Epic Heroic Fantasy Adventure
"An exciting and brilliantly colored sortie . . ." - David Drake

Join Tempus and Niko on the triple shores of land, sea, and eternity . . .
Where a young girl trembles between love and sorcerous obsession . . .
Where a prince's refusal to admit his flaws makes him a pawn of hell . . .
Where a city of immortals learn that Death has not forgotten it . . .
In the catacombs beneath a warlock's citadel, swords and courage face the jaws of demons -- with a girl's life and a god's vengeance resting on the outcome.


A red cloud rising out of the east was borne seaward on a hungry wind that howled like a devil. It was a hot cloud, a wet cloud full of the promise of rain, and yet it shed no drop on the forest below. It spread across the wilderness without end, a cloud like a funnel, a cloud like a waterspout turned on its side.

It crossed the scorched earth between the forest and the city on the coast, low to the ground and howling. Then it arched up like a striking snake, a hissing serpent that ate the sky and reared high over the city’s walls.

By then no one walked the city streets. Everywhere the city’s folk had fled indoors, even from the courtyards of the king. No peltast stirred on the battlements; no sentry held his ground. From within the walls of the palace, men peered out through slits at the unnatural red storm.

Women held each other in their boudoirs, and children sheltered under mothers’ skirts. Noise went everywhere, carried on a wet and flailing wind that made hairs stand up on arms and necks and dogs scramble under sturdy beds to whine.

Macon was in his father’s stables with his sister Tabet when the maelstrom started; and there he stayed, working with the grooms to calm the horses, lest one break a leg rearing and kicking. Among horses, as men, hysteria travels fast.




Don’t miss the rest of the Sacred Band Series!
The Sacred Band of Stepsons series is Homeric and heroic fiction following the exploits of an ancient cavalry unit modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. Deftly mixing history, myth, and fantasy, Morris’ Sacred Band of Stepsons live and die in a world where gods are real and magic works — sometimes.

Morris’ accursed cavalry commander, Tempus, first appeared Sacred Band first appeared in the million-selling Thieves’ world shared-universe in 1981. Subsequently, Janet Morris, first alone and subsequently with her husband Chris Morris, take the Sacred Band into their own series of novels, set in the fourth century BCE. Passionate, gritty, lyrical prose and unforgettable characters make this series. Perseid Press Sacred Band novels includes the “Author’s Cut” of the Beyond Sanctuary Trilogy and Tempus, as well as the epic novel The Sacred Band, and The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl. 


Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work was in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she also wrote historical and other novels. Morris either wrote, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

Christopher Crosby Morris (born 1946) is an American author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a lyricist, musical composer, and singer-songwriter. He is married to author Janet Morris. He is a defense policy and strategy analyst and a principal in M2 Technologies, Inc. He writes primarily as Chris Morris, but occasionally uses pseudonyms. 
 

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