The Artist and the Dragon (The Castamar Duology Book 2) by Megan Van Dyke

 Welcome to the ARC tour for the upcoming release in Megan Van Dyke's Castamar Duology, The Artist and the Dragon!

The Artist and the Dragon (The Castamar Duology Book 2)
by Megan Van Dyke
Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2025
A Sleeping Beauty Fantasy Romance Retelling

Tropes/ Themes:
Sleeping Beauty retelling,
Phantom of the Opera vibes/themes,
Gaslamp romance
Reluctant allies
Grumpy/sunshine
"It's complicated"
Mystery
Curses
Banter
Pining/longing
Hurt/comfort
touch her and die
slow burn to spicy
"It's always been you"
The princess will save you
Family bonds
Monsters
Faking dating others while secretly dating

She loathes him.

He craves her.

But when a deadly curse threatens those they love, these reluctant allies must work together to hunt down its wielder before time runs out.

Bronwyn Kinsley helped overthrow a malicious and corrupt monarch. Now, she wants nothing more than to return to a quiet existence painting artwork in the countryside. No more pretentious court life, and definitely no more of the infuriating Malik who touched her heart and then went right back to being the flirtatious prince she swore to loathe.

But the so-called dragons, dissenters of the new monarchs’ reign, are hell-bent on preventing that peace and causing chaos within the kingdom.

Alistair (Malik) Ithael is determined to hunt down the last of the dragons and end their reign of terror. But his attempts to infiltrate their number require him to wear the careful façade of the playboy prince they expect. A guise that puts him at odds with Bronwyn, the only woman he’s ever truly wanted and one that seems to hate him more than ever.

When the dragons strike close to home and afflict Bronwyn’s sister with a deadly sleeping curse, Bronwyn and Malik must team up to save her. In doing so, Bronwyn enters the place she loathes most—high society. Because dragons live disguised in plain sight, and they’ll have to find them first. That is, if a pesky little distraction like love doesn’t get in the way.

The Artist and the Dragon is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with themes and motifs from The Phantom of the Opera, and set in a gaslamp fantasy world akin to Bridgerton, but with magic. You can look forward to a slow burn, angst-ridden romance between two reluctant allies who harbor secret feelings for one another while trying to solve a deadly mystery.

This story is complete with a happily-ever-after and does not end on a cliffhanger. 

PRE-ORDER HERE

 

ARC TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

Paranormal Fantasy: Even Vampires Bleed (The Even Ever After Series Book 2) by E. V. Sauvage

We're celebrating the release of Even Vampires Bleed with a tour! This is the next book in The Even After series and if you enjoy paranormal/ shifter romance, you are going to want to read it!

 

Even Vampires Bleed (The Even Ever After Series Book 2)
by E. V. Sauvage
March 28, 2025
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
🦇She is a bat-shifter/he is a cockatoo
🦇Forced proximity
🦇One bed
🦇Who did this to you?
🦇Grumpy/sunshine
🦇Amnesia
🦇Female rage
They have deceived the humans, led them to believe they’re archangels, ruling over the world for far too long. But the bird shifters have nothing angelic or good. They maim, they torture, they kill. When they don’t toy with people’s brains… That’s what happened to my father. That’s what happened to my other half, Léandre. I found the first, his skull open on an operation table, after he was taken prisoner, and the second still has a chip in his brain, ready to blow up his mind. My world is one thread away from unraveling. But I won’t let them win. My name is Cassiopé. I’m a bat-shifter, a vampire, as humans like to call us, and those birds are going to pay for what they’ve done to the men I love. Do I have what it takes to avenge them? Only time will tell…

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Triggers: This book contains detailed sex scenes, violence, mentions of torture, murder and a heavy dose of heartbreak.

 

 

About the author
Website
E.V. Sauvage is a French author who writes in English and lives in Paris.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading books, collecting them, trying to paint or sew. 

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

Historical Romance: Allied Hearts by D. Taylor + excerpt

Allied Hearts
by D. Taylor
02/11/2025
Genre: Historical Romance
ASIN: B0DWQTVJD6
Number of pages: 388
Word Count: 131000
In the heart of 1870s Texas, one defiant love stands against all odds—two souls bound by devotion, forging an unbreakable union of allied hearts.

Leah Johnson has spent her life standing beside Adam Davenport, the one constant in a world that rarely made space for her. As his closest friend, she has always buried her love for him deep, knowing there was no future for them—not in a town where their kind of love could never be. But when Emma McClain, a wealthy widow with charm and undeniable beauty, begins to carve a place in Adam's life, Leah struggles to ignore the jealousy clawing at her heart. The lines of their friendship blur, and for the first time, she wonders if walking away would hurt less than watching him choose someone else.

Adam Davenport has always relied on Leah—her presence steady, her loyalty unquestioned. She's been his fiercest defender, his sharpest adversary, and the one person who has ever truly known him. But when David Laurent, an ambitious, well-respected man, sets his sights on making Leah his wife, Adam is forced to confront a truth he's long refused to face. The idea of losing her twists something deep inside him, yet even if he did claim her, the dangers that follow would be insurmountable.

In a town where a man's reputation is everything and a woman like Leah is never meant to belong at his side, Adam and Leah find themselves entangled in a love that threatens to ruin them both. With tensions rising, old enemies stirring, and the Sheriff and his right-hand man, Casey Braddock, eager to see them fall, they must decide—fight for a future no one will grant them, or let the world tear them apart before they ever truly have a chance.

Amazon

Excerpt:
By the time they reached the stables, the rain had turned into a deluge, soaking them to the bone. Adam swung the door shut behind them, breathless, the wet strands of his hair plastered to his forehead. Water streamed from his clothes, his shirt clinging tightly to his chest and arms.
Leah leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath, her laughter breaking through the steady drum of rain on the roof. “You’d think between the two of us, we’d know when a storm’s coming by now.” she teased, her voice light despite the tension still thrumming between them.
Adam didn’t respond at first. His hands moved to his soaked shirt, and in one fluid motion, he pulled it over his head, tossing it across a beam to dry. Leah’s laughter faltered, her breath catching as she took in the sight of him—bronzed skin glistening from the rain, every line of his muscled chest and arms a testament to years of hard, honest labor. She could see the curve of his collarbone, the way his skin stretched over the strong lines of his shoulders and felt her pulse race.
Leah couldn’t tear her eyes away, her breath catching in her throat as she tried to focus on wringing out her dress. But the sight of him, standing there with the storm raging outside, felt like more than she could bear. There was something unspoken between them now, something that had lingered far too long in the shadows.
“We look a sight,” she said, trying to inject a note of humor, but her heart was racing, not from the run, but from the nearness of him.
His green eyes fell on her form, tracing every line and curve. The way her dress clung to her, molded against her shape, made his pulse quicken, a fire sparking low in his belly. Every inch of her felt like a temptation—her damp curls framing her face, her skin flushed from the run, her eyes bright with the thrill of the storm. The air was thick, charged with everything he’d held back for so long, every glance he’d forced himself to look away from, every touch he’d denied.
He took a deep, shuddering breath, his jaw clenching as he tore his gaze away. The war between what he wanted and what he believed was right had never felt so brutal.
Leah looked up then, catching him staring, her lips parting slightly, her gaze softening as she held his. The vulnerability in her eyes made his heart clench, and he felt his resolve waver. The space between them felt charged, heavy with all the things he could never say aloud. The heat of her gaze, the gentle slope of her shoulders, the way her body moved as she wrung the water from her hair—all of it burned into him, branding him with a need he could scarcely contain.

About the Author:
FB:PerfectFairytales
Amazon
D. Taylor is an author fueled by a dream to share her stories with the world, capturing the essence of human experience through her narratives. With a love for travel, she aspires to visit each state and as many countries as possible, drawing inspiration from the diverse cultures and landscapes she encounters. At home in Northern California, D. Taylor cherishes her role as a devoted mother and wife, finding joy in the daily adventures with her family. Her passions for cooking and reading not only nourish her body and mind but also infuse her writing with authenticity and depth. As she revises her previous work and crafts new stories, D. Taylor continues to embrace the journey of storytelling, aiming to connect with readers around the globe.

SM Post:
In 1879 Texas, Leah and Adam battle jealousies, rivalries, and a hidden longing that defies society's rules. Their #FriendsToLovers journey is a #SlowBurn #BWWM #WesternRomance brimming with forbidden passion. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWQTVJD6
#BWInterracial #ForbiddenDesire #LoveHasNoColor
#HistoricalRomance #RomanceReaders #InterracialRomance
#BlackWomenWhiteMen #FriendsToLovers #MulticulturalRomance #StrongHeroine #MulticulturalLove #LoveSeesNoBoundaries
#RomanceWriters #BWfiction #WritersOfColor #DiverseLoveStories
#RomanceBooks #InterracialCouple #DiverseRomance
#SlowBurnRomance #SlowBurnLove #FriendsToLoversTrope

Interview with author D.L. Orton: The Mind Behind Hive, Madders of Time Book One

“Hive is an eminently engrossing read, full of heart, humor, and horror alike, with a surprisingly dark turn in its 11th hour that will have readers chomping at the bit for what’s next.”
—Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Reviews

Another alternate reality for Isabel and her beloved Diego, Hive sends Diego back to the past, changing everything for the course of the world, including Diego and Isabel’s own futures. The first in the new Madders of Time series, book four of this series will ALSO be book four of the Crossing in Time series, melding the two alternate paths into one brilliant ending.

What could be better in a series all about time travel and its effects, than the books themselves playing with all the potential timelines?

Diego and Isabel, the protagonists of your new novel Hive, are also the leads of your Crossing in Time series. What about these characters made you return to them once again?
Isabel and Diego have always been at the heart of my stories because they embody what I love most in fiction—messy, complicated, deeply human characters struggling against impossible odds. Their relationship isn’t just a love story; it’s a battle of wills, a testament to resilience, and proof that some bonds can transcend time itself.

Can you explain to us how this new series, Madders of Time, will connect to your Crossing in Time series?
Both series exist within the same multiverse, but Madders of Time expands the scope beyond the personal stakes of Crossing in Time. While the first series asked, What would you risk for love?, this new series asks, How far would you go to save humanity?

In Hive, we see an alternate timeline where the misuse of the spacetime bridge has led to catastrophe. The future is grim, but it’s not hopeless. Diego and Isabel (or rather, versions of them) are still fighting for survival, trying to undo the mistakes of the past. Familiar characters return, but their roles and circumstances may not be what readers expect. There are also deeper dives into the ethical dilemmas of time travel, AI consciousness, and the unintended consequences of scientific ambition. Fans of Crossing in Time will recognize the core themes, but Madders of Time takes the stakes to a whole new level.

I’m also planning to connect both the original and new series with book four (in both timelines). Yes, this is probably not a great life choice.

Where do you gain your inspiration—books, current events, other media, your own life?
All of the above! I’m a voracious reader, from classic sci-fi like Asimov and Le Guin to contemporary authors pushing the boundaries of fiction. I also pull a lot from current events—climate change, artificial intelligence, the way technology shapes our lives in ways we don’t always anticipate. Some of the most terrifying sci-fi concepts come from reading the news. (I wrote all three books in the original series before the covid pandemic arrived—and before DJT “escalatored” into politics.)
And of course, my own life seeps into the story in ways both big and small. The relationships in my books—the way people love, fight, and forgive—are drawn from real emotions and experiences. The science is grounded in research, but the heart of the story always comes from inside me.

If there's one thing you hope your readers take away from reading Hive—other than enjoyment of the story and a hope for the next in the series to come out soon—what would it be?
That even in the darkest of times, there’s always hope.
We live in a world that sometimes feels like it’s on the edge of collapse—political unrest, climate disasters, technological upheaval. Hive is, in many ways, a cautionary tale about the consequences of our choices. But it’s also a story about resilience, about the power of love and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. I want readers to come away not just entertained but inspired—to believe that even small actions matter, that fighting for a better future is always worth it.

What led to you becoming a writer of sci-fi?
I’ve always been fascinated by “what if” questions. What if time travel were real? What if AI could evolve beyond human control? What if we made the wrong choices and had to live with the fallout? Science fiction lets me explore these ideas while still telling deeply personal stories. I started writing sci-fi because I love science, but I stayed because it’s the perfect lens for examining what makes us human.

Are there any other projects you are working on?
Always! Right now, I’m deep into the next book in the Madders of Time series, which will take Diego and Isabel even further into the multiverse’s tangled web of climate change, AI, and (of course) love in impossible circumstances.

Hive (Madders of Time Book 1)
by D. L. Orton
May 6, 2025
In a crumbling biodome surrounded by endless seas and swarms of microdrones, humanity’s last survivors cling to hope. For Isabel, a dying scientist, and Diego, the man she loves, time is running out—literally. The Earth is ravaged, and the biodome that was meant to save them is failing. But when Isabel stumbles upon a long-lost time bridge, the possibility of changing the past emerges, offering one final chance to rewrite history.

There’s just one problem: only one person can make the journey.

As they grapple with the weight of impossible choices, love, and regret, Isabel and Diego must decide whether altering the course of time is worth the risk. Will their sacrifice save the future, or will tampering with the past ensure humanity’s extinction?

Tense, emotional, and thought-provoking, Hive is a story of survival, love, and the ultimate cost of second chances. When the future is at stake, how far would you go to change it?

Amazon

About the author
THE AWARD-WINNING & BEST-SELLING author DL ORTON lives in the Tropics with her husband, a golden retriever mutt, a Siberian cat with a crewcut, and a bazillion geckos.

In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.

Ms. Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and has received numerous literary awards including two Indie Book Awards, the BookLife Prize in Fiction, a USA Best Book Award, and an International Book Award. She was recently shortlisted for the Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize and was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of "The Best of the Best" Indie authors.

Visit her website to sign up for free books!

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table (Presented By The Alchemical Wizards Book One) by Sybrina Durant

What inspired you to become an author?
I started trying my hand at writing as soon as I could read. I always loved singing and reading poetry, so at first I only wrote song lyrics and poetry. Before long, other types of books caught my fancy. . .mainly fantasy. I’ve also always had an affinity for researching and categorizing information. These are the things that ultimately led to my first book about a metal horn unicorn tribe in which each character had a magical power based on the metal of their horns. This was long before computers so all of my research was done by hand from dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Do you have a specific writing style?
I’d say my specific writing style is educational fantasy. The work I did on my unicorn fantasy story is what led to the idea of writing the first in my series of illustrated periodic table books. I already had the beginnings with 12 unicorns ready to present 12 elements of the periodic table. I had previously decided that this book would be laid out in alphabetical order so I only needed to come up with 14 more unique unicorns and elements to complete the alphabet. How hard could it be, I thought… Turns out it was quite a bit more difficult than I anticipated because not all letters of the alphabet are represented by an element. I had to get quite creative to account for all of the letters.

Do you write in different genres?
I do write in other genres but this book series has turned into a several year project so everything I’ve written in the past few years, including about 100 articles, have been about elements of the periodic table. As I mentioned, the first book in this series had Metal Horn Unicorns presenting 26 elements. Next, came Elemental Dragons presenting 26 elements, also in alphabetical order. This current book features Alchemical wizards discussing more elements. In fact, there were so many elements to be covered by the wizards that I had to split them into 2 books. Book 2 will be out later this year. After that, Actinide Knights and Radioactive Goblins will finish up the series.

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?
I love to write books that are illustrated because you can use the pictures in a thousand ways (like the previously mentioned articles) for marketing and promotion. For the Magical Elements of the Periodic Table series of books, I have used the graphics for creating memes for social media, the video shorts, activity pages to help with learning and remembering about each element, trading cards for sharing with friends, a bingo game, and even t-shirts. All of these can be found at https://www.magicalptelements.com . I’ve also utilized the pictures to put together special pages on the website where I’ve placed links to my research so that readers can check my facts and learn more themselves.

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?
The theme song for all of the Magical Elements of the Periodic Table books is called “No Metal – No Magic”. The lyrics for it feature the metal horn unicorns but it’s still applicable for all of the elementals. Their motto, after all, is No Metal – No Magic. . . and No Technology. Think about that for a second. There literally would be no modern life without the amazing gifts the elements have provided mankind over the years. The instrumental music for the song is the background music for all of the video shorts that I’ve, so far, created for the magical elementals. One day, I hope to have a video for each of the 118 elementals and the elements they represent. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLybqF-7D4W3EuoE2dzd9xbt4gleDECHga

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table (Presented By The Alchemical Wizards Book One)
by Sybrina Durant

Nov. 1, 2024
Genre: Children’s Science Book
Publisher: Sybrina Publishing
ISBN: ‎979-8345317112
ASIN : ‎B0DLW662B8
Number of pages: 44
Word Count: About 1000.
Cover Artist: Pranavva
No metal, no magic…and no technology.

Kids love magic and the periodic table is full of magical things. Alchemical wizards introduce kids to scientific facts and the magic of the elements.

The Alchemical Wizards, along with their techno-magical unicorn and dragon friends from the first 2 Magical Elements Books are the perfect group to introduce you to metals and other elements in the Periodic Table. Hopefully, the Magical Elements of this periodic table book will spark an interest in the magical and real-world properties of all the metals and other elements known today.

You may be surprised at how prominently they feature in our everyday lives.

Amazon

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Playlist

About the Author:
Website/Newsletter-Bonus Materials-Twitter-LinkedIn-Instagram-Amazon-Goodreads
Facebook Magical Elements of the Periodic Table
Sybrina Durant is the author of several educational children’s books including the Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and The Fox series as well as The Magical Elements of the Periodic Table series. Her motto is “capture a child’s interest while they’re young and they will remember the lesson forever”.

Excerpt: Stone of Doubt (Stones of Iona Book 5) by Margaret Izard + giveaway

In the absence of doubt, only faith is found.

Stone of Doubt (Stones of Iona Book 5)
by Margaret Izard
Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance
A human with Fae powers living like an oddball has its ups and downs until Evie MacDougall’s dream Fae boy pops back into her life after she thought another was “the one.” One dark and devilish, the other her long-lost love. Evil forces trap her for a magic Fae stone, but which man can she trust?

As a teen prophesied to be Fae king, Aodhán viewed the girl of his dreams through an Eye of Ra. Once, he risked all to help Evie MacDougall find a magic Fae stone, only to end up imprisoned. Kept from his true love for years, he finds her at risk from an evil Fae hunting a magic stone.

Is a single vow strong enough to save true love, to save the human and Fae realms?

Amazon-Apple-B&N-Google-Kobo-Bookbub-Goodreads

 

Evie threw open Kat’s door, allowing it to bang against the wall.
Kat rolled over. “Kind of early, even for ye, Evie.”
Evie strode to Kat’s closet, flipping through each item. She didn’t say a word, fearful she’d give away something, anything that told her best friend she’d visited the Fae realm.
Kat sat up. “What are ye wearing? Yer hair’s lighter. I like it!”
Evie glanced down, forgetting the Fae gown, and shrugged. “Something for a play.” She cringed inside at lying to her friend but couldn’t tell anyone she was the one the Fae fable referred to. Not yet, at least.
Evie flipped back and forth between a crop top and a skirt. Kat’s chest was like her ma’s, larger than Evie’s, but Evie’s hips were bigger. Her clothes had to fit. Evie didn’t have time to go shopping. She wasn’t ready for the idea of selecting new clothing that she’d never bothered to glance at, let alone try on.
Grabbing the pink crop top and gray pencil skirt, Evie felt comfortable with it being long enough to cover her knees. She had to start somewhere. If she wore a miniskirt to work, ha! Evie envisioned falling, carrying ale, and flashing her personals to all of Maggie’s Bar. That’d be a hoot.
As Kat called after her, she strode from the room. “Sure, ye can borrow some of my clothes. Thanks for asking!”
In her room, Evie stripped the Fae gown and hung it, carefully placing it in the back of her closet. She slipped on a bra and undies and donned the crop top lifting her arms to ensure her boobs stayed covered. With the skirt on, she examined herself in the mirror.
“Nice. Not yer usual colors.” Kat leaned on the frame, yawning. “The form-fitting cotton looks good.”
Evie turned right, then left, checking her reflection. It needed something more. She moved to her closet, examining her belts. The skinny suspenders, that’s what it needed. Attaching those, she turned before the mirror and nodded.
As she sat to put on her black boots, Kat collapsed on her bed. “Why the change?” She rolled over. “Not that I’m complaining, but pink with light gray and form-fitting cotton isn’t yer norm.”
Kat sat up. “Manix! It has to be. Ye have the hots for Manix!”
Evie shrugged as she brushed her long hair out. This was good. If they thought she spent her time with Manix, they wouldn’t figure out she’d spent most of the evening in the Fae realm with Aodhán.
She placed her hair in pigtails and began braiding each one. She had to keep her hair up for her waitressing, but after work, when she went out with Manix, the braids would make her hair wavy when she let it out. Perfect.
Speaking of Fae realms, “Where’s Ewan and Doug?”
Kat stood and went to the door. “In bed as usual. They come back later and later each trip.” She sighed. “They should be careful.”
Evie checked the clock. Dash, it’s almost eleven am. Her shift started at noon, and Manix said he’d pick her up at nine when her shift ended.
She grabbed her leather jacket and went past Kat, who held her arm. “Do ye know what ye are doing with Manix? Ewan mentioned that some say he has a temper he can’t control.”
Evie pulled her arm away. “It’s nothing. I’m sure exaggeration.”
Evie ran to the door as Kat called after her, “Sure, don’t mind me, yer BFF. I only just arrived, and ye are off every evening with a man.” She sighed dramatically. “I’ll stay in with a movie again.”
Evie stopped at the opened door. “Soon, ye and I will go bar hopping. Introduce ye around.”
Kat chuckled, “Hold ye to it.”
Evie wasn’t certain what this day held. She’d not dated many men as none seemed to appeal to her. Ewan said it was because she compared them all to her Fae boy, and maybe she had. A human could never beat out the attraction a Fae held. It wasn’t a mere myth but the total truth.

**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**

Previous books in the series, Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18th century Scottish story. Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s 13th century Scottish story. Stone of Lust, Book 3, Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale. Thistle in the Mistletoe featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.

Next in the series: Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book. Stone of Faith, book 6. Stone of Destiny, book 7. Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book.

This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

Find them HERE-Kindle

About the Author:

Website-FB-X-Instagram 

Bluesky-Bookbub

Amazon-Goodreads

Margaret Izard is a multi-award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

 Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Stone of Doubt Swag Pack (US only),
$30 Amazon giftcard (WW)
- 1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt: Night Stalker (The Cities Below Book Six) by Jen Colly + giveaway

Night Stalker (The Cities Below Book Six)
by Jen Colly
March 4th, 2025
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Number of pages: 330
Word Count: 86,000
Cover Artist: Ryan Imbrock
He had every intention of crossing a line.

In all honesty, Jake had to give his trip to Paris mixed reviews. Beaten and broken by seemingly invincible men with eerie red eyes marked the low point, but abduction by a sexy, knife-wielding vampire? Better than fireworks on the Fourth of July. She was the best medicine for a wounded man's body and soul. A few busted ribs cost him precious time, but he had to keep moving. Call it vengeance or justice, either way, Jake had a man to kill.

Dulcina had witnessed the destruction left in the wake of demons for far too many years to be rattled by a bloody body. She brought him home and catered to his comfort. Big mistake. The smart-mouth, irritatingly likable man pulled through, and was determined to leave, but with knowledge of other species in his head, the human is a problem.

To stop Jake from escaping, Dulcina promised to help him finish his mission, but the price was steep, and neither were prepared for what they discovered. Secrets are uncovered, and as a Night Stalker charged with protecting all species, Dulcina is forced to make a difficult choice.

Amazon-Books2Read

Excerpt:
Dulcina stepped over him and sat, back propped against the wall with legs bent over top of his outstretched legs. Yes, the space was cramped, but physical contact never bothered her, in any form.
Her home didn’t have room for a comfy chair or a breakfast table, so improvisation was a norm. She took the pizza box and set it down to her left, between them.
“Hungry...pet?” Dulcina asked, just barely avoiding the use of his name.
His eyes narrowed on her, then solidly corrected her. “Jake.”
She smiled. So persistent, this man. Dulcina pointed to the box. “It’s all I’ve got.”
“Not a fan of cold pizza,” he said, more of an easy statement than an objection.
“It isn’t exactly cold. Just not hot.” Dulcina shrugged. “Eat or starve. Your call.”
He grabbed a slice, took note of how she'd folded her slice, and did the same. They sat in silence, which gave her time to watch him from the corner of her eye. When he'd finished his slice, he scanned the room thoughtfully, then seeming resolved, grabbed another slice. What had he been looking for? Perhaps a refrigerator. Interesting. He'd rather eat what he didn't care for than waste food.
He was an observant thing. Practical. Another sliver of begrudging respect surfaced, and Dulcina forced herself to admit this man wasn't nearly as irritating as she'd first assumed. Other than the fact that he needed tending.
Dulcina settled a little deeper into her position against the wall, intending to shut off her brain until this show ended. Futile. Every little movement Jake made drew her attention. He glanced at the last slice in the box. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him, practically able to see the war in his mind. Some imagined obligation not to waste food battled with the reality of him being stuffed full, and she could see the signs. Leaning back, he stifled a belch. Why torture himself with more food? Must be a human thing.
Folding the lid on the box closed, she leaned over his legs and tossed it onto the floor. When his questioning gaze met hers, she simply said, “You keep eating and I won't be able to lift your ass at all.”
A grin flashed across his face, and he nodded, unwilling to fight her over something he didn't truly want in the first place. Crossing her arms over her chest, Dulcina stared at the television, avoiding his dashing smile and the things it did to her libido.
For several moments the sound of the TV filled the space between them, and then Jake reached over a rather short distance, and grabbed her foot. Stunned by his impulsive behavior, she met his gaze, subduing the hot flash of wariness at the contact. All he did was grin again.
The heat of his palms wrapping around her chilled foot was a shock to her system, and after the astonishment wore off, she tugged her foot, but the grip of his right hand was far more tenacious than she'd expected. If she'd so desired, she could have easily freed herself from his grip, but she curbed her more violent responses, well aware she could injure him further.
“What are you doing? Let go,” she snapped.
“I haven’t been doing anything for days. I’m finally feeling good enough to move, but I can’t without hurting, and it sucks,” Jake grumbled, flinching slightly as his facial expressions tugged on the scabbed tissue on his lips, the bruises around his eyes. He calmed quickly, lowered his gaze to her foot, and slowly moved his thumb in a circle. “Doing nothing is making me stir crazy. I'm upright, and feeling mostly okay. Just let me have a focus, will ya?”
Dulcina’s jaw nearly dropped at his admission, not to mention the stern scolding. Not because they'd been the most direct words he’d spoken since she’d brought him home, and not at all because he was telling her flat out what he wanted from her, but because she shared those same sentiments. She went positively stir crazy without a focus. Every night. His words resonated with her, and his resolve sparked her interest.
What would he do then, if given free rein to do as he pleased? An experiment seemed in order. Dulcina released the tension in her leg, gave the full weight of it over to his hands.
Jake slowly drew her foot back onto his lap, the positioning more for the benefit of his bruised and cracked ribs than her comfort. Once she adjusted and settled, he pinned her with a ‘pay attention’ gaze and pointed to the TV. Directing her? Interesting. To what end?
Dulcina did as he asked, keeping a sharp eye on him in her peripheral vision. Once he seemed satisfied that she’d obeyed, he set to work on her foot. Jake didn’t watch the TV with her, and he wasn't keen on catching her reaction to his touch. Instead, he truly threw his entire focus into rubbing her foot from ankle to toe.
Sinfully thorough, this man. After he’d taken his time rubbing every inch of her foot with those distracting fingers and drawing bone-melting circles with his thumbs, he cupped his hands around her entire foot with a gentle, firm pressure. The contact was delicious, warming her in a way that had little to do with physical heat.
Jake tapped her shin, and when she looked up, a question on the tip of her tongue, she saw him pointing to the other foot. This was strange. All of it. A man she didn’t know was touching her, taking pains to see to her comfort, while he was still recovering from multiple injuries. This tender, selfless care was something done between mates.
Dulcina flinched. That thought was jarring.

About the Author:
Website–FB-Instagram
Newsletter-Goodreads
Night Stalker
Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years. Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series: The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires.

She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, and four rescued cats.

Jake had to give his trip to Paris mixed reviews. Beaten and broken by seemingly invincible men with eerie red eyes marked the low point, but abduction by a sexy, knife-wielding vampire? Better than fireworks on the Fourth of July.
https://books2read.com/u/mdRqxW
#citiesbelow #nightstalker #paranormalromance #ForcedProximity #DifferentWorlds #Demons #Vampire #Romance #PG13

Tour Giveaway
Kindle Copy Night Stalker by Jen Colly
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dragons, Mermaids, Elves… and Kitsune? (Keeper of Dragons: Aprella Academy Book 1) by J.A. Culican + giveaway

What if the key to saving the world lies in the one creature everyone learned to fear?

Dragons, Mermaids, Elves… and Kitsune? (Keeper of Dragons: Aprella Academy Book 1)
by J.A. Culican
Genre: YA Fantasy, Ranobe
What if the key to saving the world lies in the one creature everyone learned to fear?
 

Rhyden was supposed to stay hidden in Ochana, the floating realm of dragons—isolated ever since Prince Jago’s mysterious death. But with an unshakable sense of duty, he defies his people’s decree and enrolls at Aprella Academy, a legendary school where mermaids, elves, fairies, and kitsune shape the world’s magic.

Arriving as the first dragon on campus in a century, Rhyden becomes an instant sensation—and not everyone is thrilled about it. Whispers circulate that the wards protecting the academy are failing. A priceless artifact has been stolen, dark forces lurk in hidden corridors, and rumors blame the sudden “dragon presence” for the danger creeping past the gates.

Teaming up with a ragtag circle of new friends—Kairo the mermaid warrior torn between land and sea, Fenrick the kitsune trickster hiding unexpected insecurities, Talyssa the elf struggling to atone for her people’s past, and Lirien the quiet fairy sensing a looming evil—Rhyden races to unmask the culprit. Yet ominous illusions and shocking betrayals await at every turn, threatening to shatter the fragile trust he’s begun to build.

When Rhyden’s draconic power finally awakens, it’s as explosive as the secrets that forced dragons into hiding long ago. Determined to reclaim the dragon legacy and protect a world that once shunned his kind, he soon learns that defeating hidden enemies may require forging alliances beyond imagination—and confronting a darkness older than the academy itself.

Dive into a ranobe-inspired tale of epic magic, unlikely friendships, and one dragon shifter trying to light the path forward in a realm built on shadows. Will Rhyden spark a new era for dragons—or remind the world why they vanished in the first place?

Perfect for fans of magical academies, secret conspiracies, and unstoppable teamwork, Keeper of Dragons: Aprella Academy is your next addictive fantasy read.

Amazon-Apple-B&N-Kobo-Smashwords-Books2Read-Bookbub-Goodreads

About the Author:
Website-FB-Instagram 

Bookbub-Amazon

Goodreads

J.A. Culican is a USA Today Bestselling author of the middle grade fantasy series Keeper of Dragons. Her first novel in the fictional series catapulted a trajectory of titles and awards, including top selling author on the USA Today bestsellers list and Amazon, and a rightfully earned spot as an international best seller. Additional accolades include Best Fantasy Book of 2016, Runner-up in Reality Bites Book Awards, and 1st place for Best Coming of Age Book from the Indie book Awards.

J.A. Culican holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Niagara University, in which she has been teaching special education for over 13 years. She is also the president of the autism awareness non-profit Puzzle Peace United. J.A. Culican resides in Southern New Jersey with her husband and four young children. 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Dark Fantasy New Release: Immortal Dark by Shermon Kodi

We're celebrating this gorgeous release by Shermon Kodi! Immortal Dark is now available!

Immortal Dark
by Shermon Kodi
March 10, 2025
Genre: YA/ Dark Fantasy
Tropes & Themes:
- Gangs, thieves, assassins
- Demons, monsters, magic
- Anti-chosen one
- Mystery & riveting plot twists
- Romance subplot
- Harmony-based magic system
- Paranormal horror vibes
- Sword & sorcerer
The shadows awaken as darkness falls. And these shadows have fangs.

Seventeen-year-old Bexis has survived the frozen streets of Coppejj by trusting no one but herself. With her shadow magic, she’s scraped by as a freelance thief, working for local gang lords and politicians.

But when a routine heist goes horribly wrong, Bexis is branded with ancient magic, making her the target of a bloodthirsty spirit.

Desperate for answers, she turns to an eccentric demon hunter. Together, they uncover a deadly plot by a sinister cabal, threatening to plunge the world into eternal night. As Bexis confronts her haunted past, she faces a grim choice: Embrace the shadows within, or lose everything she holds dear.

To destroy the darkness, she must first become it.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

About the author
Website
Shermon Kodi is a legally blind author who finds inspiration in the quiet knolls of Chittenden County, Vermont, where the long snowy winters drive one to pair wool socks with moccasin slippers and curl up by the furnace with a pot of chamomile tea and a book about monsters in dark places doing dark things. Through his writing, Shermon seeks to explore the resilience of the human spirit, the tenacity of good people faced with hard times, and the relationships that light us up, make our hearts smile, and carry us through every storm.

When he’s not writing, Shermon spends his time thinking about writing.

He knows this is a problem— although, he contends, it’s a good kind of problem to have. Occasionally, he’ll break from his routines and really let go— sleep in till 7 AM, drink tea instead of coffee, read in the mornings, or plug in the ’07 Strat and reminisce about the days when he dreamed of being a rockstar instead of an author.

He’ll be the first to tell you: “No regrets!”

Life is funny like that.

Shermon is the author of Heart of the Valley and Songs of the Rhor, both available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Stay connected on TikTok and Instagram for updates on his latest books, behind-the-scenes insights, and creative content.

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

New Dark Romantasy Release: Blood of the Blackthorn (The Eternal Curse Book 1) by Rocio Carranza

We're celebrating the release of Blood of the Blackthorn this week! Available March 11th!

 

Blood of the Blackthorn (The Eternal Curse Book 1)

by Rocio Carranza

March 11, 2025 

Genre: Dark Romantasy 

🥀Forbidden Love 

🩸Magic & Witchcraft 

🥀Unreliable Prophecy 

🩸Political Intrigue 

🥀Secrets & Betrayal 

🩸Feminine Rage 

HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO KEEP YOUR SECRETS?

 

After years of living as a lady in the Givensmir court - a life of luxury and opulence - Eve's past has slowly come back to haunt her. One of secrets and magic that courses through her veins, thought to have been long forgotten. Now, a princess lies mysteriously dead before her in the great hall. The eyes of the duplicitous court are everywhere. And there is nowhere left to hide. In a realm known for its witch hunts and the ongoing conflict with the Blackthorn, the kingdom of witchcraft across the treacherous Dallise Sea, Eve now finds herself on the wrong side of this war. And the time to escape is running out.

 AVAILABLE ON AMAZON 

 

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

  

 R&R BOOK TOURS

Sweet Paranormal Romance: The McCullough Pack Series by Nola Li Barr + giveaway

When love walks into a family war:

Headstrong siblings, fated mates, a grandmother's love, and enemies thirsting for revenge.

Saved by the Wolf (The McCullough Pack Book 1)
by Nola Li Barr
Genre: Sweet Paranormal Romance
A Sweet Paranormal Romance Complete Series

Fate brought us together, but the scars of our pasts threaten to tear us apart.

Jill
The moment I hear his voice, something inside me shifts. He seems to reach right into my soul, and suddenly, all I want is to be near him, to feel safe in his arms. But I’ve been down this road before. My last relationship left me broken, bruised, and wary. And the way his friends hang on his every word? It’s too familiar—too much like my past.

Still, there’s an undeniable connection between us. My heart whispers that he’s different, that he’s the one I’ve been waiting for. But how can I trust it when my head is screaming to run?

Luc
She’s shy, quiet . . . human. Not someone my wolf should be drawn to, but he is. When I’m near her, my wolf is calm, content, and all he wants is to claim her as mine. But I’ve sworn off love. I know too well the pain of a broken heart, and I promised myself I wouldn’t go through that again.

Yet, no matter how much I try to push her away, my wolf won’t let me. She’s the one, and every fiber of my being knows it.

Saved by the Wolf is the first book in the McCullough Pack series—a heart-tugging, sweet paranormal romance with all the love, none of the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Loved by the Wolf (The McCullough Pack Book 2)
*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

He loves me . . . He loves me not . . .

Becca
I’ve loved him for years and thought the feeling was mutual. But when I lean in to kiss him on our first date, he recoils, claiming he only loves me like a sister.

He breaks my heart that night.

Every bone in my body is telling me to leave—to start a new life in a new place. A place without him in it.

But I must be a masochist because no matter what I tell myself, I cannot stay away from him . . .

Brandon
She is my mate. My wolf knows it.

Ever since she kissed me, my wolf has been clawing at me to claim her. It is becoming harder and harder to control myself.

Because I can’t claim her.

My past haunts me with reminders of my failures. She’s better off without me. The best I can do is be her protector—if I can even do that . . . .

Set against a backdrop of a tight-knit family, this friends-to-lovers story is filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

 

Adored by the Wolf (The McCullough Pack Book 3)
A Sweet Paranormal Romance

*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

All is fair in love and war.

Millie
I’m the responsible sister. The one my family relies on. It’s the reason I’m standing in for my sister, instead of going on my well-deserved vacation.

My day brightens when he walks in. I try to act professional, but he stands close, and his eyes never leave me.

When he leaves, I tell myself he’ll soon forget about me. But on a visit to my friend, he’s there to greet me. This time, I’m the one who can’t look away.

I’m only enjoying his company. Nothing can go wrong.

Jacob
I’m the planner of my family, and with war coming to my pack, I must prepare for it. But my wolf is restless, wanting what my elder brothers have—a mate.

When I see her, my wolf screams she’s the one, and I feel the urge to claim her. I push him down and manage to leave, but thoughts of her continue to bombard me every day.

A day later, my brother pays her a visit, and on his return, he starts acting . . . odd. Once my partner in crime, now he’s looking at me as his enemy.

Suddenly, everything goes wrong.

Enter a world where the strength of a family lies not only with its pack but also with their soulmates. A world filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

**Don’t miss the rest of the series!!**
Find them on Amazon!

Or get the box sets!
Get Set 1-3 or Set 4-6 and the NEW RELEASE on March 9th – Set 7-9

**FREEBIE ALERT!**
Subscribe to Nola’s newsletter and get the prequel FREE!
Sign up here!

About the Author:

Website-FB-X-Instagram 

Bluesky-Bookbub

Amazon-Goodreads

Nola Li Barr writes sweet family saga romances. Both in contemporary and paranormal/fairy tale settings. She loves to explore family dynamics with her characters and see them fall in love, most of the time with someone they’d never deem possible. In the hopes of sharing her stories with her kids sooner than later, her romances are always sweet with a happily ever after. When she’s not writing she can be found reading, baking, and navigating the path of motherhood. Follow her on social media @nolalibarr or visit nolalibarr.com.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway