The Bounty of Blood and Nails (The Devil’s Huntress Book 1) by N. K. Brown

The Bounty of Blood and Nails (The Devil’s Huntress Book 1)
by N. K. Brown
March 3, 2026 
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Feminine Rage
Morally Grey Characters
Dark magic
Forbidden magic
Grumpy x Sunshine
Love Triangles
Spicy Romance
Hidden Villains
Tam is a heartless, ruthless bounty hunter—or so her handler would have you believe.

With her ability to use forbidden blood magic, Tam tracks and captures her prey. The same blood magic that curses her to a life of servitude under a cruel handler—one wrong move and not only her life, but her family’s will be at stake. But when she’s sent to a remote, superstitious northern town where even a glimmer of magic will send you to the gallows, she’s forced to confront the darker consequences of her work.

After the murder of her bounty, innocent townspeople are blamed—and Tam’s conscience begins to stir. But there’s no turning back. Her handler raises the stakes, and her next mission is even more dangerous: infiltrate the royal castle and capture the enigmatic Prince Bellinor. Disguised as a maid, Tam is drawn into a world of deadly secrets, where her words are whispered into the prince’s ears through an ancient magic she’s never faced before.

To get close to the prince, she befriends his loyal bodyguard, Clement, but the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Clement’s destiny is tied to the prince. With time running out and the castle tightening, Tam is forced to watch the trial of the people blamed for her own prior actions. But will she complete the mission—or risk it all as she falls in love with the person whose life she must destroy?

In this fast-paced, thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and forbidden love, Tam will have to decide if being the bad guy is worth losing everything.

Trigger Warnings: Blood, gore, violence, and scenes of a sexual nature

Amazon 

 

About the Author:

website

I am a veterinarian and a proud mother of three. Originally from Stratford-Upon-Avon I now live outside of Boston.

Finally ready for the career change I have always wanted, I joined Jericho Writers and am an alumni of their Ultimate Novel Writing Course 2023/24. I love to write in the SFF genre usually with a dark and speculative twist. An animal or two will usually pop up somewhere in my writing!

When not reading or writing or reading about writing, you can find me out on a long run, lost in my imagination (or a good audiobook) as I plan my next novel. 

 

Obsidian Sky (Riftborn Series Book 1) by Jill Aster

We're celebrating the newly released romantasy, Obsidian Sky! If you love training academies and dragon riders, this is a must read for you!

Obsidian Sky (Riftborn Series Book 1)
by Jill Aster
February 2, 2026
Genre: Romantasy/ Dragons
🔥Enemies to lovers
🔥Trainer to trainee
🔥Morally gray protector
🔥Fated bond
🔥Deadly training academy trials
🔥Hidden lineage
🔥Dragon-rider fantasy
🔥Forbidden romance
🔥Love and destruction
🔥High-stakes political intrigue
🔥Destiny/prophecy
🔥Elemental magic system
🔥Immersive fantasy world-building
Thaelyn Marren enters the Asgar Training Academy wanting nothing more than to prove herself amongst the other cadets, where she must endure life-threatening trials in the hope of manifesting air, water, fire, or earth magic. Not to mention, a lucky few will pair with dragons who select their riders with ancient instinct, answering only to those whose souls burn bright enough to match their own.

When Thaelyn’s power stirs in ways no instructor can explain, she draws the attention of the crown, particularly Prince Thorne Dareth, a renowned warrior and a dragon rider. Hardened by discipline and haunted by a kingdom he was born to serve, Thorne sees Thaelyn as a danger to the realm and yet is charged with her training. And amidst clashing personalities, an undeniable pull forms between them, potent enough to awaken dark forces that once tore the world apart.

Now rift-born creatures thought to exist only in nightmares are slipping through the cracks of their reality. And as they push the realm toward open war, Thaelyn may be the only one able to stop what’s coming. That is, only if Thorne can choose between loyalty to his crown or the girl whose power could either save their world or bring it to ruin.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON 

 OR READ ON KU

Triggers: This story includes elements of war, battle, perilous situations, and open-door sexual content.

About the author
website
Jill Aster writes epic fantasy romance. She's a published curriculum writer and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her background in education, which earned the distinction of Master Teacher, has refined her storytelling craft, world-building skills, and character development. Obsidian Sky is her debut fantasy romance and the first book in a planned series titled Riftborn. When she is not teaching literature, writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, baking, photography, and spending time with her husband, two adult children, and their pomsky, Onyx. 

Jill has loved fantasy books and been mesmerized by dragons since she was a child. When she decided to write her debut novel, Obsidian Sky, she knew it must contain dragons. Her debut novel, Obsidian Sky is book one in the planned Riftborn Series.

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Among the Fallen (The Fallen Realms Book 1) by Makena Song

We're celebrating the new release Among the Fallen this week with a tour! If you are looking for an epic fantasy adventure without the spice, this one's for you! 

 

Among the Fallen (The Fallen Realms Book 1)
by Makena Song
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Genre: YA Fantasy

• Chosen One
• Good vs. Evil
• Found Family
• Underdog (Zero to Hero)
• Cursed MC
• Survival Story
• The Hero's Journey
• False Prophecy
• Betrayal by Friends

Remember The Fallen Ones… Accused of a crime that he didn’t commit, Lucian Roux is on the run from his hometown, Caelum, a rural village concealed deep within The Sage’s Forest. Although carrying the weight of a criminal record and the fear of an uncertain future, Lucian sees this new start as an opportunity to achieve his one-and-only dream: Freedom. His freedom, however, comes with a terrible cost... 

A price that he might never be able to pay. Luckily, Lucian isn’t alone. In the company of a delusional goddess trapped in a mirror and a snarky peer with a passion for swords, Lucian embarks on a prophetic adventure to not only figure out the true identity of the evil entity inside him but also break the chains binding him once and for all. A YA fantasy adventure with no explicit content or profanity. Includes a brief scene of domestic violence and instances of bullying. Reader discretion advised. 

GET IT HERE

About the Author:
Instagram
Makena Song was adopted from Seoul, South Korea, and was raised in Longwood, Florida. From an early age, Makena’s mother, Tina Song, read countless books to her, including: The Tale of Despereaux, The Shadow Children Series, and The Missing Series. Reading allowed Makena to let her imagination run free, as these magical scenes played out in her head.

When she was introduced to Wattpad in middle school, she gained a creative outlet to express her countless story ideas. By the time she was in high school, this vault of random ideas turned into a set of fantasy novels. After she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Furman University, Makena pursued not only a full-time writing career as a marketing copywriter but also a dream to publish Among the Fallen and Among the Risen. 

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Excerpt: Eternally Beautiful Summer Nights (Summer Scares Book 4) by Martha Wickham

In this pulse-pounding fourth volume, Martha Wickham weaves five tales of dolls, deadly secrets, and the ghosts that glitter in the darkness.

Eternally Beautiful Summer Nights: Summer Night Screams (Summer Scares Book 4)
by Martha Wickham
09-08-2025 

Horror / Paranormal
Experience the eternal, beautiful dread of summer nights, where every shadow holds a story and the past refuses to stay buried.

Welcome back to the world of *Summer Scares*, where the warmth of the season does nothing to banish the chill of the supernatural. In this pulse-pounding fourth volume, Martha Wickham weaves five tales of dolls, deadly secrets, and the ghosts that glitter in the darkness.

Inside, you will encounter the terror of:

*Cursed Heirlooms: A vintage collector doll named Reiny uses an old, randomly chiming grandfather clock as her only way to communicate, and you'll find out just how protective (and creepy) she can be in "Girl Protected," "Reiny's Clock Terror," and "Reiny's Last Guardian."

*Glittering Ghosts: When Felicity moves into an apartment, she finds glitter that won't go away and hears tinkling bells—a terrifying trail left behind by the ghost of Lisa and an important clue for a murderer on the run in "The Glitter Veil."

*The Dollhouse Trap: Curious teens fix up an old dollhouse found in an abandoned Victorian, only to start a haunting that communicates its terrible ending. When Terri blames the trapped spirits for an accident, he must compromise with the ghosts to escape their approaching wrath.

These are stories for your eternal summer—a chilling journey where the dolls are more than just toys, the hauntings are inescapable, and every beautiful summer night ends with a scream.

Amazon-Books2Read
 

Excerpt
Reiny’s Clock Terror
The grandfather clock chimed loudly and could be heard from Sara’s bedroom. It was closed and she ran to it. It said nine o'clock, but it was the middle of the afternoon. Sara Greyston wondered why it rang when it hadn’t in over a year. Her parents heard it too. The clock was very old and was built by her great-grandfather, George. She moved the arms to three o'clock. There wasn’t much hope that it was going to work right. She wasn’t sure what time it was.
She ran into her mother’s bedroom. “Can we take it and get it fixed?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. It’s only for show,” her father said.
When she got to her room she checked the time on her cell phone. It said ten am. Her watch was right, but she never wore it. The time on her computer also said ten am.
“Did the power go out?” she asked her mother.
“No,” her mother responded. “I don’t think so."
Maybe that was it, and she shrugged. It was an old clock and an old house, and it had been in the family for at least a century. She had just graduated from high school and had time to do what she wanted. All she really wanted to know was when her friends were going to the beach and which school she should go to in the fall.
Just as she feared, the grandfather clock randomly chimed. She sat up in bed and checked her watch. It said one in the morning. It was so cold she got up to get hot tea and turn on the heat. Afterwards, she lay down and checked her watch. It still said one in the morning. In the morning, she would have to reset it. Lying there, she suddenly heard small footsteps in the attic. Reiny hadn’t seen that doll since Mary died, and the doll was locked with a bolt so that it couldn’t get out. The protector doll had become a threat in high school a couple of years ago.
Come early morning, she grabbed the keys and unlocked the attic door. There near the door was Reiny. Her lifelike eyes were staring at Sara. She picked her up, and the clock chimed. It was annoying, but somebody in the family had made it. She took the doll downstairs and shut the door behind her. She had planned to lock it up somewhere still.
She sat in the kitchen eating her eggs. From the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she saw the doll turn its head toward her. Her mom entered the kitchen.
“Mom, what’s the name of the relative that built the big broken clock?” Sara asked.
“George Greyson. He was a clock-maker and the original owner of this house. He was great at it. I’m sure there are pictures and tools he used to use up in the attic,” she answered sipping her coffee.
“I’ll definitely go up there,” Sara said. Her mom noticed how the doll sat in her green and white dress near Sara.
“That’s Reiny,” Sara said. “I believe she may be controlling the clock."

Cami Hensley · Eternally Beautiful Summer Nights

Cami Hensley · Eternally Beautiful Summer Nights

Amazon

About the Author:

Website
Martha Wickham has a knack for finding the ghosts hidden in the dust. A lifelong student of the arcane and the artistic, Martha has an Associate's Degree and professional writing credentials, but she honed her skills in the thrilling shadows of screenwriting and horror. Martha lives for the secrets that only come out "By Dawn". You can discover more of her work, including her newest audiobooks, at your favorite retailer.

The Serpent Prince (The Plot of the Six Saint Series Book 2) by Jacquelyn Gilmore

We’re celebrating the release of the next book in The Plot of the Six Saints series, The Serpent Prince by Jacquelyn Gilmore!

The Serpent Prince (The Plot of the Six Saint Series Book 2)
by Jacquelyn Gilmore
Expected Release Date: October 28, 2025
Genre: Dark Fantasy
*Fated mates
*Shocking plot twists
*Spicy slow-burn romance
*Shadow mama and fire daddy
*Angst
*REAL enemies to lovers
*Love triangle
*Fake engagement
*Feminine rage
*Antiheroes and villains
Imani flees her home as a wanted murderer.

Betrayed, she seeks to regain her footing in Niflheim and vows retribution against those who wronged her. She will let nothing block her path to vengeance: there will be a reckoning, and she will spare no one who stands in her way.

Yet despite being used by everyone she knows, Imani turns to the only people she can, burrowing herself deeper into the lives of her former allies to uncover their secrets—and her own. But the longer Imani immerses herself in the politics of the Niflheim Kingdom, the less sure she becomes of anything—allies, enemies, wrong, right, evil, good, hate… and love.

Another more insidious threat, orchestrated by people beyond her imagination, lurks beneath the surface. With civil turmoil swelling in her own kingdom, the clock is ticking on Imani’s plans. Faced with the choice of which side to stand with, she’ll stop at nothing to come out on top—and the Serpent Prince himself could not foresee the cost of victory.

Triggers:
Explicit sex (consensual), explicit language, and violence/gore (murder, executions)

Amazon

Book 1

About the Author:
website
Jacquelyn Gilmore has been called "a rising star in the dark fantasy genre," and writes fantasy and science fiction romances about villains. Her stories aim to push readers to enter new, terrifying worlds, and she's obsessed with antiheroes. She has over a decade of professional writing experience and holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature.

Her debut novel, "The Elf Witch," weaves a tale of magic, betrayal, and romance, and has been described as "captivating" and a "must-read" for fans of dark fantasy. It's received rave reviews, with the book being praised for its unique blend of dark magic, political intrigue, and complex characters. The upcoming sequel, "The Serpent Prince," promises more shocking plot twists, a fast-paced plot, and slow-burning romance. It debuts on October 28, 2025.

Additionally, "Dream in the Ash," the first book in Gilmore's second series, "The Other Half of the End," is a dystopian dark fantasy (with a dash of science fiction) that explores a world where magic and technology coexist. It's slated for release on March 10, 2026. 

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Time-Travel SciFi Author: Kim Megahee - The Best Writing Advice I Ever Got! + excerpt

Every moment matters — and in Marc McKnight Time Travel Adventures by Kim Megahee, even the smallest choices can unravel the universe.

  

The Best Writing Advice I Ever Got!
My sister Laura invited me to her church one Sunday. To my surprise, the program that day was more secular than religious.

The speaker challenged us — “What are you doing with the time of your life? Are you spending your time doing things that improve your heart or mind or soul?”

This pushed me onto a path of thought I had never gone down before. How was I using the time of my life?

“WORKING” was my first response. I worked 60+ hours a week for a computer consulting firm. It was fun, fulfilling work, and I enjoyed it. But it occurred to me I had no social life and no outlet for pent-up energy.

Then I remembered my TIME LIMITS book. I’d worked on it for two years but completed only a few chapters — and I wasn’t satisfied with them.

“I should finish my book,” I said to Laura.

We talked about it as we drove home, and Laura suggested we stop at a local Starbucks for coffee. She didn’t have to ask me twice. If coffee is involved, I’m there!

We ordered in so we could chat and spend time together. We continued to talk about the book. In the conversation, I mentioned that I rarely have time to work on it.

Someone touched me on the shoulder. I turned, and next to me sat a man with glasses and a cane.

“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I’m an author, and if you aren’t writing every day, then you’re kidding yourself.”

The stranger was Shane Etter, a successful horror-suspense writer.

That night, his words surfaced repeatedly in my mind. I knew they were true words, and I didn’t have the time to write.

Another piece of advice came to mind. “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Okay, I thought … If I decided to find the time, how would I proceed?

I looked for time, and presto! — I found it. I could get up in the morning thirty minutes earlier. I could write on airplanes and at the airport. I could write in my hotel room, at the bar, or at a restaurant.

It worked! Eight weeks later, I had a final draft of TIME LIMITS, ready for editing.

The best writing advice I ever got — write at least a little every day.

Captain Marc McKnight thought he understood time. A soldier turned investigator, he leads a specialized team tasked with preserving the timeline — until their work exposes the fragile boundaries between fate and chaos. Time Limits introduces McKnight’s fateful mistake, a mission gone wrong that redefines who he is. The Time Twisters transforms politics into temporal warfare, where truth itself can be edited. Time Revolution thrusts McKnight into a world decades ahead, where the ideals he once defended have twisted into something unrecognizable. And in Time Plague, the fight becomes personal, as McKnight faces a dangerous operative from the future and the devastating possibility that love — like time — can destroy as much as it saves. With relentless pacing and emotional depth, Megahee’s series captures the human side of science fiction: courage, guilt, and the fragile hope that something broken can still be mended.

Amazon-Goodreads 

An Excerpt from Chapter 2 of TIME LIMITS
by Kim Megahee
A few minutes later, they were on a path in a pine forest. A light breeze eased the heat of the Georgia sun and the pines whispered to them as they walked further into the woods.

McKnight glanced back in the direction they had come, then at the trail ahead. There was no one in sight. He pulled a form and a pen from his pocket and handed them to Tyler.

“First, the paperwork, Lieutenant. What I’m about to tell you is top secret and cannot be shared with unauthorized personnel, regardless of whether you accept the assignment. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Sign the paper.”

Tyler signed and handed it back.

“Very good. Lieutenant, they've asked me to assemble a team to plan and execute missions using a new technology. The size of the team is fewer than ten, including two civilian scientists. I’d like you to be my exec for operations. I need a mission planner with leadership ability, and you’re it. The rest of the team’s still under construction, except for one scientist. We’ll be reporting to General Drake with oversight from Senator Lodge.”

“Working for the Dragon would be good. Oversight from Lodge? That’s not so good. He’s my Senator, but I didn’t vote for him. He’s a damned crocodile. I don’t trust him.”

“Lodge is the General’s problem. We’re the grunts. Our job is to execute.”

“So, what’ll we be doing?”

“The team is being called the HERO Project.”

Tyler rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I know. Stay with me, Lieutenant. HERO stands for Historical Event Research Organization. In a nutshell, we’re going to be researching and validating historical events. Here, let’s take a load off.”

They sat on a wood bench alongside the running trail. McKnight looked across the path at a dogwood in full bloom and a bank of azaleas in unrestrained spring glory. Bumblebees hummed in and around the flowers.

“If you’re trying to sell me on how exciting the project will be, you’re failing miserably. Sounds like we’d be spending the next few years in the library and on the net, writing papers. Doesn’t sound like fun to me. Is there something I’m missing here?”

A thin smile formed on McKnight’s face. “Well, Lieutenant, I daresay we’ll be doing paperwork. I didn’t mention libraries or the net.”

Tyler scrunched up his face. “Then how? No library, no net. Where’s that leave us? Interviewing elderly witnesses?”

McKnight shook his head, waiting for Tyler to make the leap. Tyler sat on the bench, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together and his head down. After a moment, he looked at McKnight.

“You can’t be suggesting what I’m thinking.”

He’s getting there. “And what is that, Lieutenant?”

“Nope. I’m not going to say it. I must be missing something.” He paused. “All right. How do we witness an event in the past? We don’t have the technology to…. Wait, you mentioned a new technology, didn’t you?”

“I did.” McKnight allowed himself a little smile. One last hint. “You took physics at the Point, right?”

“What? Of course.”

“Um-hmm.”

Tyler stared at him. His eyes narrowed and darted around. He resumed the position with his elbows on his knees and his eyes on the ground.

“Who’s the scientist?” he said without looking up.

“Robert Astalos. He does research at MIT–”

“I'm familiar with him. I read a white paper he and his family wrote last year about interstellar propulsion. Son and grandson, I believe, all with the same name. Let’s see… Einstein related speeds close to the speed of light with time slowing down. Nobody has proved that wrong. And gravity is not a force, but a distortion of time-space. Everitt validated that.” Tyler sat up straight and looked McKnight in the eye. “Astalos invented time travel?”

Bingo. “Well, I’ll let him share the specifics with you, but that’s the bottom line. Interested, Lieutenant?”

“Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t be? Anything else you want to tell me? Do we have aliens in Area 51?”

McKnight laughed. “Not that I know of. Want the rest of the details, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, sir. You bet I do.”

“I thought you might. Here’s the short form. We’ll operate out of the DC area. Only a few people know about this. The charter for the HERO Team is strictly research. We’re forbidden to do anything that might affect history. There’s a mandatory risk/benefit analysis and research period required before traveling to make sure we cover the bases. No options, no exceptions, unless the President issues an Executive Order to bypass the process.

“The other civilian on the team will be another planner, your civilian counterpart. He or she hasn’t been picked yet. The General’s reserved the right to pick that person. You and I get no say,” McKnight said, holding up his hand to cut off any objection. “We need a shitload of testing before we can do any work. We don’t know enough about the technology yet. Questions?”

“Ha! Only a few hundred. This is supposed to be secret? Nobody outside the organization knows about it?”

“Well, for as long as that lasts. Congress is involved, right?”

“Yeah. I’m surprised the word isn't out already.”

McKnight shrugged. “The day is young. But yes, until we hear otherwise from the General, the project doesn’t exist and we’re working on special projects for Colonel Stewart.”

“Okay. Why do we need the civilian planner?” Tyler asked.

“The official word is to balance the team. I suspect it’s because Congress doesn’t trust the military. I assume it’ll be an egghead guy with serious credentials and no government ties. Drake wants someone with no agenda.”

“Got it. Do you have anyone else in mind for the team?”

“I do,” McKnight said. He pulled a folded piece of paper from his breast pocket and handed it to Tyler. “What do you think?”

“Lieutenant Mitch Wheeler. From North Georgia College, right? Good pick. Has a degree in physics if I remember correctly.”

“Yep. That one was easy. And his buddy Hatcher, too.”

“Yes, sir. Should be a good team.” Tyler handed the list back.

“Glad you approve.” McKnight checked the time on his phone. “I need to go catch a plane, Lieutenant. Transition your work ASAP and report to me in DC Monday week. Questions?”

“Yes, sir, but they can wait until next week.”

“Very good. I have two more instructions for you.” He stood and Tyler followed.

“What’s that, sir?”

McKnight smiled at his new executive officer. “Number one, don’t bring any preconceptions about time travel with you. Doctor Astalos says most of what the science fiction writers came up with was wrong.”

“And number two?”

“The other two Robert Astalos’s? The men that coauthored that paper?”

“Yes?”

“They aren’t his son and grandson. They’re all him. They call themselves Robert, Rob and Robby, but they’re all the same guy.”

About the Author:
website
 Kim Megahee’s storytelling blends the precision of science with the poetry of second chances. A teacher turned technologist turned author, he writes from experience — the lessons learned in classrooms, boardrooms, and quiet hours of reflection. His first publication, “The Camping Parachute,” in SouthernReader.com, marked the beginning of a journey that would merge intellect and imagination. From his home in Gainesville, Georgia, where he lives with his wife, Martha, and their spirited poodle, Leo, Kim continues to explore how humanity and technology intersect in unexpected ways. You can find him on his website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Excerpt: The Monsters Among Us (The Abyss Borne Gods Book 1) by Kent Priore + Giveaway

A viscerally cinematic and genre-defying fantasy/horror novel.

The Monsters Among Us (The Abyss Borne Gods Book 1)
by Kent Priore
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror
“Kent Priore writes like a natural about the supernatural, and The Monsters Among Us is a marvelously dark and true novel. American fiction has found a terrific new voice.”
—Joseph O’Neill, PEN/Faulkner Award-Winning Author of Netherland

Seth’s life until now has been a product of a diabolical, evil Truman Show, his entire upbringing a façade orchestrated for malevolent purposes. After his beloved dies, he undergoes a demonic metamorphosis, which causes the world’s fictitious walls to crumble.

As he tries to piece a semblance of his life back together and move on, he meets friends who inspire, but even more harsh truths are revealed, perhaps too difficult to cope with.

The very existence of life and reality is exposed as a machination of grotesque gods. And to defeat them, Seth will have to fill his emptiness, for which there’s only two options…
Bring the world to ruin, or learn to transmute his pain into strength.

Fans of "Jerusalem" by Alan Moore, “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, or “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakovor will enjoy “The Monsters Among Us.”

“I was intrigued from the first sentence, determined to spend the night speed-reading so I didn't have to remain in suspense any longer.”
-Ella Dupuie, author of Fractures of the Fallen

“Supernatural storytelling at its best, this vivid cinematic novel takes the reader on an imaginative journey through what could be considered end of days. The Monster’s Among Us is a masterful creation and a must read—even for those who aren’t fans of fantasy/horror.”
—Joni Marie Iraci MFA author of Vatican Daughter

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Excerpt:
“You've been gifted with versatile magic. Fire can destroy, but it can also create. You are a forge that bellows with hellfire. Make use of it. I have found that magic is best used in creative and unprecedented ways. Even the dullest magic knows few limits. Magic does what the mind wills it to do.”

I start to run after Gluttony. I keep the image of those poor kids in my mind. The rage in me intensifies. My new demon body in combination with my anger makes me fast, but not fast enough. I can still see Gluttony in the distance, but he’s leaving my field of view more with each passing second.

My mind is coated red with the image of the flattened children. Like a shark who had just picked up the scent of blood, my adrenalin surges, and I can feel a manic fit overtaking me. My perception is flooded in a crazed haze. I feel limitless, as if I can do anything. This is a feeling I know well. I felt it when I decided to return home to Crowley and burn it all to the ground.

Where's that voice, huh? Not going to tell me to stop this time?

{No.}

Why not?

There’s no answer.

Whatever.

With nothing to hold me back, I really am limitless. Instinct takes over. I conjure my flames, but not with the intent to attack. I stretch my arms behind me and point my hands straight back. Fire erupts from my palms, propelling me forward. I take flight at a much greater speed than my legs can reach. I hurtle through the air, struggling to maintain balance. Like a cannonball I blast my way through trees and homes alike. Planks of wood and support beams scatter about in chaos.

I wonder about the people living in these homes. Are they safe? Have I killed them? I don’t care. I feel useful to Melphis for the first time, and my bloodlust is reaching glorious heights as Gluttony's body grows larger in my view. We are passing the border into New Mexico at intense speeds. Before I know it, we have passed into Colorado, the foot of the Rocky Mountains in sight. He appears to slow down. What is he looking for here?

He comes to an abrupt stop, pulling up the ground beneath his tentacles as he does so. I keep my speed and make my descent. I plummet hard upon his back. His tentacles give out, causing his large body to fall to the ground. A thundering crash shakes the surrounding space.

“Who's there?” Gluttony roars. “Wait, no—Greed? You smell like my brother!”

For a dumb brute, he’s quick to piece things together. He rises, supporting himself with six of his eight tentacles. The other two pursue me. One slithers behind and wraps itself around me. The sludge-like tentacles are as strong as they are giant. I struggle but remain motionless. The heat rises again. I feel empty, but from that emptiness arises my rage which festers and grows ever more passionate. Flames overtake my body. I can feel the slime of his tentacles melting away, like sweat dripping off me.

"Fuck you!" I roar. The blood-stained clothes of those helpless children rush back to me, then so do the memories of my own ruined childhood. The flames increase and grow hotter until the whole tentacle catches fire. It burns away at a fierce speed. Ashes flutter away as black sludge spills out from the now open hole in his hard shell. Gluttony roars and his tentacles squirm like a spider that has just been stepped on.

I climb on top of his hard shell and beat down my fists with reckless abandon. It withstands my punches, at first. I can feel my strength rising alongside my rage until at last, cracks form. The fractures stretch wider with each punch. Gluttony moans as they grow deeper. Melphis called him a transporter. Just what is he protecting with this dense outer layer?

My focus intensifies and locks onto the growing fissure in his shell. My mind goes blank. All that exists is this shell, the sensation of my knuckles bashing into it, and the white flashes of rough skin being blown away in shrouds of dust. He is mine—he'll pay—I'll make him pay—for those kids—for me—

The back of my head is hit by a dense, wet object and I am knocked off the beast. My body shatters the trunks of a few trees as I make my descent.

{Your lack of focus has made you blind to the monster's many tentacles.}

"Shut u—" I choke.

Gluttony's enormous face is now mere feet away from mine. My elation fades as I watch the skyscraper-devouring mouth open at its four hinges. A long snake-like tongue emerges out of utter darkness. It coils itself around my body before his teeth drop down, devouring me along with much of the landscape. I feel my body now coated in slime, as it slides down Gluttony’s throat. The darkness of the pit consumes me.

About the Author:
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Graduated from Bard College with a BA in the Written Arts, Kent Priore is an author of dark literature, genre-blending epics and vignettes, where dark romanticism meets modern psychology for a macabre but hopeful depiction of inner struggle and the human ability to endure, and perhaps even prevail. He has a fascination with humanity and is one of the few to believe that despite our many weaknesses, we are far stronger than we often think. He wishes to show that strength to those darker individuals, burdened by lonesomeness, poor mental health, and other forces perceived to be out of their control, as well as show them that all is not lost.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!
The Monsters Among Us

Vampires! Penguin Speculative Fiction Series (Penguin Classics) + hardback giveaway

Penguin Classics is proud publish reissues of some of the most blood-thirsty fiction written in a special Speculative Fiction Series: Bram Stoker’s DRACULA; John Polidori’s THE VAMPYRE, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s CARMILLA; and THE GILDA STORIES by Jewelle Gomez.

Designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, the Penguin Clothback classic Speculative Fiction series are bound in high-quality colorful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design.

Vampires have always served as dark mirrors for our desires and fears: immortality, seduction, contagion, otherness. From the flickering shadows of early cinema to today’s blood-soaked prestige dramas, they remain eternally potent. Recent box office juggernauts like Sinners (2025) and the Nosferatu (2024) remake prove that the horror genre—and the vampire in particular—is not just back but evolving.

Hit television series like FX’s What We Do In the Shadows and AMC’s Interview with a Vampire reveal the comedy of life through the lives of the undead. Vampires don’t just instill fear – their presence brings up questions about power, identity, and transformation.

THE GILDA STORIES 

by Jewelle Gomez

Foreword by Jewelle Gomez

Afterword by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
On sale: 10/14/2025
ISBN: 9780143138921
Hardcover, Penguin Classics
336 Pgs
First published in 1991 and now presented in a lush hardcover format for the first time, THE GILDA STORIES stands as a revolutionary redefinition of the vampire mythos. Beginning in 1850s Louisiana, a young Black woman escapes slavery and is initiated into a chosen family of immortals. Over two centuries, she traverses America—never killing for blood, always seeking belonging. With themes of ecology, queer identity, and intergenerational memory, Jewelle Gomez’s enduring novel has only grown more prescient. This edition features a new introduction that situates GILDA as both counterpoint and heir to DRACULA—a heroine of compassion and agency in a genre often defined by predation.

Author Bio: Jewelle Gomez is a writer, an activist, and the author of many books, including Forty-Three Septembers, Don’t Explain, The Lipstick Papers, Flamingoes and Bears, and Oral Tradition. The Gilda Stories was the recipient of two Lambda Literary Awards and was adapted for the stage by the Urban Bush Women theater company in thirteen U.S. cities.

Alexis Pauline Gumbs (afterword) is the author of Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde, several works of poetry, and Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Animals, which won a Whiting Award for Nonfiction in 2022. In 2023, she won a Windham-Campbell Prize for her poetry.

THE VAMPYRE 

by John Polidori &

CARMILL 

by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Foreword by V.E. Schwab

Introduction by Nick Groom
On sale: 10/14/2025
ISBN: 9780143139003
Hardcover, Penguin Classics
192 Pgs
Collected for the first time in a deluxe, unified edition, these foundational tales reveal the vampire’s earliest steps into English literature. THE VAMPYRE (1819), with its cold, aristocratic predator, established the blood-drinker as a figure of both allure and death. CARMILLA (1872), by contrast, introduced the seductive lesbian vampire—a narrative of queerness, intimacy, and isolation still echoed in film and fiction today. With a historically rich introduction from V.E. Schwab and rare contextual material (including Alaric Watts’s original preface), this volume bridges myth and modernity.

Author Bio: John Polidori (1795–1821) was born in London to an Italian immigrant father and English mother. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University, graduated at the age of just nineteen, and in 1816 became physician to Lord Byron. He accompanied Byron on a tour through Europe, famously spending the summer at the Villa Diodati in Switzerland where they regularly met with the poet Percy Shelley, his partner Mary Godwin (later Shelley), and her half-sister Claire Clairmont. It was here that Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein was inspired, influenced in part by Polidori’s conversation and behavior—as recorded in Polidori’s diary. Although Polidori’s fractious relationship with Byron led them to part ways, they remained on cordial terms until the publication of Polidori’s tale ‘The Vampyre’ in 1819, which was willfully misattributed to Byron by the publisher Henry Colburn. Polidori was attempting to realize his literary ambitions by publishing ‘The Vampyre’, extracts from his diary, a volume of drama and poetry, and a novel begun at Diodati (Ernestus Berchthold; or, The Modern Œdipus). However, the controversy surrounding ‘The Vampyre’ sank his writing career and he published little else. He died by his own hand in 1821.

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814–1873) was born in Dublin to staunch Protestant parents descended from French Huguenots. He studied law at Trinity College Dublin, and while he maintained a somewhat desultory legal practice after graduating, his chief energies were directed towards fiction and journalism. He published his first novel, the historical adventure The Cock and the Anchor, in 1845, and edited a number of newspapers during his lifetime—notably the Dublin University Magazine, in which he serialized his own stories and, despite his Irish nationalist tory sympathies, took a relaxed editorial line. He found his distinctive authorial voice in mysteries and thrillers such as The House by the Church-Yard (1861–3), Wylder’s Hand (1863–4), and Uncle Silas (1864), and in his collections of uncanny and supernatural tales—most famously In a Glass Darkly (1872)—which are often haunted by Irish politics and history. Known as ‘The Invisible Prince’ in Dublin due to his solitary and nocturnal lifestyle, Le Fanu died a recluse in 1873.

Vitoria “V. E.” Schwab (foreword) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

DRACULA

by Bram Stoker

Foreword by Robert Eggers

Introduction by Karen Winstead
On sale: 10/14/2025
ISBN: 9780143138990
Hardcover, Penguin Classics
480 Pgs
Terror, eroticism, and gothic excess—Dracula is the hallmark of our cultural understanding of vampires. With a new foreword by Nosferatu (2024) director Robert Eggers that situates the novel in conversation with modern fears—bodily autonomy, gender, and contagion—DRACULA emerges as more than just the origin of the vampire hunter mythos; it’s a fevered dream of Victorian repression and desire, rendered timeless.

Author Bio: Abraham 'Bram' Stoker (1847 - 1912) was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and joined the Irish Civil Service before his love of theatre led him to become the unpaid drama critic for the Dublin Mail. He went on to act as manager and secretary for the actor Sir Henry Irving, while writing his novels, the most famous of which is Dracula.

Robert Eggers (foreword) is an American filmmaker and production designer. He is best known for writing and directing the historical horror films The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), as well as The Northman (2022) and Nosferatu (2024). His films are noted for their folkloric elements, as well as his efforts to ensure historical authenticity.

Karen Winstead (introduction) is professor of English at Ohio State University. She is the author and translator of a number of books, including Fifteenth-Century Lives: Writing Sainthood in England (2020), and teaches on Special Topics in Film and Literature (“Monsters Without and Within”) and Special Topics in Popular Culture (“Vampires”).

 

GIVEAWAY

I have a hard copy of all three books (They are gorgeous!). 

Fill out form (no emails will be kept after giveaway ends)

Winner will be picked October 31, 2025

US ONLY 

 

Book Review: Road Trip with a Vampire (My Vampires) by Jenna Levine

Road Trip with a Vampire (My Vampires)
by Jenna Levine
September 23, 2025
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

A vampire who can’t remember his past and a witch with secrets of her own hit the road in this zany, cross-country romantic comedy from beloved author Jenna Levine.

Reformed bad witch Grizelda “Zelda” Watson had hoped to never see another vampire again when she slipped away to sunny California for a fresh start. She'd grown tired of them and their nonsense ages ago. But when a vampire with amnesia unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep with a letter from her old friend Reggie, and asks for her help, she can’t say no. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Peter Elliott is tall and gorgeous, looks great in yoga shorts, and has the kind of dark hair and surly expression Zelda’s been a sucker for for hundreds of years.

Peter isn’t completely harmless—he is fanged, after all—but he’s harmless enough, and soon becomes the only person in Zelda’s new life who knows the truth about what she is. If she can help him decipher the cryptic notes in his journal, the only clues to his lost memories, she might as well try before sending him on his way.

But when an alarming message from Peter's past coincides with a clear sign that Zelda can't keep running from her own, they embark on a cross-country road trip for answers—only to find what they're looking for in each other.

Amazon

Road Trip with a Vampire by author Jenna Levine is certainly a fun rom-com with a vampire and not my usual read. Having a break from the hard-hitting action-packed adventure books was really fun!

I could almost feel the wind in my hair on this one. Loved the whole "road trip" aspect of the story. Made me want to jump in the car and just see what's out there! Maybe some vampires for me too!

A vampire with amnesia was interesting to read, with how experiences are all new again, breathing some undead life back into the bloodsucker. Enjoyed all the fun stops along the way and the folks they met out in the world. Restaurants that are freaking entertaining and food selections that I would sure try. At least once!

There's for sure a ton of adventure and twists as the story moves along, added to the heat that builds between our main couple. Loved this one for all the right reasons and look forward to reading the next installment! 

Getting 4 Sheep

 

 

KD

Amazon

About the Author:
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By day, Jenna Levine works to increase access to affordable housing in the American South. By night, she's the USA Today-bestselling author of humorous paranormal romances where the characters always find love, no matter who (or what) they are. When Jenna isn't writing she can be found starting knitting projects she probably won't finish, imagining she is hiking somewhere beautiful, or spending time with her family and small army of cats.

Must Love Moss and Moonshine (Moonshine Hollow Series) by Maisy Magill

Guess what? The Moonshine Hollow series is now available to read on Kindle Unlimited!
 

Must Love Moss and Moonshine (Moonshine Hollow Series)
by Maisy Magill
Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance
Tropes:

• Grumpy/sunshine romance
• Super cozy cottagecore & forestcore vibes
• Spice
• One bed
• Touch-starved hero
• Forced proximity
• Magical creatures
• Small-town vibes
• HEA guaranteed
• One lonely dryad in denial.

One Sylvan elf with amnesia.

And one sentient forest that absolutely ships them.
Desperate to quit the vagabond life, traveling enchanted jewelry artisan Tansy Foxglove is determined to get to the autumn market in the village of Moonshine Hollow. Nothing will stand in her way… except an ancient forest that has its own plans.

When Tansy sets off for the village, she definitely doesn’t mean to get lost in an enchanted wood. She certainly does not intend to lose her memory. And she wasn’t planning to be irresistibly drawn to the ancient glade’s dryad caretaker.

Kellen’s life is one of solitude. He has no interest in interacting with the outside world. He’s perfectly happy with his solitary life. Right? When a beautiful Sylvan elf who has lost her memory appears in his forest, he has no choice but to take care of her. But when taking care turns to simmering attraction, will this loner change his ways? What happens when her memories return? Will their magical connection survive?

Amazon & KU

 

Amazon 

About the Author:
website
Maisy Magill writes cozy fantasy romances where magic meets small-town charm. Her stories blend enchanting worlds with spicy love stories, perfect for readers seeking an escape into magical communities where romance blooms alongside lifelong friendships.

When not crafting her next tale, Maisy embraces the cottagecore lifestyle that inspires her writing—tending to her garden, experimenting in the kitchen, or settling in with a cup of tea and a good book. Her stories invite readers to slow down and discover worlds where love and magic intertwine.

IG: @authormaisymagill @rrbooktours
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#rrbooktours #rrbtMLMAMTour #maisymagill #moonshinehollow #cozyfantasyromancebooks #cozyfantasyromance #cozyfantasyreads #cozyfantasybooks #cozyfantasy #fantasyromance #fantasyromancebooks #booktours

Blood (The Trish Vampire Horror Series #1) by K. T. Rose

We're touring Blood by K.T. Rose this week and it's the perfect read for vampire lovers this spooky season!

Blood (The Trish Vampire Horror Series #1)
by K. T. Rose
July 1, 2025
Genre: Vampire Horror/ Serial Killer Thriller 

• Missing persons
• Protagonist serial killer
• Femme Fatale
• Cat-and-mouse

Hunger. Desperation. Terror. A mother's love knows no bounds - neither does her appetite.

A vampire's existence is a delicate balance between predator and pretense. For Trish, that balance includes a loving husband, an innocent son, and a trail of bloodless corpses. When her latest hunt at Miller University goes awry, leaving a witness in its wake, her carefully maintained double life begins to crumble.

Months later, Trish sets her sights on a pure-hearted professor, but his death brings unexpected consequences. Captured by the victim's vengeful cousin and her violent friends, Trish faces a harrowing choice. She must either break free to protect her family or watch her perfect life dissolve into chaos. Can she escape before her husband, Randel, discovers the true nature of the monster he married?

Blood introduces K.T. Rose's chilling vampire horror thriller series. If you're drawn to dark supernatural tales, complex characters, and blood-chilling suspense, this story of maternal instinct versus monster nature will leave you breathless.

Triggers:
Some graphic violence
Death

GET IT HERE

About the Author:

website

K.T. Rose is a horror, thriller, supernatural, paranormal, and suspense author based in Detroit, Michigan. She shares her passion for spine-chilling stories with readers through flash fiction on her blog. Her works include Trinity of Horror, The Haunting of Gallagher Hotel, and the Netted series.

IG: @kyrobooks @rrbooktours
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#rrbooktours #rrbooktoursBloodTour #vampirehorror #vampirebooks #horrorbooks #horrorbookstagram #spookyreads #mustreadbooks #kindleunlimited #booktours