I’ve
been keeping this cover under wraps while plotting, writing, revising,
and wandering through the decidedly-not-normal woods of Sweetwater.
Today, I finally get to share it with you.
Introducing the cover of When Shadows Bind, Book One of the Chronicles of the Draiocht.
Two families. Centuries of hatred. One buried truth.
The Hollywells and MacDaras have spent generations clinging to a feud so old that no one remembers exactly how it began.
Then Ember MacDara and Kooper Hollywell did the one thing neither family could forgive.
They fell in love.
Now, they’re dead.
As both families point fingers, Synder Hollywell and Kedrick MacDara are forced to search for answers together.
But something is changing in Sweetwater.
The land is turning against them.
The woods are stirring.
And the hatred between their families may be feeding something that should have remained buried.
They were raised to be enemies.
Now, they may have to trust each other to uncover the truth.
THE KEYS
Title:When Shadows Bind
Series: The Chronicles of the Draiocht, Book One
Genre: Romantasy
Inside the Story:
A centuries-old magical family feud, forbidden love, family secrets,
mystery, dangerous magick, reluctant allies, simmering attraction, and a
buried truth that refuses to stay buried.
Setting: Sweetwater, South Carolina, where the land remembers more than the people do.
Release Date: September 22, 2026, the Autumnal Equinox
Pre-Orders Open: TOMORROW, August 18!
Synder and Kedrick’s story is almost ready to leave my hands and find its way into yours.
But tonight belongs to the cover.
So…
What do you think?
And if you had to choose based on the cover alone, what would you expect to find waiting inside the woods of Sweetwater?
New to the neighborhood and reeling from the traumatic birth of her second
child, Marlowe Moore is barely holding it together. Battling postpartum
depression and anxiety, she’s desperate for stability.
But when she learns that a woman who once lived in her family’s new home
vanished without a trace, Marlowe becomes obsessed. As strange things happen
and neighborly smiles feel like veiled threats, Marlowe can’t shake the
feeling that someone is hiding something.
She spirals further into paranoia, fixated on the abandoned case and
determined to seek justice. But how can a woman who feels lost find a missing
person?
Juggling the demands of her beloved family and her harrowing mental illness,
Marlowe doesn’t realize she is caught in a cat-and-mouse game that could
cost her everything … including her life.
About the Author
Ashley Hanna-Morgan is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) certified in
perinatal mental health (PMH-C). In addition to her work as a psychotherapist,
she writes about mental health to advocate for change and inspire hope. In 2016, she wrote The Afterglow,
a mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy curriculum that supports parents with postpartum
depression and anxiety. In 2017, she published I Gave Birth to My Heart, a
collection of poems about the secret anguishes and innumerable joys of
reinventing oneself after postpartum depression.
When she isn’t counseling clients or volunteering with Postpartum
Support International, Ashley loves to experiment in the kitchen and spend as
much time outside as possible in San Diego, where she resides with her family. In Her Own Backyard is her first novel.
When my quiet life fell apart, he turned up the music in my soul. How do I pretend we never happened?
Blurb
Johnny
I did everything my parents wanted: got a respectable job, married my childhood sweetheart, and pushed my rock star dreams into the background. It was enough for me… until my divorce cracked open the cage.
Now old cravings rush to the surface, and I ache to satisfy each one. Starting with the gorgeous man I lock eyes with at a musical festival. Calum is all kinds of perfect. As a manager, he could accelerate my music career. As a man, he reignites the fire in my soul. I can’t have him both ways.
When my band signs with Calum’s company, we agree to keep our distance. No one can know we’ve met before. How far we’ve gone. How deeply we’ve tasted. Our futures depend on the secrets we must keep.
Calum
If I’d known who Johnny was the night we met, this never would have happened. Getting involved with a client is forbidden, and I can’t risk my job—or my sister’s security—for some lust-fuelled romance.
Working together doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s what I tell myself every time we avoid touching. When his eyes tease, and his lyrics seduce. As our professional successes mount, the connection between us only grows stronger.
There are lines we can’t cross. Boundaries we can’t break. But when Johnny is all I want, all I think about… how do I stay away?
The following excerpt contains material suitable only for readers 18+.
Excerpt
Johnny ambles over to invade my personal space. The warm, freshly showered scent of him creeps into my nostrils, causing me to inhale, but I don’t shy away from his closeness. He’s in a dangerous mood. If I show weakness, he may pounce.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks, gesturing with the tumbler that dangles from the fingers of his right hand.
“Sure.” It’s a terrible idea, but at the moment I’ll say yes to anything that will put some distance between us. He withdraws to the kitchen, and I suck in a lungful of oxygen. It doesn’t help. His presence lingers in every square inch of air. It strokes my insides, burrowing into my cells and setting them on fire.
This is not the meeting I expected. We’re supposed to talk about Ned and how we can be allies in my bid to win him over. This isn’t supposed to be a seduction, and I am definitely not supposed to be gagging for it.
Stalking after him, I plant myself in the entrance to the kitchen and glare at the lines of his muscular back. “Why am I here, Johnny?” The clipped words imply irritation, though the truth is probably closer to lustful vexation.
He turns, smirking as he delivers the generous glass of scotch to my hand. “Because you can’t stop thinking about me.”
My spine stiffens at his knowing drawl. I snatch the drink before escaping back to the living room. It has more room for pacing and I’m unsure what he’ll do if I stay still. “I mean, why did you ask me to come here tonight?”
He drains his glass as he returns. Dumping it on the coffee table, he steps into the path I’m wearing through his carpet. I come to an abrupt halt to prevent a head-on collision. His hands lift to cup my face, the calloused fingertips dragging over my cheekbones. The deep brown of his eyes drink me in, and his mouth is a breath away from mine. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you,” he says in a rough whisper.
There’s no smirk this time. Only need and heat and passion. “I wonder where you are, constantly. What you’re doing. How you taste.” His body crowds mine. Our hips brush together and, holy fuck, we’re both hard as nails. This man is lightning in my veins. The way I want him hurts, and I glory in the sharpness of the need. “I imagine you masturbating to the thought of me,” he whispers, “every time I masturbate to the thought of you.”
“Johnny.” The name is a groan, pulled all the way from my throbbing cock and up through my vocal cords. “We can’t do this.”
“Sure we can.” His head dips, and I shiver as his lips brush my throat. “I’ll show you.” His hands are on my hips now, tugging me more firmly against him. His mouth chases mine but I turn my head, my eyes drifting closed.
“I need…” My words falter as he rocks his hips, rubbing his erection against mine.
One hand threads through my hair. Taking it in a firm grip, he angles my face back towards his. His panting breath fills my open mouth. “I need you, too.” And then he’s kissing me. His tongue in my mouth. His body flush against mine.
God help me, I kiss him back. Even as I force my arms to stay at my sides and my body to remain still, I can’t resist losing myself for precious moments in his kiss, in the scotch and temptation of him.
When a needful moan reverberates from my throat to his lips, he pulls back long enough to smile at me. It’s the smile that shocks me back to my senses. Lifting one hand to his chest, I force myself to push him away.
“No, Johnny.” We stand there staring at each other, our chests heaving. “I need Fifth Circle. I need to sign a band and my boss has decided it has to be your band.” His smile dies and he straightens away from my touch. “If I don’t sign you to Rush, I lose my job. If my boss finds out what’s going on between us, I lose my job.” The ramifications of my actions slam into me and I drain the glass of scotch I’m still holding before putting it beside his. “I can’t risk my job. Not for anything.”
Not for you. The unspoken words hang between us.
His gaze hardens and a bitter grimace curls his lips. “In that case, we’re both shit out of luck.” Picking up the empty glasses, he storms back towards the kitchen. “There may not even be a band anymore.”
About the Author
Rebecca is a long-time lover of all things romance. Whether it’s a book, movie, or real life, she will always have more fun if there’s a love interest thrown into the mix. She lives in Queensland, Australia with her very own hero husband, two quirky kids and one big, black dog. Other than reading and writing books, her favourite things include loud music, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, organising everything in existence, and spending too much time on the Internet.
Check out the cover reveal for this upcoming spicy dystopian
romance!
Exile
The Price of Talent Book 5
by AK Nevermore
Genre: Spicy Dystopian Romance
Together or not at all.
On an
alternate earth, a cataclysm has altered a subset of the population. Talents
are persecuted for their psychic and physical mutations, giving rise to two
conflicting societies based upon maintaining genetic purity. And the Source, a
shadowy corporate entity dependent upon the exploitation of captive Talents, is
hunting them…
Flynn
Scot is spiraling.
After a
cataclysmic chain of events and devastating loss, Flynn’s grasp on reality is
slipping. Backed into a corner by the Assembly and his sanity called into
question, the threat of exile and having his talent stripped endangers not only
him, but any chance he might have of getting his family back…if they’re not
already past saving.
Deep
in stasis, Kara’s fate is uncertain.
Stolen
away and in the clutches of a madman, Kara’s future depends solely upon Titus’s
sufferance. With unfettered access to her genome, his attention is fixated upon
the next iteration of Talents—especially after events in the North change her
status from prize to bait.
Because Flynn is coming
for her, and he’s not coming alone.
AK Nevermore enjoys
operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent
every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques,
and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down
the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.
Unable to ignore the
voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science
Fiction and Fantasy full time.
She pays the bills
editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also
belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches
creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.
Luck and love await the D’Vaire family at the newest dragon resort.
Blurb
In these five previously unpublished short stories, the D’Vaires are invited to the newest dragon resort, the Deck of Cards.
King of Clubs: The King of Clubs restaurant boasts a menu ranging from flavorful steak to exotic fruits. Grab a seat at a table and dine with many of the beloved couples from the D’Vaire series.
Diamond and Dollars: The heart of this Vegas resort is the casino, and the D’Vaires are ready to discover if the odds favor them. Past the slots and tables is a vast shopping area, and the stores have plenty to tempt even the most discerning customer.
Goddesses Wild: The goddesses are keeping an eye on their treasured D’Vaires from the realm of the dead. Unfortunately, their jovial chat is interrupted by a sudden death with a few clues left to unravel.
Heathcliff’s Heart: Brynewielm Duke Heathcliff D’Vairefenix wants a quick beer, so he escapes to the Hearts bar with a book. When he gets there, Heath finds his mate. Young bartender Brinley Brimstone is saving every penny for an uncertain future. When the phoenix and fire mage meet, flames will surely follow.
Double Spades: For Bard Ashby D’Vaire, everything centers on his career, family, and garden. But Ashby is missing the love of a partner. It is with great reluctance that Seltivare Tristis takes a job at the Deck of Cards. But the elf’s misgivings are lost on his first night at work when he crosses paths with a jaguar hybrid who is determined to make his dreams come true.
Excerpt
Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire narrowed his navy eyes at his other half and crossed his arms. The dragon shifter was up to something. Brogan had used his best manners all day and hadn’t exploded once about safety, which was odd. No matter how often they left their remote estate, Brogan lectured everyone about rules and warned against potential bizarre situations that existed only in the man’s mind.
Dra’Kaedan waited for Brogan to toss the last of his things into his suitcase and close it.
“What are you up to?” Dra’Kaedan demanded. Subtlety wasn’t his style.
Brogan set the bag on the floor and glanced at Dra’Kaedan with fake innocence on his handsome face.
“Huh?” Brogan replied.
“Why are you being weird?”
“We’re D’Vaires. We’re always weird.”
“D’Vaire weird is a good weird, and you’re being a bad way strange.”
Bending down to account for the fact that more than a foot of height separated them, Brogan kissed Dra’Kaedan’s cheek.
“I’m in a good mood, baby. We’re off to have a fun family weekend at a new resort. What’s odd about that?”
“Well, usually you’d be running around with that crease between your brows and repeating yourself all day as you lecture us on safety. Instead, you’ve been polite. You’ve smiled. Your eye didn’t even twitch when Rorie went through his list of plans at breakfast this morning. So, what’s up?”
Protector Rorietheil D’Vaire of the Fae was mated to Dra’Kaedan’s familiar, Renny, and Rorie was a whirlwind of energy. The fairy’s complete lack of fear usually sent Brogan into a tizzy when they were leaving the estate. But Brogan hadn’t said a word while Rorie had excitedly discussed gambling, shopping, and venturing through every inch of the new resort.
“We’ll be in a dragon-owned resort; what could go wrong?” Brogan asked. “Are you ready to go? Everyone else is probably already in the living room waiting for you to teleport us to Vegas.”
“What could go wrong? Are you honestly asking me that question? You’re the one who comes up with the crazy ideas about rogue assassins, natural disasters, and strange shit that will never happen.”
Brogan settled his hands on Dra’Kaedan’s shoulders. “Maybe I’m looking forward to having a great weekend with you.”
Those words caused the little hairs at Dra’Kaedan’s nape to stand up. “Bullshit.”
“Why are you so suspicious?”
“Because Elf arranged for Rafe and Aleksander to have a date tonight in the new swanky restaurant he designed.”
“I think that was sweet of Elf, and I can’t wait to see the hotel. It’s Vegas themed. I know they wanted to surprise us, but I went on the website and looked at the pictures. They named it Deck of Cards. Whole place is based on playing cards, which is cool. The restaurant is also an ode to dragon royalty and is called the King of Clubs. How awesomesauce is it that the High Kings will be one of the first couples dining there?”
“Okay, not going to lie, that’s incredible. But why aren’t you freaking out that Aleksander and Rafe will be in a restaurant without you?”
Brogan smiled, but it was wobbly and didn’t reach his dark blue scaly eyes. “Why would I freak out?”
“You aren’t planning on doing anything stupid, are you?”
“When have I ever done anything stupid?”
Dra’Kaedan couldn’t help it, he laughed at the man he adored more than everything else in the world. “Do you really want me to list all the stupid things you’ve said or done since the day we met?”
“It’s not that long of a list,” Brogan grumbled, his navy gaze downcast.
“Sure, whatever you say. Now, tell me what you’re up to tonight.”
“Well, you and I should probably eat dinner somewhere.”
“We aren’t eating in the King of Clubs.”
The grin fell from Brogan’s face, and his lips thinned in annoyance. “Why not? It’s got a great menu. Elf and Chrys had Henry hire the chef.”
Henry Gennevios was part of their large extended family and a renowned chef. But that was hardly enough to sway Dra’Kaedan to show up and ruin Rafe and Aleksander’s night.
“Because we aren’t crashing Aleksander and Rafe’s date.”
“Double dates are a normal thing, Dra’Kaedan.”
“Yeah, if one couple invites the other. Did Rafe or Aleksander suggest we join them for dinner?”
Brogan’s hands slipped from Dra’Kaedan’s arms, and he stepped away to fiddle with his already-packed suitcase. “Not exactly.”
“Not exactly, or not at all?”
“I’m sure they won’t mind.”
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley has published over forty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, Jessamyn eagerly crafts new tales and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. Jessamyn shares a home in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her thick stack of beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends.
Neither Richard nor Lucas want a relationship despite their attraction,
but destiny already has them in her sights.
Blurb
Richard Marwood has no interest in relationships. After a few awful brushes with intimacy, he refuses to try again. Sex is required for a necromancer to find their soulmate, but Richard doesn’t care. He won’t be disappointed by one more handsome creep.
In the ten years since Lucas Wynnter was summoned from the dead as an inspirit, he has aided his necromancer. Together, they have traveled across the country and stayed in countless rundown motels. But they are out of money. Lucas’s summoner learns that the Marwoods assist abandoned inspirits, and he convinces Lucas to apply for a job.
Although Lucas doesn’t want to be discarded, he does want to help. He shows up at a Marwood casino and, on his first day, meets Richard. Lucas is attracted to Richard, but he works for him. Plus, Lucas won’t be staying. He is building his savings and plans to reunite with his necromancer.
Richard shouldn’t be fascinated by Lucas, but he can’t stop thinking about him. For months they ignore the electricity arcing between them—until Richard’s cousin dares him to take another chance. Should Richard risk humiliation and ask Lucas to spend the night with him?
Lucas is charmed by the awkward invitation, but neither man is prepared for destiny to intervene. Once their souls touch, nothing in their lives will ever be the same.
The following excerpt contains material suitable only for readers 18+.
Excerpt
“Huh?”
Richard lifted one perfectly arched brow, and the corner of his mouth quirked. “Did you forget that we’re getting coffee?”
“I guess I did for a second.”
“More like an hour. I didn’t intend to stay that long. Hopefully you aren’t having caffeine withdrawal?”
With a quick glance, Luke ensured no humans were close. “Can inspirits get that?”
“I doubt it, but I don’t know you that well. Maybe you’re a drama queen who’ll pretend to have a raging migraine so you can leave work early.”
“No, I fear stuff like that.”
“Drama queens?”
“No, I can appreciate someone who is good at their chosen craft, even those with a penchant for drama. I’m scared of pretending to have something. What if I accidentally manifest it into existence? I’ve never had a migraine, but they sound horrific. I don’t want one.”
“Me either,” Richard replied. “Best thing about what I am is the lack of pain and suffering. Sorry, that was insensitive. No one ever explained to me whether it’s the same for an inspirit, and by the time the issue presents itself, I’ve been too embarrassed to ask an inspirit directly.”
It took Luke a moment to figure out what Richard was talking about, but when it registered, he sobered swiftly. Unlike necromancers, inspirits died. The real shit part was that no one had any clue how long their lifespan was until they had the first hint that the end was nearing. An inspirit slowly turned to a skeleton before their life ended. One day, Luke would wake with bony toes, and he’d have to figure out how to hide himself until his existence was over.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it hurts. I guess I’d rather be surprised than know beforehand. I’m not usually into mysteries, but I make an exception for that.”
Richard nodded. “Shit, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Please forgive me, that was unprofessional and none of my business. If it was up to me, no inspirit would face death.”
“It’s okay. It’s a part of life. I’d rather have lived than the alternative, you know?”
“Since I’ve already crossed the line, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure,” Luke replied. He’d answer whatever Richard asked.
“Have you heard from your friend? Are they okay?”
Luke smiled. “Yes. Thanks to my first paycheck, I was able to send him some money. I need to check in with him again tonight, but hopefully, he’s saving it like me.”
“You splurged a little. Those are new shoes.”
“You really notice everything, don’t you?”
“It’s a gift. What’s your friend’s name?”
“Foxe.”
“I hope Foxe is doing well.”
“Thanks,” Luke said. “Now, should we decide what we’re going to drink to give us a sugar rush this morning?”
“I’m adding a cookie. I deserve it.”
“No doubt,” Luke replied with a chuckle. “If you’re still paying, I may get a cookie too.”
“What do you mean, if I’m still paying? What about me screams, not a man of his word?”
“I don’t know you like that,” Luke countered, his grin growing wider. “Maybe you’ll dart off and pretend like we’ve never met.”
“It’s ten in the morning. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the casino is pretty empty. People are going to notice if I’m sprinting through the resort.”
“A gazelle cloaked in black. Yeah, that won’t go unnoticed.”
Richard snorted. “A gazelle? Not with these short legs.”
Luke plucked his cellphone out of his pocket and did a quick internet search. “Gazelles reach a height of forty-three inches. So, my statement stands. A tall gazelle dressed in black, bounding through the casino floor.”
The way Richard’s gaze lit up made Luke’s dick twitch. So did his throaty laugh. “Okay, well, this little gazelle promised to pay, and she will.”
“Good, I’ll get two cookies.”
That statement only made Richard chuckle harder. “Don’t ruin your lunch.”
“Thanks for the advice, Dad. But I can pretty much eat constantly.”
“I’m the same. Just ate a bowl of chips? That’s okay, I’ll plow through an entire pizza. My brother is the same way. Once, he went on a date and ate two entire sharing-size servings of mashed potatoes. Plus his steak.”
“I guess Gabe wasn’t any less attracted to him after their date.”
The way Richard’s lips curved would forever be etched in Luke’s memory. It was pure malice and sexy as hell. “Oh, the date wasn’t with Gabriel. But he was there. I made Eric go out on a bunch of dates with random beautiful men to make Gabriel jealous since he was tasked with guarding my pretty brother.”
“That’s diabolical.”
“Worked, didn’t it?”
“But aren’t you the one who warned me it was your mother who’d be matchmaking?”
“Oh, Eric was my one exception,” Richard said. “He’s been in love with Gabriel since he was twelve. I was counting on them being soulmates. Thankfully, we were right. My brother deserves the world.”
Luke didn’t doubt it, but he had to pretend like he didn’t know Eric was destiny-touched. The last thing he wanted to explain was the gift Foxe had given him or how he should’ve run from the Marwoods as soon as he’d sensed Eric’s uniqueness. Leaving was out of the question, and Luke wasn’t foolish enough to pretend that had nothing to do with the growing fascination he had for the man at his side.
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley has published over forty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, Jessamyn eagerly crafts new tales and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. Jessamyn shares a home in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her thick stack of beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends.
What’s left of a man’s soul when everything he loves is taken
from him?
It’s 1864, and Gabriel Cooper couldn’t care less about the
civil war raging around him. Framed for crimes he didn’t commit,
he’s been sentenced to a Confederate chain gang, where swampland
justice rules and alligators prey on the unwary.
So when Colonel Robert Tremont rides into camp offering freedom in exchange
for fighting on the front lines, Gabriel jumps at the opportunity. He
thrives as a soldier, but the end of the war leaves him adrift.
Gabriel ends up in New Orleans, where he meets Simone Livingston, a
fiercely independent woman with hidden scars of her own. Kept on a tight
rein by her overbearing father, Simone only wants freedom—and the
enigmatic Gabriel.
But Gabriel has unfinished business and a mind for vengeance. Will he be
able to create a peaceful life with Simone or will his greed and thirst for
retribution keep them trapped in a dangerous web of deceit—a web
Gabriel fears can only be untangled with murder.
About the Author
As the quintessential queen of “what if,” Jean Kravitz
channeled her active imagination to pen her debut novel, Scars of Sand and
Soil. However, achieving her childhood dream of being a published writer was
not a straightforward path.
Jean earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s
degree in human development and aging from the University of California, San
Francisco. She went into clinical research in pharmaceuticals, but left her
career when her children were born. Then, she picked up writing again, honed
her craft, published articles in a small newspaper, and passionately
immersed herself in historical research.
Jean has many interests, including reading, gardening, needlepoint, and
learning new languages. She lives in Southern California and has a husband,
two daughters, and two cats, Lenny and Penny.
The shadows have retreated with Raven's downfall, but darkness still curls
at the edges of the world. For a moment, though, Kari and Ari have a moment
of peace. There is a glimmer of light that threatens to wash away the
darkness as they finally bind their fates together in a formal
ceremony.
But Raven hasn't given up, and there's an older, crueler foe who hasn't
forgotten Kari - the Lord of Demons, the very one who crafted the Catalyst
which Raven sought to control, still trapped in an ancient Tree.
Kari's moment of joy comes to a halt as the world shakes and Taris is
ripped apart.
Velthas has risen.
About the Author
Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love
with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was
writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape
reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the
path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a
place to call home.
COVER REVEAL: WHEN SHADOWS BIND 
Two families. Centuries of hatred. One buried truth. 
Title: When Shadows Bind
