Friday, July 26, 2024
Thursday, July 25, 2024
These Audiobooks are Now Available on ALL Platforms
These audiobooks are now available on ALL platforms. Besides Audible/Amazon, you can also find them at Everand/Scribd, Google Play, Apple, Chirp, Barnes & Noble, Kobo/Walmart, Audiobooks.com, and Spotify, as well as many other sites!
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Monday, July 22, 2024
Please Welcome Stella Dale as She Tells Us About Her Romantic Fantasy, REALM OF DREAMS AND DESTINY, Entwined Heart Series, Book 1
Entwined Hearts Series
Book One
by Stella Dale
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Publisher: War of Hearts Publishing
Date of Publication: July 22, 2024
ASIN: B0CW19LW6S
Number of pages: 365
Word Count: 102,000+
Cover Artist: War of Hearts Publishing
Tagline: They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Book Description:
They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Aralin's life is a complex web woven with delicate threads of secrets and destinies. Born into a world where supernatural creatures are hunted, she hides a dangerous reality.
She is not human.
As a princess and pawn in the royal games of power, she finds herself betrothed to the emperor’s son. Yet, her heart beats for another––a warrior in the emperor’s army, a commoner unaware of her true identity.
Just as her world teeters on the brink of disaster, a mysterious vigilante enters her life, his dark allure tempting her toward rebellion against the oppressive emperor. His charm is undeniable, and his cause justified. With each encounter, their fates become increasingly intertwined.
Caught between two men who awaken different desires within her, Aralin struggles with conflicting feelings of duty and desire. However, a new obstacle arises in the form of an ancient prophecy. As signs of the prophecy reveal themselves, Aralin must make a difficult decision: surrender to the expectations placed upon her by others, or fight for her own fate?
EXCERPT 2Marrying someone I’ve never met, especially the son of the emperor, would be…
Dreadful.
Disastrous.
Deadly.
My father swallows hard, something he does when he’s pushing down his emotions, but there’s a firmness in his eyes that conveys the seriousness of the situation. “The emperor has commanded it, Aralin. This isn’t a simple proposal. It’s an order from the emperor himself.”
This is the finality of a decree.
His words settle like a heavy weight in my mind, and a rush of helplessness washes over me. The emperor’s commands are absolute and impossible to defy. The force of his power reverberates through me, leaving me feeling small and insignificant in the face of his authority.
I’m a chess piece in a game of kingdoms and empires where the greater needs of the realm outweigh personal desires. The emperor’s demand is a demonstration of his power, a forceful reminder of the duties and responsibilities that accompany my title.
Let’s not mince words. My life isn’t my own, and it never has been.
This proposed marriage isn’t a simple union between two people. It’s a strategic move in a game where I’m the pawn and the prize is what lies buried deep in the mountains of Wintriness.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Father, the emperor wants this marriage so he’ll gain access to the natural resources of Wintriness. It’s the truth, and everyone here knows it.”
I’m referring to newly discovered crystallos, a rare and powerful element found only in the frozen depths of Wintriness. Whispers about it have reached my ears, speaking of its ability to bring about the downfall of even the most formidable supernatural creatures. The mere mention of it brings goosebumps to my flesh. Rumored to possess a deadly potency, crystallos can stop the most powerful witch, vampire, werewolf, fae and other supernatural being in its tracks. Its power would be disastrous in the emperor’s hands.
My eyes scan the faces of the king’s hand and the general so I may gage their reactions.
Their expressions are neutral, yet I can’t shake the suspicion that one of them has played a part in this marital arrangement. Possibly both. Those two have always been adept at making power plays and maneuvering behind the scenes to shape the kingdom’s future to their advantage.
The weight of their gazes on me is measuring and calculating. There’s a slight shift in Balius’s eyes, but he gives nothing away. Meanwhile, Indrid maintains his composed facade with perfection.
They’re masters of the political game, and the three of us know I’ve just called out their tactics. All the more reason to get rid of me.
My refusal to accept the emperor’s command would have repercussions reaching far beyond the walls of this throne room. The balance of power, the future of Wintriness and my own fate are all intertwined in this decision.
I won’t be allowed to refuse.
“No matter the motive, I have no say in the matter.”
I hear the defeat in my father’s voice, and my frustration flares. The thought of being used as a bargaining chip in this political game stirs a fierce blaze within me. “The emperor can’t take away the only living heir to the throne of Wintriness.”
My father is composed, but I see the impact of the situation in his eyes. “Aralin, you’re well aware that the new prince of Wintriness will arrive any day now.”
His words are well-meaning and intended to point out that his line of succession will continue without me, but his words sting. Again, I’m reminded that I’m not the prince everyone longs to have.
“I can’t leave the queen, Father. She needs me. Her health is better in my presence. You said so yourself.”
The thought of abandoning my mother, especially in her fragile state, is a dagger to my heart.
“My beloved daughter, you will go to Imperia and take your place. This is a great honor, Aralin. In time, you’ll become empress.”
There it is. The king’s duty as a monarch overshadows his role as a father.
His words, intended to inspire and reassure, fall flat. The title, with all of its power and prestige, holds no allure for me.
“I have no interest in being empress.”
Life in a foreign land, bound in marriage to a stranger, ascending to a throne I don’t want… it’s a future I can’t fathom. And then there’s the added problem of being a witch within the emperor’s small circle.
There’s no way I’ll survive it.
The king’s words, while spoken with a sense of regal duty, are a reminder of the limited choices available to me. Because I’m a female.
The weight of my royal birthright is heavier than ever before. The expectations, the responsibilities, this arranged marriage––all chains that bind me to a destiny I never chose. My personal desires, dreams and hopes are secondary to the whims of these men in power.
My heart aches at the thought of leaving everything I know and love behind.
“I want to stay here in Wintriness near you and Mother,” I say, hoping somehow my words will sway his decision.
“You’ll leave for Imperia in one month when the emperor sends for you.” His tone is resolute.
It’s clear that any additional arguments would be futile. So I nod and allow a mask of acceptance to fall over my face for the sake of appearances. “As you wish, Father.”
I swear I see a flicker of a smirk on the face of the king’s hand, perhaps a slip.
After a deep curtsy, I turn and leave the throne room. Each step feels heavier than the one before as my mind races with thoughts and emotions behind the mask of compliance.
Leaving Wintriness and entering an unknown world is terrifying. But the prospect of marrying the emperor’s son and becoming part of a court that is a world away from everything I have ever known fills me with panic.
Used as a pawn in a tyrant’s game… that will not be my story.
Topic: What is it about this book that makes it special?
Hello, dear readers!
Stella Dale here, your romantic fantasy author from the heart of the South. Today, I want to share what makes my debut book, Realm of Dreams and Destiny, so special to me.
This story has been brewing in my mind for several years. It started as a spark of an idea, and over time, it grew into something much more profound. I've spent countless hours developing the plot, acquainting myself with the characters, and diving deep into their world. It's been a labor of love, filled with notes scribbled in the middle of the night, spontaneous bursts of inspiration, and many revisions.
What makes this book truly special is the personal connection I have with the characters, especially Aralin. She is a blend of strength and vulnerability, navigating a world that seeks to suppress her true nature. The love story between Aralin and the knight, who knows her as a witch but not as a princess, is layered with secrets, sacrifices, and unyielding hope. Their journey together is one of discovery, both of themselves and each other, in a world fraught with danger and intrigue.
I've poured my heart into fleshing out every detail, creating a rich tapestry of magic, love, and rebellion. This book is not just a story; it's a piece of my soul, crafted over years of dreaming and writing.
I can't wait for you to experience Realm of Dreams and Destiny and fall in love with Aralin and her world just as I have.
With love and anticipation,
Stella
About the Author:
Stella Dale is a passionate storyteller who's always had a love affair with books, devouring stories from all genres since she could first hold a book. She spent years as a dedicated nurse, providing care and comfort to those in need, before embarking on her writing journey. However, her true calling beckoned, and she left the medical field to follow her dream of becoming an author.
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Stella weaves captivating stories that are brimming with love, adventure, and enchantment. At home, she is surrounded by her loving husband and their three spirited felines, who never fail to provide inspiration and entertainment. When she's not crafting characters and worlds, she loves to embark on international travels, immerse herself in different cultures and landscapes, and satisfy her insatiable curiosity for life's endless tales.
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3zvVnbr
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorstelladale
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorstelladale/
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Friday, July 19, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Please Welcome LS Delorme as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, BRIGHT MIDNIGHTS, The Limerent Series, Book 2
Bright MidnightsThe Limerent Series
Book Two
by LS Delorme
Genre: Paranormal Romance, YA, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Limerent Publishing
Date of Publication: Oct 2023
ISBN:979-8-9874880-2-7
ASIN: B0CD4FTYDF
Number of pages: 301
Word Count: 119000
Cover Artist: Brittany Wilson
Tagline: "In a world where viruses possess and dreams unlock new realms, a young girl must navigate love, danger, and her own dark powers to survive."
Book Description:
Most high school students find life challenging, but 17-year old Amelie has a lot more to contend with than typical teenage angst. Ever since she turned 11, others have been irresistibly, almost chemically, drawn to her-with tragic consequences. Her only escape is at night when she flies to different times and places through her "dreams". Her life begins to change when, on one of her flights, she meets Clovis, an alluring and mysterious young man who hides a secret.
As Amelie finds herself increasingly drawn to him, she learns his story, how it intertwines with her own and finally discovers how to live her life in the real world. Until her own secrets are revealed to the wrong people and that world turns upside down.
Excerpt:
“Everyone, could you pass your weekly journals forward,” Ms. Pryll announced. “And I think, perhaps, today I will pick a few of you to read your entries to the rest of the class. Ms. McCormick, you always have such interesting entries. How about we begin with you?”
Ms. Pryll motioned her forward. Ah, her eye rolling had been noticed. Amelie really wasn’t off to a good start today. On top of her intestinal grumbling, she was feeling the beginnings of a tension headache creeping up the back of her neck.
Just as she was standing up to assume the position at the front of the classroom, someone stumbled through the door. It was Hudson. He was slumping, holding on to the doorframe. Hudson wouldn’t be drawing attention to himself in normal circumstances. Something was wrong. Ms. Pryll was finally pulled from her flirting by the fact that the rest of the class was staring at the doorway. As they watched, Hudson slid down the doorframe into a huddled position.
“Now Mr. Crowe, please come in and sit down,” said Ms. Pryll, with exasperation.
Hudson managed to hold up a small blue object, before slumping forward.“Dude’s been drinking?” Ryan laughed from the back.
Hudson tried one more time to raise his head and lift the thing in his hands. Everyone in the class just stared at him. The front of Amelie’s forehead suddenly exploded with images, and the lighted words from the cereal box this morning made sense.
Low. Sugar. Bad.
“He’s not drunk,” Amelie snapped. “That’s a glucose meter. He’s diabetic.”
Amelie dropped her notebook and ran to the door, falling to her knees beside Hudson. She had a vague notion that this hurt and she would be bruised later, before she grabbed Hudson’s head. She didn’t know if people in insulin shock had seizures or not, but that didn’t matter. She knew what to do. She had been told by something more reliable than memory. Low blood sugar was bad.
What to do? Okay, Elodie had her phone. What else? Jack, he always ate breakfast at his desk. Today it was a bottle of orange juice. Thank god.
“Elodie, call 911—now! Jack, throw me your OJ,” Amelie snapped.
Jack just smirked at her, completely disengaged in the fact that another human being was in crisis. A wave of fury replaced the images in Amelie’s head, making everything around her look shiny, sharp, and red. The world began to move in slow motion. She turned, her eyes met Jack’s, and she let her well-constructed shields drop … just… drop. The energy that flowed out of her felt glorious.
“Jack, throw me your OJ, now,” she said, softly this time. She saw the shocked look on Jack’s face, but he immediately grabbed the OJ and tossed it to her. The chemical wave that seemed to be her birthright rolled over him, through him, past him and across the class … person by person, face by face.
Lexy is the Author of the Limerent novel universe. The first two books in this universe were Caio and Bright Midnights. They are two of the three foundation books of the Limerent Series, and as such can be read in any order.
Bright Midnights was picked as an Editor’s Choice by Booklife and received a Golden Wizard award in the UK in the category of YA.
Lexy has also been a travel writer and author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Hong Kong and An Expat Mom’s Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris. She is an ex rock musician, ex science grad, recovering attorney and now an expat writer. Her love of writing stems from an eclectic life. As a navy brat, she grew up in various states across the U.S. until her father retired to North Carolina when she was a teenager.
As an adult, she has continued this tumbleweed life, having since lived in 3 countries, 9 US States, and 21 cities around the world. But, through all this change, her love of writing has been the one constant. Writing the Limerent Series allows her to use her unusual past to help create new worlds.
Lexy now lives in Paris with her husband and two very cool sons.
“Writing fiction gives you a place where you can put all the attractions that you probably shouldn’t feel, all the thoughts you are afraid of saying out loud, and all the rage that you can’t vent because you would kill people. While we live, these moments stay with us, but when we die, they die too. When you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, you put these things out there in the world where they can be read by others. This means that they have a life outside of you and outside of your own head, and that’s something that is really compelling to me. I like the idea that these amazing moments that I’ve had in life don’t disappear when I disappear.” - LS Delorme
“For me, writing is like therapy…just cheaper. As most writers are not really individuals but a collection of individuals trying to find a way to live together in one brain, fiction allows them to make a home for all these people who live rent free inside their heads. It’s also place that you can capture unique moments in life that impact you or that make you feel deeply.” - LS Delorme
Website: https://www.lsdelorme.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/LexyShawDelorme
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ls_delorme/
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
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