Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special – it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.
When local builder Owen finally signs up to manage the construction, things get off to a very bad start. But forced to find a way to work together, both realise that first impressions aren’t always the right ones, and when Owen discovers the forest is hiding a secret that could bring work to a halt, he realises he’s much more invested in the project – and Saskia – than he thought . . .
My thoughts: This was a really lovely book, about home and family and what that means to you. Saskia thinks her dad would have wanted her to build a new home inside the ruins of castle at Gair, but comes to realise she’s already home, in her tiny house in the woods. She’s not the only one who finds sanctuary amid the ancient trees and ruins.
Owen is her project manager, unhappy and struggling. His wife wants a divorce, and his priority is his young daughter. He needs steady work and a home, not something Gair offers with all the challenges set against it. He also finds Saskia annoying at first, seeing her as a spoilt rich kid with foolish plans.
As they both try to keep the development on track, against opposition that comes from suspiciously high up as well as local, they get to know each other better and realise they might have rushed to judgement – of each other, and of Gair.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Welcome to the tour for Fires of the Forsaken by Stephanie E. Donohue! It’s an epic grimdark romantasy that’s basically like Game of Thrones meets Deadpool…with some extra swoon and Supernatural-esque lore!
Fires of the Forsaken (Across Time Book 1)
Release Date: May 2023
Genre: Sassy Romantic Fantasy
Grumpy x sunshine
Hot Viking warrior
Reluctant hero
Fight training
Banter
Mature (age 30+) FMC
Pop culture Easter eggs
Touch him and 💀
Found family
Action packed
Emotion focused spice (book 2)
She just wanted a gosh-darn pizza. The apocalypse had other ideas.
Addie did not have “getting plucked from the 21st century and thrown into the apocalypse” on her “things to do after work” checklist. Yet here she is, trapped in the hellscape known as Sakar–a world torn apart by a Celestial war. Now she’s dodging soulless Wraiths, getting chased by venomous horses, and trying her darndest to avoid a meltdown.
Thankfully, Cheriour, the gruff and grumpy commander of the human army takes her under his wing. He’s blunt, brutal, and socially awkward. Totally not Addie’s type.
So why does she find him so infuriatingly attractive?
As Addie’s connection with Cheriour grows so does the danger. Wraiths threaten to eliminate the last dregs of humanity and secrets about Addie’s past are about to surface that might just make her the key to saving everything… or destroying it.
Gritty, grimdark and laced with biting humor, Fires of the Forsaken is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, Deadpool and Supernatural.
Content warnings: violence/gore, sometimes disturbing imagery, scenes depicting the loss of family members/loved ones, scenes showcasing mental health issues (ie, anxiety, depression, etc.), and a very brief mention of violence toward a minor.
When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?
Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.” In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms.
That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….
Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.
Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?
Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape.
Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake.
We’re proud to present the cover for the final book in Druadan Legacy series by Amelia Cole!
Fatebound (Druadan Legacy Book 4)
Expected Release Date: Spring 2026
Genre: Dystopian/ Why Choose Romance
Dystopian
Deadly Trials
Reverse Harem
Epic Battles
Fated Mates
Final Book
Venovia is gone.
The air’s too toxic to breathe. ITM took everything: our cities, our homes, our future. What’s left of us fled to the sea on ships, waiting for a salvation that won’t come.
I thought it was over. That all I had left was Oriana, my riders, and the weight of everything we failed to save.
Then Marshal told me that my father was alive and might know a way to save us.
He’s on Canna Canna, a remote island no one talks about. Where the air is clean, and tribes of druadan riders have ruled and clashed for centuries. We go, chasing a whisper of hope.
There, I learn a druadan’s bond holds untapped power—power that could tip the odds in our favor. But nothing comes without a cost, and to unlock it, my riders and I must survive a gauntlet of brutal trials. Each one will test our strength, our loyalty, and above all, the love that binds us.
This is our last chance. If we fail, Venovia falls… and the rest of the world won’t be far behind.
We’re proud to present the cover for Realm of Soot and Sorrow by Ashley J. Vinson. Pre-order a copy today and stay tuned for the book tour!
Realm of Soot and Sorrow (The Divine Realms)
Expected Release Date: October 11, 2025
Genre: Romantasy/ MM Fated Romance
Fated mates
Rivals to lovers
Enemies to lovers
MM Romance
High stakes
Dual POV
Slow-burn
Grumpy x sunshine
Dash of spice
Gods, magic and more
Mateo, the Right Hand to the High Lord of the Realm of Stars, struggles through life. Yes, he has his close friends, lives in a beautiful Realm, and is in a loving relationship, but his past always finds a way to catch up with him.
Acheron, the Right Hand to the High Lord of the Realm of Clouds, is becoming fed up with said High Lord, Neil, and his increasingly troubling ideas and plans for the realms. He longs for love but believes he will never find his Mate.
When their Mate Bond snaps into place at the most inconvenient time, Acheron and Mateo find themselves in a precarious situation. Mateo must grapple with the fact that his relationship with Rowan is over and that his Mate is from enemy territory. Acheron is determined to break down Mateo’s walls and prove to him that their Mate Bond should be cherished and that his intentions are true.
Follow this beautifully woven tale of love and loss, wars both mental and physical, betrayal and newfound ties. Will their love truly have a chance to flourish? Or is it doomed to wither and die from the start?
This book contains adult themes and may not be suitable for all readers, reader discretion is advised.
For the first half of the book or so, Mateo struggles heavily with his mental health, mental distress and addiction. He turns to alcohol and drug use (snorting stardust) in an attempt to cope with the pressure placed upon him. The book heavily deals with topics around this, so please take the time to read through the warnings below, as well as the full list on my website.
Readers should be advised that the story includes elements such as romance, fantasy and complex character relationships. It explores topics such as mature intimacy, emotional intensity, alcohol, drug use (snorting stardust), mention of parental death, grief, imprisonment, murder, choking, near death, injury, dominance/submission, biting, war, addiction, violence, torture, blood, gore, conflict, and other mature situations and topics and that could be triggering for some readers. Please read with caution and prioritize your well-being.
This is probably one of our most highly anticipated tour this year, and we are just thrilled to share The Last Dragon with you all this week!
The Ballad of the Last Dragon
Release Date: April
Genre: Epic Romantasy
🥀Grumpy/Sunshine
✨Found Family
🥀Quest
✨Tavern ambience
🥀“Who did this to you?”
✨Sarcasm as a love language
🥀Semi-unreliable narrator
✨Standalone
“A bard never reveals her secrets, only everyone else’s.”
There is no place for elves in this world, but Sylvaine knows she’s destined for greatness—a world-famous bard entertaining the finest nobility as far as Lindale. Unfortunately, performing in her local tavern off the beaten path lends scant opportunity to distinguish herself.
Until a group of adventurers arrive, promising fame, wealth, and glory when they slay the last dragon of their age and find the lost hoard. Syl convinces them they’ll need a bard to spread word of their heroics, and if she can claim some honor for herself along the way, well no one could fault her for recognizing a mutually beneficial arrangement. Even if it means ignoring the glaring disapproval of the hulking warrior assigned to protect her.
Jaromir is rude and ill-tempered. He makes no effort to hide his distaste when she joins their group. But as they grow closer, and are unable to deny the heat of their attraction, she discovers there’s more to him than his poor manners. He brings her passion, peace, and safety in a world in which she’s never felt welcome.
When the group suffers a great loss, they must use the power of a convincing story to keep their quest alive. A future that once seemed impossible, is suddenly within reach with Jaromir by her side. But even the ballads of love are rife with sorrow. Syl must slay her own dragons before she has a chance at surviving this journey and writing the ending she yearns for. Every bard knows the victorious ending comes at a price. Syl will see this tale through, no matter what it costs her…
Warnings: strong language, explicit sexual content, graphic depictions of violence, death, attempted SA
We’re proud to present this gorgeous cover with all of you today. Ghost Whispers is available for pre-order now!
Ghost Whispers: Blakewell Mages Book One
Expected Release Date: October 1, 2025
Genre: Romantasy/ Urban Gothic Setting
Found Family
Enemies to Reluctant Allies (with romantic tension)
Magical Murder Mystery
Love Triangle (slow burn)
Forbidden Magic
Bargain with Death
Touch-Starved Love Interest
Powerful Heroine Coming Into Her Magic
Ghosts with Unfinished Business
Gothic Urban Setting
Protective Love Interest
Secret Past
Only One Who Can See Him (Death)
She bargained with Death. She didn’t expect him to be beautiful.
Sonia Byrd sees ghosts—and they whisper their deaths into her bones.
It’s a dangerous gift in a city ruled by mage politics and bloodlines. A gift that makes her a target. When a murdered mage’s ghost starts haunting her, Sonia’s hunt for answers leads her straight into a forbidden House of magic, the ruins of her own past, and the arms of a grumpy, infuriatingly attractive mage-detective who keeps secrets like they’re sacred texts.
But the dead aren’t the only ones watching her.
There’s something older—darker—lurking in the veil between worlds. A dangerous being who calls himself Death. And he wants her. For her magic. For her blood. For something she doesn’t understand.
Now Sonia’s caught between two men with power—and hunger—that could destroy her. As the bodies pile up and ghosts begin to scream, Sonia must decide who to trust, who to betray…
And whether her heart can survive the war between the living and the dead.
Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, forbidden magic, and morally grey love interest who whisper your name like a prayer.
Death of a parent. Grief. Brief moments of blood or body horror (mild, not graphic. Think murder mystery moment. The crime scene is found but is not gory.) Themes of death, sacrifice, and betrayal
Welcome to the tour for One More Chance by Reno R. Mist! Read on for more details!
One More Chance (Heretical Gods #1)
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Genre: Dark Psychological Romance/ Time Travel
Adult Romance
Angsty
Dark Romance,
Romantic Suspense
Betrayal and Redemption
Paranormal Romance (Time Travel)
Dystopian Romance
Vengeance
Infidelity
Second Chances
Groveling
Strong FMC
LOVE IS A DAGGER.
After dying in a devastating car crash, Levi wakes up twelve years in the past, back at the moment he walked out on the love of his life. His marriage to Sloane is shattered by betrayal, and his family left in ruins. But now, with the knowledge of everything he’s lost, and everything that’s coming, he’s been given one impossible gift: a second chance.
This time, Levi will do anything to make things right. To prove to Sloane that he sees her now, and show her that she was always the one for him – even if he has to spend the rest of his life proving it.
As the world quietly begins to crumble, Levi and Sloane must confront the wreckage of their past while fighting to protect their children and each other. Through heartbreak, healing, and the slow rekindling of a once-shattered love, they’ll discover that survival isn’t just about enduring the end – it’s about choosing one another, again and again.
First book of a gripping dark psychological romance series where time bends, betrayal cuts deep, and redemption demands everything.
Echoes of the past resonate across the centuries as Dr Anna Petersen, a medievalist and runologist, is struggling with past trauma and allowing herself to trust again.
When archaeologist Professor Matt Beacham unearths a 6th century seax with a mysterious runic inscription, and approaches Anna for help, a chain of events bring the past firmly back into her present. And why does the burial site also contain two sets of bones, one 6th century and the other modern?
As the past and present intermingle alarmingly, Anna and Matt need to solve the mystery of the seax runes and the seemingly impossible burial, and to discover the truth about the past.
But how is 6th century Lady Mildryth of Mercia connected to Anna? Can they both be the Daughter of Mercia?
Dr Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of resonances across time. She sees her author brand as a historical fiction writer of romantic mysteries that are character-driven, well-paced, evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners.
Her current series focuses on early medieval dual-time/time-slip mysteries. Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language/ literature/history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher.
Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s.
She has also indie-published three other books, including A Shape on the Air, an Anglo-Saxon timeslip mystery, and its two sequels The Dragon Tree and The Rune Stone. Her latest, Daughter of Mercia, is the first of a new series of Anglo-Saxon dual time mystery/romances where echoes of the past resonate across the centuries.
Her books will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. Her readers say: ‘compelling character-driven novels’, ‘a skilled story-teller’, ‘evocative and well-paced storylines’, ‘incredible writing style’, ‘intricately written’, ‘absorbing and captivating’, and ‘an absolute gem of a trilogy’
My thoughts: I enjoyed the previous books Julia wrote and I knew I would like this one. Mercia is one of the kingdoms England was once split into, ruled by Saxons, roughly where the Midlands are today.
Archaeologists do indeed sometimes find amazing Saxon items buried in the ground, and sometimes farmers turn up things too! This time it’s the professionals but the grave makes little sense. There’s a seax (a knife or short sword) with an inscription that suggests an important woman is buried there, but no other grave goods, and there’s also the skeleton of a man, but further examination shows he’s from the modern day. This makes no sense at all as he seems to have buried as long as the female remains.
As Dr Anna Petersen and Professor Matt Beacham investigate the remains and the inscription on the seax, they uncover more of the mystery, could the modern bones belong to their missing, but not much missed, colleague? Has he somehow travelled back in time to the sixth century? Doubting anyone will believe their theory, they keep it to themselves, focusing on the female bones.
Meanwhile for us, a secondary plot unfolds back in the sixth century settlement ruled by the Lady Mildryth, whose father is the king of Mercia. She tries to govern the way she believes her father would want her to, but a newcomer to the village turns her head and causes her to take foolish risks. Who is the man she names Theowulf, and where did he come from?
As both stories start to provide more answers than questions, we can fill in the gaps and solve the mysteries that haunt the characters. And as Anna and Matt grow closer, finding plenty to bond over, could he be the one to mend Anna’s broken heart?
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own
We’re celebrating the release of V.B. Lacey’s new fantasy romance with a tour this week. Make sure to check out Of the Curse or the Crown!
Of the Curse or the Crown (A Veridian Empire Novel)
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Genre: Fantasy Romance/ Standalone
👑 Princess Diaries 2 meets King Midas
✨ Forbidden love
👑 No spice but swoon worthy romance
✨ Single dad
👑 She’s a fox shifter
✨ Mysterious curse
👑 Meddling Fates
✨ They’re stuck in a cave
👑 Mental health rep
✨ Witty banter
An heir. An Empress. A Queen.
As a former rebel leader, Clarissa Aris is no stranger to power. She’s ready to reclaim the throne of the Veridian Empire and is eager to guide her people out of a past of violence and into a better future.
But when a mysterious king unexpectedly asks for her hand in marriage to restore peace between their two lands, she chooses to accept. Clarissa travels to meet him in Mysthelm, a realm they had been cut off from for centuries, and is thrust into a foreign kingdom with secrets around every corner, a betrothed she isn’t sure she can trust, and brewing tension with his handsome best friend and advisor.
Clarissa’s search for answers uncovers the truth behind a deadly blight sweeping Mysthelm and a centuries-old curse threatening to destroy the people she’s come to care for. When she learns her magic may be the only cure, she’s determined to both rescue this kingdom from danger and keep her Veridian Empire safe from meddling forces.
Time is running out. Which will fall first: the curse or the crown?
ramblingmads 