The Black Rose - Psychological Thriller - and a Giveaway #Thriller #PsychologicalThriller #Giveaway

Frances Paul is here to tell us about The Black Rose, a psychological thriller.

There's also a great giveaway.

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The Black Rose

Frances Paul

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller

“Intense, a little bruising, and it doesn’t let you walk away untouched.”

— ★★★★★ Reader Review

Some weapons are born. Others are made.

She is the perfect operative.

A discarded orphan, remade by the very hands that broke her.

Trained to seduce. Conditioned to kill. Reborn as Elara Everhart.

They gave her new names. New faces. New identities, whichever the mission required.

Now, they call her Raina.

And they’ve sent her into the lion’s den.

Her target: Axel Voss. Billionaire. Powerbroker. Threat.

He’s everything she was trained to dismantle.

But he sees too much. Speaks too little.

And when he touches her, he wakes something she was never meant to feel.

She is the weapon they created.

But he’s the variable they never planned for.

What begins as a mission spirals into obsession.

And survival will cost more than her cover.

Because the most dangerous thing isn’t failing the mission,

It’s forgetting who the real enemy is.

If you love psychological thrillers with espionage, romantic suspense, and heart‑stopping twists, The Black Rose will keep you breathless until the very last page.

“To master the art of the strike, first let the target marinate in your charm and wit, until they are ripe for the taking.” – Elara Everhart

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

I stepped out of the cab and into the gallery, the air instantly changing around me. Heads turned. Eyes followed. The black Dolce & Gabbana dress I wore fit like it had been sewn onto my skin, elegant without trying, powerful without needing to speak. My hair, sleek and black, fell in glossy waves down my back, every strand precisely where it belonged. I walked with purpose, each step measured, as I took in the room.

It didn’t take long to find him.

Axel Voss stood in a more secluded wing of the gallery where the crowd had thinned. I spotted him across the space. His back was to me, dressed in a tailored dark gray suit that fit too perfectly to be anything but custom. His frame was lean and strong, his posture relaxed, hands tucked in his pockets as he studied a painting. He wasn’t just looking. He was dissecting it.

My attention moved to the guards. Two of them. Strategically placed in opposite corners of the room, trying not to look like security. They blended in well enough with the other patrons, but their eyes told the truth. Constantly scanning.

I inhaled and adjusted the strap of my dress. I ran my hands over my curves, making sure everything looked in place. My cue had come.

Each step felt burdened, as if what I was about to do had sunk deep into my limbs.

The rhythm of my heels against the marble echoed faintly. I moved closer, slipping into his orbit. I was near enough now for him to catch the light scent of my perfume, floral, soft, meant to linger without announcing itself.

I stopped beside him, eyes landing on the painting he was analyzing. It was abstract, wild with motion. Crimson slashed across the canvas, tangled with violent blues and fractured gold. The brushwork oscillated between jagged bursts and smooth sweeps, an unsettling mix of control and chaos.

I spoke, keeping my voice soft and level. Close enough to feel intimate, just loud enough to be heard.

“The intensity of the strokes is remarkable,” I said. “The way the colors collide feels almost violent, yet there’s a strange harmony in the chaos.”

He didn’t respond. Not verbally. But I felt it. His attention was on me now as much as the art. I let the silence stretch a second longer, then continued, my tone calm, analytical. “It’s as if the artist was fighting an inner battle. Conflict and catharsis, all bleeding onto the canvas. The jagged strokes speak of anger or defiance, but the way the hues blend reveals a deep vulnerability… like they couldn’t commit to full destruction.”

I leaned in just slightly, examining the layers of the painting, voice dropping.

“It’s the tension that makes it work. The pull between restraint and abandon. It feels… raw.”

The silence settled again, delicate but dense.

Then I allowed a smirk to touch my lips.

“Or maybe they just threw paint at the canvas after a bad day and decided to call it art.”

That broke it. He turned toward me, finally.

His eyes met mine.

Heat flashed between us. The force of his gaze hit harder than I expected.

My breath caught, not out of fear but from the pressure of it. He was already trying to read me.

I knew that look. He was hunting for the truth inside my performance.

I didn’t flinch.

Even when my pulse started to climb beneath my skin, I held my ground.

For a moment, neither of us said anything. The gallery around us faded. It was just him. Just me.

Then I stepped back, breaking the moment on my terms.

I turned without hesitation and walked away, slipping into the flow of bodies beyond the archway. My retreat was smooth.

Behind me, I felt his gaze linger, and so did the eyes of his guards.

I didn’t need to look back to know he was still watching the space I had just walked away from.

Back in the main gallery, I finally exhaled. The encounter had gone as planned. I had said what

I needed to. Played the part.

But the crackle between us wasn’t part of the plan.

And I felt it. Still pulsing through me.

This was only the beginning. One step into a game layered with risk, manipulation, and consequences I wasn’t sure I fully understood.

But I had just stepped onto the board.

And Axel Voss had noticed.

Author Bio:

Frances Paul is an author of emotionally charged, high-stakes fiction that captivates readers with its mix of psychological suspense, romance, and intricate plotting. Her work explores the fine line between love and survival, delving into themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the secrets we keep.

She is the author of Sea of Scars, a moving story of loss and redemption, and The Black Rose, a gripping psychological thriller that draws readers into a world where trust is dangerous and every choice carries lasting consequences.

With a distinctive voice and a cinematic style, Frances creates unforgettable characters and layered narratives that linger long after the final page. Her passion for storytelling comes from a lifelong fascination with the human heart and its capacity to endure even in the darkest of circumstances.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / X

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Descendants of the Big House - A Horde of Dead Poets - Contemporary Fantasy - Mystery - and a Giveaway #ContemporaryFantasy #Mystery #Giveaway

C. Vonzale Lewis is here to tell us about Descendants of the Big House, A Horde of Dead Poets, contemporary fantasy-mystery.

There's also a great giveaway.

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Descendants of the Big House

C. Vonzale Lewis

(A Horde of Dead Poets)

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery

Beatrice Monroe is still getting used to the knowledge that she was born a champion for Good and Evil. She spends her days combing through her great grandmother’s journals trying to find answers to what this newfound ability means for her as a member of law enforcement.

When a woman walks into her precinct claiming her aunt was murdered, Beatrice discovers a link between their families that may just have the answers she needs. But those answers are not easy to find. Because this mystery’s roots are buried in the past with five young girls and what they gave birth to…in The Big House.

Descendants of the Big House is a standalone installment in A Horde of Dead Poets collection featuring seven authors and their stories inspired by famous literary poems. If you often find yourself steering toward a dark, mysterious, isolated location; if family curses haunt you and unreliable narrators keep you in suspense, you won’t want to miss a single volume in this gripping collection.

Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

“I think somebody did something,” Mr. Taylor announced suddenly, voice raised. “My wife, my children. Not right. Not right at all.” He started crying. “I can’t convince anybody to listen to me.”

I got up and kneeled by his chair. “I’m listening, Mr. Elijah.” It didn’t dawn on me that I might have overstepped. The pain in his plea just pulled at me. I understood the feeling of being lost so well, growing up in a home filled with abuse and no one listening to my own cries for help.

He looked down at me. “I appreciate that. You find ’em. You find the one that took my Mary. She was the only woman I ever loved. And our children. Godsend. No matter what that man told her at the crossroads.”

“What man?” I asked, my blood running cold. Of course, I knew what man he was referring to, but I didn’t dare say it out loud.

He flapped his hand in the air again.

I looked at Gautier and dipped my head toward my bag. I didn’t want to upset him further, but I needed to confirm what I already suspected. Mary had met Papa Sin at the crossroads.

Gautier pulled out the book Odette gave us, still in an evidence bag, and came over and gave it to me. I pulled it out and Mr. Taylor gasped.

“Get that evil book out of my house!” He tried to get to his feet and ended up falling back in the chair. I straightened and, after thrusting the book at Gautier, helped Mr. Elijah right himself.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Cherie asked, rushing over. “What evil?” She looked at the book. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but it’s upsetting my daddy.”

“I’m sorry about that, ma’am. But your sister Natalie sent this book to Odette along with a letter claiming she was going to…” I looked down at Mr. Taylor. His eyes were wild.

“She swore she’d gotten rid of that book. She swore.” He let out a sob. “That man told her she’d birth evil. That twins were broken.” He caved in on himself, chest heaving as he cried.

“I better take him to his room,” Cherie said, her face filled with concern.

Gautier got up and helped her take him in the back. I stood there berating myself for upsetting him. I shouldn’t have asked about the book. But I had to get answers, right?

Author Bio:

Carla Vonzale Lewis likes her martini’s shaken…never stirred. Though she was born in Georgia, please don’t mistake her for a Georgia peach. She’s more like a prickly pear. Speaking of being born, someone asked her recently if she remembered her birth, and all she had to say was, “Yes, I do remember that handsy doctor pulling me out into the cold. Right Bastard!!!”

Despite being born in the South, she grew up in the North. California to be exact. And every once in a great while, she gets to experience all four seasons. But mostly, it’s just heat.

Her debut novel, LINEAGE, was released July 16, 2019 and she fully intends to ride that joy for the rest of her life.

When she’s not concocting her next contemporary fantasy story, she enjoys reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, and trying to convince her husband that getting a dog is a wonderful idea.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub / Pinterest

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Descendants of the Big House Blitz

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Playing Rough - Romance - and a Giveaway #Romance #Giveaway

Beth Pellino-Dudzic is here to tell us about her romance Playing Rough.

There's also a great giveaway.

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Beth Pellino-Dudzic will be awarding one set of the three books in the series - Playing Hard, Playing High and Playing Rough (international giveaway). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Love. Lies. And the Road to Redemption.

After five months in rehab, Trevor McNaughton is finally sober—and ready to rebuild his life with Gina, the woman who never stopped believing in him. A road trip is meant to be their fresh start, but their plans are quickly derailed when their former publicist, Paul Ryan, emerges with explosive claims: an affair with Gina, dark secrets about their band Perfection, and vicious speculation about their marriage.

As the couple races to contain the fallout, the pressure mounts. Trevor must protect his fragile sobriety while defending the truth. Gina, fierce and unshakable, refuses to let their love be hijacked by lies. All the while, Gina’s cousin and bandmate Rio begs them to return home and help shape the next album—while wannabe rock star Brian Mayfield looms as another potential threat to the narrow threshold they already straddle.

With careers and reputations on the line, Trevor and Gina must confront the ghosts of their past and the chaos of their present. Can love outlast betrayal, and can anything silence a man set on destruction?

Read an Excerpt

They pulled away from their Montecito home when Gina had a realization. “Trev, we know nothing about camping. The closest I can relate is the time my family had to stay at the Hyatt because the Ritz was full. We should stop at one of those huge camping and hunting stores and buy whatever we need.” Trevor agreed. They did some research and then drove to the nearest outdoor supply store.

A salesperson named Jonas recognized them. “What can I assist you with, McNaughtons?”

Gina stared at Jonas, then threw her hands up. “Everything ... We have no idea what is needed for an RV trip.” The knowledgeable employee gave them a checklist of necessities and camping equipment. Trevor and Gina trusted him to compile what was needed.

Jonas asked, “How long of a trip are you planning on taking?”

Trevor simply said, “Probably a month, maybe longer.” Jonas also asked if they had an itinerary and RV locations picked out and reserved. The two rockers looked at each other— who knew they needed to reserve a spot? He told them there was a book on RV parks that should help design their plan.

Trevor didn’t vocalize what the exact plan was.

So, Gina suggested hers. “Trevor, I would enjoy driving up the coast, California, Oregon, Washington. We can take in beautiful sights on the way and continue to Vancouver. We can explore a bit of British Columbia and visit your father … and I would like to drive to Boise.”

About the Author: Beth Pellino-Dudzic was born in the Bronx and grew up in Westchester County, New York. She earned a BA in Business Administration and worked at IBM. She has three adult daughters and a new Granddaughter. She currently lives in Alabama with her husband and their miniature dachshund, Truffle. Although The Perfection Saga is fictional, many of the stories hark back to Beth’s time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll world. Beth’s favorite pastime is football, everything football. She also is an excellent cook and baker.

Website: https://perfectionsaga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558439816678
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpellinodudzic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bethandperfection1

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FP9H6LQQ

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The Infected - Apocalyptic Horror - and a Giveaway #Horror #ApocalypticHorror #Giveaway

Perry Prete is here to talk about The Infected, apocalyptic horror.

There's also a great giveaway.

______________________

The fight for survival is on

The Infected

by Perry Prete

Genre: Apocalyptic Horror

A rogue virus alters human DNA, causing a mutation which infects most of the world’s population. Those immune to the virus must survive any way they can, as the two groups fight for dominance. The infected mindlessly hunt at night, humans travel and forage for food during the day. Rumours have spread of an area free of the infected in the cold barren land permanently frozen in Northern Canada where the infected cannot survive.

A girl, alone and scared, is rescued by one of the infected, forming a bond that may change the course of how these two groups will live with each other.

As their unlikely friendship grows, she realizes that peace may be possible if others can learn to accept them. Until everything changes.

 

Amazon * Audible * Bookbub * Goodreads

Perry Prete was born in Sudbury, Ontario 1962, the middle child of three. His father passed away in 1972, leaving only his mother and two siblings. His mother re-married years after, and they moved to a small town just outside Sudbury, where he completed grade school. He finished grades nine and part of grade ten at Ecole Secondaire Franco-Jeunesse before moving to London, Ontario, in 1976. He transferred to G.A. Wheable H.S. for the final two and a half years. For most of his high school years in London, he worked at McDonald's on Wellington Road. After graduating high school, Perry decided on a television career and went to Fanshawe College for Television Broadcasting and worked for CICI and CKNC, CTV and CBC affiliates for a short time in Sudbury. He moved back to London and worked for a few months before returning to Fanshawe for the Paramedic program, where he met his wife.

 After graduating from Paramedicine, he worked as a medic in St. Mary's, Stratford, London, and Windsor before relocating to Brockville, Ontario, in 1984 to work full-time as a Paramedic. While working as a Paramedic, he was injured in a stationary bike accident which put his arm in a cast, giving him the time he needed to write his first novel, "All Good Things." He wrote his second novel shortly after, "The More Things Change."

 In between novels, he briefly taught part of the Paramedic program at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall.

 Perry wrote the third novel in the series, "The Things That Matter Most," "Highway 7," "The Mind's Eye," and "The Infected." He has three unfinished novels and several completed works.

 Perry continues to work as a Paramedic for Leeds Grenville Paramedic Services. With over 40 years of experience and counting, those calls have provided ample material for his future books.

 

Website * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! 

The Infected

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Lost in His Spiderwebs - Lozano Cartel Book 2 - Dark Romance - Hot - 5 Flames #Romance #DarkRomance #Cartel #Hot

Amber Daulton is here to talk about her hot dark romance Lost in His Spiderwebs, book 2 in the Lozano Cartel series.

Read on for details... 

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Lost in His Spiderwebs

Lozano Cartel (book 2)

Dark Romance

Heat Rating: 5 Flames

ADD TO GOODREADS

CHECK IT OUT ON BOOKBUB

DOWNLOAD TODAY ON:

DIRECT FROM AUTHOR

 UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

AMAZON - BN - KOBO - GOOGLE PLAY

APPLE iBOOKS - SMASHWORDS

“Behind the Creation of Lost in His Spiderwebs” 

Lost in His Spiderwebs is the second book in the Lozano Cartel series, where we dive into the lives of Rubén Lozano and Drina Cabrera in a dark, second-chance romance neither one of them saw coming.

Rubén is not someone you want to cross. A cold, calculating cartel kingpin, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Flip the coin and you got Drina—a widowed mother who’s raising her daughter alone while struggling to keep the darkness of her own mother’s anti-cartel resistance group out of their lives. These two couldn’t be more different. But when Drina’s world falls apart, she finds herself tangled in a dangerous cartel web, with none other than Rubén as her unlikely savior. The twist? He’s the one man she’s tried to forget.

Rubén and Drina are introduced as secondary characters in Dark Hearts Aflame, the first book in the series. From the moment Rubén showed up on the page, I knew he deserved his own story, but at first, I couldn’t figure out who his heroine would be. After playing around with a few ideas and scrapping them, inspiration finally struck—Drina! She was the perfect fit for him. I’ve always loved the “opposites attract” trope, so I started plotting their story with her as his love interest. But something just didn’t feel right. At this point, Rubén and Drina were complete strangers when they meet in Chapter One, and that bothered me. There wasn’t enough depth or chemistry between them to make the story truly compelling.

I spent weeks, literally weeks, brainstorming how to make this connection feel real. And then, it hit me. Second-chance romance! Another favorite trope. What if Rubén and Drina had a past? What if they were once lovers, and he’s the father of her daughter, though he doesn’t know it? That idea sparked everything I needed to take the story in a fresh direction.

Once that major plot point clicked into place, the rest of the book came together more smoothly. Of course, I had to refine and cut a few elements for pacing and word count, but the final result is a dark, intense, and deeply emotional romance that fits perfectly within the genre.

Lost in His Spiderwebs is now available for preorder and will officially release on October 14, 2025. I’m already working on the next book, Corrupting His Wife, which is currently in the draft phase. The Lozano Cartel series will span several standalone novels, so be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media to stay updated. In the meantime, add Lost in His Spiderwebs to your reading list. You won’t want to miss it!

Blurb:

The cartel king has finally found his queen.

Kidnapped by the enemy. Bought by the jefe. 

Will his smoldering touch thaw her frozen heart?

Rubén Lozano, the new leader of the Lozano Cartel, craves peace amidst a legacy of bloodshed and death. He never expected to find his ex-lover, Drina Cabrera, in the clutches of his vicious rivals. Her haunted eyes compel him to rescue her, but freeing her is another matter.

After five months of captivity, Drina trades one captor for another. Though she succumbs to Rubén’s masterful touch, the bittersweet memory of her daughter and the life she was stolen from is a constant wedge between them.

When Rubén’s darkest secret comes out, he will have to wash his hands in crimson. Will Drina let her king face the danger alone, or stand at his side as his cartel queen?

– Book two in the dark romance series, the Lozano Cartel. All the books can be read as a standalone, but are part of an interconnected series.

– Scenes featuring forced seduction, drug distribution, torture/violence, kidnapping/captivity, and attempted sexual assault may be uncomfortable for some readers.

– No cheating and HEA guaranteed!

– Written in 3^rd POV.

 

Excerpt:

He kissed her forehead, snatched up his pants, and withdrew a crinkly foil packet from his wallet to rip open. “If it didn’t take seven days for birth control to become effective, I would take you bareback.” He slid on the condom and slammed home between her thighs.

Air clogged her throat. His skin flared hot beneath her desperately gripping fingers. He filled her so completely. It hurt, an erotic blend of pleasure and pain snapping through her. The kind that made her feel alive. Wanted. Desired. She wrapped her legs around him. He shifted his hips, stroking deeper and stretching her more than any man ever had—including himself.

The room blurred, the light and shadow a never-ending swirl of sensual bliss. The sound of their bodies slapped together in sharp harmonious bliss, the past and present colliding. Sweat slicked their skin, aiding their fast, rough slide and joining them as one.

“Harder,” she begged.

“You’re so tight.” He rammed his hips against hers, growling like an animal. “Tomorrow, you will feel me in every step you take. You won’t be able to sit without squirming.”

Dirty talk! Perfect. Just what she wanted. She met his every thrust, giving as good as she got, and squeezed her thighs to pin him inside her.

Another growl ripped from his mouth. “You’re hotter than fire, Drina.”

Her heart soared. “Damn right.” He grabbed her legs and pushed them back over her head, spreading them so wide she feared she’d never be able to close them. “¡Dios mío!” she shouted, the prayer and curse wrapped into one. The tension coiling in her belly tightened. Licks of fiery heat raced under her skin. So close. Almost there. Just a little more. She tilted her hips, altering her rhythm. As he thrust again, he struck her so deep that a supernova blasted behind her eyes. Shouting at the top of her lungs, she arched her back and smashed her breasts against him.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chanted, rutting harder, then finding his own relief.

“Rubén!” Tremors seized her, the feel of him in her arms, her lifeline in the storm. Exhaustion liquefied her bones. Pliant beneath him, she grunted as he thrust twice more before he released her legs and rolled away to sprawl out beside her. Cool air assailed her raw, tender core. She pressed her legs together, her thigh muscles twitching.

Breathing heavily, Rubén flung his arm over his eyes. “You okay?”

“I-I think so,” she croaked and coughed to steady her voice. “That was incredible.”

“Told you.”

Laughing, she swatted his arm and scooted closer to lay her head on his heaving chest. “I’ve edited romance books with sex scenes like this. They’re always my favorite.”

“Books?” He stiffened and lightly rested his hand on her shoulder as though unsure where to touch her.

“Before my life turned upside down, I was an editor for a publishing company. I’ve read so many wonderful stories and helped get them published. You cannot imagine that sense of accomplishment. Err—maybe you can,” she amended. He hadn’t fought his way to the top of his chosen field without celebrating who knew how many achievements. “I had over ten full-time authors on my roster, who I’m sure were transferred to other editors after I disappeared.”

“Writing and literature, I remember you studying that in school.”

“It seems like a lifetime ago.”

He sighed, then slid out from under her and swung his feet to the floor. The muscles in his back rippled as he grabbed his pants and stood to step into them.

“You’re leaving?” Her heart sank. She’d just told herself to keep that foolish organ away from him, yet she brought up her past as though they would cuddle and indulge in pillow talk as they had used to. She was his captive, not his girlfriend. She pulled the sheet around her as his cold, detached gaze skewered her like chips of ice.

After he dressed and left his shirt undone, he clutched the spent condom in one hand and crushed his lips to hers in a bruising kiss—a reminder of his authority, of who held the power in whatever it was between them. Then he walked out through the connecting narrow doorway for his room, leaving her alone with the silence and soiled sheets. And worst of all—regret.

 

 

About the Author:

Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.

 

Social Media Links:

Follow Me: https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Check out my website (Daulton Publishing): https://amberdaulton.com

Sign up for my Exclusive Newsletter (free ebook to new subscribers): https://amberdaulton.com/newsletter-signup/

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The Cost of Magic - Prequel to The Intrigue of Magic Series - YA Epic Fantasy - Sword & Sorcery - and a Giveaway #YAEpicFantasy #Fantasy #Sword&Sorcery #Prequel #Giveaway

L.J. Evias is here to tell us about The Cost of Magic, prequel to The Intrigue of Magic series, YA epic fantasy, sword & sorcery.

There's also a great giveaway.

__________________

What would you risk to prove you belong –

Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?

The Cost of Magic

Prequel to The Intrigue of Magic Series

by L.J. Evias

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery

She’s young, gifted, and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.

Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the prince who saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to send her into danger, and the princess wants her in court.

Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.

So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape her overprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And the magic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.

But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and one wrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’s counting on her.

The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to The Intrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readers who crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosing your own path.

Start The Cost of Magic today and discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.

 

** Only .99cents for a limited time! **

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

The Discovery of Magic

The Intrigue of Magic Book 1

A world ruled by magic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.

Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archery scholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurls her into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands in a palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.

The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power, with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’t explain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.

The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming, clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautiful deceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.

She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trust is the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—it will take everything she’s got.

The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in The Intrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of court intrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t just survive—they fight for each other.

Buy The Discovery of Magic today to enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.


What readers are saying:

'A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, the contemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magical threats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. The world-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back to contemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for the characters. Evias' care with character interaction and modern-day social parallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.' - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

'The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements...Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and...is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth...Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next' - Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★

'...offers a balance of lightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and older audiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers a charming and enjoyable story.' - Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★

'L. J. Evias' thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to the pages...The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy to be enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old' - Delene Vrey, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★

'The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.' - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★

'A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf, ★★★★

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.

The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.

When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.

Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! 

The Cost of Magic

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