03 February 2025

The Empress’ Palace The Nehel Series Book 2 By Joseph Kopel Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours #TheEmpressPalace #TheNehelSeries #TheEmpressJourney @JosKAuthor @joseph_kopel_author

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The Empress’ Palace

The Nehel Series Book 2

By Joseph Kopel

Genre

Epic Fantasy Adventure

Four years following the first book's events.

Empress Nehel must navigate the complexities of ruling a Jyistereerk at war — the Deken Karsaker — while facing personal struggles and unforeseen circumstances.

The balance, once restored, shatters again with the loss of the continent of Ryza, all while a lost realm to the Gesha revives. Yet, a conspiracy within the Kingdom of Fenn ignites doubt as Nehel faces harsh decisions in the tragedy's aftermath.

A story of coming of age, first love, and personal growth. This gripping tale will leave readers on the edge of their seats as they journey through a world of magic, intrigue and unexpected twists.

Disclaimer: The Ebook version is intentionally simplified for easy access on different devices and doesn't have interior designs. The contents remain unchanged from the printed version.

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The Empress’ Journey

The Nehel Series Book 1

Amid turmoil and despair, a new hope arises as a young empress.

The Gesha obliterated the once thriving but ailing Kingdom of Aranka, triggering an imbalance in Sankaris. Epidemics, wars, pollution, and madness plague the land as the protagonists pursue for answers.

A glimmer of faith spreads throughout the maimed world as the Promise. Her rise to power brings a much-needed balance, ensuring a fresh start and the dawning of a new era.

Will she unravel the mysteries behind these afflictions and restore the balance to Sankaris?

Join this captivating tale of humanity, resilience, determination, and the search for truths in a world gripped by darkness.

Disclaimer: The Ebook version is intentionally simplified for easy access on different devices and doesn't have interior designs. The contents remain unchanged from the printed version.

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The Gesha (Prologue)

So many stories about the Gesha spread throughout Sankaris. Unfolded in different accounts, but the same culmination.

Though restricted to half a continent, the influence reached all over the world.

None of the four moons were visible that night as dark clouds gathered over the ailing Kingdom of Aranka.

A realm so cursed by the plague and the sudden death of two monarchs in a short time.

The thunderstorm came afterward.

A massive roar echoed from the clouds, even in distant places on three continents.

The sound was too bizarre to be a rumble of thunder.

The blazing white lightning impossible to see fell to the ground somewhere in Aranka. A burning reverberation resonated, shrieking.

The powerful earthquake trembled the underground.

Twisted and massive, rapid winds danced along with the fire. It lasted a moment in time but seemed an eternity.

Then, void. Silence, darkness. Without a trace, the clouds vanished, unveiling the night sky with the imposing moons of No Sak and No Nunn.

By the morning, when the sun arose, Aranka was no more.

Nothing.

All existence of a realm gone.

Life became dead. Sand only sand. Desert.

A kingdom obliterated.

Everyone knew the morning sensed strange.

A severed balance immutably maimed Sankaris.

Joseph Kopel is an imaginative author who has transitioned from Sci-Fi to Space Opera and now ventures into the realm of Fantasy with his debut in the genre.

What began as a hobby has grown into thirty-five years of writing. Being bilingual, he switched between English and Spanish. The greatest influences on him were the Latin American literature in Mexico City's libraries and the most famous American Sci-Fi authors.

When he is out of any fantastic realm to be in the world of reality, he enjoys his time with his wife, three kids, and his two pets.

Currently, he lives in Northwest Missouri, in a small peaceful country town of only 250 people.

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A Curse of Thorns and Slumber: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling Legends Reborn Book 2 by Marie-Hélène Lebeault bOOK tOUR!

One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.

A Curse of Thorns and Slumber:

A Sleeping Beauty Retelling

Legends Reborn Book 2

by Marie-Hélène Lebeault

Genre

Clean Romantasy Fairytale Retelling

A cursed prince. A dangerous dream world. A girl who holds the key to their salvation.

One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.

When a reluctant thief with the power to control thorns is forced to break an ancient curse, she must risk entering the dangerous Dreamplane to save a cursed prince—but some magic comes with a price too deadly to pay.

In the kingdom of Solstraea, where the skies are gray and thorns rule the land, a centuries-old curse has imprisoned Prince Kael in an eternal sleep. Only one person can break the spell—Liora Thornhand, a thief with a rare, dangerous gift she never wanted.

Captured and offered a deal she cannot refuse, Liora must venture into the deadly Dreamplane to find Kael’s heart, hidden deep within a magical rose. But as she battles nightmare creatures and faces her own dark past, she learns that waking the prince might cost her more than just her freedom—it might cost her life.

In a world filled with twisted thorns, cursed roses, and dangerous shadows, Liora will have to decide: will she risk everything to save a kingdom she doesn’t belong to, or will she let it fall into eternal darkness?

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, "A Curse of Thorns and Slumber" is a spellbinding mix of dark fantasy, romance, and a daring quest through a world where magic is as treacherous as it is beautiful.

A Curse of Thorns and Slumber is the second book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure. Books can be read in any order.

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A Curse of Snow and Ash:

A Snow White Retelling

Legends Reborn Book 1

She holds the power of fire and ice—now, she must decide which one will rule.

Valira, the forgotten princess of the Ash Court, has lived her life hidden from both her past and her dangerous magic. When she is thrust into a world of ice and fire, hunted by two rival courts, she must unlock her powers to stop a war—and perhaps find herself along the way.

In a world where fire and ice have been at war for centuries, Valira, an exiled princess with no memory of her past, is hunted for the power she doesn't understand. Born from a forbidden union between the Courts of Snow and Ash, Valira wields both fire and ice, a magic that could save or destroy the realm.

When a cold-hearted assassin from the Snow Court, Prince Caelan, is sent to kill her, their fates become entwined. As they race against time to uncover the truth about her origins and the curse that threatens the kingdoms, Valira must learn to control her volatile powers before the war consumes them both.

Enemies lurk in every shadow, and trust is as fragile as ice. But amid the chaos, a dangerous bond forms between Valira and Caelan—one that could melt the coldest hearts or spark a fire that consumes them both.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse of Snow and Ash is a breathtaking blend of elemental magic, fierce romance, and high-stakes fantasy.

A Curse of Snow of Ash is the first book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure

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Excerpt from A Curse of Snow and Ash

By Marie-Hélène Lebeault

Valira's eyes snapped open, stinging with the frigid air. She could feel the sharp bite of the cold against her skin, but she didn't flinch. The snow beneath her had already started to melt from the heat of her body, leaving a damp spot on her clothes. Glimpses of a steel-colored sky peeked through heavy clouds, casting a dreary light on the snowy landscape. With a shiver, she sat up and brushed off frost from her hair, revealing strands as white as the ground beneath her. Something was off about this morning, and Valira couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in her gut.

Sinking deeper into the snow, Valira struggled to move her numbed fingers. She couldn't feel the cold, but she knew it was there, biting at her skin. Despite the frozen world around her, a simmering heat pulsed in her chest. It was the only thing keeping her going.

As she stood up and took in her surroundings, she saw the trees were stripped bare of leaves, their branches coated in a layer of ice. The air smelled of snow, crisp and clean, like freshly washed laundry. How had she ended up here? She couldn't remember anything before a sharp pain and the feeling of falling.

But as she walked forward, she noticed something strange: her feet left no footprints in the snow. She blinked and tried to clear the fog in her mind. With each step, her heartbeat remained steady, almost unnaturally so. The silence of the forest seemed to stretch on forever.

Until a sudden sound shattered it - a distant howl that sent shivers down Valira's spine.

A small crack echoed through the stillness of the forest, causing Valira to freeze in her tracks. She immediately became alert, her senses sharpening as she scanned the area for any signs of danger. And then, she saw him - a figure cloaked in dark fur, standing at the edge of the clearing with an air of silent menace.

His eyes were a piercing icy blue, cold and calculating as they locked onto hers. As he stepped forward, his hand rested on the hilt of a long, silver blade. Valira's heart raced, fear gripping at her chest. She didn't know who this stranger was or what he wanted, but she knew he was not here to help her.

With trepidation, Valira raised her hand and felt a warmth spreading through her chest, traveling down her arm and into her fingers. The snow at her feet melted in a perfect circle, steam rising from the ground. She was both amazed and terrified by this unfamiliar power coursing through her veins.

The man hesitated for a moment, his grip on his sword loosening as he looked down at the melting snow with surprise. He spoke in a low, measured voice. "You shouldn't be here."

Valira's heart pounded in her ears as she responded defiantly, "Neither should you."

Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic, and time travel. With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.

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02 February 2025

High Intensity (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G, #2) by Freya Barker Audiobook Release!

Title

High Intensity (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G, #2)

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February 2, 2025

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Dog trainer and handler, Jillian Lederman, is moving with her pack to Libby, Montana, a place where she has made friends and hopes to find a fresh start. It’s time. For years, she’s just been keeping her wounds fresh by staying in Missoula—where there were regular reminders of all she’s lost—while the rest of the world has continued to move forward.

Perhaps the new house, the beautiful mountains, and a certain pair of clear, blue eyes hold the promise of new beginnings.

Since changing careers years ago, former FBI agent Lucas Wolff has found a much better work-life balance as a member of High Mountain Trackers. Still able to serve his community, he has also been carving out a comfortable existence for himself and is not looking to make any changes to it anytime soon. Not even for a particular bold and ballsy redhead he’s been trying to avoid.

That turns out to be an impossible feat when a plane crash during a blizzard sets both of them on the trail of a young girl, all alone in the mountains. But it soon becomes evident they are not the only ones looking, and staying safe means sticking close together.

AUDIBLE

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO |

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories. With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Purchase/Pre Order the rest of the series!!

AMAZON

31 January 2025

Diplomatic Liability by Rebecca Cohen New release Blitz! @ninestarpress #bookaddiction #bookshelf #mustread #instabook #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #newbook #readersofinsta #tbrpile #whattoread #newbook #weekendreads #contemporary #DiverseReads #SciFi #mmromance

Title

Diplomatic Liability

Series

Devlin Taylor, Earth Ambassador, Book Two

Author

Rebecca Cohen

Publisher:

NineStar Press

Release Date

01/28/2025

Heat Level

3 - Some Sex

Pairing

Male/Male

Length: 65900

Genre

Science Fiction, tentacle/tail sex, aliens, interspecies,

scientist, ambassador, space travel

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Description

Devlin Taylor is Earth's first ambassador, seeing the universe with his alien boyfriend Zal by his side. But nothing is straightforward when you're the first human on board a spaceship. Devlin and Zal need to keep their relationship hidden for now, and many others on the ship would like to get the chance to explore a new species’ anatomy.

New planets, strange worlds, and exciting adventures await Devlin, but when an unknown species tries to board the Chroalian ship, something doesn't add up, and Devlin is left wondering what is going on. Add in homesickness, jealousy, and cultural differences, and Devlin has a lot to learn. Good job Zal is by his side every step of the way.

Excerpt

Diplomatic Liability
Rebecca Cohen © 2025
All Rights Reserved

Devlin fastened the buttons of his suit jacket. “How do I look? Suitable for drinks with the captain of a starship?”

“As much as I love you in a suit, and probably even more out of one, I do have to ask if it’s really the right attire for your new position.” Zal was sitting up in bed, his bright orange hair sticking out at all angles and looking like he’d not long before engaged in several rounds of energetic sex. Which was unsurprising because that was exactly what had happened.

“The Ministry said the office dress code extended to my position as Earth Ambassador, but you might have a point that I should probably consider this the equivalent of your dress uniform.”

“I don’t have one of those yet. While I wait, the closest thing I have are my ambassadorial robes or my formalwear. And the latter didn’t survive the evening after our leaving gala. The ship’s quartermaster told me in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t a seamstress when I asked him to repair the side seam that somehow got split.”

Devlin chuckled at the memory. They had thought it would be their last night together, with Zal leaving Earth at the end of his visit. At that time, Devlin thought he had no way to leave with him. They had been very enthusiastic. “You did get a bit excited, but at least you have a chance of repairing your robe; my poor shirt ended up being put in the rag recycling box.”

“I’m sure I can find a way to make it up to you.” Zal patted the space next to him on the bed with the point of his tail. “I promise not to damage the one you’re wearing.”

“Nice try, Zal, but you should be getting ready. You’re supposed to be my liaison officer, and I’ve got a drinks reception in my honour to attend. I don’t want to be late.”

Zal muttered something Devlin’s translator either couldn’t or wouldn’t translate but got out of bed. “We’ve plenty of time yet. Let me grab a quick shower. I can hardly turn up reeking of sex with a human.”

“For all the crew would know, the smell could be a new cologne you picked up on Earth.”

Zal laughed and stole a quick kiss as he headed to the bathroom, naked. “Eau d’Devlin does have a nice ring to it, but the last thing I want is someone else liking your scent. That, and your fuzziness, are all mine.”

Devlin loved the pattern of scales that ran over Zal’s skin and his tail which now, like often was the case, writhed as if it had a mind of its own. Zal was hairless and, because of it, had a fascination with Devlin’s body hair from the first time he’d got his hands on his hairy chest.

Staring around his new cabin, Devlin still couldn’t believe he was here. There was no mistaking that the vista outside his porthole was space. He was the first Earth Ambassador and would be travelling on this ship for the equivalent of ten Earth months before reaching Zal’s home world, Chroalia. The idea of all the fascinating people he would meet was the icing on the cake of being with Zal. They had thought it impossible, both having given up on finding their happy ever after, yet here they were.

A ping came from a panel on the wall by his bed. He wandered over to it. It pinged again, and he saw written in green font: incoming communication.

For want of a better option, he tapped the writing and when nothing happened there was a third ping. “Hello?” he tried.

The screen came to life and a face appeared. They had bright pink skin and a neatly trimmed purple beard but not a wisp of hair on their head, which made their ears look bigger than they were, especially with their elaborate earrings. “Ambassador Taylor?”

“Yes?”

“I am Dr Golic. You’re supposed to report to Medbay once you’ve settled into your cabin. Where is Lieutenant Catenmir? He was aware of the requirement.”

He had a vague recollection that he would have a medical once he came aboard, but Zal hadn’t said when. Zal was currently in his shower, removing the evidence of how they’d christened his new bed, and since no one was meant to know they were in a relationship yet, it might give the game away. “Er…”

“According to the location sensors he is in your cabin.”

“He’s just using the bathroom. Once he’s done, I’ll have him bring me to Medbay.”

“Good.” Dr Golic gave him a strange look, which Devlin couldn’t decipher. He suspected he was going to get quite a few of those in the first few weeks aboard ship. “Come immediately. That way I can take your base levels before they are contaminated from anything you might imbibe, as I understand you’ve a welcome reception to attend.”

“I’ll trot right along.”

“Walking will be acceptable, Mr Taylor. There is no need to engage in Earth equine activities.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Meet the Author

Rebecca Cohen spends her days dreaming of living in a Tudor manor house, or a Georgian mansion. Alas, the closest she comes to this is through her characters in her historical romance novels.

She also dreams of intergalactic adventures and fantasy realms, but because she’s not yet got her space or dimensional travel plans finalised, she lives happily in leafy Hertfordshire, England, with her husband and young son.

She can often be found with a pen in one hand and sloe gin with lemon tonic in the other.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Rebecca Cohen's Ramblings

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Soft Serve Sleighing (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory Virtual Book Tour!

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About Soft Serve Sleighing

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Soft Serve Sleighing (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Setting

Long Island, NY

Publisher ‏

Gemma Halliday Publishing

(January 28, 2025)

Number of Pages

226

Kindle ASIN ‏

‎ B0DLHPWDNT

From author Lena Gregory comes a delightfully delicious cozy mystery...

With most of Eastern Long Island closed down for a blizzard, Danika Delaney and her friends are holed up in her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, with ice cream and hot chocolate.

However, their plans to wait out the storm in cozy company are interrupted when a popular YouTuber and her two companions show up at the door—they've been trapped by the storm, and Dani generously offers to serve them breakfast.

But her generosity isn't rewarded in kind, as the reviewer then tries to extort money from Dani in exchange for a good review! When the storm finally clears, Dani is happy to have seen the last of them.

Or so she thought.

Dani and her friends decide to go sleigh riding the morning after the storm clears, but instead of a winter wonderland, they find the extorting YouTuber...dead! To make matters worse, Dani suddenly finds herself accused of the woman's murder.

Intent on restoring her reputation, Dani sets out to prove she didn’t do it. This is one storm she's not sure she can weather...

About Lena Gregory

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Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

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