Sunday, May 4, 2025

Through the Red Door by Sadira Stone

Two good men vie to heal a widow’s heart—but it only holds room for one. Come to Book Nirvana for chosen family, laughter and tears, sizzling passion, and a love triangle for the ages.

      Today, in keeping with our Books In A Series promise, Wild Women Authors focus on: Through the Red Door by Sadira Stone. 

 About the Book: Unless Clara can find a lifeline, her trendy Eugene Oregon bookstore—the one she and her deceased husband bought as newlyweds—will be forced to close its doors forever. Her best shot at saving Book Nirvana is her late husband’s collection of rare, racy books, she’s not ready to open that red door and face the flood of memories. She’s also not ready to open her heart again—even if the two new men in her life tempt her to try.   

Nick Papadopoulos comes to Book Nirvana in search of antique bawdy books for his latest published paper and falls  hard for lovely and lonely Clara. As a widower, he understands her reluctance to start over, but the spark between them is as strong as it is undeniable. His academic connections could help rebuild her clientele, but if she discovers his past secret scandals, her fragile trust will shatter.  

Dalton Garvey is over the moon for beautiful, bookish Clara, but how can a simple high school teacher compete with the suave university prof? Clara and Dalton have so much in common, and their sweet friendship could bloom into something deeper if it weren’t for his rival’s grip on the vulnerable widow. Dalton doesn’t trust Nick, and neither should Clara.

 Excerpt:

A little past four, the doorbell tinkles, and Dalton strides in, waving a check. He grins at his cousin, then at me. “Our school librarian hunted up some extra funds. Got any more ancient history books?”

His wide smile eases a bit of the tension off my shoulders. He looks so cute in his red North Eugene H.S. Highlanders polo shirt, jeans, and gigantic Nikes. Though a few silver strands glisten in his short, golden beard, Dalton beams happy, youthful energy, something I desperately need right now.

“Let’s see what we can find.”

He follows me to the history aisle and reaches above my head to pull a volume from the top shelf. “African Mythology Illustrated. Perfect.”

“Glad to help.” I try to match his cheerful tone, but my reply comes out flat.

Dalton’s pale brows scrunch together. “Clara, what’s wrong?”

“Business troubles,” I grumble, avoiding his eyes. He’s so nice, so open and easy-going, and last night I kissed Nick. Hell, “kiss” isn’t a strong enough word for what we shared. Nick’s mouth on mine melted my bones and filled my mind with stars.

Dalton sets the book down and gently grasps my shoulders, turning me to face him. “Is that all?” I’ll bet his students confess to all kinds of mischief under that patient, steady stare.

“Well, no.” Reluctantly, I gaze up into his pale blue eyes. They radiate kind concern, which makes me feel even more guilty. “Dalton, I have to tell you, I’m sort of seeing someone else.”

He flinches backward. “Sort of?”

I flap my hand. “We have a date on Saturday. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it’s only fair to let you know.”

Scowling, he drops his grip on my shoulders and strides away, pivots, and paces back toward me. Then away, then back again. He opens his mouth as if to speak, then snaps it shut.

My chest constricts at the thought of hurting this sweet man who’s been nothing but kind to me. Should I have kept my date with Nick a secret? No, telling Dalton was the honorable thing to do.

Finally, he plants himself in front of me, folds his arms, and leans his rangy body against the bookshelf. “So, you’ve decided on him?”

“Well, no, I haven’t decided anything.”

He passes his hand over his face, covering his wide mouth. His forehead rumples, and his gaze lands somewhere far away. When he drops his hand, his expression is relaxed, almost unconcerned.

“Okay. Thanks for telling me. So, we’re still on for tomorrow?”

I blink in surprise. “You still want to?”

His crooked smile reappears. He steps closer and studies me for a long moment.

“Clara, you’re lovely. And funny. And kind. I’m not surprised I have competition.” He raises his hand and lets it hover over my cheek before brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I think we could be really good together. Will you give us a chance?”

 To purchase Through the Red Door, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Red-Door-Book-Nirvana-ebook/dp/B0DTFL74D5

 Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/through-the-red-door/id6740821310

 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/through-the-red-door-sadira-stone/1129705434?ean=2940184724126

 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/through-the-red-door-6

 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1693647

 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Through_the_Red_Door?id=GhtAEQAAQBAJ

 UBL: https://books2read.com/ThroughTheRedDoor

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/through-the-red-door-book-nirvana-by-sadira-stone

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223775259-through-the-red-door

A bit about our focus author:

     Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com


Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sadirastone.bsky.social

Author newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q7x4c6

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@sadirastone

Author website: https://www.sadirastone.com

  

Monday, April 28, 2025

Fated to be Monsters by Jacob VonTobel

 Anca was born to hunt, but not all monsters are beasts.

 About Fated to be Monsters: The Hunting Households are failing. Her people are starving. And the callous Queen Astasia reigns in luxury. Anca’s only chance to usurp the cycle of tyranny arrives with an unthinkable task: hunt a rampaging beast alongside Eugen, a feared former hunter. She discovers that Eugen despises the queen and the hunters, like Anca, who exiled him. Yet as the hunt falters, their mutual hate turns to desire. 

          But Eugen has more secrets than Anca can imagine. With their prey close, and the fate of their land in the balance, she must choose between what duty  demands and what her heart craves.

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature Fated to be Monsters, a romantasy written by Jacob Von Tobel and a current release out of the Wild Rose Press.

 We will begin with Anca Sulia, a hunter by birth and dynasty.

Good morning, Anca. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s begin with where you are from? I was born and raised in my family’s lands under the banner of our Hunting Household. Open grasslands, plenty of food. That sounds grand, but it was mostly a stony, cold bastion. I felt sheltered for a while, until my parents decided I was old enough to hunt. I started appreciating the peace of House Sulia after that. 

Tell us a bit about Fated to be Monsters. This story is about the biggest hunt of our lifetimes, but also when we escaped our fates. It’s about the end of who Eugen and I once were. We were both raised for a purpose: myself to hunt and repress, him to execute anyone whom the queen commanded. Neither of us imagined we would become those people.

What did you think the first time you saw Eugen. Scared. Angry. I assumed he hated me because my parents burned down his family’s bastion and orphaned him. Everything I heard about him was the cruelty and the things he did in the name of the queen. I suppose he heard the same things about me—except his job was to kill dissidents and I just dealt with the monsters.

          Since we’re being honest, I was thrilled. Even though he wasn’t hunting monsters like I, he was still in the field. He had our Nobil blood and had all of its gifts. For the first time in years, I felt like I was around a rival. I didn’t see the man I fell in love with until days after we met.

What was your second thought? I mean…he’s hot. Besides what I felt about him, I couldn’t deny that. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone. I was ready to write him off as a sociopath with good looks. Then we started working together. He was nicer than I expected. Though the bar was very low at first. It became clear after we started working together. There was just one thing in the way: the Blood Flame, the magic that made him reviled in the first place and the stuff that made him as terrifying as the stories said.      

Do you feel it was love at first sight? No. Not even a little. What we have now had to be discovered. We wear so much armor, both literally and emotionally, that it’s hard for people like us to feel vulnerable. Isn’t that what love is? Choosing to be vulnerable with someone else? He was the Queen’s Executioner when we met, but I never for a moment thought he would hurt me. It was surprisingly easy to open up to him.

What do you like most about Eugen? He’s authentic. You ask him what he thinks, he’ll tell you. He’s more caring than you’d think. Eugen is so protective of his own. He’s loyal. Brave. His sides are ticklish, but don’t let him know I said that. There are no games with him and he sees me, not the Nobil of House of Sulia. Eugen didn’t fall in love with my title or its perks. If we suddenly were deprived of our gifts and made to live out our days on a farmstead, I think I could do that with him.

How would you describe him? Tall. Muscular. His arms look incredible. He’s got a beard and mustache, but it’s all so trim. I’ve never seen a man so averse to letting his hair grow out. He’s got brown eyes you can get lost in. He doesn’t smile that often, but it is so warm. Maybe it’s because he didn’t have much to be happy about for a long time.

How would he describe you? He’d talk about my eyes first. He’s told me he noticed them before anything else. Green like a forest. A little shorter than him. Okay, a lot shorter. Not that he’s ever complained. Dark blond hair, medium build. I’m sorry, is that how people describe themselves?

What made you choose monster hunting for a career? I was born into it. My mother was a Nobil. My grandfather was a Nobil. The bloodline is passed down over the centuries. There’s no escaping it and I’m looking forward to passing it on to my eventual child. I also enjoy it despite the terrifying nature of the work. Though, whether I do because it suits me or if I was molded for the role is unclear.

What is your biggest fear? Leaving things unfinished. One of our principles is of Fated Death: that every single hunter will die violently. Hunters don’t die of old age. I know what I’m putting on the line every time I ride out. I never realized how much it scared me until I decided to change it. After everything that’s happened, I feel like I’ve begun to make things right. I’m not there yet though. I need to finish this before I meet my Fated Death.

How do you relax? I love a good bath with lavender flowers, preferably. Past that? I hunt game and practice my archery. Keep up with the news from my Household. I don’t want to come across as someone who just works all of the time, but that is what I was raised to be. I’m always thinking about what’s next, what needs to be done. Eugen has helped me relax. Not because he knows how to relax, but because I’m at ease around him. He’s the only person I could lay in bed with all day.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My mother was Nobil before me. She killed more monsters than myself and enforced the queen’s laws to the letter. Delores Sulia still told me to never compromise who I am. “We are Sulias,” she said. “Whatever the throne asks of us, we can’t let them change that.”

 Thank you for speaking with us, Anca. Now we’d like to chat with Jacob.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Oh, that is a long list. At first, I thought I was going to be a horror writer. Lovecraft and King had a heavy hand on my first stories. That was years ago though. Dungeons & Dragons, while not a book per se, really cultivated my love of fantasy, but also got me thinking in terms of worldbuilding. People have told me my worldbuilding is quite good and I credit my years as a Dungeon Master for that.

          But there’s also the romance end of things, right? It’s been a slow burn for me. I’m a little ashamed to say it, but my first romance-adjacent books were certainly those from the Twilight series. I’ve always been really into relationships in stories, who ends up with who. Eventually, I watched all of “Sex and the City”. I’ve devoured “Bridgerton” on Netflix. It didn’t click that I wanted to write romance until I started earnestly reading it. Though “Fourth Wing” broke the dam, I have to credit L.R. Lam’s “Dragonfall” for making the first crack.

          If I had to list books that I feel influenced my writing, I’d have to say: “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros, “The Traitor Queen” by Danielle Jensen, various Lovecraft short stories, and “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I grew up with anger problems. It’s taken years of therapy and work, but I’ve finally gotten it under control. I phrase it that way because it never truly goes away. It’s like any other behavioral problem. You have to stay on top of it.

          I bring this up because Eugen’s power makes him indomitable, but turns him into a raving berserker. He has Anger Magic, to be glib. As I worked with the character, I quickly found my own struggles with anger bleeding through. Eugen’s anger is tied to a magical curse, but this was a chance for me to talk about toxic rage. It’s on the person with the anger to let go. You have to identify those emotions and reject them. No one else can help you until you identify that you are accountable for your behavior.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? The Wild Rose Press is a small press that specializes in romance literature. I originally submitted my debut novel, which was notably not a romance. They still really enjoyed it and after a lot of work, they accepted it. It’s a happy coincidence then that I discovered how much I like writing romance shortly after.

          Small presses don’t get as much spotlight as self-pub or big 5 deals, but it’s a great way to get your books out there. TWRP really supports its authors and gives them resources. For me, it gives me the chance to share my work and build a readership. It is such a relief to have someone handle the business end of things as I learned to promote and market your own work.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I just finished “Onyx Storm” and still recovering. I’m reading ACOWAR and “When the Moon Hatched” right now. Besides a few ARCs next on my list, I’m thinking about “House of Sky and Breath” & ACOFS. I’m entering another SJM moment.

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? “Fated to be Monsters” is out and can be found on Amazon, B&N, and other book retailers. You can find me as @jvontobelwrites on all platforms. If you are eager for more sneak peeks on my work, I post a fair bit of that in my newsletter. You can find the sign ups for that at my website, jacobvontobel.com.

          The sequel to my debut, “Shadow & Sand: A Curse of Flame Story” should be coming out in late 2025. After that, I have a very hard decision to either finish the Curse Trilogy or finish the duology that “Fated to be Monsters” began.

          Past that, I have a new series I’ve been cooking up. I will come back to the world that Curse and Fated built again. However, there’s a story I’ve been dying to tell. It’s too early to talk about that though.

Jacob brought along an excerpt for us:

          Eugen tried to stand, but his wounds brought him back down with a wince. Every muscle pulled tight, like they were trying to tie themselves into knots. He took a deep breath and tried to think of something calming. Anca’s eyes flashed in his mind.

          “Believe me, Doia. I’m on your side,” he said. “Do you think I like being treated like this? My name is a curse. My bloodline is a stain. I thought if I could beat a Nobil at their own game, prove that I am better than the best of you, it would pull the wool from your eyes.” 

          It was a petty thought. His wound seemed so obvious now. Eugen lived his life assuming things of the Nobils as they assumed things about him. He never questioned it. Astasia’s lies were sweet like honey. 

          “And what does the Queen gain by showing me up?” Anca asked. 

          “Keller has hated her family for years. A friendly Household on top would let her bully the Nobils into obedience, given enough time.” 

          “I’ll remind you that it was the Queen’s wine and pleasantries that occupied Bire and Stancu,” Anca snapped. “The queen chose to weaken us. After everything we’ve done. Flame, they requested my mother lead the charge against your kin. Are we so inconvenient to your little schemes?”       

          “Her schemes. And please,” Eugen gingerly sat forward on his stool. “I don’t give a damn about what your family did to mine. Last I checked, aren’t you the most feared enforcer of the queen’s will after me? You say you aren’t your parents. Prove it.”

          That pissed her off. Anca’s predatory cool vanished with a snarl of her teeth. Good, he thought. He wanted her to be plain with him. 

          “I could have let you die tonight and hunted that damn thing on my own. Magic or not, I can kill you. I still might.”

          “I don’t doubt it. You’re twice the hunter I could be and that’s why you should trust me. I need you more than you need me. Even if you spare me, I’d still be the same hated beast that they say I am. You’d still be House Sulia. Still Brave. Still Proud.” 

          Eugen stumbled from his stool and kneeled before her. It wasn’t intentional, but he didn’t correct himself. It would take a vow of loyalty to gain their trust again. 

          Anca’s breath caught as he did. He growled against the ache as his bruised knees crashed into the dirt. His eyes settled on the ground in front of her, like when he had vowed to serve Astasia and the throne. No matter the cost.  

          “I blinked. I lost myself in a way that I swore to never do again. You brought me back, Nobil Sulia. I’ve never done that before. When I find myself ablaze, I can’t be stopped unless I run out of steam. Everything is murder. All I see is red, but I saw you.” 

          His voice cracked and Eugen looked up at her. He wanted to be trusted. He had to hope that she understood that need.

          “Stay back from her,” Marin growled. 

          “I didn’t have my calming herbs with me. For so long, it was the only way I could live in my skin. I don’t know how or why, but you helped me pull it back. There’s something special connecting us. Let’s show those bastards and that brat on the throne what it looks like when we move beyond these grudges. I’m tired of keeping us rich at the cost of the innocent. I’m tired of being told what my fate is. I’m tired of being hated.”

          Craita and Marin watched them knowing that the slightest move would send them down a path that they could not turn from. Anca watched him with unreadable eyes. There was contempt, but something muted her raw ferocity. Eugen thought he saw a flash of amusement before she rolled her eyes and stood.

To purchase Fated to be Monsters, go to:

https://books2read.com/u/mgn5e0

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Love, Art, and Other Obstacles by Sadira Stone

Today,  Wild Women Authors, in keeping with their ongoing Books IN A series offering, is focused on Love, Art, and Other Obstacles, Bk 3 in the Book Nirvana series by Sadira Stone

Welcome to Book Nirvana, an indie bookstore in Eugene, Oregon, where you’ll find every flavor of bookish delight, a quirky staff who are as close as family, Lulu the all-wise shop cat, Coffee Dreams next door, and a dazzling collection of naughty books kept behind the red door in back. If you ask shop owner Clara nicely, she just might let you peek inside!

 

About the Book:  Two young artists—one prickly and independent, the other cocky and flirtatious—compete for a life-changing prize. The winner will finally have the freedom to explore and expand their gifts and thrive in the world of art in all its unique formats. As their personal connection sizzles, he must battle past her defenses and prove he loves her as she is. She needs to come to grips with the concept of leaning on others and not consider it a failure.


Excerpt:

Elmer’s gaze zeroes in on me. Like a sexy, cocky gunslinger in a Western movie, he hooks his thumbs through his belt loops and ambles toward me, his brawny shoulders rolling with each step, his crooked grin widening as he comes nearer—until a gray-haired woman steps back suddenly, knocking him into the corner of a table. He winces and rubs his hip as the woman flutters her hands and apologizes. Catching my eye, he shrugs and flashes a goofy grin.

Okay, Redbeard, I’ll give you points for having a sense of humor.

Limping slightly, he closes the distance between us.

“You okay, Elmer?”

“That’s gonna leave a bruise on my ass.” He chuckles. “And a bigger one on my ego.” He lowers his voice to a sexy murmur. “So, any chance we could meet for drinks? Ya know, talk about the grant?” He shuffles closer. “Maybe strategize?”

I still can’t decide if his teasing flirtation is charming or obnoxious.

“Why would I do that?” I ask. “You’re my competition.”

He dips his chin and regards me through thick, glossy lashes. An expert move. Damn, this guy is good at his game. “Look, I thought we shared a moment at the memorial service. Was I just imagining that?”

Nope, that was real. So is the tingly sensation his nearness provokes, like static electricity dancing across my skin. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to touch him.

He continues, voice low. “’Cause if that was something, I’d like to explore it. No pressure, just—you know, check it out. But if you’re not interested, I’ll leave you be. Your call.”

Heat smolders in the depths of his hazel eyes. I jerk my gaze away.

He chuckles and raises his palms. “I swear, I’m not gonna steal your ideas.”

I scrunch my lips to the side, fighting back a smile.

“Tell you what,” he says, “how about if we have drinks and talk about anything but the competition?”

“Because…why?” Hell, I know I’m going to give in, but I don’t want to make this too easy for him.

“You’re a real hard ass, aren’t you?” He rolls his eyes. “Because I like you, Margot.”

“Why?”

He leans so close our foreheads almost touch, a challenge simmering in his smile. “Have a drink with me and find out.”

If there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s a challenge. On the other hand, he might not like me so much if he knows about Darcy. Let that be the test, then. Let him prove he isn’t one of those possessive, controlling guys Darcy warned me about.

“Okay. I will.” I step back. “But you should know, I’m sort of seeing someone.”

His thick auburn brows contract. “Sort of?”

“A woman.”

His nostrils flare on a deep inhalation. “Is it serious?”

“Not really.” Might as well serve up the truth, raw and ungarnished. Might as well be honest with myself too. “She lives in Berkeley. I only see her every month or two.”

Holding my gaze, he nods. “Okay then. Thanks for telling me.” The tense lines of his mouth relax into a casual grin. “So, drinks?”

       Well I’ll be damned.

 

To purchase Love, Art and Other Obstacles, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Other-Obstacles-Sadira-Stone-ebook/dp/B0DTJHL4BN

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-art-and-other-obstacles-sadira-stone/1136831927?ean=2940184780559

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/love-art-and-other-obstacles/id6740788765

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-art-and-other-obstacles-1

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Love_Art_and_Other_Obstacles?id=fo9AEQAAQBAJ

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1693382

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/LoveArtAndOtherObstacles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223816614-love-art-and-other-obstacles

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/love-art-and-other-obstacles-book-nirvana-by-sadira-stone

 

About our focus author:

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com

 

Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sadirastone.bsky.social

Author newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q7x4c6

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@sadirastone

Author website: https://www.sadirastone.com

 

 

 

 

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Origins Progeny by Diana Fedorak

               To heal the future, one must confront the past…

After an estranged explorer returns home to help her ailing mother, she’s confronted by powerful forces who demand a high personal cost for any hope of a cure.

Wild Women Authors feature Diana Fedorak and Origins Progeny, a sci-fi adventure published by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book which has been described as “. . . a gripping sequel to the Firebird Award Winner, Children of Alpheios. . .”: Alina DeHerte thought she had escaped Alpheios, the genetically engineered city on planet Eamine. After rescuing her son from its corrupt rulers, she built a fresh life with a new fiancé in a remote sanctuary. But when word of her mother’s grave illness reaches her, Alina's fragile peace shatters.

Returning to Alpheios means she must navigate rising threats in an unpredictable city. In pursuit of dominance, the city’s power brokers are jeopardizing their citizens’ lives. Alina must ally with a man she has long avoided—the Guardian officer who fathered her son. Both have a shared stake in the city’s uncertain future.

If Alina wants her mother to survive, she must unravel the city’s secrets and grapple with her conflicted past. Deep winter is upon them, and Alpheios is on the brink of explosive change.

We had a chance to speak with Captain Chance Graylin, aide to Chancellor Jade Graylin.

Good morning, Captain. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to speak with us. We’d like to begin with knowing what made you choose to become a Guardian officer? My father was a Guardian officer. I was drawn to its sense of purpose in protecting the citizens of Alpheios. A stable city is a peaceful city, and I aim to keep it that way.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a Guardian or would you choose something different? There’s no doubt in my mind I’d become a Guardian officer. I was born for this.

What is your biggest fear? That I will fail in protecting others. Don’t repeat that.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Bond. James Bond. I don’t think I have to explain why.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My mother once told me that when you seize on a good idea, move fast. Otherwise, the energy that is required of you will dissipate and fade. Make it a fait accompli.

Thanks for speaking with us, Chance. Now we’d like to chat with Diana.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I was enamored with fantasy stories growing up. I also enjoyed YA dystopian from the 2000s like the Hunger Games and Divergent franchises. Lately, I’m into sci-fi /fantasy authors like Adrian Tchaikovsky, Elizabeth Lim, Sarah J. Maas, Martha Wells, and Frank Herbert. I’m currently watching HBO’s Dune Prophecy series, and I’m a big fan of the movies. Also, anything Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon related, I’ll watch.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? For the medical piece of the story, I read up on medical journal research concerning genetics and stem cells, and how donors are matched. I listened to doctors on podcasts who described the concept of regenerative medicine, and how your stem cells play a major role in keeping you healthy. It helped me hone some of the finer points of what was happening to the characters in the story, like Alina’s mother, who is suffering complications from a biotech product. It didn’t change the overall story arc much, but I made some tweaks to it.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them? I met my editor, Morena, virtually at a writer’s conference in Las Vegas during the pandemic when I pitched to her my first book in the series, Children of Alpheios. I had pitched to numerous agents by that point. Some had gotten back to me, politely declining, but they had initially asked for a portion of the manuscript, so I kept pitching.  I saw that The Wild Rose Press had published some fantasy and speculative fiction novels recently and had been in business for over fifteen years which was a good sign for a small press.

How is the submission process; what is the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? Morena asked me to send her my full manuscript on the spot. A month went by, and I followed up asking her for her thoughts. I was used to getting rejected so when she said she loved it, it was a very pleasant surprise. Within a week, the President of The Wild Rose Press, Rhonda Penders, sent me a contract offer. About nine months later, Children of Alphieos was published, which is fast if you’re with a publisher. As soon as the first book received a release date, Morena asked me for a second book, now Origins Progeny. It took me about a year-and-half to write and revise it, and once I signed the contract, it took them about a year to prepare it for publication.

What are you reading right now? I’m currently reading Comics Lit, a new essay series of why we love comics. It’s edited by a friend, Tonya Todd, who also wrote a delightful essay about Catwoman in it. It contains wonderful insights on how comics have shaped our culture.

What's next for you? I’m currently working on the third book in the Children of Alphieos series. I hope to have it done this year.

Here’s an excerpt of Origins Progeny:

      Her knee aching, Alina pressed her hands against the hard object she’d tripped over. Snow hid a log in her path. Shivering, she rubbed her knee. Blackness surrounded her. She squinted at her link in the dark. The numbers glowed back. It was nearly negative sixty degrees Celsius outdoors.

She’d cleared the woods but wading through the accumulating snow had lengthened her travel time. The snow was up to her knees and would continue to rise. Gasping, she peered through the curtain of whistling white all around. She wasn’t even sure she emerged at the right spot out of the woods where the dirt path led back to the city.

Uncertain of her whereabouts, she tried to activate the link’s other features. “Show my location.” But the howling wind drowned out her voice, and the link blinked back, “ERROR.” She tried again. “Light.” But her link did not register her command.

Crap. She could remove her gloves and fiddle with it, but her fingertips were numb. Her body shook as the suit struggled in its fight against the elements. Her stomach had shrunken into a pit. Although her face was covered, she couldn’t feel the end of her nose. She wiggled, feeling a coil inside her suit. Did one of the battery lead wires disconnect? If the other two leads held, she still could make it back.

Had Gordo received her message? No response from him. How long would it take until he called her in missing? Touching the corner of her eye, she winced. Windburn scraped at the small amount of her exposed skin.

She could call Chance. He’d find a GATV to search for her. A small relief grew within her at knowing he wasn’t far. Her link might not even tolerate much more of the freeze. But the GATVs would have to drive slowly in this weather, and by the time he reached her…

To learn more about Diana Fedorak, go to:

www.dianafedorak.com

https://www.facebook.com/dianafedorakauthor

https://www.instagram.com/diana_fedorak_author


To purchase Origins Progeny, go to: 

Amazon: https://a.co/d/7y3tY5f

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM2Q1J6Q

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/origins-progeny-diana-fedorak/1146492137

Series: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/children%20of%20alpheios/_/N-w

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221237516-origins-progeny

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/origins-progeny-by-diana-fedorak

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/origins-progeny/id6737810409

Monday, April 7, 2025

Runaway Love Story by Sadira Stone

 Wrong time, wrong place, perfect guy.

Wild Women Authors focus is on Runaway Love Story from the Book Nirvana Series, written by Sadira Stone. Come to Book Nirvana for a spicy, funny, heart-wrenching tale of true love and second chances.

About the Book:

Laurel: Fired again, and now my darling aunt needs my help. That San Francisco art gallery job will have to wait. I’m stuck in Eugene, Oregon, rescuing the auntie who rescued me. Running into Dalton ignites a sweet flirtation that quickly turns spicy. He’s almost perfect: a beloved teacher and coach, wise and funny, and so compassionate with Maxie. But he wants lasting love, and I’m only passing through. No matter how much I crave him, I can’t let him derail my dreams. 

Dalton: Between my scheming ex and my Mom’s dementia, this is the worst summer break ever—until Laurel Jepsen comes into my life when I least expect it. Though she stubbornly denies her artistic gift, she’s brilliant, stunning, forthright, and the spark between us grows hotter each time we meet. But she’s clinging to big-city dreams, and I can’t leave my hometown. When a social media post about our budding love goes viral, Laurel’s insecurities flare. To keep her from running away, I’ll have to convince her how brightly she can shine right here.   

Excerpt: showing Laurel and Dalton as they share the heartache of watching a family member succumb to dementia.

I prop my forearms on the railing. “It’s hard. Wish I could say you’ll get used to it, but I haven’t yet.”

She grips my arm, her eyes glittering with threatening tears. “How do you do it, Dalton? How do you watch someone you love just—disappear?”

I search my brain for a comforting answer, but nothing comes. My gut nudges me to enfold her in my arms, but it’s too soon for such an intimate gesture. Besides, our run in the late-summer heat has left me sticky and no doubt pungent.

I lay my hand over hers. “I guess you just show up. Remember, she loves you, even if she forgets.”

“Yeah.” She blows out a long, windy sigh, and her gaze slides away, toward the glassy green below. “Could I call you sometime? You know, to talk about this stuff?”

I close my eyes. Yessss. My inner victory dance complete, I answer, “Of course. Let’s have a coffee after running club on Saturday.”

“That’d be great.” Her bright smile lights up something deep in my chest.

Ten minutes later, we trot to a stop outside my place. As I wipe my sopping head with a bandana, another opening springs to mind. “Hey, there’s a 10K race in Springfield a week from Sunday. Wanna join us?”

“I’ll think about it.” She flashes a grin. “I haven’t been training regularly.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You’re in great shape.”

She bats her long, pale lashes. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”

Buoyed by her flirtation, I finally work up the nerve to ask her the question that’s been nagging me since we met. “Can I ask a personal question, Laurel?”

She waits, eyebrows raised.

“How old are you?”

Something about her narrowed gaze suggests she’s been wondering too. “Thirty-one.” She digs the toe of her running shoe into the dust. “Where does the time go, right? And you?”

“Thirty-nine.”

“For the first time?” She winks.

I raise three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Her gaze slides down my body and back up, leaving a sudden tingly chill, as if she somehow peeled away my damp running clothes to peer beneath.

She nods. “You’ve held up well, Gramps.”

I can’t decide whether to wince or laugh. Before I can formulate a snappy comeback, she steps in close—alarmingly, deliciously close—and kisses my cheek, her lips a sweet whisper of pleasure on my skin. She smells like sweaty sunshine.

“I’d better book it. Maxie’s waiting. Thank you, Dalton. For the run, and the advice, and the job, and—just, thanks.” She lopes away, calling over her shoulder, “See you Saturday.”

I stroke the lingering warmth on my skin. When she disappears around the corner, I turn toward home, grinning like a happy idiot.

 Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Love-Story-Sadira-Stone-ebook/dp/B0DTJCZKHP

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-love-story-sadira-stone/1131145865?ean=2940184725000

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/runaway-love-story/id6740822711

Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Runaway_Love_Story?id=skxAEQAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/runaway-love-story-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1693740

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RunawayLoveStory

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223816608-runaway-love-story

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/runaway-love-story-book-nirvana-by-sadira-stone

Bookfunnel link to deleted scenes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bn0awaetvk

 

Author Bio:

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com

Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sadirastone.bsky.social

Author newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q7x4c6

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@sadirastone

Author website: https://www.sadirastone.com

Bookfunnel link for Deleted Scenes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bn0awaetvk