Hades’ Halo (Lords of Hell Book 1) by Julia Mills

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Publisher Description

Lock up your Angels,

The KING is Back!

Stalked from the first day the soles of his favorite boots hit the desert, Hades was tracked by the best and brightest Heaven had to offer. Sending them all packing with their wings tucked between their legs had passed the time. They’d had a few laughs. Then things got interesting…

 

Of all the bars in all the world, Hope walked into his.

Full of Grace with a body made for sin, they sure didn’t make Angels like this when he was in Heaven. Problem was, his little beauty had a hidden agenda and a big, bad Commander calling all the shots.

 

Kicking ass and clipping wings, it’s how they roll. They’re the Lords of Hell, baby.

The Archangels sent the big guns this time and the bastard’s packin’ more heat than all the Pits of Hell.

Will the King make the ultimate sacrifice to save the Angel of his eye? Or will Pride and Vanity rule the day?

The Pits are hot, but Hades and Hope are gonna set the world on fire. All they have to do is survive the night.

Hell had no fury, then Hope arrived.

Hades' Halo, the first installment in the Lords of Hell series by Julia Mills, offers us a vibrant plunge into a world where angels and demons collide with humor, intrigue, and unexpected romance. This urban fantasy plot centers on the enigmatic Hades, who finds himself captivated by Hope, a woman sent to uncover secrets about him, only to have her life upended in ways she never anticipated. It's a fresh take on a well-trodden genre, blending sharp wit with a compelling supernatural plot that breathes new life into the classic celestial conflict.

From the outset, Mills crafts a brisk, entertaining pace that pulls you into the story without delay. The chemistry between Hades and Hope crackles with infectious energy, making their interactions both amusing and emotionally resonant. Hades’ immediate fascination with Hope feels genuine rather than forced, grounding their burgeoning relationship amid the chaos of angels, demons, and betrayals that make the narrative so engaging.

One of the plot's clear strengths lies in its humor, a refreshing tonic that lightens what could otherwise be a heavy or overwrought fantasy tale. This balance keeps the story approachable and enjoyable, inviting us who appreciate snappy dialogue and clever banter alongside their supernatural escapades. However, while the fast pacing is a definite advantage, at times it feels almost too rapid, allowing only surface-level exploration of some characters and backstories. This is understandable, given it’s the series opener, but I found myself craving deeper dives into the motivations and backgrounds of certain players beyond Hades and Hope.

The plot’s twists, especially the betrayals, are well executed, adding layers of unpredictability that maintain suspense throughout. The interplay between celestial and infernal factions offers a rich playground that Mills utilizes effectively, making the stakes feel real and urgent. 

 Mills’ writing is clear and vivid without overindulgence. The narrative voice strikes a nice balance between casual and polished, which suits the contemporary fantasy genre wonderfully. The world-building is deftly handled, with just enough detail to spark the imagination, leaving room for expansion in future books.

Hades' Halo sets the stage for a promising series with its clever blend of humor, romance, and supernatural adventure. Fans of urban fantasy looking for a fast-paced, light-hearted read with sizzling chemistry and plenty of twists will find much to enjoy here. Those expecting a deeply philosophical or darkly epic tone may want to temper their expectations, but for readers who delight in devilish charm and angelic antics, this book delivers an entertaining escape.

 I’m eager to see where the series goes next, and I imagine many readers will be just as hooked on these celestial battles as I am.

About the author

Dragon Shifters, alpha heroes, and swoon-worthy happily-ever-afters? That's my specialty. I'm Julia Mills, Author of the Dragon Guard Series, and every woman deserves a love story that makes her heart race.

I'm that sarcastic Southern belle who says "bless your heart" and means it (mostly). When I'm not writing about impossibly hot book boyfriends, you'll find me with a messy bun, lukewarm coffee, and the inability to say no to anyone who needs help—seriously, my daughters think I have a superhero complex.

Speaking of heroes, I write alpha men who make readers swoon, but the only man who'll ever outrank my fictional book boyfriends is my dad. He set the bar impossibly high, which explains why my heroines demand nothing less than earth-shattering, soul-deep love.

I'm a hopeless romantic who believes in Magic, second chances, and that the perfect combination of a good book and great coffee can solve almost anything. My characters always get their happily-ever-afters because, let's be honest, don't we all deserve a little more magic in our lives?

Ready to fall in love with some Dragons? I absolutely love connecting with readers—come find your Clan on Facebook and join my newsletter family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes chaos, and first dibs on new releases.

Find all my stories on my website–just search Julia Mills, Author!

Until we meet again, take care, read lots, and ALWAYS dare to dream!

XOXO,

Julia

P.S. - Fair warning: my books are addictive. Don't blame me when you're up until 3 AM because "just one more chapter" turned into the entire series.

 

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Cover Reveal for Waiting for You by Willa Woods

Title: Waiting for You

Author: Willa Woods

Genre: Billionaire Romance

Release Date: October 25, 2022

Cover Design: Amanda Walker PA and Design Services

It was supposed to be a one night stand...

One crazy night with a smoking hot stranger.

But he had a secret. One that would change everything for both of us.

My law firm was representing his scornful ex in a battery case. She said he abused her in unbelievable ways.

I couldn’t believe it.

The man I had gotten to know would never intentionally hurt anyone.

Or could he?

A week later we parted ways, and I thought I would never see him again.

But he had other plans...

Willa Woods, writes about over the top alphas and the woman they fall for. She wrote her first short story when she was in the sixth grade. Her first alpha was her dog, Bruiser. She has always been an avid reader, spending all her free time when younger at the library. She loves chocolate , pineapple gummy bears, and jewelry. When she’s not writing, she is binging the latest show on Hulu or Netflix. She is an avid gardener and loves to hang out on her back deck watching all the birds and bees, (see what I did there) enjoying all the plants and flowers she has grown. Her and her husband love to go to stock car races. This is her first novel. She hopes you will enjoy reading it as much as she did writing it.

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Blitz & Giveaway for Bly by Kelsey Ketch

Bly

Kelsey Ketch

Publication date: September 22nd 2021

Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, New Adult

I left the United States to find inner peace. Instead, I find myself confronting a malicious ghost.

Astyr Salt is a spiritual and emotional empath who moved to England with the intent to forget about a traumatic, supernatural event that occurred during her freshman year of college. However, when she takes a spiritual cleansing assignment in a haunted country home in Essex, she is isolated with all her own pent-up emotions.

These emotions energize the ghosts inhabiting the country home, helping them draw their own tragedies to the surface. Searching for the truth, Astyr is forced to relive the past. And the deeper she dives into the country home’s horrific history, the more the intertwined memories place her in the path of an evil and demented predator.

A blend of contemporary fantasy, horror, and mystery, Bly is inspired by Henry James’s classic novella, The Turn of the Screw.

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EXCERPT:

My dream from the past several nights continues to haunt my every waking moment. My mind recalling the few details I can remember of the strange, old mansion. The structure consists of unusual hallways that lead to lavish rooms and staircases that dead end at the ceilings or lay sideways along the walls and floors. It reminds me of the Winchester Mystery House in San José, California combined with a M. C. Escher print. In the dream, I wander aimlessly, searching for Nolyn. I never really see Nolyn in the dream, except a glimpse at the very end, where he looks like a ghost. Meanwhile, a presence hovers around my shoulders and neck, hindering my search until I finally reach a dead end. A dark room.

For most, this would just be a repeating nightmare. Many blowing it off as an indicator of stress or anxiety over a possible budding relationship—like my friend and business partner, Kenya. Not for me. Dreams like this tend to be prophesies, and eventually, manifest in the real world. I had a dream repeatedly back in the United States, while I was working at my old job. Three months after I met my office crush, I started having dreams about him. In the dreams, we were sitting at one of the break room tables, trying to get away from the office Christmas party. He was talking about his baby girl and how he was trying to talk his wife into having a second child. At some point, his words became nothing but noise. Yet the words “you’re a great friend” still echoed vividly in my mind. Six months later, in real life, he’d married another woman in our office. And just recently, he announced the birth of their first child on Facebook—a baby girl.

At least those were happy dreams of a happy future, even if it didn’t involve me. As for my current dreams involving Nolyn, I’m concerned. In them, Nolyn is lost, and some force is preventing me from finding him. I wish I had more details. Anything to pinpoint a time or place of the event. Yet, like a labyrinth, it’s all muddled. I can’t find a clear path or any clues that might reveal Nolyn’s location. I’ve tried my seeing bowl, tarot cards, and my psychic tea blends. Nothing has helped.

Only time holds the key.

Returning to reality, I check the clock on the barren, brown wall of the office suite. It’s been an hour since I sat down in one of the stiff, cherry-red upholstered chairs. Half an hour since Mr. Hellings’s administrative assistant, Ms. Poole, placed some tea on the solid oak coffee table. Twinings English Breakfast. Steeped for five minutes in a warm tea pot. No milk. Just a hint of sugar to mellow out the robust flavor. Nolyn would’ve given me that seductive snicker of his if he heard the thoughts in my head right now. He knows I have a passion for tea, which amuses him. But knowing tea is a part of my business. Only my tea blends are meant for the promotion of emotional and spiritual healing, as well as other aspects of life: love, success, psychic awareness. As a practicing witch, the tea pot is my cauldron and the herbs are my special ingredients. Yet Nolyn, as much as he humors me, doesn’t believe in magic. Nor ghosts. Nor spiritual energy. In fact, Nolyn would think this meeting a joke and a waste of time. Especially, if my potential client causes me to be late for my lunch date with him.

Author Bio:

Kelsey Ketch is a young-adult/new-adult author, who works as a Wildlife Biologist and Data Analyst. During her free time, she can often be found working on her latest work in progress. She also enjoys history, mythology, traveling, and reading.

For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

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Cover Reveal for Gamble's Risk by Karen Renee

Title: Gamble's Risk

Series: Riot MC Biloxi Series

Author: Karen Renee

Genre: MC Romance

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Cover Design: Karen Renee

Photographer: Golden Czermak @FuriousFotog

Cover Model: Brandon Schlaegel

Gamble clings to two things: the Riot MC brotherhood and a grudge against his sister’s attacker. When his grudge brings danger to an innocent woman, it sends him into a tailspin. Dumping a woman at the clubhouse —as a message for Gamble— enrages the Riot MC brothers, but Gamble risks his life in order to mete out vengeance.

Victoria’s recovery is slow and arduous. He’s determined to help her heal and move on.

After tragedy strikes, the last place Victoria expects to be is in Gamble’s room. She doesn’t want him to see her broken. She definitely doesn’t want his help to recover. He won’t have the patience for a woman whose spirit is shattered. Proving her wrong, Gamble refuses to leave her alone. The more he builds her trust, the more she battles her growing desire for him.

As a public defender, Victoria knows she should stay far away from the outlaw biker. But, the blue-eyed outlaw with a sexy Southern drawl argues with her like he’s opposing counsel. They cannot fight their overwhelming attraction. Their relationship grows and changes until they realize they need the same things.

Justice.

And each other.

I wanted this tie-dyed fleece blanket with every fiber of my being. It was warm, soft, and worn. The colors would clash with my lavender and grey bedclothes. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t convince myself not to steal this blanket. And it didn’t make sense. Okay, that wasn’t true. It did make sense because the damn thing smelled so much like Gamble. Something about him watching over me struck me deep. The blanket was a reminder of him and it made me feel better. More secure. 

Good grief, had I regressed to childhood? Did I really need a blankie to feel secure?

I needed to leave. Fiona was willing to take me back to my apartment. I didn’t want to hold her up.

The door opened. Fiona and the red-haired woman who’d helped last night came into the room.

“I’m not rushing you, Victoria. I just want to be sure you’re okay.”

My eyes went to the side. How many times were people going to ask me if I was okay? And I understood that need. That drive to help.

But I didn’t think I would ever be okay again.

“Is his shirt too big? You could—”

“I want his blanket,” I whispered.

Fiona’s blue eyes almost lit up at my words, but she hid it.

“You take it,” the other woman said.

Fiona glared at her. “Abby, I don’t—”

“He won’t care,” Abby said to her.

“I don’t have my pants,” I said.

“They’re evidence now in case you decide to press charges. Stephanie offered some yoga pants, I’ll go get ‘em,” Abby said.

For some reason, Fiona followed Abby. As they left Gamble came into the room.

Since I was never good at being a sneak, I admitted, “I’m taking your blanket.”

His eyes landed on me, and they looked pained. “Have at it, kitten. Anything I can give you, it’s yours.”

I closed my eyes and turned my head away. 

Pity. He would give me the blanket because he pitied me.

Guess I’d have to get used to that too in the days ahead.

Abby came back in with yoga pants and Gamble cleared out.

I put on the stretchy pants. Then I folded the blanket and left it on his bed. 

I didn’t want it anymore. No matter how much it smelled like him.

Karen Renee is the author of the Riot Motorcycle Club, Beta, and O-Town series of books. She once crunched Nielsen ratings data but these days she brings her imagination to life by writing books. She has wanted to be a writer since she was very young, but it's taken the last twenty plus years for her to amass enough courage and overall life experience to bring that dream to life. Some of those life experiences came from the wonderful world of advertising, banking, and local television media research. She is a proud wife and mother, and a Jacksonville native. When she's not at the soccer field or cooking, you can find her at her local library, the grocery store, in her car jamming out to some tunes, or hibernating while she writes and/or reads books.

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