When a dangerous new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop them… in any way he can…
The Shadow Rises
The Witch Hunter Trilogy Book 1
by K.S. Marsden
Genre: Urban Fantasy
When a new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop them…In the face of dark magic and evil witches, a secret witch-hunting society works tirelessly to keep them at bay. The Malleus Maleficarum Council have strict rules and practises for eradicating magic. Due to their work, witches have been almost forgotten, relegated to myth; but the rumours are starting to emerge of a new power that will throw the world into chaos.
As the only 7th generation witch-hunter, Hunter Astley is the best the MMC has to offer. With the help of his colleagues, it’s a race to track down this new threat and stop them… in any way he can.
Part one of the Witch-Hunter trilogy. Free download from most ebook retailers.
The world has been thrown into darkness by the Shadow Witch’s revolution. The witch-hunters are scattered, but still strong. The race is now on to gather allies and win the war. New enemies will arise; loyalties will be pushed to the limit. And an important question will be answered: can a witch-hunter that practices magic ever be trusted, or will he be persecuted? It is said that ‘love conquers all’, but this twisted love must stay secret, locked away with the past.
Hunter Astley has always known that he is different: being a witch-hunter that can use magic has sealed his fate. He must destroy the Shadow Witch once and for all, with the help of some unlikely allies. We delve even deeper into the world of the Malleus Maleficarum; into myth, rumour and history that refuses to stay in the past.
Kelly S. Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life – books and horses.
Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Her first book, The Shadow Rises, was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.
Outlander meets What the Wind Knows with a dash of The Tudors
Guarded Time
Reincarnated Souls Book 2
by Stephanie Hansen
Genre: Historical Romantasy
Outlander meets What the Wind Knows with a dash of The Tudors
Claudia, Alex, and Marie embark on a perilous journey back through the swirling mists of time, their hopes pinned on averting a looming tragedy. As they navigate the tangled web of history, vivid memories of Alex and Claudia’s enduring love flicker across the timelines, a testament to their unyielding bond. Their destination is the tumultuous Ireland of 1649, a land poised precariously on the brink of siege. It is a treacherous era to traverse, where danger lurks at every corner.
In their quest, they immerse themselves within the ancient covens, becoming an integral part of the tightly knit community of Drogheda. The air is thick with tension, the kind that crackles and hums, as they wrestle with the monumental task before them. Caught in the crossfire of history, they face the daunting challenge of halting the impending slaughter of the town while grappling with the complex emotions tied to saving the beloved of their sworn nemesis.
As the stakes grow ever higher, the question looms large: will the timeless love between Alex and Claudia endure the trials they face, or are there formidable forces at work beyond their control, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their shared destiny?
*Contains mature themes, open door sex scenes, and mature language.
Such a fun, quick, whimsical historical read. If you are a fan of outlander or the tudors this is a perfect combination of both! – ARC reviewer
The girls had forged a bond together like iron that could not be broken. Claudia, Kiersten, Lina, and Florian were on the brink of making history with their powerful feminist movement, but then they suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Alexander was a desperate bootlegger who was willing to risk it all to search for them. Not only were they in cahoots with him to help smuggle feminist contraband and forbidden booze, but Claudia had also unknowingly captivated his heart. He vowed to find them at any cost, but little did he know that their disappearance was part of a much bigger and sinister plot from the upper echelons of society.
Set in 1920s Paris of the Plains, Armored Hours is a thrilling tale of love and mystery interwoven with hints of magical realism.
“I adore Armored Hours so much as it delivered the action packed narration that came with a strong sense of urgency and the undercut of deep emotions. It is set in a world where survival demands resilience, the journey isn’t just the physical but also the mental. The main characters must wrestle with their own personal demons as well as facing external threats. I adore how the chapters build on from the previous chapters as well as pulling you deeper into the conflict. Stephanie did a brilliant job of balancing out the action with a lot more quieter moments of introspection that just add layers to the characters. This book will keep you on the edge with twists as well as it will grips you into the story.” ~Aussie
Stephanie Hansen is a PenCraft and Global Book Award Winning Author as well as an Imadjinn finalist.
Her debut novella series, Altered Helix, released in 2020. It hit the #1 New Release, #1 Best Seller, and other top 100 lists on Amazon. It is now being adapted to an animated story for Tales.
Her debut novel, Replaced Parts, released in 2021 through Fire & Ice YA and Tantor Audio. It has been in a Forbes article, hit Amazon bestseller lists, and made the Apple young adult coming soon bestsellers list.
The second book in the Transformed Nexus series, Omitted Pieces, released in 2022. Her debut spicy paranormal romance, Ghostly Howls, released 2023. Her debut historical magical realism, Armored Hours, released 2024.
She is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community, so she tries to incorporate that into her fiction.
Jane Austen’s timeless love stories take on a supernatural twist in Sense, Sensibility and Shifters, a captivating anthology of paranormal romance.
Sense, Sensibility and Shifters:
A Paranormal Jane Austen Retellings Collection
Romance Café Collection Book 46
Genre: Paranormal Romance Anthology
with stories by
L Mad Hildebrandt, Bianca White, Roslyn St. Clair,
Ann C. Orlandi, Angela Kady, Gabbi Grey, AK Nevermore
Jane Austen’s timeless love stories take on a supernatural twist in Sense, Sensibility and Shifters, a captivating anthology of paranormal romance.
Step into a world where Darcy’s pride hides a dark secret, and Elizabeth’s prejudice may cost her more than her heart. Each story in this anthology brings an iconic Austen romance to life in a thrilling new way.
From the mysterious moors of Northanger Abbey to the haunted halls of Pemberley, Sense & Sensibility and Shifters invites you to experience classic love stories with an otherworldly edge.
Perfect for readers who adore the elegance of Austen and the allure of the paranormal, this anthology will whisk you away to a world where love is ethereal, powerful, and worth every risk.
Including:
The Tables Turned by Angela Kady
Brewing Affection by Ann C. Orlandi
Pride and Possession by Roslyn St. Clair
In the Service of Heaven by Bianca White
Shift of Heart by Ariel Dawn
Emma, the Enchanter by L Mad Hildebrandt
My Beloved Witch by Gabbi Grey
And featuring:
Couching Serendipity by AK Nevermore
Vexed by an offhand comment, jinn Mira Marid sets out to prove that cupids aren’t the only beings capable of selecting soulmates. But when setting up her best friend Kade Eros becomes more than just wishful thinking, serendipity takes over, and it turns out that wishing for true love isn’t off the table after all…
We begin in a posh bar somewhere in lower Manhattan. Dark wood and butter soft leather. Polished bronze and dusky amber lights. Soft industrial pop plays, sultry and slightly discordant, highlighting the edge of conversations and the looks thrown between complete strangers as they prowl amongst Friday night’s fresher, less jaded clientele.
A meat market, yes. The bar, a well-known hunting ground for both hopeful and horny, lorn and libidinous, the room simmers with the potential for lust and love.
But in one corner, a man and a woman sit, removed from the game. Together, yet apart and uncannily separate from the rest, their interest lies upon a couple secreted away in a booth, and the wager they’ve made concerning them…
“Quite the match, aren’t they?” Mira’s brow rose, her lips grazing the edge of her martini glass. She averted her eyes from the couple’s canoodling and took a small sip of her drink, gin and vermouth the barest whisper upon her tongue.
“Mmm.” On the stool beside her, Kade was noncommittal. He raised a tattooed hand. His heavy platinum watch slipped to the sleeve of his bespoke Armani suit as he loosened his tie, its cornflower silk the exact shade of his eyes. He glanced at her askance from beneath a fall of raven wing hair. “This doesn’t prove anything, you know.”
Mira’s laughter rang out. People turned, but she was used to that and rather enjoyed it. She tsked, patting Kade’s arm with crocodile conciliation, her tapered, crimson nails complimenting his pinstripes. “Aww. Not quite the corner on the market you’d been led to believe?” Her eyes sparked as brightly as the diamond on the observed woman’s left hand…which was currently thrust as deep in her beau’s thinning hair as his tongue was down her throat.
“What were the limits to your power again…?” Kade drummed his fingers on the bar top, pensive. “Ah, yes, no more than three wishes, no bringing people back from the dead, and,” he paused, so smug she could just slap him, “no wishes for love. That, my dear, falls solely into a cupid’s purview.”
“And I’ll maintain that one doesn’t have to be the spawn of Aphrodite to nudge two people together that obviously should be. You don’t need to wish for love to find it.” Mira batted her lashes and teased an olive from her drink pick with her teeth.
Kade’s hand flew to his breast. “Spawn? Mira, you wound me.” He chuckled and threw back the last of his bourbon. “Though you are right about one thing, those wishing for love seldom find it. It’s the ones not looking for it that get hit most often.” He cocked his brow and she rolled her eyes at the jab, having given up on experiencing that fickle emotion long ago.
“But regardless,” he continued, “ring or no, that is lust…on his part anyway, and I’d venture it’s avarice on hers.” He eyed the couple still going at it and set his glass down. “You, little jinn, exist to grant desires, whereas I—” he grinned, and a mousy woman seated behind Mira gasped. Kade’s eyes flicked to her, then back to Mira, his stupid smile impossibly wider. “Am made for love.” He collected his phone from the bar and shot off a quick text.
Mira rolled her eyes and swatted his chest. Gah, cupids were intolerable—especially this cupid. “So you’re telling me that’s not true love?”
“Hardly,” he said, re-pocketing the silly device and collecting his overcoat. “But please, do keep trying.”
Mira made a concerted effort not to pout until he’d cleared the large windows at the front of the restaurant and was halfway down the block. Only then did she allow herself to slump, her gaze going back to the couple in the booth. How could Kade not see how perfect those two were for each other?
The woman, Mira’s former client, had wished for a steady job, and with a slight twist of serendipity, there was the man. He was in need of a nanny for his Pomeranian.
Her second wish had been for a rent-controlled apartment and fortuitously, he preferred live-in help.
And her last wish had been to gain a skill to ensure her continued employment; he was more than eager to pay for her canine reiki classes.
The two of them were absolute kismet. A real life beauty and the—well, he wasn’t quite rugged enough to be a beast, but still—And age gaps had been a thing literally forever. His winter to her spring was both classic and on trend. Mira took another sip of her martini as her former client minced by on six-inch stilettos. How she walked the dog in those…
Mira waved the thought away. Not her concern, aside from the fact that Kade was wrong, and her most fervent wish was to prove it to him if it were the last—
“Um, excuse me?”
Mira turned to the brunette behind her and cocked a brow. “Yes?”
The mousy little thing bowed her shoulders as if chagrinned. As she should be for leaving the house dressed like that. How did she even get in here?
“I—was that your boyfriend?”
“Was that my…?” Was she mad?
The brunette’s cheeks flared crimson. “Sorry, it’s none of my business, I just—the way he grinned at me, I—never mind.”
Now, wait a moment. Mira caught the woman’s arm as she went to turn, and she started at Mira’s smile. It did have the tendency to dazzle, all part of the onboarding process. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. In fact, he’s completely unattached at the moment. Why do you ask?”
The brunette glanced down at Mira’s fingers wrapped around her arm and swallowed heavily. “No, I—” She shook her head, then buzzed her lips with a little laugh. “It’s stupid, but when he smiled, I—Butterflies.” She shrugged.
“Butterflies?” The woman nodded, and Mira’s grin grew larger. More like cupid’s wings. She let go of the brunette’s arm and held her hand out to shake. “I’m Mira Marid. And you are?”
“Becca Hornsby.” She fumbled with a large canvas tote at her elbow, her cuticles rimmed with the rainbow as she extended her hand.
Mira’s brow rose. “You’re an artist.” A wisp of energy passed from her to Becca, shackling the woman’s wrist to her own. Hello, new client.
“I—Oh!” Becca’s gray-green eyes widened, as if she’d felt it. She hooked a flyaway tendril of hair behind her ear and dipped her head. “N-no, not like you’re probably thinking. I paint interiors. Walls,” she said, as if that needed clarifying.
“Murals?”
“Um, kind of? Not like pictures. I work in geometrics…” She glanced around the posh bar. “I was supposed to be meeting a potential buyer here, but I don’t—” She turned back to Mira and forced a smile. “I don’t think they’re going to show.”
“Pity,” Mira slowly enunciated each syllable, running her eyes over the woman and mentally swapping makeover options like fashion plates. It would take some work, but…Mira smiled brightly. “Can I buy you a drink?”
AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.
Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.
She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.
Patrice was raised in the state of Delaware and has always had a love for learning and teaching children.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware and received her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Penn State—combining her love of reading, writing and rhyming with a passion for helping every child find their voice.
With the help of her illustrator, Mina Anguelova, Patrice turned her passion into colorful, playful pages with Rhyming Fun with Feelings – Learning Made Easy, the first book in an exciting series.
Patrice’s mission is to help children of all abilities learn by creating books that encourage a love of reading, learning, and knowledge.
When Patrice isn’t inspiring children’s learning through her books, she is making memories with her daughter and fiancé, going on nature walks, capturing beautiful landscapes through her camera lens, or enjoying some rest and relaxation.
Hello, Patrice, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
Early in my career I worked in a preschool that included children with learning differences. The teachers were frustrated that they couldn’t just pick up a book and read it to their students because the stories were too long.
After listening to the teachers and what they wanted to read to their students, I decided that one day, I was going write a series that corresponds with themes taught in school so the that the teachers could have books to pick up and read that would engage the children and help them learn.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No, it isn’t. My career as a Speech Language Pathologist has spanned 30 years now.
How long have you been writing?
I have always enjoyed writing. I took a writing course through the Institute of Children’s Literature in the 1990s.
I wrote a couple of books outside of the course in the early 2000s. This series that I was driven to write finally came about in the past 4 years, with five published books so far.
How many published books have you written?
I currently have five published books. Rhyming Fun with Feelings, Rhyming Fun with Farm Animals, Rhyming Fun with Nature’s Colors, Rhyming Fun with Nature’s Numbers, Rhyming Fun with Transportation.
Which genre do you write?
I write fun, interactive, educational children’s picture books.
What are you working on now?
I currently have notes jotted down for three more books.
What is your favorite book review from a reader?
“I love this book! It has really lovely illustrations and great content for learning. The characters faces were very expressive, providing lots of opportunities to discuss feelings. I also used this story to work on pronouns and actions because there were so many people in it doing so many different things. Versatile for therapy and fun for kids!”
-Kailey Riker, MA, CCC-SLP Speech and Language Pathologist and author
“Love, love, love this book! It gives my struggling students a chance to quickly get immersed in a book and to love reading.”
-J. Gearhart, Language Specialist and 30-year veteran teacher
“The pretty pictures.” “All the colors on the pages.” “The words are really nice.” “I like the way they draw.” “I like how your friend uses good words.” – Comments from children Kindergarten-5 grade when asked what they liked about the books
What an enjoyable and engaging book to read with our 2-year old granddaughter! Not only does Patrice use great rhyming examples she offers guidance of how to help grow a child’s curiosity and strengthen their vocabulary all in a fun way. Very helpful for both parents and grandparents! – Mary D.
Can you share a random interesting fact about yourself?
I also enjoy landscape photography and attending arts and crafts fairs.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
My most rewarding experience was at a ball game. I had a table set up to give away 72 free Rhyming Fun with Feelings books thanks to the generosity of sponsors.
I noticed a teenage girl looking at my book from afar. I invited her over to look at the book. She was turning the pages and smiling as she talked with her friend. Then she looked at me and said,”“I love this book! I wish I had books like this when I was little. It would have helped me so much! I could have turned to the page that showed how I was feeling. I am autistic.”
Phoebe – Highschooler
Phoebe was there that night because her school from another state was singing the National Anthem. I still get tears in my eyes when I think about this. It just provided confirmation that my books are needed and will help children learn to express themselves.
What are your favorite books?
When I was younger, I loved reading The Cricket in Times Square over and over. My favorite children’s book series are If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and the Froggy series by Jonathan London.
You can find my paperback books on Amazon or order directly from me if you would like your copy signed. You can order your hardcover copy of Rhyming Fun with Feelings directly from me/my website or print on demand from Barnes and Noble.
Learning made easier! A brand new series for learning! The Rhyming Fun – Learning Made Easy Series can be enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities.
The concise text and simple rhyming phrases enable children of all ages to enjoy engaging with the content as they have fun learning. Fun ideas for learning are included in the book!
They are books that don’t take a long time to read, and because each rhyme is independent, you can take a break any time! Each book will focus on a different childhood theme, so children can learn to state categories and items in categories, learn to describe the items, and so much more! They won’t realize they are learning because the books are so fun, engaging, and colorful.
The series includes 4 books so far! With more on the way. Be sure to check out all of the books in the Rhyming Fun series – Rhyming Fun with Feelings, Rhyming Fun with Farm Animals, Rhyming Fun with Nature’s Colors, Rhyming Fun with Nature’s Numbers.
The series was developed so that children who have difficulty learning or listening to long stories can be engaged and interested while learning categories, vocabulary, concepts, rhyming, and how to read without being frustrated.
The white text on blue and easy to read font was chosen because it is easier for the eyes to process for children learning to read, especially if they have visual processing difficulties. Repetitive items are included as a fun activity to encourage children to scan the page to find the picture.
Ages 3 – 8+ Can be enjoyed by younger and older readers too!
Two missions, one conspiracy, zero room for mistakes- or feelings.
Against the Red Sky: Mission X
by Kristen Illarmo
Genre: YA Science Fiction Thriller
Enzo Cruz knows sacrifice. After a failed mission to assassinate the billionaire behind the Mars colony—and the loss of his grandfather—he’s ready for redemption. His new target? The Mars Ascendance Academy shuttle. His orders: infiltrate, sabotage, escape.
As the youngest operative in Terra Primera, Enzo’s talent with explosives could tip the balance in Earth’s fight for survival. But inside the Academy, nothing goes to plan—especially when Maddie Westing enters the picture.
Maddie has dreamed of joining her mother on Mars since she was ten. Now she has her shot: one of thirty elite students in the Academy’s inaugural class. But being the niece of the colony’s powerful founder comes with strings—and shadows.
When Enzo’s mission collides with Maddie’s quest for truth, both teens are thrust into a conspiracy that threatens Earth and Mars alike. Loyalties will be tested. Secrets will be exposed. And the greatest danger may not come from the skies—it may lie in their hearts.
In this heart-pounding YA thriller, survival means risking everything—including the people you thought you hated most. For fans of The Hunger Games, Red Rising, and Aurora Rising—Against the Red Sky delivers explosive tension, star-crossed loyalty, and a high-stakes rebellion that could destroy two worlds.
What readers are saying:
“This YA novel is one long dopamine hit, an insightful saga with crush-worthy protagonists. Enzo, pulled between his ecoterrorism world and a gnawing realization that there may be flaws to his organization’s methods, is a vibrant, well-executed character. Maddie’s journey parallels his in many ways, and her resolve, spirit, and appealing energy make her equally entertaining. Their two paths collide, and Illarmo delivers a twisty examination of greed, loyalty, and the dark motives that drive people when pushed to their limits.” Rated 10 out of 10.
-The BookLifePrize
“This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I have read over a hundred so far! This is a nail biting, page turning masterpiece that will completely have you mesmerized and under its spell by the first few chapters!” ARC reviewer
“Great, fast-paced fun story with lots of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. It has elements of academy, romance, scifi, and thriller that kept me up late reading.” ARC reviewer
Kristen Illarmo is a New Orleans-based author of young adult science fiction and fantasy. Her action packed, character-driven stories explore the ripple effects of real-world choices, set in decaying societies and with tangled family dynamics. Her debut duology, Kirasu Rising, was featured at the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.
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?
Excerpt:
Trevor and Gina McNaughton weathered the storm in their marriage. Their life was back on track. Gina understood Trevor’s desire to get away, recognizing that he was still frail after months of intensive rehab. She would follow his lead. His stay at Turquoise Skye brought up deep emotions that Trevor buried after his mother died. Whatever lay ahead, Gina was determined to help Trevor with his demons.
Rio let himself into the McNaughtons’ Montecito house. Gina and Trevor were on their outside deck taking in the view of the Pacific Ocean. Rio knew he was intruding on a quiet moment. Rio said, “Hey, how are you, family? I have been trying to give you two space, I know you need your alone time. We miss you at the studio. We have been listening to the music we have in the vault. Trev, your guitar work is killer. I was wondering if you two would be interested in coming down and just listening to the music? No recording, no rewriting, getting reacquainted with music we already wrote. What do you think, Trevor, Gina? Any attention you could give to Perfection?”
Gina looked at Trevor, she wanted him to voice his opinion first. Trevor stared into space, then looked at Rio, “Rio, I got the message you want to get Perfection moving. I actually agree, music needs to be worked on. Gina and I could give you a few hours a day. I won’t promise anything more. I still have some rough edges, bro. Adjusting being back home with my wife. Gina, what are you thinking, babe?”
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.
Beth Pellino-Dudzic will be awarding one set of the three books in the series – Playing Hard, Playing High and Playing Rough (international giveaway).https://kingsumo.com/g/3zjj2j1/playing-rough
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
One hidden book. A forgotten country. Three mates on a journey that could change everything.
Nineteen-year-old Leaf Brodie is just an ordinary apprentice from Naracoorte, a small country town tucked between Adelaide and Melbourne. He lives a simple life apprentice builder, beers with mates by night until a routine renovation job uncovers something that doesn’t belong: a sealed, leather-bound book hidden inside an old farmhouse wall.
The book tells of a place that doesn’t exist on any map. A country called Xonarye, once nestled between Yemen and Somalia, rich in a rare, indestructible mineral called Xzed. Long ago, the people of Xonarye vanished beneath the ocean to escape war and greed—but not before scattering twenty-six mysterious keys across the globe. Now, generations later, the legacy of that hidden world has landed in Leaf’s hands.
Driven by curiosity and loyalty, Leaf enlists his two closest mates Spence, a level-headed farmer, and Summo, a flashy car salesman with a sharp tongue to help him decipher the book’s secrets. Together, they uncover a forgotten legal contract, a hidden vault in Adelaide, and a belt buckle that can’t be melted, burned, or broken no matter what they throw at it. And then comes the final clue: a name, a country, and a warning.
Reblick, a shadowy global organisation, is also searching for the truth and they’re watching.
As the line between myth and reality begins to blur, Leaf is forced to make a choice: walk away and return to his normal life, or follow the trail to Cuba and beyond… risking everything to uncover the truth of Xonarye’s fate.
The trail of Xonarye leads to Havana. But nothing about this journey is simple
Leaf Brodie thought his life changed forever back in Naracoorte when he discovered the mysterious book sealed behind a wall. Now, he and Selina are in Cuba, chasing the next clue in a worldwide puzzle that dates back centuries. A transparent cloth has revealed a hidden map, and it points straight to Havana.
But nothing stays easy for long. Reblick the secretive organisation that once silenced Xonarye is still in pursuit. Leaf and Selina must decipher local legends, evade dangerous followers, and track down a man who knows more than he lets on. Meanwhile, Summo makes his way to Panama City, following instructions tied to a hidden safe house, while Spence travels by air and ferry from Havana to the island of Tobago, meeting a one-legged stranger with a mysterious past.
Scattered across three countries, the friends are tested like never before.
From bustling city streets to forgotten safe houses, the legacy of Xonarye continues to unfold—one fragment at a time. But with danger closing in, and Reblick growing bolder, it’s no longer just about solving a mystery. It’s about staying alive long enough to piece it all together.
In a world full of deception, their bond of friendship is the only truth they can trust.
The journey continues. The stakes are higher. The legend grows.
A dangerous betrayal. The journey of Xonarye leads to the edge of trust and the heart of Japan.
Leaf Brodie’s path has already taken him across oceans, through hidden vaults, and into the shadows of a global conspiracy. Now, with Selina by his side, he arrives in Japan following a transparent cloth that revealed the next clue in the legacy of Xonarye. The trail leads them to the Tanaka Dojo, but instead of answers, they find silence. Master Kenji Tanaka is gone.
Guided by a new thread, Leaf and Selina travel west to Izumo, a city of ancient tradition and quiet mystery. There, they meet the elusive Master Kenji a wise Aikido master who speaks in riddles and tests Leaf’s strength in more ways than one. Earning his trust means staying hidden, training in secret, and learning to control not only his body, but his purpose. Six months pass in the mountains, and while Leaf grows stronger and understanding himself.
Unbeknownst to him, another student Yuji Morita. Younger, faster, and full of questions, Yuji becomes both a training partner and a shadow. But he’s not who he seems. As Leaf trains to protect the truth of Xonarye, Yuji’s true allegiance to Reblick threatens to undo it all.
Meanwhile, the pieces set in motion in Cuba. Spence and Summo remain out of contact. The clock is ticking.
From sacred dojos to coastal shrines, from quiet reflection to explosive action, Xonarye: Japan is a journey of honour, resilience, and trust. As the legend of Xonarye draws more eyes from the dark, Leaf must face the hardest question yet:
Who can he trust when the enemy is already beside him?
Scott Shepherd is an emerging Australian author with a passion for adventure, storytelling, and the lure of lost lands. Hailing from Naracoorte, South Australia, Scott self-published his first novel in 2020, introducing readers to the daring world of Xonarye. Since then, he has written three books in the Xonarye series, bringing his vivid imagination to life through tales set in exotic locations steeped in mystery and culture.
In 2025, Scott re-released a refined edition of his debut novel, Xonarye: Australia, followed by the second instalment, Xonarye: Cuba, with the third book, Xonarye: Japan, set for release later the same year.
A part-time novelist, full-time family man, and self-described “regular guy,” Scott continues to write from his hometown, where he balances storytelling with hiking, fatherhood, and shared adventures with his partner. Whether at his desk or exploring the outdoors, Scott is always chasing the next great journey—on the page or beyond.
