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Women Pushing Back
Bound in Flames follows a young woman whose long-buried magic rears its head during a moment of fear and fury as she copes with her particularly brutal life. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The Savage Hearts series has been taking shape in my head for nearly ten years. I wanted to explore the darker side of an oppressive kingdom, specifically what happens when a single religion is allowed to control politics and power, and how easily that leads to cruelty being justified as righteousness.
I also wanted to flip a familiar fantasy narrative. In this world, humans are the villains, while the “monsters”—the orcs—are largely peaceful, and once lived in harmony with them and their magic before the war. At its core, the series is about resistance, especially women pushing back against systems designed to control and silence them. Each book follows a different FMC who represents a different way of fighting oppression, and despite not being warriors, they continue to stand for what is right.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The setting was actually fairly solid before I ever put pen to paper. A lot of my early thinking focused on how magic would manifest differently for humans and orcs, and how those differences shaped where and how each culture settled.
The Wild Lands became a space where I could fully embrace the raw and untamed side of the magic system, which naturally led to questions about economics, trade, and survival. From there, I sketched a map, planned trade routes, and used the geography itself as a storytelling tool. I’m a complete nerd when it comes to worldbuilding, so figuring out how everything fits together was honestly my favorite part.
From there, it was a matter of working through where I wanted to have this story start. The initial story that I saw in my head is actually 3rd in the series! I had to back it all the way up to tell the important beginnings of this world.
What was the inspiration for Cleo’s traits and dialogue?
I was getting tired of fantasy heroines who are barely out of their teens, always knew the right thing to do, and were somehow always victorious. I wanted to write a story for me, to create a character where readers sit inside Cleo’s fear and uncertainty as her magic spirals beyond her grasp. She’s 26, anxious, and carrying trauma that seeps into everything she does. Her power is unpredictable at times, and every time she reaches for it, she knows she doesn’t have any control over the consequences.
Her sass is also her armor. It’s the shield she uses to hide her anxiety and keep the world at arm’s length. But around Dex, that edge softens, her defenses dull, and she allows herself to be seen. Even terrified, even knowing her future is uncertain, Cleo chooses to stand with the orcs and protect those she loves. I wanted to remind readers that bravery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s being terrified and choosing to act anyway. Trauma is real, and it’s something I know personally. I wanted to write a character shaped by it, but not defined by it—and to give readers who relate a place to belong.
Where will Book 2 take readers? When can we expect to see it released?
Kneel in the Ashes releases June 1st, 2026, and takes readers deeper into the Wild Lands and deeper into the rot at the heart of the kingdom. When Rowan saves an orc from Ostelan Knights, she’s pulled into the middle of a brewing war, but this time on the opposite side. Trained by the Church of the Silver Hand in her youth to be a weapon, Rowan was meant to become a monster in the name of righteousness, but she ran instead. 11 years later, she’s seeking redemption for the cruelty carried out in the Church’s name, and vengeance for everything they stole from her childhood.
The book expands the world, revealing the motivations of the Ostelan Crown and the Church, and how deeply corruption has poisoned the kingdom. Each installment in the series offers a different female perspective on life under oppressive rule, and how even the smallest action can turn the tide of war.
No masters. No mercy. No surrender. Welcome to the rebellion.
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When Cleo is rescued by Dex, a ruthless orc chieftain of the Blackfoot Clan, she’s thrust into a world ruled by savage loyalty and primal power. For centuries, the humans and orcs have been locked in brutal war after the Ostelan Crown broke the ancient treaties, driving the orcs into hiding. Now, Cleo’s untamed magic is the key to saving the orcs—but it also tempts her with a darkness she may not escape. As her power grows and her bond with Dex deepens, she faces an impossible choice: choose to fulfill the prophecy, sacrificing herself, or surrender to the seductive magic and risk everything to be with the one she loves.
Dex has vowed to protect his people at any cost, even if it means using the woman fate has bound to him. But Cleo’s fire stirs something primal in him—something far more dangerous than war. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Dex must decide whether his duty to his clan outweighs the undeniable pull of his heart.
Bound in Flames
Bound in Flames follows Cleo, a young woman trapped in a brutal life until her long-buried magic erupts in a moment of fear and fury. Her escape pushes her into a violent world shaped by prejudice, power, and ancient conflict, and her path soon crosses with Dex, an orc chieftain who is far more dangerous and far more compelling than she expects. The book blends dark fantasy with intimate character work, vivid trauma, and a slow-burning bond that blossoms amid cruelty, captivity, and war.
I was pulled into Cleo’s pain in a way I didn’t expect. The writing hits hard. The author doesn’t flinch from the ugly parts of Cleo’s life, and that honesty hooked me right away. The scenes of abuse are raw. What kept me going was the spark beneath it all. Cleo’s voice has this stubborn edge that refuses to die, and I found myself rooting for her even in the worst moments. The worldbuilding unfolds through emotion rather than long explanations, and I liked that. It felt natural. It felt lived in. And the moment her magic breaks free felt huge.
The introduction of Dex adds a shift in tone that I didn’t know I needed until it arrived. The banter between them carries a bite. It feels risky and strangely warm at the same time. Dex has this mix of humor, menace, and quiet conviction that drew me in fast. Their chemistry doesn’t rush. It simmers. The writing leans into that slow build, balancing danger with curiosity in a way that made me grin even as the situation around them stayed grim. I liked how the story lets them challenge each other. There is a sense of two people learning their power in a world that wants them crushed. Some moments made me laugh. Some made my chest tighten. The blend felt messy and human and honestly pretty addictive.
I walked away thinking about the bigger ideas running under the story. Power that comes at a cost. Survival in a world built to break you. The strange tenderness that can bloom between two people who have every reason to mistrust each other. The writing doesn’t hide its darkness. It leans right into it. But it also offers hope in these sharp, glowing little shards. I felt that more strongly than I expected. It made the whole experience land with a weight that surprised me.
If you enjoy dark romantic fantasy with emotional depth, brutal stakes, and complicated characters who fight for themselves even when the world tells them not to, this book will hit the spot. Readers who like morally gray heroes, slow-burning tension, trauma-to-power arcs, and a world that feels rich with conflict will get the most out of it. It is intense, bold, and highly recommended.
Pages: 366 | ASIN : B0F16V46X6
Pleasure to Purpose: Based on the True Story of Sex Worker Scarlett Pereira
Pleasure to Purpose by Elizabeth B. Splaine, narrates the compelling, gritty, and deeply personal story of Scarlett Pereira, a sex worker whose journey intertwines struggles, empowerment, and a complex exploration of identity and humanity. Drawing from Scarlett’s real-life experiences, the book delves into her professional and personal life, including her nuanced relationships, encounters with clients, and moments of introspection. The narrative also includes Scarlett’s connection to her “heart horse,” Franco, symbolizing healing and transformation amid chaos.
Splaine’s writing is engaging, and the vivid portrayal of Scarlett’s experiences struck a chord with me. One striking scene involves Scarlett managing a client’s health crisis during a session. Her quick thinking juxtaposed with her colleague Steph’s indifference highlights Scarlett’s deep sense of humanity and professionalism, even in precarious circumstances. The storytelling effectively balances raw, unflinching honesty with moments of vulnerability, making Scarlett a relatable and multifaceted protagonist. Some chapters delve into explicit details that, while integral to the narrative, might not resonate with all readers.
What I appreciated most was the blend of resilience and self-reflection throughout Scarlett’s story. Her decision to rescue Franco, despite her challenging financial and personal circumstances, was both heartwarming and symbolic. The connection between Scarlett and Franco serves as a metaphor for rediscovering purpose and hope. The descriptions of Franco’s initial wariness and eventual trust mirrored Scarlett’s own journey, forging a poignant parallel between human and animal recovery.
It is worth noting that the transitions between Scarlett’s professional encounters and personal life are sometimes sudden, particularly when the emotional depth of her introspection shifts abruptly into transactional interactions. I believe these contrasts, while reflective of Scarlett’s dual existence, occasionally disrupted the story’s flow. Nonetheless, the depth of her character and her eventual pivot toward advocacy and self-reliance redeemed any narrative inconsistencies.
Pleasure to Purpose is a gripping and courageous exploration of an often-stigmatized profession, offering insights into resilience, empathy, and personal growth. It’s a perfect read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a mix of realism and redemption. I would recommend it to readers looking for a raw, thought-provoking tale that doesn’t shy away from life’s complexities. Potential readers should be aware of its explicit content and heavy themes.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B0DHLFXRMF
A Forbidden Relationship
Demon’s Choice follows a demon in human form who finds himself intensely attracted to a human waitress despite the idea of a human/demon romance being ill-advised. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My husband and I were rewatching Supernatural for possibly the fifth time, and the season where Dean becomes a demon, however short-lived that was, made me wonder how a demon would react if their loved one was threatened. Dean as a character is very protective of his family, and the thought occurred to me that as a demon this characteristic could be magnified. This went on to consider how a demon would react if their loved one ending up being the sacrifice used to summon them.
But I didn’t want to just repeat stories I had read where the sacrifice was merely sent to the demon and they end up sparing the sacrifice’s life with a new deal. I wanted it to be something that stood out, that pulled on heartstrings from the beginning. The only way I could see that being done was to turn the sacrifice into a blood ritual, meaning the sacrifice would already be dead on the demon’s arrival. Obviously, with this being the love interest that would bring the story to a very abrupt end before it even begun. That in turn birthed the creation of boundlings, sacrificed souls that agree to live on to serve Hell. From that, I delved into creating a full world with intricate lore for how Hell functioned, and how each demon served a purpose.
The relationship between a demon and a human developed naturally from that. Demons are immortal and serve a very specific purpose in the expansion of Hell. If humans knew about them, that would greatly hinder their work, so logically demons that operated on Earth had to be secretive. And everyone loves a forbidden relationship.
Your characters are richly developed, making readers want to get to know them. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Ambrose was my favourite character to write in Demon’s Choice. He is a character that has lived in my head for I’m honestly not sure how long anymore, but he never really fit into a story until now. When the concept for Demon’s Choice came to me, I knew instantly he was made to fill the shoes of the main male character and love interest. The story itself focuses on Lena’s journey, but it is through the patience, support and love that Ambrose provides her that makes that journey possible.
However, one character that gave me the greatest challenge was Cyrus. Not because he was difficult to write, or that I didn’t enjoy developing his character, but because he wanted to be the focus of any scene he was a part of. I am a firm believer that our characters are real to us and Cyrus absolutely proved that to me. I frequently had to have conversations with him to tone his attitude down, to the point where I promised him the second book in the series so he would get his time to shine. And boy, did he.
In fantasy novels it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Before delving into the power systems of Hell, in a rare moment of actual planning, I wrote out how each power manifested. The different kinds of elemental power I wanted to introduced and how they interacted, or counteracted, with each other. Self-healing was a necessary for some demons, but much like with sports, some are better at it than others, and some cannot harness this ability at all. This was helped by introducing demonic rankings, creating lower and higher-level demons, all with varying ranging of abilities and powers. The key was simply to be consistent, and to refer back to my lore as and when needed.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The purpose of the series is to build to the actual Apocalypse. Book 2, Demon’s Faith, focuses on Cyrus and Marcus, characters introduced in Book 1, and their developing relationship as they support and serve Lena in her new role. Likewise, the following books will focus on different couplings, but all driving towards the same goal. Bringing about the Apocalypse.
The final book in the series will be told from four perspectives or one character from each of the preceding books. It will be the ultimate end and culmination of all previous narratives. All will be tested more than they ever have been, and not all will survive. It’s the end of days after all.
I also plan to have a number of spin-off novellas, features characters we have met along the way, but that have no real bearing on the main storyline. Giving me the opportunity to continue living in my world of demons.
Sacrificed to a demon she finds herself thrown into a world where she is the centre of attention, completely dependent on the man she longs for. Others now covet her and her growing power, seeking to tear her apart from the only person who has truly cared for her. The one she chose to be with.
Can she find the strength to save both her and her heart?
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Demon’s Choice is a supernatural romance with some dark topics. It contains content and situations that could be triggering for some readers.
Demon’s Choice
In a world where the supernatural and mortal realms intertwine, the line between love and danger is perilously thin. In Demon’s Choice, by Jasmine Wallace, Ambrose, a demon in human form, catches sight of Lena, a small-town waitress, and feels an unshakeable and intense attraction that’s entirely new to him. As Ambrose grapples with his dual nature, a critical question looms: Can he control the darkness within, or will it lead them both to ruin?
Welcome to a tale of fantasy romance where the forbidden becomes irresistible, and the rules of the natural order are bent. Despite centuries of wisdom and caution from his immortal existence, Ambrose cannot suppress the feelings Lena awakens within him. Their union defies the natural order, and his demonic essence threatens the very fabric of their bond. Yet, the allure of Lena’s warmth and grace proves too powerful to resist, stirring emotions he had long believed dormant. Ambrose and Lena’s journey will test the limits of love, trust, and the fragile balance between two worlds destined to collide. Wallace masterfully weaves vivid, intricate details that transport readers into the tense atmosphere surrounding the main characters. She brilliantly captures intense moments, inviting readers to dive in and explore the emotional complexities of romantic relationships.
From the moment I picked up Jasmine Wallace’s story, I found myself instantly immersed in the captivating narrative and empathetic characters. For fans of the supernatural genre, Demon’s Choice is a perfect blend of supernatural romance with themes of tension, conflict, and more. You’ll be hooked from the first page, eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Pages: 434 | ASIN : B0CFR7KWQ9
LITERARY TITAN 