Ana Ban's Blog, page 4
September 16, 2021
Cover Reveal: Shelter of Smoke
You remember this fun teaser:

And you probably thought, gosh, that would look so much better with a pretty picture. It would, wouldn't it? So I got out my magic wand and did some bippity boppity...
But I'm going to make you wait. It's just not as much fun with instant gratification.
As a reminder, Shelter of Smoke is the eleventh--yes, ELEVENTH--book of The Gifted Series.
I want to give a big shoutout to all of those who have stuck with me and read what I've written (and still talk to me!) because I know that sometimes, inside my head can get a bit weird.
One of the fun things about this particular book is that it is going to answer a few questions that have been drifting out in the wind during the last few books. I've dropped quite a few characters' names and set several nuggets of information adrift without giving them their due, but I promise, it will all make sense soon.
Do you think you've earned the cover yet? Maybe...

NOT! Haha. I tricked you. Now for the OFFICIAL BLURB:
For the last six months, Taya has been on the run—from an evil man, from her dark past, and from her own secrets. When her car breaks down outside the small town of Sun Valley, Taya must come to terms with all three before she can truly begin living.Grey arrived in Sun Valley for a wedding, only to stay after discovering long-lost family. As the only mechanic in town, meeting Taya is inevitable—but earning her trust is another matter entirely.Together, they must face one of the biggest threats the Elementals have ever encountered. For only when this evil is vanquished can Taya stop looking over her shoulder and start looking forward.This is the eleventh book of The Gifted Series.And, finally, here it is: the beautiful cover for Shelter of Smoke, available October 19!
Pre-order the e-book HERE

Your patience has been rewarded. Enjoy!
What are you in the mood for?
,Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
,Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
September 9, 2021
Author Spotlight: Ellison Clark
Welcome to Ellison Clark, fellow Wisconsinite and author of With You! Take a ride with Jhett and her three closest friends as they navigate life and love in Ellison's debut novel. And it all starts with a girls' weekend they will never forget...
With You: InterviewWhat was your inspiration in writing With You?
I decided to write a book after listening to an audiobook and finding not only did I predict the ending, but I also had thoughts that would have made for a more interesting ending. In that moment, the idea for “With You” was born. I wanted to use a story that people could easily relate to, so by the end of that day, I decided to create a “jealous boyfriend” character...because we've all either dated one or had a best friend date one.
Jhett and her friends do quite a bit of traveling. Is this something you have in common with your main character?
Most definitely! My mom told me when I was young to take any travel opportunities I could afford. I've been fortunate to have traveled many places, but my travel bucket list will always remain long.
The ladies in With You have such a tightknit group. How much are they based on you and your friends?
Easy answer- a lot! After moving away from home at age 19, I found myself meeting new and different people constantly. I apartment hopped a bit, too, so I was able to base some characters off of people and life situations I encountered in that stage of my life.
If you had to describe your book in ten words or less, what would they be?
Jhett's life has many twists, but her friends are forever.
What's coming next for Jhett?
Jhett has some new challenges ahead with her friends and in her relationship with Roo. Can’t say too much more- you’ll have to wait for the Sequel!
Ready for your own copy?Amazon Link: With You
To learn more about Ellison Clark (and to be keep apprised of the sequel) follow her here:Instagram or search @ellison.books
Facebook or search @ellisonbooks
Book Synopsis:Sun, friendship, romance and three little words…
Jhett leans on her three best friends for just about everything. The four are practically inseparable as they navigate life in their early twenties. But Jhett’s current relationship is fast-moving and she’s been spending all of her time with her boyfriend...who’s ready to put a ring on her finger.
Thanks to a much needed girls’ weekend away at a luxurious lakefront hotel, the girls finally get to spend some quality time together. Their minds are set on sun, sea, sand and...mimosas.
But it’s not long before the foursome run into some very charming young men, and Jhett finds herself drawn to handsome, sexy Roo.
When the weekend comes to an end, and reality brings them back to their normal lives, Jhett starts to question her relationship with the boyfriend who’s eagerly awaiting her return.
Will she return to her head-over-heels-in-love boyfriend with a moving truck and agree to be his fiancée? Or will this weekend leave her with more questions than answers?
As for Jhetts friends, they have their own struggles.
Clarissa is excited to make a change in her life. She finally takes the leap to apply to her dream college across the country, but her father has always held the power in her decision-making process. Will he dictate her choice or does someone else make that call for her?
Kia is a bold and blunt health nut who’s always trying to get her friends and family to eat healthier or join in a fun, new workout. But is it all just a distraction from her relationship with her boyfriend?
Danielle is the girl who will always have your back, but after years of dating her boyfriend she feels the relationship is heading off track and she’s not feeling the mutual love. Will Danielle find inspiration from her friends to make a change?
Follow the girls as they grow and mature through the difficult things that come their way.
Thanks again to Ellison for joining us in this week's author spotlight!
Come back next week for the COVER REVEAL of Shelter of Smoke: Book 11 of The Gifted Series. See you then!
What are you in the mood for?
,Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
,Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
September 2, 2021
Book Spotlight: Immaculate
Though Immaculate is the second book of The Gifted Series, it might surprise you to learn that it was written before Allure of Home. Find out more in this month's book spotlight!

Quick blurb:
Meet Reya, a studious workaholic on her way to becoming a physician. Mere months after realizing her goal, her entire life is sidetracked when she finds out she's pregnant.
The only problem? Reya's a virgin.
Tristan has been searching for his mate, the other half of his soul, for over a century. When he finally meets her in a dream, he doesn't believe she's real. Only when he realizes he didn't create her out of sheer desperation does their adventure truly begin.

You too? Excellent. Get your copy here.
So not only was Immaculate written before Allure of Home, but there is a certain family that is introduced in Immaculate that you haven't seen the last of. I'm talking about the Desdemonas--Jinx and Desi, plus their parents Grant and Sophia. Want to know an even BIGGER secret? Jinx's story was the first one I wrote.
Wait, what? But she's only a child in Immaculate, and she hasn't been mentioned since! True, she has been MIA--but not forgotten.

I know, I'm shocked too. (Just kidding. Because I wrote it.)
Now, ten books in, I'm itching for Jinx's (and Desi's) story to be told. Unfortunately, a few things have to happen first...some of which will be revealed in the next book to release, Shelter of Smoke. (Coming October 19, cough cough...)
I'll even give you one more hint: pay special attention to the epilogue in Shelter of Smoke for clues on Jinx's future.
That's all I've got for you today. When you recover, check back next week for an author spotlight with the talented Ellison Clark.
What are you in the mood for?
,Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
,Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
August 27, 2021
Coming Soon: Shelter of Smoke
The ELEVENTH book of The Gifted Series will be releasing on October 19, 2021!

Stewie's excited, so should you be!
An unofficial blurb:
Meet Taya, a woman on the run--from her past, from an evil man, and from her own secrets.
When her car breaks down outside the small town of Sun Valley, little does she know all of her questions are about to be answered.
Grey arrived in Sun Valley for Jade's and Talon's wedding, only to stay after discovering long-lost family. As the only mechanic in town, meeting Taya is inevitable--but can he convince her to stay?
QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED, AND FUTURES WILL BE REVEALED
Perhaps the last two books left you wondering--what happened to Tenebrys? He was beaten but not defeated. Not to worry. He's been in hiding, but the Elementals will force him into the light.
You'll also get a glimpse of what's to come, plus the unveiling of previously adrift characters.

Stay tuned for the cover reveal--follow me on Facebook or Instagram to make sure you don't miss it!
What are you in the mood for?
,Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
,Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
August 17, 2021
New Release: Catching Shadows
It has been a long road, but the former Mirror Trilogy has finally re-released in one combined book: Catching Shadows.
Did I mention the e-book is only .99 for the first week? Here's the link. I'll wait.

Oh, you want more? Check out the full synopsis below and then I'll wait. Again.
A Dedicated Cop, an Elusive Criminal, and the Man Caught Between the Two.
After tracking the notorious Selena for over a year, Detective Mia Gonzalez has hit a brick wall in her investigation. But when Mia discovers her striking resemblance to the criminal mastermind, she goes undercover in order to unravel their business from the inside. What she doesn’t count on is falling for Donovan.
Spending so much time with the dark, mysterious—and dangerous—man, Mia finds an entirely different side to Donovan’s personality. Not only is he a cunning businessman, but he’s also a thoughtful and caring partner to Selena.
In order to survive, Mia must remember there’s only one way to stay alive inside the viper’s nest—she must become a viper herself.
After weeks undercover as Selena, Mia discovers they couldn’t be more opposite—except, perhaps, when it comes to their taste in men. Working closely with the tempting Donovan has given Mia insight into the deepest recesses of her mind. When it comes time to make a choice, will she be strong enough to resist his pull?
Selena is as mysterious as Donovan is enticing. She built her empire from the ground up, all while managing to stay out of the spotlight. Someone who works in the shadows always carries secrets, and Selena is no exception.
When Mia makes a shocking discovery, she escapes Donovan’s luring presence only to realize she has nowhere to go. Afraid to leave, terrified to return, Mia huddles in a dark, cold, underground tunnel while attempting to mend the pieces of her psyche. When she finally gathers the courage to face her demons, Mia is captured and held prisoner by the DeLuca family. With Donovan in their grasp, she’s faced with a difficult decision—but for her, there’s only one choice.
Rescue Donovan, take down the DeLucas, and find a way to get herself out of the mess she created.
These two worlds are about to clash in the ultimate battle between good and evil. Only one will survive. Only one will rise victorious.
Here's that beautiful cover one more time. After getting the awesome .99 deal, let me know what you think!

What are you in the mood for?
,Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
,Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
June 15, 2021
New Release: Seeking Redemption
The tenth book of The Gifted Series is now available!

Full blurb:
Finally free from her dark past, Anya decides to open a store where she can sell things that bring people joy. There’s just one thing missing; her mate, watching from the shadows and refusing to be by her side.
Ashamed of his past, Gerhard knows Anya deserves better. He stays away in order to give her time to come to this realization on her own, but fate is a relentless force.
Patience is key for Anya as she waits for her mate to realize avoiding their connection is futile. A chance encounter with evil men finally forces Gerhard’s hand. Now, they must face their pasts together so that they can have a chance at a future.
After a century in captivity and darkness still invading her mind, body, and soul, Edith continues to resist the pull she feels toward Jace. But when she’s given a new lease on life, her excuses come to an end.
Jace is the epitome of kind, thoughtful, and understanding. He has waited a lifetime to meet his mate, and he is willing to wait another lifetime for her to be ready to accept their relationship.
Together, they dive into the unknown and only together will they come out the other side.
Get your copy by clicking here: Seeking Redemption
Find out more about the series here: The Gifted Series
What are you in the mood for?Paranormal Romance?Murder Mystery Romance?Crime (oh wait...with romance)?Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?Happy Reading!Always,Ana
October 27, 2020
New Release: By the Light of the Moon
It's here! Grab your copy of the ninth book of The Gifted Series by clicking below:
Check out the beautiful cover below:

They are creatures of the night, searching for their one true mate...
Broke and on the run, Abiah finds solace working as a housekeeper in a dark and mysterious castle. The only thing she knows about the reclusive owner apart from his gruff interview skills is that the people of the town call him El Diablo; the Devil.
Galvyn recognizes Abiah for what she is—a rumored Gifted, a human with latent abilities able to be converted to an Elemental. Even knowing she must have a mate, Galvyn finds it impossible to send her away.
When their pasts entwine, Abiah and Galvyn must face their history together…even if it means surrendering their future.
Find out more about the series here: ,,The Gifted Series
What are you in the mood for?
Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
October 21, 2020
Upcoming Release: By the Light of the Moon
Are you ready for the ninth book of the Gifted Series? Then I have great news for you!
By the Light of the Moon will be released on October 27 on kindle, kindle unlimited, and paperback. Want some sneak peeks? Make sure to follow me on Facebook or Instagram! I will be sharing a snippet each day until release.
Check out the cover below, and keep reading for the summary:

They are creatures of the night, searching for their one true mate...
Broke and on the run, Abiah finds solace working as a housekeeper in a dark and mysterious castle. The only thing she knows about the reclusive owner apart from his gruff interview skills is that the people of the town call him El Diablo; the Devil.
Galvyn recognizes Abiah for what she is—a rumored Gifted, a human with latent abilities able to be converted to an Elemental. Even knowing she must have a mate, Galvyn finds it impossible to send her away.
When their pasts entwine, Abiah and Galvyn must face their history together…even if it means surrendering their future.
Are you excited? I am! Check back on Tuesday, October 27 for the purchase links.
What are you in the mood for?
Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
Young Adult Crime (yeah okay, there's some romance too)?
Happy Reading!
Always,
Ana
August 20, 2020
Author Spotlight: BB Palomo
Please welcome author BB Palomo as we discuss her debut novel, The Blood Society! You'll meet Sammy, a teen with a dark past and an imposing future. Get ready to go through a ringer of emotions as Sammy juggles survival, responsibility, and love.
The Blood Society: Interview
You originally came up with the idea for The Blood Society in grade school; when did you decide to expand the storyline into your debut novel?
The Blood Society has a special place in my heart because it was a story that I came back to year after year to expand on. What originally started as a tale about two vampire hunters named after some family friends, quickly morphed into the painful story of Sammy and the trials she has gone, and continues to go through. I worked on the novel for what seemed like forever, finally putting it down and away a couple of years ago. I never had any intention of sharing my writing, let alone publishing it, but after the birth of my daughter Emberly, everything changed.
I had spent the majority of my life dreaming of being an author and at some point, I had convinced myself my dreams were not attainable. When the realization hit me that I would be telling my daughter to follow her own ambitions, while never trying to truly follow mine, I understood what I had to do. About a year ago I picked The Blood Society back up and make it my mission to finish the story.
Over ten years, two critique partners, eight beta readers, and the sweetest copy editor/proofreader I could ask for, the start of Sammy’s story is officially available.
Where did you get your inspiration for DOVE and your vampires?
Most of my life I have been a vivid dreamer, more times than not those dreams being some form of nightmare. The feral vampires of Sammy’s world stem from some of those nightmares and probably mix with the fact that at that time I started writing her story, the Underworld movies were coming out. As for the vampire’s existence, I have always wanted to see a different take on them and their origin which brought me to incorporating the virus.
I wish I could say that D.O.V.E had more inspiration, but in reality, twelve-year-old me just thought it was a super funny name for a corporation that employed these hunters.
Sammy is such a strong character but has such a depth of emotion that makes her very relatable. How much is she based on you?
Sam and her emotions are heavily based on the feelings I had while initially writing the story. A lot of the way she reacts and feels come from my own reactions and feelings I had no place to express. The Blood Society was my very first outlet for all the anxiety and depression I deal with from the many tramas I have unfortunately had in my life. I have struggled with my mental health since I was very young and even though my story is so similar to others, the feeling of being isolated and misunderstood never really leaves you. I wrote Sam damaged because I felt damaged, but I also wrote her as strong because I knew that if I could write a character that could make it through all the things she had been through, that I would make it through my own life.
If you had to describe your book in ten words or less, what would they be?
Its a story about strength, determination and never giving up.
What’s coming next for Sam and Gray?
Sam and Gray’s story is far from over. Their world is unforgiving, and they both still have major battles to face, both internal and external. What I can say for sure is that neither will be the same person as they were in The Blood Society after their cruel world chews them up and spits them out!
Ready for your own copy?
Available today!
Amazon Link:
Author bio:
B.B. Palomo is an American author from the state of Arizona. A writer at heart with a wild imagination, she has always had an affinity for the supernatural. Her debut novel began as a short story written in the fourth grade. While it was nowhere close to the writing prompt assigned, her teacher gave her credit anyway, noting the creativity B.B. demonstrated. This encouragement sparked her dream of becoming an author.
Even though B.B. was born in Arizona, she is not the desert heat’s biggest fan. Give her the subtle crunch of freshly fallen snow under her boots any day. In school, B.B. often used the old trick of hiding a book within her textbook while pretending to follow along with the rest of the class, though she still placed significant value on her studies. After graduating high school, she moved on to study business management in college.
B.B. now works as a licensed financial principal by day and works on her novels and blog by night. She is a wife and a mother—to an amazing daughter and a few fur babies—but when she does manage to find the time to unwind, B.B. enjoys a tall cup of coffee to go with a great book, all while daydreaming about the next story she wants to bring to life.
To learn more about B.B. you can visit her at:
authorbbpalomo.com
Book synopsis:
When the world bites, you bite back.
Sammy Cordova’s life is complicated. Between grieving the loss of her longtime partner and the grueling task of hunting vampires, she can barely keep her head on straight. The last thing she needs is more chaos in her life, but as the daughter of the esteemed founders of the Department of Vampire Extermination, chaos comes with the territory.
When a company scientist suddenly dies in a freak accident on the same day she discovers a potential cure for a virus that is aggressively creating a world of vampiric beings, Sammy is eager for answers.
Forced to team up with Gray, a new hunter who better serves as an irritant than a partner, she has no choice but to temporarily swallow her grief, train Gray, and make sense of the world around her.
Will her desperate hunt for the truth put them back on track for a much-needed cure, or will it tear her already fragile psyche apart? Find out in this adrenaline-rushing paranormal romance adventure!
Thanks again to BB for joining us for this week's author spotlight!
What are you in the mood for?
Crime (oh wait...with romance)?
Happy Reading!
Ana
August 14, 2020
Audiobook Now Available

You read that right! Allure of Home is now available as an audiobook!
Narrator Rachanee Lumayno brings the Elemental world to life in this first novel of The Gifted Series. Experience Jade and Talon's story in a whole new light!
They are creatures of the night, searching for their one true mate...
At just eighteen Jade escaped small town life and found success as a photographer. When her grandmother is placed in a nursing home, Jade returns to find absolutely nothing has changed- unless she counts the dark and mysterious new resident.
Talon’s secrets have the potential to forever change Jade’s life. He’s been searching for his other half for more years than he cares to count and recognizes the instant he finds her. Every fiber of his being knows they are meant to be together- what he doesn’t expect is Jade’s absolute denial.
On their first encounter, Jade faints. On their second, she dumps iced tea in his lap. Talon’s patience is tested as he needs to convince his temperamental mate of their destiny. Jade discovers just how difficult it can be to ignore the Allure of Home.
Grab your copy here: ,Allure of Home Audiobook
Happy Listening!
Ana
For more about The Gifted Series, visit the page here: ,Paranormal Romance.
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