Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 5

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish ~ pre-orders, paperbacks, and eARCs!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind in getting my upcoming release, ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH, ready. Between edits, cover art, and setting a release date, I've never had a book go through the process this fast. Not even when I self-publish. So, I've been sharing things at various stages in my newsletter, on social media, and here on my blog. Today's post is a catchup so everything here is up-to-date. ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH
City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams The card says ‘Make A Wish.’

After several failed relationships, Nelson Connor yearns for a long-term boyfriend who will one day become his husband. Sure he won’t find anything more than a one-night stand at the dance club his friend dragged him to, Nelson makes his wish as he leaves. But he doesn’t expect to step out of the club into a meadow far from the city. And he definitely doesn’t expect to meet a smexy man who claims to be a turtle shifter wanting to take him into the ‘Enchanted Forest’ to meet his fated mate.

It all seems so unreal, but with no place of his own and no job due to corporate downsizing, Nelson doesn’t have anything promising to go back to. He decides to follow the turtle shifter into the forest.

Did Nelson finally find the happy ending he’s looking for? Or will he try to escape back to his world when he learns the conditions of staying in the Enchanted Forest?

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is the first book in the new MM MPreg City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series by USA Today bestselling author Jessica E. Subject. Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is a MM shifter fantasy romance that features a man down on his luck who doesn’t know shifters exist, a turtle shifter who longs for a mate but doesn’t think he’ll ever find one, the wizard who brings them together, and many other fantastical creatures from the Enchanted Forest. If you like fated mates, true love, meggs, baby turtle shifters, and a guaranteed happy ever after, Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is for you! While each book in the City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series is set in the same world, they can be read as standalones.
Although ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH officially releases September 27, 2024, the paperback version is already available for those who prefer a physical copy.  Pre-Order ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH at Amazon Get the paperback today! Universal Buy Link Have you seen the beautiful cover? It was designed by the amazing Fantasia Frog Designs who has created many of my covers over the years. Fantasia Frog Designs If you are a book reviewer, and would like an eARC of ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH, visit Booksprout! ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH eARC at Booksprout

Title Reveal for Upcoming Release...

At the end of August, I finished writing one of the WIPs that I had been working on. After doing self-edits, I submitted it, signed a contract for it, and have already completed the first round of edits through my publisher. But I’ve been keeping the title of this story to myself, simply calling it my MM MPreg Shifter Fantasy Romance WIP. Are you ready for the titles?
​ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH is the first book in my CITY WISHES & ENCHANTED DREAMS series. They will all be MM MPreg Shifter Fantasy Romances and can be read as stand-alones. Stay tuned for more, including the blurb, cover art, release date, and pre-order link!

August 2024 reads...

Below are the books that I read in August and my thoughts on each. 

I'm trying to do the Fold Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. In August, I was to read a novel OR book of poetry by a Caribbean author. And I did! In September, I'm to read fiction by a neurodivergent author. And I've already started reading a book for that. SO LET THEM BURN by Kamilah Cole

This book is impressive and fast-paced! I normally don't read a lot of fantasy, but when I read the blurb for this story, I was intrigued. The world-building, including the magic system, religions, and the origins of the dragons is all fantastically weaved into the entire story. And I loved getting to know each character. My only complaint is that I have to wait until next year for the sequel.  TOWARD ETERNITY by Anton Hur

On the surface, Toward Eternity is the story of what may happen if AI takes over the world. Yet, it is so much more, delving into so many concepts. This book is extremely thought provoking, but not action-packed like most of the sci-fi I read. It contemplates what it means to be human, to be alive, and to be mortal. And it considers how words, language, stories, and music form societies. Toward Eternity also looks at love and whether one is truly gone from this world if they were loved. This was a different read than what I'm used to, but Toward Eternity was a wonderful read that left me looking at the world just a little bit differently. 

Queer Your Bookshelf ~ HIS OMEGA ON STAGE is 99¢!

Today is the QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF promotion! There are 400+ books on sale for 99¢ each where at least one main character identifies at 2SLGBTQIA! Many are romance, but there are other genres as well! And many are on sale at multiple retailers, not just Amazon! My book, HIS OMEGA ON STAGE, is part of this promotion. So, be sure to check out all the books on sale and QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF! Get HIS OMEGA ON STAGE FOR 99¢! QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF main page

Zero Penny Reads ~ Get DEMON ON JACKSON STREET for FREE!

Today is the start of the Zero Penny Reads Romance Promotion! There are a wide variety of romance titles available for FREE at Amazon from August 9-13, 2024 as part of this promotion. My story, DEMON ON JACKSON STREET is part of this promotion! Get DEMON ON JACKSON STREET for FREE! Find more FREE BOOKS at ZERO PENNY READS!

July 2024 reads...

Below are the books that I read in July and my thoughts on each one. 

I'm trying to do the Fold Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. In July, I was to read a book translated by an independent Canadian press. I failed. But I did read a diverse collection of books. In August, I'm to read a novel or book of poetry by a Caribbean author. And I've already started reading a book for that. MISSING WHITE WOMAN by Kellye Garrett
​ In the beginning of this story, you might think it's a romance. Until it's not. And that's the point where the wild ride begins. Breanna stumbles upon an unalived body in the Airbnb she's staying at, with her boyfriend missing, and the entire internet looking at her. She must deal with her distrust of the police after serving time for a crime she didn't commit, all the assumptions online influencers make about the case, along with being doxxed by their followers, her own family issues, and a former best friend whom she doesn't know if she can trust. Missing White Woman is a fabulous book, and I enjoyed every page of it!​ PRETTY FURIOUS by E. K. Johnston
Reading Pretty Furious didn't feel like reading a fiction book. It felt like I was reading (or being told) the stories of my friends, or maybe my kid's friends because of the time period, from high school. Why? Because I know this area. I've driven through "Eganston" many times on the way to Goderich, been to the "Londsett" Conservation area, and even driven on some of those side roads. And I cheered these girls on the entire time, as they quietly got back at people for injustices that many of us females are told to keep quiet about, and not make a big deal about. I loved how we got the viewpoint of all five friends and got to know them and their families in such a short period of time! I definitely will read more from E.K. Johnston! ​DELIVERED TO MY TIGERS by Mazzy J. March
This was a fun story about deception, forgiveness, and finding true love unexpectedly through an app. Plus, I do particularly love sexy tigers shifters!  MIDWIFE TO DESTINY by Nana Prah
This is a sweet romance (with Christianity references) about a doctor and nurse who first meet in South Africa while the nurse is on holidays there and needs to be treated for her sprain. The doctor shows her around, and they quickly fall in love. Though nothing comes of it when Ora returns home, they are reunited again three years later while working in Ghana. Jason is sure Ora is the one for him, but Ora must work through her fear of commitment in order for the two of them to find a happy ending together.

Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale!

I’m excited to announce that several of my books will be available as part of a promotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to get these titles, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount so you can get right to reading.

50% off these titles:
Alien Next Door: The Complete Series
Cosmic Desires
Love in a New World
Bryce
Jager
Tayrym

Get these titles FREE:
Alien Adoration
Alien Lover
Crash Landing
Gib and the Tibbar
Taken by the Billionaire Alien Next Door
The Power of Three

13th Publishing Anniversary JESiveaway!

​Celestial Seduction released on July 1, 2011, and since then, I've had many more titles release, wrote under a different pen name for a couple stories, participated in anthologies and shared worlds, and so much more. I've learned so much and connected with so many fabulous people over the years. And I want to celebrate you, my reader. So, I'm hosting a JESiveaway for 1 of 2 $13 Amazon.com e-gift certificates. There is also a $40 Amazon.com e-gift certificate available to be won if you are a newsletter subscriber. Enter the JESiveaway today! *Contest closes July 31, 2024, and winners will be notified August 1-2, 2024. No purchase necessary. Must be 18+ to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

June 2024 reads...

Below are the books that I read in June and my review for each. 

I'm trying to do the Fold Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. In June, it suggested to read a book by a Cree author. And I did! In June, I'll be looking to read a book translated by an independent Canadian press. SNOWGLOBE by Soyoung Park
​Translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort

Dystopian YA is a genre I love to read, so when I saw this book featured by another author in my social media feed, I was instantly intrigued and I added it to my wish list. Snowglobe is an intriguing story about a society where some live under the dome in what seems like a perfect life to those who live in the frigid cold outside of it. Those outside of the dome work in power plants to provide electricity for their community and within the dome. And those in the dome are either television stars with their entire life filmed, or the directors creating the shows for those living outside of the dome. But, nothing is as it seems. And Chobahm learns this when she is asked to take the place of a beloved television star, as her doppelganger. While part one of the story takes the time to show the comparison between the two worlds, and Chobahm's new life as Goh Haeri, it's in parts two and three that the majority of the twists and excitement happen. After reading the epilogue, part of the plot is wrapped up, but the overall story story continues with a couple extra chapters, teasing for the next book that is set to release in 2025. I really enjoyed Snowglobe and definitely plan to read the next in the duology when it releases! This story illustrates what life could be like in the future due to climate change, and also what your life would be like if you were always being filmed. Highly recommend! BAD CREE by Jessica Johns

Wow! I didn't quite know what to expect before reading this book, but I have seen so many recommendations for Bad Cree. This is a story about family, love, loss, grief, growing up, the effects of colonization, nehiyaw culture, dreams, nightmares, spirits, crows, and standing up to face it all. Bad Cree is an intriguing book where the tension builds and builds until the main character, Mackenzie must confront the monster and work to heal her own pain. But she won't do it alone. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from Jessica Johns! ROAD TO RUIN by Hana Lee
​
While written in multiple points of view, Road to Ruin is the story of Jin, a magebike courier with special talents, who travels through the wasteland to deliver letters between a talentless prince, and a shield-caster princess who is treated like property and about to be sold off simply to bear children with special talents. But nothing is ever easy in any of Jin's trips across the wasteland. She has pteropters attacking her from above, storms chasing her across the desolate land, and raiders wanting to take her bike and her life. Her mission changes with a desperate plea from the princess where they encounter lost civilizations, bounty hunters, and so much more as Jin races to reunite the prince and princess. There's stolen kisses, a true love triangle, even if the feelings are unwanted, failing kingdoms, people returning from the dead, familial expectations, a belief system meant to exclude, and cruelty performed with the best of intentions. I was very uncertain how this story would end with some characters being swept into performing for one system of oppression into another. And I'm still not sure if the ending left me satisfied. Yet, I believe the MC, Jin, stayed true to who she was all along.

New Release ~ SPELLBOUND by Laurel Richards

SPELLBOUND
by Laurel Richards A powerful spellcaster, Hex works as a field agent for the State Watchmen Occult Division. When a museum curator is murdered with fangs and claws, he’s sent to investigate. Local law enforcement is convinced that Sarah is the culprit. She’s a recently turned shifter and an employee of the museum who was seen arguing with the victim. Hex isn’t so sure she’s guilty, though, and not only because he’s captivated by her. Sarah is no ordinary shifter, and this is no ordinary case. A break-in at the museum, magic artifacts, and a trail of dead bodies point to something sinister. Hex and Sarah team up to hunt for a powerful relic and the people who will stop at nothing to get it.

Content: contemporary m/f romance, love scenes, references to violent crimes and murders, magic use, alternate history
Buy at AMAZON Buy at APPLE Buy at BARNES & NOBLE Buy at KOBO Universal Buy Link Enjoy an excerpt... “Three days?” John “Hex” Robertson frowned at his boss, or at least at the video image of her on his computer. Field agents like him were assigned to cover large territories within their respective regions and tended to move around a lot. He was currently in a temporary office at a sheriff’s station in Bloxham County, Florida, while she was at division headquarters.

“Why weren’t we called in sooner?” he demanded, already envisioning the trail going cold. “Violent crimes involving supernaturals are supposed to be flagged.”

Part of the Department of Public Safety, the State Watchmen were at the top of the law enforcement pyramid. Within the Watchmen, the Occult Division had been specifically designed to handle cases with paranormal elements. Although agents mostly participated in mundane investigations—using their special skills to assist regular law-enforcement and garner goodwill—supernatural crimes were their raison d’etre. A paranormal homicide should have come to their attention immediately, not three days later.

Lieutenant Corina Adams didn’t appear any more pleased with the delay. “The Hopkins’ police are feeling hostile toward supernaturals right now. A fire mage severely burned one of their own during a routine traffic stop. They’re out for blood and confident they’ve identified the perp.”

“Who’s the suspect?”

“Sarah Walker, a lone shifter. The victim, Brian Johnson, was her boss at Trust’s Museum of Ancient Cultures. He was mauled in his office while Miss Walker was in the building. She found the body and called 911. The detectives didn’t buy her description of a masked man breaking into the museum. The security guards on duty didn’t see anything, and she didn’t have a mark on her, though she claims she confronted the intruder.”

He asked the obvious question. “Doesn’t the museum have security cameras?”

“Yes,” his lieutenant answered. “They inexplicably malfunctioned at the time of the murder.”

“You called her a lone shifter,” he said. “Sarah Walker isn’t part of a pack?”

“No, and she’s unregistered too. The detectives heading the investigation didn’t know she was a supernatural until they took DNA samples and fingerprints from all the museum employees. They ran a rapid test, and her sample revealed the markers for a shifter. Those traces were not present in her routine bloodwork six months earlier.”

Hex arched his eyebrow. “Breaking HIPAA laws now, are you?”

Lieutenant Adams gave him a sour look. “I’m using common sense. Her doctor would have notified the CDC of a possible metamorph infection had she shown signs at her last checkup.”

“Those signs are hard to detect,” he pointed out. “The fact that routine forensic swabbing picked it up suggests she changed form less than twenty-four hours before the sample was taken. Assuming her doctor didn’t overlook her condition, she’s newly turned. Any other unexplained attacks in her vicinity?”

He’d seen inexperienced shifters struggle to control their new instincts and abilities. Lost tempers could erupt in violence.

“None that I turned up.”

“We don’t have many shifters in this state,” he said. “Statistically she’s probably a werewolf. A small pack of red wolves broke away from North Carolina a few years ago, but they’re mostly inland. There are occasionally rogue wolves and coyote shifters. She could also be an ailuranthrope. Cat shifters tend to be more solitary.”

“Then the question is whether she’s a tabby or a panther.” Lieutenant Adams gave him a pointed look. “You’ve got more experience with shifters than any other field agent. Do your own investigation and see where it leads you. Like I said, the locals have a score to settle. Miss Walker has the misfortune of being the first paranormal to cross their path, and they’re pissed that she slipped away during questioning. When she didn’t immediately return to her condo, they assumed she’d skipped town.”

Now he was intrigued. “Did she?”

“No, she showed up for work today. Now the detectives look at that as returning to the scene of the crime. Read the file I sent you, watch the interview video, and get up to speed. You’ll meet our tech analyst, Zoe Martin, at the scene.”

Hex knew the technomancer. Zoe was literally a tech wizard who worked magic with electronics. Even if she couldn’t recover the museum’s security footage, she’d determine how it had been sabotaged.

“Watch your back,” his lieutenant ordered him.

Hex narrowed his eyes. “You learn something from your crystal ball?”

The question wasn’t flippant. His lieutenant was a talented diviner—a traditionalist who preferred to use the crystal ball passed down to her from her great-grandmother.

“I know there’s more to this case than a novice lycanthrope losing control,” she said. “The locals won’t be happy to have a spellcaster take over. Don’t expect a warm welcome.”

“I never do.” He ended the call and logged on to review the case file.
Author Links Website Goodreads BookBub Books2Read