Author: sharisakurai

Shari Sakurai is a British author of paranormal, horror, science fiction and fantasy novels that almost always feature a LGBT protagonist and/or antagonist. She has always loved to write and it is her escape from the sometimes stressful modern life! Aside from writing, Shari enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to (loud!) music, going to rock concerts and learning more about other societies and cultures. Japanese culture is of particular interest to her and she often incorporates Japanese themes and influences into her work. Shari loves a challenge and has taken part and won the National Novel Writing Month challenge ten times!

Release Blitz: Unforgiving Dreams (D’Vaire, Book 35) by Jessamyn Kingley

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Unforgiving Dreams (D’Vaire, Book 35)

Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley

Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations

Release Date: March 9, 2023

Genres: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Fated mates

Themes: Love, overcoming the past

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Two mates from opposite worlds must discover if the past can ever truly be left behind.

Blurb

Fifteen thousand years ago, the Fae realms crumbled. A decade ago, Noble Protector Drekkoril D’Vaire of the Light Fae woke after spending many millennia in a dreamless sleep. Upon waking, he discovered his people no longer exist. A goddess revered by the Fae had changed them into elves and sprites with no memory of the past. Thanks to a wonderful, supportive family, Drekkoril healed from the ordeal. Now he wants to find the other half of his soul.

Valiant Defender Daravius of the Dark Fae wanders from place to place, trying to put food in the bellies of his tiny family. With little knowledge of any language still spoken and no resources, Daravius’s existence is meager. Each night, he uses a spell to travel to the destroyed realm that once carved deep scars into his soul; night after night, he must relive the horror. Although Daravius wants more for his loved ones, he is lost.

Expert trackers locate Daravius and his family, and they bring the trio to D’Vaire for sanctuary. Within minutes of their arrival, Daravius and Drekkoril learn they are mates. Drekkoril rejoices and yearns for a future together, but Daravius is terrified and desperate to avoid uniting their souls. Only Fate knows which man will get his wish.

Continue reading “Release Blitz: Unforgiving Dreams (D’Vaire, Book 35) by Jessamyn Kingley” →

Shari’s Life: Writing and Sorting

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Shari's Life

So here we are, at the end of February already and I am still not entirely sure where January and February all went! However, I am looking forward to warmer weather and spring to come!

I haven’t written as much as I would have liked to this month. I managed 2 chapters of Demon’s Past in total, but I am taking the attitude that every word written is a step closer to finishing so I am not allowing myself to get too frustrated with this. I finished Chapter Twenty-Nine this morning, which is a pivotal chapter in Taku and Thane’s story! I post little snippets of Demon’s Past over on my Instagram account so do please check that out!

image1With the help from my sister, I was able to have the massive sort out in my flat that I wanted to do and have moved the furniture around in my lounge. It is amazing what a difference a layout change makes. It also feels much more spacious and I even have a slight echo to the room now! I also reorganised the squishmallow invasion so they all have new shelves to live in now. I also got this neat cake stand from Ebay to put the little squishvilles in!

My goal of keeping up with Social Media hasn’t gone much as planned so far but I am hopeful of changing this in the coming weeks! I want to get back to more regular posts on here too! So keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks too!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Blog Tour: Love and Valentines at Caynham Castle

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BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Love and Valentines at Caynham Castle

Authors: Jeanne Adams, Morgan Brice, Caren Crane, Seressia Glass, Nancy Northcott

Publisher: Rickety Bookshelf

Cover Artist: Lyndsey Lewellan

Release Date: February 1, 2023

Genres: Contemporary, paranormal, MF, MM

Tropes:

Caren Crane’s story—opposites attract & forced proximity

Jeanne Adams’ story—Grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, different backgrounds/worlds

Seressia Glass’s story—friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine

Morgan Brice’s story—hurt/comfort, evolving relationship

Nancy Northcott’s story–Second chance at love, redemption

Themes: holiday, dealing with the past, bargains and deals, redemption, facing the future

Heat Rating: Varies by story

Length: 150 000 words/482 pages

This is the fourth in the Caynham Castle shared-world holiday romance series.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

One castle, five authors, five love stories, all at the same holiday event!

Blurb

Racing Toward Love by Jeanne Adams

Dr. Oriela Deschamps was overjoyed to get a job appraising an estate for the Wellington family in the small English town of Caynham-On-Ledwyche. From the first meeting with the Byron “Bo” Wellington, Ori knows the job is going to be a challenge. First, there’s Bo himself – the sexy, grumpy heir to Ribald Racing Stables. Then, there’s the exceedingly dangerous artifact that’s the centerpiece of her appraisal. That artifact, a set of riding silks from 1947, carry a curse and someone wants them for dark and desperate reasons. Can Ori’s magic save them, or will the would-be thief kill both Ori and Bo, just as they find their special Valentines?

Fae-ted Mates by Morgan Brice

Dawson and Grady King are honeymooning at Caynham Castle, hoping to take a break from monster hunting. They have one piece of family business to handle, involving a generations-long agreement with the Welsh Fae. When things go wrong, will Dawson and Grady survive, or will they be trapped in the Faerie realm forever?

Romance Sells Records by Caren Crane

After watching her mother’s hope for a grand romance get dashed time after time, Hannah Evans grew into someone with no tolerance for romance. Callum Hughes’ parents had an enviable relationship, and he wanted the same for himself: if only he could convince Hannah to trust what they could build together.

Cupid Comes to Caynham by Seressia Glass

In Cupid Comes to Caynham, Oliver Jones’ family has run the Boar and Knight off and on for centuries. After his father’s death, it is now Oliver’s responsibility to manage the ancient pub, a duty that leaves him no time or desire for love–until professional tourist Shayla Munroe literally falls at his feet. With Valentine’s and Shayla’s departure date fast approaching, does love have time to bloom or will it die on the vine? Not if Venus and Cupid have anything to say about it.

The One Who Got Away by Nancy Northcott

Hastings Whitney grew up driven not only to succeed but to be seen to succeed. His focus on success cost him two marriages and any number of relationships. Now he has a second chance with the woman he never forgot, jewelry designer Corinne Lanier. Has he changed enough to balance work with a relationship? Or will a business crisis bring old habits back to the fore? And is there a sinister side to his problem?

Continue reading “Blog Tour: Love and Valentines at Caynham Castle” →

99c Book Blast: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin

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99c BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Chasing Hope

Author and Publisher: Gwen Martin

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood Designs

Release Date: February 19, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort; Out for you; Small Town Romance; Bisexual Romance

Themes: Grief/loss; second chance at love

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 68 000 words/ 286 pages

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Add on Goodreads

Only 99c from February 20 – 27

Also Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Loss chased him away. Hope brought him love…But is that enough?

Blurb

Sean is only twenty-seven, but he’s already lost everything that gave him life. On the verge of losing hope for a future, he moves to a town where no one knows about him, the death of his child, or his failed marriage; but when his nightmares and his guilt follow him without the pitying glares, he realizes he can’t move forward on his own.

Jonah has worked tirelessly to keep his father’s memory alive and be a fixture in the small town he grew up in. Now, nearing forty, his dreams have been long forgotten to keep everyone else’s alive, and he doesn’t know how to reclaim his life as his own without losing his last connection to his father.

But when the two men’s lives collide, they’re forced to confront their grief and accept that there can be life and hope after loss—if you’re willing to chase it.


Chasing Hope is a 68k small-town, second chance at love, M/M Romance. There are subject matters in this book that may act as triggers for some. Readers are invited to check out the complete trigger warning on the copyright page, which can be viewed by clicking on the “Look Inside” preview or by downloading the sample. These triggers contain spoilers for the book.

Continue reading “99c Book Blast: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin” →

New Release Blitz: Illuminated by Alexa Piper

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Title: Illuminated

Series: Vampire Tales 1

Author: Alexa Piper

Publisher: Changeling Press LLC

Release Date: February 10, 2023

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 126 pages

Genre: Romance, Action Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Suspense, Bisexual, Multisexual & Pansexual, Gay, Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft, Murder Mystery, Vampires

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Ethan is a photographer who loves the interplay of light and shadow in his work and what it reveals. While working on his latest project, he finds himself at an abandoned church after nightfall. Lured by the prospect of capturing something unique with his camera, he ventures inside.

What Ethan discovers in that forgotten place is not what he expected. Instead of sights unseen for decades, Ethan finds a man — bleeding, hurt, and in need of help.

What Ethan doesn’t know is that he isn’t freeing an ordinary man, but an ancient vampire.

Through a haze of blood and violence, Ethan will have to come to terms with a situation nothing could have ever prepared him for. Auris drinks blood and deals death with ease, but Ethan soon discovers that the vampire is not just a monster. Auris is more, so much more. As if it were illuminated with a camera flash, Ethan can almost see himself and Auris have a shared future. Yet, those who tried destroying Auris once will stop at nothing to do so again.

Content Warnings: Illuminated (Vampire Tales 1) contains scenes of violence, murder, kidnapping, and torture that may be triggers for some readers.

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: Illuminated by Alexa Piper” →

Book Blast: Fall of the Pathfinder by L.C.Lowe

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BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Fall of the Pathfinder (Kessler Effect Book 1)

Author and Publisher: L. C. Lowe

Cover Artist: Lance Buckley

Release Date: December 19, 2022

Genre: Science Fiction M/M Romance

Tropes: Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers

Themes: Finding yourself outside society’s labels

Heat Rating: 1 flame

Length: 75 448 words/284 pages

It is not a standalone story.

The book ends on a soft cliffhanger (ie. the story is resolved but larger plot-lines are left hanging)

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

The company controls his life, but not his destiny.

Blurb

Working for ARC in the depths of space, 17-year-old Julian Sastre has struggled in the mines for two years to make the family name mean something again. He is a Pathfinder – the most dangerous and elite job in the mines, seeking out the richest growths of C6.

When he is blamed for an explosion that causes a collapse, he flees into the ruins of Old Easton, the city his father’s mistake destroyed a decade ago. The only ally Julian has there is Garret, a charming thief with secrets of his own.

ARC is determined to capture him, and the Wasters who live in what’s left of the city are more than they appear. Will Julian decide to protect what he truly cares about and find his own path?

Get the first book in the Kessler Effect series, Fall of the Pathfinder, and find out today!

Fall of the Pathfinder is a slow burn queer science fiction romance.

Continue reading “Book Blast: Fall of the Pathfinder by L.C.Lowe” →

Release Blitz: Anti-Valentine: An MM Romance Anthology

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Anti-Valentine: An MM Romance Anthology

Authors: Andi Jaxon, Ashley James, Ashlyn Drewek, Bailey Nicole, Becca Steele, Bethany Winters, C. Lymari, CE Ricci, Hayden Hall, Isabel Lucero, J.R. Gray, Jessie Walker, Misty Walker, Nicole Dykes, Riley Nash, T. Ashleigh

Publisher: Becca Steele

Cover Artist: TRC Designs

Release Date: February 14, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, dark romance, bully

Heat Rating: Various, 3-4 flames

Goodreads

Buy Links

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆…𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆…

Blurb

Get ready for an anti-Valentine to remember in this limited release M/M romance anthology. Eighteen authors have come together to bring you a collection of brand-new short stories with a combination of dark, enemies to lovers, and bully themes.

Participating authors: Andi Jaxon, Ashley James, Ashlyn Drewek, Bailey Nicole, Becca Steele, Bethany Winters, C. Lymari, CE Ricci, Hayden Hall, Isabel Lucero, J.R. Gray, Jessie Walker, Misty Walker, Nicole Dykes, Riley Nash, T. Ashleigh

All eBook proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ mental health organizations.

Author Social Media Links

Andi Jaxon: https://www.andijaxon.com/

Ashley James: https://authorashleyjames.com/

Ashlyn Drewek: https://www.ashlyndrewek.com/

Bailey Nicole: https://linktr.ee/authorbaileynicole

Becca Steele: https://authorbeccasteele.com/

Bethany Winters: https://bethanywinters.co.uk

C. Lymari: https://www.clymaribooks.com/

CE Ricci: https://authorcericci.com/

Hayden Hall: https://haydenhallwrites.com/

Isabel Lucero: https://isabellucero.com/

J.R. Gray: https://www.jrgraybooks.com/

Jessie Walker: https://authorjessiewalker.com/

Misty Walker: https://www.authormistywalker.com/

Nicole Dykes: https://www.authornicoledykes.com/

Riley Nash: https://www.rileynashbooks.com

T. Ashleigh: https://linktr.ee/T.AshleighAuthor

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions



Release Blitz: Postscript (Kedgetown, Book 1)

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Postscript (Kedgetown, Book 1)

Author: Anne Barwell

Publisher: LaceDragon Publishing

Cover Artist: T.L. Bland

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Genres: M/M romance, Paranormal, Dual Timeline (contemporary & historical), Psychic Powers, mystery

Tropes: Small town romance, sweet with heat, magical bookshop

Themes: Family, found family

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 50 000 words/125 pages

It is book 1 in the series. There are references to a wider shared world, but the reader doesn’t need to have read them. Two of the MCs are new to the supernatural world so are introduced to it through the course of the story.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

A magical bookshop holds the keys.

Blurb

Kedgetown Book 1

A magical bookshop holds the keys.

When Mason Chynoweth inherits an old house in small-town New Zealand, he hopes to discover what happened to his great-great uncle Lewis after he returned from the war in 1945. Mason’s first encounter with the property is thankfully reassuring—his sensitive psychic powers aren’t triggered and he has a calm sense of coming home.

Elijah Whitaker arrives in Kedgetown for an extended visit with his aunts. He’s quickly drawn to Mason and offers to help him try to find some answers in the dusty old house. It soon becomes clear that Mason is keeping secrets, but Elijah has a few secrets of his own. Like his closely guarded knowledge of the hidden supernatural world, and the fact that many of the townspeople are psi and supernaturals.

What is the connection between the house and Postscript, the town’s enigmatic bookshop? Mason’s glimpses of the past give some clues, but not enough to make sense of the puzzle.

When a hidden journal comes to light, the true story of Lewis’ journey is revealed, and his path and Mason and Elijah’s begin to intertwine.

Continue reading “Release Blitz: Postscript (Kedgetown, Book 1)” →

Shari Review’s Stuff: Magical Apothecary Miniature Potions Replicas

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Shari Reviews Stuff

Purchase: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1181302599/magical-apothecary-miniature-potions

IMG_8645Today, I am reviewing these adorable miniature potions bottles I bought on Etsy! Honestly, they are so cute! It was very difficult to decide which ones to get but in the end I chose the miniature pumpkins and dried rose petals.

Each bottle is approximately 4cm tall and contains tiny dried pumpkins and dried rose petals. There is a little cork in the top of each bottle with some twine around it. On the pumpkin bottle there are 3 mini pumpkins threaded through it and a cute silver leaf on the rose petal bottle. These finishing touches, together with the beautifully designed labels finish them off so well.

I have a Gothic inspired display and these fit in so perfectly! I will be definitely getting some more to grow my collection!

Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts on the above product, and I have not been asked or paid by the seller to provide a review.

Shari’s Life: Day in Brighton

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Shari's Life

IMG_8699Yesterday me, my sister and nephew went to Brighton for the day. We went to the Sea Life Centre first, which we all really enjoy! It is in the original Victorian building so as well as seeing some amazing sea creatures, I got to enjoy the Gothic architecture too! My nephew loved it. He has been a few times before but always gets so excited! We were also able to watch them feeding the turtles and piranhas. As well as sea creatures they had a colony of leaf cutter ants. It was fascinating to watch them carrying leaves about four times the size of them up and down the tube tunnels and into their ant hills. My favourites are always the sea horses though. They are so adorable!

We’re going to try and do at least one outing like this a month with my nephew as he enjoys them so much. He’s been asking to go back to ‘see the Romans’ so next month we will probably do the Roman Palace at Fishbourne. As it gets more to the summer we can also do more out-doorsy attractions again like the Wetlands Trust at Arundel and the Weald and Downland Museum which is a firm favourite with all of us!

0181E382-E9D3-4BA9-82E6-C125A9EAE65FAfter the Sea Life Centre, we got some lunch and went to look round some of the shops. It was very busy so we didn’t linger, but we did visit the Miniso store which I loved! We had been once before but it was before Covid I think! Honestly, I could have spent so much in there but I was very restrained and only bought 3 things!  I bought two blind capsule beach dolls that look absolutely adorable! I cannot wait to open them and see who I got! I also bought this lego-ish Fragrance Store model! They also had the fan shop and sandwich bar, which I want to go back and get when we go back to Brighton next month!

My plans for today are to walk down to the Tesco Superstore in a bit to check for the Valentines Day squishmallows. I have been checking for weeks now and they haven’t had them 😦 My sister found a few of the ones we wanted in the Tesco Extra at Fishbourne but we still need to find Leon the Monster so I am hoping today will be the day!

When I get back from there I have some overtime booked for work and then I am going to do some more writing. I really want to hit Chapter 30 of Demon’s Past today if possible! I have also got back into Animal Crossing and hope to finally finish Mallepa 2.0!

I hope you are all having a great weekend!