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: The Reaper by Rae Scott

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: The Reaper

Author: Rae Scott

Publisher: Page Publishing

Release Date: November 3, 2022

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Tropes: Vigilante justice/ Victims no one will miss/ The one you least expect

Themes: Good vs Evil, Life or Death

Heat Rating: No heat

Length: 188 pages/ 60 000 words

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

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Reap what you have sown.

Blurb

Fear not those who are innocent, for I shall cause you no harm. I seek out only those who have yet to pay for their sins. Fear me if you have no remorse, for I am the Reaper, and I will ensure that you reap what you have sewn.

The serial killer known as The Reaper is loose on the streets of Norfolk. Its victims have two things in common: They have each hurt a child but served little to no time in jail for it and none of them regret their actions.

Detective Mel Tanner is close to retirement when she is assigned to investigate a murder that leads her in a hunt for the serial killer known as The Reaper. As a seasoned homicide detective of fifteen years, she now finds herself jaded and unfeeling to the atrocities that she has had to witness every day.

When rookie Detective Nat Petrov lands her dream assignment, to work with the best Detective in Norfolk, she is thrown headfirst into The Reaper’s perverse sense of justice. The Detectives race against the clock as body after body turns up with the signature Grim Reaper tarot card, each life ended in a way specifically designed for the individual victim. Will the detectives be able to catch a twisted serial killer before time runs out or will The Reaper exact revenge in a way more personal than anyone could have ever fathomed?

Continue reading “Release Blitz: The Reaper by Rae Scott” →

How to keep writing during the holidays

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How to keep writing during the holidays

 

How to keep writing during the holidays? If I’m honest I am probably one of the worst at actually keeping writing going during December. If it is a year that I have taken part in NaNoWriMo, I’m usually burnt out and put off looking at a 50,000 word manuscript until January. If I haven’t, then most of the time I just find the build up to Christmas means that I am too busy.

This year I really want it to be different and have resolved to at least write something every day. I plan to do this by using my lunch hour during the week and making designated writing time during the weekends. Structure to my day always helps me anyway, and I think this will be a really good way for me to plan to get something done at least during December.

What will I be writing? Most probably Demon’s Past as I am over the halfway mark with the most recent draft now and I really want to be able to publish it next year. I might be tempted to write a little seasonal short featuring Adam and Eric. I really put my boys through it this year, so I think they deserve a fluffy Christmas story together!

What are your tips for writing during the holidays? Let me know and what you plan on writing!

 

Shari’s Life: Black Friday Squish Haul and getting ready for Christmas!

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Shari's Life

I can’t remember the last time I wrote a Shari’s Life post! Things have been so super busy, as they always are this time of year! I am amazed at how quickly the end of the year has snuck up! I think I literally have one free day on a weekend now before Christmas Day which is insane!

As is our tradition, me and my sister hit the shops on Black Friday. We were able to get all of our Christmas shopping done and of course some Squishmallow hunting. We went to Portsmouth as it has a lot more variety of shops than closer to where we live, and we were really successful. Most of the squish I got came from Claires. They had this insanely good offer of 50% off plushies and also buy 3 get 3 free! We had so much stuff that we ended up going back to Sarah’s house after we finished in Portsmouth to drop it all off before going out to Chichester to check their Claires. They had the offer too and different squish, so we got 6 more between us! Then on Saturday I went to my local Claires and they had the offer as well and more different ones!

IMG_8261I was also able to pick up some Squishville and the Christmas squad from Tesco! I said I would only buy Cam, Avery and Winston but when I saw the rest I couldn’t resist them! My Claires online order of Micromallows arrived too which was very exciting as I have never opened them before. On my first one I got Janet the Jellyfish which is the one I wanted most of all!

Overall, out of the haul I think my favourites are big Pilar the grasshopper (I have him 5 inch but when I saw the bigger one I couldn’t resist!), Vera the rainbow (I have been after her for so long!), Janet the Jellyfish Micromallow and Mario the dog (I think he’s a German shepherd but I am not sure!).

IMG_8264On Saturday I decided to be super organised and I wrapped all my Christmas presents up and put up my Christmas Tree! Putting up the tree is always a bit of a challenge as it doesn’t come in 3 segments like most artificial trees. Instead, the branches and trunk are separate and I need to put them on individually. They are colour coded but it still takes nearly 2 hours to do and then I have the struggle of putting all the lights on! I left the decorations off until Sunday as Georgie wanted to help with them. I did have to do some rearranging though as he hung them all together where he could reach!

I am really pleased with how it turned out! I do love my tree once it is up but it takes a long time to do!

I have booked to see Violent Night at the cinema on Monday afternoon as I am in town for the dentist so I thought I would do something fun afterwards! I don’t like traditional Christmas movies, but this is definitely not that! I don’t often go to the cinema now. I think the last time I went was to see Jurassic World Dominion!

So I am all ready for Christmas now (food is ordered too!), which is great as it means I can just enjoy the insanely busy build up!

New Release Blitz: When the Glow Lights the Woods by Eule Grey

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Title: When the Glow Lights the Woods

Author: Eule Grey

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 11/22/2022

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 28200

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, alternate universe/dystopia, winter/Christmas festivity, gay, YA, coming of age, first love, teacher, animals, conflicting societies, rich vs. poor, physical difference, family drama, friends to lovers

Add to Goodreads

Description

A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection.

The Wall? Who gives a snowman’s kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever!

All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year?

Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He’s a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it’s Kite’s responsibility to dispel the rumours about people on the other side being robots—just a myth, right? Deep down, he understands no human is better, or worse, than any other. And, if he dreams of meeting a guy like him—who wants to kiss—it doesn’t mean Kite’s a rebel. Not he!

Manu Feathers, also eighteen, lives on the other side. Gets into trouble. Likes boys. Breaks laws and wants more. Like everyone, he’s fixated on those over the divide—simultaneously scared and excited by rumours of too much sex. It’s a lot to get your head round.

Kite is selected to climb under the Wall, and it’s the best Christmas present ever. But nothing goes to plan. Instead of picking the perfect boy, all he notices is the guy on the end, acting out. Who’d choose a nuisance like him?

Can the highest Wall prevent first love? Can a kiss heal a baby bird?

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: When the Glow Lights the Woods by Eule Grey” →

Book Review: Symphony of Fates (The Dragon Songs Saga #4) by J.C. Kang

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Kaiya escapes her ordeal at the hands of the Teleri Emperor, only to return to a homeland beset by enemies on all sides, and crumbling from within.

As a teenager, she quelled a rebellion with the Dragon Scale Lute. As a young adult, she vanquished a dragon with the power of her voice.

Now, robbed of her magic by grief, Kaiya must navigate a web of court intrigue to save the realm before it falls. Only she can lay claim to the Dragon Throne on behalf of her unborn sons—whether the father is the lover who perished rescuing her, or the hated enemy who killed him.

In the final story in Kaiya’s saga, she must rally a nation, repel invaders, and prove to the world why her family alone holds the Mandate of Heaven.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Goodreads: Symphony of Fates (The Dragon Songs Saga #4) by J.C. Kang

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

In this final novel in The Dragon Songs Saga, we find Kaiya trying to come to terms with her ordeal whilst a captive of the Teleri and mourning the loss of her true love Tian. With the fate of the Kingdom resting on her shoulders, Kaiya must find the strength to rally and, without her magic, find a way to secure the Throne and bring peace to the realm.

I thoroughly enjoyed the last installment to this thrilling series. From the beginning, it has been carefully crafted and mapped out, and with so much detail that it brings this world completely to life. Kaiya has gone from strength to strength throughout the series. Growing so much from the teenager she was in Book 1 to a young woman capable of uniting the lands.

I have loved reading Kaiya’s story unfold and going on her journey with her. The supporting cast have been brilliant throughout, each with their own depth and motivation so you can never be quite sure who to trust.

If you haven’t read the series, I highly recommend it!

Book Blast: The Grocers’ Son by Garrick Jones

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BOOK BLAST

Book Title: The Grocers’ Son

Author: Garrick Jones

Publisher: MoshPit Publishing

Cover Artist: Garrick Jones

Release Date: September 21, 2022

Genres: Crime Fiction; Detective; Thriller

Tropes: Lost lovers reunited

Themes: The strength of relationships over time; What one will do for love

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: 138 629 words/ 422 pages (paperback)

It is a standalone book and the third book in the Clyde Smith Mystery series.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon AU | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords

Blurb

“I swear to God it was Willoughby. My brother stood not two feet away from me, called me Lina to my face, and pulled Harley into his arms, saying he was sorry, sobbing, and calling him his boy.”

An apparition in Sydney’s fruit and vegetable market leaves the mother of one of Clyde’s best friends believing that her brother, hanged for murder twenty-four years beforehand, has somehow risen from the grave and confronted her.

She is adamant that the visitation was real and visits Clyde asking him to investigate the mass murder her brother was supposed to have committed. She believes he was either set up or was covering for someone else’s crime.

Could this vision have been a folie à deux, a delusional vision shared by both mother and son? As Clyde investigates, clues lead him to one of Australia’s most famous silent screen actors, a man who, together with his murdered father, becomes intrinsically linked to the mass murder, known as The Killing at Candal Creek.

Wheels within wheels, lies, extortion, and coverups lead Clyde to a bloody confrontation on a deserted beach in the tropics. This time, it’s not only his own life at risk but also that of one of his most valued and closest friends.

Continue reading “Book Blast: The Grocers’ Son by Garrick Jones” →

Release Blitz: O Deadly Night by Various Authors

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: O Deadly Night: A Dark MM Charity Anthology

Authors: Nicholas Bella, E.B. Burns, Abrianna Denae, Elouise R East, Taylor J Gray, Mandy Greenwood, Rorie Kage, Leigh Kenzie, Davidson King, Claire Marta, Faith Ryan

Cover Artist: Teased by Antonette

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Genre: Dark M/M

Tropes: Various

Themes: Dark content featuring holidays. Includes topics from mafia to erotic BDSM and more. Content warning for some pieces include non-con, dub-con, torture, murder, and potentially other dark elements.

Heat Rating: This will vary. Some will be 5 flames.

Length: approx. 165 000 words

As it’s an anthology, some stories may end in a cliffhanger

Goodreads

Buy Links

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Sometimes the happiest season of all is hiding the darkest secrets.

Twinkling lights and festive songs are in every shopping center and on every street corner. But what lurks in the dark alleys beyond the main street decorations? Who hides behind the joyful enthusiasts with a dangerous bah humbug attitude?

Join eleven dark MM authors as they explore the darker half of the holidays while also spreading cheer and support to LGBTQ youth.

*O Deadly Night is a Dark MM anthology with all proceeds to be donated to The Trevor Project.

Continue reading “Release Blitz: O Deadly Night by Various Authors” →

New Release Blitz: Mosquito District by Leona Bentley

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Title: Mosquito District

Author: Leona Bentley

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 11/08/2022

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 68900

Genre: Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, paranormal, vampires, librarian, businessmen, jealousy

Add to Goodreads

Description

Lee, a librarian bored with his daily routine, knows better than to play nice with the mosquitos who rule his district. After mouthing off to one of these vampire flunkies, he loses the carefully crafted order of his life. Next thing he knows, there is Ira, a millennia-old vampire new to Lee’s side of the world with questions for which Lee has few answers.

From the moment Ira steps into Lee’s library, the delicate balance of Lee’s life is threatened. Following the rules and keeping his head down gives him a measure of safety that helping Ira challenges, but he can’t deny his unwelcome attraction to the ancient mosquito.

What game does Ira play? Lee’s curiosity, coupled with Ira’s irresisti-ble charms, promises an escape from routine Lee isn’t sure he is strong enough to deny.

He might be able to help Ira uncover the answers he seeks—if they can learn to trust.

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: Mosquito District by Leona Bentley” →

New Release Blitz: The Necromancer’s Heart by Robin Harper

~ sharisakurai ~ 1 Comment

Title: The Necromancer’s Heart

Author: Robin Harper

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 11/16/2022

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 21300

Genre: Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, fantasy, supernatural, gay, first love, HFN

Add to Goodreads

Description

Mortimer’s life is set in stone. That is until he takes the reins and rejects his crown and his namesake. Striking out on his own, he discovers a whole new world and a whole new him. But even with all of the newness, falling in love is still his greatest dream.

Then he meets Galen. He never planned on falling for a man who stands for everything he’s not. Now he just has to deal with the significance of his birthright.

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: The Necromancer’s Heart by Robin Harper” →

Release Blitz and Review: M.M. Scrooge by Lee Colgin

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: M.M. Scrooge (An MM retelling of A Christmas Carol)

Author and Publisher: Lee Colgin

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: November 4, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Heat Rating: 5 flames

Length: 47 000 words/200 pages

It’s part of a multi-author series. Monster & Mayhem #11

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

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

A spicy hot retelling of A Christmas Carol

Blurb

Marley Jacobs is dead, and Max Masters Scrooge has no time for the grieving son’s sob story. Even if Jacobs Jr. is kinda cute—for a nerd.

Daniel Jacobs is anxious, drifting, and lonely. His gut tells him he’s overdue for a dose of self care, but the thought of setting foot in a gym gives him hives. Though he craves gentle guidance, what he gets is the heavy hand of the gym’s head trainer and sleaziest playboy, Max Masters.

Accustomed to topping the leader board, among other things, Max sells Daniel on his gold package. After things get steamy in the locker room showers, Max is ready to make like a ghost and vanish, as usual. But this time, he won’t get away with his selfish antics, not if a vengeful past hookup with a powerful uncle has anything to say about it.

MM Scrooge is a spicy hot horror retelling of A Christmas Carol, as part of the collaboration Monsters & Mayhem: An MM Horror Collection, adapting some of your favorite classic horror stories with an MM romance twist.

Content Warnings:

This book’s list of potential warnings is longer than my grocery list. Buckle in. Readers, feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions. In no particular order: Dub-con that some readers may interpret as non-con. Consent issues. Poorly negotiated BDSM elements. Sexual violence/spanking. Sex as punishment. Death of a parent/grief. Medical kink. Sexually explicit scenes.

That said, this book doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that list might make it look darker than it really is. Better to err of the side of caution.

Continue reading “Release Blitz and Review: M.M. Scrooge by Lee Colgin” →