The Oath of Blood and Roses by C. M. Hano

I asked CM to tell me her vision of The Oath of Blood and Roses on the big screen:

If The Oath of Blood and Roses were adapted for film, I’d hope for a visually rich, emotionally intense interpretation that stays true to the themes of loyalty, power, and forbidden connection. 

As long as the heart of the story remains, I’d be excited to see how filmmakers bring their own artistry to it. 

And dragons! 

The Oath of Blood and Roses

Hearts Of Dalaria 

Book One

C. M. Hano

Genre: Romantasy

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press 

Date of Publication: May 6, 2024

ISBN: 9781509254347

ASIN: B0CW1JZGN4

Number of pages: 322 Word Count: 95,000

Cover Artist: Lea Schizas  

Tagline: Love was never part of the oath.

Book Description: 

Charming and arrogant, elite Ashana, Calian, has one serve his prince. He has never considered breaking his oath...until her.

Clover Celestia. The High Princess with a stubborn streak and a spark that incinerates his oath to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he needed.

Inch by inch, she slowly incinerates his defenses until he faces the truth—that all he wants is to mark his princess.

Because she’s his.

His goddess. His Fated.

Bound by the chains of her past, Princess Clover dreams of living freely. But when her parents are murdered, she’s suddenly thrust into a war she never knew existed.

As she navigates the choices—and betrayals—of her new role, she must also confront her desire for the man who forced her hand.

The Ashana. Her protector. Her Fated.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a realm... and doom them both.

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Excerpt:

My parents are dead. I can be free if I go with him. Even if it means being bound to him until death. Alma will be safe. She is brave, selfless, and I know she will take care of the kingdom. This was a chance for me to get away from here. I won’t give him the satisfaction of kissing me. I will learn who that shadow man was and why he killed my parents.

A sacred bond that can only be enacted by using blood magic. That confirmed the suspicion that magic had come back to the realm and our goddess will be reborn again. There was a lot I didn’t know about this oath, but what I knew was that once I agree to it, I won’t be able to lie to him, kill him, or betray our original vow. That was the full extent of my knowledge of this oath, but he didn’t know that.

“Blood oath,” I spat.

“This will hurt, which is why I preferred the kiss.” He held out his right hand and then ran his blade across his palm, then across my right. I didn’t wince, and I saw the flicker of amusement on his face. I have withstood far worse pain in much more sensitive places on my body.

“Intriguing,” he said.

“Chloe, you don’t have to do this,” Alma pleaded, reaching for my left hand.

“It’ll be all right,” I told her. I am not a ruler or leader. Mother burned any chance of that out of me the day she made the first cut. But Alma, she is. That is why my next order can be said so easily.

“Once we leave, you will assume the throne. Cancel the ball and inform the other kingdoms that the entire royal family is dead because of an unforeseen accident. This man will let me make an official document having you take the throne because of my death. This is an order and not a request.” Snagging my left arm, she turned me toward her.

“Don’t do this,” Alma begged. I jerked my arm from her grip, handed her the dagger, and then turned back toward the man.

“Get on with it.”

“As you wish.” We joined our cut palms, blood mixing, and then he pulled me into him.

One hand gripped my waist, and I felt the hardness of his body against me.

“Do we have to be this close?” I asked. Completely ignoring me, he began the oath, and my mouth filled with the flavor of magic as our joined palms burned.

“Under the rights of the Blood Oath, I swear we will leave your people unharmed if you come with me willingly and without complication. If you break this oath, your people will pay with their lives. Do you swear by it?”

Our gaze didn’t falter. “Under the rights of the Blood Oath, I swear to come with you willingly and without complications, and you will leave my people unharmed. If you break this oath, you and your people will pay with their lives.” It came out a lot easier than I thought it would.

“Sheathe your swords,” he ordered his men, our eyes still locked onto each other.

“Lower your weapons,” I ordered. “Leave these quarters and don’t follow us. Don’t come after me, if any of you disobey me, you will be executed.”

“Chloe.” Alma sounded defeated, and it broke my heart.

“Draw up a parchment willing the kingdom over to her and then stamp it with the royal seal,” I ordered the man.

“You heard her.” The entire time, our bloodied hands, bodies, and eyes never faltered from their positions. I knew he was trying to intimidate me into submission, but I have been through worse with Mother. Alma and the guards left the chambers. The man stepped back from me, our embrace broken, but not our eye contact. One of his men brought over the parchment. He examined the message, and then went over to my stationary and sealed it with the royal crest that belonged to me.

“Bring that to the one called Alma. We need to get going.” He then approached me. “You are a very brave woman.” He snapped his fingers and one of his men brought over some rope.

“Is that necessary? I just swore to you I wouldn’t escape.”

“I don’t want you getting any wicked ideas about stabbing me, Princess.”

 

About the Author:

C. M. Hano is a Fantasy Romance Author who aspires to write strong female driven, hot and magical adventures, and being a good mother. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three beautiful children.

 

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The Fablecastle Chronicles by Trina Spillman #MagicalRealism

The Fablecastle Chronicles

Trina Spillman

Genre: Magical Realism

Publisher: Trina Spillman

ISBN: 9798649138604

ASIN:B08956JDBP

Number of pages: 252

Word Count: 47,500

Cover Artist: BrainyGeeks

Tagline: How do you report the truth when the truth could end everything?

Book Description:

Maggie McCullough is a star reporter for the Daily Mirror. In her monthly column, Setting the Record Straight, she revealed the truth behind the fables you may remember from your childhood. Those interviews brought her to the attention of someone in another dimension, someone claiming to be Lucifer. 

Join Maggie and Andrew Wolfgang, her boyfriend and quasi bodyguard, as they travel to Earth and hopscotch across this strange dimension, in pursuit of a story that explains the truth behind Lucifer’s origins, the mutation he unleashed on Earth’s inhabitants, what really happened to the ark following the great flood, and why pyramids dot the planet. 

Can Maggie write her earth-shattering article and escape Earth before all hell breaks loose?

Amazon

Watch the Book Trailer

Excerpt:

Maggie and Andrew approached the bar and were relieved they had arrived twenty minutes early. That is, until an attendant approached Maggie and said, “Good evening, Miss McCullough. If you would follow me, I will lead you to your private cabana. Your guest has already arrived and is waiting for you.” Maggie held up her finger and said, “I’ll be right with you.” “Certainly, take all the time you need.” The man moved to the end of the bar and waited discreetly. Maggie grabbed Andrew’s elbow and dragged him to the opposite corner of the bar. She was a little frazzled. “I am not going into a closed tent without you being able to watch me, especially since I have no idea who I’m supposed to be interviewing.” “Tell the waiter you are claustrophobic, and you need one of the side flaps on the cabana removed. That way I can keep an eye on you during the interview.” “Perfect.” Maggie summoned the waiter and explained what she needed. He seemed irritated but, without a word, walked to the cabana and unzipped the side flap, revealing an attractive man of medium build with a head of thick auburn hair lit with natural highlights of red and blond. Hair color to die for, Maggie thought. She squeezed Andrew’s elbow and whispered, “Here goes nothing.”

Andrew didn’t want her interviewee to be alerted to his presence, so keeping a respectable but short distance from Maggie, he nonchalantly whispered, “You’ll do great.” Maggie followed the attendant to the cabana where the man was sitting. He stood as she approached and held her chair out for her. She thanked him and sat. Turning toward the waiter, the stranger authoritatively commanded, “Bring the 1869 Chateau Lafite.” “Very good, sir. Will there be anything else?” “No,” he said dismissively. The waiter left. The man sitting across from Maggie said, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lucifer, but you can call me Luc.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Maggie extended her hand. The man sitting across from her looked at it with disgust. She slowly withdrew her hand and placed it in her lap. A palpable energy radiated from him and made her skin crawl. Maggie quickly drew a protection spell in her notebook and was relieved when the unsettling sensation abated. Luc addressed Maggie. “There are a few ground rules that will need to be established before we commence.” Maggie said, “Absolutely. Please, continue.” “First, don’t speak unless spoken to. Secondly, there is a lot of information to cover and I will tell you what is important and what isn’t. Lastly, don’t be irritating. Keep your questions relevant and we will get along swimmingly.” What a dick, Maggie thought, but bit her tongue since she was positive such a comment would undoubtedly irritate him. “Duly noted.” “You may proceed and ask your first question.” Maggie jumped right in and asked, “What story do you want to set straight?” Luc chuckled. “I am not the figure humans have made me out to be and I would like to tell my side of the story.”

 

 

 

About the Author:

Trina Spillman, who also writes under the pen name Selene Greenleaf, crafts both practical witchcraft guides and immersive works of fiction that span romance, magical realism, and contemporary thrillers. Splitting her creative life between Colorado’s mountain landscapes and a growing library of story ideas, she blends current events, folklore, plant magic, and real-world rituals to invite readers into transformative experiences. Under Selene Greenleaf, she’s the author of Witchcraft Essentials: A Modern-Day Guide to Spells, Herbs, and Crystals; Cupid's Craft: Love Spells for Valentine's Day; and her forthcoming Plant Magic Encyclopedia: Rituals & Remedies, resources designed to help modern practitioners weave intention and botanical wisdom into everyday life. 

Writing as Trina Spillman, she’s best known for her engaging fairy tale retellings. Upcoming projects include: 

A New Dawn — a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press 

Collateral Justice — the powerful sequel to A New Dawn, where a hidden alliance of the world’s elite blurs the line between justice and vengeance. 

The Witches of Fablecastle— When a witch hunter’s mirror exposes her forbidden magic, Holly McCool flees through a portal to Fablecastle, only to learn she’s the one destined to stop him from tearing both worlds apart. 

The Quantum Hitchhiker’s Guide to Escaping the Matrix — a witty, mind-bending manual on how to hack reality, rewrite your personal code, and manifest with humor, consciousness, and a touch of modern witchcraft.  

Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words. 

https://authortrinaspillman.com 

https://authortrinaspillman.com/mailing-list

https://www.instagram.com/authortrinaspillman/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18389879.Trina_Spillman

The Christmas Knockout by Wren Valentino #MMRomance #ShortStory #QuickRead

The Christmas Knockout

Wren Valentino

Genre: M/M Romance

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press 

Date of Publication: 12/5/2025

ASIN: B0G5B8G3H1

Word Count: 5K

Cover Artist: James at GoOnWrite.com

Tagline: When a lonely reporter meets a legendary fighter, Christmas delivers its sweetest knockout.

Book Description: 

A steamy, romantic Christmas Eve encounter between a lonely reporter and a charming boxing champion. When journalist Grayson Lane meets newly out boxing star Sergio Cavallo, their interview quickly turns into an unexpected escape from a stuffy gala and a night filled with honesty, heat, and holiday vulnerability. In Grayson’s tiny apartment, sparks fly and two lonely men discover a connection neither saw coming.

Amazon

Excerpt:

Dressed as formally as his casual wardrobe allowed, Grayson arrived sans tie at the staff entrance of a local banquet hall. It was only a few blocks away from the three-story building where the newspaper had occupied for nearly a hundred years, and a short walk from his one-bedroom apartment he shared with a fluffy cat named Duke. The streets were wet from a rumbling rainstorm that had decided to take a short break, much to Grayson’s luck. Sparkling Christmas lights shimmered in puddles, covering the cobblestoned alley with a palette of cozy holiday hues. The banquet hall was similar in neo-Gothic architecture as the old newspaper building. Locals swore the place was haunted just by the sight of it. Secretly, Grayson hoped it was.

He rang the entrance bell and waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot. When there was no response, he rang again. Finally, the old door creaked open, revealing a scruffy man in a tuxedo, sporting large, black-framed glasses. The man eyed Grayson for an explanation for this intrusion.

“I’m Grayson Lane,” he said. When that didn’t get him invited inside, he continued. “I’m here to interview Sergio Cavallo.”

“You’re a reporter?” the man rumbled in a gravelly voice. For a moment, Grayson half-expected to see the swirl of cigarette smoke in the air as if he’d somehow stumbled into a classic film noir.

Sir, are you related to Humphrey Bogart by any chance?

“Yes, I am,” Grayson explained, shivering.

The man glanced him over and said, “You look like a delivery boy.”

“Thanks,” he muttered. “May I see Sergio now?”

With what looked like reluctance, the man with salt and pepper wavy hair nodded and pushed the door open wider. It creaked again and Grayson couldn’t help but wonder if the spooky sound was a warning.

Once inside, Grayson was led down a series of dimly lit corridors, all with walls adorned with framed paintings of the Scottish founders of the city and, apparently, the ones responsible for the building they were moving through.

            Finally, they stopped. The man in the tuxedo knocked on a door before entering. He looked back and said to Grayson, “Come. Mr. Cavallo is waiting for you.”

            Pausing for a moment in the hallway, Grayson drew in a steadying breath, reflecting over the hours of research he’d conducted to prepare for this assignment. Exhaling, he opened the door and entered the room. Glancing around, Grayson determined he was standing in the center of a private lounge that was trying hard to be swanky but really looked like the set of an adult film, complete with dimmed lighting in not-so-subtle shades of hot pink, electric blue, and amber. The furniture was leather, and the carpet looked thick and soft.

Positioned as if he were sitting on a throne was Sergio Cavallo, looking rather distinguished in a fashionable blazer, slacks, and crisp white shirt with the top two buttons undone to reveal olive-tinged bare skin. The dark-haired Italian boxer looked like the undefeated boxing champ that he was, The King of The Ring as many commentators appropriately referred to him. No wonder many had fallen under his spell.

            What Grayson wasn’t expecting was how flushed he felt when Sergio looked into his eyes and with a delicious and very inviting smile said, “Well…hello. You’re not what I was expecting.”

            Trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering inside of him, Grayson held Sergio’s stare and responded confidently, “And neither are you. I’m Grayson Lane.”

            The boxer leaned forward. His dark brown eyes held an expression of tenderness, despite his savage reputation of being a beast of a boxer. His facial hair was a few shades lighter than the almost jet-black hair on his head and looked like a modern version of a Van Dyke. “I’m curious,” said Sergio. Grayson felt the man’s eyes wash over his body as if he were drinking water from his pores. “Grayson, am I somehow a disappointment?”

            Grayson spied an empty chair directly across from Sergio. Not waiting to be asked to sit, he took a seat, sinking into the soft leather. The comfort of the chair soothed his nerves, grounding him in the moment. “Not at all,” he said. “It’s not every day I get to interview a champion.”

            Seeming satisfied with Grayson’s answer, Sergio grinned. “I like you,” he noted.

            “Give it time,” Grayson countered with a playful tone to match the smile on his face.

            “I’m ready when you are,” Sergio said, his words dripping with hot innuendo. “For the interview, I mean.”

 

About the Author:

Wren Valentino is a multifaceted storyteller—an actor, author, entrepreneur, film producer, critic, and instructor—whose work spans stage, screen, and page. A bestselling novelist with twenty-one books across romance, thriller, young adult, and horror, he has built a reputation for crafting emotionally rich, genre-spanning narratives.

An accomplished playwright, Wren has written more than seventy stage plays produced in twelve countries and three languages. His success extends to the screen as well, with eight original screenplays and seven stage plays adapted into films. As a film producer, he has contributed to the creation of over one hundred independent movies, and as an actor, he has appeared in more than forty films.

Wren earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English from Oglethorpe University, graduating with honors. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte and completed the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.

A dedicated member of the writing community, Wren belongs to Contemporary Romance Writers, the International Screenwriters’ Association, Rainbow Romance Writers, and the Romance Writers of America, which recognized his service with a Volunteer Service Award.

https://wrenvalentino.com

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https://www.tiktok.com/@wrenvalentino

https://x.com/wrenvalentino  (NSFW/18+)

How to Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane with SZ Estavillo

Writers love deadlines… in the same way cats love baths. We tolerate them because we have to, but let’s be honest: deadlines can be stressful, overwhelming, and borderline panic-inducing. And yet—they’re also what push us to finish the thing we’ve been dreaming about for months (or years).

Between kids, work, and everything else life throws at me, staying on track isn’t easy. But after juggling multiple books under contract, I’ve learned a few ways to meet deadlines without losing my mind.

1. Sprints Are Your Best Friend

Rarely do I sit down for long, luxurious writing days. Most of the time, I’m squeezing words into the cracks of life—15 minutes here, 30 minutes there. Sprints help me show up consistently, even when I’m exhausted or pulled in five different directions.

Morning sprint.
Afternoon sprint.
Evening sprint.
Repeat.

You’d be amazed how fast a book grows when you stop waiting for perfect conditions.

2. Break the Deadline Into Bite-Sized Pieces

A whole novel is intimidating. A chapter feels manageable. A page feels doable. A paragraph? Totally conquerable.

I give myself micro-goals:

• “Finish the next scene.”
• “Write 500 words before lunch.”
• “Revise one chapter today.”

Every small win builds momentum.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Write Ugly First Drafts

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is permission to write badly. Truly. Bad pages can be fixed. Blank pages cannot.

When I remind myself that no one will see Draft Zero, the pressure lifts, and suddenly the words flow again.

4. Ask for Support (You’re Allowed To!)

My husband is a huge part of why I can meet deadlines. He takes the kids out of the house, gives me quiet time, and never once makes me feel guilty for chasing this dream.

If you have a partner, friend, or family member willing to help—accept that help. Writing is hard enough. You don’t have to be a superhero on top of it.

5. Know When to Rest

Burnout doesn’t help anyone. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is walk away, breathe, sleep, or simply exist as a human being instead of a writing machine.

A rested writer is a better writer.

6. Celebrate Finishing, Not Just Starting

Deadlines are milestones—mini victories that deserve acknowledgment. When you hit one, celebrate it. A treat, a day off, a favorite meal, whatever feels like a reward. You earned it.

The Truth About Deadlines

Deadlines don’t go away—not when you get an agent, not when you sign a contract, not even when you hit success. But you do get better at handling them.

Meeting deadlines while staying sane isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency, flexibility, and grace for yourself.

One sprint at a time.
One page at a time.
One deadline at a time.

And somehow, the books get written.

The Serpent’s Order

The Serpent Series

Book 4

SZ Estavillo

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Oliver-Heber

Date of Publication: February 10, 2026

ASIN: B0FX5TFVLP

Number of pages: 314

Word Count: 90, 219

Cover Artist: Oliver-Heber

Tagline: An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Book Description:

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

Amazon

Book Trailer:

https://www.tiktok.com/@szestavillo.author/video/7573464953785535774

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Darkness pressed against her eyes. The air carried no warmth, only a damp cold that burrowed into her marrow. The metallic taste on her tongue sharpened. Air scraped colder against her throat. Every nerve screamed awake as the chemical fog bled out of her veins. It was easy to fend off the hazy pull of delirium when it felt like she was sitting in an ice box. Frigid salty air wrapped her in an arctic grip, numbing her body. The sound of the seas never betrayed its location, offering no clues as to her whereabouts until the blackout hood was lifted.

Her surroundings winked awake, blurring slowly into focus. Faint traces of soot and aged timber amplified the cabin’s solitude. As her vision sharpened, the first thing she saw was the rugged glaciers looming beyond the drafty windows. Snow consumed the landscape, a frozen expanse as thick as packed sugar, burying the world beneath at least twenty inches of wintery silence. At a distance, she could hear how the ocean roiled, a wild, restless beast, while the bitter subzero terrain stretched in stark harmony with the gray horizon.

Groggy, her eyes roamed in search of Zeus, panic setting in, forcing her heart to quicken until she spotted him across the room in a dark corner. Her head felt like a thousand-pound weight pressed down on her skull, each pulse of pain a hammer striking her temples. She found herself passed out on a lounger that looked to be a decade old—at least her kidnappers, or rather, her new boss—had the courtesy to leave her somewhere relatively comfortable. At the sound of her steps, Zeus lifted his head, tail thumping against the rickety wooden floorboards, though not quite making it to his feet.

It looked like she wasn’t the only one trying to shake herself out of the cocktail she’d been injected with, as Zeus tried to drag himself up. She knelt beside him and massaged his legs, trying to coax circulation back into his limbs. After a few minutes, Zeus soldiered to his feet, the kneading doing the trick. Von exhaled, tension ebbing at the reassuring presence of her loyal companion. She ambled back to the kitchen, taking in her surroundings while Zeus kept time with her steps. A thin film of dust coated the kitchen counters and cupboards, telling her that time had been the lonely cabin’s sole friend for a long while.

She rooted around, discovering there were enough dishes for one person, and the fridge had been stocked with salads and fruit. At least her mysterious employer had the decency to respect her food preferences. They even left a bowl of dried dog food and water for Zeus. How thoughtful. She smirked at their attention to detail as she headed to the bedroom—and then she saw it.

Sitting dead center on the bed, the phone was waiting for her.

Sleek, black, and unbranded—just a smooth slab of technology with no markings or logos, nothing to indicate who made it. While it appeared to be just another typical high-end smartphone, Von knew better. This wasn’t an ordinary device. It was a leash. She picked it up. Lighter than she expected. No buttons, no ports, no removable SIM card. Completely sealed. The kind of hardware designed to be untouchable, tamper-proof. Not to be trusted. The screen stayed dark for a ten-count before flickering to life, awakened by a simple touch. The interface was equal parts minimalist and sterile.

Nothing personal. No apps. No browser. Just a lone notification, already there.

“Welcome to Black Nova.”

She flipped it in her hand, examining it. There wasn’t even a password prompt, fingerprint, or facial recognition scan. Von wasn’t logging in. She was already in—immediate access like it knew her. Then she remembered where she’d seen one before: Jefferson Pierce. Former Marine-turned-hacker, an asset for the FBI. Asset. The word twisted in her stomach, acidic and biting. She recalled the words—“federal asset”—before her world went black. Right before they took her.

“Silent Circle—” Jefferson had called it.

“A what?” She recalled how her brows had knitted together, confused over the unfamiliar phone. “Never heard of it.”

“Military-grade. Locked down tight. End-to-end encrypted calls and messages.”

“Sounds a bit paranoid,” Von had said.

“For what I do—I gotta be. Safest, most private phone out on the market.

She recognized it now. Its black matte finish and elegant, no-nonsense style. But it wasn’t hers—it was theirs. A direct line to the people who had dragged her into this. Her permission not needed. Her choices, her next movements, her next breath would be dictated, assigned. The second she thought this, the phone rang. She stared at it, letting it ring three times before quietly answering.

“You’re awake. Good. Commander Lucian Cain here, in case your memory needs a little reminder,” a calm, authoritative voice began. “Let’s see if we didn’t make a mistake bringing you into the fold.”

“Where the hell am I?”

“Kodiak Island.”

“Fucking Alaska?”

“Impressed you know your geography—most people don’t know where Kodiak Island is,” Cain said. “Before we officially begin, you must complete our test.”

“And if I fail?”

“Don’t think failure’s in your DNA,” he said, then switched to German, “Schlangenfrau.”

She hadn’t intended to assume the title of the Serpent Woman, not before the brutal attack that dragged her to the edge of death. Her guts shredded, body mutilated and left infertile, stripped of the capacity to bear life. A monstrous snake-like crimson keloid scar now etched its path along her abdomen, sewn back up like an object in a sterile lab—efficiently reconstructed like a modern Frankenstein experiment, an uncanny patchwork that left her hollow.

Von Schlange—Schlangenfrau—the Serpent Woman had become her signature.

 

About the Author:

As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.

https://x.com/szestavillo 

https://www.instagram.com/szestavillo.author/ 

https://www.threads.com/@szestavillo.author 

https://www.facebook.com/sonyozofiaestavillo/ 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49349032.S_Z_Estavillo 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/S.Z.-Estavillo/author/B0D1NMYNBC 

The Princess of the Wraiths by Peregrinus Hierusalemsis

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Published

When I was writing my memoir book “The Princess of the Wraiths” I discussed in my book how my friend Jana was amazed that in Mexico it is traditional to eat insects. She was surprised to know that I ate grasshoppers (Sphenarium purpurascens), ant larvae (Liometopum apiculatum), and caterpillars (Aegiale hesperiaris).

While I was writing this, I wanted to write down the name of the caterpillar species that I used to eat. However, writing such a name was not easy. I did not know whether the name of that species is tequila giant-skipper butterfly or Tequila giant-skipper butterfly. 

As you can see, writing tequila or Tequila matters. The reason is that both are different words. They have different meanings. If my book was an audiobook the difference would not matter. However, as it was a written book I wanted to make sure that the letter T was written properly.

Now I shall state the history of this word and why its spelling matters. The word “tequila” in Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs, means “place of workers.” It is the name of a town found in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. As it is the name of a town, the first letter is a capital T. Its spelling is Tequila. 

However, that is not the end of the story of this word. In Mexico there is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is obtained from plants that belong to the genus Agave that is known as mezcal. There are plenty of different mezcals from different parts of Mexico. They are obtained from different species of the genus Agave that live throughout the country.

The most famous Mexican mezcal comes from Tequila, Jalisco. It is made from the famous Agave tequilana. This mezcal is known as tequila, after the place where it is made. As you can see, as this is the name of an alcoholic beverage, its first letter is not capitalized. Its spelling is tequila.

So, what is the correct spelling of the name of the butterfly? Well, it depends. If the name is related to the town of Tequila, Jalisco, its spelling includes a capital T. If the name comes from the alcoholic beverage, its spelling does not include a capital T. 

My first instinct was to think that this butterfly is named after Tequila, Jalisco. I thought that the butterfly might live there, so it was named after that town. 

However, I was surprised to know that it has never been found in Tequila.

That only means that this butterfly is named after the alcoholic beverage. I found that absurd, but I wanted to know the true spelling.

There is a very strange tradition in Mexico. Some mezcals that are sold in Mexico include a corpse of a dead caterpillar that belongs to the species Aegiale hesperiaris. This might sound too strange, but it is true. Due to the ethanol within the bottle, the corpse is never destroyed by bacteria or fungi. People do not mind the caterpillar corpse and still drink mezcal from the bottle. I thought that was unbelievable, but it does happen. Nowadays this tradition is not as common as it was in the past, but people indeed did this.  

This means the butterfly is named after the alcoholic beverage and the right spelling is tequila giant-skipper butterfly. 

You can read more about other species of lepidopterans in my memoir “The Princess of the Wraiths.”

You can read my memoir online on Scribd:

The so-called “Princess of the Wraiths” is the villain at the end of the book.

The lepidopteran shown in the book cover is not a tequila giant-skipper butterfly (Aegiale hesperiaris). It is a black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata). 

The Princess of the Wraiths

Peregrinus Hierusalemsis

Genre: YA Memoir

Publisher: Books to Hook Publishing, LLC.

Date of Publication: 21st of June 2025

ISBN: 979-8-89283-269-4

Word Count: 262,705 

Cover Artist: Katarzyna Burzmińska 

Book Description:

Biologist-turned-author Peregrinus Hierusalemsis presents “The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir,” a captivating book that intertwines science, spirituality, and personal growth. This memoir offers a profound look at the intersections of love, knowledge, and resilience, all while reflecting on the author's rich experiences. 

Peregrinus describes the cultural experiences that he lived while growing up in Mexico between the years 1984 and 2002. He also discusses his later life in the United Kingdom and Sweden. During this time, the 2000s culture is explored.

At its core, the book conveys a powerful message: knowledge and wisdom are the ultimate tools for living a successful life. Through deeply personal anecdotes, Peregrinus touches on universal themes such as the influence of global events on individual lives, overcoming fears, seeking spiritual teachers, and navigating love and relationships. Richly illustrated with 94 handmade natural history and people-focused illustrations, this memoir provides not only an intellectual feast but also a visual delight. 

Key highlights include childhood fears of ghosts, mystical experiences, navigating young adult relationships, and insights into the biodiversity of our natural world. Peregrinus also sheds light on his experience avoiding toxic relationships, a lesson that inspired the title, “The Princess of the Wraiths.” The Princess of the Wraiths is a woman who is able to produce nightmares using hypnosis. Defeating her was Peregrinus’s greatest challenge. Through this work, readers will uncover how science and spirituality can coexist to offer a broader understanding of reality. 

This unique memoir is available for free online, making it an accessible and enriching read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of science, spirituality, and personal evolution.

FREE Download at Scribd

Excerpt:

 

Regarding death, my grandmother Lorenza used to tell me an anecdote that happened to her while she was a kid. She was an orphan, so she went to live with her grandmother, who became her primary caregiver. My great-great-grandmother lived in Los Ranchos de San José, a village close to Villa Guerrero, State of Mexico. In her house, there was a black cherry tree (Prunus serotina). One night, a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) perched on a branch of the tree and started to vocalize. My great-great-grandmother thought that such an event was an omen. She claimed that meant that she would soon die. Thus, she told Lorenza to do whatever she could to scare the owl. My grandmother Lorenza was unable to scare the owl. The owl vocalized in the same place for several nights, and my great-great-grandmother died less than a month after the owl started hooting. After the burial, Ismaela arrived to tell her niece Lorenza that she should leave the house to go to live with her, as Lorenza was still a kid. When both were leaving the house, Lorenza claimed that she did not want to leave the building, as she was able to listen to the ghostly voice of my dead great-great-grandmother who was calling her inside…

According to the Graeco-Roman Olympian religion, Ascalaphus was an angel of the Hades God. Hades is the dwelling place of the souls of the dead. The task of Ascalaphus was to snatch the souls of dying people to Hades. Ascalaphus was transformed into an owl by Persephone the Kore, the queen of Hell. Since then, owl Ascalaphus has visited dying people before they finally died. That is why Pliny the Elder stated in his “Natural History” that the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) was an extremely bad omen. Spanish bishop St. Isidore of Seville transferred this superstition to Christian Catholicism in his book “Etymologiae.”

About the Author:

Peregrinus Hierusalemsis is a biologist, writer, and seeker whose life has woven together science, philosophy, and spirituality. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh (2010) with a degree in biology, he has published scientific papers on biodiversity and worked in plant sciences, entomology, and molecular biology since 2009. His professional passion lies in systematics, the classification of living things, while his personal explorations reach into philosophy, metaphysics, and the world’s ancient spiritual traditions.

From early encounters with eastern philosophy in childhood karate lessons in Mexico, to late-night debates on western philosophy with friends, to the guidance of a spiritual teacher during his A-level years in the UK, Peregrinus has always sought to understand life’s hidden patterns. These experiences, alongside his scientific training, shape his unique voice which can be described as a bridge between the empirical and the mystical.

His debut work, The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir, invites readers into a journey that blends memoir with natural history, spiritual reflection, and philosophical inquiry.