Sally Bend's Blog

SERIES TOUR and NEW RELEASE

The Heaven Trilogy by Reni Stankova

A Queer Fantasy of Angels, Demons, and Forbidden Love

MM Gay Epic Fantasy

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 2 – 3 flames

The stories are best read in order.

 

BOOK DETAILS

BOOK 1

Book Title: The Enemy of Heaven

Cover Artist: GetCovers

Length: 100 000 words

Release Date: second edition, February 2025

Tense/POV: third person, past tense, alternating POV.

Genres: MM Gay Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Tropes: Political intrigue, forbidden love, power couple, slow burn

Themes: No homophobia (sexuality doesn’t play a role in the plot), however, there’s in-world racism and police brutality

It can be read as a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. It’s a Happy For Now ending

Goodreads | Buy Links

 

In a kingdom ruled by angels, falling for a demon is treason.

 BlurbAs an angel prince of Heaven, Raphael has spent his youth fighting for demon rights. His efforts are fruitless until he meets Dante, a demon with dangerous powers.Seeing potential, Raphael recruits him as his royal guard, scandalizing the court, and turning a demon into his closest ally in a mission to dethrone the King of Heaven.Dante has always hated angels, but after Prince Raphael saves him from execution, he couldn’t help but follow him. Being the only demon among the angel elite is unbearable, but for the first time, he has hope for the future.But a coup is a dangerous game. Can Dante protect Raphael long enough for him to ignite real change? And what does it mean for the Kingdom of Heaven when an angel and a demon dare to fall for each other?Finalist of the 2023 Indies Today Awards. 

BOOK 2

Book Title: The Secrets of Heaven

Cover Artist: MiblArt

Length: 105 000 words

Release Date: second edition, February 2025

Tropes: Quest fantasy, established couple, power couple, couple on the lam

Themes: more classism than racism in this one, travel adventure vibes

It is not a standalone story and ends on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads | Buy Links

 

An angel and a demon defied Heaven. Now Heaven hunts them across the world.

 BlurbFive years of stolen peace in the mountains ends when Archangel Remiel, Heaven’s most elite investigator, finds Raphael and Dante’s sanctuary. Tasked with sending the fugitives to their lawful executions, she forces the couple into a life on the run.Meanwhile, Raphael stumbles upon a clue to his mother’s lost legacy—the archeological artifact that caused her murder all those years ago might be within reach, and it might throw all of Heaven into chaos.So, the chase is on.Raphael and Dante travel through three continents, on their way to a secluded island in the Holy Land while evading Remiel’s elite guardian squad. With a prize for their capture, they’re forced to clash with old friends and foes, all eager to exploit their situation for personal gain, and their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.But the closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become. What secrets lie buried in the Holy Land? And will Heaven survive what they uncover—or will it burn? 

BOOK 3 – NEW RELEASE

Book Title: The Children of Heaven

Length: 115 000 words

Release Date: November 1, 2025

Tropes: Angels and demons, rebellion, married couple, power couple

Themes: Themes of belonging, family, tragedy

It is not a standalone story. It does not end on a cliffhanger. A Happily Ever After.

Goodreads | Buy Links

 

To build a better world, they must first burn the old one down.

  BlurbMichael Azelys has awakened a long-forgotten power, and for the first time in a thousand years, angels, demons, and virtues clash in a brutal uprising, reminiscent of the Great War.Determined to stop his brother, Raphael becomes the key to ending the centuries-long oppression of demonkind. He will return free will to the demons, or die trying.Far away, Dante braves the desolate Impact Land in search of other awakened demons like himself. What he discovers exceeds his wildest hopes. But will he return in time, with an army strong enough to stop Michael Azelys, and save his loved ones?As Heaven crumbles and distance tests their bond, Raphael and Dante must face their greatest fears and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice.Will they survive long enough to meet each other again? Excerpt From Book #1: The Enemy of HeavenWithout saying a word, Samuel Mitrigard sunk the knife deep into Dante’s side. Piercing pain ignited his senses and weakness spread through his body. He gritted his teeth and glared at the bastard, not giving him the satisfaction of hearing his anguish. Samuel pulled the blade out without even twisting it to finish the job. He was playing.“Drop him,” he ordered, ever so casually.The arms pulled away and Dante fell face-first into the dirt. So, this was the end. Dante could never imagine his death, even though he had many close brushes. There were many things he hadn’t done in his life, but at least he took solace in knowing that Peter and Dianna were safe.Samuel Mitrigard grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled Dante’s head. The edge of an impeccably clean sword lowered to his exposed throat.“Halt!”The guardian angels froze and gawked as a hooded figure appeared. Dante could swear he saw this hooded figure, but his vision was blurring quickly. The man walked closer and removed his hood, exposing a blond head and blue angel eyes.“Don’t kill this demon! I order you to release him in the name of Raphael Azelys, Third Prince of Heaven!”What did he say? Dante couldn’t trust his ears, or any of his other senses at this moment. A royal heir could not be in the ghetto. It made no sense. Though the guardians were suddenly standing to attention. Everyone but Samuel Mitrigard still held his prey by the hair, his sword still ready to slice.“Your Highness, I don’t know why you’re here alone, but this is not the place for royalty.”“Please, guardian Samuel, tell me exactly where my place is.”Dante felt the body behind him tense. The soles of ridiculously expensive boots stepped close enough for him to smell the leather.“Remove your weapon,” demanded the prince.His voice was so calm, as though an owner was asking his dog to drop its favorite toy. The guardians were looking at each other, clueless as to what to do. Samuel Mitrigard pressed the blade against Dante’s throat, enough to break the skin, but no further. He simply did not want to let go, not even when his sovereign demanded it.“Your Highness, this is a convicted murderer. He killed a guardian on duty—”“Any demon’s crimes are erased should they become an honorary angel,” the prince interrupted. “I’m here to make him into one.”“What?”“Give him to me, guardian Samuel.”The guardian tugged on Dante’s hair—one last act of defiance before he reluctantly let him go. Dante’s face planted back into the dirt, but the prince caught him in time.His vision was blurry, but he could see him. His Royal Highness Raphael Azelys was kneeling before him, supporting his chin in his palm, enough so they could establish eye contact.“From now on, you’re mine,” he said, and the world sank into darkness. 

About the Author

A bilingual author from Bulgaria, a dreamer, a traveler, and a gentle soul who loves writing about diverse power couples, original worlds, wholesome romance and political intrigue.

 

Author Links

Website | Newsletter sign-up

Instagram | BookBub

 

  

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

 

Well, if it’s another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Every weekend I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might interest visitors to the ruins. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Purchases

Just the one new purchase this week, but it’s a gorgeous (and exciting) one. What Fury Brings is the first book of Wrath and Fury by Tricia Levenseller, a sexy, empowering romantasy featuring a warrior general who must kidnap and train a husband in order to take her rightful place as queen. That’s right, matriarchy, a shortage of men, a warrior princess, and the kidnapped prince she must break. Swoon!

For Review

A trio of review titles this week, including episode 26 and episode 27 of The Dominion and the Sugilite, the erotic sci-fi soap opera by B.J. Frazier, and an advance copy of The Fox and the Devil, the sapphic romance/gothic fantasy with an immortal serial killer and a vampire hunter by Kiersten White.

Currently Reading

As for this week’s reads, I’m slipping between worlds old and new, taking up The Witching Hour by Anne Rice (her gothic witchcraft romance classic), Her Subtle Investigations by Scarlett Gale (her newest release in The Warrior’s Guild series), and The God is Not Willing by Steven Erikson (in preparation for October’s release of No Life Forsaken).

Call for Submissions

Gender Ever After is a sapphic romance (and erotic-romance) anthology celebrating the full, beautiful spectrum of gender expression and identity.

Check out the official Call for Submissions and feel free to submit.

Title: Teenage Girls Can Be Demons
Author: Hailey Piper
Publication Date:  September 16, 2025 by Titan Books
Genres: Horror
Protagonist Gender: Various

Let me start by saying I adored All the Hearts You Eat. It was stunningly good . . . macabre, poetic, disturbing, and beautiful. I went so far as to call it a trans horror tour de force in my review, and I stand by that. Teenage Girls Can Be Demons, though? I have a hard time believing that Hailey Piper is the same voice behind both of them.

I think the biggest issue for me is that the stories felt surprisingly immature, as if they were aimed at a much younger audience than I expected. The stories felt bland, devoid of either gore or terror, lacking the edge I expected after reading Hearts. I kept waiting for a hook, a moment where a story would grab me and pull me in, but it never came.

It’s a quick read (likely because I was skimming by the end), but I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The writing style just felt too simplistic, too shallow, for what could (and should) have been disturbing, thought-provoking horror. It might work better for readers new to the genre or those looking for lighter horror, but it wasn’t the dark, feminist horror collection I was anticipating.

Rating:

My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Thrill of the Chase
Author: Kathryn Nolan
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Genres: Adventure, Romance
Representation: WLW

Thrill of the Chase is one of those books that is just about perfectly put together . . . perfectly balanced. It’s got just the right amount of adventure and romance; the right mix of personalities; the right blend of intimate romance and extended family drama; and a near-perfect pacing that keeps you fully engaged, anxiously turning pages to see what’s next. This was my first encounter with Kathryn Nolan, and you can rest assured I’ll be reading more.

Harper is a reporter who not only refuses to ride the coattails of her father’s legacy but is chasing the one story he could never land. She’s after the famously elusive treasure hunter Monty Montana and the legend of the Blackburn Diamonds―but standing in her way is the infuriating (and exciting) Eve. Monty’s niece and sometimes partner in treasure hunting, she’s chasing her aunt as well, fiercely protective of the older woman’s privacy, and determine to find the diamonds before her rivals.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is explored to perfection here, with it taking a long while before Harper and Eve give in to their affections, but doing so for all the right reasons. Together, they lead the reader through research, discussion, chasing treasure, evading competitors, and doing some actual treasure hunting. All too often these stories are weighted heavily on the side of romance, scarcely paying lip service to the adventure, but here it all works.

Layered atop that treasure hunt, and tying together the stories of Eve and Monty, is a slow unveiling of a slice of queer history that casts the treasure hunt in a whole new light. Sure, a few pieces come together too easily, and there are coincidences that require a little “willing suspension of disbelief” to work, but it all works for the right reasons, so it’s entirely forgivable.

In the end, the Thrill of the Chase is the thrill of the read, and getting to know these women, their history, and their passions is a treasure all its own.

Rating: 1/2

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well, if it’s another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Every weekend I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might interest visitors to the ruins. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Title: The Ethical Werewolf Society
Author: B.J. Frazier
Publication Date: October 1, 2025
Genres: Erotica | Urban Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Various

On the surface, you’d think Susi has the perfect life. It’s a perfectly professional life. Trapped in routine, and safely insulated by predictability, she craves . . . well, more. Frustrated, her evening leads her to a local bar where she coldly (and rudely) fends off the lame advances of drunk men while spilling her deepest desires to Lupa, the bartender. Just when it seems she’s escaped the fragile egos of wounded men, however, she finds herself being followed . . . attacked . . . and then rescued by some strange, impossible beast.

And so begins the erotic, primal tale of The Ethical Werewolf Society—and if that doesn’t clue you into the nature of the beast, perhaps this is not the story for you.

Without getting into specifics, B.J. Frazier & Jessie Spectre whisk their heroine off to foreign lands, a place where primal pleasures replace the professional comforts of home. She’s introduced to a whole new world of possibility, one that promises to deliver on her deepest, darkest desires. It’s a world full of raw, primal, animalistic sex, one marked by games of predator and prey. Being a B.J. Frazier novel, of course, it’s also a story of female power and female empowerment, but not quite in the ways you might expect.

Where the story gets really interesting is when Susi decides to return to the safe predictability of home, witnesses a stranger encounter on the plane, and takes part in an even stranger one. Marked by two different women, offered two different paths to her desires, she finds herself struggling to decide where her path forward should lead. And when her boyfriend becomes a pawn in this strange, supernatural world of primal pleasures, the consequences of her choices become all too clear.

The Ethical Werewolf Society is a fun, fast-paced read that’s full of fur, fangs, and fury. It has the right atmosphere, intense erotica, and some nicely layered suspense to make you wonder just what exactly is going on.

Rating:   

My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gender Ever After is a sapphic romance (and erotic-romance) anthology celebrating the full, beautiful spectrum of gender expression and identity.

Call for Submissions: Gender Ever After (Gender-Affirming Sapphic Romance Stories)

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Purchases

A pair of new purchases this week:

The new adult edition of Pantomime by L. R. Lam (Micah runs away from a debutante’s life at home and joins the circus, harboring two secrets–one: he was born between male and female, and two: he may have powers last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age)Chasers by Mariah Darling & Eve Harms (When Lenora, a black trans woman in her thirties, finally finds a decent apartment in Los Angeles, she’s excited to have a safe place to live and focus on her music career. But that all changes when she discovers the peephole).For Review

Nothing new on the review front this week.

Currently Reading

Last week, I quickly breezed through my advance copy of The Ethical Werewolf Society by B.J. Frazier & Jessie Spectre (review to come), and largely skimmed through Teenage Girls Can Be Demons by Hailey Piper (which was blandly YA).

As for this week’s reads, it appears I’ve unconsciously settled on a stormy grey/blue theme in paperback, with the Anne Rice classic The Witching Hour and Her Subtle Investigations, the new release by Scarlett Gale, although my current e-read, Thrill of the Chase by Kathryn Nolan, is very much of the pastel persuasion.

Call for Submissions

Gender Ever After is a sapphic romance (and erotic-romance) anthology celebrating the full, beautiful spectrum of gender expression and identity.

Check out the official Call for Submissions and feel free to submit.

Well, if it’s another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Every weekend I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might interest visitors to the ruins. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!