Sydney Winward's Blog
September 30, 2024
Cover Reveal A Weave of Starlight

Revenge is the only answer. Revenge is the only way.
Years ago, Nox Klaver vowed to seek justice for his father after the Infernal Matriarch brutally took his life during an attack. All he needs to do is infiltrate the Darkest Star Arcane, pose as a student, and find out where she is hiding on campus. Easy, right? Except he learns it’s harder than he thought, especially when he keeps getting distracted by another student named Avra that he adores to hate.
Avra Nassaki’s village was destroyed by Hawkers, and her family killed, making her next in line in the Infernal Matriarchy. With her life in danger, she flees to the upper realm and disguises herself as a fae. But with Hawkers closing in, she realizes she’s not as safe as she previously thought. Her only choice is to seek the help of the one Shadow fae she despises, the one who holds perhaps as many secrets as she does herself.
But as they grow closer and secrets are exposed, they must choose where their alliances lay. With her people’s lives in danger, can she rely on Nox to help her in her plight? Or will his desire for revenge destroy her people and everything she holds dear?
Pre-Order A Weave of StarlightNovember 19, 2023
Cover Reveal for Venom Kissed!
My book unexpectedly took the December spot in the Monster Brides series for this year, coming out a year ahead of its original release date, but it was a great way to get my behind into gear to get this story out!
I’m super excited to reveal this BEAUTIFUL cover done by Cangxxx Graphics Book Designs. I’m in love! Here’s what you can expect to find in Venom Kissed:
*Language barrier
*Forced proximity
*Marriage of convenience
*Stranded together
*Soul bond (because I just adorrreee this trope)

Monsters are captured for one reason only—to be experimented on and forced to serve in the king’s army.
Betrayed by the people she loved the most, Kikka Takasi has known nothing but pain and misery throughout the long ten years of her captivity. A strong will and pure determination have been the only things keeping her from losing herself entirely, even if she lost something as precious as her voice during one of their experiments. Convinced she would die in captivity, she’s stunned when a group of Umazi warriors breaks her free and absconds her to safety.
In his quest to rescue and protect monsters, Warren Steelsworn has vowed to keep himself from falling for one of them again after the tragedy of what happened the first time. But everything changes when he meets Kikka, a winged-snake shifter who shares a special spark with him. However, she doesn’t speak, and it only makes him want to learn more about her. Despite his vows, he can’t help the feelings of attraction and desire growing between them.
But peace is short-lived when the king wants her back, and he will stop at nothing to reclaim her. Can Warren honor his vow to himself and let her go? Or will he shatter bonds and risk everything for the woman his heart has wanted all along?
ExcerptWith one hand, she flinched as she expected an oncoming attack, and with her other hand, she managed to draw her dagger from her belt and held it with a shaky hand between her and the threat, terrified breaths heaving from her lungs.
But it wasn’t a threat standing over her with a shocked expression.
It was Warren.
Kikka dropped the dagger, and it fell to the ground with a clatter of metal. She hid her face inside her hands to hide her mortification at her instinctual reaction to a man’s unexpected touch.
“Forgive me,” Warren rasped, his voice closer as if he now knelt in front of her. “I wasn’t thinking… It won’t happen again. I swear it.”
She shook her head, taking deep, calming breaths as she dropped her hands from her face.
It’s not your fault, she wanted to say but didn’t know how. You just startled me.
Instead of saying the words she truly wanted to say when her voice wouldn’t work, she lifted her hand and touched his cheek while shaking her head. Hear me, she begged, even though I am silent. See me, even though I’m a mystery to you. Touch me…
Her thoughts trailed off, not daring to finish the sentence even in her mind. The beast within her desperately wanted a mate. To kiss and hold and warm themselves with someone else’s heat. The need was instinctual, and she was unable to fight against it.
But…
Why would he choose her as a mate when she was maimed? When he clearly had someone else still weighing on his heart when the reminder of her dangled from his neck in the form of a yellow feather?
A shaky breath escaped her lips when she realized he’d moved closer, leaning into her, hovering above her. He captured her heart and soul with a single intense stare from his blue eyes burning with emotion. Though, she wasn’t sure what emotion it was.
One of his hands braced against the ground while the other flirted with the hair brushing against her side.
Kissss, her beast rattled.
She wasn’t sure if she moved closer or if he did when she felt his delightful heat emanating from his body and soaking into her like sunlight on a frosty morning.
“I will never hurt you,” he promised in a husky tone as he grabbed her dagger from the ground and placed it into her hand, giving her fingers a squeeze. “You can trust me. Always.”
I know.
Again, her beast rattled with desire as Warren’s scent made her heady with longing, as his warm presence wrapped her up in safety, as his hooded gaze dropped to her lips.
Pre-Order Your Copy of Venom KissedAugust 3, 2023
Always, Ivette Now Available!

*Villain gets the girl
*Hero has a change of heart
*Memory loss
*She searches for him
BLURBEven villains can have a change of heart.
Barnaby Mavis has made many mistakes in his life and has been trying his hardest to atone for them. On his way to fix one of his mistakes, he gets thrown from his horse and tumbles off a cliff, the fall stealing his memories and placing him at death’s door.
Ivette Danvers’ life changed the moment a man fell from the cliffside on her property. After nursing him back to health, she was shocked to find he remembered nothing of his past life. Not his name nor his home or family.
Could their blossoming feelings be true, even when he doesn’t remember his past identity?
But as Ivette’s past sneaks up on her, she realizes this stranger is the only one who can help her. But when he disappears, telling her not to come looking for him, she fears she will lose everything and everyone she holds dear. If she doesn’t find him, her entire future will crumble. Including her heart.
Excerpt from Always, Ivette
Wordlessly, he took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. She gasped in surprise, at least until he pushed her face into his shoulder. She held still for several long moments before her shoulders began shaking, and she sobbed into his shirt.
He swallowed against the rising emotion stuck in his throat.
“I’m so tired,” she wept. “These are my sisters, but I feel like I’m their mother. I do so much. I take on so much of the burdens they have no idea about! Financially, we are ruined. I don’t know what to do, Ben. I just don’t know what to do.”
He stroked her long, soft hair, slightly damp from the rain, and frowned at her pain. “What about the money you get from the wool?”
She shook her head and sniffed. “My father took out a loan from a lender in my mother’s name and ran away with the money and another woman.” Another sniff. “I fled with my sisters to another kingdom to give us more time, but without money, I had to take out a loan from a different lender to pay for the house and sheep.” She clutched onto his shirt and continued sobbing into his shoulder. “I can’t do this, Ben. I can’t shoulder this anymore. I can’t keep my sisters housed and fed.”
“It shouldn’t have to be your responsibility,” he murmured into her hair.
“But it is.”
“What can I do? I have no name. No money. Well, not much, at least. And nothing but the clothes on my back. Yet, I will do anything to help shoulder your burdens.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she lifted her face from his shoulder until they were only an arm’s width apart. “What can I do for you?”
“Stay,” she whispered. “The rustlers might return. Stay. To protect us and our livestock.”
He blew out a long breath.
If he stayed, he might lose the chance to discover his identity. That, and he risked the girls’ reputation being an unmarried man staying on a property filled with unmarried women. But he cared about this family. He cared about her. And he didn’t care what anyone else might think of the situation.
“I will.”
Order Your Copy of Always, IvetteJune 1, 2023
Fairy Tale Romance Book Sale
What a great bundle of authors! I’ve read some of these authors and I have others on my list. I’m super excited to include Yours, Sterling with them.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/anniversaryfairytalesale/b1u19j22d3
Yours, Sterling is currently 99 cents, so get it while you can! And if you’re a newsletter subscriber, I revealed the cover for book 3, Always, Ivette. Don’t miss the next early preview and subscribe!

April 12, 2023
Cover Reveal for Book 4!

It’s here! A Kiss of Embers is finally available for pre-order. If you like sassy HEROS, falling for the enemy, and impossible love, this is the book for you. Coming May 2, 2023!
BlurbShe’s the enemy. Loving her could turn his world to flames.
When Seraphina Nova’s younger sister is captured by her enemy, the Forest Fae, she will do everything in her power to get her back. Even if it means breaking into enemy territory, taking the chief’s heir as her prisoner, and using him to ensure her sister’s safe return.
Getting poisoned and literally dragged across the entire forest had never been on Bastien Dalena’s agenda, even if his captor had nice legs and beautiful wings. Despite the danger to his life, he knows one thing—Seraphina’s kiss is hot. It’s fire. It’s deadly. And he can’t help but want to feel the burn of her flames.
But as war reaches its peak between their people, an unexpected danger threatens their lives and forces them to fight together and build a fragile trust. Time is running short. He must form an alliance with Seraphina… Before their people destroy each other first.
Preorder a Kiss of EMbersMarch 7, 2023
Selkie Release Date!

I’m super excited to announce the release of Selkie! This is a multi-author series, but each book can be read as a standalone. A mortar and pestle help guide two fated lovers together throughout the series, and this book is the one that starts it all. Hope you enjoy it!
BlurbNo one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…
On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.
Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.
Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.\
*Vikings
*Selkies
*Enemies to lovers
*Fated mates
*Magic
Get Your Copy of Selkie!February 22, 2023
Ashley Evercott’s Enchanting Gold Is Now Available!

She made a bargain to save her life. But falling in love was not part of the deal.
Lying is forbidden, but Lynn cannot stop her father from weaving the biggest lie of all. Forced to atone for his crime, Lynn must spin a room of straw into gold. Fail, and she and her father will die.
However, a peculiar half-fae agrees to complete the impossible task in her stead. In exchange, Lynn must risk her life to steal a powerful item from her Lord. But one night of spinning straw isn’t enough, and Lynn makes another deal that will force her on a precarious journey.
Rumpelstiltskin has made a mysterious bargain of his own. With a monster. He will do anything to save his mother and free the creature when the blood moon rises. Even if it means jeopardizing another person’s life.
The only problem? He’s falling in love with the woman he’s deceiving.
Can they fight off their growing attraction, or will it cost them their lives?
Enchanting Gold is a new adult Rumpelstiltskin retelling and book two of a fairy tale retelling series. This takes place hundreds of years before the first, but each book is a standalone novel within the same world. No need to read them in order. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow burn, morally gray love interests, and all the angst. Happily ever after, guaranteed.
Get Your Copy of Enchanting GoldJanuary 24, 2023
Cover Reveal and Pre-order Sale!

If you love viking tales with a great love story, you can pre-order Selkie for only 99 cents while the sale lasts!
Pre-Order Selkie on AmazonSelkie BlurbNo one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…
On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.
Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.
Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.
Series BlurbA wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the mortar and pestle for those who want to believe.
Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive.
Carved with ancient Norse Runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters.
Once you capture the Mortar and Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual novellas.
January 17, 2023
Cover Reveal: Forever, Mirabelle

He was the monster from her past. She was everything he didn’t know he wanted.
When Mirabelle Waters’ father falls ill, she must return home from Edilann and find a husband quickly to take over the ranch. When two men are lining up at her doorstep for their chance to win her hand, the decision is easy. Because Barnaby is everything she wanted. And Gilberd? He was her childhood nemesis.
The only thing Gilberd Keats aspires to be is a soldier in the king’s army. But he soon comes to realize he must choose between a life with a sword in his hand and one with Mirabelle at his side. However, wooing her is not easy, especially when she has her eye on someone else. That, and the woman hates his guts.
As the two become closer, Mirabelle realizes Gilberd might not be the villain she always thought he was. But will she get the chance to give him her heart? Or will her father’s sinister past destroy any chance they have at happiness?
Find out how Gilberd becomes Prince Sterling’s personal bodyguard in this story that takes place 8 years before Yours, Sterling!
Preorder Your CopyJanuary 13, 2023
New Release: Bloodcurse #5 in the Bloodborn Series

To save her people, she needs his blood.
A deadly sickness has been picking off the dwarven race one by one, and now that they are on the brink of extinction, Kirsa Frey must take desperate action. Even if it means risking her life and those of her people by trapping a vampire to use his immortal blood.
Luca Dragomir is plagued with the loss of many loved ones—friends, family, and even the woman he cared for. Unable to stand the daily reminder of his grief, he gives up his birthright, wanting nothing to do with the vampires he called family. When he leaves the only life he’s ever known, he is cornered and captured by a beautiful dwarf and taken back to her settlement.
He soon realizes there might be another way to save her people. And he is the only person who can do it.
But time is running out, and if he doesn’t succeed, he is in danger of losing the one person he comes to love more than anything.
Excerpt“Chloe?” a voice called from within the room. His head darted toward the sound, and shock jolted through him as he remembered the voice from the night he’d almost killed the princess.
“Hide,” Chloe ordered, but he didn’t need any warning. He hopped down from the ledge and allowed his vampiristic transformation to wash over him, his feet turning into small black paws, his body into a furry red coat. As a fox, he easily hid behind a flowerpot and peeked his head around the corner just enough to watch the speaker walk out onto the balcony to join Chloe.
His heart caught in his chest, like his hair snagging tightly on a branch that wouldn’t come loose, but only managed to become more tangled. The female stood at a height shorter than Chloe, each of her movements careful and calculated. She walked on the tip of her toes as if ready to flee in the opposite direction at any moment. Although he’d never seen one before in his life, he recognized her for what she was.
A dwarf.
His heart finally unsnagged and melted into a puddle as his gaze roamed over her heart-shaped face and across the bridge of her adorable nose. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her golden eyes. They looked like small drops of sunlight, framed by long, dark lashes the same color as her chestnut brown hair. The clothing she wore was like nothing he’d ever seen either. Long, flowing pants tucked into a pair of boots, though her top was more revealing. It strapped over one shoulder, loosely falling over her upper arm and leaving her other shoulder bare, and nearly half of her stomach was visible to reveal a small and slender waist.
Not able to take his gaze off her mystifying eyes for long, he watched from his hiding spot, hardly able to keep from showing himself and demanding her name.
“You’re back,” Chloe said casually, but her rigid posture was anything but relaxed.
“I thought I’d find one by now,” the dwarf replied tiredly, loosening her braid little by little until her hair fell around her shoulders. He froze, startled by the searing heat rising to his chest. Another emotion, but one he couldn’t pick apart in time before the dwarf continued, “They were easier to catch several years ago.”
“That was before the war.”
He crept forward just enough to get a better glimpse of the two females, but then his canine eyebrows furrowed. War? Were they talking about the Crusader war between vampires and blood hunters?
Chloe’s rigid posture softened into concern, and she lightly touched the dwarf’s arm. “Get some rest. You need it.”
The dwarf shook her head. “I will rest when I’m either dead or watching my people prosper. There is no time to rest.”
As quickly as she’d come, she disappeared, and Luca couldn’t stop himself as he followed after her. He transformed back into his vampire form, hurried step after hurried step as a desperate need to meet her surfaced inside him.
And then Chloe blocked his path.
“Who was that?” he marveled, still staring after the spot where he’d seen the dwarven female last.
She smirked, amusement shining in her eyes. “Taken a fancy to my friend, have you? She needs a male admirer now and again.”
“Introduce me. I beg you.”
“No.”
The word was simple, but it held an air of finality that crushed his heart to pieces. He hadn’t taken a true interest in any female since Laurel, but at the moment, his old flame was on the very back of his mind. How could he think of anyone else when the dwarf’s golden eyes burned so brightly in his mind?
He took another step toward her door, but when he tried to step into the room, blistering heat burned his skin. He hissed and jumped backward, cradling his arm to his chest. The wound throbbed, a painful reminder that he couldn’t enter a room without permission. He’d never felt so desperate to enter a room before.
“Luca.” Her tone sounded forceful enough for him to tear his gaze away from the door and meet the seriousness in her expression. With lips drawn tight together, she said, “I will never introduce you to her. Never.”
“But why?” A vampire whine escaped his throat before he managed to stop it. “Is she already mated?”
“Married,” she corrected, making him realize he knew nothing about dwarven culture. Was it similar to human culture then? “And no, she’s not. But I advise you to keep your distance.”
An ache settled in his chest, and he welcomed the feeling of his thawing emotions. But he much preferred the heat the dwarf inspired in his heart over anything else. “Give me a reason.”
Chloe sighed and touched his hand gently, the way a friend would console another friend. “Her name is Kirsa Frey. She’s the eldest daughter of the dwarven chief. And she’s a vampire killer.”
Buy Bloodcurse