Excerpt from Fathoms Deep
Dear Readers,
Below is a short excerpt of Fathoms Deep. I actually bit the bullet and created a Patreon page recently because I cannot get Substack to separate sections in the way I want for my subscribers, and it turns out you cannot control your settings in full unless you have a Substack account (and not everyone does). That’s no problem, Substack will just remain a free place for the Release Day Newsletter and other sneak peeks / offers, but not for all the other in-depth things I wanted to write or talk about.
Those who have joined my Patreon have already seen the excerpt along with a 12-minute video where I recap Selena’s journey so far and her growth from my perspective, the character’s perspective, and how I’m feeling entering Fathoms Deep having not “made contact” with Selena since 2018.
You can view my Selena recap video by joining my Patreon for free. Most readers I know are already on Patreon anyway (more so than Substack), but Substack has been useful as a mailing list so it will stay as it is for all those subscribed.
Excerpt from Fathom’s Deep copyright © 2025 Dianna Hardy. All rights reserved. (Excerpt is unedited.)
She risked a glance at her accidental ‘husband’, refusing to admit to herself his presence had something to do with her near-miraculous sense of ease and self-harmony, never mind that his presence had unwittingly eased her for half a decade. Unwittingly on his behalf, anyway. She had been far too quick to seek out refuge in his anonymously written guidance when it was all she’d really had. She’d clung to the notes he had left her during her times of need without knowing their source or the history that had created them – that had created him. By all accounts, he should be her arch-enemy.
“There he is,” said Roman, nodding to a man who stood behind a few others, his dark hair shorter than Roman’s, as was his height. “If he looks a little gormless, it’s because he is,” added Roman, although a world of affection was in his tone, “but he’s soft as putty.”
Nico was some distant relation of Roman’s – a third or fourth cousin if she remembered correctly.
“He’s the only one who knows I’m visiting and I’ve sworn him to secrecy for now. I haven’t told him about you yet. Nico!” Roman turned his attention to the man who looked like he’d drifted off into a daydream while waiting for them.
Blinking back into existence, Nico started slightly, then threw his cousin the biggest smile. “Roman!”
A flurry of excited words were exchanged between them in what Laura assumed was Greek, although she knew Roman also spoke his own birth language – one which was closer to an ancient version of Romani more than anything else.
Nico looked to be in his late twenties, although it was hard to tell. Some seven or eight years younger than her falsely betrothed.
His eyes flicked towards her, widened as they took her in, and … didn’t really look away. It wasn’t a reaction Laura was unfamiliar with, but to his credit, Nico’s stare held an innocent kind of wonderment, rather than a lustful leer. Thank god.
Roman cleared his throat and Nico suddenly realised he’d stopped listening or engaging. He cast his eyes on his cousin, still bewildered. His face reddened slightly under his healthy tan. “Sorry,” he apologised, switching to English and then fixing his gaze back on Laura. It must be painfully obvious she didn’t understand Greek. “You’re just beautiful,” he blurted out the way a ten-year-old might.
Laura found herself laughing despite the heat rising to her face.
“As delicately put as always, Nico. May I introduce you to my wife, Laura.”
His mouth dropped open in that non-delicate way she suspected she’d have to get used to if he was going to be hanging around. “Wife?” He literally did a double-take. “Really? You mean, willingly?”
Her next laugh was heartier, and she didn’t miss the way Roman looked away and scanned the airport’s Arrivals area, ignoring Nico’s question.
Because no, she hadn’t exactly been willing.
Nico is going to be a sweet and interesting character. We’re going to get to know more of Bab’s (and Roman’s) side of the family. And for reasons I mentioned in the video to do with Laura’s character (Selena is now called Laura), this particular book will fall into the categories of paranormal romance / romantasy / dark fantasy (possibly in that order).
Before I end this post, I’d just like to mention that for U.K. readers in particular (because of international postage rates), a selection of my paperbacks are on sale for Black Friday Week over at Bitten Fruit Books. These are unsigned paperbacks (and one hardback). Take a look. It’s a great chance to grab a Christmas gift as these paperbacks are currently cheaper than you can get them on Amazon.
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