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The Sparks of Saints
Kai Novak chose to save a life that night and now, thanks to the alluring Sterling Valkyre, her life will never be the same. After meeting at a club one night, Sterling brings her friend to Kai's door-and he is covered in blood. Kai is able to save the young man's life but not without questions. As the night unfolds, she forces Sterling to tell the truth-Malachi is an angel and Sterling is Nephilim. Not willing to believe the story being laid out in front of her, Kai is pulled into the land of Soteria where Sterling is determined to prove that she was telling the truth. It is here that Kai meets a host of character who, like Sterling, are sworn to protect the mortal world from an unseen eternal battle.
The longer Kai remains in Soteria, the less she can fight her growing feelings for Sterling—feelings that she learns are forbidden. Sterling once welcoming and cheerful, begins to pull away but that is the least of Kai's problems. When her forbidden presence is discovered in Soteria she must make a choice-to let her new friends suffer punishment for breaking the law or to face Metanoia an ancient Nephilim trial. With the help of her friends, and a reluctant Sterling, Kai must establish herself among the Nephilim in order to prove she is strong enough to overcome the chaos of Heaven and Hell, or die trying.
The longer Kai remains in Soteria, the less she can fight her growing feelings for Sterling—feelings that she learns are forbidden. Sterling once welcoming and cheerful, begins to pull away but that is the least of Kai's problems. When her forbidden presence is discovered in Soteria she must make a choice-to let her new friends suffer punishment for breaking the law or to face Metanoia an ancient Nephilim trial. With the help of her friends, and a reluctant Sterling, Kai must establish herself among the Nephilim in order to prove she is strong enough to overcome the chaos of Heaven and Hell, or die trying.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
5 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Cora Gray
1 book1 followerOriginally from Southern Oregon, Cora grew up constantly having a book in her hand. At a young age she told her mom she would be an author. Despite life taking a diffrent route, she finds herself finally achieving that goal. Determined to contribute to the visibility of sapphic relationships in the adult book community, Cora sat down to write in 2023. What started as a desire for more inclusivity ultimately lead to a passion project that resulted in her debut novel releasing December 2nd, 2025.
Cora lives in Salt Lake City with her wife and four fur babies. By day (okay okay she's nocturnal) she works as an ER/Trauma nurse. In her free time you can find her camping, hammocking, and always sipping on an iced coffee.
Cora lives in Salt Lake City with her wife and four fur babies. By day (okay okay she's nocturnal) she works as an ER/Trauma nurse. In her free time you can find her camping, hammocking, and always sipping on an iced coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 2, 2025
Edit: December 2nd, HAPPY PUB DAY!!
I had the privilege of seeing this book in its infancy and watched it morph and develop into an insanely impressive first novel in a series that everyone who reads will come to adore. Brimming with emotional moments, both heartfelt and tear inducing Cora brings to life characters that you’ll wish were friends of your own. This action-packed urban fantasy with a torturous romance is sure to sink you into its teeth as it did mine.
Kai Novak's life is changed in the course of a night when a woman she thought she'd never see again stumbled onto her doorstep, asking a favor of Kai that catapults her into a world she didn't know existed. Sterling through the course of the novel struggles with giving into temptation and doing what's right for those she loves, ever the obedient soldier with a heart of gold. Together, Kai and Sterling are at odds. Can Kai abandon everything she's known to fight a war that sat under her nose? Can Sterling learn to let Kai into her life and face the consequences while protecting those she loves?
If you love badass Nephilim fighting demons and other creatures, found family, WLW romance, and snarky sarcasm, then buckle up and get to readin'!!
I had the privilege of seeing this book in its infancy and watched it morph and develop into an insanely impressive first novel in a series that everyone who reads will come to adore. Brimming with emotional moments, both heartfelt and tear inducing Cora brings to life characters that you’ll wish were friends of your own. This action-packed urban fantasy with a torturous romance is sure to sink you into its teeth as it did mine.
Kai Novak's life is changed in the course of a night when a woman she thought she'd never see again stumbled onto her doorstep, asking a favor of Kai that catapults her into a world she didn't know existed. Sterling through the course of the novel struggles with giving into temptation and doing what's right for those she loves, ever the obedient soldier with a heart of gold. Together, Kai and Sterling are at odds. Can Kai abandon everything she's known to fight a war that sat under her nose? Can Sterling learn to let Kai into her life and face the consequences while protecting those she loves?
If you love badass Nephilim fighting demons and other creatures, found family, WLW romance, and snarky sarcasm, then buckle up and get to readin'!!
December 7, 2025
The Sparks of Saints, by Cora Gray, is an exciting debut and series opener! I thoroughly enjoyed the world she created and the well-developed characters within a solid found-family group.
The main plotline is resolved, but the overarching story provides ample material for the continuation of the series.
I am absolutely looking forward to the next installment.
The slow-burning tension between the main couple is delightful. The two women are strong, likable characters, which makes them easy to root for.
The supporting characters are distinct and important to the plot, each with their own backstories and challenges.
The lore is interesting and contains a bit of mystery as it is revealed over time.
I was engaged from the very beginning. The suspense held my attention, and I was on the edge of my seat, especially during the climactic, action-filled ending.
It was not perfect, but it was very well done and a fantastic debut. I am excited about this series and the author.
Also, I love the cover art.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up.
#urbanfantasy #tension #slowburn #sapphic #angels #demons #nephilim #action #suspense #SeriesStarter
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
The main plotline is resolved, but the overarching story provides ample material for the continuation of the series.
I am absolutely looking forward to the next installment.
The slow-burning tension between the main couple is delightful. The two women are strong, likable characters, which makes them easy to root for.
The supporting characters are distinct and important to the plot, each with their own backstories and challenges.
The lore is interesting and contains a bit of mystery as it is revealed over time.
I was engaged from the very beginning. The suspense held my attention, and I was on the edge of my seat, especially during the climactic, action-filled ending.
It was not perfect, but it was very well done and a fantastic debut. I am excited about this series and the author.
Also, I love the cover art.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up.
#urbanfantasy #tension #slowburn #sapphic #angels #demons #nephilim #action #suspense #SeriesStarter
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
December 1, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ 2🌶
This year I've been blessed with getting chosen by debut authors to read their ARC novels. I've been blown away by most of them, this trend is kicked up a notch here.
I'm a total fan of the supernatural stories, I'm down for whatever can be dreamt up. This story contains angels, arch angels, nephilim, and demonic entities, not my usual darker forte but I gobbled it up.
The world building is very lush, you can imagine the different entities no problem. The characters are well thought out. The fish out of water that the main protagonist Kai is, as the only child of Adam, let's you slowly become accustomed to the ongoing battle of light and dark.
The slow burn that is Sterling and Kai, is executed well. The push and pull off their attraction is a treat to behold.
Whilst they maybe side characters but Malachi, Callen, Eliza and Roman are all showing up big in this book. I can't wait for the sequel and maybe side stories on them. Their back stories were equally engrossing, especially Mal! I will be waiting on the sequel to this one, no this doesn't end in a cliffhanger.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
This year I've been blessed with getting chosen by debut authors to read their ARC novels. I've been blown away by most of them, this trend is kicked up a notch here.
I'm a total fan of the supernatural stories, I'm down for whatever can be dreamt up. This story contains angels, arch angels, nephilim, and demonic entities, not my usual darker forte but I gobbled it up.
The world building is very lush, you can imagine the different entities no problem. The characters are well thought out. The fish out of water that the main protagonist Kai is, as the only child of Adam, let's you slowly become accustomed to the ongoing battle of light and dark.
The slow burn that is Sterling and Kai, is executed well. The push and pull off their attraction is a treat to behold.
Whilst they maybe side characters but Malachi, Callen, Eliza and Roman are all showing up big in this book. I can't wait for the sequel and maybe side stories on them. Their back stories were equally engrossing, especially Mal! I will be waiting on the sequel to this one, no this doesn't end in a cliffhanger.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
Going in, I wasn't completely sure where this was going. However, soon, I was hooked and just had to keep reading.
We start out on Eden, meeting Kiara, while she's at work during a difficult shift. After her shift ends, she decides to go out and lose herself in alcohol and music. At the club, she meets Sterling. The attraction is instant, and both women feel a connection.
After that night, Kiara (also called Kai), never heard from Sterling again. Until over a month later, when Sterling shows up on her doorstep.
As things continue, Kai gets thrown into a world she never expected and struggles to find her footing. Eventually, the tides turn and she fights for her place with her new friends.
I really enjoyed how the story was written. Gray writes her world beautifully. Each area is detailed and rich, and I had no issues picturing them in my mind. Likewise with her characters. The descriptions of everyone made it easy to keep a mental image of them.
I really did enjoy the tension between Kai and Sterling, even if I wanted to take Sterling by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.
Watching Kai grow comfortable, form relationships with Mal, Cal, and Roman, as well as Sterling, was refreshing. She struggled at first, but after a while, she settled into a routine.
I loved everything. The banter, the teasing, how easily the guys folded Kai into their group.
Highly recommend if you enjoy fantasy romance with action and tension.
We start out on Eden, meeting Kiara, while she's at work during a difficult shift. After her shift ends, she decides to go out and lose herself in alcohol and music. At the club, she meets Sterling. The attraction is instant, and both women feel a connection.
After that night, Kiara (also called Kai), never heard from Sterling again. Until over a month later, when Sterling shows up on her doorstep.
As things continue, Kai gets thrown into a world she never expected and struggles to find her footing. Eventually, the tides turn and she fights for her place with her new friends.
I really enjoyed how the story was written. Gray writes her world beautifully. Each area is detailed and rich, and I had no issues picturing them in my mind. Likewise with her characters. The descriptions of everyone made it easy to keep a mental image of them.
I really did enjoy the tension between Kai and Sterling, even if I wanted to take Sterling by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.
Watching Kai grow comfortable, form relationships with Mal, Cal, and Roman, as well as Sterling, was refreshing. She struggled at first, but after a while, she settled into a routine.
I loved everything. The banter, the teasing, how easily the guys folded Kai into their group.
Highly recommend if you enjoy fantasy romance with action and tension.
November 25, 2025
"I have found, our inner demons are stronger than our physical enemies, more often than not.”
What a heck of a debut! I went in blind and this story pulled in so many cool elements. I enjoyed the contemporary start and the emotional introduction to Kai. It was great to get to know her as a nurse and really get into how she thinks and feels. I loved the shift from that to the fantasy elements. I've never read a book with nephilim in it and that was also very interesting. The found family and banter was great. Sterling is full of herself in the best way, but I think she's a lot softer than she lets on. Roman has my heart with his comedic relief. Mal might be my favorite though and I'm excited to learn more about him. In a sea of books where the characters frustrate me, I really appreciated how well these characters communicated and the consideration given to their thought processes. Everything they said made sense, felt natural, and was well executed. We also get some trials in here and I get so pumped for that! I liked how everything ended in a way that I got some closure and felt satisfied, but I'm also left with a new twist that made me feel like we have just gotten started and hints at some big things to come! Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to the author for providing an early e-copy to read and review!
What a heck of a debut! I went in blind and this story pulled in so many cool elements. I enjoyed the contemporary start and the emotional introduction to Kai. It was great to get to know her as a nurse and really get into how she thinks and feels. I loved the shift from that to the fantasy elements. I've never read a book with nephilim in it and that was also very interesting. The found family and banter was great. Sterling is full of herself in the best way, but I think she's a lot softer than she lets on. Roman has my heart with his comedic relief. Mal might be my favorite though and I'm excited to learn more about him. In a sea of books where the characters frustrate me, I really appreciated how well these characters communicated and the consideration given to their thought processes. Everything they said made sense, felt natural, and was well executed. We also get some trials in here and I get so pumped for that! I liked how everything ended in a way that I got some closure and felt satisfied, but I'm also left with a new twist that made me feel like we have just gotten started and hints at some big things to come! Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to the author for providing an early e-copy to read and review!
October 22, 2025
I haven’t been this excited about a series in a long time!!
I was completely drawn into Soteria.. it’s so vivid, imaginative, and full of emotion. The author did an incredible job blending action, mystery, and heart, creating a story that kept me hooked the entire time.
I am completely in love with the characters (I have a soft spot for Mal). They felt so real and complex, flawed but lovable, each with their own struggles and moments of growth. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys and relationships, and honestly didn’t want the story to end.
The pacing was perfect, the twists kept me on my toes, and the emotional moments hit hard. It’s one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it. If you love stories about light and darkness, redemption, and the thin line between good and evil, this one is a must-read.
I was completely drawn into Soteria.. it’s so vivid, imaginative, and full of emotion. The author did an incredible job blending action, mystery, and heart, creating a story that kept me hooked the entire time.
I am completely in love with the characters (I have a soft spot for Mal). They felt so real and complex, flawed but lovable, each with their own struggles and moments of growth. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys and relationships, and honestly didn’t want the story to end.
The pacing was perfect, the twists kept me on my toes, and the emotional moments hit hard. It’s one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it. If you love stories about light and darkness, redemption, and the thin line between good and evil, this one is a must-read.
December 24, 2025
Wow! I honestly don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. This is an amazing story of Angels and Demons. A telling of incredible discovery of a hidden world after Sterling risks everything for the woman she has become captivated by. Kai is a force to be reckoned with and I really wish the story had gone more in depth on her talents during her fight in Metanoia, especially since that was a huge part of the storyline. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I cannot wait to see what comes next!
A big thank you to the Author Cora Gray for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
A big thank you to the Author Cora Gray for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
December 30, 2025
Angels and Demons
I’m not sure what I was expecting but it had me hooked from the start. Angels and demons and prophecies are always the way to go. I highly recommend this for anyone into epic fantasy world building. There were some characters who I thought they could have touched on more but it was great nonetheless.
I’m not sure what I was expecting but it had me hooked from the start. Angels and demons and prophecies are always the way to go. I highly recommend this for anyone into epic fantasy world building. There were some characters who I thought they could have touched on more but it was great nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews