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Of Roses, Blood & Stone: Shadow of the South Series (Book #3)
For generations, St. Augustine has told the same two lovers were found entombed within the walls of the Castillo.
What no one asks is why they were sealed inside.
And what no one is prepared for is the truth that will overturn the legend entirely.
For nearly two centuries, visitors to Castillo de San Marcos have whispered the same romantic two forbidden lovers, discovered entombed within the fortress walls. A tragic secret. A love that defied the world.
It is a story the town has polished and preserved.
It is not the whole truth.
In 1839, Dolores Martí arrives in St. Augustine as the young wife of Colonel García Martí, a man determined to force the Seminole people from their homeland in the name of empire. Within the coquina walls of the Castillo, prisoners suffer quietly while soldiers speak of order and progress. Dolores sees something else. She sees injustice. And she begins to act.
Her quiet rebellion, aided by Manuel Abela, her husband’s trusted aide, sets into motion a chain of events that will not end in romance, but in silence.
Nearly two centuries later, social media manager Janice Dalton escapes to St. Augustine with her historian boyfriend, Gabriel Martinez, hoping for rest after finishing her breakout novel. Instead, they uncover inconsistencies in the official archives and a sealed chamber hidden within the fortress walls.
What they find threatens to expose that the lovers’ legend was never a love story at all.
It was a cover.
As past and present collide, Janice and Gabe must decide what to do with a truth powerful enough to fracture a town’s identity. Because once the stone gives up its secrets, there is no rebuilding the myth.
Of Roses, Blood & Stone is a dual-timeline historical novel steeped in gothic suspense, exploring occupation, resistance, and the dangerous beauty of stories we choose to believe.
What no one asks is why they were sealed inside.
And what no one is prepared for is the truth that will overturn the legend entirely.
For nearly two centuries, visitors to Castillo de San Marcos have whispered the same romantic two forbidden lovers, discovered entombed within the fortress walls. A tragic secret. A love that defied the world.
It is a story the town has polished and preserved.
It is not the whole truth.
In 1839, Dolores Martí arrives in St. Augustine as the young wife of Colonel García Martí, a man determined to force the Seminole people from their homeland in the name of empire. Within the coquina walls of the Castillo, prisoners suffer quietly while soldiers speak of order and progress. Dolores sees something else. She sees injustice. And she begins to act.
Her quiet rebellion, aided by Manuel Abela, her husband’s trusted aide, sets into motion a chain of events that will not end in romance, but in silence.
Nearly two centuries later, social media manager Janice Dalton escapes to St. Augustine with her historian boyfriend, Gabriel Martinez, hoping for rest after finishing her breakout novel. Instead, they uncover inconsistencies in the official archives and a sealed chamber hidden within the fortress walls.
What they find threatens to expose that the lovers’ legend was never a love story at all.
It was a cover.
As past and present collide, Janice and Gabe must decide what to do with a truth powerful enough to fracture a town’s identity. Because once the stone gives up its secrets, there is no rebuilding the myth.
Of Roses, Blood & Stone is a dual-timeline historical novel steeped in gothic suspense, exploring occupation, resistance, and the dangerous beauty of stories we choose to believe.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 16, 2026
I won this in a giveaway
Review of advance copy received from Author
Leia Kay has once again proven why she is a master storyteller—her latest masterpiece, Of Roses, Blood and Stone, is nothing short of phenomenal. Every time I pick up a book by Leia, I know I’m in for a banger, but she continues to outdo herself. Her writing is addictive, immersive, and emotionally charged from the first page to the last.
Honestly, I’m not usually the biggest fan of books that weave in significant or recognizable historical moments, but Leia Kay has a rare gift. She surprises me every single time, pulling me deeper into her worlds and refusing to let go. Her storytelling is so compelling that I find myself utterly captivated, unable to put the book down until I’ve devoured every word.
Of Roses, Blood and Stone is a brilliant blend of gothic suspense, history, and mystery. I was particularly impressed by how she layered the dual timelines—one set in 1839 and the other in the present day—creating a rich tapestry that kept me guessing and hooked. The way she unravels the legend of the lovers entombed within the Castillo walls is masterful, turning what I thought would be a predictable romantic legend into a powerful revelation about truth, resistance, and the stories we choose to believe.
Leia Kay doesn’t shy away from complex themes—occupation, injustice, and the dangerous allure of myths—and she navigates them with finesse and depth. Her characters, especially Dolores and Janice, are vividly drawn and resonate long after the final page. The story’s historical backdrop adds a haunting layer of authenticity and gravity, yet Kay’s prose makes it feel fresh and urgent.
I sincerely hope others see just how masterful her storytelling is because she is truly a rare talent. If you love stories that challenge perceptions, uncover secrets, and blend history with gothic suspense, then Of Roses, Blood and Stone is a must-read. Leia Kay has done it again—she continues to set the bar high, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Honestly, I’m not usually the biggest fan of books that weave in significant or recognizable historical moments, but Leia Kay has a rare gift. She surprises me every single time, pulling me deeper into her worlds and refusing to let go. Her storytelling is so compelling that I find myself utterly captivated, unable to put the book down until I’ve devoured every word.
Of Roses, Blood and Stone is a brilliant blend of gothic suspense, history, and mystery. I was particularly impressed by how she layered the dual timelines—one set in 1839 and the other in the present day—creating a rich tapestry that kept me guessing and hooked. The way she unravels the legend of the lovers entombed within the Castillo walls is masterful, turning what I thought would be a predictable romantic legend into a powerful revelation about truth, resistance, and the stories we choose to believe.
Leia Kay doesn’t shy away from complex themes—occupation, injustice, and the dangerous allure of myths—and she navigates them with finesse and depth. Her characters, especially Dolores and Janice, are vividly drawn and resonate long after the final page. The story’s historical backdrop adds a haunting layer of authenticity and gravity, yet Kay’s prose makes it feel fresh and urgent.
I sincerely hope others see just how masterful her storytelling is because she is truly a rare talent. If you love stories that challenge perceptions, uncover secrets, and blend history with gothic suspense, then Of Roses, Blood and Stone is a must-read. Leia Kay has done it again—she continues to set the bar high, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews