Cover reveal- A Time of Gladiators and Fate

A Time of Gladiators and Fate- Let’s Discuss!

In an update post back in April, I mentioned that I’d started a new project. It required a massive amount of research and sort of took over my life. The story that had been playing vaguely in the back of my head for more than ten years finally took shape, vividly.

I’d already begun writing it when I mentioned it before, but now I’m far enough along to have a cover designed (same person who handles the Realm of Zadrya series). I can also announce the release date, which will be October 12th. You’ll get to see the cover much sooner on July 9th, though. I’ve got a sign-up link for anyone interested in participating in the reveal that you can find here: https://forms.gle/4iJQR43XMghh58Eg8

While I’ll go into some other details below, this is the current summary of the novel to give you an idea of what it is about (unless you’ve been paying close attention to my social media posts and already know):

Be careful what you wish for, or you might end up in 97 CE.

I grew up on a farm in Kansas, so nothing could have prepared me for landing in the Roman Colosseum when it was still intact. I was surprised, the audience shocked, and my rental car unamused as we hit the sand. After a heart-pounding chase around the arena involving spear-throwing legionnaires, armed gladiators, and a couple of wild animals, they cornered me. I punched and kicked my way through as many of them as I could before being forced to surrender in my floral sundress meant for vacation, not blood sport. The emperor offered me two choices.

One: my immediate execution
Two: become a female gladiator.

I chose to live. While I’m not afraid of hard work, the ludus where I’ll train is brutal. It’s an environment most modern women would find unlivable, aside from all the bare-chested men, but that isn’t as spectacular as one might think in a place where violence is the goal. I’m about to discover all the unpleasantness of this period that most movies skim past. On top of that, an enigmatic man who knows I’m from the future has offered to sponsor me. What he wants in return could be dangerous. I’m in way over my head with no ruby slippers to send me home.

If you’ve ever wished for a story with Spartacus-meets-Outlander vibes, including the grit but with a little more humor, this might be the book for you.

Book releases October 12th, 2026. Pre-order the ebook on Amazon HERE.

TROPES

Time travel
Roman Empire
Gladiator romance
Banter
Slow-burn romance
Reluctant allies to lovers
Found family
Fish out of water
Mysterious MMC

*****************************

Brief explanation on why this setting and year.

So why did I choose 97 CE, given that the Roman Empire spanned many centuries?

Continue reading →

Updates on my books, writing, and the Realm of Zadrya series

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I have a few things readers will want to know, including how many novels will be in the Realm of Zadrya, future writing projects, Kindle Unlimited updates, hardcover news, and Dolly (chicken of chaos) short stories. If any of that interests you, keep reading!

FUTURE WRITING AND PUBLISHING PROJECTS

First, I had originally planned for five novels in this series and maintained that in the series FAQ section up until recently. As I was plotting the third novel down to the ending, I realized it could be finished in four. It would be dragging out certain plot elements if I’d stayed with five, and that felt unnecessary upon reflection. The good news is that since I plan to have book 3 released before the end of 2026, the final novel will be out sometime next year. It won’t be too long before it’s complete.

There is also a potential spin-off with one of the male characters, Vas, that has been brewing in my head. If I wrote his story, it would likely be a duology based on what I have planned so far. That would wrap up the end of that and the Dragon’s Breath world, though. I have another side project that I’ll be starting soon and only allowing myself to work on one day a week (for now) that will involve time travel (to the past) and be a totally new series. Very excited for the setting of this one and the challenges it will present, but that’s all I’ll say for now.

DOLLY (CHICKEN OF CHAOS) EPISODES

For those of you who enjoyed the crazy chicken in Wrath & Desire, you may have seen there was a free download link at the end of the novel. For ARC readers, you had to request it, but I have since posted the link on social media for everyone. If anyone missed the first two episodes, you can find the links below. I also just released episode 3 a few days ago, so you have something new to read for Dolly. You can expect one about once a month until I’m getting close to releasing the next novel in the Realm of Zadrya.

All of them will average about 2000 words (give or take a little) and will only take about 10-15 minutes to read, but they are meant to give you a laugh while learning just a bit more about Dolly with each one. These episodes will all take place within the Wrath & Desire timeline. They will always be free and will not require you to provide your email or signup for anything. You can literally click the link and choose how you want to download/read it. That’s it! These are simply for fun and my way of thanking readers for sticking with me!

Link to episodes 1 & 2 (combined into one ebook file)- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/tmtl5g68yj

Link to episode 3- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2dszgwvkqn

There is also a fun audio version of episode 1, narrated by one of my UK readers, here: Adventures of Dolly episode 1

If you have any questions about this mini-series, feel free to ask them in the comments below.

HARDCOVER NEWS

In case anyone missed it, Wrath & Desire is available in hardcover format. You can purchase it from your preferred retailer for $26.99 or you can purchase it directly from the printer (Ingram) for $18.99 at this link:

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=Yui9Q3K0zlu28pKi9FpFfNoskYVuSXVZ7NjpbEYl68k

I’m also looking into setting up an Etsy shop for signed copies of my books, but they’d only be available in the United States for now due to high shipping costs abroad, which are likely to keep rising. I know, it’s awful, but I can only control my fictional worlds, not the real one.

KINDLE UNLIMITED NEWS

The Sensor Series will no longer be in Kindle Unlimited starting around mid-May. I am going to bring it back to the other retailers so more readers have access to it, along with the Dark Destiny Trilogy, which is already wide. For anyone who would like to read the Sensor Series in KU, make sure you borrow the books before that time. I will remind everyone late next month, before it’s too late.

That’s everything for now, but as I have more news, I’ll let you know!

Plant character art for the Realm of Zadrya!

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As you all know, the Realm of Zadrya series isn’t only about the romance or fae races. Every aspect of this fantasy world, including the fauna and flora, is unusual. It is especially known for its dangerous sentient plant life. Some varieties are even mobile and can chase their enemies before they unalive them (or eat them in the case of the crunchertrap). The hissing cactus has holes in its body where poisonous needles hide and can be launched from all directions to pierce their target(s).

You all met the crunchertraps in book one and saw Aella name one of them “Wrath” in book two. Readers also met a new plant called the Hissing Cactus, found in the Oarwar Desert. The baby cactus wasn’t named in the book, but some wayward readers in my IG group decided to start calling him “Spike” a couple of weeks ago. They behaved as if that had always been his name, even before I returned to the chat to see it, but it fit, so I let them have that one.

Now, I’m excited to reveal the professional artwork for the Crunchertrap, a full-grown mommy cactus, and the famous (infamous?) baby cactus who enjoys cuddles in Darrow’s lap. I am absolutely in awe of this artist’s work and how well she designed each plant. A big thank you to Bex at INK CAULDRON.

@susan_illene
Unhinged plant life? The Realm of Zadrya series by Susan Illene isn’t only about romance and fae battles for dominance. Every aspect in this fantasy world, including the fauna and flora, are unique and often dangerous. It is especially known for its murderous sentient plant life. Some varieties are even mobile and can chase their enemies before unaliving them (or eating them in the case of the crunchertrap). The hissing cactus has holes in its body where poisonous needles hide and can be shot out from all directions at their target(s). You have to be swift and intelligent to survive in this place, but at least there is never a dull moment. Artwork by Bex @InkCauldron #characterart #romantasy #susanillene #realmofzadrya
♬ XXX – VINIVILLA

I will admit Spike is my favorite. It’s easy to see why Aella and even Darrow couldn’t resist cuddling the little cactus despite the danger of his poisonous needles. Hope you all love these as much as I do!

Also, for those wanting the hardback copy of Wrath & Desire, it is now available. You can order it from your preferred retailer or go directly to Ingram for a discount price (US and UK only) here:

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=Yui9Q3K0zlu28pKi9FpFfNoskYVuSXVZ7NjpbEYl68k

Kindle Unlimited and hardcover news for Wrath & Desire

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This is a short and simple post. For those waiting for Wrath & Desire to be on Kindle Unlimited, you can now borrow it through KU on Amazon. Hope you enjoy!

Also, Ingram approved the Wrath & Desire files I uploaded (that took a few business days). I have ordered the proof copy so I can verify it looks good. That should arrive by early next week. Once I have it, and I’m sure it doesn’t need any changes, I’ll approve it for sale across the retailers. I will post here and on social media to let you all know.

That’s it for today. Hope everyone’s week is going well!