Newsletter - May 15, 2025


Life is incredibly busy, but, generally speaking, it's also a lot of fun. With three teenage daughters, and now four cars, we've always got something in the shop, always have kids darting in and out of the house, always have exasperating moments of schedule conflicts. But those kids darting about are fun and funny, and the schedule conflicts are because everyone has their interesting stuffs. So yeah, bedlam, but I'm sure I'll miss it. And my wife and I still manage to sneak away for date nights with friends and pickle-ball lessons.

Secrets of Deara is set to release May 30th. The ARC is out, and I've already made adjustments for a few mistakes that slipped through (despite my attempts at perfection). I had a screw-up with Amazon and all the pre-orders got cancelled. My fault, but irritating that there was no way to fix it without cancelling the pre-orders.

I'm not going to do as much promotion this time--the money I put in the last launch didn't prove worth it--but I'm toying with the idea of putting books 1 & 2 on sale for a few days when book 3 launches. I appreciate any social media amplification ya'll do when the book comes out.

All books by Steven J. Morris

Indie Author Showcase

The Volcan Knights: Into The Darkness

by Laurie Bowler

Nightmares. Shadows. Truth. A warrior's quest for vengeance reveals a dark secret.

Zera's life as a Volcan Knight shatters when she discovers an ancient sacred order's dark secret: Project Reversal, an experiment that created the monsters that killed her daughter. Together with Sam, her steadfast partner, and a team of loyal Knights, she ventures into abandoned facilities and treacherous mountains, following the trail of a mysterious predecessor named Kael.

As Zera's powers grow stronger, so do the attacks from the Devourers, who seem to hunt them with newfound intelligence. Deep beneath the city, in forgotten tunnels and hidden chambers, a horrifying revelation awaits. Each step closer to the truth reveals more corruption within the ancient Volcan Order, forcing Zera to question everything she believes.

If the Knights fail to expose the truth behind Project Reversal, the price will be paid in more than just lives. But what happens when the protectors become the threat they've sworn to eliminate?

This pulse-pounding supernatural dark fantasy is perfect for readers who love Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. If you crave heart-pounding action, ancient conspiracies, and supernatural powers, you'll be captivated by this haunting tale of betrayal and redemption.

Prepare to spread your wings and claim your destiny—grab your copy of The Volcan Knights: Into the Darkness today and step into the fire.

Last Ember of Azrith: Rise Against the Empire

by Rowan Ashborne

An empire’s betrayal sparks a daring alliance. Destiny burns in the fight for freedom.

Kaelan, a half-dragon warrior, keeps to the shadows of Azrith, hiding the dangerous power of his dragon blood. Elira, an elf princess and rebel leader, risks her life to fight against the empire from the inside. When they meet in a fierce tournament, they start as rivals but leave as allies.

Now, Kaelan and Elira must work together to survive the empire’s lies and protect the people they love. If they don’t unite, the empire will destroy them both—and all they care about.

Kaelan battles to control his dragon power, while Elira rallies her people. As ancient forces awaken, they prepare for a final clash against the empire's army.

Bound by fire and fate, they must reclaim Elira’s kingdom. They must spark hope before darkness consumes Azrith.

The war for freedom starts now—will they rise, or will the flames consume them?

Beyond the Blood Veil

by Nicholas Woode-Smith

They told me journalism was dangerous. But no one ever told me it could make me undead…

Now I’m thrust into a supernatural world, complete with my talking, shapeshifting, Taylor Swift-obsessed cat.

My name is Kali Black, and for the last decade, I’ve been chasing a child trafficking ring no one else believes exists.

Becoming a creature of the night won’t stop me cracking the case. If anything, it’s given me an edge.

But power comes with a price. The Enforcers are watching, and stepping out of line could get me staked.

My sire is still out there, and I need answers. Time is running out. The sun’s rising, the Enforcers are closing in, and the truth is darker than I ever imagined.

If you love sharp wit, dark secrets, and urban fantasy with bite, sink your fangs into Beyond the Blood Veil!

City & Shadows

Lila & The Dark: Book 2

by Chris Ross

The shadows have followed them into the light...

A century ago, Lila made an impossible choice—one that bound her to the night and to Elyra, the being once known only as The Dark. Together, they’ve moved unseen, slipping through forgotten corners of the world. But when they emerge in modern-day New Orleans, everything changes.

They’re no longer whispers in the dark. They’re visible. Vulnerable. And something ancient has noticed.

As Lila grapples with the weight of her own transformation, Elyra begins to unravel—haunted by memories that don't belong to her and powers she can no longer contain. The city pulses with hidden magic, fractured truths, and dangerous echoes. An old friend reappears, carrying secrets that may unlock their past—or destroy what’s left of their future.

And in the shadows beyond the city... something stirs.


City & Shadows is Book Two of the Lila & The Dark series—an atmospheric blend of lyrical prose, urban fantasy, and emotional mystery.

Previous Newsletters

​​May you get lost this week in another world.

Follow me on Goodreads.

Subscribe

Steven J Morris

Hi! If you enjoy fantasy with snarky humor, I've got some books for you. My newsletter takes you along the creative journey, and keeps you informed of what's brewing.

Read more from Steven J Morris

Click here to rejoin family content. Since release of Secrets of Deara, I'm pausing on Shepherds of Truth while I try to get my marketing game in better order. I'm considering restructuring the emails to be once a month instead of every two weeks. Let me know your thoughts. (I know I have a couple of folks who love the family updates, or at least they have in the past.) How often do you like getting newsletters? Two a month has been good Switch to once a month Just send me info about sales...

Went with my wife and oldest daughter to college orientation in Arkansas. What a beautiful place! I'm not exactly the most sporty guy in the world (my school didn't offer quidditch), so I never really learned my own school's fight song, and now I have to learn another? But it was fun, and it's great to see my daughter so excited. (I mean, sure, she's excited that she's leaving us, so grain of salt and all that.) Another interesting bit—I’m leave for England the day this is going out. For...

I showed my daughter and her friends how to use a miter saw and drill and set them loose for their school project. There’s still thirty fingers amongst them, so I’m declaring it a victory, whether they get an A or not I sent out the ARC ebook versions of Secrets. The paperback will take more time. Right now, only 11 people are signed up. That's the lowest I've ever had, which perhaps I should take as a sign. But this book is my favorite so far, and I think it is pretty solid with the rounds...