Shadow & Shade Newsletter | December 2025 Edition

✍️ MY WRITING JOURNEY: FROM CORPORATE TO CREATOR

Where to Get Your Copy:

👉 www.shadowandshade.com 👈 Also available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

📰 Read the full press release: https://www.openpr.com/news/4294076/for-immediate-release-five-star-author-gloria

What readers are saying:"Sanders-Williams has crafted a world so vivid you can feel the shadows breathing. This is epic fantasy at its finest."

"A perfect blend of heart-pounding action, complex magic, and emotional depth. I couldn't put it down."

What's Shadow Awakening About?

The isolated island kingdoms of the Inner Farther Reaches have thrived for generations on discipline and carefully controlled magic. But beyond their shores lies Tau Nau—the forbidden mainland where shadows breathe, ruins whisper, and ancient power waits with relentless hunger.

When Second Prince Sealtiel, his fierce betrothed Princess Sagerielle, and the prodigy mage Ayden cross into Tau Nau, they awaken something that should have remained buried. Shadow sees them. Shade marks them. And the Trinity Convergence has begun—whether they're ready or not.

Perfect for fans of: Non-explicit why-choose romance, intricate magic systems, BIPOC protagonists, prophecy-driven narratives, and emotionally charged fantasy adventure.

📚 MY COMPLETE BOOK CATALOG

🌟 Shadow and Shade Series

• Shadow Awakening (Book 1) - Available Now!

• Shadow Convergence (Book 2) - Coming Soon!

• Shade's Requiem (Book 3) - Coming Soon!

⚔️ The Kyandra Saga (Epic Fantasy with Black Hero Protagonist)

• Does the World Need Another Hero (Short Story)

• Guardians of REM (Series Prelude):

  • REMvision Book 1 Part 1 - Available Now!

  • REMvision Book 2 Part 2 - Available Now!

• The Blood Red Stone (Book 2) - Coming Soon!

• SyMetri (Book 3) - Coming Soon!

🩸 The Blood Bond Series (Paranormal Romance)

• Asunder (Book 1) - Available Now!

• Abduction (Book 2) - Available Now!

• Dark Ascension (Book 3) - Available Now!

• Afterlife (Book 4) - Coming Soon!

📖 Children's Books (Perfect for Holiday Gifts!)

• Tia Learns About Honesty

• Zeb's Safe Bus Ride to School

• The Gray Balloon

📔 Journals & More

• Multiple blank journals for your creative journey

• Prayer journal for spiritual reflection

• Honey cookbook for culinary adventures

Find all my books at: www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire

👉 Please "Follow" me on Amazon to get notifications about new releases!

The Journey:

1999: I wrote 99 pages of what would become my author journey

2014: Shadow and Shade was conceived—just a whisper of prophecy and three bound souls

2018: The Kyandra Saga launched, featuring a Black hero protagonist navigating epic fantasy

2019-2024: The Blood Bond Series evolved (yes, I've been working on this concept since Blade came out—but that's another story!)

2025: Over 19 published books and Shadow Awakening finally in readers' hands!

What's Coming in 2026:

I'm not slowing down—if anything, retirement has put me in full-time creation mode! Here's what's currently in progress:

✨ The Kyandra Saga, Book 2: The Blood Red Stone - The epic continues ✨ The Kyandra Saga, Book 3: SyMetri - The saga deepens ✨ Blood Bond Series, Book 4: Afterlife - The supernatural romance continues ✨ Shadow and Shade, Book 2: Shadow Convergence - The Trinity's journey intensifies ✨ Shadow and Shade, Book 3: Shade's Requiem - The epic conclusion ✨ The One Wish Series - YA fantasy coming soon!

Being retired means I can write faster and bring these worlds to life at the pace they deserve. Think Six Million Dollar Man—"Better, stronger, faster!" (Okay, maybe just faster with the writing!)

SURPRISE! FREE PDF Version of Shadow Awakening!

If you've made it this far in the newsletter, congratulations—you've unlocked something special! As my gift to you this holiday season, click the link below to receive your FREE downloadable PDF version of Shadow Awakening (Shadow and Shade, Book One)

Download your free copy here: 👉 https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:48c4d3fe-4818-4139-aae3-efa7b08e2e6f

Want to support my work? I'd be incredibly grateful if you'd purchase a copy to gift to a fellow fantasy lover or leave a review after reading!

Purchase your copy here: www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire

Happy Holidays from my heart to yours! 🎄✨

See How I'm Using AI to Bring The Blood Bond Series to Life!

Curious about how authors are using AI to create stunning book promotions? I've been experimenting with AI technology to craft visual content that captures the essence of The Blood Bond Series (Asunder, Abduction, Dark Ascension), and I'd love to share the results with you!

Watch my Blood Bond Series book promo here: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DRs0XfFDdAA/?hl=en

This is just the beginning of how I'm exploring new ways to connect with readers and bring the worlds I create into vivid visual reality. From character art to atmospheric scenes, AI is opening incredible doors for indie authors like me!

What do you think? Drop a comment on Instagram and let me know your thoughts! And while you're there, give me a follow @shadowandshadebooks for more behind-the-scenes content, AI experiments, and sneak peeks at upcoming releases.

The future of storytelling is here—and I'm excited to share this journey with you! 🌟✨

🎄 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: BOOKS FOR EVERYONE!

Looking for meaningful gifts this season? I've got you covered!

For Fantasy Lovers:

• Shadow Awakening (Shadow and Shade, Book 1)

• The Kyandra Saga series

• The Blood Bond Series

For Young Readers:

• Tia Learns About Honesty (teaching values)

• Zeb's Safe Bus Ride to School (safety awareness)

• The Gray Balloon (imagination and wonder)

For Writers & Journalers:

• Beautiful blank journals for creative expression

• Prayer journal for spiritual practice

For Foodies:

• Honey cookbook with delicious recipes

Find them all at: www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire

✍️ FUN WRITING ACTIVITY: The Shadow Exercise

Since Shadow and Shade is all about duality—light and dark, destiny and choice—try this creative exercise:

Step 1: Think of your protagonist (or yourself as a character)

Step 2: Write down 5 traits that define them in the "light"—their best qualities, what others see

Step 3: Now write their "shadow" traits—fears, flaws, hidden desires, the parts they hide

Step 4: Create a scene where their shadow trait is actually what saves them

Why this works: The most compelling characters aren't perfect—they're whole. Their shadows make their light more meaningful.

Share your results! Tag me on Instagram @shadowandshadebooks with #ShadowExercise—I'd love to see what you create!

⭐ HOW TO LEAVE A REVIEW (And Why It Matters SO Much)

Here's a truth: Your reviews are invaluable. They help other readers discover these worlds and make it possible for me to keep creating. But I know many of you want to support authors and don't know where to start!

Quick Guide: How to Leave a Review (Any Genre!)

Where to Leave Reviews:

• Amazon (where you purchased)

• Goodreads

• BookBub

• Your blog or social media

• Retailer websites (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books)

What to Include (Keep it Simple!):

✅ Rate the book (1-5 stars) ✅ One sentence about what you loved

• Example: "The magic system was intricate and the characters were unforgettable!" ✅ Who would enjoy it

• Example: "Perfect for fans of epic fantasy with diverse characters" ✅ Your honest feelings (2-4 sentences is plenty!)

Review Template for the Nervous Reviewer:

"I rated [Book Title] [X] stars because [one thing you loved]. [One sentence about plot/characters/writing]. I'd recommend this to [type of reader]. [Optional: one thing that stood out]."

Example:"I rated Shadow Awakening 5 stars because the world-building was phenomenal. The Trinity Convergence kept me turning pages late into the night, and the non-explicit polyamorous romance was beautifully developed. I'd recommend this to fantasy readers who love prophecy-driven plots with diverse protagonists. The magic system alone is worth the read!"

What NOT to Worry About:

❌ Perfect grammar—authenticity matters more ❌ Spoilers—just mark them if you include any ❌ Length—even 2 sentences help! ❌ Being a "professional" reviewer—you're a reader, that's what counts

Pro Tip: Reviews don't have to be long! "I couldn't put this down—the characters felt so real and the plot kept me guessing. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers!" is perfect.

📚 OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT AUTHORS (If You Want to Do More!)

1. Follow on Amazon - Click "Follow" at www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire for new release notifications

2. Share on social media - Post a photo of the book with your thoughts

3. Recommend to friends - Word of mouth is golden

4. Add to Goodreads TBR lists - Helps with discoverability

5. Join reader groups - Mention books you loved

6. Buy direct from author websites - Authors keep more royalties

7. Sign up for newsletters - Shows publishers there's interest

8. Pre-order upcoming books - Pre-orders boost launch visibility

9. Leave ratings even without written reviews - Stars alone help!

10. Share press releases - Help spread the word! Share my Shadow Awakening press release: https://www.openpr.com/news/4294076/for-immediate-release-five-star-author-gloria/

✨ QUICK WRITING TIPS FROM MY DESK

Tip #1: Write the Scene That Scares You

If a scene makes you nervous to write—that's probably the one your readers need most. Lean into the discomfort.

Tip #2: Your First Draft is a Discovery Draft

Stop trying to make it perfect. Your job is to get the story out. Revision is where magic happens.

Tip #3: Read Outside Your Genre

Want to write better fantasy? Read literary fiction, romance, thrillers. Fresh perspectives create unique voices.

Tip #4: Character Motivation Drives Plot

If your plot feels stuck, check your character's motivation. What do they want? What's stopping them? What will they sacrifice?

Tip #5: World-Building Through Action

Don't info-dump. Reveal your world through character experiences, conflicts, and choices.

/📰 WHAT'S CURRENT IN THE WRITING WORLD

Trending in Publishing:

• Romantasy continues to dominate - Blends of romance and fantasy are hotter than ever

• Diverse voices are rising - Readers are actively seeking BIPOC authors and protagonists

• Why-choose/polyam romance growing - Non-traditional relationship dynamics gaining mainstream traction

• Cozy fantasy finding its place - Low-stakes, comforting fantasy is a major trend

• Direct-to-reader sales increasing - Authors building websites and newsletters to connect with readers

2025 Publishing Insights:

• Indie authors are thriving with direct sales and Kindle Unlimited

• TikTok (#BookTok) remains a powerful discovery platform

• Readers want emotional depth alongside action

• Representation isn't a trend—it's a requirement for modern readers

/💫 A LITTLE ABOUT ME

For those just joining this journey: I'm Gloria Sanders-Williams, a retired author who's finally found the time to write at the speed my imagination demands! I create immersive fantasy and paranormal romance featuring diverse characters, intricate world-building, and stories told through emotion and heart rather than just heat.

My Series:

• The Kyandra Saga - Epic fantasy with Black hero protagonist

• Guardians of REM Series (REMvision Books 1 & 2) - Dream-walking adventure prelude to The Kyandra Saga

• The Blood Bond Series - Paranormal romance reimagined

• Shadow and Shade - Why-choose epic fantasy with prophecy and magic

I believe every story should open a new world, and representation should be fundamental—not an afterthought. My mission is to create fantasy that awakens something inside every reader.

🎄 HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM MY HEART

As we close out 2025 and head into 2026, I want to thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you've been with me since The Kyandra Saga or you're just discovering my work through Shadow Awakening, your support means everything.

Here's to more magic, more romance, more adventure, and more worlds that awaken something inside us all.

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays, filled with love, laughter, and plenty of good books!

/📬 STAY CONNECTED

🌐 Website: www.shadowandshade.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shadowandshadebooks 👥 Facebook: Shadow and Shade 📚 Readers Circle: Authentic Readers and Writers Circle 📰 Press Release: https://www.openpr.com/news/4294076/for-immediate-release-five-star-author-gloria 🛒 Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire (Please Follow!)

🎁 ONE LAST THING...

If you've read any of my books and haven't left a review yet, I'm asking you now: please take a moment to share your thoughts. Even a few sentences make a world of difference.

Your reviews:

• Help other readers discover these worlds

• Support independent authors

• Make algorithms surface diverse fantasy to readers searching for it

• Show publishers there's demand for these stories

• Give authors the encouragement to keep creating

It's the best holiday gift you can give an author. ❤️

Keep reading. Keep dreaming. Keep believing in the realms beyond.

With gratitude and excitement for what's to come,

Gloria Sanders-Williams

"Experience the realms beyond—where fantasy breathes, shadows stir, and every story changes what you believe."

P.S. Don't forget to download your FREE "Creating Compelling Fantasy Characters" guide! And if you haven't grabbed your copy of Shadow Awakening yet, head to www.shadowandshade.com—the Trinity is waiting.

P.P.S. Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Check out my children's books, journals, and honey cookbook at www.amazon.com/author/desire4fire—and don't forget to click "Follow" while you're there!

#WhyIWrite #ShadowAndShade #ShadowAwakening #DiverseFantasy #FantasyBooks #WhyChooseRomance #EpicFantasy #TheKyandraSaga #BloodBondSeries

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