Excited to share this new character illustration from the:
Tales of the Black Rose Guard series!
Mellissa is a Princess of the Immortal Lorcan Court. She is a rose heir, and enchanted roses transform to royal purple when she is near.
Her husband, Prince Michael, is a brave and heroic knight who served as Captain of the Royal Guard before winning the heart of his princess.
Illustration by: Barn-Swallow Art
A woman with no memory of her past. Another unable to forget. Both haunted by a sinister creature of roses and shadow with an unquenchable thirst for royal blood. Welcome to the world of the Black Rose.
***
Six hundred years ago, Mara, the immortal captain of the Black Rose Guard, led her knights to their greatest victory: the annihilation of the Muir Court. For avenging a fallen princess, she was hailed a hero. Yet for Mara, the mirror reflected only a killer.
Haunted by the slaughter carried out in the name of honor and duty, Mara hoped she had fought her last battle. But when a mysterious girl arrives pleading for aid, Mara’s dream of peace shatters as the blood roses begin to bloom.
Determined to save the young woman for whom the long-dormant roses have awakened, Mara dons her ancient Arius blade, and prepares to once again lead her men into a fight from which they may never return.
All the while, Mara’s enemies prepare to exploit her greatest weakness: the life of her only love, Edward. Her sole warning is whispered in shadows: Beware the Silver Rose.
Excited to share this new character illustration from:
Tales of the Black Rose Guard series!
A heroic and respected knight, Regald served under Mara as a member of the Black Rose Guard during the Battle of the Muir Court. He then went on to serve King Mathew as Captain of the Arum Court Royal Guard.
He has also won the heart of Princess Sandra, and hopes to help Sandra as she seeks to learn the truth about her shadowed past.
Illustration by: Barn-Swallow Art
A woman with no memory of her past. Another unable to forget. Both haunted by a sinister creature of roses and shadow with an unquenchable thirst for royal blood. Welcome to the world of the Black Rose.
***
Six hundred years ago, Mara, the immortal captain of the Black Rose Guard, led her knights to their greatest victory: the annihilation of the Muir Court. For avenging a fallen princess, she was hailed a hero. Yet for Mara, the mirror reflected only a killer.
Haunted by the slaughter carried out in the name of honor and duty, Mara hoped she had fought her last battle. But when a mysterious girl arrives pleading for aid, Mara’s dream of peace shatters as the blood roses begin to bloom.
Determined to save the young woman for whom the long-dormant roses have awakened, Mara dons her ancient Arius blade, and prepares to once again lead her men into a fight from which they may never return.
All the while, Mara’s enemies prepare to exploit her greatest weakness: the life of her only love, Edward. Her sole warning is whispered in shadows: Beware the Silver Rose.
Tantalizing desires. Forbidden passions. An insatiable yearning for everlasting nights.
***
Witches are not meant to fall in love with vampires…especially not the daughter of a high priestess.
Heir to the Rivière Witch Coven of New Orleans, Elizabeth has always known she would one day inherit her mother’s coveted position. Committed in her duty to serve her fellow witches and take her place within the coven, Elizabeth never imagined an alternative path…until she catches the alluring gaze of Aria Dubois.
An ancient vampire, the irresistible Aria has a complex history with witches and little reason to trust them. Yet when attending an annual gala, Aria finds herself helplessly drawn to the bewitching Elizabeth. As a night of sizzling passion transforms into more, Aria discovers she may have found her destined mate, allowing both women to consider a life and love once thought impossible.
However, past mistrust runs deep within the coven and clans, and not all are happy with the lovers’ romance. In the shadows, another alliance is formed. One intent on destroying not only the couple’s newfound devotion but to steal the power and position meant for Elizabeth alone.
As ancient strife comes to light, the pair must contend with not only their own desires but the fate of New Orleans.
Ravenous Passions. Eternal Desires. A ceaseless hunger for endless nights.
***
For generations, the Lavigne family has served as willing blood donors, or datores, for France’s vampire elite. Families who accept these secret and coveted positions are richly rewarded. With wealth. With power. And to one member of each generation per family, immortality.
As a second-born daughter, Léa had always accepted the immortal gift would be bestowed upon her elder sister, Sylvie, and understood her responsibility would be to carry on the family line. Léa’s perspective changed when a trip to London placed her in the path of the tantalizing Lady Vivian Howard, a five-hundred-year-old vampire, whose bewitching touch entices her with a single caress.
After half a millennium without love, Vivian had long ago resigned herself to enduring eternity alone. A single night of unexpected passion with the alluring Léa reignites a hope Vivian thought long extinguished. As the two women explore the pleasures and passions of the night, a new future dawns for both of them.
Yet not all are happy with their newfound romance. With no desire to be a dator brood mare, and intent upon claiming the limited opportunity at immortality for herself, Sylvie will stop at nothing to tear the lovers apart.
Will Léa find immortality in the vampire’s embrace?
A princess for whom the immortal roses bloom. A queen for whom they wither. A hero bound to both.
***
Centuries before Mara held her first blade, another princess dreamt of knighthood. Born second in line to the throne, Clarissa envisioned a life unfettered by protocol. Under the tutelage of the royal guard, she thrived while being trained in the art of swordplay and the knights’ ancient codes of honor.
When her elder brother dies unexpectedly, Clarissa’s destiny is forever altered, thrusting her onto a throne she never desired. In her new position as queen, Clarissa is forced to make choices benefiting the Lorcan kingdom, at the cost of straining the delicate relationship with her remaining family.
Protected from the throne’s demands, Clarissa’s younger sister, Princess Mellissa, is allowed to follow her heart’s desires. Envious of her sister’s freedom, a deep-seated jealousy brews in Clarissa—an envy that grows as Mellissa marries her love, Captain Michael, and bears him a child while Clarissa, desperate to provide the kingdom an heir, remains barren.
When Clarissa’s anger threatens his family, Michael devises a plan, which will not only irrevocably alter the fate of the daughter he seeks to save from the queen’s twisted wrath, but the destiny of the immortal courts.
A princess for whom the immortal roses bloom. A queen for whom they wither. A hero bound to both.
***
Centuries before Mara held her first blade, another princess dreamt of knighthood. Born second in line to the throne, Clarissa envisioned a life unfettered by protocol. Under the tutelage of the royal guard, she thrived while being trained in the art of swordplay and the knights’ ancient codes of honor.
When her elder brother dies unexpectedly, Clarissa’s destiny is forever altered, thrusting her onto a throne she never desired. In her new position as queen, Clarissa is forced to make choices benefiting the Lorcan kingdom, at the cost of straining the delicate relationship with her remaining family.
Protected from the throne’s demands, Clarissa’s younger sister, Princess Mellissa, is allowed to follow her heart’s desires. Envious of her sister’s freedom, a deep-seated jealousy brews in Clarissa—an envy that grows as Mellissa marries her love, Captain Michael, and bears him a child while Clarissa, desperate to provide the kingdom an heir, remains barren.
When Clarissa’s anger threatens his family, Michael devises a plan, which will not only irrevocably alter the fate of the daughter he seeks to save from the queen’s twisted wrath, but the destiny of the immortal courts.
In early March, I returned to my beloved New Orleans. A favorite city of mine for many years, I was very excited to have been able to return in order to attend the Bella Nola 2023 book signing event!
We began with a long drive, about 14 hours total. We broke the trip up over two days for peace of mind and reached the city around 6pm on Thursday night. Despite our exhaustion from the drive, we just HAD to make our way to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. As has become our tradition over the years, we began the trip with dinner at Acme Oyster House!
A staple of New Orleans since 1910, they are known not only for their oysters but also their fried fish platters and po’boys! Lots of tasty, fried goodness! Heart healthy? Not really. Deliciousness? Yes
The next day we leisurely explored the city, trying some local beer and food throughout the city. And made a walk down Bourbon Street in the daylight hours. This included lunch at the famed Mr. B’s Bistro. As you may have guessed, my husband and I are amateur foodies, so this city really is a playground for us.
That evening, we met up with some old friends, Lestat & Louis, who we’ve become close to over many years of attending the cities numerous vampire balls.
Saturday was the morning of the Bella Nola book signing at the Hilton Riverside Hotel. I had a good time meeting with fans and getting to know some fellow authors in the paranormal and romance genres. This was my first in-person signing event since Covid began and it was great to be out with fans again. A truly lovely event.
After everyone wrapped up a successful event, we then headed down to another New Orleans tradition, a bar called the Howlin’ Wolf. If you’ve never had an alligator hot dog, this is the place to try! They have a small menu, but I have yet to try anything that is not incredible! They also serve a fun selection of local beers and frequently host local bands.
That night, we met up with a circle of friends at their house where we spent the evening catching up, visiting and playing a fun game of Cards Against Humanity (For the record…I won!)
The next day was our last in New Orleans. We met with friends for a mid-morning brunch at Brennan’s. Established in 1946, Brennan’s is another long-time favorite in New Orleans, known for its Benedicts, extensive champagne list, and famous table-side banana fosters. Everything was excellent, from the scrumptious food to the comfortable atmosphere to some of the best service I have ever experienced.
We all had a wonderful time, spending over two hours visiting and savoring the food while enjoying each other’s company. Then, after a heartfelt goodbye, we went our separate ways. Hopefully, all of us, soon to return.
However, we could not leave my beloved city without making a final stop.
For those unaware, Anne Rice had a profound influence on both my academic and professional writing career. My MA degree in modern literary cultures has an emphasis on vampire literature. I not only took vampire-themed master courses but also wrote my dissertation on the works of Anne Rice. I have since lectured on her novels around the world, from California to New Zealand to the sacred halls of Oxford. I was also lucky enough to meet with Ms. Rice on multiple occasions. She was always an encouraging and insightful person who encouraged both my academic and creative work. Losing Anne in December of 2021 was a heartbreaking loss both to the gothic community and to me on a personal level; as I lost a mentor, an inspiration, and a friend. I was grateful to be able to lay flowers at Anne’s final place of rest and say a small thank you for all the ways she changed my life for the better.
Dark desires. Immortal Passions. An unquenchable thirst for human blood.
***
Doctor turned immortal, Yelena has resisted the darker side of her vampiric thirst for nearly sixty years. Reclusive, she diligently focuses on her research from her French countryside lab, until an unexpected invitation from the French court thrusts her into the seductive path of Lady Suzette Dieudonnée.
A 2,000-year-old pureblood vampire, the alluring beauty shares none of Yelena’s moral qualms. Falling into a forbidden and tumultuous romance, passions burn through steamy nights as Suzette teaches Yelena she can remain true to her Hippocratic oath while fully embracing her vampiric nature.
Along the path of their newfound passion, Suzette realizes she’s found her destined mate, but has to convince skeptical Yelena their bond is unique. Together, they must reconcile their love and fears, or be doomed to walk eternity alone.
A woman with no memory of her past. Another unable to forget. Both haunted by a sinister creature of roses and shadow with an unquenchable thirst for royal blood. Welcome to the world of the Black Rose.
***
Six hundred years ago, Mara, the immortal captain of the Black Rose Guard, led her knights to their greatest victory: the annihilation of the Muir Court. For avenging a fallen princess, she was hailed a hero. Yet for Mara, the mirror reflected only a killer.
Haunted by the slaughter carried out in the name of honor and duty, Mara hoped she had fought her last battle. But when a mysterious girl arrives pleading for aid, Mara’s dream of peace shatters as the blood roses begin to bloom.
Determined to save the young woman for whom the long-dormant roses have awakened, Mara dons her ancient Arius blade, and prepares to once again lead her men into a fight from which they may never return.
All the while, Mara’s enemies prepare to exploit her greatest weakness: the life of her only love, Edward. Her sole warning is whispered in shadows: Beware the Silver Rose.
This scene takes place in book 2 of the series, Heart of the Rose,
when Princess Mara discovers her love, Captain Edward,
being held captive in the bowels of the Brön Court dungeons.
Art by: Vii Morte
Tales of the Black Rose Guard:
A woman with no memory of her past. Another unable to forget. Both haunted by a sinister creature of roses and shadow with an unquenchable thirst for royal blood. Welcome to the world of the Black Rose.
***
Six hundred years ago, Mara, the immortal captain of the Black Rose Guard, led her knights to their greatest victory: the annihilation of the Muir Court. For avenging a fallen princess, she was hailed a hero. Yet for Mara, the mirror reflected only a killer.
Haunted by the slaughter carried out in the name of honor and duty, Mara hoped she had fought her last battle. But when a mysterious girl arrives pleading for aid, Mara’s dream of peace shatters as the blood roses begin to bloom.
Determined to save the young woman for whom the long-dormant roses have awakened, Mara dons her ancient Arius blade, and prepares to once again lead her men into a fight from which they may never return.
All the while, Mara’s enemies prepare to exploit her greatest weakness: the life of her only love, Edward. Her sole warning is whispered in shadows: Beware the Silver Rose.
K. L. Bone 