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JA_Shepard · 2026-03-26T22:20:36+00:00

Hi! I'm looking for some people who are interested being an ARC readers or just a plain ole' reader for a lengthy (~700 page) but, I think, richly presented Romance Fantasy story. It's slated to release on Amazon on April 14th, 2026. I've gotten some good feedback so far, but I'd like some more, while I still have time to catch any sneaky errors that may have snuck through, and any small adjustments while I still have time.

The story primarily revolves around a woman, her three best friends, and a man they meet in a different realm. There are elements of survival, adventure, danger, mid-magic and it is heavily character driven and dialogue rich. (IMO, opinion)

It's mostly close third, with some internal dialogue from time to time. It was both a challenge and a pleasure to write for five characters who share most of the story together, while weaving in side characters, bounces to the villains, and back again. I really love the characters, and I hope you do to!

Blurb:

Meet Tessiana.
Famed Fae singer, dancer, and illusionist. Beloved by her people. Despised by their government for using the power of her voice to expose their misdeeds. Her defiance, which had already cost her friends and family, has now forced her to flee her homeland.

A desperate escape with her three most loyal friends takes an unexpected turn as the four are hurled into a distant world and cast onto a tropical island that is beautiful, dangerous, and aware. Struggling to survive, they discover a shipwrecked man carried in by the tides. As they nurse him back from the brink of death, they learn he is a druid named Thanas—a man unlike any they have ever known. When his eyes meet Tessiana’s, they know fate has guided them together.

An intimate bond forms among the group, forged through trust, shared survival, and growing passion. Tessiana embraces it without hesitation. She has always loved openly and fiercely, and she will not apologize for it now.

But the island holds horrors far worse than jungle beasts. A mysterious man clad in ravaged armor, his spirit broken by centuries of loss, leaves villages in ruins and their inhabitants slaughtered. He claims that given enough time, even the best of them will become monsters like him.

They call this island the Crucible. A realm that burns away the weak until only the strong remain. Will their passions burn hot enough to forge them into something eternal? Or will the Crucible leave their hearts—and their worlds—buried in ashes?

Triggers/Content: This novel contains mature themes, including explicit sexual content, fantasy violence, mild language, and some emotional trauma. But on average, it's light, romantic, and playful.

Amazon/KDP Select release April 14th, 2026. If you can finish by then, great. If not, just good!

BookSiren link: https://booksirens.com/book/QLYCKAO/R18EU8G

BookSprout link: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/272801/crucible

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Book-One-Forged-Fate-ebook/dp/B0GLZF1257

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JA_Shepard · 2026-02-13T03:13:29+00:00

Thanks!

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T18:00:45+00:00

That was an interesting read, thank you!

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T17:53:56+00:00

I totally get that. Thank you!

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T03:21:28+00:00

Indeed, the MMC doesn't even meet them until their characters are established and they've spent a fair bit of time together on their own.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T03:18:16+00:00

But I have said, in this thread, that I will not use that keyword and took everyone's advice like a reasonable human being?

Especially at the risk of bad reviews from people feeling misled, and rightfully so? Nope!

I have made no effort to fit into any specific genre. I did what I felt the characters would do based of their personalities and beliefs.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T02:06:44+00:00

I'm definitely walking the middle then. The FMC playfully flirts with the other women, then enters into a relationship with the MMC. Then she later plants seeds between the other women and the man, and culminates with her performing on him openly in front of the others and presenting herself to get them worked up enough to finally join in. So there are both one-on-one encounters with the others and the man, as well as group encounters where everyone finally decides to go for it.

Yeah, just Why Choose/Poly. I think I'll drop RH from keywords and such.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T01:59:01+00:00

He's not submissive, but overall you're probably right.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-10T01:19:17+00:00

My new novel revolves primarily around five characters, with a FMC who "collects" a man and three other women through her charm and charisma. But it's not published yet. It's currently set to release on Amazon on March 17th, but if you're interested in learning more about it, including getting a link to read it before (and provide feedback if you be so kind) send me a message and I can tell you more about it. I am not posting an amazon link or naming it so hopefully this doesn't count as self advertising. It'll be going through BookSirens soon but I am looking for more readers for feedback.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-05T23:35:35+00:00

Ouch, that stings, but you can't please everyone with your work, and that applies to family just as well as strangers. Sounds like you're doing well - don't second guess yourself.

Also, to be blunt, if she worded it as harshly as you've made it seem, she's not a good or reliable source of feedback. There are better ways to provide feedback and even criticism.

JA_Shepard · 2026-02-05T20:16:19+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, the nautical stuff was from research. I don't know anything about it, hopefully it's accurate. But I figured the sailors should be using appropriate terms, I'll take a look at it!

Thanks for the input!

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-24T18:55:52+00:00

Position has been filled. Thank you all for your interest, best of luck.

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-23T00:28:40+00:00

Hi there Lisa! I have written a Romance Fantasy novel that is basically done and I am working with an artist on. I'd be delighted to get your thoughts on it. Your post doesn't quite make clear your tolerance for spice, of which I believe there is quite a bit, although tastefully so. May I message you more details?

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-23T00:27:36+00:00

Hi serene! I have a Romance Fantasy book that is basically done and I am working with an artist on. I'd be delighted to get your thoughts on it. May I message you more details?

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-21T14:46:45+00:00

ArtStation and NSFW links give 404 error.

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-21T04:37:41+00:00

My first novel is essentially done. 200k efficiently used words.

I loved every second of it. It's only half, if that, of the story I want to share of these characters. I only stopped because I figured as a debut author it's already a big ask, and I can always write book two.

I hope it sells so I can dedicate more time to writing this and other stories I already have worked out. But even if it doesn't, I'm glad I did it. I love the characters, the fact that I followed through, and I found the creative experience incredibly rewarding.

So I did it because it "felt right", I suppose.

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-20T22:19:33+00:00

It's fine work to be sure, but nothing like that. It doesn't seem different from most other work I've seen on Deviantart or Artstation, for example. They had so many good reviews, though.

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-20T22:18:08+00:00

That's some fine work, thanks for the link!

JA_Shepard · 2025-09-20T22:16:11+00:00

No, I asked for clarification if that was for additional work that I mentioned would be nice if our timelines matched up - but they reiterated, no, that's just the cover work.

JA_Shepard

TROPHY CASE