In a world where leaders force-feed their supplicants with lies and abuse, freedom is an illusion. The world lies divided: one half a Utopian prison, the other a ruthless military dictatorship. Two women born to different halves of this disparate future earth must battle their own demons while facing an archaic conspiracy - one which threatens to submerge the world into a second mass extinction.

The truth has lain concealed for too long. It festers and boils, hankering for escape... coveting its own freedom. But this new world is not prepared for the exposure of such dark secrets. Can mankind withstand the devastating truths they so desperately seek?

In the Ashes' Echo is a compelling collection of seven short stories that delve into the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of our choices. Set against evocative backdrops, each story explores themes of love, regret, and redemption, revealing the hidden scars that shape us. From forbidden desires to unspoken guilt, the characters navigate moments that linger long after the flames have faded, leaving behind echoes of what could have been. This book invites readers to journey through the shadows of the human heart, where every story is a reminder that some choices are as enduring as the scars they leave.

Things aren't always what they seem. Devani Daniels learned that lesson the second a mysterious envelope was placed in her hands at a local blood drive. Little did she know that this seemingly innocent gesture would not only lead her into a whole new world, but to a reunion with Roman, a special friend from her past. However, the discovery that Roman is Sanguine tests Devani's long standing fears and faith in her own beliefs. For the daughter of a former leader of the extremist group that opposes Sanguines, being with Roman violates the Legacy Act and threatens to separate the two of them forever. Is love strong enough for Devani to risk the only life she's ever known, for an uncertain and potentially dangerous future? *** "Legacy" by Melissa R. Smith is a well-written tale that takes a reader into the dark world of the Sanguines. With its seductive atmosphere, this book weaves romance and danger on every page. The bond between Devani and Roman is unique. I especially liked the compromise between the conflicting worlds of human and vampire. Devani and Roman's need for one another is sweet and tender. Yet Devani holds fast to her moral ambition even though her heart is pushed to the breaking point. -Tamera L. at Readers Favorite

Several hundred years after the events of Contention, the surroundings have changed but the dynamic hasn't. Considering 'humanity' a failure, the human race adapts the term 'Terran' and splits the organization of the species into three separate segments. An Alliance of science, faith and military might, each pushing for the stars in their own way. The more things change, the more they stay the same though. Is there any room for happiness in the war driven psyche of the Terran navy? Is there any room for faith in the progress driven minds of Terran scientists? As the sands in the hourglass fade far faster than anticipated, do any of us know what could be out there? Would any of us accept it, were we to see it?

Let sleeping dogs lie… Don’t stir up the past. Especially when that past is an ancient, feral vampire sleeping at the bottom of an aged cobblestone well, one who is famished for blood, determined to claim you, and haunted by mystical shadows…remnants from the past. Long ago, in a Romanian castle, the last females of a dying race called him Nanaşule. Godfather. One who wields the powers of the gods, yet behaves as Father, one who is both respected and beloved…at least before the Blood Curse. One who hails from a long line of powerful mages who served the monarchy faithfully. But something is different about Fabian Antonescu. He is haunted by visions of a golden hawk and a copper-eyed raven—cryptic vials of blood—and he will do anything to remain one step ahead of his memories. For the secrets shrouded in the fog could change everything. Gwendolyn Hamilton, as strong as she is, has already survived the unthinkable. She didn’t ask to be thrust into a predatory world of vampires, warriors, and ancient mages. She didn’t ask to be taken by Fabian. Yet one touch of a stone, one electrical current, one fateful moment when a vampire’s eyes met hers were more than enough to set off an explosion — and cause a thunderous BLOOD ECHO. If she hopes to survive, she must answer back… To the call of the wild ~ to a savage vampire. To the demands of antiquity in a modern world. To the threat and promise of a looming Blood Moon ~ and the destiny that awaits her.