Hey, !

I'm writing to officially welcome you inside my ARC Team - and to check if everything works as it should since I'm doing this for the first time. The good news is, if you get this email and open it, I'll see it in my dashboard and know everything is peachy. No need to do anything on your part!

Easy ARC Rules

Now, let's talk a bit about how this works. Basically, I send you a free copy of every upcoming ebook (or, more accurately, a download link to Bookfunnel where you will download the ARC copy - we'll see how this works) and then, in your own time, you read it and leave a review on a platform of your choice, whether it's Amazon or Goodreads. I won't require you to review on Amazon if you have trouble with that.

All I ask is one honest review.

Now, as for timing: I'll likely send the ARCs out a week before release, maybe a bit earlier depending on when my editor and I are done. I know a week isn't very long, so I don't expect you to review right after the book launches. Publish a review when you're done reading, basically. (But within two months of the book going live at the latest.)

That said, I would love to see at least a few reviews on launch day. As you know, reviews help readers decide whether a book is the right fit for them, so having a few ratings or reviews on Goodreads or Amazon when the book goes live is very helpful to everyone!

If the ARC isn't the right fit for you and you DNF (do not finish), for example, I won't require a review. I mean, it happens, and I know I write quite a variety of dynamics, kinks, character types, subgenres etc. There's a fair chance something won't be to your taste and that's okay.

Last but not least, I ask that you don't share your ARC ebook with anyone. It's just for you. If you have a friend who would also like to become my ARC reader, they can write me and I'll add them to the team if there are free spots available.

I will also trust you to not upload my books to any piracy sites.

Okay, I think that's all! We'll do this through Bookfunnel first because they have an ARC system available. If, for whatever reason, this doesn't work out, I'll find another way of getting the ARC copies in your hands.

Upcoming Books

And now, onto my publishing plans for the nearest future! In April, sometime around April 15, the ARC of Wed to the Basilisk will be available to download. This is a standalone novella/short novel in the Arranged Monster Mates series and will likely be around 40k words, that is, 200 pages long - but no promises. I can't stick to a word count to save my life, so it might be longer.

Things you can expect: lizard type monster with a double D, arranged marriage, strong touch-her-and-die vibes from the very beginning, heroine who is an abuse survivor, initial fear that results in a bit of a slow burn, lethal monster who's only soothed by her, spice, virgin heroine, working it in (which, after Guarded by the Snake, is my new favorite trope!).

Here is the cover:

And then, around June 15, Devil's Deal: A Dark Fantasy Romance will be available to download. This one will be LONG - probably more than 120k words, meaning 400+ pages. It's a fantasy romance set in a robust world heavily inspired by Slavic folklore and mythology and it's DARK. There is no insta-love, and the two main characters fight and hate each other from the moment they meet. There is spice quite early in the book, so not a slow burn in terms of sex, but it absolutely is a slow burn in terms of romance.

And to be completely transparent, this is the first book in a series that follows the same characters. There is a cliffhanger.

If that discourages you from reading the book before the next one is available, I'll ask that you don't download this ARC, because I'd like the reviews to come in within a month or two of publishing, and the second book won't be out until December.

As for triggers, no non-con but definitely dub-con (contractual sex, basically), and the MMC is every inch a cruel, lethal demon who has no regard for mortals. The FMC is a mortal woman whom he needs - and who needs him, though neither wants to give the other what they want.

Oh, and it's a single POV (hers). If you got my latest newsletter, there was an excerpt that I think conveys the vibe of this book quite well. If you haven't, you can read it (as well as subscribe to my main newsletter list if you're not on there yet) here.

And here's the cover:

Okay, I think that's it! Thank you for joining my ARC Team - I was absolutely flabbergasted by the powerful response to my invitation! I think the 100 spots filled out within 10 minutes of my sending that email, and I'll be honest, it brought happy tears to my eyes.

So thank you, , and I hope we both have a fantastic time together!

~Layla

PS Oh, and if you want to write me or share some feedback, you can reply to any of my emails. I'll be delighted to hear from you!