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Susan_Illene

@susanillene.bsky.social

Dark fantasy author, Army veteran, and married with two little boys.

62 Posts177 Follower77 Folgt
Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 2d ago

What would ancient Romans find in your purse or pockets? In A Time of Gladiators and Fate, there is a scene where they go through Grace's purse, asking her about the contents. That's a rather awkward situation. Get a peek at what she had with her to cause the Romans to raise a brow.

What would ancient Romans find in your purse or pockets?

In A Time of Gladiators and Fate, there is a scene where they go through Grace's purse, asking her about the contents. That's a rather awkward situation. Get a peek at what she had with her to cause the Romans to raise a brow.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 2w ago

Release day- A Time of Gladiators and Fate From Kansas to the brutal Roman arena, a gladiator is born. It's time to step into the first century and follow Grace as she navigates a life she never imagined. A time of Gladiators and Fate is now available!

Release day- A Time of Gladiators and Fate

From Kansas to the brutal Roman arena, a gladiator is born. It's time to step into the first century and follow Grace as she navigates a life she never imagined. A time of Gladiators and Fate is now available!

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 2w ago

The banter and humor in ATOGAF… What happens when you drop a modern, witty 21st-century woman into the brutal, rigid world of 1st-century Rome? A whole lot of culture-clash humor and sharp-tongued defiance that the local gladiators and trainers aren't prepared for! 🏛️⚔️

The banter and humor in ATOGAF…

What happens when you drop a modern, witty 21st-century woman into the brutal, rigid world of 1st-century Rome? A whole lot of culture-clash humor and sharp-tongued defiance that the local gladiators and trainers aren't prepared for! 🏛️⚔️

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 2w ago

Two MMCs in ancient Rome but she will only choose one… A Time of Gladiators and Fate is filled with action, banter, strong women, historically accurate details, blood, and grit. It also has a slow, simmering romantic layer that takes its time to play out. Grace finds herself fighting an attraction…

Two MMCs in ancient Rome but she will only choose one…

A Time of Gladiators and Fate is filled with action, banter, strong women, historically accurate details, blood, and grit. It also has a slow, simmering romantic layer that takes its time to play out. Grace finds herself fighting an attraction to two dangerous, contrasting men. One is her sponsor and the other the lead gladiator school trainer. Neither wants to get attached to her either, especially since her chances of survival in the arena are slim.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 3w ago

Still on the fence about historical time-travel to Rome? I won't deny you'll learn a few things about 1st-century Rome while reading A Time of Gladiators and Fate, but you'll also get to watch how a modern woman navigates the ancient way of life. Sometimes with aplomb, sometimes not. You'll likely…

Still on the fence about historical time-travel to Rome?

I won't deny you'll learn a few things about 1st-century Rome while reading A Time of Gladiators and Fate, but you'll also get to watch how a modern woman navigates the ancient way of life. Sometimes with aplomb, sometimes not. You'll likely be asking yourself what you'd do in her shoes...or sandals in this case.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Writing difficult topics In this post, I share difficult and complex writing insights about my upcoming book, "A Time of Gladiators and Fate," in which I include humor but also cover serious themes of slavery in 1st-century Rome. This story follows Grace, a modern woman who must face the harsh…

Writing difficult topics

In this post, I share difficult and complex writing insights about my upcoming book, "A Time of Gladiators and Fate," in which I include humor but also cover serious themes of slavery in 1st-century Rome. This story follows Grace, a modern woman who must face the harsh realities of that era. The post also goes into detail about maintaining historical accuracy and emotional depth as much as possible. If you're curious about this book, you might check out my thoughts!

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 3mo ago

A Time of Gladiators and Fate- first three chapters Crashing a car into the Roman Colosseum in the first century is a bad idea, one Grace learns the hard way. If you want to know how that came about, check out the sneak preview of A Time of Gladiators and Fate.

A Time of Gladiators and Fate- first three chapters

Crashing a car into the Roman Colosseum in the first century is a bad idea, one Grace learns the hard way. If you want to know how that came about, check out the sneak preview of A Time of Gladiators and Fate.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Cover reveal- A Time of Gladiators and Fate One moment, she's on a much-needed vacation in Rome, and the next, she's thrown into the first century with legionnaires chasing her and her orange rental car around the Colosseum arena. This was definitely not on her bucket list. Cover reveal time for…

Cover reveal- A Time of Gladiators and Fate

One moment, she's on a much-needed vacation in Rome, and the next, she's thrown into the first century with legionnaires chasing her and her orange rental car around the Colosseum arena. This was definitely not on her bucket list. Cover reveal time for "A Time of Gladiators and Fate." All the details about the book and pre-order links are in this post.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 4mo ago

A Time of Gladiators and Fate- Let’s Discuss! A Time of Gladiators and Fate is coming October 12th, 2026. This post will give you all the details you need to know, such as when you'll see the cover, what is the book about (hint: time-travel), and some background into my research of the Roman…

A Time of Gladiators and Fate- Let’s Discuss!

A Time of Gladiators and Fate is coming October 12th, 2026. This post will give you all the details you need to know, such as when you'll see the cover, what is the book about (hint: time-travel), and some background into my research of the Roman Empire for the novel. So excited to share this with you all!

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Plant character art for the Realm of Zadrya! Only in the Realm of Zadrya do readers get to see sentient, murderous plants as side characters with notable personalities. Now, it's time to see some amazing artwork of the most well-known varieties as of book two, Wrath & Desire.

Plant character art for the Realm of Zadrya!

Only in the Realm of Zadrya do readers get to see sentient, murderous plants as side characters with notable personalities. Now, it's time to see some amazing artwork of the most well-known varieties as of book two, Wrath & Desire.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Wrath & Desire book release day! Wrath & Desire, the intense and turbulent second installment in the Realm of Zadrya, is here. The stakes are raised with complicated romance, war, dying land, more dangerous plants with attitudes, as well as some unexpected creatures spinning chaos as the fate of…

Wrath & Desire book release day!

Wrath & Desire, the intense and turbulent second installment in the Realm of Zadrya, is here. The stakes are raised with complicated romance, war, dying land, more dangerous plants with attitudes, as well as some unexpected creatures spinning chaos as the fate of this fantasy world edges closer to annihilation. Oh, and the nameless gods are more active as well, interfering in ways that are...unexpected. If you've read the first book, Oaths & Vengeance (available in Kindle Unlimited) you'll want to grab this next book right away!

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 9mo ago

O&V Recap, hardcover sale, ARCs, and other news As the time draws closer for the Wrath & Desire book release, I've prepared a refresher for readers so they can dive back into the Realm of Zadrya world more easily. In this post, you'll also find details on a hardcover sale for Oaths & Vengeance,…

O&V Recap, hardcover sale, ARCs, and other news

As the time draws closer for the Wrath & Desire book release, I've prepared a refresher for readers so they can dive back into the Realm of Zadrya world more easily. In this post, you'll also find details on a hardcover sale for Oaths & Vengeance, updates on ARCs, and other news.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Wrath & Desire cover reveal! It's finally time to show it! The cover reveal for Wrath & Desire, book two in my romantasy series, the Realm of Zadrya. The official summary and Amazon pre-order link are included in this post.

Wrath & Desire cover reveal!

It's finally time to show it! The cover reveal for Wrath & Desire, book two in my romantasy series, the Realm of Zadrya. The official summary and Amazon pre-order link are included in this post.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · last yr.

I ran a large and time-consuming ARC campaign for my novel, Oaths & Vengeance, to give it the best push possible for release day. This post covers what went right and wrong with lots of data for those who are considering something similar, and anyone who is just curious.

Brutally honest ARC campaign results

I ran a large and time-consuming ARC campaign for my novel, Oaths & Vengeance, to give it the best push possible for release day. This post covers what went right and wrong with lots of data for those who are considering something similar, and anyone who is just curious.

susanillene.com

Susan_Illene@susanillene.bsky.social · last yr.

Oaths & Vengeance release day! If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romantasy and want to meet a female character who cultivates a wickedly dangerous garden, then this book is for you. Aella isn't a young, inexperienced girl just discovering her powers. She's in her thirties with life experience.

Oaths & Vengeance release day!

If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romantasy and want to meet a female character who cultivates a wickedly dangerous garden, then this book is for you. Aella isn't a young, inexperienced girl just discovering her powers. She's in her thirties with life experience, has a strong handle on her magic, and strains against a system that keeps fae women under men's control. …

susanillene.com