A-Z Blogging Challenge - B is for Beauty and Union (Excerpt)

 

Thank you for visiting my blog for the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This month, I will be posting the A-Z of The Starlight Prince, my spicy, fantasy-romance novel, which was released on 25 March. Posts will include excerpts, story inspirations, lore and other ‘behind-the-scenes’ tidbits.

You can see a complete schedule of my planned posts here for easy access.

Every day, I will pick a commenter at random to receive a FREE ebook copy of The Starlight Prince, and its prequel novella, The Adventures of Josain Jovenne.

Additionally, throughout the entire month, I’m running a Rafflecopter giveaway, which you can enter by commenting on my blog any day in the challenge. The prize is a signed paperback copy of The Starlight Prince, plus related ‘swag’ such as postcards, etc. 

And now, onto today’s post…B is for Beauty and Union, which is an excerpt from chapter six of the novel.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge - A is for Awaken

Thank you for visiting my blog for the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This month, I will be posting the A-Z of The Starlight Prince, my spicy, fantasy-romance novel, which was released on 25 March. Posts will include excerpts, story inspirations, lore and other ‘behind-the-scenes’ tidbits.

You can see a complete schedule of my planned posts here for easy access.

Every day, I will pick a commenter at random to receive a FREE ebook copy of The Starlight Prince, and its prequel novella, The Adventures of Josain Jovenne.

Additionally, throughout the entire month, I’m running a Rafflecopter giveaway, which you can enter by commenting on my blog any day in the challenge. The prize is a signed paperback copy of The Starlight Prince, plus related ‘swag’ such as postcards, etc. 

And now, onto today’s post…A is Awaken, which is an excerpt from chapter two of the novel.

In Search of my Magnum Opus

Greetings Readers!

It feels like ages since I did a proper update, so here it is.

First, I want to thank everyone who supported the release of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE. The book was a long time coming, and as I've previously mentioned, I feel immensely proud of all I achieved by writing it, as much of the process coincided with my autism and ADHD journey.

Even to the last minute, things were hectic, as I pushed back my release by a month to give myself more time to focus on the final developmental edits. And while I was doing that, I had some real-life changes. I won't go into detail, because it's not my story to share, but the TL:DR is my 22-year-old child is back living with us, after almost five years away from home. I hate the circumstances of their return, but I won't lie, it's great having them back!  We're all settling into our new normal now, and my head feels clearer, and I'm more able to focus on writing-related things again.

On the topic of The Starlight Prince, in case you didn't see my previous post, during April, I will be taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Every day (except Sundays), I'll be sharing excerpts and tidbits about the book. Each day I will choose a commenter at random to receive free digital copies of both The Starlight Prince, and it's prequel novella The Adventures of Josain Jovenne. And there will also be a month-long Rafflecopter giveaway in which you can win a signed paperback copy of The Starlight Prince, and some swag like postcards of the character art I had commissioned.

A New Release and A Free Sale

Greetings readers!

I'm so excited to finally announce that my spicy, fantasy-romance THE STARLIGHT PRINCE is now available in eBook format, with the paperback coming ASAP!

This is the first book I've released in five years (!!) and the first since discovering I have ADHD and autism. The last ~five years have been filled with highs and lows and a lot of self-discovery, and I'm so proud to have overcome various challenges and got another book out in the world!

I want to thank everyone who has supported me in this journey. I couldn't have done it without you, and your support means the world to me. <3

Okay, enough with the mushy stuff, here's the book details...

A-Z Blogging Challenge 2025

If you're a long-time follower of my blog, you'll know I LOVE the A-Z Blogging Challenge. I've taken part in it five times in the past twelve years.

Well, let's make that six!

This year's challenge begins just a week after my first novel in five years is published. THE STARLIGHT PRINCE (a steamy, fantasy romance set on another planet) will release on 25 March 2025.

For the challenge, I'll be talking all things THE STARLIGHT PRINCE, with excerpts and behind-the-scenes tidbits. 

Every day, I will select one commenter at random to receive a free ebook copy of The Starlight Prince and its prequel novella, THE ADVENTURES OF JOSAIN JOVENNE. There will also be a Rafflecopter Giveaway running for the entirety of the challenge, and entering will enter you into a prize draw to win a signed paperback copy of The Starlight Prince, plus some goodies.

I hope to see some of you there next week for the challenge, and I also hope you'll join me tomorrow for the release of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE!

(Please note: All entries will be cross-posted to both my blog on claredugmore.com, and on the zzatem.com blogging platform.)

Announcing Clare's Kindred Book Club

 

Hello Readers!

If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I’ve been hinting at a big announcement originally set for February 25—the planned release date for The Starlight Prince. But to ensure the best possible version, I’ve decided to push the release to March 25 to allow more time for edits.

Well, here it is...

I have launched a Patreon subscription service book club, which has a vibrant, interactive Discord Community, and monthly video book club chats and author Q&As.

What You'll Get:

Exclusive Discord Community: Connect with fellow readers and authors, share your favourite books, and chat about TV shows, movies, and other passions.

Reader Perks: Enjoy live Q&A sessions with authors, early access to review copies, and exclusive promotions like discounted books and giveaways.

Author Perks: Submit your book for our monthly read, join live Q&As with readers, and access a network of writer-friendly services (editing, formatting, and more)—with discounts when available. Promote your work through events and ARC opportunities to grow your audience.

Support Clare Dugmore: By joining, you’re supporting indie author Clare Dugmore’s publishing journey. Get exclusive access to their latest books, behind-the-scenes content, and an extensive back catalogue.

Charity Support: Each month, a portion of subscriber contributions will go to a charity chosen by the community. You'll have a say in which causes we support! Plus, we’ll host additional charity events throughout the year.

At Clare's Kindred Book Club, everyone is welcome, and every story matters. Let’s read, connect, and celebrate the power of books together!

If any of this resonates with you, please come and join my Kindred Book Club. https://patreon.com/ClareDugmore

Review: Son Of The First, by N.S. Armstrong

I'm so excited to share my review of N.S. Armstrong's debut, coming of age, paranormal-fantasy SON OF THE FIRST.

Disclaimer: N.S. Armstrong and I are both part of the WH,WN Community. However, I voluntarily offered to review Son of the First, and all opinions are my own.

With that out of the way… I came in expecting a laugh-out-loud paranormal romp, but got a whole lot more!

Review: Only With You, by Kyra Lennon

 

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

Today, I have a treat for you, as I have not only my review from Kyra Lennon’s newly released contemporary romance ONLY WITH YOU (Oakwood Lane Book Two), but also some teasers from the book.

Read on for more…

Clare's Ream Dream Team

 

I'm looking to build a reader base on ReamStories, and I have codes to offer that grant you free access to different tiers/stories.

Please reply to this post if you'd be interested in being sent an access code, so that you can read my stories, including early access to The Starlight Prince, which releases 25 Feb, and my next WIP, a shifter-romance The Pact of Protection.

Hello, fellow travellers of fantastical realms!

 

If you’ve ever dreamed of diving deep into spicy sci-fi romance, urban fantasy, and diverse love stories, you’re in the right place. By becoming a subscriber, you’re not only supporting my work but also gaining access to exclusive content. Whether you’re a curious reader or a dedicated fan, there’s a tier here for you.

By supporting me on Ream, you get to experience exclusive, behind-the-scenes content, early access to new chapters, and direct access to me as I create. Whether you're here for the romance, the spicy content, or the deep worldbuilding, there's something for everyone. Plus, you’re helping me continue to create the stories you love. Thank you so much for your support!

Anyone who follows me will get immediate access to the first three chapters (around 8k words) of my spicy, science-fiction romance The Starlight Prince.

SUPPORT ME ON REAM

Read on for full-tier benefits...