Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland

@nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social

1K followers 1.7K following 930 posts

Nicole L. Soper Gorden: fantasy & science fiction 📚 Nicole Leland: fantasy romance 💜 Lover of plants. 🌿 Drinker of tea. ☕ (she/her) https://linktr.ee/nicolelsopergorden

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 7d

The first reviews for my book Hearts of Bark and Scale (out Oct. 27) have started coming in from early ARC readers. Here's the very first one posted on Goodreads!

The book is up for preorder now. Kindle Unlimited and paperbacks available on release day.

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Background image of a desert sunset with silhouettes of a snake, tree branch, and agave plant. Foreground image of a screenshot of a review on Goodreads.

Five stars. September 28, 2025.

One broken dryad. One snake shifter. Magic poachers after them both. Trauma bonding...and healing. Can they break free together, or will they be torn apart? They know two things. Pain is constant and love is fragile. But it's worth the fight.

Hearts of Bark and Scale was a really interesting read. A good portion of the story took place in one little cell, and yet somehow the author kept it from becoming mundane. Only in the last couple of chapters did the scenery change, becoming as open and fresh and new as the budding relationship itself. It was both literal and metaphorical in the most perfect way. My deepest kudos to the author, and I would very much recommend this story. Five sssssssstars!

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 14h

Sure to be trouble 😂😂😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 16h

Kip is entirely too predictable sometimes... 😂

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“It’s not nearly as fancy as the guest house, but the Delta house has an empty basement. I’d have to ask the others, but maybe you could stay there?” Jocie said.
“A sorority house?” Kip asked, eyes big and full of stars. “For real?”
Byron immediately worried about what his youngest brother would get up to in a sorority house.
“It’s co-ed,” Jocie said. “Delta Phi Delta is a co-ed fraternity. Men are on the third floor and women on the second.”
“A co-ed fraternity house??” Kip said, eyes somehow even bigger and fuller of stars, as if someone had taken his favorite dream and granted it for him, then dipped it in cotton candy just to sweeten the deal.

1 2 16

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 16h

Psst. If you're interested in Cassie's books, she als has a Kickstarteer going on right now for special edition copies of her book The Wiked Blue. 💙 Check it out at tinyurl.com/mrydmdy5

The Wicked Blue- Special Limited Edition Hardcover

Little mermaid retelling with a twist, romantasy standalone with forbidden romance, forced proximity

tinyurl.com

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 16h

I got such lovely book mail from @cassie-swindon.bsky.social recently! Just look how pretty 😍 I may need to move Of Toxin and Teacups to the top of my physical book TBR 😉 And with that many bookmarks, maybe I need more of Cassie's books - what do you think?

#BookSky #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Photograph of a copy of Of Toxin and Teacups by Cassie Swindon plus various character art, bookmarks, and stickers, surrounded by pink sparkles and hearts. Text at the top reads Book Mail!

1 2

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 20h

Iason and Kvisti both have the ability to shift - Iason as a snake shifter and Kvisti as a dryad. And I couldn't have asked for better art to do their double forms justice (thanks Warickaart!).

Are you excited to meet Iason and Kvisti? Less than a week away!

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 1d

During the infamous paper lantern date 💜 (Byron and Cora are too sweet together lol)

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“Look, they’re starting to flicker,” Cora said, heading to the wall of the roof to watch the last two lanterns flicker gently, light and colors coming on and off. Already, the two paper constructions were sinking in the night air, headed for a resting place among the wild grass of the field.
“Like fireflies,” Byron agreed, leaning on the wall next to her.
Cora cocked her head slightly to one side. “Did you know fireflies use their light to attract mates? Flickering light to attract love from across the impossible distances between one tiny insect and another.”
“Mm,” Byron agreed.
“It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Such dedication to love.”
“Or at least dedication to sex.”
Cora laughed, swatting him. “Byron Atlas, cut that out! I’m trying to be sappy for you!”

1 2 16

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 2d

In a dimension plagued by a persistent pandemic, this should be good news...right?

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

2 16

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

I can't even say that's the meanest thing Tennyson has said to Poe 😢

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

He has a sharp tongue and is an expert at using it (unfortunately)...

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was saying Tennyson starts out unlikeable and a bully? 😅

1 1

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

Yeah... 😬

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

The culmination of yet another argument between Tennyson and Poe, this one on the heels of a painful conversation Poe just finished. Tennyson doesn't know how hard he's hitting tonight...

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

Tennyson paused in unpacking the grocery bags, eyes narrowing. “I’m not the one making loneliness into a profession, Poe. Why don’t you scurry off and use that big math brain of yours to calculate the odds that anyone actually cares about you.”
Another sharp barb that Poe didn’t know how to dodge, another flinch. Nearby, Manny let out a sharp breath, reaching for Tennyson’s arm, but Poe didn’t stick around to hear any more. He didn’t want to hear what insults Tennyson thought to throw next. He didn’t even bother flipping Tennyson off. Taking his mug, he hurried across the kitchen and pushed his way through crowds, desperate to get back to the solitude of the basement before anyone could see the tears he was trying not to shed.

4 4 21

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Kip has a stomach of steel (and apparently very confused taste buds) ,😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Such a fun series lol

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

You're not the first one to say that about Kip, but at least he's consistent 😂😂😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Kip just being on brand, that's all 😂 But pasta is sounding tasty...maybe I should make some for dinner...

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Yeah, that's my hope with Emmanuel 🥰

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Happy #NationalPastaDay! To celebrate, enjoy this reveal of the favorite pasta dishes for each of my Atlas brothers in my WIP, The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse. Which one would you want to eat? 👀

#WriteSky #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

Images of the favorite pasta dishes for the Atlas brothers.
Byron: spaghetti with meatballs
Tennyson: homemade pasta with lemon cream sauce
Poe: chicken alfredo
Kip: some cold pasta, canned fruit, and marshmallow salad abomination

3 10

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

That makes me happy, because I think Tennyson starts out the series kind of unlikeable (he bullies Poe a lot 😬). He's really just not good at regulating his own insecurities and anger...but he's trying now!

1 2

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

Tennyson is stress baking, and Emmanuel isn't afraid to call out his BS (which is what Tennyson needs, honestly).

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“Why do you do that?”
Tennyson jumped at the voice, not realizing Emmanuel was near. The boy was in the kitchen doorway, looking even more delectable than the cobbler waiting to bake. But his face was creased in confusion, that full mouth turned down.
“Do what?” Tennyson asked, giving the bread dough a couple more kneads before shaping it into a loaf for baking.
“With Poe,” he said, as if that explained everything.
“I don’t do anything with Poe,” Tennyson said with a scowl, slamming the bread pan on the counter loudly. He winced at the sound, then sighed, more gently transferring bread dough to pan. “It’s just…Poe and I are oil and water. Never got on well.”

1 4 29

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

Glad I could make you laugh 😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks 😂 I love my Atlas boys 💜

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

Maybe is even proud of it 😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

I love a good sibling (plus significant others) banter exchange 😂

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“We don’t have extra money right now, and it’s barely been an hour since we bought coffee. We are not buying random snacks from overpriced event catering.” Bryon tightened his grip on Kip, as if anticipating he might try to run again. “Plus, I don’t trust you off by yourself in these crowds. You’re mischief waiting to happen.”
“That’s me. Hungry mischief.”
Cora chuckled. “You’re always hungry, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much,” Kip agreed easily.
“Being a fucking nuisance must burn a lot of calories,” Tennyson said.
“Not to mention all the running, and climbing, and sex,” Manny added, and Tennyson almost choked on a sip of his coffee at the last.
“It’s hungry work, but someone’s got to do it,” Kip said.
“Patently untrue,” Byron grumbled.

3 5 32

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 6d

Yeah, that's an appropriate reaction...