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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

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · Aug 21

Interested in reading a sweet romance story set in a dark fantasy world? ARC reader sign-ups for Hearts of Bark and Scale are open now! Check the linktree in my profile or comment "I'm in" and I'll provide the link.

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #ARCread #ReadingCommunity

The world is blood and pain, but still there’s love.

All Kvisti has ever wanted is to protect her desert village in a way that would make the Mother Tree proud. Unfortunately, an old injury has left her once-potent dryad powers broken, and she can’t even stop the ruthless magic poachers that invade her village for the scraps of magic she still holds.

Snake shifter Iason is bound to a criminal snake den for the sake of his rare healing magic. But the magic poachers want his magic, too. When the poachers throw Kvisti in the same magic-proof cell as Iason, the two are inexorably drawn together, bonding over past traumas. In their isolation, they begin to heal each other, finding a connection deeper than they imagined possible.

But when disaster strikes the poachers, Kvisti and Iason are abandoned in their cell with no hope for freedom.

In a world that thrives on cruelty and despair, love may be their only salvation. Can Kvisti and Iason break free of their prison and the pasts that haunt them before their connection is torn apart? Will the delicate new feelings taking root in their hearts bloom, or will the desert bury them? When blood and pain are a constant, love is a fragile thing—but one worth fighting for.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 13h

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah... 😬

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

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.

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

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

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

Such a fun series lol

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

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

Yeah, that's my hope with Emmanuel 🥰

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

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

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

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!

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

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.”

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

Glad I could make you laugh 😂

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

Thanks 😂 I love my Atlas boys 💜

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

Maybe is even proud of it 😂

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

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.

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

Yeah, that's an appropriate reaction...

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

💯 It's a low blow, but that never seems to stop a villain 😬

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

Bit of an ominous snippet today, and short to avoid spoilers 😶

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“I think I finally figured you out, Poe,” he said, his smile growing wider and more devious. “Threats to you don’t seem to faze you. But threats to those you care about are an entirely different matter.”

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

New writing prompt for the week! What do you make of this one? How would you use it to write a scene or story? Share your ideas below!

#WritingPrompt #WritingInspo #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Decorative leaf wreath with writing prompt text: With the picture in black and white, it was impossible to tell if it was paint, oil, or blood that covered the young woman's bare back. @NicoleLSoperGorden

Reposted by Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland

Bridget the Book Dragon 💙📚 @fierybri.bsky.social · 5d

5/5 ⭐ An ARC I nearly forgot & am so glad I didn't! A truly sweet story of how love can grow in unlikely places. Beautiful imagery, tender romance, & cozy fantasy. It was a lovely short read
#BookSky #Bookreview #cozyfantasy #cozy #romance #fantasy #ARCreader #ARC #BookTok #Bookstagram
💙📚🪐📚⏰📚💬📚📸

Bridget the Book Dragon 💙📚 @fierybri.bsky.social · Aug 26

Against An Alpine Sky by Nicole Leonard @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social is a cozy fantasy focusing on Talos, a person carved from stone who is living his quiet life in the mountains, and Maëlle, a young woman running from the prospect of a cruel future
#BookSky #Bookreview #ARCreader #ARC
💙📚🪐📚⏰📚💬📚📸

Cover of Against An Alpine Sky by Nicole Leonard. Strawberries, bees, and various leaves are in the forefront with mountains and a glacial lake behind them

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

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🥰

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

Did you really want to ARC read but missed the sign-up? Message me and we may be able to work something out 🖤