What Themes Dominate 'If Not, Winter: Fragments Of Sappho'?

Celeste Winters was born chosen, marked by the Moon Goddess, destined for power, and tied to a future she never fully wanted. But when a cursed moonstone dagger strikes her down, it doesn’t just nearly kill her; it erases her. Her memories vanish, her bond to her mate is severed, and the power that once defined her is ripped away, leaving behind someone unrecognizable, even to herself. In a desperate attempt to save her, those closest to her turn to the Moonwell, an ancient force said to heal what cannot be fixed. The water answers, but not with mercy. Instead of restoring Celeste, it changes her. What the moonstone stole, it replaced, twisting something inside her into its opposite. Now, Celeste is caught in a battle she cannot control. One moment, she seems almost like herself, quiet, distant, but there. The next, something darker takes over. The air around her grows heavy, her presence sharp and unfamiliar, and the world itself begins to react to her in ways it never has before. She knows something is wrong, but trying to remember only causes pain, forcing her further into the unknown version of herself she’s becoming. As the truth unfolds, it becomes clear that the moonstone obeyed an ancient balance, stripping her of her light and replacing it with darkness. And now, that darkness is winning. With time running out, Silas must find a way to reach the girl he lost before she’s gone for good. Because if Celeste fully becomes what the moonstone made her… There may be nothing left to save.

I was the Beta’s daughter. He was the Alpha’s brother. Not to mention, he was the new Latin teacher at our High School. He reminded me of all that was good in our world. The world hadn’t quite hardened him enough to feel comfortable turning a blind eye. His eyes looked at me with genuine kindness. I needed him to turn a blind eye though. I needed him to not look and let me go. The only way I was going to survive is if I didn’t stand out until I graduated. I was already caught between my Alpha and my Father as they played their own games of succession within our pack. With a few months left, I didn’t need any complications. Nor did I need a mate. Instead I found both.

Cassandra is a successful businesswoman who secretly yearns to be dominated in the bedroom. She hires a professional Dominant, Chad, to fulfill her fantasies. As they explore her deepest desires, Cassandra and Chad must navigate the challenges of their growing bond while keeping their arrangement strictly professional. As Cassandra becomes increasingly addicted to the intense pleasure and surrender, she begins to crave more from Chad. But can they maintain their boundaries as their feelings for each other intensify? Will Cassandra ever find true satisfaction in both the bedroom and her personal life?

Ashlyn hasn't spoken a word since the age of eight, and her heart's never felt more protected. But, when the confident and ever so charming Derek stumbles into her quiet little world, her emotions-and forbidden desires-have never been so loud. For twenty years, silence is all Ashlyn Holland has known. Haunted by the memories of her father, and the harrowing song of the ocean that stole him from her, Ashlyn maintains a safe distance from the rest of the world. Treading carefully the sea of fear and anguish that surrounds her, Ashlyn is determined to do all she can to protect her heart from such a tragic loss striking again. In silence, she grieves. In silence, she is safe. In silence, she finds the strength to breathe. But the silence can only last so long... Derek Moreno is charming and devoted, and quick to see through every wall Ashlyn erects. With his arrival in town, defences fold and walls begin to crumble, the songs of her heart reaching new heights. Together, they crest twin tides of fate, the silence she'd once sought engulfed by his gentle touch, and the whispers of a love thought impossible. For the summer, Ashlyn welcomes the noise. The disruption. But, the ghosts of Derek's past will no longer remain silent, and their deafening power has the potential to drag them both into a current strong enough to drown them amidst their heartache.

"Moon Goddess, I'd like to go home," says Seraphina Jarett. The Will of the Moon Goddess speaks to her in her mind. She doesn't reply in any form of language. Instead, it is a calm and saddened torrent of consciousness. "Alright, my child. Your mission is about to be completed. In a week, your soul can leave this place." The usually authoritative voice pauses for a few seconds, which is a rare occurrence. Unable to understand my choice, she says, "My child, you have a mate who loves you deeply and sees you as the light of his life. Your pup puts you first in everything. Isn't this your home now? They are your family… your pack." When Seraphina hears the word "family", her gaze lands on the Moon Pool that is in the middle of the room. At the moment, the pool is showing the Alpha of the Blackwood pack, Caelum Blackwood, and his son, Liam Blackwood, touching down in the pack's private airport.

Wolves are born, not turned. Rex fell in love, finding his mate in a human, which was forbidden to do, if he acted on that urge he knew the punishment would be severe. After saving his human from a group of Alphas trying to turn a human into a chew toy. Surprising the Alphas, Rex ran in and took off with his human. Spending time with his human made Rex realize he couldn’t live without him. Finding a long forgotten ritual, Rex was able to turn his human into a wolf so they could remain together. The consequences from that decision ignited a war between the Sire Lines, wolves from all corners of Gaia having their wolves and humans together in one body, tempering the bloodlust of their inner wolf brought a peaceful balance to the wolf. Some wolves being unhappy with the awakening of their humanity, a few started putting together a team of wolves, armed with a plan to eliminate Rex and his mate to satisfy a very old grudge, gaining the favor of Vuk Majka, the Mother of Wolves, to aid their cause. Vuk’s sister, Pandora sides with Rex and his wolves trying to keep Nature and Creation from wiping the slate clean, remaking Gaia from the ground to the Heavens.