Shadows of Laurel and Flame

In modern-day Southern California, gods walk among mortals disguised as CEOs, professors, crime lords, and celebrities-powerful, immortal, and manipulative. But not all gods are free.

Persephone Karras, a literature professor in San Diego, is cursed by her mother Demeter, Zeus, and Hera to live endless mortal lifetimes without memory of who she truly is. Every life ends on her 30th birthday, unless Hades-Adrian Thanos, the feared mafia boss of Los Angeles-finds her in time and claims her through marriage and union, restoring her divinity and breaking the cycle.

For Adrian, Persephone is his only light, the one good thing in his shadowed existence. For Persephone, he is both danger and salvation-an untouchable figure who appears in her dreams as a king of fire and night.

But the curse is not the only obstacle. Other gods and goddesses shape this world and the immortal one:

As Persephone's 30th birthday draws near, her dreams grow more vivid-visions of shadows, pomegranate seeds, and a crown forged of flame and laurel. Adrian must defy Zeus, outwit Hera, and even resist Demeter's wrath to save her.

But fate is cruel: if Adrian fails, Persephone dies again, the curse resets, and her immortal essence slips further from reach. If he succeeds, their union will not only end the curse but bring forth a child-a being of shadow and bloom, mortal and divine-destined to change the balance of both worlds.