🌺 Special Edition!
5th August, 2025
Greetings, my lovelies!
In this newsletter:
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- It’s the FINAL cover reveal for the Dark Water series. Sob! I can’t believe it’s come around so fast!
- The Quarterlands launches on September 9th, so be sure to read Crocodile Tears, Ghost Eye, and The Lost Zone by then.
- The momentum has been incredible recently! The Lost Zone launched into the top spot in LGBTQ+ Mysteries for both the Ebook and Audiobook and won a Top New Release tag in LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi Ebooks. See below!
- If you love the book series, please post about it on social media. I’m not very well known, so all the word-of-mouth recommendations really help! Remember to tag me in so I can repost.
Also in this Special Edition newsletter, the Featured Author is Zarah Detand with Wear it Like a Crown, which one reader described as “One of my favorite reads of the year, and by far my favorite royal read!”
The Quarterlands Cover Reveal
- The cover for The Quarterlands is below – isn’t it beautiful?
- Damonza Studio designed all the book covers in the series, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with them.
- I asked for a distinctive different colour wash on each cover, and to feature a specific landmark in the background, while Alex and Josiah take it in turns to feature in the foreground.
- This time, it’s Josiah’s turn. This is fitting because he’s an absolute POWERHOUSE in The Quarterlands. I can’t WAIT to hear what you think of one of his actions in particular…
- I love that Damonza captured a golden age of sci-fi vibe, but also a very modern LGBTQ+ take too, blending the two genres together.
- They really are amazing designers, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
- What do you think of it? Hit the reply button to let me know!
- The Quarterlands launches September 9th. Pre-order your copy now!
- Content Warning!!! The Quarterlands contains some dark scenes and themes, so be sure to check out the Content Advisory page if you have concerns.
Can their love survive the truth?
Josiah is facing the ultimate showdown against his powerful enemy, but the stakes have never been higher. If he fails, he’ll lose not only Alex but also his freedom.
As he finally solves Elliot Dacre’s murder, he also uncovers the devastating secret Alex has hidden from everyone. An explosive showdown forces them to confront the truth about each other, but will it shatter their bond beyond repair?
Don’t miss the explosive finale of the Dark Water series where the truth that lurks in the Quarterlands has the power to tear their lives apart.
“In a dystopian world teetering on the edge of collapse, the slow, intense burn between Alex and Josiah is impossible to ignore. Every glance between them simmers with unresolved tension, every interaction steeped in history.” Reader Review of Book One
Dark Water. Deadly Secrets. Dangerous Love.
London, 2095. Sixty years after rising seas drowned the old world, a corrupt system of servitude keeps the new one afloat.
Josiah believed he’d escaped the Quarterlands forever. But his pursuit of justice drives him back to the one place he swore he’d never return—home.
Meanwhile, Alex surrenders to his captor’s desires, playing a dangerous game of deception. But as the charade corrodes his sanity, their relationship twists into something monstrous.
When Josiah’s relentless investigation finally uncovers Alex’s most deeply buried secret, it threatens to destroy everything between them.
In this searing finale, the past demands its reckoning. Can there be any future for these two shattered men, or will the truth destroy them both?
This book series explores dark themes and scenes intended for mature readers. Please consult the content advisory page listed in the Author’s Notes to make an informed reading decision.
This series must be read in order, starting with Book One, “Crocodile Tears”. Each book continues the story directly and cannot be read independently.
Tropes:
- Broken Boys
- Enemies to Lovers
- Captive/Captor
- Dark Romance
- Slow Burn
- Hurt/Comfort
- Forced Proximity
- Touch-Starved/Emotional Awakening
- Redemption Arc
Reader Reviews of Book Three:
“The Dark Water series is shaping up to be one of my favourite reads of 2025, and The Lost Zone is another utterly compelling instalment that had me alternately exhilarated and exhausted while I was reading it. The concluding novel, The Quarterlands, will be released in early September, and to say I’m eagerly looking forward to it is a huge understatement!”
Caz’s Reading Room ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This series just continues to sink its hooks into me at every turn, throwing out curveballs and keeping my cortisol levels consistently high. It’s an exhausting and exhilarating experience, but I love it!”
Dana | Rainbow Romance Reader ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This series just keeps getting better—and this book might be the best one yet… The tension—emotional and narrative—is masterful. As always, the worldbuilding is immersive and the stakes are sky-high. I was completely pulled in from the first page to the last. This book isn’t just about survival or justice; it’s about choosing love in a world that keeps trying to crush it.
Vesta ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This was a doozy. Seriously. Grab your heart, rip it out, annihilate it, and then give you a couple of atoms to put back, and you feel like the author is doing you a big favor!”
Carla Page ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐈⬛ Gifts For Walter’s World
As a Walter’s World member, you’ll receive early or exclusive access to the following Dark Water bonus booty:
- Cover reveals
- Character profiles
- World-building information
- Series extras: playlists, graphics, and much more
- Giveaways throughout the launch periods
The summer of Dark Water is nearly over! (SOB!)
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏻 Featured Author
In this newsletter, I’m doing a special feature on Zarah Detand, who is offering Wear It Like A Crown. Check it out!
A royal coming out needs a professional touch. When rebellious Leo, an ex-Etonian with a dark past, crashes into Prince Joshua’s pristine world, it’s safe to say the monarchy won’t ever be the same.
Their first encounter? Contentious. But there’s an undeniable spark—a raw honesty that draws Joshua in. As their worlds merge, secrets unravel, including one that links their pasts in the corridors of Eton. But amidst the banter, the challenges of royalty weigh heavy on Joshua. Leo, with his cheeky bravado, might just be the jolt Joshua needs, especially when coming out to a nation.
However, when passion turns to potential love, Leo’s own demons rear their head. Can a former hooker ever stand by the side of a prince?
Expect fast-paced dialogue, unexpected laughs, and a tale that balances the light-hearted with the profound. Perfect for fans of contemporary MM romances that delve deep while keeping you hooked with charm.
🐱 Oh, Indy!
This week, I give you King Indy, riding his trusty steed, Dolly the Sheep. All hail the king! The juxtaposition between his solemn face and his bonkers actions always makes me laugh.
👨💻👩💻Do You Want To Be On My ARC Team?!
As an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) member, you’ll get a free copy of my upcoming books, in eBook or audiobook form (your choice) before they are officially released. In return, you will be expected to leave an honest review on sites like Amazon and Goodreads. This is important, so please only apply if you can do this. Find out more by clicking on the link below.
👥 Join Me On Social Media
You can find me on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, X, Bluesky, and Threads – and don’t forget to join my friendly Facebook group, Xanthology! All my links are on my Linktree.
👋 That’s All, Folks!
Until next time, my lovelies!
XOXO
Xanthe
PS Remember to download The Worlds of Xanthe Walter to read the first two chapters of Crocodile Tears!
