Here's a fun little download for you! A little darkness, a little romance. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
😈
Here's the download/print link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qRI5Sx-a6BPXoZJ9q0qqFHmHplRQbh6D/view?usp=sharing
Happy Friday!
It's been crazy in the Pogue house. The hubs is switching jobs, and I've been in the midst of tax craziness. BUT I'm diving back into the Darkborn Saga. I have book one and two written, and I was starting book 3, but then decided I need to revisit book one. It's the foundation of the entire series, which has turned into an epic dark fantasy romance at this point, which means there's a lot of world-building and ground to cover, especially in book one. So, I want to hone that in and make it super solid before writing book 3 and 4.
Members already have Sylas's Origin story. Thorne, Arless, and Lucian are coming next! Keep an eye out for those. I might even put up all of PART I once I've revised it.
Anyway, here's something fun I just finished -- the backbone of the Darkborn world has finally come together. It's funny; I write these stories because I cannot get the characters out of my head. But that doesn't mean I have everything ironed out before I sit down to write. It has taken me two books to feel solid in the mythological world I've created - all the little nuances that drive the world my characters are trying to save. If you look closely, you might see where this story is taking us. :)
....
Finalized Lore of the Darkborn Saga - the backbone of the world I've created. It's taken two books to get the lore ironed out. Here's a sneak peek at the first page of Bloodborn:
From the Fragments of the Convergence Chronicles
In the time before memory, the world was whole—one land, anchored by the Soulwood buried deep beneath the earth. From the Soulwood, ley lines spread like roots, carrying life and magic across the realm and binding Röthgard in balance.
As all living things do, the world changed. Seasons turned. Life and death held equal dominion. Light and shadow flourished side by side, and the gods ruled the mortal plane from afar.
But change, like rot, is inevitable.
Every thousand winters, when balance waned and darkness threatened to overtake the light, the ancient protectors of Röthgard—great winged guardians and their Root Keepers—would wake. With frost and flame, they scoured the land, halting corruption and burning away what could not endure.
When their task was complete, the guardians returned to slumber, and the wheel began anew.
Yet the chronicles speak of an evil that rose beyond the natural order.
The Root-Rotter.
An ancient being that poisoned the foundations of the world itself, corrupting the Soulwood and waking the guardians before their slumber was complete.
The guardians fell, dying before their work was done. The texts do not say how, nor why. Only this remains: the Soulwood fractured, the Root-Rotter was cast into the depths of the realm, and the power once bound by the Soulwood surged free. Uncontained, the power splintered the land, creating the Great Fissure.
The fissure tore through Röthgard and the realm. The northern lands were ripped away, and where the continent split, the sea rushed in. Thousands perished, and when the tremors ceased, the world was changed forever.
What was once one land became two: Nordlund, frozen and scarred in the north, and Soothlund, land of sun and secrets in the south, divided by the Bitter Sea. Ley lines weakened, seasons grew cruel, and magic began to fade.
Yet still, the wheel must turn.
For all things endure only until they break.
Translator’s Note:
References to the Root-Rotter appear throughout recovered texts. In Old Soothlunder: Níðhöggr. In northern dialects: the World-Eater, the Root-Rotter.
Translated by Bryanna Thorvold, Archivist of the Forsaken
Hey hey!
I am a dork and posted the link from my creator page, not the public-facing page. Sorry about that.
Here's your Darkborn Prequel - Origins: Sylas story link
Sylas: https://scarletstjames.com/products/darkborn-origins-a-prequel-ebook
Sylas isn't the only Darkborn, though! All paid members have Thorne's story, Ari's story, and Lucian's story coming their way too. Keep an eye out next week. Happy reading adventures.
Hello Roguelings!
It’s been a chaotic December and January. How about for you? I went to my first Smash Room (look it up!), my husband and I celebrated 20 years together, his 40th birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s that same week. And this month is my 42nd birthday!
I know most of us reflect this time of year and set goals for the days ahead. I feel like I’ve been in reflection for a solid year now, so I’m ready to take 2026 by the horns. I even designed a Bucket List Journal for my sister and my husband - we only live once, right? You can check it out here.
For me, 2026 is all about going back to basics. My word for the year is SIMPLICITY. Since I am a goal-oriented person, I need a word or focus. I always overcomplicate things, so SIMPLICITY is a big mindset shift for me, but I got this.
As a result, I don't (currently) have any Lindsey-specific projects planned. I’m focusing on my Scarlet St. James pen name project: The Darkborn Saga (until it releases later this year). I am 50% finished with the series and I don't want to lose momentum.
This is what that means for you, this community, and memberships:
If you want to learn more about my Scarlet projects, here are links:👉 Scarlet St. James Website
👉 Scarlet St. James Substack/Newsletter
I will post the rough draft of book one, Bloodborn, including all of the prequels for the Darkborn Saga to in member-only tiers
If my Lindsey membership is not something you want to join at the moment, and Scarlet (dark Viking fantasy romance) is more your cup of tea, you can check out Scarlet memberships here.
I totally get that Scarlet projects aren't for all of you, so if you'd like to cancel your account for now, there are no hard feelings. :)
I'll post your Scarlet access soon! Keep an eye out!
x, Linds (Post your questions or email me, if you have any)
😈 For those of you who want to know more about the Darkborn RIGHT NOW, here's the rundown:
When vengeance becomes immortal, love is the most dangerous weapon of all.
Forged in fire and cursed by gods, four Viking warriors are betrayed and destroyed—only to rise again as the Darkborn: immortal, bloodthirsty, and bound by fate to a destiny more brutal than death.
In a world of fallen empires, ancient gods, and brutal wars, the Darkborn are the realm’s last hope against Barron the Butcher and his Red Army. But survival comes at a cost.
Amid the blood and ruin, forbidden desires ignite between enemies and fated lovers, making the Darkborn’s hearts as dangerous as their blades (and their teeth). Torn between their monstrous hunger and the shreds of their humanity, the Darkborn must battle gods and awaken ancient evils that stir in the shadows of a broken world. Every choice could tip the balance between vengeance and redemption… or unleash a darkness no one can escape.
Prepare for slow-burn, spice, and Viking warriors who bite.
Greetings, Roguelings!
I'm dropping into let you know that, if you've read Darkborn Origins (which is from Sylas's POV), I have three new short stories coming to you. Each story follows the same timeline, but it's from a different Darkborn's POV. As you can see, you'll get Lucian, Thorne, and Arless. Thorne and Arless are ready, and I'm currently drafting Lucian's story.
Since I've finished writing Bloodborn (book one) and Soulbound (book two), and I'm starting on Fatesworn (book three), it felt like the right time to delve back into the beginning and remind myself where each of these Darkborn characters came from and how their journey's started.
I'm hoping to have these out in February, but I'll keep you posted.
These stories will be available here in Scarlet's bookshop at $0.99 each, OR free for all paid subscribers (Scarlet's and here) with a $5 and up membership.
If you haven't read Origins, the original from Sylas's POV, you can snag a free copy here: https://scarletstjames.com/products/origins-a-darkborn-saga-prequel-ebook
You can peruse Scarlet memberships in her After Dark Reader Lounge here: https://scarletstjames.com/pages/after-dark-lounge
Or check out my Rogue Reader Community Membership options here: https://poguegonerogue.com/pages/memberships
💋 Scarlet and Lindsey
As I "approach" 42 I have decided this is my motto and saving grace this year. Bring it on...
