Nora Shear

@norashear

Author of consent-centric paranormal romance/horromance. NB, Bi, CPTSD, ADHD, & more ;) My novel NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER is out on Amazon/Kobo/Itch! No AI, ever. More at Avatar is my cat Nubs, a gold and brown tabby cat w/green eyes.

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Nora Shear@norashear· 17d

I tried to find a good, compelling description of the lobby of Midnight's Ball, but none of them worked out of context as well as this Grumpy/Sunshine moment. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An image with white text that reads:

Vels peered at the sable-haired one's face on the screen as she smiled and blew a kiss to the sky. Leo fought the urge to rip the monitor from the wall, to smash it into a thousand pieces.
"That one's not following the rules, but still seems sweet," Vels said, their current mild in comparison to Leo's frenzy.
Not her, please not her. Not the one who almost made me lose control.
Vels gazed at Leo, their current fluxing in an odd way. "The smiling one for you, I think. A little sunshine to break you out of your gloom." Vels tapped the shoulder of one of the monitoring team, then pointed. "Bring that one in for Leo." Vels pressed a finger to their lips. "After that one is through the lobby, send the round one in for me."
"No," Leo ground out. "Anyone else."
Vels smiled, and Leo's heart sank. They know. How did they know?
"Too late," they sang, leaving the room. "Don't leave that one waiting too long, okay? That would be rude."

From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear

The image has star decorations in every corner, and a meteor decoration above the text.

Nora Shear@norashear· 18d

This is the only "double" in my WIP. In this snip, Leo is interrupted from his very important (yet frustrating) work by a knock on the door, from his Council colleague Vels. Leo doesn't trust Vels, but then again, he doesn't trust anyone. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Leo put the dark-red folders that held Council details under his laptop, deciding against using the couch safe. Vels was a Council member - it wasn’t necessary to hide this information from them. He opened the door abruptly, expecting a confrontation. However, Vels had an easygoing grin on their face, and their chin-length blond hair was held back by a set of headphones that were no longer on their ears. Most importantly, they held two double-walled beverage containers in their hands, one held out slightly.
They had brought Leo a snack. He was suddenly aware of how little he had eaten over the past week.
"I could hear you through these," Vels said, gesturing at their headphones with a shoulder. "I thought you might be in the mood for something a little better than Salaki blood rations."

- From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear

The corners of the image are decorated with various star illustrations, and a meteor arcs above the text. In the background is a dark purple constellation sky map.

Nora Shear@norashear· 18d

Nubs wanted to climb into the pile of still-not-unpacked moving boxes, so I made her pay the photo tax.

A photo of an orange, brown & white tabby cat with a white patch on her nose & long white whiskers, sitting on top of a cardboard box while receiving scritchins from a pale-skinned person.

Nora Shear@norashear· 19d

Thank you for this #WIPSnips word! I love this moment in No Sky Like Midnight, when Leo shows he doesn't hate humans as much as he thinks he does. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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As the shrieks turned into a cacophony of tortured wails, Paige's pulse rocketed. Her heartbeat pounded against his skin, and Leo pulled her closer.
"Oh my God," she whispered, huddling into him. "What is that noise?"
"You don't want to know." Leo's current was roaring, listening to all the post-mortal currents breaking and failing. He was listening to his people being spiked, turning into ash, trophies for the Venatori to bring back to their enclaves. His core burned like a miniature sun, his skin flaring, wanting release. He hated them. Every last one of them. He desperately wanted to dive into the center of it, fighting for his people.
But Paige needed to be safe first. They would do terrible things to her, and there was no chance of resurrecting her.

- From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear

The image has star and meteor decorations all around it, and the background is a purple constellation sky map.

Nora Shear@norashear· 20d

But I also have a favorite #WIPSnips option for No Sky Like Midnight, in which Leo interrogates his colleague Vels on how the humans who attend Midnight's Ball are being protected from post-mortal mind control, so no one is murdered on his watch. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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"Typically, humans who go to clubs receive a stamp when they enter," Vels explained. "It attests they're of age to drink. Therefore, using post-mortal blood for the stamp is the easiest way to inoculate humans against our powers of Compulsion. It lasts long enough for the party, and the toxic effects on unclaimed humans isn't bad when it goes through the skin. It's the same toxicity as 5 ounces of alcohol, and the psychoactive effects are milder."
That’s surprisingly precise. "And how..." Leo paused, debating whether to request details about the blood.
"We have some generous Elder donors and some inkpads prepared." Vels grinned with a touch of viciousness, their teeth glittering. "So don’t worry. We take this very seriously. We're not letting anyone dine and dash here."

From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear

The text is bordered with star and meteor decorations, and the background is a dark purple constellation sky map.

Nora Shear@norashear· 20d

I'm delighted by this #WIPSnips b/c in No Dream Like Forever, Dash is my fave character. In this snip, Dash and Viyana are at brunch and Dash is being very perceptive. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Nothing went wrong nothing went wrong nothing–
“All right, you gotta tell me what went wrong last night,” Dash said. “You haven’t scowled like that since grad school.”
Viyana blinked, then set down her fork and sighed. “Nothing. It’s nothing, really.”
“It’s enough something that even your breathing sounds annoyed. Cmon, tell a beast. What’s bugging you?”
It’s this GUY, and he looks like he shouldn’t EXIST, and he feels like a freaking LIVE WIRE. What could possibly be bugging me?

from NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, by Nora Shear

Around the text are silver decorations. The upper corners are graced with angel wings, the lower with silver netting, and above and below the text are scroll decorations with heart accents.

Nora Shear@norashear· 21d

Going for "imposing" in the absence of grand! In this snip, Leo gets some marching orders he finds... distasteful. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Midnight's Ball. The famous event where humans and post-mortals mingled, where humans would try to seduce post-mortals and vice versa. Leo's lip curled.
"You want me to attend a sex party?"
"It's not a sex party, it's a pleasure party," Alder admonished him. "No human fluids need be involved. It's the best way to recruit willing donors and you know it." Alder approached Leo, and Leo was reminded how imposing Alder could be. He loved his Vorfahr, but sometimes he could be terrifying.
Leo held still as Alder laced long fingers through his hair, his long dark red strands spilling over his Vorfahr's slate-colored skin. Alder's current mixed with his, a soft relaxation settling through his body, small ripples of pleasant shivers undulating over his skin. "Remember, Leo. This is what we give, yes?”

From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear

The background is black with decorations of stars, meteors, and a purple constellation sky map.

Nora Shear@norashear· 21d

Miz Nubs had some opinions

A blurry photo of an orange, brown and white tabby cat with a white patch on her nose meow-yelling at the camera.

Nora Shear@norashear· 22d

Today's #WIPSnips, "pry", needs context. Paige has just met the immortal who she believes manipulated her best friend Liese into a dangerous job. But Paige nearly gets seriously injured, jumping into the fray while forgetting how fast immortals are. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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"What have you done to Liese, you bastard?!"
The room froze, and even Leo's rage seemed to dim, as Paige continued to scream at Vels.
"You brought her into this! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"Paige."
Leo's voice brought her back to herself. Everyone who had been prying Leo's hands off Vels’ neck were now standing back, their hands up and away from her. Even Leo's grip on Vels had loosened. But the rage in Paige’s stomach was still boiling over, her vision sparking white around the edges.

- From No Sky Like Midnight, by Nora Shear

The background of the image has various star accents, a meteor, and a purple astronomical constellation chart.

Nora Shear@norashear· 23d

Getting back on the #WIPSnips train this week! I had to go diving into my published work to even find the vibe, so here's a slight spoiler: a moment where side character & badass immortal Jolie is unfazed by other immortals' threats. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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“What will we do with you, though," Puabi said, drawing one of her red fingernails along the oddly bright chains that bound Jolie around her chest, wrists and ankles. "I'm not sure if Zovir would get more pleasure from Cory witnessing your demise or you witnessing Cory's. After all, it's your fault our little griffone strayed."
Jolie smiled serenely. "I'm sure Zovir will come up with the most entertaining option for his people," she replied evenly.
Viyana couldn't see Puabi's face, but the set of her shoulders made her displeasure clear. "No remorse, then? For violating another clan's systems?"
"None," Jolie affirmed. "I will never regret causing you discomfort."

The word "serenely" is in pink, and under the white text is blue text that reads "From NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, by Nora Shear." The outer edges of the image have various silver decorations on them, from wings to netting to scroll accents with hearts.

Nora Shear@norashear· 24d

My spicy horromance book No Dream Like Forever is out on Kindle, Kobo and Itch, & I'm hoping it'll earn enough to get it out in paperback. I hope you'll help me! If you're curious, there's a sample halfway down this page, past the buy links and CWs: norashear.com/books/no-dre...

An image of the cover of No Dream Like Forever, by Nora Shear, surrounded by story tropes in an orange gothic font. Clockwise from top left, the tropes are: "Our Vampires are Shifters and Demons and...", "Immortality ain’t easy, my fren", "Star-crossed lovers, sorta", "this book makes me hungry", "CPTSD rep", "36-yr old FMC", "Villians who hate humanity", "The BEST queer bestie and they’d tell you that themselves", "A new meaning to hostile takeover", and "Bi MMC". In the middle of them all, the cover shows a dark dragon's head with blue eyes over two black swan's wings that are burning. Along the edges of the cover are dark silver snakes, and seven dark silver feathers float in the foreground. The title is in metallic gray elegant lettering with flourishes.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jul 10

This poor lily tryna make it in this heat 🥵

A two-toned day lily in bright yellow and dark red, against various greenery

Nora Shear@norashear· Jul 10

This is one of my favorite snips from No Dream Like Forever, when Viyana and Cory finally go beyond a public date. Buy links and another sample at norashear.com/books/no-dre...

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" As they drove north, his hand warm in hers, she couldn't help thinking Dash is going to kill me if I don't text them that this is happening.

Then Cory lifted her hand and kissed her wrist, and everything else fell to the wayside."

The text is surrounded by gold net and scroll decorations.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 28

Mz Nubs has OPINIONS abt wearing a shirt

A gold, brown and orange tabby cat staring intently at the camera

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 26

Some gorgeous poppies up the street from me 😍

A reddish pink double-petaled frilly poppy flower

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 26

An image of the cover of No Dream Like Forever, by Nora Shear. This is Book 1 of The Descendants series. The cover shows a dark dragon's head with blue eyes over two black swan's wings that are burning. Along the edges of the cover are dark silver snakes, and seven dark silver feathers float in the foreground. The title is in metallic gray elegant lettering with flourishes.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 22

I took a photo of Nubs on her pedestal before we went to bed

A tabby cat with gold, brown and white stripes, a white chest, and a little nub tail is sitting on her well-worn cat tree, her eyes glowing from the flash.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 20

Our elder tree is so gorgeous it looks fake. Smells amazing though.

An elder tree blooming with bright blue sky and white clouds behind it.

A closeup of elder flowers, their starshaped creamy white flowers proudly displaying their tall gold-tipped stamens.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 16

Nubs has decided the dog bed is hers. Because of course she did.

A photo of a tabby cat with gold, brown and white stripes in her long fut, a white patch on her nose and chest, long white whiskers, and beautiful light green eyes. She's laying on a raised dog bed and a box of toys is behind her head.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 16

I’m delighted by the reviews for my book so far! NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER is a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ tale abt immortals/vampires, perceptive event planners, using your trauma as a strength, & amazing food. More info (& CWs) here: norashear.com/books/no-dre...

A screenshot of a BlueSky post by Beth Goder @bethgoder.bsky.social reads:
“This is the best paranormal romance book I have ever read.
Great characters, a romance you can root for, and a gripping plot. Powerful worldbuilding. And the most competent party planner you have ever met.
Highly recommended!” It ends with a link to Nora Shear’s website.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 11

Nubs did NOT want to get out of bed this morning.

Elder cat Nubs, a tabby/tortoise mix cat with orange, brown and white stripes, lying in a bright orange flannel throw. She's avoiding my pointed stare.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 10

For today's #WIPSnips I have the FMC of my new WIP being very disappointed at how she looks at work. (I only have 10k written so far in this one, so it's harder to find good options.) #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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She stabbed a final bobby pin into her hair, wishing she had actual hair clips, and stared at herself in the warped mirror. Her mouse-brown hair was trapped under a fence of black lines, skin sallow in the fluorescent light that somehow made her acne scars look worse. The image of her round face was framed by old band stickers and promotions that covered shreds of adhesive from their predecessors. Every week she and her coworkers would scrape the majority of them off the mirror, but they came back like herpes.

Paige grimaced at herself, suppressing a wince at her drab light brown eyes. At least my mascara is still holding.

From NO SKY LIKE MIDNIGHT, by Nora Shear.

The word "clip" is in pink to indicate that it's the WIP snips word of the day. The rest of the text is white or blue on a black background. There are star decorations in each corner, and a faint purple astro map behind the text.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 4

I also am 10k words deep in the next book, and I do have an instance of "exclusive," which is kind of elite! In this snip, Paige is contemplating her Valentine's Day plans. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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She'd been out of the house for 14 hours and she had the energy of a wet washcloth. The only thing that had kept her from falling asleep were Xavi's stories, every last one about an event called Midnight's Ball. Some exclusive Valentine’s Day warehouse party with the most beautiful people in the world.

"Oh, what the hell," she muttered. "A fake vampire rave? Why not. It's not like I have anything else to do."

From a work codenamed Companion, by Nora Shear

The image is white text on black with the word "exclusive" in pink text. The image has star decorations on each corner and a dark purple astronomical circle in the background. Above the text is a shooting star.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 4

NO DREAM has no "elite" and almost no synonyms (the one instance of "wealthy" was a spoiler). Instead, I chose the moment where Cory gives Viyana the pins that set them apart as the leaders of the partnership. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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They had made this pin larger, and instead of enamel for the blue and green parts, the pin had jewels in the eight sections, going from the middle teal she had chosen to darker blue and green then down to a light blue and green, creating a beautiful ombre effect. Several of the jewels sparkled with unexpected brilliance under the harsh conference room lighting, and Viyana squinted at them.
"Are these... are these real?"
Cory unboxed his own brooch and set it into his lapel with affected nonchalance. "Well, we mostly do natural, so of course they're real."
"No, I mean - is this one a sapphire?"
"Good eye. One teal sapphire, one tanzanite, one emerald, and the rest are aquamarine and peridot," Cory said.
"Cory, I can't wear this," she murmured. "This is too much."
"Unfortunately, we're being asked to wear these at work. Reinforce our role in the partnership." Cory passed the box for his pin to Viyana. "And you might want to keep that box as well. Silk velvet is hard to make."
She blinked as he swung his coat on, the wing glinting beautifully in the light, and exited with a smirk.

From NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER by Nora Shear

The text is bracketed at top and bottom by silver flourishes with heart accents, and there are silver wing decorations on the upper corners and net decorations on the lower corners.

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 3

Thank you, Gree!! In 9 days, my book launches!! NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, the 1st novel in the Descendants series, includes an immortal tradition that causes tons of problems for the MCs. It comes out 6/12 on Amazon, Kobo, and itch. Pre-orders available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2Y4MVX/

Nora Shear@norashear· Jun 2

In this snip, Cory finds out, from the man who turned him, that he's not the only member of his clan that is sniffing around Viyana. Unfortunately, one of them is his arch rival, Trey. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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could feel the boundary of his body expanding.
“Mio caro, please, calm yourself. Even if you were ready for one, a fioritura would not help you. No one is here to bloom for.” As Cory took a deep breath, pulling his electricity back into himself, Cinto leaned on Cory’s desk, his hands boasting several thick ruby rings. “I promise I have not yet granted a claim. Your words in your report were enough to establish prior intent.”
No. Not without Viyana’s permission.
Cory’s knee-jerk reaction to the idea of claiming Viyana almost overrode the awareness that his desire was clear to Cinto, and he realized his desire had been clear to Trey as well. Somehow.
“You know I don’t claim humans,” Cory replied. “They’re not toys.”

From NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, by Nora Shear.

There are gold net decorations on the upper left and lower right corners, and gold flourishes with heart accents above and below the text. The word "ready" is emphasized in pink.

Nora Shear@norashear· May 31

Lots of rooms in NO DREAM, so I chose this snip because even after a century, Cory expects good behavior from his colleagues... despite plenty of evidence that it's not going to happen. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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"I'm sorry for my colleague's behavior. We'll try to keep him at a low roar after this."
Karolina nodded her thanks and, as the last of his team left the room, her Aventura colleagues surrounded her.
Cory followed his team into the dull orange hallway, wishing he could rewind the week. He didn't hate humans like the rest of his clan did, so he'd been taken by surprise when the yelling had started. He was embarrassed by the depth of his naivety.

From NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, by Nora Shear

The image has gold net decorations on the upper left and lower right corners. Gold flourishes with heart accents sit above and below the text.

Nora Shear@norashear· May 30

The NO DREAM snips that matched the vibe of "lifetime" were too spoilery, so I chose a snip from my next book, codenamed 'Companion.' In this one, our FMC Paige is hoping to get into the most exclusive party in the city: Midnight's Ball. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Liese finished helping Paige dress, then gave her the precious tips to getting into Midnight's Ball.
"Face out towards the street. Stand as still as you can while you're in line. No fidgeting."
Weird, but okay.
"Don't talk to other people who are waiting. Ignore anyone who tries to make conversation. When the bouncers pass, look at the sky."
"The sky?"
"That was the advice I got, and I got in, right?"
Fine. Paige sighed. "So when are we going?"
"Not we. You."
"Wait, why?"
"They won't pick you if you're with someone. That's also why you don't talk to anyone. The only way you can get in is to be chosen as company by one of the regulars. And this is the chance of a lifetime." Liese stroked Paige's jaw, lost in thought. A light blush rose over her neck, right before she pushed Paige towards the door. "Now get going. I'll call in for you if you're picked."
"Call in? Why would you need to call in for me?"
"Believe me, if you’re picked you will not want to come home."

From a work codenamed Companion, by Nora Shear.

The image has star decorations in every corner.

Nora Shear@norashear· May 29

In this passage, Cory is bad at being secretive (as usual), but it turns out okay. He and his colleague Rika discuss how dangerous the partnership with Aventura is. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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"No one can trust anyone at ZL," Cory admitted, "but if you're worried about Viyana and Simon, I would be interested to hear your point."
"...You're on a first-name basis with these two?"
Cory cursed himself silently. Stupid mistake. Keep your defenses up. "Sure, they called us by our first names, right?"
Something about that answer unlocked whatever barrier Rika had built, and her neutral expression dissolved into obvious distress, her lips twisting in worry. She pulled him aside, into the mostly-vacant walkway on Winter Street. "They're leading these two to their deaths, Cory," she whispered. "Why would the Aventuras let them go into a meeting with Salaki, of all clans, and not warn them?" She gestured between the two of them as her current, usually a soft low swell, grew agitated. "We're the only ones, right? The only ones in ZL who think a human is worth a damn, and Aventura had no clue we'd be chosen. I thought Aventura was supposed to care about their people! How could they do that to them?"

from NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER, by Nora Shear

The image has gold net decorations on the upper left and lower right corners, and gold flourishes with heart accents both above and below the text.

Nora Shear@norashear· May 22

I'm thrilled to share the cover for my upcoming book, NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER. Can I tell you how deeply thrilled I am? Over the past week I kept opening the file and giggling at how much I love it. I mean, Frith's sake, it's so damn gorgeous.... 1/2