Hearts and Wagers

The Sand Games: Book 2

Advance Reader Copy

Genres

Forbidden Love, Supernatural Romance, Science Fiction Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Dystopian Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Demon Romance, Dark Romance, and Novels

Trigger Warnings

Abuse, Violence, Sex, and Profanity

Type of Ending

Series

The Sand Games — Book 2

Series Read Order

Reading prior books is required

Author Prefers A Review On

Goodreads or Amazon

Reader Spots Remaining

Number of days to read

Publication Date

Dec 17, 2025

Page Length

367 pages

Available Formats

ePub and PDF

Hearts and Wagers

The Sand Games: Book 2

Advance Reader Copy

Blurb

Five may survive. For one, the Games demand more than blood—they demand her heart.

Avaris Gamal has entered the Sand Games—the brutal, televised fight for freedom. As a half-breed slave, she’s faced betrayal, cruelty, and loss. Now, survival means navigating deadly trials, unspoken truths, and a wager of the heart.

Allies are few: her ex-lover, Tarik, and the one person she should never trust—Khyan Heedis, a dangerous Reaper who may hold the key to her soul. Enemies close in, hearts are tested, and the only way to survive may be awakening the power inside her… or losing everything.

Hearts and Wagers is the heart-pounding, emotional conclusion to The Sand Games duet—a dark dystopian paranormal romance of deadly trials, forbidden love, and a heroine who dares to claim her power in a world designed to destroy her.

For mature readers 18+ due to graphic content and dark themes. Trigger warnings apply.

Details

Genres

Forbidden Love, Supernatural Romance, Science Fiction Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Dystopian Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Demon Romance, Dark Romance, and Novels

Trigger Warnings

Abuse, Violence, Sex, and Profanity

Type of Ending

Series

The Sand Games — Book 2

Series Read Order

Reading prior books is required

Author Prefers A Review On

Goodreads or Amazon

Reader Spots Remaining

Number of days to read

Publication Date

Dec 17, 2025

Page Length

367 pages

Available Formats

ePub and PDF

Author

J.L. Cres is a mother of three boys (not dragons, despite the chaos), healthcare professional, and the self-published author behind the Blade of the Sun series. When she’s not wrangling kids or saving the world one patient at a time, she’s busy creating the kind of unforgettable characters that only someone with her diverse life experiences could create. Her obsession with fantasy began at age 10 when she stumbled upon The Hobbit, and today, she writes romantic fantasy and paranormal romance that will sweep you off your feet—if you don’t mind a little danger (and spice) mixed in.

J.L. Cres took third place in the 2024 National Fantasy Fan Federation short story contest and is aiming for even bigger accolades as her writing journey continues. Between battling wild boys with plastic swords and writing her next novel, she also considers herself a red wine connoisseur and dark roast coffee aficionado—essentials for any mother who’s ever wrangled a bunch of energetic young minds.