


Books in series

#1
Never Say Die
2023
I’m a vampire-witch hybrid with a fondness for necromancy.
Excuse me if I’m a little dead inside.
I tried to attend a human school, but they didn’t appreciate my behavior. Personally, I found biology class more interesting when the dissected animals fought back. The school didn’t.
My parents searched for somewhere new to send their deviant daughter, and doors open when your father is Dorian Blackwood. Then they close firmly behind once he dumps you inside an exclusive supernatural academy, along with instructions to become ‘a touch more amiable’.
Says the guy who spent his teen years tearing throats out. Luckily, I’ve inherited my father's sociopathic tendencies and my mother’s magical skills, a lethal yet useful combination when navigating academy life.
Thornwood Academy. Home to the elite who strive to excel—and now me, who strives to leave. Since the supernaturals revealed themselves to the world, the unluckiest human kids join the vampires and witches at Thornwood. Hopefully, the humans aren’t dissected in this biology class.
I don’t care that nobody trusts me, but when the headmaster’s son is found unalived, fingers point at Dorian’s darkling daughter. Ridiculous. I would’ve reanimated the bullying asshole and demanded he perform tricks. Such a wasted opportunity.
If I want help clearing my name, I need to become ‘a touch more amiable’ to the three guys who seem oddly fascinated by me. Somebody doesn’t want the accords between humans and supes to last, and I’m not taking the blame just because I’m a Blackwood.
Looking for an academy read with Wednesday vibes? Meet Violet Blackwood: half-vampire, half-witch, smart, sarcastic, and slightly unhinged.
Never Say Die is the first in a new supernatural academy series from LJ Swallow, author of the Nightworld Academy books. The Thornwood Academy series features a girl who isn't afraid to use her dark side, a magic school where humans mix with vampires and witches, and three guys with secrets in a town stalked by a serial killer.
Thornwood Academy is also a slow-burn romance… almost as glacial as our slightly psychotic heroine.
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#2
Dead to Me
2023
Thornwood Academy is everything I could never wish for and less.
In the short time since father dearest dumped me here, I've collected a couple of murder accusations, a deadly witch bond with one guy, and a thirst for the blood of another. Good grief. What next?
I'm neck-deep in investigations to clear my name, and as I peel away each layer of facade from town and academy life I discover more shady connections between supes and humans.
The local business mogul and his vampire attorney. The mysterious talismans bestowed on the sons of influential families. Shifters with a vendetta against almost everyone. It's the murder-mystery gift that keeps on giving.
This witch bond with Rowan? Disaster. Our lives and magic are forever linked, and the bond unleashed something terrifying. Not only the psychopathic hybrid I’ve suppressed, but something infinitely worse—my mother's gentler half. Emotions. Empathy. Occasional kind gestures. A nightmare.
Then there’s the small issue with Grayson. Following one unintentional bite of his hand, I’m craving the blood of a vampire who's fixated on tasting mine. And Leif? I’m not-so-eagerly waiting to see what twist of fate might bring me closer to him too as I help him with his shifter problem.
Which is all distracting me from what’s important. Death. One more murder and the town officially has a serial killer. I’ve an inkling who’s pulling the strings, and another killing would be disastrous for me and the stability of the supernatural world. And I suppose the third murder wouldn't be the best outcome for the victim either.
As Thornwood Academy's own dark and deadly detective, I need to crack this case before Dorian’s council crumbles and a war begins. Then I can solve the problem created by my new and confusing relationships with the guys. If they survive long enough.
Dead to Me is the second book in Thornwood Academy, a new supernatural academy series from LJ Swallow, author of the bestselling Nightworld Academy books.
The series features a smart, sarcastic girl who’s not afraid to use her dark side to solve a murder or two, a school where humans mix with vampires and witches, a town with supernatural secrets, and the three guys who she'd like to keep alive.
Thornwood Academy is a slow-burn romance… almost as glacial as our unhinged heroine. Book One must be read first.

#3
For Dear Life
2023
I expected the guys to assist me in solving the Thornwood Academy murders, not add a new victim to the body count.
Following events at the lodge and my unfortunate encounter with the fence post, I've no choice but to turn to my father for help. Of course, my blood-covered entourage of guys don't exactly receive a warm welcome, but at least Grayson walks away in one piece.
With suspects galore, I can't stay on the edge if I want to find the truth, so I'm forced to insert myself further into the Thornwood Academy social scene. But even a seemingly harmless date in town turns into chaos, wild accusations, and a trip to the hospital. As if that's not enough, I stumble on my roommate's secret, which leads to painful compromises.
The closer I grow to Rowan, Grayson, and Leif, the more our lives entangle. After spending my life avoiding a world I don't understand, I'm grappling with unhelpful feelings for my bonded witch and his powerful magic, the vampire whose blood entices me, and the half-shifter who gifts me strange things. Not to mention attempting to control my dark and deadly side, which presents its own problems.
I can't decide what's more challenging—clearing my name of murder charges or understanding this strange new version of myself emerging. And I don't mean the throat-ripping one.
With two dead and at least one undead, time's running out before the killers' next target dies. My enemies might play their strongest hand when I'm least expecting, but they won't beat a Blackwood. At the end of the day, I'll wear the crown.
Mystery, secrets, and betrayals abound as I navigate a world filled with danger and shadows while trying to keep those I care about safe. Who knew Thornwood Academy would offer me so much more than my dark heart could ever hope for?
For Dear Life is the third book in a new YA supernatural academy series from LJ Swallow. The Thornwood Academy series is a murder mystery set at a magic school where humans mix with vampires and witches. This slow burn paranormal romance features a girl who's smart, sarcastic, and slightly unhinged, plus the three guys she'd like to keep alive.
Books 1 and 2 must be read first.
Author

L.J. Swallow
Author · 57 books
LJ Swallow is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy author who is the alter-ego of bestselling contemporary romance author Lisa Swallow. Giving in to her dark side, LJ spends time creating worlds filled with supernatural creatures who don’t fit the norm, and heroines who are more likely to kick ass than sit on theirs.