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Available and Future Novels

Butterfly9

Poker Player Metamorphosis Book 1

Butterfly9 follows the journey of Ella, an emerging poker player determined to leave her traditional career behind for a more unconventional path. Her companion, Carter, serves as both her mentor and the man she idealizes as a life partner. As they navigate the unpredictable world of professional poker, their relationship becomes increasingly strained by their diverging goals and pressures of the game.

Ella is soon thrust into the thrilling yet dangerous environment she craves, only to find that the poker world is rife with temptations and risks she never anticipated. Drawn deeper into the poker subculture, she learns far more than the principles of the game. Bluffing, betting, and taking risks come to symbolize the delicate dynamics of relationships and the personal growth that comes from navigating life's uncertainties.

Butterfly9 is a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and personal reinvention, appealing to readers who enjoy stories of ambition, risk-taking, and complex relationships. With echoes of The Queen’s Gambit and Molly’s Game, the novel features a strong female protagonist mastering a game in a male-dominated world while grappling with universal themes of self-discipline, addiction, and the search for stability in a world ruled by chance.

Barracuda9

Poker Player Metamorphosis Book 2

Ella’s journey into the professional poker world continues as Barracuda9. The fierce traits of her new online identity must be represented away from the computer to create her individual success story. With the lessons Carter etched into her as Butterfly9, she struggles to find direction without him. Nobody compares to the supportive mentorship provided by her former idealized partner. Could Carter just return to her life?

 

Determined to dominate the poker scene, Ella navigates an unforgiving game where every decision is a calculated risk, and every hand dealt influences her fate. As she sharpens her skills, she encounters formidable opponents and forms alliances in the most unexpected places. The stakes are higher than ever, and Ella’s resolve is tested both at and away from the poker table.

 

Playing as a poker professional is more ruthless and thrilling than she ever imagined. Ella must confront her own fears, desires, and the shadows of her past. Game strategies of bluffing, betting, and taking risks are also the essence of survival.

 

Will the independent and unstoppable characteristics of Barracuda9 be enough for her to emerge victoriously? Can she swim through dangerous waters without a support system? Dive deeper into Ella’s psyche as she grapples with the challenges of her chosen path.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Butterfly9

This author knows how to draw the reader in. I felt invested in the characters. It was the perfect blend of adventure, romance and following your heart. 

Butterfly9

What an amazing book. I was hooked from the first page. It offered a glimpse into the world of poker and had intriguing, fascinating characters. 

Barracuda9

Barracuda9 is a sequel but can definitely be read as a standalone. This was my first book by this author but won't be my last

Stayed up till 3am reading this new book just a day after it released! While Ella often pulls all-nighters, this reader does not. I simply had to find out what happens next…

Barracuda9

Final 9

Poker Player Metamorphosis Book 3

Coming Soon - 2026

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© 2026 by Barbara Gene Cardin

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