Feathered Thief ~ Release Day

Feathered Thief

All That Glitters

By J.M. Stengl

This book was a delightful retelling that featured to young people who developed a bond and were to marry. But then something happened and all seems lost as the kingdom falls beneath a curse.

Princess Helena isn't like the other princesses. No she longs for adventure and outdoor activities. And somehow the prince she despised has feelings for HER! Even more extraordinary he likes her for who she is and not for forcing herself into a version of herself dictated to by expectations.

I really enjoyed this retelling of The Golden Bird. The characters were fun to get to know and I really liked Helena and Kazik. Helena reminded of Meriada from Brave, the Disney animated movie.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. 

About the Book:

A bungled curse divides childhood sweethearts, a bird steals priceless apples, and one brave maiden hunts down her past. Can Lenka remember her prince in time?

Young Princess Helena of Żyrardów despises her tormentor, Prince Kazik of Ostrów, until the day she realizes the boy actually likes her and friendship blossoms. In time, their royal parents arrange a betrothal, but first the princess vanishes, then the prince, and the entire region falls under a strange curse.

Five years later, a girl known as Lenka the Archer tends a lonely golden-apple tree and wonders who she really is. Serving in the King of Trinec’s magical garden is a worthy position, but how did she and the tree come to be there? When golden apples go missing and the king’s two sons fail to identify the thief, the task falls on Lenka, who surprises a golden bird in the act. Instead of shooting it, she receives from the bird one golden feather and cryptic guidance.

The princes go in search of the elusive bird but vanish. So, at the king’s order, Lenka must bring back the golden bird, the apples it stole, and the two missing princes. While disguised as a man and guided by a talking fox, Lenka takes on multiple challenges and finds friends in unexpected places, but nothing goes as planned.

Will the stolen princess find her true self and her beloved prince? Can they rescue their land from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?

Feathered Thief is a no-spice magical quest of love and loss, betrayal, lovable golden treasures, a snooty animal guide, and a romantic happily-ever-after.

In All That Glitters, fairytales clash with forbidden love, quests glitter with danger, and swoon-worthy rewards incite every risk. Magic is deadly, love can be costly, and not all that glitters is gold. Featuring twelve captivating tales of forbidden romance, high-stakes adventure, and no-spice swoon, this series turns every fairytale on its crown, revealing that treasure isn’t always golden or glittery…sometimes it’s something far better.

Release Day! Golden Lotus is Now Available

It's Release Day!

 Golden lotus is now Available!

eBook cover

Hardcover

Paperback and Large Print editions coming soon!

She can never leave her home.
He must battle a forever winter to save her.

Years ago, Mala sacrificed everything, including her freedom, to become the guardian of a concealed glen and the golden lotus sheltered within its spring. Confined to this concealed glen, she is isolated from the outside world until someone breaches its boundaries.

Abandoned by his mother, Thorn found a sense of belonging in his grandmother's loving embrace and his friendship with Mala. A friendship that can only be experienced while he sleeps.

A forgotten evil, driven by jealousy, seeks to take over the world by attacking the spring and unleashing an unending winter on everyone. Standing in the path of this evil is Mala, who has no idea of the danger she is facing.

Now Thorn's unique bond with Mala might be the world's last hope for survival. But in this race against time, he must face winter's raging elements. Can he break Winter's deadly grip, saving the woman he loves, and enable a rebirth only Spring can bring?

Golden Lotus is a combined retelling featuring tropes such as good vs. evil, the chosen one, the hero's journey, perilous quest, self-sacrifice, friends-to-lovers, and the power of love.

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and can be read in any order.

Golden Lotus, an origin story of the House of Sorah, is set in the same world as Arabella's Song but hundreds of years earlier. It can be read as a standalone title.

Available on Amazon!

Click here to buy it on Amazon

Some Like it Scot ~ Review

Some Like it Scot

By Pepper Basham

Published by Thomas Nelson

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Narrated by: Joshua Manning and Stina Nielsen 

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham is a Christian contemporary romance. The title is an obvious play on words, which will make sense once the reader (or listener) gets into the book.

Katie Campbell is a travel writer/podcaster who is very popular and is an award-winning one at that. Katie's current assignment finds her traveling to a remote Scottish island. Now, part of Katie's popularity is that she is prone to mishaps.  (I can totally relate to this) Well, someone prone to mishaps about to experience three weeks of an "Edwardian experience" will surely result in some humorous situations.  And Katie doesn't disappoint her followers. However, Katie has a secret that has defined her existence since she was 13 years old. It has left her searching for something. And she just might find it in Scotland.

Graeme MacKerrow has become a grumpy Scot. The loss of his twin sister has made him pull in. He needs to be there for his nephew, and he wants to be close to his parents and brother.  The MacKerrow family has pulled together to buy back their ancestral home, but restoring it requires funds. Funds that Graeme does not have. But when offered to lease out the home for the short term for a tourist draw, he cannot say no. Enter the Edwardian Experience! and a group of reporters/travel writers, including a tall, red-headed, accident-prone American named Katie Campbell, who just may turn his grumpy into a smile. Unless she manages to get herself killed, by mishap, of course.

I enjoyed this book as an audiobook (thank you https://libro.fm). The narration is performed by Joshua Manning and Stina Nielsen in a back-and-forth of chapters. The narration is well executed so that one can fully enjoy the performance.  

The focus of this book is family and finding where one belongs.  Katie has never measured up to her mother's expectations, and it has shaped all her relationships with family, friends, and strangers. It has determined her life too, never staying anywhere long enough to form an attachment. But now she has three weeks before her in one place. Can she find a home in Scotland, or will this Edwardian experience cast a spotlight on all she canna have?

There is a bit too much swooning over Graeme and his looks for my personal tastes (and too much kissing), but compared to many books, this is a tame book. Seriously, any description of kissing makes me squirm, so it is probably all me. But I did enjoy the book and would be willing to enjoy another book by this author. Is there a sequel with Graeme's brother in the future?   

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book (thank you, Libro.fm) with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Now, anyone interested in winning a paperback copy of the book should check out this post by Just Read Publicity Tours. I am sharing this as a courtesy, as I am not part of this tour. But here is the link https://justreadtours.com/2025/04/09/welcome-to-the-some-like-it-scot-takeover-review-blitz-giveaway/  You have until April 16, 2025, to enter.

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new–country, food, or experience–and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home–and the future–isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

Squire of Truth - Now Available

 Jill Williamson's return to the land of The Blood of Kings

with Squire of Truth, 

the first book in The Blood of Kings: Legends series

from Sunrise Publishing.

About the Book:
Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage.

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he’s a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future.

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

A Lady Most Alluring ~ Now Available

A Lady Most Alluring

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Amy Newbold

A delightful Regency twist on Cinderella that does not have a cruel stepmother or evil stepsisters. A Lady Most Alluring finds Cecilia Barnet, her older sister Miriam, and her mother leaving London behind. Following the death of her father, the family has to remove to the country and is tenants of the Colbourne family.

This book reminded me of Lizzie and Jane's closeness in Pride and Prejudice and Marianne and Elinor's in Sense and Sensibility. 

Cecilia is trying to live below the notice of others. Before her father's death, she was linked to a scandal through no fault of her own. Since then, she has been attempting to distance herself from any hint of anything being improper. So when she attracts Benedict Lockhart's attention, she is no more surprised than anyone about this turn of events. Her sister Miriam is supposed to garner attention and raise the family's standing to what it once was. 

Even more disturbing, Cecilia finds herself drawn to the gentleman, who is trying to avoid any and all romantic entanglements to the point of societal rudeness! 

This sweet story is appropriate for tweens, teens, and those who want clean, no- or low-spice romance. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Books:

A scandal. 

A wager. 

A masquerade ball.

Cecilia Barnet flees London and a scandal for a fresh start in the countryside. Desperate to keep a low profile, her sole focus is finding a match for her sister, Miriam.

As Benedict Lockhart arrives with his mother at their country estate, he is determined to avoid romantic entanglements. He makes a wager with his friend that he can rebuff the attentions of the rural ladies.

When Cecilia and Benedict meet, it’s dislike at first sight. But within the small country social circles, they are repeatedly thrust together. An undeniable attraction sparks between them, and Cecilia fears rejection if Benedict learns of her past. As she strives to protect her secret from him, Benedict fights his growing feelings for her. He clings to his wager and plans to return to London unattached.

If Cecilia can't find the courage to be truthful, it will cost her a chance at unparalleled happiness. And if Benedict can't set aside his pride, he will lose the only woman who's ever spoken to his heart.

This charming Regency romance novella is inspired by Cinderella.

This series reimagines classic Grimm Brother tales as Regency romances. Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy these stories of sweet romance and loveable characters.

A Grimm Regency Tale series

• A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
• A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peake
• A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
• A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
• A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
• A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
• A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

A Noble Match ~ Available Now

A Noble Match

Cornerstone Series #2

By Kirsten Fitcher

Miette was never suppose to rule a country, but when her older brother is murdered by rebels, the duties of ruling are guaranteed. But how can she, the insignificant little sister to the beloved crown prince, take over a roll she had never prepared for? And now the Marriage Council is pressuring her to wed sooner rather than later. And her choice must be from among the nobles of Barlencoy. Her opinions on the matter don't matter, she must accepts one of the noble's suits.

Miette would much rather put off the decision and spend time studying her butterflies. But when whispers of another rebel uprising dictate her life. When the threats come closer still her late brother's friend Gavin Vollo is assigned as her personal guard. Gavin is the best person for the job in Miette's opinion. If only Gavin would speak of her brother it would be perfect. 

Gavin would rather be anywhere else. Miette brings up the pain of Cassoway's death and Gavin's guilt. He should have prevented it. Now he is left with the guilt and a broken spirit. But Miette isn't easily persuaded and soon Gavin finds himself with a front row seat to the totally inappropriate suitors brought forward. He knows what Cassoway would do if her were still alive. But Gavin is a common blood man. Just being a guard for the royal family is highly irregular.

When an attack nearly succeeds Gavin and Miette must look deep and decide what they will do and where their loyalties truly lie. Will Barlencoy be divided forever or will their actions unite the factions into a restored kingdom?

A Noble Match is the second book in the Cornerstone Series. This was a lovely and enjoyable read that is based on Thumbelina. There is no magic involved in this story. There is some interesting technology employed by the guards that proves pivotal in this book. The divide between the social classes is disheartening but it provides Miette with moments of growth throughout the book as she grows into her role as queen. I would recommend this book for preteens and older with no qualms concerning content.

I was provided a complimentary advanced copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can one sparrow protect Thumbelina from suitors and rebels?

As the little sister to the crown prince, Miette was never meant to be in a position of power. When her brother Cassoway dies, the kingdom of Barlencoy suddenly becomes her most unwelcome gift. The land is torn apart by the classes, and rebellion boils at her doorstep. War is looming, and no one seems afraid of it. The kingdom may be hers, but she has no voice to quieten the tremors that threaten to tear everything she knows and loves apart.

But a marriage also looms on the horizon. With rebels after her head, it’s difficult to focus on the suitors after her heart. Miette knows she must choose a husband soon, but how can she when her heart secretly yearns for her brother’s best friend? Gavin Vollo is the perfect match in her eyes, but his common blood disqualifies him as a suitor.

Moving forward after Cassoway’s passing has been no easy task for Gavin. Especially since the prince’s death is his own fault. With his best friend gone, Gavin is a bodyguard without a real purpose. He doesn’t understand why the prince had to die – just like he doesn’t understand why the royal force wants him back to guard the new queen.

Can love and true joy bring peace, or will the kingdom break beyond recovery?

A Noble Match is a New Adult Christian fantasy Thumbelina retelling and is Book #2 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a Christian writer who loves dragons, thick books, and a little coffee with her creamer. She’s married to her best friend, and she spends her day homeschooling and chasing after their four free-range children. When she doesn’t feel like sleeping, she writes.

 
Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

A Lady Most Intrigued ~ Now Available

A Lady Most Intrigued

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Jenni Ward 

This was as intriguing a read as the title indicates. Hannah Sheppard doesn't fit the mold her mother tries to force her into. It is this very non-conformity that brings about her meeting with John Ingham. Falling into a pond while in a ball gown is not best way to meet a man but it is what it is. And she did drop the forbidden golden ball in the water. John agreed to come back and find it for her. John has always longed for more than the life of a cotton mill worker. But he needs the pay to support his mother. Then, the workers organize a strike, demanding better pay and better work conditions. The potential hardships of a strike allow John and Hannah the opportunity for more interactions. Hannah uses this unexpected opportunity to seek answers. Answers she could never expect to get from her mother. I really enjoyed this book, which is based on The Frog Prince and has elements involving the cotton mill industry, which brought to mind Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. The weaving together of these vastly different pieces was expertly done to create a unique and enjoyable story with romance, mystery, and a proper villain. I highly recommend this newest Grimm Regency tale, which was most delightful. I was provided an advance copy of this title with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Forbidden Love.

A Hidden Inheritance.

A Truth That Could Cost Them Everything.

Hannah Sheppard yearns for more than the stifling expectations of Regency society. Duty, and her mother, demand she marry a man of wealth and status. Then, she meets John.

John Ingham dreams of a life beyond the harsh realities of working in a mill. When he rescues a lady from the lake at Frogmere Manor, he never expects their paths to cross again.

But fate has other plans, entwining their lives through a mysterious family heirloom that unlocks a long-buried secret. But a ruthless enemy lurks in the shadows, willing to silence them forever to keep the past buried.

Can their bond withstand the weight of a legacy built on lies, or will the cost of unravelling the truth be too high to pay?

A captivating sweet Regency romance set amongst the cotton mills of Lancashire and filled with heart-stopping twists, memorable characters, and a love that dares to defy the rules.


This series reimagines classic Grimm Brother tales as Regency romances. Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy these stories of sweet romance and loveable characters.

Curse of Silence ~ Available Now

Curse of Silence

The Roumaterra Chronicles #3.5

By Erin Halbmaier 

Daphne as the eldest daughter has been given the duty of spy. To aid her in this undertaking she becomes the possessor of the family's handlerchief. 

Yes, I heard you. This no ordinary handkerchief. No, this one has a special power. It allows the bearer to assume another's identity. 

Unfortunately, a servant observed this little bit of subterfuge in reverse. And said servant usurped Daphne as "princess."

Now said usurper is trying get all helpful and get "Princess Daphne" engaged to a prince. Sigh!

With her voice gone and abandoned to fend for herself, Daphne manages to get hired to tend a baron's sheep. No one knows who she is! 

When her best friend, Raoul is forced from fake Daphne's side along with her ever faithful dog, Daphne just might have a chance. Now she must convince Raoul tat she is the true princess. She just cannot print it or write it out thank you very much curse. Silent scream of frustration.

This was one of those books that kept me turning the page. I had to know what happened next. Snowball effect, and ended up reading into the no-so-wee hours of the morning. But it was SO worth it. This is an excellent and engaging Goose Girl retelling. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

A princess with a magic handkerchief. A flirtatious baron’s son. The maid who turned their world upside down.

As the possessor of her family’s handkerchief, Princess Daphne should be uncovering the truth behind her father’s murder. But she lacks confidence as a spy, and her mother is sending her off to a neighboring kingdom to look for a husband. It means months lost from her mission, but at least her faithful dog and best friend will be with her.

Raoul has been Daphne’s best friend since they were children. But she always laughs off his attempts to confess deeper feelings, and now his father has given him an ultimatum. She’s always been out of his reach, but if Raoul can’t change her mind in the next six months, he’ll lose what little chance he had.

When a kitchen maid catches Daphne alone, she steals the handkerchief and uses it to swap their appearances. The only way to undo it is for Daphne to tell someone who she is, but the curse prevents Daphne from both speaking and writing.

Will Daphne find a way to free herself from the curse? Or will the maid win, leaving Daphne a mute shepherdess forever?

Curse of Silence is a clean, no-spice retelling of The Goose Girl. It is part of The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

A Lady Most Untamed ~ Review

 

A Lady Most Untamed

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Amanda Panhorst

I loved this story. I loved Arthur Fairhurst's character, who was uncomfortable with the public expectations of his role as a duke and being in the public eye, in contrast to his sister Fanny, who seemed to revel in public spectacle. 

All Arthur seems to enjoy is studying nature, which he can observe in the isolation of his estate. But all that ends when a young woman is found trespassing on his estate. Worse, she has decided to take up residence in the forest. Why would a single woman who is obviously a gypsy take up residence in his forest? Being who he is, Arthur decides to "study" the situation.

Mara Boswell has taken refuge in a hidden area of a forest. She is hiding from those who have caused her great pain. She is wary of anyone who approaches. The only one she lets near is her deerhound. This young woman and her unusual ways intrigue Arthur, and he wants to get to know her better, but not as the duke but as himself, as Arthur.

What follows is a delightful story of discovery and friendship. However, I have to be honest: the fairy tale it was based on was one I was unfamiliar with, so I can't compare the original with this story. But regardless, I have no qualms about recommending this sweet story, which I feel is appropriate for tweens and up.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Arthur Fairhurst is a terrible duke. Jumpy and nervous around others, he prefers hiding away in his Northumberland forest collecting, sketching, and researching all the wildlife he can find, trying to satiate his inexhaustible curiosity. So when his gamekeeper informs him of a gypsy girl and her dog hiding away in his woods, curiosity demands he find out everything he can about her before telling her to move on. Dressed as a plain woodsman, Arthur gains her trust little by little, and is surprised by the things the gypsy girl, Mara, brings out in him.

Mara Boswell discovered long ago that she cannot depend on anyone but herself. Driven by tragedy, she has roamed here and there all around England, always on the move, running from those who would find her and hurt her once more. Thinking she has found a safe haven at last in the dense forests of Northumberland, she is informed by a woodsman that she is trespassing, and not just on any lands, but a duke’s.

Loath to move on again, she agrees to a bargain to talk about her gypsy life in exchange for permission to stay in the forest unmolested. The opportunity is too good to pass up, and Mara begins to see that not everyone is out to do her harm. That certain people would love and protect her if she would only let them.

This series reimagines classic Grimm Brother tales as Regency romances. Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy these stories of sweet romance and loveable characters.


A Grimm Regency Tale series
* A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
* A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peak
* A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
* A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
* A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
* A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
* A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

Goose Princess ~ Available Now

 Today is Release Day for Goose Princess by Tricia Mingerink!

This is the book I have been waiting for SO long and thrilled that it is finally available.

This is the fourth book in the Beyond the Tales series for those not in the know.

And it was well worth the wait.

This book is soooo good.

I only wish I could read it again for the first time.

But if it has been a while since you've read the series or are new to it

I recommend going back to the beginning.

About the Book:

Before he can have peace, he has one last curse to face.

In the three years since he woke from his enchanted sleep, High King Alexander has faced multiple curses, nearly died, and re-united the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia. He has watched everyone around him find peace and happiness. Is it finally time for him to secure happiness for himself?

When an old enemy strikes once again, Alex finds himself on the run, hunted in his own kingdom, and all alone except for the most unlikely ally: a princess who can't talk to people and her gaggle of goose brothers.

With his enemies closing around him, Alex must make a choice. Will he rescue his best friend or save his kingdom? And, after everything he suffered, does he even want to be the high king or is this his chance to walk away and pursue his own happy ending?

Goose Princess is a retelling of the Goose Girl and Wild Swans fairy tales. Enjoy this fourth and final book in Beyond the Tales, a Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling series!

My review will be coming soon!

Illusion's Reign ~ Available Now

I'm pleased to share that Illusion's Reign by Sarah Pennington is now available.

This is the second book in the Daughters of Atìrse series. I have not yet finished this book, but what I have read has been enjoyable. If you have not read the first book, Song of the Selkies, do so now.

About the Book:

A transformed princess is determined to reclaim what's hers — but can truth prevail when illusion wears the crown?

Crown Princess Onora of Atìrse is eager to prove herself as the heir to her parents' throne. Moving into one of her family's holdings away from the Royal Seat offers the chance to put into practice all she's learned and demonstrate what kind of queen she intends to one day be, and even the shadow of an uprising among Atìrse's faery neighbors can't dull her excitement. Yet her plans go awry when one of her attendants proves false and she's transformed and replaced by a faery imposter.

Though cursed and cast into the role of a lowly goose-keeper, with only her beloved cat as an ally, Onora refuses to admit defeat. She'll do whatever it takes to break the curse, expose the imposter, and take back the role that is rightfully hers. However, that's easier said than done when her opponent can so easily manipulate the truth — and the fickle feelings of the locals and the surliness of the miller's strange assistant don't make her task any less difficult.

Time is swiftly passing, and Onora must reclaim her place before the transformation becomes permanent. But can she do so when nothing is as it seems and even her allies have secrets?

Return to the kingdom of Atìrse and discover what happens when "The Goose Girl" meets "Puss in Boots" in this prequel to the award-winning Song of the Selkies.

Purchase from Amazon.

Fun Fact: Writing in Prayer

When I started Illusion’s Reign, I thought that, for once in my life, I’d figured out what themes the story was going to deal before I was halfway through. For context, most of the time when I write my first drafts, I just record what happens and how my characters feel about it, and then I look back and realize “Oh, that’s what the story’s about.” Illusion’s Reign, I felt certain, was about leadership, about truth and falsehood, about reliance on God, and a little bit about community. And I was correct . . . but what I didn’t know at the time is that it’s also a story about prayer.

In hindsight, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Aside from the fact that any story about reliance on God has to be about prayer in some measure, prayer is frequently present on the page from the very first chapter. In one of the early scenes, Princess Onora seeks out a priest, asking him to advise her in future and to pray for her as she takes on a new set of responsibilities. Additional prayers appear prominently throughout the rest of the story as well, and what I would consider one of the the most pivotal scenes in the novel centers on a prayer of desperation.

These prayers aren’t meant to be preachy (and I don’t think they come off that way). They’re the natural response of characters who are trying to obey God while facing difficulties. They were, somewhat surprisingly, also really fun to write. For one thing, I enjoyed getting to write characters praying the way I wish I could and did. For another, thinking about how a character would pray turns out to be a great way to understand that character and their thoughts on their situation better. 

Prayer might not have been a theme I expected, but it’s certainly one I enjoyed exploring. Hopefully, others will also find pleasure and encouragement from it when they pick up Illusion’s Reign.

Arabella's Song ~ Now Available

 

I am thrilled that Arabella's Song can finally be shared with anyone who wants to read it. To date, this is the longest-finished work I have done. At nearly 25,000 words, it sounds like so many words, but in the world of books, it is not. Yet I'm pleased with what I accomplished. 

It is currently available as a Kindle book, and the print version is still being formatted. Who knew there were so many steps involved in bringing a book to life? 

This has been a learning experience in so many ways, including how little sleep I can survive on while still pretending to function as a person. 

But if you are interested in enjoying Arabella's Song, which was part of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge, I'm providing the Amazon link here Arabella's Song on Amazon.

This title will be on Kindle Unlimited until Christmas, so don't delay. After that date, it will be available with other online eBook retailers.

About the Book:

A song calls her to her destiny until a betrayal threatens her future.

Arabella's future has long been decided, but she'll have to fight for it when her trusted servant betrays her.

All her life, a song has drawn her towards her destiny, and now it may very well be what saves her life.

With the aid of a talking horse, a mysterious stranger, and a foreign dignitary, Arabella is in a race against time to reclaim the identity stolen from her in this story based on the Goose Girl and the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

This is the first book in The House of Sorah series.

Friend and Faux ~ Available Now

 

Friend and Faux

The Otaku Fairytales #1

By Erudessa Gentian

I think this is by far the most unique of the Lost Kerchiefs challenge stories. First, it is set in today's world. And I'll be honest: I have never read anything written in the AnimeLit style, so I can't compare it to others in the same style. 

All that being said, I did enjoy reading this book. It is easily read in a few hours and takes the reader into the life of a freshman college student. Asuka Gosse is attending because her grades have made her a highly desired student. She may not have the wealth or social status of the rest of the students, but she will work her hardest to prove her worth. 

Of course, a new student who doesn't understand the current social hierarchy is pulled in by the machinations of an oh-so-helpful student willing to show her the ropes and help her navigate this new world. Yep, you can totally see where this is going. 

I loved the ending. I'm not saying anything more because that will totally ruin it for you. Let's just say it was priceless and oh-so-perfect. I'm interested in what comes next in this new series and would highly recommend it to younger readers without hesitation.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

New school, new start…right?

If only Asuka Gosse’s social smarts were as brilliant as her grades. Can our freshman navigate the intricacies of university life, and discern Friend from Faux?

This short spin on the classic Goose Girl fairytale is written in AnimeLit style and set in a non-magical, contemporary world.

So True A Love ~ Now Available

 Joanna Barker's So True A Love is now available!

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.