To Defy a Dream: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Shattered Tales, #4) by Mary Mecham

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose? Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle. Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world. Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves? No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends. To Defy a Dream is a second chance romance retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

The Midnight Blizzard: A Cinderella Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Mary Mecham

An ice slipper wasn’t the only thing left behind at midnight… Noelle Frost only has one chance to reclaim the inheritance stolen from her after her father’s death. With her stepfamily plotting to win the prince’s heart during his bride competition to secure their own power, Noelle must infiltrate the royal ball to confront her stepmother and reclaim her birthright before time runs out. But in order to get close enough, she must compete for a crown she doesn’t want—and a prince she doesn’t love. The real danger lies in her growing feelings for Jack, the prince’s enigmatic mage advisor. As their forbidden romance ignites, Jack becomes Noelle’s only ally in a world of treachery, with access to the records that could restore her to her rightful place as the heiress of the Frostwood estate. The closer Noelle gets to Jack, the more impossible their future seems. As the competition heats up and the prince’s attention turns to Noelle, her stepmother offers a risky bargain that Noelle can’t turn down if she wants to protect Jack, even if it means leaving the castle forever. After all, if Noelle and Jack can never be together, does she have any reason to stay? As midnight approaches, Noelle must decide if she can truly leave her heart behind. This is a Cinderella retelling, filled with forbidden love, dog sleds, blackmail, and an illegal courtship set in a snowy kingdom. Perfect for a cozy Christmas read, fans of Melanie Cellier, Tara Grayce, and Deborah Grace White will love this no-spice romantic fantasy book. Tropes in The Midnight Blizzard: ❄️ Forbidden, Illegal Love ❄️ Blackmailed by her Stepmother ❄️ Ice Slippers (instead of glass) ❄️ Cinderella Goes in a Dog Sled to the Ball ❄️ Locked in a Closet and Can't Kiss (but they want to!) ❄️ Jack Frost is the fairy godfather ❄️ Grimms inspired What Readers Are Saying: "This was absolutely THE PERFECT choice for a cozy winter read! I'm all gushy and stuff now" "I'm fairly certain I didn't breathe during the last 30% of the book because PLOT TWISTS AND FORBIDDEN KISSES." "With dog sledding, ice skating, magic ice slippers, and a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, this “prince picks a bride” competition is magical."

Chords of Green and Gold (Tales of Eukarya) by Sarah Beran

Rumpelstiltskin meets the Frog Prince... Prince Dorian of Anura has been looking a little green lately...literally. After an encounter with a disgruntled princess, a curse has left him with a rather frog-like appearance. Desperate to find a woman to break his son's curse, King Ion decides to host a lavish, golden ball. The only problem? The kingdom is short on funds, and the king's grand plans could send their small kingdom into bankruptcy. Lydian Miller has always been her father's pride and joy. In fact, he is so proud of her skills as an artist that he drunkenly claims one night that she could turn straw into gold if she wanted to. These claims reach the king of Anura, and before she knows what is happening, Lydian finds herself locked in a room full of straw. The king has one order: turn the straw into golden party decorations or forfeit her life. All seems lost...until a funny, green-looking fellow arrives with just the help she needs. Who is her mysterious savior? Why is the golden ball so important? And who would even want her firstborn child, anyway?

The Crystal Realm: A Collection of Retold Christmas Tales (The Realm Collections) by Abigail Manning

A Festive Retelling of A Christmas Carol, The Gingerbread Man, and The Nutcracker... In the kingdom of Wiessel, the Festival of the Crystal Star is a greatly beloved celebration that has always been welcomed with mounds of holiday cheer. But this year, some citizens are finding it difficult to indulge in the celebrations… On the eve of the celebration, three women are met with a twist of fate that may put a damper on the festivities. A young queen struggles with finding joy in her future while dealing with the trauma of her past, an orphaned sixteen-year-old gains a home, only to run from it, and even a starry-eyed dancer finds herself chasing a thief into the night. While the realm celebrates around them, these three must conquer their new enemies while relying on each other in unforeseen manners. Will the secrets of the Crystal Realm be unraveled? Or will their hearts be left frozen and shattered? Between orphaned royalty, shadowy strangers, and frigid nights in the snow, it seems hard to believe that this festival could have ever been so jolly… For more more updates on retellings like these, sign up for my free newsletter at abigailmanningauthor.com

The Rose Realm: A Collection of Retold Flower Tales (The Realm Collections) by Abigail Manning

A Magical Retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, Hansel and Gretel, and Little Wildrose The forests of the Rosenwood kingdom are a delight for many who call it their home, even if most have never explored it in its entirety. The trees provide them with shelter, materials, and, in more recent cases, mystery. As the secrets and magic entangle the kingdom’s inhabitants, they must fight both with and against the woods they call home. A pair of sisters find an unlikely friend in the depths of a storm, only to question if he was ever a friend at all. An herbalist hunts for a forbidden flower to heal her dying family, even if it means robbing a powerful mage. And a girl who’s spent her entire life up in the trees discovers her home is doomed to fall. As magic stirs and secrets unfold, they must determine who can be trusted and who they must stand against. Can they reclaim their home without losing each other? Or does danger root deeper than they thought? With two-faced strangers, carnivorous plants, and vengeful mages standing in their path, the task may not be so rosy. Sign up for my newsletter at abigailmanningauthor.com and get a FREE copy of this ebook!

The Shadow Realm: A Collection of Retold Halloween Tales (The Realm Collections) by Abigail Manning

A Shadowy Retelling of The Invisible Man, Pinocchio, and Dracula... The Silver Shadow Ball is the event of the year in the kingdom of Umbria, filled with dancing, flaunting nobles, and, of course, romance. A princess and her two noble friends are counting the minutes until the party and have been stringing along as many potential dates as possible. However, things go too far when they offend one man in particular. After being refused and insulted by the princess and her friends, the young enchanter places a curse on each girl as punishment. With each curse being different from the next, the clues to cure them leave more questions than answers. As the air chills and the leaves fall, one girl is forced to flee her home out of fear of being seen as the ghost she is—or not being seen, that is. Another remains home with the constant threat of pain each time her body turns her as fake as her words. As for the princess, she’d rather die than concede to her curse’s wishes... not that she’s truly living, anyway. Can the enchanter’s curses be broken? Or will they forever be forced to hide in the shadows? As questionable allies are made and pumpkins are carved, it might be best to keep one’s heart left in the dark. For more more updates on retellings like these, sign up for my free newsletter at abigailmanningauthor.com

The Feather Realm: A Collection of Feathery Short Stories (The Realm Collections) by Abigail Manning

A Summery Sweet Retelling of The Ugly Duckling, Swan Lake, and The Golden Goose... Deep in the woods of the Feather Realm, a cozy town blissfully enjoys their summer festival with sunflower crowns, market vendors, and off course, fresh eggs. That is, until an unsuspecting mother brings home a basket of eggs that immediately hatch into strange little companions for her daughters. There's nothing too odd about a feathery new pet, but something about these birds and the vendor's cryptic warning feels unusual... An odd little duck accompanies the youngest daughter as she hides from her childhood bullies, a sweet swan follows the second daughter on her troublesome hunting expedition, and a quirky gosling with a knack for getting lost clings close to the eldest. As the summer sun burns, so does the girls' curiosity as charming and irksome men alike, take interest in their newfound pets. Will the girls be able to protect their feathered friends from the villains watching them? Swan hunters, mischievous enchanters, and one man that never smiles aren't the type of birds one would expect to flock together, but perhaps they know each other better than they realize... For more more updates on retellings like these, sign up for my free newsletter at abigailmanningauthor.com

The Professor and the Siren by Vala Stone

My whole life, I dedicated myself to discovering the secrets of the ocean. When I encounter a merman, I think I might be losing my mind. Except he’s real, and he's asking me out, spilling all his secrets, sating my curiosity, and stirring my lust. My own private nerdy professor turned merman; he ticks all my boxes. What do I do when my merman is in danger of being discovered by my colleagues? Do I turn my back on them and help him? Do I sink or swim? Do I fall in love? This is a short paranormal romance novella about a brave marine biologist, a sexy merman, and a sizzling HEA. Romance, Paranormal, HEA, Steamy, Merman, Shapeshifter, Sweet, Fated mates, Beach Read this novella for free by signing up to the newsletter.

Bound to the Warlock: A Cozy Smalltown Paranormal Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #05) by Vala Stone

He tells me to leave town. I can’t seem to stay away. Maggie I come to Hillcrest Hollow with a broken career, a bruised heart, and every intention of hiding out with my best friend until my life stops falling apart. Instead, I find her broody coworker, a magical town full of secrets, and a stubborn little bobcat kitten determined to adopt me. Thorne is filthy rich, dangerously powerful, and makes it painfully clear he wants nothing to do with me. Too bad his actions keep betraying him. Every cold warning comes with quiet protection. Every sharp insult only makes me more determined to uncover his secrets. Then my dreams start calling me into the woods... and something ancient starts calling me by name. Thorne I’ve sworn off obsession. Sunshine like Maggie has no place near a warlock like me. Fate disagrees. Now the woman I keep trying to push away is tangled in the magic threatening Hillcrest Hollow. She finds the family she’s always deserved, a troublesome little companion determined to throw us together, and me. She thinks I’m trying to keep her safe. She has no idea I’m willing to burn the world down to do it. This is Book Five in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Warlock delivers a secretive grumpy warlock billionaire, an always cheerful, artist with a temper, a cute bobcat kitten with romance plans, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless. Fun tropes: Down-on-her-luck heroine Small town Best friend’s coworker Grumpy/sunshine Mysterious billionaire warlock Animal companion Dreams Ancient magic Found family Possessive/protective MMC “Burn the world down for her” energy

Bound to the Griffin: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #03) by Vala Stone

He’s sworn to protect the town’s secrets—but she might just unravel his heart. Gwendolyn Buying the old B&B was supposed to be my fresh start. But Hillcrest Hollow isn’t exactly welcoming. The house is crumbling, the neighbors glare like I’m some kind of threat, and something’s definitely watching me from the woods. Then there’s Jackson—the town’s sheriff with storm-gray eyes and a quiet intensity that makes my heart forget how to behave. He’s always there when things go sideways, and I’m starting to think those hands could fix a lot more than broken porch steps. The more I dig, the darker the town’s secrets get—and the more tangled up we become. Whatever’s hiding in Hillcrest Hollow isn’t just folklore. And if I’m not careful, it won’t just break my heart—it might claim everything. Jackson The second Gwendolyn arrived, I knew she’d be trouble. Hillcrest Hollow chews up outsiders, and the things that live in the dark don’t take kindly to curious humans. She should’ve left—but she’s still here. And I’m starting to forget why I ever wanted her gone. She’s fierce, stubborn, and too damn tempting for a man who’s spent years keeping his beast on a leash. But something old is waking, and she’s at the center of it. I swore to protect this town—but I’d burn it to the ground before I let anything touch her. Even if the real danger… is what I am. This is Book Three in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Griffin delivers a protective griffin shifter, a bold human heroine looking for a new beginning, ancient secrets, and a sizzling HEA.

Bound to the Minotaur: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #02) by Vala Stone

Car trouble on a desolate road? Terrifying. The brooding, irresistibly hot mechanic who shows up? Utterly distracting… Kess Running is my only option. When a job offer across the country promises a fresh start, I grab it like a lifeline. But fate, it seems, has other plans. Stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken car, I’m at my wit’s end. Then he appears. Gregory, the grumpy mechanic with smoldering eyes, a scowl that could cut steel, and secrets as dark as the night. Trusting anyone has never been my strong suit, but when he uncovers evidence that my “accident” wasn’t an accident at all, he’s the only one I can turn to. And the more time I spend with him, the more I realize—beneath the gruff exterior is a man worth risking everything for. Gregory Patience? Never heard of it. Tact? Doesn’t live here. I prefer my life quiet, my sanctuary off-limits, and my secrets buried deep. Then she crashes into my world: Kess, the fiery little stray with a broken car and danger on her heels. She’s fierce, maddeningly stubborn, and absolutely captivating. Against every instinct, I find myself letting her in. The closer she gets, the harder it is to keep my distance. And when her past threatens to destroy her, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means revealing the beast within. This is Book Two in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Minotaur delivers a grumpy Minotaur shifter, a fiery human heroine, an adorable kitten who knows too much, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless.

The Orc's Gift (Sunshine Valley Orcs #02) by Alana Khan

She carved flowers from his homeworld into wood. In his culture, that’s practically a marriage proposal. Honey I build instruments for retirees, hobbyists, and local musicians. Not devastatingly attractive seven-foot orcs with broad shoulders, careful hands, and a deep voice that slides straight under my skin. Kragen comes to my workshop looking for a custom dulcimer and somehow becomes part of my days instead. Coffee on the porch. Long conversations about music. Excuses to keep coming back long after I’ve delivered his instrument. I tell myself he’s just a client, even when the best part of my day starts sounding a lot like his car coming up the drive. So when I customize his instrument using sketches he once drew on the back of a napkin, I think I’m just being thoughtful. I don’t know I’m accidentally courting an orc. Kragen I knew I was in trouble when Honey started seeing me clearly. Not the performance. Not the musician everyone thinks they know. Me. She listens when I speak. She notices things no one else does. And then she hands me an instrument etched with flowers from my homeworld because she remembered they mattered. And now I have a problem. Because humans treat gifts like objects. Orcs treat them like intentions. In my culture, a gift made with this much care is a declaration. It demands an answer in kind. Equal intention. Equal devotion. Now I’m caught between restraint and desire, trying not to overwhelm the woman who’s already become the center of every song in my head. Some gifts ask for an answer. Some come with an orc who’s been writing songs about you for weeks and is running out of reasons not to back you against the nearest wall. Protective hero • Orc musician • Handmade gifts • Slow burn to scorching • Size difference • Mutual yearning • Explicit heat • Guaranteed HEA

The Orc's Protection (Sunshine Valley Orcs #1) by Alana Khan

He gave her his coat. In his culture, that means she's already his. Riona The school's handsome security guard is seven feet of careful restraint—quiet, deliberate, almost unnervingly gentle for someone so large. I notice everything about Vraag. The rare touches. The precise control. The way his presence makes me feel safe and dangerously aware at the same time. When I shiver in the cold and he wraps his coat around my shoulders, I think it's kindness. I have no idea it's a vow. Vraag Eight years of making myself smaller. Quieter. Less. So humans won't fear me. Riona Walker has never once looked at me with fear—and the night her small frame tremblesy with cold, eight years of careful control gives way to instinct. In StoneWatch culture, offering protection is offering yourself. She's been wearing my scent, wrapped in my warmth, and I am done pretending I don't want to make it permanent. Some offers can't be taken back. Some come with a seven-foot orc who spent eight years learning patience—so he could spend one very long night using none of it. Protective hero • Size difference • Slow burn to scorching • "She's mine" energy • Explicit heat • Guaranteed HEA

Guarded by My Gargoyle: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) by Honey Phillips

He returned to Fairhaven Falls with a fortune and a plan. Falling for the widowed plant nursery owner next door was not part of it. But her little boy sees him as a guardian. And she sees the softness beneath the stone. And once a gargoyle puts down roots… nothing will move him. Guarded by the Gargoyle is a cozy, protective small-town monster romance about second chances, chosen family, and a hero who finally decides to stay.

Protected by the Orc (Fairhaven Falls #07 / Sweet Monster Treats #08) by Honey Phillips

Her orc bodyguard is determined to keep her close! Holdar doesn’t do commitment. Even his latest security job as bodyguard to a pretty, spoiled - and annoyingly adorable - heiress won’t last, which is just as well. The sooner he gets away from her innocent smiles and tempting curves the better. Trish is desperate to escape her father’s gilded cage, even though her latest bodyguard is the biggest, most intimidating - and most enticing - male she’s ever met. Then her disastrous attempt at freedom leads her straight into his massive orc arms. Holdar failed one person in his care, and he’s not about to do it again. He’s determined to keep Trish safe, even if it means returning to Fairhaven Falls and facing the past he wants to forget. A tiny southern town and the smallest cabin she’s ever seen? A grumpy orc who insists on putting her to work - when he’s not kissing the heck out of her? Trish should be miserable. Instead, she’s never been happier. But can their relationship be more than temporary? And is she willing to take a chance on an orc who's afraid to commit? * * ~ * * "Protected by the Orc" is the eighth sweet and steamy monster romance that makes up the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared-world collection. Each book is a standalone, containing its own 'Happily Ever After', and can be read in any order -- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore all the titles brought to us by three bestselling authors: Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [2024] Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [2024] Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [2024] * * ~ * * "Protected by the Orc" is also the seventh book in Honey Phillips' series, Fairhaven Falls. Be sure to explore all the titles Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll* Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Valentine for My Vampire: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #06) by Honey Phillips

Her vampire is heating up the kitchen! Wendy’s first visit to a supposedly gourmet restaurant in the sleepy little town of Fairhaven Falls did not go well - especially her interaction with the arrogant and annoyingly attractive restaurant owner - and she didn’t hesitate to tell her readers all about it. She has no intention of returning, but she never could resist a challenge. Restaurant owner and vampire? It’s an odd combination given Damian’s very specific dietary requirements, but Midnight Manor means everything to him. He’s not about to let one snippy and surprisingly succulent food critic destroy everything he’s built, even if it means using his special gifts to convince her. As a series of mysterious mishaps continue to plague the restaurant, Damian and Wendy are forced to work together to track down the culprit. But as the tension in the kitchen heats up, so does their attraction... Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

The Single Mom and the Orc (Fairhaven Falls #04 / Sweet Monster Treats #4) by Honey Phillips

Her grumpy orc is going to hammer his way into her heart! When Pippa finds herself in Fairhaven Falls with empty pockets and a brand new baby, she’s thrilled when a sweet - and slightly scary - old lady offers her a job and a place to live. Their new home isn’t much, but it offers a desperately needed shelter. Then her grumpy orc neighbor comes charging into their lives. She should be wary of the huge male, but when she watches him handling his hammer, fear is the last thing she feels. And when he cradles her daughter so tenderly against that big muscular chest? Her heart isn't the only thing melting! Trogar likes his own company just fine, thank you very much. When his grandmother insists he help out his new neighbor, he reluctantly agrees. But the more time he spends with the curvy human and her adorable daughter, the more he wants to claim them both as his own. When Pippa’s past catches up with her, can Trogar keep her and her daughter safe? And when the dust settles, will he have a new family - or the solitary life he no longer wants? * * * "The Single Mom and the Orc" is a sweet and steamy monster romance that is the fourth book in the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared world collection. Each book is standalone, contains its own Happily Ever After, and can be read in any order-- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore the other titles in the collection: Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [6 May 2024] Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [13 May 2024] Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [20 May 2024] * * * "The Single Mom and the Orc" is also the fourth story in Honey Phillips' Fairhaven Falls series: Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll" Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Fireworks for My Dragon Boss: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #03) by Honey Phillips

Her dragon is turning up the heat! After a series of corporate mergers, Charlotte’s job is hanging by a thread. When her boss orders her to drag an overdue manuscript out of their bestselling author, she’s determined to succeed - even if it means leaving the city for the small Southern town of Fairhaven Falls. She just didn’t expect the elusive author to be so big. And handsome. And winged. Nakor Earlsworth refuses to give in to the common stereotypes about dragons. He lives in a glass-walled house, not a cave. He doesn’t breathe fire - at least not most of the time. And he certainly isn’t sitting on a hoard of treasure. So why is it that when an annoying, buttoned-up, and irritatingly attractive, female shows up on his doorstep, he’s suddenly envisioning her wearing his gold - and nothing else? A very stubborn male and an equally determined female are about to find out what happens when an immovable object meets an irresistible force. Sparks are going to fly. Literally. Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy story is intended for mature readers.

Trouble for My Troll: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #2) by Honey Phillips

Her troll mechanic is determined to get her engine revving! Alison is looking forward to finally settling down in Fairhaven Falls. Surely a town full of monsters will make it easier to guard her vulnerable heart. When she runs into a truck driven by a massive troll with a charming smile, she realizes it might not be so easy after all. Despite her attempts to avoid him, he keeps coming to her rescue. Will isn’t happy about returning to his small hometown to take over the family business. The sooner he can escape a job he doesn’t want in a place he doesn’t want to be, the better. The curvy little female who collides with him can’t be more than a distraction - so why does his inner troll want to carry her off to his den and keep her forever? He doesn’t even have a den! Can a male who doesn’t want to stay and a woman who doesn’t want to leave find happiness together? Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy story is intended for mature readers.

I Copy My Way to Ascension by Brave

Bai Chen arrives in a cultivation world with no money, connections, or powerful background. His only advantage is the Entry Copying System, which allows him to copy a talent trait from another cultivator each month. Rather than courting danger, he joins a sect, keeps his head down, and quietly accumulates extraordinary gifts. Talents for alchemy, artifact forging, spirit plants, talismans, and beast taming—abilities others might spend a lifetime pursuing—gradually become his own. While everyone dismisses Bai Chen as an ordinary disciple with mediocre spiritual roots, he builds an overwhelming foundation in the shadows. His plan is simple: avoid trouble, make friends, and grow stronger where no one is looking. But in a cultivation world filled with rival sects, hidden dangers, and powerful enemies, staying unnoticed may prove harder than ascending itself.

Unmasked: A Cinderella Retelling (Enchanted Tales of Tír) by Sarah Carlisle

They grew up battling imaginary ogres. Now their opponents are all too real . . . and they’re family. As children, Eleri and Sawel played together in the woods of the palace grounds—the best place to escape her strict parents and the heavy weight of being a nobleman’s daughter and a prince. When Eleri’s parents decide to send her to a dangerous foreign kingdom and into the power of a violent and ambitious king, Sawel is the first person she turns to for help. But while being a prince might bestow certain privileges, overriding a lady’s parents is not one of them. The only solution is to hide Eleri until she comes of age—and what better place to hide than in the palace? But even as their challenging circumstance leads them to see each other in a new light and friendship turns to love, danger looms. With Eleri’s parents on the hunt, how can she ever be safe to marry Sawel and find her happily ever after? Unmasked: A Cinderella Retelling is a sweet, clean fairytale novella. It is a prequel to the Enchanted Tales of Tir series and takes place before the events of the rest of the series. The Enchanted Tales of Tir: Unmasked: A Cinderella Retelling Tested: A Princess and the Pea Retelling Nettled: A Wild Swans Retelling A Gentle Hope: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling, part of the Hope Ever After series

The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette (The Four Kingdoms) by Melanie Cellier

Hanna knows all about hard work. For years she’s labored to complete her apprenticeship and become a pastry chef. Driven from her home once before, she’s willing to endure whatever it takes to keep her position in the palace kitchens of Northhelm. But when she finally has a chance for all her dreams to come true, everything goes wrong. In danger of losing both her future as a pastry chef, and the man she’s loved for years, Hanna will have to decide if she’s ready to fight for herself, as well as for Stefan. The Coronation Ball is a novelette of approximately 15,000 words that follows Hans’s sister after she flees Rangmere to build a life in Northhelm. If you enjoy clean romance, adventure and intrigue, then try the books in The Four Kingdoms series now! Each book can be read as a standalone story, however, for greatest enjoyment, they should be read in order. The Four Kingdoms Reading Order: The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (Book One) The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (Book Two) The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red (Novella) The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (Book Three) A Midwinter's Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince (Novella) The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (Book Four) The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Book Five)

The Caring and the Cursed (The Intertwined Tales): Puss in Boots and Snow White & Rose Red Retelling by Amanda Thompson

A cursed prince. A miller's daughter who is willing to do anything to save her family. Are they the only hope to save their kingdom? When Crown Prince Alexander is cursed into the form of a cat, he fears all is lost. Little does he know that when he stumbles upon two sisters he has found his sweetest and bravest companions. Eirwen loves her family deeply and is willing to enter into a loveless and miserable marriage for their sake. Neither she nor her younger sister, Rowan, will inherit the mill so this is how she can do her part. When a talking cat scares them both, Eirwen is afraid that evil has come to destroy her family. But is he really an evil cat, or is it possible there's more to meet the eye with this new furry friend? And is he someone she could have a future with and not be miserable? Can these two sisters aid the talking cat in facing off against the evil that is plaguing their country, or are they all doomed for more curses? Two Intertwined Tales. One Happily Ever After. The Caring and the Cursed is a sweet clean retelling of Puss in Boots and Snow White & Rose Red and part of the Intertwined Tales series. The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairy tale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

The Seamstress and the Pea: Princess and the Pea Inspired Fairytale Retelling (Whelvendow Fairytales) by Megan Rose Walker

Eleanor is a hard-working seamstress with an inherited distrust of nobility. She doesn't have time for frivolity or a flirtatious prince, especially if she wants to save enough money to visit her mother's grave in the neighboring kingdom. When a dress fitting for the queen begins with a torrential rainfall and ends with an unexpected proposal from Prince James, her world is turned upside down. Eleanor is the prince’s last hope to avoid an undesired marriage with the rival kingdom’s princess. In exchange for a one month pretend engagement, he will pay her more than enough to finally travel to see her mother’s grave. Despite her father’s disapproval, she accepts James’s offer and is thrust into a world of formal gowns, doting servants, and pompous royalty. The jilted princess and her arrogant brother are determined to get rid of Eleanor, and she and James must rely on one another to counter their hostility. As she spends time with him, the lines between flirtatious acting and genuine affection blur. Amid her struggles with the royals, internal and family conflicts also arise, fighting to overpower her and the blossoming feelings she has for James. Can Eleanor overcome the cruel advances of the rival royalty as well as her own prejudices? Will she choose love when everything is on the line? This is a cozy no-spice romantasy tale inspired by the Princess and the Pea fairytale. Although it is a prequel to events in The Wisp and the Prince, it is meant to be read second.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars (Once Upon A Rhyme Book 6) by Abigail Manning

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... How everyone wonders where you are? Princess Lyra of Bellatring is the sparkling diamond of her family. She’s polite, intelligent, beautiful, and the perfect match for the neighboring prince who is looking to unite their militaries. But even the brightest jewels can still possess flaws, or in Lyra’s case, armfuls of scars. Lyra secretly spends her evenings tinkering with magic stones under the starlight. Though the temperamental stones lash out and leave behind their marks, it’s nothing that can’t be concealed with a strategically planned wardrobe. The real difficulty for a princess is acquiring magic stones, unless you have a stone-smuggling friend who delights in climbing your tower walls every night. Stirling is a man of many names, if you can call him a man. His crooked leg, mismatched eyes, and lack of sanity tend to get him labeled as anything but human, though he takes pride in his complicated reputation. When Stirling senses danger for Lyra, he doesn’t hesitate to recommend that she marry the powerful prince who could keep her safe–until the wedding doesn’t come soon enough. Both Lyra and Stirling are captured by power-hungry magic hunters, in search of the notorious inventor. The only problem is, their captors aren’t certain who is who, giving Stirling the chance to claim yet another name... The inventor. Will Lyra’s true identity be uncovered? Or will Stirling’s lie leave them wondering what you are? Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on Once Upon A Rhyme sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

Trials and Command: A Retelling of The Tinderbox and The Princess and the Pea (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 5) by Erin Halbmaier

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻-𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿. Keenan left home to watch out for a young woman searching for her friend. But when bandits attack, leaving them separated, Keenan is left lost and wounded, stumbling through the woods in search of help. Princess Sakura needs a titled husband to inherit the throne. Since a prophecy declared her the future bride of a common soldier, she only has a few months until her brother is named heir in her place. But it’s hard to find a husband at all in an isolated castle. When an injured young man staggers up to their door, the queen offers him the chance to prove he is a “true prince” and so marry her daughter. Sakura believes their guest has enchanted the queen…until her mother confides a plot that will guarantee Sakura the throne. All she has to do is make Keenan fall in love with her. But he doesn’t trust her or her mother – and the key to her crown might be too powerful to give up. Fans of Brittany Fichter and Melanie Cellier will love this clean fantasy romance retelling of The Tinderbox x The Princess and the Pea. With forced proximity, layered secrets, and a baby dragon, Trials and Command (Book 5 in The Roumaterra Chronicles) delivers wit, heart, and a quest that will keep you turning pages.

Boots and Roses: A Retelling of Puss in Boots and Beauty and the Beast (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 6) by Erin Halbmaier

Liesl is determined to find the man who broke her heart. Getting trapped in a cursed valley with a dangerous ogre isn't part of the plan. Tobias gave Liesl a rose and a reason to hope – then chose to search for the missing princess instead. When she discovers he’s vanished without his beloved cat, concern overrides her hurt. Something is wrong, and she’ll track him down to ensure he’s safe…and to demand the answers she deserves. Beast has no memory of who he is, only a desperate need to complete a task the valley’s magic won’t let him leave to finish. When Liesl appears with a familiar cat at her heels, fragments begin to surface – memories of a life he can’t quite grasp. Believing Beast knows something about Tobias, Liesl risks getting close to him. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to see him as a monster. But Beast’s mission will cost him any future with Liesl. And if he tells her why, someone else will pay the price. Some secrets have to be kept. Even if that means losing the woman he loves. Fans of K.M. Shea and Melanie Cellier will love this clean fantasy romance retelling of Puss in Boots x Beauty and the Beast, where quiet connection, magical mysteries, and impossible choices take you on an emotional journey. Pick up Boots and Roses and fall into a cursed valley where the truth can be dangerous – and love demands everything.

Arrows and Gems: A Retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red (The Roumaterra Chronicles Book 4) by Erin Halbmaier

A runaway princess. An honorable outlaw. A crime that hasn’t been paid. Princess Helena has always struggled to belong. When she wakes from her twelve-year enchanted sleep, she tries to adjust to the changes in her life. But her childhood sweetheart’s marriage and the council’s plan to choose her husband push her too far. Cap just wants to protect his friends and return the throne to the missing crown prince. But the unlawful regent has accused the crown prince of murdering the king, and Cap’s status as an outlaw makes it hard to investigate. He’s wary of the woman he believes has been sent to trap him, but she has a way of slipping past his defenses. And he’s afraid she might be another sign that he shouldn’t trust his own judgment. Can Helena and Cap work together to reveal the true murderer? Or will their insecurities and secrets destroy everything they care about? Arrows and Gems is a clean, no-spice retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red. It is book four in The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

Once Upon A Bear: A Cozy Fantasy Goldilocks Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

An illegal herbwitch, a man turned bear, and the curse keeping them apart. Guinevere has spent years hiding her illegal magic, healing on the sly with enhanced salves and tonics. Life in her tiny cottage making potions by firelight is quiet and lonely, but it keeps her safe…even if it’s hard to buy food sometimes. Gideon Rendon is tired of being a bear, but with silence woven into his curse and anyone who sees him trying to kill him, he’s run out of hope. When Guinevere discovers his secret, he begins to feel hope for the first time in years–but the curse is taking over, and he’s spending more and more time as a bear. As Guinevere stitches his wounds, helps with his brother’s injury, and attempts to break his curse before he loses his humanity, the line between healer and patient begins to blur. But with Gideon’s noble family and Guinevere’s dangerous secret between them, falling in love might be a risk neither of them can afford. Once Upon A Bear is a cozy fantasy romance inspired by the Goldilocks fairy tale, full of grumpy sunshine vibes and wound tending, and the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone, young adult romance is a clean and wholesome retelling of a beloved story or fairytale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic. While Once Upon A Bear is the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles series, each couple has their own romance with a happily ever after that can be read in any order. “You are always fit for human company,” she said. “Because whether you are in your human form or not, you have a human soul, and that is what matters.”

Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

A café owner, her former love, and the curse between them. Thea Greene has no time for nonsense—especially not from her overly charming landlord who delivers flowers “for the building” and thinks a smile can fix anything. She’s too busy running her business, finding an apprentice, and reminding herself that falling for Nat again is only asking for him to break her heart once more. Nathaniel Alder wants nothing more than to fix his relationship with Thea, which is difficult when she won’t talk to him. When a wand-wielding maniac turns him into a cat—whiskers, tail, and all—in front of the Cozy Cat Cafe, it’s a blessing and a curse. Being with Thea as a cat isn’t what he planned, but it's more time and attention than she gave him before. Can Nat break the curse he’s under and convince Thea that he’s worthy of her trust, or will their second chance at love turn out the same as the first? Once Upon A Cat is a Frog Prince fairytale retelling and the fourth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness: A Cozy Fantasy Thumbelina Retelling (Enchanting Confections Series) by Gabrielle Landi

A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line. Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll. Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected. Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned? A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

A Dwelling of Dragons: A Cozy Fantasy Romance (Healer of Dragons Book 2) by Gabrielle Landi

A dragon healer who wants a quiet life, the shopkeeper destined to lead, and the hidden village that changes everything. Caring for injured baby dragons was all Celia Carrington wanted to do, but when she followed her favorite baby into the mountains, she discovered a hidden village of frail, illegal magic users. Unfortunately, she’s burnt out on healing humans, and the idea of them depending on her is terrifying. When Darian Emberlin learns that his dragon bond ties him to the village's future, he's faced with a responsibility he never wanted. While the dragons may believe he's meant to lead, Darian isn't convinced he's the right man for the task, and his bond to Celia feels stronger than his bond to the village. With a shaky community depending on them, can they face the destiny neither of them asked for and build a home among the dragons, or will their fears keep them from reaching their full potential? A DWELLING OF DRAGONS is the second book in the HEALER OF DRAGONS cozy fantasy romance trilogy, with a closed door, wholesome romance, fated mates, dragon riding, a hidden mountain village, and a grumpy, burnt out healer discovering that facing your fears is worth it.

A Hearthful of Hatchlings: A Cozy Fantasy Romance (Healer of Dragons Book 1) by Gabrielle Landi

A grumpy hermit healer, the boy who will do anything to make her smile, and the injured baby dragons they care for. After being blamed for a tragedy she couldn't prevent, healer Celia Carrington fled to the mountains and built a life caring for injured baby dragons. Since no one believes dragons exist, her world is warm, cozy, and quiet--until it's no longer a secret. When shopkeeper Darian Emberlin finds the baby dragon hidden in Celia's shopping basket, his chivalry--and curiosity--insist he offer to help her. Celia may say she wants him to leave her and the hatchlings in peace, though he suspects he's just too much for her grumpy heart...but that was before they discovered he could understand the dragons. As Celia and Darian care for the dragons, their growing bond kindles something neither expected--hope. But in a world where magic is illegal and dragons are merely a legend, can the bond they forge withstand the flames? A HEARTHFUL OF HATCHLINGS is the first in the HEALER OF DRAGONS cozy fantasy romance series, with fated mates, dragon riding, and a reverse grumpy sunshine romance with a golden retriever man and the strong woman determined to ignore the fact that he falls first.

Monsters and Mocha: Inspired by Frankenstein (The Haunted Brew Series) by Sarah Beran

One a monster becomes... Darby Shelton’s future is bright—as a top graduate from the Mavorian Academy of Science and Magic, she now holds a prestigious and highly-sought after surgical internship with the famous Dr. Fransten. Sure, he might treat her more like a secretary than a fellow professional, but how can she complain when she gets to learn from the best? And unlike her other teachers, he doesn’t seem to mind that she spends the rest of her free time tinkering with gears and cogs, searching for connections between the medicine she loves and the machines that captivate her imagination. But war throws a shadow over her future, and a battle fought a little too close to home sends her on a completely different course. The wounded soldiers are brought to their hospital, among them a captain who had sacrificed life and limb to protect his comrades. Dr. Fransten might not think him worth treating, but Darby can’t leave him to suffer. It takes everything she knows of magic, metal, and medicine to save him, but at what cost? If the Guild of Medicine finds out, she could lose her position. Her mentor promises to shield her, but when a series of strange and unnerving accidents target both her and the recovering captain, Darby is left to wonder: In saving a man, has she somehow created a monster? Monsters and Mocha is inspired by Frankenstein and is part of The Haunted Brew series. A collection of four cozy and spooky tales inspired by myths, lore, and legends, it is sure to bring you just the right amount of chill for your autumn evenings.

A Bond of Ice and Sunshine (Tales of Eukarya) by Sarah Beran

The Snow Queen meets King Thrushbeard… As the crown prince of the tiny, coastal island of Kysta, Frederick had many expectations surrounding his future marriage. He had expected it to be an arranged, political match with a neighboring country. He had expected that the union would be weighed down by social and economic consequences. When his childhood friend and playmate, Princess Eliza of Nedra was announced as his intended, it was a pleasant surprise, but not unexpected. What Freddy didn’t expect was the sudden icy temper and stone cold stares that Eliza has been gracing him with since the announcement. He also never expected to be left at the altar. Twice. But if there’s one thing Freddy knows, it’s that not even the coldest ice can withstand the sun. He’s willing to cross the whole of Eukarya to bring her back, and he’s determined to melt his way into the icy princess’s heart…even if it means risking frostbite to his own.

The Silent Night: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Sarah Beran

Twas the hour after midnight and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the owls. And Holly. Holly is no stranger to the night. Her unique position means that the still hours in the darkest parts of the night are when most of her work gets done. It’s not completely silent—she has Parliament to thank for that—but it does get a bit lonely. Not even the letters from her faithful correspondent can completely fill the empty space, and it’s only a matter of time before she loses even those. Dominic Klause has watched as, year after year, the winters in Weihnacht grow longer and colder. The nights are dark, food is scarce, and his fellow countrymen are desperate for a miracle, but too proud to accept charity, leaving Dominic no choice but to hide his attempts at helping them under the cover of darkness. But his resources are limited, and not even the brilliant suggestions of his friend Joy can change the fact that it will require the riches of a king to continue his charitable efforts. As Deus Natus Eve approaches, Dominic turns his attention towards the one place that could solve all his problems—the abandoned castle of the former king. But all is not as it seems behind the towering holly hedges that surround the castle, and Dominic encounters more than he bargained for. When the unexpected gift of love is dropped into his lap, will Dominic find the treasure he seeks? Or will it be lost to the silence of the night? This book is a part of The Christmas Chronicles, a collection of festive novellas filled with clean romance, chilly weather, and cozy adventures.

The Constellation Caves (PearlHeart Book 2) by Keilani McConnell

A group of sailors travels together across a tropical country, meeting new people and solving the mystery affecting those there. The crew of PearlHeart is on break after their most recent journey. Rath, One-Eye, his Spirit Lion, and others have chosen to spend it on Delphy, Rath's homeland. However, while traveling to where they are staying for the Summer, cracks begin appearing in different parts of the country and the group agrees to help find the cause in order to protect the Constellation Caves, which lay underground. ​For readers who love rich characters, mysteries, and traveling across fantasy worlds.

Turtle Journey and Other Silent Comics (Silent Comics Book 2) by Keilani McConnell

Five heartwarming, traditionally drawn comics following different animals on their journeys A turtle travels to a mountain, meeting friends along the way; a seagull finds a group of students attending a magic class and decides he wants to try it, too; a brachiosaurus guides the stars to their places in the night sky; a mouse makes their way through a snowy forest; a dragon and dragonfly fly together to different islands. Each comic is appropriate for all ages and reading levels, with uplifting and wholesome stories. Includes five comics: Turtle Journey Seagull Magic Dino Stars Snow Mouse The Dragon and the Dragonfly

Be the Sea by Clara Ward

In November 2039, marine scientist Wend Taylor heaves themself aboard a zero-emissions boat skippered by elusive nature photographer Viola Yang. Guided by instinct, ocean dreams, and a shared birthday in 1972, they barter stories for passage across the Pacific. Aljon, Viola’s younger cousin, keeps a watchful eye and an innovative galley. Story by story, the trio rethink secrets, flying dreams, and how they experience their own minds. When they reach Hawaiʻi and prepare to part ways, opportunity and mystery pull them closer together. Both scientific and personal discoveries take shape as they join with ex-lovers, lost friends, and found family. Wend must navigate an ever-shifting future, complicated by bioengineered microbes and a plot to silence scientists, entangled with inexplicable dreams and a calling to Be the Sea.

Beastly Dreams: A Cozy Fantasy Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale Retelling (Displaced Fairytales Series) by Gabrielle Landi

A grumpy tavern owner, his sunshine barmaid, and the curse that traps them together. Running his grandfather's tavern is all Roan ever wanted--though the failing budget wasn't part of the dream. But when a rogue sorcerer curses him, sending everyone into a magical sleep except Roan, his too-cheerful barmaid, and his loyal dog, his priorities shift fast: break the curse before he loses everything. Abigail has never felt safer than she does at the Lucky Goat, despite how miserable Roan is at times, and she'll do anything to keep her found home intact. At first, an opportunity to tackle the never ending to-do list without distractions seems almost like a blessing, but the pressure of hiding her own magic--and pretending she isn't falling for her grumpy boss--is a whole different kind of trouble,. Trapped together in the tavern, Roan and Abigail begin to discover that opposites attract...but when the magic unravels, will breaking the curse also break the spark between them? Torn from one fairytale and trapped in another: the Displaced Fairytales series is a multi-author fairy tale retelling series of standalones from your favorite clean and closed door young adult romance authors. BEASTLY DREAMS is Beauty and the Beast meets Sleeping Beauty with clean and wholesome forced proximity, a grumpy sunshine boss romance, and an adorable dog companion.

Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy (Fairhaven Falls, #1 / Sweet Monster Treats, #3) by Honey Phillips

One very large orc. One very small human. Does size matter? When Elara flees corporate life to open a coffee shop in the small southern town of Fairhaven Falls, the last thing she is looking for is a relationship. But when she meets Grondar, the gruff orc owner of the bakery next door, sparks fly. Literally. Grondar has been burned by human females before. He has no intention of letting the feisty little female next door get under his skin - no matter how attractive he finds her. And it certainly doesn’t mean he’s going to let her get away with sabotaging his business. Despite their disastrous first meeting, Elara still finds herself having inappropriately heated thoughts about the massive orc next door. The attraction seems to be completely one-sided - until he reluctantly comes to her rescue and she discovers a very different side to the grumpy male. Can they overcome their initial animosity, their ongoing rivalry, and their very obvious differences to find a future together? * * ~ * * "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" is the third sweet and steamy monster romance that make up the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared world collection. Each book is a standalone, containing its own 'Happily Ever After', and can be read/listened to in any order -- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read/listened to in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore all the titles brought to us by three bestselling authors: • Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) • Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) • Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) • Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) • Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) • Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) • Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [2024] • Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [2024] • Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [2024] * * ~ * * "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" is also the first story in Honey Phillips' Fairhaven Falls series: • Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" • Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll" • Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" • Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" • Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" • Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" • Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Mistletoe for My Minotaur (Fairhaven Falls, #5) by Honey Phillips

Her minotaur is ready for a holiday treat! The day before Ginger’s family left Fairhaven Falls in disgrace, she made the mistake of kissing her older brother’s best friend. It was the best - and most embarrassing - moment of her life, but she never thought she’d see the big minotaur again. Now she desperately needs his help, but she has secrets she can’t put on those brawny shoulders. Mayor Howard “Houston” Ironmane is used to solving problems - for everyone else. But when the deliciously sweet - and completely off-limits - woman he’s never forgotten comes to him with an outrageous proposition, he knows it’s finally time for his own chance at happiness. All he has to do is uncover her secrets, convince her that their fake relationship could be perfectly real, and save the town’s Christmas festival! It’s going to take more than kisses under the mistletoe and a little holiday magic to unravel this naughty knot! Welcome to Fairhaven Falls - where the holiday lights twinkle, love sparkles, and monsters know exactly how to unwrap your… heart! Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

Gift for My Ghost (Fairhaven Falls, #8) by Honey Phillips

Can a lonely pair create a new path to love? Jessica has always felt as restless as the spirits who choose to appear to her. Then an unexpected encounter in the small southern town of Fairhaven Falls changes everything. Now she leads an ordinary life - or at least as ordinary as a girl with a constant ghostly companion can have. But is simple companionship enough? Leo was trapped in Midnight Manor for many years before a pretty little psychic finally set him free. Now that he’s been released, he’s discovered that freedom isn't nearly as enticing as the woman who freed him. The more time they spend together, the more he yearns for their relationship to be real. Who said that love, laughter, and the afterlife couldn't mix? Welcome to Fairhaven Falls! Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

Never Text a Minotaur: A Cozy Monster Romance (Wrong Move, Right Monster) by Honey Phillips

She wanted a ladder. She got a minotaur. Clara Bellweather’s professional life is a meticulously organized system of color-coded calendars, perfectly cataloged books, and emergency backup bookmarks. Unfortunately, her personal life is a chaotic mess of tripping over air and failed online dates. In desperate need of a ladder for the annual spring reading event, Clara does what any socially awkward librarian would do—she texts her handsome new neighbor. Or, at least, she thinks she texts him. A series of awkward texts leads to an even more awkward meeting where she discovers that she’s actually been exchanging messages with a massive, horned minotaur. Rion is gruff, reclusive, and intimidating but he's also unexpectedly kind and ridiculously handsome. After recruiting Rion to help with her event, she starts to realize that the grumpy minotaur might be the only male in town who isn't completely and utterly wrong for her. The library needs a ladder. The town needs a festival. And Clara needs to stop having feelings for a minotaur who's probably allergic to sunshine. (Each book in the Wrong Move, Right Monster series can be read as a standalone. These sweet and spicy romances are intended for mature readers.)

Chai and Charmcraft by Lynn Strong

What’s a prince to do when his lover doesn’t want a crown and his cat-familiar is banned from the palace? His Imperial Highness Faraj al-Nadhir has never thought himself a charming sort of prince. He’s shy, round, middle-aged, and always dutiful. But he has also secretly spent years dreaming of a man tending jasmine in a sun-lit window — prophetic visions that led him at last to one blissful night with someone who sees his heart, not his crown. He did not expect to wake up with a cat walking on his face. Cat-familiars are forbidden in the Imperial fortress. They might be spies. They might be soul-charmers. They might even sharpen their claws on thousand-year-old tapestries. But Faraj cannot regret that sweet little Sahar chose him — just as he cannot regret Asharan bir Chameli, the enchanting owner of the House of Jasmines. Asharan wants nothing to do with Faraj’s title and power, only his kindness. And Faraj hadn’t expected either the delights or the dilemmas of Asharan’s magical, soft-pawed little gift. The rules have always been different for the God-Emperor's brother. Faraj never before realized how much. Now he's breakfasting from community cauldrons in back alleys full of children and kittens. His foresight shows him a thousand paths toward disaster, but not the way through. His devoted chamberlain fears that Faraj has been bewitched by a purring agent of chaos, and Faraj can’t exactly say he’s wrong. When the choice comes down to betraying his lover's name, his cat-familiar’s life, or his own use of forbidden magic, Faraj does the only thing he can: He gets himself put on trial for heresy, trying to change the laws of the Empire itself. If his visions always lead him into trouble, he might as well make useful trouble. Chai and Charmcraft is the first book in a cozy and queer Middle Eastern M/M fantasy trilogy brimming with charm, intrigue, later-in-life romance, body positivity, and so many kittens. Here, nobody needs a magical makeover to be loved exactly as they are — and their night of joy together isn't where the story ends. That's where it begins...

A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries: A Goose Girl Retelling (Enchanting Confections) by Abigail Manning

A basket of berries, a dash of wild goose chases, and an identity swap that is nothing to honk about. Princess Emaline has waited long enough for her betrothed’s family to invite her into their kingdom after the lengthy acquisition of a workers’ agreement. Accompanied by her new handmaiden and joined by a freeloading goose who rides valiantly on the carriage roof, Emaline is eager to explore her new kingdom–until her first exploration gets up close and personal with a local mud puddle. A less-than-cordial exchange with their goose stalker leaves Emaline completely unsuitable to meet her future in-laws. In a desperate attempt to save face, her handmaiden kindly offers to greet the royals in her honor. Which would have been a grand solution had they not mistaken the polite maid for Princess Emaline… Muddy, lost, and ready to pluck a goose, Emaline hunts for a discreet place to tidy up before rescuing her maid from the mix-up. But during her hunt for clean water, she stumbles onto the slave master's property and is taken in as a new worker. With no way to prove her identity or get in touch with her maid, Emaline must rely on the help of a smooth-talking farmhand who just so happens to be head over boots for the new princess. Now tasked with making the gooseberry wine for her own table, can Emaline reclaim her crown? Or is it all destined to be a wild goose chase? A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries, a retelling of the Goose Girl is a standalone novella, filled with Identity Swaps, Crazed Geese, Forbidden Romance, and a Cozy Berry Farm Setting. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Brownies for My Grumpy Bunny: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls #10) by Honey Phillips

She’s sweet, stubborn, and far too tempting. He’s big, grumpy, and determined not to fall. Sara Cartwright came to Fairhaven Falls for a fresh start—quiet mornings, kind neighbors, and maybe a few furry friends hopping through her garden. She wasn’t expecting her next-door neighbor to be six-foot-plus of scowling muscle and twitching ears. Ben Hollowell likes his peace, his pub, and his solitude. The last thing he needs is a relentlessly cheerful kindergarten teacher moving in next door with flower boxes, laughter, and curves that make his pulse race. But when Sara’s warmth starts melting his defenses—and her brownies start showing up at his door—Ben finds himself craving things he swore he didn’t need. Will spring in Fairhaven Falls turn out to be mating season for the most reluctant of bunnies? Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone. This sweet and steamy small town romance is intended for mature readers.

The Lunar Quartz Library by Melanie Steele

At thirty-five, Esme thought her life was set—until a magical book offered her a whole new chapter. Esme has lived the same quiet, bookish life for as long as she can remember—mornings spent sorting rare tomes at the beloved Goldsteins' Bookshop, evenings sipping tea in her tiny flat, and weekends buried in classics and comfort reads. Then a curious delivery arrives: an oversized book with a lock, but no keyhole. It doesn’t appear on any inventory list—and it doesn’t seem to belong to this world. When the Goldsteins' bookshop, where Esme has worked for half her life, suddenly shuts its doors, she finds herself adrift. Her routine is gone, her future uncertain, and the quiet, bookish life she’s always known begins to unravel. When a mysterious stranger shows up claiming the book belongs to another realm—and that Esme is the only one who can unlock its secrets—she’s offered a chance to start again. But stepping into her new role as Librarian of the Quartz Falls Library won't be easy. Esme must learn to wield magic, confront enemies who want the library sealed forever, and—most daunting of all—believe that she’s worthy of a life beyond the quiet edges of the world. A heartwarming, whimsical tale of transformation and quiet courage, this low spice cosy fantasy is perfect for fans of The Spellshop, Legends & Lattes, and The House in the Cerulean Sea. 🌙 Tropes & Themes You’ll Love 🙋 Midlife Protagonist ✨ Sweet romance 🏡 Found family 📚 Light academia 💐 Strong female friendships 🌈 LGBTQ+ rep 🧠 Neurodivergent rep ❤️ A comforting, low-stakes fantasy full of heart

Small Magics for the Traveling Wizard by S.A. McKenzie

Pax never asked to be the assistant to a forgetful old wizard who barely remembers her name—let alone get dragged across Asturia on a wild hunt for a mythical magic door. But when a charming foreign bard shows up at just the wrong moment, and talking corpses start pushing her toward adventure, it’s clear she doesn’t have much of a choice. Maybe this ridiculous journey will help Pax figure out why her magic is so weak she can barely light a candle—or why she remembers a family no one else believes existed. Answers might be out there, but so are reanimated farm animals, man-eating furniture, and an unsettling number of sarcastic magical creatures. Worst of all? The wizard she’s stuck with is growing more powerful—and less stable—by the day. If Pax can’t figure things out fast, he might just start blowing people up for fun.

Gem Music and Other Silent Comics (Silent Comics Book 1) by Keilani McConnell

A wonderfully illustrated collection of five short dialogue-less comics, touching on themes of friendship and belonging. Three explorers visit a cave where gems glow when there is music; a flower magician attends a flower festival for the first time; a girl makes a surprising friend on her walk home; a boy and his grandfather go to a lake to paint together; and two cats enjoy the end of the day. Each comic is appropriate for all ages and reading levels, celebrating small, happy moments Includes five comics: -Gem Music -The Flower Magicians -Snow Day -Canvas -Sunset