Forced to marry the wealthy Count Casbian by her power-hungry father, Margrete turns to the gods, praying for a life free from the men who wish to rule her. Across the sea, a ruthless immortal answers…
Planning to use Margrete to reclaim a powerful relic stolen from his people, Bash, a devilishly handsome king, kidnaps Margrete on the day of her nuptials. Bringing her to his home, the mystical island of Azantian, it isn't long before a devastating secret is revealed—one that ties Margrete to the gods themselves.
Drawn to the spirited woman he's sworn to hate, Bash cannot stay away from Margrete and the passion she ignites within him. When the lines begin to blur, Margrete must make a choice between a fiery love, and saving the realm from the dangerous magic awakening inside of her soul.
The first book of this exciting fantasy trilogy is perfect for readers who love high-seas adventures, swashbuckling heroes, and forbidden, steamy romance. Fans of Danielle L. Jensen's The Bridge Kingdom, and Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses will be enthralled.
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Acknowledgments
This book began as a short story that wanted to be a novelette that wanted to be a novella that wanted to be novel. It would’ve never become the book it is without the support and encouragement from the amazing people below.
First, to my husband. This writing journey of mine has existed around the happenings of our busy lives. There have been many mornings when I woke you at 4am because I had to write something down, and late nights where the light from my laptop kept you awake. There have been dinners with ceaseless book speak, more bookstore trips than I can count, weeks and weekends away for writing conferences and retreats. You’ve watched me doubt this path, watched me try and fail and try and fail again, and all the while, you only ever told me I could do it. You believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I couldn’t have done this without your unwavering support. Thank you. I love you. You’re my best friend and my rock.
To my daughters—thank you for being the wonderful humans that you are. You have endured the struggle of having a Writing Mom. You tolerate my head being in the clouds 95% of the time and have always given me the space I need to feed my creativity—even though that means living in a house with books EVERYWHERE. You’ve been my truest cheerleaders, always proud and always encouraging. I adore you all.
To Hannah Banana—for making me read Twilight. Because of you, I remembered my love of story and reading, my passion for books and writing. I saw that passion in you, and it set a fire in me. If not for you, I wouldn’t be on this path.
Melinda Collins, my friend and critique partner of ten years, thank you for reading all the crappy drafts of my many stories and for always being the positive voice I need to hear. Thank you for being the White Space Queen, for destroying my unnecessary ‘as’ usages, and for cutting all the words I miss. We make a great team, and I truly appreciate you and the time you put into this book and all the other work I’ve created over the years. I’m a better writer because of you. From the bottom of my heart, you rock.
Jodi Henry, my birthday twin, thank you for years of critiquing/reading and sharing ideas through two million words via text messages. Thank you for believing in this story when it was a baby novella. Your kind words gave me the courage to believe in Raina and Alexus and to stop doubting myself enough to get the damn thing published.
To the numerous people in my life who have influenced my writing journey: Susan Bickford—for all our writing retreat and conference fun, Alexia Chantel—for being the sweetest person I know, cheering me on, and making me feel like I can do ALL THE THINGS, Molly Brogan and Ashley R. King—for being amazing humans who make me laugh and reading whatever I send no matter when I send it, the members of Music City Romance Writers—for access to workshops, contests, and the publishing world, the ladies in the Mid-South Historical Novel Society—for being so kind to a fantasy writer with a love of history, the SFF SEVEN—for inviting me to blog and sharing your platform, Andrea Hollis—for letting me borrow fantasy novels back in the day and for being my first editor, April Carroll—for reading my writing when we were supposed to be working, Wendy Jordan Petty—for just loving me and being happy for me no matter what, and Sandy Spencer Coomer—for my time at Rockvale Writer’s Colony. I wouldn’t have finished this book if not for my time at your beautiful farm.
To my AMAZING Rebel Readers and the readers of The Witch Collector novella/Once Upon an Enchanted Forest—thank you for your excitement, for your heart-eye emoji comments, for the DMs about the book before it was even out in the world, for those who messaged and emailed me wanting more, for those who beta read, and for all the readers in other countries who have been tracking Raina and Alexus’s tale—this one is for you. Readers make the book world go ‘round, and I appreciate you all so very much.
And finally, my heartfelt appreciation to the team at City Owl Press. I didn’t know this expanded novella would become a four-hundred-page novel when I signed that contract, yet you took the change in stride and have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. I’m thankful to work with such amazing people, including a host of supportive authors who are truly a family.