Colleen Cowley

A wizard. An unwilling assistant. An explosive secret. In an America controlled by wizards and 100 years behind on women's rights, Beatrix Harper counts herself among the resistance-the Women's League for the Prohibition of Magic. Then Peter Blackwell, the only wizard her town has ever produced, unexpectedly returns home and presses her into service as his assistant. Beatrix fears he wants to undermine the League. His real purpose is far more dangerous for them both. Subversive is the first novel in the Clandestine Magic trilogy, set in a warped 21st century that will appeal to fans of romantic gaslamp fantasy. All three books will be released in the fall of 2020. If you're a reader who prefers to know upfront whether a book has a happy ending, what the level of violence or trauma is, whether there are sex scenes and how substantial a part romance plays in the plot, scroll down to the author biography for a link to those details. What reviewers are saying: "An exciting new series! ... I found it hard to put the book down when real life came calling." - Life in the Book Lane Reviews "A spectacular story of magic, politics, social classes, and the uncompromising need to do what you think is right." - Bookshelf Adventures "Readers who enjoy fantasy stories with strong female protagonists, magical powers, intriguing political plots, and a great love story will love Subversive." - One Book More

A Wizard. An Unwilling Assistant. An Explosive Secret.

Subversive

Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Maria Vale

Elsie Winters

Kristin Gleeson

Zoey Ellis

Dani Morrison

Jaycee Jarvis

L Penelope

Trish Heinrich

C.M. Nascosta

Lisette Marshall

Vela Roth

HR Moore

Jennie Lynn Roberts

AJ Lancaster

Erin Vere

S. L Prater

November Dawn

Mimi B. Rose

When it comes to true love, rules are meant to be broken …

Dark forests and locked doors, poisoned apples and forbidden lovers ... Bold heroines and swoon-worthy heroes break all the rules in this enchanting anthology of the fairy tales you thought you knew.

Once Upon A Forbidden Desire features 20 enticing fairy tale retellings by a diverse selection of fantasy romance authors. From sweet true love’s kisses to sizzling passion, from modern streets to enchanted forests, and from a mage Rapunzel to a winged Prince Charming ...

If you enjoy captivating romance, enthralling new worlds, and stories with a taste of the forbidden, these happily ever afters will leave you spellbound. Give in to the temptation and grab your copy of Once Upon a Forbidden Desire now.

With a foreword by Grace Draven and Jeffe Kennedy, this limited edition anthology celebrates the variety of the fantasy romance genre. It contains stories ranging from sweet to steamy and is recommended for an adult audience.

Fairy Tales and Other Stories

Once Upon a Forbidden Desire

Revolutionary

Women have no ability to cast spells. That's what wizards have said for generations-and it's a lie. Beatrix Harper wants to expose it to protect her sister's life. Her desperate plan: Train tens of thousands of women in secret, then shock the nation with a display of their magic. She thinks it will work-if only she can keep the details from her town's wizard, Peter Blackwell. But that's nearly impossible thanks to their unwanted magical connection. Peter, meanwhile, fears that his own desperate goal-to counter the terrible weapon he should never have invented-is doomed to fail. Their plans are about to collide. Disastrously. If you're a reader who prefers to know upfront whether a book has a happy ending, what the level of violence or trauma is, whether there are sex scenes and how substantial a part romance plays in the plot, scroll down to the author biography for a link to those details. One scene in the book includes a character discussing a past trauma, and the link has more specifics. What reviewers are saying: "Secrets, lies, and betrayal are abundant in the story, and just when you think you know what's going to happen, Cowley stuns you with an unexpected and shocking twist. ... I couldn't put the book down, and I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy!" - One Book More "The discoveries made, the secrets revealed, the implication of the vows and of using magic, there is just so much packed into these pages. ... I hugely recommend giving the series a try." - Life in the Book Lane Reviews "I was sneakily reading it whenever I got the chance, burning my toast I got so caught up in it." - Goodreads reviewer Rk

Radical

The Opposite of Magic

A young lady with no income—and shortly no home—must be in want of a wizard husband. Pen Novak has two weeks to find someone to marry. Otherwise, she’ll be spirited off to live with her awful uncle. Fortunately, her town’s omnimancer is on the market, and he plans to choose someone at a ball in thirteen days. Unfortunately, he’s not the type to appreciate cleverness, persistence or anything else Pen has to offer. Enter the wizard’s intriguing assistant, who makes her a bargain: a magical brew that could virtually guarantee her selection, in exchange for a favor. Which he won’t specify. Nor will he tell her his name. Of course she shouldn’t accept. Especially as she starts to notice his fine eyes and tempting lips. But with all the job openings in town meant for men only, what other choice does a young lady—or, rather, a not quite so young lady—really have? INTO THE BARGAIN is a fairy-tale-inspired fantasy romance set in the Clandestine Magic world, shortly before the events of the trilogy that begins with Subversive. This quick read (21,000 word) novella, a standalone story with an HEA, is perfect for fans of gaslamp fantasy, feminist awakenings and slow-burn romance with some steam. .................................. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK “A wonderful fantasy romance that’s fiercely feminist and wholly delightful.” — Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Scales & Sensibility “Into the Bargain made me feel transported. It’s so beautifully written I felt like I was there plotting anxiously with Pen in the library and listening to the seductive voice of the mysterious unnamed assistant as he offered his bargain. This is a must read for Gaslamp and fairytale fans. It’s pure magic!” — S.L. Prater, author of Court of Tricksters “A charming fantasy romance novella. … A warning if you do pick up the main trilogy after sampling this — be prepared to binge all of them in one go, they’re that addictive!” — AJ Lancaster, author of the Stariel series “I’ve said before how much I love the world that Cowley built for this series, and I think this novella is a great introduction.” — Brittany @bookwyvernlovestea .................................. LOOK INSIDE The wrong man answered the door. Pen put on her well-worn polite smile, hoping it concealed her anxiety. “Hello. I have an appointment to see the omnimancer.” The man—a typic, no long queue of silver hair to mark him as a wizard—gave her a look that went straight through her. Did he suspect why she was here? “Omnimancer Porten was called out of town.” He leaned against the doorway, framed by an impressive amount of ivy. “An emergency, you understand.” “When do you expect him back, Mr. …?” “I’m afraid I don’t know,” he said, unsatisfactorily answering one of her questions and ignoring the other. She took a shaky breath. “May I wait, then?” “I very much doubt he’ll be back today.” According to A Lady’s Guide to Unimpeachable Conduct, this was the point at which a polite lady would murmur a polite thank you and politely turn away. Instead, desperation pushed other words out of her mouth. “I would … I would nevertheless like to wait. Sir.” He quirked his lips, one side only, in there-and-gone amusement. “You’re welcome to it. But there’s no one here except me, I should warn you.” Pen stole a glance at his left hand, hoping to see a wedding ring. No such luck. She hesitated—but what choice did she have? He moved aside, and she held up the long skirt of her dress to step in, the cheerful noises of midday shoppers on Washington Street fading as he shut the door. No question what the Lady’s Guide would say about this situation. And if her father were still alive, he’d be appalled. Alone with an unmarried man, Penelope! But he was dead. That was the reason she was here, after all.

A Clandestine Magic Fairy Tale

Into the Bargain

When it comes to true love, rules are meant to be broken ... Dark forests and locked doors, poisoned apples and forbidden lovers ... Bold heroines and swoon-worthy heroes break all the rules in this enchanting anthology of the fairy tales you thought you knew. Once Upon A Forbidden Desire features 20 enticing fairy tale retellings by a diverse selection of fantasy romance authors. From sweet true love's kisses to sizzling passion, from modern streets to enchanted forests, and from a mage Rapunzel to a winged Prince Charming ... If you enjoy captivating romance, enthralling new worlds, and stories with a taste of the forbidden, these happily ever afters will leave you spellbound. Give in to the temptation and grab your copy of Once Upon a Forbidden Desire now. With a foreword by Grace Draven and Jeffe Kennedy, this limited edition anthology celebrates the variety of the fantasy romance genre. It contains stories ranging from sweet to steamy and is recommended for an adult audience.

Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories

Colleen Cowley

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