Into the Bargain A Clandestine Magic Fairy Tale

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.