Runelight by J.A. Andrews

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Kate thought finding the puzzle box would give her all the answers. But it only holds far more desperate questions. Kate is a Keeper—a storyteller, magic-wielder, and researcher—but a single mystery has evaded her all her life: What happened on the tragic day when two strangers stole not only the puzzle box that hummed with magic, but so much more? She and her brother Bo have searched for twenty years with no luck. Until Venn, a surly elf, shows up on the hidden doorstep of the Keepers’ Stronghold, with that same aenigma box—and a message that Bo has disappeared. Kate needs a guide back to Venn’s homeland to search for him, and Venn needs to find him for reasons of her own. Reasons she refuses to explain. Despite their mutual distrust, Kate and Venn form a grudging alliance. Somewhere in the midst of infiltrating dwarven tunnels, discovering the secrets of the aenigma box, and stumbling onto shocking ancient relics, the alliance shifts to friendship. But as the search for Bo grows increasingly dangerous, they uncover a complex plot woven through centuries, devastating not just individuals, but entire empires. And even working together, the inexplicable forces standing against them may be too much. Half treasure hunt and half rescue mission, this epic fantasy adventure is a tale of puzzles, mysteries, and the kinds of friendships—both old and new—that shape the soul.

A Threat of Shadows (The Keeper Chronicles Book 1) by JA Andrews

#SPBFO Semifinalist Alaric betrayed everything he believed to save Evangeline — and failed. His last chance to save the woman he loves lies in an ancient Wellstone, a repository of power, buried and lost long ago. Luck—or something more troubling—leads him to a small group searching for the same stone. A disgruntled dwarf, a bumbling wizard, and an elf with an unsettling amount of power. If he can gain their trust, they might help him find the cure. But the Wellstone holds more than he knows, and a terrible evil he’d thought defeated is stirring again, searching for the stone. Can the companions survive a traitor, a dragon, and their own pasts to reach the stone before time runs out?

Dragon's Reach: An epic fantasy adventure (The Keeper Origins Book 1) by JA Andrews

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The truth is neither plain, nor simple. Sable, a reluctant thief from the slums, can feel truth when people speak. For years she’s been using that skill to try to break free from the vicious gang boss she's indebted to. Escape comes in the form of an odd set of companions: -a dwarf running from the past, -an actor with a magical, glowing tree -a too-helpful kobold, -a playwright with a knack for getting stories out of people, and -a man and woman with suspicious, magical powers. But Sable’s freedom is short lived. On the edges of civilization, they discover hidden, terrifying lies in the offers of peace from the brutal Kalesh Empire. Now, she must return to the city she fled, and along with her companions, attempt an impossible task—convince everyone, including the powerful Dragon Prioress, of the truth. Except the Kalesh web of lies has ensnared everyone. With her land, her people, and everything she loves hanging in the balance, Sable is the only one standing between freedom, and certain death.

Knight from the Ashes (Crown and Crest Book 1) by Shari L. Tapscott, Jake Andrews

The author of The Riven Kingdoms teams up with her husband to write an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance full of humor, adventure, and a good helping of epic action. With single-minded determination, Henrik has worked toward gaining his knighthood so he may rise above the lowly station in which he was born. But just when the coveted position is within his grasp, he’s tasked with a mission that proves to be far more difficult than expected—secretly keeping a watchful eye on Lady Clover, a nobleman’s daughter with a sharp tongue and a knack for starting fights. Clover, too, has one goal in life, and it has nothing to do with joining dull and dry Henrik on his supply run to the northern guard post. Why the blacksmith’s son is so determined to keep her close, she has no idea. They bicker and fight, and if Clover were to find a troll pit, she would certainly dump Henrik into it. By the time they reach their destination, they are more than ready to be rid of each other. Unfortunately, something is amiss in the northern mountains. The usually quiet aynauths are on the move, with a bloodthirsty agenda of killing the peaceful Woodmoor elves. Putting their differences aside to work together, Henrik and Clover trek across the mountains to investigate. As they slowly unravel the mystery, uncovering clues that hint at a conspiracy against the crown, it quickly becomes apparent that what started as mutual distaste has morphed into something entirely different. Something dangerous, something they didn’t expect. But neither Henrik nor Clover has room in their lives for love—especially when a sinister plot is already in the works that might not only tear them apart, but the entire kingdom as well…

Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest Book 3) by Shari L. Tapscott, Jake Andrews

The princess is evil, and the king is dead. After leading an indulgent lifestyle, Prince Lawrence is suddenly poised to ascend the throne, with Lady Clover at his side. Clover’s goal of claiming a crown appears to be moving forward as planned, even though it’s a life she no longer wishes to pursue. She finds herself trapped between responsibility and love, desperately missing the commander who claimed her heart. Meanwhile, Henrik is in Ferradelle, under the rule of a vicious princess who has declared herself queen of the High Vale people. With magic at her side, it seems no one can stop Camellia from taking over all of Caldenbauer. War appears to be inevitable, unless Henrik can discover the root of Camellia’s power and escape the swamp island to deliver the information to the soon-to-be king. The fate of the entire kingdom rests in the commander’s hands, but Camellia will do everything in her power to thwart his plans. And time is running short. As Lawrence’s coronation draws near, so does a royal wedding—one Henrik is determined to stop… Fall of the Ember Throne is the thrilling third installment of Crown & Crest, a connected fantasy romance series full of humor, adventure, and a good helping of epic action. The books are perfect for readers who enjoy feisty female characters, handsome male leads, plenty of banter, and an enemies-to-lovers style romance.

Forged in Cursed Flames (Crown and Crest Book 2) by Shari L. Tapscott, Jake Andrews

Lady Clover’s life suddenly takes a turn for the worse when she’s framed for necromancy by Princess Camellia. She and the princess both know she’s not a dark magic user, but little good that does Clover when Camellia disappears. The kingdom is in turmoil over the abduction of their beloved princess, and Clover is determined to find her way into the rescue party—even if Henrik, the most handsome commander in all Caldenbauer and the man of her reoccurring dreams, is in charge. He suspects Clover’s guilty. Clover thinks she should have pushed him into the troll pit when she had the chance. Once again, they’re at odds, but they have no choice but to play nice if they want to find Camellia—especially when they discover their mission will take them into the heart of Ferradelle, the High Vale elves’ territory. They’re going to need a guide. Thankfully, they know an elf who just might help them…for a price. Forged in Cursed Flames is the second book in Crown and Crest, a connected fantasy romance series full of humor, adventure, and a good helping of epic action. The books are perfect for readers who enjoy feisty main characters, handsome male leads, plenty of banter, and an enemies-to-lovers style romance.

Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest Book 4) by Shari L. Tapscott, Jake Andrews

The epic conclusion to the Crown and Crest series! After serving Camellia for the last five months, Henrik is prepared to sacrifice his future to remove the people he loves from the princess’s clutches—even if it means he must say goodbye to Clover for good. But Camellia isn’t willing to turn away from her wicked ways. Just when it seems peace might be possible, she rises again, more powerful than anyone could have predicted. Armed with magic to control a legion, the princess is determined to overthrow Lawrence and take the crown by force. For the first time in Caldenbauer’s history, humans, Woodmores, and High Vales must band together to defeat a foe who grows stronger with each passing day. Alliances must be formed, but it’s difficult to forgive the wrongs of the past. A new era is on the horizon, but darkness looms before the dawn… Rise of the Phoenix King is the last book of Crown & Crest, a connected fantasy romance series full of humor, adventure, and a good helping of epic action. The books are perfect for readers who enjoy feisty female characters, handsome male leads, plenty of banter, and an enemies-to-lovers style romance.