Elyse_Thomson author

The Firetongue Heir by Elyse Thomson

SFINCS

Love leads to ruin As the cunning mage Nadia plots to reshape a continent plagued by war, the fate of a noblewoman—marriage and a life of stultifying insignificance—is only one of many hurdles to overcome. Forced to let her brother take credit for all her brilliant plans, she’s resigned to scheme from the shadows while her family decides her future. Her life seems set in stone, until she meets a charming, irritating rogue and the bane of her existence—Darius. Prince Darius Firetongue loves nothing more than nettling the sharp-tongued, quick-witted Nadia, and being the disappointing youngest son of a tyrant leaves him plenty of time to woo her away from a fiancé she doesn’t want. But when the king decides to bring him to heel by threatening Nadia’s life, he knows he must act. Compelled to flee, with only each other to rely on, passions ignite. Yet as dangerous secrets are revealed, they must decide: side with family, or choose a reckless, forbidden love and the dark promise of bloodshed to come. A lush, romantic fantasy novella set in a world inspired by ancient history, The Firetongue Heir is the prequel novella to the Mages of Oblivion series. The ebook version remains an exclusive gift for newsletter subscribers.

Poisoned Empire by Elyse Thomson

Cinderella (feral) meets The Lies of Locke Lamora in this lush romantic fantasy set in a world inspired by the Eastern Roman Empire. Black-marketeer Selene has poison magic and the cynicism to match. When she and genius metals mage Iliana are arrested by the same scheming, noble fathers who tossed them out at birth, they suspect apologies won’t be forthcoming. Forced to either impersonate their half-sisters or die, the friends are stuffed into fancy dresses, packed off to the capital, and thrust into the perilous, glittering world of the imperial court. Traitors lurk in Prince Belisarius’ court, and only his loyal strategos Marduk is above suspicion. As noble-born villains siphon away the souls of their daughters to magnify their magic in secret, Belisarius plots to expose them all—by inviting every noblewoman in the empire to compete for his hand in marriage. But two infuriating imposters in attendance quickly become his bane. When the friends are discovered, they expect imprisonment—not a deal. Vast riches are on offer if Selene poses as fiancée to the handsome prince while Iliana simpers for the towering strategos—a ploy to lure traitorous enemies to the capital. Yet even as they help secure the throne, false affections flirt with real passions, and Selene and Iliana are convinced they’ll either lose their hearts… or their heads.