TaniaRina Valdespino's Reviews > Of Storms and Stardust: A Fantasy Romance Charity Anthology

I've read many of these authors (see full list below), so I'll start with the 'Just Kisses' who are new to me (***).

***Of Soul Mates and Pendants by Jessica M. Butler (JK)
Adventures are best shared
I enjoyed how this fated-mates tale wasn’t quite the usual insta-love. No spoilers, so read it to find out why!

***Heir of Seas and Sorrows by Elayna R. Gallea (JK)
‘Commanded. To. Marry.’
What’s a gal to do when the High King sets a timeline for your life imprisonment? AND all contenders he selects are just awful?
May we soon see the end of females being treated as mere heir-producing bubbleheads.

A standalone in the Four Kingdoms, before the events of Tethered (The Binding Chronicles #1) and Of Earth and Flame (The Ithenmyr Chronicles #1).

***Of Summer and Stormlarks (Kasmian Chronicles #0.1) by Constance Lopez (JK)
Choosing a spouse is a huge decision…
…but even more so when that consort is to help run the country. Falling in love with a person is one thing, having compatible life goals is quite another. Would you leave behind your duty for love?

***A Fairy Tale Rose by Eliza Tilton (JK)
Short and sweet with elements that could *definitely* expand into a full-length retelling.

***Ruin (The Fate of Crowns #0) by Rebecca L. Garcia
Tortured souls are those ‘forced to live in the shadows.’
If left unchecked, we become how we’re treated. Don’t allow others to destroy your inherent goodness and drive you to become ugly inside.

***The Prince of Hearts (Amore Faerie Chronicles #0.5) by B. Luna Covello (JK)
Princes can be palace pawns just as much as princesses can.

***To Thaw a Phoenix Heart (Immortal Academia #0.5) by C.K. Beggan (JK)
The Bard in a post-apoc setting
Fave line:
‘Humans […] hated what they didn't understand.’
Unfortunately, this attitude is all too true IRL. May we all learn to rise above that toxicity.

***Between Gods and Demigods (Rage like the Gods #0.5) by Nicki Chapelway (JK)
Nothing lasts forever.
May we all live in a world in which violence no longer finds us.



*The Lily Gate by Hanna Sandvig (JK)
A nice “French Twist”
I like the queen’s idea of themed dates. Which would you prefer: a light supper, lakeside picnic, or dining in Paris?
I appreciate how the author changed up the competition for the Princess’s hand – the prize is a promise of engagement rather than of marriage.
“The goal is not just to win at any cost. The competition is a way for us to get to know each other better.”
Well done!

Some sage advice for single princesses:
‘It would be smart to not fall for the first handsome prince to wink in your direction.’

Time for me to look up easy recipes for beignets and croquembouche before starting in on ‘The Glass Gate’. Maybe some brambleberry turnovers, as well!


* Arranged to the Fae Warrior (The Dragons of Arcadia) by S. R. Breaker (FTB)
‘Hell hath no fury’
The secret to a successful marriage is partnership and respect – but only with two people rather than three!
I’ve already enjoyed ‘Curse of the Dragon Heir’ (part of the Realm of Darkness boxset) and ‘Reign of the Dragon Heir’.


*Crown of Twelve Crown of Twelve (Crowns of the Fae) by R.L. Perez (MS)
“The Twelve Dancing Princesses” is my favorite childhood fairytale
The author changes up enough to make it her own, yet keeps the basics so that readers can relate to the “original”. The personalities are definitely waaay more fleshed out in this version – you’ve been forewarned! 😊

At some point in the tale, the author mentioned Dreamers versus Doubters. While negativity DOES adversely affect how and even if people pursue their goals, I think that dreaming and doubting don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. A healthy dose of skepticism helps us to consider possible obstacles and put plans in place to mitigate or even avoid them. Be prepared!

Fave wingman: Prince Fenn

Gonna make me a cuppa vanilla tea as I await Fenn’s story in ‘Crown of Slumber’ then ‘Crown of Briars’.


STORY LIST ACCORDING TO SPICE LEVEL
JUST KISSES:
A Fairy Tale Rose by Eliza Tilton
***Between Gods and Demigods (Rage like the Gods #0.5) by Nicki Chapelway
A Curse of Snow and Ash by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
***Courtships & Court Intrigue (Sunset at Dawn #0.5) by Jes Drew
Faery Magic (A Fair Folk Saga) by Merrie Destefano
Heir of Bitter Thorn (The Fae of Bitter Thorn #0.5) by Kay L. Moody
***Path of the Warrior (Falcon Chronicle Entry 1) by Azalea Dabill
***Shadows of Fate by GK DeRosa
The Lily Gate (Faerie Tale Romances) by Hanna Sandvig
The Purrfect Boyfriend by H.L. Burke
I Kissed the Fae I Found in My Pool by K. R. S. McEntire
***Of Summer and Stormlarks (Kasmian Chronicles #0.1) – Constance Lopez
***Heir of Seas and Sorrows by Elayna R. Gallea
***When There's A Tomorrow by Karyne Norton
***To Thaw a Phoenix Heart (Immortal Academia #0.5) by C.K. Beggan
***The Barricades by Cate Dean
***Ruin (The Fate of Crowns #0) by Rebecca L. Garcia
***Of Soul Mates and Pendants by Jessica M. Butler
***Court of Shadows and Games (The Karaphyllon Chronicles) by Claudia Klein
Heart of the Forest (The Darkwood Chronicles #4) by Anthea Sharp
The Witch of the Woods by Anthea Sharp
The Destitute Countess (The Wordmage’s Tales) by Astrid V.J.
When a Reaper Falls by Jamie Dalton
***Wicked Trials by Megan Montero
A Lady's Wolf (Court of Wolves #0.5) by Nicole Zoltack
Caliste & Gerard by R.L. Medina
Titania Rises by Tricia Copeland
***The Prince of Hearts (Amore Faerie Chronicles #0.5) by B. Luna Covello

FADE TO BLACK:
Arranged to the Fae Warrior (The Dragons of Arcadia) by S. R. Breaker
Ink: A Dark Waters Mermaid Tale (The Falling in Deep Collection) by Melanie Karsak
Happy Anniversary by Vasilia Drake
Kissed by Thorns and Fate by E.V. Everest

MILD SPICE (FOCUS ON EMOTIONS):
Of Lies and Dreams by J. Ann Curtis
***A Fate of Wolves (Wolfes of Lunara #0.5) by Heather Renee
Crown of Twelve (Crowns of the Fae) by R.L. Perez

STEAMY:
***Throne of Ice and Fury by LJ Andrews
***Heart's Mission (Fallen Hearts) by Meredith Hart
***Sunset Stakes by Sophie Davis
***Moonlit Shadows by Laura Schofield
***Wings of Change (Faeries of Aerelis) by Stephany Wallace