There’s something about reading a debut novel that just feels so special. Maybe it’s the excitement of finding a new voice or fresh contribution to a genre. Maybe it’s the feeling that you’re one of the first to discover a new talent to support and champion as they grow.
Whatever it is, new authors are frequently joining the ranks of Fantasy Romance, helping the genre to grow and expand in the best way they know how–by writing incredible stories. So today we’ve got ten debut gems to add to your TBR shelf ?
If you love reading about elves, princesses, goblin kings, and other fantastical characters, then you’ll definitely want to check out these authors. Their books are sure to sweep you away into worlds of wonder and, of course, romance.
1. Shadow of Eternal Flames by Priscilla Rose
When the queen forces a political engagement upon her, nineteen-year-old Primrose devises a plan to save herself from a man she could never love. Magically cursing her fiancé appears to only curse Primrose instead…
After Primrose’s nightmares become a reality, she awakes to a handsome and mysterious demon lurking in her bedroom.
Teaming up with her demon protector, Primrose sets out to break the curse she’s plagued upon her people. As she faces monsters, however, she realizes facing her newly found feelings will be an even greater challenge…
Will she bloom like a rose or will she burn in the eternal flames?
Priscilla Rose’s debut novel is a sweet and spicy standalone fantasy romance that is intended for readers 18+
Priscilla Rose is looking forward to showing the world her fantastical romance stories full of hope, heat, and happily ever after. Support her here:
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2. The Secret Goddess by M. J. Faraldo
Destiny brought them together. An ancient struggle between gods may tear them apart.
When Kyra discovers her whole life is a lie, she is thrown into the middle of a war between secret societies of ancient Egyptian gods. Will she be strong enough to fight the god of chaos and deal with her magnetic attraction to a man she barely knows?
Gabriel is no ordinary man. He’s a link to the gods, and Kyra’s energy sets his on fire. Will he be able to fulfill his duty as her protector while keeping his distance?
Can the two of them navigate secrets, vengeful gods, and impending destruction without losing themselves in the process?
Intended for adult audiences 18+. This series is set in contemporary times with Egyptian mythology reinvented, a steamy slow burn romance and mysteries to be solved. This is the first book of the series.
M. J. Faraldo writes elaborate fantasy worlds, as well as contemporary romances. Check out what she’s up to:
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3. How To Train Your Goblin King by Erin Vere
Floss is most definitely NOT marrying the Goblin King, even if it saves her a trip through the labyrinth.
Floss, an aspiring law student, has enough troubles to ruffle anyone’s bustle. Her school of choice won’t let her in because of her gender, her equal rights league is hopelessly ineffective, and there aren’t enough calming tonics in the world to stave off her panic attacks.
Now her niece is missing, the roguish Goblin King keeps proposing, and sinister forces threaten Floss’s city. She’ll have to brave a dangerous labyrinth and question everything she believes in to save not only her family, but an entire kingdom down below.
If only the Goblin King wasn’t quite so distracting, she might actually be able to do it.
If you like sensible heroines, ridiculously handsome heroes, fantasy creatures, and dreadful puns, you’ll love this romantic gaslamp romp by Erin Vere.
Grab How to Train Your Goblin King, the first standalone in a series of hilarious fairy tale retellings.
Erin Vere likes to write about brave heroines in pretty dresses facing ridiculous situations and finding love and fulfilment. Follow her for more:
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4. Heart’s Ease by Mimi B. Rose
Her mysterious past holds the key to protecting his clan.
Between helping teens at an After-School Art Club and trying to publish her granny’s fairy tales, Chantelle’s life still feels somehow unfulfilled.
When his father and older brother died, Charles was forced into the role of Alpha. Three years later, he still hasn’t dealt with the loss. Now a rival pack is stirring up trouble in his grandmother’s hometown, and he must investigate.
But that is only where the mystery begins. There’s something else going on and it starts with the mysterious and beautiful Chantelle. The secrets of her past and her untrained magical abilities hold the key to the rival pack’s attacks. And when they discover that sorcery is behind the violence against women and children in the territory, they have to trust each other and forge a connection.
But is their bond strong enough to protect the pack and fulfil a Fated Mates prophecy, or will they lead the pack, and their love, to ruin?
Mimi B. Rose started writing Happily Ever Afters to create inspiring stories where truth and justice and fairness rule. To find out more, follow her here:
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5. Night in his Eyes by Alisyn Fae
A war of Fae Houses. A Prince waking from darkness. A woman drenched in his blood.
Prince Renaud, my mother’s killer, is waking. The Court has not felt the full weight of an Old One in centuries, and it’s my fault.
I am Aerinne Capulette, Lady of House Faronne, and I will have my vengeance against House Montague and Renaud. But despite the ground war I’ve led since I was a child, we remain locked in bloody stalemate.
If the Prince takes the field against us, he will rip from my mind the secret that will shred any hope for peace, or victory.
He will kill me if he discovers the truth. . .
. . .sweet, foolish child. Your death is not what I desire. I have not waited, watched, and planned for centuries to let something as petty as a halfling girl’s vengeance keep me from claiming what is mine.
To protect you, and to ensure my reign, I will bend you to my will. I will slake this obsession with your blood and tears, and I will yield you to no one.
Let your House protest. Let my Court look aghast. They are nothing.
And you—you are my anchor.
We may be enemies, but your hatred only seduces my darkness.
Night in His Eyes is an adult high heat, slow burn Fae fantasy romance, first in the Fae Prince of Everenne series. This not a standalone and ends in a cliffhanger.
For readers who crave enemies-to-lovers, obsessed dark heroes, murderous heroines and a battle of dark wills and enjoy authors such as Sylvia Mercedes, Sarah J. Maas, Kathryn Ann Kingsley, and Laura Thalassa.
Alisyn Fae writes high-heat adult fantasy romance for readers who like their romance slightly dark, grown as *uck, with slap-in-the-face tension and adventure. Stalk her here:
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6. Between Wrath and Mercy by Jess Wisecup
A mother will do anything to save her child, no matter the cost.
After her daughter is kidnapped, Emmeline Highclere—a thirty-four-year-old mother living in isolation with memories and grief her only companion—must do everything in her limited power and divine abilities to get the girl back.
Emmeline believes her daughter, Elora, is the Beloved—the conduit with goddess-granted divine abilities prophesied to bring peace to the Three Kingdoms. Because the last person thought to be the Beloved was brutally murdered by the enemy kingdom of Folterra, Emmeline has dedicated the last sixteen years to hiding her daughter and keeping her safe. When Elora is kidnapped by a Folterran prince, Emmeline must leave her place of hiding, resolving to do anything to rescue her daughter. But to have any chance against those who took the girl, Emmeline must call upon one of the most powerful conduits in the Three Kingdoms, the Crown Prince of Vesta—the man who broke her heart—and hope he helps her despite their estrangement.
With the weight of his father’s impending death hanging over his head, Crown Prince Rainier has begun to make moves to prove his dedication to assume the role of king. When he is visiting the estate that was once a second home to him, the woman who has long haunted his dreams and consumed his thoughts appears before him, asking for his help to find the child she had with another man. Now, he must decide: does he drop what he is doing to help Emmeline, or does he maintain his unwavering duty to the Crown?
Now, Emmeline and Rainier must work together to find the Beloved—to save the girl from the Folterrans and fulfill the prophecy of peace—while they both battle feelings of remorse, grief, and heartbreak, trying to ignore the heated desire and simmering attraction between them that never left.
Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and sexual content. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.
Emotional and realistic characters alongside spicy realistic romance are Jess Wisecup’s favorite things to write about. Find out more about the next book in this series:
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7. The Painted Woman by Victoria Parra
Sigrid is no stranger to standing up against injustice, but that is a far cry from revolt. An oppressive human king continues to make life for elves difficult, enacting strong penalties for elven brothels and shutting down elven temples. In a split-second decision, she gives refuge to the handsome half-elf Baldr, the son of a high-ranking figure in a secret rebellion brewing beneath Copper City’s surface. Suddenly, Sigrid finds herself in the midst of a revolution in the making and discovers she desperately wants a change in not just her life, but the lives of all elves under human rule. As unrest and violence flood the streets, Sigrid must assert herself as someone worth listening to in a world that doesn’t take women like her seriously.
Agreeing to join Baldr on a journey to gain allies, Sigrid finds herself in a world she is not sure she can fit into. As her heart begins to pound at his mere presence, can Sigrid make love blossom in a time of war?
Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jacqueline Carey as well as games like Dragon Age: Inquisition will enjoy this slow-burn adult fantasy romance about colonialism, rediscovering your culture, and the power of revolutionary love. Trigger warnings: Racism, colonialism, violence.
Victoria Parra began writing stories about fantasy creatures, faraway lands, and romantic adventures as a teenager. Now she brings themes of injustice, colonization, and liberation to stories of romance and adventure.
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8. Of Darkness and Fire by Amber Palmer
Over 100 years ago, Aethion was thrown in the middle of what would forever be known as The Great War. Kingdoms were torn apart, countless innocent lives lost because of the greed and lust for power of one man – Lachlan Roarke. His band of misfits called themselves The Horde. Which was fitting, seeing as they tended to overrun and eradicate everything in their path.
He’s the reason I lost my mother. The reason I can’t sleep at night without constant nightmares plaguing my mind. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is her. Everything I am today is because of her and the night I was forced to stand by and watch as she was murdered.
Now, as the time draws near when I must fulfill my destiny as queen of Helia, we find ourselves on the brink of war once again. The Horde is back, although with someone unknown at their helm as leader.
The time for revenge is now, and I know it’ll be the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s my duty to save my kingdom. Not only do I owe it to my people, whom I love and swore to protect, but also to make good on the promise I made myself the night I saw the light fade from my mother’s eyes.
I will destroy all those who seek to destroy me. I only hope it won’t be the last thing I do.
Author Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and sexual content. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.
In her free time, Amber Palmer enjoys reading smutty books and watching early 2000’s movies, but she’s also working on book 2. Find out more here:
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9. Consort’s Glory by Abigail Kelly
“It is SO charming and SO cute. The world gives me Lore Olympus mashed up with Kate Daniels, but the romance between them is just pure and cute and sexy and *chef’s kiss*.” ~Ruby Dixon, author of Ice Planet Barbarians
Margot Goode, healer extraordinaire, knows that being noticed is the fastest way to getting herself murdered — or worse. But even with a secret like hers, she can’t stay cloistered forever. On her own in San Francisco, she’s on the hunt for the one person who can stop her magic from turning against her in a catastrophic meltdown.
Margot doesn’t expect things will be easy, but even she is surprised when someone plants a bomb in her Healing House, nearly killing her and wiping out her anonymity in one fell swoop. Attacking a healer is an egregious breach of the laws that keep the races from war. Attacking Margot Goode, granddaughter of the terrifying Goode Matriarch and leader of the most influential coven in the country, is not just blasphemous — it demands retribution.
Theodore Solbourne, newest sovereign ruler of the largest Elvish territory in the West, has waited his entire life for the woman he will one day claim as his consort. With the power to keep her finally in his grasp, he’s planned their meeting down to every last detail… only to have all the carefully crafted steps in their courtship blown away when she’s nearly killed before he can even say hello.
With her life and his kingdom on the line, there’s no time for subtlety. Earning the trust of the woman he’s been mad about his entire life just became much harder: the speculation of war is sweeping through the city, a goddess’s acolytes call for justice, and a traitor’s shadow looms over his household. But nothing, not even Margot’s single-minded determination to keep him out, will stop him from winning her heart.
Abigail Kelly is a writer of alternate histories, love stories, and women with drive. She’s also the host of the Kingdom of Thirst podcast, a show all about romance novels and why they matter. Check her out:
Website | Instagram | Kingdom of Thirst podcast
10. A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow by Danielle Hill
Two Sisters. One Prophecy. Many Secrets
Amara was like any other princess from a once magical kingdom. Like most, she had secrets, her biggest one of all; She’s actually her twin sister Avery.
After Avery is taken from her ordinary life and brought to the mysterious kingdom of Soluna, she is introduced to the heir to the throne, and her twin sister, Amara.
Not everyone believes Amara is the rightful heir so she ventures off on the quest of her life to prove them wrong, leaving Avery behind to impersonate a sister and life she knows nothing about.
Follow both Avery and Amara as they discover more about themselves than they ever thought possible, including unbelievable powers.
Book one in the Twingenuity series.
Possible trigger warnings: Abuse, alcohol, anxiety, profanity, sexuality, violence.
Danielle Hill writes drama-filled, swoon-worthy, and magical contemporary fantasy novels. She has already begun work on the sequel to A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow and can’t wait to share it with the world. Support her here:
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Published by Zoey Ellis
Zoey Ellis writes dark and steamy fantasy romances about tortured, possessive, anti-heroes and their sassy heroines. She’s a Londoner, cat mama, and proud romance and epic fantasy addict who is always in search of the next soul-crushingly magnificent read. View more posts