WATTYS 2024 SHORTLIST (Formally titled a Mischievous Tale of Magical Mayhem) In a world of magic and mayhem, where ferrets fly and trees talk, three unlikely heroes find their fates entangled with a deadly mystery. ***** Tallon is a scoundrel-an elf/human hybrid ranger who leaves a trail of chaos in his wake. With only his wingerret as his companion, Tallon travels the realms at his leisure while living life on a whim with no concept of consequences. Ben is a natural-born thief with more magical talent than the typical human. He lives and works in a rundown inn owned by the man who raised him and dreams of adventure while doing his best to avoid serious trouble. When Lord Colbert of Sagehand sends his wayward son to Ballsdeep on a trade and reconnaissance mission, Tallon is miserable. The backwater town is located in a remote section of the world in the seediest of bad locales, and no one wants him there. But when a dangerous, illegal crate falls into the bay and interrupts a heist, a deadly and wide-ranging conspiracy is uncovered. As Tallon and Ben cross paths, they are forced to work together if they wish to safely escape Ballsdeep while investigating the clandestine operations behind the evil Coconut Conglomerate. During their travels, they gain allies and enemies while fighting their initial attraction and learning to trust one another in this epic fantasy adventure. ** Cover by @Kaiddance using Canva Pro

This story has been published on Amazon and KU! Claire must deceive a vampire prince while resisting her desire for him. *** Nothing in my life has ever been easy. Including the mission my family has sent me on. My sister and I have traveled to the vampire stronghold to convince Prince Bastien of House Allard to take me as his next sanguine partner-the woman he'd feed from-in order to spy on the monarchy. I hate his kind. I find the prince irritating and smug. But I'd do anything to protect my family, which means I have to get close to him. With my family's lives on the line, I'll do whatever it takes. Even if that means letting this monster bite me.

Danilo, a self-destructive man falls for a ghost from the American-era Philippines, pursuing love and gold, only to discover some dreams demand a price he might not be able to afford. *** Danilo's life is a mess. From the nightly drinking to chain smoking to the constant nagging of his mother, it seems like nothing is ever going right until he meets Dulnuan, a ghost who lived during the time of the American imperialism in the Philippines. He befriends her, and she becomes a light at the end of his dark tunnel with a promise of a love that defies death and a chest of gold that could free him from his misery. But love between the living and the dead can't last, and treasure always comes with a cost. As Danilo chases the shimmer of hope, he must decide how much of himself he is willing to lose for an impossible wish. *** Genres Adult Paranormal Tragedy *** CONTENT WARNING: Grim Themes Explicit Sex Morally Gray Characters ***

Jade Coreley, a girl who has sworn to never love, has lost her kingdom and family and strives for a purpose in Avriel. A purpose she found with the assassins. Koe Cradlework, an Assasin Lord, has taken Jade under his wing in Lazuli the capital city of Avriel. Jade is offered a job by Koe regarding the capture of a member of the royal family of Avriel. Jade overlooking the risks, takes the job and it sets her down a whirlwind path. Arden Avriel is the second-born prince of Avriel, who wants to help his kingdom in any way possible. His life is full of stuffy parties his mother, the Queen, hosts. With a daily raging competition with his siblings constantly vying for the chance to be on the throne. In Avriel, the successor to the throne is not based on birth order, but on worthiness. Arden strives to feel accomplished and fights to discover who he really is. Jade must cast aside her hatred for the blue-eyed prince because she was not the only one tasked with the kidnapping. Jade must protect Arden to get to the destination her mystery employer requested. **comments and opinions are much appreciated to help me improve my work.**