A dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast Annabelle Novacek has never much liked how people view her. She was a beautiful rose to be admired and protected. But she has always felt lanky and awkward; it was her two older sisters that were perfect. When her father comes home with news of a wealthy nobleman desiring her hand, the family are thrilled and she is whisked off to a small town outside of Paris. The journey doesn't go as anticipated and their carriage is attacked. Annabelle only just escapes with her life but she is flung out to desperately search for any sign of life. The local nobleman takes her in, but the longer she stays the more she hears about the dark secrets the village holds; a ravage beast that roams the forest and lies in wait for its next victim. Beauty fades but true kindness lasts an eternity. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover by @Forcade

Sam is the most promising swordsman among this year’s crop of Paladin trainees...and knows it. Brash, cocky, and unbeatable with a sword (well, almost), Sam is the kingdom of Thule’s best hope against the violence wrought by demons. The only problem is that Sam is really Lady Samantha, daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood, and if her father has his way, she’ll be marrying a Paladin, not becoming one. But Sam has never held much interest in playing damsel-in-distress, and so she rescues herself from a lifetime of boredom and matrimonial drudgery. Pity that Tristan Lyons, the Paladin assigned to train her, is none other than the hero of her childhood. He hasn’t recognized her as Lady Samantha--yet-- but if he does, he’ll take away her sword and send her packing. Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets: Braeden is a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable. Sam, Braeden and Tristan set out for the western coast, charged with rooting out an infestation of demons that has made the West unlivable. As they travel, they uncover a deep-seated corruption of power that threatens to derail everything they stand for. Rebellion stirs, led by a rival faction of warriors who tempt Sam to join them with an irresistible offer. A war between men is coming, and Sam must pick a side. Will saving the kingdom cost her life -- or just her heart? Reminiscent of Mulan, but with a medieval fantasy twist, Paladin is a tale of adventure, action, and romance.