Happy August!
Aug 08, 2026 11:31 am
Hello, my darlings,
July seems to have disappeared on me, and I'm not sure where it went or what I have to show for it. I'm sure there's something—writing and work and trying to stay cool in the heat while attempting to embrace summerween. As I'm writing this, rain is coming down outside and thunder is rumbling. I've always loved thunderstorms (though not the tornado warnings they sometimes come with these days—we never used to get those around here). But they also make be remember my grandmother, who hated them and would always go find somewhere without windows to sit and wait for them to be over. I'll probably go stand by the window and watch for a bit once I finish writing this note, and I'm sure Grandma will be yelling at me while I do it if she's looking down on me at the moment.
Some news for you! August is my birthday month, and I've decided to give you a gift: the Elemental Magicae series is on sale in ebook everywhere for the whole month. A Dance of Water and Air is $1.99, and A Harmony of Fire and Earth is $2.99. It's a great time to grab them if you haven't yet. Links are below. Also, I have a couple of events coming up in the fall: Rainbow Space Magic, the free virtual con, will be the first weekend of October, and I'm going to be a panelist again. I'll share more info as soon as I have it. I always enjoy this con, so please join us if you can. I'm also going to be signing books at the Ledgewood, NJ Barnes & Noble on November 8th along with some great local romance authors. More info on that as soon as I have it too.
I'm attempting to get into summerween and find some autumn vibes (which has not been easy in the summer heat—I've been burning fall candles and baking pumpkin bread...) to get into the right headspace for this first book in my witch romance series, which is set in autumn and is meant to be very cozy and autumnal and witchy and of course romantic. I'm very excited for this series, and Natasha Snow is going to be working on covers soon, which I'm sure will make me even more excited. For everyone asking about the third book in the Dragons of Ivria series, do not despair. I also have that on my mind and I'm playing with it as well. I'm not sure if I'll do some writing on both at the same time or dive seriously into book 3 once I finished the first witch book—I guess I'll see what my brain wants, but I'll try not to keep you waiting too long. I know I have loose ends to tie up!
All the usual things are below, including lots of book recs linked on the blog.
Elemental Magicae Sale
On the Blog
Book Recs for Nonbinary Awareness Week
Book Recs for Disability Pride Month
To Know a Dragon Spy
Once upon a time, before the hunts, dragons were plentiful in the world. Now they exist only in legend…except in the land of Ivria.
Felix is a prince, cousin of the current king, ward of the old one. Knowing he would never sit on the throne, he set himself to become something else-the king's best spy. Aside from a trusted few, people know him as a frivolous, flirtatious prince. They don't see the keen mind behind the charming smile or the love of family and quiet behind the silks and jewels. They certainly don't know he is the eyes and ears of the king. Felix still blames himself for not discovering the plot against Ivria and its king at its beginning, and he's determined to find the remaining members of the conspiracy. If the commander of the King's Guard will get out of his way.
Alan is commander of the King's Guard, a role he set himself on the path toward when he was very young. He takes his duty seriously, so seriously there is little room for anything else in his life-not the pastimes he used to enjoy or family or even love. Especially now with the heightened danger to the royal family. He crushed his attraction to the beautiful Prince Felix long ago, but when he finds out Felix is more than he appears, Alan immediately becomes suspicious. Is Felix working for the king or against him? Alan won't let himself be fooled by a pretty face that hides so much, no matter how he used to feel.
But the real danger is closer than Felix or Alan realizes, and they're going to have to get over their animosity for each other-and deal with the desire that sparks when they do-if they're going to survive it.
Currently Reading
This is the second book in the Souls of Blackwood Academy series, and I have been waiting impatiently for it since I finished the first!
Collections
Looking for some new summer reads? Check out these collections:
Until next time,
Antonia