Once upon a Betrothal is finished!
Jun 05, 2025 3:01 pm
June News
Contents
- Introduction, updates, and newsletter giveaway
- Sales, freebies, and/or new releases
- Writing Snippet
- Giveaways and promotions
- Book recommendations
- Closing remarks
- My books
Hi ,
The winner of last month's giveaway is Kimmy at ete ... ed at aol dot com.
Once upon a Betrothal is finally finished! ARCs will be going out later today. If you aren't on my team and you'd like to get an ARC to help out with this release, hit reply and let me know.
If you've been following me for a long time, you probably know at least a little about how much I struggled with this one. In case you haven't been with me long, I'll give the short version of my story now. When I was initially drafting Once upon a Betrothal, I was having some significant marital problems and my divorce happened before I finished. For a while, I couldn't bring myself to write at all. Then, I just couldn't write this particular story.
I ended up bringing it a different direction than I'd initially intended, but I think the story ended up better for the changes. I hope you love it as much as I do. I know I've been slacking on the snippet section lately, but this time I shared a scene I love that features Livy from Once upon an Isle of Treasure. Before her book starts and she runs away on the pirate ship, she loved to cause trouble and this is one example of that from Eli's perspective.
This week, I'll be looking over Princess of Hope to figure out where I left off and what still needs to happen. If my memory serves, I was already into the early revision and editing stages, but I'm not sure until I look. If all goes well, I should still be able to release that book sometime this year.
I keep dropping the ball on getting training for the sound booth at my library. I'm going to try to remember to call them this Tuesday. The problem I'm having is that I need to talk to a specific person who's only available Tuesday afternoons, but my Tuesdays tend to be pretty chaotic. Add to that the fact that I prefer to do everything important first thing in the morning, and it's pretty challenging to manage. This time, I've set several labeled alarms on my phone, so fingers crossed that I'll succeed on the steps needed to work on the audiobooks.
Since Once upon a Betrothal is releasing and moving into KU, I'm pulling The Lost Assassin from KU to publish wide. The last day to download The Lost Assassin in KU will be July 5th
For this month's giveaway, I'm mixing things up a little. Since it's my birthday month, I want to make things extra special. I have a few books left over from the in-person event I attended a while back. So, I'll be picking two winners to receive a signed paperback of their choice out of what I have on hand.
To enter the giveaway, simply respond to one of my two emails this month. You can respond to anything in the emails. Additionally, I need to know your first and second choices of book between these options: Once upon a Shoe, Once upon a Silent Song, Once upon a Seamstress, and Once upon an Isle of Treasure. I'm asking for your top two choices because I only have a single copy for some of the options. If you win, I'll send you an email asking for your mailing address.
Sales, Freebies, and/or New Releases
Once upon a Betrothal is available for preorder. Get it for the discounted price of $2.99 before it goes up on release day.
The Lost Assassin will be FREE to buy on Amazon on June 21st.
Read all of my non-KU backlist for FREE for 3 months by signing up for my Digital Friend tier on Ream with the code HOBBITBIRTHDAY.
Check out the Free Fantasy Romance promotion below to get Once upon a Shoe and other full books for free.
It's not my book, but under my book recommendation section, I included Mary Mecham's new release, Rapunzel's Gambit. I was fortunate enough to be one of the ARC readers for this book and I can't recommend it enough!
Writing Snippet from Once Upon a Betrothal
“Olivia,” Queen Grace said in a warning voice. “We have utensils for a reason. I know you understand which one to use for which course, yet I cannot fathom why you aren’t even using any.”
Livy gave her mother an astonished look that appeared nearly genuine. “I had no idea!” She instantly switched from using her hands to pick up her salad to attempting to pick up the pieces with her spoon, flinging the contents across the table where it landed in a tureen of soup she’d complained about earlier.
Eli barely suppressed a laugh, half convinced the result was just as deliberate as the feigned obliviousness.
“Enough!” King Edmund barked. “Olivia, if you cannot act like a proper princess at the table, then I will be forced to make you take your meals in your room.”
Livy gave her father a look that was far from repentant, but proceeded to eat properly—well, nearly properly. She still committed minor acts of defiance like slurping her water and making a few small displays that may reasonably be construed as clumsy rather than deliberate. These resulted in glares from the king and pursed lips from the queen.
The most fascinating part wasn’t the younger sister’s issue with the rules. It was the reaction of the older sister. Lily was just as amused as Eli was. He’d never noticed it before, but her eyes danced in merriment behind her careful mask at Livy’s antics. And she had more than one laugh concealed as a choking fit during the main course of the meal.
Giveaways and Promotions
Runs from 6/7-6/30
Book Recommendations
Some princesses would rather be the villain than the damsel in distress.
Desperate to rid his kingdom of a troublesome dragon, King Harrigan offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can slay the beast, but Rapunzel refuses to be pawned off. Deciding that a life of crime is preferable to wedding some power-hungry suitor, Rapunzel fakes her own kidnapping and joins forces with the cunning dragon plaguing her own kingdom.
Together, they plot a grand scheme that would amass them both riches beyond their wildest dreams. As the lure of a reward for the princess’s safe return attracts men tempted by greed and Rapunzel’s flirtations, the would-be heroes soon become the ones in need of rescue atop a tower only accessible by dragonback. But as her alliance with the dragon grows more precarious and dangerous, Rapunzel is forced to question whether she’s trusted the wrong side.
Amidst the chaos, Griffin, the humble but brilliant squire, emerges as an unexpected ally. His quick wit and resourcefulness stand in stark contrast to the arrogant knights he serves, and Rapunzel can’t help but take notice. On the chessboard of fate, the swindler princess of Rookwyn must make her own moves with every calculated gambit and soon realizes…
The real game was never about knights, kings, and queens, but about how a mere pawn could become a legend.
Rapunzel’s Gambit is a no spice, diabolical fairytale retelling packed with villain vibes, a dragon/princess con artist duo, and banter that will have you laughing out loud. Join a diabolical princess on her daring swindles in this part of All That Glitters—a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so pick your next adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!
Iris Everhart has spent her life training to become a perfect fairy godmother, bound by rules and tradition. Her first royal assignment? Helping a cynical prince believe in true love. But when a wish goes wrong, she and Prince Wesley find themselves magically bound together—forced to confront not only a kingdom-threatening darkness but the undeniable connection growing between them.
As their magical tether strengthens, so do the forces determined to tear them apart. An exiled sorcerer plots from the shadows, dark magic spreads like an unstoppable tide, and the weight of duty threatens to crush the love neither of them ever expected to find.
Will Iris choose the path she was destined for, or the love she was never meant to have?
A heartwarming, romantic fantasy full of forbidden magic, destiny-defying love, and the courage to rewrite fate.
What happens when you accidentally save a Fae prince's life?
Ayla never expected her quiet senior year to unravel into a whirlwind of secrets, magic, and heartache. She’s just trying to keep it together—juggling school drama, her grandfather’s declining health, and the confusing new feelings stirring between her and her long-time best friend, Jordan.
But everything changes when she saves a mysterious stranger… and starts seeing him in her dreams. He’s no ordinary boy—he’s a Fae prince, bound to her by ancient magic. And he isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
Now Ayla’s caught between two very different boys: the one who's always been there—and the one who shouldn't exist. With LeyGuards watching, Fae stirring, and the fragile line between worlds beginning to blur, Ayla must uncover the truth and find the courage to protect the people she loves… even when the cost is everything.
A clean YA contemporary fantasy full of Fae, folklore, sweet romance, and all things magicky and mysterious—with best friends to more, "he falls first," and a love triangle that challenges everything Ayla thought she knew.
Dive into The Leyward Stones—a world where magic is real, danger hides in plain sight, and nothing is quite what it seems. The secrets are calling... and you won't want to look away!
Closing Remarks
Don't forget to reply for a chance to win a signed paperback.
ARCs for Once upon a Betrothal, are going out today. Let me know if you aren't already on my team and you want to get an early copy.
In case you need it, here is the link for the subscriber free content.
Get 3 months free on my Digital Friend tier on Ream with the code HOBBITBIRTHDAY to access most of my books.
Best of wishes,
-Amber
