Once Upon a Duchy
The Seven Duchies are East of Rhynan, Northeast of Anavrea, and North of Braulyn. Each Duke is a king of his own little kingdom. Joined by a tentative alliance of a shared history of once being a single nation, there are some who still seek the lost heir to the throne and the man with a claim to the undeveloped wilds of the lost eighth duchy. A fairytale-inspired series of medieval adventure books set in a fantasy world.
Planned Novels
(tentative titles and ideas that are subject to change)
Constant Companion
(prequel inspired by The Nightingale/Scheherazade)
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Grace by Contract
(Inspired by Beauty and the Beast)
PUBLISHED
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Reclaiming Ryda
(Inspired by Rapunzel/East of the Sun West of the Moon)
PUBLISHED
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Rumpled Rhett
(Inspired by Rumplestiltskin/Puss in Boots)
PUBLISHED
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Cecily's Quest
(Inspired by Month Brothers)
WORK IN PROCESS
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#1 Grace by Contract
After her father uproots the family to the northern duchy of Brackenhurst, Grace Eldon and her four younger sisters struggle with a new life of hardship. Desperate to keep a roof over their heads amid mounting debts, she and her youngest sister seek employment in the Duke of Brackenhurst’s household despite fearsome rumors.
Scarred and maimed from a terrible fire Silas Isling, Duke of Brackenhurst, buries himself in his work to avoid the stares of pity and fear. When one of the new maids shows no fear at his appearance, he is intrigued. That is until his meddling steward gives her the task of cleaning Silas’ bookroom. It is a most unwelcome disruption since he prefers to be alone.
While a thief plagues his castle, an old nemesis reappears, and enemies invade in the guise of guests. Amidst the distractions and chaos, Grace brings some unexpected order. Once convinced his scars had stolen all hope for love, Silas finds his life forever changed by the quiet maid. Could she love a scarred Duke?
A reimagining of Beauty and the Beast
#2 Reclaiming Ryda
Rydaria lives as a prisoner in a tower library. Captured as a child, her past is a mystery. Maintaining the literary treasures within her care, she studies the world through books that give her a glimpse of the freedom she craves.
A scribe by trade, Crispin has devoted the last three years of his life seeking the lost heir of Avalene. He travels to Worthenave’s famed library in hopes of finding the key. Instead, he discovers a new mystery, a beautiful librarian who is locked in with her books every night.
As the days pass, Crispin must choose. Rydaria’s precarious situation is deteriorating. Meanwhile, his duty demands he leave before the Duke of Worthenave uncovers his quest. Still, the scribe can’t bring himself to abandon the captive in the library tower, even if it costs him his mission.
Inspired by Rapunzel and East of the Sun West of the Moon
#3 Rumpled Rhett
Rhett is a Huntsman, skilled, secretive, and mysterious. A wanted man, he spends his life on the move. His sole retreat is the outskirts of an isolated village in the northern reaches of the duchies. Then one fall, he arrives to find his hovel burned to the ground and the village reeve offering a new arrangement.
Catherine knows her father, the village miller, only cares about what she can bring him. The latest scheme of marrying her to the Huntsman is not the miller’s first attempt to sell her. Cat’s dread wanes when she meets the Huntsman. There is something honorable about him, and he treats her with respect, unlike her father or brother. Perhaps she can escape her father’s influence forever.
Despite his suspicions, Rhett agrees to the deal and frees Cat from her father’s tyranny, at least for a time. But can he protect her when enemies from his past catch up to him?
Inspired by Rumpelstiltskin.