Marie O'Regan

september

Marie’s story ‘There’s a Ghost in my House’ is out in the anthology This Way Lies Madness from Flame Tree (above), available from 9th September.

She also participated in the blog tour publicity for the book. You can read what she had to say about the tale by clicking here.

These Dreaming Spires (above) – the follow-up to the first ever Dark Academia anthology, In These Hallowed Halls – is released in hardback from Titan this month! Here’s the final ToC:

‘Introduction’ by Marie O’Regan & Paul Kane; ‘Tallow’s Cove’ Erica Waters; ‘Utilities’ Genevieve Cogman; ‘Destroying Angel’ Jamison Shea; ‘Within the Loch’ Elspeth Wilson; ‘Advanced Dissection’ Taylor Grothe; ‘God, Needy, Enough with the Screaming’ Olivie Blake; ‘Poisoned Pawn’ De Elizabeth; ‘Open Book’ Kit Mayquist; ‘A Short List of Impossible Things’ Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé; ‘The Harrowing of Lucas Mortier’ M.K. Lobb; ‘The Coventry School for the Arts’ Ariel Djanikian; ‘The Magpies’ Kate Alice Marshall.

The book’s already been getting rave reviews (see previous months for details), including more recently this one from Mark Yon over at SFF World:

‘Last year I reviewed In These Hallowed Halls, an anthology that delved into the world of Dark Academia. (“Think Harry Potter, but for grown-ups”, I was told by one fan.) As one of the themes that are very popular at the moment, I was not surprised to see it do very well. I said in my review that “If you are a fan already, I think you’ll love it, or if you’re looking for somewhere to start, to try the subgenre, I can think of nowhere better at the moment.” With this in mind then, we now have a second anthology… This time around we have 12 stories continuing to deal with things dark, nasty and creepy in the halls, bedrooms, canteens and libraries of academia – just in time for a new term. (Anybody would think these things were planned, wouldn’t they?)

I always think that if a story collection is to succeed, then the first story is paramount, setting the scene for what is to follow. With this in mind then, “Tallow’s Cove” by Erica Waters is a good start. I felt like this coastal college with a deserted church was real; it gave me a touch of the MR James. For contrast, “Utilities” by Genevieve Cogman is a science-fictional tale where students live and study in a virtual college. Nicely done on the whole, although I found that the ending was a little weak. “Destroying Angel” by Jamison Shea involves a magic book, doppelgangers and a lone outsider expelled from university. A revenge tale, which was quite icky in places (although not the ickiest in the collection – more later) and as a result has trigger warnings at the beginning of the story. Also has sex scenes.

“Within The Loch” by Elspeth Wilson is a story of a school in decline and its odd relationship with its nearby loch – or rather what is in the loch. A nice folk horror story, with an element of nostalgic Goodbye, Mr. Chips embedded within it. “Advanced Dissection” by Taylor Grothe, as the title suggests, involves a degree of body horror and is the ickiest story in the collection in my opinion. Involves werewolves and body dissection and therefore understandably also has trigger warnings from the start.

“God, Needy, Enough With The Screaming” by Olivie Blake. Olivie is a big name in the genre at present, and I suspect her name on the cover will sell many copies of this anthology… A touch of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest here, as Seraphina interacts with her surrounding fellow patients and the reason for her incarceration is revealed. It’s an odd tale, deliberately unsettling… “Poisoned Pawn” by De Elizabeth is about championship chess and the tumultuous relationship between two ex-lovers. I really liked this one – it involves the desire to succeed, whatever the cost. If you liked Walter Tevis’ The Queen’s Gambit, I think you’ll like this one.

“Open Book” by Kit Mayquist is a story that tells us of an archivist and his relationship with a student who is obsessed with a particular book… “A Short List of Impossible Things” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the story that I liked least in the anthology. Isadora Lex writes letters to Artemis, telling him of her thesis research… “The Harrowing of Lucas Mortimer” by M.K. Lobb involves young Lucas, a student affected by the appearance of a strange woman. With references to Dante’s Inferno and Milton’s Paradise Lost, this one deals with redemption, horror and the consequences of events in Lucas’s past. “The Coventry School for the Arts” (how many of these stories set in America have British names?) by Ariel Djanikian tells of a young girl forced to live with her emotionally distant father at an Art School, where he teaches as an artist. One of those stories where things are not what they seem to be, a reminder that sins of the past will need paying for in the end.

Lastly, “The Magpies” by Kate Alice Marshall is a story where two girls open a portal to another world with grave consequences. Touching on Lovecraftian cosmic horror, I found that this story rounded the collection off nicely. All in all, These Dreaming Spires shows you that the sub-genre still has ideas to give. Folk horror, cosmic horror, body horror, stories set in the past, present and future, and showcasing a pleasing number of new-to-me authors, the collection is engaging, varied and diverse enough to cover a range of stories that should again satisfy any fan of the genre, evoking images of academia and student life that will resonate with dark academia fans (dark academics?)… As a general rule of thumb, if there are more hits than misses, then I count that as a win. And in this regard, These Dreaming Spires is most definitely a win. Based on this anthology, there’s more stories to be told in the future.’

@sophiesreading on Insta and Goodreads had this to say:

‘These Dreaming Spires is a set of twelve dark academia stories with a wide range of themes, voices, and sub-genres to explore. With twelve different authors creating stories for this anthology, readers are taken on a journey that feels like a rollercoaster (in the best way possible). Some stories stay within the range of what is typical for dark academia – think moody libraries and dangerous projects – while other stories toss tradition to the side and take readers on a completely new journey. Though no matter how close they stayed to the most common interpretation of dark academia, each story was wholly unique.

While reading, I found a few stories that stood out among the rest for me. Five, to be exact. In chronological order (as they’re all too good for me to rank them): “Utilities” by Genevieve Cogman: Set in a virtual university, this story takes readers on a journey in a world of coding and virtual reality. This was my first time reading a dark academia story that took on sci-fi, and I loved it. The virtual setting was also paired with a wildly good twist and an ending that wrapped the story up perfectly. “Advanced Dissection” by Taylor Grothe: This story’s sharp teeth rip through the pages and plunge straight into the heart of the reader. Complete with gore, girls in love, and unethical science, the story reminds us why it’s called dark academia. The women are allowed to be angry and violent and all the horrible things they please. It also has a focus on the science side of academia, specifically dissection, that you don’t always see. It’s dark and emotional, and it is so addictive. With its explorations of power and love in a truly dark setting, this one stands out among a crowd.

“God, Needy, Enough with the Screaming” by Olivie Blake: With a writing style as unique and a voice as clear as Olivie Blake’s, this story shines through the pages and calls readers into its dark embrace. I haven’t read an Olivie Blake book yet, but this story just confirms that I need to. This is definitely one of the stories that pushes the boundaries of dark academia. Blake writes without fear, giving readers a story they can’t find anywhere else. This has demons and dark magic and love surrounded by, and perhaps built upon, madness. Though it is a short story, it feels like so much more. Even with an abrupt ending, it still feels so satisfying. “Poisoned Pawn” by De Elizabeth: This was the third story in a row that I would give five stars. It’s filled with chess, a deep desire to succeed, and past loves. This one also felt like a story that focused on the dark part of dark academia. It’s not afraid to explore betrayal and pain and violence. I was almost in tears at one point during this one. Elizabeth has a method of storytelling that is determined to make itself seen. With the unique abilities and dynamics within this story, it was easily one of the most memorable of this anthology.

“The Coventry School for the Arts” by Ariel Djanikian: A lot of the thoughts I have about this story go into spoiler territory, so I will have to keep it brief. This story will capture readers with an exploration of complex family dynamics and an art school by a river with a dark history. One of the most incredible elements of this story was the twist, and how the story continued after it. I wish I could come on here and scream about how wonderful this was in the last half, especially, but all I can say is that readers will be in awe of how great the reveal and ending of this story are once they read it.

While there were some stories I didn’t love, it’s easy to see the appeal in each and every story. There’s not a single poorly written story within the entire anthology. This is not only perfect for dark academia lovers, but it’s great for people who are new to it as well. With twelve uniquely wonderful stories, this is a great place for people to get a taste of different takes on dark academia. Readers will be introduced to authors they may not have known or read from before that they can now fall in love with. Whether you’re looking for a candle-lit library or a blood-soaked science lab, you can find a story (or several) in this anthology that you’ll never forget.’

Meanwhile, here’s the latest NetGalley 4 & 5* roundup:

‘These Dreaming Spires is a dark academia anthology consisting of 12 short stories from a list of bestselling authors that includes Olivie Blake, Genevieve Cogman, Kate Alice Marshall, and many more. I’m not one for short stories, but I do think dark academia stories work quite well in this format, and found myself enjoying most of the stories in this one! I was a little worried going in that the stories would get repetitive but many facets of dark academia were explored, and kept it super interesting.’ (Lauren Z)

‘This is a great anthology of dark academia stories, lots of really interesting ones. I especially liked the one from Genevieve Cogman. I definitely recommend this collection to someone who enjoys the dark academia genre.’ (Allison J)

‘The dark academia book of brilliance that will introduce a reader to new authors, establish old favourites and immerse them into all parts of this genre.’ (Olivia E)

‘I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories, which have a wide range of subjects within the dark academia genre, from spooky ghost stories, science fiction and fantasy. There’s themes such as madness, obsession, the dangers of technology, circumnavigating grief and the question of what is reality. There’s something for everyone in this collection and it would be perfect for the upcoming autumnal months and spooky season. Some of my favourites from this collection include “Tallow’s Cove” by Erica Waters, “The Coventry School of the Arts” by Ariel Djanikian and “God, Needy, Enough with the Screaming” by Olivie Blake.’ (BookishSteph1)

‘These Dreaming Spires was a fantastic collection of dark academia where basically every story was a hit for me. I have to say the real standout was “Utilities” for me but I did love all the others. As always the collection might not be a hit for everyone and every story might not be your cup of tea but what I do love about the Titan Books anthologies is they give a nice cross-section of the subgenres under the overarching theme. This, in my opinion, is brilliant because you can find your niche in a genre and often find some new instant buy authors too!’ (Siobhain M)

 You can order the book and see for yourself, here and here.

Hot on the heels of becoming an instant USA Today bestseller, Marie & Paul’s other hardback anthology out at the moment, The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic, features in the September edition of Red magazine, as one of their recommended books (above). Literary editor Sarra Manning says, ‘If you’re new to romantasy, this collection of short stories from some of the biggest names in the genre is the perfect place to start.’

Over on Insta, @readwithchrista had this to say about the anthology: ‘I’ve been looking forward to this book since I first saw it announced! It features stories by a few favorite authors of mine (Olivie Blake, Tasha Suri, Kamilah Cole) and a mix of others I’ve already read or have been wanting to read work by. Anthologies are a great way to sample different authors! The entire book is stunning! Thank you @titanbooks for the gifted copy of the book and perfect accessories. I’m making my way through each magical story & having a great time.’

@mycosyhomeandbooks said: ‘Fall in love with these twelve gorgeous Romantasy stories from bestselling and beloved authors. Lost lovers return for a second chance – but what are their motives? Academic rivals compete for a prestigious position, but their sizzling chemistry might get in the way. A monster slayer posing as an unwitting sacrifice meets an intriguingly moral prince. From relationships caught in disparate timelines to ghostly ballrooms and dragons that need rescuing from princesses, this anthology gives you an inventive new spin on all your favorite tropes, and much more that you’ve never seen before.’

While @haileythebibliophile commented: ‘This was a lot of fun! I love story collections but they’re usually in the horror genre. Fantasy/Romantasy is probably my favorite genre right now and has been for years, it was so nice to read all these different stories by different authors that have all the things I love in books like these. I do think that a lot of these stories had a similar tone. Most of them felt very light-hearted and quirky, they were really enjoyable to read… The very last story of the 12 gave off a more haunting feeling overall. 4 1/2 *’

And @readinglikeitsmyjob (above) added: ‘#TheSecretRomanticsBookofMagic swept me off my feet – so much so, I had to snag a finished hardback for my shelves! Each story brought something special. This book needs to be on your TBR.’

Plus below is this month’s roundup of the 4 & 5* reviews on NetGalley:

‘A rich and emotionally diverse fantasy romance anthology that delivers both charm and complexity, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a captivating collection of 12 short stories that range from whimsical to profound. As with most anthologies, not every entry lands equally, but the standouts are exceptional enough to make this a must-read for romantasy fans. Unlike typical anthologies that invite slow, piece-by-piece consumption, this one is hard to put down. Easily bingeable thanks to the range of engaging voices and imaginative worlds. With contributions from powerhouse authors like Kelley Armstrong, Katherine Arden and Megan Bannen, and delightful surprises from newcomers such as Kamilah Cole and Kelly Andrew, the collection balances fresh magic systems, compelling romances, and clever subversions of fantasy tropes. An enchanting and eclectic mix of magical short stories, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is ideal for fantasy romance readers craving emotional stakes, romantic twists, and experimental world-building. A re-readable addition to any romantasy lover’s shelf.’ (Hannah W)

‘What I like about a book of short stories is you can dip in and out of it, a great range here by different authors all with a different vibe.’ (Jane M)

‘An excellent collection of short stories from some of my favorite authors: particularly Megan Bannen, Kelly Armstrong, and Kelly Andrew. Perfect for getting yourself out of a reading slump, or when you’re not ready to dive into a massive, sweeping tale. Or anytime, really. The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a lovely addition to any reader’s collection.’ (Monica G)

‘As someone who enjoys romance fantasy, I knew that this collection of stories would be a chance to dive into “romantasy” which offered a little edge. Something a little different and satisfying compared to the explosion of romantasy works on the market. And I was right! Each tale brings a unique flavour to this collection of short stories, bringing together a collaboration of authors into a whole piece which works incredibly well. While I’m biased to a few favourites – Katherine Arden, Tasha Suri, for example – the whole collection was immensely enjoyable. This was a fresh palette cleanser after a bit of a slump, and a much needed revitalisation. While an anthology is always limited in terms of space, it’s impressive what each story plays with, even with brevity in mind. Some achieve huge impact in a very short time! I love that the theme is love itself, in all its forms, complicated and messy. The inclusivity of each piece was affirming and a joy to read, and it’s definitely helped add more authors to my TBR!’ (Hannah A)

‘When the real world feels like a never-ending dumpster fire, sometimes the only sensible option is to disappear into a book that feels like a hug, and this anthology delivered exactly that.’ (Esta P)

‘There wasn’t even one story I skipped in this one. Matched so many different vibes. I am loving these anthologies again!’ (Nicole B)

‘I know I’m late to the party but I wanted to savour this anthology story by story and I loved what I read. Well-plotted story, all intriguing and engrossing. There’s a point where romance meet fantasy and creates something which is more than romantasy because it maintains the excitement of fantasy and the sweetness of romance. Love, love, love. Highly recommended!’ (Librarian 431790) 

Out now, you can grab yours here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

More anthology news now, and the announcement of Marie & Paul’s follow-up to Beyond & Within – Folk Horror from last year: Beyond & Within – Witchcraft! Here’s the awesome ToC for that one:

‘Apotropaic’ Ally Wilkes; ‘Stranded’ by Eliza Chan; ‘Murder Ballads by Moonlight’ Angela Slatter; ‘The Smokeless Fire’ Mark Chadbourn; ‘Wedding Planner’ Muriel Gray; ‘What Bones Remember’ Buhlebethu Sukoluhle Mpofu; ‘Jackie’s Dust’ Alison Moore; ‘Oro, Plata, Mata’ Gabriella Buba; ‘The Witch of Withered Hill’ David Barnett; ‘Catharsis’ Aveline Fletcher; ‘Remembrance’ Helen Grant; ‘A Woman Grown’ Lisa L. Hannett; ‘The Stone Boat’ Melissa Bobe; ‘Kittycat’ Amanda Mason; ‘The Tallow Feast’ Damien Kelly; ‘Flame Water Turns’ Eugen Bacon; ‘The Weaver’ Kay Hanifen.

And incredibly, the book has become a #1 bestseller in new releases over in the States already even though it’s not out until January, earning it a coveted orange banner (above).

Marie and Paul also talk a bit about the book on Flame Tree’s Myth & Fiction podcast (above), recorded earlier this year at the London Book Fair, as well as their careers and editing process in general. To listen, just click here.

You can find out more, though, by visiting the Flame Tree site here, and preorder here and here.

Finally, a fantastic review of Stark Holborn’s Absinthe novella, For the Road, has appeared on the Run Along the Shelves stie. You can read that by clicking here.

july/august

The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic – Marie and Paul’s latest hardback anthology – was released in June, and became an Instant USA Today Bestseller! (above)

To celebrate the book dropping, Titan Books sent a box of goodies and special pin (above) to Paul and Marie. Various places shared the news, including Gizmodo and Waterstones, who included it in their new releases on publication day (both below).

There were also more pics of contributors and their copies, including Olivie Blake, Megan Bannen, Eliza Chan, Kelly Andrew and Kamilah Cole.

The book also had an online book tour. Below is a roundup of those reviews and shoutouts.

‘It’s my stop on the social media tour for this romantasy anthology featuring short stories from 12 different authors, thank you @titanbooks for this gorgeous gifted package with a finished copy. It’s such a beautiful hardcover with foiling on the dustjacket and hardcover and patterned end-pages. One thing about me is that I love a short story or novella, especially as a fantasy reader full-length books can be quite the tome so it’s nice to have shorter reads in between. I also thought this would be a great way to try some new authors, Tasha Suri and Kelly Andrew especially have both been on my radar so I was keen to give them a try and having loved both of their short stories will definitely be reading more! I haven’t read all of these yet but I think that’s the beauty of an anthology – you can dip in and out when you fancy it and I look forward to reading the rest. There’s everything from knights and princesses to witches and dragons, and different types of love.’ (@the.bookofthewitch)

‘Short stories are not always my bag but let me tell you, this collection had me hooked. There’s hints of steaminess, a generous sprinkling of sapphic rep (!!!!!!) throughout, badass female characters and the magic in some of these stories had me entranced. My fave story from the collection was “Until December”, the setting was gorgeous, the romance delectable and the magic was as if it were written for me! I could read a full length novel on this premise.’ (@rosies.book.shelf)

‘“Every spell begins with a longing – and every love story, with a spark.” This anthology is pure magic, bottled in twelve breathtaking tales. Each story weaves romance with enchantment in a way that feels like wandering into a candlelit library where every book could change your fate. Whether it’s ghostly lovers, dragon duels, or time-bending courtships, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic will absolutely charm the romantasy lover in you. What I adored: Emotionally rich stories from legends like @olivieblake, @arden_katherine, @tashasuri & more; There’s a story for everyone; Tropes galore, enemies to lovers, second chances, academic rivals, magical soulmates; Every tale feels like its own fairytale, bite-sized but unforgettable. This is the kind of book you sip like rose tea: slowly, with a sigh between each page. It’s romantic, whimsical, and totally re-readable. I finished each story with stars in my eyes and a serious need to believe in magic again. Perfect for: Lovers of romantasy, short stories, and candlelit reading nights; Fans of The Night Circus or Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries; Anyone who’s ever wanted their love story written in the stars.’ (@readingwthleah)

‘This set of romantasy short stories is written by 12 amazing authors. I typically read anthologies over time, dipping into one or two a day. However, I just couldn’t put this book down and flew through them all in a couple of days. These stories are addictive. Filled with witches, dragons, enemies to lovers, and so much more, I thoroughly enjoyed every short story in this book. Although every single story was great, I still managed to pick a couple of favourites. “Until December” by Kelly Andrew had me hooked from the very first paragraph. This story was so captivating. “Bamboo, Ink, Paper, Clay” by Eliza Chan was written so beautifully. It was utterly unique and reads almost lyrical. “Rosebud” by Katherine Arden had a hint of historical fiction and became spellbinding as the story went on. This was an amazing end to a great set of short stories. Full of love and adventure, these stories are addictive and I highly recommend this anthology.’ (@em_bookarazzi)

‘The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is out now! I was highly anticipating this anthology for my favorite authors, Kelly Andrew and Olivie Blake, and I also found some amazing new-to-me authors to read more of soon! I included my reviews of my top three stories in the anthology, but I had a great time with the entire book! This anthology features 12 romantasy stories from authors including:

“Until December”: Kelly Andrew is the best writer of our generation. OK that might be a little dramatic but she’s the best to me. I may be a little biased because she’s my #1 favorite author, but this was perfect in every way. Somehow, every story she’s written is exactly what I want and more. It feels like she has a key to my soul with how much I connect to the characters and worlds. To nobody’s surprise, the romance was amazing. Rivals to lovers is gonna hit every time and the way everything tied together with the visions/memories made me love them even more. The magic system in this is her best yet, with lots of intricate possibilities and twisting narratives that kept me guessing until the very end. Infinite stars, obviously.

“The Fall Guy”: This was delightful! I immediately fell in love with the mme who was pining so hard for the fme from the first page. Their dynamic gave me similar vibes to Emeric and Vanja from Little Thieves, which I also love. I love Olivie Blake’s writing and while this is different from anything I’ve read by her, I think you’ll love this if you also enjoy her writing style. This short story was the perfect length to accomplish what it needed to, and I was so happy with how it ended. Mer, the embodiment of a hopeless romantic, was the perfect character to start this anthology.

“Rosebud”: This story is every gothic fantasy lover’s dream. I was immediately intrigued by the prose and a world that felt a little gloomy and dreadful. And then the magic started and I was swept away. This gave me the same feeling as one of my favorite books, Belladonna. I didn’t want to leave this story so the ending was bittersweet, but it left me with questions and possibilities for what might have happened after the pages stopped. I loved this so much and I now need to finally read Katherine Arden’s other books.’ (@brittanykilinsky)

‘It’s been a while since I read an anthology of short stories, and this was so refreshing! There were stories from a few authors I’ve read before and also some that were new to me. Brimming with magic, whimsy and imagination, every story felt vastly different to each other in concept, whilst still sharing the same romantasy thread connecting them all together. Each story was around 30 pages long, so I really enjoyed being able to pick up the book and read a story in one sitting. Overall if you are a fan of romantic fantasy and enjoy short stories, I would definitely recommend giving this anthology a go!’ (@_moonlitbooks)

‘This collection of short stories brings together some of the biggest names in fantasy and romance. We get some super fun and really well-written stories of second chances (but with a twist), academic rivals, monster slayers and princes with inconvenient moral codes. From mismatched timelines and haunted ballrooms to princesses saving dragons, these stories put fresh spins on classic tropes, and if you’re a fan of romantasy, you will probably love this! As we all know, romantasy is such a prominent genre right now, and sometimes I feel like I have been burning out on it. Sometimes, romantasy books feel like they’re chasing trends rather than telling truly great stories. That’s why this anthology caught my attention. While it certainly delivers on the genre of romantasy, I felt that this collection was a breath of fresh air. And not to mention, the list of authors also made me think this might offer something genuine and well-written. And guess what? It definitely delivers on that! Each story had its own tone, its own rhythm, and its own take on what happens when magic and love collide. Some leaned hard into classic fantasy, others played with more modern twists, but all of them felt intentional. There was real creativity here, and that made it easy to stay hooked from one story to the next. I’ve never been that into short fiction, but this collection might’ve changed that. The variety kept things exciting, with new worlds, new rules and new dynamics every time. I especially loved “Bamboo, Ink, Paper, Clay” by Eliza Chan. I felt that it was one of those stories where the writing itself feels like part of the magic. Quietly powerful and beautifully crafted.

Overall, a wonderful read, 4/5 stars!’ (@sarahgelles)

‘I have been anxiously awaiting this book’s release ever since I first heard of it. A book full of magical romances is exactly the kind of thing I like to read. And it’s pink, which is a fun little bonus!!! The stories inside this anthology are so magical and romantic. These stories turn tropes upside down, feature lovable characters, and lots of romance. I loved every single story, but my favorites were “The King’s Witch”, “Rosebud”, and “The Dubious Ladies of Mirador”. They were so good and I loved these characters so much.’ (@katesbookrecs)

‘Do you enjoy reading short stories? I feel as though I’ve been missing out by not reading more as of late, so this was an absolute treat. A romantasy bookshelf staple, this spellbinding book is full of remarkable short stories – from medieval mystery to modern day magic. I’ve discovered some new authors whose work I cannot wait to read more of! It was fantastic to experience so many different magical systems woven throughout the book, and each short story was a joy to read, with many leaving a lasting impression on me. My favourite had to be “Rosebud” by Katherine Arden, with “Until December” by Kelly Andrew & “The King’s Witch” by Tasha Suri having honourable mentions.’ (@abbeigh.reads)

 ‘Are you a romantic? I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes to fiction (a little more jaded and street-wise when it comes to reality). It’s my ultimate guilty pleasure to get cosy with my favourite mug of tea, comfy cushions, and curl up with swoony romance. I believe love stories have their own type of magic. They can lift our bruised hearts, rekindle hope, and banish the darkness as the power of love conquers all (or brings morally grey bad boys to their knees). The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a gorgeous anthology collection that puts the true love in breaking the spell, ensnaring magical beings, and falling hard into 12 new romantasy stories with beautiful worldbuilding and charming, lovable characters. I’ve enjoyed devouring my way through the enchanting stories from some of my favourite authors, who have contributed their captivating writing to steal your heart, including Elizabeth Adren, Eliza Chan, Hannah Nicole Maehrer and Tashi Suri. Plenty of happily ever afters, morally grey characters falling first, and mythical creatures are ingeniously woven with all the best romance tropes to create a heartwarming love story that will have feet kicking, hearts fluttering, and plenty of swoony sighing. My favourite tale so far has been “Designated Virgin Sacrifice” by Kelley Armstrong (first time I’ve read their work). The story was punchy, clever, and had a fun twist, combining monster hunters and virgin sacrifices to save the kingdom, with a crafty protagonist who pulled off a heist with her damsel-in-distress charm.’ (@the.tartan.pumpkin.reader)

 ‘I’m so excited to participate in @titanbooks book tour for The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic! This romantasy anthology features some of my favorite authors – including Megan Bannen and @tashasuri – and has introduced me to a few new authors (@melissamarrwriting & @kayaydrew!!) that I’m really excited about! Whether you’re looking for classic tropes like enemies to lovers and arranged marriage, or legendary retellings and sapphic romance, there’s something in this book for everyone to enjoy – I can’t wait to hear about which story you like best!’ (@madilynnreads)

‘Are anthology books your thing? Thank you so much to @titanbooks for this gorgeous gifted copy and allowing me on this tour! The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic, where enemies become lovers, rivalry turns to romance, and convenient marriages create true love in 12 addictive Romantasy tales. Featuring Olivie Blake, Kelley Armstrong, Katherine Arden, Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Tasha Suri, Melissa Marr and more. Each story is so beautifully written and unique in its own way. Good Deeds and Their Magical Punishments” by @hannahnicolemae was my favorite story, but I’m biased and love her! It was quick, quirky and cute! A portal fantasy about a waitress who is just done with everyone and a fae prince who isn’t a fan of humans. The story had me falling in love. It was short, slightly predictable but so cute. I love everyone’s stories for all different reasons and that’s why I love anthologies. It’s out now so make sure to grab a copy of this beautiful book!’ (@bookishcaitt)

‘I’d been practically harassing Titan for an arc/copy of this book since it was first announced last year and was so excited when they sent me a copy and was approved for the book tour. I’m so happy I did because I had such a great time reading these short stories, I flew through every one of them and whilst there were some that I preferred over the others, overall it was such a wonderful experience. No two stories were the same and they all explored different ideas or themes of love in different ways which I really enjoyed. Out of all the stories, my personal favourite was “Until December” by @kayaydrew and honestly, I kind of wish it was a full-length novel because I was truly obsessed with this short story. I’m a sucker for academic rivals to lovers, the way Georgina and Orson’s tension and chemistry was written had me racing through the story. I have found that sometimes I struggle to enjoy short stories because of how little page time we get with the characters so I’m unable to connect to the characters, but that definitely was not the case for this one at all. Kelly had me invested in their story from the start.’ (@heavenlybibliophile)

‘Lost lovers return for a second chance – but what are their motives? Academic rivals compete for a prestigious position, but their sizzling chemistry might get in the way. A monster slayer posing as an unwitting sacrifice meets an intriguingly moral prince. This collection of 12 short romantasy stories was a dreamy, action-packed, swoon-worthy, and heartfelt ride! There’s something in here for everyone, whether it’s thieves on the run, dragon slayers, witches, dark academia, time travel, or destined rivals, these short stories cover so many themes and worlds in such creative ways! There are so many fun tropes in here too: enemies to lovers, academic rivals, second chances at love, and so much more! This was honestly so much fun! My particular favourites were: “Until December”, “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, “San’t Marten’s Book of Mild Melancholy”, “Good Deeds and Their Magical Punishments”.’ (@the_bookwormhole_)

And below you’ll find another roundup of Netgalley 5* and 4* reviews, along with more pics.

‘I had never read anthologies before, and although I knew a few of the authors in this one, I’d only ever read Hannah Nicole Maehrer, so I was very much going in blind. Each of these short stories was a joy to read. Naturally there were some that I didn’t enjoy as much as others, as you would expect with an anthology, but each of them used tropes that I adore and they were pleasant enough. It was also brilliant to discover some new authors, and I’ve already ordered a book by Kelly Andrew after loving her short story. I’m always a little 50/50 whenever a book classes itself as “Romantasy” as in my experience they will either be perfect, or clichéd stories that make you cringe. Happily in this case, I found this book to be perfect!’ (Sophie P)

‘Damn, that lineup! Just damn!’ (Elizabeth L)

‘This anthology is a great introduction to romantasy, showing a lot of different facets of the genre. Like all anthologies, some stories were more to my taste than others, but I universally enjoyed the disparate characters and refreshing perspectives explored. Standouts for me were Kelley Armstrong’s “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, which looks at the traditional trope of sending young women off to appease magical beasts, AC Wise’s “Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon”, exploring how life might work if dragons were real now, and AG Slatter’s “San’t Marten’s Book of Mild Melancholy”, a story of demons and mediums and powerful books, told through the eyes of the indefatigable Millie. The twelve stories were well-balanced and lent themselves to reading each in a sitting, and would be good for readers wanting to read in short but immersive chunks. (Liz G)

‘Overall, this was a really enjoyable anthology. The absolute standouts for me were “Until December” and “Rosebud” – I’d have read full-length versions of these in a heartbeat. I’d recommend this to anyone who can’t get enough of romantasy – it’s also useful as a sampler for the authors too!’ (Camilla L)

‘I’m not the biggest romantasy fan, though I do find myself reading a lot of them, but I feel like the format of short stories really worked for me. There wasn’t a load of sex scenes, which I find rather dull and the focus seemed to be more on the plot than the romance so it didn’t feel as drawn out as most romances do to me. Overall, it was really good. Most of the stories I enjoyed. My favourite was A.C. Wise’s “Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon”, which was a really funny enemies to lovers with a strong save the magical creatures message. I also loved “Designated Virgin Sacrifice” by Kelley Armstrong. Both these stories I felt did something a bit different with the genre and had fun twists.’ (Lily G)

‘The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a beautifully crafted romantasy anthology. Each story puts a unique twist on beloved romantasy tropes, from enemies-to-lovers to second-chance romance to monster slaying. The anthology blends dark whimsy, gothic allure, epic high fantasy, and subtle threads of modern magical realism, creating a reading experience that is both refreshingly original and completely absorbing. Whether you’re a romantasy lover or new to the genre, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic offers an enchanting mix of passion, peril, and powerful storytelling. Perfect for cosy nights and readers who believe in both magic and love.’ (Bookseller 1366471)

‘I have to say it is only of late that I have been reading more romantasy. I have enjoyed some novels with romance subplots but it’s only over the past year or so I’ve been giving this genre more of a chance. I wish I had had this collection when I first stepped into the Romantasy genre. It is a perfect introduction to the different types you can find in numerous brilliant books out there. I will say the first thing that drew me in was the fact it features some of my favourite authors, namely A.G. Slater and A.C. Wise. That said, I have managed to find several new authors and I will be reading their backlog of works thanks to this. Generally with anthologies you can expect some hits, some misses and some that are somewhere in the middle. For me, though, this collection was enjoyable throughout. I did have a few favourites but I have to say each story stood on its own merits and was enjoyable as well as memorable. As I already said, this is a perfect introduction to the genre to someone who may feel a bit overwhelmed on where to start. It also offers a lovely cross-section of what is available in the genre.’ (Siobhain M)

‘The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is such a fun and captivating collection! The stories brim with imagination and charm, and I really appreciated the strong LGBTQ+ representation throughout. Even at their shortest, they felt well-developed and satisfying. My favorites were Wise’s, Slatter’s, and especially Arden’s – a heartbreakingly beautiful piece that really stuck with me. The only thing that gave me pause was that two of the stories felt a bit too similar in their academic setting when I was hoping for more variety. But that didn’t ruin the experience at all – overall, this is a delightful, dreamy anthology I’d highly recommend to any romantasy lover!’ (Sarah C)

‘I usually shy away from anthologies, finding that there may be a couple of gems, but generally I find them lackluster. I got completely “got” by this author list though... and I am so glad I did. I LOVED this anthology, honestly wishing some of the stories could be full-length novels (looking at you “Until December”). As with all anthologies there were some I skimmed over more quickly than others, but there really wasn’t a single one I disliked. Some favorites were Kelly Andrew’s “Until December”, Tasha Suri’s “The King’s Witch”, Kelley Armstrong’s “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, Megan Bannen’s “ The Larkspur”, and Katherine Arden’s “Rosebud”. Overall, a very enjoyable collection that I can see myself revisiting.’ (Bethany S)

‘This was a great smash up of short romance stories. I loved each story, honestly wish that there was more to all of the stories. If you are looking for a bunch of different and interesting romances that are quick and easy reads this is for you.’ (Kearston B)

‘An excellent collection of short stories from some of my favorite authors: particularly Megan Bannen, Kelly Armstrong, and Kelly Andrew. Perfect for getting yourself out of a reading slump, or when you’re not ready to dive into a massive, sweeping tale. Or anytime, really. The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a lovely addition to any reader’s collection.’ (Monica G)

Out now, you can order here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

Meanwhile, publicity has been ramping up for Paul and Marie’s next hardback anthology from Titan – These Dreaming Spires, out in September – including these new adverts (above and below).

ARCs have been landing with reviewers, including Mark Yon, @books_and_a_baby89 and Sam Tyler (below).

More contributing authors like Kit Mayquist and MK Lobb have been sharing posts about this forthcoming Dark Academia anthology (below).

And as Kit points out, the book is now up on NetGalley – in fact it has been receiving some 4 and 5* reviews already like these below:

 ‘Thank you so much Titan Books for the arc! This might be my favorite anthology ever! There wasn’t one story I didn’t like!

A quick summary of all the stories:

“Tallow‘s Cove”: 5/5
* Chronic illness
* Haunted abandoned chapel
* Academic researcher fmc
I loved it, wished it would be a full length novel!

“Utilities”: 4/5
* Virtual reality university
* Artificial intelligence studies
* Sci-fi horror
Couldn’t happen to me, I would be way too stupid for that university.

“Destroying Angel”: 4/5
* Doppelgänger
* Book of evil spells
* Unhinged mmc
The mmc has some seeerious problems!

“Within the Loch” 3/5
* Women’s college
* Missing student
* Rituals
I liked the setting, but the pacing felt too slow for a short story.

“Advanced Dissection” 3.5/5
* Human experiments
* Unethical science
* Dystopian feeling
So gory!

“God, Needy, Enough with the Screaming” 5/5
* Asylum
* Summoning demons
* Portals
I loved the fmc! So typical for Olivie Blake.

“Poisoned Pawn” 5/5
* Chess tournament
* Friends to lovers turned rivals
* Brain enhancing pills
Sooo good, right up my alley!

“Open Book” 4.5/5
* Archivist of books
* Grimoires
* Rival students
I would’ve been satisfied even if we only followed the archivist to work.

“A Short List of Impossible Things” 3/5
* Scholar of the impossible
* Letters
* Grief
The worldbuilding is so intriguing!

“The Harrowing of Lucas Mortier” 4.5/5
* Hell
* Ways to save the soul
* Expert on deification
So so good!

“The Coventry School for the Arts” 3/5
* Hauntings
* Art teacher
* Dysfunctional families
Loved the ghosts, would have loved it even more if the unsettling paintings would’ve been included more.

“The Magpies” 5/5
* Stolen magic
* Multiple worlds
* Power hungry fmc
I loved the magic system! I would definitely read a full length novel about it!’

(Carina P)

‘I love Dark Academia and this compilation served as the perfect method to deliver short stories to readers. Many beloved authors that specialize in this genre are featured. I really enjoyed picking up this novel whenever I wanted to read a short story in one sitting and get a glimpse into a new Dark Academia created world. Each story was unique with a different twist on the characters, magic, and genre.’ (Lexi H)

‘I love dark academia, so was excited to read this anthology and it really delivered. I inhaled this book in a single afternoon and am now going back to read some of the stories for a second time, I’m not ready for it to be over. Erica Waters pulled me in with an atmospheric, creepy story about a haunted church that forces visitors to look after it and every story that followed was gripping, interesting and unique. Picking personal favourites from this collection was hard but if I had to choose, then Taylor Grothe’s monstrous and terrifying “Advanced Dissection” would be my winner, that story will stay with me for a long time. Close runners up would be Olivie Blake’s demon infested “God, Needy, Enough with the Screaming” and Genevieve Cogman’s deeply unsettling virtual reality academy in “Utilities”. A great read whether you already love dark academia or just want to try the genre out.’ (Claire M)

‘These Dreaming Spires is an anthology of 12 dark academia short stories. It opens with an introduction explaining that while the collection does include some stories which are more traditional dark academia, they have intentionally pushed the boundary of what constitutes dark academia, and have included innovative examples of dark academia which push into other subgenres. I definitely feel this in the stories – some mash up dark academia with different subgenres that you might not expect, and it definitely feels like the authors had fun with them! It’s a really varied collection because of all the genre hybrids. Normally with anthologies, I say that not all of the stories will work for all readers but that there’ll be something for everyone. But with These Dreaming Spires, every single one of these short stories was 4 or 5 stars for me. Quite a few are gory, disturbing, and creepy. Some are really creative – I never would have imagined dark academia within a Virtual Reality university! It’s just an amazing collection by fantastic authors!’ (Faye H) 

You can pre-order this one here and here.

A review of Beyond & Within: Folk Horror, out in hardback from Flame Tree, has appeared on TikTok from Sinead Hanna, who said: ‘Look how pretty she is! Folk Horror is one of my favourite subgenres of horror, and this collection contains 17 tales of folkish terror from well known authors and also some new voices that you really need to get on your list... Not only have the editors of this book, Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan, put together a wonderful collection, they’ve also written a brilliant introduction. It was a joy to read that alone, to give you that background, that grounding on what Folk Horror is and where we have seen it before in novels, in TV and films. These are stories where mysterious children are caught in rabbit snares, where men go on voyages of self-discovery to forests in Sweden, and the forests really don’t want them there. Where a couple are haunted by their past, as well as figures from Welsh folklore, where there are rhymes and rules to follow if you wish to appease the old gods and make sure that the land does not turn on you. Perfect for both the die-hard Folk Horror fan and those who just want to tread lightly into the forest and see if they will survive!’

You can watch the whole thing here, and buy the book here or here.

Finally, the latest trio of novellas from Absinthe Books – the line that Marie is Managing Editor for – have just been announced in the PS Publishing newsletter. They are Alakazam by Mia Dalia (below)…

For the Road by Stark Holborn… (below)

And Mirror Marked by Vida Cruz-Borja (below).

You can find out more here, here, and here, and check out the other Absinthe Books novellas here.

june

Marie received the contributor copies of her new novella, Resurrection Blues (above) published by Black Shuck Books, last month (above and below).  

You can pick up yours here, here, or at your retailer of choice.

Marie and Paul also received their absolutely gorgeous hardback contributor copies of The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic out from Titan Books at the end of the month. Check out the photos above and below…

Waterstones listed the publication as one of the ‘Best Books to Look Out For in June’ (below). You can read the full list here.

Reactor Magazine (below) included it in their rundown, adding, ‘Lost lovers return for a second chance – but what are their motives? Academic rivals compete for a prestigious position, but their sizzling chemistry might get in the way. A monster slayer​ posing as an unwitting sacrifice meets an intriguingly moral prince. From relationships caught ​in disparate timelines to ghostly ballrooms and dragons that need rescuing from princesses, this anthology gives you an inventive new spin on all your favorite tropes, and much more that you’ve never seen before.’ You can read their list here.

Barnes & Noble posted an extract from Katherine Arden’s story in the book, ‘Rosebud’ (below you’ll find Katherine posing with her own copy), which you can read here.

Another couple of great reviews have appeared, firstly The Whispering of the Pages (below) in their 4 ½ star write-up commented: ‘I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I love short stories, so it was really great to take a break from novels and just have some stories to read. I’m not the biggest romantasy fan, though I do find myself reading a lot of them, but I feel like the format of short stories really worked for me. There wasn’t a load of sex scenes, which I find rather dull and the focus seemed to be more on the plot than the romance so it didn’t feel as drawn out as most romances do to me. Overall, it was really good. Most of the stories I enjoyed. My favourite was A.C. Wise’s “Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon”, which was a really funny enemies to lovers with a strong save the magical creatures message. I also loved “Designated Virgin Sacrifice” by Kelley Armstrong. Both these stories I felt did something a bit different with the genre and had fun twists. I loved seeing brand new stories from some of my favourite authors and would definitely read another of these anthologies.’ You can read the whole thing here.

And this one on Instagram, from @emma_bookaholic (below) who said: ‘These are all new to me authors so this was perfect to read and get an insight into their writing! I had heard of some of the authors but not read them but now will look out for them on the bookshelves! I really enjoyed these short stories and the whirlwind romances and the falling in love is perfect for the mood reader in me! It’s a quick read, quick-fire stories getting straight to the point and a great way to read new to you authors. I will enjoy re-reading this again soon!’

And below you’ll find the latest roundup of NetGalley 5* and 4* reviews, along with more contributors posting with the book: Angela ‘AG’ Slatter; AC Wise; Kelly Andrew; Megan Bannen; and Kamilah Cole.

‘Romantasy is the current big thing in BookTok and Bookstagram. This collection of 12 romantasy stories is a great way to dip a toe into the world of romantasy for those who are afraid to begin and the perfect way to find new authors for those who have already fallen in love with the genre. The stories range from taking place in fantasy worlds to historical worlds filled with familiar names, to anywhere your imagination can take you. The stories themselves also span a broad range of plots and characters. Whatever it is that you want to read can be found in this anthology. I find it difficult to summarize shorter stories but they are all excellent.’ (Lauren K)

‘What an incredible sampling of various romantasy authors! Some of them I’ve read before, some are brand new to me. Of course, I loved every single Sapphic story that was in this collection, but the M/F romances were good too.’ (Jasmine S)

‘As romantasy continues to grow exponentially and I find myself tiring of the copy-and-paste books coming out in this genre, the opportunity to read a book of short stories around this was interesting. Because, despite its popularity and my subsequent jaded approach to it, romantasy in theory combines my two great loves: fantasy and romance. I knew from the author names I recognised on the list, this was not the mainstream romantasy being churned out. I knew this would be different. And I was spot on. Each story was unique, subversive in some way, and combined the elements of fantasy and romance delectably. Yes, some were stronger than others, but overall, the quality in this collection was strong and the enjoyment I got was HIGH. I’ve not much been one for short stories before, but I thoroughly enjoyed leaping from each tale, discovering new worlds, spells, curses, and kingdoms. I think my honourable mention has to go to “Until December”, because it was pure perfection and scratches my brain juuuust right. Overall, a wonderful collection of wildly different stories that centre love, fantastical realms, and adventure in a way that, for me, is what romantasy should be about.’ (Ella R)

‘What a delightful read this was. I truly believe that anyone could find something to love in this anthology. The stories cover a wide variety of plots, themes, and overall vibes all within the romantasy/fantasy romance genres. For me, the clear standout stories were “Slay the Princess, Free the Dragon”, “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, and “Until December”, but each story I think offered something for a different type of fantasy/romance reader.’ (Jessica M)

‘This is a book of 12 romantic fantasies, including some written by my favorite authors. It’s also an excellent resource for readers who want to try out new-to-them fantasy authors – I found several more writers I intend to follow. My favorite stories were “Rosebud”, “Until December”, and “The Dubious Ladies of Mirador”.’ (Pam R)

‘This was such a delight to read, and I had the hardest time choosing a favourite among such incredible writers. Short stories always deeply impress me as it can be so hard to establish a truly good story in such a short amount of time. While I don’t think every story in this collection wowed me, a few of them absolutely did and would get me to recommend this book to others based on them alone. My ultimate favourite was “The King’s Witch” by Tasha Suri. I adore her writing already, but the story she was able to weave so quickly and complexly really captured my attention and my heart. I love how much detail was put into the world building and the relationship feels very fleshed out. There was so much love between Lark and Silver that I was aching for more by the end.

A few of my other faves: Kelley Armstrong’s “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, I’ve never read anything by this author (criminal, I know) and I loved the twists and mystery element to her story. I wasn’t expecting it and it made for a very fun read. “Slay the Princess, Free the Dragon” by AC Wise and “The Larkspur” by Megan Bannen were both so fun to read and some of my favourite relationships in the collection. I don’t think a single story disappointed me at all.’ (Reviewer 1045350)

‘What a treat this anthology was. I spent a wonderful time with my favourite authors and met two new – also now my favourites. They were not simply short stories (technically I may even call each a novella), they were each different worlds. Olivie Blake was as usual, amazing. I love how she makes me imagine her actually talking. It was witty, full of humor-sarcasm combined and rich in descriptions. Tasha Suri’s story was dynamic, yet following the pace of other stories. Which was my favourite? As it depends on the mood I was in while reading, I guess this time I enjoyed “Second Class Magic” by Kamilah Cole. I cannot thank enough for the time I enjoyed while reading… Hope more compilations/anthologies are published.’ (Elif U)

‘Ever since I first heard about this book, and saw the list of authors I was buzzing! I really enjoyed each one, a massive mix of styles and subsections of the romantasy genre. Each of the short stories within the book had compelling characters which managed to draw you in quickly – enough that I kept becoming frustrated when each chapter was over! Still, it’s allowed me to discover some new authors to delve more into, for which I’m very grateful! Additionally, it was nice that there were many queer, specifically multiple wlw, stories included.’ (Chloe A)

‘This is a FABULOUS anthology. I normally read anthologies in small bites with lots of time between each story, but this one I devoured in less than 48 hours! There’s a lot of variety in the 12 stories; I really liked 10 out of the 12, and there were fun elements in the other stories, too – I’m sure other readers will name those as their favorites. It feels too difficult to break down “favorite” stories, but I sooo enjoyed this whole book, and it led me to look up two new-to-me authors – Kamilah Cole and Kelly Andrew – to read their full books as I enjoyed their stories so much. (And of course I’ve already read and loved novels from many of the other authors whose stories I loved here!).’ (Stephanie B)

‘The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is a delightful collection of romantasy stories from power-house authors like Olivie Blake, Katherine Arden and more. Each story is unique and yet they all have the same focus on building a wonderfully magical, and occasionally dangerous, world with complex and compelling characters. It’s hard to write a good short story, but I think that there’s something for everyone in this anthology. One of the things I liked was the variety of writing styles. A few authors, like Kelly Andrew and A.G. Slatter, were particular standouts. I have read a few of their books before and reading their short stories just made me want to explore more of their work. I also managed to find a new author to explore – Eliza Chan. If you can come out of a story collection wanting to read more of a specific genre or author, I think that it’s a win!’ (Emily B)

‘This is a wonderful collection of stories written by some of my most read authors. It combines romance with fantasy and depicts the most wanted tropes – enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, academic rivals etc. The stories in their short form create tension and burn which surprised me for their short content. My favourite was “Designated Virgin Sacrifice” and “The Dubious Women of Mirador”. There was also Sapphic, LGBTQIA representation. It was good to see an anthology of fantasy written by women.’ (Alice B)

‘The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic is filled with everything I love about romantasy: enemies to lovers, rivals with chemistry, magical marriages, and second chances. Each of the 12 stories brings something different, even a few sapphic romances! but “Until December” by Kelly Andrew was my absolute favorite. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since, and now I’m on a mission to find more books that are similar!’ (Allenna W)

Out soon,you can order here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

Sticking with anthologies, contributors such as De Elizabeth and MK Lobb have been sharing graphics for the forthcoming Dark Academia anthology edited by Marie and Paul, These Dreaming Spires – also from Titan Books – out in September (above and below).

You can pre-order that book here and here.

Black Gate have reviewed Paul and Marie’s Beyond & Within: Folk Horror, out now in paperback from Flame Tree. Here’s what they had to say: ‘Folk Horror is one of those terms that’s never quite fashionable or unfashionable. To me there’s only either good or bad horror fiction, and that’s what really matters to the readers. This anthology – part of the Beyond & Within series from Flame Tree Publishing – fortunately is very good, regardless of labels. So kudos to the editors (excellent horror writers themselves) for assembling such an amount of creepy and entertaining material. To be precise the book includes two little poems and fifteen stories. “The Well” by John Connolly is an outstanding, creepy tale about the unsettling events taking place during an archeological dig. “Rabbitheart” by Jen Williams is a disturbing story revolving around a weird small creature caught in a rabbit snare, rescued by a young girl and finally welcomed by her family.

If there is a veritable example of “folk” horror this would be “The Original Occupant” by Adam LG Nevill, exploring the events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of a Briton in the Swedish country. Benjamin Spada provides the truly excellent “The Great White,” featuring Cole West (the main character in the author’s Black Spear novels), teaming with an old friend to destroy a malevolent Wendigo. “Good Boy” by Alison Littlewood is about a peculiar “dog” whose presence brings about disease and destruction. The other contributors to the volume are Lee Murray, Katie Young, Stephen Volk, HR Laurence, B Zelkovich, Helen Grant , Kathryn Healy, V Castro, Cavan Scott, Christina Sng.’

You can read the whole thing here, and buy the book here or here.

may

The big news this month is the release of Marie’s brand new novella, Resurrection Blues (above), published by Black Shuck Books. This from the official PR for the book:

‘Resurrection Blues started with a dream about a harmonica; one that produces a beautiful sound – and calls the dead back to listen, just as the flute did in the tale of The Pied Piper. It’s no secret that I love a ghost story, so after that it didn’t take long for the other elements to come together.

Marcus plays in a band at a club, every night, to a disaffected audience that takes very little notice of the music. When he sees the harmonica in a store window, he has to have it, and is delighted when he finds the audience starts to really take notice of the band each night. Things are looking up. Pretty soon, he realises it’s more than that – scattered in amongst the audience are ghosts that appear when he starts to play the new harmonica. One night, it brings his mother back – and she has a warning for him. If he keeps playing, he’ll raise a monster, the ghost of a murderer, and it’ll come for him as it did his own father. Marcus must revisit his past to find the key to destroying his nemesis, and in doing so free the ghosts the creature has enslaved since its own passing.’

Author of The Intruders, Michael Marshall Smith called it: ‘Rich and uncanny, melancholy yet uplifting, a tale of redemption and renewal that – like the blues itself – manages to feel both fresh-minted and as old as time.’

And you can grab yours here, here, or here.

The first reviews for Marie and Paul’s anthology, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic from Titan Books have been rolling in, starting with this glowing 5* one from The Big Bearded Bookseller: ‘I knew I had to get a copy of this as soon as I saw it, I even know where it’s going to go in the shop as soon as it’s released! An anthology of 12 short stories from some of the best writers in Romantasy at the moment, what could go wrong? Nothing, that’s the answer, absolutely nothing! I’ve got to admit I stormed through these stories as each was perfect in itself making the book as a whole irresistible. I loved them all; the twists of traditional tales, forays into worlds known and unknown, enemies to lovers, all of it. This is the perfect book to have and dip into now and again, as each short story deserves attention, but you could, like me, consume it all in two sittings looking forward to going back to savour the stories once again. I think my favourites must be: “The Larkspur”, “The King’s Witch”, and “San’t Marten’s Book of Mild Melancholy”, though this is really splitting hairs as I enjoyed them all. I’m really hoping the finished product has pink sprayed edges and a keyhole cut in the dust cover as going full on is what this book really deserves.’

For the full thing, click here.

Photo credit: Claire Arnett

In addition to this, the book’s been getting some 5 and 4* reviews on Netgalley, which we’ve rounded up for you, along with photos people have been posting:

‘This was such a great compilation book filled with a great mix of authors combining both romance and fantasy into a great variety of stories. This was the first I’ve seen of romance and a bit of supernatural so that was a really fun aspect.’ (Librarian 1081599)

Photo credit: @alaina.wyl

‘I loved this! It had a lot of different authors such as Olivie Blake (who I adore) and had a mix of romance, paranormal and fantasy stories. I love books like this whether you are unable to have time to sit down to read a full story or in a reading slump, that you can dip in and out of but still have the satisfaction of reading a great story! It was such an easy book to read and I thoroughly recommend.’ (Isabella S)

Photo credit: @niamh_reads_

‘This is a truly fantastic anthology of short stories for Romantasy fans. As with all collections like this some were more to my taste than others, but every story was well written and original. Among my favourites were Kelley Armstrong’s “Designated Virgin Sacrifice”, about a girl who decides to step up and slay the world’s monsters, it’s a sweet story with an excellent twist, and A.C. Wise’s cute urban love story “Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon”. By far the standout for me was Kelly Andrew’s beautiful time travel love story, “Until December”. She was a new author to me and I will definitely be looking at her other work. Overall, this book is the one that I am going to recommend when someone has just devoured Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses and is wondering what to read next because they will find their next favourite Romantasy author here.’ (Claire M)

Photo credit: Katherine Arden

The hardback is out next month, but you can pre-order the book here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

Meanwhile Concatenation have posted another terrific review of Beyond & Within: Folk Horror. Here’s what Ian Hunter had to say: ‘Flame Tree Publishing certainly know how to put a book together and this – a horror anthology called Folk Horror from their “Beyond & Within” imprint – is a beautiful looking book. Consisting of a vivid green and gold foil cover, which is slightly “far out”, almost evoking some sort of cosmic horror…

But what of the contents? First, we start with an introduction on Folk Horror by editors Kane and O’Regan looking at the origin of the term. Interestingly they bring up three films which crystalised the idea of folk horror that were released in the late 1960s and early 1970s, namely Witchfinder General, The Wicker Man and Blood on Satan’s Claw, collectively known as “The Unholy Trinity”… Following the introduction we get 17 contributions, one of which is a prose poem, and a poem by Linda D. Addison called “Ghost Land of Giants” to end proceedings, which as a poet and poetry editor is nice to see.  Jen Williams’ “Rabbitheart” concerns a young woman who rescues a boy caught in a rabbit trap and soon wishes she hasn’t. There is much creepy fun to be had in this anthology so I won’t go through every story in detail, but as you would expect those contributing stories often draw on their surroundings or local knowledge, so it is with Lee Murray who sets her story “Summer Bonus” on a farm in New Zealand where there are jobs to be done by two newcomers. Like many of the stories here, the story is clever, subtle and has a cracker of an ending.

Likewise, horror-master, Stephen Volk, has his story “Blessed Mary” taking place in Wales in time for some Christmas celebrations which soon worm their way into the minds of those who have returned home. Scottish writer Helen Grant’s “The Third Curse” tells of a bargain between humans and the Sithichean who live in the fairy pools, but who will get the best out of the bargain? Other stories concern the forces of nature; deals with the devil, or perhaps something worse than the devil; creatures from myth, and creatures that look familiar, but aren’t; wedding ceremonies with sinister undertones; and even tale set in a post-apocalyptic world where the old ways are re-embraced. Kane and O’Regan should be congratulated for the high standard throughout their curated anthology and Folk Horror manages to be just as good inside those “trippy” covers as the covers themselves.’

You can read the full thing here, and buy the book  here or here.

 

APRIL

After a month off (during which the whole site changed servers) we’re back with more news, starting with Marie and Paul’s next anthology The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic from Titan Books being available on NetGalley! (above). To request yours just go here.

In addition to this, gorgeous physical ARCs landed at both the publishers’ HQ and with Marie and Paul (above and below).

The hardback is out over the summer, but you can pre-order the book here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.<

Marie and Paul also received their stunning copies of the French version of Twice Cursed, published by 404 Editions – who translated the original Cursed (above and below).

Marie and Paul visited the London Book Fair in March at Olympia as well, which was busy but productive (below) and gave them the chance to visit some of their publishers.

Marie and Paul were there primarily to take part in Flame Tree’s Myth & Fiction podcast, where they talked about their editing work – especially on Beyond & Within: Folk Horror and the forthcoming Witchcraft (below).

Also from Flame Tree is the forthcoming anthology in that series Beyond & Within – This Way Lies Madness edited by Lee Murray and Dave Jeffery, which features a brand new story from Marie called ‘There’s a Ghost in my House’. To find out more about this and who else is in the book, just click here.

february

More book cover reveals to kick off this month, as Titan announced Marie & Paul’s follow-up to In These Hallowed Halls, These Dreaming Spires (above). The cover was seen by over 25,000 people on socials in less than a day, so we’re guessing it went down well!

Also announced was the list of authors included this time: Olivie Blake, Genevieve Cogman, De Elizabeth, Faridah Abíké-Íyímídé, Ariel Djanikian, Elspeth Wilson, M.K. Lobb, Kit Mayquist, Jamison Shea, Kate Alice Marshall, Erica Waters and Taylor Grothe.

The new term starts in September, but to request an ARC just click here. Or you can pre-order the book here and here.

Over on Instagram, contributor Megan Bannen shared a short extract from her story ‘The Larkspur’ in The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic (above). You can pre-order that one here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

As reported by the British Science Fiction Association, a glowing review of Marie & Paul’s anthology from Flame Tree, Beyond & Within: Folk Horror, has appeared on the Concatenation site.

Here’s what Arthur Chappell had to say: ‘Some story/poetry anthologies bear a mix of good, bad and middle-ground work, but this superb collection was 100% gems all the way for me, so with seventeen works to choose from, I can only really highlight a few. Some certainly stretch the definition of folk horror, and prove to be more general fantasy realm works. H.R. Laurence’s “The Marsh Widow’s Bargain”, for example, deals with a woman seeking revenge on a swamp dwelling shaman-necromancer. Everyone involved is fully aware of dark magic, so there is no sense of collision between ancient pagan beliefs or legends with modern Christian, or secular thinking.

A more traditional take and my favourite story in the collection is Jen Williams’s “Rabbitheart”. It centres on a quiet remote rural community where a young farm girl ensnares a child in a rabbit-trap. She brings the strange boy home to help nurse him back to health, and as he grows and heals, her family begin to decay and wither but she and they seem powerless to prevent the changes taking place. There are echoes of Lovecraft’s The Colour Out Of Space (1927) to this genuinely creepy tale. B. Zelkovich also has a fairie encounter with a woman beguiled into an erotic longing for a beautiful forest woman who takes her horse away into the misty realms and begins transforming her too, though her desires make her cease caring what is lost. Helen Grant has another take on such realms with a story showing multiple riffs on the legend of Tír n’Aill. Of the men drawn to an elf-land of plenty, unaware that for each day that passes there, many years pass in ours, leading to shock, and sudden ageing on return to what we might naively call the real World…

Some stories, like John Connolly’s “The Well”, would not be out of place in Edwardian anthologies alongside works by M.R. James. In Lee Murray’s “Summer Bonus”, two friends visit a New Zealand beach village where there is an unusual seaweed the community seem quite guarded towards… How the situation plays out is truly unexpected and chilling. One of the best twist endings I have seen in many years. Alison Littlewood’s “Good Boy” is about a dog who is anything but good. A man takes care of it from discovering it as a puppy despite seeing a neighbour kill its demonic mother… A varied range of often genuinely scary tales, all of the highest quality. A very handsomely presented hardback edition too.’

You can read the full thing here.

January

In the run-up to the big day last month, lots of people were posting their pictures of Marie and Paul’s anthology from Titan Books, Death Comes at Christmas, like @noirreadsandknits @lovetoread42 @shelf_ishly_lit @moremysteryplease and  @thebookpear (above and below).

It was also spotted in bookstores around the world, including Switzerland and Germany below (photos courtesy Fabienne Schwizer and Helen Fields).

Marie and Paul were busy doing more publicity for the book as well, including an interview on the US based Sirius XM Nemo radio show with a reach of about 2 million, they went on author Cavan Scott’s substack talking about their Perfect Sunday – see Marie’s here – plus they talked to Horror Tree here, all below.

While Town & Country magazine included Death Comes at Christmas in their ’21 Coziest Holiday Mysteries to Read This Festive Season’ alongside books by Agatha Christie, Janice Hallett and Louise Penny here.

The book also continued being reviewed, including by the Peterborough Telegraph (below), who gave it 8/10 and said: ‘Here’s an 18-story anthology of murderous tidings from top crime writers taking slay rides with locked room mysteries, whodunnits and festive season tinsel-wrapped twists. Top contributors include Sarah Hilary, Liz Mistry, Claire McGowan, Belinda Bauer and Vaseem Khan - so, no turkeys!’

Colin Steele of the Canberra City News (below) said: ‘It opens with the CL Taylor story, “How to Commit Murder in a Bookshop”, which Taylor says was inspired by a Christmas party she attended at Waterstones bookshop in Swindon… The second story, “Christmas Yet To Come” by Helen Fields, spins off the characters Charles Dickens created in A Christmas Carol. It begins on Christmas Eve 1899 when Marley, the nephew of Jacob Marley, who had inherited his wealth, is walking through the corridors of the Marley Memorial Workhouse… Vaseem Khan, the award-winning author of the Malabar House series, sees in “Indian Winter”, his main character Persis, India’s first female police detective, collaborating once more with Archie, an English forensic scientist. This time they are investigating and ultimately solving an intriguing locked room murder in a Bombay mansion on Christmas Day, 1950…And in Liz Mistry’s “Secret Santa”, in which the Christmas office party has a deadly outcome.’

The Cozy Owlet (below) had this to say: ‘A benefit of a short story collection like this one is that it doesn’t have to stick to one definition of “festive”. Authors can – and do – apply their own interpretation of crime at the holidays. The result is a delightfully diverse set of stories, from the creepy to the warm. You’ve got the Dickensian setting, and a historical Indian one. There are stories set in Victorian England and at an office Secret Santa. There are the snowed-in villages that turn dangerous, and the hotel Christmas crimes. And of course there’s the requisite bookshop crime story, almost required in this kind of collection. The stories are also ordered in a way that maximizes this feeling of diversity, bouncing from setting to setting, vibe to vibe. I personally love warm, cozy Christmas, and this ordering helped me get through the darkness of the thrillers. Knowing a cozy or heartwarming story would soon follow made it easier to sink into the creepier stories. If you’re a fan of modern crime writing, there is likely at least one short story here that will tickle your fancy.’ 

Read the full thing here.

Mat Coward over at Morning Star (below), said: ‘Crime stories have been a fixture at Christmas for well over a century now, and Death Comes At Christmas (Titan, £19.99), edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is one of the best anthologies of its type I can remember. There’s not a single weak entry among the 18 pieces by as many authors, and several real winners, with a good variety of tone and type, from locked rooms reminiscent of the Golden Age to forensic techs wearing bloodstained paper suits. I won’t try and pick out highlights, for fear of slighting the others, except to say that Alexandra Benedict deserves a Best Punning Title prize for “The Midnight Mass Murderer”.’

Finally, @travels.along.my.bookshelf called it: ‘A fabulous festive collection of short stories featuring a gathering of great writers and all in the tradition of Christmas crime. There’s something for everyone here.’ Steve Beresford said: ‘This is a great anthology of festive short stories, from locked-room mysteries to whodunits. All very Christmassy & murdery. Superb stuff!’ @thestucumminsreads stated: ‘I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed every single story. There is quite a mix of themes, time periods, styles, and subject matters.’ And Lee Allen over on Goodreads offered: ‘From stories in the style of Golden Age classics to gritty modern thrillers, set in the snowy English countryside to the heat of Bombay, India, we are treated to a delightfully gripping mix of brutal crimes and complex puzzles, with flourishes of comedy, romance and creepy chills, all with a sprinkling of seasonal fun…Overall, this is a collection of well-written, thrilling tales, many in the tradition of much-loved and classic Christmas tales and mysteries, and a fantastic showcase of writers from the world of modern crime fiction, each tale an enjoyable slice of Yuletide magic. Highly recommended reading for these cold nights as we count down to Christmas.’ (All below)

You can still keep the spirit alive and grab your copy here!

Following on from last month’s news, here’s the exclusive cover reveal for the 404 Editions French version of Marie and Paul’s anthology Twice Cursed (above and below). We’re sure you’ll agree it looks stunning!

You can still pick up the UK edition here, however.

A future anthology now, and a callout for stories has been posted for Marie and Paul’s follow up to Beyond & Within – Folk Horror from Flame Tree: Witchcraft! You can read the guidelines here, but hurry, because you don't have long...

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