Ireen Chau

This edition contains 27 original illustrations by the author! In the kingdom of Olderea, dabbling in witchcraft is a sure way to the guillotine. When sixteen-year-old debutante Amarante Flora finds out she’s half witch, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. After all, zapping Prince Ash in the midst of high society’s Season certainly won’t help her troublemaking reputation. But the more her powers grow, the more she realizes magic—and the witches who possess it—are not as dangerous as she was led to believe. When the queen falls mysteriously ill, Amarante knows there are far more dangers lurking in the palace than in Witch Village. Among potion-brewing and glittering receptions, Amarante joins Prince Ash in an investigation before innocent witches are condemned. However, uncovering the culprit’s schemes could mean exposing her magic. And exposing her magic would mean her very life—and the contempt of the prince she is trying to help.

A betrothal to quell a rebellion… Lady Narcissa Greenwood has been haunted by her past since the disaster of last summer’s Season. The society she once reveled in now sees her as the traitor’s daughter. Narcissa fears she can never prove them wrong. But when rising anti-witch riots lead to her betrothal to Crown Prince Bennett and a grand kingdom tour, Narcissa seizes the chance to atone her mistakes. She is determined to become the dutiful crown princess—even if her stoic fiancé is less than eager to play the loving couple. However, the crown prince isn’t as unaffected as he seems. Amidst Olderea’s flax fields, bustling marketplaces, and whispers of rebellion, Narcissa must decide whether her past should hinder her future—and whether duty, love, and redemption are separate things after all.

This illustrated novella can be read after The Herbwitch Princess. Beauty Without Brains: How Will Lady Narcissa Wear the Crown? When the most notorious gossip columnist in Olderea releases a scathing article about her, Narcissa is desperate to upkeep her image of a diligent princess-to-be, even if it means moving to the palace and leaving her kittens behind. Working with Bennett on the upcoming Ambassador’s Ball should've been the perfect opportunity, but Cissa can’t help but notice that her fiancé is too occupied with royal duties to pay her much attention. One night under mysterious circumstances, Bennett turns into a cat. Magic is afoot, and no one knows if it's from a friend or foe. Down in Witch Village, Cissa must brew an antidote and find the culprit before the Ambassador’s Ball. Will Bennett be able to turn back in time? And most importantly, will the couple manage to heal the rift growing between them?

A passionate painter's apprentice. An art thief without a soul. The bargain that brings them together. When Zhi Lan turned down the opportunity to become a nobleman’s concubine, she vowed to make her own fortune—not marry into it. But as a lowly farm girl, becoming a self-sustaining artist like her master Dan Li Chen is a lofty goal. Her meager fortune finally takes a turn when Master Dan’s recent masterpiece catches the attention of the city magistrate, who offers them both his esteemed patronage. But when the prized painting is stolen, the magistrate issues an impossible ultimatum: paint a replica in three short days, or hang with the criminal who stole from him. Zhi Lan knows her only choice is to recover the masterpiece—even if it means joining forces with the uncommonly handsome thief who stole it. It has been six years since Shao Qing made a foolish bargain with a lesser demon. The price? His soul. Since then, he has been traveling with a raucous band of art thieves, numb to everything but the thrill of their heists. But when an impassioned painter’s apprentice blackmails him into helping her retrieve her master's painting, his long dormant emotions begin to awaken. Compelled and unexpectedly intrigued, he accepts her bargain. However, retrieving the stolen artwork proves more difficult than either of them anticipated. When the two are forced to conduct a heist of their own, Zhi Lan and Shao Qing must rely on one another despite their conflicting beliefs. Suddenly Zhi Lan is questioning the principles she’s always lived by, while Shao Qing begins to suspect he might have something left to lose. As three days come to an end, the secrets they uncover will either bring them closer—or tear them apart. Half a Soul meets your favorite historical C-drama in this Chinese folktale-inspired New Adult romantasy. Tempting Thieves is a multi-author romantasy collection featuring cunning thieves who outsmart relentless hunters, steal forbidden treasures, and find love along the way. With enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn longing, forced proximity, secret identities, only one bed, and grumpy/sunshine dynamics, every story delivers an irresistible fantasy escape. Perfect for fans of forbidden romance, morally gray heroes, daring rogues, and clean yet sizzling chemistry. Each book in the collection is a standalone. Read in any order.