Dangerous Dealings in Romantasy

The heroines of this thrilling romantasy panel risk it all for freedom, never expecting to find romance along the way. On the high seas of Cassandra James’ Capitana, Ximena Reale offers to rescue the empire’s captured queen from a notorious pirate in exchange for a coveted spot on the Cazadores, seafaring hunters who track down pirates. With only one cloak available, she must compete with Dante, an infuriating yet handsome classmate with mysterious motives, on this dangerous quest. Bita Behzadi’s Letters from the Last Apothecary features Josephine Pinova’s fortuitous job offer from a magic apothecary and her anonymous letter exchange with a sensitive scholar as they study together for a graduate magic program. Unbeknownst to either of them, the fellow scholar just happens to be the shop’s prickly apothecarist, whom Josie must work together with to save the beloved shop against a tide of anti-magic sentiment amidst the city’s industrialization. In Angela Montoya’s Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, fortune-teller Esmeralda aims for the lead role in the Big Top Show to win freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army. She makes a deal with Ignacio, the handsome boy who once broke her heart and has resurfaced at this fortuitous moment: she’ll help him expose his father’s corruption if he helps her secure the main act. Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana features a desperate deal between a human woman and a ruthless Fae lord who trapped her village in a forested prison. Although no Fae can enter the cursed doors of an enchanted library, a human might be able to, so she navigates the hostile world outside with the help of two Fae males in an attempt to find magic of her own. Strike a deal and try your hand at this riveting panel, moderated by Danielle DeVeaux, host of the Dark Romance Book Club and Romantasy Book Club at Books Inc. San Leandro!