The Blessing Giver series

Why it's still living in the basement:

• The title!! I had no idea that it would be interpreted as a religious book. Since it's a book about magic, not the greatest miscommunication!
• It's written in third person when a lot of romantasy is now in first person
• It's not spicy/smutty. Again, a lot of romantasy is, so it didn't match reader expectations

Why this book could still be your favorite child:

• The story is rich and fast-paced, has strong romantic tension, and a compelling magic system.
• It's steamy closed-door
• Focuses on character growth, supported by a strong plot

Life story:

A forbidden love that could cost both their lives...

Rayelle has never questioned her path. Born into magic, daughter of the Ambassador, she has spent her whole life preparing to serve. Until the day of her consecration when a prisoner is thrown at her feet and everything she believes cracks open.

Paladin should already be dead. His mixed blood is a death sentence under the laws of the Goddess. But the moment Rayelle's new sight settles on him, the magic shows her something she has no right to see: his life, tangled hopelessly with hers.

Question the Order, and she'll be cast out of the only home she's known. Ignore the vision, and she betrays the Goddess she swore to serve. Accept it—accept him—and the truth she uncovers could bring down the magic her people have died to protect.

She was raised to believe the world was black and white. Because of him, all she can see is gray.

Forbidden love. A buried truth. A choice that ends one world or another.

A slow-burn, closed-door fantasy romance. Forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, and a unique magic system. Book one of four in The Blessing Giver.