Hey Reader.
February has settled in here in Germany with that particular kind of cold that looks pretty but bites. Frosty mornings, snowy days, pale winter sun, and the slow sense that the year is stretching and waking up again — perfect weather for warm drinks, good stories, and a little extra kindness (to ourselves included).
Anyway, what else has happened since last we spoke, and what's coming up? Let me tell you... 💙
I’ve been deep in the waters of my next book, Lady beneath the Tides, and it’s finally starting to feel real. With the wonderful help of my alpha reader, Sherri, the story is coming together beautifully. I’m currently aiming for a tentative April release, though we’ll see where the tides carry us.
This book will be available through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, and is available for pre-order now. Until then, here’s a little glimpse of what’s waiting beneath the surface:
They say the lake returns when the moon burns blue.
In the drowned valley of Llyn Du, hydrologist Talise Calder comes searching for scientific truth—and finds a man shaped from water, memory, and an ancient sorrow. When a red thread of fate binds them together, a quiet, aching love begins to surface.
As the lake rises and the past refuses to stay buried, Talise is drawn into a bond that defies time and asks for sacrifice, but never demands what love should not give. To choose him is to step into a destiny woven by a goddess who remembers every promise ever made.
Tender and haunting, Lady beneath the Tides is a standalone novel in the Between Hill and Sea series, weaving pagan myth, devotion, and endurance into a sweet fantasy romance steeped in Welsh folklore—where love is gentle, magic is old, and the waters remember every name.
If it sounds like your kind of story, you can add it to your TBR here:
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246187971-lady-beneath-the-tides
StoryGraph:https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/40771237-930d-476e-93b9-10646938a535
Universal Purchase Link:https://books2read.com/Lady-beneath-the-Tides
I’m thrilled to share something new with you: The Story Hearth. It’s a cosy corner for anyone who loves fantasy, mythology, and romance that’s all heart and connection (no explicit content).
This is where you can:
- Get early access to my latest ARC
- Explore my backlist if you fancy a little binge
- Chat about characters, stories, and magical worlds with fellow readers
Pull up a chair and join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestoryhearth
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This month brings not one, not two, but three book birthdays, and I couldn’t be more delighted to celebrate them with you.
On 1st February, Cabbages & Kings turns four; on 16th February, Slippers and Songs celebrates its second birthday; and on 28th February, What a Latte Books marks its sixth year on the shelf. To honour all three, I’m running limited-time birthday sales — free everywhere except Amazon (who, alas, refused to budge on the price!).
You can follow along on social media or make a note of the dates so you don’t miss out:
- Cabbages & Kings — on sale from 30th January to 3rd February
- Slippers and Songs — on sale from 14th to 18th February
- What a Latte Books — on sale from 26th February to 2nd March
🗡️ Cabbages & Kings
Historical myth, Robin Hood retold from the other side of the legend.
Hero. Honourable Thief. Lovable Rogue. Scoundrel. Blackguard.
Everyone’s heard of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, with big, bad Sheriff of Nottingham and evil Prince John trying their best to thwart Robin at every turn. But what if things were different to what you’ve been told? What if Robin wasn’t as altruistic as history portrayed?
In the late spring of 1198, the hamlet of Girton is razed to the ground. Newly married eighteen-year-old Will Scathlock and sixteen-year-old Alana move to the larger village of Blidworth to start their lives anew. In his new job as a forester for the Royal Palace of Clipstone, known to the locals as King’s Houses, Will hears tales of a good thief, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. But in her role as Seamstress for the Manor House, Alana hears a different story.
Find out what it was like for the peasant folk Robin was supposed to be helping, before his well-known adventures in Nottingham. Meet Alana Dale and read her story of what it was really like, and how it all began.
Universal Purchase:https://books2read.com/Cabbages-Kings
🦢 Slippers and Songs (Brodyr Alarch #1)
In the realm of Holmfirth, far from Melthkior, Princess Tesni finds herself ensnared in a curse that compels her to dance tirelessly through the night. She must navigate a delicate balance between her royal responsibilities and the ceaseless rhythm of her relentless dance. Tesni yearns to be perceived as more than a coveted reward to be claimed for breaking the enchantment.
Summoned by Tesni’s father, Prince Brenin finds himself irresistibly drawn to Tesni’s captivating personality and quiet strength, by the genuine beauty that emanates from her. In the velvety embrace of deepest night, Brenin becomes Tesni’s silent guardian, accompanying her to the realm of the Otherworld. There, he answers riddles posed by the mysterious Taliesin.
Will Brenin uncover the secrets that tether Tesni to her unending dance, winning not only her freedom but also her heart? Will the silent whispers of their burgeoning affection be allowed to grow? Or will Tesni remain forever entwined in the dance of the Otherworld that holds her captive?
Universal Purchase: https://books2read.com/SlippersandSongs
☕ What a Latte Books
A contemporary tale of magic, longing, and the love you find between the pages.
Laura Davies had everything she wanted with the opening of her own business. That is until she starts reading a book that she can’t remember ordering. One that disappears and reappears at will. A story that matches her life in so many ways.
Reading through the pages makes her yearn for the unattainable. A character in the story she can’t get out of her head. She longs to meet the handsome man who fills her days and nights.
Now, she has a choice to make.
Will she take a chance on her dream becoming reality?
Or will she decide that this enchantment is not within her grasp?
Universal Purchase:https://books2read.com/WhataLatteBooks
February has its own quiet magic — a month that feels like a held breath between winter’s deepest cold and the first real promise of spring. In old folk traditions, this was a time of watching and waiting, of noticing the small signs that hinted at what the coming year might bring. The land still rested, the nights lingered, and people measured time by candlelight, stories, and the slow return of hope rather than by hurry.
In Celtic and Welsh folklore, February often carried themes of renewal and soft beginnings — not the bold, crashing start of a new year, but the gentle stirring of something ready to grow. It reminds us that change doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes it comes quietly, like roots shifting beneath frozen ground.
Here are a few notable dates to keep in mind this month:
🧤 All month — Raynaud’s Awareness Month
This one feels especially personal, as February is always the hardest month for me. Please stay warm and be kind to your hands and feet.
🌿 1st February — Gŵyl Forwyn🏴
In Wales, while some modern pagan or Druidic sources refer to this day as Gŵyl Forwyn (Feast of the Maiden/Virgin) to reflect pre-Christian roots, Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau is the more widely recognized Welsh name — known elsewhere as Candlemas.
🎶 13th February — Dydd Miwsig Cymru 🏴
A celebration of Welsh music and culture — and one of my favourite days of the year.
💝 14th February — Valentine’s Day
However you choose to mark it, I hope it includes something that makes you feel truly loved.
🎭 16th February — Fasching 🇩🇪
A season of colour, costumes, and a little joyful mischief before the quiet of Lent settles in.
🌳 18th February — Celtic Tree Month of Nion (Ash)
A time linked to resilience, connection, and inner strength — a reminder that even in the coldest months, we’re still growing beneath the surface.
FREE BOOKS
Bringing together a wonderful group of authors, these free reads are perfect for candlelit evenings, slow sips of something warm, and those in-between moments when the world feels hushed and a good book feels like the best kind of company. They’re only free for a limited time, so be sure to explore and claim your next romantic escape while February’s charm is still in the air. 💕📚 |
As February unfolds, I’d love to know what this gentle, heart-leaning month is bringing for you. Are there small joys you’re savouring, stories you’re falling into, or quiet moments you’re carving out for yourself? And yes — AUTHORS — I’d especially love to hear what’s beginning to take shape on your creative horizons.
If you haven’t already, you’re warmly invited to join two little corners of my bookish world:
Morgan’s Musings, my Facebook group where we share reading joys, creative thoughts, and everyday magic — and The Story Hearth, my ARC group, where early readers gather around the fire for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes updates, and story chat. Both are cosy, welcoming spaces, and there’s always room for another chair by the flames. 🔥📚
Wherever this month finds you, I hope February offers you warmth rather than hurry — time to breathe, to dream, and to let love (for stories, for creativity, for yourself) take up a little more space. May your days feel softer, your nights feel peaceful, and the weeks ahead unfold with kindness and possibility.
Thank you, as always, for being here. Your support truly means the world to me. Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates, and never hesitate to hit reply — whether to share news, ask a question, or simply say hello. 💌
Until next month, take care and happy reading! 💙
