J Megan Smith, Author at J. Megan Smith

An Enchanting Yuletide

Leave a Comment / Holiday Books, The Oaken, Uncategorized / J Megan Smith

Two Souls hoping for forever…

Lady Serena Davenport knew her life would never be the same when she walked into Raice Waterstone’s office and found her soul reaching for the man across the desk. And, after meeting him secretly for months, knew her future was meant to be tied to his. Now, she just needed to convince her family…

Raice Waterstone had built a publishing empire by sheer grit and determination but had never been able to erase the secret desire hidden inside for a family of his own. Then Serena walked through his door and he knew that she was meant to be his-she was the family he ached for. But the Davenports were high Echelon and the odds that they’d allow one of their daughters to marry a man who’d grown up in the rookies was slim.

A plan to use some Christmas Magic…

Unwilling to let anything keep them apart, Serena comes up with a plan to convince her family and give Raice his first real Christmas by having her sister-in-law invite him to the Davenport family Christmas house party.

Now, amidst a family holiday filled with frosty air, sleigh bells, and over-protective brothers, they both hope that Christmas will work its magic and give them both what they want…a future together.

Light historical holiday fantasy romance with humor, heart, and a swirl of magic!

Closed-Door Romance

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October Eves

Uncategorized / J Megan Smith

Listen! The wind is rising and air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October Eves! -Humbert Wolfe

I love this poem. I read it every October and it just encapsulates the feeling of fall-crisp air, crunchy leaves, evenings spent curled up next to a crackling fire. It just feels magical. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of autumn where the light was golden and the air smelled like woodsmoke and decaying leaves. Unfortunately, you don’t get that in the desert where I currently live (it’s usually around 80 at Halloween) so I have to get that feeling by reading fall romances and pumpkin scented candles. I have a vintage Zebra regency romance book-A Bewitching Season-that I pull out every year and snuggle up on the couch with. And, I’ve been writing my own fall romances, which keeps me in the mood. Wherever you are, I hope you can find that fall magic in your own life and even if you’re wearing shorts, you can imagine it’s crisp and cool outside by turning the AC up and snuggling under a plaid blanket.

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Wedding Bells, Moonlight, and Magic

Moonspell Falls / J Megan Smith

Moonspell Falls…

Step into a town where the bakery goods are enchanted, you never know who-or what-your neighbor will turn out to be, magic floats through the air, and true love is found in the most unexpected of places.

A pair of matchmaking mothers

Grace Harrington was in the middle of a busy work season but when her mother asked her to help a friend’s son plan an event, she knew she couldn’t say no, even though she knew it was just another matchmaking attempt in disguise.

With no time for romance, she intended to just help out where she could but all that changed when her gaze met the man who sparked a soul-deep sense of recognition within her.

An unexpected connection

Callum Fairfax knew his mother was determined to see him happily married and giving her grandchildren to spoil but his busy life as a surgeon kept his dating life sparse. Plus, he’d never found a true connection to any of the women she threw in his path…until he opened his door and found Grace standing there.

With a last-minute wedding to plan for his brother, they decide to keep things professional between them. But as they spend every day together, he finds her continually in his thoughts, increasingly fascinated by everything about her.

The promise of what could be

As they spend their days tasting wedding cake and searching for the perfect venue, both find themselves wondering if their mothers were right this time and that they just might be a perfect match, after all.

Closed-Door Magical Small Town Fantasy Romance

Closed-Door Light Magical Small Town Fantasy Romance

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5 Historical Fantasy Romance Books You’ll Love!

Uncategorized / J Megan Smith

When I think of fantasy romance, a historical setting is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Flowing skirts, dragons, flying horses, castles, magic spells, and princes. There’s a lushness, a magical atmosphere that you just can’t get with a contemporary. This genre has several spin-offs that keep it fresh and exciting.

You can fall into a fantasy world with elves, dwarves and griffins in medieval-like settings that have echoes of Tolkien. Or you can be swept into a Victorian or Regency romance where aristocrats wield magic spells while whirling to a waltz in a ballroom. There are fairy-tale stories where authors create their own versions of Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Red Riding Hood. The possibilities are endless.

For me, these books are just…fun. Historicals let you imagine a world in the past where you get to marry the prince or overcome a seemingly impossible challenge-and it often happens with an enchanting swirl of magic. Let’s be honest…everything is better with magic.

I enjoy books that are lighter in nature, with likeable characters and a romance that makes me sigh happily without pages upon pages of minutely detailed love scenes. If an author can create a romance that lingers long after the book is closed and still keep it no spice-they’ve got a longtime fan in me. Hopefully, if you’re reading this, you feel the same.

So. In that vein, here are 5 of some of my favorite Closed Door Historical Fantasy Romance Books (in the interest of being completely open…two of them are mine…).

Beauty and the Beast by K.M. Shea

This is a Fairy Tale re-imagining of the classic tale. Since Beauty and the Beast is my favorite F.T, this is one of the first books I read of K.M. Shea's. It has the requisite beast, beauty, enchanted castle and a curse that needs to be broken but then the author takes those elements and twists them into an enjoyable, unique story that I thoroughly enjoyed. There's banter, some quirky characters and a slow-burn romance with some hiccups to make it interesting (such as the heroine having personal reasons to dislike the hero before he became the beast). Elle ends up trapped in the castle curtesy of a broken leg when she's spying on the castle, the prince is a royal general and there's a surprise reveal near the end that I thought was going in a different direction. This is book 1 in her Timeless Fairy Tale collection and she covers other Fairy Tales in other books, including a Free book 'the Princess and the Pea'.

The Rose & The Wand by E.J. Kitchens

This is another B&tB telling-but from the perspective of the Enchantress who curses the Beast. It sounded intriguing- but I have to tell you that I almost stopped reading after the first few chapters because I did not like the heroine at all. But, I kept going and I am so glad I did because this is a clever story about the growth and redemption of the Enchantress-who gives the beast the same challenge. It's a really unique take on the story and you come to like who she becomes while cheering on the hero who tries to help her during her journey. This one ended up on my keeper shelf and made me want to read more from this author.

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

Lynn is my favorite author. I have an entire shelf devoted to her books and frequently re-read them. This book is the first in her Nine Kingdom's series and I can't even tell you how many times I've read it-at least once a year since it came out over 10 years ago. The hero-Miach-is one of my absolutely favorite characters. He is just amazing. And Morgan is the perfect match for him-a woman who despises magic and thinks he's just a farmer (when he's actually the kingdom's archmage). Hilarity ensues. This book has a Tolkien feel but is lighter with a lot of gentle humor and there's a slow-burn romance weaved through the entire book. Lynn has a great talent for creating a romance that touches you, making you sigh and smile without the characters always thinking about falling into bed. I really haven't found another fantasy series like this anywhere else. She's really unique and I can't tell you how much I love her books.

These last two are mine….

Historical spinoffs of my contemporary Blackstar Guardians series, The Oaken takes place in a world with Victorian-era vibes. Within these pages you’ll find sweeping ballgowns, manor houses, searches for magical artifacts, and strong family/friend relationships…as well as a happily ever after at the end of each one.

One Enchanted Evening tells the story of two identical twin sisters who fall for identical twin brothers. Garnet and Jade are from a family of famous pirates while Archer and Lucas head Rowen, an organization dealing with all things magical which leads to conflicts that need to be resolved so the couples can have their forever.

The Magic of You is the story of Archer and Lucas’ sister, Cecily, who found her love as a child-but their family’s are enemies. When both families are invited to a country house party to try to work out their differences, Alastair tries to ensure that Cecily ends up as his by courting her while convincing her-and his-family that they should form a new alliance.

Both books are light-hearted, humorous and romantic.

So, that’s it! 5 historical fantasy romances I think you’ll love! Give them a try-you might find a new favorite book.

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