J Megan Smith, Author at J. Megan Smith

Wedding Bells, Moonlight, and Magic

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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!

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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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5 Closed-Door Light Fantasy Romances you’ll love

Books, Uncategorized / J Megan Smith

Whimsy, Wonder & Love Without the Spice: Closed-Door Contemporary Fantasy Romances You’ll Adore

If you’ve ever longed for a love story wrapped in magic, humor, and just the right touch of emotion—without crossing into steamy territory—you’re in for a treat. Closed-door contemporary fantasy romances are coming into their own, and for good reason: they offer swoony romance, charming settings, and enchanting plots… all while keeping things cozy and PG.

Contemporary Fantasy/Paranormal Romances have a modern feel but with magic or a supernatural element to them. They often are humorous, the focus is often on the relationship, and, generally speaking, they tend to be lighter in feel. You get all the romantic elements, all the sighs and smiles and genuine emotion…without the shock of twenty pages of detailed intimacy.

They are truly enjoyable romances you wouldn’t hesitate to share with your daughter or a friend. The line between Fantasy and Paranormal can be blurry and several of these books exhibit both but all are fade-to-black romances.

Here are five books/authors you might want to check out!

1. A Dream of Magic & Across a Starlit Sea by J. Megan Smith

Vibe: Light, cozy, and magical with honorable hero’s & confident heroines

A Dream of Magic is the first in the Blackstar Guardian’s series. The heroine is searching for a cure for her father and stumbles across the man she’s literally seen in her dreams every night of her life. The story is low-stakes, has funny secondary characters, supportive family (both biological and found), an Alpha male hero, and a mystical island.

Across a Starlit Sea is number six in the BG series. This is all about the water with a lost magical artifact, family secrets, an enchanted island kingdom, and magic centered in water. The heroine is just looking forward to seeing the ocean for the first time but finds herself swept up in a light mystery while being charmed by a handsome rogue.

2. A Garden in the Rain by Lynn Kurland

Vibe: Time travel, Scottish highlands, heartfelt romance

This is one of my all time favorite authors! I have an entire shelf devoted to her books and this one I re-read frequently. Her stories are a staple for readers who love time-travel romance with a magical twist. In A Garden in the Rain, a modern-day heroine finds herself caught in a time-traveling love story set against the mists, myths, and castles of Scotland. After meeting the handsome hero in the present (though, he originally came from the past), she accidentally finds herself back in medieval Scotland and he comes to rescue her. Lynn has a talent for creating a connection between the couple that is slow and easy, yet so romantic with characters you wish you could meet.

3. Court of Midnight and Deception by K.M. Shea

Vibe: Fae politics, reluctant royalty, witty banter

This was my first taste of this author and I was hooked. This book has all three stories in the series so it’s complete (I don’t like cliffhangers, as a rule but if all three are out and the storyline is finished, I’m all in). It blends fae court intrigue with clean romance and a strong, snarky main character. The heroine is thrown into the world of the fae when she unknowingly becomes the Night Court Queen where she must rule people that look down on her as half-fae and navigate alliances with the other courts while figuring out a complicated relationship with a certain brooding, assassiny fae (who happens to be her marriage-in-name-only husband). It’s a fantasy full of clever world-building, sparkling romantic slow-burn tension and a lot of snarky, funny moments.

4. Between a Rock and a Haunted Place by Mandy M. Roth

Vibe: Paranormal fun, humor, small-town supernatural

I found this author in a Nocturne Falls anthology. It’s light, funny, full of quirky characters and takes place in several connected small towns that have a large population of supernaturals including witches, ghosts, werewolves-even a kraken. The town and it’s people act like a modern-day, quirky small town-they just happen to shapeshift or have magic. This book is an anthology (all her stories) and many of the characters interact over all of them. Each one is light fantasy romance that’s whimsical, flirty, and fun.

So there you have it! Five closed-door light contemporary fantasy/paranormal romances that you might, or might not, have heard of before but definitely should check out!