“Most people don’t have a great whirlwind romance that’s an end all, be all. Or maybe they did, in the beginning, but for one reason or another it didn’t work out. But that doesn’t … that doesn’t make those relationships less important. A person’s first may not be their last, but that doesn’t take away from the impact of that first love.”

“Like a stepping stone,” Elochian says quietly, watching me.

“Right, yeah. That’s the bit I was working on last night. I don’t have all the pieces, just a vague idea. A character, kind of. I don’t know, I think we need more stories that focus on the big picture. The stepping stones, and the person they bring you to.”

Elochian smiles, then looks away. The movement hollows me out, and I have no idea why. When he looks back, there’s that safety guard. He’s still paying attention to me, but there’s … I don’t know, distance. He says, “I like it. I think you’re onto something.”

And then he changes everything. His fingers twitch, and his black painted nails trace against the back of my own fingers.

❄️🏳️‍🌈📚✨

Happy Cover Reveal Day!

Big thanks to Foxglove Faun who did a fantastic job bringing these guys to life.

Matsdotter and Adrastus is the second novel in the urban fantasy Adventures in Levena series, and releases on January 2nd, 2024.

Blurb:

Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it.

When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there’s much more to the human than meets the eye.

For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago.

Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own.

Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other.

If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them.

Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost.

Goodreads