Cover Launch: THE HONEY WITCH by Sydney J. Shields

In case you missed it, take your first look at the cover of The Honey Witch (US | UK) by Sydney J. Shields! You can pick up a copy in Summer 2024.

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. That is her curse to bear. But when a skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet debut novel of magic, hope, and love overcoming all.

Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So, when her grandmother whisks her away to her cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence comes with a price: no one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.

When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And, when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.

Cover launch: FATHOMFOLK by Eliza Chan

We are delighted to launch this gorgeous cover for Orbit debut Eliza Chan’s lush and folkloric fantasy novel, FATHOMFOLK! Coming February 2024…

The cover art is by Kelly Chong and cover design is by Ella Garrett at L,BBG.

This is the front cover for the novel Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan. It shows the author name and title, as well as two mermaids, a kelpie, a water dragon and crashing blue waves over an ornate, red building

Welcome to Tiankawi. Revolution is brewing and tensions are rising like the tide…

The semi-flooded city is a shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears. But in Tiankawi, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk – sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas – who live in the polluted waters below.

For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust of her human colleagues wasn’t hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon and fathomfolk royalty, is exiled to the city. When extremists sabotage the annual boat race, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.

Cover Launch: A FEATHER SO BLACK (UK)

Feast your eyes on the UK cover of A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene, a sizzling fantasy romance inspired by Celtic mythology, coming in early 2024.

book cover of UK edition of A Feather so Black by Lyra Selene. An ornate dagger with swans carved into the hilt, surrounded by a Celtic circle design and flowers, with a blue, green and dusky pink background
Designed by Tim Byrne

Set in a world of perilous magic, crumbling castles and moonlit forests, A Feather So Black spins the seductive tale of a changeling princess, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family.

In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen’s daughter and locked the gates to the Otherworld. The Queen treats Fia as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the true princess Eala is bound to Otherworld, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.

When a hidden gate to Otherworld is discovered, Fia is tasked by the High Queen to retrieve Eala and break her curse. But she doesn’t go alone: with her is prince Rogan, Eala’s betrothed and Fia’s childhood best friend.

As the two journey into a world where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince. . . and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has.

You can pre-order A Feather So Black now, and you can follow Lyra on Twitter @LyraSelene

Acquisition Announcement: THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig took the fantasy world by storm with her gorgeous, glittering dark gem of a debut: One Dark Window. So, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ll be publishing not one, not two, but three new books from her! First up is a brand new duology starting with The Knight and the Moth—a romantic, twisting fantasy tale of entwined fates and dark omens.

 

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. She sleeps, and dreams of seven unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

But just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral, and Sybil dreams of a moth—the death Omen. Then, one by one, the Diviners begin to vanish.

To find them, Sybil enlists the knight’s help. But the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. The seven Omens are not merely figures that visit her wakeless mind—they are real. Ancient, sorcerous, and cunning, Sybil must face each of them to recover the lost Diviners. And the knight, with whom she has become inextricably entangled, may be one of them.

 

Following that we’ll be publishing Rachel’s very first fantasy rom-com! A warm, whimsical tale of a woman cursed with bad luck who strikes up a deal with a trickster from an enchanted realm—Bad Luck incarnate himself!

Keep an eye out for The Knight and the Moth in Spring 2025, but in the meantime, read One Dark Window (US | UK) and make sure to pre-order the sequel Two Twisted Crowns (US | UK). Or visit Rachel Gillig at her website.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Praise for The Shepherd King duology:

“Thick fog, shifting alliances, and clever magic make the perfect backdrop for a sweeping romance—One Dark Window is enthralling from beginning to shocking end.” —Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

“One Dark Window is an evocative tale of romance, mystery and alluring monsters, told in beautifully lush prose. Rachel Gillig has created a story which left me entranced.” —Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

“[T]he steamy romance that emerges between Elspeth and Ravyn delights. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Naomi Novak, and Hannah Whitten will want to check this out.” —Publishers Weekly

“An enchanting tale with sharp claws and teeth—Gillig’s prose will pull you in and won’t let you sleep. Pulse-pounding, darkly whimsical, and aglow with treacherous magic, One Dark Window is everything I love in fantasy and more.” —Allison Saft, author of A Far Wilder Magic

“A beautifully dark fairy tale of blood, rage and bitter choice, that whisked me away to mist-wreathed woods ripe with romance and menace.” —Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer

“A finely detailed magical system enriches Gillig’s debut; fantasy readers will enjoy.” —Library Journal

“Readers will be enthralled with Elspeth’s—and Nightmare’s—riveting adventure.” —Booklist

Cover Launch: THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A HUMAN by Kimberly Lemming

Take a look at the new cover for the third book in the Mead Mishaps series, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human (US)! You can pick up a copy in March 2024. Scroll down to learn more about That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human (US) and the rest of the Mead Mishaps series. Originally self-published, these fantasy romance novels full of handsome demons, dragons, and shapeshifters, irreverent heroines, capital-“S”-spice, and laugh out loud humor are perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and Katee Robert.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

Cover Design by Alexia Mazis; Cover Illustration by Mike Pape

When a spirited young woman with a penchant for adventure finds herself locked away in a dragon’s tower, she realizes that fate has a peculiar sense of humor when it comes to her romantic prospects in this laugh-out-loud fantasy rom-com, perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The Dragon’s Bride.

All children are told fairytales. Some are epic adventures with high stakes and exciting twists but others are tales of pitiful princesses trapped in boring towers pining for their Prince Charmings to come and rescue them. But one young woman always hated those stories. Why didn’t they get up and rescue themselves? Little did she know that her own fate would take a similarly ironic turn. Because now, here she is. Stuck. In a tower. Turns out, when a dragon holds you hostage, he doesn’t just let you get up and leave.

Who knew?

And just when she thinks she sees hope on the horizon, that hope is smashed to bits by—you guessed it—another damn dragon.

 

The Mead Mishaps series consists of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (US), That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (US), and That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human (US), and all three sweet, steamy tales are now available for purchase as e-books, with the paperback editions soon to come in Winter 2024.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

Meanwhile, say hi to Kimberly on TikTok and find out more on her website!

Acquisition Announcement: TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli

Orbit is delighted to announce that we’ve acquired TikTok fantasy romance sensation Trial of the Sun Queen and the subsequent three books in the Artefacts of Ouranos series by Nisha J. Tuli. A Court of Thorns and Roses meets The Bachelor with a sumptuous enemies to lovers romance, these books are deliciously bingeable romantasy.

Book cover of Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli. A bronze and gold background with the type nestled by a golden mirror, glowing pendant necklace and a masquerade mask. Book cover of Rule of the Aurora King. A forest green background with the title in the centre, surrounded by a torch with purple flames, crowns and a glowing purple pendant necklace

Joelle Dieu at Hachette Book Group USA sold UK and Commonwealth rights to Commissioning editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK, with plans to publish simultaneously with Forever. The ebooks in the first two books, Trial of the Sun Queen and Rule of the Aurora King are published today with paperbacks to follow in October this year. Fans eagerly awaiting Fate of the Sun King won’t need to wait long, as it will be publishing in Summer 2024.

Author photo of Nisha J. Tuli, sitting on a leather couch and smiling, wearing a black top

Please welcome Nisha to Orbit! You can follow her on Twitter @NishaJT and via her website.

Cover Launch: SONG OF THE HUNTRESS by Lucy Holland

Take your first look at the cover of Song of the Huntress (US) by Lucy Holland! You can pick up a copy in Winter 2024. Scroll down to learn more about this new standalone novel!

Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

The acclaimed author of Sistersong (US) transforms the story of Herla and the Wild Hunt into a rich, feminist fantasy in this stunning tale of two great warriors, a war-torn land, and an ancient magic that is slowly awakening.

Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, land and her people from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the king of the Otherworld. But years pass unheeded in his realm, and she escapes to find everyone she loved long dead. Cursed to wield his blade, she becomes Lord of the Hunt. And for centuries, she rides, leading her immortal warriors known and reaping wanderers’ souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield—a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes.

Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter. But when she leads her forces to disaster in battle, her husband’s court turns against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. His own brother seeks to usurp him. And their only hope is the magic in Ine’s bloodline that’s lain dormant since ancient days.

The moment she and Æthel meet, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. The dead kings are waking. The Otherworld seeks to rise, to bring the people of Britain under its dominion. And as Herla and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity—and a way to break the curse—before it’s too late.

Cover Launch: THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND YEETED A LOVE POTION AT A WEREWOLF by Kimberly Lemming

Take a look at the new cover for the second book in the Mead Mishaps series, That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (US)! You can pick up a copy in February 2024. Scroll down to learn more about That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (US) and the rest of the Mead Mishaps series. Originally self-published, these fantasy romance novels full of handsome demons, dragons, and shapeshifters, irreverent heroines, capital-“S”-spice, and laugh out loud humor are perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and Katee Robert.

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

Cover Design by Alexia Mazis; Cover Illustration by Mike Pape

Cheesemaker Brie has the worst luck in love, which is how she ends up falling for a lactose intolerant werewolf, in this raunchy, laugh-out-loud rom-com fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The Dragon’s Bride. 

Brie’s never been particularly coordinated… or lucky. Who else would accidentally throw a drink at someone’s head only to miss entirely and hit a stranger behind them? And who else would have that stranger fall madly in love with them because it turned out that the drink she threw was a love potion? Yeah, probably just Brie…

Running her cheese business and dealing with a pirate ship full of demons that just moved into town was hard enough. Now on top of it, she has to convince a werewolf that she’s not really his fated mate. Easier said than done.

Though, even she’s got to admit… having a gorgeous man show up and do all of her chores while telling her she’s beautiful isn’t the worst thing to happen to a girl.

 

The Mead Mishaps series consists of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (US), That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (US), and That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human (US), and all three sweet, steamy tales are now available for purchase as e-books, with the paperback editions soon to come in Winter 2024.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

Meanwhile, say hi to Kimberly on TikTok and find out more on her website!

Acquisition Announcement: New S.T. Gibson series

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a new series from S.T. Gibson, author of the cult Sunday Times bestseller A Dowry of Blood and the upcoming dark academia romance An Education in Malice. Her new trilogy is Wuthering Heights meets The Cruel Prince, a luscious fantasy romance set in the Scottish Highlands featuring fairy bargains, crumbling old mansions and multiple steamy romances.

Tara Gilbert at KT Literary sold World English rights in the new trilogy to Nadia Saward, Commissioning Editor at Orbit UK, in a six-figure deal. Executive Editor Brit Hvide has acquired for Orbit US and publication is planned for 2025.

A photo of S.T. Gibson in a floral dress, standing near some gothic ruins

We can’t wait to share Saint’s new series with readers in 2025, but in the meantime you can follow Saint on Twitter @s_t_gibson, on Instagram @stgibsonauthor.

Cover Launch: THE FRACTURED DARK by Megan E. O’Keefe

Take your first look at the cover of The Fractured Dark (US | UK) by Megan E. O’Keefe! If you enjoyed The Blighted Stars (US | UK) earlier this year, you won’t have to wait long until the release of The Fractured Dark. Pick up a copy in September 2023!

The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O'Keefe (The Devoured Worlds #2)

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Jamie Jones

Dying planets, dangerous conspiracies, and secret romance abound in the second installment of the Devoured Worlds trilogy by award-winning author Megan E. O’Keefe.

Naira and Tarquin have escaped vicious counter-revolutionaries, misprinted monsters, and the pull of a dying planet. Now, bound together to find the truth behind the blight that has been killing habitable planets, they need to hunt out the Mercator family secrets. But, when the head of Mercator disappears, taking the universe’s remaining supply of starship fuel with him, chaos breaks loose between the ruling families. Naira’s revolution must be put aside for the sake of humanity’s immediate survival.

The Devoured Worlds
The Blighted Stars (US | UK)
The Fractured Dark
(US | UK)

More from Megan E. O’Keefe
Velocity Weapon (US | UK)
Chaos Vector
(US | UK)
Catalyst Gate (US | UK)
The First Omega (US | UK)