Including stories from Award-Winning, New York Times, and USA Today Bestselling AuthorsThe autumnal equinox is a celestial event that brings together harvest and celebration, symbolizes magick and transformation, and welcomes a balance of light and darkness. It’s a time when those who honor the changing seasons rest and reflect.Or reap what they’ve sown.Once Upon an Enchanted Forest, a collection … reflect.
Or reap what they’ve sown.
Once Upon an Enchanted Forest, a collection of adult fantasy romances, features ten novelettes centered around one of the most enchanting preternatural beings of the ages: the witch. With lovers, magical forests, and witchcraft, our stories are sure to warm your nights and your dark little heart.
About our collection:
In the aftermath of a deadly Harvest Moon festival, the valley’s Witch Collector and a voiceless diviner venture into Frostwater Wood—a forest transformed into a dangerous, ever-changing maze—in hopes of saving their king from certain death.
Desperate to escape her village, cobbler Rhianne braves the enchanted wood to find the Witch and her matchmaking loom. But when the loom weaves her a highborn match, the Witch flies into a rage that will set Rhianne’s fate on fire.
After a drunken man falsely claims his daughter can spin straw into gold, a peasant woman—accused of witchcraft and facing death at the hands of the Mad King—must manage the impossible with no more than a wooden spindle and a prayer—and perhaps the aid of a dashing Fae she never saw coming.
In a place called Wolfswood, Rosaline, a talented hunter, must face cursed and deadly creatures on the night of the autumnal equinox if she’s to save her people—and the woman she loves.
When a wounded sorcerer infiltrates the boundary protecting her home, Thalia, Queen of the Dryads, must choose whether to trust this foreigner who’s quickly claiming her heart or uproot the seeds of affection growing between them and send him away.
After a fatal accident places a village in grave danger, Yula, a young woman with unpredictable magick, is guided by a handsome knight on her quest to find the only person who can help her—the legendary and evil Dark Queen.
In a time of war, a witch possessing healing powers, is tasked with saving the life of her wounded king, all while trying not to lose her heart to his brutish right-hand man.
A young man struggling with his own identity journeys to a modern-day witch living in a lonely forest garden, and is presented with an unexpected connection and a tantalizing choice.
In an enchanted garden deep in the heart of London, the elven scout Tarah guards the portal to her realm, a boring task after so many centuries. But when a dragon awakens in the countryside, searching for his stolen hoard, life becomes anything but mundane—especially when the dragon decides that Tarah might be the greatest treasure of all.
This anthology also includes a new story from the brilliant Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters Trilogy and many other historical fantasy novels, including Beautiful, an Audible Exclusive, and her coming release, The Harp of Kings.
Now, sit back and let us tell you a tale. Welcome to The Enchanted Forest.
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I have not had much time to read this entire anthology, but I wanted to say that I really enjoyed The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks. Folk tales may only be part truth, and Raina found this out the hard way. Her connection to the Witch Collector/Alexus was instanteous, and for the most part, her trust in him was also strong. With death and destruction all around, these two found their strength together and love. I look forward to reading more in this anthology as well as the next story in this series by Charissa Weaks.
I received a copy of this anthology as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
Enchanted Forest Anthology
An enchanting collection of stories full of magic, mayhem and heart filled romance. I throughly enjoyed each story and highly recommend this set! A must read for fantasy romance lovers!
Wolfswood
An interesting tale of a haunted forest, a long lost romance and old gods.
Matchweaver’s Loom
Feisty and fun! A great fantasy tale with match making, witches and fae.
The Witch Collector
Absolutely loved! I really enjoyed the concept and the world. So excited to see where the story goes!
Balance
A nice little story about finding romance and love in unexpected places.
In Wraithwood
A sorrowful tale full of dead and new beginnings.
For Aeturnum
A wondrous tale of dryads, mischief and magic.
The Witch and the Warrior
Loved it! Feisty and fierce. I enjoyed the push and pull between the characters it was an entertaining read.
The Sentinels
A sweet love story between a dragon sentinel and elf guardian.
Knight of the Dark Queen
Another fantastic story! I enjoyed this dark fantasy romance between a Dark Queen’s knight and a powerful Mage.
The Mad Kong’s Gold
A fun mischievous tale of greed, power, magic and romance.
Once Upon an Enchanted Forest is really a perfect anthology for those who love romantic witchcraft stories. I’m counted in that number so for me this set is catnip. I’ve read about 2/3 of them so far and each has been well written, with a great plot and cast. If I had to pick out one fave it would be Rhianne and Werian’s tale in Alisha Klapheke’s The Matchweaver’s Loom, as the characters (witch included) are just so perfectly crafted and the story is totally fun. Really though, so far at least, you cannot go wrong with this anthology and based on the tales I’ve already read it’s easy to highly recommend.
A fantastic gathering of fables and tales that will transport you to dark woods, confining castles, and into a world of magic and danger. The stories have a darker, more grim feel to them while also reminding me of Beowolf and Grim Fairy Tales. They are well-written and easily captured my attention, pulling me into the stories almost immediately. This collection is definitely worth a read and I’ve also found a new to me author because of my love for their story and writing style!
The Mad King’s Gold- Emma Hamm
What an incredible take on Rumpelstiltskin! Hamm’s writing is beautiful and flows well breathing life and depth into the story. I loved the subtle complexities of Iona in that she’s fearful but strong and brave, even in the face of death. Declan was an amazing complement to Iona’s character while remaining strong in his own right. With a touch of Midas vibes, Hamm wove a spell-binding tale that kept me captivated until the last page.
The Matchweaver’s Loom- Alisha Klapheke
An awe-inspiring, wonderous story with all the epicness of the classics! It has the high-caliber writing and lush worlds I’ve come to expect from Klapheke paired with a strong-willed, independent, and confident female lead that has left me with a craving for more NOW! Matchweaver was overflowing with legend and lore, well-honed to capture readers and entrance them in the magic of Rhianne’s tale. I loved the witch’s snark and Werian was completely swoonworthy. It ended way before I was ready and I hope the author has more planned for this story in the future.
At the time of this review, I have read two of the stories and am halfway through a third. I will update my review as I complete more individual stories within the set.