J. Penner

I am more than capable of being evil today. I think… Iris Weyward wants to be bad. Truly bad. Terrifyingly, gloriously villainous. But after helping her sisters unleash a spell to throw the realm into chaos, Iris is left feeling strangely empty—and still not the villain of her dreams. So, she sets off for the quiet town of Fraywell to build her wicked legacy alone. Things start promisingly: a crooked little cottage, a reputation for curses and potions, and a healthy dose of fear from the locals. But when her ogre bodyguard disappears, Iris needs new muscle. Good thing a fearsome orc just toppled over in her yard. Naturally, she decides to reanimate him. It's a perfect solution. Only, Talon isn't the brooding warrior she was hoping for. He's gentle. He bakes. Worst of all, he's nice. But Iris can't possibly have a thing for her new employee. She's supposed to be the most wicked witch in town! While Iris struggles to turn Talon into the enforcer she deserves, her sisters arrive seeking help—their magic is fading, and the cause may be closer than any of them realize. The timing couldn't be worse, and falling for an orc wasn't supposed to be part of her villain era, but it might turn out to be the best spell she's ever cast…

From cold rivalry to hot cocoa and warm hearts Jez, a grumpy fennex, wants nothing to do with the winter games descending on Adenashire. She'd rather sleep through winter than deal with the snow, the noise, or the swarm of visitors in town. But a drunken boast lands her smack in the middle of the festivities and, even worse, fake dating her endlessly cheerful friend, Taenya, a woodland elf. Plagued by chronic fatigue and past heartbreak, Jez has long guarded her heart. Not to mention she has a secret she'd rather not share. Yet Taenya's warmth and patience begin to melt her icy exterior. Together, the two women tackle challenges?from ice sculpting to scavenger hunts?and their reluctant partnership becomes something deeper, built on laughter, trust, and a shared love of cozy corners and quiet moments. With the help of her quirky friend group and the magic of a town that thrives on togetherness, Jez begins to open up?not just to the festivities but to the possibility of healing, connection, and maybe even joy.

The second cosy fantasy book in J. Penner's heartwarming Adenashire series is a feel-good adventure towards self-discovery - and shows that spilling the tea has never been so cosy… *** People-pleasing sunshine dwarf Doli Butterbuckle is content with her simple tea magic and circle of friends. It's true that she might have once wanted more for herself and that she's never quite lived up to her family's expectations, but her life is just fine. That is until she inherits a dragon egg… As Doli grapples with her newfound responsibility, she turns to gargoyle librarian Sarson, an expert in dragon lore. The more time she spends in his library, the more she finds herself falling for the well-read newcomer. But dealing with her overbearing family, stopping a sinister plot she's uncovered, and handling a dragon that refuses to stay out of trouble means her hands are already full. Still, determined not to let anything stand her in way, Doli embarks on an adventure - with the help of her loyal friends and newfound love - revealing that embracing her true self is the most enchanting path of all. Escape to Adenashire for a whimsical, cosy fantasy where every steaming cup of tea holds the promise of inner strength. Tropes Cosy Fantasy Romantasy Mischievous Dragons Found Family Self-Discovery LGBTQ+

The first cosy fantasy book in J. Penner's heartwarming Adenashire series is a feel-good adventure towards self-discovery - and asks the delightful question of what happens when a human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off… *** She doesn't need to have magic in order to be magic. In the heart of Adenashire, where elvish enchantments and dwarven delights rule, human baker Arleta Starstone works twice as hard at perfecting her unique blend of baking with apothecary herbs. So, when her orc neighbour (and biggest fan) secretly enters her creations into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle, Arleta faces a dilemma. Being magicless, her participation in the competition could draw more scowls than smiles. And if Arleta wants to prove her talent and establish her culinary reputation, she'll need more than just her pastry craft to sweeten the odds. Though Arleta may not yet believe in herself, she makes her way to Langheim - with the help of a very attractive woodland elf - and competes. On this journey of mouthwatering pastries, self-discovery, heartwarming friendships and potential romance, Arleta will have to decide whether winning the Baking Battle is the true prize after all. But win or lose: her adventure is only beginning… Escape to Adenashire for a charming cosy fantasy where every twist is a treat and every turn a step closer to home. Tropes Cosy Fantasy Magical Bake-Off Found Family Self-Discovery A Dash of Romance The Adenashire Series: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons (COMING JUNE 2025) A Fellowship of Games & Fables (COMING SEPTEMBER 2025) A Fellowship of Curses & Cats (COMING NOVEMBER 2025)