Category: For Readers

Indigo Wings Review: Why This Romantasy is Giant yes from me

A spoiler-free review of Indigo Wings by A Gordon—a spicy, romantasy with a fairy tale retelling twist.

Before we jump into today's review, a quick note about how I rate books. You'll only ever find four- and five-star reads on my blog. If a book lands at three stars or below, there's a good chance I didn't finish it, and I personally don't enjoy publicly posting low-rated reviews. Reading is subjective, and I'd rather spend my time talking about books I genuinely enjoyed. And Indigo Wings by A Gordon is a giant 5 out of 5 stars from me. 

This is an Urban Romantasy book that completely swept me off my feet and earned a permanent spot on my favorites shelf: Indigo Wings by A. Gordon. If you’re on the hunt for a lush world to lose yourself in, high stakes, and dynamic leads with unforgettable chemistry, you are going to want to add this to your TBR immediately. Here is my full review!

Indigo Wings (Romancing the Giants)Indigo Wings by A. Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Indigo Wings is a 5-star masterpiece! While you technically can read it as a standalone—don't! Go read Book One (Crimson Jewel) first; I promise you will have zero regrets.

​This is pure Romantasy at its absolute finest. If you love feisty heroines and possessive alpha heroes, this book was written for you. The world-building is so breathtakingly immersive that it makes you want to pack your bags, find the hidden realm of the giants, and leave this world behind forever.

​One of my favorite things about this series so far is how effortlessly A. Gordon writes from a male point of view. The MMC comes across as strong and authentic without ever feeling sappy.

​Honestly, there is nothing lacking in this book... except for the next installment in the series, because I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

View all my reviews

If you couldn't tell already, Indigo Wings gets a massive recommendation from me! A. Gordon continues to raise the bar for the Romantasy genre, delivering an immersive escape filled with unforgettable characters and incredible world-building.

Have you picked up Crimson Jewel or Indigo Wings yet? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!

Petals and Poison: A Steamy Romantasy Novella with Fae Magic, Fake Dating, and Dangerous Desire

Petals and Poison: A Steamy Romantasy Novella with Fae Magic, Fake Dating, and Dangerous Desire

If you love steamy romantasy, fae magic, insta-connection, and a touch of danger, then my upcoming novella Petals and Poison might be your next obsession.

Set in the same world as the Frostborne Legacy, this story is a standalone urban fantasy romance with no direct connection to Frostbird Reborn or the upcoming sequel Frostbird Awaken (coming around Halloween).

That said… keep an eye out. These characters may appear again in future stories 👀

This novella was written as a palette cleanser—something short, sweet, and spicy for readers waiting for the next full-length book in the series.

And yes… it absolutely brings the heat.

🌸 What is Petals and Poison About?

Rosilina runs the most enchanting flower shop in Boston—and everyone who meets her falls a little bit in love.

They can’t help it.

As a Cupidiso pixie, Rosie’s magic pulls at hearts, creating instant connection and desire. But when that magic spirals into obsession, admiration turns dangerous—and a stalker begins closing in.

Desperate to fix the imbalance her magic has caused, Rosie seeks help from the one man who shouldn’t exist.

Rowan Hale—a private investigator completely immune to magic.

Including hers.

He can’t be enchanted. Can’t be compelled. Can’t be controlled.

And yet… he’s drawn to her anyway.

What starts as a case quickly turns into something far more complicated—because for the first time in Rosie’s life, the feelings growing between them might actually be real.

🔥 What You Can Expect

Petals and Poison is perfect for readers who love:

  • Steamy romantasy / adult fantasy romance
  • Paranormal romance with fae and magical creatures
  • Urban fantasy romance (modern Boston setting)
  • Fake dating → real feelings
  • Forced proximity
  • Grumpy, magic-proof detective
  • Soft but powerful pixie heroine
  • High tension, danger, and a protective hero
  • A short, addictive read (approx. 25k words)

This is a spicy adult novella blending romance, magic, and suspense—with emotional depth and undeniable chemistry.

🌙 Where It Fits in the Frostborne Legacy

While Petals and Poison is a standalone romantasy novella, it exists within the wider Frostborne Legacy universe.

  • 📖 Frostbird Reborn — Available now
  • 🌸 Petals and Poison — Coming soon
  • 🎃 Frostbird Awaken — Releasing around Halloween

If you’ve already read Frostbird Reborn, you may recognize elements of the world—and possibly spot a few hidden connections.

If you haven’t, this is a perfect entry point into a world of fae magic, romance, and danger.

💌 Preorder Now

Petals and Poison is available for preorder on Amazon and will be free to read on Kindle Unlimited at launch.

Releasing end of May.

Make sure to subscribe and follow me on social media for updates, artwork, and exclusive sneak peeks.

Because sometimes love is magic…

And sometimes, it’s poison.

Frostbird Reborn Book Launch: A Dark Fae Romantasy of Phoenix Fire, Prophecy, and Enemies to Lovers

Frostbird Reborn is a dark fae romantasy featuring phoenix rulers, enemies to lovers tension, and a prophecy twist. Read in KU with bonus story.

Frostbird Reborn is officially live.

If you’ve been searching for a dark fae romantasy with enemies-to-lovers tension, immortal phoenix rulers, divided courts, and a prophecy that isn’t what it seems — this is your next read.

This is Book One in The Phoenix Reborn trilogy: a new adult fantasy romance filled with political manipulation, slow-burn heat, betrayal, and a heroine who refuses to remain broken.

❄️ Enter the world of frost and fire here:

Frostborne.kal-locksley.com

What Is Frostbird Reborn About?

Lyra Vale has died before.

In another life, she was Isolde Frostborne — a name the fae courts tried to erase.

Now the prophecy whispers that the Frost Bird has returned.

One phoenix ruler believes she will unite the realms.


One believes she must destroy the dark.


Neither knows the full truth.

As memories resurface and ancient power awakens, Lyra is forced to decide who she is — and who she is willing to burn for.

If you love:

  • Fae court politics
  • Morally grey immortal love interests
  • Reincarnation and hidden past lives
  • Prophecy-driven fantasy romance
  • Touch her and die vibes
  • Addult romantasy with rising spice

The Frostbird Reborn was written for you.

The Kindle Unlimited edition of Frostbird Reborn includes an exclusive short story introducing characters who will play a major role in Book Three.

You won’t meet them fully yet.

But the seeds are planted here.

If you’re reading in KU, you’re getting early access to threads that will matter later in the trilogy.

🔥 Start reading in Kindle Unlimited or choose your preferred retailer here:

Frostborne.kal-locksley.com

Social proof matters — and early reviews are already highlighting the tension, emotional stakes, and slow-burn chemistry at the heart of this story. If you’ve read Frostbird Reborn, leaving a short review on Goodreads or Amazon helps more than you know. Word of mouth remains the most powerful force in book marketing.

Kiss me like you Hate Me

Kiss Me Like You Hate Me: An Enemies-to-Lovers Forbidden Romance (The Angelica Crane Series Book 1)Kiss Me Like You Hate Me: An Enemies-to-Lovers Forbidden Romance by Rue Wilde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kiss Me Like You Hate Me by Rue Wilde delivers exactly what it promises: heat, tension, and that delicious enemies-to-lovers burn we all secretly live for.
Rue starts off engaged to a much older man — her father’s best friend, no less — and the dynamic is uncomfortable in all the ways it’s meant to be. Enter Tristan Thompson: British, brooding, emotionally unavailable, and hired as her bodyguard. From their very first interaction, the tension is sharp enough to cut glass.
I’ll admit, the FMC came across as a little petulant at times. But honestly? I sort of got it. She’s trapped, controlled, and desperate for autonomy — and that frustration bleeds into her personality. It made her feel flawed rather than flat.
Was the suspense arc a teeny bit predictable? Maybe. But that’s not really why you’re here. You’re here for the romance — the heated banter, the reluctant longing, the “I shouldn’t want you but I do” moments — and this book absolutely delivers on that front. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

If you love:
Enemies-to-lovers
Forbidden romance
Broody British bodyguards
Possessive tension
Swoony, emotionally charged moments
Then this one will hit the spot.

View all my reviews

Why We Crave Dark Fantasy Romance When Real Life Feels Heavy

Somewhere between answering emails and pretending to care about meetings, a familiar thought creeps in: I want to be anywhere but here. When real life feels heavy, readers don’t just want escape — they want stories where survival leads to power, love is dangerous, and becoming someone stronger feels possible.

The first working day of the year always arrives with a certain… betrayal. Your coffee doesn’t hit quite right. Your inbox is already full. The version of you who was going to wake up refreshed, motivated, and glowing with purpose is suspiciously missing. Instead, it’s just you, a little tired, already counting down to the weekend.

And somewhere between opening emails and pretending to care about meetings, a familiar thought creeps in: I want to be anywhere but here.

That’s usually when readers reach for fantasy — amoungst others, fantasy romance. Not because it’s an easy escape. But because it understands.

Why Fantasy Romance Feels Comforting When Life Is Overwhelming

When life feels heavy, readers don’t just want distraction. We want stories that meet us where we are.

Fantasy romance acknowledges: That things aren’t always neat or fair That power often comes through pain. That love can be complicated, dangerous, and still worth choosing .

These stories don’t gloss over struggle. They transform it into something meaningful.

Escapism vs Transformation: What Readers Really Want From Romantasy

There’s a difference between escaping reality and being changed by a story.

Romantasy offers transformation, not avoidance:

- A heroine who starts broken, powerless, or underestimated

- A world that demands strength she doesn’t yet believe she has

-Love that challenges her rather than rescues her

Readers aren’t just watching her journey. They’re living it — and that makes all the difference.

The Appeal of Romance in Fantasy Worlds

Romance works because it refuses to be safe.
In fantasy worlds, desire can be:
- Forbidden

- Politically dangerous

- Tied to prophecy or power

- Capable of saving or destroying everything

That intensity mirrors real emotions — just magnified through magic, danger, and fate. When real life feels muted or exhausting, readers crave stories that burn brighter.

Strong Female Leads in Romantasy: Why We Love Imperfect Heroines

Romantasy heroines aren’t designed to be likable to everyone.

They’re allowed to be:

- Angry

- Selfish

- Afraid

- Weak

-Ruthless when necessary

They don’t exist to soften the world. They exist to survive it — and eventually, reshape it. For many readers, that’s not just entertaining. It’s deeply validating.

Why Fantasy Romance Is So Popular Right Now

  • As a genre, romantasy thrives during uncertain times.

Readers are drawn to stories that explore: 

- Identity and rebirth

- Power taken rather than granted

- Love that doesn’t erase independence

- Choice in the face of destiny

These themes resonate when people are quietly questioning who they are — and who they’re allowed to become.

Where Frostbird Reborn Fits Into the Romantasy Genre

Frostbird Reborn is written for readers who love:

- Dark fantasy Fae worlds rich with magic and danger

- Romance built on tension, history, and choice

- Prophecy that isn’t what it seems

- A heroine who rises not because she’s chosen — but because she refuses to fall

At its heart, it’s a story of rebirth. Not the gentle kind — but the kind that reshapes you completely.

Looking for a Dark Paranormal Romantasy Read This Year?

If this year already feels heavier than expected, you’re not alone. Sometimes the best way forward is through a story where survival is only the beginning — and power, love, and destiny are claimed rather than gifted.

Frostbird Reborn releases March 3 and is perfect for readers who crave dark fantasy romance with emotional depth, fierce heroines, and dangerous love.

Enter a world of prophecy, power, and peril. Frostbird Reborn — coming March 3.

The Many Flavors of Romantasy Love Interests

Who makes your heart race—the gentle, loyal soul who’d move mountains for you, or the brooding, dangerous type you know you shouldn’t trust but can’t resist? In Frostbird Reborn, our heroine faces both: a Cinnamon Roll Fae Lord who melts your heart with every word, and a Shadow Daddy Fae Lord whose darkness and power leave you breathless. Which one would you choose?

Which MC Wins Your Heart?

One of the best things about romantasy is the sheer variety of love interests we get to swoon over. Each brings their own flavor of danger, charm, or chaos to the story—and honestly, part of the fun is debating which type makes your heart flutter the most.


If you’ve been following along with my writing journey, you might know that Frostbird Reborn (currently in its Beta reading phase!) introduces not one, but two very different Fae Lords vying for our heroine’s attention. And yes—they are as captivating and contradictory as you’d imagine.

Here’s a breakdown of the usual suspects you’ll run into while falling in love between pages.

🥐 The Cinnamon Roll Fae Lord

Sweet, soft, loyal to the bone. The Cinnamon Roll is sunshine wrapped in human form, always ready with a smile or gentle word. They’ll bring you soup when you’re sick, carry your books without asking, and probably die protecting you—because that’s just who they are.

Pros: Pure-hearted, endlessly supportive, heart eyes forever.

Cons: Sometimes overshadowed by flashier love interests.

In Frostbird Reborn, one of my Fae Lords fits this mold perfectly. He’s warm-hearted, protective in a quiet, steadfast way, and full of gestures that make your chest tighten with affection.

🌑 The Shadow Daddy

Brooding. Dangerous. Mysterious past. Probably wears black 98% of the time. The Shadow Daddy is the one you know you shouldn’t trust, but can’t stop gravitating toward. He lurks in the dark corners, whispers things that make your knees weak, and inevitably reveals a soft underbelly only you get to see.

Pros: Smoldering, protective, gives "touch her and die" energy.

Cons: Might need therapy more than a girlfriend.

In Frostbird Reborn, his power is intimidating, but it comes with a complexity that makes him irresistible. When he chooses to protect or love, it’s all-consuming and unforgettable.

🐺 The Alpha

Commanding. Fierce. Protective to a fault. The Alpha thrives on responsibility and strength, whether he’s a fae lord, warrior, or pack leader. He takes charge, makes the hard calls, and will move heaven and earth to keep you safe.

Pros: Dependable, strong, unshakably loyal.

Cons: Sometimes veers into overbearing territory.


🪄 The Trickster

Witty. Charming. Mischief follows him like a shadow. He’ll tease you endlessly, but it’s all to hide the fact that he’d burn the world for you. Tricksters love banter, love games, and love keeping you on your toes.

Pros: Banter king, makes you laugh, endlessly clever.

Cons: You’ll never quite know when he’s serious.

📚 The Scholar

Sharp mind, quiet strength. He’s the one buried in books, runes, or spells, but when push comes to shove, he’ll stand in front of you with a blade he hasn’t touched in years and surprise everyone. The Scholar is proof that brains and heart make for an irresistible package.

Pros: Thoughtful, gentle, underrated power.

Cons: May forget to eat while researching for 12 hours.


🔥 The Warrior with a Soft Heart

Scarred, battle-worn, and dangerous on the field—but put a kitten in his arms and he melts. This love interest is all grit and steel in public, but behind closed doors, his tenderness will break you in the best way.

Pros: Protective, strong, secretly a softie.

Cons: Often broody, can get a little “woe is me.”

👑 The Untouchable Royal

Cold. Powerful. Distant. This is the love interest who was never supposed to love you, but against all odds—he does. Whether he’s a fae prince, cursed king, or immortal ruler, when he chooses you, he chooses you forever.

Pros: Once in, you’re the only one who matters.

Cons: Comes with crowns, politics, and assassins.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re Team Cinnamon Roll, Team Shadow Daddy, or Team "Why choose when you can have both?"—romantasy thrives on the love interests that make our hearts race.


✨ So tell me, reader: Which archetype is your kryptonite?

And which Fae Lord would you choose if you could step into Lyra’s shoes?


Romantasy Books With Morally Grey Love Interests You’ll Fall For (and Maybe Regret)

There’s just something about a fantasy love interest who walks the knife’s edge between salvation and destruction. The one who could kiss you breathless or burn your kingdom down. The one who swears he’ll protect you—unless you get in his way. If you're like me, morally grey love interests are your ultimate romantasy weakness. Maybe it started with Rhysand. Or the Darkling. Or that brooding vampire who only drinks bad guys’ blood (except when he's tempted by yours). Either way, this post is for you: a roundup of the fantasy bad boys we shouldn’t love—but can’t help obsessing over.

🖤 What Makes a Morally Grey Love Interest So Addictive?

It’s the tension. The danger. The delicious uncertainty.


These characters aren’t cookie-cutter heroes. They’re kings, rebels, monsters, and mercenaries—sometimes all at once. They challenge the heroine, test her strength, and (if we're lucky) reveal just enough vulnerability to keep us guessing.


They may not be good. But they’re never boring.

💬 Why We Love Them Anyway

Maybe it's the way they almost do the right thing. The way they protect her when no one else will. Or maybe it's just the tension—how every glance feels like it could lead to a kiss or a war.


Romantasy is full of beautiful monsters. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

💀 Books Featuring Morally Grey Romantasy Men We Can’t Resist

🔥 Expect spice, prophecy, a love triangle that hurts, and an MMC who makes you question all your standards.

🖤 Your Turn: Who’s Your Favorite Morally Grey Romantasy Hero?

Drop your faves in the comments—or tell me which morally grey fantasy men have completely ruined your standards. (It’s fine. We’re in this together.)

#TeamDarkPrinceForever

💌 Love morally grey love interests, steamy fae romance, and fantasy worlds that cut deep?

Subscribe to my mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks, bonus content, and early access to upcoming releases—including my latest project, the Dream Bound Duology, where dreams blur into prophecy, and enemies become lovers in dangerously magical ways.


👉 Click here to join the list and never miss a drop of fantasy fire.