Book picks similar to
Beauty's Beast by Paulina Woods


fantasy
retellings
pirates
authors-female

Vasilisa


Julie Mathison - 2021
    It’s 1919, but in Edenfall, Pennsylvania, the Great War is not over -- not for Vasilisa, at least. Papa is presumed dead on the fields of Flanders, Mama is being courted by an absolute ogre, and now Babka, her beloved grandma, has had a bad spell. Or has she fallen under one? Only the Old Tales, the Russian fables Vasilisa was raised on, offer any comfort or counsel.But what if they are more than child's tales?Enter Ivan, who jumps a train for Edenfall at midnight and finds Vasilisa in a real fix. Old Rus is calling from across time and both worlds, and if they heed the call, they might both get what they want. It won’t be easy. Three witches, two children, one ogre – they’re outnumbered and outclassed. Baba Yaga and Old Koschei are after the same thing -- and each other -- and the children are caught in the crosshairs. Vasilisa has a secret weapon, in the humblest of guises, but will the meek truly inherit the earth? Or will the mighty prevail? One thing is certain: it’s a fairy tale of their own making, a tale whose happy ending is ever in doubt.

Rivers of London: Detective Stories #1


Ben Aaronovitch - 2017
    Four self-contained magical crimes, as recounted by Detective Peter Grant to his superiors, as he takes the sergeant’s exam. If you’ve ever wanted to try the mysterious world of Rivers of London, this is the perfect opportunity to get on board.

The Will and the Wilds


Charlie N. Holmberg - 2020
    When one tries to kill her to obtain an enchanted stone, Enna takes a huge risk: fighting back with a mysting of her own.Maekallus’s help isn’t free. His price? A kiss. One with the power to steal her soul. But their deal leaves Maekallus bound to the mortal realm, which begins eating him alive. Only Enna’s kiss, given willingly, can save him from immediate destruction. It’s a temporary salvation for Maekallus and a lingering doom for Enna. Part of her soul now burns bright inside Maekallus, making him feel for the first time.Enna shares Maekallus’s suffering, but her small sacrifice won’t last long. If she and Maekallus can’t break the spell binding him to the mortal realm, Maekallus will be consumed completely—and Enna’s soul with him.

A Beastly Scandal


Shereen Vedam - 2013
    She failed miserably, leaving him dead and her disgraced. All she wants now is a chance to comfort his widow by cleansing the woman’s home of her husband’s restless spirit. But the widow’s son, the beastly Lord of the Manor, accuses her of coming to the wilds of Cheshire to snag him as a husband. Thoroughly disgusted, she is bent on proving him wrong.…BECOMES PERSONA NON-GRATA…Rufus Marlesbury, the Earl of Terrance, is suspected of murdering his father. He has come home to clear his name by finding the real killer before the new year or Rufus will be called in front of the House of Lords to answer for the crime. He does not have time to waste fending off a marriage-minded miss who has inveigled an invitation to his home by playing on his grief-stricken mother’s worst fears.…WHEN A MURDERER IS ON THE RAMPAGEWith an unruly manor ghost terrorizing the occupants and corpses piling up in the village, Belle must find a way to see the man beneath the beast and Rufus must learn to believe in the love of a woman who has no reason to trust him. Only by working together can they stop a vengeful ghost before it torments the guests or before the killer strikes again.(New Regency Romance/Fairytale)

The Last Faoii


Tahani Nelson - 2020
    With militaristic order and stalwart discipline, these women have reigned in unopposed prosperity. But when her monastery is attacked and her sisters slaughtered, only young Kaiya-faoii is left alive.Forced to cope without the long-standing traditions of her Order, Kaiya travels the country in a mission to avenge her sisters and preserve what is left of her heritage. The search brings her not only to dark discoveries and ancient family secrets, but to something she never wanted or dreamed of-- an estranged brother.Fighting against an uncle that has kept them apart their entire lives and forced into a war at the heart of a broken empire, the siblings must evaluate the true meanings of enemy, betrayal and freedom--and the grey areas surrounding each.

Unholy Night


Karpov Kinrade - 2020
    It just happens, so slowly you barely notice it until one day it’s gone. That’s the most tragic part of growing up, I’ve always thought.And now, as a broke, single mother, it’s my job to create the magic. To preserve it and guard the light of it as I pass the torch to the next generation.And I’m failing right now.This has been one of the hardest years of my life. But it’s Christmas Eve and I’m doing my best to make it special for my daughter.That’s when I hear the voices. Two men downstairs arguing.One is a solid Santa cosplay winner, down to the glint of glee in his eyes.The other man… he is all darkness, hard sexy angles and eyes that suck in my very soul.And they are both about to change my life forever.Lucifer:I will not lose this. One night a year I leave all the stench of fear and pain, and revel in the magic of the human plane while making a few kids happy. Even if it’s a little unorthodox.Of course, I also enjoy the irony of it all.The letter was clearly addressed to me, not Santa. The old elf is at the wrong house.In years past, the overgrown elf and I would just squabble a little and move on. I never could have anticipated he would quit his job and leave me with the responsibility of saving Christmas.I’m Satan. I don’t exactly have a barn full of reindeer. And if I did, they would most likely be food for my demons, not to use as transportation. Thus begins the strangest Christmas Eve of my very long life.With the help of a sinfully sexy woman who has no idea how magical she truly is, I’m going to make Christmas happen. And maybe show that red obsessed elf a thing or two.This Christmas, in the most 2020 plot twist of all times, the magic of the season--and even true love itself--will be found in the most unlikely of places.

The Raven's Flight


Catherine Lievens - 2015
    Being a shifter keeps me from becoming a part of society, but it seems that society is beginning to infringe on my territory. They, the humans, are all so full of themselves and think they are entitled to my land. But there is one man, who stands up to the others, who stands on his own… he draws my attention. Why?Photo Description: The picture is a close-up of a gorgeous Native American man. His long, black hair moves with the wind and flows against his right shoulder. His dark eyes are looking straight at you, and you can almost feel them on your skin. His arms are crossed on his hairless chest, and there’s a barbed wire tattoo wrapped around his upper right arm. His plump, pink lips are highlighted by the dark stubble on his cheeks.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story. This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

Saving Evangeline


Nancee Cain - 2015
    Everyone knows she’s crazy and was responsible for the death of her last boyfriend. Even her mother left her and moved cross-country. Lonely and desperate, Evie decides to end her life.Rogue angel Remiel longs to return to earth, but there’s just one problem. He tends to invite trouble and hasn’t been allowed back since Woodstock. The Boss sends him to save Evangeline, but there’s a catch: he can’t reveal his angelic nature, and he must complete the task as Father Remiel Blackson.Forced together on a cross-country trip, a forbidden romance ignites and love unfolds. A host of heavenly messengers tries to intervene, but Remiel and Evangeline are headed on a collision course to disaster. Will his love save her, or will they both be lost forever?

Nothing To Commend Her


Jo Barrett - 2009
    He’s surly, brooding, and according to half the ton, a monster. Except to Agatha Trumwell, she sees so much more than his scars. But with a pitiful dowry, unfavorable looks, and a tendency to speak her mind, she has nothing to commend her, or so she believes. Can these two lonely souls find love amid the gossiping beau monde while someone plots to tear their fragile world apart?

The Castaway Prince


Isabelle Adler - 2017
    With the help of his loyal servant, Stephan picks his way through hostile territory, hiding his identity by posing as a woman. His only hope for asylum lies with the man who had been his friend and lover three years ago. But when that man also happens to be the crown prince of a rival country, things are a bit more complicated.With war looming on the horizon, the danger of discovery grows by the moment. With all odds stacked against him, will Stephan find a safe place where he can be his true self, or is he doomed to remain a castaway?

Owning the Beast


Alexa Riley - 2014
    Griffin Stone has locked himself away from the world. One minor mix-up and all his carefully built walls come crashing down. When love finds its way into even the darkest of hearts, will it be enough to stand the greatest tests? Can beauty own the beast?Warning: This book contains a scarred hero, a virgin bride, insta-love, and tons of sex.

Zhànshì


Anna Edwards - 2021
    His stories of heroic exploits have fueled her fantasies for years. Little did she know that her expertise would be called upon when two cities, two triads, go to war. Will it be a step too far to think she can hide who she really is? Jaxon has known his career path since he was a little boy when his father promised his only son to the leader of the Yu Shi triad. Jaxon doesn’t mind—it allows him to center his chaotic thoughts and fight his opponents to the death. But when he’s partnered with a mysterious new recruit, he begins to question everything he knows. What is the young boy hiding from him? Zhanzhi is a modern day retelling of the tale of Mulan for the Sinister Fairytales Collection. Warrior Lia must find her inner strength to defeat a deadly enemy, who’s been left bitter by his quest for absolute power, while at the same time falling in love when she least expects it. Nothing will be as it seems in this dark triad world where a moment’s hesitation can be your downfall. Details coming soon.

Flanders


Patricia Anthony - 1998
    Flanders is Anthony's first true mainstream novel, a powerful evocation of the First World War--and the passage between life and death that reveals itself to one young soldier...

Beast, Part One


Ella James - 2014
    He had more money than God and more women than any man could need. But when a night of debauchery ends in tragedy, he forfeits a life of luxury for a ten-year prison sentence at La Rosa, California’s most violent prison. TO A BRUTAL BEASTEight years later, a ruthless, cunning man runs La Rosa from the inside. He is known simply as BEAST. All the wardens fear him. All the gangs obey him. He speaks to no one but his inner council. What he says is law. NOW ONLY SHE CAN SAVE HIMAnnabelle Mitchell’s father is the warden at La Rosa. He deals as dirty as his trustees, and after years of smooth relations with Beast and the gangs he runs, Holt lands on the powerful prisoner’s hit list. That very afternoon, Annabelle pays a surprise visit to her father’s work, hoping to use her new counseling license at a place she thinks she could make a difference. When she catches Beast’s eye, he releases the warden and grabs the daughter. The price for the warden’s error is not death. It’s his precious Belle.

A Rose Among the Ruins


Ariel Tachna - 2009
    While escorting the bride, comrades-in-arms Rhicer and Kanath inadvertently drink a love potion intended for the newlyweds and find themselves dealing with a newfound desire for one another. As they struggle with their growing connection in a culture that despises same-sex love, Rhicer and Kanath face a terrible decision: give in to the social mores of their time and abandon love or answer the call of their hearts and leave Ageselm forever.