The Artist and the Dragon (The Castamar Duology Book 2) by Megan Van Dyke

 Welcome to the ARC tour for the upcoming release in Megan Van Dyke's Castamar Duology, The Artist and the Dragon!

The Artist and the Dragon (The Castamar Duology Book 2)
by Megan Van Dyke
Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2025
A Sleeping Beauty Fantasy Romance Retelling

Tropes/ Themes:
Sleeping Beauty retelling,
Phantom of the Opera vibes/themes,
Gaslamp romance
Reluctant allies
Grumpy/sunshine
"It's complicated"
Mystery
Curses
Banter
Pining/longing
Hurt/comfort
touch her and die
slow burn to spicy
"It's always been you"
The princess will save you
Family bonds
Monsters
Faking dating others while secretly dating

She loathes him.

He craves her.

But when a deadly curse threatens those they love, these reluctant allies must work together to hunt down its wielder before time runs out.

Bronwyn Kinsley helped overthrow a malicious and corrupt monarch. Now, she wants nothing more than to return to a quiet existence painting artwork in the countryside. No more pretentious court life, and definitely no more of the infuriating Malik who touched her heart and then went right back to being the flirtatious prince she swore to loathe.

But the so-called dragons, dissenters of the new monarchs’ reign, are hell-bent on preventing that peace and causing chaos within the kingdom.

Alistair (Malik) Ithael is determined to hunt down the last of the dragons and end their reign of terror. But his attempts to infiltrate their number require him to wear the careful façade of the playboy prince they expect. A guise that puts him at odds with Bronwyn, the only woman he’s ever truly wanted and one that seems to hate him more than ever.

When the dragons strike close to home and afflict Bronwyn’s sister with a deadly sleeping curse, Bronwyn and Malik must team up to save her. In doing so, Bronwyn enters the place she loathes most—high society. Because dragons live disguised in plain sight, and they’ll have to find them first. That is, if a pesky little distraction like love doesn’t get in the way.

The Artist and the Dragon is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with themes and motifs from The Phantom of the Opera, and set in a gaslamp fantasy world akin to Bridgerton, but with magic. You can look forward to a slow burn, angst-ridden romance between two reluctant allies who harbor secret feelings for one another while trying to solve a deadly mystery.

This story is complete with a happily-ever-after and does not end on a cliffhanger. 

PRE-ORDER HERE

 

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The Musician and the Monster: A Gothic Beauty and the Beast Retelling (The Castamar Duology Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke

If you’re looking for a gothic romantasy that’s a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this book is for you! Pre-order The Musician and the Monster today!

The Musician and the Monster: A Gothic Beauty and the Beast Retelling (The Castamar Duology Book 1)
by Megan Van Dyke
May 7, 2024
Genre: Gothic Romantic Fantasy
💖 Forbidden love
☑️ Morally grey MMC
⚔️ Determined heroine
🎶 Music is powerful
🔥 Slow burn to steamy
❄️ Wintertime
🥀 Gothic vibes
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/comfort
🗡️ Touch her and 💀
✨ Magic
🎭 Masquerade
Music says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.

Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne.

Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night?

At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to mention the odd ailment that plagues him. But as he embraces her passion for music and she draws the recluse out of his lonely tower, the two develop an unlikely attachment. Class lines begin to blur as fearful indifference shifts to unexpected desire, and Ceridwen yearns to help Drystan subdue the monster as well as provide for her family. However, the monster prowling the night isn’t their only enemy, and as terrible secrets come to light, protecting those they love may risk their lives and their hearts.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast incorporates themes and motifs from Phantom of the Opera, and is set in a gaslamp fantasy world with strong gothic vibes. It should appeal to fans of romantic and atmospheric retellings and fairy tales by authors such as Hannah Whitten, Tessonja Odette, and Stephanie Garber.

Goodreads-Preorder Here

About the Author
Website
Megan Van Dyke is an award-winning fantasy romance author with a love for all things magical and romantic, especially fairytales and anything with a happily ever after. Many of her stories include themes of family (whether born into or found) and a sense of home and belonging, which are important aspects of her life as well. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. Megan currently lives with her family in Florida.

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Tags:
#rrbooktours #rrbtthemusicianandthemonster #TheMusicianAndTheMonster #romantasy #fairytaleretelling #beautyandthebeast #beautyandthebeastretelling #forbiddenlove #gothicromance #meganvandyke #gaslampfantasy #morallygrey #gothicfantasy

 

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