Listen, this was supposed to be simple. Kaelin Thorn: professional assassin, expert brooder, collector of emotional scars had one mission. Kill the king. Straightforward. Efficient. The sort of thing you can check off before lunch.But somewhere between the exploding Ale Trials, the cursed inn, and the incident with the goat. (Why are there so many goats?) Kaelin accidentally acquired a travel companion: Tobias, a bright-eyed mage with a suspiciously soft heart and a tendency to monologue about feelings. A soundtrack: Brug, a non-binary orc with a lute and lyrics. Oh, and Timber—the world’s most judgmental dog, who communicates entirely through eyebrow movements and existential sighs.Now, Dear Reader, our dear assassin finds herself knee-deep in other people’s problems, which, as it turns out, are harder to stab than advertised. There will be quests. There will be chaos. There will be . . . feelings (and Kaelin’s tragic attempts to avoid them).Will she save the realm? Probably, but not intentionally. She might just save herself—between side quests, snark, and the occasional dagger to the heart (metaphorical or otherwise).Side Quest is a cozy, chaotic fantasy for anyone who’s ever tried to stay on mission and ended up adopting a mutt, a mage, and a moral compass instead.
Lady by day Bandit by NightFor six years Lady Rowan of Lockersley looked forward to the day she'd return home to the picturesque village of her childhood.But when she and her friend, Lady Jane, rode into the village, what they saw was anything but picturesque. Not only had the village fallen into poverty but Rowan learned that her beloved father, Laird of Lockersley was dead.With the help from her band of friends, Rowan devises a plan to take back the money her uncle stole through excessive taxes on the villagers under the dark of night and act the perfect lady by day.That is until her uncle announces that she is to wed the victor of a tournament held in her honor.Rowan knew she would marry but believed it would be her choice̶—marry for love or duty—not as a trophy given to a stranger.Rowan knows she belongs with her merry band of bandits, especially the one who stole her heart. But can she keep her secrets hidden from her uncle long enough to save her village and her future?Can she save her people before she's handed off as a prize? Will her heart lead her to duty or to the arms of her fellow bandit? And when masks fall away, which Rowan will remain—the lady or the outlaw?For new adults who are fans of The Forest Queen, Brave, A Knight's Tale, and Ever After.
