Blog – Page 4 – Anna Bushi

📚✨ Hitting the Road (and the Bookshelves!) for the Inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival

Mark your calendars—Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’ll be at the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival, presented by the University of San Diego. I’m beyond thrilled to be part of this brand-new celebration of stories, readers, and authors.

Of course, before a book festival comes the ritual prep—packing up my books, ordering bookmarks, and, yes, clearing space on my own shelves. This week, I’ve been hauling bags of gently used books to my local library. My logic? If I make room for new stories at home, then I must bring home a few treasures from the festival. (It’s not hoarding if it’s “curated collecting,” right?)

📖 What I’m Bringing to the Festival

I’ll be signing and chatting about all my books—and for the first time at a local event, Prince in Exile will be available! You’ll find:

Land of the Magadha Trilogy

This series tells the tale of Rish Vindhya, a noble warrior.

Heir to Malla – Meera rejects his love, yet Rish will do everything in his power to make sure Meera is protected. Even if it breaks his heart to stand guard and watch the woman he loves shed tears.
War of the Three Kings – Meera is the queen, and Rish knows she cannot cross some lines. Still, his heart burns until he realizes he is a threat to her safety. Does he stay or flee?
Burden of the Crown – Meera broke his heart. Yet, Rish has not abandoned hope. Because each time she looks at him like he matters, she rekindles his yearning.

Swayamvara Romances

Broken King – Princess Neela should be happy—her father is arranging a swayamvara, a grand ceremony where she can choose her own husband. But her choice is an illusion, and her father expects her to select the man he has already decided upon. Unless she defies him. Unless she chooses the one man no one expects—the king drowning in sorrow and toddy, a ruler broken by grief and guilt. Marrying him might be her only escape. But will choosing the broken king shatter her in the process?
King in Hiding – When Princess Lalitha is injured while searching for her father, a lowly metalsmith comes to her rescue. As they journey together, Lalitha finds herself unable to resist the undeniable pull she feels toward him. But what happens when she learns the truth—that the man who’s captured her heart is King Dushyant, the very ruler who has imprisoned her father?
Prince in Exile – She is a mute princess writing poetry to be heard. He is an exiled prince masquerading as a playwright. He stumbles upon her poems and weaves a play around them. She longs to write more poems to see them come alive through his eyes. But she cannot reveal she is the poet. Nor can he reveal he is a prince. Will falling in love with their alter egos doom their romance?

Child of the River

He hears a voice urging him to protect a girl he has never met. Will finding her doom his mission of restoring the throne?

Whether you’re a longtime reader or just discovering my books, I’d love to see you at the festival. Stop by, say hello, and let’s talk romance, adventure, and all things storytelling.

And remember—bring a tote bag. You’re going to need it. 😉

A Sneak Peek at Book Two

I’m deep in the world of Book Two of my Prophesied Prince fantasy trilogy, and I’ve officially crossed the 24,000-word mark! Every day, I sink deeper into this story where secrets run as deep as the rivers, and ancient magic stirs just beneath the surface.

This book picks up in the aftermath of Child of the River. The world has shifted—alliances have fractured, old prophecies are awakening, and danger looms on every path. At its heart is a girl grappling with powers she never wanted and a prince still haunted by choices he cannot undo. Together, they must navigate a land teetering on the edge of war, where every truth hides a shadow, and nothing is quite what it seems.

One of the wild joys (and occasional headaches) of writing fantasy is juggling a sprawling cast of characters, their tangled motivations, and all the rules of magic—so yes, I find myself flipping back through Child of the River constantly to make sure I’m not accidentally breaking the universe I created!

Here’s a glimpse at the current draft—the opening lines of the book (subject to revision, of course—I’m still on the fence about including “sweat glazed his muscles” so early on).

For most of that first day on the river, Prince Atul rowed like a man expecting trouble. His gaze swept the banks, searching for signs of pursuit. Whenever he spotted someone—fishermen, travelers, too far to tell—he quieted his strokes and steered us farther from shore.

Sweat glazed his muscles, as he rowed with the strength of three men. Then his head snapped toward a thicket of trees by the water’s edge, eyes sharp, jaw set. A hunter watching for movement. I studied him in that moment, still unsure if I’d been brave or foolish to ask him to come.

I’ve loved returning to Kashgar and imagining new regions of this medieval world—wilder lands, colder truths, deeper betrayals. There’s so much I’m excited to share with you in this next installment: forbidden magic, political intrigue, unexpected friendships that will reshape the course of prophecy.

📚 Book Two is coming in 2026—so if you haven’t yet read Child of the River, now is the perfect time to start! Meet the characters, step into their world, and get swept up in the first part of this epic journey.

More updates coming as I write, revise, and (hopefully!) survive drafting this book. I can’t wait for you to journey back into this world of danger, destiny, and hidden truths.

Did book two live up to the magic of book one?

I just finished book two of Tomi Adeyemi’s series—she’s a local San Diego author, which makes me extra happy to support her work. Magic is back in Orïsha, and nothing is better. The magic system continues to be excellent, the world building is immersive, and the book cover? Absolutely stunning.

Zélie and Amari are at odds about how best to protect Orïsha and the maji, and their conflict is at the heart of the story. From page one, the action takes off and rarely lets up—there’s hardly a moment to catch your breath.

That said, I have a couple of nitpicks. I wanted more clarity around Zélie’s inner motivations, especially why she’s so resistant to peace. Her emotional arc felt a little underdeveloped in places. But the story is still gripping, and the surprise ending definitely left me wondering what’s next.

You are not your mistakes. Do not let one moment define or destroy you. The gods work in mysterious ways. Have faith in their greater plan.

Will I read book three? Likely yes. I’m invested enough in these characters to want to see where their story goes next. A solid fantasy read.

My first book by this author

This is my first book by Trisha Das, and it definitely won’t be my last. The story begins with a charming meet-cute between Samara and Sharav at a wedding Samara is photographing. Their paths cross again when Samara moves in with Sharav’s family—her diplomat father is posted overseas, and they graciously take her in.

Sharav is already engaged, but Samara, an only child with an often-absent father, quickly becomes a ray of sunshine in a family still grieving the loss of their own patriarch. She brings warmth and change: helping the mother rediscover her passion, guiding the sister toward love, and giving the brother a much-needed confidence boost.

But the real question is—can she help Sharav see what’s truly in his heart?

Set against a beautifully modern Indian backdrop, this was a fun and heartwarming read. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author!

What is Anna Writing?

I’m loving being back in Kashgar with some of my favorite characters. Writing Book 2 of the Prophesied Prince Trilogy has been both a challenge and a joy—especially walking alongside Sugandha. I’m not making her life easier (she wouldn’t let me!), but I need to make sure she’s ready for what’s coming. And trust me, what’s coming will change everything.

Secrets buried in silence. Loyalties tested by blood. As Sugandha searches for answers about who she truly is, she finds herself entangled in a world where every truth has its price.

If you’ve read Child of the River, you’ve only glimpsed the surface. The next book delves deeper—into hidden pasts, shifting identities, and a power that refuses to be forgotten.

Get ready to lose yourself again. Coming in 2026.

Three Tales of Love, Secrets, and Second Chances

If you’re in the mood for historical romance set in medieval India, don’t miss these heartfelt stories of love blooming under the weight of secrets and duty.

💔 King in Hiding – Princess Lalitha’s world unravels when her father vanishes during battle. Injured and desperate, she accepts help from a mysterious stranger who offers to escort her home. As they travel together, she finds herself drawn to him—unaware that he is King Dushyant, the very man who has imprisoned her father. Can love take root when betrayal lies at its heart?

🎭 Prince in Exile – Prince Giri is living in hiding as a playwright when he discovers two soul-stirring poems that inspire his next play. He doesn’t know the poet is actually Princess Suryavati, who has been mute since childhood and writes under a man’s name. When Suri sees her secret verses come alive on stage, she longs to write more—and to know the man behind the play. But how can love bloom when both lovers wear masks?

👑 Broken King – In this poignant novella, Princess Neela is desperate to escape a marriage arranged by her father. Her only hope is a once-great king, now drowning in grief and drink. As she tries to awaken the hero in him, she finds her own heart unexpectedly entangled. Can two broken souls find the courage to rescue each other?

Each story is rich in emotion, steeped in history, and filled with yearning. Perfect for readers who love romance with depth and soul.

READ

Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy

Mark your calendar for Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy—a one-day event on June 14 where you can grab incredible fantasy reads for just $0.99 each!

📚 Child of the River, the first book in my Prophesied Prince series, will be featured under the Medieval Fantasy category on StuffWithFantasy.com.

In Child of the River, Prince Atul arrives in the kingdom of Kashgar seeking vengeance for the Malla envoys, whose mission ended in slaughter. But his path takes an unexpected turn when the river whispers the name of a girl—Sugandha—urging him to find and protect her. A girl he didn’t know existed. A girl he doesn’t know how to find.

Start your journey into the world of Prophesied Prince and fill your Kindle with magic, mystery, and unforgettable characters this June 14!

https://stuffwithfantasy.com

Easy read for romance lovers

Stella and Samuel met nine years ago, fell apart, and now find themselves face-to-face again at their best friends’ wedding in the Italian countryside. There’s plenty of unfinished business between them, and the story unfolds in dual timelines—then and now—slowly revealing what went wrong and whether a second chance is even possible.

At first, Stella is hard to love. She hides from her own happiness, shaped by anxiety and a past event that still lingers. Samuel, on the other hand, wants more than Stella has been able—or willing—to offer. Their emotional push and pull feels very real.

The setting is a dream. Ali Rosen paints the Italian countryside in lush, sun-drenched detail, and the food descriptions are so vivid you’ll be craving pasta and wine before you’re halfway through. I also loved the way Stella is surrounded by loyal friends, even if she’s kept parts of her life walled off from them.

A thoughtful, easy read for romance lovers

Some lines that really stayed with me:

But I have never understood until this moment that leaving things unsaid doesn’t make them go away.

I am nothing if not a dependable person who can ignore her own anxiety to get shit done. For other people.

I’d always known deep down that I was too complicated for him, but he deliberately didn’t see it. Until one day he did.

Let this book unsettle you

This is my first time reading Danielle Evans, and it certainly won’t be my last. The Office of Historical Corrections is easily one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. Each short story peels back layers of the past with such precision that, as a reader, I often found myself breathless—my assumptions upended, my heart racing, my mind scrambling to catch up.

What Evans does so masterfully is remind us that we only get to live one life—but through fiction like this, we get fleeting, powerful glimpses into so many others. These stories offer a vivid, unflinching look at contemporary America, making us think, ache, and—if we’re lucky—grow a little in the process.

The characters here are deeply human and often flawed, and it takes real courage to write them the way Evans does. This book isn’t a warm embrace; it’s a bracing splash of cold water—a jolt of truth and perspective.

Go read these stories. Let them sit with you. Let them unsettle you. You won’t regret it.

Book Review: The Lost Bookshop

This book blends historical fiction, magical realism, and a touch of romance, all wrapped in a love letter to books. Told in dual timelines, the story that stayed with me most was Opaline’s—set in 1920s England. She dreams of becoming a book dealer, a love instilled in her by her father. Her journey takes her to a charming bookstore in Dublin, where she carves out a slice of her dream before life knocks her down again.

In the present timeline, Martha is on the run from an abusive marriage and finds work as a housekeeper. Henry, a PhD student chasing a lost manuscript and a mysterious bookshop, crosses paths with her. I’ll admit, the contemporary storyline didn’t grip me as much as the historical one, but the plot does pick up pace in the second half.

Overall, this is a lovely read—especially for classic book lovers. There’s something magical about the idea of a hidden bookshop waiting to be discovered.