Few Treats for Your TBR

December is always a generous month in the book world, and this year my books are part of several wonderful group promotions run by fellow authors. If you’re looking to stock up your winter reading pile—especially if you have Kindle Unlimited—this is a great time to do it.

If romance is your comfort read, King in Hiding and other romance novels are part of a KU Romance Sprint running through January 9, 2026. These are perfect “just one more chapter” reads for cozy evenings, and an excellent excuse to make the most of your KU subscription.

Fantasy readers, I haven’t forgotten you. Child of the River is included in Fantasy Adventures on Kindle Unlimited, which runs through January 8, 2026. If you love immersive worlds, magic, and long journeys, this is a treasure trove of KU reads waiting to be discovered.

And if the word free makes your reader heart beat faster: Prince in Shadow is part of Fantastic FREE Fantasy – December, available through December 31, 2025. Consider this my small holiday gift to you. 

While you’re browsing, I also want to highlight a KU fantasy:
Shattered Kingdom: Episode One of the Nobledark Fantasy Serial by Jon Cronshaw.

Three sisters. One murdered king. A kingdom on the brink.

With savage wyverns, decaying magic, and a conspiracy centuries in the making, this nobledark fantasy is rich with betrayal, sisterhood, and sacrifice. 

If you love Robin Hobb, Katherine Addison, or Samantha Shannon, this is one to add to your list before the kingdom burns.

December is the season of stories—old favorites, new discoveries, and worlds waiting to be explored. I hope you find something here that keeps you warm through the longest nights of the year. 📖✨

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!

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.

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.

✨ Prince in Exile is Now Available for Preorder! ✨

I’m thrilled to announce that Prince in Exile is officially available for preorder!

This historical romance is a little different from my previous stories—it features a protagonist who is mute, unable to voice the depths of her heart. Poetry is her refuge, the only way she can give shape to the emotions swirling inside her. But marriage to the wrong man would take even that away from her, silencing her in the only way that truly matters.

What hope does she have of finding someone who will cherish not just her, but her creativity? Her only choice seems to be the man her mother has chosen—a safe, acceptable match. A gilded cage instead of freedom. But how can she clip her own wings when all she longs for is to fly?

Step into her world and experience her journey—preorder Prince in Exile today! ✨📖

My Inspiration

 In Prince in Exile, my latest historical romance, Princess Suryavati is a mute poet who must hide her verses under a man’s name. Her character was inspired by the rich legacy of female poets in ancient Tamil lands, where women were not denied education and their literary contributions were highly valued. The title Avvaiyar (also spelled Ouvvayar), meaning “the elderly lady,” was bestowed upon multiple renowned female poets whose works have survived to this day. 

One of the legends surrounding Avvaiyar tells the story of a young woman who longed to be a poet but feared that marriage would strip her of her freedom as an artist. Determined to live life on her own terms, she prayed to the gods to take away her youth. Her wish was granted, and as a gray-haired poet, she roamed the kingdoms freely, composing poetry to her heart’s content. Her story reflects one of the central themes in Prince in Exile—how marrying the wrong man could become a cage for Suri, silencing not only her voice but also her soul. 

During the Sangam period and beyond, women flourished under the patronage of Chola and Pandiya kings, who respected and supported their artistry. These remarkable poets paved the way for me to create Suryavati—bold, brilliant, and determined to be heard, even in silence. Don’t forget to check out an exclusive excerpt from the novel.

கற்றது கை மண்அளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு

What you have learned is a mere handful; what you haven’t learned is as vast as the world – Avvaiyar

Don’t Forget to Write

Don’t Forget to Write is a delightful, quick read that I finished in just a few days. Set in 1960, the story follows Marilyn, a bored 20-year-old who finds herself in quite the predicament after an ill-fated makeout session with the rabbi’s son—right in front of the entire congregation, thanks to some poorly placed stained glass. Her punishment? Being shipped off to stay with her Great Aunt Ada, a matchmaker with a Cadillac, an impressive collection of Hermès scarves, and a rebellious streak that shakes up everything Marilyn thought she knew.

As Marilyn navigates life with Ada, she discovers just as much about herself as she does about her unconventional aunt. There are, of course, cute boys along the way, but the heart of the novel is in its exploration of family, identity, and independence. I especially enjoyed all the little details about Jewish culture and 1960s New Jersey.

The world loves to destroy what it doesn’t understand.

“A gilded cage is still a cage. Most people don’t see the bars that hold them.”

Definitely recommend this one for fans of strong women and their stories! I actually enjoyed this more than the first book I read by this author, She’s Up to No Good.

🎉 It’s #RomanceBookBlast Day! 🎉

Today only (January 28), over 1,000 romance books are completely FREE to download! 📚💖 And yes, my novel Heir to Malla, set in the rich and vibrant world of medieval India, is part of this amazing lineup! 🌟

This event is all about giving you the perfect escape from the January blues, with stories from incredible romance authors ready to warm your heart.

🔥 1,000+ books
🔥 12 romance categories
🔥 All completely FREE

No strings attached—just a day filled with love stories to fill your Kindle or e-reader. Don’t miss this chance to discover your next favorite read!

👉 Grab your free books here: https://www.romancebooklovers.com/. You can find Heir to Malla under the Historical Romance category here: https://www.romancebooklovers.com/historical. While you’re there, use the search feature to discover even more amazing books across all categories!

Happy Reading!

Finding Love and Culture in Helen Hoang’s Beautiful Romance

Helen Hoang, a talented author from San Diego, has been on my radar for a long time, and I’m thrilled to have finally delved into one of her romance novels. Stella and Michael’s story is everything I hoped it would be—heartfelt, engaging, and beautifully written.

What makes this book even more special is the way Vietnamese food and culture are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding a layer of richness and authenticity that feels both intimate and celebratory.

Romance novels, in a way, are their own kind of fantasy—grounded in the realm of possibility yet imbued with the magic of love and hope. And let’s be honest, who among us doesn’t yearn for a happily-ever-after of our own? Helen Hoang delivers just that, with charm and elegance. Highly recommended for romance readers looking for a story with depth and heart.

Book Review: The Hanging City

I previously read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg and loved its cozy fantasy vibes, so I was excited to dive into The Hanging City by the same author. This story follows Lark, who seeks refuge in the Troll city of Lamar, and it’s a wonderfully immersive tale. The world-building is good, with rich descriptions of the culture, social hierarchy, and the fascinating underground world of the trolls.

Lark ends up living with Unach and her brother Azmar, and while their relationship begins with misunderstandings and mistrust, she eventually finds acceptance with them. Despite their differences, love blossoms between Lark and ****, adding a sweet layer to the story. However, the danger Lark fled from catches up to her, forcing her to confront her fears and wield a weapon she despises.

“The gods made the stars, and through them made creatures in pairs: the fette and aerolass to rule the air, the merdan and gullop to rule the sea, and the humans and trolls to rule the earth. And so we did, before the earth changed and ruled us instead. According to the stories, in the time before, humans dominated, despite trolls being larger and stronger. War-torn brutes. Angry. Animals. Merciless. In all the tales told at bedside and campfire, trolls are always the enemy.”

“I believe,” he begins softly, “that error, made in ignorance, is forgivable.”

The ending ties up beautifully for Lark, making this a satisfying read. I recommend The Hanging City for fans of romantic fantasy (romantasy). It’s a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and richly imagined world-building.