The Zheninghai Chronicles Series by Anastasis Blythe

Dreams of magic and romance have no place in the heart of a poor farm girl. Or so Liena thought…Magical visions have a way of turning the world upside-down. One minute Song Liena is a simple farm girl hoping for good luck at the matchmaker, and the next she is a student at the empire’s most rigorous and dangerous magic Academy.It doesn’t take long for her to realize she’s ten years behind, her magic is weak, and she is in way over her head... moreDreams of magic and romance have no place in the heart of a poor farm girl. Or so Liena thought…Magical visions have a way of turning the world upside-down. One minute Song Liena is a simple farm girl hoping for good luck at the matchmaker, and the next she is a student at the empire’s most rigorous and dangerous magic Academy.It doesn’t take long for her to realize she’s ten years behind, her magic is weak, and she is in way over her head. But Liena is determined to work hard if it means a chance at a better life for her family.She just wasn’t counting on being noticed by the handsome Crown Prince—a warrior-in-training said to have fire magic powerful enough to decimate entire armies. But princes are not for peasants, and everything is not as it seems at the Academy. Monsters lurk around every corner, and someone is dabbling in dark, illegal magic.Someone who has set their sinister sights on her. less

Can they stop almost killing each other long enough to save their empire? Or will his secrets destroy them both?Sun Aranya just wants a stable job so she can care for her ailing grandfather. After years of relentless magic training, she has finally earned a city wardenship—only to discover on her first day that annoyingly handsome Shi Kai is laying claim to her position.There’s only one option: they’ll just have to compete for it... moreCan they stop almost killing each other long enough to save their empire? Or will his secrets destroy them both?Sun Aranya just wants a stable job so she can care for her ailing grandfather. After years of relentless magic training, she has finally earned a city wardenship—only to discover on her first day that annoyingly handsome Shi Kai is laying claim to her position.There’s only one option: they’ll just have to compete for it.But while Aranya and Kai are forced to work together until one of them wins their competition, trouble brews in the empire. Whispered threats of enemy invasion abound, and magic-wielders are disappearing across the empire without a trace.Can Aranya and Kai see past their rivalry to discover the fate of the missing magic-wielders? Or will Kai’s secrets destroy them all?If you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, vivid Eastern-inspired worlds, breathtaking adventure, and swoon-worthy heroes, discover The Zheninghai Chronicles, a new romantic fantasy series for fans of Sylvia Mercedes, Kenley Davidson, and Shari L. Tapscott! less

They will save their empire . . . or be each other's downfall.

Princess Meiling’s life is a cursed lie.The daughter of history’s most powerful emperor, she was born without magic, and her people believe her to be cursed.But she does have magic, and it’s the magic of legends.When a mysterious shadow attempts to abduct her in the middle of the night, she is forced to flee her home and family with nothing but the protection of two begrudging warriors... morePrincess Meiling’s life is a cursed lie.The daughter of history’s most powerful emperor, she was born without magic, and her people believe her to be cursed.But she does have magic, and it’s the magic of legends.When a mysterious shadow attempts to abduct her in the middle of the night, she is forced to flee her home and family with nothing but the protection of two begrudging warriors. Handsome and taciturn Tan Shangdi is furious about losing his prized appointment, but resentful or not, he will do anything to keep Meiling safe.Yet the Zheninghai countryside they travel is crawling with fearsome mó guǐ and someone is determined to kidnap Meiling, no matter the cost.Can they make it to safety before the hunt closes in? Or will they escape their pursuit, only to be overcome by monsters? less

An enslaved princess. A desperate warrior.And the traitor hungry for revenge.Full blurb and release date coming soon!

To save her people, she will doom herself. To save her, he’ll die.Finally back home, Meiling finds that returning to her old life as the cursed princess is harder than she imagined. She’s told to rest and recover from her harrowing time in the enemy’s fortress and enjoy the week-long festival.She can’t. Not when Shang faces losing everything—including his life—because of her. She won’t rest until he is pardoned, but that is easier said than done in a world that still believes her cursed... moreTo save her people, she will doom herself. To save her, he’ll die.Finally back home, Meiling finds that returning to her old life as the cursed princess is harder than she imagined. She’s told to rest and recover from her harrowing time in the enemy’s fortress and enjoy the week-long festival.She can’t. Not when Shang faces losing everything—including his life—because of her. She won’t rest until he is pardoned, but that is easier said than done in a world that still believes her cursed.It doesn’t help that with each passing day, she cannot ignore the growing feelings in her heart for Shang. It’s impossible to think when he looks at her the way he does, with so much tortured intensity.But with Shang’s trial, Meiling’s secret magic, and Fang Zedong making it clear he hasn’t forgotten them, dreams of a future with Shang become even more unrealistic. For anyone in the empire to be safe, someone must stop Zedong’s conquest.Can that someone be the forgotten shadow princess of Zheninghai? less