The Serrulata Saga Series by A.E. Bennett

"In the Realm, every citizen knows their place."Leora of Mae is a young woman orphaned at birth and raised on a remote farm. As a wielder of Xanthcraft, her abilities set her apart from her adoptive family and the other villagers.Shortly before her twentieth birthday, she learns of her family’s plot to sell her into servitude. Fearing for her life, she flees from the only home she’s ever known—defying societal conventions and breaking the edicts of the Realm... more"In the Realm, every citizen knows their place."Leora of Mae is a young woman orphaned at birth and raised on a remote farm. As a wielder of Xanthcraft, her abilities set her apart from her adoptive family and the other villagers.Shortly before her twentieth birthday, she learns of her family’s plot to sell her into servitude. Fearing for her life, she flees from the only home she’s ever known—defying societal conventions and breaking the edicts of the Realm.As she runs, Leora meets Roland Shallowbrook, a traveler on the Thieves’ Road; Lady Aurora Verte, daughter of a powerful member of the gentry; and the White Rider Leopold, a soldier with a secret.Together, this found family will have to band together to survive.Set in the distant future during the return of the Hale-Bopp comet, Gathering of the Four is the first book in The Serrulata Saga. less

“Outside of the Realm, everything is unknown.” Having paid a high price to pass through the Border, the Four depart the only lands they’ve ever known. They’re faced with immediate problems and unknown dangers as they begin the perilous journey toward the fabled city of New York. As they travel, Leora struggles to hone her powers, Roland and Aurora attempt to explore their new romantic relationship, and Leopold battles with his inner demons. Meanwhile, all is not right within the Realm... more“Outside of the Realm, everything is unknown.” Having paid a high price to pass through the Border, the Four depart the only lands they’ve ever known. They’re faced with immediate problems and unknown dangers as they begin the perilous journey toward the fabled city of New York. As they travel, Leora struggles to hone her powers, Roland and Aurora attempt to explore their new romantic relationship, and Leopold battles with his inner demons. Meanwhile, all is not right within the Realm. The young sovereign continues to wield his new powers erratically, threatening the lives of every citizen. Now, several members of the gentry must navigate through the chaos to protect their homes and families. Can the Four survive their journey? And if they do, will there be a Realm for them to return to? Set in the distant future, Test of the Four is the second book in the Serrulata Saga. less

She told a lie. He confirmed it. Now they’re secretly betrothed against their families’ wishes…Lady Octavia Dorchester is the most desired young lady in the Realm. Now that she has twenty years behind her, society has deemed her ready to marry. Although she’s not enthusiastic, she promises to act like a proper lady and look for a good husband—just like her powerful father Lord Roman Dorchester wants. Lord Gerald Verte has been painfully shy his entire life... moreShe told a lie. He confirmed it. Now they’re secretly betrothed against their families’ wishes…Lady Octavia Dorchester is the most desired young lady in the Realm. Now that she has twenty years behind her, society has deemed her ready to marry. Although she’s not enthusiastic, she promises to act like a proper lady and look for a good husband—just like her powerful father Lord Roman Dorchester wants. Lord Gerald Verte has been painfully shy his entire life. He’s never been comfortable in society and lives in the shadow of his older brother, the imposing Lord Tristian Verte. Despite his desires to remain indoors and away from people, he promises his older brother that he won’t shame the family name, no matter how much his anxiety threatens to overwhelm him.After sharing a dance at a ball held in Octavia’s honor, both she and Gerald know what no one else believes—it’s love at first sight.When their respective family members object to the match, Octavia lies about their betrothal and Gerald corroborates her story. Raising the ire of both Lords Dorchester and Verte, Octavia and Gerald are torn apart and kept from one another until tragedy strikes. This high-heat romance with a guaranteed HEA is a prequel to Gathering of the Four: Book One of the Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone. less

A proper gentleman. A stoic soldier. Their passion ignites a defiant love…Lord Patrick Upshur seemingly hasn’t a care in the world. He’s a younger son of a wealthy lord in the Realm and his only responsibilities include behaving in a manner his father sees fit and possibly getting married someday. No one, not even Patrick’s closest sibling, knows that he’s hiding a painful secret – one that could disgrace him and the Upshur family forever... moreA proper gentleman. A stoic soldier. Their passion ignites a defiant love…Lord Patrick Upshur seemingly hasn’t a care in the world. He’s a younger son of a wealthy lord in the Realm and his only responsibilities include behaving in a manner his father sees fit and possibly getting married someday. No one, not even Patrick’s closest sibling, knows that he’s hiding a painful secret – one that could disgrace him and the Upshur family forever.Commandant Iseul of the White Riders understands he should concentrate on only three things – commanding his men in the barracks, serving the sovereign, and protecting the Realm. He’s only given in to his deepest desires once and he’s vowed to never do it again.Both are resigned to their fates as the annual summer Solstice festival arrives.After a chance encounter in a secluded courtyard in a tavern, it’s love at first sight.Enamored, the two vow to meet again, despite the edicts of the Realm forbidding any relationship between them.As their passion blossoms into something deeper, they plot to run away together but are thwarted by tragedy.Can their love survive in a world that forces them to conceal their feelings?This high-heat romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after is part of The Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone. less

A bitter lady with a dark past. A grieving widow striving to help those in need. Two women will discover it’s not too late for a second chance at romance…Lady Isolda Upshur has never known love. Married to the sovereign of the Realm at the young age of twenty, she is cast aside by her husband after giving birth to a suitable heir. Two decades later, the sovereign dies and she believes herself free, only to discover that her son has arranged for her to remarry... moreA bitter lady with a dark past. A grieving widow striving to help those in need. Two women will discover it’s not too late for a second chance at romance…Lady Isolda Upshur has never known love. Married to the sovereign of the Realm at the young age of twenty, she is cast aside by her husband after giving birth to a suitable heir. Two decades later, the sovereign dies and she believes herself free, only to discover that her son has arranged for her to remarry. After this lord dies an untimely death, Isolda flees to the south of the Realm, vowing to lock herself away from society forever.Lady Eustace Durham was happily married to the love of her life until the dreaded red fever swept through the Realm, snatching her husband from her. In the wake of his death, Eustace volunteered to help others ailing from the deadly disease, only to discover that many women in the Realm lack basic healthcare. Using the coin her husband left her in his will, Eustace opens a clandestine clinic in her cellar to provide services forbidden by the edicts. All is well until Isolda moves into the townhouse next door.Fearful that Isolda will betray her to the local authorities, Eustace concocts a plan to befriend her. A suspicious Isolda accepts Eustace’s invitation to discern what her neighbor could want. Each intends to outwit the other, but both are surprised when sparks fly instead.The two realize that they can help each other and those in need. The work is dangerous however, and when a nefarious lord threatens all they hold dear, Eustace and Isolda have to put their romantic feelings aside to fight for the greater good.This high-heat romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after is part of The Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone. less

Only the strongest survive the Ride…Aurora Verte grew up as a proper lady in the Realm—until her father betrayed the sovereign. Forced to run from her family home, she meets Leora of Mae, a peasant with extraordinary abilities; Roland Shallowbrook, a traveler on the Thieves’ Road; and Leopold, a former White Rider and her half-brother. Together they become The Four and vow to overthrow the Realm’s corrupt leader... moreOnly the strongest survive the Ride…Aurora Verte grew up as a proper lady in the Realm—until her father betrayed the sovereign. Forced to run from her family home, she meets Leora of Mae, a peasant with extraordinary abilities; Roland Shallowbrook, a traveler on the Thieves’ Road; and Leopold, a former White Rider and her half-brother. Together they become The Four and vow to overthrow the Realm’s corrupt leader.During their journey beyond the Border of the Realm, they come under siege from a violent gang, who attack without warning and kidnap Aurora. She is rescued from their clutches by a rival gang, but fears her saviors might be just as inhumane. With no way to contact the rest of The Four and realizing she is completely dependent on her new captors, Aurora must prove her worth.She soon realizes that all terrors aren’t human when she is forced to make her first supply run and encounters a group of ‘wretched’—monstrous, undead humans with seemingly unlimited stamina.Aurora must now not only battle for survival, but discover if she is more than the coddled lady she was raised to be.This fast-paced adventure is a companion novella to Test of the Four: Book Two of The Serrulata Saga and should be read after that book. less