The Ruthenian Chronicle Series by Rebecca Ganesh

Real heroes are made of blood and scars and wounds so deep you cannot see them. Viktor needs to bring back magic that can control the raging forest spirit that threatens to tear down his family’s estate. He learns of a bone carving that can bind spirits, he sets out to find it. When he finally finds the talisman – the Bone Doll – out on the eastern tundra, he learns that it can only be used by its bearer - a grumpy shaman named Syra who only begrudgingly agrees to help him... moreReal heroes are made of blood and scars and wounds so deep you cannot see them. Viktor needs to bring back magic that can control the raging forest spirit that threatens to tear down his family’s estate. He learns of a bone carving that can bind spirits, he sets out to find it. When he finally finds the talisman – the Bone Doll – out on the eastern tundra, he learns that it can only be used by its bearer - a grumpy shaman named Syra who only begrudgingly agrees to help him. Traveling southward with the nobleman Viktor, Syra finds herself away from home for the first time, carrying a talisman that may or may not be cursed. And to make matters worse, she doesn’t know if her magic is strong enough to wield the Bone Doll and defeat the forest spirit. As they navigate wilderness and civilization, the mundane and the magical, Syra and Viktor’s feelings grow and change. But Viktor hasn’t been entirely honest about this this is a journey from which Syra won’t return. Perfect for readers who loved The Witcher, Spinning Silver, The Wolf & the Woodsman, and The Bear & the Nightingale who want a little more romance. less

"I would have never thought that a wooden heart would beat. ". "Only for you. ". Having settled affairs with his estate, Viktor returns to the tundra and to Syra. However, his and Syra's hopes for a long-term partnership and romance are jeopardized. Viktor reveals that he has been cursed by the vengeful forest spirit that had threatened to destroy his estate. He is turning into wood... more"I would have never thought that a wooden heart would beat. ". "Only for you. ". Having settled affairs with his estate, Viktor returns to the tundra and to Syra. However, his and Syra's hopes for a long-term partnership and romance are jeopardized. Viktor reveals that he has been cursed by the vengeful forest spirit that had threatened to destroy his estate. He is turning into wood. Syra devises a plan to visit a magical island with ancient and powerful spirits who may be able to break the curse. Will Syra and Viktor make it to the island before Viktor turns completely to wood? Will the spirits remove the curse? Or will the spirits demand too steep a price? Perfect for readers who loved The Witcher, Spinning Silver, The Wolf & the Woodsman, and The Bear & the Nightingale who want a little more romance. This short short story follow the events in The Bone Doll by Rebecca Ganesh. less

He had always had a soft spot for her, even before he knew that a boy could love a girl. In prison for murdering her husband, Masha is certain that she will be sold to a slaver and shipped off to a foreign land to live her days in servitude. So when the jailer comes to get her, she is surprised that the white-blonde, broad-shouldered warrior who has paid her bail is not a slaver but her ex-best friend Dir - a man whose heart she broke years ago... moreHe had always had a soft spot for her, even before he knew that a boy could love a girl. In prison for murdering her husband, Masha is certain that she will be sold to a slaver and shipped off to a foreign land to live her days in servitude. So when the jailer comes to get her, she is surprised that the white-blonde, broad-shouldered warrior who has paid her bail is not a slaver but her ex-best friend Dir - a man whose heart she broke years ago. Dir needs Masha's help in looking for a magical crown. The Princess of Vecherny is offering a large sum of money to whoever finds the crown; and Dir wants to pay his way out of poverty. And if Masha doesn't help him find the crown, Dir will reveal Masha's closest-held secret - a secret even more dangerous than murder. The Malachite Maze is perfect for readers of The Witcher, Shadow & Bone, Spinning Silver, and The Bear & the Nightingale. less