Crowns: A Heartbooks Anthology

Authors Brittany Eden and Brigitte Cromey have collaborated to bring you Crowns, a royal-themed anthology, which features a fantasy romance novella by Brigitte Cromey and a curated collection of short stories, flash fiction, poetry, photography, and art. And we believe in creativity with a cause: for this anthology, author profits went to the global non-profit International Justice Mission (IJM) which works to end modern slavery and trafficking.

THIS BEST SELLING ANTHOLOGY IS AVAILABLE NOW

PRAISE FOR CROWNS

“This beautiful collection showcases the weight and glory of those who wear, protect, or even create the crown. From traditional royals to sci-fi nobles, and fantasy princesses to world-jumping lovers, Crowns will no doubt sweep you off your feet. With striking prose, humor, depth, and vivid landscapes, I found myself immersed in each unique world and the characters that lived and breathed within them.”
—EMILY BARNETT, award-winning author of the short story Sky Rays and Thread of Dreams

“Crowns is a delightful collection with a sharp edge. It perfectly balances the beauty of royalty with the danger of power.”
—NATHANIEL LUSCOMBE, author of Moon Soul

“For fans of happily ever afters and true love, Crowns is a heart-throbbing, swoon-worthy collection of beautiful stories. From far-off lands to modern day settings and futuristic worlds, the adventures in this anthology will leave your heart full and a smile on your face.”
—V. ROMAS BURTON, award-winning author of the Heartmaker trilogy and The Legacy Chapters series

CONTRIBUTORS

AUTHORS | Brigitte Cromey, Ava Lauren Grayson, Hannah Carter, Amber Kirkpatrick, Robin Rakkeby, Hope Bolinger, Kristen Bazen, Annee Clark, Hailey Huntington, Cassandra Hamm, Abigail Falanga, J.M. Hackman, Yakira Goldsberry, Danielle Robertson, Liz Koetsier, Katie Fitzgerald, Abby Johansen, Megan Miles, Kaitlyn Carter Brown, S.M. Jake, AJ Skelly, C. Ash

POETS | Sara Anderson, Anne J. Hill, Brittany Eden, Brooke J. Katz, Amelia E. Clawford

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ARTISTS | Marie Lynch, C. Ash, Ruth Lumpkin, Sarah Harmon, Benjamin Cromey, Shannon Alldredge

THE FEATURED NOVELLA

GUARDIAN’S OATH BY BRIGITTE CROMEY

Guard the princess. Save the kingdom. Stay alive.

Princess Talianna has gotten used to being invisible. As the only child of the royal line, she swears to become the best possible ruler for her people—even if it means no one will ever see the girl behind the crown. When fate reunites her with the knight who was once her best friend, she must hold to her promise—and leave the dreams of childhood behind.

Sir Gavin of Andel has never forgotten the princess with a smile as brilliant as the sun. When he’s assigned to guard her after being separated for ten years, he swears to protect her with his life against all enemies—an oath that may prove as deadly in success as it would in failure.

They’re bound to their oaths, but fulfilling them may cause their own hearts to break.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOUR SHORT STORIES FROM THIS ANTHOLOGY THAT WERE ON THE LONG LIST FOR SHORT FICTION IN THE REALM AWARDS: “A MARRIAGE OF INCONVENIENCE” BY ROBIN RAKKEBY; “KNOTS AND TANGLES” BY S.M. JAKE; “LESSONS OF KINGSHIP” BY AMBER KIRKPATRICK; “OASIS” BY KRISTEN BAZEN

PRAISE FOR GUARDIAN’S OATH

“Nobility, courage, self-sacrifice…these are the themes explored in Brigitte Cromey’s precious, deep-hearted novella. When two characters are so determined to do what is right and good, can they make room in their lives to allow a childhood affection to blossom into romance? We live in dark times, and desperately need stories like these to help us find the light of hope. This is a tale after my own heart, and I will read it again and again the days to come.”
—AMBER KIRKPATRICK, author of Until the Rising and Unleashed

“Such an amazing page-turner filled with absolutely everything I love—political intrigue, princess/bodyguard romance, and swoony moments that keep drawing me back to read them again and again. This story [Guardian’s Oath] is sure to please fans of Tara Grayce and K.M. Shea.”
—BRYN SHUTT, author of Illuminare

“Guardian’s Oath is a delicious blend of adventure, magic, and heart. Brigitte Cromey crafted a lovely story perfect for fans of childhood friends-to-more, forbidden love, and royal romance. Readers will find themselves rooting for the characters as they evade danger within their own borders, as well as their feelings for one another. This novella is a shining jewel in the Crowns anthology.”
—CRYSTAL D. GRANT, author of Shadowcast

ABOUT THE EDITORS

BRIGITTE CROMEY speaks fluent sarcasm, includes way too much action in her books, and is still baffled by romance. If she’s not cuddling cacti or listening to scifantasy music (ie: video game soundtracks), she’s cooking hobbit food while pretending not to love the characters in the shows Brittany forces her to watch. (BE: “HaVe YoU SEeN AlcHeMY of SoULs YEt?!”) Her pragmatism is the perfect balance to Brittany’s starry-eyed poet’s heart, yet she refuses to let a story end without hope.

BRITTANY EDEN has the heart of a poet and sees the world through rose-tinted glasses. She loves a good K-drama, tea, and finds joy in the simplest of things. When not swooning over the romance in yet another fairytale (BCC: “ARRG they’re KISSING AGAIN”), she can be found hiding in the office under the stairs of her cold northern home with a giant mug of tea (love of teapots being one of the tenants of her loyal friendship with Brigitte), listening to Ludovico Einaudi, and crafting love stories of her own.