So glad you're here!

If you’re a hopeless romantic and a fantasy lover, you’re in the right place, because so am I!But even if you’re neither of those things, you’re welcome to stay as we gush over swoony banter, enemies turned lovers, and happily ever afters.Yes, I’m a fantasy romance author who relishes in taking the familiar and beloved stories & tropes and giving them my own twist.Behind the books, I’m an Army wife and mom of four, living my best life here on the Wyoming prairie with a gin and tonic in hand and New Girl on repeat.

Until the Stars Fall (#1)

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The last time a fae king took a human bride it started a war.
This time it could prevent one.I have been a loyal servant to the fae crown my whole life–an arrangement that has kept me safe from the violence between our two races…until I kill a fae noble.Sentenced to death I beg the king for mercy and am shocked when it comes from the eldest prince who hates me.But there’s a catch…Now thrust into the role of my growly protector’s bride-to-be, I have to choose between playing along with this fake engagement or following my own heart to protect my people.Until the Stars Fall is the first in a new fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a magical war-torn world, where love is weakness and danger lurks around every corner. Loosely inspired by the classic movie, Sabrina, this slow-burn fated mates tale with a fake engagement brings you a growly, yet noble fae prince and the sunshine human who just might be the death of him…if he doesn’t fall for her first.

Once the Skies Fade (#2)

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The law is clear: remarry or lose the throne.
But it says nothing about love.My husband is dead, and I’m the prime suspect. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the law requires I marry by the end of the season, or I lose my kingdom.I followed my heart the first time; I won’t do it again.The old tournament tradition could help me select our next king while protecting my broken heart, but I never expected a close friend of my husband’s family to show up to compete.I don’t know if he believes the rumors and suspects me of murder, but it’s clear someone wants him out of the competition and me off the throne.Caught in a tangled web of political games and deadly secrets, I must choose between following my wounded heart and keeping my crown…before more end up dead.Once the Skies Fade is the second in a fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a magical war-torn world, where secrets have power and allies are few. This tale of love lost and fated mates brings a morally grey queen with shadowy secrets and the sarcastic general who could mend her heart…if he doesn’t put a dagger in it first.

Author Note

This series is recommended for older teens and adults, as it contains violence, language, and steamy content. Spicy scenes are written on page when it makes sense for the story.

More Info

A new adult fantasy romance collection of interconnected standalones, perfect for readers who love:
- retellings
- fated mates
- one bed/one horse
- fake engagement
- mistaken identities
- enemies to lovers
- fae, vampires, shifters, and all manner of creatures, immortal and otherwise
- spice that doesn't take over the plot

Series plans

This collection is slated to have five books total:Until the Stars Fall (February 2024)
Once the Skies Fade (March 2025)
Untitled 3 (August 2026)
Untitled 4 (TBD)
Untitled 5 (TBD)The first three books have been acquired by Dreamscape Media for audiobook production! All five books will also be coming to Brazil courtesy of DL Books Editora.

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On These Black Sands (#1)

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In a world of lies and betrayal, trust can be dangerous and alliances can turn deadly.Declan’s years as captain have earned him both a ruthless reputation and a slew of enemies. Add in the Council which lords over the pirates and the painful past that haunts him, and he’d do anything to be free of these seas–even search for a legendary dagger with the power to grant victory to the one who wields it.When a chance stop back home brings him the information he needs to finally find the blade, nothing will stop him from claiming it for himself.Until an irritating Council heir stows away on his ship…Despite his crew’s pleas, Declan can’t shake his protective nature and agrees to see her safely to the next port. But when she turns out to be the key to his quest, he’ll have to set aside his hatred for her and her family… or throw away his one chance at freedom.On These Black Sands is the first book in a romantic fantasy trilogy, pulling you into a unique world of heart-rending betrayal, deadly legends, and swoon-worthy love. This pirate adventure offers political intrigue with a side of slow-burn romance between a reluctant hero and the woman who could save him…if she doesn’t wreck him first.

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From These Dark Depths (#2)

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Being eaten by a siren queen is at least an interesting way to die.
And Declan has little hope of avoiding it while locked in this brig.His captor is ruthless. His guilt is relentless.Everyone he needs is back on his ship, hopefully chasing after him…without tempting death themselves.But if they don’t make it in time, he’ll have to face the queen.And his demons.An heir stole his heart. Now that heart–and the remorse it harbors–may get him killed.Or worse.Black Sails meets Throne of Glass in book 2 of the Aisling Sea series. The stakes are higher with new dangers and more swoon-worthy romance sure to create fans of insta love. This is a forbidden love story with a bit of steam and a cliffhanger ending.

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With These Last Breaths (#3)

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Every journey must end... one way or another.And in Declan's experience, that usually means death.Death of his enemies. Death of his friends.Their one hope of surviving is in the hands of a man he wants to see suffer... even if it means letting the darkness within take over.But even if he retrieves the dagger, he could still lose everything.He could still lose her.He may not be good enough—he may not deserve her—but he's not about to let her go.Not without a fight.This is the final book in the Aisling Sea series. Darker, grittier, spicier, this book contains anxiety representation, torture, violence, family drama, and on-page intimate scenes.

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More Info

A new adult fantasy romance series for readers who love:
- slow-burn romance with all the tension
- a bit of steam that builds with each book
- the one bed trope
- morally gray heroes
- relatable heroines
- found family & a feisty supporting cast
- fae royalty, man-eating sirens, & other magical creatures
- snarky banter

Series Plans

This series will have three books total:On These Black Sands (August 2021)
From These Dark Depths (August 16, 2022)
With These Last Breaths (August 15, 2023)Note: Books 1 and 2 end with cliffhangers

Author Note

This series is recommended for older teens and adults, as it contains some violence, strong language, and steamy content. Spicy scenes progress gradually through the books with several scenes written on page in book three, but these are not overly explicit.

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More about Vanessa

Vanessa Rasanen writes new adult fantasy romance filled with sassy attitudes, relatable characters, and slow-burn. She loves a good cliffhanger, judges books by their covers, and wishes she could write faster. Her books include a smidge of salty language, a bit of blood, and a serving of swoon-worthy romance perfect for readers who don't mind spice, but don't need it on every page.She lives southeast Wyoming with her pilot husband and four kids. When she's not writing you can find her mixing up a gin & tonic, rewatching New Girl, running a small business, and wasting spending time on Instagram.

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