Lindsay Straube never set out to write about seductive serpents and crumbling kingdoms—but somewhere between late nights in Portland cafés and binge-watching subtitled dramas, the world of Split or Swallow was born. With her debut novel, Kiss of the Basilisk, Straube invites readers into a lush, dangerous realm where alliances shift like quicksand and love is often the deadliest gamble.
In Kiss of the Basilisk, readers meet Temperance Verus, a woman thrust into a brutal competition where basilisks—deadly, sentient creatures—serve as both guides and threats. Straube’s writing stands out for its rich emotional undercurrents and razor-edged wit, exploring themes of power, identity, and forbidden desire. Her characters aren't just fighting for survival—they're battling their own darkest instincts.
Though a relative newcomer to the fantasy romance scene, Straube has quickly gained notice for her willingness to blend raw vulnerability with slow-burn tension, crafting stories that feel as dangerous as they are intimate. Her second book, Between Two Kings, promises to deepen the intrigue, continuing the saga of betrayal, ambition, and serpentine politics.
Raised on a steady diet of mythology and international television, Straube brings a layered, global sensibility to her work. She draws inspiration from the unpredictable beauty of city life, the quiet danger of ancient legends, and the complicated ways humans love—and hurt—each other. When she’s not writing, she shares pieces of her creative journey and sharp humor with readers online under the handle @oxfordlemon.
In a genre saturated with familiar heroes and predictable romances, Lindsay Straube’s work feels like stepping into a darker, more seductive fairy tale—one where survival demands more than just bravery, and happy endings are anything but guaranteed.
