A baker’s daughter, their new employee, and a royal baking competition.

Nathaniel Alder is finally getting his chance to explore the big city, but things aren’t the same as back home. With barely enough coins to pay his way for three days, he’s looking for work–and as a cake nearly falls into him, he may have fallen into a job.

Winning the chance to provide the cake for a royal event is Thea Greene’s main aspiration right now–although avoiding her mother’s matchmaking is a close second. When a cheerful young man prevents her from dropping their competition cake and destroying her first goal, she finds herself in danger of failing the second…and as the baking competition goes on and Nat become part of their world, it’s becoming harder to remember why she wanted to avoid it in the first place.

Once Upon A Cake is a grumpy/sunshine novella loosely inspired by the story of The Little Mermaid. Each standalone book in the Galamere Chronicles has the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie and the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and can be read in any order.

Once Upon a Pen Book Awards 2024 Best Snacks in the Story Winner

Published
January 17, 2025
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The Galamere Chronicles

The series

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In The Galamere Chronicles, the line between myth and reality is razor-thin, and the fate of a world teetering on the edge of chaos rests in the hands of those brave enough to confront the darkness that binds it. Set in the mystical lands of Galamere, where ancient forces stir beneath the surface of a fractured kingdom, this series explores the tangled destinies of a cast of characters bound by power, prophecy, and a shared desire to reshape their world.

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At the heart of this epic tale is the young but fiercely determined Arlen Caelus, a gifted seer who has long been haunted by cryptic visions of a crumbling empire. Torn between her visions of the future and the struggles of her present, Arlen must grapple with her own identity while confronting the shadowy figures who seek to exploit her abilities for their own ends.

Joined by an unlikely band of allies—each carrying their own burdens and secrets—Arlen embarks on a journey that takes her deep into the heart of Galamere’s forgotten histories. Along the way, she will uncover hidden truths about the kingdom’s origins, challenge the oppressive forces of the ruling elite, and face the terrifying reality that the future she sees may be one of destruction, not salvation.

The Galamere Chronicles blends political intrigue, powerful magic, and rich world-building into a narrative that will draw readers in with its complexity and emotional depth. Galamere itself is a character, with its towering cities, sprawling wilderness, and ancient ruins that whisper of a time long past. As the series unfolds, secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and the true nature of power—both magical and political—becomes clear.

In this world, every choice has consequences, and those who dare to alter the course of destiny must be prepared to sacrifice everything. With its gripping storyline, richly developed characters, and haunting atmosphere, The Galamere Chronicles is a tale of transformation, rebellion, and the unyielding pull of fate. Each page turns like a revelation, pulling readers deeper into a story that is as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

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