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  • Inked in Ashes

Inked in AshesA Twisted Fairy Tale

Inkbound #1 / 4
by Shannon Mayer
Inked in Ashes: A Twisted Fairy Tale (Inkbound #1) by Shannon Mayer
⧗ 8.00 / 1
123456718910

For fans of Once Upon a Time, and Wicked.

Escape the page, or die trying…

I’ve spent twenty-five years in the Hollow, poor as dirt, cursed with a stepmother who hates me, and dreaming about a faraway land that I don’t understand. Only two things that make life worth living are my falcon, Fetch, and my best friend, Molly.

But when Moll’s plot to land a royal husband at the palace ball goes horribly wrong, I find myself staring at a king with a glass stiletto buried in his chest and a blood-covered Molly standing over him. We’ve got to move…and fast, or we’ll both wind up swinging from the hangman’s noose.

Worse? The palace sorcerer is using everything he can to find the culprit including raising the dead.

More complicated? Duncan…brother to the King, whose eye I've unintentionally caught, a man whose secrets might be deadlier than the undead soldiers breathing down our necks, is making me second-guess everything I've ever known.
With revolution brewing and a mysterious man calling to me from my dreams, I have no choice but to embrace my fate…
But what if my fate is beyond anything I could ever imagine? What if the only land I’ve ever known isn’t home at all?

What if I’m trapped inside a fairytale, and the only way out…is through?

Amazon: Check Best Offer

FantasyRomanceRetellingsFairy Tale Retellings
Release date: May 13, 2025

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Shannon Mayer

Shannon Mayer

Shannon Mayer is an author whose immersive storytelling and deeply atmospheric worlds have captivated readers of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and adventure. With a knack for blending heart-pounding action and richly layered characters, Mayer’s work transports readers to darkly enchanting realms where magic is real, and the stakes are often life and death.

Born in Canada, Mayer discovered her love for writing in her early teens, but it wasn’t until adulthood that she fully embraced her passion. What started as a hobby turned into a full-fledged career as Mayer began publishing her work in 2011, and she hasn’t looked back since. Her writing journey began with the Rylee Adamson series, an urban fantasy collection that quickly became a fan favorite. The series, which follows Rylee—a tracker with the unique ability to find anything—blends mystery, supernatural intrigue, and fierce emotional depth.

Read more ...

But it wasn’t just the supernatural elements that drew readers in. Mayer’s books are rich in character development, with protagonists who are flawed yet fiercely resilient, navigating their complex inner worlds as much as the dangers lurking in theirs. Whether it's Rylee’s journey in the Rylee Adamson series, or the exploration of midlife and self-discovery in the Forty Proof series, Mayer’s stories connect with readers on a deeply personal level.

Her success is undeniable. With millions of copies sold worldwide, Mayer has built a loyal fanbase and carved out a space for herself in the crowded world of urban fantasy. However, it’s not just her impressive sales that have made her a standout. Mayer’s ability to tackle serious themes like loss, identity, and healing within a fantastical context resonates with her audience. Her stories feel like more than just escapism—they offer a reflection of the human experience wrapped in the magic of the supernatural.

In addition to her work in urban fantasy, Mayer has also ventured into paranormal romance and magical adventure, with series such as The Alpha Territories and The Inkbound series gaining attention for their unique takes on familiar tropes. Her recent releases, including Gossamer and Inked in Ashes, show Mayer’s ability to constantly evolve her craft, delivering fresh and exciting stories for her growing audience.

Through every book, Mayer’s voice remains consistent—fast-paced, emotional, and utterly compelling. She writes not just to entertain, but to connect, to inspire, and to take her readers on a journey they won’t soon forget. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of supernatural creatures, the emotional depth of her characters, or the world-building that makes each setting feel alive, Mayer’s books are a window into a world where anything is possible.

Mayer’s success is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the craft of storytelling. She’s carved a niche for herself in the literary world by creating books that blend the fantastical with the deeply personal, creating worlds that are as captivating as they are transformative.

Inkbound

In Inkbound, Shannon Mayer weaves a darkly enchanting world where fairy tales are more than just stories—they’re the very fabric of reality. With each turn of the page, readers are drawn into a universe where the boundaries between the familiar and the fantastical blur, creating a thrilling backdrop for a series that’s as immersive as it is unforgettable.

Read more ...

At the heart of Inkbound lies a reimagining of timeless fairy tales, brought to life with Mayer's signature blend of magic, danger, and unexpected twists. In Inked in Ashes, the first book of the series, readers meet a world where legends come to life with deadly consequences, and the heroes and villains of old must navigate new, treacherous landscapes. This is a place where nothing is as it seems, and even the most beloved tales take on new, darker forms.

As the series unfolds with Inked in Onyx and the upcoming Inked in Emeralds, the stakes grow higher, and the characters—many of whom straddle the line between hero and anti-hero—must face impossible choices. Will they remain loyal to their ancient stories, or will they rewrite their own fates? Every chapter unearths deeper secrets, more perilous adventures, and a web of intricate relationships that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

What sets Inkbound apart is not just its captivating plot but the atmospheric world-building that draws you into its very heart. From enchanted forests to dark, forgotten kingdoms, each location is vividly brought to life, leaving you with the sense that this world is just as real as your own. Mayer's lyrical storytelling lures you into a complex universe of shifting allegiances and moral dilemmas, where the magic is as unpredictable as the characters who wield it.

Inkbound is a must-read for fans of fantasy who crave intricate plots, bold reimaginings of classic tales, and a touch of romance woven through the chaos. With every new book, the series deepens in complexity, and the characters continue to evolve in ways that will keep readers coming back for more. Whether you’re a fan of fairy tales or simply love rich, immersive storytelling, this series offers a fresh take that’s as mysterious and unpredictable as the worlds it brings to life.

Step into the pages of Inkbound—where every story has its own secrets, and the ink that binds them may just be the key to unlocking a destiny no one saw coming.


Inkbound consists of three books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Inked in Ashes: A Twisted Fairy Tale (Inkbound #1)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Inked in Onyx: A Twisted Fairy Tale (Inkbound #2)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Inkbound Book 4 (Inkbound #4)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


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