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A socially awkward but determined phoenix keeper must partner with her longtime rival to save her beloved exhibit from falling into obscurity in this charming, romantic fantasy debut. Perfect for readers of “Legends & Lattes” and “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy”.
Aila is a little obsessed with phoenixes.
As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, her childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix-nabbing cripples the flagship program at a neighbouring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.
But saving a species takes more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. Inspiring zoo patrons? That's another story. Finding the courage to ask for help from the hot dragon keeper at a neighboring exhibit? Virtually impossible. And don't get Aila started on her arch-rival from college: the glamorous leader of the zoo's wildly popular griffin show, who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve better as a performer than a conservation exhibit.
Aided by both friends and enemies, Aila must conquer her social anxiety if she is to restore her breeding program. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success isn't only a matter of keeping her job: the future of a species depends on her. S. A. MacLean is a romantasy author from sunny California. Infatuated with magical worlds since her days of brewing mud potions in her childhood garden, she fell in love with the romantasy genre after realizing all her favorite fantasy novels had kisses in them. Her stories invariably feature quirky humor, sassy animal companions, and queer casts who represent her voice as a chaotic bisexual woman.
Aila is a little obsessed with phoenixes.
As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, her childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix-nabbing cripples the flagship program at a neighbouring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.
But saving a species takes more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. Inspiring zoo patrons? That's another story. Finding the courage to ask for help from the hot dragon keeper at a neighboring exhibit? Virtually impossible. And don't get Aila started on her arch-rival from college: the glamorous leader of the zoo's wildly popular griffin show, who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve better as a performer than a conservation exhibit.
Aided by both friends and enemies, Aila must conquer her social anxiety if she is to restore her breeding program. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success isn't only a matter of keeping her job: the future of a species depends on her. S. A. MacLean is a romantasy author from sunny California. Infatuated with magical worlds since her days of brewing mud potions in her childhood garden, she fell in love with the romantasy genre after realizing all her favorite fantasy novels had kisses in them. Her stories invariably feature quirky humor, sassy animal companions, and queer casts who represent her voice as a chaotic bisexual woman.
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Narrator Stephanie Bentley initially presents Aila as shy and geeky; later, she captures Aila's professional and romantic growth. At a zoo full of magical creatures, Aila anxiously tends endangered Silimalo phoenixes and seeks a new bird for mating. Her charming crush, Connor, offers to help with the preparations. Still feeling overwhelmed, Aila enlists the aid of her outgoing and attractive nemes
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