Elves and Espresso: Inspired by the Enchanted Maiden
by Scarlett Luna Strange · The Haunted Brew #1 · August 10, 2026
The Hunt of the Realm Guard... Calista isn't opposed to romance. However, she is opposed to accidentally being bound to a human on the run. And she's even more opposed to the binding ceremony the Realm Guard has demanded with her instead. Neither seem like good options, and it seems she must work together to find freedom with none other than a human. Aleixo is destined to die. At least, that's what he's been told as the Realm Guard hunts him down. He never intended to pull a beautiful star shard elf into this mess, let alone end up bound to her, but here he is. The only problem is, as they rush to solve their unusual predicament, he can't seem to get enough of her. As attraction and peril grow, it's up to Calista and Aleixo to break their bond before death comes calling for one, and marriage for the other. But when the Realm Guard finally reaches them, it's not what they think. Facing a plan more sinister than they could have imagined, will they finally be free, or will the end come for them all? Elves and Espresso is inspired by The Enchanted Maiden and is part of The Haunted Brew series. A collection of four cozy and spooky tales inspired by myths, lore, and legends, it is sure to bring you just the right amount of chill for your autumn evenings.
Rating: 4.50/5 from 1 ratings · Heat: 1 · Genres: Adventure, Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Romantasy, Supernatural, Young Adult
Reviews
Aunt LoLo — 4.5/5
Oooooooh. This was so deliciously confusing, stressful, romantic, and tragic. (Spoiler - it does have a happy ending!) Calista is the youngest of three sisters, an elf, a lover of coffee, and the proud (?) recipient of a dowry considerably less grand than her two older sisters. Aleixo is a human who somehow stumbled into Calista's realm, and...accidentally became engaged to Calista? Not that he's complaining - he doesn't even believe her when she tells him that's what he's just done. Throw in an evil ruler that would like Calista for himself, and healthy dose of running for their lives...and you've got a fantastic spooky little love story. I enjoyed this quite a bit - it was confusing in the best way, and everything made sense by the end. It takes quite a skilled storyteller to make confusion feel intentional and controlled. Ms. Strange has that skill in spades.