Rating: 5 out of 5.

If you enjoy fantasy stories and helping people, then this is the book – and even better book series – for you! This group of fantasy writers has banded together to bring you short stories from their various fantastical worlds and each time they work together, they donate all profits to a different cause. This time around with Enchanted Flames, they’re donating the profits to helping communities prone to wildfires – which is a big problem these days!

Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/0kjGnCP

About the Book

If you play with fire, you might get burned…

Dig into this magical collection of short stories and discover among the embers ten fiery fantasy tales to set your heart ablaze.

Sneak past the ancient dragon as you steal from his hoard of gold and escape with the crown jewels. Journey deep into the Salamander Kingdom and follow the wyverns as they help the woodwitch to find the cure. Walk over earth scorched by a post-apocalyptic sun on a quest for survival, and find out why the firebird only eats golden apples. Watch the phoenix rise from the ashes and root for the golden dragon to woo his demigoddess in the Magic Kingdom.

Get this anthology hot off the press, and enjoy ten short fantasy stories by USA Today bestselling, award-winning and up-and-coming authors.

After all, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Enchanted Flames is fully illustrated by the talented Elena Shelest, and all profits will go to support a charity working to help communities prone to wildfires.

My Thoughts

I love these books. I’m a social justice person. While I wrote this review, I was literally sat in my church – where I serve as the chair of the social justice ministry – in case people need a place to cool off and get some water because the feels like temperatures are getting well into the triple digits where I live today. So, when fellow author Astrid V.J., approached me a few years ago about reading these books and sharing them with others, it was a literal no-brainer for me. I love what these authors are doing with a passion! And the bonus of getting to read fantastic stories is phenomenal.

All of the stories are great, but I had three particular favorites – “To Steal a Kiss” by Sky Sommers, “Golden Apples,” by Astrid VJ, and Cajun Cold Flames by Donna White. I have enjoyed Greta and Eddie’s story by Sky Sommers in by “Enchanted Forests,” and “Twice Upon A Name,” other charity anthologies by this group of writers. The story amuses me greatly, and when I came across another installment I was delighted!! It is worth picking up the other two of those books for that story alone! I always enjoy Astrid V.J.’s works, and this one was no exception. Her unique, coming-of-age tale blended with exceptional fantasy elements is a delight. Finally, as a New Orleans transplant, but Lousiana native how could I not love a story with Cajun in the name that stayed true to our roots? A Rougarou and a swamp? A New Orleans story that wasn’t just vampires and a romp in the French Quarter? Yes, please!! Even though those, of course, have their place. White’s story was a refreshing glimpse at a different side of New Orleans. Thank you!

I am so pleased to be on the ARC team for this group of exceptional writers as they bring their wonderful stories to the world and raise money for these various causes. I love doing the little bit I can to help! So dive in and find your favorite tale. I’d love to hear which ones you find to love!

Who’s It For?

If you love enchanting, fantastical stories and/or helping people recover or fight wildfires, this the book for you. There are some content warnings, and most of the authors let you know before their individuals stories so you can skip them if you need too.

About the Author

Ami’s Note: I’ll give you a full bio for Astrid V.J., because she is the author who got me involved in reviewing these charity anthologies, and I’m so grateful! You can find a full bio for her and all the other authors after their stories in the anthology.

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. was born in South Africa. She is a trained social anthropologist and certified transformational life coach. She currently resides in Sweden with her husband and their two children. In early childhood, she showed an interest in reading and languages—interests which her family encouraged. Astrid started writing her first novel at age 12 and now writes fantasy in a variety of genres, exploring her passion for cultures and languages. When she isn’t writing, Astrid likes to read, take walks in nature, play silly games with her children, do embroidery, and play music.

Astrid writes transformation fiction: incorporating transformation principles in novels, rather than writing another self-help book. She loves exploring the human capacity for transformation and potential to achieve success in the face of adversity. Astrid is interested in minority group questions, considerations on social standards of beauty and the negative consequences these have, and would like to make the fantasy genre accessible to people of non-white, non-Christian backgrounds. Astrid feels the fantasy genre has become too restrictive with limited representations of race, ethnicity and culture. She seeks to explore other paths on this writing journey, incorporating her background in anthropology and psychology to create engaging experiences, which also provide food for thought on the diverse topics she finds most important. These include: racism, minority rights, cultural diversity, culture change, intolerance, humanity’s environmental impact, the representation of people on the autism spectrum in among the general populace, the human capacity for transformation, and much more.

For another similar anthology that also raises money for charity, check out my review of Enchanted Forests, which raises funds for the Rainforest Foundation who support indigenous and traditional peoples of the world’s rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfill their rights. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61335767-enchanted-forests

Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram

amicarlton

Latest Posts