Low stakes. High heat. Sharp steel . . .
Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying – and failing – to do for the past ten years. What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
Luca, for his part, is trying to reinvent himself in a new city. All he wants to do is make some easy money and try to forget the crime he committed in his home town. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible – and inconveniently handsome – wool merchant like Matti.
However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what – or who – they seem. As the days to Matti’s wedding count down, the two of them become entangled in the intrigue and sabotage that have brought Matti’s house to the brink of ruin. And when Luca’s secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
Marske writes what I crave most in romantasy: brilliant craft, fresh voice, characters worth obsessing over, and genuine honest-to-god heat -- Casey McQuiston New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue
Both deliciously cosy and blisteringly hot, Swordcrossed is a book best read by a fire, with a glass of mead in your hand and a hot swordsman on your knee -- Lex Croucher, author of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love
The perfect blend of charm, yearning and romance delivered at sword’s point, Swordcrossed is a compulsively readable fantasy with characters who will steal your heart -- C.S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author of Captive Prince
Clever, sparkling and perfectly indulgent, Swordcrossed feels like stepping into a party already in full swing. Everything is possible; everything is wondrous. This is fantasy romance at its very best -- Grace D. Li, author of Portrait of a Thief
Freya Marske's books catch my heart with a butterfly net, because I believe in her characters so utterly . . . Swordcrossed proves there's nothing in fantasy – or queer romance – Marske can't do -- Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil
Swordcrossed is so good I want to set it on fire and physically throw it at people's faces . . . It filled my brain with tickly champagne bubbles of glee -- Alexandra Rowland, author of A Taste of Gold and Iron
An effervescent, sparkling fantasy romance that eagerly pulls you along into its blade-sharp dance until the final words. Freya Marske's characters leap from the page and take your whole heart in their hands, so compelling and vividly drawn that you can't help but love them -- Emma Denny, author of One Night in Hartswood