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Never run.
Never bow.
Never die.

Introducing an epic series about a heroine forged in steel and rage, and the cursed immortal who holds the key to her salvation – or damnation. Packed with unforgettable characters, thrilling action, and smoldering tension, Steelborn heralds the arrival of an extraordinary new voice in romantic fantasy.

Enter a world ruled by tyrants and thieves, where magic is outlawed, revolution brews, desire is dangerous, and an impossible cure may prove deadlier than the curse.

Reya Connery's enemies know her exclusively as the Crimson Dagger, Rhiterra's most notorious thief. She survives by three simple rules. One: There is no honor among thieves. Two: A good blade is key to any negotiation. Three: Only the dead keep secrets – and Reya's must be kept at all costs. But when a heist goes wrong on the eve of paying off her debt to the ruthless crime lord who raised her, Reya may need a new set of rules. And a lot of coin. Fast.

Enter Caelan Halcyon, a once powerful immortal warrior now cursed to die. Resolved to protect what's left of his people, he journeys to Rhiterra seeking the fabled cure for the curse inching closer to his heart – but if it exists, no one is selling. There's just one person who might be desperate enough to try and get their hands on it in time to save his life, someone whose legend claims they can steal anything: the Crimson Dagger. A male of honor, Caelan loathes everything the beautiful, cocky thief represents, yet knows Reya is his last hope for survival.

Their search takes them to the edge of the known world, where Reya discovers that there is far more at stake than her and Caelan's own lives. Now, Reya must confront deadly foes, her growing attraction to the immortal who is as infuriating as his jawline is perfect, and the rage she's spent a lifetime trying to bury. This time, her daggers aren't going to cut it, and the fate of all magic-born hangs in the balance.

Perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen and Callie Hart, Steelborn delivers an unforgettably complex heroine stepping into her power and purpose, a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and jaw-dropping set-pieces that immerse you in a fantasy world you won't want to leave.

© Taylor J. LaRue 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026