Tusks, Tails & Teacakes: A Slice-of-Life Cozy Romantic Fantasy (Tales from the Tavern Book 1)

Half-elf Lira returns to The Tusk & Tail Tavern, the gathering place where she and her companions once launched their adventures. The tavern has fallen into disrepair and no longer serves as the lively hub it once was. Lira discovers that something she buried in the tavern's basement years ago is now bricked over. She offers to restore the tavern as a way to stay nearby and find a path to retrieve her hidden item, relying on baking skills taught to her by her grandmother. While working on the restoration, Lira partners with Sassy, a dwarf warrior, and gains an unexpected resident—a clever raccoon in her kitchen. A shy orc soldier helps repair the tavern's broken stove and other damage, though he seems hesitant to speak with her. As the group works to revive the tavern, Lira rediscovers the value of friendship and quiet moments. However, her past catches up with her, bringing danger that threatens more than herself. To move forward, she must reveal truths to those she has come to care about. This cozy fantasy features mythical creatures and magic with low stakes and gentle intrigue. It contains no deadly battles, world-ending threats, epic quests, or warring armies.