The Summer of Shambles

Need a fun romantasy fix after watching My Lady Jane?

Lean in to the chaos and charm of the Ondine series, filled with magic, mayhem, true love and a talking ferret. Royal intrigue abounds in the Duchy of Brugel, where our heroine, Ondine, dreams of grand adventure while working in her family pub. Ondine loves mystery, yummy food and fluffy kittens. What she gets is family secrets, washing dirty dishes and a smelly ferret. That ferret is Shambles, and he talks with a saucy Scottish accent.

Of course, Shambles is no ordinary mustelid (and he's definitely not a rodent!). He's a real lad, living in reduced circumstances. When he transforms back into his human self, Ondine is transfixed!

This series of novels has a fabulous cast of players to delight and entertain.

Ondine, our star. Pros: Wears her heart on her sleeve, is honest and hard working.

Cons: Prone to blurting out the unvarnished truth when stressed.

Shambles: Pros: Entertaining, loyal and protective of Ondine.

Cons: Spends too much time as a ferret. Can't yet control his transformations.

Lord Vincent, Pros: will inherit the Duchy of Brugel one day.

Cons: The ego on this guy!

Old Col: Family matriarch. Pros: Looks after her family, is a certified witch with magic and everything.

Cons: Erratic and not quite as 'with it' as she used to be.

Mrs Howser: Long time rival of Old Col. Pros: Has excellent control of magic.

Cons: (MASSIVE SPOILERS!)

Book one in this charming four, no, FIVE book romantasy series.

It's The Princess and the Frog, except the princess is a teen who works in her family hotel, and the frog is a ferret!

15-year-old Ondine is struggling to fit in at Psychic Summercamp and doubts she possesses any of her family's magical abilities. She resolves to leave, determined to follow her own path and be a normal teenager. Whatever normal is in a place like Brugel. 

On the way home, Ondine is shocked when her pet ferret Shambles starts talking - in a cheeky Scottish accent no less! He is, in fact, a young man trapped in a witch's curse. When he briefly transforms into his human self, Ondine is smitten. If only she can break the spell for good, Shambles can be handsomely human on a full-time basis. 

During the summer, these two misfits uncover a plot to assassinate a member of the royal family and discover a secret treasure that has remained hidden for decades. This attracts the attention of the arrogant Lord Vincent, and Ondine can't help being drawn in by his bad-boy charm. 

With so many demands on Ondine's attentions - and affections - normal has never seemed so far away. 

The Summer of Shambles is the first in the four-part ONDINE series by award-winning author Ebony McKenna. Fans of The Princess Bride and Ella Enchanted will love this delightfully quirky fairytale.