Category: Cozy fantasy, cozy fantasy adventure

Review: Smite the Soil: A Retired Paladin’s Guide to Magical Agriculture (A Cozy LitRPG Adventure) (The Green Sanctuary Book 1) by Beatrix Penrose

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Smite the Soil, the first book in The Green Sanctuary fantasy series by Beatrix Penrose, is a heartwarming, well written novella. It’s a story that beautifully lays out the characters, unique universe and is a perfect introduction to any reader unfamiliar with LitRPG storytelling.

The tale of Sir Alaric Thorne, of the many celestial titles is wonderfully detailed and heartfelt. Al, as he decides to be known, doesn’t want to Ascend and become a minor deity after defeating all the quests. He’s tired. Wants to put down his sword. 

So he decides to find a different path. The Green Hearth. And starts a new journey. 

As a farmer and level 1 Celestial Husbandman. That comes with a rundown farm, land that doesn’t grow anything and a decidedly ornery goat named Goliath.

There’s also a community full of good people nearby that’s in dire straits. 

Step by step, Al and the village of Oakhaven come together as a community. It’s leveling up by means of heartfelt support and encouragement by goat, small children and a variety of other otherworldly friends. 

It is a quick read and sets the story for the next book and events to follow. 

A terrific read and recommendation!

Love the cover and wish I knew more about the artist. 

The Green Sanctuary (8 book series)

Smite the Soil #1

The Amber Hops #2

The Wandering Grove #3

The Winter of the Void #4

Smite the Soil: The Seed of Generations #5

Smite the Soil: The Roots of Rebellion #6

Smite the Soil: The Ashen Harvest #7

Smite the Soil: The Sky-High Vineyard #8

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 8: The Green Sanctuary 

Blurb 

He was the Shield of the Empire. Now, he’s just trying to grow a decent tomato.

Sir Alaric Thorne is tired. After twenty years of smiting demons and saving the world, his back hurts, his armor is heavy, and he’s forgotten the smell of fresh air that isn’t tainted by sulfur. So, when the System offers him a “Hidden Path” to retirement, he takes it.

He trades his Holy Avenger sword for a rusty hoe.

But Oakhaven Farm isn’t the paradise he imagined. The soil is cursed, the local village is starving, and his only companion is a Level 3 Chaos Goat named Goliath who has a taste for legal documents.

To save his new home, Alaric must level up his [Husbandman] class, navigate a “System” that rewards [Caprine Diplomacy] over [Combat Prowess], and protect a World-Tree sapling from an Empire that wants its taxes in blood.

In Oakhaven, the weeds are the real monsters, and the greatest quest of all is finding the perfect fertilizer.

What to expect:

  • No Harem/No Stress: A wholesome, “warm blanket” of a story.
  • Crunchy Stats: Watch the numbers go up in Soil Quality, Crop Resilience, and Animal Kinship.
  • Zero-to-Hero (Again): A powerful protagonist learning that growing a life is harder than taking one.
  • Stardew Valley Vibes: Farming, crafting, and building a community from the ground up.

January 30, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

102 pages

Book 1 of 8

The Green Sanctuary

Review: Magical Midlife Madness (Leveling Up #1) by K. F. Breene 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“A woman starting over. A new house with an unexpected twist. A cape wearing butler acting as the world’s worst life coach.”

I found this urban fantasy tale totally charming, with its laugh-out loud moments, endearing characters, and wonderfully mysterious plot.

Breene’s series about a divorced woman who takes a chance on a new life by accepting a job in a place she vaguely remembers from her childhood is a brashly funny, often revealing tale of a woman remaking her life, even as her own world view of what’s real is turned inside out. 

Jessie is a marvelous character, believable, relatable in her emotions as she navigates the challenges she faces after her divorce from a cheating husband, with no real plans for her life or a place to go. And the job she finds herself doing places her back in a small town where she visited as a child, one with fuzzy fond memories and dreams of strange things.

How I love everything about her, the other characters and the many strange situations Jessie finds herself in.  Ivy House, the magical weird structure that’s revealing its secrets reluctantly, is richly detailed and mysterious. As is its inhabitants, Mr Tom, or intriguing members of the community like the alpha Arden, who’s constantly being told to reevaluate his position on women by Jessie, each one has staying power both within the narrative and with the reader.

Jessie and all the others demonstrate personal growth and self development as she discovers what the town and Ivy House is about, as her potential role, if she decides to accept it.

A fantastic story, great characters, and a journey I’m happy to follow. 

A winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

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 Book 1 of 13: Leveling Up 

Blurb 

A woman starting over. A new house with an unexpected twist. A cape wearing butler acting as the world’s worst life coach.

“Happily Ever After” wasn’t supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of twenty years packs up and heads for greener pastures and my son leaves for college, that’s exactly what my life becomes.

Do-over.

This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at forty I’m ready to carve my own path.

Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills. I’ll be taking care of a centuries old house that called to me when I was a kid. It’s just temporary, I tell myself. It’ll just be for a while.

That is, until I learn what the house really is, something I never could’ve imagined.

Thankfully forty isn’t too old to start an adventure, because that’s exactly what I do. A very dangerous adventure that will change my life forever. I have a chance to start again, and this time, I make the rules.

February 16, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

316 pages

Book 1 of 13

Leveling Up

Review: A Blacksmith’s Guide to Dragon-Rearing (Dragons of Safe Haven #2) by Julia Huni

Rating: 4⭐️

Not quite sure how you would categorize this, a cozy dragon fantasy? With a no spice romance aspect to it?

It has many interesting and well thought out elements to it, ones I really found intriguing but somehow got lost in the narrative here. 

The first book revealed the existence of this mysterious island where multiple species coexisted peacefully between warring magical countries, hidden by fae magic behind barriers none could penetrate unless they were fated to. Like a dying “retired” war witch from one country and an equally retired dragon rider soldier from the opposing side, whose life he feels is over, betrayed by his king. Both of whom find themselves on the island, and eventually become friends then wedded partners. From enemies to lovers.

It’s was a great tale that was made better by the discovery of sea dragons. 

Huni’s story contains a great deal of detailed backstory on the countries at war, war witches, dragon riders, the new king, the island’s political system, and the other beings who make up the community there . And the rules   I mean it’s a lot. Mostly in the first book.

But here it’s Nevan and Franisa Hearthwell’s story. Each one was a secondary character before, but they are, primarily due to Nevan becoming a dragon rider, into the forefront. It’s a romantic story but they don’t have much time for that to develop. It’s the community and friends who are telling each of them about how the other is feeling. Plus there’s an entire “fake engagement “ aspect to this story that launches their romance. 

It’s too much “as told to” to be believable. Where the first relationship between William and Cala was and is remains totally credible. They are so well established and intriguing people. 

The dragons element is reduced down to one important one and that’s Starlight. She’s developing into an amazing character. There appears to be a new element, the wounded fire dragon from William’s country and with one of his former unit squadron members. Unfortunately right now, that person is just a one dimensional character. Hopefully, he’ll grow some or this aspect of the series will end up very one note coded. 

I’m looking forward to seeing where this author goes next with all these characters and storylines. A definite recommendation. 

Cover designed by Mariah Sinclair Designs 

Dragons of Safe Haven (3 book series):

A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement #1

A Blacksmith’s Guide to Dragon-Rearing #2

A Rider’s Guide to Dragon Healing #3 – Sept 30,2026

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: Dragons of Safe Haven 

Blurb 

Raising dragons is easier than raising a five-year-old. Probably.

Nevan never planned on becoming a dragon rider. He was perfectly content swinging a hammer in the forge—until an injured dragon rider retired to Safe Haven. Now paired with the runt of the clutch, Nevan is supposed to help train the island’s brand new sea dragon fire brigade. That means long days, soaked clothing, and a growing suspicion that dragons like to play matchmaker.

Franisa Hearthwell has enough on her plate. Widowed at an early age, she’s running the island bakery, raising two children, and fending off a meddlesome dwarven in-law who thinks her son belongs in the mine. When desperation strikes, she blurts out a solution that’s equal parts brilliant and ridiculous: she’s betrothed to Nevan.

But Nevan has adored Franisa since childhood. And fake betrothals have a way of attracting real feelings, curious neighbors, and dragons who seem very invested in romantic outcomes.

As fire threatens the village, an injured war dragon seeks refuge, and Safe Haven rallies around its own, Nevan and Franisa discover that bravery comes in many forms—and that family can be forged as surely as iron.

Dragons, fresh bread, found family, and a seaside village full of heart—welcome back to Safe Haven.

A cozy fantasy with a reverse-age-gap, fake engagement, friends-to-lovers romance that won’t steam your glasses. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic, and Jane Austen’s Dragons—a cozy fantasy that smells faintly of woodsmoke, sea spray, and warm cinnamon rolls.

IPH Media, LLC

Publication date

March 31, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

324 pages

Book 2 of 3

Dragons of Safe Haven

Review: Guard in the Garden: A Cozy Fantasy (Fables of Finlestia) by Z.S. Diamanti

Rating:4.75⭐️

While a reader could certainly enjoy the richness and warmth of Z.S. Diamanti’s Guard in the Garden as the cozy fantasy it’s described as, it’s also a deceptively well written story about a dwarf warrior, the only survivor of his elite unit who has returned from a long ongoing horrible war. He’s suffered a severe physical injury that’s caused a permanent disability that he’s refusing to acknowledge and is at a loss to heal his both his own wounds and deal with his mental struggles with in his new civilian life, such as it is. 

For the reader, he represents so many veterans who have returned from similar wars and conflicts, with PTSD, disabilities, and with mental struggles to cope with in fitting into a civilian life and new identities. 

The anger, frustration and fear is well documented in Felton Holdum, because he’s unwilling to accept that he won’t be able to get back into his squad and war. That his bonded fantasy winged partner, who perished trying to save him, won’t be revenged. Its pain, and loss and everything Felton had , now gone. And the writer brings us into Felton’s emotional state and we hurt too. 

So while we may seem far away from the war and its consequences, and a small town that’s in a state of recovery, this never quite feels like a cozy place. There’s a sharp edge that waits around here, for every sweet moment,a raw piece of powerful reality to offset the tiny bits of everyday sunshine joy. 

Because Galium’s inhabitants have been through it, and quietly it’s a place where, in time, Felton finds his own way through his own recovery by helping others through theirs. 

It’s a beautiful, remarkable and powerful story. Rich and well crafted. Full of heart and compassion. 

I’m highly recommending this. And will read the rest of the series. 

Love the covers. Gorgeous.

Published by Golden Griffin Press LLC.

Seasonal Illustrations by Aleksa Stajsic. 

Plant Illustrations by Z.S. Diamanti.

Fables of Finlestia (3 books)

Guard in the Garden #1

Wagons & Wyverns #2

Assassin in the Alehouse #3

Buy link

        Guard in the Garden: A Cozy Fantasy (Fables of Finlestia)

    

Blurb 

Embark on a wholesome journey of healing and self-discovery. A cozy fantasy tale of forging new friendships and overcoming fears. A quiet quest of family bonds and budding romance.

From dragon fire to garden flowers …

Felton Holdum spent his entire life training to become one of Galium’s elite dwarven warriors. When a bloody battle leaves him injured, he has no choice but to move into his eccentric twin aunts’ quaint home in the town’s quiet Garome District.

With his life of military service seemingly over, the captain of the city guard gives Felton his only chance at a fresh start in the new life he never wanted.

But when a human woman barges through his front door, the grumpy dwarf starts to wonder if there is more to life than war. The sunshine woman invites him to visit her garden, where Felton gains a new nemesis and a new purpose in life.

Take a walk through the garden and see what magic awaits.

Come enjoy the hospitality of the whimsical Garome District. Meet new friends as you sample new breads at the bakery, play a game of Castle Brick at the tavern, and taste homemade pies during the annual pie baking contest at the Fall Festival.