Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes

Travis Baldtree is a popular narrator of audiobooks and he has created a cosy little fantasy in which an Orc decides to open a coffee shop in a small town. She experiences sparks with a succubus who comes to work as a barista. There is some danger of course, but the overall message is to find joy in the simple things… like connecting with your neighbors and being helpful where you can. The book has been surprisingly successful and readers seem to appreciate that there will be no decapitations, no massacres involving copious amounts of blood. There is a little mystery surrounding a magical artifact. But all in all it is a comfortable read/listen.

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After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what’s advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

The Purple Fantastic Steam Meter gives this a 1. Romance is not a primary plotline, but the possibility of romance does hover sweetly in the background. There is nothing remotely steamy in this story.

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