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The Dancing Dragon: A Halloween Novella
A sweet, no-spice adult romance with a bookstore owner on her way to a Halloween/D&D party, but she unknowingly falls through a portal and ends up in a fantasy realm! He's a fae who believes he's cursed to never find love...
What follows is witty banter, adventure, mistaken identity, magic, & more!
What follows is witty banter, adventure, mistaken identity, magic, & more!
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2024
23 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Kaufer
15 books151 followersA.R. Kaufer has dreamed of becoming a published author for as long as she can remember. She is a DV and SA survivor, and champions for mental health services for those in need. She lives in Indiana with her wonderful husband and furbabies. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going for walks in the woods around her home.
She is currently working on an eight book fantasy series, The Courtship Saga, with the first seven books available now.
She also has a Beauty and the Beast retelling, Kingdom of Forgotten Curses. And she released her first novella, The Sword in the Roses, which released at #8 on Amazon's best-seller list!
Court of Lies & Cinder, a dark Cinderella retelling with wolf shifters, is available now!
Her latest release is a Rapunzel retelling. Tower of the Lost Princess, available now!
Coming this fall, she has a Sleeping Beauty retelling, Castle of Broken Dreams!
She is currently working on an eight book fantasy series, The Courtship Saga, with the first seven books available now.
She also has a Beauty and the Beast retelling, Kingdom of Forgotten Curses. And she released her first novella, The Sword in the Roses, which released at #8 on Amazon's best-seller list!
Court of Lies & Cinder, a dark Cinderella retelling with wolf shifters, is available now!
Her latest release is a Rapunzel retelling. Tower of the Lost Princess, available now!
Coming this fall, she has a Sleeping Beauty retelling, Castle of Broken Dreams!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2024
Short, sweet and full of creativity
I love how this author does characters so I was immediately intrigued. I love themed stories so when this came out in time for spooky season, I was ready!
I love the set up here. D&D, portals, contrasting worlds, the foreigner in a strange land trope…it all comes together beautifully and because we’re fully on the characters’ sides, we want answers as much as they do.
My only critique is the beginning does happen a wee bit fast. It felt very rapid fire—this happens then this then this and there wasn’t a lot of time to breathe. However, once the characters are settled into the main setting, it slows down and takes it time.
Elle and Kevyn are so fun to follow. I love how they have to learn about one another but any secrets are done for good reason. Once we see their chemistry with one another, the reader becomes their biggest cheerleader.
Definitely a lovely story for the Halloween season and one that will leave you feeling sweet and fulfilled.
I love how this author does characters so I was immediately intrigued. I love themed stories so when this came out in time for spooky season, I was ready!
I love the set up here. D&D, portals, contrasting worlds, the foreigner in a strange land trope…it all comes together beautifully and because we’re fully on the characters’ sides, we want answers as much as they do.
My only critique is the beginning does happen a wee bit fast. It felt very rapid fire—this happens then this then this and there wasn’t a lot of time to breathe. However, once the characters are settled into the main setting, it slows down and takes it time.
Elle and Kevyn are so fun to follow. I love how they have to learn about one another but any secrets are done for good reason. Once we see their chemistry with one another, the reader becomes their biggest cheerleader.
Definitely a lovely story for the Halloween season and one that will leave you feeling sweet and fulfilled.
January 30, 2026
This was such a cute little romance and another great performance by Amber!
December 22, 2024
Guaranteed to Bewitch!
"The Dancing Dragon" by A.R.Kaufer is an endearing Halloween Novella. It's a delightful blend of whimsy and warmth, perfect for curling up with on a chilly autumn evening.
Twenty-five-year-old Elle is a sweet and sassy bookstore owner. Kevyn is a handsome and honorable Royal Guard. She’s human and he’s fae, and fate uses a magical portal on a rainy Halloween evening to bring them together, offering a chance to their souls that ache with profound loneliness, longing for the touch of true love. But love comes with a cost. Will they be brave enough to embrace it and find happiness at long last? Get cozy with your pumpkin spice latte in your reading nook and prepare for the most enchanting ending.
Honestly, if this book were a potion, it would be labeled ‘Guaranteed to Bewitch.’ With a masterful touch, A. R. Kaufer weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and magical, capturing the essence of Halloween on every page. The narrative is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions, charming characters, and a captivating plot that mesmerizes readers with every turn of the page.
"The Dancing Dragon" is a spellbinding mix of portal fantasy, romance and coziness, making it an ideal read for the spooky season and not only. I absolutely adored it! It whisked me away on a magical journey and has nestled itself into a special corner of my heart, where it will forever sparkle with enchantment.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the author for granting me access to the eARC.
"The Dancing Dragon" by A.R.Kaufer is an endearing Halloween Novella. It's a delightful blend of whimsy and warmth, perfect for curling up with on a chilly autumn evening.
Twenty-five-year-old Elle is a sweet and sassy bookstore owner. Kevyn is a handsome and honorable Royal Guard. She’s human and he’s fae, and fate uses a magical portal on a rainy Halloween evening to bring them together, offering a chance to their souls that ache with profound loneliness, longing for the touch of true love. But love comes with a cost. Will they be brave enough to embrace it and find happiness at long last? Get cozy with your pumpkin spice latte in your reading nook and prepare for the most enchanting ending.
Honestly, if this book were a potion, it would be labeled ‘Guaranteed to Bewitch.’ With a masterful touch, A. R. Kaufer weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and magical, capturing the essence of Halloween on every page. The narrative is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions, charming characters, and a captivating plot that mesmerizes readers with every turn of the page.
"The Dancing Dragon" is a spellbinding mix of portal fantasy, romance and coziness, making it an ideal read for the spooky season and not only. I absolutely adored it! It whisked me away on a magical journey and has nestled itself into a special corner of my heart, where it will forever sparkle with enchantment.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the author for granting me access to the eARC.
September 4, 2024
D&D meets a Hallmark movie...but MUCH better. This was a cute and quick read. The main character dons her witch costume for Halloween to meet her D&D friends at a local pub, but lightning strikes before she gets there, and after the lightning clears, the pub seems a little too realistic for Halloween. That's because it's another world in which the characters in her former fantasy game of D&D come to life--specifically a fae who is cursed never to find his true love. Of course, everyone thinks the main character really IS a witch, which is just the beginning of the misunderstandings. There's also a jealous "love interest" who wants her out of the picture. Humor, fantasy, and romance!
March 19, 2026
Cozy Hallmark Vibes But Make It Fantasy
I absolutely love this story as well as the narrator! A quick listen and a nice palate cleanser if you’re in a reading slump (like I was until after I listened to this). I fell in love with the love story and found their happily ever after to be extremely sweet. All of the whimsy of a cozy fantasy and the romance of a swoon-worthy Hallmark movie. No spice and all great plot with well-rounded character development. I definitely will be giving it another listen soon!
Thank you Autumn Kaufer for sending me a code for the audiobook to review. All thoughts and opinions are honestly and my own!
I absolutely love this story as well as the narrator! A quick listen and a nice palate cleanser if you’re in a reading slump (like I was until after I listened to this). I fell in love with the love story and found their happily ever after to be extremely sweet. All of the whimsy of a cozy fantasy and the romance of a swoon-worthy Hallmark movie. No spice and all great plot with well-rounded character development. I definitely will be giving it another listen soon!
Thank you Autumn Kaufer for sending me a code for the audiobook to review. All thoughts and opinions are honestly and my own!
September 4, 2024
I just finished this short, but sparkling novella, the newest installment from A.R. Kaufer. I say sparkling, because that is what her words seem to do in this book. It's not long, but she says so much within its pages. I love the characters: romantic, wears-his-heart-on-his-big-sleeve Kevyn, and sassy but sweet Elle. I was rooting Kevyn the moment he flat out told her his curse and wish more men were like him. Their love story was beautifully written and characterized. The writing was clean, clear, and beautiful. I highly recommend it.
October 5, 2024
THE DANCING DRAGON was the cute Halloween novella that I needed this month! Elle is on her way to a Dungeons and Dragons meetup at pub night with her friends when she accidentally stumbles into a portal after a real fae named Kevyn and winds up in a fantasy world with goblins, witches and more! Kevyn is convinced he’s been cursed to never find love. Elle has to find her way back to the human realm… but she has to pass a few trials first. All in good Halloween fun. If these two happen to fall in love along the way? What’s a small matter of a realm standing in the way of true love? I enjoyed this short novella and loved the characters! 5/5 stars.
September 2, 2024
Now this is a quick cute portal fantasy and is such a lovely read. You have a FMC heading to play D&D with her friend she stumbles into a portal in the Fae realm. She meets the MMC who believes he is cursed and she can fix it. With a jealous fae and the mounting attraction between main characters. So if you love quick reads with witchy vibes then this novella is for you.
September 10, 2024
“The Dancing Dragon” by Autumn Kaufer was a terrifically cozy read. You get thrown right into the allure of a charming fantasy world and the lives of its people, and you can easily find yourself enveloped in their short story together. If you’re looking for a quick, comforting read this fall, this is the book to go for!
October 11, 2024
What a cute little novella!!
I don't read much Halloween books, but this one was so nice. I loved Elle and Kavyn so much, their chemistry was beautiful 🥺
It was a short yet sweet read, and I'll probably read this every year for Halloween because it's that good! If you like portal fantasy and want a short read for the spooky season, I definitely recommend this one :)
I don't read much Halloween books, but this one was so nice. I loved Elle and Kavyn so much, their chemistry was beautiful 🥺
It was a short yet sweet read, and I'll probably read this every year for Halloween because it's that good! If you like portal fantasy and want a short read for the spooky season, I definitely recommend this one :)
November 25, 2024
This is a fun, Hallmark style rom-com meets fantasy! With D&D, Halloween, and magic. I loved this story. It's a meet cute in a tavern that spirals into epic fantasy. Well done!
Tropes:
forced proximity
mistaken identity
fae & witch (sort of, lol!)
one horse
Tropes:
forced proximity
mistaken identity
fae & witch (sort of, lol!)
one horse
November 2, 2024
Autumn’s work is always so lovely! It was a beautifully written and enchanting novella. Perfect for the autumn/ winter season. The author’s writing style is great.
August 8, 2025
Cute and quick!
This was a really fun palette cleanse! I loved how fast paced it was, I really liked Elle and Kevyn, and it flowed very nicely. Honestly I couldn’t put it down!
This was a really fun palette cleanse! I loved how fast paced it was, I really liked Elle and Kevyn, and it flowed very nicely. Honestly I couldn’t put it down!
February 6, 2026
***Audiobook Review***
Check out this audiobook now!!! Available on Audible.
Very quick Halloween novels. Cute very YA book.
It’s well written. You will enjoy the two main characters.
The narrator also did a wonderful job.
Check out this audiobook now!!! Available on Audible.
Very quick Halloween novels. Cute very YA book.
It’s well written. You will enjoy the two main characters.
The narrator also did a wonderful job.
May 12, 2025
A wonderfully cosy romantasy novella/novelette with some autumnal and Halloween atmosphere.
It's sweet, it's romantic, and it is swoony. The MMC is just... *chefskiss*
I absolutely loved it!
It's the kind of story you need when the world around you is just mean, bleak, or too much.
Get this story - and maybe a couple others of its kind -, curl up on your sofa, with your cosy blanket, your favourite hot drink/s and snacks, and forget about everything for a while.
If you need something to lift your spirits, you should definitely give this story a try.
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Transparency info: Read via Kindle Unlimited.
It's sweet, it's romantic, and it is swoony. The MMC is just... *chefskiss*
I absolutely loved it!
It's the kind of story you need when the world around you is just mean, bleak, or too much.
Get this story - and maybe a couple others of its kind -, curl up on your sofa, with your cosy blanket, your favourite hot drink/s and snacks, and forget about everything for a while.
If you need something to lift your spirits, you should definitely give this story a try.
---
Transparency info: Read via Kindle Unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews