An Alliance of Ash and Jade

by A.J. Skelly

Jade is desperate to win her father’s affection and her place among her clan. If she can win the Crown Challenges and appoint her brother the next heir apparent, her place in her father’s heart will be assured. But she can’t do it alone, so she agrees to an alliance with the cruel and devastatingly handsome Sky Prince—whom she has every intention of double crossing.

Ash is cursed. No powers. No wings. Without his magic, he cannot win the Crown Challenges to ascend the throne. His only recourse is a bold vow to kill the curse-caster. And wedding her will provide just the opportunity he needs. But just as Ash is ready to end his curse once and for all, an assassin attacks, and Jade saves his life. Now bound to a blood debt, he cannot kill her, nor remove his curse. Caught in the purgatory of betrayal and a fight to the death to win the Challenges, Ash has no choice but to trust the beguiling girl he’s now forced to protect.

As they battle to attain the crown, they’ll have to work together to beat the other contestants, and fight their growing, forbidden attraction. All while remembering that their tenuous alliance ends with the Challenges, and that their marriage is a sham. But something wicked hides in the shadows; forgotten secrets that threaten the very existence of the empire. Only by joining forces do Jade and Ash have any hope of overcoming the evil rising in the darkness...but even that might not be enough.

396 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

AJ Skelly (also writing as April J. Skelly) is an author, reader, and lover of all things fantasy, medieval, and fairy-tale-romance. And werewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avid life-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she's always been fascinated with the written word. She lives with her husband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find their way into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea together and stay up reading far later than they should.

You can read more of her short stories at www.ajskelly.com.

Reviews

[V. Romas Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received and early copy for endorsement*

A refreshing and exciting new adventure, An Alliance of Ash and Jade doesn't disappoint when it comes to electrifying chemistry and deadly tournaments. Skelly does excellent work at balancing humor, loss, love, and accepting oneself through fast-paced rhetoric and story-telling. With elemental themes and deadly oaths, this new novel is one you won't want to put down!