Borrowed Bloodlines

by Emma Shelford

New life? Not from that pit of dark magic.

My fairy godmother is trapped in a cult’s lair, and they’re not exactly handing out welcome baskets. Think dangerous hybrids, brainwashing, and forced labor.

I want her out. Voros, the hot hybrid escapee, wants his pregnant sister Zara out, too. Kamila, a newly runaway hybrid on my doorstep, might be our salvation, although her beauty and strength make me feel like the world’s least magical sidekick. She and her perfect hair are bad news, but Voros is too desperate to notice.

The cult’s head researcher is experimenting on Zara’s unborn child, trying to create the ultimate hybrid. Now we’re dodging Kamila’s suspicious help, juggling Voros’s family drama, and trying to harness uncontrollable Earth magic to beat the cult.

If we don’t rescue Voros’s sister in time, the baby won’t just be born into darkness—it’ll be made into it. I can’t let that happen. Not to my godmother. Not to Zara. Not to anyone.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2026

About the author

Emma Shelford feels that life is only complete with healthy doses of magic, history, and science. Since these aren't often found in the same place, she created her own worlds where they happily coexist. If you catch her in person, she will eagerly discuss Lord of the Rings ad nauseam, why the ancient Sumerians are so cool, and the important role of phytoplankton in the ocean.

Emma is the author of the Nautilus Legends (a marine biologist discovers that mythical sea creatures are real), the Musings of Merlin Series (Merlin is immortal, forever young, and living in the modern day), and the Breenan Series (a young woman follows a mysterious stranger into an enchanting Otherworld).

Reviews

[Amy]

The cult has Eva’s godmother and Voros’s sister, among others. Kamila a former cult member seemingly escapes and shows up on Eva’s doorstep looking like a goddess and wants to help. Can her help be more of a hinderance or will Eva and Voros get caught in the web the cult is weaving around them?

Eva and Voros’s story just keeps getting better. I love the exquisite descriptions of each of the worlds they visit and all the unique challenges of each for a human. Eva is learning to bring her librarian side with her fighting side and struggling with the lack of magic and feelings of inadequacy just as someone seemingly perfect shows up. Perfect flow and still loving the involvement of other characters and their development too! Can’t wait to see what the future holds with some of the ominous breadcrumbs in this one!

[Jillian K]

Emma’s third installment of her Magical Library Series is fantastic. An absolute funny, sweet, action packed, page turning story! The book draws you in with more adventures, character growth/development and new friends / foes uncovered.

If you are looking for a fun entertaining read, I highly recommend the author Emma Shelford, this series, and especially this book.

Grab a piece of giant hazelnut and jump into this funny, entertaining adventure, because this book is soooo darn good, you will not want to put it down!!

[Chells]

Another exciting adventure as the journey to rescue her godmother and Voro's sister continues. This installment is packed with action, self-discovery, acceptance, insecurities, shocking truths, new twists, and plenty of world-building. Every answer seems to uncover even more questions, making the story even more complicated in the best way.

And that ending? Another cliffhanger! I loved every minute of it and can't wait to see what happens next.

[H.M. Bloom]

I have loved each and every book in this series. This one was no exception and I will eagerly await the next book.

[Michael Coulson]

Another great action packed page turner by Emma. The library of the realms story continues in this the third book in the series. Eva's godmother and Voros's sister are both captives of a cult. Will Eva and Varos be able to rescue them? Read on to find out!