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The Hearthfire: A Cozy Fantasy of Found Family and New Beginnings
“Tender without being trite. A very enjoyable read.” - Amazon Five Star Review
Ragna Threadscar spent fifteen years as a warrior. Now she’s trying to build something instead.
She inherits a run-down alehouse in a coastal village. She learns to brew mead and fix broken chairs. She tends a hearth that burns warmer than it should—like it knows this place is becoming a home.
It’s working. Three sharp-eyed orphans have claimed her as family. The village is starting to trust her. For the first time in her life, something feels right.
Then her past comes calling.
And she has to decide: Is she really becoming someone new? Or is she just a warrior pretending until the pretending runs out?
Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The House in the Cerulean Sea.
A cozy fantasy about found family, healing, and the hardest choice of all—believing you deserve the gentle life you’re building.
Ragna Threadscar spent fifteen years as a warrior. Now she’s trying to build something instead.
She inherits a run-down alehouse in a coastal village. She learns to brew mead and fix broken chairs. She tends a hearth that burns warmer than it should—like it knows this place is becoming a home.
It’s working. Three sharp-eyed orphans have claimed her as family. The village is starting to trust her. For the first time in her life, something feels right.
Then her past comes calling.
And she has to decide: Is she really becoming someone new? Or is she just a warrior pretending until the pretending runs out?
Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The House in the Cerulean Sea.
A cozy fantasy about found family, healing, and the hardest choice of all—believing you deserve the gentle life you’re building.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2026
43 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Jalál C. Hockett
4 books10 followersJalál C. Hockett is a 22-year U.S. Army veteran writing unflinching grimdark fantasy from Texas. Inspired by George R.R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie, his Grey Deep series explores trauma, betrayal, and moral grayness in a drowned world with no heroes and no easy redemption.
Debut novel The Fracturing (Book One) is a 2026 SPFBO 11 entrant (Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off).
Book 2 drafting now.
Follow me!
X: @jalal_c_hockett
Instagram: @jalal_c_hockett
Substack: @jchockett
Debut novel The Fracturing (Book One) is a 2026 SPFBO 11 entrant (Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off).
Book 2 drafting now.
Follow me!
X: @jalal_c_hockett
Instagram: @jalal_c_hockett
Substack: @jchockett
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 23, 2026
Wow! A definite gem of a fantasy adventure
The writing and worldbuilding are excellent. The characters are loveable and believable. Ragna has to learn to live life away from war. She and the children have to learn to trust. The found family theme is well-written, heartwarming, and often tearful. Einar is hilarious. I read this book in KU but will buy it and The Stray to reread; both are lovely lower stress books.
The writing and worldbuilding are excellent. The characters are loveable and believable. Ragna has to learn to live life away from war. She and the children have to learn to trust. The found family theme is well-written, heartwarming, and often tearful. Einar is hilarious. I read this book in KU but will buy it and The Stray to reread; both are lovely lower stress books.
February 1, 2026
Heart warming
This book told a tale about Ragna, choosing to leave war behind and build a home in an inherited ale house. Over the year she learns to build family and community. I found the book to be tender without being trite. This was a very enjoyable read.
This book told a tale about Ragna, choosing to leave war behind and build a home in an inherited ale house. Over the year she learns to build family and community. I found the book to be tender without being trite. This was a very enjoyable read.
April 10, 2026
What a great series.
I truly loved reading these books. A storyline not dedicated to violence, but family and community. Full of compassion and help for those in need. We need more storyline like this, thank you!
I truly loved reading these books. A storyline not dedicated to violence, but family and community. Full of compassion and help for those in need. We need more storyline like this, thank you!
April 18, 2026
heartwarming
The story showed the ripple effect of how one person caring can make a difference in so many different lives and different ways. It didn’t overwhelm me with sadness or horror, but just sort of hugged me with more than love. Great story to read and I will recommend it.
The story showed the ripple effect of how one person caring can make a difference in so many different lives and different ways. It didn’t overwhelm me with sadness or horror, but just sort of hugged me with more than love. Great story to read and I will recommend it.
April 19, 2026
Heartwarming Story
A story about finding home and family. Enjoy the passing of the seasons as the main character makes a new life for herself. In the process she also finds herself building a family of children desperately in need of a place to belong. Full of quiet warmth and charm. Well written.
A story about finding home and family. Enjoy the passing of the seasons as the main character makes a new life for herself. In the process she also finds herself building a family of children desperately in need of a place to belong. Full of quiet warmth and charm. Well written.
April 29, 2026
A warm and comforting tale
A most wonderful tale for anyone who feels a little down or out of sorts. A comfortable read to warm the heart
A most wonderful tale for anyone who feels a little down or out of sorts. A comfortable read to warm the heart
March 27, 2026
I saw this advertised on facebook - I believe and since I got KU I decided to try it out :)
This is a sweet little cozy. Ragnar leaves fighting the war and inherits an inn from an Uncle - so she goes to town not really knowing how to run an inn but she learns - and adopts three babes, and a town, and a partnership -
Cute little cozy!
This is a sweet little cozy. Ragnar leaves fighting the war and inherits an inn from an Uncle - so she goes to town not really knowing how to run an inn but she learns - and adopts three babes, and a town, and a partnership -
Cute little cozy!
May 6, 2026
I barely made it through the first two chapters. There were contradictions between chapter one and two. The word scar(red) was used repeatedly to describe furniture, the main characters hands. The last straw for me was the repetitive use of "smelled of regret". After so many editing errors in the first bit of reading the book, I simply couldn't continue.
April 13, 2026
In a world gone crazy I was looking for something to remind me that there is good to be found. This novel not only does that but reminds us that the small moments of being faithful and steadfast are important, probably the most important things we do.
May 1, 2026
Love this story
I love this story and some paragraphs are achingly poignant. I just read that the author is 22. I think that is amazing. I'm looking for the next chapter...the continuing story of the Hearthfire, the family, and community.
I love this story and some paragraphs are achingly poignant. I just read that the author is 22. I think that is amazing. I'm looking for the next chapter...the continuing story of the Hearthfire, the family, and community.
May 2, 2026
Loved this book
I started reading this and it wormed its way into my heart. Hated to see it come to an end.
I started reading this and it wormed its way into my heart. Hated to see it come to an end.
May 7, 2026
I really liked this book !
The Hearthfire is an absorbing book. It is well written and has great characters. It is a fantasy, but a gentle one. I highly recommend it.
The Hearthfire is an absorbing book. It is well written and has great characters. It is a fantasy, but a gentle one. I highly recommend it.
May 5, 2026
wonderful
Completely enjoyed this book. So heart warming. Just what I needed. The characters were well developed and story so encouraging!
Completely enjoyed this book. So heart warming. Just what I needed. The characters were well developed and story so encouraging!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews