Chasing Cryptic Creatures: An Appalachian Fae Dark Fantasy Romance

by Paige A. Cook

Lenora is stuck at her dead-end job and trapped by generational poverty in Appalachia. Her only escape? Sleep. Or more precisely, the man made of stardust who’s keeps her dreams safe for as long as she can remember.

But when her grandfather dies, she’s left with an unconventional magical secrets and an unwanted trip to another world.

Stolen away to the fae realm and left bleeding in the enchanted woods, Lenora is rescued by a beautiful stranger. He vows to keep her safe, but little does she know, he’s the one she should be running from.

The mysterious fae is her only chance at returning to her old life, where her sisters are waiting. But there’s more tying them together than either realizes… and the fae of her dreams may not be so willing to let her go now that he’s finally found his mate.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 21, 2026

About the author

Paige A. Cook is equal parts woman and mist of the mountains. Her books blend dark fantasy romance with unexpected tropes, often pulling inspiration from her dreams and Appalachian upbringing. She is a sucker for kdramas, fated mates, slow burn, issekai, and fictional men who yearn.

A proud West Virginian woman, she enjoys possum wrangling and whispering secrets to the ravens in her backyard. She’s happiest digging her hands through the dirt, watching her flowers spring forth to welcome the bees and butterflies.

In the light of the sun, she blazes a fierce trail of marketing splendor in the legal industry. By moonshine, she weaves stories of strange worlds far away where the food is magic, the lore is rich, and the plus size women bang sexy mythical beings.

She once fell into a fae circle. Rumor has it she never truly returned.

You can find her on Instagram and Threads @flipthapaige