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Sowing Deceit: Book 1
Not yet published
Expected 27 Mar 26All I wanted was to use my wielder abilities for something good. If my life is going to be tied to the source, I will use it to make better medicine and help others. Who cares if I am a lonely outcast in this prestigious guild. Oh well, at least I have my pet Thorntail to keep me company. He doesn’t seem to mind my odd personality.
People know Briar—a wielder in the Plant Kingdom—for her creative use of her powers. She is intelligent and dedicated to researching the next best medicine Caelthara has ever seen! But things aren’t what she expected them to be. Little does she know that great powers are trying to manipulate and control the people of the Kingdom, and she has unknowingly played a part in it all. The people she thought she could trust are lying to her, and as the Kingdom struggles with the growing tension between the wielders and The Realm Authority. She realizes quickly that she cannot trust anything or anyone.
But Briar wasn't expecting an injured stranger to fall into her lap. A man of honour on a mission to find justice for a dead friend. They have a common interest, and maybe he is the only one she can trust. The tension between them grows, and they both must decide what to do.
Do they find comfort and love in each other despite the surrounding chaos? Or do they dedicate themselves to the greater good, leaving love behind to save the many?
People know Briar—a wielder in the Plant Kingdom—for her creative use of her powers. She is intelligent and dedicated to researching the next best medicine Caelthara has ever seen! But things aren’t what she expected them to be. Little does she know that great powers are trying to manipulate and control the people of the Kingdom, and she has unknowingly played a part in it all. The people she thought she could trust are lying to her, and as the Kingdom struggles with the growing tension between the wielders and The Realm Authority. She realizes quickly that she cannot trust anything or anyone.
But Briar wasn't expecting an injured stranger to fall into her lap. A man of honour on a mission to find justice for a dead friend. They have a common interest, and maybe he is the only one she can trust. The tension between them grows, and they both must decide what to do.
Do they find comfort and love in each other despite the surrounding chaos? Or do they dedicate themselves to the greater good, leaving love behind to save the many?
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 27, 2026
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
T.M. Goodkey
8 books51 followersMaking dwarves blush, orcs believe in love, and elves lose their cool - that's what TM Goodkey does best. Living in Ontario, Canada, she's beyond happily married with two beautiful children and a backyard full of chickens (which, according to her kids, definitely count as pets). An avid reader of ALL things magical/fantasy with a side of romance, TM has been a published Indie Author since May of 2024. She writes closed door romantasy filled with funny characters, swoony moments, and everything in between.
www.tmgoodkey.com
IG- @tmgoodkey
www.tmgoodkey.com
IG- @tmgoodkey
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another fantastic 5 star read from T.M Goodkey. If you like a cozy romantasy then this book is for you!
T.M Goodkey does an absolutely fantastic job of world building and setting the scene without needing to ramble on for pages and pages. I can see so clearly the world that has been created. I can easily picture the beloved Spike, the Eldar tree, the tram etc etc. I could get lost in that world for a long time.
Our FMC Briar has anxiety and as someone with an anxiety disorder it’s so nice to be able to have that representation, especially in a fantasy book. Ronin our MMC does an exceptional job of supporting Briar with her anxiety while not looking down on her for it or treating her like she’s broken.
This book quite literally has something for everyone. It has those cozy vibes but it also has plenty of action, intrigue and mystery. It will make you gasp with turns you didn’t see coming, swoon from the blossoming love story and curse with anger at the bad guys.
And boy oh boy what a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!
T.M Goodkey does an absolutely fantastic job of world building and setting the scene without needing to ramble on for pages and pages. I can see so clearly the world that has been created. I can easily picture the beloved Spike, the Eldar tree, the tram etc etc. I could get lost in that world for a long time.
Our FMC Briar has anxiety and as someone with an anxiety disorder it’s so nice to be able to have that representation, especially in a fantasy book. Ronin our MMC does an exceptional job of supporting Briar with her anxiety while not looking down on her for it or treating her like she’s broken.
This book quite literally has something for everyone. It has those cozy vibes but it also has plenty of action, intrigue and mystery. It will make you gasp with turns you didn’t see coming, swoon from the blossoming love story and curse with anger at the bad guys.
And boy oh boy what a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!
Review of advance copy
ARC review of Sowing Deceit by T.M. Goodbye @tmgoodkey
Book 1 of The Elemental Dominion Series.
🩷 This story immediately pulled me in! Briar- our anxiety ridden fmc is so down to earth and relatable. She’s a nerdy scientist who is always putting everyone else above herself and maybe just a bit too trusting?!
💙 The mmc Ronin, is protective, strong, and steadfast! On a mission for justice- and revenge- for a friend who was fatally wounded.
💕 The two have instant chemistry in this she-saves-him, SLOW BURN, epic cozy fantasy. As their paths cross, missions turn into more questions, evil begins to reveal itself, and sacrifice is demanded.
🌎 World building comes to life and makes you feel like you’re instantly in another world, with a unique magic system that is being targeted by unknown entities and political loyalties that divide.
🍃 Sowing Deceit was an incredible read and will keep you hooked until the last page- where you’ll be slapping your forehead🤦🏼♀️ at Ronin and wondering what happens next…..I’m already anticipating book 2 😎!
Book 1 of The Elemental Dominion Series.
🩷 This story immediately pulled me in! Briar- our anxiety ridden fmc is so down to earth and relatable. She’s a nerdy scientist who is always putting everyone else above herself and maybe just a bit too trusting?!
💙 The mmc Ronin, is protective, strong, and steadfast! On a mission for justice- and revenge- for a friend who was fatally wounded.
💕 The two have instant chemistry in this she-saves-him, SLOW BURN, epic cozy fantasy. As their paths cross, missions turn into more questions, evil begins to reveal itself, and sacrifice is demanded.
🌎 World building comes to life and makes you feel like you’re instantly in another world, with a unique magic system that is being targeted by unknown entities and political loyalties that divide.
🍃 Sowing Deceit was an incredible read and will keep you hooked until the last page- where you’ll be slapping your forehead🤦🏼♀️ at Ronin and wondering what happens next…..I’m already anticipating book 2 😎!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will definitely be looking at the author's other books (and looking forward to the continuation of THIS story to see what happens next - can you say, "cliffhanger?!")
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the representation of an anxiety disorder in this book - not only that it was mentioned, but that it was *highlighted* and a central character trait that was discussed regularly. It was really refreshing to see how the author handled talking about Briar's anxiety, and to see how she dealt with panic attacks and second guessing herself throughout the story.
This was such a fun, cozy story, with a lovely magic system and storyline that progressed nicely. There's a sweet romance, (clean, no spice) protective and supportive love interest, as well as social and political themes that are very relevant to today's world. I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a sweet romantasy/fantasy novel to read!
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the representation of an anxiety disorder in this book - not only that it was mentioned, but that it was *highlighted* and a central character trait that was discussed regularly. It was really refreshing to see how the author handled talking about Briar's anxiety, and to see how she dealt with panic attacks and second guessing herself throughout the story.
This was such a fun, cozy story, with a lovely magic system and storyline that progressed nicely. There's a sweet romance, (clean, no spice) protective and supportive love interest, as well as social and political themes that are very relevant to today's world. I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a sweet romantasy/fantasy novel to read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this story. The world the author created is unique, especially the plant-based powers and the tension within the kingdom. It felt fresh and interesting.
Briar was my favorite part of the book. She’s smart and determined, but she also struggles with anxiety and feeling like she doesn’t quite fit in. She had me laughing out loud at times and I could really relate to her awkwardness. That made her feel very real and easy to connect with. She just wants to help people and create better medicine, but she ends up caught in something much bigger than she expected.
The story slowly reveals more secrets as it goes, which kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. I also enjoyed the developing relationship and the difficult choices the characters have to make along the way.
If you enjoy fantasy with emotional characters, some mystery, and a bit of romance, this is definitely worth reading. I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
Briar was my favorite part of the book. She’s smart and determined, but she also struggles with anxiety and feeling like she doesn’t quite fit in. She had me laughing out loud at times and I could really relate to her awkwardness. That made her feel very real and easy to connect with. She just wants to help people and create better medicine, but she ends up caught in something much bigger than she expected.
The story slowly reveals more secrets as it goes, which kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. I also enjoyed the developing relationship and the difficult choices the characters have to make along the way.
If you enjoy fantasy with emotional characters, some mystery, and a bit of romance, this is definitely worth reading. I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The anxiety representation in this book is so well done — it feels real and nuanced in a way that can be hard to find. TM Goodkey makes the shift from romance to action look effortless, weaving the two together in a way that just works. Fast-paced, heartfelt, and genuinely hard to put down. I’m already counting down to the next instalment!
Review of advance copy
I really loved the deep connection that develops between Briar and Ronin. She takes him into her home to nurse him back to health. Forced proximity leads to true friendship and a very protective instinct in Ronin. Briar is such a pure soul, quick to help, yet naive.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews