Canelo launches their inaugural, lead romantasy series by debut author Amy de la Force
October 24, 2024
Editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights to a new romantasy trilogy by Amy de la Force from Sarah Hornsley at Peters Fraser + Dunlop Literary Agency in a three-book deal.
This dazzling new romantasy series kicks off with a bang in A Kiss of Hammer and Flame, as blacksmith Cahra accidentally triggers an ancient prophecy, awakening a god-like being across the three warring kingdoms of Hael’stromia. Through danger-wrought rides across the Wilds with a mysterious, handsome companion to gleaming foreign kingdoms, Cahra will encounter people and magicks she never could have imagined, and all the while a dark figure haunts her dreams at night… Will Cahra’s role in the prophecy bring peace to the empire, or has she doomed her world to even greater destruction?
A queer Australian writer who was shortlisted for the 2024 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, Amy de la Force draws on her expertise as an ex-Apple copywriter and medieval sword fighter to craft unique and immersive romantasy worlds. Amy lives in London and can be found on X or TikTok at @amydelaforce.
Emily Bedford says: ‘For a debut writer, I couldn’t have been more astounded by Amy’s talent for utterly compelling, pacy and magical storytelling. Cahra and Hael’s underworldy, forbidden romance had me kicking my feet and on the edge of my seat for the next instalment, which I know is going to be even more explosive. Not only has Amy created the ultimate kick-ass heroine in Cahra to carry this series to its dramatic climax, but Hael is her perfect, darkly brooding counterpart.’
Amy de la Force says: ‘Canelo’s excitement for my series was obvious from day one, and I feel so fortunate to have been chosen as their lead romantasy. Emily is a gifted editor, and her enthusiasm and belief in this project has been both heartening and humbling. A Kiss of Hammer and Flame fuses my passion for all things dark romantasy with a twist of the paranormal, and I can’t wait for readers to meet Cahra and her enigmatic goth love interest as they unravel her story together.’
Sarah Hornsley says: ‘Cahra is an unforgettable heroine and A Kiss of Hammer and Flame has the most sizzling love triangle. I was very lucky to sign Amy de la Force from the Lucy Cavendish Prize shortlist and I’m so pleased to have matched Amy with an editor who has so much ambition for launching the series.’
A Kiss of Hammer and Flame will be published in July 2025, in hardback and ebook, with a mass market paperback to follow in January 2026. For more information please contact [email protected]