Anya Rousselle – författare

2026 CANREADS Finalist After her brother was dragged away by KingsGuard soldiers for 'training', Lorea has had one goal - protect the people of the Northeast. None of the taken ever return and she would do anything to prevent others from suffering at the hands of the brutal 'blackjackets'... including murder.Her single-track life gets upended when she saves the life of Henri, a helpless stranger who is charming and naive. Lorea's first instinct is to lose him at the first opportunity, however, Henri is not as easy to let go of as she'd hoped. Her new tag-along is an unwelcome distraction but he wants her to protect him, though he won't say why.Rumours of the KingsGuard attacking a nearby town send Lorea down a dangerous 'short-cut' path to help; one she knows she has to take, even if it means Henri follows. Secrets, betrayals, and magical monsters along the way have Lorea questioning everything she thought was important, and her feelings for Henri complicate matters more.When the battle against the KingsGuard comes to a head, Lorea must make a choice; stay the course and protect the Northeast, putting Henri in danger, or join a bigger cause and risk her life to save the world. "e;With its evocative writing and expert world-building, readers are taken on an immersive whimsical journey through uncharted realms and timeless adventures. What sets this fantasy apart is its characters. Complex, layered, and brimming with contradictions, each character feels alive on the page, driving a story that balances epic battles with quiet, intimate moments."e;  ~ Canreads Book Reviews

One impulsive rescue. One chaotic road trip. Absolutely no plan.When Soirsha Hale is stranded in Syracuse, her only goal is to get home without completely falling apart. Jeremy Tate, steady and sarcastic, agrees to help, fully intending for it to be a one-time favour. Instead, Remy hops on a plane with Soirsha to Saskatoon, and they embark on a March-break road trip across borders, fueled by bad coffee, witty banter, and a growing attraction neither of them planned on.As the kilometers stretch on, Soirsha is forced to confront what she's been running from, and what she might finally be ready to choose. Remy has to decide whether the spark igniting between them is worth risking his play-it-safe routine.  One country. Endless wrong turns. All the right reasons to fall in love.Welcome to It Happened Up North, a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy series where each story follows a new couple hitting the road across Canada—and stumbling headfirst into mishaps, misadventures, and maybe… true love.Whether they're stranded in Saskatchewan, washed out in Nova Scotia, or stuck in a canoe with their worst (or maybe best?) enemy, these characters learn quickly: the journey never goes as planned.But between roadside donut stops, wild travel companions, and unexpected sparks, they just might find that love has a funny way of showing up—especially when you're lost.Sweet, Just Kisses romantic comedy. Full of heart. Packed with hilarious detours. All proudly written by Canadian authors.