Details
Title: The Beast and the Bough
Series: The Unbroken Thread Series
Release Date: June 15, 2026
ISBN:
KDP Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9956398-0-0
Ingram Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9956398-1-7
Page Count: 562
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Comparable Titles: For fans of One Dark Window (Gillig), The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Broadbent), and Alchemised (SenLinYu).
Spice Level: 3/5
Content Warnings: graphic violence and body horror · death and bereavement · captivity · religious oppression · war and political violence · sexual content present, not explicit.
Synopsis
One-Line Elevator Pitch (~25 words)
In a fractured world ruled by fear and prophecy, a hunted young woman and a dangerous leader forge a bond that could save—or destroy—the continent.
Short Blurb (~75 words)
Audrei Valenor has spent years surviving in the shadows of a world that erased her family and buried the truth of what she is. When fate places her in the path of Kael Astrund—a powerful and enigmatic leader haunted by secrets of his own—she is pulled into a conflict that threatens the balance of the entire continent. As war looms and ancient forces awaken, their connection becomes as dangerous as it is impossible to resist.
Full Back Cover Copy (~200 words)
Audrei Valenor has spent years surviving in the shadows of a world that erased her family and fractured her future. Hunted for what she is and burdened by a past she cannot escape, she has learned that survival often demands silence, sacrifice, and distrust.
But when a chance encounter places her in the path of Kael Astrund—a powerful and enigmatic leader with secrets as dangerous as the enemies hunting them both—Audrei is pulled into a conflict far larger than herself.
As tensions rise across the continent and the balance of power begins to shift, Audrei is forced to confront the truth of what she is and what she may become. Kael, bound by duty and haunted by a fate he cannot fully escape, walks a dangerous line between control and collapse. Drawn together by a connection neither fully understands, their alliance becomes something far more volatile—and far more necessary—than either of them intended.
But in a world where power is weaponized, truth is buried, and destiny is anything but kind, survival comes at a cost.
The Beast and the Bough is an emotionally immersive adult fantasy romance filled with slow-burn tension, political intrigue, ancient magic, and devastating choices.
Author Bio
Single-Sentence Author Bio
M.K. Abben is a Pacific Northwest fantasy romance author whose emotionally immersive storytelling was shaped by a lifelong love of fantasy and a personal journey through cancer recovery.
Short Author Bio
M.K. Abben is a Pacific Northwest fantasy romance author based near Seattle, Washington. A second-generation Asian American writer, her work is deeply inspired by the landscapes, atmosphere, and emotional texture of the Pacific Northwest. After being diagnosed with a rare lymphoma several years ago, reading became a source of escape and comfort during treatment, eventually leading her back to storytelling and the creation of The Beast and the Bough, her debut novel.
Long Author Bio (~200 words)
M.K. Abben is a Pacific Northwest fantasy romance author based in the Seattle area. A second-generation Asian American writer, she draws heavy inspiration from the atmosphere, landscapes, and emotional contrasts of the Pacific Northwest, which continue to shape both the tone and worldbuilding of their work.
Before publishing fiction, M.K. spent years working in creative production and collaborative storytelling spaces, developing a strong appreciation for emotionally driven narratives, visual atmosphere, and immersive character work. Several years ago, she was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. During treatment, reading became both an escape and a source of comfort, eventually reigniting a desire to write the kinds of emotionally consuming fantasy stories that had once helped her through difficult periods of her life.
That journey ultimately led to The Beast and the Bough, her debut novel and the first installment in The Unbroken Thread Series—an adult fantasy romance centered around survival, identity, grief, power, and slow-burn connection in a fractured world.
When not writing, M.K. can usually be found surrounded by books, overanalyzing fictional characters, or exploring the forests and coastlines of the Pacific Northwest.
Tropes & Themes
Slow burn romance
Morally grey characters
“Don’t touch her” & “Touch her and die”
Found family
Forced proximity
Buy
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Series Info
The Beast and the Bough is Book One in The Unbroken Thread Series, an emotionally driven adult fantasy romance series set in the fractured world of Vesarra. While the first novel follows Audrei and Kael as they navigate prophecy, war, and a dangerous connection neither fully understands, future installments will continue expanding the world, political conflicts, mythology, and interconnected character arcs introduced in Book One. Book Two, Songs for the Hollowed Moon, is currently in development.
Q&A
1. What inspired you to write The Beast and the Bough?
The Beast and the Bough was born during a very difficult period of my life. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma, and during treatment reading became a form of escape and comfort for me. Eventually, storytelling became part of my healing process as well. I wanted to create the kind of fantasy story that fully consumes you emotionally — something immersive, character-driven, and hopeful even in its darkest moments.
2. How would you describe The Beast and the Bough to new readers?
It’s an emotionally immersive adult fantasy romance centered around survival, identity, power, grief, and slow-burn connection in a fractured world. Readers can expect atmospheric worldbuilding, political tension, dangerous magic, emotionally complicated characters, and a romance that unfolds gradually through trust, vulnerability, and shared survival.
3. What readers or fandoms do you think this book will resonate with most?
I think it will resonate strongly with readers who enjoy emotionally intense romantasy with immersive worldbuilding and strong character relationships. Fans of slow-burn tension, morally gray characters, found family dynamics, prophecy-driven fantasy, and emotionally devastating character arcs will probably feel very at home in the story.
4. Audrei and Kael have such a strong emotional dynamic. What drew you to writing their relationship?
I’ve always been most interested in relationships that change people fundamentally over time rather than instant attraction. Audrei and Kael both carry enormous emotional weight, grief, fear, and responsibility in very different ways. Their relationship grows slowly through survival, trust, restraint, and vulnerability. I wanted their connection to feel earned — powerful not because it was easy, but because both characters had to fight their way toward it emotionally.
5. Your worldbuilding feels very atmospheric and emotionally grounded. What influences shaped the setting of Vesarra?
A huge amount of the atmosphere comes from the Pacific Northwest. The forests, coastlines, mountains, fog, rain, and emotional texture of this region absolutely shaped how I imagined Vesarra. I’m very drawn to fantasy worlds that feel lived-in and emotionally tangible rather than purely aesthetic. I wanted the setting to feel beautiful, dangerous, ancient, and deeply tied to the emotional state of the story itself.
Contact Info
Email: mishaabbenhouse@gmail.com
M.K. Abben welcomes review requests, podcast and interview opportunities, bookstore and retailer inquiries, book club outreach, event invitations, and collaborations with readers, bloggers, booksellers, and content creators interested in fantasy romance and emotionally immersive storytelling.
Social Media
Instagram: @mkabben.writes
Tiktok: @mkabben.writes
Downloadable Assets
