Bull Moon Rising - (Royal Artifactual Guild) by Ruby Dixon

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner--a minotaur--in this steamy romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

As a Holder's daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts . . . which is why it's a disaster that her father has gambled all theirs away. Now that her family is in danger of losing their hold--and their heads--if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She'll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items.

It's a great plan--with one big problem. The guild won't let her train because she's a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who requires a favor of his own? He's a minotaur (it's fine) who is her teacher (also fine) . . . and he's about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she's a noble (oops), and he'll want nothing to do with her if he discovers her real identity.

Now Aspeth just has to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold--oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, whom she might be falling in love with.

It's time to dig deep. Literally.

Review Quotes

"Ruby Dixon can do it all: she builds a stunning world, creates compelling, lovable characters, and then hits me with the minotaur smut I always knew I wanted. I came for the monster sex, but what really drew me in is a beautifully poignant story of found family, in which two outcasts team up to take on a broken system and fall in love in the process. (I mean, the monster smut drew me in, too...) This better be the first in a whole series, because I am OBSESSED with everyone. Bull Moon Rising is simply glorious, and Ruby Dixon and The Sacred Knot have my whole heart!"--Ali Hazelwood, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"When it comes to unique romances, no one does it better than Ruby Dixon."--Culturess

"Bull Moon Rising is a fascinating mix of adventure, patriarchal anthropocentric bureaucracy, and spicy monster romance. Dixon expertly balances clever world-building with steady character and relationship growth, while humor and sexual tension keep the pages turning... Fans of paranormal romance novels including Lana Ferguson's The Fake Mate and Ali Hazelwood's Bride will devour this."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"[An] instant classic."--Booklist

"A steamy marriage of convenience featuring all the unusual anatomy Dixon's fans expect. The worldbuilding is well done and the love story convincing. Dixon should win a whole new set of readers with this."--Publishers Weekly

"Dixon follows up her 'Ice Planet Barbarians' novels with this first in a new searing romance series set in a well-crafted fantasy world...a sincerely crafted, explicit romantasy."--Library Journal

"Bull Moon Rising proves that Ruby Dixon's talent for creating immersive worlds and sizzling romances translates beautifully to high fantasy settings. As Aspeth and Hawk descend into the depths of the Everbelow, readers will find themselves eagerly following, hungry for the treasures."--The Bookish Elf

"Hawk, the classic cinnamon-roll hero, is a gentle giant who adores Aspeth's quirks and awkwardness. If you enjoy a solid plot mixed with a bit of spice, this book offers both in a fun and adventurous setting."--Storied Conversation

"This book has all of the things Ruby's books are known for: a fun, low angst monster romance with spicy scenes featuring 'unique' male anatomy...and lovable side characters."--Good Book Fairy

About the Author

Ruby Dixon is an author of all things science fiction and fantasy romance. She is a Sagittarius and a Reylo shipper, and loves farming sims (but not actual housework). She lives in the South with her husband and a couple of goofy cats, and can't think of anything else to put in her biography. Truly, she is boring.