Cozy Monsters

Tired of her rowdy brothers and their messy, chaotic life in the hollow, she finally walks away in search of something better — a place she can truly call her own.

When a sudden storm leaves her stranded in the woods, Essie meets Nigel, a gentle vampire with dreams of becoming a chef. Together they take shelter in an abandoned dungeon… only to discover they’re not alone.

Soon, Essie finds herself surrounded by an unlikely group of new friends: a fashionable medusa with a passion for dresses, a pair of mischievous sprites, a surprisingly kind minotaur, and even a very sleepy dragon. As they work together to turn the dusty old dungeon into a warm, welcoming home filled with laughter, good food, and genuine care, Essie begins to realize that family isn’t always the one you’re born into — sometimes it’s the one you choose.

But peace doesn’t last forever.

When a dangerous band of adventurers sets its sights on the dungeon, Essie and her found family must come together to protect the only home they’ve ever truly loved.

A heartwarming cozy fantasy about found family, second chances, and the courage to build the life you deserve.

Halsey Mackinaw is that girl who grew up on adventure and mystery stories and daydreamed exciting adventures of her own, just like those she’d found in all her treasured books—each one dog-eared from multiple reads and kept faithfully like the best friends and constant companions they were through the good times… and the bad days everyone must suffer through every now and then.

And she did have adventures. Just like those characters, she saw the world, explored its secrets, and thought… someday I might just write this all down… in my own way. And then maybe I could write a book?

Maybe?

Maybe she went to the big city…

Maybe she sang opera and worked in fashion…

Maybe she’s worn a gown like Cinderella at a ball on a night that could only be described as magical…

Maybe she has memories and secrets she collected along the way from this capital to that one…

Maybe she’s that girl in the rain on a city street in New York, outfit perfect: cognac leather boots, tweed skirt, red slicker that matches her red umbrella, Chanel turtleneck sweater that keeps her nice and toasty, and her best Louis Vuitton bag. She’s getting into a cab, with a smile and a wink that says… everything’s gonna be alright. All you have to do is show up and do your best.

Halsey is that girl who liked to compete to prove who she is, and who she can become… if only to show herself what’s possible when you dig deep and try very hard. She’s curious to the point of obsession, and she loves a good deep dive into the dark and misty parts of a big, wide world that’s full of mysterious secrets and surprise afternoons, and even an adventure or two along the way. And sometimes even… unexpected love.

She’s that best friend who played pirates with her bestie when they were girls, made up secret codes the boys couldn’t guess, and told ghost stories about the creepy house beyond the fence at school where maybe a spy, or vampires, or a witch lived. She’s the best friend whose number you know if you’re having anything from a very bad day to a full-blown crisis of the heart and soul, or just a bad case of the blues. Then she’s on the phone, or on a plane back to you wherever you are. And then you can have tea, talk about the best books ever you just read, cry a little, and laugh a lot, and then… try again.

Halsey Mackinaw is that girl.