The next winter tale, coming October 2026, is set at the Renaissance Festival introduced in my novel Blackthorne Faire. So in a way, you could say this is the book that links my winter tales with my epic novels (although all my stories take place in the same “universe” as it were. Most of the connections are subtle, but they’re there).

A few characters appear in both books, but Incandescent is meant to be a standalone story.

Incandescent falls somewhere between magic realism and the romantic fantasy/adventure of the first book, along with some “backstage at the theatre” antics and a liberal dose of winter holiday magic.

I got the idea for this story from a thread on Facebook, where people were discussing the topic: Who is your book boyfriend? (#MrDarcy) That conversation made me rub my chin and wonder, what if it was the other way around?

By the way, I talked about this book a little on my blog, but beware of spoilers.

Incandescent: A Winter Tale of Blackthorne Faire

By John Adcox
Illustrated by Carol Bales

Welcome to Blackthorne Faire, a modern Renaissance Festival where people who don’t always fit in . . . fit in, and where nothing is what it seems, not even love.

Especially not love.

Welcome to Blackthorne Faire, a place of wild music and boisterous dance! Of theatre and pageantry! Of breath-taking duels and rapier-fast quips! Of roasting turkey legs and brewing coffee and mugs of dark, foamy ale! A place of mystery, surprises, and discovery.

Casey Mikula, a former child of the foster system who has never known a long-term home, has found one at Blackthorne Faire, at least for the winter holiday season. But strange things are happening. A sinister figure Casey has been warned to avoid has been seen lurking about. More, Casey’s new best friend, Julie Rose, isn’t who she claims to be. Julie is hiding an astonishing secret.

All around the fair, loves are blooming, each one unique and different. Love, after all, has many shapes, each one a miracle.

Meanwhile, Casey, too, is slowly falling in love . . . with the most unexpected person of all.