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SAGAS & SABLE D’OS by Travis Baldree is out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Friday, May 10th, 2024

In two weeks, Ynnis Editions are due to publish the French edition of BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, the second acclaimed cosy fantasy novel by Travis Baldree — it’s the best-selling prequel to the (also best-selling) and widely-acclaimed LEGENDS & LATTES. Published in French as SAGAS & SABLE D’OS, it was translated by Stéphanie Chaptal. Here’s the synopsis…

20 ans avant Légendes & Lattes, l’aventure commence ici…

Ça y est : la vie de mercenaire commence enfin pour Viv et avec elle, la gloire, la fortune… et le danger. Mais les choses ne se passent pas comme prévu pour la jeune orc, confiante à l’excès. À la suite d’un terrible accident, son équipe l’abandonne à Grise, une ville (bien trop) paisible. Morose et désœuvrée, Viv rentre par hasard dans une librairie… qui va changer à jamais le cours de son existence. Et lorsqu’un mystérieux homme grisâtre fait son apparition en ville, et met en danger ses nouveaux amis, la jeune femme va devoir prendre des décisions bien difficiles.

Travis Baldree est un narrateur de livres audio à plein temps qui a prêté sa voix à des centaines d’histoires. Avant cela, il a passé des décennies à inventer et bâtir des jeux vidéo comme Torchlight, Rebel Galaxy et Fate. Visiblement, il écrit désormais des livres. Il vit au nord des États-Unis dans le Nord-Ouest Pacifique avec sa famille très patiente et leur petit chien très nerveux.

LEGENDS & LATTES and BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST are published by Tor Books in the UK and North America. Both were bestsellers in their respective markets.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST…

Set in the world of BookTok sensation Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust is a cosy fantasy about the power of good bookshops, great friends and the unexpected choices along the way.

First loves. Second-hand books. Epic adventures.

Viv’s career with the renowned mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk – so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it. What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a struggling bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted. Even though it may be exactly what she needs. Still, adventure isn’t far away. A suspicious traveller in grey, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Sometimes, right things happen at the wrong time. Sometimes, what we need isn’t what we seek. And sometimes, we find ourselves in the stories we experience together…

Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST Wins Earphones Award!

Posted on Friday, July 28th, 2023

The novel’s not even out, yet, but Travis Baldree‘s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST has already won an award! The audiobook edition, narrated by the author, has won the Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine! Here’s what they had to say about the novel/audiobook…

‘Baldree introduces some delightful new characters and reprises others. He draws from a universe of gnomes, elves, skeletons, and other species and provides a perfect voice for each. Using accents, tone, and pacing, he creates a world full of interesting personalities. He unfolds the story and relationships in a natural style without artifice and theatrics.’

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is due to be published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK, in November 2023. Here’s the synopsis…

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek.

Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv’s career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk — so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn’t possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Travis’s first novel, the acclaimed, award-nominated LEGENDS & LATTES is out now, also published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK.

ICYMI: Three New Cosy Fantasy Novels by Travis Baldree on the Way!

Posted on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

In case you missed the excellent news, three more cosy fantasy novels by Travis Baldree have been bought by Tor Books in the UK and in North America! The deals were announced in the Bookseller and on Tor.com. Both deals were negotiated by Zeno’s Stevie Finegan.

The first book from this deal is expected to be published in late 2025 (around November). Here’s Travis’s response to the deals: ‘It would be a vast understatement to say that I have been humbled and grateful for the incredible support, enthusiasm and kindness that I’ve received from Tor and Macmillan as we’ve worked together on my first two books. It has been a joy to get to know the fabulous team there. I’m beyond delighted to announce that I’ll be writing a further three books to be published by Tor as well. Thank you so much to everyone who has responded to my stories in such a positive way, and made this improbable journey possible. You have all changed my life.’

Tor UK publisher Bella Pagan had the following to say: ‘Immersive, compelling and wonderfully cosy, it’s no wonder that Travis’s books have an army of fans all around the world. It’s a privilege to be publishing Travis in the UK.’

Executive Editor of Tor US Lindsey Hall had this to say about the deal: ‘Working with Travis Baldree and getting to know Viv the orc in her many forms through Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust has been a balm and a pleasure. In his books about orcs, dwarves, necromancy, and magic swords, Baldree also speaks to the deepest truths of humanity, centering the small but meaningful joys of life—like warm drinks, good books, and old friends—that make it all worthwhile. I can’t wait to see where his stories take us in the future.’

LEGENDS & LATTES, originally a smash-hit as a self-published novel, went on to be re-issued by Tor Books in the UK and North America (where it landed on the New York Times Bestseller list). The author’s second novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is due to be published in the UK and North America in November 2023.

Travis Baldree’s LEGENDY I LATTE Out Now in Poland!

Posted on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

LEGENDY I LATTE, the Polish edition of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling cosy fantasy LEGENDS & LATTES, is out now! Published by Insignis, this edition was translated by Piotr Cholewa.

Check out the synopsis…

Tiktokowy fenomen i bestseller wykraczający poza ramy gatunku!

Wysoka fantasy, niskie stawki. Z podwójną porcją kawy!

Znużona dziesięcioleciami walk, krwawymi wyprawami i nieustannymi awanturami orczyca Viv uznaje, że nadeszła pora zawiesić miecz na kołku. Chce zrealizować swoje marzenie – zamierza otworzyć pierwszą kawiarnię w mieście Thune. Mimo że nikt tam nie ma bladego pojęcia, czym jest kawa…

Jednak na tym zupełnie nowym, nieznanym szlaku nawet najdzielniejsza z wojowniczek nie poradzi sobie sama. Na drodze do sukcesu Viv stają jej rywale – dawni i nowi. Mroczne podziemie Thune może sprawić, że orczycy łatwo będzie znów chwycić za miecz, a przecież obiecała sobie, że więcej tego nie zrobi.

Dlatego właśnie, jak mawia stare porzekadło, przed wyruszeniem w drogę należy zebrać drużynę. A jej członkowie mogą nadejść z najmniej oczekiwanych kierunków. Nieważne, czy ściągnie ich pradawna magia, smakowite słodkości czy też świeżo zaparzona kawa – staną się dla Viv bardziej nieodzowni, niż sobie wyobrażała. Bo prawdziwą nagrodą w wędrówce są ci, których spotykamy po drodze.

„Legendy i Latte” Travisa Baldree to ciepła, napawająca optymizmem, życiowa fantasy o nowych początkach i o rodzinie, którą wybieramy sobie sami.

The novel is out now in the UK and North America, published by Tor Books. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts – perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher.

German, Hungarian, and Spanish editions of LEGENDS & LATTES are also all out now!

Here are just a few of the many great reviews/responses the novel has received so far…

‘A gentle little cozy set against an epic fantasy backdrop… This charming outing will please anyone who’s ever wished to spend time in a fantasy world without all the quests and battles.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘The most fun I’ve ever had in a coffee shop.’ — Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ — Buzzfeed

‘This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It’s sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book.’ — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

‘An orc retires from adventuring to start a fantasy city’s very first coffee shop. This setup combined with the positive messages of defying societal stereotypes, letting go of violence to build peace, and trusting in your friends feels like a premise from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.’ — Booklist, starred review

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. LEGENDS & LATTES is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what’s advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.’ — Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

‘A stunningly-well done story at every level’ — Fantasy Faction

‘LEGENDS & LATTES is a big-hearted story about the small things in life. A lovingly written ode to the genre, it is a must-read for every D&D player who has ever wondered what happens after “happily ever after.”‘ — Cassandra Khaw, USA Today bestselling author

‘If you like fantasy but you’re tired of reading about wars and general intensity, this is the book for you… Cozy fantasy at its best.’ — Literary Hub

‘LEGENDS & LATTES is a uniquely beautiful book. Its cast of endearing characters have no interest at all in killing one another. There is no Great Evil, no bloody battles, and yet the pillars of great fantasy — resilience, fellowship, and a desire to make the world a better place — are all here. It’s wonderfully wholesome, and I hope heralds the rise of a ‘slice-of-life’ sub-genre in modern fantasy.’ — Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

Polish Edition of LEGENDS & LATTES Out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

The Polish edition of LEGENDS & LATTES, Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling cosy fantasy is out in two weeks! LEGENDY I LATTE is due to be published by Insignis on March 22nd, it was translated by Piotr Cholewa. Here’s the synopsis…