By Light & Love

Taletha #0.5

by Anna Augustine

In the city of Mordova, poverty reigns. Malek Nadar has no use for the poor beyond the palace walls, and the lords of the city only care for food, wine, and women. Saif works a fruit stand in the lower city; his reward a budding friendship with the beautiful Ranya. He finds himself falling for her, but a secret bars his way, a deception that could destroy the relationship they're only beginning to form. Ranya has accepted her lot as a lower citizen of Mordova. Trying her best to hold her family together, she finds solace in visiting Saif each day. He has something few people in Ranya's life have-her trust. But Saif isn't the only one with secrets between them; Ranya has some of her own. When family is threatened, Ranya is forced to choose if she will trust Saif with her heart. Can their newfound love survive the pressure of deceit and differences of social status? Or will the world wedge its way between their hearts?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Clean Romance

136 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2023

About the author

Anna Augustine has always loved telling stories that speak truth into the lives of her readers. She lives in a small town in the midwest with her crazy family. When she's not busy writing, she's either trying to put a dent in her massive collection of books or working on graphics for her social media.

Anna is the author of two novella collections--When You Found Me and A Love Like Ours. She's been in a number of anthologies as well. In 2023, Anna will have a novella and a novel releasing in Quill & Flame Publishing House.

Reviews

[Anna]

While this is my book, I do love it so! It introduces the world of Taletha, characters who long for love, and how they find it in the most unusual places. For those who long for safety, who feel broken and weary, this story is for you.

[Alissa J. Zavalianos]

Endorsement:
With vivid imagery and depth of heart, Anna Augustine weaves together a short and sweet love story. Her characters and world feel so real that they could leap off the page.

Review:
I always appreciate Anna's thoughtfulness when it comes her character-building. All of them feel so life-like and real, and these ones were no different. Anna is going places, and I'm really excited for her novel coming out soon! Well done!!

[Abigail McKenna]

This was so cute!! Exactly the feel-good romance I was hoping for! There's definitely some heavy topics explored, but not too deeply. It's a love story, pure and simple, and I loved it for that. It gave me all the Aladdin vibes, and I can't wait to read more from this world!

4.5 stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

[Nathaniel]

This novella serves as a little taste of what is to come. It’s the first published story set in Taletha, a world I have grown fond of from Augustine’s brainstorming.

This is the story of choosing to love and giving to each other all you can. It’s really sweet and well done. I love the characters. I love the world. I’m so excited to get a paperback of this.

Anna Augustine is one of my favourite authors, as well as an amazing friend. I’ve read parts of the rough draft for By Blood and Blade, a novel set in this world, and I’m not joking when I say it’s brilliant. Anna always blows me away with her stories.

[Jane Maree]

Short but sweet and a lot of fun to read!

[Sharon Loves to Read]

Sweet story, but lacked believability in a few places.

[Anna]

4.5 ✨

review to come 💕 (01.14.23)

[Morgan Giesbrecht]

4.5 ⭐️

Anna never fails to wow me with her smooth storytelling, heartfelt themes, and endearing characters!

Saif & Ranya are adorable, and I love their journey from friendship to love. The theme of love being a choice is my favourite! And Saif’s family… ah, how I loved them!

This story made me so happy & touched my heart deeply — so excited for more tales from Taletha!



*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Katie Marie]

What a lovely story! By Light and Love is a novella introducing us to the world of Taletha, and while the romance was too insta love and fast paced in my opinion, I still really enjoyed it! Anna has a rich world she’s created and I’m excited for By Blood and Blade, the full length novel set in Taletha!! 😍

[Crystal Grant]

This was a sweet, easy-to-read story with a great Aladdin vibe! Found family, romance, and a happily-ever-after make this novella shine.

[Brittany Eden]

A great introduction to the world of Taletha. Loved the sweet love story!

[Kysa]

Love the audiobook! Jane and Magnus did an amazing job narrating. It’s a lovely and sweet story.

[Kayla E.]

Even dealing with heavy topics, this novella includes a swoon-worthy romance and powerful messages about love within its short pages.

The beginning reads almost like a reimagining of the Disney animated film Aladdin, but it quickly becomes more. The themes of love being a choice and that one’s past does not rule one’s future are beautifully executed and intricately woven into the narrative. In addition to the romance and themes, my favorite element was the presence of strong, supportive family members especially contrasted against characters who clearly failed those they should have loved and protected.

Though I enjoyed the romance with the sweet, swoony kisses and the representation of what true love is, readers should be aware there is a fade to black scene. Additionally, the book includes representations of alcoholism and abuse as well as references to gambling, prostitution, and The Wife Market (where women are sold as wives or concubines without their consent). In my opinion, the author handles these points with delicacy and grace. She approaches them as one might see them in the real world—bad happens but it doesn’t mean good doesn’t happen, too. Even so, I do think this book is more suitable for a new adult/adult audience.

Readers who enjoy sweet romances and/or are looking for a quick read should plan to read By Light & Love.

[Suzie]

A wonderful story about love---its power, and what love truely is. The story follows two characters who fight for each other, protecting one another and their families. It's sweet, but short, the characters such that I wish it were longer!

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm]

I should have known that it would be even better than I hoped.

[Crystal Roberts]

What a wholesome and sweet book. I love the love story between Saif and Ranya. It has so many truths at the core …. Love is a day by day choice! May we always remember that.

Love is a choice. Fear has no place in love. You will make the right choice.

This book is beautiful worded and expertly written

[Abigail]

Anna Augustine does it again. Although Love and Light is a short-story, this book will still capture your attention and heart. I knew after reading Anna’s other books that this one was going to be phenomenal, I did not realize how much I was going to fall in love with the characters or Taletha in just a few short pages! I loved Saif and Rayna so much! Their relationship gave my so much joy!!

I loved everything about this book and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the Taletha series!! 😍

[Brooke J Katz]

By light and love is a beautiful novella about choosing love and a redemption story of sorts. This story is beautifully written taking into the world of Taletha. As you read you can see everything and I swear you can even smell and hear the sounds of the world your in. The characters are well developed including minor characters. I loved the story, the pace was great and it gave off Aladdin Romeo and Juliet vibes. I look forward to Anna's full length novel set in the same world.

[Brooke J Katz]

By light and love is a beautiful novella about choosing love and a redemption story of sorts. This story is beautifully written taking into the world of Taletha. As you read you can see everything and I swear you can even smell and hear the sounds of the world your in. The characters are well developed including minor characters. I loved the story, the pace was great and it gave off Aladdin Romeo and Juliet vibes. I look forward to Anna's full length novel set in the same world.

[Ami Jacobs]

romantic

This was such a romantic little clean story of two people who did their best to choose love in the face of social pressure and fear. It’s not long, but it is packed with all the elements of a fairy tale!

[MelonJel]

Honestly so sweet! The themes in it are lacking in a lot of books now, but this book does such a good job with them ♡ I've been excited to read these books ever since I heard Anna talk about them on the podcast Old Enough for Fairytales. Can't wait to read the novel!!

[Candice Yamnitz]

It's a quick read and a fun story. I enjoyed the relationship between the couple.

[Marie Lynch]

Short, sweet, and beautiful

All words that came to mind as I listened to this wonderful novella.

I was not sure what to expect, I do not recall a time I have read a book as this one. But it kept popping up on my instagram page and then one night I saw that @thejanemaree and @magnuscarlssen narrated it, I finally gave in and added it to my pile of TBRs.

As I listened, I was not only keeping my sanity as I did work (one of those days) but also was taken on an adventure on such a lovely love story. I loved how Ms. Augustine explored deep heavy topics in such a beautiful and inspirational way!

If you have not heard of or still debating on this novella, I would recommend giving it a try even if it may not be your usual cup of tea. It may surprise you, as it did me. Looking forward to more of this author’s books!

[Rébecca]

This story was so sweet and wholesome. It had all of the Aladdin vibes! A perfect introduction to the world of Taletha.
(I was just hearing “A Whole New World” the whole time)

[S.F. Brooke]

"Fear has no place with love, my son.” —Mother’s brows rose. “Love looks at the impossible and says, "I will leap". It looks at a horrible mess and says, "I will make a masterpiece from the chaos". It looks at the rain and says, "this will create a beautiful garden"."

I really loved this one by Anna Augustine! I've read both of her novellas and enjoyed the peaceful wonderful light romances and By Light & Love was right up there. I thought the new world of Taletha and the Arabian Nights vibe was really well done! The sweet romance was exactly what I needed right now, I can always count on Anna to bring the sweetest lovely romances that make you wish the characters were real! So sweet, really enjoyed this one with the new world-building and the characters.

[Joelle]

The perfect beginning to Anna Augustine’s new series! I had read the first book a an Alpha read then reread it four more times over the last year and really loved it! So I was very eager to read this one! I think this is also a good start to the series so people can read it and see if it is their style of book as this one deals with similar topics as By Blood and Blade🩸🔪 But a trifle less graphic and in depth. (CAUTION ⚠️ This book deals with sensitive subjects like brothels and prostitution. However it is done in a more discreet way without understating the vulgarities and harm of it.) Saif and Ranya are both so sweet and I loved learning their story especially after meeting them in By Blood and Blade! An excellent book, well done my friend!🤗

[Savannah Shelby]

Anna Auguistine always has a way of making me tear up. The attachments I build to her characters (even in a short novella like this) are proof of her amazing world building and storytelling abilities.

[Ashley]

This was quick, and cute. A definite HEA!!! It's great for romance readers (teens and adults)!!

[Abigail Hawthorne]

Such a sweet story that makes for an awesome, binge-read-in-one-sitting book!

In the kickoff for her newest fantasy series, Anna Augustine introduces us to a world full of color and darkness, beauty and fear, and enough Middle-Eastern-inspired culture to make me feel like I've been teleported. Toss in some sweet romance, a messed-up family, and some scary stakes to make the plot more interesting? Oh yeah, I'm in.

I loved how some of the characters were developed so well so quickly - especially Ranya. The plot flowed very nicely, keeping me sucked in quite well (I didn't move my behind from my chair until I had finished the whole story). And Anna's writing style . . . it's improved so much since the Allura novellas, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her prose. However, the extremely well-developed culture was definitely my favorite part. Especially considering that it was a change from the typical medieval European influences. Also, can we just stop and appreciate the fact that this novella includes a character list, glossary, and pronunciation guide?

There were only a couple things I didn't like. One, Saif's character didn't seem as developed in some ways as the others, so I'm still not 100% sure who he is or why exactly he loves Ranya. Secondly, the idea of having the fictional representation of God being a goddess was off-putting to me. But that facet isn't a huge part of the story.

Overall, this is a sweet, fun, quick way to dive into the world of Taletha. I'm looking forward to the first full-length novel in the series!

Content: Some physical abuse, mentions of prostitution (+ a prostitute seen at someone's house, but anything further was only implied, not shown), mild kisses, a few lewd comments, mentions of the wedding night, one scene leading up to the wedding night (never shows anything, but heavily implied).

[Michaela (Reading in the Heartland)]

This was a good read and introduction to Taletha. This novelette had a bit of a slow start for me, I had difficulty getting into the characters and the story, however, once I reached 20% things took off and I was completely engaged in the story. Things moved quickly, as they have to do with such a short amount of time, but we got the bones of a sweet and rushed love story and I’m eager to read the next book. The romance is fade to black within marriage, intimacy level 2.