Hi everyone. Today I am featuring a new release tour for "A Curse of Thorns and Slumber," by: Maria-Hélène Lebeault. Check out the exclusive guest post below along with book details for her new release and the other books in the series. Make sure to read to the bottom for a special giveaway you could enter to win. Happy reading.
Awakening from the Shadows: Healing Through A Curse of Thorns and Slumber
By Marie-Hélène Lebeault
When I began writing A Curse of Thorns and Slumber, I didn’t realize how much of myself I’d find in Liora Thornhand. On the surface, she’s a thief—clever, resourceful, and unafraid to take risks. But beneath her sharp edges, she’s someone who feels trapped by the weight of her past and the curse that defines her.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how much Liora’s journey mirrored my own.
Living in Functional Freeze
Before writing this book, I was in a place I now know as functional freeze. Life felt overwhelming—new challenges, old traumas, and the constant pressure of being my family’s sole support. I didn’t feel like I could stop, even when I was burnt out. So I did what many of us do: I kept going. I handled everything that needed to be done, but inside, I felt stuck.
Writing Liora made me confront that feeling. She’s spent years surviving but not living, using her wit and defiance to mask the fear and pain she’s never been able to fully process. Her journey isn’t just about breaking a magical curse—it’s about breaking free from the fear that keeps her running.
The Thorns Around Us
In the story, Kael’s curse binds him to the Shadowthorn, a monstrous force that transforms him every night. Liora’s curse is more subtle, but just as cruel: the mark that brands her as dangerous and keeps her apart from the world.
For me, the thorns represented everything that held me back: burnout, fear of failure, the need to keep going no matter the cost. Writing this story helped me see that the thorns around us aren’t always visible, but they’re no less real. They trap us, suffocate us, and keep us from moving forward.
But Liora’s story reminded me that thorns can be cut away. That we can face them, one by one, and find a way through.
The Power of Connection
One of the most healing parts of writing this book was exploring Liora and Kael’s relationship. At first, they’re like two broken pieces that don’t fit—but as they learn to trust each other, they begin to heal.
Kael doesn’t save Liora, and Liora doesn’t save Kael. They stand beside each other, showing that even when we feel trapped by our circumstances, we don’t have to face them alone.
For me, that was a powerful reminder: that it’s okay to lean on others, to let someone see the cracks in your armor. Sometimes, the people we let in are the ones who help us find our way out.
For Anyone Who Feels Stuck
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just surviving—caught in the grind of responsibility, fear, or exhaustion—I hope Liora and Kael’s story speaks to you.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s messy and painful and full of doubt. But even when it feels impossible, there’s always a way forward.
This story reminded me that no matter how thick the thorns may seem, they don’t have to define us. We can break free. We can find light.
And we can wake up.
One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.
A Curse of Thorns and Slumber
A Sleeping Beauty Retelling
Legends Reborn Book 2
by: Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Genre: Clean Romantasy Fairytale Retelling
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BLURB:
A cursed prince. A dangerous dream world. A girl who holds the key to their salvation.
One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.
When a reluctant thief with the power to control thorns is forced to break an ancient curse, she must risk entering the dangerous Dreamplane to save a cursed prince—but some magic comes with a price too deadly to pay.
In the kingdom of Solstraea, where the skies are gray and thorns rule the land, a centuries-old curse has imprisoned Prince Kael in an eternal sleep. Only one person can break the spell—Liora Thornhand, a thief with a rare, dangerous gift she never wanted.
Captured and offered a deal she cannot refuse, Liora must venture into the deadly Dreamplane to find Kael’s heart, hidden deep within a magical rose. But as she battles nightmare creatures and faces her own dark past, she learns that waking the prince might cost her more than just her freedom—it might cost her life.
In a world filled with twisted thorns, cursed roses, and dangerous shadows, Liora will have to decide: will she risk everything to save a kingdom she doesn’t belong to, or will she let it fall into eternal darkness?
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, "A Curse of Thorns and Slumber" is a spellbinding mix of dark fantasy, romance, and a daring quest through a world where magic is as treacherous as it is beautiful.
A Curse of Thorns and Slumber is the second book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure. Books can be read in any order.
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A Curse of Snow and Ash
A Snow White Retelling
Legends Reborn Book 1
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Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
BLURB:
She holds the power of fire and ice—now, she must decide which one will rule.
Valira, the forgotten princess of the Ash Court, has lived her life hidden from both her past and her dangerous magic. When she is thrust into a world of ice and fire, hunted by two rival courts, she must unlock her powers to stop a war—and perhaps find herself along the way.
In a world where fire and ice have been at war for centuries, Valira, an exiled princess with no memory of her past, is hunted for the power she doesn't understand. Born from a forbidden union between the Courts of Snow and Ash, Valira wields both fire and ice, a magic that could save or destroy the realm.
When a cold-hearted assassin from the Snow Court, Prince Caelan, is sent to kill her, their fates become entwined. As they race against time to uncover the truth about her origins and the curse that threatens the kingdoms, Valira must learn to control her volatile powers before the war consumes them both.
Enemies lurk in every shadow, and trust is as fragile as ice. But amid the chaos, a dangerous bond forms between Valira and Caelan—one that could melt the coldest hearts or spark a fire that consumes them both.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse of Snow and Ash is a breathtaking blend of elemental magic, fierce romance, and high-stakes fantasy.
A Curse of Snow of Ash is the first book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure.
Purchase your Copy Today!
Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic, and time travel. With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.
Follow Marie-Hélène at the Following Links:
Enter to Win:
$20 Amazon Gift Card
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Next Stop on the Tour:
January 24th
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Thanks for the spotlight!
This sounds like a really good story.