Strands of Gold: A Fairytale Retelling

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Gail Chianese, Sep 18, 2025 - Fiction - 126 pages

Fairy tales were never meant to be this wicked, this swoony…or this fun.

Locked in a tower for nearly seven years, Rapunzel Gray—Elle to her friends, if she still had any—has learned two things: never trust a sorcerer, and never fall for a pretty face. Otto stole her freedom, siphoned her magic, and left her one week away from a fate worse than death—becoming his bride or his prisoner forever. Elle refuses to surrender. She’s determined to reclaim her power, her choices, and her future.

Enter Caden Lomond, a wolf shifter carrying scars as deep as his exile. Bound by a life-debt he can’t escape, he agrees to rescue Elle. But the fiery witch in the tower is no damsel in distress—she’s clever, stubborn, and more dangerous than she realizes. And the more time he spends with her, the more his haunted heart begins to hope for something he swore he’d never deserve.

Together, they must break Otto’s curse before the new moon seals Elle’s fate. Yet magic has a mind of its own, and passion may be the most perilous spell of all.

 

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About the author (2025)

Gail Chianese is a multi-published author of contemporary romance and paranormal romantic suspense. Her writing, whether in contemporary romance or paranormal suspense, consistently delivers humor, sassy heroines, and stand-up heroes, creating narratives enriched with the warmth of family and friends. InD'tale Magazine has called her "a marvel with words." 

Gail is loving life and living her fantasy with her husband, one precious pup, and two adorable cats who rule the roost. Beyond her writing, Gail delves into diverse interests such as ghost hunting and painting. As an avid traveler, she has explored all 50 states and is working on her international bucket list.

A recipient of the Indiana Golden Opportunity Award and a finalist in respected competitions like the Romance Writers of America’s Diamond Heart, Book Buyers Best Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Excellence in Storytelling, and the Holt Medallion Awards, Gail's work has garnered recognition for its excellence. In addition to these honors, she has been nominated for a RONE Award.

Gail invites readers to come hang out with her on Facebook, or Instagram, under the username authorgailchianese, where she shares glimpses of her writing journey and life.

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