The Lake of Stars
Three stories from the world of Waking Beauty
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Pub Date Dec 10 2026 | Archive Date Oct 31 2026
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Description
She bathed her body in starlight and imagined she was free, imagined she swam through the heavens and was not confined to earth. The lake of stars was the promise of another world, a world that Talen had assured her was real.
Andromeda had doubted before, but she wouldn’t any longer. She would find a way to live in this enchanted realm. She would not allow the stars to be taken from her. Somehow, someday, she would find her way to Talen again.
Epic sapphic fantasy. Prepare for feels and yearning.
This collection comprises three shorter works that fit into the world of the author’s earlier sapphic fantasy romance novel Waking Beauty. No prior knowledge of the novel is necessary, though events which occur in the novel are occasionally referred to. See a short summary of each story below.
“The Lake of Stars”: Princess Andromeda has been awakened from her slumber. She is to marry the prince who rescued her. So why is she so interested in Talen, the mysterious woman who once accompanied the prince and now acts as her bodyguard? Prequel story to Waking Beauty.
“The Blacksmith’s Tale of Grace”: Seven years after her partner Stasia died trying to kill the Dragon threatening Blackheath, Ferris the Blacksmith still struggles with her pain and grief. When she first discovers a mysterious island protected by a dying dryad, she tells herself she should walk away and leave the dryad to her fate. But unable to get the dryad out of her mind, Ferris makes a decision that may change everything for both of them.
“The Captain’s Tale of Doubt”: Valouria, captain of the Empress’s guard, is struggling to believe any longer in the tasks she has been entrusted to perform. She wishes she could just give up her post and walk away, but the world could be plunged into chaos if she does. Finding a way forward seems impossible, yet somehow, she must do it.
A Note From the Publisher
Cover art has been commissioned and is forthcoming from Methyss Art (Ruxandra Tudorica). No AI was used in writing or editing this book. Cover artist will not be using AI.
Advance Praise
Reviewer comments for the author’s earlier work Waking Beauty:
"An almost anti-fairy tale, about creating your own fate. Lots of beautiful writing and two brave women at the forefront, confronting their destinies. There's lots of traditional fairy tale elements, even a dragon! but the traversing of worlds and utilisation of magics was different from the norm. I loved the quiet power of both main characters and their devotion to each other."
"I liked that the romantic relationship between the two leads had a rarely depicted dynamic of building something together, with communication key to figuring out and facing challenges. It was great seeing different fantasy tropes being woven together or completely upended. I found myself sighing with wistful pleasure as I closed the book, and hope to see more of Talen and Andromeda's adventures in the future."
"A rip-roaring epic fantasy adventure that provides widescreen thrills along with a deeply moving loving relationship at its heart. A beautiful princess rejects the path her family laid out for her, and sets off to rescue the handsome knight she could never forget. She encounters harrowing adventures along the way, and before she can find a way to rescue the woman she loves, she has to figure out for herself who and what she truly is. And there's a dragon! Waking Beauty expertly weaves several plotlines in one, such as the mystery of how a kingdom comes to be eternally locked in winter, the unfortunate plight of the Princess' beloved knight, and how Princess Andromeda discovers the magic she didn't know was inside her."
Marketing Plan
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About the author:
Dawn K. Lake is an Australian author who began her writing career being traditionally published in print magazines, literary journals and anthologies. She had numerous short stories and articles published in Australia and the UK from 2009-2014, most in paying markets. She independently published her first novel, Waking Beauty, in 2020. She has a PhD in literature and works as an academic editor in the real world.
Fantasy authors who inspire her include Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn), Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea books), Lloyd Alexander (Chronicles of Prydain), as well as Australian authors Isobelle Carmody and Garth Nix, both of whom she discovered when she was a teen living in a Queensland mining town in the 90s.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780645024074 |
| PRICE | $0.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 90 |