A Swindler's Song

A rollicking romantasy debut in which a mischievous barmaid, her crew of misfits, and a broody bounty hunter set out to rob a vicious warlord.

In Nettle Ridge, the kind of town where dreams go to die in a puddle of cheap ale, Lennie is just another barmaid with a voice that melts men’s hearts and empties their pockets—until a tavern brawl drops a heist plan right into her lap.

The target is a vault belonging to one of the three warlords ruling the country of Renier, rumored to hold mythical healing crystals that could save her grandmother’s life. The plan? Stolen, half-baked, and in desperate need of revision. But Lennie has spent years eavesdropping on Renier’s seedy underbelly from the shadows of the bar, and decides a heist couldn’t be that hard . . . with the right friends.

Riding the high of her crimes, Lennie releases steam in the form of an impulsive one-night stand with Kesper, a mysterious bounty hunter employed by another warlord, in town to hunt down a gang of thieves. After Kesper discovers his fair barmaid is none other than his target, instead of turning her in, he joins the crew—keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

Between staged weddings, repressed emotions, and very real dungeons, Lennie, Kesper, and their merry band of swindlers realize they’re in for more than they bargained for, as the vault may hold something even more precious than life-saving crystals.

Full of wit, heart, and quite a few criminal shenanigans, this energetic debut is perfect for fans of A Fate Inked in Blood and the novels of T. Kingfisher.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs