The Stray and The Stranger Paperback – Large Print, March 21, 2026

In the shadowed streets of Calamor, where beastfolk are hunted and collared, a golden-furred stray named Mona survives by instinct alone-quick, silent, and always one step ahead of the chains. When a scarred human guardian named Valen offers her shelter and purpose as his "House Guard," Mona must decide if trust is worth the risk of new scars.Valen is no stranger to loss. Haunted by the friends he couldn't save and the blood-magic that burns through his veins with every lash of his whip, he takes Mona in not out of charity, but recognition: she is the stray he once was, and the protector he still tries to be.But Calamor's peace is fragile. A bounty on rare golden fur draws hunters to their door, old laws punish kindness, and whispers of rebellion stir in the beastfolk enclaves. As Mona learns to wield a bow and write her own name, she discovers that safety is never free-and protection always carries a cost.In a world that fears difference and punishes hope, two broken souls must choose: hide from the darkness, or stand against it together.A gritty YA fantasy of found family, quiet courage, and the price of loyalty. For readers who love morally gray guardians, scarred survivors, and the hard-won light in the shadows. Read more