Chai and Cat-tales

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Bask in a sunbeam with three cozy fantasy novellas of the Catsprowl, a busy neighborhood brimming with cats and cat-goddesses, book-keepers and bath-houses, piping hot chai, and pouncing kittens’ mischief.

(These novellas are set before the events of “Rahat al-Hulqum,” Haroun and the Study of Mischief , and Chai and Charmcraft.)

The Prince of Her Dreams

Najra has three dreams in her life: First, catch the attention of a prince. (Specifically, the God-Emperor’s bookish youngest brother.) Next, get him to hire her to assist with his research in the marvelous Archives in Tel-Bastet. And then, finally, read ALL the books.

Marrying the prince has never been in the plan. Najra has never lusted for anything but knowledge.

Unfortunately, the prince has dreams as well. Because he’s also a prophet who foresees trouble coming. Between her heretical geometries and her cursed spellbook, Najra has to admit that his dreams of trouble have her pegged.

Now what is she supposed to do with a matchmaking busybody of an Archivist pushing them together, an angry catfolk bodyguard pulling them apart, and a sweet, anxious prophet-prince who won’t even tell her what he wants?

What does a happy ending look like for a pair of mismatched dreamers who both love learning best of all?

For the asexual folks and the questioning folks who’ve wanted a story where your own desires are respected and valued, this one is for you. For the Witches vs. Patriarchy crew, this one is for you too.

Priye

For a small alley-kitten, human words make a tricky tangle of misunderstandings that bite back. Purring and hissing and yowling are much more clear.

A human named her Priye, though, and he taught her that it means someone who is darling, someone who is treasured.

Growing up in the nooks between three cultures is hard, but Priye wants to make her own way. And she wants to repay the kind people who feed small hungry kittens. But it’s not always easy to hunt when everyone else is bigger and stronger and faster.

The humans who named her like soap and water entirely too much. But maybe they have a point about sharing things instead of hunting things?

(They absolutely do not have a point about soap, though. Soap is the most horrible thing ever.)

For the neurospicy folks who struggle with the words people expect, this one is for you. For the disabled folks and those who need to hear that your value isn’t in your work output, this one is for you too.

The Potter’s Dream

Usually, the Temple of Bastet teems with cats and catfolk and cat-priestesses and cat-goddesses. It is not supposed to teem with mice. But kind-hearted priest Shai Madhur isn’t very good at denying a nourishing meal to anybody… not even the mice.

He needs a better mouse-catcher. But first, he needs to know where the shrine’s cauldrons have gone. Because a potter has come to Shai Madhur’s temple shrine, and the poor man looks hungry.

What kind of priest can Shai Madhur be if he can’t feed someone a nourishing meal? When he’s sworn his life to serving others, and suddenly he has nothing at all to give, what does he have left? Sermons of acceptance are all well and good, but they don’t fill an empty stomach.

And there’s something very strange about the potter.

For the caring folks who feel like the world needs more than you can give, and for the fat folks who’ve wanted the story where someone delights in your body exactly the way it is, soft and warm and comfortable and treasured because you live in it, this one is for you.

Looking for more?

You’ll see characters from Chai and Cat-tales again in my other books. Shai Madhur, Asharan, and the shahzada all appear in Haroun and the Study of Mischief (available in September 2025).

Chai and Charmcraft (Winter 2025 or Spring 2026) tells us more about the shahzada’s romance, and Priye and Najra both show up again: Priye to make kitten-mischief, and Najra to make algorithmically calculated trouble with a directional blast radius, because she takes directions like “please continue to make trouble” with extraordinary enthusiasm.

Reader joy:

“I loved this fantastical world of cats and chai! From the snarky wannabe Archivist to the fierce kitten to the kind priest who wants to feed everyone, these stories are full of delightful characters. I definitely want to read more!”

–From BJ on GoodReads

“Wonderfully imaginative, compassionate and loving. Can’t wait for next one!”

–From Keith on Barnes and Noble

“The perfect cozy fantasy read. I can’t choose which story I like the most, though I am partial to Priye’s! I also am super happy about the included recipes and am looking forward to trying them.”

–From Bridget on GoodReads

“I originally took this book out using an online library and binge read it in a day but I’ve since bought it knowing I’ll reread. The setting is rich and the novellas build on one another with shared characters and settings… I highly recommend this, these stories are worth your time.”

–From Connie on Amazon

You can also listen to (or read) Sara and Lilly of Fiction Fans Podcast talk about cats, cat books, their enjoyment of cat books with cats in their laps, recipes, what makes a romance and whether or not “The Prince of Her Dreams” is or isn’t one, with guest appearances by their cats.