Cat Maura Launches A New Romantasy Series — See the First Cover! (Exclusive)

Yes, it's real: 'A Curse of Shadows and Ice' was teased in Maura's 'Mine For a Moment,' and now readers can finally experience it for themselves

Cat Maura's sexy romance writing is back, with an exciting twist!

The bestselling author is launching a new romantasy series, starting with the first book, A Curse of Shadows and Ice. Told with elements inspired by Beauty and the Beast, Maura's newest book — featuring a magical princess and the Shadow Emperor — is a daring entry into the hottest new subgenre of romance.

Longtime readers may already know that the book is mentioned (sprayed edges and all) in Maura's most recent book, Mine for a Moment. Readers who have been asking if A Curse of Shadows and Ice is actually a real book can now get their curiosity satisfied and see it for themselves.

A Curse of Shadows and Ice introduces readers to Princess Arabella of Althea as she agrees to marry Felix Osiris, the Shadow Emperor, to save her country. Felix's empire is cursed, but Arabella's magic — which is forbidden, volatile and thus far uncontrolled — can help save its people.

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"As Felix teaches Arabella how to control her forbidden and volatile magic, her feelings for him turn from hatred to passion … and she realizes that she must break the curse, or she’ll lose him forever," a synopsis teases.

Maura's new book is everything she loves as a reader — a complex, tortured hero and an increasingly confident heroine, both of whom love fiercely, plus an engulfing mystical element that's become more and more popular in recent years.

Though she's a bit nervous to see A Curse of Shadows and Ice hit the shelves, Maura tells PEOPLE she can't wait for readers to fall in love with the characters she's created, just like she has.

"This story was a passion project — something I wrote because I desperately wanted to read it," she says. "It's unlike anything I've ever written, and though it's reminiscent of my contemporary work, it's vastly different too. It feels like a deep dive into the unknown."

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This latest venture follows the success of her billionaire arranged marriage romance series, The Windsors Series — which, much like the Bridgerton books, follows a different sibling's love story in each book.

A Curse of Shadows and Ice comes out Nov. 4 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.