Natasha Hastings is the bestselling author of fantasy books for adults and children. Her debut novel, The Frost Fair, was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month in November 2023, longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller, and a Times Book of the Week. The second in the trilogy – The Sea Queen, published September 2024 – became a number 1 Amazon bestseller.Her debut regency romantasy for adults, How To Charm A Viscount, will be released in 2025 under the name Natasha J. Hastings.Natasha has a first class History degree from the University of Cambridge.As well as reading and writing books, Natasha loves: going to the theatre, live music, peppermint tea, murder mysteries, travel, Greek food, attempting to knit her own jumpers, swimming, and befriending as many cats as she can.Alex T. Smith is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books including the Claude series. He is a World Book Day Illustrator.

Praise for The Miraculous Sweetmakers – The Frost Fair: ‘A gloriously told, wonderfully wintry debut, Hastings' beautifully evocative historical novel is set during the Great Frost of 1683 and revolves around two girls drawn into the sinister world of a mysterious conjuror’ Waterstones, Books of the Year 2022‘Exceptional. A fabulous debut.’ The Times'Spooky and haunting – what struck me most about this historical fiction/fantasy story for children was the high quality of the writing' Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl “This is perfect for cosy readings on chilly nights” The Week Junior’s Book of the Week‘An exciting and mysterious debut’ Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller‘A gripping, atmospheric, fantastical tale of atonement’ Kirkus Magazine (USA)‘A haunting story of loss and of love, this book crackles with icy atmosphere’ inews.co.uk, 30 best children’s books for Christmas 2022‘A heartwarming, wintry treat of a read perfect to snuggle up with on cold, snowy days’ Hannah Gold, bestselling author of The Last Bear‘A lovely, frosty debut that combines cosy details and a pacy adventure with thoughtful explorations of grief and responsibility’ Anna James, bestselling author of the Pages & Co. series‘This book is unputdownable’ Laura Noakes, author of Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star‘Deep and dark and full of atmosphere and food and so gorgeously written – everyone should pick up a copy and be whisked away to the Frost Fair’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom Over The Sea‘Spooky and haunting’ Philippa Gregory‘Exciting and mysterious’ The Bookseller‘A gripping, atmospheric, fantastical tale’ Kirkus‘Just PERFECT! A beautiful frosty tale … I loved it’ Emma Carroll‘Absolutely stunning … Real emotional depth alongside a fast-paced plot. Fantastic’ A F Steadman