Golden by J. L. Youngblood

All that glitters hides a deadly secret.

Another golden apple has been taken from the King’s garden, and he’s out for blood.
When an innocent man—the beloved royal gardener who raised him—is falsely accused of the theft, Prince Tabian has only a handful of days to unmask the real thief before the gardener is executed.
The youngest son of a grieving king, Tabian has never fit in with his father or brothers, preferring to spend his time roaming the forest or mingling with common folk rather than play the part of a prince.
Desperate to catch the thief, Tabian spends three nights in the garden, determined to discover the culprit even though all others have failed to do so.
What he uncovers is far more treacherous than stolen fruit. It will test his loyalty and bind his fate to an enemy who could rip everything from him.
This enemies to lovers fairytale retelling will have you swooning at every turn. Get ready for high-stakes adventure, sizzling tension, and an unlikely hero who must do the impossible to save the ones he loves.

Written under her pen name J. L. Youngblood, Golden marks Jennifer Youngblood’s debut collaboration with a talented new author who goes by Avon Bard. This unique and rewarding partnership is especially meaningful to Jennifer, as Avon Bard is her husband. The duo plans to continue the series and is already working on their next book.

Golden was inspired by the lesser-known fairytale, The Golden Bird.