Exclusive Cover Reveal + Q&A: Alexis Calder’s Six Bullets and a Crown

Author Alexis Calder is probably best known for her urban and paranormal romances, all of which feature, as she puts it, “sassy heroines and sexy heroes with a sprinkle of sarcasm.’ But like so many of our faves, she’s making the leap into the world of romantasy in a big way in 2026 with her forthcoming book Six Bullets and a Crown. And if the early descriptions are anything to go by, her latest promises to continue everything readers enjoy about her work, with the added bonus of a richly imagined and thoroughly original setting. 

Described as a must-read for fans of The Gunslinger and A Court of Thorns and Roses, the story focuses on a young woman hiding her magic in a remote desert outpost who hires a jaded gunslinger to guide her across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. What follows is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy full of betrayal, secrets, trust issues, and spice.

Here’s how the publisher describes the story. 

The desert doesn’t forgive—and neither does she.

In a world where magic means death, a woman hiding her power hires a brooding gunslinger to guide her across a dangerous wasteland in this slow-burn, high-heat romantasy where trust is a liability, survival isn’t guaranteed, and the monsters aren’t the greatest threat.

Six Bullets and a Crown won’t hit shelves until April 2026, but we’ve got an exclusive first look at its (gorgeous!) cover right now. 

We also had the chance to chat with Calder herself and get a preview of what to expect from Six Bullets and a Crown, returning to her fantasy roots, her heroine’s journey, and more! 

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Paste Magazine: Tell us about Six Bullets and a Crown! What can readers expect from the story, and what do you hope they take away from it? 

Alexis Calder: Readers will get a lot of the romantasy tropes they love set in a different world.

 It’s inspired by the American Old West, but the landscape is mostly barren desert because magic destroyed the environment. Add in monsters, the inability to trust a soul, and illegal magic, and it makes for even more challenges. 

Paste: As a writer, I think you’re probably more known for your paranormal romances — what made you want to dip your toe into the world of romantasy? (Other than that it’s everywhere right now.) How did writing in these two genres compare?

Calder: When I joined my first critique group 9 years ago, I was writing fantasy. My first few indie books (under an old pen name) were fantasy. It’s always been a favorite, but I took a break from it for a while and jumped into urban fantasy and paranormal. But fantasy was always there like a siren call. 

I finally went back with my Blood and Salt series and loved every second of it so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue writing fantasy with Six Bullets and a Crown.

 Paste: Introduce us to your heroine, Nia. Where did the inspiration for her character come from, and how would you describe the emotional journey she goes on?

Calder: Nia is a fighter who doesn’t trust anyone. She’s been through a lot, but despite what she’s endured, she maintained a tiny flicker of hope. 

I think she’s like a lot of us. So many people have every reason to give up, but they keep hoping, even if it’s the tiniest glimmer. Sometimes that’s all we have, and I think it’s heroic to move forward when you have every reason not to. Nia overcomes the terrible things in her life to give hope a chance.

Paste: You pride yourself on writing about sassy heroines and sexy heroes — how does the relationship at the center of this book fulfill that brief? 

Calder: My mom described Nia as stubborn. I think that’s a great word for her – she doesn’t trust anyone, especially Stone, and that comes across in the way she keeps him at arm’s length. 

Stone also has trust issues, but he’s quieter and enjoys pushing her buttons. He also knows he’s good-looking, and he plays with that from time to time around Nia.

Paste: What element of this book excited you the most while you were writing it? Do you have a particular moment (or character) from this story that you can’t wait for readers to experience?

Calder: Oh, I can’t tell you exactly what my favorite moment is because it’s a massive spoiler – but I love so much about this story! The desert setting, the western elements, the monsters… I think one of the things I love most was how different this was from anything I’ve done before. 

Setting a romantasy in a desert wasteland that’s inspired by the American Old West was a lot of fun. I got to play with what life was like for people during that time, and then add in my own extras since it’s fantasy. It made for such fun world-building!

Six Bullets and a Crown will be released on April 21, 2026, but you can pre-order it right now. 

Lacy Baugher Milas writes about Books and TV at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. You can find her on Twitter and Bluesky at @LacyMB

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