James Heppe-Smith

About James

James Heppe-Smith writes cozy fantasy through Heppe-Smith Publishing. His flagship series, The Last Route, follows courier Wren Ashwick along the most remote postal route in the realm of Aeldra. Across seven books, the series blends found family, gentle magic, slow-burn sapphic romance, and a hedgehog named Thistle.

The series is published through Amazon KDP and is available worldwide as ebook and paperback. A free bonus story, Quills & Quiet, is available to readers who join the community at heppesmithpublishing.com/thistle.

The Last Route series

1. Dead Letters — Wren arrives on the most remote postal route in the realm and finds a hedgehog in her satchel.
2. Snowbound — Winter closes in. Wren pushes through a blizzard and wakes in Rowan's cottage.
3. Spring Forward — Floods rise and old wounds resurface as Wren faces her first spring on the route.
4. Midsummer Delivery — Guild politics, a summer festival, and a bonfire that changes everything.
5. Return to Sender — Wren discovers Colm's journals and must choose whether to stay on the route that chose her.
6. The Deep Paths — Wren steps onto forgotten ways beneath the world where old magic still listens.
7. The Second Summer — Summer arrives, the route is under review, and the villages gather their voices. (Releases 23 April 2026)

Each book is a complete story with a warm ending — no cliffhangers. The series is best read in order.

Publishing

Through Heppe-Smith Publishing, James also supports other indie authors with proofreading and editing, KDP and platform setup, and covers, formatting, and launch support.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.