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Queenie: British Book Awards Book of the Year
by Candice Carty-WilliamsTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERBOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDSSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARDLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION'A deliciously funny, characterful, topical and thrilling novel for our times' Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the Booker Prize'Brilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking' Jojo Moyes'A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get us through it all' Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the CityQueenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places.As Queenie veers from one regrettable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be? - the questions that every woman today must face in a world that keeps trying to provide the answers for them.A darkly comic and bitingly subversive take on life, love, race and family, Queenie will have you nodding in recognition, crying in solidarity and rooting for this unforgettable character every step of the way. A disarmingly honest, boldly political and truly inclusive tale that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and acceptance and found something very different in its place.
Queenie: Now a Channel 4 series
by Candice Carty-WilliamsTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERBOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A deliciously funny, characterful, topical and thrilling novel for our times' Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the Booker Prize 'Brilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking' Jojo Moyes 'A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get us through it all' Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City Queenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places. As Queenie veers from one regrettable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be? - the questions that every woman today must face in a world that keeps trying to provide the answers for them. A darkly comic and bitingly subversive take on life, love, race and family, Queenie will have you nodding in recognition, crying in solidarity and rooting for this unforgettable character every step of the way. A disarmingly honest, boldly political and truly inclusive tale that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and acceptance and found something very different in its place. ****** LONGLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR FOYLES BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR COMEDY WOMAN IN PRINT PRIZE 2020 BLACKWELL'S DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR NAMED ONE OF THE TIMES, GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY MAIL AND EVENING STANDARD'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019
Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel: the perfect uplifting summer read from the author of The Keeper of Lost Things
by Ruth HoganWINNER OF THE ROMANTIC NOVELISTS' ASSOCIATION AWARD 2020PICKED FOR WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2020A PRIMA BOOK OF THE YEARAn uplifting novel of mothers and daughters, secrets and the astonishing power of friendship, from the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things.'As lovely as a burst of bright bluebells' Sunday Express 'Technicolour' Daily Mail'A moving exploration of the complex relationship between mothers and daughters' Observer'A poignant tale of love and family' Good Housekeeping'Enchanting . . . divine' Prima 'Beautifully written - astute and funny' Daily Express'This book really shines . . . laugh-out-loud funny' StylistTilly was a bright, outgoing little girl who liked playing with ghosts and matches. She loved fizzy drinks, swear words, fish fingers and Catholic churches, but most of all she loved living in Brighton in Queenie Malone's magnificent Paradise Hotel with its endearing and loving family of misfits. But Tilly's childhood was shattered when her mother sent her away from the only home she'd ever loved to boarding school with little explanation and no warning.Now an adult, Tilda has grown into an independent woman still damaged by her mother's unaccountable cruelty. Wary of people, her only friend is her dog, Eli. But when her mother dies, Tilda returns to Brighton and with the help of her beloved Queenie sets about unravelling the mystery of her exile from The Paradise Hotel, only to discover that her mother was not the woman she thought she knew at all ...Mothers and daughters ... their story can be complicated ... but it can also turn out to have a happy ending.'A tender tale' Woman & Home'Absorbing, tender and heartfelt' Mike Gayle, author of The Man I Think I Know'Her best novel yet' Hannah Beckerman, author of If Only I Could Tell You'Exuberant and full of zest' Nina Pottell
Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel: the perfect uplifting summer read from the author of The Keeper of Lost Things
by Ruth HoganWINNER OF THE ROMANTIC NOVELISTS' ASSOCIATION AWARD 2020PICKED FOR WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2020A PRIMA BOOK OF THE YEARAn uplifting novel of mothers and daughters, secrets and the astonishing power of friendship, from the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things.'As lovely as a burst of bright bluebells' Sunday Express 'Technicolour' Daily Mail'A moving exploration of the complex relationship between mothers and daughters' Observer'A poignant tale of love and family' Good Housekeeping'Enchanting . . . divine' Prima 'Beautifully written - astute and funny' Daily Express'This book really shines . . . laugh-out-loud funny' StylistTilly was a bright, outgoing little girl who liked playing with ghosts and matches. She loved fizzy drinks, swear words, fish fingers and Catholic churches, but most of all she loved living in Brighton in Queenie Malone's magnificent Paradise Hotel with its endearing and loving family of misfits. But Tilly's childhood was shattered when her mother sent her away from the only home she'd ever loved to boarding school with little explanation and no warning.Now an adult, Tilda has grown into an independent woman still damaged by her mother's unaccountable cruelty. Wary of people, her only friend is her dog, Eli. But when her mother dies, Tilda returns to Brighton and with the help of her beloved Queenie sets about unravelling the mystery of her exile from The Paradise Hotel, only to discover that her mother was not the woman she thought she knew at all ...Mothers and daughters ... their story can be complicated ... but it can also turn out to have a happy ending.'A tender tale' Woman & Home'Absorbing, tender and heartfelt' Mike Gayle, author of The Man I Think I Know'Her best novel yet' Hannah Beckerman, author of If Only I Could Tell You'Exuberant and full of zest' Nina Pottell
The Queen’s Advantage (Rogue Queen #2)
by Jessie MihalikWhen Queen Samara Rani fulfills the promise she made to Emperor Valentin Kos to visit his court and meet with his advisors, she knows they won’t welcome her with open arms, especially when she’s been tasked with discovering the traitors within their ranks—traitors she tricked out of five million credits.As soon as Samara begins her investigation it becomes clear that Valentin’s advisors want her gone and they aren’t picky about how. After their tactics turn violent, Samara and Valentin race to unravel the web of treachery and lies before the next attack ends in tragedy.When the conflict escalates in ferocity and rumors start blaming Samara, she is forced to continue her hunt alone. Uncovering traitors is difficult when courtiers learn to lie before they learn to walk, and one misstep could cost her life. However, Rogue Queens aren’t easy to kill and Samara has more than a few tricks of her own.
The Queen's Assassin
by Melissa de la CruzPerfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.Caledon Holt is the kingdom's deadliest weapon. <P><P>No one alive can best him in speed, strength, or brains, which is why he's the Hearthstone Guild's most dangerous member. Cal is also the Queen's Assassin, bound to her by magic and unable to leave her service until the task she's set for him is fulfilled.Shadow of the Honey Glade has been training all her life to join the Guild, hoping that one day she'll become an assassin as feared and revered as Cal. <P><P>But Shadow's mother and aunts expect her to serve the crown as a lady of the Renovian Court.When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they're forced to team up as assassin and apprentice. Even though Shadow's life belongs to the court and Cal's belongs to the queen, they cannot deny their attraction to each other. But now, with war on the horizon and true love at risk, Shadow and Cal will uncover a shocking web of lies that will change their paths forever. <P><P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Queen's Baby Scandal: Scorsolini Baby Scandal / The Queen's Nine-month Scandal / His Royal Love-child / The Accidental Heir / Sheikh's Baby Bombshell / His Pregnant Princess (One Night With Consequences)
by Maisey YatesOne night at the Italian’s ball…has permanent consequences! Mauro Bianchi is stunned to discover the beautiful innocent who left his bed at midnight three months ago is a queen…and she’s pregnant! He’s never wanted a family, but nothing will stop this billionaire from claiming his heir.Queen Astrid can’t forget the pleasure of Mauro’s touch, despite her scandalous royal bombshell! To protect her throne, she is determined to raise her baby alone. Only now Mauro’s back, his powerful presence a constant reminder of their chemistry. And he has a demand: “I want my child.”
The Queen's Bargain (Black Jewels #10)
by Anne BishopPOWER HAS A PRICE. SO DOES LOVE.Return to the dark, sensual, and powerful world of the Black Jewels in this long-awaited new story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga.After a youthful mistake, Lord Dillon's reputation is in tatters, leaving him vulnerable to aristo girls looking for a bit of fun. To restore his reputation and honor, he needs a handfast--a one-year contract of marriage. He sets his sights on Jillian, a young Eyrien witch from Ebon Rih, who he believes has only a flimsy connection to the noble society that spurned him. Unfortunately for Dillon, he is unaware of Jillian's true connections until he finds himself facing Lucivar Yaslana, the volatile Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.Meanwhile, Surreal SaDiablo's marriage is crumbling. Daemon Sadi, the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, recognizes there is something wrong between him and Surreal, but he doesn't realize that his attempt to suppress his own nature in order to spare his wife is causing his mind to splinter. To save Daemon, and the Realm of Kaeleer if he breaks, help must be sought from someone who no longer exists in any of the Realms--the only Queen powerful enough to control Daemon Sadi. The Queen known as Witch.As Jillian rides the winds of first love with Dillon, Daemon and Surreal struggle to survive the wounds of a marriage turned stormy--and Lucivar has to find a way to keep everyone in his family safe...even from each other.
The Queen's Bastard: A Novel of Elizabeth I and Arthur Dudley
by Robin MaxwellHistorians have long whispered that "the Virgin Queen" Elizabeth's passionate, lifelong affair with Robin Dudley, Earl of Leicester, may have led to the birth of a son, Arthur Dudley. In this exquisite sequel to The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Robin Maxwell fashions a stunning fictional account of the child switched at birth by a lady-in-waiting who foresaw the deleterious political consequences of a royal bastard. Set against the sweeping, meticulously rendered backdrop of court intrigues, international scandals, and England's battle against the Spanish Armada in 1588, Maxwell deftly juxtaposes Elizabeth and Leicester's tumultuous relationship with the memoirs of the adventurous son lost to them-yet ultimately discovered.The Queen's Bastard artfully weaves two tales, the first told by Arthur Dudley himself, who, exchanged at birth by Elizabeth's intimates for a stillborn infant, grows up as a country gentleman, never knowing his true identity. A dreamer, a romantic, and a magnificent horseman, Arthur sets off to fight Philip II of Spain. Meanwhile, the lifelong love affair of Elizabeth and Leicester has only been strengthened by the presumed loss of their child. The two narratives collide when Arthur learns who his true parents are. Religion, sex, and the sixteenth century's most fascinating personalities are woven into a rich tapestry of betrayal, the quest for power, and love.
The Queen's Christmas Summons
by Amanda McCabe"Royal courts are glittering places. But there can be many dangers there." The words of Juan, the shipwrecked Spanish sailor Lady Alys Drury nursed back to health, echo in her mind as she puts on another courtly smile. Then Alys locks eyes with a handsome man amid the splendor of Queen Elizabeth's Christmas court-Juan is posing as courtier John Huntley! Alys is hurt at Juan's deception until she learns he's an undercover spy for the crown... Amid the murky machinations of the court, can true love still conquer all?
The Queen's Cross
by Lawrence SchoonoverAccident, or Divine Plan? Castillian princess Isabella's unlikely inheritance of Spain's crown and her arranged marriage to a handsome, rash ally opens the door to her greatest dream: a united, powerful and enduring kingdom. This is Lawrence Schoonover's gripping and elegant story of intrigue, hard combat, and the love of a woman for her country, her religion, and her dynamic and flawed partner and husband.
The Queen's Fool: A Novel (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels)
by Philippa Gregory#1 New York Times bestselling author and "queen of royal fiction" (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory weaves a spellbinding tale of a young woman with the ability to see the future in an era when destiny was anything but clear.Winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee with her father from their home in Spain. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee; she has the gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, priceless in the troubled times of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up with her own yearnings and desires. Teeming with vibrant period detail and peopled by characters seamlessly woven into the sweeping tapestry of history, The Queen's Fool is a rich and emotionally resonant gem from a masterful storyteller.
The Queen's Gambit (Rogue Queen #1)
by Jessie MihalikWhen the Quint Confederacy and the Kos Empire went to war—again—Queen Samara wisely kept her Rogue Coalition out of the conflict. But staying neutral in a galactic war doesn’t pay the bills, not when both sides refuse to trade with neutral sectors..With her people on the brink of starvation, Samara hatches a daring plan to snatch the kidnapped Kos Emperor from the Quint mercenaries holding him. The Kos Empire will pay a fortune for their emperor’s return, enough to feed the Coalition’s citizens while they wait for the return to a begrudging peace.But when her plan goes sideways, Samara finds herself evading Quint mercenaries with the very man she intends to capture. And the more time she spends with Valentin Kos, the more she realizes that he’s not the coldly indifferent villain she imagined. Torn between duty and desire, Samara must decide if saving her people is worth giving up the one thing she’s always wanted.
A Queen's Game
by Katharine McGeeThe New York Times bestselling author of the American Royals series invites you to visit 19th-century Europe amid the glamour and intrigue of the Victorian era. In this historical romance inspired by true events, three princesses struggle to find love—and end up vying for the hearts of two future kings.In the last glittering decade of European empires, courts, and kings, three young women are on a collision course with history—and with each other. Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria&’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince . . . except that the prince she&’s falling for is not the one she&’s supposed to marry.Hélène d&’Orléans, daughter of the exiled King of France, doesn&’t mind being a former princess; it gives her more opportunity to break the rules. Like running around with the handsome, charming, and very much off-limits heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy.Then there&’s May of Teck. After spending her entire life on the fringes of the royal world, May is determined to marry a prince—and not just any prince, but the future king.In a story that sweeps from the glittering ballrooms of Saint Petersburg to the wilds of Scotland, A Queen&’s Game recounts a pivotal moment in real history as only Katharine McGee can tell it: through the eyes of the young women whose lives, and loves, changed it forever.
The Queen's Governess
by Tessa Arlen'Fans of The Crown will enjoy this poignant look behind the royal curtain' GEORGIE BLALOCKA crown princess. Her childhood nanny.A shocking betrayal...Marion Crawford is just twenty-two years old when she becomes governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose in 1931. As their beloved 'Crawfie', she is instantly confided in, trusted and immersed in the lives of the royal family.As World War II finally comes to an end, it's clear that Princess Elizabeth has fallen in love. Now heiress presumptive to the British throne, no one believes that Prince Philip of Greece is a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one, that is, except for Crawfie. For Crawfie, too, has fallen in love - and has convinced her fiancé George that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive the King's blessing before she leaves the service of the Crown. Yet soon she finds herself torn between her loyalty to Princess Elizabeth and losing the man she loves. But no one ever anticipated the betrayal that will sever her bond with the royal family forever...
The Queen's Guard: Violet
by Traci E HallIn the year 1147, Queen Eleanor and King Louis traverse to Jerusalem for the Second Crusade. Along with her fancy bedding and wine, the wily young queen brings five lovely and talented women: her spies. Among them is the beautiful widow Isabella de Lacey, whose duty is to infiltrate Emperor Manuel's inner circle and skillfully extract information. Will he aid the queen's cousin or betray the alliance for one with the Turks? To find out, Isabella must woo the emperor's man, Raoul, whose soul is as black as his eyes and whose passion both terrifies and captivates her.
The Queen's Guard: Rose
by Traci E. HallSpring 1148-Mediterranean Coast Mamille of Rou, alias Rose, is one of three elite female bodyguards remaining to protect Queen Eleanor of France. The unusual guard began the holy pilgrimage from France to seize the important city of Edessa from infidels. Along the way, Mamille has been unable to quell her attraction to the strong and handsome Dominus Brochard, a Knight Templar who has travelled with Eleanor’s guard since the very beginning. But unbeknownst to Mamille, Dominus has been working undercover on behalf of the bishop of Clairvaux, ensuring Eleanor’s husband, King Louis, is protected from certain political advisors with nefarious aims. Mamille thinks Dominus is way too virile to be chaste, though she honors his decision. Dominus thinks she is way too beautiful to sleep alone, and his frustration lies in being unable to claim her for himself. Instead, he watches over her from afar and takes his jealousy out on the enemy Turks. But there is someone else watching both of them. Someone with enough power and influence to tear the king and queen apart and wrest Mamille and Dominus away from each other forever.
The Queen's Guard Peony
by Traci E. HallIn the winter of 1147, the French army makes its way through Asia Minor, with King Louis determined to recapture Edessa, a holy undertaking blessed by the Pope. Mysterious widow Catherine le Rochefort travels with Queen Eleanor and the French army toward Jerusalem, where Catherine hopes to gain absolution for her dark sins. Guarding her secrets as vigilantly as she protects the queen, Catherine has no place in her heart for the desires sparked by the handsome, perceptive Lord Payen de Montfer. Respected advisor to King Louis, Payen is ordered to infiltrate the queen’s private retinue and determine where Queen Eleanor’s loyalties lie, protecting the fragile peace between the crusading army and the Roman Empire. Distrustful of beautiful women, Payen is appalled at his own attraction to Catherine, the loveliest yet most secretive of the queen’s female guards. As the caravan winds through the dangerous mountains and steep valleys, skirmishing with Turks and traitorous Greeks, Catherine and Payen fight their growing attraction. Knowing Payen sees too much, Catherine struggles to keep her secrets hidden. If the two give in to their passion, Payen’s honor is at stake, while Catherine could lose her very soul.
The Queen's Impossible Boss: The Queen's Impossible Boss (the Christmas Princess Swap) / Stolen To Wear His Crown (the Christmas Princess Swap) (The Christmas Princess Swap #2)
by Natalie AndersonInstant passion makes spending Christmas with the boss all the more tempting…in this forbidden royal romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson.She was bound by duty.But oh so tempted by desire…Switching places with her twin was supposed to give Queen Jade a couple of weeks&’ escape from duty in New York. Now she has to handle a professional scandal and her sister&’s impossible billionaire boss!Alvaro Byrne knows something about his employee is different—especially the instant heat between them! Discovering her true identity only increases temptation…because as Jade&’s bound to her throne, Alvaro&’s committed to his business empire. Perhaps, just for Christmas, they can explore their unrivaled connection with no paparazzi, no royal protocols—and no promises…From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read both books in The Christmas Princess Swap duet:Book 1: The Royal Pregnancy Test by Heidi RiceBook 2: The Queen&’s Impossible Boss by Natalie Anderson
The Queen's Lady
by Shannon Drake16th Century. She desired him above all others. . . Would he now be her executioner?Lady Gwenyth Macleod has staked her fortune and her reputation to help Mary, Queen of Scots take her rightful place on the throne. But her struggle to guide the reckless, defiant queen has put her at perilous odds with Rowan Graham, a laird dangerously accomplished in both passion and affairs of state. And the more Gwenyth challenges his intentions, the less he can resist the desire igniting between them. Now, with her country in turmoil and treachery shadowing her every step, will Gwenyth's last daring gamble lead her to the ultimate betrayal--or a destiny greater than she could ever imagine?
The Queen's Lady (Thornleigh Saga Ser. #1)
by Barbara KyleLondon, 1527. Marry or serve: for Honor Larke, the choice is clear. Unwilling to perish of boredom as an obedient wife, she leaves the home of her ward to attend Her Majesty, Queen Catherine of Aragon. But life at Henry VIII's court holds more than artifice for an intelligent observer, and Honor knows how to watch--and when to act. . .Angered by the humiliation heaped upon her mistress as Henry cavorts with Anne Boleyn and presses Rome for a divorce, Honor volunteers to carry letters to the Queen's allies. It's a risky game, but Honor is confident--until she's proven wrong by dashing courtier Richard Thornleigh--a man who awakens her heart, and who also has something to hide. . .. Swept into a tide of intrigue and danger that stretches across Europe, the Queen's lady is about to learn everything: about pride, passion, greed--and the conscience of the King. . . "Weaves a fast-paced plot through some of the most harrowing years of English history." --Judith Merkle Riley"Excellent, exciting, compellingly readable." --Ellen Jones"Riveting, heady, glorious, inspired." --Susan WiggsIncludes a Reading Group Guide!
The Queen's Librarian
by Carole CummingsAll Lucas Tripp wants is prosperity for the tenants of his family's estate; good weather for the harvest; suitable matches for his sisters; a little money left over at the end of the month; and more quality time with his boyfriend, Alex Booker. That's not so much to ask for, right? Wrong. When his sister's new suitor suddenly disappears, Lucas is drawn into an adventure of a lifetime--kicking and screaming all the way. Magical beings who were allegedly banished hundreds of years ago are coming through portals that were supposed to be shut against them--and that's only part of Lucas's problem. The rest consists of missing princes, breaking and entering, suspicious magicians, well-meaning women who are far too interested in Lucas's sex life... the list goes on. Lucas is decidedly Not Amused, but he'll get over it someday. Probably. After all, there's always Alex.
The Queen's Lover: A Novel
by Vanora BennettFrom Vanora Bennett, the acclaimed author of Portrait of an Unknown Woman and Figures in Silk comes The Queen’s Lover, a fictionalized account of the life and loves of Catherine de Valois, a woman of enormous courage who became a great queen of two countries. Fans of Phillipa Gregory, Alison Weir, Sarah Dunant, and Tracy Chevalier, and every reader who adores top-quality historical fiction will be swept away by this epic love story set against the rich backdrop of 15th-century England and France—and by this remarkable woman who triumphed magnificently by making her own rules.
The Queen's Man
by Terri BrisbinModern day textiles expert Sharon Reynolds discovers a bit of parchment with an astounding piece of information regarding the true heir to Henry VIII's throne. Before she knows it, she is swept back in time and into the arms of Richard Grenville, Queen Elizabeth's stable master -- and the man who should be king.
The Queen's Necklace
by Teresa EdgertonThe ensorceled gems that once held all humans in sway now power a hundred small kingdoms, but the monarchy of Mountfalcon is suddenly in dire peril. For the Queen has unwittingly lost the realm-sustaining, jeweled Chaos Machine—a castastrophe that could tear the kingdom apart. Captain of the Queen's Guard, Wilrowan Blackheart has been entrusted with the Machine's recovery—an undertaking that slowly reveals a horrific conspiracy spreading far beyond Mountfalcon's borders, as the deposed Maglore plot to reduce the unsuspecting human world to rubble and flames. But unbeknownst to him, another has also embarked on the same mission: a determined crusader of strength and substance...the only woman Blackheart has ever loved, but can never possess.