By Vijaya Schartz (Guest Blogger)
Hello,
everyone!
Lisabet
has kindly granted me a bit of space today to talk about my medieval
romance series, The Curse of the Lost Isles.
This gritty, sensual series includes three Kindle novels so
far. There's also a special Kindle edition comprising the entire
first three novels.
Book 4,
LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, will be released later this year.
CURSE
OF THE LOST ISLE SPECIAL EDITION:
From
history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic
Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a
curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their
deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really
are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.
PRINCESS
OF BRETAGNE:
806
AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) -
As the Vikings raid the coast
of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of
Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the
foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no
intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not
expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler...
Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism
of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and
will stop at nothing to get rid of her.
Reviews:
"I
really enjoyed Princess of Bretagne. Kind of reminded me of The Mists
of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley, with its subtle references to
Arthurian legend (I'm a sucker for anything Arthurian). Like Mists,
you captured the historical period while weaving in the mystical
elements. Since I now have my new kindle, I've added Pagan Queen to
my TBR list. After the one I'm reading now, I might just bump it up a
notch or two." Kathy Fisher Brown, author
PAGAN
QUEEN:
810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?
Reviews:
"Schartz
is an accomplished writer, whose pacing, conflicts, and goals are
always complex and whose good characters are always likeable, and
whose villains are evil incarnate. You have to like her villains as
much as the good guys! Mattacks is a magnificent example of this!"
- 5 stars - Manic Readers
"...details
of the period making that long ago era of history feel alive and
vibrant. She’s able to weave in the mystical in a manner that
appears natural... Mattacks and his diabolical plans play an
important role... he’s a creepy guy... unexpected happenings
totally caught me off guard... great plot ploy that I can only assume
will pull the series forward... I want to know more..." -
Romance Junkies - 4 ribbons
SEDUCING
SIGEFROI:
Luxembourg
- 963 AD - To offset the curse that makes her a serpent from the
waist down one day each month, Melusine, exiled Princess of
Strathclyde, must seduce and wed a mortal knight, the shrewd and
ambitious Sigefroi of Ardennes.
Sigefroi,
son of the Duke of Lorraine, suspects Melusine is not what she
appears, but her beauty, her rich dowry, and her sharp political
skills serve his ambitions. He never expected her to soften his
stone-cold warrior heart.
So close
to the Imperial court, dangers and intrigue threaten Melusine. War
looms on the horizon, a Mermaid was sighted around Luxembourg, and
Sigefroi’s bishop brother questions her ancestry. If anyone ever
suspects Melusine’s true nature, she will burn at the stake...
Review:
"As
always, Schartz spins a great story. It’s a bit bloody and
bloodthirsty in places... But that's part of the drama, and Schartz
certainly knows drama." Manic Readers 4.5 stars
SEDUCING
SIGEFROI - EXCERPT:
“Is
everything to your liking so far?”
Jarred
by the deep male voice, Melusine snapped awake. Sigefroi stood in
front of her, one soft boot nonchalantly propped on the edge of the
wooden tub. The white of his tunic matched his teeth as he stared at
her with a wolfish grin.
Melusine
glanced around in panic for something to cover her nudity but her
clothes lay too far away. She pulled up her legs in the bath water
and laced her arms around her knees. “How dare you intrude? Can’t
you see I’m taking a bath?”
Sigefroi’s
bold gaze swept over her exposed body. “It’s not as if it were
the first time. You seem to like bathing in hot tubs as well as in
cold rivers.”
Shocked
at his effrontery, Melusine released one arm to point toward the
door. “Get out of my chamber immediately!”
“Your
chamber?” His grin widened. “This is the only private chamber in
the villa, and it happens to be mine.”
“Yours?”
Melusine flushed in confusion. She knew the villa was small but
hadn’t really thought about all the details.
“I’ll
share it with you, unless you want to sleep on the hall floor with
the servants.” The scowl on his brow returned. “And as the lord
of this place, I don’t take orders from my guests... or my
wenches.”
Wench?
Her solitary life hadn’t prepared Melusine for such vulgarity.
According to what she understood of men, however, she must not give
herself too fast but rather let Sigefroi grow hungry for her body as
long as possible. “I am no wench and demand to be treated with
respect!”
He
chuckled and effected a mock bow. “You certainly have mine, my
lady.”
Melusine
managed a forced smile. “If you give me your word to behave
honorably, I could sleep on a pallet behind a screen at the far side
of your bedchamber.”
He
rolled his eyes. “Truly?”
Melusine
hoped her inaccessible proximity would work in her favor. “There is
enough space for the two of us.”
“Nay.”
The candles flickered in his amber eyes. “You don’t understand,
my lady.” A slow smile spread on his sensual lips. “I intend to
take you to my bed tonight. After all, we are to be wed.”
“So
soon?” Panic choked her voice. Impaired by Sigefroi’s close
proximity, Melusine couldn’t think. He wanted to consummate their
union tonight? She quickly regained her composure. “My lord, it’s
not proper. We hardly know each other and are not yet betrothed.”
He
pulled up the sleeves of his tunic. “A detail easily remedied, my
lady. Do you mind if I wash my hands before dinner?”
Before
she could react, he dipped his hands in her bath, caressed her knee,
brushed the skin of her thigh. Delicious heat coursed through her
entire body. He seemed to enjoy her confusion as he swept the length
of her folded arms with the back of one finger.
Lifting
her chin with the crook of one finger, he bent and softly kissed her
lips.
Melusine
melted into the bath water, waves of heat swelled and washed over
her. His smooth, soft lips teased hers. Her mouth relaxed and opened
under his. She let him gently probe her mouth then claim it as his
own. Dear Goddess, she was lost.
How
could she manipulate this man when she yielded under his touch? She
had seen shameless wenches offer themselves to strangers when it
served their purpose, or even withhold their favors at will, but
Melusine could never do that. She could not refuse this
-->
man. She
was exposed, vulnerable, and in great danger.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
Born in
France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to
anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and
exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and
claims to also travel through time, as she writes with the same ease
about the future and the far away past. Her
books collected many five star reviews and literary awards. She makes
you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among
her characters. Her stories have been compared to Indiana Jones with
sizzling romance. So, go ahead, dare to experience the magic, and she
will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.
Your can
find out more about Vijaya Schartz and her books at:
On
amazon at:
On
Twitter: @vijayaschartz
On
Facebook:
2 comments:
Greetings, Vijaya,
Welcome to Beyond Romance! I don't read much historical romance, but this series is enough to tempt me.
Thanks for being my guest!
You had me at Ancient Scotland... Sigh
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