The Dark Queen (The Daughters of the Earth Book 1)

Dark, enthralling, The Dark Queen is a Renaissance historical paranormal romance of witchcraft and court intrigue, a wise woman guarding her island, and the ruthless nobleman whose help will cost her nothing less than her freedom. His help has a price: her heart, her freedom, herself... Long ago there lived a group of women known as the Daughters of the Earth, revered for their wisdom and their knowledge, skilled in healing and white magic. But as the years passed, the world found a far more sinister word for them: witches. Ariane Cheney, the Lady of Faire Isle, is famed for her mystical gifts and for keeping her island safe—no small feat in a time of strife, when Catherine de Medici is known and feared among the Daughters of the Earth as the Dark Queen. Then a wounded stranger washes up on Faire Isle and whispers a secret to Ariane, one the Dark Queen would kill to possess. Desperate to protect her home and her family, Ariane is driven to the one man she dreads: Justice Deauville, the comte de Renard—a nobleman as secretive about his past as he is about his supernatural gifts. His help comes at a price she may not be willing to pay, for Renard is ruthlessly determined to claim her as his bride, and he will take nothing less than her heart and her freedom. Perfect for readers who love: – Witches, white magic, and Renaissance court intrigue – A guarded healer and a ruthless, mysterious nobleman – Dark, atmospheric historical paranormal romance – Dangerous secrets and a bargain with a price "A riveting tale of witchcraft, treachery, and court intrigue." —Library Journal (Starred review) "Enthralling historical detail, dark and intense emotions and the perfect touches of the paranormal…" —Romantic Times (Top Pick) "Ms. Carroll sets the stage well for intrigue and magic spells…" —The Historical Novels Review "Readers in the mood for a marriage plot spiced with magic…" —Publishers Weekly "A definite suspense thriller and a page-turning read." —Bookreviewscafe.com