True love must break the curse of madness in this dark, emotional Gothic Regency Romance...
When Lady Claire Deering's mother enters an insane asylum, society is quick to scorn her, dubbing her the Mad Daughter. But Claire's tattered reputation is the least of her worries, as those rumors hold a horrible, terrifying truth: the Deering women are victims of a dark witch's curse. If Claire marries her true love, she'll spend the rest of her life under the thrall of madness.To save herself, she remains isolated...until a will reading at a mysterious castle on All Hallows Eve places her in close confines with her dearest friend and secret love.
Bashful, scholarly Teddy Lockwood has never met a rule he didn't rejoice in following. When he unexpectedly inherits the Ashbrooke earldom, he's determined to turn over a new, more courageous leaf--starting with telling Claire that he's loved her since they were children. The will reading presents the perfect opportunity to win her heart, even if he's vastly out of his element at this enigmatic, shadowy Cornwall castle. Soon, the simmering passion between them becomes unstoppable. Now, to save the love of his life, Teddy will do whatever it takes to break the dark magic's hold on Claire. Will Claire spend her life within the grips of strange delirium, or will love prove the strongest of all?
Previously published in MYSTIFIED
"Monroe at her best. The characters are fierce and admirable, the emotions are intense, and the story evoked memories of a keeper shelf classic...Monroe writes heroines who are flawed, gritty, and relatable." -Christy Carlyle, USA Today Bestselling Author on The Determined Duchess
The Gothic Brides series: edgy, atmospheric Gothic Romance, exploring the dark, dangerous corners of Regency England. Each book stands on its own.
- THE MAD COUNTESS
- THE DETERMINED DUCHESS
- THE SCANDALOUS WIDOW
Autorentext
USA Today Bestselling Author Erica Monroe writes dark, gritty historical romance. Her current series include Gothic Brides (Regency Gothics), The Rookery Rogues (pre-Victorian gritty working class romance), and Covert Heiresses (Regency spies who are the children of a duke). She was a finalist in the published historical category for the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Romantic Suspense, and her books have been recommended reads at Fresh Fiction, Smexy Books, SBTB, and All About Romance. When she's not writing, she's drinking coffee, reading comic books, or watching televison. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. Visit Erica online at ericamonroe.com and sign up for her new release newsletter at: hyperurl.co/emnl.
Klappentext
When two best friends become lovers, their scandalous path to happily ever after is fraught with danger in this Gothic novella from USA Today Bestselling Author Erica Monroe.
Theodore Lockwood, Earl of Ashbrooke, has been in love with his best friend, Lady Claire Deering, for as long as he can remember. Claire too harbors a secret desire for him-but a witch cursed her family with madness, and she's terrified she'll only hurt him if they act on their feelings. When a will reading at a mysterious castle in Cornwall brings them both together on All Hallows Eve, they'll work to break her family's curse…and find true love.
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Previously released in the Mystified anthology.
The Gothic Brides Series:
1. The Mad Countess
2. The Determined Duchess
3. The Scandalous Widow