by Paula Quinn
First published 2024
Social outcast Mercy Blagden accidentally slices her hand on an ancient ruby dagger. Her blood mingles with that of a cursed seventeenth century English lord, casting her back through time to his castle dungeon. Josiah Ashmore, the seventh son of the Duke of Dorset, frees her and takes her into his care. Despite his charming exterior that wins hearts throughout the countryside, Josiah lives under the shadow of an ancient prophecy that marks him as a devil. People love him but keep their distance, leaving him isolated despite his popularity. Mercy sees past his curse just as he sees beyond her scarred face. They fall deeply in love, finding in each other the completion they have always sought. But Mercy harbors a terrible secret: she was sent to his time to kill him. When the cursed dagger activates again, it hurls Mercy back to the twenty-first century. Four years pass before she finds her way back to Josiah, only to discover he now wants to destroy her heart. Mercy must choose between fulfilling her deadly destiny or forging a new path through forgiveness.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, time-travel
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Castle Dungeon, Dorset
Period: 17th Century, 21st Century
272 pages · Paperback · Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.