by Jennifer Arnold - undifferentiated
First published 2016
Lydia grows up as an orphan on a farm, never imagining she would serve in a royal palace. A chain of unexpected circumstances brings her to King Stefan's court as a lady-in-waiting. The castle holds dangers and opportunities she never dreamed of. A witch grants Lydia supernatural powers while a skilled guardsman teaches her to fight with weapons. The king assigns her a crucial mission: guard his daughter's life no matter what happens. Lydia accepts the responsibility, but the role demands sacrifices she did not anticipate. Her new abilities come with a price. The guardsman who trains her stirs feelings that complicate her duty. As threats to the princess multiply, Lydia must decide how much of herself she will surrender to protect another. Her farm girl past feels distant as she navigates court politics and deadly enemies. The king's command seemed simple, but Lydia discovers that absolute loyalty requires her to risk everything she values.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Royal Palace
300 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform