The Aurelian Guard Series by Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher

A brave woman fights to save her kingdom, and herself: A Golden Quill winner for Best Fantasy Romance.   Anna was born of Chevring, a territory renowned for its valorous war horses, in the kingdom of Aurelia. But peace reigns, and her family’s fortune has dwindled. Her father brokers an alliance with the wealthy Lord Roger of Stolweg. The price: his eldest daughter and the secrets to her family’s once great power... moreA brave woman fights to save her kingdom, and herself: A Golden Quill winner for Best Fantasy Romance.   Anna was born of Chevring, a territory renowned for its valorous war horses, in the kingdom of Aurelia. But peace reigns, and her family’s fortune has dwindled. Her father brokers an alliance with the wealthy Lord Roger of Stolweg. The price: his eldest daughter and the secrets to her family’s once great power. Soon after they are wed, Roger proves himself cruel and calculating, a harsh lord who sows the seeds of fear in his people.   He has an ambitious secret, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his new bride, nor his older brother, heir to all that he covets. But secrets have a way of getting out, and the people of Stolweg quietly bide their time, coming to love Anna for her noble bravery in standing up to her scoundrel husband. She will prove the leader they need to rise up and bring their underground resistance to flourish.   But it is Larkin, a guard of Aurelia, whose presence brings Roger’s treachery to the forefront, igniting the spark of war. Larkin comes to Stolweg to investigate Roger for treason against the realm and ends up giving all of his attention to Anna. For she not only captures his heart, she may be the only person who can stop the battle that will tear the kingdom apart.   “Engrossing right from the prologue.” —B.B. Haywood, New York Times–bestselling author less

This gorgeous, sweeping historical romance will enchant the readers of Deanna Raybourn, and introduces a wildly talented new voice."This epic fantasy romance is a strong debut!"--RT Book ReviewsAnna was born of Chevring, a territory renowned for its valorous war horses, in the kingdom of Aurelia. But peace reigns, and her family's fortune has dwindled. Her father brokers an alliance with the wealthy Lord Roger of Stolweg... moreThis gorgeous, sweeping historical romance will enchant the readers of Deanna Raybourn, and introduces a wildly talented new voice."This epic fantasy romance is a strong debut!"--RT Book ReviewsAnna was born of Chevring, a territory renowned for its valorous war horses, in the kingdom of Aurelia. But peace reigns, and her family's fortune has dwindled. Her father brokers an alliance with the wealthy Lord Roger of Stolweg. The price: his eldest daughter and the secrets to her family's once great power. Soon after they are wed, Roger proves himself cruel and calculating, a harsh lord who sows the seeds of fear in his people.He has an ambitious secret, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his new bride, nor his older brother, heir to all that he covets. But secrets have a way of getting out, and the people of Stolweg quietly bide their time, coming to love Anna for her noble bravery in standing up to her scoundrel husband. She will prove the leader they need to rise up and bring their underground resistance to flourish.But it is Larkin, a guard of Aurelia, whose presence brings Roger's treachery to the forefront, igniting the spark of war. Larkin comes to Stolweg to investigate Roger for treason against the realm and ends up giving all of his attention to Anna. For she not only captures his heart, she may be the only person who can stop the battle that will tear the kingdom apart.Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher's debut novel Wild Lavender is engrossing right from the prologue.--B.B. Haywood, New York Times bestselling author less

To save a kingdom, she must first sacrifice everything.Lady Claire is the brightest addition to the queen’s retinue, but she hides a secret that could change the fabric of Aurelia: the ability to foretell another’s fate. Her curse has only brought her sorrow, and because of it, she vows never to give away her heart.Trian, a shy Aurelian Guard, has fallen hard for Claire, and when King Godwin assigns him to escort her across the realm, he hopes to change her mind... moreTo save a kingdom, she must first sacrifice everything.Lady Claire is the brightest addition to the queen’s retinue, but she hides a secret that could change the fabric of Aurelia: the ability to foretell another’s fate. Her curse has only brought her sorrow, and because of it, she vows never to give away her heart.Trian, a shy Aurelian Guard, has fallen hard for Claire, and when King Godwin assigns him to escort her across the realm, he hopes to change her mind.He may be the one person who is immune to her powers, and friendship takes hold. Trian teaches her his unique way of seeing the world, and Claire tutors him in the healing arts. She realizes too late that she has done that which she promised she would never do: she falls in love.Her greatest fear is realized when Trian is knocked down by deadly quarrels. The assassins transport Claire far from Aurelia to the foreign lands of Nifolhad, a kingdom where spies listen to every whisper. To survive, she must ally herself with the powerful women from the Fenrhi Temple, some who possess the same unwanted power as she. Their customs and secrets seduce her, while plots and machinations drag her into the very heart of the battle for Nifolhad’s throne.But help comes from unexpected places, and if Claire ever hopes to return to Aurelia and to those she loves, she must finally embrace her curse as a gift.“…a fantastic epic romance that kept me riveted from beginning to end… the romance in this story and how it culminates in the very (sizzling) end made me clap for joy.” — Pat Esden, Author of the Dark Heart Novels“So much more than a sweeping fantasy romance...Kelleher brilliantly captures the exotic and magical world of the Fenrhi women. This is the enchanting, strong, romantic, and powerful rebirth of spirit that every lost soul craves.” ―Alexa Jacobs, author of Rising Ridge and The Dreamer“Nicole E. Kelleher's book, The Queen's Dance, is built on a wide cast of likable characters and intense, intricate worldbuilding. Read with care; you will need (and want!) to pay attention to get the most from this distinguished and original story.”—Ingrid Hahn, author of The Landon Sisters Series less