Bright Spear Trilogy Series by H.L. Macfarlane

Sometimes a fox is not a fox, and a man is not what he seems. When Lachlan, the golden Prince of Faeries, is transformed into a fox and banished from the forest on the eve of his mother’s funeral, the last creature he expects to seek help from is a human.  But Sorcha Darrow is not so easily enchanted by the wily faerie. Only after discovering her father means to marry her to a wealthy Londoner does she decide to help him, seeking the power of a being even Lachlan is wary of: a kelpie... moreSometimes a fox is not a fox, and a man is not what he seems. When Lachlan, the golden Prince of Faeries, is transformed into a fox and banished from the forest on the eve of his mother’s funeral, the last creature he expects to seek help from is a human.  But Sorcha Darrow is not so easily enchanted by the wily faerie. Only after discovering her father means to marry her to a wealthy Londoner does she decide to help him, seeking the power of a being even Lachlan is wary of: a kelpie. Sorcha hopes that, in finding one, she may just avoid her own dire fate in the process. With Sorcha’s dreams being their only true form of communication, Lachlan has to race against time to break his curse and take his place as king before he’s doomed to live as a fox forever.  But someone else is after the throne, and may just use Sorcha’s growing connection to Lachlan to reach it. The first book in the Bright Spear trilogy, Prince of Foxes is loosely based on the Celtic fairy tale of Gold-tree and Silver-tree, and features a cameo from Julian and Evie from The Tower Without a Door (Chronicles of Curses book 3). NOTE: Prince of Foxes is written in UK (British) English, not American English. Hayley Louise Macfarlane hails from the very tiny hamlet of Balmaha on the shores of Loch Lomond in Scotland. Having spent eight years studying at the University of Glasgow and graduating with a BSc (hons) in Genetics and then a PhD in synthetic biology, Hayley quickly realised that her long-term passion for writing trumped her desire to work in a laboratory.Now Hayley spends her time writing across a whole host of genres, particularly realistic science fiction (naturally), urban fantasy and psychological suspense. She supposes that she also writes romance, but it's pretty twisted. When she doesn't like her romance twisted, she writes romantic fantasy fairy tale retellings through her Chronicles of Curses series.She plans to release a book every month of 2019 (or more!) - wish her luck. less

Sometimes a villain is not a villain, and first impressions have to change… When the disgraced kelpie of Loch Lomond, Murdoch, discovers a new threat to his homeland, he finds a loophole in his banishment to show up at Sorcha Darrow’s door. Despite initial misgivings about Murdoch’s plea for help, Sorcha quickly agrees to help the creature out of guilt for what she did to him two years ago in the faerie realm... moreSometimes a villain is not a villain, and first impressions have to change… When the disgraced kelpie of Loch Lomond, Murdoch, discovers a new threat to his homeland, he finds a loophole in his banishment to show up at Sorcha Darrow’s door. Despite initial misgivings about Murdoch’s plea for help, Sorcha quickly agrees to help the creature out of guilt for what she did to him two years ago in the faerie realm. Lachlan, now the King of the Seelie Court, is less than happy about the kelpie’s reappearance by Sorcha’s side. Fuelled by jealousy and possessiveness he considers once more finding out his mortal paramour’s full name in order to take her away from Murdoch forever. But trouble is brewing between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, and Murdoch and Sorcha – now travelling down to London to deal with the threat to their home – may just be caught in the middle of it. The second book in the Bright Spear trilogy, Lord of Horses is loosely based on the Celtic fairy tale of The Kelpie Bride, and features a cameo from Scarlett and Adrian from Big, Bad Mister Wolfe (Chronicles of Curses book 1). NOTE: Lord of Horses is written in UK (British) English, not American English. less

Just go up to the front door and knock, Murdoch thought. There is no other way around it. Be thankful you have this opportunity at all. Do not waste it.When Murdoch finally crept along the gravelled pathway to the Darrow house he noticed that their carriage was missing, and that Sorcha’s parents’ room – as well as her father’s study – was dark... moreJust go up to the front door and knock, Murdoch thought. There is no other way around it. Be thankful you have this opportunity at all. Do not waste it.When Murdoch finally crept along the gravelled pathway to the Darrow house he noticed that their carriage was missing, and that Sorcha’s parents’ room – as well as her father’s study – was dark. Not daring to believe that he had managed to stumble across Sorcha when she was completely alone, Murdoch ran a hand through his dark, sodden hair and breathed deeply through his nose.This is it, he told himself as he held a fist up to the front door. She hasn’t seen you in two years. She probably believes she’d never see you again – probably doesn’t want to see you again.For the sake of both their homes Murdoch had to ignore the stinging in his heart at the thought of Sorcha trying to push him away. And so, with an overwhelming sense of fear washing over him, Murdoch knocked on the door…just as it was flung open.Sorcha stood in the doorway, bucket of water in her hands. It came crashing and clattering to the floor as soon as she saw Murdoch, dripping wet and naked, standing a mere foot away from her. He risked a smile, though his frozen muscles protested strongly against it.“Miss Darrow,” he said, inclining his head politely. “It has been too long.” Sometimes a villain is not a villain, and first impressions have to change… When the disgraced kelpie of Loch Lomond, Murdoch, discovers a new threat to his homeland, he finds a loophole in his banishment to show up at Sorcha Darrow’s door. Despite initial misgivings about Murdoch’s plea for help, Sorcha quickly agrees to help the creature out of guilt for what she did to him two years ago in the faerie realm.Lachlan, now the King of the Seelie Court, is less than happy about the kelpie’s reappearance by Sorcha’s side. Fuelled by jealousy and possessiveness he considers once more finding out his mortal paramour’s full name in order to take her away from Murdoch forever. But trouble is brewing between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, and Murdoch and Sorcha – now travelling down to London to deal with the threat to their home – may just be caught in the middle of it. The second book in the Bright Spear trilogy, Lord of Horses is loosely based on the Celtic fairy tale of The Kelpie Bride, and features a cameo from Scarlett and Adrian from Big, Bad Mister Wolfe (Chronicles of Curses book 1). NOTE: Lord of Horses is written in UK (British) English, not American English. less

“What was so important that you had to call us here today, fox?” Murdoch demanded, though his voice was soft and gentle. For Sorcha’s sake, Lachlan assumed, though given the kelpie’s usage of his favourite insult fox he had to wonder what the point was of changing his tone. Either way, it didn’t matter; Lachlan had to pose his request to Sorcha regardless of what Murdoch said or did over the next few, all-important minutes... more“What was so important that you had to call us here today, fox?” Murdoch demanded, though his voice was soft and gentle. For Sorcha’s sake, Lachlan assumed, though given the kelpie’s usage of his favourite insult fox he had to wonder what the point was of changing his tone. Either way, it didn’t matter; Lachlan had to pose his request to Sorcha regardless of what Murdoch said or did over the next few, all-important minutes. Now that he was faced with what he had to ask, however, Lachlan found that he could not look at Sorcha at all. He straightened on the throne, smoothing a hand over his hair and hooking a finger inside the uncomfortably restrictive collar of his human shirt as his brain fumbled for the right words. “What I have to say – what I have to ask of you,” he began, very slowly, “is no easy request. I am well aware of that. Yet I have thought on the matter at length over the past five years and find myself in a position where it would be detrimental to delay voicing my request any longer.” Murdoch frowned, deeply suspicious, though Sorcha’s previously sad expression changed in a moment to one of curiosity. She closed the gap between herself and the throne to rest a hand over Lachlan’s. Her skin was icy cold, sending a shiver down his spine. But the way Sorcha looked at him was warm and familiar and tugged at Lachlan’s heart, forcing his request out of his mouth before he could do anything to stop it. “Have my child.” Sometimes protecting those we love means working with those we hate. Seven years ago Sorcha saved the life of Lachlan, Crown Prince of the Seelie Court, and became the object of affection for the kelpie, Murdoch, who sought to best him and destroy the court from within.Five years ago she saved them both from the wrath of the Unseelie king by giving up half her life.Now it’s time to pay up.The last thing Sorcha wanted was an immortal life, but now she may not have a choice in the matter.  For King Eirian wants nothing more than to rule over his Seelie brethren and take control of the kelpie’s powers, and has no qualms about using the mortal woman they both love to do it. The final book in the acclaimed Bright Spear trilogy,  King of Forever is loosely based on the Celtic folk tale Tam Lin, and the myth of Hades and Persephone. It also features cameos from Adrian Wolfe and Julian Thorne, the main protagonists from Big, Bad Mister Wolfe and The Tower Without a Door (Chronicles of Curses books 1 and 3). NOTE: King of Forever is written in UK (British) English, not American English. Praise for Prince of Foxes:"The Prince of Foxes is as lushly filled with rich prose as any timeless classic. Hayley writes in a way that calls to mind the original fairy tales written hundreds of years ago..." Amazon.com reviewer"From the first page to the last, this is a captivating read." Amazon.com reviewer"I had no doubt I would lose myself in this book, and I can safely say it was everything I wanted." Amazon.co.uk reviewer less

Sometimes protecting those we love means working with those we hate. Seven years ago Sorcha saved the life of Lachlan, Crown Prince of the Seelie Court, and became the object of affection for the kelpie, Murdoch, who sought to best him and destroy the court from within. Five years ago she saved them both from the wrath of the Unseelie king by giving up half her life. Now it’s time to pay up. The last thing Sorcha wanted was an immortal life, but now she may not have a choice in the matter... moreSometimes protecting those we love means working with those we hate. Seven years ago Sorcha saved the life of Lachlan, Crown Prince of the Seelie Court, and became the object of affection for the kelpie, Murdoch, who sought to best him and destroy the court from within. Five years ago she saved them both from the wrath of the Unseelie king by giving up half her life. Now it’s time to pay up. The last thing Sorcha wanted was an immortal life, but now she may not have a choice in the matter. For King Eirian wants nothing more than to rule over his Seelie brethren and take control of the kelpie’s powers, and has no qualms about using the mortal woman they both love to do it. The final book in the acclaimed Bright Spear trilogy, King of Forever is loosely based on the Celtic folk tale Tam Lin, and the myth of Hades and Persephone. It also features cameos from Adrian Wolfe and Julian Thorne, the main protagonists from Big, Bad Mister Wolfe and The Tower Without a Door (Chronicles of Curses books 1 and 3). King of Forever is written in UK (British) English, not American English. Praise for King of "King of Forever is tensely charged, with characters who are compelling and cunning...The author has truly conjured an alternate world that feels reminiscent of Grimm’s original and borrowed stories." Amazon.com reviewer "I loved everything about this book! The main character is intriguing, the world building amazing, and the writing completely flows. I found this to be an easy book to get through in a couple of days and it only left me wanting more by this author." Amazon.com reviewer "I love the flow of the series. Watching the characters develop and grow throughout the series, and challenging preconceived ideas of them. I love how the book challenges your opinion of the concept of “evil” vs “nature”. The book was exciting to read and didn’t disappoint. At times hard to read purely because the pain the characters experienced was so poignant and well written. I can’t wait to continue the saga as I feel there is more to come from this dynamic worlds." Amazon.co.uk reviewer less