A Curse of Roses

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What to expect

Based on Portuguese legend, this #OwnVoices historical fantasy is an epic tale of mystery, magic, and making the impossible choice between love and duty …

With just one touch, bread turns into roses. With just one bite, cheese turns into lilies.

There’s a famine plaguing the land, and Princess Yzabel is wasting food simply by trying to eat. Before she can even swallow, her magic—her curse—has turned her meal into a bouquet. She’s on the verge of starving, which only reminds her that the people of Portugal have been enduring the same pain for years.

If only it were possible to reverse her magic. Then she could turn flowers into food.

Fatyan, a beautiful Enchanted Moura, is the only one who can help. But she is trapped by magical binds. She can teach Yzabel how to control her curse—if Yzabel sets her free with a kiss.

As the King of Portugal’s betrothed, Yzabel would be committing treason, but what good is a king if his country has starved to death?

With just one kiss, Fatyan is set free. And with just one kiss, Yzabel is yearning for more.

She’d sought out Fatyan to help her save the people. Now, loving her could mean Yzabel’s destruction.

A Curse of Roses includes themes, imagery, and content that might be triggering for some listeners. Discussions of religious-based self harm, religious-based eating disorders, and religious-based internalized homophobia appear throughout the novel.

Critics Review

  • “Flavored with beguiling fantasy elements and a sensitive exploration of the implications of desire upon religion…A delicate queer romance between strong heroines propels the plot forward.”

    Publishers Weekly
  • “Narrator Rebecca Mozo shines in this historical fantasy…Mozo’s mastery of accents is impeccable, as is the emotional range she brings to a variety of scenes…Listeners will also appreciate the narrative urgency Mozo maintains throughout.”

    AudioFile
  • “An exquisitely detailed and vibrant world, full of color and energy.”

    Emma Berquist, author of Devils unto Dust
  • “Magical, romantic, and impossible to put down. Yzabel and Fatyan’s love story will enchant you from the first page to the last.”

    Meredith Tate, author of The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly
  • “A skillful weaving of history and mythology, Pinguicha will leave you rooting for her two headstrong heroines, brought together by fate but separated by duty and the prejudices of their world.”

    Ellen Goodlett, author of the Rule series

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