The Pretender's Crown

Magic, lust, and power collide in this sexy novel set amid the glittering courts of Echon, from the author ofThe Queen's Bastard C. E. Murphy is the author of several successful urban paranormal romance series for Harlequin Luna. Her first novel for Del Rey,The Queen's Bastard,was eagerly received by her fans. Now the story continues in this second novel. Belinda Primrose is the queen's bastardthe illegitimate daughter of Lorraine, first queen to sit on the Aulunian throne. She is also the queen's deadliest weapon, trained as a spy from the age of twelve. InThe Queen's Bastard,Belinda discovered that she had powers unshared by her mother. Now, inThe Pretender's Crown,events spiral as one queen is murdered, another is suspected of having plotted to kill her, and armies marshal on both sides. Belinda learns that she is a pawn in a game much greater than she could ever have suspectedand suddenly stumbles upon a shocking secret that changes her life forever. Her powers at their greatest, she turns away from her mother for the first time ever, and must decide how to forge a life of her own. From the Trade Paperback edition.

C. E. MURPHY lived for many years in Alaska before moving to Ireland, where she lives with her husband, two cats, and a dog.