Curse of the Lost Isle Celtic Legends series, on sale 50% off at Smashwords - by Vijaya Schartz

 Take advantage of this special sale. Perfect time to catch up with all the installments of the Curse of the Lost Isle series. Click here for the direct link on Smash Words 5 stars on Amazon "Edgy Medieval. Yay!"

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From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret, stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

"Schartz paints a realistic picture of life in a medieval castle, with all its smells, tastes, visuals, and feelings, and as always, all the primary, as well as the secondary characters are well-developed and interesting. I’m looking forward to the others in this series." - Manic Readers 4.5 stars

"The exciting battles and period details also drew me in as did the intrigue surrounding Elinas' son trying to prevent him from marrying Pressine. Overall, Princess of Bretagne was a solid story that I enjoyed reading. I'm very much looking forward to finding out what's next for Elinas and Pressine when the series continues with the release of Pagan Queen." - 4 stars - The Hope Chest Review

"The story is filled with action and danger and there are many interesting secondary characters that help drive the plot forward. I particularly like Gwenvael, Pressine's brother... Look for the just released PAGAN QUEEN, to continue the saga of these two lovers." - Four ribbons - Romance Junkies.

Happy Reading

Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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Free and 99cts Curse of the Lost Isle medieval series in kindle - by Vijaya Schartz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LW18EG/
Free in kindle until April 12, 2017
SEDUCING SIGEFROI
Book 3 in the Curse of the Lost Isle series
Medieval fantasy romance 
First book of Melusine (complete story)

Luxembourg - 963 AD - To offset the curse that makes her a serpent from the waist down one day each month, Melusine, exiled Princess of Strathclyde, must seduce and wed a mortal knight, the shrewd and ambitious Sigefroi of Ardennes. Sigefroi, son of the Duke of Lorraine, suspects Melusine is not what she appears, but her beauty, her rich dowry, and her sharp political skills serve his ambitions. He never expected her to soften his stone-cold warrior heart. So close to the Imperial court, dangers and intrigue threaten Melusine. War looms on the horizon, a Mermaid was sighted around Luxembourg, and Sigefroi’s bishop brother questions her ancestry. If anyone ever suspects Melusine’s true nature, she will burn at the stake... 

 

"As always, Schartz spins a great story. It’s a bit bloody and bloodthirsty in places... But that's part of the drama, and Schartz certainly knows drama." Manic Readers 4.5 stars

"Ms. Schartz did a fine job with this offering, and brought elements to the myth that fleshed Melusine out and made her a sympathetic character. I think fans of Fantasy romance will enjoy this steamy version of the myth and fans of the myth might find it interesting as well." - Julianne Draper - The Examiner

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CH93SNM/

99cts in kindle until April 14, 2017
DAMSEL OF THE HAWK
Curse of the Lost Isle Book 7 (standalone)
medieval fantasy series

1204 AD - Meliora, immortal Fae and legendary damsel of Hawk Castle, grants gold and wishes on Mount Ararat, but must forever remain chaste. When Spartak, a Kipchak warrior gravely wounded in Constantinople, requests sanctuary, she breaks the rule to save his life. The fierce, warrior prince stirs in her forbidden passions. Captivated, Spartak will not bow to superstition. Despite tribal opposition, he wants her as his queen. Should Meliora renounce true love, or  embrace it and trigger the sinister curse... and the wrath of the Goddess? Meanwhile, a thwarted knight and his greedy band of Crusaders have vowed to steal her Pagan gold and burn her at the stake...

"It was easy to get lost in the latest Lost Isle book. I didn't want to put it down until I was finished. Each character added their own magic to the whole of the story. Authentic detail pulled me in as well. But the dog glued me to the tale as did the lovers in their struggles to HEA." Hope Chase 5-stars on Amazon

"...so vivid I could picture myself right there... tough, honorable alpha hero... fiercely protective and loyal mountain dog, Kopec... Meliora... hints of the strong, rebellious woman she actually is... not a simple HEA for them... but once they finally get it, it's wonderful!" Lisa on Amazon

"Historical romance with a different twist... a new spin on a classic tale... standalone... Ms. Schartz has a gift that will have readers asking for more and will have them intrigued by the idea of the other books in the series." Ind'Tale Magazine

Find the entire series in kindle HERE

Vijaya Schartz, author

Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

New Release: ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN is out!

ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN
Curse of the Lost Isle - Book 8
medieval fantasy romance
Get it from Amazon HERE

Out today in kindle and in paperback. Don't miss it. This lauded series, based upon authentic legends, is now complete.

Set in Aquitaine, ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN tells the most popular legend of Melusine the Fae, as she founds, with knight Raymond of Forez, the famous and infamous family of LUSIGNAN. Their descendants, later became royalty and reigned in England, France, and in the Middle East. Among them, Eleanor of Aquitaine and her descendants, and the king of Jerusalem and king of Cyprus. Lusignan and their other estates of Vouvant and Mervent became the cradle of the Valois and Bourbon royal dynasties of France.

Although the book is a complete story in itself, if you are like me, you'll want to read the complete series, especially as this character grows from novel to novel, from Scotland to Luxembourg, to Forez, and to Aquitaine.

This was a labor of love. My mother still lives in the land of Melusine, and suggested long ago that I bring Melusine's story to the world at large. Here it is. Thank you, Mom for suggesting it. I enjoyed writing the series. I hope you enjoy reading it

Blurb:
Young knight Raymond of Forez, blaming himself for his uncle's death in a hunting accident, falls off his horse at the very sight of the lovely Melusine. He has no knowledge of their turbulent past. Even less that she is an immortal Fae with angel blood... afflicted by a curse. He doesn’t believe in the local legends... yet how can he resist such beauty and loving wisdom?

Melusine, who waited for him in Aquitaine, is full of remembered love. But can she trust this young knight with her mission, or her deadly secrets? In this explosive religious climate, the Church is suspicious of everyone, and the slightest rumor of witchery or Pagan magic could send them both burning at the stake. Can their love overcome the curse this time?

Here is the entire series: Find it on Amazon HERE

  

 Also check out the boxed set of the first four novels in the series HERE

HAPPY  READING!

Vijaya Schartz
  Romance with a Kick
  http://www.vijayaschartz.com
  Amazon - Barnes & Noble -  Smashwords - Facebook -

The Curse of the Lost Isle series is now complete!

 

 

If you like strong ladies with powers, medieval history, castle life, heroic feats and romantic stories, you will love this series, featuring aA family of immortal Fae, roaming the middle ages in search of redemption from a curse. Steeped in history and legend. "Edgy medieval, Yay!" 5 stars on Amazon

Find the entire series in kindle  HERE

With the last book, Angel of Lusignan, Book 8, now in pre-order, coming out in January, this series is now complete, and here is the list of all the titles:

Book 1 - PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE
Book 2 - PAGAN QUEEN
Book 3 - SEDUCING SIGEFROI
Book 4 - LADY OF LUXEMBOURG

Book 5 - CHATELAINE OF FOREZ

Book 6 - BELOVED CRUSADER

Book 7 - DAMSEL OF THE HAWK

Book 8 - ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN

There is also a BOX-SET of the first four titles HERE

Available in kindle and most titles in paperback, with the rest coming soon in paper as well.

Vijaya Schartz
 Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
 http://www.vijayaschartz.com
 Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks -

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Angel of Lusignan has a cover! by Vijaya Schartz

Yay! Angel of Lusignan has a cover, and I love it. 

Release date is January 20.

It will go on pre-order in kindle soon.

What do you think of the cover? 

 

This is Book 8 of the Curse of the Lost Isle #medieval #fantasy #romance #series 

Some books in the series stand alone, but this one ends the series and concludes the fate of Melusine the Fay, so you may want to catch up with the previous novels involving Melusine (Books 2-3-4-5). There is still time. 

Find them at: https://amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz

Vijaya Schartz
 Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
 http://www.vijayaschartz.com
 Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks -

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ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN, Curse of the Lost Isle Book 8 - Vijaya Schartz

It's always a little sad to write the last book in a long series. I've been working on the Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy series for twenty years, off and on, and Book 8, ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN, will be the last one, bringing Melusine's curse to its conclusion.

 Amazon - Barnes & Noble

 

In the historical chronology, this book takes place before Beloved Crusader and Damsel of the Hawk (portraying the other two sisters and set during the Crusades), but it is the most well known legend of Melusine, the myth scholars have been studying for centuries... particularly in Europe.

This book is set in Lusignan, the town Melusine created according to legend. Lusignan is also the name of the family she started in Aquitaine. Melusine is first featured in Book 2, PAGAN QUEEN, as a child. She reappears in Book 3 SEDUCING SIGEFROI, Book 4 LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, and Book 5 CHATELAINE OF FOREZ.

Previously, from her Luxembourg family, after marrying Sigefroi, she gave birth to a line of kings and emperors who lived in Germany, Flanders and Austria. In Forez, her initial success was later crushed by religious cleansing.

In Lusignan, she gives birth to a powerful family. Her descendants Guy of Lusignan and his brother became kings of Jerusalem and Cyprus during the Crusades. Another descendant of hers is the famous and infamous Eleanor of Aquitaine, twice queen, and mother. King Richard mentions more than once the stain upon his family, his evil ancestress through the centuries, the cursed one. That was Melusine.

But beyond the myth and the legend, I wanted to find the heart of these characters. Remembering that history is always written by the victors, and Paganism was crushed by Christendom. So it made sense that the Pagans of the time would be reviled and presented in a negative light, even accused of horrible deeds.

In my research, I strive to peel the layers of superstition to find the truth of these fascinating characters, and bring them to life in a favorable light, with their hopes and struggles. I hope you will enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz
  Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
  http://www.vijayaschartz.com
  Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks -

99cts Lady of Luxembourg, Curse of the Lost Isle Book 3, by Vijaya Schartz

Lady of Luxembourg
Curse of the Lost Isle Book 3

Medieval Fantasy Romance by Vijaya Schartz

99cts in kindle for a few days
http://amzn.com/B00BO0MYX6

After a few days, the price gets down to $1.99, then back to the regular price.

"Vijaya Schartz has outdone herself with this masterly crafted work of fiction. Enter the world of Melusine the Fae, a Pagan, and Count Sigefroi, a Christian, as you travel back in time to the year 978 AD... and what a complex yet realistic world Ms. Schartz has created for the reader. Can a Pagan and a Christian reconcile there religious beliefs... will love conquer all? Find out for yourself and pick up this great read today" 5 stars on Amazon

"I read this fabulous book until late in the night. I can't add any more to the wonderful reviews it has already received, so I will agree that you must buy it for a believable and satisfying ride of entertainment!" 5 stars on Amazon.

Here is the entire series available in kindle:

Princess of Bretagne (Book 1) - Pagan Queen (Book 2) - Seducing Sigefroi (Book 3) - Lady of Luxembourg (Book 4) - Chatelaine of Forez (Book 5)

 

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz  

The Curse of the Lost Isle series by Vijaya Schartz is going to print!

The publisher of my medieval series, BOOKS WE LOVE Ltd, located in Canada, is now starting to provide print paperbacks. So this series that was only in kindle so far, is now available in paper as well, for those of you who still like to turn the pages by hand, smell the ink, and keep their books on a physical shelf.
Here is the link on Amazon: http://amzn.com/177145251X 
And on Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz

The first book to appear in print is PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE, Book One, and it's already available. You can order it online or from your local bookstore.

I'm so excited. When I do book signings, readers always ask me for my Medieval series in print, and now I can tell them they can get the paperback. Yay!

Here is the paperback cover of Princess of Bretagne:

And of course, the kindle version is still available HERE
Books One through Five are available in kindle as well.

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz 

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz

New release: CHATELAINE OF FOREZ- Medieval - by Vijaya Schartz

CHATELAINE OF FOREZ just went live in kindle, for only $2.99

http://amzn.com/B00I3T9VYG

 

1028 AD - Afflicted by the ondine curse, Melusine seeks the soul of her lost beloved in the young Artaud of Forez, who reigns over the verdant hills south of Burgundy, on the road of pilgrims, troubadours and merchants. But this dark and brooding Pagan lord is not at all what she expected or even hoped. He knows nothing of their past love, her Fae nature, or her secret curse. Must Melusine seduce and betroth this cold stranger to satisfy the Goddess and redeem her curse?
The gold in the rivers instills greed in the powerful, and many envy the rich Lord of Forez, including his most trusted vassals... even the Bishop of Lyon. When Artaud’s attraction to Melusine makes them the target of a holy hunt, will she find redemption from the curse, or will they burn at the stake?

Each book in the series can be read separately, but if you are like me, you’ll want to read them in the right order, which it:
Book 1 – PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE
Book 2 – PAGAN QUEEN
Book 3 – SEDUCING SIGEFROI
Book 4 – LADY OF LUXEMBOURG
Book 5 – CHATELAINE OF FOREZ
And there is a box set of the first three novels in one download, special edition Curse of the Lost Isle for $4.99.

EXCERPT:

Chapter One
March 1028 AD - Forez (now in central France)
Melusine stopped singing and shuddered in the cool water. Someone was coming. Fast approaching hooves trampled the underbrush. She straightened and gripped the well worn sides of the rectangular stone basin. Birds and insects had ceased their chirping. Through the trees, a single horseman on a black stallion galloped up the forested path to the sacred spring where she bathed.
How had he crossed the magic barrier she'd erected down the hill? Could he be an immortal like her?
She glanced at her blue robes, left in the middle of the clearing, at the foot of the tall, standing stone hugging the statue of the Great Goddess. Too far away. No time to step out of the catch basin and retrieve them. With a flurry of the hand, she wove a quick invisibility spell and willed the water around her to still.
Her heart stumbled for a beat or two. This could be the blessed day the Great Goddess had promised her. The day she finally met her former beloved... Sigefroi. Although, in his new incarnation, he wore another name.
The horseman emerged from the curtain of trees, impossibly tall, dark, muscular, in black leather gear, a crossbow across his back. A sword slapped his thigh, and a hunting knife adorned his belt. Half a dozen bloody hares hung from the back of his saddle. Definitely not her beloved Sigefroi. What now?
The stranger glanced at her, raised a dark brow and nodded a salute from the saddle. A restrained smile touched his lips. How could he possibly see her through the invisibility spell? But he'd already crossed her privacy barrier. Fae blood definitely coursed through his veins.
Melusine shrunk into her chilly bath, dreading to face him naked.
It could be worse. It could be the first Wednesday of the month, when the curse made her a serpent from the waist down. In this increasingly Christian land, discovery in ondine form could cost her to burn at the stake.
Since the local Christians avoided Pagan shrines, however, the stranger must be of the old faith.
She took a deep breath and made her voice as formidable and intimidating as she could. "Who dares violate the sacred spring of the Great One?"
"Count Artaud of Forez." The deep baritone rang loud and clear.
Melusine's heartbeat faltered. Not an immortal, but worse. "Artaud of Forez?"
"I own this land, and methinks you are the one trespassing." He dismounted with surprising agility for his size, sliding off the saddle like an acrobat.
Melusine scrutinized the young man. According to the Goddess, Artaud had inherited the soul of her late Sigefroi, but how could it be, when they looked like opposites. Where Sigefroi had been wiry and fair, with gold reddish hair and a clear gaze, Artaud had broad shoulders, straight black hair, a hale face, and a dark, brooding gaze, as deep as a lake on a moonless night. Both looked fearsome, but in different ways.
Count Artaud led his prancing stallion closer to the large rectangular basin where she bathed.
Dear Goddess! Heat crept up Melusine's cheeks. She gathered her legs and encircled her knees with her arms for modesty. "How dare you!"
"My horse is thirsty." His voice held a subtle challenge.
The black stallion snorted as its master freed him. The beast drank noisily from the far end of the long basin.
Count Artaud cast her a sidelong glance, his swarthy, square face unreadable. "The Great One would want to quench an animal's thirst."
"Only a Pagan would know the Great One respects all creatures as equal." Melusine kept her voice even, but anger gripped her insides. How could this Artaud hold the soul of her beloved? He was a cold, dark stranger, not her fiery knight of old.
His brow shot up. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage, my lady. I have never seen you at court or on my estates. Who might you be?"
Although she'd known they would soon meet, Melusine had no ready answer. An ondine? A cursed immortal? The woman you are destined to marry? The love of your past life? The enchantress who might bring your doom? She couldn't find words he might accept, even less understand. While she remembered their lifetime together, he did not.
No sympathy softened the neutral face as his dark stare pierced her. He removed his black leather gloves and sat on a jutting stone next to the well worn edge of the old basin. "Devil got your tongue?"
Visions of hellish creatures flashed upon Melusine's mind at his mention of the devil. Christians believed in the devil... and Christians wanted her dead.
"Melusine..." She cleared her choking voice. "My name is Melusine."
She fancied her first name innocuous enough. Better than Melusine the Fae, immortal, cursed by the Great One, excommunicated First Lady of Luxembourg, the love and the bane of your past existence.
"Lady Melusine..." He rolled the words on his tongue. His dark, liquid eyes softened and unfocused slightly. "An unusual name for an unusual woman."
"‘Tis an ancient name, my lord." Tempted to prod his mind and find out what he thought of her, she stopped herself. If he could see through her spells, and Fae blood coursed through his veins, like Sigefroi, he would be impervious to her magic... but not to her charms.
Changing tactic, she smiled and relaxed against the hollowed stone basin, exposing her submersed nudity through the clear water. "I hear you have done well, Lord Artaud. Your lands of Lyon and Forez thrive, and your people consider you a fair and wise ruler."
He cast her a sidelong glance, then shifted his gaze to the statue of the Great One dominating the clearing. The quenched black stallion walked away a few paces and grazed the luscious grass of the hillock.
Awe widened his eyes as he faced her again. "What else have you heard about me?"
Although Melusine had kept her promise not to spy on Artaud, she knew a few things about him. "The river gold makes you richer than any king. So does the trade on the pilgrimage road to St Jacques of Compostella. Travelers speak highly of your hospitality."
Bird trills and the chirping of insects had resumed, and the sweet scent of wild flowers filled the air with vibrant life.
"What you hear is true." He faced her but kept his gaze at eye level. "I'm also a Pagan count ruling over Christian barons. That alone can get you killed these days."
"Then we have much in common, my lord." Melusine smiled seductively. "Only a devout Pagan would visit the sacred spring and the shrine of the Great One. Why else would you come here?"
He barely cracked a thin smile. "To water my horse."
His jest bothered her. So did his cool response to her charms. Hard as she tried, Melusine could not see in this man any remnant of her past love.
Had she waited these few decades for naught? Had the Great One tricked her? No. The Great One never lied. Still, even though Melusine did not intend to share this stranger's fate, she should warn him of the dangers threatening his rule.
She trailed her fingers on the water surface, blurring it. "This hill is not just a sacred shrine from time immemorial, Lord Artaud."
His dark gaze alighted upon her with a new spark of interest. "State your meaning."
"‘Tis the site of your future castle of Montarcher."
Suspicion narrowed his eyes. "How do you know of my future designs?"
Melusine's heart skipped a beat. "The Great One sees and knows all, my lord. You must build your castle in haste to face the coming dangers."
A muscle in his square jaw jumped. "What dangers?"
"Your enemies are gathering." Melusine didn't know the future, only that Artaud would need help. "Many envy your riches, my lord. Others resent your faith. But from here, you can fend them off."
"Why here?" His tone held curiosity.
Melusine straightened and gazed in the distance. She was destined to protect him, but she felt naught for this stranger. "This is a sacred site, my lord. From here, the statue of the Great One will bless and protect all your lands."
His brow rose and his eyes softened but still stared at her. "Truly?"
Melusine shrank under his scrutiny, wishing she wore clothes. "Truly, my lord."
"Thank you for the warning, my lady." He rose and whistled. His stallion trotted up to him. In one light vault, Artaud landed in the saddle.
Melusine's heart jumped. Had she done right, or had she spoiled everything? In any case, she must speak with the Great One. There must be a mistake. She could never love this dark, brooding man. He was not her long lost love.
 
* * *

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz 

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