From Ashes (A Court of Blood and Roses)

Ever wonder how monsters are created? Real monsters are crafted from betrayal and the type of pain that most people are fortunate enough to never experience. I should know, I’m Stephan of Rovere. My father traded me and my twin sister for a throne. Enslaved at fourteen, we were left to the mercy of a kingdom without a conscience. I was forced to spend the next five years as a gladiator, savagely butchering the only souls I was permitted to interact with. Now I am free and although my father doesn’t know it… I’m coming for him, and I will take that crown. The crown that we paid for. All I have to do is convince some poor woman to be my queen so that Rovere will willingly recognize me as the only suitable and stable contender for the throne. Lady Naomi is my sister’s best friend. She’s beautiful, shrouded in mystery, and sharper at court politics than most of the men around her. It is possible that her mind is as dangerous as my sword. She haunts me, and though I know it is selfish of me to ask a woman who has already done so much for my family to be my queen and share in the burdens of a usurper… I have no choice.

*** This is a Dark Historical Romance Novel. From Ashes is book II of the Court of Blood and Roses series. The timeline begins moments after A Court of Blood and Roses ends. This is Stephan’s story. From Ashes has Marriage of Convenience, Fierce Female Character, Who Hurt You, Morally Gray Characters, Alpha Hero, Royal Romance, Best Friend’s Brother, and plenty of Steam.