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Daughter of Mystery

by Heather Rose Jones

Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit Baron Saveze’s fortunes—even less his bodyguard, a ruthlessly efficient swordswoman known only as Barbara. Wealth suddenly makes Margerit a highly eligible heiress and buys her the enmity of the new Baron. He had expected to inherit all, and now eyes her fortune with open envy.

Barbara proudly served as the old Baron’s duelist but she had expected his death to make her a free woman. Bitterness turns to determination when she finds herself the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron’s greed.

At first Margerit protests the need for Barbara’s services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away. And Barbara’s duty has become something far more hazardous to her heart than the point of a sword. But greater dangers loom than one man’s hatred—the Prince of Alpennia is ill. Deadly intrigue surrounds the succession and the rituals of divine power known as The Mysteries of the Saints.

Heather Rose Jones debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love.

A Novel of Alpennia Book 1.

eBook

$9.99

Paperback

$16.95

In stock

Genre Romance, Fantasy
Length 384 pages
Publication Date January 15, 2014
Publisher Bella Books
ISBN 9781594933806e
Editor Katherine V. Forrest
Cover Designer Kiaro Creative

Extras

GCLS Goldie Awards
Daughter of Mystery — Finalist, Lesbian Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Gaylactic Spectrum Award
Daughter of Mystery finalist for the Gaylactic Spectrum Best Novel award in 2015.

  • A Bella Debut Novel.
  • Heather Rose Jones is already known to readers of the Sword and Sorceress anthologies.

Reviews

Romance Novels for Feminists
What I enjoyed most was the gradual friendship, emotional connection, and at last, openly declared love that grew between experienced but vulnerable Barbara and unworldly but determined Margerit. The ability to come to terms with each other's greater (or lesser) power, even more than ability to fight the baron intent on their harm, is what makes Jones' heroines so utterly appealing, both as feminist role models and as romantic heroines.

The Lesbian Review
Audiobook Review - This audiobook is divine. I absolutely loved the book so had high expectations from the audiobook but Kitty Kelly delivered a masterful performance, even managing to make a deep and complex story more accessible.

The Lesbian Review
This is a must-read for anyone looking for a fantasy novel. It is well worth it for lesbian fantasy seekers or those who love a good, complex read without knowing what will come next.

Tor.Com
Reviewers Pick — Top Book of 2014!

Curve Magazine
A slow dance of court intrigue mingled with scholarship and miracle working... Not every fantasy is a wild ride with sword fights, sorcerers and dragons. Daughter of Mystery is a different and very rewarding read indeed. It starts out so real that I first thought I had started a historical novel set in the 18th century in the Alpine region of Europe. And when Heather Rose Jones begins—nearly imperceptibly—to bend reality it took me a minute or two to realize that she now had led the reader into the realm of fantasy. Well done! Brava!

Lesbian Reading Room
In Daughter of Mystery Heather Rose Jones captures the essence of the sweeping epic often pervasive in speculative fictional works with the largess of language and intricacy of tale.

Lambda Literary Review
A wonderful book of intrigue and romance... Arguments over succession to the throne, clearing Margerit's name, and finding the plotters behind the charges complete this well written first novel. Jones has done a wonderful job in creating the world of Alpennia.

Chasing the Po
The story was everything I was looking for... This was also one of the sweetest love stories I have read in a long time... When I began reading, I suspected that Jones would take us down the old trite road of an antagonistic relationship between the heiress Margerit and her initially reluctant bodyguard Barbara in order to heighten the sexual tension. But she didn't. She gave us something new - a genuine friendship built upon their shared interest in philosophy and theology.

Lepus Domesticus - Susie Haberfeld
[Comparing Daughter of Mystery to Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor] ...If these are themes you like - court intrigue, questions of succession, genuinely nice and well-meaning heroes, and just a little bit of magic - then Daughter of Mystery achieves them all way better and much more satisfactorily.

C-Spot Reviews
Ms. Jones' well built world is populated with a wonderful cast of believable characters. I am particularly impressed by her ability to keep my interest piqued, to build the tension, and to deftly reveal important information throughout the story.

The Lesbrary
Heather Rose Jones writes masterfully. Her style is at the same time beautiful and easy to read, delightful and commanding of attention... From the first moment Margerit and Barbara meet, you know they belong together. Their chemistry is sweet and wonderful and unfolds for the reader in an agonizingly teasing way. - Reviewer Abigail

All the subtle pieces, down to the particularity of the names and their pronunciation, felt like they contributed to a vibrant and compelling whole. If you like women with swords, court intrigue, mysticism, interesting female characters, dashes of romance, scholarship, and family secrets, give Daughter of Mystery a try. Especially recommended for fans of Sherwood Smith. - Reviewer Anna

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Liz Bourke (Tor.com, Ideomancer, Vector)
Where do I sign up for MORE OF THIS SORT OF THING..? This is a love story. It is also a coming-of-age. Politics enters in as well. Jones has a smooth turn of phrase and an excellent way with characterisation, although the pacing at times feels quite leisurely, and the fact that the main characters have academic, intellectual concerns rather delighted me.

Customer Reviews

2 reviews for Daughter of Mystery – eBook

  1. maddie (verified owner)

    I really enjoyed this book. The romance was solid but the mystery and reveals and twists were my favourite part – and that’s saying something! Both main characters and supporting characters were fleshed out with flaws and personalities and motivations. Would recommend!

  2. cyanie.boo (verified owner)

    I find myself revisiting this book every so often because I enjoy the main characters and their sweet romance. It was a little hard to wrap my head around in the beginning but it was so worth it in the end.

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