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Coming soon:
ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN
Curse of the Lost Isle Book 8
Last book in the series,
medieval fantasy romance
"Edgy medieval, Yay!" 5 stars series

See the entire series HERE

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No cover yet, but check out the yummy hero and the heroine on the page.

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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?

HAPPY READING!

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

Curse of the Lost Isle Book 8 - in progress

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.

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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, however, 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 to powerful kings and princes. 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 kindle countdown SEDUCING SIGEFROI

SEDUCING SIGEFROI

Curse of the Lost Isle Book 3

Medieval Fantasy Romance

by Vijaya Schartz

https://amzn.com/B008LW18EG

 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 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

The Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy romantic series includes:

Book 1 - PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE (Pressine's early story)
Book 2 - PAGAN QUEEN (Pressine's last story)
Book 3 - SEDUCING SIGEFROI (Melusine's early story)
Book 4 - LADY OF LUXEMBOURG (Melusine's later story)
Book 5 - CHATELAINE OF FOREZ (another Melusine story - standalone)
Book 6 - BELOVED CRUSADER) (Palatina's story - standalone)
Book 7 - DAMSEL OF THE HAWK (Meliora's story - standalone)

Book 8 - ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN (Melusine's last story, end of the series, winter 2016/2017)

There is also a boxed set of novels 1 through 4, CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE, for a very friendly price.

Find all my books HERE

HAPPY READING. 

Cover reveal - Chatelaine of Forez - by Vijaya Schartz

CHATELAINE OF FOREZ, Book 5 in the Curse of the Lost Isle series, has a gorgeous cover. Tell me what you think. Enter the contest to win a PDF copy by entering your name HERE

The book is coming very very soon, in a few days, so hurry.

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?

The previous books in the series are:
Book 1: PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE
Book 2: PAGAN QUEEN
Book 3: SEDUCING SIGEFROI
Book 4: LADY OF LUXEMBOURG
Book 5: CHATELAINE OF FOREZ

Also a special kindle edition box set for the Curse of the Lost Isle includes the first three books in one download.

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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

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THE END! I finished Book 5 in the Curse of the Lost Isle series

Yep, I wrote THE END on the last page of the manuscript of CHATELAINE OF FOREZ, Book Five in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series.

I'm going to polish it to a shine during the holidays, and send it to the publisher as soon as they reopen in January. Publication date will depend upon how long it takes the editors (some of them in England), and BWL's talented cover artists, to put it together. I predict it will probably be in late February or early March.

Anyhoo... I'm very excited and celebrating right now. Although this is my... let me count... Twenty-third title (I had to go to Amazon to check how many I had already published), the thrill of finishing a book never gets old.

CHATELAINE OF FOREZ follows Melusine (after Lady of Luxembourg) on a new adventure (still based upon the authentic legends, this time in the independent province of Forez (France), where I had a great time researching the local archives a few years ago.

Here is the short blurb:

Still afflicted by the ondine curse, Melusine seeks the reincarnated 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 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 Archbishop of Lyon. When a mythological creature is sighted in the swamps, initiating a holy hunt, will Melusine find redemption from the curse, or will she and Artaud burn at the stake?

Find the first four novels of the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE in kindle on Amazon HERE
There is also a box set including the first three novels (best deal)

Medieval Heroines can kick butt, too - by Vijaya Schartz

INTERVIEW WITH MELUSINE THE FAE


Find the books in kindle HERE.

My name is Melusine the Fae. Aye, like in immortal beings descended from ancient angels, way before the establishment of Judeo-Christian religions. Part human, part celestial angels, we Fae have a bad reputation on this planet. Especially since Charlemagne decided to impose Christianity in Europe by chopping the heads of all Pagans. But for us Fae, or sorceresses, or demons, or witches, the bishops reserve the pleasure of burning at the stake. That would definitely kill even an immortal like me. So would any violent kind of death.

I hate fire. I am a water creature. In fact, since my mother cursed me, so long ago in Scotland, I transform into an ondine every first Wednesday of the month. Those who call me a mermaid are gravely mistaken. Mermaids keep their fish tail permanenty. Ondines, like me, only transform into water creatures with a serpent tail on certain days. The rest of the time we look, feel, and act like women... but we have many supernatural gifts.

My problem is that ondine curse. I have to concede I deserved it. I was barely out of childhood when I abused my supernatural powers to take revenge upon a human king... my father. At the time I blamed him for all the misery my mother suffered after their separation. My mother was Fae, and also burdened by a curse, and he triggered that curse. I did not understand at the time that humans were weak by nature... well, most humans anyway.

My only hope of redemption from my curse resides with Sigefroi, the shrewd knight of Luxembourg. To serve the Goddess I worship (one of the original angels) I seduced him, married him, and became the first Lady of Luxembourg. I'm good at designing fortresses. I also gave Sigefroi a sword of power that makes his arm invincible in battle. But if he ever divulges my secret, I will be doomed.

Here is the scene of our first official encounter. On that particular day, I was wielding the magic sword, and barred his way in knight's armor, in the middle of the road. The full helmet hiding my face, I lowered my voice to pass as a young man and challenged him to a fight...

EXCERPT:

Sigefroi's murderous glare drilled into her through the helmet slits. Would he recognize her? Nay. Melusine realized he didn't see her as a person anymore, but as an enemy, a vile thing to crush like a viper on the road. Such barbarism burned in his amber gaze, such determination.

The close proximity of this ferocious man frightened and thrilled her at the same time. Parrying high, Melusine caught a glance of the squire who held the horses at a safe distance. The lad watched with open curiosity, obviously enjoying his master's skillful demonstration. But Sigefroi's well-honed skills wouldn't bring him victory this day. To keep a semblance of fairness, Melusine kept fighting, making the combat look evenly matched.

When Sigefroi dealt a particularly fierce blow, Melusine sent through her parrying arm a wave of energy like a lightning bolt. Sigefroi was thrown back, flying through the air. His sword and shield clattered on the dusty stone of the road. His helmet flew off. He hit the ground in a pounding of metal. Flat on his back, the knight didn't move.

In two steps, Melusine had Caliburn's point at his throat. "Do you yield?"
 
Sigefroi blinked, and the slow realization of his desperate situation showed in the widening of his eyes, along with a spark of rage, and something else... Surprise!

When he did not respond, Melusine repeated louder, "Do you yield?"

His words came with difficulty. Sigefroi, no doubt, had to swallow a great deal of pride. "I... do... yield," he croaked.

"In exchange for your life, I shall exact an oath." Melusine made her voice carry so that the young squire could also hear and understand. "Within a week, a royal princess by the name
of Melusine will ask for your hospitality. Not only will you treat her according to her noble rank, you will betroth her and take her for wife."

"What?" Sigefroi, in his surprise, had started to rise, but Melusine pressed Caliburn's point harder against the mail at his throat, forcing him to lie still.

"Swear on your knight's honor, or I kill you right now!"

In no position to bargain, Sigefroi finally said in a strangled voice, "I swear it."

"Louder!" Melusine insisted, applying more pressure.
 
The mail shifted as Sigefroi swallowed, and blood trickled at his throat under the sword's sharp tip. "I swear it on my knight's honor!"

Drawing back the weapon, Melusine returned the great sword to the scabbard. Sigefroi sat up slowly, coughing, shaking his red mane, and rubbing a grazed throat. Melusine didn't wait for him to get up or retrieve his broadsword.

When she whistled, the white mare came at a trot. She mounted swiftly and turned the horse around.

"Wait!" Sigefroi shouted in a broken voice.

Melusine halted the mare and turned in the saddle, a wide grin on her face. She'd been waiting for this moment to deliver the coup de grâce.

The knight rose on unsteady feet. "If you won't give me your name, at least let me behold the face of my victor!"

The humiliation in Sigefroi's eyes and voice delighted Melusine. Slowly, she lifted her silver helmet and pushed back the head mail, letting her long hair cascade over slender shoulders. Staring at him with glee, she however measured her deliberate reply. "You were bested by a maiden, my lord."

Sigefroi's thunderstruck expression made her laugh. "But have no fear, your honor is safe with me. I shall keep your defeat a secret." After a mock bow to Sigefroi and his dumfounded squire, she spurred the mare away and didn't look back.

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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Magic Creatures of the past - by Vijaya Schartz

In the Curse of the Lost Isle, I have immortal Fae, Ondines, even dragons. Late into the middle ages, the belief in these magic creatures persisted. Even later, good people persecuted witches, and some in central Europe came to believe in vampires. Such legends abound throughout the middle ages. Mermaids, sirens, silkies, vampires, unicorns, the undead, benevolent fairies and malevolent entities fill the stories of the past.

  These creatures seemed very real to them. What made them believe in such creatures? Hemingway said that at the root of every legend lies a kernel of truth. Others say there is no smoke without a fire. What was the reality of the time? People with sharp intellect and accurate insight were suspected of having contact with angels? Evil human beings were accused of witchcraft and dealing with the devil? Old deities, angels and such, appeared to important people in history, and no one laughed at them.

A few of these people were historical figures, and we know they did exist. So how did they happen to become part of the legends? Magic, Fae and witches seemed very real to the people of the time. Even the Church wrote about it and excommunicated and burned at the stake those who dealt with such forces. So strong was their belief in such beings.

Scientist bring up natural unexplained phenomena. It's as good an explanation as any. But if you watch Ancient Aliens, you know there is much more to this. In modern society, some will say alien sightings was the source of visions and subsequent beliefs and superstitions. 

Recent sightings of mermaids have been reported and caught on camera in South Africa and in the South Pacific. Many bodies of mermaids showed up in archeological digs.

We may not have been the first race to inhabit the earth, and giants and immortal beings might have dwelt on this planet before us. Some of them might even still be there, hiding. Our aging process is regulated by a single gene. When we can modify this gene, we will live forever and be forever young.


For my part, I choose to believe that the universe is vaster and more varied than we can ever imagine. It tickles my imagination to think that the legends might be true, and I like to research and write about them. In my other books (futuristic romance) I deal with aliens, and here, again, research uncovers incredible facts ignored by science.

Our minds can encompass what the limits of science cannot. Faith, beliefs stronger than logic, cannot be explained by science, no matter how hard they try. Visions of the Great Lady are not necessarily of the Virgin Mary. 

Ancient gods may have been alien visitors with advanced technology. Thor's thunder could be a modern weapon. 
Maya carvings show gods piloting spacecraft. The Mahabharata in India describes epic battles fought in the sky by blue gods riding chariots of fire called vimanas. These texts also describe nuclear explosions, and the ruins of these cities show signs of vitrification... It would explain so much.

The fact that hard science hasn't caught up with explanations doesn't make those facts wrong. It makes them unexplained. And the unexplained is the most tantalizing fodder for an author's imagination. That's why I love writing about the legends. They make us think beyond our limited concept of the universe.

Penny for your thoughts?

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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

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