
Part of Series
A slip of the lip lands her up to her elbows in hot water…and up to her heart in love. Many call Marenna Sedren free-spirited. Some opine she’s spoiled. But none in Silverhold can say she is mean-spirited…on purpose. She truly didn’t intend to insult Lord Sedassa, the only prospective suitor who’s ever made her heart skip a beat. It’s true that Crown Princess Lyarris’ rejection drove the duke into two years’ self-exile. But the moment his long-unshaven beard brushes Marenna’s hand, an ill-timed comparison to a thrush’s nest bursts from her wayward lips—and his sparkling blue eyes turn to ice. On her furious father’s order, Marenna finds herself wed to the very next man to cross the threshold: a tall, handsome, itinerant worker with barely a penny to his name. Worse, Corin Blackstone’s final destination is Marric’s Rest, Lord Sedassa’s massive estate. Desperate to avoid the duke’s notice, Marenna fumbles toward becoming a proper peasant wife, while Corin’s hungry gaze makes her wish he would give her more than sweet, sensual kisses. But there’s a secret hiding behind his warm, brown eyes. When she discovers the truth, it could restore her freedom…if that’s what her heart chooses. The Tales of the Latter Kingdom series can be enjoyed as standalones. They are listed here in chronological order: All Fall Down Binding Spell Ashes of Roses One Thousand Nights Threads of Gold Dragon Rose The Wolf of Harrow Hall Moon Dance The Song of the Thrush
Author

A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010. While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection. After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.