Curse of the Lost Isle, a medieval fantasy series by award-winning author Vijaya Schartz

Princess of Bretagne

Book One

806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

"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.

Pagan Queen

Book Two

810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. Still, she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

"Schartz is an accomplished writer, whose pacing, conflicts, and goals are always complex and whose good characters are always likeable, and whose villains are evil incarnate. You have to like her villains as much as the good guys! Mattacks is a magnificent example of this!"
Roberta - Manic Readers - 5 stars

"...attention to the details of the period making that long ago era of history feel alive and vibrant. She’s able to weave in the mystical in a manner that appears natural, without overwhelming what else is going on.
I enjoyed learning more about Pressine and Elinas, but Mattacks and his diabolical plans play an important role... his characters flaws are eye-opening. He’s a disturbed individual. I suggest you watch for interesting twists and turns surrounding him—he’s a creepy guy... unexpected happenings totally caught me off guard. It’s a great plot ploy that I can only assume will pull the series forward because I want to know more of what happened to the characters affected."
Gayle - Romance Junkies - 4 ribbons

Melusine of Luxembourg

Book Three
Seducing Sigefroi

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

Book Four

http://amzn.com/B00BO0MYX6

Lady of Luxembourg

978 AD - Melusine the Fae, immortal and cursed Lady of Luxembourg, managed to hide her Pagan nature from mortals for many years. She fiercely protects her handsome Count, Sigefroi, but in their princely bliss, neither of them seems to age, and a few suspicious bishops take notice. Then an ondine wreaks havoc during a battle, luring enemy soldiers into the river.

Betrayed, Sigefroi reflects on his many sins from the depths of a rat infested dungeon. Under torture, will he reveal her deadly secret? And when her beloved turns into a devout Christian, can Melusine salvage her happiness? Can love truly redeem her curse, or will she burn at the stake?

Melusine of Forez

Book Five
1029 AD

Still afflicted by the serpent curse, Melusine haunts the wild hills and the springs of Forez, near the Burgundy border, on the road of pilgrims, troubadours and merchants. The gold in the rivers instills greed in the powerful, and many envy the rich Pagan Lord of Forez, including his most trusted vassals... and even the Bishop of Lyons. They'll stop at nothing to crush Melusine, whose deal with the devil (or so it is said) keeps her lover unscathed through battles. Under Melusine's protection, Forez and her Count thrive, but rumors of a mythical monster in the swamps, one with a woman's torso and a serpent's tail, will initiate a holy hunt...

Palatina of Mount Canigou

Book Six

First Crusade 1096

Condemned to guard her family's treasure in a cave under Mount Canigou in Aragon at the French-Spanish border, Palatina waited centuries for a righteous knight of her own lineage to claim it for a noble cause. When Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorraine, claims the treasure of his ancestors to finance the First Crusade, Palatina will follow him and his knights on the greatest adventure of all times and discover life's pleasures in the person of a handsome Crusader. But unknown to the crusaders, the treasure of Pagan origins could precipitate the damnation of their eternal soul...

Meliora of the Hawk Castle

Great Armenia, during The Crusades

Exiled to the sanctuary of the Hawk Castle on Mount Ararat in Great Armenia, on the road to Jerusalem, Meliora is a healer and a lover by nature. Her curse, however, forbids her human love. In her recluse abode, with an enchanted hawk for companion, Meliora gives shelter to Saracens, Byzantines and Christians alike. When the knight of her heart is wounded, she defies the Goddess to save him. As she triggers the curse, tragedy will strike, changing the course of the Crusades... and of Meliora's life.

Melusine of Lusignan

Accursed In Lusignan

Poitou and Aquitaine, in the Twelfth Century

Melusine, still cursed to become a serpent from the waist down, now once a week, founds with young Raymondin of Forez the all-powerful family of Lusignan. Now wise and knowledgeable, Melusine uses supernatural powers and secret knowledge, as well as political intrigue, to establish with her many sons and daughters, a network of royalty throughout Europe and the Middle East. But when Raymondin grows suspicious of his never-aging wife...