"A stunning epic of romantic fantasy." Affaire de Coeur (five stars)"Magnificent storytelling." Iris Johansen NYT Bestselling AuthorTHE CHALICE TRILOGYIn a land of dark seas, pagan rituals, and the lost memories of a far distant past comes a story of epic fantasy and stunning sensuality. The time is the twelfth century of the Fifth Age of Men, the year 1198 A.D. The Seven Books of Lore have long been scattered to the far corners of the earth, awaiting the one who can bring them together to fight an ancient enemy from the Age of Darkness.THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE – Book OneOne woman holds the key to victory in the first clash of war. Ceridwen, a lost priestess of the old religion, escapes the secluded abbey of her youth and her unholy betrothal to an evil lord, only to be led by fate and sacred prophesy into the castle tower of a sorcerer feared throughout Wales.Magician, trickster, and a warrior of uncommon skill and deadly grace, Dain Lavrans survived the Lionheart's Crusade and his captivity in the Holy Land to become the mage of Wydehaw Castle. But despite all he's learned of magic and medicine, he does not behold true enchantment until the mysterious Ceridwen is given into his keeping. Passion and innocence has never woven a more binding spell than in the maid, nor has power and fierceness ever combined in a less likely vessel.From the wild tribes of the forest, to the March lords of Wales, to the defrocked priests from the Isle of Saints, there are many who seek the maiden, all meaning to wrest her power, her legacy, and the promise of immortality for themselves.But while politics, passion, and greed seethe across the land, in a labyrinth of caves below a fortress in the north, the world's most ancient enemy is stirring to life.