From Fairies and Creatures of the Night, Guard Me

by Emily de Courcy

  Thanks!

  Emily de Courcy

  Author Bio

  Emily has always had a passion for literature and history and one day it occurred to her: what better way to use her English Literature degree than to write her own stories? She hasn’t looked back since. Now she writes fantasy in what she likes to think of as an urban lyrical fairy tale style, and Regencies under the pen name ‘Daphne du Bois’ – probably all the whimsical things she read at a young age had somewhat informed her choice of subject matter…

  Emily has stacks of notebooks full of stories that still need to be written, which she insists on bringing with her when she moves around the world (she’s done this a lot!). She likes her books full of romance, adventure, witty repartee and a dash of silly humour. When Emily isn’t writing, she can be found painting, picnicking, reading and listening to all sorts of exciting music.

  You can email Emily at msdaphnedubois@gmail.com

  Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MsDaphneduBois?ref=hl

  Or follow her tweets on fantasy, magic, romance and other fun things on Twitter @MsDaphneduBois

  She also does a lot of pinning of pretty and interesting things on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/daphnedubois/boards/

  Other books by Emily de Courcy

  Penny’s adventures with the Erlking continue…

  Look out for Book 2 of the Annwn Cycle, Winterreise by Emily de Courcy (out April 2014)

  Life in the old city of Aldgard is (almost) never boring.

  When musician Penny Wells first met the Erlking, she had an inkling that trouble would follow. Especially since she had a thesis to write and concert to prepare for, and she definitely didn’t have time for magic.

  So it really stands to reason that Penny should have known better that to stroll into the Hinterlands to return a strange locket he’d left behind – because nothing is ever accidental when it comes to the Erlking.

  And when she does so anyway and awakens an ancient valkyrie, seriously annoying the Norse Gods (well, most of them), she finds that she has to set things right before they use her new friend for their upcoming ritual sacrifice. Because Penny won’t stand for that.

  But first, she has to figure out what it is they’re really worried about and what all of it has to do with a Schubert song cycle that the Aldgard University music department will be putting on in just a matter of weeks.

  Historical Romances as Daphne du Bois:

  The Scoundrel’s Secret Siren, by Daphne du Bois

  When bored Miss Lorelei Lindon sneaks out in the middle of the night in search of ghosts, she finds rather more than she bargained for in the enigmatic Lord Winbourne. And when he does a dastardly thing and steals her treasured necklace as a memento of their midnight encounter, she must find a way to retrieve it without causing a scandal.

  Throw in a few well-meaning relatives, a niece stubbornly caught up in her own romantic dilemmas and duel to the death, and Lorelei’s life will surely never be boring again…

  The Rogue’s Reluctant Rose, by Daphne du Bois

  Miss Araminta Barrington, clever, pretty and unexpectedly poor, bravely decides to sacrifice her own happiness in a marriage of convenience, in order to save her family from certain ruin. She sets out to win a proposal from the wealthy Sir Timothy Stanton while struggling with her guilt over using a good man so poorly.

  Just when success is in sight, she catches the eye of Jasper Devereaux, the scandalous Marquis of Chestleton, whose own growing fascination with the enigmatic young woman compels him to pursue her at all costs. If he can only win her into his bed, his absurd fascination will surely evaporate!

  Araminta knows that to be seen in Chestleton’s company could ruin her chances of securing a marriage that will save everything she holds dear. Love is a luxury she cannot afford. When a riding accident forces her to be his unwilling guest at a secluded country house, will her undeniable attraction override her sense of duty?

  Acknowledgements

  As usual, a lot of people helped make this book happen – and it would have been completely impossible without them.

  I can’t really express my gratitude enough, but I’ll make a go of it regardless.

  Firstly, I’d like to thank my parents and grandparents for their ceaseless help and support, in the many forms it took, and a special thanks to my mother for all her advice.

  I’d also like to thank my besties: Ali for beta reading, making me laugh, listening to me rant and for being a sister in every way, and to Chantelle for believing in me, encouraging me to get on with it, and for her wise and handy lawyery-advice. I love you guys.

  Thanks to Jason for hanging out (and putting up with my constant rescheduling), for all the squee and book-talk, to Chris for making me laugh about these stories back in the day, and to Richard for being so completely enthusiastic about all my writing projects (but especially the Beowulf story). Thanks to Alex, who rooted for Daffers, hung out with me in the middle of the night and rescued my favourite wok.

  Thanks to Keith, Elinor and Adam, for the writing talk, the dancing talk, and all their helpful advice!

  And lastly to The Derps, and all my other friends who have so patiently encouraged me.