The Hollow Crown

A deliciously dark gothic romantasy

The Hollow Crown is the first book in this darkly delicious gothic romantasy trilogy, The Dragon’s Crown—where love is a weapon, and the crown always draws blood.

Some gardens grow flowers. Others grow graves.

When Lenore Ashworth receives a mysterious invitation written in living silver ink, she sees it as salvation from her uncle's grudging charity and her mother's recent death. The position at crumbling Eldermere Castle promises the botanist rare specimens, generous compensation, and blissful solitude.

She doesn't expect the castle to dress her, feed her, or rearrange itself for her comfort. She doesn't expect roses that sing in moonlight or portraits that weep real tears. And she certainly doesn't expect the mysterious duke, Thorne Ravenscroft, devastatingly handsome, heartbreakingly cursed, and bound to witness an endless cycle of brilliant women who arrive seeking knowledge... only to become something else.

As Lenore falls for both the man and the monstrous beauty surrounding him, she uncovers the terrible truth. Every garden keeper before her believed she was choosing love over duty. Every one thought her sacrifice would save the world. Every one was wrong.

But in shadow rose gardens where phantom lovers whisper in starlight, Lenore dares to dream of a different ending. Some loves transcend death itself. Some sacrifices plant seeds that bloom centuries later in unexpected hearts.

And some sacrifices are just the first verse of a much darker song.

The Hollow Crown contains mature content including depictions of graphic violence, and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and CWs, please visit the author's website.