The Master of All Desires by Judith Merkle Riley

'Another darling mix of history, romance and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong, intelligent heroines. 'Another darling mix of history, romance and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong, intelligent heroines.'-Kirkus Reviews 'Mixing history and fantasy with élan, Judith Merkle Riley offers a tightly woven, suspenseful, and fiendishly funny novel.Lush period detail and sprightly dialogue laced with humor and courtly pomp anchor Riley's romantic adventure with stylized whimsy and historical plausibility.'-Publishers Weekly Can he stop these determined women before they unwittingly destroy the entire kingdom of France? But she does not understand that the Master is malic itself, twisting the wishes that he grants to bring destruction.īut only Nostradamus knows that evil befalls all who wish upon this accursed object. Queen Catherine de Medici is trying to obtain the power of the Master in order to get rid of her husband's mistress. When she inadvertently becomes the master of an ancient cursed head of Menander the Magus-the Master of All Desires-she suddenly has the power to grant any wish, at a steep price. Lady Sibille never goes looking for trouble, but trouble always seems to find her. Nostradamus, a ruthless queen, and a young poet find themselves in the fight of their lives. 'Another darling mix of history, romance and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong, intelligent heroines.'A delightful blend of history, romance, and the supernatural, served with a generous helping of wit and humor.'-Booklist A delightful blend of history, romance, and the supernatural.

'Mixing history and fantasy with élan, Judith Merkle Riley offers a tightly woven, suspenseful, and fiendishly funny novel.Lush period detail and sprightly dialogue laced with humor and courtly pomp anchor Riley's romantic adventure with stylized whimsy and historical plausibility.'- Publishers Weekly Read The Master of All Desires by Judith Merkle Riley available from Rakuten Kobo.

Nostradamus, a ruthless queen, and a young poet find themselves in the fight of their lives… 'A delightful blend of history, romance, and the supernatural, served with a generous helping of wit and humor.'-Booklist