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Rachel Rowlands, Book Editor & Author
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Rachel Rowlands, Book Editor & Author
fairytale retellings

The Darkest Curse

Independently published 22 October 2022

Available in ebook and paperback

What if Rapunzel’s hair was cursed by dark magic, and she had to resist falling for a handsome bard?

Locked away from the rest of the world, Annice dreams of leading a life filled with adventure and romance, things she’s only read about in books. But her hair holds a deadly curse – it kills any other living thing it touches, and no one knows the cure. Even her attempts to cut off her cursed hair are futile in the face of dark magic. Watched over by her mother, Gothel, Annice lives a lonely and sheltered life in her tower, her only escape her beloved books and lyre.

When the dashing, well-travelled bard Cyrus passes her tower, Annice is torn between her caution and curiosity. Drawn in by his stories of adventure and the world beyond, she soon finds herself enchanted by him and yearning more fiercely for a life outside. And the forbidden relationship blooming between them becomes a closely kept secret from Gothel.

As Annice begins a fresh quest for answers about her curse, she unravels a web of deceit that will change everything she thought she knew about love and family.

The Darkest Curse is Book 1 in the Nethervale series, but the series can be read in any order. Each book can stand on its own.

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Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association

Some of the books I recommend to writers all the t Some of the books I recommend to writers all the time! 📚 There's a little something for everyone here, whether you want to learn to plot a romance book or if you just want to learn about different elements of writing craft. 

Side note: every book in the "writer thesaurus" series is great so I recommend all the others too!

#bookrecommendations📚❣️ #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity
Writing tips and lessons from Haru, my cat. I hone Writing tips and lessons from Haru, my cat. I honestly think we can learn so much from a cat's way of life and their disposition. They are so resilient. 🐱 I'm learning to practice Number 1, slowing down! That doesn't mean stopping though... currently writing something very exciting! 👀
💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @ 💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction!! I'm so excited this book is finally in the hands of readers. This is probably my most romcom book yet and it's perfect for the summertime. I had so much fun writing it. I hope you'll love meeting cat café barista Grace and brooding musician Nathan!

This is my third traditionally published book, as well as the third in the cat café series (though you can read it perfectly fine as a standalone). I'm still pinching myself that I get to continue doing this!

Thank you, lovely readers, for all the support! 🥰

💜💜 Blurb 💜💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact: they will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #firstdatesatthecatcafè #rachelrowlands
My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café ar My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café arrived! How gorgeous are they?! I just love all the colours and the cats having their own little dates outside the café! @kelley.mcmorris.art has done it again with her beautiful illustration!

I think you'll love this one if you enjoy fake dating, summer festivals, and brooding musicians. 🎶 Here's a reminder of the blurb! Out May 28 with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction 🥰🥰

🐱💜🐱💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact. They will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafè #firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #rachelrowlands

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