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Rachel Rowlands, 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

Happy first day of October! 🧡 Who else loves autum Happy first day of October! 🧡 Who else loves autumn/fall? 🍂 If you want something to read this cosy season while bundled up with a blanket and a hot chocolate (and your cat), I have a treat for you! The Cat Cafè Book Club is 99p on Kindle ALL month, and is also 99p on Apple Books until October 26! 🥰

#thecatcafèbookclub #thecatcafebookclub #rachelrowlands
I've had a lot of new followers recently and often I've had a lot of new followers recently and often get similar questions about my books, so I thought I'd do a new FAQ to pin on my profile this time instead of in story highlights! 📌  Hopefully this answers some common questions you might have about my books!
Absolutely overjoyed that my French publisher @edi Absolutely overjoyed that my French publisher @editionsnami sent me this beautiful marketing/PR box they put together for the French release of The Cat Café Book Club. 🥹❤️ I didn't expect to receive one of these, though I'd seen it going out to reviewers and bookstagram accounts! I'm so, so pleased to have it and all the lovely little trinkets they included in the box. It's hard to choose a favourite item!

My French editor wrote me the loveliest note about the books too. 😊 It has made my week. 

#thecatcafebookclub #thecatcafèbookclub #rachelrowlands
Haru being majestic as we have morning coffee toge Haru being majestic as we have morning coffee together in the garden, which is one of my favourite routines. 🥰☕️ She was more interested in insects and birds though. 

This beautiful girl *might* be the reason Brenna has seven black cats in The Cat Cafè Book Club... 🩶

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  • Home
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