It's been over three years since he last saw Gabrielle Cheney in that mysterious place known as Faire Isle. But Captain Nicolas Remy has never forgotten her. Now, Remy is in Paris to save his king. He failed to protect him and spirit him safely out of Paris that grim night of St. Bartholomew's Eve. For three years, Nicolas has struggled, saved and plotted to be able to return King Henry of Navarre to his home and faithful subjects.

Gabrielle is not the same woman Nicolas remembers. She's still seductive, but now she's also dangerous and consumed with cold ambition. Gabrielle is a courtesan and determined to secure her future by winning the heart of Henry, the Huguenot King of Navarre. As the king's mistress, she'd become the real power behind the French throne.

Gabrielle thinks Nicolas died three years ago and harbors an all-consuming guilt for the way they parted. She must speak to him one last time and searches out a friend adept in the art of necromancy -- speaking to the dead. It's fate that brings Nicolas and Gabrielle together again. Her Remy is alive and living in Paris. He's her dream of valor and chivalry; so confident in his strength, he's not afraid to be gentle. Gabrielle's heart still belongs to him and his to her. Together they must fight the Dark Queen to fulfill their destinies.

THE COURTESAN is breathtaking, an incredible second novel in the Dark Queen trilogy. Teeming with vibrant period detail and characters seamlessly woven into a sweeping tapestry, it's a fast-paced read about a woman finding herself at a crossroads in her life as she begins a voyage of self discovery that will ultimately change everything. Gabrielle must make a choice -- love or ambition. Wrought with mystery and intrigue, THE COURTESAN is a gem from a wonderful storyteller and should not be missed. Don't forget to read THE DARK QUEEN, the first chapter in this remarkable trilogy. This is what reading enjoyment is all about.