Untitled V. L. Bovalino 2

A ruthless spy. A deadly mission. A thief who could ruin it all.

The Thief and the Traitor Bride is a standalone romantic fantasy set in the world of the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling novel The Second Death of Locke.

Nore Gordon is a woman of many talents: she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.

Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.

As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit-and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.

Praise for The Hand and the Heart books:

'With unique magic, a rich and war-torn world, and a retinue of characters I would pledge my life to defend, The Second Death of Locke is an epic quest for belonging and a romance for the ages. The yearning is off the charts and I'm here for it' Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

'This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page' Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

'Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke will grip your heart and never let go' Tasha Suri

'A rich exploration of the way the ties of love and friendship can be complicated, the way the sacrifices we make can be easier to accept than the sacrifices others make for us. Impressive and transporting' Megan Whalen Turner, author of The Thief

'This book has it all: Arthurian themes of devotion and betrayal, the carnage of courtly politics and combat, every manner of unadulterated yearning. Glorious' Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six

'A gloriously haunting story, with a searing chivalric romance that burns bright and bittersweet, The Second Death of Locke will hold your heart in its fist until the very end' Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust

'Intricately imagined and deftly told, The Second Death of Locke is the perfect pairing of romance, pining, and sprawling epic fantasy' Hannah Whitten, author of The Foxglove King

'An epic tale that explores what it truly means to love' Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

'A gripping tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power to be found in the bonds we make' M.H. Ayinde, author of A Song of Legends Lost

'An astonishing tale of loyalty, sacrifice and loss, and at its centre - a sweeping romance that will melt the iciest of hearts' Holly Race, author of Six Wild Crowns

'A heady, unputdownable epic fantasy with a heartfelt romance at its core' Hadeer Elsbai, author of The Daughters of Izdihar

'Sweeping, epic and deliciously romantic, The Second Death of Locke is the perfect marriage of magic and swordplay' Kate Dylan, author of Until We Shatter

'A masterfully crafted world of warring knights, fierce friendships and breathtaking romance. This story broke my heart and made it anew' A. S. Webb, author of Daughter of Chaos