Curse of the Bond Riders Series by Karen Brooks

On the edge of a mystical border called the Limen, close to a beautiful canal-laced city, a humble candlemaker rescues a child whom he raises as his apprentice. Years pass and the child’s unusual talents are revealed, the gentle art of candlemaking slowly transforming into something far more sinister. Lingering in the shadows, enemies watch and wait - a vengeful aristocrat, an exotic queen and the lethal creatures known only as the Morte Whisperers... moreOn the edge of a mystical border called the Limen, close to a beautiful canal-laced city, a humble candlemaker rescues a child whom he raises as his apprentice. Years pass and the child’s unusual talents are revealed, the gentle art of candlemaking slowly transforming into something far more sinister. Lingering in the shadows, enemies watch and wait - a vengeful aristocrat, an exotic queen and the lethal creatures known only as the Morte Whisperers. They hunger after the child’s ancient magic and will do anything to control it - betray, lie, manipulate. Even murder. A story of intrigue, deadly magic and a love so deep it transcends life itself. less

Return to the beautiful, deadly world of The Curse of the Bond Riders, where the stakes are ever higher as Tallow morphs from talented boy apprentice to unwilling female courtesan and assassin   The stakes are higher than ever when the Maleovellis inform Tallow they are now her patrons. Realizing she is a girl, they clean her, dress her in gorgeous robes, change her name to Tarlo, and tell her she is to practice her candle making for them alone... moreReturn to the beautiful, deadly world of The Curse of the Bond Riders, where the stakes are ever higher as Tallow morphs from talented boy apprentice to unwilling female courtesan and assassin   The stakes are higher than ever when the Maleovellis inform Tallow they are now her patrons. Realizing she is a girl, they clean her, dress her in gorgeous robes, change her name to Tarlo, and tell her she is to practice her candle making for them alone. They teach her to read, write, and give her lessons in history, science, politics, etiquette, and the ways of the aristocracy. Using Tallow's talents, they intend to wipe out the royal bloodline and take the throne. Encouraged by the lovely and persuasive Giaconda, Tallow learns the arts of love, spying, and disguise. Throughout it all, she creates her candles, never really knowing the subtle purposes for which they are being used. Yet, as the Maleovellis' fortunes change, she finds that flickering inside her are vague memories, fleeting and unstable, that taunt and challenge her apparent acceptance of her new life. When an old love returns and an attempt is made on Tallow's life, she must enter The Limen to live. Unexpectedly, someone else also enters—a new Bond Rider whose pledge is set to change the face of the world forever. less

Talented candlemaker. Intoxicating courtesan. Lethal assassin. Can Tallow become what she has always denied . . . or is it too late? Against a backdrop of bloodshed and turmoil, Tallow flees the cunning Maleovellis and a city on the brink of war to enter the Limen, determined to find the Estrattore and meet her destiny.Unbeknownst to Tallow, she sets in motion forces beyond her control... moreTalented candlemaker. Intoxicating courtesan. Lethal assassin. Can Tallow become what she has always denied . . . or is it too late? Against a backdrop of bloodshed and turmoil, Tallow flees the cunning Maleovellis and a city on the brink of war to enter the Limen, determined to find the Estrattore and meet her destiny.Unbeknownst to Tallow, she sets in motion forces beyond her control. From Serenissima to Farrowfare, enemies - as well as those she has always trusted - plot to ensure her compliance and, ultimately, destruction. But in doing so, they make a fatal mistake - they underestimate her and the power she can wield. Betrayed, manipulated and hunted, Tallow is a pawn in a deadly game. In order to win, she will have to sacrifice everything . . . including the man she loves. less