True love must break the curse of madness in this dark, emotional Gothic Regency Romance novella... When Lady Claire Deering's mother enters an insane asylum, society is quick to scorn her, dubbing her the Mad Daughter. But Claire's tattered reputation is the least of her worries, as those rumors hold a horrible, terrifying truth: the Deering women are victims of a dark witch's curse. If Claire marries her true love, she'll spend the rest of her life under the thrall of madness.To save herself, she remains isolated...until a will reading at a mysterious castle on All Hallows Eve places her in close confines with her dearest friend and secret love. Bashful, scholarly Teddy Lockwood has never met a rule he didn't rejoice in following. When he unexpectedly inherits the Ashbrooke earldom, he's determined to turn over a new, more courageous leaf--starting with telling Claire that he's loved her since they were children. The will reading presents the perfect opportunity to win her heart, even if he's vastly out of his element at this enigmatic, shadowy Cornwall castle. Soon, the simmering passion between them becomes unstoppable. Now, to save the love of his life, Teddy will do whatever it takes to break the dark magic's hold on Claire. Will Claire spend her life within the grips of strange delirium, or will love prove the strongest of all? Previously published in MYSTIFIED

“A lush and bloody historical thriller” based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula, a Hungarian noblewoman turned serial killer.(Kirkus Reviews) In sixteenth-century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend, confident and lover. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess t”akes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too. “Popovic balances lush, romantic language with gruesome imagery in this tale of innocence lost. Readers will likely be inspired to do actual research into Lady Bathory’s murderous misdeeds.” —Booklist “Popovic also touches on how a patriarchal society can drive women to extremes without letting the truly terrifying Bathory, or Anna, off the hook for their own actions.” —Kirkus Reviews “Hand to fans of dark historical fiction and powerful female characters.” —School Library Journal