c.k. brooke

About The Emperor’s Expedition

When the Emperor of Jordinia tasks his two underachieving nephews to spearhead an expedition to the untamed North Isles, the impish and audacious Duke Andrew leaps at the chance to make history and stand out among his four brothers. While he manages to convince his reclusive brother Ludwig to join him, he is less enthusiastic about their sister tagging along.

Duchess Johannah, desperate to conceal her secret, out-of-wedlock pregnancy and evade courtly scandal, sees the expedition as the perfect ruse. Accompanied by their entourage of intrepid guards, the royal siblings set forth to conquer the wilderness…only to discover that the islands are already inhabited.

Amidst perilous clashes with the Northern clans, alliances are forged and fractured, loyalties waver, and forbidden love commands sacrifice as each explorer’s fealty to blood and country is put to the test. From an icy shipwreck to abductions, ambushes, and arranged marriages, nothing goes as planned in this fast-paced comedy of errors brimming with humor, heroics, and plenty of heart.

My Review

C.K. Brooke delivers an exhilarating journey in The Emperor’s Expedition! This fast-paced adventure is brimming with rich storytelling and a cast of distinct, well-developed characters. The suspense had me eagerly turning pages. Brooke masterfully blends action, intrigue, and emotion, making this a truly immersive read. If you love gripping fantasy with depth and adventure, this book is a must-read.

About The Emperor’s Daughters

Grand Duchess Raphaela of Jordinia has sworn off men and matrimony, aching for independence beyond familiar soil. When an unexpected invitation to a distant palace arrives, Raphaela sees it as her chance at freedom—if only her father, the Emperor, will allow it.

Meanwhile, her sister Benedicta is determined to make a difference in the world before settling down. As she travels to the tropics on a charity mission, Benedicta must prove to the mission’s leader that she is more than just a pampered princess.

In the desert, following an enchanting encounter with the alluring Sultan of Al-Habar, Raphaela struggles to resist his charm, all while fending off advances from his slimy stepson, Prince Arwun. Ensnared in a web of palace intrigue, danger, secret romance, and even murder, Raphaela must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and love in a foreign land. Will the sisters find the courage to defy convention and forge their own paths, or will tradition and betrayal tear apart their family and their hearts?

My Review

From the very first page, The Emperor’s Daughters had me completely enthralled! C.K. Brooke masterfully weaves a tale of love, intrigue, and suspense, keeping the tension high and the pages turning. The strong-willed female characters are truly inspiring, bringing depth and resilience to the story. With its perfect blend of romance, mystery, and adventure, this novel is an absolute gem.

The retelling of these myths and legends is woman power at its finest. I bought the first three novels for my sixteen-year-old niece. She graciously let me read them first. I know she’s going to love them. It’ll also solidify my status as her favorite aunt.

Secrets of Artemis

In Ancient Greece, the goddess Artemis was venerated as a maiden huntress, swift with her bow and arrows, and eternally chaste. But could there be more to her story? Perhaps Lady Artemis had envisioned quite a different destiny than the one her father, Zeus, had chosen for her. What if she hadn’t merely pined after the giant huntsman, Orion, but had secretly partaken of a forbidden romance with him?

My Review

A creative way to bring mythology to life in the retelling of the Greek Goddess Artemis. An entertaining story perfect for the young adult reader.

I, Guinevere

On the winter solstice, a mysterious sword appears in a stone. Not even the mightiest of the village men can remove it, until fifteen-year-old Guinevere gives a try. The sword heeds the unsuspecting maiden, proclaiming the unthinkable: She is the blood of Pendrakon, heir to the vacant throne of Camylot.

Guinevere never dreamed she was royalty. Now, between apprenticing an eccentric old wizard, swordplay lessons with a boy called Lance, and clandestine meetings with the formidable High Priestess of Avalon, Guinevere is swept up in a whirlwind of training and preparation for her monumental new role as future queen. But invasions by barbarians and visitations from mysterious, dark forces loom overhead. Can Guinevere defend her kingdom against darkness and deception? Despite sinister forces working against her, can she harness the power to wield Exkalibur and rule the realm? Or is Camylot already destined to fall?

My Review

Equal parts romance, suspense, and mystery in the retelling of the King Arthur legend. Another wonderful story for the young adult reader.

Marian, Princess Thief

Lady Marian, once the beloved Princess of Sherwood, was only sixteen when her father rode off to fight in the Crusades, leaving his kingdom under the despotic rule of his brother, Prince John. The night her uncle sends an assassin upon her, Marian flees to Sherwood Forest, where she meets and forges an unbreakable bond with six other outlawed young women.

Now, the nineteen-year-old princess-in-exile and her Merry Maidens gallivant through the greenwood, cloaked under the aliases of Rob-in-Hood and his Merry Men. Together, they uphold their vendetta of mischief, undermining the Prince at every turn, robbing the rich and giving to the poor—all while outrunning their sworn nemesis, the odious Sheriff of Nottingham. After a scheme takes an unexpected turn and Marian’s only recourse is to abduct the Sheriff, the lady brigands find themselves in over their heads, stuck with an unrelenting and formidable captive. But, as Marian is about to discover, sometimes people aren’t what they seem… After all, she would know.

My Review

A fast-paced retelling of the Robin Hood legend with fun distinct characters. I see why it was awarded the 2020 Best Indie Book Award in Young Adult Fiction. This is my favorite of the three.

Mythic Maiden Series by C.K. Brooke