A timid king. A foreign princess. A marriage of duty that becomes a matter of life or death.

King Charles Alistair has been groomed for one purpose: to rule. His arranged marriage to Princess Isabella of Portugal is meant to secure an heir and forge an alliance. But their union is one of cold duty, with Charles convinced of his obligations and Isabella heartbroken by his distant nature.

When a vicious assassination plot is uncovered, it forces them to flee the court and take refuge in a remote hunting lodge. Stripped of their titles and the trappings of power, they are forced to confront the truth about each other, the enemies that stalk them, and the very nature of their duty.

As they work together to expose the conspiracy, a fragile intimacy blossoms. Charles discovers a woman of sharp wit and quiet strength, and Isabella finds a man who sees her as more than a political pawn. But as their love grows, so does the danger. With their enemies spreading rumors and closing in, can a king and his queen forge a bond strong enough to save not only their lives, but their kingdom?

A Crown of Thorns is a slow-burn historical romance filled with political intrigue, unexpected love, and a powerful queen who proves that a true marriage is one of partnership.