Download or read book Highlander Unchained written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2007-09-25 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lachlan Maclean will do whatever it takes to protect his clan–even if it means abducting the most willful woman in the Highlands with the secret intention of wooing her for marriage. A born searing sensual leader possessing brute strength, and an imposing command, Lachlan is unprepared for the beautiful spitfire Flora MacLeod, who jeopardizes his plans to save his clan, and digs beneath his hard, chiseled exterior to expose a tenderness that may be his undoing. The greatest marriage prize in the Highlands, Flora is determined at all costs to avoid her mother’s fate of being bartered away as a political pawn. Vowing to make her captor pay for his ruthlessness, she boldly engages him in a battle of wills, sweetening the challenge with dangerous passion–even as the lingering curse and deadly ghosts of a past tragedy reach out to thwart a tender love that has yet to be spoken.

Download or read book Highlander Unchained written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2007-09-25 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lachlan Maclean will do whatever it takes to protect his clan–even if it means abducting the most willful woman in the Highlands with the secret intention of wooing her for marriage. A born searing sensual leader possessing brute strength, and an imposing command, Lachlan is unprepared for the beautiful spitfire Flora MacLeod, who jeopardizes his plans to save his clan, and digs beneath his hard, chiseled exterior to expose a tenderness that may be his undoing. The greatest marriage prize in the Highlands, Flora is determined at all costs to avoid her mother’s fate of being bartered away as a political pawn. Vowing to make her captor pay for his ruthlessness, she boldly engages him in a battle of wills, sweetening the challenge with dangerous passion–even as the lingering curse and deadly ghosts of a past tragedy reach out to thwart a tender love that has yet to be spoken.

Download or read book Highlander Unmasked written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2007-08-28 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alex MacLeod’s virile physique, fearsome reputation, and renowned fighting skills have helped him master to perfection the role of a hardened mercenary. On a secret mission to protect his clan, he must keep his true purpose well hidden. But his dangerous endeavor is threatened by a beautiful woman he saves from outlaws, never dreaming she will appear at court and put his plans in jeopardy. Meg Mackinnon needs a strong husband by her side to defend her clan’s holdings, but her search has been hampered by burning fantasies of the midnight rescuer whose smoldering blue eyes and raw sensuality left her breathless. Alex pretends to be a mercenary with no loyalties, yet he is clearly much more. As Meg challenges Alex to reveal all his secrets, the stakes grow perilously high, especially for the bold woman who dares to unmask a highlander.

Download or read book Highlander Untamed written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2007-07-31 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance–to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald–a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn’t have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior. Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use every means possible–including seduction–to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.

Download or read book Highlander Unchained Forbidden Highlander written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2024-02-11 with total page 708 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlander Unchained An infamous Highlander. A peasant woman without a voice. An undeniable love. The infamous warrior Cree is paraded before the village Dowell and though shackled and wounded he walks with arrogant pride, meeting all the curious and fearful stares of the villagers with a fierceness that has them quickly turning their heads away, all but one woman. Dawn cannot keep her eyes off the captured warrior, though tales of his exploits suggests he’s more devil than man. When his eyes meet hers, she wonders if the notorious tales are true for only the devil himself could be that sinfully handsome. Dawn is summoned by the liege lord Colum and ordered to tend Cree, in all ways possible, while he awaits his fate, and please him she must or suffer the consequences. Colum laughs when he issues his orders. He’s sending not only a plain woman to please the mighty warrior in his final days, but one he’ll find no pleasure with. After all, what man wants a woman who cannot utter a sound. But no shackles can hold Cree and when he breaks free, he returns to claim the voiceless woman who found a way into his silent heart. Forbidden Highlander Dawn struggles to accept her future as Cree’s mistress while his future bride Lucerne Gerwan arrives in the village. But there is more for her to worry over. The attempts on her life continue and she fears Cree’s reaction when he learns that she carries his child. The situation grows worse when warriors from the McClusky clan arrive in the village and the laird Kirk McClusky claims that Dawn is his daughter. Dawn wonders if it can be true and though her father insists, she returns home with him, she knows her love for Cree will never allow her to leave him. She cannot envision life without him. Cree faces many obstacles in ensuring Dawn will be his, the hardest being his own failure to tell Dawn how he truly feels about her. But when she is taken from him, his temper rages and nothing stops him from bringing her home. He cannot think of life without her. Cree and Dawn battle old secrets that finally surface and threaten to tear them apart. And it is with strength and courage that they fight for their love and a future together.

Download or read book Cree and Dawn written by Donna Fletcher and published by . This book was released on 2016-01-26 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlander's True LoveWith the birth of the twins, Cree and Dawn have been busy and longing for some private time together. When it appears they just may finally have it, Cree is summoned to the Great Hall. He is not only angry that his time with his wife has been interrupted, but that a woman demands to see him. Cree grows more annoyed when he discovers the woman has a lad of two years with her and she claims the lad is his son.Is the woman telling the truth? Is the lad Cree's son? If not, then who is she and what does she want with Cree? Highlander's PromiseDawn nearly collapses when she receives word that Cree has been imprisoned, falsely accused of a crime. Sloan and Cree's warriors will do their best to attempt to free him, but with Cree being held in an impenetrable dungeon the prospect of freeing him appears doubtful.Dawn's heart breaks at the thought that she may never see her husband again. And so her decision is an easy one...she will go rescue him. Highlander's Winter TaleA blinding snowstorm forces some villagers to seek the safety of the keep and Old Mary entertains all with a tale-Winter Tale-that enthralls as much as it frightens.At the end of the tale, a stranger suddenly appears and peculiar things begin to happen in the keep. Could the tale be true? Did Old Mary release the evil of the Winter Tale upon the village? Cree will not hear of such nonsense, but when some in the keep begin to fall ill along with Old Mary and Elsa, the healer, Cree begins to wonder. And he knows it will not be long before his wife does as she pleases and searches for the truth, possibly placing herself in danger.Is the stranger a mere man who seeks shelter from the storm or the phantom of Winter Tale?

Download or read book Highlander Untamed written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2007-07-31 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance–to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald–a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn’t have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior. Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use every means possible–including seduction–to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.

Download or read book Highland Scoundrel written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2009-03-24 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Framed for a crime he did not commit, Duncan Campbell, the illegitimate son of a chieftain, has returned to the Highlands determined to clear his name after ten years in exile. He is drawn to the unforgettable sensual beauty of Jeannie Gordon, the headstrong girl who once pledged him her love, gave him her innocence, and then betrayed him. Now, in the glow of the moonlight, she defiantly shows Duncan the bad end of a pistol. Jeannie is stunned to discover that the broad-chested brigand she just shot is the rogue who broke her heart years ago. No longer a starry-eyed girl but a woman with dangerous secrets, Jeannie cannot forgive Duncan’s shattering mistrust of her–nor can she sign his death warrant by turning him in. Soon passion flares hotter and bolder than before, sealing a fate the onetime lovers can no longer deny. Caught up in a deadly game of murder and intrigue, Jeannie is willing to risk everything for a man and a love she vows never to lose again.

Download or read book The MacLeods of Skye Trilogy 3 Book Bundle written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2013-08-05 with total page 966 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praised by Julia London as “breathless” and “enthralling,” Monica McCarty’s novels featuring the MacLeods of Skye have won the hearts and minds of romance readers with riveting historical adventure, delightfully independent heroines, and the steamiest Scottish warriors this side of the Highlands. Now McCarty’s unforgettable trilogy is available in a single eBook bundle: HIGHLANDER UNTAMED Rory MacLeod is a powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance—to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald—a bride he has no intention of keeping. Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel is prepared to use every means possible—including seduction—to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of . . . with the very man she must betray. HIGHLANDER UNMASKED A hardened mercenary on a secret mission to protect his clan, Alex MacLeod must keep his true purpose hidden. But his dangerous endeavor is threatened by a beautiful woman he saves from outlaws, never dreaming she will appear at court and put his plans in jeopardy. As Meg Mackinnon challenges Alex—the midnight rescuer whose smoldering blue eyes and raw sensuality left her breathless—to reveal his secrets, the stakes grow perilously high, especially for the bold woman who dares to unmask a highlander. HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED A born leader possessing brute strength, Lachlan Maclean will do whatever it takes to protect his clan—even if it means abducting the most willful woman in the Highlands. But Lachlan is unprepared for the beautiful spitfire who digs beneath his chiseled exterior. Flora MacLeod is determined to avoid her mother’s fate of being bartered away as a marriage prize. Vowing to make her captor pay, she boldly engages him in a battle of wills, sweetening the challenge with dangerous passion–even as the deadly ghosts of a past tragedy reach out to thwart a love that has yet to be spoken.

Download or read book Highland Outlaw written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2009-02-24 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Handsome and dangerous, Patrick MacGregor is a wanted man, possessing the tough, tenacious spirit of his outlawed clan. He will stop at nothing to save his people from destruction, even if it means marrying Elizabeth Campbell, the daughter of his worst enemy. Yet the flaxen-haired beauty disarms him from the start. Her sweet, unspoiled softness touches the cold depths of his ravaged soul–and makes him want much more than revenge. Inside the shy and dutiful Lizzie is a passionate woman longing to emerge, a woman ready for love. So when the piercing emerald eyes and searing kiss of a stranger spark in her a desperate hunger, she surrenders to Patrick’s glorious seduction–unaware that his daring deception has just found its one and only chance for redemption: a love more powerful than hate.

Download or read book Highland Warrior written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2009-01-27 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ruthless enforcer of Scotland’s most powerful clan, Jamie Campbell will use any means necessary to vanquish lawlessness and unrest among the feuding Highland clans. Seduction is a game as easily played as subterfuge, but when Jamie poses a as suitor to a rival clan’s daughter in order to expose treason, the line between duty and pleasure is suddenly blurred. Ebony-haired, ruby-lipped Caitrina Lamont defies him, denies him, and arouses him like no other woman. Caitrina has no intention of forsaking her beloved father and doting brothers for a husband–especially a hated Campbell. But Jamie’s raw, sensual strength and searing kiss melt her resistance. When her idyllic world is shattered, Caitrina’s only hope to save her clan lies in the arms of Jamie Campbell, the enemy she holds accountable for its ruin. Can their tenuous truce, born in the velvet darkness of passionate nights, forge a love as strong as the sword that rules the Highlands?

Download or read book The Highland Guard Series 5 Book Bundle written by Monica McCarty and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2013-02-25 with total page 2212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty has established herself as a favorite in the world of Scottish romance. Her sensual Highland Guard novels, tales of elite warriors and the remarkable women they love, just keep getting better and better. Now the first five books in the series are available in one sizzling eBook bundle: THE CHIEF THE HAWK THE RANGER THE VIPER THE SAINT With the death of William Wallace, Scotland’s struggle for independence from English rule seems all but doomed to failure. But in her darkest hour, the torch for freedom will be lit once more by Robert “the Bruce.” Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands, the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to form an elite fighting force unlike any the world has ever seen. They are the best of the best in each discipline of warfare: Tor “the Chief” MacLeod, a swordsman without equal; Erik “the Hawk” MacSorley, a brilliant seafarer who has never encountered a wind he could not harness or a woman he could not win; Arthur “the Ranger” Campbell, a renowned scout who blends into the shadows deep behind enemy lines; Lachlan “the Viper” MacRuairi, a stealthy rogue to enlist but not to trust; and Magnus “the Saint” MacKay, the ultimate Highlander: tough, resourceful, and able to navigate and survive in the most extreme of conditions. The warriors of the Highland Guard fight to defend their country—but they live to capture hearts. Praise for Monica McCarty and her Highland Guard novels “McCarty’s gift lies in writing strong characters into wildly entertaining—often unexpected—scenarios.”—The Washington Post “A master storyteller . . . McCarty breathes life into her memorable characters as they face dangerous adventures. The fresh plots, infused with romance and passion, are also brimming with history and drama.”—RT Book Reviews “McCarty creates an enjoyable romance with torrid chemistry, appealing characters, and believable historical situations.”—Publishers Weekly

Download or read book Highlander s Captive written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2024-02-11 with total page 359 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Much like her brother Cree, Wintra is strong-minded and willful and intends to do as she pleases until… In the rugged Highlands, Torr, a formidable warrior, embarks on a crucial mission to locate the sister of the powerful warrior, Cree. His objective is clear… bring her home. However, the task proves more challenging than he anticipated. As determined as Torr is to complete his task, she is even more resolute that he doesn’t succeed. Wintra rejects the assistance of the imposing warrior sent by her brother Cree to bring her home. She harbors plans of her own, fueled by a blossoming love, whether her brother approves or not. Stranded in the woods in a snowstorm with the mighty warrior, thanks to her own foolishness, she is more determined than ever to find her way back to the man she believes she loves. A sudden turn of events alters Wintra’s plans, and she has no choice but to depend on the mighty warrior for help. Their unexpected time together produces something neither of them expected but both embrace… love. Torr and Wintra face deceit and obstacles when he brings her home to Cree. Secrets concealed for years come to light, unraveling a profound revelation that reshapes everything for Wintra. And when danger threatens… it is love that comes to the rescue.

Download or read book The Fierce Highlander written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2023-12-09 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Noble is a fierce Gallowglass warrior, his reputation unwavering, his demands for respect and obedience from his warriors unyielding and he expects the same from the woman he weds. He accepts a marriage arrangement to a woman who needs protection in exchange for something he thought was merely a dream. But his dream is about to turn into a nightmare when he meets his wife. Leora’s life was shaped by the promise her father made, the promise that she would have the freedom to choose her own husband. However, unforeseen circumstances force her father to make the decision for her. Her life is in danger and her father chooses someone who can protect her and keep her safe… a Gallowglass warrior, an elite mercenary, a man who can shield her from harm. When Noble arrives to claim his bride, he is met with Leora's unwavering refusal to accompany him willingly. He shocks her when he threatens to physically remove her if she does not comply. It is her sister Elsie who provides her with a compelling reason to leave with her new husband. Hidden within this journey is a chance to determine the fate of their beloved sister Sky, who has taken refuge with Lord Slayer, the formidable leader of the Gallowglass. Leora is torn between concerns for Sky's safety and her own independence, as her destination lies not far from Lord Slayer’s clan. The fierce warrior and the unyielding woman collide head-on from their very first encounter, sparks of discord flying between them. However, amidst their clashes, they begin to discover an unexpected truth… they share more in common than they could have ever imagined. Their similarities, concealed beneath layers of pride and stubbornness, gradually surface as they navigate the perilous terrain of their pre-arranged union. As attempts on Leora’s life intensify and the mystery surrounding her true identity deepens, their bond strengthens. With each challenge they face together, they find themselves inching closer to something neither of them anticipated… falling love, a force as formidable as any opponent they've encountered. In the heart of their tumultuous journey, amidst danger and deception, and the possibility of losing each other, it is their love, that in the end, saves them both. Author note: There is a story arc that runs through the three books and though each individual love story finishes in each book, the trilogy is best read in order. The Scarred Highlander, The Fierce Highlander, Highlander the Conqueror.

Download or read book The Legendary Highlander written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2023-08-12 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is she a witch or a healer? Lord Varrick is the Legendary Highlander who has well-earned the myth centered around him. He is known for his endless victories in battle, his fearless skill as a warrior, and his soulless nature. He rules over a heavily forested area in the north and rumors spread that he commands an army of the dead and that no one passes through his land without his permission, or they chance battling his ethereal warriors. Truth or tale? No one knows and no one takes the chance of finding out. Fia is a healer from a long line of healers. She is eager to learn all she can so she can help the ill, though more importantly prevent illness if possible. Her grandmother warned her to be careful that there were those who would misjudge her and threaten her life. A fair warning indeed, for she has met such a fate and is now in the hands of the legendary Highlander. But not the way she thought she would be… she is forced to wed him. Lord Varrick refuses to tell her what he wants with her, and she fears that once he has what he wants her fate will be sealed, and he will see her dead, ending their marriage and being rid of her. How to prevent such a fate is the challenge she faces. He does not hold her prisoner but has warned her of the consequences if she should run from him and it is not something she wishes to chance. When she learns what she is there for, she uses all her skills and learned knowledge to succeed and win her freedom. But is it freedom she truly wants from the Legendary Highlander? Or has she seen in him something that no one else can see… that he is a man who desperately needs to know love. As danger lurks at every turn and hidden secrets are revealed, Fia must navigate a treacherous path to save not only herself but to help the enigmatic Lord Varrick unlock his heart and learn to love. Note: While this trilogy does not need to be read in sequence, each book a standalone, Fia and other characters from Highland Myth Trilogy were first introduced in Highland Secrets A Cree & Dawn Novel… a prelude of sorts to their individual stories.

Download or read book Highlander The Conqueror written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2024-05-23 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Born into a life of conflict, Slayer emerges as a formidable warrior destined for leadership within Clan Ravinsher. Leading the Gallowglass, an elite group of mercenaries, he is a born protector, sworn to safeguard his older brother, the rightful heir to the clan. However, fate alters his course when his father and brother are murdered. The responsibility of leading the clan and seeking vengeance now rests squarely on Slayer's shoulders. Amid this turmoil, Slayer discovers that his brother's widow, Sky, an innocent soul unaware that her father arranged a marriage for her, is in grave danger. Duty bound to ensure her safety, Slayer rescues her from what was intended to be a sanctuary at Dundren Abbey. Sky’s two sisters shielded her from a world that misunderstood her due to an affliction she had since birth. With her sisters no longer there to shield her, she seeks companionship from the animals who are drawn to her innate kindness, as she begins to discover the impending dangers that await her. As Slayer strives to protect Sky from unseen threats, he guards a secret that could alter the course of their intertwined destinies. The journey to avenge his family's murders becomes a treacherous path, filled with twists and turns. Sky, thrust into a marriage she never knew existed and now under the watchful eye of a mighty Gallowglass warrior, grapples with her own uncertainties. The realization that someone seeks her demise forces her to remain under Slayer's protection, even as she yearns to return to the familiarity of her home. Yet, beneath the surface of their intertwined fates, lies a revelation that could shatter their worlds. Slayer's unspoken truth holds the key to understanding their connection, and as the plot thickens, so does the bond between them. When Sky is unexpectedly abducted, Slayer embarks on a relentless pursuit to retrieve her, confronting adversaries and challenges that push his warrior skills to the limit. Sky, oblivious to her own hidden truths, finds herself at a crossroads when long-buried secrets surface. The choices she makes will shape her destiny, and as the threads of fate weave their intricate pattern, both Slayer and Sky must confront serious decisions. In a world where loyalties are tested, alliances are forged, and the truth has the power to transform lives, Slayer and Sky must face challenges that will ultimately define who they are and what they are willing to sacrifice for love and honor. Author Note: There is a story arc that runs through the three books and though each individual love story finishes in each book, the trilogy is best read in order. The Scarred Highlander, The Fierce Highlander & Highlander the Conqueror.

Download or read book The Silent Highlander written by Donna Fletcher and published by Donna Fletcher. This book was released on 2023-02-09 with total page 381 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All is not what it seems. Don’t trust anyone. The warning comes too late for Elysia. Alone and frightened Elysia hurries to do as her two sisters urged, ask Saber, who works one of the crofts, to wed her. She favors him and believes he feels the same about her. His throat is healing from an injury and his voice is slowly returning with her help. Elysia is no healer but having helped her sister Bliss, the healer of their clan, she has a bit of healing knowledge. It is the least she can do when her two sisters are sacrificing so much more. Annis is off on a mission to see what can be done to save Bliss from a marriage she agreed to, so Annis and Elysia would not be forced to wed, but will surely be the death of her due to a twenty-year-old curse. A marriage to Saber would keep Elysia safe from those seeking to take advantage of her now that she doesn’t have the safety of her sisters. To her surprise, Saber refuses her offer and to make matters worse the chieftain of the clan presents her with three clan warriors and gives her two weeks to pick one to wed. She does not want to wed a warrior. She wants a tender and quiet man like Saber, not a man who lives by the sword. Saber got lost in Elysia’s soft green eyes when they first met and she attempted to hide behind him, an easy task since she is a wee bit of a thing. She has a kind and sweet nature that entices. Not able to get her out of his thoughts, he seeks her healing skills more often than he should. But marriage to her is out of the question. He tries to stay away from her but fails. Fate or perhaps it is the curse that intervenes and unites Saber and Elysia in marriage. They briefly find happiness together… until the truth is revealed. Nothing about Saber is real, not even his name. Who is this man she calls, husband? Who is this stranger she has wed? And how will she ever survive a marriage to him? Unexpected danger threatens the couple and Saber will do anything to keep his wife safe from harm. But Elysia has a secret that she fears will fuel the curse and worries what will happen when Saber finds out. Her only hope is that her sister, Annis, will be successful at breaking the curse before the curse claims them all. Author note: There is a prequel to this trilogy… Highland Intrigue A Prequel. You get to meet most of the characters in the trilogy and see what brought them to this point. Also while Saber and Elysia’s love story concludes in this book, there is a story arc/mystery that runs through to book three, Highlander The Cursed Lord. Highland Intrigue Trilogy Highland Intrigue A Prequel Book one, The Silent Highlander Book two, The Condemned Highlander Book three, Highlander The Cursed Lord