New Release: The Maiden by E.V. Mitchell — Dark Fantasy Romance

The Maiden is finally out in the world!

I've been waiting to share this one with you for what feels like forever. It's my first dark fantasy romance under the E.V. Mitchell name, and honestly? I'm a little nervous. Okay, a lot nervous! But also excited. Mostly excited. But still... nervous. 

Let me tell you a bit about our main girl, Syrrah.

She's a temple healer bound by sacred vows. No marriage, no children, no physical contact beyond healing work. She's spent her entire life following the rules, being the good girl, doing what she's told.

Then a trickster god yanks her out of everything she knows and drops her into a deadly maze called the Labyrinth.

The rules there? Survive long enough to be claimed by a hunter, or die. Women are prizes. Men are predators.

Syrrah is supposed to be prey.

She has other plans.

I won't lie—I had SO much fun writing this book. There's something delicious about taking a "captured maiden" story and watching the maiden decide she's done being captured, thank you very much.

Enter Rooke.

He's a pirate, has hidden daggers everywhere, and secrets darker than the Labyrinth's shadows. He offers Syrrah an alliance, and she's smart enough to know he's not there to save anyone. He's got his own agenda.

Somewhere between the running and the hiding and the trying not to die, these two start learning things about each other they never expected.

Things that have nothing to do with survival.

So what can you expect?

A virgin heroine who becomes a complete badass. Morally grey hero with a protective streak he can't control. Forced proximity (they're trapped in a maze together—there's nowhere to run). Enemies to lovers. Touch-her-and-die energy. And yes, a cave scene with ONLY ONE BEDROLL.

You're welcome.

The heat level is explicit. I regret nothing.

Content heads up: This is dark fantasy romance, so there's graphic violence, captivity themes, and attempted assault by antagonists (not between our main couple). The worldbuilding includes some heavy stuff about the oppression of women.

For those asking about series info—yes, The Bride Hunt will continue! Each book follows a different couple through their own Labyrinth. There's an overarching mystery brewing about power that even the gods don't understand. But The Maiden gives Syrrah and Rooke a complete happily ever after. No cliffhangers for the romance, I promise.

If you love books like ACOTAR, if you enjoyed The Hunger Games and wished it had more romance (and steam), if Labyrinth the movie lives rent-free in your head and you've always wanted a grown-up steamy version—this might be your book.

The Maiden is available now at eviemitchell.com, Amazon, and in Kindle Unlimited.

I'd love to hear what you think. Come find me on socials, or drop me an email. Especially if you have feelings about Rooke. I have many feelings about Rooke!

Happy reading!

Evie (writing as E.V. Mitchell for the dark stuff)