Azurha, the former assassin nicknamed Rabbit, with a more frightening reputation than the name infers, will soon become Empress of the Deizian people and wife to her true love Titus. The former Alpirion slave wants to give Titus a wedding present and can only think of one thing that will please him as well as his mother, while also possibly protecting him. She seeks to find out why his father, Emperor Decius, a man of excellent health died so suddenly. She is soon caught up in a POISONED WEB that threatens the life of the only man to ever win her love.

Modius is returned to the palace at Azurha's request. He is the steward's son with knowledge of medicine's and is asked to secretly seek out and find the possible cause of the former emperors death. He has no way of knowing that this request will throw him into life threatening intrigue and love beyond his imagination.

Izana, an Alpirion slave and Azurha's personal maid is set to help Modius, a little touch of matchmaking by the future queen. This educated woman, something forbidden by the laws, has a number of secrets ... and the ones from her past are the ones she wants so badly to keep from Modius. For as they work together, her heart is also being lost to him. Would it be possible for a future with this man if he knew her past or would he turn from her?

Author Crista McHugh takes her readers back to the rich, intriguing and sexy Deizian world with this exciting sequel to Tangled Web. POISONED WEB begins where the first book ended with the continuing romance of Azurha and Titus where we get to watch the growing strength of Azurha as Consort and future Empress. It also adds the romance of a new couple Modius and Izana that fills out the storyline with their mission to answer the mystery given to them by the Lady Azurha. The couple falls immediately attracted to one another and learns quickly that if they are to do this deed they must trust each other and find with trust ... comes love. Ms. McHugh brings to life this world and its people with such descriptive, colorful writing that you will be able to close your eyes and see it all perfectly. I love this world, its people and wonder about the future so I hope the author has a few more books from it for us to enjoy.

Book Summary

As the Deizian Empire prepares for the upcoming wedding of Emperor Titus Sergius Flavus and Azruha, one mystery remains unsolved--the sudden and unexplained death of the former emperor. And as her wedding gift to Titus, Azurha wants to give him answers. She suspects an unknown poison was involved, and her search for the truth enlists two unlikely allies.

Modius Varro's thirst for knowledge caused an uproar in Emona three years ago and exiled him to the border town of Madrena. But when Titus falls victim to the same poison, his expertise in medicine becomes essential in solving both the riddle of the former emperor's death and finding a cure to save the current one. His search leads him to far reaches of the Alpirion realm, to an ancient culture shrouded in secrets, and into the arms of one slave who must break her silence to save the empire.

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