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The Once and Future Queen

Arthurian legend meets time travel in this sweeping romantic fantasy
By Paula Lafferty
Series: The Lives of Guinevere
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Brief Description
Sometimes legends don't tell the whole story. After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Vera is content to fade into the background, washing sheets and cleaning bathrooms in a Glastonbury hotel. But when a mysterious guest reveals himself as Merlin and whisks her back to seventh-century... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Outlander-meets-Camelot in the first book in a lush, romantic, time travel fantasy trilogy

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Sometimes legends don't tell the whole story.

After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Vera is content to fade into the background, washing sheets and cleaning bathrooms in a Glastonbury hotel. But when a mysterious guest reveals himself as Merlin and whisks her back to seventh-century Camelot, everything changes. He insists she's not just Vera, she's Guinevere, and only she can undo the curse draining the kingdom's magic and save Camelot from the will of a power-hungry mage.

There's just one problem: Vera remembers nothing of her past life. And with Camelot teetering on the edge of collapse, time is running out.

As Merlin works to restore her memories, Vera uncovers a tangled history of betrayal, power, and heartbreak. Why does King Arthur recoil at her presence? What truly happened the night the curse was cast? And why does every answer feel like it's tearing her in two?

In a kingdom built on legend, Vera must decide who she is, before the past destroys the future.

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty is a captivating journey into a world where the past and present collide, forcing a young woman to forge her identity amidst ancient legends and modern struggles.

Series: The Lives of Guinevere

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  • The Once and Future Queen: Deluxe Special Edition
    The Once and Future Queen: Deluxe Special Edition
    Outlander-meets-The Princess Bride plus Camelot in a fresh, big-hearted, feminist, timeslip adventure reimagining the epic saga of King Arthur, as told from the perspective of his spunky and surprising queen, Vera – complete with time travel and good running shoes! DELUXE LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER with stenciled edges, a beautiful foil-stamped hardcover, exclusive interior design with full-colour illustrated endpapers — Only...
    By Paula Lafferty
    Hardback
    $7400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Once and Future Queen
    Sometimes legends don't tell the whole story. After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Vera is content to fade into the background, washing sheets and cleaning bathrooms in a Glastonbury hotel. But when a mysterious guest reveals himself as Merlin and whisks her back to seventh-century Camelot, everything changes. He insists she's not just Vera, she's Guinevere, and only she...
    By Paula Lafferty
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399746021

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 December 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodderscape

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 44.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 619g

Pages: 512

Collections

Fantasy Fiction General Fiction Historical Fantasy Historical Fiction Paula Lafferty Romance Romantasy (Fantasy Romance) Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: The Lives of Guinevere

About the Author

Paula Lafferty lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, daughter, and Otto (the sweetest dog there ever was). She received a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University and a Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. She has a taste for finding magic in "the ordinary" and a spark for discovering stories at every turn. Telling stories is the thread that runs through Paula's life, and La Vie de Guinevere is her debut novel which she originally funded through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign.

Also by Paula Lafferty

View all
  • The Once and Future Queen: Deluxe Special Edition
    The Once and Future Queen: Deluxe Special Edition
    Outlander-meets-The Princess Bride plus Camelot in a fresh, big-hearted, feminist, timeslip adventure reimagining the epic saga of King Arthur, as told from the perspective of his spunky and surprising queen, Vera – complete with time travel and good running shoes! DELUXE LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER with stenciled edges, a beautiful foil-stamped hardcover, exclusive interior design with full-colour illustrated endpapers — Only...
    By Paula Lafferty
    Hardback
    $7400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

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