An Enchanted Knight

The Cursed Kingdom #1

by Hildie McQueen

An exciting new paranormal romantic treasure from USA Today bestselling Historical Romance Author Hildie McQueen

Gwyneth "Gwen" Lockhart has a rare and powerful gift—she helps lost spirits find peace and cross over. When she takes on a job at a beautiful Scottish castle, she expects it to be like any other. But when she encounters the ghostly presence of Lord Tristan McRainey, a knight who died centuries ago, something feels different. Drawn to him in ways she can’t explain, Gwen begins to wonder if Tristan is not a ghost at all, but a man cursed and trapped in time by dark magic.

Lord Tristan McRainey has been imprisoned for three hundred years, bound by an evil wizard’s spell along with four of his fellow knights. When Gwen enters his world, he’s certain that she holds the key to breaking the enchantment. Confident that he can make her fall in love with him and sacrifice whatever it takes to free him, Tristan has no doubt the plan will work. But what he doesn’t expect is to find himself falling for her first.

And as their bond deepens, the cost of breaking the curse may be higher than either of them imagined.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Romantasy

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.

Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.

Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildieMcQueen
Instagram: @HildieWrites

Reviews

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful Scottish castle, a woman with a gift for helping the dead crossover and a centuries-old curse with a prophecy … heck yes! This is the first audiobook in the Cursed Kingdom series, and each has a standalone romance, but the curse of the knights arc is connected, so you’ll want to devour these in order.

Gwen, a medium who has successfully helped spirits crossover arrives at the Scottish castle of the McRainey’s and expects a simple job. However, Lord Tristan McRainey is unlike any ghost she has ever encountered. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved watching their relationship develop as Gwen learns of the curse and prophecy. Tristan holds things back from her, things we as the listener learn, and I found myself completely hooked.

We have dark magic, shifters, time travel, sorcery, romance and more in this fast-paced tale with danger both in the past and present.

At just under seven hours, I devoured this in a single evening and immediately searched out information on the next audio. Tantor is releasing them quickly over the next few months, and I am all in. Summer Roberts narrates and did a wonderful job, from the Scottish brogue to capturing the emotions and tone of the story.

Perfect for fans of Nora Roberts’ paranormal romantic fantasies. I highly recommend An Enchanted Knight and look forward to listening to A Beautiful Knight releasing September 30, 2025. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Suzanne Bourgeois]

there is a lot to unpack with this story. i am not sure if magic is a known quantity in general or if it is something that is hush hush. sometimes it feels as if the whole world knows magic exists and sometime it feels as if the supernatural is not "out", as it were. The other world is a wonderful world that i don't understand the rules of, but for once it doesn't bother me to not understand. you learn with Gwen as she finds out what is what. so even though i'm not sure i understand fully the rules of that place, neither do the characters so... Maybe becuase it's becuase i am familiar with Hildie as an author, or maybe i've finally stopped being so picky, lol, but i am excited to keep reading even if i don't understand all the rules of the world.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Enchanted Knight follows Gwen as she is hired to check out what she thinks is paranormal activity at a castle in Scotland. Gwen quickly learns that this isn't like any paranormal activity that she is dealt with before as the "ghost" is much more solid than any other she has dealt with in the past. What follows is a magical journey with different realms and interesting side characters.

My least favorite part of this book was the lack of build up between Gwen and Tristian. Things get physical between them very quickly and I just felt like we were never shown anything that indicated they were actually falling in love. I also didn't appreciate the way he treated her after assuming she had done something he didn't like. I do think that I will check out the next book in the series as I am intrigued enough to know more.

[Jessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It jumped right into the story. While it had supernatural elements like magic/power, shifters, wizards/enchantress, it intertwined seamlessly into the story line. It was a good mix of storytelling between the real and alternate world that was easy to follow. There were a lot of wonderful characters. Gwen, the main female character is confident and funny. Tristan, the main male character is loyal and brave. Aunt Edith and the sisters were amazing strong women and the 4 other knights were entertaining. I can’t wait to read more about each of their journeys. I enjoyed that there was an explanation on how the land evolved over the years. And I’m interested to see what else comes out regarding the back story for the bad wizard.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clairelettersandmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book weaves a spellbinding tale of romance, magic, and redemption. The story follows Gwyneth "Gwen" Lockhart, a gifted medium tasked with helping spirits cross over, as she encounters the haunting yet magnetic presence of Lord Tristan McRainey in a Scottish castle. Tristan, a knight cursed and trapped for centuries by dark magic, believes Gwen holds the key to his freedom. As they grow closer, their connection becomes a delicate balance of love, sacrifice, and the unraveling of centuries-old enchantments.

McQueen masterfully blends the mundane and paranormal, creating a rich atmosphere filled with haunting mysteries and heartfelt emotions. The chemistry between Gwen and Tristan is captivating, with moments of tenderness and passion that keep readers invested in their journey. The high stakes and unexpected twists make the story deeply engaging, and the exploration of love’s power to transcend time is both touching and thought-provoking.

This was my first introduction to McQueen's work, and it left me thoroughly impressed. With its lush descriptions, well-paced plot, and emotional depth, "An Enchanted Knight" is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance. Highly recommended!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a brilliant twist on paranormal romance, seamlessly blending it with the enchanting elements of romantasy, making for a truly unforgettable read.

Gwen Lockhart is an incredibly compelling heroine, with her rare and poignant gift of helping spirits find peace. Her journey to a hauntingly beautiful Scottish castle introduces her to Tristan McRainey, a knight whose charm and tragic circumstances make him impossible not to root for. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the slow unraveling of their connection is masterfully crafted.

Lord Tristan isn’t your typical romantic lead—his depth, honor, and vulnerability shine through as he struggles against the dark magic binding him. The stakes are high, the tension palpable, and the emotional weight of their choices keeps you glued to the pages.

Hildie McQueen’s vivid storytelling transports you straight into the misty Scottish highlands, where ancient curses, forbidden love, and the hope for redemption intertwine beautifully. With heart-pounding romance, a touch of danger, and a cast of unforgettable characters, An Enchanted Knight delivers on every level.

If you’re a fan of paranormal romance with a dash of fantasy and a lot of heart, this book is a must-read. Hildie McQueen does not disappoint!

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen Lockhart comes to Scotland expecting to use her powers as a medium to help a soul find eternal rest. When she meets her employer, Edith McRainey, she finds she has an entirely different expectation. Tristan McRainey has been trapped in an enchantment for over three hundred years. At first sight of Gwen, his presence recognizes her as the enchantress who can free him. The quest to free Laird McRainey and his fellow knights is exciting and captivating. Danger and fear stalk Gwen and the knights. The alternate universe is filled with magic, good and evil. There is an evil wizard, guardians to counter him, dragons, shifters, Highlanders (ancient and modern), tricks, twists, turns, and lots of surprises. Gwen may be able to free Tristan, but at how great a cost, and what about the knights held in the spell with him? This is a wonderful Highland fantasy and great introduction to a new series.
I received a special copy of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has so many layers and crosses many genres, from historical to fantasy to time-travel and contemporary, it hits them all seamlessly. Gwyneth is a medium, who helps lost spirits move on and is hired by Edith, a Scottish castle. When she learns that Tristan McRainey is not a ghost at all, but a man from medieval Scotland that has been enchanted into a curse, she will need all the resources she can get to find a way to free him. Him and four other men have been cursed to the alter-world by an evil dark wizard. Each will need their own enchantress to free them.

During this read, you will meet the shifters, dragons and royalty of the alter-world along with lies, deceit, danger and romance. Gwen will be pulled into that world to try and save Tristan. As she and the other men in the enchantment work hard to save Tristan, Gwen is put into real danger and will have to make a huge sacrifice to break the curse.

Highly recommended, once I hit the halfway point, I didn’t put this down long. Looking forward the rest of this series.

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a unique storyline that I absolutely loved! Plus what a gorgeous cover!

If you're not into stories with a paranormal slant, then this isn't for you. You have nasty wizards, dragons, shapeshifters, time travel and so much more!

This is one of my favs by this author because it was never boring and I didn't know what the next page would bring. The MC's were perfect for each other! I can't wait for the rest of the knights to find their enchantress.

Near the end of the story, I thought it was going to be a cookie cutter and I was disappointed if that was so! But, nope Hildie didn't go down that path, (had to do with a male relative and the h)!

Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 5 out of 5, a few times descriptive.

Great main and secondary characters, plus unique villains. I can't wait to read the next in the series! No cheating, no cliffhanger, some crude words, HEA, some romance and steam.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil Wizard, Dragons, Highlanders, Mediums, Lovely Romance, Fantasy at its Best
I haven't read a paranormal book for a very long time, but I have always loved this author highland stories so I took a leap.  I am so glad I did, and I was tickled down to my toes at just how fabulous this story tuned out to be. I read it in one day. I could not put it down.
I was totally captivated with the characters, the sizzling romance, the magical kingdom with an evil wizard, dragons, shapeshifters, (love the wolves) along with the puzzling plot of how Gwen (the medium) was going to bring Trisan the highlander laird home after 300 years of being a captive.
Whoa, the fantasy/romance/ mystery story that has all of the characters taking part in solving the mystery that brings this story to a happy outcome with hopefully more to come.
💖 Favorite Character: Had to be Tristan💪
📖 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Paranormal Romance

Tristan was a ghost, wasn’t he? According to the lady of the castle, he was no ghost. An evil wizard had cursed him, and Gwyneth was the only one who could lift the curse. Gwen was skeptical until she felt Tristan. He was a real flesh and blood man. His kisses were not those of a ghost's. Could Gwen free him from his enchanted prison? He lived in a world where dragons and all manner of mythical creatures dwelled. His enchantment had lasted three hundred years.

This is an entertaining story with fantasy, time travel, historical and contemporary romance, rolled into one enchanting package. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centuries ago, Tristan and a group of knights were cursed by an evil warlock and have been imprisoned by magic ever since. He can visit his castle as a spirit. Medium Gwen Lockhart is hired by Tristan’s ancestor to bring him out of the enchantment. Gwen thinks Tristan is a ghost who needs help to cross over. When Tristan meets Gwen, he realizes that she is the women who can free him from his imprisonment. The relationship between Gwen and Tristan is passionate. Gwen is a great female character. She does not sit back and wait for someone to save her. She goes out and does the saving herself. Tristan is not as misogynistic as you might expect from a centuries old knight. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of the series.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit unique in that the knight is not a ghost but being held captive by a evil wizard. Gwen has come to Scotland thinking to help Tristan pass to the otherside until she comes to realize he is real. There is an instant attraction between them which makes her determine to free him and help the other knights trapped with him. Meanwhile, Derrick is against Tristan coming back as he wants to take the castle from Edith and make it into a resort. The story has romance, a bad guy or two, and a touch of paranormal. A good start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It’s a great mix of mundane and paranormal. Gwen thinks she’s been called to a castle in Scotland to help a ghost move on, when in actuality the ghost isn’t a ghost he’s a Scottish laird who’s been trapped for 300 years. There’s a lot going on in the story but it never feels as if it’s too much. There’s a lot two worlds are really seamlessly blended into one exciting romance, mystery, fantasy story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I really enjoyed the characters and the romance (for those that it matters it is basically love at first sight). I found the story, and that this is just the start of a larger one, to be very engaging. I was a little worried near the end, but glad that things got figured out pretty quickly. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. As there are four more knights that need help and an evil wizard who needs to be put in his place I bet the rest of the series will be quite interesting.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to this series. I the mystery of the Scottish warriors that are stuck in a horrible realm by a dark witch. Each warrior will need to find their own witch to help them clear their curse. When the warrior’s witch comes into the proper area in Scotland the warrior is drawn to them. They need to work together to figure out the curse. Tristan’s curse will only be broken when he finds love and the love makes a sacrifice. Looking forward to seeing how the other warriors are rescued.

[Loreli Jessee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this fantastic book with its unique storyline. I didn’t want it to end, all the twists, surprises, angst, drama, richly detailed scenes, and escapism. I loved everything Gwen was capable of and how she went about dealing with everything she went through. Tristen has so much confidence and I loved how he faced the challenges he encountered. So awesome.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen can see ghosts and helps them find peace. Tristan isn’t a ghost per se but trapped by an evil wizard along with his knights. As they uncover truths and navigate the twists and turns you won’t be able to put the book down. First time reading a book by this author but it won’t be the last book that’s for sure. Loved it!! 😍 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get into this story but once I, it took off! Gwen has a job to send spirits home but hit job is different. Knight Tristin needs to come home and take his rightful place. Tristin, and 4 other men are stuck 300 yrs in the past due to a wicked wizard and need a woman to bring them into the future. I really enjoyed this time travel, which was painful for the knights, romance and falling in love and paranormal fabulous story. I'm so looking forward to book 2. Love the cover!

[Crystal Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story

Gwen had an assignment that she was called to do. She has a 9-5 job at a publishing company but is a medium and helps spirits to pass on in her spare time but this case was a little different. Edith McRainey was the current estate’s owner and the spirit Tristan McRainey was her ancestor. Edith was convinced that he had survived three hundred years in an enchantment. Gwen wasn’t sure she was going to be able to undo the curse.

[Erin M. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen was called to Scotland to help the McRainey family free the medieval Laird from an ancient enchantment by the matriarch, Edith. At first Gwen didn't believe in the enchantment, as she believed more that Tristan is a ghost or a Spector and needs to help him move on. Gwen comes to find out that Tristan is all too real in flesh and blood, as she helps to free him from the alter-world and the ancient enchantment that he and his men are under.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

Captivating!

I loved listening to this story. It’s not exactly a time travel but characters do move back and forth between realms. There are strong female characters as well as alpha male characters. Since this is the first book in the series there is a certain amount of set up for future books and I look forward to listening to them.

[heartsandthrillers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Paranormal Romance with Outlander Vibes

This was my first book by Hildie McQueen and I absolutely loved it! There was great tension and heat along the well thought out plot. I can’t wait for the sequel to continue on this journey!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a perfect blend of Highlanders, Evil wizards, mediums, dragons , werewolves and fantasy.
The story blends these into its storyline so seamlessly for a fantastic and captivating read. It holds you from page one till end and i ended up reading it all in one as i could not put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwen Lockhart takes a job at a Scottish castle, where she meets Lord Tristan McRainey, a knight trapped by dark magic. As they grow closer, breaking the curse may come at a greater cost than either imagined.

Good story from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving a 300 year old knight isn't easy but Gwen is determined. A captivating story that will have you engaged from beginning to end. Well written full of twists and turns. The very best in paranormal stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marla Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a little of everything- magic, enchantments, time travel and knights. i had high hopes and was pulled into the story. But- it was too short and not a lot of time to develop not only the back story but characters themselves. And n the end I was let down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Whitney K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been provided with a review copy of An Enchanted Knight from Booksprout for an impartial review. I just really enjoyed this story and I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in it and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape to another world full of dragons, Minotaurs and Centaurs and magic, knights and enchantress. Wonderful read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and amazing story with awesome worldbuilding, wonderful characters, an utterly captivating plot, and lots of twists. I loved it!

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.