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Lauren Lee Merewether

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://www.laurenleemerewether.com

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Genre

Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Member Since

April 2012

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https://www.goodreads.com/laurenleemerewether

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LAUREN LEE MEREWETHER writes multi-genre romantic sagas inspired by ancient places, legends, and myths. She loves to delve into the shadows of the past, spinning slow-burn, closed door romantic narratives that merge the timeless passions of history with the mysteries of ancient mythologies. Her award-winning novels invite readers to explore the thrilling depths of legends, emotions, and humanity, spanning high-seas adventures to the splendors of ancient empires.

In her free time, Lauren loves to daydream about times long past while sipping green tea and watching the experts on Discovery unearth our ancestors' civilizations.

Go behind the scenes, say hello, and stay current with Lauren’s latest releases at www.LaurenLeeMerewether.com.

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My wife shared an early copy of The Darkest Oath with me. I thought it was great. And I'm more of a sci-fi guy, but my one question is, where did the sorceress come from? I know it said she was the king's sorceress, but did kings have magic? I thought they executed people for practicing magic in the Middle Ages.

Lauren Lee Merewether Hi! I’m so glad you enjoyed The Darkest Oath, and please thank your wife for sharing it! I love hearing when non-romance readers are drawn in.

Your que…moreHi! I’m so glad you enjoyed The Darkest Oath, and please thank your wife for sharing it! I love hearing when non-romance readers are drawn in.

Your question about the sorceress is a great one, and the answer is rooted in real history. You’re absolutely right: in the Middle Ages, "commoners" accused of practicing magic or sorcery were often executed, especially women. But kings and nobles? That was a different story entirely.

Historically, many rulers across Europe employed occult advisors (astrologers, alchemists, seers), people who dabbled in what we might now call magic, sorcery, or the “dark arts.” These individuals operated in the shadows of court life, offering their kings secret knowledge, predictions, or protection. They weren’t always officially recognized, but they were real. Think of figures like Nostradamus, a French seer and physician, who advised Catherine de' Medici.

So in The Darkest Oath, the sorceress is imagined in that tradition: not a wand-waving spellcaster like today's Merlin, but a powerful, secretive woman whose magic is deeply personal, mysterious, and morally ambiguous. Her title in the book, the king’s sorceress, is both a position of favor and isolation. Her curse on Rollant isn’t part of a larger magic system; it’s a one-time act of "twisted justice" granting him immortality as a reward for loyalty, but cursing love itself as the price.

That tension between belief and superstition, power and punishment felt truer to the spirit of the time than a structured magic system. I wanted her to feel more like a shadow of history than a character out of a high fantasy novel.

To me, the most terrifying kind of magic is the one without clear rules: the kind that punishes not your vices, but your virtues. A moral echo of the age, and Rollant is left to ponder for all eternity what chained him to immortal life. So, I put the reader in Rollant's shoes.

Thanks so much for reading, and for such a thoughtful question! I hope that is an acceptable answer for you.

And Spoiler Alert:

I did imply at the end of the book that she had intentionally chained her immortality to Rollant's, so when he chose what he chose, she essentially dies. But instead of explicitly stating it, to align with my original intent of mythic mystery, I left it unwritten.(less)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Lauren Lee Merewether My advice for aspiring writers is to keep writing. Write every day, even if it doesn't relate to your story. Treat writing like a sport. You must do i…moreMy advice for aspiring writers is to keep writing. Write every day, even if it doesn't relate to your story. Treat writing like a sport. You must do it everyday and refine your techniques to become great. Just like in sports, perfection is a forward progressing benchmark. There are always new ways to accomplish goals, new methods to improve performance, and better tools with which to train. In writing, befriend creativity, marry determination and serve improvement.(less)

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Lauren Lee Merewether’s books

Average rating: 4.36 · 2,447 ratings · 430 reviews · 28 distinct works • Similar authors

	Salvation in the Sun (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles, #1) 4.09 avg rating — 534 ratings — published 2018 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Secrets in the Sand (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles, #2) 4.32 avg rating — 269 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Scarab in the Storm (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles, #3) 4.42 avg rating — 231 ratings — published 2020 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Silence in the Stone (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles #4) by Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 223 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wife of Ay (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel #2) 4.46 avg rating — 133 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Valley Iris (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel #1) 4.44 avg rating — 126 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Egypt's Second Born: A Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel 4.46 avg rating — 109 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Paaten's War: A Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel 4.49 avg rating — 94 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Fifth Prophet: A Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel 4.45 avg rating — 83 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	King's Daughter 4.58 avg rating — 69 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Lauren Lee Merewether

The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles (4 books)
by

Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

4.24 avg rating — 1,257 ratings

The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel (5 books)
by

Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

4.46 avg rating — 560 ratings

The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Complement (3 books)
by

Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

4.54 avg rating — 211 ratings

Ancient Legends (1 book)
by

Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

4.51 avg rating — 70 ratings

Lauren is Currently Reading

Lauren is currently reading

Cinder's Mate: A Cinderella Fairy Tale Retelling (The Oneiros Pack)

by Nola Li Barr (Goodreads Author)

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Nov 26, 2025 10:01AM

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Scourge of the Shores

by Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

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Lauren said: " Dear Reader,

I still remember the moment Danna first shouted “No quarter!” across a moonlit deck—saltwater stinging her skin, flintlock clenched in callused hands, facing the sea dragon that had haunted her island since childhood.

That was the spark.

Th ...more "

Sep 25, 2025 07:43PM · see review

Lauren is currently reading

The Darkest Oath: A Historical Romance of Forbidden Love and Immortality in Revolutionary France

by Lauren Lee Merewether (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: books-i-ve-authored, currently-reading

read in July 2025

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Lauren said: " Dear Reader,

Writing The Darkest Oath felt like pressing my palm to the cold stone walls of a forgotten crypt and whispering:

What if the only way to protect the ones you love is to lose them forever?
What would you give for those you loved?
What if bet ...more "

Jul 19, 2025 10:43AM · see review

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Lauren made a comment on Rebecca Masterson ’s review of The Darkest Oath: A Historical Romance of Forbidden Love and Immortality in Revolutionary France " Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ...more "
22 hours, 57 min ago · see review
Lauren liked Rebecca Masterson 's review of The Darkest Oath: A Historical Romance of Forbidden Love and Immortality in Revolutionary France: "Wow this book was amazing! Perfect plot and theme, along with the characters. Highly recommend it to everyone. Really worthy of 5 stars.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."
22 hours, 57 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Darkest Oath by Lauren Lee Merewether. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Darkest Oath by Lauren Lee Merewether <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lauren liked L R's review of The Darkest Oath: A Historical Romance of Forbidden Love and Immortality in Revolutionary France: "If you're tired of characters healing too fast, trauma getting glossed over, or love that solves everything too easily—read this book. The Darkest Oath doesn’t flinch. It’s haunting, tender, brutal, and so real it hurts in the best way. It breathes w" Read more of this review »
22 hours, 58 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Darkest Oath by Lauren Lee Merewether. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Darkest Oath by Lauren Lee Merewether <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lauren has read The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 22, 2026 08:41AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lauren wants to read The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1) by Rachel Gillig (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Romantasy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Lauren has read Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2) by Rachel Gillig (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 22, 2026 08:39AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lauren has read One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1) by Rachel Gillig (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Jan 22, 2026 08:38AM · like · view books
Lauren rated a book it was amazing The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This was my first Susanna Kearsley book, and it won’t be my last! There was nothing I disliked about this story.
Jan 22, 2026 08:38AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lauren joined the group Get Honest Book Reviews without Review Swaps
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Quotes by Lauren Lee Merewether (?)

“What matters is that you live for something you believe in and not live in fear for something you do not.”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, The Curse of Beauty

tags: believe-and-achieve, live-free, live-from-your-heart, living-life, true-beauty, true-to-life

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“The older a man gets, the wider their eyes become,”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, Secrets in the Sand

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“And as long as we live, there is a today and a tomorrow to strive for something greater.”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, The Curse of Beauty

tags: attitude-toward-life, goals-in-life, inspirational, strength, tomorrow-quotes

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Topics Mentioning This Author

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Around the World ...: Det - Circumnavigator Continuing 2021	49	164	May 20, 2021 04:45PM
You'll love this ...: Odette: Challenging Crossword Puzzles 2023	139	42	Nov 05, 2023 06:34PM
You'll love this ...: * 2023 Crossword Puzzle - REQUEST BADGES	576	162	Jan 07, 2024 05:42PM

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Lauren’s Quotes

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
― Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

tags: be-yourself, self-determination

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“And as long as we live, there is a today and a tomorrow to strive for something greater.”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, The Curse of Beauty

tags: attitude-toward-life, goals-in-life, inspirational, strength, tomorrow-quotes

2 likes

“A strong person cries; a weak person pretends there is nothing in life worth the tears.”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, The Curse of Beauty

tags: attitude-toward-life, attitudes-of-life, crying-quotes, life-and-living, life-lessons

2 likes

“What matters is that you live for something you believe in and not live in fear for something you do not.”
― Lauren Lee Merewether, The Curse of Beauty

tags: believe-and-achieve, live-free, live-from-your-heart, living-life, true-beauty, true-to-life

4 likes

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