Twelve sisters. A desperate search for freedom. A mysterious suitor with secrets of his own.
Love Books Tours is delighted to feature Maiden Tomb by Cynthia Sally Haggard, the first book in the Twelve Cursed Maidens series.
Inspired by the traditional folktale The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this historical fiction and romance retelling introduces readers to an extraordinary family of sisters, each facing her own challenges, and one determined young woman who longs to set them free.
Combining folklore, complicated family relationships, romance and questions of independence, Maiden Tomb offers an unusual interpretation of a familiar fairy tale.
About Maiden Tomb
In this retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, sixteen-year-old Justice wants to release her sisters from the maw of Father’s imprisonment.
But what can she do?
The easiest way would be to find suitors for them.
However, that is not so easy, for Justice’s elder sisters are strange.
What with All-Gifted’s madness, Protectress’s hair writhing with snakes, Death-Bringer’s grief (not to mention her strange name), Shining’s too-overt sexuality, Maiden’s tart tongue and Shadow’s crippling shyness, no sensible man would want her sisters as wives.
Which leaves Justice, the seventh daughter, the one who possesses a quiet authority.
Justice has already acquired an admirer in the shape of Lord Nobody, who proclaims his undying love for her.
But what does he really want?
And doesn’t he have a wife already?
A Fresh Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Fairy tales have fascinated readers for generations, and retellings offer an opportunity to explore familiar stories from unexpected perspectives.
In Maiden Tomb, Cynthia Sally Haggard draws inspiration from The Twelve Dancing Princesses, placing the sisters’ struggle for freedom at the heart of the narrative.
Rather than presenting the sisters as interchangeable figures, the story gives them distinctive personalities, unusual characteristics and complicated circumstances.
From Protectress’s snake-filled hair to Death-Bringer’s grief and Shadow’s shyness, each sister brings something different to the family.
At the centre stands Justice, a sixteen-year-old determined to change their circumstances.
Her attempts to find freedom for her sisters raise questions about independence, family obligations and the choices available to young women.
Romance, Secrets and a Mysterious Suitor
Justice’s situation becomes even more complicated when Lord Nobody enters her life.
He claims to love her, but his intentions are uncertain.
With questions surrounding his marital status and what he truly wants, Justice faces a personal dilemma while trying to help her sisters.
The combination of romance, mystery and family tensions adds another layer to this historical folktale retelling.
Readers who enjoy complicated relationships and heroines attempting to navigate restrictive circumstances may find much to interest them in Justice’s story.
Introducing the Twelve Cursed Maidens Series
Maiden Tomb is the first book in Cynthia Sally Haggard’s Twelve Cursed Maidens series.
The novel introduces Justice and her unusual sisters through a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
For readers who enjoy discovering a series from its beginning, Maiden Tomb provides an introduction to this imaginative interpretation of traditional folklore.
Who Should Read Maiden Tomb?
This book may particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Historical fiction and historical romance.
- Fairy tale and folktale retellings.
- Stories inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
- Unconventional heroines and complicated family relationships.
- Romantic intrigue and mysterious suitors.
- Themes of independence, freedom and loyalty.
With its distinctive cast of sisters and central mystery surrounding Lord Nobody, Maiden Tomb offers readers an unusual blend of historical storytelling and folklore.
About the Author | Cynthia Sally Haggard
Cynthia Sally Haggard was born and raised in Surrey, England.
Around forty years ago, she moved to the United States, settling in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Throughout her career, she has worked in four different fields: violinist, cognitive scientist, medical writer and novelist.
Her varied professional background forms part of her journey as a writer.
Maiden Tomb is the first novel in her Twelve Cursed Maidens series.
Book Details
Title: Maiden Tomb
Author: Cynthia Sally Haggard
Series: Twelve Cursed Maidens, Book 1
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Folktale Retelling, Historical Romance
Pages: 300
Bookstagram Tour: 9th–17th November 2026
Tour Organiser: Love Books Tours
Review Formats: Physical and Digital
Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour
Love Books Tours is delighted to host a seven-day Bookstagram review tour for Maiden Tomb.
Our wonderful reviewing crew will be sharing their independent reading experiences, introducing the novel to fellow book lovers and helping readers discover Cynthia Sally Haggard’s imaginative retelling.
The campaign brings together readers from the United Kingdom and United States, with both physical and digital review copies.
We invite you to follow along throughout the tour and show our participating reviewers some support.
Maiden Tomb | Bookstagram Tour Schedule
9th–17th November 2026 | Seven-Day Tour
We are delighted to welcome seven wonderful Bookstagram reviewers to our tour for Maiden Tomb.
Please visit their Instagram accounts and support their posts as they share their honest thoughts on the book.
| Date | Bookstagram Reviewer |
|---|---|
| 9th November | @thepageladies |
| 10th November | @xo_courtneymarie_ox |
| 11th November | @bluefairybugsbooks |
| 12th November | @thslady_07 |
| 13th November | @amandaksbookishworld |
| 16th November | @litriezewander |
| 17th November | @daisyhollands |
Each reviewer brings their own perspective, reading preferences and enthusiasm to the campaign.
We encourage readers to discover their bookish content and join the conversation throughout the tour.
A huge thank you to our wonderful Love Books Tours reviewing crew for supporting Cynthia Sally Haggard and Maiden Tomb.
Where to Buy Maiden Tomb
Would you like to discover Justice, her extraordinary sisters and the mysterious Lord Nobody?
Buy Maiden Tomb by Cynthia Sally Haggard
Discover the first book in the Twelve Cursed Maidens series and explore this intriguing retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Follow the Author and Tour
Author: @CynthiaSallyHaggardAuthor
Tour Organiser: @LoveBooksTours
Reviewing Crew: @LBT.Crew
Follow Love Books Tours for more historical fiction discoveries, author features, book reviews and exciting Bookstagram campaigns.
Love Books Tours | Supporting Authors. Celebrating Readers.
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