Title: My Lady Mage

Author: Alexis Morgan

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Warriors of the Mist (Book 1)

Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Format: Paperback, 316 Pages

ISBN-10: 0451237447 (Signet/Penguin)

ISBN-13: 978-0451237446 (Signet/Penguin)

Reviewed by: Kristie

Synopsis:

A cursed destiny. A band of warriors. And one troubled kingdom.

It is whispered in Agathia that the legendary warriors of the mist—cursed by the gods—can be summoned only when a champion is needed and the cause is just. Gideon, their captain, knows this to be the one path that will lead his men to redemption—lest they face an eternity of damnation.

Years have passed since anyone has journeyed to the river’s edge, but times are desperate. Oppressed by a cruel guardian whose dark magic threatens to destroy her people, the beautiful and courageous Merewen calls upon the bespelled warriors. In Gideon she finds more than a champion, and in his arms, more than protection. However, their enemies are fighting with a power darker than anything than they imagined, and should Gideon fail, she will lose everything she holds dear—including her heart.

Quick & Dirty: A unique and fun fantasy read set in a magical world.

Opening Sentence: Merewen tripped over a twisted knot of tree root jutting up in the narrow game trail and pitched headfirst to the ground.

Excerpt: Yes

The Review:

My Lady Mage is the first fantasy romance that I had read in quite some time. While there were some ups and downs, this book really didn’t disappoint. Merewen is in trouble. Her uncle is slowly destroying her dead father’s town with his suppressive rule. As a female, Merewen cannot take over unless she is married and her evil uncle forbids her from any relationships. The only action she sees is resurrecting the Warriors of the Mist from the waters that they sleep in. (She read about them in her father’s library and isn’t entirely sure it will work but she is that desperate.)

Gideon and his group of warriors awaken to this woman wanting their help. At first, they don’t know if she is good or evil, just that the gods summoned them to help her. They follow the will of the gods but they don’t trust magic and they sense magic flowing from Merewen. Gideon is ready to protect her from the very beginning while the rest of the group is a little wary of her but it doesn’t take long for them to hear her tragic story and to know her kindness.

The Warriors of the Mist just want to be released from their immortal duties to the gods. They really hope to one day be able to have a family and grow old. They are only able to help Merewen for about three months before they are sent back to the water, so they have to take action quickly to help her and her village. Merewen has a type of magic that isn’t evil but it isn’t entirely helpful either. Her magic is what has helped her village prosper but as the last in a line of “caretakers” she has to remain alive to pass on her heritage.

Merewen is truly a good lady at heart. She holds no ill towards anyone except her evil uncle and the second hand man that obviously wants to beat and rape her. She just wants the best for her village and wants her people to live in happiness not fear. She does make a few rash decisions that are kind of head-slapping annoying that make you think: why did she do that? why didn’t she tell anyone? Gideon is a man on a mission. He wants to break the curse and he knows he has to help Merewen but what he never expected was to fall in love with her. He is great in battle decisions, strong and quite baffled with Merewen when she doesn’t listen to him.

Magic and mystery are what binds this fantasy novel into an interesting romance. The romance is slow to build but once they both feel an attraction the novel heats up. Gideon and Merewen know they don’t have much time left together but they are going to spend it happily. They know they will be left broken-hearted but they see it as a chance to pass on Merewen’s gift to another generation. The magic is a little different but I loved how each of the warriors had an animal to call.

My Lady Mage is told in the third person and it does jump around to many of the different characters including Merewen’s horrible uncle, Fagan. There is a feeling of helplessness in this novel because even though Merewen has called upon help, it is unclear as to how she will be able to escape this mess alive.

The Warriors of the Mists’ story is not over and there is an open ending to My Lady Mage. Merewen’s uncle is just the beginning. There is an even greater evil threat and there are many mysteries left unanswered that may have you wishing you had the next book, Her Knight’s Quest, nearby.

Notable Scene:

“Lady Merewen, it’s young Edric. He was inside the stable, helping with the horses. Too much smoke, I’m guessing, because he’s . . .he’s not—“

It was hard to say whether the man ran out of breath or whether he couldn’t bring himself to say the rest. He staggered toward her, the limp body of the young boy in his arms. Merewen immediately straightened up, her own struggles to draw a full breath obviously forgotten. She met the stable hand halfway.

“Lay him down,” she ordered as she knelt on the ground beside the too-still body.

Everyone else stopped what they were doing, their faces painted with soot and stark grief.

“Edric, stay with us,” Merewen pleaded as she looked around. “I need a knife.”

Gideon immediately offered his. She used the blade to split the fabric of the boy’s shirt. After setting the knife aside, she laid her hands on Edric’s thin body and started chanting. The words tripped off her tongue in a rough whisper, her throat obviously still fighting the effects of breathing in so much smoke herself.

He recognized the flow of her magic, although this time desperation swirled in and around the chant. The longer it went on, the less likely her gift would work this time. He moved closer, wanting to help but not sure how. Finally, he simply dropped to one knee beside her, unsure what to do. If the boy didn’t respond soon, Gideon would have to drag Merewen away before she burned herself out completely.

“My lady,” he started to say, but she shook her head and kept chanting, her voice growing fainter.

He risked a hand on her shoulder. The connection between them surged hot as his own life force lent its strength to hers. Immediately, her words grew stronger, ringing out clearly in the night air. Her efforts were rewarded when Edric’s chest moved like a bellows as he drew a gasp of air.

Warriors of the Mist Series:

1. My Lady Mage

2. Her Knight’s Quest

3. Honor’s Price (TBA 2014)

FTC Advisory: I purchased my own copy of My Lady Mage. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Title: Soulbound

Author: Tessa Adams 

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Lone Star Witch (Book 1)

Publication Date: February 5, 2013

Format: Paperback, 358 Pages

ISBN-10: 0451415043 (Signet/Penguin)

ISBN-13: 978-0451415042 (Signet/Penguin)

Reviewed by: Shirene

Synopsis: 

As the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter—and a member of Ipswitch’s Royal family—Xandra Morgan should be a witch of incredible power. But things don’t always turn out like you expect…

While she hasn’t lived up to her family’s expectations, Xandra has come to terms with her latent magic and made a life for herself in Austin, Texas, running a coffee shop where she makes potions of a non-magical nature. While things aren’t perfect, Xandra is happy—until she runs into powerful warlock Declan Chumomisto.

Xandra hasn’t seen Declan in years, and though she’s still overwhelmed by his power, she doesn’t trust him. And when her own powers awaken one night and lead her to the body of a woman in the woods bearing the symbol of Isis—the same one that has marked Xandra since the day she met Declan—she’s filled with a terrible suspicion, soon confirmed: the woman is connected to him.

Xandra doesn’t want to believe that Declan is capable of murder, but as the body count mounts, and Xandra’s own powers spiral out of control, she’s not sure she can trust her own instincts…

Quick & Dirty: Latent witch has grown used to her lot but comes into her power and struggles to understand her gifts.

Opening Sentence: I was born on a dark night, under a Dark Moon in a sky turned bloodred with power and prophecy.

Excerpt: Yes

The Review:

This story revolves around Xandra Morgan who is the 7th daughter to the 7th daughter in a Royal line of witches.  She is foretold and prophesied to have great magic but in the end Xandra has got nothing.  No magic at all and she couldn’t pull a rabbit out of her hat if she had to.  This premise, I felt had many possibilities for story lines including the struggle Xandra’s family has with her inability to be a witch.

The interplay in the early portion of the book between Xandra and her mother in particular really pushed the story along and helped to flesh out Xandra’s motivation and often her guilt about her family.  As always, the interchange between mother and daughter fascinates me in part because of the unique and ever changing relationship I have with my own mother.  In this portion of the storytelling, Ms. Adams nails the dialogue and angst perfectly.

However, the time it took to progress to other portions of the story was a bit of a buzz kill for me.  I wanted to see those relationships develop but also have the story move along faster.  We seem to get bogged down a bit in a juvenile mind set by Xandra which was a bit strange.  This is a 27 year old woman with a business that sometimes felt like a teenage instead.  She doesn’t think to ask the important questions of loved ones or the hero and demand answers.  This doesn’t compute with that type of personality but maybe that is my biases coming through.

Now our hero, Declan Chumomisto was a hard character to crack.  I was unsure nearly the whole way through the book whether, in fact, he was an anti-hero or not.  Maybe that is what Ms. Adams was going for but the relationship with Xandra can only be described as “off”.  There is just something not right but the reader does discover later why this does feel this way, however, I feel it could have been handled in a different manner and still had the same impact.

The side characters we are introduced to in this book often feel like an afterthought, which is a true shame.  A couple of them have staring roles later in the book, but aren’t given the character development that I would have preferred to see earlier on.

On a larger front, I am not sure about this book’s genre placement.  Seems to me that this book would have fit more squarely in Young Adult fiction.  Eighty-five percent of the book was squarely written in a Young Adult fiction format and only fifteen percent of the book is Adult content.  Maybe Ms. Adams was not sure which readers to write for, but I felt the distinct difference in writing and content.

Finally, this series has promise and I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a different spin on paranormal or shifter romances.  My hope is that book 2, Flamebound, will take all the strides forward that Soulbound has going for it and expand on those and ditch some of the extraneous noise that were distractions.  We shall have to wait and see.

Notable Scene:

“Declan, it’s been almost nine years since we’ve seen each other.  Frankly, the fact that you know where I live smacks of stalkerdom.”

“Eight years.”

“What?”

“It’s been eight years, five months and three weeks since I last saw you.  Not nine years.  And why should it upset you if I know where you live?  Have I ever bothered you?”

“You’re bothering me now.”

He makes the turn into Guadalupe smoothly.  “No, I’m taking care of you.  I thought the difference between the two was obvious.”

Lone Star Witch Series:

1. Soulbound

2. Flamebound (December 3, 2013)

FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Soulbound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

These covers are gorgeous. And, I can’t believe it’s the middle of June! Well, I know that I’m dying to read a few of these. I must buy them all!

What are you anxiously waiting for this week? Let us know!

And as always, happy reading!

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Releases for the week of June 18, 2013

• Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan | Skyscape
• Before the Fall by Francis Knight | Orbit
• Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani | Atria
• Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett | HarlequinTeen
• Defy the Dark Anthology Edited by Sandra Mitchell | HarperTeen

• Hour of the Rat by Lisa Brackmann | Soho
• Intuition by C.J. Omololu | Walker Childrens
• Lexicon by Max Barry | Penguin
• Proxy by Alex London |Philomel
• Reviver by Seth Patrick | Thomas Dunne Books

• Sea Change by SM Wheeler | Tor Books
• Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood | Putnam
• Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky | St. Martin’s Press
• The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag | Dutton
• The Heist by Janet Evanovich | Bantam

• The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman | William Morrow
• The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke | Strange Chemistry
• The She-Hulk Diaries by Marta Acosta | Hyperion
• Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan | Margaret K. McElderry
• Winter Queen by Amber Argyle | Starling Books

Title: Deep Betrayal

Author: Anne Greenwood Brown

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Lies Beneath Series (Book 2)

Publication Date: March 12, 2013

Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages

ISBN-10: 0385742037 (Random House Kids)

ISBN-13: 978-0385742030 (Random House Kids)

Reviewed by: Kayla

Synopsis:

It’s been thirty days, two hours, and seventeen minutes since Calder left Lily standing on the shores of Lake Superior. Not that she’s counting. And when Calder does return, it’s not quite the reunion Lily hoped for. Especially after she lets her father in on a huge secret: he, like Calder, is a merman. Obsessed with his new identity, Lily’s dad monopolizes Calder’s time as the two of them spend every day in the water, leaving Lily behind.

Then dead bodies start washing ashore. Calder blames his mermaid sisters, but Lily fears her father has embraced the merman’s natural need to kill. As the body count grows, everyone is pointing fingers. Lily doesn’t know what to believe—only that whoever’s responsible is sure to strike again. . . .

Quick & Dirty: A romantic and beautifully written sequel about family and neglect with a sprinkle of mythology.

Opening Sentence: Death finds us all.

Excerpt: No

The Review:

Told from Lily Hancock’s point of view, Deep Betrayal picks up a month after Lies Beneath leaves us. Now that Calder’s sister’s revenge plot has been resolved, Lily thought things would be normal (well, as normal as possible with a mermaid boyfriend and mermaid blood in her veins.) But when dead citizens start popping up within weeks of Lily’s father learning he too is a merman, Lily and Calder must find out who is behind the attacks before they get out of hand. Only problem is Calder seems to disappear for days on end, training Lily’s father on how to be a merman. And throughout this entire fiasco, Lily dreams of one day joining Calder and her father in the water as a mermaid. This mysterious mythology–based story will break your heart and mend it, leaving you satisfied with the ending yet wanting more.

I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first book, Lies Beneath. Although Lily has always annoyed me, I thought seeing her point of view was an interesting change. Although the plot lagged in the middle because of the constant accuse-wrong cycle, the book was pretty well developed. I found the different myths from Lake Superior very creative and cleverly inter-weaved into the story. The mythology wasn’t a major factor in the book, but it did help add to the suspense and “neglect” theme of the book.

Speaking of theme, this book is more than the basic “love triumphs all things” cliche-type themes. It ranges from the importance of family to the issue of neglect of nature/people. Honestly, this made me appreciate the book even more because the characters learn and grow from these not-so-basic issues. I really can’t say more because of spoilers, so you will just have to read it yourself for full understanding!

Lily Hancock is still the poetry-obsessed, family-first girl we knew in Lies Beneath, but in this book her priorities have changed. She no longer wishes for college and her friends at home. She has grown up from the naive girl dreading the cold waters of Lake Superior. Now there’s only one thing on her mind: Calder White. This insta-love type thing pulled me out of the story and made me dislike Lily just a tad. Although I have to give her props for holding out this long because CALDER. He is infuriatingly secretive and distant in this book, yet there are times when he’s so sweet and caring…and then he leaves again. But the main guy in this book really shouldn’t be Calder. Props to Brown for creating Jack as the most complex and broken boy in this series. Jack has been neglected. And with this neglect by Parvati comes a tidal wave of insecurity, anger and rashness all rooted in his desperation to see Parvati. He by far is the most complex character in the book.

Overall, this book is a great sequel. The ending is satisfying – the series really could have ended right there, so who knows what the next book will bring!

Notable Scene:

I watched the hall for a few more moments, in the hope that he’d come back. When he didn’t, I set my jaw and flopped back on my pillow. I turned away from Dad to hide my face. He put his hand on my shoulder and rolled me back toward him. My cheeks were already wet.

“So it’s that way? You’ll miss him that much?”

“Every minute.”

“Remember you’ll be leaving for college soon, Lily. It’s not a good time for you to get so involved.” He brushed my long bangs off my forehead.

“You know what? I wish I’d never told you about any of this. This was my secret. I shared it with you, but now you’re taking it from me.”

“Lily, I’m not taking anything from you. Frankly, I don’t want any of it.”

I wiped my face on my pillow. Dad headed for the door, then he stopped and turned at the threshold. “You’re too young to feel so strongly about someone.”

I almost smiled. “Maybe you’re too old to remember.”

He smiled, and for a second, he was just my dad again. Normal dad. The dad I wanted to remember. “Touché, sweet girl. I’ll be as quick a study. I’ll have him back soon.”

“Promise?” I asked, wondering if he was enough of a merman that I could bind him to his word. But he wouldn’t take the bait, and my door closed softly behind him, without an answer.

Lies Beneath Series:

1. Lies Beneath

2. Deep Betrayal

3. Promise Bound (January 7, 2014)

FTC Advisory: Delacorte Books for Young Readers/Random House provided me with a copy of Deep Betrayal. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Please welcome Jessica Lee to Dark Faerie Tales today with her new release Undying Destiny! The first novel in The Enclave series releases today from Entangled Publishing. Undying Destiny is a paranormal romance about a vampire fighting to avoid his sire whom has an unnatural fixation on him.

Enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. This giveaway is provided by Jessica Lee!

About Jessica:

Almost every author’s bio states they’ve been writing since they learned how to read. It’s what they’ve always wanted to do. Well, my journey wasn’t so straight and narrow. I was a nurse for over twenty years and hold a bachelor’s degree in science with a major in biology. So as you can see, my career path had originally gone in the opposite direction. I didn’t discover my passion for the craft until after I’d had my son and decided to work part-time.

I’ve always loved to read but had never read a paranormal romance. Then one night at work on break, I began reading Karen Marie Moning’s Spell of the Highlander. I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing, and I immediately fell in love with the genre.

I wanted to write like that. I wanted to create worlds where others could find the same escape and fascination I did when I read my first sensual paranormal romance.

And I hope that’s what I’ve accomplished in my work. Please dive in, hold on tight, and enjoy the adventure. Just be careful in the dark—you might find more than you expected waiting for you there.

Jessica Lee lives in the southeastern United States with her husband and son. She loves writing and can’t wait for that quiet time each day when her son is in school, and she can get lost in another place and world with the fantastical, sexy creatures in her head.

She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, FF&P, and Carolina Romance Writers.

You can visit Jessica around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Want to read more from Jessica Lee?

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DFT: Welcome Jessica!

Jessica: I’m so excited to be at Dark Faerie Tales! Thanks so much for the interview opportunity.

DFT: Could you start things off by telling us a little about Undying Destiny?

Jessica: Undying Destiny is Kenric St. James and Emily Ross’ story. It’s also book one in the series and introduces you to the dark world of the Enclave.

DFT: Could you tell us about your main characters in Undying Destiny?

Jessica: Kenric is an over three hundred year old vampire whose world revolves around defending his community from the DEADs (death euphoria addicted vampires) and preparing for the day he can finally have his vengeance against his sire.

Emily is a nurse who is fresh out of an abusive relationship, and all she wants is a quiet life that doesn’t include a controlling, demanding man in her life. Unfortunately, her ex. isn’t finished with her, and her world becomes even more complicated when she stumbles into Kenric’s path.

DFT: Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

Jessica: Kenric, of course. Lol  Who doesn’t love a tortured alpha male!

DFT: Do you have a favorite scene or line in Undying Destiny?

Jessica: Hmm… good question. Probably the opening: “Whoever you are, you’d best have a damn good reason to continue breathing.”

DFT: How much research went into creating this series?

Jessica: Being that these are my fictional characters and paranormal creatures who exist in a fictional town, I didn’t have to do any extensive research.

DFT: What is your favorite part about writing this series?

Jessica: The characters. I love the vampire heroes of the Enclave.

DFT: Do you have a long term plan or goal for this story universe?

Jessica: There are four books planned for the Enclave.

DFT: Do you have a particular writing process or ritual?

Jessica: No rituals, except for having some sort of a snack on hand, iced coffee, and my ear buds.

My process is kind of a mix. I’m plotter and someone who writes by the seat of my pants. I usually have to see the beginning, middle, and black moment of my book, then I write up my character’s goals, motivation, and their conflict. After that, I get started allowing my characters to take me there.

DFT: What influences and inspirations (both literary and non-literary) do you draw from while writing?

Jessica: Definitely music. It never fails with each book I will find a song that speaks to me about my characters and their trials. I tend to play that melody over and over while I write their story.

DFT: Which genre do you prefer to read? Do you have any favorite authors or series?

Jessica: I’m a huge paranormal romance fan! My favorite author…? Oh, there are so many, but I’ll always think of Karen Marie Moning as my favorite since she was the first writer to introduce me to the fantasy/pnr genre.

DFT: What can you tell us about any other projects you are working on?

Jessica: I’m in the process of writing the final book in the Enclave series, and I do have another project that is in the early stages of planning. But it’s too soon for me to reveal any of the details yet.

I’m also working on the third book in one of my erotic paranormal romance series, Ariel Estates.

DFT: What creature are you afraid of the most? Why?

Jessica: Interesting question… I’m not really afraid of any of the mythical creatures. I think the human race has them beat in the fear department. In the spiritual world, demons give me chills. I’m always one to pass on those movies. lol

DFT: What is your favorite faery tale? Why?

Jessica: Cinderella. Because I like cheering for the underdog, the one who’s always gotten the raw deal in life coming out a winner in the end.

DFT: I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

Jessica: You are most welcome!  Thank you again for allowing me to be a guest. Great questions!

View Blog Tour Links

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This contest is provided by Jessica Lee!

One lucky winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card

Available June 17, 2013 from Entangled Edge

About this Book: 

Kenric St. James is out for revenge. Over 300 years ago, an ancient female vampire turned him against his will and killed the woman he loved. He’s spent more than a century building an Enclave of warrior vampires who have sworn to defend humanity against his evil sire and her minions. But when Kenric finds a woman he finally burns to claim as his own again, Kenric knows loving her means giving his sire another target.

Emily Ross just wanted a fresh start. She’s a survivor, coming off the tail end of an abusive relationship, and craves time alone to learn who she is and to save the home that holds her heart. The last thing she needed was a controlling, alpha male calling all the shots.

Meeting Kenric might just have changed her mind, though. He is wrong for her in all the right ways. But in order to keep her heart from breaking, he first has to keep the hoards of evil vamps from stealing her very breath.

Click HERE to read an excerpt

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