Blog Tour: Queen of Shadows and Ruin by Nisha J Tuli

 

published March 6, 2025

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Zarya must become the darkness…

Soaring through the sky to the frozen mountains of Andhera, Zarya knows that only she can save her home from annihilation. Ruthless armies hunt her friends and toxic dark magic spreads through the land, consuming all it touches. To fight back, she and Rabin must find dangerous new allies.

In a palace of black marble, Zarya finally meets her father—the mysterious Raja Abishek. She approaches warily. For years she was told to fear this man, that he seeks to steal her power. But Abishek welcomes her with open arms, with gifts and lavish celebrations.

Rabin is sure the king can help them, turning the tide of war and decay. And when the magic binding Zarya’s heart to Rabin begins to fail, only Abishek can offer a cure. Zarya dreads the thought of placing their lives in his hands… But can she hesitate, when Rabin might be torn from her forever?

As Zarya makes her choice, ancient magic breaks loose, and her world shatters. In a ruined and long forgotten city, her love for Rabin will be tested to its limits. An army of shadows marches against her, destroying all in its path, and everything Zarya loves will be lost, unless she can face the darkness inside her—and release its devastating power.

An absolutely gripping fantasy romance that’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Carissa Broadbent, Queen of Shadows and Ruin is the epic final volume in the Nightfire Quartet.

MY REVIEW:

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by Nisha J. Tuli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last book of the series and it did not disappoint. The story moved right along and kept me engaged the whole time.
Zarya finally meets her father, She wasn't sure what to think as she had been told for years that he was not a nice person at all. I didn't trust him and kept yelling at the book for her to be careful lol.
She did not tell him that Rabin and her were married. They wanted to wait for the right time. He raised Rabbin for quite a few years and was Rabin's mentor.
I loved Yasen ad Miraan. Miraan s a royal and Yasen doesn't think he is good enough for him but these 2 together were perfect.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book to review.

View all my reviews

Nisha J. Tuli is an Amazon Top 50 and International Bestselling author of romantasy and contemporary romance.

Her novel Trial of the Sun Queen—the first in the Artefacts of Ouranos series—became a BookTok hit and has gone on to be published in over a dozen languages around the world.

Look for her debut romcom, NSFW (Not Suitable for Work), a workplace rivals to lovers romance publishing with Forever in May 2025.

When she’s not writing or reading, Nisha can be found enjoying travel, food, and camping with her partner, two kids, and their fluffy Samoyed


Author social links:

https://nishajtuli.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NishaJT

https://www.instagram.com/nishajtwrites/g

https://twitter.com/NishaJT

Book Review: A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson

 

 publication November 1, 2024

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The fate of a cursed nation depends on a princess who must outwit a mortal enemy and outlast the trials of a death-defying ritual in a thrilling adventure by USA Today bestselling author Sariah Wilson.

Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted.

An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of Ilion itself have been transformed into a labyrinthine maze of countless choices and dead ends. And if the risks weren’t significant enough, Lia is reluctantly drawn to the commandingly attractive Jason, an Ilionian sailor she loathes to trust and desires like no man before.

The tribute game is on. It’s up to Lia to lift the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and change the fate of every young woman destined to follow in her path.

MY REVIEW:

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book of a new series. Starts out like a little bit of Hunger Games, where 2 girls names will be chosen ad they have to fight men to get the Eye of the Goddess.
Lia is a princess and she paid to have her name drawn so had a mentor teach her how to fight. She is also betrothed to a prince but doesn't want to marry him,
Lia meets up with Jason on a ship and he wants to help her. The chemistry s there between them. We meet him several more times throughout the book.
There was a twist at the end and I had a small feeling about it but figured I was wrong. but I wasn't.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ebook to review.

View all my reviews

Sariah Wilson

Book Review: What Courses Through Her Blood by Ashley R O'Donovan

 

publication October 29, 2024

Buy on Amazon 

The future of the realms rests within her hands.

After her impressive victory, the threats Lyra faces only seem to mount. Darkness is spreading. Monsters roam freely. Old enemies resurface. The realms are on the brink of collapse, and a heart-wrenching decision between Colton and Nyx could decide the fate of it all. But the prophesied light to match her darkness is not as simple as it seems.

Even if a path exists to protect the people of Eguina and unite her with the man she loves, there's the little detail of her dark magic teetering on the edge of chaos. Will her untamed power forge a lasting peace or unleash total destruction?

Immerse yourself once again in the world of What Lies Beyond the Realms for this epic final installment.

Please This book contains sexually explicit content, mature language, and elements of violence. It is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18. This is book three in a series.

MY REVIEW:

What Courses Through Her Blood by Ashley O'Donovan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final book of this series and it did not disappoint.
Realms are on the brink of collapse and Lyra is trying to fix things. She is in love with Colton and Colton loves her but his brother Onyx is also in love with her. I liked getting to know these characters and if they could all work together for the greater good.
As I got nearer to the end I thought there was no way this book was going to be the last but Ashley ended up finishing it perfectly.
Thank you to the author for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews

Blog Tour: A Crown of Darkness by Jessica Thorne

 

Published

October 8, 2024 by Second Sky

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The enemy has her. And the man she loves seems intent on using her dark magic to destroy her kingdom…

In the chaos of the magical assault on Pelias, Wren has been swept far from home. She is now a prisoner, in the heart of enemy territory. At least she has the man she loves beside her, keeping their passion alive during the cold nights in this unfamiliar place.

Or so she thought…

Finn has changed since returning to his father’s kingdom. Instead of serving the princess he’s proven his loyalty to time and again, he is keeping her under guard in a tower. Desire still lights up his eyes when he looks at her. But is he enamoured by Wren, or her power?

With the unfamiliar castle calling to her dark magic, Wren is fighting every minute to keep her growing power in check. And she struggles to ignore the still-smouldering heat between her and Finn every time their fingers touch – even as he keeps her under lock and key…

Is everything she believed about Finn a lie? Or is he under the influence of the dark power here too? And will she have time to figure it out before she’s forced to turn her magic on her own kingdom?

You will not be able to put down this gripping and unputdownable romantic fantasy! Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Stacia Stark and Rebecca Yarros.

MY REVIEW;

A Crown of Darkness by Jessica Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last book of the series and oh so good. We are still foll0wing Wren, Finn, Elodie, and Roland.
Finn returns to his kingdom but is it really Finn? Elodie is missing and Roland is on a hunt for them.
Lots of emotions and a great ending to the series. It was a little slow at one point but well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC to read,

View all my reviews

Jessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessThorneBooks/

Blog Tour : Storm of Ink and Blood by Nisha J Tuli

 

Book: Storm of Ink and Blood

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Pub Day: Oct 4th 2024

Buy on Amazon

 

Dark magic courses through Zarya's veins-magic that could save countless lives... or doom her world.

Shattered by Rabin's betrayal, Zarya vows to leave all thoughts of him behind. In the dangerous city of Ishaan, she joins an ancient struggle for freedom.

Ishaan is a city of violent contrasts. Nobles and scholars live in golden luxury. But thousands of vanshaj workers are born into magical slavery-in punishment for a crime forgotten centuries ago.

Zarya is outraged, and certain that the fate of the vanshaj is linked to her own forbidden magic. She joins a band of rebels battling for their freedom, and with Yasen at her side she throws herself into the fight.

On a deadly raid, Zarya uncovers the key to freeing the vanshaj forever. But to use it, she must harness a power that could tear her apart.

Only one person can give Zarya the strength to reach her destiny. The one who ignited her magic. Who brings her more pleasure and more pain than any other. The last person she wants to see right now. Rabin.

The Nightfire Quartet is a fast-paced and addictive fantasy romance that's perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Carissa Broadbent, and Rebecca Yarros. If you love slow-burning passion and razor-sharp banter, dive in to discover your new fantasy obsession.

MY REVIEW:

Storm of Ink and Blood by Nisha J. Tuli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can not get enough of this series.
Zarya has dark magic and she wants to free vanshja. They have a special ink around their necks and they are slaves. The ink hids their magic.
Zarya is also getting over Rabin as she thought he had betrayed her. She is also in the city where her half siblings live and they don't know anything about her and they are royalty. She is finding out that she does not like her siblings and once wanted to know them and now she doesn't.
I love this world and the characters and how Zarya is growing as a person.
I can't wait for the next and last book of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ebook to review.

View all my reviews

Nisha J. Tuli is an Amazon Top 50 and International Bestselling author of romantasy and contemporary romance.

Her novel Trial of the Sun Queen—the first in the Artefacts of Ouranos series—became a BookTok hit and has gone on to be published in over a dozen languages around the world.

Look for her debut romcom, NSFW (Not Suitable for Work), a workplace rivals to lovers romance publishing with Forever in May 2025.

When she’s not writing or reading, Nisha can be found enjoying travel, food, and camping with her partner, two kids, and their fluffy Samoyed, Mora.

She's also the author of Heart of Night and Fire, a South Asian-inspired fantasy romance and the first in a four-book series.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NishaJT

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NishaJT

Website: https://nishajtuli.com/

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Second Sky email signup: www.secondskybooks.com/nisha-j-tuli

Blog Tour: A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne

 

publication September 5, 2024\

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A spark of passion between hunter and hunted has the power to end everything… fans of Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout will be completely gripped by this addictive and enchanting fantasy romance!

The shadow magic has always whispered to Wren. The same power that once ravaged her home kingdom of Asteroth. She must keep her magic hidden, only using it to help people in need in the remote border village she calls home. Discovery of her gifts would mean death.

Noble knight Finn has sworn to serve the kingdom by hunting down those who use shadow magic. But sword and armour cannot save him when he is attacked by dark creatures in the woods near Wren’s village.

Wren has no choice. She risks exposing her secret – and saves this handsome stranger’s life. But as her skin gently brushes his, Wren’s magic – and an uncontrollable desire – floods through both their veins. But is their passion real? Or are the shadows tempting them?

There’s no time for Finn and Wren to untangle their feelings from the seductive call of the darkness. Because Finn was not attacked by chance. Enemy soldiers are on the move, closing in on Asteroth.

Both believe Wren’s magic to be dangerous. But what if it’s the only way to save the kingdom? And with dark days coming, can they learn to trust each other – or will giving in to their desires destroy everything they know?

MY REVIEW:

A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wren has been brought up by a woman who she assumed is her mother. They never called ach other mother or child so she was never sure. They got seperated and Wren ended up meeting with Flynn.
Magic has been outlawed and Wren and her mother use it for healing powers.
Finn was brought up in one kingdom but is helping another kingdom. It seems that Wren and Finn's destinies are interwoven.
There is also spice n this book.
I enjoyed the banter between these 2 and the kingdoms.
I received this from NetGalley and Second Sly for the ebook to review,

View all my reviews

A Kiss of Flame

They want her on the throne. But the closer she gets, the deadlier her magic becomes. And an ancient power gets closer to breaking free…

Wren’s gone from being a parentless girl with a free life in the forest, to the daughter of the lost queen of Asteroth. Trapped in the capital, she’s surrounded by people who would kill her if they discovered her shadow magic. And the strength of her dark power is growing out of control…

Though Finn considers Asteroth his home, as the son of the enemy king he has never been fully at ease in the capital. But now, it’s torture. Keeping Wren’s magic hidden goes against every vow he’s ever taken. But whenever they’re apart, the strange ache in his chest becomes unbearable.

Snatching moments together in quiet corners of the castle, the solace Wren and Finn find in each other is bittersweet. The Regent’s Council want to keep the control they’ve held since the queen was lost – but their plan to use Wren as a puppet could see the kingdom torn apart by her dark power. And with the enemy preparing to invade, danger is growing outside the city walls too…

With their loyalty to each other tested at every turn, can Finn and Wren find safety in their love? And can Wren escape from the power play inside the castle and save the kingdom: even if it’s from herself?

The second book in the Lost Queen series, this stunning and unputdownable romantic fantasy is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Stacia Stark and Rebecca Yarros.

Jessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.


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Second Sky email signup: https://www.bookouture.com/jessica-thorne

Book Review: To Love a Dark Lord by Kathrynn Ann Kingsley

 

Published June 14, 2024

buy on Amazon

She pulled him close, in a desperate, perfect embrace. She loved him. And she would burn this world for him…

Gwen must free the Prince in Iron, before his mind is torn apart.

For centuries, Mordred ruled over Avalon and caged its magic. Now the elementals have seized power, sentencing him to an eternity of torment in his own magical prison.

Gwen accepted Mordred’s punishment to save his life. But the love that binds them cannot be denied. She vows to find him and release him, whatever the cost.

Mordred’s time is quickly running out. Trapped inside the Iron Crystal, he burns with rage and desire, haunted by shadows of the past. His sanity hangs by a thread.

Gwen will destroy anyone who stands between her and the crystal. But is she freeing the man she loves? Or unleashing a power more vicious and terrifying than Avalon has ever known?

Gwen and Mordred’s story reaches its searing conclusion in To Love a Dark Lord, Book Four of the Iron Crystal Quartet. Packed with battles, betrayal and spicy romance, this series is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Elise Kova and Danielle L. Jensen.

My Review

To Love a Dark Lord: A spicy enemies to lovers fantasy romance by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 4th book and the conclusion of the series.
I did read the last book but not the first 2 and I still was able to enjoy the books. It has Camelot,Galahad, Lancelot and the wizard of oz all rolled into this fantasy romance book.
Mordred has ruled over Avalon for centuries and people fear hm. He is not the nicest being and some would like to take away his power, which has happened but now Gwen , who is in love with him wants to release him from captivity, But she s also afraid of what will become of Avalon when she does free him.
Gwen fight for those she cares about but she also does not want blood shed. Mordred doesn't like the Elementals and wants them all dead even if they are not the enemy. Gwen is also fighting against Galahad and his woman.
The ending was perfect for this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC to read.
#ToLoveaDarkLordTheIronCrystalQuartetBook4 #NetGalley.

View all my reviews

Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Bornin Northampton, MA, The United States

Website

http://www.kathrynkingsley.com

Twitter

vodriel

Genre

Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal

Kat has always been a storyteller.

With ten years in script-writing for performances on both the stage and for tourism, she has always been writing in one form or another. When she isn’t penning down fiction, she works as Creative Director for a company that designs and builds large-scale interactive adventure games. There, she is the lead concept designer, handling everything from game and set design, to audio and lighting, to illustration and script writing. Also on her list of skills are artistic direction, scenic painting and props, special effects, and electronics. A graduate of Boston University with a BFA in Theatre Design, she has a passion for unique, creative, and unconventional experiences. In her spare time, she builds animatronics and takes trapeze classes.

Book Review: What Beats Within The Tunnels by Ashley O'Donovan

 

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

Buy on Amazon 

Can the man who shattered her heart also be the key to saving her soul?Lyra has endured far more than any woman her age should. She has a heart full of scars and a mind teeming with questions that can only be answered in Zomea, the alleged realm of the dead. To get there, she must complete the last ceremony to open a bridge. But her belief that Nyx would be with her on this journey has been shattered.Cast aside, Nyx's absence leaves room for Colton—a maddeningly attractive Fae, whose infuriating demeanor hides a deeper connection. As Lyra and Colton grow closer, they are challenged by the darkness stirring within Lyra, threatening both her and the fate of Eguina. According to a prophecy, only one man can save her, and that man is...Nyx.Will Nyx and Colton be able to work together to save Lyra, and can Lyra heal her fractured heart while putting the fate of the realms before her own desires?Please This book contains sexually explicit content, mature language, and elements of violence. It is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18. This is book two in a series.

MY REVIEW:

What Beats Within the Tunnels by Ashley O'Donovan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lyra has gone through a lot and has the scars to prove it, She needs to get to Zomea, the alleged realm of the dead. But her belief that Nyx would be with her on this journey has been shattered. Colton, a fae, is by her side.
As Lyra and Colton grow closer, they are challenged by the darkness stirring within Lyra, threatening both her and the fate of Eguina.
The prophecy says one man will save her and the belief is it is Nyx.
This is the 2nd book of the series. I enjoyed the storyline and had to remember that Lyra is still a teenager and so has some teenager ideas.
I had a hard time putting this book down and I don't alway like love triangles but it works well in this book.
It was well written and I can't wait for the next book.
Thank you to the Ashley O'Donovan for the arc to review.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Bewitched by Laura Thalassa

 

Published on April 18, 2023

Buy on Amazon

Come to me, Empress …

At age twenty, Selene Bowers desperately hopes to be accepted into Henbane Coven, an academy for young witches. Since one of the requirements for entry is to connect with her powers via a quest through the wilderness, Selene books a trip to South America. When a nefarious supernatural force tries to drag her plane from the sky, Selene's magic awakens to save her life―at a cost. Using her powers devours her memories, one by one.

Worse, when Selene braves the jungle and discovers the source of the attack, she finds herself awakening an ancient evil, Memnon the Cursed, who mistakes Selene for his long-dead wife. The wife who betrayed him. Selene manages to escape and begin her studies at Henbane, but when Memnon turns up at the coven and witches are found dead across campus, Selene becomes entangled in a dangerous plot. Accused of the murders on the basis of her memory loss, Selene must rely on Memnon's help for answers―and his plans for her will change everything.

MY REVIEW:

Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selene is a witch who forgets parts of her memory every time she uses magic.
I really disliked Memnon. He says Selene was his wife from years ago and instead of trying to help her remember, he torments her.
I kept yelling at him to STFU lol. I believed what he was saying but he was going about it all the wrong way.
I wanted Selene with the werewolf. I think there was also something there between them and a chemistry that could have been shown more.
Thank you to NetGalley and sourcebooks for the ARC to read.

View all my reviews

Laura Thalassa

Website

http://laurathalassa.com/

Twitter

LauraThalassa

Genre

Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult

Found in the forest when she was young, Laura Thalassa was raised by fairies, kidnapped by werewolves, and given over to vampires as repayment for a hundred year debt. She’s been brought back to life twice, and, with a single kiss, she woke her true love from eternal sleep. She now lives happily ever after with her undead prince in a castle in the woods.

… or something like that anyway.

When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.

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Email: laurathalassa.author@gmail.com

Blog Tour: The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy

ABOUT THE ORCHID THRONE:

A PRISONER OF FATE

As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Euthalia will do anything to keep her people

free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Euthalia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

MY REVIEW:

The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this is the first book of a new series by Jeffe Kennedy. Euthalia is Queen of the Island Kingdom and everything there is peaceful and full of color and flowers. She is guided by a magic ring that was left by her father. She is betrothed to the Emperor but he is not a nice man and she will do anything she can to keep her people safe and not to marry him.
Conri is a former Prince of Oriel and he is building an army to overthrow the emperor and wants the magic ring to help him.
Conri has a bad image and when he shows up to meet with Lia he understands why she feels the way she does about him. But you can feel that there is more to him than meets the eye and he wants to help Lia take down the Emperor.
I really liked getting to know Lia and Conri separately throughout the book and then together as they try to figure out how to both win.
I received this ARC from St. Martin's and NetGalley for review.

View all my reviews

EXCERPT

Excerpt from The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy

“Arise, Your Highness. The realm awaits the sun of Your presence.”

The ritual words cut through the thick smoke of the nightmare, bringing me awake with a start. A bad omen that I hadn’t come out of the dreams on my own—and a sign that gave the images the power to linger in my mind, stains refusing to be scrubbed clean.

The wolf fought its chains, howling in hoarse rage, shedding fire and ash.

The sea churned, bloodred and crimson dark, bones tossed in the waves, white as foam.

The tower fell into a pile of golden rubble, then to fine sand, the grains sliding against one another with soul-grinding whispered screams.

I loathe dreaming, where I have even less control than in the waking world. Calanthe Herself sings sweetly to me of the seas, the plants, and the creatures that walk Her soil. But outside our fragile island, the abandoned lands beyond cry like frightened children in the night. I can’t help them. It’s all I can do to protect Calanthe, and most days I despair of being able to do even that.

Still, with no one else to hear them, they call to me in chaotic images, the nightmares dashing me from one dark scenario to the next. No matter how the dreams plague me, I usually wake when the light of the rising sun reddens my eyelids. I keep my eyes closed, pretending to anyone who checks on me that I’m still asleep. Pulling the pieces of my composure together, I listen to the morning song of Calanthe. The birds sitting high in the canopy to catch the first warming rays of the sun show me the sky. The fish swimming in the sea speak of clean water and plentiful food. Even the trees, the flowers, the small insects in the soil all hum to me of their lives.

All reassure me of the balance, that Calanthe, at least, is peaceful and vital.

Only I and the land I’m tied to exist in that time after sleep and before true waking, in what I call the dreamthink, an almost enchanted bubble where I belong entirely to Calanthe. The emperor does not own me. The crying lands he’s orphaned are silent. My ladies have not yet woken me to wrenching reality and the trials of the day ahead.

Dreams always seem to me a terrible price to pay for the succor of sleep. Neither my naturalists nor my physicians seem to be able to explain the purpose of such dreams. And of course, Anure killed all the wizards, so I have none to tell me if magic can answer those nighttime screams. So without answers, and like the exorbitant tithes I’m forced to send to the emperor, I do pay the price, and nightly. The dreamthink is my reward, my time with Calanthe. A gift arising from waking Ejarat of the earth welcoming the return of Her husband, Sawehl of the sun. In the dreamthink, in Calanthe’s sweet communion, I can believe the old gods are with us still, that they haven’t abandoned us. That I have reason to hope.

“Euthalia, wake up. We’re ready,” Tertulyn whispered in my ear. My first lady-in-waiting, doing her duty as always. She couldn’t know she’d woken me from the nightmare instead of the dreamthink. Or that starting my day this way meant it would be certainly cursed.

No one believes in omens or curses anymore. Or hope, for that matter. In this, too, I am alone.

Euthalia is a mouthful, but no one calls me that except for Tertulyn so it doesn’t matter. Only Emperor Anure has the rank to address me by my given name, and I avoid conversation with His Imperial Nastiness to the best of my ability. Tertulyn has called me by my name since we were children, but only when no one can overhear, as etiquette demands.

As if she’d whispered them into my ear along with my name, the concerns of the realm immediately flooded my mind. The emperor’s emissary should have returned in the night and would want an audience with me—something I’d been dreading, as he never brought good news. Rumors had spread of slave uprisings, possibly even rebellion, as unlikely as that would be, that had the emperor both angry and insecure in his power. The worst possible combination in a man like him.

If I believed a rebellion could succeed, I would rejoice in the battle to come. But I had no hope of that. No one could defy Anure’s vast power and ability to destroy the least whimper of resistance, as all those kingless and queenless lands testified, crying their hopelessness to me every night.

No, such rumors meant the Imperial Tyrant would only tighten his fist—one that already strangled us nearly to death. The prospect of worse to come made me inexpressibly weary, and I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet.

Nevertheless, I had to face the day. A realm awaited the sun of my presence, after all.

I opened my eyes and pasted a serene smile on my lips.

Tertulyn—already wigged, gowned, and decked in fresh flowers—stood a decorous three steps back from my bed, hands folded over her heart. All equally polished and lovely as morning dew, my five junior ladies awaited in a ring around her. They’d all been up since well before dawn to dress themselves before attending me. And yet their eyes sparkled as brightly as the birds that had shown me the sun on the sea, pretty painted lips curved in delighted smiles. Though I was only twenty-six, they made me feel old.

If a witch offered me a magic potion to remove the last ten years and restore my youth—and the innocent belief I’d had then, that my life would be a good one—I’d down it without question. Even if it meant my death the next day. No, that was a lie. I would never shirk my duty to Calanthe, not even for such a fantasy. Not without an heir to take my place. No matter how old and tired I felt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JEFFE KENNEDY is an award-winning, bestselling author who writes fantasy, fantasy romance, and contemporary romance. She serves on the Board of Directors for SFWA as a Director at Large.

Her most recent works include Prisoner of the Crown and the upcoming Exile of the Seas, from her high fantasy trilogy from Rebel Base books, The Chronicles of Dasnaria, in the same world as her award-winning fantasy series The Twelve Kingdoms and The Uncharted Realms. She is a hybrid author, and also self-publishes a fantasy series, Sorcerous Moons. Her books have won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015, been named Best Book of June 2014, and won RWA’s prestigious RITA® Award.

She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com, every Sunday at the SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and on Twitter @jeffekennedy.

Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250194312

Author website: JeffeKennedy.com

The SFF Seven blog: https://sffseven.blogspot.com/ on Sundays

Author Twitter: @jeffekennedy

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffe.kennedy

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1014374.Jeffe_Kennedy

SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews Blog Tour & Giveaway

Nevada Frida Baylor and Connor Ander Rogan cordially invite you to join their wedding celebration. Summoning, weather manipulation, and other magical activities strictly forbidden.

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle.  Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan’s extensive family overruns his mother’s home.  Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.

To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic.  But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister’s happiness.  Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle. Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan's extensive family overruns his mother’s home. Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.
To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic. But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn't do for her sister's happiness. Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

Nevada wants a plain wedding but her billionaire fiance and his family say she can have more than that. She does get her own way bt behind the scenes Catalina is trying to find the missing tiara before the wedding and then someone poisons the wedding cake before hand. These people all have some kind of magic and what are called Primes of Houses. This is a very short novella so you don't get to know the characters really well and delve into relationships but being that it was short you do meet a lot of characters and I really liked Catalina. She doesn't hold back any punches.

I received this from Harper Avon and Pure Textuality for an honest review.


View all my reviews

About the Book

Diamond Fire
by Ilona Andrews

Series
Hidden Legacy Novella

Genre
Adult
Paranormal Romance

Publisher
Avon Impulse

Publication Date
November 6, 2018

Purchase Your Copy Today!
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Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of DIAMOND FIRE by Ilona Andrews, we’re giving away one paperback set of the Hidden Legacy trilogy!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to internationally. One winner will receive a paperback set of the Hidden Legacy trilogy by Ilona Andrews. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 11/12/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About Ilona Andrews

ILONA ANDREWS is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) They have co-authored two New York Time sand USA Today bestselling series—the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and the romantic urban fantasy of The Edge. They live in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.

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This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.