.Waiting On Wednesday: Dark Witch by @NoraRoberts & Delia's Shadow by @jaimeleemoyer

Hosted by

Jill @ Breaking The Spine

This week I'm waiting on two books. The first is by the very popular Nora Roberts, having never read ANY of her previous books (GASP, I know, right?) I'm highly intrigued by this one. Maybe it's the idea of witches that has me drawn to this paranormal read. My second wow is a dark, romantic fantasy by Jaime Lee Moyer. This is Jaime's debut, and I really like the mystery of the hauntings, and ghosts, plus the blurb from Rae Carson sold me "A gorgeous and haunting book" Hmm.. so what are you waiting on?

Dark Witch
by Nora Roberts
Expected publication: November 5th 2013 by Berkley Trade
Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love…

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…



Delia's Shadow
by Jaime Lee Moyer
Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Tor
Goodreads

A dark, romantic fantasy set against the backdrop of San Francisco devastated by the Great Quake

It is the dawn of a new century in San Francisco and Delia Martin is a wealthy young woman whose life appears ideal. But a dark secret colors her life, for Delia’s most loyal companions are ghosts, as she has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with an ability to peer across to the other side.

Since the great quake rocked her city in 1906, Delia has been haunted by an avalanche of the dead clamoring for her help. Delia flees to the other side of the continent, hoping to gain some peace. After several years in New York, Delia believes she is free…until one determined specter appears and she realizes that she must return to the City by the Bay in order to put this tortured soul to rest.

It will not be easy, as the ghost is only one of the many victims of a serial killer who was never caught. A killer who after thirty years is killing again.

And who is now aware of Delia’s existence

.#REVIEW The Assassin's Gambit by @amyraby @SignetEclipse

Assassin's Gambit (Hearts and Thrones #1)

by Amy Raby

Paperback, 400 pages

Published: April 2nd 2013 by Signet
ISBN: 0451417828 (ISBN13: 9780451417824)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Action, Strong female heroine, Adult.

*Received Arc from pub. for review*

Goodreads

Vitala Salonius, champion of the warlike game of Caturanga, is as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s a trained assassin for the resistance, and her true play is for ultimate power. Using her charm and wit, she plans to seduce her way into the emperor’s bed and deal him one final, fatal blow, sparking a battle of succession that could change the face of the empire.

As the ruler of a country on the brink of war and the son of a deposed emperor, Lucien must constantly be wary of an attempt on his life. But he’s drawn to the stunning Caturanga player visiting the palace. Vitala may be able to distract him from his woes for a while—and fulfill other needs, as well.

Lucien’s quick mind and considerable skills awaken unexpected desires in Vitala, weakening her resolve to finish her mission. An assassin cannot fall for her prey, but Vitala’s gut is telling her to protect this sexy, sensitive man. Now she must decide where her heart and loyalties lie and navigate the dangerous war of politics before her gambit causes her to lose both Lucien and her heart for good.

 B&N



Hearts and Thrones Series
Assassin's Gambit #1
Spy's Honor #2  Expected publication: October 1st 2013


 

Debut Author, Amy Raby has won me over in this action infused, romantic, fantasy read. With a strong female protagonist, a fantastic story, and witty enthralling characters that had depth. 

I must admit, what first drew my attention of this book was that gorgeous cover. The dress, the dagger, the castle in the background, the moon and I mean come on that cover model is gorgeous. So yes, without even reading the synopsis, I already was super excited to read this book, then after reading the synopsis, this book had me 110%.



Vitala, is an assassin. She has trained her whole life in The Circle, a well hidden, magically infused group of mercenaries(although they are not paid) who are fighting against the wrongs of  kingdoms led by rulers. These rulers are hurting the people of the kingdom, and the only way the Circle can wrong their right is to kill the leaders. Lucien, is the Emporer of one of these Kingdoms,  who turns out to be Vitala's next target, her most important target that she has trained her whole life to take down.

Vitala's training started at an early age, learning how to become a killer, among killer's. She is strong, smart, and has a way about her that just spells --FIERCE! She has an undeniable death blow that comes in the form of shards, that can be willed from her as to strike down her opponent. As she sets up how she will get into Lucien's world and befriend him, she uses her training of the Caratuga game(a chess like game) to befriend Lucien. He of course is impressed that he has found a worthy opponent in the game. He warms up to her, and gifts her with her very own set of the game. She of course, is using any, and every angle to learn how she will kill, Lucien. She even beds him, and is itching for the kill, when it seems that all hell let's loose and what was once her trying to kill Lucien, turns out their are others who are after his head, and she's not to happy about it.

See, she seems to have fallen for the emporer and his charming, likable ways. As she rescues him, and journey's with him, they are slowly falling in love with each other, and she learns that Lucien may not be as evil, as the Circle first thought. She learns that although he is the Emporer their are others who enforce their own rule when it comes to enforcing the counties of the kingdom, and those men are the truly bad. Much of what Vitala learns about Lucien comes from his trusted men. Men who will stand behind their leader, as they call him a fair, and a true hands-on leader who would fight right along his own men. Lucien is not a typical leader, and is not like his Father or Grandfather. He actually cares about his men, and does seem to care about the people of the Kingdom, although he knows nothing can be changed overnight, he takes all the right steps into righting the wrong of those who are after him, and whom have wronged or deceived him. Lucien and Vitala's love for each other grows throughout this book, and it makes for a great romance as these two stand side by side, ready for battle.

Without spoiling the rest, I will tell you why I LOVED this book! First we get one strong, kick butt heroine, plus she knows how to wear a dress and look fierce! She actually reminds me of an older, version of Megan Fox. Anyway, back to why I heart this so much. Well, it has a great story line, adventure, romance, and it has some great messages behind the story. I found The Assassin's Gambit to truly be captivating, and fans of fantasy/adventure stories will enjoy this book. I also found the fantasy aspects to not be overwhelming and can be easily followed.

If you like a great plot, fleshed out well, with a captivating storyline and characters, with depth and some romantic heat. You will enjoy this story. Fans of Young Adult reads like Throne Of Glass by Sarah J Mass, and Touch Of Power by Maria Snyder will enjoy this step up into an Adult  Fantasy read. I'm looking forward to continuing on with the second book in this series, Spy's Honor.

5/5 
Fantastic Fantasy Roses

"It's not really that," she said. "It's that I don't belong here-or anywhere. In Riorca, people hate my Kjallan half; in Kjall, they hate my Riorcan half. I had a home in the Circle, where there were others like me, but now I don't even have that.
I have nothing, Lucien. I have nobody."
"I've been called many things, Vitala, but never have I been called a nobody."
"I don't mean you. I mean there's no group where I belong."
"We'll make our own group. You belong with me." He'd never spoken words more true. She did belong with him. For all the women he'd been with, he'd never found a more perfect companion for himself than Vitala.

"We're neither of us flawless. You accept my broken parts, and I'll accept yours."

.#REVIEW Taken by @erin_bowman @harperteen

Taken (Taken #1)

by Erin Bowman

 

Expected publication: April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen
Genre- YA, Dystopia, Fantasy
Goodreads

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side.

 

 

Unique concept, and world, Taken is a male driven read. Although parts of this book draws out some controversy among readers, disliking the main character. I understood why some readers find a disliking to him, I didn't love him, but found him to be accurately portrayed in this Dystopian action packed mysterious world. 

 

 

 

 

 

Claysoot is a colony of people living behind enclosed walls, not knowing what's beyond those walls only that if you escape over those walls you've just bought your death certificate. If you've read the above synopsis you already know there are no men in Claysoot.  Every boy born will be turned over to The Heist, when he is eighteen. Gray is seventeen, having just lost his brother to the Heist, he knows he will be next. Gray is at a loss at what's to become of him and what has happened to his brother. He is distraught, emotional, and has mixed feelings, ranging from jealously to anger. He believes there is more to the whole conspiracy of this so-called Heist, and maybe there is after he finds information that leads him to believe there is something more "out there" beyond the walls.

 

Gray's life is about to change as he makes a decision to change his destiny, he decides to climb the wall and go over. He's not alone, though as he has a follower who just so happens to be a family friend, a girl he seems to have fallen for takes the leap with him. But, crossing over the wall is not what they both imagined.  

What he learns over that wall is a explanation of sorts as to what happens to the men of Claysoot, and now he is on a mission to start a revolution and alter everyone's life. As nothing is as it seems, and we find out this "Heist" is part of a bigger picture.

Without spoiling the rest, I can say I did enjoy reading Taken. I know some people have mixed feelings over the story, because of Gray, and I can understand why they may feel uncomfortable over some of his actions. I think I looked at it in a different light, then some of my peers. I felt like his actions were mostly spot-on. We have a boy, who is determined not to just become another Heist number. He is strong-willed and yes, sometimes arrogant, but he has watched many male members of the city disappear at eighteen.

No men in Claysoot mean "no fathers", so clearly every male born knows their destiny from a young age. Men are used at a young age to continue the population of Claysoot. They must be paired with females, that they may or may not like and impregnate the with their seed, so the population can continue on. Gray finds the whole outcome to every man's life in Claysoot to be intolerable.

 

He is determined to find out what and why this happens. I'm sure just going against the grain of everything everyone believes in is difficult enough, and to just recently loose the only last member of his family to the heist has been extremely difficult for him. That does not excuse his actions when it comes to one part of the book, and it should not be condoned. I really felt the whole "world and concept" of The Heist and the surrounding fantasy aspects of that story fully outweighed the character driven part of this story.  

All, in all I did enjoy Taken and will look forward to the next book. 

4/5

Have you read Taken, yet? What are your thoughts if you have?

.Waiting On Wednesday: Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier & Spy's Honor by Amy Raby

Hosted by

Jill @ Breaking The Spine

I've been on a Fantasy reading kick lately. I just finished reading Assassin's Gambit and really loved it. Maybe it was just my mood, but it met my expectations. I'll be posting my review, soon.
 My first pick is the second book in the Shadowfell Series. I read Shadowfell last year and really enjoyed it, so I can't wait to see what the next book, Raven Flight brings.
 My second pick, Spy's Honor is the Heart's and Thrones Series #2.


What are you waiting on? Leave me a link!

Raven Flight (Shadowfell #2)
by Juliet Marillier
Expected publication: July 9th 2013
Goodreads

Neryn has finally found the rebel group at Shadowfell, and now her task is to seek out the elusive Guardians, vital to her training as a Caller. These four powerful beings have been increasingly at odds with human kind, and Neryn must prove her worth to them. She desperately needs their help to use her gift without compromising herself or the cause of overthrowing the evil King Keldec.

Neryn must journey with the tough and steadfast Tali, who looks on Neryn's love for the double agent Flint as a needless vulnerability. And perhaps it is. What Flint learns from the king will change the battlefield entirely-but in whose favor, no one knows.

                                                                Shadowfell (Shadowfell #1)











*This may not be the official cover. I found this on Pinterest
There is no cover on Goodreads, yet*

Spy's Honor (Heart's and Thrones #2)
by Amy Raby

Paperback, 400 pages

Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Signet

Goodreads

Rhianne, mind mage and Imperial Princess of Kjall, cannot openly challenge the emperor. Instead, she acts in secret to aid the victims of his worst excesses. But now the emperor plans to wed her to the cruel Augustan, the man leading Kjall’s attack against the nation of Mosar. Soon she will be torn from her supporters and shipped overseas, where she can help no one.

Mosari crown prince Janto is desperate to save his country from invasion. When one of his most trusted spies disappears while gathering intelligence at the Kjallan palace, Janto takes his place and continues searching for information that could save his people. But falling for the Imperial Princess was not part of his plan. Nor was having his true identity revealed…

Now Rhianne must make a choice—follow the path of tradition or the one of the heart, even if it means betraying her own race

Assassin's Gambit (Heart's And Thrones #1)

#Freebies, Deals, Steals & Pre-Orders!

Hey guys! I'm back with another Freebies, Deals, and Steals Post. This time I included a ton of Paranormal/UF/Fantasy Pre-Orders on some amazing books that will be released in the future. Remember, all Pre-Orders are backed up by Amazon's Pre-Order Guarantee. Have fun shopping! 


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