Category: Debut Novel

Release Day for “Masquerade of Mirrors” by Samantha Harwood

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Debut Novel, First Person Narrative, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Release Day Blitz, RomantasyLeave a comment

Masquerade of Mirrors

Book 1 in the Halls of Glass series

by Samantha Hartwood

The only thing more dangerous than falling for a lie is falling for the liar.

Don’t look at the desert. Don’t think about the desert. Never step onto the sand. Taera has followed these rules her entire life—until he arrives.

Impossibly gorgeous, with a face masked in magic, Nikolai kidnaps Taera and drags her deep into the dunes. He says she’s powerful and needs to be trained… if she ever wants to see her family again.

Thrust into a deadly school of illusions and lies, Taera can’t trust anyone. Especially not her breathtaking, ruthless captor. Top student and notorious liar, his secrets run deeper than the sand. He’s her worst nightmare—and everything she craves.

The cutthroat Halls of Glass have a mind of their own. Trapped within their looping corridors, Taera is surrounded by hostile students and forced to rely on Nikolai.

Taera knows she shouldn’t fall for his illusions. But magic requires a partnership, and he’s the only mage who can handle her wild, untamed power.

And the only way he’ll help her is if she pretends to be his.

Masquerade of Mirrors is a fast-paced, slow-burn fantasy romance. Taera and Nikolai’s story is for readers who love crackling chemistry, daring escape plans, and as many lies as truths.

~ Tropes ~

He’s her captor ~ School of illusion magic ~ Uniquely intimate magic system ~ Only one bed (a couple times…) ~ Morally grey MMC ~  Fake relationship ~ Touch her and pain ~ Enemies to lovers ~ Forced proximity ~  Masquerade Ball ~  FPN – Dual POV ~ Slow burn with spice  ~ She discovers her power ~ Forbidden quests and deadly secrets ~ Dangerous fun and games ~ “F*ck it” moment ~  Standalone/First in Series ~ Mysterious, manipulative, dangerous MMC with a dark secret ~  Fiercely courageous FMC who doesn’t immediately fall into his lap

Book Links

Goodreads ~ StoryGraph ~ Fable ~ Instagram ~ Threads ~Facebook – Website

This book is intended for adults. For a full list of content warnings, click here.

Undead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Undead GodsUndead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Undead Gods #1

Release Date: September 18, 2024

In Kava, magic is dead and forbidden, and the land is dark and gray, its inhabitants trapped in a soot filled land, with so many ill and dying from a disease that seems tied to the soot. Elysia Parker, born with magic, hides her abilities and secretly helps her father, who works for the Crown, tracking down other magic users. She also keeps her secret from Topp Blatz, the Crown Prince, her lover and the man it is assumed she will marry. But as the story unfolds it becomes clear that Elysia’s magic is changing and she needs help – but that help will come with a price that may be more than she can pay.

I appreciated that this book was written in third person and found the blurb compelling, promising a magical, forbidden world. However, the first half was wordy and slow, making it feel like a slog to get through and making staying interested difficult, as little seemed to happen for a long stretch. The premise of a world where magic is lost is intriguing, and while the characters have potential. Elysia is a morally -gray, mysterious, with a lot of secrets. Secrets, the author holds onto for much of the book—almost too long, making it hard to connect with Elysia. The world-building shows promise, and there are moments of excitement as the plot builds, and the cliffhanger sets up the next book. Overall, the author has a great story, but the overly descriptive style and slow pace made the early chapters a challenge that I found overwhelming and confusing at times.