Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Fairytale Retelling, Gothic Historical, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Non-Traditional Romance, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Red Kingdom (Fairy Tale Retellings, #2)Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Fairy Tale Retellings, #2

Released: April 10, 2024

Princess Blanchette Winslowe of Norland is awakened to an attack on her father’s castle and barely escapes the carnage thanks to a loyal villager and his son. But her escape is short lived when the infamous Black Wolf hunts her down and takes her prisoner. Blanchette is horrified to discover her entire family (save her married sister) have all been killed during the takeover of the castle. She believes that Sir Rowan – the Black Wolf – is a monster as well as a traitor to Norland. But not all is as it seems and as she begins to learn the truth of her father’s reign, the more the scales fall from her eyes and the walls around her heart begin to crumble.

Sir Rowan Dietrich, known as the Black Wolf of Norland was once a loyal retainer and served the King, but when his wife is murdered to teach Rowan a lesson, his rage simmers and he begins to plot his revenge. It takes years, but finally Rowan has gathered an army to oust King Bartholomew and liberate Norland from his corrupt reign. When he learns the princess escaped, he personally tracks her down and returns her to the castle. He believes that she was aware of her father’s deeds and turned a blind eye. He soon learns that Blanchette is not the shallow, pampered princess he thought her to be and soon begins to fall in love with her. But there is still evil afoot and their road to HEA will not be easy or without pain.

Just like the last book, this book is phenomenal, and the writing transports you to the medieval kingdom of Norland and keeps you there until you read the last page and then makes you wish it hadn’t ended! This is a dark fairytale retelling that is very loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, dark being the operative word. The book has battles, murder, heartache, heartbreak, unspeakable acts of cruelty (most off page), loss, war, a very slow-burn romance, mild love scenes, betrayal, healing and finally a HEA. This is the second book in the series, but the books can be read as standalone titles. I would caution sensitive readers to check out the content warnings before reading this book as there are triggers and acts that may be extremely upsetting to some readers.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Of Ravens and Wolves by Kelley Heckart

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Historical Fiction, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment


Of Ravens and Wolves

Magic demands its price.

In the sequel to Of Water and Dragons, Nemu and Ambiorix must fight to survive in the wild lands of the Caitt in northern Caledonia where they have sought refuge after Ambiorix’s desertion from the Roman army. Another more sinister danger also stalks them, a result of Nemu’s dark magic. Their idyllic world is about to be shattered, and their relationship tested.

This is a revised 2nd edition.

Genre: Historical fiction fantasy romance

Tropes: Revenge, Soul Mates, Magic, Dark Past, Strain on Marriage

Available in Kindle, Print, and Kindle Unlimited

Amazon Buy Link

EXCERPT:

The Caitt priestess waited for Nemu in the deepest shadows. She gestured for her to sit beside her on a flat rock.

“You are one of the Ancient Ones.” Her voice sounded hollow, ringing through the pines and into the night.

“As are you.” Nemu searched her eyes for the truth, but the priestess could mask her thoughts well. “Why have you sent for me?”

The skinned wildcat head draped over hers like a hood, the fangs flashing sharp and deadly like twin crescent moons. The priestess’s eyes resembled a cat’s, unblinking and yellow in the darkness.

“I did not send for you. You came to me for an answer.”

A nighthawk screeched nearby.

“You know about my dreams.” Nemu swallowed hard.

“Do not follow the raven. Follow the wolf. The wolf will show you the way.” The night devoured her cryptic words.

“And I will know what the dreams mean?”

“You will know who you really are.” The gleam in her eyes softened, reflecting pity.

Nemu looked away for a moment. She turned back to the priestess and found herself sitting alone, the space beside her cold and empty.

Review Quote

“Heckart’s work offers beautiful poetic descriptions rich in detail. Reading this book is a sensual pleasure. It is especially a joy to read about the idyllic agrarian lifestyle and the sense of people’s connection to the land, to the tribe, and to the spirit world. The richness of detail in descriptions create a powerful aura that positively fills this world.”

Reviewed by Snapdragon at the Long and the Short of It

About the Author


With nearly 20 years of writing and editing experience, Kelley Heckart’s writing focus is steamy, paranormal romance novels. The author of 14 full-length novels, Kelley cleverly plays on the page using fantasy and paranormal elements throughout ancient, medieval, and contemporary timelines. And she fills her romance novels with history, mythology, and mysticism. Her bold characters tell stories through the eyes of fierce warriors, powerful women, gods and goddesses, faeries and vampires, and beyond. These characters are intertwined with one another through captivating, sensual storytelling, and she thrives when using her gift of fantasy and romance.

Links to my social media and newsletter sign up

Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free ebook copy of The Enchanted Meadow