Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

When a Dragon Falls (Embraced by Magic, #4)When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Embraced by Magic #4, (Embraced #7)

Release Date: October 24, 2023

Princess Lenushka “Lennie” of Norveshka is the daughter of Gwennore and Silas and is not only the first (and only) female dragon shifter and a captain in the Norveshki army but also has been named as the heir to the crown of Norveshka. Today she is playing another role, bridesmaid to her cousin Princess Roslyn of Tourin who is marrying Earl Freydor. But things don’t go as planned and the bridegroom is revealed to be a traitor to the crown and is murdered by Greer, the leader of the traitorous Brotherhood of the Sun. Lennie is tasked with following Greer and while in pursuit spies the Raven, a shifter and member of the Brotherhood who kidnapped her Aunt, Queen Luciana, and her cousin Princess Eviana, and she in her dragon form goes after him. However, while trying to evade Lennie, the Raven is accidentally shot by Roslyn and crashes to the ground. Lennie is horrified, she didn’t mean for him to be injured and transports him to the monastery. Soon it becomes clear that they are both in pursuit of Greer, as he has kidnapped Lennie’s brother Pengrast, her cousin Prince Reynfried, and the Raven’s brother Zane. She begrudgingly agrees to work with him but keeps her true identity and the fact that she is a dragon shifter a secret. She is sure he is a villain, but the more time she spends with him, the more she questions that judgment and soon she is wondering how she will be able to live without him.

Bran Morris is the son of Lord Morris, one of the Circle of Five and the head of the Brotherhood of the Sun, he is also Embraced and has the power to shift into a raven. But unlike his evil father, Bran has a good heart and has only participated in Lord Morris’ schemes to protect his siblings, it is during the abduction of Queen Luciana and the princess that Bran sees Lennie for the first time and instantly falls in love with her – or at least the idea of her. When his father was killed, the Brotherhood assumed that Bran would take his place, but Bran has no desire to continue the Brotherhood’s evil agenda and tries to move the group in a different direction but, not all the members agree and Greer, one of his father’s minions, picks up Lord Morris’ scepter and the Brotherhood splits. Bran tries to thwart Greer, but never forgets Lennie, so when his brother Zane is kidnapped by Greer and he is injured by the dragon, he is thrilled to see Lennie and decides to win her. But Bran doesn’t really know who Lennie is and without the truth and trust, how can love grow? Plus there is still the matter of Greer to deal with. Can they overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from their HEA or are they doomed to heartache?

OMG, what a great book! I love this series and was thrilled when Ms. Sparks decided to expand the series to include the children of the original Embraced. It was wonderful to visit with previous characters and get a glimpse into their HEAs, and while this book has a lot going on, as well as multiple romances, there is no doubt that Lennie and Bran are the stars of this book. The story is filled with secrets, hidden identities, shifters, magic, humor, longing, misunderstandings, mild love scenes, betrayal, surprising discoveries, battles between good and evil, and finally an ending that gives the reader more than one HEA and will leave you anticipating the next installment. This is the fourth book in this series, but the seventh book about the Embraced, I would recommend reading the series in order, so you have a better understanding of the fantasy world Ms. Sparks has created, thus giving you the best reader experience. Overall, this was a great read and I happily recommend not only this book but the entire series for historical paranormal/fantasy romance lovers.

*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.*

All the Spells and Whistles by Ava Stone

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

All the Spells and WhistlesAll the Spells and Whistles by Ava Stone

Tracy’s rating: 4/4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches’ Ball, #6

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Poppy Elstone, the eldest daughter of Viscount Halwell and her sister Laurel learn from their Great-Aunt Alora that they are the last of the Branwyck Witches and that at their father’s bidding their powers were withheld from them. Alora gives them back their powers and promises to teach them all they need to know, but warns them not to tell their father or stepmother of their powers. Sadly, Alora passes away in her sleep the same night, leaving the girls with powers they don’t understand and don’t know how to use. It is frustrating, especially since Poppy has been plagued by a nightmare since her powers were returned to her. It is almost a full year later that she is woken yet again by the nightmare, but this time it is different, her cat Stormy is at her window and makes Poppy follow him, as she leaves her room, she finds Laurel following her cat too. The girls race into the night and find their cousin Daniel being attacked by wild dogs and to Poppy’s shock when she claps her hands and chases them away, even more shocking is the fact there is another man, who happens to be the man from her dreams, in fact, everything about this is like her dream. She is a bit shaken by the experience and even more taken aback when the man from her dreams, turns out to be her cousin’s friend, Captain Alec Galbraith and he seems to know she is a witch and even offers advice. Poppy’s life is about to change, but will it lead to heartbreak or happily ever after?

Captain Lord Alec Galbraith is the younger son of the Marquess of Ravensdale, a family of Promethean witches and warlocks, but when he was just sixteen his mother stripped him of his powers. When neither his father nor brother stepped up in his defense, Alec left, he lied about his age and joined the army. That was 12 years ago and he has never looked back, after returning from war, Alec made himself a fortune at the gaming tables, but he still keenly feels the loss of his powers. When his friend Daniel gives him a note from his brother, the new marquess, it stirs up feelings he thought he had gotten over years ago, so when Daniel invites him to Devon to visit his family, Alec happily agrees, thinking the trip will distract him. He is surprised when they are attacked by hellhounds and even more surprised when they are saved by a pair of witches, why hadn’t Daniel mentioned that his family was magical? He soon learns that Poppy and Laurel get their powers from their mother, and offers to help them with their powers. He is strongly attracted to Poppy but feels he has nothing to offer her and leaves when her father realizes that he is from a magical family and orders him to go. He is miserable without her and when he learns about the Witches’ Ball, he can’t resist a chance to see her again. But danger awaits them and saving the woman he has come to love, may cost him everything.

This was another great installment of the Witches’ Ball, filled with likable characters, secrets, shocking revelations, pesky little sisters, a psycho villain, help from unexpected sources, a very slow-burn romance, no-steam love scenes, true love, forgiveness, and finally a kiss that leads to HEA. I really enjoyed this story, Ms. Stone gave her contribution to the series a fresh and unique twist, which made for a very entertaining and interesting reader experience. This is the sixth release in the series, but most of the stories, including this one, are very loosely connected and can be read as standalone titles. This was a great read, and I am happy to recommend not only this book but the entire series.