A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion by Sharayah Maurice

 

A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion by Sharayah Maurice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source:  Received to Review

Genre: Fantasy

Book Description: An historical alliance between two gifted races is threatened when Princess Alana Bell Sundry is attacked and a bounty is placed on her head. With powerful enemies on two borders, the kingdom of Latera is relying on her arranged marriage to the Gaellen Prince to strengthen their position in Tanithor.

Enlisting the help of a mysterious bodyguard to keep her alive until her prince arrives to claim her, Alana soon learns there’s more to the undercover guard than meets the eye. As she spends time with her new bodyguard, she realizes that the attacks on her life aren’t the only threats to the alliance. Her heart may prove just as effective at dismantling a union that has been years in the making.

Meanwhile, across the Great River, Griff Shoshone is unaware of the political events happening around him. The girl he’s loved for years has recently been promised to his little brother, the future Chief of Hoken, and Griff must find a way to reconcile his heart to the Oracle’s prophetic declaration. However, after a fateful decision with deadly consequences leaves him and his brother’s betrothed captured in enemy territory, Griff must now come to terms with his new fated destiny.

A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion is the first in the Chronicles of Tanithor YA fantasy romance series told from multiple POVs. If you like clean romance, characters with elemental powers, and action packed chapters with cliff hanger endings, then you’ll love the enchanting world of Tanithor.

My thoughts:  I have to admit that I am a sucker for fantasy books. I was excited to start A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion. I had no idea what was in store for me though.

Sharayah Maurice is a new author and she did a great job in her debut novel. The plot moved along quickly, and I enjoyed the characters and how the different stories fit together. There is a ton of political intrigue and surprises throughout the book. I really am excited to read the next book.

I also loved how some of the characters had elemental gifts. It's interesting to note that the"gifts" from the "All Gods" run in noble families. It's fascinating how the "gifts" can be used for good or bad.

If you love a good epic fantasy, check this book out.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Link:  

Amazon

You can borrow the book on Kindle Unlimited!

About the Author:  Sharayah Maurice has been a lover of books since she first learned to read and has dreamed of being an author for just as long. She is the author of The Chronicles of Tanithor: Age of the Oracle series. Her stories are filled with adventure, political intrigue and swoony romance that will leave you desperate for more. She lives in north Texas with her husband and five children. 

Social links 

Website: www.sharayahmaurice.com

Instagram: @thesharayahmaurice

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/sharayahmaurice 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40418491.Sharayah_Maurice 

Join Sharayah’s mailing list: https://sharayahmaurice.ck.page/a60929dee9

Crown & Serpent: A Fate of Eyrinthia Novella by Heather Frost ~ Excerpt and Giveaway!

 

Crown and Serpent: A Fate of Eyrinthia Novella by Heather Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: Received to Review

Genre: Fantasy

Book Description:  All she wanted . . .

Seventeen-year-old Iris Winn loves her quiet life with her father, studying the poisons that fascinate them both. But after his sudden death, Iris is now the ward of her estranged aunt and uncle. In order to claim her inheritance, she must live in the capital city of Lenzen for one year. While there, she must attend parties, balls, and participate in every other vapid thing the elite of Ryden value. Iris doesn’t care about learning their rules or joining their ranks–her only goal is to endure the next year. Then she meets Prince Henri Kaelin.

Everything they demanded . . .

Every young woman in Lenzen wants Henri–except for Iris. Unfortunately, the prince only has eyes for her. The king has decreed that Henri must choose a bride before his birthday, and Iris is determined it won’t be her. Dodging a prince’s focused attention while placating her relatives and the rest of Ryden’s high society is exhausting–and more dangerous than Iris could have ever imagined. She is about to learn that not all games are innocent, and some smiles are more lethal than poison. Luckily, Iris is a quick study, and this is a game she is determined to win.

She would take it all.

*Crown & Serpent is a Fate of Eyrinthia prequel novella that’s actually the length of a novel. This villain origin story was released after Royal Rebel, but it can be read at any point in the series.*

My thoughts:  Iris and Henri, the couple that is easy to hate. In the "Fate of Eyrinthia" series I have wondered how two despicable people get together and raise their sons.

All my questions were answered and more. The problem was that I didn't hate them in the novella. I came to understand who they were and why they made the decisions they did. I actually sympathized with Iris in most of the novella. I actually felt sorry for her. It was actually easy to see her path to the amazingly evil person she would become. But, she didn't start out that way. She started as a young woman who loved her father and spent time with him studying poisons.

Henri was just a prince who hated his father and wanted the throne. Together, they bounced ideas around that would define their rule during the series.

If you love the series, you want, no need, to read this one. It explains so much!

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  (I've also pre-ordered a copy!)

Pre-order a copy for your Kindle.

Amazon

Read an Excerpt!

********************

Iris was tracking the movements of the soldiers who surrounded the king. After his speech, he’d ducked his head and spoken to his son in low, quick tones. Iris had a hard time looking away from Prince Henri. She was still reeling with the knowledge that he was the boy from the stable.

Henri’s expression was inscrutable as his father spoke to him, and Iris noted that he said little to the king. Was it a lecture, then? Iris had become quite familiar with them since meeting her relatives.

Finally, the king finished. He stepped back, and his guards were quick to surround him as he moved off the stage, clearly headed for the nearest vendor’s cart.

Henri stood there a moment, his guards at his back. Iris saw the way his fists clenched at his sides, but then his tension slowly released. He faced the crowd, his eyes sweeping the square—until he found her.

Iris’s skin tingled in a peculiar way as their gazes locked.

Slowly, his lips curved. It was a secretive smile, speaking to what they’d shared earlier. Her knees trembled slightly, though she had no idea why.

“Fates,” Anora breathed. “He’s looking right at you, Iris.”

Her aunt’s words snapped her back to reality. She looked away from Prince Henri, settling her attention on her relatives. Even Kell was gawking at her.

“Why is he looking at you?” Lillin asked, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know,” Iris said. And she honestly didn’t. She didn’t know why he looked so fascinated as he stared at her. She certainly didn’t understand why he was sharing a smile with her, or why he hadn’t told her the truth in the stable.

“Have you met before?” Anora asked, sounding a little strangled.

Before Iris could reply, her aunt’s eyes widened on a spot beyond her. “Fates, he’s coming this way.”

Iris’s belly knotted. She twisted to see that her aunt was right—Henri was already off the stage and moving right for them. 

“Stay calm,” Anora breathed to them all. “Kell, Lillin—not a word.”

Henri’s smile was full by the time he stopped in front of them, two guards flanking him. Everyone in the vicinity bowed, and Iris, Anora, and Lillin dipped into practiced curtsies.

Iris could feel many eyes on them, though Henri’s focus on her was especially tangible and unrelenting. “Lady Iris,” he greeted smoothly. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

She glanced up at him as she rose from her curtsy. “Indeed,” she said. It was all she could think to say. Her mind was utterly stalled.

The corner of his mouth twitched higher. “You seem a little less verbose than when we last spoke.”

The skin around Iris’s eyes tightened. “I probably said quite enough already, don’t you think?”

Anora paled. Lillin looked positively scandalized. Kell stiffened, and Sevlin shifted to stand just a little closer to Iris.

“Your Highness,” her uncle said. “I didn’t realize you knew my niece.”

Henri regarded Sevlin, and in the absence of his stare, Iris’s breathing evened out somewhat. “Our acquaintance is quite new, Lord Winn. We only met today.” Henri’s attention shifted back to Iris, and his smile widened. “To answer your question, Iris, no—I don’t think you said enough. I’m fascinated to learn more of your views on the world, though I’m afraid I have several obligations today that will keep me quite busy. Will you be at Lord Thatcher’s ball?”

Lillin’s mouth dropped open.

Anora’s eyes couldn’t possibly get any wider.

Iris knew she couldn’t count on them for help. She cleared her throat and focused back on the prince. “Yes, I will be in attendance.”

Henri grinned. “Excellent. I hope you’ll save your first dance for me.” He tipped his head, and without another word he strode away.

The Winn family watched him go, none of them saying a word.

It was Kell who finally broke the silence. “What by all the blasted fates was that?”

Though they all looked at her, Iris had no answers.

********************

About the Author:  Heather Frost is a #1 Amazon bestselling author who writes magical stories with breath-stealing romance. She is the author of the Seers trilogy, the Fate of Eyrinthia series, and Esperance. Her books have been Whitney Award and Swoony Award Finalists. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and call it homework. When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and re-watch Lord of the Rings. She lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains in northern Utah. To learn more about Heather and her books, visit her website: www.HeatherFrost.com.

Heather’s Social Media Links

Website * Instagram: Heather.Frost.Author * Facebook: @AuthorHeatherFrost * Goodreads * Book Bub * Join Heather’s Mailing List

Time for the Giveaway!

To celebrate Crown & Serpent coming out, Heather is giving away a signed paperback of Royal Decoy + collectible bookmarks and postcard!

Get all the details and enter here: https://www.instagram.com/heather.frost.author/

Follow all of the stops on the tour!

https://www.heatherfrost.com/post/crown-serpent-media-tour-schedule