Tag: romance

Book Review: The Du Lac Devil by Mary Anne Yarde

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DuLacDevilAction-packed, tightly plotted historical fantasy/ romance

About the Book

Publisher’s description (courtesy of Goodreads): War is coming to Saxon Briton. As one kingdom after another falls to the savage might of the High King, Cerdic of Wessex, only one family dares to stand up to him — The Du Lacs. Budic and Alden Du Lac are barely speaking to each other, and Merton is a mercenary, fighting for the highest bidder. If Wessex hears of the brothers’ discord, then all is lost. Fate brings Merton du Lac back to the ancestral lands of his forefathers, and he finds his country on the brink of civil war. But there is worse to come, for his father’s old enemy has infiltrated the court of Benwick. Now, more than ever, the Du Lac must come together to save the kingdom and themselves. Can old rivalries and resentments be overcome in time to stop a war?

Book Facts

  • Format: ebook
  • No. of pages: 393
  • Publication date: 6th December 2016
  • Genre: Historical Fantasy, Historical Romance

My Review (3.5 out of 5)

This is the second book in Mary Anne Yarde’s The Du Lac Chronicles series.  I haven’t read the first book and I did find it difficult at first to work out who everyone was, who was related to whom and how and what the different political factions were. So I would probably recommend readers to start with the first book in the series to get more of the back story on the characters.

Having said that, I enjoyed the book and thought the author did a great job of blending her imaginary world with the limited historical fact and the more extensive fable surrounding King Arthur, Lancelot, etc.   There was no attempt at period language which I think is probably wise as this is often unsuccessful although there were a couple of occasions when some very modern sounding phrases jarred such as ‘Come on, sunshine, time to wake up’ and ‘This could all go pear-shaped at any minute’.

The book focuses on Merton, the youngest of the sons of Lancelot du Lac, who has built up a fearsome reputation as a mercenary.   His rumoured ‘devilish’ actions are actually the key to his success as a mercenary but of course there is usually more than one side to a person’s character.   The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. There are secret alliances, plots and counter-plots, intrigues and acts of violence driven by ambition, revenge, love and betrayal.   At times, it became a little taxing to keep up with all the changes of alliances and revelations. Into the heady mix is woven romance as Merton finds himself the object of more than one woman’s affection.  Can the Du Lac Devil be tamed?

The author has created a thoroughly entertaining story, a blend of historical fiction, fantasy and romance, with plenty of loose ends that could be picked up in future books.

I received a review copy courtesy of Xpresso Book Tours and the author in return for an honest review.

To buy a copy of The Du Lac Devil from Amazon.co.uk, click here (link is provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme)

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In three words: Fast-paced, entertaining, romance

Try something similar…Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff

MaryAnneYardeAbout the Author

Mary Anne Yarde is an award winning author of the International Bestselling series — The Du Lac Chronicle. Born in Bath, England, Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury – the fabled Isle of Avalon – was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood. At nineteen, Yarde married her childhood sweetheart and began a Bachelor of Arts in history at Cardiff University, only to have her studies interrupted by the arrival of her first child. She would later return to higher education, studying equine science at Warwickshire College. Horses and history remain two of her major passions. Yarde keeps busy raising four children and helping run a successful family business. She has many skills but has never mastered cooking–so if you ever drop by, she (and her family) would appreciate some tasty treats or a meal out!

Author links:

Website: http://maryanneyarde.blogspot.co.uk/p/about.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryanneyarde

Blog Tour: In the Eyes of an Angel by Kimberly Livingston

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ITEOAABlogTour

I am delighted to be today’s host for this blog tour and bring you an excerpt from Kimberly’s novel, In the Eyes of an Angel. Thank you to Kimberly for a copy of her book.

ITEOAAAbout the Book

Camille Ryan is in her final year at Southern State University. Working as a bartender in a local establishment in order to support herself, she knows from her mother’s experience with her alcoholic father not to depend on anyone. That is until travelling businessman Rick Pantanelli decides to visit her bar. He is a handsome, well-off, successful professional – and her senior by a full 17 years.  Camille is used to doing everything  expected of her but when she meets Rick she is swept away by his good looks, his charm and his ability to take care of her. Rick is used to getting what he wants. But when he meets Camille, he is swept away by her beauty and her inner fragility. He finds himself believing he can take care of her. Is this belief strong enough to make him a better man?

Book Facts

  • Format: ebook
  • No. of pages: 214
  • Publication date: 26th July 2013
  • Genre: Romance

To buy a copy of In the Eyes of an Angel from Amazon.com, click here
To buy a copy of In the Eyes of an Angel from Amazon.co.uk, click here

Excerpt from In the Eyes of An Angel

Camille gathered her coat and purse from under the bar and said goodnight to Patrick. She lifted the heavy counter door and ducked under it. When she looked up she saw that Rick was already heading for the door. Her heart sank and she had no idea why. This man was a patron, he was older by more than a few years, he was outside her class, and she just about bumped into him in the hall as she was rounding the door. He had waited for her just outside.

‘I was hoping we could continue our…visit some place quieter’, he said.

However, Camille had had just enough time to think as she watched him walk away. The moment of time was enough to talk sense into herself and wake up from the dream she seemed to have been in.   ‘Thank you, I better be going home. I have a test in the morning that I haven’t really studied for yet. It was really nice talking to you though‘, she added with sincerity. She was breaking her own heart and she knew it.

‘That’s fine. It has been nice to have some company. Good night then’, Rick replied stiffly. He was not used to being turned down, ever, for anything. He turned and headed for the elevators.

Camille walked into the cold night, got in her car and started the engine. It was freezing and it would take half the drive home for the heater to warm up enough to be turned on. The thirty mile drive was along Highway 13, a dark road that rarely had cars on it, especially at night. About five miles from the hotel there was a stoplight for a side road that invariably (regardless of time of night or lack of any cars) would turn red so that Camille would sit there, night after night, for what seemed like five minutes until it would turn green and let her pass. She had often thought of running the light, or stopping, looking in all directions, and cautiously creeping through it. She never did. Was it fear that she would get caught? Fear that somehow a car would come speeding through and cream her? She always came up with the same answer, and it disgusted her, though she didn’t seem to be able to break from its spell. She never ran the red light because it was against the law and she had been very well trained to do exactly what was right, to walk the straight and narrow.

The light was green.

Camille’s car began to slow anyway, due to habit or something taking over from within, she did not know. She turned her blinker on and pulled a U-turn in the intersection and drove back towards the Holiday Inn.

When she got back to the hotel she went to the front desk and asked for Rick Pantanelli’s room number. She tried to ignore the look on the desk-boy’s face. He gave it to her, probably because she worked there, and she went to the elevator. Camille contemplated taking the stairs, which is what she generally would have done, but she was having a hard enough time breathing without the five flights. The ride up seemed to take an eternity and on more than one occasion she thought about pushing a lower floor number, getting off and going back downstairs. She didn’t.

When Camille got to the right room she hesitated. “What am I doing?” a warning voice from deep within tried to creep its way into her mind. Before she paid attention to it Camille knocked on the door.

To find out what happens next, you’ll have to buy the book!

Kimberly About the Author

Kimberly Livingston visited Disneyland for the first time as a young girl. Since then the magic has infused into her blood and she remains an avid Disney fan! She lives in Colorado with her own Prince Charming. In the Eyes of an Angel is Kimberly’s first published novel.  On A Run is her second novel.

Author links:
Website http://kimberlylivingstonnovels.weebly.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kimberlylivingston.novels Follow Kimberly on Twitter https://twitter.com/KLnovels
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7127462.Kimberly_Livingston