DESPERATE MAGIC by Rebecca York

Publisher: Carina Press

Date published: July 1st, 2013

ISBN: 978-14268-9578-4

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

E-book

Reviewed by Helen

Obtained via publisher.

Book three of The Chronicles of Arandal

When Willow’s sister, Rowan, fled from Valleyhold and became Queen of Arandal, their parents worked hard to regain their pace in Valleyhold society. But Willow refused to betray her sister’s memory and was ostracized. Now she’s receiving intermittent messages from Rowan asking her to come to Arandal and help her sister.

Dragon shape-shifter Cullendor is prepared to help Willow escape so he can learn about humans. He decides being a king would be a great career. But even getting there isn’t easy.

Ever since I read the previous book in this series I’ve been waiting for the next story in this amazing world. Magic, shapeshifters, a kind of medievalish fantasy world all mixed together with the timeless pattern of people overcoming difficulties and falling in love.

Willow is a mixture of naïve innocent virgin, and independence, plus stubborn determination to help her sister. Cullendor is in a different world from his home and has to make sense of everything here, as well as carve out a place for himself all while staying alive. His motives are confused and mixed, but that makes him seem very human.

Plus we gain a glimpse of previous heroines and heroes working at making their happy ever afters continue to have meaning and relevance.

Great world building, amazing characters, good pacing, nice plot twists. It’s easy to see why this author is so popular and this book is a worthy continuation of the series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

Check Out What We Learned About Rebecca York!

How would you describe yourself using only five words?

Creative, persistent, workaholic, unconventional, extraverted

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Starbucks Frappuccinos, shopping for clothing I don’t need, feeding raccoons on the front porch.

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.

I like gristle better than meat.

How do you get yourself in the mood to write?

Fear. I have deadlines to meet. If it’s not for a publisher, then it’s for one of my indie books.

If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?

I would recommend DARK MOON. It’s one of my werewolf books. I have a thing for werewolves. For me they’re the epitome of the sexy alpha male.

DARK MOON is a transitional book for me, bridging my Berkley Moon series and my Decorah Security series, which is published by Light Street Press.  Cole Marshall is near the age of werewolf bonding and fighting his attraction for Emma Richards.  When Decorah Security sends them on a mission to rescue kidnap victim, Karen Hopewell, they’re forced to play the role of lovers with nothing on their minds but enjoying the pleasures of the Windward, an ocean liner converted to a floating resort for the rich and kinky.  It’s owned by millionaire Bruno Del Conte who runs the ship like his private kingdom.  Cole and Emma are threatened by a mutiny in progress and also by Del Conte’s security chief who digs into their backgrounds to find out who they really are and why they’re on board.  As Cole and Emma try to rescue Karen, they struggle with the intensity of the personal relationship neither of them thought they wanted.

 

SHATTERED MAGIC by Rebecca York

Publisher: Carina Press
Date published: 8/20/2012
ISBN: 978-14268-9423-7
Fantasy romance
E-book
Obtained via publisher
Reviewed by Helen


Rowan is engaged to a man only she knows is truly evil. To escape the marriage she flees her village and undertakes a difficult and dangerous journey away from her home and people.

Prince Grantland, heir to the kingdom of Arandal, has also run away from his home to give himself time and space to decide what he wants out of life.

They meet, are highly attracted to each other and face danger together. But both are hiding the secrets of their backgrounds which may shatter any bonds between them.

This is a very old plot line, however the story is set in such a different and enticing world, and with such enchanting and compelling characters, it becomes fresh and engaging. Aspiring authors and published authors wanting to improve their craft would do well to read this book and see how a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best-selling and award-winning author makes such a challenge look easy. In fact, a reader may absorb the story without even realizing what Ms. York has done.

Fantasy, magic, dragons, sexual tension and erotic lovemaking, combine with the excellent world building to draw the reader into the web of intrigue. Both Rowan and Grant are wonderful characters, fully developed even in such a short novel. The main characters are alone much of the time, which allows the author to devote all her word count to them and their story, an excellent technique for a shorter book.
There were only a couple of places where I wished for a little more detail, and it wasn’t until I finished the book that I discovered it was actually the second one in a series. I expect had I read the other book first I’d have had no questions at all. I will most definitely be reading the earlier book. I was enchanted by these characters and their world.

A really good book from every angle.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

DAY OF THE DRAGON by Rebecca York

Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Date published: December 2010
ISBN 9780425238189
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via publisher


Rebecca York’s DAY OF THE DRAGON is a romantic adventure with a paranormal twist.

Ramsey Gallagher is a dragon shifter who lost the ability to shift along with most of his psychic abilities when he defeated his evil twin from another dimension in battle. For years, he has been searching for his origins. Dr. Madison Dartmoor is in Las Vegas to present the findings from an archaeological dig she is undertaking in Italy, coincidentally in an area very close to where Ramsey was found wandering as a child. Ramsey’s search for his heritage brings him to Madison’s conference only to find that an attack at her dig site has forced Madison to cancel her presentation. Not one to give up, he follows Madison and ends up saving her from an apparent kidnapping. It seems that Ramsey isn’t the only one interested in the good doctor and her findings.

Rebecca York’s DAY OF THE DRAGON is a lightning fast paced paranormal romance with a good amount of action and adventure spread across Italy, Peru and the US. The characters are all multidimensional and intriguing. Madison was orphaned as a young child and has grown under the tutelage of her rich mentor and father-figure into a renowned archeologist. Ramsey seems like a little boy lost when he finds himself unable to shift to his dragon form and get the full use of psychic abilities. Yet, there is a solid sense of strength to him that attracts Madison and even though it should have seemed odd for her to go off with a man who is practically a stranger, it doesn’t. Even the lesser characters, Madison’s mentor, her assistant and the lead villain, are all well developed and draw reader’s interest. The archeological information as well as the history given in the story are well laid out and add a certain depth to the story.

The only real problem area of this book for this reader came at the end, after some of Ramsey’s problems are resolved and Madison becomes aware of the full extent of Ramsey’s truths. For such shocking things to be thrown at her like they were, she seems oddly accepting. Of course, she had been aware that Ramsey had some unusual psychic gifts, so perhaps the rest of the package isn’t as hard to believe as it could have been.

When all is said and done however, Rebecca York is a fascinating storyteller that really knows how to draw her readers into her stories and DAY OF THE DRAGON is no exception. Fans of romantic adventure with a paranormal twist are sure to enjoy this easy and intriguing read.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

ELEMENTAL MAGIC by Sharon Shinn, Rebecca York, Carol Berg and Jean Johnson

Publisher Penguin Books
Date published November 2007
ISBN 978-0-425-21786-3
Romantic Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn





In Air find romance; In Fire find adventure; In Water find fantasy; And in Earth discover ultimate pleasure!

Join four authors as they use the magical elements of Air, Water, Fire and Earth to tell magical stories from these four talented authors that will make you yearn for your own brand of ELEMENTAL MAGIC.

In Bargain with the Wind by Sharon Shinn, this author recreates the fabled Cinderella story that leaves you longing for more. Breathless and captivating this definitely kicks off this wonderful anthology. This reviewer was enthralled by Ms. Shinn’s retelling of the classic fairytale and made this reviewer look for more in her backlist.

In Birthright by Jean Johnson, you will be enthralled by this fresh new voice on the fantasy romance genre. I recently picked up one of her books and could not put it down! In Birthright, get ready to see how Earth delivers ultimate pleasure and find yourself lost in the world of Jean Johnson.

In Unmasking Carol Berg does a remarkable job in delivering a story that has a striking universe full of demons, magic and some of the hottest passion this reviewer has read so far. Ms. Berg definitely keeps the reader captivated with Unmasking and delivers a one-two punch with her fabulous world.

Finally in Rebecca York’s Huntress’s Moon, you find yourselves with werewolves and love slaves. What a perfect ending to a great anthology. This reviewer was enthralled from the beginning and definitely has to check out Ms. York’s books.

ELEMENTAL MAGIC is one wild and entertaining ride into the world of Fantasy Romance. If you love the magical ways of the elements, then you will be delighted with ELEMENTAL MAGIC. If you love fast paced stories, magical romance and fiery passion, then check out this well written anthology with four of the hottest stars in the Fantasy Romance World.