Guest Promo (XCVIII) DRAGON KNIGHT’S AXE

 I am delighted to host Mary Morgan. You certainly remember her from Medieval Monday Tour that has just finished.  I warmly congratulate her for her latest release:

                     DRAGON KNIGHT’S AXE

Blurb:

Battled scarred, Dragon Knight, Alastair MacKay, has fled to the seas to separate himself from his powers that are connected to the land. Yet, when he rescues a woman from a slave trader in Ireland, he steps back inadvertently into a world filled with magic—taking on the role of protector and leading him on a journey to confront his greatest fears.

Research assistant, Fiona O’Quinlan loves translating ancient artifacts at Trinity College. When she falls asleep on an archeological dig, she awakens in another time. She soon discovers a Dragon Knight’s relic has been entrusted into her care. Determined to return the artifact to the Great Glen, Fiona is unprepared for the danger ahead—losing her heart and soul to Alastair “Beast” MacKay.

Will their love be strong enough to soothe the beast and heal the man? Or will Death swing its axe, leaving them lost for all eternity?

Excerpt:

He would get the truth out of her. She was now his. Bought and paid for.

His anger simmered just below the surface, and he allowed his eyes to flash with the fire of the dragon. Hearing her gasp, he smiled. Good, little bird. Fear me. Without giving her time to react, he swept her up and dumped her over his left shoulder, and strode to the ship.

He heard her sharp intake of breath, and then she started to pound against his back. “Put...me down,” she demanded.

“Nae.”

She started to kick, and he clenched his jaw in frustration. The little bird had talons. He responded with a smack to her bottom, but instead of removing his hand, he kept it against her soft curves. “I will put ye down when we are on my ship.”

She went completely still, and then she screamed.

Alastair dumped her onto the ground. “For the love of Brigid, did ye have to yell into my ear?”

Fiona rubbed at her bottom and then stood. “You beast,” she spat out at him. Jumping onto a nearby boulder, she looked directly into his eyes. “Don’t you ever touch me like that again.”

Alastair yanked her to his chest by her arms, his face mere inches from hers. “And what are ye going to do?” He watched as her eyes widened in alarm. Blue eyes that reminded him of the sky on warm summer days. Then his gaze traveled down to her lips, red as berries.

Instantly, his beast roared to life. Claim one kiss, Alastair.

“I will slit your throat,” she whispered.

Releasing his hold, his beast laughed, mocking him. He stared at her for a few moments before turning away. Stalking over to the ship, he climbed up the ladder.

****

Buy Links:

 Amazon     Wildrosepublishing

Readers and fans can  meet Mary here:

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Bio:

I am a constant daydreamer and have been told quite often to remove my head from the clouds.

Yet, this is where I find the magic to write my stories. Not only do I love to weave a good tale, but I have a voracious appetite for reading. I worked for Borders Books for almost fourteen years. Imagine my delight to be surrounded by so many books, talking to others about them, and getting paid.

Pure bliss!

I have traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. There are those who know me well when I say, “My heart is in the Highlands.” I believe I have left it there or maybe in Ireland.

When not writing, I enjoy playing in my garden—another place where magic grows. Of course, there is time spent with my family. They are the ones that keep me grounded.

 

Book Review (XXXIX) Marked for Magic

    

 Blurb

The witch mark on Nin’s hand is a curse. She has no magic powers, whatever the lore says. But the village believes. The old crone’s wisdom is to see her banished. Ragged and hungry, she must serve the Mage. Alone in his tower, she is his chattel. But Mage Thabit is not what Nin expected—the bright green eyes and supple form under his cloak are not the stuff of nightmares, and kindness hides in his brusque heart. Thabit senses that Nin is more than she seems, too. When true nightmares haunt the land, it is precisely her elusive powers that might deliver them…

Buy  link: Amazon

My Review

Ms. Banks has kept my interest from the first page to the last. Secrets, surprises, and prophecies. This is how I would sum up Marked for Magic. A fantasy romance that has captured my undivided attention with the entertaining love story between Ninian aka Nin and Mage Thabit. The plot is provocative, the characters are appealing,

“A grubby wench” is what the Mage calls Nin the first time he finds her on his doorstep. Thrown out of her village as she is considered a witch, Nin ‘s last hope for survival is  the Mage. “Only the Mage, this tower’s owner, stood between her and death in the forest.”

A frightening, arrogant man, with “eyes that gleamed like January lake water” is what  Nin considers the Mage to be when he allows her to enter his home.

But things will change little by little. With each passing day he realizes she is more than just a common peasant girl or a “foolish brat”. Her special powers may at some point even surpass his. This comes useful when evil forces will ensnare the realm.

Magic, romance, adventure are the story’s elements that kept me engrossed in the pages. And love at first sight, a feeling I believe in, makes it more relatable with Nin.  I am a great fan of stories with characters who prove their strength and indomitability,  and Nin and Thabit are such characters.  Marked for Magic is Nin’s quest of self discovery as a woman and as a  sorceress.

Lady Cassandra, Alicia  are also interesting characters who complete the story in a pleasant way.

The story is told in two POVs – Nin’s and Thabit’s. Both characters evolve along the story, they help each other grow and their forces unite and lead to the salvation of the realm from the darkness that enveloped it. I liked how the author built suspense.

I felt engaged and drawn into the mythical world of the story from the very first page. A story whose end will bring a smile to your face. Curl up with your copy of the Medieval suspense, Marked for Magic, today.  I highly recommend it if you want a well-written, pleasant story that will cheer you after a hard day. I was offered a complimentary copy of the book, by the author, with no obligations whatsoever. My Rating: