Tag Archives: Black Blade

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

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Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

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Bright Blaze of MagicAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I’m good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families–and kill every last Sinclair. What they don’t know is that I’m on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I’ve got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

 

Review:

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep is the 3rd book in her Black Blade series. Each book in this series just keeps getting better and better.  I love this series by Estep, as it is non stop action, very exciting, tense and exhilarating.  Lila Merriweather is a fantastic heroine that rivals Estep’s other fabulous heroine, Gin Blanco.  What are the chances that an author can create two fantastic heroines in both of their series….Jennifer Estep does it. 

We return to Cloudburst Falls, the place where those with magic and monsters rule.  In Bright Blaze of Magic, Lila not only has admitted her feelings for Devon, but she is now fully a member of the Sinclair Family. She has made amends with Deah, the daughter of the evil Victor Draconi, who in the last book, learns that she is her cousin.  Deah will help Lila, Devon and Feliz enter the Draconi mansion to steal the dreaded black blades that is filled will stolen magic. Lila also works closely with Claudia, who is Devon’s mom and the leader of the Sinclair Family. Together they will double up protection to move the blades again to another area that even Devon won’t know.

But when Victor Draconi attacks all the Cloudburst Falls families at an annual dinner, all hell breaks loose, with many members of all the other families being slaughtered.  Claudia and most of the upper members of the Sinclair Family are captured, with only Lila, Devon and Felix escaping.  It is a race against time to rescue Claudia and the others before Victor forces her to reveal where the blades are, and then kills her.

Lila will work with Deah to find where they are hiding them, and together with Devon and Felix they devise a plan to rescue them.   Will Claudia survive?   Will Lila be able to fool the Draconi’s and rescue her friends? 

What follows is an awesome thrilling last half of the book that had us holding our breaths.  I had to know what happens, and ended up staying up late to finish the book.  I will not give any spoilers, but what happens was absolutely mind-boggling as we watched the evil Victor try to destroy Lila, as he had done years before to her mother.  Lila must pull out every trick she has learned, and then some.  This was a pulse pounding, tense, wildly exciting battle. Who will win this fight?

I will say that Jennifer Estep has given us a fantastic fast paced story, which I finished in one day.  I love Devon and Lila together. I love that Deah and Lila get closer, as a family.  I got a kick out of the shirt both Lila and Deah were wearing mentioning the Pork Pit being the best barbeque (it is part of the Elemental Assassin series). LOL

I cannot wait to see what else Jennifer Estep has in store for us. Lastly, this series is considered YA, but trust me when I say it is a wonderful read for all of you who love Urban Fantasy. If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so now.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Giveaway

Jennifer is offering a paper copy of BRIGHT BLAZE OF MAGIC to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Jennifer Estep on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Giveaway open to USA only.

8. Giveaway runs from April 26 –  May 01, 2016

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Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

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Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

 

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Dark Heart of MagicAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository  / Audible link

Description:
Something Wicked This Way Comes…

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there’s no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he’s my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what’s supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious “accidents,” it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone’s going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing’s for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else…

 

 

Review:

Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep is the 2nd book in her urban fantasy Black Blade series. This is a YA series, but it truly is a series for everyone. Once again I am happy to say that Jennifer Estep has done it again, with another fabulous story. Now that I have completed the second book of this series, I am sure that my comment in the first review is correct.   Lila Merriweather, our heroine, is a young Gin Blanco (Elemental Assassin series), and if you love that series, then run quickly to pick up the first book, Cold Burn of Magic, and follow it up with this book. I love everything that Jennifer Estep writes, and I am thrilled with this series, and all the wonderful characters she has created.

In Dark Heart of Magic, the story continues as Lila is now Devon’s bodyguard, and secretly works behind the scenes to find out more information on the Sinclair family’s enemy, Victor Draconi. The Draconi’s are a very powerful family, with lots of magical ability, and Victor wants to control all the families. We did learn in the first book that it was Victor, who had killed Lila’s mom years before. Claudia Sinclair is the leader of the Sinclair family, and she is the only one who knows the total truth about Lila, her past and what she is secretly doing.

The annual Tournament of Blades is upcoming, and Lila is shocked to find out that she has been selected to be one of the representatives in the tournament for the Sinclair family.  Devon is also competing, as is. Deah Draconi, who is Victor’s daughter. She will be defending her title from last year, and is expected to win again.

The relationship between Devon and Lila remains mute, even though Devon constantly shows Lila how he cares about her. He is forced to act as friends, since Lila wants nothing more. She knows she is falling for Devon, but just wants to do her job, and eventually leave Cloudburst Falls. So becoming serious with Devon is not an option for Lila; even if it becomes harder each passing day.

Before the tournament begins, Devon and Lila discover that someone is murdering tree trolls (one of many types of monsters in this series). Lila using her powers, to “see” the horrific death of the tree troll, and all the blood, but the mystery is on as to why and who.

The tournament begins, as Lila and Devon move up, but in a short time someone is sabotaging the tournament, forcing some competitors to bow out injured, as well as murdering one of the competitors.   As the tournament reaches the final stage, Lila is forced to make a decision that will affect the outcome. At the same time, the murderer begins to up the game, and Lila will put herself in danger to try to prevent another murder. The mystery of the trolls, and the murder comes full force.

Without telling too much more, the ending was a wildly exciting and tense climatic finish that answers all the questions, but will Lila survive?

In the first book we learn about who Lila’s mother is, and what she has to do with the Sinclair family. In Dark Heart of Magic, we learn a lot more; what we learn will change the game going forth, as there were many revelations. This is a great series, with a wonderful cast of characters, such as Lila, Devon, Felix, Claudia, Mo, Oscar, Deah; as well as villains you love to hate, such as Victor and Blake. This book was very exciting, fun, suspenseful, action-packed in a fantasy world of magical families and monsters; but most of all it belongs to Lila and Devon, whom we hope will continue to move forward in their relationship. I am excited about the next book, as so much was revealed. Jennifer Estep always entertains us with her wonderful stories, and amazing characters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

 

 

giveaway

Jennifer is offering a paper copy of DARK HEART OF MAGIC to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Jennifer Estep on Facebook

4. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on TSU

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open to USA only.

9. Giveaway runs from October 26 – 30, 2015

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Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

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Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep – Review & Giveaway

 

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Cold Burn of MagicAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
There Be Monsters Here. . .

It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call–get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her. .

 

 

Review:

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep is the 1st book in her new YA Black Blade series. When I found out that Estep was writing a new YA series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I devoured this book in one day, and am thrilled to say Jennifer Estep has another winner. I loved loved Cold Burn of Magic. For those of you who are not into YA, I think you would enjoy this series, since to me this book can be enjoyed by adults also.

The wonderful thing about Estep’s writing is that she creates some fabulous characters. One of the best heroines is Gin Blanco from her Elemental Assassins series. Cold Burn of Magic will introduce a wonderful new heroine, who can be a young version of Gin Blanco.

Lila Merriweather is our heroine and what a great one. Lila has lived alone for many years, after her mother was murdered. She lives in a hidden room in the basement of a library, and makes decent money being a thief, stealing from the rich for her family friend, Mo.  Cloudburst Falls is a magical town run by the powerful magical families. There are a number of families that are competitive with each other, but work together to control humans. Lila tries to steer clear of these families, since becoming noticed would be dangerous.

While at Mo’s shop, Lila finds herself helping three people from an attack. In doing so, she unhappily is forced to take a job with the Sinclair family. Lila will be guarding Devon, our hero, which creates emotional turmoil for her, as it brings back memories of her mother.  

What follows is an exciting and wonderful story of Lila discovering life with the powerful and rich Sinclair family, and her growing feelings for Devon, whom she likes but wants no part of any relationship. We get to meet other families, especially the evil Draconis family. There are also unseen monsters to keep your distance from. There are many twists and turns, as well as betrayals that Lila will be in the forefront to protect Devon. I can’t tell too much more, as it would be spoilers. I was hooked in this story from the start, and could not put it down. The last half of the book was pulse pounding, as Lila had to face so many obstacles. As we raced toward the end, there were some surprises.

Cold Burn of Magic was a fascinating read, and I cannot wait for the next book. Jennifer Estep is a wonderful writer, who creates great stories and fantastic characters. I loved Lila, Devon, Felix, Oscar and Claudia. The world-building in this story was so well done, it flowed seamlessly. Thank you Jennifer Estep for this wonderful new series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

BLUEANDYELLOWGIVEAWAY

Jennifer’s Publisher is graciously offering an ARC of Cold Burn of Magic, a Bookmark and a Pen to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please Follow Jennifer Estep on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to US & Canada only

9. Giveaway runs from April 5 to 10, 2015

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