ARC Review: Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

4.5 Feathers

Lord's Fall

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 5)

LORD'S FALL is a great love story with a hint of Hunger Games element with some Civil War action. As usual, Thea Harrison did not disappoint. She has given her readers a chance to peak beyond Pia and Dragos’ Happy-Ever-After (HEA) and a glance at what’s up and up with the Wyr Demesne.

It has been 7 months since Pia and Dragos have mated. If you have been following the Elder Races series, you know that Pia and Dragos are expecting Peanut and she is now taking on the role of Dragos’ mate. Her first mission is to repair the Wyr and Elves demesne’s relationship. Turns out that she’ll be doing more than just fixing a demesne quarrels, she’ll also be in the middle of a civil war between the Elves and their Ancients. Unfortunately, she will be doing this mission on her own and away from her mate. It's something both she and Dragos must overcome.

Meanwhile, at The Callubre Towers, Dragos’ Seven Sentinels are down to five. His top two, Tiago has mated with the Dark Fae Queen, Nininane aka Trix and Rune has mated with Carling, the Vampyre Queen. The need to replace them was inevitable so Dragos held the Sentinel Games. That’s right boys and girls, there will be new characters to look forward to. The Sentinel Games are pretty awesome and watching Dragos do his public appearance without Pia was pretty cute. I like that Thea keeps his character at a constant. He’s still very powerful, rich, sexy, overprotective but very sweet to his mate. He is the reason I am addicted to this series.

It was brilliant how Ms. Harrison brought Dragos and Pia back even after their HEA in Dragon Bound. This just shows you, even in our fantasy world, an HEA still needs a lot of work to keep going. There are also a few new relationships that are rekindled, few that are obviously brewing to be something more and new friendships were formed. This hopefully ensures us more of this world. If you have not read Dragon Bound, I highly suggest you do so. Pia and Dragos' characters and relationship building started there and it’s a shame to miss their courtship. 

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Interview and Giveaway Thea Harrison

HAPPY RELEASE DAY and welcome back to UTC!  And congratulations Thea! You won the RITA for Paranormal Romance! What was going through your head when you learned the news? And where is your award sitting right at this moment?

Hi Angela, thank you! I knew I wasn’t going to win the RITA, so when they called my name I went into shock. At the rehearsal, they told us to write a speech even if we knew were weren’t going to win, so I had scribbled down a few notes on a piece of hotel stationary. But then I didn’t know what I did with the notes, so when I got up to take the award, I have no idea what came out of my mouth. It was only after I had sat down again that I discovered I had clutched my notes the whole time in one fist.

Right now, my two awards (the other for RT Book Review’s Book of the Year award) are sitting in a little corner of my dining room. I’m hoping to get a shelf to put them on so that they’re in a secure place.

What can you tell us about Hunter's Season?

Hunter’s Season is about Xanthe, a secondary character from Devil’s Gate, who is Dark Fae and works for the crown. More specifically, she works for Tiago, who is the Dark Fae Queen Niniane Lorelle’s chief of security and mate (main characters from Storm’s Heart). The hero is the Dark Fae Chancellor Aubrey Riordan (also from Storm’s Heart).

I was excited to tell this story because it gave me—and will give the reader—a chance to catch up with what is happening in Adriyel. Also, as characters, Aubrey and Xanthe really spoke to me. I was delighted to be able to tell their story. This is the fourth Elder Races novella and closes down the story arc I started with the first novella, True Colors.

A little birdie told us that Jenn LeBlanc's awesome photography skills were used in the Hunter's Season cover. What are your thoughts on the cover?

The cover is so much fun! I love the autumn colors, and the Dark Fae male is awesome. Kudos and thanks to Angela Waters, who is the cover artist, and to Jenn and her model Karl for providing such awesome material. It was fun to squee with Jenn when she realized that her stock photo had been used!

What can you tell us about the future of The Elder Races Series/novella?

I am very excited to have just completed the draft of book six, which is Aryal’s story. I’m calling it a “hate sex buddy movie love story type thing.” There’s lots of action, surprises character development, and I think some real laugh out loud moments. Now I’m turning my attention to a proposal for book seven, and I’m excited to start getting my ideas down for that project!

As for the Elder Races novellas, I have no plans to pursue more at this point in time. I’m going to concentrate on the full length novels and developing other projects.

You are set to release a new series called Game of Shadows. The first book is called RISING DARKNESS.  Where did you get the idea for this series and how will this series differ from the Elder Races?

The Game of Shadows series is actually a duology, and there are no plans to develop this further than the two books. I actually got the original idea before the Elder Races series ever came along (goodness I think it’s been something like seven years ago now!!). The first incarnation was not good, not good at all. After developing it for some time, it stalled, and I set it aside.

Then a few years later I looked at it again, and I realized two things—the first was how bad parts of it were, and the second was that there was some really good stuff in it as well.

I reworked the project and eventually Berkley offered for it, and now I’m thrilled that we have some release dates on the books. It’s been a long time coming.

The books have a strong urban fantasy feel to them, and the mythology is highly developed but it doesn’t have the same Earth as in the Elder Races world. There are four POVs, including the antagonist, so the total “feel” of the stories is quite different.

What does your writing schedule look like? How many hours do you write in a day?

My writing schedule has been very hectic since I signed my first Berkley contract, which is exciting, because I’m thrilled to have the work! As for how many hours a day, that tends to vary. On Saturday I put in close to sixteen hours as I pushed to finish the draft of book six—but that’s a bit unusual. Usually my schedule is dictated by what kind of deadline I’m facing at the time.

Are you a neat freak!? What does your writing space look like?

At the moment, my writing space is a mess because I haven’t cleaned up from this deadline. Usually I start out quite neat with a project and things go gradually downhill from there. When I finish that project, I clean my work space and get ready to do it all again.

What's the best book you've read lately? Or what books would you recommend to readers?

I’m currently reading Patty Brigg’s Fair Game. I adore her work and highly recommend her.

Quick-fire questions!

Favorite supernatural creature?
Right now, my favorite are the Djinn.

Favorite author?
Can’t. Don’t have just one. Recently, though I’ve been wanting to reread some Katherine Kurtz.

Favorite book?
Can’t. Don’t have just one. I just…. can’t. But I will say that when I was a child, I read Black Beauty something like eleven times, and I think I cried every time.

Favorite place to read?
Sprawled on my couch, with my dogs.

Thank you for having me again! It’s been a lot of fun to visit with you!

Thea Harrison
http://theaharrison.com/
Twitter @TheaHarrison
www.facebook.com|TheaHarrison

Duty. Devotion. Desire. When fate brings two isolated people together, love is in the cards.

As a palace guard and assassin for the Dark Fae, Xanthe always wore a mask, hiding her emotions to do her duty. But when her identity is compromised, she trades undercover work for guarding Queen Niniane—a position that often brings her in contact with Chancellor Aubrey Riordan.

Aubrey’s trust is shattered. A year ago his wife tried to assassinate their new queen in his name, a betrayal of everything he believes in. And now an attack on his life is proof the dark conspiracy is not yet over. Although injured and weak, Aubrey can’t help but be drawn to this shy assassin and loyal protector. Xanthe is everything Naida wasn’t, and the passion she stirs in him is something he thought had long passed him by.

Warning: Take a man recovering from an assassination attempt, the assassin sworn to protect him, add in a magical Tarot card deck and an isolated cabin, and watch the sparks fly!

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ARC Review: Hunter's Season by Thea Harrison

Hunter's Season

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 4.7)

 

Thea Harrison did a great job with this novella.  She has brought a happy-ever-after to two secondary characters from two different books: Xanthe, the assassin from Devil’s Gate and Chancellor Aubrey Riordan from Storm’s Heart.  After their parts from the previous books, it was nice to see a closure for these two characters.  And to boot, the mystery of the tarot cards that seemed responsible for the story we were getting is finally unveiled.  It is sad to say that the tarot cards are now put rest and Thea will now concentrate on the regular length novels.  Bitter sweet, but hey, no complaints here.

After completing an important task for Tiago, Xanthe is now working for Niniane.  She works in close proximity with Aubrey, whom she had her eye on for a while now.  If you remember, Aubrey, he was next in line for the throne, if Niniane didn’t step up.  Aubrey is in the process of healing his broken heart after losing his wife, Naida.  She was killed after her attempt to kill Niniane as she was to take the throne, crazy bitch.  Of course, working side by side, Aubrey starts noticing Xanthe’s presence.  It was adorable to see them steal glances at each other.  Their curiosity with each other intensifies as Aubrey’s life was threatened and they are forced to stay in even closer proximity.  Sneaky-sneaky Ms. Harrison, I mean Trix!

I love Aubrey, he is calm, collected, smart, rich, handsome…debonair!!!  And Xanthe is no push over, she is a strong heroine.  It was cute to read about what went on in their heads as they start to notice and stare at each other.  It was an insta-love but as I said over and over, Ms. Harrison does a wonderful job putting love, action, plot and a good ending in an itty-bitty short story.

We also get a good bit of Niniane and Tiago in this short story.  They are as we left them;  Tiago every bit protective and sweet towards Niniane.  And our Trix, is a bit more subdue, now that she’s a queen and all.  But you can still see the quirkiness in her. I do have to mention a cute little Wry House Cat named Mouse...ADORABLE.  Not much was said about her, a little background but not much to go on after that.  I am hopeful that we will see her again; after all, the Elder Races are somehow connected with each other.

As I mentioned earlier, there are no plans to continue this side series (the Elder Races novellas)…as of now.  Ms. Harrison plans to focus on the regular length books for the Elder Races and a new series called “Rising Darkness (Game of Shadows, #1)”, great things to look forward to, for sure.

Overall, another job well done by Thea Harrison.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Covers to Covet

Steel's Edge

by Ilona Andrews

(The Edge # 4)

Last installment in the Edge series!

Available

November 27, 2012

Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Hunter's Season

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 4.7)

Available

September 18, 2012


One Dom to Love
by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob and Isabella LaPearl

  Look for this title either late August / early September
This will be the first in a new and very different series!

ARC Review: Devil's Gate by Thea Harrison

Devil's Gate

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races #4.6)

Best of the Elder Races Novella yet!!! For such a short story, this book has a lot of content. I am very happy with this book. I feel as if Ms. Harrison read my mind and gave me what I wanted. This book had it all; good recap, good flow of writing, humor, romance, and glimpses of my favorite characters.

Dr. Seremela Telemar is our heroine and a fine one at that. We first see her in Storm’s Heart then Serpents Kiss, both playing a role using her medical expertise. In this book, she takes time off for personal reasons. Her niece, Vetta had run away and she is on a mission to bring her back (Vetta, by the way is the same girl who had stolen the tarot cards from the bus at the end of the last novella, Natural Evil). Brave and independent as she is, Seremela’s plan is to save her all by her lonesome.

However, our alpha hero will not let her go by herself. The Sexy, rich, debonair Duncun Turner is hard to turn away. He is the very same progeny/lawyer who works for Carling and Rune. Knowing of his underlying attraction for Seremela, this hero will go out of his way to travel with her to Devil's Gate, save the day and fall in love while doing so.

As I said, in my opinion this is the best of the novellas yet. I enjoyed every bit of the plot and romance. Seremela and Duncan new exactly what they wanted and as adults, just went for it, with priorities taken care of. Ms. Harrison also did a wonderful job on making Seremela feminine in appearance instead of the ugly perceptions medusas are given. The long adorable snakes that went down to her hips are what did it for me.

And what I loved the most is how the past characters/plot were indirectly wrapped around this story. We had direct contacts with the main characters from the full-length books. Ms. Harrison gave us bits of Rune and Julian. We also hear of current situations of Carling/Rune and Niniane/Tiago.

There's also a lot of new names that came up. But two stood out for me. A djinn named Malphas and Xanteh Tenanye, very intriguing characters. and I'm betting we'd see more of them later. I can't wait to see what Ms Harrison will have for us in the next installments.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Happy Birthday Thea Harrison

It's Thea Harrison's Birthday

and she's celebrating it with you!

Check out the details of what you have to do and what you can win, directly from her blog!

Click here!

ARC Review + Giveaway: Natural Evil by Thea Harrison

Natural Evil

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 4.5)

Thea Harrison has done it again! The Drool Worthy cover of this book is true to its promise of a hot hero! Ms. Harrison definitely did just that, delivered us another sexy hero and a kick ass heroine to add to the Elder Races world.

Claudia Hunter, a retired Special Forces Major, accidentally found a beaten, barely alive dog in the middle of the dessert. With her compassion, Claudia is determined to save him and find out what happened to him.

Luis Alvaraz, a Wyr Mastiff shifter was as determined to survive himself. After all, he had unfinished business to take care of. His condition was not accidental but deliberate by locals whom he was investigating. With very little choice, he had to trust the stranger to protect him until he heals.

Cladia and Luis are great together. They are both strong minded, have Military background, obvious leaders yet did not clash with each other. Instead, they accepted each other as they are. I love their immediate urge to protect one another. Though Ms. Harrison brought us a hot alpha male hero, I have to say that Claudia had totally taken the show. She took control of every situation and protected her man. She is definitely a “cougar” worthy of a hot young Wyr. I found that most of the heroines in the Elder Races’ have that quality that I cannot get enough of.

The connections to the characters from the previous books were minimal which I was hoping to see more of. But both H/h has past/present that are connected to the Elder Tribunal Demesne and I am hoping this will not be the last we see of Luis and Claudia.

Favorite Quote:Claudia:
~"I'm going to name you Precious"
~"I might have to get him a rhinestone collar...he'd look good in pink".
~"Luis was not just sex on a popsicle stick"

*ARC provided by publisher

Ms. Harrison has a e-copy of Natural Evil for one lucky Maiden!

To enter:

1. Be a follower

2. Fill out the form below

Interview and Giveaway with Thea Harrison!

Hi Maidens! We've got a great author here at Under the Covers for you today! If you haven't read Thea Harrison's Elder Races series, then be sure to put her on your to-be-read list. The series has really taken off and many people (including us!) are enjoying it. For more information about Thea and her books, please visit her website here. Now please help us welcome Thea Harrison to Under the Covers! Let's show her how maidens do it!

Welcome to Under the Covers, Thea!

Hi, thanks so much for having me on your blog today! I’m excited to be here!

What plans do you have for the Elder Races? Who will be our next hero and how many more books can we expect?

At this moment, I am contracted for six books with Berkley/Penguin. Who knows what will happen after that? But be sure that I will tweet on Twitter and post on Facebook any news as it happens!

March has a lot of wonderful stuff going on. In book four out on March 6th, Oracle’s Moon, there is the human Grace and the Djinn Khalil, who people met in book three. Also I have a second Elder Races e-novella out on March 20th with Samhain, and that is entitled “Natural Evil.” The novella focuses on two totally new characters, the human heroine Claudia and a Wyr named Luis.

Book five, Lord’s Fall, follows Dragos and Pia again. As for book six, I’m currently awaiting confirmation before moving ahead. There are a couple of strong choices, and I’ll be delighted to write any of them.

A lot of your readers are waiting for Aryal to have her own book! Any hints for us on who she will be with?!

Sorry, no hints on this one! But I can assure you, both Aryal and her hero are going to have many WTF moments. Of course anyone with Aryal would live their lives as a constant WTF, so I’m not sure that’s actually saying anything.

In Oracle’s Moon, it sounds like Rune and Carling are starting a new empire in Florida. Do they have any solid plans?

Rune and Carling do actually have plans that have, for them, solidified over time. They are building a life, and since they are extraordinary people, I fully expect that they will continue to live extraordinary and not entirely comfortable lives.

Will Dragos and Rune make up!?

Dragos and Rune have a lot of movement in their relationship. :)

We know your daughter is expecting a baby soon. CONGRATULATIONS!!! If you were to have a baby shower for her and can invite any character(s) who would it be and why? (The characters can be from your books or any other books you can think of!)

Thank you! And what a fabulous, creative question! I think I would enjoy inviting Pia and Tricks/Niniane. I can see those two women throwing themselves enthusiastically into making the shower a wonderful experience.

Out of all the heroes you’ve written, who do you want to keep for yourself?

See, the thing is, they live in my head so I get to keep all of them.

Out of all the heroines you have written, who is the closest to you in personality?

Wow, I don’t know. It’s another great question. I have a serious, contemplative side like Carling and Alice (Serpent’s Kiss and True Colors), a cranky side like Grace (Oracle’s Moon), a snarky side like Pia (Dragon Bound and Lord’s Fall), and a silly feminine side like Tricks (Storm’s Heart). And I sure wish I could kick butt like Claudia can (Natural Evil).

Is your writing space cluttered or clean? Do you have a special place where you go to write? Any visual would be nice.

I write in an office environment. Right now I have a computer work station, an office chair, and a bookshelf—and a nice comfy dog bed for my writing partners Phoebe and Charlie. Fairly soon I’m going to add a treadmill desk to the arrangement, because I simply cannot continue to sit as much as I presently do. Usually my office space is fairly neat, but when I’m meeting a deadline it can get pretty cluttered. Then I clear it all out and start all over again.

If you could shift into anything, what would it be and why?

This answer changes for me according to my mood. Today, I’m influenced by the cold weather, and I definitely would choose to be a bear, with lots of warm fur and a den to sleep in for as long as I like.

What’s next for Thea Harrison?

Fun question! I am inching closer to nibbling at a contemporary story, to switch things up a bit, and last week I just received word that the first book in the two-book contract I have with Berkley (outside of the Elder Races series) is currently slated for a publication date of April 2013. I’m quite excited about that! As soon as we have settled on a title, I’ll be sure to tweet and post more about this.

Thanks again for having me today! It’s always a pleasure to visit with you!

I have a question for readers: which hero from a romance or movie would you pick to be yours, and why? (This doesn’t have to be anyone in my series—please pick other heroes from other writers!)

Thea Harrison is graciously giving one lucky Maiden (US/CAN)  their choice of one copy of DRAGON BOUND, STORM’S HEART or SERPENT ’S KISS.

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2. Answer Thea's question in the comments, be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you!