Narrator: Kirsten Potter
11 hrs. 25 min.
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published 6/5/15
Source: Hoopla/Library
Since the day Lord Dillon earned his spurs, rumors of his savagery on the battlefield have preceded him into every room, stilling tongues and sparking fear. Weary of battle, he wishes only to find a woman he can wed who will approach him not with fear, but with the tenderness that has been absent from his life for so long. Yet only the wisewoman seems invariably at ease in his presence. Perhaps because she garners the same fear in others that he does himself.
For seven years, Alyssa has been by Lord Dillon's side, counseling him from the shadows, healing him with her hands, and staving off the worst of his loneliness while his fearsome reputation keeps others at bay. Blessed--or cursed--with gifts that label her a sorceress, she is forced to conceal her youth and the love she harbors for him beneath umbral robes that lead Dillon and his people to believe she is the same aged wisewoman who served his father.
All is revealed, however, and passions flare when an enemy threatens Dillon's life and Alyssa sacrifices everything to save him. When Dillon discovers that the wisewoman is far from elderly, he is instantly entranced. And, as he and Alyssa work together to defeat an enemy bent on destroying them both, Dillon will risk anything--even the wrath of his king--to be with her.My thoughts:
I'm a fan of Dianne's other series, Immortal Guardians, so I had to pick this one up. It is an offshoot, a prequel series in a way to the Immortal Guardians which takes place in 1198. We do see Seth and Roland from the other series make an appearance so that made it a nice bridge between the two series. I also loved the way things slowly developed between the two and how both characters grew within each other's love. Not just one character had some self-esteem issues but both and the way they handled it made me smile. Alyssa is wise but yet naive, Dillon is forceful and yet vulnerable. I really liked how this played out between the two characters.
There is not just romance within the book. As with the other series, there is war and someone trying to get the better of our heroes. You get several action scenes so you are not left wanting in that area. I enjoyed the ending and like how things evolved. In one way the answer was too easy, in another way it made sense. I think I was satisfied in how it wrapped up and so I'm looking forward to listening to the next book.
Kirsten Potter did an excellent job of narrating the book. Her voicing of the different characters were well done and she also did a good job of being the crone as well as the young woman with Alyssa's character. She really brought the scenes to life. I also didn't mind her male voices at all.
I give this audio 4 stars. I enjoyed this world and can't wait to see more crossover as the series continues. I love getting little easter eggs in stories like this and really look for them. I recommend it to those that love PNR with a fantasy edge.
And this is what I made while listening to the audio:
Teardrop Sling Bag
pattern by RlR creations
Embroidery design by UrbanThreads
It features a flap pocket on one side, a pocket on the middle/narrow edge (I overlapped the design on the edge so it would be more hidden) and two pockets on the inside (same fabric on inside). The zipper pull was from my own stash. I didn't have a program to help me place the embroidery so there was a lot of nail biting...
Dang, girl! That is beautiful! So impressed. The book sounds good too. I've had her on my author tbr pile forever and a day. The audio might be the way for me to go :)
ReplyDeleteOh I think you'll love her Immortal Guardians!
DeleteWow, that bag is so beautiful ! I love the colors and the pattern ! I've been meaning to read The immortal guardians, but maybe it will be easier to catch up with that new series first :)
ReplyDeleteThx! You so need to read that series. It is separate so if you start with this one, I think you'll be fine.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous bag! I can't believe you made that, it is fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me as if this is one of those books that would make a great film. In fact looking at the cover puts me in mind of a cover promoting a movie.
ReplyDeleteLoving that bag, I wish I was as creative and capable when it comes to making such beautiful things.
Oh yea, I think this one would make a great film.
DeleteThanks and if I can do it...
Wow! That bag is gorgeous, I am so impressed. I love the embroidery. Aren't audiobooks fantastic?
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! I also love doing these to audios!
DeleteOoh, I reallyyy like the synopsis for this and have been searching for a good audiobook series to begins so I'm definitely going to be diving into this soon! Thanks for putting it on my radar, Melissa! :)
ReplyDeleteI do think you'd enjoy this one. Really has some fun historical/paranormal/romance to it. :)
Deleteso romance and action? that sounds like a lot of fun :D
ReplyDeleteIt is. I think you'd enjoy it!
DeleteDo you have an Etsy store?
ReplyDeleteYep. However, I don't have anything there at this time. Right now I'm making Christmas pressies. :) Hopefully soon (btw, the link is on the rt. hand column, first graphic).
DeleteYou made that bag??? I'm so impressed!
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Aw! Thanks!
DeleteWell hello there. I did not know Diane had this series as well...I need to grab it!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out a clip of the audio, because this does sound like a book I'd like in that format.
ReplyDeleteAwesome bag!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that she had another book like this one but it looks like a good one! I'll have to try one book by her!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful review, Melissa! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And what a beautiful bag!! I love the colors and the design!
ReplyDeleteI love it when characters that you like make cross over appearances in the new series! Glad you enjoyed this one Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that bag! If you make another I would totally buy it. That embroidery is stunning! Also, I love the hamsa pull. ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this author yet but this book sounds pretty exciting!
Oh this sounds like my kind of series! Thank you! And I could use that tear drop bag. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know she wrote anything else besides the Immortal Guardians and I am a big fan. So thanks for sharing :) I love the bag you made. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by this author but this sounds great! your bag is amazing, very talented.
ReplyDeleteSharon – Obsession with Books
The embroidery is gorgeous. I'm going to try knitting with audiobooks and see how that goes.
ReplyDelete