Once, the people of the goddess lived in quiet harmony with magic throughout the continent. Then invaders crossed the mountains and seas to lay claim to their lands. A few archaic ruins are all that remains of their once thriving culture. Except in Hara Dale… For millennia, Lia’s family has guarded an ancient power forgotten by the rest of the world. Now, an unwanted betrothal agreement with a … world.
Now, an unwanted betrothal agreement with a neighboring prince, a compelling stranger hiding vengeful secrets, and the specter of dark sorcery threaten to expose her valley’s hidden mysteries. And destroy everything Lia is sworn to protect.
Torn between love and duty, Lia is forced to confront the blood magic menacing her land. Desperate to save her people, she’ll do whatever it takes to win.
Even if it means sacrificing her heart’s desire.
Looking for slow burn, sweet fantasy romance with strong women, magic, and adventure? Dive into the Lost Shrines series and download By Vengeance Guided today!
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This book begins a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a ‘power couple’ brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.
Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling, even in this first installment, where a fertility rite is crucial to the plot.
Caerwyn of the Isles is of the Milesan race, who are each born to embody a godlike power of their universe, which overshadows their human personality when invoked properly. His is the spirit of Vengance, and has kept him roaming the lands of this world to redress the killing of his parents in defense of an ancestral Cauldron of power. He is aided in this by his foster brothers the Hounds, with shape-shifting abilities of the Thousand Tribes race but also Milesan ones, granted by the healing Cauldron. They have been summoned by Daen, prince of Galwei, because he suspects he has been bewitched. The culprit? His betrothed, Lady Liadan of Hara Dale.
Liadan herself knows that this betrothal is all sorts of wrong. The match would badly upset the balance between her tiny principality and its neighbors; besides, she was not supposed to be the true heir, but rather her sister, and eventually, her three year old niece. Now Gui, her sister’s husband, is attempting to manipulate her the way her sister once allowed herself to be used. Ancestral secrets of the land are in grave danger. What does the stranger who calls himself ‘Wyn’ have against her family? Is he friend or foe?
What he and the Hounds uncover will not only seal the fate of Hara Dale but all of the human kingdoms.
This book stands alone quite well, but you will be wanting more happy endings for our other heroes.
ONE PLEASURABLE DELIGHT
Intense! Amberlyn delivers all the heat, magic, chaos and mayhem, rocking this bad boy to its own beat, bouncing this baby right on home, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration, wrapping this jewel up sleek, shiny and tight. A churning tempest of baffling events and vexing mishaps, drawing you closer to the arduous trials and daunting tribulations, observing the dramatic twists and dubious turns, thrusting this jewel to life flawlessly. Boundaries are strengthened and stretched, unveiling the fervent facts, daring deals and electrifying escapades, launching this baby into the eye of the storm, blasting it into a tailspin with an astonishing culmination. The characters, banter, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuine charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Amberlyn, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
A rather tense story. Gui is a rather obvious villain. I was unable to read it front to back but I did eventually read it all. It’s just a difficulty that I experience with tension. Overall, it is enjoyable.
I truly enjoyed Amberlyn Holland’s Dragon Ever After books (separately reviewed), so it’s no surprise that I glommed on to By Vengeance Guided, the first book in her The Lost Shrines series. It was so good that I found myself addictively turning to By Destiny Bound (Book 2) almost immediately after finishing Book 1. It’s 6am and my husband, who just woke up, is looking at me like I’m a crazy person as he realizes I’ve been reading through the night (and then some). I don’t care though as it was worth it. Whether it’s Lia and Caer (Book 1) or Maddyn and Yve (Book 2) taking the lead, these stories with their romance, magic, shifters, thrills and adventure (and superbly determined heroines, of course) are a total pleasure ride. One that I’m happy to highly recommend.