“I’m not scared of you.”He meets my gaze. “You should be.”All of England knows his name.Saxon Priest.Savage. Ruthless.A man bent on all-out destruction.His target? The royal family.I’m not looking for a knight in shining armor when I approach him for a job—but I never anticipated how my heart might quicken when faced with London’s most notorious killer.His eyes are cold.His mouth scarred and … notorious killer.
His eyes are cold.
His mouth scarred and sneering when he dismisses me as fragile, weak.
He couldn’t be more wrong.
I have blood on my hands and hate in my heart—just like him.
But with England on the brink of war, Saxon is my last hope. And when he risks everything to save me, I succumb to the ice in his veins and the blistering heat that tethers us together.
He may be the devil in disguise but I’m Isla Quinn, and I killed the king.
Road To Fire is the first book in the Broken Crown series. Intrigue. Grit. Soul-wrenching love. This is not your average royal romance. Enter if you dare.
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“An intersection. A juncture with the sort of hard-hitting collision guaranteed to alter life forever after.”
Saxon and Isla each enter the relationship (two people interacting)with unique circumstances, family dynamics, and consequences of actions by the crown.
Scars leave and reveal permanent reminders of past harsh realities. While fire will not burn away a scar, it has the capacity to warm the ice encasing a scarred being.
Two hearts beating in a rhythm meant only for each other.
Your heartbeat will increase as you immerse yourself in this first book of the Broken Crown trilogy.
There will be a visceral need to reread and reabsorb passages. Not because they are unclear, but because you will want to dive in to the experience over and over again!
As with all of her books, Maria Lewis gives us the setting, interaction between characters, and language details in such a way your head will create the scenes in your mind (and heart) as you read. Many of us are declaring this is her best book to date.
This is really saying something because she has set a high standard in her previous works.
Saxon and Isla’s story reaches its HEA. The trilogy continues with two more books (don’t worry, we do not have to wait long (July and October) which will give us Saxon’s brother’s (who we meet in RTF) stories. .
One-click this book today. You will find your eyes widen and your jaw drop as you read. You will find yourself wanting to yell “No!” at people you will find yourself wanting to climb inside and physically stop, and “Yes!” to those finding Their First, Their Heart, Their Fire to Their Ice
There’s no way I can do this book justice with my review, but I can say this book definitely deserves more than five stars. This book has it all, romance, on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense, laugh out loud moments, emotional moments, and all the things in between. Be still my heart, Saxon. Saxon may be scarred, but he is still an absolutely gorgeous male. Isla is one of the strongest female characters I’ve had the privilege to read about. I won’t leave any spoilers, so PLEASE grab your copy and go on a roller coaster ride that will have you anxiously awaiting book two in this new series.
Action packed dark romance with twists and turns on every corner and some very steamy scenes.
This book was hands down one of THE BEST books
I‘ve read this year. Since I‘m a creature of habit I mostly neve read blurbs and the same goes for this book. I didn‘t even know what I got myself into half the time but I loved it!
A mysterious romance story set in London – perfect. Defender of the crown, broody and damaged hero against stubborn and strong heroine.
Saxon and Isla are just made for eachother. Both struggle with the love of lost ones, duty to the country, their familys and how to cope with the new order in England. Riots on the street, attacks against the royal family and yet hope for a better future.
In this book you honestly never know what happens next and you really can‘t stop reading! I tried and then finished to book at midnight
This story just sucked you in and didn‘t let you go!
5
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
j’ai adoré l’ambiance de ce roman de la première à la dernière page, j’ai trouvé les personnages géniaux, on ne s’ennuie pas une seule seconde en leur compagnie et je dois dire que j’en suis restée sur les fesses à plusieurs reprises. Isla et Saxon sont très intenses tous les deux, ils ont un passé lourd qui les bloque un peu mais ils vont tout faire pour progresser et l’autre leur permet justement de tout remettre en perspective. Ce premier tome est une mise en bouche pleine de rebondissements, d’amour, de morts, de complot et j’en passe et je suis impatiente de voir ce que la suite va donner !!
5 STARS
The first book in the Broken Crown Trilogy is such an engaging story that will draw you in right from the get go! The author delivers a perfect plot where “Beauty meets chaos. Heaven meets hell.” Oh my…the chemistry is off the charts between Isla and Saxon. I devoured every word. Love this quote…”I breathe, you inhale, and we both go up in flames.” You will definitely feel the heat! Road To Fire by Maria Luis is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Give me a moment to contain my tears, hold back my expletives, and try to piece together words to accurately describe how this book made me feel.
Going into this, I knew I would enjoy the book simply because it’s written by Maria and I love absolutely everything she writes, but I never could have prepared myself for the emotional roller coaster and the pure visceral feelings it brought out in me. Holy crap, Isla and Saxon left me without words and days later they are all I can think about. Road to Fire is my favorite book of 2020 and let me tell you why.
This universe is unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and it sucked me in from the get-go. It was so easy to get wrapped up in these characters and their actions, which makes for some of the best books. From chapter one I was hooked, and it got me incredibly excited not only for the rest of the story ahead of me, but for the other two books in the series. I have never had a series do that to me within the first few pages. Right away I wanted to know what was going to happen to these side characters, what I have to look forward to later on, and had me theorizing immediately. So already, before we even were introduced to Isla, I was enthralled.
When it comes to Saxon and Isla as characters, I was so pleasantly surprised by them both. Neither of them was entirely what I expected, and those sides to them I didn’t think of are probably my favorite parts of them both. Isla is sassy and strong but at the same time soft and caring. Saxon is the tough, take no BS guy I thought he would be, but he also has these demons and insecurities I didn’t expect at all. Their soft sides are what make them both so lovable to me, and it made it so easy to fall into their story and how they came together. Maria is so good at making her characters feelings palpable. I felt Isla’s guilt and I felt Saxon’s pain. I smiled and felt so happy when they were happy, and I cried when they were hurting. The entire book messed with my emotions, and I can’t even be mad because it was a wild, glorious ride.
Take a chance on Road to Fire because I guarantee it’ll catch you off guard, pull you in, and make you love the characters and want their happily ever after more than anything else.
I was generously given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Road to Fire is a dark romantic suspense written in the first-person point of view and is the first book in the all-new Broken Crown Trilogy.
Maria Luis keeps you on the edge of your seat with this suspenseful story. Road to Fire has a little bit of everything from darkness, mystery, suspense to steamy romance. Saxon and Isla are the true definition of enemies to lovers with their fire and ice, off the page sexual tension. The book did start out a bit slow, as a complicated story with many layers, it was needed to catch you up on the characters lives. I am looking forward to the remainder of the trilogy for Saxon’s brother’s points of view.
*ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review*
I am not sure even where to start…I love Maria Luis’ work and am embarassed to have believed her catalogue of work had shown her best work. While to date that was true, this story kind of destroyed me a little…and its only book one
Saxon and Isla are just…a lot is going on with these two! Saxon is a beautifully crafted alpha anti hero you cant help but hope wins and Isla…wow. minus the darker stuff, I kind of what to be her when I grow up! She’s feisty and independent – and while that shouldn’t work with her alpha counterpart, they blend PERFECTLY into a HEA for these two that will have you jonesing for the next book!
TEN stars!!! Omg. There are NO words that will describe how incredible this book is! I read it in one night and I’m going to have a book hangover for a few days! It’s the absolute best romance, drama, hot and steamy romance rolled into one! Add in a spice of nonstop action – and it’s just perfection!!
4.4 stars
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I saw the blurb for this book. All I knew was that this author wrote it and I was all in. I was right to jump into the story because it was riveting. It is very different than this author’s previous books that I have read. For her first foray into a darker more political world, she did a great job.
The book starts a little slow, however, I think that was due to the fact that she needed to set up the world-building and premise of the story. This book felt very reminiscent of a mixture of James Bond/MI6 and Mission Impossible. Only without the gadgets. There was a lot of action and I mean A LOT. At times that was hard to follow because there are a lot of details here and things at play. In this case, it, both, helped and hindered the story for me. I struggled with who were they protecting and what side they were on. At times, the animosity even toward family was confusing as well.
A little over halfway into the story I was all aboard. I fell in love with these characters. Isla and Saxon were sublime. Truly. They were fire and ice and on two opposing sides. I loved the author pitted them the way that she did. Love shouldn’t have a chance when being loyal is the life you are born into. Yet, the heart cannot be controlled in matters of love. Watching these two was painful and it was poignant.
The book sets up the next book very well and I look forward to that. I enjoyed reading how this idea came about and seeing where she intends to take the story next. It definitely made me think, “what if?” in regards to the idea of how things would have been different had a major historical event gone a different direction. These days, in this country, I would almost welcome that. I highly recommend the story to readers that like political intrigue, suspense, and a love that defies the odds.
I have adored every book Maria Luis has written and RTF is no different. u2063
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I’m not going to say much about the storyline or anything like that because I don’t want to spoil it. Saxon and Isla were fire and ice and the perfect main characters for this dark romance. u2063
u2063
This was a definite five star and without a doubt one of my favorite books in 2020. I devoured this book and was upset when it ended because it was that good. I am counting down the days till the release of the second book in this trilogy!u2063
I’m so happy I took a chance on this author that new to me cause even though this book is long I devoured every page of it without feeling like it was dragging on or skimming it cause it had me hooked. Saxon is on my list for favorite heroes cause she was just such a tortured tender soul and he was written flawlessly and Isla was the perfect counterpart to him even though there is so many turns along the way. Can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy
ONG! This book was fantastic! I loved it! It blew me away! It started out with a bang and kept me glued to my kindle!
With all the action, intrigue, secrets, murder, danger, suspense you get a fantastic story! The twists and turns keep you wondering what will happen next! I couldn’t put it down! I loved Isla and Saxon! They completed each other. Their chemistry was explosive!
Maria has outdone herself with the first book in the Broken Crown Trilogy! I can’t wait for book 2! It’s going to be great!
Road to Fire is the first part of the Broken Crown Trilogy, and if this is first novel really leaves one excited for the rest of the series! I loved the dynamics, the plot, the writing, and overall it was just a spectacular read. The chemistry between Isla and Saxon was interesting and I can’t wait to see how it progresses throughout the rest of the series. Their romance is slow in an earnest and impassioned way. You can tell that the author truly cared about writing a compelling relationship. The story really takes you in and doesn’t let you go till the last word. If this novel was amazing than I can’t wait to read the next installment!!!
Buckle up; you’re in for a ride.
So, I’ve had plenty of book hangovers, but this is the first time I’ve had it so bad it’s taken me a week to be able to write these words. Trying to find a way to express the journey Maria Luis takes you on in this book is virtually impossible.
I’m avoiding spoiling because if ever you need to go into a book blind, it’s this book. This is coming from a sometimes seeker of spoilers (.)
In the spirit of not spoiling, I’ll try to express how reading this book made me feel. At times my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. Times where I held my breath in anticipation. Times where I wanted to scream in anger and frustration. Times where I felt their emotions so thoroughly, I cried real tears. This book engulfs you with masterfully written words, and you’re left begging for more while still being beautifully fulfilled.
I cannot wait for more. Kudos to Luis for creating a book so well written you forget you’re reading. I will scream my recommendation from burning rooftops.
I did request and received an arc of this book. But, I will be first in line to buy a copy come release day. This is my genuine, honest opinion given without coercion or benefits. I hope you give this book a read and get to experience the magic I did.
“Breathe for me, sweetheart, and know that somewhere I’m inhaling and taking up the torch for us both.”
OMG what have you done to me, Maria Luis? This quote absolutely captures this entire book. I am racking my brain trying to find the right words for y’all to understand the raw intensity that bleeds out of every single page from the very beginning and leaves you unable to exhale until the very end! Get ready for a wild roller coaster of emotions, twists, and turns, Saxon and Isla will have your heart going up in flames!! Book 1 of the Broken Crown series is the suspense novel of the year that you never thought you’d need, but will be soooooo thankful that you did! Drop. Everything. And. Read. This. Book.
“I breathe, you inhale, and we both go up in flames.”
This book it’s everything I needed from Maria and more, and I’m dying for the next books. It was darker and grittier, hot, and shrouded in mystery and suspense, and yet out of everything I enjoyed, my favorite parts were between Isla and Saxon. Like really, where could I get my own Saxon?
“You’re my first, Isla Quinn. And my only.”
-totally swooned there.
The book did start out a bit slow, but I understand why. It is a lot of world building and information that was trying to catch the reader up to where the characters were at, unfortunately that is the main reason this isn’t a full 5 star book though, but other than that, I completely loved the book. I loved how the romance wasn’t necessarily at the forefront of it, meaning we don’t get a lot of unnecessary stuff that comes with romance nowadays, but instead we were locked in with the whole world that Maria built for us that kept us guessing and wanting more, whether it be with the romance or with not.
BUT I also can’t undersell the love story in itself and the connection and chemistry between the two MCs because holy it was so good. I was almost at the point where I just wanted to highlight everything they said about each other because it was super romantic and sweet.
“If I have a heart at all,” I husk out, feeling my face heat, “it’s only because you’ve put it there.”
See?! Although I really liked the heroine, Saxon was AMAZING. He was a romantic at heart and there just is something about him, that you have to read about to get the full picture, but I was obsessed with it because he’s just a rare breed in books nowadays. But honestly. I think he’s right up there on par with Lincoln and Nick Stamos. Well, at least until Guy or Damien because I was honestly a bit obsessed with them and their craziness in this book. And I’m so so excited for their own books.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. No OTT drama or anything like that. Completely safe for the safety crew, thank you Maria, and your welcome everyone else. And I cannot wait for Guy’s book! I’m only guessing who the next two couples will be if their characters have already appeared, but I’m down for whatever Maria throws at us!
This story SLAYED me. I could not put it down. The twists, suspense, and heat made these characters leap from the pages and grip you from page 1. The snark between Saxon and Isla is matched by the combustive heat between them. I will also say that I was beyond thrilled that Isla was a consistent heroine bad-a$$. She holds her own, and in fact her strength never waivers. Her strength and conviction is not thrown away bc of the love a good man, but rather intensifies and becomes even even stronger with her love without sacrificing her strength in the process.
The best way to describe the cliff hanger is when you are watching your favorite show, and you suddenly realize you need to wait for the next season to see what happens to these characters you’re invested in…You get just enough resolution to end that season, but HOLY cow, you are counting the days to see what comes next!
Absolutely Stunned!!!
Have you ever read a book that leaves you stunned? I mean absolutely stunned?!? I have been a fan of Ms. Luis since her very first book therefore I always know she’s going to give me a wonderful story. Yet, she totally out did herself with this one. Saxon and Isla were just so…so…I cant’t put it into words. After putting me thru every emotion there is, they left me drained and wanting more. So much so that I had to purchase a physical copy that I could hold in my hands!
*I received an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing*
Maria, Maria. *sigh*
I don’t know how she does it, but she gets better with every book. If Road To Fire is any indication of how the series is going to be – then it’s going to be explosive.
Isla is my newest girl crush no doubt. She is fierce, sassy, strong and independent. But she’s REAL. She’s been beaten down and broken and hurt but that doesn’t stop her. Doesn’t stop her from taking care of her family or doing what she can to right the wrongs. She is the epitome of an empowered woman and I love her. She may be one of my favorite heroines in any of the books I’ve read (and I’ve read A LOT).
Ohhhh Saxon. *swoon* he is the definition of bad boy. Beautiful, marred and bada**. Fulfilling a familial obligation whether he wants to or not – its all he knows. He’s another hero who is more shaded gray than any hero I’ve seen yet (even Lincoln!) and I love it. It makes the character that much more layered, that much more believable.
A dark and suspenseful book filled not only with treason and murder, but a complicated and EXTRA steamy love story beautifully woven inside of it. This book has some seriously spicy scenes – Maria is a queen at the slow burn sexy scenes and she builds them up so well you can literally feel the tension coming off the pages.
If you want a sultry complicated love story with an HEA, but still need that grittiness and darkness from a suspense this is definitely a book to read. It will definitely be in my top 10 reads of the year, no questions asked.
*I was given an advanced reader copy for my honest review*Maria Luis