To save her family from a tyrant king, Mara of Aremond must win a tournament—and she won’t let anyone stop her from claiming the prize. Especially not Strax, the barbarian warrior who has tormented her every step of the way. But when a sorcerer’s trap binds them together, Mara must decide whether Strax is her greatest enemy, or if everything she seeks can only be found in the barbarian’s arms… …
The audiobook version of this novella was originally featured on the Read Me Romance podcast. This release marks the first time this story is available in ebook or print, and includes a bonus epilogue and map not included in the podcast version.
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Mara of Aremond has been forced to enter a tournament in order to save her family and the people under their protection from the evil Solegius and for the past months she’s been struggling to stay on her path despite the grueling trek and tasks.
Strax is a warrior from the Dead Lands, bound by a sacred oath that makes him and his twin brother follow the tournament participants in order to prevent the relic they seek from falling into the hands of the evil king.
I really like this world and the stories the author has created in it. Being a big fan of fantasy and loving barbarian warriors and their no-nonsense approach to it all makes this series perfect for me. Add to that the fact that Ms. Wilde puts together coherent, well written, fun, steamy adventures and it has me giving them my seal of approval.
SHORT & SWEET BUT PACKS A MAGICALLY DELICIOUS PUNCH!!!
The Midnight Bride
Series: The Dead Lands
Author: Kati Wilde
Designation: Book 2 of Collection, Novella Length, Standalone, No Cliffhanger #fantasy #romance
My Rating: Five Fabulous Stars*****
I’m a relatively new Kati Wilde fan, having only discovered her work a few months ago via a recommendation from one of my favorite authors, Ruby Dixon, but I am sooo enamored with her writing! Her prose is absolute perfection, not in a technical or grammatically correct way, although her syntax is pretty darn good, but in the lyrical, harmonious flow of her words. It’s absolutely mesmerizing. In The Midnight Bride, Wilde weaves an enchanting tale featuring another soon-to-be bride, in a world of anotherwhere, during anotherwhen, brimming with enthralling magic, pulse-pounding adventure, riveting suspense, agonizing angst, and impossible love. Sigh…so imaginative…so dreamy…so sexy…so romantic…and so addictive! I was immediately smitten with the story’s barbarian hero, Strax, Keeper of the Secret Oath, son of the Fang Clan of The Dead Lands. Strax is a man who has made a sacred vow to protect the Gauntlet of Kaides and prevent anyone from finding and using its dangerous magic. Unfortunately, his duty now includes preventing Lady Maraserit ik Terin of Aremond from recovering the forbidden artifact, which has become a very big problem for Strax. Mara is a noblewoman by birth and the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. She’s also determined to recover the gauntlet to save her family. It becomes a dangerous contest of wits, wills, and determination, made even more precarious by the unexpected complication of love, forcing both Strax and Mara to reconsider their loyalties. But which will prevail? Their oaths to others or their love for each other? We’ll see!
Did I like this book? I didn’t like it; I LOVED it! Would I recommend it? You bet, but only for readers 18 and older since it does contain explicit language and dreamy love scenes. Will I read this author again! Absolutely! And finally was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome quick read!
Huge Kati Wilde fan and I absolutely love this world she has created. Strax is a tough as nails warrior and Mara is a little spitfire on a quest, obviously there are a few “obstacles” in the quest, this is a tough world they live in with magic everywhere and people abusing it. Love, love this fantasy world. Mara finds herself in a bit of a situation, Strax comes in like the badass he is and saves her. But their journey has many obstacles to overcome, and makes for a great story.
This is a safe read, no om or ow business, great storyline. He kept is distance for months. Then she does a little pushing away, but he allows that for a hot second. He cracks me up, because she is a bit of a slippery handful…and he loves it. Their dynamic really is funny, he adores her, even with all her shenanigans. Not gonna lie, thought these two were sweet relationship goals. He was definitely a dirty talker, made all of their chemistry even hotter. A sweetie epilogue and hea. Great, great fantasy world. More please, always want more.
Psst….this book was originally on the Read Me Romance podcast.
Lead me through the dead lands.
The Midnight Bride was a totally welcome surprise for me. Reading it was fun—the way it was written, the exchanges between Strax and Mara, I felt like I was with them all throughout their journey. The fact that I listened to the audiobook first was a plus, as I was entranced with their story from the start.
And that epilogue! I loooove the Dead Lands and am wishing, like hell, that the whole series gets turned into audiobooks soon!
I adored this tasty nugget of a novella! This fantasy world the author has created is fun, and fascinating, and I can’t get enough.
Mara of Aremond is on a mission, literally. She must win a seemingly impossible tournament to collect an ancient relic, and turn it over to the tyrant king of her nation, in order to save her family. The king, Solegius, is a sorcerer, with powerful dark magics, and she’s afraid for her family’s safety if she fails. Plus, failing pretty much equals death, so she is highly motivated. But, she’s slower than the other competitors, and she hasn’t seen any of them since the contest started 6 months before. The only one who’s kept pace with her is a huge warrior, Strax. But he’s constantly telling her how she’ll never make it, and she is getting so sick of his taunts.
Strax has taken a blood oath, as all the warriors in his family before him, to never allow anyone to win the tournament. No one person should be able to wield the power of the gauntlet and he has to make sure no one ever does. So, he stays at the back of the pack, as anyone who is able to obtain it, will have to pass him on their way back to collect their prize. Also, he’s got a soft spot for Mara, though she won’t give him the time of day. But, things change between them when he saves her from slavers, and must marry her in order to do so. They are finally honest with each other, only to discover that they are permanently at cross purposes. How will he ever convince Mara that he’s on her side, while still fulfilling the oath that would literally kill him to break?
Strax and Mara had great chemistry, and friction during their misunderstandings. I loved their banter, and how they seemed to be impervious to anyone else but one another’s thoughts or feelings. They were in the middle of a very high risk situation, and I loved the ways they showed up for each other every time. The world the author has weaved is exciting, and a bit scary, and so interesting. I’ve loved each of the stories in this world, and every time I finish one, I’m aching for the next already!
This story runs concurrently with it’s companion novella, Pretty Bride, which is about Strax’s brother Aruk, and his heroine. They both take place in the same world as The Midwinter Mail-Order Bride, which was another 5 star read for me! But, they are all fairly standalone. I loved how complete this story felt, even though it wasn’t that long. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. But, I’m thrilled to know that the next story in this universe will be another full length one! I want all the stories here I can get! I cannot recommend them all highly enough!
This author is always a one click for me, I can’t tell you how many times she’s pushed me out of my reading comfort zone (not traditionally a fan of fantasy romance), to fall in love with something new. This novella is a perfect example of that.
This is a pretty classic story written with amazing characters, steamy scenes and a world to get lost in. Mara must win a tournament to save her family, but along the way there is an evil dictator tyrant king, a handsome warrior, action and passion. The dialogue and witty banter really made the build up of chemistry believable. These two were amazing together.
If you’ve read any of the other books in this series of standalones then you will get a deeper look into this world. If you haven’t, you can totally start here. Just know you will want to read them next! I very much enjoyed this story and hope the author has more stories planned. I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
The Midnight Bride is the third in Kati Wilde’s The Dead Lands series, a fantasy/barbarian romance. It stands alone easily. It’s a journey/quest story, and an enemies/rivals to lovers story, and Ms Wilde does all of that well.
Mara of Aremond must win this tournament. It is the only option for her to save her family. Strax, the barbarian warrior must protect the prize. That is his task, period. It would appear that they are on opposite sides…
Ms Wilde’s characters are fierce and determined, and Mara and Strax are definitely that. They are also bound by some equally fierce chemistry, and The Midnight Bride gives us the chance to enjoy the unfolding of their relationship as they get to know each other along the way.
I read this first, but definitely plan to go back to read the earlier titles in the series.