Review: Fable by Adrienne Young

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

FABLE by ADRIENNE YOUNG

Series: Fable #1

Publication date: September 1, 2020

Published by: Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.

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Praise for Fable:

A dark maritime fantasy...immersive...and rich in sensory details. For readers who can't get enough of strong female protagonists... - Kirkus

The salty sea and the promise of something hidden in its depths, had me reading this book at a furious pace. You don't simply read Fable, you are ensnared by it. This is Adrienne Young's best work of storytelling yet!" - Shea Ernshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep

Gripping, immersive, and absolutely masterful, Fable reels you in with the promise of beauty, and holds you tight with Young's signature grit. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. - Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All The Stars and Teeth

I could taste the salt in the air and feel the waves beneath the Marigold. In a brutal world Fable shines as tenacious yet vulnerable, unafraid to do what she must to survive. This story caught me by the throat and refused to let go! - Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP, THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK & the upcoming FABLE duology from Wednesday Books. Agent: Barbara Poelle, IGLA

Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.

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REVIEW

Fable by Adrienne Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'd almost forgotten how much I loved Adrienne Young's writing. Reading Fable had my old feelings rushing back with crystal clarity. She has a way of describing things with such precision and beauty that you feel as if you've physically stepped into another world for a few short hours. From my experience, the time spent with her characters is never quite enough. This heroine was a character unlike any other I've read in the fantasy genre which is always a head start towards a five star book for me. Originality pulls me in like nothing else, even if it's a fresh spin on something familiar.

As a fourteen-year-old girl, Fable was abandoned on an island of bloodthirsty thieves, and she managed to survive for four years through sheer force of will and a backbone of steel. She managed to feed herself, find shelter, and outsmart the thieves who would cut her throat for her valuables without blinking an eye. For the last four years, she's had one single goal: get off the island and find her father who left her without a backward glance. They have unfinished business, and she's determined to get answers to the questions haunting her for so long.

    The man who’d taught me to tie knots 

and read maps wasn’t the same man 

who’d put the knife soaked with my blood 

back into his belt and sailed away.

Fable was born with sea legs and saltwater running through her veins. Her father is one of the most successful traders with his own fleet of ships that he rules with an iron fist. Anyone who crosses him in business is either reckless, foolish, or both. Fable and her mother were his only weaknesses but the love he had for them was too great to turn his back on. Her mother came from the Unnamed Sea, and held special abilities as a gem sage that she'd begun to pass on before she died. This ability is a natural born gift to identify and sense the properties in gems. It's been vital in helping Fable as a free diving dredger, someone who dives and locates undersea valuables to sell for profit.

Eventually she finds an ally in West, another trader who visits the island and agrees to give her passage off the island. From first introduction, you can tell that West has a closet full of skeletons. He's shifty, unwelcoming, and suspicious of her. He agrees against his better judgement to help her, so you know that he isn't as hard as he would like her to believe. I immediately liked him, seeing through his facade to the softie at heart. He's the kind of guy that takes in strays and helps the underdog to his own detriment. His crew is only a handful of four people, who are even less welcoming than him. Fable doesn't let deter her in her quest to earn their trust and respect.

I really loved reading the time Fable spent on the Marigold with the crew. The author clearly did her research on the body of a ship, the detail that goes into sailing, and described the underwater dive scenes in crisp, vivid imagery that dazzles all of your senses. West, Paj, Auster, Willa, and Hamish all have an air of desperation as if they are on the edge of disaster. Fable isn't sure what they're hiding, but as long as she's on deck with them, their trouble becomes her trouble. She wants to earn their trust, and uncover their secrets, but can they be trusted to deliver her safely to the Narrows? As you're gradually fed information, you can't help but root for this group of misfits. They've formed their own family with an unbreakable bond-something that Fable has been missing and longs for with every shred of her being.

    This crew had already been in trouble 

when I stepped onto their ship, 

but I couldn’t help but wonder 

if I was going to be the storm 

that finally sank them.

This book was exquisite. There was romance, fast paced action, suspense, treasure, and danger around every corner. There was quite literally never a dull moment, and that includes the breathtaking cliffhanger that left me hanging anxiously on the edge until I get my hands on the conclusion. The characters were multi-faceted, often with morally grey characteristics that made them irrefutably human and interesting to read about. When secrets are brought to light and hearts are laid bare, will Fable and West's surrender be their downfall as it once was for her father? I cannot wait to find out what adventures are in store for us next.

Namesake is the final installment in the Fable duology and is scheduled for publication in March of next year

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Review: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

For her sixteenth birthday, Louise le Blanc’s mother gave her three things: a sacrificial altar, a ritual knife, and a wicked scar.

SERPENT & DOVE by SHELBY MAHURIN

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication date: September 3, 2019

Genre: YA fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Lou’s death would have ended the ancient war between the Church and witches, but Lou refuses to become a martyr. Forsaking her coven, she escapes to the gloomy city of Cesarine and hides her magic as a thief in the criminal underworld. But life in Cesarine has its own dangers. Huntsmen roam the city revered as holy men. Witches burn without trial. And the Archbishop, the Church’s austere patriarch, revels in violence.

As a huntsman, Reid Diggory lives by one verse: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 

He's devoted his entire life to eradicating the occult and making his surrogate father, the Archbishop, proud. Finally given the chance to capture a witch of his own, Reid is devastated when a foul-mouthed thief thwarts him—and doubly devastated when she too disappears. Hell-bent on bringing her to justice, Reid vows she won't escape again. But when Lou tricks him into public scandal trying to avoid capture, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.

Marriage to a huntsman could provide real protection from the witches—if Lou can convince Reid she isn’t one herself. The secret proves difficult to keep as Lou begins practicing magic in secret within the heart of the Church, determined to prepare for her mother’s inevitable return. As time passes, however, Lou discovers yet another danger lurking: her own growing feelings for her husband. But Reid is still dangerous. He’s just as likely to tie her to the stake as defend her if he learns her true identity. With enemies closing in—and more than her own life at stake—Lou must decide who she can trust before it's too late…and she's not the only one with a secret.

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Praise for Serpent & Dove:

“A brilliant debut, full of everything I love: a sparkling and fully-realized heroine, an intricate and deadly system of magic, and a searing romance that kept me reading long into the night. Serpent & Dove is an absolute gem of a book.”
- Sarah J Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses series

“Will cast a spell on romance fans.”
- Kirkus Reviews
  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelby Mahurin grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana, where sticks became wands and cows became dragons. Her rampant imagination didn't fade with age, so she continues to play make-believe every day—with words now instead of cows. When not writing, Shelby watches the Office and obsesses over her Twitter feed. She still lives near that childhood farm with her very tall husband, semi-feral toddlers, two dogs, and one cat.

Shelby's favorite books include A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and, of course, Harry Potter.

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REVIEW

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Serpent & Dove was such a wonderfully witchy tale that really impressed me. After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this fantasy for the original plot alone. The idea of a witch and a witch hunter being forced into a marriage was what really hooked me. This is pretty much the ultimate enemies to lovers storyline with magic, mayhem, deceit, and a murderous "mother" (I use that term loosely) thrown in to boot.

    I was no one’s sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

Louise le Blanc is a thief living in Cesarine, hiding from the powerful witches who hunt her. Once only a target of the Chasseurs, she became the prey of the Dames Blanches as well when she refused to die for her people. Her mother birthed her with the sole intent of sacrificing her in order to end their persecution from King and Church. For generations, they've had to hide their identities or risk being arrested and burned at the stake for practicing magic. Seen as less than human, as demonic creatures in human form, the witch hunters fight to protect the innocent from their attacks. There are two factions of witches: the Dames Blanches and Dames Rouges. These two sides harness their magic in different ways, and do not have an alliance with one another. Louise's faction is ruthless and deadly, willing to use their magic for harm in order to reclaim the land and power that was taken from them.

With the help of her only friends Coco and Bas, she's managed to survive on the streets with little more than wits and sheer desperation. She has foresworn all use of magic and the home she grew up in so that she may avoid detection. However, she has a plan that could finally give her some safety and security: locating and stealing a ring that renders the wearer invisibility and immunity against magic. It would be the ultimate boon for Lou if she were to ever be found. Because she knows it's only a matter of time before her luck runs out, and she needs a back door when she has to run again.

Lou was a tenacious woman with the heart of a lion. The odds were outrageously stacked against her, and yet she leaped head first into danger without a second's hesitation. She was also seriously blunt, foul mouthed, and full of snark and I can't complain about any of it. She had such a strong spirit despite the hardship she's endured which was really admirable. When an unpredictable set of circumstances causes an impromptu wedding to the captain of the witch hunters, she isn't happy to say the least. But she's nothing if not resourceful and decides that she's going to find an advantage in the twisted mess of her life. All she has to do is keep her true identity a secret and never reveal a whiff of magic. Should be simple, right?

Reid Diggory is an orphan who gained favor with the archbishop. As the father of the Chasseurs, he's instilled a fear and hatred of witches in him, as well as a lot of misinformation. At first he seems unable to bend in his vendetta against them. He has personal reasons for wishing to eradicate them, and he truly feels that he's removing a scourge from the city with each one he captures. However, nothing is ever as black and white as it seems as he's about to find out. The war he's been fighting in isn't simply good verses evil. Many on both sides are not what they seem, and once secrets are unearthed, he isn't sure who or what he's fighting for anymore. I've got to say, I wasn't entirely sure how much I would like Reid at first. He's very rigid and blind to a lot of things, but you also see a softer side to him. He can be chivalrous and truly is a man of honor that wants to do the right thing. He always treats his unwanted wife with respect even when she's pushing his buttons and taunting him with everything she has.

Both Lou and Reid discover that people's hearts and intentions can't be judged at first glance. There's huge character growth in both of them by the end after their experiences in getting to know one another. She was once a vicious little heathen to him, nothing more than a heavy cross to bear. He was a priggish, cold, man who she enjoyed provoking every chance she got. Somewhere in the middle their antagonism melted away into affection. And that's where it really gets complicated.

    “There are some things that can’t be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”

The witches' history wasn't fully explained at the start leaving me trying to piece things together for a portion of the book. Had the world been delved into right from the beginning it would have alleviated some of my questions that lingered. The Chasseurs were depicted as corrupt holy men who were trying to exterminate a group of people with different beliefs than them. However, the witches also weren't innocent either in the way they inflicted violence and terrorism on the city. I wasn't quite sure what side of the fence I was on for a while until all of the secrets and hidden agendas were finally revealed.

This was a solid debut for Shelby Mahurin, and after the twist at the end, I'm eager to continue on with the series in the follow up. It's not a hugely suspenseful cliffhanger, but there's a lot more of the story waiting to be told. I'm excited for more adventure, danger, and spellbinding magic next year!

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Review: The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack

A thrilling page-turner from Gwendolyn Womack, the USA Today bestselling author of The Fortune Teller

THE TIME COLLECTOR by GWENDOLYN WOMACK

Publication date: April 16, 2019

Published by: Picador USA

Genre: fantasy, historical, romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Travel through time with the touch of a hand.

Roan West was born with an extraordinary gift: he can perceive the past of any object he touches. A highly skilled pyschometrist, he uses his talents to find and sell valuable antiques, but his quiet life in New Orleans is about to change. Stuart, a fellow pyschometrist and Roan’s close friend, has used his own abilities to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts or “ooparts”—like a ring that once belonged to the seventeenth-century mathematician and philosopher René Descartes, but was found buried in prehistoric bedrock.

The relics challenge recorded history, but soon after the discovery, Stuart disappears, making him one of several psychometrists who have recently died or vanished without a trace. When Roan comes across a viral video of a young woman who has discovered a priceless pocket watch just by “sensing” it, he knows he has to warn her—but will Melicent Tilpin listen? And can Roan find Stuart before it’s too late?

The quest for answers will lead Roan and Melicent around the world—before it brings them closer to each other and a startling truth—in the latest romantic thriller from Gwendolyn Womack, the bestselling, PRISM Award-winning author of The Memory Painter and The Fortune Teller. 

Read an excerpt from the author's website here.

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Praise for The Time Collector:

"Beginning with this otherworldly duo, [Roan and Melicent], Womack spins a suspenseful web of mysteries and murderous rivalries, connected by an underpinning of love."―Jane Ciabattari, BBC Culture (Ten Books to Read This Month)

"A mystical thrill ride, spanning several continents. Flashbacks to different times in history enrich the story with tragedy and hope...For fans of historical fiction who like a hint of the supernatural and cosmic connection."―Booklist

"A compelling exploration of time, history, and our primal need to connect with the past, The Time Collector is also a rollicking adventure through ancient mysteries and the moving story of two stunningly drawn characters, chasing the answer to the question of what it means to be human."―Charlie Lovett, New York Times bestselling author of The Bookman's Tale and The Lost Book of the Grail 

"A wonderfully intriguing tale, filled with the mystery of objects that tell a story. The Time Collector's fast pace and fascinating premise will delight history and romance lovers."―Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghost Bride 

"Gwendolyn Womack weaves a suspenseful tale that tackles the question of 'time'―how it’s measured, its impact on nature and human consciousness―and I could hardly put it down! The Time Collector is a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, mysticism, and intrigue, sprinkled with a dash of romance―my very favorite things. What a book!”―Heather Webb, international bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco 

"Gwendolyn Womack creates such marvelous worlds, magnetic characters, and fascinating stories. The Time Collector is her best novel yet―a feast of historical delights that enrich a spellbinding mystery. I can't wait to see where she takes us next."―Glen Erik Hamilton, Anthony Award-winning author of Mercy River

"The Time Collector is a glittering jewel of a novel, in which the past is something tangible that is all around us. With multi-faceted characters, a pulse-pounding plot, and threads of history beautifully woven into the story, this is a novel you won't want to put down, and one that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page."―Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel

"The Time Collector is a fascinating tale of psychometrists, people who touch an object and sense the stories embedded within them. Pick up this book and you too will be transported across the globe and the centuries into exhilarating worlds filled with history and mystery, magic and mysticism, romance and danger. Its pages make the past come alive. Once you hold this object in your hands, you won’t be able to put it down."―Amy Weiss, author of Crescendo

"The Time Collector is more than a story; it's a fantastical, inventive, and masterfully woven adventure across many lifetimes. Perhaps a future psychometrist will hold my copy of the book and know how much I enjoyed it. One can only hope."―Therese Walsh, author of the critically acclaimed novel The Moon Sisters 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Writer. Adventurer. Seeker of all things magical in the world. Bestselling author of THE FORTUNE TELLER and the award-winning thriller THE MEMORY PAINTER. Her next novel, THE TIME COLLECTOR, will be published by Picador USA 4/16/19. Gwendolyn lives in Los Angeles with her family. She collects kaleidoscopes and paints as a hobby.

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REVIEW

The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was my first Gwendolyn Womack book and it was such a breath of fresh air! It had a lot of elements that I enjoy reading but with a spin that felt thoroughly refreshing. The Time Collector was like a palate cleanser after reading a massive amount of books that are too predictable. I actually thought there may be some time travel in this book based on the synopsis, but that wasn't the case. This story explores the metaphysical: using psychometry to learn the history of everyday objects and their secrets, and interpreting that knowledge to theorize about how time works.

Psychometry is the ability to touch everyday objects and sense an "imprint" of the people it came in contact with through the years. In a sense, it was almost like the protagonist Roan was traveling through time. He could sift through the different layers of experiences and actually feel and see others' life events through history. These experiences felt so real that he would often refer to the people he saw in the present tense. As if they were old friends that have told him all of their most intimate details.

I loved reading about him using his heightened senses. Although he used them initially for monetary gain, he's grown into a man who consciously uses his gift to help others by delivering family heirlooms back to their rightful owners. After witnessing countless horrific tragedies spanning centuries, he wants to do his part to right some of those wrongs. He's also a bit of a loner, not trusting many people to accept his unusual abilities and all that comes with it. If anyone had told him he'd be intrigued with another psychometrist and tempted to break all of his rules for her, he'd never believe it.

    ...Melicent Tilpin was a comet that had come streaking across his world. Was he rescuing her or chasing her? Maybe both.

Melicent has led a pretty average life up until the loss of her mother. Now she carries the weight of taking care of her grieving teenage brother, a mountain of debt, and the possibility of losing their family home on her shoulders. When she uses her inexplicable ability to sense things in objects to sell a valuable antique on television, she draws the kind of attention that could very well get her killed. This is where the mystery comes in. Someone is targeting people like her: disappearances, arson, and even murder are occurring. Roan soon discovers that the Ooparts (out of place artifacts) play a central role in the mystery surrounding these crimes. He must solve the mystery of why they are so important and how they work before anyone else gets hurt.

Womack blended scientific theory on time, history, and unexplained mysteries like crop circles and out of place artifacts to create a multi-layered plot that was unlike anything I've read before. The romance between Roan and Melicent wasn't heavily focused on in comparison, but it was just the right balance to keep me invested in their feelings for each other. It was a tricky attraction to say the least. Imagine you had the ability to delve into a person's past with a brush of your hand. Roan is forced to wear gloves most of the day in order to avoid unintentionally invading people's privacy.

    He couldn't imagine attempting a relationship with another psychometrist. Not only would he have to worry about holding her hand, he'd have to worry about her holding his. The problem was that was exactly what he wanted to do with Melicent.

This story drew me in immediately, and my interest didn't wander for a minute. The ending built in suspense and I was glued to the pages as I flew towards the conclusion. I ended up taking half of a star off my rating because while I enjoyed the action in the end, I just wished there had been an epilogue because things were left a little open ended for my taste. I wish more answers could have been given and the fate of the villian more conclusive. But that's just me. Some readers enjoy when things are left up to their own interpretation. If you love books that take you outside of your typical box and shake things up, try The Time Collector. The author is an eloquent storyteller that held me absolutely riveted. Highly recommended! I already ordered another paperback of hers and without a doubt I'll be reading it the earliest chance I get.

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Release Day Blast: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life--and heart--to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

Publication date: April 9, 2019

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction

Published by: Penguin/Berkley

Synopsis:

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life--and heart--to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez--her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future--but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything--not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart...

PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE:

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Learn more about When We Left Cuba including downloading the book club guide and more at: http://www.chanelcleeton.com/when-we-left-cuba

Praise for When We Left Cuba:

A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly un-put-down-able.
—PopSugar

A beautiful and utterly transporting novel.
—Publisher’s Weekly

Bold, unconventional Beatriz makes a heroine for the ages…A thrilling, thought-provoking read!
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

A gorgeously atmospheric homage to a country and a past that vibrates with emotion on every page.  Historic events, espionage, and a Kennedy-esque romance make this novel a rich read, but the addition of a formidable heroine truly makes it unputdownable.  This is not just historical fiction, but also an unrequited love story for a country and a way of life, as well as a journey of self-discovery for a woman torn between love and the two countries she calls home.
—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

Cleeton once again delivers a masterful tale of political intrigue tinged with personal heartbreak. Her ferocity and fearlessness can be found on every page, and Beatriz’s story—one of vengeance, betrayal, and bravery—astonishes and thrills.
—Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece

Atmospheric and evocative, When We Left Cuba captivates with its compelling portrayals of the glamorous Cuban exile community and powerful forbidden love set against the dangerous intrigue of the Cold War. Unforgettable and unputdownable!
—Laura Kamoie, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Dear Hamilton

By turns a captivating historical novel, a sweeping love story, and a daring tale of espionage—I absolutely adored this gem of a novel.
—Jillian Cantor, author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time

Oozing with atmosphere and intrigue, When We Left Cuba is an evocative, powerful and beautifully written historical novel which had me completely captivated from the first page to the last. Take a bow, Chanel Cleeton!
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

With a sure hand for historical detail, an impeccable eye for setting, and a heroine who grasps hold of your heart and never lets go, Chanel Cleeton has created another dazzlingly atmospheric and absorbing story of Cuba and its exiles. A beautiful and profoundly affecting novel from a writer whose work belongs on the shelves of every lover of historical fiction.
—Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown

Powerful, emotional and oh so real. One woman's fight to reclaim her own country, against all odds and no matter what the cost is intertwined with the real history of our lifetime and creates an unforgettable story.
—Rhys Bowen, New York Times and #1 Kindle bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and the Royal Spyness mysteries.

Scintillating…. An intriguing dive into the turbulent Cuban-American history of the 1960s, and the unorthodox choices made by a strong historical woman.
—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room

Rich in historic detail, When We Left Cuba has it all—the excitement of a page-turning thriller, the sizzle of a steamy romance and the elegant prose of a master storyteller.
—Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer

Cleeton draws you into the glamour, intrigue, and uncertainty of the Cuban exile community just after Castro's coup through a heroine who could give Mata Hari a run for her money…. You'll be rooting for Beatriz to change the course of history—and find her own hard-won happily ever after.
—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The English Wife

With a richly imagined setting and a heroine worth rooting for from the start, When We Left Cuba is thrilling and romantic, and timely to boot.
—Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Met Jack

A compelling unputdownable story of love—for a man, for a country, for a past ripped away, and a future’s tenuous promise. When We Left Cuba swept me away.
—Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach.

Electric and fierce. Beatriz Perez’s romance with a handsome, important senator will sweep you away, but it’s her profound loyalty to Cuba and her formidable determination to be her own woman despite life-and-death odds that will really hold you in thrall.
—Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante

 In a tale as tempestuous as Cuba itself, When We Left Cuba is the revolutionary story of one woman’s bold courage and her many sacrifices for her beloved country. An absolutely spectacular read!
—Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of American Princess

Beatriz Perez’s brand of vintage-Havana glamour dazzles with equal parts intrigue, rebellion, and romance to make for an unforgettable story.
—Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott

About the Author:

Chanel Cleeton is the USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

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Blog Tour & Eliza's Review: Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

An Assassins Novel

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A sexy new thriller about love and revenge from the author of the Capital Confessions and International School series… 

X lives by three rules: Show no weakness. Trust no one. Don’t get caught. She lives by the rules they gave her. 

The Academy—set in London, shrouded in secrecy—it trains spies, computer experts, and assassins. Their mission? Dispensing justice and altering the course of world politics. Or so they think. In a world where secrets are weapons and some kills are impossible to forget, everything X thought she knew about her life is about to change. 

They taught her to fight. To blend into the shadows like a ghost, to operate on the fringes of society, to change her identity with ease. They taught her to kill. 

She’ll need every skill they taught her, to stay alive.

Chanel Cleeton brought me one of my favourite series of 2015 with the Capital Confessions. This in turn with her much anticipated Wild Aces series has firmly cemented her as one of my go-to authors.

As a reader who never tends to stray too far from her contemporary romance roots, I easily found myself submerged in this thrilling story of love, betrayal & revenge. American born X is far from your average Nineteen year old, for the last 8 years she has (with her sister Grace) been raised in London by The Academy. What may on the outside appear to be a boarding school, is instead a front for a prestigious training ground for computer specialists, spies and in X's case, assassins.

We arrive as children, are turned into assets, and released into the world to carry out the Academy’s missions.

Show no weakness. Trust no one. Don't get caught.

Life before The Academy is murky at best, X is plagued with memories that are painful & confusing. Life in The Academy can be hard, friendships and alliances are not only not encouraged but considered weakness. A harsh lesson X herself has had to learn.

A new mission revives feelings X felt she had long buried and calls into question everything she thought she knew about The Academy. Learning to trust and love were weakness that are now integral to her survival.

From previous experiences with the author, Between Shadows takes us in a new creative direction. It's a healthy dose of romance and thriller without explicitly being either. It's enough to cater to both audiences whilst having added drama to hold it's intrigue. It has all the finesse and style I've come to very much relish in Chanel's writing, all the while showcasing her versatility as an author.

BOOK LINKS: 

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | B&N | iBOOKS | 

GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO

Praise for the novels of Chanel Cleeton: 

"Sexy, funny, and heart-wrenching--this book has it all!" - Laura Kaye, New York Times bestselling author 

"A sexy hero, strong heroine, delicious romance, sizzling tension and plenty of breathtaking scandal. I loved this book!"--Monica Murphy, New York Times bestselling author

"A sexy fighter pilot hero? Yes, please. For anyone who's ever had a Top Gun fantasy, Fly With Me is for you."--Roni Loren, New York Times bestselling author of Call On Me

"A sassy, steamy, and sometimes sweet read that had me racing to the next page."--Chelsea M. Cameron, New York Times bestselling author 

"Scorching hot and wicked smart, Flirting with Scandal had me hooked from page one! Sizzling with sexual tension and political intrigue, Cleeton weaves a story that is as complex as it is sexy. Thank God this is a series because I need more!"--New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris

"Sexy, intelligent, and intriguing. Chanel Cleeton makes politics scandal-icious."--USA Today bestselling author Tiffany King

"Fun, sexy, and kept me completely absorbed."--Katie McGarry, author of Nowhere But Here

Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure. 

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband. 

Chanel writes contemporary romances, women’s fiction, and thrillers. She is published by Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the International School, Capital Confessions, and Wild Aces series.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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