Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

Book stats:
Reading level: Adult
Trade paperback: 304 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: November 6, 2012

Series: Elder Races #5

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Jenn

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…

Before she met Dragos, half-human/half-Wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyrs’ frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners—in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the Games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear…

It's been a while since I immersed myself in the Elder Races world and, boy, is it nice to be back! I've read some of the stories between this book and DRAGON BOUND, the first book in the series, which I reviewed last year but I couldn't stop myself from picking up LORD'S FALL when I saw it at the library, even though I'm not completely caught up on the series. And while this is the fifth book in the series, it's only the second book to focus on Dragos and Pia, so I don't think my reading suffered for having skipped the short stories and ORACLE'S MOON because Thea Harrison does a great job of catching you up on the big strokes in the series mythology. So the first good news of this post is that if you loved Pia and Dragos in DRAGON BOUND and want more time with them, you can safely pick up LORD'S FALL with minimal difficulty. Pia and Dragos are still settling into their mated relationship and working out what it means for them to be partners, so since they're just six months into things, and it's great fun watching them negotiate the path they plan to walk for the rest of their lives.

There are two main plots in LORD'S FALL: (1) Dragos is running his Sentinel Games to find two new sentinels (well, seven sentinels total but he hopes his remaining sentinels will be victorious in the games to keep their spots) and (2) Pia is off trying to make peace with the elves after Dragos chased her into their demesne back in DRAGON BOUND. This forces the couple to spend large parts of the book apart, but it actually made the story better for me because we get to see them on their own. It shows the reader how strong their feelings are for each other but also demonstrates that they are still very individual, though they are working on building their partnership. It's an intimidating prospect for both of them since Dragos is ancient and set in his ways, and Pia is a babe in the woods in comparison. But they're both committed to discovering how their partnership will work and it was quite interesting to revisit this couple beyond the initial falling-in-love stages of their relationship. Some of my favourite series are the ones with the same couple front and centre, because we do get to see them deal with the everyday issues that come in a relationship.

We also get introduced to some great new characters. I really liked the folks who go with Pia as her guards. They bring a fresh perspective to the book and a lot of humour. And we get to see a lot of Pia in her role as diplomat, trying to mend fences with the elves. I liked this new role on her and I can't wait to see how else she will grow. And the Sentinel Games were interesting because they gave us some insight into Wyr culture and also because they had the potential to significantly shift the face of the Wyr demesne and, consequently, future novels.I won't spoil it for you but I will say that you'll be happy with the seven individuals who emerge as sentinels at the end of the games, because there's a nice mix of familiar faces and intriguing new ones.

Dragos and Pia are a great couple in paranormal romance and I loved having them centre stage in LORD'S FALL. (And make no mistake, there is a fall in this one.) Harrison can do no wrong with this couple and I sincerely hope we don't have to wait another four novels for our next instalment of their love story.

Read an excerpt

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by jenn at Monday, August 12, 2013

 Dragon, Penguin, Review, Thea Harrison  2 People left their mark

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"When I'm not writing..." with Thea Harrison + giveaway!

I'm very excited about today's visitor because it's the talented Thea Harrison! She's joining us today as part of her blog tour for LORD'S FALL, her latest release and the fifth book in her delicious Elder Races paranormal romance series. I discovered her earlier this year and think Thea's work is absolutely delightful so I was pleased as punch when I found out that Tynga's Reviews was going to be included in her tour. Penguin has also offered up a giveaway of this spankin' new novel so be sure to stick around to the very end of the post.

Without further ado, here's what Thea Harrison does when she's not writing!

When I was asked to write a piece on what I do when I’m not writing, several things immediately leaped to mind.

This year, on June 1st, I just became a grandmother for the very first time. My new little granddaughter is beautiful, funny, and a joy to visit, so visits with family have become an important part of my life. Because I can’t resist posting photos on my author Facebook page and on Twitter, I’ve had people from all over the world tell me how adorable the new baby is. Aside from postings about my new releases, Baby Doll’s photos are the most popular things I post on Facebook.

Also, with this writing job can be very sedentary, which has led me to become much more plump than I am comfortable with, so I invested in a treadmill. Now I’m focusing a lot of my attention on getting in an hour of exercise each day. That includes walking my two little dogs, so that THEY get the exercise they need. I’m starting to feel the benefits of the hard work, and it’s manifesting in increased energy. Also, I have my treadmill positioned so that I can watch TV shows while I take a walk, which helps to while away the time. I love it!

The third thing I’m hoping to develop is a coffee group with members of my local RWA chapter. While I love my job, writing is a solitary profession, and it’s important to try to balance social needs with the professional.

We’re going to try to meet twice a month at a local bookstore, with people attending as their own individual schedules allow. I’m quite looking forward to it, and I hope others enjoy it as much as I know I will.

And that leads me to one more thing that I do when I’m not working—read! The choice for the coffee group to meet at a local bookstore was not at all by chance. The trip will allow me to browse the bookshelves, look at new releases, and indulge in one of my favorite past times, which is shopping for books. Like a lot of people, I often allow myself to get too busy to go to a bricks-and-mortar bookstore. Instead I jump on a major bookseller website like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and I settle for the “quick fix” of buying books online and having them delivered either to my doorstep or to my ereader.

Unfortunately, this means I don’t get the visceral pleasure of exploring a physical book, along with the wonderful experience of discovering a new author who is a complete surprise to me. Online booksellers have search programs, and they can make suggestions, but those only take a reader so far. They cannot completely replace the experience in a physical bookstore of turning a corner and seeing an intriguing book quite by accident. Nor would I want them to. I love my ereader for the convenience and instant accessibility it gives me, but after having used it for over a year now, I know that my first love is also my best experience, that of holding a physical book in my hands, opening the pages for the first time, the sight, smell and weight of it, and reading those first intriguing words.

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Thanks for visiting us, Thea, and have fun with the rest of your blog tour!

For more information about Thea and her books, check out her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Here's the scoop on LORD'S FALL:

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…

Before she met Dragos, half-human half-wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now, she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyr’s frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners, in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear…

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

You should also check out the rest of Elder Races series.

Novels:

E-novellas:

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The lovely folks at Penguin are generously offering one (1) lucky reader a copy of LORD'S FALL!
(I wish I could enter this giveaway.)

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

US only

Ends Monday, November 26, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

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by jenn at Tuesday, November 13, 2012

 giveaway, Penguin, Thea Harrison, When I'm not writing  32 People left their mark

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Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Book Stats:
Genre: Paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: May 3, 2011

Series: Elder Races #1

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Jenn

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave--although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul...

I’ve been reading a lot about Thea Harrison on the blogosphere lately and reviews have been nearly uniformly full of praise. My local public library didn’t have a copy but I managed to snag borrow a copy while I was at my parents’ place for the holidays. All I have to say now is: I can’t believe it took me this long!

When I first picked up Dragon Bound, I was worried that the book would remind me too much of Deborah Cooke’s Dragonfire series, which is all about dragons, also known as the Pyr. I enjoy that series so comparison wouldn’t have been a bad thing but they certainly would have been distracting. Thankfully, Thea Harrison has created a world that feels fresh and layered and filled with characters I can’t get enough of!

In the world of the Elder Races, there are all sorts of preternatural beings: goblins, the fae, witches, and the Wyr, who are shapeshifters. Dragos is one of the oldest and most powerful Wyr in the world and he rules over one of seven demesnes, based out of New York. Pia, in contrast, is a 25-year-old half-breed who can’t access many of her Wyr gifts. Despite the difference in age and ability, Pia is Dragos’ equal, standing up to him and speaking her mind in ways no one else has dared. And with her looks and ramblings and mysterious background, Dragos finds himself intrigued in a way he hasn’t been in eons. Plus the chemistry between them pretty much set the book on fire. Pia and Dragos have an electric connection and it makes all of their scenes together sexy and smart and so much fun to read.

Of all the characters in Dragon Bound, Pia is definitely my favourite. She is awesomely quippy, resourceful, and lonely, a combination that makes her a compelling heroine and an intriguing counterpart for Dragos. The back and forth between Pia and Dragos -- and Pia and pretty much every other character -- is fantastic and I had to stop from laughing out loud a couple times since I was on the subway and everyone looks at you funny when you do that in public. I also found myself more and more charmed by Dragos as he puzzled his way through her feelings for Pia.

Dragos surrounds himself with some very powerful and intriguing friends, who are the subjects of future novels. (Woo!) In fact, my favourites, Tricks, Dragos’ P.R. faerie, who befriends Pia, and Rune, Dragos’ right hand man, are the focus of the second and third books in the series, respectively. In fact, all of the characters in the book were well written, even if they only appeared for a few scenes, like Stanford, who I found absolutely adorable.

Dragon Bound is one of the best paranormal romance novels I’ve read recently and I can’t wait to see what else Thea Harrison has in store for us. I hope my local library gets Storm’s Heart, the next book, soon. These characters and this world are just too good!

Read an excerpt

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by jenn at Monday, February 06, 2012

 Dragon, Penguin, Review, Thea Harrison  5 People left their mark

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