Book Review: Cursed in Shadow by Andrea R. Cooper

Title: Cursed in Shadow (Book 1.5 in the Legends of Oblivion series)
Author: Andrea R. Cooper
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Published by: Self-Published

Blurb:

Cursed in Shadow is the continuation of The Garnet Dagger, Book 1 in the Legends of Oblivion series. This novelette bridges Book 1 and Son of Dragons, Book 2. After defeating the Warloc, Brock, the Elvin Vampyre, takes Celeste to Tamlon to search the prophecies of the four and the Son of Dragons. However, the Elvin city is not safe, even for his witch. The Warloc’s protégé is bent on his physical return to the living. Her necromancy brings forth Brock’s first victim and more. Brock and Celeste must defeat prejudice and power to continue their journey and find Brock’s twin sister, Mirhana.

Sensuality Level: Quite Heated

Kayla's Thoughts:

For those of you who have read the first book in this series, The Garnet Dagger, this book is quite a wonderful little read.

Taking place after the destruction of the Warloc, Cursed in Shadow follows Celeste and Brock as they journey back to Brock's home of Tamlon to find the prophecies of the four, because of course defeating the Warloc can't be enough. Now they are going to have to deal with someone who is just a tad bit miffed by the Warloc's defeat. His protégé, his progeny. And boy is she going to make her first act against our hero and heroine a big one.

Of course, though, before this first act, we get to see the general reaction of the elves toward Celeste and Brock bringing her to Tamlon. You see, due to the fact that humans are basically forbidden to enter there, she makes quite a few enemies by basically doing nothing. Just the fact that she exists inside their land is reason enough. And Brock isn't fairing any better. He already had enemies before he brought her there, and now...well, this isn't really helping matters.

They won't be staying long, thankfully, as they need to find some important players to aid in ridding the land of the sickness and evil that is rotting its very core. One of which was long thought dead...Brock's very own long lost twin sister.

But before they leave, you know that big first act that I told you about? Well, the curtain is rising and Brock is going to get quite a surprise. A very revenge-filled surprise.

Things are getting quite juicy...

Verdict:

This is kind of the perfect quencher of my literary thirst between the first and second books in this series. It segue's wonderfully by allowing the little pit stop in Tamlon. A very important pit stop, mind you, because it kind of allows a little introduction to who our characters will be dealing with now. Someone who has learned from the Warloc certainly cannot be good.

This story also delves a little bit more into Brock and Celeste's relationship. Not just physically, mind you, although it does get a bit steamy, but also how they truly feel about one another. But I can't help but get a bad feeling about this. Something is not sitting right with me. It is unexplainable, but I think that maybe one of them could possibly turn against the other. I don't know, but it could be one of them could very well join the dark side of this fight. They do have cookies...so I guess that would appeal?

I don't know, it is just a feeling.

But anyway...READ THIS!!! And if you happen to read this one before The Garnet Dagger, READ THAT ONE TOO!!! I can only imagine how the rest of the story will play out...and I am quite excited to find out.

Links for Book:

Amazon / Goodreads

Author's Bio:

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always enjoyed creating characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels. 

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories, they exaggerate, she thought. Love and romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes, love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).

Once she heard about a writer who never let her characters deviate from the script. If they did, she just killed them. How sad, she thought. For her one of the best parts of being a writer is letting the characters have a mind of their own and seeing where the story takes them. 

She loves this quote from Robert Frost, which sums up her opinion on allowing the characters their freedom: "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader." ― Robert Frost

Currently, she has two novels published with Crimson Romance. The Garnet Dagger - a fantasy/ paranormal romance - and Viking Fire - historical romance with a touch of magic. She hopes you will enjoy the stories as much as she did writing them.

Andrea writes fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba. 

She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

Links for Author:

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website / Google+