Paranormal Romance Review: The Spirit Tree (Tess Lamar #1) by Kathryn M. Hearst

The Spirit Tree (Tess Lamar #1)
by Kathryn M. Hearst

Description:
Tessa Lamar, a Southern girl with a crazy family and a brand new college degree, wants nothing more than for her life to finally start. When her uncle dies unexpectedly, she inherits more than his old truck. As lifetimes of family secrets send her carefully planned world into a tail spin, she realizes nothing will ever be the same.

After learning that she is not only a Firebird, but also half Nunnehi—the Cherokee equivalent to fairy—Tessa is forced to fight for her life against a conjuror determined to kill her, Tribal Elders trying to manipulate her, a crazier-than-a-bat mother, wolves, snakes, and one pissed off ghost. Worse still, she’s caught between a gorgeous blue-eyed cop and a Nunnehi bodyguard who she can’t decide if she wants to throttle or kiss. Good thing she was raised by two tough Southern ladies.


My Review:
The Spirit Tree is a fun modern fantasy with a good dose of romance. Tessa discovers she's both a fairy and a shapeshifter, becoming embroiled in tribal politics and mythology.

I enjoyed the story, primarily for the romance, which was steamy but in a building tension sort of way. Tessa's relationship between her two love interests is blended in a rather intriguing way with the magic system, and I particularly enjoyed how it played out. It isn't a standard love triangle.

I also enjoyed the magic, but despite the unique background, the standard shifter approach was a little disappointing. There also seemed to be a little confusion between were-creatures and shifters, which aren't really interchangeable. Lycanthropy vs. genetic ability were blurred at times.

Overall, I liked the story and would recommend it to folks who enjoy paranormal romance with a decent amount of action. Folks who like their romance on the cleaner side, but who still want to feel the thrill of desire between the characters will likely dig this story.

I purchased my copy of this book.


About the Author:

Kathryn M. Hearst is a southern girl with a love of the dark and strange. She has been a storyteller her entire life, as a child, she took people watching to new heights by creating back stories of complete strangers. Besides writing, she has a passion for shoes, vintage clothing, antique British cars, music, musicians and all things musical (including theater). Kate lives in central Florida with her chocolate lab, Jolene; and two rescue pups, Jagger and Roxanne. She is a self-proclaimed nerd, raising a nerdling.

The Order of the Sinistra Dei is her first series and includes titles, Feast of the Epiphany and Feast of Mercy. Kate's novel, The Spirit Tree, won a publishing contract with Kindle Press through the Kindle Scout contest. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies.

Visit Kathryn's website for more information.

Author Links:
http://www.kathrynmhearst.com/
Goodreads
Twitter @kathrynmhearst
Amazon


Tess Lamar Series:

Fantasy Review: Death Marked (Death Sworn #2) by Leah Cypess

Death Marked (Death Sworn #2)
by Leah Cypess

Description:
A young sorceress’s entire life has been shaped to destroy the empire controlling her world. But if everything she knows is a lie, will she even want to fulfill her destiny? The sequel to Death Sworn is just as full of magic and surprising revelations, and will thrill fans of Leigh Bardugo and Robin LaFevers.

At seventeen, Ileni lost her magical power and was exiled to the hidden caves of the assassins. She never thought she would survive long. But she discovered she was always meant to end up, powerless, in the caves as part of an elder sorcerer’s plan to destroy the evil Empire they'd battled so long. Except that Ileni is not an assassin, and she doesn't want to be a weapon. And, after everything, she’s not even sure she knows the truth. Now, at the very heart of the Empire—its academy for sorcerers—the truth is what she seeks. What she finds challenges every belief she holds dear—and it threatens her fledgling romance with the young master of assassins.

Leah Cypess spins an intricate and beautiful conclusion to Ileni's story. In the end, it may not be the epic decisions that bring down an empire, but the small ones that pierce the heart.


My review:
Fantastic.

I loved the new setting and the tidy way everything is wrapped up. This story surprised me over and over again, even to the ending. As such, I can’t really think of more to say that wouldn’t spoil it.

The author is a masterful storyteller. I very much loved this story and have no trouble marking it as strongly recommended. If you liked the first book, you’ll love the second.

I borrowed this audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Leah Cypess wrote her first story in first grade. The narrator was an ice-cream cone in the process of being eaten. In fourth grade, she wrote her first book, about a girl who was shipwrecked on a desert island with her faithful and heroic dog (a rip-off of both The Black Stallion and all the Lassie movies).

After selling her first story while in high school, she gave in to her mother's importuning to be practical and majored in biology at Brooklyn College. She then went to Columbia Law School and practiced law for almost two years. She kept writing and submitting in her spare time, and finally, a mere 15 years after her first short story acceptance, she sold her first novel.

Leah currently lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with her husband and children.

Author Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Leah-Cypess/
http://www.leahcypess.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2915782.Leah_Cypess

Fantasy Review: Death Sworn (Death Sworn #1) by Leah Cypess

Death Sworn (Death Sworn #1)
by Leah Cypess


Description:
When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.

But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.


My Review:
Great story.

I found it interesting that someone could have super strong magic growing up, but it only be fleeting. The fact that she’s trying to portray strength to her assassin students, but undermining her ability to keep it up the entire time added quite an edge.

The mystery aspect was also great. As she tries to figure out how her predecessors died, she cannot allow herself to forget that she is very likely the next target.

Then there’s the romance. She’s drawn to an unlikely ally, and while he seems likely to reciprocate, she knows she cannot trust him. I thought the author did a great job building characters that act true to their natures and circumstances.

Overall, I loved the book, evidenced by the fact that I immediately borrowed number 2 after reading. I think fans of fantasy will dig this.

I borrowed this audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Leah Cypess wrote her first story in first grade. The narrator was an ice-cream cone in the process of being eaten. In fourth grade, she wrote her first book, about a girl who was shipwrecked on a desert island with her faithful and heroic dog (a rip-off of both The Black Stallion and all the Lassie movies).

After selling her first story while in high school, she gave in to her mother's importuning to be practical and majored in biology at Brooklyn College. She then went to Columbia Law School and practiced law for almost two years. She kept writing and submitting in her spare time, and finally, a mere 15 years after her first short story acceptance, she sold her first novel.

Leah currently lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with her husband and children.

Author Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Leah-Cypess/
http://www.leahcypess.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2915782.Leah_Cypess