I'm honored to introduce you to a new-to-me author V.S. Nelson with her next story in the Sekhmet's Guardians series, Eternal Blades. Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book and learn about combining fantasy with reality courtesy of the author. You'll also get my impressions of this book and can learn more by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form for your chance to win a gorgeous book bag and swag!
Three days ago I was having a conversation with the receptionist at my local hair salon. The lady in question is also reading my series. I, of course, asked her how she liked the books and what her favorite parts were.
She began by talking about one of the male characters who she found absolutely delectable. (Her words, not mine) Then she switched and brought up the fact that even though I have build a romantic tale of two lovers in a make believe world there were many aspects to the stories which made her think everything in the books were happening, right here, right now and could be real.
I grinned and asked her to be more specific… You see, one of things I wanted to do with my paranormal series was create a world which was believable. Most authors and experts in the field will tell you when you are creating a make believe world you need to use made up places. I didn’t want to do that, so I contacted several places of interests (cafes, stores, etc.) and asked them if I could mention them (in a positive light) in my books. All who I contacted gave their permission and were thrilled with the idea their store or café would be in a romance novel.
Most of my stories take place around the Chicago area and Lake Michigan so I had my heroes and heroines frequent places of interest within that area. Rather than make up names for cafes and shops and amusement parks, I used real places of interest for both my urban fantasy and paranormal series’. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve heard, “I’ve been there,” from my readers. Surprisingly, this experiment of mine has worked out well for the books and I have discovered my readers enjoy reading about real places they have been. I’ve even had some readers claim on their next trip to that area, they are planning on visiting places which are in the books.
Back to the conversation with the receptionist… She also mentioned she adored how I interjected bits of real history as it related to the story line. I’ve often jokingly referred to the heroes in Sekhmet’s Guardians as my personal ninja turtles. This is because so many of them are named after Arch Angels, like the cartoon characters… But they didn’t start out that way; their original names, those names they received at birth in New Tuat are often long and complicated or difficult for the average reader to relate to. A sub story developed on how they received their names during the Siege of Antioch. (a real war during the Crusades) Being a retired history professor, I recalled the real story of a monk who was present just outside the walls of Antioch when the tides of the war changed. He claimed several arch angels rode up on their horses with swords blazing against the bright son… The Angels were credited for the saving the day. It made since to add this story with a few modifications to the series and give my ninja’s some credibility… and so Netchkhet became Gabriel, Nebtehet became Raphael and so on. That is just one such historical story hidden within the pages of a modern day tale. They say too much back story can run a good story, but if it’s written in such away it draws the reader in and give the characters credibility, then by all means, have fun with it. I know this author is having a ball utilizing that which I have learned over the years.
So what do you think? Do you enjoy reading about real places and events in your urban fantasies and modern day paranormal romances? I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts on the subject.
Lance hates the personification he has created around himself. Afraid the others might not understand why; he has held back the truth from Gabriel and the other Guardians, he has waited for the right woman, the one Sekhmet prophesized so long ago. And now he has found her. When he is accused of fathering a child by both Gabriel and Tshering, how can he make them believe the child is not his, even if the boy is a spitting imagine of him?
After the women are attacked by Set’s Legions while relaxing on Jennifer’s new yacht, they come to the unanimous decision; they will train and join the Guardian forces. But that’s not as easy as it was meant to be. Old fashioned and hard headed, Gabriel is determined he will not having women fighting in their war.
When Tshering, Jennifer and Jessica are taken hostage by Set’s Legions all hell breaks loose on the Guardian’s compound. Lost without their mates, brother fights brother while they try save their women and put an end to the Legion’s terror. Will Sekhmet, the goddess they serve, step in and reveal the truth or will she leave them to find their own solutions to a never ending war as she has in the past?
EXCERPT:
Lance poured the two of them a drink from the small bar inTshering’s room while she attempted to explain what the women decided to do.
“Never going to happen…You don’t know my brother like I do… He’s old fashioned to say the least. He believes a woman’s place… well, you get the idea.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that… Jennifer’s mind was pretty made up.”
“I’m telling you, Gabriel will never allow women on the fighting force.”
Lance handed her a drink.
“I don’t think she is really going to ask him that… I think she is going to ask permission for all of us to train with the recruits… you know, in your martial arts and weapon’s classes.”
“Um-hum and when she does, Gabriel will read right through her plan. He knows how sneaky she can be, especially when she wants something… Look, if it will make you happy, I’m more than willing to take you down to the firing range and show you some of the martial arts stuff, myself.”
“You would, really?” She asked, batting her long lashes as she snuggled closer to him, draping her arms around his neck, pulling him tight into her body, where he could feel her breasts as they talked.
“Um –hum,” he mumbled. His lips descended onto her neck. “Anything you want, baby… anything to make you happy.”
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Eternal Blades is an intense story from the very beginning with lots of action scenes and various sub-plots being juggled. This makes for a fast-paced story that is sometimes hard to get into and hard to keep up with but always entertaining. For those, like myself, who haven't read the previous books in the series you need not be deterred from picking this up as the author does a nice job up bringing past story elements into this story and then expanding upon them. From its battle of the sexes to its endearing hero and intriguing villains with surprising depths this was a thrilling and dramatically sweeping story that deserves recognition.
Eternal Blades is an intense story from the very beginning with lots of action scenes and various sub-plots being juggled. This makes for a fast-paced story that is sometimes hard to get into and hard to keep up with but always entertaining. For those, like myself, who haven't read the previous books in the series you need not be deterred from picking this up as the author does a nice job up bringing past story elements into this story and then expanding upon them. From its battle of the sexes to its endearing hero and intriguing villains with surprising depths this was a thrilling and dramatically sweeping story that deserves recognition.
Lance is seen as the playboy of the group but the reality couldn't be further from the truth. He's been waiting for just the right woman, the woman to completely change him. I found him endearing and his reasons for holding out for just the right woman touching. He might not have taken over the story as other heroes do but I still found myself drawn to him.
The woman who sets Lance's world on end is Tshering and she immediately bonds with the other women involved with Guardians, much to the chagrin of the Guardians. They don't like feeling helpless and want to learn to fight alongside their men which is unheard of and leads to a battle between the sexes. Before long she and the other heroines are in jeopardy amongst the enemy which shows us surprising sides to the villains we once thought we understood. These villains are becoming more multifaceted and more intriguing and I look forward to the ramifications of their evolution.
The romance was well-done though I wish more time had been devoted to Lance and Tshering. Their scenes together are fun, full of sexual tension and showed Lance to be the ultimate romantic hero. The rest of the story moved at an exciting pace with lots of twists and turns that have me excited for the next installment and recommending these books to fans of the paranormal and sweeping dramatic storytelling.
My rating for this is a B+
My rating for this is a B+
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
With a love for history, Native American author V.S. Nelson, instructed elementary, high school and college in the U.S. and abroad before launching her second writing career.
V has been a story-teller all her life, always creating stories about people discovering the courage to make a difference. This drove her into writing her paranormal series centering on strong relationships and led her to coin the term: Ancient Legends, New Worlds.
She is well known for her “time management and sprint style writing,” producing well over five thousand words daily - consecutively.
V is available for speaking engagements, appearances and is more than willing to share her methodology with others in a variety of workshops.
A member of three RWA chapters she sits on several committees and judges writing contests across the states.
In Jan, 2013, Eternal Lovers, the first book in her eleven book paranormal series, Sekhmet’s Guardians launched with a fury. Being a series reader herself, she has held true to her promise by releasing no less than two books in the series per year in addition to her other work.
WEBSITE: http://www.authorvsnelson.com
BLOG: http://www.authorvsnelson.
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TWITTER: https://twitter.com/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7068071.V_S_Nelson
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Thank you so much for hosting me today and thank you for the lovely review. I hope you will consider going back and reading the previous two books in the series. Always, V
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