Rowan Summerwaite has unfinished business in the latest installment of the thrilling Goddess with a Blade series by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane.
Rowan Summerwaite is many things. She knows how to land a punch but has learned there’s more than one way to solve a problem. She was once a loner, but the family she’s made over the years—including her husband, Clive,the Vampire Scion of North America—mean more to her than she could have ever imagined.
And, with the gifts bestowed upon her from the Goddess Brigid growing stronger with every passing moment, she’s more powerful than ever before.
It’s a good thing, too, because she’ll need every bit of her wits, her family, and her emerging powers as she confronts a new threat facing the Conclave of witches and the Vampire Nation. A threat that will pit Rowan and her friends against the most powerful—and dangerous—families within the magical Senate.
While Rowan Summerwaite may be many things, trusting is not usually one of them. But that’s exactly what she’ll need to do—trust others and, most of all, trust herself—to keep those she loves safe from harm one more time.
Goddess with a Blade
Book 1: Goddess with a Blade Book 2: Blade To the Keep Book 3: Blade on the Hunt Book 4: At Blade's Edge Book 5: Wrath of the Goddess Book 6: Blood and Blade Book 7: Bad Blood Book 8: Blood and Magic
Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in this series, and this book was just too much to pass up. I admit I didn’t realize I hadn’t read the book before this one, and I didn’t remember much of the ones I had read as it’s been a few years and quite a few books. So, it took me awhile to get into this book. But once I did, most things came back. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, so I had a hard time with that. All that aside, I quite enjoyed this book. I love the dynamic between Rowan and Clive because he lets her take care of herself while still being protective. We have a couple of powerful women, and a couple of powerful women who aren’t supernatural which I also loved. This is a well-written, action-packed, engaging book, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
An urban fantasy that is book 8 in the goddess with a blade series. It has excellent worldbuilding and great characters. I love Rowan and Clive. They will do anything for each other and have each other‘s backs always. Rowans familiar, Star, is the best! This has action, vamps, and magic. It is told in multiple points of view which helps you relate to the characters. I recommend reading the other books in the series for background and checking trigger warnings. Overall, a fast paced read that I highly recommend.
As much as I was looking forward to reading this book (considering that the previous one ended in a cliffhanger) I have to admit that, perhaps because of the large number of characters or because it was probably pretty clear, at least to me, how it was going to end, I was bored. For goodness sake, it can always happen and maybe it was just the wrong time and it was too hot, so I'll pretend nothing happened and anxiously await the next installment in this series, which by the way, remains one of my favorites.
Per quanto non vedessi l'ora di leggere questo libro, considerato che il precedente era finito in un cliffhanger, ma devo ammettere che, forse per il gran numero di personaggi o perché probabilmente era piuttosto chiaro, almeno a me, come sarebbe andata a finire, io mi sono annoiata. Per caritá puó sempre succedere e magari era solo il momento sbagliato e faceva troppo caldo, quindi faró finta di niente e mi metteró ad aspettare ansiosamente il prossimo volume di questa serie, che comunque, resta una delle mie preferite.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Urban Fantasy Steamy Romance featuring a vampire Hunter and goddess's Vessel, her Vampire scion husband and a powerful Witch as they gather their allies to confront those threatening Witches and Vampires.
5/5 stars: This is the eighth entry in Dane's Goddess with a Blade series, which is a Urban Fantasy Steamy Romance that features a vampire Hunter and the human Vessel to the Goddess Brigid, her husband, who's the Vampire Scion of North America, and a powerful Witch, who's a Conclave Senator and Priestess for a Trick of Dust Devils (AKA a group of chaos demigods) and romantically partnered with their leader, as they gather their allies to confront and put an end to a threat facing the Conclave of witches and the Vampire Nation. The world Dane's crafted is fantastically well-written; you'll find vampires, witches and magic who are living in secret in the modern world. Dane has written a heck of a compelling plot that weaves political wrangling, nonstop action and an old fashioned investigation that has plenty of twists and turns. Told in multiple POVs (Rowen, Clive, Genevieve and Darius) and with biting humor, Dane's writing and character work are stellar. The cast of characters is one of the best I've ever read; they're infinitely complex yet incredibly likable. Rowan's a kick-butt heroine who's growth has been a joy to read and I love her relationship with Clive. Genevieve's a great character, incredibly powerful and it's great to see her relationship with Darius. Also I love Rowan's magical dog/familiar, Star. Oh and Dane brings the heat with incredibly sexy deliciously scorching OPS scenes. Dane takes on some sensitive subjects; so take care and check the CWs. I wouldn't suggest reading this as a stand-alone, at minimum you'll want to read book seven, Bad Blood, which is the first part of this two book plot arc but you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Goddess with a Blade.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Rowan Summerwaite is many things. She knows how to land a punch but has learned there’s more than one way to solve a problem. She was once a loner, but the family she’s made over the years—including her husband, Clive,the Vampire Scion of North America—mean more to her than she could have ever imagined.
And, with the gifts bestowed upon her from the Goddess Brigid growing stronger with every passing moment, she’s more powerful than ever before.
It’s a good thing, too, because she’ll need every bit of her wits, her family, and her emerging powers as she confronts a new threat facing the Conclave of witches and the Vampire Nation. A threat that will pit Rowan and her friends against the most powerful—and dangerous—families within the magical Senate.
While Rowan Summerwaite may be many things, trusting is not usually one of them. But that’s exactly what she’ll need to do—trust others and, most of all, trust herself—to keep those she loves safe from harm one more time. So come to the end of the series for now, I really enjoyed the characters and watching Rowan and Clive manuver around their many obligations making their marriage work, all in all a great series.
This is number eight in this series and I have no idea what was going on. You need to read the others first. Three or four different point of views. Rowan has a goddess inside of her and she gets stronger every day. Rowan is part of the Hunter Corp ( I really don’t know what they do) and was attacked and wounded by shifter wolves, in broad daylight, with humans around, and cameras on the street. Rowan is married to Clive, a very old vampire, who is Scion of the Vampire Nation. There is also a witch Genevieve who is with the Conclave that rules the witches, she is also a priestess. They are also investigating a bunch of people for Rowan’s attack which leads to human trafficking for vampires. A lot of secrets are revealed. And Rowan kicks butt and takes names. I’m not for sure if I got this right. I honestly didn’t understand this story. So be sure to read the others first.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed and received a copy from Netgalley *
Blood & Magic is the eighth addiction to the Goddess of the Blades series. It has a great balance between love, humour and suspense that keeps the reader from putting the book down until it’s finished. I thoroughly enjoy the ever growing love and commitment between Rowan and Clive. Its only surpassed by their unending need and desire to protect the ones they love. See Genevieve and Darius’ relationship and connection grow and deepen was also a joy. Together both couples and their close friends work together to confront a new growing threat against both the Vampire Nation and the Conclave of witches. But can they overcome the powerful and dangerous members of the Senate? Read it and find out!
I received an ebook copy this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
It's always fun to see Rowan kick ass and boy did she get to do that a lot in this one. I loved how she went after the one family, relentless in finding them all and exposing all the bad things they did. It was funny how as she caught each one, they claimed they had rights and how Rowan would lay out what the did and how they had no rights at all! The more that Rowan gathered up this family, the more that she found out there was more here, which led to more people getting rounded up. Along the way, Clive was by her side, helping as he could. It was nice to see how things ended for them, they were in a good place.
Lauren Dane has a knack for writing each book in a series as good as the one before, and while each book has a mystery to solve, bad guys to catch, innocents to save, she manages not to make them feel too formulaic and each one is a new step on a journey to something else - first Clive and Rowan’s relationship, then new friendships and connections, now to uncovering and dismantling large conspiracies threatening to undermining supernatural society. Thank you and please have fun writing the next one!
This was a refreshing read. Even though there was serious crimes being committed I didn’t feel overwhelmed with negative feelings. Rowan chemistry with all her friends I immensely live. They way everyone cares about her and she them. With that being said everyone combined to help suss out the bad guys in all capacity. Do not mess with Rowan. Do not try to kill her. It just pisses her off to the Max. She will make you regret it. Do I recommend? Most definitely. Will I reread? Yes. I enjoyed the story a lot .
All major characters had their stories was lovely. The 'super bad' just didn't work as well for me. Horrible people doing horrible things, but I just never got as emotionally hooked as in prior books. Maybe because in creating a twisty, densely layered plot, there were just (for me) too many players. Still I'll wait (impatiently) for the next installment.
Things all come to a grand end in this book, well maybe. The growth of David and his skills as an manager is shown. I hope he gets a territory in the next book and the love interests are next. I love the dust devils. This book works out who did what to the witches and vampires but leaves a great many things hanging. I can not wait for Pedal to visit Radar and the explosive visit to his goal.
WOW! The world in this series just blows my mind. The authors knack for pulling the different policies, laws and processes in this world is just AMAZING! The puzzle pieces in these stories will blow your mind. The suspense is off the charts. The romance between two people from different worlds and backgrounds is GREAT along with the comedy and action scenes. AMAZING SERIES!
I have read the entire series and greatly enjoyed every book. There is always plot twists in every book. The characters stay true to themselves and done so through the 8 books. I just read the last book and can't wait for the next book. Lauren Dane is a great author and her books are always a guarantee great read.
For two books I have been waiting and waiting for the Joint Tribunal and it continues to be pushed off. I was so looking forward to seeing Rowan in that position of political intrigue and I wanted to see her with Theo again. I do hope this isn't the last in the series because this just didn't feel completed.
I keep reading this series because of Rowan! I love to read her connection with her vampire hubby and their relationship kind of similar with Eve and Roarke.
But Rowan is incredible, like reading Eve Dallas on steroids! Lol 😜 That’s a compliment, Ms Dane! 😜😂🤣
I liked this installment of Rowan and Clive’s. I also liked getting t know Genevieve and the Dust Devils. I definitely feel like there is a spin-off in the making. That said, I feel like this was a “middle” book, connecting the early books to what I suspect will be a change in direction for Rowan. We’ll see, can’t wait.
Loved this series and had bought and pre ordered every time one is available. In this book I seem to have lost Rowan along the way , no ass whooping and big fights, this is just my opinion ...
I love this series! I like the addition of Genevieve, Darius, and the Dustdevils in this and the last book. Coming to the end of one mystery adds more to the ongoing intrigue in the Vampire and Conclave worlds.
I have absolutely loved every single book in this series. From the characters to the action. Laughed at the snark until my face hurt. I hope there are more in this series.
There was a lot of "inside baseball" about vampire politics in this particular book and not a lot of plot line growth, I hope that this particular book isn't the last one in the series. 5/10.
As diverting as all the others. Villains are terrible and treated accordingly with snark. I could see how this book could be the end, but there is room for more if the author goes in that direction.
Wow, fantastic book. I enjoyed this installation capturing up with Rowan, Clive and their friends, and associates and of course Theo. As usual the vampires and witches are causing trouble again.
Diving back into the Goddess with a Blade series is always a refreshing read. This urban fantasy gets better and better. Returning back to Rowan and her collection of super powered friends and allies, she continues to take on the Big Bad guys who come into her town. For those who have not read the previous books in this series, it is recommended to start at the beginning to get caught up.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.