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Broken Riders #1
Dangerously Charming
From the author of the Baba Yaga novels, a brand new series set in the same “addicting”* world, filled with wild magic, enchanting damsels, and the irresistibly daring men who serve the Baba Yagas...
The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended—and their new destinies are just beginning...
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her...
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own...
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts...
The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended—and their new destinies are just beginning...
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her...
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own...
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts...
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
64 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Blake
80 books1,788 followersDeborah is the author of over a dozen non-fiction books on modern witchcraft and a tarot and oracle decks from Llewellyn. Her fiction includes the Baba Yaga series, The Broken Rider series, and the Veiled Magic series, and her cozy mysteries The Catskill Pet Rescue series (mostly from Berkley) as well as a few stand-alone novels.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 1, 2018
Don't know why I didn't review this - I read it as soon as it hit the shelves as I loved the riders in the Baba Yaga series. This book didn't disappoint!
September 14, 2016
I discovered this authors inventive Baba Yaga series a couple of years ago and found it so deliciously chock full of magic and adventure that I felt bereft when it seemed to be over . Now clearly the author had fun with this world too because now we get a spin off series featuring her magical Riders. Well to be fair the synopsis does give a huge spoiler on something that previously turned the Riders into the loners that feature in this story but with the help or perhaps hindrance of a powerful Queen the journey of the White Rider Mikhail, is set to take him on a whole new adventure!
I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that if you read this book before the Baba Yaga series you will miss out. That being said it does work as a standalone as there's enough background information imparted along the way as the story builds up.
So what did I think? Ok Mikhail is in a dark place when the story begins blaming himself for the tragic events that befell himself and his two brothers. Convinced that he is beyond redemption he finds himself doing what he swore he would never do again , in short ride to the rescue of a damsel in distress ! The damsel in question is Jenna, human, pregnant, on the run and cursed! Yes a curse passed down through her family and now Jenna is desperate to find a way to end it once and for all. Jenna has no intention of losing her baby and will do anything to prevent it. I had to admire Jenna as she's thrust into a world that she knows nothing about and yet she doesn't bow down . No she's courageous , plucky and not too shabby at defending herself! Not a kickass heroine but one who felt human and unafraid to love. Fate has a strange way of working out at times but when there's magic involved you can be sure that it's not going to be boring!
I really enjoyed catching up with previous characters and I'm so pleased the author hasn't run out of steam. A charming romance with surprising events but best of all a happy ever after.
I was gifted a copy if this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that if you read this book before the Baba Yaga series you will miss out. That being said it does work as a standalone as there's enough background information imparted along the way as the story builds up.
So what did I think? Ok Mikhail is in a dark place when the story begins blaming himself for the tragic events that befell himself and his two brothers. Convinced that he is beyond redemption he finds himself doing what he swore he would never do again , in short ride to the rescue of a damsel in distress ! The damsel in question is Jenna, human, pregnant, on the run and cursed! Yes a curse passed down through her family and now Jenna is desperate to find a way to end it once and for all. Jenna has no intention of losing her baby and will do anything to prevent it. I had to admire Jenna as she's thrust into a world that she knows nothing about and yet she doesn't bow down . No she's courageous , plucky and not too shabby at defending herself! Not a kickass heroine but one who felt human and unafraid to love. Fate has a strange way of working out at times but when there's magic involved you can be sure that it's not going to be boring!
I really enjoyed catching up with previous characters and I'm so pleased the author hasn't run out of steam. A charming romance with surprising events but best of all a happy ever after.
I was gifted a copy if this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 28, 2016
The Riders- tortured, broken, and no longer immortal... I loved the Riders all through the Baba Yaga series so I wanted to kiss the author's feet when I discovered there would be a spin-off series following the Riders after all that went before. First up is Mikhail Day- the White Rider. Happy go lucky, teasing and lovable Day is no more. In his place, a bitter, guilt-ridden man who wants nothing to do with damsels in distress after what fate handed him last time he fell for that one. But see, fate is a cunning and whimsical thing and in no wise finished with the White Rider.
Jenna Quinlin's family is under a heartbreaking faerie curse. The first born child of each generation is taken by a fairy. There is a riddle that can break the curse, but Jenna's solution as the last of her line was to avoid having a child and letting it all end with her. Well that didn't work out and now the clock is ticking down and she must solve the riddle to keep her baby from being taken. A series of bad things happening including the last which was the death of her old car on a deserted forest road leads her to the doorstep of curmudgeonly Mick Day.
Day wants to slam his cabin door in the face of the soggy, limping and cold woman on his doorstep, but even he can't be that cruel. He dries off, renders first aid and offers some hospitality while desperate to avoid being sucked into Jenna's troubles. But when a malicious fairy comes and he sees the human woman courageously confront Zilya, somethings awakens inside him. Slowly, he is pulled back into life and for the sort of quest and protection he was born for.
A visit with the Queen of Faerie, working on the riddle with Barbara one of the Baba Yagas, the pursuit of Zilya's minions and Jenna's ex, all bring Day back to fighting form and help to heal him. But it is also the close contact with the strong yet vulnerable Jenna. Both fight an attraction, but fighting a fate that feels so right is growing harder and harder.
I enjoyed this story that was about personal healing for Day and a Quest to Jenna. I enjoy returning to this world where the fairy tales and paranormal legends come to life. It was exciting getting Mikhail Day's history and getting a story he shares narration with Jenna. The White Rider may no longer be immortal, but he is no ordinary human just like his sexy white bike is not just a motorcycle. Jenna may be vulnerable because she is pregnant, but she is no wilting flower. This gal can kick box and she bravely confronts and takes on a wicked fairy along with all the amazing things that are beyond human comprehension.
The humor- oh the dry one-liners that had me chuckling, wit, and slow-build character and romance development were satisfying and fantastic.
Reunion with Barbara, Liam, Babs, Chud0-Yudo, the Queen and King, and one more were just icing on the cake.
And oh my yes, The Red Rider, Gregori Sun, is next. Can't wait.
Dangerously Charming begins a new series, but if this sounds just your thing and you're just hearing about it, I would recommend going back to the beginning of the Baba Yaga series because really they all follow each other with an ongoing storyline and world.
My thanks to Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jenna Quinlin's family is under a heartbreaking faerie curse. The first born child of each generation is taken by a fairy. There is a riddle that can break the curse, but Jenna's solution as the last of her line was to avoid having a child and letting it all end with her. Well that didn't work out and now the clock is ticking down and she must solve the riddle to keep her baby from being taken. A series of bad things happening including the last which was the death of her old car on a deserted forest road leads her to the doorstep of curmudgeonly Mick Day.
Day wants to slam his cabin door in the face of the soggy, limping and cold woman on his doorstep, but even he can't be that cruel. He dries off, renders first aid and offers some hospitality while desperate to avoid being sucked into Jenna's troubles. But when a malicious fairy comes and he sees the human woman courageously confront Zilya, somethings awakens inside him. Slowly, he is pulled back into life and for the sort of quest and protection he was born for.
A visit with the Queen of Faerie, working on the riddle with Barbara one of the Baba Yagas, the pursuit of Zilya's minions and Jenna's ex, all bring Day back to fighting form and help to heal him. But it is also the close contact with the strong yet vulnerable Jenna. Both fight an attraction, but fighting a fate that feels so right is growing harder and harder.
I enjoyed this story that was about personal healing for Day and a Quest to Jenna. I enjoy returning to this world where the fairy tales and paranormal legends come to life. It was exciting getting Mikhail Day's history and getting a story he shares narration with Jenna. The White Rider may no longer be immortal, but he is no ordinary human just like his sexy white bike is not just a motorcycle. Jenna may be vulnerable because she is pregnant, but she is no wilting flower. This gal can kick box and she bravely confronts and takes on a wicked fairy along with all the amazing things that are beyond human comprehension.
The humor- oh the dry one-liners that had me chuckling, wit, and slow-build character and romance development were satisfying and fantastic.
Reunion with Barbara, Liam, Babs, Chud0-Yudo, the Queen and King, and one more were just icing on the cake.
And oh my yes, The Red Rider, Gregori Sun, is next. Can't wait.
Dangerously Charming begins a new series, but if this sounds just your thing and you're just hearing about it, I would recommend going back to the beginning of the Baba Yaga series because really they all follow each other with an ongoing storyline and world.
My thanks to Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2016
3.5 stars
This curse unbroken now shall be
Down into eternity
Unless you find the pathway through
And solve the riddle with this clue
A rose’s cry at rock enchanted
The sun’s bright ray where none is slanted
A magic key to a gift divine
True love must merge when stars align
Dangerously Charming is the start of a new spin-off series from Deborah Blake, out of her previous Baba Yaga novels. Personally, I think you don’t need to read the Baba Yaga novels first because Blake gave enough information for new readers, but it will sure help give context as to why the series is titled “Broken Riders”.
On the fantasy/fairy-tale part, I thought this was definitely charming. There is a classic adventure quest to break a curse that had been cast centuries ago. Blake takes readers to visit the Otherworld, to revisit Barbara (one of the Baba Yagas), a road trip to enchanted rock, more information about Russian folklore, heck even having Mikhail involved in challenge of wits with a troll. I enjoyed that part very much. I also loved that I knew more about Mikhail and his Rider brothers this time.
It is the romance part that I wasn’t completely sold on. I thought it was rather lukewarm, and I definitely didn’t get the emotion. Which was too bad because with Mikhail having guilt after what happened with him and his brothers in the previous series, there was potential for hurt/comfort moments.
I also had issues with a couple of technical things. Deborah Blake used ‘two versions’ of referring Mikhail Day as character. When the perspective is heavily leaning on Mikhail, she uses “Day”. When it is from Jenna’s perspective, she writes it as “Mick”. That didn’t help me connect with the character. Just when I was familiarizing myself with Mick, I was ‘yanked’ out again and forced to know Mick as Day. It was distracting.
Blake also wrote a few short scenes using multiple POVs from other characters, like Barbara, Jenna’s ex, and the fairy who cast the curse. I strongly dislike multiple POVs in books with a romantic element. I want the POVs to focus only the hero/heroine. So I thought these scenes were unnecessary and disrupted the flow of the story.
Of course this could easily be my issue alone. Overall, it is a good spin-off and for those who have enjoyed Baba Yaga series, you will enjoy this one as well.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
This curse unbroken now shall be
Down into eternity
Unless you find the pathway through
And solve the riddle with this clue
A rose’s cry at rock enchanted
The sun’s bright ray where none is slanted
A magic key to a gift divine
True love must merge when stars align
Dangerously Charming is the start of a new spin-off series from Deborah Blake, out of her previous Baba Yaga novels. Personally, I think you don’t need to read the Baba Yaga novels first because Blake gave enough information for new readers, but it will sure help give context as to why the series is titled “Broken Riders”.
On the fantasy/fairy-tale part, I thought this was definitely charming. There is a classic adventure quest to break a curse that had been cast centuries ago. Blake takes readers to visit the Otherworld, to revisit Barbara (one of the Baba Yagas), a road trip to enchanted rock, more information about Russian folklore, heck even having Mikhail involved in challenge of wits with a troll. I enjoyed that part very much. I also loved that I knew more about Mikhail and his Rider brothers this time.
It is the romance part that I wasn’t completely sold on. I thought it was rather lukewarm, and I definitely didn’t get the emotion. Which was too bad because with Mikhail having guilt after what happened with him and his brothers in the previous series, there was potential for hurt/comfort moments.
I also had issues with a couple of technical things. Deborah Blake used ‘two versions’ of referring Mikhail Day as character. When the perspective is heavily leaning on Mikhail, she uses “Day”. When it is from Jenna’s perspective, she writes it as “Mick”. That didn’t help me connect with the character. Just when I was familiarizing myself with Mick, I was ‘yanked’ out again and forced to know Mick as Day. It was distracting.
Blake also wrote a few short scenes using multiple POVs from other characters, like Barbara, Jenna’s ex, and the fairy who cast the curse. I strongly dislike multiple POVs in books with a romantic element. I want the POVs to focus only the hero/heroine. So I thought these scenes were unnecessary and disrupted the flow of the story.
Of course this could easily be my issue alone. Overall, it is a good spin-off and for those who have enjoyed Baba Yaga series, you will enjoy this one as well.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
October 16, 2016
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2e2Bmvr
The Riders! Ahhh! The Riders! I love them and was so dang excited to see this series. Dangerously Charming was everything I hoped it would be. Adventure, healing, romance. *sigh* Yes, it was good.
The quick of it is that Day and the other Riders have been through hell. Tortured, broken, their immortality lost. And Day? He feels he's to blame for everything that's happened to him and his brothers and vows to never help a damsel in distress again since that's what caused their troubles. That is until a feisty and determined human shows up on his steps during a snow storm and pulls him into a multi-world road trip with a mission of breaking a fae curse. He simply can't turn her away. Who saves who? Totally up for debate.
Seriously these Riders. I've been smitten. And them broken? Smitten plus that girlie need to take care of them. Ah! Day is the reluctant hero trough and through. He's gruff and growly and just broken but couldn't stop being himself and helping those in need. I just adore him and his sexy lost self. And Jenna was the determined heroine. Fierce and ready to do whatever it took to break this curse and save her child from it. They were great together, as well. Nice chemistry, a little heat, got each other's broken bits and started to heal. It was just nice watching them work together.
The adventure was pretty exciting. Not only were they battling the faery that was out to get her child but also the baby's bio-dad who was a real piece of work. Chasing clues to a riddle that had to be broken in order to keep the faery from claiming her child, running into Otherworld dangers and marvels, finding the other Riders and dealing with the Queen. It was nicely done and kept things moving at a very fast clip as they traversed two worlds on one crazy road trip.
All in all, I'm a happy reader girl. Blake created such a fascinating and wonderful world with the Baba Yagas and the Riders. Quirky, unique, exhilarating... I can't wait to dive into the next one. Dangerously Charming hit the spot!
October 1, 2016
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her...
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own...
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts.
I felt really bad for Jenna, she's got so much going and so much hurt and buried emotions that her out burst was like an eruption once it happened.
She was still feeling like a pawn which sucked.
Jenna felt like the kind of person who was stuck in a situation where her life was a series of events dictated by other people's actions.
It made her easy to relate to and sympathize with because that kind of thing can really suck. I really liked seeing Jenna coming into herself through the journey.
Dangerously Charming was my favorite so far.
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Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin/Berkley Publishing
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! I love hearing from followers! Thank you!
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own...
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts.
I felt really bad for Jenna, she's got so much going and so much hurt and buried emotions that her out burst was like an eruption once it happened.
She was still feeling like a pawn which sucked.
Jenna felt like the kind of person who was stuck in a situation where her life was a series of events dictated by other people's actions.
It made her easy to relate to and sympathize with because that kind of thing can really suck. I really liked seeing Jenna coming into herself through the journey.
Dangerously Charming was my favorite so far.
Booklikes
Goodreads
Google Plus
Blogger
Amazon
Wordpress
RSS
BlogLovin
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin/Berkley Publishing
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! I love hearing from followers! Thank you!
July 26, 2025
Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake
Broken Riders series #1. Paranormal Magic romance. Spin off from the Baba Yaga series, after #3. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the other series appear in this book.
Mikhail Day is used to living by himself in the Adirondack mountains but he misses his brothers. He misses a lot of things since becoming mortal and no longer one of the Riders helping Baba Yaga. When Jenna Quinlan shows up at his cabin, exhausted, pregnant and cursed, he can’t resist her or her quest to break the curse.
Mikhail and Jenna try to figure out the curse with the help of Baba Yaga. So begins an adventure neither wants but both need. His brothers don’t blame Mikhail and they willing help in the search. Jenna is determined to find her stolen brother but the vengeful fairy Zilya has eons of tricks in her arsenal.
Mikhail is compelled to help simply by his nature.
The baby growing exponentially faster than expected had a few amusing moments as they search for ways to solve the riddle. And Baba Yaga’s adopted daughter also has a few good lines. Those were really the only lighter moments. The two are desperately searching for help and while they get it, it’s a suspenseful challenge against the fairy.
And yes, having met the brothers and knowing their heartbreak, I need to read their stories now too. Hopefully within the next few months.
Broken Riders series #1. Paranormal Magic romance. Spin off from the Baba Yaga series, after #3. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the other series appear in this book.
Mikhail Day is used to living by himself in the Adirondack mountains but he misses his brothers. He misses a lot of things since becoming mortal and no longer one of the Riders helping Baba Yaga. When Jenna Quinlan shows up at his cabin, exhausted, pregnant and cursed, he can’t resist her or her quest to break the curse.
Mikhail and Jenna try to figure out the curse with the help of Baba Yaga. So begins an adventure neither wants but both need. His brothers don’t blame Mikhail and they willing help in the search. Jenna is determined to find her stolen brother but the vengeful fairy Zilya has eons of tricks in her arsenal.
Mikhail is compelled to help simply by his nature.
The baby growing exponentially faster than expected had a few amusing moments as they search for ways to solve the riddle. And Baba Yaga’s adopted daughter also has a few good lines. Those were really the only lighter moments. The two are desperately searching for help and while they get it, it’s a suspenseful challenge against the fairy.
And yes, having met the brothers and knowing their heartbreak, I need to read their stories now too. Hopefully within the next few months.
October 7, 2016
Consider me charmed by this dangerously taciturn anti-hero, Mikhail Day. Ms. Blake kicks off another stunning series, the Broken Riders. This is a spin-off of her Baba Yaga series. This book can be read without reading the other series. Word of caution, reading this book first will most likely cause a reader to scramble and read the other series too. In this series, we learn more about these mysterious and sexy riders. Mikhail is the first brother to be featured.
Due to Mikhail's White Knight syndrome, he tried to save the wrong damsel in distress and ended up nearly costing the lives of his brothers. There are additional ramifications which the stories explores. The point is, Mikhail is badly shaken and he is now experiencing a crisis of faith as well as identity. His question of faith has nothing to do with religion and all to do with himself and what he can do. After centuries of doing the same thing over and over again and being near invincible, his new status in life makes him question everything. When a new damsel in distress literally knocks on his door, he is hesitant to help.
This tale is a wonderful journey for Mikhail to realize his new direction. The character growth for him is lovely to witness. He becomes a more complex character with more layers. His interactions with cursed human, Jenna, is hysterical. Even with this somber dark backdrop, Ms. Blake employs a fabulous comedic timing. Jenna is that proverbial monkey wrench that throws everyone's plan into a disarray. I love Jenna. She is a feisty character who is determined to fix a problem plaguing her family line. This plot device really worked for me and I loved how Jenna's problem pulls Mikhail out of his self-pity funk. His anti-social ways and broken down attitude slowly turns around and morphs him back to hero status. Loved it! There are so many different little gems Ms. Blake places into this story which is appealing. Cameo appearances for Baba Yagas and the Fae court are all a delight. This book is a must read. After finishing reading this rich colourful world, returning to reality is a letdown. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. This urban fantasy is highly recommended to readers who enjoy quests which involves a hero and heroine fall in love whilst they work to bring down a spiteful witch.
*provided by NetGalley
Due to Mikhail's White Knight syndrome, he tried to save the wrong damsel in distress and ended up nearly costing the lives of his brothers. There are additional ramifications which the stories explores. The point is, Mikhail is badly shaken and he is now experiencing a crisis of faith as well as identity. His question of faith has nothing to do with religion and all to do with himself and what he can do. After centuries of doing the same thing over and over again and being near invincible, his new status in life makes him question everything. When a new damsel in distress literally knocks on his door, he is hesitant to help.
This tale is a wonderful journey for Mikhail to realize his new direction. The character growth for him is lovely to witness. He becomes a more complex character with more layers. His interactions with cursed human, Jenna, is hysterical. Even with this somber dark backdrop, Ms. Blake employs a fabulous comedic timing. Jenna is that proverbial monkey wrench that throws everyone's plan into a disarray. I love Jenna. She is a feisty character who is determined to fix a problem plaguing her family line. This plot device really worked for me and I loved how Jenna's problem pulls Mikhail out of his self-pity funk. His anti-social ways and broken down attitude slowly turns around and morphs him back to hero status. Loved it! There are so many different little gems Ms. Blake places into this story which is appealing. Cameo appearances for Baba Yagas and the Fae court are all a delight. This book is a must read. After finishing reading this rich colourful world, returning to reality is a letdown. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. This urban fantasy is highly recommended to readers who enjoy quests which involves a hero and heroine fall in love whilst they work to bring down a spiteful witch.
*provided by NetGalley
October 24, 2025
Mikhail Day still have nightmares about the time he and his brothers were held captive and tortured by an evil witch. He still feel guity about falling for the deception of the villain and he swore he will not play the knight in shining armor again. But Mikhail can't deny his true self so when a young woman come knocking on the door at his cabin in the wood and seek shelter after her car broke down and she twisted her ankle while walking in the forest during a storm, he accept to help her. And when Jenna talk to him about a family curse made by an offended faery many, many years ago, he can't help but assist her in her quest to find a way out of the malediction. Anyway, he'll soon realize he's a part of this whether he wants it or not.
The Broken Riders series is a spin-off of the Baba Yaga series. I don't think it's necessary to have read it before because the author give enough infos about the Universe to make you understand what happened before and how it works. But I was very happy to find again Barbara, Chudo-Yudo, little Babs and Liam. Barbara is still the same badass we meet before and still my favorite character from this world created by Deborah Blake. It make me sad I didn't enjoy Dangerously Charming as much as I wanted, because once again, it was full of good ideas. You can expect magic bike, riddles, an Otherworld, faeries and all kind of whimsical creatures. I really liked the heroine too. She was brave and fierce, but I never really believed in her romance with Mikhail. I have a hard time understanding why I was not more entertained by this book so maybe it's because I had too high expectations, who knows ! I'll definitively read the next book.
"I swore I wasn't going to rescue any more damsels in distress," Day muttered.
To his surprise, Barbara gave him a lopsided grin, banging on the side of the trailer to make it produce a door.
"What makes you think she isn't rescuing you?" she asked, and stomped inside without a backward look."
The Broken Riders series is a spin-off of the Baba Yaga series. I don't think it's necessary to have read it before because the author give enough infos about the Universe to make you understand what happened before and how it works. But I was very happy to find again Barbara, Chudo-Yudo, little Babs and Liam. Barbara is still the same badass we meet before and still my favorite character from this world created by Deborah Blake. It make me sad I didn't enjoy Dangerously Charming as much as I wanted, because once again, it was full of good ideas. You can expect magic bike, riddles, an Otherworld, faeries and all kind of whimsical creatures. I really liked the heroine too. She was brave and fierce, but I never really believed in her romance with Mikhail. I have a hard time understanding why I was not more entertained by this book so maybe it's because I had too high expectations, who knows ! I'll definitively read the next book.
"I swore I wasn't going to rescue any more damsels in distress," Day muttered.
To his surprise, Barbara gave him a lopsided grin, banging on the side of the trailer to make it produce a door.
"What makes you think she isn't rescuing you?" she asked, and stomped inside without a backward look."
August 3, 2016
Mikhail Day, once a White Rider, lived to serve powerful witches, known as Baba Yagas. And of course, he enjoyed rescuing the occasional damsel in distress. But no more. After suffering a vindictive and cruel Baba Yaga's tortures, he is now immortal, and all he wants to do is take a breather somewhere secluded. Imagine his surprise when even somewhere far off the beaten path, a beautiful woman turns up on his doorstep, much in need of his help.
Jenna Quinlan left everything she knew behind in order to protect her unborn child. Her family has been cursed to give up their first born child for generations, and Jenna is determined to be the one to bring the curse to an end. She never expected to meet Mikhail "Mick" Day, or that he would aid her in her quest. Somewhere along the way, feelings begin to develop between them. Jenna knows she wants Mick in her life, but she also realizes that he needs to discover a few truths for himself. Unfortunately, time is of the essence, and when faced with the choice of losing the man she has come to love or the infant growing inside her, what will she do?
DANGEROUSLY CHARMING... the title says it all. It perfectly describes both the hero and the story. Author Deborah Blake is new to me, but one thing is for sure, DANGEROUSLY CHARMING will not be the only book I read by her. Even now, I have added her Baba Yaga series to my wishlist. Back to DANGEROUSLY CHARMING, which is the first novel in her BROKEN RIDERS series. It centers around White Rider, Mikhail and Jenna Quinlan. Mikhail thinks he was leaving his old life behind, but fate has other plans for him. Mikhail and Jenna's journey to save her unborn child is non-stop thrills. The wit, humor, their growing attraction for one another all add something special to DANGEROUSLY CHARMING. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the BROKEN RIDER series.
Jenna Quinlan left everything she knew behind in order to protect her unborn child. Her family has been cursed to give up their first born child for generations, and Jenna is determined to be the one to bring the curse to an end. She never expected to meet Mikhail "Mick" Day, or that he would aid her in her quest. Somewhere along the way, feelings begin to develop between them. Jenna knows she wants Mick in her life, but she also realizes that he needs to discover a few truths for himself. Unfortunately, time is of the essence, and when faced with the choice of losing the man she has come to love or the infant growing inside her, what will she do?
DANGEROUSLY CHARMING... the title says it all. It perfectly describes both the hero and the story. Author Deborah Blake is new to me, but one thing is for sure, DANGEROUSLY CHARMING will not be the only book I read by her. Even now, I have added her Baba Yaga series to my wishlist. Back to DANGEROUSLY CHARMING, which is the first novel in her BROKEN RIDERS series. It centers around White Rider, Mikhail and Jenna Quinlan. Mikhail thinks he was leaving his old life behind, but fate has other plans for him. Mikhail and Jenna's journey to save her unborn child is non-stop thrills. The wit, humor, their growing attraction for one another all add something special to DANGEROUSLY CHARMING. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the BROKEN RIDER series.
August 22, 2018
It was really good but almost too long, too much "woe is me" I finally skimmed about 2/3 in for a few chapters . So, 3 stars.
Also, although stand alone, I am going to read the first of the other series. Missing depth without having read it.
Also, although stand alone, I am going to read the first of the other series. Missing depth without having read it.
October 7, 2016
Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake is the first book in her new Broken Riders series. This is a spinoff from Blake’s successful Baba Yaga series. I have not read that series, but this book read very well without having to read the previous series, as the author gives us information along the way to make it easier. However, with that being said; I enjoyed this book and Deborah Blake’s writing, and I will need to find time to read the Baba Yaga series (3 books and 2 novellas).
Mikhail Day, our hero, is a White Rider, who protected the Baba Yaga witches, and was immortal. We learn at the start that Mikhail is a Broken Rider, after being tortured by a crazed witch in a previous story, losing his immortality. When we meet Mikhail, he is still recovering but in seclusion. On a stormy night a lost young lady knocks on his door to get into safety from the rains. Mikhail’s life will once again change.
Jenna Quinlan is our heroine, and she is desperately trying to escape a fairy, who is determined to find Jenna. It seems that Jenna is pregnant, and the fairy, Zilya has come to claim her first born child. Jenna’s family has suffered this curse for generations, and Jenna is desperate to find a way out.
Mikhail at first wants nothing to do with her. All he wants is to be alone. But he does take her to meet the fairy Queen, who would like to help Jenna, but this curse was created long before the rules changed. As in the land of the Fae, the Queen gives a sly hint to Mikhail to help Jenna and warns Zilya to leave Jenna alone until after the baby is born. This gives Jenna a chance to solve the curse riddle that will release Zilya’s claim.
What follows is a fun and romantic story line, where Mikhail and Jenna will travel through the Otherworld to find the clues. Barbara, one of the Baba Yaga witches, will offer some help in trying to unravel the riddle, but Mikhail and Jenna must do this on their own. Despite his wanting to be alone, slowly Mikhail finds himself falling in love with Jenna, and she with him. We also get to meet Mikhail’s brother, who is also a Broken Rider, and whose story will be next.
The key to a good story is always to have characters you enjoy and care about. Deborah Blake gives us this in Dangerously Charming. I loved Mikhail and Jenna, as they made a great couple. I loved the supporting characters, such as Barbara, the Baba Yaga witch; Gregori, Mikhail’s brother, Babs, the young daughter of Barbara, and even the Fairy Queen was nice. This was an enjoyable read, exciting, action-filled, as they had to fight off those trying to stop Jenna; a sweet romance, great couple, as well as spending time in the land of the Fae. Dangerously Charming is in fact a charming & fun story. I look forward to the next book in this series, and to find time to read Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Mikhail Day, our hero, is a White Rider, who protected the Baba Yaga witches, and was immortal. We learn at the start that Mikhail is a Broken Rider, after being tortured by a crazed witch in a previous story, losing his immortality. When we meet Mikhail, he is still recovering but in seclusion. On a stormy night a lost young lady knocks on his door to get into safety from the rains. Mikhail’s life will once again change.
Jenna Quinlan is our heroine, and she is desperately trying to escape a fairy, who is determined to find Jenna. It seems that Jenna is pregnant, and the fairy, Zilya has come to claim her first born child. Jenna’s family has suffered this curse for generations, and Jenna is desperate to find a way out.
Mikhail at first wants nothing to do with her. All he wants is to be alone. But he does take her to meet the fairy Queen, who would like to help Jenna, but this curse was created long before the rules changed. As in the land of the Fae, the Queen gives a sly hint to Mikhail to help Jenna and warns Zilya to leave Jenna alone until after the baby is born. This gives Jenna a chance to solve the curse riddle that will release Zilya’s claim.
What follows is a fun and romantic story line, where Mikhail and Jenna will travel through the Otherworld to find the clues. Barbara, one of the Baba Yaga witches, will offer some help in trying to unravel the riddle, but Mikhail and Jenna must do this on their own. Despite his wanting to be alone, slowly Mikhail finds himself falling in love with Jenna, and she with him. We also get to meet Mikhail’s brother, who is also a Broken Rider, and whose story will be next.
The key to a good story is always to have characters you enjoy and care about. Deborah Blake gives us this in Dangerously Charming. I loved Mikhail and Jenna, as they made a great couple. I loved the supporting characters, such as Barbara, the Baba Yaga witch; Gregori, Mikhail’s brother, Babs, the young daughter of Barbara, and even the Fairy Queen was nice. This was an enjoyable read, exciting, action-filled, as they had to fight off those trying to stop Jenna; a sweet romance, great couple, as well as spending time in the land of the Fae. Dangerously Charming is in fact a charming & fun story. I look forward to the next book in this series, and to find time to read Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
July 7, 2017
The Broken Rider series is a spin-off from the Baba Yaga series. I've enjoyed these books as quick, fun reads with magic and romance. Mikhail Day is my favorite of the Riders. I like the bits of humor in these stories.
Dangerously Charming is Mikhail's story after the Riders lose their immortality. His history is full of his charm and coming to the aid of damsels in distress. Jenna is in distress due to a fairy curse, so she knows and understands a bit more about his world than other women would. But she's strong and doesn't need someone to take over her problems. I like her. Their relationship is fast and plausible for fiction.
The first sentence is "Mikhail Day was rather enjoying the sound of rain on the metal roof as he read by the warmth of the crackling red-and-orange fire." If he didn't already have my heart, well, he's a READER. He's broken here and unfortunately, some of the issues are repeated over and over.
The mystery is okay. It gives the couple something to do while they get to know each other besides protecting or hiding Jenna from the bad fairy or the bad ex. They approach things in a smart, reasonable way but nothing is straightforward when a fairy is involved. We do get the pleasure of Barbara, Liam and Babs. Oddly, the Red Rider, Gregori, is involved but not Alexiei. I'm sure I will read Dangerously Divine, which is next, featuring Gregori Sun.
Read this review in its entirety at The Book Nympho
November 17, 2016
Another great story
Finding you are not as lost as you thought you were. Getting something and someone's to fight for. Helping others to see a new adventure waits around the corner. Life is not through with you yet.
Finding you are not as lost as you thought you were. Getting something and someone's to fight for. Helping others to see a new adventure waits around the corner. Life is not through with you yet.
October 3, 2016
Dangerously Charming is the first book in the 'Broken Riders' series by Deborah Blake. It is a spin off series from the 'Baba Yaga' series which I haven't had the opportunity to read any of. That said, you don't have to have read them to understand and enjoy what happens in this book.
Jenna Quinlin's family has been cursed by a vengeful faery. Every generation of women since then has had to give up her first born child. There is no way to stop the faery taking each baby, unless they can solve a riddle. Up until now the riddle hasn't been solved and Jenna, despite all her precautions finds herself pregnant. Her boyfriend who has had a vasectomy refuses to believe that she is pregnant with his child, so he splits up with her, gets her the sack from her job, and pretty much runs her out of town in his anger. Jenna wants to run anyway because she knows she is being watched, and has a premonition that the 'thing' watching her is the evil faery, waiting to lay claim on her child. So with little money, and a rubbish car, she makes her way up to the mountains where she knows an old family cabin is. She wants to seek refuge there at least until she figures out what she can do next. Unfortunately on her way, her car breaks down and she ends up walking through horrendous weather conditions trying to make her way to the cabin. Instead of finding her cabin though, she comes across another one. She just hopes and prays somebody is in there.
Mikhail Day is the owner of the cabin and is indeed in residence. He used to be a 'Rider' an immortal who looked after the Baba Yaga witches. But a terrible mistake by him ends with him and his fellow Riders being tortured nearly to death, and although they are saved by magic, the Queen strips the three of them of their immortality and their calling. Mikhail can't forgive himself for what he has done to his brothers and he took to his cabin in the middle of nowhere to lick his wounds and stay away from all damsels in distress, such as the one that caused his terrible error in judgement before. So when Jenna comes knocking at his door he is very unhappy about it. She has sprained her ankle though, and even if he refuses to do anything other than give her shelter, he begrudgingly invites her in to dry off and to let her ankle rest. She ends up having to stay a few days before she is up to leaving, and in that time Mikhail finds out about her pregnancy and the curse she is trying to break. He doesn't want to help her, but in his heart of hearts he knows that he has to, and when that is confirmed by a friend they seek out, that he is actually a part in the riddle, he accepts his fate and he and Jenna set out to solve the riddle.
Will they be able to solve it, will Jenna get to keep her baby? And what of Mikhail, will Jenna's kind heart and his new purpose of helping her help him to overcome his past, and maybe even allow him to fall for her, see a future whereas he couldn't see one before.
This was a really exciting, fascinating fantasy book, with scenes reminiscent of The Labyrinth, and Alice in Wonderland. It was really delightful to read about the array of mystical beings and creatures, especially tall lizards in colourful waistcoats! The story has love, laughter, sadness, mystery, and it all starts off with the gorgeous man on the cover of the book. I really enjoyed this book and am definitely going to read the rest in the series. The next book being about Gregori Sun, another 'Rider' without purpose.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jenna Quinlin's family has been cursed by a vengeful faery. Every generation of women since then has had to give up her first born child. There is no way to stop the faery taking each baby, unless they can solve a riddle. Up until now the riddle hasn't been solved and Jenna, despite all her precautions finds herself pregnant. Her boyfriend who has had a vasectomy refuses to believe that she is pregnant with his child, so he splits up with her, gets her the sack from her job, and pretty much runs her out of town in his anger. Jenna wants to run anyway because she knows she is being watched, and has a premonition that the 'thing' watching her is the evil faery, waiting to lay claim on her child. So with little money, and a rubbish car, she makes her way up to the mountains where she knows an old family cabin is. She wants to seek refuge there at least until she figures out what she can do next. Unfortunately on her way, her car breaks down and she ends up walking through horrendous weather conditions trying to make her way to the cabin. Instead of finding her cabin though, she comes across another one. She just hopes and prays somebody is in there.
Mikhail Day is the owner of the cabin and is indeed in residence. He used to be a 'Rider' an immortal who looked after the Baba Yaga witches. But a terrible mistake by him ends with him and his fellow Riders being tortured nearly to death, and although they are saved by magic, the Queen strips the three of them of their immortality and their calling. Mikhail can't forgive himself for what he has done to his brothers and he took to his cabin in the middle of nowhere to lick his wounds and stay away from all damsels in distress, such as the one that caused his terrible error in judgement before. So when Jenna comes knocking at his door he is very unhappy about it. She has sprained her ankle though, and even if he refuses to do anything other than give her shelter, he begrudgingly invites her in to dry off and to let her ankle rest. She ends up having to stay a few days before she is up to leaving, and in that time Mikhail finds out about her pregnancy and the curse she is trying to break. He doesn't want to help her, but in his heart of hearts he knows that he has to, and when that is confirmed by a friend they seek out, that he is actually a part in the riddle, he accepts his fate and he and Jenna set out to solve the riddle.
Will they be able to solve it, will Jenna get to keep her baby? And what of Mikhail, will Jenna's kind heart and his new purpose of helping her help him to overcome his past, and maybe even allow him to fall for her, see a future whereas he couldn't see one before.
This was a really exciting, fascinating fantasy book, with scenes reminiscent of The Labyrinth, and Alice in Wonderland. It was really delightful to read about the array of mystical beings and creatures, especially tall lizards in colourful waistcoats! The story has love, laughter, sadness, mystery, and it all starts off with the gorgeous man on the cover of the book. I really enjoyed this book and am definitely going to read the rest in the series. The next book being about Gregori Sun, another 'Rider' without purpose.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2017
I’m going to start this one with I have never read author Deborah Blake before. With that statement, you can pretty much figure out, I have also not read any Baba Yaga books either. I saw that the blurb stated that the Broken Riders series is set in the same world as the Baba Yaga books. I was hoping, since Dangerously Charming was the first book in its series, that I wouldn’t have any problems. Lucky for me it worked out perfectly.
To be frank, I thought I was going to be reading a PNR biker book. Hey, that’s what it looked like from the cover. I had no clue this was going to a fantasy novel. I gave up fantasy years ago when I stopped reading Xanth. I’ve forgotten how much fun fantasy stories could be that is until I started reading Dangerously Charming.
Oscar the Grouch, I mean Mikhail Day, is hiding out in a cabin. He’s riddled with shame and self-hate struggling to live with his new mortal life and doesn’t want to be around everybody. I’m going to take a guess here and say the full story behind losing his immortality is somewhere in the Baba Yaga series. I personally liked how each layer to the whys, and his slow getting over it, was done. Same goes for Jenna’s story with her being spunky and caring but not too harsh of character. That’s quite a curse she has on her, having to give up her first-born just like everyone in her family had to. She is determined to break that curse…and Mikhail is just as determined not to help her. Unfortunately, helping women in need of help seems to be his Achilles’ heel!
What a fun book! There was the right amount of excitement mixed in with some sassy fun. The characters are delightful and funny in their quirkiness. The dialog is snappy and flavored with the right amount of zingers. I did have to suspend my logic ability as Jenna progressed through her pregnancy. I know it is explained but dang, I wish mine had zipped that fast. The journey that Mikhail and Jenna to solve the riddle and break the curse was, well…charming. I think this book worked very well as a stand-alone, or as a lure to read more books by Deborah Blake, which is something I plan on doing.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine.
Stars - 4, Flames - 3
To be frank, I thought I was going to be reading a PNR biker book. Hey, that’s what it looked like from the cover. I had no clue this was going to a fantasy novel. I gave up fantasy years ago when I stopped reading Xanth. I’ve forgotten how much fun fantasy stories could be that is until I started reading Dangerously Charming.
Oscar the Grouch, I mean Mikhail Day, is hiding out in a cabin. He’s riddled with shame and self-hate struggling to live with his new mortal life and doesn’t want to be around everybody. I’m going to take a guess here and say the full story behind losing his immortality is somewhere in the Baba Yaga series. I personally liked how each layer to the whys, and his slow getting over it, was done. Same goes for Jenna’s story with her being spunky and caring but not too harsh of character. That’s quite a curse she has on her, having to give up her first-born just like everyone in her family had to. She is determined to break that curse…and Mikhail is just as determined not to help her. Unfortunately, helping women in need of help seems to be his Achilles’ heel!
What a fun book! There was the right amount of excitement mixed in with some sassy fun. The characters are delightful and funny in their quirkiness. The dialog is snappy and flavored with the right amount of zingers. I did have to suspend my logic ability as Jenna progressed through her pregnancy. I know it is explained but dang, I wish mine had zipped that fast. The journey that Mikhail and Jenna to solve the riddle and break the curse was, well…charming. I think this book worked very well as a stand-alone, or as a lure to read more books by Deborah Blake, which is something I plan on doing.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine.
Stars - 4, Flames - 3
September 30, 2016
I have enjoyed all the Baba Yaga books and this new spinoff series was something I had been looking forward to with a lot of anticipation and hope that it could be as good as I hoped it would be.
Part of a possible problem with this book is that I am unable to discern how much a new reader would enjoy it as those of us who have read the other books and know the history that resulted in the present day situations the Riders find themselves in since it seemed that a lot of history was provided to keep any novices from being totally lost but without that detailed history from the Baba Yaga books I cannot say with any certainty that it is enough.
This story starts with action soon after the first pages and the pace seems to pick up slowly all through the book which made it a great reading experience.
Mikhail made for a terrible hero and love interest for much of the book due to his overwhelming soul crushing guilt from the events of the last Baba Yaga book, to be honest his constant angst was really getting on my nerves before it finally lightened up a bit.
Jenna is a great heroine being just tough enough and just tender enough for her part of this story, her overwhelming desire to get rid of her family curse is what keeps this story moving along in most instances.
As a couple Mikhail and Jenna are not an easy match and his guilt makes him tend to shove anyone away so this is going to be a hard romance which is just one of several subplots in this novel.
Bottom Line: This was an exceptional novel, the story was good, the characters were engaging, the reappearance of several of the characters from previous books was wonderful and I enjoyed the book almost 100% but since I did get tired of the angst and Mikhail’s constant self-flagellation I am giving it 4 Stars for the book even though I think the story itself was closer to 5.
Highly recommended and I have to say that I would also highly recommend reading the 3 Baba Yaga novels and the novella that ties up a couple of loose ends Wickedly Ever After before this new series to get the maximum enjoyment from this series and these characters.
The 3 novels that are highly recommended to be read before this series can be found at this link:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141KA9AK
Part of a possible problem with this book is that I am unable to discern how much a new reader would enjoy it as those of us who have read the other books and know the history that resulted in the present day situations the Riders find themselves in since it seemed that a lot of history was provided to keep any novices from being totally lost but without that detailed history from the Baba Yaga books I cannot say with any certainty that it is enough.
This story starts with action soon after the first pages and the pace seems to pick up slowly all through the book which made it a great reading experience.
Mikhail made for a terrible hero and love interest for much of the book due to his overwhelming soul crushing guilt from the events of the last Baba Yaga book, to be honest his constant angst was really getting on my nerves before it finally lightened up a bit.
Jenna is a great heroine being just tough enough and just tender enough for her part of this story, her overwhelming desire to get rid of her family curse is what keeps this story moving along in most instances.
As a couple Mikhail and Jenna are not an easy match and his guilt makes him tend to shove anyone away so this is going to be a hard romance which is just one of several subplots in this novel.
Bottom Line: This was an exceptional novel, the story was good, the characters were engaging, the reappearance of several of the characters from previous books was wonderful and I enjoyed the book almost 100% but since I did get tired of the angst and Mikhail’s constant self-flagellation I am giving it 4 Stars for the book even though I think the story itself was closer to 5.
Highly recommended and I have to say that I would also highly recommend reading the 3 Baba Yaga novels and the novella that ties up a couple of loose ends Wickedly Ever After before this new series to get the maximum enjoyment from this series and these characters.
The 3 novels that are highly recommended to be read before this series can be found at this link:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141KA9AK
September 26, 2016
Review originally posted on A Book Obsession
I greatly enjoyed Deborah Blake's Baba Yaga series, so when I heard she was writing a spin off series about the Riders I was incredibly excited. After the game changing events from the Baba series, I couldn't wait to see how things turned out for the riders. They were dealt one heck of a massive blow and their lives were turned upside down, so I knew their story would be one heck of a ride. And boy was I right. The riders, or at least or at least Day's story so far more than delivered.
Day is incredibly wounded, damaged, gruff, and more than a little gun shy about women, and yet despite him not wanting too, more than a little of his weakness to damsels in distress has lingered over. It's funny, when Jenna was dropped into his lap, she was the absolute last thing he wanted. And yet, she wound up being exactly what he needed to start to turn the tide for him. Jenna comes with her own issues and baggage, but her determination and fire really drew me to her character and I felt she couldn't be any more perfect for Day. Oh of course, it's not instantly better and their ride and obstacles together are more than a little bumpy, but the journey between the two of them was more than enjoyable.
Perfect for fans of the Baba Yaga series who are looking to see the much loved Riders get their own stories, DANGEROUSLY CHARMING is a great afternoon read, guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
I greatly enjoyed Deborah Blake's Baba Yaga series, so when I heard she was writing a spin off series about the Riders I was incredibly excited. After the game changing events from the Baba series, I couldn't wait to see how things turned out for the riders. They were dealt one heck of a massive blow and their lives were turned upside down, so I knew their story would be one heck of a ride. And boy was I right. The riders, or at least or at least Day's story so far more than delivered.
Day is incredibly wounded, damaged, gruff, and more than a little gun shy about women, and yet despite him not wanting too, more than a little of his weakness to damsels in distress has lingered over. It's funny, when Jenna was dropped into his lap, she was the absolute last thing he wanted. And yet, she wound up being exactly what he needed to start to turn the tide for him. Jenna comes with her own issues and baggage, but her determination and fire really drew me to her character and I felt she couldn't be any more perfect for Day. Oh of course, it's not instantly better and their ride and obstacles together are more than a little bumpy, but the journey between the two of them was more than enjoyable.
Perfect for fans of the Baba Yaga series who are looking to see the much loved Riders get their own stories, DANGEROUSLY CHARMING is a great afternoon read, guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
December 3, 2016
Dangerously Charming was an exciting beginning to Deborah Blake’s newest series in which a former Rider, filled with guilt and a penchant for saving damsels in distress, went on a trek through the Otherworld with a cursed mom-to-be. Sounds interesting, right?
This Broken Riders series is a spinoff of Blake’s popular Baba Yaga series and follows each of the three former Riders on their new journey now that they are no longer immortal. While these books are able to stand alone, I honestly think it would be best to have read the Baba Yaga series–at least book three, Wickedly Powerful–before settling in here. It will explain everything that the Riders went through and why our hero Mikhail Day was in his self-imposed exile at the beginning of this book.
Read More
___________________________
Original Notes:
Being a fan of Blake's Baba Yaga series, I was so happy to be back in that world again with this new spinoff series she's created. And what a great beginning! Dangerously Charming showed a whole new side to former White Rider Mikhail Day. The charming ladies' man was sporting a seriously grumbly attitude in this story but sassy Jenna Quinlan was just the woman to turn him around. I loved the adventure these two went on and all of the amazing imagery Blake infused into the story while they were trekking through Otherworld. Lots of paranormal beasties, offbeat characters, and a vivid background to enjoy. Full review to come...
This Broken Riders series is a spinoff of Blake’s popular Baba Yaga series and follows each of the three former Riders on their new journey now that they are no longer immortal. While these books are able to stand alone, I honestly think it would be best to have read the Baba Yaga series–at least book three, Wickedly Powerful–before settling in here. It will explain everything that the Riders went through and why our hero Mikhail Day was in his self-imposed exile at the beginning of this book.
Read More
___________________________
Original Notes:
Being a fan of Blake's Baba Yaga series, I was so happy to be back in that world again with this new spinoff series she's created. And what a great beginning! Dangerously Charming showed a whole new side to former White Rider Mikhail Day. The charming ladies' man was sporting a seriously grumbly attitude in this story but sassy Jenna Quinlan was just the woman to turn him around. I loved the adventure these two went on and all of the amazing imagery Blake infused into the story while they were trekking through Otherworld. Lots of paranormal beasties, offbeat characters, and a vivid background to enjoy. Full review to come...
February 14, 2017
Just like the others she has written, this was another great read! Great characters, great settings, great story.
December 7, 2017
Never say never, or you might just be lucky enough to have the universe take up the challenge.
I was completely captivated by Mikail Day and Jenna Quinlan and the people of the Otherworld. Faeries, Baba Yagas, Dragon-Dogs, Bagpipe playing lizards, chameleons, trolls, and so many more. Wonderful world building combined with an enchanted and well thought out storyline kept me turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next, and who would rescue who.
I loved this story, and am thrilled that the next one was recently released, so I can dive right into Gregori Sun's story. I recommed this book to anyone who loves romantic fantasy with a HEA.
I was completely captivated by Mikail Day and Jenna Quinlan and the people of the Otherworld. Faeries, Baba Yagas, Dragon-Dogs, Bagpipe playing lizards, chameleons, trolls, and so many more. Wonderful world building combined with an enchanted and well thought out storyline kept me turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next, and who would rescue who.
I loved this story, and am thrilled that the next one was recently released, so I can dive right into Gregori Sun's story. I recommed this book to anyone who loves romantic fantasy with a HEA.
December 28, 2017
Dangerously Charming is a book full of beautiful imagery from this world to The Otherworld and back. An old curse, a wicked fairy, an intricate riddle, a brooding handsome man, and a very strange motorcycle makes a clever and adoring story of love and family!
October 8, 2022
Hit me in the feels
I absolutely adore the Baba Yaga series so when the Riders got their own books I was overjoyed. This book is absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed every moment of it
I absolutely adore the Baba Yaga series so when the Riders got their own books I was overjoyed. This book is absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed every moment of it
December 2, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/da...
Dangerously Charming
Broken Riders, Book #1
By Deborah Blake
ISBN: 9781101987162
Author’s Website: https://deborahblakeauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Synopsis:
From the author of the Baba Yaga novels, a brand new series set in the same “addicting” world, filled with wild magic, enchanting damsels, and the irresistibly daring men who serve the Baba Yagas…
The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended—and their new destinies are just beginning…
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her…
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own…
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts…
Review:
Dangerously Charming starts with Jenna Quinlan running in the woods while injured and raining; to make things harder, she is pregnant. Jenna explains that her pregnancy is not normal, and it’s because of a faery curse that her family has had for many generations. She hasn’t had a normal or easy life thanks to her family curse, and now the curse that causes her to give up her firstborn has caught up with her. With nothing more to lose than the most precious thing in her life, she flees. In her darkest hour, she finds herself outside the cottage of Mikhail Day, a man who has sworn to never help a damsel in distress ever again, but he finds one outside his door wet to the bone and injured. Jenna doesn’t want to be saved, she just wants a warm place to stay, lick her wounds, and keep running. Mikhail or Mick has been hiding in his cottage in the middle of the woods for the past year because the last time he helped a woman, she caused him to lose his and his brothers immortality, and part of his sanity. Before he lost everything, he was a Rider, a helper of the Baba Yaga’s, but was betrayed by an evil Baba Yaga that tortured him and his brothers, for a magic potion.
A curse that has destroyed so many lives over the course of the centuries, has known brought together two people that have lost so many things, but if they manage to solve the riddle on time they might win the life they always wanted.
I liked Dangerously Charming, old folklore and fairy tales that are modernize, and given a new spin are the type of stories that I liked. In this case, author Deborah Blake has created stories for the silent and mysterious horsemen found in the old tale of Baba Yaga. These men that were only mention in appearance and their specific day time, have come to life in this upcoming series of Broken Riders where they try healing themselves and finding inner peace from suffering so much.
An idea that I liked, was that the curse had a way to get out of it, and it was by solving the riddle that was given to the original person it was casted upon. While the riddle was the bane of all Jenna’s family, it was still a good riddle:
Unless you find the pathway through
And solve the riddle with this clue
A rose’s cry at rock enchanted
The sun’s bright ray where none is slanted
A magic key to a gift divine
True love must merge when stars align”
Previously before reading Dangerously Charming, I had knowledge of the myth of Baba Yaga, but it was my first time hearing about her riders. I liked the turn that Blake took, and how all the riders (horsemen) have different parentage even though their father is the same god. I liked that it made me do research about the riders and the gods and creatures that they are based on. I only wish we had seen their father.
While I liked the story and the characters, I had trouble with the story-line. There are books that catch your attention and don’t let you put it down, but with Dangerously Charming there were times that the story lost my interest, and I had to put it down for a moment. Another thing was that I felt that it had scenes that didn’t help the main story at all, and the story-line never mentioned it again. Lastly, it was confusing how the narratives point of view changed drastically between all characters, and left the reader wondering what character was thinking what.
If you liked the Baba Yaga series by Deborah Blake, then I recommend you continue the series, Dangerously Charming. In this story, a curse cast centuries ago brings together a man and a woman who heal each other, as the woman brightens a gloomy day.
Dangerously Charming
Broken Riders, Book #1
By Deborah Blake
ISBN: 9781101987162
Author’s Website: https://deborahblakeauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Synopsis:
From the author of the Baba Yaga novels, a brand new series set in the same “addicting” world, filled with wild magic, enchanting damsels, and the irresistibly daring men who serve the Baba Yagas…
The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended—and their new destinies are just beginning…
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her…
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own…
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts…
Review:
Dangerously Charming starts with Jenna Quinlan running in the woods while injured and raining; to make things harder, she is pregnant. Jenna explains that her pregnancy is not normal, and it’s because of a faery curse that her family has had for many generations. She hasn’t had a normal or easy life thanks to her family curse, and now the curse that causes her to give up her firstborn has caught up with her. With nothing more to lose than the most precious thing in her life, she flees. In her darkest hour, she finds herself outside the cottage of Mikhail Day, a man who has sworn to never help a damsel in distress ever again, but he finds one outside his door wet to the bone and injured. Jenna doesn’t want to be saved, she just wants a warm place to stay, lick her wounds, and keep running. Mikhail or Mick has been hiding in his cottage in the middle of the woods for the past year because the last time he helped a woman, she caused him to lose his and his brothers immortality, and part of his sanity. Before he lost everything, he was a Rider, a helper of the Baba Yaga’s, but was betrayed by an evil Baba Yaga that tortured him and his brothers, for a magic potion.
A curse that has destroyed so many lives over the course of the centuries, has known brought together two people that have lost so many things, but if they manage to solve the riddle on time they might win the life they always wanted.
I liked Dangerously Charming, old folklore and fairy tales that are modernize, and given a new spin are the type of stories that I liked. In this case, author Deborah Blake has created stories for the silent and mysterious horsemen found in the old tale of Baba Yaga. These men that were only mention in appearance and their specific day time, have come to life in this upcoming series of Broken Riders where they try healing themselves and finding inner peace from suffering so much.
An idea that I liked, was that the curse had a way to get out of it, and it was by solving the riddle that was given to the original person it was casted upon. While the riddle was the bane of all Jenna’s family, it was still a good riddle:
Unless you find the pathway through
And solve the riddle with this clue
A rose’s cry at rock enchanted
The sun’s bright ray where none is slanted
A magic key to a gift divine
True love must merge when stars align”
Previously before reading Dangerously Charming, I had knowledge of the myth of Baba Yaga, but it was my first time hearing about her riders. I liked the turn that Blake took, and how all the riders (horsemen) have different parentage even though their father is the same god. I liked that it made me do research about the riders and the gods and creatures that they are based on. I only wish we had seen their father.
While I liked the story and the characters, I had trouble with the story-line. There are books that catch your attention and don’t let you put it down, but with Dangerously Charming there were times that the story lost my interest, and I had to put it down for a moment. Another thing was that I felt that it had scenes that didn’t help the main story at all, and the story-line never mentioned it again. Lastly, it was confusing how the narratives point of view changed drastically between all characters, and left the reader wondering what character was thinking what.
If you liked the Baba Yaga series by Deborah Blake, then I recommend you continue the series, Dangerously Charming. In this story, a curse cast centuries ago brings together a man and a woman who heal each other, as the woman brightens a gloomy day.
March 8, 2022
So happy Mikhail got a chance to understand his continual importance to the world. He and Jenna were so funny together and I loved how he helped to rescue him from himself.
October 10, 2016
3.5
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
After the traumatic events that transpired between The Riders and the evil former Baba Yaga Brenna, Mikhail Day has sought his solitude. Not only to come to terms with the fact that he and his brothers are now mortal and no longer Riders, but because he feels guilty at being the cause of everyone’s plight. So when Jenna Quinlan shows up on his doorstep, quite unexpectedly, he can’t help but feel as though destiny is trying to butt-in on his business. As soon as he can, Day plans to send this woman on her way.
For generations the women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed; forced to give up their firstborn child to a vengeful fairy. Jenna thought she had the curse beat, but when she finds herself miraculously pregnant, she’s determined that the curse will stop with her. So when her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, she really doesn’t have time to deal with a strange, rude, unwelcoming man who is doing a fine job of imitating a hermit.
When it becomes clear that Mikhail has some knowledge of fairies and magic, Jenna will go with him to the ends of the Otherworld to break this curse once and for all.
I came in reading Dangerously Charming without having previously read Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series. Clearly past events from that series are currently effecting Day. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. Which is unfortunate because not only is Dangerously Charming Jenna’s quest to rid her family of this awful curse, it is equally Day’s story of redemption; of moving past the guilt he’s built up inside of himself. While I could appreciate, and understand, the position in which Day finds himself, I didn’t really feel any kind of emotional connection to it. I might be singing a different tune had I read the other books.
What really got my interest in this book was learning that Jenna is pregnant. It’s rare in the books I typically read to show a heroine actually going through the bulk of her pregnancy on page rather than off page or right at the end/beginning of the story. Jenna is given an opportunity to free herself of the curse as long as she can answer an age-old riddle. The resulting journey that stems from this was a highlight of the book for me. I really liked Jenna’s no-nonsense determination due to the fact that, at all costs, she is doing this to protect her child. Obviously, the story just wouldn’t have been the same with that element removed.
Unfortunately, the resulting relationship that forms between Jenna and Day felt a bit flat for my tastes. I wanted it to balance out better, but I think the romance became a bit overshadowed by the imminently more important issues going on.
Despite the issues I had ‘connecting’ to what Day is going/went through, it didn’t detract anything from the main storyline. Having a better understanding of past events by the end of this story lends itself well leading into the next book, which will feature Day’s brother Gregori. Seems all the ex-Riders are in need of a little fateful intervention.
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
After the traumatic events that transpired between The Riders and the evil former Baba Yaga Brenna, Mikhail Day has sought his solitude. Not only to come to terms with the fact that he and his brothers are now mortal and no longer Riders, but because he feels guilty at being the cause of everyone’s plight. So when Jenna Quinlan shows up on his doorstep, quite unexpectedly, he can’t help but feel as though destiny is trying to butt-in on his business. As soon as he can, Day plans to send this woman on her way.
For generations the women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed; forced to give up their firstborn child to a vengeful fairy. Jenna thought she had the curse beat, but when she finds herself miraculously pregnant, she’s determined that the curse will stop with her. So when her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, she really doesn’t have time to deal with a strange, rude, unwelcoming man who is doing a fine job of imitating a hermit.
When it becomes clear that Mikhail has some knowledge of fairies and magic, Jenna will go with him to the ends of the Otherworld to break this curse once and for all.
I came in reading Dangerously Charming without having previously read Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series. Clearly past events from that series are currently effecting Day. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. Which is unfortunate because not only is Dangerously Charming Jenna’s quest to rid her family of this awful curse, it is equally Day’s story of redemption; of moving past the guilt he’s built up inside of himself. While I could appreciate, and understand, the position in which Day finds himself, I didn’t really feel any kind of emotional connection to it. I might be singing a different tune had I read the other books.
What really got my interest in this book was learning that Jenna is pregnant. It’s rare in the books I typically read to show a heroine actually going through the bulk of her pregnancy on page rather than off page or right at the end/beginning of the story. Jenna is given an opportunity to free herself of the curse as long as she can answer an age-old riddle. The resulting journey that stems from this was a highlight of the book for me. I really liked Jenna’s no-nonsense determination due to the fact that, at all costs, she is doing this to protect her child. Obviously, the story just wouldn’t have been the same with that element removed.
Unfortunately, the resulting relationship that forms between Jenna and Day felt a bit flat for my tastes. I wanted it to balance out better, but I think the romance became a bit overshadowed by the imminently more important issues going on.
Despite the issues I had ‘connecting’ to what Day is going/went through, it didn’t detract anything from the main storyline. Having a better understanding of past events by the end of this story lends itself well leading into the next book, which will feature Day’s brother Gregori. Seems all the ex-Riders are in need of a little fateful intervention.
October 5, 2016
The Broken Riders series is a spinoff from Deborah Blake's original Baba Yaga world. I haven't read about the Baba Yagas yet, but I'm definitely going back to investigate. I just love the world full of faery/fairytales that Blake has built.
Mikhail Day was the White Rider, a sort-of helper to the Baba Yagas (from Russian fairytale). But Mikhail and his two Rider brothers were captured and tortured by an evil witch and, as a result, lost their immortality and Rider abilities. Now Mikhail has retreated to a tiny cabin deep in the woods to lament his losses and wallow in guilt. He's not quite alone, he does have a magical steed that can appear as a motorcycle or a horse. How cool is that!?! Mikhail was a good hero... handsome and chivalrous, but one of the broken ones that you want to fix up with your healing love. (No eyerolls please, you know what I'm talking about.) Mikhail's insecurities were a bit much at times but, by the end, he was coming to terms with reality.
Jenna Quinlan was a run-of-the-mill human, albeit one whose family had been cursed by a vindictive faery many generations ago. As a result of the curse by the faery Zilya, the Quinlan women must give up their first-born child to be spirited away and raised in the Otherworld (aka Faery). Jenna is determined that the curse will end with her and has taken every precaution against pregnancy (aside from abstinence). In spite of her many precautions, Jenna is knocked up, rejected by the baby daddy, and on the run to a cabin in the wilderness. (See the meet cute on the horizon). Jenna was a good heroine as well. I liked that she wasn't always the damsel in distress... she could kickbox her opponents and wasnt afraid to go questing in the largesse of pregnancy.
The relationship between Mikhail and Jenna was not instalove, or even instalust. If I had one complaint about the story, it would be that there was a lack of chemistry between our main characters. Mikhail has a weakness for the damsel in distress, and Jenna is still smarting from the baby daddy drama. They fall into bed a time or two on their quest, but I didn't feel any grand passion or undeniable pull between them.
So what did I like about the story? The quest! I loved the quest to solve the riddle, and I loved loved loved the faerytale world and all its inhabitants. There was a dragon disguised as a pitbull named Chudo-Yudo. A magical steed named Krasivaya. Lizards wearing topcoats, the King and Queen of Faery, witches, shamans, and weird frightening fae creatures. It was like a Disney script for adults. I will totally keep reading about the Broken Riders, as soon as I go back and read the Baba Yaga series so I get the full scoop on this fantastical world.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mikhail Day was the White Rider, a sort-of helper to the Baba Yagas (from Russian fairytale). But Mikhail and his two Rider brothers were captured and tortured by an evil witch and, as a result, lost their immortality and Rider abilities. Now Mikhail has retreated to a tiny cabin deep in the woods to lament his losses and wallow in guilt. He's not quite alone, he does have a magical steed that can appear as a motorcycle or a horse. How cool is that!?! Mikhail was a good hero... handsome and chivalrous, but one of the broken ones that you want to fix up with your healing love. (No eyerolls please, you know what I'm talking about.) Mikhail's insecurities were a bit much at times but, by the end, he was coming to terms with reality.
Jenna Quinlan was a run-of-the-mill human, albeit one whose family had been cursed by a vindictive faery many generations ago. As a result of the curse by the faery Zilya, the Quinlan women must give up their first-born child to be spirited away and raised in the Otherworld (aka Faery). Jenna is determined that the curse will end with her and has taken every precaution against pregnancy (aside from abstinence). In spite of her many precautions, Jenna is knocked up, rejected by the baby daddy, and on the run to a cabin in the wilderness. (See the meet cute on the horizon). Jenna was a good heroine as well. I liked that she wasn't always the damsel in distress... she could kickbox her opponents and wasnt afraid to go questing in the largesse of pregnancy.
The relationship between Mikhail and Jenna was not instalove, or even instalust. If I had one complaint about the story, it would be that there was a lack of chemistry between our main characters. Mikhail has a weakness for the damsel in distress, and Jenna is still smarting from the baby daddy drama. They fall into bed a time or two on their quest, but I didn't feel any grand passion or undeniable pull between them.
So what did I like about the story? The quest! I loved the quest to solve the riddle, and I loved loved loved the faerytale world and all its inhabitants. There was a dragon disguised as a pitbull named Chudo-Yudo. A magical steed named Krasivaya. Lizards wearing topcoats, the King and Queen of Faery, witches, shamans, and weird frightening fae creatures. It was like a Disney script for adults. I will totally keep reading about the Broken Riders, as soon as I go back and read the Baba Yaga series so I get the full scoop on this fantastical world.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
September 14, 2016Dangerously Charming revolves around a former Rider and a woman who's cursed. For generations the women from her family had to give up their firstborn unless they were able to solve a riddle. Obviously, not wanting to give up her unborn baby, Jenna sets off to hide in the middle of nowhere in the hopes of eluding the faerie who'll be coming to claim the baby. Which is where she stumbles across Day. He's been hiding out since he recovered from being tortured by a baba yaga. He wants nothing to do with anyone and just wants to be left alone to sulk and lick his wounds. However, when Jenna shows up at his door clearly distraught and tells him about her curse, he decides to help her. Dangerously Charming is a story about their journey of solving the riddle, breaking the curse, and healing each other.
I will confess that I have not read the Baba Yaga series yet. It's been on my TBR list for a while and I just haven't gotten around to reading it. When I saw that the author wrote a new series in the same world, I jumped on the opportunity to read it. I had no idea that you needed to have read the previous series in order to fully follow along. I mean, Day is apparently a big player in the previous series and there's a turn of events that take place in them that is the catalyst for this book. Plus, we run into other characters from that series and they are always bringing up the past. So, not only did I feel left out, I also didn't get that deep character connection that I probably would have if I'd read the Baba Yaga series.
Even though I was unable to fully connect with the characters, I did like all the adventure and fantasy elements of the story. Day and Jenna travel to the Otherworld and meet the Queen and King, they venture through the Otherworld trying to solve the riddle before time is up, and Day starts to go through some transition that no one is sure what it means. This could have easily just been a paranormal romance where the two meet, fall in love, and break a curse. However, the author went past that and gave us an adventure.
I will confess that I have not read the Baba Yaga series yet. It's been on my TBR list for a while and I just haven't gotten around to reading it. When I saw that the author wrote a new series in the same world, I jumped on the opportunity to read it. I had no idea that you needed to have read the previous series in order to fully follow along. I mean, Day is apparently a big player in the previous series and there's a turn of events that take place in them that is the catalyst for this book. Plus, we run into other characters from that series and they are always bringing up the past. So, not only did I feel left out, I also didn't get that deep character connection that I probably would have if I'd read the Baba Yaga series.
Even though I was unable to fully connect with the characters, I did like all the adventure and fantasy elements of the story. Day and Jenna travel to the Otherworld and meet the Queen and King, they venture through the Otherworld trying to solve the riddle before time is up, and Day starts to go through some transition that no one is sure what it means. This could have easily just been a paranormal romance where the two meet, fall in love, and break a curse. However, the author went past that and gave us an adventure.
September 1, 2016
Former white rider Mikhail Day has been hiding out in the Adirondack mountains and has sworn off helping damsels in distress. He wasn’t prepared for one to almost literally fall in his lap and in dire need of rescuing. Jenna Quinlan’s world is falling apart. Her family has been cursed by a twisted fairy into giving up their first born child and Jenna’s turn at sacrifice has begun. Desperate to save her baby she sets out to solve the riddle which would release her family from the curse. A series of events lands her at Mikhail “Mick” Day. Soon the reluctant Mick will do everything he can to save Jenna’s day.
Verdict: This is the start of a new spin off series stemming from Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga trilogy. So if you blindly pick this one off the shelf having never heard of Deborah Blake, you don’t have to have read any of the Baba Yaga books but it would sure help you along the way. Enough of this book is tied to what happened in those (especially the third) that if you read this one first, it might spoil the others for you. That being said; I always loved the scenes from the Baba Yaga series that had the Riders present and I always wanted to read about them rather than the Babas. And here I got the chance and it definitely lived up to expectations. What an awesome read. I can’t wait for the next!
*Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Verdict: This is the start of a new spin off series stemming from Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga trilogy. So if you blindly pick this one off the shelf having never heard of Deborah Blake, you don’t have to have read any of the Baba Yaga books but it would sure help you along the way. Enough of this book is tied to what happened in those (especially the third) that if you read this one first, it might spoil the others for you. That being said; I always loved the scenes from the Baba Yaga series that had the Riders present and I always wanted to read about them rather than the Babas. And here I got the chance and it definitely lived up to expectations. What an awesome read. I can’t wait for the next!
*Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
February 14, 2017
I found this author a few months ago fell in love with her Baba Yaga series followed by her new series about the Riders she is fun and writes a lot about the magical creatures in otherworld the queen of the fairy Folk and elves Dwarfs trolls Pixies all about those are the things and Dragons dragons that can turn themselves into big dogs and cats I would recommend this offer to anyone who's interested or intrigued with fairies a magical creatures
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