Monday, November 10, 2014

ARCANA - BY JESSICA LEAKE - BOOK TOUR

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.



Arcana
by Jessica Leake
Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover, 288 pages
November 18th 2014 by Talos


Amid the sumptuous backdrop of the London Season in 1905, headstrong Katherine Sinclair must join the ranks of debutantes vying for suitors. Unfortunately for Katherine, she cannot imagine anything more loathsome – or dangerous. Through her late mother’s enchanted journal, Katherine receives warning to keep hidden her otherworldly ability to perform Arcana, a magic fueled by the power of the sun. The machinations of the fashionably elite are a constant threat, but worse still are those who covet Katherine’s Arcana, seeking the power of her birthright. They could be hiding behind the façade of every suitor, even the darkly handsome Earl of Thornewood. With so much danger and suspicion, can she give her heart to the one who captivates her, or is he just another after her power?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Indie Bound
MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:
Sometimes I think I missed my calling in the time I was born.  Then I remember how much I hate dresses, and being "proper"..hehe!  This book was just so much fun to read.  I loved the setting.  The way the characters talked.  The whole shabang.  I just felt like I was right there in the thick of London's elite.

Katherine's (who goes by Wren) father is convinced the only way she will find a respectable husband is to go and live with her grandmother in London.  To have her debut in London and all that goes with it.  Wren is much more comfortable in the beauty of her beloved country estate.  Riding horses with her brother and enjoying her life.  Wren feels more comfortable in riding breeches than in a dress.  She is not looking forward at all to going to London.

Wren has some other special gifts that make her think that finding a suitable mate will be hard.  She has "Arcana".  Magic.  Wren has lived most of her life hiding her "arcana" from the world for fear of what may happen.  There are people who seek to destroy those with power, so she must keep it in.

Wren and her younger sister take off to London and as Wren's debut comes closer, she is finding it hard to get a long with the Earl who will be accompanying her.

Wren and Earl Thornewood crack me up.  Wren is my kind of girl.  Spunky, and full of whit.  She is such a great female character.  Earl Thornewood fits right with Wren.  He knew how to take what Wren said and he knew just how to dish it as well.  I love it when characters banter back and forth with each other.

There is another who is trying to capture the eye of Wren.  Lord Blackburn.  Let's just say he is a good "shady" character.  I didn't like him from the moment he was introduced to Wren.  There just was something "off" about him.

The story was so great, and just when I thought it was going to end the way I wanted it to..BAM, plot twist.  The ending of this book is so exciting.  I felt like I got slapped in the face when I got to the end.  The world was all sunshine and roses and then BAM...It was kind of awesome.  I love how it ends, but getting to that ending was exciting.

I love stories about magic.  They make me happy.  I love that there is always some "one" or some "thing" trying to keep the magic hidden.  Or trying to keep the magic for themselves.  It makes for an exciting story.

There are so many great characters in this book.  Both main and secondary.  I loved them all.  Well, some were more slimy than others, but they were all great characters.  I truly love it when an author makes me interested in more than just the "main" characters.  It really makes the story come more alive for me.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a book tour, in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

Content:  There is some sexual innuendo in this book, as well as some descriptive "foreplay".  It isn't a main focus by any means, but just so you are aware.

MY RATING:





Or, would you like a special personalized/autographed copy of Arcana? You can purchase one from Fiction Addiction HERE.

About Jessica Leake

I’m a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (two toddlers and a newborn, in fact, so I think you can begin to see why my blog may be a bit neglected) and author of Arcana: A Novel (Skyhorse/Talos, November 4, 2014), my debut historical fantasy with a heavy dose of romance. I have a particular obsession with blending different genres, but almost everything I write has an element of fantasy and romance. I’ve been in love with historical England ever since my first literary crush: Mr. Darcy (I can’t even count the number of times I watched Pride & Prejudice–the A&E version, of course!!) I’m represented by the fabulous Brianne Johnson of Writers House, and I live in Greenville, SC.

Before I was a writer, I worked as a psychotherapist. I spent several years working at a psychiatric hospital in Birmingham, AL, but after my husband graduated as a pharmacist, we moved back to Greenville. I claim Greenville as my hometown now since I spent most of my childhood here, and I’m a proud alumna of St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Winthrop University.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

- $25 Amazon gift card & personalized hardcover of Arcana (INT)
- Two personalized hardcovers of Arcana + swag (US only)
- One ebook of Arcana (INT - Mobi or Epub)
Ends November 23rd

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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5 comments:

  1. KindlemomNovember 10, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    I am not thrilled with the possible love triangle but, it sounds like this has some twists that kept you on your toes and I love that. :) Gorgeous cover on this too!

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    1. UnknownNovember 10, 2014 at 9:59 PM

      I really do not like love triangles either! It was a good book though :)

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  2. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction AddictionNovember 10, 2014 at 2:08 PM

    Totally agree with you that I love it when the secondary characters stand out to me as much as the main characters - sounds like this had lots of awesome characters all around! Love historical fantasy, so I'll have to check this one out.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction


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  3. UnknownNovember 10, 2014 at 10:00 PM

    I LOVE magic books also! I really enjoyed reading it :)

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