Paranormal romance review of A tale of Two Kingdoms by Victoria Danann

Black Swan Collected Tales (Volume 1, Books 1-6)

The Order of the Black Swan is a serial saga including My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, A Summoner’s Tale, Moonlight, Gathering Storm, and NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Book 6, A Tale of Two Kingdoms.

Victoria Danann presents Black Swan collected tales

Black Swan Collected Tales (Volume 1, Books 1-6)

The Order of the Black Swan is a serial saga including My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, A Summoner’s Tale, Moonlight, Gathering Storm, and NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Book 6, A Tale of Two Kingdoms.

Once upon a time a girl lost everything familiar. She escaped death by being forced into an experiment that left her in another world where modern day knights, elves, vampires, werewolves, witches, demons and fae became her allies, friends and family. She discovered a place where adventure intersects fairytales, where honor is more than an ideal, and she learned that love can find you in the strangest places, when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home. This is the story of Elora Laiken's strange and wonderful journey. It is also the story of those whose lives she touches along the way.

If you love romance, para

Review: Gathering Storm by Victoria Danann

Title: Gathering Storm (Order of the Black Swan #5)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: September 19, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

THE NEWSLETTER: Z Team, a.k.a Zed Company, is transferred to Jefferson Unit, which is being temporarily retired as an active hunter facility and converted to a research / training institution. Sol takes his first vacation – ever – leaving Glen in charge with Storm supervising. Rosie is proving to be an extraordinary little girl and Deliverance is in BIG trouble with her mother.

THE SURPRISES: Storm is really not himself. Former members of B Team must reunite to preserve his image and reputation. No one could have prepared for the surprises Rosie delivers, least of all Glen.

THE ADVENTURE: The Ralengclan send a second wave assassination team to Jefferson Unit at the worst possible time, when it’s been left defended by only Z Team, Glen, Elora, Sir Fennimore, and the trainees.

*Highly recommend reading this series in order if you want to follow the storyline*

Victoria did exactly what I was praying for and fleshed out one of my emerging favorite characters.  We get to watch Glen become a major player in the storyline and I loved every minute of it.  His character really shines and we get to see what kind of man he is when the head of Jefferson Unit takes a vacation - and leaves the rookie in charge.  Of course this is just setting up disaster and it strikes in several forms - Storm goes missing between dimensions, an invasions from another dimension out to assassinate Elora, and sweet little Rosie.

Sweet little Rosie is growing by leaps and bounds - literally.  We get to watch her grow up - all the way and it's amazing how well Victoria Danann wrote this.  She is another character that I know I am going to love as she works her way into the storyline.

A perfect addition to the fantastic series - book six is coming soon and I'm itching to get my hands on it.

Review: Moonlight by Victoria Danann

Title: Moonlight (Order of the Black Swan #4)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?

The story continues to touch on the live of former B Team members and their families while new characters and situations are introduced.

THE NEWSLETTER: Ram and Elora move into temporary quarters at Jefferson Unit to protect mother and baby.  Storm gives a surprising answer when he's tapped by Sol to replace him as Jefferson Unit Sovereign.  Litha solicits her father to help Black Swan.

THE SURPRISE: B Team learns the shocking truth about the origin of the vampire virus.  Monq races to develop a defense system to repel invasion by Stasnare terrorists and assassins.

THE ADVENTURE: Desperation drives Stalkson Grey to embark on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams in a bid to save the Elk Mountain werewolves from extinction.

THE ROMANCE: In the process of migrating the Elk Mountain werewolves to a new home, Grey learns that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you're far, far from home.

Stalkson Grey was on of my favorite side characters - briefly mentioned in a previous book.  His verbal sparring with Elora is classic and had me chuckling every time.  It was great to see a book with a large portion of the story dedicated to him and his werewolf tribe.  His dying tribe - dying because there are not enough females for the young males to mate with and reproduce to keep a healthy population - are desperate to try anything that may save them and help them all find their true mate.  The plan to save them comes from the strangest of places - but it's a good one.  Stalkson is shocked when along the way he finds a mate of his very own - but he's not sure if he will every be able to have her.  It was so sweet watching the hard ass werewolf fall for someone and get all emotional.

The rest of the story keeps us up to date with the B Team members I love to hear about and the search for a way to prevent trans-dimensional invasions.  We get to see a lot more of Glen, who is also becoming a favorite of mine.  (Is it possible for every character to be my favorite?)  With big changes coming up for Jefferson Unit, there's lots to look forward to in the next book.

Review: A Summoner's Tale: The Vampire's Confessor by Victoria Danann

Title: A Summoner's Tale: The Vampire's Confessor (Order of the Black Swan #3)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect.  Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive.  Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it.  Even when you're far, far from home.

Book three in the Order of the Black Swan fell a little short for me compared to the first two books.  Book three centers around Baka's history and his very horrible past.  At first I found his story quite interesting, but as it continued through repeated flashbacks it seemed more of an interruption than part of the story.  I was disappointed because Baka is one of my favorite characters.  I was excited to see part of the romance involve him, but I wish I had seen actual romance.

What seemed to be the main part of the story was the birth of Elora's and Ram's baby and her new relationship with a pack of wolves.  I loved this part of the story because I love Ram and Elora.  It was wonderful to see what happened after their happily ever after wedding.  Elora continues to amaze me by how adaptable she can be and still remain a character with flaws that keep her human.

There was plenty of action that picked up as if book two had never ended.  I love how Victoria Danann can just keep going - making sure all our old favorite characters are involved while still introducing new characters for us to fall in love with as well.

Review: The Witch's Dream by Victoria Danann

Title: The Witch's Dream (Order of the Black Swan #2)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: October 4, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

DESCRIPTION: From New York to Ireland to Edinburgh to Siena to the Texas Hill Country to Napa Valley, a secret society, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, an ex-vampire, modern day knights, heroes, werewolves, elves and fae come together where emotions intersect. The story maps a trail from rages to epiphanies, but, in the end, proves that true love can find you in the strangest places, when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home.

SYNOPSIS: 
Quintessential Black Swan knight, Engel Storm, was left behind when Elora Laiken chose his best friend. Now his heart is bruised and battered and he’s had it with love. But a transplanted witch who happens to be the world’s best tracker plans to do everything in her considerable power to change his mind.

The Witch’s Dream begins with B Team on temporary assignment to Black Swan headquarters in Edinburgh where they are supposed to fill in for stretched-thin resources and assist with a werewolf issue. They’ve been given permission to stop on the way to celebrate a special handfasting in an Irish castle.

When they reach Edinburgh, the afterglow of an elftale wedding quickly becomes all business. A missing person report turns into a demon abduction. A simple werewolf sanction becomes a diplomatic issue requiring the one thing Elora is no longer willing to give - finesse. 

*If you have not read Book One this may contain spoilers*

Elora's happily ever after continues in Book Two as she prepares for a royal wedding to Ram.  All of B Team is invited and Storm is doing his best to be a man about not winning the girl.  After they wedding they head to Edinburgh for a few assignments.  This is when the story really takes off.  When a person very important to B Team is kidnapped Storm is sent on the road with Litha, a very powerful witch and tracker, to hunt them down.  Elora and Ram are sent in another direction to find out why there is a werewolf in London (it made me giggle, too).

It may seem like there is a lot going on, but Victoria Danann does a fantastic job of keeping the story flowing and together even when the characters are apart.  I think Litha is going to turn into my new favorite.  She's fun, powerful, not the type to take crap from anyone, and has a bit of a hereditary card up her sleeve.  She knows right away that Storm is her man - now she just need to make sure he realizes it too.  Storm is not quite over Elora and definitely isn't look for love at the moment so Litha has her work cut out for her.

There is a lot of excitement in this one and I love that Danann kept all the characters from book one around playing important roles.  It makes it so easy to fall into her world the second you pick up the book.  I'm not quite sure who we will be watching fall in love in book three...she's left a few options out there to explore.  I can't wait to get started.

Indie Romance Convention Victoria Danann Book Trailer

Victoria Danann is one of our attending authors for the Indie Romance Convention. Hope to see you there!!

THIS IS THE THIRD INSTALLMENT in the ongoing story of the Black Swan serial saga. Before you read, please read Book 1, My Familiar Stranger (FREE) and Book 2, The Witch's Dream, FIRST!!

 A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.

Review: My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann

Title: My Familiar Stranger (Order of the Black Swan #1)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: April 21, 2012
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Smart. Sexy. Magical.

A secret society, modern day knights, an accidental pilgrim from an alternate dimension, and a vampire like no other come together where chance intersects romance for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, proving that true love can find you in the strangest places, even far, far from home.

DESCRIPTION...

Minutes ahead of inevitable assassination, Elora Laiken is forcibly transported to an alternate dimension similar, but not identical, to her own.  She is stranded.  Alone.  Far from home.  A stranger in a "strangish" land.

Of course a girl could suffer worse problems than having gorgeous suitors.  Perhaps more importantly, in the midst of an epidemic of vampire related abductions, can she stay alive long enough to choose between an honor debt, true love, or the breathlessness of single-minded passion?

I've been looking forward to this series for awhile - everywhere I hear such great things about it.  I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint one bit.  From page one Victoria Danann draws you into Elora's story as she is quite literally ripped from her own dimension into another.  The story related her experience beautifully.  With just enough of the world alike to ours that it's easy to understand and relate to the strange but little differences Elora experiences.

Saying Elora's arrival in this dimension was painful would be an understatement.  The men that witness her arrival aren't even sure if she's human at first.  But one, Storm quickly comes to the rescue and whisks her off to the infirmary where they patch her back up.  Storm sits by her side and the two become very close.  But when she is introduced to Ram, he realizes he almost missed out on meeting the most important person in his life.  These men that surround Elora are part of The Order of the Black Swan - vampire hunters and protectors of the "real world" from the paranormal.

Elora is eager to help her new friends and in the process runs into a very unique vampire by the name of Istan Baka.  I can't say too much about him just yet, but he's quite the character and I loved him.  Now it may seem like there is a lot going on...and there is...but the book paces everything beautifully.  Keeping the action going without being overwhelming.  There were several points that had my heart racing and unable to put the book down.  The romance was touching, but it did keep you guessing which wonderful guy she would eventually pick.

I couldn't wait to pick up the next.  These books were written perfectly to follow one after the other.  Enough of a cliffhanger to make you extremely curious, enough of an ending to give you a little resolution.

AUTHOR INFO:

Website - Blog - Facebook - Twitter

Review Moonlight by Victoria Danann

Title: Moonlight (Black Swan, #4)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance
Length: Novel (390 pgs)
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Moonlight, the fourth installment of the Black Swan series, continues to touch on the lives of former B Team members and their families while new characters and situations are introduced.


THE NEWSLETTER: Ram and Elora move into temporary quarters at Jefferson Unit to protect mother and baby. Storm gives a surprising answer when he’s tapped by Sol to replace him as Jefferson Unit Sovereign. Litha solicits her father to help Black Swan.

THE SURPRISE: B Team learns the shocking truth about the origin of the vampire virus. Monq races to develop a defense system to repel invasion by Stagsnare terrorists and assassins.

THE ADVENTURE: Desperation drives Stalkson Grey to embark on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams in a bid to save the Elk Mountain werewolves from extinction.

THE ROMANCE: In the process of migrating the Elk Mountain werewolves to a new home, Grey learns that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you’re far, far from home.

*READING IN ORDER STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
* 17+ Steamy scenes. No menage. No BDSM

The Black Swan saga falls somewhere in the middle of reading an Urban Fantasy and script of a magically filled fantasy television show. (well, it would have to be on HBO, b/c there's too much smexin' for network ;)

As a lover of traditional paranormal romance (see title of blog?) I have to say that while I find catching up with all the folks of the B team, I wish the romance involving Stalkson Grey would have come along quicker. I'm happy for our loving couples from previous books, but my paranormal romance lovin' mind was shouting for our Big Bad Wolf to finally find his gal. Unfortunately that storyline didn't start until around the 40%.

Anyone that enjoys plot driven books with plenty of characters to keep things rolling will love The Black Swan Series.

About Victoria Danann

If you’re looking for something new and different in PNR, you’ve come to the right place.
 
I write unapologetic romances with uniquely fresh perspectives on paranormal creatures, characters, and themes. Add a dash of scifi and a flourish of fantasy to enough humor to make you laugh out loud and enough steam to make you squirm in your chair. My heroines are independent femmes with flaws and minds of their own whether they are aliens, witches, demonologists, psychics, or past life therapists. My heroes are hot and hunky, but they also have brains, character, and good manners – usually – whether they be elves, demons, berserkers, werewolves, or vampires.

My first book, My Familiar Stranger, was nominated for Best Paranormal Romance of 2012 by the Reviewers’ Choice Awards. Each of my books has remained on the Amazon best seller list in category every day since release. My work has been compared to J R Ward, Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Lara Adrian. 

The Order of the Black Swan is a series that is also a serial saga. Each book is an episodic installment in an ongoing story. Join me for the adventure.

For Excerpts, giveaways, and info about The Black Swan series connect with Victoria @:

Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page| Twitter | Goodreads |

 This is the story as it was intended to be read – without interruption.

 Get the first three books for $6.99.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON     iBOOKS      B&N NOOK      SMASHWORDS

ARC Review/Giveaway: The Summoner's Tale by Victoria Danann

The Summoner's Tale (The Order of the Black Swan,#3)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author/ Bewitching Book Tours
Genre: PNR/UF
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Reviewed by CaroleDee


A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect.

Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive.

Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.

The Summoner's Tale Chapter 1 Excerpt and Trailer

The Summoner's Tale

READING THIS SERIAL SAGA IN ORDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DESCRIPTION:  A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.

Erotic quotient: A little steam. No menage. No BDSM.

Characterfest interview # 14 with Rammel Hawkings by Victoria Danann

A Conversation (Intervention) with Rammel Hawking

me: Sir Hawking, it's such a pleasure to get to interview you in person.

Ram: (third finger)

me: (sigh) Okay. What is this about?

Ram: Well, forgive me if I do no' sound polite, but I can no' say 'tis a pleasure bein' interviewed by you.

me: Why not?

Ram: Why no' indeed. I only agreed because of the chance to say fuck you in person.

me: Okay. What exactly is the problem? You did end up with everything you ever wanted, didn't you?

Ram: Aye. No' denyin' that. My problem is not with endin's. 'Tis with the bloody well fucked up middles.

me: I see.

Ram: No. You do no' see. You sit there in your tidy, little, safe, air conditioned version of reality without a single bloody care for what you are puttin'  me through. Have you ever had a broken rib? It hurts! Do you know that?

Review The Witch's Dream by Victoria Danann

Title: The Witch's Dream (The Order of the Black Swan, #2)
Author: Victoria Danann
Source: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel (ebook 298pgs)
Published by 7th House



He was left behind when Elora Laiken made her choice. Now he’s had it with love, but a transplanted witch who happens to be the world’s best tracker hopes she can change his mind.

The Witch’s Dream begins with B Team on temporary assignment to Black Swan headquarters in Edinburgh where they are supposed to fill in for stretched-thin resources and assist with a werewolf issue. They’ve been given permission to stop in Ireland for a few days and help Ram and Elora celebrate their hand-fasting at the palace in Derry.

When they reach Edinburgh, the afterglow of an elf-tale wedding quickly turns all business. A missing person report turns into a demon abduction. A simple werewolf sanction becomes a diplomatic issue requiring the one thing Elora is no longer willing to give - finesse.

From New York to Ireland to Edinburgh to Siena to the Texas Hill Country to Napa Valley. From promises to rages to hunts to epiphanies, emotions intersect to prove that true love can find you when you’re least expecting it – even when you’re far, far from home.

ARC Review The Devil You Know by Victoria Vane

Title: The Devil You Know (The Devil DeVere #3)

Author: Victoria Vane

Source: Request

Genre: Historical Erotic Romance

Length: Novella

Release Date : July 27, 2012 from Breathless Press 

When dealing with the devil it's easy to be burned… 

especially when passion ignites the flames.