THE STONE WARRIORS Series 1-4 by D.B. Reynolds-Review Tour
Dragan
The Stone Warriors Book 4
by D.B. Reynolds
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
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It was a time when gods walked the earth, when armies fought not for bits of land, but for the very existence of humanity. On such a battlefield, five formidable warriors stood against an evil greater than any the earth had ever seen. But evil is not an honorable foe. Betrayed by someone they trusted, the warriors were cursed, one by one, tossed into the maelstrom of time, imprisoned in stone, their freedom resting on nearly impossible conditions. Until…. Dragan Fiachna, heir to the curse of royal blood, a horror hiding behind a beautiful face…. you shall remain locked in stone until a maiden, untested and pure, shall find grace in your beast and safety in your nightmare.
Dragan Fiachna, born to a life of loneliness, cast into stone by a sorcerer’s curse and imprisoned forever in darkness. He is freed at last, only to discover his enemy still lives and is plotting the death of millions in his quest to rule this new world.
Maeve Collins, brilliant, courageous, and compassionate enough to believe a stone statue can have a soul. Shocked when her beautiful winged man breaks free, horrified at the torment he’s endured, she dedicates herself to reuniting him with the warriors he calls family.
But she never planned on falling in love.
Racing across half the country in search of the only man who can stop their foe from fulfilling his merciless scheme, Dragan and Maeve discover they’ve unwittingly stolen the one artifact that can defeat their enemy. And he wants it back. Pursued by assassins, they fight their way to Dragan’s brothers, only to discover the war for this world has already begun….
REVIEW: Dragan, reading these back cover I assumed he was a beast in manners and looks, but far from it, he saw himself as a beast, his parents gave him away to be a protector, a warrior. The people who looked after him as a child, did just that, there was duty only, no love. And even as a man, he knew only duty, women would want only his body, a s nothing else…..
Maeve is a total computer geek, online haves and programming is her way of life, the solitary life suits her. And the house she lives in, well that’s big enough to get lost in. Her favourite room, well that’s the one with her big stone warrior in it, a huge wingspan she sits under when she talks to him…..
As always the curse is broken by a woman, and a specific curse at that…… “Dragan Fiachna, heir to the curse of royal blood, a horror hiding behind a beautiful face…. you shall remain locked in stone until a maiden, untested and pure, shall find grace in your beast and safety in your nightmare.”
She spoke to him about anything and everything, until one day the stone cracks, and Dragan is free….She’s a little wary at first, not believing he’s the statue in the room she often sat.
We have all the stone warriors freed now, and like the previous books, Maeve and Dragan make their way to Nick (or Nico) Dragan is unaware if his warrior brothers are alive, but hopes they are.
We have battles along the way, we have a few mysteries that may result in a few more books? and we have the evil. Sorcerer alive and wanting revenge. You see not only did Maeve free the warrior (he had him locked in that room, making sure Nicodemus would never find him) but she stole a valuable tool that could defeat the sorcerer. And he definitely wants that back.
I have to admit, I was expecting a beauty and the beast story, (that will teach me for taking the back cover too literal!) a huge statue with wings (thinking gargoyle).
The descriptions of the battles were awesome, I think the author might have watched or played a few online games to get a few pointers ?
And now we have a sneak preview of the next story (which I’m hoping we get) Nicodemus and the mysterious Antonia ?
Copies supplied for review
? Reviews by Julie B
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Gabriel
The Stone Warriors Book 3
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
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It was a time when gods walked the earth, when armies fought not for bits of land, but for the very existence of humanity. On such a battlefield, five formidable warriors stood against an evil greater than any the earth had ever seen. But evil is not an honorable foe. Betrayed by someone they trusted, the warriors were cursed, one by one, tossed into the maelstrom of time, imprisoned in stone, their freedom resting on nearly impossible conditions. Until. . . .
Gabriel Halldor. . . one of the fiercest warriors the world has ever seen, but his tremendous skill can’t save him from a sorcerer’s curse. Trapped in stone and left lying in darkness for thousands of years, he is, at long last, brought into the sunlight of a Japanese garden, where a young girl comes to sit at his feet and read him stories as she grows to womanhood.
Hana Himura. . . beloved granddaughter of a Japanese mob boss, raised to the life of a warrior. When death comes for her grandfather, he sends her to the one guardian courageous enough to protect her from a sorcerer who will stop at nothing to have her.
Raphael. . . the most powerful vampire lord on earth, and the only man who can save Gabriel and Hana from an enemy who would enslave them both.
Running from the certain death that awaits them in Japan, Hana and Gabriel flee to Malibu and the vampire lord her grandfather called friend. Raphael is magic and power combined, and Gabriel and Hana will need both if they’re going to survive long enough to defeat their enemy and light the flame of desire that’s been simmering between them for years.
••••••••••••
REVIEW:Now, this one I really liked. A more complex book, it really had me hooked…..
“URBAN GABRIEL HALLDOR, a berserker on the battlefield, a monster who drinks his enemy’s blood and wears his flesh like the finest cloth . . . you shall remain locked in stone until a woman’s tears shall soak into your skin, and her pleas for safety reach you in the chaos of battle.” That was Gabriel’s curse. Gabriel doesn’t use his first name.
A beserker old, loving the battle and the cries of his fallen enemies. He lived to serve Nicodemus and to battle along side his three brothers (Damian, Kato and Dragan) but there was something beside the berserker, long ago, Gabriel had been turned into a vampire, with the help of Nico, he kept it on lockdown, his brothers never knowing of his anger and shame.
Hana has always known of Gabriel, the beautiful statue in the garden, she’s often sit at his feet and feel safe. And she’d know that one day he’d save her. Hana is a rare breed, she can amplify power, so she’s a power source that many would kill to obtain. Trained as a warrior by her grandfather, Hana has always known and been aware of magic. And when her home is attacked, she knows exactly where to go…..
The pair set off to find the only person her grandfather trusted, but by the time they get to Raphael’s home, Gabriel isn’t in great shape.
Raphael is a master vampire (or Lord in this series) and he has his story in several other books (Vampires in America) when meeting him for the first time, Hana was extremely wary of him, Raphael has power, it emanates from his very pores.
Giving sanctuary to both Gabriel and Hana, it allows them to catch their breath and rest.
Is Sotiris the sorcerer still causing havoc? (Hmmmm can’t tell you) And where does Nicodemus fit into the scheme of things? The hatred between Raphael and Nico is volatile to say the least, (I’m going to have to go and read the previous series now!!)
We catch up with previous characters from previous books, the interaction is very comical, the love for one another is very evident.
So we have a feud that has carried on for a millennia, a stone warrior with a side order of vampire! A woman whose a conduit and can magnify a witch/sorcerers powers. And chemistry that just burns the pages ?
Can’t wait to read Dragan (next book) and maybe Nicodemus can find a feisty female to keep him in line.
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Kato
The Stone Warriors Book 2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
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It was a time when gods walked the earth, when armies fought not for bits of land, but for the very existence of humanity. On such a battlefield, five formidable warriors stood against an evil greater than any the earth had ever seen. But evil is not an honorable foe. Betrayed by someone they trusted, the warriors were cursed, one by one, tossed into the maelstrom of time, imprisoned in stone, their freedom resting on nearly impossible conditions. Until . . .
Kato Amadi . . . born of darkest sorcery, unstoppable on the battlefield, his magic is as deadly as his blade. But not even magic could save him from vicious betrayal. Trapped for millennia in darkness and silence, he is freed at last, only to find himself in the middle of a battle against the very beasts of hell he was created to destroy.
Grace Van Allen is a scholar of ancient languages who toils in the dim recesses of a museum basement with only a beautiful stone warrior to keep her company. But when Grace calls upon her silent warrior to help her translate an obscure new language, she breaks the ancient curse holding him prisoner . . . and frees three deadly demons to rampage through her city.
Tracking demons is what Kato was born to do, but he’ll need Grace’s help. And when they discover that Kato’s enemy is still alive and still plotting against him, their hunt takes a dangerous turn, one that might just prove fatal for both of them . . .
••••••••••
REVIEW: Grace loves her job, translating ancient texts. Reading about life many years ago. Her only companion a beautiful statue. Then one night she whispers to her stone companion that she needs help…..
Kato needs to help the beauty who summoned him. He’s watched her for years now, talking to him, and gazing up at him. The words the evil sorcerer Sotiris threw at him “ Kato Amadi, son of the Dark Witch, who for all his deadly skills on the field of battle, could neither read nor write the language of men . . . you shall remain locked in stone until a scholar of the written word shall plead for your help in understanding the wisdom of the ancients.“ came back to haunt him, was she the scholar he was suppose to help? And why now? But he knew why, the scroll she was trying to decipher was more dangerous than she was aware of.
Grace is in shock, one minute she’s finishing writing out the scroll, next, a thing appears from nowhere and is about to attack her. But a warrior saves her……
We then go on a ride, both Kato and Grace need to work together.
Kato has always been use to being just a vessel, not a man, nothing. So at first he finds it hard to connect with Grace, he finds her compelling, but so use to being berated, that he finds it hard to accept her way of speaking. He’s a Dark Witch’s son, but that didn’t mean he was cherished, he was used to fill his mother back up once she depleted her magic.Grace adjusts pretty quick to the work Kato has dragged her into. She tries not to show pity to Kato (that will get him to shut down pretty quick) And then there is the attraction that is simmering between them. But Kato knows it would only be brief, he has to know what happened to his brothers.
It’s a fast action book, lots of chasing, lots of twists and turns. A murder at the beginning of the book made no sense at first. We also catch up with previous characters from the last book. And then there his Kato’s mother!!! Do we meet up with her? Is there an epic magical battle? Well to find that out, you’ll have to read the book.
I liked this one better than the last. (Damian) The characters seemed to flow better, and there seemed to be more story. And I do love a wounded soul, and Kato is pretty much a wounded soul.
So if you like your magic and muscle, then this books is for you ?
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Damian
The Stone Warriors Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
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It was a time when gods walked the earth, when armies fought not for bits of land, but for the very existence of humanity. On such a battlefield, five formidable warriors stood against an evil greater than any the earth had ever seen. But evil is not an honorable foe. Betrayed by someone they trusted, the warriors were cursed, one by one, tossed into the maelstrom of time, imprisoned in stone, their freedom resting on nearly impossible conditions. Until . . .
Damian Stephanos honed his skills in battles fought with magic as much as swords. Caught by a deadly spell that left him trapped for centuries in darkness and obscurity, he is finally freed, only to discover that his enemy still lives. Determined to find him—and to free his brothers in arms—he first must fulfill his blood debt to the woman who released him from his torment. Unfortunately, being so close to this enticing female is another type of torment altogether . . .
Cassandra “Casey” Lewis is a hunter. Possessing the rare ability to sense magic, she spends most of her time shadowing arcane collectors, and more often than not, stealing the dangerous artifacts she pursues. Her job is risky, especially when she’s stealing from one of the most powerful sorcerers alive. But having a gorgeous warrior by her side is a definite bonus. He’s great in a fight . . . and in other places, too.
Following a trail of dead bodies, the two of them must join forces to track down the sorcerer who cursed Damian, and who now plans to turn an ordinary magical device into a deadly weapon. Risking everything, including their hearts, they’re about to discover that trusting each other might be the hardest thing of all.
•••••••••
REVIEW: Read the back cover I was expecting Gargoyles. What I got was better. Magic and adventure, with a LARGE amount of sex (a little too much in places)
Cassandra or Casey as she likes to be called, is sort of an FBI agent, but not a normal one. She has an ability that makes her a little different. She can track down magical items. She usually follows the trail, and if need be, obtain the item (sometimes theft is involved) And she’s been doing this for a while now, her boss Nick gives her a job, and Casey runs with it. She’s never really questioned it, (it was nice to have someone who believed her and utilises her skills.)
On the trail of a talisman, Casey has it, and is now being chased, and by hellhounds no less….
Damian has been a statue for a very long time, cursed and forced to watch life go by as a statue, for the last hundred years had watched the world go by on top of a building, he’s seen everything go by, but not able to interact. Well not until one night a wounded woman touches him, and asks for his help, it seems to have lifted the curse. He’s not sure how or why, or even why in this time period, but he’s going to find her, thank her and offer his services to help her.
He’s also wondering where everyone he knows is.
Both Damian and Casey need to learn to trust one another if they are to work together. They have no problem in the bedroom, but outside that’s a different matter.
This is a spin off from the Vampires in America series, and to be honest, I don’t think you need to read it. There are a few references to people and I’m assuming it’s to do with the previous series.
It’s a fast paced action book. We have a bad guy that’s looking for a talisman, and with it the power to bring modern civilisation to its knees. Sotiris has magic at his fingertips, and I have a feeling he’s been around a very long time. The chase and fight scenes are very good. Some of the conversation between Damian and Casey felt a little stilted.
It’s very detailed, and the characters are all very well rounded.
Chemistry between the main characters needed a little work.
But I liked the interaction between Casey and her boss, and Nick and Damian.
But as I said, a little too much sex, was it a filler? Maybe, but turn it into a novella if you are struggling (well that’s my opinion)
It’s a five book series (I think) so I’m looking forward to seeing if the next book is as good.
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D. B. Reynolds is the RT and Epic Award-Winning author of the Vampires in America series of paranormal romance, and an Emmy-nominated television sound editor. D. B. currently lives in a flammable canyon near the Malibu coast, and when she’s not writing her own books, she can usually be found reading someone else’s. You can visit D. B. at her website Dbreynolds.com
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Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.
