Shattered Web by Crista McHugh – Review & Giveaway
Shattered Web
Deizian Empire – Book #4
by Crista McHugh
Shattered Web is part of the Alpha After Dark Anthology (8 books in one)
Links to order Anthology (only $.99): Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Description:
With the birth of the imperial heir days away, Marcus is entrusted with an urgent mission by his best friend, Emperor Titus Sergius Flavus – unraveling the mysterious disappearance of every living soul in a trading post along the barrier. Unfortunately, all the clues point to the one woman he loved and lost. Even though his mind urges caution, his heart longs for a second chance to prove to her they belong together.
The daughter of the most infamous courtesan in Emona, Sexta faked her death in order to gain her freedom, never guessing fate would entwine her path with the one man she loved enough to let go. But now, she not only has to deny her feelings for him after every tantalizing kiss—she needs to prove her innocence before the true enemy brings the empire to its knees.
Review:
Shattered Web begins with Sexta plotting her “death” in order to finally be free. Enter Marcus, a man whom she has loved from the first time she met him. And he has loved her as well. However, Marcus is the best friend of the Emperor and she knows they can never be together, even though Marcus has repeatedly tried to convince her otherwise. She cannot escape her past and doesn’t want Marcus to suffer the sneers and jeers that would surely come their way if they were ever seen together, let alone married. They have a very passionate interlude in the gardens, and even though it breaks her heart, she knows she has to send him away. Broken hearted and angry, Marcus storms out of the gardens. Once he’s gone, Sexta and her trusted right-hand man, Djer, set their plan in motion and she “dies”.
Once Marcus learns of Sexta’s death, he manages to keep going, but is devastated at the loss. When the Emperor summons him to the palace, he learns that one of the port towns, Shalfak, has been attacked and has been deserted. Deserted as in no one living and no one dead. Marcus and Rufius, a former soldier, are sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Shalfak’s citizens. The last airship to leave the port town was the Temptress, which just happened to be docked in Emona…….. When Marcus reaches the Temptress, he discovers that the captain is none other than Sexta…………Alive and well, and obviously hiding something.
Once Marcus confronts Sexta, and she discovers what has happened in Shalfak, she manages to escape and head there herself to see just what’s going one. And, when Marcus arrives hot on her heels, they have no idea as to how much their lives are about to change. Seems that something slipped in when the barrier briefly fell, and no one was the wiser, until Marcus and Sexta happen upon their worst nightmare. Will the two of them be able to overcome their distrust of each other in order to save the empire? Well, of course they will, but fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
I was so excited when I found out that this installment was Marcus’s book. I’ve been looking forward to his for a long time, and, oh my sweet Jesus, it was magnificent. Once again, Crista McHugh wastes no time and grabs you from the get-go. The chemistry between Marcus and Sexta is awesome. Sexta is a fascinating heroine. She was willing to give up her one true love in order to save herself, and in her opinion, to save him as well. As usual, we get to see some of our old friends, and are introduced to some new ones, namely Rufius and Djer, who were great as well. I know y’all probably get tired of me saying it, but NO ONE builds a world quite the way Crista does. The images are always vivid in my mind as I read her books, and I always look forward to the next. I’ll say it again, if you’ve not read this series, you’re seriously missing out. Well done, Crista McHugh, VERY VERY WELL DONE!!!
Reviewed by Vickie
Copy provided by Author
Crista has graciously offered to give an e-copy of Alphas After Dark to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
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5. Giveaway runs from April 5 to April 10, 2014, 2014
6. Giveaway is open Internationally
