Gathering Storm (Order of the Black Swan #5) by Victoria Danann- Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

Gathering Storm (Order of the Black Swan #5) by Victoria Danann-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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Gathering Storm
Order of the Black Swan #5
By Victoria Danann
Release Date: September 19, 2013
Genre: Parnormal, SciFi, Romance, UF

Gathering Storm

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The fifth installment in the Black Swan serial saga. READING IN ORDER STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. That’s why we have a try-before-you-buy-program. The first book in the saga, My Familiar Stranger, is PermaFREE everywhere.

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.

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REVIEW:   This is book number five of the Black Swan series, and it’s just as exciting and fun as the first four. Our friends in this wonderful world are in an ever changing heap of shite! BTW this is not actually for minors…there are some really hot sex scenes here and there. The story, however, is absolutely wonderful.
Victoria has created not just a world, but many worlds in various parallel dimensions. Many things on each are the same or almost the same with some unique differences. These differences can be very small to extreme, but always interesting.

Elora Laiken is still being chased by fanatics from the dimension where her estranged and dysfunctional family was in power, until the Ralengclan crew overthrew them and killed them all with the only exception being Elora. A total fanatic Rothesy, a leader of Ralengclan is obsessed with killing her. Ram (her elf husband) and the Black Swan knights do a wonderful job of protecting her, but she is sometimes her own best savior.

It so interesting to see these heroes living their lives, falling in love, being married, having children; all the while training young second sons to be the next generation of Black Swan knights! It all makes a very intricate and enthralling world.

One instance of incredible daring in this unique storyline the knights and their mates having children; with parents who are part demon, witch and human is wonderfully interesting to watch (or rather read). Rosie, daughter of Litha (witch and part demon) and her Black Swan knight husband Engel Storm (part demon himself) are in for the ride of their lives as their little girl grows about six months every day! Yes, this is truly a fun journey; except when Storm gets “dropped” into the passes (the highways between dimensions) while being taken to work by Litha’s demon father (whose name strangely enough is Deliverance, and oh yes…he’s a sex demon). Unfortunately, it’s not just a quick trip back to find out where he was “lost”. The possibilities are endless and it’s rather like finding a needle in a haystack….the fun really begins when Deliverance brings home “the wrong Storm”. While the “real” Storm bides his time in the dimension he “fell” into!

Add to this incredible story the renegade team of Black Swan knights, Z Team. This group of misfits gives “bad boys” a whole new meaning! Some funny and some not! Then into the mix goes the head man (sovereign) of Jefferson Unit (the Black Swan’s US headquarters) Solomon Neuhm Nemaniah or “Sol” to the knights and friends, Sol has decided to retire but is still looking for his replacement; he has decided to take a romantic vacation (never had one before) with his fiancée Farnsworth.

There is a very sad bit of tragedy in this installment as well as some kick ass fights, and so much action of all sorts it’s sometimes hard to put it down (not that I do of course – LOL). All in all Victoria Danann has created a wonderful place that I thoroughly enjoy visiting! Action packed is only the beginning; unique is an aside; thrilling is just a normal occurrence! You get the picture, now get the books! You certainly won’t regret a minute of it! Enjoy, I did!

Reading Order and Links to our reviews
1. My Familiar Stranger
2. The Witch’s Dream
3. A Summoner’s Tale
4. Moonlight
5. Gathering Storm

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

About The author

FOLLOW: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

victoria-danannIf 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 and Readers’ Choice Awards. Each of my books has remained on the Amazon best seller list in category every day since release. All four also earned the Night Owl Reviews TOP PICK award and have remained on the Amazon Best Sellers list every day since release.

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.

giveaway

Two Ways to Win:

– Every tour on the stop will giveaway one e-copy of The Order of the Black Swan Collected Tales Books 1-3

-Tour wide: One entire set of signed paperbacks, Books 1-5.

____________________________

1.  If you are not registered at The Reading Cafe, please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment or asking us to enter you into the giveaway or just say ..HELLO to Victoria !

4.  Giveaway is open to: ebook is international: paper copies USA only

5.  Giveaway runs from October  7 – 17, 2013

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Victoria Danann-A Summoner’s Tale Blog Tour

Victoria Danann-A Summoner’s Tale Blog Tour

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR from Goodreads/Website

Victoria Danann

Though works of fiction are a departure for me, I have had this series simmering on the back burner of my mind for a few years. In addition to authoring and illustrating Seasons of the Witch (for the past thirteen years) I play Classic Rock music and manage one of Houston’s premier R&B bands.

This series includes some of my education in the paranormal and fictionalized anecdotes from my journals during the years when I was a practicing “metaphysician”, but, of course, most of the material is fantasy. All of the books will feature strong female leads with strong male support.

For the past fourteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners and written several non-fiction books on magickal arts. She lives in a town north of Houston known as The Woodlands even though the idea of the witch in the woods may be a cliché.

She owns 7th House Publishing and contributes to its enterprises. In addition to art and writing, she plays Classic Rock music (keys, rhythm guitar, vocals) and manages one of Houston’s premier party bands. Married. Four children.

Follow Victoria: Website / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

THE ORDER OF THE BLACK SWAN series by Victoria Danann

The Order of The Black Swan 2

My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #1

My Familiar Stranger

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /iTunes / Smashwords

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords

A SECRET SOCIETY, MODERN DAY KNIGHTS, AND VAMPIRE LIKE NO OTHER come together in a dimension 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.

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?

My Familiar Stranger is a full length, stand-alone, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance novel that also sets up the foundation for the Black Swan series. It is loved by fans of paranormal romance, fantasy romance, and urban fantasy.

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The Witch’s Dream by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #2

The Witch's Dream

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The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords

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 celebrate a handfasting at the palace in Derry.

When they reach Edinburgh, the afterglow of an elftale 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.

Erotic quotient: 18+ Some steamy scenes. No menage. No BDSM.

INCLUDES: The first chapter of Book Three, The Summoner’s Tale

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The Summoner’s Tale by Victoria Danann-The Order of The Black Swan Series #3

A Summoner's Tale

Amazon

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords

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.*

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THE ORDER OF THE BLACK SWAN Trilogy Box Set

the Order of The Black Swan

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These are single titles presented in a bundle, the first three installments of the serial saga presented in anthology form. There is no new content.

Discover a world of adult fantasy where modern day knights of a secret society interact with an alien, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, a most unusual vampire, werewolves, elves, and fae. Fairytales intersect adventure, romance, and emotion proving that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you’re least expecting it, even when you’re far, far from home.

Included are:

Book 1, My Familiar Stranger: Romancing the Vampire Hunters. (Nominated for best paranormal romance of 2012 by the Reviewers’ Choice Awards.)

Book 2, The Witch’s Dream: A Love Letter to Paranormal Romance

Book 3, A Summoner’s Tale: The Vampire’s Confessor.

Erotic Quotient: 18+ Some steamy scenes. No BDSM. No menage.

Blog-tour-schedule-white

02/25 – Reading Between the Wines
02/26 – Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Blog
03/01 – Curling Up with A Good Book
03/02 – I Smell Sheep
03/07 – Books-n-Kisses
03/09 – Phantasmic Reads
03/13 – United by Books
03/16 – The Jeep Diva
03/18 – Riverina Romantics
03/21 – The Reading Cafe
03/22 –  Book Monster Reviews / Literal Addiction
03/23 – Mad Hatter Reads

Rafflecoper Giveaway Black White

Victoria is giving away 7 copies (tour wide) of The Order of the Black Swan COLLECTED TALES books 1-3. Victoria will choose 7 winners at the end of the tour.

Please complete the Rafflecopter below and follow the instructions.

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The Order of the Black Swan series by Victoria Danann-a review

The Order of The Black Swan Series by Victoria Danann-a review

The Order of The Black Swan 2

The Order of The Black Swan Series by Victoria Danann

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

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My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #1

My Familiar Stranger

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /iTunes / Smashwords

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


To begin, I’m not a great lover of scientific jargon and find details about inter-dimensional travel to be boring. When first opening this book I thought “Oh my, this is going to be such a chore”. How could I have ever been so wrong? LOL While there is a little introduction to the aspects of this phenomenon, it was small and a really good set-up for the coming magnificent story!

Ok, that said let’s get on with the story. The worlds explored are on Earth, but are very different from our own. Someone once said that each little stone on a beach, if moved could change the world. So, if Hitler hadn’t been stopped, what kind of world would we have today…perish the thought. But if polio vaccine hadn’t been invented or discovered what would our world be like if even one hero had gotten polio and not been there to be a hero? That’s the type of changes…some smaller, some larger. Many things are familiar – but very different.

In this world there is secret organization that protects humans and others from many dangers: vampire, demon, and perverts…all manner of evil doers. The agents, or fighters for this organization are actually knights…yes, knights. Only the very best of the best and not many of even those are awarded this honor. This organization was having a meeting of their best team (B Team) of the Order of Black Swans.

While on another world, Elora Laiken and her whole royal family were being attacked and the attackers were winning. To save her young life her friend and tutor, Thelonius Monq or for short”Monq”, sent her to another dimension via his untested vortex invention.

While the invention does “save” her life she emerges in mid-air in the meeting of the Black Swan B Team and quite literally drops out of thin air. Only while she is alive, she is not without injury. She is in fact a blob of skinned, broken and bloody flesh. Not even recognizable as necessarily “human”. Some of the knights being startled and cautious voted to “kill it”, but Sir Storm (oh year, I do love a good storm) took the initiative to carry the “blob” to medical help.
You know I don’t do spoilers… let me just say that any time spent reading this book, even this whole series will not be a waste of time.

Victoria Danann has crafted an incredible world or worlds. The characters are each magnificent in their own unique way (though I wouldn’t mind at all being mated to any of these alpha males). Her secondary characters are equally well done. Conversations are realistic, humorous, provocative and just plain fun. The plot is wonderful, twisty, funny and heart rending. All the things an epic should be. You are literally in this world with them, experiencing their pains, triumphs and frustrations. And the sex is well written, and enthralling.

I think the term “a must read” is probably overused, so how do I tell you that you really haven’t lived until you’ve read this series? Yeah, it’s that good!

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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The Witch’s Dream by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #2

The Witch's Dream

Amazon

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


This is book 2 of the Order of the Black Swan. I usually hesitate a bit at sequels, they very often seem to try too hard to be like the first…relax, not so with this book. It actually begins where book 1 (My Familiar Stranger) leaves off.

The first chapter gives you the idea of where the next big problem is coming from and who the target is! In this case our very wonderful friend Sir Kay (the berserker of the group) and his lovely bride-to-be Katrina. In the meantime we are delighted with the Irish hand fasting (wedding) of Ram and Elora.
Again Victoria Danann has used her remarkable talent to craft wonderful scenes of family life, even among the elven royalty. The marvelous conversations and romantic antics of Ram and Elora are absolutely so enthralling you forget the other shoe is about to drop on their friends…hence surprise when it does.
While in Edinburgh, B-Team has the hand fasting and also is assigned to a new group to help with a task while they are there. This is where our beautiful and talented witch Litha Brandywine comes in and at the first sight of Sir Storm falls head over heels in love with him (heck, I did that in the first book-LOL-tall, dark handsome, muscular, honorable, and well endowed – what’s not to love? LOL).

Litha works for the Order as a tracker. However, Sir Storm believes he’s still in love with Elora and is not exactly receptive to Litha (men, the great looks don’t always go the brain first). Fortunately, she a very determined little witch!

That’s all the spoilers I’m giving out! This is a wonderfully twisty and exciting book. The storyline is completely different while maintaining the same relationships and wonderful people, just a few additions to accommodate the twists.

It’s incredibly exciting, and for me, impossible to put down. I devoured it like it was made of chocolate and caramel. I’m writing this with slightly shaky hands cause I just can’t wait to get to book 3.

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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The Summoner’s Tale by Victoria Danann-The Order of The Black Swan Series #3

A Summoner's Tale

Amazon

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


The Summoners Tale – The Vampires confessor is the third in the Black Swan Series. And they say the best things come in 3’s, I believe that is absolutely correct!

OMG, OMG! This series is on my favorites list! We begin book 3 where book 2 left off. I love the continuity of this series. The great friends from the first two are ever present and we get views of their continuing stories and how their lives are going. The B Team (Bad Company – bad as in badass) is the elite of the Black Swan organization. And the wonderful alpha male knights and the one female knight are the reason. Each now with very special mates that has interesting talents of their own.

Victoria has built great relationships between the team members and their spouses, with many interactions that save each other’s lives.
Primary story in this book is our friend Istvan Baka, ex-vampire. He is trying to move forward with the vampire cure project. He finds himself distracted and in love with Heather who shows only contempt for him. Ram’s little sister will play a huge part in finding out why, and the answers are thought provoking and thrilling!

Okay…no spoiling the great telling of the magnificent story. But the twists and dangers are many to all the characters that are known and loved. Victoria has written each book with individual tales of threats and heroics, but tied them together to move the story arch farther and farther along. A few new characters are coming in, while some secondary characters are stepping up and coming to more focus in the overall story.

I love the world(s) she has designed. The basic issues that all the different races are facing and trying to overcome. While they now have to prepare for other worlds beginning to have inter-dimensional travel more perfected than the one poor Elora was pushed into. Interesting scientific concepts side by side with issues of age old prejudices; a great mixture of science and humanity – much like reality.

If you haven’t tried this series, I urge you invest a little time to it! You will not be disappointed, but enthrallment is a definite possibility! Personally, I’m looking forward to the 4th book coming in May of 2013!

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

Copies supplied by the author

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