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The Martyr Tides: Book One
An Adult Paranormal Fantasy Shifter Romance SeriesBook 1 of the Tides Series ~ Urban Romantasy / FantasyA hidden world. A deadly scheme. A forbidden love.
Who is this guy? First, Eddi catches him feeding a pod of wild dolphins. Then, he’s popping up in her social circle, batting his beautiful green eyes and causing cartwheels down under. Oddly enough, he refuses to speak to her. Not one damn word. Ronan’s presence tears her in two. Should she run for her life—or climb him like a coconut palm? Eddi settles for ripping her hair out in frustration.
Her best friend Cal thinks it’s hilarious, of course; she’s pretty much celibate. It’s hard to build relationships without a solid foundation, and Eddi’s past is a black hole. Police found her wandering the highway ten years ago wearing a bloody jean jacket with a hole in it. Since then, she’s struggled to build herself a solid life in the Florida Keys, where the salty tang of the sea soothes her in ways she can’t explain. Life is never easy, but together with her friend Cal, she’s content. Working two jobs, the last thing she needs is some handsome dude swimming into her life and upending things.
Eddi soon learns she won’t have a say in the matter. She stumbles onto the truth, and the world she’s made for herself comes crashing down around her ears. Ronan may have turned her life upside down, but living amongst a hidden world of paranormal creatures might be the death of her.
Welcome to paradise. Hang onto your sunscreen. This one burns hotter than the Florida Sun.
__________________
Story comparisons—Thea Harrison’s ‘Elder Races’, Laurell Hamilton’s ‘Anita Blakely’, and Kresley Cole’s ‘Immortals After Dark’. Dragons. Vampires. Djinn. Syreni. Shifters. Demons. This shifter love story paints outside the lines. Please read the trigger warnings inside the cover.
Who is this guy? First, Eddi catches him feeding a pod of wild dolphins. Then, he’s popping up in her social circle, batting his beautiful green eyes and causing cartwheels down under. Oddly enough, he refuses to speak to her. Not one damn word. Ronan’s presence tears her in two. Should she run for her life—or climb him like a coconut palm? Eddi settles for ripping her hair out in frustration.
Her best friend Cal thinks it’s hilarious, of course; she’s pretty much celibate. It’s hard to build relationships without a solid foundation, and Eddi’s past is a black hole. Police found her wandering the highway ten years ago wearing a bloody jean jacket with a hole in it. Since then, she’s struggled to build herself a solid life in the Florida Keys, where the salty tang of the sea soothes her in ways she can’t explain. Life is never easy, but together with her friend Cal, she’s content. Working two jobs, the last thing she needs is some handsome dude swimming into her life and upending things.
Eddi soon learns she won’t have a say in the matter. She stumbles onto the truth, and the world she’s made for herself comes crashing down around her ears. Ronan may have turned her life upside down, but living amongst a hidden world of paranormal creatures might be the death of her.
Welcome to paradise. Hang onto your sunscreen. This one burns hotter than the Florida Sun.
__________________
Story comparisons—Thea Harrison’s ‘Elder Races’, Laurell Hamilton’s ‘Anita Blakely’, and Kresley Cole’s ‘Immortals After Dark’. Dragons. Vampires. Djinn. Syreni. Shifters. Demons. This shifter love story paints outside the lines. Please read the trigger warnings inside the cover.
174 pages, ebook
Published March 18, 2023
7 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 4, 2024
I’ve thought on this review for a few days after finishing this book and I’ve decided this book should come with a MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING. 🛑
I’ve read a ton of romance novels and I enjoy the entire romance genre from contemporary romance to sci-fi or paranormal romance. There were elements in The Martyr Tides that I really enjoyed and even though the emotional relationship between the FMC and the MMC was a bit flimsy, I would have read on to see if anything progressed there.
However, this book should come with a MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING. 🛑 There is an unspoken rule of the romance genre that rape is not explicitly shown/experienced. It’s just not. Maybe there is a almost rape scene that is stopped by another character or there may be reference to a rape that happened in the past. I’ve read some dark romances that came close and had you wondering if that was a truly consensual situation, but I’ve never read a romance genre book where the female main character witnesses a 100% non-consensual sexual interaction between her male main character and a demon succubus, until now.
Rape is a major trigger for me and part of why I prefer the romance genre above all others. There is a trust between romance readers and authors that things will work out and certain things, like sex, are sacred. I’d love to read on and see how all of the loose ends are tied in this series, but I cannot get over the trust broken as a romance reader.
I’ve read a ton of romance novels and I enjoy the entire romance genre from contemporary romance to sci-fi or paranormal romance. There were elements in The Martyr Tides that I really enjoyed and even though the emotional relationship between the FMC and the MMC was a bit flimsy, I would have read on to see if anything progressed there.
However, this book should come with a MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING. 🛑 There is an unspoken rule of the romance genre that rape is not explicitly shown/experienced. It’s just not. Maybe there is a almost rape scene that is stopped by another character or there may be reference to a rape that happened in the past. I’ve read some dark romances that came close and had you wondering if that was a truly consensual situation, but I’ve never read a romance genre book where the female main character witnesses a 100% non-consensual sexual interaction between her male main character and a demon succubus, until now.
Rape is a major trigger for me and part of why I prefer the romance genre above all others. There is a trust between romance readers and authors that things will work out and certain things, like sex, are sacred. I’d love to read on and see how all of the loose ends are tied in this series, but I cannot get over the trust broken as a romance reader.
November 29, 2023
The Martyr Tides by Penelope Austin is the first book in The Tides Series. This tastefully written novel is about a girl named Eddi, whose past she can’t remember. When she meets Ronan, she doesn’t know what’s in store for her as little bits of her past come back to her. When she finds out a secret about her best friend Cal, her eyes are open to a whole New World.
Right from the first chapter, I was pulled in to live in the world with the characters and couldn’t put the book down. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the spicy hot scenes had me yearning for more. The character development in this first book is ideal for continuation and the cliffhanger ending has me excited to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read book two of the series: The Blood Tides.
Right from the first chapter, I was pulled in to live in the world with the characters and couldn’t put the book down. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the spicy hot scenes had me yearning for more. The character development in this first book is ideal for continuation and the cliffhanger ending has me excited to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read book two of the series: The Blood Tides.
March 14, 2024
Pack your bags. You're headed for a trip!
Wow, and Woah! It's pretty much all I can say. This book was NOT what I was expecting. TW are definitely a thing for this one, but they are excellently written.
I love Eddie, a little more than confused at who she is, but I think that was the author's point - no one really knows. There are a million hints at this or that, but nothing concrete.
TW are a double-edged sword but rather tame for Urban Fantasy, imo, and it played so well into the plot line that it's not indulgent.
All in all, great book, and I think I'll take a stab at the next one!
Wow, and Woah! It's pretty much all I can say. This book was NOT what I was expecting. TW are definitely a thing for this one, but they are excellently written.
I love Eddie, a little more than confused at who she is, but I think that was the author's point - no one really knows. There are a million hints at this or that, but nothing concrete.
TW are a double-edged sword but rather tame for Urban Fantasy, imo, and it played so well into the plot line that it's not indulgent.
All in all, great book, and I think I'll take a stab at the next one!
June 11, 2023
Absolutely fantastic. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. I feel like the main character Eddi and I are soul sisters, I want Cal to be my best friend, and Ronan...Yum! I'm itching to get to the second book.
June 18, 2023
Great read overall and truly enjoyed getting to know the characters and the storyline! I just wanted more! Also, can the characters please be my friends.. enjoyed the storylines as well as the character developments/growths.
Overall good book!
Overall good book!
August 12, 2023
funny sad and kinda hot
funny sad and kinda hot
What wouldn’t make you read on
I’m a soft one for humorous content these days, who isn’t, with it being increasingly hard to find I cherish it where I can.
Consider this cherished !
funny sad and kinda hot
What wouldn’t make you read on
I’m a soft one for humorous content these days, who isn’t, with it being increasingly hard to find I cherish it where I can.
Consider this cherished !
August 16, 2023
Really liked this new paranormal romance author. Clever writing and great story. Really loved the characters and the intrigue. Loved everything about it!
January 16, 2024
Meh. The writing was decent.
I really didn’t like the FMC. She was exhausting.
The whole plot was kinda cringe
The SA scene was ick
I don’t care enough to read the next book.
I really didn’t like the FMC. She was exhausting.
The whole plot was kinda cringe
The SA scene was ick
I don’t care enough to read the next book.
March 13, 2024
Fantastic story, with wonderful characters. The author dares to take on some darker themes and pulls it off beautifully!
April 9, 2024
Waves of Love....
Imagine living your life in peace, and seeking it and then a wild handsome man sweeps you off you feet and then you discover his dark side.... but knowing the danger you still ignore it and then step into the darkness.
Hot, steamy and full of uncertainly, this is a book which has all.
Imagine living your life in peace, and seeking it and then a wild handsome man sweeps you off you feet and then you discover his dark side.... but knowing the danger you still ignore it and then step into the darkness.
Hot, steamy and full of uncertainly, this is a book which has all.
May 27, 2023
Terrific Read
This was a fun read!! It was full of action, romance, and adventure! It will keep you wanting to read! The characters are amazing! This is a shifter Romance! I highly recommend reading!! Can’t wait to read book 2!! Fun read!
This was a fun read!! It was full of action, romance, and adventure! It will keep you wanting to read! The characters are amazing! This is a shifter Romance! I highly recommend reading!! Can’t wait to read book 2!! Fun read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews