Legally Blonde meets urban fantasy in a lighthearted series full of romance, magic, and humor. If twenty-two-year-old Madeline Bennet knows anything for certain, it’s that she’ll get her desired apprenticeship with the Royal Guild. After all, her family is well-connected, and she’s all but dating the grand duke’s nephew.But Madeline does not get her apprenticeship. Instead, she finds herself working with a trio of knight marshals, traipsing around the US, arresting all manner of magical miscreants. And if tracking trolls, running from murderous pixies, and stumbling into a dangerous web of criminal activity isn’t enough to keep her occupied, there’s also Gray, Jonathan, and Eric—the knights themselves.They’re strong. They’re skilled. They’re ridiculously handsome. And they don’t want her on their team.The four must play nice for six months, but can they even manage a week? And what will happen if the knights realize the royal advisor’s daughter isn’t just a prissy girl in heels? She’s harboring a dark secret—one that could prove to be more dangerous than even Madeline imagined.Author's Though this spicy-sweet series is closed-door, it's intended for adult audiences. Also, while the books have multiple potential love interests, at the end of the series, Madeline will end up with ONE man only.This complete set includes all five main books in the Obsidian Queen of SecretsPrincess of ShadowsKnights of ObsidianCreatures of MidnightQueen of Aparia
Shari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Easy read but definitely enjoyable! Humorous, good plot & flow from one book to the next. The characters are well done. I do wish there was a but more to the end, it's wrapped up quickly.
***Spoiler alert*** Few things I didn't agree with: (1) after she meets her female cousin, she worries she's not unique anymore as they're but from the same "line". I'm not sure why this was a worry, as we follow her journey, the book drums that it must be a fox & of a certain magnitude to be able to control the creatures. Her cousin is a sparrow, she shouldn't have worried, regardless of her cousin's unfortunate history. (2) Finn shouldn't have been kept in power, regardless of her friendship with his wife or her ability to "control" him. He's proven to be of not character for such a standing. Regardless of his promiscuity, he lied & manipulated Maddie to control her/the team. His "dealings" not only harmed humans, but his own citizens, resulting in some cases death. He continued to try & manipulate in other cases. As well as try to kill the queen even without knowing her ID/guilt. Someone else should've been put into the position. (3) The uncle & the guard should've had a sterner, possibly life time sentence. It was brushed by as a "war time" decision. There was no war/aggressive action on her end. She was a legitimate candidate & they all knew it. His actions possibly could've resulted in her death, definitely her links death & it should be illegal to strip powers without a trial, as well as for the reasons why he was stripping her powers, regardless of his guilt to fix past actions. (4) Punishment to those who killed the boy & regardless punishment/laws enacted to protect against what's happened to her cousin/the boy. (5) Letting everyone walk all over her in the meeting. No she doesn't have to come across as power hungry but she is the queen. She should be respected & not walked all over. (6) After linking & cooking back to get power, there were different scenarios she could've used her power & manipulation to keep her/others safe. (7) She has the power to call the night creatures, yes it's fine to rehome them but I didn't know why she doesn't call them to help her. She was right they could have jobs/help maintain the realm. It would've been nice to see her enact it. (8) Those who've been lining their pockets, positions stripped & their funds towards the gates/public projects.
I really did enjoy the story, she showed herself to be a smart (not only book but common/Street sense) character. I only feel in some cases the end result was too PG/happy ending wrap up.
Summary: Despite having friends (with benefits) in high places, our foxy heroine did NOT get the internship she wanted. Instead of learning how to be a better hostess and positioning herself to snag a well-connected husband in their secret magical community, she has to babysit a bunch of magic-wielding knights and make sure they don’t do anything TOO illegal.
Luckily for her, the knights are hot and interested in what our heroine has to offer.
And by that, I mean they are interested in her rare form of magic—and probably her sparkling personality.
Minds out of the gutter, people. This is a CLEAN (ish) romance page. :P
Pros: This is more urban fantasy, and I loved the worldbuilding of the different magical factions. I also liked the various crimes and mysteries our heroes had to investigate in each individual book, moving the plot along.
And I just love Tapscott’s writing in general.
Cons: So yeah, the first book of this series is setup like a reverse harem novel. As such, we have a lot of almost interchangeable hot men all pursuing the MC and making out at the drop of a hat. Not my normal cup of tea, but it never goes past the making out point, and they start to settle down a bit after that.
We get more character development by the end, and yes, she picks only ONE of the hot men to run off into the sunset with. Which yeah, is basically what is described in the blurb, so I can’t REALLY complain that the first book was a bit much for me. I was warned. And it does get better!
And I do like the romantic interest that she picks—and his family farm full of dragons. :P
Conclusion: Good for any Urban Fantasy and Tapscott fan, especially someone hoping to find one of her full series on audible. Yes, the first book might scare off some of the cleaner readers on here, but if you are prepared and think you can handle it, there is a very happily after for you to enjoy!
I had such a fun weekend binge reading this series. Yes, I started the next book right after the previous one each time. The first three at least are like one long narrative with cliff hangers so my reading plans suited me just fine.
Being a part of this world was so much fun. Shari knows how to balance a “simple” plot line with intricate details. I never got bored reading these books. I only wish that there could be more of them, which may happen someday.
I’m not usually into fickle female characters, but Madeline was just right. All her knights as well were lovable in their own way. I changed my mind a few times over who I wanted her to choose. I do appreciate how Shari resolves multiple love complications as well. Sure there is a bit of angst while reading this series, but there is always friendship at the end.
I would label this an adult read because there is a bit more sexual innuendo and steamy kissing scenes. The way that things are written, however, I would still classify this a clean read. Nothing in this book felt vulgar and our heroine was not sleeping with anyone. She does get her wedding night at the end of the book, but it is a fade to black
All in all I would highly recommend this series for a fun escape. Every book made me smile and laugh .
This five book box set will take you through a LOT of emotions, and mountains of drama.
Madeline is the pampered daughter of a high ranking magical government official, just graduated from finishing school. She expects to earn an apprenticeship planning fabulous galas and balls and charity events. Instead, she is added to a team of bounty hunters to keep tabs on their over-use of magic. To say her skills do not match the task would be a vast understatement !
Across this box set, Madeline will have stalkers, magical abilities, crushes, heartbreak, new love, jealousy, and a few magical creatures cross her path.
This series is a little on the steamy side, but never goes beyond kisses on the page. There is no swearing, other than things like “he swore”. Moderate violence.
Hormones and magic make even what should be an easy decision far too complicated as the heart, the head and literal magic try to force Madeline onto a path she doesn't want.
After romantic betrayal, is forgiveness possible? Is there a path forward that doesn't destroy the world?
I mean just because someone is associated with the dark it doesn't make them evil!
With her knights beside her and obsidian magic inside her, Madeline must choose her own destiny.
This series really took me by surprise. It is fascinating, the World building and the magic system are well thought out and beautifully done, the politics the twists and turns the slow build of the relationships and the struggles that each dealt with in their own individual relationships and how the relationships interact with each other it was all just beautifully beautifully done. I don't do rereads very often but I think this series just got added to my reread Shelf.
What a fun series! I really loved the characters and seeing how things developed. Even though I am nothing like Madeline, I think everyone can identify with the pain of betray. l and injustice. I especially love the other female characters presented.I look forward to reading more books by this author, not only do I appreciate end happy ending, but I laughed out loud through each story.
This series manages to be fun, funny, exciting, suspenseful, & of course, romantic - I've enjoyed re-reading it many times since it was first published under Shari's pseudonym. My library would be bereft without it!
*Romance level: passionate kisses & some intense suggested violence & gore, including threatened rape, but nothing in graphic detail
Totally different from all of Tapscott’s other books. Her writing is subpar here and the story is more about physical attraction than an actual story - though the actual story is interesting once you wade through it all.
It IS still a clean adult romance to give credit where credit is due, but it doesn’t have the beauty, elegance, and wonder of Tapscott’s other books.
I do like this author, and I had fun reading this series although the main female character oscillating between 4 guys is maybe a bit much, or the fact that she is always perfect and in heels😂. I'd have given it 4 to 4.5 stars, because of this, but I figured it's just the trope I'm not a big fan of, the writing style is still lovely.