Of Wind and Iron

by Lucy Black

On the shores of Mentradas, a woman is discovered with no name and no memory of how she got there. The only sign of who she may be evident on her skin. The country of origin is potentially that of the enemy.

Baildebas.

The woman finds an unlikely connection with the heir to the Mentradan throne. A single father who just wants to do right by his people and son.

Together they discover who she is and the dark secrets that her mind holds

Check out this new dark fantasy romance inspired by Appalachian Folklore, Irish Mythology and nature-based magic system

673 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2024

About the author

Lucy Black is a new indie author. She is a self proclaimed romance connoisseur and has been since before it was cool. Lucy is situated in the mountains of Georgia where she raises her two children, and a pack of dogs. She also enjoys spending time with her very patient husband who supports her in her endeavors.

Reviews

[Amanda McGraw · Rating 1 out of 5]

I appreciate the obscurity of a lesser known book, but yikes DNF at 20%. Can't handle reading one more time about Larkin's erection.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started Of Wind and Iron determined to push through, but let me tell you, the first few pages tested my patience. We’re 64 pages deep, six months into the story, and still nothing! No hint of the plot, no action – just our heroine stuck in bed and the word "piss" thrown around way too often. If I weren’t invested because of the author, I would’ve DNF’d and moved on to another book.

But then, just as I was about to give up hope, BAM! Twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and maybe gave me a few gray hairs. Suddenly, the story picks up, and I’m hooked. That said, as I kept reading, I realized that maybe there were too many twists and turns. It’s like trying to follow three books at once – past, present, who’s the friend, who’s the enemy – and my head was spinning.

As for the spicy scenes? Let’s just say we’re getting a lot of “l1ck, f1ngr, st1ck” – rinse and repeat. It starts to feel repetitive after a while.

And then, the kicker: this book ends on a major cliffhanger. No closure, no HEA. While the storyline itself was pretty solid, a lot of the excess thoughts and back-and-forth could have been trimmed down, which might’ve turned this into one satisfying book rather than leaving us dangling at the edge of a cliff.

I’ll be honest, while I’m giving this book a solid 4 stars for the storyline, I probably won’t be diving into the next one. It was a journey, but one I’m not ready to repeat.

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, let me start with Clio is a badass! I wouldn't want her or Larken after me! We are following an unexpected love story full of Irish mythology, Appalachian folklore, fated mates, touch-her-and-die vibes, and overall badass FMC!

Larken is the future King and he has set his sights on a woman he rescues from the dungeons who is seriously injured but did not crack under pressure. She doesn't remember who she is for a while but also doesn't know why she is drawn to Green Eyes.

I seriously loved the storyline of this book. Can't stand Larkens' mom or brutish brothers and am rooting for Carden and Cierra to maybe have their own story told too!

I hope that this author will continue this series because I have to know what happens next!

[Oana Paulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege to read this story as an arc reader and from my point of view this book is a remarkable tapestry of storytelling, woven with intricate plotlines and rich thematic depth. The characters are vividly crafted, each possessing a distinct voice and compelling backstory that invites the reader to invest emotionally in their journeys. The author masterfully explores their inner conflicts and aspirations, making them feel not just like characters on a page, but like real individuals whose triumphs and struggles resonate deeply. This novel not only entertained me but also left a lasting impression, as I found myself reflecting on the characters long after I turned the final page.
I can wait to read more.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that this book has gotten me out of my slump!!!

Secondly, I am a sucker for cliff hangers, but all I could yell and say WTF 😳 when I say the scream was a scream. Had me from laying down to sitting up 🤣🤣

Now let's talk about the book,

If you are looking for medieval vibes mixed in with gore and romance, this is the book for you.

It follows Cliodna who was unknown to who she was from her name to her history who goes on this wild adventure (I like to call it) With Larken as she discovers who she is piece by piece little at a time so to speak. You get amazing characters along the way, such as Roon, June, Carden, Haeden, and Liam.

Follow Cliodna on the path to self-discovery, heartbreaks, and triumphs.

I need book 2 now because I need to know what comes of Haeden discovery and if they make it back!!!! 😭😭😭😭

[Kayla Chitwood Harned · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Moly!!! I'm definitely hanging by a thread after that ending. I'm invested in my new found family and need the next book.
This book was slow starting and hard for me to get into, but just push through because it's so worth it. Clio, the FMC, is a strong and resilient badass. Larkin, the MMC, is the future king and an amazing single dad with a bloody streak. Carden, blood brother to Larkin, might just have my heart. Yes, please. Haeden, Larkin's twin, so much more to him than you first think. I could on and on with all the characters...Roon, Liam, Gray, Aiyana, Cierra, the rest of Larkin's family, the animals but we'll be here all day.
Can't wait to read the next book!!!

[GheridenTheBookBard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Wind and Iron by Lucy Black is a captivating dark fantasy romance that weaves Appalachian folklore and Celtic mythology into a rich narrative. The story follows a nameless woman with mysterious markings and a forgotten past, as she bonds with the heir to the Mentradan throne. While the book starts off slow, it picks up momentum, delivering an engaging plot filled with twists and turns. The spice is present but feels somewhat routine. Despite this, the well-written characters and vivid world-building make it a fun and enthralling read, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

[Alicia Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! All I can say is wow! Lucy Black knows how to keep a reader interested! Although the beginning was a rough start, once Clio and Larken’s friendship sparked even more I was hooked.

Clio is an absolute badass! Everything that she went through in her life and went through while there baffles me!

The same can be said for Larken, with his Mom, Dad& Brothers. Time and time again he showed how compassionate he was but also showed that he meant business when he needed to!

Now the ending…. I love a good cliff hanger but I need to know what happened ASAP!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Wind and Iron is a dark fantasy romance. It was a little slow starting for me and took me a bit to get into. However, before I knew it there were twists and turns everywhere. It had a decent amount of spice although the language used to describe the spice was a little repetitive if you like each description of a spicy scene to be wholly unique from any other scene. I enjoyed the FMC and felt like she was a total badass. The cliffhanger is ruthless and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Glennyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely unputdownable! From the first page, I was hooked and I can't wait for the next book. The ending had me on the edge of my seat, and I'm dying to know what happens next to all the characters! The author's storytelling is so compelling, it's impossible to stop reading! You would never have guessed this was this authors first book!!


….Eager to know if Kyla comes back

[Kristen Shockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would actually rate this 4.5⭐. I did not want this book to end. It threw so many fantasy tropes in the mix but it still made sense. I knew it was going to be an intense read based on the extensive trigger warning list but the first chapter is a doozy and it just kept going. Be sure to read the trigger warning list because it is no joke.

[Holley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with this officially has become one of my top reads of the year! Got me out of my 6 month slump😩 Clio is the MC of your dreams. No spoilers but I can’t wait for more. Yall this book is like crack once you get to reading you can’t put it down 😩. I MEED MORE!!!! I really need book 2 asap I need to know the answers to all these questions I have now.

[Awayla Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, it took me a little bit to get into this book. When I finally did, I was shocked! Excellent book for her first one. Definitely worth reading. This book is in my top 5 books now.

I can't wait for book 2 to come out. Not a fan of cliff hangers but excited to see what happens next.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding True mates

It's a very violent world, and was is building with all the killings. When a young woman is found claiming not to remember anything, her captives recognize she is from the enemy faction. It's the start of a strange attraction between her and one of the captors.

[Chelsea Glaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that was easy to get into and stay in. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of this book since the ending leaves you on a cliffhanger, and I need to know what happens to everyone and if Kyla makes it back to the Keep.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. More please.

[Keesha Hempel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! It took me a bit to get started but once I picked it up I could not put it down!! I cannot wait for the next one!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sure hope it is good!

[Jodi_xo✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ I want to start off by saying I absolutely loved this book. It is so well written and the characters are lovable. I love how Larkin is with Roon and how he tries to be the best possible father and only parent to his son. Carden also kind of reminds me of Cassian from Acotar. I'm not sure how, but it gives off the same vibes in my opinion. Clio is the perfect badass fmc. More books need a fmc like her. She’s strong, determined and fierce, especially when it comes to things or people she loves. The relationship between Clio and Larkin is perfect, and not extremely toxic like most book couples, they genuinely love each other and give each other strength.

It was a struggle to get through the first half, but I’m so glad I continued to read. The twists were so good and the plot just gets more intense and interesting as it goes on. The character twists are the biggest and most impactful. I won’t spoil anything here, but most of it is so unexpected, it keeps you hooked.

I am so excited about the next book because that ending was insane. I desperately need to know what happens next. This book was amazing, and the author did such a good job.