The Cards We're Dealt : Arcana of Blood and Shadow Part One

by Blair Ryker

Normal was never in the cards for this Witch, but being forced into an arranged marriage with a vampire? Even her Tarot cards couldn't have seen this coming.

Safe and predictable, that’s how you could summarize Audrey’s life—until a demon arrives to collect on a bargain made by her ancestors that thrusts her into a world of magic, danger and a forbidden love that could change everything.
Forced into a marriage with vampire prince Emery Markov, or face dire consequences, Audrey finds herself living with the people she's been told her whole life are monsters. But after meeting her new fiancé, she finds he isn’t what she expected—handsome, charming, and considerate. A little too perfect maybe.
Navigating Bloodline politics and royal customs is hard enough, but everything changes when the prince’s rebellious brother arrives, stirring up trouble, and feelings that challenge her heart and make her question what she really wants.
As her wedding day looms closer and a dangerous offer promises a chance at freedom, buried secrets come to light—truths that could destroy everything. Now, Audrey has one accept her fate or risk it all to carve out a destiny of her own.
One choice will have infinite consequences.

Part one in the Arcana of Blood and Shadow series.

The Cards We're Dealt is a fantasy romance with vampires, witches, fae and more. Set in a modern day world, it features arranged marriage, slow burn forbidden love, he falls first and a brotherly rivalry the likes of Stefan and Damon.

The Cards We're Dealt is an adult book recommended for ages 18+. It features open door romance scenes, language, violence and mature situations.

Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance, Vampire Romance

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2024

Reviews

[Megan Cota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book in a cute little bookshop while visiting Nashville yesterday. I read the bulk of it on the ride home today. Now I’m 2 hours away from home and wondering what happens next. Immediately signed up for the author’s newsletter when I finished- so I can be first on the list to purchase part 2 when it gets released!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good book. There is a lot going on in such a short book. There could have been so much more detail, but for the size, it was perfect. Everything flowed and had good twists and turns, and I can not wait for the next one!

[Jennifer Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this on a stuff your kindle day and really enjoyed it. It's got some small issues but was good enough that I didn't even care. When I got to the last page and realized that it was the end I stared at it and went where's the rest?? Lol will definitely read the next one

[Chaselyn Rawls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! My only complaint is that it’s not long ENOUGH. Need more Remy and Audrey!

[Amy R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! I can’t wait for book 2!

[Lita Cotner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twist you don’t see coming

I can’t wait for the next book to come out. So many questions need answering! Twists and turns you don’t see.

[Dawn Staudt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! #TeamRemy for sure. Parts of the story felt rushed and I wished we’d gotten a bit more depth of the characters, but I’ll definitely be reading the next one.

[Cortnie Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you just love a bit of that vampire romance -especially for the spooky season!- this book is so atmospheric and hits all the right notes! It's like a delicious, decadent wine that keeps revealing new hints of flavors the further you get in the glass. Audrey is a spunky, independent witch who's life is taken completely out of her hands by a demon deal that leaves her bound to marry a Vampire prince on pain of dire and widespread consequences.

But the prince's brother? WAY hotter. Trust me. Way. Hotter. I'm talking leather jacket, motorcycle, fast cars, tattoos, rooftop smoking kind of deal. Basically ultimate book boyfriend material! I am a diehard Remy fan and I cannot WAIT for the second installment just to get some more of him.

I also thought it was kind of fun that some of the locations are familiar to me, around where I live. Who knew one of the Vampire Royals' palaces is in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee? Makes me wanna go looking for it on a cold rainy day. I could gush about this book all day, but I'm too busy sharing it with my book club and eagerly pestering the author for installment two. Check it out!! If steamy, spicy Vampire romance is your thing, you owe it to yourself!

[Shelby Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Blair Ryker packs a LOT into 215 pages. This was a really easy, quick read that I couldn't put down. Very plot driven and fast paced, but definitely has enough spice and tension to satiate my preferences for Spicey Paranormal Romance.

The world building is very straight forward but there are a few mysteries that are unraveled along the way... what is so special about the FMC witch, Audrey? Why is the Fae queen a royal b!tch and what is her connection to the hunter bloodline? What's the deal with the moonstone Audrey wears? And what secret is Remington hiding deep down?

When I finished the book I immediately went online to purchase the second book in the series. It's brutal to wait two days for it to get here!

Tropes and themes: Shifters, Fae, Vampires, Witches, and Hunters; arranged marriage; vampire diaries vibes; jealous ex-boyfriend; blood bonds; incorrigible BFF who comes along for the ride

Spice: 3 Chili Peppers

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cards We're Dealt has more under it's cover than just a vampire romance. The witch, Audrey, is a fully formed character, who we get to know out over the course of this first book in the series. Her relationships with her family, ex boyfriend, her friends, and her new vampire clan all feel authentic, with her inner monologue providing the right amount of narrative. The plot is captivating enough that I can't wait for the next installment.

The easy reading modern style of this Cards' reminds me of Bookshops and Bonedust, but we get to peek behind the bedroom door...just enough. There no heaving or throbbing here.

[Rebecca Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting. Literally read it cover to cover and was completely hooked from the very first page.

Audrey is such a compelling heroine: witty, mysterious, fiercely independent, and impossible not to love. The tension of the very intriguing love triangle between the brothers had me kicking my feet, and the mystery surrounding Audrey’s magic and her lineage kept me turning pages.

This story has the perfect mix of romance, intrigue, and magic, and now I’m so ready for book 2!

[Chelsea Swaggerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚔️ A reluctant Heroine
🩸 Vampires
⭐️ Rival Bloodlines
🖤 Found Family
✨ A Modern World of Magic

Oh and Remy 🫠

This was such a fantastic, quick read! The story dives right in with minimal world-building, but it never takes away from the plot or how effortlessly readable it is. I couldn’t put it down—if I’d had a full day to myself, I would’ve finished it in one sitting! I’m already looking forward to the next installment, The Deals We Make. Will definitely be picking up a copy!

2/5 🌶️
4/5 ⭐️

[Rebecca Waddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that the author is a local author. some scenes did feel rushed and I can't lie that I was disappointed there were only 3 "spicy" scenes in the book and they were all relatively short. However, the tension building and story-telling are phenomenal. i can't wait to read the 2nd book that comes out this year.

[Kayla Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in ONE SITTING! It’s giving political vampire diaries. Stefan and Damon vibes for sure. My only complaint is that there wasn’t enough like tension with Emery and Audrey, their “lust” was too easy for me with how hard headed Audrey is…you would have thought she would have played a little more hard to get. Reading book two asap!

[Marie Maness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is giving Vampire Diaries and I'm so here for it! We have an arranged marriage, the fmc has a thing for both brothers, vampires, witches, hunters, fae, and I feel like I'm leaving some out but maybe that's all I've encountered so far? I can't wait to dive into book two!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to see where the rest of this story goes in book 2!!

[Joseph E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s giving political vampire diaries

Love love love!! Give me more Remy and Audrey! Screw Jude he sucks. Reading book two asap, like right now!

[Tamara Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Spice!!!

[Kayla Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK. Finished it in a few hours and I’ll be diving into the second one tomorrow evening because it is INCREDIBLE!!

[lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

fast read

[Kelly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

This was such a good read! I couldn't out it down. I'm truly excited for more! I'm proudly team Remy for sure and I love the subtle Supernatural references. :)