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The only man she loves is the one she can never have…

Lady Tara’s dreams of marrying for love were shattered with her arranged marriage to the sickly Lord Gershom. Fine. She may not have love, but she has purpose—a position of power that lets her make a difference in the kingdom. At least her Carmack, her fiercely loyal shield, remains by her side, even if she must deny her heart.

Then Lord Gershom dies. And to her horror, Carmack is blamed. Branded a traitor, he flees, forcing Tara to choose between protecting the life she’s built or following the man she loves.

Loving her might cost him everything…

Carmack Demry has secretly loved Lady Tara all his life, sworn to protect her at any cost—even if it meant watching her wed another man. But now, accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he’s on the run because staying away is the only way to keep her safe. Except Tara has other plans.

Determined to clear his name, she plunges into a web of treachery and deceit that reaches far beyond them both—one that threatens the very heart of the kingdom. Together, they must navigate a world of danger, unravel a conspiracy, and face a choice more perilous than any deny their love or risk everything to claim it.

Blood of Legends

Book 1: Squire of Truth

Book 2: Lord of Winter

Book 3: Lady of Shadows

Book 4: Heir of Light

Audible Audio

Published July 18, 2025

15 people are currently reading
3025 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Fernlake

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Jo|Ruth Reads.
651 reviews80 followers
June 28, 2025
This was another wonderful addition to the Blood of Kings: Legends series! This one follows Tara and her shield, Carmack. So much page-turning suspense and mystery are packed into this one story!

When Tara's husband dies suddenly, the kingdom is suspicious of his death, most of all, they want to pin it on Carmack, her protector. Carmack has always been by her side, and with a threat to his life and suspicion that she may have been involved, they flee the kingdom. But they find there is so much more to it than that.

The twists and turns this story takes will make you feel like you've read many stories in one. And the romance and chemistry between Carmack and Tara? Perfection! Add in pirates, fights against slavery, poisons and potions, blood-voicing, and even faith… this one was a page-turner for sure.

In the midst of all that Tara and Carmack encounter, the strongest storyline is that of their faith and the forbidden romance that is hard for them to ignore. Such a wonderful story! But I don’t want to give too much away. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.

I gave this one 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!
I was a bit on the fence because the storyline was so packed it was hard to follow everything at times. BUT I couldn't quite justify going down to a 4… so it’s a 5 in the end, and I think that feels right.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Jill Williamson.
Author 66 books1,621 followers
Read
May 31, 2025
So excited for this book! Kelly has given Lady Tara the story her character has always deserved. And the audiobook is fantastic as well!
Profile Image for Lovely Day.
1,001 reviews168 followers
October 8, 2025
3⭐️

A woman in a forced marriage with a lord, now finds herself a widow. Ready to take up her husband’s role in leading the people, she is met with distrust and accusations that run her and her bodyguard out of town.

The romance element was enjoyable, but the attempt at Biblical allegory was so forced and felt a bit off somehow. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Profile Image for Jane Maree.
Author 17 books124 followers
May 16, 2025
This story is like an adventure with old friends. It was so delightful to be back in the world of Er'Rets and become better acquainted with the wonderful characters of Carmack Demry and Lady Tara and the wonderful group of characters accompanying them.

Adventure, heart, danger, and feels--Lady of Shadows has it all!
Profile Image for Katie Hanna.
Author 11 books176 followers
August 9, 2025
Overall, a fun and solid seafaring adventure/romance with very vivid writing. I liked Lady Tara a lot and was less sure about Carmack. There was some worldbuilding stuff I was a little concerned about, and I felt the story was "too soft" on Tara's parents (they sucked, period, so let's not pretend they didn't suck)
Profile Image for M.H. Elrich.
Author 9 books142 followers
July 27, 2025
A beautiful second-chance Christian Fantasy romance!
It's been some time since I was in the world of E'rets, but reading this reminded me why I loved Jill Williamson's original series. Having said that, reading any of the books in order or from the original is unnecessary to understand this book, though there are tie-ins.
Lady Tara and Carmack Demry are excellent protagonists. Their struggles, attraction for one another, and rise in strength was a joy to read. I absolutely loved both of them.
The plot was fast paced, the fight sequences so detailed and clear that I could imagine almost everything that was happening. It was easy to follow, but still surprising in how it developed. I felt like I was reading a swashbuckling adventure-romance novel. Just my kind of book.
The faith element was also present throughout the novel, and seamlessly woven within the pages without being preachy.
Overall, a great Christian Fantasy that makes me want to reread everything and the new ones!
Content Warnings: Description of forced kisses, kisses on neck, and uncomfortable sexual attraction. Negative portrayals of drug usage.
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,206 reviews62 followers
July 15, 2025
Lady of Shadows by Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake continues the Blood of Kings: Legends series. The first chapter captured my attention, and I could not wait to follow Tara and Casmark as they dealt with the issues from this chapter. Up to about twenty-five percent into the novel, it was slow moving. I wanted more action. Once they arrived at the other castle, then the mysterious elements and dark magic made an appearance into the story. Readers will enjoy the fast pace and mysterious undertones of the story. From there, the story picked up in tension and will allow readers to lose themselves in the pages of the story. The setting was nicely described. Readers will feel the magic as it perfumes the air and the descriptions of the castle grounds. As for the romance, Williamson and Fernlake do a respectable job at showing two characters who rely on God for his assistance in the horrible situation they found themselves in. Both characters lean on God and know that it will work toward his will, not theirs. Overall, Lady of the Shadows by Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake reminds readers of leaning on God when everything appears to be falling around them. A good reminder for readers to keep focused on. I enjoyed this series and cannot wait to read book number four.

I received a complimentary copy of Lady of Shadows by Jill Williamson and Kelly through Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,683 reviews69 followers
July 3, 2025
I could not put this book down. I have been hoping these two would get a story since visiting them earlier in the series and this book did not disappoint. It was more than I hoped for. The tension between these two was great as they have had to keep their feelings hidden for many years. This book took us on a lot of adventures. I could never have guessed where we would travel in this book or how things would end up. Danger on the high seas, spying, infiltration, betrayals, magic, and more. This book has magical creatures, a kingdom of mages, political intrigue, a protective hero, and more. This was the first book I read by the presented author and I would definitely read more. This is it just kisses romance, intimacy level two.

Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Deena.
1,183 reviews
July 15, 2025
Welcome back for another adventure in the land created by master storyteller Jill Williamson. A land that captured my heart long ago and holds it to this very day.

Kelly Fernlake has tackled the story of Carmack and Lady Tara and I had a rip roaring good time getting to know these two! The story reads very swashbuckly, and I love me a good pirate tale.

Danger lurks around every corner for these two. From the moment tragedy struck (was it really so tragic, though? I mean, c’mon!) to the escape to the rescue, to the…

Oops! Almost said too much! Just trust me when I say that this addition to the Er’Rets collection is perfection.

Fair warning:every story in this collection has an allegory buried within the pages. Don’t go looking for it:let it come to you.

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation. My review has not been solicited. Extremely highly recommended!
Profile Image for Allyson Anthony.
1,137 reviews47 followers
September 28, 2025
What a wonderful addition to this series. Lady of Shadows is of Lady Tara, who has been forced to marry an old, grouchy, and sickly man, and Carmack, her shield.
Lady of Shadows is an adventurous sea-faring journey complete with a sudden death, false accusations, mystery, family drama, action, danger, lost love, and found love. Great fantasy read.
Profile Image for Rebekah Sweet.
Author 8 books6 followers
June 25, 2025
“Lady of Shadows” is the third book in the series “Blood of Kings” written by Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake.

Tara is about to take a new path in life in the death of a family member. Her past however, was full of some insecurities, unloved, and hardship. Now, with a new destiny before her, she must learn to stand up for her authority, those she loves, truth, independence, and always doing what Arman wills.

This book was well written and had lots of adventure, thrills, etc. If you like action, this is the book for you. Only one thing I did not care for was the romance and magic. While some of the other books have this, this book had a bit too much for me. However, both authors still kept it moderate. You have to understand the story to know what is going on. I did appreciate the fact that the characters all realized they needed to seek a higher power and to pray not just when they were in danger but even in normal everyday life of the characters.
268 reviews
June 26, 2025
Lady of Shadows is everything you want in a Blood of Kings book! Intrigue, battles, romance, treachery, and the reappearance of disliked characters from previous books. Lady of Shadows had me going "oh!" over and over as I connected the dots from past stories and anxiously read to find out where the story was headed. I loved this book! My favorite so far in the Blood of Kings Legends series. It was so enjoyable, fast-paced, and engrossing. Well done!
Profile Image for Jessica Dowell.
125 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2025
If you haven't read the original trilogy you definitely need to go back and read through at least the second book to fully appreciate the sweetness of this story.

The so-close-but-so-far dynamic between Tara and Carmack was palpable. I loved the established relationship and comfort with each other that still had room to grow and discover and appreciate. I love how they made each other better, but still had to learn to rely on Arman (God) apart from each other.

And I also love how we get another glimpse of Achan and Vrell at the end. I will never NOT love reading about them.

Thank you Kelly and Jill for another beautiful story in this storyworld!
Profile Image for Caryl.
1,926 reviews24 followers
July 11, 2025
BRILLIANT! Williamson and Fernlake have crafted an exquisite masterpiece! I was immediately immersed into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I so appreciated the spiritual truths woven throughout this novel. These characters will linger long after turning the final page. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Recommend to readers who enjoy fantasy.

DISCLAIMER: I received an advanced copy from the author. I am not required to write positive reviews. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Kaetrianne Ramer.
68 reviews
June 17, 2025
Lady of Shadows was extremely interesting, as it really built out some of the characters who who starred in the original blood of Kings trilogy. I loved seeing all the characters again, and they were very well thought out. Tara was a fun protagonist to follow, and her inner dialogue was always interesting. Carmack was unique and I liked the tension between the two characters. I had a lot of fun seeing the mages and other soldiers interact.

I liked that I saw a little bit more of Cole and Mistel, though not quite enough to satisfy me!😉

Overall, five stars, and now I’m really looking forward to the last book!

I received a review copy of this book and I was not required to leave a good review!
Profile Image for Becksreadingbooks.
92 reviews8 followers
August 16, 2025
I didn't expect to get swept up in a wonderful story of intrigue, suspense, mystery and a bit of a second chance in romance and life with Lady Tara.

Lady Tara starts out the book married to an older and mentally unstable Lord. This book just pulled me into the story of Lady Tara & Carrick, her shield.

Grab a copy and follow the story of Lady Tara... Adventure, Revenge, True Love, Swordfighting, and so much more. Intertwined into the story is the thread of faith and it is a beautiful part of the story to follow!

This is my honest personal opinion. Sunrise gave me a copy of Lady of Shadows to read and I'm so grateful!
1,710 reviews7 followers
July 14, 2025
I loved going on this adventure with Tara and Carmack! An engaging read that is not to be missed!

I received an ARC from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jessica Harrison.
549 reviews16 followers
July 27, 2025
[2.5 stars]
I didn’t care for this one. I couldn’t seem to get into the story and found it quite disappointing. Overall, the storyline had a negative feel to it, with too much conflict and angst. The romance was more central than the main Blood of Kings series, which in itself isn’t a problem for me (most of what I read is romance), but it was set up as hopeless pining without any relationship development to make us care.

The action picks up as the book goes on, but it also becomes progressively cheesy. There was a hollowness about it all (both the romance and the action) that kept me from becoming invested. If I had simply been reading it on Kindle Unlimited, I totally would have DNFd this book by the 30% mark. Unfortunately, I purchased the audiobook, so felt I needed to push my way through to the end.

And the ending… not looking to give anything away, but the conflict with Meribah Corner was so ridiculously convenient in how it was resolved. The driving force of the first third of the book is completely taken care of behind the scenes? Really?

Finally, my last warning, the audiobook has a lot of issues. There are problems with sound quality (scuffing sounds, blips, and the like), but it’s also missing half of chapter 6. Did no one bother proofing it before its release?

It’s a bummer because I am a HUGE fan of the original Blood of Kings series and have been looking forward to Lady Tara’s story since first hearing it would be coming out. I also didn’t care for Squire of Truth, so I think I’m going to give up on this side series.

Content:
There is no foul language or sex. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kissing. There is violence, battle, and death. There is dark magic. A woman is assaulted with sexual intent (but rescued).

This is a Christian book with many scripture references, along with a message of faith, redemption, prayer, and the love of God.
Profile Image for Jaime.
560 reviews17 followers
July 17, 2025
I was never satisfied with Lady Tara’s fate at the end of the Blood of Kings trilogy. So I am thrilled that Jill and Kelly have given her character a better future through Lady of Shadows, book three in the Blood of Kings: Legends series.

What I expected to be a plot focused on clearing Carmack’s name soon became a whirlwind, seafaring adventure with pirates, magic, sword fights, espionage, sea monsters, and a “Will they? Won’t they?” romance as Lady Tara, Carmack, and their allies set sail to rescue friends and family from the dark enchantments of Jaelport.

This book strikes a good balance between the action and adventure of fantasy and the sweet, tension-filled romance of a love story. I love how it expands upon the world and characters Jill created for her original trilogy and gives them a new chance to live and breathe through their own stories. The themes and messages about faith and trust are heartfelt and encouraging without being pushy or overly religious.

Having read all three of the Legends books so far, I’m looking forward to continuing the adventure in book four and beyond!

~Thank you to the publisher for providing an early digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.~
192 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2025
Lady of Shadows, by Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake, is book three in the Blood of Kings: Legends series. Anything Blood of Kings is so good; I want to go back and read book two that I missed. This novel has seamless writing and voice between the authors, and they are masters at using dialogue to move the story along. A strong spiritual thread adds depth to the story without feeling forced. Highly recommended reading. I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,303 reviews45 followers
August 4, 2025
Each of the books in this series is packed full of pageantry, colorful imagery, bewitching fantasy, lots of action, drama, and romance, which will leave you wanting more!
I have truly treasured this new series by Jill Williamson and several other co-authors, as she has introduced me to it.
The series has taken me to a whole new world, and I don’t want to leave!
In this book, we learn more about Lady Tara and the pain and struggles she endured as the wife of a VERY old and crotchety man whom her parents forced her to marry. However, we also get to meet Carmack, who has loved her (in secret) for years, and has pledged to protect her from all harm. Oh, the adventures they go on!
This story is full of family drama, intrigue, love lost, and found. It’s packed full of emotions, which will draw you in as a reader and won’t let you go even after you’ve finished the book. It’s a story that, in the end, shows what true forgiveness looks like and how healing can be found. We also see more evil magic and deception. Many times, it feels as though everything is wrong and nothing can be done about it.
Can good conquer evil?
I suppose you’ll just have to read the book to find out what happens.
I highly recommend that you do!
Profile Image for Sharon Hughson.
Author 31 books63 followers
July 12, 2025
Tara and Carmack have been in love with each other for a long time, but their love is impossible. It’s not just their different stations, there’s also an oath.

Of course, we have to wait to discover the specifics of that, and there’s plenty of action going on to keep us invested in this story. The author adds complications at exactly the right moment to keep us turning pages.

People we think might be friendly have darker plans. In the end, Tara and Carmack have to trust Arman to remove the barriers to their love.

Another excellent installment in this series. It makes me eager for the next book.
Profile Image for Lisa Philipp.
172 reviews12 followers
July 14, 2025
This is the third book in the series. We finally get the story of Tara and Carmack. She was married to a far older man for a title and he is her sworn bodyguard. The adventure takes them on a voyage across the ocean to find a missing ship to clear Carmack’s name and rescue her brother. Can they make it back home and will they declare their love for each other no matter the cost?
632 reviews8 followers
July 16, 2025
Loved how this book incorporates a lot of the other characters in the previous stories….and such a sweet story of self-sacrifice and dependence on Arman (God). I love laughing out loud to some of the humorous parts in this book. Great job!

I received this ebook from the authors free and under no obligation to give it a favorable review. These thoughts and opinions are all my own.
629 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2025
Doesn’t disappoint. I loved the adventure in this tale. The character development was good. It was an engrossing story, and I enjoyed the romance as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in Jaelport, with Queen Mandzee. I received a free copy of this book, with no obligation.
Profile Image for Lizzy Hite.
261 reviews
July 28, 2025
Another fantastic adventure in the series, and I didn’t want this one to end! Loved it!
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,794 reviews
August 17, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Profile Image for Emily.
502 reviews16 followers
September 23, 2025
Lady of Shadows is the first book I have read written by Kelly Fernlake and I look forward to reading more by her. This is book three of the Blood Kings: Legends series and it was a joy to be back in the world of Er’Rets. It hooked me in from the start and I could not put it down.
The character development was great. I loved getting to know Lady Tara. We meet just after her husband has died. It was a loveless arranged marriage. She is in love with her shield Carmack. Now they are off to try and find her brother and the missing crew. Carmack is in love with Lady Tara but has also sworn a celibacy vow. As Lady Tara’s shield her safety is his top priority.

The setting for this book was fun. We got to spend some time on the sea which made for a fun change in pace. The storyline for this story was fast-paced and fun. We have the death of a spouse in turn freeing Tara from an arranged marriage. We have magic potions, powers-blood-voicing and tanniyn-sea serpent. Lady Tara and Carmack and their group are off to find the missing crew. When they stop in enemy territory, things take a turn for the worst in an unforeseen way.

Kelly Fernlake did a great job intertwining faith throughout this fantasy story in an allegorical way. It is dripping with scripture and truth that comes from the old scriptures.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
21 reviews
August 6, 2025
Lady Tara has loved Carmack since before her arranged marriage to Lord Gershom. After her aging husband dies her shield Carmack Demry is blamed for the death of her husband. Together they are determined to clear his name.
The plot of this story was very exciting as Lady Tara and Carmack went on a swashbuckling adventure to rescue both of their brothers. They encountered adversity multiple times and finally realized they need to rely on God for guidance. I really enjoyed the plot twists and characters as they developed. This is a great fantasy medieval series for Christians who enjoy forbidden love tropes
Profile Image for Emily.
502 reviews16 followers
July 15, 2025
Lady of Shadows is the first book I have read written by Kelly Fernlake and I look forward to reading more by her. This is book three of the Blood Kings: Legends series and it was a joy to be back in the world of Er’Rets. It hooked me in from the start and I could not put it down.

The character development was great. I loved getting to know Lady Tara. We meet just after her husband has died. It was a loveless arranged marriage. She is in love with her shield Carmack. Now they are off to try and find her brother and the missing crew. Carmack is in love with Lady Tara but has also sworn a celibacy vow. As Lady Tara’s shield her safety is his top priority.

The setting for this book was fun. We got to spend some time on the sea which made for a fun change in pace. The storyline for this story was fast-paced and fun. We have the death of a spouse in turn freeing Tara from an arranged marriage. We have magic potions, powers-blood-voicing and tanniyn-sea serpent. Lady Tara and Carmack and their group are off to find the missing crew. When they stop in enemy territory, things

Kelly Fernlake did a great job intertwining faith throughout this fantasy story in an allegorical way. It is dripping with scripture and truth that comes from the old scriptures.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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