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Queens of Diathan #1
The Queen's Guard
Shadows saved her.
Love broke her.
Happiness and love are fleeting. That’s the truth of it. Alex had once believed she had both. Her life was anything but simple, but she had loved it, had been loved.
Alex had been the unbreakable shield of the Varon Province’s queen, despite breaking all the rules and risking her position as the Queen’s Guard.
When betrayal strikes without warning, and her queen vanishes in the dead of night, suspicion and unrest grip the realm of Diathan. Loyalty to the province demands Alex stand firm in her unwavering duty despite her broken faith and bring her queen home.
Traversing treacherous mountain passes, trials of haunting memories, and whispers of ancient magic, Alex must tap into her own strength, and draw upon the skills instilled in her at an early age, in order to survive.
On her quest to find her queen, Alex crosses paths with Davin, an unlikely ally, who holds her life in his hands whether she likes it or not. His persistence to stay by her side makes her question everything she thought she wanted and yearn for something she never knew she needed.
Oaths will be broken
and Thorns unleashed.
Love broke her.
Happiness and love are fleeting. That’s the truth of it. Alex had once believed she had both. Her life was anything but simple, but she had loved it, had been loved.
Alex had been the unbreakable shield of the Varon Province’s queen, despite breaking all the rules and risking her position as the Queen’s Guard.
When betrayal strikes without warning, and her queen vanishes in the dead of night, suspicion and unrest grip the realm of Diathan. Loyalty to the province demands Alex stand firm in her unwavering duty despite her broken faith and bring her queen home.
Traversing treacherous mountain passes, trials of haunting memories, and whispers of ancient magic, Alex must tap into her own strength, and draw upon the skills instilled in her at an early age, in order to survive.
On her quest to find her queen, Alex crosses paths with Davin, an unlikely ally, who holds her life in his hands whether she likes it or not. His persistence to stay by her side makes her question everything she thought she wanted and yearn for something she never knew she needed.
Oaths will be broken
and Thorns unleashed.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2026
About the author
Beth DeShaun
1 book6 followersBeth Deshaun is a creation of two best friends who shared a dream of becoming authors for many years. The demands of life put that dream on hold until now. With our kids grown, we decided that it was the time to finally chase that dream. Our lifelong joint love of reading fueled the fire of our passion and so Beth DeShaun was born.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 25, 2026
Debut novel, The Queen's Guard by Beth Deshaun, coming in H-O-T with secrets, sinister plans and magic!
The dedication in this book reeled me in and the story kept me invested long after I started! The world building in this book is intricate with multiple character POVs that reveal piece by piece the further you get into the book. Just when I think I had something figured out, it would go in a different direction than I was expecting. I liked that it kept me guessing what would happen next, turning those pages as fast as I could read them. And the fact that it's the Queens who run the provinces, I really liked that aspect in the story. This is going to be a series and Author to keep an eye on going forward!
The dedication in this book reeled me in and the story kept me invested long after I started! The world building in this book is intricate with multiple character POVs that reveal piece by piece the further you get into the book. Just when I think I had something figured out, it would go in a different direction than I was expecting. I liked that it kept me guessing what would happen next, turning those pages as fast as I could read them. And the fact that it's the Queens who run the provinces, I really liked that aspect in the story. This is going to be a series and Author to keep an eye on going forward!
August 5, 2026
Spoiler in this review!! I felt this Romantasy checks all the boxes that it should for the genre and I definitely liked that a MC died. I didn’t see that coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bound by Duty, Undone by Heart
The Queen’s Guard by Beth DeShaun is a story that draws you in with its quiet strength and refuses to let go. As an ARC reader, it made the experience even more special—getting an early glimpse into a story this emotionally layered felt like uncovering something intimate and unforgettable.
At its core, this book thrives on tension—not the loud, explosive kind, but the slow, aching pull of everything left unsaid. The guard’s unwavering devotion to the crown is tested in ways that feel both intimate and impossible, creating a push and pull that keeps the story grounded in emotion. Every choice carries weight, every moment feels like it could tip the balance between honor and heartbreak.
DeShaun’s writing leans into atmosphere and feeling, crafting a world that feels both regal and restrained. There’s a quiet intensity in the way the story unfolds—where stolen glances and unspoken truths hold just as much power as any grand declaration. It makes the romance feel deeply earned, built on trust, restraint, and the slow unraveling of carefully guarded hearts.
The characters are layered and compelling, shaped by expectation and burden but never defined solely by them. Their struggles feel real, their growth hard-won, and their connection something that simmers beneath the surface before finally breaking through in moments that feel both tender and devastating.
If there’s a slight falter, it’s that the pacing can occasionally linger a little too long in its introspection, softening the urgency of the external stakes. But even in those quieter moments, the emotional undercurrent never fades—it only deepens.
A captivating four-star read—rich with longing, restraint, and a romance that proves even the strongest loyalties can be undone by the heart. As an ARC reader, this one felt like a privilege to experience early.
The Queen’s Guard by Beth DeShaun is a story that draws you in with its quiet strength and refuses to let go. As an ARC reader, it made the experience even more special—getting an early glimpse into a story this emotionally layered felt like uncovering something intimate and unforgettable.
At its core, this book thrives on tension—not the loud, explosive kind, but the slow, aching pull of everything left unsaid. The guard’s unwavering devotion to the crown is tested in ways that feel both intimate and impossible, creating a push and pull that keeps the story grounded in emotion. Every choice carries weight, every moment feels like it could tip the balance between honor and heartbreak.
DeShaun’s writing leans into atmosphere and feeling, crafting a world that feels both regal and restrained. There’s a quiet intensity in the way the story unfolds—where stolen glances and unspoken truths hold just as much power as any grand declaration. It makes the romance feel deeply earned, built on trust, restraint, and the slow unraveling of carefully guarded hearts.
The characters are layered and compelling, shaped by expectation and burden but never defined solely by them. Their struggles feel real, their growth hard-won, and their connection something that simmers beneath the surface before finally breaking through in moments that feel both tender and devastating.
If there’s a slight falter, it’s that the pacing can occasionally linger a little too long in its introspection, softening the urgency of the external stakes. But even in those quieter moments, the emotional undercurrent never fades—it only deepens.
A captivating four-star read—rich with longing, restraint, and a romance that proves even the strongest loyalties can be undone by the heart. As an ARC reader, this one felt like a privilege to experience early.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The two authors have created a Master piece for fantasy readers. This fast paced multi POV read while at about 400 pages went by too fast.
We see a sense of adventure, betrayal, love, deception, manipulation and more leaving every reader on edge from chapter to chapter. The different view points allow you to experience and be immersed in all of the emotions.
My favorite character in the first book has to be Alex. While she does go through some petty emotions she does remain a total strong baddie character. I love a fierce FMC who knows what she wants and experiences the reality of life. Her emotions felt so real to experience at each moment and loved that it was human reaction.
I was lucky enough to read the story early and now I’m ready for a second , third, and fourth book!
We see a sense of adventure, betrayal, love, deception, manipulation and more leaving every reader on edge from chapter to chapter. The different view points allow you to experience and be immersed in all of the emotions.
My favorite character in the first book has to be Alex. While she does go through some petty emotions she does remain a total strong baddie character. I love a fierce FMC who knows what she wants and experiences the reality of life. Her emotions felt so real to experience at each moment and loved that it was human reaction.
I was lucky enough to read the story early and now I’m ready for a second , third, and fourth book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love. Hate. Despair. Betrayal. Devastation.
Every emotion. Every obstacle. Every hurdle you can think of; it's all here.
You will despise, root for, and mourn the main characters.
The author cares not for your thoughts of importance.
You will be stripped bare; bloody and raw by the time you've finished this book.
🌶🌶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Every emotion. Every obstacle. Every hurdle you can think of; it's all here.
You will despise, root for, and mourn the main characters.
The author cares not for your thoughts of importance.
You will be stripped bare; bloody and raw by the time you've finished this book.
🌶🌶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 10, 2026
This book pulled me in right from the start with its secrets, magic, and unexpected twists. The worldbuilding was detailed and immersive, and I loved how each POV slowly revealed more of the story. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, the plot surprised me again. A strong fantasy debut with intriguing characters and a series I’ll definitely keep reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such an amazing book! The beginning may seem a little slow but it’s warranted for all the details that you need to know. I can’t wait for the second book to come out. There’s so many questions I need answered. 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you like spicy books full of tension and forbidden love this is the book for you! This book will have you begging for more when you finish. Oaths will be broken and thorns unleased!
Ancient magic ✅️
Lavender Marriage ✅️
Bodyguard romance✅️
Ancient magic ✅️
Lavender Marriage ✅️
Bodyguard romance✅️
April 27, 2026
Definitely worth the read! Once I got into it (which was within the first few chapters btw), I couldn’t put it down! Loved all the different POVs of the characters in the book! Can’t wait for the rest of the series to come!
July 16, 2026
My Heart Wasn't Ready!
Riveting, heartwrenching, and impossible to put down. Her quest to find her queen had me hooked from beginning to end and that cliffhanger ending left me speechless and counting the days until the sequel!"
Riveting, heartwrenching, and impossible to put down. Her quest to find her queen had me hooked from beginning to end and that cliffhanger ending left me speechless and counting the days until the sequel!"
May 27, 2026
This book was so good! Twists and turns that kept me wanting more page after page. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alex has spent her life as the fiercely loyal guard to the Queen of Varon Province, the very woman she also happens to love. When the queen vanishes in the middle of the night, the realm of Diathan falls into unrest and Alex sets out to find her, determined to bring her home no matter the cost.
Throughout the story Alex believes she has been betrayed by the woman she loves, while readers see that the truth is far more complicated. Watching Alex carry that heartbreak while still remaining loyal to her duty adds an emotional layer to her journey.
The story moves quickly with dangerous travels, hints of magic, and a looming villain behind the chaos. Davin enters as an unexpected ally, and the tension and simmering want between him and Alex adds another layer to the adventure.
Overall this was a fast paced fantasy with a FMC, emotional conflict, and a journey driven by loyalty, love, and uncovering the truth.
I received an ARC in turn for an honest review.
The Queen’s Guard releases April 25th. 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book will take you through layers of love, turmoil, betrayal and strife mixed with a magic no one believes in. The twists and turns in this action packed book will leave you feeling what the characters are experiencing as if it were happening to you. If you are looking for a mediocre same as always happy ending story this is not the book for you!! The authors really showcased their talents and affinity for story building with this first edition of what I believe will prove to be a gripping series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews