Shards of Blood and Shadow

The Lost Shards #1

by Anna Argent

Cleo Radella inherited both the ability to see the future, and a haunting prediction that she will commit murder on her twenty-fifth birthday. That day has arrived, along with a stranger who is fated to alter her world irrevocably.
One will come in blood, the other in shadow…
Flint is not what one would call a people person. He despises small talk, prefers solitude, and hates being touched. Luckily, the fragments of ancient, powerful souls he carries allow him to fade into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed—handy for a guy who hunts people for a living.
Cleo is his next target, but when her life is threatened, he will stop at nothing to protect the beautiful psychic. No one captures his prey but him.
Death lurks behind them…
Forced together, Flint reveals a world Cleo never knew existed. She soon learns that no one is what they seem, and that her destiny is much bigger than she ever imagined…

Genres: Romance, Paranormal

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2018

About the author

Anna Argent, who also writes as bestselling author Shannon K. Butcher, has written more than thirty titles since launching her career in 2007. Her fresh approach to paranormal romance includes The Taken, The Stone Men and The Lost Shards Series—definitely not your mama’s paranormals. She also writes a contemporary romance series set in a small town nestled in the Ozark Mountains, inspired by her time living there. Her alter ego Shannon K. Butcher has three award-winning series, including the paranormal romance series The Sentinel Wars, the action-romance series The Edge, and the romantic suspense Delta Force Trilogy. As a former engineer and current nerd, she frequently uses charts, graphs and tables to aid her in the mechanics of story design, world building and to keep track of all those colorful characters, magical powers and alternate worlds. An avid beader and glass artist, she spends her free time turning small sparkly bits into larger sparkly bits. She’s rarely on social media, so the best place to find out news about upcoming releases is via her newsletter. You can sign up at AnnaArgent.com.

Reviews

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Anna Argent managed to capture and blow me away from the beginning! Flint was so mysterious and intriguing! Then I got to experience Cleo's gift/power! Before I knew it, I hit 100%!

There was no waiting time for me to rush to get Book 2 right away so I could continue the adventure! What an amazing and super fantastic fantasy/romance series! And yes, this new world of the Lost Shards is now one of my favorite worlds.

Sharing one of my favorite scenes:

"I died. You came after me, risking your life. What the hell were you thinking?" . . .

"I was thinking that I love you, and that you were worth the risk . . . Your family is gone, and so is mine. But I love you like crazy, Flint Skelton, and if you'll let me, I'll be your family."

"I love you, too, Cleo. . . I don't know what good luck or prophecy brought you into my life, but I know that I'm keeping you. I'm going to hold you tight . . ."

"That's good," she said, wearing a mischievous grin, "because I had another vision while you were recovering . . . "

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review posted on Got Fiction?

3.5

I was really excited to see that Shannon K. Butcher is still writing PNR.

Cleo was born with a prophecy hanging over her head. Her mom was a psychic, and the day she was born, she foretold that Cleo would kill on her 25th birthday. That two men would come to her that day, one in shadow and one in blood.

The book opens on her birthday. She doesn't know what will happen, but she knows she doesn't want to kill anyone nor does she want to die.

Flint's job is to find the potential "vessels" his boss gives him, and bring them in to his boss Starry, that way they can figure out if the person is one of the Riven or the Vires (good guys or bad guys).

Once upon a time, the Ancients were probably killed (I honestly don't know because it's kind of confusing). Their souls were splintered into fragments and those fragments went into humans. Those humans became a teeny bit...more. Then they had children, and their shards were passed on. Several thousand years later, we have people with possibly several shards. So these ancient beings have a piece of themselves here and there. That shard enhances the human who has it. But people don't necessarily realize that.

So on her birthday, Flint shows up trying to explain this to her. He does a terrible job and she kicks him out. He comes back determined to make her listen to him. So he books a reading with her. She has to touch someone to see their future, so she touches his hand and is bombarded with images of them having sex, and of him stabbed in front of her. (not a spoiler guys! This is like chapter 1 or 2).

The story itself is kind of confusing since we don't know for how long humans have known about these shards, and it makes it seem Starry has been finding people and trying to take care of everything on her own for who knows how long. It's hinted she far older than she looks. But she's pulling in good guys to her mansion and keeping them there to work on finding more good guys, and trying to kill bad guys.

So all of that is confusing, but it's not something that you can't suspense belief and just work around. However, my main gripe was that there was no romance. It was all lust, and that's fine, but no romance shown at all. She has a vision of them in bed, and she's attracted to him, so that's that. It's all settled. No romance.

If you've missed Shannon K. Butcher and an old school Paranormal Romance vibe then you'll love her as Anna Argent.

***I bought this book

[Eva Millien · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star Shards  
Cleo Radella inherited the ability to see the future and a haunting prediction that will irrevocable alter her world. He despises small talk, prefers solitude and hates being touched, luckily for Flint he has the power to fade into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed which comes in handy when he is hunting people as his job requires. Cleo soon learns that no one is what they seem and that her destiny is much bigger than she ever imagined after Flint reveals a world she never knew existed.
 
There is a whole new world to be explored in this chilling psychic romantic suspense. The characters are strong, captivating and easily draw readers into their story and they learn to navigate a world where nothing and no one is quite what they seem. The chemistry between Cleo and Flint is splendidly sizzling and permeates the pages as they grow closer with lots of emotional turmoil obstructing their relationship.
 
The plot is steady to fast paced reeling readers in and refusing to let go and while the story starts off a bit confusing, it quickly becomes a fascinating read that delights readers with the unexpected. The psychic aspect of the characters has a unique and fresh twists that makes for refreshing change from the norm and chilling suspense and stunning twists keeps readers eyes trained on the pages.
 

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new voice in paranormal fiction!

I for one LOVED this book! What a unique take on a paranormal tale. Not the typical supernatural story. Magic is alive and well. As with all things in life there's good and bad. When someone dies, whether naturally or killed a piece of them or shard goes into whoever killed them, or if not murdered into the next family member. These shards are parts of the person. One can inherit magical powers such as becoming psychic or fading away into shadows so nobody notices you. Not everyone who inherits these shards is aware. Some shards are like voices in your head, others can take over like another personality all together. Some are there to help, or for the good fight while others can turn the kindest soul into a murderer without them being aware. This fight has endured for ages....there are people on both sides of the fight searching for vessels (people who knowingly or not, inherited said shards) to help explain what's happening. But also to help further their side of this fight. This book does a brilliant job of setting up this world and the people within it. Cleo lost her beloved mother years ago unexpectedly. From the day she was born her mother saw on her 25th birthday Cleo would meet two men and death would appear. Like with most visions they're open to interpretation. A psychic herself she now lives with her honorary aunt Dolores that was her mother's best friend. Her aunt could speak to the dead. Having lost her own children and husband to murder, she was determined that Cleo would survive. Her 25th birthday is upon them, and boy oh boy were her mother's words about to come true. Thinking she's just psychic, Cleo has no clue about shards or that world. Things are about to change! Prophecy, adventure, intrigue, deception, family and most of all love...all of these are major themes in this exciting book! I can't wait to devour the next in this series!! Three cheers for this bright light in storytelling!! I'm also a HUGE fan of her writing under her other pen name Shannon K. Butcher (the Sentinel series is equally addictive 😊)

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 8, 2018

Cleo Radella inherited both the ability to see the future, and a haunting prediction that she will commit murder on her twenty-fifth birthday. That day has arrived, along with a stranger who is fated to alter her world irrevocably.

One will come in blood, the other in shadow…

Flint is not what one would call a people person. He despises small talk, prefers solitude, and hates being touched. Luckily, the fragments of ancient, powerful souls he carries allow him to fade into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed—handy for a guy who hunts people for a living.

Cleo is his next target, but when her life is threatened, he will stop at nothing to protect the beautiful psychic. No one captures his prey but him.

Death lurks behind them…

Forced together, Flint reveals a world Cleo never knew existed. She soon learns that no one is what they seem, and that her destiny is much bigger than she ever imagined


••••••••••••••

REVIEW: 4.25 stars-- SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW is the first instalment in Anna Argent’s (aka Shannon K Butcher) contemporary, adult THE LOST SHARDS paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-five year old psychic Cleo Radella, and Flint Skelton’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: The world as we know it is filled with magic, and throughout history people have been blessed or cursed with magical abilities. The ongoing war between good and evil pits the Riven against the Vires in their search for anyone with magical shards-slivers of magic passed down from parent to child, or in many cases, upon the death of someone with magic. By killing someone with magic, the perpetrator ‘inherits’ the shards of his/her victims; upon the death of a loved one, the shard is passed to the nearest kin.

Told from several third person points of view including Cleo and Flint SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW follows psychic Cleo Radella on the day of her twenty-fifth birthday, a date prophecized by her late mother, in which Cleo will meet a man of shadow, and a man of blood but Cleo never expected to meet her future in the guise of Flint Skelton, a man determined to protect Cleo with his life. Convincing Cleo that she is better off with the group known as the Riven forces our heroine to face a future without the people she loves. What ensues is the building relationship between Flint and Cleo, and the potential fall-out as Cleo is targeted by someone from her past, someone whom Cleo has no memory but someone close enough to inherit her shards.

Cleo Radella is unaware of her family history. As a psychic, along with her aunt Delores, Cleo owns and operates a professional psychic business but unbeknownst to Cleo someone is watching including the man with whom she will fall in love. Flint Skelton doesn’t do relationships but meeting Cleo stirs something protective in our story line hero. Targeted for her abilities, Cleo’s life hangs in the balance but not everyone is who they proclaim to be. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW introduces some of the background and history of magic and shards. The large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters is unique; the close-knit family of magical Riven will be destroyed by someone they know. The premise is enchanting and startling; the characters are spirited and lively; the romance is intimate and spicy. Anna Argent welcomes you to the world of The Lost Shards, one magical moment and at a time.

Copy supplied for review

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Anna Argent's writing in an anthology, The Secret She Keeps, and I was amazed at her skill in storytelling! Novellas are notoriously difficult to write well, because you have to pack so much into a small package, but she delivered. I knew then that a full-length novel written by her would be a must read and, of course, it absolutely is! The world Anna has built is so unique, so unlike other books out there, that I can imagine them as these hidden gems just waiting for the right time to strike and blow everyone's minds. The idea that you inherit the magic and "soul", if you will, of a person when they die is thrilling and imaginative. As soon as I put this book down, I immediately went to read the next one. I was that engaged!

Cleo Radella is being stalked by a brother she never knew existed. Working as a professional psychic with gifts she only inherited a few years ago, she embraces her differences, even though people like Flint Skelton are skeptical. Flint has been charged with finding out if Cleo is truly gifted or a hoax. As he gets to know her and realizes she possesses shards of great power, his mission proves critical. He must convince her to come with him, or her life could be in danger. At first she doesn't believe him, but when she comes home to find her close friend dying and a strange man covered in her blood, she knows the danger is very real. Now Cleo and Flint must take refuge in the home of the Riven, a secret society who seeks to protect those carrying shards and fight against the Vires, who seek to destroy everything the Riven hold dear.

There is a lot of worldbuilding in this series, and I will attempt to explain it briefly here: When a person who is carrying shards dies, their sibling or child inherits their shards. If none exist, then the shards scatter to find new vessels, or if the person is murdered, the murderer gets the shards. The shards carry power and the "souls" of people long dead, and some are not good people. Those carrying shards must balance the good and evil within them, and if that balance goes too far to the evil, they become extremely dangerous and unpredictable. The Riven are a group who seek to control those who have too much evil within them and protect those who carry a lot of magic in their shards. The Vires want to reunite the evil shards, and they do this by killing those who carry those shards within them. Riven = Good, Vires = Bad. Got it? Don't worry, it's explained more in the book.

Cleo and Flint were a great couple from the start. I loved Flint's skeptical manner and his abrupt personality. He cared about Cleo, but he also didn't want to get too close to her. He had this aversion to touch, which was interesting to read about. Cleo got past all his defenses, and they grew as individuals throughout the story. Cleo has no idea about shards, and as far as she knows, her mother died of a brain aneurysm. No foul play involved. It's only later in the story when the truth is revealed, and Cleo and Flint become closer than ever. It was heart-wrenchingly emotional, and when you add in Cleo's long-lost brother, this book had a lot of feelings running around.

I dove right into the second book after reading this one, and I can't wait to see more books in this series. Amazing writing and stellar storytelling!

**I received a free copy and this is my honest review.**

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shards of Blood and Shadow by Anna Argent is the first book in her new The Lost Shards series. We meet our heroine, Cleo Radella, a psychic who lives with her aunt, who is also a professional psychic with gifts. Cleo’s mother died years ago, and from that day forward, she inherited her mother’s gifts, including the ability to see the future; her mother also prophesized that on her 25th birthday she would meet two men; a man of shadow and a man of blood. Today is her birthday, and despite her aunt’s warnings, Cleo goes about her day as normal; she does notice a handsome man watching her from a car, and brushes it off.

Flint Skelton, our hero, is a member of Riven, and was assigned to make sure Cleo is one of them or a hoax. Flint at first considers Cleo a fake, but things begin to happen and he quickly realizes his error. Cleo arrived home to see a strange man covered with blood, and her aunt the victim. Flint tries to explain to Cleo that her life was in danger, and convince her he is one of the good guys, and take her to Riven headquarters.

What is Riven and Vires? Riven is a secret group that protects those that carry magical shards, and the evil Vires, are the ones who will kill to inherit those shards for themselves.

What are Shards? Shards are souls with magical powers that move on to siblings of the dying person; but if they are killed, the person who murdered them will inherit the powers of the victim. The shards can be dark or light, and the person who inherits them needs to balance the good and bad. Not so with the Vires, as they want the powers and will use them for evil purposes.

Cleo was kept in the dark about the history of her mother, and these magical abilities. Flint, who is the man of shadow, does his best to explain, and only until she meets the members of Riven, will Cleo begin to understand. She will learn later, that the man of blood, was her brother, whom she did not know, and despite his being a violent killer, Cleo wants to find a way to save him.

I loved Flint and Cleo together, as in a short time their chemistry was off the wall. It was great to meet all the wonderful secondary characters Argent has created. What follows is an exciting, action packed and tense adventure that will put Cleo’s life, as well as Flint’s in danger. Cleo will discover how to use her new powers, and we learn more about that nearer to the end. I really enjoyed this world-building by Argent, and look forward to finding out what she has in store for us in the next book. I suggest you begin this series by reading Shards of Blood and Shadow, written so well by Anna Argent.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[S Allred · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Flint is sent to find Cleo he is not looking for love, but that is just what he finds. As a Riven scout he has no experience with telling anyone about the secret war between good (the Riven) and evil (the Vires), but when he finds Cleo and evil forces are already in play he saves her and wont let her face the loss of a loved one alone. All her life psychic Cleo has known that 2 men would enter her life, but she never realized how much everything would change. As she is pulled into the world of the Riven and Vires she must make choices that determine who she will become and fight death to save the man she loves. This is the first book of Ms. Argents that I have read, and now after reading this book I now have a new author I will be looking to read. I loved this book and the story line is awesome,
I have read and reviewed this as a voluntary ARC.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW is the first book in The Lost Shards series. We meet with Cleo, a psychic who seemed to inherit her powers--and the colour of one eye--when her mother died. She is approaching her birthday, and the prophecy she had grown up with. Not knowing who will bring pleasure and who will bring pain, Cleo is determined to make the best of it she can.

This is an intriguing story, full of original ideas, and plenty of action to keep you glued to the pages. As it is the first book, there is a lot of world-building, and also groundwork being laid for future books.

There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, and I was engrossed from start to finish. A wonderful story that will leave you wanting more.

Definitely recommended by me.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleopatra "Cleo" Radella didn't come into her gift until after her mother died with one touch she learns much about the future. Flint Skelton is a firm believer in magic having spent so much time fighting against it. Flint's current assignment is to bring Cleo into the fold but nothing goes according to plan. He simply wants to do his job and that's that yet fate has other plans for him. Will Cleo fall in line? What does fate have in store for Flint? Your answers await you in Shards of Blood and Shadow.

I really love the concept of this series. I'm eager to read more about this fascinating world. The characters are compelling, complicated, complex, unusual, rich, bold, and intriguing too. I can't wait for my next experience in this series.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shards of Blood and Shadow

I had a hard time putting this book down because it pulled me in fast. I have not read anything like it and was fascinated by all the secrets. As you pulled away one layer of a character, you would see them in a different light. Good guys turn bad and bad guys show glimpses of good. All based on the shards that complicate even the simplest way to end the evil. since shares do not just disappear,that opens up a whole new Pandora box of problems. Be prepared for some steamy romance. I am excited to read the next book to see how the next phase plays out between good and evil.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept

Interesting story line, but the female main character was the least likable in this story. I felt more empathy for the bad guy than I did for her. Didn’t buy when the I love you’s came.

Since this was the first book in the series maybe the author wanted to get a lot of characters in so lacked a bit on development. I really like another of this authors series so I will probably give the second book a shot.

[Aurrora James · Rating 5 out of 5]

New name, same favorite

This was my first Anna Argent books though I’ve read many Shannon Butcher books. I really loved this new series. Flint was a beautiful character that I really felt for and Cleo’s fire and determination to save those she loved was amazing. Can’t wait to read more.

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the inherent conflict in the world setup: killing the evil Vires means absorbing their shards and tainting yourself. I also liked Chloe, but unfortunately I never really warmed up to Flint. He started off cold then did a 180 flip for no reason beyond insta-love. Some nice plot twists.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was good. However the characters connection was not completely believable. I just did not feel their love for each other. With some reworking and a little depth added to the characters I think this book could go from just good to really good.

L

[Nibrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Lots of adventure. Took a bit to figure out the players in the game and how the magic in this world works. Loved all the characters and how they welcome Cleo into the group. It will be interesting to see how the shards align themselves in future books.

[Mhollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start

to the new series. Liked Flint snd Cleo a lot. Interesting storyline and world building. Hoping the next one is even better.