Shadow Mage

Nightshade Guild #1

by Lia Davis

Jemma Blackwood, shadow mage, is honored to be one of the twelve mages charged with protecting the Elven Princess Ameria. The sweet, magical baby is easy to love, but Jemma never thought she would be a mother, let alone obligated to protect a little one with her life. And as if serving as guardian to the princess wasn't unexpected enough, the child's safety brings the man who broke Jemma's heart back into her life abruptly.

Willing to do anything to protect his mate, Niam Cane disobeys his own queen to save Jemma and the elfin princess in her care. But getting Jemma to trust him proves to be a greater challenge than he anticipates since the beautiful mage believes he betrayed her years ago. But he’s Jemma’s only hope for survival. As the right hand of the dark fae queen will stop at nothing to find Jemma and Princess Ameria, Niam must convince his love to take the baby and run.

As they evade the constant threat together and work as a team to keep Ameria safe from harm, can Jemma and Niam fight their entangled past and the explosive attraction they feel toward one another?

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2021

About the author

In 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite Ashwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.

While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.

Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.

Reviews

[Stacy Van cise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit hard for me to read.  The focus around the baby really through me off. Besides that is turned out to be a fairly good book. The main character seems capable and relatable. The leading man is sexy but not an aboulute butt. The story progresses well and hopefully with flesh out the main characters more as the series progresses. You may not have the same hang up I do about the baby but either way it is worth checking out especially if you love the authors brand of romance.

Jemma is a half dark fae Witch and is tasked with keeping the future elven queen safe for the next month. The baby's name is Ameria and she is just over a year old but already displaying some extraordinary powers. She is being hunted by almost every other supernatural group except the witches guarding her. Now Jemma has some trouble of her own with a ex lover who turned out to be her mate and the Dark fae queen's head guard. He keeps stalking her. Now on the run with the royal baby her mate decides to help her but brings even more complications to the situation in the form of his once friend Rina who has been task by the dark queen to find the baby. He has a hell of a time trying to convince Jemma to let him help and keeping Rina off his trail. A month can be a long time is your on the run.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting the Eleven Princess

The Nightshade Guild is made up of 12 mages dedicated to protecting the Elven Princess, Ameria. Each mage takes care of the Princess for one month. This is book 4. It features the mage, Jemma.

Jemma is proud to have been chosen as a protector for Princess Ameria. It's only for a month, but a lot can happen in that month. When Jemma's old boyfriend, Niam (who's a dark fae) shows up, she isn't sure if he's there to help her or to take Ameria to his dark fae queen.

Fun short story. I enjoyed meeting Jemma, Prim (her pixie familiar), baby Ameria, and Niam. There's magic and danger and some smexy-times, as well was an interesting storyline.

Note: this story ends, but the overarching storyline featuring the Princess continues.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor. Also read in KU.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jemma Blackwood is a hybrid. Her mother is a mage and her estranged father is a dark elf. When a dark elf shows up claiming to be her fated mate she kicks him to the curb. Now she’s protecting the baby princess and she will need his help to protect her. When you are on the run a month can be a long time. I liked Niam. He is smart able to evolve and driven to prove his love. This is a fast paced action filled tale that will keep you flipping pages.

[Ash J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was faced paced and had a lot of intrigue that kept me interested until the very end. I enjoyed the story and even though it was the first story I've read in this series, I was still able to understand this story the whole way. Now I want to check out the previous stories in this series so I can get all the other stories as well. I really liked the chemistry between Niam and Jemma. I definitely recommend this book.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a honor that Jemma has with protecting a little one. I also smelled a second chance when Niam shows up also to protect Jemma and the princess. The danger they are in is so severe that he has to get her to go for the princess she needs to work with him to live. You will have your adrenaline slowly edge its way up as this unfolds. Once you start you will not be able to back out so you are left turning the pages for more going deeper.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and entertaining fast paced read!! Lots of intrigue and action to keep you hooked from beginning to end plus I'm a sucker for second chance at love story. Overall a good read. As always my reviews are totally voluntarily and no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jemma's biggest challenge to date: keeping Elvan Princess Ameria safe from the plots to kidnap her. But that is no easy task as her fated mate Niam arrives to throw confusion into her heart. Is he the leader of those who want to steal her charge? Can true love survive, despite the betrayals that dog her every step?

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are spot on, the chemistry is blazing, and the storyline is unique and very well written. The fast paced action keeps the pages flying, not to mention the mysterious allure of a young child’s unfurling abilities! All the great makings of a book one worthy of five stars! Cant wait for the continuation! All my reviews are always voluntarily written.

[Roseanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be real, it took a minute for this world to make sense to me. It was a bit much at first, it was a lot thrown out from the get go. But once I was familiar with this world building, I couldn't put it down. So if you start and feel lost, just keep going it'll all work out. Shadow mage is not really like any other books I've read in a while. It's refreshing.

[E_bookpushers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have done some research before diving in. I was not expecting to be dropped into the middle of a shared world. It is on the shorter side so I struggled believing the relationship between H/H, the willingness of the child to go along with different protector, the H/H backstories... Nothing was developed enough for me to enjoy reading this story.

[Deja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third Nightshade Guild book that I read and it was awesome. Jemma and Niam were amazing together this was another great story in this series and I loved it. I was hoping that one of the amazing couples would keep the princess but alas has not happened yet. I love when Ms. Davis does a series with other authors because I have a chance to meet new authors because of her.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read.

The story is fast pace. The hero and heroine have a past that is some what explained but needs more depth. I missed the beginning of the relationship. You are dropped into the middle of plotline but can catch up rather quickly.

[Karen Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good read! Elvin Princess Ameria is full of surprises. I loved how the fauna reacted to her falls. Jemma had her hands full with her. The crazy run from the bad guys was very well written. I received an advanced copy of this book and freely leave this honest review.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is entertaining and filled with action and adventure. The chemistry and interaction between the characters is great. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Deb Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I was sucked in from the start. Great world building and good character development helped set the tone in this fast paced read. I was rooting for Jemma and Niam the whole way through, and loved Prim.

[Michalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Jemma’s turn to protect the Princess. It was a quick read that was full of action and a little bit of steam. I enjoyed Jenna and Niam’s story. It does make me want to read all the other books in the series.

[Midniteandwolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

As she gets older…

Jet a was the 4th Mage to be in charged with the Amelia. She was loss what to do with her charge especially when she gets mad. When Niam comes back into her life she wants nothing to do with him until she is shown what might happen.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameria is bringing light and dark sides of magic together by just surviving.. Jemma and Niam are mates whether Jemma likes it or not, but she puts her personal feelings aside to keep the princess safe.. This series is getting more exciting with each book..

[Rachel Joi Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book! ... fast paced and gripping ... couldn't put it down 💚

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with a plot that keeps you interested and good characters.