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To the world, I’m a grieving widow , a woman who married the wrong man and paid the highest price for it. As the wife of the king’s former poison master, it’s my job to assume his role and train the man who will take his place, and who will become my next husband. I do what I’m told the way women are supposed to, but the king doesn't know everything about me, not by far. As the head of The Ravens, a guild of spymasters that trades information for coin and favors, it's my job to remove threats to my king and country, even from the shadows no matter the cost. To do that, and to prove myself worthy of being the first unmarried master, I need two things. The first is to take down the rebel group that’s been leaving my Ravens for dead as a message to the king, and the second, is to find out which of the four mysterious, alluring men in my life have an agenda of their own. I need to know who I can trust; the shifter who wants to be my new husband? The captain of the guard who once loved me? The streetrat with a haunting smile and dangerous secrets? Or the son of the enemy king who asks too many questions for his own good. This is a Why-Choose high fantasy romance, co-written by authors Penn Cassidy and R. Spain.

188 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2022

41 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

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R. Spain

23 books31 followers
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5 stars
46 (48%)
4 stars
28 (29%)
3 stars
13 (13%)
2 stars
4 (4%)
1 star
3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for emsreviewsandrecs.
300 reviews16 followers
October 8, 2022
If there’s one author who I know that will leave me on a cliffhanger it’s Penn Cassidy. This is my first book from R Spain and I know I will be checking out more. I’m literally salivating for the next one. I’ll be over here just eyeing the release date because this book has me anxious. As soon as I started reading this book, I didn’t want to stop.

I am already in love with Xmara. She is strong, intelligent, and fierce. She knows exactly what she’s doing and what she plans to do. She takes no crap from anyone. She is one of my favorite characters.

Where do I even start with these men? Right from the beginning, I knew I was going to love Caldor. Even though things didn’t go as they should have from the beginning, you can tell there is something burning between them. Let’s be real, Remus had me at shifter. I knew what was going to happen the moment he was introduced and I was not disappointed. Next up… Rijjat. I don’t know how Penn comes up with these names but either way I can’t wait to see more of him. I am still undecided on Nero but I’m sure I’ll decide in the next one.

This is another book by Penn Cassidy that is a must-read. It was phenomenal and I loved it! She is and will continue to be one of my favorite authors. Now on my way to add R Spain to my TBR.
Profile Image for Bianca M.
918 reviews10 followers
October 9, 2022
Interesting

This book is a well written fantasy why choose with interesting characters. The prologue is a bit dark, the setting is more dark, and the plot is attention grabbing. I’m excited to see what happens next.
Profile Image for CARIE CORBIN.
81 reviews
October 9, 2022
So good

I love books with twist and to me this one did. Full disclosure I read all Penn books. And this one was surprising. I did not expect what happened and can't wait for the next!
Profile Image for Jess_Book_Basement.
167 reviews8 followers
October 6, 2022
I am a die-hard Penn Cassidy fan and R. Spain is new-to-me. To be honest, I don’t read much high fantasy but jumped at the chance to give this book a go. To my surprise, I was easily caught up in the story and the characters and finished the book in one sitting.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is the strong female lead. Mara is resigned to her station in life but does not let it define her. She is strong and resilient but after years of living a jaded life, has developed a prickly exterior. One that can only be softened by her diverse group of men.

The writing style flowed smoothly, and the plot was intriguing which is what moved the story along with less world-building than I expected. The characters all had distinct captivating personalities leaving you wanting more of their backstories. A fun quick read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a why choose romance or is already a fan of Penn and R. Spain’s work.

Also, I didn’t realise this book was a cliffhanger and I am now not so patiently waiting for the next instalment in this series.
Profile Image for Heather Klausing.
143 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2022
Wow, this is my first time reading anything by R. Spain and I have to say I now have a new author on watch!

This book while being on the shorter side was no less filled with drama, intrigue, a strong FMC and a cliffhanger at the end! I love me some good old fashion good vs evil style plots. I felt there was enough description about the characters and the land they find themselves in to really become invested into their world.

Cannot wait for book 2
457 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2022
A fan of R. Spain books and I jumped at the chance to read this one. Penn Cassidy is a new author to me and together they didn’t disappoint. This book had my attention from the start. The world building in this story was phenomenal. The magic use was fluid.
Love the characters especially Xmara she is bad@ss. She has learned to operate within her station per say but hasn’t let it define her. Xmara’s guys are all different from each other. Caldor is captain of the guard. Remus is a shifter. Rijjat is informit from another kingdom. Nero is a magic user that changes are awesome. Can’t wait to know what happens after the ending of this book. Book two can’t come out fast enough. Waiting very impatiently. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Kimberly Karma .
212 reviews22 followers
October 11, 2022
BE PREPARED, NOTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!! SHITTT, THERE ARE SOO MANY TWISTS AND WTH’S??!! THAT ARE MIND-BLOWING, AND HOTT, BUTTT THE MC’S YOU WILL LOVE (IF THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE!! FMC XMARA HAS HER HANDS FULL WITH VERY HOTT AF GUY’S CALDOR, REMUS, RIJJAT, AND NERO!!! THAT CLIFFY IS AGHHH… I NEED MORE!!!
SO A DEFINITE 5 STARS!!!!!
Profile Image for Rachel Joi Maples.
3,081 reviews35 followers
October 12, 2022
Source

absolutely drawn into this world ... love Xmara's strength and cunning, guarded feelings and desire to protect her Ravens ... the jury is still out on the three very different men that intrigue her, but they're growing on me ...that ending was brutal though and cannot wait to return 💔
Profile Image for Sherry Justus.
138 reviews9 followers
October 13, 2022
Penn does it again.. I always immediately run for anything she writes. This one definitely didn’t disappoint either.. I absolutely love X, she’s strong and cunning. How can you not love a brilliant woman playing the long game. That cliffhanger was brutal and I cannot wait until book 2 comes out. Please give me more!
Profile Image for Ashley Allen.
746 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2022
intriguing

This book is intriguing from the very beginning to the end. Still so many unanswered questions!!! The intense emotions between the characters is fantastic and left me wanting more
330 reviews3 followers
November 16, 2022
Loved it

This was really different. I liked the world building in this, as well as the characters.
Xmara is a great heroine, and something different from must RH characters. Really looking forward to reading book 2..

Profile Image for Kayla Johnston.
325 reviews9 followers
October 11, 2022
New and exciting

If I could give it more stars I would, new and exciting I've never read anything like it. I'm already dieing for book 2 x
Profile Image for Darcy.
469 reviews
October 13, 2022
Great book!

Loved all the secrets mixed with suspense, lust and intrigue! Can't wait to read book 2 to see where this goes!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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