About the Book:
Title: A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion
Author: Sharayah Maurice
Series: Chronicles of Tanithor: Age of the Oracle #1
Page Length: 372
Publication Date: Sept. 1, 2023
Synopsis: An historical alliance between two gifted races is threatened when Princess Alana Bell Sundry is attacked and a bounty is placed on her head. With powerful enemies on two borders, the kingdom of Latera is relying on her arranged marriage to the Gaellen Prince to strengthen their position in Tanithor.
Enlisting the help of a mysterious bodyguard to keep her alive until her prince arrives to claim her, Alana soon learns there’s more to the undercover guard than meets the eye. As she spends time with her new bodyguard, she soon realizes that the attacks on her life aren’t the only threats to the alliance. Her heart may prove just as effective at dismantling a union that has been years in the making.
Meanwhile, across the Great River, Griff Shoshone is unaware of the political events happening around him. The girl he’s loved for years has recently been promised to his little brother, the future Chief of Hoken, and Griff must find a way to reconcile his heart to the Oracle’s prophetic declaration. However, after a fateful decision with deadly consequences leaves him and his brother’s betrothed captured in enemy territory, Griff must now come to terms with his new fated destiny.
A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion is the first in the Chronicles of Tanithor YA fantasy romance series told from multiple POVs. If you like clean romance, characters with elemental powers, and action packed chapters with cliff hanger endings, then you’ll love the enchanting world of Tanithor.
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My Review:
This is a fun YA fantasy from debut author Sharayah Maurice with layered characters, an interesting plot, and unique love stories. The story follows Princess Alana whose life is put in danger. While awaiting her fiancée’s arrival from his rival kingdom, a mysterious artist fills in as Elena’s bodyguard with the sole purpose of keeping the princess safe. But the more time they spend together, the more Alana realizes it’s not just her safety at risk. Her heart is too, and so is the tumultuous and tentative alliance that they’ve created with Alana’s engagement.
In a different kingdom, Griff is traveling with his brother and the girl Griff secretly loves who is also his best friend and his brother’s betrothed. When tragedy befalls and Griff is taken prisoner with his love/best friend, he faces a new future that he never imagined.
Filled with action, adventure, political intrigue, and some fantastic, clean romances, A Bounty of Secrets and Rebellion is an exciting and immersive read. I love how developed and layered the characters and relationships are. The author definitely created fully realized characters with unique stories to tell, and I became so engrossed in their stories and the political turmoil that surrounds them. There are plot twists that left me shocked and revelations that I totally didn’t expect.
Of course, if you know me, you already know my favorite part of the story – the romance! I love a swoon-worthy romance, and this had more than one – a princess-bodyguard love story, and a love triangle between two brothers and a life-long friend. Both are fantastic, and I’m eager to find out what happens to both in the next book. These couples are put through some dangerous, frightening, and potentially deadly situations, and I have a feeling this is just the beginning of their danger-ridden journey.
Special thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book and having me on the tour. All thoughts are my own.
About the Author:
Sharayah Maurice has been a lover of books since she first learned to read and has dreamed of being an author for just as long. She is the author of The Chronicles of Tanithor: Age of the Oracle series. Her stories are filled with adventure, political intrigue and swoony romance that will leave you desperate for more. She lives in north Texas with her husband and five children.
Social Links:
- Website: http://www.sharayahmaurice.com
- Instagram: @thesharayahmaurice
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharayahmaurice
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40418491.Sharayah_Maurice
- Join Sharayah’s mailing list: https://sharayahmaurice.ck.page/a60929dee9
Deleted Scene:
Alana giggled as she watched Koa for the hundredth time stiffly place a hand on Lady Olani’s upper back while he tightly clasped her hand in the other. With her birthday celebration quickly approaching, Alana thought it best that Koa be given a little dancing instruction in preparation for the event. After just a few minutes in the empty ballroom, it was obvious she had been right to suggest such an activity.
Apparently the man had never danced a day in his life. He was all elbows and knees as he tripped over Lady Olani’s feet, apologizing repeatedly. It seemed as if he only continued to get worse with each passing minute. Alana could tell Lady Olani’s patience was wearing thin. They had been at it for an hour with seemingly no progress.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. I’m afraid there’s not much more I can do for him.” Lady Olani stepped back from Koa with a puckered frown. “Perhaps it’s best if he refrains from dancing at the celebration. He could end up hurting someone.” She pursed her lips and looked Koa up in down in disapproval.
Alana bit back a laugh. “Thank you for trying anyway.”
Lady Olani dipped into a graceful curtsy and breezed out of the ballroom without a backward glance.
Alana looked over at Koa who had his hands on his hips, a crease between his brows. “I was doing what she said to do.”
She made her way over to him with a grin. “Of course you were. Here, let’s see how you do with me.”
She raised her hands expectantly and Koa inched forward, fitting one hand in hers as she grasped his strong shoulder with the other. He pulled her in, their bodies just grazing the other. Butterflies erupted in Alana’s stomach. She took a deep breath, determining to stay focused on the dance and not Koa’s nearness.
She remained still, waiting for him to take the lead. They stood there for what felt like forever, and Alana wondered if he’d forgotten how to move his legs when he finally caught on and took a cautious step forward. Immediately she mirrored his step and smiled. “That’s it! You just have to take the first step. I’ll follow you.”
Koa beamed in victory and began moving more confidently, taking one step after another as they slowly turned around the ballroom. Occasionally he took a step in the wrong direction, but Alana didn’t correct him. She allowed him to lead her around so he could get used to the sweeping movements of the dance.
After a few turns, she paused and said encouragingly, “That was great! I don’t know what dance it was but we were moving.”
Koa groaned, looking up to the ceiling. “I thought I had finally gotten it.”
“Well you’ve got it mostly. Leading confidently is key. It allows your partner to follow easily. Now you just have to get the right steps. It helps to memorize the order. Forward, right, together. Back, left, together. Repeat.”
Koa muttered the order of the steps and tried again.
Alana smiled at the improvement. “See, I knew you’d get it.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long. I really did do what Lady Olani was saying, but I think she kept trying to lead me.”
Alana giggled with glee. “Yes, she kept leading you but it was fun to watch!”
Koa stopped dancing and eyed her suspiciously. “Why didn’t you say anything then?”
“You should have seen the two of you!” she cackled in mirth. “It was quite the spectacle. I should thank you for this afternoon’s entertainment.”
Koa clucked his tongue and began leading her around the room again, “You wound me. Finding joy in my suffering.”
