Reading to Unwind: {Blog Tour} - The Black Lotus - Claire Warner (Review & Giveaway)

YA Bound Book Tours is organizing a Blog Tour for: The Black Lotus by Claire Warner. This tour will run from February 22nd to March 4th. Check out the tour schedule.

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The Black Lotus
by Claire Warner
Release Date:June 29th 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

....though I would dearly love to play court to you, I would hurt you more than any other.

It is 1752.
The year that will change the life of heiress Melissa De Vire. As she makes her first fumbling steps into society, she meets the handsome young cad Justin Lestrade and his world tears her perceptions apart. For Justin is more than he appears and his secrets and enemies are manifold. Drawn irresistibly to him, she finds herself sinking into a realm of feuds, magic and old curses and her life will never again be the same.

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Review

The beginning jumps right into the book it is slightly confusing and I did read it twice to catch the characters names, but you immediacy get a feeling something dark is going on. It makes me want to read on to see what is going to happen to Melissa.

I love the author’s development of Melissa as the main character makes me want to keep reading this book. Melissa is easy to love as a main character she is set in a time where women are as she refers to it sold into marriage and she is completely against this. Melissa wants to marry for love and she also wants to hold onto her freedom. Melissa is strong and independent something not seen during this time period so she sticks out from the crowd.

The book goes back and forth between who is telling the story. A large portion of the story is told through Melissa's eyes, but we also get to see parts of Justin and John. I think this really helps to give the reader a big picture of this book. As you read the story you get to know more details about what is really going on with Justin and John. Also, you get a chance to see the relationship between other characters as well.

In regards to relationships the author does not let the reader down she throws more and more complicated relationships at the reader. Melissa and her brother are very close and because of this Melissa has maintained a large amount of independence that other women her age might not have. Melissa depends on her brother to help fight her parents to let her do things. Melissa's brother also protects her reputation from suitors. He also trusts her, which plays a big part in the story. The relationship that the author created between just these two characters makes you want to keep reading more. I love a story with a close brother/sister bond it is important to have someone that you can count on in life.

I also love the relationship that develops between Melissa and Justin. In her first meeting with him she really lets down her guard and is her true self. Melissa is very open minded to Justin and trusting. It is like she can see immediately through his charade, which lets me as a reader see how smart and intuitive she is.

The book does end with a nice cliffhanger, but I would have wanted to see a little more action. The action scenes that did occur in the book where slightly hard to follow I wasn't sure who was hurt or what was going on. I would have liked a little more descriptions in the action scenes.

I would suggest reading this book at night before bed. It is an easy book to pick up/put-down and still easily be able to follow along in the story. It isn't too scary so nothing to keep you up at night. I will be on the lookout to read the next book in this series!

I received a copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.

My rating: 4/5

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Excerpt

“Justin?” He turned as she spoke, “I think you should pursue Melissa De Vire.”

He dropped what he had been holding and walked towards her.

“What?” Utter shock permeated his tones and he stared down at her as though he could not believe what he had just heard. “You must be mad.”

“No, just practical.” Unconcerned by the anger on his face, Emily reached down and pulled the gold bracelet back onto her wrist. “You like her, that much is obvious and she seems to have some interest in you, despite her transparent denials.”

For a long moment, Justin said nothing, stunned by the words that were coming out of Emily’s mouth. “Haven’t you just convinced me that this existence is so much hell, that you would lie with someone you don’t care for just to rid yourself of it? Why would you ask me to pursue someone I couldn’t be with? Do you hate me that much?”

Emily turned away and sat down in one of the chairs. “I don’t hate you Justin, but if you don’t take her and make her yours you will regret it.” She picked up her bonnet and began pulling at the flowers set into it. “Alistair already knows about her, give it a little time and she will be linked with us. I’d much rather you drag her along rather than leave her to be fodder for John.”

“So how does my brother know about Melissa?” Justin’s voice was dangerously quiet as he stood opposite her. “Have you stirred the pot again?” He turned and slammed his fist into the wall. “I thought you were past these petty games. Real people are at stake.”

“Yes.” She stood and faced him. “Real people are at stake and if you do not act this time, John will merely take her from you in the same way he took Anna.” She grabbed his fist and brushed the drops of blood from the knuckles. “Do you not realise yet that there is nothing that you can do to hide her from him.”

“I’ve spoken to her once.” He hoped that she did not see through the lie, “And that has been all. God curse it Emily, she may only be intrigued, do not turn this into a grand love affair on the basis of one conversation.” He pulled his hand free and seized the back of her neck. “If you start this, you’d better be prepared to face the consequences.”

Emily laughed in his face. “Don’t threaten me darling, I won’t take it.” Her hand snaked around his wrist and she pressed hard on the joints, causing him to gasp in pain. “I will not spend the next few decades suffering from your ill temper. Don’t forget love, that I know you almost as well as you know yourself.”

Justin allowed his hand to drop from her skin and whispered. “Then why would push this? I am interested yes, but I know that I can’t have her. John need only know that I flirted with her, as I do with many women.”

“I push because John will know regardless. He has his spies and he will find out.”

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About the Author

When I was a child, I made up games and characters when my sister and I played with dolls. As I grew older, I would make up scenarios and scenes, fully intending to write them down but never finding the time. In my late teens, I discovered the world of role playing and settled into an avid ‘geeky’ life of D&D, comics, sci-fi and fantasy fiction. Years passed and I finally gave voice to the stories in my head. I write romance, fantasy, action and adventure. I love tales of steampunk and history, tales of magical powers and dark curses lurking in the shadows. Though The Black Lotus is not my first attempt at a novel, it is the first I have finished.

And some fun facts about me:

I sew.

My favourite Disney film is Atlantis.

I’ve been a film extra and stood 5 feet away from Sam Rockwell.

Babylon 5 is my fave sci-fi show.

I cried at the end of Toy Story 3.

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