Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Beltane Escape by Ariella Moon

Book Blurb:

Lady Fenella, ever surrounded by guards, knows only responsibility and duty. She believes Merlin and the Lady of the Lake are myths, Gran’s warnings about Fairy are superstition, and Fairy was invented to make children behave.

But then Gran brands her, Lord Argonshire kidnaps her, and the Lady of the Lake makes her a pawn. The Highland heiress must betray her newly betrothed and fend for herself when she dives into a wormhole to save her cousin. She lands in a part of Fairy even fairies avoid, and joins forces with Talfryn, a half-Viking/half-Fairy.

Fenella must use her wits to find her cousin, free the Lady of the Lake, and reach the wormhole in Glastonbury by Beltane. Nine days to unshackle herself from a sorceress, prevent a war between rival clans, and decide in which realm—and with which lad—she truly belongs. Oh, and The Most Powerful Wizard stands in her way.

Publication date: February 2016

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

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My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Creatures

Genre: Another-World, Faeries, Royal-Court, Supernatural--

The Lady Fenella is always under guard since she is a sought after trophy in the war between clans. When she is kidnapped from her home, little did she know what would happen next. Fenella is a pawn in a long created plot from the Lady of the Lake against Merlin, dropping Fenella in the middle of the between lands full of magical creatures and a slim chance of making her way home before the Beltane.

I went into this story with no expectations of any kind as well as no idea what the book was about (It had been a while since I discovered the book, so I couldn’t remember the plot, just that I wanted to read it and the cover was really appealing). I think that since I approached the story as a blank slate, I was able to completely appreciate the uniqueness of the book. This was Merlin like I had never seen before, which was really cool. I was a little confused and turned about by the prologue, but once Fenella was introduced, I was fully engaged in the plot. I would call this a fantasy adventure with some sweet innocent romance thrown in. The book is listed as the first in a trilogy, so that means that there is more magic to come.

I had no idea what the Beltane is but the book kept referencing it left and right in the first few chapters. The scholar in me made me look up the word, which is the Celtic May day celebration. Yeah, I had no idea. To be honest, I assumed it was a color based on how it was used in the story (totally disregarding the use of it in the title because it wouldn’t work there). The story does explain what it is later for those not in the know, but I needed answers sooner than what was provided (my slight OCDness).

The author has a great imagination with the types of creatures she created and the mischief that Fenella finds herself in. I also enjoyed the mix of myth elements, from Merlin and magic, Norse mythology, Scottish politics and clan wars from history, to fairies and a between-realm.

Overall, I found this to be a super cute, entertaining and fast read. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a fun historical read, filled with magic and adventure, as well as trickster creatures and a strong willed independent main character.

I received this title in return for my honest review.

Author Bio:

Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. Her Two Realms Trilogy is a medieval fantasy adventure series with romantic elements. The Teen Wytche Saga is a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances.

Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. Ariella lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and an enormous dragon.

Ariella loves to hear from her readers.

You can find her on Facebook, Goodreads and her website

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Blog tour and giveaway provided by Xpresso Book Tours