New Release AND Book Review: QUEEN OF JASTAIN by Kary Rader

HAPPY BOOK RELEASE DAY TO MY FRIEND KARY RADER!

*YEA*

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book, and have been waiting to post my review... I'll cut to the chase and tell you up front I LOVED this story. Time travel. Sarcastic, strong heroine. Really hot medieval dude. What's not to love?!

Big Congrats to Kary - she'll be visiting my blog next week on her grand tour, but in the meantime here's my review....

QUEEN OF JASTAIN

By Kary Rader

Published by Crescent Moon Press, April 2013

About the Book:

The Light brought her to him, but does he have the faith to make her his queen?

For twenty years, Avant plotted revenge against the dark king, but when a mysterious woman suddenly appears, everything changes. Although his prophetic Gift reveals she’s the Seed of Light chosen to restore the Crown, his overwhelming attraction to the women threatens his long-held plan for revenge and two decades of fidelity.

Abby Randall is inexplicably transported from Dallas to the medieval land of Jastain. There she meets Avant, who claims she’s the foretold champion of his people. While the hot guy has her hormones pumping, his crazy talk of defeating an evil king leaves questions to his sanity. Through his supernatural Gift, Avant transplants his memories into her, but neither are prepared for how their hearts intertwine.

Together they embark on their quest, but when Abby and Avant come face to face with destiny, will they sacrifice what matters most to provide a happily-ever-after for the people of Jastain?

MY TAKE:

With beautiful descriptions, sparkling dialogue, action-packed pages, and a strong heroine who grows into her power as the story progresses, QUEEN OF JASTAIN has everything a reader could ask for from a time travel romance. This well-written tale kept me reading well into the night, cheering for Abby and rooting for her happily-ever-after.

The novel starts with a bang in present-day Texas, where we meet spoiled little rich girl, Abby Randall, moments before her former best friend delivers a gut-wrenching blow with her engagement to Abby’s ex-fiance. In the ensuing maelstrom of emotions, Abby is somehow transported through time to a medieval kingdom, where her cute little car is sorely out of place and her designer mini skirt and high-heeled Dolce Gabanas are even more of a problem.

Enter the handsome knight, whom she rescues from pursuers on horseback. Avant has waited for so long to avenge his kingdom, but didn’t expect the champion of prophesy whom he was waiting for to be… a woman. Especially not a beautiful woman with whom he is so completely and utterly captivated.

The tension between Avant and Abby practically sizzles on the page, especially since Abby’s a thoroughly modern woman, and Avant a chivalrous medieval prince. Ms. Rader alternates the point of view between Abby and Avant, so the reader is privy to the sexual tensions mounting on both sides of the equation, and to the frustrating situational misunderstandings that arise and come between them.

When I was younger, I had a real thing for King Arthur and medieval-type stories. One of my all-time favorites is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, by Mark Twain. Not that it’s a great Arthurian tale, but I love the time traveler aspects to it, and the juxtaposition of the modern guy thrust back in time to the Middle Ages. The narrator’s quirky humor provided a fresh perspective on all things medieval.

In QUEEN OF JASTAIN, Abby’s dry wit and self-deprecating humor reminded me of Twain’s narrator, and had me smiling along with her as she navigated the strange landscapes of Jastain.

Bottom line? I loved this book and totally look forward to reading more from this author.

About the Author:

Kary Rader is a stay-at-home mother of three, avid reader and slave to the characters and worlds inside her head.

Always creative, she’s drawn to stories with fantastical worlds and creatures. With a little bit of magic and divine guidance, there isn’t anything that can’t be accomplished. And it’s the power of words that creates and destroys.

Vanquishing evil and injustice while finding eternal love in the process is all in a day’s work. And with the help of her critique partners and master cartographer imaginary places come to life. Join her for an adventure and maybe you too will be claimed by passion and changed by love.