A World Away - Review

A World Away
The Void Chronicles Book 1
Holly Blackstone
December 17th, 2013

A strange land.
A glowing sword.
And an ancient dragon bent on the destruction of the world.

Julianna Foss is abruptly thrust into circumstances she has little hope of understanding. On one side of a great conflict stand the Templars, an ancient warrior order dedicated to protecting the world; on the other side are the Void dragons and their allies the necromancers, who are intent on plunging civilisation into chaos. She alone may hold salvation in her hands in the form of a sword that seems to have an affinity for her. Thrust into a foreign culture where highborn women are objectified, magic is a fact of life and things she never thought possible are reality, every day is a struggle.

Tristan Roarke is the gatekeeper. Leader of the Templars he sees something in Julianna and offers a way for her to make a difference, but can she trust him? Deadly with a weapon yet handsome and sensual, he is a risk to Julianna in more ways than one – not content for her to just join their side in the fight against the Void, Tristan is making a play for her affections. Can she make it through Templar training with her head – and her heart – intact?

This book contains explicit descriptions of warfare and intimacy. Not recommended for readers under 18.

    

 

Amount of sex 4 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 4 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5

Wow! What a great story!

A World Away is the first book in the Void Chronicles series from author Holly Blackstone. So you are aware this is not a standalone romance, and the storyline does continue from book to book. Therefore, be prepared for a cliffhanger!

A World Away tells the story of Julianna Foss who is an assistant curator at the American Centre for Ancient Armaments. The museum specializes in weapons and armor from different periods. She is fascinated with a four and a half foot long broadsword that was just donated. Julianna happens to be an avid fencer and has an A classification with the US Fencing Association.

While Julianna is working late one night, she hears several men breaking into the museum.  She locks herself in a room with the swords and hides while she calls the police. Although, while hiding for cover, Julianna trips and falls and hits her head.  She wakes up sometime later in another time/world. The story takes off at this point, and I loved every minute of it.

A World Away was so captivating, I did not want to put my Kindle down! The storyline was well developed, gripping, and oh so steamy! There were so many deliciously naughty sex scenes between Julianna and Lord Tristan Roarke. You may want an extra pair of panties nearby!

Can’t wait to read the next in the series!!!

Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy

“I’m afraid this is all I have for you, but it will do. We had to remove your garments when we healed you.”

Julianna shakes out the proffered clothing; it’s a red tunic, too large for her but the fabric is soft. She’s about to pull it over her head when there are voices outside her door. “Make way for my Lord!” someone calls and a moment later the door opens.

Tristan strides in and seeing she is sitting up, he makes a line for her bed. She fumbles with her clothes, trying to put her hands into the sleeves and become presentable. What kind of brute storms in like this? I’m naked!  Nessa stands to the side and bows as he enters.

Tristan stops in front of her and Julianna holds the tunic to her chest; cloth pools in her lap and slips over her thighs. She nervously looks up into his eyes and takes in a quick, short breath; he is spellbinding. Clean and well dressed, away from the blood and sweat of battle he is the most gorgeous man Julianna has ever seen. Large biceps are wrapped in soft blue cloth and his broad shoulders lead to a strong neck and masculine features. There is a hint of stubble on his face and his dark blonde hair is just a little long, which gives his virile demeanor a bit of a feral quality. His eyes glow slightly – it was no trick of the light when she first saw him in the square – and he towers over her.

“If you excuse me a second, I’ll be ready quickly.” Julianna nods towards the door he entered from.

“I don’t mind – go right ahead.” He turns, grabs a seat and pulls it close to the bed and waits for her expectantly.

Julianna is aware that Tristan’s eyes are on her as she quickly slips the cloth over her head and lets it gather on her lap. She gingerly stands up – she has just realized how sore the rest of her is – and pulls the hem down before sitting back on the bed. Tristan is staring at her, studying her, as if he’s not quite sure what to make of her.

“Where’s my sword?” she finally asks. “Is it alright?”

“YOUR sword, eh? What is your name?”

Julianna sighs – she has no power and will obviously have to play his game before she gets any answers.

“My name is Julianna. Some people just call me Julia.”

“Alright. You know who I am?”

“I believe you’re Tristan.”

“LORD Tristan Roarke,” Nessa pipes up.

“Yes,” Julianna responds through slightly gritted teeth.

“Who are you, Julianna?”

“Excuse me?”

“Who or what are you?” Tristan leans forward on his elbows, stares at her studiously and it makes her uneasy. He’s beautiful, intense and apparently powerful.

“I don’t understand the question.”

Tristan nearly tips the chair over as he pushes it back. “I thought it was pretty clear. I don’t believe you are from here – you’re not a barbarian swordswoman, they are larger and their skin is olive-tinged. You could be from the Barrens… your stature and complexion are almost right, but not quite, and we would have heard of a swordswoman wielding a blade of legend.” He seems to be agitated as he puzzles over her origins. “Therefore, Miss Julianna, who or what are you?”

Rise of the Necromancers
The Void Chronicles Book 2
Holly Blackstone
June 9th, 2014

Pain. Blood. Sex. The Templars have secrets too.

Slightly shaken after Initiation, Julianna resolves to reaffirm her dedication to the cause by throwing herself into her studies. She doesn’t have time to adjust to the physical changes, or the burgeoning attachment she and Tristan now seem to share, before her Legion is called to investigate an attack on the settlement of Hayden’s Gate. Void Disciples are becoming more bold, and the death and destruction at the town are just a taste of things soon to come.

Is it possible the trap laid for the Templars at Hayden’s Gate will ensnare the mighty Tristan, and will Julianna find to her shock that even servants of the Void sometimes deserve mercy?

Note: This 88,000+ word book contains graphic depictions of sex and violence and is not intended for audiences under 18 years of age. Part of a series.

    

 

 

Templars Falter
The Void Chronicles Book 3
Holly Blackstone
July 23rd, 2016

Hayden’s Gate, Lucas, Iris… nothing could have prepared Julianna for the reality of Templar life.

Tristan’s life is threatened and Julianna has to go to an unlikely source for assistance… but can she trust Lucas after all that has happened? And when Iris’ real identity is revealed, Julianna realises it is only a matter of time before the Disciples of the Void put a price on her head.

Julianna’s visions are becoming more vivid and troubling, filled with magic, death and destruction and then there is a revelation she did not expect, and she isn’t sure what to do with this insight. Who can she trust after Tristan’s betrayal?

The necromancers make a bold move to take the Cloisters, an old fortification of the ancient Templars, and it is a bloody battle that pushes Julianna to her limits and changes her forever. Do they even have a hope of defeating the Void dragon Dryx and his followers when it seems so much is aligned against them? What difference can the Templars possibly make when they seem to be battling against the embodiment of evil itself?

Basil and others begin to look to her for help and leadership but she carries a heavy secret with her – one that could not only destroy her peace of mind but her position within the Templars itself.

Note: This 104,000+ word novel is dark and contains depictions of warfare, sex and a few instances of torture, and is not intended for audiences under 18 years of age.

Book three in a series; the books are meant to be read in order.

A World Away
Rise of the Necromancers
The Templars Falter

 

    

 

Holly Blackstone has been writing stories and poetry since she was seven and has always been an avid reader. She enjoys cooking, painting, reading, blogging, music, writing, dancing and gardening, and lives in the Pacific Northwest, just outside of Seattle.
Holly enjoys exploring how her hero and heroine grow when faced with adversity, and believes erotica can not only be sexy and sensual, but contain rich characters and tell a compelling story.
She enjoys interacting with readers and discussing her books and what motivates the people in her stories.

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