Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
How to Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn Sparks Series: The Embraced #4
Published by Kensington Books on March 1, 2020
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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FLAME AND FORTUNE
Sorcha knew the mission was dangerous. Leaving the safe grounds of her brother’s kingdom and parlaying with the elves across their border . . . well, treachery seemed at least as likely as true peace. But to support her sister, Sorcha would brave far more than the underhanded ways of the elves. Or so she thought, before she was taken hostage.
Of course, her captors didn’t count on her particular abilities—or on the help of the Woodsman, the mysterious thief who made his home in the forest. He saw the battle from the trees, saw the soldier attacking against incredible odds to save a comrade—and then saw the valiant fighter revealed as Princess Sorcha of Norveshka. He can’t tell if he wants to kidnap her or kiss her. But despite Sorcha’s stubbornness, his inconvenient honor, and a rebellion on the cusp of full war, something burns between them that neither can let go . . .
I love the people, the sisters of the Embraced series . The series had a delay and a new series name, Embraced by Magic with a change in publisher. I felt a little bit lost, at first, with the time lag. While the male and the kingdom are new, each book focuses on one new couple, so it wasn’t hard to read. The sisters are always part of the story and it’s great to get updates on what is happening with them.
How to Love Your Elf is about the elves. There are actually two factions of elves: the river elves and the wood elves. I enjoyed learning about them. The King is Gwennore’s grandfather. They’ve been at war with the dragons for a long time. Gwennore almost met her mother but it didn’t work out. View Spoiler »
The couple here is Sorcha, whose brother, Silas, is the King of Dragons and Gwennore’s husband. She’s smart and strong but inexperienced and rather silly about relationships. The Woodsman is a mystery, with no name but a legend with his comrades. He is an elf of integrity and rather a Robin Hood sort. I found the romance and sex scenes to not be very realistic, but it is fiction.
So far all the sisters have turned out to have royal connections and have ended up married to kings. The mysteries of the series ties in with the hidden stories of the sisters’ pasts and the five kingdoms. We did see the continuing villainery of the Chameleon but the Circle of Five took some hits! There are still many concerns with them, though.
I have really enjoyed this series! They are fun and interesting as we learn about each kingdom and the mystery of the sister who turns out to be from the kingdom. The books all follow this similar pattern. The feel is fantasy with romance, mystery, and suspense. I love the bits of humor! There is one more book for the final unmarried sister, Maeve, A Siren and the Deep Blue Sea, planned for this August. I can’t wait to know about all the kingdoms and mysteries!
About Kerrelyn Sparks
Kerrelyn Sparks’ first paranormal romance, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, zoomed out of the bat cave so fast it became Borders bestselling debut romance of 2005. Each book in the Love at Stake series has become a USAToday bestseller. When the fourth book, The Undead Next Door, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, even the Undead sat up and took notice, which made Kerrelyn a bit nervous. She lives in the Greater Houston area with her husband, children, and a house full of garlic. So far, there are no vampires in her family. Werewolves are another matter entirely.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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- COYER Friends
With a change in the series name and publisher, it’s always a risk that the stories will change, too, and not in a good way. Glad this continues to be a wonderful reading experience, Anne?
Apparently some people didn’t like it (but possibly hadn’t read the first 3) and in UF reading them in order is important This is more like fantasy romance actually and while there are battles and people who die, it is lighter and has some great humor. I really like the series.
i couldn’t help but chuckle at the title. i love a bit of humor too
It’s a good series. There are 5 kingdoms and they have different cultures and skills. The last one was about the dragons. I would read them in order.
It sounds like a fun fairytale like world and I love that there is mystery as well as romance.
I really like it and the fact it is not so dark. I like that too but I like a variety.
Great review. I am so happy to see that you enjoyed this one as well and I agree completely. This fantasy world this author has created is fantastic and I am happy she kept up with it despite the change with the publisher …very excited for the conclusion as well
Thank you. I enjoyed your review very much.
This sounds like a fun series. I’m glad you enjoyed it, even with the changes.
I think the author did well with just continuing on the same. It was always going to be 5 books with the 5 sisters and 5 kingdoms.
I like a series that focuses on different couples with each book. This sounds like fun.
It is fun. While each story is a different couple, there is an overall story with the mystery and the kingdoms political battles.