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Sunday, November 13, 2016

Book Review: Knight of Pentacles (Knights of the Tarot, #3) by Nina Mason



by Nina Mason
June 13th 2016
230 pages
The future looks bleak for Jenna Cameron when, after a five-year engagement, her fiancé breaks it off the night before the wedding. Hoping to regroup, Jenna decides to drive alone to the cottage on Scotland’s mysterious Black Isle where they were supposed to spend their honeymoon. When her car breaks down, Jenna wonders if her troubles can get any worse. Then, while cutting through a secluded glen, she sees a handsome man bathing in a waterfall. The next day, she learns the man she saw is the faery knight who guards the portal into Avalon, the otherworld island ruled by Morgan Le Fay.

Jenna, ready to be rid of the virginity she’s saved in vain, offers herself to Sir Axel Lochlann, the shaman knight of Faery Glen. From that moment on, she finds herself inside a faery tale complete with druids, goblins, runic magic, and vampire owls. She also discovers powers she didn’t know she had—powers she can use to break Sir Axel’s bonds to Queen Morgan.

First, however, she must persuade Axel to put his desire to be free ahead of his duty to the queen he’s sworn to serve and obey.

Earlier this year Lyrical Press, the former publisher of Knights of Avalon, dropped the series. In reaction, Nina Mason re-released the series under a new name, Knights of the Tarot. The first two books received a facelift and subsequent re-release, and the third book Knight of Pentacles was released in August. Regardless of the name, I adore this series and am wholly pleased to have sorted through the confusion to find this installment.

Knight of Pentacles is the story of Knight Axle Lochlann, a bearded Viking descendant turned faery gatekeeper of the portal to Avalon situated in Faery Glen. Partaking alone in an ill-fated honeymoon, Jenna Cameron, the withdrawn daughter of a witch, spies Axle bathing in the moonlight and it's love at first sight. Axle’s adoration helps transform Jenna from timid church mouse to formidable shieldmaiden.

Nina Mason’s writing is touted as “intelligent erotic romance” and I wholeheartedly agree. While the romance between Jenna and Axel develops very quickly and without tension, Mason manages to create an entirely gripping story thereafter full of action and suspense. The finely crafted interlacing of history and mythology helps ground and substantiate the storyline so it doesn’t drown in its own charm and whimsy.

This series is an exquisitely lovely modern faerytale and definitely one of my favourites. I greatly anticipate the fourth installment Knight of the Swords as the overarching storyline careens toward an explosive confrontation with Unseelie Faery Queen Morgan LeFay.


check out the 5 sheep reviews:
Review: Starry Knight (The Knights of Avalon, #1)
Renamed: Knight of Wands (Knights of the Tarot Book 1)


Renamed: Knight of Cups (Knights of the Tarot Book 2)
Five I’m-a-sucker-for-beards Sheep





Bianca Greenwood

About the author:
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. When not writing, Nina works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert.

In addition to Dark and Stormy Knight, she is the author of the following books: Starry Knight (Knights of Avalon #1), Devil in Duke's Clothing (Royal Pains #1), The Duke's Bedeviled Bride (Royal Pains #2), The Devil's Masquerade (Royal Pains #3), The Queen of Swords, and The Tin Man.

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1 comment:

  1. Another gripping story in the Knights of tarot saga. Amazing strong characters. Brilliant powerful story. Thoroughly enjoyed the saga and I cannot wait to see what happens next. The scene has been set for bigger things to come and I cannot wait. Hurry up please.

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