Sweep of the Blade Series: The Innkeeper Chronicles #4 on July 19, 2019
Pages: 314
Format: eBook
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Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers—a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors—so she knows that a simple life isn't in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud—completely abandoned by his family—has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she's sworn off all things vampire.
Except... In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman—a human, with a very questionable past—who's turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won't get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there's a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.Â
I originally read this as a free serial on Ilona Andrews’ website. I loved it and I waited every week for a new installment. Oh my goodness, did I love it!
It’s out now and I bought it this week and cleared my schedule. I figured since I’d read it already that it would be a quick read. I was wrong. I devoured each word. I was so intrigued to see what (if anything) would change from the first draft to the final book.
Some things were clarified and some things were added in. It definitely made the book better.
This book is in the Innkeeper series, but instead of Dina, the main lead, this book focuses on Maud, her sister. And if you remember, Lord Arland, one of the vampires, proposed to her at the end of the last book. Maud said no, then maybe. She was married to a vampire before. She left earth for him, became the perfect wife, one who no one could find fault with…except that she was human. But her husband double crossed his brother and they were exiled to a desert planet with their baby daughter, Helen.
Her husband double crossed the wrong guy one too many times and wound up dead for his efforts. Maud went from the perfect, lady-like wife who recited ancient vampiric sagas, to the perfect assassin who protected her daughter at all costs overnight. She hunted down all involved and killed them. Her sister Dina and her boyfriend Sean, and Lord Arland rescued Maud and Helen. Arland was knocked on his ass when he saw her.
When Arland is called back to his home planet, Maud and Helen go with him. But it won’t be easy, it won’t be simple. It’ll be the hardest thing Maud does, facing vampire high society, and his family, once more. This time, she doesn’t have the protection and status of being a wife. She isn’t even a fiancee.
But all that will have to wait because something is going on, and Maud is able to catch the beginnings of a plot. She and Arland have to navigate his family, a wedding between two different clans being held on his lands, and their own relationship.
I loved this book.
***I bought this book
