BOOK INFORMATION
TITLE – Midnight Dynasty
SERIES – The House of Crimson & Clover
AUTHOR – Sarah M. Cradit
GENRE – Paranormal Southern Gothic
PUBLICATION DATE – August 26th, 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 482 pages
PUBLISHER – Sarah M. Cradit
COVER ARTIST – Sarah M. Cradit
BOOK SYNOPSIS
The Deschanel Curse, dormant for a decade, has returned with a vengeance.
Seers across the family are coming together, hopeful the Deschanel Magi Collective can solve this malediction that has plagued the family for nearly two centuries.
But how do you combat the blood oath of a grieving mother?
As the body count rises, it becomes apparent that strength, love, and ancient power provide no protection from destiny's cruel hand.
BUY & TBR LINKS
EXCERPT
Colleen observed her younger sister’s ranting with an overwhelming urge to let out a long sigh. Histrionics had always been Elizabeth’s specialty, and she was in top form today. “Liz, it has been nearly a decade,” Colleen attempted reasonably, knowing it would do little to quell her sister’s tirade. And truthfully, Colleen was wary herself. In spite of her dramatics, Elizabeth’s visions were often accurate, especially when they came to her in the form of a dream. But it would do no good to indulge her, or Elizabeth would quickly slip into one of her episodes, and she would be lost for days, if not weeks. “That doesn’t concern you?” Elizabeth cried, pacing before Colleen’s marble mantle at The Gardens. “The Curse hasn’t had its fill in almost ten years! It’s hungry!” “Psh,” Colleen replied, but looked away. Ten years. Ten years since their brother, Charles, and most of his family, perished in a bayou car accident. Ten years since Elizabeth’s daughter, Danielle, was struck by a car in front of their home. Ten years since Colleen’s son, Ben, and his young family, died in that horrible house fire. Had Colleen worried the Deschanel Curse would strike again? Of course. That fear floated in the back of all her thoughts. But she also knew dwelling on something you could not change benefitted no one. Secretly, and with some hope, she also wondered if the Curse was beginning to slow, or dilute itself. The potency had dulled over the last hundred and fifty years. Previously, generations were wiped out; the family lived in fear of the entire line dying off. But August Deschanel’s brood had thrived. Seven children, with children and grandchildren of their own. And aside from the horrible cluster of events a decade prior, there’d been no other tragedies to speak of. And now… well, now they had bigger things to worry about. Revelations the Deschanel abilities were not merely coincidence, but instead a product of mingling with another race of beings. Empyreans. She thought daily of her niece, Anasofiya, who was somewhere in Wales, with her Empyrean mate and human husband. Their child would be born any day, the new Deschanel heir. Setting aside her own worries, she knew she must deal with her sister’s current concerns, which would not go away by ignoring them. “Colleen, we are fighting a power we have no weapons against,” Elizabeth pressed, lowering her voice as she stood before her older sister. “There’s not a single ability any of us have that can stop this horror. How are we supposed to live with that?” “We just do,” Colleen said wisely, leaning against the marble hearth. Elizabeth’s outbursts were physically exhausting, as well as emotionally. “As we’ve discussed in the Council, we’ve already taken cautionary steps. We’ve gently encouraged our children to reconsider starting families of their own.” Elizabeth snorted. “Yes, a lot of good that did! Your son Ashley has three kids! Maureen’s offspring are starting on grandbabies now, and Adrienne has two. And now, Anasofiya! We are flaunting our children before Brigitte, begging her to take them from us!” Colleen eyed her levelly. “Some of the children have listened. My Amelia. Your Tristan. Nicolas. Alain. Evangeline’s kids…” “Yes,” Elizabeth agreed, thoughtfully. “Thank God for that. And now, we are flirting with danger, with all this business about Aidrik, and these Empyreans. I still can’t believe you sent my son to consort with one, though I suppose he did come back safely from Wales… but that’s beside the point! We already had enough to contend with, we didn’t need one more thing!” “It wasn’t as though we had much choice. Whether we ignore or address our Empyrean ancestry, it remains a fact. Aidrik’s protection will keep us safe, for now,” Colleen soothed. “As for your visions…” Elizabeth shook her head, staring off vacantly. “Colleen, soon there will be more pain for us. I am going to be ill.” “I wish you would tell me who you saw in your vision. It’s really counterintuitive to barge in here and tell me of a problem, but refuse to give me any details,” Colleen accused. “What would telling you the names do? You can’t save them!” “What is telling me this doing, Liz! Now I know we have more tragedy ahead, and for all I know, it involves one of my own babies.” Elizabeth dropped her head at this, and Colleen’s heart sank. It did. It involved one of her brood. “Tell me, Elizabeth,” she ordered in a low, stern voice. “Tell me now.” But Elizabeth was already lost to herself, crying and gazing off into the corner again. Once she slipped into her episodes, there were no words strong enough to pull her out. Colleen wished she could disregard her sister’s warning as dramatics, but she couldn’t. The visions were the one thing you could not wade through for the truth; they were truth. More Deschanels were going to die to the Curse. At least one of the victims would strike close to Colleen. And there was nothing anyone could do.
AUTHOR PLAYLIST
I keep playlist for each one of my series novels. Here's the playlist Midnight Dynasty
Bad Blood- Bastille
Virgin- Manchester Orchestra
Pet- A Perfect Circle
Severus and Stone- Radical Face
Everlong- Foo Fighters
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song- Fleet Foxes
St. Augustine- Band of Horses
The Chauffeur- Deftones
The Funeral- Band of Horses
Love Love Love- Of Monsters and Men
Born to Die- Lana Del Ray
The Devil's Tears- Angus & Julia Stone
Is There a Ghost- Band of Horses
White Blank Page- Mumford & Sons
A Praise Chorus- Jimmy Eat World
All of my series playlists are on Spotify, and can be found by following me here
AUTHOR BIO
Sarah is the author of the Paranormal Southern Gothic series, The House of Crimson & Clover, born of her combined passion for New Orleans, and the mysterious complexity of human nature. Her work has been described as rich, emotive, and highly dimensional.
An unabashed geek, Sarah enjoys studying obscure subjects like the Plantagenet and Ptolemaic dynasties, and settling debates on provocative Tolkien topics such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, Sarah has visited over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration (though New Orleans is where her heart rests). She's a self-professed expert at crafting original songs to sing to her very patient pets, and a seasoned professional at finding ways to humiliate herself (bonus points if it happens in public). When at home in Oregon, her husband and best friend, James, is very kind about indulging her love of fast German cars and expensive lattes.
AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS
GIVEAWAY PRIZES
5 ecopies of The Storm and the Darkness (Book 1)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
THE ENTIRE HOUSE OF CRIMSON & CLOVER SERIES – AMAZON KINDLE LINKS
Beyond Midnight: Surrender - Beyond Midnight: Asunder (Coming in Oct)
TOUR ORGANIZED BY
Shawn's Review
The three Acts in Midnight Dynasty were released separately before they came together in this glorious book (and look at that cover, will ya?? HOT!) My review of each Act is below:
Malediction:
Seriously, what’s not to love? New Orleans. An age-old Curse. A family with dynamics and gifts that are unparalleled. And writing so solid and so engrossing that you can’t put it down. That’s what Midnight Dynasty is! All of this and more. The House of Crimson & Clover is one of my favorite series, and Midnight Dynasty, even though we’ve only been treated to Act I thus far, has already climbed to the top of my favorites within the series.
As we get to know the family members better and Cradit sorts out details for us, I’m doing some sorting of my own. Jacob and Amelia, or Jamelia as I like to affectionately call them, have solidified their position as a favorite couple of mine, one I’m rooting for. There is a sweetness about their relationship that cannot be denied and a love, I believe, that runs deep. Tristan, well I just love him and his uniqueness. I want to “squish” him with hugs and cook him a big pot of gumbo…he needs some comfort food. The Deschanel Magi Collective…can I please attend one of the meetings Aunt Colleen is going to call? I can’t imagine anything more entertaining than all of those personalities in one room!
And lastly, that ending y’all! Wow! If you like a little reading with your “OMG” “WTH” “What did you just do to me Ms. Author lady” moments, then you’ll love this one!
Midnight Dynasty: Act I is a definite 5-star read that will leave you wanting more! This incredible series just kicked things up a notch, and you don’t want to miss one word!
Convocation:
Just when you think things can’t get much more intense, Cradit starts to pull out some pretty powerful stops. The Midnight Dynasty storyline is an intense one, and Act II proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Curse behind this storyline is alive and well. As for the Deschanels, alive and well aren’t the best descriptors. Everyone is a target. Who will be a victim of the Curse and who will be a victim of themselves?
Act II: Convocation is arguably Cradit’s best work yet. She treats us to a little Historical Fiction in this one, which couldn’t have made me happier. It served to strengthen the story and give us a glimpse of her remarkable talent to write anything! In fact, she has written me a new book boyfriend. Dare I say, my beloved Oz Sullivan now has competition for my heart? Oh yes, he does. And that competition comes in the form of Jacob Donnelly! Goodness, that man is causing me to have less-than-pure thoughts! I am torn at this point…Oz/Jacob/Oz/Jacob…what’s a girl to do?!
I really can't say enough about this book, this story, this series, this author. Midnight Dynasty is shaping up to be one of my all-time favorites books. Bring on Act III!
If you haven’t started the House of Crimson & Clover series, please do so immediately! You will be oh-so-glad you did!
Omega:
She did it! Sarah M. Cradit finished this 3-part book like a champ and secured its place as one of my all-time favorite books! The centuries-old Curse haunting the Deshanels is back in full force and taking no prisoners, but instead destroying family after family and leaving survivors to mourn their loved ones and live in fear. Emotions are high in this one, causing discord within families and leaving some hopeless.
Omega had me sitting on the edge of my seat, at times both wanting to turn the page and not wanting to know what happens next. My increased heart rate was palpable an my anxiety was high. More than once, I had that dreaded tear in my eye and lump in my throat as I shouted a silent “NOOOOO!!!” Cradit has the unparalleled ability to make me feel connected to her characters. The result of that connection was scene after scene that were difficult to read. Yes, this book is heavy. It’s filled with a plethora of emotions that are visceral and raw. I loved every single, solitary word of it. I didn’t want it to end. Oh, but what an ending it was. It wraps up nicely, yes, but it is hardly an ending to this story. We know that there is much, much more to come from our Deschanels and Sullivans (and Donnelly’s, yes I love Jacob now). Our struggle now is waiting for the next installment of the House of Crimson & Clover series. Oh, the struggle is real. Please hurry, Sarah!
Malediction:
Seriously, what’s not to love? New Orleans. An age-old Curse. A family with dynamics and gifts that are unparalleled. And writing so solid and so engrossing that you can’t put it down. That’s what Midnight Dynasty is! All of this and more. The House of Crimson & Clover is one of my favorite series, and Midnight Dynasty, even though we’ve only been treated to Act I thus far, has already climbed to the top of my favorites within the series.
As we get to know the family members better and Cradit sorts out details for us, I’m doing some sorting of my own. Jacob and Amelia, or Jamelia as I like to affectionately call them, have solidified their position as a favorite couple of mine, one I’m rooting for. There is a sweetness about their relationship that cannot be denied and a love, I believe, that runs deep. Tristan, well I just love him and his uniqueness. I want to “squish” him with hugs and cook him a big pot of gumbo…he needs some comfort food. The Deschanel Magi Collective…can I please attend one of the meetings Aunt Colleen is going to call? I can’t imagine anything more entertaining than all of those personalities in one room!
And lastly, that ending y’all! Wow! If you like a little reading with your “OMG” “WTH” “What did you just do to me Ms. Author lady” moments, then you’ll love this one!
Midnight Dynasty: Act I is a definite 5-star read that will leave you wanting more! This incredible series just kicked things up a notch, and you don’t want to miss one word!
Convocation:
Just when you think things can’t get much more intense, Cradit starts to pull out some pretty powerful stops. The Midnight Dynasty storyline is an intense one, and Act II proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Curse behind this storyline is alive and well. As for the Deschanels, alive and well aren’t the best descriptors. Everyone is a target. Who will be a victim of the Curse and who will be a victim of themselves?
Act II: Convocation is arguably Cradit’s best work yet. She treats us to a little Historical Fiction in this one, which couldn’t have made me happier. It served to strengthen the story and give us a glimpse of her remarkable talent to write anything! In fact, she has written me a new book boyfriend. Dare I say, my beloved Oz Sullivan now has competition for my heart? Oh yes, he does. And that competition comes in the form of Jacob Donnelly! Goodness, that man is causing me to have less-than-pure thoughts! I am torn at this point…Oz/Jacob/Oz/Jacob…what’s a girl to do?!
I really can't say enough about this book, this story, this series, this author. Midnight Dynasty is shaping up to be one of my all-time favorites books. Bring on Act III!
If you haven’t started the House of Crimson & Clover series, please do so immediately! You will be oh-so-glad you did!
Omega:
She did it! Sarah M. Cradit finished this 3-part book like a champ and secured its place as one of my all-time favorite books! The centuries-old Curse haunting the Deshanels is back in full force and taking no prisoners, but instead destroying family after family and leaving survivors to mourn their loved ones and live in fear. Emotions are high in this one, causing discord within families and leaving some hopeless.
Omega had me sitting on the edge of my seat, at times both wanting to turn the page and not wanting to know what happens next. My increased heart rate was palpable an my anxiety was high. More than once, I had that dreaded tear in my eye and lump in my throat as I shouted a silent “NOOOOO!!!” Cradit has the unparalleled ability to make me feel connected to her characters. The result of that connection was scene after scene that were difficult to read. Yes, this book is heavy. It’s filled with a plethora of emotions that are visceral and raw. I loved every single, solitary word of it. I didn’t want it to end. Oh, but what an ending it was. It wraps up nicely, yes, but it is hardly an ending to this story. We know that there is much, much more to come from our Deschanels and Sullivans (and Donnelly’s, yes I love Jacob now). Our struggle now is waiting for the next installment of the House of Crimson & Clover series. Oh, the struggle is real. Please hurry, Sarah!
Thanks for the awesome review and for participating in the Tour. Victoria at My Family's Heart.
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