Dark Secrets by Shona Husk

Six years ago, Haidyn Mast left his home and his betrothed Anisa to follow his magical calling. Too weak to join the Arcane Guild and too ashamed to return home, he has made a life as a prostitute — to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean. Even the Lawman, the arbiter of justice in Reseda, is one of his clients, but Haidyn would rather not know the extent of that man's depravity.

Though successful, Haidyn is shunned as a whore and his lack of formal training is causing his power to grow out of control. He's ready to retire and leave the city, but when he sees his Anisa standing at Lawman's side, he knows he must rescue her from the abusive enforcer. Risking his life and his sanity, he devises a plan, knowing that failure will mean death for him, and a lifetime of torment for her ...

Release Date 18th February 2013

Haidyn knows the Lawman's depravity so he's horrified to find out his new wife is Haidyn's first (and only) love, Anisa. He can't keep away from her but his insistence on talking to her costs him and his lust house employees freedom at the hands of the Lawman. Haidyn vows to have revenge on the Lawman and free Anisa from his vile hands, but will Anisa agree?

I enjoyed Dark Vow so I was pleased to see a sequel. I can't seem to find a name for the series so I don't know if they're all going to be centred around the Arcane or not. I like the world that Husk has created and, although Arcane seems to be the most exciting trade, I'd quite like to see stories about some of the other unions. That aside, I did enjoy Dark Secrets perhaps a little more than Dark Vow, I can only hope that further books hold true to this.


Amazon UK: Dark Secrets

Dark Vow by Shona Husk

Jaines Cord plans to kill the man who murdered her husband, even though killing a Bounty Hunter is said to be impossible. One bullet took away her livelihood, her home and her love. One bullet made by her. Fired from the gun she completed for the Arcane Bounty Hunter.

Obsidian wears the scars of disobeying the powerful Arcane Union. He barely escaped with his life and now lives quietly, in a town the lawmen forgot. When Jaines arrives asking too many questions, he's faced with a decision. Help her or run...again. Obsidian knows that if he flees he'll always be looking over his shoulder. His name is one of the first on the Bounty Hunter's death list.

Yet when Obsidian is offered an opportunity to stop the stone taking over his body in exchange for retrieving the gun, he asks Jaines for her help. Now Jaines must choose: a dead man's vengeance or a living man's hope?

Release Date 14th November 2011

Set in a world with 10 lords, each job/calling vowing to a different one. The magic users vow to the Arcane Lord, the gunsmiths/blacksmith etc. vow to the Smith lord, and there's also the Farmer, Miner, Carpenter, Stonemason, Weaver, Brewer, Hunter and Warrior. But women aren't allowed to get papers for a profession so Jaines was never allowed to be a qualified Smith so when her husband is killed she doesn't have a lot of options. Her rage makes her vow vengeance against the Bounty Hunter that killed her husband.

Jaines is strong and independent, even in what seems to be a seemingly western-aged time. And she and Obsidian are a perfect fit for each other.

I loved the writing and story in this book. This is also another new author to me, and I find a lot of the Carina Press books I'm reading are introducing some great authors to me.


Amazon UK: Dark Vow