Thanks so much to AToMR for organizing this exciting tour!
I first discovered Nancy Straight when I won signed print copies of her first three books in The Touched Series from her tour in May. Check out her brand new blog HERE.
Since then I’ve also gotten into her Destiny Series, but that’s for another time.
I had to be a part of this. I adored these books and read them in three days. I went from one to the next until my hands came up empty.
But soon enough, I’ll be getting my hands on Centaur Redemption, the fourth book in this series.
Until then, please enjoy my reviews. I tried not to put in spoilers.
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway. Nancy is giving away 5 signed print sets of these three books!
What a great early Christmas present!
Good Luck.
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Title: Touched Series: Blood Debt, Centaur Legacy and Centaur Rivalry
Author: Nancy Straight
Release date: July 13, 2012, Nov 23, 2012, and Apr 28, 2013
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Links to find/buy your book:
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo
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Blood Debt
Book Description:
Her whole life, it had just been the two of them. Before her mother’s last breath, she gave Camille the information she had craved her entire life: the identity of her father. Daring to contact him, Camille was welcomed by an entire family she never knew existed. But nothing comes without a price, as she discovers when her family claims a legendary heritage tracing back to a Centaur touched by Zeus.
As she learns the secrets of her Centaur bloodline, she is drawn into a forbidden love with Drake. Her family acknowledges her life may be the blood debt required to pay for her mother’s transgressions. The same person who once held her mother captive, and forced her into decades of hiding, now controls Camille. Her only chance is to seek a piece of her mother’s past that will win her freedom and the life she desperately desires.
My Review
After Camille’s mother dies she learns who her father is and when she contacts him, she is welcomed into his family. She now has a step-mother and several half-brothers.
She also discovers some startling things about who and what she is. Her world is something straight out of myth. Her bloodline traces all the way back to a Centaur graced, or cursed, by Zeus.
Where to begin.
Once Camille goes to live with her new family, she finds it’s a lot more complicated than the normal world.
Centaurs have rigid customs, needed to keep the blood lines strong and pure. There are way more males than females and Camille is born of a very strong bloodline.
A blood debt is owed for something her mother did, and a vengeful centaur wants Camille to pay the debt.
And Camille’s wicked grandmother would like nothing more than to sweep her away and control her.
Camille is not a wall flower. She’s self-confident, straight forward, and strong-willed. It was fun to read how she blundered with the centaur code of living. And, of course, the author didn’t make it easy for her, with Camille literally bumping into a centaur already promised to another.
With so few female centaurs I could see why they had such rigid rules, but they weren’t prepared for Camille. She’s worldly and, while willing to learn their rules, she’s not always going to abide by them. She really stirs things up and maybe the stodgy mandates need to be changed.
It was also interesting how the author approached centaurs. They weren’t actually part horse, part man. They were likened to such a creature because of their powers and their speed.
Aah, the forbidden love rears its ugly head too. Of course, Camille sees it all as nonsense, but the male centaurs take it very seriously. There can be dire consequences for the men if they break a promise to another female or if they are not chosen by one.
As Camille navigates the centaur way of life, she’s also dealing with a blood debt that could cost her her life and a grandmother with her own agenda. She’ll have to be quick on her feet and stay sharp as she learns her true past and what it could mean for her and her new family.
With so much going on, you’d think it would be confusing. But, I dove into the centaur way of life right beside Camille. Her brothers are yummy and each is so different. But they’d all stand in the line of fire to protect her. Funny thing is all their names start with a B. I was confused at first, just like Camille.
Her father, I’m still not too sure about. He has ulterior motives I’m not so okay with, but her step mother is great, loving and graceful and welcoming Camille into the family with open arms.
The ending is a cliffhanger, of course, as this is a series. But I don’t mind. Learning about the centaur world is a great beginning and all of the key characters are now firmly in my mind, each voice speaks to me, and I’m now very curious to see where the author takes them next.
5 Stars
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Centaur Legacy
Book Description:
Camille and Drake are on the run from the head of the Centaur Council, seeking the mythical pasture of Thessaly and a family heirloom that may keep them safe. As their journey progresses from the rolling hills of Ireland to the snow covered forests of South Dakota, Cami learns more about her mother’s secrets, including a twin brother and a Centaur legacy that puts a death warrant on her entire family.
Camille and Drake don’t know who to trust or where to hide. Camille’s family is quick to come to her aid, but who among them can be trusted?
A supernatural benefactor forces Drake to choose between being the man he wants to be and the Centaur warrior Camille needs him to be.
My Review
**This is book two in the series. I’ll do my best not to put in spoilers.**
Drake and Camille are now on the run from the Centaur Council. Secrets are uncovered that threaten so many lives.
With the help of Camille’s family, they travel to Ireland to seek the mysterious pasture of Thessaly and an object that will protect them, then on to South Dakota and a twin brother Camille never knew she had.
My head was spinning as I read this second book. Not because I couldn’t keep it all straight, but because of how much was happening. This is exciting from the get go and really never slows down.
I learned more about how and where centaurs came to be and it was fascinating. Nancy Straight got very creative with her mythical centaurs and shocking events occurred that I didn’t see coming.
Old blood feuds arise, centaur is against centaur, and trust is hard to come by. Camille’s grandmother is up to her old tricks, her entire bloodline is now in danger, and something happens to Drake that forces him to make a difficult choice.
As the second book in this series, I was worried it wouldn’t give me what I wanted. But I didn’t leave it disappointed. I finished reading and turned me eyes to the third book, having to read more, needing new answers, and seeking more surprises.
5 Stars
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Centaur Rivalry
Book Description:
The Centaur world is rocked as news spreads of the Lost Herd, Camille’s existence, and her Centaur protector. A death order against Camille’s father and family sends all into hiding.
Camille and Drake leave the country pursued by the Lost Herd as well as by Centaur Council enforcers. Camille’s twin brother Cameron is manipulated by the Council Head and is quickly becoming her newest enemy.
Amid unexpected new protectors, enemies, and romances, Camille and Drake make their plans to travel to Africa to confront the Centaur Council. They hope acceptance of Camille as Chiron’s heir, yet knowing that her link to the Lost Herd could require them to kill or to be killed.
My Review
**This is the third book in this series. I’ll do my best not to include spoilers.**
Now that the Centaur Council knows about Camille and the Lost Herd and discovers Drake’s secret, her entire family is sentenced to death and forced into hiding.
Many new characters enter the story, both good and bad, as Camille and Drake insist on facing the Council in Africa. They can only hope to change the Council’s ruling but centaur may have to kill centaur.
Some really great events happen in this third book. Some I was hoping for and some surprised me. I also met some new characters that I would like to know better. One in particular. She made a lasting impression.
Camille’s brother is brain washed by their meddling grandmother and could now become her enemy and the Council is all in an uproar about the existence of the Lost Herd, thought long destroyed, and Camille’s place in that bloodline.
No one is safe as family turns on family and spies are everywhere.
The best part about this series is the characters. I’m a fan of character driven novels and I met so many here. A few really stand out to me, whether good or bad, and even the secondary characters stayed with me. That says a lot about Nancy’s writing. She gave me such diverse personalities to engage with, each with their own voice.
Camille really steps up her game. The warrior in her comes out. She’s had enough of the running and bloodshed, and she’s bringing it to the Council. Tougher times are ahead and I can’t wait to read what’s coming!
5 Stars
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Enjoy the cover reveal of the next book in this awesome series!
Nancy hopes to have Centaur Redemption ready by the end of the year.
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GIVEAWAY
5 Paperback Sets of the Touched Series (INT)
Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.
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About the Author
I LOVE Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together). I have a lead foot so I set cruise control when I drive, even in 25 MPH zones. I almost never win when I play Angry Birds, but have my 9 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for me. I grew up on a farm and am opposed to eating fresh chicken (not opposed to meat – just opposed to any meat that was alive a few hours before lunch). I am a huge fan of the show, Big Bang Theory, on CBS. I have two fantastic sons, three rotten dogs and a husband that I adore.
Author Social Media Links:
Twitter ~ Facebook Author Page ` Pinterest ~ Goodreads Profile ~ Website
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To see other fun stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here or the tour button below.
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To see all of my giveaways click on the centaur below.
