Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting best-selling author Karen Hulene Bartell’s latest release Fox Tale, book one in the Sacred Emblems series, a paranormal romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Fox Tale
Series: Sacred Emblems, book one
Author: Karen Hulene Bartell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 310 pages
Release Date: April 8, 2024
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

Goodreads | Amazon

The kitten crawled on the pillow, purring in my ear as he kneaded my neck and shoulders with his silky paws.

“That actually feels good.” I chuckled at the irony, then exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. I found myself sitting on a shaded, grassy slope. A gentle breeze fluttered against my cheek.

No, not a breeze, Chase.

He caressed my cheek as he swept my hair behind my ear and whispered sweet nothings. His breath tickling, he nuzzled my neck.

Goosebumps slid down my spine.

Then he massaged my back. Ever so gradually, his fingers slid over my nipples, circling and gently pinching my areolas to erection. Then he lifted off my shirt while he tongued and suckled at my breast.

As latent yearnings awakened, I arched my back, enjoying the waves of sensation. With a shudder, I moaned, pulling him toward me in a deep kiss.

His growing erection pressing against my groin, his hands cupped my bottom as he rolled me on top.

Bbbrrringg, bbbrrringg, bbbrrringg.

As the alarm jolted me awake, the heat rose to my cheeks, and I scanned the surroundings to get my bearings. Mortified, I cringed beneath the sheets. What have I done? Then relieved to see only the kitten for a bed partner, I gave a nervous laugh. It was a dream–just a dream.

The kitten uncurled from between my legs, purring.

Embarrassed by the sensations it elicited, I scrambled to my feet. Did the kitten trigger those dreams?

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The blurb snagged me.  I always enjoy novels rich in history or culture, and this one takes place in Japan.  I swear the author’s been there because everything about this country came alive while I read.

I enjoyed the heroine Ava.  She’s come a long way from her university days when she met and fell in love with Rafe, who broke her heart by marrying another woman.  Now living in NYC, and working for a tourist magazine, she’s on assignment, staying with her former university roommate while in Japan.

Then there is Chase, a mysterious man, who encounters Ava while she’s travelling up a mountain.  His knowledge of Japanese culture intrigues her, and she allows him to become her travelling companion and guide since he will help assist her with writing her two travel articles.

Next up is Rafe, also living in Japan, having fled there to escape the tragedy of the past (I won’t say what it is since I don’t want to spoil this for others).  He is a changed man, no longer the irresponsible playboy who Ava encountered in university.

Ava had a wonderful character arc.  Her curiosity gets the better of her since she’s a true reporter.  She always wants to uncover the truth.  And her sleuthing nose is sniffing hard at Chase, wondering about the mystery to him.  I also enjoyed how she’s drawn to Rafe, but hesitant to give him another chance, but wants to uncover more of Japan’s mystery with him for her article.  The author did a great job of bringing Ava together with these two men.

The author also did a bang-up job of blending Japanese culture with romance and mystery, because there is a mystery element to the novel that I adored.  Everything about Japanese folklore ties in with Ava’s budding romances with Chase and Rafe.  The author did a great job of connecting the dots, feeding me wonderful research that blended seamlessly with the story.  I felt like I was in Japan, travelling through the various cities and neighbourhoods with the characters.

The only quibble is Rafe having a POV near the end.  It sort of knocked me out of the story for a moment because up until then the POV character had been Ava.  I think the author could have conveyed what she needed to convey through Ava’s POV instead of deciding to bring Rafe into the picture in this manner.

Still, with that quibble aside, the author did a great job of tying up everything neatly.  And the ending was more than appropriate for the story.  It’s more than romance, but also a mystery with suspense.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

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Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings.

Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Follow Karen: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | MeWe | Linked In | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon

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