Title: The Lady and the Assassin

Heat Level: 3/5

Genre/subgenre: Fantasy Romance

Target audience (age group, reader type): Adult

Word count or page count: 82968/332

Release date: Nov-23

Publisher: Sevannah Storm

Series info: Standalone

 

Short blurb:

Vona disguises herself as a lad to save her beloved town. What she didn't count on was the handsome sheriff and his willingness to help her and the lad she's pretending to be. But she's bitten off more than she can chew, her magic's tested, and the biggest secret reveals she's not what she thought. 

 

One-line hooks or taglines:

Magic, masks, and moonlight—one kiss could burn it all down.
Disguised as a boy. Hunted by a lord. Falling for the wrong man.

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Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bPdqQR

 

Excerpts:

His breath caught. His eyes narrowed. Into this, his heartbeat thundered in his ears. She was beautiful. A nymph bathing, her pale skin illuminated by the moonlight. Blue glowed where she touched the water, screaming her magic-gift. She twirled, peering into the shadows, and blessing him with a full view of her body.

Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she tilted her head back on a sigh. Her mouth, his weakness, parted. Rising, he leaned over her, descending slowly, savoring each moment, until he brushed his lips across hers.

Heat swept through him, tingling across his skin. He growled then crushed her to him, needing more, aching for her touch. This moment, now, here, would forever remain a cherished memory, but he couldn’t rob her of her innocence, not when she would gasp another man's name.

He drank in the sight of her when admiring her was all he’d allow. He couldn’t court her, could never have her, never taste her lips as he longed to do, never gather her close, wipe away her tears, or share in her laughter.

Her scent hit him, enflaming his senses, and shaking his control. Closing his eyes to inhale again, he groaned. He unarmored his fingers and gripped her arms, marveling at the softness of her skin. Her tiny scars beneath his touch whispered of her skills as a warrior who’d survived many battles.

She buried her fingers in his mane, and his senses exploded, merging into a ball of intense need. When she tightened her arms, it shot fiery darts along his veins, dragging a growl from him. She was his, and he would have her many times to appease this craving.

She moaned, arching her back. Grabbing her ass, he hoisted her against him and strode to the bed. With one knee at a time, he crawled onto it, sprawling her beneath him. She reacted so foqing beautifully to his every touch.

Five percent oxygen remained. Replace canister now. “Sure. Let me take the spare one out of my pocket. Oh, wait, it’s in my other pants.” Drawing in a calming breath, she tried one more time. “Mayday, mayday, woman adrift, taking the scenic route around…fargen space.”

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Reader reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lady
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
I love the characters and I love the mystery that surrounded Vona. I want more books to be written featuring Warric and Vona because with Vona discovering her gifts, there are many more adventures she needs to be involved in. Can Yrsa and Juluan get their own story too? I would love a story with an older FMC.

4.0 out of 5 stars Supernatural heat! 🌶
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
This was fairly spicy for a paranormal romance.

Well-written, quick read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally unexpected magically enhanced retelling of Robin Hood!
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2024
I was not expecting this to be a retelling of Robin Hood, one of my very favorite tales. Not only is this a Robin Hood story, but “Robbin” is female pretending to be a boy and everyone has magic in this version. Of course, we have the prerequisite bad guys and the betrayals and the addition of so many twists and turns that I was not expecting but thoroughly enjoyed reading. Then, just when I thought the story was just about over, nope, another unexpected twist. Honestly, I cannot recommend this story highly enough and I love forward to reading more by Sevannah Storm.

5.0 out of 5 stars a bit of trouble and mystery
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting as I could not put it down. It took the basics of the robin hood story and added in fantasy, magic and a bit of a mystery to it. I really enjoyed the characters and trying to guess what Vona might do next. Some romance, action, magic and a lot of scenes that made me giggle too. Not very spicy yet enjoyed watching these two fall for each other. Just a blast to read. Enjoyed the world built here too. Happy to get a copy and I honestly enjoyed it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Can the Lady tame the Assassin?
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
When an assassin disguised as a sheriff meets a lady of nobility disguised as a young man, an entertaining tale of intrigue and misunderstandings unfolds. Warric masquerades as a sheriff at the behest of Baron Gregory to keep tabs on his treacherous brother, Emil. Lady Ruvona (Vona) seizes an opportunity for adventure to escape her overprotective mother by searching for her missing father. A stray kitten becomes an unlikely matchmaker bringing Warric and Vona together. They eventually form an alliance against Emil, although both secretly hope the alliance evolves into a romantic one. Add some magic and an endearing, scene stealing orc to the mix! The author has crafted a well-developed, fast-paced, and enjoyable story.
One person found this helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Story!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
I totally enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put down once I started. This is a problem I am okay with!! The story was jam packed with subterfuge, fast paced action, magic and a pair of characters trying not to fall in love. This was an all around fantastic story and I hope there will be more to follow in the future, as I really loved being in this world.

 

Discussion or book club questions:

Lady Ruvona disguises herself as a boy to survive and fight back. How does the act of hiding her identity shape her personal growth—and how does it affect her relationship with Warric?

Warric begins as a man on a mission. How does meeting Ruvona challenge his goals, his sense of duty, and his own moral compass?
You’re going undercover like Ruvona. What name do you choose, what disguise do you wear, and what secret weapon’s hidden under your cloak?

Ruvona meets Warric while bathing in a moonlit river. What’s your ideal “oops, he saw me” fantasy-meet-cute moment? River? Library? Swordfight?

If Warric had a dating profile, what would it say? ("Likes: swords, shadows, dramatic entrances. Dislikes: tyrants, feelings.")

Lord Emil’s ancient amulet gives him power. What ancient object would you wield—and what magical ability would it grant you?

Who’s more dangerous in a tavern brawl: Robbin or Warric? Defend your choice with flair.

If you could cast one spell to solve a problem in your daily life, what would it be—and would you use it for good… or mischief?

Warric and Ruvona try not to fall in love. Let’s be honest—at what moment were you sold on their romance?

The manor’s secrets. The dying land. The masks they wear. What title would you give this story if you had to rename it like a dramatic epic?

Pick your fantasy partner for a rebellion: Ruvona with her hidden magic or Warric with his assassin instincts? (Bonus: what snack do they bring?)

How long would you have kept your identity secret from a tall, brooding assassin who keeps catching you staring?

The land is dying under Lord Emil’s rule. How is this magical decay symbolic of the political and emotional rot within the town—and within Ruvona herself?

Do you think Warric suspects Robbin’s true identity too early, too late, or at just the right time? How does this knowledge shift their dynamic?

Ruvona is raised in privilege, yet she quickly empathizes with the suffering townsfolk. What moments reveal her transformation from sheltered noble to fierce protector?

The story explores themes of masks and hidden truths. Which characters wear the most convincing metaphorical masks—and which ones are most transparent?

How does the romance between Ruvona and Warric enhance—or complicate—the stakes of the larger mission to stop Emil?

What role does magic play in the story beyond spells and powers? Is it a symbol of freedom, corruption, legacy… or something else?

Lord Emil is more than just a tyrant—he holds power through an ancient amulet. How do you interpret his obsession with control, and what might it say about the dangers of inherited power?

At its heart, this is a story about reclaiming one’s agency. What does that look like for Ruvona? For Warric? Did either character have to lose something in order to become free?

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Relevant tropes or keywords:

Sword & Sorcery
Grumpy assassin
Damsel in distress. Not.
Alpha hero
Road trip