Blog Tour: Raven by Stacey Rourke

Raven by Stacey Rourke

The Legends Saga #2

Purchase It Here: 

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/RavenBN

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/RavenSW

Amazon: http://bit.ly/RavenAm

An infamous love, destined nevermore,
For death could not claim, the enchanting Lenore.

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,

searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping. Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned.

My Review: Raven is the second book of the The Legends Saga and starts almost immediately where book one, Crane, ends. Ireland Crane is joined by Rip Van Winkle and her boyfriend Noah Van Tassel on her journey to search for the person behind the tattooed talisman on her arm. 

While searching for the one behind the tattoo, mysterious happenings are afoot and Ireland, Noah, and Rip get brought into Edgar Allen Poe's world with the help of Ridley Peolte who is cursed with Edgar Allen's 'ailment'. 

To figure out how to save Ireland before the inhuman beast that lies within her, consumes her entirely, Ireland along with Rip, Noah, and Ridley must right a wrong that was done over a century ago.

First off, I loved Raven. The characters, the setting, and the plot all blend to make an entirely wonderful book. A continuation from where Crane left off (another marvelous work by Stacey Rourke), Raven introduces new characters, a new mystery, and one of the most famous literary geniuses of his time, Edgar Allen Poe. 

As a girl who loves the works of Poe and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, when I first read the descriptions of both Crane and Raven, I knew this series was right up my alley and that it was. I am amazed by how Rourke brought the characters of Ichabod Crane, Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving, and Edgar Allen Poe to life. The descriptions of each character and setting make the reader feel as if they are a part of that time period and the book itself. You feel as if you know each character - whether from this era or another. 

Ireland Crane, the main character from the present era, is intelligent, humorous, and likable. She's also dangerous, carrying the Horseman inside of her. With weapons and a stallion at her call, Ireland is pretty bad ass. Noah, her boyfriend, is a sweet guy who supports Ireland, even in all her Horseman glory.

Rip Van Winkle, a face from both eras, is pretty much remains the same as he was in the past, but also picks up on the new culture surrounding him which is pretty humorous especially when it comes to Breaking Bad and his new favorite word.

Each character blends well with the rest of the cast and play off one another complimentary way. The settings are of course Sleepy Hollow and New York, where Poe resided for a time, and are described perfectly.

The plot is the perfect blend of mystery, "history", and suspense. Stacey Rourke has created a masterpiece with Raven (and also Crane) and I look forward to reading more of her work. Until then I give Raven the perfect 5 stars!

Check out the First Book in the Series, Crane, on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/CraneGR

The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 There is nothing worse than being put on the spot and asked to talk about yourself. For me it brings back that inevitable moment in a new school when the teacher would ask me to stand up, introduce myself and tell the class something about myself. I was always worried I would blurt out something stupid that I would get teased for. Something like, “My name’s Stacey and I like pickles!” Then for the rest of the school year I’d be known as the Pickle Girl and let’s be honest, no one wants that. So to avoid such a faux pas I will simply say that I love to write. It allows me to get my crazy out just enough that I can function as a normal member of society.

Find Stacey Here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rourkewrites

Website: http://staceyrourke.com/