Epic Fantasy Romance (Hardstorm Saga Book 1) - Reluctant Concubine

Story was believable, had you hoping for escape from whatever sort of scrape protagonist got into. Would recommend this to anyone over 20, (before 20, one usually is sure that everything will be okay. This one lays groundwork that is explained days after needed information. So goes life also)

I agree with other reviewers "surprisingly good". I took a chance on this book during a vacation and was very happy with result. There are elements of other fantasy stories but enough of a new take to make it worthwhile. That added with a decent romantic story line made me excited for the second book. This story takes many twists and goes through a wide variety of experiences. Definitely worth the price.

I bought this because there were many good reviews. I didn't think it was poorly written. I just got extremely bored by the middle of the book. It just became repetitive whining about her virginity and how she will never ever, ever, ever could cause harm to others. OMG we get it! I tried to push myself to finish the book since I paid for it but.....NOPE just can not do it.

Wow,just wow! What a wonderful story! Truly, one of the best I've read this year! At first, the things that happened to Tera were so horrible, it made me hesitant to read on, but was it ever worth it. Can't wait to read the next. Excellent book!

First time reading this author and was very pleasantly surprised by this series. The only critic I have is in the second book you have no idea wither there is going to be a third book or not....hoping there is because it was a series were I even thought about the couple after I was done reading. And anyone who has read a good book you know it was really good if you thought about the characters after you were done reading

Couldn't get into it. Main character acted like a nitwit. Who steps onto a slavers boat without someone from home to escort her? And she had NO inkling something was up when they wouldn't let her get her herbs an medicines. "Oh, they must have some on board." If they had medicines on board that would mean they'd have some basic knowledge of how to use them and so wouldn't really need her. Sheesh!

Fantastic, fantasy saga. The world Marton crafted is imaginative and fluid. You can picture the landscapes and people who populate the world. Each nation has a history, its own myths and language. Tera is a refreshing heroine: brave but humble, peaceful but also pragmatic, loyal but not naive. You have the hero Batumar who is strong, a warrior, a leader with the appetite of a man but he's also patient, loyal and sensitive. Tera and Batumar are partners and have mutual respect as well as love for each other. So happy I picked up this book!

This book has interesting characters that make you want to spend time learning about them and what happens to them. The world-building is quite interesting. However, it does not live up to its potential. The story reads more like a book report, where the author "tells" you what happens instead of "showing" you.

The author has made the efforts of deliver a novel with plenty of description, involved characters, and plot twists that make it difficult to anticipate what is going to happen next. This does not happen often. Although involved, rich writing gave me the opportunity to visualize different scenes. I'll look for the sequel.

This book has been in my "recommended" list for awhile. I had previously overlooked it because I assumed by the title it would be a badly written novel centered on yet another emotional female being saved by a bad boy with a secrete need for love than only she can fulfill. Took a chance based on reviews an so glad I did. This is NOT a badly written romance novel. I wouldn't even call it a romance novel at all. It is well written fantasy with great characters and a wonderful plot. Read it in a day and immediately got the next book in the series, "Accidental Sorceress", which turned out to be even better than this one.

Dana Marton has constructed a fascinating world in "The Reluctant Concubine." The title is slightly misleading - those hoping for a typical harem tale will be disappointed. It's a gripping adventure story and I am ordering the next book in the series!

I was extremely surprised by this book. My Facebook suggests books to me all the time, because I read so much. I had never actually bought one that was referred to me by Facebook until this. I read what it was about and was a little interested, but was uncertain it would be something I would enjoy. I am usually into epic fantasy/scifi, but I took a chance, and must say I was extremely impressed. This book was a very well hidden romance (I normally abhor romances). The author was careful with the relationship problems that others have. I enjoyed watching the characters grow and change over just one book. I can not say how much I looking forward to the next one!!

Dana Marton has done a great job with world-building and keeping the characters believable. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and couldn't put it down. The ending was powerful and I can't wait to read more of Ms. Marton's storytelling.

I really enjoyed this story of Tera, a healer, stripped of her freedom, but ultimately following her destiny after realizing her own power. She is a strong and intelligent young woman. There are just a couple of scenes depicted that would be unsuitable for younger readers, but overall, it's an entertaining story with a mystical theme. If you enjoy fantastical lands with ancient customs with a bit of magic thrown in, you'll enjoy letting your imagination float freely through this story.

I really enjoyed this, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much more of an adventure, with elements of romance, rather than a risqué novel. (In fact, this might be the least graphic book that has ever contained the word "concubine" in the title!) Beautiful romantic theme, and lush new worldscape. Looking forward to reading the sequel!

I really enjoyed the story. I will be buying book two after I'm done writing this. I didn't get bored at all during this story. I really liked the main character Tera. She was very brave and did what needed to be done at every situation she came upon. I like a strong heroine and look forward to see her grow more into her role of the prophecy.

I completely devoured this book. I read it in every spare moment I have and then immediately bought the second book. It keeps me guessing and I actively cheer for the underdog throughout the story. It kept me guessing and had such a rich backstory I could bury myself in. This is a wonderful story for all ages.

An easy read. Well written. I enjoyed the main character. The love interest was really something, I found him to be pretty unique in the ya genre.
I also really liked that they didn't fall in love quickly. It took a while for him to fully earn her trust.

This is not just a love story. It had many elements that I found interesting. But I don't have much to say about them as I was basically just in it for the romance and a little bit of magic.
(I'm sorry if this review doesn't make much sense, I finished the book at 3 in the morning and can barely keep my eyes open to finish writing this.)
Basically
I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet romance with a pinch of magic. ESPECIALLY at its current price.
Enjoy :)

This was recommended to me by good reads. This book was AMAZING! I seriously could not put it down! I don't even know what to say, but awesome! I cried and cheered, gasped and cringed, sighed and smiled more than any book ever! Can't wait to read the next book! If you love fantasy, it's worth way more than $.99!!! Just wonderful!!!

I purchased this book when it showed up as recommended on the store under another book I bought. This is the first time I read anything from this author. I enjoyed it so much it was hard to put down! The world and characters that the author created are beautiful and engaging. As I leave this review I'm going to purchase the next book!

Very impressed by Dana Marton. The writing is beautiful and though there are harsh situations, I was eager to find out what would happen to Tera! You get a chance to learn who she really is BEFORE romance is introduced and I found that very refreshing. More please! Looking forward to reading the next book and everything else she has written.

Fascinating tale of young healer's journey of self discovery, betrayal, slavery, humiliation, and deep, strong love. Our heroine is smart, determined and open to I intelligent suggestions. A breath of fresh air!

I had a hard time choosing four or five stars . . . I really was impressed by the complex storyline and well developed characters. The heroine especially is compassionate and deeply human. However, I felt that the title was badly chosen and the writing as weak at times. The romance between Tera and Batumar was compelling, but I thought it started to get a bit precious at times.

This is an interesting fantasy novel, with no silliness. The lead character is a strong female, who is brave in the face of great danger. Sh he has gifts that she can use to heal, and finds out she may be the only one who can save their world from darkness.

This author excelled in character development. The herione literally changed gradually from the beginning to the end of the book. I loved everything about her. The plot is refreshing. The pace is great. The writing is smooth and flows brilliantly. The emotions are very real. The message is extremely creative in its simplicity. (Spirit be strong. Heart be brave).
I will definitely keep an eye on this author and I look forward to reading more of her books.

The story itself was decent, but reading it was kind of challenging. It read like a poor story teller trying to tell his story but getting the timing and chronology mixed up. I'd like to know what happens in the next book, but I'm not willing to read it.

I almost didn't purchase this book but the description convinced me to give it a try. I'm extremely glad I did! The story hooked me in from the start and it had me enthralled until the very end. I'm now about to begin the second book and if it's anything like the first, I will definitely not be disappointed!

The Reluctant Concubine follows the story of Tera. For the first part of the book, due to circumstances that she has to face, I did not think that I would really like the book. But after she meets Batumar the story really picked up for me. I enjoyed seeing Tera evolve and come into her own as the story progressed.

Dana Martin has brought a wonderful story to us. With a powerful female character who is as strong in will as the males warriors in it are strong in body. I love Batumar and look forward to more of his deliciousness in book 2. The only thing that's lacking in the story is more "manpart" descriptive parts ;-)

I liked this book much more than expected. I thought it would be a cheesy, predictable fantasy/romance. However, I really loved the character of Tera, and found myself invested in her struggle to survive in the harsh world she finds herself sold into. Well deserving of 5 stars!

Beautiful world building, though some of the mythology was vague, with plenty of loose ends. I expect that those will be tied up in subsequent books in the series. I liked many qualities of the heroine, but her naivete grew tedious at times. The plot twists, 2 in particular, were fun. A decent read.

Late one night during spring vacation I bought this wonderful story. I stayed up the rest of the evening reading it until the sun rose. I took my son to work, came home, worked in the green house, then spent the rest of the day reading it. I loved the story! Happy reading!

It was okay. It wasn't nearly interesting enough for me to read the second - in that I feel like I would be thoroughly depressed by the end, slugging through plots of war and fighting to get to a few happy moments. Meh. It had GREAT potential, and really great moments, it's just that the style of story pacing is not my thing.

An engaging mythical fantasy/romance story. It reminded me of Patricia Briggs' Masques or other Sianim books because of the rich world building and believable characters and magic. Seductive while staying rather clean. I hope Dana Martin writes this well in everything, because I'll read more!

Pleasantly surprised, b/c normally don't like romance, which the title suggested, but this was so much more. The epic fantasy is the primary theme, the characters were believable and interesting. All in all a good read and will begin the second,"Accidental sorceress".

Riveting storytelling.. This is a colorful world full of twists and turns. I don't like the slavery or concubine issues which may be difficult to read but the time period would have that kind of thing. There is an attempted rape scene. There is also a disturbing scene about how concubines are treated.

I liked the voice of the heroine as she described her journey from healer to slave to woman of greatness. The fantasy handmaiden as a heroine gave the reader insight into what life was like for the slave, concubine, or the many powerless women in society whose victimization we take for granted, even in fairytales. Bottom line though, it was a good read.

If you like intricate, myth-shrouded adventures, this is your type of book. A fated romance, a painful destiny, and a culture fighting against overwhelming odds from a merciless horde with only the magic of healing to help.

Sometimes you read a kind of book you normally are not fond of. Sometimes you are very glad you did. I love Dana Martin books. So I read this book. Good is too mild of a word for the story. There is treachery, excitement, power struggles, love, evil, and acceptance. This is a very good book.