Skip to main content

Release Tour Review: The Matriarch by Annabelle McInnes

The Matriarch is the thrilling first novel in the Women of the Dust dystopian romance series. If you like enemies-to-lovers, dynamic couples, and empowered feminism, then you’ll adore Annabelle McInnes’s gritty tale.
Author: Annabelle McInnes
Title: The Matriarch
Series: Women of the Dust Book 1
Release: October 12th
Genre: Dystopian Romance
Pages: 358 
Cover Designer: Lana from Bookcoverology.com
Available now - 99c Sale!
Her citizens are oppressed. His society is diminishing. In a frantic bid for survival, can their fiery union save their peoples?

On a scorched and barren future Earth, Yolanda is her people’s only hope. As Matriarch of an all-female nation, the battle-hardened commander fights an impossible war while desperately seeking a way to stop her subjects from dying of thirst. But when the enemy king is beheaded by his own warrior son, she’s offered a truce that will bring the water they urgently need… in return for leaving her populace defenseless.

With his father dead by his hand, the Hammer is determined to rebuild the shattered community the warmongering king’s brutality almost destroyed. In a bold move to strengthen his dwindling numbers, he offers armistice to a dangerous queen and her bloodthirsty horde of fighting women. All he asks in exchange is for her to accompany him to petition the Council to drop their poisonous sanctions…

As they uncover the truth behind the horrific war, Yolanda is surprised when her begrudging respect for her capable companion blossoms into unexpected desire. And though the Hammer learns there’s more to the impassioned fighter than her brutal reputation suggests, he fears giving himself to her could make him a traitor to his own kind.

When their united strength pits them against oppressive factions, will their growing bond become an unbreakable force?

The Matriarch offers a thoughtful and intense read filled with creative concepts and characters who were superbly crafted. The skilled development of the narrative ensured this book was a page-turner. Wanting to follow the characters and their plights provided a strong incentive to actively cheer for the characters while remaining gripped and second-guessing. 

The romantic side plot was as heart-pounding as it was tangible. I'm such a sucker for a love story, and the author weaved the romance beautifully through her post-apocalyptic world. 

An incredible read. 

When the sun shattered the clean line of the horizon in a cascade of flame, sparks and tangible heat, Yolanda, seventh-generation Matriarch of the Horde was meant to call for her army’s advance. 

Instead, she held her breath and remained mute. 

The rising sun was intended to be a precursor to their charge, the beacon, the flag to announce their attack. But Yolanda’s said nothing as her eyes watered, watching the wavering orb burn the edges of the landscape, expanding and inflating with every slow beat of her heart. 

About her, the creak of armour was exasperated in the void when the women of her army fidgeted, remaining silent as they waited for their Matriarch’s command. Idle engines rumbled low, the unwavering buzz of irritating insects hovered and the wind was a murmur in her ear, whispering words of foreboding.
The sun continued to climb, and still, she didn’t call for their stampede. 

Ignoring the swelling impatience of her women as it billowed around her, Yolanda closed her eyes from the bright majesty before them and tilted her head. She blocked out the sight of the infinite sweep of fist-sized red stones, the swathes of pink sand, the evidence of an arid riverbed stretched out before them. She ignored the smells of engine grease, the musky, comforting scents of the women who surrounded her, and the sharp stink of heating iron and warming steel. She focused solely on one single sense. Fixated and determined, she strained to hear the hushed warnings on the breeze. 

The wind whistled, hissed, murmured and howled. 

Then, it sobbed. 

From the age of sixteen, Annabelle lived in a homeless youth refuge while she remained committed to her education. She spent two years within a section of society that most overlook. 

Her experiences are the foundations that drive her stories and her characters. They fight for their freedoms, have courage in the face of adversity, and always aspire for greatness. 

Annabelle is the author of True Refuge, an International Bestseller and a finalist for the Australian Romantic Book of the Year in 2018. She is privileged to live in a small rural town in country New South Wales and writes to a distinctive Australian backdrop with its captivating change of seasons. 

Outside of her love for reading, she spends her time with her husband, son, and her fifteen-year-old poodle named Serendipity. She drinks her whisky neat and can often be found at the local market hunting for blue cheese and artisan bread.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cover Reveal: Eating Sarah - Jaret Martens

Presented by: Title: Eating Sarah Author: Jaret Martens Audience: YA Genre: Thriller Formats: E-book Publisher: Immortal Ink Publishing Cover by: Rebecca Hamilton Editor: Rebecca Hamilton and Louise Caiola Expected Date of Publishing: Mid-2014     Ever since Sarah was young, all she could dream about was participating in The Hunt — a monthly event in which her people sneak into the nearby cities and villages to gather food. And in Sarah’s world, the food they feast on most is human flesh. In the deep forests of the Rocky Mountains, Sarah lives in a community of man-eaters. With Fall ending and hunger running rampant, Sarah and her cannibalistic community are forced to change the rules of their Hunt. And with these changes come new risks. When her first Hunt ends in catastrophe, and one of her only friends is lost, Sarah is sentenced to work in the slaughter shack. Among the dead and dying, Sarah is introduced to Troy: a man she knows she...

Book Tour Giveaway: Confessions of a Sex Addict Anthology

Title: Confessions of a Sex Addict Authors:  +Jinni James   +Elodie Parkes  Hunter S Jones, Electra Von Drego Genre: Erotica, Short Stories, Anthology Blurb: Secrets revealed. One hot summer, four sultry stories. An erotic anthology with a twist, set in contemporary New Orleans. Meet Andi, the bartender from Nashville who won’t be faithful. Drew, the seducer or the victim? The anonymous one, the one who watches. Jennifer the cougar, she’s a good girl, really. The moderator, friend or predator? Love. Magic. Guilty Pleasures. Love is the drug. What’s your secret? Buy Link Amazon  http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B00LT3SOPU

Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Hop

Lots of folk are getting hot under the collar, and in a good way! There are so many amazing and romantic reads out there at the moment - what's a woman to do, but devour said romantic reads and feed off the romance and often lust evident between the pages. We're excited to be a part of the Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Hop, sponsored by The Insatiable Reads Book Tours, not only because we love a  good old romance, but also because we always love to share our reads with you, and give stuff away too! I've always been a fan of romance, yes I do love paranormal romance especially, but every now and then, I need simply romance to fix things up. Sometimes soft and gentle, tender romance, sometimes hot and heavy romance bordering on erotic. Oh my! There are many of those around and from so many fabulous authors too. This hop is about sharing the love - hence the BIG giveaway with two grand prizes. #1 is a Kindle Fire. #2 is a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. We're also...