Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Amazon books in the Irene, Nan and Kay series Ravenswood Publishing Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Rvaenswood ISBN-10:  0692762302 Type: Fiction Pages: 325 Copyright: September 26, 2016 ISBN-13: 9780692762301 Price: $3.99 (eBook) Can three very different girls join forces to defeat an evil wizard that threatens the land? First, they must find and convince the last remaining wizards to come out of retirement! Best friends Nan and Irene want what all 16-year-old girls in their village want—to find true love and marry. Instead, they’re going to have to defeat an evil wizard. When Irene and Nan’s village is attacked by the army of the Secret Valley, the two girls are taken captive—destined to become “playthings” to the King. Kay, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, vows to help the girls. But when a jealous handmaid betrays Kay and her fiancé, all four have to flee the Valley. When they learn an evil wizard, known as the Black Lord, is the real power behind the Secret Valley, their only hope is to go to Wizards’ Keep and persuade the last remaining wizards to come out of retirement and help defeat the Black Lord. Journey to Wizards’ Keep is a non-stop thrilling adventure with romance and humor as three girls with very different personalities join together to save the land.             Excerpt Irene slipped off the horse and helped Nan, who sagged against her, exhausted. Richard went to a sheer rock wall and began to feel along the bottom edge. “What’s he doing?” Nan whispered. “Shh. Watch him carefully.” After a moment, Richard found a catch of some sort. There was a loud click and he pushed hard on one side of the wall. To the girls’ amazement, it pivoted as if there was a hinge in the middle, revealing the entrance to a cavern. Two large and well-armed men came out to greet Richard. He spoke to them in a low voice. They nodded to Richard and separated, one returning deep into the cavern and the other walking with Richard to the girls. He barely glanced at them, but took the two horses and led them away. Richard motioned the girls to come with him and entered the cave. Nan and Irene followed Richard into the cool darkness. The rock wall swung shut behind them. At last their eyes adjusted to the dim light shed by wall torches. They realized they were in a tunnel that stretched a great distance. Sir Richard walked so briskly that the tired girls were hard pressed to keep up with him. After a while, the torches became less frequent as the tunnel was becoming increasingly brighter. Ahead of them, Irene saw daylight. “We must have gone clear through the mountain,” she spoke her thoughts aloud. “Correct.” Richard’s voice startled her. “We are approaching the Secret Valley. Only its inhabitants know of its existence. We are nestled between two of the peaks of the Hooded Mountains and are unobservable from the trail that leads over them.” Irene studied their captor. He seemed excited to be home, and his face shone with an anticipation that made his boyish face more handsome. They continued to the end of the tunnel and stood, blinking in the late afternoon sunlight. “Who found this place?” Nan asked. “Our King, Lord William, stumbled onto the valley while lost on a hunting expedition. He persuaded his father, Dob, to bring their kingdom here. We have flourished over the years and grown to become the mightiest conquerors of the land. Behold! The land of William, son of Son of Dob!” He extended a hand dramatically over the valley, which lay below them. There was a castle, town center, homes, and fields, all surrounded by thick forests. Richard began to walk down the wide path and Nan and Irene followed. “Why, ‘tis far too large not to be seen by anyone from above!” Irene exclaimed, gazing in amazement at the thriving community. “We suspect some ancient enchantment keeps it from being seen.” Sir Richard shrugged. “Not for nothing is it called the Secret Valley. It allows us to attack our enemies and retreat to safety. No one can find us. But enough gawking. You’ll soon get to learn the place. After all, this is your new home. Follow me.” Richard continued down the path. ZZZZZZIP! An arrow landed directly at Richard’s feet. He jumped back, but made no move for his own weapons. “Kay!” he called, looking around him. “I recognize that arrow. Come out at once, or I’ll tell his Lordship you’ve been neglecting your duties again!” The three of them whirled about as laughter rang from above them. Out of a nearby tree a young girl jumped down, smiling brightly. She was dressed all in soft doeskin from her shockingly short skirt to her knee-high moccasin boots. On her boyish, blond curls, she wore a garland of spring wildflowers. She carried a bow; upon her back hung her quiver of arrows. She laughed again, showing two deep dimples on either side of her smiling mouth, and spoke in a light, musical voice as she mockingly bowed to the man. “Not neglecting my duties at all, Sir Richard, not at all. Merely looking for a bit of excitement and possibly a choice piece of venison or grouse to present to his Lordship.” She paused, her gaze falling on Nan and Irene. “Looks like you’ve had fair hunting.” She walked over to the trio and retrieved her arrow. “Just a pair of wenches I picked up for his Lordship.” “Oh? Her Ladyship will love that, Richard. Or have you forgotten her? She’ll not stand for two wenches in the palace.” “I’m...I mean we’re not wenches!” Irene burst out in anger. “Nan is an accomplished dancer from the Academy of Gene the Ewe.” “And Irene is of royal blood!” added Nan. The blond girl cocked her head, impressed. “I think you’ve made an error, Sir Richard. Now, surely, you’re not going to hand them over as mere bed warmers, are you?” Richard scowled. “Why didn’t ye tell me, girl?” “You didn’t give me a chance!” Irene replied icily. “Bravo!” The girl laughed. “She’s got some spirit. Come, let me take them to my chambers and fix ‘em up. Then we can decide what’s to be done with them. You can’t present them to anyone now, Richard. Truly, they look like a dog’s dinner.” Sir Richard started to protest, but Kay was already leading the two girls down the path to the town below.

Amazon
Loved it !! Opens that child within us to visualize every step of this incredible journey. I can see it as a huge hit in the movie world. Super excited for the next book so I can visit my new friends again😍

Amazon
I always like books about knights, wizards, legends and quests to save the kingdom. Not to mention ladies who are destined to be someone bigger than they perceive themselves to be. This story is along that line.

A lot of things happened in the story. A lot of either of the three ladies being captured and the rest would have to devise ways to free the captive one. Or one of them would get separated from the group. Even though these things happen more than twice in the story, it was not in a way repetitive or boring since that capture or separation would lead into another world and challenge for our three heroines. A long the way they would meet people who will become part of their rag-tag group and help them in their quest. I enjoy the idea that each new character has a unique skill or expertise to offer to the team which proved to be very helpful in their battles. Each place they go, there is always a challenge that is to be overcome. I like that each challenge is different and leads them to meet another new character. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with each new addition to the group. This feels like a story with a lot of other stories inside it though they connect with each one seamlessly. You would not know what to expect next. It was so unpredictable and it made me more eager to go to the next chapters. I also liked how it ended. Very unlikely. Sometimes, the simplest endings could be the most effective. I absolutely loved it and I wish there is a next book. Another set of adventures for our three brave ladies with their equally handsome men.

I mentioned that there was a lot of getting captured and separation among the three ladies. It came to a point where I started asking if this is what's going to happen for the rest of the story. I was wondering if they will ever get to somewhere safe or when will journey to the wizards keep will start like the title says. I was doubtful if the wizards will ever appear. I feel like the title must be wrong. It seemed like there was never going to be a wizard's keep looming in the distance. But then again, my apprehension is appeased because the capture or separation needed to happen because it opens up into another world and another challenge to conquer. Yes, it would seem that the challenges are never gonna end. And I feel sorry for our three ladies but to compensate for that the authors came up with a brand new character that would come to our fair ladies rescue. So, I guess, I have nothing to complain for as the authors seem to have anticipated what I was looking for.

I give the book four cabbages in honor of Princess Irene of Cabbage. It was a delight to be a part of this long and very interesting journey of these three ladies. If I were to pick my favorite character, I think it would be Kay. She's independent and she's so capable of protecting herself. Far from being a maiden in distress. The moral of the story is to never belittle yourself or anyone. Each one is unique and you may not know when it would be your time to shine or when the time that your abilities will come in handy. Each one has a purpose and sometimes for most of us, it may take a while to be able to actually figure out what it is. But it will come. I, for one, am still dying to know what my purpose in this earthen kingdom is.

I got a copy for in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon
Journey to Wizard's Keep is a fun tale that at times can be full of humor and at others full of peril. Three young girls form a tight friendship in their journey to save their respective homes from the dark reaches of a desperate wizard. In order to do so, they must rely on the generosity and bravery of one another, as well as others that they meet along their way. There are plenty of surprises which keep the plot moving and just the right mix of characters to keep the story both intriguing and fun.