Blog Tour: For the Murder by Gabrielle Ash – review + giveaway INT

For the Murder
Gabrielle Ash
(The Murder, #1)
Published by: City Owl Press
Publication date: February 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

A lone crow is a dead crow.

That’s what Diana Van Doren, exiled crow shifter, has always believed. The last murder of crow shifters known to exist wouldn’t accept her into the flock, leaving her vulnerable. Worse, her kleptomaniacal father’s schemes put them in a demon’s crosshairs. Without the support of the murder, Diana fears death will come all too quickly. So when an opportunity to steal a rare blade that can kill anything—even demons—crosses their path, she decides to play her father’s games one last time.

However, she isn’t the only one hoping to take the blade. Sasha Sokolov, a clairvoyant, has been forced from childhood to serve the very demon hunting Diana and her family. After two decades of service, his boss finally offers him what he can’t refuse: freedom. All he has to do is bring in the knife and the Van Dorens, and his bloodline will be free from serving the demon forever.

When Diana and Sasha meet at the auction, they strike an uneasy alliance. Diana sees a way to finally be welcomed into the murder. Sasha sees an opportunity to get his freedom. To get what they want, only one of them can walk away with the blade. But when their magic inexplicably links as they reluctantly work together to steal the knife, betraying each other for their own ends may no longer be an option.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Gabrielle Ash is an author and perpetually tired mom of four from the great state of Texas. Born into a family of mischievous storytellers, she grew up listening to tales of the chupacabra, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night, never entirely confident that she wouldn’t get eaten if she went out to the creek after sunset.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, which ultimately landed her in a high school classroom to teach writing and coach the debate team. Dismayed at her inability to wear sweatpants to work, she left the classroom and now dedicates her brain power to books and taking care of her daughters.

When not writing, she spends time with her husband, four daughters, and their dog. The Family Cross is her debut novel.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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My Blurb (3.5 / 5 stars)

I was in the mood for a shifter tale and this one sounds rather unique with crow-shifters. The only problem I had with the book is having to keep adjusting my perception of the word ‘murder’ because most of the time, in this novel, it refers to ‘a group of crows’ instead of a killing act. I guess it’s not really a problem but I do have to stop myself for a second or two to actually makes sense of the sentence now and again and this is all me, not the book.

All her life, Diana Van Doren just wanted to belong. To be appreciated. To be loved. She’s a very good thief, though, and also generous and selfless despite her personal circumstances. Sasha Sokolov, on the other hand, wants only one thing: his & his family’s freedom at whatever cost. Yet, when freedom beckons near, he’s found something even more precious he wanted to hold on to. The story is told of their alternating perspectives so we do get to see secrets they kept from each other and how each grows throughout the book.

I love these characters and well, I do have a thing for a Russian romantic interest too so I was totally shipping them all the way from the beginning. The story was real easy to read with more than enough twists & turns and sparks to keep me engage for a single sitting read. I’m definitely keen to find out what this ‘murder’ get up to next!

My thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for this copy of book in exchange of my honest thoughts