The men rule the land, the women have their own strength.
Zara writes dark fantasy romance, and the reviews are coming in with high numbers of chili peppers! Her first book, Ruled by Magic, follows Liv, a feisty woman who is caught doing anti-government propaganda and thrown in jail. She is given a choice, ten years in jail, or six months as a plaything for the leading mage, the ruler of the country, Leopold Rahl. Six months of humiliation in a town where women dress and act very properly.
Leo’s ultimate punishment for Liv, beyond using her for bedplay, is the humiliation of skimpy clothing in public. Her reputation is tainted as she is seen acquiescing to this punishment.
Though Liv and Leo live in a country where women wear clothes that cover conservatively from neck to toe, not all the countries in this world are so prudish. In book 2, Owned by Magic, Talia gets in trouble and trades five years of her life to work in the palace to protect herself. The women in the palace are eye candy and play things for the men in power. They kneel and bow down to any man who demands it. Their clothes are a barely-there formality.
She ends up in the sights of Adante, the leader, a man who seems irredeemable. The dark heat ramps up in this second offering of Zara’s series. The humiliation runs high throughout the series as well. Many of the comments mention the book can be read as a standalone or part of the series.
You can find Zara J. Black in many places, including Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and her personal website (don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter). On TikTok, she has two accounts, so here is the second account: TikTok take 2.
And a third book is in the works!
To earn my freedom, I must submit.
I’m facing years in prison. My crime? Exposing the sordid secrets of Dexia’s magical elite. In my oppressive territory, mages hold all the power, magical tech is outlawed, and sexuality is repressed.
At my sentencing I expect a bored judge, but instead I get a crowd, reporters, and a handsome mage everyone seems to fear. He makes me kneel at his feet, and offers me a deal. Serve six months as his plaything, and leave a free woman. Shame burns through me, but I accept.
He’s Leopold Rahl, Dexia’s new Lord Commander, the strongest mage in living memory. He’s hunted me for months. He means to see me punished.
And I’ve fallen right into his trap.
Ruled by Magic is a dark fantasy romance intended for an adult audience.
I’ll be safe in the prince’s bed, from everyone but him.
I stole from a brutal street gang, and now they want me dead. There’s only one place they can’t touch me. The palace. But safety comes at the cost of my freedom. I’ll sell myself as a courtesan, serve for five years, and leave with enough money to pay my debt.
Crown Prince Adante wields his power like a knife, and when his gaze turns my way, I know he could destroy me. An innocent mistake earns his attention—along with bruised knees and a painful punishment.
I should listen to the others. I shouldn’t catch his eye again. But I’ve always courted danger, and in the prince, I see a chance at power and revenge. He loves to gamble—sadistic games of pleasure and pain.
All I can wager are my body, mind, and soul. And I play to win.
Owned by Magic is a dark fantasy romance intended for an adult audience.
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Hannah Willow - Author 