Tangled Web (Diezian Empire) [Paperback]

Crista McHugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2012 | Series: Diezian Empire

"One of the best books I've read this year!" -- Provocative Pages"
Tangled Web had me enthralled from the very first sentence." -- The Reading Cafe
"Grab your poison tipped arrows and flying airships, because you're in for one smexy ride!" -- I Smell Sheep


The deadliest assassin in the empire just got too close to her target...

Azurha, a former slave turned deadliest assassin in the empire, has just been offered the ultimate challenge--seduce, then murder the new Emperor. But Titus is not the tyrant his forefathers were, and his radical ideas might be the glimmer of hope the empire needs.

Titus Sergius Flavus has yet to master the powerful magic of his ancestors--magic he must wield if he's to protect his people--but his father's death has left him no choice. Rule the Deizian Empire and attempt to right his ancestors' wrongs, or watch her fall to his greedy kin.

More than just Titus' ideas hold Azurha captive. Night after night, he awakens desires she thought lost, and uncovers the magic of her hidden lineage. As her deadline approaches, Azurha is forced to make an impossible decision--complete her job and kill the man she loves, or fail and forfeit both their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Much more than an ordinary sci-fi novel, book one of The Deizian Empire is a story of war, survival, and love. From the beginning, McHugh shows us how strong the connection between the hero and heroine is, and their hunger for each other is insatiable. Easily read in a single sitting, this spellbinding tale will be welcomed with open arms by readers, who will thank the gods there is a sequel." -- RT Book Reviews

"Crista McHugh's Tangled Web is sinfully delicious! This erotic feast features one fascinating couple and a killer plotline.  It's impossible to turn away from this story after reading the first few pages!... Tangled Web is a keeper!" -- Joyfully Reviewed

From the Back Cover

The deadliest assassin in the empire just got too close to her target…

Azurha, a former slave turned deadliest assassin in the empire, has just been offered the ultimate challenge—seduce, then murder the new Emperor. But Titus is not the tyrant his forefathers were, and his radical ideas might be the glimmer of hope the empire needs.

Titus Sergius Flavus has yet to master the powerful magic of his ancestors—magic he must wield if he’s to protect his people—but his father’s death has left him no choice. Rule the Deizian Empire and attempt to right his ancestors’ wrongs, or watch her fall to his greedy kin.

More than just Titus’ ideas hold Azurha captive. Night after night, he awakens desires she thought lost, and uncovers the magic of her hidden lineage. As her deadline approaches, Azurha is forced to make an impossible decision—complete her job and kill the man she loves, or fail and forfeit both their lives.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Entangled Select (October 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1620610310
• ISBN-13: 978-1620610312
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,474,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Crista McHugh is a multiple award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.

Growing up in small town Alabama, Crista relied on story-telling as a natural way for her to pass the time and keep her two younger sisters entertained.

She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she's had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she's also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

To be the first to know about her latest releases or to be entered into exclusive contests, please sign up for her newsletter using the contact form on her webpage, www.cristamchugh.com.

Find Crista online at:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/crista_mchugh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CristaMcHugh

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every page was worth reading! December 9, 2012

By Arianne Cruz

Format:Kindle Edition

I don't usually give 5 stars to books but wow! One of the best books I've read this year!

(Possible spoilers included)

I haven't found many books this year that caused me to have a headache for reading too much. I found that this book was so good, I just couldn't put it down, despite my eyes being so tired.

Azurha and Titus were such a gem together. Titus was so gentle, so respectful, and so noble towards Azurha that I fell in love with him from the beginning of the book. He was very naive, though. If Azurha didn't fall for him, he would have been dead within their first time alone.

One frustrating thing about the book was the time it took for Azurha to tell her secret. I was so frustrated waiting for her to just spit it out already. Of course she'd wait until she was almost dying to reveal it. Women. They are usually unsuspected of crimes, but when it comes down to it, they're still women, talking in riddles and driving men to madness :)

This book was quite long but every page was worth reading. I love the well-developed characters of Varro, Galerius, and Marcus. I also enjoyed the names of Titus's bath pools. Quite entertaining how they were named based on their temperature: TEPIDarium, FRIGIDarium, CALDarium :)

Overall, I think Crista McHugh just earned her spot in my favorite authors list. I most definitely recommend adding this book in your MUST-READ list.

Source: Free review copy from publisher in exchange for honest review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A deadly assassin. A talented lover. An exotic empire. November 18, 2012

By Nicolette Reed

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Azurha knows she is an assassin and she knows what has brought her to her profession. A life of slavery at the hands of the Deizian Empire. When she is given the assignment to kill the next Emperor of the Empire before his coronation it seems a job well suited to her not only because she is the best but because the Empire symbolizes every evil which has brought her to this point in her life. Imagine her surprise when she meets Titus and instead of reminding her of the cruelty of the Empire he reminds her that she is a woman. Again and again. But far beyond a talented lover Titus is what the Empire needs to change. Now Azurha is put in the position of protecting the man she was paid to kill. She thought her last job would bring her enough coin to retire her days as an assassin. She never imagined she would fall in love with her target.

Tangled Web deftly pulls you in with the intense emotion and passion between Azurha and Titus. You are caught in their web and McHugh does an excellent job of unravelling the knots that keep these two apart and weaving a tantalizing tale of romance within the walls of the exotic Deizian Empire.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooks you right away November 17, 2012

By K. Faust

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Another great book from Crista Mchugh. Unlike the others, this one jumped right into a romance between the two mains character. It didn't take long for me to get wrapped up with the characters and unable to put the book down. If you have liked her other books you will definitely like this. If you haven't read any of hers yet then this is a good place to start.