The Regent's Gamble: A Spellbound Consortium, Book 1
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The Regent's Gamble: A Spellbound Consortium, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

A. Payne (Author), N.D. Taylor (Author), Will M. Watt (Narrator),
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 106 ratings
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When wizard Addison Rhydderch goes out on a New Year's Eve date, he doesn't expect to end the night saving Manhattan from the undead. Afterward, he's tasked with the duties of Regent - protector of the fragile balance between the mundane and supernatural realms. The job is easier said than done, even with the aid of Saraia, a half-dryad who's as sultry as she is compassionate and strong. The attraction between them is immediate, powerful, and forbidden, but malevolent forces are threatening Saraia's nature spirit kin.

Boundaries are tested as the new ruler and his companions are swept into a treacherous game of loyalty and betrayal. Addison's office is hounded by the shadow of a dark magician who seemingly kills without rhyme or reason, a man who consorts with devils and always keeps one step ahead. Addison and Saraia, assisted by new allies, must face the demonic uprising while resisting the sparks flying between them.

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  1. Listening Length
    18 hours and 22 minutes
  2. Author
    A. Payne, see all
  3. Narrator
    Will M. Watt
  4. Audible release date
    October 27, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Payne & Taylor
  7. ASIN
    B0176UGTWY
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 18 hours and 22 minutes
Author A. Payne, N.D. Taylor
Narrator Will M. Watt
Audible.com Release Date October 27, 2015
Publisher Payne & Taylor
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0176UGTWY

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
106 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SO
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't keep secrets, at least not for too long. It might be too late
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
4.5 stars. *Warning: This does have spoilers!!*

I am in love with the world building and the secret keeping of the magical realms. I've always loved fantasy and the idea of a secret world only a select few know/are allowed to know about. I love the messages and theme that humans are destroying way too much of the planet way too fast for their/our own selfish needs. We humans really are a pestilence to nature.

In this world, a new Regent (president) is failing miserably. Magical folk are dying, almost no one trusts his abilities to lead, and secrets are abound in almost everyone.

Saraia is supposed to mean Bright Tree, but she isn't very bright. And for being part oak tree, she isn't very strong, either. I mean, one one hand I'd have been grateful for being treated equally as everyone else. On the other hand have been upset for being thrown an obligatory assignment I didn't ask for. What bothered me about Saraia is that she constantly second guesses herself. She dates Addison even after finding out he screwed her employee at her store. She also never asks who Madeline is or why Addison is getting texts from her, then when Addison is in the hospital she is sorry that she didn't trust him. He kept you in the dark about a LOT of things, one of them being a kid.

Ladies, I don't care how much you like a guy, if he hides a kid from you and doesn't tell you the whole truth about his life, he'll hide a lot more from you in the future. If after 3 month of dating- THREE whole months you finally find out there's a kid watch yourself. I get secrets take time and trust needs to be earned, especially where there's a kid. But that's a big ticket, and it is something that needs to come out right away. As a woman if I JUST find out a guy has a kid after sticking it in me for three months I'd feel some serious betrayal.

I don't like Addison on a personal level. He's cool on the professional level, as in he does what's best for the magical community, but he's a whore. OK so he only had w/ 2 women in the book, However, 1 of those 2 is the employee of the other one! Plus, His sexual history is often. Now normally I'm not so judgmental. However, considering how Guys talk about women being whores all the time well guess what guys- women don't want men who stick it in everything that moves!

Women aren't beer, guys; be more selective with your choices!

He hides big secrets from a woman he supposedly loves, then goes out on a date with someone else! Then that date stabs him btw. All I could think when that happened was 'good. I hope he dies. He deserves it'. If you're going to go to Hell to save someone, you can tell them you have a kid. Even at the end when she knows everything, she still apologizes to him "for being an idiot" when it should be the other way around: HE was being an idiot (well, I'd use a different word, but you get the point).

I really wanted Saraia with Lochlan. He's hot, honest (well Fae so can't lie, but still LOL), and the sex was way better!
If i could change anything about TRG, I'd let Addison be aware that Saraia and Lochlan slept together. Fair is fair.

I found myself cheering more for Noah and Liv. Noah is a real man: honest, patient, not a man whore, but respectful and loves Liv's daughter. The kind of man all women deserve. I read the parts with Noah much slower. He seemed more interesting, down to earth, and more sweet. Plus, a guy that raises a kid that isn't his gets way more kudos than the average guy. that takes a lot of courage! Plus, free smut (I won't tell you why though ;) )

I gave this a 4.5 instead of a 4 b/c of the secondary characters (including and in addition to Noah and Liv). They all seemed more 3 dimensional and interesting. Their back-stories and the way they fought together showed a great example of teamwork. Also, as previously stated, I love the world building and worlds that exist beyond the human one. The various creatures and interactions of them all really held my interests, and I'm looking forward to stories from some of the other characters.

Another message: Don't keep secrets, at least not for too long. It might be too late once you finally grow a pair...
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Jcat
4.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshingly LONG book.
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015
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After reading so many short Novellas lately, it was refreshing to sink my teeth into a nice, long, Fantasy. I had read Payne's Primal Legacy novel, which is nothing like this one. This book, to me, was:

1. A touch of Potter (Mages and Magic and Fantastical creatures)
2. A touch of Dresden (Magical Mystery)
3. And a lot of characters and Sexy Romances.

Did I love it? No, because there were actually a few too many characters, and a few too many subplots. Sometimes the writing and the story seemed a little disjointed, perhaps due to the book being written by 2 authors. But I did like it. The romance was sexy and the action scenes exciting and numerous. There were even some interesting household pets.

Although the evil has not been completely defeated at the end of this book, things have been nicely resolved without leaving the reader with a cliffhanger. My goodness--imagine that--a good book with enough length to set up world building and storyline and WITHOUT a Cliffhanger. What IS the world coming to?????
One person found this helpful
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C. Celata
3.0 out of 5 stars Not written too well, but there is potential
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2016
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This book isn't great. The characters are interesting and the plot is also, but the writing of the plot is choppy and incomplete. Sometimes it is hard to know what is happening, though the action is done pretty well. And there are some things that aren't written so that they make sense. People recover from deadly injuries to heart, lungs, etc. in 4-5 days with no explanation. Characters pop into the story ex machina to fix things that are happening, with no explanation. Not written very well, but there is potential.
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Paige
5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2014
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When I'd finally gotten my hands on this book, it had been on my TBR list for forever, so excuse me whilst I fan girl. . .

Okay, I'm good. I mean, I was just really excited about The Regent's Gamble. Here lately, you don't find a whole, whole lot of books that step outside the norm, you know? Ones that you're like, "hey, this is something different." I mean let's be honest here. Mages? Trolls? Necromancers? How freaking awesome is that?

Okay, so a great set up to the story, and I was anticipating reading it since the moment I hit the One-Click button on Amazon way back in June, but I kind of let it sit on my Kindle for a bit. I do that a lot actually, when you hear about a book and it just sounds like something you would absolutely love you kind of get afraid to actually read it. That happens to me pretty often. I read a book that I have all hyped up in my mind, like this one, and it falls through for me. It isn't what I expected, and I get this overwhelming sense of disappointment. With The Regent's Gamble I'm happy to report this wasn't the case. Far from it! It more than lived up to expectations for me.

First off, based just on the synopsis, you kind of expected the book to revolve around just one character, a guy named Addison. Whereas you get to meet an interesting cast of characters,such as Saraia and Noah, and they truly help pull the entire story together in a way that just...flows. There are all these little sub plots and interconnecting stories that I absolutely love! I like that, unlike most authors that kind of just conform to what's "normal" and how things are "supposed to be" Payne and Taylor take the readers on a journey that, despite the wraiths, dryads and dragons, it's probably the most realistic books I've ever read. I think it's so cool how they interwove multiple romances instead of the industry standard(is it not sad that this is the standard?), and just, wow is all I can say. Definitely a new favorite, I can't go on about this enough!

What I think I liked about The Regent's Gamble the most is the possibilities. It's part of a series of sorts, The Spellbound Consortium, but each book can stand alone. So now, I look forward to reading both Primal Legacy and The Collector's Treasure and every book that comes after.

If you like an amazing story full of unique characters and aren't afraid to read a book unlike any other, I recommend you check out The Regent's Gamble!
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars **MUST READ**
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2015
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I finished this book on the best high. I feel like saying this book is amazing is an understatement that needs to be sunk in the deepest depth of the ocean.

I loved this book. Everything pieced together so perfectly and I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride. It just kept getting better. Payne and Taylor created not only great characters but powerful, gripping story lines. There is a community of mystical beings that form a perfectly chaotic world for the reader to delve into. The authors misdirection is a wonderful craft. I literally couldn't tell what was going to happen next and it made it even more thrilling to find out.

When a book requires you to pause, question whether you really read something then pour yourself a glass a wine- you're reading a damn good book. And when a book makes you message the author/authors to praise and also threaten them of possible future emotional whirlpool then you need to not only give it 5* but recommend it to everyone. I highly recommend this book. I physically want to give this book to people.
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bookcollecter
5.0 out of 5 stars Freah, captivating, and wonderful fantasy
Reviewed in Spain on February 27, 2014
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I've never read an urban fantasy, as they are so called. When the story began I was thrown into chaos due to the fast paced action and thought that the hero was going to die on the first couple of pages.
The mixture of characters and "race" of different magical beings were fascinating and illuminating. Who knew there were so many of these creatures, good and bad?. The murders and plots with Addison holding on whilst loving a Dryad only added to the huge landscaped story, which was written in a detailed and often captivating way. The politics were also interesting, as were rules and regulations, turf wars and attacks.
It was a long book but I thought it was smooth and well written, allowing me the pleasure of diving into it without ever tiring. I stayed up until the wee small hours and devoured the pages, a sign that all is well with this fabulous tale

A great story with many colourful characters who will remain with me for a while to come. I loved this book. Well done, A Payne and ND Taylor
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Jim Goforth
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic fantasy filled with romance and action
Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2014
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*Note. This was purchased through Amazon.com.au

There’s nothing quite like reading a big book, getting hold of something one can really get themselves immersed and involved in, and in this day and age where the short work, the novella, the pieces to cater for short attention spans are all the rage, it’s always refreshing to encounter something like The Regents Gamble (A Spellbound Consortium).
By the same token, lengthy books can be on the other end of the spectrum, if they don’t captivate and enthral or manage to hold the attention of the reader, but that most certainly isn’t the case here.
Co-authors N. Taylor and A. Payne have definitely made the most of the six hundred odd pages that comprise The Regents Gamble, which categorically is a deft blend of fantasy with romance, and while I will be prone to say those genres are not generally my chosen area of reading, it is hard not to get swept up in the stories of central figures Addison Rhydderch, who finds himself as the Regent of the title after a relatively ordinary evening turns into so much more), Saraia the magical half-dryad woman and towering Texan private security operative Noah Hunter.
These characters, and indeed, all additional or secondary characters, are developed superbly and myriad plotlines are woven with skill throughout the spread of this as we segue through scenes of action liberally laced with the supernatural to more poignant romantic overtures, even some steamy encounters, all detailed with lush description that has the power to make the reader feel as if they too are ensconced in this world of magic and mystery.
All manner of spectacular mystical creatures are introduced as the tales of the protagonists unfold, faeries, pixies and the like, and what’s not to like about a ferocious Minotaur launching a savage attack on hordes of pedestrians in a subway tunnel. As a horror aficionado, this appealed to me immensely, but this is just one of many many great scenes which as a whole constitute The Regents Gamble and there’s nothing here that makes the momentum or flow of the book lag at all.
Like I mentioned earlier, fantasy and things of these nature aren’t exactly my forte, but I can definitely appreciate a brilliant and intelligent story, and I can say that this will be the type of thing that will vastly appeal to fans of shows such as Lost Girl and The Dresden Files (though I can’t personally say I’m familiar with the books from which that series is derived), as well as just about anybody who digs a great action packed romantic phantasmagorical adventure with captivating characters and solid storylines.
The word epic might be so overused these days to describe something thoroughly awe-inspiring and on a grand scale that it loses some of its impact, but I can truly say this is an epic work without the superlatives being diluted in anyway.
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Emdawi
3.0 out of 5 stars NA Fantasy Romance, standalone
Reviewed in Germany on November 16, 2017
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An für sich ein gut geschriebenes Buch und eine interessante Story. Aber leider hat es mich nicht so in den Bann gezogen, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
Ich habe seitenweise nur quer gelesen, so dass ich noch wusste, worum es ging aber trotzdem nicht so viel Zeit investieren musste (ich hasse es einfach, Bücher abzubrechen).
Für manchen Fantasyliebhaber bestimmt empfehlenswert, aber mir waren die Liebesgeschichten ein bisschen zu flach.
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M Sockel
5.0 out of 5 stars Take a chance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2014
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Murder - check.
Mayhem - check
And magic - check.

What's not to love?

Regent's gamble is a superbly crafted piece of urban fantasy that sucks you in and draws you in an immersive world of treachery, betrayal, and intrigue.

Action packed and full of detail, with a shocking love subplot, this made me feel like the first I saw LotR

The Addison is intriguingly flawed hero, and demonstrates all the human principles that we love. Saraia is well described and fleshed out, and the story really takes the time to explain the history of their shared world.

Definitely a series to follows.
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