Loved this!! So good! Loved the way that history came to life! Loved the characters and loved the romance! Absolutely can’t wait for the next in the series. So so good. Highly recommend!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author and WOW! The whole arranged marriage and relationship between Konstantin and Suzana was absolutely beautiful and just so powerful. This is a Christian, historical fiction which added to the realistic and at times very dark themes. The author managed to bring emotional depth throughout while also weaving faith-filled prose that complemented the writing perfectly.

I adored our couple and the romance! While on paper the time frame was relatively fast, it still felt like a slow burn, soft prodding towards love and true acceptance between the two. Konstantin was so gentle and patient with Suzana which is ironic that he was a fierce warrior protecting his people at all costs. There are a lot of dark topics (most occur off the page) and some very tense and sad moments...however, you could still feel hope shining through.

I can hardly wait to see what this author does next...and I am definitely going to check out previous works!

5 stars

A.L. Sowards is a master of historical fiction. She has a way of bringing history to life through her storytelling. Beneath a Crescent Shadow is a gripping story of family, intrigue, history, war, hope, betrayal, faith, forgiveness and at its heart...love. Konstantin and Suzana's love story was beautiful. It embodied the saying that without sorrow you can't truly feel joy.

This is the first book in the Balkan Legends series and I will be anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
*As a note: A.L Sowards wrote a prequel novella, After the Crescent Strike, and while it's not necessary to read it before you read this one, I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is Konstantin's story, who was a young man in the prequel novella. We already know his backstory and the problems that came for him and his people after the death of his father. As a result, he needs to wed someone of means.

Suzana comes with a large dowry as her father is a rich merchant. Despite the arranged marriage, there's a sparkle of hope that real affection will grown between them. The slow-burn friendship-to-love was a treat to read.

I like this series and the history. It's very fresh to read about an area and time period that are rarely depicted in this genre. Highly recommend.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

There’s nothing I appreciate more than a well-researched novel and it was very apparent that AL Sowards did her homework. I was transported to the late 1300s and plopped into a world of war, oppression and battle. I loved these characters so much and grew to know, respect and care for them in surprising ways.

This time in history was full of battles and betrayal, but they are portrayed in very tasteful ways here. Nothing is overly violent and graphic/gory, yet the message of this era is very clear. I felt that I really got a taste for this life and it would have been a very dangerous and difficult time to live in.

Konstantin and Suzana are matched in an arranged marriage and the way they grew individually and as a couple was so endearing. I love how the right amount of romance and connection is added to this author’s historical fictions and this story is no exception. I felt a bond to this group of people and was captivated by the intrigue and all they endured. Not only is this a tale of mashed-up history, but the time period comes alive because of the characters. This is exactly the type of history I enjoy best and I can’t wait to discover what’s next for this crew.

Content: talk of battles; some romance; talk of miscarriage; religious elements

This book sucked me in with action and intrigue from the very beginning. An arranged marriage. A young man, just called up to rule, encouraged to take a wife he had never met to save his people. A woman who had never felt her worth and doesn’t trust easily.

I loved these two main characters. I loved how they interacted and how they treated each other, as well as those around them. Imperfect and insecure at times, but always leading with good heart. Their relationship was believable and relatable.

The story takes place in the Balkans in the late 1300s. It is a time of war and a story filled with mystery, betrayal, triumph, despair, and the human experience among a people at war. I loved learning about a time and place I know little about and was pulled in by the very human experience the characters had with one another.

I listened to the audiobook and absolutely enjoyed the narrator chosen for this book. Her voice was strong and well suited to the storyline of war and love. I also loved how she pronounced places and names with an understanding of the native language. I know I would have butchered these names and places if reading this myself.

If you like action, history, and mystery mixed in with romance, this book is for you!

There are some sensitive and mature topics in this book. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to know more about content that you might be sensitive to.

One of the things I love about A.L. Sowards is how she takes lesser known historical events and writes a beautiful story! This book really hit it out of the park for me!

In the Balkins in 1373, Konstantin and Suzana have and arranged marriage and have to learn to work together to overcome hardship including people trying to kill them, meeting the demands of the conquering Ottoman sultan, and ghosts from their pasts.

This book was so amazing, I seriously couldn’t put it down. It was so good!

Read this book if you like:
Rich history
Dual POV
Action and adventure
Sweet romance
Honor
Loyalty
Marriage of convenience
Battle scenes
Family, friendship and faith

This book was something you could really sink your teeth into! I loved it! I truly enjoyed the characters and the rich historical background throughout! It didn't overrun it - but amplified the whole story! I was deeply moved by the connections within the characters! I encourage you to read the novella, After the Crescent Strike! Not required, but helpful! I love learning about history and this was a beautiful fiction re=telling.

Thank you to NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are mine!

I found myself absolutely caught up in this story!! The history that Amanda packs in is just next level, and she makes the words flow so effortlessly. I really enjoyed the story of Konstantin and Suzanna. They endured SO much, but through God and their love they are able to work through it all.

I could not even believe the huge emotions that pulled at me through this book. I teared up more than once, and felt so much for the people who had to live during such hard times. They truly had so many hardships, but fought hard to find joy and light.

Beautiful, beautiful story!! Do not miss your chance to read this (and pick up the novella if you hadn’t already). I will always recommend A.L. Sowards books, and this one is coming highly recommended as well.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is stunning! I loved how understanding Konstantin and Suzana were with each other. Marriage is always an adjustment but they are a couple that works with each other rather than against. The adventure is great! I truly loved this book and I loved learning more about an era and place I didn't know much about!

Intrigue, adventure, Medieval wartime battle, this story has so much depth and drama. It holds you captive through the entire book. This is a time of history that I was not familiar with, but I felt like the author did a wonderful job of portraying it very realistically. I thought the characters were well defined and engaging. I really enjoyed the connection between Konstantin and Susana. They defied the odds of being put into a marriage of convenience and to have never met, and yet their bond was so strong. Their strengths and their weaknesses were what made them interesting. I am looking forward to the next book and the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Can a fragile new relationship be the key to overthrowing the chains of Ottoman oppression?

Konstantin and Suzana are thrust together by an arranged marriage. Right off the bat they are dealing with murder plots and sabotage. Both need to overcome oppression - put upon them by others, themselves, and the demands of serving a sultan.

I absolutely loved this book! It is a wealth of amazing research into the Ottoman Empire and the tensions between Turks and Serbs and lots of things I didn’t know about the 14th century. Not only is there plenty of history to learn, there is also such beautiful character growth as Konstantin and Suzana learn to trust in and rely on each other, God, and themselves. Their growing love for each other and tender conversations they had were my favorite part of the book!

But don’t forget about all the action and adventure! There is never a dull moment in this book. Between chasing bad guys away from his town, saving loved ones from injury, and then going on campaign and battles, it was so hard to put this book down and take care of daily life.

What a story! Anything AL Sowards writes has me completely enthralled from the very first page and this was no different. I never would’ve guessed being transported back to the late 1300s would keep me so much on the edge of my seat but wow, what a volatile time and place in history! Obviously the fictional aspect and strong emotional ties to characters add to the whole experience but I always enjoy the unique historical backgrounds to any AL Soward book.

I loved the prequel novella to this book and the continuation to the story is so good! We first meet Konstantin there, being thrown into his new role as župan at a very young age. Flash forward to the present and he is now a vassal of the Ottoman sultan whose army killed so many of his župa. And with this comes many heavy responsibilities. Paying tribute that he doesn’t have, offering soldiers to fight for a master he doesn’t support, all the while trying to recover from the blows the battle of Maritsa inflicted. Konstantin’s grandfather arranges a marriage of convenience with a wealthy merchant’s daughter to help Konstantin keep his župa alive.

There are so many things that happen over the course of this story. Trust, healing, support, love, faith, betrayal, guilt, forgiveness, survival. Konstantin and Suzana have a long, hard road ahead of them but their journey together was really beautiful. I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something real and lasting. And I really enjoyed seeing the underlying mystery come to light! The ending was extremely satisfying and I can’t wait to continue this journey into the Balkan Legends.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Love was something to be protected, relished, and used as a source of strength, even when everything else felt hard. Maybe especially then.”

Beneath a Crescent Shadow is a masterpiece of storytelling! Full of romance, intrigue, betrayal, war, forgiveness, and reconciliation, this sweeping story was impossible to put down. I love the way A.L. Sowards brings history to life. She infuses her stories with compelling characters, fascinating historical detail, and a touch of faith that pulls me in every time.

Set in the Balkans in the late 1300’s, this story portrays the struggles of Konstantin, a Zupan (Serbian Lord), and his people as they survive famine, arson, attacking brigands, and oppression from Ottoman overlords. On the verge of bankruptcy and needing to come up with funds to pay the Sultan, Konstantin agrees to an arranged marriage to fill his empty coffers. Suzana, the beautiful stranger he marries, soon becomes his treasured wife as he gently breaks down her walls and offers her love, acceptance, faith, and family. But, Kostantin is forced to fight for the Sultan and the fierce battles and aftermath leave him shaken. Facing unimaginable losses and betrayals, he and Suzana must work together to save their marriage and their people from the onslaught of rivals and the Ottoman Empire.

I loved Konstantin’s & Suzana’s love story. Suzana has a troubled past and I enjoyed how tender and patient Konstantin was with her. Their marriage is filled with ups and downs as they face moments of joy & sorrow. I loved how they learned to face trials together and grew in their love. I loved the messages of forgiveness, reconciliation, and faith. I also loved the side characters and the richness they added to the story. Young Ivan & Danilo provide some fun, lighter moments and I can’t wait to read their stories.

The tumultuous battles were portrayed in such a realistic yet tasteful way. I felt like I was right there and found myself furiously turning the pages during these action packed scenes. I appreciated that although the battles are fierce, the author doesn’t include unnecessary graphic detail. Beyond the Sultan’s battles, there are traitors in their midst and I was shocked and surprised by the depth of the betrayal.

All the stars for this brilliantly written, beautiful story! Highly recommend to historical fiction/romance fans! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Though this is the first book in the series, I recommend reading the prequel After the Crescent Strike which provides more insight into these characters and the history. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

CW: (Note that all of these are mildly portrayed.) Violence of war & its aftermath, assault, loss of a child, physical abuse, drunkenness, suggested off page intimacy between a married couple.

Author A.L. Sowards has hit another home run with the release of her first full length novel in her Balkan Legends series. A prequel novella, After the Crescent Strike, sets the stage nicely for this story, Beneath a Crescent Shadow. Reading the first will give the reader an increased understanding of the times and what was happening in the Balkan countries (and it is a fantastic read!), but Beneath A Crescent Shadow can stand alone, and be thoroughly enjoyable.

My history lessens when growing up didn’t include anything about the medieval Balkan countries, so I didn’t personally come with any background knowledge, but I was captivated from the early pages and helped along by the wonderful glossary that Sowards can be counted on to include and the map to help me situate things in my mind. This is the kind of book that keeps me up reading all night long!

Imagine for a moment that you are a young man, considered by your father to be too young to carry the mantle of leadership, especially when it comes to battle. This was Konstantin’s situation. When he learned of the devastating death of his father, uncles and many others soldiers from the Serb army, it left him in the position of immediately becoming the Župan (Leader) of his local community, expected to help provide and care for those under his leadership including his family and younger siblings. As the Serbians had lost in battle, he also became a Vassal to the conquering Ottoman army and had to be prepared to fight under their banner anytime he should be called upon.

Enter his grandfather, who has arranged a marriage for him to Suzana, whose father was a prosperous merchant who lived some distance of a way. Her dowry would be essential in keeping his people alive through difficult times. I can only imagine the trepidation Konstantin must have felt as he made his journey to meet her and become her husband.

Suzana, has a history, one that isn’t clear to Konstantin at the outset, but his first sighting of her and meeting leave him hopeful that love can blossom between them. When they finally are betrothed, she has yet to speak a word to him. Life starts getting complicated even before they leave for Rivak, Konstantin’s home as someone attempts to drown Suzana, leaving it to Konstantin to come to the rescue.

Lest the reader think this book is only a romance novel, it isn’t. It is so much more than that. It holds mystery and terrorist attacks and is filled with suspense as they try to ascertain who is behind all the happenings, and why are they being committed. It is a story of being called to battle, with epic fighting scenes with no guarantee of survival. It is a story of growth for both Konstantin as a leader and Suzana as his bride and proxy when he is absent. There are many important characters in the novel and Sowards does an excellent job of developing them and helping the reader get to know them and love them (or at least some of them!) I believe my husband would enjoy this novel too!

Difficult subjects are referenced – rape, domestic abuse and how they can affect an individual. It is a story with grief and loss and yet filled with hope and faith. They were difficult times and needed that faith to sustain them when nothing else could.

This is such a gripping novel. It brought me to tears but also made me smile and remember my own faith in hard times. It was a novel of hope and when I finished and read a sample of the next book in the series, Beyond the Crescent Sky, I started counting the days in my mind until this book will be released and continue the story!

If you love historical fiction, told with a high background of research, I am sure you will enjoy both this novel and the whole series.

I received an advance copy of the book from #NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishers and the author. All views are my own unbiased ones.

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to read this new series. It's set in the Balkans in the late 1300s, and I was immediately drawn in to all the fascinating details - the social structure, the Christian faith, the traditions, and the different groups of people battling for land and power. It was such a compelling story with the perfect amounts of action, romance, and faith.

If you're looking for a historical romance set in a unique moment of history, start this series! I can't wait for more!

(I forgot to post about the prequel novella, After the Cresent Strike. I read it first and it helped me get some context about the time period and the wars, so that might be a good place to start. Plus it's an amazing story too and the characters play an important role in Beneath a Crescent Shadow.)

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, NetGalley, and A.L. Sowards for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

When a battle/massacre not only leaves Konstantin as leader (and a vassal to the Sultan) far too young but also impoverishes the area he leads, things seem bad enough, but brigand attacks over the next few years drive him the very brink of bankruptcy. An arranged marriage with the daughter of a rich merchant isn't his choice of a way out, but is clearly his only option. Suzana is all he could have asked for - but it soon becomes clear that someone is targetting them, with attempts on both their lives. And when Konstantin is forced to lead his men to war supporting his enemy overlord, life becomes a different sort of struggle. Can Konstantin and Suzana forge the sort of marriage he's always dreamed of and she's never known was possible? Or will either their unknown enemy or the Sultan's battles destroy their dreams?

A heart-warming and heart-felt piece of historical fiction with more than a hint of romance and mystery. We get to enjoy seeing two strangers coming together to make a life together, overcoming their history and outside influences. We also see them face the mystery of an unknown enemy targetting them - who and why, and what will they do next? It's a deadly game... Then there are the struggles of a captive nation forced to help and fight for its conqueror but longing for freedom - with all the difficult decisions that entails. The result of all this is a story that kept me reading far into the night, It's not a period of history I know much of, and I've read little or no fiction in such a setting, but the author expertly provided sufficient background that I didn't feel lost without turning textbook. In fact, the author does a wonderful job of presenting both the wider issues faced by the nation and the issues faced by individual leaders, woven through the story of a single family, and specifically a particular couple - and in a way that made them feel like real people and ones I enjoyed getting to know. In regard to content, it's what I would call clean, and while there is violence, there's nothing that felt excessive or overly graphic. All in all, highly recommended to lovers of historical fiction, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Beneath A Crescent Shadow is an epic beginning to a saga I am fully invested in. To be fair, I started with the prequel, which left me wanting more and this book was the “more”—-it did not disappoint!

A few weeks ago I got to attend a class by this author about character development and reading this book was the proof that she really was the perfect author to teach that class. Though I have next to nothing in common with any of the characters in this book, I was fully invested in their struggles from the first chapter.

As a warning, readers should be aware that this is in no way a light and fluffy romance. There is war and gore and a whole lot of life. Those who are sensitive to stories where sexual abuse and rape are part of the storyline may want to pass on this one. There are mature themes throughout, and although I would definitely call this a clean read as far as spice levels, it is not one I will hand to my twelve year old until she is in high school. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own!

I know this will shock you, but I love romance. That’s what I focus on. This book has a lot going on but first and foremost, I care about the romance. Which is 👌👌
In addition to the romance, there is a whole lot of story that will take you on an emotional journey- anxiety, fear, confusion, but have no fear, I only recommend HEAs. (But I make no guarantees on how it gets there)

If you like political intrigue, arranged marriages, historicals, horses, and battles, then read this book. AL Sowards always hits. Truly.

4.5 stars
This was a stunning book and I fell in love with the characters and the story. Beneath a Crescent Shadow is the first book in A.L. Sowards’ Balkan Legends series. And I am hooked on this series, I need to read the next books!
I really liked how Konstantin and Suzana really balanced each other out. They were both in horrible situations and yet they were trying their best to make the most of everything. There was so much going on in the story and I was immediately drawn into the conflict and romance.
Konstantin was trying to care for his people and be a good leader, but there were days where he felt like he was failing. I love how sweet Konstantin was with his family and Suzana. He was truly trying his best. I like how Konstantin grew throughout the book and learned to let Suzana in.
Suzana was sweet. I loved seeing her grow throughout the book and see that she could be more than the obstacles that stood in her way. Suzana learned to believe in herself and trust Konstantin. I liked how she stood by Konstantin and desired to help him be a good leader.
I would definitely recommend this book! The characters and the story were lovely, I did not want to put the book down. I am super excited for the books to come! Beneath a Crescent Shadow is historical romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.