Books by Anna Kashina

THE DARK ESSENCE OF RUSSIAN MYTHAs the head priestess of the ancient Solstice cult, Marya must sacrifice a virgin every year. She copes with this gruesome duty by assuming a mask of cold detachment, as her father-the evil tzar Kashchey-devours the maidens' souls to maintain his youth and power. It is his power alone that keeps Marya's kingdom safe from all enemies-or so she was raised to believe. When Ivan arrives on a quest to stop the virgin sacrifices, Marya throws all her magic against him. To maintain her life-and that of her father-she must destroy Ivan before he completes his quest. But can she find it in her heart to do so?Baba Yaga, Leshy, Vodyanoi, and the ancient animal deities come alive in this beautifully crafted story that will take you into the authentic world of Russian fairy tales-with a dark, sensual twist.

Defeated by the Majat forces, Nimos and the other Kaddim Brothers retreat to their secret fortress in the southern mountains. Nimos knows that the Majat's victory is only temporary: during the flight, he managed to place a mark on Kara, one of the top-ranked Diamond Majat. His mind magic would now allow him to use this mark to confer her fighting skill to the Kaddim warriors and turn her loyalties to their side.The new Majat Guildmaster, Mai, is planning a march against the Kaddim. His key ally, Prince Kyth Dorn, is instrumental in these plans: Kyth's magic gift can protect the Majat against the Kaddim mind control powers. But Mai and Kyth are having trouble getting over their rivalry for Kara's affections even after they realize that this rivalry is the least of their worries, at least for the moment. Something about Kara is not rightFile Under:Fantasy[ Showdown! | Lost Princess | Shuffling the Ranks | Love (Really) Hurts ]

Winner of two Prism Awards (Fantasy, Best of the Best)The sequel toBlades of the Old Empire.Kara has achieved something that no Majat has ever managed freedom from the Guild!But the Black Diamond assassin Mai has been called back to face his punishment for sparing her life. Determined to join his fight or share his punishment, Kara finds herself falling for Mai.But is their relationship and the force that makes their union all-powerful a tool to defeat the overpowering forces of the Kaddim armies, or a distraction sure to cause the downfall of the Majat?File Under:Fantasy[ Duty vs Honor | Forbidden | Unstoppable | Back in Black ]

Action, intrigue, and romance in this fantasy series from two-time Prism Award winner Anna Kashina.When Prince Kythar falls under attack in his own castle, he has no idea that his enemies are none other than the ancient Kaddim Brotherhood plotting to destroy his royal line. His inborn ability to control the elements is the only power that can stop this plot, but there is one problem. Kyth's fighting skills are no match for the Kaddim, leaving him no time to put his magic to work. To defeat the Kaddim, Kyth must rely on his bodyguard Kara, a beautiful Diamond-ranked assassin from the elite Majat Guild. But his enemies develop an elaborate plan to remove her from their way. Acting through treachery and scheming, they pitch Kara against the Majat, marking her as a target for the only warrior who can defeat her in battle. With the deadly assassin on their trail, Kythar and Kara must face impossible odds to save the kingdom and their lives. File Under:Fantasy[ Friend & Foe | Kingdoms at War | A Secret Gift | Uncomfortable Journeys ]