Swords and Scoundrels (Duelist's Trilogy #1) by Julia Knight

She and her brother were duelists and very good at what they did.  When he kills a priest he was meant to guard, they are suddenly on the run.  They have to leave the city they grew up in and they can't hire out as duelists anymore.  So they turn into highway men...

Orbit and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published October 6th.

This is a new series with sword play, politics, sorcerers and more.  There are two different political factions vying for power.  The leader of Duelists Guild is playing his own game.  And all Kacha and her brother Vacho are trying to do is stay live and make some money. That does work out very well when they capture a carriage and steal all the valuables of the men inside.  Especially when the trunk they grab was owned by a sorcerer...

The plot is complicated and so are the characters.  My favorite is Kacha.  She was falling love when she found out he was only was only using her, so she won't have anything to do with him now.  As time goes on though, she finds everyone was lying to her, even her own brother.  The one she loves is almost as stubborn and determined as she is so there may be hope for this romance in the future.

In this book, it's a challenge to stay alive.  The action is nonstop, most of it is death defying, and they lose their beliefs, their innocence, and some hide on the journey.  But they still have self-confidence and hope.  They haven't given up.  And there is more to come...