Release Day *** THE BOUND ***

 

One of my most highly anticipated books this year releases today!!  

THE BOUND by K.A. Linde

Cyrene Strohm is a Queen’s Affiliate, a high-ranking official of the court of Byern, with power and privilege to spare. But she’s also a keeper of dangerous secrets: like the fact that she holds the heart of the King, and that she possesses magic in a world where magic no longer exists. Determined to discover what this means and how to use her newfound abilities, Cyrene sets off for the distant land of Eleysia. An island nation where Affiliates are strictly forbidden from entering. But the journey is perilous, and the destination may mean utter ruin, as Cyrene comes to learn that everything she’s been told her whole life – about her court, her homeland, and even herself—are bound in a beautiful lie.      

 

✦ Amazon ✦ iBooks ✦ Kobo ✦ Goodreads

       

Excerpt

Staggering down the hallway, she didn’t even look up when she heard her name.

“Hmm?” she asked.

“Cyrene, there you are!”

Someone grabbed her shoulders, and she tipped her head to look up into the most beautiful face. She smiled and felt a renewed burst of energy flow through her.

“Hey,” she whispered.

“Hey,” he said, threading his fingers through hers. A shiver ran up her back. He glanced around the empty hallway and then tugged her away from the main corridors. She turned a corner, and he pressed her back into a darkened alcove. His mouth was only inches from hers.

Her exhaustion was wearing off from the excitement of being with him.

“I was really worried about you,” he breathed.

“You don’t have to worry about me,” she said, trapped in his gaze. She teetered on her tiptoes and nearly brushed their lips together. Her heart was racing ahead of her. This felt almost better than reaching for her magic. Definitely better than moving one drop of water at a time all day.

“You’re wrong.” Then, he softly dropped his mouth down on hers. His lips were tender and slow as they caressed hers. “I will always worry for your safety.”

Cyrene’s cheeks heated, and she sighed, leaning back against the hard stone of the alcove. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

His hands pushed up through her hair and tilted her head back up to look at him. She closed her eyes and sighed. She was so tired, and just the feel of his fingers was lulling her to sleep.

“That feels good.”

His mouth found hers, and despite her exhaustion, she pushed back against his lips with more force. She refused to let the fact that she was tired get in the way of her time with him.

“Whoa,” he said, pulling back from her. He rested his forehead against hers, and she could tell he was breathing heavily. “As much as I want this, and I do, I want to make sure you’re okay. This didn’t scare you away?”

She shook her head. “This, most certainly, does not scare me.” Then, she kissed him again for good measure.

He laughed. “Good. Because I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I first met you.”

“You have not!” she insisted.

“Are you kidding? A gorgeous, feisty woman who wasn’t afraid to put me in my place the first time she met me? I mostly certainly have.”

 Globug's Review

I thought Linde had created a huge new world in The Affiliate. I found in The Bound that my sight may have been a little narrow. Emporia exceeds what I thought the limits were of the world created in the Ascension Series.

The prologue gets things started with a bang. You instantly have answers to a couple of lingering questions from The Affiliate. Cyrene's journey is off to a quick start and just as quickly she's up to her eyes in trouble. One thing I loved about the first book was the supporting characters and Linde did not disappoint with the continued development of my favorite characters (like Ahlvie) and added new characters that compete for my heart.

I was surprised by a few plot twists this time around.  New characters, new creatures, and new romance kept me invested and intrigued in where Linde is taking Cyrene on her journey. Cyrene has only just begun to discover how powerful she is and how naive she has been about her King and her cherished position as an Affiliate in the First Class. What I thought I wanted to be the outcome of the romance developing was blown away by new a addition to the story. I also felt an added bit of mystery around the ever loyal Ahlvie.

So much still lies undiscovered and then sadly the book closes with a cliffhanger that made me nash my teeth a little. Now I will again be anxiously waiting for the continuation of this magical series.


   
The Affiliate: Book 1

  "With rich romance and twisty political intrigue, THE AFFILIATE is a breakneck fantasy ride that's perfect for fans of THE SELECTION or THRONE OF GLASS." --Susan Dennard, NYT bestselling author of TRUTHWITCH

On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm's lifelong plans come to fruition when she's chosen for one of the most prestigious positions in her homeland--an Affiliate to the Queen. Or so she thinks. When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene's position only grows more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have... King Edric himself. Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of freedom.

Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde's new Ascension series. Great for fans of Game of Thrones, Tudors, and Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series.

 ✦ Amazon ✦ iBooks ✦ B&N ✦ Kobo   

   Globug's Review of THE AFFILIATE

About the author

K.A. Linde grew up as a military brat and created fantastical stories based off of her love for Disney movies, fairy tales, and Star Wars. In her spare time, she is an avid traveler, loves reading young adult novels, and dancing. Additionally, K.A. has written more than a dozen adult novels and is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Lubbock, TX with her husband and two super adorable puppies. K.A. Linde loves to hear from her readers!






You can contact her at kalinde45@gmail.com or visit her online at one of the following sites: 
 www.kalinde.com 
 www.facebook.com/authorkalinde 
@authorkalinde  

Release Day Blast **HAPPENSTANCE 2** by Jamie McGuire

We're celebrating the release of   Happenstance 2 by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie McGuire! 

Title: Happenstance 2

Author: Jamie McGuire

Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (September 9, 2014)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen

Goodreads

Blurb:

Erin Easter was now Erin Alderman, because Erin Alderman was dead. 

In the second installment of this USA Today bestselling series, follow protagonist Erin, a high school senior in tiny Blackwell, Oklahoma. After a terrible accident leaves two classmates dead, Erin learns that she was switched at birth. Shortly after, she moves into the home of her true parents, Sam and Julianne Alderman, transforming Erin over night from pariah of Blackwell High School, to the only child of one of the most affluent couples in town. 

Also being pursued by her childhood crush, Weston Gates, the dream she once had is now reality. But when Erin stumbles upon secrets that gives her the answers she’s been searching for, she also finds a truth she never wanted to know. 

How We Deal With Gravity {Review & Trailer}

Author: Ginger Scott

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2014

When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot’s life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy—always second to fighting never-ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect. Finding someone to fight along her side wasn’t even on her list, and she’d come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.

But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery’s heart waging a war within. Mason was a failure. When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back—it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts. Women, booze and rock-n-roll—that was it for him. But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home—the Abbots.

Avery loved Mason silently for years—until he broke her heart…completely. But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason. Could this one save them both?

Add To GoodReads 

Globug's Reveiw

Reading stories of first loves are always like entering a tunnel that takes me back to my teenage years. I can vividly draw on those emotions that I felt and relate to the characters when that first love is lost as well. For Avery, her first love never even knew he owned her heart before he crushed it like only a stupid boy can do. 

But lives go on, we grow up, and our paths change bringing people in and out of our lives. Avery married the perfect guy. When their son Max was diagnosed with autism at just a year old, the perfect guy became a colossal waste of oxygen. The very next day he abandons his wife and son without warning.  His parents finally have to force him to at the very least help financially. That truly is the bare minimum when you consider the daily fight Avery had to face raising a son with autism.  

I love that the story is also told from Mason's perspective. Mason Street has been on the road for five years touring. Making it big never seemed to be as good as his dream though.  Now with no album and a less than stellar performance on tour, the record label has dropped him. He turns to the man that has always been like a father and taught him everything he knows about music. That man also happens to be Avery's dad. 

Avery has had to be strong over the last four years as a single mom. Have you ever been in a store and seen a child throwing a tantrum and thought "wow, that lady needs to get control of her kid", or "that kid needs a good spanking"? Well imagine as the parent what it would be like to have your child act out in public and you feel helpless because there is no real way to reason with your child because his brain doesn't function the way a normal person's brain should. You have to endure the stares and ugly comments of people who are judging you as an unfit parent and your child as the spawn of hell. That's been Avery's life. She wasn't prepared to face Mason on his first day back in town. He broke her heart when they were kids and she's resented him ever since. So when he calls her kid a weirdo she releases her pent up frustration with slap to Mason's face. That opened his eyes real quick. Avery isn't the weak girl Mason remembers.

Now he sees her in a whole new light and he likes what he sees. He's going to need help if wants to win her heart again. That's where Claire comes in. She is Avery's best friend. She has pretty much put her life on hold to support Avery and Max any way she can. She also believes she's helping when she tells Mason all of Avery's secrets and exactly why Avery hates him so much.

I loved watching Mason and Avery fall in love again but even better was watching the connection that forms between Mason and Max. The first time Max sees Mason play the guitar an instant bond is formed. Mason starts to reach Max in ways no one else has. Max rarely makes the effort to speak to strangers or ask questions about people but Mason has caught his interest. At first Mason just wants to help Avery because she's got so much to deal with on her own. I could feel myself falling in love with Mason right along with Avery as he began spending more time with Max and filling the void her ex-husband left. It's the tender moments with Max that really make this story so exceptional.

I knew there was going to be a point when Mason was going to have to choose what path he wanted his future to take. But the unexpected detour broke my heart. Thank heaven the author quickly repaired my heart with a happy ending and an epilogue that is the sweet frosting on the cake.

As a nurse I've had the opportunity to work with families affected by autism. I also have family directly affected by it. I feel like parents of children with autism will have a special place in heaven after earning their wings on earth. Unfortunately there really are those parents that abandon their responsibilities and will never reap the rewards that a special needs child can bring their lives. There is nothing quite like a hug from a child who chooses you to give their rare affection to. I'm a huge fan of author Ginger Scott. Her stories always reach that tender place in my heart. 

Athour Bio and Links

Ginger Scott is a writer and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. Her new adult romance, "How We Deal With Gravity," centers on a young, single mother of a child with autism and her chance at love with a familiar face from her past. 'Gravity' releases July 8.

Scott is also the author of "Waiting on the Sidelines," a coming-of-age love story that explores the real heartbreak we all feel as we become adults throughout our high school years. The story follows two characters, Nolan (a Tomboy with a baseball player's name) and Reed (the quarterback she wishes would notice her) as they struggle with peer-pressure, underage drinking, bullying and finding a balance between what your heart wants and what society says you should want -- even if you aren't ready. You can read it, and the sequel, "Going Long," now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-book outlets.

She is also the author of "Blindness," and the soon-to-be-released new-adult romance "This Is Falling."

Scott has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns.

 Ginger Scott website ♦ Goodreads ♦ FaceBook ♦ Twitter

PROMOTIONAL EVENT: WAR OF WIZARDS (SECRETS OF SHADOW HILL #3) BY S.P. CERVANTES {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY}

Welcome to the promotional event for War of Wizards by S.P. Cervantes, hosted by  

 Wordsmith Publicity . Thanks for stopping by!

Title: War of Wizards (Secrets of Shadow Hill 3)

Author: S.P. Cervantes

Age group: YA

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: 5/27/14

Publisher: Center One Publishing

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

Synopsis: 

Ava and Dalton want nothing more than to forget about the danger their love puts them in, and live peaceful lives in Shadow Hill; but that is not their destiny. Evil continues to haunt them, threatening to destroy everything. Volikai’s determination to summon the dark powers that the Originals have kept hidden for centuries before the Prophecy can be fulfilled. When Patrick finds a new love, and learns of the reason for his powerful connection with Ava, he will stop at nothing to protect those he loves and destroy the evil that has plagued the world since the beginning of time. Together, they will be faced with unimaginable choices to save the one’s they love as the final secrets of Shadow Hill are revealed.

Cover Reveal: War Of Wizards (Secrets Of Shadow Hill 3) by S.P Cervantes

S.P. Cervantes is ready to release the cover for War of Wizards, book three in the Secrets of Shadow Hill series.

Title: War of Wizards (Secrets of Shadow Hill 3)

Author: S.P. Cervantes

Age group: YA

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Center One Publishing

Hosted by: Wordsmith Publicity

Synopsis:

Ava and Dalton want nothing more than to forget about the danger their love puts them in, and live peaceful lives in Shadow Hill; but that is not their destiny. Evil continues to haunt them, threatening to destroy everything. Volikai’s determination to summon the dark powers that the Originals have kept hidden for centuries before the Prophecy can be fulfilled.

When Patrick finds a new love, and learns of the reason for his powerful connection with Ava, he will stop at nothing to protect those he loves and destroy the evil that has plagued the world since the beginning of time.

Together, they will be faced with unimaginable choices to save the one’s they love as the final secrets of Shadow Hill are revealed. 

Entangled Teen August New Release Event & Giveaway!

Welcome to the Entangled Teen August 27 release party! Today, we're celebrating the release of The Liberator by Victoria Scott, Relic by Renee Collins, Everlast by Andria Buchanan, Ward Against Darkness by Melanie Card, and Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Liberator by Victoria Scott

Bad boy, meet bad girl.

Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.

When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.

With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.

B&N | Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Victoria Scott: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Tiffany Truitt's Back To Reading Contest & .99 Cent Sale!!

I am so excited to be stopping by today to announce my “Back to Reading,” contest. Like millions of teachers and students, I will be returning back to the classroom, and I thought this needed to be celebrated with a MAJOR book giveaway….and other fun goodies for all my fellow fans of Young Adult Literature. -Tiffany Truitt

What Do You Win: One lucky winner will receive copies of the following books (Only US residents need apply)-  

How Do You Win: Simply stop by my website between Aug 23-26 to enter.

Blind Study by Jacquelyn Sylvan {Cover Reveal + Book Trailer + Giveaway}

We are excited to bring you the cover reveal for new author Jaquelyn Sylvan. Be sure to check out the trailer made by April Haug of Sim~Sational~Books and don't forget to enter the Giveaway to win one of three ebooks!

Title - Blind Study

Author - Jacquelyn Sylvan

Release Date - August 20th, 2013

Age Group - YA

Genre - Paranormal Thriller

Format - Ebook - Amazon / B&N/ Kobo

Eighteen-year-old Alice has spent the last year of her life in a hospital bed, held hostage by pain from a freak accident. Doctors can neither explain nor cure her condition, and her medical insurance is about to run out. Then, she’s offered one last chance—inclusion in a study for a revolutionary new pain medication. Miraculously, the medication works. There’s only one side effect—vivid, terrifying nightmares, of imprisonment in a pitch-black cell, with no memory of her identity or how she got there. At least, she thinks that’s all they are, until someone from her dreams shows up in real life. When other sinister happenings cross the boundary between dreaming and waking, Alice must choose: return to a half-life of isolation and agony, or confront the malevolent force behind the dreams, before she and those she cares about are trapped in their nightmares forever. But by the time she makes her choice—it may already be too late.

Searching For Beautiful by Nyrae Dawn {Cover Reveal + Excerpt + Giveaway}

Today Nyrae Dawn and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for Searching for Beautiful, which releases on March 4, 2014. Also enter below for a paperback of the book or an eBook!

Before, Brynn had a group of best friends, a loving boyfriend, a growing talent for pottery. She had a life. And after…she had none.

When Brynn lost the boyfriend who never loved her, the friends who feel she betrayed their trust, and the new life just beginning to grow inside her, she believes her future is as empty as her body. But then Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of.

But can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?

Waiting On The Sidelines by Ginger Scott {Review & Giveaway}

Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary Romance  

Publication Date: April 14, 2013

SYNOPSIS

Nolan Lennox had things figured out. Named after a baseball legend, she enjoyed being the Tomboy, her closet filled with her brother’s hand-me-downs, cut-off jeans and soccer shorts. But when her first trip to high school results in a broken heart from the first boy to ever make her heart flutter and cruel words from an older girl she once thought a family friend, Nolan st...more Nolan Lennox had things figured out. Named after a baseball legend, she enjoyed being the Tomboy, her closet filled with her brother’s hand-me-downs, cut-off jeans and soccer shorts. But when her first trip to high school results in a broken heart from the first boy to ever make her heart flutter and cruel words from an older girl she once thought a family friend, Nolan starts to question the very person she thought she was and wonders if her humble upbringing can compete with the afforded luxuries of her privileged peers.

Throughout the next four years, Nolan struggles to maintain herself throughout her path of discovery, learning just how cruel teenagers can be through the pressures of underage drinking, sexuality and class. And despite how life seems to continue to work against her, she still manages to listen to her heart, falling deeper and deeper for the guy the entire town adores, even if he only sees her as a friend. Can Nolan strike a compromise between her own integrity and the boy she loves? And can she make him notice her before it’s too late?

Reed Johnson came to Coolidge High School with a lot of fanfare. The son of a hometown football legend and the brother of a local football hero, Reed wore all the pressures of carrying a town without hope into the spotlight. Thankfully, he had the talent to back it up. But when he meets a girl who makes him think twice about exactly what being a hero means, he starts to wonder if following in his brother’s footsteps might be all wrong.

Nolan Lennox was everything that was opposite of expected. She didn’t flirt, she didn’t drink and she didn’t sleep around. Nothing about her was easy, but something about her made Reed want to try harder. Though she didn’t look the part, she seemed to be spending a lot of time in Reed’s thoughts, and he wondered if she could be the one who made it all worthwhile. But could Reed handle letting her down? And would breaking her heart break him beyond repair?

Waiting on the Sidelines explores young love to its fullest, exposing how real young heartbreak and passion is and how important it is to discover yourself and hold onto your own identity. The story follows two young characters as they deal with mature situations, including the prevalence of bullying and promiscuity in today’s high school setting. Ultimately, Waiting on the Sidelines is a story of hope, honesty and those powerful, first true loves—the ones worth holding onto at any cost.

Cover Reveal: Striking (Forged By Fire #1) by Lila Felix & Rachel Higginson

 Cami Montgomery stole a car and smashed it into the front of a building in upscale Beverly Hills after a lousy date with the epitome of sleaze balls. The worst part, her parents are following through on threats after this latest plea for attention. Banished from her L.A. paradise and plunged into the Appalachian Mountains with her industrious aunt and uncle, Cami is about to find out how precious life really is. Stockton Wright has been thrust into a hard life. He sacrifices everything to give his family and community what they need. He’s exhausted from life and work—and he’s only twenty four. What he needs is some change, and some sunshine. Even he will agree to that. He just doesn’t expect to find it in a stuck up, pompous, entitled Californian. Cami bursts into Stockton’s life like wildfire, consuming all his thoughts and tangling him in her web. What starts out as a contentious rivalry evolves into a desire neither of them expected. When hammer meets metal, will they crack under pressure or be forged as one? Cami and Stockton might just end up being exactly what the other one needs, but first their love will have to be drawn out in fire.

Scorched Treachery Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal: Scorched Treachery

by Rebecca Ethington

 

Title: Scorched Treachery (Imdalind #3)

Author: Rebecca Ethington

Expected release date: July 12^th 2013

Genre: Paranormal (with action and romance)

Age Group: Young Adult

Cover designed by: Okay Creations; http://www.okaycreations.com/

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17874494-scorched-treachery

Book Description:

While Joclyn is trapped in the tormenting hell of Cail’s mind, the battle around her only continues to grow and spread.

*

Edmund has infiltrated the underground hallways of Prague, guiding the massacre that would end the lives of the last of the great magical race. In her attempts to stop him, Wynifred has been captured and her magic restrained. Chained up in the ancient dungeons of Prague, her fate is left in the hands of her father, who has tried to kill her before.

With Ryland’s screams and Sain’s fragmented sights as her only company, Wyn must rely on something that has been hidden deep inside of her for centuries to help them break free.

 *

Ilyan’s whole life has been building up to one purpose. Protect the Silnỳ. He knows what he must do, and he has no doubt in his ability to do so.

But when his father’s magic removes Joclyn’s mind from her body, he is left protecting the shell of the one person he loves. Desperate to find a way to break her free of her prison, he makes a choice. And that one choice changes everything.

Now, Ilyan finds himself bound to Joclyn in a way that he never knew to be possible. They say that blood is thicker than water, but Black Water burns, and Ilyan’s heart may not be strong enough to keep the water pumping through his veins and give the girl he loves back into his brother’s care.

Even if he can, it may not be safe to do so.

Reading order: Kiss of Fire (1), Eyes of Ember (2), Scorched Treachery (3)

About the Author

 

Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

 

 

Author’s social media links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Rebecca_Ethington

Amazon author: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009ZNTLPS

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/rebecca-ethington

Website: www.rebeccaethington.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebEthington ; @RebEthington

 

Eyes of Ember (The Imdalind Series) by Rebecca Ethington {Review}

 

 

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

Series: The Imdalind Series

Author: Rebecca Ethington

Publish date: April 6, 2012

Pages: 380

 

 

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS

 

 

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

 

 

MY TAKE

 

 

I was anxious to read Eyes of Ember. If you read my review of book one Kiss of Fire (Review of Kiss of Fire) you see that it did not end on a happy note. I had fallen hard for the character Ryland. Then came along Illyan. It's not often that I find it hard to choose with lead guy I want to get the girl, but I really liked both of these guys.

 

In Eyes of Ember, we start with Joclyn three days after her failed attempt to rescue Ryland from his evil father. All of his memory has been erased. Now Joclyn has lost everyone she loves. As Ilyan tries to help her recover, they discover Joclyn suffers from more than just a broken heart. Her magic is gone and her body seems to be dying. Ryland continues to hunt Joclyn  in her dreams and the real world now that he is just his fathers puppet. Ilyan has no choice but to train Joclyn to fight. He's her protector and his feelings for Joclyn continue to become apparent. My heart breaks for Ilyan each time Joclyn rejects his affection. She can't accept that Ryland is lost to her. She remains in denial of her own feelings developing for Ilyan as well. A small bit of hope is restored when Joclyn visits Ryland in a Touha (shared consciousness). She regains her strength and powers from spending time with Ryland in the Touha but it's not permanent.

 

Every night Joclyn is hunted, captured, and tortured in her dreams by Ryland and his father's goon Cail. With every nightmare I fall less in love with Ryland and more in love with Ilyan. He sings to her each time she wakes screaming.

 

"Hush now child. Be still, be calm. The world will change at the new dawn. And when it does, you will see how you and I were meant to be."

 

I loved getting to know more about Ilyan in this book. He reveals some much about the centuries he has been alive. But as we get to know him you can sense that he's leaving out something really important. You also realize just how alone he is. Remember in Kiss of Fire we learn that Ryland and Ilyan are brothers, which means Edmund is Ilyan and Ovailia's father too. Edmund has tortured all of his children in an effort to gain more power. The plot thickens as Ilyan realizes Joclyn's father is being held prisoner by Edmond.  Her father has a huge role in the magic world and has suffered at the hands of Edmund for years. Joclyn feels empty as she sees now that her life has been full of lies.You won't believe her father's connection to the bitch Ovailia. Through all of Ilyan's life he has been on the side of good.

 

"Two brothers stand beside you, both know of your true fate. They both have love in their hearts, but different needs to gain. One seeks power, the other light."

 

At this point, Joclyn has no choice but to see what Ilyan's true feelings for her are. Ryland all but tells her of Ilyan's love in riddle about the future. Once again Ryland attempts to kill Joclyn and Ilyan comes to the rescue. With his unmatched power, he transports them to a safe hiding place. I'm thinking good grief, how much more can happen? I'm only half way through the book. Ilyan expended himself to the point of unsciousness. Joclyn has so much to learn. As Ilyan sleeps for his body to heal, two of his trusted friends train Joclyn and give her quite the family history lesson. Joclyn gets to look into the future and see her true destiny. My heart breaks for Ilyan as his destiny is also revealed. He's the only one strong enough to protect her and she's the most powerful of all.  Joclyn has a huge burden to carry.

 

"Bred to die, born to fight, raised to be broken, and always the cause of pain for those I cared about most in the world."

 

The question is can they survive the heartache they both are meant to endure? God knows my heart couldn't take it. I was a snotty mess.

 

Joclyn finds herself trapped in a Touha.The author does an amazing job making you feel like you're going crazy right along with Joclyn. The story becomes twisted and dark. It becomes clear in the end what Joclyn must do. There is no question that Ilyan owns my heart at the end of Eyes of Ember. True love is not selfish.  I can't imagine what we're in for in the next book. I really hope for a little happiness in the story. So far there's been a ton of romance and action and intensity but very little happiness. I definitely recommend reading the series.

 

 

 

 

AUTHOR BIO/LINKS

Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

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