Saturday 30 July 2016

Reviews Blast: Promo: Benjamin McTish and the Hidden Caverns of Bristonbel by June M. Pace



Title-Benjamin McTish and the Door Through the Grandfather Tree
Series- Benjamin McTish # 1
By- June M. Pace
Genre- YA Fantasy

 
One day Benjamin watches from behind the Rhododendron as a mysterious little woman steps out of a taxi in front of the cream colored house with the forest green trim next door, and in one synchronistic moment their eyes lock and a series of visual snippets of unfamiliar events unfold in his mind’s vision. His razor sharp sixth sense allows him the freedom to explore the extrasensory messages coming at him like a derailed freight train.
And when Benjamin finds a peculiar relic of a key in his grandmother’s garden shed, he could never know his world was about to change forever.

There is local legend in the small town of Grandlochcheshire that has been passed down for a 100 years about the mysterious disappearance of the Chickering family, that trails on the coat tails of the equally shocking abduction of the children belonging to the owner of the Skeffington Union Rails. The circumstances that follow this notorious tale enter into the modern world of Benjamin and his two best mates.

Annabel and Mathilda, two sisters who have moved from America, have become more than mere friends to Benjamin, they have all become the three Muskydeers (Mathilda’s mispronounced version of Musketeers, which was a huge laugh and of course it stuck), as they are plunged head first into this curious journey.  

In the Gilley Forest they discover that the path they have chosen is inundated with many obstacles as well as intrigue.  Alliances are made with the Forest clan of Gnomes and with the aid of the Vila sisters, the three friends take on the test that is the Grandfather Tree.  They must stay on the pre ordained Path of Prophecy, whose ancestry comes from the home of the oldest living beings on the planet, the Elves of the Darmon.  However, this is no easy task for the Muskydeers as they have the foulest of sorcery hunting their every move, the powerful dark beauty, Tar Vigorn…who will stop at nothing to gain entrance into the Great Tree.

Through the Door and beneath the enchanted Gilley Forest lies the ever magical land of Coranim...a place of insight, thought and possibilities, with wondrous sites and magic galore.   Once in Coranim the children make the acquaintance of the greatest Medicine Elder alive, Esmerelda Fet.  A most powerful Light Sorceress with a brazen in your face attitude and a thick Irish brogue, who guides the trio on their Path of destiny.

However, dear reader, a path can change in the blink of an eye.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17984619-benjamin-mctish-and-the-door-through-the-grandfather-tree  http://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-McTish-Door-through-Grandfather/dp/0989646408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465254776&sr=8-1&keywords=June+M.+Pace


Reviews Blast: Promo: Benjamin McTish and the Hidden Caverns of Bristonbel by June M. Pace



Title-Benjamin McTish and the Door Through the Grandfather Tree
Series- Benjamin McTish # 1
By- June M. Pace
Genre- YA Fantasy

 
One day Benjamin watches from behind the Rhododendron as a mysterious little woman steps out of a taxi in front of the cream colored house with the forest green trim next door, and in one synchronistic moment their eyes lock and a series of visual snippets of unfamiliar events unfold in his mind’s vision. His razor sharp sixth sense allows him the freedom to explore the extrasensory messages coming at him like a derailed freight train.
And when Benjamin finds a peculiar relic of a key in his grandmother’s garden shed, he could never know his world was about to change forever.

There is local legend in the small town of Grandlochcheshire that has been passed down for a 100 years about the mysterious disappearance of the Chickering family, that trails on the coat tails of the equally shocking abduction of the children belonging to the owner of the Skeffington Union Rails. The circumstances that follow this notorious tale enter into the modern world of Benjamin and his two best mates.

Annabel and Mathilda, two sisters who have moved from America, have become more than mere friends to Benjamin, they have all become the three Muskydeers (Mathilda’s mispronounced version of Musketeers, which was a huge laugh and of course it stuck), as they are plunged head first into this curious journey.  

In the Gilley Forest they discover that the path they have chosen is inundated with many obstacles as well as intrigue.  Alliances are made with the Forest clan of Gnomes and with the aid of the Vila sisters, the three friends take on the test that is the Grandfather Tree.  They must stay on the pre ordained Path of Prophecy, whose ancestry comes from the home of the oldest living beings on the planet, the Elves of the Darmon.  However, this is no easy task for the Muskydeers as they have the foulest of sorcery hunting their every move, the powerful dark beauty, Tar Vigorn…who will stop at nothing to gain entrance into the Great Tree.

Through the Door and beneath the enchanted Gilley Forest lies the ever magical land of Coranim...a place of insight, thought and possibilities, with wondrous sites and magic galore.   Once in Coranim the children make the acquaintance of the greatest Medicine Elder alive, Esmerelda Fet.  A most powerful Light Sorceress with a brazen in your face attitude and a thick Irish brogue, who guides the trio on their Path of destiny.

However, dear reader, a path can change in the blink of an eye.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17984619-benjamin-mctish-and-the-door-through-the-grandfather-tree  http://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-McTish-Door-through-Grandfather/dp/0989646408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465254776&sr=8-1&keywords=June+M.+Pace


Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Sweetness by Sierra Hill


Sweetness
Sierra Hill

Publication date: July 26th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

I’m the girl from the school of hard knocks.
Nothing has ever come easy for me. So forgive me if I’m a bit reluctant about Kincaid Griffin – born-with-a-silver-spoon in his mouth, conceited college hoops player. A guy who could get any girl he wants, and yet, is suddenly everywhere I am trying to woo me. The more I protest, the more persistent he becomes.
I’m a lucky bastard.
Let’s face it. As a college athlete, I don’t chase girls – they come to me. I’m as arrogant and cocky as they come, getting nearly everything I want, whenever I want. But there is nothing sweeter than a girl who plays hard to get. And Ainsley Locker is so full of confidence that she knocks me off my feet from the moment I meet her. She’s a challenge. And I like challenges. So I go full-court press to win her over.
But when a stupid mistake turns viral, slam dunking all over my life in a media frenzy, my spot on the team may be in jeopardy, along with my shot at winning the girl.
 
 
SWEETNESS TEASER 1

TEASER SWEETNESS


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Sierra Hill wrote her first full-length romance after a corporate acquisition led her to a stint of unemployment. Since self-publishing her first book in 2014, she’s found her creative passion, writing about the fictional characters that live in her brain, who constantly shout for their own love stories to be told.
Sierra frequently indulges in what some might consider to be an unhealthy dose of reading, dark chocolate goodies, and way too much coffee. She hates cold weather, and frequently finds herself traveling around the country to see her favorite live musicians in concert.
Sierra resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of twenty years and her long-haired, German Shepherd. She is currently working on her next book. 

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Book Blitz: Excerpt + #Giveaway: Copper Veins by Jennifer Allis Provost


Copper Veins
Jennifer Allis Provost

(Copper Legacy #3)
Publication date: July 26th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

Sara’s pretty sure her life is perfect.
Not only are she and Micah finally married, her father, who’d been missing since the Magic Wars, has been found. Actually, he just strode up to the manor’s front door, but whatever. Sara knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.
But Baudoin Corbeau isn’t content to return to family life. He’s decided that he will be the force of change in the Mundane world, and lead the Elemental resistance to victory with his children at his side. What’s worse, Baudoin doesn’t approve of Sara’s marriage, and makes every attempt to separate her from Micah.
After a visit to the Mundane realm leaves Sara, Max and Sadie imprisoned by the Peacekeepers, Sara’s doubts creep to the surface. Is her father right? Does she belong in the Mundane realm, not the Otherworld? Is Micah really the right man–make that elf–for her?
Was marrying him a mistake?
 
 
Previous books in the series:
16193519 18812985
 
 
 
EXCERPT
 
We walked all the way back to the manor instead of traveling by the much faster metal pathways. While he didn’t say as much, I understood that Micah wanted the extra time to clear his head, and I was content to while away the rest of the morning with him. “I’m still a bit… grumpy about being cheated out of our wedding night,” I muttered as we walked.
“Grumpy?” Micah repeated. We’d stopped beside a stream to relax and splash some cool water on our faces. “That is not quite the word I would have chosen.”
“Really?” I’d found a stubby branch, and was doodling in the mud while I sat on a rock, my back to the water. “And what word would you choose, General Silverstrand?”
“Hush. I have not filled that role for a long, long time.” He leaned over and nuzzled the soft spot behind my ear. “Lonely. Bereft. Frustrated. Unmarried.”
“Micah, it’s only been one night.”
“Yes, but until our marriage is consummated, we are not as one. The officiant said as much during our ritual.”
I recalled the actual words of the ceremony—at the time, I’d been too elated to dissect their meaning, but Corporal Rawson had said, “And once you know her as your wife, you are forever joined as one.” I hadn’t realized that that was what they meant, but I suppose it made sense. At least it was an easier requirement than babies.
“Are all marriages like that?” I asked. I felt Micah’s mouth curl into a smile.
“I don’t know. I have only been married once.” He nipped at my ear and added, “As for this marriage, I know that I must lie with you to seal our vows.”
“Well,” I murmured, stretching my neck for more kisses, “I guess we’d better get on that.”
“I agree.” Micah leaned forward to kiss me on the mouth, but he halted when he saw the result of my mud doodles. I had stabbed and slashed at the ground until it looked like a rabid buffalo had churned up the soil. “Sara, what is troubling you?”
Normally, I would have denied any troubles in favor of more kissing, but that’s pretty hard to do when the evidence is right in front of you. “Do… do you think it’s weird that Dad just showed up? I mean, we’ve been looking for him forever, and he just walks right up to the front door?”
Micah pursed his lips, taking a deep breath before he replied. “Weird? Perhaps. However, your father’s return is an unprecedented turn of good fortune. And on our wedding day, no less.”
“I love it when you say that.”
“What?”
“‘Our wedding day.’”
Micah took the stick from me and pulled me to my feet. “Soon, I will be telling you about our wedding night.” He tossed the stick into the stream and tugged me back toward the road and the manor. “Come, my love, my wife, and let me bring you home.”


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Allis Provost writes books about faeries, orcs and elves. Zombies too. She grew up in the wilds of Western Massachusetts and had read every book in the local library by age twelve. (It was a small library). An early love of mythology and folklore led to her epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Parthalan, and her day job as a cubicle monkey helped shape her urban fantasy, Copper Girl. When she’s not writing about things that go bump in the night (and sometimes during the day) she’s working on her MFA in Creative Nonfiction. 

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Cover Reveal: Forever My Soldier by Alison Mello


Forever My Soldier
Alison Mello


(Love Conquers Life #3)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: August 9th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

All Patricia Fitzgerald wants is to live happily ever after with her soldier…
With their relationship finally out in the open, and Carter on the fast track to recovery, Patty spends Black Friday helping him with his charity event. Their attempt to spread Christmas cheer is interrupted, though, when Patty’s ex-boyfriend Ben, who has been harassing her for months, shows up. Fearing for Patty’s life, one of the men on the protection detail springs into action.
Patty finally thinks her worries are over, but the media won’t leave her alone…
The press is everywhere. Patty wants to move on with her life, but they’re relentless in their badgering about the circumstances surrounding Ben. If that isn’t enough stress to endure, someone spikes Patty’s drink during a New Year’s Eve event, and it isn’t her meddling ex. Luckily, Carter is there to save her when she collapses, but this constant threat to her life isn’t going away.
Planning a wedding becomes tedious instead of fun when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder…
A cake tasting is supposed to be one of those days as a future bride when you get to sit back and take a break from the chaos of planning the ceremony. Someone new is out there, though, and they aren’t happy with how Patty handled Ben and her newfound fame in the press. Can Carter manage to keep his fiancé safe long enough to put their ordeal with Ben behind them for good and finally become…
…forever her soldier?
 
 
Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000447_00006]
 
*Designed by Deranged Doctor Design*


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Alison Mello is a wife and stay at home mom to a wonderful little boy. She lives with her amazing family in Massachusetts. She loves playing soccer, basketball and football with her son.
After having her son, Alison started reading again and fell in love with Contemporary Romance. Reading made her happy and gave her something to do when she had downtime. As she started to read more, she started to noticed things she really enjoyed in a book and things she didn’t. She began to have ideas for writing one of her own. One day she literally woke up and started writing. She realized that if there was ever a time for her to write, it was now. She had a part time job to give her something to do. The hours at work were slow and she was bored with what she was doing, so while her son was off enjoying his friends over summer vacation she got started.
Alison finished the first book in two weeks and decided that she really enjoyed writing, so she kept going. She already had ideas in mind for books two and three, so she kept writing. That is how the Learning to Love Series was born. Somewhere along the line, one of my Beta readers convinced me that Michael, a character from Finding Love, needed his own story. That is when Alison added the fourth and final book. Alison hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
She’s so glad she started this writing journey and hopes you will stay with her for the ride. Chasing Dreams is scheduled to release in April and the first two books of the Love Conquers Life series will be out this summer! 

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Friday 29 July 2016

Review & Excerpt Tour: Dragon Fever by Donna Grant

Dragon Fever - Tour banner


DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant, a novella in her Dark Kings Series brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights, is finally here! Be sure you check out the trailer and all the stops on the tour. It's available now so grab your copy today!

      Dragon Fever - Tour teaser 1    

Donna Grant’s DRAGON FEVER – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule

July 27th

Under the Covers – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

Shelf_Life – Review

July 28th

Random Book Muses – Review & Excerpt

Love Affair With Fiction – Excerpt

NightWolf Book Blog – Review

July 29th

Rantings of a Reading Addict – Review & Excerpt

Ali's Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

Roxy's Reviews – Excerpt

July 30th

Vagabonda Reads – Review & Excerpt

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

July 31st

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

Literary Dust – Excerpt

Inner Goddess – Review & Excerpt

August 1st

Dayreader Reviews – Review & Excerpt

E-Romance News – Excerpt

Happy Tails and Tales Blog – Review

August 2nd

WTF Are You Reading? – Review & Excerpt

Pretty Sassy Cool – Excerpt

Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt

August 3rd

Books That Hook – Review

Romanticamente Fantasy Sito – Review & Excerpt

The Romance Reviews – Review

Vampire Book Club – Excerpt

August 4th

Viviana, Enchantress of Books – Review & Excerpt

Straight Shootin' Book Reviews – Review

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium – Review & Excerpt

Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt

August 5th

T&L Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt

Socially Awkward Book Nerd – Excerpt

Zili in the Sky – Review & Excerpt


DRAGON FEVER Trailer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Dragon Fever - cover

A yearning that won’t be denied

Rachel Marek is a journalist with a plan. She intends to expose the truth about dragons to the world – and her target is within sight. Nothing matters but getting the truth, especially not the ruggedly handsome, roguishly thrilling Highlander who oozes danger and charm. And when she finds the truth that shatters her faith, she’ll have to trust her heart to the very man who can crush it…
 
A legend in the flesh
 
Suave, dashing Asher is more than just a man. He’s a Dragon King – a being who has roamed this planet since the beginning of time. With everything on the line, Asher must choose to trust an enemy in the form of an all too alluring woman whose tenacity and passion captivate him. Together, Asher and Rachel must fight for their lives – and their love – before an old enemy destroys them both…

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon AU

Download the Free Kindle App

 
 
EXCERPT
 
When his mouth claimed hers, his tongue slid along the seam of her lips. They parted for him, on their own accord, granting him access to do as he wished. His arms wrapped around her, holding her securely. With a sigh, she melted against him.
She tasted the whisky on his tongue. The exotic taste mixed with his kiss caused her blood to heat. Her hands splayed on his chest before moving upward to lock around his neck. With a groan that rumbled his chest, he deepened the kiss.
Then something strange happened. Warmth spread through her, settling low in her belly. At first she thought she was going to be sick, but the more he kissed her, the more the warmth grew––until it was a fire.
And did it rage.
It burned brightly, scalding her with its intensity. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. And she didn’t care. All that mattered was that he continue kissing her, taking her further along this incredible journey.
Then that wasn’t enough. She wanted…no, she needed more. As if sensing her thoughts, he turned her so that her back was to the railing. His heat surrounded her. Every breath she drew into her lungs was filled with his scent of dark amber and mahogany. The longer they kissed, the more fiery and out of control their kisses became.
It was Asher who gradually pulled away. She struggled to find words, to tell him she didn’t want it to end. Her lids slid closed when his thumb ran over her bottom lip and he groaned.
She leaned into him, hoping he would kiss her again. This feeling…this sensation…was awful and amazing. She didn’t know whether to fight it or give in, but her body didn’t give her a choice.
Asher didn’t say a word as he laced his fingers with hers and turned toward the hotel. They walked in silence once more, becoming more in tune to him with every step she took. She could literally feel their souls intertwining and melding.
She should be scared, and she was. But she was also excited and aroused to the point that she wanted to crawl out of her skin. He’d done that to her. When no other had caused even a hint of desire, he had brought an inferno.
 
 
Glass of whiskey on wooden background close up      

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Grant - headshotDonna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae. She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.    

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp| DRAGON FEVER on Goodreads

  Dragon Fever - Available Now     InkSlinger-Blogger-New

Cover Reveal + #Giveaway: Beneath the Void by Elisa Dane


Beneath the Void
Elisa Dane

(Fighting Chance #2)
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: August 9th 2016
Genres: Romance, Young Adult

Sadie Reynolds is drowning.
Months have passed since Ian Daniels and Newton Daily opened fire at Atwood High school, killing dozens of students before turning the guns on themselves.
Determined to pay tribute to her fallen classmates and teachers, Sadie’s thrown herself into the memorial project at the newly rebuilt school. But it’s not enough. Horrific dreams of the shooting intertwined with memories of the night her mother was murdered keep her up at night and haunt her during the day.
The constant stream of hate raining down on her from faceless social media trolls only make matters worse. Her boyfriend, Hayden brings the only source of relief when he sneaks in to sleep next to her on nights her dad is at work.
Desperate for normalcy, Sadie fills every waking moment of her day with anything to take her mind off her pain. If she’s exhausted, she’ll be too tired to acknowledge the new threat gunning for her.
BENEATH the VOID is book 2 in Elisa Dane’s Fighting Chance series, a hard-hitting and unapologetically raw look at teen violence in schools and the aftermath of learning to pick up the pieces and heal.
 
Sequel to:
28471919


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she's a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it's her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.
Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she's human.  

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Cover Reveal: If I Could Do It Again by Ashley Stoyanoff


If I Could Do It Again
Ashley Stoyanoff

Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
Romance novelist Victoria Clarke seems to have it all: adoring husband, successful career, beautiful home. At least that’s what outsiders think.
In reality, her husband is emotionally abusive, and their marriage is falling apart. Victoria is miserable but suffers in silence until she encounters the charming Joshua Larson while researching a new book.
She meets him in the most unconventional way—through a prisoner pen-pal website. Though Victoria is hesitant at first, she’s drawn to this intriguing, misunderstood man. He was charged with murder for his part in a bar fight, implicated for wearing the colors of his motorcycle club. She believes him when he says it was self-defense.
The two exchange letters and then talk on the phone. Joshua gives Victoria everything she’s been missing—support, confidence, affection, and passion.
Victoria can’t help but ponder a new life, leaving her awful husband and Canada behind for her new friend in the United States. After all, Joshua will be free in four years, and she’s beginning to believe that he’s the love of her life.
If she takes a leap of faith, will Joshua turn out to be her soul mate, or is he hiding something sinister?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Ashley Stoyanoff is a romance author for young adult and new adult readers. Stoyanoff published her first novel, The Soul’s Mark: FOUND, in 2012. She has been the winner of two Royal Dragonfly Book Awards in the categories of young adult and newbie fiction. When she's not writing, she most likely has her nose stuck in a book or is at the mall buying far too many clothes. You can visit her at www.ashleystoyanoff.com. 

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Book Blitz: Excerpt + #Giveaway: The King in the Stone by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban


The King in the Stone
Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

(Two Moon Princess, #2)
Publication date: July 25th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult

A full moon,
A silver key,
And the unbending passion of two young lovers
will bring hope to a defeated kingdom
and, through their sorrow, deliver a king
who will change its fate.

Vivid visions have haunted Andrea since her arrival in northern Spain. In her visions, the ruins of the medieval village she’s excavating comes alive, and, around the fires burning in the no longer buried hearths, she sees people dressed in furs sharpening old fashioned swords.
Even more upsetting for her that the headaches her visions leave is the fact that Julián appears in them—Julián, the king from her world whose rejection she is trying hard to forget.

But when a slide bury Andrea under the mountain, Julian comes searching for her. Soon after they are reunited under the mountains, the full moon opens a portal and sends them back a thousand years into the past, to a time right after the Spaniards have been defeated by the Arabian invaders.
Separated by a bitter winter, Andrea and Julian are caught in opposite sides in the battle between the Spanish last unconquered settlements and the Arabian army. A battle for survival that will determine the fate of a kingdom and demand of them the ultimate sacrifice: As the Arabs close on the mountains, Julián makes a decision that will break Andrea’s heart and change them forever.
 
 
 

 
 
Sequel to:
16139543
 
 
EXCERPT
 
In the following excerpt from The King in the Stone, Julián makes a fateful decision.
I don’t know how long I remained by the cliff staring down at Andrea’s broken body, so unnaturally still in her white shroud of snow. I don’t know how long I remained by the cliff lost in a world of my own. A world beyond feelings, beyond reason. A world in which, I came to believe, time could flow backwards, and as long as I didn’t move, didn’t breathe, it was still possible to reverse its course. Andrea would rise from the ledge and climb to my side, and her blood would be warm again inside her body and not a red stain over the snow.
I don’t know how long I remained by the cliff dreaming impossible dreams. Then somewhere down in the valley, a horse neighed and broke the spell.
I shivered. The rush of the fight had left me by now, and the bitter wind blowing through the mountain had covered my body with a frozen dust. If I didn’t leave soon I would freeze to death. Forcing my stiff legs to move, I turned my back to the ledge and started walking.

I didn’t remember going back into the cave and retrieving the sword and the knife from the bear’s body. I didn’t remember grabbing the cloak or picking up Andrea’s arrow from the ground or walking down the mountain. The next thing I remember is someone calling my name.
I shook my head to clear my mind and looked around. I was back in the oak grove where we had tethered the horses, and Irene stood in front of me.
I let go of the hilt of the sword I’d instinctively grabbed, and nodded to the girl whose waif-like face was tense with fear.
“Julián?”
I tried to talk. But no words came.
Irene moved closer and reached for my face. “You’re hurt, Julián. Let me help you.”
“There is no time. We must go. Now. Get the horses ready. I’ll get Theodorica.”
Turning my back on her, I entered the copse.
Her feet and hands bound, a dirty rag over her mouth, Theodorica was sitting on a stump. Her eyes full of contempt didn’t leave mine as I approached her, and when I removed her gag, she spat at me.
In anger, I lifted her and held her against the closest tree. Theodorica struggled like a wild animal trying to break free, and as I fought her back, something snapped inside my mind, turning the throbbing ache at Andrea’s loss into a feral urge to make Theodorica mine. Forcing her face still with one hand, I kissed her. I kissed her long and hard. Not because I cared for her, but because Andrea was dead and she alive, and in the aftermath of death we crave life.
I kissed her out of pain, out of anger and despair. Out of hate. I kissed her until her body grew willing under mine. Only then, I pulled back.
Without a word, I cut her bonds.

Theodorica stared at me.
“You got your wish, my lady,” I said in answer to the question she had not asked. “I’m coming with you to the Arab’s camp.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Carmen Ferreiro Esteban is the author of the medieval fantasy Two Moon Princess (Tanglewood Press 2007), and Immortal Love (Crimson Romance 2012). Her own translation into Spanish of Immortal Love can be found under the title Bécquer eterno.
Carmen was born in Galicia (northern Spain) and went to college in Madrid, where she finished her Ph.D. in Biology. She worked as a researcher in Spain and California, before moving to Pennsylvania, where she now works as a writer, editor and translator.
For more information, please visit her website www.carmenferreiroesteban.com/, or reach her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorCarmenFerreiroEsteban?ref=ts.
 

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