blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: One Long Weekend – Shari Low


When all seems lost, hope remains…

Val Murray has mislaid her most precious mementoes of the people she’s loved and lost. Can her family, the wonders of technology and a little divine intervention somehow mend her shattered heart?

Sophie Smith had to take a rain check on a marriage proposal. Will her bid to turn back the clock lead her to her greatest love or yet another heartbreak?

Alice McLenn stood by her husband, Larry when a scandal cost them everything. When he hits the headlines again, Alice has an opportunity to leave – but can she find the strength to finally walk away?

Rory Brookes was forced to turn his back on his parents to save his career and marriage. Now, he’s lost his job and wife on the same day. Is it too late to make amends with the one person who never
let him down?

Three days. Four broken hearts. Just one weekend to make them whole again.

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In January 2021, Shari Low celebrated 20 years as a best selling novelist. In that time, she has published over 25 books, including A Life Without You, The Story Of Our Life, Temptation Street, My One Month Marriage, One Day In Summer and her non-fiction collection of parenthood memories, Because Mummy Said So.
In late 2020, her first novel, What If? (originally published in 2001) was updated and re-released and became a best seller. In January 2021, the sequel, What Now? was released and joined What If? on
the best-seller charts.

In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they’re eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry.

For all the latest news, visit Shari on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at http://www.sharilow.com

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My thoughts: we’re back with Val, Cathy and Carol – characters who pop up in several of Shari’s other books, and who always put a smile on my face.

Sadly Val’s lovely husband Don has passed away and she’s off to London to stay with her beloved nieces. But as she’s rushing out the door, she panics and adds her most precious possessions to her handbag.

The four rings – her ring from Don, his wedding ring, her late daughter’s and her best friend Josie’s – more like tiny pieces of them than jewellery. Losing them somewhere between Glasgow and London is heartbreaking and Carol and Cathy decide to harness their Instagram fame and find them for her.

Meanwhile Sophie Smith is headed in the opposite direction. After turning down a proposal to take care of her dying mother, she’s hoping lightning strikes twice and she can find her ex.

Then there’s Alice, married to a really horrible man, and her son Rory, who I rooted for as they dealt with the worst week of their lives and decided to just be happy, and meet the rest of the gang for a fancy hotel lunch. Nice.

I love the way Val becomes more and more a matriarch of an extended family of unrelated but equally beloved people in these books, she has so many people she sees as family, that despite how utterly sad she’s been, she’s surrounded by so much love and joy, it helps her carry on.

Once again, a lovely, magical story from Shari, a hug in a book basically. I read these lovely stories when I need a shot of comfort, laughter and they never fail to make me smile – even the sad bits are OK.

And Val’s story is inspired by Shari’s own – one she brackets the action with. Which, despite not being as happy an ending as Val’s, is a rather sweet snapshot of the life of the author.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Musician and the Monster – Megan Van Dyke

If you’re looking for a gothic romantasy that’s a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this book is for you! Pre-order The Musician and the Monster today!

The Musician and the Monster: A Gothic Beauty and the Beast Retelling (The Castamar Duology Book 1)

Expected Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Genre: Gothic Romantic Fantasy

 Forbidden love
☑️ Morally grey MMC
⚔️ Determined heroine
 Music is powerful
 Slow burn to steamy
❄️ Wintertime
鹿 Gothic vibes
❤️‍啕 Hurt/comfort
️ Touch her and 
✨ Magic
 Masquerade

Music says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.

Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne.

Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night?

At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to mention the odd ailment that plagues him. But as he embraces her passion for music and she draws the recluse out of his lonely tower, the two develop an unlikely attachment. Class lines begin to blur as fearful indifference shifts to unexpected desire, and Ceridwen yearns to help Drystan subdue the monster as well as provide for her family. However, the monster prowling the night isn’t their only enemy, and as terrible secrets come to light, protecting those they love may risk their lives and their hearts.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast incorporates themes and motifs from Phantom of the Opera, and is set in a gaslamp fantasy world with strong gothic vibes. It should appeal to fans of romantic and atmospheric retellings and fairy tales by authors such as Hannah Whitten, Tessonja Odette, and Stephanie Garber.

 

Goodreads

 

Preorder Here  Amazon 

 

About the Author

Megan Van Dyke is an award-winning fantasy romance author with a love for all things magical and romantic, especially fairytales and anything with a happily ever after. Many of her stories include themes of family (whether born into or found) and a sense of home and belonging, which are important aspects of her life as well. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. Megan currently lives with her family in Florida.

Megan Van Dyke

My thoughts: this was a really enjoyable re-working of Beauty & the Beast, yes he does still have a fabulous library, don’t worry.

Ceridwen (there’s quite a few Welsh names here) is a flautist and nightly plays the flute into the air – to her dead mother’s spirit. Overheard by Lord Winterbourne, he becomes captivated by the music.

After she’s attacked by the terrifying creature haunting the town, his Lordship visits her family and offers her a job playing for him, only she can’t leave his home, not even to visit her family. She agrees, his fee will help her sick father and allow her sister Bronwyn to stop worrying so much.

You all know how it goes, there’s a few added twists to the tale, which make it more interesting a read, and a chance for Drystan to make amends and save the kingdom.

It’s a really clever, inventive re-imagining, as the author does so well, and I really enjoyed it. 

 

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Tags:

#rrbooktours #rrbtthemusicianandthemonster #TheMusicianAndTheMonster #romantasy #fairytaleretelling #beautyandthebeast #beautyandthebeastretelling #forbiddenlove #gothicromance #meganvandyke #gaslampfantasy #morallygrey #gothicfantasy

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Alder King Spring – Talia Greer

AlderKingSpring copy

It’s release week so you don’t need to wait any longer for Talia Greer’s latest book, Alder King Spring!

ebook (3)_edited

Alder King Spring (Wild Wanderings Book 2 – Standalone)

Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Shifter Romance

⛈️Grumpy/Sunshine
🌲Small Town Wooded Setting
✨Woodland Magic
🔥Slow Burn
💭Sentient Forest
🏳️‍🌈Demisexual and Bisexual Rep
🕰️Loose Beauty and the Beast Vibes
📖German Folklore Inspiration

As his curse’s deadline approaches, Kaspar and his beloved enchanted forest stand on the brink of doom.

Deep in the snowy forests of Germany, the Alder King of legend runs short on time. Cursed by a vengeful sorceress for his father’s misdeeds, Kaspar’s desperate quest for the one elusive remedy–love–becomes increasingly dire. Each passing day, his hope dwindles, for who could ever see past his face, marred by the scars of ancient magic?

Eliza Wilson has two missions: write her dissertation, and savor her fleeting days of freedom. Her fiance considers her interests pointless, and while her family loves him, Eliza longs for a deeper connection. With their wedding on the horizon, this research trip is her last chance to indulge her interest in all things mythical.

Though the country house she rents a room in is breathtaking, the surly landlord–who covers his face and seems reluctant to acknowledge her unless they’re discussing literature–soon becomes more fascinating than her research.

As her determination to unravel his secrets brings them closer, Eliza unearths the grim destiny of the ailing king and realizes that she holds the sole key to his salvation–if only he would allow himself to be saved.

Will she make a dutiful return to her indifferent fiancé? Or will she choose the risk of a lifetime and indulge her forbidden attraction to a stubborn and lonely mythical king who refuses her help at every turn?

Perfect for readers of Kathryn Moon and Lillian Lark, Alder King Spring is a dual-POV, full-length paranormal monster romance that draws inspiration from German folklore. It has a guaranteed HEA and features a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling. See author’s website for more detailed content warnings.

Alder King Spring is the second in a series of small town standalones, each set in a different location and season. All books in the Wild Wandering series can be read in any order.

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Blog Tour: The Spinner’s Tale – Rochelle Tattersall

The SpinnersTale copy

Welcome to the tour for The Spinners Tale by Rochelle Tattersall. Read on for more details!

The Spinners Tale (The Asgard Saga Book 1)

Publication Date: February 2024

Genre: Romantasy

✨Fated Mates
✨Leave to Save Them
✨Royals
✨Dark Past

Have you ever done something so bad, you never told another soul? Told a lie so often, you begin to forget what the truth is?

In a world of extraordinary supernatural beings, Alexis Beaumont is as ordinary as they come. Or so she insists. But when a surprise visit from someone she never thought she would see again forces her to face her past, her secrets and lies begin to unravel.

Set in a world where supernatural beings roam freely, Alexis is a rare and powerful being, with a deep dark secret that she’s been hiding for years. While most of her kind welcome their mate with open arms, Alexis is determined to keep hers away. The pain of watching her parents’ demise has convinced her she is better off alone, even if that means never feeling complete. But her carefully constructed plans are put to the test when her long-lost mate, Henri, finally finds her after 250 years apart.

Henri has spent centuries searching for his mate, and now that he has finally found her, he is determined to never let her go. But Alexis is just as determined to keep him at arm’s length, not wanting to risk her heart again. As they navigate the dangerous world of supernatural politics and their own conflicting feelings, they must also face the looming threat of a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy them both.

With their passion and their lives on the line, can Alexis and Henri overcome their past and find a way to be together? Or will their secrets and fears tear them apart once and for all? Fans of paranormal romance will be captivated by this thrilling and emotional tale of love, betrayal, and redemption.

Similar to the bestselling series “Twilight,” this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Available on Amazon and Free for KU!

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Blog Tour: The Alliance – Matt Brolly

Four cities, four killers, four murders. The Alliance is just getting started.

When four unconnected serial killers simultaneously commit identical murders across four different US cities, FBI Special Agent Shannon Wallace faces an unprecedented threat—a cooperative of killers working in unison. Each homicide is witnessed by a survivor, and now these lucky ones need to decide how to tell their stories to the world.

Their posts about the horrific murders create a media storm and a new term is soon coined for the killers: The Alliance. As they recruit new killers into their ranks and more innocent people linked to the initial murders are killed it becomes clear that Wallace is dealing with an unprecedented threat—a deadly alliance formed to terrorize the nation with coordinated strikes.

With the killers always one step ahead, the very fabric of society threatens to unravel and Wallace battles to decipher The Alliance’s endgame before they dismantle civilization city by city. In a desperate race against time, can Wallace uncover the members and motives of the Alliance and end their reign of terror before more victims wind up dead.

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Matt Brolly is the Amazon number one, and Wall Street Journal, bestselling author of the DI Blackwell novels set in Weston-super-Mare, as well as the DCI Lambert crime novels, the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero, and the US thrillers, The Controller, The Railroad, and The Running Girls. His books have sold over one million copies in 16 countries.

 Matt lives in London with his wife, their two children, a dog called Herbie, and a cat called W.G Snuffy Walden.

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My thoughts: this was a really clever, twisted thriller, with a complex and disturbing premise.

At exactly the same time in four different cities, four 911 calls come through about four murders. As the police arrive at each scene they find two people tied to chairs, one alive, one dead. 

The FBI get involved with this deeply unusual case, finding a similar series of killings in 1996. But there seems to be no explanation. Then all the survivors disappear. 

It’s a really rather brilliant, if quite disturbing concept, I was totally hooked and wanted to find out what was going on and why all these things were happening.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Death in the Crypt – Fliss Chester

The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is expecting the cathedral crypt to be full of dry old bones. But when she finds a body murdered just moments before, she’ll need divine inspiration to solve her most mysterious case yet…

Winchester, 1925. When heiress and amateur sleuth Cressida Fawcett is invited to her aunt’s mansion on Cloister Close, she is looking forward to a quiet stay in the historic town. The views of the cathedral are heavenly – and her aunt’s maid, Nancy, makes devilishly good ginger biscuits! But it seems Cressy and her pug Ruby won’t be allowed to rest in peace… On a tour of the crypt, they are shocked to stumble across the body of Anthony, the gentle, devoted verger. And a wild-eyed Nancy is standing over him, bloodied candlestick in hand…

Since Nancy was caught red-handed and the only other suspect is the Silent Friar, the legendary local ghost, Detective Andrews of Scotland Yard thinks the case is closed. But Nancy swears she would never have killed Anthony; they were in love. And while Cressy may not believe in ghosts, she does believe Nancy. So, whose soul is full of murder most foul? And will they strike again?

As she digs through parishioner gossip, Cressy discovers that for a man of the cloth, the verger had a surprising number of enemies. Was a local antiques dealer driven to murder over an illegal trade in holy relics? Would the head bellringer kill to achieve his musical ambitions? Or is the saintly Dean, whose black-cloaked figure resembles the Silent Friar and whose wife recently drowned, hiding a deadly sin?

The cathedral conceals many secrets, and it seems Cressy will need a miracle to uncover the truth. But then Cressy finds a hidden passageway to the crypt. Is this how the murderer escaped? The sceptical police lack faith in her theories, but can she catch the killer and save Nancy from the hangman’s noose? Or will she be too late to prevent another funeral march?

A totally gripping and deliciously witty historical murder mystery with a gasp-out-loud reveal, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.

Amazon

Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.

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My thoughts: after all the murders and other crimes Cressida has dealt with, she’s looking for a quiet break at her aunt’s in Winchester, in the shadow of the cathedral. Accompanied by her loyal pug Ruby, and joined by Dotty and Alfred, it should be a lovely break. 

Unfortunately Cressida’s luck doesn’t hold and she and Aunt Mary stumble across the body of the cathedral’s verger, Anthony, with Nancy, her aunt’s maid standing over him, holding the murder weapon.

Cressida calls in DCI Andrews to help the local police, who are baffled, as Nancy swears blind she didn’t kill anyone.

Obviously Cressida can’t help but investigate, and after spotting some family silver in a local pawn shop, she starts putting the pieces together. She just needs a few more.

Uncovering a conspiracy involving the bones of former Bishop, St Swithun, and with Ruby literally sniffing out some clues, it’s another compelling case for Cressida and Co.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Love Algorithm – Camilla Isley


At 28, with a Ph.D under her belt and a meteoric rise to head of Research and Development at Mercer Robotics, Reese feels her decision to put her career first has worked out pretty well for her.
Sure, she doesn’t have many personal relationships to speak of, but she does love her team and they like her too.

So when she’s called to the Big Boss’s office and told she will be looking after his son while he does a rotation in her lab, she’s not thrilled that her hard work and achievements have boiled down to
being a glorified babysitter – especially to a billionaire playboy with zero experience of mechanical engineering.

But then tall, blond Thomas walks into her office, and Reese realizes this assignment is going to be even harder than she thought. Because the CEO’s son is not only extraordinarily gorgeous, chiseled, and charming… he’s also on course to become her new boss one day, and so extraordinarily out of bounds. As the pair get to know each other, can Reese hold her nerve and her beliefs, or will she fall victim to the billionaire charm?

A gorgeously funny enemies-to-lovers, work-place rom com, perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter and Jo Watson.

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Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy and her first title for Boldwood, The Love Theorem, a
Hollywood-meets-STEM romance was in June 2023.

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My thoughts: Reese is the youngest head of R&D at Mercer Robotics and she’s worked really hard to get there and doesn’t want to risk her job by falling for her boss’ son when he’s assigned to her department to learn the ropes before becoming her new boss.

Thomas Mercer knows basically nothing about robotics, but he wants to do a good job for his dad, and even though he doesn’t want the job running the department.

Meeting Reese (in a very awkward moment) and then getting to know each other, sparks a connection that not only goes against company policy but Reese’s own one.

Along with a cute little droid Reese built in her own time, with a sarcasm program it seems, and an overly flirty colleague (Maria, who scares Thomas), the Robotics lab turns out to be the perfect place to fall in love. Throw in a trip to Rome for a conference, with a “there’s only one bed” moment, and it almost guarantees a sizzling story. 

In typical Camilla Isley style, it’s lots of fun, very funny and the characters are entertaining and personable. Another great addition to the series.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Girls Next Door – Anita Waller


They keep each other’s secrets. They hide each other’s lies.

They were destined to be best friends. The four girls – all born that same hot summer. There was even a newspaper article after they were born. They said there must be something in the water on Larkspur Close. They predicted a safe and happy life for them all…

More than thirty years later, it’s more than an unbreakable friendship – it’s more like a sisterhood.
It’s the girls who Jess reaches out to because she’s worried about her grandparents who’ve raised her since her mother disappeared, who Erin tells about her new business idea, who Melissa calls to say she’s desperate to escape her toxic job.
But then Chantelle messages saying she’s discovered her husband is having an affair. And everything changes.
Because then her husband is found dead… And only a few people knew about his secret.
Is it just a terrible accident? Or will someone stop at nothing to keep the girls of Larkspur Close safe and happy?

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Anita Waller is the author of many bestselling psychological thrillers and the Kat and Mouse crime series. She lives in Sheffield, which continues to be the setting of many of her thrillers, and was first
published by Bloodhound at the age of sixty-nine. Her first book for Boldwood was published in August 2022.

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My thoughts: four women who grew up as close as sisters, four families bound together. When life starts to get a bit rubbish – one of the women discovers her husband is cheating on her. There’s worse to come, but as tragedy piles on tragedy, is there are a guardian angel watching over them or an avenging one?

The four, Jess, Chantelle, Mel and Erin seem like nice people, it’s just rubbish things all seem to happen at once. Though there are some good events to balance it out. I liked all of them, and even more so Jess’ Nan, Nora. I enjoyed their story, the way they leaned on each other and knew that whatever happened, they’d have one another.

There are some shocking twists in store too – I honestly thought it was all coincidence, right up until the end, and was really stunned when all was revealed. And then that little final sting in the tail (tale?) too? Nicely done.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Voyant and the Mark of Malice – Sadie Hewitt

The big day is coming really soon and we couldn’t be more excited about this release! Prepare for fantasy, adventure, and spicy romance!

The Voyant and The Mark of Malice - v2

The Voyant and The Mark of Malice (The Aeglecian Seas- Interconnected Standalones)

Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Age: Adult

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Available: Kindle Unlimited and wherever you get your paperbacks!

Tropes:
🌊 Enemies to lovers
🌊 Outlawed Magic
🌊 Happily Ever After
🌊 Cursed Pirate Ships
🌊 Trickster Female
🌊 Mythical Creatures

Triggers:
Gore/Violence
Murder/Death
Explicit Sexual Content
Coercion
Betrayal
Hand to Hand Combat
Anxiety-Inducing Situations

He may be clever, but she’s already a step ahead…

Kalia Salam is a Voyant, or a person with the ability to create mind-altering visions and project them into others. But when the punishment for having that ability is death, every decision becomes a strategic calculation to avoid execution. Unfortunately, that includes tethering herself to the continent’s most wealthy brothel owner and only using her magic to pad the madam’s pockets. That is, at least, until she needs it to protect those around her. But when Kalia uses her magic on the wrong client and is mistaken for a powerful djinn, one that the pirates have been meticulously hunting, she becomes ensnared in her most complex game of deception yet. Because, one way or another, she refuses to fall to the hands of a cursed captain.

Captain Rahmi Abada revels in collecting dying souls from the sea, particularly those burdened by guilt. But whispers of a tale have begun to swirl…a tale about a mysterious gemstone with innumerable abilities, including the power to shatter any magical bond. Consumed with the idea of sailing for eternity without his binding curse to Liddros, God of Sea, Rahmi enlists the help of the fiery djinn he forced aboard his ship. The only problem? The djinn harbors her own secrets, ones that threaten to unravel Rahmi’s carefully laid plans.

Drawing inspiration from The Legend of The Flying Dutchman and the enchanting world of Aladdin, The Voyant and The Mark of Malice weaves a captivating story of hidden dangers, action-packed adventures, and the unexpected, yet sizzling romance of two sworn enemies who are determined to outwit one another.

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Blog Tour: Dragon Blood – Jane Apatova

DragonBlood copy

To celebrate the upcoming release of Dragon King, we’re going back to the start. If you haven’t read Dragon Blood yet, we really think you should!

DragonBloodFront

Dragon Blood (Insatiable Series Book 2)

Publication Date: November 2022

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance w/ Spice

👑Royal Intrigue
❤️‍🔥Possessive Prince
💋Fated Mates
✨Virgin
🐉Dragon Riders
💞Found Family
💧Elemental Magic
🔥Slow Burn
🕰️Age Gap MF

“You’ve tamed this dragon with just a touch.”

When Alister’s path leads him to his fated mate, he vows to do everything in his power to bring her to his home in Orlean. Even if that means going against the rules of Drakon and the High King’s wishes.

It’s been years since the last great gathering of the various kingdoms of Drakon. Will the High King make his appearance, or will he lose himself to his dreams of a rare beauty?

What royal secrets will be unveiled and will the dark forces of the past triumph in keeping Alister away from his fated mate?

In the darkness of Dunne Valley, an ancient evil has been regaining its strength. Ever watchful of the dragons and the royals as they plan meticulously their next steps to gain more power.
“All he wants … is to control every element in the mortal lands, before he brings down the gods above.”

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