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Author Archives: fundinmental
Must Reads from Bestselling Author Vicki McKeehan @vickiemckeehan
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The Evil Secrets Trilogy by Vicki McKeehan sticks in my mind to this day. I love strong female characters and this stand alone romantic suspense series contains them in spades. Each novel tells one of the friends story, which is full of thrills and chills and hours of fantastic reading.
I read them early in my blogging days and it is fun to see the progression I have made in writing my reviews.
These fabulous covers create a brand for the trilogy. You sure don’t want to mess with these ladies and their lovable, hunky male partners.
MY 5 STAR REVIEWS: Just Evil / Deeper Evil / Ending Evil
I still love the cover for Just Evil the best. The colors are rich and vivid and the tree is descriptive of the story, encompassing all the characters and subplots, branching out from the main storyline. Which do you like best?
I have also read a couple other novels by her and loved them too. She is a fantastic writer and crosses genres with ease.
The Sky Cree romantic suspense series has another strong female character, a warrior, with a Nez Perce Indian heritage. These novels stand alone, but I look forward to continuing the series. You can see my 5 star review by clicking on the cover, which has the old cover. Which do you like best?
Vicki McKeehan’s Pelican Pointe romance series is another hit. I would have grabbed Promise Cove just because of this gorgeous cover and the location. The Goodreads book blurb says it will hold me breathless to the last page, how about the last sentence. You can read my 5 star review by clicking on the cover. What do you think of the cover? Does it make you want to grab it…NOW?
Which series appeals to you most and why? Did you grab one for yourself?
Can You Un-Vampire Yourself – An Unconventional Mr Peadlebody by D L Gardner @DianneGardner @SDSXXTours
An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody
by D.L. Gardner
Genre: Paranormal Humor
Rockford Peadlebody dies in a train wreck while traveling with his family, (a
rather dysfunctional lot of half-blood vampires) after a flood in
Mississippi washes their home away. Once his brother Gerald, his wife
Ginger, and son Raymond reach grandpa’s estate in Ohio, they are
surprised by the news that grandaddy Benjamin Peadlebody has also
died. They are now heirs to the infamous Peadlebody manor and all its
peculiarities, including the butler, a reserved, tattooed, muscle-man
named Richard Cottlebone,
rather dysfunctional lot of half-blood vampires) after a flood in
Mississippi washes their home away. Once his brother Gerald, his wife
Ginger, and son Raymond reach grandpa’s estate in Ohio, they are
surprised by the news that grandaddy Benjamin Peadlebody has also
died. They are now heirs to the infamous Peadlebody manor and all its
peculiarities, including the butler, a reserved, tattooed, muscle-man
named Richard Cottlebone,
It seems fishy to Gerald that two untimely deaths in the family happened
within a week. Yes, Rockford’s demise was of his own doing, but
Benjamin’s? Perhaps the butler, knows more than he’s letting on?
within a week. Yes, Rockford’s demise was of his own doing, but
Benjamin’s? Perhaps the butler, knows more than he’s letting on?
To prove himself worthy, since he failed to live up to old Benjamin’s
standards when he was alive, Gerald goes about to unravel the thread
of Papa’s death. No help comes from Ginger. She’s too busy trying to
un-vampire herself. And Raymond is in love, but not with his
relatives. Gerald soon discovers solving a murder mystery meets with
a stone cold reception.
standards when he was alive, Gerald goes about to unravel the thread
of Papa’s death. No help comes from Ginger. She’s too busy trying to
un-vampire herself. And Raymond is in love, but not with his
relatives. Gerald soon discovers solving a murder mystery meets with
a stone cold reception.
With a passion for a good wholesome story, Gardner dives into the adult
and young adult fantasy genres. She is both a best selling author and
an award winning illustrator who lives in the Pacific Northwest, USA.
Dabbling in screenwriting, she’s won screenings and a trophy for some
of her film projects.
and young adult fantasy genres. She is both a best selling author and
an award winning illustrator who lives in the Pacific Northwest, USA.
Dabbling in screenwriting, she’s won screenings and a trophy for some
of her film projects.
She loves a tale that ignites imaginations, strengthens friendships,
spurs courage and applauds honor. Though she targets her stories for
young adults, her books are enjoyed by all ages.
spurs courage and applauds honor. Though she targets her stories for
young adults, her books are enjoyed by all ages.
D.L. Gardner is a columnist for the science fiction and fantasy
publication Amazing Stories Magazine
publication Amazing Stories Magazine
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
Teaser Tuesday #99 – The Book of Genevieve by Mark Boyd #MarkBoyd
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Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by The Purple Booker, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR, or just share what you are currently reading. It is very easy to play along:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.
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I am reading The Book of Genevieve, Book II of A Dragon’s Tale series. I read the first one and loved it, so I surely wanted to continue the story. You can see my 5 star review for Book I, The Prophecy here.
Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA
MY TEASE
Pushing him away, she pleaded,”No…you tell me…what…is happening. Now! Isn’t it bad enough…that…that I am an eighteen year old woman trapped in a twelve year old body,” she cried, the sobs cotinuing to wrack her body. “But this!” she screamed. “What is this?”
(opening page in Kindle published in 2017)
GOODREADS BLURB
In the course of one days time, Princess Genevieve Cheval discovers that her ears are starting to point, that she is really the daughter of an Elven Princess that died giving birth to her and that she has inherited the only weapon that can kill the evil beast overtaking the forbidden forest…which also happens to be the step-brother she never knew she had.
Drawn into the forbidden forest by a mysterious dream, Genevieve is led to Queen Bellaserena of the Pegasaurs by two young elven brothers. She discovers the Queen is with foal and due at any moment. Delivering the young one, Genevieve saves the life of the Queen and her son with the weapon she’d inherited from her dead mother.
Bellaserena informs Genevieve that the young Princess is destined to a power and a life greater than she’d ever imagined. Now, not only seeking her elven family of origin, she finds out that she is an integral part of the Prophecy as told in the ancient Dragon Book of Lore. Embroiled in battle to save the forest and her elven kinsmen from the bloodvine, she soon discovers there is an ancient evil set to destroy her and the man she loves, King Leto Sargovia. Aware that this is a battle to the death, she is ready to commit to any action that will allow the Prophecy to manifest.
She’s Kicking Ass Again in Strong to the Bone by Jon Land @jondland
Buckle your seatbelts, because Strong to the Bone by Jon Land is one rootin tootin, smash bang novel of action and mystery that culminates in a rip roaring ending not to be missed.
Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA
MY REVIEW
I am so happy to be back into a rootin’ tootin’ Caitlin Strong adventure. The Texas Rangers and Nazis…doesn’t bode well for the Nazis. LOL
Right off, Jon Land does what he does so well, makes me so curious and surprised about our prisoner of war camps in Texas during World War II, that questions arise. Why have I never thought of this before? Was I never taught in school? Is is true? I know a lot of people don’t care one way or another about prologues, but this one sure did it’s job. Sent me straight to Google. I had to know more.
I can picture Caitlin on top of the fire truck, spraying the rioters with the fire hose like Al Capone sprayed his enemies with his tommy gun. A young woman is in distress, possibly being raped, and nothing will stop Caitlin from going to her rescue.
If you are not familiar with Caitlin, let me introduce you. She comes from a long line of Texas Rangers, but until she was raped in college, she had no plans to follow in their footsteps. Now…she’s a kickass, no holds barred force to be reckoned with. She goes in with guns blazing, her fists and legs pumping, doling out justice.
I love that Jon Land is constantly challenging Caitlin in personal and professional ways.
She teams up with her sweetie, Cort Wesley. He’s an ex Green Beret, maybe a bit tarnished, but that will only serve him well when he meets up with Armand Fiskar. Armand is the son of the man who created the Aryan Nation, only he has more grandiose plans.
I am lovin’ Paz, an ex Venezuelan secret policeman, sent to kill Cort. Now they walk together. I love characters who have walked the wild side, yet are able to redeem themselves.
And neo Nazis…smacks of reality.
Cort, Paz, and even Caitlin, though she doesn’t acknowledge it, have a little bit of help from the paranormal.
Moments to laugh, moments of anger, smiles and frowns, humanity in all its glory and disgust.
Jon Land’s creative writing shows his humorous side, when he allows his characters to replace the Captain’s cigarettes with the candy kind. Do you remember eating them as a kid?
The Aryan Nation, neo nazis, bioterrorism, organ transplants, weapons of mass destruction…so many underlying plots culminate in a blown out ending. I am a lifelong fan and eagerly await each and every story Jon Land has to tell.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Strong to the Bone by Jon Land.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong takes on a gang of neo-Nazis in Strong Cold Dead, an action-packed novel of the critically acclaimed Caitlin Strong series by Jon Land
1944: Texas Ranger Jim Strong investigates a triple murder inside a Nazi POW camp in Texas.
The Present: His daughter, fifth generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong, finds herself pursuing the killer her father never caught in the most personal case of her career a conspiracy stretching from that Nazi POW camp to a modern-day neo-Nazi gang.
A sinister movement has emerged from the shadows of history, determined to undermine the American way of life. Its leader, Armand Fisker, has an army at his disposal, a deadly bio-weapon, and a reputation for being unbeatable. But he s never taken on the likes of Caitlin Strong and her outlaw lover, Cort Wesley Masters.
To prevent an unspeakable cataclysm, Caitlin and Cort Wesley must win a war the world thought was over.
ABOUT JON LAND
JON LAND is the USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels, including Strong Enough to Die, Strong Justice, Strong at the Break, Strong Vengeance, Strong Rain Falling (winner of the 2014 International Book Award and 2013 USA Best Book Award for Mystery-Suspense), Strong Darkness (winner of the 2014 USA Books Best Book Award and the 2015 International Book Award for Thriller), and Strong Light of Day (winner of the 2015 Books and Author Award for Best Mystery Thriller and the 2016 Beverly Hills Book Award for Best Mystery). Land is a graduate of Brown University. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
MY JON LAND REVIEWS
Giveaway – Enchant by Micalea Smeltzer @micaleasmeltzer @XpressoReads
Enchant
Micalea Smeltzer
(The Enchanted Series #1)
Publication date: November 17th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Mara Pryce never imagined that her life was anything but normal and then a strange gray-eyed young man appears at her graduation. When he vanishes without a trace, she’s convinced he’s a figment of her imagination. Then he appears again and shatters her whole world.
Mara is an enchanter, part of an ancient line of Wiccan power, and a war is raging—one of good and evil—between the Enchanted and the Iniquitous.
The Iniquitous want her dead and it’s Theodore’s job as her protector to keep her safe.
When Mara and Theodore arrive at a safe house, where Mara will remain hidden while learning about her powers, they find that the real threat might be a little closer to home than they want to believe.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks
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Author Bio:
Hi. I’m Micalea. Ma-call-e-uh. Weird name, I know. My mom must’ve known I was going to be odd even in the womb. I’ve written a lot of books. Like a lot. Don’t ask me how many, I don’t remember at this point. I have an unhealthy addiction to Diet Coke but I can’t seem to break the habit. I listen to way too much music and hedgehogs have taken over my life. Crazy is the word that best sums up my life, but it’s the good kind of crazy and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway – Mental Damnation by Konn Lavery @konnl @SDSXXTours
Dream
Mental Damnation Part 2
by Konn Lavery
Genre: Epic Dark Fantasy
Thought to be banished to the underworld by the humans, Krista mysteriously
finds herself as the first of her kind to walk on the surface in
centuries. This was caused by one of the underworld’s corrupt
leaders, Danil, who uses her in an unholy ritual to set their people
free. Danil’s infectious touch gives Krista the nightmarish disease
known as Mental Damnation.
finds herself as the first of her kind to walk on the surface in
centuries. This was caused by one of the underworld’s corrupt
leaders, Danil, who uses her in an unholy ritual to set their people
free. Danil’s infectious touch gives Krista the nightmarish disease
known as Mental Damnation.
She becomes the key interest of two men, Paladin and Dr. Alsroc, who
struggle to make sense of her sudden appearance and how it relates to
Mental Damnation. Her friend back in the underworld, Darkwing,
abandons his gang to begin his search for her.
struggle to make sense of her sudden appearance and how it relates to
Mental Damnation. Her friend back in the underworld, Darkwing,
abandons his gang to begin his search for her.
Krista finds herself torn between two worlds, gaining acceptance among the
humans while experiencing inner turmoil from hallucinations caused by
her disease. These visions paint a hellish dream world known as
Dreadweave Pass where the realm’s ruler, a corrupt god known as the
Weaver, is on the hunt for her. Krista’s blood is believed to be a
key component for the Weaver’s retribution against the Heavenly
Kingdoms that once banished him!
humans while experiencing inner turmoil from hallucinations caused by
her disease. These visions paint a hellish dream world known as
Dreadweave Pass where the realm’s ruler, a corrupt god known as the
Weaver, is on the hunt for her. Krista’s blood is believed to be a
key component for the Weaver’s retribution against the Heavenly
Kingdoms that once banished him!
Reality
Mental Damnation Part 1
Having her family murdered by the humans during her people’s banishment
from the surface world, Krista and her only friend, Darkwing,
struggle to remain alive. The pair of reptilian street scum live in
their newfound home, the City of Renasence, dictated by a fascist
military known as the Renasence Guard. The two find themselves at
odds when Krista puts her faith in the Five Guardians’ goal of
unification, while Darkwing chooses to stand with a notorious gang,
the Blood Hounds, who are known for their anarchist views
from the surface world, Krista and her only friend, Darkwing,
struggle to remain alive. The pair of reptilian street scum live in
their newfound home, the City of Renasence, dictated by a fascist
military known as the Renasence Guard. The two find themselves at
odds when Krista puts her faith in the Five Guardians’ goal of
unification, while Darkwing chooses to stand with a notorious gang,
the Blood Hounds, who are known for their anarchist views
This divide in their friendship forces Krista to persist on her own as the
Five Guardians become crazed from an unknown disease – Mental
Damnation. After their infection, the Guardians develop a bizarre
interest in her, claiming they must reap her innocence for their
newfound master, the Weaver.
Five Guardians become crazed from an unknown disease – Mental
Damnation. After their infection, the Guardians develop a bizarre
interest in her, claiming they must reap her innocence for their
newfound master, the Weaver.
With a military dictatorship, politically-driven gangs and their guardians
infected and on a hunt for her, Krista has limited options for
survival: Does she fend for her life in the City of Renascence,
against menacing forces, or risk leaving everything behind and enter
the uncharted realm of the underworld?
infected and on a hunt for her, Krista has limited options for
survival: Does she fend for her life in the City of Renascence,
against menacing forces, or risk leaving everything behind and enter
the uncharted realm of the underworld?
Konn Lavery is a Canadian horror and dark fantasy writer who is known for
his Mental Damnation series. The second book, Dream, reached the
Edmonton Journal’s top five selling fictional books list. He
started writing fantasy stories at a very young age while being home
schooled. It wasn’t until graduating college that he began
professionally pursuing his work with his first release, Reality.
Since then he has continued to write works of fiction ranging from
fantasy to horror.
his Mental Damnation series. The second book, Dream, reached the
Edmonton Journal’s top five selling fictional books list. He
started writing fantasy stories at a very young age while being home
schooled. It wasn’t until graduating college that he began
professionally pursuing his work with his first release, Reality.
Since then he has continued to write works of fiction ranging from
fantasy to horror.
His literary work is done in the long hours of the night. By day, Konn
runs his own graphic design and website development business under
the title Reveal Design. These skills have been transcribed into the
formatting and artwork found within his publications supporting his
fascination of transmedia storytelling.
runs his own graphic design and website development business under
the title Reveal Design. These skills have been transcribed into the
formatting and artwork found within his publications supporting his
fascination of transmedia storytelling.
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
One Sentence Review – Eclipse Lake by Mae Clair @maeclair1
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Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA
MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW
Eclipse Lake is a fully developed story with complex characters and detailed descriptions of a small town called Onyx, that is character driven, with romance the spotlight and suspense being the dot on the I, making me believe in second chances.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Small towns hold the darkest secrets.
Fifteen years after leaving his criminal past and estranged brother behind, widower Dane Carlisle returns to his hometown on the banks of sleepy Eclipse Lake. Now, a successful businessman, he has kept his troubled past a secret from most everyone, including his seventeen-year-old son.
But memories in small towns are bitter and long.
Ellie Sullivan, a nature photographer for a national magazine, has a habit of ping-ponging across the map. Her latest assignment leads her to Eclipse Lake where she becomes caught up in the enmity between Dane, his brother Jonah, and a vengeful town sheriff. When freshly-discovered skeletal remains are linked to an unsolved murder and Dane’s past, Ellie is left questioning her growing attraction for a man who harbors long-buried secrets.
Sherry’s Shelves #142 – What Floats My Boat #Reading #Giveaways
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Sherry’s Shelves #141 is my weekly update from November 5 – November 11, 2017.
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- Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
- Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews
- **all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**
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Hello and welcome fellow bloggies. I hope you had a great week and the world of books has been good to you.
In case you missed it, I cannot get this song out of my head. You try!
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FREE BOOKS
at time of posting free, but be sure and check for the “0”
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NEW TO fundinmental
WON FOR fundinmental
I won a book up to $7.99 from Samantha at The Book Disciple.
I have been wanting to try Sarah J Maas for some time, so when I saw these three novellas and checked out the reviews, I grabbed it. I wanted to make sure by reading these novellas I wasn’t lost or spoiling something I may read in the future…and all is good.
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LAST WEEK ON fundinmental
- Sherry’s Shelves #141 – Golf & Books
- Monday Mini – Not So Sweet – Strawberries by Casey Bartsch @ecclectic22
- Teaser Tuesday #98 – I Will Find you by Joe Kenda #JoeKenda
- Is There A New Killer In Town – Sunset Darkening b Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist
- Need a Pet Sitter – Dial Meow for Murder by Bethany Blake Giveaway @bethanyblakeau1 @SDSXXTours
- Giveaway – Kindred by Tiffany Apan @TIFFANYAPAN @SDSXXTours
- Aliens Vacation on Earth – Trespassers by Todd & Tim Wynn @WynnBrothers
- Giveaway – A Reckless Redemption by Laura Trentham @LauraTrentham @BPICPromos
- Going Covert in Dead Cold by Jennifer Chase @JChaseNovelist @pumpupyourbook
- Friday 56 # 145 – Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich @seevanovich
- Flowers Have Meaning – Blue Violet by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks
- One Sentence Review – Eclipse Lake by Mae Clair
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THIS WEEK ON fundinmental
- Sherry’s Shelves
- Giveaway – Mental Damnation by Konn Lavery
- Giveaway – Enchanted by Micalea Smeltzer
- She’s Kicking Ass Again in Strong to the Bone by Jon Land
- Teaser Tuesday – The Book of Genevieve by Mark Boyd
- Can You UnVampire Yourself – An Unconventional Mr Peadlebody by D L Gardner
- Must Reads From Bestselling Author Vicki McKeehan
- Happy Thanksgiving
- Giveaway – Addicted by Krys Fenner
- Skeletons in the Closet – Blood Loss by Ashley Fontainne
- One Sentence Review – Cookie Cutter by Jo Richardson
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What are you doing for fun this weekend?
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Flowers Have Meaning – Blue Violet by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks
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Abigail Owen can spin a supernatural tale with the best of them and Blue Violet, Book I of the Svatura Series only whets my appetite for more.
The covers of the series are done by Debbie Taylor. Fabulous job, Debbie.
MY REVIEW
Abigail Owen can spin a fantastic tale of the supernatural world and I was quickly drawn in by the characters of Blue Violet, wondering…
Eillie and her twin, Griffin were the only two left from the Darane Svatura tribe. It had been just the two of them for more than a century, but her desire to be a part of a family again was leading her to another group with abilities she had dreamed about.
Ellie is a perpetual student, because she looks so young what else could she do, even though she is more than a century old. Her world titled and she actually swooned when she met Alex on her first day of school. He was there to pick up the kids of the family after school. He had come home, because there is danger afoot, and his family sought safety in numbers.
Ellie is a metamorph. She can shift into different animals, a wolf, a falcon and a dragon. Oh yeah! Griffin is a telepath and they speak mentally to each other.
Her feisty and humorous personality comes through in the verbal banter. She supplied me with plenty of chuckles throughout the story.
When the showdown came and family was on the line, Ellie stood tall against the wolf pack. She would protect the ones she thought would be her new family at all costs.
The characters are to die for and Ellie and Griffin will do just that to protect the others. If I were ever in a battle and I needed someone I trusted and knew would give their all to protect me and mine, I would want this Svatura clan at my side. The world Abigail Owen has created is one I want to continue to follow and I will be doing so in Book II of the Svatura series, Hyacinth.
I read the Shadowcat nation series by Abigail Owen and loved it. The Svatura series is definitely Young Adult, with sweet clean romance. This is Ellie’s story and from the ending, I think Hyacinth may be Griffin’s. So…let’s find out.
If you like clean romance with a supernatural battle for your life, then the Svatura Series is for you and I would highly recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Blue Violet by Abigail Owen.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Book #1 of the Svatura Series
Ellie Aubrey is a centuries-old gypsy princess whose extraordinary abilities once inspired her Roma ancestors’ fairytales (or nightmares). Along with her twin-brother, Griffin, Ellie has spent most of her life hiding from the Vyusher, a rival tribe who destroyed their entire powerful family. But after a mysterious dream, Ellie risks discovery in order to find and watch over the Jenners, another group of similarly gifted people. She refuses to let them suffer the same fate.
Alex Jenner has come home to protect his family. His adopted mother can sense danger coming, but not who or when. Suspicious of the new girl in town, Alex challenges Ellie in ways that will spark one of two possible outcomes: they’ll spontaneously combust, or she’ll lose control of the one power she’s fought so hard to contain.
When the Vyusher once again threaten everything she holds dear, Ellie will have to face her worst fear, and Alex will have to face an impossible decision. In this fairytale, the dragon that the prince must slay is also the princess who holds his heart.
ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN
Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.