Spotlight & Giveaway: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Title: The Forgotten Ones
Author: Laura Howard
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Series: The Danaan Trilogy #1
Published: April 28, 2026

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

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Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

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Review: Prophecy: by Heather McCollum ★★★

Prophecy: by Heather McCollum
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Series: The Dragonfly Chronicles #1
Publication Date: July 2nd 2010
ISBN: 9781601547231
Page Count: 356
Rating: ★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON



Synopsis: THE DRAGONFLY CHRONICLES

Four powerful sisters, hidden through time, fighting for love and a chance to save the world.


PROPHECY

Serena Faw must shut out the barrage of thoughts from everyone around her. Her telepathic powers reveal the darkness and true intentions behind every false smile.

When her adopted brother is accused of murder, the only man who can help her is the one person she cannot read. Can she trust him with the life of her brother? Can she trust him with her heart?

Keenan Maclean is the younger brother to the new chief of the MacLeans. A dark prophecy shadows him. One brother will live wed to a witch and one will die. Keenan is raised to defend his clan and die.

Serena and Keenan hunt a loyalist murderer before the Battle of Culloden and fall in love despite the prophecy's warning that she heralds his death.

Destiny's child. 

A tale of one of four magical sisters sent through time to meet her destiny in the battle against an ancient evil.

This is my second McCollum novel. My first was Captured Heart. Both have been enjoyable and both set in Scotland with a slight paranormal edge. Here, our heroine, Serena, is a telepath and seer who has to constantly defend against the barrage of thoughts of those around her. All except for one man - Keenan Maclean - who's like a silent, peaceful void to her overworked senses. This is enough to capture her attention and curiosity, but when she gets a good look at his scarred but undeniably handsome face, he captures a lot more than her attention - he steals her heart.

Keenan, too, is overwhelmed by the sight of Serena. He instantly feels like he's found his missing piece, the other half of his heart, until he realises Serena is the prophesied witch set to be the saviour of the Maclean clan - which also makes her his bother's intended bride!

The prophecy foretells that one Maclean brother must wed a flame-haired, violet-eyed witch to secure peace for the clan's future, and the other must die defending him. It was decided before younger brother Keenan was born, that the second brother would be the one to die. And so Keenan has lived under the weight of that prophecy, and the knowledge that his life was useful only as a sacrifice, for his entire life. This has shaped him. He's become an undefeated warrior, and the brother that has the respect of the clan's men. But the thing he never had, that he always wanted, was love. His parents were always too afraid to get attached to him and treated him completely differently to his older brother. They were even quite cruel at times. I thought Keenan's character was very well-written and interesting in that respect. It seemed like he was afraid of love almost as much as he craved it.

Serena, however, has other ideas about the prophecy, and absolutely no problem falling in love with Keenan. Although she finds his acceptance of his fate unfathomable and infuriating. Their relationship was sweet and believable. And the story, after a slightly slow beginning, was enjoyable and romantic. There are several obstacles to their Happily Ever After, and some political machinations to get past, but, pfft! When has stuff like that ever stood in the way of true love, hmm?

3  Stars ★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Review: Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford ★★★★

Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford 
Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy
Series: Heart of Fire #1
Publication Date: November 23rd 2013
ISBN: 9781623781262
Page Count: 234
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON



Synopsis: For a thousand years, Chace has searched for a way to break the curse placed on him by a jilted lover. He’s a dragon shifter, one who can’t control when the magic will force him into a different form. He’s already lost everyone he ever cared about a few times over and doesn’t know how much longer he’s meant to suffer.

At his wit’s end, he makes a deal with a mysterious figure that offers him what he wants most - an end to his misery - in exchange for everything that’s his: His life, his power. His heart.

The next day, he meets Skylar, a modern day dragon slayer whose mission is to cage him - or kill him. Sexy, witty and brave, she is the yin to his yang, the woman destined to break the curse, balance his magic and make his broken heart whole.

Except it’s too late. Not only has he sealed his fate, but an innocent one-night-stand with Skylar has dragged her into the middle of a deal with the devil, one she won’t escape, if he can’t convince her that dragon shifters aren’t her enemies.

Scorching!

I find myself very surprised to have ended on 4 stars for CHARRED HEART, since I was *this* close to DNFing it at the beginning. I didn't like how quickly the hero and heroine jumped into bed together. We're talking chapter three, after speaking maybe 20 words to each other. No build-up whatsoever, just straight to it. Where's the romance in that? I really didn't care for it and was convinced I'd never be able to connect to them as a couple after that. And so my hand was hovering over the big, red detonate button. BUT! I am very glad I didn't in the end because the story actually turned out to be really enjoyable. In fact, I liked it so much I've already bought book 2!

Lesson to be learned from this: Sometimes it pays to give books a chance past a slightly dodgy beginning.

So. The set-up. You have one-thousand-year old dragon shifter, Chace, who's tired of his endless existence, and of watching every human he grows close to die. He seeks out the help of an elusive supernatural whom he hopes will be able to reverse the curse that made him part dragon, and allow him to live out the rest of his mortal life as a bog-standard human.

Then we have Skylar, a dragon "slayer", even though she's never actually slayed a single dragon because Chace is the last one in existence. There's a whole bunch more to her story, and finding out everything that happened to her was the most enjoyable part for me.

Skylar and Chace spend most of the book in a sort of sexual haze, only occasionally coming up for air long enough to realise something ain't quite right. For example, if they're supposed to be natural enemies, what's with the crazy chemistry the two of them share?

While Chace and Skylar's relationship started out as nothing but physical, the author did manage to convince me by the end that some real feelings had developed between them. That's not to say they waltzed off into the sunset, however. If you're under the impression this is a paranormal romance with a Happily Ever After, you'd be mistaken - as I was. We're going to be continuing with Skylar and Chace's relationship in the next book. I suppose that would make this an erotic Urban Fantasy series, if you need a label for it. The sex scenes were plentiful and graphic, and the storyline was interesting and the wordbuilding fresh. So although I'll always wish the beginning had been more anticipatory, I'd definitely recommend this as a fun, quick and very sexy read!

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

{Tour Stop} Review & Giveaway: Ashes to Ashes by Karina Halle ★★★★★

Ashes to Ashes by Karina Halle
Series: Experiment in Terror #8
Publication date: December 11th 2013
Genres: Horror, New Adult, SupernaturalBuy Links: AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE



Synopsis: It’s been two months since Perry Palomino and Dex Foray’s relationship reached a new turning point, two months since Perry started a new life in Seattle, and two months since their Experiment in Terror show took on a new partner, ex-Wine Babe Rebecca Sims, and found a new level of success. But whenever there is light in their lives, the madness still has a way of coming back in.

When the team is sent back to the stormy Oregon coast to investigate a haunted school, Perry wants to use the opportunity to reconnect with her family and reintroduce Dex into their lives. Only Perry’s not the only one who’s reaching out - her grandmother Pippa has started appearing to her with disturbing warnings and Perry’s presence at the school has ignited a chilling new wave of supernatural phenomenon. Once used a century ago as a sanatorium to house children dying of tuberculosis, the school’s past residents are slowly coming back to life and with one thing on their mind. They want someone to play with, someone to join them. Forever.

Even when dead, some children get whatever they want.

And they want Perry.

Scary Good

My love of the Experiment in Terror series is well-documented. I've recommended it to anyone who will listen, I have read and re-read each of the books at least three times, and to this day - despite reading many other awesomesauce novels filled with to-die-for heroes - Dex Foray remains my #1 book boyfriend choice. For me and this series, it's a case of true book love, and I've got it bad. When my EIT journey finally ends (only 1 more book after this one! *sobs*) I will be a bawling, snot-nosed mess in need of some serious chocolate and ice cream therapy.

For now, though, I can still enjoy the utter perfection that is Dex and Perry. Over the course of eight novels, these two characters have been to hell and back - literally - and somehow, they have lived to tell about it. Don't ask me how. Clearly their balls are made of a rare type of steel, because if it had been me, I would have run far and fast the other direction within 5 seconds of entering that creepy-ass lighthouse in Darkhouse. (Wuss? Me? Yep, guilty as charged.) And it's not just supernatural challenges they've faced. They've been put through the refiner's fine in their personal lives as well - and they're about to be again.

In Ashes to Ashes, Dex, Perry and their friend and new EIT partner, the uber-fabulous Rebecca, are headed back to Oregon, where it all began. This time, they're investigating a school that used to be a sanatorium for children with tuberculosis. There are reports of everything from shadow figures, to disembodied voices and animal-like noises, to actual walking, talking spirits.

All of the EIT books have creeped me out on some level, and a few of them have freaked me out so badly, I still can't read them at night or when I'm alone in the house. Is it because they are the most terrifying novels ever written? I honestly don't know, because horror isn't usually my go-to genre, but what I can tell you is that they are the scariest books for me. There's something about the words and phrases Karina Halle uses when building a frightening scene that gets under my skin and screws with my head. There is no "fourth wall" separating me from the scariness playing out on the page. Oh no, Karina pulls me out of my comfortable seat and right onto the stage of her book, into the very thick of the action. I hear every footstep Dex and Perry hear, see every shadow, and feel every phantom touch.

In Ashes to Ashes, I wasn't just scared. I was utterly shaken to the core. Even now, as I type this, I can't decide which was worse, all the paranormal events that happened, or reading about the horrific methods of treatment doctors of the time used on their patients - on children. It was....god, there aren't even words to describe how awful it was. Karina didn't spare any details, either. She painted a vivid, disturbing picture that will haunt me for a long time.

Ashes to Ashes wasn't all darkness and mind-effery. As in every EIT book, there is an abundance of snarkiness and snappy one-liners, some truly fantastic character development, and, yes, now that Dex and Perry are a couple, there are some hot and deliciously steamy scenes that would make the surface of the sun seem cool in comparison.

I'd like to pick a favorite moment and gush about it, but all my favorites are heavy on the spoilers, and I'd really prefer not to get attacked by a mob of angry EIT fans for spilling the beans ;). I can tell you what I loved most about the book as a whole, though, and believe it or not, it wasn't Dex. I mean, he was schamazeballs, as always (even if he does have the worst timing in the world, lol) but this time, all the honors belong to Perry. She's always been stronger than she gave herself credit for, but in Ashes to Ashes, I felt like she really started to believe it, and believe in herself. I don't know how to convey to you how effing cool it was to see Perry - our Perry - stand tall and finally, finally look some of her fears and insecurities in the face and give them a long-overdue middle-fingered salute. Did Perry conquer all of her personal demons in this book? No, but she didn't let them kick her around either. It was beyond incredible. It was like Christmas, my birthday, and winning the lottery, all rolled into one.

I could go on and on about this book (and truly, I've barely scratched the surface of all the awesome within its pages) but rather than continue my rant-and-rave fest, I'd rather you just experience Ashes to Ashes yourself so you can do your own ranting and raving. So go on. Do it. Stop reading my words and go read Karina's!

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Check out the rest of the Ashes to Ashes tour by clicking on the banner!

The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she's preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup.

Author Links:

Website: http://experimentinterror.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785031.Karina_Halle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karina-Halle/140649372629593?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBlonde

Grand prize giveaway!

(open to US and Canada):

A signed copy of Perception (it's a paperback compilation of all the e-book novellas), a signed copy of Darkhouse, a signed copy of Red Fox (with new cover) as well as a signed copy of Ashes to Ashes and an EIT tank top

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{Tour Stop} Double Review: Aurora Sky & Northern Bites by Nikki Jefford ★★★★1/2

*Tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours - To see the tour schedule, just click the banner*

We've got a special treat for you today - a double review! That's right, I'll be dishing about (or rather, gushing over) books 1 and 2 of Nikki Jefford's Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series, which just so happens to be one of my new urban fantasy favorites. 

 

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford

Series: Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #1
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Buy Links: AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE



Synopsis: Her blood is toxic to vampires.

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it's to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn't hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora's life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter in Alaska. Basically she's a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job...by hand.

Now Aurora's only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire.

(Mature YA/New Adult series. Contains mild language, violence, sexual situations . . . and blood sucking.)

I'm Hooked! 

High school sucks, no matter where you are, and if you're stuck in a small town in Alaska, buried in snow and constantly freezing your tush off, it's even worse. Who wouldn't want to leave, right? And no one wants to blow this popsicle stand more than Aurora Sky. She's got six months until she graduates and she is counting every second.

And then it happens. The terrible car accident that forever changes her life and makes her dreams of leaving Alaska go up in a puff of smoke. As the nice, secret-government-organization people inform her when she wakes up from her coma, Aurora is special. She has a unique blood type that is fatal to any vampire that drinks it, and that makes her useful. And because they were kind enough to pay for her surgeries and medical treatment instead of letting her die in peace, guess what? She's been recruited to work for them.

Say bye-bye, dreams of the future. Say hello, life as a vampire hunter.

Aurora is thrown right into the deep end of the vampire hunting pool. Orientation is the stuff of nightmares, and training isn't much better. And her first assignment? Yeah. Not so fun. But whether she wants to admit it or not, Aurora is good at her new job, and maybe, just maybe, it is what she was born to do.

Aurora Sky was a hit with me before I even read it. I mean, c'mon, a book about a teenage heroine with an unusual set of gifts she didn't ask for? Vampires and vampire hunters? Snappy dialogue and lots and lots of kickassery? How could I not like it? Actually, no, like doesn't express my feelings adequately. I FREAKING LOVED IT.

Young as she is, Aurora is a certified badass who could easily hold her own among her adult, urban fantasy heroine peers. She had her teenage moments, but circumstances forced her to grow up, and grow up fast, and I thought author Nikki Jefford did a marvelous job showing that transition. It was more than merely jumping from point A to point B. Aurora will never again be like the kids her age, and I really felt the emotional impact of that.

The rest of the cast is amazing too. Aurora's mentor, Dante, was pretty funny and had great sibling-type chemistry with Aurora. Valerie, the vampire informant, is a red-headed witch readers will love to hate, and Noel, another informant, looks like promising friend material. But if I had to pick one character that makes me perk up like a prairie dog every time his name is mentioned, it would have to be Fane. I seriously bookmarked every scene he was in, and I guarantee, when you read this book (notice I said when, not if - because you must read this book!) you will be tempted to do the same thing. That's how awesome Fane is.

Oh, and that little surprise tucked into the end? Genius! When I read that, I spouted a few OMG's and immediately loaded the second book onto my Kindle - and believe me, you will too! Lucky for you, book two is available and you can jump right into it.

Speaking of book two.....scroll down to read my Northern Bites review!

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Northern Bites by Nikki Jefford

Series: Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Buy Links: AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE

Synopsis: Love bites. Probation sucks.

Thanks to Dante’s recklessness, Aurora is now partners with Valerie: the redheaded, backstabbing vixen.

Dante is in full flirt mode. Fane’s tactics are more ruthless. Something carnal has awakened in Aurora and neither boy is helping tame her cravings.

When a member of the unit’s team is found dead, Aurora and Valerie are sent after a vampire in Sitka, but Aurora suspects the killer’s much closer to home.

Fantasmic! 

This is supposed to be a review, wherein I talk about deep and meaningful things like plot, writing style, character development, and so forth. While I do intend to touch on all of those points, the truth is, I just want to talk about Fane. Is that so wrong? No, it can't be. Something that feels so right can't possibly be wrong, wouldn't you agree? (Yeah, I knew you would.)

Before I begin my Fane gush-fest, though, let's get the "serious" stuff out of the way.

In Northern Bites, Aurora's new and highly dangerous vampire hunter life gets even more complicated. She's been transferred to a new school, has a new partner - her least favorite person, Valerie, of all people! - and her love life....oh, her poor love life. The brief romance she enjoyed in book one is over, with all the ensuing awkwardness and unresolved feelings that implies. And because things weren't exciting enough, the assignment she is sent on is plagued by problems, uncertainties, and yes, even betrayals.

Now that I think of it, her life isn't complicated - it's downright crazy!

Here's what made Northern Bites so awesome for me. First, the pacing is excellent. There are no down periods, no ho-hum moments. Every scene, be it big or small, packs its own special wallop. Then there is the dialogue. Oh, how I love the dialogue Nikki Jefford writes! It can be funny, heartfelt, sarcastic, and a whole heap of other adjectives I can't think of right now. The action is great too, and there are just enough surprises woven into the story line to keep readers hovering on the edge of their seats, ready to gasp, shout, fist pump, or whatever the scene calls for.

As great as all of those things are, though, here's what makes Northern Bites really shine (aside from Fane, haha!)....character development! Aurora has already had to grow up a lot, just by virtue of her circumstances, but I thought she made some big forward strides in this book. Sure, she still has the expected teenage moments, and yes, trouble insists on finding her, but she just seemed so much....well....more. I loved that. And Valerie? The redhead I wanted to string up a tree in the last book? Not only did Northern Bites give me some of her back story and help me understand her character better, I actually ended the book LIKING her! There was more information about practically everyone, actually, and I gobbled it up.

Now, to all you Team Dante fans out there - and I know you're out there! - I only have one thing to say:  NO. Just...NO. I am fully aware I may be inviting a stoning by typing that, but I'm sorry, as much as I love the guy (and I genuinely do, he's a great character), I can't wrap my head around the idea of him and Aurora together. It just doesn't compute.

Fane, on the other hand.....(cue swooning)

Fane wasn't around as much in this book as he was in the last one, but being the awesomesauce guy that he is, he made every one of his scenes count. And of course he is and always will be the ONLY guy for Aurora in my mind. Why? Because he gets her. He understands their differences, he respects her choices, and when things don't go his way, he doesn't break furniture, indulge in jealous rages, or do any of those douche-y, controlling, alpha-male-on-steroids things that other book males sometimes do. Fane is better than that. He's confident and cool with a capital C, and he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. The fact that he's wicked sexy, has abs to die for, and is not a sparkly vampire....well, those things don't hurt either ;). Honestly, I can't think of a single thing about the guy that I don't love - and no, THAT SCENE near the end of the book did not in any way change my opinion of him. If it changed anyone else's, well, I don't know what to say except I'm sorry. Personally, I'm choosing to trust Fane. He's been nothing short of perfect so far, IMO, and since I'm pretty sure he hasn't undergone a personality transplant or been possessed by evil aliens, I'm not too worried. In fact, I fully expect that once we have all the information, I'm going to fangirl over him even more.

Aaaaaand on that gushy, Fane-loving note, I'm calling this review over. Well, I will, right after I say, READ THIS BOOK, IT'S AMAZEBALLS! Because it is, and seriously, if you don't read it, you are missing out.

There, I'm done. For real this time ;)

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2 

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Reviewed by:

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands (Wash.) where she is once more neighbors with Canada in a town without a single traffic light. She loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt.

When she's not reading, writing, working, or out on a nature walk, she's out riding her Suzuki DRZ400SM.





Author links:
http://www.nikkijefford.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5424286.Nikki_Jefford
https://www.facebook.com/authornikkijefford?ref=ts&fref=ts
https://twitter.com/NikkiJefford

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Leigh Evans' Countdown to Christmas Giveaway Blitz!

Happy holidays, everyone! To celebrate the season, we are thrilled to bring you the Leigh Evans Countdown to Christmas blitz and giveaway event! The author of the fantabulous Mystwalker series, Leigh Evans is one of our absolute favorite urban fantasy writers and we really can't recommend her books highly enough. If you love paranormal and urban fantasy novels, you simply MUST check out the Mystwalker series! 

Here's what you've been missing out on: 

Book One

The Trouble With Fate (Mystwalker #1)

Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Goodreads

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Meet Hedi Peacock. She's half Fae. Half Were. And all trouble…

I Have Two Words For Werewolves:

My name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I’m not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father and the Fae executed my mother. I’ve never forgiven either side. Especially Robson Trowbridge. He was a part-time werewolf, a full-time bastard, and the first and only boy I ever loved. That is, until he became the prime suspect in my father’s death…

Bite Me.

Today I’m a half-breed barista working at a fancy coffee house, living with my loopy Aunt Lou and a temperamental amulet named Merry, and wondering where in the world I’m going in life. A pretty normal existence, considering. But when a pack of Weres decides to kidnap my aunt and force me to steal another amulet, the only one who can help me is the last person I ever thought I’d turn to: Robson Trowbridge. And he’s as annoyingly beautiful as I remember. That’s the trouble with fate: Sometimes it barks. Other times it bites. And the rest of the time it just breaks your heart. Again…

Book Two

The Thing About Weres (Mystwalker #2)

Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Goodreads

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Love is like a wild animal. It can't be tamed…

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

In the never-ending saga that is my love-hate relationship with Robson Trowbridge, I, half-Were Hedi Peacock, have had a change of heart. Ever since I shoved Trowbridge through the Gates of Merenwyn, I’ve been the leader of the pack—hard to believe, right? The thing is: I’m half-Fae. So even though my Were side is ready to heed the call of the wild, the other part of me is desperate to take flight. And much as it pains me to admit it, life without Trowbridge is really starting to were me down…

I Am Were, Hear Me Roar.

To make matters worse, the wolves of Creemore want my blood—and the North American Council of Weres wants me dead. So I’m just counting the days until Trowbridge returns from the other realm…and comes to my brave rescue…and becomes my alpha mate. Wishful thinking? Of course it is. But given all the mess I’ve been through already, what’s the harm in doing a little bit of daisy-plucking? Besides, Trowbridge owes me bigtime. A girl can dream.

Coming Soon! 

The Problem With Promises (Mystwalker #3)

Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: February 25, 2026

Goodreads

Pre-order on Amazon / Barnes & Noble

NEVER MAKE A PROMISE…

Robson Trowbridge, the Alpha of Creemore and my gorgeous mate, tries to protect me, Hedi Peacock, half-Fae, half-were, from all the trouble I get into. The thing is, my past is pretty messy and bad guys keep knocking down my door. Witches, thug bikers, the North American Council of Weres, dark magic Fae, and even an evil wizard are all after me. The Old Mage is the only one I really care about: He has my dear twin brother captive on the other side of the Gates of Merenwyn—not cool. So my alpha love is helping me to keep my promise to free my brother…

YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO KEEP.

Unfortunately, everyone who helps me ends up in a heap of trouble too—including my Trowbridge. Now, I admit I’ve had my moments as a shivering coward, hoping he will come to my brave rescue. The whole Prince Charming thing is hard to shake. But these bad guys after me mean business and those damsel in distress days are over. You know that “last straw” metaphor? That was two straws ago. It’s now or never. Again… 

 “A brilliant new take on fairies, werewolves, and magic…I am officially addicted."

—Chloe Neill, New York Times bestselling author

~from The Thing About Weres~ 

 “I don’t need protection from him,” I told my brother, my gaze clinging to Trowbridge’s parted lips.

“You don’t know what he is,” hissed Lexi.

“But I know who he is,” I said, touching my Trowbridge’s face. Oh, I recognized him. He was there, under all that wolf and tangled hair, buried deep. A muscle tensed under my finger as I stroked his skin. “He’s Robbie Trowbridge, son of the Alpha of Creemore. He lived in a big yellow house, he drove a Jeep, and he was the most popular guy at St. Hubert’s.”

The fanwork of lines at the corner of his eyes tightened.

“Some nights, he’d go sit under the tree on the lookout and play his guitar. He thought he was alone, but he wasn’t.” A spark of a blue comet circled his pupils. I softened my voice, seducing him close with a low whisper, until his mouth was mere inches from mine. So close.

Kiss me, Trowbridge. Kiss me.
“I was there. Whenever I heard that guitar, I’d sneak out of the house and go find myself a hiding spot near the lookout on our ridge, so that I could listen to Robbie Trowbridge play. Sometimes, he’d play for a couple of hours. But other nights he’d only get halfway through a song before he stopped playing. Then he’d just sit there and stare up at the stars. I used to wonder what he was thinking. Even after I was back in my own bed, I’d ask myself. What was Robbie Trowbridge thinking when he looked up into the sky?”

My words were coaxing him closer, tugging the man hidden inside the wolf nearer, but it wasn’t enough. I’d waited so long. Hoped for so much.

Mine, mine, mine, crooned my wolf.

“Trowbridge, what did you see in the stars?” I asked, daring to cup his face.

The wolf wavered, reluctant to step back.

Then, because I play dirty, I did what I knew I must. I dropped every barrier I had, and flared the way I’d done the first time for him. For him, for us, I showed him all of me - what I am, what I should be, what I could be - through the pure light spilling from my eyes. Did you try to forget me? my flare asked. I will never let you. He made the smallest inhale, and then the beast was gone. My Trowbridge flared back and gifted me with a beautiful electric-blue light - fire hot, soul bright.

Our two separate flares flashed across a battlefield not of our making.

Evermore, you are mine. 
For a moment - how long it was I’ll never be able to define - there was no Trowbridge electric blue, nor Hedi fluorescent green. Our individual flares merged into one, and the room that I remembered as being red turned into the warm blue-green of a sea that knew no turmoil, no current, no wind.

Evermore, I am yours.
My flare flickered out on the heels of that vow. His held for another half beat, then it, too, faded. “There you are,” I murmured, looking into his tired eyes. “There’s my Trowbridge.”

That won me a smile. Slow and small.

I did that, I thought, cupping his face. I made him smile again. 

“I knew you watched me play my guitar.” His voice was rough. “I knew you were there hiding in those bushes.”

I shook my head. “Impossible. I was quiet as a mouse.”

My mate pressed his forehead to mine. “I could smell you.”

“I don’t have a scent,” I whispered back.

He thumbed away my tear. “Tell that to some other Were.”
 

Leigh was born in Montreal, Quebec but now lives in Southern Ontario with her husband. She's raised two kids, mothered three dogs, and herded a few cats. Other than that, her life was fairly routine until she hit the age of 50. Some women get tattoos. Leigh decided to write a book. A little tardy, but then again, Mum always said she was a late bloomer.

Book 1 in her Mystwalker series, The Trouble With Fate, was published by St. Martin's Press in December 2012, with book 2, The Thing About Weres, following in July 2013. The third book, The Problem With Promises, will hit shelves in February 2014. The fourth and final Mystwalker book will release in late 2014. The series is also published in the UK by Tor-UK.

Author Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeighEvansAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeighEvans001
Website: http://www.leighevans.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5784534.Leigh_Evans

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The first winner will receive exclusive, signed paperback copies of the UK versions of Mystwalker books 1 & 2, along with a signed bookplate and Mystwalker swag. 

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