Fighting Shadows by Julieanne Lynch
Book 3 in A Shadow World Novel
BUY THE BOOKS
iBooks: http://apple.co/29T9zLX
Amazon: http://amzn.to/29t1A6P
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/29miB31
Kobo: http://bit.ly/29qYEds
ABOUT THE BOOK
Giselle Bergman has had to contend with a slew of misgivings from the moment she stepped into the shadow world. Thrust into a dark, twisted world, she’s had to fight for everything she believes in. Though Alex has done everything in his power to tear her world asunder, she refuses to give up everything she holds dear.
Forced to confront the evil that now surrounds her, Giselle sets foot in Hell. A world controlled by the darkest of entities, survival is almost impossible. Despite this fact, she’ll do everything possible to save her beloved son, Kaden. Her wit is soon tested beyond measure at every turn.
Alongside her closest companion, Antoine, she does her best to keep her sanity intact. Battling adversity every step of the way, Giselle realizes that nothing is as it seems. If she’s to succeed in righting all wrongs, she’ll have to find it within herself to put an end to her enemy’s wicked schemes. Only then, will she bring closure to a story that catapulted her from her once ordinary life to a world that’s darker and faster than anything she ever imagined.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julieanne Lynch is an author of YA and Adult genre urban fantasy, contemporary, crime, and romance novels. Julieanne was born in Northern Ireland, but spent much of her early life in London, United Kingdom, until her family relocated back to their roots.
Julieanne lives in Northern Ireland, with her husband and five children, where she is a full-time author. She studied English Literature and Creative Writing at The Open University, and considered journalism as a career path. Julieanne has several projects optioned for film.
Want to start from the beginning of the Shadow World Series?
You're in luck here is book 1 & 2!
Within the Shadows ~ Free!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vsEcun
iBooks: http://bit.ly/19gJzrX
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1A61YRa
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1KVsNKJ
Escaping Shadows
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KVgmk4
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1Ea5WJ7
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1AyX2WB
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1MkWcBJ
Presented by:
BUY THE BOOK
Amazon: http://amzn.to/29vYVJr
Free with Kindle Unlimited
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Thieves Guild is renowned for their ability to steal anything. Its elite members have robbed nobles of wealth, reputation, and even their honor. The Guildmaster rules them with brutality and fear, yet his name and past are a mystery. From the depths of the Evermist swamp he seeks a master thief, one who can help him reclaim his lost power.
Young and brash, Jack Myst has drawn the Guildmaster’s attention. His feats mark his potential, but his audacity and cunning make him dangerous. After years of preparation an invitation from the guild is exactly what he desires. When he gets it his hunt begins, and there is nothing he cannot steal.
Even the Guildmaster’s secret.
EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEAK
Chapter 1: Lord Saris
Lord Saris exited the tavern and stumbled into the darkened street, righting himself before anyone noticed his state. He blinked against his blurry vision, peering into the shadowed corners of the roadway. He scowled and straightened, hitching his belt higher around his broad waist.
Turning away from the Golden Chalice, he strode toward his estate in the northern district of Terros. The laughter from within the gilded tavern faded as he made his way along the road. Although he knew the way, he was forced to pause at signs in order to puzzle out where to go. He cursed his guards' absence and swore to himself he would punish them soundly for their error.
He caught a post and steadied himself until his head stopped swirling. Then he noticed a beggar woman. She sat hunched against the wall in a pool of light cast by the flickering fire of the lamp. Her eyes looked at him with pleading, causing a flood of memories to fill him.
His wife, ill and weak, struggling to rise from bed. Her pain had caused her to tremble, and she’d pleaded for him to stay at her side. Her disease had ravaged her body and left her an empty husk, but still she’d begged him to leave the drink behind and serve the people.
Disgusted by the sight of her wasting away, he’d used every excuse to avoid her sickbed. He’d worked long into the evening, and claimed that meetings in the city occupied his nights. Instead he found a tavern and stayed until his fear and pain had numbed before stumbling home. One night he’d returned to find she had passed on.
He’d known it was coming and been relieved, but a needle of guilt pierced his heart, cutting deep and refusing to fade even after a decade. As Saris stared at the beggar woman the guilt returned, sharp and stabbing, morphing into hatred. He growled and stabbed a finger at her.
“Please, my lord,” she said, raising her hands. “I have so little—”
“You know better than to come into this district,” he snapped. “Go, before I summon the guard.”
She scurried into the night. He watched her go with a heavy-lidded gaze, furious that his walk home had been interrupted, and the memory she’d elicited. Pushing off the post, he turned a corner and ascended to his estate, forcing the thoughts aside.
A smirk crossed his lips as he looked up to the castle atop the hill. It was one of the largest in the district, and looked down upon the wealthy homes of Terros. Upon his father's death, Saris had ordered a wall constructed around the estate and hired more guards. Now a full company patrolled the grounds, ensuring that common folk never entered.
The two men at the guard tower straightened as he trudged up the hill. Winded from the climb, he came to a halt and used the moment to growl at them.
“Inform the captain I have returned, and tell him that the men on duty for this evening will see their wages garnished for their absence.”
“But sir,” the lieutenant protested, “you ordered them to stay.”
He fleetingly recalled the orders he'd given them to stay behind.
The meeting at the tavern had been of a sensitive nature, so leaving the guards at the estate had been a necessity. Such common men were as prone to gossip as the trash that lived in the Sticks. Still, he could not admit that he’d forgotten.
Lord Saris straightened to his full stature of five feet. “Are you questioning my orders?” His voice took a dangerous edge, and the man lowered his gaze.
“No, sir.”
Lord Saris did not miss the hatred in the soldier's eyes, and resolved to dismiss the man the following day. His scowl deepened as he noticed the same glint in the second man's gaze, and wondered if he could ever find a good servant. His sharp rebuke died on his lips when the ache in his skull stabbed into his eyes.
“And summon an attendant to my chambers,” he said, all thought of the soldiers gone. “Have her draw me a bath.”
“As you order,” the lieutenant said, and signaled another guard.
Saris dug his hand into his side as he advanced past the guard and ascended the steps to the castle proper. Another guard opened the door as he reached it. Once inside, Saris grasped the railing and climbed the steps to his private quarters. Another soldier opened the door, and Saris strode past him.
“I do not wish to be disturbed,” he said.
“As you order,” the man replied, and shut the door.
Lord Saris breathed a sigh of relief for the solitude, and vowed never to drink so much again. He realized it had become a frequent indulgence, but dismissed that with a jerk of his hand. He was a lord of Griffin, and could partake as he desired. Then he strode to the bathing chamber.
Comprised of four separate rooms, his private quarters were spacious and elegant. A central receiving space allowed him to meet in private with others of his status. A trio of doors opened onto a bathing chamber, a bedroom, and a library.
He stepped into the bathing chamber to find a manservant filling the tub with steaming water. Saris squinted at him and realized he did not know the youth. Barely in his twenties, the servant was tall and slender. His black hair highlighted his dark blue eyes. He looked up and Saris flinched at the predatory look in his eye. By the time Saris recovered the man had bowed, the expression gone.
“My Lord,” he said, “is there anything else you require?”
“Where are the servant girls?”Saris frowned, struggling to recall their names.
“Ill, my Lord,” the man replied easily. “The Steward asked me to take their place.”
Saris glared at him, and then gestured to the door. “Wait outside in case I have need of you.”
“As you order,” he replied, and drifted out the door.
Once it had clicked shut, Saris removed his clothing and slipped into the tub. He breathed a sigh of relief and reclined his head, annoyed that the manservant's expression lingered in his thoughts.
Then he dismissed the image and turned his mind to the conversation in the Golden Chalice.
Six months past, he'd beaten a servant girl for refusing his affection and she'd gone crying to the city guard. Taken alone, the guard would have dismissed the complaint, but added to past grievances it had led to an inquisition. If the blasted girl could prove he'd been improper the inquisitor would require him to pay a significant sum.
He scowled at the potential humiliation. The other lords had assured him the girl had no standing in the court, and without proof her words would fall on empty ears. His tension easing with the warm water, he closed his eyes.
He woke with a shiver. Muttering a curse at the frigid water, he looked to the light orb to find that it had dimmed. Vowing to flay the manservant for allowing the bath to cool, he heaved himself from the tub and dressed. His teeth chattering, he cinched his belt and stepped to the door.
He paused at the clink of coins, the angry shout dying on his lips.
Confused, he came to a halt, and then heard it again coming from his study. Fear and anger blossomed within him as he realized a thief had dared enter his home. He eased the door open, his eyes searching the darkness for the manservant.
The receiving chamber was empty and the lights had been dimmed. He heard a shuffle from the library and another clink of metal. His expression darkened and he advanced toward the hall door, intent on calling the guard. He tripped and nearly went down, just managing to catch the curse before it betrayed him. Then he looked to the cause and his expression widened in horror.
The manservant lay on the floor, blood dripping from a dozen wounds. His eyes were open and haunting, as if he had just perished. The brutality of the death shocked Saris, and his fear overpowered his anger. His eyes flicked between the corpse and the library. Then he began to crawl toward the hall, his hands shaking as he reached for the door. The handle refused to budge, and abruptly he realized the thief had locked it to prevent a guard from entering. Swallowing the dryness in his throat, he forced the words from his mouth.
“Guard!” he hissed. “I have need!”
No answer came, and he repeated his plea, risking raising his voice in order to be heard. His words seem to reflect off an invisible barrier, echoing into a strange silence. He’d seen muffling charms used in the tribunal halls to silence angry criminals and recognized the magic. Anger filled him as he realized the thief had locked him inside his own chambers and cast a charm to silence his cries. Straightening, Saris gathered his courage and roared for the guards, attempting to shatter the magic by force of will.
To his dismay the soldier just outside the door did not come—but the noise in the library came to an abrupt halt. Terror gripped Saris and he crawled behind a couch, willing his breathing to quiet. His heart battered against his chest like a hammer against a shield and he mentally cursed the betrayal. The silence persisted, building the tension until his hands trembled . . .
A window shattered. He yelped in surprise and clutched his chest. When nothing followed he realized the thief must have fled. Shame filled him, and then rage burned it from his veins. Grasping the couch, he rose to his feet and stomped to the library door, yanking it open.
Books lay strewn on the floor, their pages ripped. Gold and jewelry were missing, and even the gilded brackets for light orbs had been pried from the walls. Then he saw the strongbox. Hidden behind a false section of paneling, it contained his most valuable possessions. Fear exploded through him and he hurried to it. He turned the levers to bring the combination into view and then grasped the lever. It swung open with a creak of steel.
Piles of gold, jewels, and rings looked back at him, as did the signet of his house. Attached to an ornate ring, it sat atop a silver pedestal, untouched. Saris breathed a sigh of relief that the thief had not found it. Then the lights winked out, snuffed like a candle in a gust of wind.
“Thank you, my Lord,” a voice said from behind him. “That was much easier than I expected.”
He spun in place but could not make out the thief in the darkness.
“Take whatever you wish!” he cried out.
“I intend to,” the thief laughed.
The thief brushed past him and in remarkable time cleaned out the strongbox. Saris huddled against the wall, struggling to keep his terror in check.
“Sound magic has a reputation for being useless,” the thief remarked, his voice mocking, “but it keeps guards from hearing their master’s whimpering.”
Saris squeaked in surprise. “How dare you—”
A dagger touched his throat and he swallowed the rest of his words.
“Be glad I don't do to you what I did to your manservant,” the thief growled.
Saris felt a tug on his hand and screamed, but the thief had merely yanked his ring from his finger. The mocking laugh came again, this time fading as the thief departed. Saris remained against the wall, furious and embarrassed. Then he gathered himself and straightened, roaring for the guards.
Without the thief's muffling curse to stop it, his bellow exploded across the manor. The doors burst open and two soldiers rushed into his chambers, following Saris’s shouts to his library. At their appearance the light orbs brightened, flooding the space with light.
The soldiers came to an abrupt halt, aghast at the damage to the room.
“My Lord,” one said, “how did this happen?”
Saris screamed at them, unleashing his rage. The glint of humor in their eyes only served to heighten his wrath until he pointed to the door.
“OUT!” he roared. “And take the body with you!”
“But sir,” the second guard said, “what body?”
Saris stared at him and then stalked into the receiving room. His indignant rage evaporated when he found the body had disappeared. Dumbfounded, Saris stared at the empty floor, struggling to understand what had occurred. Long after the guards had left it dawned on him. The thief hadn't killed the manservant.
He was the manservant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As an avid snowboarder from Utah, Ben grew up with a passion for learning. This thirst for knowledge led him to sports, music, and academic endeavors. After a year of college, he did volunteer work in Brazil and became fluent in three languages. Graduating from the University of Central Florida, he started and ran several successful businesses before publishing his first novel in June of 2012. By the end of the year he’d sold almost ten thousand copies of The Second Draeken War, and he began writing full-time. Now spanning 10,000 years, ten titles, and two series, The Chronicles of Lumineia represents a sprawling YA series that has sold over 100,000 copies, and continues to expand its readership across all ages. Each of his books has been inspired by his wonderful wife and five beautiful children.
To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, feel free to contact Ben via his contact page. He loves to hear from readers and writers, and welcomes feedback.
Presented by:
The Wendigo Witchling
B. Kristin McMichael
(The Skinwalkers’ Witchling #2)
Published by: Lexia Press
Publication date: June 7th 2016
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Cassie is part of it now. Turns out, she may not want to join the coven, but that’s exactly what she did when she bonded herself to Nate. Rather than face the ordeal of joining the clan, Cassie finds it’s time for a road trip with her best friend, Whitney. The road trip was to get away, maybe learn a bit more about night humans—it wasn’t to find a deep dark secret hidden in Whitney’s past, one that may hit a little closer to home than Cassie wants to admit. With their road trip cut short, it is time to confront everyone about the lies that had been their lives, but Cassie soon finds out home isn’t exactly how she left it.
Where have all the witches gone? She’s the only witch left in town when they return. Soon she is dragged into more than she bargained for and she has to make choices that will change everything. She’s finally given a choice: does she want to be a skinwalkers witch or a wendigo witch? Too bad there are more secrets than answers. Without all the facts, can she really choose her life’s direction? Time isn’t on her side as she has to make a choice. Now she just hopes it’s the right one.
—
EXCERPT:
The boy glanced down. “Entry denied,” he read out on the machine.
“Denied?” Cassie asked in disbelief.“You’re not just a day human,” the boy replied, pointing to the scanner which had just tried to eat Cassie’s hand. “Anyone who is part of a ruling family must seek permission to visit before coming so that the proper welcome can be made.”
“I’m not part of any ruling family,” Cassie replied. What is he talking about?
“Ugh,” Whitney groaned. “You’re Than’s mate and thus part of the ruling family. I didn’t think about that. I figured your family or mine had called ahead of us and wanted us home. They didn’t, but this …” Whitney shook her head like she should have guessed as much.
Cassie groaned, too. Their road trip was being cut short. She just wanted to get away, and now that was being foiled by Nate, and he wasn’t even there.
“Well, technically, she isn’t part of the family yet. She has yet to complete all the bonding rituals and right now is still under her own family,” Whitney added, batting her eyes and using her movie star looks to try to win over the guy.
“Completely true,” Cassie added, trying her best to imitate her friend and her “pretty please” face.
The guy glanced first at Cassie, and then at Whitney. He gave in. “I need to verify this with my boss,” he said before he turned and walked away.
Author Bio:
B. Kristin McMichael graduated with her PhD in biology at Ohio State where she worked as a scientist before taking her passion of writing full-time. Besides writing, she enjoys chasing her kids, playing outside, and baking cookies. She lives in Ohio with her husband and three children.
B. Kristin is the author of YA and clean NA paranormal fiction. Her "Night Human World" includes the YA series "The Blue Eyes Trilogy" about a midwestern girl who comes of age in a world of battling vampire clans, the "The Day Human Trilogy" that takes place among the Appalachian Sidhe fairies, and "The Skinwalkers Witchling" trilogy that follows an apprentice witch in the Pacific Northwest. She's also the author of the NA paranormal time travel romance series "The Chalcedony Chronicles".
The Chalcedony Chronicles: http://bkmc.me/Book1Carnelian
Night Human World Series:
-The Blue Eyes Trilogy: http://bkmc.me/LegendoftheBlueEyes
-The Day Human Trilogy: http://bkmc.me/DayHumanPrince
-The Skinwalkers Witchling: http://bkmc.me/TheWitchlingApprentice
For more information on all of her books, visit http://www.bkristinmcmichael.com
Subscribe to her mailing list for new release notifications and deals: http://www.bkristinmcmichael.com/list
Hosted by:
No comments:
Post a Comment