MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It

Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Trouble with Dukes (Windham Brides #1)
by Grace Burrowes

THEY CALL HIM THE DUKE OF MURDER...

The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse—a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different.

No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: a London Season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge—even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.

Historical Romance was one of my first loves and even though I don't read it much anymore, I won't ever give it up entirely. That being said, The Trouble With Dukes was a charming and pleasant read. This story was a little more slow paced than what I'm used to, but I found that I didn't mind that fact.

Hamish has recently become the Duke of Murdoch. He's in London for the Season with his sisters and brother. He loathes being there and only wants to go back home to Scotland, but he somehow gets mixed up with Miss Megan. I love how she somehow forced him into doing things without anyone even realizing it, themselves included. Hamish is such a gentleman, but somehow still can't do anything right! I just had to chuckle at some of the things he would get in trouble for. I love that he was a gentleman, but I also wanted him to be a little more passionate with Miss Megan. It was very sensual and romantic which I loved, but he could have taken more control. Anyway, other than that he was perfect and being Scottish didn't hurt.

With this story being slow paced and not being overly sexual we were able to get a real plot. Miss Megan is in the clutches of Sir Fletcher and she has no one to confide in, that's when she turns to Hamish. I hated Sir Fletcher with a passion! He is a despicable human being, a total waste of skin, and the entire time I was hoping his plans would be foiled! I didn't know what would happen and was on the edge till the very end!

The Trouble With Dukes was very well written, with hordes of funny and likable characters. I loved the name calling and overall shenanigans with these ones! They are such a tightknit family which made it very entertaining. I am looking forward to Colin's book because I felt like he was a little rascal at times and am curious as to how he's going to calm himself.

3/5 Fangs

* A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1)
by Kerri Maniscalco

Hardcover, 326 pages

Published September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson

ISBN: 031627349X (ISBN13: 9780316273497)

Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

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Stalking Jack the Ripper turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable book! I was a little skeptical of this book, so I was so happy when I ended up really liking this book.

The thing I loved the most about this book was the characters, especially the two main characters. The main female character, Audrey Rose, was freaking awesome. Audrey was a character who was easy to like, trust, root for and connect to. I admired her passion and desire to be the best she could be. She wanted justice for the victims of Jack the Ripper, and I really liked how dedicated she became to figuring out the mystery.

What really made me love Audrey was the way she stood up for herself and women in general in a time period where women weren't well respected. Audrey constantly reminded the male characters that she was just as smart and capable as any male. She proved that she didn't need a man's help to get a job done. I made me want to jump for joy anytime Audrey's feminist side showed.

"I sighed. I'd never understand the way a man's mind worked. My gender didn't handicap me."

"I needed no man to empower me."

DON'T MESS WITH AUDREY ROSE.

Now it's time to talk about the other main character, Thomas Cresswell. Ugh, I loved him so much. Thomas was snarky and kind of arrogant, but he was also witty, passionate, caring, loyal, and incredibly smart. Thomas was always one step ahead of everyone, and I knew I could trust him to figure things out. I really enjoyed the fact that he was basically a sexy and younger version of Sherlock Holmes, and Audrey Rose was his Watson. His ability to solve mysteries blew my mind and fascinated me. He was AWESOME.

I NEED MORE OF THOMAS. I NEED MORE OF HIS HILARIOUS COMMENTARY. I NEED MORE OF HIS SWOONINESS AND PERFECTION.

“You look quite lovely today, Audrey Rose.” He stepped forward, staring down at me, and I fought to keep my eyes from fluttering shut. Thomas drew closer until I was convinced my blood would explode from my body like fireworks splattering across the night sky. “Perhaps you should comment on the excellent cut of my suit. I look rather handsome today as well. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t blame you, I am rather attractive. The tall, dark hero of your dreams, swooping in to save you with my vast intellect. You should accept my hand at once.”

As soon as Thomas was introduced, I knew he was going to be a love interest for Audrey Rose. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the romance since it felt so predictable. Man, I was WRONG! I loved the romance in this book, despite the predictability. The passion and chemistry within their banter felt palpable. Anytime Audrey and Thomas interacted, it usually ended with me having a smile on my face. Their personalities work so well together that I couldn't help but ship the heck out of them. I can see where some people might think their romance was "insta-love", but I personally didn't view it that way. I thought their romance developed at a fun and believable pace. They had instant attraction and chemistry, but I would not say it was instant love at all.

The mystery within this novel was gripping and addictive, even though I found it a little predictable. I was able to solve the mystery from pretty early on in this book, which made the reveal feel anti-climatic for me. The reveal just didn't pack as much as a punch as I was hoping for. However, the mystery and plot of this book were still extremely entertaining and captivating.

The detailed descriptions of the murder scenes and bodies of the victims were morbid. The author did not hold anything back when describing those images. It made me feel sick, but I really liked that the author didn't shy away from the gruesome truth! I also thought the setting added an intriguing element to the book. The author clearly did a lot of research for this novel, and it definitely paid off!

Overall, this was a fascinating, funny, romantic, mysterious, and addictive read. I am so glad I finally picked this book up! I am SO EXCITED to get my hands on book two because I cannot wait to see what my favorite characters get up to in the next novel.

4 / 5 Fangs

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

My Highland Rebel by Amanda Forester

Title: My Highland Rebel
Author: Amanda Forester
Series: Highland Trouble, #2

ISBN: 9781492605461

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

A conquering hero

Cormac Maclean would rather read than rampage, but his fearsome warlord father demands that he prove himself in war. Cormac chooses what he thinks is an easy target, only to encounter a fiery Highland lass leading a doomed rebellion and swearing revenge on him.

Meets an unconquerable heroine

Jyne Cambell is not about to give up her castle without a fight, even though her forces are far outnumbered. She’s proud, hot-blooded and hot-tempered, and Cormac falls for her hard.

It’s going to take all of Cormac’s ingenuity to get Jyne to surrender gracefully—both to his sword and to his heart…

They sat at an old oak table and broke bread together. Cormac found goblets of wine for both of them and some food for a meal. It had been long since he had filled his belly, so he ate hungrily of the bread and the hearty stew before him. Jyne must have been reassured by his confidence, for the little crease on her forehead disappeared, and she began to eat and drink with him.

He liked this, sharing a meal with her. He could almost block out the sound of his men carousing in the great room next to them. She was a beautiful lass. She must have been thinking of other things when she’d gotten herself dressed this morn, for her veil was not securely fastened, causing her long, straight blond hair to fall out before her. The color of those errant strands was like gold. He longed to reach out and touch it. She absently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear with a careless finger, causing him to pause in his eating. Her blue eyes sparkled at him, and he noticed those blue eyes had flecks of hazel green.

A disturbance erupted in the dining hall, and one of the elderly matrons ran back into the kitchen.

“What is the matter?” cried Jyne, rising to her feet. “Are they no’ getting tired?”

The woman placed a hand over her bosom, her eyes wide. “Nay, they’re getting randy!”

“Pardon?”

“I had two o’ the men say they thought I was a vision o’ loveliness. Three done laughed so hard, they fell from their benches, and four others started a brawl o’er the right way to eat stew. They’ve gone mad, they have!” The matron threw her hands up in the air.

Before Core could make any sense of this, another elderly clanswoman, with thinning gray hair and a large goiter, shrieked as she scrambled back into the kitchen.

“What happened to ye?” asked Jyne. She ran to the elderly woman and helped her to sit on the bench she had just vacated.

“I dinna ken they’re about. One man dropped to his knees and began to recite poetry, or at least something like it. A few others started dancing, wi’ no music—wi’ each other! Another one demanded my hand in marriage. To me! What sort o’ mean-spirited shenanigans are these hooligans up to?”

Jyne’s face was one of complete loss. “Is this some sort o’ game?” she asked Core.

“If it is, ’tis unknown to me.” Cormac had seen quite a bit of rough play from his father’s men, but he had never heard of anything like that.

Core and Jyne peeked inside the great hall and were astounded at what they saw. Several of the men were having a heated argument as to which of the elderly servers was more beautiful. Some were dancing to no music. Some were running around the room, batting at the air, as if trying to catch invisible fairies. Others were fighting while laughing hysterically. Jyne and Core stared at each other.

“Why are they acting this way?” Jyne met his eye. He realized they were standing very close as they peeked into the hall. Her beautiful blue eyes widened, and she flushed, her cheeks a rosy hue. Her lips were the color of pale pink rose petals and appeared so soft and inviting, he wished to lean in for just one taste. She was beautiful. Truly beautiful.

“I dinna ken.” He had to remind himself to answer her question. It was the truth. He had never seen the men act in such a manner.

“Oh!” Jyne suddenly gasped. “The potion. It must have made them mad.”

Core couldn’t help but laugh. “Ye made them all act like fools? Och, I wish my father was here to see it!”

“Who is yer father?” she asked, turning her innocent blue eyes to him.

He realized in a flash he had made a slip. “No one. Just he would think it amusing, is all,” he said hastily. “Will the potion make them tired or just mad as imps?”

Jyne slapped a hand to her forehead. “Och, I’m a dunderhead, I am. Too much ale wi’ it can make a man lose his senses.”

“Ye gave my men something to make them witless?”

“Well I… It wasn’t what I intended… Wait, yer men?” She raised an eyebrow at him, and he knew he was in trouble.

“My men? I…I have no men.” He attempted nonchalance. It was not a natural state.

The little furrow between her brows reappeared. “But I thought I heard ye say—”

He kissed her.

It was the only thing he could think to do. The only thing he wanted to do. He was drawn to her by a power he could not deny. He embraced her and allowed his lips to melt onto hers. Nothing he had ever experienced before compared, but he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, waiting for the inevitable slap. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him and returning his ardor with a passion that lit an explosion within him. He did not care that his men were making fools of themselves next door. He did not care if the entire kitchen staff could see them. He had to kiss her.

Amanda Forester holds a PhD in psychology and worked many years in academia before discovering that writing historical romance was way more fun. A Publishers Weekly Top Ten author, her books have been given starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Whether in the rugged Highlands of medieval Scotland or the decadent ballrooms of Regency England, her novels offer fast-paced adventures filled with wit, intrigue, and romance. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest outside Tacoma, Washington.

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher

Title: Academ's Fury

Author: Jim Butcher

Series: Codex Alera #2

Publisher: Ace

Release Date: November 28, 2006

For centuries, the people of Alera have relied on the power of the furies to protect them from outside invaders. But the gravest threat might be closer than they think.

Tavi has escaped the Calderon Valley and the mysterious attack of the Marat on his homeland. But he is far from safe, as trying to keep up the illusion of being a student while secretly training as one of the First Lord's spies is a dangerous game. And he has not yet learned to use the furies, making him especially vulnerable.

When the attack comes it's on two fronts. A sudden strike threatens the First Lord's life and threatens to plunge the land into civil war. While in the Calderon Valley, the threat faced from the Marat is dwarfed by an ancient menace. And Tavi must learn to harness the furies if he has any chance of fighting the greatest threat Alera has ever known . . .

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“Anger subsides. Love doesn’t.”

What an excellent second book! Just as good or better than the first. If I had one word to describe this book, I would use the adjective EXCILERANT!

Jim Butcher is a master at crafting a unique world where amazing characters live. I wish I could join them. Maybe even have my own furies too. Who wouldn't want to meet Doroga, Tavi, Isana, Gaius, Bernard, or Kitai? I certainly would.

“Your Kind, Aleran, are the most vicious and gentle, most savage and noble, most treacherous and loyal, most terrifying and fascinating creatures I have ever seen.”

So what else does Jim do? He gives us even more awesome characters like Max, Killian, and Gargant. Of course, he also throws in the mix great evil too. We have Lord Attis Aquitaine and Lord Kalarus Brencis fighting to overthrown Gaius Sextus while the Vord's Queens' are creating nests and reproducing. Tavi with the help of friends will have to fight them at the palace while Bernard, Doroga, and Amara will join forces to do it in the valley. This leaves Isana desperate to forge an alliance to be able to help her family, even if this new alliance could change the power balance.

“You will probably find, in life, that successes and victories tend to overshadow the risks you took, while failure will amplify how idiotic they were.”

Academ's Fury is a fast-paced fantasy. It's heavy on the action but like with Dresden, there is always time for humor and romance. Furthermore, there were a few twists. Some of them I saw them coming, others took me by surprise.

“Doroga thumped a finger against his skull. Head got nothing to do with the heart. Your heart wants what it wants. Head got to learn that it can only kill the heart or else get out of the way”

I can't wait to see what the future brings for Tavi. It can only get more complicated and deadly for him. I do hope that most of the main characters survive. I have a soft spot for a lot of them.

5/5 "Aleran" Fangs

The Ice Beneath Her by Camilla Grebe

Title: THE ICE BENEATH HER

Author: Camilla Grebe

Translated by Elizabeth Clark Wessel

A Ballantine Books Hardcover and eBook

Release Date: On Sale 12/27/16

ISBN: 9780425284322 | eBook: 9781101886700 | 368 pages | $27

For fans of Jo Nesbo and The Bridge, The Ice Beneath Her is a gripping and deeply disturbing story about love, betrayal and obsession that is impossible to put down. Fast-paced and peopled with compelling characters, it surprises at every turn as it hurtles towards an unforgettable ending with a twist you really won't see coming . . .

A young woman is found beheaded in an infamous business tycoon's marble-lined hallway.

The businessman, scandal-ridden CEO of the retail chain Clothes & More, is missing without a trace.

But who is the dead woman? And who is the brutal killer who wielded the machete?

Rewind two months earlier to meet Emma Bohman, a sales assistant for Clothes & More, whose life is turned upside down by a chance encounter with Jesper Orre. Insisting that their love affair is kept secret, he shakes Emma's world a second time when he suddenly leaves her with no explanation.

As frightening things begin to happen to Emma, she suspects Jesper is responsible. But why does he want to hurt her? And how far would he go to silence his secret lover?

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"There is no doubt humans are the planet’s most dangerous animal; we constantly hunt and kill not only other species, but our own. "

This book was different. The writer had a way of telling the story in a very unique way.

The novel is told from three different points of views.

Peter Lindgren is a police detective who's called to assist with a new murder. A woman is found decapitated in the home of the famous CEO Jesper Orre. Jesper has been in the news for having a very active love life and problems within his company too. Peter is also dealing with his ex-wife and son which he barely has a relationship with. Peter is a commitment phobic. There was only one woman he has cared for and he lost her ten years ago.

"It occurs to me that love isn’t just what you feel for another human being, it’s also seeing yourself through your lover’s eyes. To see beauty where before you saw only flaws."

Hanne is the second voice. She is a profiler who has done consulting for the police. She recently has been diagnosed with early dementia and has decided to leave her husband whom she has never loved. She almost left him years earlier but her plans failed. She's having a hard time dealing with her diagnosis and the only thing keeping her going is her research and her love of the Inuit people.

Third, there is Emma Bohman. Her story starts two months earlier when she meets and starts dating Jesper. Her life is happy until Jesper starts changing. Jesper has always wanted to keep their relationship quiet. Suddenly, Emma is left without money or Jesper.

Peter and Hanne will work together to try to piece together the woman's identity and motive for the decapitation.

What a great twist The Ice Beneath Her had! It was well-thought and eerily scary. The human mind is such a whirlpool of thoughts and actions with a slim balance. Anything can tilt the scale.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner

Title: The Twilight Wife

Author: A.J. Banner

Publisher: Touchstone

Release Date: December 27, 2016

From bestselling author A.J. Banner comes a dazzling new novel of psychological suspense in the vein of S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep and Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl that questions just how much we can trust the people around us.

Thirty-four-year-old marine biologist Kyra Winthrop remembers nothing about the diving accident that left her with a complex form of memory loss. With only brief flashes of the last few years of her life, her world has narrowed to a few close friendships on the island where she lives with her devoted husband, Jacob.

But all is not what it seems. Kyra begins to have visions—or are they memories?—of a rocky marriage, broken promises, and cryptic relationships with the island residents, whom she believes to be her friends.

As Kyra races to uncover her past, the truth becomes a terrifying nightmare. A twisty, immersive thriller, The Twilight Wife will keep readers enthralled through the final, shocking twist.

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This was great!!

I love when a book has me desperate to turn the pages to learn more. The Twilight Wife had my full attention from the very beginning. It had a great plot and a good amount of suspense.

Imagine how desperate you can become after forgetting four years of your life. This is what happened to Kyra Winthrop after she was involved in a diving accident that almost killed her. Jason and Kyra are back on Mystic Island in the Pacific Northwest after Kyra's long recuperation is over on the mainland. Her husband Jason is very patient with her but when Kyra starts having flashes of her past, she starts seeing things that don't make sense to her.

Kyra's desperation is obvious. She wants to remember. She can't remember what she likes to eat or drink, she can't remember buying her clothes, even worse, she has no recollection of her wedding or her husband. She even has a hard time keeping new memories. So she has retrograde and anterograde amnesia. This makes her vulnerable and she wants to become more independent but it's hard not to doubt herself or doubt the ones around you.

I was there right along with Kyra. I wanted her to remember. I knew the key to everything was there. I'm not going to say the right scenario didn't cross my mind but A.J. Banner had me wavering my opinions so many times it was actually refreshing. What better way to keep me entertained than to keep making me doubt myself?

If there was one thing I felt missing I had to say it was right at the end but telling you would mean a huge spoiler and I'm going to pass 😇.

The Twilight Wife would be a great movie. Maybe one day I can see Kyra and Jason on Mystic Island at the movies.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Touchstone via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Title: Breath of Fire

Author: Amanda Bouchet

Series: The Kingmaker Chronicles, #2

ISBN: 9781492626046

Pubdate: January 3, 2017

Genre: Fantasy Romance

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD…

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a warrior queen to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world—for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin risk sacrificing everything they’ve fought for. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or die trying.

Jocasta looks around the room, her blue eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. “You need a new bed.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Last night, Griffin and I slept on the thick sheepskin rug in front of the unlit hearth—if sleeping is what you can call what we did for most of the night.

Griffin’s sister snorts. “I wish I could take a sword and beat the stuffing out of something when I’m upset.”

“You can. Here.” I hand her my sword. It’s short, about the length of a man’s arm. The hilt fits my grip perfectly, and the rounded guard is engraved with a decorative pattern of intertwining laurel leaves. I’m thinking about naming it. Swords need names.

“I recommend the bed, but I’m not particularly attached to that table over there.”

Jocasta glances at the upturned table with its irreparably cracked central board. Her dark hair reflects the morning sunbeams streaming through the open window as she approaches what’s left of the bed and then gives the ruined mattress a good whack. Her whole body jars from the impact. She hauls the sword up again and then thumps it back down harder. This time, the blade sticks in the splintered bed frame. By the time she wrestles it out of the wood, she’s panting and half her curls have slipped from their pins.

She shoves her almost blue-black hair out her face. “That was annoying.”

I shrug. “Sometimes that happens in bone.”

Revulsion crosses her face, but instead of setting down the sword, she strikes the bed again like she has something to prove. She keeps going, avoiding what’s left of the frame. Stuffing erupts from the torn-up mattress, and feathers catch in her hair, giving her a savage appearance. With her bright sapphire eyes, flushed face, and a sword in her hand, she looks like a force to be reckoned with.

Since Griffin turned all our chairs into firewood, I stand there, watching with my arms crossed.

“What are you upset about?” I ask.

Jocasta takes a few deep breaths and then props the sword against the wall. “I’m not upset, exactly. I’m restless. The north wall is nearly fixed, and the children don’t especially need my limited expertise in construction to finish the job. The pages have all settled into their roles in the castle. I don’t have any groundbreaking ideas for improvements to the realm. The new healing centers and schools are Egeria’s projects, and she doesn’t need or really even want my help, although I keep offering.” She brushes goose down from the front of her dress, her mouth thinning.

“You’re bored.” I get that. If I weren’t so in love, which is completely new to me, I’d probably be bored, too. As it is, I’m tired of being confined to the castle grounds. I’m used to living mostly out in the open and traveling with the circus. Sometimes, these walls feel like they’re closing in on me.

Jocasta sighs. “Piers is busy recruiting new soldiers, and that’s not exactly my domain anyway. Carver has responsibilities that Griffin trusts him with. You have Beta Team. Father reads or sleeps most of the day. Mother concocts herbal sludge that I can already recite the recipes for forward and backward and use to heal most of the usual ailments. Kaia has her tutor—who’s an old goat, by the way—but besides a few adjustments to court life, I’ve already had my schooling and don’t need to sit in on lessons.”

She eyes my sword like she wants to start bashing things again. “I have nothing to do.”

“Life is different for you now. As a younger sibling in a royal house, you have no real role. And even less freedom.”

She chews on her lower lip, looking annoyed. “I used to be able to go places by myself. Ride a horse. Talk to people. Help them because they knew me and came to me and respected me. Now I’m stuck behind these walls where no one really needs me.”

“There are days I feel trapped, too,” I say. “But there are worse prisons than this.”

“Yes, but everyone needs you. Especially Griffin.” Scowling, Jocasta kicks a piece of wood across the room—debris from Griffin’s rampage.

“Sintans should see their new royals. They were nothing but welcoming on our way north last spring. I asked if I could travel the realm, with a large guard, of course, but Griffin won’t let me. He says it’s too dangerous.”

“He’s right.”

Her eyes flash a fierce blue. “You, too? I thought you’d understand.”

“I do understand. But the realms are entering into a Power Bid now. Fisa is a shadow over us all. Tarvan snakes are rattling their tails. They’ve attacked us twice, and the last time Griffin nearly died. What do you think they’d do if they got their hands on you?”

Jocasta doesn’t answer.

In her silence, I answer for her. “They’d tear apart everyone you love as they came for you, and then they’d tear you apart, too.”

“Then I should learn to defend myself!” She starts pacing, her fluid prowling reminding me of a certain Sintan warlord I know.

“Teach me to fight, Cat. Make me less of a liability. Then maybe I can have some freedom.”

A note to readers of The Kingmaker Chronicles from Amanda:

Breath of Fire comes out on January 3^rd and I couldn’t be more excited about it! I hope that readers who met Cat and Griffin and followed their exploits in A Promise of Fire will be looking forward to this second installment in The Kingmaker Chronicles, and I hope that new readers will be interested in giving this fantasy romance trilogy a try. The story picks up right where A Promise of Fire left off and with a shocking moment of truth: Cat’s secrets are finally revealed to all. But with the cat out of the bag (pun definitely intended!), important plans can now form to move Thalyria toward unification under Cat and Griffin’s joint rule—plans that will certainly keep Beta Team on their toes. But while Cat’s violent past and lingering self-doubt still haunt her on a deep level, Griffin won’t let her back down from the fate she’d love to avoid. As Griffin propels her toward her inevitable destiny and Cat tries to come to terms with the prophecy that’s haunted her for eight years, readers can expect plenty of adventure and danger, more of Cat’s smart-mouthed humor, exciting Beta Team moments, and a romance that heats up to positively scorching levels. Friendships solidify into unshakable bonds, and perilous quests lead the members of Beta Team into uncharted territory where monsters, magic, and mayhem abound. With Breath of Fire, I hope that readers get swept away and caught up in the emotion and adventure as Cat and Griffin try to navigate their developing and intensely passionate relationship while also taking on the daunting and dangerous task of conquering the world. But most of all, I hope you simply enjoy the book!

Award-winning author Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England and studied French at the undergraduate and graduate levels, first at Bowdoin College and then at Bowling Green State University. She moved to Paris, France in 2001 and has been there ever since. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children, who will soon be correcting her French.