Shadow Fire by Kimber Leigh Wheaton - 99¢ Jan 3 - Jan 7

Shadow Fire
The Light Chronicles #1

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

YA Romantic Fantasy
Release Date: 02/24/14

Astraea Press

310 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

The village is quiet as we make our way down the main street to the tavern. Brinda, Celeste and I walk in utter silence. The chirps of the crickets seem deafening in the unusual stillness. We plod along, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. To an outsider we must appear more like a funeral procession than a group of girls heading to a party. Parties are meant to celebrate something, a birth, a marriage, completion of an apprenticeship. Who would throw a party to send a maiden off to her death? And why in the Goddess’ name did I agree to attend this blatant absurdity?

As the tavern comes into view, I’m awed by the beauty. Sconces full of candles flicker in the darkness, adorning the eaves and surrounding the entry. Someone took the time to make a banner out of pink cloth. It hangs above the entrance, the words scrawled out in black paint, ‘Good Luck Ashlyn Silverthorne’.

I swallow around the lump forming in my throat as I stare at the banner. After three weeks of sideways glances and whispers about my impending doom, the four little words written on the sign bring a bit of solace. Thank goodness it doesn’t read, ‘Try not to die, Ashlyn’ or even better, ‘May your death be quick and painless’. When I break out in nervous titters from the morbid thought, my sisters both stare at me, their faces pinched with worry. I’d like to reassure them I won’t have a breakdown tonight, but the way I’m feeling right now is far from cool and collected. Cory made the situation worse with his assault today. Dear Goddess, I hope he’s not inside!

“ASHLYN!” a chorus of voices chant my name followed by several minutes of cheering.

My fingers dig into the doorjamb, my nails scraping at the white paint. I contemplate whether fleeing now is an option. With a furtive glance, I scan the packed room, flushing when I locate Zane at a small table in the corner. His sultry garnet eyes meet mine. My breath catches in my throat, and my heartbeat accelerates, threatening to hammer right out of my chest. Before I can find the presence of mind to move, my older brothers, Abel and Jess, approach, each grabbing an arm before dragging me to a chair at the head of a large banquet table.

“There’ll be plenty of time for food and drink in a moment,” Jess shouts to the boisterous crowd. “Now it’s time for going away gifts.”

The cheer in the room is odd, making me feel as though I’m moving to a new town rather than leaving on a dangerous quest. When a wrapped gift is thrust into my hands, I’m too stunned to do anything other stare at the small box.

“This is from Jess and me,” Abel says, his lips curled into a melancholy smile.

For some reason the sorrow in his dark brown eyes is soothing, a tiny push back into reality. False cheer is understandable, but the festive atmosphere in the tavern is downright creepy. Pushing it to the back of my mind, I tear open the bright red wrapping and open the box. Nestled inside is the most beautiful silver brooch I’ve ever seen in my life. I know this piece of jewelry quite well since I’ve been admiring it every weekend at the merchant’s fair in the town square. My fingers trace the head of the dragon following the scales down to the unfurled wings. The eyes are twin sapphires which match the velvet cloak Brinda and Celeste gave me.

“Thank you, I love it,” I breathe out in a whisper. Brinda takes the brooch from my shaking hands and pins it to my velvet cloak. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just promise to take care out there,” Jess says, giving me a quick hug followed by a kiss on the head.

“We’ll go with you, Ashlyn,” Abel whispers when he leans down to kiss my cheek.

If only things were that easy. Jess has a wife and child, Abel is taking over the carpentry shop and is engaged. I could never ask them to risk their lives on a foolhardy quest, not as happy as both are. Besides, my parents shouldn’t lose three children all at once. Such pain would be unbearable.

“No, I’ll be fine on my own,” I whisper back through the lump forming in my throat. “You both have people here who need you.” Sadness is reflected in his soulful eyes along with worry, but the most disturbing is relief. “Hey, at least those martial arts lessons you and Jess have paid for since I was thirteen may finally come in handy,” I say with a fake laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

“You’ve become a formidable woman,” Jess murmurs. “Be careful out there and never let your guard down.”

Character Interview
Ashlyn Silverthorne

What was the scariest moment of your life? 

The day I was announced as Verdane's next Chosen was the scariest moment of my life. It was devastating. The entire town gathered in the town square that day. There were so many people packed together, it was hard to breathe. When the announcement came, it didn't click right away, you know? I remember being shuffled to the front by numerous hands, until I was standing on the wooden dais with the mayor. Everyone yelled and cheered. They laughed. I was being sent to my death and they all cheered.

Wow, that must have been rough. Do you know why they chose you?

I'd like to think it's because the townspeople thought I might succeed due to my hunting and martial arts skills. Perhaps I was considered the most expendable of the girls in the village. It doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done.

How about a lighter question: What do you think makes a good story?

Lots of adventure. Travel to distant, strange lands. Amazing creatures. Oh, and romance–that's the most important element. A swoon-worthy hero who sweeps the heroine off her feet is a must.

What is your favorite meal? 

Mmm. So glad you asked! Seafood, especially crab. I was introduced to the best fresh seafood during my time on the pirate ship. Taranis and his crew eat quite well.

What would we find under your bed? 

A couple of broken bow strings I can't bear to part with—Zane bought those for me when we first started our adventure. The romance novel I stole from my sister, Celeste. A dress my mother made for me when she decided I needed to be more feminine—not my style at all, but I love it anyway since she made it. Oh, and Taranis' new boots. He let some girl talk him into these awful pirate boots. I swiped them while he was sleeping. No one should have to look at him in those boots!

If I came to visit early in the morning would you impress me as being more like a chirpy bird or a grumpy bear? 

A grumpy bear. And if you wake me up before the sun rises, I'm a grumpy bear who bites!

  

What is the next big thing? 

Don't laugh, but Taranis won a treasure map in a poker game. After we stop for supplies, we are going on a good, old-fashioned treasure hunt. The map looks real. Well, if old and worn are indications of validity. I'm really excited, though. Who hasn't dreamed of searching for pirate treasure?

What's your message to others based on your experience?

Live everyday like it's your last. We are responsible for shaping our own destinies. I thought being chosen was the worst thing that ever happened to me, the end of my life. After you read my story, you decide. Was being chosen the worst or the best thing that could have happened? I know my answer…

About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Author Links:

   

Book Blitz Organized by: