&
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present:
Book Blitz!
CORNTERSTONE
by Kelly Walker
by Kelly Walker
Welcome to the book blitz for the first book in Kelly Walker's Souls of the Stones series!
WHAT A GREAT DEAL!
An e-book copy of CORNERSTONE is only 99¢
on Nook and Kobo,
on Nook and Kobo,
You can also get ALL THREE BOOKS in the new Souls of the Stones trilogy omnibus
for one great price!
n e-book copy of the SOULS OF THE STONES OMNIBUS
is only $7.99 on Amazon and Nook,
for one great price!
n e-book copy of the SOULS OF THE STONES OMNIBUS
is only $7.99 on Amazon and Nook,
~*~
Here's an excerpt now!
CORNERSTONE
EXCERPT I:
EXCERPT I:
The man who had found Garith in
the woods spoke again. “Imagine someone with all three Gifts. The ability to
hear the future. The knowledge of the past, as well as the guidance of the
spirits. And the ability to harness the earth to your will. Someone with the
power of all three Stones would be unstoppable.”
The man across from them spoke
quietly, and solemnly.
“Souls
of the Stones, their sights we bear,
Sounds
of the Stones, their secrets we share,
Will
of the soil blood will flow,
Should
three Stones one ever know.
What
once were one split thrice,
Over
whispers and sights,
Soil
prevails, behold its might,
Blood
and Stones as one brings darkest night.”
Their leader spoke up again. “For
years, we have worked to ensure that just such a union doesn't occur. If Lady
Warren weds Prince Torian, all of the Three Corners will be at risk. Son, do
you understand why we can't let that happen? That prophecy has been passed down
for generations. Like our fathers before us, we have been dedicated to ensuring
that it isn't fulfilled. Our mission is to see to it that the Bloodlines stay
separate, and that never again is there a union like there was between Valencia
and Oren. It's just too dangerous.”
“Emariya couldn't have known,”
Garith said sadly.
“Maybe not. But Prince Torian
surely knows. It may be that he is intentionally trying to bind the lines, to
harness the power to unite Eltar and Sheas to Thalmas by force. With the three
Gifts at his disposal, he could do exactly that,” Russell insisted.
“If Emariya knew, she would never
marry him. No matter what, she would never want to jeopardize the safety of
everyone in Eltar.”
“Then we'll tell her. It sounds
like she is being used unknowingly. If she is truly innocent in this, once we
tell her, she will return home. Will you come with us?”
Garith nodded. On his own he'd never find her, and
now more than ever he was desperate to get to her. These men seemed to know the
woods well. His best bet was to stick with them, and hopefully along the way he
would learn more about the Stones. It would be fine, he told himself. They would
find Riya, tell her of the lore of the Cornerstones, and she would choose not
to marry the prince after all.
CORNERSTONE
EXCERPT II:
EXCERPT II:
Jessa couldn't even begin to keep
track of all the different emotions that were fighting to the surface at the
thought of her mother. She was honored that Emariya wanted her to accompany
her, but at the same time, she wasn't thrilled about leaving home. Even more,
her mother's words before she departed were weighing heavily on her mind.
“Jessa, your job will not be an easy one. Looking after your mistress
on this journey will be like nothing you've ever done.”
“Has looking after Emariya ever been easy, Mama?” Jessa had teased. It
was no secret that her mother often complained of how headstrong Emariya tended
to be.
They'd been in the kitchen
packing up the last of the food they would be taking with them. “This will be
different, Jessa. She will be in danger from much more than a few ruffled
feathers over not observing proper formalities. Though you will need to see
that she makes a good impression when you present her to the prince—may the
Three give you the strength.” The heavily dimpled woman had looked to the
heavens. “That won't be an easy task, either. But Jessa, listen up now. There
are those who would happily see her not reach Thalmas, and they will look to
stand in her way. What she is doing with this journey…well, there are those who
have spoken of its possibility, and are determined to prevent it at all costs.”
Her mother had looked her hard in the eye, stressing the importance of what she
was saying.
“Spoken of it how?” Jessa was confused. Emariya had only decided to go
to Thalmas a few days before. While she talked, she carefully wrapped slices of
turkey before tucking them into the canvas pack lying on the table.
Ignoring her question, her mother
continued, “She may well be able to finish what her mother started, but only if
you can keep her safe.” Mairi had absentmindedly wiped her hands on her apron
as she turned away from her daughter.
“What her mother started? I don't understand, Mama, what are you going
on about?” Jessa was starting to worry. Would her mother be all right here
without her? Jessa gently touched her mother's arm, turning her to face her
again.
Mairi had sighed. “Lady Valencia
came to Eltar because she had dreamt of a day when we might all prosper in
peace. Emariya has the ability to bring that peace.”
“Mother, why haven't you ever mentioned this before? You've always been
reluctant to speak of Lady Valencia,” Jessa asked, confused. She could tell
that her mother felt that what she was saying was gravely important, so why
didn't she just come out with it? Nothing she was saying made sense.
“Because she must find her own path, instead of walking the one she
believes she was born to. Do not tell her what I have said, Jessa. Promise me.”
Mairi's expression was serious.
“I promise, Mama.” Jessa patted her mother's arm, still concerned.
“She'll have Khane to keep her safe from physical harms—we can hope, at
least. But she needs you as well. Her heart tends to run away with her wits.
Not everyone you meet will be able to be trusted. It’s up to you to keep her
eyes open, but more importantly, you must make sure she keeps her ears open. Jessa,
listen to me now: you have got to keep her safe. I tried to keep her mother
from harm, but I couldn't. I pray you have better luck than I did.” Her mother
pulled her close in a tender embrace. “But oh, how I shall miss you, my girl.”
“I'll miss you too, Mama,” Jessa whispered, her heart catching in her
throat.
Her mother had an uncanny way of
being right, but Jessa couldn’t help hoping her mother had been overestimating
the trials that lay ahead.
CORNERSTONE
EXCERPT III:
EXCERPT III:
Strong arms scooped her up off of
the cold ground. The warmth of his body radiated through her. She'd been lying
on the ground for so long that the wet had infiltrated every layer of her
clothing. She was so cold, and he was so warm. Emariya snuggled in against him
without thinking about it, and then opened her eyes.
Looking down at her worriedly
were the purest gray eyes she had ever seen. If someone had told her they were
made of the snow and stone that surrounded them, she would have believed them.
Then he smiled at her. Her breath caught in her chest.
His dark hair curled wickedly
every which way, despite his attempts to brush it back. She couldn't help
thinking that he could have been carved out of rock. He had high cheekbones and
an angled chin, which added to the carven look. Several days’ worth of stubble
decorated his jawline, but instead of making him look unkempt it only
punctuated his deeply handsome dark looks.
“Are you all right, my Lady?” His
voice was tense, worried, but strangely lyrical. She smiled reassuringly at
him. She was instantly rewarded with his returned smile.
She had thought for sure she
heard Garith's voice, but she didn't see him. “Garith?” she inquired, trying to
lift her head to look around for him. The man's smile dimmed, although it was
no less captivating. He turned her so she could see the other side of the camp.
She saw Garith off to the side, working to put out the fire. This handsome,
kind stranger must have helped Garith rescue her.
“Who?” she managed to croak out.
Her throat was raw and the words ached as they passed through her dry lips.
What had happened? She'd been running for Raina when…she remembered then. She'd
gotten the oil of the Hellebore on her when Leil touched her. She shuddered
involuntarily, remembering the things the hypnotic herb had made her envision
while she was under its spell. But that didn't matter anymore.
The smile was back, although it
was more guarded now. “Allow me to introduce myself, my Lady. My name is Torian
Ahlen.”
Epic Fantasy combines with Young Adult romance in this stunning new adventure set in a richly developed medieval world. Second Stone and Broken Stone are now available! Also be sure to look for Jaded Stone, the thrilling prequel to the Souls of the Stones series.
When Emariya Warren learns enemy forces have captured her father, she’ll do anything to save him. Anything. Even marry a mysterious prince she knows nothing about in order to rally the strength to arrange a rescue. During her journey to Torian’s foreign castle, Emariya comes face to face with her mother’s killers–and a deadly secret.
Not only does Emariya possess a powerful but unexpected magical gift passed down through each of her families, the prince she’s promised to marry possesses a third, and an ominous prophecy has warned the three gifts must never be combined.
If she breaks her promise to marry Torian, she won’t be able to save her father and if she keeps it, she may bring a curse upon everything she holds dear. Determining which choice is best won’t be easy, but when she meets the gorgeous prince who may desire more than just her heart, she realizes she will have to fight just to have a choice at all.
Her heart wants him desperately. Her head begs her to run. If she doesn’t want to share her mother’s fate, she’ll have to find a way to untangle the truth from the lies in time to save herself.
Discover the heartbreaking betrayals, fascinating magic and fated love of Cornerstone.
~*~
AUTHOR BIO
Kelly Walker is a YA and NA author of several romantic titles, including the Souls of the Stones series. She has an unhealthy appreciation for chocolate, and a soft spot for rescued animals. Her best lessons on writing came from a lifetime of reading. She loves the fantastical, and the magical, and believes a captivating romance can be the most realistic magic of all. Kelly, her husband and her two children share their Virginia home with three dogs who walk her, and two cats who permit her to occasionally share their couch.
****Giveaway*****
You could win...
One (1) ebook copy of any book in the Souls of the Stone series.
Open internationally.
(Through 3/4/14)
One (1) ebook copy of any book in the Souls of the Stone series.
Open internationally.
(Through 3/4/14)
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