Errant Spark
Elemental Trials Book 1
by Ronelle Antoinette
Genre:
Fantasy Romance
Fantasy Romance
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but In
Egalion’s Imperial court, you can't tell one from the
other...especially when they change at the flip of a coin. Behind the
luxury and splendor lies a realm of treachery where cloak-and-dagger
political maneuvering threatens to destroy the peace of two thousand
years.
Egalion’s Imperial court, you can't tell one from the
other...especially when they change at the flip of a coin. Behind the
luxury and splendor lies a realm of treachery where cloak-and-dagger
political maneuvering threatens to destroy the peace of two thousand
years.
Twenty-five-year-old Battlemage Jex Xander has a mouth that frequently gets him into
trouble, while in contrast, Enari Namelum speaks not at all. When Jex
becomes the target of a faceless curse-slinger, Enari, the girl he
has protected since the day they met, must now protect him. A string
of ritual human sacrifices coupled with Jex’s growing inability to
keep his feelings (and hands) to himself only serve to complicate
matters. Amidst the mounting chaos, passion and romance should be the
last thing on their minds, but life and the Goddess seem to have
other ideas.
trouble, while in contrast, Enari Namelum speaks not at all. When Jex
becomes the target of a faceless curse-slinger, Enari, the girl he
has protected since the day they met, must now protect him. A string
of ritual human sacrifices coupled with Jex’s growing inability to
keep his feelings (and hands) to himself only serve to complicate
matters. Amidst the mounting chaos, passion and romance should be the
last thing on their minds, but life and the Goddess seem to have
other ideas.
In a world as enticing as it is perilous, love, danger, and magic will
collide, leaving lives irrevocably changed. The events of a single
summer stand to change the course of more than just the kingdom of
Egalion and the ones dismissed as pawns may yet prove to b the most
important players.
collide, leaving lives irrevocably changed. The events of a single
summer stand to change the course of more than just the kingdom of
Egalion and the ones dismissed as pawns may yet prove to b the most
important players.
Errant Spark is the hush before the storm, the last deep breath before the
plunge. The flint has been struck and it’s possible the whole world
might go up in flames…because love in the Imperial court is as
dangerous a thing as backroom politics and jealousy can be as much a
driving force as silver and gold.
plunge. The flint has been struck and it’s possible the whole world
might go up in flames…because love in the Imperial court is as
dangerous a thing as backroom politics and jealousy can be as much a
driving force as silver and gold.
***
Fantasy? Action? Romance? Yes! This romantic fantasy novel by Ronelle
Antoinette is a broad, epic, sweeping fantasy with more twists and
turns and ups and downs than a wild roller-coaster! The first
installment of the Elemental Trials series is one of those books that
really is so much more than what the blurb can convey. Described as
“surprisingly complex and visionary” by one reviewer, Errant
Spark will leave you mesmerized from the first page to the
last.
Antoinette is a broad, epic, sweeping fantasy with more twists and
turns and ups and downs than a wild roller-coaster! The first
installment of the Elemental Trials series is one of those books that
really is so much more than what the blurb can convey. Described as
“surprisingly complex and visionary” by one reviewer, Errant
Spark will leave you mesmerized from the first page to the
last.
Hailed by Amazing Stories Magazine’s Ricky L Brown as “a simple story
about interesting characters with just enough romance and magic to
make it work.” Errant Spark is as complex as George RR Martin, with
a world that is well-suited for conniving and cavorting. Rest
assured, there is plenty of sex and violence, but not as raw and
stabby as the aforementioned works. It’s more like a big kid’s
version of a fairy tale.
about interesting characters with just enough romance and magic to
make it work.” Errant Spark is as complex as George RR Martin, with
a world that is well-suited for conniving and cavorting. Rest
assured, there is plenty of sex and violence, but not as raw and
stabby as the aforementioned works. It’s more like a big kid’s
version of a fairy tale.
Recommended for:
•Mature teens and up
•Fans of epic fantasy and romance
•Those looking for characters they want to eat…or take home and enjoy
•Readers who can appreciate a gorgeous tapestry of magic, myth, and mayhem
•Connoisseurs of fine love stories that compliment the plot and that ‘slow burn’
•Lovers of surprises, twists-and-turns, and well-placed, necessary supernatural elements
•Anyone looking for sex, magic, love, fantasy, and a story that will sweep you away
•Those who don’t mind staying up all night so they can turn that final page
Update:
As of 11/21/16, a series glossary has been included at the end of
this novel (in ebook and print form only).
As of 11/21/16, a series glossary has been included at the end of
this novel (in ebook and print form only).
Amazon
* Audible
* Apple
* Smashwords
* B&N
* Audible
* Apple
* Smashwords
* B&N
“May I join you?”
Without waiting for a response, Jex Xander settled
gracefully to the ground beside her. He offered her a tin cup and she took it,
warily examining the contents.
“You have the look of someone who could use that.”
He jerked his chin at the cup before turning his attention to his own bowl of
stew and chunk of bread.
Chamomile and meadowsweet wafted up on the steam
and she inhaled appreciatively, but didn’t drink.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Fishing a flask out of his
pocket, the mage unstoppered it and leaned over her, pouring a small amount of
something brownish into the tea. “Not the best quality, I’m afraid, and I know
it smells vile, but it’ll take the edge off your sore muscles, I promise.” He
grinned at her startled expression before settling more comfortably and
beginning to eat heartily.
Enari took a tentative sip and tried not to gag.
It was horrid, but the warmth that spread in her belly was soothing, so she continued
to drink. They sat in silence for several moments as stars twinkled to life
overhead. A few even shot brightly across the sky and Enari watched them, still
awed at the sheer immensity of the view above her. At the Temple, parts of the
night sky had always been obscured by foliage, even when viewed from the high
branches of the trees she climbed.
“Mmm, Plamen works his forge tonight,” Jex
observed around a mouthful of bread, “Wonder what he’s making?”
Enari didn’t answer and after a moment, he tried again.
“Did the kvinna speak truth? Are you really still
a novice?” He used the remaining crust to mop out his bowl before licking his
fingers and wiping them in the grass beside him.
She nodded, still not looking at him.
“May I ask how old you are?”
It was a rude question to ask a woman, he knew,
but he’d been watching her all afternoon and hadn’t been able to guess her age.
‘Young’ was all he’d determined for certain. Probably too young.
Using a stick, she drew a number in the dirt and
his conscience eased. Eighteen. Not too young, then, or at least not so much
that he felt guilty for looking. And he definitely had been looking. Couldn’t
blame a man, really.
Well, the kvinna probably would. She seemed the
excessively protective sort.
“I have a sister about your age, back in Rowan.
Not as quiet as you, though,” he mused, hoping to at least get a smile out of
the girl. She was exotically appealing and he could only imagine how much more
radiant she would be if she smiled.
Enari stood quickly. She didn’t know how to fend
off interested men and retreating to bed seemed like the easiest way out of
this awkward situation.
“Novice!” one of the guardsmen called out. To Jex,
he sounded more than a little drunk. “If you be done with that pretty boy, come
and spend time with a real man. The night promises to be chill, but I’ll warm
you well if he won’t!”
Jex rose to his feet upon seeing her uncertainty
and embarrassment.
“You!” he called back, “Didn’t your mother teach
you how to address a lady?”
“Mind your own business, mage,” the man retorted.
He got up unsteadily and swaggered towards Enari. She hurriedly backed away,
eyes darting left and right as she sought an avenue of escape.
Before the man could reach her, Jex stepped up and
put his palm in the center of the other’s chest. He gave him a stiff shove,
eyes dark with menace.
“Don’t be a fool. I wasn’t sent to protect these
women from their own escorts but I will. I suggest you find your bedroll,
friend,” he said dangerously, “Sleep it off, or you’ll be no good to anyone on
the morrow.”
Enari stared at the pair with round eyes. The mage
didn’t even know her, yet here he was, protecting her honor like she was some
grand lady.
After a moment of glaring at each other, the
guardsmen broke eye contact first. Muttering sullenly under his breath, he
retreated and Jex released a sigh. He really hadn’t wanted to fight the drunken
lout, even though he was confident he’d have won.
“Silent little thing, aren’t you?” Returning his
attention to Enari, he reached out and touched her cheek gently.
Weariness in blurry waves of gray, spikes of hard
red adrenaline and anger, fading sparks of vibrant blue lust... Goddess, she’d
be so pretty if she smiled. Too pretty to stay much longer in a group of men
with no one but her Sura to look after her. Stupid, stupid to send such a small
party across so much open land.
Quiet thunder of a rapidly pounding heart, the sharp
tang of fear-sweat, nervous little brown mouse… That man almost…he could
have…and the mage. I don’t even know him, he doesn’t know me, but he stopped
the other one. His hand is on my skin and…
Starting in alarm, Enari recoiled and the string of
awareness that was and wasn’t hers snapped like gossamer thread. She took a
quick step back and the sudden movement unbalanced her. Her sore leg muscles
were unable to compensate and with a surprised gasp, she fell onto her bottom
in the dirt. Jex looked down at her, clearly as startled as she.
A heavy hand grabbed the back of his tunic and the
grizzled old guard captain shook him roughly. His voice was deep and his accent
was rough. “She dun’a like to be touched, mageling. Keep your mitts to
yourself!”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I,” Jex stuttered and
cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he finished lamely, looking back and forth between
Enari and the captain, as if unsure who he was actually apologizing to. He
offered her a hand up, took a look at the captain’s face, and put both of them
in his pockets.
“You alright, little mistress?” the captain asked
Enari.
She nodded and climbed stiffly to her feet,
brushing dirt from her trousers.
“I’m sorry for startling you, Nani,” Jex
apologized again. Enari smiled and waved it away. He frowned at the captain and
opened his mouth.
As if guessing the younger man’s thoughts, the
captain shook his head. “She dun’a speak, either.” He narrowed his eyes
threateningly at Jex, thick brows beetling down even further. “But dun’a you be
going and thinking she be stupid for it, mage. She ain’t.”
Jex held up his hands in placation and took a step
away. “I would never!”
“See that you dun’a.” With that, the captain
strode away into the darkness. Jex made a face and gestured rudely at his
retreating back. Enari covered a smile.
Turning back to her, he raised a speculative
eyebrow and put his hands on his hips. “He wasn’t having me on, was he?”
Enari’s expression turned distant.
“Alright, alright. Keep your secrets.” His eyes
darted to the bowl of stew she’d somehow managed not to drop or spill all over
herself. “Are you going to eat that?”
Flash Point
Elemental Trials Book 2
Scandal will shake foundations.
A night of careless passion leaves Battlemage Jex Xander and Adept
Enari Alycon in a precarious position. Long-time lovers they might
be, but the Imperial ambassador and the daughter of Egalion’s High
Mage have rather public roles in the court—whether they wish it or
not—and scandal couldn’t come at a worse time.
Enari Alycon in a precarious position. Long-time lovers they might
be, but the Imperial ambassador and the daughter of Egalion’s High
Mage have rather public roles in the court—whether they wish it or
not—and scandal couldn’t come at a worse time.
Treachery will tip balances.
When a hostile kingdom reluctantly agrees to parley, the fate of
two-thousand years of peace is on the line. In the midst of
negotiations, Enari becomes the target of one of the Greater
Maelstrom. She and Jex must race against time to save her life and
that of her unborn child. What happens when an earth-shattering
secret, a demon bent on destruction, and a kingdom teetering on the
brink of war collide is anyone’s guess.
two-thousand years of peace is on the line. In the midst of
negotiations, Enari becomes the target of one of the Greater
Maelstrom. She and Jex must race against time to save her life and
that of her unborn child. What happens when an earth-shattering
secret, a demon bent on destruction, and a kingdom teetering on the
brink of war collide is anyone’s guess.
Choices will have consequences.
The decisions of a few will determine the fate of many, and who or what
will remain standing in the end is still uncertain. Hearts and lives
are on the cusp of irrevocable change…and not necessarily for the
better.
will remain standing in the end is still uncertain. Hearts and lives
are on the cusp of irrevocable change…and not necessarily for the
better.
And secrets? Those will change everything.
Ronelle Antoinette lives in western Colorado with her husband, two cats, and
one dog-who-believes-he's-a-person. While she is a mother of none,
she’s an auntie to what should qualify as a small army. She is an
admitted caffeine addict, chocoholic, and hopeless romantic who has
carried on a passionate affair with the genre of fantasy since she
was old enough to read 'chapter books'.
one dog-who-believes-he's-a-person. While she is a mother of none,
she’s an auntie to what should qualify as a small army. She is an
admitted caffeine addict, chocoholic, and hopeless romantic who has
carried on a passionate affair with the genre of fantasy since she
was old enough to read 'chapter books'.
Ronelle dabbled in creative writing for many years before making it a career.
(She even considered it as a major in college, though she ended up
getting a Bachelor's degree in Counseling Psychology.) She published
her first novel, Errant Spark, in July of 2016.
(She even considered it as a major in college, though she ended up
getting a Bachelor's degree in Counseling Psychology.) She published
her first novel, Errant Spark, in July of 2016.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!
Thanks for sharing! -Janet @ Silver Dagger Book Tours
ReplyDelete