On Tour with Prism Book Tours...
Tales of Goldstone Wood #4
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Paperback, 400 pages
Published November 1st 2012 by Bethany House
Premise:
When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.
But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?
About the Author:
Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.
Find & Follow:
Get Your Copy:
Bethany House
Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository
Amazon
My Review:
**4 Stars**
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
**4 Stars**
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
MY OVERVIEW: It is hard for me to think of where to start my review. I really enjoyed it and was happy that it worked well as a stand-alone. I have not read any of the previous three books in this series, but I didn't need to. This book acted as a prequel to those, so I am actually glad I read this one first.
PROS: I loved Eanrin! Ok, honestly, I didn't like him at first, but he really grows on you. I think it was really interesting how the women in the village were treated and viewed - seen but not heard.
CONS: I wish that The Hound was explained a little bit more towards the beginning. You are really guessing about who/what it is for most of the book. Gleamdren was really annoying. From beginning to end; but then I guess she was supposed to be.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The book did have religious undertones, but it wasn't overwhelming. You knew they were there, and they worked really well in the story... but you didn't feel like the author was preaching at you. I am planning on reading the rest of the books in this series.
The River Calls to Starflower
The trees drew back from the girl as she fled. They dared not interfere while she walked that Path, no matter how they might wish to. She took no notice of them. how long has she fled now? Had it been one night, or days and weeks of this nightmare? And always the howls pounded her memory.
Suddenly, the howls vanished. A new voice spoke from the gloom.
Come to me, pretty maid.
The girl stopped, swaying where she stood, on the verge of collapsing. Slowly, as though she dared not hope to find what she sought, she turned her head to the left. Between the trees a river sparkled like a ribbon of pure light and sweetness.
Her thirst was overwhelming. Even the snarls faded from her mind, replaced by the river's voice, babbling, gurgling, inviting. Come to me, pretty maid, it said, though she heard only the voice of water.
Her feet left bloodstains on the moss and rocks as she hastened down to the river's edge. A glint of gold shimmered in the tail of her eye, shining even in the Wood's oppressive shadows. She ignored it. Falling to her knees on the bank of the water, she plunged both hands in. The water stung her wrists where the harsh cords had bitten into her skin.
Drink deeply. Drink.
The water flowed about her arms, fresh and alive, and the sounds of its flowing filled her ears. She cupped her hands and lifted the cooling liquid to her lips. She drank.
One long, shuddering breath. Then she fell upon the bank, one arm extended into the water, the other upon the shore. Her black hair covered her face, and the River ran his fingers through the ends of it, pulling, pulling.
Sleep deeply. Sleep, said the River.
Check out the entire December Tour!
3 - Laura @ Colorimetry - Launch!
3 - Laura @ Letters to the Cosmos - Review
4 - Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer - Excerpt
4 - Kari @ Kari's Crowded Bookshelf - Review/Excerpt - River Calls
5 - Aleksandra @ Aleksandra's Corner - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats I
6 - Lisa @ Bookworm Lisa - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats II
6 - Mandy @ The Reading Diaries - Review
7 - Alicia @ Mortality Bites - Dragonwitch page REVEAL
7 - Naj @ Unputdownable Books - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats III
9 - Lissette @ Passion and Life - Guest Post - Night Terrors
10 - Laura @ Colorimetry - Review
10 - Bonnie @ A Backwards Story - Review
12 - Aimee @ Getting Your Read On - Guest Post - The Faces of Love I
12 - Kimberly Krey @ Kimberly Krey - Guest Post - Drafts
13 - Abbi @ Christian Novels - Tales of Goldstone Wood Reviews
13 - Mandy @ The Reading Diaries - Interview
14 - Ivy @ Open the Page - Guest Post - The Faces of Love II
16 - Alicia @ Mortality Bites - Review
17 - Len @ Musings of a Reader Happy - Highlight/Excerpt - Meet Dragonwitch
17 - Jen @ Literally Jen - Review
18 - Beth @ Living a Goddess Life - Review
19 - Rach @ Stressed Rach - Guest Post - Illustrated Sneak Peak
19 - Christy @ Christy's Cozy Corners - Review
20 - Heather @ Proud Book Nerd - Review
20 - Heidi @ Geo Librarian - Guest Post - The Faces of Love III
21 - Jaime @ Goodreads - Review
21 - Finale @ Colorimetry - Giveaway winner announced
Giveaway:
GRAND PRIZE: The first four books The Tales of Goldstone Wood: Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood and Starflower + SWAG. 2nd Place is a copy of Starflower + SWAG.
Grand Prize
2nd Place
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I really enjoy your blog. I feel like I learn about all sorts of books I would otherwise never hear of! Thanks for all your hard work reviewing books!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thank you for stopping by. I try to review a lot of indie books to help the authors get recognized. I love helping authors out, and hope that my reviews help do that. Glad to hear that you are finding them useful!
DeleteThanks for the great review and giveaway!
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