EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Promise of Magic
(House of Xannon Book 3)
(House of Xannon Book 3)
by Melinda VanLone
Promise of Magic is the third book in Melinda VanLone's House of Xannon series. Also available: Stronger Than Magic and Finding Flame.
Promise of Magic is currently on tour with Bewitching Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
On instinct, Tarian bowed her head in return, shocked. “Dulra. Welcome.” She breathed the words, awed by the presence of creatures she’d only known through legends. What is the Balance Court doing here?
“Tarian A’marie Maitea Xannon, of the House of Xannon, Keeper of the Water Artifact, you are summoned to the Balance Court.”
She’d been summoned, and every particle of her being cried out to answer it.
Despite the advanced stage of her pregnancy, Tarian has some explaining to do. Fulfilling her Agreement with the Carraig was an issue of honor - but it led to complications. The Keeper of the House of Xannon is called to account, and Tarian must embark on a dangerous mission which could cost her the life of her unborn daughter, end in disaster for all planes of existence - or save the world.
Some promises are deadly to keep. Will the promise of magic be one of them?
Excerpt
Tarian flew back with the force of the explosion, her body catapulted through the air as though thrown by a giant’s hand. She landed against the side of the cave and slumped down, a cramp taking her stomach in a vise grip and squeezing. She whimpered as she curled into as much of a fetal position as she could manage. Not now, not now.
Intense heat replaced the cold. Why was it so hot? Did it work? The baby!
Your side of the Agreement has been fulfilled. The words whispered through her mind, or were they in the air around her? She wasn’t sure.
It begins.
The deep voice, triumphant as it echoed through her mind, startled her. It wasn’t the Caraigg. It sounded rich and foreign.
What begins? Who…are…
Tarian moaned as a contraction ripped through her.
“Tarian!” Calliope sounded frantic, and far away.
“Here!” She tried to force air behind the words, to scream, but nothing came out but a cough. She gave up and lay still.
A cool hand touched her forehead. Motherly, soft hands. “Mother?”
“Tari, can you stand? We need to move. The cave is erupting.”
The words came from so far away. Erupting? But the Stulos was gone. It had to be, her Agreement was fulfilled. What’s erupting? She opened her eyes in between cramps and looked around.
She’d landed on a rock near the edge of the cave. The rock now stood surrounded by molten red liquid. The intense heat was nothing compared to the dust in the air. She coughed, lost her breath and coughed again.
Calliope put her arms around Tarian’s shoulders and pulled. “Stand up, you have to stand up. You have to walk through a portal. I can’t carry you.”
Tarian screamed when the next wave of pain hit her. She willed the cramps to stop, but they didn’t. There was no time for her body to collapse, no time. Move. Dammit, move! She was going to die here if they didn’t move.
From behind, hard hands around her waist. Caraigg.
Keeper must leave.
“Help me get her through the portal,” Calliope shouted at the cave.
Hands supported Tarian, and she leaned into them. They lifted her onto some sort of hard table as something scorched her face and hair. The smell of fire beat at her.
“Just shove her through, I’ll catch her.” Calliope yelled over the tumult of falling rocks.
Featured Review
I was extremely thrilled when Promise of Magic was released because I wanted to know what was the next adventure for Tarian. Her adventure didn’t disappoint. Several characters from the previous books are back and ready to help or hurt Tarian and her unborn child. I found myself reading each chapter faster because I needed to know if or how she escapes the evil that lurks in her world. I also enjoyed her transformation from an heir to the throne to mother-to-be. Read this book if you are on Team Tarian!
About the Author
Melinda VanLone writes fantasy and science fiction, freelances as a graphic designer, and dabbles in photography. She currently lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband and furbabies. When she's not playing with her imaginary friends you can find her playing World of Warcraft, wandering aimlessly through the streets taking photos, or nursing coffee in Starbucks.
Giveaway
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